cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Targeted labeling of neurons in a specific functional micro-domain of the neocortex by combining intrinsic signal and two-photon imaging.

In the primary visual cortex of non-rodent mammals, neurons are clustered according to their preference for stimulus features such as orientation1-4, direction5-7, ocular dominance8,9 and binocular disparity9. Orientation selectivity is the most widely studied feature and a continuous map with a quasi-periodic layout for preferred orientation is present across the entire primary visual cortex10,11. Integrating the synaptic, cellular and network contributions that lead to stimulus selective responses in these functional maps requires the hybridization of imaging techniques that span sub-micron to millimeter spatial scales. With conventional intrinsic signal optical imaging, the overall layout of functional maps across the entire surface of the visual cortex can be determined12. The development of in vivo two-photon microscopy using calcium sensitive dyes enables one to determine the synaptic input arriving at individual dendritic spines13 or record activity simultaneously from hundreds of individual neuronal cell bodies6,14. Consequently, combining intrinsic signal imaging with the sub-micron spatial resolution of two-photon microscopy offers the possibility of determining exactly which dendritic segments and cells contribute to the micro-domain of any functional map in the neocortex. Here we demonstrate a high-yield method for rapidly obtaining a cortical orientation map and targeting a specific micro-domain in this functional map for labeling neurons with fluorescent dyes in a non-rodent mammal. With the same microscope used for two-photon imaging, we first generate an orientation map using intrinsic signal optical imaging. Then we show how to target a micro-domain of interest using a micropipette loaded with dye to either label a population of neuronal cell bodies or label a single neuron such that dendrites, spines and axons are visible in vivo. Our refinements over previous methods facilitate an examination of neuronal structure-function relationships with sub-cellular resolution in the framework of neocortical functional architectures.
Increased proteasome‐dependent degradation of estrogen receptor‐alpha by TGF‐β1 in breast cancer cell lines

Normal mammary epithelial cells are rapidly induced to G(1) arrest by the widely expressed cytokine, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta1). Studies in established breast cancer cell lines that express the estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) have demonstrated loss of this responsiveness. This inverse correlation suggests interpathway signaling important to cell growth and regulation. The adenocarcinoma breast cell line BT474, which was not growth arrested by TGF-beta1, was used as a model of estrogen-inducible growth to explore interpathway crosstalk. Although BT474 cells were not growth-arrested by TGF-beta1 as determined by flow cytometry analysis and 5'-bromo-3'-deoxyuridine incorporation into DNA, estrogen receptor protein levels were attenuated by 100 pM TGF-beta1 after 6 h. This decrease in ERalpha reached 50% of untreated control levels by 24 h of treatment and was further supported by a 50% decrease in estrogen-inducible DNA synthesis. Inspection of ERalpha transcripts suggested that this decrease was primarily the result of altered ERalpha protein stability or availability. Use of the proteasome inhibitor, MG132, abolished all effects on ERalpha by TGF-beta1. Collectively, this data supports a role for TGF-beta1 in regulating the growth of otherwise insensitive breast cancer cells through modulation of ERalpha stability.
Correlation of quantitative analysis precision to retention time precision and chromatographic resolution for rapid, short-column analysis

When chromatographic analysis involves the use of two or more chromatograms, e.g., for performing calibration or for assessing composition changes among different samples, optimization based solely on chromatographic resolution, R s , may not yield the most rapid or precise analyses. A simple model is developed that predicts quantitation precision for analysis of ill-resolved peaks as a function of retention time precision and R s . This model implies that use of shorter columns can provide rapid and precise quantitation. Short-column analyses have improved retention time precision and S/N ratio, which octet the detrimental quantitation effects of decreased R s . A quantitation precision study for liquid chromatography was done beginning with well-resolved peaks having R s =1.06. Quantitation precision as percentage relative standard deviation (%RSD) was theoretically calculated and experimentally measured for two diverse experimental paths in which R s was diminished by decreasing either the selectivity ratio or the column length. The quantitation method chosen was deconvolution of mixture chromatograms by performing a classical least-squares fit to chromatograms of pure standards. The quantitation precision model agreed with calculated and measured %RSD values to within 3 percentage points. The short-column analyses yielded improved quantitation precision and shorter analysis time at equal R s , compared to selectivity-limited analyses. For an analyte having a peak height ratio of 1:2.5 and a peak width ratio of 1:1.2 relative to an adjacent overlapping peak, similar quantitation precision as %RSD was obtained at equal selectivity ratio for a 50 cm column (3.1%) and a 7.5 cm column (4.3%), despite the decrease in R s from 1.06 to 0.27. The short-column advantages are also applicable to gas and supercritical fluid chromatographies and possibly to capillary electrophoresis
Oxysterols and TBARS are among the LDL oxidation products which enhance thromboxane A2 synthesis by platelets

In this study, we compared the effects of normal LDL (nLDL) and oxidized LDL (oxLDL) on thromboxane (TXA2) release by platelets triggered by low concentration of thrombin, and we determined which component of oxLDL is responsible for that activation. After oxidation of LDL with copper sulfate, the small molecular weight fraction (< 10 kDa) which was high in TBARS was removed; using Amicon Centriprep-10 concentrator membrane. More than 67% of TBARS in the oxLDL preparation was found in solution while the remaining was covalently attached to the oxLDL particles. OxLDL contained significantly higher levels of oxysterols and TBARS than the nLDL. Platelets preincubated with low concentrations of oxLDL (33-132 micrograms protein/mL) produced significantly higher TXA2 than platelets preincubated with equivalent concentrations of nLDL when triggered with thrombin. Platelets treated with oxLDL also contained significantly higher levels of oxysterols than platelets treated with nLDL. Platelets preincubated with pure cholestanetriol (10 micrograms/mL) contained a high level of cholestanetriol in the membrane, and TXA2 release was significantly increased in these platelets compared to the control platelets. The TBARS in solution also was very potent in enhancing TXA2 release by thrombin-treated platelets. These results indicate that oxysterols and the free TBARS either in solution or covalently attached to the oxLDL particles are partly responsible for the stimulatory effect of oxLDL on TXA2 release by platelets. The present study also showed that this enhancement of TXA2 release was due to activation of phospholipase A2 and to the increase of arachidonic acid liberation from the platelet phospholipids.
Do B meson decays exclude a light Higgs

Abstract In the standard model with three generations a light Higgs boson will be produced in a quarter of all B meson decays. A novel calculation of the b → sH matrix element is given. Existing data on B meson decays excludes a light Higgs with mass less than 300 MeV or between 2 and 3.7 GeV. Because of theoretical uncertainties in the branching fractions for Higgs production and decay, a window between 300 MeV and 2 GeV is still allowed. Such a Higgs could be discovered at the ϒ (4S) in inclusive π+π− or K+ K− invariant mass plots, and in events with six kaons.
Single thawed euploid embryo transfer improves IVF pregnancy, miscarriage, and multiple gestation outcomes and has similar implantation rates as egg donation

The objective of our study was to determine if trophectoderm biopsy, vitrification, array-comparative genomic hybridization and single thawed euploid embryo transfer (STEET) can reduce multiple gestations and yield high pregnancy and low miscarriage rates. We performed a retrospective observational study comparing single thawed euploid embryo to routine age matched in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients that underwent blastocyst transfer from 2008 to 2011 and to our best prognosis group donor oocyte recipients (Donor). Our main outcome measures were implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, spontaneous abortion rate and multiple gestation rate. The STEET group had a significantly higher implantation rate (58 %, 53/91) than the routine IVF group (39 %, 237/613) while the Donor group (57 %, 387/684) had a similar implantation rate. The clinical pregnancy rates were not statistically different between the STEET and IVF groups. However, the multiple gestation rate was significantly lower in the STEET group (STEET 2 % versus IVF 34 %, Donor 47 %). STEET results in a high pregnancy rate, low multiple gestation rate and miscarriage rates. Despite the older age of STEET patients and transfer of twice as many embryos, the implantation rate for STEET was indistinguishable from that for egg donation. STEET offers an improvement to IVF, lowering risks without compromising pregnancy rate.
Short-wavelength enrichment of polychromatic light enhances human melatonin suppression potency

The basic goal of this research is to determine the best combination of light wavelengths for use as a lighting countermeasure for circadian and sleep disruption during space exploration, as well as for individuals living on Earth. Action spectra employing monochromatic light and selected monochromatic wavelength comparisons have shown that short-wavelength visible light in the blue-appearing portion of the spectrum is most potent for neuroendocrine, circadian, and neurobehavioral regulation. The studies presented here tested the hypothesis that broad spectrum, polychromatic fluorescent light enriched in the short-wavelength portion of the visible spectrum is more potent for pineal melatonin suppression in healthy men and women. A total of 24 subjects were tested across three separate experiments. Each experiment used a within-subjects study design that tested eight volunteers to establish the full-range fluence-response relationship between corneal light irradiance and nocturnal plasma melatonin suppression. Each experiment tested one of the three types of fluorescent lamps that differed in their relative emission of light in the short-wavelength end of the visible spectrum between 400 and 500 nm. A hazard analysis, based on national and international eye safety criteria, determined that all light exposures used in this study were safe. Each fluence-response curve demonstrated that increasing corneal irradiances of light evoked progressively increasing suppression of nocturnal melatonin. Comparison of these fluence-response curves supports the hypothesis that polychromatic fluorescent light is more potent for melatonin regulation when enriched in the short-wavelength spectrum.
Light stimulates the incorporation of inositol into phosphatidylinositol in the retina.

Abstract The incorporation of [ 3 H]inositol into phosphatidylinositol in retinas of Xenopus laevis tadpoles or young adults in short-term organ culture is stimulated by light, compared to retinas maintained under identical conditions in darkness. Over 95% of the label incorporated into lipid was in phosphatidylinositol, and none was incorporated into retinal proteins. The stimulation of incorporation was localized by autoradiography to the outer plexiform layer, a neurophil composed primarily of horizontal cell processess.
Molecular Classification Identifies a Subset of Human Papillomavirus–Associated Oropharyngeal Cancers With Favorable Prognosis

Purpose We sought to determine the prevalence of biologically relevant human papillomavirus (HPV) in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Retinoblastoma (Rb) downregulation by HPV E7 results in p16 upregulation. We hypothesized that p16 overexpression in OSCC defines HPV-induced tumors with favorable prognosis. Methods Using real-time polymerase chain reaction for HPV16, we determined HPV16 viral load in a cohort of 79 OSCCs annotated with long-term patient follow-up. A tissue microarray including these cases was also analyzed for p53, p16, and Rb utilizing in situ quantitative protein expression analysis. Seventy-seven tumors were classified into a three-class model on the basis of p16 expression and HPV-DNA presence: class I, HPV–, p16 low; class II, HPV+, p16 low; and class III, HPV+, p16 high. Results Sixty-one percent of OSCCs were HPV16+; HPV status alone was of no prognostic value for local recurrence and was barely significant for survival times. Overall survival was improved in class III...
Motor program switching in Pleurobranchaea

1. Three distinct motor programs, namely ingestion, egestion and a third slower rhythm, have been identified in the buccal musculature of intact specimens of the gastropod molluscPleurobranchaea (Croll and Davis 1981). In the present study we have elicited each of these motor programs and characterized them in greater detail utilizing the technically more amenable reduced preparation, consisting of mouth, buccal mass, esophagus and attached central nervous system. 2. The ingestion motor program, rigorously identified by inward movement of objects placed in the buccal mass, is characterized by alternate bursts of activity in protractor and retractor muscles. The duration of the retraction phase of the cycle is longer than the duration of the protraction phase. The buccal constrictor muscle fires in phase with retractors. Salivary duct activity is in phase with protraction. In accordance with these muscle activities, the activity of buccal nerve root 3 is of longer duration and more intense than that of buccal root 1 during ingestion, and the salivary nerve is active in bursts during ingestion. The stomatogastric nerve fires cyclically in phase with retraction. 3. The egestion motor program, rigorously identified by outward movement of objects, is also characterized by alternate bursts of activity in protractor and retractor muscles. The egestion motor program differs from ingestion, however, in several specific respects. First, the duration of the protraction phase of the cycle is longer than the duration of the retraction phase. Second, the buccal constrictor muscle is silent during egestion. Third, the salivary duct is typically also silent during egestion. Fourth, the amplitude of recorded potentials from retractor muscles (m.1 and m.3) is significantly suppressed during egestion. Fifth, as would be expected, the activity of buccal nerve root 1 is longer and more intense than that of buccal root 3. Sixth, the salivary nerve is silent. Seventh, the stomatogastric nerve fires tonically rather than cyclically during egestion. 4. The ‘neutral’ or third buccal rhythm is generally significantly slower than ingestion or egestion, but is qualitatively similar in most respects to ingestion and dissimilar from egestion. 5. Stretching the esophagus induces the egestion motor program. This reflex is interpreted as a ‘clearance’ reflex which ensures egestion of objects too large to swallow. 6. Low-intensity stimulation of the stomatogastric nerve elicits a motor rhythm similar to ingestion but different from egestion. High-intensity stomatogastric nerve stimulation elicits the ingestion motor program, interrupted by stereotypic episodes of egestion.
The intrinsic bandwidth requirements of ordinary programs

While there has been an abundance of recent papers on hardware and software approaches to improving the performance of memory accesses, few papers have addressed the problem from the program's point of view. There is a general notion that certain programs have larger working sets than others. However, there is no quantitative method for evaluating and comparing the memory requirements of programs.This paper introduces the bandwidth spectrum for characterizing the memory requirements of a program's instruction and data stream. The bandwidth spectrum measures the average bandwidth requirement of a program as a function of available local memory. These measurements are performed under the most idealized conditions of perfect knowledge and perfect memory management. As such, they represent the lower bounds on the memory requirements of programs. We present the bandwidth spectrums for a set of 22 benchmarks and show how they can be used in the comparison of memory requirements and I/O requirement. The bandwidth spectrums also offer a convenient method to weigh the trade-off amongst instruction issue rate, local memory capacity and bandwidth into local memory.Using the bandwidth spectrum, we show that at issue rates of four or less, bandwidth usually scales linearly with the issue rate. At higher issue rates, bandwidth can often scale superlinearly with respect to issue rate. Finally, we also investigate the effects of varying the input sets on the bandwidth spectrums.
SERVO: Simulation experiments with random-vector output

The authors discuss statistical methods, system design, and examples for SERVO, a software package that supports simulation experiments having output data that are assumed to be a sequence of identically distributed random vectors. SERVO requires two types of input: a description of the model of interest and a description of the desired experiment. From this input, SERVO generates C-language code that when executed is the simulation experiment. The experiment automatically creates an output report with point estimators and associated standard errors for a variety of typical performance measures. The marginal performance measures include means, standard deviations, variances, mean squared errors, third and fourth standardized moments, and points on the distribution function; the joint performance measures are covariances and correlations. >
A New Data Mining Model for Hurricane Intensity Prediction

This paper proposes a new hurricane intensity prediction model, WFL-EMM, which is based on the data mining techniques of feature weight learning (WFL) and Extensible Markov Model (EMM). The data features used are those employed by one of the most popular intensity prediction models, SHIPS. In our algorithm, the weights of the features are learned by a genetic algorithm (GA) using historical hurricane data. As the GAs fitness function we use the error of the intensity prediction by an EMM learned using given feature weights. For fitness calculation we use a technique similar to k-fold cross validation on the training data. The best weights obtained by the genetic algorithm are used to build an EMM with all training data. This EMM is then applied to predict the hurricane intensities and compute prediction errors for the test data. Using historical data for the named Atlantic tropical cyclones from 1982 to 2003, experiments demonstrate that WFL-EMM provides significantly more accurate intensity predictions than SHIPS within 72 hours. Since we report here first results, we indicate how to improve WFL-EMM in the future.
Properties of pure nickel after long term exposures to LiOH and vacuum at 775 K

The solid to liquid phase transformation of LiOH at 744.3 K is considered to be an ideal candidate thermal energy storage (TES) mechanism for a Rankine heat engine based solar dynamic system operating at approximately 682 K. While pure nickel is thought to be a suitable containment material for LiOH, long term containment is of concern because molten hydroxides are usually corrosive. Two commercially pure nickel alloys, Ni-200 and Ni-201, were exposed to molten LiOH, its vapor, and vacuum at 775 K for periods ranging from 50 to 5000 h, and simple mechanical property measurements (77 to 900 K tensile and 750 K creep rupture) of exposed alloys were undertaken. The mechanical property test procedures are described and tabular lists of the test data are presented.
Measurement of high frequency sound fields by optical techniques

This paper summarizes the history of using acousto-optics to investigate ultrasonic fields both continuous and pulsed. There are a variety of methods yielding images of the fields and others yielding quantitative information.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Two cases of Down syndrome with unusual de novo translocation

Two children with the clinical features of Down syndrome were found to have several unusual cell lines. In both cases the same reverse tandem translocation between two 21 chromosomes was present in one line. This may be an unstable rearrangement. In addition, the findings offer some support for current efforts to localize the portion of chromosome 21 responsible for clinical features of Down syndrome to band 21q22. Acridine orange R banding was found to be especially useful in the identification of the break points on the translocations. The origin of the abnormality was found to be paternal in one case and was indeterminate in the second.
Managing Stakeholder Demands Balancing Responsiveness to Clients and Funding Agents in Nonprofit Social Service Organizations

Nonprofit social service organizations face unique challenges in attending to the needs of their various stakeholders. This article uses data from a sample of nonprofit organizations in Michigan to...
Void formation in composite prepregs – Effect of dissolved moisture

Abstract Void formation as a function of resin moisture content was investigated to better understand and control process defects in composite parts made from prepreg. In this study, uncured prepreg was conditioned at 70%, 80% and 90% relative humidity and at 35 °C. Conditioned prepreg was laid up into quasi-isotropic laminates and cured using vacuum bag only (VBO) processing (low-pressure), and autoclave processing. Moisture uptake in the resin was measured using coulometric Fischer titration. Void content was measured by image analysis of polished sections of cured laminates. Void fractions increased substantially with increasing moisture content in VBO processed laminates, while autoclave-processed parts remained void-free. Experimental results were consistent with trends predicted using a diffusion-based analytical model. The findings are discussed in the context of causes of voids in prepreg composites.
Clock Period Minimization with Iterative Binding Based on Stochastic Wirelength Estimation during High-Level Synthesis

In this paper we present an iterative binding algorithm for high-level synthesis design space exploration, that simultaneously optimizes clock period and wirelength. Our algorithm uses a stochastic interconnect distribution model and a top-down partition-based global placement in a novel framework to provide fast and accurate estimates for wire length and wire delays during resource binding in high-level synthesis. The wirelength estimates used in our algorithm are within 15% of wirelengths in layouts created by commercial and academic placement tools. Experiments show that when compared to a clique- partitioning based binding technique, the proposed algorithm improves the clock period by an average of 18% with minimal impact on the total wirelength. In addition, our algorithm is an order-of-magnitude faster than a traditional synthesis technique that uses a full place-and-route as part of the design space exploration process.
Towards an Energy-Star WLAN Infrastructure

Mobile users' demand for omnipresent, reliable, and high throughput services from a wireless LAN infrastructure has led a significant number of enterprises and public bodies to deploy large-scale high-density IEEE 802.11-based WLANs. These WLANs feature several hundreds to thousands of APs that are managed centrally and are typically dimensioned for peak user demands. Unfortunately, peak demands are occasional and WLANs often under-utilized. Using measurements from two different WLANs we show that the under-utilization of WLANs leads to a significant energy wastage, primarily due to their always-on nature. We discuss designs that can render such WLANs energy efficient and describe energy star infrastructures that can maximize energy savings in different scenarios. We also propose a simple algorithm, Green-clustering for energy star WLAN infrastructures that can lead to up to 90% energy savings. We argue that current and future large-scale WLANs must integrate energy efficiency as a design constraint. We also discuss avenues of further research on energy-star WLAN infrastructures.
Time-resolved far-field analysis of a high power single emitter laser diode

A system was developed which is capable of measuring the time-resolved far-field radiation patterns from a high-power semiconductor laser under intensity modulated conditions. Angular steering of the fundamental spatial mode was observed, with pointing variations as large as 0.5 deg, or 7.5 percent of the beamwidth, during the time of the optical pulse. The variations in pointing angle were directly related to gradients in the transverse index profile of the laser, which may oscillate based on lateral spatial hole burning of the gain and carrier density.
The Exchange Between Quantity and Quality

Abstract : H. Theil has pointed out that under certain conditions the choice between quality and quantity of a commodity involves a consumer's budget line which is convex to the origin. This convexity leads to instability of the tangency solution if it should happen that the utility isoquant is of lesser curvature than the cost isoquant; when this is the case, the point of tangency will represent the worst rather than the best position along any given isoquant. It appears that quite plausible assumptions may lead to convex cost isoquants for the consumer, firm, or economy in spite of the fact that the marginal rate of substitution behaves rather strangely for such isoquants. The main purposes of this note are to look into the question of how general such isoquants and resulting instabilities may be in the quality-quantity problem, considering not merely the possible mathematical formulations of the cost function but also taking into account economic instuition.
Online Friends, Offline Loved Ones, and Full-Time Media: Young Adult “Mass Personal” Use of Communication Resources for Informational and Emotional Support

As Web 2.0 technologies proliferate, patient education is changing dramatically. Information about prevention and survivorship arrives from a mix of sources. The present manuscript describes a study to shed light on how young adults (YAs) affected by cancer manage the digital world. Our investigation was guided by a research question asking how young adults affected by cancer engage in communication work in an environment of mass personal communication. The sample for this research consisted of 500 posts comprising 50 complete threads from an online support community for young adults affected by cancer. Threads were purposively sampled in a multi-stage process. Researchers used constant comparison to define themes, examining text in increments. Individuals harnessed assets of various communication tools for the purposes of message preparation and credibility checking. YAs demonstrated the multi-channel way they move between channels for different purposes, driven by preparation for future interactions. The result is a process that allows co-creation of knowledge in a trusted community. Findings indicate that completing communication work through multiple channels in a deliberate and savvy way is normal for YAs, particularly for message preparation and credibility checking. The multidirectional nature of digital tools plays an important role for YAs, as interactive resources appear to be the first or second stop for information after key events in the cancer trajectory. Results from this study are important as guidance to help manage the volume and depth of information common to the cancer experience in the Web 2.0 world.
The role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance in stratifying paravalvular leak severity after transcatheter aortic valve replacement: an observational outcome study.

Significant paravalvular leak (PVL) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) confers a worse prognosis. Symptoms related to significant PVL may be difficult to differentiate from those related to other causes of heart failure. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) directly quantifies valvular regurgitation, but has not been extensively studied in symptomatic post-TAVR patients. CMR was compared to qualitative (QE) and semi-quantitative echocardiography (SQE) for classifying PVL and prognostic value at one year post-imaging in 23 symptomatic post-TAVR patients. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause death, heart failure hospitalization, and intractable symptoms necessitating repeat invasive therapy; the secondary outcome was a composite of all-cause death and heart failure hospitalization. The difference in event-free survival according to greater than mild PVL versus mild or less PVL by QE, SQE, and CMR were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Compared to QE, CMR reclassified PVL severity in 48% of patients, with most patients (31%) reclassified to at least one grade higher. Compared to SQE, CMR reclassified PVL severity in 57% of patients, all being reclassified to at least one grade lower; SQE overestimated PVL severity (mean grade 2.5 versus 1.7, p = 0.001). The primary and secondary outcomes occurred in 48% and 35% of patients, respectively. Greater than mild PVL by CMR was associated with reduced event-free survival for the primary outcome (p 20%) had a higher incidence of adverse events.
Noncommutative Geometry and Path Integrals

We argue that there should exist a “noncommutative Fourier transform” which should identify functions of noncommutative variables (say, of matrices of indeterminate size) and ordinary functions or measures on the space of paths. Some examples are considered.
Analysis of 8681 neonates with transposition of the great arteries: outcomes with and without Rashkind balloon atrial septostomy.

BACKGROUND Rashkind balloon atrial septostomy is a common cardiac procedure aimed at improving systemic oxygenation in newborns with cyanotic congenital cardiac defects, such as transposition of the great arteries. Recent reports on the safety of this procedure were from limited series at single institutions. We analysed two complementary national databases to evaluate clinically relevant outcomes of this procedure. METHODS AND RESULTS We performed an analysis of transposition of the great artery patients nationwide using 15 years of the Nationwide In-patient Sample and three complementary years of the Kids' Inpatient Database. Variables included gender, race, age, and co-existing diagnoses. Outcomes included mortality, length of stay, and hospital charges. Comparison between patients undergoing Rashkind procedure or not was performed using Pearson's chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests. We identified 8681 patients with transposition of the great arteries, of whom 1742 (20%) underwent Rashkind procedure. Patients undergoing Rashkind procedure had lower mortality (10% versus 12%, p = 0.021), despite higher median co-morbidities and longer median length of stay. Rashkind procedure was not associated with increased risk of necrotising enterocolitis (1% versus 1%, p = 0.630), but was associated with nearly twice the risk of clinically recognised stroke (1% versus 0%, p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS This study represents the largest national analysis of transposition of the great artery patients to date, with a subset treated with Rashkind procedure. Patients not undergoing Rashkind procedure had higher mortality. Rashkind procedure was not associated with increased risk of necrotising enterocolitis, but was associated with twice the risk of stroke.
Transposon mutagenesis of Campylobacter jejuni identifies a bipartite energy taxis system required for motility.

Summary Campylobacter jejuni constitutes the leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis in the United States and a major cause of diarrhoea worldwide. Little is known about virulence mechanisms in this organism because of the scarcity of suitable genetic tools. We have developed an efficient system of in vitro transposon mutagenesis using a mariner-based transposon and purified mariner transposase. Through in vitro transposition of C. jejuni chromosomal DNA followed by natural transformation of the transposed DNA, large random transposon mutant libraries consisting of < 16 000 individual mutants were generated. The first genetic screen of C. jejuni using a transposongenerated mutant library identified 28 mutants defective for flagellar motility, one of the few known virulence determinants of this pathogen. We developed a second genetic system, which allows for the construction of defined chromosomal deletions in C. jejuni, and demonstrated the requirement of s 28 and s 54 for motility. In addition, we show that s 28 is involved in the transcription of flaA and that s 54 is required for transcription of three other flagellar genes, flaB and flgDE. We also identified two previously uncharacterized genes required for motility encoding proteins that we call CetA and CetB, which mediate energy taxis responses. Through our analysis of the Cet proteins, we propose a unique mechanism for sensing energy levels and mediating energy taxis in C. jejuni.
Challenges and Opportunities for Students Who Are Gifted: What the Experts Say

Five questions were answered by 64 authorities in the gifted field: (a) What do you see as the three greatest identification, assessment, and/or definitional issues in the gifted field? (b) What do you see as the three greatest curricula, instruction, and/or program issues for the gifted student? (c) What are the three most pressing unanswered questions in the gifted field? (d) What have been the three most important research findings in the last 5 years in the gifted field? (e) What are the three most significant developments or innovations in gifted education in the last 5 years? Responses were coded and sorted according to an analytic strategy that permitted the descriptive data to be grouped into a small number of categories. Most frequent categories included a need for consensus on how to define, conceptualize, and identify giftedness; new procedures to increase the under-representation of gifted minority students; and the importance of translating research on educational innovations into practice. R...
Creating a nursing Simulation laboratory: A literature Review

Currently in nursing education, active student participation, discussion, observation, and reflection are paramount for successful learning. Simulation is one of the up-and-coming tools that can be used across the nursing curriculum to replicate experiences in nursing practice. This interactive experience immerses students in patient health care scenarios in a safe environment. Simulation experience reinforces the development of skills in assessment, psychomotor activity, critical thinking, problem solving, decision making, and collaboration with others. Experiential learning through simulation affects patient care, health, and safety. These interactive experiences engage students through participation, observation, and debriefing. As preparation for establishing a simulation laboratory, a review of the purpose of simulation, learning theories, advantages and challenges, regulatory viewpoints, budgetary needs, and educator training will be discussed.
Propranolol Prevention of Cholera Enterotoxin-Induced Intestinal Secretion in the Rat

Abstract The ability of the beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist propranolol to effect intestinal secretion induced by active and passive mechanisms was evaluated in the rat ileum and colon. Ileal and colonic loops were exposed to choleragen, dibutyryl cAMP, and hypertonic mannitol in vivo to induce water and electrolyte secretion. When studied 3.5-4.5 hr after choleragen inoculation, water and electrolyte secretion and increased adenylate cyclase activity and cyclic AMP content were observed in intestine from untreated animals, but Na-K-ATPase, Mg-ATPase, and cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase were unaffected. Treatment with D,L-propranolol, SC 4 mg/kg/ day for 3 days, did not affect water or electrolyte movement or intestinal enzyme activities or cyclic AMP content in saline-inoculated loops, but significantly reduced the choleragen-induced ileal water and electrolyte secretion and completely prevented the choleragen-induced colonic secretion. Propranolol treatment did not alter the choleragen-induced increase in adenylate cyclase activity or cyclic AMP content. Similar treatment with D,L-propranolol failed to affect ileal water secretion induced by hypertonic mannitol. Treatment with D-propranolol, SC 4 mg/kg/day for 3 days, did not affect the ileal secretion induced by choleragen inoculation. To document the site of propranolol inhibition of intestinal secretion, secretion was induced by ileal perfusion with dibutyryl cAMP. Propranolol treatment completely prevented this dibutyryl cAMP-induced ileal secretion. These results indicate that D,L-propranolol is able to prevent choleragen-induced ileal and colonic secretion in the rat but does not affect passive secretion caused by hypertonic mannitol. This action of propranolol is stereo-specific and is not associated with inhibition of choleragen-induced activation of adenylate cyclase or increase in cyclic AMP content and apparently involves a step in the intestinal secretory process after activation of adenylate cyclase.
Fibroblast proliferation during myocardial development in rats is regulated by IGF-1 receptors

To determine whether the growth of cardiac fibroblasts during development is modulated by the insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 receptor (IGF-1R), the expression of IGF-1, IGF-2, and IGF-1R was determined in fibroblasts from fetal and postnatal hearts. The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and DNA polymerase-alpha was also evaluated in combination with the estimation of DNA replication. In comparison with fetal hearts, at postnatal day 21, fibroblast expression of IGF-1R mRNA, IGF-2, PCNA, and DNA polymerase-alpha was reduced by 77, 70, 80, and 86%, respectively. Moreover, IGF-1R protein decreased by 48% at 21 days. Bromodeoxyuridine labeling decreased by 88 and 89% in the left and right ventricle, respectively, at this time. Two different antisense oligodeoxynucleotides to IGF-1R reduced DNA replication by 60 and 44% in fibroblasts in culture. In addition, this intervention markedly attenuated the growth response of fibroblasts to IGF-1 or serum. In conclusion, the IGF-1R system appears to play a major role in the regulation of fibroblast growth in the heart in vivo.
Circulation of the airway mucosa.

The major part of tracheobronchial blood flow is distributed to the mucosa. Its microvasculature comprises 10–20% of the subepithelial tissue volume, with blood flow ranging from 30 to 95 ml.min-1.100 g wet tissue-1 in different animal species. Mucosal blood flow is influenced by vascular and airway pressures, inspired air conditions, and autonomic neurotransmitters. Several inflammatory mediators and neuropeptides are capable of enhancing the permeability for macromolecules in postcapillary venules and of augmenting tissue water volume, often with a concomitant increase in perfusion. These microvascular responses of the lower airway mucosa have an important role under various conditions of physiological stress and in airway inflammation.
Promoting the Hydrosilylation of Benzaldehyde by Using a Dicationic Antimony-Based Lewis Acid: Evidence for the Double Electrophilic Activation of the Carbonyl Substrate

The concomitant activation of carbonyl substrates by two Lewis acids has been investigated by using [1,2-(Ph2 MeSb)2 C6 H4 ](2+) ([1](2+) ), an antimony-based bidentate Lewis acid obtained by methylation of the corresponding distibine. Unlike the simple stibonium cation [Ph3 MeSb](+) , dication [1](2+) efficiently catalyzes the hydrosilylation of benzaldehyde under mild conditions. The catalytic activity of this dication is correlated to its ability to doubly activate the carbonyl functionality of the organic substrate. This view is supported by the isolation of [1-μ2 -DMF][OTf]2 , an adduct, in which the DMF oxygen atom bridges the two antimony centers.
Racial disparities in readmission, complications, and procedures in children with Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND Racial disparities in care and outcomes contribute to mortality and morbidity in children; however, the role in pediatric Crohn's disease is unclear. In this study, we compared cohorts of black and white children with Crohn's disease to determine the extent race is associated with differences in readmissions, complications, and procedures among hospitalizations in the United States. METHODS Data were extracted from the Pediatric Health Information System (January 1, 2004-June 30, 2012) for patients with 21 years or younger hospitalized with a diagnosis of Crohn's disease. White and black cohorts were randomly selected in a 2:1 ratio by hospital. The primary outcome was time from index hospital discharge to readmission. The most frequent complications and procedures were evaluated by race. RESULTS There were 4377 patients. Black children had a shorter time to first readmission and higher probability of readmission (P = 0.009) and a 16% increase in risk of readmission compared with white children (P = 0.01). Black children had longer length of stay and higher frequency of overall and late (30-d to 12-mo postdischarge) readmissions (P < 0.001). During index hospitalization, more black children had perianal disease and anemia (P < 0.001). During any hospitalization, black children had higher incidence of perianal disease, anemia, and vitamin D deficiency, and greater number of perianal procedures, endoscopies, and blood product transfusion (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS There are differences in hospital readmissions, complications, and procedures among hospitalized children related to race. It is unclear whether these differences are due to genetic differences, worse intrinsic disease, adherence, access to treatment, or treatment disparities.
Comparison of Heat Transfer Coefficient and Thermal Performance of a Narrow Impingement Channel

Impingement channel cooling shows great potential for removing large amounts of heat from turbine airfoils. This comes at the expense of a large pressure drop required across the jet plate. The consideration of both heat transfer levels and pressure losses is then important when considering the implementation of this cooling scheme. This paper examines the local and averaged effects of channel height in the presence of side walls on heat transfe r coefficients and the additional work required to achieve these levels . Local temperature distributions on target and side wall surfaces were measured using temperature sensitive paint and recorded via a scientific grade charge -coupled device (CCD) camera, and compared to available literature. Streamwise pressure distributions were recorded and used to explain heat transfer trends and determining pumping power requirements. Results are presented for average jet based Reynolds numbers between 17,000 and 45,000. All experiments were carried out on a large scale single row, 5 hole impingement channel, with X/D of 15, Yc/D of 4, and Z/D of 1, 3 and 5. Results showed that the channel with a medium channel height, and high Reynolds number yields both high heat transfer coefficients, at a minimal relative pumping power penalty. On the other hand, the smallest channel height performs best considering constant pressure conditions.
MIT Simpl

Simpl is a simulation system (i.e., a specialized programming language and an associated run-time support system) specifically designed to provide a high degree of interaction between an individual researcher and a complex simulation model, in all the stages of the simulation process, by taking advantage of the sophisticated interaction possible in a modern, on-line, man-computer environment.
Combinatorial Properties of Full-Flag Johnson Graphs

The Johnson graphs J(n, k) are a well-known family of combinatorial graphs whose applications and generalizations have been studied extensively in the literature. In this paper, we present a new variant of the family of Johnson graphs, the Full-Flag Johnson graphs, and discuss their combinatorial properties. We show that the Full-Flag Johnson graphs are Cayley graphs on \(S_n\) generated by certain well-known classes of permutations and that they are in fact generalizations of permutahedra. Our main result will be to establish a tight \(\varTheta (n^2/k^2)\) bound for the diameter of the Full-Flag Johnson graph FJ(n, k).
Visual contextual awareness in wearable computing

Small, body-mounted video cameras enable a different style of wearable computing interface. As processing power increases, a wearable computer can spend more time observing its user to provide serendipitous information, manage interruptions and tasks, and predict future needs without being directly commanded by the user. This paper introduces an assistant for playing the real-space game Patrol. This assistant tracks the wearer's location and current task through computer vision techniques and without off-body infrastructure. In addition, this paper continues augmented reality research, started in 1995, for binding virtual data to physical locations.
Learning to Observe and Interpret Behavior as a High-Impact Practice Within Family Science Courses

Riley discusses the use of two courses to teach students the art of observation and how to interpret behavior through the use of writing assignments and critiquing. The author illustrates the skills taught through the use of two student observations and exercises for the reader. Next, he discusses the high-impact elements integrated into the courses through the observations, writing assignments, and critiques such as spending time on meaningful tasks, frequent performance feedback, faculty and students interact about substantive matters, diversity, and applications on/off campus.
Teaching good Excel design and skills: A three spreadsheet assignment project

Abstract Over sixty percent of AIS courses cover Excel because it is an important tool for accounting students to learn and master. Although spreadsheet programs like Excel provide powerful analytical tools for business, in practice, they are often created and used by people with minimal programming experience. Consequently, users can often develop spreadsheets containing critical errors, which, in turn, can cause significant losses for their businesses. Errors can be reduced, however, by learning and employing good spreadsheet design techniques. Good spreadsheet design also makes it easier to update and continue to use a spreadsheet over time. This paper describes a method for teaching spreadsheet design where students complete three spreadsheet assignments in an iterative and repetitive process. By the time students have completed these assignments, they will have acquired good spreadsheet design skills and improved their basic Excel skills.