cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD), integrins (αV and α5) and osteopontin on bovine sperm–egg binding, and fertilization in vitro

Osteopontin (OPN), a phosphoprotein containing an arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) sequence, has been identified in cow oviduct epithelium and fluid. To investigate the potential role OPN in fertilization, we evaluated the ability of RGD peptide (arginine-glycine-aspartic), RGE peptide (arginine-glycine-glutamic acid), integrins alphaV and alpha5 antibodies and OPN antibody to influence bovine in vitro sperm-egg binding and fertilization. Treatment of sperm or oocytes with the RGD peptide prior fertilization significantly decreased in vitro sperm-egg binding and fertilization compared to the non-treated controls or those treated with RGE peptide. Binding and fertilization were also significantly decreased when in vitro matured bovine oocytes or sperm were pre-incubated with integrins alphaV and alpha5 antibodies at concentration ranging from 5 to 20 microg/mL. Addition of a rabbit polyclonal IgG antibody against purified bovine milk OPN with sperm or/and oocytes decreased (P<0.05) fertilization compared to the in vitro-fertilized control. These data provided evidence that integrin ligands existed on bovine oocytes and spermatozoa that contained RGD recognition sequences, and that antibody to OPN, a protein that contains that RGD sequence, was capable of reducing sperm-egg binding and fertilization in vitro.
Comparison of bolus injection and constant infusion methods for measuring muscle protein fractional synthesis rate in humans.

Background The use of stable isotope tracer techniques to measure muscle protein fractional synthesis rate (FSR) has been well established and widely used. The most common method that has been utilized so far is a primed constant infusion (CI) method, which requires 3–4 h of tracer infusion. However, recently our group has developed a bolus injection (BI) method, which requires an injection of bolus of tracer and can be completed within 1 h. In this study, we compared calf (gastrocnemius) muscle protein FSR measured using these two different methods — CI and BI.
The state of L-Schools: Intellectual diversity and faculty composition

In recent years, studies of Library and Information Science (LIS) disciplinarity developed original methods for examining the disciplinary composition of the field (Wiggins and Sawyer, 2012; Wu et al., 2011; Zhang et al., 2013). However, most of these studies focused on one fragment of the field, specifically, iSchool programs. In order to gain a fuller understanding of LIS development as a whole, our study applied some of the recently proposed disciplinary measures to a sample of L-Schools, defined here as ALA-accredited LIS programs offering PhD degrees and not part of the iCaucus. Analysis of the faculty training and current research interests indicates that L-Schools are characterized by a strong presence of the LIS areas and notable interdisciplinary trends. The article speculates about some of the factors contributing to the iSchool and L-School differences and suggests directions for future research.
Self-focusing and guiding of short laser pulses in ionizing gases and plasmas

Several features of intense, short-pulse (/spl lsim/1 ps) laser propagation in gases undergoing ionization and in plasmas are reviewed, discussed, and analyzed. The wave equations for laser pulse propagation in a gas undergoing ionization and in a plasma are derived. The source-dependent expansion method is discussed, which is a general method for solving the paraxial wave equation with nonlinear source terms. In gases, the propagation of high-power (near the critical power) laser pulses is considered including the effects of diffraction, nonlinear self-focusing, ionization, and plasma generation. Self-guided solutions and the stability of these solutions are discussed. In plasmas, optical guiding by relativistic effects, ponderomotive effects, and preformed density channels is considered. The self consistent plasma response is discussed, including plasma wave effects and instabilities such as self-modulation. Recent experiments on the guiding of laser pulses in gases and in plasmas are briefly summarized.
Surface elastic waves

Many of the recently discovered characteristics and applications to electronics of surface elastic waves are discussed. First the propagation of various elastic waves at the surfaces of solids is considered, followed by descriptions of the many ways which have been demonstrated for transduction between surface elastic waves and electromagnetic waves. Surface-wave amplification, primarily in semiconductors, and wave guiding, focusing, and reflection are examined. The properties of these waves suit them for use in a number of applications, which are discussed, ranging from realization of electronic amplifiers, frequency and analog time-domain filters, and coding devices, to the modulation of light beams and the measurement of surface properties of solids. Many references to the recent surface-wave literature are included.
Robot Path Planning for Dimensional Measurement in Automotive Manufacturing

This paper addresses the robot path planning problem in our effort to develop a fully automated dimensional measurement system using an eye-in-hand robotic manipulator. First, the CAD-based vision sensor planning system developed in our lab is briefly introduced; it uses both the CAD model and the camera model to plan camera viewpoints. The planning system employs a decomposition-based approach to generate camera viewpoints that satisfy given task constraints. Second, to improve the efficiency of the eye-in-hand robot inspection system, robot path planning is studied, which is the focus of this paper. This problem is rendered as a Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP). A new hierarchical approach is developed to solve the TSP into its suboptimality. Instead of solving a large size TSP, this approach utilizes the clustering nature of the viewpoints and converts the TSP into a clustered Traveling Salesman Problem (CTSP). A new algorithm, which favors the intergroup paths, is proposed to solve the CTSP quickly. Performance of the new algorithm is analyzed. It is shown that instead of a fixed performance ratio as reported in some existing work, a constant bound can be achieved which is related to the diameter of the clusters. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the robot motion planning system. The proposed path planning approach can obtain sub-optimal solutions quickly for many large scale TSPs, which are common problems in many robotic applications.
Is Therapeutic Alliance Influenced by Gender in Marriage and Family Therapy

Abstract The relationship between therapist and client(s) is a special one because clients trust their therapist with their vulnerability (Bird, 1993). Wynne (1988) suggested that the therapeutic alliance should be a central feature of empirical research in marriage and family therapy, but it has received scant attention. The feminist critique of marriage and family therapy has criticized family therapy theory for reifying the family and ignoring the individual needs of each client. The therapist-client relationship was examined using the Working Alliance Inventory (WAI; Horvath & Greensberg, 1986, 1989). Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) was used to examine the different perceptions of men and women on the sub-scales. Gender of therapist and modality were used as interaction variables.
High salt differentially regulates surface NKCC2 expression in thick ascending limbs of Dahl salt-sensitive and salt-resistant rats

NaCl reabsorption by the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle (THAL) occurs via the apical Na-K-2Cl cotransporter, NKCC2. Overall, NKCC2 activity and NaCl reabsorption are regulated by the amo...
Higher order approximations in the theory of longitudinal plasma oscillations.

In this note we comment and extend the results of a previous analysis in which the non-linear behaviour of one-dimensional electrostatic oscillations in a homogeneous, unbounded, collisionless and fully ionized plasma was considered. The evolution of a monochromatic wave of small, but finite amplitude is studied by expanding the dependent variables as well as the independent variable tin the form of asymptotic series; an ordering parameter e proportional to the initial amplitude of the electric field is introduced. The expansion of the independent variable in such a series allows us to eliminate secular terms from the part of the distribution function which does not depend on the free-streaming terms. This, in turn, allows us to determine corrections to the complex frequency a. Results of a previous note on non-linear Landau damping for an initially Maxwellian. distribution function are confirmed, but it is indicated that they apply to values of time up to a value τ 1 rather than for all times. One can proceed to larger values of time in the manner of the multiple time-scale method. In particular it is found that the Landau damping is increased with respect to the linear value only initially during the first time scale.
Teaching Retail Financial Management to Marketing Majors

Marketing educators must ensure that their marketing majors investigating career opportunities in retailing understand the dynamics of key retail financial ratios. This article reports the results of a study designed to determine the most important retail financial ratios used to measure corporate health and vitality and to describe a pedagogy which effectively teaches students how to compute and interpret these and other important retail financial ratios.
PERCUTANEOUS INTERBODY FUSIONS

Percutaneous interbody fusion procedures have evolved as a result of the need for precise and specific access corridors to facilitate the application of technology to perform these procedures. Endoscopic visualization has expanded minimally invasive capabilities, particularly in the thoracic and lumbar spine. Refinement of grafting concepts and structural composition continues. Based on the historical evolution of the described percutaneous interbody fusion procedures, the future of minimally invasive interbody arthrodesis shows promise through the ongoing definition of access corridors and the refinement of operative tools and techniques.
A Markov Random Field Approach to Multicast-Based Network Inference Problems

In this paper, we provide a new unified approach to analyze and solve multicast-based network inference problems. We show that the outcome variables induced by the transmission of a multicast packet form a Markov random field on the multicast tree. We present an algorithm that recovers the multicast tree topology based on the values of an additive tree metric on pairs of the terminal nodes. We prove the correctness of the algorithm. We also give several examples of an additive tree metric for which the values on pairs of the terminal nodes can be estimated from traffic measurements taken at the receivers. In addition, we propose an algorithm to recover the link performance parameters from the joint distribution of the outcome variables at the terminal nodes.
Energy Contribution of Beverages in US Children by Age, Weight, and Consumer Status.

Abstract Background: Messaging to reduce unhealthy beverage intake is often targeted to overweight and obese children; however, there is little evidence to show that healthy weight children have healthier beverage intake patterns. Further, data on consumers only may further elucidate beverage intake patterns. Purpose: The aim of this study was to update the current body of literature describing beverage intake in children by weight category, with the addition of consumer-only data. Methods: Day one 24-hour recalls from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005–2010 were analyzed to assess beverage intake of children 2–18 years old and differences by weight category. Beverages were coded as water, milk, 100% juice, coffee/tea, fruit drinks, soda, or low-calorie/diet drinks. Results: On average, 18.7% of total daily calories for 2- to 18-year-old children came from beverages; 60% of total daily calories from added sugar came from beverages. Mean calories from beverages were 359, 358, and 386...
Forms and Foliations

In Section 4.4, we proved the vector field version of the Frobenius integrability theorem: a k-plane field E on a manifold M is integrable if and only if Γ(E) ⊆) X(M) is a Lie subalgebra. In this chapter, we develop an equivalent version of this theorem, stated in terms of the Grassmann algebra A*(M) of differential forms. Useful consequences of this point of view will be treated.
Specialization of Primate Foot Reflected in Quantitative Analysis of Arthrodial Joints of Anterior Tarsals

Tarsal joints are mainly responsible for inversion and eversion of the foot. They also are responsible for the changes in configuration as the foot is applied to the ground or takes hold of an object as in climbing (Gray 1910). Consequently, consistent use of the tarsal in a locomotion pattern may be reflected in some aspects of the articular surfaces.
How Culture Structures Opportunity: Adolescents’ Approach to Learning Technology and Social Stratification

Research in mathematics and reading suggests that students’ approach to learning shape educational trajectories and job opportunities. Approach to learning may be important in other areas as well, especially information technologies where skill becomes quickly outmoded, yet little is known about approach to technology learning. Using new data from an economically stratified random sample of 897 Chicago Public School 8th graders in 27 schools I examine the material resources and cultural practices at school and at home that may influence adolescents’ approach to technology learning. I find that resources and practices at school largely do not explain approach to learning after taking into account home practice and individual controls. I also find small but persistent gender effects. Looking at how these differences may have long-term consequences, I find approach to technology learning has a significant relationship with current technological skill, educational plans, and occupational aspirations. These findings suggest that approach to technology learning may influence Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) career pathways. They also have implications outside of the job market where the demand to adapt to technological change may shape social stratification.
Clinical peptide and protein quantification by mass spectrometry (MS)

Abstract MS quantitation of peptides/proteins has been slow to be adopted by clinical laboratories. The reasons are: (i) lesser perceived need for assay improvement of protein/peptide immunometric immuonassays (IAs) compared to competitive IAs, (ii) increased demands peptides/proteins place on mass accuracy/resolution, (iii) limitations of current instrumentation, (iv) stickiness of peptides/proteins, (v) large number of serum peptides/proteins and their broad range of concentrations. However, MS can (i) facilitate assay harmonization, (ii) identify clinically relevant protein-isoforms, (iii) solve the antibody interference and “hooking” artefacts of immunometric IAs, and (iv) facilitate biomarker verification/validation. Consequently, the last 10–15 years have seen steady growth in peptide/protein MS assay-development. Common protocols are emerging; most can be performed on triple quadrupole instruments. Affinity enrichment, with antibodies against analyte or proteotypic peptides, is commonly used. Assay performance characteristics are similar to IAs. The future will see standardization of assay validation/quality-control requirements and increasing use of multi-target assays.
A STOCHASTIC VERSION OF WEAK MAJORIZATION, WITH APPLICATIONS

Publisher Summary In Proschan and Sethuraman, a basic theorem concerning the preservation of a Schur function under a certain integral transformation was derived. A stochastic version of majorization was introduced in Nevius, Proschan, and Sethuraman, and multivariate applications of this new concept were developed. This chapter discusses a stochastic version of weak majorization, and its properties and multivariate applications. The concept of weak majorization has been mentioned by several authors; however, it has not as yet been applied to statistical problems. The chapter presents a lemma that enables for the derivation of an important characterization of weak stochastic majorization.
Prevention of hip fractures in older men receiving androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer: A cost-effectiveness analysis

6530 Background: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) increases the risk of osteoporotic fractures. Our goal was to assess the cost-effectiveness of bone mineral density (BMD) screening followed by a...
A Multidisciplinary Pulmonary Embolism Response Team: Initial 30-Month Experience With a Novel Approach to Delivery of Care to Patients With Submassive and Massive Pulmonary Embolism.

Background Integrating newly developed tests and treatments for severe pulmonary embolism (PE) into clinical care requires coordinated multispecialty collaboration. To meet this need, we developed a new paradigm: a multidisciplinary Pulmonary Embolism Response Team (PERT). In this report, we provide the first longitudinal analysis of patients treated by a PERT. Methods Our PERT includes specialists in cardiovascular medicine and surgery, emergency medicine, hematology, pulmonary/critical care, and radiology, and is organized as a rapid response team. We prospectively captured clinical, therapeutic, and outcome data at PERT activation and during follow-up periods up to 365 days. We analyzed data collectively, and as five mutually exclusive 6-month periods. We performed Fisher exact tests and regression analysis to test for trend. Results In 30 months, there were 394 unique PERT activations, 314 (80%) for confirmed PE. PERT activations increased by 16% every 6 months. Most confirmed PEs were submassive (n = 143, 46%) or massive (n = 80, 26%). The PERT treated a relatively large proportion of patients with PE and systemic or catheter-directed thrombolysis (n = 35, 11%), though the most common treatment was anticoagulation alone (n = 215, 69%). Hemorrhagic complications were rare overall, especially among patients treated with catheter-directed thrombolysis. The all-cause 30-day mortality of PERT patients with confirmed PE was 12%. Conclusions We report our initial 30-month experience with a novel multidisciplinary PERT that rapidly engages multiple specialists to deliver efficient, organized, and evidence-based care to patients with high-risk PE. The PERT paradigm was rapidly adopted and may become a new standard of care for patients with PE.
Correlation-Based Depth Estimation with a Plenoptic Camera

A novel algorithm was developed to estimate scene depth by uniquely exploiting plenoptic image data. Plenoptic images allow multiple perspectives to be extracted from a single exposure from a singl...
An anthropometric estimation of body composition of older men.

This study sought to derive equations for the functions of estimating the body density (Db), lean body weight (LBW), and percentage body fat (PBF) of older men. Hydrostatic weighing was used to determine the criterion measures of 25 older men, 56 to 70 years of age (M = 62.1, SD = 4.2 years). A stepwise multiple regression analysis of these data developed equations for each variable with multiple correlation coefficients and standard error of estimates of the most practical (p less than .001) being: Db = .857, 0.0047 g/ml; LBW = .954, 2.08 kg; PBF = .842, 2.36%, respectively. The accuracy of these results are commensurate with others reported in the literature.
Epidemiological Analysis of Unexpected Public Health Events in Dongguan City between 2005-2006

Objective To explore epidemiological characteristics of unexpected public health events in Dongguan city, and to provide scientific evidence for intervention measures. Methods Data of unexpected public health events occurred between 2005 and 2006 in Dongguan city was analyzed. Results There were 14 unexpected public health events in Dongguan city between 2005 and 2006. 9 cases were communicable diseases (64.29%), and 5 cases were food poisoning (35.71%). The proportions of unexpected public health events occurred in factory, school and nursery were 57.14%, 35.71% and 7.14%, respectively. The incidence rate was the highest in April (35.71%), and followed by that in December(28.57%). Students and mobile workers are the high-risk groups. Conclusion The unexpected public health events commonly occurred in factory, school and nursery and caused serious health problem of the mobile workers and students.
Field Test and RTDS Simulation Study on Low Frequency Oscillation Problem in Power Plant

According to the low frequency oscillation problem in Pingban power plant,the load step disturbance test and the forced oscillations test under different frequency sine wave to the excitation regulator of the power plant have been made.It is found that the wrong parameter setting is the reason of low frequency oscillation.By the further analysis and closed-loop simulation on RTDS,the hidden trouble of inaccurate calculation in the speed element of PSS input was found in the PSS system of excitation regulator.Modifications were proposed,which's effectiveness has been confirmed by field tests.
Influence of Notch Microstructure on Impact Toughness of P92 Steel Weld Metal

According to the problems of impact toughness of P92 steel weld metal occuring in welding procedure qualification to P92 steel,the impact toughness of P92 steel weld metal was studied from the notch microstructure of standard V type impact specimen.The results show that the impact toughness of P92 steel weld is higher with columnar crystal angle of the notch increasing.The notch microstructure has important influences on the impact toughness of P92 steel weld metal.
The effect of deglycosylated human chorionic gonadotropin on corpora luteal function in healthy women.

Fourteen healthy young women were studied through a control and a treatment menstrual cycle in two series of experiments. In the first series, they were given one of four doses of deglycosylated human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) as a 24-hour infusion during the mid-luteal phase of the cycle. In these studies, there were no significant alterations of the length of the luteal phase of the treatment cycle, and there was no decrease in serum progesterone (P) during the infusion. In fact, serum P increased during the infusion. In the second series of studies, five subjects were given a 48-hour infusion of normal saline during the control cycle, and a 48-hour infusion of deglycosylated α -intact β- hCG during the treatment cycle, both being administered during the mid-luteal phase. Treatment did not alter luteal phase duration and, again, increased serum P. It is concluded that deglycosylated preparations of hCG are not clinically useful as luteinizing hormone antagonists, probably because of residual agonist activity.
Community-oriented primary care programs.

Background Systems are being proposed by health planners in an effort to improve access to health care for the uninsured and underinsured, including the vulnerable and indigent populations. The lack of affordable and adequate health care for significant numbers of our citizens raises the potential for a serious economic crisis for our nation. Modern medicine has been more interested in developing high tech care for the well insured than in preventive and early intervention health care. While the development of this high technology is of great value and will be beneficial to many, it is out of financial reach for increasing numbers of individuals. As a nation we must reduce the demand for high priced medical care by providing a system that keeps people healthy or intervenes in their illness at a stage when less dramatic medical measures are able to restore them to health. To maintain a population that is healthy and productive in the school setting and in the work place, systems must be developed that reach out into the community with prevention-oriented health education programs and health care services at the primary care level. Methods A limited literature review was made in order to present to the optometric community the concept of Community Oriented Primary Care (COPC) as a cost-effective method of improving access to primary care services. Results The literature review demonstrated that Community Oriented Primary Care (COPC) as a health-oriented strategy brings the benefits of primary care closer to those in need. The history of the development of community oriented primary care services as a health delivery methodology, as well as the current utilization of the COPC concept, is presented in this paper. Conclusions Optometry, as a provider of primary eye and vision care services should be included in these cost effective programs.
Abstract # 1701 Anti-CD40 prevents the corticosterone-induced loss of splenic dendritic cells in C57BL/6 mice

Dendritic cells (DCs) are important immune cells linking the innate and adaptive immune response. DCs capture antigen to present to and activate naive T cells. Subsets of DCs vary based on protein expression. This research focused on total DCs (CD11c+), and the myeloid and cross-priming DC subsets. Corticosterone (CORT), a glucocorticoid hormone released in response to stress, greatly reduces DC numbers and alters DC function and subsequent T cell responses. The current study quantifies DC recovery after CORT exposure and demonstrates that the loss of DCs can be prevented. C57BL/6 mice were exposed to exogenous CORT in the drinking water for 24 h. The splenic DC populations were then quantified by flow cytometry. CORT exposure significantly decreased the numbers of all splenic DCs. Mice were then provided varying recovery times (3, 5, or 10 days) post CORT exposure. DCs quickly returned to normal levels, and even exceeded the percentages in control untreated mice. Injection of mice with anti-CD40 antibody triggers DC maturation. Thus, it was hypothesized that injection of anti-CD40 may prevent the CORT-induced loss of DCs. Mice received two injections of anti-CD40 antibody and were immediately supplied with CORT following the second injection. When provided anti-CD40 prior to CORT exposure, the loss of DCs was prevented. These studies contribute to the ongoing exploration of the mechanisms underlying the immunological effects of stress-induced glucocorticoids.
The role of shame and symptom severity on quality of life in Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders

Abstract Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders (OCRDs) include Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Excoriation Disorder (skin-picking; SP), and Trichotillomania (TTM). Treatment for OCRDs mainly focuses on symptom reduction (i.e., exposure and response prevention, habit reversal training). However, the literature suggests that OCRDs may be associated with shame, which may also require clinical attention. Additionally, previous literature has indicated that Quality of Life (QOL) may be decreased in OCRDs, but this has not been examined in depth. This study examines the relationship between shame, QOL, and symptom severity in non-referred individuals meeting criteria for an OCRD diagnosis. We examined levels of symptom severity, shame, and QOL in adults who self-reported with OCD ( n =152), TTM ( n =248), and SP ( n =142). We hypothesized that shame would be a significant predictor of QOL. Results indicated TTM, SP, OCD and severity of specific dimensions of OCD were significantly correlated with shame. Shame was negatively correlated with QOL for all OCRDs. Additionally, results indicated that gender differences existed within OCRDs in relation to shame and QOL. Regression analyses indicated shame was more strongly related to QOL than symptom severity for all three groups. Implications of these findings and future research directions are discussed.
Water Oxidation Mechanisms of Metal Oxide Catalysts by Vibrational Spectroscopy of Transient Intermediates

Water oxidation is an essential reaction of an artificial photosystem for solar fuel generation because it provides electrons needed to reduce carbon dioxide or protons to a fuel. Earth-abundant metal oxides are among the most attractive catalytic materials for this reaction because of their robustness and scalability, but their efficiency poses a challenge. Knowledge of catalytic surface intermediates gained by vibrational spectroscopy under reaction conditions plays a key role in uncovering kinetic bottlenecks and provides a basis for catalyst design improvements. Recent dynamic infrared and Raman studies reveal the molecular identity of transient surface intermediates of water oxidation on metal oxides. Combined with ultrafast infrared observations of how charges are delivered to active sites of the metal oxide catalyst and drive the multielectron reaction, spectroscopic advances are poised to play a key role in accelerating progress toward improved catalysts for artificial photosynthesis.
Morphologic grading of euploid blastocysts influences implantation and ongoing pregnancy rates

Objective To determine whether blastocyst grading can predict pregnancy outcomes in the frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) of euploid blastocysts. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Academic medical center. Patient(s) Women who underwent FET of euploid embryo(s) between January 2013 and December 2015, with blastocysts were divided into four groups based on their morphologic grading before cryopreservation: excellent (≥3AA), good (3–6AB, 3–6BA, 1–2AA), average (3–6BB, 3–6AC, 3–6CA, 1–2AB, 1–2BA), and poor (1–6BC, 1–6CB, 1–6CC, 1–2BB). Intervention(s) FET. Main Outcomes Measure(s) Ongoing pregnancy rate (OPR). Result(s) A total of 417 FET cycles (477 embryos) were included. Excellent-quality embryos (n = 38) yielded a statistically significantly higher OPR than poor-quality embryos (n = 106) (84.2% vs. 35.8%; adjusted odds ratio 11.0; 95% confidence interval, 3.8–32.1) and average-quality embryos (n = 197) (84.2% vs. 55.8%; adjusted odds ratio 4.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.7–13.3). Good-quality embryos (n = 76) were associated with a statistically significantly higher OPR than poor-quality embryos (61.8% vs. 35.8%). These odds ratios were adjusted for patient's age, body mass index, number of transferred embryos, type of frozen cycle, peak endometrial thickness, day of trophectoderm biopsy (5 or 6), and total number of euploid embryos for each patient. An inner cell mass grade of A yielded a statistically significantly higher OPR than ICM grade C (76.2% vs. 13.5%) or grade B (76.2% vs. 53.6%) after controlling for all confounders. Conclusion(s) Contrary to prior published studies, the current data suggest that blastocyst morphologic grading and particularly inner cell mass grade is a useful predictor of OPR per euploid embryo. Morphologic grading should be used to help in the selection among euploid blastocysts.
Improving Breast Cancer Screening Adherence Among Hospitalized Women

Abstract Background: More than a third of hospitalized women are both overdue for breast cancer screening and at high risk for developing breast cancer. The purpose of the study was to evaluate if inpatient breast cancer screening education, scheduling an outpatient mammography appointment before hospital discharge at patients' convenience, phone call reminders, and a small monetary incentive ($10) would result in improved adherence with breast cancer screening for these patients. Methods: A prospective intervention pilot study was conducted among 30 nonadherent women aged 50–75 years hospitalized to a general medicine service. Sociodemographic, reproductive history, family history for breast cancer, and medical comorbidity data were collected for all patients. Chi-square and unpaired t-tests were utilized to compare characteristics among women who did and did not get a screening mammogram at their prearranged appointments. Results: Of the 30 women enrolled who were nonadherent to breast cancer screening,...
The Nagata technique for microtia reconstruction

Multiple techniques for auricular reconstruction for microtia have been described. Reconstruction using autologous costal cartilage continues to be the most widely implemented technique for repair. Recreation of a three-dimensional framework mimicking the curves and contours of a normal ear, while also maximizing stability, is crucial in reconstructing the auricle. Additionally, soft tissue management, although generalized in approach, is specific to each patient and greatly influences surgical outcomes. In the present article, we discuss the Nagata technique for auricular reconstruction, a 2-staged technique using costal cartilage grafts to rebuild the auricle.
Intraband Absorption in P-Type InGaAs At Fir Frequencies

Intraband absorption in p-type In 53Ga 47As has been measured at FIR frequencies (40–240 cm−1). It is found that the absorption in p-type InGaAs, which is associated with transitions between the light- and heavy-hole valence bands, is very strong. The absorption coefficient is as high as 103−104 cm−1. It increases with the doping concentration but decreases with the frequency of the incident radiation and temperature.
Umbilical Cord Blood Research: Current and Future Perspectives

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) banking has become a new obstetrical trend. It offers expectant parents a biological insurance policy that can be used in the event of a child or family member’s life-threatening illness and puts patients in a position of control over their own treatment options. However, its graduation to conventional therapy in the clinical realm relies on breakthrough research that will prove its efficacy for a range of ailments. Expanding the multipotent cells found within the mononuclear fraction of UCB so that adequate dosing can be achieved, effectively expanding desired cells ex vivo, establishing its safety and limitations in HLA-mismatched recipients, defining its mechanisms of action, and proving its utility in a wide variety of both rare and common illnesses and diseases are a few of the challenges left to tackle. Nevertheless, the field is moving fast and new UCB-based therapies are on the horizon.
The Role of Time in Virtual Teams: Development and a Meta-Analytic Test of a Temporal Model

This study develops and meta-analytically tests a temporal model of virtual team effectiveness. Analyses include 165 independent effect sizes. Results reveal that: (1) virtuality exerts a negative ...
Engineering finger-operated peristaltic pumps

Peristaltic pumping has been widely adopted in microfluidic systems over the past decade. Most applications lie, however, in the regime where fluids or biospecimens are continuously pumped through the entire fluidic system, leaving the initial filling stage of fluid into an air-filled channel underexplored. We propose a compact, quasi-1D, lumped element model for describing the initial filling process of liquid into microfluidic channels driven by peristaltic pumps with discrete diaphragm valves. In addition, we experimentally demonstrated that the liquid penetration length into the fluid channel could be decently controlled (~ 0.3 mm/cycle) using human fingers as the source of actuation pressures. Moreover, we show from our experiments the possibility of controlling the profiles liquid penetration lengths to be other than Lucas–Washburn’s $$ l\,\sim\,t^{{\frac{1}{2}}} $$ dependence: Linear liquid penetration length profiles can be achieved via liquid channels with exponentially decaying cross-sectional areas. In the above ways, our model has successfully demonstrated that finger-operated peristaltic pumps can serve as an upgraded alternative for capillary-driven microfluidics, offering extra runtime adjustment capability in understanding and engineering of microfluidics in the initial filling stages.
A spectral method for an elliptic equation with a nonlinear Neumann boundary condition

Let Ω be an open region in ℝd, d ≥ 2, that is diffeomorphic to 𝔹d. Consider solving −Δu + γu = 0 on Ω with the Neumann boundary condition $\frac {\partial u}{\partial \mathbf {n}}=b\left (\cdot ,u\right ) $ over ∂Ω. The function b is a nonlinear function of u. The problem is reformulated in a weak form, and then a spectral Galerkin method is used to create a sequence of finite dimensional nonlinear problems. An error analysis shows that under suitable assumptions, the solutions of the finite dimensional problems converge to those of the original problem. To carry out the error analysis, the original problem and the spectral method is converted to a nonlinear integral equation over H1/2 (Ω) , and the reformulation is analyzed using tools for solving nonlinear integral equations. Numerical examples are given to illustrate the method. In our error analysis, we assume the existence and local uniqueness of a solution. For the case of three dimensions and a nonlinearity b that is given by the Stefan–Boltzmann law, we will provide an existence proof in the final section.
Uniform Equilibrium: More than Two Players

The basic question addressed in this chapter is: Does every multi-player stochastic game (with finite state and action spaces) admit a uniform equilibrium payoff? To this day, no counterexample has been found. A positive answer has been given for several special classes, including zero-sum stochastic games [9], two-player non-zero-sum absorbing games [28] and two-player non-zero-sum stochastic games [26]. For multi-player games, existence of stationary equilibrium profiles has been proven for irreducible games [14],[3] and of “almost” stationary equilibrium profiles for games with additive rewards and additive transitions as well as for games with perfect information [25]. In this chapter I review recent results for games with more than two players.
Monitoring Democratic Politics, a Market Economy, and Citizen Well-Being: The South Korea Barometer

South Korea is regarded as the most influential and vigorous new democracy in East Asia. The country has not only transferred power peacefully to an opposition party but has also fully transformed its age-old crony capitalism into a competitive and transparent market economy. Yet the question remains: How much progress has Korea really made in democratizing its authoritarian institutions and its underlying cultural values that for nearly three decades supported the military dictatorships that ruled the country? To what extent has the country succeeded in restructuring its crony capitalism? How have these political and economic changes affected the quality of life that ordinary Koreans experience in the private and public spheres of their lives? This study addresses these questions by analyzing the Korea Democracy Barometer surveys conducted over the period of 1997–2004. The results of this analysis reveal that Korea has become a market democracy but its people do not experience any significant improvements in the quality of their lives.
Neurobiologic Dimensions of Depression and Mania

“Psychology and psychiatry (must) define for neurobiology the mental functions that need to be studied if we are to have a meaningful and sophisticated understanding of the biology of the human mind.” (14)
Development and Evaluation of ClientBot: Patient-Like Conversational Agent to Train Basic Counseling Skills.

Background: Training therapists is both expensive and time-consuming. Degree–based training can require tens of thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours of expert instruction. Counseling skills practice often involves role-plays, standardized patients, or practice with real clients. Performance–based feedback is critical for skill development and expertise, but trainee therapists often receive minimal and subjective feedback, which is distal to their skill practice. Objective: In this study, we developed and evaluated a patient-like neural conversational agent, which provides real-time feedback to trainees via chat–based interaction. Methods: The text–based conversational agent was trained on an archive of 2354 psychotherapy transcripts and provided specific feedback on the use of basic interviewing and counseling skills (ie, open questions and reflections—summary statements of what a client has said). A total of 151 nontherapists were randomized to either (1) immediate feedback on their use of open questions and reflections during practice session with ClientBot or (2) initial education and encouragement on the skills. Results: Participants in the ClientBot condition used 91% (21.4/11.2) more reflections during practice with feedback (P<.001) and 76% (14.1/8) more reflections after feedback was removed (P<.001) relative to the control group. The treatment group used more open questions during training but not after feedback was removed, suggesting that certain skills may not improve with performance–based feedback. Finally, after feedback was removed, the ClientBot group used 31% (32.5/24.7) more listening skills overall (P<.001). Conclusions: This proof-of-concept study demonstrates that practice and feedback can improve trainee use of basic counseling skills.
Spatio-temporal changes among site-to-source conversion factors for building energy modeling

Abstract Simulating energy use in buildings encompasses diverse end uses—thermal, mechanical, electrical—supplied by a mix of energy carriers. Comparing building energy performance entails a full accounting at the energy systems level and requires a distinction between the quantity of final energy used by the building (site energy) and the quantity of primary energy supplied by the energy system (source energy). Simulations of building performance, if they account for source energy at all, often use a national site-to-source conversion factor based on historical data and hold that value constant in all simulations. However, regional differences in the electricity grid mean the carbon intensity of individual energy sources can vary greatly depending on location. Furthermore, regional grid mixes will change and evolve in the future, for example as more renewables are added and older power plants are retired. Using data from the US Annual Energy Outlook, we found that all subregions have a lower site-to-source conversion factor than the default currently used in EnergyPlus simulations, using both of the two prevailing primary energy accounting practices. Analysis of future grid mixes show that site-to-source factors are projected to decline markedly over the next three decades, with the national average decreasing by 23–38% from the EnergyPlus default, depending on accounting convention. Although not well-reflected in current energy simulation practice, the site-to-source conversation factors significantly affect the comparison among and selection of building design and energy conservation strategies, especially in terms of fuel switching. An illustrative case study simulating energy use for a prototypical large office building in Atlanta using regionalized site-to-source factors shows a 11–19% reduction in calculated source energy in 2020 compared results using the default national factor, and 20–37% less by 2050 when considering projected shifts in the Southeast US regional grid mix. These decisions will grow more complex as the effects of climate change may shift building energy uses, for example requiring more electricity for cooling and less heating fuel.
Clinical application of fish-oil intravenous lipid emulsion in adult home parenteral nutrition patients.

Background High-ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are noted to contribute to development of intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD) in home parenteral nutrition (HPN). Fish oil (FO) has been added to latest generation of lipid injectable emulsion (ILE) to increase ω-3:ω-6 PUFA ratio; however, appropriate dose of FO to treat IFALD is unknown. Methods After approval of exclusive FO ILE in the US for pediatric patients, we noted 2 adult patients with ongoing IFALD despite transition to mixed-oil (MO) ILE. They were transitioned to off-label FO ILE after review of literature regarding use of FO ILE in adult HPN patients was conducted to guide management. Results The first case involves a 40-year-old female receiving HPN with IFALD refractory to MO ILE. MO ILE (with 15% FO) was provided at 50 g/d for 3 d/wk and combined with FO ILE at 50 g/d for 4 d/wk. This combination resulted in improvement in liver studies and allowed for decrease in dextrose calories. The second case involves a 49-year-old male receiving HPN (secondary to complications of necrotizing pancreatitis) who developed IFALD. FO ILE was used as the sole source of lipids and led to improvement in liver function tests. No evidence of essential fatty acid deficiency was found in either case. Conclusions Current case presentations and review of literature support the use of FO ILE to increase ω-3 PUFAs in patients with IFALD refractory to MO ILE. Additional research is necessary to delineate the dose of FO ILE necessary to achieve benefit.
Search for a Near-Infrared Counterpart to the Cassiopeia A X-Ray Point Source

We report deep near-infrared and optical observations of the X-ray point source in the Cassiopeia A supernova remnant, CXO J232327.9+584842. We have identified a J = 21.4 ± 0.3 mag and a Ks = 20.5 ± 0.3 mag source within the 1 σ error circle, but we believe this source is a foreground Population II star with Teff = 2600-2800 K at a distance of ≈2 kpc that could not be the X-ray point source. We do not detect any sources in this direction at the distance of Cas A and therefore place 3 σ limits of R 25 mag, F675W 27.3 mag, J 22.5 mag, and Ks 21.2 mag (and roughly H 20 mag) on emission from the X-ray point source, corresponding to MR 8.2 mag, MF675W 10.7 mag, MJ 8.5 mag, MH 6.5 mag, and M 8.0 mag, assuming a distance of 3.4 kpc and an extinction of AV = 5 mag.
Josephson effects between multigap and single-gap superconductors

Multigap superconductors can exhibit qualitatively different phenomena due to the existence of multiple order parameters. Repulsive electronic interactions may give rise to a phase difference of $\ensuremath{\pi}$ between the phases of the order parameters. Collective modes due to the oscillation of the relative phases of these order parameters are also possible. Here we show that both these phenomena are observable in Josephson junctions between a single-gap and a multi-gap superconductor. In particular, a nonmonotonic temperature dependence of the Josephson current through the junction reveals the existence of the $\ensuremath{\pi}$ phase differences in the multi-gap superconductor. This mechanism may be relevant for understanding several experiments on the Josephson junctions with unconventional superconductors. We also discuss how the presence of the collective mode resonantly enhances the dc Josephson current when the voltage across the junction matches the mode frequency. We suggest that our results may apply to ${\mathrm{MgB}}_{2},$ $2H\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{NbSe}}_{2},$ spin ladder, and bilayer cuprates.