cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of prostaglandin E2 injection on the structural properties of the rat patellar tendon

Increased tendon production of the inflammatory mediator prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) has been suggested to be a potential etiologic agent in the development of tendinopathy. Repeated injection of PGE2 into tendon has been proposed as a potential animal model for studying treatments for tendinopathy. In contrast, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which inhibit PGE2 production and are commonly prescribed in treating tendinopathy have been shown to impair the healing of tendon after acute injury in animal models. The contradictory literature suggests the need to better define the functional effects of PGE2 on tendon. Our objective was to characterize the effects of PGE2 injection on the biomechanical and biochemical properties of tendon and the activity of the animals. Our hypothesis was that weekly PGE2 injection to the rat patellar tendon would lead to inferior biomechanical properties. Forty rats were divided equally into four groups. Three groups were followed for 4 weeks with the following peritendinous injection procedures: No injection (control), 4 weekly injections of saline (saline), 4 weekly injections of 800 ng PGE2 (PGE2-4 wks). The fourth group received 4 weekly injections of 800 ng PGE2 initially and was followed for a total of 8 weeks. All animals were injected bilaterally. The main outcome measurements included: the structural and material properties of the patellar tendon under tensile loading to failure, tendon collagen content, and weekly animal activity scores. The ultimate load of PGE2-4 wks tendons at 4 weeks was significantly greater than control or saline group tendons. The stiffness and elastic modulus of the PGE2 injected tendons at 8 weeks was significantly greater than the control or saline tendons. No differences in animal activity, collagen content, or mean fibril diameter were observed between groups. Four weekly peritendinous injections of PGE2 to the rat patellar tendon were not found to be an effective model of clinical tendinopathy. In contrast, improved structural and material properties of the patellar tendon were found after PGE2 injection. While PGE2 has been thought to have a contributory role in the development of tendinopathy and anti-inflammatory medications remain a common treatment, our results suggest a positive role of PGE2 in tendon remodeling in some circumstances.
Efficient testability enhancement for combinational circuit

We propose a novel testability enhancement scheme based on XOR Chain Structure. The structure is effective for improving both controllability and observability. The insertion points are selected by fast testability analysis and random pattern resistant node source tracking. Experiments with ISCAS85 benchmark circuits show that the scheme is effective. The incurred hardware overhead and performance penalty is relatively low.
Some maps of isanomalies in energy balance climatology

A series of world maps of isanomalies of annual and seasonal global radiation, net radiation, latent heat flux, sensible heat flux, maps of residuals from regression, radiation efficiency, and the Bowen Ratio have been constructed on the data base ofBudyko's Atlas of the Heat Balance of the Earth, 1963. Among the major features observed was the dissimilarity in patterns of isanomalies for the eastern and western sectors of the world's semi-permanent subtropical highs and the great difference between oceanic and continental surfaces.
Location systems for ubiquitous computing

This survey and taxonomy of location systems for mobile-computing applications describes a spectrum of current products and explores the latest in the field. To make sense of this domain, we have developed a taxonomy to help developers of location-aware applications better evaluate their options when choosing a location-sensing system. The taxonomy may also aid researchers in identifying opportunities for new location-sensing techniques.
Unresponsiveness to Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone (TRH) in Treated Graves' Hyperthyroidism and in Euthyroid Graves' Disease

ABSTRACT Sixteen euthyroid patients with Graves' disease were given 1000 μg of thyrotropinreleasing hormone (TRH) intravenously and changes in serum thyrotropin (TSH) concentrations were measured. In the same patients, before the time of TRH injection, serum thyroxine, serum free thyroxine, serum triiodothyronine and serum free triiodothyronine concentrations as well as thyroxine turnover were determined. Six patients had not previously been hyperthyroid as far as could be ascertained, and 10 had become euthyroid after treatment for hyperthyroidism. Five of the 16 patients did not respond to intravenous TRH with a rise in serum TSH concentration. The mean values for serum thyroxine, serum free thyroxine, serum triiodothyronine, serum free triiodothyronine and thyroxine turnover for the 5 TRH nonresponsive patients were not statistically different from those in the 11 TRH-responsive patients. In addition, a dissociation between thyroidal suppressibility and TRH responsiveness was observed in several patien...
Interethnic Differences in Genetic Polymorphisms of CYP2D6 in the U.S. Population: Clinical Implications

DNA polymorphisms have been identified in the genes encoding a number of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, leading to wide interindividual variation in drug clearance. CYP2D6 metabolizes a significant number of clinically used medications, and genetic variants of the CYP2D6 isozyme that result in varying levels of metabolic activity are of clinical importance in some settings. The exact nature of the clinical effect caused by polymorphisms of the gene depends on the drug in question and the specific variant alleles expressed, as individual variants result in differing phenotypes with a range of levels of enzymatic activity. Compromised drug efficacy due to CYP2D6 variation has been documented with a variety of agents, and this review considers a number of examples, including the 5-HT(3)-receptor antagonists, which are used in oncology supportive care for the prophylaxis of nausea and vomiting. CYP2D6 is involved in the metabolism of all of the most commonly available agents, except granisetron, and their efficacy and side effects may therefore be affected by the CYP2D6 polymorphism. Significant interethnic differences in CYP2D6 allele frequencies have been demonstrated from studies across many countries. However, incidences of polymorphisms in the U.S. population have been challenging to characterize because of the country's wide ethnic diversity. The CYP2D6 polymorphism may become more important as robust clinical tests become widely available and as the use of multiple medications and the attendant risk for drug-drug interactions increases.
A Case Study of Principal Leadership in an Effective Inclusive School

This investigation examined the role of the principal in school change during the current era of high-stakes accountability. Qualitative methods were used to conduct a case study of one principal who had a record of success in leading school change efforts and developing a model inclusive program in his school. The results of the case study revealed that the principal viewed his primary role as “lubricating the human machinery,” or providing support for teachers so that they could do their best work. He enacted this role by nurturing and caring for his staff, buffering his faculty from external pressures associated with high-stakes accountability, providing high-quality professional development, and ensuring that teachers had opportunities to assume leadership roles in the school. The implications of these findings for practice are discussed.
Attribution of Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection to Primary Versus Non-Primary Maternal Infection

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a leading cause of developmental disabilities. In the United States during the period 1988-1994, approximately one-quarter of congenital CMV infections were attributable to primary maternal infection (n = 8772), and three-quarters were attributable to non-primary maternal infection (n = 29,918). Effective prevention strategies need to be developed for both primary and non-primary maternal infections.
The role of corticosteroids in the regulation of vascular tone

Time for primary review 31 days. Disease states resulting from excesses of circulating (adreno)corticosteroids include primary hyperaldosteronism, renal artery stenosis, ACTH-secreting tumors, and administration of glucocorticoids for treatment of other diseases. Hypertension is commonly associated with these diseases. Although renal sodium retention and intravascular volume overload contribute to the attendant hypertension, especially early in the course of the disease, a non-renal mechanism (increase in peripheral vascular resistance) is involved in the development and maintenance of hypertension. The concept of non-renal actions of corticosteroids in the development of hypertension stems from a seminal report in which Langford and Snavely [1]demonstrated that deoxycorticosterone acetate raised blood pressure in dogs and rats devoid of renal mass. In addition, corticosteroids in lesser amounts are essential for the maintenance of peripheral vascular resistance in healthy persons. This review details the proposed mechanisms by which corticosteroids maintain and, in excess, enhance vascular tone. If corticosteroids indeed regulate vascular tone, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), the vasoactive element of the vasculature, should contain specific receptor molecules for corticosteroids. Classically, corticosteroid receptors are considered to be members of the steroid receptor superfamily of ligand-dependent transcription factors [2]. Radioligand binding studies have defined two distinct cytosolic corticosteroid receptors. Type I (mineralocorticoid) receptors bind with greatest affinity to aldosterone, deoxycorticosterone or corticosterone and with less affinity to the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone. In contrast, type II (glucocorticoid) receptors bind with greatest affinity to dexamethasone and with less affinity to aldosterone, deoxycorticosterone or corticosterone. There is significant base sequence homology between these receptors. Corticosteroid receptors possess highly conserved regions that are necessary for ligand binding, receptor dimerization, nuclear translocation, DNA binding and transactivation (recruiting accessory proteins so that transcription will initiate). The genes for the rat [3, 4]and human [5, 6]mineralocorticoid receptor and the human [7]glucocorticoid receptor … * Tel.: +843-792-4122; fax: +843-792-8399; e-mail: ullianme@musc.edu
Dihydrofolate Reductase Activity in Strains of Streptococcus faecium var. durans Resistant to Methasquin and Amethopterin

Resistance to the antifolates methasquin and amethopterin has been studied in new strains of Streptococcus faecium var. durans. Two methasquin-resistant strains (SF/MQ, SF/MQT) and an amethopterin-resistant strain (SF/AM) were selected independently from the wild-type S. faecium var. durans (SF/O). SF/MQT is a thymine auxotroph. Total dihydrofolate reductase activity was elevated in each of the resistant strains. The greatest increase (36-fold) was observed in extracts of SF/AM. The methasquin-resistant strains, SF/MQ and SF/MQT, had 29-fold and 8-fold, respectively, more dihydrofolate reductase activity than the parental strain. Total dihydrofolate reductase activity of SF/O was separable by gel filtration into two components: a folate reductase (11%) and a specific dihydrofolate reductase (89%). Folate reductase activity was associated with 88% of the total dihydrofolate reductase activity of SF/MQT, with specific dihydrofolate reductase activity accounting for the remaining 12%. In SF/MQ and SF/AM, folate reductase activity was associated with 97% of the total dihydrofolate reductase activity. Studies of the inhibition by methasquin and amethopterin of partially purified folate reductase and specific dihydrofolate reductase of the mutant strains suggested that resistance was not accompanied by changes in the affinities of these enzymes for either antifolate.
Re-Imagining Christian Higher Education: Hope for the Future

When the editorial board first selected the topic of this special theme issue of the journal, it was with a keen sense of the challenges facing Christian higher education, but also the many opportu...
Foreign Judgments and the Freedom of Speech: Look Who's Talking

How do the conflicts principles adopted by the Uniform Foreign Money-Judgments Recognition Act apply in the context of constitutional principles of the dignity and primacy of the First Amendment? Resolving this problem first requires discerning the scope of the First Amendment -- what and whose speech does it protect. Second, it requires establishing how conflicts law accounts for forum law when considering foreign judgments.Part I of this Article examines the freedom of speech protected by the First Amendment and argues that the freedom is one belonging to the American people when exercising their sovereignty. Part II reviews Bachchan v. India Abroad Publications, Inc., and the analysis that led the court to hold that the Free Speech Clause bars enforcement of an English defamation award. Part III explores the public policy exception to the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments, and discerns two separate approaches to the exception. Part IV synthesizes the discussion of the First Amendment, Bachchan, and the conflict of laws, suggesting that Bachchan misconstrued the First Amendment, the Recognition Act, or both.
Counting on Quality: The Effects of Merits Brief Quality on Supreme Court Opinion Content

Many legal scholars, academics, and practitioners contend that the quality of merits briefs matters little in the United States Supreme Court. According to this logic by the time a case has reached the Supreme Court, the facts are already clear from the record and experts have meticulously prepared briefs particularly tailored to meet the Justices’ informational needs. This article sets forth a different thesis; specifically that merits brief quality matters even at the upper-echelon of the U.S. Courts. The results of this article show that merits brief quality affects both case outcomes and the amount of language Supreme Court’s opinions share with merits briefs even after controlling for Supreme Court litigation expertise. Due to the lack of existing empirical scholarship on the effects of brief quality, this article has two objectives. First, it develops a conceptualization of brief quality that can be reliably measured. Second, it tests whether the quality of briefs matters by looking both at how this affects case outcomes and the Justices and clerks’ likelihood of adopting language from merits briefs in the Court’s opinions. To do this, the article develops a new measure to gauge brief quality and to make comparisons between briefs. The dataset created for this article consists of 9,498 Supreme Court merits briefs from the 1946 through the 2013 terms.
Effect of starchy or fibrous carbohydrate supplementation of orchardgrass on ruminal fermentation and methane output in continuous culture

A 4-unit dual-flow continuous culture fermentor system was used to assess the effects of supplementing orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) with 2 levels [5 and 10% of total dry matter (DM) fed] of starchy (barley grain, BAR) or fibrous (beet pulp, BP) carbohydrate sources on nutrient digestibility, volatile fatty acid (VFA) production, bacterial protein synthesis, and CH4 output. Treatments were randomly assigned to fermentors in a 4×4 Latin square design with a 2×2 factorial arrangement using 7 d for microbial adaptation and 3 d for sample collection. Treatments included (1) 57g of DM orchardgrass + 3g of DM BAR, (2) 54g of DM orchardgrass + 6g of DM BAR, (3) 57g of DM orchardgrass + 3g of DM BP, or (4) 54g of DM orchardgrass + 6g of DM BP. Feedings occurred at 0900, 1030, 1400, and 1900h throughout four 10-d periods. Gas samples for CH4 analysis were collected 6 times daily at 0725, 0900, 1000, 1355, 1530, and 1630h. Fermentor samples for pH, NH3-N, and VFA analysis were taken on d 8, 9, and 10. Samples were also analyzed for DM, organic matter, crude protein, purines, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber to determine nutrient digestibilities and estimation of bacterial protein synthesis. Apparent and true DM and organic matter digestibilities were not affected by supplement source. Apparent neutral and acid detergent fiber digestibilities were greater for BAR than BP. Conversely, apparent crude protein digestibility was greater for BP than BAR. Mean and maximum pH tended to be greatest for BAR than BP. Minimum pH was greater at the lower level (5% of diet DM) of supplementation. Barley produced greater concentrations of total VFA and acetate, whereas BP had greater daily outputs of CH4. Significant supplement type × level interactions were found for bacterial N flow and efficiency. Overall, supplementing orchardgrass with BP improved crude protein digestibility, reduced fiber digestibility and total VFA concentration, but increased CH4 output compared with BAR.
Buffer Effects in the Kinetics of Concerted Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer: The Electrochemical Oxidation of Glutathione Mediated by [IrCl6]2–at Variable Buffer pKa and Concentration

The oxidation of glutathione (GSH) by the electrogenerated mediator [IrCl6]2- in the presence of bases (B) to produce the radical GS•, [IrCl6]3- and BH+, was studied by cyclic voltammetry in buffered and unbuffered solution using glassy carbon electrodes. This proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) is the first step in the oxidation of GSH to produce the disulfide GSSG. The reaction exhibits a slight acceleration of the rate when the phosphate buffer (PB) concentration is raised at constant pH (5.0 or 7.0). The evidence indicates that proton acceptors whose conjugate acids have a pKa lower than GSH (8.7) but higher than GSH•+ can catalyze the reaction even though direct deprotonation of GSH is thermodynamically unfavorable. The value of kobs at 0.005 M of PBpH = 7.0 was equal to 4.3 ± 0.7 × 104 M–1 s–1 whereas at 0.200 M, was 2.56 ± 0.03 × 105 M–1 s–1. A kinetic isotope effect (KIE) dependent on [PB] was observed at pD 7.0, confirming that the S–H bond breaks during the rate-determining step. The predomi...
Pastoral pushback in the age of automation: US 1950s rustication narratives

ABSTRACTThis paper documents a connection between the growth of activist environmentalism in the 1950s and the popular literature, fiction and nonfiction, which encourages or dramatizes “rustication,” deplacement to rural locations, by individuals and families. It exemplifies the portrayal of this deplacement through discussion of fictional nostalgia for environmentally undamaged living places, and then chronicling the rich literature of guidebook and memoir describing and urging movement outward, from urban to suburban to true pastoral living, and beyond.
Reactions of Late Lanthanide Metal Atoms and Methanol in Solid Argon: A Matrix Isolation Infrared Spectroscopic and Theoretical Study

The reactions of laser-ablated late lanthanide atoms and methanol were studied using matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy and electronic structure calculations at the density functional theory level. Both terbium and lutetium atoms react with methanol spontaneously to form the CH3OTbH and CH3OLuH insertion products, which react further with another methanol molecule to give the Tb(OCH3)2 and Lu(OCH3)2 products as found previously for uranium. The reactions of Dy through Yb and methanol first produce Ln(CH3OH) complexes during sample annealing, which isomerize to the CH3OLnH insertion products on visible irradiation. The Ln–H stretching frequencies of the CH3OLnH molecules exhibit a unique trend from Tb to Lu, which is also reproduced by theoretical calculations at the B3LYP level of theory. Although the CH3LnOH molecules are predicted to be more stable than the O–H bond insertion products, formation of the C–O bond insertion isomers is kinetically prohibited as revealed by calculated potential energy su...
Toward Marketing Education Professionalism in Business: Needs and Segments of Real Estate Professionals

Real estate practitioners, located through the United States, comprise a significant sector of the nation’s business population. The topic of professional developmental programs surfaces at numerous meetings of real estate marketing and management groups. This paper summarizes an investigation to determine the needs and preferences of real estate professionals in the state of Arkansas. Such information should enable education program sponsors to offer presentations that will be appealing to the profession, and will prove to be successful when offered.
Rapid analysis of trace drugs and metabolites using a thermal desorption DART-MS configuration

The need to analyze trace narcotic samples rapidly for screening or confirmatory purposes is of increasing interest to the forensic, homeland security, and criminal justice sectors. This work presents a novel method for the detection and quantification of trace drugs and metabolites off of a swipe material using a thermal desorption direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (TD-DART-MS) configuration. A variation on traditional DART, this configuration allows for desorption of the sample into a confined tube, completely independent of the DART source, allowing for more efficient and thermally precise analysis of material present on a swipe. Over thirty trace samples of narcotics, metabolites, and cutting agents deposited onto swipes were rapidly differentiated using this methodology. The non-optimized method led to sensitivities ranging from single nanograms to hundreds of picograms. Direct comparison to traditional DART with a subset of the samples highlighted an improvement in sensitivity by a factor of twenty to thirty and an increase in reproducibility, measuring integrated area of the base peak, sample to sample from approximately 45% RSD to less than 15% RSD. Rapid extraction-less quantification was also possible.
Twenty-year changes in riparian bird communities of east-central Oregon

Riparian zones in the semi-arid West are disproportionately important habitats for both breeding birds and agricultural operations. Despite growing interest in studying avian–habitat relationships to inform land management decisions, few studies have described temporal changes in riparian bird communities. We compared indices of avian abundance and diversity from 3 streamside vegetation associations in east-central Oregon during May–June 2014 with indices from 1993–1994. Our objectives were to identify patterns of change in the avian community with a focus on riparian shrub-dependent species, re-examine previously reported relationships between avian abundance and vegetation volume, and identify possible causes of declines in bird abundance and diversity. We combined historical field protocols to survey birds and measure riparian vegetation with modern analytical techniques. We found few differences in species richness between study periods but documented approximately 30% species turnover. Increases in diversity were driven by increased detections of grassland and wetland bird species and increased evenness due to precipitous declines in detections for 2 of 3 riparian shrub–dependent focal species (i.e., Yellow Warbler [Setophaga petechia] and Willow Flycatcher [Empidonax traillii]). Detections of Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia), our third focal species, declined by a smaller margin. Large changes in detections of riparian shrub–dependent species did not reflect trends in mesic shrub cover or volume, which had been identified as likely drivers of obligate species abundance. Focal species' declines reflected regional Breeding Bird Survey trends, corroborating our finding that their declines were not a result of changes in local site conditions. Our findings suggest that managing lands to increase wetness and extent of riparian zones can be beneficial for grassland and wetland bird species. However, managing for riparian shrub cover or volume, important metrics of grazing intensity and riparian system health, may be insufficient to conserve riparian shrub–dependent birds because other unidentified local and/or regional factors are likely contributing to habitat suitability of riparian shrub–dependent birds.
18 Hydrogen sulfide stimulates human myometrial angiogenesis: Influence of endogenous estrogens

Introduction Angiogenesis regulates myometrial spiral artery expansion and remodeling that are key mechanisms for upregulating uterine blood flow during pregnancy. Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), mainly synthesized from l -cysteine by cystathionine-beta synthase (CBS) and cystathionine-gamma lyase (CSE), is a potent vasodilator and proangiogenic factor. However, it is unknown if pregnancy regulates H 2 S biosynthesis and if H 2 S plays a role in myometrial angiogenesis. Hypothesis Correlating with endogenous estrogens during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy, H 2 S biosynthesis is augmented to stimulate myometrial angiogenesis in vivo and in vitro. Methods Myometrial tissues were obtained from hysterectomies from women with different endogenous estrogens ( n = 5–7/group), including late pregnant (very high estrogen), premenopausal proliferative (high estrogen) and secretory (low estrogen) of the menstrual cycle, and postmenopausal (very low estrogen). Tissue levels of CBS and CSE mRNA and protein were determined by real-time qPCR and immunoblotting, respectively. Tissue sections were analyzed by immunofluorescence microscopy with antibodies of CBS or CSE with an endothelial marker protein CD31. Images were analyzed for quantifying cellular CBS and CSE protein expression and angiogenesis index. Primary myocytes and microvascular endothelial cells (hMMEC) were enzymatically isolated for in vitro angiogenesis assays. Results Myometrial H 2 S levels and angiogenesis index were greatest in association with significant upregulation of CBS but not CSE mRNA and protein and elevated estrogens in pregnant vs. non-pregnant women. CBS protein was localized in myocytes and microvessels. A slow releasing H 2 S donor significantly stimulated hMMEC proliferation, migration and tube formation in vitro (in vivo angiogenesis). Co-culture with myocytes also stimulated hMMEC migration in vitro, which was blocked by a specific inhibitor of CBS. Conclusion Pregnancy augmented H 2 S biosynthesis due to enhanced CBS expression in myocytes and microvessels stimulates myometrial angiogenesis in the presence of elevated estrogens during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy (Funded by NIH RO1 HL70562 and R21 HL98746).
Therapeutic effects of the ketogenic diet in children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the ketogenic diet (KD) on the clinical and electroencephalographic (EEG) features of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) and explore the relationships between EEG changes and clinical efficacy. Methods We retrospectively studied 47 patients with LGS who accepted KD therapy between May 2011 and May 2015. Clinical efficacy and EEG features such as background activity, abnormal interictal epileptic discharges (IEDs) and the discharge location were evaluated prior to and at 3 and 6 months after therapy. Responders were defined as ≥50% seizure reduction. Results At 3 months of treatment, 23 patients (48.9%) had ≥50% seizure reduction. Seven patients (14.9%) discontinued treatment between 3 and 6 months because of lack of efficacy or inability to adhere to the diet. At 6 months of treatment, 4 patients (10%) were seizure free, 5 (12.5%) had ≥90% seizure reduction, 12 (30%) had a reduction of 50–89%, and 19 (47.5%) had Conclusions The results show that the KD is effective in LGS. It can control seizures and improve EEG abnormalities. Early improvement in the EEG background and a reduction in IEDs may be predictors of a patient’s response to diet.
Photobleaching kinetics-based bead encoding for multiplexed bioassays

Multiplexing bead-based bioassays requires that each type of microsphere be uniquely encoded to distinguish one type from another. Microspheres are typically encoded using fluorescent dyes with different spectral properties and varying concentrations. However practical limits exist on the number of dyes that can be spectrally resolved or the number of distinguishable intensity levels with each dye. To expand the number of encoding levels, a novel method was developed that incorporates photobleaching kinetics into bead decoding, unlocking additional multiplexing levels unattainable by conventional decoding methods. To demonstrate this technique, beads were encoded with two dyes having overlapping fluorescence excitation and emission wavelengths but different photostabilities. All beads initially exhibited similar fluorescence intensities; however, following appropriate photoexposure, the less photostable dye had reduced emission intensity due to photobleaching. By comparing the original fluorescence emission intensity to that obtained after photobleaching, multiple different populations could be reliably identified. Using only a single excitation/emission band, two different initial intensity levels were optimized to produce six uniquely identifiable bead populations whereas only two could have been achieved with conventional decoding methods. Incorporation of this encoding strategy into bead-based microwell array assays significantly increases the number of encoding levels available for multiplexed assays without increasing the complexity of the imaging instrumentation.
Preemptive Panel-Based Pharmacogenetic Testing: The Time is Now

While recent discoveries have paved the way for the use of genotype-guided prescribing in some clinical environments, significant debate persists among clinicians and researchers about the optimal approach to pharmacogenetic testing in clinical practice. One crucial factor in this debate surrounds the timing and methodology of genotyping, specifically whether genotyping should be performed reactively for targeted genes when a single drug is prescribed, or preemptively using a panel-based approach prior to drug prescribing. While early clinical models that employed a preemptive approach were largely developed in academic health centers through multidisciplinary efforts, increasing examples of pharmacogenetic testing are emerging in community-based and primary care practice environments. However, educational and practice-based resources for these clinicians remain largely nonexistent. As such, there is a need for the health care system to shift its focus from debating about preemptive genotyping to developing and disseminating needed resources to equip frontline clinicians for clinical implementation of pharmacogenetics. Providing tools and guidance to support these emerging models of care will be essential to support the thoughtful, evidence-based use of pharmacogenetic information in diverse clinical practice environments. Specifically, the creation of efficient and accurate point-of-care resources, practice-based tools, and clinical models is needed, along with identification and dissemination of sustainable avenues for pharmacogenetic test reimbursement.
Sex differences in brain and behavioral development

Abstract This chapter provides a developmental perspective to understanding neural and behavioral sex differences, focusing on cognition. There are sex differences in many skills, with sizes depending upon the aspect of cognition; the largest difference is in spatial skills. Differences arise in several ways, including social factors such as experience, genes, and sex hormones present during prenatal life and later in life (e.g., adolescence). There are sex differences in several aspects of brain structure and function, too, although most are small. The origins of these differences and their direct links to cognition are complex but beginning to be understood. Again, sex hormones seem to be a primary contributor. Future work should focus on genetic and hormonal influences on brain sex differences, the links between brain and behavioral (including cognitive) sex differences, and the ways in which brain sex differences are changed by gendered experiences.
Access Site Complications

An understanding of access site complications is essential for the invasive cardiologist. Access site complications are associated with increased morbidity and all-cause mortality, and cessation of evidence-based therapies. While absolute rates of major access site complications are low, the large volume of yearly endovascular interventions means that many patients are affected by these complications despite best practices. In this chapter we review the most common complications that can occur in the catheterization laboratory by access site and outline evidence- and experience-based measures and techniques for the prevention and management of these events.
J. Michael Spector’s: Foundations of educational technology: integrative approaches and interdisciplinary perspectives

J. M. Spector’s book, Foundations of Educational Technology: Integrative Approaches and Interdisciplinary Perspectives, alleviates the fear that teaching novices the basics in the field of educational technology must be reduced to simplified models and procedures. This textbook manages to embrace the breadth and depth of educational technology while providing understandable definitions, examples and exercises. The book is organized into four parts addressing the essential foundations of the field for a broad spectrum of users, contexts and settings. Part one provides an introduction and overview of educational technology, part two describes the theoretical perspectives with example applications, part three illustrates practical perspectives with example applications and part four focuses on the application of the foundations in different contexts. Each chapter is organized with an identified definition and description of a topic, at least one or more test your understanding sections where the learner reviews and tests themselves on the topic, an example of the topic in practice, learning activities, references and links, and resources for additional information. Once Spector introduces a topic or definition, i.e., automaticity, systems perspective, and zone of proximal development to name a few, he does not leave it in that chapter, rather provides a consistent use of these new terms throughout the rest of the book, building the learners overall foundational understanding of educational technology. Part 1 begins with a definition of technology. Spector introduces an excellent example of refrigeration to help define technology, to illustrate its key aspect change, and to state that technology is neither good nor bad but effects society. He provides the root words of technology, and then includes a test for understanding before moving forward to define education, which he addresses in equal amount of detail. This example lays the foundation of the field and also illustrates the organization and detail of the entire book. In the second chapter, Spector tackles a topic head on usually placed obscurely in the back of a book: values, along with foundations and a framework. When addressing values and ethical principles, Spector states, ‘‘Do not create disadvantage for one population while creating advantage for another population. This is a difficult ethical principle to uphold, but it is our obligation to do so’’ (p. 15). Here he is forcing the reader upfront to think about the
Laser Crystallization for Polycrystalline Silicon Device Applications

Pulsed excimer-laser processing of amorphous silicon on non-crystalline substrates is an important processing technology for large-area polysilicon electronics, such as flat-panel displays and two-dimensional imaging arrays. The technique allows for the creation of CMOS polysilicon on glass substrates, the integration of polysilicon silicon and amorphous devices on the same glass substrate, and the fabrication of self-aligned amorphous silicon thin-film transistors via laser doping. Materials studies show that laser-crystallized polysilicon contains larger grains with fewer defects than polysilicon prepared by other techniques and exhibits large lateral grain growth in a narrow range of excimer laser energy density, with a corresponding peak in the electron mobility. This interesting materials phenomenon provides the opportunity to create excellent polysilicon for device applications, using an appropriate region of parameter space to avoid a non-uniform grain-size distribution and large surface roughness. Also, laser-processing enhancements, such as laser doping and fabrication of self-aligned transistors, provide additional tools to fabricate unique devices. These materials and device processing issues are described, and the device results are presented. For the devices, emphasis is placed on homogeneity and stability as well as on important performance parameters, such as thin-film transistor mobility and leakage currents.
Membrane Stiffening in Osmotic Swelling: Analysis of Membrane Tension and Elastic Modulus

Abstract The effects of osmotic swelling on key cellular biomechanical properties are explored in this chapter. We present the governing equations and theoretical backgrounds of the models employed to estimate cell membrane tension and elastic moduli from experimental methods, and provide a summary of the prevailing experimental approaches used to obtain these biomechanical parameters. A detailed analysis of the current evidence of the effects of osmotic swelling on membrane tension and elastic moduli is provided. Briefly, due to the buffering effect of unfolding membrane reservoirs, mild hypotonic swelling does not change membrane tension or the adhesion of the membrane to the underlying cytoskeleton. Conversely, osmotic swelling causes the cell membrane envelope to stiffen, measured as an increase in the membrane elastic modulus.
Friction stir butt welding of strain-hardened aluminum alloy with high strength steel

Abstract Dissimilar metal joining is challenging because of intermetallic compound (IMC) formation. Solid state welding techniques provide an opportunity. 5083-H116 aluminum alloy and HSLA-65 steel sheets were butt welded by friction stir welding. Joint strength and failure position were determined by IMC thickness and stress concentration at welded interface.
Experimental Evaluation of Low-Latency Diversity Modes in IEEE 802.15.4 Networks

Wireless sensor networks for factory automation and control will require strict latency and reliability requirements on the order of 1 millisecond end-to-end latency and 10−9 total packet error rate. Current wireless sensor networks can achieve up to nine nines (10−9 total packet error rate) of reliability, but without tight latency bounds. In order to meet these requirements, wireless sensor networks will require effective modes of network diversity that are also compatible with low-latency time scales. We evaluated the efficacy of time, space, and frequency diversity in cooperative IEEE 802.15.4 wireless networks. We demonstrated a wireless sensor network topology that achieved 99.99999% of reliability bounded by a worst case end - to-end latency of 3 milliseconds.
221. Save the Quinolones! Impact of a Non-Restrictive Fluoroquinolone Reduction Initiative on Antibiotic Resistance at an Urban Teaching Hospital

Background The use of fluoroquinolones, one of the most commonly used antibiotic classes in the United States, is associated with adverse drug events, Clostridium difficile infection and antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus aureus and other Gram-negative bacilli. Many hospitals have instituted resource-intensive interventions to minimize fluoroquinolone use. In hospital settings with fewer resources, education and awareness campaigns offer a more feasible approach. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of a nonrestrictive fluoroquinolone reduction initiative on institutional antibiotic resistance.
Race in educational leadership preparation programs: mixed-race identity development in post-secondary students

Despite increases in mixed-race students, post-secondary institutions have remained largely unresponsive in addressing key issues this growing demographic currently faces. Additionally, educational...
FSNoC: Safe Network-on-Chip Design with Packet Level Lock Stepping

Functional safety is the top priority for the design of automotive and other mission-critical systems. We proposed Functional Safe NoC (FSNoC) with a new Packet Level Lock Stepping (PLLS) concept for Concurrent Error Detection (CED) of Network-on-Chip (NoC) with high Diagnostic Coverage (DC) and reduced area overhead. Furthermore, we proposed to divide the NoC network of a System-On-Chip(SOC) design into partitions with different performance requirements and apply separate but inter-operable safety mechanisms based on Performance Power Area (PPA) trade-off given the design meet safety requirement. The proposed techniques were used on an industry NoC design to achieve over 99% DC coverage with 11–33% of area, 12–29% power overhead and 5–22% of wiring overhead depending on partition choices.
Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

Since its inception in 1982, the scanning tunneling microscope (STM) has proven to be a powerful tool in the sutdy of surfaces.(1–5) Ordered arrays of atoms and disordered atomic features have been observed on many metal and semiconductor surfaces. Clean surfaces as well as isolated adsorbates and thin overlayers have been studied. The STM has been used in a variety of environments including ultrahigh vacuum (UHV), air, and various liquids, and at temperatures ranging from liquid helium to above room temperature.
Teaching neurological disorders with ultrasound: A novel workshop for medical students

INTRODUCTION: The goal of this study was to assess if a neurological disorder ultrasound workshop for the first-year medical students significantly enhanced the students' ability to retain and apply concepts related to neuroanatomy and neurophysiology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a prospective study to evaluate student performance before and after an optional ultrasound workshop. Data were collected through a within-population pretest–posttest design. Purposive sampling was used to recruit first-year medical students for this study. The six stations were transcranial doppler ultrasound, ocular ultrasound, ultrasound-guided external ventricular drain placement, high-intensity focused ultrasound for brain lesions, carotid artery scan with ultrasound, and ultrasound-guided central line placement. We used a pre–post workshop survey to identify opinions and perceptions about ultrasound and a pre–post workshop test to assess knowledge about neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and related ultrasound topics. RESULTS: Twenty-two 22 first-year medical students consented to participate in this study. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed a statistically significant difference in pre- and posttest scores, suggesting that participants demonstrated higher levels of medical knowledge related to neurological physiology, anatomy, and ultrasound after participating in the workshop. The analysis of the pre–post survey showed participants attributed greater value to ultrasound as a useful tool for their future medical practice after participation in the event (Z = −2.45, P = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: There is value in integrating experiences with ultrasound into the neurological disorder block of medical school. Future studies, with a larger sample size, are needed to further explore the efficacy of this workshop in enhancing knowledge retention.
Geometric Prediction: Moving Beyond Scalars

Many quantities we are interested in predicting are geometric tensors; we refer to this class of problems as geometric prediction. Attempts to perform geometric prediction in real-world scenarios have been limited to approximating them through scalar predictions, leading to losses in data efficiency. In this work, we demonstrate that equivariant networks have the capability to predict real-world geometric tensors without the need for such approximations. We show the applicability of this method to the prediction of force fields and then propose a novel formulation of an important task, biomolecular structure refinement, as a geometric prediction problem, improving state-of-the-art structural candidates. In both settings, we find that our equivariant network is able to generalize to unseen systems, despite having been trained on small sets of examples. This novel and data-efficient ability to predict real-world geometric tensors opens the door to addressing many problems through the lens of geometric prediction, in areas such as 3D vision, robotics, and molecular and structural biology.
Patterns of Urinary Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin and Acute Kidney Injury in Neonates Receiving Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

Elevated urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) predicts acute kidney injury (AKI) in children following cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) during cardiac surgery, but little is known about uNGAL’s predictive ability in neonates in this setting. We sought to determine the relationship between AKI and post-CPB uNGAL in neonates in the first 72 post-operative hours. Methods: Urine samples for uNGAL analysis were collected at preoperative baseline and serially post-operatively from 76 neonates undergoing CPB. Mixed-effects regression models and logistic models assessed associations between uNGAL and AKI (controlling for sex, gestational age, CPB time, surgical complexity, and age at surgery). Receiver-operator curves were applied to define optimal uNGAL cut-off values for AKI diagnosis. Results: Between 0 and 4 h post-operatively, uNGAL values did not differ between neonates with and without AKI. After 4 h until 16 h post-operatively, significant time-wise separation occurred between uNGAL values of neonates with AKI and those without AKI. Odds ratios at each time point significantly exceeded unity, peaking at 10 h post-operatively (3.48 (1.58, 8.71)). Between 4 and 16 h post-operatively, uNGAL discriminated AKI from no-AKI, with a sensitivity of 0.63 (0.49, 0.75) and a specificity of 0.68 (0.62, 0.74) at a cut-off value of 100 ng/mL. Conclusion: After 4 h until 16 h post-operatively, elevated uNGAL is associated with AKI in neonates receiving CPB during cardiac surgery; however, this relationship is more complex than in older children.