cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Overview of Diabetic Nephropathy

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an increasing global public health problem characterized by β-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance. The prevalence of DM is increasing worldwide due to aging populations, physical inactivity, obesity, rapid urbanization, and changing lifestyle and food consumption patterns [1]. According to the International Diabetes Federation, the number of people with diabetes worldwide is projected to increase from 382 million in 2013 to 592 million by 2035 [2]. Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one of the most important long-term complications of diabetes and the most common cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide. DKD occurs in type 1 (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and other secondary forms of diabetes and is defined as structural and functional renal damage manifested as clinically detected albuminuria in the presence of normal or abnormal glomerular filtration rate (GFR). It is also regarded as a characteristic microvascular complication of diabetes that is related to the duration of diabetes and involves complex interactions between environmental factors and genetic determinants.
“If I had to do it, then I would”: Understanding early middle school students’ perceptions of physics and physics-related careers by gender

A study examining perceptions of 6th grade students regarding physics and physics-related careers.
Advances in Engineered Liver Models for Investigating Drug-Induced Liver Injury

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a major cause of drug attrition. Testing drugs on human liver models is essential to mitigate the risk of clinical DILI since animal studies do not always suffice due to species-specific differences in liver pathways. While primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) can be cultured on extracellular matrix proteins, a rapid decline in functions leads to low sensitivity (<50%) in DILI prediction. Semiconductor-driven engineering tools now allow precise control over the hepatocyte microenvironment to enhance and stabilize phenotypic functions. The latest platforms coculture PHHs with stromal cells to achieve hepatic stability and enable crosstalk between the various liver cell types towards capturing complex cellular mechanisms in DILI. The recent introduction of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived human hepatocyte-like cells can potentially allow a better understanding of interindividual differences in idiosyncratic DILI. Liver models are also being coupled to other tissue models via microfluidic perfusion to study the intertissue crosstalk upon drug exposure as in a live organism. Here, we review the major advances being made in the engineering of liver models and readouts as they pertain to DILI investigations. We anticipate that engineered human liver models will reduce drug attrition, animal usage, and cases of DILI in humans.
Sol-gel processing of controlled pore oxides

Abstract In sol-gel processing the pore structure of the dry gel (xerogel) or film is a consequence or the sequential (or overlapping) gelation, aging, and drying stages. This paper demonstrates how the surface area, pore volume, and pore size are influenced by such physical and chemical factors as the size, structure and composition of the inorganic polymers, the magnitude of the capillary pressure, conditions of aging, and choice of pore fluid.
Moving Beyond Unification and Modeling: A Reconsideration of Radically Naturalized Metaphysics

Ontic structural realists Ladyman and Ross (2007) endorse the view that the only metaphysical tasks worth pursuing are to unify the sciences and model the objective structure of reality. This form of radically naturalized metaphysics, however, depends upon the principle of naturalistic closure. In this paper I argue that the principle of naturalistic closure is at odds with radically naturalized metaphysics since it is a nonnaturalized metaphysical principle, claiming that radically naturalized metaphysics is not the only form of metaphysics worth doing. In particular, the principle of naturalistic closure requires that a metaphysical claim M at t be of service to some scientific hypothesis H. The principle, however, does not state when M must be of service to H. It is possible for a metaphysical claim at t to be of service to a scientific hypothesis at t+n. Furthermore, the principle of naturalistic closure is not a direct result of scientific inquiry. Yet, as I argue, the principle of naturalistic closure is a metaphysical claim. Thus, motivating the position that metaphysics is not restricted to the tasks of unifying the sciences and modeling the objective structure of reality, but more importantly that it should not be.
Abstract 054: Mortality Decline After Ischemic Stroke-the Medicare Cohort From 2009 to 2013

Objectives: After a declined in mortality by 25.4% from 1996 to 2005, stroke became the fifth leading cause of death in men and the second leading cause of death in women. Stroke mortality decline in the past was mainly attributed to the improvement of stroke prevention. Stroke system of care has gone through evolutional changes in the past decade in both acute stroke treatment, preventing complications, identifying stroke etiology and stroke prevention. This study is to examine whether there was greater decline of mortality after ischemic stroke hospitalization from 2009 and 2013. Methods: We examined the one-year mortality in Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥65 years who were hospitalized between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2013 with a primary discharge diagnosis of ischemic stroke. The data of the patient information were obtained from the Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MEDPAR) file. The list and characteristics of hospitals were obtained from the American Hospital Association Annual Survey Database. All statistical analyses were performed using SAS Version 9.4 software. Results: A total of 1165,960 Medicare Beneficiaries was hospitalized for ischemic stroke between 2009 and 2013. The one-year mortality showed a steady declined by 17.6 % over the five years period. The one-year mortality declined by 17.4% in female, 17.8% in male, 17.0% in black,17.6 % in white, 22.6% in Hispanic, and 20.3% in Asian. Among the ten-year age group, people aged 65 to 74 years had the greatest decline in mortality, 22.5%, followed by 19.2% decline in the group 75 to 84 years, and 14.7% in the group 85 years and over. Conclusion: The one-year mortality among Medicare beneficiaries after ischemic stroke hospitalization showed a dramatic decline from 2009 to 2013. Further study is needed to determine whether this is attributable to the change of stroke system of care in the past decade.
The Public Impact of the Hubble Space Telescope: A Case Study

A study regarding the impact of the Hubble Space Telescope was conducted using sources that primarily relate to the US public. The indicators reflect colloquial knowledge that the HST NASA/ESA mission has wide name recognition and enjoys wide public support. Several gauges of HST impact were examined ranging from internet accesses to the news media. HST appears to hold a particular fascination for much of the public audience and also contributes to the general public understanding of science in both formal and informal education areas. The success of HST in the public eyes is due firstly, to the high-quality research and facilities available. The significant effort in producing exemplary materials for the public covering news, education, and public information has been well worth the investment.
Persistent post-Caesarean pain

Abstract Caesarean section rates have been increasing globally and the impact of persistent post-Caesarean pain (PPCP) burden could be significant because of associated maternal morbidity such as decreased quality of life and post-natal depression. This review evaluates the literature on aspects of pain management in Caesarean section. Effective perioperative pain control and breastfeeding could be important determinants to reduce the PPCP development. The use of adjuvant medications and neuraxial anaesthesia can mitigate the pain burden. This article also explores the non-interventional approaches such as analgesics and psychotherapy and invasive interventions such as nerve blocks, neuromodulation and spinal cord stimulators in treating PPCP as well as the need for further research to evaluate the efficacy of such treatments.
Recording Patient Encounters to Verify the Clinical Curriculum of a Family Medicine Clerkship

The learning experience during a medical school clinical rotation is to a large extent shaped by students’ patient encounters. This paper reports on how a log system for recording these encounters can be used for both course planning and evaluation. Over the past five years, 960 third year students participating in a four-week family medicine clerkship at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School completed log forms based on their clinical encounters. These forms were then optically scanned and directly entered into a computerized data base. The data revealed that the most common medical problems encountered by our students in ambulatory settings were similar to those reported in the general family practice literature. The data also indicated differences among clerkship sites in terms of patient demographics and the most frequently reported diagnoses, with a great deal of consistency in the types of encounters from year to year. Information from the log forms has been used by clerkship faculty to develop end-of-rotation examinations, determine required readings, prioritize didactic topics, adjust curriculum content, and prepare support materials. Given the utility of the information obtained and the ease of use of optical mark encounters sheets, we recommended this system for other clerkships.
Fertility Preservation in Cancer Patients: Ethical Considerations

Ethical consideration has a strong history and is of prime importance in the field medicine. Starting from the birth of Western medical ethics, the Hippocratic Oath, to the modern framework set forth by the Principalist approach [1] which involves the consideration of four principles – autonomy, beneficence, non-malfeasance, and justice. These four principles are not rigid mandates. Rather, these principles are meant to provide a useful framework to help health care providers make decisions when reflecting on moral issues as they arise. Although these principles are useful for many medical encounters, certain situations may present conflict between two or more principles and ethical dilemmas may arise. The burgeoning field of reproductive medical technology is ripe with ethical dilemmas and suggests a need for on-going ethical analysis as the sensitive topics of human life and reproductive rights are addressed. One of the most recent medical advances in reproductive medicine, attracting ethical consideration, is the practice of fertility preservation in cancer patients. The reproductive technologies allowing fertility preservation in cancer patients were born out of a recognized need to address the reported psychological distressed caused by infertility [2–7] in the increasing population of cancer survivors with impaired fertility [8]. The ethical endorsement of the practice of offering fertility preservation to cancer patients stems from the ethical principle of autonomy, referring to self-government and free choice, which promotes the individual right to reproduce and beneficence, to do good to patients by relieving distress associated with infertility.
Forest-attacking Invasive Species and Infant Health: Evidence From the Invasive Emerald Ash Borer

Abstract Trees provide many ecosystem services. Widespread tree loss, therefore, would lead to degradations in environmental quality, which might have spillover effects on human health. For the first time, the infant health externalities of tree loss caused by an invasive species are investigated. We exploit a quasi-experimental setting where millions of ash trees have been destroyed in the US due to the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB). Since EAB spread is quasi-random due to flight and weather, and since ash tree loss due to EAB is extensive, our research design can eliminate many environmental confounders of concern. We use rich, mother-level natality data covering the near-universe of US births over 1999–2015. Difference-in-differences results suggest that along the intensive margin, birth weight and gestation are lower by 12.19 g and 0.024 weeks, respectively, after EAB detection in the mother's county of residence. Along the extensive margin, the probability that a mother has a low birth weight baby increases by 0.2%, equivalent to an increase of 16.2 per 100,000 live annual births. Results are robust to using the synthetic control method and the Lasso method. An internal validity test shows that findings are not due to the changing composition of mothers after EAB.
Two New Species of Ocotea (Lauraceae) from the Andes in Ecuador and Peru

Two new species of Ocotea Aubl. from southern Ecuador and central Peru are described. The Peruvian species, O. raymondiana van der Werff, belongs in the Ocotea smithiana group and the affinity of the Ecuadorian species, O. aligra van der Werff, is uncertain.
Cimple: instruction and memory level parallelism: a DSL for uncovering ILP and MLP

Modern out-of-order processors have increased capacity to exploit instruction level parallelism (ILP) and memory level parallelism (MLP), e.g., by using wide superscalar pipelines and vector execution units, as well as deep buffers for inflight memory requests. These resources, however, often exhibit poor utilization rates on workloads with large working sets, e.g., in-memory databases, key-value stores, and graph analytics, as compilers and hardware struggle to expose ILP and MLP from the instruction stream automatically. In this paper, we introduce the IMLP (Instruction and Memory Level Parallelism) task programming model. IMLP tasks execute as coroutines that yield execution at annotated long-latency operations, e.g., memory accesses, divisions, or unpredictable branches. IMLP tasks are interleaved on a single thread, and integrate well with thread parallelism and vectorization. Our DSL embedded in C++, Cimple, allows exploration of task scheduling and transformations, such as buffering, vectorization, pipelining, and prefetching. We demonstrate state-of-the-art performance on core algorithms used in in-memory databases that operate on arrays, hash tables, trees, and skip lists. Cimple applications reach 2.5× throughput gains over hardware multithreading on a multi-core, and 6.4× single thread speedup.
Chemoenzymatic synthesis of heparan sulfate tetrasaccharide from a N-acetyl-α-d-glucosamine-O-methylglycoside acceptor

Abstract Heparan sulfate tetrasaccharide 2 was efficiently prepared in seven steps through chemoenzymatic synthesis. A monosaccharide 5, N-acetyl-α- d -glucosamine- O-methylglycoside (GlcNAc-OMe), was successfully used as an acceptor in a heparosan synthase (pmHS2)-catalyzed glycosylation reaction. This avoided the multi-step synthesis of a more complex disaccharide acceptor 3, greatly simplifying the route to tetrasaccharide target 2. This approach provides a critical tetrasaccharide intermediate for subsequent chemoenzymatic transformation to fondaparinux and its analogues.
A Gate-Level Approach To Compiling For Quantum Computers

Programming language constructs generally operate on data words, and so does most compiler analysis and transformation. However, individual word-level operations often harbor pointless, yet resource and power hungry, lower-level operations. By transforming complete programs into gate-level operations on individual bits, and optimizing operations at that level, it is possible to dramatically reduce the total amount of work needed to execute the program’s algorithm. This gate-level representation can be in terms of any complete set of logic gate types; earlier work targeted conventional multiplexor gates, but the work reported here centers on targeting CSWAP (FredKin) gates without fanout – a form that can be implemented on a quantum computer. This paper will overview the approach, describe the current state of the prototype compiler, and suggest some ways in which compiler automatic parallelization technology might be extended to allow ordinary programs to take advantage of the unique properties of quantum computers.
Constitutional Confessions: In Favor of a 'Loewy Plus' Approach

Professor Arnold Loewy famously argues that, given the failings of Fifth Amendment jurisprudence, the Sixth Amendment right to counsel should attach at interrogation rather than at the onset of adversarial proceedings. His proposal is wise and should be adopted. However, given the failure of the Court's ruling in Miranda v. Arizona to reduce psychological coercion during custodial interrogations, several additional reforms are needed. Namely, it should be significantly more difficult for suspects to waive their right to counsel during interrogation, all custodial interrogations should be recorded, and particularly coercive interrogation techniques – like lying about evidence – should be banned.
Infective endocarditis and outcomes of valve surgery: the bug, the valve, the host and the unknown

Infective endocarditis (IE) is becoming growing national epidemic in the US (1). The etiology of this substantial increase in IE prevalence is multifactorial, but is likely due to the increasing number of intravenous drug users, patients with prosthetic valves and/or implantable devices, immune-compromised patients, and patients with chronic indwelling catheters (2).
Carrying the Environmental Burdens

Chapter 3 details how working-class people in the UK are more likely to experience environmental deprivation, for example, in terms of air pollution, transport, proximity to landfill sites, flood risk, food poverty, fuel poverty and access to green space.
China Moving BRI into Latin American Countries: Chinese FTAs and Labor Implications

In May 2017, Xi Jinping called the Latin American countries [LAC] “a natural extension of the Maritime Silk Road…” Recent years of China’s increasing trade and investment has affected industries and jobs, and thus has also given rise to labor issues, as Chinese firms tend to hire Chinese nationals rather than local workers, especially in management and highly skilled roles. “Rules of the road” governing trade and FDI between China and LAC, though being negotiated, are not formalized in a comprehensive FTA with labor protection provisions, and currently there are only FTAs with several LAC countries. This paper will discuss and analyze the significance in selected Latin American countries of China moving its BRI into LAC and the implications on labor standards as they may interact with international obligations and current domestic labor laws. It will also address the question whether a regional, multi-lateral FTA with its economic advantages and uniform labor obligations may be beneficial to the growing relationships being negotiated? Issues of whether a China-LAC FTA with labor provisions would usefully enhance labor protections by providing an additional uniform monitoring and enforcement regime to the relationship, and how likely it will occur, is discussed below. Following the Introduction; Part II describes “Latin America” and its FDI and trade activities, focusing on the countries with significant trading experience with China or are members of the major trading blocs; Part III sets forth the current international and domestic labor obligations in selected countries in the LAC; Part IV provides comparative analyses and discusses a possible regional, multi-lateral FTA with China; and Part V concludes.
Fuzzy Set Theory Approach to Classify Highway Project Characteristics for Delivery Selection

AbstractSelecting an appropriate delivery method for highway projects is a complex decision process. Delivery decisions typically involve evaluating both quantitative (e.g., cost, schedule) and qua...
Snail host parental investment throughout a Schistosoma mansoni infection

Abstract Parental investment theory describes the ability of organisms to respond to an environmental challenge by increasing the fitness of future offspring. Utilizing life history changes, organisms can maximize fitness by increasing their total reproductive output or by investing more into the success of fewer offspring. In cases where parasitic infections result in castration of their host, increased reproductive effort known as fecundity compensation has been demonstrated in a variety of organisms. This response appears predictive of expected future reproductive losses. Organisms struggling with an environmental pathogen, may attempt to better prepare their offspring for the environment they are experiencing through transgenerational immune priming (TGIP). In immune priming, primary infection lowers the prevalence and intensity of a subsequent infection by the same pathogen. Transgenerational immune priming carries pathogen resistance into further generations without genotypic changes. The focus of this study was to determine whether invertebrate parental investment into offspring parasite resistance varies over the course of an infection. Utilizing the snail host Biomphalaria glabrata and its trematode parasite Schistosoma mansoni, offspring were reared from specific time intervals in the parent’s infection and subsequently exposed to the same pathogen when each cohort reached the same age- 12 weeks. Differences in infection prevalence and intensity were expected based on when the offspring were born during their parent’s infection. A trade-off was predicted between the number of offspring produced in a cohort and offspring resistance to future infections. Offspring born during the period of fecundity compensation were predicted to exhibit lower resistance due to a dilution of individual investment by parents into a larger offspring pool. While our results did not support TGIP, there were differences in offspring prevalence, as well as an indication that parent health may interact with genetics in offspring resistance. Results suggest that parental condition can influence resistance of B. glabrata offspring to S. mansoni but that TGIP may not be operating in this system.
Stimulation of Schwann cells by infrared pulsed stimulation

Schwann cells are the most abundant glial cell in the peripheral nervous system. Apart from their important role on axonal myelination they exert a key role on the regulation of axonal excitability and metabolism, nerve repair, immunological response and pain sensation. However, we still need to fully understand their complete role in the peripheral nervous system. Infrared pulsed stimulation is a label-free technique that proved useful to stimulate neural cells. We present for the first time the use of this method to modulate Schwann cells physiology and the versatility of the method to induce different responses with different stimulation parameters.
James R. Flynn (1934-2020).

Memorializes James (Jim) R. Flynn (1934-2020). Jim was one of psychology's most influential thinkers even though he was not a psychologist, receiving a PhD in 1958 in politics and moral philosophy at the University of Chicago. At the time of his death, Jim was Emeritus Professor of Politics at the University of Otago in New Zealand. Over the course of his career, Jim amassed several high impact papers and books, including his two Psychological Bulletin articles, "Massive IQ Gains in 14 Nations: What IQ Tests Really Measure" and "The Mean IQ of Americans: Massive Gains 1932-1978." In 2019, in A Book Too Risky to Publish: Free Speech and Universities, he mounted a brilliant defense of free speech. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Disaster Management and Preparedness

Contents Identifying the Risks Natural Risks Emerging Risks Governmental Regulations Structural Preparedness Coordinating with Local Assets Preplanning for a Disaster Eliminating, Minimizing, and Shifting Risks Developing an Action Plan Developing the Written Plan Effective Communications Selecting the Right People Training for Success Media Control Shareholder Factor After A Disaster - Minimizing the Damage Governmental Reactions Legal Issues Disability Issues Disaster Preparedness Assessments Personal Disasters - Use of Criminal Sanctions Appendix A - OSHA Inspection Checklist Appendix B - Employee Workplace Rights Appendix C - Web Sites for Disaster Preparedness Information and Equipment Appendix D - Typical Responsibilities Appendix E - Potential Sources of Disaster Preparedness and Management Assistance Through Local Colleges and Universities
Analytical and experimental studies on carrier frequency offset estimation algorithms for OFDM systems

In this paper, we perform numerical and experimental studies on preamble based nonlinear least squares (NLS) and maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) algorithms used for carrier frequency offset estimation in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communication systems. Further, a reduced complexity data aided nonlinear least squares (NLS) algorithm for carrier frequency offset estimation is proposed. The estimator uses the short symbols in the preamble field for estimating the carrier frequency offset. The proposed NLS estimator is also the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) when the additive noise is white and Gaussian. The estimator maintains estimation accuracy and offers the widest estimation range. The mean square error performance of the algorithm is compared against other preamble based NLS and MLE algorithms under several practical scenarios. The simulation results are verified using the data obtained from Stevens wireless testbed.
Chemical studies of histone acetylation. The distribution of epsilon-N-acetyllysine in calf thymus histones.

Abstract Histone fractions, f1, f2a1, f2a2, f2b, and f3, were prepared from calf thymus nuclei which had been incubated in the presence of sodium acetate-1-14C. Each of the histone fractions was digested with trypsin and with Pronase, and the resulting peptides and amino acids were separated by ion exchange and exclusion chromatography. Only the arginine-rich fractions, f2a1 and f3, were found to be appreciably labeled with 14C-acetate. All of their radioactivity could be recovered as a single chromatographic peak which was identified as e-N-acetyllysine. The comparatively lysine-rich fractions, f1 and f2b, were unlabeled and did not contain e-N-acetyllysine. The moderately lysine-rich f2a2 fraction contained small amounts of radioactive acetate and of acetyllysine, a result which may indicate either very little acetylation of this fraction or contamination of the f2a2 by small amounts of the more acetylated histones.
On Analysis of Dual Spacecraft Stereoscopic Observations to Determine the Three-Dimensional Morphology and Plasma Properties of Solar Coronal Flux Tubes

By using two spacecraft equipped with multi-bandpass X-ray telescopes, it is possible to obtain direct 3-dimensional morphology of coronal structures which is essential for understanding the energetics and dynamics of the solar atmosphere. X-ray observations taken only in orbit about the Earth are inadequate to fully resolve the 3-dimensional nature of the solar corona. These Earth-orbit observations produce 2-dimensional images and an appropriate model must be included to derive the 3-dimensional structures from the line-of-sight information. Stereoscopic observations from space will remove this limitation and are needed if we are to improve our knowledge of the 3-dimensional morphology of the corona.
Rapid Porphyrin Screening of Urine, Stool, and Blood

Simplified chemical screening tests and an apparatus to facilitate their performance have been developed for porphyrins. The tests are applicable to urine, stool, and blood. The procedures for different specimens are essentially identical and can be performed in a few minutes with a minimum of reagents and apparatus. Results obtained are usually sufficiently definitive to permit differential diagnoses of porphyrias and porphyrinurias without resort to separation or quantitation of the individual porphyrins.
More stratifiable function spaces

Abstract If X is a compact-covering image of a closed subspace of product of a σ-compact Polish space and a compact space, then C k ( X , M ) , the space of continuous maps of X into M with the compact-open topology, is stratifiable for any metric space M. If X is σ-compact Polish, K is compact and M metric then every point of C k ( X × K , M ) has a closure-preserving local base, and hence this function space is M 1 .
Organization of geniculocortical connections following prenatal interruption of binocular interactions.

Abstract The organization of geniculostriate connections in normal cats was compared with that of adult animals that were uniocularly enucleated before birth. In normal animals microelectrophoretic deposits of horseradish peroxidase conjugated to wheat germ agglutinin (WGA-HRP) into the A-lamina of the dorsal lateral geniculate body (LGd) resulted in anterograde label in layers IV and VI and labeled cells in layer VI of areas 17 and 18. The labeling pattern within both of these cortical areas consisted of alternating patches separated by zones of equivalent size that were relatively free of label. In the normal animals no reaction product was evident in any other cortical area. In the prenatally enucleated cats, the LGd both contralateral and ipsilateral to the remaining eye is comprised of only two distinct cell layers. The dorsal layer appears to be a composite of the normal A/A1-laminae, while the ventral layer appears to correspond to the C-laminae. Deposits of WGA-HRP into the superficial aspect of the A/A1 layer yielded a dense continuous band of label within layers IV and VI of areas 17 and 18. Additionally, such deposits in the prenatally enucleated cats also revealed an anomalous reciprocal connection with area 19. Punctate deposits of WGA-HRP into cortical area 19 of the fetal enucleates resulted in the labeling of two distinct populations of cells within the A/A1 layer of the LGd. No cells were labeled within the A-laminae following such deposits into area 19 of normal animals. The geniculocortical connections of the prenatally enucleated cats, including that to area 19, were found to be retinotopically organized. These results indicate that in utero interruption of binocular interactions prevents the formation of ocular dominance domains within areas 17 and 18 of the cat's visual cortex. This could reflect the maintenance of exuberant geniculocortical projections present at the time of prenatal eye removal as originally suggested by Rakic (Science, 214 (1981) 928–931). The anomalous connection with area 19, on the other hand, could be due to the disruption of LGd cell migration resulting from the early eye removal.
An Ethics and Professionalism Seminar in the Civil Engineering Curriculum

This paper describes the development of a seminar devoted to ethics and professionalism in engineering. The course is designed to provide an introduction to the role of the engineer in society in addition to an overview of the ethical and professional responsibilities of the engineer. Another important factor in offering the seminar is related to the recommendations of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), which states that, “an understanding of the ethical, social, economic, and safety considerations in engineering practice is essential for a successful engineering career.”Typical course discussion topics include: Ethical and human factors in construction and design safety; professionalism and ethics in highway construction; infrastructure, problems and possible solutions; the ethics and safety of nuclear power; the challenger disaster, a question of ethics; and quality in the constructed project manual, introduction and implementations. Evaluations indicate that the seminar is w...
Interactions of lectins with (Na+ + K+)-ATPase of eel electric organ.

Interaction of lectins with a detergent-solubilized ATPase from eel electric organ was studied. Concanavalin A, which binds to α-mannosides, altered the rate of enzyme migration in agar and inhibited the formation of an antigen-antibody precipitate; other lectins had no such effects. Concanavalin A similar amounts partially inhibited (Na+ + K+)-ATPase; this inhibition was reversible by α-methylglucoside. There was no corresponding effect of concanavalin A on the potassium p-nitrophenyl-phosphatase. Concanavalin A also did not interfere with ouabain binding. Thus, concanavalin A binds to an antigenic region also involved in Na+ and/or ATP binding, but does not interact with a K+ site.
Regional heparinization via simultaneous separation and reaction in a novel Taylor-Couette flow device.

The development of a safe and efficient bioreactor design has remained a challenge for the clinical application of immobilized enzymes. Specifically, the use of immobilized heparinase I has been the target of many studies to make heparin anticoagulation therapy safer for the critically ill patient with kidney failure or heart disease. We have investigated the use of Taylor-Couette flow for a novel type of bioreactor. In a previous study, we showed that the fluidization of agarose immobilized heparinase within Taylor vortices in whole blood can lead to extensive blood damage in the form of cell depletion and hemolysis. Based on these findings, we designed and developed a reactor, referred to as vortex-flow plasmapheretic reactor (VFPR), that incorporated plasmapheresis and fluidization of the agarose in the reactive compartment, separate from the whole-blood path. In the present study, immobilized heparinase I was tested as a means of achieving regional heparinization of a closed circuit. This is a method in which heparin is infused into the extracorporeal circuit predialyzer and neutralized postdialyzer. Saline studies were performed with an immobilized heparinase I-packed bed and with the VFPR. An in vitro feasibility study was performed with the VFPR using human blood. The VFPR achieved heparin conversions of 44 ± 0.5% and 34 ± 2% in saline and blood, respectively. In addition, the VFPR caused no blood damage. We report a novel method to achieve fluidization which depended on secondary, circumferencial flow, and was independent of the primary flow through the device. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 63: 618–624, 1999.
PRECISE COORDINATE CONTROL IN FISSION TRACK URANIUM MAPPING.

Abstract The problem of locating minute mineral grains by fission track uranium mapping is solved by means of a congruent transformation of the track detector's coordinate system.
Unitarity and the inhomogeneous equations method for identical particle scattering

Abstract A K -matrix solution to the coupled, inhomogeneous equations describing the scattering of a particle by a system of identical particles is developed. It is shown that K is a sum of two terms, one arising from the homogeneous solution and one from the particular integral. The former is a direct contribution, i.e., with no exchange, while the latter is a pure exchange contribution. Thus, as in the previously studied case of the T matrix arising from this system of equations, the direct and exchange portions of K are additive, and can be computed separately. A unitary S matrix is obtained from K in the usual way: S = (1 + iK )(1 − iK ) −1 . The problem of how to calculate K when an apparent two-channel problem is actually a two-particle problem with the channels referring to the identical particle labels is also solved.
Assessing Suicide Ideation:Comparing Self-Report Versus Clinician Report:

BACKGROUND: The accurate identification of suicidal individuals is an important but complex process. Common approaches to suicide assessment include self-report tools and clinician interview. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine and compare two assessment methods for determining suicidal ideation of patients admitted for treatment of a mood or anxiety disorder. DESIGN: A secondary analysis of an existing dataset was conducted. Sixty-eight inpatients treated for mood or anxiety disorders completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and were assessed by a clinician using an investigator-developed interview schedule. One item from BDI and one question from the interview schedule were used to compare two methods for assessing suicidal ideation. RESULTS: In 80% of cases, responses were in agreement between the two assessment methods. However, disagreement between assessment methods was found for 13 (19.4%) cases. The rate of disagreement was beyond chance (p = .00). CONCLUSION: The findings support inclusion of both a self-report method and a face-to-face interview to assess suicide ideations. Further research is warranted to examine if both methods for assessing suicide ideations are indicated during the first 24 hours after admission to an inpatient unit. J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc, 2004; 10(1), 9-15.
Isocratic liquid chromatographic method for the determination of amoxapine and its metabolites

An isocratic revers-phase liquid chromatographic method for the determination of amoxapine and its major metabolites in human plasma utilizing UV detection is described Plasma samples were extracted with ethyl acetate after pH adjustment. The reconstituted extracts were injected onto a cyanopropylsilane column and eluted with a mobile phase consisting of 65% acetonitrile and 35% sodium acetate buffer 0.03 M and pH 6. The minimum detectable limit was <10 ng/mL of plasma Possible interferences from other drugs which might be administered concurrently were studied. The reproducibility and precision of the method are demonstrated by the analysis of samples containing 25–600 ng/mL of plasma. The method is being applied successfully in our laboratory for the analysis of plasma from patients receiving amoxapine.
Descripción de la experiencia efectuada por los residentes de medicina general familiar de la universidad de valparaíso durante el megaincendio de los días 12, 13 y 14 de abril del año 2014

El 12 de abril del 2014 se desata en los cerros de Valparaiso uno de los incendios mas devastadores que la ciudad puerto recuerde, con una rapida propagacion y alcanzando magnitudes no imaginadas se define la situacion de catastrofe y se activa la red de respuesta desde multiples areas. En este contexto, los residentes de la Especialidad de Medicina General y Familiar de la Universidad de Valparaiso somos llamados a cumplir un rol central en la articulacion de la ayuda de los afectados por este desastre. Luego de ocho semanas de intensa y satisfactoria labor en terreno se obtienen resultados hacia la comunidad, pero a la vez de un importante aprendizaje profesional. Mas alla del voluntarismo y la solidaridad, se va gestando un trabajo interesante en distintas areas de competencias de la residencia como la gestion, administracion, coordinacion intersectorial, vigilancia epidemiologica, trabajo en equipo y participacion comunitaria, entre otras. Desde asumir un rol de liderazgo frente al equipo del puesto de salud, primer desafio, la labor fue fluidamente transformandose, con un aprendizaje implicito potente, matizado por la desorganizacion de unos primeros dias muy agitados. Las competencias que son parte de nuestra especialidad fueron necesariamente desplegadas y puestas en practica en un escenario complejo; la capacidad de organizar, planificar, supervisar, registrar se superpone a la continua labor asistencial. El crecimiento logrado luego de esta experiencia se manifiesta especialmente en la gestion en red y el trabajo social y comunitario, marcando un hito en nuestra formacion como residentes. Donde ademas se plasmaron vivamente los principios rectores de la medicina familiar en cada acto, logrando la continuidad de los cuidados, con un enfoque familiar, integral y holistico, fuertemente entrelazado a la permanente educacion para la salud, promocion y prevencion. Conclusion Este trabajo muestra una experiencia de aprendizaje en la practica, con desarrollo de competencias y potencialidades inherentes a la formacion profesional, pero con un gran acento en el manejo de catastrofes o situaciones de emergencia a nivel poblacional. Y pone en la palestra la discusion acerca del rol del residente de Medicina Familiar en este tipo de situaciones, asi como tambien la necesidad de involucrar en los programas de especialidad la formacion y preparacion de profesionales ante eventuales desastres naturales. Objetivos 1) Describir la experiencia realizada por los residentes de medicina familiar de la universidad de Valparaiso durante el incendio de los dias 12 y 13 de abril en el contexto formativo. 2) Analizar la experiencia ejecutada con el fin de aportar la discusion sobre la incorporacion de la materia de gestion de desastres en las mallas curriculares.
M-CSF and GM-CSF Regulation of STAT5 Activation and DNA Binding in Myeloid Cell Differentiation is Disrupted in Nonobese Diabetic Mice

Defects in macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) signaling disrupt myeloid cell differentiation in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice, blocking myeloid maturation into tolerogenic antigen-presenting cells (APCs). In the absence of M-CSF signaling, NOD myeloid cells have abnormally high granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) expression, and as a result, persistent activation of signal transducer/activator of transcription 5 (STAT5). Persistent STAT5 phosphorylation found in NOD macrophages is not affected by inhibiting GM-CSF. However, STAT5 phosphorylation in NOD bone marrow cells is diminished if GM-CSF signaling is blocked. Moreover, if M-CSF signaling is inhibited, GM-CSF stimulation in vitro can promote STAT5 phosphorylation in nonautoimmune C57BL/6 mouse bone marrow cultures to levels seen in the NOD. These findings suggest that excessive GM-CSF production in the NOD bone marrow may interfere with the temporal sequence of GM-CSF and M-CSF signaling needed to mediate normal STAT5 function in myeloid cell differentiation gene regulation.
High-energy 13.9 nm table-top soft-x-ray laser at 2.5 Hz repetition rate excited by a slab-pumped Ti:sapphire laser

We have demonstrated repetitive operation of a table-top lambda=13.9 nm Ni-like Ag soft-x-ray laser that generates laser pulses with 10 microJ energy. The soft-x-ray laser is enabled by a Ti:sapphi ...
Williams Syndrome Transcription Factor is critical for neural crest cell function in Xenopus laevis

Abstract Williams Syndrome Transcription Factor (WSTF) is one of ∼25 haplodeficient genes in patients with the complex developmental disorder Williams Syndrome (WS). WS results in visual/spatial processing defects, cognitive impairment, unique behavioral phenotypes, characteristic “elfin” facial features, low muscle tone and heart defects. WSTF exists in several chromatin remodeling complexes and has roles in transcription, replication, and repair. Chromatin remodeling is essential during embryogenesis, but WSTF’s role in vertebrate development is poorly characterized. To investigate the developmental role of WSTF, we knocked down WSTF in Xenopus laevis embryos using a morpholino that targets WSTF mRNA. BMP4 shows markedly increased and spatially aberrant expression in WSTF-deficient embryos, while SHH, MRF4, PAX2, EPHA4 and SOX2 expression are severely reduced, coupled with defects in a number of developing embryonic structures and organs. WSTF-deficient embryos display defects in anterior neural development. Induction of the neural crest, measured by expression of the neural crest-specific genes SNAIL and SLUG, is unaffected by WSTF depletion. However, at subsequent stages WSTF knockdown results in a severe defect in neural crest migration and/or maintenance. Consistent with a maintenance defect, WSTF knockdowns display a specific pattern of increased apoptosis at the tailbud stage in regions corresponding to the path of cranial neural crest migration. Our work is the first to describe a role for WSTF in proper neural crest function, and suggests that neural crest defects resulting from WSTF haploinsufficiency may be a major contributor to the pathoembryology of WS.
Numerical simulations of dynamically diffracted ultrashort x-ray free-electron laser pulses

The diffraction of femtosecond x-ray pulses by crystals will play a central role in the development of the optics of x-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs). Making use of Fourier analysis, we calculate the temporal dynamical diffraction of an incident delta function by single- and double- symmetric Bragg crystal monochromators. The time-dependent intensity of ultrashort XFEL pulses diffracted by perfect crystals is discussed. Our simulations show modifications in the time structure of incident 8 keV, 280-fs-duration, microbunched XFEL pulses after diffraction by the crystal optics. Finally, we investigate the statistical fluctuations of the time-integrated intensity from shot to shot.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Plasminogen Activator and Its Inhibitor in Cancer Patients Treated With Tumor Necrosis Factor

Background We noted the presence of plasma fibrin degradation products in patients treated with recombinant human tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in a phase I trial. Purpose To further define this observation, we investigated the effects of TNF on the fibrinolytic system in patients entered in the same trial. Methods In the 14 patients studied, fibrinolytic parameters were measured by analyzing blood samples for tissue plasminogen activator and inhibitor at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, and 18-24 hours after initiation of TNF treatment. We used a chromogenic substrate method to determine activity of plasminogen activator and its inhibitor and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine levels of antigen (tissue-type plasminogen activator). Molecular weight was determined by zymographic assay. Results TNF treatment was associated with tissue-type plasminogen activator induction within 1 hour of TNF initiation. The plasminogen activator produced was consistent with tissue-type plasminogen activator derived from endothelium as evidenced by molecular weight analysis and ELISA. Moreover, induction of plasminogen activator inhibitor occurred following the release of tissue-type plasminogen activator, and our data suggest a dose-response effect for TNF. At high doses (i.e., 200 and 240 micrograms/m2), there was a more rapid and prolonged release of plasminogen activator inhibitor, which had an inverse relationship with the level of antigenic tissue-type plasminogen activator. Zymographic analysis showed urokinase-type plasminogen activator activity in 13 of 14 patients. In three patients, simultaneous measurements of white blood cells and tissue-type plasminogen activator revealed a temporal association between the TNF-associated rapid granulocytopenia at 30 minutes after TNF initiation and release of tissue-type plasminogen activator antigen. Conclusions The results suggest a positive association between TNF and rapid induction of plasminogen activator activity that is consistent with an endothelial product. It is possible that, at high doses, TNF may interact directly with vascular endothelium, leading to rapid and prolonged production of plasminogen activator inhibitor. There was a dose-response effect between TNF and release of tissue-type plasminogen activator. The release of tissue-type plasminogen activator was preceded by granulocytopenia, which may indicate an association between a proposed TNF-induced granulocyte-endothelial interaction in vivo and release of tissue-type plasminogen activator. Implications These findings demonstrating the effects of TNF on the fibrinolytic system can be analyzed further in experimental systems to determine the implications for use of this agent as a biological response modifier in cancer therapy.