cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Culture of cells from maternal circulation, in conditions favoring fetal endothelial cell expansion, does not facilitate the preferential expansion of circulating fetal cells

Objectives: To establish optimal culture conditions for fetal endothelial cells, and determine whether these can be used for preferential expansion of fetal cells from maternal blood. Methods: Human adult microvascular and umbilical vein endothelial cells were cultured in the presence of colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1), placental growth factor (PlGF), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). The effect of each cytokine was assessed. We expanded peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 18 pregnant women using the conditions most favorable to fetal cells; in specimens from women carrying male fetuses (n = 9), cell origin was determined by PCR (SRY locus). Results: The optimal concentrations of CSF-1, PlGF and TGF-β1 were 10, 100, and 5 ng/ml, respectively. PBMCs from maternal blood expanded in the presence or absence of the cytokines; PCR analysis showed no Y sequences in cultured maternal samples. Conclusion: Optimal concentrations of CSF-1, PlGF and TGF-β1 for preferential expansion of fetal endothelial cells were determined in model cultures. However, when these conditions were applied to maternal blood samples, no fetal cells could be detected based on PCR for SRY in women carrying male fetuses.
Nanoceria extend photoreceptor cell lifespan in tubby mice by modulation of apoptosis/survival signaling pathways

Cerium oxide nanoparticles, nanoceria, are inorganic antioxidants that have catalytic activities which mimic those of the neuroprotective enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase. We have previously shown that nanoceria preserve retinal morphology and prevent loss of retinal function in a rat light damage model. In this study, the homozygous tubby mutant mouse, which exhibits inherited early progressive cochlear and retinal degeneration, was used as a model to test the ability of nanoceria to slow the progression of retinal degeneration. Tubby mice were injected systemically, intracardially, with 20 μl of 1mM nanoceria in saline, at postnatal day 10 and subsequently at P20 and P30 whereas saline injected and uninjected wild type (or heterozygous tubby) served as injected and uninjected controls, respectively. Assays for retinal function, morphology and signaling pathway gene expression were performed on P34 mice. Our data demonstrate that nanoceria protect the retina by decreasing Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), up-regulating the expression of neuroprotection-associated genes; down-regulating apoptosis signaling pathways and/or up-regulating survival signaling pathways to slow photoreceptor degeneration. These data suggest that nanoceria have significant potential as global agents for therapeutic treatment of inherited retinal degeneration and most types of ocular diseases.
Mixed mode stress intensity-factors in transversely loaded plates

An attempt is made to establish the validity of the antiplane solution and to calculate all components of the stress intensity factor (SIF) at the crack front for thin plates subjected to mode III loading. The stress analysis was performed for a range of thickness to crack length (b/a) ratio, which covered long cracks in a thin aircraft fuselage structure (b/a = 0.05).
Impact of Self-Heating on Reliability of a Spin-Torque-Transfer RAM Cell

This paper estimates the temperature distribution within a spin-torque-transfer RAM (STTRAM) cell due to self-heating using a thermal simulation based on the finite volume method. The analysis shows that, due to high switching current and small volume of the magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ), there can be significant rise in temperature in the MTJ as well as the silicon transistor. The impacts of the increased temperature on operational reliability metrics of the STTRAM cell, i.e., read disturb, write failure, and sensing accuracy, are evaluated. It is shown that, due to the self-heating effect, the operational reliability of an STTRAM cell depends on the read-write history of that cell.
Prolonged Uhthoff phenomenon in sarcoidosis.

Purpose To report a patient with sarcoidosis of the anterior visual pathways in whom one of the primary symptoms was visual loss lasting 24 hours after exposure to heat. Methods Case report and review of the literature. Results The transient visual loss was exquisitely sensitive to intravenous corticosteroids and lasted longer than the typical Uhthoff phenomenon. Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme level was increased, chest x-ray showed hilar adenopathy, gallium scan disclosed bilateral intense tracer uptake in the hila, and transbronchial lung biopsy showed noncaseating granulomas with negative stains for fungi and mycobacteria, consistent with sarcoidosis. Conclusions Uhthoff phenomenon, typically associated with demyelinating optic neuritis, may occur in an atypical form in patients with sarcoidosis of the optic nerve.
Communication and normative influence: An introduction to the special issue.

In recent years we have witnessed a resurgence of interest in the study of normative influences. The multitude of scholars who approach the topic from a variety of disciplinary perspectives widely share the convention backed by strong empirical evidence that social norms exert a great deal of influence on human behavior and that processes of normative influence exist in a variety of contexts and situations that people encounter in their everyday lives. Still despite several efforts to link norms to behavior more explicitly much about the actual mechanisms and processes through which normative influence is exerted remains unclear. Much more work also needs to be done in specifying the role that human communication processes play in how norms are understood and disseminated in a social group. (excerpt)
A conceptual framework for carrying capacity determination

Abstract Establishing a carrying capacity involves both descriptive and evaluative components. The descriptive component includes management parameters, the factors that managers can manipulate, and impact parameters, which describe the consequences of different management regimes. Different types of capacities (ecological, social, physical, or facility) focus on different types of impact. The evaluative component involves value judgments regarding the type of experience to be offered and specific standards defining the important dimensions of that experience. Capacity determination requires integration of both components; carrying capacity can be defined as the level of use beyond which impacts exceed acceptable levels specified by evaluative standards. Conditions necessary for capacity determination are specified, and extensions made by Graefe et al. beyond this model are discussed.
Impact of Race and Welfare Reform on African American Single Mothers’ Access to Higher Education:

This article explores the impact of welfare reform policies on African American college students who are single mothers and how race plays a key role in shaping such policies and college access.
A subgenomic RNA associated with cherry leafroll virus infections.

Cherry leafroll nepovirus (CLRV) genomic RNA 1 (8 kb) and genomic RNA 2 (7 kb) have 3′ polyadenlyate tracts and, extending 5′ from the polyadenylate, nearly identical sequences of 1.6 kb termed the 3′ common region. We observed RNAs 1 and 2 and a third RNA of 1.5 kb in nucleic acid extracts of CLRV-infected Nicotiana tabacum suspension cell protoplasts and Chenopodium quinoa plants, using a hybridization probe complementary to 1 kb of the 3′ common region. The third RNA was partially purified by preparative gel electrophoresis and chromatography on an oligodeoxythymidylate column. Analyses of transcripts primed by a complementary oligodeoxyribonucleotide and of cDNA clones revealed that the third RNA corresponds to the 3′ 1500 nucleotide residues of RNA 1. Hence we designate the newly characterized RNA as RNA 1A. RNA 1A was not detected as encapsidated RNA in extracts of either protoplasts or C. quinoa plants. The amount of accumulated RNA 1A declined between 24 and 48 hr after inoculation of protoplasts with CLRV virions, although CLRV RNAs 1 and 2 continued to accumulate. Other results were not consistent with cleaved RNA 1 being the origin of RNA 1A. RNA 1A has the properties of a subgenomic RNA, presumably synthesized from negative-sense RNA 1 as template.
Combined olecranon osteotomy with triceps reflecting approach for complex humerus fractures

Combined humeral shaft and distal intra-articular fracture patterns present a unique surgical challenge. Various surgical approaches have been described for both the humeral shaft and the distal humerus individually 17,21–23,25,27,29,33–35,37 but few exposures allow combined intraarticular and humeral shaft exposure simultaneously. The combined olecranon osteotomy and posterior triceps-splitting approach as originally described by Ebraheim et al. has recently been reviewed by Archdeacon. We report a combined anconeus sparing olecranon osteotomy with proximal triceps reflection or Gerwin approach for simultaneous access to both the distal and diaphyseal humerus.
A study of quality management practices in nursing in universities in Australia

In Australia, the traditional Quality Assurance approach used in the hospital setting has played an important role in nursing practice. During the past decade, nurses have begun making a paradigm shift from Quality Assurance to Total Quality Management but scant attention has been paid to quality management practices in nursing in the higher education sector. This paper reports on a quantitative study examining the perceptions of nurse academics to the applicability of TQM to nursing in universities. The findings identified how TQM could be applied to suit the nursing culture in the higher education sector.
Alcohol Use and Sexual Function in Women: A Literature Review

Alcohol consumption and sexual behavior have long been associated. A common assumption is that drinking alcohol will facilitate a sexual encounter. Such beliefs perpetuate the stigmatization of women who are held to different standards than men in regards to both alcohol consumption and sexual behavior. There is empirical support that alcohol use may contribute to impaired sexual functioning, or sexual dysfunction. However, substance abuse and sexual function are areas in which women have historically received comparatively less attention then men. The purpose of this paper is to examine the current state of science as it relates to alcohol use and sexual function in women. Recommendations for future research will be forwarded.
Efficient Maintenance of Materialized Outer-Join Views

Queries containing outer joins are common in data warehousing applications. Materialized outer-join views could greatly speed up many such queries but most database systems do not allow outer joins in materialized views. In part, this is because outer-join views could not previously be maintained efficiently when base tables are updated. In this paper we show how to efficiently maintain general outer-join views, that is, views composed of selection, projection, inner and outer joins. Foreign-key constraints are exploited to reduce maintenance overhead. Experimental results show that maintaining an outer-join view need not be more expensive than maintaining an inner-join view.
Recall of linear combinations of stored data pages based on phase-code multiplexing in volume holography

We describe a novel method for the recall of linear combinations of stored data pages in a volume holographic memory based on phase-code multiplexing. Recall is demonstrated by use of a compound phase-and-amplitude spatial light modulator in the reference beam path.
Rights and Responsibilities Online: A Paradox for Our Times

The Internet is hailed as a democratic force freeing people from inherited orthodoxy and hierarchy. Yet some observers and visitors of virtual worlds decry the absence of the individual rights we have come to expect in a democratic society. This paradox of the Internet’s democratic promise and lack of democratic protections raises vexing legal issues. What are the rights and responsibilities of owners and users of digital media, profilers on social network sites, game players and participants in virtual worlds of all types? These issues must be addressed if the power of community is to be realized in a just and sustainable way.
Supportive-expressive therapy for chronic depression.

We describe our clinical experience with a subset of chronically depressed patients characterized as introverted, with an early onset of feeling different from, and often feeling more sensitive than, others. We outline six central issues that concern a psychodynamic approach to chronically depressed people. This article describes and illustrates how a modified supportive-expressive psychotherapy influenced by the relational perspective can help in the treatment of these patients. In particular, we facilitate an interaction in which the patient speaks from rather than merely about his or her depressed self. A couple of clinical moments are presented to illustrate how a lack of recognition by the therapist of the self the depressed patient is at the moment leads to a kind of lifeless despair, and conversely, how the therapist's recognition facilitates the patient talking from his depressed state rather than merely about it.
Nerve contributions to the pelvic plexus and the umbilical cord.

Serial sections of human embryos and fetuses reveal that the sacral nerves which contribute fibers to the pelvic plexus often have dorsal, ventral, and oblique communicating rami. The ventral rami resemble the white rami of upper thoracic nerves and some of their fibers pass close by or through the chain ganglia and into the pelvic plexus. The sizes of the ventral rami are often in inverse proportion to that of the pelvic splanchnic nerves. That is, when the pelvic splanchnic nerves are poorly developed, the ventral rami are large, and conversely, when the pelvic splanchnic nevers are well developed, these rami are small. The pelvic plexus was found to receive fibers from the sympathetic trunk and its ganglia in addition to those from the hypogastric plexus and the pelvic splanchnic nerves. Analysis of the observations made in this study together with a review of the literature in light of the present day classification of nerve fibers raises serious doubts concerning the limits set for the outflow of preganglionic nerve fibers from the spinal cord and the distribution of gray and white rami as described in recent textbooks in terms of their histological and physiological significance. Nerve fibers from the pelvic plexus can be traced along the walls of the bladder and the urachus and along the umbilical arteries into the umbilical cord. In embryos, only a few scattered nerve fibers were found distal to the umbilicus, but in fetuses at term, distinct nerve bundles were identified in the cord. These bundles sent branches to the walls of the umbilical arteries; other branches terminated as “end-nets” in Wharton's jelly. These nets appeared as fine fibers with nodular swellings at irregular intervals. Innervation of the umbilical arteries was richest within the first few inches of the cord. Beyond this region, the nerves rapidly decreased in number. “End-nets” were present as far as four inches from the umbilicus. Granular cells resembling Langerhans' cells were found in the cord. Often these cells were closely associated with fine nerve fibers.
Joint synthesis of switching and feedback for linear systems in discrete time

The paper is concerned with control of switched linear systems, and proves two new fundamental results (equivalence and separation) about feedback policies for these systems. Addressed is the problem of jointly synthesizing a switching rule and a feedback controller for guaranteed stability and performance levels subject to well-posedness-like constraints. Two main results of the paper are the equivalence of open-loop and closed-loop switching, and the separation between switching and feedback. That is, open-loop switching rules are non-conservative for stabilization and performance optimization, and in output feedback control they can be obtained separately from the feedback controller. The synthesis conditions for switching and feedback are convex and expressed in terms of linear matrix inequalities.
Inflammatory Cytokines Provide a Third Signal for Activation of Naive CD4 + and CD8 + T Cells

The effects of inflammatory cytokines on naive T cells have been studied using MHC protein/peptide complexes on microspheres, thus avoiding the use of APCs whose functions may be affected by the cytokines. IL-1, but not IL-12, increased proliferation of CD4+ T cells in response to Ag and IL-2, which is consistent with effects on in vivo priming of CD4+ cells. In contrast, proliferation of CD8+ T cells to Ag and IL-2 required IL-12, and IL-12 replaced adjuvant in stimulating an in vivo response to peptide. These results support a model in which distinct inflammatory cytokines act directly on naive CD4+ and CD8+ T cells to provide a third signal, along with Ag and IL-2, to optimally activate differentiation and clonal expansion.
Loop surgery for volumetric meshes: Reeb graphs reduced to contour trees

This paper introduces an efficient algorithm for computing the Reeb graph of a scalar function f defined on a volumetric mesh M in Ropf3. We introduce a procedure called "loop surgery" that transforms M into a mesh M' by a sequence of cuts and guarantees the Reeb graph of f(M') to be loop free. Therefore, loop surgery reduces Reeb graph computation to the simpler problem of computing a contour tree, for which well-known algorithms exist that are theoretically efficient (O(n log n)) and fast in practice. Inverse cuts reconstruct the loops removed at the beginning. The time complexity of our algorithm is that of a contour tree computation plus a loop surgery overhead, which depends on the number of handles of the mesh. Our systematic experiments confirm that for real-life data, this overhead is comparable to the computation of the contour tree, demonstrating virtually linear scalability on meshes ranging from 70 thousand to 3.5 million tetrahedra. Performance numbers show that our algorithm, although restricted to volumetric data, has an average speedup factor of 6,500 over the previous fastest techniques, handling larger and more complex data-sets. We demonstrate the verstility of our approach by extending fast topologically clean isosurface extraction to non simply-connected domains. We apply this technique in the context of pressure analysis for mechanical design. In this case, our technique produces results in matter of seconds even for the largest meshes. For the same models, previous Reeb graph techniques do not produce a result.
Forecasting Accuracy of the Hollow Fiber Model of Tuberculosis for Clinical Therapeutic Outcomes.

Background The hollow fiber system model of tuberculosis (HFS-TB), in tandem with Monte Carlo experiments, represents a drug development tool (DDT) with the potential for use to develop tuberculosis treatment regimens. However, the predictive accuracy of the HFS-TB, or any other nonclinical DDT such as an animal model, has yet to be robustly evaluated. Methods To avoid hindsight bias, a literature search was performed to identify clinical studies published at least 6 months after HFS-TB experiments' quantitative predictions. Steps to minimize bias and for reporting systematic reviews were applied as outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Publications were scored for quality of evidence. Accuracy was calculated using the mean absolute percentage error, then summated with weighting assigned by sample size and quality-of-evidence score. Given the lack of a gold-standard tuberculosis DDT, the forecasting accuracy of a completely unreliable tool was also calculated from 1000 simulated experiments for a random or "total guesswork" model. Results The quantitative forecasting accuracy (95% confidence interval [CI]) for the "total guesswork" model was 15.6% (95% CI, 8.7%-22.5%); bias was -0.1% (95% CI, -2.5% to 2.2%). Twenty clinical studies were published after HFS-TB experiments predicted optimal drug exposures and doses, susceptibility breakpoints, and optimal combination regimens. Based on these clinical studies, the predictive accuracy of the HFS-TB was 94.4% (95% CI, 84.3%-99.9%), and bias was 1.8% (95% CI, -13.7% to 6.2%). Conclusions The HFS-TB model is highly accurate at forecasting optimal drug exposures, doses, and dosing schedules for use in the clinic.
Quantification of Intermediate Steps in the Renin-Anglotensin-Vasoconstrictor Feedback Loop in the Dog

The major intermediate steps in the renin-angiotensin-vasoconstrictor feedback loop have been experimentally determined. The quantitative relationships between renal perfusion pressure, renin secretion, arterial renin activity, and systemic arterial blood pressure were determined in dogs in which the cardiovascular control loops of the central nervous system were eliminated by spinal cord destruction and decapitation. Step-decreases in renal perfusion pressure to a single kidney were introduced and maintained constant to open the feedback loop of arterial pressure. Renin activity was measured by radioimmunoassay of angiotensin I. Each decrease of 15 mm Hg in renal perfusion pressure between pressures of 100 and 50 mm Hg elevated the net secretion of renin nearly 20 ng min-1 g-1 kidney an d the arterial renin activity nearly 7.0 ng ml-1 hour-1. Renin secretion and arterial renin activity decreased at perfusion pressures below 50 mm Hg. A bioassay procedure for estimating the rate of angiotensin II formatio...
The hybrid histidine kinase dhkB regulates spore germination in Dictyostelium discoideum.

Spore germination is a defined developmental process that marks a critical point in the life cycle of Dictyostelium discoideum. Upon germination the environmental conditions must be conducive to cell growth to ensure survival of emerged amoebae. However, the signal transduction pathways controlling the various aspects of spore germination in large part remain to be elucidated. We have used degenerate PCR to identify dhkB, a two-component histidine kinase, from D. discoideum. DhkB is predicted to be a transmembrane hybrid sensor kinase. The dhkB-null cells develop with normal timing to give what seem to be mature fruiting bodies by 22 to 24 h. However, over the next several hours, the ellipsoidal and encapsulated spores proceed to swell and germinate in situ within the sorus and thus do not respond to the normal inhibitors of germination present within the sorus. The emerged amoebae dehydrate due to the high osmolarity within the sorus, and by 72 h 4% or less of the amoebae remain as spores, while most cells are now nonviable. Precocious germination is suppressed by ectopic activation of or expression of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A. Additionally, at 24 h the intracellular concentration of cAMP of dhkB 0 spores is 40% that of dhkB / spores. The results indicate that DHKB regulates spore germination, and a functional DHKB sensor kinase is required for the maintenance of spore dormancy. DHKB probably acts by maintaining an active PKA that in turn is inhibitory to germination. q 1998 Academic Press
Antemortem care in an afternoon: a successful four-hour curriculum for third-year medical students.

Numerous well-designed studies have shown that patients near the end of life often receive substandard palliative care. Medical students have expressed a strong interest in antemortem care; however, palliative medicine education remains poorly integrated into the overall curriculum at most medical institutions in the United States. In response to this need, a palliative medicine curriculum has been developed for medical students in the required third-year clerkship in family medicine at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center. The implementation of this curriculum resulted in a statistically significant increase in student competence (as measured by a standardized pretest and post-test) and a significant trend in student confidence (as measured by a single-item Likert scale). The curriculum was popular with students, and encouraged many of them to request hospice clinical experiences during their family medicine clerkship, or to register for the elective fourth-year clerkship in palliative medi...
Suppression of murine T-cell mitogenesis by metabolic products of arachidonic acid.

AbstractWe examined the ability of arachidonic acid (AA) to inhibit mitogen stimulation of mouse splenic lymphocytes. Dose related suppression of [3H]-thymidine incorporation by cells stimulated with either phytohemagglutinin or concanavalin A occurred at concentrations of AA above lµg/ml. AA-induced suppression required that AA be added to cultures within 6 hours of the addition of mitogen. Addition of AA at 24 hours resulted in diminished suppression, while delaying addition of AA until 48 hours had no effect on mitogen stimulation. Preincubation with AA did not alter mitogen stimulation when cells were washed free of AA. The addition of indomethacin or mefanamic acid to the cultures significantly reversed AA-induced suppression. Inhibitors of the lipoxygenase pathway or thromboxane synthesis had no effect, while an inhibitor of both thromboxane and prostacyclin synthesis partially prevented AA-induced suppression only at the highest concentration of AA. Removal of adherent cells resulted in a diminishe...
Do Age-Related Increases in Tip-of-the-Tongue Experiences Signify Episodic Memory Impairments?

Tip-of-the-tongue experiences (TOTs), in which a name is known but cannot be immediately retrieved from memory, can be a cause of concern if these experiences are viewed as a sign of memory decline. The current study was conducted to investigate the relation between age and TOT frequency, and the influence of episodic memory, which is the type of memory most often assessed to detect memory problems, on that relation. In a sample of adults, increased age was found to be associated with more TOTs across different types of materials, and additional analyses suggested that these relations between age and TOT frequency were not attributable to the use of different response criteria or to different amounts of knowledge. Because statistical control of a measure of episodic memory had little effect on the relation between age and TOT frequency, age-related increases in TOTs and age-related decreases in episodic memory appear to be at least partially independent phenomena.
The RNA-centred view of the synapse: non-coding RNAs and synaptic plasticity

If mRNAs were the only RNAs made by a neuron, there would be a simple mapping of mRNAs to proteins. However, microRNAs and other non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs; endo-siRNAs, piRNAs, BC1, BC200, antisense and long ncRNAs, repeat-related transcripts, etc.) regulate mRNAs via effects on protein translation as well as transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms. Not only are genes ON or OFF, but their ability to be translated can be turned ON or OFF at the level of synapses, supporting an enormous increase in information capacity. Here, I review evidence that ncRNAs are expressed pervasively within dendrites in mammalian brain; that some are activity-dependent and highly enriched near synapses; and that synaptic ncRNAs participate in plasticity responses including learning and memory. Ultimately, ncRNAs can be viewed as the post-it notes of the neuron. They have no literal meaning of their own, but derive their functions from where (and to what) they are stuck. This may explain, in part, why ncRNAs differ so dramatically from protein-coding genes, both in terms of the usual indicators of functionality and in terms of evolutionary constraints. ncRNAs do not appear to be direct mediators of synaptic transmission in the manner of neurotransmitters or receptors, yet they orchestrate synaptic plasticity—and may drive species-specific changes in cognition.
Analytical prediction of thermal displacement capacity of integral bridges built on sand

In this research, analytical equations are developed to calculate the lateral displacement capacity and maximum length limits of integral bridges built on sand based on the low-cycle fatigue performance of the piles under cyclic thermal variations and the ultimate strength of the abutment under positive thermal variations. To formulate the displacement capacity and maximum length limits of integral bridges based on the low cycle fatigue performance of steel H-piles under cyclic thermal variations, first, H-piles that can accommodate large plastic deformations are determined based on their local buckling instability. Then, a low cycle fatigue damage model is used as a tool to formulate the maximum cyclic curvatures and corresponding bending moments that such piles can sustain. Next, this information is employed in static pushover analyses of two integral bridges to study the effect of various geometric, structural and geotechnical parameters on their displacement capacity as determined by the low-cycle fat...
Power mode scheduling for ad hoc networks

An ad hoc network is a group of mobile wireless nodes that cooperatively form a network among themselves without any fixed infrastructure. Increasingly, power consumption within ad hoc networks is becoming a core issue for these low-power mobile devices. This paper focuses on a novel approach for energy conservation within the routing protocol of the ad hoc network. A wireless network interface in sleep mode expends an order of magnitude less power than in idle mode, but no packets can be sent or received while in sleep mode. We propose two probabilistic algorithms for scheduling transition from idle mode to sleep mode. Performance evaluation of these strategies show a substantial reduction in power usage, with only a slight decrease in performance.
A 26dB-gain 100GHz Si/SiGe Cascaded Constructive-Wave Amplifier

The availability of W-band (75 to 111GHz) silicon integrated circuits will potentially revolutionize medical and security imaging, as well as high-capacity wireless communications. Traditional W-band circuits rely on GaAs or InP devices, but recent work demonstrates silicon front-ends for W-band imaging and communications [1,2], although the low intrinsic bandwidth of silicon devices presents performance limits compared to III-V processes. At millimeter-wave frequencies, new challenges exist for silicon wideband circuits [3-5]. In this work, an amplifier topology - the Cascaded Constructive-Wave Amplifier (CCWA) - that combines features of traveling-wave and cascaded amplifiers for millimeter-wave applications is presented.
In Search of Practice-Based Topics for Management Accounting Education

The author surveyed a sample of IMA members and members of the AICPA to find the skills and abilities that accounting practitioners say are most important for people entering the management accounting profession. The results indicate a need for some changes to accounting curricula.
SAS No. 99: The 'F' Word

The most appalling “F” word in business has been brought to the forefront by the AICPA with SAS No. 99: Fraud. It’s very sound can make corporations and investors cringe. Fraud is often ominous to serious financial problems that hurt a company’s creditability and raise serious internal control issues. This paper discusses how SAS No. 99 came about and examines its implications for fraud detection in financial statement auditing. Auditors have seen an increase in their responsibilities for fraud detection as a result of SAS No. 99, yet many still fail to fully grasp the recommendations it made for fraud detection and prevention. This paper discusses whether or not SAS. No. 99 really works and the reasons why.
Supplemental Fat Effects on Cholesterol Profiles of Nulliparous Beef Heifers

Nutritional management that enhances cholesterol levels and body condition of heifers may be critical to improving reproductive efficiency. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of fat supplementation using a high fat, soybean oil cube formulation on changes in serum cholesterol secretion and body composition of beef heifers maintained on forage-based diets. Hereford and Angus (n = 29) and commercial crossbred heifers (n = 40) were assigned to two treatment groups, either control (n = 35) or high fat cube (to supply 0.23 kg fat/d, n = 34) for 45 d. Measurements taken at initiation of trial (d 0) and conclusion of trial (d 45) included BW, body condition score (BCS), ultrasound back fat (UBF), and serum cholesterol concentration [total cholesterol (TC) and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C)]. At the end of the study period, UBF (P=0.06), BW (P=0.01), BCS (P=0.002), weight to height ratio (P=0.0004), TC (P<0.0001), HDL-C (P=0.009), and TC minus HDL-C concentration (P=0.0001) were greater in heifers fed the supplemental fat treatment. The control heifers gained 13.71 ± 2.04 kg, and the heifers fed supplemental fat gained 37.98 ± 2.08 kg during the 45-d study period. The changes in TC concentrations were 13.89 ± 6.11 and 76.32 ± 6.21 mg/dL, and changes in HDL-C concentrations were 5.56 ± 3.56 and 14.33 ± 3.62 mg/dL for control heifers and heifers fed supplemental fat, respectively. Supplemental fat increased TC and HDL-C concentrations in beef heifers and, thus, may have implications for reproductive efficiency.
A Comparison of Four Commercial Systems for the Identification of Nonfermentative Gram-negative Bacilli

Four commerical systems for the identification of glucose nonfermentative, gram-negative bacilli and the conventional system used in our laboratory were compared. The API 20E,® Roche Oxi/Ferm Tube,® BBL Minitek,® Flow N/F System,® and our system were compared for accuracy, time needed for identification, and number of isolates needing additional testing. A total of 241 different isolates were used. The API 20E identified 86.7% correctly; Oxi/FermTube, 83.0%; Minitek, 93.4%; N/F System, 90.5%; and our system, 90.0%. Within 24 hours after isolation, the API 20E identified 25.7%; Oxi/Ferm Tube and Minitek, 0%; N/F System 27.3%; and our system, 35.7%. After 48 hours, the API 20E identified 74.7%; Oxi/Ferm Tube, 35.7%; Minitek, 45.2%; N/F System, 83.0%; and our system, 94.6%. The number of isolates that required additional testing for identification by the API 20E was 119; Oxi/Ferm Tube, 161; Minitek, 88; N/F System, 43; and our system, 36. Ease of performance, technologist time, and level of identification required by individual laboratories are discussed.
Factors associated with physicians’ choice of a career in research: a retrospective report 15 years after medical school graduation

Relatively little is known regarding factors associated with the choice of a research career among practicing physicians, and most investigations of this issue have been conducted in the absence of a theoretical/conceptual model. Therefore we designed a survey to identify the determinants of decisions to pursue a biomedical research career based upon the Theory of Planned Behavior and the concept of stereotype threat. From October 2012 through January 2014 electronic surveys were sent to four consecutive Harvard Medical School graduating classes, 1996-1999. Respondents provided demographic information, indicated their current research involvement, and provided retrospective reports of their experiences and attitudes when they were making career choices as they completed medical school. Multivariable ordinal regression was used to identify factors independently associated with current research involvement. Completed questionnaires were received from 358 respondents (response rate 65 %). In unadjusted analyses, variables associated with more extensive research involvement included non-minority status, male gender, lower debt at graduation, strong attitudes toward research at time of graduation, and greater social pressures to pursue research (all P < .001). These associations remained significant in multivariable regression analysis (all P < 0.01). However, an interaction between sex and prior research publications was also detected, indicating that more extensive research involvement during medical school doubled the likelihood of a research career for women (OR 2.53, 95 % CI 1.00-6.40; P = 0.05). Most of the factors predicting research career choice involve factors that are potentially modifiable, suggesting that appropriately designed behavioral interventions may help to expand the size and diversity of the biomedical research community.
Early Absent Pupillary Light Reflexes After Cardiac Arrest in Patients Treated with Therapeutic Hypothermia

Loss of pupillary light reactivity is one recognized indicator of poor prognosis after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). However, drug overdose, low cardiac output, and/or resuscitation drugs can lead to impaired pupillary light reflex. To investigate pupillary light reflex status before therapeutic hypothermia (TH) in relation to neurological outcome, we retrospectively reviewed the data of a prospectively implemented TH protocol in patients with cardiac arrest (CA) at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida (January 2006–January 2012), and Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona (August 2010–March 2014). During this period, all CA patients who underwent hypothermia were included. These patients were selected from an institutional database and hypothermia data set. The Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) at time of discharge was our primary outcome measure. A CPC of 1 to 2 was defined as good outcome and a CPC from 3 to 5 was defined as poor outcome. We identified 99 patients who had CA treated with TH. Twent...
The Development Strategies of Engine Hood for Pedestrian Protection

Pedestrians are the vulnerable groups and the largest victims in traffic accident.With the development of automobile technology,countries across the world have developed protection standards for pedestrians.The article mainly analyzes the laws and regulations for head-protection collision tests and puts forwards some engine hood development strategies that can meet the need to protect the head of pedestrians.
ABSOLUTE MEASUREMENT OF ~(99m)Tc ACTIVITY

The experimental technique and results of ~(99m)Tc absolute activity measurementby 4πβ-γ coincidence method are described. The detection efficiency of ~(99m)Tc γrays (2.12, 140.5 and 142.6 keV) and their internal conversion electrons in 4πβcounter as a function of the VYNS foil thickness is measured. It is obtained thatafter complete absorption of 2.12 keV γ ray by the foils, the contribution fromeach ~(99m)Tc decay to the β in 4πβ counter is 0.1117±0.0005.
Endoscopic therapy for pancreatic pseudocysts.

The management of pancreatic pseudocysts is complex and requires an understanding of not only the natural history of this disease but also the strengths and weaknesses of the treatment options available. Experience with endoscopic therapy is limited compared to surgical or radiologic treatment; success, complication, and recurrence rates are similar in the available literature. Careful patient selection plays an important role in the outcome of all the forms of therapy. Limiting the endoscopic enterostomy size should further reduce the endoscopic complication rate. Endoscopic therapy of pseudocysts represents a valuable alternative to surgery in appropriate patients.
Ascites in liver disease; mechanisms and therapeutic control.

The formation of ascites in any patient having liver disease is due to multiple factors. These factors vary in individual importance from case to case and thereby determine in part the wise choice of therapeutic measures to be employed for controlling a given ascitic collection.
Processing Cultural Differences: Structuration as Framework for Sensemaking Efforts

Drawing on key aspects of structuration theory, this case study examines student sensemaking efforts based on an international service learning (ISL) program conducted annually over a period of three years, wherein 11 U.S. students and 2 faculty members worked in a remote village in Moldova, teaching local students and community representatives to operate an online news outlet and interviewing young adults and professionals. Team members also interviewed Moldovan citizens, journalists, and politicians as part of a media research project. We adopted a meta-analytic approach to written student reflections to examine the processes through which students worked to understand cultural differences in a situation characterized by low community capabilities to either problem solve or to be self-sustaining, which further challenged their pre-existing assumptions.
Incorporating Work Hardening in Yield Loci Calculations

ABSTRACT The method is described for incorporating work-hardening effects on upper bound calculations of yield loci of textured cubic metals. When effective strain is defined in terms of plastic work the resulting yield loci are consistent with the principle of normality. Several examples are given of yield loci for materials in which the basic strain hardening relation is τ = kγn. Although calculated yield loci for combined orientations always have corners when strain hardening is neglected (n=0), all corners disappear with n > O, except those corners common to the yield loci of all the individual orientations. Otherwise, the shape of the loci for combined textures is remarkably insensitive to the n-value. With work-hardening an improper definition of effective strain results in yield loci which violate the normality principle. Several examples are given.
Restrictive and Obstructive Lung Diseases and Sleep Disorders

It is widely recognized that the relationship between sleep and medical disorders is bidirectional, i.e., sleep quality is affected by medical disorders and by medications and vice versa. However, this pattern, which is evident in most diseases, including respiratory disorders, was not appreciated or acknowledged until the past several decades. This chapter outlines the evolution of our current understanding of how sleep, or lack thereof, and circadian rhythms affect both physiologic and pathologic respiratory processes.
Ideologies, identities and initiatives: ‘The State of the Field’ – an introduction

The study of association football continues its emergence as a vibrant field of inquiry, attracting scholars worldwide from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds. ‘Soccer as the Beautiful Game: Foo...
Economic Thought, Economic Analysis, and Political Aims

This will be a brief chapter in defence of distinctions which according to some schools of thought are not justified by genuine differences. To differentiate between economic analysis and economic thought may be to judge the former as rigorous and the latter as superficial, or to suggest that the former develops generalisations while the latter offers generalities. Such judgements would be offensive to many. On the other hand, there is much to be said in favour of the distinction, especially if it serves to contrast pure with applied theory.
Impact of the ATLAS muon spectrometer alignment system on tracking at the CERN H8 testbeam

The ATLAS muon detector is designed to attain precision muon momentum resolution aided by an embedded optical beam network which monitors thermally induced chamber displacements. We report on the ability of this alignment system to provide corrections for track reconstruction. This work is based on sagitta measurements conducted at the CERN H8 2003 test beam.
Community-Based Learning with Young Children in a Child Development Center

Sciaraffa discusses two different courses, Child Development and Environments for Young Children and how course components aligned with four High-Impact Practices, the National Association for the Education of Young Children Standards for Early Childhood Professional Preparation, and the National Council for Family Relations Certified Family Life Educator Framework for Best Practices in Family Life Education. Focus of discussion includes structure of courses, student assignments, and how high-impact elements are integrated into each course.
Sticky Cantor sets in ℝd

A subset of ℝd is called “sticky” if it cannot be isotoped off of itself by a small ambient isotopy. Sticky wild Cantor sets are constructed in ℝd for each d ≥ 4.
The untapped potential of the ADHD employee in the workplace

AbstractAs diagnoses increase, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have come to the forefront of popular understanding. Subsequently, much discussion exists concerning the legal and social ramifications for those who have ADD or ADHD in the workplace. Although many people with ADD or ADHD will not qualify for special treatment under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the absence of legal requirements guiding management does not mean that managers’ responsibilities end. The greatest task for managers of ADD/ADHD employees will be working with their conditions, rather than against them, in order to foster efficiency and productivity in the workplace. Management solutions for employees with ADD and ADHD are compiled in light of their positions as valuable components of today’s workforce.
The BCL9 Oncogene Promotes Tumor Progression by Conferring Enhanced Proliferative, Metastatic and Angiogenic Properties to Myeloma Cells

Wnt signaling plays an important role in tissue development and maintenance during embryogenesis, cell differentiation, and stem cell growth. Several components of the Wnt signaling cascade have been shown to function as either tumor suppressor proteins or as oncogenes in multiple human cancers, underscoring the relevance of this pathway in oncogenesis. Deregulation of the canonical Wnt/b-catenin pathway has been implicated in numerous human epithelial malignancies as well as hematologic malignancies including multiple myeloma (MM), generating immense interest in these molecules as targets for cancer therapy. Activation of Wnt/b-catenin in cancer has been associated with mutations that enable b-catenin to escape degradation by the proteasome, thereby allowing its accumulation in the nucleus where it functions as a transcriptional regulator in conjunction with coactivators by constitutively activating target genes such as c-Myc and Cyclin D1. To date, however, no mutations in Wnt pathway have been documented in MM, suggesting that mechanisms other than gene mutation may contribute to Wnt pathway deregulation. BCL9, a key component of the Wnt pathway, is required for b-catenin transcriptional activity and resides on chromosome 1q21, a region frequently involved in secondary chromosomal aberrations associated with MM tumor progression. Here we provide evidence that dysregulation of BCL9 expression is a novel oncogenic mechanism of Wnt pathway activation in MM. Using in vitro and in vivo functional analyses, we demonstrate that BCL9 is a bonafide oncogene that is aberrantly expressed in MM and associated with survival. Using the TCF- specific luciferase reporter, we show that enforced expression of BCL9 in MM cells enhanced b-catenin mediated transcription by >12 fold, suggesting a possible role of BCL9 overexpression in the pathogenesis of MM. BCL9 enhanced proliferation (1.5 fold, P