cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Techniques in cochlear implantation

Since its clinical introduction 40 years ago, cochlear implantation surgery has continued to evolve. Although the standard mastoidectomy with posterior tympanotomy has not changed, recent refinements have focused on minimal incisions and implantation techniques designed to preserve hearing. Evidence shows that smaller incisions with modest manipulation of soft tissue do not affect postoperative healing outcomes. There has been a trend advocating “soft surgical” techniques in an attempt to preserve the cochlear sensory epithelium. However, the literature is inconclusive as to the outcomes of “soft surgical” over standard techniques for hearing preservation, including round window insertion and the use of adjuvants with insertion. Cochlear implantation remains an important therapeutic option for hearing loss, with new techniques and implant designs offering prospects for better outcomes using less invasive techniques.
Effects of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α agonists clofibrate and fish oil on hepatic fatty acid metabolism in weaned dairy calves

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARalpha) agonists increase fatty acid oxidation in liver of nonruminants. If similar effects occur in dairy cattle, enhanced hepatic oxidative capacity could decrease circulating nonesterified fatty acids and hepatic triacylglycerol accumulation in periparturient cows. The objectives of this study were 1) to determine whether partitioning of fatty acid metabolism by liver slices from weaned Holstein calves treated with PPARalpha agonists in vivo is altered compared with partitioning by liver slices from control (untreated) calves, and 2) to measure in vitro metabolism of palmitate and oleate by bovine liver slices and relate these to mRNA abundance for key enzymes. Weaned male Holstein calves (7 wk old; n=15) were assigned to 1 of 3 groups for a 5-d treatment period: control (untreated), clofibrate (62.5 mg/kg of BW), or fish oil (250 mg/kg of BW). Calves treated with clofibrate consumed less dry matter. Body weight, liver weight, liver weight:body weight ratio, blood nonesterified fatty acids, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and liver composition were not significantly different among treatments. Liver slices were incubated for 2, 4, and 8 h to determine in vitro conversion of [1-(14)C] palmitate and [1-(14)C] oleate to CO(2), acid-soluble products, esterified products, and total metabolism. In liver slices incubated for 8 h, conversion of palmitate to CO(2) was greater for calves treated with clofibrate compared with control calves or calves treated with fish oil. Conversion of palmitate to esterified products, total palmitate metabolism, and metabolism of oleate were not different among treatments. Conversion of palmitate to CO(2) was greater than that from oleate for all treatments, but rates of total metabolism did not differ. Clofibrate increased or tended to increase liver expression of several PPARalpha target genes involved in fatty acid oxidation (e.g., ACADVL, ACOX1, CPT1A), whereas fish oil did not significantly affect genes associated with fatty acid oxidation but tended to increase DGAT1. Overall, our data indicated that bovine liver responded to clofibrate treatment but not fish oil, although increases in hepatic lipid metabolism were much less than those reported in rodents treated with clofibrate or fish oil. Applications of PPARalpha agonists may be of interest to increase the rate of hepatic fatty acid oxidation and decrease triacylglycerol accumulation in periparturient dairy cows.
Long-term Effects of Reproductive-Age Menstrual Cycle Patterns on Peri-and Postmenopausal Fracture Risk

The authors examined the association between age at menarche, menstrual cycle characteristics between ages 28 and 32 years, and peri- and postmenopausal fracture risk in a cohort of 874 women who prospectively recorded menstrual cycle data for at least 5 years from their early 20s through their menopause. Fracture history was obtained with a self-administered questionnaire. The mean age of respondents at the time the questionnaire was completed was 73 years. Wrist fracture (n = 62) risk increased with increasing age at menarche (odds ratio 3.3, 95% confidence interval 1.7-6.2) for menarche age > or = 14 years compared with 12-13 years) and increasing mean cycle length at age 28-32 (odds ratio 2.2, 95% confidence interval 1.0-4.9) for > 30.5 days compared with 26.6-30.5 days). Similar results were seen in analyses of the combined wrist, hip, or vertebral fracture group (n = 92). These prospectively recorded menstrual diary data indicate that age at menarche and menstrual cycle patterns may have a long-term association with fracture risk, with effects lasting into the postmenopausal years. Language: en
Structure, Function, and Regulation of the Interleukin-2 Receptor and Identification of a Novel Immune Activation Gene

This chapter is divided into two sections, the first dealing with a novel immune activation gene, denoted Act-2. This gene encodes a secreted protein that may represent a new cytokine. The Act-2 protein shares significant homology with proteins in two related families of small secreted proteins. Act-2 is rapidly synthesized by activated T cells, B cells and monocytes. The second section deals with interleukin-2 receptors. These receptors are now known to be comprised of three distinct classes of receptors, formed by various combinations of two IL-2 binding proteins, the $\alpha $ and $\beta $ chains. The low-affinity receptors contain $\alpha $ , but not $\beta $ chains; the intermediate-affinity receptors contain $\beta $ , but not $\alpha $ chains, and the high-affinity receptors contain both $\alpha $ and $\beta $ chains. The $\beta $ chain appears to be tyrosine phosphorylated. We discuss evidence for the existence of another protein of relative molecular mass 100 000, which appears to be a subunit of at least the high-affinity receptor.
Light-dark rhythms in hamster eating, drinking and locomotor behaviors.

Abstract Adult hamsters were exposed to alternating 12-hr periods of light (L) and darkness; 99% of daily wheel running activity occurred in the 12-hr dark (D) period. Water intake and food consumption also occurred more commonly in the dark but the extent to which these behaviors were displayed nocturnally, 85% and 58%, respectively, was significantly less than for wheel running. Activity cycles modulate drinking rhythms; nocturnal water intake was substantially reduced in hamsters with access to wheels while drinking during the light period was unaffected. Nocturnal drinking rhythms of hamsters phase-shifted very slowly after the L-D cycle was inverted; females required more than 40 days, whereas males re-established their normal nocturnal drinking rhythms in approximately 25 days. This sex difference disappeared after males and females were gonadectomized. Wheel running behavior of hamsters phase-shifted by 12 hr within 6–9 days of inversion of the L-D cycle. The great disparity in the rate of phase-shifting of hamster activity and drinking rhythms suggests different central pacemakers for these behaviors or different sensitivities to changes in the light-dark cycle in their respective phase-shifting and coupling mechanisms. Eating and drinking rhythms of blind hamsters were described and compared to those of blind rats. Constant illumination (L-L) decreased water intake of male and female hamsters; loss of entrainment to the previous L-D cycle occurred more slowly than for rats maintained in L-L. These findings are consistent with the differential effects of constant light on rhythmic reproductive phenomena in the two species. Hamster drinking and wheel-running behaviors are particularly appropriate endpoints for the analysis of neural and endocrine bases of circadian rhythmicity.
Breathing Variability at Rest is Positively Associated With 24-h Blood Pressure Level

Background Previous research has reported that inhibition of breathing can be observed in hypertensive patients at rest during the daytime, as well as in sleep at night. The present study hypothesized that the variability of breathing and end-tidal CO(2) (PetCO(2)) in seated women at rest is positively associated with their 24-h blood pressure level. Methods Breath-to-breath measures of breathing rate and tidal volume were recorded via inductive plethysmography in each of 54 women during two 20-min sessions of seated rest, and in 32 women during night time sleep. PetCO(2) was also recorded during these sessions via a respiratory gas monitor. Ambulatory blood pressure was recorded for 24 h between the two clinic sessions via oscillometry. Results Breath pauses >10 s were observed significantly more often in women in the upper than the lower tertile of 24-h systolic blood pressure. Breath-to-breath variability in breathing rate, tidal volume, and minute ventilation were greater in the higher blood pressure tertile women. Variability in PetCO(2) was also greater in high blood pressure tertile. These associations were independent of age, weight, and body surface area (BSA). Breathing variability was inversely correlated with heart rate variability (HRV). Conclusion Greater variability in breathing at rest that is independent of metabolic activity characterizes women with elevated blood pressure. The linear association of breathing variability with 24-h blood pressure level is consistent with the hypothesis that intermittent breathing inhibition may predispose to the development of some forms of hypertension.
Geothermal energy characterization in the Appalachian Basin of New York and Pennsylvania

Analysis of geothermal energy resources in the Appalachian Basin of the eastern United States is of interest, given the region’s population- and climate-driven demand for thermal energy. This study provides a fuller picture of geothermal resources across New York and Pennsylvania than previous studies by providing a rigorous statistical analysis of temperature-depth data using records from nearly 8000 locations. The compilation of thousands of temperature-depth data enables a significant increase in the spatial resolution of geothermal resource assessment maps for this region. In addition, this project has contributed to the compilation of geothermal data at a national level through the National Geothermal Data System. These temperature-depth measurements are byproducts of historical and recent drilling for petroleum and natural gas in the sedimentary basin. Bottom hole temperatures (BHTs) were recorded before the wells reached thermal equilibrium and at a wide range of depths. To extract a comprehensive description of the thermal state of the Appalachian Basin strata required application of both a BHT correction scheme and a simple thermal model. The model results for individual wells were combined with geostatistical interpolation employing kriging to produce maps that reveal significant variations in subsurface thermal gradient and surface heat flow with markedly improved spatial resolution. An area in south-central New York State displays favorable geothermal resource potential, with heat flow estimates of 50–60 mW/m 2 . There are 2 elongate, 200–300 km long, northeast-trending bands of favorable geothermal resource potential in central and western Pennsylvania, with heat flow of 55–90 mW/m 2 .
Endothelial prostaglandin secretion : effects of typhus rickettsiae

Cultured human umbilical vein-derived endothelial cells were incubated with typhus rickettsiae, and supernatants were examined for the presence of prostaglandins I2 (PGI2) and E2 (PGE2). Cells incubated with metabolically active rickettsiae secreted significantly more PGI2 and PGE2 than did those incubated with buffer alone or with killed rickettsiae. The amount of PGI2 secreted was directly related to the number of hemolytically active rickettsiae present; abolishing rickettsial hemolytic activity abolished their effect on PGI2 secretion. Mice injected with a lethal dose of native typhus rickettsiae exhibited a rapid rise in circulating PGI2 levels; mice given hemolytically inactive rickettsiae survived and exhibited no rise in plasma PGI2 levels. Finally, endothelial cells were infected with rickettsiae, and secretion of prostaglandins was monitored during rickettsial multiplication; intracellular accumulation of rickettsiae resulted in endothelial destruction and a dramatic increase in endothelial secretion of PGI2 and PGE2. Therefore, typhus rickettsiae can increase endothelial secretion of arachidonate-derived autocoids.
Pediatric Fecal Incontinence: A Surgeon's Perspective

1. Marc A. Levitt, MD* 2. Alberto Pena, MD* 1. *Colorectal Center for Children, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio. After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Describe the difference between true fecal incontinence and pseudoincontinence. 2. Understand the patient groups that suffer from true fecal incontinence. 3. Discuss the physiologic mechanisms of continence. 4. Formulate the evaluation and treatment of a patient who presents with soiling. 5. Develop a treatment protocol for constipation with overflow pseudoincontinence (encopresis). 6. Describe the primary differences between Hirschsprung disease and idiopathic constipation. Editor's Note: Fecal incontinence is a frustrating condition for patients, parents, and clinicians. This article discusses fecal incontinence caused by anatomic conditions as well as the overflow of stool that follows severe constipation. The perspective is that of the pediatric surgeon, and the discussion offers insights not always present in pediatric reviews. Some recommendations are derived from the extensive experience of the authors over many years of treating these patients. All figures for this article are contained in the data supplement Fecal soiling is a common problem that pediatricians are asked to evaluate. Fecal incontinence represents a devastating problem that may prevent a child from becoming socially accepted. More children are affected than previously believed, including those born with surgical conditions such as anorectal malformations (ARMs) and Hirschsprung disease (HD), as well as those who have spinal cord problems or injuries. Patients can have true fecal incontinence or can suffer from overflow pseudoincontinence. These two conditions have completely different treatments. Those who experience true incontinence include a percentage of surgical patients (who have ARMs and HD) as well as those who have congenital or acquired spinal problems. Pseudoincontinence (encopresis) occurs in patients who have the potential for bowel control but whose constipation leads to …
Isolation, characterization, and DNA binding kinetics of three dirhodium(II,II) carboxyamidate complexes: Rh2(μ-L)(HNOCCF3)3 where L= [OOCCH3]-, [OOCCF3]-, or [HNOCCF3]-.

Several transition metal compounds are effective antitumor drugs whose biological activity can be attributed to their ability to bind deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). In this study, DNA-binding experiments reveal that changing one bridging ligand on compounds with the general formula Rh2(μ-L)(HNOCCF3)3 alters the rate of DNA-binding by greater than 100-fold with μ-L = trifluoroacetate ≫ acetate > trifluoroacetamidate. These three dirhodium compounds are isolated as the major products of the reaction between Rh2(OOCCH3)4 and trifluoroacetamide in either refluxing chlorobenzene or molten trifluoroacetamide and have been characterized by NMR and LC/MS. By using 15N-enriched trifluoroacetamide, NMR spectroscopy was used to assign the cis-(2,1) orientations of Rh2(μ-L)(HNOCCF3)3 compounds where μ-L = trifluoroacetate or acetate. This is the first report of Rh2(OOCCF3)(HNOCCF3)3, a novel compound that may play a significant role in the biological and/or catalytic activity of compound mixtures commonly isolated as “...
Rationalism in Politics

Much recent political thought has been devoted to the proposition that neither political endeavor properly understood nor theorizing about such endeavor is or could ever be a kind of rational activity. I examine three broad approaches that celebrate, respectively, rhetorical practices of political persuasion, agonistic conceptions of democracy, and, more generally, a kind of hard-headed critical realism rooted in the plain facts of political life. I argue that criticisms of rationalism in politics associated with these approaches systematically ignore central tenets of what might be called a post-Kantian convergence of recent and important philosophical perspectives and that such perspectives can be enormously useful in addressing and critically evaluating the underlying intellectual structures of political life.
The radiation resistance of some common insulating varnishes

The radiation resistance of three popular families of insulating varnishes was investigated. The materials selected included oil modified polyesters, solventless epoxies, and unsaturated sol-ventless polyesters. A representative material from each of the families was evaluated in terms of electrical and mechanical performance, exposed to an intense beam of electron radiation, and then re-evaluated. The radiation dosage selected was based on current industry standards for anticipated exposure during a normal in-service life of 40 years. Test results revealed that certain types of insulating varnishes exposed to this type of radiation are affected to a much greater degree than others. This information should be of interest to design engineers involved in the selection of materials for use in the manufacture of motors which may be destined for use in radioactive environments.
Psychosocial differences between recently HIV tested and non-tested gay men who reside in smaller US cities

Summary:While a number of studies have examined behavioural and psychosocial correlates of HIV test seeking, most of this research has relied on samples of urban gay men. Less is known about HIV te...
Imbalanced globin chain synthesis in cultured erythroid progenitor cells from thalassemic bone marrow and peripheral blood.

Abstract The plasma clot culture system was utilized to support the growth of erythroid-committed stem cells from the bone marrow of five patients with homozygous β+-thalassemia and the peripheral blood of one patient doubly heterozygous for β°-thalassemia and Hb Lepore. Addition of erythropoietin to the cultures resulted in abundant colony growth (76–185 CFU-E and 3.5–11 BFU-E/6 × 104 bone marrow cells). Eight BFU-E/105 cells were assayed from the peripheral blood of the β°-thalassemia/Hb Lepore patient. Globin chain synthetic ratios of CFU-E- and BFU-E-derived colonies were determined by CMC column chromatography after labeling of the cultures with 3H-leucine for 24 hr prior to peak growth. Absent or decreased β-globin chain synthesis was observed in all cases; β/α synthetic ratios obtained in culture were quantitatively similar to those obtained in the starting bone marrow or peripheral blood cells. Study of globin chain synthesis in colonies derived from peripheral blood BFU-E of the patient with β°-thalassemia/Hb Lepore demonstrated synthesis of a labeled peak consistent with Lepore 60 chains; a similar labeled peak was barely discernable in the study of the starting peripheral blood. We conclude that thalassemic erythroid progenitor cells express in vitro the same program of abnormal globin chain synthesis as in vivo and that the plasma clot culture technique provides a valuable system for the study of the molecular defect in nucleated thalassemic erythroid cells.
Mega-Airports: The Political, Economic, and Environmental Implications of the World’s Expanding Air Transportation Gateways

In the first decade of the 21st century, more than $US 100 billion was spent on new civilian airports and major expansion projects at existing airports around the world. More than 60% of this build-up was concentrated in Asia-Pacific and Europe, including massive new terminals at London’s Heathrow Airport and Beijing-Capital International Airport. In this chapter, we consider the geography of new airports, terminals, and runways and the factors that have propelled the recent building boom. Certainly, air traffic has grown, though not as fast as suggested in many of the forecasts used to justify new construction. Beyond narrow concerns with facilitating traffic growth, airports are important economically and politically, as they figure prominently in the rhetoric of national and regional competitiveness. We review these factors generally and then focus on four case studies: the Berlin Brandenburg International Airport, the Denver International Airport, Osaka’s Kansai International Airport, and Sydney Kingsford Smith. Finally, we conclude by looking to the future of civil aviation and the place of the mega-airport within that future.
Balance control using center of mass height variation: Limitations imposed by unilateral contact

Maintaining balance is fundamental to legged robots. The most commonly used mechanisms for balance control are taking a step, regulating the center of pressure (‘ankle strategies’), and to a lesser extent, changing centroidal angular momentum (e.g., ‘hip strategies’). In this paper, we disregard these three mechanisms, instead focusing on a fourth: varying center of mass height. We study a 2D variable-height center of mass model, and analyze how center of mass height variation can be used to achieve balance, in the sense of convergence to a fixed point of the dynamics. In this analysis, we pay special attention to the constraint of unilateral contact forces. We first derive a necessary condition that must be satisfied to be able to achieve balance. We then present two control laws, and derive their regions of attraction in closed form. We show that one of the control laws achieves balance from any state satisfying the necessary condition for balance. Finally, we briefly discuss the relative importance of CoM height variation and other balance mechanisms.
Continuous-flow synthesis of highly functionalized imidazo-oxadiazoles facilitated by microfluidic extraction

A versatile continuous-flow synthesis of highly functionalized 1,2,4-oxadiazoles starting from carboxylic acids is reported. This process was applied to the multistep synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-2-yl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles, using a three reactor, multistep continuous-flow system without isolation of intermediates. This continuous-flow method was successfully combined with a single-step liquid-liquid microextraction unit to remove high boiling point polar solvents and impurities and provides the target compounds in high purity with excellent overall yields.
Clarity of responsibility and foreign policy performance voting

Do voters’ assessments of the government's foreign policy performance influence their vote intentions? Does the ‘clarity of responsibility’ in government moderate this relationship? Existing research on the United States demonstrates that the electorate's foreign policy evaluations influence voting behaviour. Whether a similar relationship exists across the advanced democracies in Europe remains understudied, as does the role of domestic political institutions that might generate responsibility diffusion and dampen the effect of foreign policy evaluations on vote choice. Using the attitudinal measures of performance from the 2011 Transatlantic Trends survey collected across 13 European countries, these questions are answered in this study through testing on incumbent vote the diffusion-inducing effects of five key domestic factors frequently used in the foreign policy analysis literature. Multilevel regression analyses conclude that the electorate's ability to assign punishment decreases at higher levels of responsibility diffusion, allowing policy makers to circumvent the electoral costs of unpopular foreign policy. Specifically, coalition governments, semi-presidential systems, ideological dispersion among the governing parties and the diverse allocation of the prime ministerial and foreign policy portfolios generate diffusion, dampening the negative effects of foreign policy disapproval on vote choice. This article contributes not only to the debate on the role of foreign policy in electoral politics, but also illustrates the consequential effects of domestic institutions on this relationship.
Carbon nanomaterials for non-volatile memories

Carbon nanomaterials have greatly advanced non-volatile memory technology. In this Review, applications of various carbon nanomaterials as memory electrodes, interfacial engineering layers, memory selectors and resistive-switching media are discussed in the context of emerging non-volatile memory devices.
What fueled the financial crisis? An analysis of the performance of purchase and refinance loans

There is a good deal of debate on the causes of the housing crisis. Using Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae loan-level data, this article compares the default and loss behaviors of purchase, rate refinance, and cash-out refinance loans. The authors’ results show that cash-out refis have the poorest performance, especially during the financial crisis. Purchase loans exhibit much better performance than rate refis before and during the financial crisis; this pattern is weaker thereafter. Furthermore, they also show that loan performance of first-time homebuyers is similar to that of repeat buyers. This evidence indicates that the expansion of lending to include more marginal borrowers may not be the main cause of the financial crisis. Instead, the poor performance of the cash-out refis, and refis more generally, is a more important contributing factor.
Molecules in Intense Laser Fields

Recent advances in tunable laser sources have stimulated a great deal of interest in the study of intense field-matter interaction physics. Whenever a molecule interacts with an intense radiation field, it can absorb multiple photons from the field and make a transition either to an excited state (excitation) or into the continuum (ionization). If the energy of an integral number of photons equals the energy difference between the initial and an excited state, the multiphoton process becomes resonant and its probability is greatly enhanced. The observation of such resonant enhanced processes requires considerably less intensity than that required for non-resonant processes. Several researchers have taken advantage of this resonance enhancement to study various aspects of resonant enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) processes in molecules.1 Measurement of ionic and photoelectron spectra have illustrated features such as non-Franck-Condon effects in ionic vibrational branching ratios due to autoionization,2 shape resonances3 and Cooper minima,4 non-atomic effects in ionization of Rydberg states5 and competition between rotational and vibrational autoionization.6
Automatically measuring lexical and acoustic/prosodic convergence in tutorial dialog corpora

We use language technology to develop corpus measures of lexical and acoustic/prosodic convergence. We show that these measures successfully discriminate randomized from naturally ordered data, and demonstrate both lexical and acoustic/prosodic convergence in our corpus of human/human tutoring dialogs
Intentions to engage in forest law enforcement in Romania: An application of the theory of planned behavior

Abstract Despite numerous positive achievements, the institutional reforms in the forest sector in Central and Eastern European countries are still facing numerous problems. In Romanian case, the relatively new created Forest Inspectorates (FI) have not reached the initial expectations of applying and monitoring the forest-specific regulations. Theory of Planned Behavior was used in this context. FIs employees' intention to engage in forest law enforcement effort was investigated using a questionnaire-based survey including all the FIs employees and having a 77% rate of response. The intention to engage in forest law enforcement was predicted from employees' attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control factors. A rather neutral FIs employees' intention to engage in forest law enforcement was satisfactory explained according to the theory of planned behavior. Particularly, the limited perceived power to affect factors like unsuited training, FIs improper planning & management and unsuited legislation influenced the behavioral intention. Because the effectiveness of new institutions is affected by the engagement of their employees, the conclusions of the study are useful for formulating recommendations on how effectiveness of FIs can be improved by supporting the employees to perform the required engagement in their work. The main recommendations of the study are: to build the capacity of FIs through training and improved management arrangements and to reform the legislation to make it more stable, predictable and easy to implement and monitor.
A Conserved Basic Patch and Central Kink in the Nipah Virus Phosphoprotein Multimerization Domain Are Essential for Polymerase Function.

Summary Nipah virus is a highly lethal zoonotic pathogen found in Southeast Asia that has caused human encephalitis outbreaks with 40%–70% mortality. NiV encodes its own RNA-dependent RNA polymerase within the large protein, L. Efficient polymerase activity requires the phosphoprotein, P, which tethers L to its template, the viral nucleocapsid. P is a multifunctional protein with modular domains. The central P multimerization domain is composed of a long, tetrameric coiled coil. We investigated the importance of structural features found in this domain for polymerase function using a newly constructed NiV bicistronic minigenome assay. We identified a conserved basic patch and central kink in the coiled coil that are important for polymerase function, with R555 being absolutely essential. This basic patch and central kink are conserved in the related human pathogens measles and mumps viruses, suggesting that this mechanism may be conserved.
Copper 3,4-Pyridinedicarboxylate Mixed Ligand Coordination Polymers with Diverse Topologies and Aqueous Congo Red Degradation Catalytic Properties

Abstract Hydrothermal reaction of copper nitrate, 3,4-pyridinedicarboxylic acid (34pdcH2), and a variety of ditopic dipyridyl ligands afforded six new coordination polymer solids with diverse 2D and 3D topologies as characterized via single-crystal X-ray diffraction. {[Cu(34pdc)(dpa)]·H2O}n (1, dpa = 4,4′-dipyridylamine) reveals a 3,5-connected layered net with a (426)(42678) topology. [Cu(34pdc)(3pina)]n (2, 3pina = 3-pyridylisonicotinamide) manifests a 2-fold interpenetrated 3,5-connected 3D net with (426)(426583) topology. [Cu2(34pdc)2(bbn)(H2O)2]·7H2O}n (3, bbn = bis(butane-1,4-diyl)nicotinamide) shows a 3D trinodal network with {(63)2(6.102)(64102)} topology, with looped pairs of bbn ligands acting as single connectors. [Cu4(34pdc)4(bbin)(H2O)4]·8H2O}n (4, bbin = bis(butane-1,4-diyl)isonicotinamide) displays a quite complicated 3D multinodal network with {(63)2(628)(6282102)(668310)} topology. [Cu2(34pdc)2(pebn)(H2O)]·8H2O}n (5, pebn = bis(pentane-1,5-diyl)nicotinamide) shows a 3,4,4-connected 2D network with {(63)2(6472)(6.74.11)} topology, along with entrapped chair-centered 14-water molecule clusters. [Cu4(34pdc)4(hbn)(H2O)4]·3H2O}n (6, hbn = bis(hexane-1,6-diyl)nicotinamide) showed the same {(63)2(6.102)(64102)} topology as 3, but with single dipyridylamide ligands instead of looped pairs. Thermal decomposition of these six new materials are also probed, along with their catalytic behavior for the aqueous degradation of Congo Red dye in the presence of ultraviolet radiation and hydrogen peroxide.
An Inherent Structural Difference Between Serine and Threonine Phosphorylation: Phosphothreonine Prefers an Ordered, Compact, Cyclic Conformation

Phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of proteins by kinases and phosphatases are central to cellular responses and function. The structural effects of serine and threonine phosphorylation were examined in peptides and in proteins, by circular dichroism, NMR spectroscopy, bioinformatics analysis of the PDB, small-molecule X-ray crystallography, and computational investigations. Phosphorylation of both serine and threonine residues induces substantial conformational restriction in their physiologically more important dianionic forms. Threonine exhibits a particularly strong disorder-to-order transition upon phosphorylation, with dianionic phosphothreonine preferentially adopting a cyclic conformation with restricted{phi} ({phi} [~] -60{degrees}) stabilized by three noncovalent interactions: a strong intraresidue phosphate-amide hydrogen bond, an n[->]{pi}* interaction between consecutive carbonyls, and an n[->]{sigma}* interaction between the phosphate O{gamma} lone pair and the antibonding orbital of C-H{beta} that restricts the{chi} 2 side chain conformation. Proline is unique among the canonical amino acids for its covalent cyclization on the backbone. Phosphothreonine can mimic prolines backbone cyclization via noncovalent interactions. The preferred torsions of dianionic phosphothreonine are{phi} ,{psi} = polyproline helix or -helix ({phi} [~] -60{degrees});{chi} 1 = g-;{chi} 2 = eclipsed C-H/O-P bonds. This structural signature is observed in diverse proteins, including the activation loops of protein kinases and protein-protein interactions. In total, these results suggest a structural basis for the differential use and evolution of threonine versus serine phosphorylation sites in proteins, with serine phosphorylation typically inducing smaller, rheostat-like changes, versus threonine phosphorylation promoting larger, step function-like switches, in proteins.
Sub‐Wavelength Passive Optical Isolators Using Photonic Structures Based on Weyl Semimetals

We design sub-wavelength high-performing non-reciprocal optical devices using recently discovered magnetic Weyl semimetals. These passive bulk topological materials exhibit anomalous Hall effect which results in magnetooptical effects that are orders of magnitude higher than those in conventional materials, without the need of any external magnetic bias. We design two optical isolators of both Faraday and Voigt geometries. These isolators have dimensions that are reduced by three orders of magnitude compared to conventional magneto-optical configurations. Our results indicate that the magnetic Weyl semimetals may open up new avenues in photonics for the design of various nonreciprocal components.
Near Threshold Design Technology Optimization in 12LP Process

Near Threshold Design has become a key design and technology co-optimization area due to a recent explosion of ultra-low power design required for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) for edge devices as well as other Internet of Things (IoT) applications. As we are attempting to operate the design very close to the threshold voltage, significant design and technology challenges need to be addressed before the power and performance benefit can be obtained for these new areas of applications. Accurate model to hardware correlation, technology, device and circuit design co-optimization, advanced library and memory characterization techniques as well as overall sophisticated SOC design methodology are required for this level of product design. Clever and nimble SOC test-chip architecture is essential with many “Design of Experiments” in order to find the design & technology sweet spot. In this paper, we will demonstrate how a smart SOC test-chip architecture together with advanced technology and circuit co-optimization can drive a lowest power solution in Finfet Technology.
Student Physical Therapists’ Perceptions of Clinical Reasoning: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Abstract Introduction Clinical reasoning (CR) is a core clinical skill that has been directly linked with patient outcomes. Therefore, developing sound clinical reasoning skills in students should be a concern for physical therapy (PT) professional education programs. Purpose To develop an understanding of PT student perceptions of CR and how they best learn it to inform future educational practice and research needs. Method A systematic review of the literature was conducted using the databases PubMed, CINAHL, ERIC, and Cochrane database of systematic reviews to develop an understanding of how students perceive CR throughout their professional education programs and how they best learn it. Results Fifteen articles met inclusion criteria. Three major themes were identified from the systematic review. First, student perceptions of CR changes throughout their professional education programs from therapist-centric to client-centered. Second, students prefer educational experiences that mirror anticipated real-world experiences like case-method teaching. Lastly, educational experiences designed to enhance CR capability enhances student professional formation and identity. Discussion Recent calls for reform across all levels of physical therapy education has been made. In part, these reform efforts emphasize the need for PT education programs to provide learner-centered education through practice-based learning experiences and developing adaptive learners. The results of the systematic review support these aims. More research is needed regarding the impact of educational experiences on student CR skill development as well as more valid and reliable tools for assessing CR capability in PT students.
Endovascular aortic repair in an asymptomatic COVID-19-positive patient with a symptomatic inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm

Abstract In this report, we present the case of a COVID-19-positive patient whose symptomatic inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm was successfully treated with endovascular aortic repair at our institution. We discuss the reasoning behind the type of therapy used and the various lessons learned. Based on our experience with this patient, we recommend an endovascular approach for similar COVID-19 patients and suggest a prophylactic dose of enoxaparin (Lovenox; 40 mg daily) postoperatively for 14 days.
Concentrating solar thermal desalination: Performance limitation analysis and possible pathways for improvement

Abstract Solar thermal desalination is a viable approach for sustainable water production. Current thermal desalination technologies suffer from high specific energy consumption and energy mismatch. Concentrating solar collectors operate with high temperature energy and desalination systems operate with low temperature energy which leads to large exergy destruction. Herein, a thermodynamic model of an ideal concentrating solar-distillation process is developed to evaluate system integration and performance limitations (specific water production). Three different heating architectures are examined to understand how solar collector absorber temperature, concentration ratio, and recovery ratio impact system performance. A reversible solar distillation system operating with a concentration ratio of 10 at the optimal absorber temperature of 507 K can achieve a maximum specific water production of ~ 166.3 gs−1m−2 as the recovery ratio (rr) approaches zero. An endo-reversible heat engine model was formulated to consider system irreversibilities. Systems with irreversibilities (R = 0.001 K/kW or 0.005 K/kW) experience a decrease in the water production rate to 8.8 g s−1m−2 (rr = 51.4%) and 1.9 g s−1m−2 (rr = 65.2%). For efficient integration of solar collectors with thermal desalination systems, it is critical to adopt appropriate heating configurations and control absorber temperatures, system recovery ratio, and system irreversibilities.
Does aluminum exposure affect cognitive function? a comparative cross-sectional study.

Objectives This study assessed the cognitive function of aluminum-exposed participants from an alum mining zone, compared them with unexposed subjects, and aimed to elucidate the effect of aluminum exposure on cognition. Design This was a comparative cross-sectional study. Univariate analyses were used to assess the differences between the aluminum-exposed and unexposed groups. Binary logistic regression models were applied to analyze the effect of aluminum exposure. Setting The aluminum-exposed participants were included from an alum mining zone and the unexposed subjects were residents from another district without alum-mine-related factories. Participants We included 539 aluminum-exposed participants (254 men, 285 women) and 1720 unexposed participants (692 men, 1028 women). Results The mean cognition score on Mini-Mental State Examination was 21.34 (± 6.81) for aluminum-exposed participants. The exposed group had 6.77 times (95% confidence interval, 5.09-9.00) more risk of cognitive impairment than the unexposed group, after adjusting for age, sex, and educational level. No statistically significant association was found between exposure duration and cognition. Conclusions This study demonstrated a significant association between aluminum exposure and lower cognitive function.
Chronic meningitis

Treatment of chronic meningitis depends on the underlying cause. Once a specific cause has been established, appropriate targeted therapy is initiated. When the cause is unknown, a decision must be made whether to employ empiric therapy while the diagnostic evaluation is ongoing. This decision is based on three factors: 1) the clinical status of the patient; 2) the most likely cause based on demographic, historical, examination, and initial laboratory data; and 3) the risk-to-benefit ratio of the proposed treatment regimen. Initial efforts focus on deciding whether the meningitis is infectious or noninfectious. When a decision is made to start empiric therapy, antituberculous treatment is generally given for several weeks to judge therapeutic response. Patients who do not respond to antituberculous therapy are next treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics for unusual bacterial pathogens such as Actinomyces (penicillin), the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi (ceftriaxone), Brucella (doxycycline plus rifampin), or Francisella tularensis (streptomycin plus gentamicin). Antifungal therapy is generally reserved for patients who are at particular risk for mycotic infection (owing to underlying immunosuppression or an extraneural infection site). Finally, empiric glucocorticoids are generally reserved for patients with consistently negative culture results and a probable noninfectious cause.
Developing the Positive Identity of Minoritized Women Leaders in Higher Education: How can Multiple and Diverse Developers Help With Overcoming the Impostor Phenomenon?:

Minoritized women remain underrepresented in leadership positions, especially within higher education (HE). A key barrier to advancement for women of color is their susceptibility to impostor pheno...
Normative cardiopulmonary exercise data for endurance athletes: the Cardiopulmonary Health and Endurance Exercise Registry (CHEER).

AIMS Accurate interpretation of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) relies on age, gender, and exercise modality-specific reference values. To date, clinically applicable CPET reference values derived from a source population of endurance athletes (EAs) have been lacking. The purpose of this study was to generate CPET reference values for use in the clinical assessment of EA. METHODS AND RESULTS Prospective data accrued during the clinical care of healthy EA were used to derive CPET reference values and to develop novel equations for V˙O2peak. The performance of these equations was compared to the contemporary standard of care equations and assessed in a discrete EA validation cohort. A total of 272 EA (age = 42 ± 15 years, female = 31%, V˙O2peak = 3.6 ± 0.83 L/min) met inclusion criteria and comprised the derivation cohort. V˙O2peak prediction equations derived from general population cohorts described a modest amount of V˙O2peak variability [R2 = 0.58-0.70, root mean square error (RMSE) = 0.46-0.54 L/min] but were mis-calibrated (calibration-in-the-large = 0.45-1.18 L/min) among EA leading to significant V˙O2peak underestimation. Newly derived, externally validated V˙O2peak prediction equations for EA that included age, sex, and height for both treadmill (R2 = 0.74, RMSE = 0.42 L/min) and cycle ergometer CPET (Cycle: R2 = 0.69, RMSE = 0.42 L/min) demonstrated improved accuracy. CONCLUSION Commonly used V˙O2peak prediction equations derived from general population cohorts perform poorly among competitive EA. Newly derived CPET reference values including novel V˙O2peak prediction equations may improve the clinical utility of CPET in this rapidly growing patient population.
Recipient Vessels: Humerus Reconstruction

Reconstruction of upper extremity bone defects has evolved over the years, and the standard of care to achieve the most optimal outcomes is vascularized bone. While the most optimal donor site may be an area of debate, the fibula represents the preferred donor site as the fibula provides ample bone length and bone stock, with reliable anatomy and sufficiently size caliber vessels for microvascular anastomoses. Further, the fibula also can provide a soft tissue component in the setting that soft tissue is also needed for the reconstruction. Given the limited available recipient vessels in the upper arm, the brachial artery represents the most consistent option to perfuse the free fibula flap. However, consideration for orientation and positioning is critical to achieving the most optimal outcomes as vascularized bone is superior to allograft or bone graft in achieving bony union.
Cool Tools 3: Large-Scale Genetic Interaction Screening in Candida albicans

Although the genetic study of Candida albicans is generally less convenient than that of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, recent advances in the molecular genetics of C. albicans have greatly facilitated the study of this important human fungal pathogen. This chapter discusses the development of a novel strategy for large-scale synthetic genetic analysis in C. albicans based on complex haploin-sufficiency (CHI). An actin null mutant (act1?) containing ACT1 on a plasmid was mated to the set of single-gene-deletion strains and then cured of the plasmid to give a set of complex heterozygotes (act1Δ/ACT1 yfgΔ/YFG). Many of the genes identified using this genetic approach demonstrated defects in the actin cytoskeleton, confirming the ability of CHI to identify interacting pairs of genes and genes with similar cellular functions. The development of a large-scale synthetic genetic screen using CHI to understand the role of the RAM network in C. albicans morphological transition is described. As new mutagenesis techniques are developed and as large collections of mutants are created, it is likely that the creative application of these principles to genetic interaction analysis will lead to a deeper understanding of the complex regulatory networks that orchestrate C. albicans biology and pathogenesis.
The alpha-tocopherol transfer protein regulates vitamin E transport across placental cell monolayers (758.1)

Oxidative stress is thought to cause/ play critical causative role in the etiology of pregnancy disorders such as pre-eclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction and repeated miscarriages. Vitamin E is a major lipid soluble chain breaking antioxidant that is essential for fetal development. The alpha-tocopherol transfer protein (TTP) is the only specific regulator of vitamin E homeostasis in vertebrates, which is expressed in liver, brain and placenta. We hypothesized that mother-fetus transport of vitamin E across the placenta is mediated and regulated by TTP. To test this hypothesis, we used the human choriocarcinoma cell-line BeWo cultured as monolayers on transwells. Monolayer formation was confirmed by histological evaluation and electric resistance measurements. Trans-epithelial resistance ranged between 90-120 Ohms, indicating functional tight junctions throughout the monolayer. Anti- E cadherin staining indicated the manolayers converted to a syncytiotrophoblast layer. Media containing serum-comple...
The Masculine Woman in Weimar Germany. By Katie Sutton. (New York, NY: Berghahn Books, 2011. Pp. viii, 204. $70.00.)

What are the politics of a haircut? What are the semiotics of wearing pants on stage and screen? These and other intriguing questions regarding sartorial deportment, physical activity, and the reto...