cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessing Intracardiac Thrombus Before Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: Challenges Faced After Testing.

As the treatment of symptoms related to atrial fibrillation has advanced, the management of associated thromboembolic risks has progressed as well through the newly developed oral anticoagulants. The 2014 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology/Heart Rhythm Society and the 2012
An Ecodevelopmental Exploration of Mediators Between Maltreatment in Childhood and Drug Use During Pregnancy

Child maltreatment is associated with increased risk of substance abuse in adulthood. However, prior investigations have not examined substance use specifically in pregnancy, and have relied on self-report of substance use. The present study addresses these gaps via secondary analysis of 295 primarily low-income, Black postpartum women who agreed to complete a brief questionnaire and subsequently provided urine and hair samples. A clear relationship emerged between self-reported maltreatment and positive toxicology (with drug use present in 37.2% of maltreated participants and 17.1% of non-maltreated participants; p < .001). Depression and violence exposure were positively associated with maltreatment and with drug use. The combined effect of violence exposure and depression mediated the association between maltreatment and drug use during pregnancy (the bootstrapped 95% confidence interval of total indirect effect ranged from .17-.86). This investigation is the first to show an association between childhood maltreatment and toxicological evidence of drug use in pregnancy.
Prevalence of Substance Use among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth in Military Families: Findings from the California Healthy Kids Survey

Background: In addition to the challenges associated with military life, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth in military families may face stressors associated with having a stigma...
The Linguistic Turn, Social Construction and the Impartial Spectator: why Do these Ideas Matter to Managerial Thinking?

One’s philosophical points of view, which form the bases for assumptions that we bring to management theory and practice matter, and matter deeply, to management thinking and corporate behavior. In this paper I outline three related threads of philosophical conversations and explain how they are important in management theory and practice: the “linguistic turn” in philosophy, deriving from the later writings of Ludwig Wittgenstein, a social constructionist perspective: a set of theories at least implicitly derived from the linguistic turn in philosophy, and the notion of the impartial spectator. I then use these three theories to analyze the idea of the corporation, corporate cultures and corporate mission statements, stakeholder theories and their differences, and the limitations of the popular notion of “corporate social responsibility.” I conclude that how one frames these management ideas makes a difference, a difference in theory and in practice.
Functional Connectivity in Dementia

Novel structural and functional techniques have allowed in vivo analysis of large, distributed brain networks. Probing the systems or network level has been of particular interest in the field of neurodegenerative disease as it has become increasingly clear that degenerative diseases target large-scale brain networks. Task-free functional MRI (TF-fMRI) is a particularly appealing technique since it is safe, requires minimal patient cooperation (important in diseased populations), can be performed on most commercial MRI machines, and results in data that can be shared between centers easily. In this chapter, we provide a brief introduction to TF-fMRI, including the principles underlying the BOLD signal, image preprocessing, and data analysis. We then review age-related connectivity changes before moving on to Alzheimer’s disease, which is our primary focus within the dementias. Following this, we briefly review alterations in function connectivity in non-Alzheimer’s dementias. Finally, we discuss the future of functional connectivity in neurodegenerative research and clinical practice.
Thermoplasticity of Unidirectional Metal Matrix Composites

Abstract Elastic-plastic deformation of fibrous metal matrix composites is analyzed for combined loading by axisymmetric mechanical loads, uniform thermal changes and variations in matrix yield stress. The composite cylinder model is used. New equilibrium and constraint equations for phase stress and strain averages are derived which make the model analysis adaptable to any phase constituent properties. Specific results are obtained for composites with transversely isotropic fibers and a kinematically hardening matrix. Instantaneous phase stress concentration factors and overall compliances are derived for the three types of loading. Loading by thermal and yield stress changes is converted to equivalent mechanical loading. Explicit expressions are obtained for the overall yield surface, hardening rule, and for the instantaneous overall compliance, which permit simple numerical evaluation of deformation response to any combined loading path.
Solution Methods for Nongray Extinction Coefficients

In the preceding chapters on solution methods for the radiative equation of transfer within participating media we have exclusively dealt with gray media, that is, media whose radiative properties (absorption coefficient κ, scattering coefficient σ s , and phase function Φ, as well as emittance of boundary surfaces ∈) do not vary across the electromagnetic spectrum. We noted that most relationships also hold true for a nongray medium on a spectral basis (i.e., as long as the simplification of radiative equilibrium is not invoked). While the assumption of gray surfaces made in the net radiation method of Chapters 5 (diffusely reflecting surfaces) and 6 (partly specular reflecting surfaces) is often a good one over the relatively small relevant part of the spectrum, this is nearly never the case for participating media. Molecular gases below ionization temperatures (discussed in detail in Chapter 11) absorb and emit over a multitude of very narrow spectral lines, which may overlap and form vibration–rotation bands. The result is an absorption coefficient that oscillates wildly within each band, and is zero between bands. Similarly, the discussion of radiative properties of suspended particles (Chapter 12) has shown that their absorption and scattering properties may also oscillate strongly across the spectrum (see, for example, Fig. 12-3). However, if particles of varying sizes are present, as is usually the case, the spectral oscillations tend to be damped out so that the assumption of a gray medium becomes a reasonable one. Like molecular gases, semitransparent solids and liquids often display strong absorption bands in the infrared due to photon–phonon coupling, with weak absorption coefficients between bands. Therefore, we conclude that the simplification of a gray participating medium is, except for particle suspensions with variable sizes, a poor assumption that may lead to very significant errors in the analysis. It behooves the engineer to realize that accurate solutions to the equation of transfer (such as exact solutions in two or three dimensions), as opposed to simple approximate ones (such as the P 1 -approximation in one or two dimensions), may be meaningless unless the spectral variation of radiation properties is taken into account.
Bereavement support groups: who joins; who does not; and why.

Compared widowed spouses who joined (n = 40) bereavement support groups (BSGs) during the first 13 months of bereavement with those who declined to join (n = 96). Controlling for gender, age, and socioeconomic status, no differences were found for perceived levels of social support, but joiners, compared with nonjoiners, reported experiencing more stressful events and scored significantly higher on measures of depression, anger, anxiety, and subjective stress. Nonjoiners and, to a lesser extent, joiners viewed those attending groups as less self-sufficient (e.g., need help, lonely), suggesting a mildly stigmatizing image of BSGs. A dialectical model is proposed in which BSG utilization rates are seen as the product of an avoidance-avoidance conflict involving the choice between suffering emotional distress on one's own or the perceived stigma of joining a BSG. Implications for future research on participation in self-help and mutual support groups are discussed.
Environmental and social dimensions of community gardens in East Harlem

Abstract Community gardens are popular in the United States and around the world as a strategy to meet environmental and social goals in urban areas. They have been studied in a variety of contexts including food production, social activities, and urban green infrastructure. This study examines 35 community gardens in East Harlem, New York City, through environmental inventories and semi-structured interviews with gardeners (N = 54). Our study focuses on two topics: (a) key characteristics of the community gardens and perceptions among their members, and (b) associations between environmental and social elements of gardens, and place attachment of gardeners to the gardens. The 35 gardens in this study offer residents an estimated 18,000 square meters of community garden space, approximately half of which is green space. The gardeners show deep attachment to their gardens, as a large majority indicated that the gardens are highly significant to them, increase their neighborhood pride, and reduce stated likelihood of moving. Place attachment is positively correlated with knowing other gardeners and perceiving garden governance as democratic. Attachment is also correlated with a preference for garden produce over store produce and the amount of hardscape in the gardens. Although growing vegetables is meaningful to gardeners, the experience of growing food appears to be more important than the quantity grown. Policy considerations related to simultaneously supporting ecosystem services and social dynamics associated with the gardens are discussed.
A 1–20 GHz Distributed, Stacked SiGe Power Amplifier

This paper presents a wideband distributed power amplifier that operates from 1–20 GHz. The peak output power is 19.5 dBm, with a peak PAE of 28% at 1 GHz. The power amplifier utilizes a distributed amplifier topology with artificial transmission lines, as well as transistor stacking, to achieve high output power and wide bandwidth. For the amplifier core power cells, a stack-up of four SiGe HBTs was used to distribute the maximum voltage swing across the amplifier. This power amplifier, designed in a 90 nm SiGe BiCMOS platform, occupies an area of $\mathbf{1.95}\times \mathbf{1.3}\mathbf{mm}^{2}$ .
To Merge Early or Late: Analysis of Traffic Flow and Energy Impact in a Reduced Lane Scenario

This paper analyzes the impact of late merging vehicles on traffic flow and energy efficiency via traffic microsimulation. Lane reductions, due to construction, road obstructions, or transitions to narrower roads, can be disruptive to traffic flow and energy efficiency of a stream of vehicles. In these instances, when there is heavy traffic flow a bottle-necking effect occurs at the reduction point. The backup of traffic is then propagated upstream causing vehicles to decelerate more often. As a result, fuel efficiency decreases and there is an increase in trip time. This research is motivated by recent articles [1] that indicate merging late could be beneficial when done in a coordinated manner. This paper will focus on a group of vehicles traveling along a high speed roadway with a lane closure. These vehicles employ a reactive Intelligent Driver Model with randomized parameters that mimic human-like car following. Our microsimulations show that, in general, high penetrations of late merging vehicles have a negative influence on traffic flow and energy efficiency. We consider a typical lane change behavior that does not involve coordination which could be the reason our results contradict those found from the Late Merge method [2] and other common lane change models [3] [4].
Botryoid Wilms Tumor: A Rare Diagnosis With an Atypical Presentation.

ABSTRACT Wilms tumor commonly presents as an asymptomatic abdominal mass. In some cases, it can be accompanied with hypertension, constitutional symptoms, and hematuria when involving the collecting system. Below, we review the case of a child diagnosed with botryoid Wilms tumor involving the upper calyces and renal pelvis in which the presenting symptom was a concern for a foreign body in her left ear, and the only abnormality during initial history and physical examination was stage II hypertension.
Changing Current Appraisals of Mothers Leads to Changes in Childhood Memories of Love Toward Mothers

False memories in therapy have previously been identified as problematic, but memory-of-emotion distortions have been underdiscussed in this context. Past research has suggested that cognitive reap...
Neurosyphilis Presenting as Mania and Psychosis After Incidental Treatment With Cephalexin: A Case Report and Literature Review of Jarisch-Herxheimer Reactions.

Abstract Neurosyphilis is known as the "Great Imitator" given its wide range of clinical presentations, including dementia, delirium, depression, mania and psychosis. In addition to a high index of suspicion, clinical acumen discerns between these similar yet different neuropsychiatric presentations, including those related to medications. We report a case of neurosyphilis diagnosed in a middle-aged, heterosexual, HIV-negative man who presented with symptoms of mania and psychosis after an incidental treatment with cephalexin for an unrelated, suspected cellulitis. We conducted a corresponding literature review of the neuropsychiatric presentations and symptoms of Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction (JHR) in patients with neurosyphilis. This case exemplifies the relevance of syphilis to clinical psychiatry due to the possible neuropsychiatric presentations. This case also offers an opportunity to discuss the broad spectrum of presentations of JHR in patients with neurosyphilis.
Particulate control devices in Kemper County IGCC Project

Abstract Southern Company has commissioned a 2 × 1 Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) facility in Kemper County, Mississippi. The plant demonstrated the Transport Integrated Gasification (TRIG TM ) technology developed by Southern Company, KBR, and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). With a capability of generating up to 524 MW net, the plant also captures CO2 from syngas produced from locally mined Mississippi lignite. Particulate Control Devices (PCDs), designed by Pall Corporation, are a critical component of the TRIG TM gasification process. The PCDs use dry filtration technology to remove essentially all the fine particulates from the syngas before it is sent to downstream processes for further gas clean-up, CO2 capture, and, finally for use in combustion turbines to generate power. The Kemper PCDs are designed to accommodate different types of filter elements for future optimization. The initial installation features the 2.5-meter long iron aluminide (FEAL) filter elements based on the extensive testing experience gained at the Power Systems Development Facility (PSDF). The PCD back-pulse system is equipped with the Coupled Pressure Pulse (CPP TM ) blowback technology developed jointly by Pall’s Schumacher Division and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology for online filter element cleaning. It is the first CPP TM application of this scale used for high-pressure, high-temperature filtration in a gasification process. The Kemper facility has achieved integrated operation with production of electricity, CO2, and other by-products from syngas per design specifications. This paper describes the operations, performance, and technical issues of both the PCD and the fines cooling and handling system that were encountered during the installation, unit commissioning, and extended operation with lignite.
From the other side of the desk: students’ discourses of teaching and learning

Drawing on Lave & Wenger’s concept of situated learning and Apple’s premise that daily interactions at school construct what is considered legitimate knowledge, this article examines the discourses...
Examining the Dynamic of Participation Level on Group Contribution in a Global, STEM-Focused Digital Makerspace Community

Passive behavior in collaborative group settings is often associated with negative or no contributions to the group (social loafing). This paper examines low and high participation levels of students in a virtual collaborative group setting within a global, STEM-focused digital makerspace community. The results of using epistemic network analysis show that both high and low participation levels contributed to the overall balance of the group discourse, overcoming social loafing behavior. High participation level students provided social aspects that contributed to the development of a safe social space for sharing, while low level participation provided content focused dialogue for the group.
Use of gabapentinoid medications among US adults with cancer, 2005-2015.

Gabapentinoid use for long-term cancer pain control may be problematic, given unclear mechanisms of action and increased concerns for physical dependence. The purpose of this report is to examine trends of gabapentinoid use among US adults with cancer from 2005 to 2015. We conducted a serial, cross-sectional study using data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). We performed multiple logistic regression to examine the annual percentages of gabapentinoid users, which were adjusted for age, sex, and US region of residence. The amount of gabapentinoid prescriptions filled in 2015 was also estimated. The adjusted percentage of gabapentinoid users in 2015 was 5.60% (3.79%, 7.41%), 2.39 times greater than the percentage in 2005 (p < .001). By 2015, the number of gabapentinoid prescriptions had grown to approximately 3.52 million (2.40 million, 4.65 million). We observed greater than a twofold increase in the trend of gabapentinoid medication use among US adults with cancer. Investigations on the long-term efficacy of gabapentinoids for complex pain syndromes, and mitigation of risks, is essential to guide informed clinical management and keep patients safe.
Dissecting modular synthases through inhibition: A complementary chemical and genetic approach

Modular synthases, such as fatty acid, polyketide, and non-ribosomal peptide synthases (NRPSs), are sophisticated machineries essential in both primary and secondary metabolism. Various techniques have been developed to understand their genetic background and enzymatic abilities. However, uncovering the actual biosynthetic pathways remains challenging. Herein, we demonstrate a pipeline to study an assembly line synthase by interrogating the enzymatic function of each individual enzymatic domain of BpsA, a NRPS that produces the blue 3,3'-bipyridyl pigment indigoidine. Specific inhibitors for each biosynthetic domain of BpsA were obtained or synthesized, and the enzymatic performance of BpsA upon addition of each inhibitor was monitored by pigment development in vitro and in living bacteria. The results were verified using genetic mutants to inactivate each domain. Finally, the results complemented the currently proposed biosynthetic pathway of BpsA.
Viral infection dampens human fetal membrane type I interferon responses triggered by bacterial LPS

The maternal-fetal interface possesses innate immune strategies to protect against infections. We previously reported that prior viral infection of human fetal membranes (FMs) in vitro and mouse FMs in vivo sensitized the tissue to low dose bacterial LPS leading to augmented inflammation. The objective of this study was to examine FM production of type I interferons (IFNs) and IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) in the context of this polymicrobial model. Human FM explants and pregnant C57BL/6 mice were treated with or without low dose LPS following exposure to media or the γ-herpes virus, MHV-68. FM RNA was analyzed by qRT-PCR for type I IFNs, ISGs, upstream signaling, and MHV-68 open reading frames (ORFs). Pre-exposure to MHV-68 followed by LPS treatment inhibited the ability of LPS to induce human FM type I IFNs (IFNA, IFNB); ISGs (OAS, MxA, APOBEC3G) and upstream signaling mediators (RIG-I, TBK-1). Signaling mediators IRF-3 and IRF-7 were also reduced. In mouse FMs, pre-exposure to MHV-68 followed by LPS treatment reduced the ability of LPS to upregulate Ifna, Ifnb, Mxa, Irf7, and also reduced Irf3. MHV-68 infection of FMs induced ORF45 which targets IRF-7, and this was further augmented in response to a combination of MHV-68 and LPS. Together, these findings indicate that a viral infection blunts FM type I IFN production and signaling in response to LPS leading to a suppressed ISG response. Our studies suggest that a viral infection inhibits this protective FM response by negatively regulating IRF-7 through ORF45, leaving the maternal-fetal interface vulnerable to further viral attack.
Obesity across the lifespan in congenital heart disease survivors: Prevalence and correlates.

Abstract Background Congenital heart disease (CHD) survivors are at risk for cardiovascular comorbidities exacerbated by obesity. Objectives Determine relationships between overweight/obesity and medical factors across the lifespan of CHD. Methods Lesion severity, weight, blood pressure, cardiac and other comorbidities, and cardiac medications were abstracted from the medical records of 3790 CHD patients, aged ≥6 years, who attended CHD care in the Midwestern U.S. Results The proportion of patients with overweight/obesity increased across the lifespan, with 73% of adults affected by overweight/obesity. Obesity was more prevalent among patients with moderate lesions (29%). Overweight/obesity was associated with elevated blood pressure across age and lesion severity. Young adults with obesity and simple or moderate lesions had more comorbidities (simple: IRR = 3.1, moderate: IRR = 2.3) and cardiac medications (simple: IRR = 2.2, moderate: IRR = 1.7). Conclusions Obesity and its cardiovascular correlates are present across the lifespan for CHD survivors, highlighting the need for early prevention and intervention.
Optimization of Virtual Networks.

We introduce a general and comprehensive model for the design and optimization of Virtual Networks, and for the related concept of Network Slicing. The model is flexible, so that by adjusting some of its elements, it can accommodate many different specific cases of importance. Yet, surprisingly, it still allows efficient optimization, in the sense that the global optimum can be well approximated by efficient algorithms.
Infant Mental Health Prevention and Treatment: A Systematic Review Examining the Role of Homelessness

Abstract Purpose Whereas many prevention and treatment programs exist for children and families, there have been no reviews specifically examining infant mental health outcomes. Furthermore, despite high rates of infants and families experiencing homelessness, little work has evaluated the effectiveness of these parenting programs in such vulnerable populations. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to a) systematically examine prevention and treatment parenting programs targeting infant mental health outcomes in infants from birth to age 2 years, b) highlight strengths and limitations of current interventions, and c) identify gaps in the existing literature to inform future mental health intervention science in areas of greatest need, specifically within the context of homelessness. Methods From over 15,000 publications initially identified, thirty-three prevention and treatment programs met inclusion criteria for this review. Each program was reviewed for level of scientific evidence. Results Of the thirty-three programs reviewed, eleven (33%) were classified as promising. An additional 18% were classified as ineffective, emerging, and effective. Lastly, only four programs (12%; Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-Up, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, Triple P-Positive Parenting Program, and Video-feedback Intervention Parenting Program) were classified as evidence-based based on infant mental health outcomes. Few of the identified programs have been implemented in homeless shelters, with no randomized control trials to date. Conclusions There is a dearth of literature examining programs targeting infant mental health. Even those programs considered evidence-based have not been thoroughly examined among families in shelter settings.
Teacher Unions, Political Machines, and the Thorny Politics of Education Reform in Latin America:

Existing research on developing countries emphasizes the decisive power of teacher unions in education politics. Yet that power varies, and a full understanding of the roots of union power and the ...
Experimental data on impact of social norms on energy reforms and petition signing.

Abstract The first experimental data includes four groups; thus, four survey links have been designed for each group, which was sent via email. The approved target population is twelve thousand Georgia State University affiliates among faculty, staff, and students. We randomly picked three thousand for each group. Six thousand were randomly selected from the faculty and staff, and six thousand from the students. In the survey, we asked for generic information on individuals’ characteristics such as gender, income, US native or non-native, and occupation. We provided information on the impact of carbon emission on the environment and human lives and how we can alter that by switching energy-based fuels. In the second and more comprehensive dataset, we reduced the groups to three, based on our power analysis on the first attempt. Instead of an across nations comparison (US vs. EU and China), we performed a state-level comparison. We also added a question about their political affiliation to control for prior beliefs. We executed the experiment—at the same time—in two different states, one Democrat and one Republican, but in the same region and with similar geographical boundaries. We selected Arizona (as a red state having a republican governor) and New Mexico (as a blue state having a Democrat governor). Arizona uses 9 percent renewable energy, and New Mexico utilizes only 8 percent. To control for subjects’ judgment about the norm, we compared the energy use from each of the selected states, with two different pioneer states using renewable, one blue and one red, within the same range percentage usage. We chose South Dakota with 38 percentage and Maine with 36 (at the time of execution). We wanted to rule out the subjects’ prior beliefs and preferences on each state they were about to compare with that design. One can use these data to replicate the analysis of the reference paper entitled “Impact of the Social Norms on Energy Reform Petitions: Cross-State Comparisons.” Or since the collected data is random, there could be some side analysis on the control variables in the dataset (wage, education, political affiliation, age, gender, birthplace, marital status, and participating in an environmentally friendly Act).
Israel and Post‐Mubarak Egypt: Perils of Historical Analogy

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has perceived the Egyptian Revolution of 2011 as a replica of Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution. Drawing on the apparent similarities between the two revolutions—both made against dictators who reigned over secular, Western-oriented regimes advocating coexistence with Israel, and both having Islamists as the best-organized opposition force—Netanyahu appears to have concluded that the outcome for Israel would be the same: the advent of an aggressive Islamist regime in Cairo that would initiate a larger conflict. Based on this historical analogy, the Netanyahu government has adopted policies that are meant to help Israel defend against the potential deterioration in relations with Egypt. However, looking at Iran 1979 to draw on lessons about Egypt 2011 is misleading and does not take into account the significant differences that would rather lead Egypt to preserve the peace. This article analyzes Netanyahu's employment of this historical analogy and examines other appropriate lessons that Israel could draw from Iran's Islamic revolution, and proposes that Israel should instead engage the Egyptian revolution and reach a peace deal with the Palestinians so that it avoids misperception and maintains the Egyptian–Israeli peace.
Measuring common public misperceptions about cancer.

Abstract A 32 item criterion‐referenced knowledge questionnaire was developed to measure the level of common misperceptions about the nature of cancer and cancer treatments held by the public. A sample of 353 respondents were contacted and agreed to complete the questionnaire through a random telephone survey technique (Random Digit Dialing). An extensive analysis of the responses to the survey was performed and supported the validity and reliability of the instrument. Results of the survey indicate that the prevalence of misperceptions held by the public is high. The total mean score correct on the questionnaire was only 17.2 out of a possible 32. No differences were found for total mean score on the questionnaire based on the respondents’ age, sex, or whether they or someone close to them had ever had cancer. Statistically significant differences, however, were found for the total mean score on the questionnaire based on the respondent's level of education and how they responded to two attitudinal quest...
Protein metabolism in cerebral mitochondria: I. Hydrolytic enzymes and amino acid incorporation into mitochondrial membranes

Summary Protein turnover was studied in cerebral mitochondria purified by centrifugation on a continuous sucrose density-gradient, and in the component membranes, prepared by two different procedures. As judged by electron microscopy the purified mitochondrial preparations were free of lysosomal contamination and were readily split by phospholipase treatment to yield good preparations of inner membrane. Three aspects of protein turnover in the intact mitochondria and their component membranes were studied: (1) distribution of enzymes involved in protein breakdown, (2) incorporation of labeled amino acids, and (3) protein and amino acid composition. Mitochondria and their membrane components exhibited intrinsic proteolytic activity, sufficient to account for the known rates of cerebral protein turnover; outer membranes contained a slightly higher concentration of aminopeptidase (Leu-Gly-Gly) and acid proteinase (Hb). The chief site of amino acid incorporation resided in the membrane components, which accounted for the major portion of the total radioactivity; incorporation into inner membrane exceeded that into the outer membrane by 35% in vivo and 56% in vitro. Differences between the membrane components based on their disc-gel patterns and content of amino acids, in addition to the data on rates of protein breakdown and incorporation, indicate different biogenetic origins for the proteins present in the submitochondrial components.
Spatial and isotopic niche partitioning during winter in chinstrap and Adélie penguins from the South Shetland Islands

Closely related species with similar ecological requirements should exhibit segregation along spatial, temporal, or trophic niche axes to limit the degree of competitive overlap. For migratory marine organisms like seabirds, assessing such overlap during the non-breeding period is difficult because of long-distance dispersal to potentially diffuse foraging habitats. Miniaturization of geolocation devices and advances in stable isotope analysis (SIA), however, provide a robust toolset to quantitatively track the movements and foraging niches of wide ranging marine animals throughout much of their annual cycle. We used light-based geolocation tags and analyzed stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes from tail feathers to simultaneously characterize winter movements, habitat utilization, and overlap of spatial and isotopic niches of migratory chinstrap (Pygoscelis antarctica) and Adelie (P. adeliae) penguins during the austral winter of 2012. Chinstrap penguins exhibited a higher diversity of movements and occup...
Correlation Between Flux Pinning Properties and Interfacial Defects in ${\rm YBa}_{2}{\rm Cu}_{3}{\rm O}_{7-\delta}/{\rm CeO}_{2}$ Multilayer Thin Films

YBa2Cu3O7-δ (YBCO) thin films doped with either secondary nanoparticles or nanolayers have demonstrated enhanced flux pinning properties in applied magnetic field. One possible reason for the enhanced flux pinning properties is the interfacial defects generated at the heterogeneous interfaces between YBCO and nanoparticles/nanolayers. In this work, we conducted a systematic study to correlate the pinning properties of YBCO thin films with interfacial defect density by introducing CeO2 multilayered structures. Multilayered YBCO thin films with 1-, 2-, and 4- CeO2 interlayers and a pure YBCO reference thin film were prepared by pulsed laser deposition through alternating YBCO and CeO2 targets. A detailed microstructure and superconducting property analysis was conducted by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and physical properties measurement system (PPMS) with vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The result showed that introducing CeO2 nanolayers can effectively increase the interfacial defects without degrading the epitaxy quality of YBCO films. We found that an optimum density of interfacial defects in YBCO matrix is needed for the enhanced self-field and in-field performance.
Membrane Transport in Single Cells

The sections in this article are: 1 Examples of Preparations of Single Cells 1.1 Large Cells that Can Be Studied Individually 1.2 Blood Cells 1.3 Cells Prepared by Dissociating Intact Tissue 1.4 Permanent Cell Lines and Expression Systems 2 Methods for Measuring Transport 2.1 Tracer Influx and Efflux: Definition of Flux 2.2 Definition of Permeability Coefficient 2.3 Unstirred Layers 2.4 Multiple Intracellular Compartments 2.5 Optical Methods for Measuring Transport 2.6 Ion-Sensitive Microelectrodes 2.7 Membrane Potential 2.8 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance 3 Transport Mechanisms 3.1 Rationale for Investigating Transport Mechanisms 3.2 Catalytic Cycles 4 Anion Exchanger 4.1 Red Blood Cell Anion Transport 4.2 Electrically Silent Obligatory Exchange 4.3 Kinetic Mechanism of Anion Exchange 4.4 Intrinsic Asymmetries 4.5 Electrical Properties of the Exchange Pathway 5 Sodium Pump 5.1 Electrically Silent and Electrogenic Na Pump Modes 5.2 Pump Stoichiometry 5.3 Kinetic Mechanism of the Na Pump 5.4 Electrical Properties of the Na Pump 5.5 Summary of Transport Mechanisms 6 Integrative Transport Studies in Single Cells: Cell-Volume Regulation 6.1 Pump-Leak Paradigm 6.2 Volume-Sensitive Transport Processes 6.3 Detection of Cell Volume 6.4 Transduction of Volume Signal to Transport Proteins
A Babcock-Gerber Method for Determining the Percentage of Fat in Ice Cream*

A fat standard for ice cream has been set by the Federal Government and by practically every state in the Union which makes a very eminent demand for a quick, inexpensive and fairly accurate method for determining the percentage of fat in ice cream. In the last few years there has been submitted to the dairy industry, numerous methods for determining the percentage of fat in the ice cream. The most recent of these methods is the Troy-Fucoma method which is a modification of the Gerber method of testing dairy products as used in Europe. Where careful analytical results are desired the Mojonnier method is to be recommended but this method takes 'time and is rather expensive when the cost of equipment is considered. Due to the cost of the Mojonnier test it is impracticable and impossible for the small ice cream manufacturer to use this method. Experiments with the TroyFucoma method have shown that this method checks closer with the Mojounier than any of the other methods which are now in use fo~ testing ice cream for butterfat. The belief that the reagents used in the Troy-Fucoma test would work in the Babcock test bottle and thus eliminate the necessity of buying additional testing equipment, led to this experiment.
Lipid distribution in the Sertoli cell and Leydig cell of the rat testis as related to experimental alterations of the pituitary-gonad system.

INTRODUCTION NUMEROUS histochemical reactions have been suggested to determine the specific nature of the lipid contained within the Leydig cell primarily to find support for the hypothesis that Leydig cells produce androgen (Pollock, 1942; Dempsey and Wislocki, 1946; Ashbel and Seligman, 1949; Cain, 1950). Sertoli cell lipid has been investigated less extensively although histochemical studies indicate that it consists in part of cholesterol and cholesterol esters (Permian, 1950). It shall be the purpose of this paper to present our findings of the distribution of testicular lipids as they relate to certain alterations of the pituitary-gonad system with no attempt to determine the specific chemical nature of the lipid. In a previous communication we have related changes in distribution of testicular lipids to age (Lynch and Scott, 1950).
A wide-band class-b amplifier using tapered interdigital power combiners

A tapered interdigital equal-split coupler has been designed and fabricated in a planar structure. Multioctave bandwidths of equal power splits and 0° and 180° phase differences were obtained. Over 20-dB improvement of the second harmonics generated from a Class-B GaAs amplifier using this coupler as a combiner was demonstrated. This approach has potential applications for GaAs MMIC amplifiers and mixers.
The effect of interstitial solutes on the twinning stress of b.c.c. metals

Abstract Flow stress measurements at −196°C on Fe-4.8 at. % Sn-C alloys demonstrate that the presence of interstitial carbon markedly increases the stress for deformation by twinning. The flow stress for an alloy with 0.09 at. % carbon is 12.6 Kg/mm2 higher than the flow stress for a carbon-free alloy. This behaviour, which is an exception to the rule that twinning stresses are relatively invariant to solute content, was anticipated because the normal twinning mode in ferrite does not shear all interstitial atoms to proper octahedral sites. In confirmation of this viewpoint, the experimental results were found to be in reasonable agreement with a theoretical estimate of the change in twinning stress that should result from this crystallographic restraint.
Audit and Education in Transfusion Medicine

Because transfusions carry risks to the patient and because inappropriate transfusions are costly, interest in audits and effective education in transfusion medicine has increased over the last decade. Audits identify areas of practice that can be improved by follow-up education of the physicians who prescribe the transfusions. Successful educational approaches to follow-up on problems identified by audit include 30-min one-on-one meetings with surgeons, traditional scheduled teaching conferences, daily clinical rounds on transfused patients, prospective review of blood transfusions and installation of transfusion practice algorithms in the operating room. Other than identifying inappropriate transfusions, audit and education have also been used successfully to improve bedside blood administration practices, decrease unnecessary crossmatches and reduce outdating of donor blood. Multi-institutional audits play a useful benchmarking role. In summary, audit followed by targeted education can improve practices in transfusion medicine.
Abstract 1010: Chronic nicotine inhibits apoptosis induced by chemotherapeutic drugs in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Smoking is an established risk factor for pancreatic cancer. More than 95% of all pancreatic cancers are pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs). Our data has earlier established that nicotine contributes to the progression of smoking associated PDAC by increasing the systemic levels of the stress neurotransmitters adrenaline and noradrenaline in pancreatic cancer xenografts. These findings suggested that development and progression of PDAC is subject to significant modulation by stimulatory stress neurotransmitters. Here we demonstrate that nicotine abrogates the apoptotic activity of gemcitabine, gefitinib, and meloxicam, which are standard therapy for PDAC, in a variety of human PDAC cell lines. We first evaluated the effect of gemcitabine, gefitinib and meloxicam on cell proliferation using a varied range of concentrations and timepoints on pancreatic cancer cell lines PANC-1 and BXPC-3. The results demonstrated that all the three anti-cancer drugs significantly inhibited the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells PANC-1 and BXPC-3. The IC50 values were determined for optimal concentration and timepoint. It was next examined whether chronic nicotine could confer protection against apoptosis induced by gemcitabine, gefitinib, and meloxicam, which are widely used to treat PDAC. Cells were stimulated with 1 µM nicotine (pre-determined concentration) in the presence or absence of the IC50 concentrations of the indicated drugs. Our results indicated that nicotine suppresses apoptosis induced by gemcitabine, gefitinib, and meloxicam in pancreatic cancer cells, as measured by TUNEL assays, viability assays and western blotting of apoptosis associated proteins. In conclusion, the antiapoptotic effects of nicotine, negatively impacts the chemosensitivity of PDAC cells against anticancer drugs. These findings suggest that continued exposure to nicotine during cancer therapy may significantly reduce the responsiveness to anti-cancer agents. This work is supported by grants RO1CA130888 and RO1CA042829 with the National Cancer Institute. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1010. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-1010
Localization and characterization of the binding site for the regulatory subunit of type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase on MAP2

Abstract Microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) binds, and is a substrate for, type 11 cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The structural domain in MAP2 that binds the regulatory subunit (RII) of protein kinase If was identified by expressing fragments of a human MAP2 cDNA in E. coli using the pATH11 vector. Fusion proteins were resolved by SDS-PAGE and transferred to nitrocellulose. The filters were probed with purified bovine heart or brain RII, anti-RII monoclonal antibodies, and 125 I-labeled protein A. Binding of RII was localized to a 31 amino acid sequence near the N-terminus of the MAP2 molecule. Fusion proteins containing this fragment bound both heart and brain Rlls in a concentrationdependent manner, but bound heart RII with a higher apparent affinity than brain RII. The amino acid sequence of this fragment (DRETAEEVSARIVQVVTAEAV AVLKGEQEKE) is totally conserved between human and mouse MAP2, suggesting an important role for the RII binding site of MAP2 in neuronal function.
Culture, Words and Understanding

Goddard's (1997) comparative analysis of English and Malay surprise words is critically evaluated. While his major aim to overcome ethnocentric semantic comparisons is generally laudable, the metho...
Measurement of built-in electric field in base of Si/GexSi1–x/Si HBT with linearly-graded Ge profile

An experimental method is presented for the direct measurement of the built-in electric field in Si/GexSi1–x/Si heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBT) with a linearly-graded Ge profile. The method is based on a comparison of the DC and AC characteristics of Si/GexSi1–x/Si HBTs and reference Si bipolar transistors with the same geometry and doping profiles. The built-in field is determined independently of the density of states, minority-carrier mobility, and heavy-doping effects.
Fiber Opt Ic Chemical Sensors For Industrial And Process Control

Fiber Optic Sensors Have Been Developed For Monitoring In-Plant Gaseous Emissions Of Ammonia, Formaldehyde, Organohalides, Hydrogen Sulfide, Carbon Dioxide, Oxygen And Nitrogen Dioxide. In Addition, Industrial, Process Control Sensors For Real-Time Process Or Effluent Monii0R1Ng Have Been Developed For Measuring The Aqueous Concentrations Of Such Ions As H+, Na4, K+, Uov, As Well As Organohalides. Some Of 1Hese Fiber Optic Sensors, Or Optrodes, Are Reversible And Are Engineered To Remain In Place For Periods Up 10 One Year. Other Op1Rodes Are Nonreversible And Require Replacemen1 Of 1He Sensor Tip Every 1-2 Days. The Design And Sensitivity Of Selected Optrodes Are Described As Well As Applications.
Caught in the cross fire—When HR practitioners become targets of bullying

© 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/ert.21349 Recent studies about the prevalence of workplace bullying have confirmed that between 27 percent1 and 35 percent2 of employees in the United States report that they have been the target of bullying at work. Although there are several studies of bullying among US employees at large, there are only a few that examine bullying and its impact among HR professionals. The most recent study found that 36 percent of the 526 practitioners responding to a LinkedIn poll reported that they had been bullied at work.3 In addition, a study conducted in 2008 reported a prevalence rate among HR practitioners of 80 percent.4
Thermal, mechanical, and rheological comparison of stereoblock flexible polypropylenes

For medical fluid delivery applications, clear materials with both low modulus and high temperature resistance are highly sought after. Many of the currently available materials are either optically opaque, or far too expensive to be suited for the majority of applications. The recently available stereoblock homo-polypropylene polymers, where atactic and isotactic sequences are placed on the main-chain, present an attractive opportunity. We have examined some of these commercial as well as experimental polymers by thermal analysis, rheology and mechanical analysis for their potential suitability in medical applications.
Currents and Voltages in the Power Switches of Static Inverters

Static inverters are used in many applications where continuous voltage must be converted to alternating voltage, such as no break and emergency ac power supplies. Switching semiconductors are the usual means of producing the alternating voltage. Currents in the semiconductors and the dc source are of interest to both the designer and user of the inverter. Analytical means are used to derive quantitative expressions for current values of interest in a typical inverter circuit.
Belief in Lunar Effects on Human Behavior

Questionnaires sent to 325 people indicated that 140 people (43%) held the personal belief that lunar phenomena alter individual behavior. Specifically, mental health professionals (social workers, master's clinical psychologists, nurses' aides, LPNs) held this belief more strongly than other occupational groups.
Topographical representation of the peripheral nerve branches of the facial nucleus of the opossum: a study utilizing horseradish peroxidase

Abstract The main facial nucleus of a marsupial, the North American opossum ( Didelphis marsupialis virginiana ), was subdivided into 6 portions by localizing HRP-positive neurons after injecting all muscles supplied by each major peripheral motor branch of the facial nerve. In the medial lobe of this dumbbell-shaped nucleus the caudal auricular nerve, rostral auricular ramus and cervical ramus were represented dorsemedially, dorsolaterally and ventrally, respectively. The lateral lobe contained zygomatic ramus cells dorsemedially, marginal mandibular ramus cells ventromedially and buccal rami cells laterally. The cells supplying the caudal digastric muscle were in the accessory facial nucleus. Thus, even though the facial nucleus of the opossum lacks distinct ramal subdivisions in Nissl preparations, such are evident after HRP labeling.