cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improved protein extraction and protein identification from archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded human aortas.

Purpose Evaluate combination of heat and elevated pressure to enhance protein extraction and quality of formaldehyde-fixed (FF), and FF paraffin-embedded (FFPE) aorta for proteomics.
Developmental learning for avoiding dynamic obstacles using attention

Dynamic environments, containing both static and moving objects, present a great challenge for collision avoidance. Inspired by early processing in the biological systems, the input to the learning system introduced here includes a range map and a motion map. Avoiding computationally expensive real-time models of the dynamic environment, the presented developmental learning method enables the system to learn to quickly identify relevant feature subspaces at every time instance from the real-time input sensory stream. An attention selection mechanism and the Incremental hierarchical discriminant regression (IHDR) were used to identify and switch to different feature subspaces at every time instance. The developmental learning method represents an architecture enabled trade-off among the limited computational power, the real-time requirements and the complex dynamic environments. Real-time simulations are implemented to provide promising results on the avoidance of moving obstacles.
Smooth and Dynamically Stable Navigation of Multiple Human-Like Robots

We present a novel algorithm for smooth and collision-free navigation for multiple human-like robots. Our approach combines reciprocal collision avoidance with kinematic and dynamic stability constraints to compute a non-oscillatory trajectory for each high-DOF robot. We use a multi-level optimization algorithm that combines acceleration-velocity obstacles with trajectory optimization. We highlight our algorithm’s performance in different environments containing multiple human-like robots with tens of DOFs.
Phototoxicity of Hoechst 33342 in time-lapse fluorescence microscopy

Dyes that bind to DNA, such as Hoechst 33342, are commonly used to visualize chromatin in live cells by fluorescence microscopy. A caveat is that the probes themselves should not perturb cellular responses and under normal conditions the dyes are generally non-toxic. However, researchers are increasingly using computerized time-lapse microscopy (CTLM), where cells stained with fluorescent dyes are often imaged frequently over a period of several days, to follow cellular responses in real time. Little is currently known about possible toxicity of fluorescent DNA dyes under CTLM conditions. In this study we demonstrate that the common live-cell DNA stain Hoechst 33342 can cause apoptosis under CTLM conditions. Although toxicity is evident at long times in the absence of imaging at high dye concentrations, phototoxicity from repeated excitation of the dye in the imaging process is dominant. We show that phototoxicity is a function of the product of light fluence and dye concentration, irrespective of irradiance, frequency and total number of scans. Thus, phototoxicity can be prevented by a combination of dye concentration and imaging procedure that is below this threshold. These quantitative data can be used as a guide to others performing time-lapse microscopy studies with this common live-cell DNA stain and serves as a caution for researchers when using other fluorescent stains under CTLM conditions.
Fatal child maltreatment: characteristics of deaths from physical abuse versus neglect

This study examined victim, family, and alleged perpetrator characteristics associated with fatal child maltreatment (FCM) in 685 cases identified by child welfare services in the state of Oklahoma over a 21-year period. Analyses also examined differences in child, family, and alleged perpetrator characteristics of deaths from abuse versus neglect. Case information was drawn from child welfare investigation records for all FCM cases identified by the state Department of Human Services. Fatal neglect accounted for the majority (51%) of deaths. Children were primarily younger than age 5, and parents were most frequently the alleged perpetrators. Moreover, most victims had not been the subject of a child welfare report prior to their death. A greater number of children in the home and previous family involvement with child welfare increased children's likelihood of dying from neglect, rather than physical abuse. In addition, alleged perpetrators of neglect were more likely to be female and biologically related to the victim. These results indicate that there are unique family risk factors for death from neglect (versus physical abuse) that may be important to consider when selecting or developing prevention efforts.
Solar/battery electric auto rickshaw three-wheeler

Auto rickshaws are three-wheeled vehicles used extensively in many Asian countries as taxis of people and goods. Although the vehicle design is well-suited to the environment in which it operates, it is a crude, inefficient design. Due to poor vehicle maintenance and the use of inefficient 2 or 4 stroke engines with very little pollution control, auto rickshaws present a huge pollution problem in major Indian cities. Illinois Institute of Technology's (IIT) rickshaw project is aimed at developing an advanced solar-based electric auto rickshaw. This paper presents research on the conventional auto rickshaw, future conceptual infrastructure designs for electric rickshaws, and the recent design research and simulations of the next auto rickshaw. IIT's solar/battery electric three-wheeler is meant to match and exceed the conventional vehicle's performance, but with a more intelligent and efficient design. We introduce the next overall design of the rickshaw in this paper as the Auto Rickshaw 2.0, where the conventional vehicle is version 1.0. IIT's technical development aim for Auto Rickshaw 2.0 is to decrease the total electric power needed for propulsion with an optimized battery system and a more efficient motor. Four system drive train options are covered, and the selected configuration is simulated and analyzed in ADVISOR software. Additionally, conceptual infrastructure designs are modeled and optimized in HOMER software.
Antigen Modulation Confers Protection to Red Blood Cells from Antibody through Fcγ Receptor Ligation

Autoantibodies and alloantibodies can damage self-tissue or transplanted tissues through either fixation of complement or ligation of FcγRs. Several pathways have been described that imbue self-tissues with resistance to damage from complement fixation, as a protective measure against damage from these Abs. However, it has been unclear whether parallel pathways exist to provide protection from FcγR ligation by bound Abs. In this article, we describe a novel pathway by which cell surface Ag is specifically decreased as a result of Ab binding (Ag modulation) to the extent of conferring protection to recognized cells from Fcγ-dependent clearance. Moreover, the Ag modulation in this system requires FcγR ligation. Together, these findings provide unique evidence of self-protective pathways for FcγR-mediated Ab damage.
CD8+ T Cell Depletion Amplifies Hepatitis C Virus Replication in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

We investigated the ability of CD8+ T cells to inhibit hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). PBMCs isolated from 11 of 20 HCV-infected subjects had no detectable HCV RNA. Removal of CD8+ T cells from these PBMCs resulted in detection of HCV RNA, and depletion of CD8+ T cells from PBMCs that had detectable HCV RNA amplified HCV replication. Reconstitution of CD8- PBMCs with autologous CD8+ T cells led to inhibition of HCV replication. Interferon-gamma produced by CD8+ T cells was partially responsible for CD8+ T cell-mediated noncytotoxic anti-HCV activity in PBMCs. This noncytotoxic anti-HCV activity was confirmed in HCV replicon cells. Supernatants from CD8+ T cell cultures inhibited HCV RNA expression in the replicon cells. These findings may have important implications for the immunopathogenesis of HCV in both immune and hepatic cells and are relevant to the development of host innate immunity-based anti-HCV interventions.
Tumor-expressed IL-17D recruits NK cells to reject tumors

Antitumor immunity suppresses tumorigenesis, but we do not understand how transformed cells initiate those immune responses that are essential for effective tumor immunosurveillance. Using the 3-MCA fibrosarcoma model, we identified IL-17D as a tumor-expressed cytokine that recruits natural killer cells, leading to the polarization of M1 macrophages and tumor rejection.
Peer-led problem-based learning in interprofessional education of health professions students

Background : The role of peer teachers in interprofessional education has not been extensively studied. This study is designed to determine if peer-teacher-led problem-based seminars can influence medical and pharmacy students’ perceptions of interprofessional education. Methods : Undergraduate medical and pharmacy students participated in one-hour problem-based learning seminars held over the course of 16 weeks. A case–control study design was used to compare perceptions of interprofessional education between students who participated in seminars and students who did not participate in seminars. The validated Interdisciplinary Education Perception Scale (IEPS) was used to assess perceptions of interprofessional education and was distributed to medical and pharmacy students at the conclusion of 16 weeks of seminars. A two-tailed t -test was used to determine significance between groups. A survey was also distributed to all students regarding perceived barriers to involvement in interprofessional education training. Results : In total, 97 students responded to IEPS (62 medical, 35 pharmacy). Data showed significantly higher perception of professional cooperation among medical students ( p= 0.006) and pharmacy students ( p= 0.02) who attended interprofessional seminars compared to those who did not attend. One hundred and nine students responded to the survey regarding perceived barriers to interprofessional education, with the two most common barriers being: ‘I am not aware of interprofessional education opportunities’ (61.5%) and ‘I do not have time to participate’ (52.3%). Conclusion : Based on this data we believe peer-teacher-led problem-based interprofessional seminars can be used to increase medical and pharmacy students’ perceived need for professional cooperation. Currently, major barriers to interprofessional education involvement are awareness and time commitment. Undergraduate health professions education can incorporate student-led seminars to improve interprofessional education. Keywords: interprofessional education; peer-teaching; problem-based learning; barriers; involvement; collaboration; undergraduate medical education; undergraduate pharmacy education; leadership (Published: 4 September 2015) Citation: Med Educ Online 2015, 20: 28851 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/meo.v20.28851
Mortality and morbidity among army chemical corps Vietnam Veterans: A preliminary report

Nearly 1,000 men serving in Army Chemical Corps units in Vietnam between 1965 and 1971 were responsible for the mixing and application of herbicides, riot control substances, and burning agents. Information on Vietnam service was obtained from military records of 94% of this cohort. Follow-up for vital status on December 31, 1987, was conducted using Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), military, National Death Index, U.S. Internal Revenue Service, and Social Security Administration records. Cause-specific observed numbers of deaths among the 894 men included in the study group were compared with the numbers expected based on rates for U.S. men, adjusting for race, age, and calendar period. Fifty-three deaths from all causes were observed during the study period, compared to 48.8 expected (SMR = 1.09). There were statistically significant excesses of digestive disease deaths (SMR = 2.98), primarily due to cirrhosis, and from motor vehicle accidents (SMR = 2.00). Two deaths were observed from leukemia (0.5 expected) and two from brain cancer (0.4 expected). A total of 257 of the study subjects had received VA inpatient care or Agent Orange registry medical examinations during the study period. Two of these subjects had confirmed diagnoses of Hodgkin's disease (expected = 0.7) and one of hairy cell leukemia. Because of the small study group size and the lack of specificity of information regarding their exposures, these results cannot be attributed to any single chemical agent.
Magnetic nanocomposite for high Q embedded inductor

Magnetic nanophase cobalt ferrite particles were synthesized through a water-based method. The obtained nanoparticles were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electronic microscopy (TEM), and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. Magnetic nanocomposite was prepared by mixing the nanoparticle with epoxy/anhydride matrix. The dielectric and magnetic properties of the composite were measured by LCR meter and SQUID magnetometer. The design and fabrication of embedded inductor for Network Analyzer measurement is under an ongoing process.
Developmental Times of Heliothis zea and H. virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larvae and Pupae in Cotton

Field developmental times, expressed in day-degrees above 12.6°C, were estimated for the larval and pupal (i.e., prepupal plus pupal) stages of Hellothis zea (Boddie) and H. virescens (F.) reared on cotton. Means for larvae, female pupae, and male pupae were 238.9, 205.9, and 229.8, respectively, for H. zea ; and 225.2, 211.8, and 233.7, respectively, ror H. virescens . The interspecific difference in mean larval developmental times was significant. For both species, the variance of pupal developmental times was significantly larger for females than for males, and adult females began emerging well before the males. No significant interspecific differences in pupal developmental times occurred. Some implications of the results with regard to population dynamics studies and modeling are discussed.
Bioassay for detecting active site insensitivity in horn fly (Diptera: Muscidae) larvae.

A bioassay was used to detect active site insensitivity (knock-down resistance [ kdr ]) in pyrethroid resistant larvae of the horn fly, Haematobia irritans (L.). The larvae of the resistant population had KD50’s 42.0-, 28.1- and 29.2-fold greater to permethrin, fenvalerate and λ-cyhalothrin, respectively, compared with the susceptible population. In filter paper bioassays, resistant adult horn flies were 17 to 39.1 times less susceptible to the pyrethroids than susceptible adults at LC50. These results further document active site insensitivity as the major mechanism of pyrethroid resistance in the horn fly.
Determination of trace impurities in sintered alumina and zirconia by pressure acid decomposition/ICP-AES.

アルミナ及びジルコニア焼結体中の微量不純物定量のため,テフロン製容器を用いる加圧酸分解条件について検討した.分解を容易にするための試料の粉砕は,多量の粉砕容器成分の試料中への混入をもたらす.又粉砕した試料の酸による洗浄を行っても定量結果は影響を受ける.従って試料粉砕は行うべきではない.アルミナは硫酸(1+2)で,ジルコニアは硫酸(1+2)もしくはフッ化水素酸-硫酸(1+2)により,それぞれ塊状のままで分解できることが分かった.得られた分解溶液を1CP-AESに供することにより,焼結体中微量不純物(アルミナ中11元素,ジルコニア中10元素)を精度よく定量できた.
Sex Pheromone of the Cutworm Feltia jaculifera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The principal sex pheromone of Feltia jaculifera (Guenee) was identified as (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate by electrophysiology, chemical analysis, and behavioral tests. Field traps baited with 10–100 µg of this compound captured many F. jaculifera males, but incorporation of ca. 0.05% (Z)-7-dodecenyl acetate in the lure greatly increased numbers taken. Addition also of ca. 0.1% (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate gave a still stronger lure. Flight tunnel studies confirmed these compounds' synergistic action.
Renal function in human pregnancy. I. Changes in glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow.

Summary1. Renal function studies were performed on 9 patients during 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy and in the postpartum period. 2. A progressive increase in renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration occurred, reaching maximum in 3rd trimester and returning to non-pregnant levels after delivery. 3. These changes speak against an added burden imposed on the kidneys by pregnancy.
90 QUANTIFICATION OF PULMONARY ARTERY CALCIUM DEPOSITS IN PATIENTS WITH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY PULMONARY HYPERTENSION USING COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY.

Objectives To quantify calcium (Ca) deposition in pulmonary arterial (PA) circulation in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH), Eisenmenger syndrome (ES), and atrial septal defect (ASD) without pulmonary hypertension (PH) using computed tomography (CT) scans. Background CT readily quantifies Ca deposits. PA Ca deposits have been identified in ES and PPH patients. Histopathological staining of deposits revealed typical lipid-rich atherosclerotic plaques and fibrous intimal deposits. Within the PA tree, Ca deposition has not been quantified and causes are not well understood. The role of PA hypertension in promoting this process is unclear. PA oxygen saturation in ES patients is elevated in infancy and then reduced as large shunting lesions develop systemic levels of pulmonary resistance and reverse their shunt. PA oxygen saturation in PPH patients is similar to patients without organic heart disease. Oxygen saturation in ASD patients without PH is elevated. We sought to quantify the Ca in PA circulation of ES, PPH, and ASD without PH patients using CT. ES patients represent initially elevated PH, then reduced PA oxygen tension. PPH patients have PH and PA normoxia. ASD patients have PA hyperoxia and minimal PH. Methods 12 ES patients (mean age 42, range 22-60), 10 PPH patients (mean age 45, range 26-75), and 6 ASD without PH patients (mean age 41, range 24-59) were included. PA pressures ware measured by cardiac catheterization or echocardiography and were at systemic levels in ES and PPH. CTs were analyzed for PA Ca content. Differences between mean PA Agatston (Ag) Ca scores were bootstrapped and t-test was performed for raw scores and scores with adjusted means. Correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between Ag score and age in patients with ES. Results Mean Ag Ca score for patients with ES was 4,729 (range 15-31,609, SD ± 9589), PPH 181.9 (range 0-1,324, SD ± 4,147, p = .065), and ASD without PH 0.9 (range 0-5.6, SD ± 5.6, p = .035). Age was correlated with Ag score in ES patients (r = .63, p = .01). Excluding the oldest ES and PPH patients and counting both ASD and PPH, mean Ag score for ES was 470.6 compared to 202.1 for PPH (p = .038). ASD without PH patients had the lowest Ca score (p = .035 versus PPH and ES). Conclusions PA Ca deposits are elevated in ES patients compared to PPH and ASD without PH. ASD without PH patients had the least PA Ca. PH and altered oxygen saturation in ES patients are associated with increased Ca deposits in the PA circulation as compared to PH or hyperoxia alone. Ca deposited in PA circulation increases with age in ES patients.
A Review of Emmanuel Y. Lartey’s Postcolonializing God: An African Practical Theology

This review of pastoral and practical theologian Dr. Emmanuel Lartey’s 2013 Postcolonializing God: An African Practical Theology summarizes the book’s specific contribution to African pastoral and practical theology as well as to the broader fields of pastoral and practical theology. The reviewer outlines Lartey’s three movements of reversal, recovery, and transcendence intertwined in the active process of postcolonializing. She raises questions about developmental theories of postcolonial change and commends Lartey for locating postcolonializing in pastoral practice rather than developmental achievement.
Miconia becqueri , a new species of Miconia (Melastomataceae) with strongly four-lobed ovaries from the Sierra Maestra, Cuba

A new species of Miconia belonging to a clade diagnosed by strongly four-lobed ovaries/hypanthia and elongated calyx teeth flattened parallel to the floral radii, i.e., the Calycogonium hispidulum complex, endemic to the Sierra Maestra of eastern Cuba, is described, illustrated, and compared with related Cuban species. The discovery of Miconia becqueri brings to 15 the number of recognized species of this complex, seven of which occur in Cuba (if Clidemia barbeyana is conspecific with C. wrightii).
Russia in Afghanistan: Enduring Interests, Domestic Challenges and Regional Strategies

Russia’s role and importance in debates on promoting regional solutions for Afghanistan is paradoxical. Moscow is a second-rank actor in terms of its influence over the Afghan domestic situation, well behind Pakistan and Iran, and also behind India. However, it is a major actor in terms of cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), in large part thanks to the growing role played by the Northern Distribution Network (NDN), but also because the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan (1979–1989) is seen as having foreshadowed the difficulties that the International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) troops have faced in the country since 2001. Moreover, the states of Central Asia, three of which border Afghanistan, are also often omitted from the regional view,1 even though all together, Russia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, comprise a key neighborhood in Afghanistan’s future, especially with regard to the internal balance between the different ethnic groups that make up the country. This chapter first studies the weight of recent history in shaping Russia’s multifaceted relations with Afghanistan; second, it analyzes their bilateral relations and Russia’s proposed role in shaping solutions for the country; and third, it discusses Moscow’s responses at the regional level, both within the Central Asian, and a wider context.
The Peripheral Processing of Pleasant Touch in Mice

All social animals exhibit behaviors during which pleasant touch actions take place. That is also true for rodents including mice, which represent an experimental organism with genetic accessibility. Therefore, it is of great interest to study the processing of gentle touch in mice and clarify how these organisms detect and respond to such actions. Lately, a lot of advances have been made toward the peripheral processing of pleasant touch in mice. In humans, the C-Tactile (CT) fibers are believed to constitute the putative neurobiological substrate for rewarding touch processing. Whereas it was long believed that the C-Low Threshold Mechanoreceptors (C-LTMRs) in mammals represent the equivalent of the CT fibers in humans, these fibers have not been genetically identified until recently. Fortunately, several genetic markers for C-LTMRs have been identified in mice, enabling a deeper understanding of the encoding for pleasant touch in these organisms. Interestingly, a subpopulation of C-fibers that are stimulated by massage like stroking exhibit a positive valence effect when they are artificially activated and have been also identified in these experimental models. These particular fibers that do not belong in the C-LTMR family could constitute a distinct subclass of CT fibers in mice, offering another genetic handle for the elucidation of pleasant touch processing.
Improving the post-transcriptional aspects of lentiviral vectors.

The most efficient gene delivery systems harness the mechanisms evolved by viruses to facilitate replication and viral gene expression. The lentiviral vectors represent a new transgene delivery system, which holds great promise because of its ability to stably transduce nondividing cells. To develop the next generation of these vectors it is essential to increase biosafety and optimize the efficiency of transgene expression. Elements derived from other viruses are presently being utilized to accomplish these goals. RNA export elements derived from a simple retrovirus can be used in place of Rev to export intron containing genomic RNA into the cytoplasm for packaging into assembling virions. Further, an element derived from a hepadnavirus can significantly stimulate the expression of transgenes. These advances can greatly increase the potential utilization of lentiviral vectors in a clinical setting.
Experience-Dependent and Differential Regulation of Local and Long-Range Excitatory Neocortical Circuits by Postsynaptic Mef2c

Development of proper cortical circuits requires an interaction of sensory experience and genetic programs. Little is known of how experience and specific transcription factors interact to determine the development of specific neocortical circuits. Here, we demonstrate that the activity-dependent transcription factor, Myocyte enhancer factor-2C (Mef2c), differentially regulates development of local versus long-range excitatory synaptic inputs onto layer 2/3 neurons in the somatosensory neocortex in vivo. Postnatal, postsynaptic deletion of Mef2c in a sparse population of L2/3 neurons suppressed development of excitatory synaptic connections from all local input pathways tested. In the same cell population, Mef2c deletion promoted the strength of excitatory inputs originating from contralateral neocortex. Both the synapse promoting and synapse suppressing effects of Mef2c deletion required normal whisking experience. These results reveal a role of Mef2c in experience-dependent development of specific sensory neocortical circuits.
Maturation and assembly of retroviral glycoproteins.

Retroviruses infect cells after binding to a diverse set of specific cell surface receptors via their envelope glycoproteins (Env) (reviewed in (Weiss 1993). Retroviralenv genes are translated into a precursor protein that enters the secretory pathway of the host cell. During the process of being transported to the plasma membrane, the site at which the glycoproteins become incorporated into virions, the precursor undergoes maturation to a bipartite complex composed of the N-terminal, external surface subunit (SU), and a membrane-spanning Cterminal protein (TM). The receptor specificity of the complex is determined in large part, if not exclusively, by the SU domain, which retains receptor binding activity outside of the complex with T M (Delarco and Todaro 1976; Lasky et al. 1987). The diversity of receptor specificities within some groups of retroviruses has facilitated the identification of regions of the SU proteins that contribute to receptor binding. The heterogeneity of SU proteins that is apparent fromenv sequences of different retroviruses suggests that the structural details of Env-receptor interactions may vary among these viruses. In addition, the sequences or domains that have been implicated in receptor binding differ in their positions within SU. The gp70 of the murine leukemia viruses (MuLVs) appears to be organized into N-terminal and C-terminal structural domains with the receptor-binding determinants in the N-terminal region (Battini et al. 1992; Heard and Danos 1991; Morgan et al. 1993; Ott and Rein 1992), while receptor specificity of avian sarcoma and leukemia virus (ASLV) Env is dependent on sequence in the middle third of S U (Bova et al. 1986, 1988; Dorner and Coffin 1986; Dorner et al. 1985). Receptor binding by gp120 of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) involves a major determinant in the C-terminal third of the protein together with discrete segments from other regions of the protein (Cordonnier et al. 1989; Dowbenko et al. 1988; Lasky et al. 1987; Olshevsky et al. 1990; Pollard et al. 1992). Whether these differences extend to the structures of the SU proteins or only indicate variety in the interaction of a relatively conserved structure with different receptors is unclear.
Fracture and impact characterization of novel auxetic Kevlar®/Epoxy laminated composites

Abstract Experimental study was performed to investigate fracture and impact properties of novel Auxetic Kevlar® laminated composites. For comparison, standard Kevlar® woven composites with and without polyurethane treatment were also considered in this study. For these three composites, short nylon fibers of two different fiber lengths and three different fiber densities were flocked between laminates. Vacuum infusion process along with optimized compaction was employed to fabricate composites. The double cantilever beam configuration was used to investigate the fracture properties. The Auxetic Kevlar® composites showed a significant improvement of 225% in fracture toughness compared to regular woven Kevlar® composites. Furthermore, the initiation toughness was increased by 577% with the application of flocking in Auxetic Kevlar®. During impact testing, the Auxetic Kevlar® reinforced composites showed a significant reduction in damaged area compared to woven counterpart. On the other hand, the reduction in damaged area influenced the reduction in impact energy absorption.
Optimized process for fabrication of free-standing silicon nanophotonic devices.

A detailed procedure is presented for fabrication of free-standing silicon photonic devices that accurately reproduces design dimensions while minimizing surface roughness. By reducing charging effects during inductively coupled-plasma reactive ion etching, undercutting in small, high-aspect ratio openings is reduced. Slot structures with a width as small as 40 nm and an aspect ratio of 5.5:1 can be produced with a nearly straight, vertical sidewall profile. Subsequent removal of an underlying sacrificial silicon dioxide layer by wet-etching to create free-standing devices is performed under conditions which suppress attack of the silicon. Slotted one-dimensional photonic crystal cavities are used as sensitive test structures to demonstrate that performance specifications can be reached without iteratively adapting design dimensions; optical resonance frequencies are within 1% of the simulated values and quality factors on the order of 105 are routinely attained.
Metalearners for estimating heterogeneous treatment effects using machine learning

There is growing interest in estimating and analyzing heterogeneous treatment effects in experimental and observational studies. We describe a number of metaalgorithms that can take advantage of any supervised learning or regression method in machine learning and statistics to estimate the conditional average treatment effect (CATE) function. Metaalgorithms build on base algorithms-such as random forests (RFs), Bayesian additive regression trees (BARTs), or neural networks-to estimate the CATE, a function that the base algorithms are not designed to estimate directly. We introduce a metaalgorithm, the X-learner, that is provably efficient when the number of units in one treatment group is much larger than in the other and can exploit structural properties of the CATE function. For example, if the CATE function is linear and the response functions in treatment and control are Lipschitz-continuous, the X-learner can still achieve the parametric rate under regularity conditions. We then introduce versions of the X-learner that use RF and BART as base learners. In extensive simulation studies, the X-learner performs favorably, although none of the metalearners is uniformly the best. In two persuasion field experiments from political science, we demonstrate how our X-learner can be used to target treatment regimes and to shed light on underlying mechanisms. A software package is provided that implements our methods.
Optical Absorption Characteristics For [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] Transitions of Trivalent Americium Ion in Aqueous Electrolyte Mixtures.

Optical absorption features for [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] transitions of trivalent americium ion were investigated in a wide range of aqueous combinations of perchloric and nitric acids (0.1-6.0 mol L-1). The developed qualitative matrix of extinction coefficients measures the cumulative impact of increasing electrolyte content, changes in the hydration zones of americium ion, and inner-sphere perturbation by nitrate on the absorbance. The effects of growing complexity of aqueous electrolyte medium were highlighted for the [Formula: see text] transition. Spectroscopy indicates the perturbation of the inner hydration sphere of trivalent f-element by one nitrate ligand.
Immunohistochemical Profile of 20 Feline Renal Cell Carcinomas

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is uncommon in cats, but makes up the majority of epithelial neoplasms in the kidney. The immunohistochemical profile of 20 feline RCCs (13 tubular carcinomas, four tubulopapillary carcinomas, one papillary carcinoma and two anaplastic carcinomas) was evaluated. Primary antibodies used were specific for Pax8, KIT, CD10, cytokeratins and vimentin. A polymer-based immunoperoxidase procedure was used. Nineteen tumours (95%) expressed Pax8; 12 (60%), KIT; 15 (75%), CD10; 20 (100%), cytokeratins; and 19 (95%), vimentin. Nuclear Pax8 immunoreactivity was readily apparent, but variation in labelling intensity was present within a given section. KIT reactivity was diffuse, cytoplasmic and relatively homogeneous. CD10 immunoreactivity was predominantly membranous along the apical border of tubular epithelial cells and was less commonly cytoplasmic. CD10 immunoreactivity was less intense in areas with papillary differentiation and absent in solid areas. Cytoplasmic cytokeratin expression was strong in 18 tumours and weak in two; the papillary portion of one tumour had distinct submembranous expression. Vimentin immunoreactivity, which ranged from diffuse to focal, was difficult to evaluate due to strong stromal immunoreactivity and its patchy expression in phenotypically similar neoplastic cells. Fewer non-renal tumours were positive for Pax8 than for CD10. Considering overall sensitivity and specificity, Pax8 appears to be a valuable marker for distinguishing feline tumours arising in the kidney from other neoplasms.
Pediatric brain repair from endogenous neural stem cells of the subventricular zone.

There is great interest in the regenerative potential of the neural stem cells and progenitors that populate the germinal zones of the immature brain. Studies using animal models of pediatric brain injuries have provided a clearer understanding of the responses of these progenitors to injury. In this review, we have compared and contrasted the responses of the endogenous neural stem cells and progenitors of the subventricular zone in animal models of neonatal cerebral hypoxia–ischemia, neonatal stroke, congenital cardiac disease, and pediatric traumatic brain injury. We have reviewed the dynamic shifts that occur within this germinal zone with injury as well as changes in known signaling molecules that affect these progenitors. Importantly, we have summarized data on the extent to which cell replacement occurs in response to each of these injuries, opportunities available, and obstacles that will need to be overcome to improve neurological outcomes in survivors.
Medical school application essays and specialty choice.

OBJECTIVE To identify factors that could be used to predict physician specialty selection at the level of admissions to medical school. METHODS Content analysis was performed on 161 personal statements from the American Medical College Admission Service application form. Randomly selected graduates analyzed were from the classes of 1985-1987 from a Midwestern public medical school. RESULTS Fifty percent of those who stated that they had contact with a medical specialty entered either that specialty or a closely related specialty. Of the 11 applicants who stated a goal of entering family practice, one entered family practice. CONCLUSIONS Contact with a specialty prior to entering medical school may be a significant predictor of the prospective student's eventual specialty selection. However, goals mentioned in the statements are not predictors of specialty choice.
CHAPTER 10 – Epiphyseal Involvement with Metabolic, Inflammatory, Neoplastic, Infectious, and Hematologic Disorders

This chapter reviews the pathobiology and principles of orthopedic management of the major epiphyseal disorders that includes inflammatory disorders, neoplastic disorders, infection, and hematological disorders. Rickets is a disorder of childhood that is characterized by the persistence of variable amounts of undermineralized or nonmineralized endochondral cartilage and osteoid. There are many causes of undermineralization, but the common final pathway during the growth years leads to a series of similar clinical, radiographic, and histopathological sequelae. Skeletal deformities are due to mechanical stresses on the undermineralized, weakened bones. In a growing child, the findings in the physeal cartilage are most sensitive, but abnormalities of both the endochondral and intramembranous bone sequences are generally seen. Most forms of rickets can be classified into two types: (1) those primarily associated with decreased serum levels of calcium (calciopenic rickets) and (2) those primarily associated with decreased phosphate levels (phosphopenic rickets). Those disorders with diminished calcium generally respond well to vitamin D therapy, whereas effective treatment of phosphopenia requires phosphate replacement as part of the management program The chapter focuses the three disorders that are most commonly seen in an orthopedic setting because of the associated bone deformities: nutritional vitamin D deficient rickets, X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets, and renal osteodystrophy.
Total synthesis of the incorrectly proposed quaterpyridine isolated from the hoplonemertine sea worm

Abstract Quaterpyridine 1 was synthesized for the first time using palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. Its proton NMR spectrum shows that is not the natural product called nemertelline isolated from nemertine marine worms as claimed in 1976.
Systematic corporate planning

Publisher Summary This chapter describes different aspects of systematic corporate planning. The systematic planning approach must encompass two distinct management styles that include top level managers who use the results of the model but not the model itself, and the middle level managers who manipulate the models. This requires a two-level interface between management and the technical staff. Middle managers involved in corporate planning tend to have advanced academic degrees and have some familiarity with programming. Their training along with the increased availability of computer software, that simplifies the development of models, has resulted in a strong trend toward construction of models by potential users. Middle managers not only accept the systematic approach but engage in model construction thereby gaining an understanding of the model and developing a commitment to the model as a professional managerial goal. It is not necessary that top managers understand the model. Top managers do not manipulate models directly and may well have neither the desire nor the ability to understand the model.
Medication adherence among chronic condition patients in the Medicaid coverage gap

Abstract Background People with incomes below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) do not qualify for health insurance subsidies and may not be eligible for Medicaid. Patients in this Medicaid Coverage Gap may have difficulty paying for their medications. Objective To estimate medication adherence and the prevalence of underinsurance among chronic condition patients in the Medicaid Coverage Gap. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted using 2014–2016 data extracted from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. The sample included non-elderly patients with prescription fills (≥2) for at least one of five chronic conditions (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, depression and anxiety disorder) and income below the FPL. Medication adherence was measured using Medication Possession Ratio (MPR), and adjusted using patient demographics, health conditions, and health care utilization. The prevalence of underinsurance also was examined. Results Of the 316 patients, 60.4% were female, with an average age of 50, and an average of 3 health conditions. The weighted MPR was 72.0% and 44.6% had an adjusted MRP ≥80%. Nearly 80% of the patients were either continuously uninsured (21.6%) or underinsured (59.0%). Conclusions A significant proportion of chronic condition patients in Medicaid Coverage Gap were underinsured and less than half were adherent to their medications.
Perceived health competence predicts anxiety and depressive symptoms after a three-year follow-up among adolescents and adults with congenital heart disease.

Background:Congenital heart disease places survivors at increased risk for cardiovascular complications as they age and requires long-term medical management. Perceived health competence, or how ca...
Trichomonas vaginalis, endometritis and sequelae among women with clinically suspected pelvic inflammatory disease.

Objective To ascertain the prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis and investigate associations between trichomoniasis, endometritis and sequelae among women with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Methods We assessed the prevalence of trichomoniasis identified via wet mount and its association with histologically confirmed endometritis, infertility and recurrent PID among 647 women in the PID Evaluation and Clinical Health (PEACH) study. Participants were treated for clinically suspected PID and followed for a mean of 84 months for incident sequelae. Analyses were adjusted for age, race, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium and bacterial vaginosis. Additional adjustments were incorporated for history of infertility (models of pregnancy and infertility), history of PID (recurrent PID), and self-reported partner treatment and intercourse between baseline and 30-day follow-up (persistent endometritis). Results T. vaginalis was present in the vagina of 12.8% of women. The odds of having endometritis at baseline were twice as high among women with trichomoniasis as compared with those without (adjusted OR (AOR): 1.9, 95% CI 1.0 to 3.3). Persistent endometritis was highly prevalent at 30 days (52.1%) and more common among women with baseline trichomoniasis (AOR: 2.6, 95% CI 0.7 to 10.1), although non-significantly. Infertility and recurrent PID were more common among women with trichomoniasis, while rates of pregnancy and live birth were lower. Conclusions T. vaginalis was frequently isolated from the vagina of women with PID in the PEACH cohort. Wet mount microscopy for the identification of motile trichomonads was standard practice at the time of the PEACH study, but likely resulted in an underestimation of true T. vaginalis prevalence. Our findings of modest, although non-significant, prospective associations between trichomoniasis and sequelae are novel and underscore the need for additional investigation into whether T. vaginalis may play an aetiological role in adverse reproductive and gynaecological outcomes.
Mirrors of Commentary: Renaissance Exegesis of Petrarch’s Rerum vulgarium fragmenta

ABSTRACTThe exegetical trope of ‘commentaries as mirrors of a text’ lends itself to vast diversification. In approaching classical texts Petrarch deployed contrasting modes of cross-reference exemp...
Prior to Repair Functional Deficits in Above- And Below-Elbow Ulnar Nerve Injury

Purpose Clinical deficits might vary, depending on whether an ulnar nerve lesion is above or below the elbow. Lack of strength and clawing are common manifestations of ulnar nerve paralysis. However, the magnitude of strength deficit relating to different pinch patterns and the rate and range of proximal interphalangeal extension deficits are poorly described. Methods I prospectively evaluated 14 patients with above-elbow and 16 with below-elbow unrepaired ulnar nerve injuries. The completeness of flexion of the ring and little fingers was tested at the metacarpophalangeal and distal interphalangeal joints. Proximal interphalangeal joint extension lag of the ring and little fingers was assessed by goniometry, and adduction and abduction of the little finger. With dynamometers, I bilaterally evaluated grasp, key pinch, and pinch-to-zoom strength. Hand sensibility was evaluated with monofilaments. Results Metacarpophalangeal flexion in the ulnar fingers was absent in all patients, whereas distal interphalangeal joint flexion was preserved in 29 of 30 patients. In above-elbow ulnar nerve injuries, there was no paralysis of the flexor digitorum profundus. One-third of patients exhibited no clawing. There were minimal differences between the rate of clawing and proximal interphalangeal extension lag in above- and below-elbow ulnar nerve lesions, or its occurrence in the ring or little finger. In relation to the normal hand, grasping, key pinch, and pinch-to-zoom decreased by 62%, 51%, and 75% compared with 59%, 61%, and 76% in below- and above-elbow injuries groups, respectively. In both groups, sensory deficits were predominantly over the little finger and ulnar side of the hand. Conclusions Minimal differences were observed in clinical deficits after above- and below-elbow ulnar nerve injuries. Hand weakness was the most frequent problem, whereas pinch-to-zoom strength was highly affected. Type of study/level of evidence Diagnostic IV.
Eating breakfast and avoiding the evening snack sustains lipid oxidation

Circadian (daily) regulation of metabolic pathways implies that food may be metabolized differentially over the daily cycle. To test that hypothesis, we monitored the metabolism of older subjects in a whole-room respiratory chamber over two separate 56-h sessions in a random crossover design. In one session, one of the three daily meals was presented as breakfast whereas in the other session, a nutritionally equivalent meal was presented as a late-evening snack. The duration of the overnight fast was the same for both sessions. Whereas the two sessions did not differ in overall energy expenditure, the respiratory exchange ratio (RER) was different during sleep between the two sessions. Unexpectedly, this difference in RER due to daily meal timing was not due to daily differences in physical activity, sleep disruption, or core body temperature. Rather, we found that the daily timing of nutrient availability coupled with daily/circadian control of metabolism drives a switch in substrate preference such that the late-evening snack session resulted in significantly lower lipid oxidation compared to the breakfast session. Therefore, the timing of meals during the day/night cycle affects how ingested food is oxidized or stored in humans with important implications for optimal eating habits.