cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trends in the Incidence of Colorectal Cancer in Relation to County-Level Poverty among Blacks and Whites

ABSTRACT Objective: The overall incidence of colorectal cancer has been decreasing rapidly in the United States since 1998. The extent to which the recent accelerated decline varies by socioeconomic status has not been examined. We analyzed trends in colorectal cancer incidence rates from 1992-2004 by area socioeconomic status, race, gender and stage at diagnosis. Methods: Incidence data from 13 Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results reporting areas were used to examine temporal trends in age-standardized colorectal cancer incidence rates from 1992-2004 by race, gender, stage at diagnosis and 3 levels of county poverty (counties with Results: Among whites, colorectal cancer incidence rates decreased in both men and women residing in low- and moderate-poverty areas. The decrease involved both early- and late-stage disease in men and late-stage disease in women. In contrast, among those residing in high-poverty areas incidence rates increased for early-stage disease in men; rates were stable for late-stage disease in men and for both categories of stage in women. Among blacks, incidence rates decreased only in men residing in low-poverty areas. Conclusions: The recent decrease in colorectal cancer incidence has not yet benefited persons residing in high-poverty areas. Additional effort is needed to extend prevention and early detection measures to all segments of the population.
Enhanced resistance artery sensitivity to agonists under isobaric compared with isometric conditions

We have compared the responsiveness of rabbit mesenteric resistance arteries with agonists under isometric and isobaric conditions. When pressurized (60 mmHg), arteries spontaneously reduced their ...
Asia Pacific Regional Security Environment and Security Architecture: Choices and Prospects

Does the Asia Pacific region need a new regional security architecture, and if so, what form should it take? The question of resolving or at least managing the regional security environment has become more important as calls for new security arrangements are being made in response to the changing dynamics which affects the region’s stability. Various security challenges brought about by the rise of China and India, the growing recognition of the impact by transnational and non-traditional security concerns along with traditional security concerns such as the potential conflict in the South China Sea and the instability of the Korean Peninsula have heightened the awareness of policymakers, scholars and analysts to the region’s shortcomings in terms of institutional arrangements designed to resolve potential crisis. The ASEAN Regional Forum’s redirection to focusing on non-traditional security concerns and wariness towards moving to preventive diplomacy has made supporters and critics alike to think of regional security architecture that can address the ARF’s shortcomings. This paper analyzes the debate and provides a summary of the choices confronting policymakers. The paper suggests that the evolving regional security architecture’s development will be gradual and based on existing institutions, balancing the concerns of powerful states with less powerful ones and moving towards a community rather than remaining on the current cooperative security framework.
A, B, C…γ!

Tangier disease is a rare recessive genetic disorder, characterized by extremely low HDL levels, accumulation of cholesterol esters in macrophages, and premature coronary heart disease.1 The observation that fibroblasts from Tangier disease patients have a marked defect in efflux of cholesterol and phospholipids to apoA-I provided a key insight into the underlying defect.2 Recently, 3 different groups made the exciting discovery that Tangier disease is caused by mutations in an adenosine triphosphate (ATP) binding cassette transporter, ABC1.3 4 5 Thus, it is likely that ABC1 mediates or regulates the efflux of cellular cholesterol and phospholipids to apoA-I. Although ABC1 is widely expressed, the brunt of the defect is seen in macrophages, indicating their absolute dependence on an active cholesterol efflux pathway. The nature of the ABC1 molecule and the consequences of its mutation provide important evidence that reverse cholesterol transport underlies the atheroprotective effect of HDL. Already a multiplicity of ABC1 mutations have been described.3 4 5 Importantly, heterozygous mutations can also cause the more common forms of familial hypoalphalipoproteinemia.4 The ABC1 molecule contains 2 clusters of 6 transmembrane domains and internal loops with nucleotide binding motifs. Similar ABC transporters have been described to act as phospholipid flippases, ie, they utilize ATP to transfer phospholipids from the inner to the outer leaflet of cellular membranes.6 Although ABC1 is expressed in the plasma membrane,7 it could also be active at intracellular sites such as the golgi. Based on a detailed electron microscopic analysis of a related ABC …
Auxiliary Power System Neutral Grounding and its Performance in Nuclear Power Plants

Selection of system grounding for auxiliary power systems in nuclear power generating stations is an important aspect of the electric power system. Most design engineers prefer a grounded system, though very few prefer an ungrounded system. A review of reports from 1986 to 2001 showed that the operation of the grounding system occurred due to a ground of main generator stator neutral, vibration Induced wear, cracked busbar Insulator, ground fault in the main generator due to fire, personnel errors, design deficiency, failure of grounding strap/brush in the main generator stator water cooling pumps, long term insulation degradation in the low-voltage side bus duct of a transformer, inadequate procedures, improper ground installation, and ground in the speed control circuit due to moisture in oil. In nuclear power generating stations, system grounding is recommended (except for the main generator and emergency diesel generator) to provide a safe path for the dissipation of fault currents, lightning strikes, and EMI/RFI signals.* Index Terms -Grounding, generating stations, nuclear power, solidly grounded, high resistance ground, ungrounded, personnel errors, moisture.
The Middle American Exile of Víctor Raúl Haya de la Torre

On August 23, 1931, the galleries of Lima's bull ring, the Plaza de Acho, rang with deafening applause. The object of this public tribute was Victor Raul Haya de la Torre, a young provincial politician who had just finished exhorting his fellow countrymen to join him in a movement for the regeneration of Peru. This day truly belonged to Haya, for it symbolized his return to the lists of Peruvian politics and the resumption of an active national political career that would be stilled only by death almost half a century later. This moment of triumph in the Plaza de Acho must have been especially sweet, for a little over eight years before, on May 23, 1923, Haya, as a young student leader, had organized a protest against the government of President Augusto B. Leguia. Military forces, however, dispersed the demonstrators killing several and wounding many in the process. Haya's reward for this manifestation of anti-establishment behavior was arrest, imprisonment, and ultimately, in October of 1923, deportation. Thus Haya's triumph of 1931 served, at least in part, as a vindication for the events of 1923 and the subsequent years of exile.
Clinical Observation of Efficacy of Supplementary Treatment by Means of Transdermal Administration on Bronchiolitis

Objective:Clinical observation of the efficacy and safety of transdermal administration on bronchiolitis.Methods: One hundred and six children with bronchiolitis were divided into a treatment group(56 cases) and a control group(50 cases) at random.To observe the clinic effects,regular treatment of anti-infection and spraying was given to the control group,while the treatment group was administrated in addition transdermally,one time a day,for 3~5 days.Results: The resolving time of main symptoms and signs in the treatment group was shorter than that in the control group(P0.05).The total effective rate of the treatment group(98.2%) was significantly higher than that of the control group(86.0%)(P0.05).During the treatment there were few obvious adverse reactions.Conclusions: Regular treatment of bronchiolitis with transdermal administration as supplementary treatment is more effective than routine treatment.
Diversity, Tasks, and Structure in Teams

Diversity in teams reflects a variety of demographic, cultural, experiential, and personal differences that individual members possess, which in turn influences team processes and outcomes. Additionally, the effects of team diversity on teamwork are largely contingent upon various factors, both internal and external to teams. Of the myriad of factors potentially affecting the efficacy of team diversity in teamwork, two types of task structure—task complexity and task interdependence—are discussed in this entry, as they have been found to significantly moderate the relationship between team diversity and team performance. Keywords: business and management; diversity; organization and management theory
Procedure Logging in Interventional Cardiology Training Curriculum: The Interventional Fellows’ T-Score

Procedure logging is an integral part of the fellowship curriculum in cardiovascular medicine and its subspecialties, particularly for the cardiovascular disease fellows who are acquiring advanced training in interventional cardiology, structural heart diseases, or clinical cardiac electrophysiology
Natural language processing: use in EBM and a guide for appraisal

Studies using natural language processing (NLP) techniques are increasingly being published. Evidence-based medicine (EBM) users need to learn the basics of NLP to be able to appraise these types of studies. We propose a set of criteria to evaluate the quality of studies that have used NLP, focusing on the methods of sample selection, coding, the gold standard, algorithm training, algorithm testing and measures of accuracy (such as recall and precision). NLP has proven critical for conducting biomedical research and has the potential to improve healthcare practice and facilitate EBM. Stakeholders (healthcare providers and policymakers) interested in using evidence derived from studies that used NLP need to know the basics of NLP and need to be able to appraise this type of study.
Determining Fiber Orientation Distribution in Nonwovens with Hough Transform Techniques

This research explores the application of an image transform technique, the Hough transform (ht), to measuring fiber orientation distribution in nonwoven fabrics. In this paper, various forms of th...
Doctors and Drugs: The Medical-Industrial Complex

It is believed by many that America has the world’s best health care system. But by what measure? By three key criteria — costs, access, and results — America’s health care system is abysmal, the worst among the democratic industrial countries. In fact, no nation anywhere pays more per person for health care and has an unhealthier population.
Performance Analysis of Finite Rate Feedback MISO Systems in the Presence of Estimation Errors and Delay

In this paper, we analyze the performance of transmit beamforming on multiple input single output (MISO) Rayleigh fading channels with imperfect channel feedback. We characterize the feedback imperfections in terms of noisy channel estimation, feedback delay, and finite rate channel quantization. We develop a novel model that captures the above mentioned three forms of channel imperfections with particular emphasis on modeling the impact of delay more precisely. As opposed to some previous attempts at combining the three forms of imperfection, this modeling approach shows that feedback delay is of a different nature than channel estimation errors. The performance criteria considered is the average symbol error probability of M1 times M2 rectangular QAM constellation. We also present simulation results in support of the derived analytical expressions.
GRAIL gravity observations of the transition from complex crater to peak-ring basin on the Moon: Implications for crustal structure and impact basin formation

High-resolution gravity data from the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission provide the opportunity to analyze the detailed gravity and crustal structure of impact features in the morphological transition from complex craters to peak-ring basins on the Moon. We calculate average radial profiles for free-air anomalies and Bouguer anomalies for peak-ring basins, proto-basins, and the largest complex craters. Complex craters and proto-basins have free-air anomalies that are positively correlated with surface topography, unlike the prominent lunar mascons (positive free-air anomalies in areas of low elevation) associated with large basins. The Bouguer gravity anomaly profiles of complex craters are highly irregular, with central positive anomalies that are generally absent or not clearly tied to interior morphology. In contrast, gravity profiles for peak-ring basins (approx. 200 km to 580 km) are much more regular and are highly correlated with surface morphology. A central positive Bouguer anomaly is confined within the peak ring and a negative Bouguer anomaly annulus extends from the edge of the positive anomaly outward to about the rim crest. A number of degraded basins lacking interior peak rings have diameters and gravity patterns similar to those of well-preserved peak-ring basins. If these structures represent degraded peak-ring basins, the number of peak-ring basins on the Moon would increase by more than a factor of two to 34. The gravity anomalies within basins are interpreted to be due to uplift of the mantle confined within the peak ring and an annulus of thickened crust between the peak ring and rim crest. We hypothesize that mantle uplift is influenced by interaction between the transient cavity and the mantle. Further, mascon formation is generally disconnected from the number of basin rings formed and occurs over a wide range of basin sizes. These observations have important implications for models of basin and mascon formation on the Moon and other planetary bodies.
Cercariae of Proterometra macrostoma may use catecholamines as endogenous neurotransmitters

Furcocystocercous cercariae of the digenetic trematode parasite Proterametra macrostoma exhibit a characteristic vertical swimming behavior to attract their centrarchid hosts. Previous studies show...
Does Smoking Decrease Eating and Eating Increase Smoking

In the 1920s there used to be a popular cigarette ad that read “Reach for a Lucky instead of a sweet.” The implication was that smoking would keep weight down, reduce food intake, and substitute for a dessert. The purpose of this paper is to examine those implications and to explore the mechanisms underlying the slogan.
Between living well and dying well: Existential ambivalence and keeping promises alive.

I explore the complexities of moral experience during the phase of life after a terminal diagnosis by examining the experiences of one woman living as a hospice patient in St. Croix, US Virgin Isla...
Reconstruction of the hip after resection of periacetabular oncological lesions: a systematic review.

AimsReconstruction of the acetabulum after resection of a periacetabular malignancy is technically challenging and many different techniques have been used with varying success. Our aim was to prepare a systematic review of the literature dealing with these techniques in order to clarify the management, the rate of complications and the outcomes.Patients and MethodsA search of PubMed and MEDLINE was conducted for English language articles published between January 1990 and February 2017 with combinations of key search terms to identify studies dealing with periacetabular resection with reconstruction in patients with a malignancy. Studies in English that reported radiographic or clinical outcomes were included. Data collected from each study included: the number and type of reconstructions, the pathological diagnosis of the lesions, the mean age and follow-up, gender distribution, implant survivorship, complications, functional outcome, and mortality. The results from individual studies were combined for ...
Diagnosis and Treatment of Myocarditis: The Role of Adenovirus Infection in Cardiomyopathy and Heart Failure

Myocarditis, particularly in children, remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide.1,2 Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the major reason for cardiac transplantation in the United States and Europe with an annual incidence of 2 to 8 cases per 100,000 and an estimated prevalence of 36 per 100,000.3 The idiopathic form of DCM accounts for approximately 50% of the patients undergoing transplantation. Each year in the United States over 750,000 cases of heart failure are reported,4 with approximately 250,000 deaths, and myocarditis or DCM probably account for 25% of these cases.5 At present the treatment of these conditions is limited to either management of the symptoms or transplantation and the cost is estimated at $3-4 billion/year. Therefore, understanding the basis for this disorder and developing both preventive and disease-specific therapies, would have a major impact on health care in the U.S. In this review we will describe some of the progress towards understanding the etiologies of these disorders in children, particularly that of adenoviruses, as well as progress towards clarification of the mechanisms of pathogenesis
Esophageal Stenting for Relief of Dysphagia

The majority of the patients with esophageal cancer present with dysphagia and over 50% are unresectable at presentation. Some may also develop a trachea-esophageal fistula preventing them from oral intake. Self-expanding esophageal stents are now the most commonly used modality to palliate these patients since these stents are easy to place with minimally invasive techniques and the relief in symptoms is almost immediate. Plastic coating on the stents can also seal fistulae. Compared to chemoradiation, since the relief in symptoms with stents is immediate, these stents are also being considered for locally advanced esophageal cancer as a bridge to surgery for those requiring neoadjuvant therapy. This approach is not universally accepted since stents can be associated with serious complications that may delay therapy. With the availability of expandable stents that can be removed, there has been a great interest in using stents as long-term dilators for treating benign refractory esophageal strictures. Results have been mixed and several studies have reported significant complications. Hence stents for benign esophageal strictures should be used in carefully selected patients in centers with expertise to manage stent-related complications. Newer developments in design are needed. Biodegradable stents that get metabolized by the body and eventually absorbed are available in other countries and it will be interesting as to how they perform especially in those who need temporary esophageal stenting.
Where's the Innovation? An Analysis of the Quantity and Qualities of Anticipated and Obvious Patents

While more innovation is the main theoretical benefit of patent protection, some have argued an increasingly swamped U.S. Patent Office has granted many patents with negligible innovation value. I test this argument and determine the characteristics of patents that lack innovation value by analyzing 980 litigated patents that were subject to anticipation or obviousness decisions during the last decade. Using a selection corrected probit model, I obtain unconditional estimates of the likelihood that patents with given characteristics would be found to lack innovation value. I estimate a surprising 27 percent of all patents would be found at least partially invalid if subject to an anticipation or obviousness decision. Types of patents that have been particularly criticized, including those covering software and business methods and those owned by licensing firms, possess significantly higher innovation-based invalidity rates.
The role of state maternal and child health programs in the issue of newborn discharge.

Objectives: Since dramatically shortened newborn hospitalization has shifted the focus of care from the hospital, a central policy question has become how to assure a system of care that extends into the home and community. The objective of this study was to examine the role of the state Maternal and Child Health Title V programs in the assessment of the issue of newborn discharge, the development of policies, and the assurance of appropriate care. Method: The director or their designee in all 50 states and the District of Columbia participated in a structured telephone interview lasting 30–60 minutes. Results: Twenty-eight states reported new or previously implemented mandates for 48 hours of private insurance coverage for postpartum hospitalization. Only 6 states reported mandates concerning private insurance coverage of inpatient services, but 20 states reported mandates for postdischarge services. In the assessment function, only 18 maternal and child health (MCH) programs reported that they had undertaken specific studies on the effects of discharge timing in their states. In policy development, 18 of the 51 respondents reported that the MCH program initiated newborn discharge discussions, 23 reported that the agency participated in discussions, and 10 indicated that they did not participate. In assurance, 29 programs reported that they had taken action to provide technical assistance to local communities in developing follow-up systems. The relationship between the performance of core functions and the development of specific discharge policies in the state was minimal. Conclusions: The MCH programs appear to have played varied, but often limited, roles in the development of discharge policies. It is essential for MCH programs to engage actively in the policy-making process. But in the political environment surrounding newborn discharge policy, where laws and regulations consistent with the well-being of infants and mothers were being enacted, the limited MCH program roles may have been appropriate. Arguing against this conclusion, however, is that only 15 programs believed they had been effective and only 19 were satisfied with the discharge policies in their states, which suggests that a more proactive role may be necessary.
Dynamical Spiking Networks for Distributed Control of Nonlinear Systems

A topic of interest in theoretical neuroscience pertains to understanding how the activity of spiking neural networks (SNNs, i.e., networks of neurons in the brain) is decoded towards enabling control actions. For example, networks in the brain, while complex and stochastic, are nevertheless able to produce reliable and robust motor commands (moving limbs, etc.). To investigate how spiking networks might achieve these goals, we approach the issue from an engineering viewpoint and ask whether it is possible to synthesize such networks for a tracking objective for nonlinear systems. Our approach consists of two nested optimization problems. The inner optimization involves linearization of a nonlinear system about a template trajectory, which enables the synthesis of a control signal via linear optimal control design methods. The outer optimization involves tailoring the spiking of the designed network to ‘copy’ the constructed optimal control signal. Remarkably, these nested optimization problems can be achieved by a single, recurrent spiking network whose dynamics can be specified in the closed form. Features of the network and examples of its performance are highlighted.
Introductory Programming—Common Topics

This chapter discusses topics normally taught within the typical introductory programming course (also known as a CS1 course among computer science educators) for undergraduate college students, including topics suggested by the ACM Computer Science Curricula 2013 report. It also provides learning “targets,” or single-point assessible skills and knowledge, for all the skills related to the normal topics taught in an introductory programming course, such as Introduction to Computer Basics and Programming, Accessing the IDE and Basic Python Syntax, Variables, Numbers, and Expressions, Instantiating Objects and Introduction to Graphics in Python, Working with Strings and other Sequence Structures, Using Pre-Defined Functions and Creating User-Defined Functions, Creating and Testing Branching Structures, Creating and Managing Looping Structures, Working with Lists and Arrays, Program Algorithms and the Design Process, and Brief Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming in Python, as well as some general suggestions about approaches to teaching these topics.
Development of a risk score to identify patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and multivessel coronary artery disease who can defer bypass surgery

Current American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines provide a class I recommendation for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) to be treated with coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). However, these patients are heterogeneous in terms of the risks and benefits associated with CABG. We sought to develop a risk score to identify low-risk patients with diabetes and multivessel CAD in whom CABG can be safely deferred. Patients in the CABG strata randomized to intensive medical therapy (IMT) in the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation 2 Diabetes (BARI 2D) trial who experienced death, myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke were compared with those who did not. We developed a risk score for death, MI, or stroke using a Cox proportional hazards model that included the following variables: age, history of heart failure, history of hypercholesterolemia, history of stroke, transient ischemic attack, serum creatinine, insulin use, myocardial jeopardy index, and HbA1c. Among patients with a risk score less than the median, those randomized to IMT or prompt CABG experienced similar rates of event-free survival at 5 years (77.8% vs. 83.2%, logrank P = 0.24). Among patients with a risk score greater than the median, those randomized to IMT experienced worse rates of event-free survival at 5 years than those randomized to prompt CABG (60.3% vs 73.2%, logrank P = 0.01). A novel risk score identifies low-risk patients with diabetes and stable, symptomatic multivessel CAD in whom CABG can be safely deferred.
Catalytic Effects of Aniline Polymerization Assisted by Oligomers

Polyaniline was first confirmed as a dark green precipitate on an electrode during the electrochemical polymerization of aniline in 1862. Since then, scientists have been studying the kinetics and growth mechanisms of polyaniline through the electrochemical approach. Studies have shown that p-phenylenediamine, p-aminodiphenylamine, and other aromatic small molecules may serve as initiators for accelerating the polymerization reaction due to the autocatalytic effect of polyaniline. However, little research has been focused on the catalytic effects of introducing oligoanilines. In this paper, quantitative rate constants for the electrochemical polymerization of aniline in both HCl and acetonitrile/HCl solutions with 0.5 mol % of added oligoanilines including diphenylamine, N-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, 1,4-phenylenediamine, N,N′-diphenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine, 4,4′-diaminodiphenylamine, and tetraaniline in both emeraldine and leucoemeraldine states are reported. Among all the rate constants, N-phenyl-p-phenyl...
Hydrodynamics of Intermediate-Scale Taylor Flow under Gravities of Space Colonies

This paper investigates the effect of gravitational strength on hydrodynamics of intermediate-scale Taylor bubble in vertical upward slug flow. Air and water were used as the working fluids and two different sets of superficial velocities (JL = 0.05, JG = 0.15 m/s; and JL = JG = 0.15 m/s) were carefully selected to create laminar slug (Taylor bubble) flows. In order to effectively study the gravitational influence with a reasonable computational cost, an intermediate-scale tube diameter (D = 12 mm) was selected. The governing equations were discretized in a three-dimensional computational domain and numerically solved based on the volume of fluid-continuum surface force (VOF-CSF) method using OpenFOAM. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was validated under normal gravity with existing top performing correlations in literature. To address the space colonization environments, the gravity strength considered in the CFD simulations include 10−4go (microgravity), 0.17go (Moon), 0.38go (Mars), go (=9.81 m/s2, Earth), and 2go (hyper). The simulation results show that by increasing gravity, Taylor bubbles of the slug flow are shrunk both in length and diameter leading to a reduced void fraction. The flow field around Taylor bubbles was found to be significantly affected by gravitational strength. A strong falling-film flow around a Taylor bubble was observed at the hyper-gravity, while no falling-film flow existed at microgravity. The falling-film flow caused a local reversal of wall shear stress, and thus a positive frictional pressure gradient that was intensified by increasing gravitational strength. However, the total pressure gradient including a hydrostatic pressure always were negative despite the positive frictional pressure gradient. The rising velocity of the Taylor bubble exhibited an interesting behavior showing a minimum around normal gravity.
When a cuvette is not a canopy: A caution about measuring leaf temperature during gas exchange measurements

Abstract Plant gas exchange systems are widely used to study leaf physiological processes and properties such as stomatal function and the maximum carboxylation rate of Rubisco. Increasingly, these systems are used to assess how leaf gas exchange varies with temperature in order to better understand how rising temperature will impact plant function. Examples of such studies include variation in optimal temperatures of photosynthesis as a function of species and growth environment, and respiratory acclimation to higher temperatures. Leaf thermoregulation leading to homeothermy has been reported based on leaf gas exchange measurements spanning a large (∼25 °C) temperature range. However, as we show here, the design of a popular gas exchange system used for temperature-response measurements can lead to biased measurements of leaf temperature. We demonstrate this with an example showing that apparent leaf thermoregulatory behavior can arise even in empty cuvettes. More broadly, our results have implications for other temperature manipulations in similar gas exchange systems.
Reassessing Disparities in Online Learner Student Engagement in Higher Education

Online learning is the fastest growing segment in U.S. higher education and is increasingly adopted in public and private not-for-profit institutions. While the impact of online learning on educati...
Emerging Materials to Move Plasmonics into the Infrared

Enhancement of signal to noise ratio via gain and improved spectral selectivity are two areas that of are interest to the US Air Force for a myriad of applications including imaging, detection, and information processing, to name a few. Plasmonics has emerged as a promising solution that is both viable and offers the desired characteristics needed in these systems. Further, plasmonic devices and applications can be tailored to wavelength of interest with the correct choice of materials. This is the crux of this chapter which discusses the emerging materials in this field and their advantages and drawbacks when compared to traditional plasmonic materials, i.e., noble metals. The chapter concludes with a future outlook and research directions for this work with possible applications that will benefit from this research.
紫外线照射对表皮通透屏障功能的影响及其意义

紫外线照射是影响皮肤生物功能最常见的因素之一.大部分皮肤鳞状细胞癌和基底细胞癌发生在曝光部位[1];皮肤弹性降低、皱纹增多也是常见的紫外线导致的损伤[2].皮肤色素增多、炎症形成及晒伤等也是与紫外线照射有关的皮肤病.此外,紫外线照射对表皮通透屏障功能也有不同程度的影响.然而,在防治紫外线照射对皮肤的损伤过程中,改善表皮通透屏障功能常常被忽略.为此,本文仅就紫外线照射对表皮通透屏障功能的影响及意义做一简述。
Toxicity patterns of novel PI3K combinations in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors have efficacy in lymphoid malignancies; however, inflammatory and infectious toxicities can compromise the treatment course. An improved understanding of...
Optogenetic perturbation of projections from thalamic nucleus reuniens to hippocampus disrupts spatial working memory retrieval more than encoding.

Abstract Background Working memory deficits are key cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. Elevated delta oscillations, which are uniquely associated with the presence of the illness, may be the proximal cause of these deficits. Spatial working memory (SWM) is impaired by elevated delta oscillations projecting from thalamic nucleus reuniens (RE) to the hippocampus (HPC); these findings imply a role of the RE-HPC circuit in working memory deficits in schizophrenia, but questions remain as to whether the affected process is the encoding of working memory, recall, or both. Here, we answered this question by optogenetically inducing delta oscillations in the HPC terminals of RE axons in mice during either the encoding or retrieval phase (or both) of an SWM task. Methods We transduced cells in RE to express channelrhodopsin-2 through bilateral injection of adeno-associated virus, and bilaterally implanted optical fibers dorsal to the hippocampus (HPC). While mice performed a spatial memory task on a Y-maze, the RE-HPC projections were optogenetically stimulated at delta frequency during distinct phases of the task. Results Full-trial stimulation successfully impaired SWM performance, replicating the results of the previous study in a mouse model. Task-phase-specific stimulation significantly impaired performance during retrieval but not encoding. Conclusions Our results indicate that perturbations in the RE-HPC circuit specifically impair the retrieval phase of working memory. This finding supports the hypothesis that abnormal delta frequency bursting in the thalamus could have a causal role in producing the WM deficits seen in schizophrenia.
Meaningful Use of Inhaled Nitric Oxide (iNO): a Cross-Sectional National Survey

There are multiple management strategies and a wide array of therapeutic options in the management of pulmonary hypertension in children. This survey was designed to assess the current trends in diagnosis and management of pulmonary hypertension including use of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) and utilization of other pulmonary vasodilators. A 21 question web-based survey was created on a survey design program (Qualtrics®) and distributed to participating pediatric ICUs in the virtual PICU systems network. The survey content and design was reviewed by the institutional review board and approved as exempt research. Survey was distributed to 135 institutions with a 23% response rate (31/135). Of all the respondents, 24 were pediatric intensivists; six described themselves as cardiac intensivists, and one cardiologist. Fifty percent of mixed PICU and CICU units had a protocol for iNO use compared 37% of primary pediatric cardiac ICU. 10/31 (32.2%) respondents used iNO more than 20 times a year. Sildenafil was the main second-line agent with 8/31 (25.8%) reported using sildenafil drip for refractory pulmonary hypertension. 23/31 (74.1%) use inhaled Flolane. Only 12/31 (38.7%) respondents weaned iNO within the first 24 to 48 h, 8/31 (25.8%) did not have a defined timeline of iNO use and based it off of clinical response. 27/31 (87%) primarily used iNO in children less than one year of age. There is need for standardization of iNO usage across institutions to be able to generate evidence of its efficacy and indications, dosage, and weaning strategies.
From Sheikhs to Sultanism: statecraft and authority in Saudi Arabia and the UAE: by Christopher M. Davidson, London, Hurst and Company, 2021

This book delivers far more than just another contribution to the growing library devoted to the rise to power of Muhammad bin Salman (MBS) in Saudi Arabia and Muhammad bin Zayid (MBZ)in the United...
Design and Testing of Flexible Security and Stability Control in Industrial Power Grid

Analyzing the security and stability control of the industrial power grid under large disturbance is of significant importance for industrial production. In this study, a system for flexible security and stability control (FSSC) is designed with active power emergency control and frequency-voltage coordination function. Fast transfer performance, in terms of industrial comprehensive load model, is analyzed by comparison. A system-level dynamic test platform based on real-time digital simulator (RTDS) is used. The results show that not only the function and operation of the flexible stability controller and fast transfer are verified, but also the industrial system response and transient characteristics are demonstrated stability. The FSSC system ensures the stability of the second defense line for the industrial power grid and provides technical support for engineering applications.
Writing for Players: Using Video Game Documentation to Explore the Role of Audience Agency in Technical Writing

This article describes a technical writing assignment that requires students to use Minecraft to design and document interactive learning environments. In this project, students balance a critical awareness of this game's technical features with a rhetorical understanding of how those features impact the audience’s experiences and actions. This article demonstrates how video game-based writing projects can help students understand the role of an audience's agency in technical communication.
Caregiver Coping strategies : Wives versus daughters

Abstract Wife (n= 39) and daughter (n= 32) caregivers completed the Revised Ways of Coping Checklist and measures of caregiver burden, perceived stress, depressive symptoms, and anger expression. Although wives and daughters did not differ in psychological variables, daughters were more likely than wives to use problem-focused coping, blame of others, and self blame. However, the proportion of effort devoted to each of the eight coping strategies did not differ by caregiver relationship. The relationships between coping strategies and psychological measures were stronger for wives, with avoidance, blame of others, and wishful thinking related to higher levels of caregiver burden, stress, depression, and anger- in, and lower levels of anger control. For daughters, self-blame was associated with greater anger in and problem-focused coping was associated with greater anger control. Depressive symptoms were significantly associated with perceived stress, subjective burden, anger-out, anger-in, and anger-contr...
When is dispersal for dispersal? Unifying marine and terrestrial perspectives

Recent syntheses on the evolutionary causes of dispersal have focused on dispersal as a direct adaptation, but many traits that influence dispersal have other functions, raising the question: when is dispersal 'for' dispersal? We review and critically evaluate the ecological causes of selection on traits that give rise to dispersal in marine and terrestrial organisms. In the sea, passive dispersal is relatively easy and specific morphological, behavioural, and physiological adaptations for dispersal are rare. Instead, there may often be selection to limit dispersal. On land, dispersal is relatively difficult without specific adaptations, which are relatively common. Although selection for dispersal is expected in both systems and traits leading to dispersal are often linked to fitness, systems may differ in the extent to which dispersal in nature arises from direct selection for dispersal or as a by-product of selection on traits with other functions. Our analysis highlights incompleteness of theories that assume a simple and direct relationship between dispersal and fitness, not just insofar as they ignore a vast array of taxa in the marine realm, but also because they may be missing critically important effects of traits influencing dispersal in all realms.
An Evaluation of Delay-Aware Receiver Playout Strategies for VoIP Applications

Previous work by the authors confirm the feasibility of implementing a delay-aware receiver buffering strategy based on synchronised time within VoIP applications. Our objective in this paper is to extensively test this delay-aware approach, termed the hybrid playout strategy over diverse networks using a combination of simulation and delay emulation. We utilise both measured delay data and derived delay models and quantify the significant performance gains through use of the ITU-T E-model. We also analyse recent Internet delay studies to further assess the hybrid’s wider applicability.
Down-regulation and inactivation of neutral endopeptidase 24.11 (enkephalinase) in human neutrophils.

Abstract Neutral endopeptidase (EC 3.4.24.11, NEP) is an integral membrane protein of human neutrophils. NEP is identical with the common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen (CALLA) of leukemic cells. The expression of NEP on the surface of neutrophils is down-regulated by endocytosis which can be induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) at 37 degrees C. The activity of the enzyme on the surface of intact cells decreases by 76% within 5 min. The activity can be recovered, however, if the cells are lysed within 5 min of the endocytosis. After 30 min, only 32% of the NEP activity is present in the neutrophil lysates. The loss of activity is presumably due to proteolytic inactivation. Diacylglycerol and monoclonal antibody to CALLA/NEP also induce internalization of NEP. PMA induces endocytosis even at 4 degrees C, but NEP is not inactivated at that temperature. The disappearance of NEP activity after adding PMA was inhibited by various agents. Among the most active were the phospholipase inhibitor 4-bromophenacyl bromide and a combination of the serine protease and cathepsin inhibitors, diisopropylfluorophosphate and N-ethylmaleimide. The employment of fluorescent monoclonal antibody confirmed the down-regulation and internalization of NEP antigen on the neutrophils. Since NEP inactivates chemotactic peptides and thereby affects chemotaxis of neutrophils (Painter, R. G., Dukes, R., Sullivan, J., Carter, R., Erdos, E. G., and Johnson, A. R. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 9456-9461), the down-regulation of NEP activity on the cell membrane may modulate the function of these cells in inflammation.
Robust cubature methodology for spectral integrals

We outline a robust, adaptive numerical cubature methodology to evaluate multidimensional spectral integrals of Green's functions in planar-stratified media with arbitrary anisotropic and lossy layers. We focus attention on measures taken to robustly impart exponential-cum-algebraic convergence and suppress integrand oscillations. The proposed methodology ensures reliable, accurate results across a wide range of problem parameters (material parameters, etc.). Numerical results demonstrate robust convergence characteristics even for cases where standard evaluation schemes (e.g., Sommerfeld Integration Path) would perform poorly.
Analysis of Rho-GTPase mimicry by a family of bacterial type III effector proteins

Microbial pathogens may hijack the actin cytoskeleton machinery to facilitate actin-based motility, cellular invasion, and intracellular trafficking through the endocytic pathway. Of particular interest has been a large class of virulence factors collectively termed the type III "effector" proteins. Following contact with a eukaryotic cell, Gram-negative bacterial pathogens employ a dedicated protein secretion apparatus termed type III to translocate effector proteins into the cellular cytoplasm where they initiate a pathogenic response. Interestingly, these effectors can mimic the structure or function of eukaryotic signaling proteins and often target components of the actin cytoskeleton. This chapter describes methodologies to examine the cellular role of the recently defined WxxxE family of effector proteins that functionally mimic Rho family small G proteins.
KSC-PaL: a peer learning agent

We have developed an artificial agent based on a computational model of peer learning we developed That model shows that shifts in initiative are conducive to learning The peer learning agent can collaborate with a human student via dialog and actions within a graphical workspace This paper describes the architecture and implementation of the agent and the user study we conducted to evaluate the agent Results show that the agent is able to encourage shifts in initiative in order to promote learning and that students learn using the agent.
Charge densities of the neutron and proton

A model-independent analysis of the infinite-momentum-frame charge density of partons in the transverse plane is presented for the nucleon. We find that the neutron-parton charge density is negative at the center, so that the square of the transverse charge radius is positive, in contrast with many expectations. Additionally, the proton's central d quark charge density is larger than that of the u quark by about 30%. The proton (neutron) charge density has a long range positively (negatively) charged component.
Estrogen-sensitive cell lines: Uptake of labeled sex steroids and growth properties☆

Abstract Cells of a rat pituitary cell line injected into Wistar/Furth rats produce tumors when inoculated into intact females or estradiol-17β primed males. No tumors are produced when the same number of cells are injected into spayed females, intact males or castrated males. Experiments carried out in animals and in tissue culture indicate the selective uptake of these cells for physiological amounts of estradiol-17β when compared with testosterone and when compared with an undifferentiated cell line.
Methionine and the Regulation of Ribonucleic Acid Synthesis in Escherichia coli

When cultures of Escherichia coli growing in minimal medium (M-9 salts, 0.5% glycerol, 10 mug/ml of uracil) are shifted to minimal medium supplemented with 50 mug/ml of l-methionine, they exhibit an abrupt increase in their relative rate of synthesis of ribonucleic acid (RNA). The rate of growth of the cells is not increased by such a shift. Sucrose density gradient analyses of cell extract after the shift showed that the effect was exerted equally on all classes of RNA. The initial relative rate of methylation of RNA, as judged by incorporation of radioactivity from l-methionine-methyl-C(14) into RNA, is high in cells recovering from chloramphenicol inhibition, intermediate in cells grown in minimal medium, and low in cells grown in medium containing methionine. In cells recovering from chloramphenicol inhibition, methionine decreases the lag and increases the rate of conversion of ribonucleoprotein particles to mature 70S ribosomes. Turnover of RNA under these conditions, as judged by loss of C(14)-labeled methyl groups, is minimal. These results lead to the inference that methionine increases the relative rate of RNA synthesis by increasing the rate of conversion of ribonucleoprotein particles to ribosomes and thereby decreasing the availability of ribonucleoprotein particles for regulating RNA synthesis by a feedback mechanism.
Authoring and assessing Physlet/spl reg/-based interactive curricular material

The adoption of Internet standards such as HTML and the Java programming language enables the development and deployment of curricular material that can easily be adopted and adapted by others. Physlets, Java applets developed at Davidson College, are based on these standards and are now being used over half a dozen countries. Physlets communicate with a Web browser by employing, a scripting language such as JavaScript, thereby allowing one applet to be used in many different contexts. This feature makes it possible to use a modular approach for the design of curricular material. This paper describes Physlet-based material and presents examples of their use. Additional information is available on the Davidson Physlets site: http://webphysics.davidson.edu/Applets.html.