cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Preventable Hospitalizations for Chronic Disease: Prevalence and Risk Factors

Background Hospitalizations due to ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs) result in high morbidity and economic burden on the American healthcare system. Admissions due to chronic ACSCs, in particular, cost the American healthcare system over 30 billion dollars annually.
Open Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Repair

This chapter details the essential surgical steps involved in open repair of a triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) tear. The TFCC is exposed and the tear is debrided. If the TFCC tear is associated with ulnar styloid fracture, styloid repair and fixation are additional steps. Bone tunnels are created in the distal ulna and sutures are passed from the TFCC periphery through the bone tunnels and tied over the ulnar neck. Indications, essential surgical steps, postoperative care, complications, and sample operative dictation are included.
Inhibition of Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 Accelerated Liver Regeneration after Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Mice

Overdose of acetaminophen (APAP) is the leading cause of acute liver failure (ALF) in the United States. Timely initiation of compensatory liver regeneration after APAP hepatotoxicity is critical for final recovery, but the mechanisms of liver regeneration after APAP-induced ALF have not been extensively explored yet. Previous studies from our laboratory have demonstrated that activation of β-catenin signaling after APAP overdose is associated with timely liver regeneration. Herein, we investigated the role of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) in liver regeneration after APAP hepatotoxicity using a pharmacological inhibition strategy in mice. Treatment with specific GSK3 inhibitor (L803-mts), starting from 4 hours after 600 mg/kg dose of APAP, resulted in early initiation of liver regeneration in a dose-dependent manner, without modifying the peak regenerative response. Acceleration of liver regeneration was not secondary to alteration of APAP-induced hepatotoxicity, which remained unchanged after GSK3 inhibition. Early cell cycle initiation in hepatocytes after GSK3 inhibition was because of rapid induction of cyclin D1 and phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein. This was associated with increased activation of β-catenin signaling after GSK3 inhibition. Taken together, our study has revealed a novel role of GSK3 in liver regeneration after APAP overdose and identified GSK3 as a potential therapeutic target to improve liver regeneration after APAP-induced ALF.
Career Decision-Making Within the College Social Microcosm: Social Value Determinants and Psychological Needs

The present investigation sought to examine whether the college social environment influences students’ career decision-making (CDM) processes. It was comprised of three overarching hypotheses: (1)...
Use of Genomic Technologies to Identify Novel Genetic Abnormalities and Therapeutic Targets In Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

With the progressive intensification of chemotherapy, the majority of children with ALL now achieve long-term survival. In parallel, a number of molecular subtypes of ALL have been identified that are associated with treatment outcomes, which are either excellent (TEL-AML1 or trisomy of chromosomes 4, 10, and 17), intermediate (MLL rearrangements or E2a-PBX), or very poor (BCR-ABL or hypodiploidy). Yet, the underlying genetic abnormalities in the majority of children with ALL, such as those with “high-risk” disease who remain resistant to current therapies, remain to be discovered. Supported by the NCI SPECS and TARGET Initiatives, the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, we are using comprehensive genomic technologies (i.e., expression profiling, genome-wide analyses of DNA copy number abnormalities [CNAs] and germline polymorphisms, and direct gene sequencing) to develop molecular classifiers for outcome prediction that can be used to discover novel underlying genetic abnormalities and therapeutic targets in ALL. Our work has focused on a cohort of 220 children with “high-risk” ALL registered to COG Trial 9906. Using supervised learning methods on gene expression profiles, molecular classifiers predictive of relapse-free survival (RFS) and minimal residual disease (MRD) at end-induction have been developed. A 38-gene molecular risk classifier predictive of RFS (MRC-RFS) can distinguish two groups of high-risk ALL patients with different relapse risks: low (4 yr RFS: 81%, n=109) vs. high (4 yr RFS: 50%, n=98) (P PAX5 in 30.7% and IKZF1 in 24.9%). In addition, recurring CNAs were detected in a number of other genes known to play roles in transformation, including CDKN2A/B, RB1, BTG1, IL3RA, NRAS, KRAS, NR3C2, and ERG. CNAs in IKZF1 , EBF , and BTLA were strongly associated with the poorest outcome clusters defined by gene expression profiling. Deletion of IKZF1 was particularly associated with negative outcome (p=0.002). These ongoing studies demonstrate that molecular classifiers can be used to distinguish distinct prognostic groups within high-risk ALL, significantly improving risk classification schemes and the ability to prospective identify children who will respond to or fail current therapies. These classifiers are now being integrated into the design of COG clinical trials. The discovery of novel cluster groups and underlying genetic abnormalities is being exploited to develop new therapeutic targets for this disease.
First year physical activity findings from turn up the HEAT (Healthy Eating and Activity Time) in summer day camps

Background Summer day camps (SDCs) serve 14 million children yearly in the U.S. and aim to provide participating children with 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). This study evaluated an intervention designed to increase the percent of children meeting this MVPA guideline. Design Two-group, pre-post quasi-experimental. Setting/participants Twenty SDCs serving 1,830 children aged 5-12 years were assigned to MVPA intervention (n = 10) or healthy eating attention control (n = 10). Intervention The STEPs (Strategies to Enhance Practice) intervention is a capacity-building approach grounded in the Theory of Expanded, Extended and Enhanced Opportunities. Camp leaders and staff receive training to expand (e.g., introduction of activity breaks/active field trips), extend (e.g., schedule minimum of 3 hours/day for PA opportunities), and enhance (e.g., maximize MVPA children accumulate during schedule activity) activity opportunities. Camps in the comparison condition received support for improving the types of foods/beverages served. Main outcome measures Percent of children accumulating the 60min/d MVPA guideline at baseline (summer 2015) and post-test (summer 2016) measured via wrist-accelerometry. Results Multilevel logistic regression conducted fall 2016 indicated boys and girls attending intervention SDCs were 2.04 (95CI = 1.10,3.78) and 3.84 (95CI = 2.02,7.33) times more likely to meet the 60min/d guideline compared to boys and girls attending control SDCs, respectively. This corresponded to increases of +10.6% (78-89%) and +12.6% (69-82%) in the percentage of boys and girls meeting the guideline in intervention SDCs, respectively. Boys in comparison SDCs increased by +1.6% (81-83%) and girls decreased by -5.5% (76-71%). Process data indicated intervention SDCs successfully extended and enhanced PA opportunities, but were unable to expand PA opportunities, compared to control SDCs. Conclusions Although substantial proportions of children met the MVPA guideline at baseline, no SDCs ensured all children met the guideline. This intervention demonstrated that, with support, SDCs can help all children in attendance to accumulate their daily recommended 60min MVPA. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02161809.
Complications of robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery distant from the surgical site

With the ever-increasing popularity of robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery over the past decades, the literature reporting complications distant from the surgical site involving the use of this technology has also grown. The goal of this non-systematic review is to summarise these reports with a systems-based presentation of these complications. The most commonly observed complications were related to the peripheral nervous system and the most devastating occurring in cardiac and ophthalmic systems. There were no reports of patient complications directly related to the robot itself. While several of the reported complications are not unique to robotic surgery, they are included to maintain awareness of their possibility. The limitation of surgical time, judicious fluid administration, and constant vigilance of patient positioning are all recommended as possible preventative measures.
Impact of a pedometer-based goal-setting intervention on children’s motivation, motor competence, and physical activity in physical education

Background: School physical education (PE) programs provide a prime environment for interventions that attempt to develop school-aged children’s motor competence and overall physical fitness, while...
Herbaceous weed control and revegetation of semi-arid rangelands in western United States*:

Rangelands of the western United States are becoming an increasingly important resource for many uses, including livestock grazing, wild-life habitat, recreation areas and watersheds. These lands h...
Structure of Wind and the Shearing Stress in the Planetary Boundary Layer

Analysis of the “Leipzig Wind Profile” shows close agreement between the direction of the wind and of the shearing stress throughout the planetary boundary layer. A formulation is developed, based on this quasi-parallelism and a boundary condition at the top of the Ekman layer, to relate the pressure gradient, the wind structure and the shearing stress throughout the layer. The predicted relationships are found to agree well with the Leipzig observations.
Endogenous retroviral gene elements (syncytin-Rum1 and BERV-K1), interferon-τ, and pregnancy associated glycoprotein-1 are differentially expressed in maternal and fetal tissues during the first 50 days of gestation in beef heifers.

We hypothesized that the endogenous retroviruses [ERV: syncytin-Rum1 and (BERV-K1)], and pregnancy hormones [interferon-τ (IFN-τ), and pregnancy associated glycoprotein-1 (PAG-1)] would be differentially expressed whereas progesterone and insulin concentrations in maternal blood would remain steady during early gestation. To test this hypothesis Angus crossbred heifers (n = 46; ∼15 mo of age; BW = 363 ± 35 kg) were fed native grass hay, supplemented with cracked corn to gain 0.3 kg/d, and given ad libitum access to water. All heifers were subjected to a 5-d CO-Synch + CIDR estrous synchronization protocol and AI (breeding = d 0). Ovariohysterectomies were performed on d 16, 22, 28, 34, 40, and 50 of gestation and at d 16 of the estrous cycle for non-pregnant (NP) controls. Utero-placental tissues [maternal caruncle (CAR); maternal intercaruncular endometrium (ICAR); and fetal membranes, (FM, chorion on d 16, chorioallantois on d 22 to 50)] were collected from the uterine horn ipsilateral to the corpus luteum (CL). Tissues were flash frozen and stored at -80°C. Expression of mRNA was evaluated using qPCR. In CAR, syncytin-Rum1 expression was greater (P 0.79) at d 16 and 22, was intermediate at d 28, 34, and 40, and was greatest on d 50 (108-fold increase compared with NP). Expression of BERV-K1 in FM was increased (P < 0.01) on d 28, 34, and 50 compared with NP controls, but at d 40 did not differ from NP controls. The mRNA expression of IFN-τ in FM at d 22 was greater (P < 0.01) than all other days of gestation. In CAR, expression of PAG-1 increased (P < 0.001) dramatically on d 40 (20,000-fold) and d 50 (86,000-fold) compared with NP heifers (P < 0.01). In ICAR, expression of PAG-1 was greater (P < 0.05) on d 28 and 40 (fold increases of 113 and 102, respectively, compared with NP). Insulin concentrations were not different (P = 0.53) but progesterone was greater (P < 0.01) on d 16, 22, 28, 34, and 40 compared with d 50 of gestation. These data confirm differential ERV, IFN-τ, and PAG-1 gene expression during critical time points of early gestation in utero-placental tissues.
Delta-sigma modulators for modular multilevel converters

Modular multilevel converters (MMC) are emerging to be an alternative approach for realizing power converters for a variety of high power applications because they allow series-cascaded levels and/or parallel-connected branches. However, the design of communication interface between system controller and individual modules became increasingly complicated as more modules been added into the system, and advantages brought by the MMC topology become compromised by the disadvantages from its data connection complexity. This paper aiming at reduce communication stress by using delta-sigma (or sigma-delta) modulation (DSM) strategy, and carrying out studies from the aspects of both performance and feasibility with classical approaches.
A Lemma for Studying Boundary Layers

In the fall of 1976, on the plane which was taking us to a Franco-Japanese meeting in Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan, Jacques-Louis LIONS asked me a question related to correctors near the boundary in a simple situation of periodic homogenization, when the boundary is a hyperplane containing all but one of the yi, say i = 1, . . .,N . 1. As is usual in the study of boundary layers, it is natural in this case to rescale in the direction of yN, and to look at a scalar second-order elliptic equation in a semi-infinite strip, and the usual question of matching the boundary layer with the internal behavior of the solution leads one to wonder if the solution in the semi-infinite strip tends to a constant as xN tends to ∞.
Run-Time Assessment of Neural Network Control Systems

A novel approach for validation of soft computing systems (neural network) embedded in safety-critical online self-adaptive systems is presented in the form of run-time risk assessment methodology. The approach is based on run-time operational monitoring of the neural network and data fusion techniques for combining outputs from various monitors. The run-time monitoring is based on the stability analysis of dynamic systems similar, in principle, to the Lyapunov analysis. The outputs from various monitors are fused together to form a single measure of confidence from the data fusion techniques of Dempster-Shafer (Murphy’s rule of combination) and Fuzzy Inference System.
Modern Probability: Syntax and Models

The articulation between classical and modern probability hinges on unre solved ambiguities in the very definition of the concept of probability — de re [properties of things, e.g. stability of frequencies] or de dicto [properties of propositions, e.g. insufficient reason]: The complete definition of probability is ... a petitio principii: how are we to recognize that all cases are equally probable? A mathematical definition here is not possible; in each application we will have to make some conventions, to say that we consider this and that cases as equally probable. These conventions are not quite arbitrary, but they escape the purview of the mathematician who will not have to examine them once they are specified. [Poincare, 1912]
Crystallographic characterization of N,N′-diarylformamidines bearing an alkoxy substituent at either the meta- or ortho-position

Crystal structures of four diphenylformamidines bearing phenyl substituents ortho-CH3O (1), ortho-C2H5O (2), meta-CH3O (3), and meta- n BuO (4) are reported. In each of the structures, formamidine exists as an unsymmetrical cyclic hydrogen bond dimer, and the geometry of the amidine unit is consistent with the localized C–N and C=N bonds. Interesting conformations due to the orientation of aryl groups were also observed. Crystal Data: 1, orthorhombic, Pbca, a = 11.297(1) A, b = 15.092(1) A, c = 16.380(2) A, V = 2792.6(4) A3, Z = 8; 2, triclinic, P $$\overline 1$$ , a = 9.651(1) A, b = 11.974(1) A, c = 14.583(2) A, α = 101.789(2)°, β = 99.320(2)°, γ = 99.048(2)°, V = 1595.9(3) A3, Z = 4; 3, orthorhombic, Pbca, a = 15.562(2) A, b = 8.626(1) A, c = 20.110(2) A, V = 2699.4(5) A3, Z = 8; 4, monoclinic, P21/c, a = 14.525(2) A, b = 15.534(2) A, c = 8.818(1) A, β = 93.113(2)°, V = 1986.6(4) A3, Z = 4.
Caring for Family Caregivers: a Pilot Test of an Online COMFORT™ SM Communication Training Module for Undergraduate Nursing Students.

Family caregivers who provide care and support to cancer patients experience distress, burden, and decreased quality of life as a result of caregiving. Caregivers often turn to nurses for support; however, there is little training available for nurses on how to care for the family caregiver. Undergraduate nursing students have a high need to learn about engaging caregivers in care, but little content is presented to fulfill that need. Derived from the COMFORT™ SM communication curriculum, we developed a 1-h online educational module specifically addressing communication with family caregivers of cancer patients. Undergraduate nursing students (n = 128) from two accredited nursing programs completed a survey at the beginning and end of the module, in addition to answering unfolding response opportunities within the module. There was a significant increase in communication knowledge, attitude, and behaviors (p < .000) in post-test responses for students across all years of study. Knowledge based on responses to case study scenarios was more than 75% correct. Student open-ended responses to case-based scenarios featured in the module revealed student mastery and ability to apply module content (range, 40–56% across four scenarios). This online COMFORT™ SM communication training module is an innovative online cancer education tool for teaching about communication with family caregivers. This study finds the module effective for teaching undergraduate nursing students about communication with family and shows promise in interprofessional curricula as well.
Deficit-Laden Use of Constructs in Anti-Oppressive Curriculum

In this paper, the authors draw from critical disability scholarship (narrative prosthesis) and communications (intersectional rhetoric) to interrogate and illustrate how anti-oppressive curriculum advances deficit-ladenenss associated with dis/ability. They categorize deficit-laden constructs as negatively or positively oriented. Negative oriented constructs used to advance racial justice (i.e., color-blindness, color-mute, dysconscious racism, racial dyslexia) remind people not to be (blind, mute, dysconscious, dyslexic) racist. Positive oriented constructs (i.e., standpoint theory, voice, visible or non-visible disability) privilege ways of being, sensing, and expressing resistance to oppression using unimpaired abilities. The authors offer spectral curriculum theory based on materialist criticism to intervene in the deficit-laden use of constructs in anti-oppressive curriculum.
Optimal Kinematic Design of the Link Lengths of a Hand Exoskeleton

Abstract This chapter presents the kinematic optimization of the link lengths of the second-generation robotic hand exoskeleton of the UCLA Bionics Lab to assist stroke victims in performing rehabilitation exercises during physical therapy. The device is based on a three-linkage base-to-distal topology for controlling the five human hand digits. Each of the robot linkages ends in a 3R planar serial mechanism to accommodate flexion/extension motions. The link lengths of each 3R mechanism determine the workspace, kinematic capabilities, and size of the device, and therefore must be selected carefully. The optimization method presented is based on the mechanism isotropy performance measure as well as the planar area occupied between the 3R mechanism and relevant digit. In addition, the optimization algorithm evaluates designs based on coverage of the in-plane workspace area and, optionally, the interference between the joints of the manipulator and the digit. The theoretical result is compared to a physically realized model of the manipulator.
The Unforgettable Queens of Islam: Succession, Authority, Gender

In this landmark study, Shahla Haeri offers the extraordinary biographies of several Muslim women rulers and leaders who reached the apex of political systems of their times. Their stories illuminate the complex and challenging imperatives of dynastic succession, electoral competition and the stunning success they achieved in medieval Yemen and India, and modern Pakistan and Indonesia. The written history of Islam and the Muslim world is overwhelmingly masculine, having largely ignored women and their contributions until well into the 20th century. Religious and legal justifications have been systematically invoked to justify Muslim women's banishment from politics and public domains. Yet this patriarchal domination has not gone on without serious challenges by women - sporadic and exceptional though their participation in the battle of succession has been. The Unforgettable Queens of Islam highlights lives and legacies of a number of charismatic women engaged in fierce battles of succession, and their stories offer striking insights into the workings of political power in the Muslim world.
Clinical study of growth development and endocrine function of long-survived children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Objective To study the effects of chemotherapy on growth development and endocrine function of long-survived children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Methods 30 ALL patients who were received standard chemotherapy and survived more than five years were enrolled in this study. Their growth and development data and endocrine function examination were investigated. Results Through testing,except two cases of height more than two standard deviation above,the others were all within the normal range; BMI exceeded bid in 1, and the rest were in the normal range;The results of sex hormones examination were consistent with age and Tanner installment, the girls appeared secondary sex characteristics in 9 years old or so,menstruation in 13 years old. Boys appeared sec-ondary sex characteristics around 10 years old;Cortisol and promote adrenal cortical hormone with 2 cases of obese children were in the normal range,but c-peptide and insulin were elevatory;The results of IGF-1 were in the normal range. Conclusion Chemotherapy had no significant effect on growth development and endocrine function for patients with ALL. Key words: Leukemia,lymphoblastic, acute; Growth ocnd development; Child
Assessing the Validity of Aural Thermometry for Measuring Internal Temperature in Patients With Exertional Heat Stroke.

Context The use of aural thermometry as a method for accurately measuring internal temperature has been questioned. No researchers have examined whether aural thermometry can accurately measure internal body temperature in patients with exertional heat stroke (EHS). Objective To examine the efffectiveness of aural thermometry as an alternative to the criterion standard of rectal thermometry in patients with and those without EHS. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting An 11.3-km road race. Patients or other participants A total of 49 patients with EHS (15 men [age = 38 ± 17 years], 11 women [age = 28 ± 10 years]) and 23 individuals without EHS (10 men [age = 62 ± 17 years], 13 women [age = 45 ± 14 years]) who were triaged to the finish-line medical tent for suspected EHS. Main outcome measure(s) Rectal and aural temperatures were obtained on arrival at the medical tent for patients with and those without EHS and at 8.3 ± 5.2 minutes into EHS treatment (cold-water immersion) for patients with EHS. Results The mean difference between temperatures measured using rectal and aural thermometers in patients with EHS at medical tent admission was 2.4°C ± 0.96°C (4.3°F ± 1.7°F; mean rectal temperature = 41.1°C ± 0.8°C [106.1°F ± 1.4°F]; mean aural temperature = 38.8°C ± 1.1°C [101.8°F ± 2.0°F]). Rectal and aural temperatures during cold-water immersion in patients with EHS were 40.4°C ± 1.0°C (104.6°F ± 1.8°F) and 38.0°C ± 1.2°C (100.3°F ± 2.2°F), respectively. Rectal and aural temperatures for patients without EHS at medical tent admission were 38.8°C ± 0.87°C (101.9°F ± 1.6°F) and 37.2°C ± 1.0°C (99.1°F ± 1.8°F), respectively. Conclusions Aural thermometry is not an accurate method of diagnosing EHS and should not be used as an alternative to rectal thermometry. Using aural thermometry to diagnosis EHS can result in catastrophic outcomes, such as long-term sequelae or fatality.
Target Product Profile and Development Path for Shigellosis Treatment with Antibacterials

Enteric infection with Shigella spp. can lead to symptoms ranging from acute watery diarrhea to sudden, severe dysentery. Approximately 212 000 diarrheal deaths annually are attributed to Shigella with a disproportionate impact in low-resource countries. The impact in under-resourced countries was illustrated by a reanalysis of the Global Enteric Multicenter Study which found that Shigella was the leading pathogen associated with moderate-to severe diarrhea in children under 5 years old. While recent studies have highlighted the burden of the disease, there has been a concurrent reduction in therapeutic options for the treatment of shigellosis as drug resistant strains increase in prevalence. In addition, increasing reports of drug resistant shigellosis cases in the men who have sex with men community confirm that the impact is not limited to low-resource countries. Despite the urgent need for new treatments, a target product profile (TPP) has not been established, and there is no clear development path for antibacterial treatments. To address this troubling concern, this manuscript describes a TPP for antishigellosis small molecule therapeutics and a development path that integrates currently available preclinical and clinical models of Shigella infection.
What's in a Name? Re-Branding and Re-Framing School Health Education to School Boards and Legislators as Education for Health Literacy-A Commentary.

Background Branding involves "labeling" (for identification) and "meaning" (for understanding) to a product, service, person, idea, or other entity. We are familiar with "brands" of soft drinks, automobiles, mobile phones, soups, cigarettes, and sports teams, and some brands have greater "market share" than others. Methods In this commentary, we review some of the ways that school health has been branded over the past 50+ years. Results The brand we know as school health education has failed to compete successfully with other school subject areas (eg, the so-called STEM subjects) for the attention of school board members, administrators, legislators, and other policymakers. Perhaps more importantly, school health education advocates have lost the market share game to subject areas that school board members and legislators see as ones with better return on investment, at least politically speaking. In short, we have failed to make the sale. Conclusion An alternative is to re-brand and re-frame school health education as education for health literacy. Literacy as a brand commands the attention of education gatekeepers, and may be more strongly related conceptually to what gatekeepers see as education-centric programs deserving of funding. Adopting a marketing mindset may elevate education for health literacy to a place where key stakeholders are more likely to "purchase" it as a relevant school "product."
Technical and Social Approaches to Study Shoreline Change of Kuakata, Bangladesh

In recent years, shoreline determination has become an issue of increasing importance and concern, especially at the local level, as sea level continues to rise. This study identifies the areas of erosion, accretion, and shoreline stabilization along the coast of Kuakata, a vulnerable coastal region in south-central Bangladesh. Shoreline change was detected by applying remote sensing and geographic information system (RS-GIS)-based techniques for the years of 1989, 2003, 2010, and 2020 by comparing Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM), Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) and Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) satellite images at 30 m resolution. The band combination (BC) method was used to extract the shoreline (i.e., land-water boundary) due to its improved accuracy over other methods for matching with the existing shoreline position. This study also used participatory rural appraisal (PRA) tools which revealed the societal impacts caused by the shoreline changes. Coupling RS-GIS and PRA techniques provides a unique understanding of shoreline change and its impacts because PRA enriches the RS-GIS outcomes by contextualizing the findings. Results show that from 1989 to 2020, a total of 13.59 km2 of coastal land was eroded, and 3.27 km2 of land was accreted, suggesting that land is retreating at about 0.32 km2 yr-1. Results from the PRA tools support this finding and demonstrate that fisheries and tourism are affected by the shoreline change. These results are important in Kuakata, a major tourist spot in Bangladesh, because of the impacts on fisheries, recreation, resource extraction, land use planning, and coastal risk management.
Study on proton exchange membrane fuel cells performance design: A case study of a small surface boat

Abstract The requirements for green energy have become more critical with the increasing risk from the global warming effect. In this study, previous study results were applied to obtain an optimal small surface boat configuration design and estimated its power requirement. The Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC) are wildly used on vehicles. Its high working temperature (80 °C) make it a safer power source for small surface boat. This research used PEMFC as the test platform with test range from 0 to 2.4 kW. In order to obtain the optimum performance, Taguchi’s orthogonal array (L8 and L27) method was applied, with three factors: flow rate of hydrogen, humidification conditions, and temperature of the fuel cell stack, as the control parameters. According to the case study results, a dimensionless analysis were performed to acquire the ship model’s resistance–power curve and to evaluate the required power for a real ship (with a size that is three times that of the ship model). The speed was approximately 5 knots, and the required power was about 250 W. Finally, the best factor-level combination of Taguchi’s method is A2B3C2 and that the SNR is 57.81 dB. This is better than the value (approximately 0.43 dB) for the original design (A1B1C1). In addition, both the main effect and interaction of the three factors have significant influence, especially toward the fuel cell stack temperature. The robust design was obtained with the intelligence parameter method matching with the results of the Taguchi’s optimal prediction.
A Review of Nebivolol Pharmacology and Clinical Evidence

Nebivolol is a highly selective β1-adrenergic receptor antagonist with a pharmacologic profile that differs from those of other drugs in its class. In addition to cardioselectivity mediated via β1 receptor blockade, nebivolol induces nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation by stimulating endothelial nitric oxide synthase via β3 agonism. This vasodilatory mechanism is distinct from those of other vasodilatory β-blockers (carvedilol, labetalol), which are mediated via α-adrenergic receptor blockade. Nebivolol is approved for the treatment of hypertension in the US, and for hypertension and heart failure in Europe. While β-blockers are not recommended within the current US guidelines as first-line therapy for treatment of essential hypertension, nebivolol has shown comparable efficacy to currently recommended therapies in lowering peripheral blood pressure in adults with hypertension with a very low rate of side effects. Nebivolol also has beneficial effects on central blood pressure compared with other β-blockers. Clinical data also suggest that nebivolol may be useful in patients who have experienced erectile dysfunction while on other β-blockers. Here we review the pharmacological profile of nebivolol, the clinical evidence supporting its use in hypertension as monotherapy, add-on, and combination therapy, and the data demonstrating its positive effects on heart failure and endothelial dysfunction.
Vision-Realistic Rendering: Simulation of the Scanned Foveal Image with Elimination of Artifacts due to Occlusion and Discretization

We introduce the concept of vision-realistic rendering – the computer generation of synthetic images that incorporate the characteristics of a particular individual’s entire optical system. Specifically, this paper develops a method for simulating the scanned foveal image from wavefront data of actual human subjects, and demonstrates those methods on sample images.
Synthesis and biological activities of [N-MeLeu5]- and [N-MePhe5]-didemnin B

Abstract Based on information from X-ray, NMR, and SAR data, the N , O -diMeTyr 5 unit of didemnin B was believed to be important for biological activity. To determine the importance of aromaticity and the role of the methoxy group in this unit, two analogs were synthesized in which the N , O -diMeTyr 5 moiety was replaced with N -MeLeu and N -MePhe. Preliminary testing showed that the analogs retained antitumor activity and the ability to inhibit protein biosynthesis in vitro .
Bayesian Learning in Games

Bayesian learning is a method by which players in a game attempt to infer each other's future strategies from the observation of past actions. Under certain assumptions, learning is successful in the sense that players' expectations converge to Nash equilibria of the game. Keywords: Bayesian learning; expectation formation; Nash equilibrium; repeated games; incomplete-information games
Economic Analysis of Health Care Utilization and Perceived Illness : Ethnicity and Other Factors

Paqueo and Gonzalez look at the determinants of health-seeking behavior of the Mexican population and within this context focus on the effect of ethnicity. They address the following questions: To what extent are the indigenous people at a disadvantage health care-wise and in what particular health services are they disadvantaged? Is the health care gap due to indigenous cultures by itself as opposed to the impact of socioeconomic differences? What policy instruments can be used to reduce the gap? The authors find that contrary to expectations, the indigenous people in Mexico tend to have a positive behavior toward modern preventive care compared with the nonindigenous population, holding socioeconomic factors constant. Apparently, there is no cultural barrier in regard to these services. But ethnicity remains negatively associated with the use of inpatient hospital care and medical and dental consultations. Insurance has a significant and positive effect on health care use. Therefore, it appears to be an effective instrument for addressing the health care disadvantages faced by the indigenous population in regard to inpatient care and the use of outpatient services of doctors, nurses, and dentists.
The Scattering of Longitudinally Polarized Electrons from Chiral Molecules and Optical Rotatory Power

Many covalently bonded molecules have sufficient geometric stability so that they can exhibit stable chirality. When substances are not racemic mixtures, it has long been known that a consequence of chirality is their optical rotatory power and the associated phenomenon of circular dichroism. Some years ago Farago1 argued, on the basis of symmetry, that longitudinally polarized electrons should show different scattering amplitudes for right- or left-handed chiral molecules.
Domains of convolutions and of some operators related to Fourier transform

Abstract It is shown that the extended domain of the convolution operator with an almost periodic function on a locally compact group coincides with the proper domain of the operator. Examples are given of integral operators with the proper domain L 1 and with the extended domain containing functions of arbitrary growth.
The Hand in Sports: An Update on the Clinical Anatomy and Physical Examination

The hand plays an important role in the athlete's ability to compete, and there is a tendency to misdiagnose and undertreat these injuries. Thus,a detailed anatomic understanding and a timely and accurate diagnosis through a thorough physical examination are critical to guide the treatment and return of normal function of the hand.
PHENOMENARCHY: A SUGGESTION FOR SOCIAL REDESIGN

Social change is most enduring when it occurs in the context of a change in a basic structural determinant. A proposal is made that with certain changes in the employment "contract," we can create conditions for new social forms that can serve a rich variety of human needs. Evidence that we have the social technologies to create communities of self-potentiating individuals is given from the author's experience in open system organizations and the use of art in low-income areas.
Materials and Coatings Damage Resulting from Environmental Degradation Aboard Naval Ships

Maintenance and preservation of seawater and fuel, ballast tanks and voids resulting from the environmental degradation of coatings present a unique and costly problem for the United States Naval Fleet. Present methods of inspection require human entry into the tanks only after a series of measurements have been taken to ensure safety. With the advent of remotely operated vehicles and cameras having a high level of accuracy and functionality, it has now become economically feasible to employ these instruments for the inspection of tanks and voids of the United States Naval Fleet. This paper presents two unique remotely operated inspections systems, which allow for unmanned inspection of tanks and voids along with quantitative results of the damaged coating areas.
Antibacterial therapy in patients with malignancies.

Patients with malignant disease may be predisposed to bacterial infections because of neoplastic disruption of normal tissue barriers, exogenous immunosuppressive therapy (drugs with or without radiation), and intrinsic host immune deficits secondary to these diseases. Diminished polymorphonuclear leukocyte numbers or function and impaired humoral immunity are highly correlated with the development of serious bacterial infections. The usual signs and symptoms of infection may be absent or altered in a compromised host. Therapy must be instituted promptly upon clinical suspicion of bacterial infection, and empirical choices should usually include combinations that are synergistic for likely pathogens based on knowledge of the local predominant flora and susceptibility data. Synergism has most often been demonstrated in combinations that utilize a β-lactam (semisynthetic penicillin or cephalosporin) and an aminoglycoside. Triple drug therapy has not been shown to be advantageous. Monotherapy with third generation cephalosporins, carbapenems, monobactams, or ureidopenicillins has not been proven to offer advantages over 2-drug regimens for these patients. Patients with blood deficient in granulocytes (granulocytopenic) who respond to 2-drug therapy but remain deficient in neutrophils (neutropenic) may need continued treatment until the neutropenia subsides. Those who do not respond and remain febrile with an unclear focus of infection may need to be started on antifungal therapy in addition to the antibacterial agent. The use of oral agents for the prophylaxis of neutropenic patients against bacteremia remains controversial. If drugs are used, co-trimoxazole and nystatin suspension may be preferable.
Contributing to the Profession in Meaningful Ways

All college and university faculty are expected to engage in professional development activities related to teaching, designing, conducting, reporting, and disseminating original research, and prov...
HL-60 cell growth-conditioned medium is an effective inducer of myeloperoxidase expression in K-562 human leukemia cells

Abstract K-562 cells were cultured in HL-60 cell growth-conditioned medium (GCM) for up to 96 h. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) mRNA was transiently detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) techniques at 12, 24, and 48 h. The de novo expression of MPO protein was subsequently detectable by intracellular flow cytometry at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. Immunogold staining and cytochemical analysis demonstrated granularly-sequestered MPO in approximately 40% of HL-60 GCM-cultured cells after 48 h of culture. The sequential detection of MPO mRNA and MPO biosynthesis is considered an indicator of serial maturation evocative of myeloblastic cells, and suggest that K-562 cells maintain the ability to differentiate along this lineage.
Synthesis and Optical Properties of Silver Nanoparticles and Arrays

This Minireview systematically examines optical properties of silver nanoparticles as a function of size. Extinction, scattering, and absorption cross-sections and distance dependence of the local electromagnetic field, as well as the quadrupolar coupling of 2D assemblies of such particles are experimentally measured for a wide range of particle sizes. Such measurements were possible because of the development of a novel synthetic method for the size-controlled synthesis of chemically clean, highly crystalline silver nanoparticles of narrow size distribution. The method and its unique advantages are compared to other methods for synthesis of metal nanoparticles. Synthesis and properties of nanocomposite materials using these and other nanoparticles are also described. Important highlights in the history of the field of metal nanoparticles as well as an examination of the basic principles of plasmon resonances are included.
Silicon Oxide Surface as a Substrate of Polymer Thin Films

We have measured the thickness of the oxide layer of Si wafers as a function of annealing temperature following treatment with either a modified Shiraki method (hydrophilic) or HF etching (hydrophobic). The results show that in both cases there exists a well-defined oxide layer, approximately 20 A thick, which forms within at least 20 min of the processing. The density of this layer is initially 35% of the usual silicon oxides. The density of this layer gradually increases, approaching that of the pure oxides as the substrates are annealed from room temperature to 180 °C. These results were interpreted in terms of a complexed layer of water. These results are consistent with dynamic secondary ion mass spectrometry, which shows that the amount of oxygen at the Si interface decreases with increasing temperature. The activation energies, obtained 31.6 and 19.3 kJ/mol for the hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces, are consistent with the evaporation energy of water. The effect of the adsorbed water was also ev...
Neural Analog Processing

This paper presents a bionic approach to pattern classification entitled Neural Analog Processing (NAP). NAP systems are based upon information processing principles discovered by neural modelers, but are not themselves neural models. To set the stage for a discussion of how NAP systems work, the theory of a particular type of local-in-time template-matching classifier -- the Generalized Nearest Neighbor (GNN) classifier -- for general time-varying patterns (imagery, spectra, tactile signals, etc.) is reviewed. The definition and function of the fundamental NAP structure -- the slab -- is then presented and it is shown that a GNN classifier can, in principle, be implemented using slabs. The embellishments necessary to allow NAP systems to be realized in hardware are then described. Finally, a summary of NAP system characteristics is presented.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Some Metabolic Effects of Testosterone Implants

Thorn and harrop (1) have shown that the administration of testosterone to normal dogs is followed by a decreased excretion of sodium and water, an effect resembling that of adrenal cortical extract. Kochakian and Murlin (2) found the nitrogen content of urine in castrate dogs diminished after the injection of androgens, while Thorn and Engel (3) noted a decrease in urinary nitrogen in normal dogs given testosterone propionate. These reports represent but a few of the recorded observations on animals. More recently, Kenyon et al. (4) have shown that in normal men and women, and particularly in eunuchoids, the injection of testosterone propionate ‘produced a reduction in the urinary excretion of nitrogen, sodium, potassium and chloride.’ When the injections of testosterone were discontinued, the excretion rates returned to the pre-injection levels. Jones et al. (5) noted that the oral administration of methyl testosterone possessed ‘the property of causing nitrogen, electrolyte and water retention.’
Media Coverage of Political Issues and the Framing of Personal Concerns

The article analyzes respondents' discussions of media framing of a variety of personal concerns. These include crime, education, taxes, economics, abortion, family life, status of government and leadership, health care, drugs, and the future of the nation's children. This study is based on focused, in-depth interviews conducted with 191 adults who lived in or near Wichita, KS, prior to the 1992 elections. Accounts of commonly held personal concerns were highly individualized. Examination of respondents' interviews identified three conceptual processes—linking, collapsing, and colorizing—contributing to the way individuals framed their concerns. A discussion of the framing of concerns as politically charged “problems” more often than issues to be resolved in the legislative arena suggests new directions in research and reporting of politics in media.
Gender Bias in the Diagnosis of a Geriatric Standardized Patient: A Potential Confounding Variable.

Background Gender bias has been reported in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with a variety of illnesses. In the context of our 10-station fourth year Objective Structured Clinical Evaluation, we queried whether this could influence diagnosis in a geriatric case. Case writers hypothesized that, due to this bias, the female standardized patient may be diagnosed with depression more often than the male.
Inhibition of Oral Shedding of Herpes Simplex Virus by Cytosine Arabinoside

A patient with acute lymphocytic leukemia in relapse, who developed severe herpetic gingivostomatitis, was treated with cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C). The titer of herpes simplex virus isolated from the mouth showed a rapid but transient decline following iv administration of Ara-C on two separate occasions. In-vitro studies revealed that the inactivating effect of saliva on herpesvirus was cancelled by antibody to IgA. These observations suggest that the diminution of the amount of herpesvirus isolated from the mouth after treatment was probably the result of inhibition of new viral synthesis by Ara-C coincident with neutralization of preformed virus by secretory IgA. Cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) inhibited the multiplication of several DNA viruses in mammalian cell cultures [1, 2]. These observations have led to the experimental use of this drug in the treatment of life-threatening viral infections [3-6]. Reports of the efficacy of Ara-C in the treatment of these illnesses, however, have been based mainly on clinical impressions. A patient with acute lymphocytic leukemia in relapse who developed severe herpetic gingivostomatitis provided an opportunity to obtain quantitative data on the effect of Ara-C on synthesis of herpes simplex virus (HSV) in vivo. The inhibition of new viral synthesis by Ara-C provided an opportunity to study the role of secretory IgA in the elimination of HSV.