cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimization of culture conditions for determining hepatobiliary disposition of taurocholate in sandwich-cultured rat hepatocytes.

This study was undertaken to examine the influence of time and volume of collagen overlay, type of media, and media additives on taurocholate (TC) accumulation and biliary excretion in hepatocytes cultured in a collagen-sandwich configuration. Hepatocytes were isolated from male Wistar rats by in situ perfusion with collagenase, seeded onto collagencoated 60-mm dishes, overlaid with gelled collagen, and cultured for 4 d. Experiments to examine the influence of time and volume of collagen overlay were conducted in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM)+1.0μM dexamethasone (DEX)+5% fetal bovine serum (FBS). Hepatocytes were overlaid at 0 h with 0.1 or 0.2 ml collagen, or at 24 h with 0.1 or 0.2 ml collagen. The influence of media type and additives was examined in hepatocytes overlaid at 0 h with 0.2 ml collagen and incubated in DMEM+0.1μM DEX, DMEM+0.1μM DEX+5% FBS, Williams' medium E+0.1μM DEX+1% ITSΘ+, DMEM +1.0μM DEX, DMEM+1.0 μM DEX+5% FBS, or modified Chee's medium (MCM)+0.1 μM DEX+1% ITSГ+. [3H] TC accumulation by hepatocytes in Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS) and Ca2+-free HBSS was measured, and the biliary-excretion index (BEI: percentage of accumulated TC localized in the canalicular compartment) was calculated. Light microscopy and carboxydichlorofluorescein fluorescence were employed to examine the cellular and canalicular morphologies. The volume of collagen used for both the substratum and the overlay did not affect TC accumulation or biliary excretion. The BEI tended to be higher in cells overlaid at 24 h (BEI=0.649 [0.1 ml collagen]; BEI=0.659 [0.2 ml collagen]) compared with those overlaid at 0 h after seeding (BEI=0.538 [0.1 ml collagen]; BEI=0.517 [0.2 ml collagen]), although the differences were not statistically significant. Hepatocytes cultured in MCM produced consistently the lowest BEI of TC (BEI=0.396). Differing DEX concentration (0.1 μM versus 1.0 μM) with or without 5% FBS did not appear to have a significant effect on the BEI of TC.
Occupational Stress Among Correctional Supervisors

The purpose of this research is to examine occupational stress among correctional supervisors. Although a number of studies have focused on correctional officers, the systematic study of correctional supervisor stress has been neglected. This article draws on a sample of 329 correctional supervisors in one state to provide a quantitative and qualitative examination of correctional supervisor stress. Results indicate that overall stress levels are low. Furthermore, reported levels of stress do not vary along gender, race, educational level, and institution. However, three variables are significant predictors of low levels of stress: high levels of job satisfaction, high levels of social support, and an internal locus of control. Recommendations and avenues for future inquiry are presented.
Preferential Cytolysis of Peripheral Memory CD4+ T Cells by In Vitro X4-Tropic Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection before the Completion of Reverse Transcription

CD4 + T-cell depletion is the hallmark of AIDS pathogenesis. Multiple mechanisms may contribute to the death of productively infected CD4 + T cells and innocent-bystander cells. In this study, we characterize a novel mechanism in which human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection preferentially depletes peripheral memory CD4 + T cells before the completion of reverse transcription. Using a recombinant HIV-1 carrying the green fluorescent protein reporter gene, we demonstrate that memory CD4 + T cells were susceptible to infection-induced cell death at a low multiplicity of infection. Infected memory CD4 + T cells underwent rapid necrotic cell death. Killing of host cells was dependent on X4 envelope-mediated viral fusion, but not on virion-associated Vpr or Nef. In contrast to peripheral resting CD4 + T cells, CD4 + T cells stimulated by mitogen or certain cytokines were resistant to HIV-1-induced early cell death. These results demonstrate that early steps in HIV-1 infection have a detrimental effect on certain subsets of CD4 + T cells. The early cell death may serve as a selective disadvantage for X4-tropic HIV-1 in acute infection but may play a role in accelerated disease progression, which is associated with the emergence of X4-tropic HIV-1 in the late stage of AIDS.
Work in progress - behavioral aspects of student engineering design experiences

Problem- and project-based learning courses have come to be popular as underlying pedagogies for engineering design classes. Though shown to increase student learning and engagement such active learning approaches also sometimes fall short of addressing student and faculty uneasiness with novel and seemingly unorthodox course designs. Through a planned 2-year qualitative comparison evaluation of two capstone engineering design courses at two different universities, the difficulties and successes of both students and faculty engaged in such courses will be described and characterized on a social plane. Qualitative and projective methods will be utilized to report project development across three dimensions: (1) assignment milestones of design iterations, (2) student and team reflections, and (3) instructor team reports on progress. It is planned that from these affective and social observations, interventions can be constructed and organized into a workshop format for students participating in these problem- and project-based learning engineering design courses.
Segmentation of functional MRI by K-means clustering

A preliminary study was conducted to segment 1.5 T fMRIs into the microvasculature and relatively large blood vessels using the intensity, phase and temporal delay of activated pixels as three correlated parameters in gradient echo images. Images acquired during visual stimulation using a checkerboard flashing at 8 Hz were investigated. Activated pixels were identified by correlating their time-course in the gradient echo images to a model of the stimulation 'on'-'off' sequence. The temporal delay of each activated pixel was estimated by fitting its time-course to a reference sinusoidal function. The mean signal intensity and phase difference of the activated pixels was computed by subtracting the average of the 'on' images from the average of the 'off' images. After mapping each pixel onto a three-dimensional feature space (intensity, phase shift and temporal delay), a clustering method based on a K-means algorithm was employed to classify pixels into two or three classes representing the relatively large blood vessels and the microvasculature. Good demarcation between large veins and activated gray matter was achieved with this method.
Cyclosporine up-regulates Kruppel-like factor-4 (KLF4) in vascular smooth muscle cells and drives phenotypic modulation in vivo.

Cyclosporine A (CSA, calcineurin inhibitor) has been shown to block both vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation in cell culture and vessel neointimal formation following injury in vivo. The purpose of this study was to determine molecular and pathological effects of CSA on VSMCs. Using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence microscopy, we show that CSA up-regulated the expression of Kruppel-like factor-4 (KLF4) in VSMCs. KLF4 plays a key role in regulating VSMC phenotypic modulation. KLF4 antagonizes proliferation, facilitates migration, and down-regulates VSMC differentiation marker gene expression. We show that the VSMC differentiation marker genes smooth muscle α-actin (ACTA2), transgelin (TAGLN), smoothelin (SMTN), and myocardin (MYOCD) are all down-regulated by CSA in VSMC monoculture, whereas cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor-1A (CDKN1A) and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP3) are up-regulated. CSA did not affect the abundance of the VSMC microRNA (MIR) markers MIR143 and MIR145. Administration of CSA to rat carotid artery in vivo resulted in acute and transient suppression of ACTA2, TAGLN, SMTN, MYOCD, and smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (MYH11) mRNA levels. The tumor suppressor genes KLF4, p53, and CDKN1A, however, were up-regulated, as well as MMP3, MMP9, and collagen-VIII. CSA-treated arteries showed remarkable remodeling, including breakdown of the internal elastic lamina and reorientation of VSMCs, as well as increased KLF4 immunostaining in VSMCs and endothelial cells. Altogether, these data show that cyclosporin up-regulates KLF4 expression and promotes phenotypic modulation of VSMCs.
Nitric oxide and β-adrenergic agonist-induced bronchial arterial vasodilation

Charan, Nirmal B., Shane R. Johnson, S. Lakshminarayan, William H. Thompson, and Paula Carvalho. Nitric oxide and β-adrenergic agonist-induced bronchial arterial vasodilation.J. Appl. Physiol. 82(2...
Transcriptional landscape of the prenatal human brain

The anatomical and functional architecture of the human brain is mainly determined by prenatal transcriptional processes. We describe an anatomically comprehensive atlas of the mid-gestational human brain, including de novo reference atlases, in situ hybridization, ultra-high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and microarray analysis on highly discrete laser-microdissected brain regions. In developing cerebral cortex, transcriptional differences are found between different proliferative and post-mitotic layers, wherein laminar signatures reflect cellular composition and developmental processes. Cytoarchitectural differences between human and mouse have molecular correlates, including species differences in gene expression in subplate, although surprisingly we find minimal differences between the inner and outer subventricular zones even though the outer zone is expanded in humans. Both germinal and post-mitotic cortical layers exhibit fronto-temporal gradients, with particular enrichment in the frontal lobe. Finally, many neurodevelopmental disorder and human-evolution-related genes show patterned expression, potentially underlying unique features of human cortical formation. These data provide a rich, freely-accessible resource for understanding human brain development.
Enhancement of osteoblast proliferative capacity by growth factor-like molecules in bear serum.

Abstract The use of animal serum in cell culture is vital for providing the nutrient factors required to promote proliferation and function. Fetal calf serum has become the preferred choice because of its abundance, reasonable cost, and ability to sustain human cells in vitro. Although a wide variety of serum sources have been tested and used, little is known about the ability of serum obtained from the American black bear (Ursus americanus) to support human cell growth in culture. The American black bear, an animal comparable in size to humans, is unique in that it hibernates for mo at a time but does not experience extensive bone loss normally associated with extended immobility. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of bear serum on human osteoblast cultures. We discovered that three of the eight bear serum samples induced significantly higher proliferation rates in osteoblasts than did fetal calf serum over a 24-h period. Osteoblasts incubated in bear serum displayed higher messenger ribonuc...
Prostate cancer cell-specific targeting using cisplatin-encapsulated and peptide ligand-coated nanoparticles

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 14-18, 2007; Los Angeles, CA 4743 Prostate cancer is one of the most common male malignancies and one of the most frequent causes of cancer-related deaths in men in the western world. Patients initially respond to androgen-ablation, but eventually progress to hormone refractory disease. Therefore, alternative strategies are required for treatment of hormone-refractory prostate cancer; chemotherapy has long been used for this purpose. Of the various cytotoxic drugs, cis-di amine platinum (II) dichloride (cisplatin), a member of platinum complexes, has been shown to exhibit therapeutic efficacy in patients with prostate cancer. However, its clinical effectiveness is compromised by its high systemic toxicity, which is an inherent problem for many chemotherapeutic agents. In this study we have tested the hypothesis that nanoparticles containing cisplatin in a starch-polyethylene glycol and coated with polycaprolactone-peptide and/or -folic acid conjugates enhance the therapeutic efficacy of platinum-based therapy. We have investigated the possibility of a more selective delivery of cisplatin to prostate cancer cells using nanoparticles as a cisplatin carrier. The induction of apoptosis and anti-proliferative activity of cisplatin or nanoparticles, containing cisplatin along with folic acid alone and/or prostate cancer cell specific homing peptide coatings, was determined on normal prostatic epithelial cells (PrEC) and human prostate cancer cell lines (PC3, DU145 and LNCaP) in vitro. Nanoparticles showed a selective ability to induce apoptosis and inhibit prostate cancer cells proliferation at lower cisplatin doses compared to cisplatin solution. In conclusion, prostate cancer cell-targeted delivery of cisplatin using nanoparticles demonstrated a greater efficiency and reduced the toxicity associated with this chemotherapeutic.
ESTIMATING POPULATION PREVALENCE OF HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS INFECTION IN URBAN AREAS WITH HIGH RATES OF INTRAVENOUS DRUG USE: A MODEL OF THE BRONX IN 1988

The Bronx, a borough of New York City with 1.16 million people, has a distinctive pattern of prevalence and distribution of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), i.e., 62.2% of AIDS patients are intravenous drug users, 20.3% are female, 87.3% are black or Hispanic, and 4.5% are children under age 13 years. Local data on reported AIDS cases by risk factors, age, and sex are combined with local indices of the intravenous drug use population to estimate numbers of intravenous drug users. The Bronx is estimated to have 40,400 intravenous drug users (range, 28,080-52,800), 78% of whom fall into the age group 25-44 years. On the basis of local serosurveys, 45-55% are considered to be human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive. With Bronx population census data as the denominator, minimum rates of HIV seroprevalence are calculated for all Bronx males and females aged 25-44 years, a group comprising 76% of the AIDS cases in the Bronx through February 1, 1987. These data produce a population seroprevalence range for those aged 25-44 years of 5.4-12.5% for all Bronx males and 1.4-3.3% for females. For the South Bronx, with 66% of all intravenous drug users and 38% of the population, these age-specific HIV prevalence estimates are 9.4-21.6% for males and 2.4-5.5% for females.
A multiobjective, maximal conditional covering location problem applied to the relocation of hierarchical emergency response facilities

Abstract In this research we analyze the effectiveness of the current and optimal locations of a set of existing regional assets maintained by the Department of Defense to respond to large-scale emergencies. These assets have been incrementally resourced, established, sited over the past 20 years without regard to the entire enterprise and, due to fiscal and political costs, modifications to the current structure must yield significant gains to garner approval. We formulate a multiobjective hierarchical extension of the maximal covering location problem that seeks to maximize coverage of the population within a rapid response window while minimizing modifications to the existing structure. Additionally, we prevent facilities from covering nodes located within close proximity using a modified conditional covering problem (CCP) constraint; this constraint accounts for the large impact radius that can occur in a worst-case scenario. To solve our multiobjective problem, we develop a set of non-inferior solutions using the e-constraint method. These non-inferior solutions explicitly represent the trade-off between maximizing coverage and minimizing cost, and they offer a decision maker a set of Pareto optimal decisions to consider for implementation. Applying our model and methodology to the current set of assets, we demonstrate that, in the absence of resource constraints, we can improve coverage by more than 15%, approximately 49 million people. Furthermore, with only 23 unit relocations (less than a 30% modification of the entire structure) coverage can exceed 98%, an improvement of an additional 45 million people covered. Finally, we demonstrate additional advantages of implementing the modified CCP constraint.
The CAR that drives Ca2+ to Orai1.

How Ca 2+ permeates the Orai1 channel and the mechanism by which the channel achieves high Ca 2+ selectivity remain critical questions in understanding store-operated Ca 2+ influx. In research published in Science Signaling , Frischauf et al . identified a Ca 2+ -accumulating region (CAR) in the extracellular opening of Orai1, which explains how concentrating Ca 2+ at the mouth of Orai1 facilitates channel permeation and contributes to selectivity.
Volatility and Thermal Stability of Lead bis-Heptafluorodimethyloctadione [Pb(fod)2] and Lead bis-Tetramethylheptadione [Pb(thd)2]

Lead bis-heptafluorodimethyloctadione, or Pb(fod) 2 and lead bis-tetramethylbeptadione, or Pb(thd) 2 are useful precursors for MOCVD of PbO, a component of PZT ferroelectrics. The two compounds differ only by substituents on their respective ligands, and properties such as volatility and thermal stability differ as a function of the substituents. The volatilities and thermal stabilities of Pb(fod) 2 and Pb(thd) 2 were examined and compared, in order to further determine usefulness as precursors for MOCVD. Pb(fod) 2 and Pb(thd) 2 were synthesized and purified via a procedure developed in our laboratory, and purity was confirmed by several techniques. Isothermal and dynamic thermogravimetric analysis experiments were carried out. Regions of thermal stability and thermal instability were identified as a function of heating time and temperature. The region of instability was further examined by heating experiments and chemical ionization mass spectrometry. It was proposed that vaporization of the monomeric form of Pb(fod) 2 and Pb(thd) 2 controls the rate of weight loss observed in the region of thermal stability, and oligomerization controls the observed rate of weight loss in the region of thermal instability. Heat of vaporization was calculated to be 75 KJ/mol for Pb(fod) 2 and 86 KJ/mol for Pb(thd) 2 .
Multiphase sorting

With a limited number of tape drives available for sorting, the polyphase technique of merging provides faster sorting than the conventional balanced method of merging. This paper is an attempt to describe the polyphase method used in the IBM 1401 Sort 2 program for a computer system with four tape drives available.
Treatments for urinary incontinence in women.

What are the effectiveness, benefits, and adverse effects of options for diagnosis and treatment of urinary incontinence (UI) that are available in primary care?
Evaluation of T-Wave Morphology in Patients With Left Bundle Branch Block and Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Abstract Background T-wave morphology in the setting of left bundle branch block (LBBB) has been proposed as an indicator of myocardial ischemia. Objectives We sought to identify T-wave morphology findings in patients with LBBB that predict non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). We hypothesized that two or more contiguous leads with concordant T waves would be predictive of NSTEMI. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study performed by chart review in a tertiary care center emergency department. We identified a consecutive cohort who presented with LBBB and symptoms consistent with acute coronary syndrome. Exclusion criteria were diastolic blood pressure > 120 mm Hg, heart rate > 130 beats/min, positive pressure ventilation, potassium > 5.5 mEq/L, and cardiac arrest without prearrest electrocardiogram (ECG) available. We collected ECGs and classified T waves into five categories based on morphology, blinded to clinical outcome. Clinical outcome data were collected blinded to ECG findings. Those with ECG diagnostic of STEMI by modified Sgarbossa criteria were excluded from the primary analysis, which was sensitivity and specificity of two or more contiguous leads with concordant T waves for NSTEMI. Results There were 246 patients included. Mean age was 73 years; 160 (65%) were female, and 32 had myocardial infarction. Thirty percent had two or more contiguous precordial leads with partially or completely concordant T waves. For NSTEMI, the sensitivity and specificity of this finding were 19% (95% confidence interval [CI] 8–37) and 68% (95% CI 61–74). Conclusions We found no clinically useful relationship between T-wave concordance and myocardial infarction in our patient population. Future investigation of LBBB T-wave morphology should focus on alternative populations and findings.
The Casey Five Versus the Federalism Five: Supreme Legislator or Prudent Umpire?

The Rehnquist Court is often attacked as being especially antidemocratic and activist. Although Bush v. Gore added emotion to the charge, the primary evidence for this claim is usually drawn from the Court's federalism decisions, reflecting the Rehnquist Court's unusual willingness to invalidate federal legislation. This chapter argues that the charge of judicial supremacy is misplaced when aimed at the "Federalism Five," however. Such criticism would be more appropriately targeted at the different set of justices who formed the majority in cases such as Casey. The structure of the federalism decisions is such that political power is simply shifted by them from one legislature (Congress) to another (that of the states). By contrast, the structure of individual rights decisions such as Casey is such that political power is removed from the electoral arena entirely and lodged in the judiciary.
Bringing It All Together

We have spent a good deal of time talking about people issues. Much of pathology practice management, and management in general, is about people. While people are a practice’s most valuable resource, they can also create its most vexing problems. A rift between two senior pathologists can be a greater threat to a practice than changes in Medicare payment rates. This can be compounded by our current environment of rapid change and downward pressure on payments which engenders stress and may exacerbate underlying people issues within a practice. In our experience, day-to-day people issues can demand more total time than the other aspects of practice management combined. As such, careful recruiting, early identification of problems, a focus on fairness, and a proactive approach to intervention are key. Continually evaluating culture and mood is also essential. With these warnings in mind, though, a high-functioning team of professionals is both fun to be part of and difficult to beat in the market.
Sex, marriage, and family in Christian tradition

Faithfulness to NT criteria of moral discipleship should yield a sex and gender ethics which is also a social ethics, including and protecting society's judged, outcast, and vulnerable. Has Christian teaching and practice about sex, gender, marriage, and family enhanced appreciation of all persons' common humanity, the value of each, and the interdependence of all? Has it led to the construction of ecclesial and social institutions which give such appreciation stability and material expression? As on most other embodiments of discipleship, Christianity has on these issues a mixed record. The pre-modern cultures which contributed to the first centuries of Christianity set a high priority on the social functions of marriage and family, and assumed gender to be both hierarchical and highly differentiated. According both to Roman law and to the traditions of the Germanic peoples who immigrated into Europe in the fourth century and later, sex was largely defined by its reproductive function, and parenthood and family by their socioeconomic functions. Sexual intimacy was structured patriarchally, and sexual pleasure was not linked to the mutual affection of the reproductive partners, so much as to the accomplishment of reproduction itself, whose requirements it always exceeded. Hence sex's reputation as unruly and dangerous to its own social role. As we shall see, certain developments in the Christian theology and of marriage and in its regulation under ecclesiastical law worked to protect the dignity, freedom, equality, and affective relationship of spouses.
Using Conjoint Analysis to Evaluate and Reward Teaching Performance

Although widely used, student evaluations of teaching do not address several factors that should be considered in evaluating teaching performance such as new course preparations, teaching larger classes, and inconvenient class times. Consequently, the incentive exists to avoid certain teaching assignments to achieve high SET scores while minimizing workload. This hinders curriculum innovation and development and potentially creates dysfunction in the college. The authors demonstrate how conjoint analysis can be applied to create a model of teaching evaluation that simultaneously considers many aspects of teaching performance and increases fairness in the appraisal process. Findings from a pilot implementation are discussed.
Programmed development of the antibody repertoire.

Specific immunity in vertebrates requires the generation of a diverse repertoire of antigen-binding structures that are displayed on the surfaces of lymphocytes. These antigen receptors are encoded by a superfamily of gene segments which undergo rearrangements exclusively in lymphoid cells: the V H, D H, and J H segments of antibody heavy chains, V L and J L segments of antibody light chains, and analogous components encoding the α, β, and γ-chains of the T-cell receptor (Hayday etal. 1985; Honjo 1983; Davis 1985; Kronenberg etal. 1986). In each case (with the possible exception of the T-cell receptor γ-chain genes), a limited repertoire of germ-line gene segments can be used to generate a much larger repertoire of recognition structures through combinatorial joining of these elements prior to transcription and through combinatorial association of the mature polypeptide products prior to expression of the heterodimeric antigen receptor on the cell surface.
31. Housman’s to an Athlete Dying Young

(1952). 31. Housman’s to an Athlete Dying Young. The Explicator: Vol. 10, No. 5, pp. 57-61.
Vehicle NOx emission plume isotopic signatures: spatial variability across the eastern United States

On-road vehicle nitrogen oxide (NOx) sources currently dominate U.S. anthropogenic emission budgets, yet vehicle NOx emissions have uncertain contributions to oxidized nitrogen (N) deposition patterns. Isotopic signatures serve as a potentially valuable observational tool to trace source contributions to NOx chemistry and N deposition, yet in-situ emission signatures are under constrained. We characterize the spatio-temporal variability of vehicle NOx emission isotopic signatures (δ15N-NOx) representative of U.S. vehicle fleet-integrated emission plumes. A novel combination of on-road mobile and stationary urban measurements is performed using a field and laboratory-verified technique for actively capturing NOx in solution to quantify δ15N-NOx at hourly resolution. On-road δ15N-NOx upwind of Providence, RI ranged from -7 to -3 ‰. Simultaneous urban background δ15N-NOx observations showed comparable range and variations with on-road measurements, suggesting that vehicles dominate NOx emissions in the Providence area. On-road spatial δ15N-NOx variations of -9 to -2 ‰ were observed under various driving conditions in six urban metropolitan areas and rural interstate highways during summer and autumn in the U.S. Northeast and Midwest. Although isotopic signatures were insensitive to on-road driving mode variations, statistically significant correlations were found between δ15N-NOx and NOx emission factor extremes associated with heavy diesel emitter contributions. Overall, these results constrain an isotopic signature of fleet-integrated roadway NOx emission plumes, which have important implications for distinguishing vehicle NOx from other sources and tracking emission contributions to NOx chemistry and N deposition.
The competing effects of plate stretching and transpiration on rotational stagnation-point flow

Abstract The simultaneous effects of transpiration through and radial extensional motion of a flat plate on Agrawal stagnation-point flow is considered. Difficulties with standard shooting techniques are overcome using Crocco variables which also serve to better elucidate the solution structure. The governing similarity equation can be mapped into that found by Weidman, Davis & Kubitschek (2008) for uniform shear flow over a stretching surface with transpiration with the proviso that the boundary conditions on the radial stretch rate and transpiration are not the identical. However, this allows us to use the stability results for multiple steady flow solutions already found. Although the two problems are qualitatively similar they are quantitatively different.
Optimization of miniaturized single- and multiband CPW-based matching transformers for RF circuitry on LCP substrates

We propose a novel approach to design compact coplanar waveguide (CPW) transformers to match predefined source and load impedances at single- and multi-frequency bands. The proposed transformers are optimized for the implementation on flexible liquid crystal polymer (LCP) substrates. The signal trace and the adjacent ground planes in the conventional CPW structure are width-modulated along the propagation path of the electromagnetic wave while maintaining a constant ground-trace separation. Validation is carried out by designing and simulating several matching transformers at different frequency bands. Specifically, single-, multi-, and wideband transformers operating at 1 GH, 0.9, 3.6, 5.4 GHz, and 1–3 GHz, respectively, are designed. Full-wave simulation results verify the proposed design procedure.
Entries of the Group Inverse of the Laplacian Matrix for Generalized Johnson Graphs

In this paper, we use graph theoretic properties of generalized Johnson graphs to compute the entries of the group inverse of Laplacian matrices for generalized Johnson graphs. We then use these en...
Nursing management of the child in status asthmaticus and impending respiratory failure.

Asthma is the most common chronic illness in children and is a leading cause of illness-associated morbidity. Hospitalization rates and deaths due to asthma in children have been steadily rising despite a greater understanding of and better treatment for this disease. Status asthmaticus can progress to respiratory failure and death if not treated promptly and appropriately. Nurses working with children in the critical care stetting need an understanding of the pathophysiology of status asthmaticus, risk factors associated with its development, and common treatment modalities used.
Speculative Notes by a Subaltern Amateur in Cultural Studies

Endeavoring to apply a historical-materialist framework, this essay seeks to critique orthodox cultural studies by deploying certain oppositional events and discourses to point out the limitations of the hegemonic discipline. It contends that deconstructing elite bourgeois culture via institutionalizing popular tastes and demystifying idealist rhetoric has often resulted in instituting alienation with a postmodernist hubris. It suggests that engaging with the resurgence of subaltern resistance, with its focus on racial/gender negativity (as in certain democratizing initiatives in the Philippines and among ethnic artists in the United States), may catalyze a return to the original radical vision of cultural studies. Key to this renewal is the rediscovery of a dialectics of local/ethnic practice and the concrete universal of an anti-capitalist liberation project able to connect the global South and North in a symbiotic process.
The Relationship Between Sleep Duration and Glycemic Control Among Hispanic Adults With Uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between sleep duration and glycemic control in adult Hispanic patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes.MethodsThis cross-sectional...
The Role of Primary Care for the Oral Health of Rural and Urban Older Adults

Context Rural populations often have restricted access to dental care and poor oral health. These problems may disproportionately affect older blacks in rural areas. Little is known about how access to primary health care may improve the oral health of rural seniors. Purpose This study examines whether the relationship between having a usual source of health care and oral health varies for white and black older adults in rural and urban areas in the United States. Methods We draw on cross-sectional data of adults (50 years+) from the nationally representative Health and Retirement Study (n = 15,473). Multivariate logistic regression examined the role of a usual source of health care in conditioning racial differences in complete tooth loss and a dental visit in the past 2 years. A usual source of health care is a place, not including an emergency room, where a person goes when he or she is sick or needs health advice. Findings In rural areas, blacks had high rates of tooth loss (28%) and low rates of dental visits (34%). Having a usual source of health care was associated with higher odds of a dental visit for all adults. In rural areas, the association between a usual source of health care and tooth loss varied by race (P < .001); blacks had more tooth loss than whites even with a usual source of health care. Conclusions Access to primary health care was associated with improved oral health outcomes, but it did not close the gap between whites and blacks in rural areas.
Scaling and the frequency dependence of Nyquist plot maxima of the electrical impedance of the human thigh

Objective To define and elucidate the properties of reduced-variable Nyquist plots. Approach Non-invasive measurements of the electrical impedance of the human thigh. A retrospective analysis of the electrical impedances of 154 normal subjects measured over the past decade shows that 'scaling' of the Nyquist plots for human thigh muscles is a property shared by healthy thigh musculature, irrespective of subject and the length of muscle segment. Here the term scaling signifies the near and sometimes 'perfect' coalescence of the separate X versus R plots into one 'reduced' Nyquist plot by the simple expedient of dividing R and X by X m , the value of X at the reactance maximum. To the extent allowed by noise levels one can say that there is one 'universal' reduced Nyquist plot for the thigh musculature of healthy subjects. Main results There is one feature of the Nyquist curves which is not 'universal', however, namely the frequency f m at which the maximum in X is observed. That is found to vary from 10 to 100 kHz. depending on subject and segment length. Analysis shows, however, that the mean value of 1/f m is an accurately linear function of segment length, though there is a small subject-to-subject random element as well. Also, following the recovery of an otherwise healthy victim of ankle fracture demonstrates the clear superiority of measurements above about 800 kHz, where scaling is not observed, in contrast to measurements below about 400 kHz, where scaling is accurately obeyed. Significance The ubiquity of 'scaling' casts new light on the interpretation of impedance results as they are used in electrical impedance myography and bioelectric impedance analysis.
Media, Biotechnology, and Trust: What Drives Citizens to Support Biotechnology

This paper explores the relationship among ideology, media science news use, and three different types of trust (trust in government, trust in science, and trust in regulative institute), as well as their direct and indirect impact on the support of agricultural biotechnology and the support of regulation on genetic modified organisms (GMO). A structural model showed that the public are slightly leaning toward the use of biotechnology; meanwhile they overwhelmingly request the control on GMO. Level of education directly promoted all three types of trusts and had a positive effect on the support of biotechnology and the support of regulation on GMO. Media science news use has both a direct and an indirect positive effect (through trust in scientific process) on support of biotechnology. Among the three different types of trusts, trust on government did not have significant effects on public attitude toward biotechnology. Trust in regulative institutes, associated with more control on GMO, decreased the public’s support of biotechnology. Meanwhile, trust in scientific process directly bolstered public’s support of biotechnology.
Electrogates for stop-and-go control of liquid flow in microfluidics

Diagnostics based on microfluidic devices necessitate specific reagents, flow conditions, and kinetics for optimal performance. Such an optimization is often achieved using assay-specific microfluidic chip designs or systems with external liquid pumps. Here, we present “electrogates” for stop-and-go control of flow of liquids in capillary-driven microfluidic chips by combining liquid pinning and electrowetting. Electrogates are simple to fabricate and efficient: a sample pipetted to a microfluidic chip flows autonomously in 15-μm-deep hydrophilic channels until the liquid meniscus is pinned at the edge of a 1.5-μm-deep trench patterned at the bottom of a rectangular microchannel. The flow can then be resumed by applying a DC voltage between the liquid and the trench via integrated electrodes. Using a trench geometry with a semicircular shape, we show that retention times longer than 30 min are achieved for various aqueous solutions such as biological buffers, artificial urine, and human serum. We studied ...
The challenge of diagnostic metagenomics.

Introduction: Diagnostic metagenomics and its associated trail of publications are spreading across the world. Multiple clinical labs in the United States, Europe, and Asia have gone to considerabl...
Set Theory as a Foundation

The view of set theory as a foundation for mathematics emerged early in the thinking of the originators of the theory and is now a pillar of contemporary orthodoxy. As such, it is enshrined in the opening pages of most recent textbooks; to take a few illustrative examples: All branches of mathematics are developed, consciously or unconsciously, in set theory. (Levy, 1979, p. 3) Set theory is the foundation of mathematics. All mathematical concepts are defined in terms of the primitive notions of set and membership … From [the] axioms, all known mathematics may be derived. (Kunen, 1980, p. xi).
The effect of hypovolemic shock on pancreatic secretion.

A vascular pathogenesis of pancreatitis has been postulated in diabetics, the aged, Ortner's Syndrome, and various low-flow states. This report studies canine pancreatic secretion in a preparation of hypovolemic shock produced by controlled hemorrhage maintained for varying durations. Pancreatic secretion was collected by cannulation of the main pancreatic duct in anesthetized dogs. Secretin was administered by continuous intravenous (i.v.) infusion of 4 U/kg/h. Four 15-min samples of pancreatic juice were collected. Then the dogs were bled by arterial line withdrawing 25-30% of total blood volume or until the mean blood pressure dropped to about 60 mmHg. Blood was collected in heparinized containers for reinfusion. Blood samples for amylase and 15-min samples of pancreatic juice for volume, bicarbonate, and enzymes were obtained during hypovolemia as well as during and following restoration of the blood volume. Hypovolemia induced significant decreases in pancreatic flow, bicarbonate and amylase secretion, parameters which increased after reinfusion but never returned to pre-shock levels. Increasing the period of hypovolemia increased the inhibition of pancreatic flow, increased blood amylase elevation, and resulted in visible pancreatic edema. We conclude that pancreatic secretion is diminished by hypovolemia, that this is initially reversible when hypovolemia is brief, but that the disturbance of function progresses to inflammatory pathology when hypovolemia is prolonged.
Long-term weight change and health outcomes for sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and matched Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) participants in the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (LABS) study.

Background Data from a US multicenter longitudinal study of bariatric surgery were used to compare weight change (primary outcome) and comorbidities (secondary outcome) in patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy versus Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Methods This study includes participants who underwent sleeve gastrectomy and matched participants who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass from the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery-2 (LABS-2) study. Adults undergoing initial bariatric surgical procedures between 2006 and 2009 were enrolled. Participants who underwent sleeve gastrectomy were high-risk or superobese and intended to have a second-stage procedure. Mixed models were used to evaluate percent weight change from baseline through 7 years, and diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension prevalence through 5 years. Results Fifty-seven of 59 participants who underwent sleeve gastrectomy were matched one to one. Most were female (68%) and white (81%), and had a median age of 49 (37–56) years and median body mass index of 56.4 (35.5–76.8) kg/m2 presurgery. Weight loss was significantly less 1 to 7 years after sleeve gastrectomy versus matched Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (eg, year 7 mean weight loss was 23.6% vs 30.4%, respectively; P = .001). For both surgical groups, prevalence of diabetes, low high-density lipoprotein, and hypertension were significantly (P Conclusion Higher-risk or super-obese participants after sleeve gastrectomy lost less weight than did matched Roux-en-Y gastric bypass counterparts throughout 7 years. Both groups exhibited improvements in comorbidities from presurgery through 5 years.
Spatiotemporal distributions of icebergs in a temperate fjord: Columbia Fjord, Alaska

Abstract. Much of the world's ice enters the ocean via outlet glaciers terminating in fjords. Inside fjords, icebergs may affect glacier–ocean interactions by cooling incoming ocean waters, enhancing vertical mixing, or providing back stress on the terminus. However, relatively few studies have been performed on iceberg dynamics inside fjords, particularly outside of Greenland. We examine icebergs calved from Columbia Glacier, Alaska, over 8 months spanning late winter to mid-fall using 0.5 m resolution satellite imagery, identifying icebergs based on pixel brightness. Iceberg sizes fit a power-law distribution with an overall power-law exponent, m , of - 1.26 ± 0.05 . Seasonal variations in the power-law exponent indicate that brittle fracture of icebergs is more prevalent in the summer months. Combining our results with those from previous studies of iceberg distributions, we find that iceberg calving rate, rather than water temperature, appears to be the major control on the exponent value. We also analyze icebergs' spatial distribution inside the fjord and find that large icebergs (10 000–100 000 m 2 cross-sectional area) have low spatial correlation with icebergs of smaller sizes due to their tendency to ground on shallow regions. We estimate the surface area of icebergs in contact with incoming seawater to be 3.0 ± 0.63 × 10 4 m 2 . Given the much larger surface area of the terminus, 9.7 ± 3.7 × 10 5 m 2 , ocean interactions with the terminus may have a larger impact on ocean heat content than interactions with icebergs.
Epidemiology and Risk Factors for Parasomnias

Parasomnias are undesirable movements, emotions, and behaviors that occur during sleep. Parasomnias are most prevalent in children and decrease in frequency with increasing age. REM behavioral disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia that often occurs after the age of 50, affects mostly men, and is often associated with neurodegenerative disorders.
Media Review: Modern Faces of Taiwanese Gezai xi Opera: Two Plays by Sunhope Taiwanese Opera Troupe

“Gezai xi 歌仔戲 is undoubtedly the most representative Taiwanese drama,” states Professor Zeng Yongyi (Tseng Yong-yih) 曽永義 in his book on the history of gezai xi.1 In this review, I will first briefl...
Why Mentoring Matters: African-American Students and the Transition to College

At the postsecondary level, the process of mentoring involves academic guidance and social support. The purpose of this study was to explore how first-year African-American students experienced a year-long mentoring program at a mid-sized liberal arts college. Fifty-eight undergraduate African-American students were surveyed at the conclusion of the mentoring program. Findings revealed the majority of students regarded the mentoring program as worthwhile and a positive part of their transition to college. Some first-year students who were paired with older students had a mixed experience. Implications for mentoring programs using a combination of faculty, staff, and upperclassmen mentors are discussed.
Employing the Staticization Operator in Conservative Dynamical Systems and the Schrödinger Equation

Conservative dynamical systems propagate as stationary points of the action functional. Hence, dynamical-systems questions may be addressed by control-theoretic methods. Using this representation, it has previously been demonstrated that one may obtain fundamental solutions for two-point boundary value problems for some classes of conservative systems via solution of an associated dynamic program. It is also known that the gravitational and Coulomb potentials may be represented as stationary points of cubicly-parameterized quadratic functionals. Hence, stationary points of the action functional may be represented via iterated staticization of polynomial functionals. This leads to representations through operations on sets of solutions of differential Riccati equations (DREs). A key step in this process is the reordering of staticization operations.
The Variability of Preferred Infant Lumbar Puncture Insertion Site Between Novice and Experienced Physicians.

Background We sought to determine if vertebral interspace selection for performance of infant lumbar puncture (LP) varies between less experienced trainees and more experienced pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) attending physicians. Methods We performed an observational prospective study using a convenience sample of infants aged 0 to 12 months presenting to a single emergency department. Trainees with limited LP experience (defined as less than 10 infant LPs performed) marked their preferred LP insertion site with an invisible ultraviolet pen. PEM attending physicians subsequently marked their preferred LP insertion site with a visible pen. A trained sonographer then performed a bedside ultrasound to confirm interspace concordance or discordance. Our primary outcome was the proportion of concordant marked insertion sites. Results Of the 110 patients enrolled, 102 (92.8%) completed study procedures. Trainee and PEM attending LP interspace markings were concordant in 27% of cases. Trainees marked a preferred interspace below the level of the attending in 55% of patients: 29 (28.4%) marked one spot inferior, 20 (19.6%) marked two spots inferior, and seven (6.9%) marked three spots inferior in relation to the attending. Conclusions There is variability of preferred LP insertion site based on provider experience. Trainees with limited LP experience tended to mark insertion spaces more caudal than those marked by the attending physicians in an area where the subarachnoid space is slightly smaller.