cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prenatal Racial Discrimination Associated With Dissatisfaction With Prenatal Care.

INTRODUCTION Maternal and infant racial and ethnic health disparities persist in Wisconsin. The Black infant mortality rate is 3 to 4 times that of White infants. OBJECTIVE In this study, we used data from the Wisconsin Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System to examine women's experiences with racism and accessing pre- and postnatal care. METHODS Data from the 2016-2018 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System-an ongoing state-administered surveillance system of new mothers-were used. The total number of non-White respondents was n = 2,571. The data are weighted both for nonsampling and for nonresponse. The prevalence of late entry to prenatal care, inadequate prenatal care, and no postpartum visit in the population of non-White women were calculated. Multivariable logistic regression was used to model the association between racial discrimination in the year prior to birth and perinatal care utilization and satisfaction. RESULTS Less-than-adequate prenatal care was significantly associated with racial discrimination in bivariate analysis (OR 1.4; 95% CI, 1.02-1.8), but this relationship became marginally significant after adjusting for maternal sociodemographic characteristics (OR 1.3; 95% CI, 0.9-1.7). In contrast, prenatal experience of racial discrimination was associated with about 1.5 times the odds of not receiving a postpartum visit both before and after adjusting for maternal characteristics (OR 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1-2.3). CONCLUSIONS Completing the postpartum visit has the potential to save mothers' lives; decreasing experiences of racial discrimination in health care settings may be one mechanism for decreasing maternal and infant mortality.
Pediatric Primary Care Provider Comfort with Mental Health Practices: A Needs Assessment of Regions with Shortages of Treatment Access.

Nearly 50% of children with a mental health concern do not receive treatment. Child Psychiatry Access Programs like Behavioral Health Integration in Pediatric Primary Care (BHIPP) address regional shortages of mental health treatment access by providing training and consultation to primary care providers (PCPs) in managing mental health concerns. This study assessed PCPs’ comfort with mental health practices to inform expansion of BHIPP services. Pediatric PCPs in 114 practices in three rural regions of Maryland were recruited to participate in a survey about their comfort with mental health practices and access to mental health providers for referral. Descriptives, Friedman’s test, and post hoc pairwise comparisons were used to examine survey responses. Participants were 107 PCPs. Most respondents were physicians (53.3%) or nurse practitioners/physician’s assistants (39.3%). Friedman’s test, χ2(7)= 210.15, p<.001, revealed significant within and between-group differences in PCP comfort with mental health practices. Post hoc pairwise comparisons indicated greater comfort providing mental health screening and referrals compared to prescribing psychiatric medications, providing psychoeducation or in-office mental health interventions. A Wilcoxon-signed rank test showed significantly more respondents agreed they could find a therapist than a psychiatrist in a timely manner, Z= −5.93, p<.001. Pediatric PCPs were more comfortable with providing mental health assessment and referrals than treatment. However, PCPs reported difficulty finding therapists and psychiatrists for their patients. Findings underscore the need for longitudinal training to increase PCP comfort with mental health treatment. Additionally, strategies such as telepsychiatry are needed to address the disproportionate need for child psychiatrists.
XANES Study of Tribofilm Formation With Low Phosphorus Additive Mixtures of Phosphonium Ionic Liquid and Borate Ester

Development of low phosphorus engine oils is important to minimize phosphorus induced exhaust catalyst poisoning and resulting harmful emissions. In this study, low phosphorus oil formulations were prepared by using an ashless additive mixture of borate ester (SB) with ionic liquid composed of a phosphonium cation and phosphate anion (P_DEHP) at 350 ppm and 700 ppm phosphorus. Tribological properties of this binary additive system were evaluated using a reciprocating cylinder on flat test configuration. Favorable interaction between P_DEHP and SB resulted in a significant reduction in friction coefficient and wear volume, in particular for P_DEHP(700P) + SB oil blend. Time-scale analysis of tribofilm formation was determined by running the tribological experiments for 5, 15 and 60 min duration. Electrical contact resistance (ECR) results revealed that addition of P_DEHP at 350 ppm of phosphorus to SB at 500 ppm of boron can reduce the incubation time from 300 sec to 100 sec for stable tribofilm formation. X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) analysis of tribofilms indicates that tribofilm mechanism for additive mixtures of P_DEHP and SB initially involve the formation of boron oxide-based films, which later interacts with phosphorus to form boron phosphates in addition to iron phosphates. Incorporation of high amount of boron phosphates in addition to boron oxide/acid and iron phosphates in the tribofilms contributed to improved tribological performance of P_DEHP(700P) + SB oil. XANES results reveal that tribofilms formed due to interaction of SB and P_DEHP evolve to a cross-linked structure, wherein chain length of polyphosphates is increased with the increase in rubbing time.
Quick-look estimates of ionospheric properties from radio occultation data

Abstract Radio occultations are commonly used to determine vertical profiles of ionospheric electron density from measurements of frequency. “Frequency residuals” are important intermediate data products in radio occultation experiments. Frequency residuals are defined as the difference between observed and predicted values of the received frequency, where the predicted frequency includes all effects except refraction at the target object. However, relationships between properties of a vertical profile of ionospheric electron density and properties of time series of frequency residuals are not widely known by the broad community of scientists who may work with frequency residuals. Here we illustrate and explain how properties of a vertical profile of ionospheric electron density affect time series of frequency residuals. We also develop four quantitative relationships between electron density values and frequency residuals. These provide predictions for the topside plasma scale height, topside electron densities, peak altitude, and peak electron density that can be generated directly from a set of frequency residuals without the need to implement the full Abel transform analysis that is usually required to determine electron densities from frequency residuals. They can also be generated prior to the implementation of a high-quality baseline correction, to which the Abel transform analysis is sensitive. The development of these predictions assumed that the ionosphere has an exponential topside and a Chapman-like peak. These predictions are successfully tested on two-way radio occultation observations from the MAVEN Radio Occultation Science Experiment (ROSE) at Mars.
Factors That Influence Risk Perceptions and Successful COVID-19 Vaccination Communication Campaigns With American Indians

COVID-19 vaccinations are the primary tool to end the pandemic. However, vaccine hesitancy continues to be a barrier to herd-immunity in the United States. American Indians (AI) often have higher l...
Meeting the Familiar Yet Strange: Strategies for Introducing American Christians to Jesus and Mary as Muslims Know Them

Jesus and Mary have been called simultaneously a bridge and a gulf between two massive, complex religion-communities. In spite of this – and in spite of obvious distinctions between instructional venues such as a church's adult education program, a seminary classroom, or a required university theology course – a fairly consistent set of strategies work well when helping Christians understand Jesus and Mary as Muslims known them. Gaining such familiarity is useful preparation for Christians' eventual appreciative conversation with Muslims.
Homologous chromosome associations and nuclear order in meiotic and mitotically dividing cells of budding yeast.

Abstract This chapter discusses the relationship between nuclear order and the association of homologous DNA sequences in the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae . Homologous chromosomes functionally interact with one another to repair DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) introduced either environmentally (e.g., by γ-irradiation) or deliberately by the cell (e. g., during meiosis). DNA homology recognition in these instances often involves the (RecA) homolog RAD51 and/or the related gene, DMC1 . Evidence for interactions between homologous chromosomes occurring independent of DSB formation and (RecA) homolog function has also been described in meiotic, premeiotic, and mitotically dividing cells of yeast. These interactions presumably depend upon DNA homology but the molecular details of such associations are poorly understood. Both DSB-dependent and -independent homolog associations may be facilitated by the nonrandom organization of chromosomes in the nucleus, including centromere and telomere clustering, which are also discussed.
Using optimum transmission range to design energy efficient systems for the neuRFon/spl trade/ Netform

NeuRFon/spl trade/ Netform is a sensor network made up of very low cost, low power, wireless devices (neuRFon/spl trade/ devices) that are relatively static, and are pervasively deployed throughout the environment. In this paper, we are interested in finding the relationship between the optimum one-hop transmission distance and the transceiver device parameters that will minimize the total system energy. Our analysis assumes that the individual neuRFon/spl trade/ devices do not have power control and therefore will transmit at a common range. Our results show that the optimum one-hop transmission distance is independent of the physical network topology, the number of transmission sources, and the total transmission distance. It only depends on the propagation environment and the device parameters. The implications and usefulness of this result on present day transceiver devices are also discussed.
Further characterization of bovine superoxide dismutase and its isolation from bovine heart.

Amino acid analysis, electron resonance spectroscopy, metal analysis, and analysis for subunit structure have been performed on bovine superoxide dismutase. The enzyme consists of two subunits of identical molecular weight held together by disulfide bonds. Superoxide dismutase has been purified from bovine heart by a procedure which was previously developed for the isolation of this enzyme from bovine erythrocytes. The heart enzyme is judged to be identical with the erythrocyte enzyme on the basis of response to an unusual purification procedure, specific enzymatic activity, content of copper and zinc, molecular weight, amino acid composition, ultraviolet absorption spectrum, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum. The widespread distribution of superoxide dismutase in mammalian tissues is taken as one indication of its importance to the survival of the cells which constitute these diverse tissues.
Efficacy of “hammock” tympanoplasty in the treatment of anterior perforations

Objectives/Hypothesis Surgical repair of large anterior tympanic membrane (TM) perforations continue to be a challenge for the otologic surgeon. Lateral graft tympanoplasty, the recommended treatment, is technically difficult and is plagued with blunting of the anterior sulcus and lateralization of the TM, both of which can lead to conductive hearing loss. In this study, we evaluate the efficacy of “hammock” tympanoplasty in the treatment of anterior perforation. Study Design/Methods The “hammock” tympanoplasty, a medial graft tympanoplasty, utilizes a large tympanomeatal flap incorporating anterior ear canal skin and the placement of a graft extending from the anterior to the posterior external auditory canal, akin to a hammock. In this retrospective study, the medical, surgical, audiological, and radiological records of 25 patients treated with hammock tympanoplasty were reviewed. Results The average age of the patients was 40.6 ± 20 years. The perforation involved the right ear of 17 patients, and at least two quadrants of the TM in 24 of 25 patients. The TM perforation was successfully closed in 24 of 25 patients, with improvement of the air conduction threshold in 22 of 25 patients. None of the patients experienced SNHL or lateralization of TM. There was one patient with blunting of anterior sulcus and another patient who experienced delayed facial paresis 9 days following surgery, which subsequently resolved. Conclusion The hammock tympanoplasty is technically easy, highly effective in restoring the integrity of the TM, and shows improvement in postoperative hearing. Level of Evidence 4.
Ability to estimate relative percutaneous penetration via a surrogate maker - trans epidermal water loss?

Aims: This study measures the dynamic change of the trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) rate and in vitro skin permeation data of tritiated water and [14C]-clonidine HCl in order to refine our knowledge in the relationship between percutaneous penetration and TEWL. Measures: TEWL values were measured before and during the experimental period. Single application of tritiated water and [14C]-clonidine HCl were dosed at the same time on dermatomed human skin samples collected from 12 donors in a flow through diffusion cell system. Radioactivity of absorbed dose: stratum corneum, epidermis, dermis, receptor fluid collected every 4 hours, as well as removable dose residue was counted to determine accountability, percent dose, μg equivalent, and flux rate. These data were further combined with TEWL values to analyze their possible relationship. Results: Results showed that baseline TEWL values correlated with the thickness of dermatomed skin (r=−0.44, P=0.007), and with tritiated water fluxes (r=0.34, P=0.04) and [14C]-clonidine HCl (r=0.36; P=0.03). The fluxes of tritiated water and [14C]-clonidine HCl were correlated (r=0.67, P<0.001). When TEWL and permeation data were compared, the pattern of tritiated water expressed as a percent dose permeated in receptor fluid resembled the TEWL pattern. Conclusion: The methodology described provides evidences of the correlation of TEWL and skin integrity and skin permeation and further demonstrates to be a rapid alternative to tritiated water permeation for measuring skin barrier functions in vitro. To develop TEWL measurement as a possible predictive model to assess in vitro percutaneous absorption, however more chemicals with various physical-chemical properties need to be examined, and the relationships to TEWL and tritiated water flux better defined.
Manipulation and the grounds of institutional obligation: an argument for international equality

According to one influential argument on state-centered conceptions of justice, the domestic coercion inherent in state authority is illegitimate unless states ensure the equality of their citizens. In this paper, I argue that while state coercion is not present in international politics, there may still be phenomena that give rise to the political value of equality. I claim that morally objectionable manipulation may occur within international politics, and that this problem recommends an egalitarian solution. Manipulation occurs when one agent takes control of another agent’s actions, either through impairing the other’s capacity to act or through taking advantage of such impairment. I use the WTO as a case to illustrate how more powerful members of international institutions may sometimes manipulate less powerful members. Although political theory cannot settle empirical questions about such phenomena, it can raise questions that are intelligible through existing approaches to international politics. I argue that the prospect of manipulation introduces new relevance to political value of equality internationally. Keywords: justice; equality; manipulation; trade; WTO (Published: 1 October 2015) Citation: Ethics & Global Politics, Vol. 8, 2015 http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/egp.v8.27274
Severe thrombocytopenic purpura complicating pentamidine therapy for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.

A 23-year-old woman with acute leukemia in remission developed fulminant thrombocytopenic purpura coincident with the use of pentamidine iesthionate for treatment of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. The platelet count began to return to normal on the 8th day after withdrawal of the drug and an increase in the dose of prednisone. The temporal relationship and the lack of another identifiable explanation strongly suggest that thrombocytopenia was induced by pentamidine.
Neurorobotic models in neuroscience and neuroinformatics.

The meeting concluded with a general discussion which reflected that the day had provided a great deal of intellectual stimulation, thanks in large part to the excellence of the invited talks, and had strengthened the belief of many that neurorobotic modeling is an in dispensable and uniquely insightful method in the new neurosciences. This view was even shared by some participants without previous exposure to neurorobotics, whose attendance was the result of earlier salesmanship. Although varied in their experience with neurorobotics, the participants, all experts in their own right, were uniformly incisive and enlightening during the question and discussion periods, and the workshop could not have been successful without their involvement. Indeed, the discussion carried on well past the scheduled close of the meeting, finally petering out in the small ours of the following day in the back room of the king?s Head in downtown Santa Monica. For even in Los Angeles, a good British pub is the only place for these things.
Of Elections and Cell-Death Decisions

A new study in the journal Nature (Spencer et al., 2009) argues that cell-to-cell variation in the decision to undergo apoptosis is not due to genetic, epigenetic, or cell-cycle differences, nor due to random molecular noise, but instead is determined by differences in protein abundances.
Corporate competitive strategies in a transitional manufacturing industry: an empirical study

Purpose – This study aims to take a strategic approach to analyze how the US technical textile companies manage their business operations and to determine whether there are differences on competitive priorities between high‐ and low‐performing companies.Design/methodology/approach – A competitive priority model consisting of four latent constructs – low cost, quality, delivery performance, and flexibility – was utilized to construct the analysis. Primary data were collected through a survey of senior executives in the US technical textile companies. Using 202 eligible survey returns, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis within structural equation modeling were carried out to assess adequacy of the measurements and validity of the model.Findings – The competitive priority model is proven valid and the four constructs account for the most variance in corporate competitive strategies. High‐performing companies placed greater emphasis on quality and delivery performance strategies than...
A stepwise mechanism for acetylcholine receptor channel gating

Muscle contraction is triggered by the opening of acetylcholine receptors at the vertebrate nerve-muscle synapse. The M2 helix of this allosteric membrane protein lines the channel, and contains a 'gate' that regulates the flow of ions through the pore. We used single-molecule kinetic analysis to probe the transition state of the gating conformational change and estimate the relative timing of M2 motions in the alpha-subunit of the murine acetylcholine receptor. This analysis produces a 'Phi-value' for a given residue that reflects its open-like versus closed-like character at the transition state. Here we show that most of the residues throughout the length of M2 have a Phi-value of approximately 0.64 but that some near the middle have lower Phi-values of 0.52 or 0.31, suggesting that alphaM2 moves in three discrete steps. The core of the channel serves both as a gate that regulates ion flow and as a hub that directs the propagation of the gating isomerization through the membrane domain of the acetylcholine receptor.
PBCB: A Norming of the Spanish Translation of the Boehm Test of Basic Concepts.

Abstract The Boehm Test of Basic Concepts (BTBC) was designed to measure children's mastery of concepts considered necessary for achievement in the first years of school. The test is group administered, and is appropriate for use with children in the first three grades: kindergarten, first grade, and second grade. The test has been demonstrated to be a valid and reliable measure when administered in English. Prueba Boehm de Conceptos Basicos (PBCB), a Spanish translation of the test, was administered to 1,292 children three times in public and private schools in Puerto Rico during the 1979–1981 school years. Normative information, reported by type of school, by grade, and by time of year tested is presented. The reliability of PBCB was established. The test was shown to have predictive validity as well, correlating with measures of academic achievement one year following the end-of-year administration of the PBCB.
Clinical pharmacokinetics of arecoline in subjects with Alzheimer's disease

Objective To study the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of intravenously administered arecoline in subjects with Alzheimer's disease. Methods Plasma arecoline concentrations were measured during and after high-dose (i.e., 5 mg intravenously over 30 minutes) and up to 2 weeks of continuous multiple-dose steady-state intravenous infusions of arecoline in 15 subjects with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. During multiple-dose infusions, the dose of arecoline was escalated from 0.5 to 40 mg/day. Psychometric tests were administered at baseline and every other dose to determine an “optimal dose” for each subject. This dose then was administered for 1 week using a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover design. Plasma drug concentrations were measured by GC-MS. Results The optimal dose of arecoline varied fourfold across subjects (4 mg/day, n = 6; 16 mg/day, n = 3) with mean plasma half-lives of 0.95 ± 0.54 and 9.3 ± 4.5 (SD) minutes. Clearance and volume of distribution were 13.6 ± 5.8 L/min and 205 ± 170 (SD) L, respectively. At the dose that optimized memory, the mean plasma level was 0.31 ± 0.14 (SD) ng/ml, and it predicted the optimal dose in all subjects. Conclusions Because optimal dose variation is due to differing plasma kinetics, the plasma arecoline level measured at a single infusion rate can be used to choose the optimal dose for memory enhancement in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (1996) 60, 276–282; doi:
Relationships between Mesolimbic Dopamine Function and Eating Behavior

These experiments are the first to correlate a specific stimulus of eating--the orosensory stimulation by sucrose--to mesolimbic dopaminergic activity. The pharmacological results and the increase in hypothalamic DOPAC/DA are convergent evidence for this relationship. The meaning of the relationship is not clear. The possibility that the decreased intake after dopaminergic receptor antagonist treatment and the increase in hypothalamic DOPAC/DA is related to the ingestive movements necessary for sham feeding seems unlikely for the following reasons: first, at least one dose of the antagonist had a preferential inhibition on sucrose intake compared to water intake; second, the D1 and D2 selective receptor antagonists decreased the initial rate of sucrose intake, but did not affect the rate of decay of sucrose intake over a 30-min test; third, in the second neurochemical experiment (Table 1), the volume ingested during 9 min of sham feeding 10% sucrose was not significantly different from the volume ingested from sham feeding 40% sucrose, but there was a significantly larger increase in the hypothalamic DOPAC/DA after 40% sucrose. Of course, a finer measurement of movements, such as lick rate, may reveal a significant difference that would correlate with the metabolic change. Fourth, striatal DOPAC/DA did not change during sham feeding of sucrose. Fifth, Bailey et al. demonstrated that a response-frequency summation analysis of the inhibitory effect of pimozide on sucrose intake did not reveal a motoric deficit. Thus, we interpret the increase of hypothalamic DOPAC/DA during the sham feeding of sucrose as evidence that activation of mesolimbic dopaminergic terminals in the hypothalamus is necessary for the normal processing of the central sensory and/or positive-reinforcing information produced by oral sucrose stimulation. Experiments are in progress to test this hypothesis and to attempt to distinguish between the sensory and positive-reinforcing effects of sucrose during sham feeding. In addition to generating this specific hypothesis concerning sucrose and hypothalamic DA activity, the results of these experiments suggest that the sham feeding preparation will be useful for the analysis of the important problem of the natural reinforcing properties of sweet taste. And finally, since sham feeding of sucrose is a form of oral self-stimulation, it provides a new experimental tool for comparing the role of central DA mechanisms in the positive-reinforcing effects of food, psychostimulant self-administration, and intracranial electrical self-stimulation.
The PHENIX Experiment at RHIC

The PHENIX experiment is one of two large detectors at Brookhaven's Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. The detector that was operated in the first RHIC run in the summer of 2000 is described. Several million Au-Au collisions were recorded during the first run.
Factors influencing assignment of pronoun antecedents

Abstract In two experiments a group of adult subjects and a group of 10 – 13 year old subjects completed sentences of the format NP1 V NP2 because Pro… The fragment, John telephoned Bill because he…, elicited completions such as had good news, which locate the impetus for telephoning in NP1 (John). The fragment, John admired Bill because he…, elicited completions such as was a fine athlete, which locate the impetus for admiring in NP2 (Bill). The assignment of the subject pronoun of the second clause as coreferential with NP1 or NP2 shows that this choice depends on a factor, direction of causality, which may be assigned to verb roots. This factor was isolated from interacting semantic and syntactic features of sentences in which the verbs occurred. Manipulation of these features resulted in greater or lesser salience of the direction of causality factor. The potential of this technique for investigation of verb semantics and for interaction of semantic, pragmatic and syntactic features in the psychological study of comprehension is discussed.
Chemical Diffusion in Titanium Carbide Crystals

Single crystals of TiCx (x=0.84) were exposed to a carbon source at temperatures near 2000°C. The penetration of carbon into the structure, reflected in a gradient in the value of x, was evaluated with the electron microprobe analyzer. The chemical diffusivity D was then determined using the Boltzmann‐Matano method of analysis. The experimental value of D was found to increase with decreasing carbon vacancy concentration, 1−x, and to have the average value of 220 exp (−97 700/RT) cm2/sec. This value of D is in good agreement with one generated from Sarian's 14C tracer measurements on TiC crystals and DePoorter's semitheoretical model for activity. Because of the abundance of vacancies in the carbon fcc sublattice of TiCx, the experimental activation energy represents an energy of motion only. Lower experimental values for the diffusion activation energy have been obtained by other workers with the phase‐boundary advance method. The present work shows that the difference between the activation energy me...
Detached Eddy Simulations and Transient RANS Simulations of Turbulent Flow in the Lower Plenum of a Gas-Cooled Reactor

This paper presents preliminary results of a computational study conducted to analyze the turbulent flow in the lower plenum of an advanced next generation gas-cooled reactor. The turbulence models used in the current simulations are the Detached Eddy Simulation (DES) model and the transient RANS (Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes) model. The current study is limited to flow in a row of confined cylinders designed to mimic a model of a prismatic gas-cooled reactor lower plenum design. The experimental configuration consists of a finite array of short graphite posts supporting the reactor core. Five cylinders, which represent vertical support posts in the lower plenum of an advanced reactor concept, are emplaced on the cross-stream centerline. In the current work, an idealized model was used to model a region of the lower plenum for a simplified set of conditions that enabled the flow to be treated as an isothermal, incompressible fluid with constant properties. The simulated results are compared with available experimental data, which were obtained using three-dimensional Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). The two-equation realizable k-e model is used as the baseline model for both the Unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes Equations (URANS) as well as the DES simulations. The flow unsteadiness accounts for the fluctuations due to unsteady vortex shedding. The DES simulations predicted the flow unsteadiness more accurately than the URANS simulations. The simulated time-averaged quantities were also compared with the experimental data. The RANS simulations and the DES simulations provide almost same predictions for the time averaged quantities. The predicted results show discrepancies with the experimental results.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Flexible supercapacitors based on carbon nanomaterials

Flexible energy storage devices are essential for the development of flexible and wearable electronics. Flexible supercapacitors (also known as electrochemical capacitors or ultracapacitors) have attracted increasing attention for advanced energy storage because of their high capability, long cycle life, low cost, and easy fabrication. Carbon nanomaterials, including 1D carbon nanotubes, 2D graphene, and 3D mesoporous carbon, are promising as electrode materials for flexible supercapacitors due to their extremely large surface area, excellent mechanical and electrical properties, and high electrochemical stability. Much effort has been devoted to developing flexible, carbon-based, all-solid-state supercapacitors with different structure/performance characteristics, including conventional planar, ultrathin in-plane, wearable fiber-shaped, stretchable, transparent, and integrated devices with aesthetic appeal. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of recent progress towards the development of advanced flexible supercapacitors based on carbon nanomaterials. The challenges and perspectives in this emerging field are also discussed.
Study of Some Contemporary Laminar Flow Models Over a Flat Plate Using Maple

The paper uses a modern computing tool, Maple, to study some contemporary problems in laminar boundary layer flow over a flat plate. The purpose is to demonstrate that Maple is a powerful computational tool for solving realistic contemporary problems in laminar boundary layer theory. The specific problems (all pertaining to a flat plate) chosen for this study are (1) hydrodynamic boundary layer with slip flow condition, (2) velocity boundary layer on a moving plate, (3) hydrodynamic and thermal boundary layers with a linear shear flow. Each problem is of contemporary interest and allows a similarity analysis which reduces the continuity, momentum, and energy equations into ordinary nonlinear differential equations. Numerical solutions of these equations are generated and physical interpretations of the results provided. Maple worksheets for solving each problem are available from the author upon request. It is shown that the effort required to solve these problems with Maple is modest, consisting of few lines of easily learned commands. The use of Maple facilitates and enriches the study of laminar boundary flows in general.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
OBLIGATORY SUPPRESSION OF FETAL ADRENAL ANDROGEN PRODUCTION FOR EFFECTIVE STEROID ACCELERATION OF LUNG MATURATION. † 2074

OBLIGATORY SUPPRESSION OF FETAL ADRENAL ANDROGEN PRODUCTION FOR EFFECTIVE STEROID ACCELERATION OF LUNG MATURATION. † 2074
A proof of two conjectures of Deveci and Karaduman

Abstract In a recent article in this journal Deveci and Karaduman [1] proposed several conjectures regarding the order of the cyclic groups generated by the generalized Pascalʼs matrices. In this note we give a proof of two of these conjectures.
EZH2 expands breast stem cells through activation of NOTCH1 signaling

Breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women, but the details of how it begins remain elusive. Increasing evidence supports the association of aggressive triple-negative (TN) breast cancer with heightened expression of the Polycomb group protein Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2) and increased tumor-initiating cells (TICs). However, mechanistic links between EZH2 and TICs are unclear, and direct demonstration of a tumorigenic function of EZH2 in vivo is lacking. Here, we identify an unrecognized EZH2/NOTCH1 axis that controls breast TICs in TN breast carcinomas. EZH2 overexpression increases NOTCH1 expression and signaling, and inhibition of NOTCH1 activity prevents EZH2-mediated stem cell expansion in nontumorigenic breast cells. We uncover a unique role of EZH2 in activating, rather than repressing, NOTCH1 signaling through binding to the NOTCH1 promoter in TN breast cancer cells. EZH2 binding is independent of its catalytic histone H3 lysine 27 methyltransferase activity and of the Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 but corresponds instead to transcriptional activation marks. In vivo, EZH2 knockdown decreases the onset and volume of xenografts derived from TN breast TICs. Conversely, transgenic EZH2 overexpression accelerates mammary tumor initiation and increases NOTCH1 activation in mouse mammary tumor virus-neu mice. Consonant with these findings, in clinical samples, high levels of EZH2 are significantly associated with activated NOTCH1 protein and increased TICs in TN invasive carcinomas. These data reveal a functional and mechanistic link between EZH2 levels, NOTCH1 signaling activation, and TICs, and provide previously unidentified evidence that EZH2 enhances breast cancer initiation.
Fourier Analysis of the Simple Algorithm Formulated on a Collocated Grid

Abstract The Fourier error amplification matrix has been developed for the SIMPLE algorithm formulated on a collocated grid using the Rhie-Chow approximation. The cause of and remedy for the checkerboard pressure effect associated with collocated grid systems is shown. Comparisons with observations from the technical literature suggest that Fourier analysis is capable of describing algorithm operation. This analysis also suggests that there is a conditional relationship between the momentum underrelaxation factor and the pressure-correction damping factor for convergence of the collocated form, and indicates that the collocated form should serve as a superior multigrid smoother.
Effects of noncaptured stimuli during rapid right ventricular pacing: does concealed conduction occur in the human ventricle?

Abstract Concealed conduction was defined by Langendorf 1 as “the effect of a non-propagated impulse upon conduction of a subsequently propagated impulse.” Subsequently, examples of concealed conduction have been described occurring in the atrioventricular node, His-Purkinje system and bundle branches. 2,3 In 1978, Sung et al, 4 using rapid atrial pacing, demonstrated concealed conduction of noncaptured stimuli in the human atrium. In an attempt to demonstrate this type of conduction in the human ventricle, we applied Sung's method to 18 patients undergoing electrophysiologic study.
In situ striped bass (Morone saxatilis) contaminant and water quality studies in the Potomac River

Abstract The objectives of this study were to evaluate survival of striped bass (Morone saxatilis) prolarvae and yearlings in the Potomac River by using in situ test chambers; correlate survival of both striped bass life stages with the presence of water quality conditions, inorganic contaminants, and organic contaminants and conduct histological examinations of surviving yearling striped bass. Survival of striped bass prolarvae ranged from 4.5–22.5% at three field locations during three 96-h experiments; control survival was ≥81%. Yearling survival ranged from 0–77.5% at three river stations during two 7-d experiments; highest mortality occurred at the upriver station. Control survival was 100%. Poor survival of striped bass prolarvae was likely related to the presence of inorganic contaminants (monomeric aluminum, cadmium, and copper) acting singly or synergistically and sudden decreases in water temperature (
The benefits of open lung biopsy in patients with previous non-diagnostic transbronchial lung biopsy. A guide to appropriate therapy.

In a 17-month period, 20 immunosuppressed patients underwent transbronchial biopsy of the lung for diagnostic evaluation of a pulmonary infiltrate of unknown etiology. In 19 patients, the transbronchial biopsy was nondiagnostic Thirteen of the 19 patients were critically ill and were referred for an open lung biopsy. Eleven (85 percent) of these 13 patients left the hospital after open lung biopsy and appropriate medical treatment Two patients who were receiving mechanical ventilation at the time of open biopsy succumbed to the combination of their underlying disease and respiratory failure. There were no deaths directly attributed to the open lung biopsy. Of the six patients whose condition appeared stable and who did not undergo open lung biopsy, two died from unrecognized progress of their underlying malignant disease. The remainder recovered. We conclude that open lung biopsy is safe in and beneficial to the diagnosis and subsequent treatment of unknown pulmonary infiltrates in immunosuppressed patients who previously had a nondiagnostic fiberoptic transbronchial biopsy of the lung.
Intra- and intermolecular isotope effects for hydrogen loss from protonated aniline and the barrier to hydrogen transfer between the ring and substituent

Abstract Protonated aniline was generated by reacting ammonia or ammonia-d3 with phenylium (C6H5+) in a quadrupole ion trap and in a chemical ionization (CI) source of a double focusing mass spectrometer. Significant intramolecular isotope effects are observed for the loss of H·(D·) in the mass spectra obtained from each instrument. Intramolecular isotope effects are also observed for the metastable dissociation of the adduct ion (C6H5NH3+) in the sector instrument and for the collision-induced dissociation (CID) of the adduct ion in the quadrupole ion trap. The relative magnitudes of these isotope effects are consistent with the different energy and time scales of the experiments. An intermolecular isotope effect is also observed for the rate of dissociation in the quadrupole ion trap. Hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange between the nitrogen and ring is observed when protonated aniline is formed by reacting ammonia-d3 with phenylium. This allows bracketing of the energy barrier for this intramolecular H/D exchange. Semi-empirical molecular orbital calculations of transition states for hydrogen exchange are consistent with the experimentally observed energy barrier.
Vesicle-associated double-stranded ribonucleic acid genetic elements in Agaricus bisporus

Double-stranded ribonucleic acids (dsRNAs) were isolated from fruit bodies of commercial strains of the cultivated mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) by poly-ethylene glycol-NaCl precipitation, differential centrifugation, rate-zonal centrifugation in sucrose, and equilibrium centrifugation in cesium sulphate. In all seven of the mushroom isolates examined, three dsRNAs were identified: two major dsRNA segments of >13.1-kb (L-RNA) and 2.4-kb (S-RNA) and a minor segment of 5.2-kb (M-RNA). L-, M-, and S-RNAs co-purified with spherical fungal vesicles measuring approximately 75 nm in diameter. The three dsRNAs were intimately associated with the vesicles as suggested by their lower buoyant density in cesium sulphate (1.27 g/cc) compared to that of phenol-extracted dsRNAs (1.42 g/cc) and by their resistance to hydrolysis by ribonuclease at low ionic strength. Using a variety of conditions during purification, no virus-like particles were found to be associated with the dsRNAs. In Northern analysis, L-, M-, and S-RNAs failed to cross-hybridize with the genomic dsRNAs of La France isometric virus. We report here the first description of non-encapsidated, vesicle-associated, dsRNA genetic elements in the common cultivated mushroom.
Latent heat of a homogeneously broadened two-mode laser

Abstract A homogeneously broadened two-mode laser exhibits metabistability and a first-order phase transition, with a discontinuous order parameter. The entropy is therefore discontinuous, and one can define a quantity that is analogous to the latent heat for a thermodynamic system. This is calculated for the laser, and shown to depend only weakly on the asymmetry of the laser.
Sodium ion movements and the spontaneous and electrically stimulated release of [3H]GABA and [14C]glutamic acid from rat cortical slices

Abstract The effect on spontaneous and electrically stimulated release of [ 3 H]GABA and [ 14 C]glutamic acid from rat cortical slices of agents and ionic conditions that affect sodium ion movements, was studied in an in vitro superfusion system. Those conditions that elevated non-inulin Na + content of the slice accelerated spontaneous efflux and inhibited electrically stimulated release of the labeled amino acids. Agents which blocked the entry of Na + with electrical field stimulation failed to diminish release of the amino acids. Therefore, the entry of Na + into the slice with membrane depolarization is not a requirement for amino acid neurotransmitter release from cortical slices in response to electrical field stimulation. The acceleration of spontaneous efflux and inhibition of electrically stimulated release in the presence of an elevated non-inulin Na + content was discussed in relation to sodium coupled transport of amino acids.
Apoptosis In Esophageal Cancer Following Induction Chemoradiotherapy

Abstract Background. The poor survival of patients with esophageal cancer following esophagectomy has led to intense investigation into combined modality therapy. Based on results from clinical trials examining chemoradiotherapy alone without surgery, resection has come under increased scrutiny and its necessity as a component of a multimodal approach has been questioned. In this study, we examined whether residual tumor cells in esophagectomy specimens following induction chemoradiotherapy are viable and, therefore, provide putative evidence for the appropriateness of esophagectomy. Materials and methods. Between August 1991 and January 1995, 46 patients were entered into an induction chemoradiotherapy trial consisting of 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin, α-interferon, and concurrent external beam radiotherapy followed by esophagectomy. Response was determined histologically and apoptosis assessed with a terminal deoxytransferase assay system. p53 status was determined by immunohistochemistry and mutational analysis. Results. Thirty-eight patients underwent esophagectomy, 33 of whom had either a complete ( n = 10) or partial ( n = 23) response. None of the 28 patients with residual tumor in the resected specimen had 100% apoptotic cells and the vast majority of specimens had less than a 10% apoptotic rate. The percentage of apoptotic cells did correlate with tumor differentiation but not with histologic type nor presence of p53 mutations. Conclusions. These data suggest that resection following upfront chemoradiotherapy is a necessary component of a multimodality approach to esophageal cancer and will ultimately provide superior local-regional control to a nonsurgical approach.
Cricothyrotomy technique: standard versus the rapid four-step technique

Standard cricothyrotomy technique uses a tracheal hook cephalad to the opening to stabilize the trachea during endotracheal (ET) tube passage. A newly described Rapid Four-Step Technique (RFST) uses the tracheal hook caudal to the opening to stabilize the trachea during ET tube passage. This experimental crossover trial compared standard cephalad tracheal hook traction to caudad traction as recommended by RFST in a cadaver model of cricothyrotomy. Outcome measures included the incidence of complications and the size of ET tube able to be passed with each technique. The anterior necks of 30 formalin-fixed cadavers were dissected to completely reveal the cricothyroid membranes and surrounding structures. Two emergency medicine residents performed all cricothyrotomies. Each cadaver was randomly assigned to undergo either standard open technique followed by RFST, or RFST followed by standard open technique. Standard open technique was performed using a #11 scalpel blade, a Trousseau dilator for widening the opening, and a tracheal hook held cephalad through the thyroid cartilage. RFST was performed using a #11 scalpel blade and a tracheal hook held caudad through the cricoid cartilage. Cuffed ET tubes without stylettes were passed in progressively larger sizes until significant resistance was met as determined independently by two physicians. The size of the largest ET tube passed for each technique was recorded. After each attempt the trachea was inspected for evidence of structural damage and the balloon cuff was checked to assess for cuff rupture. There were no complications with standard technique; five cadavers (16.7%) had complications with RFST including one (3.3 %) with balloon cuff rupture and four (13.3 %) with cricoid cartilage fractures. Tracheal damage prevented standard technique performance on three of the cadavers. There was no significant difference between maximal ET tube sizes for standard technique (median size 7.0, mean 6.95 mm internal diameter) versus RFST (median size 7.0, mean 6.82 mm internal diameter). We conclude that RFST may be associated with a higher incidence of complications than standard technique as demonstrated by our cadaver model of cricothyrotomy. We were unable to demonstrate a difference between the two techniques with regards to size of ET tube able to be passed.
Studies of the neural mechanisms by which hypothyroidism decreases prolactin secretion in the rat

Abstract These studies report that chronic hypothyroidism in the rat is accompanied by decreased serum prolactin. An investigation of those mechanisms by which hypothyroidism decreases prolactin secretion revealed the following findings: (1) activation of tyrosine hydroxylase in the median eminence (ME) and increase in the turnover-rate of dopamine (DA) in the ME; (2) a decreased content and in vitro release of prolactin by pituitaries from hypothyroid rats; (3) decreased [3H]spiroperidol binding to pituitary homogenates obtained from hypothyroid rats, and (4) normal increase of serum prolactin following administration of haloperidol. Comparison of the effects of hypothyroidism on dopaminergic terminals of the striatum with those of the ME was made and the following tentative conclusions proposed. Hypothyroidism presumably increases the release of DA into the pituitary portal system. A deficiency of thyroid hormone desensitizes the pituitary lactrotrope to inhibition by DA, decreases the total pituitary prolactin content and presumably also reduces the peripheral catabolism of prolactin. The overall net effect of hypothyroidism is therefore, a decrease in serum prolactin levels which can increase normally following haloperidol. The mechanism by which a deficiency of thyroid hormone alters the function of the tuberoinfundibular and striatal dopaminergic systems is unknown.