cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of in vitro inoculation and dietary supplementation with Bacillus subtilis on sperm quality of aged White Leghorn roosters

SUMMARY The probiotic Bacillus subtilis improves broiler performance; however, its effects on rooster reproduction are unknown. Therefore, 2 experiments (EXP) were conducted to evaluate impacts of B. subtilis on poultry semen quality. In EXP 1, B. subtilis was cultured for 48 h to a concentration of 108 CFU/mL. Semen from 72-week-old White Leghorn roosters was pooled and diluted 10-fold with the following treatments: 1) saline control, 2) sterile broth, 3) culture of B. subtilis, 4) supernatant from the culture, and 5) bacterial pellet from the culture. Semen pH and the sperm quality index (SQI) were obtained at 0 and 10 min post dilution to analyze effects of exposure length. The entire experiment was replicated 3 times. Semen pH and SQI were not affected by the B. subtilis pellet as compared to saline control. However, pH and SQI for every treatment containing broth were lower than the saline or pellet treatments. For EXP 2, 42 individually caged White Leghorn roosters, 74 wk old, were fed either 0 or 4.5 × 104 CFU of B. subtilis/g of feed. For each of 4 wk, individual semen samples were analyzed for pH, semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm viability, and the SQI. Additionally, semen concentrations of Na+, Ca2+, K+, Cl−, CO2, and O2 were measured. In the last week, ejaculates were serially diluted and plated to determine Bacillus spp. counts. The dietary addition of B. subtilis did not alter sperm quality characteristics, seminal ion concentrations, or Bacillus spp. counts. In conclusion, neither direct exposure of sperm nor dietary exposure of roosters to B. subtilis alters sperm quality, possibly because this bacterium is indigenous to the rooster's reproductive tract and semen. Therefore, feeding B. subtilis to roosters may not negatively affect fertility and may be an acceptable method to decrease pathogens, because B. subtilis alters intestinal microbiota. Future studies should investigate the effect of this probiotic on semen microbiota, especially regarding the presence of pathogenic bacteria that threaten public health.
Improved Threat Identification Using Tonemapping of High-Dynamic-Range X-ray Images

Transmission X-ray systems are used to image the contents of suspicious packages, luggage, and cargo. The images can have a dynamic range of 1,000:1 or greater, but are typically displayed on consumer-grade displays with a low-dynamic range of less than 255:1. We show that modern tonemapping algorithms can greatly improve the process of displaying X-ray images on low-dynamic-range displays and compare the performance of some popular algorithms for this purpose.
Data for: Binder-free, Freestanding Cathodes Fabricated with an Ultra-rapid Diffusion of Sulfur into Carbon Nanofibers for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Abstract A rapid (5-s) sulfur deposition technique is demonstrated on electrospun carbon nanofibers to fabricate binder-free, freestanding cathodes for lithium-sulfur batteries. The 5-second procedure melts sulfur into carbon nanofiber mats, which play a significant role as a built-in conductive matrix to provide uninterrupted electron transport pathways throughout the electrode such that the heavy current collector is eliminated. Meanwhile, the large inter-fiber spacing facilitates electrolyte diffusion and provides sufficient space for sulfur integration during cathode fabrication and the volume expansion during lithium-sulfur redox reaction. This technique eliminates the need for slurry processing with insulating binders and toxic solvents while eliminating heavy current collectors. This ultra-rapid technique involving only 140 °C, 5 s, and slight pressure ( sulfur−1 owing to their simple construction, with 100% capacity retention at 0.5C rate over 150 cycles. This translates to ∼250 mA h gelectrode−1 (based on total mass at the cathode) which is comparable to highly sophisticated electrodes when the weight of the entire electrode and current collector is considered.
The Impact of Manufacturer Coupon Use in the Statin Market

BaCkgro Und: Pharmaceutical manufacturer coupons are a rapidly grow ing promotional activity intended to encourage initiation and continuing use of brand-name medications, but little is known about impacts on medica tion adherence and expenditures. oBjeCTIve : To understand which patients use manufacturer coupons and the impact of coupons on brand-name statin (atorvastatin and rosuvas tatin) use and expenditures 1 year after initiation of statin therapy. MeThodS: Using commercially available claims data spanning 3 years and representing 340,350 patients, we compared demographics, statin use, and expenditures of patients initiating generic statins, brand-name statins without manufacturer coupons, and brand-name statins with manufacturer coupons. d ifferences in user groups were tested using chi-squared statis tics and Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney tests. Main outcome measures included statin fills, adherence, and expenditures, including patient out-of-pocket, payer, and total costs. r eSUlTS: With the exception of population density, there were no sig nificant demographic differences between new to therapy brand-name statin users filling prescriptions with and without coupons. n ew to therapy patients using generics were younger and lived in less populated areas compared with new to therapy brand-name statin noncoupon users. The number of statin fills in the 12 months following initiation was highest for coupon users, slightly lower for patients initiating generic statins, and low
Laser Generation and Detection of Lamb Waves in Graphite/Polymer Composite Laminates

Laser generation and detection of ultrasound has the obvious advantage of requiring no mechanical contact with the materials under investigation. Detection systems based on confocal Fabry-Perot interferometers can be used on surfaces that are rough, moving, and at elevated temperatures. This work describes the use of a laser-ultrasonic system for investigation of surface acoustic waves (SAWs) in composite laminates. SAWs in thick samples, also called Rayleigh waves, have displacement components both parallel and perpendicular to the surface. These components decay exponentially with distance from the surface, thus the wave motion is confined to a layer with thickness equal to about one wavelength. Because the wave propagation is mainly dependent upon material properties (including defects) near the surface, SAWs are an excellent tool for testing materials near the surface. Lamb waves are the counterparts of Rayleigh waves in thin samples with two free surfaces. A detailed discussion of Rayleigh and Lamb waves can be found in the treatise by Viktorov [1].
A real-time interactive midi glove for domicile stroke rehabilitation

Stroke is the leading cause of chronic adult disability in Western countries. After several weeks of inpatient physiotherapy, stroke patients are forced to continue unguided and monotonous therapy at home. Consequently, these patients often lose motivation to continue domicile stroke therapy and therefore do not recover to their potential. An interactive real-time MIDI-Glove was developed with the goal of engaging patients in meaningful, entertaining, and motivating domicile therapy. The MIDI-Glove can also provide a quantitative assessment of progress which provides feedback to both patient and therapist. This paper focuses on two developed MIDI-Glove applications. The first is Musiquant, a computer game which allows an individual to play a sample of a song using the glove and to receive a score based on the performance. The second application allows an individual to play along with a song using a variety of different instruments.
The Inorganic Composition of Bones and Teeth

Some 50 to 70 percent of adult cortical bone is inorganic in nature. It is apatitic in structure in that calcium and phosphate exist in one or more crystallographic varieties which, on x-ray diffraction analysis, give patterns similar to that shown by Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2. Phosphate may be substituted by carbonate in vivo, and hydroxyl may be replaced by fluoride. The proportions of these substituents in living bone alters the resolution of the x-ray diffraction pattern, indicating changes in crystal size, perfection, strain, or a combination of these characteristics. A number of ions are presumed to be incapable of occupying positions within the crystal lattice. Chief among these is citrate. Other ions believed to be adsorbed in vivo to the crystal surface are magnesium, strontium, sodium, potassium, and a number of trace elements such as zinc, manganese, and molybdenum, whose presence has been determined spectrographically. The degree of resolution of the characteristic peaks of the x-ray diffraction pattern of cortical bone varies somewhat among different species and is enhanced by the incorporation of fluoride.
Hopped beer: the case for cultivation

The history of hops, hopped beer, and hop cultivation is unclear and ambiguous. An assessment of the available literature reveals many contradictions, especially regarding the first use of hops in beer and the earliest incidence of hop cultivation. Historically, hops were used for a variety of purposes; now their primary use is as a preservative and flavoring in beer. Hop cultivation is poorly documented, but was certainly undertaken by the 10th century, most probably in response to the demand generated by beer-brewing. After comparing the literature and investigating source material, a chronology of hop use in beer and hop cultivation is proposed.
The Effect of Dilute Polymer Solutions on Viscous Drag and Turbulence Structure

All recent results confirm that the major differences between dilute polymer and Newtonian flows occur in an expanded buffer region near the wall. The wall- normal velocity fluctuations decrease and the principal axes for the Reynolds shear stress rotate toward the streamwise and wall-normal directions. Lower threshold uv events in quadrants 2 and 4 are damped while higher threshold uv events are not damped. The mean period of the burst cycle increases as drag reduction increases in the same way that streak spacing increases. While the wall-layer structures are modified in dilute polymer flows, they still contain all of the features of the Newtonian wall-layer structures.
Interleukin-1 accelerates murine granulocyte recovery following treatment with cyclophosphamide.

This study investigated the effects of recombinant human interleukin-1 (rhIL-1 alpha) on granulocyte recovery following treatment of mice with cyclophosphamide (CPM). CF1 mice were injected with 0.5 microgram rhIL- 1 alpha or heat-inactivated rhIL-1 alpha according to five different regimens, before and/or following 200 mg/kg CPM. Significant neutrophilia initially developed in treatment mice of all five regimens and accelerated granulocyte recovery occurred in treatment mice of four IL-1 regimens. Significant elevations in serum colony stimulating activity (CSA) occurred in treatment mice at a number of time points studied. In addition, marked increases in the percentage of maturing granulocyte precursors and in the proportion of cells cycling in S and G2/M were observed in treatment marrow throughout the IL-1 regimen. Before granulocyte recovery, premature nuclear segmentation was noted in metamyelocytes of treatment marrow. Concomitant with granulocyte recovery, treatment marrow was significantly more cellular and contained more total CFU-GM, more CFU-GM in S phase, more cells in S and G2/M, and more mitotic figures than control marrow. Splenic myelopoiesis was also enhanced in treatment mice. These data suggest that IL-1 significantly hastens granulocyte recovery following treatment with CPM by enhancing both proliferation and maturation of myeloid precursors.
We’re better when we blend: The benefits of couple identity fusion

When forming a relationship, romantic partners must develop a conceptualization of their self in the relationship, or an understanding of their couple identity. Drawing from the theory of identity ...
Volumetric Velocimetry of Complex Geometry Effects on Transonic Flow over Cavities

Volumetric measurements of the flow within four cavities were made by scanning stereoscopic particle image velocimetry at a freestream Mach number of 0.8. The cavities have a length-to-depth ratio ...
Fusion joining of thermoplastic composite wind turbine blades: Lap-shear bond characterization

Abstract Wind turbine blades are typically manufactured from a small number of components which are bonded together with an adhesive. Over the life span of a wind turbine, the static and fatigue loads in varying environmental conditions can lead to cracking and/or debonding of the adhesive joints, ultimately leading to blade structural collapse. The objective of this work is to investigate fusion joining of wind turbine blades manufactured using thermoplastic resin. Thermoplastic resins for wind turbine blades can reduce cycle times and energy consumption during manufacturing and facilitate end-of-life recycling and on-site manufacturing. Additionally, fusion joining of these materials can replace adhesives, resulting in stronger and more robust blades. This work showed that, compared to typical adhesives used in wind turbine blades, fusion welding resulted in an increase in both the static and fatigue lap-shear strength as compared to bonded thermoplastic composite coupons. This initial coupon-scale research suggests that there is potential for developing fusion welding techniques for full-scale wind turbine blades.
HEAD AND NECK CANCER STEM CELL PROTEOMICS

It is critical to identify the cell of origin of cancer and the genes/proteins/transcriptional/epigenetic factors of that cell. Here, we review studies on head and neck cancer stem cells (CSC) in the hope of developing better understanding of their role highlighting their importance as novel drug targets. CSC model has introduced a hierarchical conceptual framework for the interpretation of intratumour heterogeneity within tumour. This, in turn, has culminated in a major paradigm shift in terms of how different types of cancers can be targeted for treatment. Several malignancies conform to the CSC model of tumour growth yet identification of CSC markers remains a profound challenge. Key words: Chemo- and radio-resistance, head and neck cancer stem cells, proteomics, treatment modalities
Structural, functional, and evolutionary aspects of galectins in aquatic mollusks: From a sweet tooth to the Trojan horse

Galectins constitute a conserved and widely distributed lectin family characterized by their binding affinity for β-galactosides and a unique binding site sequence motif in the carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD). In spite of their structural conservation, galectins display a remarkable functional diversity, by participating in developmental processes, cell adhesion and motility, regulation of immune homeostasis, and recognition of glycans on the surface of viruses, bacteria and protozoan parasites. In contrast with mammals, and other vertebrate and invertebrate taxa, the identification and characterization of bona fide galectins in aquatic mollusks has been relatively recent. Most of the studies have focused on the identification and domain organization of galectin-like transcripts or proteins in diverse tissues and cell types, including hemocytes, and their expression upon environmental or infectious challenge. Lectins from the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica, however, have been characterized in their molecular, structural and functional aspects and some notable features have become apparent in the galectin repertoire of aquatic mollusks. These including less diversified galectin repertoires and different domain organizations relative to those observed in vertebrates, carbohydrate specificity for blood group oligosaccharides, and up regulation of galectin expression by infectious challenge, a feature that supports their proposed role(s) in innate immune responses. Although galectins from some aquatic mollusks have been shown to recognize microbial pathogens and parasites and promote their phagocytosis, they can also selectively bind to phytoplankton components, suggesting that they also participate in uptake and intracellular digestion of microalgae. In addition, the experimental evidence suggests that the protozoan parasite Perkinsus marinus has co-evolved with the oyster host to be selectively recognized by the oyster hemocyte galectins over algal food or bacterial pathogens, thereby subverting the oyster's innate immune/feeding recognition mechanisms to gain entry into the host cells.
Control of Multilayer Mobile Autonomous Systems in Adversarial Environments: A Games-in-Games Approach

A mobile autonomous system (MAS) becomes pervasive especially in the vehicular and robotic networks. Multiple heterogeneous MAS networks can be integrated together as a multilayer MAS network to offer holistic services. The network connectivity of the multilayer MAS plays an important role in the information exchange between agents within and across different layers of the network. In this article, we establish a games-in-games framework to capture the uncoordinated nature of decision making under adversarial environment at different layers. Specifically, each network operator controls the mobile agents in his own subnetwork and designs a secure strategy to maximize the global network connectivity by considering the behavior of jamming attackers that aim to disconnect the network. The solution concept of metaequilibrium is proposed to characterize the system-of-systems behavior of the autonomous agents. For online implementation of the control, we design a resilient algorithm that improves the network algebraic connectivity iteratively. We show that the designed algorithm converges to a metaequilibrium asymptotically. Finally, we use case studies of a two-layer MAS network to corroborate the security and agile resilience of the network controlled by the proposed strategy.
Creating a Human Gross Anatomy Laboratory: The Experience at a Primarily Undergraduate Institution

This paper details the creation of a human gross anatomy laboratory from a defunct chemistry laboratory at West Liberty University, a small primarily undergraduate institution in West Virginia. The article highlights important considerations with regard to the development of a human gross anatomy laboratory including access to human gifts; assessment of the space for size, security, and privacy; assessment of the utilities; acquisition of a dissection table; ventilation; aesthetics in functional design; expenses; and sustainability. The report also identifies favorable conditions and potential pitfalls regarding the creation of a human gross anatomy laboratory. This paper demonstrates that a human gross anatomy laboratory can be created quickly and at little expense.
The midsession reversal task: A theoretical analysis

In the midsession reversal task, choice of one stimulus (S1) is correct for the first half of each session and choice of the other stimulus (S2) is correct for the last half of each session. Although humans and rats develop very close to what has been called a win-stay/lose-shift response strategy, pigeons do not. Pigeons start choosing S2 before the reversal, making anticipatory errors, and they keep choosing S1 after the reversal, making perseverative errors. Research suggests that the pigeons are timing the reversal from the start of the session. However, making the reversal unpredictable does not discourage the pigeons from timing. Curiously, pigeons' accuracy improves if one decreases the value of the S2 stimulus relative to the S1 stimulus. Another form of asymmetry between S1 and S2 can be found by varying, over trials, the number of S1 or S2 stimuli. Counterintuitively, if the number of S2 stimuli varies, it results in a large increase in anticipatory errors but little increase in perseverative errors. However, if the number of S1 stimuli varies over trials, it results in a large increase in perseverative errors but no increase in anticipatory errors. These last two effects suggest that in the original midsession reversal task, the pigeons are learning to reject S2 during the first half of each session and learning to reject S1 during the last half of each session. These results suggest that reject learning may also play an important role in the learning of simple simultaneous discriminations.
Work-in-Progress—Immersive Virtual Reality Design Considerations to Promote Learning for English Language Learners

This work-in-progress paper describes an immersive virtual reality (iVR) learning game for informal education to promote enhanced engagement, improved spatial thinking, and broader understandings of the Lehigh River watershed’s cultural history, geography, and environmental issues. Our instructional design includes game design features in addition to learning elements. We provide design guidelines for adolescents and adults who are English language learners, including (a) autonomous learning, (b) fostering learners’ use of metacognitive strategies, (c) adaptive, supportive, and motivational feedback to maintain engagement, d) sustained time on task, and e) content knowledge learning and language comprehension.
Global error analysis of the Chebyshev rational approximation method

Abstract The Chebyshev rational approximation method (CRAM) has become a widely adopted method for solving nuclear depletion problems. Therefore, understanding CRAM’s accuracy is important for the safe operation of nuclear power plants. This article performs a global error analysis of CRAM and finds that, as the length of the time step approaches zero, the relative error measured between the exact and CRAM solutions at a fixed end time approaches one and infinity for even and odd orders, respectively; for intermediate time step sizes, a minimum in relative error is observed. We show that the reason for CRAM’s behavior is that the method is inconsistent. Two best practices for using CRAM, derived from these results, are: (1) use CRAM order 16 or higher, (2) if necessary, increase the CRAM order when multiphysics coupling requires smaller time steps.
Cas12a-Capture: a novel, low-cost, and scalable method for targeted sequencing

Abstract Targeted sequencing remains a valuable technique for clinical and research applications. However, many existing technologies suffer from pervasive GC sequence content bias, high input DNA requirements, and high cost for custom panels. We have developed Cas12a-Capture, a low-cost and highly scalable method for targeted sequencing. The method utilizes preprogramed guide RNAs to direct CRISPR-Cas12a cleavage of double stranded DNA in vitro and then takes advantage of the resulting four to five nucleotide overhangs for selective ligation with a custom sequencing adapter. Addition of a second sequencing adapter and enrichment for ligation products generates a targeted sequence library. We first performed a pilot experiment with 7,176 guides targeting 3.5 megabases of DNA. Using these data, we modeled the sequence determinants of Cas12a-Capture efficiency, then designed an optimized set of 11,438 guides targeting 3.0 megabases. The optimized guide set achieves an average 64-fold enrichment of targeted regions with minimal GC bias. Cas12a-Capture variant calls had strong concordance with Illumina Platinum Genome calls, especially for SNVs, which could be improved by applying basic variant quality heuristics. We believe Cas12a-Capture has a wide variety of potential clinical and research applications and is amendable for selective enrichment for any double stranded DNA template or genome.
Interpersonal Resilience Inventory: Assessing positive and negative interactions during hardships and COVID-19

Abstract When people face difficult life situations, close interpersonal interactions that are positive (supportive, warm, and intimate) and negative (critical, withdrawing, and unhelpful) can be assessed with the Interpersonal Resilience Inventory and should be distinct from social support indices (structural support and perceived support schema), associated with stress and well-being, and salient across different stress contexts Online participants completed the Interpersonal Resilience Inventory when facing family or financial stressors (n = 327) and the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 180) Confirmatory factor analysis, discrimination, correlations, and models regressing stress and well-being on positive and negative interactions indicated that scales are distinct and explain unique variance in stress and well-being beyond general social support Results highlight the unique function of perceived interactions This study expands previous medical and couple-specific work on perceptions of positive and negative interactions by assessing them across important relationships, in two unique stress contexts (family and financial hardships, and COVID-19), and after controlling for other types of social support (support schemas and structural support) This work is important for building parsimonious theories of perceived interactions that may be generalizable across relationships and stress contexts and may illuminate social support pathways to well-being
Missed vaccine opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: The 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) is recommended for all adults over the age of 65 to reduce S pneumoniae pneumonia Our institution follows a standing order for nurses to vaccinate adults who meet the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) criteria During the COVID-19 pandemic surge, the pneumococcal vaccine and influenza vaccine nurse-driven protocol was determined to be non-essential on 3/23, and 4/2 respectively Our study aims to characterize missed vaccine opportunities among patients hospitalized with COVID-19 during this surge Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study of PCR-positive COVID-19 patients admitted to an inner-city hospital and discharged alive between the dates of 3/23 and 4/21/2020 Patients under the age of 65 were excluded Data collected included patient age, gender, race, length of stay, co-morbidities that would indicate a vaccine opportunity, prior vaccinations, and whether there was a vaccine opportunity for PPSV23 and influenza defined by ACIP indications Vaccine history was evaluated using the electronic medical record (EMR) and Michigan Care Improvement Registry If there was a vaccine opportunity, we documented whether a vaccine was given before hospital discharge Total numbers of vaccines given for time periods in 2019 and 2020 were collected from EMR for comparison Results: 100 patients over the age of 65 were included The average age was 72 8 years, and most patients (66%) were of African American race The mean length of stay was five days 52 patients were identified as having an opportunity to receive PPSV23, and 0 patients received the vaccine 67 3% had more than one indication for PPSV23 37 patients were eligible to receive influenza vaccine, and 0 received the vaccine Results are summarized in table 1 Figures 1 and 2 display the number of pneumococcal and influenza vaccines given per EMR, respectively Conclusion: Due to prioritization of potential staffing shortages and clustering nursing care, an opportunity to vaccinate patients with pneumococcal and influenza vaccines was missed It is important for health care providers to be aware of this potential opportunity for vaccination of high-risk patients in order to promote primary prevention in future waves of pandemics
Vaccination of patients with inflammatory bowel disease during the COVID-19 pandemic

Inflammatory bowel disease and the subsequent immunosuppressive regimens used to treat this condition increase the risk for acquiring viral and bacterial infections. Ensuring that patients are up-to-date with their immunizations may help prevent the development of several of these vaccine-preventable diseases. Therefore, it is imperative that gastroenterology providers offer vaccinations to patients or direct vaccination guidance to primary care providers to minimize the risk for vaccine-preventable diseases. To decrease the risk for co-infection in the setting of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and avoid placing any further burden on the health care system, the call to immunize is more important than ever.
Moisture and ion mobilization and stratification in post-tensioned (PT) grout during hydration

Abstract Mobilization and stratification of ions and moisture in post-tensioned tendons during grout hydration can create adverse conditions which can promote corrosion. The transport of sulfate and chloride ions associated with grout segregation in large-scale tendon mockups was assessed. The grout was mixed with 15 % excess water over the manufacturers recommended limit to promote segregation and with different sulfate and chloride concentrations. The moisture content and both sulfate and chloride ion concentrations in the grout from the top sections of the tendons were significantly higher than grout from lower elevations. An ion-concentration factor (ICF) was defined as the ratio of the ion concentration in the leachate produced from the hydrated grout and the initial concentration in the grout mix water. The ion mobility in relation to moisture was analyzed in terms of the sulfate and chloride ions and their interactions with the solid and liquid phases during grout hydration.
“You’re My First Jew:” University Student and Professor Experiences of Judaism in a Small Indiana City

There has been a Jewish presence in Muncie, Indiana since before the city was incorporated in 1865. Most people, however, do not even know that the city has a synagogue or where it is located. This study contextualizes this small Jewish community within small-town America. For this study, we interviewed 12 Jewish individuals, including college students and faculty members at Ball State University, about their Jewish religion, identity, and experiences with antisemitism in this East-Central Indiana community. The interviews were transcribed and hand-coded for elements of Jewish life and identity, including the frequency of terms related to Jewish holidays, Christian dominance, and antisemitic interactions. These transcripts were also used to create a word corpus that was analyzed using a text analysis tool that calculates the frequency of dominant terms and their context. From this analysis, we determined that many Jewish college students and professors in Muncie experience Christian hegemony, not only because of public religious celebrations, feelings of difference, and Christian evangelization on campus and in public spaces, but also because many of the people interviewed revealed experiences of being someone's "first Jew," or the first Jewish person they have met.
Circulating cyclic adenosine monophosphate concentrations in milrinone treated paediatric patients after congenital heart surgery.

Background Milrinone is a phosphodiesterase type 3 inhibitor that results in a positive inotropic effect in the heart through an increase in cyclic adenosine monophosphate. The purpose of this study was to evaluate circulating cyclic adenosine monophosphate and milrinone concentrations in milrinone treated paediatric patients undergoing congenital heart surgery. Methods Single-centre prospective observational pilot study from January 2015 to December 2017 including children aged birth to 18 years. Milrinone and circulating cyclic adenosine monophosphate concentrations were measured at four time points through the first post-operative day and compared between patients with and without low cardiac output syndrome, defined using clinical and laboratory criteria. Results Fifty patients were included. Nine (18%) developed low cardiac output syndrome. For all patients, 22% had single ventricle heart disease. The density and distribution of cyclic adenosine monophosphate concentrations varied between those with and without low cardiac output syndrome but were not significantly different. Milrinone concentrations increased in all patients. Paired t-tests demonstrated an increase in circulating cyclic adenosine monophosphate concentrations during the post-operative period among patients without low cardiac output syndrome. Conclusions In this prospective observational study, circulating cyclic adenosine monophosphate concentrations increased in those without low cardiac output syndrome during the first 24 post-operative hours and milrinone concentrations increased in all patients. Further study of the utility of cyclic adenosine monophosphate concentrations in milrinone treated patients is necessary.
Anti-Regulation Under the Guise of Rational Regulation: The Bush Administration's Approaches to Valuing Human Lives in Environmental Cost-Benefit Analyses

The primary benefit of many important environmental regulations, as determined by the dollar value assigned by cost-benefit analysis, is the human lives that are saved. Thus, the methodology used to determine the value assigned to the lives that would be saved by an environmental program is central to the determination of whether such a program is justifiable on cost-benefit grounds. In 2000, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency published guidelines that set forth the primary means by which it would value human lives, and determined that each life should be valued at $6.3 million (in 2000 dollars). The use of this $6.3 million figure for the valuation of a human life is being challenged by the current administration. Through the inclusion of alternative benefit calculations in recent environmental cost-benefit analyses, the administration has introduced four questionable techniques that inappropriately lower the value assigned to human lives. Following public outcry, the administration suspended using techniques that undervalued the lives of the elderly relative to those of younger individuals, but it continues to employ other techniques that undervalue all lives, regardless of age. This anti-regulatory approach systematically underestimates the health benefits of environmental regulations. This Article analyzes the flaws in the administration's techniques, showing that they are inconsistent with sound economic theory. Cost-benefit analysis currently enjoys considerable support in political and academic circles. It is therefore critically important that the methodology be used in a way that makes regulation more rational, not unjustifiably lax.
Predictors of 61 unplanned readmission cases in microvascular free tissue transfer patients: Multi-institutional analysis of 774 patients

Background: Unplanned readmissions serve as a marker for health care quality. Risk factors associated with unplanned readmission after microvascular free tissue transfer have never been examined. In this study, we sought to identify perioperative predictors of 30-day unplanned readmission in free flap patients. Methods: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was retrospectively reviewed to identify all patients who underwent microvascular free tissue transfer in 2011. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate independent predictors of unplanned readmission. Results: Among free flap patients, unplanned readmission rate was 7.9%. In multivariate analysis, the only factor that significantly predicted unplanned readmission (P < 0.05) was open wound/wound infection (odds ratio [OR] 2.71). Postoperative variables significantly associated with unplanned readmission included surgical complications (OR 5.43), medical complications (OR 5.62), and unplanned reoperation (OR 3.94). Flap failure was not associated with unplanned readmission. Conclusions: In our study, the presence of either open wound/wound infection, development of surgical complications, medical complications, and unplanned reoperations were associated with unplanned readmissions. Further research in predictive factors is suggested to avoid costly, unnecessary, and preventable readmissions. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 35:13–20, 2015.
Dendritic mRNA translation: deciphering the uncoded.

The interaction of two untranslated sequences in the mRNA for calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II could regulate its activity-dependent transport into dendrites.
Styloid/C1 transverse process juxtaposition as a cause of Eagle's syndrome.

Background The purpose of this case report was to characterize styloid/C1 transverse process juxtaposition as a cause for Eagle's syndrome. Methods and Results A case series was conducted with a chart review of 5 patients with radiographic evidence of jugular vein compression who underwent styloid process excision between 2010 and 2013. There were 4 men and 1 woman, aged 35 to 62 years (mean, 46 years). Cervicalgia (4 of 5 patients) and otalgia (4 of 5 patients) were the most commonly reported symptoms. Styloid process length ranged from 2.4 to 8.5 cm. The distance between the styloid process and the transverse process of C1 ranged from 0.05 to 0.46 cm. All patients underwent a transcervical approach for the excision of the styloid process with immediate postoperative resolution of symptoms and good cosmetic results. Conclusions Styloid/C1 transverse process juxtaposition can produce symptoms of cervicalgia and otalgia even in the setting of a normal length styloid process. The transcervical approach is safe and effective for excision of the styloid process and has good functional and cosmetic results. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 37: E153–E156, 2015
User issues associated with sensor fusion and ATR

Growing military requirements and shorter timelines are placing greater demands on Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets. At the same time, advances in sensor technology have vastly increased the quantity and types of imagery data available to support ISR missions. Together, these factors are driving toward greater reliance on automated processing and exploitation techniques, such as automated target recognition (ATR) and sensor fusion. While there are substantial challenges associated with the development of effective methods for processing sensor data, a critical component is the role of the human operator. Often, ATR and sensor fusion technology is designed to aid the analyst, but the jinal decision rests with the human. The role of the human raises two related sets of issues: Outimization of the Interface: A system that accurately extracts information from sensor data is only of value if the information is successfilly conveyed to the user. The design of the human-computer interface, presentation and visualization of results, and the control that the user exerts over the jlow of information are all critical factors in the development of a successful system, Evaluation with the Human in the Loon: Assessing the benefits of ATWsensor jiisions assistance raises interesting methodological challenges. We will review the critical issues associated with evaluations of human- in-the-loop systems and present a methodology for conducting these evaluations. Experimental design issues addressed in this discussion include training, learning effects, and human factors issues.
CCR5 pharmacology methodologies and associated applications.

Abstract The G protein–coupled chemokine (C‐C motif) receptor, CCR5, was originally characterized as a protein responding functionally to a number of CC chemokines. As with chemokine receptors in general, studies indicate that CCR5 plays a role in inflammatory responses to infection, although its exact role in normal immune function is not completely defined. The vast majority of research into CCR5 has been focused on its role as an essential and predominant coreceptor for HIV‐1 entry into host immune cells. Discovery of this role was prompted by the elucidation that individuals homozygous for a 32 bp deletion in the CCR5 gene do not express the receptor at the cell surface, and as a consequence, are remarkably resistant to HIV‐1 infection, and apparently possess no other clear phenotype. Multiple studies followed with the ultimate aim of identifying drugs that functionally and physically blocked CCR5 to prevent HIV‐1 entry, and thus provide a completely new approach to treating infection and AIDS, the world's biggest infectious disease killer. To this end, functional antagonists with potent anti–HIV‐1 activity have been discovered, as best exemplified by maraviroc, the first new oral drug for the treatment of HIV‐1 infection in 10 years. In this chapter, the specific methods used to characterize CCR5 primary pharmacology and apply the data generated to enable drug discovery, notably maraviroc, for the treatment of HIV infection and potentially inflammatory‐based indications, are described.
The Establishment of Evidence-Based Practice Competencies for Practicing Registered Nurses and Advanced Practice Nurses in Real-World Clinical Settings: Proficiencies to Improve Healthcare Quality, Reliability, Patient Outcomes, and Costs

Background Although it is widely known that evidence-based practice (EBP) improves healthcare quality, reliability, and patient outcomes as well as reduces variations in care and costs, it is still not the standard of care delivered by practicing clinicians across the globe. Adoption of specific EBP competencies for nurses and advanced practice nurses (APNs) who practice in real-world healthcare settings can assist institutions in achieving high-value, low-cost evidence-based health care. Aim The aim of this study was to develop a set of clear EBP competencies for both practicing registered nurses and APNs in clinical settings that can be used by healthcare institutions in their quest to achieve high performing systems that consistently implement and sustain EBP. Methods Seven national EBP leaders developed an initial set of competencies for practicing registered nurses and APNs through a consensus building process. Next, a Delphi survey was conducted with 80 EBP mentors across the United States to determine consensus and clarity around the competencies. Findings Two rounds of the Delphi survey resulted in total consensus by the EBP mentors, resulting in a final set of 13 competencies for practicing registered nurses and 11 additional competencies for APNs. Linking Evidence to Action Incorporation of these competencies into healthcare system expectations, orientations, job descriptions, performance appraisals, and clinical ladder promotion processes could drive higher quality, reliability, and consistency of healthcare as well as reduce costs. Research is now needed to develop valid and reliable tools for assessing these competencies as well as linking them to clinician and patient outcomes.
SensorFly: Enabling groups of minimalistic semi-controllable flying sensing devices

Distributed sensing applications have become feasible on a large-scale due to the proliferation of both new and existing connected devices in all walks of human life. However, currently this cloud of physical devices must be designed and deployed in an ad-hoc or case-by-case basis reducing their usefulness in applications concerning disasters and rapidly changing environments. This is especially a problem in indoor emergency environments due to the complexity of locations (such as debris, smoke), lack of sensing capability (such as GPS) and relative urgency of the information (location of survivors or fire). In this paper we present SensorFly, a group of small resource-constrained flying devices that can enable unmanned missions in hazardous indoor environments. Due to the limits in weight and size, these devices will need to collaborate in order to allow the system to accomplish their tasks. We present our cross-layer collaboration framework for highly resource constrained semi-controllable sensor nodes targeted towards realizing efficient multi-agent command. Our framework leverages the minimal capability of SensorFly in accomplishing deployment and discovery tasks through a leader-follower coordination scheme. At the same time the framework prioritizes data bandwidth within the system so as to meet latency requirements of the transmitted system data.
PERMANENT GENETIC RESOURCES: Ten polymorphic microsatellite markers for the pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis)

We developed 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci for the pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis). Nine of the 10 loci amplified reliably and had a low frequency of null alleles. Number of alleles per locus ranged from four to 12, and observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.26 to 0.89 and from 0.63 to 0.88, respectively. These loci will be useful in determining population genetic structure and assessing patterns of gene flow in the pygmy rabbit.
Forage fermentation product measures are related to dry matter loss through meta-analysis

Forage preservation through fermentation can result in substantial DM and economic losses. The objective of this research by the use of meta-analysis was to determine whether fermentation end-product measures and forage parameters were capable of predicting forage DM losses following ensiling. The data set was built by searching a database for “forage,” “fermentation,” and “dry matter loss.” The data set contained 405 means from 43 peer-reviewed research reports. Forage DM losses (% of original forage DM) ranged from 0 to 28.6% with a raw mean of 6.2%. Report, forage biology, fermentation treatment, fermentation length, DM, pH, lactic acid, and acetic acid parameters were related to natural logarithm DM loss using a mixed-model approach. Parameters were evaluated for linear and quadratic effects and linear interactions. Report was classified as a random effect. The resulting model had a 1.403 mean natural logarithm DM, R2 of 0.813, and root mean square error of 0.418. Forage DM (%), acetic and lactic acid, pH, fermentation length, and forage biology were related to losses. Fermentation treatments tended (P < 0.10) to differ. Forage pH × lactic acid, DM × fermentation treatment, DM × forage biology, and lactic acid × forage biology all exhibited interactions. Forage DM, biology, fermentation, and treatment parameters were capable of describing most DM-loss variation across a range of published research reports (P ≤ 0.01). The final model described here has utility to predict forage DM losses due to fermentation and may be useful to diagnose problematic fermentations and assess opportunity costs.
Tear strength of elastomeric impression materials

1. Under simulated clinical conditions the maximum tear strength of those materials tested was reached in 10 to 15 minutes. 2. The polysulfide materials showed three to six times the tear strength of the silicones. 3. The polyether material displayed a tear resistance slightly higher than that of the silicones but one third to one fifth as high as that of the polysulfides. 4. The clinical significance of the differences in tear strength was undetermined since other factors (such as adhesion) were not considered.
Psychotherapy, Professional Relationships, and Ethical Considerations in the MySpace Generation

The pervasive use of Internet technologies has created new ethical dilemmas for psychology trainees andprofessionals. In particular, Web sites that allow users to post personal information have sparkedcontroversy regarding the amount of freedom psychologists should have in placing personal informationonline and how discovering such information may impact professional relationships, including thetherapeutic relationship. Results from a graduate student survey ( N 302) address the prevalence of theuse of online social networking sites, security measure efforts that limit public access, incidents of clientaccess to psychotherapists personal Web sites and Internet use by psychotherapists to obtain clientinformation, and their subsequent effect on the therapeutic relationship. Using applicable ethical prin-ciples and standards, we provide recommendations for the field in an effort to decrease potential harmand maximize areas of opportunity for psychologists and constructive professional relationships.Keywords: ethics, Internet, psychotherapy, professional relationships