cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pharmacists and patients feedback on empirically designed prescription warning labels: a qualitative study.

Background Recommendations call for the inclusion of both patient and provider input in the redesign of prescription labels. Pharmacist opinions on prescription warning labels are important because they are the health providers who would eventually distribute and explain the revised labels during medication counseling. They may be the first health provider to notice a patient’s misunderstanding on how to safely use their prescription medications. Objectives To explore the perspectives of patients and pharmacists on five newly designed PWLs, and examine if there were similarities and differences between patients’ and pharmacists’ perspectives. Setting Private room in Wisconsin. Methods A descriptive study using semi-structured 60-min face-to-face individual interviews with patients and pharmacists explored patients and pharmacists’ feedback on five newly designed PWLs. Patients who were 18 years and older, spoke English, and took a prescription medication and pharmacists who filled prescriptions in an ambulatory setting participated in the study. The patient and pharmacist perspectives on the words (content), picture and color (cosmetic appearance), and placement of warning instructions on the pill bottle (convenience) was based on a label redesign framework. Qualitative content analysis was done. Main outcome measure Patient and pharmacist perspectives on the newly designed PWLs. Results Twenty-one patients and eight pharmacists practicing in an academic medical center outpatient setting (n = 5) or retail pharmacy (n = 3) participated. All patients and pharmacists wanted the PWLs positioned on the front of the pill bottle but not the side of the bottle or warning instructions embedded into the main prescription label. Other similarities included participants preferring: (1) pictures closely depicting the instructions and (2) the use of yellow highlighting on the PWL to draw attention to it. There were differences in patient and pharmacist perspectives regarding the addition of ‘Warning’ to the instruction on the PWL with the patient preference to include the word ‘Warning’. Pharmacists thought some PWL pictures had racial stereotypes, but this feedback was never mentioned by patients. Conclusions Patients and pharmacists had different preferences for PWL design changes to improve understandability. Pharmacist preferences did not always correspond with patient preferences. However, patients and pharmacists generally agreed on the preferred location of the PWL on the pill bottle and the use of color for drawing patients’ attention.
“Fast Simulation” in Evaluating Pilot/Aircraft Performance and Handling Qualities

Abstract: A pilot/vehicle analysis and simulation is exercised using a model of a large transport aircraft. The methodology allows overall handling qualities assessment and performance predictions in specific aircraft maneuvers. The pilot model is adaptive in nature with a goal of modelling pilot behavior in the face of sudden changes in flight control system characteristics. A multi-axis stability and command augmentation system is designed and its robustness is evaluated in a low-level landing approach flight condition. The simulation technique, referred to as fast simulation , shows promise as a preliminary tool prior to conducting pilot-in-the-loop evaluation.
Book Review: An Activists Handbook for the Education Revolution: United Opt Out's Test of Courage

An Activists Handbook for the Education Revolution: United Opt Out's Test of Courage (McDermott, Robertson, Jensen, & Smith, 2015) makes the case for why we must challenge the privatization and corporate take-over of our public schools and explains how to go about doing just that. The book is written by a small group of activists who take a stand on behalf of children and the craft of teaching to reclaim the promise of public education grounded in our democratic ideals of equality , access , empowerment , and possibility . The publication serves as an invaluable resource for anyone interested in confronting inequality providing useful ideas for research, advocacy, and organizing for educators and non-educators alike. Although the collective public voice is not strongly represented in the text, this is likely to change as the public becomes increasingly informed and pushes back against political and corporate interests - important future work for United Opt Out . Keywords: Opt out, high-stakes testing, standardized testing, free public education
Rainfed Farming Systems in the USA

This chapter describes characteristics of four major rainfed farming regions and systems in the USA: Great Plains wheat-sorghum-cattle; midwestern corn-soybean-hogs, southern cotton-peanut-poultry, and coastal diversified crops-dairy. Rainfed farming systems in the USA are highly productive, economically important, ecologically diverse and technologically driven. Management approaches to achieve resource efficiency and agricultural sustainability are described, including the use of improved genetic seed sources, crop rotations, appropriate fertiliser application techniques, conservation tillage and integrated crop-livestock production systems. Issues of increasing oil and fertiliser prices, sustainability of soil and water resources, and climate change are current challenges facing agriculture in the USA.
Characterizing the relationship between systemic inflammatory response syndrome and early cardiac dysfunction in traumatic brain injury.

Systolic dysfunction was recently described following traumatic brain injury (TBI), and systemic inflammation may be a contributing mechanism. Our aims were to 1) examine the association between the early systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and systolic cardiac dysfunction following TBI, and 2) describe the longitudinal change in SIRS criteria, cardiac function, and hemodynamic parameters during the first week of hospitalization. We used a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study examining cardiac function (with transthoracic echocardiography on the first day and serially over the first week of hospitalization) in 32 moderate-severe isolated TBI patients, and quantified the admission and daily SIRS response to injury. We determined the association of admission SIRS and systolic dysfunction following TBI. Admission SIRS was present in 7 (21%) patients and was associated with systolic dysfunction on multivariable analysis (relative risk 4.01; 95% 1.16–13.79, p = .028). Both SIRS criteria and systolic cardiac function improved over the first week of hospitalization. In conclusion, early SIRS is common among patients with moderate-severe TBI, and the presence of SIRS criteria on admission is associated with systolic cardiac dysfunction following TBI.
Abstract 207: Differential Regulation of Ubiquitin-Proteasomal System in Right Ventricular Versus Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Failure

Background: While the role of Ubiquitin-Proteasomal System (UPS) in left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and failure (LVF) has been controversial, the role of UPS in the right, RVH/RVF is unknown. Given the greater percent increase in RV mass and protein with RV vs. LV afterload stress, we hypothesized that UPS alterations could play an important role in RVH and RVF. Methods: Using our pulmonary artery constriction (PAC) model to induce RVH/RVF by 8d (n=13-14), UPS gene and protein expression, ubiquitination, oxidation (carbonylation), and enzyme activity were measured in PAC vs. sham controls. Proteasomal inhibitors epoxomicin (0.5 mg/kg/d) or MG132 (10 µg/kg/d) were administered from 1d before to 7d after surgery (n=3-6). Results: RVW/BW was increased by 109.3% in PAC mice. All mice developed progressive RV dilation, septal shift and decrease in RV function. UPS function, measured as 26S s 5 chymotrypsin-like activity (71.3±3.9 vs. 100±8.3%; p 1 caspase-like activity (66.9±3.2 vs. 100±6.9%; p Conclusion: UPS has been shown to be both activated/inhibited and cardioprotective/cardiotoxic in LVH/LVF. In RVH/RVF, despite a doubling in RV mass, UPS activity is decreased, associated with increased ubiquitinated proteins and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Further proteasomal inhibition does not hasten RVF, suggesting that the failing RV is resistant to further proteasomal inhibition, or a limited role for the UPS in the progression from RVH to RVF.
Progressions in reasoning about structure–property relationships

In this essay, findings from research in science and chemistry education are used to describe and discuss progression in students' structure–property reasoning through schooling. This work provides insights into the challenges that students face to master this important component of chemical thinking. The analysis reveals that student reasoning is often guided by nonnormative implicit schemas that are little affected by traditional instruction. These schemas prioritize chemical composition over molecular structure, and centralized causality over emergence in the explanation and prediction of the properties of substances. The types of components that students invoke to make sense of properties and phenomena may change with schooling, but the underlying reasoning persists. In general, learners assume that observed properties and behaviors are directly related to the types of atoms present in a system and determined by these individual atoms' inherent characteristics.
Multiwavelength Raman Spectroscopic Characterization of Alumina-Supported Molybdenum Oxide Prepared by Vapor Deposition

Molybdenum oxide species on alumina have been prepared via gas phase deposition of bis(ethylbenzene) molybdenum with loadings in the range of 0.05–3.1 Mo atoms/nm2. These materials have been characterized relative to analogous impregnated samples using UV–Visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, UV Raman spectroscopy, and visible Raman spectroscopy. The presence and distribution of monomolybdates, two- and three-dimensional polymolybdates, and Al2(MoO4)3 depends on the Mo loading and synthesis technique employed, especially at low loadings. Alternately dosing bis(ethylbenzene) molybdenum and water generates uniform polymolybdates at all loadings. In contrast, pulsing the precursor into the reactor without intervening water leads to monomolybdates at low loadings and polymolybdates at high loadings. The ability to influence the distribution of surface molybdenum oxide species can facilitate the rational design of molybdenum based catalysts.
Anonymous Peer-to-Peer Systems

The first major P2P system, Napster (Taylor, 2004), was introduced in 1999. Since then, P2P systems have evolved very rapidly. The first generation of P2P systems, represented by Napster, used a centralized index server to provide peer and resource discovery. This design makes the systems vulnerable to attacks on the central server. The second-generation P2P systems, such as Gnutella, avoided such problems by adopting a fully decentralized design (Taylor, 2004). However, these systems do not provide anonymity to their users, in that a resource owner is exposed to its requester, and vice versa. A user’s activities are also easily observable by the neighboring nodes. The privacy concerns triggered the development of the third generation of P2P systems (Rossi, 2006; Rohrer, 2006). These systems followed a variety of strategies to achieve anonymity, which will be discussed in detail in this article. Even though most of such systems are in the early development phase, we believe they will soon take over the second generation of P2P systems.
Suspending Hierarchy, Liberating Innovation: Personal Reflections on the Triple Chronotherapy Journey

As evidence-based practice becomes a more integral and accelerated part of complex healthcare systems, interdisciplinary participation in a larger culture of inquiry is essential. The ability of caregivers to capitalize on and learn from clinical phenomena, whether accidental, intentional, or spontaneous, is at the heart of putting complexity science into practice.
Advanced Simulation in the Configurable Massively Parallel Hardware MereGen

Simulation of biological molecular systems or studies on self- organization are most suitably studied in spatially extended environments. The study of evolutionary systems, be they optimization problems, chemical reactions or selfreferential systems, has a strong need for computational power. Configurable electronic hardware provides this power and has the additional advantage of restricting the modeling space to the essential minimum. Models working in silicon can be translated very easily into molecular or chemical systems. This poster reports on the successor of the reconfigurable massively parallel machine NGEN and the dynamic reconfigur- able evolvable hardware POLYP.
Local broadcast journalism, user-generated content and boundary work

The purpose of this study is to explore how local broadcast news stations use user-generated content (UGC), and what opinions producers at these stations have toward UGC. Studying local news statio...
Columnar-Lined Esophagus Develops via Wound Repair in a Surgical Model of Reflux Esophagitis.

Background & Aims After esophagojejunostomy, rodents develop reflux esophagitis and a columnar-lined esophagus with features of Barrett’s metaplasia. This rodent columnar-lined esophagus has been proposed to develop from cellular reprogramming of progenitor cells, but studies on early columnar-lined esophagus development are lacking. We performed a systematic, histologic, and immunophenotypic analysis of columnar-lined esophagus development in rats after esophagojejunostomy. Methods At various times after esophagojejunostomy in 52 rats, the esophagus was removed and tissue sections were evaluated for type, location, and length of columnar lining. Molecular characteristics were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Results At week 2, ulceration was seen in esophageal squamous epithelium, starting distally at the esophagojejunostomy anastomosis. Re-epithelialization of the distal ulcer segment occurred via proliferation and expansion of immature-appearing glands budding directly off jejunal crypts, characteristic of wound healing. The columnar-lined esophagus's immunoprofile was similar to jejunal crypt epithelium, and columnar-lined esophagus length increased significantly from 0.15 mm (±0.1 SEM) at 2 weeks to 5.22 mm (±0.37) at 32 weeks. Neoglands were found within esophageal ulcer beds, and spindle-shaped cells expressing epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers were found at the columnar-lined esophagus's leading edge. Only proliferative squamous epithelium was found at the proximal ulcer border. Conclusions After esophagojejunostomy in rats, metaplastic columnar-lined esophagus develops via a wound healing process that does not appear to involve cellular reprogramming of progenitor cells. This process involves EMT-associated migration of jejunal cells into the esophagus, where they likely have a competitive advantage over squamous cells in the setting of ongoing gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Organic Chemical Pollution: Petroleum, Pesticides, and Detergents

The worldwide production and use of organic chemicals (both natural and synthetic) have increased dramatically since World War II. Much of the increase is the result of new compounds developed for consumer use rather than of an increased use of a few known compounds. The environmental impact of using these compounds has only slowly become apparent, and in many cases the findings have caused serious concern.
Suppression of hypoxia-associated vascular endothelial growth factor gene expression by nitric oxide via cGMP.

Purpose To investigate the suppressive effect of nitric oxide (NO) on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene expression and to elucidate its mechanism of action. Methods Immortalized human retinal epithelial (RPE) cells, H-ras-transfected murine capillary endothelial cells, and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) RelA knockout 3T3 fibroblasts had VEGF gene expression stimulated by hypoxia, TPA (phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13 acetate), and ras-transfection. The dose response and time course of inhibition of VEGF gene expression by NO were characterized by northern blot analysis, ribonuclease protection assay, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effects of NF-kappaB and cGMP in the NO-induced suppression of VEGF gene expression were quantitated. cGMP production was inhibited by LY 83583 (6-anilino-5,8-quinolinedione), a specific inhibitor of guanylate cyclase production, and cGMP accumulation was quantitated by immunoassay. RelA knockout 3T3 fibroblasts were used to assess the contribution of NF-kappaB to the downregulation of VEGF by NO. Results The NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) decreased hypoxia-induced VEGF gene expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner. One hundred fifty micromolar SNP completely suppressed hypoxia-induced VEGF mRNA levels for at least 24 hours. Constitutive VEGF expression was not altered by SNP. The SNP-mediated decreases in VEGF expression were associated with increases in intracellular cGMP and were blocked by LY 83583. Sodium nitroprusside was able to decrease hypoxia-induced VEGF mRNA increases in fibroblasts deficient in the RelA subunit of NF-kappaB. Nitric oxide was also effective at suppressing increased VEGF expression secondan, to mutant ras and TPA. Conclusions These data indicate that NO decreases hypoxia-induced VEGF via a cGMP-dependent mechanism and suggest that NO may serve as an endogenous inhibitor of both hypoxia- and non- hypoxia-enhanced VEGF expression in vivo.
Input-expectation discrepancy reduction: a ubiquitous mechanism

This paper examines the various manifestations of input-expectation discrepancy that occurs in a broad spectrum of research on intelligent behavior. It makes the point that each of the different research activities highlights different aspects of an input-expectation reduction mechanism and neglects others. A comprehensive view of this mechanism has been constructed and applied in the design of a cognitive industrial robot. The mechanism is explained as both a key for machine learning strategies, and a guide for the selection of appropriate memory structures to support intelligent behavior.
The Architecture of Postmodern Ontology: Heidegger and Beckett

This time, in our attempt to further explore spaciality, I am feeling as if I were venturing to find my way along a narrow and dangerous path in a mountainous altitude toward an explanation of postmodern ontology. I mean not to stress postmodern in this title, but rather ontology, in order to show difference and not identify between the past of the human interpretation of the term and manifestations of its present understanding. I could have chosen the term “philosophy” of postmodern ontology, but for reasons related to the effects of logocentrism, I insist on “architecture” which establishes the connection to space.
Alternative Paradigms and Professionalizing Childhood Care and Education: The Oregon Example

Professionalizing childhood care and education is a complex and challenging undertaking. The National Association for the Education of Young Children has declared the professional status of practitioners involved in the care and/or education of children (birth–8) and is encouraging individual states to create local infrastructures which further this goal. The use of alternative paradigms of knowledge and action are suggested as a way to unpack the inherent complexities involved when transitioning a field of work into a profession. Professional development in practitioners can be facilitated as a part of the professionalization process by using instrumental/technical, interpretive, and emancipatory/critical paradigms. Appropriate professional development is action taken by practitioners which has the following characteristics: a) it is based on solid theoretical understanding; b) it involves competence in relevant content and skill areas, and c) it includes the ability to transcend personal concerns, fears, and barriers in order to take action on professionally related moral and justice issues. An application of these paradigms, used by the Oregon Center for Development in Childhood Care and Education provides an example.
Pediatric Acute Flaccid Myelitis: A Case Series (P2.320)

Objective: Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a disease affecting the anterior horn cells and leading to flaccid paralysis. Recent epidemics, beginning in the summer of 2014, have been associated with enterovirus D68 and other respiratory viruses, although the underlying pathophysiology is unknown. Background: Between January 2015 and June 2017, 4 cases of probable AFM were identified at our institution, with ages ranging from 2–15 years old. Design/Methods: Not applicable Results: Hyperintensity in the gray matter of the spinal cord was seen on T2-weighted MRI imaging in 3 out of 4 patients, along with cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis consistent with AFM. Enterovirus D68 was detected in stool samples from two patients. Two recovered with mild residual deficits, and one was discharged to a rehabilitation facility with persistent severe bilateral upper extremity weakness. All received intravenous immunoglobulin. One also received steroids and three were treated with seven days of high dose fluoxetine. One patient, an unimmunized two-year-old boy, presented with lower extremity weakness and rapidly developed upper extremity weakness, neck weakness and ptosis, without respiratory difficulties. Spinal cord imaging was normal and cerebrospinal fluid profile was unremarkable. Nerve conduction studies revealed reduced or absent motor responses and normal sensory responses. Imaging and lumbar puncture were not repeated due to parental preference. This case was discussed with experts at the Center for Disease Control and at the University of Colorado. It is unclear whether this patient had AFM or atypical acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP), motor variant. This patient also received intravenous immunoglobulin and fluoxetine with good recovery. Conclusions: In our small case series, most patients with acute flaccid myelitis presented with acute onset of upper extremity weakness and bulbar weakness, and expected findings on both head imaging and cerebrospinal fluid analysis. We discuss differential diagnoses and the possible utility of nerve conduction studies in the diagnosis of AFM. Study Supported by: none Disclosure: Dr. Christy has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cho has nothing to disclose.
Helping Young Children Cope with Community Violence: A Proposal for the Reduction of Social Distress in the Inner Cities

The authors discuss the crisis of violence in our society and its impact on young children. Research on early violence prevention is reviewed, and a rationale for building parent–teacher coalitions to attempt solutions to the problem of violence is presented. A curriculum for co-training of parents and early childhood professionals in violence prevention is outlined. The need for longitudinal research on the implementation and impact of early violence prevention programs is noted.
If You Specialize It, They Will Attend

Texas Woman's University's popular School of Tech applies best practices in adult learning. Participants engage in active learning in a computer classroom where they grow skills and build relationships. This model provided the opportunity to build digital dexterity that may ultimately transform our workforce.
Functional Swallowing Disorders

Functional swallowing disorders encompass a group of increasingly recognized chronic esophageal disorders including functional chest pain, functional heartburn, reflux hypersensitivity, functional dysphagia, and globus pharyngeus. Unlike other well-described esophageal conditions (i.e., obstructive esophageal disease, esophageal dysmotility, or gastroesophageal reflux disease), the primary mechanism of functional swallowing disorders involves the brain-gut axis. The specific pathway of symptom generation is thought to arise from esophageal hypersensitivity, an enhanced sensitivity to physiologic stimuli in the esophagus, and hypervigilance, an increased awareness of esophageal symptoms. Additional psychosocial factors, such as stress, learned fear of symptoms, and maladaptive coping (e.g., food avoidance), can contribute to the onset and maintenance of functional swallowing disorders. As such, management of functional swallowing disorders focuses on central and peripheral neuromodulation. First-line management options include pharmacologic antidepressant therapy and behavioral interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and esophageal-directed hypnotherapy. The purpose of this chapter is to review the pathophysiology and management of functional swallowing disorders and address commonly asked questions from patients with functional swallowing disorders.
Evaluation of the performance of highly modified asphalt binder using accelerated pavement testing

A full-scale experiment was conducted at the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)’s accelerated pavement testing (APT) facility to evaluate the performance of a newly formulated asphalt bind...
Real-time suppression and amplification of neural oscillations using electrical stimulation and phase feedback

Approaches to predictably control neural oscillations are needed to understand their causal role in brain function in healthy and diseased states and to advance the development of neuromodulation therapies. In this article, we present a neural control and optimization framework to actively suppress or amplify neural oscillations observed in local field potentials in real-time by using electrical stimulation. The rationale behind this control approach is that neural oscillatory activity evoked by electrical pulses can suppress or amplify spontaneous oscillations via destructive or constructive interference when stimulation pulses are continuously delivered at precise phases of these oscillations in a closed-loop scheme. We tested this technique in two nonhuman primates that exhibited a robust increase in low-frequency (8-30 Hz) oscillatory power in the subthalamic nucleus following administration of the neurotoxin MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine). The control approach was capable of actively and robustly suppressing or amplifying low-frequency oscillations in real-time in the studied subjects.
Assessment of Sotalol and Dofetilide Dosing at a Large Academic Medical Center.

Background:Patients initiated on sotalol and dofetilide require inpatient monitoring and dose adjustments due to risks of corrected QT (QTc) prolongation and Torsades de pointes (TdP). Patients may...
Accurate and Efficient Evaluation of the Transient Response in RLC Circuits: The DTT Method

Several popular methods for evaluating the transient response of integrated circuits have been discussed in Chapter 3. The Elmore and Wyatt approximations for RC trees are discussed in 3.1. An equivalent Elmore delay model for RLC trees is presented in Chapter 7. These models are used as fast, low accuracy approximations of the delays within a high complexity integrated circuit. The computational speed of these delay models makes these models appropriate for analyzing large integrated circuits in a reasonable time in order to determine approximate delay estimates. The high fidelity of these delay models also makes these models appropriate for design methodologies where an efficient solution is required. However, high accuracy characterization and simulation of the interconnect behavior and signal transients are required for analyzing performance critical modules and nets and to accurately anticipate possible hazards during switching. Also, increasing performance requirements have forced a reduction of the safety margins used in the design of worst case signal paths, requiring more accurate interconnect delay characterization.
Senescence as an Amyloid Cascade: The Amyloid Senescence Hypothesis

Due to their postmitotic status, the potential for neurons to undergo senescence has historically received little attention. This lack of attention has extended to some non-postmitotic cells as well. Recently, the study of senescence within the central nervous system (CNS) has begun to emerge as a new etiological framework for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). The presence of senescent cells is known to be deleterious to non-senescent neighboring cells via development of a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) which includes the release of inflammatory, oxidative, mitogenic, and matrix-degrading factors. Senescence and the SASP have recently been hailed as an alternative to the amyloid cascade hypothesis and the selective killing of senescence cells by senolytic drugs as a substitute for amyloid beta (As) targeting antibodies. Here we call for caution in rejecting the amyloid cascade hypothesis and to the dismissal of As antibody intervention at least in early disease stages, as As oligomers (AsO), and cellular senescence may be inextricably linked. We will review literature that portrays AsO as a stressor capable of inducing senescence. We will discuss research on the potential role of secondary senescence, a process by which senescent cells induce senescence in neighboring cells, in disease progression. Once this seed of senescent cells is present, the elimination of senescence-inducing stressors like As would likely be ineffective in abrogating the spread of senescence. This has potential implications for when and why AsO clearance may or may not be effective as a therapeutic for AD. The selective killing of senescent cells by the immune system via immune surveillance naturally curtails the SASP and secondary senescence outside the CNS. Immune privilege restricts the access of peripheral immune cells to the brain parenchyma, making the brain a safe harbor for the spread of senescence and the SASP. However, an increasingly leaky blood brain barrier (BBB) compromises immune privilege in aging AD patients, potentially enabling immune infiltration that could have detrimental consequences in later AD stages. Rather than an alternative etiology, senescence itself may constitute an essential component of the cascade in the amyloid cascade hypothesis.
Multiphase behavior in ternary mixtures of carbon dioxide, water, and nonionic amphiphiles at elevated pressures

Equilibrium multiphase behavior for ternary mixtures of carbon dioxide and water with 2-butoxyethanol (C{sub 4}E{sub 1}) and with n-octyl tri(oxyethylene) monoether (C{sub 8}E{sub 3}) has been studied at temperatures and pressures near the critical point of CO{sub 2}. Four-phase liquid-liquid-liquid-gas equilibrium and three-phase liquid-liquid-gas and liquid-liquid-liquid equilibria were observed for both ternary mixtures. Phase compositions and densities for three- and four-phase equilibria were measured at temperatures from 30 to 50 {degree}C and pressures from 615 to 1,415 psia. Critical end point temperatures and pressures which bound the regions of multiphase equilibria were also measured, and tricritical points were estimated by the intersection of the critical end point curves. Dye solubilization experiments were performed to investigate the existence of micelles or reverse micelles in the equilibrium phases of these ternary mixtures. No evidence for the formation of micelles or reverse micelles was found.
Dental Care Utilization of Hospitalized Persons Living with HIV and Substance Use.

People living with HIV (PLWH) who use drugs experience worse health outcomes than their non-using counterparts. Little is known about how often they seek dental care and the factors that influence their utilization. PLWH with substance use disorders who were inpatients at 11 urban hospitals (n = 801) participated in a National Institute on Drug Abuse Clinical Trials Network study to improve engagement in HIV outcomes. Dental care utilization at each time point during the study period (baseline, 6 months and/or 12 months) was assessed (n = 657). Univariate analysis and logistic regression were used to examine factors associated with dental care utilization. Over half (59.4%) reported not having received any dental care at any timepoint. Participants with less than high school education had lower odds of reporting dental care utilization than those with more than education (aOR = 0.60 [95% CI 0.37–0.99], p = 0.0382). Participants without health insurance also had lower odds of reporting dental care utilization than those with insurance (aOR = 0.50 [95% CI 0.331–0.76], p = 0.0012). Higher food insecurity was associated with having recent dental care utilization (OR = 1.03 [95% CI 1.00, 1.05], p = 0.0359). Additionally, those from Southern states were less likely to report dental care utilization (aOR = 0.55 [95% CI 0.38, 0.79], p = 0.0013). Having health insurance and education are key factors associated with use of dental care for PLWH with substance use disorders. The association between food insecurity and dental care utilization among this population suggests the need for further exploration.
Prognostic importance of the transmitral pressure gradient in mitral annular calcification with associated mitral valve dysfunction.

AIMS The aim of this study was to define the natural history of patients with mitral annular calcification (MAC)-related mitral valve dysfunction and to assess the prognostic importance of mean transmitral pressure gradient (MG) and impact of concomitant mitral regurgitation (MR). METHODS AND RESULTS The institutional echocardiography database was examined from 2001 to 2019 for all patients with MAC and MG ≥3 mmHg. A total of 5754 patients were stratified by MG in low (3-5 mmHg, n = 3927), mid (5-10 mmHg, n = 1476), and high (≥10 mmHg, n = 351) gradient. The mean age was 78 ± 11 years, and 67% were female. MR was none/trace in 32%, mild in 42%, moderate in 23%, and severe in 3%. Primary outcome was all-cause mortality, and outcome models were adjusted for age, sex, and MAC-related risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease). Survival at 1, 5, and 10 years was 77%, 42%, and 18% in the low-gradient group; 73%, 38%, and 17% in the mid-gradient group; and 67%, 25%, and 11% in the high-gradient group, respectively (log-rank P < 0.001 between groups). MG was independently associated with mortality (adjusted HR 1.064 per 1 mmHg increase, 95% CI 1.049-1.080). MR severity was associated with mortality at low gradients (P < 0.001) but not at higher gradients (P = 0.166 and 0.372 in the mid- and high-gradient groups, respectively). CONCLUSION In MAC-related mitral valve dysfunction, mean transmitral gradient is associated with increased mortality after adjustment for age, sex, and MAC-related risk factors. Concomitant MR is associated with excess mortality in low-gradient ranges (3-5 mmHg) but gradually loses prognostic importance at higher gradients, indicating prognostic utility of transmitral gradient in MAC regardless of MR severity.
Improving Cardiovascular Health in a Pediatric Preventive Cardiology Practice.

Poor childhood cardiovascular health translates into poor adult cardiovascular health. We hypothesized care in a preventive cardiology clinic would improve cardiovascular health after lifestyle counseling. Over a median of 3.9 months, mean cardiovascular health score (range 0-11) improved from 5.8 ± 2.2 to 6.3 ± 2.1 (P
Practical Evaluation of Repeated Recommendations in Personalized Music Discovery

Studies have shown that repeated exposures to novel songs cause an increase in a person’s memory and liking. These studies are commonly verified through self-reporting emotion-based surveys. This paper proposes the “retention rate” as an additional parameter for evaluation. The “retention rate” is one at which the listener revisits the novel items. The authors hypothesize that when a person listens to novel (i.e., both unfamiliar and interesting) pieces of music, the retention rate will be proportional to the number of times the discovery engine suggests the pieces to her, as long as they remain novel. The authors have tested the hypothesis through a six-week human-subject experiment that simulates a real-world listening environment and a follow-up survey. During the experiment period, each subject received, through Discover Weekly in Spotify, suggestions for novel songs up to three times and provided evaluation. One month after the evaluation experiment, the human-subjects answered whether they had revisited the novel songs. Through the analysis of the response and survey data, the researchers conclude that the more times a listener is exposed to a song during the discovery process, the more likely she is to return to the song.
Detection, identification, and analysis of multi-emitter polymer systems

While fluorescent conjugated polymers are seeing increased use in optoelectronics, aggregation remains a roadblock due to emission quenching. It is therefore important to more fully understand the conditions that drive the emissive behavior. To properly interpret the spectral changes of P3HT from solvent poisoning, we employed a variety of single-molecule fluorescence techniques. In general, is impossible to assign spectral features in bulk emission spectra to the monomer versus aggregate or a mixture of different aggregate types without additional information. However, by measuring the difference in something like diffusion time as a function of emission wavelength, the spectral features that correspond to monomeric and aggregated chains can be assigned. Notably, these aggregates are highly emissive in the solid state though not in solution. The results suggest solvent poisoning provides a simple method of producing highly emissive aggregates from otherwise weakly emissive materials.
Functional Cortical Levels Within Units 2 and 3

Luria further divides functional units 2 and 3 based on the level of reception, analysis, and comprehension (functional unit 2) and the level of organization and preparation of the motor response (functional unit 3) resulting from higher-order anatomical processors and the spread of information across surrounding cortical zones. More specifically, sensory information from our eyes and ears and from each of the other sensory modalities arrives at its own primary projection cortex in the part of the brain specialized for the processing of that type of sensory information. Vision projects onto the calcarine or striate cortex located at the medial occipital lobe. Audition projects onto Heschl’s gyrus at the anterior superior temporal lobe represented by Brodmann’s area 41. Somatic senses including touch, pressure, cold, warm, pain, and itch project onto the anterior parietal lobe at the somatosensory cortex represented by Brodmann’s areas 3, 1, 2. The German anatomist Korbinian Brodmann published his anatomical maps of human and nonhuman primates based on the cytoarchitectural features of the neurons he observed in the cerebral cortex using the Nissl stain. These maps are potentially very useful for communication purposes and for readily locating a cortical region.
Indelible Images: Women of Local Television Mary E. Beadle and Michael D. Murray, eds. Ames: Iowa State University Press, 2001. 248 pp

(2003). Indelible Images: Women of Local Television Mary E. Beadle and Michael D. Murray, eds. Ames: Iowa State University Press, 2001. 248 pp. American Journalism: Vol. 20, No. 2, pp. 113-114.
Die genaue Bestimmung des Wertes von e3)

Einen vollkommen klaren Einblick in die atomistische Natur der Elektrizitat gewahrte uns zwar bereits die Tatsache, das alle Ladungen, welche einem Korper mitgeteilt werden konnen — sie werden durch die Summe von Geschwindigkeiten v1 + v2 gemessen —, und das alle Ladungsanderungen dieses Korpers — sie werden durch den Unterschied von Geschwindigkeiten v’2 — v2 gemessen — , genau ganzen Vielfachen einer bestimmten Ge- schwindigkeit proportional sind, wie die Messungen ohne Ausnahme ergeben. Aber ein Wunsch bleibt dann doch noch ubrig: Wir konnen diesen grosten gemeinsamen Teiler von allen beobachteten Geschwindigkeitsreihen nur als eine Geschwindigkeit ausdrucken, welche zwar fur jeden bestimmten Tropfen eine charakteristische Zahl darstellt, von Tropfen zu Tropfen aber sich andert. Viel besser ware es, wenn wir diesen grosten gemeinsamen Teiler auf elektrische Grosen zuruckfuhren konnten, indem wir den Proportionalitatsfaktor zwischen Geschwindigkeit und Ladung finden ; wenn das geschehen ist, sollten wir naturgemas als Ergebnis erwarten, das die Ladung sich als eine allgemeine Konstante erweist, welche von der Grose und der Art des Tropfchens unabhangig ist, an welchem die Untersuchungen angestellt wurden.
Nonlinear Optical Properties of Quasi-One Dimensional Magneto-Excitons

Application of a strong magnetic field to a bulk semiconductor reduces the dimensionality of the electronic excitations from 3D to 1D. This gives the opportunity to explore the nonlinear optical properties of one dimensional systems in high quality material, without size fluctuation while avoiding the fabrication of delicate samples.
The influence of a verbal prompt on school lunch fruit consumption: a pilot study.

Background: This study evaluated an environmental intervention intended to increase consumption of the fruit serving among elementary school children participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).
Mecca-Cola: A Protest Brand Makes its Mark

Mecca-Cola and other products have arisen in recent years in response to an increasing anti-American and anti-globalization movement in certain parts of the world. This case briefly explores this movement, with a focus on one company, Mecca-Cola, and asks readers to explore the consequences for American multinational brands.
A general model and mechanisms for model-level heterogeneous RPC interoperability

Heterogeneous RPC systems may interoperate in a number of different ways. Interoperability at the level of communications, system, data-representation and so forth is RPC-environment-level. The paper addresses a different, namely, RPC-model-level, form of interoperability. An RPC model describes RPC-related actions, such as exporting or importing an entry, independently of the details of the RPC environment. The paper defines general RPC model that can be used to describe most if not all known RPC systems. Two different systems, Concert and Apollo NCS, are described using the general model, and an example of model-level interoperability is presented. To implement model-level RPC interoperability, new mechanisms are introduced referred to as model-level stubs. Generated automatically, these transparent stubs act as local surrogates of remote RPC peers, and extend conventional stub functionality to include model-level actions. >
Elevated plasma pigment epithelium-derived factor in children with type 2 diabetes mellitus is attributable to obesity.

Background Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is a member of the serpin family secreted by adipocytes. Plasma PEDF is increased in obese children and adults. Adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have higher circulating PEDF but there are no reports in children with T2DM. Objective To compare PEDF concentration in children with T2DM to normal weight and obese children without T2DM and determine associations with anthropometric or serum factors. Methods Participants were 34 obese children with T2DM diagnosed by American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria, 61 normal weight [body mass index (BMI) 25–75 percentile] and 63 obese (BMI ≥95 percentile) children of age 8–18 yr. Plasma PEDF was measured in fasting plasma samples. Anthropometric, serum, and body composition (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, DXA) data were obtained for each subject to identify potential predictor variables. Results PEDF was 55% higher (p = 0.001) in the T2DM group compared with normal weight children, but did not differ from obese children. In the T2DM group, fat mass and lean mass both individually predicted PEDF (r2 = 0.22 and 0.17, p = 0.02 and p < 0.01, respectively). PEDF was positively correlated with homeostatic model assessment - insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) when all groups were combined (r2 = 0.15, p<0.001). Conclusions Plasma PEDF was similar in the T2DM and obese groups, therefore, obesity, rather than diabetes, may account for the higher PEDF in children with T2DM compared with normal weight children. PEDF was positively associated with both lean mass and fat mass both of which may contribute to the circulating level of the protein, and potentially to PEDF's association with insulin resistance in obese children with and without diabetes.
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) as a mechanism of disseminating RDX-degrading activity among Actinomycete bacteria.

Aims: Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5,-triazine (RDX) is a cyclic nitramine explosive that is a major component in many high-explosive formulations and has been found as a contaminant of soil and groundwater. The RDX-degrading gene locus xplAB, located on pGKT2 in Gordonia sp. KTR9, is highly conserved among isolates from disparate geographical locations suggesting a horizontal gene transfer (HGT) event. It was our goal to determine whether Gordonia sp. KTR9 is capable of transferring pGKT2 and the associated RDX degradation ability to other bacteria. Methods and Results: We demonstrate the successful conjugal transfer of pGKT2 from Gordonia sp. KTR9 to Gordonia polyisoprenivorans, Rhodococcus jostii RHA1 and Nocardia sp. TW2. Through growth and RDX degradation studies, it was demonstrated that pGKT2 conferred to transconjugants the ability to degrade and utilize RDX as a nitrogen source. The inhibitory effect of exogenous inorganic nitrogen sources on RDX degradation in transconjugant strains was found to be strain specific. Conclusions: Plasmid pGKT2 can be transferred by conjugation, along with the ability to degrade RDX, to related bacteria, providing evidence of at least one mechanism for the dissemination and persistence of xplAB in the environment. Significance and Impact of Study: These results provide evidence of one mechanism for the environmental dissemination of xplAB and provide a framework for future field relevant bioremediation practices.
U.S.-Canadian Tomato Wars: An Economist Tries to Make Sense Out of Recent Antidumping Suits

U.S. growers filed an antidumping case against Canadian growers of greenhouse-grown tomatoes, alleging that U.S. growers were being injured, or threatened with material injury, by imports from Canada. The U.S. Department of Commerce determined that imports of greenhouse-grown tomatoes were being sold in U.S. markets at less than fair market value. The U.S. International Trade Commission determined the “like product” to be all fresh market tomatoes, concluding the domestic industry was not materially injured. Anecdotal evidence used by the Commission Department in determining like product ignores the wealth of knowledge that economics can add. An economic model is proposed for purposes of determining like product.
Collection of placental blood

Abstract A method of collecting placental blood is described. The technique is similar to that employed in blood donor centers. Other considerations involving the availability of placentas and use for placental blood are discussed. The purpose of this report is to interest other investigators in the experimental use of placental blood.