cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluating Alnus acuminata as a component in agroforestry systems

The combination of alder (Alnus acuminata H.B.K.) with pastures, mainly Pennisetum clandestinum (kikuyu grass) and P. Purpureum (elephant grass) is a traditional practice in Costa Rican dairy highlands (between 1300–2500 masl). People believe that the pasture grows greener under the trees [Combe, 1979]. Alder is not only advantageous for fodder production but also for fuelwood and timber. It produces an additional source of income to the small farmer.
Metal Atoms and Clusters in Fullerene Cages

Fullerenes containing metal atoms and clusters can be formed by the arc-vaporization method. The electronic structure of these metallofullerenes can be probed using magnetic resonance techniques. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of LaC82, YC82, ScC82 and Sc3C82 have been obtained. Metallofullerenes containing a single metal atom (MC82 with M = La, Y, or Sc), have small hyperfine couplings and g-values close to 2, implying that they can be described as + 3 metal cations within — 3 fullerene radical anion cages. In the La and Y cases, additional EPR active MC82 species have been found. The EPR spectrum of Sc3C82 shows that the metal atoms are equivalent, suggesting that they may form a triangular molecule. No EPR spectrum is found for Y2C82 or for Sc2C2n species (with 2n = 82,84,86), suggesting that they are diamagnetic. Sc NMR spectra of a solution containing Sc2C2n species have been obtained which confirm the diamagnetism of the discandium metallofullerenes.
After-birth abortion: the intuition argument

The argument advanced by Giubilini and Minerva is an important one, but it suffers from some shortcomings. I briefly criticise their reasoning and method and argue that after birth abortion should be limited largely to infants with disabilities. My argument is based not on solid scientific evidence or cold rational reasoning but on intuition, something that has long been discounted as irrelevant in biomedical discourse. I end with a recommendation to all of us: in order to make a change, one should not only choose one's battles, but also one's weapon and mode of attack.
Signaling and Transcriptional Networks in Heart Development and Regeneration

The mammalian heart is the first functional organ, the first indicator of life. Its normal formation and function are essential for fetal life. Defects in heart formation lead to congenital heart defects, underscoring the finesse with which the heart is assembled. Understanding the regulatory networks controlling heart development have led to significant insights into its lineage origins and morphogenesis and illuminated important aspects of mammalian embryology, while providing insights into human congenital heart disease. The mammalian heart has very little regenerative potential, and thus, any damage to the heart is life threatening and permanent. Knowledge of the developing heart is important for effective strategies of cardiac regeneration, providing new hope for future treatments for heart disease. Although we still have an incomplete picture of the mechanisms controlling development of the mammalian heart, our current knowledge has important implications for embryology and better understanding of human heart disease.
An energy and momentum conserving method for rigid–flexible body dynamics

In this work, an energy and momentum conserving method is developed for doing coupled flexible and rigid body dynamics. The main focus is on the bilateral connection of flexible finite elements to rigid bodies. The coupling of rigid bodies at joints is also introduced. Existing conserving algorithms for individual (un-coupled) rigid and flexible bodies are exploited and modified for the coupled system. By using the appropriate rigid body rotational update and generalized force definitions, the resulting rigid-flexible and rigid-rigid systems are unconditionally stable and conserve linear and angular momentum. The conservation and stability properties are demonstrated in numerical simulation.
An expert review of the scientific literature on independent wheelchair transfers.

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to perform a literature review and seek expert opinion on the relevance and strength of the evidence concerning setup and transfer performance.Methods. Scientific literature databases were searched until June 2009 using 43 keywords resulting in 339 articles. These were internally reviewed and narrowed to 41 articles which were formally assessed by 13 external experts. Articles that 80% or more of the reviewers scored as moderately or highly relevant were included in the final results.Results. Nineteen articles met the relevancy criteria. The aspects of setup that experts felt were addressed to some degree included vertical transfer distance, transferring across a gap and position of the mobility device relative to target destination. None of the 19 articles were scored as having strong to very strong resulting evidence.Conclusions. There is a consensus among studies that transferring to a higher surface implies greater exertion of the upper limb. However, there is no...
Prognostic importance of low body mass index in relation to cardiovascular mortality in rheumatoid arthritis

Objective Various etiologic mechanisms have been implicated in the observed increase in cardiovascular mortality in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Body mass index (BMI) is associated with cardiovascular mortality in the general population. This study compared the effect of BMI on cardiovascular mortality in a population-based cohort of subjects with RA with that in a cohort of individuals without RA from the same population. Methods The RA cohort comprised all members of an incidence cohort of Rochester, Minnesota residents ages ≥18 years who were first diagnosed with RA (by the American College of Rheumatology 1987 criteria) from 1955 through 1994. An age- and sex-matched comparison cohort of subjects without RA was assembled. Both cohorts were followed up longitudinally through their complete (inpatient, outpatient) medical records beginning at age 18 years and continuing until death, migration, or January 1, 2001, and the details of weight and height changes during this period were recorded. High BMI was defined as a BMI >30 kg/m2 and low BMI as <20 kg/m2. Cox regression models were used to estimate the effect of BMI on cardiovascular mortality after accounting for traditional cardiac risk factors and malignancies. Results RA subjects with low BMI at incidence had a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular death (hazard ratio [HR] 3.34, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 2.23–4.99) compared with non-RA subjects with normal BMI, after adjusting for age, sex, personal cardiac history, smoking status, and presence of diabetes, hypertension, and malignancies. RA subjects with normal BMI at incidence who experienced low BMI during followup also had a higher risk of cardiovascular death (HR 2.09, 95% CI 1.50–2.92) when compared with non-RA subjects who maintained normal BMI throughout followup. Conclusion Among patients with RA, low BMI is associated with a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular death.
Rituximab for the treatment of patients with very high-titre acquired factor VIII inhibitors refractory to conventional chemotherapy

Acquired factor VIII (FVIII) inhibitors are a rare cause of coagulopathy which are associated with a high mortality rate. Treatment of bleeding episodes is often difficult and may vary with the degree of titre elevation. Individuals with very high-titre antibodies [>100 Bethesda units mL(-1) (BU)] may have difficulty achieving a complete sustained remission and, consequently, various treatments including immunosuppression, cytotoxic chemotherapy and plasmapheresis have been reported. Rituximab is an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody which has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of individuals with acquired FVIII inhibitors, however there is limited data in the subgroup of patients with inhibitor titres >100 BU. In this study, we present four patients with acquired FVIII inhibitor titres >100 BU who were resistant to initial therapy with cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisone. The patients' inhibitor titres ranged from 249 BU mL(-1) to 725 BU mL(-1) and all received 4 weekly infusions of rituximab at 375 mg m(-2). Each patient partially responded to rituximab therapy with an improvement in inhibitor titres and FVIII activity, however, three of the four patients relapsed thereafter. The individual who did not relapse achieved a partial response for 13 months and then died of causes unrelated to her coagulopathy. We conclude that in patients with acquired FVIII inhibitors and titres >100 BU, treatment with rituximab alone is effective but not sufficient to achieve a sustained response. Rituximab in combination with other therapies may provide a better result in this high-risk population.
The Political Path to a Dual Earner/Dual Carer Society: Pitfalls and Possibilities

What are the political pathways to the dual earner/dual caregiver model? Are most countries likely to attain only a partial transformation of policies and societies, rather than a full embrace of this model? This article examines the development of work-family policies in Western Europe to probe the politics and consequences of these programs. In many countries, the political context frustrates efforts to enact a unified, comprehensive vision like the dual earner/dual caregiver model. Rather than achieving gender-egalitarian arrangements for work and care, countries may stall halfway there. Advocates should be careful in what they ask for and be aware of the challenge of keeping gender-egalitarian goals at the center of a policy-making process over which they will not have full control.
Violated Trust: Conceptualizing Prosecutorial Misconduct:

In the past decade, investigations into wrongful convictions have uncovered multiple incidents of prosecutorial misconduct during trial. This article proposes a theoretical explanation of prosecutorial misconductwith the goal of promptingfurther research. The theory builds from the characterization of prosecutors as agents of trust and prosecutorial misconduct as a violation of the norms of trust. Utilizing theories of occupational crime, the theory explains how the structure of the trust relationship creates motivation and opportunities for misconduct. Motivation to engage in misconductstems fromprosecutors’definitionsofsuccess, whichare influencedbythe reward structure and the availability of techniques of neutralization. Opportunities for misconduct arise because of the organization of the prosecutorial role and weak sanctions for prosecutors’misbehavior. Given the motivation and opportunity, prosecutors’ decision to engage in misconduct depends on their evaluation of existing opportunities, which is i...
Breast cancer cells induce stromal fibroblasts to express MMP-9 via secretion of TNF-α and TGF-β

We used 2D-cocultures employing fibroblasts of different genetic backgrounds and MCF10A-derived human breast epithelial cells of increasingly malignant potential to investigate tumor-stroma interactions in breast cancer and to identify possible signaling pathways involved. Tumor cells induced expression of matrix-metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) in fibroblasts in a pattern dependent on the degree of their malignancy. In-situ zymography localized the main gelatinolytic activity around stromal cells in cocultures and xenografted tumors. Use of Smad3 knockout fibroblasts, small molecule inhibitors, and neutralizing antibodies showed that MMP-9 expression was induced by tumor cell-derived TNF-alpha and TGF-beta, dependent on Smad-, Ras-, and PI3-kinase-signaling, and likewise modulated by subsequent HGF- and EGF-signaling. Together, our results indicate that MMP-9 levels in tumor fibroblasts are regulated by a complex tumor-stroma cross-talk, involving multiple ligands and cellular signaling pathways.
Electron energetics in the inner coma of comet Halley

A quasi-two-dimensional model of the spatial and energy distribution of electrons in the inner coma of Comet Halley has been constructed from a spherically symmetric ion density profile based on Giotto measurements, using the two-stream electron transport method and the time-dependent electron energy equation. A sharp jump in the electron temperature was found to be present at a cometocentric distance of about 15,000 km. This thermal boundary separates an inner region where cooling processes are dominant from an outer region where heat transport is more important. Both thermal and suprathermal electron populations exist inside the thermal boundary with comparable kinetic pressures. Outside the thermal boundary, a cloud electron population does not exist, and the electrons are almost isothermal along the magnetic field lines.
Face Verification Using the LARK Representation

We present a novel face representation based on locally adaptive regression kernel (LARK) descriptors. Our LARK descriptor measures a self-similarity based on “signal-induced distance” between a center pixel and surrounding pixels in a local neighborhood. By applying principal component analysis (PCA) and a logistic function to LARK consecutively, we develop a new binary-like face representation which achieves state-of-the-art face verification performance on the challenging benchmark “Labeled Faces in the Wild” (LFW) dataset. In the case where training data are available, we employ one-shot similarity (OSS) based on linear discriminant analysis (LDA). The proposed approach achieves state-of-the-art performance on both the unsupervised setting and the image restrictive training setting (72.23% and 78.90% verification rates), respectively, as a single descriptor representation, with no preprocessing step. As opposed to combined 30 distances which achieve 85.13%, we achieve comparable performance (85.1%) with only 14 distances while significantly reducing computational complexity.
An Overview of Condensed Tannin Structure

The proanthocyanidins are an important class of natural products forming the basis for various classes of flavonoid polymers such as the condensed tannins, phlobaphenes, and phenolic acids. Refining our understanding of the structure of polyflavonoids will lead to a better appreciation of their properties and help in developing their use as a renewable source of commodity and specialty chemicals. Considerable progress has already been made in the last two decades, but more information is needed on structural elaborations during, and particularly after, their biosynthesis. Armed with further information on the structure of polyflavonoids, we should be able to understand better their interactions with other biopolymers and hence their biological significance.
Analyzing Performance Skewness in Public Agencies: The Case of Urban Mass Transit

Previous studies of public organizational performance have focused mostly on operating efficiency, without dealing with the complex accountability problems associated with plural public interests. The fact that an agency exhibits multiple and often paradoxical performances has not been of comparable concern. This failure to account for performance in a multiple-constituencies context has led to a narrow view of how well agencies do. To broaden the research on agency performance, a multiple-constituencies model is introduced and tested for statistically significant variances. The findings confirm the model's robustness in structuring a dependent variable for empirical research on why agencies perform toward different public ends. Using data from UMTA Section 15 reporting, the model is applied to urban mass transit.
Technological Change in the Agriculture of the United States and Australia

This study compares agriculture in the United States with agriculture in Australia with respect to technological change as measured by the Solow model. Over the past three decades the rate of technological change has been about four times as fast in the United States as in Australia. The analysis indicates that three‐fourths of this difference may be attributed to two structural features: (a) economies of size associated with out‐migration of labor, and (b) the composition of output. The study concludes by noting, first, that comparisons between regions or between countries may help one to understand the character of technological change, and, second, that because of structural differences, the introduction of technical improvements into the agricultural sectors of different countries may not yield similar results.
International Union, U.A.W. v. Johnson Controls : The History of Litigation Alliances and Mobilization to Challenge Fetal Protection Policies

The Supreme Court's decision in Johnson Controls is the culmination of a long legal campaign by labor, women's rights, and workplace safety advocates to invalidate restrictions on women's employment based on pregnancy. This campaign powerfully demonstrates the use of amicus briefs as opportunities to link the efforts of groups with overlapping agendas and to shape the Supreme Court's understanding of the surrounding empirical, social and political context. But Johnson Controls also provides important lessons about the narrowing effects and fragility of litigation-centered mobilization. The case affirmed an important anti-discrimination principle but ironically left women (and men) with the right to work in unsafe workplaces. The national coalition that had organized in support of the Johnson Controls plaintiffs did not stay together to address these complex issues after the case was won. Instead, the coalition disbanded and its members moved on to pursue diverse and separate agendas. The Johnson Controls story poses important questions about social justice advocacy in the current legal and political environment. What does a litigation-centered mobilization mean for how problems are defined and addressed? How does it determine who participates in and influences the course of advocacy? Can a national law reform campaign sustain public attention to problems not addressed by a legal claim? Can it maintain crucial alliances when litigation ends? How do political realities shape legal advocacy? This Law Stories chapter addresses these questions by comparing the national legal mobilization strategy in Johnson Controls with an analogous strategy adopted by advocates in California in the 1980s and 1990s to address reproductive workplace hazards. In contrast to the national coalition's focus on establishing a legal principle, the state strategy embraced a problem-oriented approach to reproductive hazards in the workplace, using litigation and the sex discrimination framework as only one component of a long-term strategy that involved public education and outreach, legislative advocacy, and regulatory reform. As today's federal courts become less available as a site for advancing rights, these problem-oriented approaches to advocacy become more salient and provide important models for public interest lawyers seeking ways to use law to mobilize change.
Degree Qualifications Profile (DQP) and Tuning: What Are They and Why Do They Matter?

This chapter provides a brief overview of the Degree Qualifications Profile and related Tuning process, summarizing lessons learned from institutional engagement with both. The value and purpose for working with each are explored.
4H-SiC n-Channel Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors on (0001) and (000-1) Oriented Free-Standing n − Substrates

We experimentally demonstrate 4H-SiC n-channel, planar gate insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) on 180- $\mu \text{m}$ thick lightly doped free-standing n− substrates with ion-implanted collector regions, and metal–oxide–semiconductor gates on (0001) and (000-1) surfaces. The IGBTs show an ON-state current density of 20 A/cm2 at a power dissipation of 300 W/cm2. The threshold voltages are measured to be 7.5 V and 10.5 V on Si-face and C-face, respectively. Both IGBTs show a small positive temperature coefficient of the forward voltage drop, which is useful for easy parallelization of devices.
Notes on the Biology of Tomosvaryella frontata (Diptera: Pipunculidae), a Parasite of the Leafhopper Opsius stactogalus on Tamarix

At Nice, France, in the autumn of 1961, the leafhopper Opsius stactogalus Fieber was breeding abundantly on Tamarix trees in the street outside the writer's house. Many were parasitized by Tomosvaryella frontata (Becker). Such individuals tended to disperse from the trees, usually in the early afternoon, and many entered the house through open windows. They died within an hour and gave forth their parasites, which emerged dorsally between the first and second abdominal segments. The parasites then pupated within a few hours. Puparia were also found in interstices in the bark of the trees, in debris in forks between branches, and on sidewalks and steps near the bases of the trees. Adult flies were reared successfully from only about 10% of the puparia obtained. Although more than 1100 larvae and pupae were secured in 1961, 57 was the maximum number in any of the next 4 years. The larva and puparium, and the female reproductive system of the adult fly, are described and illustrated.
Cryoimmunoglobulins. Properties, prevalence in disease, and removal.

Cryoglobulins are immunoglobulins or immunoglobulin-containing complexes that spontaneously precipitate and form a gel at low temperatures and become soluble again when the temperature is raised. There are distinct types: single monoclonal proteins (type I), mixed cryoglobulins with a monoclonal component (type II), and mixed cryoglobulin’s containing only polyclonal components (type III). Chemically, these proteins are not significantly different from their noncryoprecipitating counterparts; their cryoprecipitability is related more to electrostatic interactions and solubility than to structure or nonprotein composition. Many cryoglobulins are immune complexes. In addition to serum, they can be found in other physiological fluids as well as tissue and have been shown to occur in a wide variety of diseases. Their presence in tissues such as the kidney, vascular structures, and synovial fluid may be related to the pathogenesis of that disease. Serum concentrations of cryoglobulins can be reduced through the use of drugs, plasma exchange, and plasma filtration.
Migration patterns of peripherally inserted central venous catheters at 24 hours postinsertion in neonates.

Objective Migration of peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs) is known to happen in neonates with changes in position of the upper limb. The aim of this study is to document the migration pattern of PICCs at 24 hours postinsertion, while controlling for arm position. Study Design This was a single-centered prospective study of 100 consecutively placed PICCs in a level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). All PICCs were inserted by one of two certified NICU nurses in either upper or lower limb. An X-ray was obtained immediately after insertion and again at 24 hours postinsertion; both were reviewed by a single pediatric radiologist. Results Of the PICCs placed in basilic veins, 35.5% migrated toward the heart, 14.5% migrated away from the heart, and 50% did not change in position. Of the PICCs placed in cephalic veins, 21% migrated toward the heart, 15.7% migrated away from the heart, and 63.3% did not change in position. None of the PICCs placed in the saphenous veins migrated. Conclusion After controlling for arm position, 47% of PICCs placed in the upper limb migrated at 24 hours postinsertion with 32.6% migrating toward the heart. We recommend a follow-up X-ray at 24 hours postinsertion for all catheters placed in the upper limb.
Contaminant adsorption on nanoscale particles: structural and theoretical characterization of Cu2+ bonding on the surface of Keggin-type polyaluminum (Al30) molecular species.

The adsorption of contaminants onto metal oxide surfaces with nanoscale Keggin-type structural topologies has been well established, but identification of the reactive sites and the exact binding mechanism are lacking. Polyaluminum species can be utilized as geochemical model compounds to provide molecular level details of the adsorption process. An Al30 Keggin-type species with two surface-bound Cu2+ cations (Cu2Al30-S) has been crystallized in the presence of disulfonate anions and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations of aqueous molecular analogues for Cu2Al30-S suggest that the reactivity of Al30 toward Cu2+ and SO42– shows opposite trends in preferred adsorption site as a function of particle topology, with anions preferring the beltway and cations preferring the caps. The bonding competition was modeled using two stepwise reaction schemes that consider Cu2Al30-S formation through initial Cu2+ or SO42– adsorption. The associated D...
Computer Modeling Analysis of the Talar Dome as a Graft for the Humeral Head

Purpose To study the degree of surface congruency between the talar dome and humeral head, to determine the size of graft harvestable from the talar dome, and to determine if there are surrogate markers that correspond to a higher degree of surface congruency. Methods Computer models of 7 nonmatched humeral heads and 7 talar domes were generated by digital segmentation of magnetic resonance (MR) images. Modeled defect regions of each humeral head were then aligned with medial and lateral surfaces of each talar dome using software to maximally limit surface mismatch. Modeled defect sizes ranging from 24 × 10 mm to 30 × 10 mm were tested. Congruence match of Results The average surface match between randomly selected talar domes to humeral head surfaces was 87.2% when 1 mm was selected as the maximal acceptable congruence difference. Congruence match was not affected by graft size or laterality of talar dome as source of graft. Matching radius of curvature of talar dome to humeral head and height of donor to recipient correlated with improved congruence match. Under best match conditions, a maximal congruence match of 95.2% was achieved. Conclusions The present study indicates that the talar dome can be a potential source of osteochondral allograft for Hill-Sachs lesions with a maximal defect size of 30 × 10 mm for a single graft. Larger graft sizes resulted in decreased success of actual graft harvest as a result of dimensional constraints of the talar dome. Additional studies are required to determine the biomechanical compatibility of this graft. Clinical Relevance The talar dome has a high degree of surface congruency in comparison with the humeral head though the maximal graft size harvestable limits its clinical applicability.
The impact of surgical resection on headache disability and quality of life in patients with colloid cyst.

Introduction Colloid cysts are histologically benign but can present with a broad spectrum of symptoms. A systematic review of the literature did not reveal any patient-centered data on the headache disability and quality of life (QoL) of these patients. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study of 187 colloid cyst patients from the Colloid Cyst Survival Group who completed a survey that included demographic data, clinical data, a modified QoL survey (SF36v2), and a headache disability inventory or index (HDI). Results Using multivariable linear regressions, we confirmed that the physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) components of SF-36 were significantly increased in the surgery group after adjustment for various baseline characteristics ( p = 0.025; p = 0.006). Self-reported headache disability was significantly decreased with surgery when adjusted for the same baseline characteristics ( p = 0.02). Finally, patients with an incidental diagnosis of colloid cyst reported similar benefits from surgery in PCS, MCS and HDI. Conclusion Our results suggest that colloid cyst patients who underwent a surgical resection self-report a better QoL and less headache disability compared with patients who did not undergo surgery. Future prospective studies with baseline measures of QoL are indicated to confirm our findings.
Epidemiological features of hand,foot and mouth disease in Puyang in 2008—2012

Objective To analyze the epidemiological features of hand,foot and mouth disease(HFMD) in Puyang from 2008 to 2012.Methods A descriptive epidemiologic analysis was used in analyzing for the data of HFMD cases in Puyang by the Infectious Disease Reporting Information System from 2008 to June 6,2012.The detection for Entericvirus etiology was carried out in some cases and severe cases.Results There were 16 492 reported HFMD cases from 2008 to 2012.The epidemic period was from March to May(12th to 20th week),and it appeared as a typical single peak.HFMD cases were mainly concentrated in children ≤ 4 years old.The male cases were obviously higher than female cases.The cases were higher in scattered children than those in children at child-care center in which there were more accumulative cases in outbreak.Enterovirus 71(EV71) and Coxsackievirus A16 were both the major etilolgical agents of HFMD.Conclusion The occurrence of HFMD for groups of different age and sex,as well as seasons were different.It is younger age group that is the major target to control and prevent HFMD.The prevalent strain was EV71 in this epidemic period,by which 86.35% of the severe cases were infected.HFMD cases were mainly infected by Coxsackievirus A16 and other enterovirus in non-epidemic years and periods.Classified management to the cases is a crucial measure in prevention and control of HFMD,at the same time,it should enhance the monitoring to severe cases and controlling the outbreak of the disease.
Good Ethics Begin With Good Facts

Four-year-old James was transferred from an outlying hospital in a critically ill state and has not responded to conventional therapies. For the last day and a half he has been treated with inhalat...
Effects of alloying on the optical properties of organic–inorganic lead halide perovskite thin films

Complex refractive index and dielectric function spectra of organic–inorganic lead halide perovskite alloy thin films are presented, together with the critical-point parameter analysis (energy and broadening) of the respective composition. Thin films of methylammonium lead halide alloys (MAPbI3, MAPbBr3, MAPbBr2I, and MAPbBrI2), formamidinium lead halide alloys (FAPbI3, FAPbBr3, and FAPbBr2I), and formamidinium cesium lead halide alloys [FA0.85Cs0.15PbI3, FA0.85Cs0.15PbBrI2, and FA0.85Cs0.15Pb(Br0.4I0.6)3] were studied. The complex refractive index and dielectric functions were determined by spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) in the photon energy range of 0.7–6.5 eV. Critical point energies and optical transitions were obtained by lineshape fitting to the second-derivative of the complex dielectric function data of these thin films as a function of alloy composition. Absorption onset in the vicinity of the bandgap, as well as critical point energies and optical band transition shift toward higher energies as the concentration of Br in the films increases. Cation alloying (Cs+) has less effect on the optical properties of the thin films compared to halide mixed alloys. The reported optical properties can help to understand the fundamental properties of the perovskite materials and also be used for optimizing or designing new devices.
The Courts and the Constitution: Hate Speech and Pornography in the United States, Canada, and Europe

In the landmark 1969 case of Brandenburg v. Ohio,1 the United States Supreme Court upheld the right of the Ku Klux Klan to advocate at rallies for the return of all Jews to Israel and all African-Americans to Africa, a result appearing to privilege the liberty of the speakers at the expense of the equality of their targets. The Court held that since the advocacy was not intended to incite direct action towards those ends — and thus did not trigger a ‘fighting words’ exemption from First Amendment protection — it must be protected as political speech, the most protected class of speech in the US First Amendment framework.
Childish things: Charity and the liberal arts

This essay takes Langland’s personification of the ‘childische’ Charity as a model for negotiating critical and creative modes of knowing. Charity’s affective plasticity evokes the experience of immersive reading and demonstrates the aesthetic and ethical rewards of suspending critique. While Charity’s otherworldliness ultimately reinstates the necessity of critique, the process of reckoning with Langland’s figure adumbrates a charitable reading practice that this essay describes as a liberal art, an opening of the narrower concerns of self and present time to otherness and historical difference.
Motion and Emotion: Film and Haptic Space

No espirito dos ultimos livros da professora Bruno, Atlas of Emotion: Journeys in Art, Architecture, and Film (Verso, 2002) e Public Intimacy: Architecture and Visual Arts (MIT Press, 2007), este artigo percorre a historia de paisagem de mobilidade cultural do filme com incursoes no campo da arquitetura, design, geografia cultural e artes. Ao tracar a origem da imagem em movimento num espaco mobilizado proprio da modernidade, este artigo retoma a forca do haptico. Giuliana Bruno mostra que a arte se funde as imagens moveis, a arquitetura mobiliza visoes cinematograficas e o cinema se torna uma linguagem comum na transposicao das fronteiras, um novo espaco movel -- uma tela da memoria cultural vital -- que modela a nossa cultura visual.
Follicular Thyroid Cancer: Special Aspects in Children and Adolescents

Follicular thyroid cancer (FTC) is diagnosed in less than 10 % of pediatric patients with a thyroid nodule. Iodine deficiency and several tumor syndromes, to include PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome, are associated with a higher prevalence of FTC; however, in contrast to PTC, ionizing radiation is not a predisposing factor. FTC typically presents as an encapsulated tumor with indeterminate cytology on fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Mutations in RAS and PAX8/PPARγ rearrangements are common, but the presence of capsular and vascular invasion defines FTC from a follicular adenoma. Minimally invasive FTC is more common than widely invasive FTC and is associated with a low risk of regional and distant metastasis and an excellent prognosis. Tumors with invasion of >4 vessels and certain FTC variants, to include Hurthle cell carcinoma, carry a higher risk of metastasis, and if present total thyroidectomy and radioiodine scan and treatment should be considered. Further studies are needed to better define the approach to diagnosis and treatment of FTC within the pediatric population.
Direct QAM modulation of microwave subcarrier using electro-optically tunable microchip lasers

A scheme for QAM modulation of fiber radio signals is presented using direct vector modulation of electro-optically tunable solid state microchip lasers and photonic down-conversion. Advantages of this approach include high speed, small size, low cost.
An integrated approach for estimating greenhouse gas emissions from 100 U.S. metropolitan areas

Cities have become key players in climate change mitigation policy. To develop their climate policies, cities need good assessments of their current and future emissions. We use publically available national datasets to develop an integrated approach for estimating GHG emissions at the metropolitan level over time, between multiple locations, and across sectors. We estimate consistent production-based GHG emissions for the 100 most populated metropolitan areas in the United States in 2014. We find that total 2014 metropolitan CO2 emissions range from 4.1 million metric tons in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to nearly 170 million metric tons in the Houston, Texas; with an overall average of 27 million metric tons. The top 20 absolute emitters and top 20 per capita emitters only overlap for 9 locations. Per capita emissions also show a wide variation: from 5 metric tons per person in the Tucson, Arizona to 65 metric tons per person in the Baton Rouge, Louisiana; with an overall average of 14 metric tons per person. We also compute estimates for 2002 and 2011 and compare to our 2014 emission estimates. Across all locations analyzed, average total emissions increased by 3% and average per capita emissions decreased by 14%. Where possible, we also compare our emission estimates to those reported by the cities in their climate action plans and find an average absolute difference between our estimates and those reported by the cities of 5.6 metric tons CO2 per person, likely due to temporal and scope differences between the two estimates. Our integrated emission estimation approach complements bottom-up approaches typically employed by municipalities and helps practitioners divert their attention and resources away from continuous emission accounting toward more impactful emission mitigation efforts.
Inhaled Corticosteroid Claims and Outpatient Visits After Hospitalization for Asthma Among Commercially Insured Children

Abstract Objective To determine rates of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) claims and outpatient follow-up after asthma hospitalization among commercially insured children. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of children hospitalized for asthma using 2013 national Truven MarketScan data. Covariates included age, sex, region, length of stay, and having an ICS claim within 35 days before hospitalization. Outcome variables were a claim for any ICS-containing medication and outpatient visit within 30 days after discharge. Multivariable analysis used logistic regression. Results A total of 5471 children aged 2 to 17 were included; 61% were boys, and mean age was 6.8 years. Forty-one percent had a claim for an ICS and 76% had an outpatient visit within 30 days after hospital discharge. In multivariable analysis, children who had an ICS claim within 35 days before the hospitalization were more likely to have an ICS claim within 30 days after discharge (relative risk [RR] 1.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2–1.5). The strongest predictor of an ICS claim within 30 days after discharge was attendance at an outpatient appointment (RR 1.4, 95% CI 1.3–1.6). Children aged 2 to 6 were more likely to attend an outpatient appointment (RR 1.1, 95% CI 1.1–1.2). Children with an ICS claim before admission were also more likely to attend an outpatient appointment (RR 1.1, 95% CI 1.004–1.1). Conclusions In this national sample of commercially insured children with asthma, rates of ICS claims after hospitalization are low despite high rates of outpatient visits. Both inpatient and outpatient physicians must play a role in increasing ICS adherence in this high-risk population of children with asthma.
YouTube™ as an Instructional Source for Appropriate Metered Dose Inhaler Use

A metered-dose inhaler (MDI) is commonly used for treatment and management of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and other respiratory diseases. When used appropriately, an MDI is highly efficacious in aiding patients with respiratory disease. To date, the content, comprehensiveness, and accuracy of YouTube™ videos covering a wide variety of topics have been mixed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate English language MDI instructional videos available on YouTube™. The YouTube™ platform was searched using the following terms to identify English-language videos, including: (1) asthma inhaler use, (2) asthma inhaler, (3) metered dose inhaler how to use, and (4) metered dose inhaler technique. A total of 58 unique videos composed the final sample and were evaluated independently by both the first and second authors using standardized evaluation sheets. Overall video quality and audio quality were assessed. Using established MDI instruction criteria, each video was evaluated for inclusion of each demonstrated step: (1) remove cap and shake inhaler, (2) exhale slowly and fully, (3) place mouthpiece between lips, (4) actuate MDI at onset of inhalation, (5) inhale at less than maximal rate, (6) hold breath for at least 5 second, and (7) recap mouthpiece. The visual and audio quality data of the videos indicates that the majority of videos that were rated should not impair the viewer from seeing and hearing how to use an MDI. 72.4% of the videos were rated as “good” visual quality and 74.1% of the videos were rated as “good” audio quality. Additionally, the majority of the videos include steps (1), (2), (3), (4), and (6), which is a good indication that YouTube is a reliable source of patient information regarding how to use an MDI. The frequencies for MDI5 and MDI7 are much lower than the rest of the MDI protocol, especially for MDI7. Most videos recognize the other steps of the protocol without much disparity, but the lower inclusion rates of step (5), inhaling at a less than maximal rate, and step (7), recapping the mouthpiece, could hinder a viewer’s understanding of how to correctly use an MDI. However, most of the videos still teach viewers how to use an MDI with a satisfactory degree of accuracy. Most clinicians in the United States could confidently refer asthma patients to YouTube to find instructions on how to correctly use a metered-dose inhaler (MDI). For example, physicians could provide patients with links to accurate and high-quality videos. This gives patients an opportunity to learn how to use their inhaler in the comfort of their own home rather than in the clinician’s office. This prevents patients from feeling rushed and it gives them the ability to replay the video as many times as needed. This study is specifically limited to MDIs, but could be used as a foundation for future studies on whether YouTube and other social media sites can be considered reliable sources of patient information on various topics.
Monolithically Integrated Microheater for On-Chip Annealing of Oxide Defects

An on-chip annealing system based on a monolithically integrated microheater is presented. As the test chip, complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor transistors based on 22-nm node are fabricated using commercial foundry technology. Then, the microheater is integrated on a thinned wafer backside by shadow mask patterning. The thermal power efficiency was examined experimentally and verified by numerical simulation. The system on microheater provides 90% restoration of integrity of the gate oxide at 200 °C for 10 min and full recovery around 2 h. Since the backside microheater fabrication is independent of the front-side circuitry, the on-chip annealing scheme can be implemented on any arbitrary commercial-off-the-shelf device as a generic approach.
Love between the covers

In assessing a documentary film like Laurie Kahn’s Love Between the Covers, it is important to remember that the study of popular romance has always been rife with tension. It is an area of study t...
Personality and health: Impacts of romantic relationship characteristics

Abstract The psychosocial resources of personality, romantic relationship quality, and health-related social control were examined for their associations with self-rated health. Results based on survey responses from 421 participants ( M age = 37.33 years, SD = 11.70; 63% women) revealed that individuals higher in conscientiousness and extraversion and lower in neuroticism enjoy better health, even after accounting for socioeconomic status and romantic relationship characteristics ( R 2 = 0.14, F (10, 410) = 7.65, p R 2 = 0.34, F (10, 408) = 27.39, p z = 2.47, p = 0.01). While directionality cannot be determined from cross-sectional data, the present results suggest that the associations of personality traits with health outcomes are strong and unique, independently influencing both self-rated health and romantic relationship characteristics. Results further reveal that positive health-related persuasion tactics are more prevalent in high-quality than in low-quality relationships, and that conscientious individuals are more likely to report high-quality relationships. These findings highlight the health-related benefits of conscientiousness and conscientious practices.
Reducing posttreatment relapse in cleft lip palatal expansion using an injectable estrogen-nanodiamond hydrogel.

Patients with cleft lip and/or palate (CLP), who undergo numerous medical interventions from infancy, can suffer from lifelong debilitation caused by underdeveloped maxillae. Conventional treatment approaches use maxillary expansion techniques to develop normal speech, achieve functional occlusion for nutrition intake, and improve esthetics. However, as patients with CLP congenitally lack bone in the cleft site with diminished capacity for bone formation in the expanded palate, more than 80% of the patient population experiences significant postexpansion relapse. While such relapse has been a long-standing battle in craniofacial care of patients, currently there are no available strategies to address this pervasive problem. Estrogen, 17β-estradiol (E2), is a powerful therapeutic agent that plays a critical role in bone homeostasis. However, E2’s clinical application is less appreciated due to several limitations, including its pleiotropic effects and short half-life. Here, we developed a treatment strategy using an injectable system with photo–crosslinkable hydrogel (G) and nanodiamond (ND) technology to facilitate the targeted and sustained delivery of E2 to promote bone formation. In a preclinical expansion/relapse model, this functionalized E2/ ND/G complex substantially reduced postexpansion relapse by nearly threefold through enhancements in sutural remodeling compared with unmodified E2 administration. The E2/ND/G group demonstrated greater bone volume by twofold and higher osteoblast number by threefold, compared with the control group. The E2/ND/G platform maximized the beneficial effects of E2 through its extended release with superior efficacy and safety at the local level. This broadly applicable E2 delivery platform shows promise as an adjuvant therapy in craniofacial care of patients.
Fluorinated Pyrimidines, Biochemically and Clinically Useful Antimetabolites

This story, like all others dealing with life, begins with DNA, whose logically and aesthetically satisfying structure is well known.
Outcomes of selective thoracic fusion for Lenke 1 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: predictors of success from the sagittal plane

To determine the link between the rate of spontaneous lumbar curve correction (SLCC) and the sagittal profile characteristics both before and after selective thoracic fusion in Lenke 1 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Sixty-three Lenke 1 B and C were enrolled and followed up to 2 years. Twenty non-scoliotic controls were included. 3D reconstruction of the spine was generated from bi-planar X-rays at pre-operative, first erect post-operative, and the most recent follow-up. The 3D spinal models were used to determine the frontal and sagittal Cobb angles and 3D coordinate of each vertebral centroid. A K-mean cluster analysis allocated patients into two groups based on the rate of SLCC between the pre-operative and the most recent follow-up visits (SLCCHigh and SLCCLow groups). The ratio of the thoracic to lumbar curve apical translations in sagittal plane was determined. ANOVA test compared the sagittal apical translation ratio between the three visits of the AIS clusters and between the AIS groups and controls. The rate of the SLCC was significantly different between the two clusters: 31% (SLCCLow) versus 76% (SLCCHigh). No significant difference was found between the two clusters pre-operative Cobb angles, kyphosis, and lordosis. The pre-operative ratio of the thoracic to lumbar apical translation in the sagittal plane was significantly lower in SLCCHigh compared to SLCCLow group, a magnitude of 1.2 and 2.2, respectively, p < 0.05. In Lenke 1, patients with a higher pre-operative sagittal thoracic to lumbar apical translation ratio are associated with lower rate of SLCC at the most recent follow-up. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.