cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Academic Tertiary Referral Center's Experience with a Vascular Surgery-Based Uterine Artery Embolization Program.

Background Despite growing endovascular experience within the vascular surgery community, some catheter-based interventions—such as uterine artery embolization (UAE)—remain outside the clinical scope of most vascular surgeons, owing in part to established referral patterns and limited awareness among referring colleagues. We present our experience with a vascular surgery–based, multidisciplinary UAE program at an academic tertiary referral center. Methods In a collaborative effort between vascular surgeons and gynecologists, a pelvic vascular disease program has been established to provide palliative, prophylactic, and therapeutic embolizations including, but not limited to, UAE. For UAE, inclusion criteria are women over the age of 18 years with symptomatic uterine fibroids demonstrated on magnetic resonance imaging and a negative endometrial biopsy. Exclusion criteria are desire for future pregnancy and previous embolization(s). Technique and perioperative protocol is presented. Data including symptom resolution, reintervention rates, and complications were prospectively gathered and retrospectively reviewed. Results Over an 18-month period, 30 patients with symptomatic fibroids were referred for potential UAE. Five patients were excluded because of uncertainty about future pregnancy wishes (4) and prior embolization (1). Twenty-four bilateral and 2 unilateral UAEs were performed (mean age, 46.3 years [range 28–53 years]). Presenting symptoms were pelvic and abdominal pain (25), cramps (25), menorrhagia (25), dysmenorrhea (25), urinary frequency (12), and dyspareunia (5). Technical success, defined as successful microcatheterization of uterine arteries and delivery of a particulate liquid embolic agent (embospheres, 500–700 microns), was 100%. There were no perioperative or delayed complications. Twenty-one patients (87.5%) reported complete symptomatic relief without further intervention at the time of last follow-up. Three patients (12.5%) reported pain relief but had persistent vaginal bleeding requiring hysterectomy 12 months after UAE. All patients underwent a 23-hr observation postoperatively for pain control. Mean follow-up was 7.4 months (1–23 months) and included pelvic ultrasound assessment of fibroid size at 1, 3, and 6 months after UAE and annually thereafter. One patient was lost to follow-up. Fibroid shrinkage was noted in all patients. Given the willingness and capability to work-up, admit, treat, and follow-up patients, vascular surgery was deemed the preferred service for UAE by the referring gynecologists. Conclusion Within the framework of a collaborative, multidisciplinary program, vascular surgery can play a prominent role in providing safe and effective UAE.
Converter-Based Solutions: Opening New Avenues of Power System Protection Against Solar and HEMP MHD-E3 GIC

Geomagnetic Disturbances (GMDs) are the result of solar storms or a high-altitude nuclear detonation. On the power systems, they might lead to the flow of quasi-DC currents referred as Geomagnetically Induced Currents (GICs). These currents cause the AC current offset that may drive the power transformers into saturation. This leads to large draw of reactive power, causes transformer internal heating and increased noise level, damage to shunt capacitors, harmonic filters and maloperation of power system protection equipment. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art of the GIC mitigation and elimination strategies and their respective limitations. It also introduces converter-based strategies as a new avenue of power system protection against GICs by presenting novel strategies that involve the integration of the proposed schemes between the neutral and ground of power transformers. One of the proposed schemes is a contribution to the approaches solely focused towards GIC mitigation, whereas, the other provides a variety of grid-support functions in addition to GIC elimination. The simulations performed in a Controller Hardware-in-the-Loop (C-HIL) environment verify the proposed schemes as a promising alternative to the current GIC mitigation approaches.
Percutaneous Bone Biopsy for Diabetic Foot Osteomyelitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background Diabetes is the leading cause of lower extremity nontraumatic amputation globally, and diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO) is usually the terminal event before limb loss. Although guidelines recommend percutaneous bone biopsy (PBB) for microbiological diagnosis of DFO in several common scenarios, it is unclear how frequently PBBs yield positive cultures and whether they cause harm or improve outcomes. Methods We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Trials databases for articles in any language published up to December 31, 2019, reporting the frequency of culture-positive PBBs. We calculated the pooled proportion of culture-positive PBBs using a random-effects meta-analysis model and reported on PBB-related adverse events, DFO outcomes, and antibiotic adjustment based on PBB culture results where available. Results Among 861 articles, 11 studies met inclusion criteria and included 780 patients with 837 PBBs. Mean age ranged between 56.6 and 71.0 years old. The proportion of males ranged from 62% to 86%. All studies were longitudinal observational cohorts, and 10 were from Europe. The range of culture-positive PBBs was 56%-99%, and the pooled proportion of PBBs with a positive culture was 84% (95% confidence interval, 73%-91%). There was heterogeneity between studies and no consistency in definitions used to define adverse events. Impact of PBB on DFO outcomes or antibiotic management were seldom reported. Conclusions This meta-analysis suggests PBBs have a high yield of culture-positive results. However, this is an understudied topic, especially in low- and middle-income countries, and the current literature provides very limited data regarding procedure safety and impact on clinical outcomes or antibiotic management.
Physiological responses and quality attributes of muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia Michx) to CO2-enriched atmosphere storage

Abstract Muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia Michx) is a non-climacteric fruit that rapidly loses quality during storage. This study aimed to assess the effect of controlled atmosphere (CA) on quality parameters and muscadine grapes decay. Berries of two muscadine grape cultivars, Triumph, and Supreme, were stored at 4 °C with 95 % relative humidity in either regular air (AIR), regular CA (RCA) (6 % O2 + 10 % CO2), or CA with extreme CO2 level (ECA; 4 % O2 + 30 % CO2) for up to 42 d. Treated berries with either RCA or ECA provided better control of weight loss. Both CA treatments reduced decay incidence, but there was no decay in ECA berries after 42 d for both cultivars and no evidence of CO2 injury. The results showed that berry softening was significantly delayed by RCA and ECA, which had a lower ethylene production rate than berries exposed to AIR. Application of RCA and ECA also retained greater total antioxidant activity, total phenolic compounds, and firmness compared to AIR. These results demonstrate that maintaining CA conditions postharvest leads to improved preservation of compositional quality and delayed softening and decay of harvested muscadine grapes compared with AIR storage.
Surgical outcomes and survival rates of colon cancer in children and young adults

Abstract Introduction Colon cancer in children and young adults is rare. We sought to compare outcomes and survival between patients ≤and>25 years of age with colon cancer. Methods Using the National Cancer Database, patients with colon cancer between 2004 and 2016 were identified. We included patients with histological codes consistent with invasive colon adenocarcinoma and excluded those missing data about treatment. Post-surgical outcomes and survival were compared. Results Of 531,462 patients meeting criteria, 947 were ≤25 years. Patients ≤25 had more advanced disease (stage III:44.4%vs33.4%, stage IV:27.5%vs.15.3%) and higher rates of total colectomy (8.9%vs.2.7%) and proctocolectomy (5.0%vs.0.0%) than those >25 years. Stage for stage, 5-year survival was higher in patients ≤25 than those >25years. On multivariate regression, age was not associated with increased risk of mortality while male sex and uninsured status were. Conclusions Despite presenting with more advanced disease, patients ≤25 years with colon cancer had better survival than those >25 years.
Lived Experiences Of Women With PhDs In Kenya

The status of women across regions varies significantly. This is as a result of the uneven socio-economic development and the social, cultural and religious beliefs on the female gender. The state of women is affected by existing patriarchal systems across the world. In Africa, education for girls has been categorically pointed out as a means to fighting the existing forces of patriarchy. Emphasis on girl education has seen women, more than ever before, pursue higher education with the goal of achieving fulfilling professional and personal lives. Despite this milestone, the ability to realize the goals has played out differently in terms of their experiences of meaningful work, professional accomplishments, opportunities for career growth, compatibility of work and personal life. With specific reference to Kenya, this study explored perceptions, expectations and experiences of women with higher education qualifications (PhD) within the structures of the family, socio-economic, and cultural structures of the society. The study used mixed method approach utilizing both quantitative survey and qualitative research methods. Data was collected using questionnaires and focus group discussions. Findings show that the gender stereotypes and old paradigms still exist within the society. While the society superficially portrays highly educated women as knowledgeable and respectable members, the study found that female PhD holders still suffer gender related challenges from immediate family and their work places. The study concludes that achieving gender equality is not only about access to learning, but much more broadly, it is about challenging the learning environments, the attitudes, and the gender ideologies in the society.
Advances in multi-dimensional super-resolution nonlinear optical microscopy

In this review, recent advances toward bridging the mismatching length scales of optical spectroscopy and imaging are described. Spectroscopic measurements that span ultraviolet to infrared wavelen...
The Role of Receptor Immunoglogulin in Antigen-Specific, MHC-Restricted T Cell/B Cell Cooperation

Clonal selection theory assigns a central role to membrane Ig in determining the specificity of the antibody response. However, the combination of antigen with membrane Ig is insufficient to induce resting B cell to produce a clone of antibody secreting cells; for the antibody response to soluble protein antigens, the same molecule of antigen needs to be recognized by an antigen-specific helper T cell. We share Howard Grey’s perspective presented earlier that B cells get help by acting as very efficient antigen-presenting cells (APC) for antigens that bind to membrane Ig, and that recognition of the same molecule by B cells and T cells is sequential rather than simultaneous. This scheme (Figure 1) explains MHC-restriction of T cell/B cell cooperation, as well as the ability of T cells, which see processed antigen and tend to cross-react extensively on denatured proteins or peptides, to help B cells make antibodies which can be exquisitely sensitive to protein conformation.
Packing characterization: Absorber economic analysis

Abstract In this paper, an economic analysis of the absorber for a 250 MW coal-fired power plant was conducted. The purpose of the research is to determine the optimal design and operating conditions for the amine scrubbing post-combustion absorber. The Energy Cost (Energy) and the Annualized Capital Cost (CAPEX) for the absorber were calculated to determine the total processing cost as a function of the gas superficial velocity ( u G ). To calculate the CAPEX and energy, the mass transfer properties and hydraulic data for these packings were obtained from previous experimental measurements. The minimum total cost for each packing was compared to find the lowest total cost and optimum packing. The total cost decreases with u G at first (CAPEX dominant) and then increases (Energy dominant). The minimum total cost represents a trade-off between CAPEX and Energy, and it is achieved at the intersection of the CAPEX region and the energy region. The optimum operating velocity is between 50 and 80% flood for all packings, which deviates from the experience with distillation column design, usually optimized at 70–90% flood. The lowest total absorber cost from this study is given by packing 200X-H with a value of $4.04/ton CO 2 removed.
Economic Development Networks Among Local Governments

Since the local governmental system has been fragmented, competition among local jurisdictions to retain existing business and attract companies located in other cities has increased. In the competitive environment, on the other hand, local actors attempt to collaborate with others in order to efficiently secure scarce resources and to maximize their own interests through collaboration. While previous research has normatively discussed collaboration or focused on the factors influencing policy networks among local jurisdictions, there have been few studies empirically investigating policy actors’ behavior in the collaborative network sphere. This study tested network hypotheses regarding coordination and cooperation depending on the risk preference of local governments: how institutional actors make strategic decisions depending on the situation that they face, in order to resolve collective action problems. This study found that while local governments coordinate with other governments for simple information exchange, they are likely to commit to partnerships through creating tightly-clustered network structures to reduce uncertainty and risk of defection in contracts. In this study of the Tampa Bay metropolitan area, in particular, cooperative network structures are more likely than coordinating network structures to occur in the economic development policy arena. In addition, this study found that local jurisdictions are more likely to collaborate with those that belong to the same county.
Seismological Constraints on Attenuation in the Earth: a Review

Resolving anelastic attenuation, its spatial and depth variations, can provide important constraints on the composition and dynamics of the earth. However, measuring Q is difficult because of interfering non-linear elastic effects which contribute to the amplitudes of seismic waves. We review recent progress in the determination of global Q-structure in the earth using seismic data. The 1D profile of Qμ appears to be reasonably well constrained in the upper-mantle and transition zone, less so in the lower mantle and D. Some discrepancies remain, in the inner core, between body wave and free oscillation estimates of average Qμ and its depth variation and it is not yet clear whether most of the bulk attenuation is in the core or in the mantle, although recent normal mode studies favor the latter. Large lateral variations in Q are now well established in the crust and the uppermost mantle, where they correlate with past and present tectonic activity. Only few studies to date have proposed 3D tomographic images of the deeper parts of the mantle. While significant lateral variations are well documented, and appear to correlate with those of elastic heterogeneities, large uncertainties remain in the amplitudes of the lateral variations and their details. While there may be some indication for lateral variations in D, it is not clear yet whether such variations are required at all in the bulk of the lower mantle. An interesting recent finding has been that of anisotropy in attenuation in the inner core. More work is needed to document and understand the latter, constrain Q (1D and 3D) in the lower mantle, and resolve lateral variations in the upper mantle more quantitatively. A particular challenge for the future is to be able to accurately quantify the perturbing effects due to elastic structure in global measurements of surface wave and body wave amplitudes.
Restricted k-color partitions

We generalize overpartitions to (k, j)-colored partitions: k-colored partitions in which each part size may have at most j colors. We find numerous congruences and other symmetries. We use a wide array of tools to prove our theorems: generating function dissections, modular forms, bijections, and other combinatorial maps. In the process of proving certain congruences, we find results of independent interest on the number of partitions with exactly 2 sizes of part in several arithmetic progressions. We find connections to divisor sums, the Han/Nekrasov–Okounkov hook length formula and a possible approach to finitization, and other topics, suggesting that a rich mine of results is available. We pose several immediate questions and conjectures.
A Factor Structure of Professionals' Attitude towards Continuing Education and its Relationship to Participation

This article investigates the structure of professionals' attitude towards a continuing education program. Data for the article was obtained from 323 veterinary practitioners in the province of Alberta. An exploratory factor analysis led to the identification of three dimensions of attitude towards a continuing professional education (CPE) program: relevance, benefit, and accessibility. The relationship between the professionals' attitude with their previous and future participation behaviors in CPE programs was also examined. The findings suggest that a multidimensional structure of attitude offers a more meaningful understanding of perceptions about the information provided by organizers of CPE programs than a unidimensional conceptualization of attitude. Implications for future research and continuing education practice are discussed. Resume Cette etude examine la structure de l'attitude de professionals a l'egard d'un programme deformation continue. Les donnees de l'etude ont ete recueillies aupres de trois cents vingt-trois veterinaires praticiens de l'Alberta. Une analyse fatorielle exploratoire a mener a Identification de trois dimensions de I'attitude des professionnels a l'egard du programme de formation continue (CPE): soit, la pertinence, les avantages et l'accessibilite. La relation entre l'attitude des professionnels envers leur comportement dans leur participation anterieure aux programmes CPE et leur attitude envers leur comportement dans leur participation future, a aussi ete examinee. Les conclusions de l'etude semble indiquer que la conceptualisation d'une structure multidimensionelle plutot qu'une structure unidimensionelle de l'attitude des professionnels envers ces programmes permet une meilleure comprehension des perceptions qu'ils ont de l'information fournie par les organisateurs des programmes CPE. Les implications pour la recherche et les pratiques en formation continue sont aussi abordees.
Choiceless computation and symmetry

Many natural problems in computer science concern structures like graphs where elements are not inherently ordered. In contrast, Turing machines and other common models of computation operate on strings. While graphs may be encoded as strings (via an adjacency matrix), the encoding imposes a linear order on vertices. This enables a Turing machine operating on encodings of graphs to choose an arbitrary element from any nonempty set of vertices at low cost (the Augmenting Paths algorithm for BIPARTITE MATCHING being an example of the power of choice). However, the outcome of a computation is liable to depend on the external linear order (i.e., the choice of encoding). Moreover, isomorphism-invariance/encoding-independence is an undecidable property of Turing machines. This trouble with encodings led Blass, Gurevich and Shelah [3] to propose a model of computation known as BGS machines that operate directly on structures. BGS machines preserve symmetry at every step in a computation, sacrificing the ability to make arbitrary choices between indistinguishable elements of the input structure (hence "choiceless computation"). Blass et al. also introduced a complexity class CPT+C (Choiceless Polynomial Time with Counting) defined in terms of polynomially bounded BGS machines. While every property finite structures in CPT+C is polynomial-time computable in the usual sense, it is open whether conversely every isomorphism-invariant property in P belongs to CPT+C. In this paper we give evidence that CPT+C ≠ P by proving the separation of the corresponding classes of function problems. Specifically, we show that there is an isomorphism-invariant polynomial-time computable function problem on finite vector spaces ("given a finite vector space V, output the set of hyperplanes in V" ) that is not computable by any CPT+C program. In addition, we give a new simplified proof of the Support Theorem, which is a key step in the result of [3] that a weak version of CPT+C absent counting cannot decide the parity of sets.
Evolutionary Phylogenetic Networks: Models and Issues

Phylogenetic networks are special graphs that generalize phylogenetic trees to allow for modeling of non-treelike evolutionary histories. The ability to sequence multiple genetic markers from a set of organisms and the conflicting evolutionary signals that these markers provide in many cases, have propelled research and interest in phylogenetic networks to the forefront in computational phylogenetics. Nonetheless, the term ‘phylogenetic network‘ has been generically used to refer to a class of models whose core shared property is tree generalization. Several excellent surveys of the different flavors of phylogenetic networks and methods for their reconstruction have been written recently. However, unlike these surveys, this chapte focuses specifically on one type of phylogenetic networks, namely evolutionary phylogenetic networks, which explicitly model reticulate evolutionary events. Further, this chapter focuses less on surveying existing tools, and addresses in more detail issues that are central to the accurate reconstruction of phylogenetic networks.
Experimental Investigation of Composite Beams with Shear Connections Subjected to Fire Loading

AbstractThis paper presents the results from experimental investigations focused on the thermal and structural behavior of composite beams with shear connections subjected to fire conditions. Five partial composite beams with flat, lightweight concrete slabs were designed according to current U.S. codes and standards. Vertical loading was applied to the composite beams, and the surfaces of the steel and concrete were heated using high-temperature ceramic radiant heaters. Variations in the loading and heating protocol provided insight into the mechanical response and failure modes of composite beams and connections. There was an overall reduction in the composite beam load-carrying capacity due to heating, both at elevated temperatures as well as postfire ambient conditions. Concrete compression failure occurred at moderate steel temperatures (350–500°C) combined with overloading. In cases where service level loading was applied, the composite beams and connections sustained the loading and heating up to s...
Acquisitions and Takeovers

Firms are acquired for a number of reasons. In the 1960s and 1970s, firms such as Gulf & Western and ITT built themselves into conglomerates by acquiring firms in other lines of business. In the 1980s, corporate giants like Time, Beatrice, and RJR Nabisco were acquired by other firms, their own management or wealthy raiders, who saw potential value in restructuring or breaking up these firms. In the 1990s, we saw a wave of consolidation in the media business as telecommunications firms acquired entertainment firms and entertainment firms acquired cable businesses. Through time, firms have also acquired or merged with other firms to gain the benefits of synergy, in the form of either higher growth, as in the Disney acquisition of Capital Cities, or lower costs. Keywords: acquisitions; control; synergy; premiums; diversification; merger
Some Ways that Maps and Diagrams Communicate

Since ancient times, people have devised cognitive artifacts to extend memory and ease information processing. Among them are graphics, which use elements and the spatial relations among them to represent worlds that are actually or metaphorically spatial. Maps schematize the real world in that they are two-dimensional, they omit information, they regularize, they use inconsistent scale and perspective, and they exaggerate, fantasize, and carry messages. With little proding, children and adults use space and spatial relations to represent abstract relations, temporal, quantitative, and preference, in stereotyped ways, suggesting that these mappings are cognitively natural. Graphics reflect conceptions of reality, not reality.
How and why do GPCRs dimerize

Dimerization is fairly common in the G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily. First attempts to rationalize this phenomenon gave rise to an idea that two receptors in a dimer could be necessary to bind a single molecule of G protein or arrestin. Although GPCRs, G proteins and arrestins were crystallized only in their inactive conformations (in which they do not interact), the structures appeared temptingly compatible with this beautiful model. However, it did not survive the rigors of experimental testing: several recent studies unambiguously demonstrated that one receptor molecule is sufficient to activate a G protein and bind arrestin. Thus, to figure out the biological role of receptor self-association we must focus on other functions of GPCRs at different stages of their functional cycle.
Group Membership and the Mobilization of Political Participation

This article addresses two questions relating to how groups mobilize members to participate in politics. First, does group mobilization result from the intentional efforts of group leaders or instead unintentionally, from the interaction of group leaders and members in routine internal group activities? Second, how do individuals' incentives for group membership influence each type of mobilization? Data used are taken from a national study of voluntary associations and random samples of their memberships. The analysis indicates that unintentional mobilization occurs in both political and nonpolitical groups and is unconstrained by individuals' incentives for group membership. The effects of intentional mobilization, however, are basically restricted to political groups and members with lobbying, normative, or occupational incentives.
A weak, short metal-metal bond in a chromium(II) amidinate complex

Treatment of chromium(II) chloride with 2 equiv of Li[tBuNC(CH3)NtBu], Li[iPrNC(CH3)NiPr], or Li[tBuNC(CH3)NEt] (prepared from the corresponding carbodiimides and methyllithium) afforded Cr[tBuNC(CH3)NtBu]2 (1, 50%), Cr[iPrNC(CH3)NiPr]2 (2, 54%), and [Cr(tBuNC(CH3)NEt)2]2 (3, 58%) as deep blue, purple, and amber or metallic green crystals, respectively. Cr[tBuNC(CH3)NtBu]2 and Cr[iPrNC(CH3)NiPr]2 possess monomeric structures in the solid state with tetrahedral and square planar geometries about the chromium centers, respectively. [Cr(tBuNC(CH3)NEt)2]2 exists as a dimer in the solid state, with two μ2-amidinate ligands, two η2-amidinate ligands, and a chromium−chromium bond length of 1.9601(12) A. [Cr(tBuNC(CH3)NEt)2]2 is diamagnetic in the solid state, as determined by magnetic susceptibility measurement and CP/MAS 13C NMR spectroscopy. However, [Cr(tBuNC(CH3)NEt)2]2 dissociates into paramagnetic monomers in solution, as determined by observation of extremely broad peaks in the 1H NMR spectra in cyclohexa...
'We Are More Than Jailbirds': An Arts Program for Incarcerated Young Women

This article presents the findings of a qualitative study of the effects of an innovative arts project on incarcerated female juvenile offenders. In this project, a professional artist engages and guides the detainees in the creation of individual and collaborative artistic works. The works of art are produced for museum display to enhance the development of the young women’s self-identity and to draw public attention to the incarceration of young women in the juvenile justice system. The findings of this study are corroborated and supported by relational-cultural and self-efficacy theoretical perspectives.
Nonresponse On the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale in Chinese Americans

This paper examines the phenomenon of nonresponse on the CES-D in a group of Chinese-Americans. Of the 403 respondents, 43 missed 1 to 4 CES-D items and 43 missed more than 4 items. The completers ...
Stimulus responses and amyloid precursor protein processing in DAMI megakaryocytes

Platelets, when released as anuclear cells by their precursor megakaryocytes, already carry soluble proteolytic fragments of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) within their alpha-granules and intact APP in the alpha-granule membranes. In response to activation signals elicited by physiologic stimuli such as thrombin, platelets release their granules' soluble contents and translocate granule membrane-bound proteins to the plasma membrane. Because platelets carry >90% of the circulation's APP, activated platelets have been implicated as origins of the beta-amyloid peptide fragment of APP (A beta), whose deposition in the cerebrovasculature is characteristic of Alzheimer's disease. We have therefore studied the APP contents and proteolytic processing in resting DAMI human megakaryocytic cells, along with the consequences of the activation of these cells by thrombin, comparing the results in each case to those with human platelets. Resting and PMA-differentiated DAMI cell contents were examined by Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, or metabolic labeling with sulfur 35-labeled methionine during culture, while plasma membrane-bound APP was evaluated by flow cytometry. Activation was followed by changes in cytoplasmic calcium concentration ((Ca++)in) and in membrane potential. Like platelets, DAMI cells exhibited a thrombin dose-dependent delta(Ca++)in, and membrane potential change; in contrast to the surface of a platelet, the surface of an agranular resting DAMI cell expresses granule-membrane proteins (APP and CD63) that appear on platelets only after activation. DAMI cell culture with 35S-labeled methionine confirmed that megakaryocytes synthesize large amounts of APP, of slightly higher molecular weight, and degrade their APP extensively before platelets are formed.
Raman-induced magnetic resonance imaging of atoms in a magneto-optical trap

We apply Raman-induced resonance imaging techniques to determine, with a spatial resolution of 12 $\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m},$ the size of a cloud of atoms in a magneto-optical trap and the location of the centroid with respect to the magnetic-field zero point. These experiments provide a starting point for developing much higher-resolution resonance imaging methods for cold trapped atoms.
Gender Differences in Responses to Depressed Mood in a College Sample.

Two studies tested the hypothesis that women are more likely than men to focus on themselves and their mood when in a depressed mood, and that this leads them to experience longer periods of depressed mood. In both studies subjects were predominantly Caucasian college students. In our first study, a laboratory study, females chose to engage in an emotion-related task significantly more often than did males, even when this lead them to focus on an existing sad mood. In the second study, a prospective naturalistic study, females were more likely than males to evince an emotion-focused ruminative style of coping with their moods. A ruminative response style at Time 1 was a significant predictor of depression scores at Time 2, even after initial levels of depressed mood were taken into account. Furthermore, once rumination levels were controlled for, gender was no longer a potent predictor of depression outcome. The implications of these response styles for treatment are discussed.
To Laugh in the Face of Death: The Games that Lethal People Play

A total of 399 individuals completed a lethal-behaviors scale and a measure of death anxiety, which were found to have no significant correlation. Item analysis of the lethal-behaviors scale indicated a number of the best predictors of lethalness. The most lethal individuals in this sample were young, male, and less educated. These people may be exercising both death-denying and fear-of-death-denying behaviors.
Associations of patient demographic characteristics and regional physician density with early physician follow-up among medicare beneficiaries hospitalized with heart failure.

Early physician follow-up after a heart failure (HF) hospitalization is associated with lower risk of readmission. However, factors associated with early physician follow-up are not well understood. We identified 30,136 patients with HF ≥65 years at 225 hospitals participating in the Organized Program to Initiate Lifesaving Treatment in Hospitalized Patients With Heart Failure (OPTIMIZE) registry or the Get With The Guidelines–Heart Failure (GWTG-HF) registry from January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2006. We linked these clinical data to Medicare claims data for longitudinal follow-up. Using logistic regression models with site-level random effects, we identified predictors of physician follow-up within 7 days of hospital discharge. Overall 11,420 patients (37.9%) had early physician follow-up. Patients residing in hospital referral regions with higher physician concentration were significantly more likely to have early follow-up (odds ratio 1.29, 95% confidence interval 1.12 to 1.48, for highest vs lowest quartile). Patients in rural areas (0.84, 0.78 to 0.91) and patients with lower socioeconomic status (0.79, 0.74 to 0.85) were less likely to have early follow-up. Women (0.87, 0.83 to 0.91) and black patients (0.84, 0.77 to 0.92) were less likely to receive early follow-up. Patients with greater co-morbidity were less likely to receive early follow-up. In conclusion, physician follow-up within 7 days after discharge from a HF hospitalization varied according to regional physician density, rural location, socioeconomic status, gender, race, and co-morbid conditions. Strategies are needed to ensure access among vulnerable populations to this supply-sensitive resource.
Conchiolin-protein in aragonite shells of mollusks

Abstract Conchiolin is partially dissolved from 12 species of mollusks representing 7 families. Nacreous conchiolin proteins separate by PAGE into a consistent electromorph pattern. Protein bands H (high), M (medium) and L (low) have molecular weights of 37,800, 23,200, and 19,600, respectively. Protein analysis for amino acid content indicates the principal protein in band H is both aliphatic and basic. Five amino acids account for 87% of the total 100% in protein H on a mole fraction basis, namely: glycine (29%), valine (24%), leucine (8.3%), lysine (21%), and arginine (4.3%). Aspartic and glutamic acids combined total less than 1%. A plausible molecular model is advanced for protein relationships in the nacreous layers of mollusk shells. The template model may account for the crystallization of calcium carbonate into an aragonite structure in contrast to calcite crystals.
Sulforhodamine B interacts with albumin to lower surface tension and protect against ventilation injury of flooded alveoli

In the acute respiratory distress syndrome, alveolar flooding by proteinaceous edema liquid impairs gas exchange. Mechanical ventilation is used as a supportive therapy. In regions of the edematous...
The effects of situational and personal variables on vertical autokinesis

Subjects in an autokinetic situation reported after each trial whether the stimulus light had moved up or down. More upward movement was reported following a failure experience than following a success experience. Also more upward movement was reported when the height of the light was about eye level than when it was below eye level Differences in the name assigned to the stimulus light by E had no effect on the direction of movement reported.
Biomechanical Considerations in the Competitive Swimmer’s Shoulder

Context:Competitive swimming has become an increasingly popular sport in the United States. In 2007, more than 250 000 competitive swimmers were registered with USA Swimming, the national governing...
Inhibition of the mitochondrial respiratory chain in isolated atria—A comparision of rotenone and amytal

Abstract The functional and metabolic effects of amytal and rotenone, two inhibitors of the oxidation of reduced nicotinamide dinucleotide (NADH) by the mitochondrial respiratory chain, have been studied in the isolated atrium of the guinea pig. Rotenone in concentrations of 1–8 μM produces a negative inotropic and chronotropic response which develops gradually over 60 min. At the highest dose, contractile tension is depressed about 50 per cent while the frequency is decreased by about 60 per cent after 60 min of exposure to rotenone. A further, 20–30 per cent of the total atrial ubiquinone (UQ) was found in the oxidized form in the rotenone-treated atria at all dose levels, reflecting inhibition of NADH oxidation. The amounts of lactate were elevated to 200 per cent of control levels in atria exposed to 1 and 4 μM rotenone. This is a further indication of the blockade of NADH oxidation. Energy balance was adversely affected as shown by 20 and 30 per cent decreases in the creatine phosphate level and in the ratio of ATP to ADP. In contrast, amytal produced no demonstrable effects on UQ redox status, lactate and pyruvate levels, or energy balance after 60 min at a concentration of 0.1 mM, but did depress contractility by about 20 per cent. The depression developed more rapidly with amytal than with rotenone. Frequency was not affected. At 2.5 mM amytal, contractility was completely abolished within 10 min and the UQ redox status was shifted by about 23 per cent to the oxidized side, a shift comparable to that seen with all doses of rotenone. The ratio of lactate to pyruvate was increased 350 per cent above control levels. Energy balance was severely affected even in the absence of any contractile activity, as indicated by a 70 per cent decrease in creatine phosphate levels and a 54 per cent decrease in the ATP/ADP quotient. It is concluded that amytal, at concentrations below 0.5 mM, depresses atrial contractility independent of any effect on the mitochondrial respiratory chain. At concentrations between 0.5 and 2.5 mM, the blockade of NADH oxidation in the atrial mitochondria can be demonstrated and may play a role in the functional depression. At the highest dose, additional inhibition of mitochondrial energy transfer reactions contributes to the negative energy balance over and above what might be expected on the basis of inhibition of electron transport alone.
Chronic Illness Self-care and the Family Lives of Older Adults: A Synthetic Review Across Four Ethnic Groups

The purpose of this paper is to integrate the literature on family and social ties among older ethnic minority men and women with the literature on chronic illness self-care among elders in these groups, in order to increase understanding of social influences on self-care behavior, raise questions for future research, and inform culturally appropriate interventions to maximize the health-promoting potential of social relationships. The paper presents demographic and chronic illness prevalence information, and then summarizes literature about patterns of chronic illness self-care behaviors for older African-Americans, Latinos, Asian-Americans, and American Indians in the U.S. For each group, the sociological literature about residential, cultural, and socioeconomic patterns, family lives, and other social ties is then reviewed, and the self-care literature that has accounted for these patterns is discussed. Finally, six themes are outlined and related questions are identified to further illuminate the social context of older adults’ chronic illness self-care.
Friction characteristics of a potential articular cartilage biomaterial

Abstract Many biomaterials are being developed to repair or replace articular cartilage. One of these materials, a poly(vinyl-alcohol) cryogel (PVA-c) may exhibit the mechanical properties required to withstand the harsh environment of diarthrodial joints. To better understand how PVA-c friction is affected by different variables employed in bench top testing to simulate joint conditions, a six-factor, two-level fractional–factorial experiment was developed. Factors included temperature, lubricant, material stiffness, load, sliding speed, and surface roughness. Static and dynamic friction were found to depend significantly on material stiffness and roughness, increasing as material stiffness and roughness increased. Dynamic friction was also inversely proportional to sliding speed. Overall static and dynamic friction for all variables was 0.285±0.091 and 0.143±0.066 (average±S.D.), respectively. Material deformation and other factors may have contributed to the higher than expected friction levels. Frictional behavior of this PVA-c against stainless steel does not follow Amonton’s friction law, nor does it follow friction models based on repulsion and adsorption theories.
A stochastic algorithm for high-dimensional integrals over unbounded regions with Gaussian weight

Abstract Details are given for a Fortran implementation of an algorithm that uses stochastic spherical–radial rules for the numerical computation of multiple integrals over unbounded regions with Gaussian weight. The implemented rules are suitable for high-dimensional problems. A high-dimensional example from a computational finance application is used to illustrate the use of the rules.
Spectral decay for definite kernels and functions

A classical theorem of Weyl [7] guarantees that the eigenvalues, ordered according to decreasing absolute values, of a symmetric kernel of class C m ( m ≥ 0) satisfy λ n = o ( n − m −½ ). Reade [5, 6] recently proved that if K is, in addition, positive definite, then λ n = o ( n − m −1; ). He has also in [4] made similar improvements of classical spectral estimates for kernels of class Lip α. James Cochran pointed out to me that allied theorems for trigonometric Fourier coefficients seem to have been neglected in the literature. The trigonometric versions turn out to be elementary; nevertheless, in their conclusions concerning the decreasing rearrangement { f^ *( n )} they generalize known results about the behaviour of monotone trigonometric transforms. Furthermore they suggest that the C m hypothesis of Reade's theorem could be relaxed.
Fractile arrays: a new class of tiled arrays with fractal boundaries

In this paper, a new class of antenna arrays are introduced, which we call fractile arrays. A fractile array is defined as any array with a fractal boundary contour that tiles the plane without gaps or overlaps. It will be shown that the unique geometrical features of fractiles may be exploited in order to make available a family of deterministic arrays that offer several highly desirable performance advantages over their conventional periodic planar array counterparts. Most notably, fractile arrays have no grating lobes even when the minimum spacing between elements is increased to at least one-wavelength. This has led to the development of a new design methodology for modular broadband low-sidelobe arrays that is based on fractal tilings. Several examples of fractile arrays will be considered including Peano-Gosper, terdragon, 6-terdragon, and fudgeflake arrays. Efficient iterative procedures for calculating the radiation patterns of these fractile arrays to arbitrary stage of growth P are also introduced in this paper.
The influence of substituent induced asynchronicity on the stereochemistries of intramolecular diels-alder reactions

Abstract Trends in stereoselectivities of intramolecular Diels-Aider reactions upon substitution are rationalized by a “twist-asynchronous” model, which is supported by MM2 model calculations.
Propentofylline attenuates tau hyperphosphorylation in Alzheimer's Swedish mutant model Tg2576.

Abstract Key pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are the deposition of amyloid plaques containing Aβ-peptides and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles containing hyperphosphorylated tau. Propentofylline (PPF) is a synthetic xanthine derivative that inhibits phosphodiesterase and adenosine uptake. These effects of PPF influence many cellular functions including stimulating synthesis/release of nerve growth factor. We tested the effects of PPF on disease progression in transgenic mice overexpressing the Swedish mutant human APP (Tg2576). The untreated Tg mice show, together with increased amyloidogenesis, increased levels of tau hyperphosphorylation and increased ratios of the activated to inactivated GSK-3β, one of the key kinases that can phosphorylate tau. One month of PPF feeding (40 mg/kg per day) reduced the burden of amyloid plaques and the levels of hyperphosphorylated tau and immunoreactive IL-1β. In parallel with these changes, PPF reduced the activated form of GSK-3β and increased the inactivated form of GSK-3β, restoring their ratio almost to normal values. These results demonstrate that PPF can exert multiple protective effects on both amyloidogenesis and tau hyperphosphorylation in an animal model of AD. Our earlier report [Neurochem. Int. 43(3) (2003) 225] demonstrated that Tg2576 animals show decreased levels of mRNA for NGF with increased amyloid burden while feeding of PPF results in a major shift from β-amyloidogenic to α-secretory processing of APP together with increased expression of NGF mRNA. The current new data enlarge our understanding of PPF effects in brain and of tau hyperphosphorylation in Tg animals and are consistent with the hypothesis that GSK-3β is a nodal point linking amyloid and tau pathology. Therapeutic interventions directed toward multiple pathological processes may be more protective than treatments directed toward a single process. The new results reported here indicate that further testing of PPF as a potential therapy in AD is warranted.
Counterpoint: developing a clinical pathology curriculum to meet current and future needs.

We welcome the dialog entered into by Luning Prak et al. concerning the proposed clinical pathology/laboratory medicine (CP/LM) 1 curriculum (1). Indeed, generation of discussion in this area was one of the major motivating forces that led to creation of that document. The CP/LM curriculum was deliberately designed as a template and not a blueprint, and as such, it is intended to be adapted to the philosophies and capabilities of the various extant programs. However, even with that open approach, we feel that we need to clarify and reemphasize aspects of the curriculum that are raised by Luning Prak et al. First, the entire committee, comprising faculty members from over a dozen programs, felt strongly that we are educating clinicians to act as clinicians. This should not be viewed as meaning that there must be direct, face-to-face patient contact as the primary activity of the clinical pathologist, but rather that the clinical pathologist’s role is to treat the human condition of disease and health, albeit most frequently from a population-based orientation. Most often this clinical service will be provided within the “system-context” of the entire healthcare team, which includes direct patient-oriented clinical colleagues. (Although in some circumstances …
Respiratory dendritic cells: mediators of tolerance and immunity

The respiratory tract is under constant bombardment from both innocuous and pathogenic material. The decision of how to respond to these challenges is mediated by a specialized set of antigen presenting cells within the lungs called dendritic cells (DC). Proper respiratory homeostasis requires that these respiratory DC (rDC) utilize both the local lung inflammatory environment as well as recognition of pathogen-specific patterns to determine whether to maintain homeostasis by either driving tolerance or immunity to the inhaled material. This review will focus on rDC and highlight how rDC regulate tolerance and immunity.