cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Two years' experience of using the Bravo wireless oesophageal pH monitoring system at a single UK tertiary centre

Aim The Bravo wireless pH monitoring system enables oesophageal pH to be monitored in children intolerant to nasal catheters and records measurements over 48 hours. This study aimed to document the minimum child weight that enabled successful capsule placement and any associated complications. We also compared the diagnostic sensitivity of 48 hours versus 24 hours. Methods We included 203 consecutive patients (122 male children) with clinically documented or suspected reflux symptoms. The age range was two years to 19 years, and the minimum weight was 9.29 kg. The pH capsule was deployed endoscopically under general anaesthetic. Recordings taken over 24 and 48 hours were compared to determine the frequency of differences and correlations in the reflux index and DeMeester scores. Results Testing using the detached probe was successful in 190 children (93.6%) with weight as low as 9.29 kg, with no side effects, with failed deployment being the most frequent problem. Clinically different results in the reflux index were found in 16% of the children's day 1 or day 2 readings (p < 0.0001), suggesting the benefit of 48-hour measurements. Conclusion Measuring oesophageal pH with the Bravo wireless pH monitoring system was successful in 93.6% of cases. A 48-hour test improved the detection rate of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease by 16%.
Family Influences on African American Men’s Health: Family-Based Interventions

African American men continue to suffer from poor health outcomes when compared to men of other racial/ethnic groups and to women. Because health is often influenced by family members, it is critical to determine which family members should be involved in efforts to develop appropriate physical and mental health care utilization initiatives, health promotion interventions, and policies designed to reduce disparities in men’s health. We review empirical evidence on family relationships and African American men’s physical and mental health in this chapter, highlighting findings from the Fathers and Sons Program as one family-based approach to address the physical and mental health of African American men. We offer an integrative theoretical framework for research and practice on parenting and African American men’s health. We also suggest future research and family-based policies to support family involvement as a way to improve the health of African American men.
Proximity Biframes and Nachbin Spaces

In our previous paper, in order to develop the pointfree theory of compactifications of ordered spaces, we introduced the concept of a proximity on a biframe as a generalization of the concept of a strong inclusion on a biframe. As a natural next step, we introduce the concept of a proximity morphism between proximity biframes. Like in the case of de Vries algebras and proximity frames, we show that the proximity biframes and proximity morphisms between them form a category PrBFrm in which composition is not function composition. We prove that the category KRBFrm of compact regular biframes and biframe homomorphisms is a proper full subcategory of PrBFrm that is equivalent to PrBFrm. We also show that PrBFrm is equivalent to the category PrFrm of proximity frames, and give a simple description of the concept of regularization using the language of proximity biframes. Finally, we describe the dual equivalence of PrBFrm and the category Nach of Nachbin spaces, which provides a direct way to construct compactifications of ordered spaces.
Brownfields National Partnership: The Federal Role in Brownfields Redevelopment:

Brownfields, properties with actual or perceived contamination and active potential for reuse, have risen rapidly to the top of the national economic development policy agenda. Bringing together economic, environmental, and community interests, one sees vigorous public and private brownfields efforts in progress across the country. Based on the principle that one can assess, clean up, and sustainably reuse contaminated properties, the federal Brownfields Initiative empowers states, communities, and other stakeholders to work together to solve the brownfields challenge. This article provides public works officials with the information they need about the Brownfields National Partnership Action Agenda and the multiagency federal activities underway to support local brownfields projects. Any opinions expressed in this article are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Nonerosive Reflux Disease (NERD)

Nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) is defined by typical gastroesophageal reflux-related symptoms, lack of endoscopic evidence of esophageal inflammation, and increased esophageal acid exposure. NERD is the most common phenotypic presentation of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), accounting for up to 70% of all patients with heartburn symptoms. NERD also accounts for the majority of the GERD patients who failed proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment. There is a very low, if any, rate of progression from NERD to erosive esophagitis and Barrett’s esophagus. After initial normal endoscopic evaluation, pH testing is pivotal to the diagnosis of NERD and to distinguish the disorder from functional heartburn and reflux hypersensitivity. While not yet in clinical practice, mucosal impedance is a diagnostic tool that has been shown to be useful in diagnosing NERD patients including those who are refractory to PPI therapy already during endoscopy. Treatment focuses on acid suppression, but the proportion of NERD patients responding to a standard dose of PPI is significantly lower than what has been documented in patients with erosive esophagitis. Endoscopic therapy and antireflux surgery have been demonstrated to be efficacious in carefully selected NERD patients. Alternative therapeutic strategies consist of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation reducers, pain modulators, psychological intervention, acupuncture, and other alternative and complementary medicine approaches.
Preoperative Diabetes Optimization Program.

IN BRIEF “Quality Improvement Success Stories” are published by the American Diabetes Association in collaboration with the American College of Physicians, Inc., and the National Diabetes Education Program. This series is intended to highlight best practices and strategies from programs and clinics that have successfully improved the quality of care for people with diabetes or related conditions. Each article in the series is reviewed and follows a standard format developed by the editors of Clinical Diabetes. The following article describes a successful effort to improve glycemic control in presurgical patients with an A1C >8%.
Timing matters: the interval between acute stressors within chronic mild stress modifies behavioral and physiologic stress responses in male rats.

Chronic mild stress can lead to negative health outcomes. Frequency, duration, and intensity of acute stressors can affect health-related processes. We tested whether the temporal pattern of daily ...
Public Health als Basis für klinische Forschung in Gender Medizin

Gesundheitsforderung und Pravention zu optimieren, sind fur diejenigen, die in diesem Bereich arbeiten, wesentliche Aufgaben von Public Health. Public Health umfasst l. die Fruherkennung von Risikofaktoren und Risiken,2. die Pravention und 3. die Fruherkennung und angemessene Behandlung von Krankheiten, um damit eine Reduktion in Morbiditat und Mortalitat zu erreichen. Ziel ist es, eine Verbesserung der Bevolkerungsgesundheit und den Erhalt von individueller Gesundheit bei verlangerter Lebenserwartung fur Manner, Frauen, Madchen und Jungen zu realisieren. Gendergerechte Forschung, die die Gesundheitseinflusse auf Manner und Frauen, Madchen und Jungen identifiziert, und die eine Feststellung von Zielgruppen fur Gesundheitsforderungs- und Praventionsstrategien ermoglicht, ist entscheidend, um die Public Health Ziele zu erreichen. Funf SchlusseSbereiche konnen die Qualitat einer genderspezifischen Public Health Forschung beeinflussen: - Ethikkommissionen - Datenerfassung - Methodik - Bildung - Policy
OAR: a formal framework for multi-agent negotiation

In Multi-Agent systems, agents often need to make decisions about how to interact with each other when negotiating over task allocation. In this paper, we present OAR, a formal framework to address the question of how the agents should interact in an evolving environment in order to achieve their different goals. The traditional categorization of self-interested and cooperative agents is unified by adopting a utility view. We illustrate mathematically that the degree of cooperativeness of an agent and the degree of its selfdirectness are not directly related. We also show how OAR can be used to evaluate different negotiation strategies and to develop distributed mechanisms that optimize the performance dynamically. This research demonstrates that sophisticated probabilistic modeling can be used to understand the behaviors of a system with complex agent interactions.
Targeting of the class II transactivator attenuates inflammation and neurodegeneration in an alpha-synuclein model of Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by intracellular alpha-synuclein (α-syn) inclusions, progressive death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), and activation of the innate and adaptive immune systems. Disruption of immune signaling between the central nervous system (CNS) and periphery, such as through targeting the chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2) or the major histocompatibility complex II (MHCII), is neuroprotective in rodent models of PD, suggesting a key role for innate and adaptive immunity in disease progression. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether genetic knockout or RNA silencing of the class II transactivator (CIITA), a transcriptional co-activator required for MHCII induction, is effective in reducing the neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration observed in an α-syn mouse model of PD. In vitro, we utilized microglia cultures from WT or CIITA −/− mice treated with α-syn fibrils to investigate inflammatory iNOS expression and antigen processing via immunocytochemistry (ICC). In vivo, an adeno-associated virus (AAV) was used to overexpress α-syn in WT and CIITA −/− mice as a model for PD. Concurrently with AAV-mediated overexpression of α-syn, WT mice received CIITA-targeted shRNAs packaged in lentiviral constructs. Immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry were used to assess inflammation and peripheral cell infiltration at 4 weeks post transduction, and unbiased stereology was used 6 months post transduction to assess neurodegeneration. Using ICC and DQ-ovalbumin, we show that CIITA −/− microglial cultures failed to upregulate iNOS and MHCII expression, and had decreased antigen processing in response to α-syn fibrils when compared to WT microglia. In vivo, global knock-out of CIITA as well as local knockdown using lentiviral shRNAs targeting CIITA attenuated MHCII expression, peripheral immune cell infiltration, and α-syn-induced neurodegeneration. Our data provide evidence that CIITA is required for α-syn-induced MHCII induction and subsequent infiltration of peripheral immune cells in an α-syn mouse model of PD. Additionally, we demonstrate that CIITA in the CNS drives neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. These data provide further support that the disruption or modulation of antigen processing and presentation via CIITA is a promising target for therapeutic development in preclinical animal models of PD.
Photolytic Reductive Elimination of White Phosphorus from a Mononuclear cyclo‐P4 Transition Metal Complex

Elemental white phosphorus (P4 ) is well recognized as a critical precursor to organophosphorus compounds. However, regulatory constraints stemming from the toxic and pyrophoric nature of white phosphorus have significantly limited its accessibility. Herein is described a new approach to white phosphorus storage and release based on a unique example of photolytic reductive elimination of the tetrahedral P4 molecule from a mononuclear cyclo-P4 molybdenum complex. The latter functions as an air-stable, chemically-deactivated source of white phosphorus. The system features efficient photo-release of white phosphorus using inexpensive violet LED sources. Additionally, high-yield recapture of unspent white phosphorus by the molybdenum center can be achieved by post-photolysis heating at convenient temperatures.
Expert Witnesses: Criminal Cases (West)

This book discusses whether to include an expert in a criminal case and how to determine whether your case presentation could benefit from expert testimony and opinions. It also presents the different areas of expert testimony appearing in criminal cases so that the legal authorities cited and analysis provided may be applied to the next burgeoning topic area of expert testimony. Finally, the book demonstrates how trial courts and reviewing appellate courts decide issues related to expert witnesses and expert testimony and how to successfully anticipate these issues before and during trial when it can still make a difference. The book also: -discusses notice and discovery, including strategy decisions and best practices -provides Westlaw® queries to assist with research -profiles specific areas of expert testimony in criminal cases and discusses the best practices of presenting it -discusses other options to presenting an expert witness at trial, including lay witnesses, consultants, and summary witnesses.
Development of a Web Service Based Information Exchange Platform for the Nigerian Deregulated Electricity Market

This work developed a Web service based Information Exchange Platform (WIEP) for effective business operations among generation, transmission and distribution utilities in the Nigerian deregulated electricity market. Object-oriented methodology and multi-tenant architecture were used to design and implement the components (GUI, database and messaging server) of the WIEP. While the GUI was implemented using various object attributes, the database, messaging server and application logic that connected the components were implemented using SQL, SOAP and C# programming language respectively. The developed system was tested on shared and dedicated servers to examine its performance (response time and throughput). The GUI, database and messaging server were functional when tested. The platform’s response time gave linear trend on shared and dedicated servers respectively whereas the throughput produced linear and near-exponential trends respectively on shared and dedicated servers. The developed platform if adopted will improve electric power management in Nigeria when deregulation is fully operational.
INFLUENZA VACCINATION TRENDS IN PATIENTS WITH HEART FAILURE BY EJECTION FRACTION

Influenza vaccination is associated with improved outcomes in heart failure (HF) patients. Differences in vaccination rates by ejection fraction (EF) have not been well characterized. We examined all patients hospitalized with history of HF at Brigham Health between October to March in 3 influenza
Operative costs, reasons for operative waste, and vendor credit replacement in spinal surgery.

BACKGROUND In 2012, Epstein et al. documented that educating spinal surgeons reduced the cost of operative waste (explanted devices: placed but removed prior to closure) occurring during anterior cervical diskectomy/fusion from 20% to 5.8%.[5] This prompted the development of a two-pronged spine surgeon-education program (2012-2014) aimed at decreasing operative costs for waste, and reducing the nine reasons for operative waste. METHODS The spine surgeon-education program involved posting the data for operative costs of waste and the nine reasons for operative waste over the neurosurgery/orthopedic scrub sinks every quarter. These data were compared for 2012 (latter 10 months), 2013 (12 months), and 2014 (first 9 months) (e.g. data were normalized). Savings from a 2013 Vendor Credit Replacement program were also calculated. RESULTS From 2012 to 2013 and 2014, spinal operative costs for waste were, respectively reduced by 64.7% and 61% for orthopedics, and 49.4% and 45.2% for neurosurgery. Although reduced by the program, the major reason for operative waste for all 3 years remained surgeon-related factors (e.g. 159.6, to 67, and 96, respectively). Alternatively, the eight other reasons for operative waste were reduced from 68.4 (2012) to 12 (2013) and finally to zero by 2014. Additionally, the Vendor Replacement program for 2013 netted $78,564. CONCLUSIONS The spine surgeon-education program reduced the costs/reasons for operative waste for 2012 to lower levels by 2013 and 2014. Although the major cost/reasons for operative waste were attributed to surgeon-related factors, these declined while the other eight reasons for operative waste were reduced to zero by 2014.
Model-Based Security Requirements for Cyber-Physical Systems in SysML

Capturing system requirements with accuracy and precision remains a challenge for secure cyber-physical systems. Current research efforts continue to fundamentally rely on natural language (shall statements), which is inherently ambiguous, and thus unable to capture the problem space accurately and precisely. We suggest in this paper a model-based approach to security requirements that avoids the use of requirements in natural language and leverages formal modeling and system-theoretic constructs instead. Specifically, the proposed approach extends behavioral and structural model elements of the Systems Modeling Language (SysML) with a system-theoretic definition of a solution space. Considering a system model to be a transformation of inputs into output, we model the security problem space in this paper as a set of required transformations of inputs into outputs. The application of the proposed requirements modeling approach to security requirements is demonstrated with an application to authentication requirements derived from a need to grant access to a service or system to authorized users and to decline access to a service or system to unauthorized users.
Reduced fractional anisotropy of the genu of the corpus callosum as a cerebrovascular disease marker and predictor of longitudinal cognition in MCI.

Abstract Our goal was to evaluate the utility of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) for predicting future cognitive decline in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in conjunction with Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers (amyloid positron emission tomography and AD signature neurodegeneration) in 132 MCI individuals ≥60 year old with structural magnetic resonance imaging, DTI, amyloid positron emission tomography, and at least one clinical follow-up. We used mixed-effect models to evaluate the prognostic ability of fractional anisotropy of the genu of the corpus callosum (FA-Genu), as a cerebrovascular disease marker, for predicting cognitive decline along with AD biomarkers. We contrasted the value of white matter hyperintensities, a traditional cerebrovascular disease marker as well as FA in the hippocampal cingulum bundle with the FA-Genu models. FA-Genu significantly predicted cognitive decline even after accounting for AD biomarkers. WMH was not associated with cognitive decline in the model with both WMH and FA-Genu. DTI specifically FA-Genu provides unique complementary information to AD biomarkers and has significant utility for prediction of cognitive decline in MCI.
Automatized analysis of children's exposure to child-directed speech in reschool settings: Validation and application.

The present study explored whether a tool for automatic detection and recognition of interactions and child-directed speech (CDS) in preschool classrooms could be developed, validated, and applied to non-coded video recordings representing children’s classroom experiences. Using first-person video recordings collected by 13 preschool children during a morning in their classrooms, we extracted high-level audiovisual features from recordings using automatic speech recognition and computer vision services from a cloud computing provider. Using manual coding for interactions and transcriptions of CDS as reference, we trained and tested supervised classifiers and linear mappings to measure five variables of interest. We show that the supervised classifiers trained with speech activity, proximity, and high-level facial features achieve adequate accuracy in detecting interactions. Furthermore, in combination with an automatic speech recognition service, the supervised classifier achieved error rates for CDS measures that are in line with other open-source automatic decoding tools in early childhood settings. Finally, we demonstrate our tool’s applicability by using it to automatically code and transcribe children’s interactions and CDS exposure vertically within a classroom day (morning to afternoon) and horizontally over time (fall to winter). Developing and scaling tools for automatized capture of children’s interactions with others in the preschool classroom, as well as exposure to CDS, may revolutionize scientific efforts to identify precise mechanisms that foster young children’s language development.
Weight loss one year after laparoscopic roux-en-Y gastric bypass is not dependent on the type of gastrojejunal anastomosis.

Laparoscopic roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) is the gold standard weight-loss procedure. There are different techniques to perform the gastrojejunal (GJ) anastomosis, but there is no consensus as to which one is superior for weight loss. Our goal in this study was to assess one-year weight loss after LRYGB comparing the three different techniques at our tertiary care center. The American college of surgeons (ACS) Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP®) data for Montefiore Medical Center for years 2014–2017 were analyzed. Three surgeons were included in this study; each type of anastomosis was performed by a single surgeon. Patients were included if they underwent primary LRYGB. Patients were designated to one of three different groups depending of the type of gastrojejunal anastomosis performed: hand sewn, circular stapled, or linear stapled. One-year weight loss was assessed as primary endpoint of the study. A descriptive analysis of perioperative variables for each group was included as well. A total of 1011 patients underwent primary LRYGB. 429 (42.1%) were performed with circular-stapled GJ anastomosis, 433 (42.5%) with a hand-sewn GJ anastomosis, and 149 (14.6%) linear-stapled GJ anastomosis. The median BMI was 46.08 ± 6.43, with no difference between groups (p = .405). Procedure time was 106.70 ± 28.23 min for the circular group, 108.27 ± 28.59 min for the hand-sewn group, and 115.78 ± 36.11 min for the linear group (p > 0.005). There were no significant differences in complications except for the need of postoperative transfusions (p < 0.002). There was no statistically significant difference in %EWL one year after surgery: %EWL was 58.81 ± 16.54 kg for hand sewn, 58.86 ± 14.84 kg for circular, and 59.20 ± 17.58Kg for linear. (p = .595). There is no difference in weight loss one year after LRYGB based on the type of gastrojejunal anastomosis performed.
Design, sizing and economic feasibility of a hybrid PV/diesel/battery based water pumping system for farmland

Renewable energy systems are the promising source of future sustainable energy. Presently, energy systems based on hybrid renewables sources are lucrative and have a negligible carbon footprint. Th...
DLVO Interactions between Particles and Rough Surfaces: An Extended Surface Element Integration Method

The surface element integration (SEI) method is a computationally facile technique for calculating DLVO interactions between particles and surfaces. This method yields the exact total DLVO interact...
Probability of regenerating a normal limb after bite injury in the Mexican axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum)

Multiple factors are thought to cause limb abnormalities in amphibian populations by altering processes of limb development and regeneration. We examined adult and juvenile axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum) in the Ambystoma Genetic Stock Center (AGSC) for limb and digit abnormalities to investigate the probability of normal regeneration after bite injury. We observed that 80% of larval salamanders show evidence of bite injury at the time of transition from group housing to solitary housing. Among 717 adult axolotls that were surveyed, which included solitary-housed males and group-housed females, approximately half presented abnormalities, including examples of extra or missing digits and limbs, fused digits, and digits growing from atypical anatomical positions. Bite injury likely explains these limb defects, and not abnormal development, because limbs with normal anatomy regenerated after performing rostral amputations. We infer that only 43% of AGSC larvae will present four anatomically normal looking adult limbs after incurring a bite injury. Our results show regeneration of normal limb anatomy to be less than perfect after bite injury.
Linear complexity universal decoding with exponential error probability decay

In this manuscript we consider linear complexity binary linear block encoders and decoders that operate universally with exponential error probability decay. Such scenarios may be relevant in wireless scenarios where probability distributions may not be fully characterized due to the dynamic nature of wireless environments. More specifically, we consider the setting of fixed length-to-fixed length near-lossless data compression of a memoryless binary source of unknown probability distribution as well as the dual setting of communicating on a binary symmetric channel (BSC) with unknown crossover probability. We introduce a new 'min-max distance' metric, analogous to minimum distance, that addresses the universal binary setting and has the same properties as that of minimum distance on BSCs with known crossover probability. The code construction and decoding algorithm are universal extensions of the 'expander codes' framework of Barg and Zemor and have identical complexity and exponential error probability performance.
Impact of race pace on development of hyponatraemia in full- and half-marathoners

Objective . Prior studies of full-marathon participants have demonstrated a higher incidence of hyponatraemia in runners with completion times of 4 hours or more. Our primary aim was to determine if slower pace is associated with increased prevalence of hyponatraemia. Secondly, we evaluated the prevalence of hyponatraemia in full-marathoners v. halfmarathoners. Methods . This observational, cross-sectional study comprised consenting runners in the 26.2 With Donna, The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer, in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, February 2008. On race day, participants completed a questionnaire, provided finger-stick blood samples, and were weighed both pre- and post-race. Results . A significant negative association was found between pace and post-race sodium level (p<0.001). A negative correlation was found between finishing time and post-race sodium level (p<0.001). The prevalence of post-race hyponatraemia was 4% (4/106) among half-marathoners and 13% (12/89) among full-marathoners (P=0.02). An inverse correlation was found between sodium change and weight change, significant in fullmarathoners (r=-0.55, p<0.001) but not half-marathoners (r=- 0.23, p=0.042). Conclusions . Slower race pace and longer finishing times were associated with lower post-race sodium levels. Full-marathoners had a significantly higher prevalence of hyponatraemia. The development of hyponatraemia was associated with weight gain. Our data indicate that the relationship between post-race sodium concentration and pace differs according to the distance of the event. We can extrapolate from this data that longer race distance with increased availability of fluid stations combined with a slower pace may increase the risk of developing exerciseinduced hyponatraemia.
The Event-Related Brain Potential as an Index of Display-Monitoring Workload

As an index of task workload, the possible advantages of the event-related brain potential (ERP) over traditional secondary task and physiological measures are described and previous efforts to val...
Public health nurse perceptions of Omaha System data visualization

Abstract Background Electronic health records (EHRs) provide many benefits related to the storage, deployment, and retrieval of large amounts of patient data. However, EHRs have not fully met the need to reuse data for decision making on follow-up care plans. Visualization offers new ways to present health data, especially in EHRs. Well-designed data visualization allows clinicians to communicate information efficiently and effectively, contributing to improved interpretation of clinical data and better patient care monitoring and decision making. Public health nurse (PHN) perceptions of Omaha System data visualization prototypes for use in EHRs have not been evaluated. Purpose To visualize PHN-generated Omaha System data and assess PHN perceptions regarding the visual validity, helpfulness, usefulness, and importance of the visualizations, including interactive functionality. Methods Time-oriented visualization for problems and outcomes and Matrix visualization for problems and interventions were developed using PHN-generated Omaha System data to help PHNs consume data and plan care at the point of care. Eleven PHNs evaluated prototype visualizations. Results Overall PHNs response to visualizations was positive, and feedback for improvement was provided. Conclusion This study demonstrated the potential for using visualization techniques within EHRs to summarize Omaha System patient data for clinicians. Further research is needed to improve and refine these visualizations and assess the potential to incorporate visualizations within clinical EHRs.
Percolation threshold and electrical conductivity of graphene-based nanocomposites with filler agglomeration and interfacial tunneling

The dispersion state or degree of agglomeration of graphene is known to have a significant influence on the percolation threshold and electrical conductivity of graphene-based polymer nanocomposites. In addition, an imperfectly conducting interface and tunneling-assisted interfacial conductivity can also affect the overall conductivity. In this paper, a continuum theory is developed that considers all these factors. We first present a two-scale composite model consisting of graphene-rich regions serving as the agglomerates and a graphene-poor region as the matrix. We then introduce the effective-medium theory to determine the percolation threshold and electrical conductivity of the agglomerate and the composite. To account for the effect of imperfect interfaces, a thin layer of interphase with low conductivity is introduced to build a thinly coated graphene, while to account for the contribution of electron hopping from one graphene to another, Cauchy's statistical function which can reflect the increased...
Identification of Mammalian Proline Transporter SIT1 (SLC6A20) with Characteristics of Classical System Imino

Abstract Amino acid homeostasis depends on specific amino acid transport systems, many of which have been characterized at the molecular level. However, the classical System IMINO, defined as the Na+-dependent proline transport activity that escapes inhibition by alanine, had not been identified at the molecular level. We report here the functional characteristics and tissue distribution of Sodium/Imino-acid Transporter 1 (SIT1), which exhibits the properties of classical System IMINO. SIT1, the product of the slc6a20 gene, is a member of the SLC6 Na+- and Cl–-dependent neurotransmitter transporter family whose function has remained unknown. When expressed in Xenopus oocytes, rat SIT1 mediated the uptake of imino acids such as proline (K0.5 ∼ 0.2 mm) and pipecolate, as well as N-methylated amino acids (e.g. MeAIB, sarcosine). SIT1-mediated proline transport was pH-independent and insensitive to inhibition by alanine or lysine. Proline transport was Na+-dependent, Cl–-stimulated, and voltage-dependent. Li+, but not H+, could substitute for Na+. Human SIT1 also functioned as a Na+-dependent proline transporter. Rat SIT1 mRNA was expressed in epithelial cells of duodenum, jejunum, ileum, stomach, cecum, colon, and kidney proximal tubule S 3 segments. SIT1 mRNA was also expressed in the choroid plexus, microglia, and meninges of the brain and in the ovary. Previous reports have documented the marked urinary hyperexcretion of proline in newborn rodents and man. We found that SIT1 was dramatically up-regulated in the kidneys of 3-day-old mice, accounting for the maturation of proline reabsorption in the mouse. The human slc6a20 gene coding SIT1 is an appropriate target for investigation of hereditary forms of iminoaciduria in man.
Elevated levels of IGF-1 receptor convey invasive and metastatic capability in a mouse model of pancreatic islet tumorigenesis

In a prototypical model of multistage tumorigenesis involving pancreatic islets in RIP1-Tag2 transgenic mice, activation of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) was previously shown to serve as a survival factor that inhibited apoptosis. Now IGF-1R, the receptor tyrosine kinase for IGF-II, has been found to be variably upregulated, first uniformly in dysplastic and angiogenic progenitors and then focally at the margins and in invasive regions of carcinomas. When the levels of IGF-1R were forcibly elevated throughout islet tumorigenesis, progression was accelerated at all stages in the pathway, although apoptosis was not differentially suppressed. Notably, encapsulated tumors were absent; instead, invasive carcinomas with downregulated E-cadherin were prevalent, and the majority of mice had local lymph node metastasis.
Evaluation of Advanced D-dimer assay for the exclusion of venous thromboembolism

Abstract The performances for thromboembolic disease exclusion of a new microlatex-enhanced D-dimer immunoassay have been evaluated. Advanced D-dimer (Dade-Behring, Marburg, Germany) was tested with two automated analyzers, namely BCS and CA-1500. Precision studies yielded coefficients of variation (within-run and run-to-run) of 3% and 6.3% at D-dimer levels near the cut-off value, for BCS and CA-1500 respectively. Frozen samples from 294 consecutive symptomatic outpatients suspected of either deep venous thrombosis (140) or pulmonary embolism (154) from a previous management study were tested with both analyzers, as well as with the VIDAS New assay (BioMerieux, Marcy-l'Etoile, France). For BCS, sensitivity and specificity were 96.6% (95% CI, 90.5, 99.3) and 42% (35.1, 49.0) respectively at a cut-off value of 1.35 μg/ml. For CA-1500, the corresponding figures were 95.5% (88.9, 98.8) and 47.8% (40.8, 54.9) at a cutt-off value of 1.1 μg/ml. This assay appears promising and should be validated in clinical practise to assess its place in the work-up schemes of thromboembolism.
Further studies of the distribution of technetium-99 and caesium-137 in UK and European coastal waters

Abstract Data on the temporal and spatial variations of 99Tc and 137Cs in UK coastal waters are provided from surveys carried out over the period 1993–1998; prior to and post the discharge of elevated quantities of 99Tc from the nuclear fuel reprocessing plant at Sellafield (Cumbria, UK). 99Tc seawater concentrations in the Irish Sea increased by more than an order of magnitude within the study period concomitant with the increase in discharges. 137Cs discharges were relatively low (∼0.3% of their peak values in the 1970s). Simplistically, the 137Cs distribution reflected varying hydrographic conditions superimposed upon the residual concentrations of a system approaching steady state. Differences between the 137Cs/99Tc ratio in Sellafield discharges and seawater indicate that 137Cs remobilisation, from sediments contaminated by large discharges in the 1970s, is presently the predominant (∼90%) source term to the water column. The 137Cs/99Tc ratio in the Irish Sea decreased significantly within the period of these surveys (e.g. reduced from ∼14 in 1993 to 0.4 in 1996, within the vicinity of Sellafield). However, it is difficult to extrapolate this information to assess the contribution from Sellafield in distant waters because the low levels of 137Cs are continuously perturbed by additional inputs during transit (e.g. remobilisation from sediments outside the Irish Sea). Examination of 99Tc data for the North Sea indicates that the leading edge of the first EARP pulse, entering via the Scottish coastal current, may have migrated to the limit of the current flowing south along the British coastal margin within 9 months. The estimated transfer factor (TF) for Sellafield discharges in this current is 52 Bq m−3/PBq annum−1 with transit times from Sellafield to the Pentland Firth and Lowestoft of ∼9 and ∼24 months, respectively. These transit times, derived from the 99Tc data, are significantly shorter than previous estimates based on 137Cs and 90Sr data from the 1970s and 1980s.
Design, construction and implementation of Superpave pilot projects under a quality assurance programme

The research presented here outlines Massachusetts experience with design and construction of Superpave (SP) under a quality assurance (QA) programme. More specifically, this research documents the SP laboratory trial mixture formula (LTMF) design and verification procedures, SP QA specification requirements, field performance of the pilot SP projects, contractor's experiences with placing SP mixtures versus conventional hot mix asphalt mixtures, and modifications made to the Massachusetts SP specifications based on the first SP pilot project. Based on this study, the implementation of SP in Massachusetts has been successful. An effective procedure was developed to verify the contractors proposed SP LTMFs. The QA plan utilised by the Massachusetts Highway Department for acceptance of work has been effective, but data suggested changing some specification limits. Finally, the field performance of the SP mixture in terms of distress has been favourable.
161 ANTI-5′-HUCLEOTIDASE ANTIBODIES CAUSE HUMAN PERIPHERAL BLOOD T CELLS TO PROLIFERATE

Human peripheral blood T cells were stimulated to proliferate when cultured with subraitogenic doses of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and goat antibodies to ecto-5′-nucleotidase (ecto-5′-NT). The degree of proliferation, as measured by 3H-thymidine incorporation on day 3, was similar to that achieved by stimulation with phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Anti-5′-NT antibodies had no effect on PHA-induced proliferation. Maximal stimulation was achieved with 0.6-1.0 ng PMA/ml and 150 μg/ml of IgG isolated from a goat anti-5′-NT antiserum. Both intact IgG and F(ab')2 fragments were stimulatory. IL-2 receptor expression and IL-2 secretion were also induced by anti-5′-NT antibodies and PMA. As expected, anti-5′-NT antibodies and PMA did not induce the proliferation of ecto-5′-NT− T cells isolated by cell sorting. Pretreatment of total T cells with phosphatidylinositol (PI)-specific phospholipase C removed 80% of the ecto-5′-NT activity from the cell surface and also inhibited the ability of the cells to proliferate in response to anti-5′-NT antibodies and PMA by 84%. Thus, the activation signal provided by anti-ecto-5′-NT antibodies is apparently transduced by a form of the enzyme which is attached to the membrane via PI-linkage. These data suggest that ecto-5′-NT may play a role in lymphocyte activation as has been proposed for other PI-linked lymphocyte surface proteins including Thy-l, T cell activating protein, TAP, and the rat alloantigen RT-6.
Re-Purposing an OER for the Online Language Course: A Case Study of "Deutsch Interaktiv" by the Deutsche Welle.

This paper will describe pedagogical approaches for re-purposing an open educational resource (OER) designed and produced by the Deutsche Welle. This free online program, Deutsch Interaktiv, consists of authentic digital videos, slideshows and audio texts and gives a contemporary overview of the culture and language in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The program was designed for the public domain and primarily for self-study and focused on developing the students’ listening and reading skills. However, we will describe how in this study, the OER program was integrated into college credit courses for elementary German at the University of Pennsylvania to provide the themes and grammar topics for live online class sessions and out-of-class asynchronous assignments, which included the use of blogs for essays, Facebook for shorter written assignments and Wimba Voiceboards for oral practice. In addition, this article will show how Deutsch Interaktiv ultimately influenced educational practice in the online cl...
Cellular effects from microbeam irradiation of Basidiobolus ranarum with a laser.

It was possible to cause selective damage to an area as small as 1 , in diameter within the cell of Basidiobolus ranarum with a laser microbeam without the addition of dyes. Irradiation of the cytoplasm at the tip of the cell often resulted in an arrest of cellular elongation and frequently rupture of the tip. In some cases where nuclei were irradiated during anaphase, smaller nuclei were formed which were capable of division. A single shot into the phragmoplast stopped its development. The destruction of one daughter nucleus also stopped septum formation. The nucleolus appeared to be more sensitive to laser irradiation than the adjacent nuclear sap. A chromosome bridge was observed at mitosis following the irradiation of a resting nucleus. A mutant cell with two tips resulted from the irradiation of a nucleus.
Atomic modeling of structural and optical properties of amorphous silicon

We have developed a computationally efficient procedure for modeling of amorphous structures (a-Si), starting with a molecular dynamics simulation of crystalline silicon (c-Si) with a force field, followed by melting and ab initio electronic structure calculations at low temperatures. The radial distribution functions and static structure factors for our a-Si structures and the density of vibrational states are in good agreement with experimental values. New results on photoabsorbance for melted and final a-Si structures are compared with the c-Si structure, and a-Si shows broader but weaker absorption compared to c-Si. Our procedure should be equally applicable to other atomic structures.
Teaching oral communication at MIT: The proposal module

This paper is the third in a series of papers describing the teaching modules used in an oral communication course at MIT called 6.UAT. This course is offered in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), the largest department at MIT, and is required for all EECS undergraduates. The third module is centered around an oral presentation assignment that introduces students to proposals and to persuasive presentations. We discuss the module and what we've learned, hoping that fellow practitioners will (1) adapt the module for use in their home institution, and (2) suggest modifications/improvements.
Crystallography of dislocation networks in annealed iron

Abstract Crystallographic analyses of dislocation networks in annealed b.c.c. iron observed in the electron microscope have been carried out by applying the kinematical theory of electron diffraction contrast at dislocations and Frank's formula for determining the dislocation content of a grain boundary from a crystallographic survey. From the analyses, the Burgers vectors of the individual dislocations, as well as the other crystallographic properties of the networks, have been determined uniquely. The majority of the networks observed so far lie in {110} planes. The Burgers vector of the short segments of dislocations produced at the junctions of the a/2 dislocations has been positively identified as being of a type, and these segments are pure screw dislocations. From the observed contrasts, the magnitude and the relative sign of the Burgers vectors of junction dislocations also have been determined. The observed crystallographic features are generally in good agreement with the grain boundar...
TOWARD A FRAMEWORK FOR INTERVENTION CHANNELS : REACH, INVOLVEMENT, AND IMPACT

Purpose: This paper presents a Media Channel Framework to help intervention planners make media choices. The key elements of this framework are two dimensions on which media differ: the reach/specificity and arousing/involving dimensions. Whereas a medium's reach or specificity determines the size of the population affected by an intervention, a medium's ability to arouse or involve audience members affects the level of outcome brought about by the campaign—that is, whether awareness, knowledge, attitudes, intentions, or behavior is affected. Methods: Cross-sectional data on individuals' media use from the Stanford Five-City Project (FCP) are used to examine the reach and specificity of mass media. A meta-analysis of data from 57 evaluations of media-based interventions over the past 10 years explores the effectiveness of media in light of both dimensions of the framework. Results: The FCP data confirms that television is a high-reach medium, whereas broad readership of newspapers, magazines, and radio have more specificity. The review of evaluation studies shows that interventions relying solely on television produced the fewest significant behavioral changes, while interventions relying solely on print channels produced the most behavioral changes. To the extent that behavioral change depends on the cognitive involvement of audiences, this finding supports a framework in which television is emotionally arousing, while print media are more involving. Conclusions: These results suggest that structural features of mass media can affect behavioral outcomes of campaigns. Planners should therefore consider the reach/specificity and arousing/involving dimensions of the Channel Framework when choosing mass media for public health interventions. Ann
Advances In HgCdTe Infrared Focal Plane Technology

This paper will survey and review the present state-of-the-art and assess the ultimate potential of mercury-cadmium telluride (HgCdTe) infrared detector focal plane technology.
Aerodynamic Measurements of a Gulfstream Aircraft Model With and Without Noise Reduction Concepts

Steady and unsteady aerodynamic measurements of a high-fidelity, semi-span 18% scale Gulfstream aircraft model are presented. The aerodynamic data were collected concurrently with acoustic measurements as part of a larger aeroacoustic study targeting airframe noise associated with main landing gear/flap components, gear-flap interaction noise, and the viability of related noise mitigation technologies. The aeroacoustic tests were conducted in the NASA Langley Research Center 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Wind Tunnel with the facility in the acoustically treated open-wall (jet) mode. Most of the measurements were obtained with the model in landing configuration with the flap deflected at 39o and the main landing gear on and off. Data were acquired at Mach numbers of 0.16, 0.20, and 0.24. Global forces (lift and drag) and extensive steady and unsteady surface pressure measurements were obtained. Comparison of the present results with those acquired during a previous test shows a significant reduction in the lift experienced by the model. The underlying cause was traced to the likely presence of a much thicker boundary layer on the tunnel floor, which was acoustically treated for the present test. The steady and unsteady pressure fields on the flap, particularly in the regions of predominant noise sources such as the inboard and outboard tips, remained unaffected. It is shown that the changes in lift and drag coefficients for model configurations fitted with gear/flap noise abatement technologies fall within the repeatability of the baseline configuration. Therefore, the noise abatement technologies evaluated in this experiment have no detrimental impact on the aerodynamic performance of the aircraft model.