cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diagnosis and Treatment of Nonmaturing Fistulae for Hemodialysis Access via Transradial Approach: A Case-Control Study.

Abstract Purpose To compare outcomes of transradial access for endovascular treatment of nonmaturing hemodialysis fistulae compared to brachial arteriography followed by unidirectional or bidirectional fistula access for intervention. Materials and Methods In this institutional review board-approved, retrospective, case-control study, 56 consecutive patients with nonmaturing arteriovenous fistulae underwent percutaneous intervention between 2015 and 2018. The transradial group (n = 28) underwent radial artery access for diagnostic fistulography and intervention. The control group (n = 28) underwent retrograde brachial artery access for fistulography followed by unidirectional/bidirectional fistula access for intervention. Both groups had similar demographics, fistula characteristics, and stenosis locations. Results Fewer punctures were required in the transradial group compared to controls (1.2 vs 2.4, P Conclusions Treatment of nonmaturing fistulae via a transradial approach was safe, improved midterm patency, and was associated with lower rates of fistula abandonment.
Radiation Pressure and Mass Ejection in Rho-like States of GRS 1915+105

We present a unifying scenario to address the physical origin of the diversity of X-ray lightcurves within the rho variability class of the microquasar GRS 1915+105. This 'heartbeat' state is characterized by a bright flare that recurs every ~50-100 seconds, but the profile and duration of the flares varies significantly from observation to observation. Based on a comprehensive, phase-resolved study of heartbeats in the RXTE archive, we demonstrate that very different X-ray lightcurves do not require origins in different accretion processes. Indeed, our detailed comparison of the phase-resolved spectra of a double-peaked oscillation and a single-peaked oscillation shows that different cycles can have basically similar X-ray spectral evolution. We argue that all heartbeat oscillations can be understood as the result of a combination of a thermal-viscous radiation pressure instability, a local Eddington limit in the disk, and a sudden, radiation-pressure-driven evaporation or ejection event in the inner accretion disk. This ejection appears to be a universal, fundamental part of the rho state, and is largely responsible for a hard X-ray pulse seen in the lightcurve of all cycles. We suggest that the detailed shape of oscillations in the mass accretion rate through the disk is responsible for the phenomenological differences between different rho-type lightcurves, and we discuss how future time-dependent simulations of disk instabilities may provide new insights into the role of radiation pressure in the accretion flow.
Interface Development for the Nonlinear Degenerate Multidimensional Reaction-Diffusion Equations

This paper presents a full classification of the short-time behavior of the interfaces in the Cauchy problem for the nonlinear second order degenerate parabolic PDE $$\begin{aligned} u_t-\Delta u^m +b u^\beta =0, \quad x\in {\mathbb {R}}^N, 0 1, C,\alpha , \beta >0, b \in {\mathbb {R}}$$. Interface surface $$t=\eta (x)$$ may shrink, expand or remain stationary depending on the relative strength of the diffusion and reaction terms near the boundary of support, expressed in terms of the parameters $$m,\beta , \alpha , sign\ b$$ and C. In all cases we prove explicit formula for the interface asymptotics, and local solution near the interface.
719 CD122-directed interleukin-2 complexes and αPD-L1 differentially require innate and adaptive immunity to treat local and metastatic bladder cancer

Background αPD-L1 bladder cancer (BC) immunotherapy is effective in Methods We used PD-L1+ mouse BC cell lines MB49 and MBT-2, for orthotopic, intravesical (i.e., in bladder) and intravenous challenge studies of local versus lung metastatic BC. Results αPD-L1 or IL-2c alone reduced tumor burden and extended survival in local MB49 and MBT-2. Using in vivo cell depletions, we found that γδ T cells and NK cells, but strikingly not CD8+ T cells, were necessary for IL-2c efficacy in bladder. We confirmed γδ T cell requirements for IL-2c, but not αPD-L1 efficacy in γδ T cell-null TCRδKO mice. TCRβKO conventional T cell-null mice exhibited IL-2c, but not αPD-L1 responsiveness for orthotopic BC treatment. Neither agent alone treated lung metastatic MB49 or MBT-2 but the drug combination improved survival in both tumor models. Combination treatment effects in lungs were distinct from bladder, requiring CD8+ T and NK cells, but not γδ T cells. Conclusions BC immunotherapy effects differ by anatomic compartment and use distinct mechanisms to treat primary and metastatic BC. CD122-directed IL-2 is a promising BC immunotherapy strategy, and IL-2c is a candidate mediator through innate immune effects. αPD-L1 could improve IL-2c efficacy by engagement of adaptive immune responses including to improve metastatic disease treatment efficacy. Ethics Approval All procedures involving animals in this study were approved by the UT Health San Antonio Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and conducted in accordance with UT Health San Antonio Department of Laboratory Animal Resources standards. References Shah AY, Gao J, Siefker-Radtke AO. Five new therapies or just one new treatment? A critical look at immune checkpoint inhibition in urothelial cancer: Future Medicine, 2017. Arenas-Ramirez N, Zou C, Popp S, et al. Improved cancer immunotherapy by a CD25-mimobody conferring selectivity to human interleukin-2. Science translational medicine 2016;8(367):367ra166-367ra166.
NLS and KdV Hamiltonian linearized operators: A priori bounds on the spectrum and optimal L2 estimates for the semigroups

Abstract Motivated by the NLS and KdV linearizations near traveling waves, we study general forms of such operators. We prove a priori bounds on the unstable spectrum, by showing that if any unstable spectrum exists, it is contained in a strip around the real axis, with an explicit estimate of its width in terms of the potentials. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first result of this nature in the literature. We show that all sufficiently large (relative to the potential) pure imaginary eigenvalues are necessarily simple. In the case of spectral stability, we show optimal, at most polynomial in time, L 2 bounds for the associated semigroups generated such linearized operators. As it is for finite matrices, the power rate matches the maximal size of any Jordan block minus one.
Evaluation of a Predictor-Based Framework in High-Speed Teleoperated Military UGVs

Mobility of teleoperated unmanned ground vehicles can be significantly compromised under large communication delays, if the delays are not compensated. This article considers a recently developed delay compensation theory and presents its first empirical evaluation in improving mobility and drivability of a high-speed teleoperated vehicle under large delays. The said delay compensation theory is a predictor-based framework. Two realizations of this framework are considered: a model-free realization that relies only on model-free predictors, and a blended realization, where the heading predictions from the model-free predictor are blended with those from a steering-model-based feedforward predictor for a more accurate prediction of the vehicle heading. A teleoperated track-following task is designed in a human-in-the-loop simulation platform. This platform is used to compare the teleoperation performance with and without the predictor-based framework under both constant and varying delays. Through repeated measurement analysis of variance, it is concluded that the predictor-based framework is effective in achieving a higher vehicle speed, more accurate lateral control, and better drivability as indicated by the three performance metrics of track completion time, track keeping error, and steering control effort, respectively. In addition, it is shown that the blended architecture can lead to further improvements in these metrics compared to using the model-free predictors alone. The analysis also shows that there is no statistically significant difference between constant and varying delay cases in the designed experiment, nor there is any direct relation between drivers' skill level and level of improvement in metrics.
Parental Education, Household Income, Race, and Children's Working Memory: Complexity of the Effects.

Background. Considerable research has linked social determinants of health (SDoHs) such as race, parental education, and household income to school performance, and these effects may be in part due to working memory. However, a growing literature shows that these effects may be complex: while the effects of parental education may be diminished for Blacks than Whites, household income may explain such effects. Purpose. Considering race as sociological rather than a biological construct (race as a proxy of racism) and built on Minorities' Diminished Returns (MDRs), this study explored complexities of the effects of SDoHs on children's working memory. Methods. We borrowed data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. The total sample was 10,418, 9- and 10-year-old children. The independent variables were race, parental education, and household income. The primary outcome was working memory measured by the NIH Toolbox Card Sorting Test. Age, sex, ethnicity, and parental marital status were the covariates. To analyze the data, we used mixed-effect regression models. Results. High parental education and household income were associated with higher and Black race was associated with lower working memory. The association between high parental education but not household income was less pronounced for Black than White children. This differential effect of parental education on working memory was explained by household income. Conclusions. For American children, parental education generates unequal working memory, depending on race. This means parental education loses some of its expected effects for Black families. It also suggests that while White children with highly educated parents have the highest working memory, Black children report lower working memory, regardless of their parental education. This inequality is mainly because of differential income in highly educated White and Black families. This finding has significant public policy and economic implications and suggests we need to do far more than equalizing education to eliminate racial inequalities in children's cognitive outcomes. While there is a need for multilevel policies that reduce the effect of racism and social stratification for middle-class Black families, equalizing income may have more returns than equalizing education.
Once Burned, Twice Shy: How Naïve Learning, Counterfactuals, and Regret Affect the Repurchase of Stocks Previously Sold

We establish two previously undocumented patterns in the purchase selections of individual investors. These patterns hinge on investors’ previous experiences with a stock. We demonstrate that investors prefer to (1) repurchase stocks they previously sold for a gain rather than stocks they previously sold for a loss and (2) repurchase stocks that have lost value subsequent to a prior sale rather than those that have gained value. We document these trading patterns by analyzing trading records for 66,465 households at a large discount broker between January 1991 and November 1996, and 665,533 investors at a large retail broker between January 1997 and June 1999. We propose that the first trading pattern results from a simple form of learning whereby investors repeat actions that previously resulted in pleasure while avoiding actions that previously led to pain (i.e., they repurchase their previous winners more readily than their previous losers). We argue that the second trading pattern is tied to counterfactuals. Investors who buy a stock at a higher price than they previously sold it for are painfully aware that they are worse off than if they had simply never sold that stock. Investors who buy a stock at a lower price than they previously sold it experience the pleasure of knowing they are better off than if they had never sold that stock. Investor returns do not benefit from either of the two patterns we document.
Risk factors for multi-joint disease in patients with glucocorticoid-induced osteonecrosis.

This study investigated risk factors for osteonecrosis involving multiple joints (MJON) among glucocorticoid-treated patients. The best predictor of MJON was cumulative oral glucocorticoid dose. Risk of MJON was 12-fold higher in patients who had a second risk factor for osteonecrosis. Further research is needed into strategies for prevention of MJON. Osteonecrosis (ON) is a debilitating musculoskeletal condition in which bone cell death can lead to mechanical failure. When multiple joints are affected, pain and disability are compounded. Glucocorticoid treatment is one of the most common predisposing factors for ON. This study investigated risk factors for ON involving multiple joints (MJON) among glucocorticoid-treated patients. Fifty-five adults with glucocorticoid-induced ON were prospectively enrolled. MJON was defined as ON in ≥ three joints. Route, dose, duration, and timing of glucocorticoid treatment were assessed. Mean age of enrolled subjects was 44 years, 58% were women. Half had underlying conditions associated with increased ON risk: systemic lupus erythematosus (29%), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (11%), HIV (9%), and alcohol use (4%). Mean daily oral dose of glucocorticoids was 29 mg. Average cumulative oral dose was 30 g over 5 years. The best predictor of MJON was cumulative oral glucocorticoid dose. For each increase of 1,000 mg, risk of MJON increased by 3.2% (95% CI 1.03, 1.67). Glucocorticoid exposure in the first 6 months of therapy, peak dose (oral or IV), and mean daily dose did not independently increase risk of MJON. The risk of MJON was 12-fold in patients who had a second risk factor (95% CI 3.2, 44.4). Among patients with glucocorticoid-induced ON, cumulative oral dose was the best predictor of multi-joint disease; initial doses of IV and oral glucocorticoids did not independently increase risk. Further research is needed to better define optimal strategies for prevention and treatment of MJON.
Socioeconomic factors in timing of esophagectomy and association with outcomes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Disparities in esophageal cancer are well-established. The standard treatment for locally advanced esophageal cancer is chemoradiation followed by surgery. We sought to evaluate the association between socioeconomic factors, time to surgery, and patient outcomes. METHODS All patients ≥18 years old diagnosed with T2/3/4 or node-positive esophageal cancer between 2004 and 2016 and who underwent chemoradiation and esophagectomy in the National Cancer Database were included. Multivariable regression was used to assess the association between socioeconomic variables and time to surgery (grouped into <56, 56-84, and 85-112 days). RESULTS A total of 12 157 patients were included. Five-year overall survival was 39%, 35%, and 35% for the three groups examined. Postoperative 30- and 90-day mortality was increased in both the 56-84 days to surgery group (odds ratio [OR]: 1.30 and 1.20, respectively) and the 85-112 days group (OR: 1.37 and 1.56, respectively) when compared to <56 days. Patients of a minority race, public insurance, or lower income were more likely to have a longer time to surgery. CONCLUSION Longer time to surgery is associated with increased postoperative mortality and is more common in patients with lower socioeconomic status. Further research exploring reasons for delays to esophagectomy among disadvantaged patients could help target interventions to reduce disparities.
The Stress Process Among Emerging Adults: Spirituality, Mindfulness, Resilience, and Self-compassion as Predictors of Life Satisfaction and Depressive Symptoms

The present study examines the stress and coping process among a sample of emerging adults (ages 18–30) recruited though TurkPrime who completed at least some post-secondary education. Sources of stress and four positive personal coping resources, mindfulness, self-compassion, resilience, and spirituality, served as predictors, with all showing significant zero-order correlations with outcomes of satisfaction with life (SWL) and depressive symptoms. Controlling for personality and stressors, resilience, self-compassion, and spirituality each accounted for significant variance in SWL, and mindfulness and self-compassion were unique predictors of depressive symptoms. Spirituality also served as a moderator of the relation of stressors to each criterion variable. Results are discussed with respect to the previous research, along with limitations and strengths of the study and suggestions for future research.
Impact of foliar insecticide sprays on Melanaphis sacchari (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and natural enemy populations in grain sorghum

Abstract The sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari is an important pest of grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) in the United States. Current M. sacchari management programs aim to control M. sacchari with insecticides while minimizing impacts on natural enemies that contribute to biological control of aphid populations. As a result, balancing both insecticide efficacy on the target pest and preservation of biological control agents remains an important step toward sustainable management of M. sacchari in grain sorghum. To document tradeoffs between M. sacchari control and non-target impacts, we evaluated three common aphicides (afidopyropen, flupyradifurone, and sulfoxaflor) for M. sacchari control and natural enemy safety. Treatments were paired with surfactants when recommended. Insect abundance was measured before and after foliar insecticide application using randomized complete clock design small plot studies during the 2019 and 2020 field seasons. All plots were harvested at maturity to document the relationship between in-season aphid abundance and grain yield. In this two year study, the average aphid abundance three days after insecticide application was lower in some but not all insecticidal treatments when compared to the untreated control, suggesting some insecticides had limited aphid suppression capabilities. Mean cumulative aphid days were lower in all treated plots compared to the untreated control with the exception of Sefina (afidopyropen). Twenty-eight days after foliar insecticide application, there were no differences in total natural enemy abundance in any of the treatments including the untreated control, suggesting that while M. sacchari populations were reduced by foliar insecticide treatments, the insecticides did not have clear adverse effects to natural enemy populations.
How Have COVID-19 Case Rates Impacted Retail Gasoline Price Markups? Evidence From Daily Prices and Transportation Choices

Retail gasoline sales generally take place in an incredibly competitive environment with highly visible prices, many competitors, and homogeneous goods. Here, we show how priceâ€“cost margins have changed in an era of drastic changes to transportation choices. We find that increasing COVID-19 case rates have increased firmsâ€™ market power in the retail gasoline sector, effectively halving the station-level price elasticity of demand.
Comparison of frailty metrics and the Charlson Comorbidity Index for predicting adverse outcomes in patients undergoing surgery for spine metastases.

OBJECTIVE Frailty-the state defined by decreased physiological reserve and increased vulnerability to physiological stress-is exceedingly common in oncology patients. Given the palliative nature of spine metastasis surgery, it is imperative that patients be healthy enough to tolerate the physical insult of surgery. In the present study, the authors compared the association of two frailty metrics and the widely used Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) with postoperative morbidity in spine metastasis patients. METHODS A retrospective cohort of patients who underwent operations for spinal metastases at a comprehensive cancer center were identified. Data on patient demographic characteristics, disease state, medical comorbidities, operative details, and postoperative outcomes were collected. Frailty was measured with the modified 5-item frailty index (mFI-5) and metastatic spinal tumor frailty index (MSTFI). Outcomes of interest were length of stay (LOS) greater than the 75th percentile of the cohort, nonroutine discharge, and the occurrence of ≥ 1 postoperative complication. RESULTS In total, 322 patients were included (mean age 59.5 ± 12 years; 56.9% of patients were male). The mean ± SD LOS was 11.2 ± 9.9 days, 44.5% of patients had nonroutine discharge, and 24.0% experienced ≥ 1 postoperative complication. On multivariable analysis, increased frailty on mFI-5 and MSTFI was independently predictive of all three outcomes: prolonged LOS (OR 1.67 per point, 95% CI 1.06-2.63, p = 0.03; and OR 1.63 per point, 95% CI 1.29-2.05, p < 0.01, respectively), nonroutine discharge (OR 2.65 per point, 95% CI 1.74-4.04, p < 0.01; and OR 1.69 per point, 95% CI 1.36-2.11, p < 0.01), and ≥ 1 complication (OR 1.95 per point, 95% CI 1.23-3.09, p = 0.01; and OR 1.41 per point, 95% CI 1.12-1.77, p < 0.01). CCI was found to be independently predictive of only the occurrence of ≥ 1 postoperative complication (OR 1.45 per point, 95% CI 1.22-1.72, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Frailty measured with either mFI-5 or MSTFI scores was a more robust independent predictor of adverse postoperative outcomes than the more widely used CCI. Both mFI-5 and MSTFI were significantly associated with prolonged LOS, higher complication rates, and nonroutine discharge. Further investigation in a prospective multicenter cohort is merited.
The Effect of a Surface Layer of Viscous Fluid on the Wave Resistance of a Thin Ship

A modification to the gravity-wave free-surface condition is suggested, to account for dissipative properties of thin surface layers of material such as broken-up ice, slush, or oil spills. A corresponding correction to Michell's wave-resistance integral is established, and computations are carried out for a parabolic strut.
Effect of heparin on the inactivation rate of human activated factor XII by antithrombin III

Human antithrombin III (ATIII) is a plasma inhibitor of several serine proteases of the blood coagulation system. Previous investigations have reported that the presence of heparin has a multifold accelerating effect on the inhibition of factor XIIa and XIIf, the active species derived from factor XII. Recent studies from our laboratories have confirmed that ATIII inactivates factor XIIa and factor XIIf, but only contributes 2% to 3% to the inhibition of activated factor XII species in plasma. The major inhibitor is C1 inhibitor. Therefore, we have reexamined the heparin effect on the rate of inhibition of factor XIIa and factor XIIf in purified systems. We also have studied the effect of heparin on the inactivation of both factor XII-derived active species by various plasmas. Using purified factor XIIa and ATIII, we found that heparin (0.7 to 34.0 U/mL) increased the rate of inhibition of Factor XIIa. However, at heparin concentrations usually achieved during anticoagulant therapy (0.7 U/mL), the inhibition was accelerated only fourfold. This implies only a 6% contribution to the inhibitory effect of plasma. This suggestion was confirmed by the observation that heparin (1.5 U/mL) added to factor XII-deficient plasma and reconstituted with factor XIIa did not produce a detectable enhancement of the rate of inhibition of factor XIIa. Furthermore, using purified factor XIIf and antithrombin III, heparin (3.6 to 57.2 U/mL) increased the inactivation rate constant of factor XIIf by 1.6 to 14.0 times. This small effect was confirmed by the observation that heparin at a concentration greater than that sufficient for anticoagulation (1.4 U/mL) did not modify the inactivation rate of factor XIIf by prekallikrein-deficient plasma, and thus C1 inhibitor remains the major inhibitor even in the presence of heparin. From this study and our previous investigations on the effect of heparin on the inhibition of kallikrein and factor XIa, we conclude that heparin does not significantly affect the protease activity of purified contact activation factors or the activities expressed by these proteases in plasma.
Feedback Scalability for Multicast Videoconferencing

Some type of transmission rate control is required in order to support multicast video applications over the Internet. Previously, we proposed a new protocol, the Layered Multicast Control Protocol (LMCP), which utilizes both the video sender and the receivers to control the rate of the video transmission. One weakness of this approach is that feedback from all receivers is required in order for the video source to determine an optimal transmission rate.In this paper we introduce an algorithm that allows us to determine the video source's transmission rates based on feedback from a subset or sample of the receiver's feedback. As our analysis shows this algorithm allows us to support hundreds of receivers and allows the sender to determine transmission rates, which are nearly optimal. Based on the distributions analyzed, we were able to calculate transmission rates that achieved a displayable video rate within 5% of the optimal setting for 500 receivers with a worse case feedback rate at the source of 2kbps.
Civil Protective Orders in Integrated Domestic Violence Court: An Empirical Study

New York's Integrated Domestic Violence (IDV) Court was created to streamline the judicial process and promote efficiency and victim safety in cases of domestic violence.One would expect this collaboration and concerted effort on improving the justice system for victims of domestic violence would yield faster results than under the traditional system. The data presented here indicate just the opposite: IDV Courts take longer to address motions for civil protective orders, and are not significantly more likely to grant such orders than traditional matrimonial courts.
Unusual and bijectively related manifolds

A manifold is “unusual” if it admits of a continuous self-bijection which is not a homeomorphism. The present paper is a survey of work published over yearsaugmented with recent examples and results.
Fiscal challenges to monetary dominance in the euro area: a theoretical perspective

The government debt and banking turmoil that persists in several euro area countries begs the question of why countries such as the United States or Japan, which do not have less debt, have not been affected by the same problems. To shed light on this question, two forms of monetary dominance should be distinguished. According to the ﬁ rst (soft, or preventive) form of monetary dominance, the government adjusts its ﬁ scal policy so as to avoid having to choose between a default or debt monetisation. In the second case (hard form of monetary dominance), in the extreme situation where this choice has to be made, the monetary authorities let the government default rather than monetising the debt. We show that hard monetary dominance may reduce the probability of ﬁ scal adjustment and, if it is not perfectly credible, may increase the probability of inﬂ ation.
STRUCTURAL DESIGN, FABRICATION, AND VIBRATIONAL RESPONSE OF A COMPOSITE SPACE FRAME

Continuous-fiber composite materials are currently being evaluated as replacement materials for conventional steel alloys for primary load- carrying members of automotive structures. The objective of this study was to design and fabricate a composite space frame based on a targa-top body configuration. The present paper summarizes the overall structural design, fabrication, and vibrational response of the space frame. Initial structural optimization studies based on elastic load conditions were completed for the structure. Subsequent studies were directed toward redesigning the fiber orientation and thickness of the space frame beams to account for fabrication limitations and frontal impact loads. The frequency response of the composite structure was also determined computationally and experimentally and compared to the response of an optimized mild steel space frame. The results presented in this paper show that a composite space frame based on a targa-top configuration can be constructed using continuous-fiber materials to achieve mass reduction over a steel design while meeting performance criteria for frequency and frontal impact loads. For the covering abstract see IRRD 863693.
Mental Health Concepts and Techniques for the Occupational Therapy AssistantMental Health Concepts and Techniques for the Occupational Therapy Assistant.

Mental, physical, and social health are vital strands of life that are closely interwoven. Mental illness affects people of all countries and societies, individuals at all ages, women and men, the ...
The Epidemiology of Viral Infections

1 Introduction 2 Classifying Mechanisms of Viral Transmission 3 Quantification of Characteristics of Viral Infection 4 Observational Epidemiology 5 Experimental Epidemiology 6 Epidemiological Characteristics of Respiratory Viruses 7 Viruses Infecting the Gastrointestinal Tract 8 Viral Infections with Bloodborne Transmission 9 Zoonoses and Vectorborne Infection 10 Viruses and Chronic Diseases Keywords: epidemiology of viral infections; direct transmission; indirect transmission; infectious dose and secondary attack rate; pathogenicity and virulence; monitoring and surveillance; primary analytical methods; agents of diarrheal disease
Digging beneath the Surface: Analyzing the Complexity of Instructors' Participation in Asynchronous Discussion.

This study is situated at the nexus of contradictory research about the role of the instructor in asynchronous discussions. The goal of this descriptive study was to provide a deeper analysis of instructor comments and participation in these discussions. By developing an analytical tool based on the Community of Inquiry framework (Garrison, Anderson, & Archer, 2001) we categorized the types of comments made by instructors as well as identified more complex profiles of instructor interaction. In addition, we looked at student and instructor data around instructor participation in these discussions. We found that instructors relied more heavily on social codes and were less likely to employ cognitive codes, that there was a variance in the types of discursive interactions as indicated by different discursive profiles, and that it is difficult for instructors to find the right balance of participation in asynchronous discussions. We believe engaging in this type of analysis can help us become more effective online instructors and provide a good next step for some larger relationship studies to further understand how the instructors’ comments do impact student discussion.
Gifted Females: They've Come a Long Way—Or Have They?:

Current research and practice as well as media attention seem to indicate that opportunities for gifted females have increased while barriers to their achievement have decreased. However, before we become enthusiastic about these developments, a closer review of the implications and potential dangers of this attention must be conducted. This article will review recent research studies and analysis regarding gender and sex differences, point out promising research directions, and suggest future research needed to answer relevant questions. Sex bias in both programs and curriculum used in programs for the gifted will also be discussed.
Phosphorescence study of nitronaphthalenes

Abstract The phosphorescence yields and lifetimes of five nitronaphthalenes have been measured at 77°K in EPA in order to provide a better understanding of their lowest triplet which is π, π∗. 2-Nitronaphthalene, which is presumed to be planar, exhibits a fivefold decrease in triplet deactivation relative to 1-nitronaphthalene, which is bent with an angle of 49°. The results Suggest that the rate constant for radiationless deactivation of the triplet is affected to a greater extent by substitution than is the rate constant for the radiative process. The highest phosphorescence yield measured was 0.79 for 1,8-dinitronaphthalene. The higher triplet yield of 2-nitronaphthalene relative to 1-nitronaphthalene may be due to the smaller singlet-triplet energy splitting in the former compound.
Earthworm bioluminescence: Characterization of the luminescent cell from Diplocardia longa

Abstract 1. 1. Diplocardia longa bioluminescence originates from discrete subcellular loci within free chloragogen cells suspended in the coelomic fluid. 2. 2. The free chloragogen cells are replete with granular particles of two or three types but contain little other subcellular structure. 3. 3. Chloragogen tissue from the vicinity of the dorsal blood vessel also contains components of the luminescent system. 4. 4. Attempts to isolate the subcellular component containing the packaged luminescence system were partially successful in that a low density, active fraction was obtained, suggesting association of the system with membrane or other lipid.
Design and Performance of Simple Targeting Efficiency Monitors for High Energy Physics Experimental Areas

Simple radiation monitors of coaxial ionization chambers are used at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory to measure targeting efficiency of the external proton beam as it impinges on secondary particle production targets in the experimental areas. In some cases the system replaces the traditional target telescope formed of three scintillation counters connected in triple coincidence. When the target monitor is recessed in shielding, target-in, target out ratios of over 100 are achieved. A single, unshielded monitor residing near the target yields a ratio of 10 for 300 GeV incident protons on a tungsten target 120 mils in diameter by 2 in. long. A companion background monitor allows this ratio to be increased by at least an order of magnitude. Evidence indicates that these simple detectors, properly located, constitute a viable target monitoring system which has operated with incident proton beams having intensity rates ranging from 1013 protons in 20 ?sec.
The morphology of surface reaction products on aluminum

Abstract This paper describes part of a series of investigations into the film growth on aluminum and aluminum-1% nickel alloys, and is limited to films produced by heating in vacuo and dry air at 350° C and 540° C, in water vapor at 350° C, in superheated steam at 540° C and 600 psi and by anodic oxidation in ammonium tartrate. The oxide growths were viewed electron optically in silhouette and were found to take on various shapes such as “chunky” outcrops, platelets and whiskers. These outcrops nearly always consisted of well crystallized material, often single crystals, which was in contrast to the structure of the general surface films. Besides finding “amorphous” and gamma alumina, (γ-Al2O3) films a lambda phase (orthorhombic, pseudotetragonal, a = b = 7.63 A , c = 2.89 A ) was found on the Al-Ni alloy at 540° C in vacuo and a θ-phase (monoclinic?, a = 5.7 A , b = 2.92 A , c = 11.9 A ) on both aluminum and the Al-Ni alloy when heated in dry air at 350° C and also 540° C. Reaction of these materials with steam led to the formation of both corundum (γ-Al2O3) and gamma alumina.
Differential localization of carbachol- and bicuculline-sensitive pontine sites for eliciting REM sleep-like effects in anesthetized rats.

Summary Carbachol, a cholinergic agonist, and GABAA receptor antagonists injected into the pontine dorsomedial reticular formation can trigger rapid eye movement (REM) sleep-like state. Data suggest that GABAergic and cholinergic effects interact to produce this effect but the sites where this occurs have not been delineated. In urethane-anesthetized rats, in which carbachol effectively elicits REM sleep-like episodes (REMSLE), we tested the ability of 10 nL microinjections of carbachol (10 mm) and bicuculline (0.5 or 2 mm) to elicit REMSLE at 47 sites located within the dorsal pontine reticular formation at the levels -8.00 to -10.80 from bregma (B) (Paxinos and Watson, The Rat Brain in Stereotaxic Coordinates, Academic Press, San Diego, 1997). At rostral levels, most carbachol and some bicuculline injections elicited REMSLE with latencies that gradually decreased from 242 to 12 s for carbachol and from 908 to 38 s for bicuculline for more caudal injection sites. As the latencies decreased, the durations of bicuculline-elicited REMSLE increased from 104 s to over 38 min, and the effect was dose dependent, whereas the duration of carbachol-elicited REMSLE changed little (104–354 s). Plots of REMSLE latency versus the antero-posterior coordinates revealed that both drugs were maximally effective near B-8.80. At levels caudal to B-8.80, carbachol was effective at few sites, whereas bicuculline-elicited REMSLE to at least B-9.30 level. Thus, the bicuculline-sensitive sites extended further caudally than those for carbachol and antagonism of GABAA receptors both triggered REMSLE and controlled their duration, whereas carbachol effects on REMSLE duration were small or limited by its concurrent REMSLE-opposing actions.
Optimization of pulse train duration for the electrical stimulation of a skeletal muscle ventricle in the dog.

The optimal means of electrically stimulating a skeletal muscle to contract around a fluid-filled pouch (i.e., a skeletal muscle ventricle [SMV]) has not been determined. A SMV was made from the latissimus dorsi muscle in five dogs and the rectus abdominis muscle in five dogs, and each SMV was electrically stimulated via the motor nerve(s) to contract around a fluid-filled pouch, which was connected to a mock circulatory system. The pulse train duration (PTD) was varied from 100 ms to 800 ms in 100 ms increments to determine the effect of this variable upon SMV output. The pulse width of the electrical stimulus was kept constant at 100 μs and the pulse frequency was maintained at 50s−1. For SMV contraction rates of 20, 30, and 40 min−1, the optimal PTD was 400 ms for both muscles. The peak output was 710 ml min−1 for the rectus SMV and 556 ml min−1 for the latissimus SMV. For an SMV contraction rate of 10min−1, the optimal PTD was 800 ms for the rectus SMV and 600 ms for the latissimus SMV. Use of less than an optimal PTD caused reductions in SMV output of 25–50%. Although SMVs made from rectus abdominis and latissimus dorsi had similar values for the optimal PTD, the maximum SMV output was usually greater with the rectus abdominis in this acute study with untrained muscles. We conclude that PTD is an important variable to control, which can markedly affect results when studying the potential use of skeletal muscle power for cardiac assistance.
Autoimmune optic neuropathy with anticardiolipin antibody mimicking multiple sclerosis in a child.

Abstract Purpose To demonstrate that autoimmune optic neuropathy (AON) may occur in the pediatric population. Design Interventional case report. Methods A 4-year-old developed four episodes of bilateral optic neuritis with mild concurrent weakness, ataxia, or dizziness; one episode of unilateral optic neuritis; and one episode of weakness over a period of 4 years. Results Autoimmune optic neuropathy was diagnosed because of the presence of anticardiolipin antibody and an abnormal skin biopsy with thrombin and immunoreactant deposition. She was treated with corticosteroids, aspirin, and gammaglobulin. This diminished the frequency and intensity of her attacks. Conclusion This case represents the diagnosis and treatment of AON in a child.
Dispersion relations and AC stark shifts

Abstract It is pointed out that AC Stark energy level shifts in a laser field can be calculated from experimental photo-absorption data via a dispersion relation. Explicit calculation is carried out for the ground state of helium.
Rack1, a receptor for activated protein kinase C, interacts with integrin beta subunit.

The integrin β subunit cytoplasmic domains are important for activation-dependent cell adhesion and adhesion-dependent signaling events. We report an interaction between integrin β subunit cytoplasmic domain and Rack1, a Trp-Asp (WD) repeat protein that has been shown to bind activated protein kinase C. The Rack1-binding site on integrin β2subunit resides within a conserved, membrane-proximal region. In the yeast two-hybrid assay, WD repeats five to seven of Rack1 (Rack1-WD5/7) interact with integrin β1, β2, and β5 cytoplasmic domain. In eukaryotic cells, Rack1 co-immunoprecipitates with at least two different β integrins, β1 integrins in 293T cells and β2 integrins in JY lymphoblastoid cells. Whereas Rack1-WD5/7 binds integrins constitutively, the association of full-length Rack1 to integrinsin vivo requires a treatment with phorbol esters, which promotes cell spreading and adhesion. These findings suggest that Rack1 may link protein kinase C directly to integrins and participate in the regulation of integrin functions.
Mass Spectrometry Detection of Histidine Phosphorylation on NM23-H1

Phosphorylation is a ubiquitous protein post-translational modification that is intimately involved in most aspects of cellular regulation. Currently, most proteomic analyses are performed with phosphorylation searches for serine, threonine, and tyrosine modifications, as the phosphorylated residues of histidine and aspartic acid are acid labile and thus undetectable with most proteomic methodologies. Here, we present a novel buffer system to show histidine phosphorylation of NM23-H1, the product of the first identified putative human metastasis suppressor gene (NME1), which catalyzes the transfer of the γ-phosphate from nucleoside triphosphates to nucleoside diphosphates. On the basis of a pH titration of LC elution buffers and MS/MS identification, recombinant NM23-H1 subjected to autophosphorylation was shown to contain phosphorylated histidine at residue 118 at pH 5 and 6, with each level giving over 75% peptide coverage for identification. The solvent system presented permits the detection of all fiv...
Assessing skills for work: two perspectives

Changes in the nature of work have created demands for new skills and education and training policies to enhance skill development. To successfully accomplish the latter, policymakers must first define and measure skills, then understand how they contribute to economic performance. This paper contrasts two theoretical perspectives for skills measurement: the economic perspective that dominates the policy discussion about skills, and the sociocultural perspective. The paper explores the basic assumptions about skills from each perspective and considers how each addresses different issues concerning skill requirements. It argues that the sociocultural perspective has some advantages over the dominant paradigm.
The incorporation of uracil into animal cell DNA in vitro

In the presence of dUTP, net DNA synthesis in vitro is substantially reduced. Small DNA fragments that arise during in vitro DNA synthesis in the presence of dUTP are produced as a result of dUMP incorporation and subsequent post-replication excision repair process initiated by uracil-DNA-glycosylase. The size of the fragments is dependent upon the amount of dUMP incorporated, but unlike the normal 4S intermediates of DNA synthesis, these repair products are not precursors to high molecular weight DNA but are further degraded. The high levels of dUTPase as well as the presence of RNA primers on most nascent DNA pieces (Tseng and Goulian, 1977) suggest that repair of uracil-containing DNA does not contribute to the generation of the small, nascent DNA pieces found during DNA synthesis in this in vitro system.
A passive quadrature generation scheme for integrated RF systems

This paper proposes a transformer-based quadrature generation scheme, which converts the RF input signal into the quadrature output signals. By employing multi-turn coil structure and new capacitive phase compensation on the through and coupling ports, the presented scheme can be implemented in a very compact footprint with high quality quadrature signal, making it feasible for cellular applications. Compared to conventional quadrature generation methods, this scheme provides low-loss, wide bandwidth, and most importantly robustness to process variations. As a proof-of-concept design example, we demonstrate a 2 GHz 8-turn transformer-based quadrature generation block implemented in a standard 65 nm CMOS process. The whole design only occupies 280 μm by 280 μm chip area. The detailed design parameters and the simulation results including quadrature balance, passive loss, input matching, and Monte-Carlo results under process variations are all presented.
The diviner lunar radiometer a mechanical description

The Diviner instrument is a radiometer that is mounted on a two axis gimbal. It observes the lunar surface from aboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) spacecraft. Diviner's primary objectives are to map surface temperatures of the entire surface of the Moon at different day and night times. The paper briefly describes the instrument. It focuses on the mechanical implementation, highlighting many of the technical challenges that occurred during its construction. Lessons learned, and design experiences gained, provide future space engineers with guidelines and advice for developing space mechanisms. 1 2
Self-monitoring and self-titration of antihypertensive medication reduces systolic blood pressure compared with usual care

Commentary on : McManus RJ, Mant J, Haque MS, et al. Effect of self-monitoring and medication self-titration on systolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease: the TASMIN-SR randomised clinical trial. JAMA 2014;312:799–808.[OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3][Web of Science][4] Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke, heart failure and chronic kidney disease.1 Effective treatment reduces risk for these devastating complications, but BP remains insufficiently controlled in up to half … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DJAMA%26rft.volume%253D312%26rft.spage%253D799%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1001%252Fjama.2014.10057%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F25157723%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1001/jama.2014.10057&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=25157723&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febnurs%2F18%2F3%2F87.atom [4]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=000340788500022&link_type=ISI
Experimental models of hypothermic ciruculatory arrest

This article reviews information obtained from experimental models of hypothermic circulatory arrest, which models have been developed in our and other laboratories over the past several years. The described experiments clearly demonstrate an ability to produce and completely reverse hypothermic circulatory arrest in newborn and developing animals, allowing for a comprehensive evaluation of those physiological variables and therapeutic interventions that would potentially reduce or accentuate ischemic brain damage. Further experiments will allow for a determination of whether or not specific modalities of therapy will reverse secondary systemic complications, thereby allowing for more complete recoverability and ultimately reduced brain damage.