cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Polar Fourier transforms of radially sampled NMR data

Radial sampling of the NMR time domain has recently been introduced to speed up data collection significantly. Here, we show that radially sampled data can be processed directly using Fourier transforms in polar coordinates. We present a comprehensive theoretical analysis of the discrete polar Fourier transform, and derive the consequences of its application to radially sampled data using linear response theory. With adequate sampling, the resulting spectrum using a polar Fourier transform is indistinguishable from conventionally processed spectra with Cartesian sampling. In the case of undersampling in azimuth—the condition that provides significant savings in measurement time—the correct spectrum is still produced, but with limited distortion of the baseline away from the peaks, taking the form of a summation of high-order Bessel functions. Finally, we describe an intrinsic connection between the polar Fourier transform and the filtered backprojection method that has recently been introduced to process projection-reconstruction NOESY data. Direct polar Fourier transformation holds great potential for producing quantitatively accurate spectra from radially sampled NMR data.
Naphthoquinones and bioactive compounds from tobacco as modulators of neuronal nitric oxide synthase activity

Studies were conducted with extracts of several varieties of tobacco in search of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) inhibitors which may be of value in the treatment of stroke. Current therapies do not directly exploit modulation of nNOS activity due to poor selectivity of the currently available nNOS inhibitors. The properties of a potentially novel nNOS inhibitor(s) derived from tobacco extracts, and the concentration-dependent, modulatory effects of the tobacco-derived naphthoquinone compound, 2,3,6-trimethyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (TMN), on nNOS activity were investigated, using 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (menadione) as a control. Up to 31 µM, both TMN and menadione stimulated nNOS-catalysed l-citrulline production. However, at higher concentrations of TMN (62.5–500 µM), the stimulation was lost in a concentration-dependent manner. With TMN, the loss of stimulation did not decrease beyond the control activity. With menadione (62.5–500 µM), the loss of stimulation surpassed that of the control (78 ± 0.01% of control activity), indicating a true inhibition of nNOS activity. This study suggests that potential nNOS inhibitors are present in tobacco, most of which remain to be identified. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trance states and ego psychology

Abstract Hypnosis, a Western, culture trance state, is analyzed for the basic characteristics of the phenomenon. These elements comprising individual, interpersonal, and cultural variables are then utilized in a transcultural comparison to demonstrate that trance phenomena are goal-oriented behaviors which are expressed by individuals within a given culture by methods which are culturally sanctioned for achieving those ends. The differences between trance states can be understood, therefore, to represent cultural variants of similar psychological mechanisms.
Environmental and community controls on plant canopy chemistry in a Mediterranean-type ecosystem

Understanding how and why plant communities vary across space has long been a goal of ecology, yet parsing the relative importance of different influences has remained a challenge. Species-specific models are not generalizable, whereas broad plant functional type models lack important detail. Here we consider plant trait patterns at the local scale and ask whether plant chemical traits are more closely linked to environmental gradients or to changes in species composition. We used the visible-to-shortwave infrared (VSWIR) spectrometer of the Carnegie Airborne Observatory to develop maps of four plant chemical traits—leaf nitrogen per mass, leaf carbon per mass, leaf water concentration, and canopy water content—across a diverse Mediterranean-type ecosystem (Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, CA). For all four traits, plant community alone was the strongest predictor of trait variation (explaining 46–61% of the heterogeneity), whereas environmental gradients accounted for just one fourth of the variation in the traits. This result emphasizes the critical role that species composition plays in mediating nutrient and carbon cycling within and among different communities. Environmental filtering and limits to similarity can act strongly, simultaneously, in a spatially heterogeneous environment, but the local-scale environmental gradients alone cannot account for the variation across this landscape.
Kinetics of Zinc Metabolism: Variation with Diet, Genetics and Disease

Kinetic studies are used to investigate metabolic processes. By adding an isotope to a system and measuring its movement in the system over time, pool sizes and transport rates can be determined by mathematically modeling the data. This approach enables rate differences to be determined in conditions that have been modified by diet, environment, genetics or disease. Kinetic studies in humans have shown that there are multiple pools of zinc that turnover from minutes to years and that processes, including zinc absorption and excretion, are regulated to maintain tissue levels when zinc intake varies. Animal studies allow for greater understanding of kinetics because more tissues can be sampled and environmental and genetic factors can be controlled. Kinetic studies in animals will provide information on the overexpression or the deletion of genes coding for specific proteins involved in zinc transport and metabolism. The advances that have been made in our understanding of the role of zinc in metabolism have been aided by the development of techniques for measuring isotopes in biological materials. In the future, the kinetics of zinc bound to different compounds will be measured. Modeling will enable this information, at the molecular level, to be integrated with knowledge of zinc metabolism at the cellular, organ and whole body level. To understand more fully the role of zinc in human health, kinetic studies are needed in healthy and disease states to identify differences in metabolic processes. This knowledge can be used as a basis for dietary and therapeutic recommendations.
Using aquatic invertebrates to delineate seasonal and temporary wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region of North America

Tillage can destroy or greatly disturb indicators of hydric soils and hydrophytic vegetation, making delineation of tilled wetlands difficult. The remains of aquatic invertebrates (e.g., shells, drought-resistant eggs, and trichopteran cases) are easily identifiable and persist in wetland substrates even when wetlands are dry. Additionally, these remains are not easily destroyed by mechanical tillage. To test the feasibility of using invertebrate remains to delineate wetlands, we used two methods to identify the wetland edge of ten seasonal and ten temporary wetlands, evenly divided between grassland and cropland landscapes. First, we identified the wetland edge using hydric soil and vegetation indicators along six evenly spaced transects in each wetland (our “standard” delineation). We then identified the wetland edge along the same transects using aquatic invertebrate remains as our indicator. In grassland landscapes, delineations of the wetland edge made using invertebrate remains were consistently at the same location or closer to the wetland center as the standard delineations for both seasonal and temporary wetlands. In cropland landscapes, however, many of our invertebrate delineations of seasonal and temporary wetlands were on the upland side of our standard delineations. We attribute the differences to movement of remains during tillage, increased maximum pool levels in cropland wetlands, and disturbance of hydric soils and plants. We found that the elevations of the wetland edge indicated by invertebrate remains were more consistent within a wetland than elevations determined by standard delineations. Aquatic invertebrate remains can be useful in delineating wetlands when other indicators have been destroyed or severely disturbed by tillage.
Paradox of pattern separation and adult neurogenesis: A dual role for new neurons balancing memory resolution and robustness

Hippocampal adult neurogenesis is thought to subserve pattern separation, the process by which similar patterns of neuronal inputs are transformed into distinct neuronal representations, permitting the discrimination of highly similar stimuli in hippocampus-dependent tasks. However, the mechanism by which immature adult-born dentate granule neurons cells (abDGCs) perform this function remains unknown. Two theories of abDGC function, one by which abDGCs modulate and sparsify activity in the dentate gyrus and one by which abDGCs act as autonomous coding units, are generally suggested to be mutually exclusive. This review suggests that these two mechanisms work in tandem to dynamically regulate memory resolution while avoiding memory interference and maintaining memory robustness.
Money and Medicine: Indivisible and Irreconcilable.

Fee-for-service has contributed to overconsumption of health care services, lack of accountability, and physician moneymaking, which is only now being ameliorated by restrictive covenants and the move to value-based payment.
Resonant-Tunneling Transmission-Line Relaxation Oscillator

A new type of resonant-tunneling oscillator is analyzed that does not require dc bias stability in the negative-differential-resistance region. The oscillator consists of a resonant-tunneling diode coupled to a transmission line in such a way that repetitive switching of the diode occurs across the negativeresistance region. The output waveform consists of a sequence of pulses having a repetition rate determined by the electrical delay of the transmission line and a pulse width determined by the switching time of the diode. When the electrical delay is comparable to the switching time, the output is quasisinusoidal. Numerical simulations with a prototype resonant-tunneling diode yield a maximum repetition rate of 192 GHz and a pulse width of 2 ps.
Fredholm multiplication and composition operators on the Hardy space

We present a unified approach to the problem of characterizing the Fredholm multiplication and composition operators on the Hardy spaceH 2.
Using array technology to understand dynamics of echolocation in bats and toothed whales

Echolocation, a unique sensory strategy of projecting and receiving ultrasonic signals to perceive the environment, is a dynamic process used by bats and toothed whales that allows the emitter to adapt its sound to environment and echolocation task. This paper reviews the application of acoustic array sensing to understand echolocation dynamics in Microchiroptera and Odontoceti.
Er3+-Doped Silica and Hybrid Organic/Inorganic Silica Gels

The fluorescence properties of Er{sup 3+} in densified sol-gel silica and alkyl-modified silicates are presented. In sol-gel silica, strong infrared ({sup 4}I{sub 13/2} {yields} {sup 4}I{sub 15/2}) emission was observed over a wide range of Er{sup 3+} concentrations. The effect of metal ion co-dopants, which are known to inhibit clustering of Eu{sup 3+} in sol-gel silica, on Er{sup 3+} fluorescence are also considered. The co-dopants La{sup 3+}, Y{sup 3+}, Yb{sup 3+}, and Al{sup 3+} are increasingly more effective at inhibiting Er{sup 3+} clustering and promoting a more uniform spatial distribution of Er{sup 3+} ions. Lifetime studies were also conducted to assess the extent of hydroxyl quenching. Organic/inorganic hybrid silica gels are expected to contain a lower amount of water than simple sol-gel silica gels and should be better hosts for rare earth ions. Er{sup 3+}-doped hybrid organic/inorganic gels were prepared using Si(OC{sub 2}H{sub 5}){sub 4} and Ch{sub 3}Si(OC{sub 2}H{sub 5}){sub 3}, (CH{sub 3}){sub 2}Si(OC{sub 2}H{sub 5}){sub 2}, or C{sub 2}H{sub 5}Si(OC{sub 2}H{sub 5}){sub 3}. Er{sup 3+} fluorescence spectra and lifetime studies of these gels are presented and compared to simple Er{sup 3+}-doped sol-gel silica. The effect of organic modification on Er{sup 3+} clustering and hydroxyl retention are discussed. Er{sup 3+}more » upconversion properties are also discussed.« less
On regular-closed and minimal regular spaces

This paper contains several characterizations of regular-closed and minimal regular topological spaces along with some related properties.
Graphene Oxide as a Quencher for Fluorescent Assay of Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins

Understanding the interaction between graphene oxide (GO) and the biomolecules is fundamentally essential, especially for disease- and drug-related peptides and proteins. In this study, GO was found to strongly interact with amino acids (tryptophan and tyrosine), peptides (Alzheimer’s disease related amyloid beta 1-40 and type 2 diabetes related human islet amyloid polypeptide), and proteins (drug-related bovine and human serum albumin) by fluorescence quenching, indicating GO was a universal quencher for tryptophan or tyrosine related peptides and proteins. The quenching mechanism between GO and tryptophan (Trp) or tyrosine (Tyr) was determined as mainly static quenching, combined with dynamic quenching (Forster resonance energy transfer). Different quenching efficiency between GO and Trp or Tyr at different pHs indicated the importance of electrostatic interaction during quenching. Hydrophobic interaction also participated in quenching, which was proved by the presence of nonionic amphiphilic copolymer ...
Does “learning” exist?

The word ‘learning’ has fallen in with a bad crowd: isolated cognitive skills, stockpiled knowledge, achievement by zero-sum competition, arbitrarily standardized measurement, access by aggression, confirmative action private tutoring, high tuition, neoliberal governance, more status than role, and all that correlated with race and class differentials and propagated, as Melville said of showoff intellects, with “the aid of some sort of external arts and entrenchments, always in themselves, more or less paltry and base”. To loosen it from its present environment, this paper offers three ways of rethinking learning and social structure: one, learning is ubiquitous and should not be used as a generalizable source of social hierarchy; two, learning is an unnecessary abstraction that exists only by “paltry and base” psychometric manipulations that should not be a source of social hierarchy; and three, ‘learning’ is a contested term that must always report to considerations of how and when it is used and with w...
Endoscopic Bariatric Therapies.

Obesity and its associated cardio-metabolic comorbidities have emerged as a global pandemic. The efficacy of various hypo-caloric diets and prescription drugs has been poor with respect to sustained weight loss. Recent advancements in endoscopic technology and techniques have opened a new field of minimally invasive endoscopic treatment options for combatting obesity both as a first line and adjunctive therapy. Presently, two endoscopic space-occupying devices in the form of intragastric balloons have received FDA approval for 6-month implantation in patients within a BMI range of 30–40 kg/m2. Furthermore, full-thickness suturing has led to the development of primary endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass revision as viable endoscopic alternatives to surgical approaches. These techniques have the potential to reduce adverse events, cost, and recovery times. Looking forward, a variety of promising and novel medical devices and endoscopic platforms that target obesity and diabetes are in various phases of development and investigation. The present review aims to discuss the current and forthcoming endoscopic bariatric therapies with emphasis on relevant procedural technique and review of available evidence.
Is Social Support Associated With Upper Extremity Disability

Pain intensity and disability correlate with psychosocial factors such as depression and pain interference (the degree to which pain interferes with activities of daily living) as much or more than pathophysiology in upper extremity illness. However, other factors like emotional support (perception of being cared for and valued as a person), instrumental support (perception of availability of tangible assistance when needed), positive psychosocial impact (perception and focus on the positive side of a difficult situation, sometimes characterized as posttraumatic growth, benefit-finding, or meaning making), also might be associated with disability in patients with upper extremity orthopaedic illness. This is the first published study, to our knowledge, addressing the potential association of emotional support, instrumental support, and positive psychosocial illness impact with disability in patients with upper extremity illness. We asked: (1) Is there a correlation between the QuickDASH and the Patient-reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) emotional support Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT)? (2) Is there a correlation between the QuickDASH and PROMIS® instrumental support CAT? (3) Is there a correlation between the QuickDASH and PROMIS® positive psychosocial illness impact CAT? (4) Among the PROMIS® measures of depression, emotional support, instrumental support, positive illness impact, and pain interference, which accounts for the most variance in QuickDASH scores? One hundred ninety-three patients with upper extremity illness (55% women; average age, 51 ± 18 years) of 213 approached (91% recruitment rate) completed the QuickDASH, and five different PROMIS® CATs: pain interference (the degree to which pain interferes with accomplishing one’s goals), depression, emotional support, psychosocial illness impact, and instrumental support. We recruited patients from the practice of three surgeons in hand service of the department of orthopaedic surgery at a major urban university hospital. Pearson Product Moment Correlations showed that emotional support (r = −0.18; p = 0.014) and instrumental support (r = −0.19; p = 0.008) were weakly and inversely associated with the QuickDASH), while positive psychosocial illness impact was moderately and inversely associated with the QuickDASH (r = −0.36; p < 0.001). In multivariable analyses, pain interference, but not the social support measures, was the only psychosocial factor associated with the QuickDASH and alone explained 66% of variance. Emotional support, instrumental support and positive psychosocial illness impact are all individually associated with disability to a small degree, but pain interference (the degree to which pain interferes with accomplishing one’s goals) has the strongest influence on magnitude of disability. Level 1, prognostic study.
Influencing Factors of Vanadium Slag Roasting with Calcium and Oxidation Kinetics for Roasting Process

Vanadium slag was treated by calcium roasting to improve the vanadium leaching rate. The effects of the operational parameters including particle size, heating rate, holding temperature,holding time and amount of additive of CaO on the roasting efficiency w ere investigated. The oxidation kinetics of vanadium slag w as analyzed on the basis of TG- DSC curves. The results indicated that low ering heating rate is beneficial to improve the vanadium oxidation efficiency, and the vanadium leaching rate increases markedly w hen the holding temperature is higher than 600 ℃. The vanadium leaching rate reaches to 93. 31% under the optimum conditions of the particle size of 48 ~ 75 μm,m( CaO) / m( V2O5) =0. 42,the heating rate of 2 ℃·min- 1,the holding time of 150 min at 850 ℃. The oxidation process of vanadium spinel is described by a third-order reaction and the apparent activation energies at the heating rates of 5 and 10 ℃·min- 1are 267. 65 and 256. 03 kJ·mol- 1,respectively.
Introduction to Lumbosacral and Sacropelvic Fixation Strategies.

We are pleased to present this Neurosurgical Focus video supplement on lumbosacral and sacropelvic fixation strategies. Despite advancement in surgical techniques and technologies in spine, achieving consistent solid fusion across the lumbosacral junction remains a major challenge. The anatomy of the lumbosacral junction allows for a higher range of motion compared to other areas of the thoracolumbar spine. The L5-S1 interspace is exposed to significant shear forces. As a result, complications such as pseudoarthrosis, screw pull-out, implant fracture, or sacral fractures can occur. Complications are particularly seen in long fusion constructs ending across the lumbosacral junction. To reduce these complications, various lumbosacral and sacropelvic fixation techniques have been developed and utilized. The current supplement is intended to provide instructional videos that illustrate several current techniques for lumbosacral and sacropelvic fixation. The collection includes techniques for anterior L5-S1 in...
A new look at the potential of the brain to change as a result of early experience: The possible role of glutamate in early learning and retardation

Lateralized brain function was originally thought to be unique to humans, but it has now been demonstrated to occur in many animal species, including primates, rats, dogs, and birds. Memory consolidation and retrieval in chicks is lateralized in neuroanatomical areas used and also in the times these areas are active. As the general patterns of memory encoding, elucidated in chicks, might also occur in humans, chicks are used as a model system for studying learning and memory. In addition, the detailed neurochemical investigation of imprinting has shown that the neurotransmitter glutamate plays an important role in the consolidation of early learning. Glutamate is also known to be important in neural plasticity, and a close link is now seen between early memory formation and the neural plastic events of early brain development. Behavioural testing using chicks has shown that glutamate intake can cause retardation of visual discrimination learning. This is of some concern given the common use of glutamate as a food additive. Clearly the role and indeed the presence of glutamate in the brain are finely balanced. This information is leading us to a greater understanding of the brain and its dynamic interaction with its environment. It also reinforces the increasing concerns regarding neural interactions with environmental roxins.
Cr and Si Substituted-LiCo0.9Fe0.1PO4: Structure, full and half Li-ion cell performance

Abstract The use of LiCoPO4 as a Li-ion cathode material can enable high energy 5 V batteries. However, LiCoPO4 shows limited cycle life and much less than theoretical energy density. In order to address these shortcomings, Fe, Cr and Si substituted-LiCoPO4 (Cr,Si-LiCo0.9Fe0.1PO4) was investigated as an improved LiCoPO4 based cathode material. Fe substitution greatly improves the cycle life and increases the energy density. Cr substitution further increases the energy density, cycle life and rate capability. Si substitution reduces the reactivity of the cathode with electrolyte thereby increasing cycle life. In combination, the substituents lead to a LiCoPO4 based cathode material with no capacity fade over 250 cycles in Li/Cr,Si-LiCo0.9Fe0.1PO4 half cells, a discharge capacity of 140 mAh g−1 at C/3 at an average discharge voltage of 4.78 V giving an energy density of 670 Wh per kg of cathode. In graphite/Cr,Si-LiCo0.9Fe0.1PO4 full Li-ion cells, the cathode material shows an energy density of 550 Wh per kg of cathode material at 1C rate for the initial cycles and 510 Wh per kg of cathode material at the 250th cycle.
Incorporation of Balls, Tubes, and Bowls in Nanotechnology

The development of nanotechnology has been spearheaded by the development and discovery of new materials. The earliest materials theorized to be used in nanotechnology were fullerenes and nanotubes. Although fullerenes and nanotubes have a rich history in the area of nanotechnology, fullerene fragments, which share some the same properties as fullerenes and nanotubes, show potential in the field of nanotechnology as well. Fullerene fragments were synthesized close to 20 years prior to the discovery of fullerenes; however due to their complex synthesis they remained in relative obscurity in the field of nanotechnology. More recently, improved syntheses of corannulene and other fullerene fragments on an industrial scale have led to their potential in industrial applications. With the mass production of corannulene finally being realized, many new structures and exciting properties are making its way into the chemical literature.
Adsorption of Pb2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions on to waste fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) catalyst

Batch adsorption experiments of Pb2+ Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions on to waste fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) catalyst were performed. The results obtained indicate that adsorption time, temperature and p...
Probing the metabolic phenotype of breast cancer cells by multiple tracer stable isotope resolved metabolomics

Breast cancers vary by their origin and specific set of genetic lesions, which gives rise to distinct phenotypes and differential response to targeted and untargeted chemotherapies. To explore the functional differences of different breast cell types, we performed Stable Isotope Resolved Metabolomics (SIRM) studies of one primary breast (HMEC) and three breast cancer cells (MCF-7, MDAMB-231, and ZR75-1) having distinct genotypes and growth characteristics, using 13C6-glucose, 13C-1+2-glucose, 13C5,15N2-Gln, 13C3-glycerol, and 13C8-octanoate as tracers. These tracers were designed to probe the central energy producing and anabolic pathways (glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathway, Krebs Cycle, glutaminolysis, nucleotide synthesis and lipid turnover). We found that glycolysis was not associated with the rate of breast cancer cell proliferation, glutaminolysis did not support lipid synthesis in primary breast or breast cancer cells, but was a major contributor to pyrimidine ring synthesis in all cell types; anaplerotic pyruvate carboxylation was activated in breast cancer versus primary cells. We also found that glucose metabolism in individual breast cancer cell lines differed between in vitro cultures and tumor xenografts, but not the metabolic distinctions between cell lines, which may reflect the influence of tumor architecture/microenvironment.
Synchrotron microCT imaging of soft tissue in juvenile zebrafish reveals retinotectal projections

Biomedical research and clinical diagnosis would benefit greatly from full volume determinations of anatomical phenotype. Comprehensive tools for morphological phenotyping are central for the emerging field of phenomics, which requires high-throughput, systematic, accurate, and reproducible data collection from organisms affected by genetic, disease, or environmental variables. Theoretically, complete anatomical phenotyping requires the assessment of every cell type in the whole organism, but this ideal is presently untenable due to the lack of an unbiased 3D imaging method that allows histopathological assessment of any cell type despite optical opacity. Histopathology, the current clinical standard for diagnostic phenotyping, involves the microscopic study of tissue sections to assess qualitative aspects of tissue architecture, disease mechanisms, and physiological state. However, quantitative features of tissue architecture such as cellular composition and cell counting in tissue volumes can only be approximated due to characteristics of tissue sectioning, including incomplete sampling and the constraints of 2D imaging of 5 micron thick tissue slabs. We have used a small, vertebrate organism, the zebrafish, to test the potential of microCT for systematic macroscopic and microscopic morphological phenotyping. While cell resolution is routinely achieved using methods such as light sheet fluorescence microscopy and optical tomography, these methods do not provide the pancellular perspective characteristic of histology, and are constrained by the limited penetration of visible light through pigmented and opaque specimens, as characterizes zebrafish juveniles. Here, we provide an example of neuroanatomy that can be studied by microCT of stained soft tissue at 1.43 micron isotropic voxel resolution. We conclude that synchrotron microCT is a form of 3D imaging that may potentially be adopted towards more reproducible, large-scale, morphological phenotyping of optically opaque tissues. Further development of soft tissue microCT, visualization and quantitative tools will enhance its utility.
Alzheimer's presenilin 1 gene expression in platelets and megakaryocytes. Identification of a novel splice variant.

The presenilin 1 (PSI) gene located on chromosome 14 has been linked with the majority of early-onset FAD. The normal biological role of PS1 as well as the mechanism by which mutations in PS1 cause FAD remains unknown. PS1 expression in platelets and the Dami megakaryocytic cell line was examined by Western blot analysis and RT-PCR. Using an anti-N-terminus PS1 antibody we detected PS1 immunoreactive bands of 44, 32 and 27 kDa in both cell types. After RT-PCR we observed that platelets and megakaryocytes carry at least four different PS1 transcripts. One of them is a novel PS1 splice variant that lacks the coding sequence for exon 10 resulting in a shorter 409 amino acid protein.
Heterossexismo, falso reconhecimento e capitalismo: uma resposta a Judith Butler

Traducao de:FRASER, N. Heterosexism, Misrecognition, and Capitalism: A Response to Judith Butler. Social Text, vol. 15, n. 3-4, p. 279-289, 1997. Por: Alexia Bretas
United States Pediatricians' Attitudes Regarding Public Policies for Low-Income Children and Their Profession's Advocacy Priorities.

Abstract Objective To examine pediatricians' attitudes toward public policies for low-income children and the advocacy efforts for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Methods Data from the AAP Periodic Survey in October 2014 to March 2015 were used. Respondents ranked 1) attitudes toward government programs, and 2) attitudes toward AAP policies on: income support, housing, education, job training, food, and health care. Results were analyzed according to age, gender, practice location, practice region, type of practice setting, and percent of patients with economic hardship. Results Response rate was 47% (n = 650). Most respondents reported that for children, the government should guarantee health insurance (88.9%), and food and shelter (90.0%). Most also reported that the government should guarantee health insurance (68.9%) and food and shelter (63.9%) for every citizen and to take care of people who cannot take care of themselves. There was variation among the level of support on the basis of practice setting. In multivariable analyses related to supporting the role of government for children and citizens, not being from the Northeast was associated with lower odds of support of children as well as citizens; primary care practices in rural areas were less supportive of government involvement related to all citizens but similar for children; and those younger than 40 and 50 to 59 years of age were more supportive of government guaranteeing enough to eat and a place to sleep for children. More than 55% supported the AAP advocating for income support, housing, education, and access to health care. Conclusions Pediatricians strongly support government policies that affect child poverty and the provision of basic needs to families. This support should be used to inform professional organizations, advocates, and policy-makers focused on children and families.
Abstract 3212: Nuclear-targeted gold nanoparticles as radiosensitizers

Purpose Intracellular localization of gold nanoparticles has been shown to enhance the effects of radiation. However, few studies have investigated the effect of subcellular localization of these particles on enhancing the radiosensitization effect in cells treated with radiation of varying energies and linear energy transfer (LET) levels. Herein, we evaluate the radiosensitization potential of nuclear-targeted gold nanoparticles across a spectrum of energies and LETs. Methods Gold nanospheres (AuNSs) were functionalized with a nuclear localization sequence (NLS) peptide to enhance the nuclear accumulation of these particles. Internalization of the particles into the cells was achieved using a cell penetrating peptide (CPP). Cellular and nuclear internalization were assessed in Panc-1 human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cancer cells using western blot (WB), transmission electron microscopy, dark field microscopy and inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). DNA damage due to radiation was evaluated through γH2AX and 53BP1 foci staining. Clonogenic cell survival assay was performed to evaluate the radiosensitization effect after irradiation with 250-kVp X-rays, Cs-137, Co-60, 6 MV and 100 MeV protons (LET 2.5 and 7.7 keV/µm). Results Nuclear-targeted particles (nAuNS) and non-targeted particles (PEGylated, pAuNS) demonstrated similar cellular internalization. However, enhanced uptake of nuclear-targeted particles was observed in the nucleus when compared to non-targeted particles. This was confirmed using dark field microscopy, WB and ICP-MS analysis. DNA double strand breaks through γH2AX and 53BP1 foci staining revealed significantly higher numbers of foci at early (1 hour) and late (24 hour) time points following radiation and nAuNS compared to radiation and pAuNS treatment. Clonogenic cell survival assay revealed significantly higher radiosensitization enhancement factor (REF) at 10% survival fraction for nAuNS compared to pAuNS for all beams assessed. Protons with higher LETs resulted in greater clonogenic cell death and nAuNS further increased radiosensitization whereas pAuNS did not. Conclusion Our data demonstrates that, across a spectrum of radiation energies and LETs, nuclear-targeted gold nanoparticles enhance radiosensitization beyond that achievable with strictly intracytoplasmic gold nanoparticles. Citation Format: Sunil Krishnan, Maureen Aliru. Nuclear-targeted gold nanoparticles as radiosensitizers [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3212.
Sequences of Phrase and Feeling in “The Windhover”

Gerard Manley Hopkins distinguished and approved “sequences of feeling and phrase” in his friend Robert Bridges’s sonnets. A close reading of “The Windhover” reveals Hopkins’s own use of these sequences with a remarkable shift between the octave, developed by a series of adverbial and adjectival participial and prepositional phrases, and the sestet which proceeds as a series of declarative-exclamatory statements. The first half of the sonnet follows the kestrel’s flight as it “hovers” (hence its name) into a fixed position either by beating its wings (“hurl”) or by sitting still (“gliding”). This act of hovering is then transferred from the bird “there” to the poet’s own heart “here” by the verb “Buckle,” with its meaning of joining, bending, putting on, and holding back. This shift in action occurs also in place and time, from past to present, outdoors to an indoor chapel where the poet attended Mass each May morning. The action itself incorporates inscape as catching sight of the pattern of the kestrel’s flight in the morning of Christ’s created light and instress as the heart’s response in thought and being to Christ’s uplifting grace in the fire of redemption. “As kingfishers catch fire” reverses the sequences of feeling and phrase in “The Windhover” as it too moves from the physical (“each mortal thing”) to the supernatural as the “just man” becomes an after-Christ.
What Happened to Re-Visioning Community College Leadership? A 25-Year Retrospective.

Purpose: This research sought to determine if the gendered discourse on community college leadership has changed since Amey and Twombly published their analysis of community college literature in 1...
Relative Sensing, Control Precision, and Mission Delta-V Trade-Offs for Precision Formation Flying in Planetary Orbit

As control precision for Earth-orbiting formations increases, the required ΔV can quickly become infeasible. Missions have demonstrated approximately 5 m/s/yr for 10-m control (TanDEM-X), but that...
The Spectrum of Non-asthmatic Airway Diseases Contributing to Cough in the Adult.

Cough becomes a pathologic reflex when the airways are inflamed and overwhelmed with excessive mucus. The goal of this review is to discuss acute and chronic cough syndromes caused by non-asthmatic airway diseases. Acute cough syndrome is short-lived and self-limited. Acute bronchitis and diffuse acute infectious bronchiolitis (DAIB) are examples. The former is usually caused by a viral illness; the latter by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, influenza, and Haemophilus influenzae. Causes of chronic cough in the adult include chronic bronchitis, non-infectious bronchiolitis, and non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. Supportive measures are recommended for acute bronchitis and antibiotic use is discouraged. Antibiotics may be needed for DAIB. Smoking cessation and bronchodilators can control cough in chronic bronchitis. Therapeutic approaches for non-infectious bronchiolitis depend on the varied etiology. The hallmark of bronchiectasis is a chronic infection of the airways, and antibiotics, mucus clearance measures, and bronchodilators are all supportive.
The Role of Academic Health Centers in Addressing Health Equity and Social Determinants of Health.

Elsewhere in this issue, Park and colleagues argue that academic health centers (AHCs) must partner with communities to address health disparities and social determinants of health (SDOH). Who is ultimately responsible for addressing them is in question. Countries that have been successful in improv
Current requirements for ohmic ignition in ohmically heated toroidal experiment and reversed-field pinch reactors

A zero-dimensional power balance code has been developed to determine the minimum current requirements for ohmic ignition in compact and large ohmically heated toroidal experiment and reversed-field pinch reactors.
Study of pure and mixed clustered noble gas puffs irradiated with a high intensity (7 × 1019 W/cm2) sub-ps laser beam and achievement of a strong X-ray flash in a laser-generated debris-free X-ray source

We present a broad study of linear, clustered, noble gas puffs irradiated with the frequency doubled (527 nm) Titan laser at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Pure Ar, Kr, and Xe clustered gas puffs, as well as two mixed-gas puffs consisting of KrAr and XeKrAr gases, make up the targets. Characterization experiments to determine gas-puff density show that varying the experimental parameter gas-delay timing (the delay between gas puff initialization and laser-gas-puff interaction) provides a simple control over the gas-puff density. X-ray emission (>1.4 keV) is studied as a function of gas composition, density, and delay timing. Xe gas puffs produce the strongest peak radiation in the several keV spectral region. The emitted radiation was found to be anisotropic, with smaller X-ray flux observed in the direction perpendicular to both laser beam propagation and polarization directions. The degree of anisotropy is independent of gas target type but increases with photon energy. X-ray spectroscopic measurements estimate plasma parameters and highlight their difference with previous studies. Electron beams with energy in excess of 72 keV are present in the noble gas-puff plasmas and results indicate that Ar plays a key role in their production. A drastic increase in harder X-ray emissions (X-ray flash effect) and multi-MeV electron-beam generation from Xe gas-puff plasma occurred when the laser beam was focused on the front edge of the linear gas puff.
Pharmacologic Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders and Time With Unsuppressed HIV Viral Load in a Clinical HIV Cohort.

Objective:To evaluate associations of mood, anxiety, stress-/trauma-related, and psychotic disorders, both treated and untreated, with duration of unsuppressed HIV viral load (VL) among persons living with HIV (PLWH).Setting:The DC Cohort, an observational clinical cohort of PLWH followed from 2011
High-Density CCD Memories

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the high-density charge-coupled devices (CCDs) memories. The initial concept of CCDs by Boyle and Smith involved the use of an analog shift register as a memory component. The initial CCDs used three-phase clocking with simple, single-level metallization. To transfer charge from under one electrode to the next electrode, a very narrow gap between electrodes was required. For the surface-channel structure used, a 0.1-mil, that is, 2.54-μm, gap was required. This gap definition was at the photolithographic limit of that time period. CCDs have been applied to several areas such as signal processing and imaging, and memory. The preferred CCD structure for memories is the serial-parallel-serial (SPS) structure. This structure has several advantages over alternative designs with features such as good packaging density and the fewest transfers for a given array size between input and output. The consequence of this latter feature is reduced sensitivity to CTE losses. A two-phase structure of CCD has been the most widely used structure for generally accepted sound reasons.
Unpacking Course Overlap: Using Digital Tools to Incorporate Students’ Voice in Curriculum Design

Research on the use of modeling and mapping tools in curriculum management is thriving often focusing on the perspectives of the faculty and administrators. However, scholarly works on curriculum m...
Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Its Variants

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is one of the most common malignant neoplasms involving the anterior skull base, resulting from local invasion from an adjacent anatomical region. The primary sites of origin are most frequently the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, and less often the skin and orbit. Treatment strategies for these tumors have evolved, although management remains challenging due to the proximity to critical structures and their location at the intracranial-extracranial interface. The rarity of these tumors, and limited numbers at any one institution, has meant that most published series have grouped together different histologies in reporting outcomes. Data on SCC alone are thus limited. Treatment of SCC involving the anterior skull involves a multidisciplinary team approach. A number of potential treatment options exist, dependent on tumor, patient, and institutional factors. Current treatment strategies commonly involve multimodality therapy using a combination of surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Primary surgery is considered the mainstay of initial treatment in those tumors which are deemed resectable, followed by adjuvant radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy. Preoperative assessment includes confirmation of the tissue diagnosis, and imaging to assess resectability, guide the surgical approach, and to plan the extent of surgery and method of reconstruction. Analysis of our institutional database for patients undergoing surgery with SCC involving the anterior skull base showed a 5-year disease-specific survival of 65% for sinonasal SCC and 71% for cutaneous SCC. The surgical margin status as well as dural and pterygopalatine fossa involvement were predictors of a poor prognosis.
Grandparent Childcare in Illinois

In 2002 in Wickham v. Byrne, the Illinois Supreme Court recognized that in “most cases, the relationship between a child and… grandparents is a nurturing, loving relationship that provides a vital connection to the family’s history and roots.” Yet, it also said that given the “fit parent’s constitutionally protected liberty interest to direct the care, custody, and control of his or her children… parents - not judges - should… decide… with whom their children will associate.” Thus, the “human conflict” between parents and grandparents was found to have “no place in the courtroom.” In the article we argue that there needs to be some greater place in an Illinois courtroom for “human conflict” over grandparent childcare. Such childcare includes visitation (traditional and virtual), and, yes, financial support. Notwithstanding a “fit parent’s constitutionally protected liberty interest,” the U.S. Supreme Court, in a plurality opinion in Troxel v. Granville in 2000, recognized, contrary to Wickham, that the “presumption that parents act in their children’s best interests” does not totally prevent courts “from second-guessing parents’ visitation decisions.” At the least, second-guessing is permitted by the U.S. Supreme Court to prevent harm to grandchildren. Post-Wickham cases in Illinois also hold, and should continue to hold, that second-guessing is permitted in some instances, as where fit parents earlier agreed (as in consent decrees), but now object, to grandparent childcare. Illinois legislators should expand grandparent childcare opportunities via new statutes. Such initiatives are especially important today as varying crises disable many parents from providing adequate childcare.
Parental Socialization of Emotion and Psychophysiological Arousal Patterns in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at considerable risk for difficulties with emotion regulation and related functioning. Although it is commonly accepted that parents contribute to adaptive child regulation, as indexed by observable child behavior, theory and recent evidence suggest that parenting may also influence relevant underlying child physiological tendencies. The current study examined concurrent associations between two elements of parental socialization of emotion and measures of both sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system activity in 61 children with ASD aged 6 to 10 years. To index parental socialization, parents reported on their reactions to their children’s negative emotions, and parental scaffolding was coded from a dyadic problem-solving task. Children’s baseline respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), electrodermal reactivity (EDA-R), and RSA reactivity in response to challenge were obtained as measures of the children’s physiological activity. Regression analyses indicated that supportive parent reactions were related to higher child baseline RSA, a biomarker of regulatory capacity. Fewer unsupportive parent reactions and higher quality scaffolding were associated with higher EDA-R, a physiological index of inhibition. The identification of these concurrent associations represents a first step in understanding the complex and likely bidirectional interplay between parent socialization and child physiological reactivity and regulation in this high-risk population.
A closed-host bi-layer dense/porous solid electrolyte interphase for enhanced lithium-metal anode stability

Abstract Thanks to its high specific capacity and low electrochemical potential, lithium metal is an ideal anode for next-generation high-energy batteries. However, the unstable heterogeneous surface of lithium gives rise to safety and efficiency concerns that prevent it from being utilized in practical applications. In this work, the formation of a closed-host bi-layer solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) improves the stability of lithium metal anode. This is successfully realized by forming an interconnected porous LiF-rich artificial SEI in contact with Li metal, and a dense, stable in-situ formed upper layer SEI. The porous layer increases the number of Li/LiF interfaces, which reduces local volume fluctuations and improves Li+ diffusion along these interfaces. Additionally, the tortuous porous structure guides uniform Li+ flux distribution and mechanically suppresses dendrite propagation. The dense upper layer of the SEI accomplishes a closed-host design, preventing continuous consumption of active materials. The duality of a dense top layer with porous bottom layer led to extended cycle life and improved rate performance, evidenced with symmetric cell testing, as well as full cell testing paired with sulfur and LiFePO4 (LFP) cathodes. This work is a good example of a rational design of the SEI, based on comprehensive consideration of various critical factors to improve Li-metal anode stability, and highlights a new pathway to improve cycling and rate performances of Li metal batteries.