Model of the Radio Frequency (RF) Excitation Response from Monopole and Dipole Antennas in a Large Scale Tank

Good antenna-mode coupling is needed for determining the amount of propellant in a tank through the method of radio frequency mass gauging (RFMG). The antenna configuration and position in a tank are important factors in coupling the antenna to the natural electromagnetic modes. In this study, different monopole and dipole antenna mounting configurations and positions were modeled and responses simulated in a full-scale tank model with the transient solver of CST Microwave Studio (CST Computer Simulation Technology of America, Inc.). The study was undertaken to qualitatively understand the effect of antenna design and placement within a tank on the resulting radio frequency (RF) tank spectrum

Studying the incommensurability that unites us: persuasion across discourse communities, persuasion via boundary objects

In the science studies literature the theoretical construct of boundary objects has been developed to explain how diverse communities clustered around a scientific subject area cooperate to advance that area. Boundary objects are 'scientific objects that inhabit several intersecting social worlds . . . and satisfy the informational requirements of each of them' (Star and Griesemer 393). Star and Griesemer's foundational article showed that these objects can be shared by communities ranging from academic researchers to amateur enthiasts, adminsitrators, philanthropists, and technicians. While each community understands the object differently, there is enough commonality in the understanding of the object to unite these distinct social worlds and facilitate cooperation among them

Enhanced Capacitative Calcium Entry and Sarcoplasmic-Reticulum Calcium Storage Capacity with Advanced Age in Murine Mesenteric Arterial Smooth Muscle Cells

Intracellular Ca(2+) signaling is important to perfusion pressure related arterial reactivity and to vascular disorders including hypertension, angina and ischemic stroke. We have recently shown that advancing-age leads to calcium signaling adaptations in mesenteric arterial myocytes from C57 BL/6 mice [Corsso, C.D., Ostrovskaya. O., McAllister, C.E., Murray, K., Hatton, W.J., Gurney, A.M., Spencer, N.J., Wilson, S.M., 2006. Effects of aging on Ca(2+) signaling in murine mesenteric arterial smooth muscle cells. Mech. Ageing Dev. 127, 315-323)] which may contribute to decrements in perfusion pressure related arterial contractility others have shown occur. Even still, the mechanisms underlying the changes in Ca(2+) signaling and arterial reactivity are unresolved. Ca(2+) transport and storage capabilities are thought to contribute to age-related Ca(2+) signaling dysfunctions in other cell types. The present studies were therefore designed to test the hypothesis that cytosolic and compartmental Ca(2+) homeostasis in mesenteric arterial myocytes changes with advanced age. The hypothesis was tested by performing digitalized fluorescence microscopy on mesenteric arterial myocytes isolated from 5- to 6-month and 29- to 30-month-old C57BI/6 mice. The data provide evidence that with advanced age capacitative Ca(2+) entry and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) storage are increased although sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) uptake and plasma membrane Ca(2+) extrusion are unaltered. Overall, the studies begin to resolve the mechanisms associated with age-related alterations in mesenteric arterial smooth muscle Ca(2+) signaling and their physiological consequences. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Non-invasive molecular imaging of inflammatory macrophages in allograft rejection.

BackgroundMacrophages represent a critical cell type in host defense, development and homeostasis. The ability to image non-invasively pro-inflammatory macrophage infiltrate into a transplanted organ may provide an additional tool for the monitoring of the immune response of the recipient against the donor graft. We therefore decided to image in vivo sialoadhesin (Sn, Siglec 1 or CD169) using anti-Sn mAb (SER-4) directly radiolabelled with (99m)Tc pertechnetate.MethodsWe used a heterotopic heart transplantation model where allogeneic or syngeneic heart grafts were transplanted into the abdomen of recipients. In vivo nanosingle-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT/CT) imaging was performed 7 days post transplantation followed by biodistribution and histology.ResultsIn wild-type mice, the majority of (99m)Tc-SER-4 monoclonal antibody cleared from the blood with a half-life of 167 min and was located predominantly on Sn(+) tissues in the spleen, liver and bone marrow. The biodistribution in the transplantation experiments confirmed data derived from the non-invasive SPECT/CT images, with significantly higher levels of (99m)Tc-SER-4 observed in allogeneic grafts (9.4 (±2.7) %ID/g) compared to syngeneic grafts (4.3 (±10.3) %ID/g) (p = 0.0022) or in mice which received allogeneic grafts injected with (99m)Tc-IgG isotype control (5.9 (±0.6) %ID/g) (p = 0.0185). The transplanted heart to blood ratio was also significantly higher in recipients with allogeneic grafts receiving (99m)Tc-SER-4 as compared to recipients with syngeneic grafts (p = 0.000004) or recipients with allogeneic grafts receiving (99m)Tc-IgG isotype (p = 0.000002).ConclusionsHere, we demonstrate that imaging of Sn(+) macrophages in inflammation may provide an important additional and non-invasive tool for the monitoring of the pathophysiology of cellular immunity in a transplant model

Debate:Challenges in sports cardiology; US versus European approaches

For practitioners working with elite athletes, the field of sports cardiology provides clinical, academic, administrative and fiscal challenges. These challenges are exemplified and reinforced by the lack of consistency and consensus both in the literature and academic presentations. Through thepresentation of a series of clinical questions, this debate attempts to ‘cut to the chase’ on cardiovascular issues relevant to the clinician dealing with elite athletes. In so doing, we hope to crystallize some of the most important elements of the complex cardiological management of elite athletes, in a concise, readable format. Frequently over the last 10 years, many of the controversies in this field have been (rightly or wrongly) presented in aEurope versus USA paradigm. We have chosen to test whether there really are polarised views across the Atlantic, by deliberately pitting specialists from the USA against those from the UK. Professors Levine and Thompson are both internationally recognised sports cardiologists, with immense academic and clinical credibility, and who will represent the ‘US approach’. Professor Whyte and Doctor Wilson are cardiac physiologists with a wealth of experience in the testing, evaluation and screening of elite athletes, and who have equally impressive academic credibility and for the purposes of this debate, they will be representing the ‘European approach’. To initiate this process, each team was required to provide a concise answer (circa 200–300 words) to a series of fiveclinical conundrums. Subsequently, each team had the opportunity to provide a rebuttal to the opposing team’s answers, and the following reflects the consolidation of those answers

Healthcare providers’ beliefs and attitudes regarding risk compensation following HPV vaccination

Background Provider recommendation is a significant predictor of HPV vaccine uptake. Prior research suggests that concerns regarding risk compensation could cause some providers to hesitate recommending the HPV vaccine. Methods During 15–30 min semi-structured interviews in early 2015, 22 U.S. pediatric providers were asked about their beliefs regarding sexual risk compensation and cervical cancer screening following HPV vaccination. Providers were asked if these beliefs result in reservations recommending the vaccine. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using inductive content analysis. Results None of the providers believed the HPV vaccine would result in risky sexual behavior. Half indicated it was better to start vaccination early, before sexual activity was a worry. Others noted that patients’ risky behavior decisions happen independently of vaccination. When providers were asked if they were concerned about decreased cervical cancer screening, half said they did not know and some stated they had never thought about it before. The main themes addressed were the significant time lapse between vaccination and screening and that women tend to get over-screened as opposed to under-screened. Conclusion Providers were generally in favor of HPV vaccination and do not perceive risk compensation as a barrier to HPV recommendation

A qualitative study of healthcare provider awareness and informational needs regarding the nine-valent HPV vaccine

The 9-valent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, 9vHPV, was licensed in the U.S. in December, 2014. We assessed healthcare provider (HCP) awareness of the newly approved vaccine and identified questions HCPs have about the vaccine. As part of a larger study, we used semi-structured interviews to ask 22 pediatric HCPs about their awareness of 9vHPV, questions they have about the vaccine, and questions they anticipate from patients and parents. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed then analyzed using inductive content analysis. Over half were aware of the vaccine but few HCPs claimed to be familiar with it. HCPs indicated several questions with common themes pertaining to efficacy, side effects, and cost. Only half of HCPs believed patients or parents would have questions. The results suggest strategies and areas for health systems and public health organizations to target in order to resolve unmet educational needs among HCPs regarding 9vHPV

Health care providers’ perceptions of use and influence of clinical decision support reminders: qualitative study following a randomized trial to improve HPV vaccination rates

Background Human Papillomavirus (HPV) leads to serious health issues and remains the most common sexually transmitted infection. Despite availability of effective vaccines, HPV vaccination rates are suboptimal. Furthermore, providers recommend the HPV vaccine less than half the time for eligible patients. Prior informatics research has demonstrated the effectiveness of computer-based clinical decision support (CDS) in changing provider behavior, especially in the area of preventative services. Methods Following a randomized clinical trial to test the effect of a CDS intervention on HPV vaccination rates, we conducted semi-structured interviews with health care providers to understand whether they noticed the CDS reminders and why providers did or did not respond to the prompts. Eighteen providers, a mix of medical doctors and nurse practitioners, were interviewed from five publicly-funded, urban health clinics. Interview data were qualitatively analyzed by two independent researchers using inductive content analysis. Results While most providers recalled seeing the CDS reminders, few of them perceived the intervention as effective in changing their behavior. Providers stated many reasons for why they did not perceive a change in their behavior, yet the results of the trial showed HPV vaccination rates increased as a result of the intervention. Conclusions CDS reminders may be effective at changing provider behavior even if providers perceive them to be of little use. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02551887 , Registered on September 15, 2015 Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12911-017-0521-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Differences in cervical cancer screening knowledge, practices, and beliefs: An examination of survey responses

Among the identified barriers to HPV vaccination is the concern that women may compensate for their reduced susceptibility to cervical cancers by reducing cervical cancer screening. This exploratory study examined the relationship between cervical cancer screening rates and HPV vaccination. We conducted a cross-sectional survey using a convenience sample of women aged 21-35 attending a local minority health fair in July 2015. Data were analyzed in 2015-2016. Outcomes assessed were: receiving a Pap test within the last three years, awareness and comfort with current Pap test recommendations, and knowledge regarding the purpose of a Pap test. A total of 291 women were included in the analyses. Mean age was 28.5 years and 62% were non-Hispanic black. 84% had received a Pap test in the last three years and 33% had received at least one HPV vaccine. Logistic regression results showed that women who had been vaccinated did not have lower odds of having a Pap test in the past three years (OR = 1.32; 95% CI = 0.66-2.65). In an adjusted regression model controlling for age and race, vaccinated women were significantly more likely to have had a Pap test (AOR = 3.06; 95% CI = 1.37-6.83). Yet only 26% of women knew the purpose of a Pap test and the proportion who answered correctly was higher among non-Hispanic white women. Women who have been vaccinated for HPV are more likely to have been screened for cervical cancer. These results suggest areas for more robust studies examining pro-health attitudes, behaviors, and communication regarding vaccination and preventive screening

Metal ion co-ordination in the DNA binding domain of the yeast transcriptional activator GAL4

AbstractThe structure of the DNA binding domain of the yeast transcriptional activator GAL4 was investigated by extended X-ray fine structure (e.x.a.f.s.). Two samples of GAL4 were studied, one containing cadmium as a structural probe (Cd(II)GAL4) and the other containing the ‘native’ zinc (Zn(Il)-GAL4). The results suggest that the structure of the DNA binding domain of GAL4 contains a two metal ion cluster distinguishing it from the ‘zinc finger’ proteins typified by the Xenopus laevis transcription factor TFIIIA