cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The impact of nurse practitioner regulations on population access to care.

Abstract Background By 2025, experts estimate a significant shortage of primary care providers in the United States, and expansion of the nurse practitioner (NP) workforce may reduce this burden. However, barriers imposed by state NP regulations could reduce access to primary care. Purpose The objectives of this study were to examine the association between three levels of NP state practice regulation (independent, minimum restrictive, and most restrictive) and the proportion of the population with a greater than 30-min travel time to a primary care provider using geocoding. Methods Logistic regression models were conducted to calculate the adjusted odds of having a greater than 30-min drive time. Findings Compared with the most restrictive NP states, states with independent practice had 19.2% lower odds (p = .001) of a greater than 30-min drive to the closest primary care provider. Discussion Allowing NPs full autonomy to practice may be a relatively simple policy mechanism for states to improve access to primary care.
Extinction and Reinstatement of Cocaine-seeking in Self-administering Mice is Associated with Bidirectional AMPAR-mediated Plasticity in the Nucleus Accumbens Shell.

Abstract Experience-dependent synaptic plasticity is an important component of both learning and motivational disturbances found in addicted individuals. Here, we investigated the role of cocaine experience-dependent plasticity at excitatory synapses in the nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh) in relapse-related behavior in mice with a history of volitional cocaine self-administration. Using an extinction/reinstatement paradigm of cocaine-seeking behavior, we demonstrate that cocaine-experienced mice with extinguished cocaine-seeking behavior show potentiation of synaptic strength at excitatory inputs onto NAcSh medium spiny neurons (MSNs). Conversely, we found that exposure to various distinct types of reinstating stimuli (cocaine, cocaine-associated cues, yohimbine “stress”) after extinction can produce a relative depotentiation of NAcSh synapses that is strongly associated with the magnitude of cocaine-seeking behavior exhibited in response to these challenges. Furthermore, we show that these effects are due to α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR)-specific mechanisms that differ depending on the nature and context of the reinstatement-inducing stimuli. Together, our findings identify common themes as well as differential mechanisms that are likely important for the ability of diverse environmental stimuli to drive relapse to addictive-like cocaine-seeking behavior.
Local environment, not local adaptation, drives leaf-out phenology in common gardens along an elevational gradient in Acadia National Park, Maine

Premise of the study Climate-driven changes in phenology are substantially affecting ecological relationships and ecosystem processes. The role of variation among species has received particular attention; for example, variation among species' phenological responses to climate can disrupt trophic interactions and can influence plant performance. Variation within species in phenological responses to climate, however, has received much less attention, despite its potential role in ecological interactions and local adaptation to climate change. Methods We constructed three common gardens across an elevation gradient on Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park, Maine, to test population-level responses in leaf-out phenology in a reciprocal transplant experiment. The experiment included three native species: low bush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium), sheep's laurel (Kalmia angustifolia), and three-toothed cinquefoil (Sibbaldiopsis tridentata). Key results Evidence for local adaptation of phenological response to temperature varied among the species, but was weak for all three. Rather, variation in phenological response to temperature appeared to be driven by local microclimate at each garden site and year-to-year variation in temperature. Conclusions Population-level adaptations in leaf-out phenology appear to be relatively unimportant for these species in Acadia National Park, perhaps a reflection of strong genetic mixing across elevations, or weak differences in selection on phenological response to spring temperatures at different elevations. These results concur with other observational data in Acadia and highlight the utility of experimental approaches to understand the importance of annual and local site variation in affecting phenology both among and within plant species.
Perioperative Preparation and Postoperative Care Considerations

Thoughtful preoperative preparation is necessary prior to performing transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) whether it be for benign or malignant disease. Evaluation begins with a careful history and thorough physical examination. Additionally, the patient’s entire past medical and surgical history should be reviewed along with a detailed assessment of the patient’s current medications. Several preoperative tests are necessary regardless of etiology, and stringent oncologic principles must be followed in the preoperative staging of patients with malignant disease. Irrespective of the indication for surgery, a careful preoperative risk assessment must be performed and may warrant additional testing for cardiopulmonary fitness. Routine laboratory workup and imaging should be individualized for each patient. An enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol should be implemented in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care of the patient. Care must be taken to ensure individual patient factors are taken into consideration with utilization of each element of the pathway.
Initial Treatment for Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysm and Its Follow-up: A Cost Analysis of Pipeline Flow Diverters versus Coiling.

Purpose Intracranial aneurysms are relatively common epidemiological problems for which the surveillance, treatment, and follow-up are costly. Although multiple studies have evaluated the treatment cost of aneurysms, the follow-up costs are often not examined. In our study, we analyzed how follow-up costs after treatment affected the overall cost of different endovascular techniques for treating aneurysms. Materials and methods An institutional database was used to evaluate the upfront and follow-up costs incurred by patients who underwent elective coiling or placement of a pipeline embolization device (PED) for the treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms from July 2011 to December 2017. Results A total of 114 patients (coiling, n = 37; PED, n = 77 ) were included in the study. There was no significant difference among patients in mean age [61.3 (±12.8 years) vs. 57.0 (±14.5 years); probability value (p) = 0.2], sex (male: 32.4% vs. 22.1%; p = 0.2), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade (p = 0.5), discharge disposition (p = 0.1), mean length of stay [3.1 days (±5.5) vs. 2.4 days (±2.6); p = 0.2) or follow-up period [22.7 months (±18.5) vs. 18.6 months (±14.9); p = 0.2). There were no differences in costs during admission (p = 0.5) or in follow-up (p = 0.3) between coiling and PED treatments. Initial costs were predominantly related to supplies/implants (56.1% vs. 63.7%) for both treatments. Follow-up costs mostly comprised facility costs (68.2% vs. 67.5%), and there were no differences in costs of subgroups such as supplies/implants (10.5% vs. 9.4%), imaging (17.0% vs. 17.8%), or facilties between coiling and PED. Conclusion These results suggest that the upfront and follow-up costs are mostly similar for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms irrespective of whether the providers used coiling or PED endovascular techniques. Hence, we conclude that follow-up costs should not be a deciding factor when considering these treatments.
Carbapenem-Susceptible Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli Isolates Carrying a Truncated KPC Carbapenemase: a Challenge for Rapid Molecular Diagnostics.

Carbapenems are the preferred therapeutic option to treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Rapid molecular diagnostics (RMDs; e.g., BioFire FilmArray or Luminex Verigene BC-GP and BC-GN) facilitate the identification of pathogens from positive blood cultures and offer
Applications of Quartz Prism Spectrophotometers—A Review

A brief review of ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared spectrophotometry, covering absorption, transmission, emission, and reflectance studies. Uses of the relatively new far-ultraviolet region are covered.
Primary orbital atherectomy for treating a heavily calcified balloon uncrossable lesion.

Abstract Balloon uncrossable lesions are common and can be challenging to treat. The most commonly used initial treatment strategies are using a small balloon (occasionally intentionally rupturing it) and increasing guide catheter support. Atherectomy can be challenging to perform in this setting, as the insertion of an atherectomy guidewire requires crossing the lesion with a microcatheter or over-the-wire balloon, which often fails. We report the use of the ViperWire Advance flex tip guidewire (Cardiovascular Systems, Inc., St. Paul, Minnesota) for primary wiring of a heavily calcified balloon uncrossable lesion, followed by orbital atherectomy and successful equipment crossing leading to procedural success.
Recent setbacks in measles elimination: the importance of investing in innovations for immunizations

The recent setbacks in efforts to achieve measles elimination goals are alarming. To reverse the current trends, it is imperative that the global health community urgently intensify efforts and make resource commitments to implement evidence-based elimination strategies fully, including supporting research and innovations. The Immunization Agenda 2030: A Global Strategy to Leave No One Behind (IA2030) is the new global guidance document that builds on lessons learned and progress made toward the GVAP goals, includes research and innovation as a core strategic priority, and identifies measles as a "tracer" for improving immunisation services and strengthening primary health care systems. To achieve vaccination coverage and equity targets that leave no one behind, and accelerate progress toward disease eradication and elimination goals, sustained and predictable investments are needed for the identified research and innovations priorities for the new decade.
Bendamustine (B) + methylprednisolone (MP) and peg-filgastrim in indolent lymphoma.

e20069Background: Bendamustine is a cytotoxic agent with the alkylating properties of mechlorethamine and the purine antimetabolite properties of benzimidazole which was approved by the United Stat...
Modular self-assembly of gamma-modified peptide nucleic acids in organic solvent mixtures.

Nucleic acid-based materials enable sub-nanometer precision in self-assembly for fields including biophysics, diagnostics, therapeutics, photonics, and nanofabrication. However, structural DNA nanotechnology has been limited to substantially hydrated media. Transfer to organic solvents commonly used in polymer and peptide synthesis results in the alteration of DNA helical structure or reduced thermal stabilities. Here we demonstrate that gamma-modified peptide nucleic acids (γPNA) can be used to enable formation of complex, self-assembling nanostructures in select polar aprotic organic solvent mixtures. However, unlike the diameter-monodisperse populations of nanofibers formed using analogous DNA approaches, γPNA structures appear to form bundles of nanofibers. A tight distribution of the nanofiber diameters could, however, be achieved in the presence of the surfactant SDS during self-assembly. We further demonstrate nanostructure morphology can be tuned by means of solvent solution and by strand substitution with DNA and unmodified PNA. This work thereby introduces a science of γPNA nanotechnology. Nucleic acid-based materials are usually only compatible with aqueous solutions. Here, the authors show a structural nucleic acid nanotechnology using gamma-modified peptide nucleic acids that enables formation of solvent-compatible, self-assembling nanostructures defined by Watson-Crick base pairing.
The Early Modern Invention of Late Antique Rome

In The Early Modern Invention of Late Antique Rome, Nicola Denzey Lewis challenges the common understanding of late antique Christianity as dominated by the Cult of Saints. Popularized by historian Peter Brown, the Cult of the Saints presupposes that a 'corporeal turn' in the 4th century CE initiated a new sense of the body (even the corpse or bone) as holy. Denzey Lewis argues that although present elsewhere in the late Roman Empire, no such 'corporeal turn' happened in Rome until the early modern period. The prevailing assumption that it did was fostered by the apologetic concerns of early modern Catholic scholars, as well as contemporary attitudes towards death, antiquity, and the survival of the Church against secularism. Denzey Lewis delves deeply into the world of Roman late antique Christianity, exploring how and why it differed from the set of practices and beliefs we have come to think flourished in this crucial age of Christianization.
A Disruption in the Balance of Attentional Systems Plays a Role in Trait Anxiety

Elevated levels of anxiety are associated with attentional threat biases and inefficient attentional control, with the latter requiring sustained cognitive effort. The current study assessed self-reported and behavioral evidence of attentional functioning, along with electrodermal activity (EDA; measured via changes in skin conductance level [SCL reactivity]) as an index of sympathetic arousal, to examine whether these vulnerabilities are evident among individuals with elevated trait anxiety (non-clinical). Fifty-nine participants completed a working memory span task measuring attentional control under high cognitive load. A visual change detection task assessed stimulus-driven attention as an indicator of vigilance to non-threatening visual information. Trait anxiety was self-reported. SCL was captured at rest and during the working memory task. Results revealed that trait anxiety was positively related to speed of visual change detection, without accuracy costs, suggesting enhanced vigilance for neutral visual information among those higher in trait anxiety. Trait anxiety also moderated the relation between change detection speed and attentional control, such that attentional vigilance was not associated with variation in attentional control for individuals higher in trait anxiety. However, for individuals lower in trait anxiety, vigilance was negatively associated with attention control. The relationship between vigilance and attentional control was also moderated by SCL reactivity such that the association was only significant at lower SCL reactivity levels. Taken together, results suggest that individuals higher in trait anxiety demonstrate greater attentional control in the service of visual detection, but greater attentional control may come at the cost of increased sympathetic arousal.
Geometrical dependence in Casimir-Polder repulsion

Repulsion, induced from quantum vacuum fluctuations, for an anisotropically polarizable atom on the symmetry axis of an anisotropically polarizable annular disk is studied. There exist two torsion-free points on each side of the annular disk, where the interaction energy is orientation independent. The position of the second of the two torsion-free points, on either side of the disk, is shown to determine the orientation dependence of the atom at distances far from the plate, revealing a geometrical dependence. In the ring limit of the annular disk, an additional region of repulsion emerges.
"I don't know what home feels like anymore": Residential spaces and the absence of ontological security for people returning from incarceration.

Abstract Housing is central to health equity, and mass incarceration is an important but understudied aspect of housing vulnerability and health inequity. One way in which housing can be linked to health and health inequity is through ontological security. Ontological security, or a sense of feeling at home, is comprised of constancy, daily routines, privacy, and a basic security that enables the development of one's identity. It has been theorized as a mechanism by which people reap the health benefits of housing. Based on two waves of interviews in 2017–2018 with a sample of 27 people returning from incarceration in a northeast U.S. city, we describe participants' residential experiences during the first two years after release. Participants lived in residential group settings, with friends, partners and family, or were homeless. They experienced impermanence, punitive place rules, surveillance, and a lack of control. In contrast, participants spoke about their idea of home, imagined from the past or for the future, as a place of privacy, control, and wellbeing. This analysis expands the study of ontological security by detailing its absence among people returning from incarceration. The concept of ontological security holds promise in delineating the ways in which housing provides health benefits, and is particularly useful for understanding the needs and experiences of those returning from prison and seeking to restart their lives in the community. Relatedly, participant narratives point to the expansion of the carceral state beyond prison, including into residential space, with implications for the intersection of housing and health equity.
Intrathymic differentiation of natural antibody-producing plasma cells in human neonates.

The thymus is a central lymphoid organ primarily responsible for the development of T cells. A small proportion of B cells, however, also reside in the thymus to assist negative selection of self-reactive T cells. Here we show that the thymus of human neonates contains a consistent contingent of CD138+ plasma cells, producing all classes and subclasses of immunoglobulins with the exception of IgD. These antibody-secreting cells are part of a larger subset of B cells that share the expression of signature genes defining mouse B1 cells, yet lack the expression of complement receptors CD21 and CD35. Data from single-cell transcriptomic, clonal correspondence and in vitro differentiation assays support the notion of intrathymic CD138+ plasma cell differentiation, alongside other B cell subsets with distinctive molecular phenotypes. Lastly, neonatal thymic plasma cells also include clones reactive to commensal and pathogenic bacteria that commonly infect children born with antibody deficiency. Thus, our findings point to the thymus as a source of innate humoral immunity in human neonates. The thymus is known as the organ of T lymphocyte development. Here authors show that terminal B cell differentiation also takes place in the thymus of human neonates, leading to antibody production against commensal and pathogenic bacteria.
How 3′,5′-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases change in the brain with normal aging and dementia

Abstract Current therapies do little to improve age-related cognitive decline and dementia, suggesting a better mechanistic understanding of the underlying neurobiology is required to develop improved therapeutics. Here, we summarize literature pointing to age-related changes in expression, activity, and subcellular localization of the 11 families of 3′,5′-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs), a super family of enzymes that degrade 3′,5′-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and 3′,5′-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). Aging- and disease-related changes in PDE function appear to be limited to specific PDE isoforms within particular brain regions, and can even be limited to a restricted subcellular domain. Thus, aging- and disease-related changes in one PDE may affect differing circuits and behaviors than changes in another PDE. Fortunately, several PDE inhibitors have demonstrated promise in the context of aging and dementia, suggesting that select members of this super family of enzymes may represent novel therapeutic targets.
Successful Treatment of Pembrolizumab-Induced Severe Capillary Leak Syndrome and Lymphatic Capillary Dysfunction.

Abstract Although capillary leak syndrome has a high mortality rate, its trigger, diagnosis, and treatment remain a challenge to clinicians because of the poor understanding of its mechanism and lack of treatment guidelines. With the extended use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in modern oncology, immune checkpoint inhibitor–associated immune-related adverse events have also expanded. We present a case of pembrolizumab-induced capillary leak syndrome and lymphatic capillary dysfunction in which the patient had an excellent clinical response to a tailored treatment strategy.
Regression Optimization for System-level Production Control

We propose a novel generalized prediction-optimization framework to optimize set point controls for a network of processes in a production plant, wherein a regression model is used to capture the physical representation of each process's behavior and the relationship between its inputs and outputs. We introduce a nonlinear optimization problem to model the optimal set-point problem. For piece-wise linear regressors, we reformulate the problem into a mixed-integer linear program. For highly nonlinear models such as deep neural networks, we propose a decomposition primal-dual algorithm for solving it. Using a real-world use case of oil sands processing, we show the benefit of our approach by the ability to efficiently identify a set of feasible control variables, while giving a high production output.
Adverse Childhood Experiences in Patients With Neurologic Disease

Abstract Objective: To describe the prevalence of high adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among neurology outpatients and determine their association with healthcare utilization rates, and comorbid medical and psychiatric disease. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of adults seen for outpatient neurology follow-up at the University of Pennsylvania. Participants completed the ACE questionnaire, and depression/ anxiety screenings. Healthcare utilization metrics (ED visits, hospitalizations, and outpatient calls) were obtained for all participants. High ACE scores were defined as a score ≥ 4. The prevalence of high ACE scores in our cohort was compared to US historical controls. Statistical associations adjusted for age, gender, and race/ethnicity. Results: 198 patients enrolled in the study. Neurology patients were more likely to have elevated ACE scores compared to US population estimates (23.7% vs 12.6%, p Conclusion: Patients with neurological conditions are more likely to have high ACEs than the US population which was associated with higher rates of healthcare utilization, increased number of medical and psychiatric comorbidities, and higher anxiety and depression scores. Addressing ACEs may be a way to improve the health outcomes of patients with neurological conditions
Inferior vena cava thrombosis during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: a case report and review of the literature.

Background Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an effective cardiopulmonary support therapy, which can provide temporary cardiopulmonary support for critically ill patients whose condition cannot be reversed by conventional therapy. However, there are many complications in the use of ECMO, such as bleeding, thrombosis, and so on. Among them, inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis which can cause pulmonary embolism is a rare complication, which may be life-threatening. Case presentation A 75-year-old female patient (Han Chinese ethnicity) with acute heart failure due to acute myocardial infarction in our department was retrospectively analyzed. After regular treatment was unsuccessful, she was treated with venoarterial ECMO (VA-ECMO). After her condition improved, she was withdrawn from ECMO and experienced a complication of IVC thrombosis. Enoxaparin was given immediately for 1 mg/kg every 12 hours hypodermic injection. The thrombus disappeared after anticoagulant therapy. She was discharged on the 60th day. Her level of consciousness returned to normal without residual central nervous system-related complications. Conclusions IVC thrombosis is one of the possible serious complications in the process of ECMO therapy. Prevention of thrombosis and optimization of the anticoagulant regimen are the main preventive measures. Anticoagulant therapy is still the main treatment of IVC thrombosis in the process of ECMO therapy. Other interventional strategies need to accumulate clinical experience.
Protection and replication of telomeres in fission yeast

Telomeres, the natural ends of linear chromosomes, must be protected and completely replicated to guarantee genomic stability in eukaryotic cells. However, the protected state of telomeres is not compatible with recruitment of telomerase, an enzyme responsible for extending telomeric G-rich repeats during S-phase; thus, telomeres must undergo switches from a protected state to an accessible state during the cell cycle. In this minireview, we will summarize recent advances in our understanding of proteins involved in the protection and replication of telomeres, and the way these factors are dynamically recruited to telomeres during the cell cycle. We will focus mainly on recent results from fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, and compare them with results from budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and mammalian cell studies. In addition, a model for the way in which fission yeast cells replicate telomeres will be presented.
Optimizing Dose-Intensity: Combining Carboplatin with Cisplatin

The rationale advanced by Trump et al1 in combining cisplatin with carboplatin included 1) the potential for less than complete cross-resistance, 2) the relative absence of overlapping toxicities, and 3) the recognized steep dose-response curve for platinum analogues. In their Phase I trial, they were able to give 50 mg/m2 of cisplatin with 400 mg/m2 of carboplatin to ‘good risk’ patients; the drugs being given as sequential 20-minute infusions. However, attempt at escalating the dose of cisplatin to 75 mg/m2 (given as 25 mg/m2 × 3d) was followed by severe thrombocytopenia in 2 of 3 patients receiving only 280 mg/m2 of carboplatin and who had tolerated carboplatin given alone in the preceding cycle.
Karhunen–Loeve representation of stochastic ocean waves

A new stochastic representation of a seastate is developed based on the Karhunen–Loeve spectral decomposition of stochastic signals and the use of Slepian prolate spheroidal wave functions with a tunable bandwidth parameter. The new representation allows the description of stochastic ocean waves in terms of a few independent sources of uncertainty when the traditional representation of a seastate in terms of Fourier series requires an order of magnitude more independent components. The new representation leads to parsimonious stochastic models of the ambient wave kinematics and of the nonlinear loads and responses of ships and offshore platforms. The use of the new representation is discussed for the derivation of critical wave episodes, the derivation of up-crossing rates of nonlinear loads and responses and the joint stochastic representation of correlated wave and wind profiles for use in the design of fixed or floating offshore wind turbines. The forecasting is also discussed of wave elevation records and vessel responses for use in energy yield enhancement of compliant floating wind turbines.
TAURODONTISM; REPORT OF A CASE.

Abstract A case of hypertaurodontism involving the permanent dentition of a 13-year-old American Caucasian girl has been presented, along with a historical review of this subject, in an effort to make the dental profession more cognizant of the existence of taurodontism so that it may aid in future dental contributions to the study of this anthropologic rarity. Its addition to the evidence presented by Coon, Miller, Senyurek, Shaw, and Weidenreich in earlier work lends support to the knowledge that this common primitive characteristic is still found in many modern races and therefore cannot be used to denote a specialized trait of Homo neanderthalensis alone. Taurodontism is thought to be caused by the failure of Hertwig's epithelial sheath to invaginate at the proper horizontal level. Further investigation into the heritability of this trait is needed.
The relationship between a retention program and the persistence and graduation rates of first-generation low-income students at an urban, public university

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between participation in a retention program designed to promote academic and social integration and the persistence rates of first generation, low-income college students at an urban, public multiethnic university. Archival data were collected from the university’s Office of Institutional Research and the retention program office and included SAT/ACT scores, GPA, gender, ethnicity, and program participation data. A total of 292 first-generation, low-income students who were admitted to the university in the summer of 1999 were identified for the study. A group of 166 students were selected for the comparison group because they had not participated in the retention program; 126 students had participated in the retention program. Three major research questions guided this study: (a) Are there differences in persistence rates and other academic characteristics of underprepared, low-income, first generation college students who participate and do not participate in the retention program?; (b) Does involvement in the retention program predict student persistence of first generation low-income, underprepared students?, and (c) Can predictors of GPA be identified for students in the retention program using program and descriptive variables? A series of logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the relationship between various retention services and the persistence and graduation rates of participants. The results showed that there were statistically significant relationships between participation and non-participation in the retention program and having higher GPAs and higher graduation and persistence rates. Of the four program features, participation in tutoring, workshops, and social events were found to be predictors of graduation. College GPA was also found to be a predictor of graduation for all students. The results also showed that women were more likely to graduate than men.
Pre-Service Teachers' Perception and Beliefs of Readiness to Teach Mathematics.

This study explored pre-service teachersâ€™ perceptions regarding their readiness to teach mathematical concepts and their preparation to integrate mathematical topics in instruction. Participants consisted of pre-service teachers who agreed to participate in a state-wide survey. For the purpose of this study, data was disaggregated into two groups: pre-service teachers who attended a private teacher education program and pre-service teachers who attended a public teacher education program. Results of this study indicate that pre-service teachers from both private and public colleges felt adequately prepared to teach mathematics and were indifferent in their perception of their ability to integrate mathematical concepts.
High-speed implementation of analysis/synthesis filter banks

The design of a high-speed, two band analysis/synthesis processor suitable for use as a building block to construct larger, tree-structured multirate filter banks is presented. The authors' design features multiplier-free operation through the use of parallel distributed arithmetic. Two single-bit control signals determine if the processor is configured for low-pass analysis, high-pass analysis, low-pass synthesis, or high-pass synthesis. In the analysis mode, the low-pass and high-pass filter outputs are sub-sampled and multiplexed into a single data stream. When configured for synthesis, the processor up-samples and demultiplexes the data stream before filtering. >
The Weaknesses of Civic Territorial Organizations: Civic Engagement and Homeowners Associations in Urban China

China's massive transformation in urban governance, which is characterized by breaking the link between workplace and residence and consolidating state territorial agencies at the grassroots level, has profound implications for urban residents. While community building is employed as a deliberate (top-down) approach to restore a governable urban society, the establishment, development and problems of bottom-up civic territorial organizations - homeowners associations - are garnering increased attention from academia. Based on field research conducted in Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Meizhou in Guangdong Province from 2009 to 2011, we show that civic engagement, a necessary condition for the development of homeowners associations, is inadequate across urban communities. To understand why, we identified and analyzed three elements - lack of awareness of partitioned property ownership, the hidden costs of civic engagement and deficiency in social capital - as factors that impede civic engagement across urban communities. These elements also provide yardsticks for scholars to evaluate why, whether and how homeowners (dis-)engage from neighborhood affairs.
Geodetic Contributions to Gravitational Experiments in Space

Geodesy has been traditionally a science that facilitated the testing of some of the most important laws of physics and their corollaries. In the past, these experiments were natural consequence of problems that geodesy had to solve in order to progress and refine its methods. In recent years, with a lot of the “geodetic problems” under control, geodesists have taken a closer look at problems that we can address keeping in mind that our current primary goal is to facilitate interdisciplinary research on global change and related topics (Fig. 1). One of the areas that geodesy can contribute the most, is the precise determination of the terrestrial gravity field and its temporal variations. This provides the precise, stable and free-of-gravitational-noise environment where very delicate experiments in gravitational physics can be conducted. Open image in new window Fig. 1. Geophysical processes interactions sensed by near-Earth-orbiting spacecraft
Fast load shedding for angle stability control

This paper explores through simulation the speed of load shedding required for effective one-shot angle stability control. Experience with load shedding in China indicates that present technology is capable of shedding large amounts of load in approximately 0.1 second. An iterative, sensitivity-based procedure is used to find combinations of one-shot controls actuated 0.1 second after an event to stabilize transient events in simulation on a 176-bus model of the western North American interconnection. Some of these events require load shedding in addition to generator tripping and HVDC fast power changes in order to be stabilized. A response-based control scheme that uses apparent resistance R and its rate of change Rdot measured near the center of an intertie to trigger one-shot controls is tested with different actuation delays. The combination of controls ordered by the R-Rdot controller includes HVDC fast power changes and load shedding.
Education for Community Mental Health Practice with Blacks.

Abstract A curriculum model for training minorities to work specifically with predominantly black clients of mental health agencies is reviewed. The conceptualizations for the curriculum's foci are discussed and practice competencies elucidated. The manuscript concludes with implications for social work education and practice.
The impact of different sediment concentrations and sediment transport formulas on the simulated floodplain processes

Summary Overbank sedimentation is an important process in river floodplain ecosystems and is a component of the floodplain geomorphologic evolution. The impact of suspended sediment supply on floodplain processes is still unclear because sediment deposition can be influenced by many factors. We quantified the effect of sediment supply (suspended sediment) and transport formulas on simulated floodplain processes using a coupled two-dimensional hydrodynamic and sediment transport model (MIKE21C). Erosion and deposition depths, net sedimentation depth and total volume were quantified based on the last time step of the simulation period. The MIKE21C model was validated by comparing simulated water surface elevations to those from a one-dimensional hydrodynamic model. We compared the sediment transport model simulated suspended sediment concentrations (SSCs) to measured concentrations at a gage station. Erosion and deposition processes were simulated using five hydrograph scenarios as a function of high and low SSC and two sediment transport equations, Van Rijn (1984) and Engelund and Hansen (1967) . A specific location could be an erosional or depositional zone at different time steps of the simulation. Thus, floodplain deposition is a discontinuous function of river discharge and varies spatially and temporally over the floodplain. Large flows with high SSC were more effective for floodplain deposition than lower discharges, which dominantly caused sediment scour. Coupled hydrodynamic and sediment transport models that account for feedback processes between topography and hydraulics should be given first preference for future floodplain restoration projects. From a restoration perspective, larger flows are required for greater floodplain deposition rates and maintenance of dynamic processes. The Engelund and Hansen (1967) equation simulated higher transport rates than the Van Rijn equation (1984) . For future studies, transport equations should be selected based on the study objectives and field characteristics. The current model might be used to analyze the impact on floodplain processes from altered SSC due to Libby Dam operation.
Soil fluxes of methane, nitrous oxide, and nitric oxide from aggrading forests in coastal Oregon

Abstract Soil exchanges of greenhouse and other gases are poorly known for Pacific Northwest forests where gradients in nutrient availability and soil moisture may contribute to large variations in fluxes. Here we report fluxes of methane (CH 4 ), nitrous oxide (N 2 O), and nitric oxide (NO) over multiple seasons from three naturally N-rich, aggrading forests of coastal Oregon, USA. Mean methane uptake rates (3.2 mg CH 4 m −2 d −1 ) were high compared with forests globally, negatively related to water-filled pore space (WFPS), but unrelated to N availability or temperature. Emissions of NO (6.0 μg NO–N m −2 h −1 ) exceeded N 2 O (1.4 μg N 2 O–N m −2 h −1 ), except when WFPS surpassed 55%. Spatial variation in NO fluxes correlated positively with soil nitrate concentrations (which generally exceeded ammonium concentrations, indicating the overall high N status for the sites) and negatively with soil pH, and at one site increased with basal area of N 2 -fixing red alder. Combined NO and N 2 O emissions were greatest from the site with highest annual net N mineralization and lowest needle litterfall C/N. Our findings of high CH 4 uptake and NO/N 2 O ratios generally >1 most likely reflect the high porosity of the andic soils underlying the widespread regenerating forests in this seasonally wet region.
Molecular Interactions That Confer Latency to Transforming Growth Factor-β

A major point of regulation of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) function is through control of activation of the latent TGF-beta complex, which consists of the latency associated peptide (LAP) secreted in non-covalent association with mature TGF-beta. Activation involves proteolysis, dissociation, or altered binding of LAP. However, the mechanism by which LAP confers latency to TGF-beta is poorly understood. Previously, we identified a conserved sequence near the N terminus of LAP as a site of thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) binding to the latent complex. Now we show that expression of the TGF-beta1-latent complex deleted in the TSP1 binding site ((54)LSKL) of LAP (DeltaLSKL LAP) results in secretion of LAP, but not of mature TGF-beta. DeltaLSKL LAP also fails to bind soluble or immobilized TGF-beta1. Consistent with an inability to bind the mature domain, DeltaLSKL LAP is unable to confer latency to TGF-beta, suggesting that the LSKL sequence is important, not only for TSP1 binding and activation, but also for binding to the mature domain. We identified the sequence (94)RKPK in the receptor-binding region of mature TGF-beta1 as the binding site for LAP. Peptides of the RKPK sequence bind LAP and inhibit LAP/TGF-beta association. RKPK peptides also activate latent TGF-beta, presumably by disrupting LAP-mature TGF-beta interactions. These studies provide a molecular basis for both latency and activation by TSP1 through the LSKL sequence of LAP binding to the RKPK sequence of mature TGF-beta.
Quantum mechanical design of enzyme active sites.

The design of active sites has been carried out using quantum mechanical calculations to predict the rate-determining transition state of a desired reaction in presence of the optimal arrangement of catalytic functional groups (theozyme). Eleven versatile reaction targets were chosen, including hydrolysis, dehydration, isomerization, aldol, and Diels−Alder reactions. For each of the targets, the predicted mechanism and the rate-determining transition state (TS) of the uncatalyzed reaction in water is presented. For the rate-determining TS, a catalytic site was designed using naturalistic catalytic units followed by an estimation of the rate acceleration provided by a reoptimization of the catalytic site. Finally, the geometries of the sites were compared to the X-ray structures of related natural enzymes. Recent advances in computational algorithms and power, coupled with successes in computational protein design, have provided a powerful context for undertaking such an endeavor. We propose that theozymes...
Estimates for the Boltzmann collision operator via radial symmetry and Fourier transform

Abstract We extend the L p -theory of the Boltzmann collision operator by using classical techniques based in the Carleman representation and Fourier analysis, allied to new ideas that exploit the radial symmetry of this operator. We are then able to greatly simplify existent technical proofs in this theory, extend the range, and obtain explicit sharp constants in some convolution-like inequalities for the gain part of the Boltzmann collision operator.
Mediating events in the action of aldosterone.

Abstract Aldosterone action is mediated by induction of the synthesis of proteins (AIP) in target cells, initiated by binding to a cytoplasmic receptor and subsequent attachment of the complex to chromatin. The participation of DNA in chromatin “acceptor activity” is indicated by the following findings: DNase I impairs acceptor activity of rat kidney chromatin by ∼75%, when the DNA/RNA ratios were reduced by ∼45%. In addition, the DNA specific, non-destructive probes, ethidium bromide and proflavine sulfate inhibited acceptor activity completely, while netropsin and actinomycin D reduced the number of chromalin acceptor sites by 60 and 20%. respectively. At the concentrations used. all four probes inhibited RNA synthesis completely, measured in the presence of E. coli polymerase. Evidence has also been obtained that implicates induction of mRNA [poly A(+)-RNA] in augmentation of specific proteins. Three possible functions for AIPs have been postulated. The “sodium pump” theory contends that AIP stimulates the activity of the sodium pump (on the serosal side of the cell) directly. The “metabolic theory” suggests that AIP regulates the supply of ATP. The “permease theory” posits that AIP enhances the permeability to Na + of the luminal mucosal membrane. The “sodium pump” theory has not been validated in that aldosterone has no effect on the K m or the V max for ATP of toad bladder Na/K-ATPase (the enzymatic equivalent of the Na + pump). Aldosterone has little or no effect on Na + transport across the toad bladder in the absence of substrate, and the subsequent addition of pyruvate enhances Na + transport with no latent period. Both citrate synthase and malate dehydrogenase activities are increased by aldosterone. Consequently, the metabolic pathway may be one of the key mechanisms. Apical membrane permeability to Na + is also stimulated by aldosterone. Studies with amiloride, and noise-frequency analysis indicate an effect of aldosterone on apical conductance. This effect, however, appears to depend on energy metabolism. Thus, both the passive apical entry of Na + , and the active extrusion of Na + across the basal-lateral boundary may depend on the induction of enzymes that modulate energy metabolism.
Surface wave diffraction by a truncated inhomogeneous dielectric slab recessed in a conducting surface

The study of surface wave diffraction by a truncated dielectric slab recessed in a perfectly conducting surface is of importance in designing flush-mounted dielectric covered antennas. The incident surface wave gives rise to waves diffracted and reflected by the junction at the termination of the dielectric. A strong reflected surface wave is undesirable in certain situations in that it may cause a problem in matching antenna impedances. One way to reduce the reflected surface wave is to use an inhomogeneous dielectric near the junction. If the inhomogeneous dielectric near the junction is lossy, a substantial reduction of the reflected surface wave can be achieved as demonstrated in the present study. Owing to the added complexity by including inhomogeneous dielectrics, this diffraction problem is solved using an integral equation numerical approach.
Comparison of Complex Versus Simple Activity of Daily Living Staging: Validation of Simple Stages

Abstract Objective To compare activities of daily living (ADL) staging based on 2-level responses to ADL difficulty questions (simple ADL stages) with ADL staging based on 4-level ADL question responses (complex ADL stages). Design Analysis of the Second Longitudinal Study of Aging, a prospective cohort study, using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Setting Participants' homes. Participants Community-dwelling persons (N=9447) aged ≥70 years in 1994. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures (1) Agreement and face validity: baseline simple ADL stage; (2) construct validity: baseline health, difficulty, and need characteristics; (3) prognostic comparison (determined at the Wave 2 interview): primary—nursing home use and/or death; secondary—death. Results The systems showed good agreement (κ=.75). The simple ADL stages stratified people into distinct groups and reflected the expected stepwise increases from stage 0 to stage IV in health and need characteristics, such as the prevalence of home-related challenges (2.9%–84.5%) and perceived need for home modifications (2.1%–33.6%). In comparing the prognostic ability using the primary outcome, the complex system model demonstrated slightly increased discrimination between milder stages and a slightly higher C statistic (.666 vs .664). Conclusions Although complex staging appears slightly better at classifying people into distinct prognostic strata with respect to nursing home use and/or death at Wave 2, simple ADL stages demonstrate strong, clinically relevant associations with health and need characteristics.
Experimental design and interpretation of functional neuroimaging studies of cognitive processes

This article discusses how the relation between experimental and baseline conditions in functional neuroimaging studies affects the conclusions that can be drawn from a study about the neural correlates of components of the cognitive system and about the nature and organization of those components. I argue that certain designs in common use--in particular the contrast of qualitatively different representations that are processed at parallel stages of a functional architecture--can never identify the neural basis of a cognitive operation and have limited use in providing information about the nature of cognitive systems. Other types of designs-such as ones that contrast representations that are computed in immediately sequential processing steps and ones that contrast qualitatively similar representations that are parametrically related within a single processing stage-are more easily interpreted.