cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Atomic processes during damage production and defect retention

Fundamental atomic processes during production and retention of radiation damage in structural materials are reviewed. Firmly established damage mechanisms are outlined, and some of the major uncertainties exposed. Damage production under neutron and ion irradiation proceeds through the elementary step of collision cascade formation, with further modification of the nascent cascade structure by inter-, and intra-cascade interaction events. Under fusion neutron irradiation, single cascade damage production occurs within 10 ps in most metals, with spatial extent of several tens to hundreds of nano-meters. Damage accumulation takes place over much longer time and length scales, during which multiple cascades interact leading to further re-structuring of the incipient cascade. Areas which require further investigation are: (1) the mechanisms of vacancy cluster collapse at the cascade core; (2) the athermal nucleation of interstitial loops at the periphery; (3) the migration of interstitial atoms and clusters emanating from the cascade; (4) the replacement of the dpa with a more physical measure of damage retention; (5) cascade structure for high PKA energies (above 20 keV); and (6) Inter- and Intra-cascade interactions, (7) and finally, cascade dynamics in damaged materials at high dose. ” 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
The in-plane fields of infinite arrays of discrete charges

The electric field characteristics of infinite arrays of discrete charges are useful as the limiting cases for finite arrays of charges. Various methods were examined to obtain the field intensity; simple summation by computer, using thousands of charges, proved quickest and best. The results are presented as curves for the component fields. In addition, some discussion of the magnitude and space phase angle of the fields is given. This was done for linear arrays of equal charges spaced equal distances apart. A similar array of charges alternating in sign is also considered, and three cases of surface arrays are discussed. >
Extinction Characteristics of Catalyst-Assisted Combustion in a Stagnation-Point Flow Reactor

As a fundamental study to understand physical and chemical characteristics in catalyst-assisted combustion, numerical simulations of a stagnation-point flow combustor with a catalytic surface are performed. The combustible mixture of methane and air is blown on top of a platinum surface, forming a classical stagnation-point flow configuration. This geometry not only represents an on-chip microcombustor considered in recent studies, but it also serves as a canonical problem of combined heterogeneous/homogeneous combustion subjected to flow straining, which is a key parameter that governs the quenching and flammability limit. One-dimensional similarity formulation is derived with full consideration of detailed surface and gas-phase chemical kinetic models. Parametric studies are conducted to investigate the effects of strain rate, equivalence ratio, heat loss on the combustion, and extinction modes. The steady results showed that catalysis can largely extend the extinction limit, while suppressing the gas-phase reaction at lower strain rates. It was also found that the extension of the catalytic reaction quenching limit is sensitive to the mixture composition, suggesting the dominance of chemical aspects in catalytic combustion. The temperature versus strain rate response curves exhibit multiple branches of stable solutions, implying a possibility of hysteresis behavior in a coupled homogeneous–heterogeneous reactor. Extensive parametric studies in terms of the mixture equivalence ratio and the conductive heat loss parameter have revealed three distinct steady response regimes: a surface-dominant monotonic response, continuous two-branch response, and separated response showing an isolated surface-reaction island. The results are expected to provide insight into improving the overall combustion stability and efficiency of catalyst-assisted combustors.
Are randomized trials obsolete or more important than ever in the genomic era

Th e genomic era has raised the possibility of major changes in the design, conduct, and even the existence of randomized trials as we know them [1­3]. Randomized trials are often seen as a slow, laborious, expensive, and diffi cult step in the translational process and are associated with a high attrition rate for drugs. Indeed, most tests that are in use for the screening, diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring or management of patients have never been scrutinized by a randomized trial. Th is has largely been due to a failure to realize that tests can do as much harm and as much good as drugs or devices; thus, a rigorous appraisal of their clinical utility, including both the possible benefi ts and the possible harms, is necessary. Moreover, numerous new omics­based tests are continu­ ally being proposed, especially in the context of targeted preventive or therapeutic interventions. Given rapid develop ment of these new biomarkers, can we make ran­ dom ized trials more adaptable to a changing land scape? Furthermore, do we still need randomized trials at all? Our answers to these two questions are: yes, to some extent; and yes, defi nitely. We will explain our reasoning in this article. Revolutionizing randomized trials in the genomic era Genomic applications in medicine are highly diverse. Th ey range from diagnostic and carrier tests for many rare Mendelian conditions to complex biomarkers that inform preventive or therapeutic interventions. One relatively new area is the explicit linkage of a treatment and a companion diagnostic test (a molecular assay to indicate the likelihood of a patient responding to this specifi c treatment or reacting adversely). With this in mind, at least three types of potentially informative
Functional assessments in the rodent stroke model

Stroke is a common cause of permanent disability accompanied by devastating impairments for which there is a pressing need for effective treatment. Motor, sensory and cognitive deficits are common following stroke, yet treatment is limited. Along with histological measures, functional outcome in animal models has provided valuable insight to the biological basis and potential rehabilitation efforts of experimental stroke. Developing and using tests that have the ability to identify behavioral deficits is essential to expanding the development of translational therapies. The present aim of this paper is to review many of the current behavioral tests that assess functional outcome after stoke in rodent models. While there is no perfect test, there are many assessments that are sensitive to detecting the array of impairments, from global to modality specific, after stroke.
Coming to Grips with Notch

Notch proteins are highly conserved transmembrane receptors that are involved in cell fate regulation in invertebrates ([1][1]). While Notch receptors are initially synthesized as single polypeptide chains proteolytic processing results in the formation of a heterodimeric receptor in which the
The rights and wrongs of intentional exposure research: contextualising the Guatemala STD inoculation study

In its recent review of the US Public Health Service Sexually Transmitted Disease Inoculation Study, conducted in Guatemala from 1946 to 1948, the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues identified a number of egregious ethical violations, but failed to adequately address issues associated with the intentional exposure research design in particular. As a result, a common public misconception that the study was wrong because researchers purposefully infected their subjects has been left standing. In fact, human subjects have been exposed to disease pathogens for experimental purposes for centuries, and this study design remains an important scientific tool today. It shares key features with other types of widely accepted research on human subjects and can be conducted ethically, provided certain safeguards are implemented. That these safeguards were not implemented in Guatemala is what made that study wrong, rather than the fact of intentional exposure itself. To preserve public trust in the clinical research enterprise, this conclusion ought to be stated explicitly and emphasised.
Favorable long-term outcomes in patients with histologically dysplastic nevi that approach a specimen border

Background Patients with multiple clinically dysplastic nevi are at increased risk for development of melanoma. However, the risk of melanoma arising in a histologically dysplastic nevus (HDN) is unknown. Objective We sought to determine the rate of melanoma development in patients with HDNs that approached a microscopic border but were not re-excised. Methods We performed a retrospective study of patients evaluated in our dermatology department from January 1, 1980, to December 31, 1989, who had a HDN that extended to within 0.2 mm of a microscopic punch, shave, or excision border and was not re-excised. Results The average follow-up in our cohort of 115 patients was 17.4 years (range: 0.0-29.9): 82 patients (71.3%) were followed up for longer than 10 years, 78 (67.8%) longer than 15 years, and 73 (63.4%) had more than 20 years of follow-up; 66 of 115 nevi were mildly dysplastic, 42 moderately dysplastic, and 7 had severe dysplasia. No patient developed metastatic melanoma or melanoma at the site of removal of a HDN. Limitations This was a retrospective study performed at 1 large academic medical center. Conclusion During a long-term follow-up period, no patient developed melanoma at the site of an incompletely or narrowly removed HDN, providing evidence that routine re-excision of mildly or moderately dysplastic nevi may not be necessary.
Contextual and Individual Factors and the Use of Influencing Tactics in Adult Education Program Planning

Building on the work of Cervero and Wilson and Yang, this multivariate study examined the relationships between contextual factors (power and conflict in the adult education planning relationship),...
The fine structure of brown adipose tissue in the newborn mouse and rat.

Interscapular fat from newborn rats and mice was fixed in buffered 1 per cent osmium tetroxide and thin sections of the methacrylate-embedded tissue were studied with the electron microscope. The findings have reaffirmed the epithelioid character of brown adipose tissue, and have provided additional information on the relation of its cells to each other and to the rich capillary bed. For the most part, the earlier description of the fine structure of brown adipose cells by Lever, has been confirmed, but our observations on the mitochondria and their relation to fat droplets have led us to different conclusions concerning the role of these organelles in lipogenesis. Mitochondria were often found to be very closely associated with lipide inclusions, but no actual communication between the two was observed and no evidence was found to support the hypothesis that mitochondria are transformed into lipide droplets. Large dense bodies which showed a highly ordered fine structure suggesting a crystalline protein were seen in the matrix of some mitochondria. The cytoplasm of the adipose cells contained fine granules that seemed to be of two kinds: particles of uniform size (∼150 A) and appreciable density that are believed to be ribonucleoprotein, and granules of lower density and more variable size that are tentatively interpreted as a form of glycogen. The Golgi complex of the adipose cells was small and the endoplasmic reticulum almost entirely absent. The significance of the poor development of these organelles is discussed in relation to current concepts of their function.
Pulmonary Air-Space Enlargement Induced by Intratracheal Instillment of Hyaluronidase and Concomitant Exposure to 60% Oxygen

Although emphysema is generally characterized by damage to pulmonary elastic fibers, the causes of such injury appear to be complex and are not entirely explained by a singular imbalance between elastases and their inhibitors. Other factors could compromise elastic fiber integrity. To test the validity of this argument, hamsters were instilled intratracheally with a nonelastolytic enzyme, hyaluronidase (which reduces lung hex-uronic acid content by 21% after 24 h), then exposed to an otherwise nontoxic concentration of oxygen (60%) for 4 days. Additional groups were given (1) hyaluronidase and room air, (2) saline and 60% oxygen, and (3) saline and room air. Treatment with both hyaluronidase and 60% oxygen resulted in a significant increase in air-space enlargement at 4 days (67.1 vs. 57.9 fim for saline/room air controls; p < .05), which was accompanied by only minimal inflammatory changes, as determined by both light microscopy and lavage cytology. Animals receiving either hyaluronidase or 60% oxygen al...
Identification of network parameter errors

This paper describes a simple yet effective method for identifying incorrect parameters associated with the power network model. The proposed method has the desired property of distinguishing between bad analog measurements and incorrect network parameters, even when they appear simultaneously. This is accomplished without expanding the state or the measurement vectors. There is also no need to a priori specify a suspect parameter set. All these features are verified via simulations that are carried out using different-size test systems for various possible cases. Implementation of the method involves minor changes in the weighted least-squares state estimation code; hence, it can be easily integrated into existing state estimators as an added feature.
Multivariate male traits misalign with multivariate female preferences in the swordtail fish, Xiphophorus birchmanni

Mate choice represents the outcome of a complex decision that is most often based on the integration of information on multiple traits expressed by potential mates. Multiple traits, however, can show phenotypic correlations, which may coincide with, or oppose, female preference for individual traits. Thus, if multivariate preferences are misaligned with trait covariation, variation in single traits can persist because of weakened net sexual selection. Male swordtails, Xiphophorus birchmanni, show positive covariation among three sexually dimorphic visual traits: body size, vertical bars and dorsal fin size. Using synthetic video animations, we isolated each trait and found that females preferred males with large bodies and vertical bars, but small dorsal fins, thus conflicting with male trait covariation. We then tested females using live wild-caught males and found that females preferred smaller dorsal fins on larger males. We suggest that multivariate discordance between traits and preferences results in weak sexual selection on male visual traits, and may help explain the maintenance of variation in sexually dimorphic phenotypes.
Impact of Milk Preacidification with CO2 on Cheddar Cheese Composition and Yield

Preacidification of milk for cheese making may have a beneficial impact on increasing proteolysis during cheese aging. Unlike other acids, CO(2) can easily be removed from whey. The objectives of this work were to determine the effect of milk preacidification on Cheddar cheese composition, the recovery of individual milk components, and yield. Carbon dioxide was injected inline after the cooling section of the pasteurizer. Cheeses with and without added CO(2) were made simultaneously from the same batch of milk. This procedure was replicated 3 times. Carbon dioxide in the cheese milk was about 1600 ppm, which resulted in a milk pH of about 5.9 at 31 degrees C. The starter culture and coagulant addition rates were the same for both the CO(2) treatment and the control. The whey pH at draining of the CO(2) treatment was lower than the control. Total make time was shorter for the CO(2) treatment compared with the control. Cheese manufactured from milk acidified with CO(2) retained less of the total calcium and fat than the control cheese. The higher fat loss was primarily in the whey at draining. Preacidification with CO(2) did not alter the crude protein recovery in the cheese. The CO(2) treatment resulted in a higher added salt recovery in the cheese and produced a cheese that contained too much salt. Considering the higher added salt retention, the salt application rate could be lowered to achieve a typical cheese salt content. Cheese yield efficiency of the CO(2) treated milk was 4.4% lower than the control due to fat loss. Future work will focus on modifying the make procedure to achieve a normal fat loss into the whey when CO(2) is added to milk.
Clinical significance of ureteric 'skip lesions' at the time of radical cystectomy: the M.D. Anderson experience and literature review

Objective To assess the incidence and clinical significance of ‘skip lesions’ that are present in proximal but not in distal ureteric sections, which are occasionally found during the pathological examination of ureteric margins during radical cystectomy (RC). Patients and Methods We identified 660 patients who underwent a RC and had at least two permanent margins for a given ureter. In all, 1173 ureters were analysed and classified as follows: ‘normal’ (no tumour, reactive atypia, mild or moderate dysplasia) or ‘abnormal’ (severe dysplasia, carcinoma in situ (CIS), or tumour). Transitions from ‘normal’ distal pathology to ‘abnormal’ on proximal section(s) determined frequency of skip lesions. Fisher's exact test and the log-rank test were used to study correlations. Results Ureteric skip lesions were found in 4.8% patients (2.9% ureters). Pathology of skip lesions was CIS in 55.9%, transitional cell carcinoma in 23.5% and severe dysplasia in 20.6%. Skip lesions were associated with lymphovascular invasion (34.4% vs 13.7%, P = 0.004) and advanced pT stage (P = 0.007). On multivariate analysis, skip lesions correlated with lower median overall survival (OS) (inestimable vs 8.2 years, P = 0.014) in patients with pT0 or pTa disease and a trend towards lower OS (2.7 vs 8.8 years, P = 0.066) in pTis disease. Concordance between frozen distal margin and permanent proximal margin varied; sensitivity was 80% in those without and 20% in those with skip lesions. Conclusions The presence of a ureteric skip lesion may be associated with lower survival in patients with pT0, pTa or pTis urothelial carcinoma. Thus, while uncommon, ureteric skip lesions should be reported in pathological findings.
Coordination of Nutrient Use by Peripheral Tissues

The growth of peripheral tissues reflects the combined effect of endogenous and exogenous signals. Limits of endogenous signals are determined by genetics, which define a chronology of growth of individual tissues. Fractional synthesis rate of muscle also follows a chronology. Endogenous mediators are both systemic and local, with tissue response a product of combined effects. Exogenous signals derive from the environment and dietary intake. Exogenous somatotropin or beta-adrenergic agonists change endogenous genetic limits for protein deposition and change partition of absorbed amino acids by stimulating anabolic use of amino acids in peripheral tissues and decreasing catabolism. Peripheral tissues provide a valuable model to study the relationships between tissues and the complexity of in vivo regulation. Shifts in metabolism of nitrogenous compounds by the liver are an example of directed changes in nutrient partitioning that act to increase supply of amino acids to peripheral tissues in conjunction with a stimulus to increase anabolic amino acid use. Further studies should integrate tissue changes with intracellular mechanisms.
Insight into octoploid strawberry (Fragaria) subgenome composition revealed by GISH analysis of pentaploid hybrids

As the product of interspecific hybridization between its two ancestral octoploid (2n = 8x = 56) species (Fragaria chiloensis and F. virginiana), the cultivated strawberry (F. ×ananassa) is among t...
What is a "mapping study?".

You are familiar with those short literature reviews in the introduction of research studies. The author provides a brief background to the study, highlighting related research. You also know about review articles in which writers describe a batch of articles that they have selected.
Expanding the capabilities of existing vehicle detection infrastructure to monitor red light running

Understanding the red light running (RLR) at signalised intersections is useful when establishing enforcement programs and safety countermeasures. Unfortunately, acquiring RLR information requires the use of dedicated hardware or time-consuming manual data collection. This paper presents a software-based methodology that monitors the underlying dataset of existing radar-based vehicle detection infrastructure to continuously monitor RLR incidents. Through the use of custom software the trajectories of vehicles approaching an intersection were logged and combined with signal status information. By analysing the position of vehicles and signal status RLR incidents were detected. Statistics computed include the number of red light runners by hour of the day and a characterisation of their behaviour. This research is of interest to enforcement professionals, engineers, managers, and those dealing with budgetary issues since the concepts presented can be applied to obtain critical safety data without the need for new infrastructure investments.
The First Language (L1) or Mother Tongue Model Vs. The Second Language (L2) Model of Literacy Instruction

In several developing countries with linguistic minorities where the colonial language is preferred for educational purposes, curriculum content is often presented in a language unfamiliar to a significant portion of children beginning school. When the language used for instruction is not understood, pupils do not have the opportunity to learn, and therefore neither ableto understand the content nor to interact with it by participating in class.Researchers raise concerns that those children who do not acquire adequately the language used for instruction will facedifficulties in becoming fully literate (McLaughlin, 1984;Collier & Thomas, 1989; Collier, 1992, 1995; Collier & Thomas, 1995).In order to avoid this situation, children should learn the language used for instruction before learning basic literacy skills in it. Otherwise,pedagogical practices should be conducted in the mother tongue to support the initial stages of their literacy development.Bringing language theories and research findings in literacy development together, this paper advocates for a mother tongue-oriented approach to classroom practices related to literacy acquisition and claims that adequate pedagogical support in the pupil’s first language (L1)is crucial during the early acquisition process of literacy skills.
Dosing and effectiveness of ketamine anesthesia for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): a case series.

Objective:To provide additional data about the clinical efficacy and dosing range for ketamine used as the induction agent in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).Method:We reviewed the clinical data in our academic hospital ECT service over the last four years for patients who had received ketamine as the sole, or adjunctive, anesthesia induction agent. We extracted clinical data about antidepressant response as well as absolute and weight-based dosing for ketamine.Results:We found nine patients who were treated with ketamine as the anesthetic at some point during the course of their treatment (eight as the sole agent, one as adjunctive). The median induction dose for ketamine was 1.1 mg/kg. For most patients, there was demonstrable clinical benefit.Conclusions:Ketamine has a role as an alternative induction anesthetic agent in ECT. Our case series adds to the literature on the concomitant use of ECT and ketamine.
Directional sensing by cooperative chemoreceptor arrays modeled as Monod-Wyman-Changeux clusters

Most sensory cells use transmembrane chemoreceptors to detect chemical signals in the environment. The biochemical properties and spatial organization of chemoreceptors play important roles in achieving and maintaining sensitivity and accuracy of chemical sensing. Here we investigate the effects of receptor cooperativity and adaptation on the physical limits for sensing a chemical gradient. We study a single cell with aggregated chemoreceptor arrays on the cell surface and derive a general formula to the limits for gradient sensing from the uncertainty of instantaneous receptor activity. In comparison to independent receptors, we find that cooperativity by nonadaptive receptors could significantly lower the sensing limits in a chemical concentration range determined by the biochemical properties of ligand-receptor binding and ligand-induced receptor activity. Cooperativity by adaptive receptors is beneficial to gradient sensing within a broad range of background concentrations. Our results also show that the isotropic receptor aggregate layout on the cell surface represents an optimal configuration for gradient sensing.
Does the Medicare Part D Decision-Making Experience Differ by Rural/Urban Location?

Purpose Although much has been written about Medicare Part D enrollment, much less is known about beneficiaries’ personal experiences with choosing a Part D plan, especially among rural residents. This study sought to address this gap by examining geographic differences in Part D enrollees’ perceptions of the plan decision-making process, including their confidence in their choice, their knowledge about the program, and their satisfaction with available information. Methods We used data from the 2012 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey and included adults ages 65 and older who were enrolled in Part D at the time of the survey (n = 3,706). We used ordered logistic regression to model 4 outcomes based on beneficiaries’ perceptions of the Part D decision-making and enrollment process, first accounting only for differences by rurality, then adjusting for sociodemographic, health, and coverage characteristics. Findings Overall, half of all beneficiaries were not very confident in their Part D knowledge. Rural beneficiaries had lower odds of being confident in the plan they chose and in being satisfied with the amount of information available to them during the decision-making process. After adjusting for all covariates, micropolitan residents continued to have lower odds of being confident in the plan that they chose. Conclusions Policy-makers should pay particular attention to making information about Part D easily accessible for all beneficiaries and to addressing unique barriers that rural residents have in accessing information while making decisions, such as reduced Internet availability. Furthermore, confidence in the decision-making process may be improved by simplifying the Part D program.
In-vitro effects of pemetrexed on bronchioloalveolar and adenocarcinoma of the lung

5864 Pemetrexed disodium (ALIMTA®, LY231514; Eli Lilly & Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA) is an antimetabolite that targets folate-requiring enzymes in the pyrimidine and purine synthesis pathways. Pemetrexed is an effective drug against mesothelioma, a cancer characterized by high levels of mRNA expression and protein production of the alpha folate receptor. mRNA microarray expression results of different types of lung cancers were evaluated to determine which histological types had high levels of alpha folate receptor and similar expression patterns of folate metabolism genes as mesothelioma. The expression patterns were studied to attempt to identify subsets of lung cancers which might respond more frequently to pemetrexed. The expression of the alpha folate receptor is 2.0 times higher in bronchioloalveolar carcinomas than mesotheliomas (p = 0.002), and 2.6 times that of other adenocarcinomas (p
Formation of the syn isomer of [FeIV(Oanti)(TMC)(NCMe)]2+ in the reaction of Lewis acids with the side-on bound peroxo ligand in [FeIII(η2-O2)(TMC)]+

We demonstrate that the reactions of [Fe(III)(η(2)-O2)(TMC)](+) (TMC = tetramethylcyclam) with Lewis acids (H(+) and NO(+)) afford the recently described syn isomer of [Fe(IV)(O)(TMC)(NCMe)](2+) (and not the anti isomer as had been tacitly assumed). This outcome is a logical consequence of the fact that the side-on peroxo ligand is bound to the syn face of the Fe(TMC) unit in the precursor.
Behavioral response to a just-in-time adaptive intervention (JITAI) to reduce sedentary behavior in obese adults: Implications for JITAI optimization.

Objective Just-in-time adaptive interventions (JITAIs) use mobile computers, sensors, and software analytics to automatically detect behavior and deliver tailored treatment. However, little is known about how JITAIs influence patterns of behavior or how best to design JITAIs for maximum effect. Method This study examined prompts and behavioral response to the B-MOBILE JITAI for reducing sedentary behavior (SB) in overweight/obese individuals. Thirty participants (83% women; 67% White, mean ± SD body mass index = 36.2 kg/m2) tested 3 conditions presented in a randomized counterbalanced order involving smartphone-based prompts for walking breaks of (a) 3 min after 30 SB min, (b) 6 min after 60 SB min, and (c) 12 min after 120 SB min. Results Participants carried the smartphone an average of 6.90 days during each 7-day condition, for an average of 14.94 hr per day. The 3- and 6-min conditions resulted in the greatest number of prompts, walking breaks, the best adherence to prompts, the greatest amount of daily time spent in walking breaks, and fastest adherence to prompts (ps Conclusions The B-MOBILE JITAI was effective in prompting breaks in sedentary behavior when it was most clinically relevant. Frequent prompts for small change may be an optimal strategy for shaping sedentary behavior, although more research is needed to determine how best to promote long-term adherence.
Multiple roles of metalloproteinases in neurological disorders.

Once thought to mainly act in brain to remodel the extracellular matrix, the family of metalloproteinases is important in many normal and pathological processes in the nervous system. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and A disintegrin and metalloproteinases (ADAMs) are the two major families of metalloproteinases in the brain. MMPs are comprised of several related enzymes that act on extracellular molecules. Normally, they are important in angiogenesis and neurogenesis in development. In neuroinflammatory illnesses, they disrupt the basal lamina and tight junction proteins to open the blood–brain barrier (BBB). ADAMs are important in neuroinflammation through activation of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and their action as secretases that modulate the action of receptors on the cell surface. Four tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are the main inhibitors of the MMPs and ADAMs. Recently, MMPs were found to affect DNA repair processes by an unexpected intranuclear action. MMPs and ADAMs have been implicated in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and vascular cognitive impairment. Growing literature on the functions of MMPs and ADAMs in the central nervous system is opening up new and exciting areas of research that may lead to novel approaches to treatment of neurological diseases.
Handoffs, safety culture, and practices: evidence from the hospital survey on patient safety culture

The context of the study is the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC). The purpose of the study is to analyze how different elements of patient safety culture are associated with clinical handoffs and perceptions of patient safety. The study was performed with hierarchical multiple linear regression on data from the 2010 Survey. We examine the statistical relationships between perceptions of handoffs and transitions practices, patient safety culture, and patient safety. We statistically controlled for the systematic effects of hospital size, type, ownership, and staffing levels on perceptions of patient safety. The main findings were that the effective handoff of information, responsibility, and accountability were necessary to positive perceptions of patient safety. Feedback and communication about errors were positively related to the transfer of patient information; teamwork within units and the frequency of events reported were positively related to the transfer of personal responsibility during shift changes; and teamwork across units was positively related to the unit transfers of accountability for patients. In summary, staff views on the behavioral dimensions of handoffs influenced their perceptions of the hospital’s level of patient safety. Given the known psychological links between perception, attitude, and behavior, a potential implication is that better patient safety can be achieved by a tight focus on improving handoffs through training and monitoring.
Survival and Growth of Staphylococcus aureus on Temperature-Abused Beef Livers.

Beef livers from freshly slaughtered cattle were inoculated with coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus and then placed in frozen storage. After 14 d of frozen storage, one-half of the livers were subjected to 21°C for 24 h followed by a 15-d period of storage at -1°C. The other livers were kept in frozen storage (-29°C) during this 15-d period after which all livers were subjected to either 10 or 21°C temperatures. S. aureus counts did not change during the 15-d storage period at -1°C, whereas aerobic plate counts (APC) increased by over 3 log10 cycles. The low storage temperature plus the growth of competitor bacteria most likely prevented S. aureus from proliferating. When all livers were subjected to 24 to 144 h of storage at either 10 or 21°C, those that had been subjected to 15 d of slow surface thawing displayed a lower S. aureus count and higher APC than livers subjected to rapid thawing followed by holding at the high temperatures. This may mean that if livers become contaminated with substantial numbers of S. aureus before freezing, then rapid thawing coupled with high storage temperatures (more typical of meat merchandising in less developed countries) could allow for rapid S. aureus growth before competitor organisms increase in numbers.
Unconstrained wrist rotating motion capture using sensitive tape based on hetero-core fiber optics

Motion capture techniques have attracted rising attention in the fields of cooking and traditional arts, with which fine finger action could be preserved. In this paper, we have put forward a flexible and unconstrained sensitive tape based on hetero-core fiber optics. The sensitive tape can detect the stretch resulting from body movement. Two sensitive tapes placed on forearm were combined to detect wrist rotation in real time. As a result, we experimentally confirmed that wrist rotations were monitored by means of the developed sensitive tape.
Use of an X-Ray Process Model to Determine Crack Detectability in a Multi-Layer Geometry

Inspection of a multi-layer geometry is of particular interest to the aircraft industry in which areas repaired with doublers must be continually inspected for further crack growth in the underlying structure. In some muti-layer geometries, x-ray inspection is the modality of choice due to the inaccessibility and limitations of other techniques. Because x-ray inspectability is extremely dependent upon crack opening and orientation, a need exists to quantitatively assess the detectability of cracks for various crack geometry parameters and x-ray generator parameters. X-ray simulation models for different generator types, generator settings, inspection geometries and crack parameters can be used to make these quantitative assessments [1]. The long term goal of this work is to contribute to an inspection standard for certain aircraft geometries which will account for variabilities in generator characteristics such as output spectrum, filtration, voltage and current. In this paper, we target a specific aircraft inspection problem and apply the x-ray simulation model to crack detectability in terms of contrast. In addition, some model validation is performed to support the results of the inspection simulations. Finally, a preliminary quantitative measure of crack detectability in terms of both size and contrast is derived and applied to the simulation results.
Contact Isolation Precautions in Trauma Patients: An Analysis of Infectious Complications.

Abstract Background: Victims of traumatic injuries represent a population at risk for a wide variety of complications. Contact isolation (CI) is a set of restrictions designed to help prevent the t...
Body dysmorphic disorder : Clinical aspects and treatment strategies

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a distressing and impairing preoccupation with an imagined or slight defect in appearance, is an "OCD-spectrum disorder" that appears to be relatively common. BDD often goes unrecognized and undiagnosed, however, due to patients' reluctance to divulge their symptoms because of secrecy and shame. Any body part can be the focus of concern (most often, the skin, hair, and nose), and most patients engage in compulsive behaviors, such as mirror checking, camouflaging, excessive grooming, and skin picking. Approximately half are delusional, and a majority experience ideas or delusions of reference. Nearly all patients suffer some impairment in functioning as a result of their symptoms, some to a debilitating degree. Psychiatric hospitalization, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts are relatively common. While treatment data are preliminary at this time, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) appear to often be effective for BDD, even if symptoms are delusional. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is another promising approach. While much remains to be learned about BDD, it is important that clinicians screen patients for this disorder and accurately diagnose it, as available treatments are very promising for those who suffer from this distressing and sometimes disabling disorder.
Abstract 340: From Stem Cells to Cardiomyocytes: HDAC1 Induces Cardiovascular Differentiation by Regulating SOX17-BMP2 Expression in Early Development.

Cardiomyocytes derived from embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells (ES/iPS) provide an excellent source for cell replacement therapies following myocardial ischemia. However, some of the obstacles in the realization of the full potential of iPS/ES cells arise from incomplete and poorly understood molecular mechanisms and epigenetic modifications that govern their cardiovascular specific differentiation. We identified Histone Deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) as a crucial regulator in early differentiation of mES and iPS cells. We propose a novel pathway in which HDAC1 regulates cardiovascular differentiation by regulating SOX17 which in turn regulates BMP2 signaling in differentiating pluripotent cells. Utilizing stable HDAC1 knock-down (HDAC1-KD) cell lines, we report an essential role for HDAC1 in deacetylating regulatory regions of pluripotency-associated genes during early cardiovascular differentiation. HDAC1-KD cells show severely repressed cardiomyocyte differentiation potential. We propose a novel HDAC1-BMP2-SOX17 dependent pathway through which deacetylation of pluripotency associated genes leads to their suppression and allows for early cardiovascular-associated genes to be expressed and differentiation to occur. Furthermore, we show that HDAC1 affects DNA methylation both during pluripotency and differentiation and plays a crucial, non-redundant role in cardiovascular specific differentiation and cardiomyocyte maturation. Our data elucidates important differences between ES and iPS HDAC1-KD cells that affect their ability to differentiate into cardiovascular lineages. As varying levels of chromatin modifying enzymes are likely to exist in patient derived iPS cells, understanding the molecular circuitry of these enzymes in ES and iPS cells is critical for their potential therapeutic applications in regenerative medicine. Further research in the molecular mechanisms involved in this process will greatly aid our understanding of the epigenetic circuitry of pluripotency and differentiation in pluripotent cells.
Spirituality and Paulo Freire

Paulo Freire is considered one of the most influential educational thinkers in the twentieth century, the founder of popular education, and the inspiration for the field of critical pedagogy. Yet as Sternberg asserts “those of us who espouse critical pedagogy and embrace Paulo Freire’s visions of praxis and conscientization work out of a tradition, often unknowingly, with deep ties to religious faith” (quoted in Neumann, 2011, pp. 609–610). While many have acknowledged his ties to liberation theology, his deep underlying faith out of which that theology arose is often overlooked.
Epilogue: The Wreck of the Sewol

The sinking of the Sewol revealed and accentuated the limits and contradictions of the received South Korean political-economic model in particular and of contemporary South Korean society in general.
Inhibition of the potassium channel Kv1.3 reduces infarction and inflammation in ischemic stroke

Author(s): Chen, Yi-Je; Nguyen, Hai M; Maezawa, Izumi; Jin, Lee-Way; Wulff, Heike | Abstract: ObjectiveInhibitors of the voltage-gated K+ channel Kv1.3 are currently in development as immunomodulators for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. As Kv1.3 is also expressed on microglia and has been shown to be specifically up-regulated on "M1-like" microglia, we here tested the therapeutic hypothesis that the brain-penetrant small-molecule Kv1.3-inhibitor PAP-1 reduces secondary inflammatory damage after ischemia/reperfusion.MethodsWe studied microglial Kv1.3 expression using electrophysiology and immunohistochemistry, and evaluated PAP-1 in hypoxia-exposed organotypic hippocampal slices and in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) with 8 days of reperfusion in both adult male C57BL/6J mice (60 min MCAO) and adult male Wistar rats (90 min MCAO). In both models, PAP-1 administration was started 12 h after reperfusion.ResultsWe observed Kv1.3 staining on activated microglia in ischemic infarcts in mice, rats, and humans and found higher Kv1.3 current densities in acutely isolated microglia from the infarcted hemisphere than in microglia isolated from the contralateral hemisphere of MCAO mice. PAP-1 reduced microglia activation and increased neuronal survival in hypoxia-exposed hippocampal slices as effectively as minocycline. In mouse MCAO, PAP-1 dose-dependently reduced infarct area, improved neurological deficit score, and reduced brain levels of IL-1β and IFN-γ without affecting IL-10 and brain-derived nerve growth factor (BDNF) levels or inhibiting ongoing phagocytosis. The beneficial effects on infarct area and neurological deficit score were reproduced in rats providing confirmation in a second species.InterpretationOur findings suggest that Kv1.3 constitutes a promising therapeutic target for preferentially inhibiting "M1-like" inflammatory microglia/macrophage functions in ischemic stroke.
A novel-integrated quality assurance phantom for radiographic and nonradiographic radiotherapy localization and positioning systems.

Purpose Various localization and positioning systems utilizing radiographic or nonradiographic methods have been developed to improve the accuracy of radiation treatment. Each quality assurance (QA) procedure requires its own phantom and is independent from each other, so the deviation between each system is unavailable. The purpose of this work is to develop and evaluate a single-integrated QA phantom for different localization and positioning systems. Methods The integrated phantom was designed in three-dimensional (3D) CAD software and 3D printed. The phantom was designed with laser alignment marks, a raised letter "S" on the anterior surface for optical surface monitoring system registration, a core for radiofrequency (RF) tracking system alignment, eight internal fiducials for image alignment, and an isocentric bearing for Winston-Lutz test. Tilt legs and rotational stage were designed for rotational verification of optical surface mapping system and RF tracking system, respectively. The phantom was scanned using a CT scanner and a QA plan was created. This prototype phantom was evaluated against established QA techniques. Results The QA result between the proposed procedure and established QA technique are 1.12 ± 0.31 and 1.14 ± 0.31 mm, respectively, for RF tracking system and 0.18 ± 0.06 and 0.18 ± 0.05 mm for Winston-Lutz test. There is no significant difference for the QA results between the established QA and proposed procedure (P > 0.05, t test). The accuracy of rotational verification for surface mapping system and RF tracking system are less than 0.5 and 1° compared the predefined value. The isocenter deviation of each location system is around l mm. Conclusion We have designed and evaluated a novel-integrated phantom for radiographic and nonradiographic localization and positioning systems for radiotherapy. With this phantom, we will reduce the variation in measurements and simplify the QA procedures.
Molecular Pharmacology of Kinin Receptors

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of the pharmacology of B 1 receptors. The ability of the nonapeptide, bradykinin (BK), to elicit pain, inflammation, and smooth muscle contraction was described initially by Rocha e Silva et al. Subsequent pharmacological studies discussed in the chapter suggest that at least two receptor subtypes, B 1 and B 2 , mediate the biological actions of the kinins. The tools of molecular biology have been responsible for several recent advances in the understanding of the sequence and pharmacology of kinin receptors. The molecular cloning of B 1 and B 2 receptors has revealed them to be members of the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors. Cloning and pharmacological characterization of B 1 receptors has demonstrated that there are species differences in the affinities of B 1 receptors for different agonists. Similarly, the molecular cloning and characterization of B 2 receptors indicate species differences with respect to antagonist effects and which may account for some of the pharmacological data previously suggestive of receptor subtypes. The targeted disruption of the gene encoding the mouse B 2 receptor provides direct evidence for a single B 2 receptor subtype in smooth muscle and neuronal tissues of these species.
Latina/o Students in K-12 Schools: A Synthesis of Empirical Research on Factors Influencing Academic Achievement

The purpose of this systematic review is to provide a comprehensive synthesis and analysis of the empirical evidence to date on the factors related to Latina/o student academic achievement in the c...
What’s going on with land-use in Cuba?: Disparate data sets and the Cuban agricultural transition

This article focuses on agricultural land-use changes in Cuba following the fall of the Soviet Union. In response to the end of Soviet subsidies, which previously underwrote Cuba’s industrial agric...