cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Methotrexate decreases thymidine kinase activity.

MTX cytotoxicity is not fully explained by its well-known inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase activity which leads to a decrease in the dTMP synthase reaction, since TdR kinase which converts TdR to dTMP could readily circumvent MTX action through this salvage activity. TdR kinase is of particular significance, since in various types of carcinoma cells its activity is orders of magnitude higher than that of dTMP synthase. To throw light on this problem, we tested the hypothesis that the impact of MTX treatment might in fact involve an inhibition or decrease in TdR kinase activity. Injection in rat of MTX (i.p.) decreased TdR kinase activity in a time- and dose-dependent fashion in liver (t1/2 = 46 h; IC50 = 95 mg/kg), bone marrow (t1/2 = 10 h; IC50 = 5 mg/kg) and rapidly growing transplantable hepatoma 3924A (t1/2 = 56 h; IC50 = 5 mg/kg). Injection in rat of cycloheximide (15 mg/kg, i.p.), an inhibitor of protein biosynthesis, rapidly decreased TdR kinase activity in the hepatoma (t1/2 = 3.6 h); activities of other purine and pyrimidine synthetic enzymes, dTMP synthase, IMP dehydrogenase, GMP reductase and GMP synthase, declined at a markedly slower rate (t1/2 = 11, 11.6, 12 and 22 h, respectively). MTX, by curtailing purine and pyrimidine biosynthesis, limits product of TdR kinase which is more sensitive to unopposed protein degradation than other enzymes of nucleic acid biosynthesis. TdR kinase is a newly discovered target of MTX treatment.
Clinical experience with retreatment for palliation.

Every radiation oncologist is faced occasionally with the need to consider reirradiation for palliation. Because reirradiation has the potential to exceed normal tissue tolerances, there is a need to have information on the efficacy and toxicity of retreatment. This article reviews the reirradiation literature and provides guidance to clinicians with regard to the risks, benefits, and side effects of retreatment.
A novel transmembrane transporter encoded by the XPCT gene in Xq13.2

To study the regulation and chromosomal basis of X chromosome inactivation, we have physically characterized the region in Xq13.2 known to contain the X inactivation center (XIC), a locus required in cis for inactivation to occur. Here, we report a novel gene isolated by positional cloning in this region. The gene (previously identified as DXS128E) encodes a predicted 67 kDa protein containing twelve hydrophobic transmembrane domains, characteristic of a family of transporter proteins. Presence of an N-terminal PEST domain, consisting mainly of proline/glutamic acid repeats, suggests that the protein may be rapidly or conditionally degraded. We designate this gene XPCT for X-linked PEST-containing transporter. Expression studies suggest that XPCT is subject to X chromosome inactivation, being expressed only from the active X, despite mapping within 600 kb of the XIST gene which is expressed exclusively from the inactive X. Thus, a chromosomal switch in inactivation pattern occurs between these two genes on the X chromosome.
Saudi Women's Beliefs on the Use of Car Infant Restraints: A Qualitative Study

Objective: The focus of this study was to identify the salient beliefs of pregnant women in Saudi Arabia that may influence their intentions to use infant restraints for their children. These beliefs were later used to inform a subsequent quantitative study.Methods: This qualitative study employed Ajzen's theory of planned behavior to elicit the salient behavioral, normative, and control beliefs of Saudi pregnant women regarding the use of infant restraints for their future children. Twenty-five pregnant women participated in 2 focus groups conducted in June 2013 at Dallah Hospital in Riyadh.Results: Lack of health education and law enforcement; cultural pressure and traditions; counsel from family, specifically from husbands and mothers; desire to stay close to the child; family size; and car size were key factors in deciding whether or not to use car seats; the high cost of car seats was not.Conclusions: Aside from providing awareness to future mothers and the general public, health interventions should...
Stochastic Modeling of Ca2+-Channel / BKCa-Channel Complexes

Over the last several years evidence has accumulated that indicates that in the brain BKCa-channel activity often affects the firing properties of neurons and in some cases the extent of neurotransmitter release. And it has become clear that BKCa channels often form molecular complexes with voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (CaV channels) such that, when a CaV channel is activated, the ensuing influx of Ca2+ activates its closely associated BKCa channel. Thus, in modeling the electrical properties of neurons it would be advantageous to have quantitative models of CaV/BKCa complexes. Furthermore, in a population of CaV/BKCa complexes, because all CaV channels are not open at the same time, all BKCa channels are not exposed to the same Ca2+ concentration at the same time. Thus stochastic rather than deterministic models are required to simulate the behavior of populations of CaV/BKCa complexes. To date however no such stochastic models have been described. To address this need we have recently developed a stochastic CaV/BKCa model that faithfully reproduces the behaviors of both channels in vitro. Here we describe this model and demonstrate its response to various action-potential-like stimuli. The predicted relationship between the activation of a CaV channel and the subsequent activation of its associated BK channel has been examined. We view our model as an important building block for the development of more complex models of neural function.
Generalized tandem feature extraction

We study the use of a generalized multilayer perceptron (MLP) architecture to tandem feature extraction. In the tandem feature extraction scheme an MLP with a softmax output layer is discriminatively trained to estimate phoneme posterior probabilities on a labeled database. The outputs of the MLP after nonlinear transformation and whitening are used as features in a Gaussian mixture model (GMM) based speech recognizer. We consider three layer MLPs with a linear output layer. They nonlinearly transform the input data to a higher dimensional space defined by the output of hidden units and perform linear discriminant analysis (LDA) on the hidden unit outputs. We compare the performances of these features with the direct application of LDA on input data, which is equivalent to MLP with linear hidden and output layers. The tandem features outperform those obtained from LDA and linear output MLPs on a connected digit recognition task.
Inflammatory myopathies: disease mechanisms.

Purpose of reviewRecent developments pertaining to disease mechanisms in the inflammatory myopathies are discussed, emphasizing those areas that are of particular interest to me.Recent findingsThe identification and further characterization of the type 1 interferon pathway in dermatomyositis is lead
Optimization of the body-diode of power MOSFETs for high efficiency synchronous rectification

An investigation is performed in this paper upon the impact of the parasitic bipolar junction transistor (BJT) with respect to the body-diode characteristics of the power MOSFET. Simulated and experimental results show that the forward conduction and the reverse recovery characteristics of the body-diode can be improved by enhancing the parasitic BJT, formed by the N/sup +/ source (emitter), P-well (base) and N-epi layer (collector) of power MOSFETs, Furthermore, the trade-off between enhancing the parasitic BJT and retaining the device's unclamped inductive switching (UIS) capability is also addressed.
The design of a low power carbon nanotube chemical sensor system

This paper presents a hybrid CNT/CMOS chemical sensor system that comprises of a carbon nanotube sensor array and a CMOS interface chip. The full system, including the sensor, consumes 32 muW at 1.83 kS/s readout rate, accomplished through an extensive use of CAD tools and a model-based architecture optimization. A redundant use of CNT sensors in the frontend increases the reliability of the system.
Growth of epitaxial β-FeSi2 thin films by pulsed laser deposition on silicon (111)

Epitaxial films of semiconducting iron disilicide (β-FeSi 2 ) have been grown by pulsed laser deposition. We find that pulsed laser deposition creates conditions favorable to the formation of films with the smallest geometric misfit possessed by this material system. In situ reflection high energy electron diffraction results indicate a layer by layer growth of the silicide. Analysis of transmission electron diffraction data has determined that the films are single phase and that this growth method reproduces the epitaxial relationship: β-FeSi 2 (001) ‖ Si(111).
The role of YY1 in reduced HP1α gene expression in invasive human breast cancer cells

Heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) associates with chromatin by binding to histone H3 and contributes to gene silencing. There are three isoforms of HP1 in mammals: HP1α, β, and γ. Studies have shown that the level of HP1α is reduced in invasive human breast cancer cell lines such as MDA-MB-231 and HS578T compared with non-invasive cell lines such as MCF7 and T47D. It is hypothesized that reduced HP1α expression may lead to impaired epigenetic silencing of genes that are important in the acquisition of an invasive phenotype. We set out to determine whether reduced expression of HP1α in invasive breast cancer cell lines occurs at the level of transcription. We used transient transfection assays to investigate the mechanism of differential transcriptional activity of the human HP1α gene promoter in different cell lines. Mutational analysis of putative transcription factor binding sites in an HP1α gene reporter construct was performed to identify transcription factors responsible for the differential activity. SiRNA-mediated knockdown and chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments were performed to determine the role of a specific transcription factor in regulating the HP1α gene. The transcription factor yin yang 1 (YY1) was found to play a role in differential transcriptional activity of the HP1α gene. Examination of the YY1 protein and mRNA levels revealed that both were reduced in the invasive cell line HS578T compared with MCF7 cells. YY1 knockdown in MCF7 cells resulted in a decreased level of HP1α mRNA, indicating that YY1 positively regulates HP1α expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments verified YY1 occupancy at the HP1α gene promoter in MCF7 cells but not HS578T cells. Overexpression of YY1 in HS578T cells decreased cell migration in a manner independent of HP1α overexpression. Our data suggests that a reduction of YY1 expression in breast cancer cells could contribute to the acquisition of an invasive phenotype through increased cell migration as well as by reduced expression of HP1α.
A guided tour in protein interaction space: Coiled coils from the yeast proteome

Exploring the interactions among the proteins identified by genome sequencing can be overwhelming. Like a visitor arriving in a new country, there are many different ways to take in the points of interest. In the pregenomic era, we tended to stay in particular neighborhoods and study them in great detail. By analogy, we've learned a lot about protein–protein interactions from studying specific proteins or biochemical activities from many model organisms. Complete genome sequences have whetted our appetite for a different kind of exploring by giving us the genes for every protein encoded by the genome. Now we can complement our knowledge of the famous landmarks with a directory of every building. Recent papers from Uetz et al. (1) and Ito et al. (2) have described the early progress at generating a comprehensive census of the protein–protein interactions from the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. These two groups both used the yeast two-hybrid system (3) as a rapid and generalizable assay to detect interactions between any two proteins, called the bait and the prey. Pairwise combinations of proteins were examined where a full-length ORF of every known or predicted gene from S. cerevisiae was used as bait and/or prey.
Bilayer edge and curvature effects on partitioning of lipids by tail length: atomistic simulations.

The partitioning of lipids among different microenvironments in a bilayer is of considerable relevance to characterization of composition variations in biomembranes. Atomistic simulation has been ill-suited to model equilibrated lipid mixtures because the time required for diffusive exchange of lipids among microenvironments exceeds typical submicrosecond molecular dynamics trajectories. A method to facilitate local composition fluctuations, using Monte Carlo mutations to change lipid structures within the semigrand-canonical ensemble (at a fixed difference in component chemical potentials, Δμ), was recently implemented to address this challenge. This technique was applied here to mixtures of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine and a shorter-tail lipid, either symmetric (didecanoylphosphatidylcholine (DDPC)) or asymmetric (hexanoyl-myristoylphosphatidylcholine), arranged in two types of structure: bilayer ribbons and buckled bilayers. In ribbons, the shorter-tail component showed a clear enrichment at the highly curved rim, more so for hexanoyl-myristoylphosphatidylcholine than for DDPC. Results on buckled bilayers were variable. Overall, the DDPC content of buckled bilayers tended to exceed by several percent the DDPC content of flat ones simulated at the same Δμ, but only for mixtures with low overall DDPC content. Within the buckled bilayer structure, no correlation could be resolved between the sign or magnitude of the local curvature of a leaflet and the mean local lipid composition. Results are discussed in terms of packing constraints, surface area/volume ratios, and curvature elasticity.
Reevaluating humeral length for the detection of fetal trisomy 21

Objective. The purpose of this study was to analyze humeral length (HL) in a normal population and to compare that with HL in a population of fetuses with trisomy 21 to determine the most efficient discriminating parameters for diagnostic accuracy. Methods. A nested case-control study comparing HLs from a normal population and a population of fetuses with trisomy 21 was conducted. Humeral length was regressed against gestational age for a consecutive well-dated population of normal singleton gestations presenting to the Washington University School of Medicine prenatal diagnosis units over a 5-year period. A second population of well-dated pregnancies with trisomy 21 diagnosed either prenatally or postnatally was also selected on the basis of the same criteria, except that anomalous fetuses were included. Various discriminating thresholds for a short HL were compared for efficiency in the detection of trisomy 21. These included the following: observed/expected HL (≤0.89), biparietal diameter/HL greater than 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.75, 1.8, and 1.85 SD above the mean for gestation, HL less than 0.8 or less than 0.9 multiple of the median, and HL less than the fifth percentile for gestation. Results. A total of 620 normal pregnancies and 32 with trisomy 21 were extracted from the database. A receiver operating characteristic curve revealed HL less than the fifth percentile as the optimal discriminator for trisomy 21 detection (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.80). The positive likelihood ratio (LR+) was greatest (25.0) with HL less than the fifth percentile. When HL was considered in isolation without other sonographic markers of trisomy 21, the LR+ was 6.3. Conclusions. Humeral length less than the fifth percentile was the most effective discriminator among
HIV post-exposure prophylaxis among police and corrections officers.

Background Police and correctional officers face the occupational hazard of blood and body fluid exposures, which carry the risk of infection with HIV. Aims To estimate the incidence rate (IR) of emergency department (ED) visits for blood or body fluid exposures sustained by police and corrections officers in an entire state and to quantify the utilization of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in response to these exposures. Methods A retrospective study of police and corrections officers presenting to EDs in Rhode Island between 1995 and 2001. The investigators estimated IRs of ED visits for these exposures with 95% confidence intervals and determined factors associated with HIV PEP using bivariate Pearson's χ2 analyses. Results The average annual incidence of ED visits for blood or body fluid exposures over the study period was IR 4.41 (2.31–6.51) exposures per 1000 police and corrections personnel. Only 15% of officers sustained percutaneous injuries or blood-to-mucous membrane exposures. Sixteen officers were offered HIV PEP and 10 accepted it. Offering of HIV PEP was 3.3-fold greater for officers sustaining percutaneous and blood-to-mucous membrane exposures instead of other body fluid exposures. Conclusion The incidence of ED visits for blood or body fluid exposures by police and corrections officers was low and most exposures did not have the potential for HIV transmission. HIV PEP was infrequently used for these exposures.
Wolf use of summer territory in northeastern Minnesota

Movements of wolves (Canis lupus) during summer 2003 and 2004 in the Superior National Forest were based around homesites but included extensive use of territories. Away from homesites, wolves used different areas daily, exhibiting rotational use. Mean daily range overlap was 22% (SE = 0.02) and that of breeding wolves was significantly greater than for nonbreeders (x = 25% and 16%, respectively). Rotational use may improve hunting success. Managers seeking to remove entire packs must maintain control long enough to ensure that all pack members are targeted.
Changes after multidisciplinary pain treatment in patient pain beliefs and coping are associated with concurrent changes in patient functioning.

Little is known about how patient functioning changes after completion of multidisciplinary pain programs, and what factors are associated with such changes when they occur; for example, whether improvement or deterioration in functioning corresponds to changes in patient beliefs and coping during this period. The objective of this study was to examine the extent to which changes in patient pain and functioning were associated with changes in beliefs and coping after multidisciplinary pain treatment. Patients with chronic pain (N = 141) completed outcome (pain, functioning) and process (beliefs, catastrophizing, coping) measures at the end of multidisciplinary pain treatment and 12 months posttreatment. On average, patients reported similar levels of pain at both times, but showed a small worsening in disability and depression outcomes between posttreatment and follow-up, which were associated significantly with concurrent changes in the process measures. In particular, increased belief in oneself as disabled by pain, catastrophizing, and increased use of resting, guarding and asking for assistance in response to pain were linked with increased disability and depression. Decreased perceived control over pain was also consistently associated with worsening of these outcomes. The results highlight the potential importance of specific pain-related beliefs and coping responses in long-term patient pain and adjustment. Research is needed to determine whether booster interventions after the end of intensive multidisciplinary treatment that target these beliefs and coping responses improve long-term outcomes.
Magnetic domains on unpolished and polished surfaces of titanium‐rich titanomagnetite

Magnetic domains on unpolished and polished surfaces of synthetic aluminium-magnesium titanium-rich titanomagnetite (AMTM60) have been investigated with the dried Bitter method and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The high magnification and superior resolution of the SEM afforded easy measurements of characteristic domain features, including domain wall widths. The large depth of field of the SEM also allowed domain patterns on unpolished sample surfaces to be studied. It was found that analogous domain structures were observed on unpolished, unpolished but acid-etched, and ionically polished surfaces. However, even on unpolished surfaces, the domain style in AMTM60 was different from that expected for this material based on its cubic magnetocrystalline anisotropy. Features commonly observed on unpolished surfaces included (1) closely spaced stripe domains, (2) sinusoidally wavy walls, (3) rows of circular spike domains, and (4) complicated wavy wall patterns consisting of star like features enclosed by undulating and branching walls. All these features corresponded to domain structures found in uniaxial materials whose anisotropy Ku and saturation magnetization Ms satisfy the condition 2πMs2/Ku<1. The source of the uniaxial anisotropy in AMTM60 was most likely due to residual stress. Quantitative estimates of the exchange and anisotropy constants in AMTM60 were obtained from analysis of domain patterns using a theoretical model for sinusiodally wavy walls. Furthermore, as predicted by theory, wall widths increased and anisotropy decreased as the geometric complexity of the domain pattern increased from simple stripe domains to complicated wavy wall domains in response to a decrease in local residual stresses. Finally, it was observed that there was an important difference between domain style on polished and unpolished surfaces. On ionically polished surfaces only, many regions exhibited a “patchy” appearance, in which the domain style changed abruptly or in which domain walls disappeared completely at the edge of the patch and suggested that stresses produced by mechanical polishing may not have been removed completely or uniformly by ionic polishing. Consequently, it is uncertain how much of the intrinsic domain structure in titanium-rich titanomagnetites survives mechanical polishing.
A Serological Investigation of BK Virus and JC Virus Infections in Recipients of Renal Allografts

BK virus (BKV) and JC virus (JCV) infections were evaluated in a serological study of 496 renal transplant recipients and their donors. A seropositive donor increased the rate of primary and reactivation infections with BKV and of primary infections with JCV. BKV infection rates were not influenced by the source of the renal allograft (cadaver versus living related donor); however, primary JCV infections occurred more often in recipients of seropositive cadaveric kidneys. Reactivated JCV infections occurred less frequently in patients treated with antilymphocyte preparation. BKV and JCV infections in renal transplant recipients may be caused either by reactivation of the recipient's latent virus or by virus from the donor kidney. These infections are, however, not associated with adverse outcome (death, high serum creatinine level, or loss of renal function) in the recipient in the early post-transplant period.
Reestablishment of a Rodent Community in Restored Desert Scrub

I conducted small-mammal trapping surveys on a desert scrub restoration site in Palm Springs, California, to document concomitant recovery of the rodent community. These surveys were conducted following quantitative vegetation sampling efforts that indicated that a predefined successful restoration criterion of 15% total shrub cover had been met throughout most of the area. But shrub cover, native shrub cover, herb cover, native herb cover, total cover, and total native cover remained significantly lower in the restoration area than in undeveloped desert scrub immediately surrounding the site. Native herb species richness was also generally lower in the restoration area. Despite these vegetation differences, rodent diversity, evenness, and abundance were very similar between the restoration and natural areas (they were consistently slightly higher in the restoration area). More diverse microhabitats, proximity to water, and reduced competition with harvester ants may have contributed to this outcome. If ecosystem restoration is the goal, reestablishment of a faunal community in restored habitat, rather than surpassing a predefined percent cover of vegetation, may be a better indicator of success, because plant cover proved to be a poor predictor of mammal success.
Time-dependent hypoxic ventilatory responses in rats: effects of ketanserin and 5-carboxamidotryptamine.

We hypothesized that the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) active drugs ketanserin and 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT) would modulate time-dependent hypoxic phrenic and hypoglossal responses, including1) s...
Analysis Of Global Trends In Building Ubiquitous Information Technology Market Environment

This study found that each country, in order to propel the Global Ubiquitous Information Technology (IT) Business Market, has initiated strategies that utilize its own strengths in the IT industry. Ubiquitous information technology is recognized as a new strategy to propel the information industry and to enhance country's competitive power in the global information economy. IT companies in leading IT countries including the United States, Japan, and several European countries engage in active investment and research through a cooperative system among the industry, universities, and the government. Transition to a ubiquitous society may be a quiet revolution, but the reaching effects of the transition will be tremendous. Countries and enterprises should sense what consumers and market demand and should respond to it quickly. Only when countries and enterprises catch the latest information and process it for application, they can expect to succeed.
Results of the first dermatomycological quality control study in Germany.

For the first time in the history of German mycology, a multicenter study for identification of dermatophytes, yeasts and molds was conducted under the auspices of the German Speaking Mycological Society and the German Dermatological Society. A total of 1,008 dermatological offices and dermatology hospitals as well as 106 institutes of microbiology participated in this voluntary quality control trial. They were requested to identify four pathogens: Trichophyton tonsurans, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Aspergillus niger, and Candida glabrata. T. tonsurans was correctly determined by 749 participants (67,2%), T. mentagrophytes by 974 (87,4%),A. niger by 922 (82,8%) and C. glabrata by 973 (87,3%). Four pathogens were identified at the species level by 591 investigators (53,1%). Three species were correctly identified by 310 investigators (27,8%), two by 143 (12,8%) and 0-1 by 70 (6,3%). The first dermatomycological quality control study in Germany may therefore be considered a success. Further trials will be carried out, initially at intervals of one year.
A Fully Automatic Approach for the Accurate Localization of the Pupils

This paper presents a new method to automatically locate pupils in images (even with low-resolution) containing human faces. In particular pupils are localized by a two steps procedure: at first self-similarity information is extracted by considering the appearance variability of local regions and then they are combined with an estimator of circular shapes based on a modified version of the Circular Hough Transform. Experimental evidence of the effectiveness of the method was achieved on challenging databases containing facial images acquired under different lighting conditions and with different scales and poses.
A Novel Calibration Method for Multi-Hole Pitot Tubes

The ANFIS algorithm was first applied to calibration modeling of the multi-hole pitot tube in this study. Owing to its capability of efficient learning, easy implementation and excellent explanation through fuzzy rules, ANFIS can help identify the dominant parameters and construct fuzzy learning system. After determination of the ANFIS structure from the calibration data, the network of pitot tube calibration parameters was established and the correlation among non-dimensional pressure coefficients, flow angle and flow velocity were constructed as well. Meanwhile, the air velocity can be predicted based on the measurements of flow angles and flow angle coefficients. It can reach to a high consistency of 0.0068 with the original data after iteration. Eventually, ANFIS can be integrated with real-time data acquisition system and wind tunnel due to its programmability. A large database consisting of flow properties, flow angles and the non-dimensional pressure coefficients can be efficiently established and will be helpful for shortening the calibration procedures.
ANTITRUST LAW, by Richard A. Posner

In this extensively revised second edition of a book first published in 1976, Posner offers a compact but thorough and extensively documented analysis of U.S. antitrust law, employing the economic perspective that has become dominant over the quarter century since it was advocated in the first edition. The history of U.S. antitrust enforcement is sketched, the major cases are dissected, the major areas of substantive law are treated in depth (collusion both express and tacit, mergers, price discrimination, information exchanges and vertical restrictions, and exclusionary practices), and problems with the administration and enforcement of the antitrust laws are considered at length and solutions proposed.
Effect of Stormwater on Stream Dissolved Oxygen

Closed-form and numerical integration solutions for the dissolved oxygen deficit response in natural streams with dispersion resulting from storm and combined sewer overflows are presented. The closed-form solution for an impulsive load can be used with the superposition principle to compute dissolved oxygen deficit concentration as a function of time and distance from the entry point of the stormwater overflow event. Computed values for the peak dissolved oxygen deficit and the time from entry where it occurs are expressed as single-valued functions of nondimensional groupings.
Millimeter-Wave IC-Antenna Cointegration for Integrated Transmitters and Receivers

Advances in CMOS and SiGe technologies have made millimeter (mm)-wave multielement arrays with complex architectures, high yields, and good interelement matching feasible. However, the antenna-in-package approach is challenging with a larger number of array elements due to the increase in mm-wave I/O, the need for impedance-controlled via/routing symmetry. In this work, we describe an antenna-IC cointegration approach that relies on aperture coupling between on-chip feed/ground-plane slot and an antenna-on-substrate to simultaneously achieve wide bandwidth and high efficiency. The proposed approach is validated through a 60-GHz packaged prototype in which a 60-GHz quadrupler and aperture-coupled antenna feed fabricated in a 0.18- $\mu \text{m}$ SiGe technology is cointegrated with a 60-GHz patch antenna on a 100- $\mu \text{m}$ liquid crystal polymer substrate. Measured E-plane and H-plane antenna patterns show 0-dB gain at 61 GHz (corresponding to 40% efficiency) and cross-polarization ratio of $\sim$ 10 dB, demonstrating the feasibility of the proposed approach.
Transgender and gender nonconforming adolescent care: psychosocial and medical considerations.

Purpose of review Transgender individuals display incongruence between their assigned birth sex and their current gender identity, and may identify as male, female or elsewhere on the gender spectrum. Gender nonconformity describes an individual whose gender identity, role, or expression are not typical for individuals in a given assigned sex category. This update highlights recent literature pertaining to the psychosocial and medical care of transgender and gender nonconforming (TGN) adolescents with applications for the general practitioner.
The Domestic Animals of San Xavier Del Bac

ABSTRACTLittle is known and even less has been published regarding the kinds of domestic animals that were associated with Colonial Spanish settlements in the Southwest. Recent excavations of the Spanish mission, San Xavier del Bac, near Tucson, have produced domestic animal bones in a large enough quantity to allow for recording and evaluating these early introductions into Arizona.
The case for preoperative aspirin administration in patients undergoing elective CABG: is it open or closed?

Aspirin is one of the most widely used and commonly prescribed medications in the world. It was first approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1985 for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular events in patients following an acute myocardial infarction (MI) (1) and continues to be prescribed widely for patients with and those at heightened risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD)-related events.
Spray breakup and structure of spray flames for low-volatility wet fuels

Abstract Studies of high-water-content fuels (a.k.a., wet fuels) have demonstrated that, under proper conditions, stable combustion can be achieved at very high water concentrations. Stable spray flames of wet fuels have been attained with fuel/water mixtures having stoichiometric adiabatic flame temperatures as low as 251 °C. In this study, we investigate low-volatility wet fuels, using glycerol as the fuel and ethanol as a stabilization additive. This study expands on previous work by determining the minimum amount of ethanol that needs to be added to a glycerol/water mixture to produce a stable flame and by investigating the spray dynamics and structure for these fuels, to delineate the mechanism of ignition and to understand how ethanol alters the vaporization behavior, droplet breakup, and spray dynamics. Detailed 2-D velocity, Sauter mean diameter (SMD), 2-D flux, and number concentration measurements were performed with a Phase Doppler Particle Analyzer (PDPA) in sprays of three fuel/water mixtures: (a) 30% glycerol/70% water, (b) 30% glycerol/10% ethanol/60% water, and (c) the same mixture as (b) but in a combusting spray. All percentages are by weight. Results show that the addition of ethanol to the glycerol/water mixture turns the hollow-cone spray pattern into a narrow full-cone pattern, leading to recirculation of fine droplets in the region just downstream of the nozzle, which is essential to ignition. The high concentration of fine droplets, along with the high vapor pressure and high activity coefficient of ethanol, lead to extremely rapid vaporization of ethanol in the inner recirculation zone. The combustion of the ethanol raises the temperature in this region, while the swirling flow brings heat upstream towards the nozzle, further enhancing stability. These results explain why the addition of 10% ethanol can lead to robust flames of glycerol/water mixtures that might not be expected to yield stable combustion.
Viscoelastic monitoring in pediatric trauma: a survey of pediatric trauma society members

Abstract Background Viscoelastic monitoring (VEM), including thromboelastography (TEG) and rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) in the setting of goal-directed hemostatic resuscitation has been shown to improve outcomes in adult trauma. The American College of Surgeons (ACS) Committee on Trauma recommends that “thromboelastography should be available at level I and level II trauma centers”. The purpose of this study is to determine the current availability and utilization of VEM in pediatric trauma. Methods After IRB and Pediatric Trauma Society (PTS) approval, a survey was administered to the current members of the PTS via Survey Monkey. The survey collected demographic information, hospital and trauma program type, volume of trauma admissions, and use and/or availability of VEM for pediatric trauma patients. Results We received 107 responses representing 77 unique hospitals. Survey respondents were: 61% physicians, 29% nurses, 6% trauma program managers, and 4% nurse practitioners/physician assistants. Over half of providers worked in a free standing children's hospital. Seventy-seven percent of respondents were from hospitals that had >200 trauma admissions/year, 42% were providers at ACS level 1 pediatric trauma centers, and 62% practiced at state level 1 designated centers. VEM was available to 63% of providers, but only 31% employed VEM in pediatric trauma patients. For those who had no VEM available, over 73% would utilize this technology if it was available. Seventy-one percent of providers continue to rely on conventional coagulation assays to monitor coagulopathy in pediatric trauma patients after admission. Conclusions While a growing body of evidence demonstrates the benefit of viscoelastic hemostatic assays in management of adult traumatic injuries, VEM during active resuscitation is infrequently used by pediatric trauma providers, even when the technology is readily available. This represents a timely and unique opportunity for quality improvement in pediatric trauma.
The galactic isotropic γ-ray background and implications for dark matter

Author(s): Campbell, SS; Kwa, A; Kaplinghat, M | Abstract: We present an analysis of the radial angular profile of the galacto-isotropic (GI) γ -ray flux - the statistically uniform flux in angular annuli centred on the Galactic centre. Two different approaches are used to measure the GI-flux profile in 85 months of Fermi-Large Area Telescope data: the Brock-Dechert-Scheinkman statistical method which identifies spatial correlations, and a new Poisson-ordered-pixel method which identifies non-Poisson contributions. Both methods produce similar GI-flux profiles. The GI-flux profile is well described by an existing model of bremsstrahlung, π0 production, inverse Compton scattering, and the isotropic background. Discrepancies with data in our full-sky model are not present in the GI component, and are therefore due to mismodelling of the non-GI emission. Dark matter annihilation constraints based solely on the observed GI profile are close to the thermal weakly interacting massive particle cross-section below 100 GeV, for fixed models of the dark matter density profile and astrophysical γ -ray foregrounds. Refined measurements of the GI profile are expected to improve these constraints by a factor of a few.
Impact of corrosion on the emissivity of advanced reactor structural alloys

Abstract Under standard operating conditions, the emissivity of structural alloys used for various components of nuclear reactors may evolve, affecting the heat transfer of the systems. In this study, mid-infrared emissivities of several reactor structural alloys were measured before and after exposure to environments relevant to next-generation reactors. We evaluated nickel-based alloys Haynes 230 and Inconel 617 exposed to helium gas at 1000 °C, nickel-based Hastelloy N and iron-based 316 stainless steel exposed to molten salts at 750–850 °C, 316 stainless steel exposed to liquid sodium at 650 °C, and 316 stainless steel and Haynes 230 exposed to supercritical CO2 at 650 °C. Emissivity was measured via emissive and reflective techniques using a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. Large increases in emissivity are observed for alloys exposed to oxidizing environments, while only minor differences were observed in other exposure conditions.
A multi-agent system for predicting future event outcomes

Forecasting the outcome of events that will happen in the future is a frequently indulged and important task for humans. Despite the ubiquity of the forecasts, predicting the outcome of future events is a challenging task for humans or even computers - it requires extremely complex calculations involving a reasonable amount of domain knowledge, significant amounts of information processing and accurate reasoning. Recently, a market-based paradigm called prediction markets has shown ample success to solve this problem by using the aggregated 'wisdom of the crowds' to predict the outcome of future events. This is evidenced from the successful predictions of actual events done by the Iowa Electronic Marketplace(IEM), Tradesports, Hollywood Stock Exchange, the Gates-Hillman market, etc., and by companies such as Hewlett Packard, Google and Yahoo's Yootles.
Iron Deficiency and Its Prevention

Iron deficiency is one of the most prevalent nutritional problems in the world. It has been estimated that approximately 2 × 109 people worldwide are affected by iron deficiency. Furthermore, on the basis of prevalence and health effects, iron deficiency anemia is regarded as an important public health problem. The primary factors leading to the high prevalence of iron deficiency are loss of blood, a low dietary intake of bioavailable iron, and the prevalence of inhibitors in cereal and legume food diets which are consumed daily in developing areas of the world. Iron requirements are greatest during late infancy and adolescence, and iron deficiency is common during these periods. In adults, iron absorption is needed to balance iron losses, while infants and children require additional iron for growth. Solutions to deal with the prevention and treatment of iron deficiency are based on changing diets and food habits, food fortification, and iron supplementation. Iron from animal sources, or heme iron, is the best iron source but is not readily available in developing countries. Food fortification is considered the best approach for preventing iron deficiency. Iron supplementation is commonly used for prevention and treatment of iron deficiency anemia, especially during pregnancy.
Global HBV burden: guesstimates and facts

Chronic hepatitis B virus infection (HBV) continues to pose a serious global health threat in many areas of the world, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, the Western Pacific Region and areas of Eastern Europe. Endemicity is heterogeneous within and across regions owing to variable implementation of childhood and birth-dose vaccination programs, inconsistent screening of blood products, injection drug use, and poor education initiatives. This review aims to provide comprehensive up-to-date estimates of global seroprevalence of chronic HBV across six World Health Organization (WHO) regions, noting patterns of change over time and highlighting potential region-specific barriers to the diagnosis and elimination of HBV.
Evaluating the feasibility of a community intergenerational physical activity intervention for kinship families: Professional stakeholders' perspectives.

•We assessed the feasibility of an intergenerational intervention.•We used CBPR to develop the intergenerational intervention.•Professional stakeholders deemed the intervention as feasible.•Professional stakeholders provided suggestions for future implementation.
Rising role of prescription drugs as a portal to injection drug use and associated mortality in Baltimore, Maryland.

Introduction Prescription drug abuse is a major public health problem in rural and suburban areas of the United States, however its emergence in large urban settings with endemic injection drug use remains understudied. We examined temporal trends in injection drug use initiation and mortality among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Baltimore, Maryland. Methods Data were derived from the baseline assessment of PWID enrolled in a community-based cohort study with longitudinal follow-up for mortality assessment. PWID were recruited from 2005–2008 (N = 1,008) and 2015–2018 (N = 737). We compared characteristics by birth cohort (before/after 1980) and type of drug initiated (prescription opioids, prescription non-opioids, non-injection illicit drugs, or injection drugs). We calculated standardized mortality ratios (SMR) using the US general population as the reference. Results PWID born after 1980 were more likely to initiate drug use with prescription opioids and non-opioids and had higher levels of polysubstance prior to injection initiation, compared to individuals born before 1980. Overall mortality was high: 2.59 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 2.27–2.95 per 100 person-years). Compared to the US population, the highest SMRs were observed among participants between 40–44 years of age, with especially high mortality among women in this age group (SMR:29.89, 95% CI: 15.24–44.54). Conclusions Mirroring national trends, the profile of PWID in Baltimore has changed with increased prescription drug abuse and high levels of polysubstance use among younger PWID. Interventions need to reach those using prescription drugs early after initiation of use in order to reduce transition to injecting. Urgent attention is warranted to address premature mortality, particularly among middle-aged and female PWID.
An emerging phenotype of central nervous system involvement in Pompe disease: from bench to bedside and beyond

Pompe disease (PD) is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme acid-alpha glucosidase (GAA). Pathogenic variants in the GAA gene lead to excessive accumulation of lysosomal glycogen primarily in the cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscles. There is growing evidence of central nervous system (CNS) involvement in PD. Current research is focused on determining the true extent of CNS involvement, its effects on behavior and cognition, and effective therapies that would correct the disease in both muscle and the CNS. This review article summarizes the CNS findings in patients, highlights the importance of research on animal models, explores the probable success of gene therapy in reversing CNS pathologies as reported by some breakthrough preclinical studies, and emphasizes the need to follow patients and monitor for CNS involvement over time. Lessons learned from animal models (bench) and from the literature available to date on patients will guide future clinical trials in patients (bedside) with PD. Our preliminary studies in infantile PD show that some patients are susceptible to early and extensive CNS pathologies, as assessed by neuroimaging and developmental assessments. This article highlights the importance of neuroimaging which could serve as useful tools to diagnose and monitor certain CNS pathologies such as white matter hyperintense foci (WMF) in the brain. Longitudinal studies with large sample sizes are warranted at this time to better understand the emergence, progression and consequences of CNS involvement in patients with PD.
Innovation-led growth in a time of debt

Abstract We study the effects of large reductions in government budget deficits (labeled “fiscal consolidations”) on firms’ entry, innovative investments, productivity and per capita output growth in a model of endogenous technological change. Due to the absence of lump-sum taxes, temporary budget deficits set government debt-output ratios on unsustainable paths. An equilibrium then requires the specification of a date at which the debt-output ratio is stabilized at a constant finite value. We discipline parameters using post-war observations for the U.S. economy. We find that fiscal consolidations produce persistent growth slowdowns, permanently lowering the path of per capita output relative to a benchmark economy in which the fiscal consolidation is achieved with lump-sum taxes. These output losses are sizable. In this sense, government debt is a burden on the economy. Tax-based consolidations produce output losses that are twice as large as those from spending-based consolidations.
Anyone for tennis or volleyball

The following question was posed by Karen Ireland (St Henry's Marist College, Durban) on the maths_FET electronic discussion group.
Raman Spectroscopy Analysis of the Structure and Surface Chemistry of Ti3C2Tx MXene

Raman spectroscopy is one of the most useful tools for the analysis of two-dimensional (2D) materials. While MXenes are a very large family of 2D transition metal carbides and nitrides, there have ...