cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regional variation in human papillomavirus vaccination uptake and completion among adolescents 13-17 in the state of Texas.

Abstract Background HPV vaccination rates remain low in the United States despite efforts to increase them, although rates vary geographically both at the state and regional level within the United States. This study examines differences in teen HPV vaccination rates and associated sociodemographic factors among six regions in Texas to understand potential variation in smaller regions. These differences may inform planning of local public health interventions aimed at increasing vaccination uptake in teens. Methods We analyzed sociodemographic and vaccination data for a total of 2256 teens 13–17 years old from six regions in Texas using the 2017 National Immunization Survey--Teen (NIS-Teen). We used survey-weighted chi-squared tests to compare demographic characteristics and HPV vaccination initiation and series completion across regions and multivariable robust Poisson regression models to examine the association between region of residence and HPV vaccination outcomes. Results Rates of initiation and completion of the HPV vaccine series varied significantly between six regions in Texas and were both highest in El Paso County and lowest in Dallas County (initiation 82.8% vs 52.5%, P Discussion HPV vaccination uptake varied significantly between six regions in Texas, highlighting the importance of closely examining local regions in public health planning efforts. Intervention efforts should consider the variation in sociodemographic characteristics as well as policy at the regional level to best improve vaccination rates in communities across the nation.
Methylphenidate improves weight control in childhood brain tumor survivors with hypothalamic obesity.

Background Hypothalamic obesity causes unrelenting weight gain for childhood brain tumor survivors. No single therapy has proven effective for treatment. We aimed to evaluate effectiveness of long-term methylphenidate therapy on body mass index (BMI) change in children with hypothalamic obesity. Methods A retrospective analysis included children with a history of brain tumor and hypothalamic obesity receiving methylphenidate (10-60 mg/day) for hypothalamic obesity. Subjects were evaluated for BMI trajectory before and after methylphenidate start. Given that z-scores can be skewed in severely obese children, we calculated BMI as a percent of the BMI at the 95th percentile for the child's age and gender (BMI% 95th). Results Twelve patients with hypothalamic obesity completed methylphenidate therapy for at least 6 months (median 3.1 years, range 1.0-5.8 years). All subjects had a suprasellar tumor (nine [75%] with craniopharyngioma) and pituitary dysfunction. Pretreatment median BMI percent of the 95th percentile was 125.6% (interquartile range [IQR] 25-75: 115.3-138.3%) with BMI z-score of 2.4 (IQR 25-75: 2.1-2.6). Following methylphenidate treatment, there was a 69.9% reduction in the median slope of BMI change. Eleven of 12 patients (92%) had a reduction in the slope of their BMI change on methylphenidate treatment. Postmethylphenidate median BMI percent of the 95th percentile decrease to 115.2% (IQR 25-75: 103.6-121.2%) with median BMI z-score of 2.1 (IQR 25-75: 1.8-2.2). Mild side effects were noted in six patients. Conclusions Methylphenidate use reduced and sustained BMI change in children with hypothalamic obesity. Stimulant therapy is an effective first-line agent for treatment of hypothalamic obesity.
Comparison of Nintendo Wii and PlayStation2 for enhancing laparoscopic skills.

Background and objective The increase in laparoscopic surgery has led to a growing need to train residents in this skill. Virtual reality simulators and box trainers have been used as educational tools outside of the operating room, but both approaches have advantages and disadvantages. Video games have been an area of interest in the search for other modalities to train residents. Experience with the traditional single controller unit video games have been correlated with better surgical skill acquisition. In 2006, Nintendo introduced the Wii, a novel gaming modality that mimics movements in laparoscopy better than traditional games do. Our objective was to compare the Nintendo Wii and PlayStation2 for enhancing laparoscopy skills. Methods The study included stratified randomization of 23 less experienced ( 12 laparoscopy cases per year) and 19 more experienced ( 12 per year) physicians, residents, and medical students to 30 min of Wii versus PlayStation2 in a university-affiliated hospital Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Pre- and posttest bead transfer and suturing scores were obtained. Results Baseline characteristics were similar for both video game groups. Participants assigned to Wii and PlayStation2 both demonstrated significant improvement in bead transfer. Neither Wii nor PlayStation2 participants improved in suturing scores. The Wii group improved more in bead transfer scores when compared to the PlayStation2 group (60 points vs. 40 points, respectively), but this difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions Both Wii and PlayStation2 significantly improved laparoscopic skills in bead transfer. These video games may be inexpensive alternatives to laparoscopy training simulators.
Health Care Utilization and Costs in the Year Prior to Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair.

Background:A majority of cost-control strategies in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR) have been concentrated on the perioperative and post–acute care periods, with the preoperative health care...
Call Me Worthy: Utilizing Storytelling to Reclaim Narratives about Black Middle School Girls Experiencing Inequitable School Discipline

In this year-long ethnographic study, the authors illuminate the narratives and experiences of four black middle school girls who experienced multiple school disciplinary actions including detentio...
Electrically Tunable Terahertz Plasmonic Metasurfaces Employing Multilayer Graphene

We demonstrate electrically tunable terahertz metasurfaces employing multilayer graphene realized by repeated transfer and stacking of monolayer graphene. Such multilayer graphene plasmonic structures exhibit significant increase of plasmonic resonance frequency compared to monolayer graphene structures.
Designing performance-based regulation to enhance industry performance and consumer welfare

Abstract This article provides two observations about the design and implementation of performance-based regulation (PBR). First, PBR delivers stronger incentives for superior performance when the “ratchet effect” is mitigated. Consequently, utilities should be rewarded (penalized) based on their performance relative to external, not internal, benchmarks. Second, even when hindered by limited information, regulators can ensure consumers benefit from PBR by offering utilities a choice among a carefully designed set of regulatory options.
Novel device for sealing perforations following dural puncture

Unintentional dural puncture can lead to post-dural puncture headache. Garcia-Vitoria et al examined the efficacy of a new device that allows sealing a dural puncture. The authors performed their study on an animal model and found a reduction in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak in the group of sheep
Management of splenic platelet sequestration in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

A patient in their 40s presented to the emergency department with 3 weeks of diffuse itching, epistaxis, oral ulcers, gum bleeding, petechiae and ecchymoses (figure 1). Medical history was notable for hypertension. The patient denied any recent illnesses, new medications or recent vaccinations. The patient denied any B symptoms including fevers, night sweats or weight loss. Family history was notable for a maternal cousin and uncle with thrombocytopenia requiring intervention. Figure 1 Lower extremity petechiae and ecchymoses at time of initial presentation. Laboratory workup was notable for white blood coun (WBC) 8.7, hemoglobin 17, platelets <2, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) 275, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) 33, and Coomb’s direct antiglobulin test (DAT) + (anti-A IgG). Antinuclear antibody (ANA), HIV, hepatitis B and C, and COVID-19 were negative. CT abdomen/pelvis did not demonstrate any hepatosplenomegaly. Peripheral smear was notable for an absence of platelets and increased neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes. There was no significant dysplasia or blasts. The patient was treated for presumed idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and pulse-dose intravenous steroids. The platelet count initially improved, but the response was not sustained, and the patient was transferred to our tertiary …
Feature Engineering for Surrogate Models of Consolidation Degree in Additive Manufacturing.

Surrogate models (SM) serve as a proxy to the physics- and experiment-based models to significantly lower the cost of prediction while providing high accuracy. Building an SM for additive manufacturing (AM) process suffers from high dimensionality of inputs when part geometry or tool-path is considered in addition to the high cost of generating data from either physics-based models or experiments. This paper engineers features for a surrogate model to predict the consolidation degree in the fused filament fabrication process. Our features are informed by the physics of the underlying thermal processes and capture the characteristics of the part’s geometry and the deposition process. Our model is learned from medium-size data generated using a physics-based thermal model coupled with the polymer healing theory to determine the consolidation degree. Our results demonstrate high accuracy (>90%) of consolidation degree prediction at a low computational cost (four orders of magnitude faster than the numerical model).
Bretton Woods After 50

This paper reviews the operation of the Bretton Woods international monetary system 50 years after the United States closed the Gold Window linking the dollar to gold in August 1971. It argues that...
Sequences of Analytic Functions

The power series $${a_1}z + {a_2}{z^2} + \cdots + {a_n}{z^n} + \cdots = \omega $$ which converges not only for z = 0 and for which a 1 ≠ 0 establishes a conformai one to one mapping of a certain neighbourhood of z = 0 onto a certain neighbourhood w = 0. Consequently the relationship between z and w can also be represented by the expansion $${b_1}\omega + {a_2}{\omega ^2} + \cdots + {b_n}{\omega ^n} + \cdots = z$$ , a 1 b 1 = 1. To compute the second series from the first we set $$\frac{1}{{{a_1} + {a_2}z + {a_3}{z^2} + \cdots + {a_n}{z^{n - 1}} + \cdots }} = \varphi (z) $$ .
Development and implementation of new nonlinear control concepts for a UA

A reconfigurable flight control method is developed to be implemented on an Unmanned Aircraft (UA), a thirty percent scale model of the Cessna 150. This paper presents the details of the UAV platform, system identification, reconfigurable controller design, development, and implementation on the UA to analyze the performance metrics. A Crossbow Inertial Measurement Unit provides the roll, pitch and yaw accelerations and rates along with the roll and pitch. The 100400 mini-air data boom from spaceage control provides the airspeed, altitude, angle of attack and the side slip angles. System identification is accomplished by commanding preprogrammed inputs to the control surfaces and correlating the corresponding variations at the outputs. A Single Network Adaptive Critic, which is a neural network based optimal controller, is developed as part of a nonlinear flight control system. An online learning neural network is augmented to form an outer loop to reconfigure and supplement the optimal controller to guarantee a "practical stability" for the airplane. This paper also presents some simulations from the hardware-in-the-loop testing and concludes with an analysis of the flight performance metrics for the controller under investigation.
Buyback Programs for Capacity Reduction in the U.S. Atlantic Shark Fishery

Declining fishery stocks, increasing fishing effort and adverse market conditions have produced difficult financial situations for fishermen worldwide. Several high-valued fisheries are considered to be overcapitalized. The purchase and permanent retirement of fishing vessels and/or permits under a buyback program is one approach for reducing fishing capacity. Evidence from previous programs, however, suggests that buybacks are not a panacea for solving overcapacity problems. Whether such programs can help rebuild stocks and improve the financial condition of fleets in any specific fishery depends on a multitude of factors. We consider the potential of a buyback program for the U.S. Atlantic shark fishery.
Measuring Economies of Scale and Scope for the Argentine BankIndustry: A Comparative Analysis, 1996-1999

This paper examines the economies of scale and scope among Argentina's commercial banks following the financial and monetary reforms of the early 1990s by using cross-sectional data of all commercial banks operating in Argentina in years 1996 and 1999. The paper focuses on three well-known measures of scale and scope efficiency; namely, the Ray Scale Economy Measure (Baumol, Panzar, and Willig, 1982), the Expansion Path Scale Economy Measure (Berger, Hanweck and Humphrey, 1987), and the Expansion Path Subadditivity Measure (Berger et al., 1987). A translog cost function and N-1 input share equations are jointly estimated utilizing SUR. Then, coefficient estimates of the cost function are used to construct the efficiency measures for years 1996 and 1999. Estimation results reveal the existence of significant levels of scale economies in both years, although increasing returns turned out to be consistently lower in year 1999, indicating a shift over time towards higher efficiency. On the other hand, there is also evidence of cost superadditivity in both periods, although these measures become statistically significant only for year 1996. Overall, levels of output inefficiency found in this study represent more than ten percent of banking costs, (i.e. two or three times the levels encountered in studies of welldeveloped financial markets like the US banking sector), which raises a question in terms of the sustainability of at least some Argentine banks operating currently.
Women, Ethnicity, and AIDS: What's Love Got to Do with It?

This paper examines the usefulness of relationships as the critical factor in preventing AIDS for women of color. An analysis is offered of the conceptualization of issues, as well as the prevention measures and safe-sex strategies developed for gay men versus women's HIV/AIDS incidence rates. The discussion of similarities demonstrates that gender and culture play a role in the disproportionate negative impact affecting the health status of women of color. The compounding factor of poverty is considered essential to the complex situation in the ethnic minority community, resulting in a lack of public concern and a lack of community responsiveness to these women. Finally, several challenges for health researchers are presented including the need to adopt cultural sensitivity in research efforts, include researchers with an understanding of the ethnic community's perspective, and develop clearer guidelines for risk assessment.
β decay of (38)Ca: sensitive test of isospin symmetry-breaking corrections from mirror superallowed 0+ → 0+ transitions.

We report the first branching-ratio measurement of the superallowed ${0}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{0}^{+}\ensuremath{\beta}$ transition from $^{38}\mathrm{Ca}$. The result, 0.7728(16), leads to an $ft$ value of 3062.3(68) s with a relative precision of $\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2%$. This makes possible a high-precision comparison of the $ft$ values for the mirror superallowed transitions, $^{38}\mathrm{Ca}{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}^{38m}\mathrm{K}$ and $^{38m}\mathrm{K}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}^{38}\mathrm{Ar}$, which sensitively tests the isospin symmetry-breaking corrections required to extract ${V}_{ud}$, the up-down quark-mixing element of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) matrix, from superallowed $\ensuremath{\beta}$ decay. The result supports the corrections currently used and points the way to even tighter constraints on CKM unitarity.
Sialic acid as a tumor marker

The term sialic acid is used to describe derivatives of neuraminic acid, where the amino group of neuraminic acid is substituted by either an acetyl or glycolyl group. The unique structural features of the molecule, which includes a negative charge owing to a carboxyl group, enables it to play a role in cellular functions, such as transport of positively charged compounds, cell-to-cell repulsion, influencing conformation of glycoproteins on cell membranes, and even masking antigenic determinants on receptor molecules. Focus on sialic acid as a tumor marker should be examined from the perspective of aberrant glycosylation in cancer cell membranes owing to activation of new glycosyl transferases that are characteristic of tumor cells, and the role played by sialic acid in tumor cell metastasis including increased capacity to adhere to vascular endothelium, and decreased capacity of cancer cells to be destroyed by host defence mechanisms. The high sensitivity of sialic acid as a tumor marker has been reported in a variety of cancerous conditions. Its specificity, however, is relatively low since there is also an increase in sialic acid-rich glycoproteins in inflammatory diseases. Sialic acid measurements, however, have value in monitoring cancer patients during treatment. A variety of methods are available for the measurement of both total and lipid associated sialic acids in serum or plasma. The newer high performance liquid chromatographic procedures can detect picogram levels of sialic acid and are relatively free of interferences seen with classical procedures.
A student-run IC factory at RIT

Rochester Institute of Technology has established a factory operation within its cleanroom facility. The factory coexists with class laboratory instruction and research. About one lot per week is released into the factory, and processing is completed automatically by paid student operators several weeks later. The customers for the factory are students and faculty involved in VLSI design courses in electrical engineering or computer engineering. Other customers include microelectronic engineering faculty and staff and graduate students from a variety of programs. The factory supports a variety of processes such as NMOS and bipolar. The organization and operation of this factory are described. >
Generator column determination of aqueous solubilities for non-ortho and mono-ortho substituted polychlorinated biphenyls.

Abstract Aqueous solubilities of four non-ortho and eight mono-ortho substituted PCBs were determined using a generator-column technique followed by subsequent off-line GC/ECD analysis of the aqueous solutions. The method is based on pumping water through a column containing glass beads coated with the congener being studied and has been used to measure solubilities at room temperature. The method circumvents many of the experimental difficulties encountered with the traditional shake-flask system. Aqueous solubility of 3,3′,4,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl determined by this procedure is compared with data obtained from the shake-flask method and the computational method. The precision of replicate measurements is better than ±6.5%. Aqueous solubilities determined for 12 congeners ranged from 6.07 × 10−11 to 4.47 × −9 mol/L and generally decreased with molecular weight and increased with degree of ortho-chlorine substitution within a molecular-weight class.
Partitioned IR cell

Abstract This document describes a lead sulphide film detector configuration which is capable of detecting point targets in the presence of cloud-like background more effectively than lead sulphide cells of more conventional design. The results of an experiment which was undertaken to see if small cells of this type could be built and to investigate the background rejection advantage of the partitioned cell are described. The results indicate that partitioned cells are feasible to build by etching techniques. The measurements show that the partitioned cell, indeed, has better background rejection than ordinary cells. The improvement is roughly equivalent to the theoretical predictions.
Superconducting Beam-Transport Magnets for the Bevatron

Author(s): Gilbert, William S.; Meuser, Robert B.; Voelker, Fred; Kilpatrick, Robert A.; Eaton, William F.; Toby, Fred L.; Acker, Robert C.
Genomics and the mechanism of P-glycoprotein (ABCB1).

The development of effective clinical interventions against multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer remains a significant challenge. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) contribute to wide variations in how individuals respond to medications and there are several SNPs in human P-glycoprotein (P-gp) that may influence the interactions of drug-substrates with the transporter. Interestingly, even some of the synonymous SNPs have functional consequences for P-gp. It is also becoming increasingly evident that an understanding of the transport pathway of P-gp may be necessary to design effective modulators. In this review we discuss: (1) The potential importance of SNPs (both synonymous and non-synonymous) in MDR and (2) How new concepts that have emerged from structural studies with isolated nucleotide binding domains of bacterial ABC transporters have prompted biochemical studies on P-gp, leading to a better understanding of the mechanism of P-gp mediated transport. Our results suggest that the power-stroke is provided only after formation of the pre-hydrolysis transition-like (E·S) state during ATP hydrolysis.
Hizbollah–Syrian Intelligence Affairs: A Marriage of Convenience

Since the 1980s, Hizbollah has emerged as the guardian of Lebanon's Shi'a and a stalking horse for Iran. Syria, though allied with Tehran, seeks to manage Hizbollah's freedom of action in Lebanon and is eyed cautiously in Damascus. Hizbollah has managed to maintain independence from these Syrian efforts because of both Lebanese Shi'a religious elan and the protection given Hizbollah by its Shi'a allies in Iran.
Resolution of mixed human DNA samples using mitochondrial DNA sequence variants.

Forensic casework samples routinely contain DNA from multiple contributors [1], posing a challenge to investigators attempting to resolve the components of complex DNA mixtures. Analysis of human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is commonly used in forensic investigations to match evidentiary samples to potential suspects [2,3]. Unique DNA sequences from the hypervariable sequence (HVS) region of the mitochondrial genome (nucleotides 16,024–16,576) from different samples can be compared with known samples to determine if there is a ‘‘match.’’ However, this comparison strategy becomes exponentially complicated with the presence of additional contributors within human DNA samples. Recently, a technique based on denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography was reported for the rapid screening of mtDNA for resolution of mtDNA mixtures and the determination of the number of contributors [4]. Using this approach, ‘‘identity versus nonidentity’’ was accurately determined in less than 7min per sample for 106 pairwise comparisons. Although this approach demonstrates the ability to detect multiple sequences in a mixed sample, and subsequent pairwise comparisons can be used to identify potential contributors, the sequence data themselves are not obtained and it relies on specialized instrumentation that is not routinely available in most forensic laboratories. In addition to forensic applications, sequence analyses of the human mtDNA hypervariable control region have been performed by many investigators as a means of studying the demographic expansion and migration
THE INFLUENCE OF PROTEIN-FREE LIVER AND SPLEEN EXTRACTS ON THE BLOOD REGENERATION AND RESPIRATORY EXCHANGE OF ANEMIC RABBITS

1. Respiratory exchange measurements may be used for gaining further evidence concerning the body changes during anemia, and are complementary to the hematological and histological data. 2. The heat production during anemia was slightly decreased. At the 3rd week it began to rise. 3. A protein-free liver extract has accelerated blood regeneration and at the same time increased the respiratory exchange of anemic animals. 4. A protein-free spleen extract has distinctly lowered the respiratory exchange of normal animals. The metabolism of anemic animals thus treated was practically the same as before bleeding and treatment. The recovery of the spleen extract-treated animals was not complete during the period of observation. This extract may have been somewhat toxic. In spite of this disturbing factor we are not inclined to accept the view of C. D. and E. W. Leake (15) and Thalhimer (16) that the spleen takes part in the stimulating effect upon blood regeneration when given in combination with red bone marrow by mouth.
Control of Virulence by Small RNAs in Streptococcus pneumoniae

Small noncoding RNAs (sRNAs) play important roles in gene regulation in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Thus far, no sRNA has been assigned a definitive role in virulence in the major human pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae. Based on the potential coding capacity of intergenic regions, we hypothesized that the pneumococcus produces many sRNAs and that they would play an important role in pathogenesis. We describe the application of whole-genome transcriptional sequencing to systematically identify the sRNAs of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Using this approach, we have identified 89 putative sRNAs, 56 of which are newly identified. Furthermore, using targeted genetic approaches and Tn-seq transposon screening, we demonstrate that many of the identified sRNAs have important global and niche-specific roles in virulence. These data constitute the most comprehensive analysis of pneumococcal sRNAs and provide the first evidence of the extensive roles of sRNAs in pneumococcal pathogenesis.
Xanthene-Modified and Hangman Iron Corroles

Iron corroles modified with a xanthene scaffold are delivered from easily available starting materials in abbreviated reaction times. These new iron corroles have been spectroscopically examined with particular emphasis on defining the oxidation state of the metal center. Investigation of their electronic structure using 57Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy in conjunction with density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveals the non-innocence of the corrole ligand. Although these iron corroles contain a formal Fe(IV) center, the deprotonated corrole macrocycle ligand is one electron oxidized. The electronic ground state of these complexes is best described as an intermediate spin S = 3/2 Fe(III) site strongly antiferromagnetically coupled to the S = 1/2 of the monoradical dianion corrole [Fe(III)Cl-corrole+•]. We show here that iron corroles as well as xanthene-modified and hangman xanthene iron corroles are redox active and catalyze the disproportionation of hydrogen peroxide via the catalase reaction, and th...
Correlation between alveolar recruitment/derecruitment and inflection points on the pressure-volume curve.

To determine whether individual alveolar recruitment/derecruitment (R/D) is correlated with the lower and upper inflections points on the inflation and deflation limb of the whole-lung pressure-volume (P-V) curve. Prospective experimental study in an animal research laboratory. Five anesthetized rats subjected to saline-lavage lung injury. Subpleural alveoli were filmed continuously using an in vivo microscope during the generation of a whole-lung P-V curve using the super syringe technique. Alveolar R/D was correlated to the calculated inflection points on both limbs of the P-V curve. There was continual alveolar recruitment along the entire inflation limb in all animals. There was some correlation (R 2 = 0.898) between the pressure below which microscopic derecruitment was observed and the upper inflection point on the deflation limb. No correlation was observed between this pressure and the lower inflection point on the inflation limb. In this physiological experiment in lungs with pure surfactant deactivation we found that individual alveolar recruitment measured by direct visualization was not correlated with the lower inflection point on inflation whereas alveolar derecruitment was correlated with alveolar derecruitment on deflation. These data suggest that inflection points on the P-V curve do not always represent a change in alveolar number.
Analysis of specific misreading in Escherichia coli

Abstract The pattern of specific misreading by nonsense suppressors has been investigated using nonsense mutants in the rIIB gene of phage T4 and in the lacZ gene of Escherichia coli . It is shown that a su + transfer RNA which reads UAG also misreads UAA but not UGA, a su + tRNA which reads UAA (while it also reads UAG by wobble) misreads UGA and a su + tRNA which reads UGA also probably misreads UAA but not UAG. These specific types of errors in translation occur in the absence of streptomycin. The addition of the drug raises their level without altering the pattern described. A ribosomal mutation str A reduces the level of specific misreading; by contrast, a ram mutation strongly increases this level. In all cases the specific pattern is not affected. The rate of specific misreading of nonsense codons in different cases ranges from less than 0.001% to more than 3%. Since the frequency of misreading is sitespecific (unpublished observations), the rates obtained cannot be extrapolated to any other codon at any other site.
Biological effects of electromagnetic field exposure: The issues of threshold and credibility

Research into the effects of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure on living systems is certainly not new. The literature abounds with studies detailing EMF-induced effects on whole animals, isolated tissues, cultured cells, and even subcellular systems. Nonetheless, there are those scientists who doubt the existence of many EMF-induced effects, citing, for instance, the belief of many physicists and engineers that the EMF signal intensities employed lie below the threshold at which biological systems should be able to sense and respond to exogenously applied fields. The bioelectromagnetics literature has also been criticized, largely by non-biological scientists, as replete with conflicting and inconsistent studies relating to various specific endpoints (eg., calcium movement across membranes). However, when viewed within the context of reported biological phenomena in general, the bioelectromagnetics literature assumes a greater credibility. Moreover, it is crucial to understand that biological systems are not the uniform, static systems they are presumed to be for modeling. Indeed, biological systems are dynamic, exhibiting time-varying alterations in structure and function. Although insufficient information is available to determine an absolute threshold below which no EMF-induced effects occur, there are sufficient studies of high quality to appreciate the biological and physical conditions of EMF exposure inducing specific biological responses. Hence, this presentation will focus on two areas: (i) describing specific EMF-induced effects and the conditions under which they are observed; and (ii) viewing EMF-induced effects within the context of reported biological science.
Long-term depression in cerebellar Purkinje neurons results from coincidence of nitric oxide and depolarization-induced Ca2+ transients

The role of nitric oxide (NO) in the induction of long-term depression (LTD) in the cerebellum was explored using a new, organic, membrane-impermeant form of caged NO. NO photolytically released inside Purkinje neurons mimicked parallel fiber (PF) activity in synergizing with brief postsynaptic depolarization to induce LTD. Such LTD required a delay of < 50 ms between the end of photolysis and the onset of depolarization, was prevented by intracellular Ca2+ chelation, and was mutually occlusive with LTD conventionally produced by PF activation plus depolarization. Bath application of NO synthase inhibitor or of myoglobin, a NO trap, prevent LTD induction via PF stimulation, but not that from intracellular uncaged NO, whereas intracellular myoglobin blocked both protocols. NO is therefore an anterograde transmitter in LTD induction. A biochemical requirement for simultaneous NO and elevation of intracellular free Ca2+ would explain why PF activity must coincide with postsynaptic action potentials.
Functional identification of calcium binding residues in bovine alpha-lactalbumin

The functional role of previously identified calcium binding residues in alpha-lactalbumin (alpha-LA) was investigated by site-directed mutagenesis. Mutation of D82 to alanine did not effect the binding affinity for calcium, the protein structure, or its function in the lactose synthase assay, suggesting that this aspartate side chain is not essential for calcium binding or structural stabilization. In contrast, mutation of either D87 or D88 to alanine completely eliminated the strong calcium binding and altered alpha-LA as shown by several spectroscopically derived properties such as near- and far-UV CD and intrinsic fluorescence studies. These latter two mutants displayed significantly reduced abilities to stimulate lactose synthase activity (<3.5% of the maximal rate). Additionally, residues K79 and D84, which chelate calcium by backbone carbonyls, were mutated to alanine. K79A lost approximately 50% of its tertiary structure and stability (as determined by CD) but retained full calcium binding activity, indicating that at least the lysine side chain does not influence the carbonyl-mediated calcium coordination. In contrast, D84A lost approximately 25% of its tertiary structure and stability which was accompanied by a modest reduction in calcium affinity. Both mutants were able to stimulate normal lactose synthase activity. The triple mutant, D82A/D87A/D88A alpha-LA, lost its ability to bind calcium, similar to D87A and D88A. These studies clearly demonstrate the importance and variation of side chain interactions, which might be the seminal event in the establishment of the correct calcium binding loop conformation, possibly to stabilization and final folding of the overall protein structure.
Alzheimer's disease: will advances made in the past turn the tide?

2006 marked the 40th year of publication for The Annals. Throughout its history, The Annals has provided important contributions to the development of clinical pharmacy. In 2007, we are continuing to publish articles reflecting on the history of clinical pharmacy through the eyes of practitioners, including those pioneering clinical pharmacy, as well as those who have more recently entered the profession and a well-established specialty. In addition, we are presenting articles and editorials from the early history of The Annals that have given direction and shape to the practice of clinical pharmacy (see page 1499).
Surface reaction studies of water and oxygen with polycrystalline Ni3Fe: evidence of water dissociation to produce hydrogen and its suppression by oxygen coadsorption

Abstract The interaction of water vapor and oxygen with polycrystalline Ni3Fe has been studied by Auger electron spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and thermal desorption. Water adsorbs molecularly on the surface at or below 150 K. Between 150 and 200 K, some adsorbed water molecules desorb in vacuum, while others dissociate into hydroxyls, atomic oxygen, and hydrogen. XPS studies suggest iron to be the active species in controlling the dissociation of water on polycrystalline Ni3Fe surface. Water dissociation into atomic hydrogen is greatly suppressed by the presence of small concentrations of oxygen in water vapor.
Molecular architecture of collagen fibrils: A critical length scale for tough fibrils

Abstract Protein materials constitute Nature’s most intriguing material concepts, leading to multi-functional and stimuli responsive materials. Such materials often feature a characteristic hierarchical design, which is characterized by structural features starting at nanoscale. Here we review recent studies of deformation of collagen, Nature’s most abundant structural protein material forming the basis of bone, tendon and skin. We have discovered that a specific nanostructural design with molecular lengths of 200 nm leads to the strongest possible ultra-structure that is still capable of dissipating large amounts of energy before fracture occurs, maximizing the toughness of the material [M.J. Buehler, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 103 (2006) 12285]. The analysis explains prevalent molecular length scales observed in tendon, bone and the eye’s cornea, and explains how molecular properties influence the deformation and fracture mechanics of tissues.
Analysis of Tissue Plasminogen Activator Eligibility by Sex in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Stroke Study

Background and Purpose—Sex differences in recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (r-tPA) administration are present in some populations. It is unknown whether this is because of eligibility differences or the modifiable exclusion criterion of severe hypertension. Our aim was to investigate sex differences in r-tPA eligibility, in individual exclusion criteria, and in the modifiable exclusion criterion, hypertension. Methods—We included all ischemic stroke patients ≥18 years among residents of the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region who presented to 16-area emergency departments in 2005. Eligibility for r-tPA and individual exclusion criteria were determined using 2013 American Heart Association (AHA) and European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study (ECASS) III guidelines. Results—Of 1837 ischemic strokes, 58% were women, 24% were black. Mean age in years was 72.2 for women and 66.1 for men. Eligibility for r-tPA was similar by sex (6.8% men and 6.1% women; P=0.55), even after adjusting for age (...
Real-Time Optical Hough Transform for Industrial Inspection

We describe a real-time optical Hough transform (HT) inspection system and show quantitative inspection results using an industrial inspection application. The HT architecture uses an electronically addressed liquid crystal television (LCTV) as the real-time spatial light modulator, a novel selective edge-enhancement filtering technique, and realizes multiple slices of the HT with a computer generated hologram. The industrial case study of the inspection of cigarette packages is used to benchmark the HT processor. A test set of 100 packages is presented to the processor to qualify its effectiveness. The statistical significance of these finite test set results is also examined.
Athletic Training Approved Clinical Instructors' Reports of Real-Time Opportunities for Evaluating Clinical Proficiencies

Abstract Context: Appropriate methods for evaluating clinical proficiencies are essential to ensuring entry-level competence in athletic training. Objective: To identify the methods Approved Clinic...
Chemical grafting for improved interfacial shear strength in UHMWPE/PVA-hydrogel fiber-based composites used as soft fibrous tissue replacements

Fiber-reinforced hydrogel composites offer a unique advantage for soft fibrous tissue applications due to their ability to reproduce the anisotropic property distribution present within these tissues. As for many composite materials, the fiber–matrix interface of hydrogel composites can severely limit composite performance. In particular, the fiber–hydrogel interface for poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel composites reinforced with ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers was extremely poor due to the innate hydrophobicity of UHMWPE. To improve interfacial adhesion, a novel biocompatible PVA grafting technique utilizing oxygen plasma treatments to activate fiber surfaces was developed to form a direct covalent linkage at the fiber–matrix interface. Grafting was confirmed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Chemical grafting was tailored as a function of the number of sites available for covalent bonding and the percentage of sites reacted. Interfacial adhesion was determined for a range of grafting conditions using a single fiber pull-out test. PVA grafting resulted in significant improvements to interfacial shear strength from 11 kPa without any treatment to above 220 kPa following grafting. In some cases after grafting, failure was observed in tension within the fibers indicating the UHMWPE–PVA interface was successfully optimized. The results of this study can be used as a model for developing similar grafting techniques for other hydrogel-based composite systems.
Materials corrosion in molten LiF–NaF–KF salt

Abstract Corrosion tests of high temperature alloys, Hastelloy-N, Hastelloy-X, Haynes-230, Inconel-617, and Incoloy-800H were performed in molten fluoride salt, FLiNaK (LiF–NaF–KF:46.5–11.5–42 mol%) with the goal of understanding the corrosion mechanisms and ranking these alloys for their suitability for molten fluoride salt heat exchanger and thermal storage applications. The tests were performed at 850 °C for 500 h in sealed graphite crucibles under an argon cover gas. Corrosion was noted to occur predominantly by dealloying of Cr from the alloys, an effect that was particularly pronounced at the grain boundaries of these alloys. Weight-loss due to corrosion generally correlated with the initial Cr-content of the alloys, and was consistent with the Cr-content measured in the salts after corrosion tests. Two Cr-free alloys, Ni-201 and Nb–1Zr, were also tested. Ni-201, a nearly pure Ni alloy with minor alloying additions, exhibited good resistance to corrosion, whereas Nb–1Zr alloy exhibited extensive corrosion attack. The graphite crucible may have accelerated the corrosion process by promoting the formation of carbide phases on the walls of the test crucibles, but did not alter the basic corrosion mechanism.
A REVIEW OF RESEARCH METHODS IN ONLINE AND BLENDED BUSINESS EDUCATION: 2000-2009.

The article assesses the state of research methods used in studies of online and blended learning in the business disciplines with the goal of recommending adjustments to research approaches and to identify opportunities for meaningful future research. A search for peer-reviewed articles about online learning in business courses that were published after January 1, 2000 was conducted, which included the databases ABI/Inform, Business Full Text, Business Source Elite and Lexis/Nexis Business. An in-depth research on the online learning sector with studies testing for the effect of online learning approaches and student attitudes on learning success was discovered.
A three-dimensional numerical study of turbulence in homogeneous fluids

Abstract Results are reported from computations of homogeneous, nearly isotropic turbulence using a low resolution three-dimensional numerical model with subgrid-scale closure. Both the nonlinear eddy viscosity closure of Smagorinsky and a modified second-order closure involving solution of a prognostic equation for the subgrid-scale kinetic energy are tested in a 20 3 grid-point model. A higher resolution 32 3 model is exercised to examine the effects of changes in model constants and in grid-point resolution. It is shown, based on comparisons of the turbulence energy spectra, that calculations using the nonlinear eddy viscosity formulation are extremely sensitive to variations in the constant. It is also concluded that little is to be gained from the use of second-order closure in problems where stratification is unimportant. This is not inconsistent with results from a previous study by the authors of thermal convection in the planetary boundary layer. From that study it was concluded that some form of second-order closure is essential in stratified turbulence calculations.
Community Based Heroin Addicts Who Turn to Experimental Treatment Rather Than Conventional Care

In this paper we report on a community based sample of heroin addicts not in addction treatment who reponded to the offer of experimental treatment (buprenorphine) for heroin addiction. Comparison to a sample of methadone maintenance clients from the same geographic area reveals that on average the community sample began heroin use later, attained a higher level of education, and were more likely to have had a significance cohabitation relationship. The methadone maintenance sample, on the other hand, reported significantly greater regular use of drugs of abuse other than heroin. Each group may represent a different subgroup drawn from the heterogeneous heroin-addicted population. Implications for improved recruitment into treatment and enhanced treatment design are drawn from these findings.
Differential diagnosis of central retinal vein obstruction.

Abstract When obstruction of the central retinal vein presents in its florid hemorrhagic form, with disc edema and myriad, widespread retinal hemorrhages, there can be little doubt as to the proper diagnosis. However, when obstruction is incomplete, there may be confusion as to terminology, etiology, and proper treatment. "Venous-stasis retinopathy" was the term used in the early 1960s to describe the ophthalmoscopic changes recognized as resulting from the chronic ischemic changes induced by severe occlusive disease of the carotid artery. In the late 1970s, others began to use the term "venousstasis retinopathy" to describe the incomplete or nonflorid type of central vein obstruction. These two conditions, although similar in appearance, have differences that allow their differentiation. The main differentiating feature is that the retinal artery pressure, as measured by ophthalmodynamometry or oculopneumoplethysmography, is always low in the retinopathy of carotid occlusive disease. These two conditions must be differentiated in order to manage the retinopathy properly as well as to recognize the potential for neurologic catastrophe.
The L63 Gene Is Necessary for the Ecdysone- Induced 63E Late Puff and Encodes CDK Proteins Required for Drosophila Development

The pulse of ecdysone that triggers Drosophila metamorphosis activates six early genes in a primary response made visible by polytene chromosome puffs. The secondary response is detected by the induction of over 100 late puffs, only a few of which have been subject to molecular genetic analysis. We present a molecular and mutational analysis of the L63 gene responsible for the late puff at 63E. This gene contains overlapping L63A, B, and C transcription units of which the A unit encodes two isoforms and the B unit three. The C unit, which exhibits little activity, encodes one of the B isoforms. Evidence that L63B, but not L63A, transcription is ecdysone responsive derives from their developmental transcription profiles and from P-element mutagenesis showing that ecdysone induction of the 63E puff requires sequences adjacent to the 5* end of L63B but not those adjacent to the 5* end of L63A. L63-specific lethal mutations showed that L63 is required not only for metamorphosis, but also maternally and for embryonic and larval development. The L63 proteins contain a common C-terminal 294-aa sequence that is 71% identical to the CDK sequence of the murine PFTAIRE protein. In vivo tests of L63 proteins altered by site-directed mutagenesis showed that they exhibit CDK functions. L63 proteins are widely distributed among late larval and prepupal tissues and are unlikely to be involved in cell cycle functions.