cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estimation of single-mode waveguide dispersion using an equivalent-step-index approach

In the letter, the feasibility of applying the equivalent-step-index parameters to estimate the single-mode waveguide dispersion of various radially inhomogeneous profiles is studied. The results are compared to the actual values obtained by numerical techniques and the errors estimated. The equivalent-step approach seems to be accurate only for cases where the profiles do not deviate severely from the step-index profile.
Lower Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) in Preterm (PT) Infants Fed Formula With Egg Phospholipid (EPL) Arachidonate (ARA) and Docosahexaenoate (DHA)|[bull]| 567

Background. Damage to the intestine culminating in NEC may occur by reduced mesenteric blood flow, bacterial overgrowth, enteral feeding or a combination of these factors. Antenatal steroids, human milk, lower pH formula, enteral IgA and antibiotics have each been reported to lower the incidence of NEC. In this study, the inclusion of EPL in a PT formula led to an apparent reduction in the incidence of NEC but not other diseases in hospitalized PT infants. Methods. In a randomized, double-masked trial, PT infants (725-1375 g birth weight, n=119) were fed either a control formula (CF) or an egg phospholipid-supplemented formula (EPLF) made by replacing some coconut oil in CF with EPL (75% phosphatidylcholine, 20% phosphatidylethanolamine, 5% other PL). PT and T versions of CF and EPLF were fed from -3 mo to 2 mo and 2 mo to 12 mo, respectively (40 wks gestation = 0 mo). EPLF, but not CF, contained ARA (0.4%) and DHA (0.13%, total fatty acids). Infants were assigned to one of three treatments that were balanced for gender in three stratified weight ranges (725-925 g; 926-1150 g; 1151-1375 g): Control (CF from -3 mo to 12 mo, n=41); Late Supplementation (CF from -3 mo to -1 mo; EPLF from -1 mo to 12 mo, n=44); and Early Supplementation (EPLF from -3 mo to 12 mo, n=34). Subjects lost before 4 mo corrected age were replaced to ensure study of at least 30 infants/group through that age. Infants fed CF and EPLF had similar neonatal, perinatal and demographic characteristics. Results. Fifteen of 85 infants (17.6%) fed CF in hospital (Control and Late Supplementation) and 1 of 34 (2.9%) fed EPLF (Early Supplementation) developed NEC stage II or III (p<0.05). Diet had no apparent effect on other diseases including sepsis (CF, 28.2%; EPLF, 26.5%), BPD (CF,23.4%; EPLF, 23.5%), and ROP (CF,40.0; EPLF,38.2%). The incidence of NEC was higher among male than female infants (11/60 vs 5/59, p,<0.05). All 11 males who developed NEC were fed CF (11/43, 25.6%) (p<0.01 vs males fed EPLF). Summary. EPLF appeared to decrease the incidence of NEC but not other common diseases of PT infants. Conclusion. We speculate that EPL or some component of EPL (e.g., ARA, DHA or choline) protected the immature intestine by one of several plausible mechanisms. A prospective randomized trial to test the effect of EPLF on NEC seems warranted, because NEC remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality among PT infants.
Halogenated ketenes. 37. The synthesis of pyranones utilizing the (4 + 2) cycloaddition of ketenes and siloxy dienes

The reaction of diphenyl-, dichloro-, and chloroketenes with several siloxy dienes results in (4 + 2) and/or (2 + 2) cycloaddition products depending primarily on Substitution in the diene. The (4 + 2) cycloaddition products are easily hydrolyzed to pyranones. These results are discussed in terms of a dipolar intermediate.
Frequency stabilization of AlxGa1-xAs/GaAs lasers using magnetically induced birefringence in an atomic vapor

Linewidth and frequency stability of a semiconductor laser are important parameters for coherent optical communications. Several groups have constructed optically stabilized semiconductor lasers (OSSL) using resonant optical feedback from a Fabry-Perot cavity. This technique requires active (electronic) control of the Fabry-Perot cavity to frequency lock the laser. We have developed a new OSSL incorporating a rubidium vapor cell immersed in a dc magnetic field as an optical feedback element. The OSSL optically self locks to sub-Doppler features of the rubidium spectrum without using electronic frequency control circuits.
Measure and category in effective descriptive set theory

We are concerned in this paper with some definability aspects of the theory of measure and category on the continuum. Our objects of study are the projective subsets of the reals and their structure from a measure theoretic and topological point of view.
Quantification of kinase activity in cell lysates via photopatterned macroporous poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogel arrays in microfluidic channels

The efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) as cancer therapeutics varies amongst individual patients as a result of patient-specific differences in molecular regulation of cancer development and progression, and acquisition of resistance to TKIs during therapy. A sensitive assay that can quantify kinase activity and predict inhibition of that activity from minimally invasive patient tissue samples may aid design of efficacious individualized TKI treatments. A microfluidic format can be useful in reducing limitations in standard protein kinase assays, including sensitivity required and low sample volume available. We present photopatterned macroporous poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate hydrogel pillars functionalized with kinase substrates within microchannels for quantifying kinase activity in complex cellular lysates. We determined the effect of using a porogen to induce macroporosity in hydrogel pillars and showed that hydrogel poration enhanced the sensitivity of detecting Bcr-Abl activity in cell lysates by an order of magnitude. Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase activity in K562 cell lysates could be detected from 0.01 μg/μL of cell lysate, corresponding to approximately 500 cells, using GST-Crkl immobilized in macroporous hydrogels. This device was also capable of quantifying inhibition of Bcr-Abl activity by imatinib mesylate, which demonstrates the potential to predict the biochemical response to drug inhibitors. These results indicate that microfluidic devices containing macroporous hydrogels functionalized with kinase substrates provide a promising platform for sensitive and specific quantification of kinase activity and efficacy of kinase inhibitors in cancer cell lysates.
The synthesis of β-adrenergic receptors in cultured human lung cells: Induction by glucocorticoids

Summary The rate of β-adrenergic receptor synthesis and incorporation into plasma membranes is measured in human lung (VA 2 ) cells following irreversible blockade of existing receptors with N-[2-hydroxy-3-1-(naphthoxy)-propyl]-N-bromoacetylethylenediamine, a covalent β-receptor antagonist. New receptor incorporation is measurable for approximately 24 hours in these cultured cells and the rate of synthesis is on the order of 2% of the total (initial) receptor concentration per hour. Hydrocortisone induces a dose dependent increase in β-receptor concentration in VA 2 cells, VA 4 cells and WI38 cells. Maximum increases are observed with 0.1 μM hydrocortisone within 24 hours and represent a 100% increase in β-receptor number. A hydrocortisone stimulated doubling in the rate of β-adrenergic receptor synthesis and incorporation appears to be responsible for this increase in β-receptor concentration in the affected cells.
LXXXIX. Measurement of current in electrodeless discharges by means of frequency variations

(1932). LXXXIX. Measurement of current in electrodeless discharges by means of frequency variations. The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science: Vol. 13, No. 87, pp. 953-964.
SU-D-16A-01: A Novel Method to Estimate Normal Tissue Dose for Radiotherapy Patients to Support Epidemiologic Studies of Second Cancer Risk

Purpose: Patient cohort of second cancer study often involves radiotherapy patients with no radiological images available: We developed methods to construct a realistic surrogate anatomy by using computational human phantoms. We tested this phantom images both in a commercial treatment planning system (Eclipse) and a custom Monte Carlo (MC) transport code. Methods: We used a reference adult male phantom defined by International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). The hybrid phantom which was originally developed in Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline (NURBS) and polygon mesh format was converted into more common medical imaging format. Electron density was calculated from the material composition of the organs and tissues and then converted into DICOM format. The DICOM images were imported into the Eclipse system for treatment planning, and then the resulting DICOM-RT files were imported into the MC code for MC-based dose calculation. Normal tissue doses were calculation in Eclipse and MC code for an illustrative prostate treatment case and compared to each other. Results: DICOM images were generated from the adult male reference phantom. Densities and volumes of selected organs between the original phantom and ones represented within Eclipse showed good agreements, less than 0.6%. Mean dose from Eclipse and MC code match less than 7%, whereas maximum and minimum doses were different up to 45%. Conclusion: The methods established in this study will be useful for the reconstruction of organ dose to support epidemiological studies of second cancer in cancer survivors treated by radiotherapy. We also work on implementing body size-dependent computational phantoms to better represent patient's anatomy when the height and weight of patients are available.
PEDIATRIC PREVENTIVE HEALTH SCREENING AND DIETARY INTAKE

Abstract As part of a program evaluating nutrition education for hypercholesterolemic children, a pediatric practice-based cholesterol screening program identified 261 3.9–9.9 year old children with elevated cholesterol levels (At-Risk). At baseline (before any intervention), the diets of these children were found to be relatively low in fat (29.7% calories as fat, and 11.2% as saturated fat). This is approaching recommended levels and is lower than has been reported for similar groups of children. To help evaluate potential influences upon the dietary intake of these At-Risk children, their diets were compared to the diets of children without elevated cholesterol levels (Not-At-Risk, n=81). The diets of the Not-At-Risk children were then compared to a group of children who had not completed cholesterol screening nor dietary intervention (not-screened, n=49). Three 24-hour dietary recalls were completed by telephone with each child at baseline and averaged. These recalls and subsequent comparisons showed that the only statistically significant differences between the groups were a lower caloric intake and fiber intake for the At-Risk group as compared to the Not-At Risk group. These results suggest that some groups of American children are consuming a diet with fat, saturated fat and cholesterol content closer to recommended levels than previously reported. In addition, participation in preventive health screening, such as a cholesterol screening program and being labelled as hypercholesterolemic, seemed to have little influence on the intake of fat, saturated fat or cholesterol.
Performance of FRP-Strengthened RC Beams with Different Concrete Surface Profiles

Performance of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites in repair and retrofit of concrete structures depends to a great extent on the substrate condition to which it is bonded. The present research investigated the effect of concrete surface roughness on the bond behavior and general performance of FRP strengthening systems. The study included flexural testing of 26 specimens with two different carbon FRP systems (wet layup and precured) and three different levels of surface roughness. The influence of six different levels of anchorage by means of U-straps was also evaluated. Additionally, 10 bond specimens were tested in double shear for the wet layup FRP system to compare with the results of beam tests and to further investigate the debonding issue. Bond-dependent coefficient was analyzed with respect to different levels of surface roughness and shear span-to-depth ratio, and was then compared with other test results available in the literature. Surface roughness did not appear to have a significant i...
Laser-based sensors for chemical detection

Stand-off detection of hazardous materials ensures that the responder is located at a safe distance from the suspected source. Remote detection and identification of hazardous materials can be accomplished using a highly sensitive and portable device, at significant distances downwind from the source or the threat. Optical sensing methods, in particular infrared absorption spectroscopy combined with quantum cascade lasers (QCLs), are highly suited for the detection of chemical substances since they enable rapid detection and are amenable for autonomous operation in a compact and rugged package. This talk will discuss the sensor systems developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and will discuss the progress to reduce the size and power while maintaining sensitivity to enable stand-off detection of multiple chemicals.
Sleep-waking patterns in hypoxic kittens

Kittens at 10, 20, and 40 days of age were made intermittently hypoxic in 10 or 7% oxygen chambers for either 3 or 8 days. Respiration, EKG, EEG, and neck and eye movements were recorded during hypoxia. Compared to 21% oxygen controls, hypoxic kittens had fewer and shorter epochs of active sleep, and longer epochs of quiet sleep. Some hypoxic kittens exhibited slow and labored respiration during quiet sleep and transitional epochs, which reversed during active sleep. Kittens that showed most pronounced respiratory changes or died had less active sleep than kittens that compensated adequately and survived. These results suggest that active sleep may be important for stimulation of respiration during infancy. Suppression of active sleep, augmentation of quiet sleep, or other disturbances to normal sleep-waking patterns during hypoxia, may increase the risk for hypoxic respiratory depression and death.
Positive and negative selection in Basel.

Harald von Boehmer describes how he used mice transgenic for T cell receptor αβ to identify T cell receptor–dependent cellular selection and lineage commitment as mechanisms responsible for generating an effective and self-tolerant adaptive immune system.
Lactate extraction and myocardial damage after countershock at different energy levels

Abstract The relationship between myocardial lactate metabolism and the energy dose of direct countershock was studied in 15 dogs anesthetized with halothane. Five dogs received two shocks of 5 joules delivered energy each, five animals received two shocks of 10 joules delivered energy each, and five dogs received two shocks of 20 joules delivered energy each. All animals had positive myocardial lactate extraction in the baseline state (5 joules, 38% ± 23.7 (SD); 10 joules, 59.6% ± 11.4; 20 joules, 38% ± 11.1). Lactate extraction after countershock progressively decreased with increasing energy dose and then returned to baseline. The maximal reduction in percent lactate extraction increased with increasing energy dose (5 joules, 13.9% ± 16.1; 10 joules, 33% ± 37; 20 joules, 30.5% ± 37.5) and seemed to reach a threshold below which no further decrease occurred. Myocardial damage, as measured by a damage index derived from myocardial uptake of technetium-99 pyrophosphate, increased steadily with increasing energy dose (2.0 ± 2.5 with 5-joule shocks; 38 ± 32 with 10 joules; and 99 ± 70 with 20 joules). These results show a consistent reduction in aerobic metabolism immediately following electric countershock. Even at low-energy doses, myocardial lactate extraction showed a detectable decrease and at higher energies approached net lactate production. Reductions of global lactate extraction did not completely predict the amount of myocardial damage. Localized measures of anaerobic metabolism or mitochondrial function might provide a better correlation with localized damage.
Effect of External Secretion of Pancreas upon Blood Lipids of Completely Depancreatized Dog Maintained with Insulin.

SummaryThe external secretion of the pancreas contains a substance that causes a marked rise above the normal in the blood lipid levels of the depancreatized dog maintained with insulin.
Continuities and consequences of interactional styles across the life course.

ABSTRACT Behavior patterns can be sustained across the life course by two kinds of person-environment interaction Cumulative continuity arises when an individual's interactional style channels him or her into environments that themselves reinforce that style, thereby sustaining the behavior pattern across the life course through the progressive accumulation of its own consequences Interactional continuity arises when an individual's style evokes reciprocal, sustaining responses from others in ongoing social interaction, thereby reinstating the behavior pattern across the individual's life course whenever the relevant interactive situation is replicated Using archival data from the Berkeley Guidance Study (Macfarlane, Allen, & Honzik, 1954), we present evidence for the operation of these two continuity-promoting processes by identifying individuals who were ill-tempered, shy, or dependent in late childhood and then tracing the continuities and consequences of these interactional styles across the subsequent
Centrifugal microfluidic platform for ultrasensitive detection of botulinum toxin.

We present an innovative centrifugal microfluidic immunoassay platform (SpinDx) to address the urgent biodefense and public health need for ultrasensitive point-of-care/incident detection of botulinum toxin. The simple, sample-to-answer centrifugal microfluidic immunoassay approach is based on binding of toxins to antibody-laden capture particles followed by sedimentation of the particles through a density-media in a microfluidic disk and quantification by laser-induced fluorescence. A blind, head-to-head comparison study of SpinDx versus the gold-standard mouse bioassay demonstrates 100-fold improvement in sensitivity (limit of detection = 0.09 pg/mL), while achieving total sample-to-answer time of <30 min with 2-μL required volume of the unprocessed sample. We further demonstrate quantification of botulinum toxin in both exogeneous (human blood and serum spiked with toxins) and endogeneous (serum from mice intoxicated via oral, intranasal, and intravenous routes) samples. SpinDx can analyze, without any...
Psychiatry, spirituality and religion

(2001). Psychiatry, spirituality and religion. International Review of Psychiatry: Vol. 13, No. 2, pp. 61-66.
The Role of Community-Based Organizations in the Recruitment of Human Subjects: Ethical Considerations

Simon and Mosavel (2010) explore the ethical challenges that may arise when community members are used to recruit research subjects within their own communities. They develop a convincing argument ...
The Effects of Rice Bran Oil and oryzanol on Plasma Levels of Total Cholesterol and hdl-Cholesterol in Male Golden Hamsters

Abstract Dietary components can increase (saturated fat) or decrease (soluble fibers) serum cholesterol levels. A few studies report that lipid components in the bran layer of rice reduce serum cholesterol levels in animals and humans. We conducted two experiments on male Golden hamsters (aged 7 weeks). The first experiment was designed to examine the effect of RBO on total plasma cholesterol levels (TC). Thirty hamsters were challenged with a high cholesterol diet (0.3% by weight), half receiving RBO (10%) and half receiving peanut oil (10%), for a period of 4 weeks, after which blood was collected by cardiac puncture. The hamsters fed RBO had a mean ± SD TC (289 + 52mg/dL) that was significantly (p
Plasmodium berghei: Use of free blood stage parasites to demonstrate protective humoral activity in the serum of recovered rats

Abstract Free infectious Plasmodium berghei parasites (FP) were used in a system suitable for measurement of protective antibody in the serum of rats recovered from malaria. By the fluorescent antibody technique it was demonstrated that the free parasites, but not parasites in erythrocytes, became coated with antibody after incubation in recovered rat serum. Because immune sera capable of coating free parasites did not protect mice against FP inocula, but partially or completely protected rats, it is probable that antibody coating alone is not sufficient to kill the parasites. It was further demonstrated in vitro , with one strain of P. berghei , that phagocytes more readily ingested parasites in the presence of immune serum than in the presence of normal serum. This observation suggests that phagocytosis of the antibody coated parasite probably was required to prevent infection.
Cross Reactive Epitope Group antibodies in sensitized kidneys transplant recipients was associated with early acute Antibody Mediated Rejection

Abstract Background Antibody Mediated Rejection (AMR) is a major cause of early graft loss, graft dysfunction, and chronic allograft nephropathy. Patients with elevated pre-transplant Panel Reactive Antibodies (PRA) are at much higher risk to develop AMR. We, retrospectively, studied the attack rate of AMR in sensitized recipients and evaluated whether preformed antibodies to donor Cross Reactive Epitope Group (CREG) and/or choice of induction immunosuppressive agent affected the frequency of this complication. Methods From the period between September 2002 and March 2008, we identified 19 sensitized renal transplant recipients (with mean PRA of 44.5 ± 26%) and recorded the induction agent, number of HLA antigen mismatches, CREG match, CREG antibodies, PRA levels, clinical course, biopsy proven rejection episodes and presence of donor specific antibody. Nine patients were induced with Alemtuzumab (Campath-1H) and ten received horse or rabbit derived polyclonal antithymocyte antibody ATGAM (Pharmacia) or Thymoglobulin (Genzyme). All recipients were cross-match negative at time of transplant. Results Out of the 19 patients, 9 patients developed acute rejection (47.4%), 4 had AMR and 5 had Acute Cellular Rejection (ACR). Out of 19 patients, 9 patients had existing CREG antibodies (as per CREG Model proposed by McKenna, Takemoto et al.). All patients who developed AMR were found of have preformed antibodies to donor CREG. The median time interval for the development of acute humoral rejection was only 6 days and biopsies showed acute vascular rejection with Complement (C4D) deposition. Conclusions Pre-existing CREG antibodies in sensitized renal transplant patients appear to identify a group at high risk to develop AMR.
Turning point identification and Bayesian forecasting of a volatile time series

Abstract Volatile time series are part of the industrial engineering forecasting and planning environment. An example of a volatile time series is the daily closing price of a stock, such as IBM, which is adaptively forecasted in this paper. Volatile series are beset with random shocks, from day-to-day, which may be characterized as 1) no charge in the series, 2) a step change, 3) a ramp change, or 4) a transient change. These random shocks are referred to as states of the time series. Probabilities for the various states are determined (computationally and subjectively) and are combined with the Bayesian results of Kaiman (3, 6) to update adaptively a forecasting equation. The method, therefore, is a multi-state procedure which embeds the Bayesian estimation method of Kalman. To illustrate the technique, a linear forecasting equation is used to predict the daily closing prices of IBM stock for 79 trading days starting on September 8 and extending to December 29, 1987; a period which includes the “crash” of October 19, 1987. In general seasonality may be added, if desired. It is assumed that the reader is familiar with Kalman's results.
12B-4 Real-Time Multi-Component Hemodynamic Measurement in Vascular Aneurysms Using Echo Particle Image Velocimetry: Comparison of In Vitro and Computational Results

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are localized balloon-shaped expansions commonly found in the infrarenal segment of the abdominal aorta, between the renal arteries and the iliac bifurcation. From a biomechanical standpoint, AAA rupture risk is related to mechanical and hemodynamic factors such as localized flow fields and velocity patterns, and flow- induced stresses within the fluid and in the aneurysm structure. Thus, localized hemodynamics proximal, within and distal to AAA formations play an important role in modulating the disease process, and non-invasive and easy-to-implement methods to characterize and quantify these complex hemodynamics would be tremendously useful. Based on the synthesis of two existing technologies, particle image velocimetry (PIV) and brightness-mode (B-mode) contrast ultrasound echo imaging, we have recently developed an ultrasound based velocimetry technique, termed echo particle image velocimetry (Echo PIV), to perform accurate non-invasive measurement of velocity profiles, multiple velocity vectors and local shear rate in arteries and hearts by identifying and tracking flow tracers (ultrasound contrast microbubbles) within the flow fields. Here, we examine the utility of Echo PIV for quantifying the complex hemodynamics found within aneurysms. Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were used for comparison. The Echo PIV system was used to measure velocity vectors within in vitro fusiform AAA models. Ultrasound contrast microbubbles (Optisonreg, Amersham, UK) were seeded into the flows. To verify Echo PIV results, 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used on an identical aneurysm model. The computational solid model was imported into ICEM-CFD (ANSYS Inc., PA) and meshed using 35,000 hexahedral elements. The same flow conditions were used for both in vitro and CFD studies. Comparison results show that Echo PIV measures the flow field accurately and provides clear delineation of the complex flow patterns within the AAA model. To verify the performance of the Echo PIV system on a point-by-point basis, we compared velocity profiles at the bulge center from both CFD and Echo PIV results. Difference in velocity magnitudes was 20 cm/sec). These results show that our custom-designed Echo PIV system is capable of accurately providing detailed multi-component, angle- independent velocity vectors within vascular aneurysms.
Clinical Significance and Characterization of Haemophilus influenzae Type b Genogroup Isolates from Urine Samples in an Adult Male Population

ABSTRACT The occurrence and significance of Haemophilus spp. isolated from the genitourinary tract are not well known. Herein, we describe the clinical significance and characteristics of Haemophilus influenzae type b genogroup strains isolated from genitourinary tract specimens from an adult male veteran patient population and, in particular, their associations with prostatitis and epididymitis.
Characteristics of the standard 12-lead Holter ECG in professional firefighters

Firefighters have twice as many cardiovascular deaths as police officers and yet there are no available high resolution continuous ECG recordings during firefighting activities. The purpose of this study was to characterize the 12-lead ECG in on-duty professional firefighters. In this prospective descriptive study, all firefighters underwent 24hr ambulatory Holter monitoring using a standard hires 12-lead ECG. Results: 112 firefighters (age 43.6±8yrs, mostly white males) were enrolled over a one year period. During monitoring the average HR was 77 ±10bpm, it range from an average minimum of 47±7 to an average maximum of 143±21 bpm. All were in normal sinus rhythm, however over half of the firefighters had elevated average heart rate and nearly 10% had a widened QRST angle. Conclusion: Among on-duty professional firefighters, high risk ECG markers are present including an elevated average HR and the presence of a widened QRST angle, a high risk marker for fatal cardiac events.
Combinatorial Properties for Traceability Codes Using Error Correcting Codes

In this correspondence, the combinatorial properties of traceability codes constructed from error-correcting codes are studied. Necessary and sufficient conditions for traceability codes constructed from maximum-distance separable (MDS) codes are provided. The known sufficient conditions for a traceability code are proven to be also necessary for linear MDS codes
Automatic generation and verification of sufficient correctness properties for synchronous processors

A general strategy for automatically generating and verifying sufficient correctness properties for a broad class of synchronous processors is presented. Given a particular specification and implementation pair, it is shown how basic correctness properties can be algorithmically translated into a set of computation tree logic (CTL) formulae which are sufficient for equivalence between the behavioral and logic descriptions. Preliminary experimental results on the verification of microcoded and array processors are presented. >
Performance Analysis and Range Improvement in Multiband-OFDM UWB Communications

The performance of multiband-OFDM UWB systems is analyzed using the S-V indoor channel model. Based on the analysis, two methods are proposed to improve the reliable transmission range of UWB devices by exploiting the rich spectral and spatial diversity available in the system. It is shown both by theory and computer simulations that the proposed methods can effectively enlarge the transmission range of UWB devices.
Host type I IFN signals are required for antitumor CD8+ T cell responses through CD8α+ dendritic cells

Despite lack of tumor control in many models, spontaneous T cell priming occurs frequently in response to a growing tumor. However, the innate immune mechanisms that promote natural antitumor T cell responses are undefined. In human metastatic melanoma, there was a correlation between a type I interferon (IFN) transcriptional profile and T cell markers in metastatic tumor tissue. In mice, IFN-β was produced by CD11c+ cells after tumor implantation, and tumor-induced T cell priming was defective in mice lacking IFN-α/βR or Stat1. IFN signaling was required in the hematopoietic compartment at the level of host antigen-presenting cells, and selectively for intratumoral accumulation of CD8α+ dendritic cells, which were demonstrated to be essential using Batf3−/− mice. Thus, host type I IFNs are critical for the innate immune recognition of a growing tumor through signaling on CD8α+ DCs.
High Summer at Nun Appleton, 1651: Andrew Marvell and Lord Fairfax'S Occasions

Andrew Marvell's country-house epic, Upon Appleton House, has long been understood as a meditation on conventional philosophical themes. An exact dating allows us to see the topical and polemical force of those themes. Moreover, situating the poem within particular chronological and geographical confines, the summer of 1651 and the household of the recently retired Lord General as well as the political geography of the vale of York, reveals the continuities and the patronage-afflicted contours of the poet's engagement with the crisis of the English revolution, a crisis he had so searchingly explored in An Horatian Ode upon Cromwell's return from Ireland.
WTO dispute settlement: the politics of procedure in Appellate Body rulings

This paper investigates how the Appellate Body has coped with its precarious position in the WTO. It must rely on decentralized enforcement of its rulings; interpret new regulatory rules that are complex and contested; hear and resolve all disputes; and deal with governments litigating issues on which they fail to achieve consensus in negotiations. In this setting, the Appellate Body cannot easily promote both its reputation for coherence and its record of compliance – the dual underpinnings of its perceived authority. In response, it has crafted an activist and politically sophisticated approach to several procedural issues. Despite underlying disagreements among member states, the Appellate Body has seized chances to enact procedural reforms that encourage consensus rulings, improve its access to information, and expand its judicial discretion. While no guarantee of success, these procedures should enhance the Appellate Body's ability to reduce the intrinsic political risks of WTO adjudication.
Targeted Single-Cell Microchemical Analysis: MS-Based Peptidomics of Individual Paraformaldehyde-Fixed and Immunolabeled Neurons

Pinpointing a specific cell from within a relatively uniform cell population to determine its chemical content presents a challenging bioanalytical task. Immunocytochemistry is the classical method used to localize specific molecules and, hence, selected cells. Mass spectrometry also probes endogenous molecules such as neuropeptides within a cell. Here, these two approaches are hyphenated to allow microchemical analysis of immunocytochemical-selected peptidergic neurons. This two-step strategy utilizes antibody-based localization of cells containing selected biomarkers to isolate the cell(s) of interest, followed by peptidomic analysis via mass spectrometry. Applicable to a broad range of analyte and cell types, the strategy was used to successfully profile neuropeptides from individual immunostained insect neurons stored for up to 2 weeks as well as from tissues preserved for 42 weeks.
Strengthening Democracy and Personal Development through Community Engagement.

Community based learning among adults is needed to help fuel civic engagement to rebuild and sustain our nation's democracy.
Delivering Value: Provider Efforts to Improve the Quality and Reduce the Cost of Health Care

Growing concern regarding costs of care and health outcomes in the United States has led to widespread calls to address the issue of health care spending. Today, providers across the country are working both to improve the quality and to reduce the cost of health care. These activities span multiple care delivery settings and include care standardization and redesign, shared decision making, palliative care, care coordination, readmission reduction, patient engagement, predictive modeling, and direct cost reduction. These efforts differ from those undertaken in the past because of the availability of information technology tools to collect and analyze data, and because of the emphasis on cost reduction in conjunction with quality improvement. Although the available literature reflects only a small fraction of the provider activities currently in progress, there is cause for hope for achieving a sustainable, innovative, and value-driven health care system.
Religion and economic performance

Summary This paper investigates the relationship between religion and economic performance. In both cross-country and within-country regressions, the null hypothesis that religious affiliation is uncorrelated with performance can frequently be rejected (i.e., religion matters), though the regressions do not yield a robust pattern of coefficients with respect to particular religions. The results with respect to Islam do not support the notion that it is inimical to growth. On the contrary, virtually every statistically significant coefficient on Muslim population shares reported in this paper—in both cross-country and within-country statistical analyses—is positive. If anything, Islam promotes growth.
Signaling specificity by Ras family GTPases is determined by the full spectrum of effectors they regulate

Ras family GTPases (RFGs) regulate signaling pathways that control multiple biological processes. How signaling specificity among the closely related family members is achieved is poorly understood. We have taken a proteomics approach to signaling by RFGs, and we have analyzed interactions of a panel of RFGs with a comprehensive group of known and potential effectors. We have found remarkable differences in the ability of RFGs to regulate the various isoforms of known effector families. We have also identified several proteins as novel effectors of RFGs with differential binding specificities to the various RFGs. We propose that specificity among RFGs is achieved by the differential regulation of combinations of effector families as well as by the selective regulation of different isoforms within an effector family. An understanding of this new level of complexity in the signaling pathways regulated by RFGs is necessary to understand how they carry out their many cellular functions. It will also likely have critical implications in the treatment of human diseases such as cancer.
PERSISTENT INFECTION OF MYXOBOLUS CEREBRALIS, THE CAUSATIVE AGENT OF SALMONID WHIRLING DISEASE, IN TUBIFEX TUBIFEX

The objective of this study was to quantify and determine the periodicity in the release of the triactinomyxon (TAM) stage of Myxobolus cerebralis, the causative agent of salmonid whirling disease, by its aquatic oligochaete host Tubifex tubifex. For this, 24 individual T. tubifex (infected as a group at 15 C) were examined daily for the release of M. cerebralis TAMs, and the number of waterborne TAMs released by each worm was quantified. The duration of the infection in these worms was also monitored using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnostic test. TAMs were first released 74 days postexposure (PE) and continued to be released until 132 days PE. During this period, each worm released on average, 1.5 3 10 3 waterborne TAMs 12 times; however, no pattern or periodicity was noted. The results of the PCR diagnostic tests conducted at 5, 7, 9, and 15 mo PE were positive, and the persistent infection was confirmed at 606 days PE (approximately 20 mo) when the remaining worms began releasing TAMs again. Similar results were observed in naturally infected T. tubifex, indicating that these worms remain infected for the duration of their natural lifespan and are capable of shedding viable TAMs, in temporally separate periods. These findings open the possibility of a seasonal periodicity in TAM release by T. tubifex. Whirling disease has been implicated in the recent decline of wild trout populations in several western states (Nickum, 1999). For example, in December 1994 it was reported that whirling disease was responsible for the death of over 90% of the wild rainbow trout in the Madison River in Montana (Rognlie and Knapp, 1998). The causative agent of whirling disease is the myxosporean parasite Myxobolus cerebralis.This parasite caus- es varying clinical signs in fish ranging from a whirling behav- ior, for which the disease is named, to blackened caudal regions and severe skeletal deformities. Heavy infections in young fish often result in death. The parasite can infect numerous species of salmonid fishes; however, rainbow trout are the most sus- ceptible to disease, followed in order of decreasing susceptibil- ity by sockeye salmon, golden trout, cutthroat trout, brook trout, steelhead, chinook salmon, atlantic salmon, and brown trout (O'Grodnick, 1979; Hoffman, 1990).
Feeding a brown midrib corn silage-based diet to growing beef steers improves growth performance and economic returns

Saunders, C. S., Yang, S. Y., Eun, J.-S., Feuz, D. M. and ZoBell, D. R. 2015. Feeding a brown midrib corn silage-based diet to growing beef steers improves growth performance and economic returns. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 95: 625–631. A feedlot experiment was performed to determine growth performance, ruminal fermentation characteristics, and economic returns for growing beef steers when fed a brown midrib corn silage-based total mixed ration (BMRT) compared with a conventional corn silage-based total mixed ration (CCST). Twenty-four Angus crossbred steers (initial body weight=258±23.2 kg) in individual pens were used in a completely randomized design (n=12). Intake of dry matter was not different between the treatments. Steers fed the BMRT tended to have greater average daily gain (1.54 vs. 1.42 kg d−1; P=0.09) and gain-to-feed ratio (0.165 vs. 0.146; P=0.07) compared with those fed the CCST. Feeding the BMRT increased total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration (P=0.01) compared with the CCST, while it decr...
NO/cGMP signaling modulates regulation of Na+-K+-ATPase activity by angiotensin II in rat proximal tubules

ANG II exerts a biphasic effect on Na+ transport in the kidney through its effects on Na+-K+-ATPase activity. Beginning at 10(-13) M, ANG II increased Na+-K+-ATPase in freshly isolated rat proximal tubules to a maximum stimulation at 10(-11) M of 1.43 +/- 0.08-fold above control. Stimulation decreased progressively at concentrations >10(-10) M to a value of 0.96 +/- 0.1-fold at 10(-7) M. In the presence of additional L-arginine, the substrate for NO synthesis, the stimulatory effect of ANG II (10(-11) M) was lost. Conversely, N-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, unmasked the stimulatory effect of ANG II at 10(-7) M (1.40 +/- 0.1-fold). 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazole-[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one, the soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor, like L-NMMA, unmasked the stimulatory effect of ANG II at 10(-7) M (1.30 +/- 0.1-fold). The intracellular cGMP concentration was increased 1.58 +/- 0.28-fold at 10(-7) M ANG II. The ANG II AT(1) receptor antagonist SK&F 108566 blocked the stimulatory effect of ANG II at 10(-11) M. These data suggest that the NO/cGMP signaling pathway serves as a negative component in the regulation of Na+-K+-ATPase activity by ANG II.
Universal Screening of Colorectal Cancers for Lynch Syndrome: Challenges and Opportunities

Lynch syndrome (LS) is the most common heritable colorectal cancer (CRC) syndrome, accounting for approximately 3 % of CRC cases in the USA each year. LS results from a genetic mutation in one of the four mismatch repair genes, and clinically LS is associated with CRC and other gastrointestinal and extra-gastrointestinal malignancies. In this review, we describe the various clinical criteria utilized for the identification of LS patients and the inherent flaws with these criteria. We discuss the concept of universal testing for LS in all cases of newly diagnosed CRC, along with the potential benefits and challenges of universal testing. Several studies have shown that universal tumor testing is cost-effective and identifies cases of LS that are missed using traditional clinical criteria, which may result in reduced cancer mortality for probands and their families. Yet the full benefits of universal tumor testing may be limited by the availability and patient acceptance of genetic testing, and by logistical obstacles affecting the implementation of universal testing programs. Lastly, we comment on developing technologies such as massively parallel next-generation sequencing, which permits simultaneous sequencing of multiple genes involved in LS and other inherited colon cancer syndromes.
Systems Modeling Approach for Sustainable Infrastructure

Management of our infrastructure systems is not only associated with engineering and economic constraints; it is intricately tied to public policy and institutional control considerations. As such, using simulation models that incorporate aspects of population movements, infrastructure assessment, living conditions, and health data with spatial data modeling, and collectively relate them to the different sustainability indicators could be an ideal tool for providing better information for the sustainability of our infrastructure systems. This paper presents a systems modeling approach to assess the social, environmental, and economic changes within community host systems as a result of civil infrastructure projects, and provide better information to associated stakeholders. In previous research, the author developed three novel benchmarks (i.e. nature, work, and flow) to holistically analyze our infrastructure systems from a sustainability perspective. The “work benchmark” defines the behavioral relationships between the construction processes and the associated stakeholders; the “nature benchmark” studies the interactions between the construction processes and the surrounding ecosystems, and the “flow benchmark” will analyze the overall system change. In this paper, the author shows how the “flow benchmark” will be used to demonstrate technological integration between macrolevel system dynamics modeling, micro-level agent-based simulation, and multiobjective optimization to measure the overall system change. Integrating these techniques in a single framework will combine the strengths of the three methodologies and mitigate their deficiencies on stand-alone basis. This aggregation will evaluate societal vulnerability through analyzing which sustainability indicators have the most significant correlation to the affected infrastructure systems. This will create a knowledge base of simulated dataset to understand the micro-level behaviors of community stakeholders in relation to the societal macro-level sustainability outcomes. The envisaged system will analyze qualitatively and quantitatively the various sustainability indicators to help attain Pareto optimal resource balance in our communities. When successful, this innovative systems framework will provide lifecycle analysis method for estimating the probability distributions of financial cost, loss of service and societal costs, and environmental impacts. This will answer important management questions such as “what should we do?”, “what if we do?’, and “what are the expected societal consequences?”, which will promote informed management and decision making.
Exposure therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder.

Abstract Posttraumatic stress disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by symptoms of persistent reexperiencing of the event, pervasive avoidance of stimuli or thoughts associated with the event, and increased arousal. Furthermore, these symptoms need to persist for longer than one month. Etiological models of PTSD identify the interplay between intrusive thoughts and avoidance behaviors as key factors that maintain the disorder. The actual symptoms or the individuals efforts to cope with them can significantly impair occupational functioning, resulting in costs to society as well as the individual. Fortunately, empirically validated treatments capable of alleviating these difficulties have been developed. Exposure therapy is generally regarded as the standard of care for PTSD. Short-term symptom exacerbation can occur during exposure therapy but this is no less true of other trauma-focused interventions. Furthermore, ample evidence supports the notion that exposure therapy is efficient, cost-effective, and readily implemented. A case example is used to illustrate how exposure therapy can work when treating a client with PTSD. Keyword : Exposure therapy, treating victims, PTSD