cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SOME INHIBITORY EFFECTS OF ATTENTIVE FACTORS ON EXPERIMENTAL EPILEPSY.

SUMMARY Kittens with epileptogenic lesions and electroencephalographic 3/sec spike wave discharges like petit mal pattern as well as adult cats with epileptogenic lesions and paroxysmal spike wave discharges were subjected to specific study. Attentive factors (visual, acoustic, olfactory and skin stimulation) had a high inhibitory effect on 3/sec spike wave discharges and on some types of paroxysmal spike wave discharges. Also the stimulation of the mesencephalic reticular formation showed evidence of inhibitory effect on the epileptiform activity previously described. The topical application of acetyl-choline into the epileptogenic focus produces activation of epileptiform discharges. Also some sensory stimulation (photic, acoustic and tooth stimulation) provokes activation of 3/sec spike and wave discharges which are associated with accelerated liberations of free acetyl-choline. The inhibitory effect of y-aminobutyric acid on 3/sec spike wave and paroxysmal discharges had been considered as dependent on the activation of the non-specific system. RESUME Des chatons ayant des lesions epileptogenes et des decharges electroencephalogra-phiques de pointes-ondes de 3/sec du type petit mal et, tout aussi bien, des chats adultes avec lesions epileptogenes et decharges de pointes-ondes paroxysmales ont fait l'objet d'une etude specifique. Des facteurs d'attention (visuelle, acoustique, olfactive et une stimulation de la peau) ont un effet inhibiteur eleve sur les decharges de pointes-ondes de 3/sec et sur quelques types de decharges de pointes-ondes paroxysmales. La stimulation de la formation reticulaire mesencephalique a presente, de meme, l'evidence d'un effet inhibiteur sur l'activiteepileptiforme decrite auparavant. L'application topique de l'acetylcholine dans le focus epileptogene produit une activation de decharges epileptiformes. Une certaine stimulation sensorielle (lumineu-se, acoustique ou stimulation des dents) provoque de meme une activation des decharges de pointes-ondes de 3/sec qui sont associeAes a une liberation acceleree d'acetylcholine libre. L'effet inhibiteur de l'acide gamma-amino-butyrique sur les decharges paroxysmales de pointes-ondes de 3/sec a ete considere comme dependant de l'activation du systeme non-specifique.
Tricuspid Valve Repair for Ebstein’s Anomaly in Young Children: A 30-Year Experience

Background The purpose of this study was to examine early and late outcome of tricuspid valve repair for Ebstein's anomaly in young children. Methods Between October 1974 and November 2003, 52 children (25 boys) underwent tricuspid valve repair and annuloplasty for Ebstein's anomaly. Mean age was 7.1 ± 3.9 years (range, 5 months to 12 years). Concomitant procedures included atrial septal defect closure (n = 46), division of accessory conduction pathways (n = 4), ventricular septal defect closure (n = 3), and other (n = 7). Results Early mortality was 5.8% (3 of 52 patients; no mortality since 1984, n=31). Risk factors were age younger than 2.5 years ( p = 0.03) and weight less than 10.7 kg ( p = 0.03). Morbidity included transient atrial (n = 11) and ventricular arrhythmias (n = 5), and early reoperation in 3 patients. There was no need for a permanent pacemaker. Mean follow-up was 12.2 ± 7.4 years (maximum, 24.3 years). Actuarial survival at 5, 10, and 15 years was 92.3% ± 3.7%, 89.9% ± 4.3%, and 89.9% ± 4.3%, respectively. Freedom from all reoperations at 5, 10, and 15 years was 91.0% ± 4.3%, 76.9% ± 6.8%, and 61.4% ± 8.8%, respectively. Moderate (grade II) or more tricuspid regurgitation on dismissal echocardiogram was the only risk factor for reoperation ( p = 0.04). Tricuspid stenosis did not occur in any patient. At late follow-up, 89% of patients were in New York Heart Association class I or II. Conclusions Ebstein's anomaly in young children can now be repaired with low mortality and good tricuspid valve durability. Tricuspid regurgitation at the completion of operation should be mild or less to minimize need for reoperation. Tricuspid valve repair and annuloplasty did not result in stenosis despite somatic growth. Most patients enjoy an excellent quality of life.
Immunogenicity of a Psoralen-Inactivated Dengue Virus Type 1 Vaccine Candidate in Mice

We evaluated a novel psoralen-inactivated dengue virus type 1 (DENV-1) vaccine candidate in Mus musculus mice. Mice received intradermal alum or 5 to 10 ng of psoralen-inactivated virus. Anti-DENV-1 neutralizing antibody was detectable in 10/11 mice receiving a 10-ng dose at 90 days. Psoralen-inactivated DENV-1 is immunogenic in mice.
Adenosine receptors and fibrosis: a translational review

Adenosine—a purine nucleoside generated extracellularly from adenine nucleotides released by cells as a result of direct stimulation, hypoxia, trauma, or metabolic stress—is a well-known physiologic and pharmacologic agent. Recent studies demonstrate that adenosine, acting at its receptors, promotes wound healing by stimulating both angiogenesis and matrix production. Subsequently, adenosine and its receptors have also been found to promote fibrosis (excess matrix production) in the skin, lungs, and liver, but to diminish cardiac fibrosis. A commonly ingested adenosine receptor antagonist, caffeine, blocks the development of hepatic fibrosis, an effect that likely explains the epidemiologic finding that coffee drinking, in a dose-dependent fashion, reduces the likelihood of death from liver disease. Accordingly, adenosine may be a good target for therapies that prevent fibrosis of the lungs, liver, and skin.
A phase I comparative study of contraceptive vaginal films containing benzalkonium chloride and nonoxynol-9: Postcoital testing and colposcopy

Abstract Benzalkonium chloride (BZK) has been shown in in vitro and in vivo studies to immobilize sperm, to be active against STD-causing organisms, and to penetrate and thicken cervical mucus. A US clinical study of a sponge containing 60 mg BZK showed life table pregnancy rates at 6 and 12 months of 11.7 and 18.9 per 100 women, respectively. BZK is not currently marketed in the US as a contraceptive. The present study aimed to assess 1) the ability of a new contraceptive vaginal film containing either of two doses of BZK to prevent the penetration of sperm into midcycle cervical mucus; 2) the effect of the film on the vaginal epithelium; and 3) the acceptability of the film. All results were compared with VCF ® , a currently marketed film containing nonoxynol-9 (N-9). Ten women underwent two baseline cycles of postcoital testing in which no film was used, followed by three test cycles in which Allendale-BZK film, a new film containing either 19 or 25 mg BZK, or VCF, containing 70 mg N-9, was used. The sequence of testing cycles was randomized. In each cycle, condoms were used prior to midcycle, then a midcycle cervical mucus specimen was examined to ensure midcycle characteristics and the absence of sperm. Each woman then had intercourse using either no film (baseline cycles) or a test film (test cycles) and returned 2–3 h afterwards. Cervical mucus was again assessed for adequacy and the presence of sperm. Each woman also underwent colposcopy, using a protocol developed by the World Health Organization. The average number of progressively motile sperm seen per high power field was as follows: first baseline cycle, 22.2; second baseline cycle, 22.1; test cycle with film containing 19 mg BZK, 0.2; test cycle with film containing 25 mg BZK, 0.0; and test cycle with VCF containing 70 mg N-9, 0.0. There was no significant difference between baseline cycles or among test cycles in the average number of progressively motile sperm seen (p = 0.78 and p ≥ 0.75, respectively). The average number of progressively motile sperm seen in each test cycle did, however, differ significantly from the average number seen in either baseline cycle (p A vaginal contraceptive containing either 19 or 25 mg BZK in a new film base appears to be comparable with VCF in preventing sperm from entering midcycle cervical mucus and may be somewhat less disruptive to the vaginal epithelium.
A Foot Placement Planning Algorithm for a Walking Quadruped Rover

This paper describes a foot placement planning algorithm that has been designed for a walking rover. The algorithm guides the rover over rocky terrain using a local height map and a foot placement search algorithm. A receding horizon method is used to plan the general motion of the rover while the search algorithm is used to determine specific foot placements. The paper presents several techniques, chiefly a map preprocessor, to increase the speed of the algorithm while maintaining stable foot placement results.
Main memory database recovery algorithms and their performance

In main memory systems recovery becomes more complex mainly due to the volatility of main memory and the elimination of the separation of data storage (disk) and data processing locations (main memory). In a disk based database system, it is the disk copy that represents the stable database restored after a system failure; but in MDBSs, the main memory copy of the database must be recovered. The paper discusses the recovery issues in MDBSs and presents a somewhat detailed performance study of two recovery algorithms, one using a shadow approach and the other update-in-place. >
Communication About the Military: People and Media in the Flow of Information

The relative roles of mass media and interpersonal communication in the transmission of information about war and the armed forces are evaluated using data from a sample of the population of the Detroit Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area. Little interpersonal discussion was found to take place regarding military affairs. The most common source of information was found to be the printed media, with the visual media second most important. The data suggest that a "one-step" rather than a "two-step" flow model best represents communication about the military.
Cultural Variation and Similarity in Moral Rhetorics Voices from the Philippines and the United States

Past research on morality has emphasized a single justice-based moral ethic. Expanding this conception of morality, Shweder has proposed a universal taxonomy of three moral rhetorics related to justice, interdependence, and purity. Five studies tested the hypothesis that American morality emphasizes the justice-based rhetoric, whereas Filipino morality is represented by all three rhetorics. In the first three studies, American examples were modally justice based, whereas Filipinos generated examples in approximately equal proportions from each rhetoric. In Study 4, Americans rated justice-based rules higher on criteria of morality than rules from other rhetorics; Filipinos rated rules from all three rhetorics as moral. In Study 5, the association between anger and moral violations was stronger for Americans than for Filipinos, consistent with American emphasis on the moral stature of justice. Discussion focused on the origins and consequences of the American emphasis on rights and the balanced representat...
Influence of profile shape on the bandwidth of a rotationally symmetric monopole

Rotationally symmetric antennas with asymptotically conical feed regions exhibit broadband impedance properties that are useful in many applications. The influence of the profile shape on the performance of this type of antenna has been investigated to some extent [1, 2]; but, for rotationally symmetric antennas, this has been limited to a few well-known designs, notably the “volcano smoke” monopole of Kraus [3], and the “asymptotic conical dipole” (ACD) of Baum [4]. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the combined effect of alterations in the profile and of resistive loading on the impedance bandwidth. To accomplish this, analysis was carried out on a consistent modeling platform using the method of moments on a class of monopole antennas driven by a coaxial feed port and constrained to fit within a fixed hemispherical volume.
Privacy and Ethical Issues in Database/Interactive Marketing and Public Policy: A Research Framework and Overview of the Special Issue

Abstract Privacy is a high-profile public policy issue that affects consumers and marketers. The emergence of online marketing brings new privacy concerns that have resulted in Federal Trade Commission scrutiny and review. At the same time, industry groups and associations have been active in self-regulation efforts. To highlight areas in which marketing researchers can add value to the public policy discussion on privacy, the author provides a research framework that highlights four aspects of information exchange between marketers and consumers. The author argues that improving exchange mechanisms will provide consumers with more control and the ability to make more informed trade-offs of personal information for benefits. Within this framework, the author provides an overview of the articles in this special issue and suggests avenues for further research.
A Hardware-Software Integrated Solution for Improved Single-Instruction Multi-Thread Processor Efficiency

This thesis proposes using an integrated hardware-software solution for improving Single-Instruction Multiple-Thread branching efficiency. Unlike current SIMT hardware branching architectures, this hardware-software solution allows programmers the ability to fine tune branching behavior for their application or allow the compiler to implement a generic software solution. To support a wide range of SIMT applications with different control flow properties, three branching methods are implemented in hardware with configurable software instructions. The three branching methods are the contemporary Post-Dominator Re-convergence that is currently implemented in SIMT processors, a proposed Hyperthreaded SIMT processor cores for maintaining statically allocated thread warps and a proposed Dynamic Micro-Kernels that modified thread warps during run-time execution. Each of the implemented branching methods have their strengths and weaknesses and result in different performance improvements depending on the application. SIMT hyper-threading turns a single SIMT processor core into multiple virtual processors. These virtual processors run divergent control flow paths in parallel from threads in the same warp. Controlling how the virtual processor cores are created is done using a per-warp stack that is managed through software instructions. Dynamic Micro-Kernels creates new threads at run-time to execute divergent control flow paths instead of using branching instructions. A spawn instruction is used to create threads at run-time and once created are placed into new warps with similar threads follow the same control flow path. This thesis's integrated hardware-software branching architectures are evaluated using different realistic benchmarks with varying control flow divergence. Synthetic benchmarks are also used for evaluation and are designed to test specific branching conditions and isolate common branching behaviors. Each of the hardware implemented branching solutions are tested in isolation using different software algorithms. Algorithms are designed for general purpose use or to target specific types of branching conditions. Results shows improved performance for divergent applications and using different software algorithms will affect performance.
Comments on Baseline Correction of Digital Strong-Motion Data: Examples from the 1999 Hector Mine, California, Earthquake

Residual displacements for large earthquakes can sometimes be determined from recordings on modern digital instruments, but baseline offsets of unknown origin make it difficult in many cases to do so. To recover the residual displacement, we suggest tailoring a correction scheme by studying the character of the velocity obtained by integration of zeroth-order-corrected acceleration and then seeing if the residual displacements are stable when the various parameters in the particular correction scheme are varied. For many seismological and engineering purposes, however, the residual displacements are of lesser importance than ground motions at periods less than about 20 sec. These ground motions are often recoverable with simple baseline correction and low-cut filtering. In this largely empirical study, we illustrate the consequences of various correction schemes, drawing primarily from digital recordings of the 1999 Hector Mine, California, earthquake. We show that with simple processing the displacement waveforms for this event are very similar for stations separated by as much as 20 km. We also show that a strong pulse on the transverse component was radiated from the Hector Mine earthquake and propagated with little distortion to distances exceeding 170 km; this pulse leads to large response spectral amplitudes around 10 sec.
Function of JAKs and STATs in Lymphocytes: Bench to Bedside

There are four members of Janus Kinase family (JAK-1, -2, -3 and TYK2) and seven members of STAT family (STAT-1, -2, -3, -4, -5a, -5b and -6) in the mammalian genome, each with unique functions in immune cells. Consistent with studies in mice, genetic evidence in humans has strongly linked the JAK/STAT pathway to primary immunodeficiencies, infection, autoimmunity and cancers. The following chapter will discuss the key role played by JAKs and STATs in the lymphocytes, with special emphasis on helper T cells, which are not only critical mediators of pathogenic inflammation, but also an outstanding model system for investigating JAK/STAT biology. Recent conceptual and technological advances will be highlighted, particularly those relating to human disease and the generation of JAK/STAT based therapeutics.
The Distribution, Ecology, and Taxonomy of Bryoria spiralifera and B. pseudocapillaris on the Samoa Peninsula, Humboldt Co., Coastal Northern California

Bryoria spiralifera Brodo & D. Hawksw and B. pseudocapillaris Brodo & D. Hawksw are two rare maritime lichens that were described from a small number of samples. This study describes the habitat and investigates chemical and morphological differences between the two species in the Picea sitchensis and Pinus contorta var. contorta forests of the Samoa Peninsula, location of the largest known population of B. spiralifera. Bryoria spiralifera is well distributed (100% frequency), and B. pseudocapillaris is less common (10% frequency) in each of the two stand types. Both species co-occur on the same branches, and both species are most abundant in high exposure sites such as forest edges along sand dunes and large canopy gaps. In Pinus contorta var. contorta stands, which tend to have open canopies, these two species are abundant, both in the understory as well as the upper canopy. In Picea sitchensis stands with more closed canopies, these species mostly occupy the upper canopy. Thin layer chromatography and logistic regression support the original hypothesis that B. spiralifera and B. pseudocapillaris are separate species. Thin layer chromatography showed that both species have distinctive, unshared secondary products. A logistic regression model finds several combinations of morphology as strong predictors of identity. Bryoria spiralifera is variable in regards to color and pseudocyphellae, but many have spiraling pseudocyphellae, while B. pseudocapillaris is mostly pale, with long, linear pseudocyphellae.
Destruction of Salmonella typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus in Poultry Products Cooked in a Conventional and Microwave Oven

Abstract Microwave cooking was effective in destroying Salmonella typhimurium inoculum (about 1 million cells per gram) in chicken loaf, roasted chicken, and egg custard, but a low count of 100 to 150 cfu/g was observed in chickenburgers. In contrast, most of the products tested had viable Staphylococcus aureus when microwave cooking was used but counts were generally low. Microwave cooking was not as effective as conventional cooking for destruction of test organisms used in this study.
Analysis of general characteristics for 263 cases with smer-positive pulmonary tuberculosis in Xicheng district,beijing

Objective To study the general characteristics of patients with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis in Xicheng district.To explore the differences in diagnosis time and situation of tracking in place between adult group and elderly group.Methods SPSS 11.5 software was used to analyse the general characteristics of patients with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis.Results Two hundred and sixty-three cases were recruited,which include 170 males and 93 females.Shichahai street accounted for the highest number of cases of 52(19.8%),where retirement patients occupied for the highest proportion of 35.0%.Fifty-one point three percent patients of all were diagnosed within two weeks.A total of 77.9% patients of all were tracked in place.The percentage of diagnosis within two weeks tracking in place in elderly group was significantly higher than that of the adult group,The percentage of tracking in place in The adult group was significantyl higher than that of the elderly group(P0.05).Conclusions The patients with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis in Xicheng district were mainly male.A proportion of patients in elderly group was higher than the other groups.The diagnosis of patients were timely,The general situation of tracking in place was good.
Lung injury-induced skeletal muscle wasting in aged mice is linked to alterations in long chain fatty acid metabolism

Older patients are more likely to acquire and die from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and muscle weakness may be more clinically significant in older persons. Recent data implicate muscle ring finger protein 1 (MuRF1) in lung injury-induced skeletal muscle atrophy in young mice and identify an alternative role for MuRF1 in cardiac metabolism regulation through inhibition of fatty acid oxidation. To develop a model of lung injury-induced muscle wasting in old mice and to evaluate the skeletal muscle metabolomic profile of adult and old acute lung injury (ALI) mice. Young (2 month), adult (6 month) and old (20 month) male C57Bl6 J mice underwent Sham (intratracheal H2O) or ALI [intratracheal E. coli lipopolysaccharide (i.t. LPS)] conditions and muscle functional testing. Metabolomic analysis on gastrocnemius muscle was performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Old ALI mice had increased mortality and failed to recover skeletal muscle function compared to adult ALI mice. Muscle MuRF1 expression was increased in old ALI mice at day 3. Non-targeted muscle metabolomics revealed alterations in amino acid biosynthesis and fatty acid metabolism in old ALI mice. Targeted metabolomics of fatty acid intermediates (acyl-carnitines) and amino acids revealed a reduction in long chain acyl-carnitines in old ALI mice. This study demonstrates age-associated susceptibility to ALI-induced muscle wasting which parallels a metabolomic profile suggestive of altered muscle fatty acid metabolism. MuRF1 activation may contribute to both atrophy and impaired fatty acid oxidation, which may synergistically impair muscle function in old ALI mice.
An over-sampling adaptive pre-emphasis technique for multi-drop bus communication system

This paper presents an over-sampling adaptive pre-emphasis technique for multi-drop bus communication between electronic control unit (ECU) and automotive actuators. Each actuator transmits the training pattern separately and decision feedback equalizer (DFE) in ECU analyzes the transmission characteristic of each path. DFE-like pre-emphasis circuit transmits the pre-emphasized signal to compensate the loss of transmission line. In actuator side, there is no equalization circuit because it receives equalized signal. Since this architecture employs an oversampling DFE and low pass filter for bandwidth limitation, ECU can provide the wide opening eye pattern even in multi-drop topology which has sharp drop in the transmission characteristic due to stub. In our simulation results, it can equalize the eye to the 0.06 UI jitter and 81 % eye height in the 3m stub multi-drop topology at 50 Mbps.
The Mechanism of Action of Thyroid Hormones on Protein Synthesis and Its Relationship to the Differences in Sensitivities of Mature and Immature Brain

The thyroid hormones produce profound and diverse effects on the biochemical processes of most cells and tissues of the mammalian organism. These effects are nowhere more apparent then in the central nervous system, where the hormones play an essential role in the structural and functional maturation of the brain.(1) The immature brain responds to thyroid hormones not only with the characteristic augmentation of metabolic rate,(2) but also with major morphological transformations reminiscent of amphibian metamorphosis.(1) In contrast, once developed to maturity, the brain no longer exhibits any metabolic responsiveness to the thyroid hormones. (2–7)
Chapter 7 – Controlling Nanoparticle Exposures

This chapter focuses on control measures for airborne nanoparticles in work environments. It discusses the hierarchy of control measures and ways to prioritize control options within that hierarchy. The suitability of different types of control measures for reducing nanoparticle exposures is considered. In particular, the ability of filters to capture airborne nanoparticles is reviewed.
Cell therapy in kidney transplantation: Focus on regulatory T cells

Renal transplantation is the renal replacement modality of choice for suitable candidates with advanced CKD or ESRD. Prevention of rejection, however, requires treatment with nonspecific pharmacologic immunosuppressants that carry both systemic and nephrologic toxicities. Use of a patient's own suppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs) is an attractive biologic approach to reduce this burden. Here, we review the immunologic underpinnings of Treg therapy and technical challenges to developing successful cell therapy. These issues include the selection of appropriate Treg subsets, ex vivo Treg expansion approaches, how many Tregs to administer and when, and how to care for patients after Treg administration.
Effect of Statin Treatment vs Usual Care on Primary Cardiovascular Prevention Among Older Adults: The ALLHAT-LLT Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance While statin therapy for primary cardiovascular prevention has been associated with reductions in cardiovascular morbidity, the effect on all-cause mortality has been variable. There is little evidence to guide the use of statins for primary prevention in adults 75 years and older. Objectives To examine statin treatment among adults aged 65 to 74 years and 75 years and older when used for primary prevention in the Lipid-Lowering Trial (LLT) component of the Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT-LLT). Design, Setting, and Participants Post hoc secondary data analyses were conducted of participants 65 years and older without evidence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease; 2867 ambulatory adults with hypertension and without baseline atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease were included. The ALLHAT-LLT was conducted from February 1994 to March 2002 at 513 clinical sites. Interventions Pravastatin sodium (40 mg/d) vs usual care (UC). Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome in the ALLHAT-LLT was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes included cause-specific mortality and nonfatal myocardial infarction or fatal coronary heart disease combined (coronary heart disease events). Results There were 1467 participants (mean [SD] age, 71.3 [5.2] years) in the pravastatin group (48.0% [n = 704] female) and 1400 participants (mean [SD] age, 71.2 [5.2] years) in the UC group (50.8% [n = 711] female). The baseline mean (SD) low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were 147.7 (19.8) mg/dL in the pravastatin group and 147.6 (19.4) mg/dL in the UC group; by year 6, the mean (SD) low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were 109.1 (35.4) mg/dL in the pravastatin group and 128.8 (27.5) mg/dL in the UC group. At year 6, of the participants assigned to pravastatin, 42 of 253 (16.6%) were not taking any statin; 71.0% in the UC group were not taking any statin. The hazard ratios for all-cause mortality in the pravastatin group vs the UC group were 1.18 (95% CI, 0.97-1.42; P = .09) for all adults 65 years and older, 1.08 (95% CI, 0.85-1.37; P = .55) for adults aged 65 to 74 years, and 1.34 (95% CI, 0.98-1.84; P = .07) for adults 75 years and older. Coronary heart disease event rates were not significantly different among the groups. In multivariable regression, the results remained nonsignificant, and there was no significant interaction between treatment group and age. Conclusions and Relevance No benefit was found when pravastatin was given for primary prevention to older adults with moderate hyperlipidemia and hypertension, and a nonsignificant direction toward increased all-cause mortality with pravastatin was observed among adults 75 years and older. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT00000542
Biofluid pretreatment using gradient insulator-based dielectrophoresis: separating cells from biomarkers.

Blood is one of the most important biofluids used for clinical diagnostics. Cells and proteins in the blood can provide a rich source of information for the evaluation of human health. Efficient separation of blood components is a necessary process in order to minimize the interference of unwanted components during sensing, separation, and detection. In this paper, an insulator-based gradient dielectrophoretic device has been applied to separate red blood cells from model protein biomarkers for myocardial infarction in buffer. Within one min, red blood cells are largely depleted regardless of the minimum adherence on the channel wall. Considering the adhered red blood cells will not be transported further, a purified protein solution can be delivered for potential downstream processing or detection.
Gastrointestinal cancer: epidemiology and experimental studies.

Cancer rates seem to be influenced by two counteractive types of agents: 1. carcinogens, that cause increasing rates for increasing exposure 2. anticarcinogens, that reduce the effects of the carcinogens
Joint production, land allocation, and the effects of the production flexibility program

An empirical land allocation model is developed and fit to production data of the top five crops in the USA and to crop output prices adjusted for direct payments and subsidies. The land allocation model based on the theory of the multiproduct firm allows for jointness in production, and it is extended to handle non-allocable inputs. Specifically, the model is used to analyze whether the Food Security Act of 1985, known as the 1985 Farm Bill, increased flexibility in land allocation decisions by comparing responsiveness of land allocation among the crops, before and after the passage of the 1885 Farm Bill, to changes in total land availability and changes in crop output prices. The results confirm that a structural change in land allocation dynamics took place after the passage of the 1985 Farm Bill. We show that more crops (wheat and soybeans, in particular) become more acreage responsive to the changes in total land available for production after 1985. For example, the results indicate that competition for acreage between corn and wheat is associated with the implementation of the 1985 Farm Bill. The results provide evidence that the onset of the increased acreage allocation flexibility by farmers originated in the policies of the 1985 Farm Bill. The study also demonstrates that a policy targeting a particular crop will inadvertently affect production of other crops. This study quantifies these indirect effects on the five major crops grown in the USA.
Golpe de Gracia ( Coupe de Grâce ): A Search for Justice and Independence

Golpe de gracia , by Colombian writer Jaime Alejandro Rodriguez Ruiz, is a landmark of Latin American electronic literature. In it, Rodriguez Ruiz integrates the latest developments in technology and electronic literature without losing sight of the use of language, plot and themes. In contrast with other Latin American digital narratives which were originally written texts, Golpe de gracia is built on the premise that this narrative is digital and as such should take advantage of all the available tools to bring this type of narrative to life. To accomplish this goal, Rodriguez Ruiz has incorporated games, animation, a wiki, a blog and a sophisticated layer of narratives that challenge the reader’s interpretation of the various stories and metaphors within them.
Coherent beam combining of fiber lasers

There is continuing interest in increasing the power and improving the beam quality of laser sources for a variety of applications including materials processing, pumping, power transmission, and illumination. One approach is to continue to develop improved lasers with higher power and good beam quality. Another approach, particularly relevant to semiconductor and fiber lasers, is to beam combine large arrays of lasers. Beam combining has become increasing viable over the past decade as the community has developed a better understanding of the requirements imposed by beam combining, and various implementations have been successfully demonstrated in the laboratory.
Implementing peer-led team learning in introductory computer science courses

This paper describes the implementation of Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) in the first two introductory programming courses at Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi in an attempt to attract and retain competent computer science majors through cooperative and active learning sessions. Preliminary results suggest that the students participating in the PLTL program are directly benefiting from the learning experiences facilitated by the peer leaders.
Towards a faith-based understanding of moral injury:

In recent years, the issue of moral injury (MI) has garnered considerable attention, especially as related to the military experiences of Service Members and Veterans. This brief communication is intended to provide an overview of Christian, Jewish, and Islamic understandings of MI. The intent is to draw attention to a faith-based etiology for MI, thereby facilitating dialogue and discussion on the relevance of spiritual and pastoral care to supporting those affected by MI.
Differences in Caregiving Outcomes and Experiences by Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether caregiving experiences and their health-related outcomes differ by sexual orientation and gender identity in a representative U.S. caregiver sample. Methods: A secondary data analysis was performed of the cross-sectional, nationally representative National Alliance for Caregiving online survey that was conducted in 2014. To account for the study design, we used sampling weights and then added propensity score weighting to account for imbalances between LGBT respondents and their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts, that is, non-LGBT caregivers. Outcomes consisted of caregivers' self-reported health, financial strain, physical strain, and emotional stress. Results: LGBT caregivers were significantly younger, more racially and ethnically diverse, less likely to be married, and more likely to be of low socioeconomic status than their non-LGBT counterparts. Caregiving experiences and intensity were similar, but after controlling for demo...
Effects of Activation of Preferred Stimulus on Tummy Time Behavior of an Infant with Down Syndrome and Associated Hypotonia.

Infants with Down syndrome often have low muscle tone (hypotonia) and need activities designed to increase muscle tone (e.g., tummy time). However, no study has examined the effects of strategies designed to increase of tummy time for this population. The current study investigated activation of a preferred toy as a strategy to increase head lifting during tummy time for a 5-month-old with Down syndrome and associated hypotonia. The intervention was successful and is a promising early strategy for addressing hypotonia in infants with Down syndrome. • Infants with Down syndrome often have associated hypotonia, or poor muscle tone. • “Tummy time” is widely described as an important activity for motor development in early infancy. • Activating preferred stimuli during tummy time increased head lifting in an infant with Down syndrome and hypotonia. • Activation of a preferred stimulus is an easy intervention that parents can use to enhance tummy time.
Practical guide to dynamic pelvic floor MRI

Pelvic floor dysfunction encompasses a spectrum of functional disorders that result from impairment of the ligaments, fasciae, and muscles supporting the pelvic organs. It is a prevalent disorder that carries a lifetime risk over 10% for undergoing a surgical repair. Pelvic floor weakness presents as a wide range of symptoms, including pain, pelvic pressure or bulging, urinary and fecal incontinence, constipation, and sexual dysfunction. A correct diagnosis by clinical examination alone can be challenging, particularly in cases involving multiple compartments. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows noninvasive, radiation-free, high soft-tissue resolution evaluation of all three pelvic compartments, and has proved a reliable technique for accurate diagnosis of pelvic floor dysfunction. MR defecography with steady-state sequences allows detailed anatomic and functional evaluation of the pelvic floor. This article provides an overview of normal anatomy and function of the pelvic floor and discusses a practical approach to the evaluation of imaging findings of pelvic floor relaxation, pelvic organ prolapse, fecal incontinence, and obstructed defecation. Level of evidence 5 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1155-1170.
Perseverative Cognitions and Stress Exposure: Comparing Relationships With Psychological Health Across a Diverse Adult Sample.

Author(s): Zawadzki, Matthew J; Sliwinski, Martin J; Smyth, Joshua M | Abstract: BackgroundBoth exposure to stress and perseverative cognitions (PCs)-repetitive cognitive representations of real or imagined stressors-are linked with poor psychological health. Yet, stress exposure and PCs are correlated, thus potentially obscuring any unique effects.PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to concurrently test associations between stress exposure and PCs and psychological health to examine the independent relationship of each with psychological health. Moreover, we examined whether these relationships are similar across sex, age, and race.MethodsAn adult community sample (n = 302) completed a measure of stress exposure, three PCs scales, and questionnaires assessing self-reported psychological health, including emotional well-being, vitality, social functioning, role limitations due to personal problems, subjective well-being, depressive symptoms, and poor sleep quality.ResultsStructural equation modeling was used to test a model in which both stress exposure and PCs predict psychological health. PCs consistently predicted all the psychological health outcomes, but stress was largely unrelated to the outcomes despite bivariate correlations suggesting a relationship. A follow-up model identified indirect effects of stress exposure on psychological health via PCs. Results were fairly consistent regardless of one's sex, age, or race.ConclusionsPCs robustly predicted all of the psychological health outcomes, intimating PCs as a common pathway to poor psychological health. Results have implications for stress interventions, including the need to address PCs after experiencing stress.
Sense of Purpose Among Female Students Belonging to Minority Ethnic and Buddhist Backgrounds

The present study explored sense of purpose among female college students belonging to minority ethnic and Buddhist backgrounds. The participants’ experiences regarding the interpretation, role, an...
Primary cilia are necessary for Prx1-expressing cells to contribute to postnatal skeletogenesis

Although Prx1 (also known as PRRX1)-expressing cells and their primary cilia are critical for embryonic development, they have yet to be studied in the context of postnatal skeletogenesis owing to the lethality of mouse models. A tamoxifen-inducible Prx1 model has been developed, and we determined that expression directed by this promoter is highly restricted to the cambium layers in the periosteum and perichondrium after birth. To determine the postnatal role of these cambium layer osteochondroprogenitors (CLOPs) and their primary cilia, we developed models to track the fate of CLOPs (Prx1CreER-GFP;Rosa26tdTomato) and selectively disrupt their cilia (Prx1CreER-GFP;Ift88fl/fl). Our tracking studies revealed that CLOPs populate cortical and trabecular bone, the growth plate and secondary ossification centers during the normal program of postnatal skeletogenesis. Furthermore, animals lacking CLOP cilia exhibit stunted limb growth due to disruptions in endochondral and intramembranous ossification. Histological examination indicates that growth is stunted due to limited differentiation, proliferation and/or abnormal hypertrophic differentiation in the growth plate. Collectively, our results suggest that CLOPs are programmed to rapidly populate distant tissues and produce bone via a primary cilium-mediated mechanism in the postnatal skeleton.
Electrophoresis of DNA and RNA Fragments

Characterization of DNA and RNA samples usually involves electrophoretic analysis. This chapter reviews basic principles and applications of electrophoresis, distinguishing between single field and pulsed field techniques. Also included is a review of the various matrices commonly used in molecular biology (agarose, acrylamide, Hydro-Link™). Methods of purification, detection and identification are discussed.
Olfactory Receptor Mechanisms

The olfactory system displays a dramatically sensitive and selective recognition system for odorants. Animals can detect and discriminate thousands of odorants, some at ambient concentrations as low as one part per trillion (1 ppt). While numerous theories have been advanced to explain this sensitivity and selectivity (Amoore, 1982), remarkably few direct experimental data support any specific molecular mechanism. It is not known whether the nose possesses thousands of distinct olfactory receptors or whether the influence of odorants on a small population of receptors can account for our ability to discriminate among large numbers of odorants.
Public Health and Trans-People: Barriers to Care and Strategies to Improve Treatment

The first half of this chapter is intended to familiarize public health practitioners, researchers, and students with the central issues of concern for an often stigmatized and marginalized group of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals, that is, trans-people. The second half of the chapter suggests ways to improve their health and well-being. Note that use of the terms transgender and transsexual varies from person to person, regardless of a person’s desires to use medical resources to transition from one social gender to another. Therefore, throughout this chapter trans is used as a shorthand term to refer to transgender and/or transsexual people. I also recognize that there is great diversity among trans-people. This chapter refers most specifically to those who have transitioned socially from one gender to another. When a trans-person does not identify as either a man or a woman, gender-neutral pronouns are used (e.g., sie and hir). I begin with a review of what is known about public health and trans-people from recent studies.
The Role of Self in Alcohol Use

The role of self in alcohol use has become a renewed focus of theoretical and research concern. The present chapter will attempt to review and integrate many of the recent studies and, we hope, will serve to stimulate research in new and useful directions. We will begin by considering the relation between alcohol consumption and one’s self-image. Three issues will be central to the discussion: Are people with low self-esteem and poor self-concepts more likely to drink? Is the state of intoxication associated with an improved view of oneself? Do social drinkers and alcoholics differ with regard to these effects? The next section of the chapter will consider two recent theories that postulate the construct of self as key in understanding some motivations to consume alcohol: the self-handicapping model of alcohol use and the self-awareness model of alcohol use. We will review evidence on each of these models and try to present issues that we feel are important for future research to resolve. Finally, we will briefly consider models that incorporate the notion of self-regulation in their accounts of the effects of alcohol consumption on social behavior. According to one point of view, alcohol consumption results in socially inappropriate behavior by virtue of its pharmacological effect of disrupting cognitive processes related to self-regulation. According to a second point of view, the perception that one is consuming alcohol results in self-regulation with respect to a deviant behavioral standard because it provides an excuse to engage in behavior that is not normally sanctioned.
Elastic-viscoplastic torsion for a Sokolovsky's oval section

An approximate method of solution is used for the quasi-static torsion problem of a viscoplastic bar. After linearization, the governing equation is integrated and reduces to aPoisson equation. If the curvilinear coordinate system, made of the contours and the generators of the corresponding torsion function for a perfectly plastic material, is used, a closed form solution for the time-dependent torsion function can be found. The smoothness condition for the torsion function can also be established. As an example, theSokolovsky's oval is solved under the time-dependent twist. A variational equation can be seen similar to the case of perfectly plastic material.
Optimal regulation of blood glucose level in Type I diabetes using insulin and glucagon.

The Glucose-Insulin-Glucagon nonlinear model accurately describes how the body responds to exogenously supplied insulin and glucagon in patients affected by Type I diabetes. Based on this model, we design infusion rates of either insulin (monotherapy) or insulin and glucagon (dual therapy) that can optimally maintain the blood glucose level within desired limits after consumption of a meal and prevent the onset of both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. This problem is formulated as a nonlinear optimal control problem, which we solve using the numerical optimal control package PSOPT. Interestingly, in the case of monotherapy, we find the optimal solution is close to the standard method of insulin based glucose regulation, which is to assume a variable amount of insulin half an hour before each meal. We also find that the optimal dual therapy (that uses both insulin and glucagon) is better able to regulate glucose as compared to using insulin alone. We also propose an ad-hoc rule for both the dosage and the time of delivery of insulin and glucagon.
Safety and Feasibility of a Nonpledgeted Suture Technique for Heart Valve Replacement.

This medical record review assesses the safety and feasibility of using nonpledgeted sutures for patients undergoing heart valve replacement.