cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
RF and low-frequency noise models for RF Si MOS transistors

Developing noise models for MOS transistors has recently been an active area of work because (i) a noise model is essential for many of the RF and microwave applications of the devices that have been enabled by the high device cutoff frequencies resulting from shrinking gate lengths ; (ii) the existing noise models employed in CAD software have severe limitations of applicability, consistency and parameter robustness; (iii) the existing noise models are not directly applicable or extendible to devices with sub 100 nm gates due to the appearance of new physical phenomena. The first part of this talk will include a brief survey of the current status of noise models for RF MOS devices, covering the range from theoretical foundations to practical CAD models. The second part will focus on one particular topic (the speakerpsilas own area of research, obviously!) - the RF and the low-frequency noise in the devices (including SOI devices), and its modeling. Progress towards the ultimate goal of developing a versatile, robust model that is also physically-based will be described.
Physicians, Cost Control, and Ethics

Rising health care expenditures have led to numerous cost-control proposals. An examination of the ethical questions surrounding the role that physicians play in the control of health care costs suggests that unilateral rationing decisions by individual physicians at the bedside are morally unacceptable. Such decisions are arbitrary, ineffective in redistributing health care resources, and formally unjust. Restrictive gatekeeping (the creation of financial incentives for physicians to limit care given to individual patients) also seems unacceptable because of its morally significant effects. First, it disguises the role of those actually responsible for cost-control decisions; second, it routinely creates a "moral stress test" by forcing physicians to act in ways that are contrary to their own interests in order to serve the needs of patients; third, it undermines the trust between doctor and patient; and fourth, it rations by class of persons rather than class of technology. In contrast, a morally sound system would attempt to control costs by honestly informing patients and assigning responsibility justly, would encourage physicians to act in the interests of patients, would foster trust, and would recognize the great importance of equal treatment for all patients. Such a system would depend on input from an informed public and would apply equally to all members of society.
Use of solvent free‐volume parameters from 13c relaxation to study polymer/solvent diffusion behavior

Variable temperature 13 C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spin-lattice (T 1 ) relaxation studies were carried out using pure ethylbenzene, tetrahydrofuran, and methanol samples. Single correlation times, determined from an isotropic rotational diffusion model, were correlated successfully using the free-volume equation. The solvent free-volume parameters estimated in this study were comparable with those determined from viscosity measurements. The solvent free-volume parameters estimated in this study were then used to correlate and predict diffusion behavior of polymer/solvent systems. The results were comparable with those using the parameters from viscometry when the Vrentas-Duda free-volume diffusion model was used.
Intermittent positive pressure and the curarized rat: implications for cardiovascular conditioning.

Abstract Arterial blood gas analyses performed on noncurarized rats suggest that artificial respiration parameters specified in the literature for maintaining curarized rats in a normal physiological state are inadequate. These procedures were standardized on the assumption that the arterial P CO 2 for rats is approximately 25 mm Hg. The present analyses yielded a mean P CO 2 of 33.3 mm Hg, a value more consistent with published data. Moreover, a steady decline in heart rate and tidal volume was observed in two groups of rats respirated using reported constant pressure values, supporting reported effects of curare on lung elastance. A consideration of important hemodynamic effects of intermittent positive pressure suggests more adequate parameters for the artificial ventilation of this preparation. The technique reported herein maintains tidal volume constant and compares heart rate and temperature measures under three different ratios of inspiration and expiration. This procedure, with an I:E Ratio of 1:2, is determined to be preferable to the traditionally used constant PIP respiration with an I:E Ratio of 1:1.
Sexual differences in vasopressin receptor binding within the ventrolateral hypothalamus in golden hamsters

In the following studies, the presence of a sexual difference in arginine-vasopressin (AVP) receptor binding was tested within the ventrolateral hypothalamus (VLH), an area rich in gonadal steroid receptors. The density of AVP receptor binding was estimated by in vitro quantitative autoradiography within the entire rostro-caudal extent of the VLH. The density of AVP binding was higher in males than in females at all levels of this area. Furthermore, dependency on testosterone treatment was also compared between gonadectomized males and females. While gonadectomy resulted in a near total disappearance of binding in both males and females, testosterone treatment resulted in equally high levels of binding in both sexes. Indeed, a high density of AVP receptor binding was observed at all levels of the VLH in both testosterone-treated males and females. These results show that adult female golden hamsters are equally capable as males of expressing high levels of AVP receptor binding in the VLH in response to high levels of testosterone. Together, our results suggest that, while AVP receptor binding within the VLH is sexually different in gonadally-intact animals, these differences are not related to differential responsiveness to testosterone, but rather to a differential production and availability of the hormone.
Effects of oral androstenedione on steroid metabolism in liver of pregnant and non-pregnant female rats.

Abstract It is unknown whether androstenedione, a steroidal dietary supplement taken to enhance athletic performance, can affect physiological hormone levels by altering liver enzyme activities that metabolize steroid hormones. Altered hormone levels could be especially devastating during pregnancy. Mature female rats were gavaged with 0, 5, 30 or 60 mg/kg/day androstenedione beginning two weeks prior to mating and continuing through gestation day 19. Non-pregnant female rats were gavaged over the same time frame with 0 or 60 mg/kg/day androstenedione. Livers were removed from dams on gestation day 20 and from non-pregnant rats after five weeks’ treatment. Liver microsomes were incubated with 200 μM testosterone, and the reaction products were isolated and analyzed by HPLC. In pregnant rats, formation of 6α-, 15β-, 7α-, 16β-, and 2β-hydroxytestosterone was increased significantly vs. control at the highest dose level only. Formation of 6β-hydroxytestosterone increased significantly at both the 30 and 60 mg/kg/day dose levels. In non-pregnant rats, 60 mg/kg/day androstenedione significantly increased formation of 15β-, 6β-, 16β-, and 2β-hydroxytestosterone. The data suggest that high oral doses of androstenedione can induce some female rat liver cytochromes P450 that metabolize steroid hormones and that the response to androstenedione does not differ between pregnant and non-pregnant female rats.
The arithmetic of function fields 2: The ‘Cyclotomic’ theory

CONTENTS. I. The ciassical rheoy qf cutx~es orer a finite Jeld. 2. The ‘CFclotomic’ construction for number Jelds and function jields. 2.1. Number fields. 2.2. Function fields. 3. Complex arld p-adic zeta-functions. 3.1. The Complex theory. 3.2. The p-adic theory. 4. Classical Iwasabila rheory. 4.1. Kummer’s criterion. 4.2. The theoq of the tower. 5. Two-variable zera-functions. 5.1. The theory at infinity. 5.2. Special values. 6. The theory for futzction fields. 6.1. The basic set-up. 6.2. The Kummer criterion. 6.3. The theory of the tower. 7. L’nirs. 7. I. Number fields. 7.2. Function fields. References.
Understanding Social Welfare Capitalism, Private Property, and the Government’s Duty to Create a Sustainable Environment

No one would deny that sustainability is necessary for individual, business, and national survival. How this goal is to be accomplished is a matter of great debate. In this article I will show that the United States and other developed countries have a duty to create sustainable cities, even if that is against a notion of private property rights considered as an absolute. Through eminent domain and regulation, developed countries can fulfill their obligations to current and future generations. To do so, the governments must reject perfectly competitive free market capitalism and the absolute right to private property, and more fully adopt social welfare capitalism as their economic system. The result will be a sustainable society that balances democracy, individual rights and individual flourishing with the community’s flourishing.
Transhepatic, Transseptal, Anterograde Balloon Angioplasty for Recurrent Neonatal Coarctation

Transhepatic cardiac catheterization is useful in patients in whom more conventional routes of access are no longer patent or associated with undesirable risks. We describe our success in performing transhepatic, transeptal, anterograde balloon angioplasty without complication in a 1.6 kg neonate with recurrent aortic coarctation and femoral venous occlusion. This report illustrates the utility of a transhepatic approach, even in very small patients.
PbS quantum dot thin film solar cells using a CdS window layer

We describe results of our investigations of the structural, optical, and electronic properties of PbS-QD films fabricated using layer-by-layer dip coating based on 1,2-ethanedithiol as an insolubilizing agent. Our investigations extend to a study of the photovoltaic properties of heterojunction thin film solar cells fabricated by sputter-deposition of a CdS ntype thin film followed by deposition of a PbS-QD thin film. Our CdS/PbS-QD solar cells exhibit open circuit voltage in excess of previously reported PbS-QD solar cells. Under standard simulated AM1.5G illumination, we observe short circuit current density as high as 12 mA cm-2, open circuit voltage as high as 0.65 V, and a maximum efficiency of 3.3%.
The association of posttraumatic stress disorder and metabolic syndrome: a study of increased health risk in veterans

There is accumulating evidence for a link between trauma exposure, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and diminished health status. To assess PTSD-related biological burden, we measured biological factors that comprise metabolic syndrome, an important established predictor of morbidity and mortality, as a correlate of long-term health risk in PTSD. We analyzed clinical data from 253 male and female veterans, corresponding to five factors linked to metabolic syndrome (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, waist-to-hip ratio and fasting measures of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, serum triglycerides and plasma glucose concentration). Clinical cut-offs were defined for each biological parameter based on recommendations from the World Health Organization and the National Cholesterol Education Program. Controlling for relevant variables including sociodemographic variables, alcohol/substance/nicotine use and depression, we examined the impact of PTSD on metabolic syndrome using a logistic regression model. Two-fifths (40%) of the sample met criteria for metabolic syndrome. Of those with PTSD (n = 139), 43% met criteria for metabolic syndrome. The model predicted metabolic syndrome well (-2 log likelihood = 316.650, chi-squared = 23.731, p = 0.005). Veterans with higher severity of PTSD were more likely to meet diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome (Wald = 4.76, p = 0.03). These findings provide preliminary evidence linking higher severity of PTSD with risk factors for diminished health and increased morbidity, as represented by metabolic syndrome.
Effects of diuretics on plasma volume in pregnancies with long-term hypertension

The purpose of this randomized, prospective study was to investigate the effects of diuretics on plasma volume findings and perinatal outcome in pregnancies complicated by mild long-term hypertension. Twenty patients were in their first trimester and were receiving diuretics at time of entry to the study: Ten patients were allowed to continue their diuretic medication throughout pregnancy (diuretic group), whereas for the other 10 patients, diuretics were discontinued immediately. Plasma volume was serially measured throughout pregnancy with the use of the Evans blue dye-dilution technique. Initial plasma volume was similar in the two groups. However, in the diuretic group, subsequent plasma volume findings at various stages of gestation were markedly reduced when compared to respective plasma volume findings in the other group. In addition, plasma volume expansion was minimal in the diuretic group (mean increase of 18%), whereas it was normal in the other group (mean increase of 52%). Two patients in the diuretic group and one patient in the other group required other antihypertensive medication. There was no difference in perinatal outcome between the two groups. These results suggest that in hypertensive pregnancies, diuretics prevent normal plasma volume expansion without influencing perinatal outcome.
Pediatric acute lung injury.

Acute lung injury (ALI) is characterized by acute pulmonary inflammation causing severe hypoxia and often leading to respiratory failure. About 9 % of mechanically ventilated children admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) fulfill the American-European Consensus Criteria (AECC) for ALI (Table 49.1), of which approximately 80 % suffer from its most severe form, i.e., the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (Bernard et al. 1994; Bindl et al. 2005; Dahlem et al. 2003). The AECC criteria aim to guide clinicians in their daily judgement of patients and also help researchers to define a homogenous group of patients for investigations.
Enhanced power transfer and mode coupling in spun twin-core optical fibers

In a twin-core optical fiber a propagating light pulse periodically transfers power between its two cores. Experiments by Tjugiarto et al. [Opt. Lett. 17, 1058 (1992)] have demonstrated that this coupling length is considerably reduced when the fiber is also spun. A coupled-mode analysis reveals a pitch resonance that couples a cladding mode with the circularly polarized core mode whose handedness matches that of the helical twist of the cores. This resonance mechanism explains the observation of enhanced coupling and cladding-mode cross coupling.
Observations of the Surf-Zone Turbulent Dissipation Rate

AbstractThe contributions of surface (breaking wave) boundary layer (SBL) and bottom (velocity shear) boundary layer (BBL) processes to surf-zone turbulence is studied here. The turbulent dissipation rate ϵ, estimated on a 160-m-long cross-shore instrumented array, was an order of magnitude larger within the surf zone relative to seaward of the surf zone. The observed ϵ covaried across the array with changing incident wave height, tide level, and alongshore current. The cross-shore-integrated depth times ϵ was correlated with, but was only 1% of, the incident wave energy flux, indicating that surf-zone water-column turbulence is driven directly (turbulence injected by wave breaking) or indirectly (by forcing alongshore currents) by waves and that the bulk of ϵ occurs in the upper water column. This small fraction is consistent with laboratory studies. The surf-zone-scaled (or Froude-scaled) ϵ is similar to previous field observations, albeit somewhat smaller than laboratory observations. A breaking-wave ϵ...
Rapid pulsed microwave propagation

Transit time measurements of the leading edge of pulse modulated microwaves in open space and inside a rectangular waveguide have been performed. The experimental setup used is described. Both measurements show that a part of the energy associated with the leading edge of the pulse propagates with the phase velocity. Calibration techniques and repeated measurements confirm this phenomenon. >
Do urban parents' interests in safety topics match their children's injury risks?

Objective: To assess childhood injury risk and parents’ injury interests, and the association between the two. Method: A cross-sectional computer and telephone survey was conducted as part of a randomized controlled trial. The authors enrolled parents of children being seen at an urban pediatric primary care practice and measured selected injury knowledge, beliefs and safety practices. Parents were asked to select two of four topics of interest and recommendations regarding them were included in a computer-tailored report. Results: Participants (N = 105) were assessed as being at risk for all four areas: poisoning (88%), fires (85%), falls (55%), and car crashes (18%). Parents were interested in poisoning (81%) and car crashes (49%); their interests were unrelated to child’s assessed risk. Conclusion: Soliciting parents’ interests prior to counseling may help to identify priority areas for counseling as well as dispel myths and unfounded fears regarding childhood injury risks.
Drugs, Doctors, Profits, and Conflicts of Interest-Avastin versus Lucentis.

The choice ophthalmologists make when deciding between Avastin and Lucentis for the management of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) illustrates how fee-for-service conflicts of interest might compromise patient care and burden the health care system. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
“Life is Short, Medicine is Long”: Reflections on a Bioethical Insight

The famous first aphorism of Hippocrates, “Life is short, the art is long” was long considered a perfect summary of medical ethics. Modern physicians find the words impossible to understand. But it can be interpreted as a fundamental insight into the ethical problems of modern medicine. The technology of modern scientific medicine can sustain life, even when life is losing its vitality. How should decisions be made about the use of technology and by whom? This is the incessant question of modern medical ethics.
Pursuing the performance potential of dynamic cache line sizes

We examine the application of offline algorithms for determining the optical sequence of loads and superloads (a load of multiple consecutive cache lines) for direct-mapped caches. We evaluate potential gains in terms of miss rate and bandwidth and find that in many cases optimal superloading can noticeably reduce the miss rate without appreciably increasing bandwidth. Then we examine how this performance potential might be realized. We examine the effectiveness of a dynamic online algorithm and of static analysis (profiling) for superloading and compare these to next-line prefetching. Experimental results show improvements comparable to those of the optimal algorithm in terms of miss rates.
An Overview of Pediatric Dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing or dysphagia can be present in children and adults alike. Pediatric dysphagias have long been recognized in the literature. Certain groups of infants with specific developmental and/or medical conditions have been identified as being at high risk for developing dysphagia. Still others may present with a swallowing or feeding problem as their primary symptom. Left untreated, these problems in infants and children can lead to failure to thrive, aspiration pneumonias, gastroesophageal reflux, and/or the inability to establish and maintain proper nutrition and hydration. Awareness of the prevalence of pediatric dysphagia in today's population and the signs and symptoms of this condition aids in its treatment. Early detection of dysphagia in infants and children is important to prevent or minimize complications. This article provides a review of symptoms, etiologies, and resources available regarding management of this condition to help the primary care physician and the families of young children and infants in its management.
The role of lymphangiography in designing fields for elective pelvic node irradiation in Hodgkin's disease

Abstract Purpose: We attempted to design a standard pelvic nodal treatment field such that all lymph nodes usually visualized on lymphangiogram would be irradiated with optimal midline blocking of normal tissues. Methods and Materials: Two standard fields for treatment of pelvic lymph nodes were designed, based on bony landmarks. The standard fields were applied to the anterior-posterior view of 35 pretherapy lymphangiograms, and the fields were then assessed for inclusion of visible lymph nodes. Measurements were done on the lymphangiograms to assess the amount of additional midline blocking that could be added. Results: All visualized nodes were included in 30 patients (86%) using Standard Field I and in 33 patients (94%) using Standard Field 11, but visualized nodes plus a 1.5-cm minimum margin were included in only two patients (6%) with Field I and 24 patients (69%) with Field 11. The most frequent sites of close margins were the lateral and medial borders adjacent to the external iliac nodes. Based on the lymphangiograms, a mean of 1.6 cm in male patients and 3.1 cm in female patients could be added to the width of the midline blocks. Conclusion: Lymph angiography is useful in designing fields for pelvic node irradiation, both to improve coverage of nodes with a 1.5 cm margin and to increase the amount of central shielding of normal tissues.
The Runx2 Osteogenic Transcription Factor Regulates Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 in Bone Metastatic Cancer Cells and Controls Cell Invasion

The Runx2 (Cbfa1/AML3) transcription factor and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) are key regulators of growth plate maturation and bone formation. The genes for both proteins are characteristic markers of breast and prostate cancer cells that metastasize to bone. Here we experimentally addressed the compelling question of whether Runx2 and MMP are functionally linked. By cDNA expression array analysis, we identified MMP9 as a novel downstream target of Runx2. Like that of MMP13, MMP9 expression is nearly depleted in Runx2 mutant mice. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed the recruitment of Runx2 to the MMP9 promoter. We show by mutational analysis that the Runx2 site mediates transactivation of the MMP9 promoter in osteoblasts (MC3T3-E1) and nonosseous (HeLa) cells. The overexpression of Runx2 by adenovirus delivery in nonmetastatic (MCF-7) and metastatic breast (MDA-MB-231) and prostate (PC3) cancer cell lines significantly increases the endogenous levels of MMP9. The knockdown of Runx2 by RNA interference decreases MMP9 expression, as well as that of other Runx2 target genes, including the genes for MMP13 and vascular endothelial growth factor. Importantly, we have demonstrated using a cell invasion assay that Runx2-regulated MMP9 levels are functionally related to the invasion properties of cancer cells. These results are consistent with Runx2 control of multiple genes that contribute to the metastatic properties of cancer cells and their activity in the bone microenvironment.
A Framework for Using Geographic Information Systems Technology for Environmental Risk Assessment

This paper argues that Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and related technologies are potentially very useful for environment risk assessment (ERA) in exploring the spatial relationships between various environmental risk factors and the condition and characteristics of the population. A framework is proposed to suggest how GIS can be used in ERA for all segments of the population, including children. Several GIS analytical functions, which are most useful for ERA, are reviewed and illustrated either by existing studies or examples. The paper also points out that no matter how powerful GIS may be, they are still exploratory tools to screen for relationships to be investigated further by clinical or experimental studies. By no means GIS alone can confirm the presence of an environmental risk factor and establish its relationship to a human biological reaction. The paper also highlights two difficult issues, spatial autocorrelation, and scale-dependency, in conducting spatial data analysis. Because the l...
Design of non-periodic dielectric stacks for tailoring the emission of organic lighting-emitting diodes

The majority of photons emitted in organic light-emitting diodes are either trapped in the substrate or emitted into lossy waveguided modes. We show how optimized, non-periodic dielectric stacks inserted between the substrate and transparent anode can be used to improve the photon outcoupling efficiency by tailoring of the local photon density of states. Unlike previously demonstrated outcoupling schemes, this method does not lead to pixel blurring and maintains a Lambertian angular emission profiles within a specified cone. For small molecular weight, green-emitting devices, a 2.5-fold uniformly distributed increase in brightness is achievable for a viewing angle of 60 degrees .
Working With Missing Values

Less than optimum strategies for missing values can produce biased estimates, distorted statistical power, and invalid conclusions. After reviewing traditional approaches (listwise, pairwise, and mean substitution), selected alternatives are covered including single imputation, multiple imputation, and full information maximum likelihood estimation. The effects of missing values are illustrated for a linear model, and a series of recommendations is provided. When missing values cannot be avoided, multiple imputation and full information methods offer substantial improvements over traditional approaches. Selected results using SPSS, NORM, Stata (mvis/micombine), and Mplus are included as is a table of available software and an appendix with examples of programs for Stata and Mplus.
Virtualized Traffic: Reconstructing Traffic Flows from Discrete Spatio-Temporal Data

We present a novel concept, Virtualized Traffic, to reconstruct and visualize continuous traffic flows from discrete spatio-temporal data provided by traffic sensors or generated artificially to enhance a sense of immersion in a dynamic virtual world. Given the positions of each car at two recorded locations on a highway and the corresponding time instances, our approach can reconstruct the traffic flows (i.e. the dynamic motions of multiple cars over time) in between the two locations along the highway for immersive visualization of virtual cities or other environments. Our algorithm is applicable to high-density traffic on highways with an arbitrary number of lanes and takes into account the geometric, kinematic, and dynamic constraints on the cars. Our method reconstructs the car motion that automatically minimizes the number of lane changes, respects safety distance to other cars, and computes the acceleration necessary to obtain a smooth traffic flow subject to the given constraints. Furthermore, our framework can process a continuous stream of input data in real time, enabling the users to view virtualized traffic events in a virtual world as they occur.
Using Shapley Value to Allocate Savings in A Supply Chain

Consider two retailers, whose inventory is provided by a common supplier who bears all the inventory risk. We model the relationship among the retailers and supplier as a single-period cooperative game in which the players can form inventory-pooling coalitions. Using the Shapley value to allocate the profit, we analyze various schemes by which the supplier might pool inventory she holds for the retailers. We find, among other things, that the Shapley value allocations are individually rational and are guaranteed to coordinate the supply chain; but they may be perceived as unfair in that the retailers’ allocations can, in some situations, exceed their contribution to supply chain profit. Finally we analyze the effects of demand variance and asymmetric service level requirements on the allocations.
Monopoles, Calorons, and Dual Superconductivity

In a type II superconductor, magnetic fields are collimated into flux tubes known as Abrikosov vortices. If stable magnetic monopoles existed, and could be pair produced within a type II superconductor, then a magnetic flux tube would run between widely separated monopoles and antimonopoles, and the static monopole potential would rise linearly with monopole separation.
Doing Research: We Will Never Find Time, We Must MAKE Time

If you had been a fly on my office wall during the 12 weeks before I wrote this editorial, you would understand the title and topic of this editorial. In mid-July, my responsibilities began to incr...
Prefrontal control and predictors of cognitive behavioral therapy response in social anxiety disorder

Generalized social anxiety disorder (gSAD) is associated with aberrant anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) response to threat distractors. Perceptual load has been shown to modulate ACC activity such that under high load, when demands on processing capacity is restricted, individuals with gSAD exhibit compensatory activation to threat distractors yet under low load, there is evidence of reduced activation. It is not known if neural predictors of response to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), based on such emotional conflict resolution, interact with demands on controlled processes. Prior to CBT, 32 patients with gSAD completed an fMRI task involving a target letter in a string of identical targets (low perceptual load) or a target letter in a mixed letter string (high perceptual load) superimposed on fearful, angry and neutral face distractors. Whole-brain voxel-wise analyses revealed better CBT outcome was predicted by more frontopartial activity that included dorsal ACC (dACC) and insula to threat (vs neutral) distractors during high, but not low, perceptual load. Psychophysiological interaction analysis with dACC as the seed region revealed less connectivity with dorsolateral prefrontal cortex to threat distractors during high load. Results indicate patients with less regulatory capability when demands on higher-order control are great may benefit more from CBT.
Massachusetts Health Care Reform and Trends in Emergent Colorectal Surgery

METHODS: Risk-adjusted length of stay after elective colonic surgery was determined for all English National Health Service hospitals between January 2011 and December 2012. Units with high or low outlying length of stay were selected for interview. Public data were collected for selected units, covering a range of structures, processes, and outcomes, including number of medical staff per bed; rate of incident reporting per 100 hospital admissions; health care-acquired infection rates; and patient and staff surveys. Participant and non-participant groups were compared using the independent samples Mann-Whitney U test.
Abstract 2353: CREB regulates AP-2α transcription to determine the malignant phenotype of melanoma

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC The Activator protein-2 (AP-2) family of transcription factors consists of five different proteins which are involved in the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and carcinogenesis. Among these proteins, AP-2α has been suggested to function as a tumor suppressor in many cancers including melanoma. We have previously shown that in melanoma cell lines, acquisition of the metastatic phenotype is associated with loss of AP-2α expression and gain in expression of cAMP-responsive element (CRE)-binding protein (CREB). This inverse correlation is associated with increase of melanoma invasion and metastasis resulting in overexpression of the melanoma cell adhesion molecule MCAM/MUC18 and protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR-1). However, the molecular mechanism involved in AP-2α regulation during melanoma progression remains unknown. Analyses of AP-2α promoter for transcription factor binding sites showed two distinct CRE-like sites as well as four E2F1 sites. Herein, we propose that the inhibition of AP-2α during the transition from the Radial Growth Phase (RGP) to the Vertical Growth Phase (VGP) occurs at the transcriptional level and is regulated through binding of CREB and E2F1. Hence, AP-2α protein expression was found to be increased after utilizing small hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting CREB in two human metastatic melanoma cell lines, A375SM and C8161. Interestingly, E2F1 expression level was found to be reduced by 50% after CREB silencing in both cell lines. We also found a 20-fold increase in the luciferase activity driven by the AP-2α promoter after silencing CREB in both cell lines. In addition, point mutations at CRE-like binding sites as well as E2F1 increased the AP-2α promoter activity by more then 5-fold. To further establish the involvement of E2F1 in AP-2α regulation, we transiently overexpressed E2F1 in a low-metastatic melanoma cell line, SB-2. The AP-2α protein level as well as the promoter activity was significantly inhibited as compared to control. Finally, using Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays in both CREB silenced cell lines, we were able to confirm that CREB and E2F1 bind to the AP-2α promoter thereby inhibiting its expression. Taken together, our studies demonstrate that CREB regulates AP-2α expression, thus, contributing to the metastatic phenotype of melanoma. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2353.
Hope for America's next generation

A deluge of recent studies has shown that poorer communities suffer worse health outcomes. Among low-income Americans, life expectancy at age 40 in the poorest areas of the U.S. is 4.5 years lower than in the highest-income areas ( 1 ). In 2010, infant mortality rates in the poorest U.S. communities were over 70% higher than those in the most affluent ones [see tables S3 and S4 in ( 2 )]. On page 708 of this issue, Currie and Schwandt paint a more complicated but encouraging picture ( 2 ). They show that, despite rising inequality in almost every dimension of American life, the child mortality gap between the poorest and the richest counties has shrunk in recent decades.
Experimental Analysis of Wedges Sliding and Its Discriminant Method

A self-developed test platform was used to conduct a large number of rock wedge sliding experiments,based on which a distinguishing criterion of limit equilibrium state to judge whether the wedges slide or not was put forward. The wedges sliding process and its limit equilibrium state were studied to get the beta-alpha equation( relation between inclination and rotation angle) under different condition. The effects of rock structural plane parameters( occurrence, roughness coefficient JRC) on the correlation coefficient of the proposed function equation were quantitatively analyzed,with the beta-alpha equation given by using the known slider roughness coefficient JRC and structural plane angle ω.
Pulsed UV Light Inactivation of Salmonella Enteritidis on Eggshells and Its Effects on Egg Quality

The majority of Salmonella Enteritidis outbreaks have been related to the consumption of raw or undercooked eggs or egg-containing foods. Therefore, the U.S. Department of Agriculture mandates egg washing for all graded eggs by use of a detergent solution and sanitizer. These agencies and the egg industry have been investigating alternative decontamination techniques, which could better serve the public, minimize costs, and benefit both the public and the industry. Pulsed UV light is an emerging technology that is used to inactivate microorganisms quickly. In this study, the effectiveness of pulsed UV light was evaluated for the decontamination of eggshells. Eggs inoculated with Salmonella Enteritidis on the top surface at the equator were treated with pulsed UV light 1 to 30 s, at a distance of 9.5 and 14.5 cm from the UV lamp in a laboratory-scale, pulsed UV light chamber. Three eggs were used per treatment in each repetition, except for quality measurements, which involved six eggs per treatment in each repetition. A maximum log reduction of 5.3 CFU/cm2 was obtained after a 20-s treatment at 9.5 cm below the UV lamp at a total dose of 23.6+/-0.1 J/cm2, without any visual damage to the egg. After a 30-s treatment at 9.5 and 14.5 cm, the temperature of eggshell surfaces increased by 16.3 and 13.3 degrees C, respectively. Energy usage increased up to 35.3+/-0.1 and 24.8+/-0.1 J/cm2, after 30-s treatments at 9.5 and 14.5 cm, respectively. The effect of pulsed UV light treatments on egg quality was also evaluated. Pulsed UV-light treatments for 3, 10, and 20s at either 9.5 or 14.5 cm did not change the albumen height, eggshell strength, or cuticle presence significantly (P<0.05). This study demonstrated that pulsed UV light has potential to decontaminate eggshell surfaces.
13 – Textiles for UV protection

Publisher Summary The Ultraviolet (UV) radiation band consists of three regions: UVA (320 to 400 nm), UVB (290 to 320 nm), and UVC (200 to 290 nm). UVC is totally absorbed by the atmosphere and does not reach the earth. UVA causes little visible reaction on the skin but has been shown to decrease the immunological response of skin cells. UVB is most responsible for the development of skin cancers. The most common types of skin cancer are squamous cell and basal cell carcinoma, both of which can be cured either by excision or topical treatments. Quantitative tests to assess the ability of a textile to protect against ultraviolet radiation can be performed either through laboratory testing in vivo or instrumental measurement in vitro. Accordingly, two terms are used; Sun Protection Factor (SPF) for in vivo testing and Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) for instrumental evaluation in vitro.
Cytokine Release Syndrome: Inpatient Care for Side Effects of CAR T-Cell Therapy

Background Pediatric patients with relapsed and refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia are more often being treated with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. As with any new therapy, the management of this patient population has a unique set of challenges. The side effects of this therapy can range from mild to severe, with cytokine release syndrome being the most common reason for hospitalization. . Objectives This article presents common side effects, treatments, and challenges of caring for hospitalized patients who have received CAR T-cell therapy. . Methods A case study is used to illustrate a patient's inpatient hospitalization course after receiving CAR T-cell therapy, including the management of treatment-related toxicities. . Findings As treatments emerge, nurses will be challenged with learning the associated side effects and toxicities. CAR T-cell therapy can result in a unique trajectory of potential symptoms and the potential for complete resolution of disease.
Physical Design Challenges and Innovations to Meet Power, Speed, and Area Scaling Trend

In the advanced process technologies of 7nm and beyond, the semiconductor industry faces several new challenges: (1) aggressive chip area scaling with economically feasible process technology development, (2) sufficient performance enhancement of advanced small-scale technology with significantly increased wire and via resistances, (3) power density sustainability with ever shrinking chip area, and (4) advanced chip packaging integration solutions for complex SOC systems. In this presentation, novel physical design solutions of robust IP and design methodologies will be explored to solve these challenges. These innovations are made possible by the co-optimization of process technology, IP design and design flow automation. Density scaling is the most important indicator in the continuation of Moore's law. Before 10nm, chip area reduction is mainly achieved by fundamentally shrinking transistor and metal dimensions. Starting from 7nm, maintaining sufficient and economical scaling is hard to achieve through dimension decrease alone. We present two cost-effective enablers, FIN depopulation and EUV, along with their associated innovative standard cell structures and physical design flows, to realize additional area reduction beyond process dimension scaling. Achieving high performance is always a key index for CPU designs. However, the resistance of interconnects has grown significantly as the dimensions of wires and vias are scaled aggressively. We present novel physical design solutions of the via pillar approach using metal layer promotion and multiple-width configurable wires. This fully automated via pillar design flow mitigates the high resistance impact and becomes indispensable in high performance designs for advanced process technologies. Maintaining power densities while aggressively shrinking chip areas is also a critical requirement, especially for mobile and IoT applications. Lowering supply voltages is one of the most effective means to reducing power consumption, especially for FinFET devices with much lower threshold voltages than planar devices. However, process and timing variation is high even for FinFET devices operating at very low voltages. We present robust ultra-low voltage IP design solutions and the current status and issues of non-Gaussian and asymmetric variation modeling for ultra-low voltage timing signoffs. Finally, advanced chip packaging is presented as a viable solution for integration and system level scaling for complex SOC systems. Specific packaging solutions can meet different requirements of system die and package size, form factor, bandwidth, power and homogeneous or heterogeneous integration. For a silicon-proven system, quantitative advantages of advanced packaging over traditional packaging in silicon thickness, thermal dissipation and voltage drop are presented. Chip packaging integration flow and requirements will also be discussed.
Abstract 050: Improvements in Door to Groin Puncture Time for Surgical Stroke After Quality Protocol Interventions at the University of California, San Diego

Introduction: Delays in door to groin puncture time (DGPT) for patients with ischemic stroke caused by acute large vessel occlusion (LVO) correlate with worse clinical outcomes. Stroke centers aim ...
A systematic review of the effectiveness of flipped classrooms in medical education

Context There are inconsistent claims made about the effectiveness of the flipped classroom (FC) in medical education; however, the quality of the empirical evidence used to back up these claims is not evident. The aims of this review are to examine the scope and quality of studies on the FC teaching approach in medical education and to assess the effects of FCs on medical learning. Methods A literature search was conducted using the major electronic databases in 2016. Peer-reviewed papers were screened and reviewed according to explicit inclusion criteria. The scope and quality of all resultant studies were evaluated. Studies identified as using controlled designs were further synthesised to assess the effects of FCs on learning. Results A total of 118 articles were obtained. Full texts of 82 articles were reviewed. Nine of the included 46 articles used a controlled design when examining the effects of the FC. There were generally positive perceptions of the FC approach. However, the effects of FCs on changes in knowledge and skills were less conclusive as the effect sizes ranged from d = −0.27 to 1.21, with a median of 0.08. The varying direction and magnitude of the effect sizes, together with their 95% confidence interval, which contained zero, suggested the lack of strong evidence for the effectiveness of FCs in promoting knowledge acquisition above and beyond the traditional learning methods. Conclusions There has been a recent increase of research rigor and variety in measures of effectiveness in studies on the FC in medical education. The FC is a promising teaching approach to increase learners' motivation and engagement. More solid evidence on its effect on changes in knowledge and skills are warranted. Further studies should also examine the long-term effects of FCs with regard to knowledge retention and transfer of knowledge to professional practice and patient care.
Alternation in the human stylus maze: Time and distance factors

The present study was designed to investigate the time-distance relationship in alternation behavior in the human stylus maze. Twohundred and forty Ss were run in four major maze variations. Within this study it was found that distance, not time, was the relevant variable in alternation behavior.
Contribution of Circulatory Disturbances in Subchondral Bone to the Pathophysiology of Osteoarthritis

This review describes the contributions of abnormal bone circulation to the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis. Combining dynamic imaging with MRI and PET with previous observations reveals that venous stasis and a venous outlet syndrome is most likely the key circulatory pathology associated with the initiation or progression of osteoarthritis. MRI and PET have revealed that venous outflow obstruction results in physicochemical changes in subchondral bone to which osteoblasts are responsive. The osteoblasts express an altered pattern of cytokines, many of which can serve as structural or signaling molecules contributing to both bone remodeling and cartilage degeneration. The patterns of circulatory changes are associated with alterations in the physicochemical environment of subchondral bone, including hypoxia. Osteoblast cytokines can transit the subchondral bone plate and calcified cartilage and communicate with chondrocytes.
A multiscale fixed stress split iterative scheme for coupled flow and poromechanics in deep subsurface reservoirs

Abstract In coupled flow and poromechanics phenomena representing hydrocarbon production or CO 2 sequestration in deep subsurface reservoirs, the spatial domain in which fluid flow occurs is usually much smaller than the spatial domain over which significant deformation occurs. The typical approach is to either impose an overburden pressure directly on the reservoir thus treating it as a coupled problem domain or to model flow on a huge domain with zero permeability cells to mimic the no flow boundary condition on the interface of the reservoir and the surrounding rock. The former approach precludes a study of land subsidence or uplift and further does not mimic the true effect of the overburden on stress sensitive reservoirs whereas the latter approach has huge computational costs. In order to address these challenges, we augment the fixed-stress split iterative scheme with upscaling and downscaling operators to enable modeling flow and mechanics on overlapping nonmatching hexahedral grids. Flow is solved on a finer mesh using a multipoint flux mixed finite element method and mechanics is solved on a coarse mesh using a conforming Galerkin method. The multiscale operators are constructed using a procedure that involves singular value decompositions, a surface intersections algorithm and Delaunay triangulations. We numerically demonstrate the convergence of the augmented scheme using the classical Mandel's problem solution.
Microfluidics-Based Lysis of Bacteria and Spores for Detection and Analysis

The disruption of the membrane/coat, or lysis, of bacteria and spores is often a critical step for analyzing the intracellular molecules such as proteins and nucleic acids. In this chapter, we review recent advances in the application of microfluidic devices for lysis of bacteria and spores. We divide existent devices and methods into five categories: mechanical, chemical, thermal, laser, and electrical. We also point out future directions in this field.