cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intracellular Antibodies (Intrabodies) and Their Therapeutic Potential

Combining exquisite specificity and high antigen-binding affinity, intrabodies have been used as a biotechnological tool to interrupt, modulate, or define the functions of a wide range of target antigens at the posttranslational level. An intrabody is an antibody that has been designed to be expressed intracellularly and can be directed to a specific target antigen present in various subcellular locations including the cytosol, nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), mitochondria, peroxisomes, plasma membrane and trans-Golgi network (TGN) through in frame fusion with intracellular trafficking/localization peptide sequences. Although intrabodies can be expressed in different forms, the most commonly used format is a singlechain antibody (scFv Ab) created by joining the antigen-binding variable domains of heavy and light chain with an interchain linker (ICL), most often the 15 amino acid linker (GGGGS)(3) between the variable heavy (VH) and variable light (VL) chains. Intrabodies have been used in research of cancer, HIV, autoimmune disease, neurodegenerative disease, and transplantation. Clinical application of intrabodies has mainly been hindered by the availability of robust gene delivery system(s) including target cell directed gene delivery. This review will discuss several methods of intrabody selection, different strategies of cellular targeting, and recent successful examples of intrabody applications. Taking advantage of the high specificity and affinity of an antibody for its antigen, and of the virtually unlimited diversity of antigen-binding variable domains available for molecular targeting, intrabody techniques are emerging as promising tools to generate phenotypic knockouts, to manipulate biological processes, and to obtain a more thorough understanding of functional genomics.
Mechanism of splenic cell death and host mortality in a Plasmodium yoelii malaria model.

Malaria is a fatal disease that displays a spectrum of symptoms and severity, which are determined by complex host-parasite interactions. It has been difficult to study the effects of parasite strains on disease severity in human infections, but the mechanisms leading to specific disease phenotypes can be investigated using strains of rodent malaria parasites that cause different disease symptoms in inbred mice. Using a unique mouse malaria model, here we investigated the mechanisms of splenic cell death and their relationship to control of parasitemia and host mortality. C57BL/6 mice infected with Plasmodium yoelii nigeriensis N67C display high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines (IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α, CXCL1, and CCL2) and extensive splenic damage with dramatic reduction of splenic cell populations. These disease phenotypes were rescued in RAG2−/−, IFN-γ−/−, or T cell depleted mice, suggesting IFN-γ and T cell mediated disease mechanisms. Additionally, apoptosis was one of the major pathways involved in splenic cell death, which coincides with the peaks of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Our results demonstrate the critical roles of T cells and IFN-γ in mediating splenic cell apoptosis, parasitemia control, and host lethality and thus may provide important insights for preventing/reducing morbidity associated with severe malaria in humans.
Evaluation of temazepam and diphenhydramine as hypnotics in a nursing-home population.

Seventeen nursing home residents with sleeping problems were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial of temazepam 15 mg, diphenhydramine (DPH) 50 mg, and placebo. Each drug was give...
Globular cluster population of the HST Frontier Fields galaxy J07173724+3744224

We present the first measurement of the globular cluster population surrounding the elliptical galaxy J07173724+3744224 (z=0.1546). This galaxy is located in the foreground in the field-of-view of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Frontier Fields observations of galaxy cluster MACS J0717.5+3745 (z=0.5458). Based on deep HST ACS F435W, F606W, and F814W images, we find a total globular cluster population of N_tot = 3441 +/- 1416. Applying the appropriate extinction correction and filter transformation from ACS F814W to the Johnson V-band, we determine that the host galaxy has an absolute magnitude of M_V = -22.2. The specific frequency was found to be S_N = 4.5 +/- 1.8. The radial profile of the globular cluster system was best fit using a powerlaw of the form $\sigma\sim R^{-0.6}$, with the globular cluster population found to be more extended than the halo light of the host galaxy ($\sigma_{halo}\sim R^{-1.7}$). The F435W-F814W colour distribution suggests a bimodal population, with red globular clusters 1-3x more abundant than blue clusters. These results are consistent with the host elliptical galaxy J07173724+3744224 having formed its red metal-rich GCs in situ, with the blue metal-poor globular clusters accreted from low-mass galaxies.
Attitudes Toward Abortion After Receiving vs. Being Denied an Abortion in the USA

U.S. public attitudes toward abortion have been studied extensively, but little is known about these attitudes among women who seek abortion. This mixed-methods study explores women's attitudes about abortion after receiving or being denied an abortion. Data are from the Turnaway Study, a prospective, longitudinal study of women seeking abortions at 30 U.S. facilities. Participants presented just before a facility's gestational limit and received abortions, or just beyond the limit and were denied abortions. Using mixed effects logistic regression, we assessed 812 participants' attitudes about abortion over four years. At five years after abortion-seeking, we conducted in-depth interviews with 31 participants; this analysis includes the comments of 19 participants who discussed their abortion attitudes in those interviews. We find that six months after abortion-seeking, nearly all women supported abortion legality in all (80%) or some (18%) situations, yet 20% also believed abortion is morally wrong. Women denied an abortion were significantly less likely to support the legal right to abortion at six months (62%) and 4.5 years (77%) after abortion-seeking than women who had received a near-limit abortion (78% and 88%, respectively). In open-ended interviews, women expressed nuanced views, including reporting increased empathy for others facing an unwanted pregnancy. Women's own reproductive experiences impact their views on abortion. Distinguishing between morality and legality of abortion is critical in understanding abortion attitudes.
Fundamentals of travelling wave ion mobility revisited: I. Smoothly moving waves

Abstract We give a generalised and simplified theoretical treatment of travelling wave ion mobility (TWIM), and demonstrate that it is equivalent to previously published results in the special case of symmetric waveforms. Using this result, we derive exact expressions for the trajectory and transit time of ions in a smoothly moving sinusoidal TWIM device, opening up the possibility of direct (i.e. uncalibrated) CCS measurement in such a device. We then show that two effects that would need to be considered in a realistic device, namely anharmonic components of the waveform and velocity relaxation, can be included perturbatively in our approach. We consider the effect of velocity relaxation on calibrated CCS measurement and examine the importance of including a realistic treatment of diffusion.
Urban mobility and neighborhood isolation in America's 50 largest cities

Influential research on the negative effects of living in a disadvantaged neighborhood assumes that its residents are socially isolated from nonpoor or “mainstream” neighborhoods, but the extent and nature of such isolation remain in question. We develop a test of neighborhood isolation that improves on static measures derived from commonly used census reports by leveraging fine-grained dynamic data on the everyday movement of residents in America’s 50 largest cities. We analyze 650 million geocoded Twitter messages to estimate the home locations and travel patterns of almost 400,000 residents over 18 mo. We find surprisingly high consistency across neighborhoods of different race and income characteristics in the average travel distance (radius) and number of neighborhoods traveled to (spread) in the metropolitan region; however, we uncover notable differences in the composition of the neighborhoods visited. Residents of primarily black and Hispanic neighborhoods—whether poor or not—are far less exposed to either nonpoor or white middle-class neighborhoods than residents of primarily white neighborhoods. These large racial differences are notable given recent declines in segregation and the increasing diversity of American cities. We also find that white poor neighborhoods are substantially isolated from nonpoor white neighborhoods. The results suggest that even though residents of disadvantaged neighborhoods travel far and wide, their relative isolation and segregation persist.
Loss of Derivatives

In 1957, Hans Lewy (see Lewy [L]) obtained a remarkable result. Namely, he found a first-order partial differential operator L such that there exists a function \(f \in {C}^{\infty }({\mathbb{R}}^{3})\) so that the equation Lu = f does not have any distribution solutions u on any open set, equivalently the associated laplacian \(Eu = L{L}^{{_\ast}}u = f\) does not have any distribution solution. This operator comes from the study of the induced Cauchy-Riemann equation on the sphere in \({\mathbb{C}}^{2}\). Roughly speaking, nonexistence of distribution solutions means that no derivative of u can be uniformly estimated by some derivatives of f, that is, “E loses infinitely many derivatives.” In Kohn (Ann. Math. 162:943–986, 2005), the operator E was approximated by a sequence of operators {E k }, each of which loses exactly k − 1 derivatives but nevertheless is locally solvable and hypoelliptic. Here we study these phenomena for operators of the form ∑X i ∗ X i , where the X i are complex-valued vector fields and the corresponding approximating operators lose a finite number of derivatives.
Probability Distributions over Noncommuting Variables

The notion of probability distributions and associated characteristic functions over a set of noncommuting variables are studied. With the provision that the marginal distributions restricted to a commuting set should give the nonnegative probability distributions over those variables we find that such generalized master distributions exist which, while incorporating implicit positivity requirements, are not themselves pointwise necessarily nonnegative. The cumulant generating functions are studied and the applicability of the Marcinkiewicz theorem explored.
Lower (Anti-)Robinson Rank Representations for Symmetric Proximity Matrices

Edwin Diday, some two decades ago, was among the first few individuals to recognize the importance of the (anti-)Robinson form for representing a proximity matrix, and was the leader in suggesting how such matrices might be depicted graphically (as pyramids). We characterize the notions of an anti-Robinson (AR) and strongly anti-Robinson (SAR) matrix, and provide open-source M-files within a MATLAB environment to effect additive decompositions of a given proximity matrix into sums of AR (or SAR) matrices. We briefly introduce how the AR (or SAR) rank of a matrix might be specified.
Duct Carcinoma In Situ

The rapid increase in duct carcinoma in situ of limited extent discovered by the increasing number of mammography screening programs leaves many surgeons in a dilemma about what to do. This article presents a logical program to evaluate these patients and to arrange a safe and practical guideline for surgical therapy.
Effects of distillers dried grains with solubles and forage dietary concentration in precision-fed dairy heifer diets: Mineral apparent absorption and retention

ABSTRACT Objective The objectives were to determine the effects of feeding different forage-to-concentrate ratios (F:C) and corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) inclusion rates on mineral apparent absorption (AAb) and retention in precision-fed dairy heifer rations. Materials and Methods A split plot design with F:C as whole plot [50:50 (LF) or 75:25 (HF)] and DDGS concentration as subplot (0, 7, 14 and 21%) was administered in a 4 × 4 Latin square using 8 ruminally cannulated Holstein heifers (12.5 ± 0.5 mo of age and 344 ± 15 kg of BW), and targeted an ADG of 800 g/d. Results and Discussion Mineral intake was affected by F:C and DDGS; there was a linear interaction in DMI. Fecal excretion of Mg, S, and Mn was greater for heifers fed HF diets, and fecal Ca, Mg, P, S, and Mn decreased linearly with increasing DDGS. Urinary excretion of Mg was greater for LF and decreased as DDGS increased. The AAb of Mg, S, and Mn was greater for LF. Linear and quadratic interactions between F:C and DGGS in AAb were observed for S and Mg, respectively. Retention of Mg was greater in LF; no differences were detected for Ca, K, Na, and S retention with F:C or DDGS. Linear interactions between F:C and DGGS were observed in the retention of Mg, P, and S. Linear and quadratic interactions in AAb for Mg and S, respectively, and a linear interaction for Mg, P, and S rentention demonstrate the importance of digestion kinetics when different F:C are used to evaluate dietary manipulations. Implications and Applications There was a linear reduction of Ca, Mg, P, S, and Mn fecal excretion in response to the linear reduction of DMI as DDGS were incorporated in diets. Heifers fed high forage diets had greater DMI and rate of passage resulting in small increases in Mg, S, and Mn excretion in feces. Absorption and retention of most minerals, notably Ca, K, Na, and P, were not affected by dietary levels of DDGS.
Dealing with Medication Non-Adherence Expressions in Twitter

Through a semi-automatic analysis of tweets, we show that Twitter users not only express Medication Non-Adherence (MNA) in social media but also their reasons for not complying; further research is necessary to fully extract automatically and analyze this information, in order to facilitate the use of this data in epidemiological studies.
A Conversation with Paul C. Rosenblatt

Paul C. Rosenblatt is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota. He has wide-ranging interests in psychology, sociology, and anthropology. Cultura...
EUS-Guided Gallbladder Drainage

The interventional capabilities of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) have considerably advanced in recent years, most importantly in techniques for EUS-guided biliary drainage. EUS allows visualization of gallbladder, and provides the ability for drainage techniques [1, 2]. Cholecystectomy remains the standard of care for patients with acute calculous cholecystitis and symptomatic gallbladder disease [3]. Some patients are poor surgical candidates due to significant medical comorbidities, prior abdominal surgery causing dense adhesions, underlying liver disease, or due to the severity of cholecystitis [4, 5]. Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) is often performed for gallbladder decompression, either as permanent (destination) therapy or as a bridge to cholecystectomy. Percutaneous drainage catheters require routine maintenance and catheter exchange, and are also limited by inadvertent dislodgement and patient discomfort.
Acute neonatal volvulus with congenital enteric duplication, presenting with “currant jelly” stool

Abstract We present a clinicopathologic review of a 36-week gestation neonate who acutely presents with currant jelly stool, abdominal tenderness without distension, and dark-colored emesis, found to have an enteric duplication cyst with secondary jejunal volvulus and associated bowel wall ischemia and necrosis. Enteric duplication cysts may occur at all levels of the gastrointestinal tract, and may manifest a range of clinical presentations. Acute presentation with currant jelly stool, usually described with intussusception, has not been previously reported with neonatal volvulus.
The Impact of Technology and Rule Changes on Elite Swimming Performances

We use the annual ranking of the top 100 performers in the world that the Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA) publishes to study the impact the LZR Racer swimsuit and the deregulation of the use of dolphin kicking in breaststroke had on swimming performances. The swimsuit innovation, which was legal to use in 2008 and 2009, impacted performances across the sport such that improvement in the years swimmers could use any variation of the suit was significantly larger than in the years before it was created and after it was banned. The change in rules dictating legal motions swimmers could use while competing in breaststroke events, which occurred in 2015, caused improvement in breaststroke races to be significantly bigger than in races that involve the other strokes. We close by discussing the importance of FINA’s decisions on regulating technology and monitoring innovation within the sport.
Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

Background Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) receiving intensive chemotherapy face a life-threatening illness, isolating hospitalization, and substantial physical and psychological symptoms. However, data are limited regarding risk factors of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in this population. Methods The authors conducted a secondary analysis of data from 160 patients with high-risk AML who were enrolled in a supportive care trial. The PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version was used to assess PTSD symptoms at 1 month after AML diagnosis. The Brief COPE and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Leukemia were to assess coping and quality of life (QOL), respectively. In addition, multivariate regression models were constructed to assess the relation between PTSD symptoms and baseline sociodemographic factors, coping, and QOL. Results Twenty-eight percent of patients reported PTSD symptoms, describing high rates of intrusion, avoidance, and hypervigiliance. Baseline sociodemographic factors significantly associated with PTSD symptoms were age (B = -0.26; P = .002), race (B = -8.78; P = .004), and postgraduate education (B = -6.30; P = .029). Higher baseline QOL (B = -0.37; P ≤ .001) and less decline in QOL during hospitalization (B = -0.05; P = .224) were associated with fewer PTSD symptoms. Approach-oriented coping (B = -0.92; P = .001) was associated with fewer PTSD symptoms, whereas avoidant coping (B = 2.42; P ≤ .001) was associated with higher PTSD symptoms. Conclusions A substantial proportion of patients with AML report clinically significant PTSD symptoms 1 month after initiating intensive chemotherapy. Patients' baseline QOL, coping strategies, and extent of QOL decline during hospitalization emerge as important risk factors for PTSD, underscoring the need for supportive oncology interventions to reduce the risk of PTSD in this population.
Balancing research goals and community expectations: The affordances of body cameras and participant observation in the study of wildlife conservation

This article explores the possibilities that arise from combining participant observation with body camera recording, through the analysis of the use of a GoPro to study communication at a Cameroonian wildlife sanctuary. The original goal of this research project was to use both video recording and participant observation as separate methodologies in order to understand how Cameroonian animal keepers and European volunteers at the Limbe Wildlife Centre worked across linguistic and ideological barriers to rehabilitate chimpanzees. However, increased participant observation became necessary due both to research participants’ expectations that the researcher contribute to daily work activities, as well as the logistical difficulties of recording highly-mobile work in a loud, wet, and potentially dangerous environment. To negotiate these expectations and constraints, the researcher wore a body camera while working alongside research participants, allowing her to capture a first-person perspective as she assisted animal keepers and volunteers in cleaning enclosures and caring for animals. Although the use of a body camera posed certain complications in terms of both audio quality and camera placement, participating while recording provided a unique window into participants’ daily work experiences, and helped the researcher build strong, mutually beneficial relationships at the field site. For these reasons, this article argues that body cameras create new possibilities for both capturing first-person perspectives in mobile settings, and for allowing researchers to more fully collaborate with their participants.
Pediatric chest wall masses: spectrum of benign findings on ultrasound

A palpable finding along the chest wall is a frequent indication for pediatric US. Accurate identification of benign lesions can reassure families and appropriately triage children who need follow-up, cross-sectional imaging, or biopsy. In this pictorial essay, we review chest wall anatomy, illustrate US techniques and discuss key US imaging features of common benign lesions and normal variants.
Dynamic residential movement and depression among the World Trade Center Health Registry enrollees.

Residential instability is associated with poor mental health, but its causal inference is challenging due to time-varying exposure and confounding, and the role of changing social environments. We tested the association between frequent residential moving and depression risk among adults exposed to the 9/11 disaster. We used four waves of survey data from the World Trade Center Health Registry. We measured residential movement and depression using geocoded annual address records and the Personal Health Questionnaire Depression Scale, respectively, for a prospective cohort of 38,495 adults. We used the longitudinal Targeted Maximum Likelihood Method to estimate depression risk by frequent residential moving and conducted causal mediation analysis to evaluate a mediating role of social environments. Most enrollees (68%) did not move in 2007–2014, and 6% moved at least once every 4 years. The remaining 26% moved less frequently (e.g., only moving in 2007–2010). Frequent moving versus no moving was associated with risk of depression in 2015–16 (RR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.06, 1.37). Frequent residential moving—depression pathway was mediated by high social integration (OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.90, 0.97). These findings demonstrate the importance of social networks in understanding increased risk of depression associated with housing instability.
Gauss-turán quadratures of chebyshev type and error formulae

This paper begins with an investigation of two special forms of the Gauss-Turan quadrature of Chebyshev-type of precision 6n−1. Then the remainder formulas of these quadratures are developed and sharp error bounds for the functions inCq[−1, 1] are shown, whereq is a positive integer. Most importantly this study proves that these reslts can be extended in order to yield sharp error estimates for all such quadratures of higher precision.
Obstacle detection in foliage with ladar and radar

Autonomous off-road navigation is central to several important applications of unmanned ground vehicles. This requires the ability to detect obstacles in vegetation. We examine the prospects for doing so with scanning ladar and with a linear array of 2.2 GHz micro-impulse radar transceivers. For ladar, we summarize our work to date on algorithms for detecting obstacles in tall grass with single-axis ladar, then present a simple probabilistic model of the distance into tall grass that ladar-based obstacle detection is possible. This model indicates that the ladar “penetration depth” can range from on the order of 10 cm to several meters, depending on the plant type. We also present an experimental investigation of mixed pixel phenomenology for a time-of-flight, SICK ladar and discuss briefly how this bears on the problem. For radar, we show results of applying an existing algorithm for multi-frequency diffraction tomography to a set of 45 scans taken with one sensor translating laterally 4 cm/scan to mimic a linear array of transceivers. This produces a high resolution, 2-D map of scattering surfaces in front of the array and clearly reveals a large tree trunk behind over 2.5 m of thick foliage. Both types of sensor warrant further development and exploitation for this problem.
The Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961: A Comparative Analysis of its Effects on Competitive Balance in the NFL and NCAA Division I FBS Football

One of the relatively few sports-specific statutes enacted by Congress or a state legislature is the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 ("SBA"), which exempts a professional sports league’s collective sale of its member teams’ television rights to free "over-the-air" national and regional broadcasters from antitrust challenges. Although the SBA provides a limited antitrust exemption for the collective sale of television rights by a professional sports league, it does not immunize the National Collegiate Athletic Association ("NCAA")’s collective sale of football television rights from antitrust scrutiny. By providing limited antitrust immunity, the SBA facilitated the centralized sale of television rights by professional sports leagues during a critical period in which network television rights fees were increasing significantly and resulting revenue disparities threatened league-wide competitive balance if teams individually sold these rights and retained the revenues. This federal statute enabled professional sports league teams to share national television broadcasting revenues pro rata, an important and longstanding form of revenue sharing designed to achieve and preserve competitive balance, which is essential to a professional sports league’s long term financial viability and survival as an attractive form of entertainment for consumers. Our empirical analysis shows a positive correlation between NFL teams’ pro rata sharing of collectively-sold television rights and competitive balance within the NFL, a result that Congress intended the SBA to achieve. On the other hand, our comparative analysis demonstrates a relative lack of competitive balance among Division I FBS teams, which under current law cannot be remedied by the collective sale of all Division I FBS universities’ football television rights and pro rata distribution of the revenues because the SBA provides no antitrust immunity for NCAA universities.
Enhancing student coping and modifying the stressful academic environment: Advice from students and faculty

Studies have identified a list of stressors in higher education. The next step is to identify ways to reduce student stress and increase student coping. A survey of graduate social work students and faculty sought suggestions on ways to accomplish this. It also examined the degree to which students and faculty agree or differ on what should and can be done. The findings indicate that there are few areas of faculty/student agreement regarding changes in curriculum and program structure whereas there is much agreement regarding providing student support services. Faculty appear primarily interested in enhancing student coping but are reluctant to modify the academic environment.
Health, Illness, and Optimal Aging: Biological and Psychosocial Perspectives

1. Introduction & Basic Concepts Basic Definitions Organization of the Book 2. Demography of Aging Aging in the World Population in the United States Demographic Factors and Rate of Aging 3. Theories of Aging Biological Theories of Aging Psychosocial Theories and Aging Psychosocial Factors and Aging 4. Understanding Change in Aging Research Basic Definitions Age-Related Designs Statistics for Assessing Change Statistics That Predict Change 5. Aging of the Skin and Musculoskeletal System The Skin Musculoskeletal System 6. Aging of the Internal Organ Systems Cardiovascular System Respiratory System Gastrointestinal System Renal/Urinary System 7. Aging and the Regulatory Systems Sensory Systems Nervous System Endocrine System Immune System 8. Functional Health, Health Promotion, and Quality of Life Functional Health Health Promotion in Older Adults Quality of Life 9. Interface Between Physical and Mental Health Personality Processes and Disease Alcohol and Aging Differentiating Mental and Physical Health Problems 10. Stress, Coping, and Health Stress Coping with Stress 11. Social Support, Health, and Aging Characteristics of the Social Support Network Social Support, Morbidity, and Mortality Caregiving 12. What is Optimal Aging Models of Optimal Aging Wisdom and Optimal Aging Religiosity, Spirituality, and Optimal Aging Ars Moriendi - The Art of Dying References Author Index Subject Index
Deiding Fixed and Non-fixed Size Bit-vectors

We develop a new, efficient, and compact decision procedure for fixed size bit-vectors with bit-wise boolean operations. The algorithm is designed such that it can also decide some common cases of parameterized (non-fixed) size. To handle even more parameterized cases for bit-vectors without bit-wise boolean operations we devise a unification based algorithm which invokes the first algorithm symbolically on parameters of the form aN + b, where a and b are integers and N is the only unknown.
Microstructure Evolution of Pulsed Laser-Deposited (Ba, Sr)TiO3 Films on MgO for Microwave Applications

To develop low-loss tunable microwave circuits, based on the field dependence of dielectric permittivity, phase pure (Ba 0.5 , Sr 0.5 )TiO 3 doped with 1% W (BST) thin films 0.3-μm thick were deposited on single crystal MgO wafers by pulsed laser deposition. The BST films were characterized by X-ray θ-2θ scans and pole figure analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (TEM), coupled with selected-area electron diffraction (SAED). Although, the X-ray θ-2θ scan indicated an epitaxial nature of BST with an out-of-plane orientation of (100), the pole figure analysis confirmed the presence (4-6%) of (111)-oriented grains in a matrix of (100) textured grains. The columnar grains exhibited an in-plane (i.e., along the plane perpendicular to the growth direction) grain size that was thickness-dependent. The cross-sectional TEM, coupled with SAED in the thickness direction, corroborated the pole figure analysis. Additionally, from X-ray analysis, it was observed that the textured films were under in-plane tension. The deposited film was characterized at microwave frequencies (1-20 GHz) using interdigitated electrodes deposited on top of the film. The film was characterized by a relatively low dielectric Q of 5-7. A 17% change in the capacitance was observed when applying a 40V bias. From the observed microstructure, a preliminary understanding of its evolution and its relationship with the microwave dielectric properties is discussed, and some ideas to obtain truly epitaxial BST films are presented.
Making use of contrasting participant views of the same encounter.

CONTEXT The practice of medicine involves many stakeholders (or participant groups such as patients, doctors and trainees). Based on their respective goals, perceptions and understandings, and on what is being measured, these stakeholders may have dramatically different viewpoints of the same event. There are many ways to characterise what occurred in a clinical encounter; these include an oral presentation (faculty perspective), a written note (trainee perspective), and the patient's perspective. In the present study, we employed two established theories as frameworks with the purpose of assessing the extent to which different views of the same clinical encounter (a three-component, Year 2 medical student objective structured clinical examination [OSCE] station) are similar to or differ from one another. METHODS We performed univariate comparisons between the individual items on each of the three components of the OSCE: the standardised patient (SP) checklist (patient perspective); the post-encounter form (trainee perspective), and the oral presentation rating form (faculty perspective). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the three-component station was used to assess the fit of the three-factor (three-viewpoint) model. We also compared tercile performance across these three views as a form of extreme groups analysis. RESULTS Results from the CFA yielded a measurement model with reasonable fit. Moderate correlations between the three components of the station were observed. Individual trainee performance, as measured by tercile score, varied across components of the station. CONCLUSIONS Our work builds on research in fields outside medicine, with results yielding small to moderate correlations between different perspectives (and measurements) of the same event (SP checklist, post-encounter form and oral presentation rating form). We believe obtaining multiple perspectives of the same encounter provides a more valid measure of a student's clinical performance.
NORM sources and their origins

Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials, often referred to by the acronym NORM, are and always have been a part of our world. Our planet and its atmosphere contain many different naturally occurring radioactive species, and it and virtually everything, living or inanimate, contains NORM. In the history of mankind, knowledge of the existence of radioactivity is very recent, even when considered within the span of recorded history. Indeed, the discovery of radioactivity and hence NORM is barely a century old, dating back to the final years of the nineteenth century.
NF-κB Inhibits Glucocorticoid and cAMP-mediated Expression of the Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase Gene

Transcription of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) gene is regulated by a variety of agents. Glucocorticoids, retinoic acid, and glucagon (via its second messenger, cAMP) stimulate PEPCK gene transcription, whereas insulin, phorbol esters, cytokines, and oxidative stress have an opposing effect. Stimulation of PEPCK gene expression has been extensively studied, and a number of important DNA elements and binding proteins that regulate the transcription of this gene have been identified. However, the mechanisms utilized to turn off expression of this gene are not well-defined. Many of the negative regulators of PEPCK gene transcription also stimulate the nuclear localization and activation of the transcription factor NF-κB, so we hypothesized that this factor could be involved in the repression of PEPCK gene expression. We find that the p65 subunit of NF-κB represses the increase of PEPCK gene transcription mediated by glucocorticoids and cAMP in a concentration-dependent manner. The mutation of an NF-κB binding element identified in the PEPCK gene promoter fails to abrogate this repression. Further analysis suggests that p65 represses PEPCK gene transcription through a protein·protein interaction with the coactivator, CREB binding protein.
Optimal motion vector accuracy for block-based motion-compensated video coders

In block-based motion-compensated video coding, a fixed-resolution motion field with one motion vector per image block is used to improve the prediction of the frame to be coded. All motion vectors are encoded with the same fixed accuracy, typically 1 or 1/2 pixel accuracy. In this work, we explore the benefits of encoding the motion vectors with other accuracies, and of encoding different motion vectors with different accuracies within the same frame. To do this, we analytically model the effect of motion vector accuracy and derive expressions for the encoding rates for both motion vectors and difference frames, in terms of the accuracies. Minimizing these expressions leads to simple formulas that indicate how accurately to encode the motion vectors in a classical block-based motion-compensated video coder. These formulas also show that the motion vectors must be encoded more accurately where more texture is present, and less accurately when there is much interframe noise. We implement video coders based on our analysis and present experimental results on real video frames. These results suggest that our equations are accurate, and that significant bit rate savings can be achieved when our optimal motion vector accuracies are used.
The city in the country: Growing alternative food networks in Metropolitan areas

Abstract Alternative food networks (AFNs) are commonly defined by attributes such as the spatial proximity between farmers and consumers, the existence of retail venues such as farmers markets, community supported agriculture (CSA) and a commitment to sustainable food production and consumption. Focusing upon processes rather than attributes, this paper identifies two place-based processes that both promote and constrain the emergence and development of AFNs. Urbanization and rural restructuring are critical to the development of AFNs. AFNs are not a “thing” to be described, but rather emerge from political, cultural and historical processes. The interactions of urbanization and rural restructuring produce AFNs that are differentiated and marked by uneven development that does not necessarily support all farmers participating in the network. This indicates both the fragility and the dynamism inherent in AFNs that are tied to metropolitan development and change. Paradoxically, increasing urban demand for seasonal, and organic produce grown ‘close to home’ and the processes of rural restructuring which emphasize small-scale sustainable family farming and its direct food linkages to cities do not necessarily enable all farmers to consistently make a living from season to season. Evidence for these claims comes from an in-depth, qualitative case study reliant upon participant observation, in-depth interviews and draws from a statewide farmer survey and a regional consumer survey in Washington State.
Agreement among three quality of life measures in patients with ALS.

AIM: To determine the concurrent validity of three self-administered health-related quality of life (HRQOL) questionnaires when administered to patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). BACKGROUND: ALS is the most common motor neuron disease among adults. As a rapidly progressive and fatal disease, ALS has devastating effects on the patient's relationships, functional capacity and mental health. HRQOL measures include information about patients' impairments, functional level, and psychosocial status. This study compares a tool designed for the ALS population, the Sickness Impact Profile ALS-19 (SIP/ALS19), and two tools designed to be used in any population, the Quality of Wellbeing Scale SA (QWB SA), and the SF-36 Health Survey (SF-36). Correlation of the scores would suggest that each tool is valid as a stand-alone measurement of quality of life for this patient population. METHODS: The SIP/ALS-19, the SF-36, and the QWB SA were self-administered to 19 subjects diagnosed with ALS. The scores fo...
Oral amiodarone reduces incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation.

Abstract Background . Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common occurrence after heart operations that use cardiopulmonary bypass. It can cause life-threatening complications as well as delay discharge and increase hospitalization costs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of orally administered low-dose amiodarone on the incidence of new onset postoperative AF. Methods . In this prospective study, 226 consecutive adult patients (group A) who had various heart operations utilizing cardiopulmonary bypass between April and November of 1998 at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital, were given oral amiodarone (200 mg three times a day), starting immediately after arrival in the intensive care unit until the day of hospital discharge. The incidence of new AF in this group of patients was assessed and compared with a historical group of 239 patients (group B) who had had cardiac operations with cardiopulmonary bypass in the preceding 9 months at the same institution. Results . Preoperative patient characteristics and procedure types were similar in the two groups. Among the 226 patients in group A, 13 (5.7%) had history of AF. Of the remaining 213 patients, new-onset AF occurred postoperatively in 10 (4.7%). Among the 239 patients in group B, 16 (6.7%) had history of AF. Of the remaining 223 patients, 44 (19.7%) developed new-onset AF ( p Conclusions . Postoperative low-dose amiodarone given orally to patients who had cardiopulmonary bypass was well tolerated and appeared to reduce the incidence of new-onset AF and decrease the length of hospital stay.
Effect of Glenoid Version and Width on Outcomes of Arthroscopic Posterior Shoulder Stabilization

Background:Despite an increased awareness of the condition, the diagnosis, classification, and treatment of recurrent posterior shoulder instability remain challenging. No clear relationship has been established between glenohumeral morphologic characteristics and the risk for posterior shoulder instability or with outcomes after treatment.Purpose:To examine the structure of the glenoid in a large series of athletic patients with symptomatic unidirectional posterior instability and to correlate these findings with the objective and subjective clinical outcome of arthroscopic posterior capsulolabral repair.Study Design:Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:A total of 118 magnetic resonance arthrograms of athletes with unidirectional recurrent posterior shoulder instability treated with an arthroscopic posterior capsulolabral repair were reviewed, and measurements of glenoid labral, chondral, and bone version and labral and bone width were performed. The patients were evaluated preoperatively and...
Transforming Health Care from the Inside Out: Advancing Evidence-Based Practice in the 21st Century

Health care is in need of change. Major professional and health care organizations as well as federal agencies and policy-making bodies are emphasizing the importance of evidence-based practice (EBP). Using this problem solving approach to clinical care that incorporates the conscientious use of current best evidence from well designed studies, a clinician's expertise, and patient values and preferences, nurses and other health care providers can provide care that goes beyond the status quo. Health care that is evidence-based and conducted in a caring context leads to better clinical decisions and patient outcomes. Gaining knowledge and skills in the EBP process provides nurses and other clinicians the tools needed to take ownership of their practices and transform health care. Key elements of a best practice culture are EBP mentors, partnerships between academic and clinical settings, EBP champions, clearly written research, time and resources, and administrative support. This article provides an overview of EBP and offers recommendations for accelerating the adoption of EBP as a culture in education, practice and research.
End‐grafting of oligoesters based on terephthalic acid and linear diols for high solids coatings

Oligomers derived from terephthalic acid and 1,6-hexanediol or 1,10-decanediol have been chemically modified through end-grafting with succinic anhydride or trimellitic anhydride followed by glycidyl neodecanoate. The grafted oligomers are paste-like semisolids or viscous liquids at room temperature. As the grafted oligomers are heated, their viscosity goes down to a minimum, then up to a maximum, and then down again. Combined DSC, crossed polarizing microscopy, and wide-angle x-ray diffraction indicate that the grafted oligomers form crystalline domains dispersed in amorphous phase. The grafted oligomers are soluble in common organic solvents, such as toluene, at lower concentrations (<14-51 wt %) and form stable dispersions at higher concentrations. High solid coatings formulated with melamine or isocyanate resins gave glossy films with excellent combined hardness and impact resistance.
Mobile ICTs in Government Field Operations: A Socio-Technical Innovation Project

The authors investigated the unfolding of an innovation project in field operations of City government, which introduced mobile information and communication technologies (ICTs) for field crews. The implementation of mobile technology had to overcome several serious socio-technical challenges, the lessons learned from which were instrumental for the project's ultimate success. The authors collected data using a seven-layer framework and interpreted the rich data from multiple field cases from a structurationist perspective. The authors found this approach, which is referred to as situated action analysis, particularly useful for elucidating the observed feedbacks between human action/interaction (human agency), the shaping of the information technology (IT) artifact, and the organizational structure within their socio-technical context.
The Generalizability Effect of Learning Strategies for Categories of Psychomotor Skills

This paper emphasizes the need for the recognition of the importance of cognitive processes and appropriate learner strategies for achievement in psychomotor tasks. A taskanalysis procedure in an informational processing perspective is proposed that should help classify tasks in order to M e strategies that instructom might teach and learners might use. The primary objective is not only to aid initial learning in formal instructional programs. We are also concerned with learners developing an ability to generalize to and to accommodate potential future related task demands once they have finished their programs and are on their own.
Measurement from arteriograms of regional myocardial bed size distal to any point in the coronary vascular tree for assessing anatomic area at risk

Objectives. To obtain the size of regional myocardial mass for individual coronary arteries in vivo. Background. The anatomic site of occlusion in a coronary artery does not predict the size of the risk area because location of the occlusion does not account for the size of the artery or of its dependent myocardial bed. Methods. Intracoronary radiolabeled microspheres were injected and coronary arteriograms were quantitatively analyzed by semiautomated methods. The coronary artery lumen areas and the sum of epicardial coronary artery branch lengths distal to the points where radiomicrospheres had been injected were determined from both in vivo and postmortem coronary arteriograms. Regional myocardial mass distal to the point of each microsphere injection was correlated with corresponding distal summed coronary branch lengths and with coronary artery lumen areas. Results. 1) Regional myocardial mass was closely and linearly related to sum of coronary artery branch lengths distal to any point in the coronary artery tree and therefore could be determined for any location on a coronary arteriogram. 2) The fraction of total left ventricular mass at risk distal to a stenosis could be determined from the corresponding fraction of total coronary artery tree length independently of the scale or X-ray magnification used to measure absolute branch lengths. 3) Cross-sectional lumen area at any point in the left coronary artery tree was closely related to the size of the dependent vascular bed with a curvilinear relation similar to that observed in humans with normal coronary arteriograms. Conclusions. On coronary arteriograms, the anatomic area at risk for myocardial infarction distal to any point in the coronary artery tree can be determined from the sum of distal coronary artery branch lengths. There is a curvilinear relation between coronary artery lumen area and dependent regional myocardial mass comparable to that in humans, reflecting fundamental physical principles underlying the structure of the coronary vascular tree.