cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Opting Out of Fiduciary Duties and Liabilities in U.S. and U.K. Business Entities

This chapter explores the extent of contractual freedom to opt out of fiduciary duties and liabilities in U.S. and U.K. business entities, including the U.S. corporation, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, and limited liability company, and the U.K. limited company, general partnership, limited partnership, and limited liability partnership. Discernible commonalities emerge from this comparative analysis. Notably, corporate law readily permits reducing liability exposure for breaches of duty in each jurisdiction, yet provides only quite limited capacity to carve back at the substance of the duties themselves. Meanwhile, unincorporated entities in each jurisdiction offer substantially greater latitude to limit the duties themselves, in some cases resulting in purely contractual business relationships. Yet substantial differences are also apparent. U.S. corporate law permits greater insulation from liability exposure, and U.S. unincorporated entities generally provide clearer and more extensive latitude to eliminate default duties of loyalty and care outright (particularly in Delaware). One cannot comprehensively declare that U.S. law universally deviates further from the "fiduciary" governance paradigm, however, because the U.K. limited liability partnership has gone further by providing an entity form in which no such general default duties apply at all. The analysis raises some complex comparative questions, and the chapter closes with brief reflections on why such trends, commonalities, and divergences may have arisen.
Design of miniaturizated multiple U-Slots antenna using theory of characteristic modes

Very few planar, broadband, miniaturized slot antennas have been reported till date. In this paper, a novel co-located, miniaturized multiple U-Slot antenna is designed using Theory of Characteristic Modes (TCM). The miniaturization is achieved by combining two U-Slots on the same patch and introducing narrow vertical slots between them. Vertical slots reduce the strong mutual coupling between participating characteristic current modes. The proposed miniaturized antenna exhibits optimal gain and low mutual coupling with 25% bandwidth.
SB623 Preclinical and Clinical Trial Experience

Stroke affects more than 15 million individuals each year, and is the second leading cause of mortality worldwide [1]. In the United States alone, there are nearly 800,000 strokes annually, and over seven million individuals (approximately 3% of the adult population) live with the sequelae of a prior stroke [2]. More than half of these individuals suffer from long-term limitation of functional mobility [3]. From an economic perspective, the direct and indirect costs related to stroke are as high as $65 billion per year in the United States [4].
Defining Disaster: An Evolving Concept

This chapter traces disaster definitions devised by social scientists, recounting the evolution of scholarly thinking and the elements of the concept. The emphasis is on the definition of the phenomenon itself, not on enumerating the causes of, conditions for or consequences of disasters. Three collections of theory-based definitions are reviewed: the classical period, the hazards-disaster tradition, and the most recent emphasis on disasters as social phenomena. The influence of the human ecology perspective and the concepts of vulnerability and resilience are also examined. Gradually, consensus is emerging on a theory-based definition of disasters. Definitions have moved away from an agent-centered, damage-driven, uncontrollable event vision. Although agents may be proximal causes, humans “cause” virtually all disasters. Most researchers currently view social disruption as the key defining feature or essential dimension of disasters.
Adab as Social Currency: the Survival of the Qaṣīda in Medieval Sicily

This article explores the resilience of the qaṣīda as social currency in the Kalbid and Norman periods of Sicily. It demonstrates how the Kalbid emirs incorporated the sociopoietic function of the Arabic ode — its capacity to create bonds of social exchange based on a shared ethos — in their programme to foster cohesion at a court potentially endangered by social, confessional and ethnic rivalries. It subsequently shows how the qaṣīda carried out a comparable function at the Norman court of Roger II, where Arabic poets once again resorted to the language and lore of the qaṣīda in order to craft a neutral space of interaction for Muslims and Christians at court.
The Role of Administrators in Professional Development: Considerations for Facilitating Learning Among Academic Librarians

The role that administrators should take in enabling professional development is regularly discussed in the library literature. However, this article, seeking to provide information from a new pers...
Temporal and Organ-Specific Expression of Enzymes of Fatty Acid Hydroperoxide Metabolism in Developing Sunflower Seedlings

Lipoxygenase is an enzyme of both plant and animal metabolism that catalyzes the addition of molecular oxygen to certain polyunsaturated fatty acids, resulting in the formation of fatty acid hydroperoxides. In plants these compounds can be further converted to other fatty acid metabolites by several enzymatic pathways, which vary according to species. However, there are two major pathways of fatty acid hydroperoxide metabolism that are present in most plant species [1]. One pathway, the hydroperoxide dehydrase pathway, leads to the biosynthesis of jasmonic acid, which is known to have growth regulatory properties and probably serves as a chemical signal in plant defense reactions. The second pathway, the hydroperoxide lyase pathway, leads to the biosynthesis of short-chain aldehyde products that are known to be toxic to certain fungal, bacterial, or insect pests. This report examines the level of expression of these two enzymes in sunflower leaves, cotyledons, hypocotyl, and roots during the first twenty days after germination. The results suggest that there are distinct organ-specific functional roles for each of the two enzymes. Dynamic alterations were observed in the expression of the two enzymes in the cotyledons during sunflower seedling development. In addition, evidence for the presence of two organ-specific isozymes of hydroperoxide lyase is presented.
Glass Analysis: An Effective Word Recognition Tool for Reading Disabled Adults

(1977). Glass Analysis: An Effective Word Recognition Tool for Reading Disabled Adults. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Western College Reading Association: Vol. 10, Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Conference of the WCRA. Personalizing Learning Systems: Ecologies and Strategies, pp. 175-176.
Athlete endorsement in the international sports industry: a case study of David Beckham

As the world becomes a global village, sports organisations have begun to extend their markets and fan bases to different groups of customers. David Beckham, a British soccer star with a high profile marriage and much media attention, has endorsed numerous products, thereby becoming an excellent case study for the current trend of athlete endorsement in the international sports industry. The results of this case study provide insights into factors that might influence the success of athlete endorsement.
A tortoise approach for US nuclear research and development

In Aesop’s fable, a swift hare races with a deliberate tortoise. In the end, the tortoise wins by taking a slow and steady approach. We argue that, given the economic constraints on US deployment of nuclear power, a ‘tortoise strategy’ is more prudent for US government nuclear R&D efforts.
(E)-1-[1-(3-Phenyl­cyclo­penta-2,4-dien-1-yl­idene)eth­yl]pyrrolidine

The title compound, C17H19N, is a disubstituted penta­fulvene obtained from the hydro­amination of 1-phenyl-3-tri­methyl­silylethynyl­cyclo­penta­diene and has monoclinic P21/n symmetry at 100 K. C—H⋯π ring inter­actions between neighboring mol­ecules consolidate the packing. To the authors' knowledge, this reaction is the first reported example of a non-transition metal catalyzed hydro­amination with concomitant desilylation.
The FDA Amendments Act of 2007 — Assessing Its Effects a Decade Later

The FDA Amendments Act of 2007 With more than a decade of experience accumulated, it is clear that the FDAAA introduced important improvements in the FDA’s capacity to track medication effects and mitigate risk. But challenges persist.
Trends of characteristics and outcomes of donors and recipients of deceased donor liver transplantation in the United States: 1990 to 2013.

Trends of characteristics and outcomes of donors and recipients of deceased donor liver transplantation in the United States: 1990 to 2013
The synthesis and characterization of Re(CO)3 pyca-anthraquinone conjugates

Abstract Three rhenium carbonyl anthraquinone species have been synthesized (compounds 1–3) using a one-pot methodology. The synthesis involves use of pyridine-2-carboxyaldehyde, which reacts with primary amines and Re(CO)5X to form a metal bound diamine. Reactions with Re(CO)5Cl and Re(CO)5Br afford compounds 1 and 2 respectively, where the anthraquinone unit is pendant to the pyridine aldimine unit. Compound 3 can be produced upon replacement of the halide in 1 and 3 with pyridine. These three complexes have been fully characterized, including by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1–3 exhibit metal-to-ligand charge transfer bands in their UV–visible spectra. Additionally, the electrochemical behaviour of 1–3 has been investigated, and all three compounds show positive shifts in their reduction potentials relative to aminoanthraquinone.
Vasectomy and the risk of prostate cancer in a prospective US Cohort: Data from the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study.

Background Several studies have linked vasectomy with the risk of prostate cancer; however, this association has been attributed to selection bias. Since vasectomy is a common and effective form of contraception, these implications are significant. Therefore, we sought to test this association in a large observational cohort. Objective To evaluate the potential association between prior vasectomy and the risk of developing prostate cancer. Materials and methods We evaluated the relationship between vasectomy and prostate cancer in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study. Of the 111,914 men, prostate cancer was identified in 13,885 men and vasectomies were performed in 48,657. We used multivariate analysis to examine the relationship between prostate cancer and vasectomy. We also performed propensity score-adjusted and propensity score-matched analysis. Results Men utilizing vasectomy were more likely to be ever married, fathers, educated, white, and screened for prostate cancer. During 4,251,863 person-years of follow-up, there was a small association between vasectomy and incident prostate cancer with a hazard ratio of 1.05 (95% CI, 1.01-1.11). However, no significant association was found when looking separately at prostate cancer by grade or stage. Conclusions were similar when using propensity adjustment and matching. Importantly, a significant interaction between vasectomy and PSA screening was identified. Discussion Estimates of the association between vasectomy and prostate cancer are sensitive to analytic method underscoring the tenuous nature of the connection. Given the differences between men who do and do not utilize vasectomy, selection bias appears likely to explain any identified association between vasectomy and prostate cancer. Conclusions With over 20 years of follow-up, no convincing relationship between vasectomy and prostate cancer of any grade was identified.
Relaxation Response of Critically Stressed Macroscale Surficial Rock Sheets

Rock environments both underground and on Earth’s surface show indications of energetic macroscale fracture. In tunnels and excavations, these manifest as rockbursts—energetic explosions of rock that can damage engineering projects, and may pose ongoing financial and safety risk as rock stresses adjust during post-failure relaxation. In natural settings at the surface, evidence for rockbursts exist in the form of tent-like structures of ruptured exfoliation sheets, but few direct observations of such events exist, precluding the analysis of how natural rock formations may evolve after rupture. Here we investigate the post-failure evolution of a granitic rock dome following rapid fracture events (i.e., surficial rockbursts) that occurred in California, USA during 2014–2016. Building upon previous work that showed a thermal stress origin for the observed fracturing, we investigate the return to background stress conditions (i.e., stress relaxation) observed in both short- (week, month) and long-term (multi-year) rock deformation trends. Acoustic emissions, deformation, and environmental monitoring data indicate that partially detached rock sheets forming the surface of the dome undergo fracture aperture closing during cooling periods, concurrent with reduction of rock stress by the source of forcing (i.e., thermal stress). However, with sufficient critical and/or subcritical fracture, our observations also show that rock sheets can become decoupled from the source of stress, resulting in a long-term return to background stress conditions. Our results provide insight into the cyclic and likely ephemeral nature of rock fracture in surficial rock domes, as well as in underground rockburst environments.
The pectoralis major myocutaneous flap

The pectoralis major myocutaneous flap has enjoyed a long history of over 40 years utilization to reconstruct a variety of head and neck defects. Despite the attractiveness, feasibility and success rates of free tissue transfer, the role of the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap is irreplaceable in the setting of high-risk patients, the vessel-depleted neck, and in overall poor free tissue transfer surgical candidates. This chapter reviews the pertinent surgical anatomy, flap design and harvest with emphasis on mitigation of donor site morbidity when mobilizing the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap.
Outcomes and Quality of Life of Systemic Therapy in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide; most patients are diagnosed with advanced disease for which there is no known cure. Tremendous progress has been made over the past decade in the development of new agents for HCC, including small-molecule kinase inhibitors such as sorafenib, lenvatinib, cabozantinib, regorafenib, and monoclonal antibodies like ramucirumab, nivolumab, and pembrolizumab. Ideal use of these agents in clinics has improved the long-term outcome of patients with advanced HCC as well as introduced unique toxicities that can affect quality of life. These toxicities usually are thought to be partially related to cirrhosis, a major risk factor for the development of HCC and a pathophysiological barrier complicating the optimal delivery of antineoplastic therapy. Additionally, side effects of medications together with advanced HCC symptoms not only decrease quality of life, but also cause treatment interruptions and dose reductions that can potentially decrease efficacy. Physicians caring for patients with advanced HCC are called to optimally manage HCC along with cirrhosis in order to prolong life while at the same time preserve the quality of life. In this review, we aimed to summarize outcomes and quality of life with the use of modern systemic treatments in advanced HCC and provide a physician reference for treatment toxicity and cirrhosis management.
A Therapeutic International Normalized Ratio Results in Smaller Infarcts and Better Outcomes for Patients with Ischemic Stroke.

Abstract Background: Prior studies have shown that warfarin is effective for both primary and secondary stroke prevention in individuals with atrial fibrillation. It is also known that those on warfarin with atrial fibrillation often have poorer long-term poststroke outcomes, possibly because cardioembolic strokes tend to be larger and more severe. Less is known regarding the direct effect of the international normalized ratio (INR) value at the time of stroke on severity or long-term functional status. Methods: We prospectively followed a consecutive series of 112 patients presenting to our institution with acute ischemic stroke between 2013 and 2018 who were on warfarin. Along with INR on admission, data were collected regarding patient demographics, vascular risk factors, stroke characteristics, and functional outcomes. Patients were stratified by INR into “therapeutic” and “subtherapeutic” groups. Stroke severity (NIH Stroke Scale), infarct volume, and outcome (modified Rankin Scale) were assessed on admission, discharge, and follow-up (3 months poststroke). Differences were calculated using Student's t -tests and regression analyses. Results: The average INR on admission was 1.6 for the entire cohort. Seventy six percent were subtherapeutic on admission (INR P = .033), significantly smaller stroke volumes (19.5 cc versus 49.2 cc, P = .036), and were more likely to show more than 1 digit improvement on follow-up mRS than subtherapeutic patients. Conclusions: Stroke size and severity is significantly reduced in patients with ischemic strokes who present therapeutic on warfarin. The greater volume of brain saved may ultimately lead to better functional recovery.
Cryo-EM Reveals Integrin-Mediated TGF-β Activation without Release from Latent TGF-β

Integrin αvβ8 binds with exquisite specificity to latent transforming growth factor-β (L-TGF-β). This binding is essential for activating L-TGF-β presented by a variety of cell types. Inhibiting αvβ8-mediated TGF-β activation blocks immunosuppressive regulatory T cell differentiation, which is a potential therapeutic strategy in cancer. Using cryo-electron microscopy, structure-guided mutagenesis, and cell-based assays, we reveal the binding interactions between the entire αvβ8 ectodomain and its intact natural ligand, L-TGF-β, as well as two different inhibitory antibody fragments to understand the structural underpinnings of αvβ8 binding specificity and TGF-β activation. Our studies reveal a mechanism of TGF-β activation where mature TGF-β signals within the confines of L-TGF-β and the release and diffusion of TGF-β are not required. The structural details of this mechanism provide a rational basis for therapeutic strategies to inhibit αvβ8-mediated L-TGF-β activation.
Association of Subclinical Hypothyroidism and Cardiovascular Disease With Mortality

Importance Subclinical hypothyroidism is a common clinical entity among US adults associated in some studies with an increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality. However, the extent to which CVD mediates the association between elevated serum thyrotropin (TSH) and mortality has not yet been well established or sufficiently quantified. Objective To elucidate the extent to which subclinical hypothyroidism, elevated serum TSH and normal serum free thyroxine, or high-normal TSH concentrations (ie, upper normative–range TSH concentrations) are associated with mortality through CVD among US adults. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study relied on representative samples of US adults enrolled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2001 to 2002, 2007 to 2008, 2009 to 2010, and 2011 to 2012 and their mortality data through 2015. Data were analyzed from January to August 2019. Main Outcomes and Measures Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to investigate associations between the TSH concentration category (subclinical hypothyroidism or tertiles of serum TSH concentrations within the reference range; low-normal TSH, 0.34-1.19 mIU/L; middle-normal TSH, 1.20-1.95 mIU/L; and high-normal TSH, 1.96-5.60 mIU/L) and all-cause mortality. Mediation analysis was used within the counterfactual framework to estimate natural direct associations (not through CVD) and indirect associations (through CVD). Results Of 9020 participants, 4658 (51.6%) were men; the mean (SD) age was 49.4 (17.8) years. Throughout follow-up (median [interquartile range], 7.3 [5.4-8.3] years), serum thyroid function test results consistent with subclinical hypothyroidism and high-normal TSH concentrations were both associated with increased all-cause mortality (subclinical hypothyroidism: hazard ratio, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.14-3.19; high-normal TSH: hazard ratio, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.07-1.73) compared with the middle-normal TSH group. Cardiovascular disease mediated 14.3% and 5.9% of the associations of subclinical hypothyroidism and high-normal TSH with all-cause mortality, respectively, with the CVD mediation being most pronounced in women (7.5%-13.7% of the association) and participants aged 60 years and older (6.0%-14.8% of the association). Conclusions and Relevance In this study, CVD mediated the associations of subclinical hypothyroidism and high-normal TSH concentrations with all-cause mortality in the US general population. Further studies are needed to examine the clinical benefit of thyroid hormone replacement therapy targeted to a middle-normal TSH concentration or active CVD screening for people with elevated TSH concentrations.
Urban Architectures in Interwar Yugoslavia

Resulting from a twenty-year period of research, this book seeks to challenge contradictions between the concepts of national and modern architectures promoted among the most pronounced national groups of Yugoslavia: Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. It spans from the beginning of their nation-building programs in the mid-nineteenth century until the collapse of unified South Slavic ideology and the outbreak of the Second World War. Organized into two parts, it sheds new light onto the question of how two conflicting political agendas – on one side the quest for integral Yugoslavism and, on the other, the fight for strictly separate national identities – were acknowledged through the architecture and urbanism of Belgrade, Zagreb and Ljubljana. Drawing wider conclusions, author Tanja D. Conley investigates boundaries between two opposing yet interrelated tendencies characterizing the architectural professional in the age of modernity: the search for authenticity versus the strive towards globalization. Urban Architectures in Interwar Yugoslavia will appeal to researchers, academics and students interested in Central and Eastern European architectural history.
Chinese social media suggest decreased vaccine acceptance in China: An observational study on Weibo following the 2018 Changchun Changsheng vaccine incident.

Abstract China is home to the world’s largest population, with the potential for disease outbreaks to affect billions. However, knowledge of Chinese vaccine acceptance trends is limited. In this work we use Chinese social media to track responses to the recent Changchun Changsheng Biotechnology vaccine scandal, which led to extensive discussion regarding vaccine safety and regulation in China. We analyzed messages from the popular Chinese microblogging platform Sina Weibo in July 2018 (n = 11,085), and August 2019 (n = 500). Thus, we consider Chinese vaccine acceptance, before, during, immediately after, and one year after the scandal occurred. Results show that expressions of distrust in government pertaining to vaccines increased significantly during and immediately after the scandal. Self-reports of vaccination occurred both before, and one year after, the scandal; however, these self-reports changed from positive endorsements of vaccination to concerns about vaccine harms. Data suggest that expressed support for vaccine acceptance in China may be decreasing.
DroneNet-Sim: a learning-based trace simulation framework for control networking in drone video analytics

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or drones equipped with cameras are extensively used in different applications for environmental situational awareness such as: smart agriculture, border security, intelligent transportation. Realistic UAV testbed building for developing novel network control algorithms relating to video streaming/analytics is time-consuming and difficult. Challenges arise when executing high-scale drone video analytics experiments due to: constraints in drone manufacturing, government regulation restrictions, and limited energy resources. Also, developing algorithms requires ability to understand impact of network protocol selection to handle diverse UAV mobility models as well as dynamic network status during edge-network video processing. In this paper, we propose a novel learning-based trace simulation framework viz. "DroneNet-Sim" that integrates simulation on both drone and networking sides. It allows for experimentation with network protocol selection (i.e., TCP/HTTP, UDP/RTP, QUIC) and video properties selection (i.e., codec, resolution) to ensure satisfactory video quality delivery in different drone flight scenarios. Using machine learning models, we show how DroneNet-Sim can process real-world drone traces that include various mobility models, geospatial link information and on-time network status obtained from real-world data-gathering efforts. Trace-based experiments with our DroneNet-Sim shows how video quality delivery (i.e., PSNR) using suitable control networking matches real-world measurements in terms of machine learning model accuracy.
How Does Feedback Affect Entrepreneurial Performance

Does feedback affect start-up firm performance? Feedback can be beneficial and particularly actionable for early-stage firms — it may motivate firms to experiment and improve on their ideas, or help firms speed up the failure process for lower quality ideas. In this paper, I use a proprietary database of business plan competition participants and judges combined with text analysis of feedback to investigate whether firms incorporate feedback and improve over time. Specifically, I leverage the feedback sentiment of randomly assigned judges as an instrumental variable to estimate causal effects of feedback on short-term and long-term performance. The main results show that firms improve within-competition performance after receiving more negative feedback that is mapped to specific areas of improvement and received in the initial round. Interestingly, there are heterogeneous treatment effects based on firm quality for post-competition performance. Specifically, after receiving negative feedback, higher quality firms are more likely to remain operational, while lower quality firms are more likely to shut down.
Pancreatic Gland Signs

The pancreas produces multiple hormones involved in fat, glucose, and protein metabolism. The pathophysiologic basis of the physical manifestations of diabetes mellitus and neuroendocrine tumors is discussed. Explore classic terminologies such as carcinoid and carcinoid syndrome, and develop a better understanding of these often confusing terminologies.
Summary by Professor John Helliwell of Session 4: “Restructuring of Socialist Economies and the Impact of Disarmament on the World Economy“

In this session, the discussion of the four chapters was combined with the general discussion at the end of the session, and was introduced by the comments of the designated discussants, Professor Ohtsu and Professor Sato.
Reseña de «Entremeses y mojigangas para autos sacramentales. Burlas profanas y veras sagradas», ed. Victoriano Roncero López y Abraham Madroñal Durán, Kassel, Reichenberger, 2020, 347 pp. ISBN: 978-3-967280-04-3

Resena de Entremeses y mojigangas para autos sacramentales. Burlas profanas y veras sagradas , ed. Victoriano Roncero Lopez y Abraham Madronal Duran, Kassel, Reichenberger, 2020, 347 pp. ISBN: 978-3-967280-04-3
Analysis of sex-specific risk factors and clinical outcomes in COVID-19

Sex has consistently been shown to affect COVID-19 mortality, but it remains unclear how each sex’s clinical outcome may be distinctively shaped by risk factors. We studied a primary cohort of 4930 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in a single healthcare system in New York City from the start of the pandemic till August 5, 2020, and a validation cohort of 1645 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in the same healthcare system from August 5, 2020, to January 13, 2021. Here we show that male sex was independently associated with in-hospital mortality, intubation, and ICU care after adjusting for demographics and comorbidities. Using interaction analysis and sex-stratified models, we found that hypoxia interacted with sex to preferentially increase women’s mortality risk while obesity interacted with sex to preferentially increase women’s risk of intubation and intensive care in our primary cohort. In the validation cohort, we observed that male sex remained an independent risk factor for mortality, but sex-specific interactions were not replicated. We conducted a comprehensive sex-stratified analysis of a large cohort of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, highlighting clinical factors that may contribute to sex differences in the outcome of COVID-19. Men are at higher risk of death from COVID-19 than women, but the underlying reasons are not fully understood. We examined the medical data of men and women hospitalized with COVID-19 in New York City to determine whether there were factors which raised the risk of death or requiring intensive care more for one sex rather than the other. We observed that men hospitalized with COVID-19 had a higher risk of death than women when other factors taken into account. Some conditions, like low oxygen levels and obesity, appeared to be associated with worse outcomes in women compared to men early in the pandemic but further studies will be necessary for confirmation. These findings highlight groups of men and women who may be at increased risk of severe COVID-19. Jun et al. evaluate sex-stratified clinical outcomes in two cohorts of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in New York. While male sex risk is a risk factor for poor outcome in both cohorts – one from earlier and one from later on in the pandemic – some of the sex-specific risk factors observed initially are not observed later on.
Nanoparticle Trapping in Symmetry-breaking System

We propose an all-dielectric nanotweezer for low laser power optical trapping combined with negligible heating effect. A new way to harness the self-induced back-action (SIBA) force is also presented.
Perioperative risk stratification using the timed up and go test

Objectives: Frailty in elderly surgical patients has been shown to predict higher rates of postoperative adverse events, increased length of stay, and higher likelihood of discharge home with health services. The timed up and go (TUG) test is a validated measure of frailty and functional impairment that involves recording the time required to rise from a chair and walk 3 meters. The purpose of this study is to assess the utility of the TUG test as a screening tool for frailty in gynecologic oncology patients age 65 and older preoperatively and to determine if the TUG test may be used for perioperative risk stratification. Methods: From October 2019 to August 2020, patients age 65 and older who presented to a gynecologic oncology clinic for preoperative visits were screened with the timed-up-and-go test. A time of 13.5 seconds or greater was considered a failed test. Outcomes of interest were length of stay after surgery, postoperative disposition (home without services, home with services), and perioperative blood transfusions. Summary statistics were generated for the sample, and a Fisher exact test was used to evaluate binary outcomes. A two-sample t test was used to evaluate continuous outcomes. Results: Our sample consisted of a total of 47 patients with a mean age of 72. Of the 47 patients, 10 failed the TUG test with an overall fail rate of 21.3%. More patients underwent laparoscopy (66.0%) than laparotomy (21.3%). The majority of patients had a diagnosis of uterine cancer (57%) followed by ovarian (17%), vulvovaginal (8%) and cervical (2%) cancer diagnoses. The remainder of the cases (14%) were benign. A significantly higher proportion of patients who failed the TUG test required a blood transfusion, with four (40%) patients who failed their TUG test and two (5%) patients who passed their TUG test requiring a transfusion (p=0.014; Figure 1). Of those who received a transfusion, 3 patients had ovarian cancer, 2 had uterine cancer, and 1 had cervical cancer. Among patients who failed their TUG test, 2 out of 10 went home with services, while 2 out of 37 patients who passed their TUG test went home with services. However, this was not a significant difference (p=0.19). On average women who failed the TUG test had a length of stay 1.3 (-0.96, 3.62, p=0.23) days longer than women who passed the TUG test. Download : Download high-res image (58KB) Download : Download full-size image Conclusions: Our results suggest that the TUG test may be used preoperatively in gynecologic oncology patients to predict which patients are at risk for perioperative complications. This test may be a practical way to screen for and optimize perioperative health in geriatric gynecologic oncology patients.
Chiral Cyclic Aliphatic Linkers as Building Blocks for Selective Dopamine D2 or D3 Receptor Agonists.

Linkers are emerging as a key component in regulating the pharmacology of bitopic ligands directed toward G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). In this study, the role of regio- and stereochemistry in cyclic aliphatic linkers tethering well-characterized primary and secondary pharmacophores targeting dopamine D2 and D3 receptor subtypes (D2R and D3R, respectively) is described. We introduce several potent and selective D2R (rel-trans-16b; D2R Ki = 4.58 nM) and D3R (rel-cis-14a; D3R Ki = 5.72 nM) agonists while modulating subtype selectivity in a stereospecific fashion, transferring D2R selectivity toward D3R via inversion of the stereochemistry around these cyclic aliphatic linkers [e.g., (-)-(1S,2R)-43 and (+)-(1R,2S)-42]. Pharmacological observations were supported with extensive molecular docking studies. Thus, not only is it an innovative approach to modulate the pharmacology of dopaminergic ligands described, but a new class of optically active cyclic linkers are also introduced, which can be used to expand the bitopic drug design approach toward other GPCRs.
Pressure and Temperature Sensitive Paints

The foundations of pressure- and temperature-sensitive paints (PSP and TSP) for aerodynamic measurements are the oxygen and thermal quenching mechanisms of thin luminescent polymer coatings applied to a solid surface. The technical aspects of PSP and TSP include the photophysics, paint formulations, calibration, measurement systems, image/data processing, measurement uncertainty, and applications in wind tunnel testing. Since PSP and TSP as luminescent molecule sensors have similar measurement systems and image/data processing procedures, they are companion techniques in applications. PSP and TSP have become powerful measurement techniques to obtain high-resolution surface pressure and temperature (heat flux) fields on air vehicle models in various wind tunnels. This article provides a concise exposition of the main technical aspects of PSP and TSP. Keywords: experimental aerodynamics; image-based measurement; luminescence; pressure-sensitive paint (PSP); temperature-sensitive paint (TSP); wind tunnel
Community-Centered Clinical Practice: Is the Integration of Micro and Macro Social Work Practice Possible?

Abstract There has been a longstanding tension between the domains of micro and macro practice in social work practice and academic programs. A set of structural and interpersonal tensions can be identified as interfering with accurate perceptions of the underlying continuity of social work practice that is reflected in the mission of the profession. This analysis addresses this tension by defining the elements needed for the integration of micro and macro practice in the form of community-centered clinical practice. A set of cross-over skills are identified along with recommendations for improved agency operations and professional education related to the integration of micro and macro social work practice.
Acridine Sensitivity of Bacteriophage T2H in Escherichia coli

Normally acridine-sensitive, Escherichia coli -T2H complexes are rendered acridine-resistant if the infecting bacteriophage mutant is either pr or q . If these pr or q mutants are treated to produce sensitive revertants, one obtains a mutation at any of several dye-sensitizing ( ds ) sites in the early enzyme region of the T2 map. The ds mutants are nonspecific suppressors because they reduce the resistance of complexes containing either pr or q to proflavine. The ds mutants are not identical in action, since some make pr or q sensitive to proflavine and quinacrine, and others, to proflavine alone. Two ds mutants have r to r + mutation patterns which differ, depending upon whether or not the ds is coupled with r7 (an rII mutant). The mutation patterns of r + to r are the same for both ds mutants and for wild type. We suggest that dye sensitization may consist of alterations of early enzymes so as to produce slightly different forms of deoxyribonucleic acid which are in turn dyesensitive. Images
Chemoradiation in oesophageal cancer.

Abstract Oesophageal cancer is the 8th most common cancer worldwide, and has significant mortality and morbidity rates. The two most common histological types, squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma, have different localizations, distinctive risk factors, and molecular mechanisms. Survival for patients with locoregional oesophageal cancer is poor when treated with surgery only, with 5-year survival less than 10–15%. Radiation therapy has limited efficacy when given alone. Concurrent chemoradiation improves local-regional control and facilitates margin-free resection when delivered preoperatively. Chemoradiation prolongs survival when given as definitive treatment or combined with surgery. Neoadjuvant chemoradiation also reduces risk of distant recurrence. To date, there is no data supporting the addition of targeted therapy to concurrent chemoradiation. Understanding molecular pathways regulating both radiosensitivity and tumorigenesis/invasion may lead to the discovery of new targeted agents, improving outcome of chemoradiation in terms of both locoregional and systemic control, ultimately resulting in prolonged survival.
Gender Role Discrepancy Stress, High-Risk Sexual Behavior, and Sexually Transmitted Disease

Nearly 20 million new sexually transmitted infections occur every year in the United States. Traditionally, men have demonstrated much greater risk for contraction of and mortality from STDs perhaps because they tend to engage in a number of risky sexual activities. Research on masculinity suggests that gender roles influence males’ sexual health by encouraging risk-taking behavior, discouraging access to health services, and narrowly defining their roles as partners. However, despite the propensity of highly masculine men to engage in high-risk sexual behavior, there is reason to suspect that men at the other end of the continuum may still be driven to engage in similar high-risk behaviors as a consequence of gender socialization. Discrepancy stress is a form of gender role stress that occurs when men fail to live up to the ideal manhood derived from societal prescriptions (i.e., Gender Role Discrepancy). In the present study, we surveyed a national sample of 600 men via Amazon Mechanical Turk to assess perceived gender role discrepancy, experience of discrepancy stress, and the associations with risky sexual behavior and potential contraction of STDs. Results indicated that men who believe they are less masculine than the typical man (i.e., gender role discrepancy) and experience distress stemming from this discrepancy (i.e., discrepancy stress) engage in high-risk sexual behavior and are subsequently diagnosed with more STDs. Findings are discussed in relation to implications for primary prevention strategies.
Institutional Change and Political Continuity in Post-Soviet Central Asia: Power, Perceptions, and Pacts

1. The continuity of change: old formulas and new institutions 2. Explaining institutional design in transitional states: beyond structure versus agency 3. Sources of continuity: the Soviet legacy in Central Asia 4. Sources of change: the transitional context in Central Asia 5. The electoral system in Kyrgyzstan: rise of the regions 6. The electoral system in Uzbekistan: revenge of the center 7. The electoral system in Kazakhstan: the center's rise and the regions' revenge 8. Institutional change through continuity: shifting power and prospects for democracy.
A subpopulation of small pre-B cells in rabbit bone marrow expresses x light chains and exhibits allelic exclusion of b locus allotypes†

The expression of immunoglobulin heavy and light chains by pre-B cells and B lymphocytes was examined by two-color immunoflourescence in heterozygous b5b9 rabbits. Allelic exclusion of b5 and b9 kappa light chain allotypes was observed for both surface immunoglobulin-negative pre-B cells and surface immunoglobulin-positive B lymphocytes. In newborn bone marrow, pre-B cells and immature B lymphocytes expressing b9 were as numerous as those expressing b5. In contrast, circulating B cells and bone marrow plasma cells expressing the b5 marker outnumber b9+ cells by 2 to 1 in adult b5b9 animals. Whereas most B lymphocytes expressed kappa light chain b allotypes, approximately 80% of the micro heavy chain-positive pre-B cells did not. The pre-B cells that expressed detectable light chains were relatively small lymphocytes. A model is presented which includes a "transitional" pre-B cell that expresses both micro chains and kappa chains.
Sperm competition in horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus)

Male horseshoe crabs have two mating tactics. Some males come ashore attached to a female (clasping the posterior margin of the females' carapace with their modified pedipalps) and nest with her on the intertidal portion of the beach during the high tide. Other males come ashore unattached and crowd around nesting couples. Fertilization is external and unattached males that are in contact with a pair, i.e. ‘satellite’ males, release sperm, so the assumption has been that they are fertilizing eggs. We conducted a paternity analysis to determine the proportion of eggs fertilized by attached and satellite males. Pairs with one satellite were observed during nesting on beaches in Florida and Delaware and their eggs were collected and reared to the late trilobite or first instar horseshoe crab stage. DNA was extracted from these offspring and from each adult (female, attached and satellite male) for use in paternity analysis. A Limulus-specific hypervariable microsatellite locus was identified and primers were constructed to amplify this locus via the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Genotypes of putative parents and offspring were determined by resolving length variants of these PCR products on acrylamide gels. This allowed us to determine parentage of the offspring. We demonstrate that satellite males fertilized 40% of the eggs on average, attached males fertilized 51% and 4% of the eggs that were laid by the female were fathered neither by the attached male nor by the satellite (and 5% could not be determined unambiguously). There is high variability in the success of satellite males, ranging from 0 to 88%. Part of this variability can be explained by the position of the satellite relative to the attached male. We discuss the mechanics of fertilization and the possible advantages for multiple mating in this species.
Haemolytic phospholipase A and nerve-affecting activities of sea anemone nematocyst venom.

THE paralysing venom of coelenterates is injected into their prey from nematocysts, tiny (55–75 µm) intracellular collagenlike organelles1 found in all members of this phylum2. Recent attempts to investigate the physiological actions of nematocyst venoms3–11,28 have been consistently hampered by (a) the difficulty in obtaining pure undischarged nematocysts free of cytoplasmic contaminants from which the venom could be isolated and (b) the lack of a reliable and accurate physiological assay. The first of these obstacles was overcome by Blanquet and Lenhoff12, who modified a method of Yanagita13 for obtaining extremely pure nematocysts from sea anemone acontia. Acontia are long, thread-like extensions of the gastric filarnents in the gut of certain sea anemones and are laden with nematocysts. From these purified nematocysts, we have isolated two toxic proteins. We describe here three methods of assaying some physiological effects of these proteins.
Deep-inspiration breath-hold kilovoltage cone-beam CT for setup of stereotactic body radiation therapy for lung tumors: Initial experience

We report our initial experience with deep-inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) cone-beam CT (CBCT) on the treatment table, using the kilovoltage imager integrated into our linear accelerator, for setting up patients for DIBH stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for lung tumors. Nine patients with non-small cell lung cancer (seven stage I), were given 60Gy in three fractions. All nine patients could perform a DIBH for 35s. For each patient we used a diagnostic reference CT volume image acquired during a DIBH to design an SBRT plan consisting of 7-10 noncoplanar conformal beams. Four patients were setup by registering DIBH kilovoltage projection radiographs or megavoltage portal images on the treatment table to digitally reconstructed radiographs from the reference CT. Each of the last 14 fractions out of a total of 27 was setup by acquiring a CBCT volume image on the treatment table in three breath-holds. The CBCT and reference CT volume images were directly registered and the shift was calculated from the registration. The CBCT volume images contained excellent detail on soft tissue and bony anatomy for matching to the reference CT. Most importantly, the tumor was always clearly visible in the CBCT images, even when it was difficult or impossible to see in the radiographs or portal images. The accuracy of the CBCT method was confirmed by DIBH megavoltage portal imaging and each treatment beam was delivered during a DIBH. CBCT acquisition typically required five more minutes than radiograph acquisition but the overall setup time was often shorter using CBCT because repeat imaging was minimized. We conclude that for setting up SBRT treatments of lung tumors, DIBH CBCT is feasible, fast and may result in less variation among observers than using bony anatomy in orthogonal radiographs.
Glycoprotein E2 of bovine viral diarrhea virus expressed in insect cells provides calves limited protection from systemic infection and disease

Calves were vaccinated with a C-terminally truncated baculovirus expression product of E2 from the Singer strain of bovine viral diarrhea virus. The expressed E2 was glycosylated and retained antigenic authenticity. After induction of viral neutralizing antibody, the calves were challenge exposed with either the homologous Singer strain of virus or with the heterologous 890 strain of virus. Vaccine-induced antibody titer of ≥2 protected calves from clinical signs of disease induced by homologous viral challenge exposure. An antibody titer of ≥512 reduced replication of homologous challenge virus to a level which did not induce an appreciable increase in serologic titer of viral neutralizing antibody. Vaccine-induced antibody titer of ≤4096 did not protect calves from systemic spread of virus or from disease after challenge exposure with heterologous bovine viral diarrhea virus.