cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Magneto-optical materials and designs for integrated TE- and TM-mode planar waveguide isolators: a review [Invited]

Optical isolators are unidirectional devices that employ the magneto-optical (MO) property of iron garnets to block the reflected light in almost all optical systems. Sputter deposition of either doped yttrium iron garnets (YIG) with seed-layers or seed-layer free terbium iron garnets (TIG) will help realize integrated planar isolators. Faraday rotation waveguides are designed as a viable solution to enable these monolithically integrated garnets to overcome the limitations inherent to hybrid integration of interferometric devices. In fact, small footprint Faraday rotation devices have been achieved using doped TIG for both TE/TM modes with sufficiently low loss and large isolation ratios.
Comparison of long-term outcomes between enteral nutrition via gastrostomy and total parenteral nutrition in the elderly with dysphagia: A propensity-matched cohort study

Abstract Background The long-term outcomes of artificial nutrition and hydration (ANH) in the elderly with dysphagia remain uncertain. Enteral nutrition via percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and total parenteral nutrition (TPN) are major methods of ANH. Although both can be a life-prolonging treatments, Japan has recently come to view PEG as representative of unnecessary life-prolonging treatment. Consequently, TPN is often chosen for ANH instead. This study aimed to compare the long-term outcomes between PEG and TPN in the elderly. Methods This single-center retrospective cohort study identified 253 elderly patients with dysphagia who received enteral nutrition via PEG (n=180) or TPN (n=73) between January 2014 and January 2017. The primary outcome was survival time. Secondary outcomes were oral intake recovery, discharge to home, and the incidence of severe pneumonia and sepsis. We performed one-to-one propensity score matching using a 0.05 caliper. The Kaplan–Meier method, log-rank test, and Cox proportional hazards model were used to analyze the survival time between groups. Results Older patients with lower nutritional states, and severe dementia were more likely to receive TPN. Propensity score matching created 55 pairs. Survival time was significantly longer in the PEG group (median, 317 vs 195 days; P=0.017). The hazard ratio for PEG relative to TPN was 0.60 (95% confidence interval: 0.39–0.92; P=0.019). There were no significant differences between the groups in oral intake recovery and discharge to home. The incidence of severe pneumonia was significantly higher in the PEG group (50.9% vs 25.5%, P=0.010), whereas sepsis was significantly higher in the TPN group (10.9% vs 30.9%, P=0.018). Conclusions PEG was associated with a significantly longer survival time, a higher incidence of severe pneumonia, and a lower incidence of sepsis compared with TPN. These results can be used in the decision-making process before initiating ANH.
Entire functions of bounded value distribution and gap power series

This paper discusses functions of bounded value distribution and bounded index. It is shown that there exist functions in these two classes for which the known inequality giving exponential type can be improved.
A Self-Consistent Sonification Method to Translate Amino Acid Sequences into Musical Compositions and Application in Protein Design Using Artificial Intelligence

We report a self-consistent method to translate amino acid sequences into audible sound, use the representation in the musical space to train a neural network, and then apply it to generate protein...
Predictive Prognostic Value of Ventilatory Inefficiency across the Spectrum of Heart Failure

Background Minute ventilation-carbon dioxide production relationship (VE/VCO2 slope), as assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), strongly predicts outcomes in heart failure (HF). High VE/VCO2 slope can indicate ventilatory inefficiency. A single VE/VCO2 slope threshold defining abnormal of ≥ 34 to 36 is used clinically across HF categories; however, this threshold has been validated largely in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Objectives To examine the associations between VE/VCO2 slope categories and a composite outcome of all-cause mortality and HF hospitalization across the spectrum of HF patients defined by LVEF. Methods Single-center retrospective cohort study of 1347 patients with heart failure (60.5% male, age 58.0±14.6 years, LVEF 42 ± 17%) clinically referred for CPET between 2010 and 2016. LVEF was obtained from echocardiogram (n=1309) or cardiac MRI (n=38). All-cause mortality was determined using Partners Research Patient Data Registry, which is linked to National Death Index. HF hospitalization data were adjudicated by review of electronic medical record. Patients with HF were categorized based on LVEF into heart failure with reduced (HFrEF, LVEF Results At two-year follow-up post CPET, there were 197 composite events (64 deaths and 133 HF hospitalizations). Across the entire cohort, increases in VC category were associated with increasing risk of two-year composite outcome in unadjusted and adjusted models. Compared to patients in VC-I, patients in VC-II were at increased risk of having two-year composite outcome in both HFrEF and HFpEF cohorts. Patients in VC III and IV had incremental increases in the likelihood of two-year composite outcome across all three HF cohorts (Table). Conclusions Higher VE/VCO2 slope categories are associated with increased risk of the two-year composite outcome of all-cause mortality and HF hospitalization across the spectrum of HF defined by LVEF. A VE/VCO2 slope between 29 and 36, often considered borderline in clinical practice, is associated with increased risk of this composite outcome in patients with HFrEF and HFpEF. Identifying a wider VE/VCO2 slope associated with increased risk in HF may have important implications on risk stratification clinically.
Prediction of Nonelective Central Venous Catheter Removal in Medically Complex Neonates.

Introduction Central venous catheters (CVCs) are essential to neonatal care but associated with significant morbidity. Nonelective CVC removal (NER) is an inadequately studied outcome associated with increased morbidity, infant and family stress, and cost. This study describes prevalence and predictors of NER in infants admitted to a level IV neonatal intensive care unit and NER variation between peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs), cutdown PICCs, and surgical CVCs. Methods In this study, we include patient and catheter data for infants admitted to a level IV neonatal intensive care unit (2010-2015). Demographic and clinical characteristics were compared using 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Kruskal-Wallis, and chi-square tests for continuous, non-normally distributed continuous, and categorical variables, respectively. The association between NER due to complication and infant and catheter characteristics was assessed using generalized linear mixed models. Results Patient and catheter characteristics vary significantly by catheter type. The overall rate of NER is 15% (17% PICCs, 13% cutdown PICCs, and 19% surgical CVCs). The most common indications for NER are catheter breakage, blood stream infection(BSI)/central line-associated blood stream infection(CLABSI), catheter malposition, mechanical obstruction, and extravasation. Birth weight, patient diagnosis, catheter dwell time, and concurrent catheters are associated with increased odds of NER. Conclusions Patient risk factors and potentially modifiable catheter characteristics, including catheter dwell time and concurrent catheters, are associated with increased NER. As NER is associated with a broad spectrum of adverse outcomes, we propose a quality improvement strategy to risk stratify patients and reduce exposure to high-risk, modifiable catheter characteristics.
Abstract B024: Clinical, genomic, and immune landscape of the receptor tyrosine kinase AXL in non-small cell lung cancer

Therapeutic resistance limits effective treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and a better understanding of mechanisms contributing to resistance and strategies to overcome these are urgently needed. AXL, a TAM family receptor tyrosine kinase, has emerged as a key determinant of resistance to chemotherapy, radiation and targeted therapies in NSCLC and other cancers, through its roles in mediating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and immune escape. As several small-molecule AXL inhibitors and anti-AXL biologics are currently in clinical testing, AXL has emerged as a target of interest in treatment-resistant NSCLC. Here, we investigated AXL expression in NSCLC by analyzing genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic profiles across 3 treatment-naive (1095 tumors) and 2 previously treated (245 tumors) clinical cohorts of lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. While AXL expression did not vary with disease stage, tumor samples from patients with prior systemic treatment (and subsequent relapse) had significantly higher AXL expression and were more likely to have undergone EMT (based on our published EMT score), as compared to treatment-naive NSCLC patients (p 0.3; p Citation Format: Kavya Ramkumar, Carminia M. Della Corte, Lixia Diao, Robert J. Cardnell, Vali A. Papadimitrakopoulou, John V. Heymach, Jing Wang, Don L. Gibbons, Lauren A. Byers. Clinical, genomic, and immune landscape of the receptor tyrosine kinase AXL in non-small cell lung cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2019 Oct 26-30; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2019;18(12 Suppl):Abstract nr B024. doi:10.1158/1535-7163.TARG-19-B024
Energy, temperature, and deposition angle dependence of Cd and Te2 deposited on CdTe

Abstract Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) is an important material for the production of high-efficiency thin-film solar cells. While sputter deposition has been used to create CdTe-based solar cells, two other important methods of growth are close-spaced sublimation and vapor deposition. In these methods, the depositing clusters correspond to Cd atoms and Te2 dimers while the deposition energies are relatively low. In addition, depending on vapor pressure, deposition method, and target-substrate distance, deposition may occur at relatively large angles with respect to the substrate normal. Here we investigate the dependence of the attachment probability and deposition site for Cd and Te2 clusters deposited on Cd-terminated and Te-terminated (100) and (111) surfaces of zincblende CdTe on deposition conditions. In general, we find that the deposition of Cd atoms and/or Te2 dimers on the oppositely terminated surface leads to an attachment probability which is close to 1 and relatively independent of deposition conditions for both the (100) and (111) orientations. In contrast, deposition on the same terminated surface leads to a significantly lower attachment probability which generally decreases with increasing deposition angle, energy, and substrate temperature. Our results also indicate that deposition on the (111) surface leads to a significant excess Te sticking probability. In contrast, the excess Te attachment probability for deposition on the (100) surface is typically significantly smaller, and in some cases may even be negative. We also find, for both deposition on the (111) surface as well as opposite termination deposition on the (100) surface, that the dominant deposition mode corresponds to sitting on top of the surface which corresponds to growth of the next layer. In contrast, for same termination deposition on the (100) surface the dominant deposition mode corresponds to joining the first layer. These results imply that even for low deposition energies and substrate temperatures, deposition on the (100) surface is likely to create interstitials in the surface layer.
Laxaphycins B5 and B6 from the cultured cyanobacterium UIC 10484

Two laxaphycin type-B cyclic dodecapeptides, laxaphycins B5 and B6, were obtained from UIC 10484, a freshwater cf. Phormidium sp. Analysis using the 16S rRNA sequence found UIC 10484 to clade with UIC 10045, a known laxaphycin type-A and -B producer, and MS/MS analysis revealed the presence of two novel laxaphycin type-B compounds. The structures of the metabolites were elucidated using 2D NMR and MS/MS. The absolute configurations of the amino acids were determined by advanced Marfey’s analysis. Both metabolites were evaluated against the same three cancer cell lines. The IC50 of both laxaphycins B5 and B6 was near 1 μM against breast cancer MDA-MB-231, melanoma MDA-MB-435, and ovarian cancer OVCAR3 cell lines.
Wi-COVID: A COVID-19 Symptom Detection and Patient Monitoring Framework using WiFi.

The current SARS-CoV-2, better know as COVID-19, has emerged as a serious pandemic with life-threatening clinical manifestations and a high mortality rate. One of the major complications of this disease is the rapid and dangerous pulmonary deterioration that can lead to critical pneumonia conditions, resulting in death. The current healthcare system around the world faces the potential problem of lacking resources to assist a large number of patients at the same time; then, the non-critical patients are mostly referred to perform self-isolation/quarantine at home. This pandemic has placed new demands on the health systems world, asking for novel, rapid and secure ways to monitor patients in order to detect and quickly report patient's symptoms to the healthcare provider, even if they are not in the hospital. While tremendous efforts have been done to develop technologies to detect the virus, create the vaccine, and stop the spread of the disease, it is also important to develop IoT technologies that can help track and monitor diagnosed COVID-19 patients from their homes. In this paper, we explore the possibility of monitoring respiration rates (RR) of COVID-19 patients using a widely-available technology at home - WiFi. Using the at-home WiFi signals, we propose Wi-COVID, a non-invasive and non-wearable technology to monitor the patient and track RR for the healthcare provider. We first introduce the currently available applications that can be done using WiFi signals. Then, we propose the framework scheme for an end-to-end non-invasive monitoring platform of the COVID-19 patients using WiFi. Finally, we present some preliminary results of the proposed framework. We envision the proposed platform as a life-changing technology that leverages WiFi technology as a non-wearable and non-invasive way to monitor COVID-19 patients at home.
Time Series Estimation of the Bond Default Risk Premium

The bond default risk premium, measured by the spread between higher and lower grade bond returns, is often estimated with univariate time series procedures and used as an input in financial models. In this paper, time series properties of the historical default risk premium are analyzed and forecasting results from univariate time series models are compared. An autoregressive model with an overraction component provides the best statistical fit for the bond default risk premium series. A random walk model exhibits the worst fit. The findings are robust over a variety of model specifications and measure the time series process the univariate time series models explain a small percentage of the variation in the default risk premium, raising questions about traditional approaches to estimating the expected default risk premium.
The human intermediate prolactin receptor is a mammary proto-oncogene

The hormone prolactin (PRL) and its receptor (hPRLr) are significantly involved in breast cancer pathogenesis. The intermediate hPRLr (hPRLrI) is an alternatively-spliced isoform, capable of stimulating cellular viability and proliferation. An analogous truncated mouse PRLr (mPRLr) was recently found to be oncogenic when co-expressed with wild-type mPRLr. The goal of this study was to determine if a similar transforming event occurs with the hPRLr in human breast epithelial cells and to better understand the mechanism behind such transformation. hPRLrL+I co-expression in MCF10AT cells resulted in robust in vivo and in vitro transformation, while hPRLrI knock-down in MCF7 cells significantly decreased in vitro malignant potential. hPRLrL+I heterodimers displayed greater stability than hPRLrL homodimers, and while being capable of activating Jak2, Ras, and MAPK, they were unable to induce Stat5a tyrosine phosphorylation. Both immunohistochemical breast cancer tissue microarray data and RNA sequencing analyses using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) identified that higher hPRLrI expression associates with triple-negative breast cancer. These studies indicate the hPRLrI, when expressed alongside hPRLrL, participates in mammary transformation, and represents a novel oncogenic mechanism.
Inhibition, but Not Excitation, Recovers From Partial Cone Loss With Greater Spatiotemporal Integration, Synapse Density and Frequency

Neural circuits function in the face of changing inputs, either caused by normal variation in stimuli or cell death. To maintain their ability to perform essential computations with partial inputs, neural circuits make modifications. Here, we study the retinal circuit’s responses to changes in light stimuli or in photoreceptor inputs by inducing partial cone death in the mature mouse retina. Can the retina withstand or recover from input loss? We find that the excitatory pathways exhibit functional loss commensurate with cone death and with some aspects predicted by partial light stimulation. However, Inhibitory pathways recover functionally from lost input by increasing spatiotemporal integration in a way that is not recapitulated by partially stimulating the control retina. Anatomically, inhibitory synapses are upregulated on secondary bipolar cells and output ganglion cells. These findings demonstrate the greater capacity for inhibition, compared to excitation, to modify spatiotemporal processing with fewer cone inputs.
Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Is A Fibrotic Disease And Linked With Chronicity Of Inflammation.

Background & aims Intestinal fibrosis has recently been characterized in adult ulcerative colitis and may affect motility, diarrhea, and the symptom of urgency. We aimed to characterize the presence of fibrosis in pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis, and its link to severity and chronicity of mucosal inflammation, as well as clinical factors of severity. Methods We performed a single center cross-sectional study in ulcerative colitis children ages 1-18 years undergoing colectomy or proctocolectomy. Tissue cross-sections were derived from proximal, mid and distal colon and rectum, and inflammation and fibrosis were graded based on previously developed scores. Clinical data were collected prospectively. Results 205 intestinal sections of 62 patients were evaluated. Median age at diagnosis was 13 years, 100% had extensive colitis, and all resections were done for refractory disease. The presence, chronicity and degree of inflammation were linked with the presence of fibrosis. Thickness of the muscularis mucosa was also linked with presence and chronicity of inflammation. The overall submucosal fibrosis burden was associated with prior anti-tumor necrosis factor use. Conclusion Pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis exhibit colorectal submucosal fibrosis and muscularis mucosa thickening, which correlates with the presence, chronicity and degree of mucosal inflammation. Fibrosis should be recognized as a complication of pediatric ulcerative colitis, and ulcerative colitis should be considered a progressive disease.
Relation of carcinoma in situ of the vagina to the early diagnosis of vaginal cancer: report of a case.

Abstract 1. 1. A case of preinvasive vaginal carcinoma is presented. 2. 2. The diagnosis was made conclusively on the basis of cytologic examination of a routine preparation. 3. 3. Final diagnosis resulted from cooperative efforts of gynecologists, cytologist, and surgical pathologist. 4. 4. The rarity of vaginal carcinoma in general and preinvasive vaginal carcinoma in particular is discussed. 5. 5. The importance of adequate evaluation of cytologic evidence of genital malignancy is emphasized. 6. 6. Therapy of intraepithelial vaginal carcinoma differs in no way from therapy of other intraepithelial lesions, and consists of adequate local extirpation of disease.
“Click” Chemistry in Polymer Science: CuAAC and Thiol–Ene Coupling for the Synthesis and Functionalization of Macromolecules

The sections in this article are Introduction and Perspective 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition Thiol–Ene Coupling Polymers from “Click” Chemistry “Click” Functionalization of Polymers Chain-End-Functional Polymers Polymers with Pendant Functionality Graft Copolymers “Grafting-Onto” Strategy Star Polymers Dendritic Polymers Dendrimers Hyperbranched Macromolecules Dendronized Polymers Macrocyclic Polymers Polymer Networks Summary and Conclusions Keywords: block copolymer; branched; monodisperse; functionalization; telechelic; reactive
3D game design with programming blocks in StarLogo TNG

Research on the effectiveness of using a block programming language with a three-dimensional environment and game design as the basis for curriculum to teach children concepts in Computer Science. We observed a lower barrier to entry and faster learning in seventh to ninth graders exposed to the new curriculum using StarLogo TNG.
The weight of stigma: Cortisol reactivity to manipulated weight stigma

Author(s): Himmelstein, Mary S; Incollingo Belsky, Angela C; Tomiyama, A Janet | Abstract: ObjectiveRates of weight-based stigmatization have steadily increased over the past decade. The psychological and physiological consequences of weight stigma remain understudied.MethodsThis study examined the effects of experimentally manipulated weight stigma on the stress-responsive hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) in 110 female undergraduate participants (BMI: M=19.30, SD=1.55). Objective BMI and self-perceived body weight were examined as moderators of the relationship between stigma and HPA reactivity.ResultsResults indicated participants' perceptions of their own body weight (but not objective BMI) moderated the effect of weight stigma on cortisol reactivity: F(1,102)=13.48, Pl0.001, η(2) p =0.12 (interaction 95% CI range [-2.06 to -1.44, -1.31 to -0.99]). Specifically, participants who perceived themselves as heavy exhibited sustained cortisol elevation post-manipulation compared with individuals who did not experience the weight-related stigma. Cortisol change did not vary by condition for participants who perceived themselves as average weight.ConclusionsIn the first study to examine physiological consequences of active interpersonal exposure to weight stigma, experiencing weight stigma was stressful for participants who perceived themselves as heavy, regardless of their BMI. These results are important because stress and cortisol are linked to deleterious health outcomes, stimulate eating, and contribute to abdominal adiposity.
Refractive errors, intraocular pressure, and glaucoma in a white population.

Abstract Objective To examine the relation of refractive errors to glaucoma and intraocular pressure (IOP) in a defined white population. Design Population-based cross-sectional and follow-up study. Participants Persons aged 43 to 86 years living in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin (n = 4926). Methods All participants received a standardized assessment of refraction, IOP, and glaucoma at baseline (1988–1990), with IOP remeasured 5 years later (1993–1995). Refraction was defined at baseline as follows: myopia as spherical equivalent of −1.00 diopters (D) or less, emmetropia as −0.75 to +0.75 D, and hyperopia as +1.00 D or more. Main outcome measures Relation of baseline refraction to prevalent glaucoma (defined from IOP, optic disc, and visual field criteria) and incident ocular hypertension (defined as IOP more than 21 mmHg at the 5-year examination in eyes with IOP of 21 mmHg or less at baseline). Results A myopic refraction was correlated with increasing IOP at baseline ( P Conclusions In these population-based data, there was a cross-sectional association of myopia with higher IOP and prevalent glaucoma. Similar associations have been found in previous studies. Hyperopia may be associated with 5-year risk of ocular hypertension, a finding that needs further investigation.
Fuzzy interactive multiobjective optimization on borrowing/lending problems

The paper presents an application of fuzzy set theory applied to optimization problems, where there exist multiple goals. We present the fuzzy multiobjective linear programming with fuzzy parameter model for borrowing/lending problem, and the steps followed to convert it to an ordinary nonlinear programming problem, which finally is solved. An example along with its result is presented to illustrate the application of the model.
Thin, Sexy Women and Strong, Muscular Men: Grade-School Children's Responses to Objectified Images of Women and Men

There are data that show that women are objectified in the media, that girls and women experience a high rate of body dissatisfaction and eating problems, and that exposure to objectified media images of women is related to the experience of self-objectification and body shame among women. Media images of women promote a thin, sexy ideal. The objectification of men in the media has increased, perhaps promoting a “drive for muscularity” among boys. In the present study grade-school girls and boys ages 6 through 12 were shown four pictures of objectified images of women and men, respectively, and asked about their responses to the pictures. Although girls and boys responded equally positively to the objectified images of the people of their gender, girls showed a more consistent response to the pictures. Further, there were stronger relationships between girls' responses to the pictures, awareness and internalization of media images, and body esteem. Girls who consistently showed a rejection response to the pictures had higher body esteem than those girls who were uncertain about how to respond to the pictures. It was concluded that, perhaps due to cultural images and cultural pressures, girls more readily develop a consistent response to objectified images of women (than boys do to objectified images of men) that relates to their feelings about their own bodies.
In Whose Honor? American Indian Mascots in Sports

In Whose Honor? American Indian Mascots in Sports. 1995 46 minutes, color. film by Jay Rosenstein. For more information contact New Day Films. 22D Hollywood Ave., Ho-Ho-Kus. NJ 07423, (888) 367-9154.
Viral Hemorrhagic Fever: Bunyaviridae

Viruses of the family Bunyaviridae cause a variety of human diseases. Some members of this family are known to cause hemorrhagic fever syndrome in humans. Included in this group are Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever and Hantaan virus-induced hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. Rift Valley fever (RVF), a viral hemorrhagic fever in this family, merits greater attention in awareness of diagnosis and treatment options. Once thought to be an unusual source of sporadic disease outbreaks in rural east Africa, RVF continues to emerge as a viral hemorrhagic fever of note. With greater health care access, improved awareness, and newer diagnostic techniques, cases increasingly continue to be identified primarily across Sub-Saharan Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Early clinical suspicion and identification of disease are important to implementation of appropriate, effective therapy. Early-stage RVF mimics other common febrile illnesses, such as malaria. With increasing global travel, clinicians may encounter RVF both in its local endemic geography as well as in travelers from the region. Supportive care is the traditional primary therapy, though increasing knowledge of the disease suggests additional options for consideration of prevention and treatment. This review will focus on RVF with relevant reference to other viral hemorrhagic fevers in the family.
Self-Reported Extraversion, Neuroticism, and Psychoticism as Predictors of Peer Rated Verbal Aggressiveness and Affinity-Seeking Competence

This study was undertaken to examine whether the relationships reported in the communication literature between Eysenck's BIG THREE personality dimensions and self-reported patterns of communication behavior remain robust when observation-based measures are used in place of self-reports. Target participants' responses to measures of these three personality dimensions were used to predict peer ratings of two patterns of communication behavior, verbal aggressiveness and affinity-seeking competence. Composite measures for variables were based on the results of confirmatory factor analysis, ensuring both internal and external consistency (parallelism). Results of a path analysis, in which targets' responses to personality measures were employed as exogenous variables and peer ratings of verbal aggressiveness and affinity-seeking competence were used as endogenous variables indicated that these data fit the model extremely well. Importantly, (1) substantial variation in peer rated affinity-seeking competence (...
A father and son with cholestasis and peripheral pulmonic stenosis: a distinct form of intrahepatic cholestasis.

We report a father and son with the syndrome of cholestasis and peripheral pulmonic stenosis. These cases demonstrate the clinical and biochemical features noted in previous reports of this entity and allow us to differentiate clearly this syndrome, with its benign course, from other more progressive forms of intrahepatic cholestasis. The vertical transmission supports a genetic etiology for this disease. Although serum bile acid levels are elevated in these patients, the individual bile acids do not display a distinctive pattern and no abnormal bile acids are identified.
Whose Best Interests Are Served? The Distinction Between Mentoring and Support:

The problem and the solution. Researchers have proposed reconceptualizing mentoring to include other developmental relationships held by proteges. However, questions remain as to how various developmental relationships might differently exhibit attributes that have been associated with strong-tie entoring relationships. This article reports on one finding of a phenomenological study of women faculty’s mentoring experiences that explored the diversity of mentoring (both concurrent and sequential) that these women had experienced over the course of their careers. Participants identified a distinction between those relationships that they perceived as “mentoring” and other relationships that they perceived as “supportive.” The importance of understanding this essential distinction between mentoring and support is examined with respect to the human resource development domains of career development, training and development, and organization development to foster effective developmental relationships in organ...
Using Cooperative Learning Structures in Physical Education.

(2001). Using Cooperative Learning Structures in Physical Education. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance: Vol. 72, No. 2, pp. 28-31.
Regioselective covalent immobilization of recombinant antibody-binding proteins A, G, and L for construction of antibody arrays.

Immobilized antibodies are useful for the detection of antigens in highly sensitive microarray diagnostic applications. Arrays with the antibodies attached regioselectively in a uniform orientation are typically more sensitive than those with random orientations. Direct regioselective immobilization of antibodies on a solid support typically requires a modified form of the protein. We now report a general approach for the regioselective attachment of antibodies to a surface using truncated forms of antibody-binding proteins A, G, and L that retain the structural motifs required for antibody binding. The recombinant proteins have a C-terminal CVIX protein farnesyltransferase recognition motif that allows us to append a bioorthogonal azide or alkyne moiety and use the Cu(I)-catalyzed Huisgen cycloaddition to attach the binding proteins to a suitably modified glass surface. This approach offers several advantages. The recombinant antibody-binding proteins are produced in Escherichia coli, chemoselectively mo...
How to Be an Excellent Reviewer

This article will discuss what an editor expects for a quality review of a manuscript dealing with a research study. Reviewing a research paper requires more than academic knowledge and writing skills. It requires expert knowledge of the subject matter field plus expertise in research design and statistical methods.
Photoinduced one-electron reduction of alkyl halides by dirhodium(II,II) tetraformamidinates and a related complex with visible light.

Various substituted dirhodium tetraformamidinate complexes, Rh2(R-form)4 (R = p-CF3, p-Cl, p-OCH3, m-OCH3; form = N,N‘-diphenylformamidinate), and the new complex Rh2(tpgu)4 (tpgu = 1,2,3-triphenylguanidinate) have been investigated as potential agents for the photoremediation of saturated halogenated aliphatic compounds, RX (R = alkyl group). The synthesis and characterization of the complexes is reported, and the crystal structure of Rh2(tpgu)4 is presented. The lowest energy transition of the complexes is observed at ∼870 nm and the complexes react with alkyl chlorides and alkyl bromides under low energy irradiation (λirr ≥ 795 nm), but not when kept in the dark. The metal-containing product of the photochemical reaction with RX (X = Cl, Br) is the corresponding mixed-valent Rh2(II,III)X (X = Cl, Br) complex, and the crystal structure of Rh2(p-OCH3-form)4Cl generated photochemically from the reaction of the corresponding Rh2(II,II) complex in CHCl3 is presented. In addition, the product resulting from ...
The Separation of Phosphate and Arsenate from Seawater by Adsorption Colloid Flotation

Abstract Procedures are described whereby phosphate and arsenate in seawater are brought to the surface in less than 5 min by an adsorption colloid flotation process which uses a positively charged iron(III) hydroxide collector, an anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate, and nitrogen. Statistical studies on test series show a mean recovery of 90.7 % with a relative standard deviation of 3.1 % for phosphate at the 3.0 μg-at./l level, a mean recovery of 91.2% with a relative standard deviation of 1.5% for arsenate at the 3.0 μ-at./l level, and a mean recovery of 94.1% with a relative standard deviation of 0.8 % for the combined 0.30 μg-at. AsO4 3−−As/l and 2.25 μg-at. PO4 3−−P/1 samples.
Fluctuations of backbone torsion angles obtained from NMR-determined structures and their prediction.

Protein molecules exhibit varying degrees of flexibility throughout their three-dimensional structures. Protein structural flexibility is often characterized by fluctuations in the Cartesian coordinate space. On the other hand, the protein backbone can be mostly defined by two torsion angles ϕ and ψ only. We introduce a new flexibility descriptor, backbone torsion-angle fluctuation derived from the variation of backbone torsion angles from different NMR models. The torsion-angle fluctuations correlate with mean-squared spatial fluctuations derived from the same collection of NMR models. We developed a neural-network based real-value predictor based on sequence information only. The predictor achieved ten-fold cross-validated correlation coefficients of 0.59 and 0.60, and mean absolute errors of 22.7° and 24.3° for the angle fluctuation of ϕ and ψ, respectively. This predictor is expected to be useful for function prediction and protein structure prediction when predicted torsion angles are used as restraints. Both sequence- and structure-based prediction of torsion-angle fluctuation will be available at http://sparks.informatics.iupui.edu within the SPINE-X package. Proteins 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Prolongation of isovolumetric relaxation time as assessed by Doppler echocardiography predicts doxorubicin-induced systolic dysfunction in humans.

A reasonably sensitive and specific noninvasive test for doxorubicin cardiotoxicity is needed. In addition, few data exist on the short- and long-term effects of doxorubicin on diastolic filling. To determine if pulsed Doppler indexes of diastolic filling could predict doxorubicin-induced systolic dysfunction, 26 patients (mean age 48 ± 12 years) were prospectively studied before receiving chemotherapy (control) and 3 weeks after obtaining cumulative doses of doxorubicin. In nine patients developing doxorubicin-induced systolic dysfunction (that is, a decrease in ejection fraction by ≥ 10 ejection fraction units to <55% the isovolumetric relaxation time was prolonged (from 66 ± 18 to 84 ± 24 ms, p < 0.05) after a cumulative doxorubicin dose of 100 to 120 mg/m2. This prolongation preceded a significant decrease in ejection fraction. Other Doppler indexes of filling were impaired after doxorubicin therapy but occurred simultaneously with the decrease in ejection fraction. A >37% increase in isovolumetric relaxation time was 78% (7 of 9) sensitive and 88% (15 of 17) specific for predicting the ultimate development of doxorubicin-induced systolic dysfunction. In 15 patients studied 1 h after the first treatment, doxorubicin enhanced Doppler indexes of filling and shortened isovolumetric relaxation time. In 22 patients, indexes of filling remained impaired and isovolumetric relaxation time was prolonged 3 months after the last doxorubicin dose. In conclusion, doxorubicin-induced systolic dysfunction is reliably predicted by prolongation of Doppler-derived isovolumetric relaxation time. Early after administration, doxorubicin enhances filling and isovolumetric relaxation time. The adverse effects of doxorubicin on both variables persist at least 3 months after cessation of treatment.
Preferential policies and the movement of the disadvantaged: The case of the Scheduled Castes in India

Abstract This article examines the effect of state actions on the political behaviour of disadvantaged minorities. Most studies of political mobilization fail to inquire about the role of the state in the formation and maintenance of political groups. This article describes the process through which the polity constructs new forms of group awareness and political action among previously inarticulate, unorganized sections of society. More specifically, it is about the political mobilization of an oppressed minority in India, the Scheduled Castes ‐ a group composed of distinct caste groups with specific cultural and occupational characteristics but lumped under a single category by the state. Through a longitudinal study comparing two periods in a state's political history I show how progressive state intervention in the form of preferential policies increased the political organization and activism of this oppressed minority. The analysis is based on a survey of government documents; coding of newspaper re...
The Offering of Isaac in Jewish and Christian Tradition

Until recently, early Christian artistic representations of Abraham offering Isaac for sacrifice have been understood as symbols of Christ's passion and (simultaneously or alternately) typological references to the Eucharistic offering. This interpretation has been influenced by early Christian writings which understand Isaac to have been a type of Christ and his offering a prefigurement of Jesus' passion. In the past two decades some scholars have challenged that interpretation, particularly with reference to images that were made before the mid-fourth century CE, partly by offering arguments regarding the place of the artistic image in the religion's social matrix, and partly by distinguishing different purposes for images and texts. This paper examines the images themselves and re-opens the question of the artistic presentation of this biblical narrative and its interpretation. The first section of the study presents the most exemplary images, and then examines both early Christian and Jewish literature regarding the sacrifice of Isaac. The last section of the paper critiques various scholars' interpretations of the images' meaning in early Christian times by reflecting on the integration of text and image, as well as the methods and problems of iconographical study. Of particular concern is the question of what characterizes "popular" communication. The paper concludes that, although presented in a different form and possibly more available to a general audience, early Christian artistic representations may be vehicles for the same symbolic and allegorical typologies that are presented in documents from the same time period and geographical region.
Baffle bolt failures—a B&W Owners Group approach

Indications of baffle bolt cracking have been reported at European pressurized water reactors. The Generic License Renewal Program established by the B&W Owners Group (B&WOG) has determined that the potential for baffle bolt failures in B&W-designed operating plants must be investigated, and has initiated programs to address the issue. The objectives of this paper are to describe the core barrel assembly configuration, summarize current known information on the degradation of reactor vessel internals baffle bolts worldwide, and present future actions of the B&WOG to address the baffle bolt failure issue.
Challenges in defining an optimal approach to formula-based allocations of public health funds in the United States

Controversy and debate can arise whenever public health agencies determine how program funds should be allocated among constituent jurisdictions. Two common strategies for making such allocations are expert review of competitive applications and the use of funding formulas. Despite widespread use of funding formulas by public health agencies in the United States, formula allocation strategies in public health have been subject to relatively little formal scrutiny, with the notable exception of the attention focused on formula funding of HIV care programs. To inform debates and deliberations in the selection of a formula-based approach, we summarize key challenges to formula-based funding, based on prior reviews of federal programs in the United States. The primary challenge lies in identifying data sources and formula calculation methods that both reflect and serve program objectives, with or without adjustments for variations in the cost of delivering services, the availability of local resources, capacity, or performance. Simplicity and transparency are major advantages of formula-based allocations, but these advantages can be offset if formula-based allocations are perceived to under- or over-fund some jurisdictions, which may result from how guaranteed minimum funding levels are set or from "hold-harmless" provisions intended to blunt the effects of changes in formula design or random variations in source data. While fairness is considered an advantage of formula-based allocations, the design of a formula may implicitly reflect unquestioned values concerning equity versus equivalence in setting funding policies. Whether or how past or projected trends are taken into account can also have substantial impacts on allocations. Insufficient attention has been focused on how the approach to designing funding formulas in public health should differ for treatment or service versus prevention programs. Further evaluations of formula-based versus competitive allocation methods are needed to promote the optimal use of public health funds. In the meantime, those who use formula-based strategies to allocate funds should be familiar with the nuances of this approach.
Relative effects of submersion and increased pressure on respiratory mechanics, work, and energy cost of breathing

Submersion and increased pressure (depth) characterize the diving environment and may independently increase demand on the respiratory system. To quantify changes in respiratory mechanics, this stu...
Allergic Encephalomyelitis in Common Marmosets: Pathogenesis of a Multiple Sclerosis-like Lesion

Abstract Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that has been extensively studied as a model for the human demyelinating disease multiple sclerosis (MS). Here we describe the characteristics of a novel form of EAE developed in a nonhuman primate. InCallithrix jacchusmarmosets (C. jacchus), immunization with whole brain white matter induces a primary demyelinating disease with a relapsing–remitting chronic course, closely resembling human MS. In these animals, the MS-like lesion results from a complex immune response requiring both disease-inducing T lymphocytes and pathogenic antibody. T lymphocytes reactive against myelin basic protein are capable of mediating the inflammatory component of marmoset EAE. Demyelination, on the other hand, is antibody mediated. The quantitatively minor myelin protein myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) is an important antigen in this system, as immunization against MOG, or passive transfer of anti-MOG antibodies, reproduces the core features of the disease induced with whole white matter. Advantages of theC. jacchusmodel of EAE for the study of MS include the clinical and pathologic similarity between the two conditions, the natural bone marrow chimerism inC. jacchuspermitting adoptive transfer of T lymphocytes between siblings, and the similarity of immune and nervous system genes and proteins between human and nonhuman primates. A diverse immune response to multiple myelin antigens appears to be responsible for the MS-like lesion inC. jacchus,a finding that parallels emerging concepts of the pathogenesis of human MS.
Secretoneurin increases monolayer permeability in human coronary artery endothelial cells.

Background Secretoneurin (SN), a novel neuropeptide, may play a role in inflammation in the vascular system. However, the interaction between SN and endothelial cells is largely unknown. This study’s objective is to investigate the effects of SN on endothelial permeability and its associated molecular mechanisms in human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs). Methods HCAECs were treated with SN. Monolayer permeability was assayed with a transwell system and a Texas Red–labeled dextran tracer. The mRNA and protein levels of endothelial junctional molecules were determined by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis, respectively. Superoxide anion was determined by fluorescent dye dihydroethidium-based flow cytometry detection. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation was determined by Bio-Plex immunoassay. Results HCAECs were treated with SN (15, 30, and 60 ng/ml) for 24 hours and showed a significant increase of monolayer permeability by 12%, 33%, and 47%, respectively, compared with controls ( P P P Conclusions SN significantly increases monolayer permeability and reduces the expression of ZO-1 and occludin through oxidative stress and the activation of JNK and ERK1/2 in HCAECs. This study provides direct evidence that SN impairs endothelial barrier function.
Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death in Dialysis Patients: A Nephrologist's Perspective

Sudden death is a common and at times preventable cause of death in the dialysis population. Prevention of sudden death can be accomplished in the dialysis population by proper management of cardiac disease and attention to dialysis treatment. The proper usage of medications such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and beta-blockers is likely to decrease the risk of sudden death, yet these medications are underutilized in the dialysis population. Appropriate management of dialysate potassium is also important. A systematic method should be developed in each dialysis center to identify risk factors for sudden death, institute appropriate treatment, and monitor outcomes.