cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Incidental diaphragmatic hernia in an infant with cough

An 11-month-old boy was referred from local hospital with acute onset of cough. An area of translucency behind the heart was incidentally noticed in chest X-ray (Figure 1), with diaphragmatic hernia being reported on contrast imaging. Figure 1 An area of translucency behind the heart; diaphragmatic hernia. In the present case, diaphragmatic hernia, which was diagnosed by chest X-ray done for another reason, is in accordance with that previously described in the literature. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia occurs in 4.8/10,000 live births [1]. It typically presents in the immediate neonatal period with respiratory distress [1]; however delayed presentation as an incidental finding on chest CT scans in adults has been reported [2].
Heat, Sweat, and Results: The Fruits of Passion in Qualitative Research - A Review of Salsa Dancing into the Social Sciences by Kristin Luker

In Salsa Dancing into the Social Sciences: Research in an Age of Infoglut, Kristin Luker examines the metaphor of salsa dancing in learning and conducting qualitative research and explores its utility and uniqueness. She emphasizes the need for social scientists to look for greater connections in their work and to trust their instincts more. By increasing their passion Dr. Luker suggests researchers will be able to conduct studies that are more rigorous and more robustly presented.
Examining Competing Notions of Social Justice at the Intersections of High-Stakes Testing Practices and Parents’ Rights: An Inclusive Education Perspective

In this article, we examine tensions that can materialize at the intersection of high-stakes accountability assessments and the rights of parents of students with dis/abilities. We bring to the sur...
EDNO of Venular Origin can Influence Arteriolar Diameter

These experiments were designed to test the hypothesis that endothelium-derived nitric oxide (EDNO) produced by a venule can relax arteriolar smooth muscle. To test this hypothesis, large first-order venules were isolated and cannulated in series with arterioles of similar order. The venules contained an intact endothelium whereas arterioles were denuded of endothelium by a physical rubbing technique. Denudation of the arteriole was confirmed by the absence of dilation during exposure to acetylcholine (Ach;10−6M). The vessels were pressurized to 30 cmH2O and preconstricted with norepinephrine (Ne; 10−10M). Arteriolar diameter increased as a function of perfusing the venule in the direction of the arteriole with either bradykinin (Bdk; 10−9M) or Ach (10−6M). In contrast, reversing the flow (i.e., arteriole to venule) produced a slight degree of arteriolar constriction to each of the agents. The release of venular EDNO was then inhibited with N G-monomethyl-Larginine (L-NMMA; 10−5M; 1 hr) followed by a reassessment of the arteriolar responses to Bdk and Ach. After treatment with L-NMMA the arteriolar dilations previously observed during Ach or Bdk with flow from venule to arteriole were abolished. The collective results of these experiments demonstrate that venular EDNO can relax arteriolar vascular smooth muscle, independent of an intact arteriolar endothelium. Future experiments will address the venular responses to changes in tissue metabolism which may influence the diameter of nearby arterioles via EDNO.
“Accidental” urban wetlands: ecosystem functions in unexpected places

“Accidental” urban wetlands are formed not through deliberate restoration or management activity, but as a product of land use and water infrastructure decisions by municipalities. Often formed in abandoned industrial, residential, or low-lying commercial areas, where overland flows from storms and municipal water use accumulate, these ecosystems support wetland soils and plant communities. Research that we have conducted in the northeastern and southwestern US suggests that accidental wetlands are capable of counteracting anthropogenic eutrophication, providing habitats for important ecological communities, fostering biodiversity, and mitigating heat. Because the factors contributing to their formation are ubiquitous, accidental wetland systems are likely pervasive in urban landscapes, accounting for a substantial portion of aquatic habitat extent and influencing nutrient and water cycles within cities. They also provide ecosystem services at a fraction of the cost associated with more traditional environmental management efforts.
An Immersed Boundary method with divergence-free velocity interpolation and force spreading

Abstract The Immersed Boundary (IB) method is a mathematical framework for constructing robust numerical methods to study fluid–structure interaction in problems involving an elastic structure immersed in a viscous fluid. The IB formulation uses an Eulerian representation of the fluid and a Lagrangian representation of the structure. The Lagrangian and Eulerian frames are coupled by integral transforms with delta function kernels. The discretized IB equations use approximations to these transforms with regularized delta function kernels to interpolate the fluid velocity to the structure, and to spread structural forces to the fluid. It is well-known that the conventional IB method can suffer from poor volume conservation since the interpolated Lagrangian velocity field is not generally divergence-free, and so this can cause spurious volume changes. In practice, the lack of volume conservation is especially pronounced for cases where there are large pressure differences across thin structural boundaries. The aim of this paper is to greatly reduce the volume error of the IB method by introducing velocity-interpolation and force-spreading schemes with the properties that the interpolated velocity field in which the structure moves is at least C 1 and satisfies a continuous divergence-free condition, and that the force-spreading operator is the adjoint of the velocity-interpolation operator. We confirm through numerical experiments in two and three spatial dimensions that this new IB method is able to achieve substantial improvement in volume conservation compared to other existing IB methods, at the expense of a modest increase in the computational cost. Further, the new method provides smoother Lagrangian forces (tractions) than traditional IB methods. The method presented here is restricted to periodic computational domains. Its generalization to non-periodic domains is important future work.
Evaluating and Managing Pediatric Musculoskeletal Pain in Primary Care

Musculoskeletal pain is common in pedi-atric populations, reported in up to half of children from community samples, and is a frequent presenting complaint in pediatric primary care. Evaluating pedi-atric musculoskeletal pain is complicated by the extensive differential diagnosis. Some of the diagnoses require immediate treatment decisions at the primary care level to prevent future problems and disability. In this chapter we review general evaluation and treatment approaches to pediatric patients who present to primary care providers with musculoskeletal pain complaints. We begin by providing guidelines for evaluating these children, including the history, physical exam, and appropriate use of imaging and laboratory data, emphasizing that some causes of muscu-loskeletal pain in children are diagnosed entirely on the basis of the history and physical. Subsequently we briefl y discuss two relatively uncommon muscu-loskeletal pain conditions in children (back pain and complex regional pain syndrome), where prompt and accurate diagnosis by the primary care physician improves outcome. Finally, we suggest guidelines for referral to pediatric subspecialists.
Work-Associated Trauma

Traumatic events are experienced by most people at some point in their life. Following a traumatic event many individuals return to previous functioning and some feel an increased sense of efficacy. However, a sizable minority experience adverse psychological and behavioral effects. These effects include distress reactions, health risk behaviors, and psychiatric disorders. Workplace traumatic events and responses most studied in physicians include exposure to injured and dying patients, medical errors and complications, bullying, disasters, and workplace violence. Developmental issues confer specific risks for medical students and residents, as well as early and late career physicians. Prevention measures which reduce exposure to workplace trauma are optimal. Physicians exposed to traumatic events will benefit from the use of prompt, evidence-based interventions. Many will seek and benefit from self-help interventions and peer support, but some may need formal assessment and treatment through employee assistance programs and traditional psychiatric care. Effective prevention and treatment can enhance physician well-being and career retention as well as patient outcomes.
Under what conditions does it pay to be sustainable? Sources of heterogeneity in corporate sustainability impacts

Empirical evidence on the effect of adopting corporate sustainability (CS) practices on a firm’s financial performance has been mixed. Using panel data from 463 US firms, we employ propensity score matching (PSM), Difference-in-Differences (DID), and Quantile DID to examine the extent to which a firm’s size, CS adoption intensity, and industry sector affected its financial performance from 2000 to 2012. Our findings suggest CS adoption had heterogeneous effects on corporate financial performance.
Effect of Stone Size and Composition on Ultrasonic Propulsion Ex Vivo.

Objective To evaluate in more detail the effectiveness of a new designed more efficient ultrasonic propulsion for large stones and specific stone compositions in a tissue phantom model. In the first clinical trial of noninvasive ultrasonic propulsion, urinary stones of unknown compositions and sizes up to 10 mm were successfully repositioned. Materials and Methods The study included 8- to 12-mm stones of 4 different primary compositions (calcium oxalate monohydrate, ammonium acid urate, calcium phosphate, and struvite) and a renal calyx phantom consisting of a 12 mm × 30 mm well in a 10-cm block of tissue-mimicking material. Primary outcome was the number of times a stone was expelled over 10 attempts, with ultrasonic propulsion burst duration varying from 0.5 seconds to 5 seconds. Results Overall success rate at expelling stones was 95%. All calcium oxalate monohydrate and ammonium acid urate stones were expelled 100% of the time. The largest stone (12 mm) became lodged within the 12-mm phantom calyx 25% of the time regardless of the burst duration. With the 0.5-second burst, there was insufficient energy to expel the heaviest stone (0.88 g), but there was sufficient energy at the longer burst durations. Conclusion With a single burst, ultrasonic propulsion successfully moved most stones at least 3 cm and, regardless of size or composition, expelled them from the calyx. Ultrasonic propulsion is limited to the stones smaller than the calyceal space, and for each burst duration, related to maximum stone mass.
Identification of CD112R as a new coinhibitory receptor for CD112

Cancer immunotherapy has had great success in the clinical setting, with immunomodulating agents targeting immune checkpoints (including CTLA-4 and PD-1) leading the way. However, the overall response rate is still low and its effectiveness on certain tumors is disappointing. Therefore, identifying novel T cell checkpoints is critically needed, for new treatment strategies. TIGIT and CD226 emerge as a novel T cell cosignaling pathway with the potential of cancer immunotherapy. CD226 and TIGIT serve as a costimulatory receptor or a coinhibitory receptor respectively for the ligand CD155 (PVR) and CD112 (PVRL2). In this study, we identified CD112R as a missing coreceptor of this important PVR-like network. CD112R, also a member of the PVR family, is preferentially expressed on T cells and inhibits TCR-mediated signal. We further identified that CD112, widely expressed on antigen-presenting cells and tumor cells, is the ligand for CD112R with high affinity. CD112R competes with CD226 to bind CD112. Disrupting the CD112R/CD112 interaction enhances human T-cell response. Thus, our studies identify CD112R as a novel checkpoint for human T cell, and modulating this pathway will offer new targets for future immunotherapy.
Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB)

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions worldwide and is often associated with metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, which increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Bariatric surgery is known to be the most effective and long-lasting treatment for obesity and its comorbidities. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is a minimally invasive operation that is being performed increasingly since it was introduced in the early 1990s. In Asia/Pacific, LAGB held steady from 2003 (80.4 %) to 2008 (82.5 %) and then fell in 2011 (32.6 %) [1]. However, considering the number of the LAGB performed in private clinic, it is still one of the most frequently performed bariatric procedures for morbid obesity. It is a safe procedure, easy to perform, reversible, and effective. Unlike other bariatric surgical procedures such as sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass, which alter the anatomy of the alimentary tract, LAGB is essentially a restrictive procedure that limits food capacity. These limits can be adjusted by injecting saline into the band system through a reservoir port, which alters the stoma diameter. With the adequately adjusted stoma, patients fitted with gastric band can be satisfied with small amount of nutritious food and resulting weight loss. A systematic review shows substantial and similar long-term weight losses for LAGB and other bariatric procedures [2]. Although minor (access port, pouch, infection) and major (slippage, erosion) complications of LAGB are increasingly reported recently, proper surgical technique and intensive patient education with good aftercare program can minimize the incidence of these complications.
Pneumocystis carinii (Delanoe and Delanoe 1912)

Pneumocystis carinii is a commensal organism that can become an opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised patients. Although it was first presumed to be a protozoan on the basis of its morphologic features, an increasing body of biochemical evidence suggests that the organism is more closely related to the fungi.
The Power MOSFET

Publisher Summary This chapter presents an overview of power metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET). One of the main contributions that led to the growth of the power electronics field has been the unprecedented advancement in the semiconductor technology, especially with respect to switching speed and power handling capabilities. Unlike the lateral channel MOSFET devices used in many IC technology in which the gate, source, and drain terminals are located in the same surface of the silicon wafer, power MOSFET use vertical channel structure in order to increase the device power rating. The modern power MOSFET has an internal diode called a body diode connected between the source and the drain. Most of the MOSFET devices used in power electronics applications are of the n-channel, enhancement-type. Depending on the applications, the power range processed in power electronic range is very wide, from hundreds of milliwatts to hundreds of megawatts. Therefore, it is very difficult to find a single switching device type to cover all power electronic applications. Today's available power devices have tremendous power and frequency rating range as well as diversity.
Reconstitution of Lymphocyte Subsets in Scid Mice by Transplantation of Fetal Primordia

Since the original description of the Lyl+ B cell by Manohar et al. (1982), accumulated experimental data suggest that such cells constitute a separate subset of B cells. In the normal adult mouse Lyl+ B cells have an unusual distribution in that almost half of the B cells in the peritoneal cavity are Lyl+ while this B cell subset is essentially undetectable in the lymph nodes and peripheral blood and makes up less than 3% of B cells in the spleen (Hayakawa et al. 1983, 1984). In contrast, very early in development the majority of identifiable B cells in the fetal liver and spleen are Lyl+ (Hayawaka et al. 1983). The early B cell repertoire differs from the adult with respect to VH gene usage and specificity of immunoglobulins produced. Because of their prevalence early in development, the Lyl+ B cell subset has been indirectly implicated as being responsible for the unique nature of the fetal and neonatal B cell repertoire. Many IgM antibodies secreted from hybridomas derived from fetal and perinatal liver and spleen bind to each other (Vakil and Kearney 1986; Vakil et al. 1986; Holmberg et al. 1984). This autoreactivity appears to be different from that described in autoimmune disease and it has been proposed that it is a normal and perhaps critical feature of the developing repertoire which offers the potential for early B cells to interact with each other via their surface immunoglobulin or secreted immunoglobulin products. We and others have proposed that the end result of this autospecificity is an expansion of certain target B cell clones which provide optimum protection against infection (Vakil and Kearney 1986; Vakil et al. 1986; Briles et al. 1987).
Lattices from Linear Codes and Fine Quantization: General Continuous Sources and Channels

In this paper we consider the information-theoretic characterization of performance limits of a broad class of multiterminal communication problems with general continuous-valued sources and channels. In particular, we consider point- to-point source coding and channel coding with side information, distributed source coding with distortion constraints and function reconstruction problems (two-help-one). We develop an approach that uses fine quantization of the source and the channel variables followed by random coding with unstructured as well as structured (linear) code ensembles. This approach leads to lattice-like codes for general sources and channels.
Dual inhibition of endothelial miR-92a-3p and miR-489-3p reduces renal injury-associated atherosclerosis.

Abstract Background and aims Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, however, the underlying mechanisms that link CKD and CVD are not fully understood and limited treatment options exist in this high-risk population. microRNAs (miRNA) are critical regulators of gene expression for many biological processes in atherosclerosis, including endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. We hypothesized that renal injury-induced endothelial miRNAs promote atherosclerosis. Here, we demonstrate that dual inhibition of endothelial miRNAs inhibits atherosclerosis in the setting of renal injury. Methods Aortic endothelial miRNAs were analyzed in apolipoprotein E-deficient (Apoe−/-) mice with renal damage (5/6 nephrectomy, 5/6Nx) by real-time PCR. Endothelial miR-92a-3p and miR-489-3p were inhibited by locked-nucleic acid (LNA) miRNA inhibitors complexed to HDL. Results Renal injury significantly increased endothelial miR-92a-3p levels in Apoe−/-;5/6Nx mice. Dual inhibition of miR-92a-3p and miR-489-3p in Apoe−/−;5/6Nx with a single injection of HDL + LNA inhibitors significantly reduced atherosclerotic lesion area by 28.6% compared to HDL + LNA scramble (LNA-Scr) controls. To examine the impact of dual LNA treatment on aortic endothelial gene expression, total RNA sequencing was completed, and multiple putative target genes and pathways were identified to be significantly altered, including the STAT3 immune response pathway. Among the differentially expressed genes, Tgfb2 and Fam220a were identified as putative targets of miR-489-3p and miR-92a-3p, respectively. Both Tgfb2 and Fam220a were significantly increased in aortic endothelium after miRNA inhibition in vivo compared to HDL + LNA-Scr controls. Furthermore, Tgfb2 and Fam220a were validated with gene reporter assays as direct targets of miR-489-3p and miR-92a-3p, respectively. In human coronary artery endothelial cells, over-expression and inhibition of miR-92a-3p decreased and increased FAM220A expression, respectively. Moreover, miR-92a-3p overexpression increased STAT3 phosphorylation, likely through direct regulation of FAM220A, a negative regulator of STAT3 phosphorylation. Conclusions These results support endothelial miRNAs as therapeutic targets and dual miRNA inhibition as viable strategy to reduce CKD-associated atherosclerosis.
ATP as a Factor in the Response of the cAMP System to PTH in Proximal and Distal Convoluted Tubules

Since the discovery of cyclic 3′ ,5′-AMP (cAMP) as an intra-cellular mediator in hormone-responsive tissues by E. W. Sutherland (1), it was well recognized that ATP serves as a substrate for the key enzyme of cAMP metabolism—adenylate cyclase (AdC). Later it was also found that ATP may modulate cAMP catabolism by inhibiting cAMP-phosphodiesterase (cAMP-PDIE) (2). However, in recent years little attention was paid to cellular levels of ATP as a potential determinant of hormone-sensitive cAMP metabolism.
Incidence and Onset of Leukopenia in Adults the First Year after Orthotopic Heart Transplantation

Purpose There is scarce data regarding risk factors for developing leukopenia early in the course after orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT). The purpose of this study was to examine the incidence, time of onset and risk factors for leukopenia after OHT. Methods Retrospective cohort study on adult patients following OHT from 2012 to 2017 at our institution. Patients were followed for a year with the initial episode of leukopenia (total white blood cell count Results Analytic sample was 109 patients. A total of 91 patients (83.5%) developed leukopenia in the follow up period. Median time to leukopenia was 89 days (IQR 56-178 days). The patients who developed leukopenia had a higher proportion of donor positive CMV, but no CMV mismatch; higher daily dose of corticosteroids and higher proportion of patients receiving regimens containing valganciclovir (VGC, 95% vs 61%, p Conclusion Leukopenia was identified in 83.5% of adult patients, during the first year after OHT. Risk factors for leukopenia were donor CMV status, and medication combinations used to prevent rejection and opportunistic infections. Regimens that included VGC and desensitization regimens prior to transplant were identified as higher risk for developing a leukopenic event.
Chapter 19 – Membrane Noise*

The electrical current flowing through voltage-activated or synaptic conductances is generated by channels inserted across the lipid bilayer membrane of neurons (Figure 2.2). The current passing through single channels can be resolved by means of the patch–clamp technique, in which a fairly blunt (≈1 μm≈1 μm diameter) electrode is sealed onto the cell's membrane allowing it to sense directly the current developing across one or a few channels immediately below it (Figure 19.1A, B). In this chapter, we start by introducing a new class of stochastic processes called Markov processes which capture the random properties of single channels. We then introduce a simple and efficient algorithm to simulate numerically such channels. We then define the simplest continuous Markov process called the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck, or OU Process. We show how the OU process can be used to model random synaptic inputs impinging over extended dendritic trees in simplified neuron models. This allows us in turn to investigate how random background synaptic activity affects the properties of single neurons under conditions resembling those they experience in vivo.
Geographic patterns of human allele frequency variation: a variant-centric perspective

Genetic variation is often described by showing relationships among populations or individuals. Here, we present an alternative representation of genetic variation that reveals the relative abundance of different allele frequency patterns across populations. Applied to human data, this approach allows viewers to easily see several key features of human genetic variation: (1) most variants are rare and geographically localized, (2) variants that are common in any single region are likely to be shared across the globe, and (3) where two individuals differ, it is most often due to variants that are common globally, regardless of whether the individuals are from the same region or different regions. To guide interpretation, we show results for theoretical scenarios with varying levels of divergence and gene flow. Our variant-centric visualization clarifies the geographic patterns of human variation and can be used to help correct misconceptions about the extent of genetic differentiation among populations.
Angular-dependent dynamic response and magnetization reversal in Fibonacci-distorted kagome artificial spin ice

We have measured the angular dependence of ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) spectra for Fibonacci-distorted, kagome artificial spin ice. The number of strong modes in the FMR spectra depend on the orientation of the applied DC magnetic field. In addition, discontinuities observed in the FMR field-frequency dispersion curves also depend on DC field orientation, and signal a multistep DC magnetization reversal, which is caused by the reduced energy degeneracy of Fibonacci-distorted vertices. The results suggest that the orientation of applied magnetic field and severity of Fibonacci distortion constitute control variables for FMR modes and multistep reversal in future magnonic devices and magnetic switching systems.
The Sanctuary of the Spectacle: Megachurches and the Production of Christian Celebrities and Consumers

Using mixed qualitative methods, this research analyzes the entanglement of religion, media, and celebrity culture in the context of a Las Vegas-based megachurch. First, we analyze how the church a...
A critical role for GM1 ganglioside in the pathophysiology and potential treatment of Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is slowly progressing neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions of patients worldwide. While effective symptomatic therapies for PD exist, there is no currently available disease modifying agent to slow or stop the progression of the disease. Many years of research from various laboratories around the world have provided evidence in favor of the potential ability of GM1 ganglioside to be a disease modifying agent for PD. In this paper, information supporting the use of GM1 as a disease modifying therapeutic for PD is reviewed along with information concerning the role that deficiencies in GM1 ganglioside (and potentially other important brain gangliosides) may play in the pathogenesis of PD.
Effect of clinical isolate or cleavage site mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein on protein stability, cleavage, and cell-cell fusion.

The trimeric severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein (S) is the sole viral protein responsible for both viral binding to a host cell and the membrane fusion event needed for cell entry. In addition to facilitating fusion needed for viral entry, S can also drive cell–cell fusion, a pathogenic effect observed in the lungs of SARS-CoV-2–infected patients. While several studies have investigated S requirements involved in viral particle entry, examination of S stability and factors involved in S cell–cell fusion remain limited. A furin cleavage site at the border between the S1 and S2 subunits (S1/S2) has been identified, along with putative cathepsin L and transmembrane serine protease 2 cleavage sites within S2. We demonstrate that S must be processed at the S1/S2 border in order to mediate cell–cell fusion and that mutations at potential cleavage sites within the S2 subunit alter S processing at the S1/S2 border, thus preventing cell–cell fusion. We also identify residues within the internal fusion peptide and the cytoplasmic tail that modulate S-mediated cell–cell fusion. In addition, we examined S stability and protein cleavage kinetics in a variety of mammalian cell lines, including a bat cell line related to the likely reservoir species for SARS-CoV-2, and provide evidence that proteolytic processing alters the stability of the S trimer. This work therefore offers insight into S stability, proteolytic processing, and factors that mediate S cell–cell fusion, all of which help give a more comprehensive understanding of this high-profile therapeutic target.
Judicial Independence and US State Bond Ratings: An Empirical Investigation

Significant research has assessed how judicial independence influences a number of economic outcomes, however less has been done to evaluate how financial institutions perceive an independent judiciary. Therefore, this paper considers how greater judicial independence across US states may affect government bond ratings. Overall, the results would suggest that states with relatively more independent judiciaries do in fact have higher bond ratings, which translates into lower borrowing costs. The results are robust to a number of specifications and suggest the role that an independent judiciary plays in contract enforcement along with several other important implications for future research.
BP H SPACE(S)⊆DSPACE(S 3/2 )

We prove that any language that can be recognized by a randomized algorithm (with possibly a two-sided error) that runs in spaceO(S) and always terminates can be recognized by deterministic algorithm running in spaceO(S3/2). This improves the best previously known result that such algorithms have deterministic spaceO(S2) simulations which, for one-sided error algorithms, follows from Savitch's theorem and, for two-sided error algorithms, follows by reduction to recursive matrix powering. Our result includes as a special case the result due to Nisan, Szemeredi, and Wigderson that undirected connectivity can be computed in spaceO(log3/2n). It is obtained via a new algorithm for repeated squaring of a matrix; we show how to approximate the 2rth power of ad×dmatrix in spaceO(r1/2logd), improving on the bound ofO(rlogd) that comes from the natural recursive algorithm. The algorithm employs Nisan's pseudorandom generator for space?bounded computation, together with some new techniques for reducing the number of random bits needed by an algorithm.
0.18 μm CMOS integrated circuit design for impedance-based structural health monitoring

Piezoelectric materials constitute a class of intelligent materials that are helpful for monitoring the structural integrity. The principle of the piezoelectric impedance-based structural health monitoring technique is to measure the electrical impedance of a piezoelectric patch attached to a structure in a certain frequency range. Electrical impedance variations indicate physical changes in the structure due to the coupling between the electrical impedance and the mechanical impedance. Traditional methods use an impedance analyser that increases the inspection cost. The objective of this work is to introduce an electronic circuit for the piezoelectric impedance-based structural health monitoring. The circuit can monitor the electrical impedance variations of a piezoelectric patch attached to a structure. The frequency range is from 7.47 to 277.29 kHz. This frequency range covers the sensitive range of the piezoelectric structural integrity. The power consumption of the circuit is 18.15 mW. The chip area is 1.03 mm x 2.30 mm. The cost of the final design will be much lower than that of an impedance analyser. Using a wireless communication circuit, a sensor network might be established in the future.
Immunosuppression Derived from Human B-Lymphoblastoid and Melanoma Cell Lines

Previous work conducted by the authors, using a murine model, suggested that soluble factors secreted by tumor cells suppress lymphocyte responses. To apply this premise to human tumors, the effects of UC729-6 (lymphoblastoid B-cell) and M21-HPB (malignant melanoma) conditioned media (CM) on normal lymphocyte proliferation, as well as on tumor cell growth in autologous CM was studied. The CM was collected at 2-5 day intervals from cultures of UC729-6 and M21-HPB cells in serum-free media. Phytohemagglutinin- and concanavalin A-stimulated mononuclear peripheral blood cells from healthy human donors showed decreased [3H]thymidine ([3H]Tdr) uptake in the presence of each CM when compared with controls. In assays using 100% CM, mitogen stimulation was 68-85% less than that of controls and 40-50% less using 50% CM. The suppression was more pronounced with UC729-6 CM than with M21-HPB CM. In mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLC), addition of 50% CM from either tumor cell line resulted in 40-50% reduction in [3H]Tdr uptake by lymphocytes. Incubation of UC729-6 cells in 5% to 100% of UC729-6 fCM (filter-concentrated) produced a decrease in [3H]Tdr uptake which was directly proportional to the amount of fCM present. In contrast, M21-HPB cell growth in autologous fCM was dependent on cell number, as well as on the amount of fCM used. Treatment of the UC729-6 fCM using acid (pH 4.5), trypsin (100 micrograms/ml), and heat (56 degrees C) did not restore mitogen-stimulated lymphoproliferation. However, the inhibition observed with UC729-6 fCM was partially reversed after dialysis with membranes having M(r) limits of 2.5 x 10(4), 1.5 x 10(4), or 1 x 10(4).
Immunomodulatory treatments in epilepsy.

The role of immunity and inflammation appears to be an integral part of the pathogenic processes associated with some seizures, particularly with refractory epilepsy. Prompt treatment with immunotherapy may lead to better outcomes. Immune treatment options for treatment of epilepsy include therapies such as corticosteroids, immunoglobulins, plasmapheresis, or steroid-sparing drugs such as azathioprine. Recent alternatives have included even more aggressive treatment with cyclophosphamide, anti–pre-B-lymphocyte monoclonal antibody rituximab, and monoclonal antibodies such as efalizumab or natalizumab, which are presently used for other inflammatory disorders. Randomized controlled trials of immunotherapy in presumed autoimmune epilepsy are needed to provide further support for the rapid use of immunotherapy in patients with immune mediated epilepsy.
Blocking the mitogen activated protein kinase-p38 pathway is associated with increase expression of nitric oxide synthase and higher production of nitric oxide by bovine macrophages infected with Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis.

Abstract This study evaluated the role of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-p38 pathway in the nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and nitric oxide (NO) production by bovine monocyte-derived macrophages ingesting Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) organisms in vitro. Bovine monocyte-derived macrophages were incubated with MAP organisms with or without a specific inhibitor of the MAPKp38 pathway and activation of the MAPKp38, interleukin - (IL) IL-10, IL-12, iNOS mRNA expression and NO production were evaluated. Incubation of macrophages with MAP organisms activates the MAPKp38 pathway at early time points post infection. Chemically inhibition of MAPKp38 before incubation of bovine macrophages with MAP resulted in increased expression of IL-12 mRNA at 2, 6 and 24 h, decreased expression of IL-10 mRNA at 2, 6 and 24 h and increased expression of iNOS mRNA at 2 and 6 h. Nitric oxide was evaluated to indirectly determine the effects of MAPKp38 pathway on the anti-microbial activity of bovine macrophages. Incubation of bovine macrophages with MAP resulted in modest increased production of NO at 4 and 6 h post infection. Pretreatment of bovine macrophages with the MAPKp38 inhibitor SB203580 before addition of MAP organisms resulted in increased production of NO at 2, 4, 6 and 24 h post infection. This study expanded our knowledge of the importance of the MAPKp38 pathway in limiting an appropriate macrophage response to MAP and suggested how activation of MAPKp38 pathway may be a target of this organism to disrupt earlier antimicrobial mechanisms of macrophages. These findings raises the interesting possibility that the cellular manipulation of MAPKp38 may be useful in designing novel vaccines against MAP.
Spatial effects in supercontinuum generation in waveguides

An economic, space- and time-resolved method to model ultra-short, intense pulse propagation in waveguides is described. Simulations of supercontinuum generation on a chip demonstrate the utility of the approach. Comparisons with the generalized nonlinear Schrodinger equation elucidate spatial effects, which influence pulse dynamics and the generation of new spectral components.
Effects of transitory maternal pteroylglutamic acid (PGA) deficiency on levels of adenosine phosphates in developing rat embryos.

A transient maternal folic acid deficiency resulted in alterations in the concentrations of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), diphosphate (ADP), and monophosphate (AMP) in developing rat embryos. At the end of the treatment period the ATP level was markedly reduced and the pool of adenine (as ATP, ADP, and AMP) was decreased in experimental embryos. On the basis of these findings an explanation is suggested for the increased oxygen consumption previously observed for rat embryos from folic acid-deficient females.
Occupational and Industrial Diversification in the United States: Implications of the New Spatial Division of Labor ∗

Traditionally, industrial diversification has been stressed as a tool for achieving economic growth and development. The literature on the spatial division of labor also incorporates the importance of occupational structure while recognizing the continued role of industrial structure. This paper examines the changing association between industrial and occupational diversification and the associations of industrial and occupational diversification with indicators of the business environment. The results indicate a weakening association between the industrial and occupational employment structures over time. Industrial diversification continues to be important for economic development but occupational diversification operates somewhat differently. For example, a trend toward occupational diversification is associated with employment growth but with lower levels of income. This suggests that occupational diversity may not necessarily ensure job quality, and hence, the lower levels of income.
The Treatment of Pulmonary Infections with Sulfanilamide, Sulfapyridine, and Sulfathiazole

(1) The sulfonamide drugs—sulfanilamide, sulfapyridine, and sulfathiazole—have been shown to be extremely valuable in the treatment of many types of pulmonary infections. (2) The drug of choice in an individual case depends upon the etiology of the infection. (3) In pneumonia or empyema due to the beta hemolytic streptococcus, sulfanilamide is the drug to be recommended. In lobar pneumonia and other pneumococcal infections, sulfapyridine has proven most effective, whereas for staphylococcal infections of the lungs and bloodstream sulfathiazole appears to be the most potent therapeutic agent available. (4) The introduction of sulfapyridine therapy has resulted in a reduction in the case fatality rate of lobar pneumonia to below 10 per cent. About two-thirds of the pneumonia patients who would formerly have succumbed to their infection may now be expected to recover. (5) Type-specific antipneumococcal serum should be administered in conjunction with sulfapyridine to all patients seriously ill with lobar pneumonia, especially if bacteremia be present, and in all severe cases of pneumonia complicating pregnancy. (6) Sulfathiazole appears to be about as effective as sulfapyridine in the treatment of pneumococcal lobar pneumonia. The questionable slight therapeutic inferiority of sulfathiazole is more than balanced by the fact that this drug is much less likely to give rise to severe nausea and vomiting. (7) Sulfapyridine or sulfathiazole is indicated in bronchopneumonia, post-operative pneumonia, and severe purulent bronchitis, particularly if a pneumococcus or staphylococcus be the causative agent. (8) Sulfanilamide, sulfapyridine, and sulfathiazole all give rise to a variety of toxic effects, the most serious of which concern the hematopoietic system, and the urinary tract. Because of the danger of such toxic effects the patient receiving one or another of these drugs should be carefully supervised throughout the course of treatment. Such supervision should include observation of the patient by the physician, accurate recording of the temperature and pulse, determination of the hemoglobin level and leucocyte count at least every other day, and frequent urinalyses.
TRAINING AND GENERALIZATION OF CONSERVATION IN DISADVANTAGED BLACK TEENAGERS: A NEO-PIAGETIAN APPROACH

An attempt to train conservation of area, weight, and volume to a group of 16 nonconserving black teenagers (ages 14.5 yr. to 17.8 yr.) is reported. A standard pretest-posttest control group design was employed. The neo-Piagetian model of intellectual development proposed by Pascual-Leone formed the basis for training procedures. Significant training effect was demonstrated for area and weight conservation (p < .01), however, volume proved to be harder to train. No significant differences were found between experimental and control groups on volume task posttests. The effects of training did not significantly generalize to a conservation of length task. Over-all pre- to posttest gains in conservation were shown (p < .001) for both experimental and control groups. The very fluid and changeable nature of Ss' logical versus non-logical-perceptual responses suggested a rapid shift between right and left hemisphere brain activity when confronted with the conservation tasks.
The Model Development Dissertation

This paper presents a proposal for a new type of social work doctoral dissertation-the model development dissertation (MDD). The MDD is designed to further the development of a practice model through a process of model construction, testing, and revision. In carrying out the dissertation, the student integrates the roles of researcher and model builder. In contrast to conventional dissertations, the main end-product of the MDD is not a set of findings and conclusions, but rather, a set of guidelines forpractice.
How Much of Library and Information Science Literature Qualifies as Research

Abstract There is an extensive amount of Library and Information Science (LIS) writing produced each year. While there is general awareness regarding the variety of journal literature, there is no certainty on the percentage of the collection that we can call research. This project is an important first step in answering the question. A content analysis of the LIS academic/scholarly journals at the Simmons College Library was conducted. The research level collection of LIS literature makes the library an ideal candidate for this study. The latest issue of each journal subscribed to for fiscal year 2012–2013 containing academic/scholarly content was analyzed. Each article was analyzed to determine: 1) if it was research or non-research, 2) the method used to collect data for the study in the article, and 3) the subject terms or keywords associated with the article. 105 journal titles were identified out of 177 periodicals. In the 1880 articles analyzed from these, 16% qualified as research. Surveys were found to be the most popular research method used. This study will benefit students, faculty, and staff with research requirements as well as librarians who guide patrons through a search for research literature.
Bacterial patogenesis: Delivering the payload

A specialized protein secretion pathway is used by some Gram-negative bacterial pathogens for delivery of virulence factors directly into mammalian host cells. This pathway is parallel to, and probably evolved from, a system used for construction of the bacterial flagellum.
Dermatosparaxis in a Himalayan Cat: I. Biochemical Studies of Dermal Collagen

Dermatosparaxis, a genetic disease, results from the deficiency of the NH 2 procollagen peptidase, an enzyme which removes the NH 2 -terminal nontriple-helical extensions from procollagen. We have identified a Himalayan cat which has deficient amino terminal procollagen peptidase activity. The partially processed precursor chains pN α 1 (110,000 daltons) and pN α 2 (99,000 daltons) were identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis. In contrast to that from a normal animal, the 20,000 xg supernatant of a skin homogenate failed to convert pNcollagen to collagen. Amino acid analysis of pN α 1 and pN α 2 chains demonstrated the presence of cysteine and a lower percentage of hydroxyprolyl and glycyl residues due to the presence of the amino terminal extensions. The disorder in this animal is milder than that in sheep and cattle which is reflected in the longer survival and relatively smaller proportion of pN α chains in skin. The defect was also demonstrated by skin fibroblasts in culture.
Preventing and treating constipation: A guide

Constipation is a common problem in older people: 17% of those living athome and 80% of those living in care homes suffer from it (Potter and Wagg, 2005). This article aims to enable you to understand the causes of constipation, to promote a healthy bowel habit and to treat constipation effectively.
Meta-Analyzing the Relation between Grades and Salary☆☆☆

Abstract Academicians and business people have disagreed about whether grades predict occupational outcomes such as training success, job performance, and salary. Recent meta-analyses have suggested that grades are useful predictors of training success and job performance. Unfortunately, the results of meta-analyses examining the grades–salary relation were limited by methodological problems. These problems included confusing income and salary as the same dependent variable, not conducting moderator analyses, using unorthodox schemes of weighting correlations, and not correcting for research artifacts. The current meta-analysis focused only on studies that reported salary as the dependent variable and found uncorrected correlations of .13 for grades and starting salary, .18 for grades and current salary, and .05 for grades and salary growth. The correlations for grades and starting salary rose to approximately .20 when corrected for relevant artifacts and the corrected grades–current salary correlations rose to the mid- to high .20s. Moderator analyses are also reported.
Robust commit time decisions and bounds for measuring demand-side quality costs

In this paper, we discuss a single machine processing multi-product situation. The upper and lower bounds of demand-side costs and optimal commit delivery time range with only the mean and standard deviation of the processing time distribution are obtained. We propose two robust commit delivery times, one using the mid-point of the optimal solution range and the other using the min-max regret criterion. The expected value of distribution information, which measures the maximum amount a decision-maker is willing to pay for the true knowledge of the distribution, is used to evaluate the performance of the delivery times. An extension to the situation where information of orders in a queue is available is also discussed. Numerical examples show that both decision rules are promising, and they have potential for practical applications.
History of interleukin-4.

The history of the discovery and the development of our knowledge of IL-4 exemplifies the path of progress in biomedical science. There are unanticipated twists and turns although progress is made, sometimes quickly, other times far too slowly. Illustrative is the extended time from the first report of IL-4 in 1982 to the establishment of the efficacy of blocking IL-4 and its congener IL-13 in the treatment of moderate to severe asthma and atopic dermatitis, a period of 31 years. The author was “present at the creation” and has been a participant or a witness to virtually all the major advances and recounts here his recollection of this history.