cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Streptokinase Therapy for Occluded Tenckhoff Catheters in Children on CAPO

Streptokinase was infused through the partially thrombosed Tenckhoff catheters of four children on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Radiographic contrast studies performed before and after the infusions demonstrated dramatic dissolution of the fibrin thrombi associated with restoration of normal catheter function. The catheters subsequently functioned for an average of 12.5 months. No allergic or hemorrhagic complications were noted in association with the infusions. Coagulation studies revealed no evidence for systemic streptokinase absorption. We suggest that streptokinase, when given in the manner described, is a safe and effective treatment of thrombosed Tenckhoff catheters in children.
Peripheral nerve stimulation characteristics of an asymmetric head-only gradient coil compatible with a high-channel-count receiver array.

PURPOSE To characterize peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) of an asymmetric head-only gradient coil that is compatible with a commercial high-channel-count receive-only array. METHODS Two prototypes of an asymmetric head-only gradient coil set with a 42-cm inner diameter were constructed for brain imaging at 3T with maximum performance specifications of up to 85 mT/m and 708 T/m/s. Tests were performed in 24 volunteers to measure PNS thresholds with the transverse (x = left-right; y = anterior-posterior [A/P]) gradient coils of both prototypes. Fourteen of these 24 volunteers were also tested for the z-gradient PNS in the second prototype and were scanned with high-slew-rate echo planar imaging (EPI) immediately after the PNS tests. RESULTS For both prototypes, the y-gradient PNS threshold was markedly higher than the x-gradient threshold. The z-gradient threshold was intermediate between those for the x- and y-coils. Of the 24 volunteers, only two experienced y-gradient PNS at 80 mT/m and 500 T/m/s. All volunteers underwent the EPI scan without PNS when the readout direction was set to A/P. CONCLUSION Measured PNS characteristics of asymmetric head-only gradient coil prototypes indicate that such coils, especially in the A/P direction, can be used for fast EPI readout in high-performance neuroimaging scans with substantially reduced PNS concerns compared with conventional whole body gradient coils. Magn Reson Med 76:1939-1950, 2016. © 2015 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Korean Families in America: Their Family Language Policies and Home-Language Maintenance

This study examined the family language policies (FLP) of Korean American parents and how the language practice, management, and ideology components of their FLP and demographic variables predict maintenance of the home language. Results of a large-scale (N = 480) survey show that different sets of FLP and demographic variables contributed to a model that predicted retention of oral versus literacy skills. Child gender, age of English exposure, and parental attitudes toward bilingualism were strong predictors of oral and literacy skills in the home language. Whereas length of settlement and language-practice patterns predicted maintenance of oral skills, language-management strategies were required for retention of literacy skills.
Accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Ultrasound for Appendicitis in Diagnostic and Nondiagnostic Studies.

Objectives Suggestive radiographic studies with nonvisualization of the appendix can present a challenge to clinicians in the evaluation of pediatric abdominal pain. The primary objective of this study was to quantify the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and of ultrasound (US) in the setting of nonvisualization of the appendix. Secondary objectives reported include sensitivity of MRI and US overall and correlation between MRI and US for diagnosis of appendicitis. Methods Records of pediatric emergency department patients aged 3 to 21 years undergoing MRI and/or US for the evaluation of appendicitis were retrospectively reviewed. Radiographs were categorized as a normal appendix, neither demonstrating the appendix nor demonstrating abnormalities consistent with appendicitis; equivocal, not demonstrating the appendix but showing evidence of appendicitis; demonstrating an abnormal appendix consistent with appendicitis; or demonstrating an alternate pathology. The reading was compared with the final diagnosis for accuracy. Results Of the 589 patients included, 146 had appendicitis. Diagnostic accuracy for studies with a nonvisualized appendix without secondary signs of appendicitis was 100% for MRI and 91.4% (95% CI = 87.3% to 94.2%) for US. Diagnostic accuracy for studies with a nonvisualized appendix with secondary signs of appendicitis was 50% (95% CI = 2.5% to 97.5%) for MRI and 38.9% (95% CI = 18.2% to 64.5%) for US. Appendicitis was ultimately diagnosed in 8.6% of patients with an otherwise negative right lower quadrant (RLQ) US that failed to directly identify the appendix. There was a moderate correlation between US and MRI (ρ = 0.573, p = 0.0001) when all studies were considered. Conclusions Magnetic resonance imaging without secondary signs of appendicitis is effective in excluding appendicitis regardless of whether the appendix is directly visualized, while otherwise negative RLQ US that fail to identify the appendix are less useful. Secondary signs of appendicitis without visualization of the appendix were not helpful regardless of radiographic modality. Results of MRI and US correlated moderately well.
Axiomatic Closure Operations, Phantom Extensions, and Solidity

Abstract In this article, we generalize a previously defined set of axioms for a closure operation that induces balanced big Cohen–Macaulay modules. While the original axioms were only defined in terms of finitely generated modules, these new ones will apply to all modules over a local domain. The new axioms will lead to a notion of phantom extensions for general modules, and we will prove that all modules that are phantom extensions can be modified into balanced big Cohen–Macaulay modules and are also solid modules. As a corollary, if R has characteristic p > 0 and is F -finite, then all solid algebras are phantom extensions. If R also has a big test element (e.g., if R is complete), then solid algebras can be modified into balanced big Cohen–Macaulay modules. (Hochster and Huneke have previously demonstrated that there exist solid algebras that cannot be modified into balanced big Cohen–Macaulay algebras.) We also point out that tight closure over local domains in characteristic p generally satisfies the new axioms and that the existence of a big Cohen–Macaulay module induces a closure operation satisfying the new axioms.
Yeats's Nations: Desiring women: feminine sexuality and Irish nationality in “A Woman Young and Old”

The realm of sacred things is composed of the pure and of the impure. Christianity rejected impurity. Georges Bataille To-day the man who finds belief in God, in the soul, in immortality, growing and clarifying, is blasphemous and paradoxical. ( EX , 334) Yeats's aristocratic meditations and kindred politics offered Anglo- Irish nationality as a willful, arbitrary, imaginative response to the political and economic marginalization of the Anglo-Irish. In the years following the Anglo-Irish war, Yeats also engaged with a version of Irish nationality he associated with the newly hegemonic Catholic middle classes. The “Irishness” of the post-revolutionary Irish Free State was the subject of much debate and anxiety among members of the government, the Catholic church and society at large. During this period the version of postcolonial Irish nationality that emerged as dominant enforced Catholic social teachings and placed a heavy emphasis on gender roles and sexuality as important indicators of and potential threats to national identity. This chapter reads Yeats's representations of female personae and feminine sexuality in “A Woman Young and Old” as his response. It may seem perverse to argue that “A Woman Young and Old” is, on some level, “about” Irish nationality; unlike Yeats's theatrical theories or Anglo-Irish poems, the sequence does not thematize the question of nationality explicitly. It is customary in Yeats criticism to contrast The Tower's embittered engagement with politics and The Winding Stair's rejection of politics in favor of sensual pleasure and an all-accepting joy. Critics also commonly argue that Yeats's preoccupation with sex and female personae represents a rejection of his earlier idealized notions of womanhood and a withering into the naked truths of femininity and sexuality.
Destination image formation process: A holistic model

To augment the current perspective on the tourism destination image formation process, this study highlights the concept of ‘schema’, which is a mental structure of perceiving and classifying acquired information or knowledge. This study first proposes two schema-related models that illustrate the image formation process before, during, and after the tourist trip. Specifically, this study enlists five Prime Tourist Destination Schemas entailing (1) place, (2) mega event, (3) crisis, (4) self, and (5) emotion to depict the destination image formation process that is constantly modified owing to its dissimilation with new information, wherein these information sources could affect the formation of the destination image before the trip. Once the tourist visits the destination, the schemas may be altered, resulting in three different types of conditions within the tourist’s schematic fabric: congruity, moderate incongruity, and extreme incongruity. Accordingly, the resultant destination images after the trip ...
Thomas Jefferson and the Development of American Public Education

(1962). Thomas Jefferson and the Development of American Public Education. The Journal of Higher Education: Vol. 33, No. 8, pp. 461-462.
A Balloon Experiment in the Classroom

(1994). A Balloon Experiment in the Classroom. The College Mathematics Journal: Vol. 25, No. 5, pp. 442-444.
Estimating the impact of farmer field schools in sub‐Saharan Africa: the case of cocoa

This study measures the economic impact of the first phase of the Cocoa Livelihood Program (CLP-I), a current World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) project, sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and aimed at improving the livelihood of over 200,000 small cocoa producers in sub-Saharan Africa via training, crop diversification, and farmer-based organizations. Using data collected from 2,048 pre- and post-CLP-I interviews of cocoa producers in Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria, and Cameroon, the results show that yield enhancements attributable to CLP-I are 32%, 34%, 50%, and 62% in Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria, and Cameroon, respectively. Using a total program cost of $151–$200 per beneficiary and estimated annual benefits of $109–$322 per beneficiary over 25 years, the benefit-cost ratios are estimated to range from $18 to $62 for every dollar spent on human capital development. These results suggest the WCF should endeavor to increase the number of farmers who receive all, not some, of the components of the program. This would not only help ensure that each producer obtains as much human capital as possible from each of the training programs but increases the probability of reaching the CLP goal of doubling the income of cocoa-growing households.
Capture, Deformation, Rolling and Detachment of a Cell on an Adhesive Surface in a Shear Flow

Three-dimensional computational modeling and simulation using front tracking method are presented on the motion of a deformable cell over an adhesive surface in a shear flow. The numerical method couples a Navier-Stokes flow solver with cell membrane mechanics, and a Monte Carlo simulation to capture stochastic formation and breakage of receptor/ligand bonds. The entire range of events during cell adhesion, namely, initial arrest of a free-flowing cell, slow rolling of an adherent cell, and detachment off the surface is simulated. Simulations are conducted to signify the role of hydrodynamic lift force that exists for a deformable particle in a wall-bounded flow. Three sets of numerical experiments are presented. In the first set, we consider the initial arrest of the cell, and show that the time needed for the cell to arrest increases with increasing Ca, but rapidly drops and saturates for higher bond strength. In the second set, we consider quasi-steady rolling motion of the cell, and predict the experimentally observed “stop and go” motion of the rolling leukocytes which is characterized by intermittent pauses and sudden jumps in cell velocity. In the third set we consider the detachment of the cell from the surface upon breakage of bonds. The bond strength needed to prevent the detachment of an adherent cell is computed and shown to be maximum for an intermediate Ca.© 2008 ASME
Impact of Immunoglobulin Therapy in Intestinal Transplant Recipients With Posttransplantation Hypogammaglobulinemia

Abstract Background Severe hypogammaglobulinemia (HGG) (IgG 400 mg/dL are not well described. Methods Kaplan–Meier analysis was performed to estimate survival, the log-rank test to compare survival distributions between groups, and the Fisher exact test to determine the association between HGG and rejection. Results A total of 23 intestinal transplant (IT) recipients with a median age of 2.3 years (range, 0.7–41 years) at the time of HGG diagnosis were included. The types of transplants were liver–small bowel (73.9%), liver–small bowel–kidney (8.7%), and small bowel only (17.4%). The 3-year survival after the diagnosis of HGG was 50.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 28.2%–68.7%). There was no difference in survival (P = .67) when patients were dichotomized based upon IgG level at last follow-up (IgG ≥400 mg/dL, n = 14; and IgG Conclusions Improved survival rates were not found in our IT recipients with severe HGG with immunoglobulin therapy to IgG levels of ≥400 mg/dL, even when cytomegalovirus hyperimmunoglobulin was administered.
Prevalence of adult overweight and obesity and its affecting factocs in rural aceus of Anqing city

Objective To obtain current situation of adult overweight and obesity prevalence among rural residents in Yixiu district of Anqing city. Methods More than 2 905 rural residents above 18 years old( male 1 460,female 1 445) in Yixiu district were selected by cluster sampling method to take questionnaire- based survey and physical examinations.Their height,weight and pressure value were measured,and the prevalence rate of hypertension among people with different BMI. Results The prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were 31. 3% and 9. 4% respectively,and the standardized rates were 30. 3% and 9. 0%,respectively. The overweight / obesity was more often occurred in mid- aged married men with higher education and occurred in middle- aged and older married women with less education. There was significant difference in prevalence rate of hypertension between people whose BMI were≥24 kg / m2 and whose BMI were 24 kg / m2.Conclusion The prevalence rates of overweight and obesity are relatively high in the rural areas of Anqing.
Seroepidemiology of Hepatitis B Virus Infection among Women of Childbearing Age in Highly Endemic Rural Regions of Guangdong Province,2013

Objective To determine hepatitis B virus( HBV) infection rates among childbearing age women in highly endemic ruralregions of Guangdong province,and to evaluate the effect of immunization strategy with hepatitis B vaccine( Hep B). Methods We conducted the cross-sectional survey and women between 15 and 49 years of age were selected using a multi-stage,stratified randomized sample design. We obtained demographic informationand history of hepatitis B disease and Hep B vaccination.Blood samples were collected to measure HBV serological markers using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay( ELISA). Results A total of 2075 women was recruited from 3 highly endemic rural regions;their mean age was 30. 64,their HBV surface antigen( HBs Ag), antibody to HBs Ag( Anti-HBs),and antibody to HBV core antigen( Anti-HBc) rates were 12. 81%,63. 73%,and65. 90%,respectively. The positivity rates of HBV e antigen( HBe Ag) andantibody to HBe Ag( AntiHBe) among women whose HBs Ag were positive were 29. 76% and 63. 94%, respectively. Chi-square tests showed that differences between the positive rates of HBs Ag,Anti-HBc,HBe Ag and Anti-HBe among different age groups were statistically significant( χ2HBs Ag= 42. 01,χ2Anti-HBc= 443. 35,χ2HBe Ag=38. 10,χ2Anti-HBe= 36. 51; P 0. 01 for all),while the difference between the positive rates of Anti-HBs was not statistically significant( χ2Anti-HBs= 5. 41,P = 0. 14). Differences among HBs Ag,Anti-HBs,and Anti-HBc positivity in different regions and careers were all statistically significant( regions: χ2HBs Ag=9. 07,χ2Anti-HBs= 7. 04,χ2Anti-HBc= 39. 44; P 0. 01; careers: χ2HBs Ag= 46. 17,χ2Anti-HBs= 13. 30,χ2Anti-HBc=445. 18; P 0. 05). Coverage of Hep B among subjects was 31. 22%,and coverage was higher in younger women. The Anti-HBs positive rate among those vaccinated( 71. 87%) was higher than among those not vaccinated( 58. 57%) or with unknown vaccination status( 63. 73%). Conclusions The prevalence of HBs Ag among childbearing age women remains high in these highly endemic rural regions of Guangdong province. The prevalence of HBs Ag among young women declined markedly since introduction of Hep B in Guangdong province. Further efforts are required to prevent HBV transmission from mother to child.
Dual Anomalous Origins of the Thyrocervical Trunk and Left Internal Mammary Artery.

A 56-year-old man with diabetes and a history of triple coronary artery bypass graft surgery (left internal mammary artery [LIMA] to left anterior descending [LAD] artery, saphenous vein grafts to posterior descending artery and obtuse marginal artery) underwent coronary catheterization for
The importance of intravenous antiplatelet therapy with abciximab during percutaneous coronary intervention in diabetic patients

Diabetic patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention have a much higher rate of ischemic complications than do nondiabetic patients. In part, this may be due to their increased propensity for platelet aggregation and thrombus formation. Potent antiplatelet blockade produced by inhibition of the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor, the final common pathway in platelet aggregation, can decrease thrombus formation in response to balloon injury. A recent analysis demonstrated that, compared with placebo, the intravenous glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor abciximab, used at the time of the interventional procedure, decreased 1-year all-cause mortality in diabetic patients. Indeed, the mortality was reduced to a level comparable to that of placebo-treated nondiabetic patients. A striking mortality reduction was also noted in patients with diabetes who underwent multivessel intervention, a particularly controversial cohort to treat nonsurgically. Thus, platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blockade with abciximab is able to substantially improve the results of percutaneous intervention in patients with diabetes.
Implications of commercial document delivery

Cet article traite de la distribution commerciale de certains documents dans les bibliotheques universitaires americaines. En effet, depuis l'evolution des nouvelles technologies, le pret inter-biblioheques s'est developpe et certaines bibliotheques donnaient acces a des services commerciaux de diffusion de l'information. Il s'est donc avere que ce service commercial pouvait avoir sa place dans une bibliotheque universitaire. Apres une presentation des avantages de ce service commercial dans les bibliotheques, des criteres de selections des documents et leurs modes de paiement sont proposes, puis les questions que doivent se poser les bibliothecaires avant d'accepter ou de refuser un tel service sont posees
Processing uncertain spatial data resulting from differentially-private sanitization

The unprecedented revolution in mobile computing provides users with the ability to participate in applications that are customized to their spatial coordinates. Location-based social media and location-based recommendations are only two examples of popular scenarios where the use of geographical location can significantly improve user experience. However, serious privacy concerns arise when sharing users' locations, as an adversary may be able to derive sensitive personal details from one's whereabouts, such as health status, political or religious orientation, alternative lifestyles, etc. Privacy models such as differential privacy (DP) are commonly employed to protect individuals' whereabouts before sharing. Typically, privacy is achieved by introducing uncertainty with respect to a user's location. In this setting, uncertain data processing techniques become a natural choice for processing user location data that have been previously sanitized to protect privacy. In this article, we discuss some prominent scenarios where it is important to protect location data, and we explain how the de-facto standard of differentially-private location protection can be used in conjunction with uncertain data processing. We also look at a highly promising use case scenario of interest, namely privacy-preserving spatial crowd-sourcing, and provide an overview of how DP and uncertain data processing are combined to address this problem.
Mitochondrially-Targeted Intervention to Improve Contractile Signaling and Kinetics in Aged Muscle

Exercise is the most effective treatment for sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass and function. Despite its positive effects, many studies indicate that adaptive signaling with exercise is altered or attenuated with age. We and others have found that aging muscle presents with increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, decreased mitochondrial function, and an oxidized redox status. The extent to which mitochondrial ROS contribute to exercise adaptation and excitation/contraction (EC) coupling remains controversial, but evidence suggests that oxidative modifications to protein thiols may alter the activity of transcription factors, kinases, and the function of contractile proteins. In this study, we hypothesized that an acute decrease in mitochondrial ROS will rescue the age-related changes in skeletal muscle EC coupling and contractile signaling. To test this hypothesis, we performed acute fatiguing contractions using an in vivo stimulation protocol on young (7-10 months) and old (28-32 month) CB6F1 (BALB/cBy x C57BL/6) mice pretreated for one hour with elamipretide (SS-31), a mitochondrially-targeted peptide that reduces mitochondrial ROS and improves bioenergetics in dysfunctional mitochondria. Contraction kinetics were monitored by a force transducer throughout the fatiguing stimulations, and the phosphorylation status of AKT, P38/MAPK, AMPK, and P70S6K were measured in the stimulated and non-stimulated gastrocnemius to address the extent of contractile signaling. Force production was significantly lower in the aged mice compared to young, consistent with sarcopenia. One hour of SS-31 restored the age-related loss of contraction and relaxation rates, but no changes in fatigability or max contraction were observed. In vivo stimulation resulted in significant changes in kinase phosphorylation, however, exercise induced changes in AKT were blunted in aged muscle, but restored with SS-31. Together, these data suggest a direct role of mitochondrial ROS and bioenergetics on EC coupling and kinase activity, and implicate the use of mitochondrially-targeted therapies to improve exercise adaptation in aged muscle.
Structural investigations of natural products by newer methods of NMR spectroscopy.

When the use of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in natural product studies was reviewed in an earlier volume of this series (1), the technique was already established as a primary tool of structural investigation. Straight-forward nmr techniques suitable for simple analytical instruments and mass spectroscopy remain the natural product chemist’s first tools in the examination of natural materials. Often these methods together suffice either to demonstrate the structure of a compound, or to indicate the need for prompt recourse to the most definitive tool of structural investigation, x-ray crystallography. In recent years, methods have been developed to extend nmr methods to samples not previously amenable to this technique and to extract further structural information from the spectrum.
Using Social Psychology to Evaluate Race and Law in Sports

This chapter will examine the connection between social psychology and the larger topic of race, sports, and the law. It will begin by discussing human attitudes and cognitive biases and then turn to what could be the most clearly detectable, or at least the most controversial, connection between social psychology, race, and sports law: the alleged nexus between implicit attitudes and patterns of referees and umpires when officiating games. In particular, the chapter will discuss recent research on the supposed propensity of National Basketball Association ('NBA') referees to call fouls on African-American players with greater frequency than objective data would predict. The chapter will also consider new research on Major League Baseball ('MLB') umpires and a possible relationship between pitchers’ race and umpires’ called balls and strikes. It will then raise the possibility that the Wonderlic Personal Test ('Wonderlic' or 'Wonderlic Test') for the National Football League ('NFL') Draft and similar tests may corroborate findings on stereotype threat. The chapter will conclude by noting the importance of law and collective-bargaining in rectifying related concerns.
Salivary epithelium branching morphogenesis

The embryonic rodent salivary gland has been used as a model for epithelial morphogenesis for over 40 years. During this period we have learned a great deal about the requirements for normal development in this organ. The submandibular salivary gland first appears late on day 12 of gestation in the mouse and on day 13 in the rat. The initially broad primordium arises from the oral epithelium and forms a stalk (primary duct) and a bulbous lobule. Over the next several days in vivo or in vitro the epithelium undergoes rapid growth and repetitive branching to generate a highly branched structure with greatly increased surface area (Figure 13.1). The submandibular gland has a highly characteristic branching pattern which is quite distinct from other branching organs such as the lung, mammary gland and pancreas (Figure 1; Spooner and Thompson-Pletscher, 1986).
Unsolved! The History and Mystery of the World’s Greatest Ciphers from Ancient Egypt to Online Secret Societies

Cryptography is the art and science of sending a message so that only the people you want to understand the contents of the message can understand it. For a modern example, when I send my credit ca...
The Other-Than-Human and the “User Unconscious”

ABSTRACTExpanding on psychoanalysts’ treatment of online interaction between analyst and analysand, I take up digital media and computational technologies in terms of their more general transformat...
South Asian American millennial marriages: Sikhs, Hindus, and Muslims

ABSTRACTSouth Asian American millennial Sikhs, like millennial Hindus and Muslims, demonstrate a widening range of partner choices, marriage rituals, and celebratory practices. For young Sikh Ameri...
Attractor Network Models

The term attractor, when applied to neural circuits, refers to dynamical states of neural populations that are self-sustained and stable against perturbations. It is part of the vocabulary for describing neurons or neural networks as dynamical systems. This concept helps to quantitatively describe self-organized spatiotemporal neuronal firing patterns in a circuit, during spontaneous activity or underlying brain functions. Moreover, the theory of dynamical systems provides tools for examining the stability and robustness of a neural circuit’s behavior, proposes a theory of learning and memory in terms of the formation of multiple attractor states or continuous attractors, and provides insights into how variations in cellular/synaptic properties give rise to a diversity of computational capabilities.
Pulsatile hyperglycemia increases insulin secretion but not pancreatic β-cell mass in intrauterine growth-restricted fetal sheep

Impaired β-cell development and insulin secretion are characteristic of intrauterine growth-restricted (IUGR) fetuses. In normally grown late gestation fetal sheep pancreatic β-cell numbers and insulin secretion are increased by 7-10 days of pulsatile hyperglycemia (PHG). Our objective was to determine if IUGR fetal sheep β-cell numbers and insulin secretion could also be increased by PHG or if IUGR fetal β-cells do not have the capacity to respond to PHG. Following chronic placental insufficiency producing IUGR in twin gestation pregnancies (n=7), fetuses were administered a PHG infusion, consisting of 60 min, high rate, pulsed infusions of dextrose three times a day with an additional continuous, low-rate infusion of dextrose to prevent a decrease in glucose concentrations between the pulses or a control saline infusion. PHG fetuses were compared with their twin IUGR fetus, which received a saline infusion for 7 days. The pulsed glucose infusion increased fetal arterial glucose concentrations an average of 83% during the infusion. Following the 7-day infusion, a square-wave fetal hyperglycemic clamp was performed in both groups to measure insulin secretion. The rate of increase in fetal insulin concentrations during the first 20 min of a square-wave hyperglycemic clamp was 44% faster in the PHG fetuses compared with saline fetuses (P0.23). Chronic PHG increases early phase insulin secretion in response to acute hyperglycemia, indicating that IUGR fetal β-cells are functionally responsive to chronic PHG.
Denoising and Time-Frequency Analysis of Signals

The extraction of a signal from noisy data is a common problem in many fields of science and engineering. There are many approaches that have been employed. A particularly challenging problem can be extracting broadband signals from broadband noise, especially when the noise and signal span common frequencies. However, if the local spectral properties of the signal and noise are different, then a phase space approach to filtering can be effective for separating the signal from the noise. In this chapter, we present the basic idea behind this method of filtering, which involves the design of time-varying filters based on the phase space properties of the signal or noise. The approach is demonstrated by application to marine mammal sounds to remove background ocean noise.
Effect of Airway Opening Pressure Distribution on Gas Exchange in Inflating Lung

Pathophysiological alterations in lung mechanics commonly occur in critically ill patients and can result in impaired oxygenation and ventilation. The process of recruitment as the lung inflates involves the progressive opening of airways resulting in increasing amounts of alveolar volume available for gas exchange, and is modeled in this study using avalanche dynamics. Here we employ a symmetric 10-generation tree to represent the region of the lung participating in gas exchange along with a simplified model of pulmonary microvascular blood flow through an accompanying vascular network. The model is used to obtain the mean oxygen saturation during lung inflation under normal conditions as well as those simulating increased threshold opening airway pressures. For the values of parameters used, the oxygen saturation calculated for a uniform distribution of opening pressures is found to be 3.6% higher as compared to simulations performed using a generation-dependent distribution of opening pressures with higher opening pressures in smaller airways. In both cases, blood flow is assumed to be constant and the effects of gravity are not considered. Future work will include the effect of regional heterogeneity in lung mechanics on gas exchange. The ultimate goal of this work is to develop optimal ventilation strategies to minimize ventilator induced lung injury and improve gas exchange in critically ill patients.
Crossing Party Lines

This chapter takes a break from Levin-led investigations to recount how Senator Levin supported PSI investigations led by his Republican colleagues, Senators Susan Collins, Norm Coleman, Tom Coburn, and John McCain. Featured Republican-led inquiries examine sweepstakes abuses; corruption of a United Nations Oil-for-Food program; North Korea’s misuse of a United Nations Development Program; federal programs to collect taxes from tax-delinquent federal contractors; Social Security disability fraud; and malware associated with Internet advertising. The chapter describes PSI procedures, mechanisms, and standards used to foster cross-party cooperation, bipartisan fact-finding, and joint hearings and reports. It also describes informal actions taken by the Levin staff to build bipartisan ties, including social activities and investigative team photographs.
Adolescent Male Sports Participation and Violence in Emerging Adulthood: Examining Variation by Gender-Typed Behavior

ABSTRACTResearch on the association between sports participation and violence is mixed. Moreover, most studies that recognize some sport subcultures equate masculinity with violence have not includ...
Frequency, Predictors, and Implications of Abnormal Blood Pressure Responses During Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography.

Background—It is not known whether abnormal blood pressure (BP) responses during dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) are associated with abnormal test results, nor if such results indicate obs...
The Predictability of Tropical Pacific Decadal Variability: Insights from Attractor Reconstruction

AbstractTropical Pacific decadal variability (TPDV), though not the totality of Pacific decadal variability, has wide-ranging climatic impacts. It is currently unclear whether this phenomenon is pr...
Examining reciprocal influence between posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms among natural disaster survivors

Abstract Background The current study examined reciprocal effects of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) among individuals affected by Hurricane Ike, which made landfall on September 13, 2008 Methods Participants were 658 survivors, who participated in the Galveston Bay Recovery Study (GBRS; National Center for Disaster Mental Health Research, Galea, and Norris, 2016). Assessment was conducted at 3, 6, and 15 months after the disaster. Bivariate latent change score modeling was conducted to examine the nature of the time-sequential associations between symptoms of PTSD and MDD Results Results revealed a unidirectional coupling effect from depression to change in PTSD, but unidirectional coupling effect from PTSD to change in depression was not supported. Limitations Only linear relations of within-individual change and time-sequential associations between PTSD and depression were examined, and therefore, it precludes potential nonlinear relations between these constructs. Also, the results of the current study are limited to the studied timespan (i.e., 3 to 15 months). Lastly, other factors that could be confounding the change in PTSD symptoms were not examined, leaving a possibility of other constructs that may influence the change in future PTSD symptoms Conclusions The current study suggests that disaster survivors with higher symptoms of depression may be at higher risk of experiencing increased PTSD symptoms even after one year, raising an importance of tailoring a treatment to alleviate depressive symptoms and to mitigate the risk of future symptoms of PTSD
Low Density Lipoprotein Apheresis Reduces PF4 on the Surface of Platelets: a Possible Protective Mechanism Against HIT

Abstract Abstract 2530 Heparin is the anticoagulant used when performing low density lipoprotein (LDL)-apheresis using the Liposorber® system for patients with hypercholesterolemia. This system removes LDL particles via adsorption to a dextran sulfate cellulose bead column (LA-15 column). Despite the exposure to large amounts of heparin and the predisposition of patients with vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis to heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), HIT in patients undergoing LDL-apheresis is very rare. We, therefore, investigated the possibility that the LDL apheresis procedure decreases platelet factor 4 (PF4) adsorbed to cell surfaces and/or plasma HIT antibody levels, either of which would disfavor HIT. We enrolled 25 patients undergoing LDL apheresis (Liposorber®) in the Apheresis and Infusion Clinic at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Patients were 28–77 years old with high levels of LDL-cholesterol or Lp(a). Whole blood samples were drawn before (pre-treatment), immediately after (post-treatment), and 30 minutes after treatment (30‘ post-treatment). Plasma samples were also drawn proximal (pre-column) and distal (post-column) to the LA-15 column after ∼350-500ml (∼15-30 minutes) of plasma volume had been processed. PF4, anti-PF4-heparin complex (HIT) antibodies and soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L; as a marker of platelet activation) were measured using ELISA. Serotonin release assay was performed on samples that were positive for HIT antibodies. Platelet surface PF4 and P-selectin were measured by flow cytometry. Heparin levels were measured using the heparin anti-Xa chromogenic assay. The Student's t test, ANOVA and Wald tests were used to compare results. There were more males than females. None of the patients had any clinical symptoms of HIT. The LA-15 column was found to efficiently remove PF4 (pre-column mean ± SD=133.8 ± 88.26 IU/ml, post-column mean ± SD=0 IU/ml; P Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Characterization of Snowfall Rates, Totals, and Snow-to-Liquid Ratios in Electrified Snowfall Events Identified by the Geostationary Lightning Mapper

AbstractIt has been theorized that thundersnow (TSSN) occurs in conjunction with heavy snowfall rates and in geographical regions where heavy-banded snow occurs more frequently. This study aims to ...
Using photovoice as an arts-based method for grieving: LGBTQ + students and the pulse nightclub shooting

Given the increase of gun violence in the United States, teachers are left with the added obligation of helping students process traumatic events. The present study seeks to address the following q...
Abstract MP11: Aldosterone Synthase Structure With Cushing’s Disease Drug Osilodrostat Provides Clues For Treatment Of Primary Aldosteronism

Primary aldosteronism, the major form of secondary hypertension, often leads to cardiac disease. It develops due to excess steroid hormone aldosterone produced by aldosterone synthase, also known a...
Role of developing language attitudes in a study abroad context on adoption of dialectal pronunciations

This study examines how language attitudes play a role in the adoption of dialectal variants in second language (L2) pronunciation in a study abroad context. Twenty‐four North American university students participating in a 6‐week program in Buenos Aires, Argentina, were administered pre and posttest questionnaires and a posttest oral production task to determine how different background and attitudinal variables relate to production of two Argentine dialectal sounds, lenited‐/s/ and assibilated pre‐palatal /ʃ ʒ/. Results show that though students did not produce lenited‐/s/ forms, use of dialectal /ʃ ʒ/ phones by the end of the program was high—but variable—across individuals. Dialect preference, feelings toward Spanish, and desire to sound native‐like were identified as predictors of use of dialectal /ʃ ʒ/. These findings illustrate how social variables play a role in target model accent preferences and adoption of dialectal sounds in L2 pronunciation in a study abroad context.
An Applied Learning Experience Field Research and Reporting at the 2012 National Party Conventions

Scholarship in teaching and learning demonstrates how academic understanding may be best achieved, and values of civic engagement best inculcated, when class materials are delivered within a experiential context. The goal for instructors, therefore, is to develop pedagogic techniques and teaching platforms that enhance learning by doing by directly engaging students with educational content. Courses that focus on American political processes provide especially fruitful opportunities for such applied learning experiences. In this paper, we discuss and assess experiential learning as facilitated in a pair of undergraduate courses taught at a southern state university that focused on the study of American politics at national party conventions. As a primary requirement in “Political Party Conventions Field Study” and “Reporting at the Party Conventions,” political science and communication students, and four supervising faculty, traveled to the 2012 Democratic National Convention and Republican National Convention where they produced political research using field observation and survey methodologies and professional-style news reporting. Survey data collected before and after the convention indicate that students engaged in such experiential learning projects develop a more substantive understanding of the subject matter under study, enhanced motivation for learning, and greater feelings of academic achievement and citizenship.
“Problem Free is Not Fully Prepared”: Exploring the Difference Between Prevention and Promotion Oriented Educational Indicators as Related to U.S. State Demographic Characteristics:

This study assessed whether U.S. state-level prevention- and promotion-oriented indicators of student success are differentially associated with state-level demographic characteristics. Correlation...
Association of Overactive Bladder With Hypertension and Blood Pressure Control: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Background The sudden urge to urinate, also known as overactive bladder (OAB), may reflect higher sympathetic activity and associate with higher blood pressure (BP). Methods This cross-sectional analysis utilized data from sixth follow-up exam (2015-2016) of Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis to examine the association of OAB with systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels, hypertension, and BP control. Information on urinary symptoms was obtained with the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ). Sex-stratified regression models were constructed to examine differences in BP, hypertension prevalence, and BP control while adjusting for demographic factors, comorbidities, and medication use. Results Among the 1,446 men and 1,628 women who completed the ICIQ (mean age 73.7 years [SD 8.4]), OAB was present in 31.6% of men and 38.9% of women. With no antihypertensive medication use, OAB was not associated with SBP or DBP in both men and women after adjusting for covariates. However, among the 894 men and 981 women on antihypertensive medication, OAB was associated with higher SBP among men (4.04 mm Hg; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02, 7.06) but not among women (-0.67 mm Hg; 95% CI -3.79, 2.46) while DBP did not differ by OAB presence in men or women. In addition, OAB was also associated with lower odds of BP control among men (odds ratio [OR] 0.69; 95% CI 0.49, 0.96) but not women (OR 0.96; 95% CI 0.71, 1.30). Conclusions Among men, OAB is associated with lower odds of BP control which suggests that OAB may impede hypertension management.
Social Media Debate Position 4: Social Media and Information Services

Social media provides a constant stream of information and offers everyday citizens an easy way to connect with breaking news. The authors of this report conducted a literature review to analyze th...
Exploring Instructional Design in Arabic Education

This review examines instructional design principles from Behaviorist, Cognitivist, Constructivist, and Contemporary learning inspired models within the landscape of Arabic language education research. Specific characteristics from instructional design models suchs as ADDIE, Morrison, Ross, and Kemp, ASSURE, and Rapid Prototyping are explored within the context of the Arabic classroom that uses technology integration. It will be shown that there is a need for more studies to emphasize the importance of design within course development to benefit both instructors and learners of Arabic. This synthesis of current research will be helpful to Arabic educators and researchers in determining best collaborative and comprehensive strategies for designing effective Arabic language learning environments to propel the field into the future.
Syngap1 regulates experience-dependent cortical ensemble plasticity by promoting in vivo excitatory synapse strengthening

A significant proportion of autism risk genes regulate synapse function, including plasticity, which is believed to contribute to behavioral abnormalities. However, it remains unclear how impaired synapse plasticity contributes to network-level processes linked to adaptive behaviors, such as experience-dependent ensemble plasticity. We found that Syngap1, a major autism risk gene, promoted measures of experience-dependent excitatory synapse strengthening in the mouse cortex, including spike-timing-dependent glutamatergic synaptic potentiation and presynaptic bouton formation. Synaptic depression and bouton elimination were normal in Syngap1 mice. Within cortical networks, Syngap1 promoted experience-dependent increases in somatic neural activity in weakly active neurons. In contrast, plastic changes to highly active neurons from the same ensemble that paradoxically weaken with experience were unaffected. Thus, experience-dependent excitatory synapse strengthening mediated by Syngap1 shapes neuron-specific plasticity within cortical ensembles. We propose that other genes regulate neuron-specific weakening within ensembles, and together, these processes function to redistribute activity within cortical networks during experience.
Lithium Cyano Tris(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) Borate as a Multifunctional Electrolyte Additive for High-Performance Lithium Metal Batteries

Lithium cyano tris(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) borate (LCTFEB) has been synthesized and investigated as a new electrolyte additive for high-performance lithium metal batteries. LCTFEB is prepared by the ...
A Study of Improvement in Fitness of College Freshmen Women

(1945). A Study of Improvement in Fitness of College Freshmen Women. Research Quarterly. American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 16, No. 4, pp. 257-265.
Abnormal 30S Ribosomal Subunits Determined by an Ochre Suppressor Mutation in Escherichia coli

The results demonstrate that an ochre suppressor mutant of Escherichia coli K-12 produces abnormal 30S ribosomes. The production of these abnormal 30S ribosomes is probably a secondary consequence of the suppressor mutation.
A chemical switch for inhibitor-sensitive alleles of any protein kinase

Protein kinases have proved to be largely resistant to the design of highly specific inhibitors, even with the aid of combinatorial chemistry. The lack of these reagents has complicated efforts to assign specific signalling roles to individual kinases. Here we describe a chemical genetic strategy for sensitizing protein kinases to cell-permeable molecules that do not inhibit wild-type kinases. From two inhibitor scaffolds, we have identified potent and selective inhibitors for sensitized kinases from five distinct subfamilies. Tyrosine and serine/threonine kinases are equally amenable to this approach. We have analysed a budding yeast strain carrying an inhibitor-sensitive form of the cyclin-dependent kinase Cdc28 (CDK1) in place of the wild-type protein. Specific inhibition of Cdc28 in vivo caused a pre-mitotic cell-cycle arrest that is distinct from the G1 arrest typically observed in temperature-sensitive cdc28 mutants. The mutation that confers inhibitor-sensitivity is easily identifiable from primary sequence alignments. Thus, this approach can be used to systematically generate conditional alleles of protein kinases, allowing for rapid functional characterization of members of this important gene family.