cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ranking migration cue contributions to guiding individual fibroblasts faced with a directional decision in simple microfluidic bifurcations

Directed cell migration in complex micro-environments, such as in vivo pores, is important for predicting locations of artificial tissue growth and optimizing scaffold architectures. Yet, the directional decisions of cells facing multiple physiochemical cues have not been characterized. Hence, we aim to provide a ranking of the relative importance of the following cues to the decision-making of individual fibroblast cells: chemoattractant concentration gradient, channel width, mitosis, and contact-guidance. In this study, bifurcated micro-channels with branches of different widths were created. Fibroblasts were then allowed to travel across these geometries by following a gradient of platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) established inside the channels. Subsequently, a combination of statistical analysis and image-based diffusion modeling was used to report how the presence of multiple complex migration cues, including cell-cell influences, affect the fibroblast decision-making. It was found that the cells prefer wider channels over a higher chemoattractant gradient when choosing between asymmetric bifurcated branches. Only when the branches were symmetric in width did the gradient become predominant in directing which path the cell will take. Furthermore, when both the gradient and the channels were symmetric, contact guidance became important for guiding the cells in making directional choices. Based on these results we were able to rank these directional cues from most influential to the least as follows: mitosis > channel width asymmetry > chemoattractant gradient difference > and contact-guidance. It is expected that these results will benefit the fields of regenerative medicine, wound healing and developmental biology.
Micropulse Transscleral Diode Laser Cyclophotocoagulation in Refractory Glaucoma: Short-Term Efficacy, Safety, and Impact of Surgical History on Outcomes.

Purpose To assess the short-term efficacy and safety of micropulse transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation (MP-TSCPC) in the management of refractory glaucoma and to compare outcomes based on prior glaucoma surgeries. Design Retrospective analysis. Participants Patients with refractory glaucoma who underwent MP-TSCPC at a single institution by 1 of 4 surgeons. Methods Chart review of cases of MP-TSCPC using the Iridex Cyclo G6 (Mountain View, CA) laser with standard parameters and laser duration at the discretion of each treating physician. Main Outcome Measures Probability of postoperative success was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Success parameters included intraocular pressure (IOP) 6 to 21 mmHg with or without topical antihypertensive therapy, 20% or more IOP reduction from baseline for any 2 consecutive visits after 3 postoperative months, and no subsequent glaucoma surgery. Results One hundred sixteen eyes of 116 patients (mean age, 65.8±16.9 years) were included. Baseline IOP was 22.2±7.9 mmHg, and mean postoperative follow-up time was 6.3±3.4 months (range, 3–12 months.) Postoperative IOP at the final follow up was 15.3±6.6 mmHg (P Conclusions Micropulse transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation has a significant short-term ocular hypotensive effect and favorable safety profile in eyes with refractory glaucoma. The probability of successful outcome was greater in eyes that had undergone prior traditional glaucoma surgery.
Cognitive Biases & Errors in Headache Medicine

Premise In recent years, the importance and prevalence of cognitive biases has gained scholarly attention in medicine as well as management science regarding a wide range of human activities. Problem The purpose of this review is to illustrate some of the many areas of Headache Medicine that exemplify some of these areas and to highlight the fact that our discipline is, in some cases, apparently more prone to some of these biases than other areas of clinical medicine. Potential solution The lack of prospective studies to identify and address unconscious cognitive processes that skew the process of clinical headache management indicates that this is a field of investigation that is ripe for attention.
Vip1 Is a Kinase and Pyrophosphatase Switch That Regulates Inositol Diphosphate Signaling

Inositol diphosphates (PP-IPs), also known as inositol pyrophosphates, are high-energy cellular signaling codes involved in nutrient and regulatory responses. We report that the evolutionarily conserved gene product, Vip1, possesses autonomous kinase and pyrophosphatase domains capable of synthesis and destruction of D-1 PP-IPs. Our studies provide atomic-resolution structures of the PP-IP products and unequivocally define that the Vip1 gene product is a highly selective 1-kinase and 1-pyrophosphatase enzyme whose activities arise through distinct active sites. Kinetic analyses of kinase and pyrophosphatase parameters are consistent with Vip1 evolving to modulate levels of 1-IP7 and 1,5-IP8 Individual perturbations in kinase and pyrophosphatase activities in cells result in differential effects on vacuolar morphology and osmotic responses. Analogous to the dual-functional key energy metabolism regulator, phosphofructokinase 2, Vip1 is a kinase and pyrophosphatase switch whose 1-PP-IP products play an important role in a cellular adaptation.
The impact of the introduction of generic aromatase inhibitors on adherence to hormonal therapy over the full course of 5-year treatment for breast cancer

BACKGROUND High out-of-pocket costs (OOPCs) often are found to be inversely associated with adherence to medical treatment. The introduction of generic aromatase inhibitors (GAIs) significantly reduced the OOPCs of patients. The objective of the current study was to explore the impact of the introduction of GAIs on adjuvant hormone therapy (AHT) adherence over the full course of breast cancer treatment. METHODS Women aged ≥65 years who were diagnosed with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer from 2007 through mid-2009 were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare-linked database. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the likelihood of AHT initiation and an interrupted time series model was used to predict the association between the introduction of GAIs and AHT adherence. The model was stratified further using Medicare low-income subsidy (LIS) status. RESULTS A total of 10,905 women were included, approximately 62.8% of whom initiated AHT within the first year of their breast cancer diagnosis. Adjusted adherence among LIS beneficiaries was 11.4% higher than among non-LIS beneficiaries (P < .001). Non-LIS beneficiaries had an overall decreasing trend of adherence (-0.035; P < .001) prior to the introduction of GAIs. They experienced a 3.4% increase in the slope 6 months after the first GAI, anastrozole, entered the market, and an additional 0.8% increase in the slope 6 months after letrozole and exemestane were introduced (P < .001). Adherence change among LIS patients was small and statistically insignificant. CONCLUSIONS With the introduction of GAIs, the decrease trend of adherence to therapy atteunated over the course of treatment. Although the successful implementation of the Medicare LIS program minimized the OOPCs for financially vulnerable patients, policymakers should be cautious not to introduce disparities for those who may be of low income but ineligible for such a program.
Dynamic Batch Learning in High-Dimensional Sparse Linear Contextual Bandits.

We study the problem of dynamic batch learning in high-dimensional sparse linear contextual bandits, where a decision maker can only adapt decisions at a batch level. In particular, the decision maker, only observing rewards at the end of each batch, dynamically decides how many individuals to include in the next batch (at the current batch's end) and what personalized action-selection scheme to adopt within the batch. Such batch constraints are ubiquitous in a variety of practical contexts, including personalized product offerings in marketing and medical treatment selection in clinical trials. We characterize the fundamental learning limit in this problem via a novel lower bound analysis and provide a simple, exploration-free algorithm that uses the LASSO estimator, which achieves the minimax optimal performance characterized by the lower bound (up to log factors). To our best knowledge, our work provides the first inroad into a rigorous understanding of dynamic batch learning with high-dimensional covariates. We also demonstrate the efficacy of our algorithm on both synthetic data and the Warfarin medical dosing data. The empirical results show that with three batches (hence only two opportunities to adapt), our algorithm already performs comparably (in terms of statistical performance) to the state-of-the-art fully online high-dimensional linear contextual bandits algorithm. As an added bonus, since our algorithm operates in batches, it is orders of magnitudes faster than fully online learning algorithms. As such, our algorithm provides a desirable candidate for practical data-driven personalized decision making problems, where limited adaptivity is often a hard constraint.
Estimating the global spread of COVID-19

Limited and inconsistent testing and differences in age distribution, health care resources, social distancing, and policies have caused large variations in the extent and dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic across nations, complicating the estimation of prevalence, the infection fatality rate (IFR), and other factors important to care providers and policymakers. Using data for all 84 countries with reliable testing data (spanning 4.75 billion people) we develop a dynamic epidemiological model integrating data on cases, deaths, excess mortality and other factors to estimate how asymptomatic transmission, disease acuity, hospitalization, and behavioral and policy responses to risk condition prevalence and IFR across nations and over time. For these nations we estimate IFR averages 0.68% (0.64%-0.7%). Cases and deaths through June 18, 2020 are estimated to be 11.8 and 1.48 times official reports, respectively, at 88.5 (85-95.3) million and 600 (586-622) thousand. Prevalence and IFR vary substantially, e.g., Ecuador (18%; 0.61%), Chile (15.5%; 0.57%), Mexico (8.8%; 0.69%), Iran (7.9%; 0.44%), USA (5.3%; 0.99%), UK (5.2%; 1.59%), Iceland (1.65%, 0.56%), New Zealand (0.1%, 0.64%), but all nations remain well below the level needed for herd immunity. By alerting the public earlier and reducing contacts, extensive testing when the pandemic was declared could have averted 35.3 (32.7-42.7) million cases and 197 (171-232) thousand deaths. However, future outcomes are less dependent on testing and more contingent on the willingness of communities and governments to reduce transmission. Absent breakthroughs in treatment or vaccination and with mildly improved responses we project 249 (186-586) million cases and 1.75 (1.40-3.67) million deaths in the 84 countries by Spring 2021.
From Fowler–Nordheim to Nonequilibrium Green’s Function Modeling of Tunneling

In this paper, an analytic model is proposed, which provides, in a continuous manner, the current–voltage ( $I$ – $V$ ) characteristic of high-performance tunneling FETs (TFETs) based on direct bandgap semiconductors. The model provides the closed-form expressions for $I$ – $V$ based on: 1) a modified version of the well-known Fowler–Nordheim (FN) formula (in the ON-state) and 2) an equation that describes the OFF-state performance while providing continuity at the ON/OFF threshold by means of a term introduced as the continuity factor. It is shown that the traditional approaches, such as FN, are accurate in TFETs only through correct evaluation of the total band bending distance and the tunneling effective mass. General expressions for these two key parameters are provided. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the tunneling effective mass captures both the ellipticity of evanescent states and the dual (electron/hole) behavior of the tunneling carriers, and it is further shown that such a concept is even applicable to semiconductors with nontrivial energy dispersion. Ultimately, it is found that the $I$ – $V$ characteristics obtained by using this model are in close agreement with the state-of-the-art quantum transport simulations both in the ON- and OFF-state, thus providing the validation of the analytic approach.
Sleep Promotes Downward Firing Rate Homeostasis

Summary Homeostatic plasticity is hypothesized to bidirectionally regulate neuronal activity around a stable set point to compensate for learning-related plasticity, but to date only upward firing rate homeostasis (FRH) has been demonstrated in vivo. We combined chronic electrophysiology in freely behaving animals with an eye-reopening paradigm to enhance firing in primary visual cortex (V1) and found that neurons bidirectionally regulate firing rates around an individual set point. Downward FRH did not require N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) signaling and was associated with homeostatic scaling down of synaptic strengths. Like upward FRH, downward FRH was gated by arousal state but in the opposite direction: it occurred during sleep, not during wake. In contrast, firing rate depression associated with Hebbian plasticity happened independently of sleep and wake. Thus, sleep and wake states temporally segregate upward and downward FRH, which might prevent interference or provide unopposed homeostatic compensation when it is needed most.
Hepatic Steatosis and Ectopic Fat Are Associated With Differences in Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Gene Expression in People With HIV

Persons with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH) have subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) dysfunction related to antiretroviral therapy and direct viral effects, which may contribute to a higher risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease compared with human immunodeficiency virus-negative individuals. We assessed relationships between SAT expression of major adipocyte regulatory and lipid storage genes with hepatic and other ectopic lipid deposits in PWH. We enrolled 97 PWH on long-term antiretroviral therapy with suppressed plasma viremia and performed computed tomography measurements of liver attenuation, a measure of hepatic steatosis, skeletal muscle (SM) attenuation, and the volume of abdominal subcutaneous, visceral, and pericardial adipose tissue. Whole SAT gene expression was measured using the Nanostring platform, and relationships with computed tomography imaging and fasting lipids were assessed using multivariable linear regression and network mapping. The cohort had a mean age of 47 years, body mass index of 33.4 kg/m2, and CD4 count of 492 cells/mm3. Lower liver attenuation, a marker of greater steatosis, was associated with differences in SAT gene expression, including lower lipoprotein lipase and acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, and higher phospholipid transfer protein. Lower liver attenuation clustered with lower visceral adipose tissue (VAT) attenuation and greater VAT volume, pericardial fat volume and triglycerides, but no relationship was observed between liver attenuation and SAT volume, SM attenuation, or low-density lipoprotein. Conclusion: Liver attenuation was associated with altered SAT expression of genes regulating lipid metabolism and storage, suggesting that SAT dysfunction may contribute to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in PWH. SAT gene-expression relationships were similar for VAT volume and attenuation, but not SM, indicating that ectopic lipid deposition may involve multiple pathways.
Las construcciones con verbos de afección en ELE: el vacío del enfoque cognitivo en los manuales

Aquest estudi aborda la problematica que comporta el proces d'ensenyament-aprenentatge de les emocions en les construccions inverses amb verbs psicologics (p. ex. me gusta) a l'aula d'Espanyol Llengua Estrangera (ELE). En aquestes construccions, un Estimul extern actua sobre un Experimentador i genera en aquest darrer un event mental particular (p. ex. sentiment de grat). Examinem exhaustivament aquest tipus de construccions en 10 manuals d'ELE per tal de dilucidar-ne el tractament i partim de la hipotesi que la seva explicacio gramatical no incorpora aspectes comunicatiu-cognitius. Els resultats de l'analisi qualitativa evidencien, majoritariament, un tractament comunicatiu d'aquestes formes linguistiques, pero tambe formalista, desistematitzat i poc cognitiu; aixo podria explicar, en part, les dificultats que presenten els aprenents d'ELE amb aquestes construccions. Els resultats apunten a la necessitat d'advocar per una unio dels enfocaments comunicatiu i cognitiu per a un aprenentatge satisfactori d'aquests elements gramaticals i una comunicacio efectiva.
Sex-specific deaths in Norway and Sweden during the COVID-19 pandemic: Did mandates make a difference?

AIMS: To determine whether differences between Norway's and Sweden's attempts to contain SARS-CoV-2 infection coincided with detectably different changes in their all-cause mortality sex ratios. Measuring temporal variation in the all-cause mortality sex ratio before and during the pandemic in populations exposed to different constraints on risky behavior would allow us to better anticipate changes in the ratio and to better understand its association with infection control strategies. METHODS: I apply time Box-Jenkins modeling to 262 months of pre-pandemic mortality sex ratios to arrive at counterfactual values of 10 intra-pandemic ratios. I compare counterfactual to observed values to determine if intra-pandemic ratios differed detectably from those expected as well as whether the Norwegian and Swedish differences varied from each other. RESULTS: The male to female mortality sex ratio in both Norway and Sweden increased during the pandemic. I, however, find no evidence that the increase differed between the two countries despite their different COVID-19 containment strategies. CONCLUSION: Societal expectations of who will die during the COVID-19 pandemic will likely be wrong if they assume pre-pandemic mortality sex ratios because the intra-pandemic ratios appear, at least in Norway and Sweden, detectably higher. The contribution of differences in policies to reduce risky behavior to those higher ratios appears, however, small.
Disparities in pan-cancer patients undergoing germline cancer risk assessment by self-reported race/ethnicity and ancestry.

10508Background: Disparities in access to germline testing for cancer patients (pts) have been demonstrated; however, disparities in post-testing care are unknown. We sought to evaluate germline fi...
Replacing Computed Tomography with "Rapid" Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Ventricular Shunt Imaging.

Introduction Children with ventricular shunts undergo frequent neuroimaging, and therefore, radiation exposures, to evaluate shunt malfunctions. The objective of this study was to safely reduce radiation exposure in this population by reducing computed tomography (CT) and increasing "rapid" magnetic resonance imaging (rMRI-shunt) among patients warranting neuroimaging for possible shunt malfunction. Methods This was a single-center quality improvement study in a tertiary care pediatric emergency department (ED). We implemented a multidisciplinary guideline for ED shunt evaluation, which promoted the use of rMRI-shunt over CT. We included patients younger than 18 years undergoing an ED shunt evaluation during 11 months of the preintervention and 25 months of the intervention study periods. The primary outcome was the CT rate, and we evaluated the relevant process and balancing measures. Results There were 266 encounters preintervention and 488 during the intervention periods with similar neuroimaging rates (80.7% versus 81.5%, P = 0.8.) CT decreased from 90.1% to 34.8% (difference -55.3%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -71.1, -25.8), and rMRI-shunt increased from 9.9% to 65.2% (difference 55.3%, 95% CI: 25.8, 71.1) during the preintervention and intervention periods, respectively. There were increases in the mean time to neuroimaging (53.1 min; [95% CI: 41.6, 64.6]) and ED length of stay (LOS) (52.3 min; [95% CI: 36.8, 67.6]), without changes in total neuroimaging, 72-hour revisits, or follow-up neuroimaging. Conclusions Multidisciplinary implementation of a standardized guideline reduced CT and increased rMRI-shunt use in a pediatric ED setting. Clinicians should balance the reduction in radiation exposure with ED rMRI-shunt for patients with ventricular shunts against the increased time of obtaining imaging and LOS.
The Effect of Size of Materials Formed or Implanted In Vivo on the Macrophage Response and the Resultant Influence on Clinical Outcome

Both the chemistry and size of a material formed in vivo, or an implanted biomaterial, can alter the in vivo host response. Within the size range covered within this review, over 1 μm, chemistry is only important if the solid material is unstable and leeching small molecules. The macrophage activity and the resultant inflammatory response, however, are related to the size of the solid material. The premise of this review is that differences in size of the solid material, in different cases, can be the reason why there is some individual-to-individual variation in response. Specifically, the inflammatory response is enhanced when the size is between 1-50 μm. This will be looked at for three configurations: spherical particulate (silicone oil or gel from breast implants), elongated particulate (monosodium urate [MSU] crystals in gout or in kidney stones), and fibers (e.g., polyester used in fabric implants). These specific examples were selected because many still believe that the clinical outcome for each is controlled by the surface chemistry, when in fact it is the size. In each case, specific studies will be highlighted to either show a mechanism for creating different sizes and therefore a differential biological response (first three) or how changing the size and shape (diameter and spacing of fibers, in this example) can affect the response and can help explain the different responses to fabric implants found in vivo within the 1-50 μm size range. It was found that polyester fibers under 70 μm had a significant increase in macrophage response. Further, it was found that compounds found in synovial fluid could limit MSU crystal size. In addition, it was shown that plasma with low triglyceride levels emulsifies silicone oils to a greater extent than plasma with higher triglyceride levels. Therefore, in three cases it appears that differences in the inflammatory response between individuals and between different implants could be explained just by the size of the material formed or implanted.
QuPath digital immunohistochemical analysis of placental tissue

Background: QuPath is an open-source digital image analyzer notable for its user-friendly design, cross-platform compatibility, and customizable functionality. Since it was first released in 2016, at least 624 publications have reported its use, and it has been applied in a wide spectrum of settings. However, there are currently limited reports of its use in placental tissue. Here, we present the use of QuPath to quantify staining of G-protein coupled receptor 18 (GPR18), the receptor for the pro-resolving lipid mediator Resolvin D2, in placental tissue. Methods: Whole slide images of vascular smooth muscle (VSM) and extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells stained for GPR18 were annotated for areas of interest. Visual scoring was performed on these images by trained and in-training pathologists, while QuPath scoring was performed with the methodology described herein. Results: Bland–Altman analyses showed that, for the VSM category, the two methods were comparable across all staining levels. For EVT cells, the high-intensity staining level was comparable across methods, but the medium and low staining levels were not comparable. Conclusions: Digital image analysis programs offer great potential to revolutionize pathology practice and research by increasing accuracy and decreasing the time and cost of analysis. Careful study is needed to optimize this methodology further.
Activity-dependent endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ uptake depends on Kv2.1-mediated endoplasmic reticulum/plasma membrane junctions to promote synaptic transmission

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) forms a continuous and dynamic network throughout a neuron, extending from dendrites to axon terminals, and axonal ER dysfunction is implicated in several neurological disorders. In addition, tight junctions between the ER and plasma membrane (PM) are formed by several molecules including Kv2 channels, but the cellular functions of many ER-PM junctions remain unknown. Dynamic Ca2+ uptake into the ER during electrical activity plays an essential role in synaptic transmission as failure to allow rapid ER Ca2+ filling during stimulation activates stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) and decreases both presynaptic Ca2+ influx and synaptic vesicle exocytosis. Our experiments demonstrate that Kv2.1 channels are necessary for enabling ER Ca2+ uptake during electrical activity as genetic depletion of Kv2.1 rendered both the somatic and axonal ER unable to accumulate Ca2+ during electrical stimulation. Moreover, our experiments show that the loss of Kv2.1 in the axon impairs synaptic vesicle fusion during stimulation via a mechanism unrelated to modulation of membrane voltage. Thus, our data demonstrate that the non-conducting role of Kv2.1 in forming stable junctions between the ER and PM via ER VAMP-associated protein (VAP) binding couples ER Ca2+ uptake with electrical activity. Our results further suggest that Kv2.1 has a critical function in neuronal cell biology for Ca2+-handling independent of voltage and reveals a novel and critical pathway for maintaining ER lumen Ca2+ levels and efficient neurotransmitter release. Taken together these findings reveal an essential non-classical role for both Kv2.1 and the ER-PM junctions in synaptic transmission.
Interpretation for Emancipation: Taylor as a Critical Theorist

The paper argues that we should read Taylor’s philosophy as a philosophy of liberation and that it is as a philosopher of liberation that Taylor distinguishes himself as a critical theorist. It beg...
NeuroIS Knowledge Discovery Approach to Prediction of Traumatic Brain Injury Survival Rates: A Semantic Data Analysis Regression Feasibility Study

The study of Neuro-IS often contains huge amounts of data. While the outcomes of this process are well documented, little has been written about the collection and dissemination of this data. In order to fill this gap, we looked at hospital ships which provide a medical asset in support of military operations. We collected data on three ship variables and four physiological body region injuries (head, torso, extremities and abrasions). We ran an exploratory regression analysis and found a significant relationship may exist (p < 0.000) for the overall model. In medical diagnosis, it is important to not only maximize correct classifications, but also to minimize Type I and Type II errors. We contend that predicting a patient that does not have TBI, will survive, when in fact the patient does have TBI, is a worse error than when a patient that has been diagnosed with TBI and in reality does not.
Techniques for localizing contractile proteins with fluorescent antibodies

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the technique of antibody staining. Several features of fluorescent antibody technique contribute to its success in cell and developmental biology—namely, (1) specific antibodies to virtually any macromolecule can be produced experimentally, (2) the technique is very sensitive, and (3) the fluorescent images allow to map out the molecular anatomy of the cell to a resolution of about 0.5 μm. To visualize and identify myosin molecules within tissue culture, cells antibodies are made against human platelet myosin, labeled with fluorescent dyes, and used to stain tissue culture cells grown on a microscope coverglass. Antigen preparation is the most crucial step in conventional antibody production. Ideally an antigen should consist of a homogeneous macromolecule. In cases in which a given antigen is difficult to purify by conventional methods, it is sometimes possible to achieve purity by preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The success of fluorescent antibody localization of cytoplasmic antigens depends on adequate specimen preparation. Usually this includes fixation to immobilize antigens in situ, followed by some treatment to make the plasma membrane permeable to antibody molecules.
Turn-off switching loss model and analysis of IGBT under different switching operation modes

Due to its high voltage and current ratings, the IGBT has become more attractive in the high voltage and high current applications than the MOSFET. However, its slow turn-off characteristics, high turn-off losses make it difficult to operate at relatively high switching frequency. Turn-off switching loss model and analysis of IGBT under the hard switching, emitter-open and mixed parallel operations were presented in this paper. Examples of full bridge DC-DC converters using IGBT and MOSFET are analyzed to show that the turn-off switching loss can be significantly reduced if soft turn-off techniques are employed when proper gate controls of IGBTs and MOSFETs are used. It can be seen that these techniques are very attractive in the full bridge type converters for high power applications. The 75 kHz, 100 Watts prototype converter was implemented to verify our theoretical analysis.
A versatile RC-active circuit for instrumentation

Second-order, RC-active filters in which the output signals are unaffected by the op-amp bias current, offset current, and offset voltage are presented. Examples of lowpass, bandpass, highpass, notch, and allpass circuits are provided. Such circuits are useful in instrumentation applications which are sensitive to parasitic DC sources in the signal path. >
There Will Be Blame: Misfortune and Injustice in 'The Sweet Hereafter'

This paper compares the two versions of "The Sweet Hereafter": Russell Banks' novel and Atom Egoyan's film. It contends that commentators have been too quick to criticize the lawyer who comes to town offering to represent the parents' interests. It argues that as good as the film is, the novel provides a more nuanced view of the human necessity to assign blame when injustices occur. It draws on the work of Charles Tilly to examine issues of credit and blame that run through both the novel and the film.
Indications and techniques of open reduction : internal fixation of distal radius fractures

Complex distal radius fractures present in a variety of patterns that differ by the area and degree of involvement of the articular and metaphyseal fracture components. No single method of treatment is appropriate for all fractures. This article discusses the types of fractures that either require or are best handled by formal open reduction and internal or external fixation.
Secure office management system: the first commodity application on a trusted system

The technology of trusted systems has advanced very rapidly during the past five years. The development of standards and product evaluations has raised industries awareness of the governments needs for trusted systems. A major weakness of trusted systems is the lack of application capabilities. The Honeywell SCOMP system is the only one to achieve the highest rating from the National Computer Security Center. Honeywell Federal Systems Inc. has implemented an integrated office management system called the Secure Office Management System. This system provides an effective solution for an office which requires processing information of various security aspects. The security and office capabilities of the system are presented along with a scenario for its use.
Association of Plant p40 Protein with Ribosomes Is Enhanced When Polyribosomes Form during Periods of Active Tissue Growth

p40s are acidic proteins of eukaryotic cells occurring either free in the cytoplasm or in association with ribosomes, the latter occurring in both monosomes and polysomes. p40s may play a role in the regulation of protein synthesis, although the exact mechanism is not known. Leaves of all 10 plant species examined here, including both monocots and dicots, contained proteins detected on immunoblots with Arabidopsis thaliana p40 antiserum. The number and apparent size of the protein bands were variable even among closely related species. Abundance of p40 relative to ribosomal content during soybean (Glycine max L.) seed germination and during seed and leaf development was examined. p40 abundance correlated with periods of active tissue growth and high polysome content. The plant growth regulator indole acetic acid caused an increase in polysome formation in etiolated pea (Pisum sativum L.) plants and a concomitant recruitment of p40 into polysomes. Subcellular localization at the microscopy level indicated that the pattern of p40 staining is very similar to that for RNA, except that p40 is excluded from the nucleus. These data suggest that p40 is an accessory protein of the ribosome that might play a role in plant growth and development.
Community Noise Study for Railroad Relocation

A procedure is developed that can be utilized to predict the noise impact of passing freight train cars. The technique is based upon free-field measurements as corrected by the relative elevation of the track and the attenuation by structures in the sound path. Although any train speed and desired noise level can be accommodated by the prediction method, a case study is presented which examines the location of the 65-dBA isobar created by 40-mph (66-km/hr) trains passing through an urban area. The noise analysis formed a crucial part of the environmental statement exploring the impact of relocating train tracks from the heart of the city to a corridor along the river. A sophisticated data acquisition and analysis procedure is presented. Ambient background noise levels throughout the city were determined and compared against the current 65-dBA train contours. The freight train noise prediction method permitted the probable 65-dBA isobar resulting from the relocated tracks to be estimated.
Catch-22 and the Paradox of Teaching in the Age of Accountability

Drawing upon Joseph Heller’s Catch-22 , this paper explores the logic of standards-based education reform and the myriad ways in which accountability systems, performance standards, and market-based reform initiatives have degraded teaching and learning in public schools. In this critical analysis of essential elements of the Bush administration’s No Child Left Behind Act and the Obama administration’s Race to the Top fund, the author explores three dominant themes woven throughout Heller’s work: (1) the reliance on symbolic indicators of progress, (2) the irrational nature and deadening effect of bureaucratic rules and procedures, and (3) the dangers of unchecked capitalism. The author suggests that these reform efforts are not only counterproductive, but eroding the democratic foundations of our public school systems. The author concludes that to maintain their autonomy and professionalism, teachers will have to find alternative ways of organizing and produce a counter narrative that not only exposes the failings of standards-based reform but also offers meaningful alternatives.
Is Extensive Parenchymal Resection During Robotic Partial Nephrectomy Justified? A Match-Paired Comparison of Two Extirpative Surgical Modalities for Treatment of a Complex Renal Neoplasm.

Abstract Objective: To analyze the outcomes of robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN) in patients where nephron-sparing surgery would have mandated a large amount of renal volume resection. Methods: Patients undergoing RPN with extensive volume resection (≥30%), from 2006 to 2014, were identified. Pre- and postoperative CT/MRI-based volumetric assessment of the operated kidney was performed. To address the possible benefits of RPN, we matched this cohort to patients undergoing laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN). The groups were matched for tumor size, R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score, age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (ACCI), and preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Demographics, perioperative, functional, and oncologic outcomes were compared between the groups. Multivariable analysis of factors predicting chronic kidney disease (CKD) upstaging (type of surgery, R.E.N.A.L. score, ACCI, and baseline eGFR) was performed. Results: In total, 52 patients undergoing RPN were matched to 52 ...
Achieving critical mass in social networks

This article addresses issues associated with the achievement of critical mass within a community and seeding the success of a new social network. It looks at the factors that influence people's adoption of a new network, how to influence them and what approach to take.
Decreasing sound and vibration during ground transport of infants with very low birth weight

Decreasing sound and vibration during ground transport of infants with very low birth weight
BASE CATALYZED TRANSESTERIFICATION OF VEGETABLE OILS 1

Anhydrous methanolic sodium hydroxide catalyzed transesterification of vegetable oils yielded pure methyl esters within one minute at ambient temperature under nitrogen. Neither benzene nor phenolphthalein was required to maintain adequate stability of methanolic sodium hydroxide transesterification reagent. Additional esterification with methanolic HCl to convert free fatty acids to methyl esters was not required. Neutralization of excess base with 2.0 M HCl stopped saponification. Transesterification catalyzed by 1.0 M methanolic NaOH was reproducible and quantitative. Pentane and diethyl ether were excellent solvents for methanolic sodium hydroxide catalysis.
Ultrasensitive Detection of Chlorinated Hydrocarbons by Resonance Ionization

Abstract Resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) spectroscopic techniques are under development for the continuous monitoring of toxic emissions from municipal and hazardous waste incinerators. REMPI detection schemes and detection limit data for monitoring the chloroelhylenes at part-per-billion concentrations are presented. The high sensitivity and selectivity demonstrated for the detection of tetrachloroethylene (C3C14) make it a particularly attractive surrogate for monitoring the presence of numerous other chlorinated hydrocarbon species found in incineration stack gases.
Finding distinctive colored regions in images

One of the major problems in object recognition is finding good candidate regions to start the recognition process. One way of selecting a region in the image is to find one that is distinctive in some feature such as color texture etc. In this paper we present an approach to finding distinctive colored regions in an image. It is based on the observation that although humans can discriminate a large number of colors psychophysically they can partition the color space into only a relatively few distinct qualitative color sensations. The algorithm first builds a color feature map that describes the image as consisting of hierarchical overlapping colored regions. The distinctiveness of these regions is then judged using measures such as size individual color contrast etc.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Random matrix theory for closed quantum dots with weak spin-orbit coupling.

To lowest order in the coupling strength, the spin-orbit coupling in quantum dots results in a spin-dependent Aharonov-Bohm flux. This flux decouples the spin-up and spin-down random matrix theory ensembles of the quantum dot. We employ this ensemble and find significant changes in the distribution of the Coulomb blockade peak height, in particular, a decrease of the width of the distribution. The puzzling disagreement between standard random matrix theory and the experimental distributions by Patel et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 81, 5900 (1998)] might possibly be attributed to these spin-orbit effects.
Validation of the parallel three-dimensional solver for analysis of optical plasmonic bi-periodic multilayer nanostructures

Fundamentals of the three-dimensional spatial harmonic analysis (SHA) approach are reviewed, and the advantages of a fast-converging formulation versus the initial formulation are emphasized with examples using periodic plasmonic nanostructures.
PCBs not to blame.

Jocelyn Kaiser's report on the discussion of low-level dangers of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at the Society of Toxicology annual meeting (News Focus, 21 Apr., p. [424][1]) repeats an incorrect and oversimplified, but persistent, generalization about the 1988 mass mortality of harbor seals in
A fluid‐fluid interaction method using decoupled subproblems and differing time steps

A time stepping procedure is proposed for a coupled fluid model motivated by the dynamic core of the atmosphere-ocean system. The method exploits properties of the atmosphere-ocean system to obtain efficiency. The momentum equations for the two fluids may be solved in parallel with different time step sizes. Stability is maintained with large time steps via a balanced two-way passing of momentum flux. Numerical tests are provided that demonstrate the efficiency of the method. Published 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2012
Thermal Analysis of Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cements During Setting

Characteristic thermal transitions of zinc oxide and eugenol materials were compared with those of zinc eugenolate.
Fast decomposition of water and lipid using a GRASE technique with the IDEAL algorithm.

Three-point Dixon techniques achieve good lipid-water separation by estimating the phase due to field inhomogeneities. Recently it was demonstrated that the combination of an iterative algorithm (iterative decomposition of water and fat with echo asymmetry and least-squares estimation (IDEAL)) with a fast spin-echo (FSE) three-point Dixon method yielded robust lipid-water decomposition. As an alternative to FSE, the gradient- and spin-echo (GRASE) technique has been developed for efficient data collection. In this work we present a method for lipid-water separation by combining IDEAL with the GRASE technique. An approach to correct for errors in the lipid-water decomposition caused by phase distortions due to the switching of the readout gradient polarities inherent to GRASE is presented. The IDEAL-GRASE technique is demonstrated in phantoms and in vivo for various applications, including pelvic, musculoskeletal, and (breath-hold) cardiac imaging. Magn Reson Med 57:1047–1057, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia (Castleman's disease) in an adolescent female. Clinical and immunologic findings

Angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia is a heterogeneous disorder of unclear etiology and has a wide spectrum of systemic symptoms. This report describes a case of this disorder in a 15-year-old girl and examines the response of the primary mass, systemic symptoms, and alterations of selected immune parameters at diagnosis, as a result of steroid therapy and radiation therapy (RT). The patient had a 1-year history of growth failure, delayed puberty, and refractory iron deficiency anemia. Computed tomography scan showed a posterior mediastinal mass. Biopsy revealed angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia of mixed hyaline-vascular and plasma cell type histologic type. Immunoperoxidase studies showed polyclonal B-cells, predominance of T-helper cells (CD4) over cytotoxic/suppressor T-cells (CD8), and the presence of natural killer (NK) cells. Southern blot analysis demonstrated germ line gene configuration for the T-cell antigen receptor and Ig heavy chain. The patient clinically improved with RT after failing to respond to steroids. Immunophenotyping of peripheral blood lymphocytes before therapy revealed a CD4:CD8 ratio of 0.8 with decreased numbers of circulating T-cells; this increased to 1.4 after steroid therapy. The patient's T-lymphocytes had no proliferative response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or concanavalin A (Con A) before RT. After RT, a small but significant mitogenic response to these reagents was noticed. The proliferative response to recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) remained similar to that of control lymphocytes. Induction of second messenger signals by activation of protein kinase C (PKC) and elevation of free cytosolic calcium through the use of the phorbol ester, phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate (PDBu), and ionomycin (Io) resulted in a strong proliferative response at diagnosis and after RT. In vitro cytotoxicity assays revealed diminished NK activity before and after therapy. Lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) activity remained comparable with that of control cells and was not affected by therapy. Before RT patient lymphocytes maintained cytotoxic capabilities after coincubation with rIL-2 and PDBu plus Io, whereas coincubation with these reagents abrogated cytotoxic function of normal cells. This case demonstrates a clinical response to RT as well as improvement in immune parameters. Intact signal transduction mechanisms through PKC activation and elevation of cytosolic calcium were also demonstrated in the circulating lymphocytes.
Double-blind antiglucocorticoid treatment in schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder: a pilot study.

Summary: Background: Antiglucocorticoids, such as ketoconazole, have been investigated as antidepressant agents in major depression and other conditions. Despite evidence that a significant number of patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder are both hypercortisolemic and depressed, the antidepressant effects of antiglucocorticoids have never been assessed in these populations.Methods: Fifteen symptomatic patients with diagnoses of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, who were at least partially treatment-resistant, were treated with ketoconazole, up to 800 mg/day, (n = 8) or placebo (n = 7) for four weeks in a double-blind manner. The study medication was added to a pre-stabilized antipsychotic and/or antidepressant medication regimen.Results: Ketoconazole treatment, compared to placebo, was associated with significant improvements in observer-rated depression, but not in subjectively rated depression, positive or negative psychotic symptom ratings, or cognitive performance scores.Co...
Glucose Metabolism Assessed with 2-Deoxyglucose and the Effect of Glutamate in Subdivisions of Rat Hippocampal Slices

A new approach to the study of glucose phosphorylation in brain slices is described. It is based on timed incubation with nonradioactive 2-deoxyglucose (DG), after which the tissue levels of DG and 2-deoxyglucose-6-phosphate (DG6P) are measured separately with sensitive enzymatic methods applied to specific small subregions. The smallest samples had dry weights of approximately 0.5 microgram. Direct measurements in different regions of hippocampal slices showed that within 6 min after exposure to DG, the ratios of DG to glucose in the tissue were almost the same as in the incubation medium, which simplifies the calculation of glucose phosphorylation rates and increases their reliability. Data are given for ATP, phosphocreatine, sucrose space, and K+ in specific subregions of the slices. DG6P accumulation proceeded at a constant rate for at least 10 min, even when stimulated by 10 mM glutamate in the medium. The calculated control rate of glucose phosphorylation was 2 mmol/kg (dry weight)/min. In the presence of 10 mM glutamate it was twice as great. The response to 10 mM glutamate of different regions of the slice was not uniform, ranging from 164% of control values in the molecular layer of CA1 to 256% in the stratum radiatum of CA1. There was a profound fall in phosphocreatine levels (75%) in response to 10 mM glutamate despite a 2.4-fold increase in glucose phosphorylation. Even in the presence of 1 mM glutamate, the increase in glucose phosphorylation (50%) was not great enough to prevent a significant drop in phosphocreatine content.