cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Receiver Model for Depolarized Signal Due to Polarization-Mode Dispersion and Partially Polarized Noise Due to Polarization-Dependent Loss in an Optical Fiber Communication System

We systematically investigate the combined effect on the system performance in an optical fiber communication system of a signal that is depolarized due to polarization-mode dispersion (PMD) and noise that is partially polarized due to polarization-dependent loss. We derive a formula for the variance of the electric current of the signal due to the signal-noise beating between a depolarized signal and partially polarized noise. We validate this theoretical formula by comparing the Q -factor calculated using the theory to results obtained from Monte Carlo simulations and experiments. We show that the system performance strongly depends on the power-splitting ratio, the degree of polarization of the noise, and the angle between the states of polarization of the signal and the polarized part of the noise. Although the theoretical formula is derived assuming that the optical fiber only has first-order PMD, we show that for arbitrary fiber, this formula still produces a reliable estimate of the Q-factor provided that the second-order PMD is on the order of 300 ps2 or less.
Stimulation of rat placental cell DNA synthesis by transferrin.

The purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate the in vitro requirements for rat placental cell DNA synthesis. A cell line established from the labyrinth region of midgestation rat chorioallantoic placentas was used to examine the actions of various agents. Transferrin was found to stimulate rat placental cell DNA synthesis and cell proliferation. The effects of transferrin on rat placental cell growth paralleled those observed with fetal bovine serum. Rat placental cells were responsive to both rat and human transferrin. Iron-saturated (bob-) transferrin was a more potent stimulator of rat placental cell DNA synthesis than was iron-free -(apo-) transferrin. Addition of insulin, epidermal growth factor, or insulin-like growth factor-lI to serum-free medium supplemented with rat transferrin did not signIficantly enhance rat placental cell DNA synthesis beyond that observed with only transferrin. The results demonstrate that a population of cells exists within the rat cborioallantoic placenta that are highly responsive to transferrin.
Evolution of technologies in endovascular grafting.

Abstract The safety, efficacy and utility of inserting a vascular prosthesis through the femoral artery and attaching it to a native artery with stents to treat abdominal aortic aneurysms are under various stages of testing around the world. The potential of these endovascular techniques to reduce the morbidity and cost of care is enormous. Many advances in imaging, catheter techniques, delivery systems and the knowledge about aneurysm morphology are reponsible for the progress to date. The requirements of an endoprosthesis include a small and flexible delivery system that allows retrograde insertion through the iliofemoral arterial system, secure attachments to normal arterial wall, and a fabric which meets Food and Drugs Administration criteria for strength and durability. Application of this technique to large numbers of patients with aneurysms will probably require the development of a bifurcated prosthesis. The long-term behavior of the aneurysm wall after endoprosthesis insertion will not be known until clinical trials are completed. The development of these techniques will undoubtedly fuel the ‘turf battle’ between vascular surgeons and interventionalists. Although each group will lay claim to the technology, a cooperative effort to maximize patient benefit seems to be the most appropriate way to insure that the interests of the patients are best served.
Evolution of hominid bipedalism and prehensile capabilities

In this paper, I present an updated version of the hylobatian model for the proximate ancestors of the Hominidae. The hylobatians are hypothesized to have been relatively small creatures that were especially adapted for vertical climbing on tree trunks and vines and for bipedalism on horizontal boughs. They were no more disposed toward suspensory behaviours than are modern chimpanzees and bonobos. According to this evolutionary scenario, bipedalism preceded the emergence of the Hominidae. The earliest hominids would be recognized as diurnally terrestrial bipeds that stood with full extension of the knee joints and walked with greater extension of the lower limbs than is common in non-human primates that are induced to walk bipedally on the ground. The wealth of hominid fossils from the Hadar Formation, Ethiopia, and the Laetolil Formation, Tanzania, are generally compatible with the hylobatian model. They show that by ca. 4 Ma B.P. habitually terrestrial, bipedal hominids had evolved from arboreal ancestors. The Hadar hominids had curved fingers and toes, strong great toes and thumbs, and other features that suggest that they were rather recently derived from arboreal hominids and that they probably continued to enter trees, perhaps for night rest and some foraging. The hominid hand bones from Hadar evince no features that are distinctly related to knuckle-walking. They relate neatly to counterparts in the hand of O.H. 7, a specimen that was found with stone tools. However, there is no evidence that the Hadar hominids of 3 Ma ago engaged in tool behaviour.
The Effects of Message Framing Within the Stages of Change on Smoking Cessation Intentions and Behaviors

This study examines two commonly used and accepted theoretical models in health communication-the stages of change and message framing-to determine whether gain- or loss-framed messages are more effective at getting people to intend to quit smoking depending on their current stage of change (precontemplation, contemplation, or preparation). One hundred forty-eight current smokers were exposed to one of four gain- or loss-framed messages that emphasized the benefits of cessation or the costs of smoking. Message believability, message processing, and stage movement were measured to see if any differences existed as a function of the individual's base stage of change and message frame exposure. Overall, results indicated that all participants, regardless of stage and frame, engaged in more central than peripheral message processing. However, those in the precontemplation/loss frame and preparation/gain frame conditions engaged in significantly less cognitive processing than those in all other conditions. Additionally, gain-framed messages were most influential at getting individuals to progress from the contemplation to the preparation stage. Implications and future directions for research are also discussed.
LITERACY DEVELOPMENT IN A MULTILINGUAL CONTEXT: CROSS-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES. Aydin Durgunoglu and Ludo Verhoeven (Eds.) . Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum, 1998. Pp. xviii + 308. $29.95 paper.

Simultaneously theoretical and data-rich, this volume explores ways in which ethnic minorities grapple with conflicts related to the literacy practices of their home culture as well as those practices demanded by the dominant culture. Truly multicultural in nature, the book offers in-depth glimpses into a variety of teaching and learning contexts: how young Gujarati teenagers in England learn Gujarati (chapter 3), how Hmong parents wish their children to retain fluency in Khmer while also insisting that they attend “English only” schools (chapter 4), how Finns in Sweden and Karelias in Russia grapple with the literacy demands of the majority culture (chapter 1), how “usefulness” becomes the most crucial variable in determining the language of schooling in bi- and multilingual contexts (chapter 2), and how Vietnamese people wrestle with learning their mother tongue in Norway (chapter 8).
Adaptive control of a MEMS steering mirror for suppression of laser beam jitter

This paper presents an adaptive control scheme for laser-beam steering by a two-axis MEMS tilt mirror. Disturbances in the laser beam are rejected by a /spl mu/-synthesis feedback controller augmented by the adaptive control loop, which determines control gains that are optimal for the current disturbance acting on the laser beam. The adaptive loop is based on an adaptive lattice filter that implicitly identifies the disturbance statistics from real-time sensor data. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate that the adaptive controller significantly extends the disturbance-rejection bandwidth achieved by the feedback controller alone.
Microscopic Raman Line-Imaging with Principal Component Analysis

Reconstructed Raman images of the distribution of polystyrene and polyethylene were obtained by line-imaging, with the use of univariate and multivariate processing of the spectral data. Multiple sets of microscopic Raman spectral line-images were acquired with line-focused illumination, a motorized translation stage to move the sample perpendicular to the illumination line, and a holographic imaging spectrograph equipped with a 2D detector. The line-imaged raw spectral data were processed with the use of both a simple univariate method (single-band integration) and a more sophisticated multivariate method (principal component analysis with eigenvector rotation) to generate two-dimensional Raman images representing spatial distribution of the polymers. In the spectral range employed (900-1700 cm-1), suitable bands could be found for univariate processing of the polystyrene and polyethylene images. The principal component analysis method gave equivalent separation of the images, but only if the entire spectral window was employed to generate the eigenvectors.
Use of Targeted Temperature Management After Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract Background Individual randomized trials have yielded variable results regarding the benefits of targeted temperature management in patients encountering out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. This study aimed to systemically determine if targeted temperature management initiated after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest was associated with improved outcomes. Methods Electronic databases were searched for published randomized trials that compared targeted temperature management (core body temperature 32-34°C) vs control (core body temperature ≥36°C) after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The main outcomes assessed were all-cause mortality and poor neurological outcome. Results Six trials with 1391 patients were included in the analysis. Compared with the control group, targeted temperature management was associated with a nonsignificant reduction in all-cause mortality (relative risk [RR] 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.77-1.04; P = .15, I 2 = 34%), which was similar among those with a shockable rhythm (RR 0.89; 95% CI, 0.74-1.08, P = .25, I 2 = 46%). All-cause mortality was significantly reduced with targeted temperature management after exclusion of one trial that allowed for mild hypothermia in the control arm (RR 0.83; 95% CI, 0.71-0.96; P = .01, I 2 = 0%). There was a nonsignificant reduction in poor neurological outcome with targeted temperature management compared with control (RR 0.87; 95% CI, 0.74-1.03, P = .10, I 2 = 54%), which was similar among those with a shockable rhythm (RR 0.87; 95% CI, 0.70-1.07, P = .19, I 2 = 63%). Poor neurological outcome was significantly reduced with targeted temperature management after exclusion of one trial that allowed for mild hypothermia in the control arm (RR 0.82; 95% CI, 0.70-0.95; P = .01, I 2 = 19%). Conclusion Targeted temperature management initiated after successful resuscitation in patients who encountered an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest was associated with a nonsignificant reduction in mortality and poor neurological outcome. Lack of benefit was strongly influenced by inclusion of one study that used mild hypothermia in the control arm. These results indicate that only mild hypothermia may be needed to improve outcomes among patients presenting with an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
Transtibial amputees from the Vietnam War. Twenty-eight-year follow-up.

Background: The long-term functional outcome following lower-extremity amputation is not well documented. I ascertained the functional outcome and health status of patients who had sustained a unilateral transtibial amputation as a result of a battlefield injury. Methods: The records of 123 patients who had been treated at Valley Forge Army General Hospital during the Vietnam War for a diagnosis of isolated transtibial amputation due to a battlefield injury were reviewed. Group 1 had an isolated transtibial amputation, and Group 2 had at least one other major injury (another major long-bone fracture of the lower extremity, burns covering >20% of the body surface area, or a chest, abdominal, face, or head wound) in addition to the transtibial amputation. Seventy-two (59%) of the patients were enrolled in the study: twenty-eight were in Group 1 and forty-four, in Group 2. Data were collected about employment status, marital status, whether the patient had children, and use of psychological support services. The Short Form-36 (SF-36) health survey was used to compare Group 1 and Group 2, individually and combined, with age and gender-matched controls. Scaled scores for the two groups (control and amputation) were compared with use of the Student t test (two-tailed). Results: Tripping a land mine or booby trap caused 65% of the injuries. The average age at the time of follow-up was forty-eight years. The average time to follow-up was twenty-eight years. Only the prevalence of the use of psychological support services differed significantly between Groups 1 and 2 (21% compared with 50%; p = 0.015). The results of the SF-36 health survey for Groups 1 and 2 were 81.6 and 58.2, respectively, for physical function, 82.7 and 33.1 for role physical, 81.4 and 50.9 for bodily pain, 74.1 and 58.7 for general health, 67.1 and 51.5 for vitality, 89.1 and 70.4 for social function, 88.1 and 56.0 for role emotional, and 79.5 and 64.0 for mental health. The average scaled scores for Group 1 were similar to those for the age and gender-matched controls, but the scores for Group 2 were significantly lower (p £ 0.001) than those for the age and gender-matched controls in all categories. Conclusions: Group-1 patients led relatively normal lives after sustaining a transtibial amputation in battle. The addition of another major injury (Group 2) appears to have significant long-term consequences with regard to SF-36 scores and the need for psychological care.
Simple numerical evaluation of modified Bessel functions Kν(x) of fractional order and the integral

Abstract Theoretical expressions for the angular and spectral distributions of synchrotron radiation involve modified Bessel functions of fractional order and the integral ʃ x ∞ K ν (η) d η . A simple series expressions for these quantities which can be evaluated numerically with hand-held programmable calculators is presented.
Cash Flow Contradistinctions

Four concepts of cash flow are discussed and compared: simple cash flow, operating activities cash flow, net operating profit after taxes, and free cash flow. The differences between these concepts are shown to be very large. Issues connected to terminal value are presented. Finally, the idea of not having to change WACC over time is discussed.
Protein Folding Landscapes in the Living Cell

This Perspective highlights studies of protein structure, stability, and folding kinetics that can now be carried out in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. The general features of cooperative folding transitions and kinetics remain the same as those in vitro, but the folding free-energy landscape and local viscosity vary according to microenvironments in the cellular landscape. Experiments in vitro provide a basis for comparing crowding and chemical effects with experiments inside of the cell. Perhaps cells even evolved to post-translationally modulate protein folding and binding through chemical patterns or by crowding.
Gaas Etching by C12 and HCI: Ga- vs. As- Limited Etching

Results in the literature indicate that Cl2 etches GaAs at room temperature but HCl etches GaAs at a measurable rate only at temperatures above ∼670 K. In this work, molecular beam scattering and surface analysis techniques have been applied to address the fundamental kinetic differences between these two systems. The results indicate that the onset of GaAs etching by Cl2 is determined by the kinetics of Ga-removal as GaCl3 while etching by HCl is limited by As evaporation as As2. The results also suggest that HCl selectively etches gallium from GaAs at temperatures between 600 and 650 K.
Right Ventricular Functional Reserve in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Background—Right ventricular (RV) functional reserve affects functional capacity and prognosis in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). PAH associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc-PAH) has a substantially worse prognosis than idiopathic PAH (IPAH), even though many measures of resting RV function and pulmonary vascular load are similar. We therefore tested the hypothesis that RV functional reserve is depressed in SSc-PAH patients. Methods and Results—RV pressure-volume relations were prospectively measured in IPAH (n=9) and SSc-PAH (n=15) patients at rest and during incremental atrial pacing or supine bicycle ergometry. Systolic and lusitropic function increased at faster heart rates in IPAH patients, but were markedly blunted in SSc-PAH. The recirculation fraction, which indexes intracellular calcium recycling, was also depressed in SSc-PAH (0.32±0.05 versus 0.50±0.05; P=0.039). At matched exercise (25 W), SSc-PAH patients did not augment contractility (end-systolic elastance) whereas IPAH...
Giving honest information to patients with advanced cancer maintains hope.

Background Oncologists often do not give honest prognostic and treatment-effect information to patients with advanced disease. One of the primary reasons stated for witholding this information is to "not take away hope." We could find no study that tested if hope was influenced by honest clinical information. Methods We tested decision-aids in 27 patients with advanced cancer who were facing first-, second-, third-, and fourth-line chemotherapy. These aids had printed estimates of treatment effect and the patient's chance of survival and being cured (always zero). We measured hope using the Herth Hope Index, which ranks patients' responses to 12 questions and yields a maximum score of 48. Results The scores on the Herth Hope Index did not change and the patients remained uniformly hopeful about their future. The pretest score was 44.2 (SD 3.9), and it increased to 44.8 (SD 3.86; P = .55 by paired Student's t-test). Conclusion Hope is maintained when patients with advanced cancer are given truthful prognostic and treatment information, even when the news is bad.
Individual Differences and Phablet Purchase Intent: A Preliminary Study

A phablet, by definition, is the hybrid of both a cellular phone and tablet with a screen size measured diagonally between 5.3-6.9 inches. While phablets have existed since 2010, they have not been sold in millions of units until fairly recently. Given the limited amount of research on phablets, as these devices are still very new, the present study aims to better understand the perception of phablets in a college student population, as well as explore the perceived system usability. In this study 122 undergraduate students completed a measure of technology usage, measures of personality, trust, and usability, all of which have been implicated in previous studies on purchase intent. The results indicated a significant difference between high and low trust scores for purchase intent. Additionally, a thematic analysis was performed and specific trends on purchase intent emerged. We discuss the implications of this research for phablet developers and designers.
When Phonotactic Constraints are Not Enough

Phonotactic constraints are not sufficiently strong to produce a unique syllabification in all cases. For example, in words like western, winter, water, veto, divinity, and so forth, phonotactic constraints do not tell us which way the /t/ will attach. Most theories of syllable structure invoke “tie-breaking principles” for words such as these. Two very common “tie-breaking principles” are The Maximize Onset Principle and Stress Resyllabification. By the first principle, there is a preference toward assigning consonants to the onset of the following syllable rather than than the coda of the previous syllable. Thus, for example, the /t/ in retire will be assigned to the onset of the second syllable (i.e., rě-tire) and not to the coda of the first syllable (i.e., *rět-ire). By the second principle, there is a preference toward assigning consonants to a stressed syllable over an unstressed one. Thus, for example, the /k/ in record will be assigned to the first syllable when it is stressed (i.e., rec-ord), and to the second syllable when it is stressed (i.e., rě-cord).
A Coccidioides posadasii CPS1 Deletion Mutant Is Avirulent and Protects Mice from Lethal Infection.

ABSTRACT The CPS1 gene was identified as a virulence factor in the maize pathogen Cochliobolus heterostrophus. Hypothesizing that the homologous gene in Coccidioides posadasii could be important for virulence, we created a Δcps1 deletion mutant which was unable to cause disease in three strains of mice (C57BL/6, BALB/c, or the severely immunodeficient NOD-scid,γcnull [NSG]). Only a single colony was recovered from 1 of 60 C57BL/6 mice following intranasal infections of up to 4,400 spores. Following administration of very high doses (10,000 to 2.5 × 107 spores) to NSG and BALB/c mice, spherules were observed in lung sections at time points from day 3 to day 10 postinfection, but nearly all appeared degraded with infrequent endosporulation. Although the role of CPS1 in virulence is not understood, phenotypic alterations and transcription differences of at least 33 genes in the Δcps1 strain versus C. posadasii is consistent with both metabolic and regulatory functions for the gene. The in vitro phenotype of the Δcps1 strain showed slower growth of mycelia with delayed and lower spore production than C. posadasii, and in vitro spherules were smaller. Vaccination of C57BL/6 or BALB/c mice with live Δcps1 spores either intranasally, intraperitoneally, or subcutaneously resulted in over 95% survival with mean residual lung fungal burdens of
Nanocrystalline Powder Consolidation Methods

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses nanocrystalline powder consolidation methods and covers some thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of nanopowder densification, which are driving force, surface energy, sintering mechanisms, activation energies, and scaling laws. Due to the critical effect of surface contamination on small particles, the role of impurities in sintering is described separately. The chapter addresses the cold compaction (CC), with resultant pore size and size distribution, and their effects on sintering and grain coarsening. The presentation of the sintering process of nanoparticles is divided into pressureless and pressure-assisted sintering. Furthermore, the chapter presents the methods for full densification of nanopowders and their ability to maintain nanosize features. The most distinctive features of the sintering process of nanosize powders are the high driving force and enhanced kinetics due to large curvature effects. Densification of nanopowders takes place at temperatures consistently below those of larger-grained powders by up to several hundreds of degrees. The numerous benefits from using lower sintering temperatures are small final grain sizes, elimination of sintering aids, avoiding undesirable phase transformations, and deleterious decomposition or interfacial reactions.
A prospective observational cohort study in primary care practices to identify factors associated with treatment failure in Staphylococcus aureus skin and soft tissue infections

The incidence of outpatient visits for skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) has substantially increased over the last decade. The emergence of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) has made the management of S. aureus SSTIs complex and challenging. The objective of this study was to identify risk factors contributing to treatment failures associated with community-associated S. aureus skin and soft tissue infections SSTIs. This was a prospective, observational study among 14 primary care clinics within the South Texas Ambulatory Research Network. The primary outcome was treatment failure within 90 days of the initial visit. Univariate associations between the explanatory variables and treatment failure were examined. A generalized linear mixed-effect model was developed to identify independent risk factors associated with treatment failure. Overall, 21% (22/106) patients with S. aureus SSTIs experienced treatment failure. The occurrence of treatment failure was similar among patients with methicillin-resistant S. aureus and those with methicillin-susceptible S. aureus SSTIs (19 vs. 24%; p = 0.70). Independent predictors of treatment failure among cases with S. aureus SSTIs was a duration of infection of ≥7 days prior to initial visit [aOR, 6.02 (95% CI 1.74–19.61)] and a lesion diameter size ≥5 cm [5.25 (1.58–17.20)]. Predictors for treatment failure included a duration of infection for ≥7 days prior to the initial visit and a wound diameter of ≥5 cm. A heightened awareness of these risk factors could help direct targeted interventions in high-risk populations.
Variational Asymptotic Method for Unit Cell Homogenization

This article presents an overview of a recently developed micromechanics theory, namely, the variational asymptotic method for unit cell homogenization along with its companion code VAMUCH. It is emerging as a general-purpose micromechanics tool for predicting not only the effective properties of heterogeneous materials but also the local fields within the microstructure. The differences between VAMUCH and other micromechanics approaches are articulated. A simple realistic example is used to demonstrate it application in practical situations.
Breast Cancer-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Stimulate Myofibroblast Differentiation and Pro-Angiogenic Behavior of Adipose Stem Cells

Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) are abundantly present in the mammary microenvironment and can promote breast cancer malignancy by differentiating into myofibroblasts. However, it remains largely unclear which role tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (TEVs) play in this process. Here, we used microfabricated, type I collagen-based 3-D tissue culture platforms to investigate the effect of breast cancer cell-derived TEVs on ASCs myofibroblast differentiation and consequential changes in extracellular matrix remodeling and vascular sprouting. TEVs collected from MDA MB-231 human metastatic breast cancer cells (MDAs) promoted ASC myofibroblast differentiation in both 2-D and 3-D cultures as indicated by increased alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and fibronectin (Fn) levels. Correspondingly, TEV-treated ASCs were more contractile, secreted more vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and promoted angiogenic sprouting of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). These changes were dependent on transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β)-related signaling and tumor cell glutaminase activity as their inhibition decreased TEV-related myofibroblastic differentiation of ASCs and related functional consequences. In summary, our data suggest that TEVs are important signaling factors that contribute to ASC desmoplastic reprogramming in the tumor microenvironment, and suggest that tumor cell glutamine metabolism may be used as a therapeutic target to interfere with this process.
Native and rearranged ALK copy number and rearranged ALK cell count in NSCLC: Implications for ALK inhibitor therapy.

7534 Background: ALK rearranged NSCLC responds well to ALK inhibitors. Clinically, >15% cells showing rearrangements by break-apart FISH classifies tumors as ALK(+). Native ALK copy number gain has...
Effect of Ozone and Elevated Carbon Dioxide on Cuticular Membrane Ultrastructure of Yellow Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)

Ozone causes damage to leaves of many tree species and has been shown to increase cuticular membrane thickness in a conifer (red spruce). It has been suggested that elevated carbon dioxide can protect plants against air pollutants by reducing pollutant flux into the leaves, but it is not known whether ozone-induced changes in the leaf cuticle will be altered by elevated carbon dioxide. In 1991, white pine (Pinus strobus) and yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) seedlings were planted in a previously forested area. In May 1992, seedlings were enclosed in open-top chambers and the following treatments were initiated: 1) charcoal-filtered (CF) air, 2) ambient air (1X ozone), 3) two times ambient ozone (2X ozone), and 4) 2X ozone plus 350 ppm carbon dioxide (2X plus CO2). First-year leaf samples were collected in August 1992. Midregions of white pine needles and yellow poplar leaves were prepared for electron microscopy by conventional methods and examined in a transmission electron microscope. The cuticular membrane of white pine grown in CF air was approximately 500 nm thick and consisted of an amorphous outer region and an inner reticulate region. Cuticular membrane thickness and wax tubule diameter were slightly greater in white pine needles grown in 2X plus CO2. The cuticular membrane of yellow poplar leaves grown in CF air was approximately 200 nm thick and consisted of an outer polylamellate region and a reticulate inner region. Cuticular membranes of leaves grown in 2X plus CO2 were also approximately 200 nm thick, but the outer membrane region had an amorphous structure. The cuticular membrane of yellow poplar leaves grown in 2X ozone were approximately 150 nm thick due to a thinner reticulate region. Second-year white pine and yellow poplar leaves will be collected in late August 1993, and cuticular membrane structure will be compared with the 1992 results.
Aspirations, Achievement, and School Counselors' Impact on the College Transition

This longitudinal study explored the extent to which early postsecondary aspirations, standardized test scores, and measures of college and career readiness counseling services received in high school predict later postsecondary aspirations, initial college enrollment, retention, and persistence. Findings indicate that each of the predictors was significantly related to the short- or long-term outcomes used in this study. The authors discussed the importance of high-quality college and career counseling services in light of these findings.
Uveal Melanoma: Differential Diagnosis

Making the correct diagnosis in a patient with a possible uveal tumor can be difficult. Historically, 20 % of the eyes that were removed with a clinical diagnosis of a uveal melanoma contained a simulating lesion on histologic examination [1]. In patients with choroidal lesions, the diagnostic error rate, using modern diagnostic modalities, should be under 1 %. In anterior tumors involving the ciliary body and iris, there is a higher diagnostic error rate, and in some series, it still approaches 40 % [2–4]. Since choroidal lesions are much frequent than those involving either the iris or ciliary body, they are discussed first.
Populism, Journalism, and the Limits of Reflexivity

This study considers how punitive populism as a strain of anti-intellectualism is condoned in the ways that US journalists imagine audiences. A disregard for intellect is nevertheless antithetical ...
A Proposed Model for Simulation Faculty Workload Determination

Abstract Background Faculty workload calculations are not designed to capture nursing simulation faculty workload. The purposes of this literature review were to gather available determinants of simulation faculty workload in the existing literature and to propose a nascent simulation faculty workload model. Method Scholarly databases were searched and synthesized. Results Determinants of simulation faculty workload included substitution of clinical with simulation, simulation-to-clinical hour ratios, faculty preparation for simulation, faculty-to-student ratios, length of time in simulation, and the coordinator/director role. Conclusions This article provides an initial attempt to identify and contextualize factors that determine simulation faculty workload. The simulation faculty workload model provides educators a framework with which to define and analyze concepts related to simulation workload, test relationships between these concepts, and guide discussions with administrators for appropriate workload credit for simulation-based learning activities.
The Effect of Spraying Fertilizer NPK in the Growth Properties and Yield in Three Varieties of Peas Pisium sativum L

The experiment has been conducted at of Al Bandar's station affiliated to all University of Al-Muthanna / college of agriculture during the season of 2015-2016 to study the effect of spraying NPK foliar in the growth and yields of three varieties of split peas (Pisium sativum L). Experiment has been designed at a split plot design within a randomized complete sectors (R.C.B.D.) with three replications. Have been distributed three varieties Bonn Basque , Salkopou and Voksbonne in the main panels with three concentrations of spraying Foliar NPK (27-27-27) on the shoots (0, 5. 10 ml/ltr -1 ) in the secondary panels, the results show that the dry weight of vegetation differed significantly between the varieties under study where Bonn Basque recorded a highest weight of shoot which is 21.85 g while the product has been scored Voksbonne less weight, reaching 6.09 g, while the plants sprayed with the solution process recorded NPK which contributed to weight gain Dry where by concentrate 10 ml / l higher weight record which is 15.36 g as compared with non-sprayedplants .It is no ted that the search results of leaves , content of chlorophyll may log vegetative weight in the category Salkopou which is amounted to 34.86, while the class recorded Voksbonne less weight 32.23 g while the resultsof the spray using the solution NPK with a demonstrated focus of 10 ml / l higher content of chlorophyll recipe number Alqrnat in plant and Albdhur.aly Qurna weight have shown results of the experiment cultivar has surpassed Bonn Basque the highest number Qrnat while the class has recorded Voksbonne less weight while spraying the solution NPK increase of the number of Alqrnat as well as the seeds of the horn weight where the excelled focus 10 ml / liter on the rest of the concentrations used . 0.7tons / ha superior results also show the superiority of class BonneBusk recipe for winning the overall, scoring the highest quotient amounted to 0.69 tons / ha Panama show spraying brine concentrate NPK 10 ml / l holds on the rest of concentration
Characteristics of Cholinergic Synapses in Neuroblastoma Myotube Co-Cultures

Cultures of continuous cell lines have proved useful for studying excitation-secretion coupling. Such cell lines enable the investigator to perform both biochemical and electrophysiological experiments on a relatively homogeneous cell population and to manipulate the state of cellular differentiation by suitable alterations of culture conditions. Among the better characterized cell lines are those derived from the C-1300 neuroblastoma tumor (Augusti-Tocco and Sato, 1969). A number of cholinergic and adrenergic clones have been isolated from this murine tumor. They were shown to synthesize, store and release the appropriate neurotransmitters and to generate action potentials following electrical stimulation. Fusion of the neuroblastoma clone N18TG-2 with the glioma cell line C6BU-1 has yielded the hybrid NG108-15 (Amano et al., 1974) with enhanced electrical excitability and the ability to form nicotinic cholinergic synapses when co-cultured with primary or clonal myotubes (Nelson et al., 1976; Christian et al., 1977).
Knowing Bass: Accounting for Information Environments in Designing Online Public Outreach

Social media and online news sites have become common outlets through which publics encounter information that shape their knowledge, values, and opinions about food. This article extends scholarship at the intersections of user experience design and online public outreach by focusing on the role of social media and online news sites in information environments that impact public site users’ knowledge about and practices of seafood production and consumption. First, we introduce an ongoing design project about North Carolina seafood production and consumption to provide an example of how and why site designers should account for how online information affects public understanding. Next, we contextualize the challenges of this project by introducing a conceptual framework that helps to explain why the values and practices of understanding seafood production are so complex. Finally, through this case and framework, we argue that designers of online public outreach projects should become more aware of designing in contexts shaped by social media. The potential for public learning is affected by how people search for, encounter, and discuss information about the issues that matter to their lives. We offer a classroom heuristic for identifying and addressing the role of information environments in rhetoric and/or technical communication courses.
MARKED QRS PROLONGATION FROM FLECAINIDE DURING EXERCISE STRESS TESTING

Flecainide is commonly used for atrial fibrillation. Caution is advised due to its risk of proarrhythmia. If there is a > 15% - 20% increase in the QRS duration at resting heart rate, the dose should be reduced. An exercise stress test should be performed, to make sure the QRS does not increase
A case series of PD-1 inhibitor-associated paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are highly efficacious for treating many solid tumor types. Because of their immune-activating mechanism of action, ICIs can trigger various immune-mediated toxicities. We present three cases: i) a woman with anti-Ri brainstem encephalitis; ii) a man with anti-Hu sensory neuronopathy; and iii) a woman with suspected combined anti-Hu and anti-NMDA paraneoplastic syndromes associated with the initiation of the ICIs pembrolizumab and nivolumab. These cases suggest that ICIs can induce both humoral and cell-mediated paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes. Identifying biomarkers that predict risk of developing ICI-associated paraneoplastic syndromes and the development of efficacious treatment strategies for neurologic ICI-toxicities are critical unmet needs.
Strategies and Resources for Government Agencies to Utilize Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in Transportation Design-Build Projects

AbstractThe Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program was established to provide opportunities for businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, such...
Membrane-associated periodic skeleton is a signaling platform for RTK transactivation in neurons

Actin, spectrin, and related molecules form a membrane-associated periodic skeleton (MPS) in neurons. The function of the MPS, however, remains poorly understood. Using super-resolution imaging, we observed that G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), and related signaling molecules were recruited to the MPS in response to extracellular stimuli, resulting in colocalization of these molecules and RTK transactivation by GPCRs and CAMs, giving rise to extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling. Disruption of the MPS prevented such molecular colocalizations and downstream ERK signaling. ERK signaling in turn caused calpain-dependent MPS degradation, providing a negative feedback that modulates signaling strength. These results reveal an important functional role of the MPS and establish it as a dynamically regulated platform for GPCR- and CAM-mediated RTK signaling.
Quantifying heterogeneity of physical and mental health-related quality of life in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients in the United States.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogenous condition. This study aims to quantify the heterogeneity of Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL), and identify subgroups with the lo...
The auxiliary subunit KCNE1 regulates KCNQ1 channel response to sustained calcium-dependent PKC activation

The slow cardiac delayed rectifier current (IKs) is formed by KCNQ1 and KCNE1 subunits and is one of the major repolarizing currents in the heart. Decrease of IKs currents either due to inherited mutations or pathological remodeling is associated with increased risk for cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death. Ca2+-dependent PKC isoforms (cPKC) are chronically activated in heart disease and diabetes. Recently, we found that sustained stimulation of the calcium-dependent PKCβII isoform leads to decrease in KCNQ1 subunit membrane localization and KCNQ1/KCNE1 channel activity, although the role of KCNE1 in this regulation was not explored. Here, we show that the auxiliary KCNE1 subunit expression is necessary for channel internalization. A mutation in a KCNE1 phosphorylation site (KCNE1(S102A)) abolished channel internalization in both heterologous expression systems and cardiomyocytes. Altogether, our results suggest that KCNE1(S102) phosphorylation by PKCβII leads to KCNQ1/KCNE1 channel internalization in response to sustained PKC stimulus, while leaving KCNQ1 homomeric channels in the membrane. This preferential internalization is expected to have strong impact on cardiac repolarization. Our results suggest that KCNE1(S102) is an important anti-arrhythmic drug target to prevent IKs pathological remodeling leading to cardiac arrhythmias.
Redefining Roles: Female Scholars' Reflections and Recommendations for Coping During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The objective of this article is to amplify the stories of female doctoral students and their passage through role conflicting periods of uncertainty and trauma. Specifically, this article highlights how the COVID-19 pandemic and racial unrest in the U.S. have impacted women pursuing doctorates in education. In addition to sharing personal reflections and experiences, the authors have outlined resources and recommendations for those who support doctoral students. Through the diverse perspectives of five students and one faculty member in the EdD in Higher Education Leadership program at Regis College, this article explores the lived experiences of second-year doctoral students during an incredible period of uncertainty. Douglas T. Hall’s model of coping serves to frame content around the many conflicting roles these students have been navigating and found to be exacerbated during the year 2020. This article seeks to empower leaders to re-envision approaches to support doctoral students through future crises and periods of uncertainty.
Autologous platelet-rich fibrin in the management of recurrent complex fistula in ano: A novel safer and cost-effective approach

We present the case of a 26-year-old female with Crohn's disease who had undergone multiple procedures for recurrent complex fistula-in-ano now presenting with recurrent discharge for 3 months. She underwent video-assisted anal fistula treatment (VAAFT) in our department 2 years back. The patient had financial issues and was unwilling for another sitting of VAAFT. Hence, we tried autologous platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) as a more economical alternative to fibrin sealant used in VAAFT. The patient had a very comfortable postoperative period and the fistula healed well in 3 weeks. We present this case report to highlight a new indication for autologous PRF which is already in use in healing many other types of wounds.
Sequencing SARS-CoV-2 Genomes from Saliva

Genomic sequencing is crucial to understanding the epidemiology and evolution of SARS-CoV-2. Often, genomic studies rely on remnant diagnostic material, typically nasopharyngeal swabs, as input into whole genome SARS-CoV-2 next-generation sequencing pipelines. Saliva has proven to be a safe and stable specimen for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA via traditional diagnostic assays, however saliva is not commonly used for SARS-CoV-2 sequencing. Using the ARTIC Network amplicon-generation approach with sequencing on the Oxford Nanopore MinION, we demonstrate that sequencing SARS-CoV-2 from saliva produces genomes comparable to those from nasopharyngeal swabs, and that RNA extraction is necessary to generate complete genomes from saliva. In this study, we show that saliva is a useful specimen type for genomic studies of SARS-CoV-2.
A Quality Improvement Approach to Influence Value-based Mucolytic Use in the PICU.

Introduction High-cost medication administration, despite lacking evidence for use, results in poor healthcare value. This work aimed to reduce dornase-alfa utilization in critically ill mechanically ventilated children. Methods The project employed an observational pre-post design to develop a value-based clinical pathway to guide provider choice in mucolytic utilization in a quaternary pediatric intensive care unit. This pathway was designed to continue using low-cost mucolytic aerosols (hypertonic saline, N-acetylcysteine) but decrease new starts and total doses per 100 patient days (P100PD) dornase-alfa among patients for whom there is little to no supporting evidence. Interventions included a departmental journal club for fellow and attending physicians and a rolling introduction of the pathway to residents and respiratory therapists. Control charts serially tracked ordering changes and location-specific dornase alfa orders. Results New dornase-alfa starts P100PD decreased by 53% (1.17-0.55), and total doses P100PD decreased by 75% (16-4). N-acetylcysteine ordering more than doubled; however, total doses of P100PD remained unchanged after the intervention. The use of 3% sodium chloride increased significantly from 0.28 to 4.15 new starts and 4.37 to 38.84 total doses P100PD. Mechanical ventilation days P100PD decreased, suggesting there were no measured adverse effects of pathway implementation. The reduction in dornase-alfa utilization resulted in a cumulative and sustained 59% mucolytic cost reduction ($2183.08-$885.77 P100PD). Conclusion A clinical pathway prioritizing pharmacoeconomics when evidence for use is lacking can improve health care value without adversely affecting patient outcomes.