cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Establishing Fair and Ethical Medical Student Promotions Committees

Medical student promotions committees, also known as “academic progress” or “student performance” committees, act as essential gate-keepers to the medical profession, and make decisions that have enormous impact on students’ lives and careers. However, little is currently known about how to establish fair and ethical committees that both support student development and uphold academic and professional standards. Recommendations are provided to address issues of committee structure and composition, and to provide guidance regarding information sharing, decision-making, and committee member training. The recommendations are supported by specific examples and rationale from five US medical schools in an attempt to help develop a set of best practices across institutions.
Modulation of Ca2+ mobilization by protein kinase C in the submandibular duct cell line A253.

The expression of protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms and the modulation of Ca2+ mobilization by PKC were investigated in the human submandibular duct cell line A253. Three new PKC (nPKC) isoforms (δ, e, and θ) and one atypical PKC (aPKC) isoform (λ) are expressed in this cell line. No classical PKC (cPKC) isoforms were present. The effects of the PKC activator phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) and of the PKC inhibitors calphostin C (CC) and bisindolymaleimide I (BSM) on inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and Ca2+ responses to ATP and to thapsigargin (TG) were investigated. Pre-exposure to PMA inhibited IP3 formation, Ca2+ release and Ca2+ influx in response to ATP. Pre-exposure to CC or BSM slightly enhanced IP3 formation but inhibited the Ca2+ release and the Ca2+ influx induced by ATP. In contrast, pre-exposure to PMA did not modify the Ca2+ release induced by TG, but reduced the influx of Ca2+ seen in the presence of this Ca2+-ATPase inhibitor. These results suggest that PKC modulates elements of the IP3/Ca2+ signal transduction pathway in A253 cells by (1) inhibiting phosphatidylinositol turnover and altering the sensitivity of the Ca2+ channels to IP3, (2) altering the activity, the sensitivity to inhibitors, or the distribution of the TG-sensitive Ca2+ ATPase, and (3) modulating Ca2+ entry pathways.
Infected total knee arthroplasty: diagnosis and treatment

Infection following total knee arthroplasty is a challenging complication for both the patient and the surgeon. Precautions to prevent infection include the use of prophylactic antibiotics, minimized surgical time, and meticulous surgical technique. A patient's risk factors should be thoroughly assessed and medical comorbidities should be treated before surgery. When infection is suspected, prompt evaluation of the patient is necessary. The management of a TKA infection is dictated by the duration of symptoms, suspicion for infection, time since index surgery, the patient's willingness and medical capability for undergoing multiple surgeries, the bacteria's sensitivity to antibiotics, and the surgeon's ability to perform complex surgery. Acute infections are treated with aggressive debridement and parenteral antibiotics. In appropriate circumstances, chronic infections are best treated with two-stage reimplantation, which can reliably eradicate infection, relieve pain, and restore good function.
Sugar Intake in Children and Adolescents and Its Effects on Health

Children prefer sweetened foods and consume a larger portion of total daily intake from sugar than adults. Added sugars have been targeted as a cause for multiple health issues. Aside from dental caries, sugars do not appear to be directly related to health issues. Policies to restrict access to added sugars do not appear to impact weight outcomes. Focusing on a single factor of nutrition is unlikely to yield desired health changes.
How to try this: Monitoring Medication Use in Older Adults

The Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults assessment instrument highlights specific medications whose risks to older adults may outweigh their benefits. Nurses can use the criteria to evaluate medications for risks that warrant follow-up with older adults in various settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, and private homes. Watch a video demonstrating the use of the Beers criteria at http://links.lww.com/A266.
Update on management of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major chronic debilitating condition with significant impact on quality of life, symptoms, comorbidity, health care utilization and longevity. The main pathophysiological hallmark of COPD is expiratory flow limitation which impairs the ability of respiratory system to adequately and properly ventilate. To be able to prognosticate and manage patients with COPD, various societies have developed classifications of disease severity. Current classification schemes combine three elements that include lung function, patient reported symptoms (shortness of breath) and frequency of exacerbations. Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), an international guideline for diagnosis and management of COPD, started using this approach since the 2011 revision. Management according to this scheme has been developed and is in use. Comprehensive COPD management is multifaceted. It includes pharmacologic management, patient education, smoking cessation, influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations, depression and anxiety management, pulmonary rehabilitation, and if indicated, home oxygen therapy. The following chapter will review management recommendations currently in use for stable COPD. We intend to make the chapter to the point and practical and avoid an exhaustive review of the literature.
Control of a Merged-Energy-Buffer based Two-Stage Electrolytic-Free Offline LED Driver

This paper presents the control techniques used in a high-power-density electrolytic-free offline LED driver that utilizes a merged energy buffer for twice-line-frequency energy buffering. This LED driver comprises two stages: a four-switch buck-boost PFC stage and an LLC resonant dc-dc stage. The proposed control technique for the PFC stage utilizes a novel mode splitter to ensure a smooth buck-to-boost and vice versa mode transition. A feedforward control strategy is proposed for the dc-dc stage, which in conjunction with feedback control, ensures a well-regulated output voltage by mitigating undesirable spikes in it. A 150-W prototype LED driver utilizing a merged energy buffer is tested with the proposed control techniques. This GaN-based prototype achieves a high power density of 50 W/inch3 while replacing electrolytic capacitors with low-energy-density ceramic capacitors.
Health professional cultural competence reduces the psychological and behavioral impact of negative healthcare encounters.

Objectives Negative health care encounters have psychological and behavioral consequences for patients, particularly for minority and low socioeconomic populations. Guided by an integrative model of culture, psychological processes, and health behavior, this study examined whether provider cultural competence reduces the emotional and behavioral consequences of negative health care encounters among Latina and non-Latino White American women in the United States. Method A total of 335 women participated in the study, of which 236 (Latina = 112; non-Latino White = 124) reported at least one negative health care encounter during a preventive medical screening exam. Structural equation causal modeling was used to examine whether provider cultural competence, as perceived by the patient, influenced emotions associated with negative health care encounters and subsequent medical avoidance. Results When both Latina and non-Latino White American patients perceived their provider to be higher in cultural competence, they experienced less shame and embarrassment related to the negative encounter. Lower levels of shame and embarrassment in turn, predicted less medical avoidance for Latina, but not non-Latino White American women. Conclusions Findings revealed that provider cultural competence reduces some of the consequences of negative health care encounters that are relevant to health behavior. These findings shed light on the complexity of how providers' cultural competence impacts patient behavior, highlighting the importance of including psychological variables when investigating the role of cultural competence in health behavior and outcome. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
High energy product of MnBi by field annealing and Sn alloying

Permanent-magnet materials are one cornerstone of today’s technology, abundant in disk drives, motors, medical equipment, wind generators, and cars. A continuing challenge has been to reconcile high permanent-magnet performance with low raw-material costs. This work reports a Mn-Bi-Sn alloy exclusively made from inexpensive elements, exhibiting high values of Curie-temperature, magnetization, anisotropy, coercivity, and energy product. The samples are produced by field annealing of rapidly quenched Sn-containing MnBi alloys, where the improvement of the magnetic properties is caused by the substitutional occupancy of the 2c sites in the hexagonal NiAs structure by Sn. The substitution modifies the electronic structure of the compound and enhances the magnetocrystalline anisotropy, thereby improving the coercivity of the compound. The energy product reaches 114 kJ/m3 (14.3 MGOe) at room temperature and 86 kJ/m3 (10.8 MGOe) at 200 °C; this value is similar to that of the Dy-free Nd2Fe14B and exceeds that of other rare-earth-free permanent-magnet bulk alloys, as encountered in automotive applications.
Plague, pumas and potential zoonotic exposure in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

We tested for plague (Yersinia pestis) in a puma population in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) over 9 years, overlapping a case when a boy in the area became infected with plague. Antibodies to Y. pestis were detected in 8 of 17 (47%) pumas tested by complement-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the organism itself was detected in 4 of 11 (36%) pumas tested after necropsy. Neither puma sex nor age was significantly associated with Y. pestis exposure or mortality, although our sample size was small. The overall prevalence of exposure we recorded was similar to that found along the western slope of Colorado, which is adjacent to the Four Corners region, a known plague hotspot in the USA. This suggests that: (1) Y. pestis may be present at higher levels in the GYE than previously assumed; (2) plague is a significant source of mortality for local pumas (6.6% of sub-adult and adult mortality); and (3) pumas may be a useful sentinel for potential risk of plague exposure to humans throughout the West. We would also emphasize that hunters and others handling pumas in this region should be made aware of the possibility of exposure.
An In Vitro Vascularized Micro-Tumor Model of Human Colorectal Cancer Recapitulates In Vivo Drug Responses

Around 95% of anti-cancer drugs that show promise during preclinical study fail to gain FDA-approval for clinical use. This failure of the preclinical pipeline highlights the need for improved, physiologically-relevant in vitro models that can better serve as reliable drug-screening tools. The vascularized micro-tumor (VMT) is a novel three-dimensional model system that recapitulates the complex human tumor microenvironment, including perfused vasculature, within a transparent microfluidic device, allowing real-time study of drug responses and tumor-stromal interactions. Here we have validated the VMT platform for the study of colorectal cancer (CRC), the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, by showing that gene expression, tumor heterogeneity, and treatment response in the VMT more closely model CRC tumor clinicopathology than current standard drug screening modalities, including 2-dimensional (2D) monolayer culture and 3-dimensional (3D) spheroids.
Behavioural responses of female lake trout Salvelinus namaycush to male chemical stimuli and prostaglandin F2α

Male olfactory cues may guide aggregation on spawning reefs, mate evaluation and synchronized gamete release in lake trout Salvelinus namaycush, but a lack of information on the source and identity of the cues precludes direct tests of their function. Using a two-channel flume, we found ovulated female lake trout increased time spent in the channel treated with spermiated male-conditioned water, urine and bile but not synthesized prostaglandin F2α . We suggest future efforts to characterize male olfactory cues focus on urine and postulate that bile acids contribute to its behavioural activity.
Rapid automatized naming (RAN): effects of aging on a predictor of reading skill

Rapid Automatized Naming (RAN), a task in which participants must name a series of items as rapidly as possible, has been very useful as a measure of cognitive abilities that predict reading skill ...
Practical Scalable Synchronization in Leader–Follower Networks of Nonlinear Heterogeneous Agents Using High-Gain Observers

We consider the synchronization problem in the leader–follower framework with a single leader in the network. For a leader–follower network, the smallest eigenvalue of the grounded Laplacian matrix decreases toward zero with an increase in the network size for undirected graphs when the nodes in the graph have bounded neighborhood (fixed number of neighbors) and bounded edge weights. This affects the controller gain of standard nonlinear control approaches used for achieving synchronization as the controller gain is inversely proportional to the smallest eigenvalue of the grounded Laplacian matrix. As a result, it becomes difficult to realize the controllers in practice due to the significant high gain. In this article, we propose a scalable distributed algorithm for the synchronization of second-order nonlinear heterogeneous multiagent systems. First, we assume that the relative state derivates are available for feedback, and we show that the synchronization error can be made arbitrarily small by tuning a particular controller parameter. It is shown that the control signal is bounded uniformly with respect to this controller parameter, and the system performance does not degrade with an increase in network size. Next, we realize the controller using a reduced-order high-gain observer, and we show that the synchronization error can be made arbitrarily small by tuning a controller and observer parameter, respectively. We show that the control signal is bounded uniformly with respect to these parameters. Finally, we demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed controller with two examples: 1) a network of oscillators on the IEEE 300-bus system and 2) a platoon of vehicles.
Substitutional–interstitial structural transition in Cu–Pt nano-alloys

Copper–platinum alloys are important binary alloys in catalysis. In this communication, we demonstrate that it is possible to preserve the thermal properties of platinum with a copper–platinum alloy by converting the substitutional alloy into an interstitial one. This conversion occurs when the size of the copper–platinum system is reduced down to the nanoscale. The size-dependent phase diagram of Cu–Pt for a spherical nanoparticle is calculated at various sizes (50, 10 and 5 nm) demonstrating that Cu–Pt alloyed nanoparticles can be formed all over the composition range. Experimentally, the electron microscopy characterization of copper–platinum alloyed nanoparticles synthesized by wet chemistry supports the predicted structural transition.
Association of walking energetics with amyloid beta status: Findings from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging

Introduction Higher energetic costs for mobility predict gait speed decline. Slow gait is linked to cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Whether the energetic cost of walking is linked to AD pathology is unknown. We investigated the cross-sectional association between the energetic cost of walking, gait speed, and amyloid beta (Aβ) status (+/-) in older adults. Methods One hundred forty-nine cognitively normal adults (56% women, mean age 77.5 ± 8.4 years) completed customary-paced walking assessments with indirect calorimetry and 11C-Pittsburgh compound B positron emission tomography. Logistic regression models examined associations adjusted for demographics, body composition, comorbid conditions, and apolipoprotein E e4. Results Each 0.01 mL/kg/m greater energy cost was associated with 18% higher odds of being Aβ+ (odds ratio [OR] = 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04 to 1.34; P = .011). These findings were not observed when investigating gait speed (OR = 0.99; 95% CI: 0.97 to 1.01; P = .321). Discussion High energetic cost of walking is linked to AD pathology and may be a potential target for therapeutic intervention.
Influence of Temperature on the Ovipositional Biology of the Redbanded Leafroller and Tufted Apple Bud Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Effects of constant temperatures of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35°C on the preoviposition period and the effects of a constant 25°C on oviposition, fecundity, and longevity of the redbanded leafroller,...
Climate Variability Inferred from a Layered Model of the Ventilated Thermocline

Abstract Climate variability of a layered model of the ventilated thermocline is studied. Assuming the Ekman pumping is unchanged, cooling (heating) causes a southward (northward) shift of the outcrop line and thus induces a baroclinic response in the ventilated thermocline. The perturbations propagate within a characteristic cone downstream from the cooling (heating) region, defined by the two outermost characteristics streaming from the edge of the cooling (heating) region. Changes in Ekman pumping rate induce a barotropic response that propagates westward, which is a classic result obtained from the Sverdrup relation. However, if the outcrop line is nonzonal, there can be an additional baroclinic response, which propagates within the characteristic cone downstream from the source region of an Ekman pumping anomaly.
Outer solar system materials - Ices and color systematics

Our program of VJHK colorimetric observations and spectrophotometry is reviewed and updated. Attention is given to the probable connections between VJHK colors and the ratios of bright ices and dark soils on many outer solar system small bodies’ surfaces. VJHK color systematics may clarify ice/soil behaviors in bodies too faint for high resolution spectra. Comets appear colored by soils most closely resembling D-class Trojan asteroid soils. Our recent model of comet surface properties, involving weakly-bonded ice/soil regoliths, helps explain comet eruptive phenomena. The work suggests the importance of considering ices in the context of their intimate mixture with non–volatile soils.
Simulation of the turbulent Rayleigh-Benard problem using a spectral/finite difference technique

The three-dimensional, incompressible Navier-Stokes and energy equations with the Boussinesq assumption have been directly simulated at a Rayleigh number of 3.8 × 105 and a Prandtl number of 0.76. In the vertical direction, wall boundaries were used and in the horizontal, periodic boundary conditions were applied. A spectral/finite difference numerical method was used to simulate the flow. At these conditions the flow is turbulent, and a sufficiently fine mesh was used to capture all relevant flow scales. The results of the simulation are compared to experimental data to justify the conclusion that the small scale motion was aEnquately resolved.
Dasatinib Modulates Invasive and Migratory Properties of Canine Osteosarcoma and has Therapeutic Potential in Affected Dogs

BACKGROUND: This investigation sought to elucidate the relationship between hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)–induced metastatic behavior and the tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) crizotinib and dasatinib in canine osteosarcoma (OS). Preliminary evidence of an apparent clinical benefit from adjuvant therapy with dasatinib in four dogs is described. METHODS: The inhibitors were assessed for their ability to block phosphorylation of MET; reduce HGF-induced production of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP); and prevent invasion, migration, and cell viability in canine OS cell lines. Oral dasatinib (0.75 mg/kg) was tested as an adjuvant therapy in four dogs with OS. RESULTS: Constitutive phosphorylation of MET was detected in two cell lines, and this was unaffected by 20-nM incubation with either dasatinib or crizotinib. Incubation of cell lines with HGF (MET ligand) increased cell migration and invasion in both cell lines and increased MMP-9 activity in one. Dasatinib suppressed OS cell viability and HGF-induced invasion and migration, whereas crizotinib reduced migration and MMP-9 production but did not inhibit invasion or viability. CONCLUSIONS: Invasion, migration, and viability of canine OS cell lines are increased by exogenous HGF. HGF induces secretion of different forms of MMP in different cell lines. The HGF-driven increase in viability and metastatic behaviors we observed are more uniformly inhibited by dasatinib. These observations suggest a potential clinical benefit of adjuvant dasatinib treatment for dogs with OS.
Evidence of Effects of Environmental Chemicals on the Endocrine System in Children

Pollutant chemicals that are widespread in the environment can affect endocrine signaling, as evidenced in laboratory experiments and in wildlife with relatively high exposures. Although humans are commonly exposed to such pollutant chemicals, the exposures are generally low, and clear effects on endocrine function from such exposures have been difficult to demonstrate. Several instances in which there are data from humans on exposure to the chemical agent and the endocrine outcome are reviewed, including age at weaning, age at puberty, and sex ratio at birth, and the strength of the evidence is discussed. Although endocrine disruption in humans by pollutant chemicals remains largely undemonstrated, the underlying science is sound and the potential for such effects is real.
World trends in infant feeding.

Analysis of the dyadic nature (nutritional psychological and biological interaction between mother and infant with each affecting the other) and the economics of infant feeding strongly suggests the superiority of breastfeeding over artificial feeding regardless of the socioeconomic status of societies. Universally there are 3 main guidelines for scientifically guided biological infant feeding: 1) to feed the pregnant and lactating mothers with a mixed diet of locally available foods; 2) to breastfeed alone for 4 to 6 months and 3) to introduce least cost weaning foods based on the concept of multimixes from 4 to 6 months onward preferably prepared from locally available foods but with continuing lactation into the second year of life particularly in poorer circumstances. Widespread increases in breastfeeding will protect some 10 million infants annually against marasmus and diarrheal diseases some 1 million cases against infantile obesity and 100000 cases against cows milk allergy. The basic issue involved is the development of practical programs which would improve the pattern of breastfeeding or at least minimize its decline and to optimize the quantity and quality of milk production particularly by maternal feeding. This can be done by instituting changes in the emphasis in the education of health professionals and in procedures at pediatric wards and maternity units in hospitals. The promotion and advertising of infant formulas especially in poor areas needs monitoring and appropriate legislation and enforcement. Lactating mothers who are working should be provided with bonuses creches nursing pauses in industry and other methods which will encourage them to combine the roles of motherhood and salaried worker effectively. Interdisciplinary undertakings between economists administrators and health professionals are needed in order to improve breastfeeding patterns on a community basis. Reappraisal of modern infant feeding practices should be based on modern scientific knowledge awareness of successful traditional time-tested adaptation and on mans ancient biological mammalian heritage.
Construction of an optimal signal-to-noise ratio quadtree using state space search techniques

This paper reports the results of a set of experiments that apply state-space search methods to explore efficient ways for online construction of an optimal quadtree. An optimal quadtree is defined as a quadtree that yields a minimum reconstruction error for a given compression rate. Although some researchers have proposed procedures for image compression with quadtrees most of these methods either refer to binary images or use an off-line method to fix the variance-threshold. The results of our experiments show that a very low distortion (measured in SNR) can be achieved in a reasonable computation effort. Comparison with the literature proves that in some cases, for a given compression, our quadtree construction algorithm yields less distortion than well known image compression methods such as DCT-based vector quantization, and wavelet-based vector quantization.
A Novel Fast-mixing Microfluidic Device for Studying Nonequilibrium Systems using Femtosecond Spectroscopies

We demonstrate the first femtosecond spectroscopy measurements in a microfluidic device. The microfluidic device is characterized using two-photon fluorescence and computer simulations, and pulse propagation through the high N.A. objective is characterized with spectral interferometry.
Black, Jewish, and Interracial: It's Not the Color of Your Skin but the Race of Your Kin, and Other Myths of Identity

Black, Jewish, and Interracial: It's Not the Color of Your Skin but the Race of Your Kin, and Other Myths of Identity. Katya Gibel Azoulay. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 1997.220 pp.
Reliability of Parental Self-Report of Inhaled Corticosteroid Adherence in Inner-City Minority Children with Persistent Asthma

Background/Aims: Physicians often rely on parental self-report of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) adherence to guide asthma management. We examined reliability of parental self-report in assessing ICS adherence.
How effective has the Clean Water Act been at reducing pollutant mass emissions to the Southern California Bight over the past 35 years

The Clean Water Act (CWA) has regulated discharges of contaminants since 1972. However, evaluations of the CWA's effectiveness at improving regional water quality are lacking, primarily because integration of monitoring data from multiple dischargers to assess cumulative effects is not required. A rare opportunity exists to assess CWA effectiveness by integrating mass emissions data from all major sources of contaminants to the Southern California Bight from 1971 to 2000. While the coastal population grew by 56% and total effluent volume increased 31% since 1971, mass emissions of nearly all constituents decreased since passage of the CWA, most by greater than 65%. Publicly owned treatment works were the dominant point source of many contaminants, but also accounted for the greatest reductions in pollutant discharge since 1971. As point source treatment has improved, the relative contribution of non-point sources, such as storm water runoff has increased. Despite the increased importance of storm water discharges, regional monitoring and data compilation of this source is lacking, making it difficult to accurately assess trends in non-point source discharge.
A novel approach to image neural activity directly by MRI

Though an approach to image the electrical activity of neurons directly by detecting phase shifts in MRI was first reported in 1991, results to-date remain equivocal due to the low signal-to-noise ratio. The objective of this work was to develop a stimulus-presentation and data acquisition strategy specially geared to detect phase-dispersion effects of neuronal currents within 10-100 ms following stimulation. The key feature is to set the repeated MR data acquisition time TR and the stimulus presentation interval (TI) slightly different from each other so that the time at which images are acquired shifts gradually from one acquisition to the next with respect to stimulus onset. For example, at TR=275ms and 4 Hz stimulus presentation (TI=250ms), initial synchronization of the stimulus onset and MR acquisition would result in the first image being acquired at a latency of 0± (temporal width of data acquisition window), second image at a latency of 25ms, third image at a latency of 50ms and so on up to a latency of 250ms, at which time the stimulus and data acquisition times would become re-synchronized to once again acquire an image at latency=0. Human data were acquired on a 1.5T GE EXCITE scanner from two 8mm thick contiguous slices bracketing the calcarine fissure during a checkerboard flashing at 4 Hz. Preliminary results show activity in the visual cortex at latencies consistent with EEG studies, suggesting the potential of this methodology to image neural activity directly.
Numerical and experimental design study of quasi-optical multi-gap output cavity for W-band sheet beam klystron (WSBK)

A quasi-optical (QO) output coupler, consisting of a tapered waveguide coupling to WR-10 waveguide, was designed for a W-band multi-gap sheet beam klystron output cavity intended for 50 kW output. In this structure, TE 10 mode radiation from the multiple interaction gap-ports is superimposed in the tapered waveguide coupling out to the external waveguide. In our numerical design, all the circuit dimensions were systematically optimized by parametric FDTD simulations; the 2π-mode of the optimized QO output cavities (3-, 4-, and 5-gap) has external Q (Q e ) of 650, ohmic Q (Q 0 ) of 1650, and total Q (Q t )of 460 at 95.4GHz. The measured transmission coefficient (S 21 ) through the two QO external waveguide ports is in reasonable agreement with the numerical transmission spectrum obtained from simulation. MAGIC3D PIC simulation predicts that the 3-gap QO output cavity produces about 80 kW output power with the 70kV and 3.6A electron beam in the 8-cavity klystron circuit.
Data Reduction By Coherent Optical Systems

Coherent optical systems are useful in performing, two major operations in the field of data reduction: spectral analysis and linear filtering. The latter operation includes convolution, auto-correlation and cross-correlation. This paper emphasizes some new developments which have bearing on data reduction, while referring only briefly to the theory behind coherent optical systems. Of particular interest is the development of a technique which allows more general operations by linear filtering., Examples of spectral analysis and character recognition will be presented.© (1964) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Identification of new collagen formation with 125I-labeled antibody in bovine pericardial tissue valves implanted in calves.

Abstract Failure of bovine pericardial tissue valve used in young patients may be due to a slow rejection process. Polyclonal anticollagen (Type I) antibody (IgG) was made in rabbits and purified by protein A affinity column. Two milligrams of IgG was labeled with 2 mCi of 125 I by the Iodogen method. Free iodide was separated by G-10 column. Affinity of 125 I-IgG was checked by radioimmunoassay. Two hundred and fifty microcuries of 125 I-IgG was injected in calves immediately after tissue valve implantation, and the calves were killed 4 h post-injection. After harvesting the valve, each of the three leaflets was separated into four zones, and radioactivity in each section was mapped with a γ counter. The radioactivity in tissue valve section was compared to that of normal aortic valve. The sections of tissue valve retain five to ten times more 125 I-IgG than control aortic valve. Iodine-IgG thus provides a sensitive technique for determination of residual antigenicity in tissue valve.
CS 1 language adoption at California Community Colleges: 2012

This paper studies the languages used in introductory programming courses by all the computer science programs in the California Community College system for the calendar year 2012. Most colleges offer a single language (82%) using the face-to-face modality (73%) with C++ (48% of total sections offered) as their instructional language. Other instructional languages and percent using them are Java (31%), C (9%), BASIC (8%), and Others (4%). Comparing these use patterns to other language adoption studies shows that the California Community College system differs from most other institutions in its choice of C++ over Java.
Neonatal exposure to coumestrol, a phytoestrogen, does not alter spermatogenic potential in rats.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of neonatal exposure to phytoestrogens on male reproductive function as adults. Male rats were injected either with 100 μg coumestrol or DMSO (controls) daily during their first 5 d of life. Pituitary gland, testes, sex accessory organs, and blood were collected on d 60 of life. Serum testosterone, LH, and FSH levels were determined by RIA. Levels of steady-state mRNA for gonadotrophin subunits (LHβ and FSHβ were determined by Northern blot analysis and quantified by a scanning densitometer. Coumestrol had no effect on weights of testes and sex accessory organs, or sperm count. Similarly, there were no significant differences among serum concentrations of testosterone, LHβ and FSH of coumestrol-treated rats and those of controls. Whereas steady state levels of LHβ mRNA in coumestrol-treated rats did not differ from those of controls, steady state levels of FSHβ mRNA increased (37%) in treated animals. However, the augmented FSHβ mRNA expression in coumestrol-treated rats did not negatively affect reproductive potential in male rats. We conclude that neonatal exposure to coumestrol does not alter reproductive organ structure or spermatogenic potential in male rats.
Nighttime Sleep and Bed Mobility among Incontinent Nursing Home Residents

Objective: To describe sleep and body movement patterns in incontinent nursing home residents for the purpose of determining if the residents require nighttime changing and body repositioning on a 2-hour schedule. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: Four nursing homes. Participants: 118 nursing home residents. Measurements: Over two nights, bedside monitoring equipment recorded wrist activity (as a proxy measure for sleep) and body movements of both the shoulder and hip areas in consecutive 2-minute intervals. Specific outcome measures were: (1) Average duration of a sleep episode, peak duration of a sleep episode, and percent of time in bed asleep. (2) The number of 2-minute intervals in which a large movement (45 degree turn) at the shoulder and hip was noted per hour of recording for each resident. (3) The number of resident-initiated, rather than staff-initiated, large movements at the shoulder and hip that occurred within the same 2-minute intervals. Results: There was large variability in all sleep measures; however, on average, residents slept 66% of the time they were in bed. The distribution of these measures suggests that sleep was punctuated with frequent mighttime awakenings. Thirty-three percent of the incontinent residents demonstrated very low levels of resident-initiated movement at the shoulder and hip. Sixty-six percent demonstrated at least one large movement at the shoulder and hip per hour during periods of sleep as well as during periods of wake. Conclusion: The majority of incontinent nursing home residents self-initiate sufficiently frequent movements at both the shoulder and hip so as not to be in need of frequent repositioning by nursing staff. Since the sleep of many of these residents is also characterized by frequent awakenings, incontinent nursing home residents may benefit from a schedule of nursing care at night that considers sleep of equal importance to incontinence care and body repositioning.
Late Quaternary mammalian zoogeography of eastern Washington

Abstract The late Quaternary mammalian zoogeographic history of eastern Washington as revealed by archaeological and paleontological research conforms to a set of past environmental conditions inferred from botanical data. During the relatively cool and moist late Pleistocene and early Holocene, Cervus cf. elaphus, Ovis canadensis, Vulpes vulpes, Martes americana, Alopex lagopus , and perhaps Rangifer sp., taxa with ecological preferences for mesic steppe habitats, were present in the now xeric Columbia Basin. As the climate became progressively warmer and drier during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene, Antilocapra americana, Onychomys leucogaster, Spermophilus townsendii , and Neotoma cinerea , taxa with ecological preferences for xeric steppe habitats, appear in the Columbia Basin. Bison sp. and Taxidea taxus may have been present in eastern Washington for the last 20,000 yr. Middle and late Holocene records for Oreamnos americanus, Spermophilus columbianus, S. townsendii, Lagurus curtatus , and Urocyon cinereoargenteus in central eastern Washington suggest fluctuations in the ranges of these taxa that conform to a middle Holocene period of less effective precipitation and a ca. 3500-yr-old period of more effective precipitation before essentially modern environmental conditions prevailed.
Looking Back, Looking Forward: A Report on Early Childhood Music Education in Accredited American Preschools

This investigation is an examination of musical practices, musical preparation of teachers, and music education needs as reported by early childhood professionals in the United States. Quantitative...
Carbon fiber grounding in the D0 Run IIb silicon detector design

Abstract Carbon fiber support structures have become common elements of silicon detector designs. While the use of carbon fiber solves a variety of mechanical problems, it presents a challenging set of electrical concerns. Well-designed coupling and grounding schemes are essential for producing low-noise environments within the detectors. General principles involved in grounding systems with carbon fiber structures are described, as well as specific applications to the D0 Run IIb silicon detector.
An Alerting System Improves Adherence to Follow-up Recommendations From Colonoscopy Examinations

Background & Aims Systems are available to ensure that results of tests are communicated to patients. However, lack of adherence to recommended follow-up evaluation increases risk for adverse health outcomes and medical or legal issues. We tested the effectiveness of a novel follow-up system for patients due for surveillance colonoscopy examinations. Methods Electronic medical records from colonoscopies performed 5 years prior were reviewed to identify individuals due for a repeat surveillance colonoscopy examination. Patients were assigned to groups that received the standard of care or a newly developed follow-up system that included a letter to the primary care provider, 2 letters to the patient, and a telephone call to patients who had not yet scheduled an examination by the procedure due date. The primary end point was the percentage of patients who scheduled or completed the colonoscopy examination within 6 months of the due date. Secondary end points included detection rate for adenomas, sex- and ethnicity-specific follow-up rates, and patient satisfaction. Results Of 2609 patient records reviewed, 830 (31.8%) were found to be due for a surveillance colonoscopy examination in the study period. At the conclusion of the study, 241 (44.7%) patients in the intervention arm had procedures scheduled or completed, compared with 66 (22.6%) in the control group (P Conclusions A simple protocol of letters and a telephone call to patients who are due for colonoscopy examinations significantly improved adherence to endoscopic follow-up recommendations. This work provides justification for the creation of reminder systems to improve patient adherence to medical recommendations.
Oviposition repellents of mosquitoes: Negative responses elicited by lower aliphatic carboxylic acids

Organic infusions have been shown to elicit discriminatory responses in ovipositing mosquitoes. Previously, we found that a Purina® Lab Chow infusion induces negative oviposition behavior inCulex pipiens quinquefasciatus Say andCulex tarsalis Coquillett. Six aliphatic carboxylic acids isolated from the active fraction of this infusion were acetic, propionic, isobutyric, butyric, isovaleric, and caproic. In the present studies, we have quantified the negative oviposition responses ofCulex mosquitoes to these carboxylic acids in a laboratory bioassay system and have also tested the main acid component, butyric acid, againstCuliseta, Aedes, andAnopheles mosquitoes.
beta-blockers for atrial fibrillation: must we consider asymptomatic arrhythmias?

Atrial fibrillation (AF) affects more than 5% of the U.S. population >65 years, and 10% of those >80 years of age, making it the most common arrhythmia requiring treatment. Efforts to treat with ablation or devices show promise, but to date, pharmacologic therapy represents the mainstay of AF
RNA dynamics: perspectives from spin labels.

Dynamics are an important and indispensible physical attribute that plays essential roles in RNA function. RNA dynamics are complex, spanning vast timescales and encompassing large number of physical modes. The technique of site-directed spin labeling (SDSL), which derives information on local structural and dynamic features of a macromolecule by monitoring a chemically stable nitroxide radical using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, has been applied to monitor intrinsic dynamics at defined structural states as well as to probe conformational transition dynamics of RNAs. Current state of SDSL studies of RNA dynamics is summarized here. Further SDSL developments promise to open up many more opportunities for probing RNA dynamics and connecting dynamics to structure and function.
Copper cells and stomach acid secretion in the Drosophila midgut.

Abstract Copper cells in the Drosophila larval midgut were originally named for their ability to accumulate dietary copper. Recent studies have uncovered a number of intriguing similarities between copper cells and the acid-producing gastric parietal cells of the mammalian stomach. In addition to their shared roles in stomach acidification, they share a peculiar invaginated morphology in which the apical cell surface is buried deep within the cytoplasm. These shared properties of morphology and function portend the identification of shared molecular mechanisms that account for their specialized roles in digestive physiology. Cell facts: • Approximately 100 copper cells in larval middle midgut. • Orange fluorescence after copper feeding. • Specification during development is controlled by the labial gene. • Apical surface is arranged as a flask-shaped invagination. • Responsible for stomach acidification.
Meissner effect up to 300 K in microscopic regions of Y-Ba-Cu-O.

A new technique for observing the Meissner effect on microscopic powdered samples of superconducting material was used for samples of Y-Ba-Cu-O. Using this technique, we have isolated particles of superconducting material which show Meissner effect up to 300 K. These are now being analyzed for their composition and phase. The analysis of these particles showing Meissner effect at higher temperatures could be useful in the synthesis of bulk higher-temperature superconductor material.
The Narrow Fellow in the Grass: Human Infants Associate Snakes and Fear.

Why are snakes such a common target of fear? One current view is that snake fear is one of several innate fears that emerge spontaneously. Another is that humans have an evolved predisposition to learn to fear snakes. In the first study reported here, 9- to 10-month-old infants showed no differential spontaneous reaction to films of snakes versus other animals. In the second study, 7- to 18-month-old infants associated snakes with fear: As predicted, they looked longer at films of snakes while listening to a frightened human voice than while listening to a happy voice. In the third study, infants did not look differentially to still photos of snakes and other animals, indicating that movement is crucial to infants’ association of snakes with fear. These results offer support for the view that humans have a natural tendency to selectively associate snakes with fear.
The effects of magnesium and fluoride on the hydrolysis of octacalcium phosphate.

Abstract The adsorption of Mg ions on octacalcium phosphate (OCP) and its effect on OCP hydrolysis, with and without F, were studied. The Mg adsorption isotherm was fitted by the Langmuir model with an affinity constant of 0.74 ml/μmol and maximum number of sites, 31.19 μmol/g. The hydrolysis rates were measured in a pH stat by titration of base and were strongly temperature dependent. The products were examined by X-ray diffraction and chemical analysis. OCP hydrolysis takes place in two stages: the fast initial process, which is attributed to the surface topotactical conversion, followed by the main, slower process, which involves the nucleation and crystal growth. Mg ions, as 1 mmol/l MgCl2, prevented the initial surface reaction and decreased the nucleation rate dramatically and the growth rate slightly; F increased the rates of surface reaction and both the nucleation and crystal growth processes. The Ca P ratio (1.53) and the line broadening in the X-ray diffraction patterns of the apatitic products were not significantly affected by the F. Mg also did not affect the Ca P ratio and the line broadening at (002) diffraction, but decreased the line broadening at (310) diffraction.
Does capital at home matter more than capital at school? Social capital effects on academic achievement

Abstract A relatively neglected problem is how individuals derive social capital from more than one context and the extent to which they benefit from the capital in each. We examine whether social capital created at home and at school has differing effects on child academic achievement. We hypothesize that children derive social capital from both their families and their schools and that capital from each context promotes achievement. Using data from the National Longitudinal Education Study and structural equation modeling, we show that capital from each context is helpful, with social capital in the family more influential than social capital at school. We discuss the implications of these findings for research on child achievement and for studies of inequality generally.
Anti-P450lpr antiserum inhibits specific monooxygenase activities in LPR house fly microsomes

Monooxygenase activity in microsomes from the LPR strain of house fly (Musca domestica L.) was inhibited by anti-P450lpr, an antiserum specific for house fly cytochrome P450lpr, Anti-P450lpr did not inhibit house fly cytochrome P450 reductase or rat cytochrome P450 monooxygenase assays, consistent with specific inhibition of P450lpr. Anti-P450lpr inhibited the ability of cytochrome P450 reductase to reduce carbon monoxide treated LPR microsomal cytochrome P450, up to 49% of the total, showing that inhibition of cytochrome P450 reduction is the major mechanism of inhibition. Anti-P450lpr inhibited 98% of methoxyresorufin-O-demethylase activity and all the benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase activity in LPR microsomes, but none of the pentoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase activity. The antiserum partially inhibited ethoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase and ethoxycoumarin-O-dealkylase activity. These results demonstrate that methoxyresorufin-O-demethylase activity and benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase activity are characteristic substrates for P450lpr activity in the LPR strain of house fly. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.