cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Integrated Non-Magnetic Non-Reciprocal Components Based on Switch-Based Conductivity Modulation

A passive, linear, and time-invariant medium with symmetric permittivity and permeability tensors is reciprocal and has identical transmission properties in forward and reverse directions. However, non-reciprocal components such as isolators and circulators have a wide range of applications at radio frequencies, in wireless communications and radar systems to name a few. Traditionally, non-reciprocal components have been implemented using ferrite materials biased by a permanent magnet, but there has been exciting recent resarch on non-reciprocity induced by periodic time modulation in RF circuits. In this paper, we review our recent research on non-magnetic CMOS-compatible non-reciprocal RF components using switch-based conductivity modulation. We demonstrate that by modulating the conductivity around a delay medium, non-magnetic, low-loss, compact and broadband non-reciprocity can be achieved. We present measured results from CMOS circulators at 750 MHz and 28 GHz to validate our results. We also briefly describe the co-design opportunities that arise once the circulator is integrated on the same CMOS chip as the rest of the transceiver.
Mature progression-free survival (PFS) milestones in real world stage IV, non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer patients (nsqNSCLC) treated with first line pemetrexed(Pem)/platinum(Plat) +/- bevacizumab(Bev) followed by pem +/-bev maintenance.

e21063Background: Pemetrexed maintenance therapy is associated with superior survival in stage IV nsqNSCLC patients. We have observed long term disease control in patients treated with Pem/Plat +/-...
High-fiber diet for diabetes. Safe and effective treatment

Persons with diabetes are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Maintaining normal lipid levels is, therefore, a key goal in diabetes management. A high-carbohydrate, high-fiber diet provides effective, positive, and safe treatment for diabetes and lowers the associated risk for coronary artery disease.
D. T. Suzuki and the “Logic of Sokuhi,” or the “Logic of Prajñāpāramitā”

The small connective words “soku” and “sokuhi,” typically found in the writings of the Kyoto school thinkers, have baffled many a Western reader. Describing what he termed the “logic of sokuhi,” Daisetz T. Suzuki (1870–1966) famously wrote: “To say ‘A is A’ is to say ‘A is not A.’ Therefore, ’A is A.’” “Soku” (also pronounced “sunawachi” in modern Japanese) is a connective word, meaning “that is,” or “id est”; “hi” (also pronounced “arazu”) negates the compound-word, adding the meaning of “not.” Nishida adopted and situated the “logic of sokuhi” in a philosophical context, especially in his final essay (Nishida 1945) “Bashoteki ronri to shūkyōteki sekaikan” or “The Logic of Topos and the Religious Worldview” (NKZ 11: 371–464). This logic of sokuhi, however, came to Nishida’s attention only in the very last years of his life, leaving him very little time to develop it fully. In this paper, I explore the birth of this “logic of sokuhi” in Suzuki’s writings, its context and the import in the Diamond Sūtra, and Nishida’s elaboration of this logic. The goal of this paper is to elucidate this key phrase of Nishida’s thought and to evaluate its philosophical relevance.
The Psychometric Properties of the Minnesota Tobacco Withdrawal Scale Among Patients With Mental Illness.

Background and Objectives:Approximately 65% of psychiatric inpatients experience moderate-to-severe nicotine withdrawal (NW), a set of symptoms appearing within 24 hr after an abrupt cessation or r...
Advances in the treatment of biliary tract cancers.

Purpose of review To review new treatment and advances in biliary tract cancer (BTC). Recent findings In the prespecified per-protocol analysis of the randomized phase III trial BILCAP, adjuvant capecitabine offers overall survival (OS) benefit when compared with observation with statistical significance. In the first-line setting in metastatic BTC, gemcitabine and S-1 had noninferior OS compared with gemcitabine and cisplatin. In a separate phase III study, the triplet of gemcitabine, cisplatin and S-1 (GCS) had superior OS compared with standard gemcitabine and cisplatin. The regimen of modified FOLFOX (fluorouracil, leucovorin and oxaliplatin) regimen can be considered a potential standard option in the second-line setting for patients who failed first-line therapy with gemcitabine-based regimens. Trials in genomically selected patients indicate activity of fibroblast growth factor receptor inhibitors, mutant isocitrate dehydrogenase inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Summary Capecitabine is a new option for adjuvant treatment in resected BTC. In the metastatic setting, gemcitabine and S-1 or GCS are new options for first-line therapy and modified FOLFOX regimen should be considered as a potential new empirical standard of care in genomically agnostic patients requiring second-line therapy. Future randomized trials will evaluate the role of targeted agents and immunotherapy in advanced BTC, both in monotherapy and in combination.
A hybrid approach to record linkage using a combination of deterministic and probabilistic methodology.

Objective The disjointed healthcare system and the nonexistence of a universal patient identifier across systems necessitates accurate record linkage (RL). We aim to describe the implementation and evaluation of a hybrid record linkage method in a statewide surveillance system for congenital heart disease. Materials and methods Clear-text personally identifiable information on individuals in the Colorado Congenital Heart Disease surveillance system was obtained from 5 electronic health record and medical claims data sources. Two deterministic methods and 1 probabilistic RL method using first name, last name, social security number, date of birth, and house number were initially implemented independently and then sequentially in a hybrid approach to assess RL performance. Results 16 480 nonunique individuals with congenital heart disease were ascertained. Deterministic linkage methods, when performed independently, yielded 4505 linked pairs (consisting of 2 records linked together within or across data sources). Probabilistic RL, using 3 initial characters of last name and gender for blocking, yielded 6294 linked pairs when executed independently. Using a hybrid linkage routine resulted in 6451 linkages and an additional 18%-24% correct linked pairs as compared to the independent methods. A hybrid linkage routine resulted in higher recall and F-measure scores compared to probabilistic and deterministic methods performed independently. Discussion The hybrid approach resulted in increased linkage accuracy and identified pairs of linked record that would have otherwise been missed when using any independent linkage technique. Conclusion When performing RL within and across disparate data sources, the hybrid RL routine outperformed independent deterministic and probabilistic methods.
Hometown Inequality: Race, Class, and Representation in American Local Politics

Local governments play a central role in American democracy, providing essential services such as policing, water, and sanitation. Moreover, Americans express great confidence in their municipal governments. But is this confidence warranted? Using big data and a representative sample of American communities, this book provides the first systematic examination of racial and class inequalities in local politics. We find that non-whites and less-affluent residents are consistent losers in local democracy. Residents of color and those with lower incomes receive less representation from local elected officials than do whites and the affluent. Additionally, they are much less likely than privileged community members to have their preferences reflected in local government policy. Contrary to the popular assumption that governments that are “closest” govern best, we find that inequalities in representation are most severe in suburbs and small towns. Typical reforms do not seem to improve the situation, and we recommend new approaches.
Postcontrast Acute Kidney Injury after Peripheral Vascular Interventions in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Background Postcontrast acute kidney injury (PC-AKI) is a feared complication of peripheral vascular interventions (PVIs), associated with increased mortality. Whether kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) are at increased risk of PC-AKI after PVI is unknown. This study analyzes the perioperative outcomes of KTR following PVI, with emphasis on the incidence and risk factors for PC-AKI. Methods The Vascular Quality Initiative files for PVI (2010–2018) were reviewed. Patients on dialysis were excluded. PC-AKI was defined by Vascular Quality Initiative as creatinine increase ≥0.5 mg/dL or new dialysis requirement. Characteristics of KTR and patients without kidney transplant were compared, and propensity score matching used to control for differences in baseline features. Multivariable logistic regression was used to define risk factors for PC-AKI, and survival was compared using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results A total of 58,014 procedures were analyzed, including 641 (1%) procedures for KTR. The incidence of PC-AKI in KTR was 2.8% compared with 0.9% in patients without kidney transplants. Baseline warfarin use (odds ratio [OR] = 4.7) and poor allograft function (OR = 4.0) were significantly associated with increased risk for PC-AKI in KTR. Compared with a matched group of patients without kidney transplant, KTR had similar risk of PC-AKI and were more likely to develop postop myocardial infarction (OR = 4.3) but had lower in-hospital mortality (OR = 0.22). Conclusions The incidence of PC-AKI in KTR is higher than the overall population undergoing PVI but is not elevated compared with propensity-matched patients without kidney transplant. PVI for peripheral artery disease in KTR is safe and associated with acceptable perioperative and long-term survival.
Shoulder injuries associated with handling luggage presenting to U.S. emergency departments: 2003-2017.

BACKGROUND Demand for travel for both work and leisure continues to rise in the U.S. However, handling luggage subjects the shoulder to excessive physical loads. OBJECTIVE To report national estimates, demographic characteristics, and injury mechanisms of patients presenting to U.S. emergency departments with luggage-associated shoulder injuries. METHODS This cross-sectional, retrospective study analyzes the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database (2003-2017) to identify annual cases of luggage-associated shoulder injuries presenting to U.S. emergency departments. RESULTS On average, 1,811 luggage-associated shoulder injuries presented to U.S. emergency departments annually (95% Confidence Interval: [C.I.] 1,123-2,499). Patients were commonly females (62.3%; 57.9%-66.8%) sustaining sprains, strains, or muscle tears (60.1%; 52.6%-67.7%). The majority of patients sustained shoulder injuries while lifting their luggage (70.1%; C.I. 64.9%-75.2%). Injuries were most often observed in patients 40-49 (21.5%; C.I. 16.5%-26.5%) and 50-59 (24.9%; C.I. 20.2%-29.6%) years of age. However, those sustaining shoulder injuries due to falls to the ground were significantly older (p < 0.001) on average than those with injuries from lifting or pulling their luggage. CONCLUSIONS We recommend that at-risk individuals for luggage-associated shoulder injuries take certain precautions when handling heavy baggage to reduce said chances of injury.
Molecular tracking devices quantify antigen distribution and archiving in the lymph node

ABSTRACT Live, attenuated vaccines generate humoral and cellular immune memory, increasing the duration of protective immune memory. We previously found that antigens derived from vaccination or viral infection persist within lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) beyond the clearance of the infection, a process we termed “antigen archiving”. Technical limitations of fluorescent labeling have precluded a complete picture of antigen archiving across cell types in the lymph node. We developed a “molecular tracking device” to follow the distribution, acquisition, and retention of antigen in the lymph node. We immunized mice with an antigen conjugated to a nuclease-resistant DNA tag and used single-cell mRNA sequencing to quantify its abundance in lymph node hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic cell types. At early and late time points after vaccination we found antigen acquisition by dendritic cell populations (DCs), associated expression of genes involved in DC activation and antigen processing, and antigen acquisition and archiving by LECs as well as unexpected stromal cell types. Variable antigen levels in LECs enabled the identification of caveolar endocytosis as a mechanism of antigen acquisition or retention. Molecular tracking devices enable new approaches to study dynamic tissue dissemination of antigens and identify new mechanisms of antigen acquisition and retention at cellular resolution in vivo.
Efficacy and safety of cilostazol-nimodipine combined therapy on delayed cerebral ischaemia after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage: a prospective, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial protocol.

Introduction Delayed cerebral ischaemia (DCI) due to cerebral vasospasm (cVS) remains the foremost contributor to morbidity and mortality following aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH). Past efforts in preventing and treating DCI have failed to make any significant progress. To date, our most effective treatment involves the use of nimodipine, a calcium channel blocker. Recent studies have suggested that cilostazol, a platelet aggregation inhibitor, may prevent cVS. Thus far, no study has evaluated the effect of cilostazol plus nimodipine on the rate of DCI following aSAH. Methods and analysis This is a multicentre, double-blinded, randomised, placebo-controlled superiority trial investigating the effect of cilostazol on DCI. Data concerning rates of DCI, symptomatic and radiographic vasospasm, length of intensive care unit stay, and long-term functional and quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes will be recorded. All data will be collected with the aim of demonstrating that the use of cilostazol plus nimodipine will safely decrease the incidence of DCI, and decrease the rates of both radiographic and symptomatic vasospasm with subsequent improvement in long-term functional and QoL outcomes when compared with nimodipine alone. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval was obtained from all participating hospitals by the Ascension Providence Hospital Institutional Review Board. The results of this study will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals. Trial registration number NCT04148105
Help Us Help You: Engaging Emergency Physicians to Identify Organizational Strategies to Reduce Burnout.

Introduction: Burnout is a major threat to patient care quality and physician career longevity in emergency medicine. We sought to develop and implement a quality improvement process to engage emergency department (ED) faculty in identifying sources of burnout and generating interventions targeted at improving the work environment.Methods: In this prospective interventional study conducted at a large, urban, academic medical center, we surveyed a 60-person faculty group using the Professional Fulfilment Index (PFI), as well as burnout-relevant questions from the American Medical Association’s Mini-Z survey and the Maslach-Leiter framework for organizational burnout, in order to identify organizational sources of burnout. We assessed the relationship between burnout scores and responses to the Maslach-Leiter framework using univariate regression analysis. In a two-hour facilitated session, we shared survey results and led the group in a process using the six Maslach-Leiter domains to develop a rank-ordered list of interventions to reduce burnout in each domain.Results: In total, 47 of 60 faculty (78.3%) completed the survey and 45 faculty (75%) attended the discussion session. Of the 47 survey respondents, 14 (30%) met criteria for moderate to severe burnout. The respondents’ answers to the Maslach-Leiter organizational burnout domain questions were significantly correlated with their burnout scores (P <0.001). Session attendees generated 31 potential interventions for process improvement, which were analyzed and thematically organized. Common intervention themes included reducing documentation burden, receiving more positive feedback on patient care, improving ease of obtaining consults, decreasing ED crowding, and increasing intrafaculty social connection. Interventions were subsequently reviewed and scored based on relative importance and feasibility to create a departmental action plan for process improvement.Conclusion: Using the Maslach-Leiter organizational burnout framework, in conjunction with a facilitated solution-oriented faculty discussion, led to the creation of a departmental agenda focused on organizational solutions for augmenting professional fulfillment and reducing burnout. We propose that this process can be used by healthcare organizations to engage physicians and others in efforts to improve their work experiences, which in turn is likely also to support the provision of higher quality of care.
Factors Affecting the Exercise Capacity of Pediatric Patients with Aortic Regurgitation

Although exercise testing is commonly employed to identify adult aortic regurgitation (AR) patients with early left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, the role and value of exercise testing in the management of pediatric AR patients have not been established. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the cardiorespiratory response to exercise of pediatric patients with chronic AR, examine the relation between exercise function and baseline echocardiographic measurements, and identify factors related to diminished exercise capacity (EC). The study group consisted of 26 patients aged 8 to 21 years (mean 14.4 ± 3.7) with moderate or severe AR referred for exercise physiology testing. All patients underwent a baseline echocardiographic study and a symptom-limited, progressive cycle ergometer exercise test. LV diastolic dimension averaged 120 ± 12% predicted, systolic dimension 112 ± 20% predicted, shortening fraction 0.41 ± 0.07, end-systolic wall stress 65 ± 23 g/cm2, and regurgitant fraction 38 ± 16%. The average EC was 88 ± 28% (56–143) predicted. No statistically significant correlation was found between EC and any of the echocardiographic parameters studied. Nine patients had EC < 75% predicted. These individuals did not differ from patients with higher EC with regard to any of the echocardiographic parameters or with regard to peak heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory exchange ratio, and incidence of ectopy or ST depression. However, the oxygen pulse at peak exercise (an index proportional to forward stroke volume at peak exercise) was significantly depressed among patients with EC < 75% predicted (77 ± 6 vs. 106 ± 16% predicted, p < .0001). In conclusion, most pediatric patients with moderate or severe AR compensate well for their valve disease, maintain normal forward stroke volume during exercise, and have normal EC. However, a subset of AR patients have diminished EC secondary to an inability to augment forward stroke volume appropriately. These patients cannot be identified on the basis of resting echocardiographic studies. Timely identification of these patients, through formal exercise physiology testing, may have important clinical implications.
Development of a dispersibility assessment kit for use on oil spill response vessels.

Abstract The use of dispersants can be an effective response tool for large offshore spills by applying dispersants on unemulsified slicks and treating as much oil as possible before it becomes too viscous. Assessing the dispersibility of an oil slick under actual environmental conditions is an important step in spill response decision-making. This research seeks to develop a new field kit that is quick and reliable and could be used by spill response personnel without scientific training. The resulting Dispersibility Assessment Kit (DAK) incorporates an automated mixing unit to standardize the applied energy, thereby eliminating the variability in “hand mixing” that is used in other dispersant field kits. The automated mixing energy was studied to determine the optimal mixing regime that correlates with ocean conditions and was incorporated in the DAK protocol. The DAK was validated against 14 oils and emulsions and was successfully tested by response personnel during at-sea demonstration.
Abstract 1108: A new mechanism of drug resistance in cancer: Extracellular ATP-induced resistance through ATP internalization and upregulation of ATP-binding cassette multidrug transporters

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the US. Multidrug resistance (MDR) and the resulting ineffectiveness of the drug treatment are responsible for most relapses of cancer and cancer-related death. One major mechanism of MDR is the efflux of multiple drugs mediated by ATP-binding Cassette (ABC) multidrug transporters. ABC transporters pump drugs with different structures and mechanisms of action out of cancer cells using ATP-provided energy. The opportunistic uptake of extracellular molecules has been named as a key emerging hallmark of cancer metabolism1. Intratumoral extracellular ATP levels of various cancer types are 103 to 104 times higher than those in their corresponding normal tissues2. Our previous studies have shown that extracellular ATP is internalized by cancer cell via macropinocytosis, and promotes cancer drug resistance by fueling ABC transporters and increase its efflux activities3. However, whether extracellular ATP can indeed enhance efflux of drugs, and the underlying mechanism besides providing energy remain unclear. Our current study results showed extracellular ATP decreased intracellular accumulation and thereby enhanced efflux of 3H-labeled chemotherapeutic drug and targeted drug in human cancer cells. The results of quantitative reverse transcription PCR, western blot and immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrated that extracellular ATP can also significantly upregulate ABC transporters at mRNA and protein levels, and change the intracellular localization of the latter. These results suggest that extracellular ATP has profound regulatory effects on ABC transporters and thus promotes drug resistance, linking the ATP-rich tumor microenvironment with cancer drug resistance. The completion of the study will expand our understanding of the roles of extracellular ATP in cancer, and reveal new therapeutic targets for reducing drug resistance and enhance anticancer efficacy of chemotherapeutics and targeted drugs. 1. Pavlova N, Thompson C. Cell Metab. (2016) 23:27-47 2. Falzoni S, et al., Interface Focus. (2013) 3: 20120101 3. Wang X, et al., Oncotarget. (2017) 8(50):87860-87877 Citation Format: Haiyun Zhang, Xuan Wang, Xiaozhuo Chen. A new mechanism of drug resistance in cancer: Extracellular ATP-induced resistance through ATP internalization and upregulation of ATP-binding cassette multidrug transporters [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 1108.
Emotional Harm in the Radiology Department: Analysis of an Underrecognized Preventable Error

Background Emotional harm incidents in health care may result in lost trust and adverse outcomes. However, investigations of emotional harm in radiology departments remain lacking. Purpose To better understand contributors and clinical scenarios in which emotional harm can occur in radiology, to document incidences, and to develop preventative countermeasures. Materials and Methods A large tertiary hospital adverse event reporting system was retrospectively searched for submissions under the category of dignity and respect in radiology between December 2014 and December 2020. Submissions were assigned to one of 14 categories per a previously developed classification system. Root-cause analysis of events was performed with a focus on countermeasures for future prevention. The person experiencing emotional harm (patient or staff) was noted. Results Of all radiology-related submissions, 37 of 3032 (1.2%) identified 43 dignity and respect incidents: failure to be patient centered (n = 23; 54%), disrespectful communication (n = 16; 37%), privacy violation (n = 2; 5%), minimization of patient concerns (n = 1; 2%), and loss of property (n = 1; 2%). Failure to be patient centered (n = 23) was subcategorized into disregard for patient preference (12 of 23; 52%), delay in care (eight of 23; 35%), and ineffective communication (three of 23; 13%). Of the 43 incidents, 32 involved patients (74%) and 11 involved staff (26%). Emotional harm in staff was because of disrespectful communication from other staff (eight of 11; 73%). Seventy-three countermeasures were identified: staff communication training (n = 32; 44%), individual feedback (n = 18; 25%), system innovation (n = 16; 22%), improvement of existing communication processes (n = 3; 4%), process reminders (n = 3; 4%), and unclear (n = 1; 1%). Individual feedback and staff communication training that focused on active listening, asking for the patient's preferences, and closed-loop communication addressed 34 of the 43 incidents (79%). Conclusion Most emotional harm incidents were from disrespectful communication and failure to be patient centered. Providing training focused on active listening, asking for patient's preferences, and closed-loop communication would potentially prevent most of these incidents. © RSNA, 2021 See also the editorial by Bruno in this issue.
Gender and Pay in Taiwan

In Taiwan as in the United States, even in the same industry and work status there is an earnings gap between men and women. The same question concerning attitudes toward "equal pay for equal work" was asked of two independently-drawn samples of male Taiwanese living in Taipei, the first time in 1963, and again in 1991. While 68% favored equal pay in 1963, this percent did not change significantly in the 1991 sample, despite 28 years of rapid and massive economic development and societal modernization. The respondents used a similar repertory of "reasons why" they supported or opposed equal pay for women in 1963 and 1991. To explain why the majority favored, but a minority opposed, equal pay, this attitude was regressed on three sets of hypothesized causal variables: a person's objective status, subjective life chances, and involvement in the kinship system. The logistic regression analysis shows that the variables with a significant impact on the log odds of a man's favoring equal pay for women were largely different in 1991 as compared with 1963. We discuss the implications of the findings in the light of neoclassical economic theories of gender differences in human capital investment and statistical discrimination, sociological theories of job segregation and the structure of labor markets, and feminist theories of patriarchy.
Current and emerging strategies in the management of venous thromboembolism: benefit-risk assessment of dabigatran

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a disease state that carries significant morbidity and mortality, and is a known cause of preventable death in hospitalized and orthopedic surgical patients. There are many identifiable risk factors for VTE, yet up to half of VTE incident cases have no identifiable risk factor and carry a high likelihood of recurrence, which may warrant extended therapy. For many years, parenteral unfractionated heparin, low-molecular weight heparin, fondaparinux, and oral vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) have been the standard of care in VTE management. However, limitations in current drug therapy options have led to suboptimal treatment, so there has been a need for rapid-onset, fixed-dosing novel oral anticoagulants in both VTE treatment and prophylaxis. Oral VKAs have historically been challenging to use in clinical practice, with their narrow therapeutic range, unpredictable dose responsiveness, and many drug-drug and drug-food interactions. As such, there has also been a need for novel anticoagulant therapies with fewer limitations, which has recently been met. Dabigatran etexilate is a fixed-dose oral direct thrombin inhibitor available for use in acute and extended treatment of VTE, as well as prophylaxis in high-risk orthopedic surgical patients. In this review, the risks and overall benefits of dabigatran in VTE management are addressed, with special emphasis on clinical trial data and their application to general clinical practice and special patient populations. Current and emerging therapies in the management of VTE and monitoring of dabigatran anticoagulant-effect reversal are also discussed.
The Cerebral Microcirculation

Publisher Summary Precise homeostatic control of the interstitial fluid is absolutely critical for normal function of the central nervous system (CNS). The importance of this goal is reflected in the unique priority given to regulation of blood flow and permeability of blood vessels within the brain and spinal cord. Both the morphology and the function of the CNS microcirculation are uniquely adapted to this objective. The structure and function of the cerebral microvessels are uniquely adapted to meet the specialized needs of the CNS. The mechanisms contributing to the regulation of blood flow in the CNS are extremely complex. In addition to specialized adaptations of the metabolic, myogenic and endothelial control mechanisms, there are unique aspects of neural control. Astrocytes have been recently recognized to make pivotal contributions to the rapid and exquisite coupling between changes in neuronal activity and regulation of cerebral blood flow. There is a bi-directional communication among neurons, glia, and microvessels which are now viewed to function as a neurovascular unit. The sensitivity of neurons to alterations in the ionic composition of the extracellular fluid also places unique requirements for the control of vascular permeability. The structural and functional components of the “blood–brain barrier” (BBB) provide this protection with the extremely intricate regulation of permeability. There are also unique limitations to the movement of cellular elements across the BBB. Alteration in both the structure and the function of the cerebral microcirculation associated with aging and neurodegenerative disease leading to compromised adaptability is also an area of active interest.
Neonatal polycythemia and hyperviscosity.

Polycythemia and hyperviscosity are common problems in the newborn. Prognosis depends on the primary cause, and, as the etiology is often uncertain, management must be individualized. Current therapy is reviewed in this article.
Unraveling the environmental and genetic interactions in atherosclerosis: Central role of the gut microbiota.

Recent studies have convincingly linked gut microbiota to traits relevant to atherosclerosis, such as insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and inflammation, and have revealed novel disease pathways involving microbe-derived metabolites. These results have important implications for understanding how environmental and genetic factors act together to influence cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Thus, dietary constituents are not only absorbed and metabolized by the host but they also perturb the gut microbiota, which in turn influence host metabolism and inflammation. It also appears that host genetics helps to shape the gut microbiota community. Here, we discuss challenges in understanding these interactions and the role they play in CVD.
Active Signaling by HER-2/neu in a Subpopulation of HER-2/neu-overexpressing Ductal Carcinoma in Situ Clinicopathological Correlates

HER-2/neu overexpression occurs in a proportion of invasive breast carcinomasand is an adverse prognostic indicator, although its apparent strength as a prognostic indicator varies in different studies. Paradoxically, HER-2/neu is overexpressed with particularly high frequency in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). We have hypothesized and presented supporting data that HER-2/neu is actively signaling in a subset of the tumors in which it is overexpressed. We use an activation state-dependent anti-HER-2/neu monoclonal antibody (PN2A) produced in our laboratory to study this paradigm immunohistochemically. In this report, we analyze the characteristics of 219 cases of DCIS with respect to HER-2/neu expression and activation state. We find that 58% of cases of DCIS with overexpression have the receptor in the activated state, a substantially greater proportion than we have previously noted for invasive carcinomas. Although HER-2/neu overexpression in general was inversely correlated with hormone receptor expression, cases with activated HER-2/neu had the lowest hormone receptor positivity rate. Statistically significant correlations with activated HER-2/neu were not noted for tumor size, presence of calcifications, necrosis or fibrosis, or indicators of angiogenesis. These results suggest that examination of activated HER-2/neu status may better reflect the biology of a tumor than overall determination of HER-2/neu levels. Our finding that active signaling by HER-2/neu, as detected by this assay, is more frequent in DCIS than previously noted for invasive carcinoma implicates signaling by HER-2/neu as having a critical role in the early stages of breast tumorigenesis.
Low power microheater-based combustible gas sensor with graphene aerogel catalyst support

This paper reports a microheater-based combustible gas sensor with ultra-low power consumption (1.4 mW) using pulsed heating and novel sensing materials. High surface area graphene aerogel is used as a support for platinum and palladium nanoparticles. Pulsed heating (450 °C) at a 10% duty cycle yields an order of magnitude reduction in power consumption with no loss of sensitivity. Sensing response to hydrogen and propane gas shows promising selectivity and order of magnitude faster response and recovery times (1–2 s) compared to previous work. The results indicate a high level of flexibility in creating selective, low power combustible gas sensors using this microheater platform and catalytic material system.
You matter to me: Important relationships and self-esteem of adolescents in foster care

This study examined the extent to which relationships with biological mothers, foster parents and peers influenced the self-esteem of adolescents in foster care. A subsample from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being of adolescents in long-term foster care was used for this study (n = 188). The findings indicated that when considering relationships with biological mothers, foster parents and peers and controlling for demographic characteristics in one regression model, relationships with peers had the greatest impact on self-esteem of adolescents. Implications for child welfare and clinical work are discussed.
Third lunar science conference.

Two years ago the first scientific investigations of returned lunar samples were reported at the Apollo 11 Lunar Science Conference (1). Samples from the first mission to the moon had been in the hands of investigators for 3 months or less, and the picture of the moon that emerged at that time was necessarily restricted in scope. We learned that Tranquillity Base is underlain by basaltic rock that erupted onto the mare surface 3.7 X 10^9 years ago, rock that is generally similar to terrestrial basalts but with important differences: titanium and other refractory elements are enhanced in abundance, sodium and other volatile elements are depleted, and the water content and oxidation potential o!f the lunar basalt lava are orders of magnitude lower than those of analogous terrestrial lavas. The existence of other types of rock on the moon was only glimpsed, and the structure and evolution of the moon remained a mystery.
Explicit thoughts of security activate implicit self‐doubt in anxiously attached participants

People high in attachment-related anxiety experience greater anxieties and ambivalence (e.g., M. Mikulincer, P. R. Shaver, N. Bar-On, & T. Ein-Dor, 2010) when feelings of relationship security are activated. The current research suggests that anxiously attached people also experience a decrease in implicit feelings of self-worth. Across two studies participants high (vs. low) in attachment anxiety reported more negative implicit self-evaluations after thinking about a time they felt loved and cared for by a close other. Study 2 further revealed that more negative implicit self-evaluations are not a function of differences in the type of events recalled by high anxiety participants. These latter results suggest that security-enhancing thoughts automatically activate a negative association with the self that is not consciously reflected in participants' written responses.
Neurorestoration after traumatic brain injury through angiotensin II receptor blockage

See Moon (doi:10.1093/awv239) for a scientific commentary on this article.Traumatic brain injury frequently leads to long-term cognitive problems and physical disability yet remains without effective therapeutics. Traumatic brain injury results in neuronal injury and death, acute and prolonged inflammation and decreased blood flow. Drugs that block angiotensin II type 1 receptors (AT1R, encoded by AGTR1) (ARBs or sartans) are strongly neuroprotective, neurorestorative and anti-inflammatory. To test whether these drugs may be effective in treating traumatic brain injury, we selected two sartans, candesartan and telmisartan, of proven therapeutic efficacy in animal models of brain inflammation, neurodegenerative disorders and stroke. Using a validated mouse model of controlled cortical impact injury, we determined effective doses for candesartan and telmisartan, their therapeutic window, mechanisms of action and effect on cognition and motor performance. Both candesartan and telmisartan ameliorated controlled cortical impact-induced injury with a therapeutic window up to 6 h at doses that did not affect blood pressure. Both drugs decreased lesion volume, neuronal injury and apoptosis, astrogliosis, microglial activation, pro-inflammatory signalling, and protected cerebral blood flow, when determined 1 to 3 days post-injury. Controlled cortical impact-induced cognitive impairment was ameliorated 30 days after injury only by candesartan. The neurorestorative effects of candesartan and telmisartan were reduced by concomitant administration of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ, encoded by PPARG) antagonist T0070907, showing the importance of PPARγ activation for the neurorestorative effect of these sartans. AT1R knockout mice were less vulnerable to controlled cortical impact-induced injury suggesting that the sartan's blockade of the AT1R also contributes to their efficacy. This study strongly suggests that sartans with dual AT1R blocking and PPARγ activating properties have therapeutic potential for traumatic brain injury.
Regulation of Gene Expression in Skeletal Muscle by Contractile Activity

The sections in this article are: 1 Theoretical and Kinetic Considerations 2 Experimental Systems and Models for Study of Gene Regulation by Contractile Activity 2.1 Human Investigations 2.2 Animal Studies 2.3 Studies in Cell Culture 3 What Genes are Regulated by Contractile Activity? 3.1 Sarcomeric Proteins 3.2 Enzymes of Glycolysis 3.3 Mitochondrial Proteins 3.4 Transcription Factors 3.5 Growth Factors and Receptors 4 Mechanisms of Gene Regulation 4.1 Definitions 4.2 Transcription 4.3 RNA Processing, Targeting, and Stability 4.4 Translational and Posttranslational Control 5 Messengers and Signal Transduction Pathways 5.1 Calcium 5.2 Hydrogen Ion 5.3 Energy Charge/Phosphorylation Potential 5.4 Redox Potential 5.5 Oxygen Tension 5.6 Mechanical Stretch 5.7 Receptor Linked Signaling Pathways 6 Special Pathways for Control of Mitochondrial Genes 7 Conclusions
Effects on the Canine P Wave of Discrete Lesions in the Specialized Atrial Tracts

The role of the specialized atrial tracts in determining the polarity, morphology, and duration of normal and ectopic P waves in the canine heart was studied by producing discrete surgical lesions in selected portions of these tracts. Effects of these lesions were correlated with changes in the polarity, morphology, and duration of the P waves and with conduction time to selected atrial sites when the atria were paced from the sinoatrial (SA) node, the left atrial portion of Bachmann's bundle, the low interatrial septum near the atrioventricular (AV) node, and the posterior-inferior left atrium. A lesion in the anterior internodal tract where it leaves the head of the SA node prolonged conduction time between the SA and AV nodes and significantly increased P wave duration when the atria were paced from the SA node and low interatrial septum sites. A lesion in the branch of the anterior internodal tract running through Bachmann's bundle significantly changed P wave polarity, morphology, and duration when t...
Adsorption Isotherms of Polyampholytes at Charged Spherical Particles

We develop a scaling theory of adsorption of polyampholyte chains at charged spherical particles from dilute low salt solutions. The adsorption is due to the polarization of polyampholyte chains in the electric field created by charged particles. The expressions for the surface coverage and the thickness of adsorbed layer are derived as functions of bulk polymer concentration, particle size, and surface charge density. We also describe the effect of the electric field of the particles on the dissociation equilibrium of adsorbed polyampholytes. The predictions of our scaling model are compared with the experiments on gelatin/latex systems.
Age differences in the expression of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor in mouse cerebellum

Age differences in the expression of cerebellar metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) were investigated using male C57BL/6NNIA mice 5, 15 and 24 months of age. In situ hybridization for mGluR1 mRNA in the granule cell layer indicated significantly higher mRNA levels in the 24-month-old group as compared to the 5- and 15-month-old groups. However, mRNA levels of individual Purkinje neurons did not show age differences. Western blot analysis using antibody against the predominant isoform, mGluR1a, showed a decline in protein levels in the 24-month-old animals. In situ hybridization for IP3R type 1 mRNA in Purkinje neurons showed a slight but not significant decline in the 24-month-old group. Further assay of [3H]IP3 binding with cerebellar membranes showed significant reduction in Bmax values in the 15- and 24-month-old groups as compared to the 5-month-old group but Kd values were not changed. The decrease in mGluR1a receptor protein together with reduction in IP3R binding sites may play an important role in the decline in cerebellar functions with increasing age.
Nociceptin/orphanin FQ decreases glutamate transmission and blocks ethanol-induced effects in the central amygdala of naive and ethanol-dependent rats.

The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) mediates several addiction-related processes and nociceptin/orphanin FQ (nociceptin) regulates ethanol intake and anxiety-like behaviors. Glutamatergic synapses, in the CeA and throughout the brain, are very sensitive to ethanol and contribute to alcohol reinforcement, tolerance, and dependence. Previously, we reported that in the rat CeA, acute and chronic ethanol exposures significantly decrease glutamate transmission by both pre- and postsynaptic actions. In this study, using electrophysiological techniques in an in vitro CeA slice preparation, we investigated the effects of nociceptin on glutamatergic transmission and its interaction with acute ethanol in naive and ethanol-dependent rats. We found that nociceptin (100–1000 nM) diminished basal-evoked compound glutamatergic receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) and spontaneous and miniature EPSCs (s/mEPSCs) by mainly decreasing glutamate release in the CeA of naive rats. Notably, nociceptin blocked the inhibition induced by acute ethanol (44 mM) and ethanol blocked the nociceptin-induced inhibition of evoked EPSPs in CeA neurons of naive rats. In neurons from chronic ethanol-treated (ethanol-dependent) rats, the nociceptin-induced inhibition of evoked EPSP amplitude was not significantly different from that in naive rats. Application of [Nphe1]Nociceptin(1–13)NH2, a nociceptin receptor (NOP) antagonist, revealed tonic inhibitory activity of NOP on evoked CeA glutamatergic transmission only in ethanol-dependent rats. The antagonist also blocked nociceptin-induced decreases in glutamatergic responses, but did not affect ethanol-induced decreases in evoked EPSP amplitude. Taken together, these studies implicate a potential role for the nociceptin system in regulating glutamatergic transmission and a complex interaction with ethanol at CeA glutamatergic synapses.
The Distribution in Angle of the Long Range Alpha-Particles from Fluorine Bombarded with Protons

The distribution in angle of the long alpha-particles from the reaction ${\mathrm{F}}^{19}+{\mathrm{H}}^{1}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\mathrm{O}}^{16}+{\mathrm{He}}^{4}$ has been determined at bombarding energies of 330, 375 and 435 kev. This distribution shows a very strong fore and aft asymmetry which varies only slightly with the bombarding voltage. The distribution is well represented by the expression $1+0.66cos\ensuremath{\theta}+0.25{cos}^{2}\ensuremath{\theta}+0.41{cos}^{3}\ensuremath{\theta}$.
alpha-Optimal User Association and Cell Load Balancing in Wireless Networks

In this paper we develop a framework for user association in infrastructure-based wireless networks, specifically focused on flow-level cell load balancing under spatially inhomogeneous traffic distributions. Our work encompasses several different user association policies: rate-optimal, throughput- optimal, delay-optimal, and load-equalizing, which we collectively denote &#945;-optimal user association. We prove that the optimal load vector &#961;&#8727; that minimizes a generalized system performance function is the fixed point of a certain mapping. Based on this mapping we propose and analyze an iterative distributed user association policy that adapts to spatial traffic loads and converges to a globally optimal allocation.
An electronic system to collect distance-sampling data during helicopter surveys of northern bobwhite†‡

Distance sampling during aerial surveys has been used extensively to estimate the density of many wildlife species. However, practical issues arise when using distance sampling during aerial surveys, such as obtaining accurate perpendicular distances. We assembled a computerized, electronic system to collect distance-sampling data (e.g., transect length, detection location, and perpendicular distance) during aerial surveys. We tested the accuracy of the system in a controlled trial and a mock survey. We also evaluated the electronic system during field surveys of northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) conducted in the Rio Grande Plains and Rolling Plains ecoregions of Texas, USA, during December 2007-2008. For comparison, we evaluated the accuracy of visual estimation of distance during a mock survey. A strong linear relationship existed between estimated and actual distances for the controlled trial (r 2 ¼ 0.99) and mock survey (r 2 ¼ 0.98) using the electronic system. Perpendicular-distance error (i.e., absolute difference between estimated distance and actual distance) for the electronic system was low during the controlled trial (1.4 � 0.4 m; xSE) and mock survey (3.0 � 0.5 m) but not during the visual estimation of distance (10 � 1.5 m). Estimates of bobwhite density obtained using the electronic system exhibited reasonable precision for each ecoregion during both years (CV < 20%). Perpendicular-distance error slightly increased with target distance (0.7-m increase in error for every 10-m increase in target distance). Overall, the electronic system appears to be a promising technique to estimate density of northern bobwhite and possibly other terrestrial species for which aerial-based distance sampling is appropriate. 2012 The Wildlife Society.