cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Approach and safety of comprehensive central compartment dissection in patients with recurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Background. Despite the generally favorable prognosis of patients with papillary thyroid cancers, 10-year re- currence rates for patients with stage I to III disease is greater than 20%, with central compartment recurrences common among these recurrent sites. Methods. This study is a retrospective analysis of consecu- tive patients treated by a single surgeon over an 18-month pe- riod of time terminating in 2003. Results. Sixty-three patients underwent a comprehensive dissection of levels VI and VII for papillary thyroid carcinoma dur- ing this period. There was a female predominance of 2:1, with 48% of patients being greater than 45 years of age. The median number of lymph nodes identified was 16 (range, 3-52), with 7 (1-20) lymph nodes pathologically involved. Permanent hypo- parathyroidism was present on presentation in 13% of patients and developed in an additional 5% following surgery. Although recurrent laryngeal paralysis was present on presentation among 8 (13%) of patients, no patients experienced paralysis of documented functioning recurrent laryngeal nerves or necessi- tated tracheotomy. Postoperative thyroglobulin levels were reduced to nondetectable in 71% of the informative cases. Over 60% of patients were discharged on their first postoperative day. Conclusion. Bilateral paratracheal and superior mediastinal dissection is an oncologically safe procedure exhibiting mini- mal morbidity when performed among experienced individuals despite multiple prior surgical procedures or existing vocal cord paralysis. V C 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 31: 1152-1163, 2009
MOLECULAR DYNAMICS STUDIES OF GLASSY STATES: SUPERCOOLED LIQUIDS AND AMORPHIZED SOLIDS

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the molecular dynamics results on the diffusion and density fluctuation properties of a fluid compressed beyond its freezing point and on the structural and elastic responses of a crystal disordered by the introduction of interstitial particles. While the two studies are of interest for different reasons, they both illustrate a significant advantage of the simulation approach, namely, access to a variety of properties systematically determined under well-controlled conditions . It has been found that molecular dynamics data provide evidence for a dynamical transition in metastable fluids, which is distinct from the glass transition observed in the laboratory. A second result is that in the case of amorphization induced by the introduction of point defects, simulation is able to show that the transition threshold is dependent on both the rate of introduction and the defect concentration. Vitrification and amorphihization may have connections that are relevant to the fundamental understanding of transitions between a liquid and a crystal, namely, melting and crystallization.
The role of transposable element clusters in genome evolution and loss of synteny in the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae

Transposable elements are abundant in the genomes of many filamentous fungi, and have been implicated as major contributors to genome rearrangements and as sources of genetic variation. Analyses of fungal genomes have also revealed that transposable elements are largely confined to distinct clusters within the genome. Their impact on fungal genome evolution is not well understood. Using the recently available genome sequence of the plant pathogenic fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, combined with additional bacterial artificial chromosome clone sequences, we performed a detailed analysis of the distribution of transposable elements, syntenic blocks, and other features of chromosome 7. We found significant levels of conserved synteny between chromosome 7 and the genomes of other filamentous fungi, despite more than 200 million years of divergent evolution. Transposable elements are largely restricted to three clusters located in chromosomal segments that lack conserved synteny. In contradiction to popular evolutionary models and observations from other model organism genomes, we found a positive correlation between recombination rate and the distribution of transposable element clusters on chromosome 7. In addition, the transposable element clusters are marked by more frequent gene duplications, and genes within the clusters have greater sequence diversity to orthologous genes from other fungi. Together, these data suggest that transposable elements have a profound impact on the M. oryzae genome by creating localized segments with increased rates of chromosomal rearrangements, gene duplications and gene evolution.
Social facilitation of insect reproduction with motor-driven tactile stimuli

Tactile stimuli provide animals with important information about the environment, including physical features such as obstacles, and biologically relevant cues related to food, mates, hosts and predators. The antennae, the principal sensory organs of insects, house an array of sensory receptors for olfaction, gustation, audition, nociception, balance, stability, graviception, static electric fields, and thermo-, hygro- and mechanoreception. The antennae, being the anteriormost sensory appendages, play a prominent role in social interactions with conspecifics that involve primarily chemosensory and tactile stimuli. In the German cockroach (Blattella germanica) antennal contact during social interactions modulates brain-regulated juvenile hormone production, ultimately accelerating the reproductive rate in females. The primary sensory modality mediating this social facilitation of reproduction is antennal mechanoreception. We investigated the key elements, or stimulus features, of antennal contact that socially facilitate reproduction in B. germanica females. Using motor-driven antenna mimics, we assessed the physiological responses of females to artificial tactile stimulation. Our results indicate that tactile stimulation with artificial materials, some deviating significantly from the native antennal morphology, can facilitate female reproduction. However, none of the artificial stimuli matched the effects of social interactions with a conspecific female.
Unobserved correlation in private-value ascending auctions

Abstract In private-value ascending auctions, the winner's willingness to pay is not observed, leading to underidentification of many econometric models. I calculate tight bounds on expected revenue and optimal reserve price for the case of symmetric and affiliated private values.
An important role of endogenous insulin on exocrine pancreatic secretion in rats.

We have investigated a physiological role of endogenous insulin on exocrine pancreatic secretion stimulated by a liquid meal as well as exogenous secretin and cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) in conscious rats. Each rat was prepared with a chronic pancreatic fistula and an indwelling catheter in a jugular vein. Oral ingestion of a liquid meal (5 ml) resulted in significant increases in pancreatic secretion, including volume, bicarbonate, and amylase output, in these rats. A rabbit anti-insulin serum (1.0 ml) given intravenously completely blocked the postprandial exocrine pancreatic secretion, whereas a normal rabbit serum did not influence the pancreatic secretion in the same rats. When pancreatic secretion was stimulated by intravenous administration of both secretin and CCK-8 in three different doses, including 0.015, 0.03, and 0.06 clinical unit and microgram.kg-1.h-1, respectively, volume, bicarbonate, and amylase output increased significantly in a dose-dependent manner. This increase in pancreatic secretion was also completely blocked by a rabbit anti-insulin serum, whereas it was not influenced by a normal rabbit serum. The amount of the antiserum employed abolished the postprandial increases in plasma insulin concentration. We conclude that endogenous insulin plays an important role on the regulation of postprandial pancreatic secretion in rats. Furthermore, for the stimulatory action of the two intestinal hormones secretin and CCK-8 on the pancreatic exocrine secretion, endogenous insulin is need.
Defining trauma: How level of exposure and proximity affect risk for posttraumatic stress disorder.

OBJECTIVE: The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) includes significant changes to Criterion A for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the criterion that defines which events qualify as "traumatic." This systematic review explores the fundamental question of how to define a trauma by reviewing the difference between direct and indirect trauma exposure and the risk for PTSD associated with both exposure types. Direct exposure includes experiencing a trauma firsthand or witnessing a trauma as it occurs to others. In contrast, indirect exposure may occur by learning about the violent or accidental death of a close associate, through secondary narrative accounts (e.g., in service-related professions), or through work-related media reports. This review examines whether indirect trauma exposure can lead to PTSD and the role of proximity in symptom development. METHOD: We conducted a systematic review of the research assessing changes to PTSD Criterion A in DSM-5, various levels of traumatic exposure, and proximity as a risk factor for PTSD. RESULTS: Our review indicates that indirect exposure can lead to PTSD, although the probability of developing the disorder from indirect exposure is lower than that from direct exposure. Proximity to a trauma also increases risk, but this may be limited to direct exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of the impact of level of exposure (direct vs. indirect) and proximity will help to better define what events meet PTSD Criterion A. Future research is needed to examine DSM-5's requirement that exposure through media must be related to one's work. (PsycINFO Database Record Language: en
Emerging Complexities in Adipocyte Origins and Identity

The global incidence of obesity and its comorbidities continues to rise along with a demand for novel therapeutic interventions. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is attracting attention as a therapeutic target because of its presence in adult humans and high capacity to dissipate energy as heat, and thus burn excess calories, when stimulated. Another potential avenue for therapeutic intervention is to induce, within white adipose tissue (WAT), the formation of brown-like adipocytes called brite (brown-like-in-white) or beige adipocytes. However, understanding how to harness the potential of these thermogenic cells requires a deep understanding of their developmental origins and regulation. Recent cell-labeling and lineage-tracing experiments are beginning to shed light on this emerging area of adipocyte biology. We review here adipocyte development, giving particular attention to thermogenic adipocytes.
Erbium-Doped Extremely High-dn Single-Mode Fibers

An erbium-doped single-mode fiber with Δn( ESI ) of 3.5 % was fabricated, and the gain coefficient of 5.4 dB/mW was obtained. Its high normal dispersion of -100 ps/km/nm is useful for a dispersion compensator.
Influence of Androgen Therapy on Growth Rate of Hypogonadal Adolescent Boys.

SummaryThe administration of testosterone propionate in doses of 75 to 125 mg weekly to 8 hypogonadal adolescent boys ranging in age between 9 and 18 years was accompanied by an increase in average...
"Virtual injector" flow tube method for measuring relative rates kinetics of gas-phase and aerosol species

A new method for measuring gas-phase and aerosol reaction kinetics is described in which the gas flow, itself, acts as a ”virtual injector” continuously increasing the contact time in analogy to conventional movable-injector kinetics techniques. In this method a laser is directed down the length of a flow tube, instantly initiating reaction by photodissociation of a precursor species at every point throughout the flow tube. Key tropospheric reactants such as OH, Cl, NO3, and O3 can be generated with nearly uniform concentrations along the length of the flow tube in this manner using 355 nm radiation from the third harmonic of a Nd:YAG laser. As the flow travels down the flow tube, both the gas-phase and particle-phase species react with the photogenerated radicals or O3 for increasingly longer time before exiting and being detected. The advantages of this method are that (1) any wall loss of gas-phase and particle species is automatically accounted for, (2) the reactions are conducted under nearly pseudo-...
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS ON THE CRYSTALLINITY OF SYNTHETIC NONTRONITE AND IMPLICATIONS FOR NONTRONITE FORMATION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASALTS

The formation conditions of the ferric smectite nontronite are not fully understood. The present study couples experimental and analytical data with field observations in an attempt to constrain the rate and temperature of formation of naturally occurring nontronites from Columbia River Basalt flows. Synthetic Fe-Al-Si gels were incubated at temperatures ranging from 4 to 150°C for 4 weeks. Samples were analyzed using Fe K-edge X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XAFS). Spectra of the synthesized nontronites were compared with spectra of natural samples collected from weathered Columbia River Basalt flows. Cation ordering in the synthetic samples increased with incubation temperature, but the synthetic clays did not approach the degree of crystal ordering of the natural nontronite samples. These observations suggest that highly ordered natural nontronites require longer crystallization times than are typically used in laboratory experiments. The natural samples were found filling open cracks near flow surfaces, indicating that the clays formed at temperatures below the boiling point of water. A comparison of experimental and field timescales with other estimates of nontronite growth rates suggests that natural nontronite crystallization in the region must have occurred at ambient, near-surface temperatures over timescales of up to millions of years.
Randomized trial of one versus two days of laminaria treatment prior to late midtrimester abortion by uterine evacuation: a pilot study.

PIP: Cervical dilatation prior to midtrimester abortion by surgical evacuation has been accomplished rapidly with metal dilators, or gradually with expanding laminaria tents, either as a single set left in place overnight or as multiple sets of laminaria replaced every few hours over a 40-hour period. In the effort to determine the benefit of an additional day of use of laminaria, 60 volunteer women who requested abortion at 17-19 weeks were randomly assigned to either of 2 experimental groups. Group A received 1 set of 3-7 small or medium laminaria Japonicum tents, and the abortions were performed the next morning, 18-22 hours later. Group B returned on the 2nd day for removal of the 1st set of laminaria tents and insertion of a 2nd set of 7-19 tents. Their abortions were performed on the 3rd day, 44-48 hours later. The cervical canal was calibrated with Hegar dilators prior to placement of laminaria tents, immediately prior to the abortion, and 2 weeks after the abortion. Pain from use of the laminaria tents was quantified on a 5-point scale. Mean age was 21.1 +or- 5.1 years in Group A and 22.6 +or- 5.6 years in Group B. Group A contained more primigravid women (15) than did Group B (6). Considerable cervical dilatation was accomplished by the laminaria treatment in both groups. Greater posttreatment dilatation and a greater difference between pretreatment and posttreatment measurements were accomplished by the 2-day regimen used with Group B. Equivalent posttreatment dilatations and dilatation differences were observed for nulliparous and parous women. Group B patients were more likely to report pain during laminarian treatment than were Group A patients. The surgeon experienced problems in extracting the fetal calvaria in 6 Group A patients and in only 2 Group B patients, but these frequencies were not statistically separable. Operating time and measured loss of blood were not different for the 2 groups, except for those patients in each group aborted after 18 weeks. Postabortal cervical measurements showed recovery of the cervix to small diameters, suggesting that gradual dilatation with laminaria tents to wide diameters is completely reversible, in contrast to dilatation accomplished forcibly with metal dilators.
Sonorants, fricatives, and a tonogenetic typology

While some phonological mechanisms underlying tonogenesis have been understood for some time (e.g. Maspero (1912), Haudricourt (1954), inter alia) ongoing research in tonogenesis suggests that the full picture is more complex than previous studies have indicated. In this study I contribute to our understanding of tonogenesis by compiling a typology from published sources of reported tonogenesis. Based on this typology, I show that although languages develop tone by different diachronic means, there is a strong tendency for tonogenesis to begin in syllables that are opened or closed by sonorants and then spread to the fricatives.
Studies on the Yelang Kingdom and Ancient Music and Dance

The center of the Yelang Kingdom was Guizhou,with Gelao,Tujia and Yi peoples as the original components,and Buyi,Dong,Shui,Miao,Yao and even Han peoples as extended components.These peooples worshiped Water Goddess as their ancestor,and their inhabitation center was the Chishui River area of Zuiyi,Guizhou Province,with much surrounding area as their influence of activities.The studies of the Yelang Kingdom can be based on itsreligious offerings,Bachu dance and music,Bamboo Tube music,and local music.
Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Discovered at Operation: The Role of Palliative Bypass

For the patient with advanced pancreatic cancer discovered to be unresectable at exploration, treatment revolves around minimizing disease related symptoms. The current chapter considers the patient who is found at operation to be unresectable and compares single/double bypass to expectant management in regards to the outcomes of jaundice, gastric outlet obstruction (GOO), overall survival, morbidity, mortality, and quality of life.
Identification of factors influencing teat dip efficacy trial results by meta-analysis

Abstract Two meta-analyses were conducted using data from peer-reviewed natural exposure (NE) and experimental challenge (EC) teat dip efficacy trials to identify factors influencing the new intramammary infection (IMI) rate. A NE data set containing 16 studies and an EC data set containing 21 studies were created. New IMI rate was calculated based on the percentage of new quarter infections per month (PNQI/mo) for each observation, in both data sets, and used as the dependent variable for model derivation. A linear, mixed-effects model with a random study effect, weighted by number of quarters eligible for infection, was derived for each data set. The final NE model included the effects of experimental design (split herd or split udder), mastitis pathogen group ( Staphylococcus aureus , Streptococcus agalactiae , environmental streptococci, gram-negative species, Corynebacterium spp., or coagulase-negative staphylococci), postmilking treatment (iodine, chlorhexidine, linear dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid, chlorine compounds, phenol compounds, or undipped negative controls), and the interaction between mastitis pathogen group and postmilking treatment. Overall, Corynebacterium spp. had the highest new IMI rate (0.0139±0.0018 PNQI/mo), and environmental streptococci and gram-negative species had the lowest (0.0023±0.0022 PNQI/mo). Additionally, trials utilizing a split herd experimental design had a 2-fold higher new IMI rate than trials using a split udder design. The final EC model included the effects of mastitis pathogen ( Staph. aureus and Strep. agalactiae ), postmilking treatment (iodine, chlorine compounds, "other" active ingredients, or undipped negative controls), geographic region of study (Eastern, Southern, and Pacific Northwest), and the 2-way interactions of region and pathogen group and postmilking treatment and pathogen group. Overall, Staph. aureus and Strep. agalactiae had similar new IMI rates. Quarters dipped postmilking in either iodine (0.0127±0.0099 PNQI/mo), chlorine compounds (0.0258±0.0095 PNQI/mo), or "other" active ingredient teat dips (0.0263±0.0106 PNQI/mo) had lower new IMI rates than undipped quarters (0.0859±0.0087 PNQI/mo). These results indicate that experimental design influences the new IMI rate of teat dip efficacy trials and that using an effective postmilking teat dip has a greater effect on controlling the new Staph. aureus and Strep. agalactiae IMI rate than the teat dip's active ingredient.
All‐Textile Triboelectric Generator Compatible with Traditional Textile Process

All-textile triboelectric generators (TEGs) allow for seamless integration of TEGs into garments, while maintaining the intrinsic flexibility, breathability, durability, and aesthetic value of normal textiles. However, practical approaches to construct fabric TEGs using traditional textile processes, such as sewing, weaving, and knitting, are underreported. In this work, two approaches to create an all-textile TEG using straight-forward textile manufacturing methods are presented. The first approach is to assemble two different cloths of opposite surface charge characteristics in a face-to-face configuration. A cotton fabric functionalized with fluoroalkylated polymeric siloxanes is necessary to generate usable triboelectric power output, when coupled with a pristine nylon cloth. The increased surface charge density by introducing fluoroalkyl groups is confirmed by Kelvin probe force microscopy measurements. The second approach is to weave or knit together two different conductive threads of opposite surface charge characteristics to create a monolithic triboelectric textile. The weave or knit pattern used to assemble this textile directly controls the density of contact points between the two types of threads, which, ultimately, determines the areal triboelectric power output of the textile. Overall, two feasible methods for constructing unprecedented textile-based triboelectric generators with notable power output are presented.
Combat experience and problem drinking in veterans: Exploring the roles of PTSD, coping motives, and perceived stigma.

Abstract Purpose The current investigation sought to illustrate the etiology of adverse alcohol consequences in young adult veterans using a path analytic framework. Methods A total of 312 veterans aged 19–34 were enrolled in a larger intervention study on alcohol use. At baseline, participants completed measures of combat severity, PTSD symptom severity, and drinking motives to cope. At one month follow-up, participants completed measures of perceived stigma of behavioral health treatment seeking and past 30-day alcohol consequences. Results After entering the covariates of age, gender, race/ethnicity, and past year behavioral health treatment utilization, a path analytic model demonstrated a good fit to the data predicting alcohol consequences in this population. Further, a separate exploratory analysis confirmed that both drinking motives to cope and perceived stigma of behavioral health treatment seeking mediated the link between PTSD symptom severity and alcohol consequences. Conclusions The current model expands upon prior research showing the relationship between combat severity and alcohol use behavior in young adult veterans. Results support the notion that veterans with PTSD symptoms may drink to cope and that perceived stigma surrounding help seeking may further contribute to alcohol related problems.
Liberty and Industry: John Locke, John Stuart Mill, and the Economic Foundations of Political Membership

Recent scholarship on liberal exclusion focuses on ways in which liberal norms and standards of rationality disqualify certain persons from the rights of civic membership. Few works, however, move beyond philosophical anthropology in considering the basis of such exclusions. This article examines the economic concerns that frame citizenship and political membership in two strands of modern liberal thought: the work of John Locke and John Stuart Mill. I argue that both thinkers collapse requirements of economic and political membership, excluding the so-called “non-industrious” and economically dependent from the full rights and benefits of political membership, and creating a spectrum of partial citizenships. What begins as a concern for the value of labor in Locke’s writings extends through Mill’s work, creating a tension between democratic participation and the exclusion of the non-industrious. Although both thinkers include provisions for aiding the poor, a vision of economic membership – of inclusion in a community of the industrious – precedes political membership in these liberal frameworks.
Management of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Neurocognitive Disorders

Dementias, renamed neurocognitive disorders (NCDs) in the DSM-5, are defined by acquired decline in cognitive and functional abilities. DSM-5 now also includes mild NCD, which incorporates the previous diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment. DSM-5 recognizes the following etiologies for NCDs: NCD due to Alzheimer’s disease, vascular NCD, NCD with Lewy bodies, frontotemporal NCD, substance-/medication-induced NCD, NCD due to traumatic brain injury, NCD due to Huntington’s disease, NCD due to HIV infection, NCD due to prion disease, and NCD due to other medical conditions. In this review, the authors discuss a wide variety of interventions that have been studied for the treatment and management of neuropsychiatric symptoms of patients with NCDs. In addition to nonpharmacological interventions, several classes of medications—including antipsychotics, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and cholinesterase inhibitors—have been studied for this indication.
Improving the Patient Experience by Implementing an ICU Diary for Those at Risk of Post-intensive Care Syndrome:

The critical care literature in the US has recently brought attention to the impact an ICU experience can have long after the patient survives critical illness, particularly if delirium was present. Current recommendations to mitigate post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) are embedded in patient and family-centered care and aim to promote family presence in the ICU, provide support for decision-making, and enhance communication with the health-care team. Evidence-based interventions are few in number but include use of an ICU diary to minimize the psychological and emotional sequelae affecting patients and family members in the months following the ICU stay. In this paper we describe our efforts to implement an ICU diary and solicit feedback on its role in fostering teamwork and communication between patients, family members, and ICU staff. Next steps will involve a PICS follow-up clinic where trained staff will coordinate specialty referrals and perform long-term monitoring of mental health and other quality of life outcomes.
Density matrices as polarization vectors

Il concetto di matrice di densita ebbe origine attorno al 1930 nel corso di adattare alla meccanica quantistica la descrizione statistica di fenomeni classici, ricevendo poi nuova luce dalla formulazione dell’equazione di risonanza nucleare da parte di Felix Bloch, arricchita di effetti dissipativi. Questa equazione, apparentemente l’equazione di Schrodinger per la matrice di densita della polarizzazione di uno spin, guida in realta i valori medii di ogni quantita osservabile nel corso della sua evoluzione. Essa serve quindi come prototipo per molti e diversi fenomeni. I coefficienti di dissipazione (o «rilassamento») dell’equazione di Bloch vennero poi interpretati da Zwanzig come indici dell’informazione che sfugge per canali non osservati.
Regulating and Punishing Adultery in Korea and East Asia

In October 2008, Korea's Constitutional Court narrowly upheld the constitutionality of its adultery statute. Many people around the world are perhaps surprised to hear that adultery remains a crime in some non-Muslim countries. The status of adultery law within Asia and Korea in particular reflects the changing effect of socially and morally conscious law upon those societies. The Constitutional Court’s opinion in the Adultery Case gives some insight into the state (and fate) of morally conscious law within Korea, as well as the state of the Constitutional Court’s jurisprudence.
The human condition as the subject of media ecological investigation

Media ecology has been regarded as a field of inquiry that can be defined as the study of media as environments. This definition indicates that media ecology can be understood as a particular appro...
Impact of Computed Tomography on Operative Planning for Ankle Fractures Involving the Posterior Malleolus.

Background:The purpose of this study was to (1) Determine the effect of computed tomography (CT) on identification of fractures involving the posterior malleolus, (2) determine its effect on operat...
Sex in microbial pathogens.

Abstract We review the sexual processes common in pathogenic microorganisms and assess the primary adaptive benefit of such processes. The pathogenic microorganisms considered include bacteria, microbial eukaryotes, and viruses. The sexual processes include bacterial transformation, eukaryotic meiotic sex and virus multiplicity reactivation. Recent evidence shows that sexual processes are common in microbial pathogens. A major general challenge to pathogen survival and infectivity is the need to overcome the hostile defenses of their target host. These defenses characteristically involve production of stresses, including oxidative stress, that can damage the pathogen's genome. Pathogens appear generally to possess enzyme systems that are central to sex and are also associated with a particular type of genomic repair process, recombinational repair. For some pathogens, it has been directly demonstrated that infectivity and virulence depend on sex. The evidence reviewed here supports the conclusion that the primary benefit of sex in pathogens is the repair of genomic damages that would otherwise be deleterious or lethal. This conclusion is in agreement with similar conclusions derived from non-pathogenic model species of bacteria, microbial eukaryotes and viruses. In several pathogenic species it has been shown that the two partner genomes that engage in sex are most often clonally related or closely related genetically. Thus, in pathogenic species, sexual interactions likely generate little or no genetic variation among progeny. However, infrequent outcrossing can occur in these sexual species and this may have important long term consequences.
Physical Properties, Film Thickness, and Bond Strengths of Resin-Modified Glass Ionomer Cements According to Their Delivery Method.

PURPOSE To determine the effect of changing the dispensing or mixing method of resin-modified glass ionomer (RMGI) cements on their water sorption, solubility, film thickness, and shear bond strength. MATERIALS AND METHODS Disc-shaped specimens of RMGI cements (RelyX: Luting [handmix], Luting Plus [clicker-handmix], Luting Plus [automix], GC: Fuji PLUS [capsule-automix], FujiCEM 2 [automix], [n = 10]) were prepared according to ISO standard 4049 for water sorption and solubility tests. Furthermore, the percentage of mass change, percentage of solubility, and percentage of water absorbed was also determined. Film thickness was measured according to ISO standard 9917-2; the mean of 5 measurements for each cement was calculated. Shear bond strength for each cement was determined according to ISO standard 29022 before and after thermocycling at 20,000 cycles, temperatures 5 to 55°C with a 15-second dwell time (n = 10/subgroup). Two- and one-way ANOVA were used to analyze data for statistical significance (p 0.05). RelyX Luting Plus (clicker-handmix) displayed lower solubility than its handmix and automix counterparts (p < 0.05). Film thickness of RelyX cements was significantly different (p < 0.05). RelyX Luting Plus (automix) had the lowest film thickness (19 μm) compared to its handmix (48 μm) and clicker-handmix (117 μm) counterparts (p < 0.05). GC Fuji PLUS (capsule-automix, 22 μm) was significantly lower than the automix version (GC FujiCEM 2, 127 μm) (p < 0.05). Shear bond strength of RelyX Luting Plus (automix) was significantly lower than its handmix and clicker-handmix versions (p < 0.05). GC Fuji PLUS (capsule-automix) was significantly higher than GC FujiCEM 2 (automix) (p < 0.05). The binary interaction of the two independent variables (dispensing/mixing method and thermocycling) was significant for the shear bond strengths of the GC cements only (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Change in the dispensing/mixing method of RMGI cement from the same brand may have an effect on its physical properties, in addition to its film thickness and shear bond strength. Newer, easier, and faster cement delivery systems are not necessarily better. Clinical outcomes of these differences are yet to be confirmed.
Is the History of Substance Abuse Correlated with Neuropsychiatric Disorders and Co-morbid HIV Infection? An Urban Population Study.

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection remains a serious immunological disease with new infections in the U.S. disproportionately reported in minority populations, with the District of Columbia (DC) still having the highest HIV infection rate in the nation. Drug abuse and addiction is also prevalent in DC and has traditionally been linked to HIV/AIDS because of the likelihood for opportunistic infections. Despite this data, the relationship between HIV status, drugs of abuse, and the incidence of neurological disorders are scarcely reported for minority populations. Method: We carried out a retrospective study on the prevalence of substance abuse in HIV and their association with neuropsychiatric comorbidities in an African American subpopulation in Washington DC, USA. Findings: Our data suggests an 86 percent prevalence of drug use in the HIV patients with neuropsychiatric comorbidities, with cocaine use being significantly higher in patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD), and PCP use associated with patients with schizophrenia. The mean CD4 count was elevated in the patients with neuropsychiatric disease, and specifically in the MDD patient group, whereas CD8 counts were not influenced by a specific neuropsychiatric disease diagnosis, although elevated as expected for HIV status. A majority (2/3) of patients were on HAART therapy, however the records did not account for adherence. Conclusion: These data suggest that neuropsychiatric comorbidities in HIV, is independent of HIV disease progression, but certain illicit drugs are correlated with the incidence of neuropsychiatric disease.
Sildenafil in the Treatment of Sexual Dysfunction Induced by Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

This review discusses the potential role of sildenafil in managing antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction, with a focus on that associated with selective serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). To provide a context, the epidemiology, assessment, prevalence with comparative agents and management strategies for SSRI/antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction are reviewed. Sexual dysfunction is a frequent adverse effect of many therapeutic agents; it is prominently associated with SSRIs, and may be an important factor contributing to discontinuation of and noncompliance with antidepressants. However, a significant number of patients spontaneously develop tolerance to this reversible adverse effect over time. Sildenafil is an important addition to the therapeutic armamentarium for treating erectile dysfunction in men. Preliminary data suggest that it also has potential for treating antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction in men and women, particularly in patients who do not have sexual dysfunction prior to becoming ill. The effective management of SSRI treatment emergent sexual dysfunction can have an important impact on improving the effectiveness and clinical outcomes of treatment by reducing switching and premature discontinuation of medication, and reducing the related morbidity/mortality of major depression and other disorders for which these drugs are prescribed.
Interfacially Controlled Phenomena in the System K 2 CO 3 -KA1O 2

Potassium carbonate has become of special interest to a number of ceramists because of its use as ionizing seed material which is added to combustion gases to produce a conductive plasma in magneto-hydrodynamic electrical power generators. In this high temperature environment, chemical interaction occurs not only with ceramic components of the system such as electrodes and insulators, but also with the mineral ash of the coal used to fuel the generator. As a result, potassium aluminate is an important component of the slags accummulating in such generators [1–3]. The system K2CO3-KA1O2 is under investigation as part of a more general study of potassium carbonate — slag interaction. This note is a summary of some preliminary observations on the phase equilibria of K2CO3-KA1O2 with focus on the unusual melting behavior of K2CO3/KA1O2 mixtures, which appears to have its origin in interfacial interaction.
Resonance lines 4p 6 -4p 5 4d of the Kr i isoelectronic sequence

Lines of the 4s24p6 1S0–4s24p54d1P1 and 3D1 transitions in Kr-like ions were observed in the plasma of the TEXT tokamak doped with elements Pd to Sb and I, Xe, Cs, and Nd. An electron temperature of 1.3 keV was achieved by operating the tokamak with He. Spectra in the range of 50–400 A were observed photographically with a 2.2-m grazing-incidence spectrograph. The lines were identified by comparison with calculated transition energies along the isoelectronic sequence.
DORBRI: An Architecture for the DoD Security Breaches Through Quantum IoT

Internet of Things is the one based on data analytics and the competence to gain an accurate and deep understanding about the sensors. Security is the most crucial and vital need for developing IoT Communication wireless network. Classical Cryptography has provide a way to ensure the fundamental needs of communication networks but the security is not to the optimal level and the downside may be dealt by Quantum technology. To constrain these insights, IoT applications depend on neural networks and machine learning to extract Knowledge data based decision support. The DORBRI architecture proposed in this paper addresses the issues that are faced by the cryptosystem through the Post-Quantum cryptography based Quantum IoT. The block chain allows us to ensure the soundness and permanence of the information since you cannot modify or capture data without that particular action get recorded. Communication over the proposed secure channel will be faster and considerably reduce the loss of data.
Oligopeptide-binding protein from nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae has ligand-specific sites to accommodate peptides and heme in the binding pocket

In nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi), the oligopeptide-binding protein (OppA) serves as the substrate-binding protein (SBP) of the oligopeptide transport system responsible for the import of peptides. We solved the crystal structure of nthiOppA in complex with hydrophobic peptides of various sizes. Our novel hexapeptide complex demonstrates the flexibility of the nthiOppA-binding cavity to expand and accommodate the longer peptide while maintaining similar protein–peptide interactions of smaller peptide complexes. In addition to acquiring peptides from the host environment, as a heme auxotroph NTHi utilizes host hemoproteins as a source of essential iron. OppA is a member of the Cluster C SBP family, and unlike other SBP families, some members recognize two distinctly different substrates. DppA (dipeptide), MppA (murein tripeptide), and SapA (antimicrobial peptides) are Cluster C proteins known to also transport heme. We observed nthiOppA shares this heme-binding characteristic and established heme specificity and affinity by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of the four Cluster C proteins in NTHi. Ligand-docking studies predicted a distinct heme-specific cleft in the binding pocket, and using SPR competition assays, we observed that heme does not directly compete with peptide in the substrate-binding pocket. Additionally, we identified that the individual nthiOppA domains differentially contribute to substrate binding, with one domain playing a dominant role in heme binding and the other in peptide binding. Our results demonstrate the multisubstrate specificity of nthiOppA and the role of NTHi Cluster C proteins in the heme-uptake pathway for this pathogen.
Experimental study of the effect of stress anisotropy on fracture propagation in Eagle Ford shale under water imbibition

Abstract Hydration swelling due to the rock-water reaction may create induced fractures to enhance hydrocarbon recovery in shale reservoirs. This paper investigates the effects of anisotropic stress and hydration swelling on fracture generation and propagation in Eagle Ford shale. To explore whether fractures can be induced by hydration under anisotropic stress conditions, sequential imbibition tests and water imbibition tests were conducted. CT scanning was used to obtain cross-sectional images of shale cores with different axial and confining pressures. The sequential imbibition tests indicated that hydration swelling might induce fractures, and more fractures were generated under water imbibition than oil imbibition. This finding shows that hydration swelling is beneficial to fracture generation under anisotropic compressive stress, which challenges the believe that hydration swelling may cause formation damage. Experiments also show that more induced fractures were generated in the samples under anisotropic stress conditions than under isotropic conditions. The greater the stress anisotropy, the larger the induced fracture geometry is. Beddings and natural fractures can facilitate fracture initiation and propagation.
Optical phase change materials in integrated silicon photonic devices (Conference Presentation)

Silicon photonics is considered to be the leading platform to achieve faster data transfer speeds on-chip. However, the weak electro-optic coefficient of silicon limits the maximum achievable single channel data rates. A hybrid solution consisting of a silicon photonic backbone and an incorporated optical phase change material that provides improved optical functionality may provide the solution for realizing broadband, low power, small footprint on-chip photonic devices capable of achieving record modulation speed. In this presentation, we discuss theoretical and experimental work integrating vanadium dioxide and GST in thermo-optic, electro-optic, and all-optical silicon photonic devices. Future directions will also be discussed.
A Friedel Sum Rule for the Dyon Charge

In understanding the ground state of the magnetic monopole, insight can be gained by regarding the magnetic monopole as an impurity in the Dirac sea, much as solid-state theorists investigate magnetic impurities in the Fermi sea. The angle θ that measures the amount of CP violation in the theory can be regarded as a probe of the ground, much as solid-state physicists use an external magnetic field to probe the Fermi sea. In a CP violating theory, the magnetic monopole acquires a non-zero electric charge that does not violate any quantization condition.1,2,3 The value of this charge $$ Q = - \frac{{e\theta }} {{2\pi }} $$ can be thought of as arising from a polarization of the ground state of the magnetic monopole by the CP violating term \( \theta \vec E\cdot\vec B. \) A connection can be made with the Friedel Sum Rule that solid state physicists use. This determines the polarization charge, Z, in terms of the scattering phase shift, δ, of condition band electrons at the Fermi level off the impurity $$ Z = \frac{2} {\pi }\Sigma _\ell \left( {2\ell + 1} \right)\delta _\ell \left( {E_F } \right). $$
Infections in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit

Children in the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) are at a high risk for infections. This may be due to underlying immunodeficiency, iatrogenic alterations in the immune system or due to invasive procedures. Some patients are admitted to the CICU primarily due to an infection, while others develop secondary infections once they are in the CICU setting. This chapter reviews the types of infections that can occur in the pediatric CICU to give an understanding of predisposing factors, primary and secondary infections.
Laparoscopy in the Elderly Patient

The surgical approach to elderly patients has undergone a major shift over the last two decades with the advent and widespread acceptance of a minimally invasive approach. The indications for laparoscopy in the elderly have shifted from a contraindication to a primary indication based on data and experience. The assessment of the elderly patient is based on physiologic age rather than chronologic age, but initial assessment is still critical in determining fitness for surgery. Ultimately, this is based primarily on known comorbidities and functional assessment. Laparoscopy in the elderly has been increasing over time, and data has been accrued that details the same advantages of an enhanced recovery protocol afforded in younger patients are also seen when using the laparoscopic approach in the elderly. Pneumoperitoneum induces multiple physiologic and hemodynamic changes, the sequelae of which may be accentuated in the elderly with increasing comorbid conditions.
Psychrometric limits and critical evaporative coefficients for exercising older women

This study is the first to describe, graphically and quantitatively, critical environmental limits for women between the ages of 62 and 80 yr based on the biophysics of heat exchange. These psychro...
Escaping Saddle Points in Constant Dimensional Spaces: An Agent-based Modeling Perspective

We study a large family of stochastic processes that update a limited amount in each step. One family of such examples is agent-based modeling, where one agent at a time updates, so the state has small changes in each step. A key question is how this family of stochastic processes is approximated by their mean-field approximations. Prior work shows that the stochastic processes escape repelling fixed points and saddle points in polynomial time. We provide a tight analysis of the above question. For any non-attracting hyperbolic fixed point and a sufficiently small constant e >0, the process will be e-far away from the fixed point in O(n log n) time with high probability. We also show that it takes time Ω(n log n) to escape such a fixed point with constant probability. This shows that our result is optimal up to a multiplicative constant. We leverage the above result and show that such stochastic processes can reach the neighborhood of some attracting fixed point in $O(nlog n)$ time with high probability. Finally, We show the power of our results by applying them to several settings: evolutionary game theory, opinion formation dynamics, and stochastic gradient descent in a finite-dimensional space.