cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predictors of Intraprocedural Respiratory Bronchoscopy Complications.

PURPOSE Sleep apnea can increase adverse outcomes during ambulatory surgery but not during gastrointestinal endoscopy. We hypothesize that STOP-BANG is associated with intraprocedural bronchoscopy respiratory complications. METHODS Consecutive patients undergoing bronchoscopy under moderate sedation were prospectively administered the STOP-BANG questionnaire. Participants were assessed for intraprocedural complications including hypoxemia (oxygen saturation≤85%), bradypnea (respiratory rate<8), premature procedure cessation as well as the use of nonrebreather mask, bag-mask ventilation, jaw lift/chin tilt, nasal/oral airway, and naloxone administration. Associations were assessed via logistic regression. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator was used for multivariable model variable selection. RESULTS The 223 participants-mean age 61.1±15.5 years, body mass index 25.4kg/m (interquartile range: 22.4 to 30.7), 50.7% female, and 45.3% inpatient-had a high rate of respiratory complications (37.7%). There were no associations between STOP-BANG score and respiratory complications [odds ratio (OR)=1.07, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.92-1.25]. Asthma was protective in univariable models (OR=0.26, 95% CI: 0.04-0.98), whereas endobronchial ultrasound (OR=2.34, 95% CI: 1.35-4.10) and the number of procedure types (OR=1.24, 95% CI: 1.01-1.51) was associated with increased complications. The following factors were associated with respiratory complications in both multivariable and univariate analyses: increasing age (OR=1.28/decade, 95% CI: 1.03-1.61), baseline oxygen use per each liters per minute (OR=1.57, 95% CI: 1.21-2.09), and bronchoscopy duration (OR=1.20/10 min, 95% CI: 1.08-1.33). CONCLUSION Bronchoscopy respiratory complications are common. STOP-BANG was not associated with increased immediate bronchoscopy complication risk. Increasing age, oxygen use, and bronchoscopy duration were associated with respiratory complications; increased vigilance in these circumstances may prevent complications.
Submersion in Industrial Powders That Lead to Tracheal Impaction and an Unusual Intubation

Abstract Background Silica, also known as quartz, is a naturally occurring compound that has many common uses, such as for glass, pottery, and concrete. Similarly, bentonite, another natural compound found in many clays, has been used for a variety of purposes from cat litter to bulk laxatives. Both are known for their fluid-absorptive properties. The long-term effects of exposure such as developing silica pneumoconiosis are well studied; acute inhalational injuries of similar substances are also documented. Case Report We discuss the difficult airway case of a 32-year-old man who presented to the emergency department (ED) in cardiac arrest after he was buried in a mound of powdered silica and bentonite due to an industrial accident. The combination of the naturally fluid-absorptive properties of silica and bentonite, and the moist environment of the oropharynx, led to a unique circumstance. Most foreign bodies in the airway can be remedied, at least in part, by standard irrigation for decontamination. However, irrigation of dry bentonite and silica would produce a clay-like substance that could occlude the trachea, leading to an avoidably more difficult airway presentation. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? The difficulties experienced with his intubation can serve as a learning point to other providers who encounter a similar presentation. In the event that the inhaled substance is known to be fluid-absorptive, deviation from standard irrigation for decontamination may permit avoidance of a tracheal impaction, and facilitate establishment of a definitive airway. When there is suspicion for the potential of tracheal impaction, proceeding with bronchoscopy either in the ED or operating room as quickly as possible rather than continuing attempts at intubation may deliver the patient a definitive airway in a more timely fashion.
Evolutionarily stable investments in recognition systems explain patterns of discrimination failure and success.

Many animals are able to perform recognition feats that astound us—such as a rodent recognizing kin it has never met. Yet in other contexts, animals appear clueless as when reed warblers rear cucko...
Addressing Incivility and Bullying in the Practice Environment

Abstract Objective To identify knowledge related to incivility in the workplace, explore the impact that incivility can have on nursing and patient outcomes, and identify interventions to help promote a positive work environment. Data Sources Published literature, internet, books, and clinical guidelines. Conclusion Incivility detracts from the caring environment of oncology care. Incivility can negatively affect oncology nurse's ability to work together as collaborative teams and may have detrimental consequences on patient outcomes. Implications for Nursing Practice Oncology nursing is a highly collaborative specialty; therefore, nurse leaders need to ensure all team members have the tools needed to mitigate workplace incivility.
Seeing the forest through the trees: at the intersection of Forest Kindergartens and art-based environmental education

This study investigates the interconnectivity between art and ecology within a Forest School model. The success of outdoor programming, like Forest Schools, suggests that other outdoor curriculum a...
Can Right Ventricular Outlow Tract Monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia Be Associated with Brugada Syndrome

Arrhythmic sudden cardiac death in Brugada Syndrome is typically related to polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. In contrast, idiopathic right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) ventricular tachycardia is a monomorphic ventricular tachycardia that does not confer an increased risk of sudden cardiac death. An overlap may exist in which a Brugada pattern is associated with monomorphic outflow tract ventricular tachycardia. The clinical importance of differentiating classical Brugada syndrome from a Brugada pattern associated with outflow tract ventricular tachycardia stems from increased risk of sudden cardiac death in the former.
Embracing and Expanding Feminist Theory: (Re)conceptualizing Gender and Power:

In this commentary, I promote the continued value of feminist theory for understanding gendered violence. I examine the ways that the four articles featured in this special issue engage with feminist theory's focus on gender and power. I argue that each concept is critical to feminist analysis and needs to be conceptualized as interconnected and operating at structural, interactional/relational, and individual levels. I further investigate the extent to which the articles do, or could, account for intimate partner violence in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) lives, arguing that this is a necessary and critical step in our continued efforts to develop stronger theories of gendered violence. I end with a discussion of some implications of these articles and their conceptual contributions for future research.
The Interaction of Donor Human Milk Availability and Race/Ethnicity on Provision of Mother's Own Milk for Very Low Birth Weight Infants

Objective: To compare (1) differences in mother's own milk (MOM) provision and enteral feeding outcomes, (2) differences in preterm formula and donor human milk (DHM) uses as bridges to exclusive M...
Analysis of the quality factor of micromechanical resonators using memory-dependent derivative under different models

In the present work, the quality factor (and thermoelastic damping) of a microbeam resonator is analyzed by employing the three-phase-lag thermoelasticity theory with memory-dependent derivative. We compare our results with different heat conduction models. An explicit formula of thermoelastic damping has been derived, and effects of the normalized frequency and the beam height on thermoelastic damping of the microbeam resonator have been studied. We presented our work numerically by taking Silicon. The effects of normalized frequency, beam height, and different kernel of memory-dependent derivative on thermoelastic damping has been presented with the numerical data of Silicon.
Impact of Pharmacy-Driven Medication Reconciliation upon Admission to Improve Patient Safety in a Family Medicine Unit

Introduction: Medication reconciliation is the process of comparing a patient’s ordered medications to what the patient is actually taking. For several years, it has been included as part of The Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals for improving medication safety. Our study investigated the impact of pharmacy personnel involvement in the medication reconciliation process on a family medicine unit in a large, urban, academic medical center. Materials and Methods: A prospective, non-randomized, cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2017 through March 2018. The number of medication discrepancies identified as well as the characteristics of the patients, types and medication classes most commonly associated with discrepancies were assessed. Results: Approximately 104 out of 134 or 78% of patients had at least one discrepancy at the time of admission. The most common discrepancy type was related to the electronic medical record followed by omissions, patient non-compliance and the drug being held. The medication classes mostly commonly associated with discrepancies were over the counter medications, cardiac medications and analgesics. Of the 104 patients that had at least one discrepancy, 31 (30%) required an intervention by a member of the pharmacy team. Conclusion: Pharmacy interns identified additional prescription and non-prescription medication discrepancies after the medication reconciliation process had already been completed. Involving pharmacy interns in a formal, standardized medication reconciliation process can help maintain and communicate accurate patient information.
A choir or cacophony? Sample sizes and quality of conveying participants’ voices in phenomenological research:

Misunderstandings about qualitative methods, whether phenomenological or otherwise, are prevalent in social science research. Such misunderstandings leave researchers, reviewers, and editors less e...
Chapter 27. Stable Isotopes in Drug Metabolism and Disposition

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses mainly the literature published since 1981 and the recent developments in the use of stable isotopes for investigations of drug metabolism and disposition. The isotope cluster (isotope doublet, twin ion) technique has proved to be a powerful method for the detection and structural identification of drug metabolites in complex biological matrices. Although a useful adjunct to the stable isotope cluster technique, the administration of radiotracers in human research is limited on ethical grounds, particularly in pediatric and obstetric populations. Studies on the biotransformation of theophylline in premature newborns and on the placental transfer and fetal metabolism of this compound in humans relied exclusively on the use of theophylline as tracer. Although the use of deuterium in drug metabolism, involving the isotope cluster technique, may be complicated by isotope effects, both cost and convenience have led most workers to rely on this isotope. Recent examples include reports on arninopyrine, pencycuron, phencyclidine, fentanyl, and diethylstilbestrol. The use of stable-isotope-labeled compounds as internal standards for the quantitation of drugs and metabolites in biological fluids offers a unique combination of sensitivity and selectivity of detection for the pharmacokinetic studies. Stable isotope techniques offer a number of significant advantages over alternative methods for investigations of drug metabolism and disposition. Some of these have been highlighted in the chapter and are widely appreciated.
‘To help keep the home going’: female labour supply in interwar London

Most prior work on historical female labour supply has been confined to looking at the female labour force participation decision. This article uses the detailed information on weekly hours of work and wages contained in the New Survey of London Life and Labour (NSLLL) (1928–32) to provide the first estimation of both the participation and the hours-of-work decisions for female workers prior to the Second World War. The main finding is that the labour supply curve was negatively sloped—women worked longer hours at lower wages. It is also possible to compare the determinants of the labour force participation decision and the hours of work decision among females in the NSLLL. It appears that the labour force participation decision was more strongly related to household income level than to own wages, while the hours of work decision among working women was more strongly related to the wage level than to household income. Finally, the article also examines the differential labour market behaviour of married women, female household heads, and young single women; most striking among these results is the evident added-worker effect on married women of the onset of the Great Depression in 1930.
Foodborne Viral Pathogens

Human enteric viruses have properties that are unique from those of bacterial foodborne pathogens. From an epidemiologic perspective, the noroviruses (NoVs) and hepatitis A virus (HAV) are the two most important enteric virus groups transmitted by foodborne routes. Human isolates of HAV comprise a single serotype, and monoclonal antibodies raised to different isolates fail to distinguish the isolates from one another. The rotaviruses usually are transmitted by either waterborne or person-to-person routes, but they can be food borne. This virus group is the leading cause of infantile diarrhea worldwide and is responsible for up to 130 million illnesses and 600,000 to 870,000 deaths per year, with the vast majority of rotavirus associated deaths occurring in developing countries. The contamination of produce items usually occurs before the product reaches food service establishments. The most commonly implicated bivalves are oysters, followed by clams, and it is now estimated that human enteric viruses are the most common disease agents transmitted by molluscan shellfish. Adherence to strict hygienic practices when handling and preparing foods is critical to control viral contamination of ready-to-eat (RTE) food products. A potential control strategy, albeit in developmental stages, would be the detection of viral contamination in foods. Improved and more widespread reporting and investigation of foodborne viral disease outbreaks, and targeted epidemiologic studies to identify the risk factors for viral gastroenteritis, would improve the understanding of attribution.
Comparison Theorems for the Estimation of Average Collision Probabilities. II

BS>Three theorems given by Dresner for the estimation of average collision probabilities of convex solids of irregular shape were studied. Proofs are given for two theorems and one is shown to be erroneous. (C.J.G.)
Childhood Enuresis: Prevalence, Perceived Impact, and Prescribed Treatments

Childhood enuresis can indicate an underlying problem as benign as developmental immaturity or as serious as urinary tract obstruction. As part of a large population-based study, parents of 1,753 children aged 5 to 13 years were asked about the presence and frequency of enuresis, perceived impact, and physician-prescribed treatments. Enuresis at least once during a 3-month period was reported for 14% of this general population of children. Boys were significantly more likely to experience enuresis than girls (16% v 12%; P less than .01). The prevalence of enuresis at least once a week was similar among boys and girls (7% v 6%). Parents reported that more than half of the children are distressed by their enuresis, and two thirds of parents expressed concern. Thirty-eight percent of bed wetters have seen a physician about their condition. More than one third of these children have been treated with a drug. The most commonly recommended regimen in the literature, the bed alarm, was prescribed to only 3% of bed-wetting children who saw a physician.
Agricultural Settlement and Ecological Crisis in the Ecuadorian Amazon Frontier. A Discussion of the Policy Environment

Some theories of deforestation suggest that resource-poor peasant populations engaged in agriculture play an important role in the process with competing theories on the reasons agricultural migrants clear forests: demographic political and economic. The aim of this article is to discuss the principal policies that have determined the occupation in Ecuadors Amazon region in particular the oil-producing northeastern region and the valleys of the Napo and Aquarico rivers. The exploratory causal analysis is drawn from socioeconomic political and economic circumstances which propelled colonization. Circumstances which would provide alternatives to deforestation are examined. The inadequacies for sustained development of the emerging policies are pointed out. Ecuadors economy was transformed in the 1970s when oil was discovered in the Amazon. Deforestation in the Amazon region is greatest in Ecuador; forest is lost at the rate of 2% per year. Colonization policy initially was directed to attracting colonists and later to stimulating spontaneous movement from the Sierra and Costa regions. The first land reform law was passed in 1964 and colonization was implemented by the Ecuadorian Institute of Agrarian Reform and Colonization (IERAC). Law permits state transfer of public forests to private parties which assures land clearing in order to achieve land tenure. Settlement has followed oil development rather than government selected areas. Colonization was viewed as protecting national interests due to the history of land lost to neighboring countries because of lack of human habitation. The Amazon region was viewed also as an area of infinite space and resources which was perfect for relieving population pressure poverty and inequalities. At present settlers are confronted with difficulties in land titles credit marketing and tenure conflicts with indigenous populations. sound resource management is constrained by the tenure regime and government subsidies for conversion of forests to pasture. It is likely that the Ecuadorian government will continue the policies to promote colonization. Policies are needed at the regional level and at the national level based on solid micro and macro information. Development must involve the indigenous and settler populations. The natural resource base must be able to sustain livelihoods.
Prediction, Preference, and Idea Markets: How Corporations can Use the Wisdom of their Employees

This article evaluates the use of virtual stock markets in corporations. An overview of the three different types of virtual markets, prediction, preference and idea, used in corporations are discussed. A conceptual model is then discussed in the subsequent section and is used as a reference for explaining why HZX, IEM and InTrade achieve high forecast accuracy and the conditions required by corporations to achieve similar results. The article concludes with a discussion of the process for setting up a virtual stock market in companies as well as guidance on how to select a virtual stock market software platform.
Evidence of clustering in liquid Zn-Sb alloys from viscosity measurements

Viscosity measurements have been performed on Zn-Sb alloys over the entire composition range employing the oscillating crucible technique. The viscosity showed a distinct maximum at Zn4Sb3 (43.86 at. pct Sb). The activation energy is high in the composition range from 40 to 50 at. pct Sb, but shows a local minimum at Zn4Sb3. The data suggests that tightly bound Zn4Sb3 clusters exist in the melt.
Insights from the initial post-implementation review of FIN 48

In 2009, the Financial Accounting Foundation (FAF) determined that the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standard setting process required a formal review to monitor and address issues that can arise after the implementation of accounting standards. The FAF selected FASB Interpretation No. 48 (FIN 48), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, as the initial post-implementation review (PIR) standard. This paper informs the academic community about the PIR process and provides an academic perspective on the initial PIR of FIN 48. In particular, we demonstrate the role of the academic literature using the FIN 48 literature review prepared as part of the PIR process.
Unfamiliar feminisms: revisiting the national council of women psychologists.

Second-generation women psychologists lived and worked between the two waves of organized feminist protest in the United States. This period is usually described as a time when feminist activity wa...
Full color natural light holographic camera

Full-color, three-dimensional images of objects under incoherent illumination are obtained by a digital holography technique. Based on self-interference of two beam-split copies of the object’s optical field with differential curvatures, the apparatus consists of a beam-splitter, a few mirrors and lenses, a piezo-actuator, and a color camera. No lasers or other special illuminations are used for recording or reconstruction. Color holographic images of daylight-illuminated outdoor scenes and a halogen lamp-illuminated toy figure are obtained. From a recorded hologram, images can be calculated, or numerically focused, at any distances for viewing.
Regularization of chiral gauge theories

The regularization of chiral gauge theories is reviewed from the “overlap” point of riew. This is a brief and biased review containing no references.
Axial mixing effects in packed gas-liquid contactors

The usual assumption of plug flow of gas and liquid in packed columns may not be correct in many instances. If there is departure from this ideal flow case, then the driving force for mass transfer is diminished, and allowance must be made for additional packed height if the specified separation is to be made. On the basis of our earlier experimental work, we present here the methodology for making the nonideal flow correction and show examples of how the correction can have a significant impact on the separating capability of the contactor. In particular, newer high-efficiency packings are included in the study, specifically “through-flow” rings and strucured packings of both the gauze and sheet-metal types.
WIDTH AND ENERGY OF SOLAR p-MODES OBSERVED BY GLOBAL OSCILLATION NETWORK GROUP

We present measurements of mode width, Γ, and mean square velocity power, , derived from all currently processed 108 day Global Oscillation Network Group (GONG) time series and discuss their implications for p-mode excitation and damping. Assuming stochastic excitation, we estimate the energy per mode, E, and the energy supply rate, dE/dt. For modes with l = 9-150, the mean square velocity power and the mode energy peak at about 3.15 mHz reaching values of ≈ 1.4 × 103 cm2 s-2 and E ≈ 2.2 × 1028 ergs. The energy supply rate reaches a maximum value of dE/dt ≈ 2.5 × 1023 ergs s-1 near 3.6 mHz. The mode width shows the familiar "plateau" between 2.5 and 3.1 mHz with a "dip" near 2.9 mHz, which is strongest for l ≈ 40. This dip is most prominent during solar cycle minimum and disappears with increasing magnetic activity. The energy supply rate decreases on average by about 2.7% from the previous activity minimum to the currently highest level of activity. The solar cycle variation of dE/dt shows no frequency dependence, which is in marked contrast to the other mode parameters. The mode parameters are adequately represented by power laws in several frequency ranges, for example, dE/dt ~ ν6.89±0.07 for 2.4 mHz ≤ ν < 3.0 mHz and dE/dt ~ ν-5.62±0.27 for 3.75 mHz ≤ ν < 4.5 mHz. The solar cycle variation of these parameters can then be expressed as changes of a few percent in the power-law exponents and multipliers. Our results agree reasonably well with previous studies of Birmingham Solar-Oscillations Network and Big Bear Solar Observatory data.
Transient analysis of multielement wire antennas mounted on arbitrarily shaped perfectly conducting bodies

This paper presents a novel algorithm for analyzing transient radiation from multielement wire systems mounted on arbitrarily shaped, three-dimensional, perfectly conducting bodies. The algorithm simultaneously characterizes the transient radiation properties of the antenna and the performance of the feed network via a hybrid integral-equation/finite difference scheme. Numerical examples that validate and demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed scheme are presented.
Distribution and growth of benthic macroinvertebrates among different patch types of the littoral zones of two arctic lakes

Summary 1. To evaluate the effect of habitat patch heterogeneity on abundance and growth of macroinvertebrates in arctic lakes, macroinvertebrate abundance, individual biomass, and potential food resources were studied in three patch types in two arctic lakes on the Alaskan North Slope near the Toolik Lake Field Station. An experiment was conducted to determine which sediment patch type supported higher growth rates for Chironomus sp., a commonly occurring macroinvertebrate. 2. Potential organic matter (OM) resources were significantly higher in both rock and macrophyte patches than in open-mud patches. Total macroinvertebrate densities in both lakes were highest in rock patches, intermediate in macrophytes and lowest in open-mud. The open-mud patches also had lower species richness compared with other patch types. Additionally, individual biomass for one clam species and two chironomid species was significantly greater in rock patches than in open-mud. 3. In a laboratory experiment, Chironomus showed two to three times greater mass increase in sediments from macrophyte and rock patches than from open-mud patches. Rock and macrophyte experimental sediments had at least 1.5 × the percentage OM as open-mud sediments. 4. Chlorophyll a appeared to be the best predictor for invertebrate abundances across all patch types measured, whereas OM content appeared to be the variable most closely associated with Chironomus growth. 5. Our results combined with previous studies show that the relationships between macroinvertebrate community structure, individual growth, and habitat heterogeneity are complex, reflecting the interaction of multiple resources, and biotic interactions, such as the presence or absence of a selective vertebrate predator (lake trout, Salvelinus namaycush).
Transformation of an arachidonic acid hydroperoxide into epoxyhydroxy and trihydroxy fatty acids by liver microsomal cytochrome P-450.

Abstract In the absence of NADPH, the addition of an arachidonic acid hydroperoxide, 15-hydroperoxyeicosa-5, 8,11,13-tetraenoic acid, to liver microsomes, prepared from phenobarbital-treated rats, resulted in the formation of two major metabolites and several minor products, some of which have been purified by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. We propose the structures of the two major products to be 13-hydroxy-14, 15-epoxyeicosa-5,8,11-trienoic acid and 11,14,15-trihydroxyeicosa-5,8,12-trienoic acid based on spectral characteristics and mass spectral analysis of derivatives of the compounds. A potential heterolytic cleavage product, 15-hydroxyeicosa-5,8,11,13-tetraenoic acid, was not a product of the reaction. Ferric cytochrome P -450 catalyzed the formation of these products as shown by (i) the inability of boiled microsomes to support the reaction, (ii) the inhibition of epoxyhydroxy and trihydroxy fatty acid formation by imidazole derivatives which bind tightly to the ferric heme iron of cytochrome P -450, and (iii) the inability of carbon monoxide (which binds to ferrous P -450) and free iron chelators (EDTA and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) to inhibit product formation. These results show that liver microsomal cytochrome P -450, in addition to its role in the NADPH-dependent metabolism of arachidonic acid, can utilize a hydroperoxide to produce an interesting series of potentially important arachidonic acid metabolites.
Local Tool Wear Prediction Using Physics-Based Models

A semi-empirical model based on the physics behind tool wear that can depict the tool wear locally is developed to predict crater profiles of multilayer coated carbides. Dissolution and abrasion relationships are recast into a point-wise or local version to predict directly based on the temperature and pressure profiles from FE simulation. The approach is reasonable to explain the crater profiles observed in multilayer coated carbides. However, the model deviates from the real profiles due to the κ-to-α phase transformation in the middle Al2 O3 layer, the change in the friction conditions as each layer is exposed, and the combined wear resistance of multi-layers of the cutting tool.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Gender difference in baroreflex-mediated bradycardia in young rats: role of cardiac sympathetic and parasympathetic components.

In a previous clinical study we have demonstrated a significantly lower baroreflex-mediated bradycardic response in young women compared with men. The present study determined whether sexual dimorphism in baroreflex sensitivity in young rats also covers the reflex tachycardic response. The study was then extended to test the hypothesis that an attenuated cardiac cholinergic component of the baroreflex heart rate response in females may account for the gender difference. Baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) was expressed as the regression coefficient of the reciprocal relationship between evoked changes in blood pressure and heart rate. BRS measured in conscious rats with phenylephrine (BRSPE) and nitroprusside (BRSNP) represented the reflex bradycardic and tachycardic responses, respectively. Female rats exhibited significantly lower BRS PE compared with male rats (-1.53 ± 0.1 vs. -2.36 ± 0.13 beats·min -1 ·mmHg -1 ; p < 0.05) but similar BRSNP (-2.60 ± 0.20 vs. -2.29 ± 0.17 beats·min -1 ·mmHg -1 ). Blockade of cardiac muscarinic receptors with atropine methyl bromide elicited greater attenuation of BRS PE in male than in female rats (72 ± 4.6 vs. 53 ± 6.7% inhibition; p < 0.01) and abolished the gender difference. In male rats cardiac muscarinic blockade attenuated BRSPE significantly more than did cardiac β-adrenergic receptor blockade with propranolol (72 ± 4.6 vs. 43 ± 2.7; p < 0.01), which suggests greater dependence of BRSPE on the parasympathetic component. In females, muscarinic and β-adrenergic blockade elicited similar attenuation of BRS PE. The findings suggest that (i) BRS is differentially influenced by gender; female rats exhibit substantially lower BRS PE but similar BRSNP compared with age-matched male rats and (ii) the sexual dimorphism in BRSPE results, at least partly, from a smaller increase in vagal outflow to the heart in response to baroreceptor activation.
Methodology evaluation for remotely estimating water quality parameters in estuarine waters

Water absorption signatures were measured from water samples placed in a 50 cm pathlength cylindrical cuvette. Quantitative analysis of chlorophyll-a and dissolved organic matter (DOM- humic acid, fulvic acid, or tannic acid) was conducted using second derivative spectra followed by computation of double inflection ratio (DIR) spectra for all possible combinations of bands (from 362 - 1115 nm with 252 channels). A specially designed instrument system is described which allows measurements of absorption of particulate and dissolved organic matter (chlorophyll-a and DOM) in a water sample. The ability of the system to allow measurement of absorption signatures and relating the data to observed or in-situ water reflectance signatures measured from a moving or in-situ platform is described. The methods demonstrate the value of high spectral resolution signatures to estimate concentrations of the water quality parameters and an analytical technique using optimal ambient correlation spectroscopy for selecting bands or channels for estimating concentrations directly from spectral absorption signatures.
Regional myocardial volume alterations induced by brief repeated coronary occlusion in conscious dogs

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether brief repeated coronary occlusions induce changes in regional myocardial geometry at rest. Five conscious dogs were instrumented for the measurement of subendocardial segment length and transmural wall thickness in the ischemic area, subendocardial segment length in the normally perfused area, coronary flow and left ventricular pressure. After recovery from surgery, 180 (mean) 2 min coronary occlusions were given over a period of 20 days. The heart rate at rest, left ventricular peak systolic and end-diastolic pressures and peak positive first derivative of left ventricular pressure (dP/dt) remained unchanged throughout the experiment. In the normal area, the end-diastolic segment length at rest did not change significantly. By contrast, in the ischemic area, at 14 days after the initiation of repeated coronary occlusion, the end-diastolic regional crosssectional area (product of segment length and wall thickness) at rest had increased by 9.7% (p
A low-dimensional model for the red blood cell

The red blood cell (RBC) is an important determinant of the rheological properties of blood because of its predominant number density, special mechanical properties and dynamics. Here, we develop a new low-dimensional RBC model based on dissipative particle dynamics (DPD). The model is constructed as a closed-torus-like ring of 10 colloidal particles connected by wormlike chain springs combined with bending resistance. Each colloidal particle is represented by a single DPD particle with a repulsive core. The model is able to capture the essential mechanical properties of RBCs, and allows for economical exploration of the rheology of RBC suspensions. Specifically, we find that the linear and non-linear elastic deformations of healthy and malaria-infected cells match those obtained in optical tweezers experiments. Through simulations of some key features of blood flow in vessels, i.e., the cell-free layer (CFL), the Fahraeus effect and the Fahraeus-Lindqvist effect, we verify that the new model captures the essential shear flow properties of real blood, except for capillaries of sizes comparable to the cell diameter. Finally, we investigate the influence of a geometrical constriction in the flow on the enhancement of the downstream CFL. Our results are in agreement with recent experiments.
How do drug-induced topoisomerase I-DNA lesions signal to the molecular interaction network that regulates cell cycle checkpoints, DNA replication, and DNA repair?

Recent results suggest that potentially lethal DNA lesions may result when replication forks encounter trapped topoisomerase-DNA complexes or some other types of DNA damage. Such events produce what are called replication-encounter lesions. These lesions have the characteristic that they may allow single stranded DNA-associated replication protein A (RPA) to become juxtaposed to dsDNA end-associated DNA-protein kinase. Our results suggest that DNA-protein kinases may then hyperphosphorylate the RPA2 subunit. We discuss a possible pathway by which hyperphosphorylation of RPA2 could lead to the release of active p53. This could constitute a pathway for signaling the presence of replication-encounter lesions to the p53-dependent cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis initiator systems. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A01Q2011 00008
Spinal matrix metalloproteinase 3 mediates inflammatory hyperalgesia via a tumor necrosis factor-dependent mechanism.

Abstract Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in the modulation of synaptic plasticity, glial activation, and long-term potentiation in the CNS. Here we demonstrate for the first time a mechanism for the regulation of nociceptive processing by spinal MMP-3 during peripheral inflammation. We first determined by western blotting that the catalytic (active) form of MMP-3 (cMMP-3) is increased in lumbar spinal cord following peripheral inflammation in rats. The peripheral inflammation-induced thermal hyperalgesia and tactile hypersensitivity was transiently (2–3 h) attenuated by intrathecal (IT) pretreatment with either an MMP-3 inhibitor (NNGH), or a broad spectrum MMP inhibitor (GM6001). In addition, IT delivery of cMMP-3 evoked hypersensitivity, whereas the pro (enzymatically inactive) form of MMP-3 did not. This suggests a pro-algesic effect of spinal MMP-3 mediated by an enzymatic mechanism. This cMMP-3-induced hypersensitivity is concurrent with increased tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in the spinal cord. The hypersensitivity behavior is prevented by intrathecal etanercept (TNF blockade). Treatment with cMMP-3 resulted in an increase in TNF release from spinal primary microglial, but not astrocyte cultures. These findings thus present direct evidence implicating MMP-3 in the coordination of spinal nociceptive processing via a spinal TNF-dependent mechanism.
Optimizing Skip Stop Service in Passenger Rail Transportation

Two-track passenger rail lines typically operate with all trains serving every station. Without additional infrastructure, transit planners have limited options to improve travel times. Service could be improved by operating a skip-stop service where trains only serve a subset of all the station stops. A skip-stop pattern must find an optimal balance between faster passenger travel times and lower service frequencies at each station. A mixed integer formulation is proposed to analyze this tradeoff; however, the mixed integer formulation could not scale efficiently to analyze a large scale commuter line. A genetic algorithm is presented to search the solution space incorporating a larger problem scope and complexity. In a case study of a Midwest commuter line, overall passenger travel time could be decreased by 9.5%. Both analyses can give insights to transit operators on how to improve their service to their customers and increase ridership.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Naphthobisthiazole diimide-based n-type polymer semiconductors: synthesis, π-stacking, field-effect charge transport, and all-polymer solar cells

New n-type conjugated polymer semiconductors bearing an electron-deficient naphthobisthiazole diimide (NBTDI) moiety have been synthesized and their electronic energy levels, solid-state morphology, field-effect charge transport and photovoltaic properties were investigated. Stille coupling polymerization of the new monomer 5,11-bis(4-bromophenyl)-2,8-bis(2-decyltetradecyl)-benzothiazolo[4,5,6,7-lmn]thiazolo[5,4-f][3,8]phenanthroline-1,3,7,9(2H, 8H)-tetrone with distannyl derivatives of the arylene moiety (1,4-phenylene/2,5-thienylene/vinylene) yielded poly(naphthobisthiazole diimide)s (PNBTDIs) with number-average molecular weights of 73–89 kDa and polydispersity indexes of 2.46–3.08. Thin films of the PNBTDIs have strong absorption bands in the visible region, resulting in an absorption edge optical band gap of 1.73–2.02 eV. X-ray diffraction analysis of neat films of PNBTDIs revealed lamellar crystalline materials with a rather short intermolecular π–π stacking distance of 0.34–0.35 nm. In thin film transistors, the PNBTDIs showed unipolar n-channel transport with electron mobility as high as 1.5 × 10−2 cm2 V−1 s−1. All-polymer solar cells incorporating the PNBTDIs as an electron acceptor and thiazolothiazole copolymer (PSEHTT) as a donor had power conversion efficiencies of 1.1–1.5%. The results demonstrate that poly(naphthobisthiazole diimide)s are promising n-type materials for field-effect transistors and all-polymer solar cells.
REDUCTION METHOD AND DISTORTION POTENTIALS FOR MANY-PARTICLE SCATTERING EQUATIONS.

A general procedure is formulated by which the hierarchy of many-particle scattering equations of the Faddeev types can be reduced systematically to matrix equations of lower dimensions. As illustrations, such reduced sets are derived explicitly for the three-particle system by rearranging different components of the total Green's function. The resulting equations iterate with connected kernels only in the explicit channels. Using the reduction method, the connection between the various versions of scattering equations derived earlier have been exhibited. The effect of implicit channels may be taken into account noniteratively using the channel projection operators. It is also shown that an arbitrary set of distortion potentials may be introduced for the purpose of minimizing the coupling between the rearrangement channels, thus improving the convergence of the multiple-scattering series.
Selection of TiN as the Interconnect Material for Measuring the Electrical Conductivity of Polymer-Derived SiCN at High Temperatures

Three transition metals, Ni, Mo, and Ti, were reacted with SiCN at high temperatures, and the reaction products characterized by X-ray diffraction. It was concluded that TiN is the most suitable interconnect material for the measurement of the electrical conductivity of SiCN at temperatures up to 1400°C. The TiN interconnects were produced by an in situ process on H-shape specimens of SiCN, with an appropriate correction factor (which was obtained by finite-element analysis) for the four-point measurement of the electrical resistance. The process consisted of placing a small drop of a slurry constituted from liquid Ceraset™ (the precursor for SiCN) and Ti metal powder (50 wt%) on the contact point. The droplet was photo-cured and pyrolyzed. The TiN interconnect was generated during the pyrolysis. Finally, as an example, the measurement of the conductivity of a SiCNO sample up to 1300°C is reported. A more complete study of the relationship between the conductivity and the composition of SiCNO will be reported separately.
Liver on a chip: Engineering the liver sinusoid

We have developed a novel microfluidic device using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchannels for long term, layered co-culture of primary rat hepatocytes (PRH) and endothelial cells (EC) to mimic the liver sinusoid. Three microfluidic configurations were investigated as shown in Figure 1. In configuration 1, where PRH and rat adrenal medullary endothelial cells (RAMEC) were co-cultured with matrigel in layers in a single PDMS microchannel, cells remained viable for 30 days. In configuration 3, where PRH and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) were cultured on the opposite sides of the microporous membrane between two microchannels under static and dynamic conditions, PRH retained their viability and normal morphology up to 35 days and 63 days, respectively. Thus, our novel liver models that closely mimic the liver sinusoid have been proven to facilitate long-term layered co-cultures of PRH and EC.
The disciplinary dimensions of nineteenth-century gymnastics for US women

This study examines the conditions and terms under which US discourses promoting gymnastics for women institutionalized those exercise regimens as vehicles of disciplinarity between 1830–1870. Specifically, it finds that those texts encouraged practices of medical examination and measurement along with a variety of additional, interconnected and significant disciplinary operations: economies of space, of distribution, and of order; logics of temporality, of individual development, and of social salvation; procedures of monitoring and of rendering normalizing judgments; mechanisms of review and of punishment through exercise; as well as the dynamics of panopticism and of self-monitoring. That array of disciplinary techniques, in turn, was meant to materially effect not only a healthy, orderly, and morally transcendent social body but also enlightened, disciplined, and idealized feminine subjectivities. As a consequence, this paper also asserts that the resistant potentialities of gymnastics for US women be...
Rechargeable manganese oxide electrodes

Abstract Manganese dioxide electrodes are known to be rechargeable only under conditions of shallow depth of discharge not exceeding a fraction of one-electron capacity. Even under these conditions only some 50–100 cycles can be obtained. In the present work “chemically modified” manganese oxide materials are described which have no inherent limitations to their cycle-life even under conditions of deep discharge reaching 80–95% of their theoretical two-electron capacity in each cycle. The unique properties of these materials include also the capability of high current drains and insensitivity to overdischarge and overcharge. Methods of preparation, physico-chemical characteristics and electrochemical behavior of these materials are described. Possible interpretations of the effects of chemical modification on electrode rechargeability are discussed.
Sydenham's Chorea: Positron Emission Tomographic (PET) Scan Studies

Two patients with Sydenham's chorea were evaluated with positron emission tomographic (PET) scans in the active phase of the disease. One patient had repeat scanning in the recovery phase. PET scans showed hypermetabolic changes of the caudate nuclei and putamen in the active phase of Sydenham's chorea. The scan reverted to normal in the recovery phase. These changes can afford a basis for comparing concurrent serum antibody studies in the acute and recovery phases of Sydenham's chorea.
Empathy and sinophobia: depicting Chinese migration in Biutiful (Iñárritu, 2010)

Biutiful by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (2010) engages issues of immigration and their economies through a broader, decidedly transnational perspective. While this ‘global cinema’ lens has the benefit of putting spectators in contact with the less visible, even unsightly components of immigration and irregular economies, Biutiful, perhaps unwittingly, also reifies stereotyping as well as neoliberal fears of immigration, in particular as it relates to Chinese migrants and their business practices, ultimately creating an image of the immigrant Chinese entrepreneur as a global villain whose moral turpitude plays a large role in the current cycle of labour exploitation. This essay explores the ways in which the film is constructed as part of a cinematic tradition that seeks to connect the spectator with the plight of immigrants who are trapped in their socio-economic conditions while simultaneously hooking up with a certain pre-existing anti-Chinese sentiment – one that is fostered by daily reports of Chinese...
DETECTING SEMANTIC ANOMALIES IN TRUCK WEIGH-IN-MOTION TRAFFIC DATA USING DATA MINING

Monitoring data from event-based monitoring systems are becoming more and more prevalent in civil engineering. An example is truck weigh-in-motion (WIM) data. These data are used in the transportation domain for various analyses, such as analyzing the effects of commercial truck traffic on pavement materials and designs. It is important that such analyses use good quality data or at least account appropriately for any deficiencies in the quality of data they are using. Low quality data may exist due to problems in the sensing hardware, in its calibration, or in the software processing the raw sensor data. The vast quantities of data collected make it infeasible for a human to examine all the data. The writers propose a data mining approach for automatically detecting semantic anomalies i.e., unexpected behavior in monitoring data. The writers' method provides automated assistance to domain experts in setting up constraints for data behavior. The effectiveness of this method is shown by reporting its successful application to data from an actual WIM system, the experimental data the Minnesota department of transportation collected by its Minnesota road research project (Mn/ROAD) facilities. The constraints the expert set up by applying this method were useful for automatic anomaly detection over the Mn/ROAD data, i.e., they detected anomalies the expert cared about, e.g., unlikely vehicles and erroneously classified vehicles, and the misclassification rate was reasonable for a human to handle (usually less than 3%). Moreover, the expert gained insights about system behavior, such as realizing that a system-wide change had occurred. The constraints detected, for example, periods in which the WIM system reported that roughly 20% of the vehicles classified as three-axle single-unit trucks had only one axle.