cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vaccines and Outpatient Antibiotic Stewardship.

* Abbreviations: Hib — : Haemophilus influenzae b PCV — : pneumococcal conjugate vaccine Antibiotics pose a great public health irony. Their existence and use have made possible the treatment of previously untreatable infections. But simultaneously, rampant antibiotic overuse has promoted the development of antibiotic resistance and new untreatable, highly resistant infections. To address this growing threat, The National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria established a goal to reduce inappropriate outpatient antibiotic use by 50% by 2020.1 Antibiotic stewardship, or the effort to measure and improve antibiotic use, is a central component in achieving this goal and aims to promote and facilitate judicious antibiotic use. In addition to the problems of resistance, antibiotic overuse also poses other significant health threats, including adverse drug events and Clostridium difficile infections, consequences that can also be mitigated by antibiotic stewardship. Additionally, young children and especially infants, who receive more antibiotics per capita than any other age group, are particularly vulnerable to other problems associated with antibiotic use … Address correspondence to Adam L. Hersh, MD, PhD, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, 295 Chipeta Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108. E-mail: adam.hersh{at}hsc.utah.edu
Nonmedical versus medical marijuana use among three age groups of adults: Associations with mental and physical health status

Background and Objective Given that 29 U.S. states now have laws allowing medical marijuana use, this study examined mental and physical health correlates of medical versus nonmedical marijuana use among three age groups of adults (18–29, 30–49, and 50+). Methods Data came from the 2012–2013 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (N = 36,309 respondents aged 18+). Logistic regression models were used to examine age group differences in associations of substance use and mental disorders and health conditions with medical versus nonmedical marijuana use. Results Of all respondents, 9.74% (N = 3,784) reported past-year marijuana use. Of all past-year marijuana users, 11.03% (n = 445) reported medical use. Medical marijuana use rates were higher among the 50–64 age group (17.95%) than younger adults, and 32.88% of medical users, compared to 25.25% of nonmedical users, had past-year marijuana use disorder. The odds of medical marijuana use were higher among those with marijuana use disorder (OR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.40–2.50) and personality disorder (OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.03–1.94), with no age group differences. However, older adults with alcohol use disorder and sleep problems and middle-age adults with arthritis had diminished odds of having used medical marijuana relative to young adults. Conclusions and Scientific Significance Given the high rates of marijuana use disorder among medical users, physicians should exercise caution in recommending marijuana for medical purposes, especially for younger adults. More research is needed on medical marijuana's safety and efficacy for patients at risk of marijuana use disorder. (Am J Addict 2017;XX:1–10)
Stable Isotopes in Large Herbivore Tooth Enamel Capture a Mid-Miocene Precipitation Spike in the Interior Pacific Northwest

Abstract Stable carbon and oxygen isotopes of fossil ungulate tooth enamel were used to investigate the paleoclimate of the Pacific Northwest from the mid-Oligocene through Pleistocene, particularly targeting the mid-Miocene Climatic Optimum (MMCO). We specifically test whether precipitation, as inferred from tooth enamel δ13C values relative to the δ13C values of atmospheric CO2 (Δ13C), increased with increasing partial pressure of atmospheric CO2 (pCO2). Analysis emphasized water-dependent equids, rhinos, and proboscideans, but several artiodactyls and Castor were also analyzed as available. Values of Δ13C > + 19.5‰ in the lower John Day (~ 27 and ~ 18 Ma) and Mascall (15–16 Ma) localities imply relatively high mean annual precipitation (MAP = ca. 550–800 mm/yr). Values of Δ13C
First Observation of a Disturbance Foraging Association between Obligate Ant-following Birds and a Tamandua Anteater in Central Panama

ABSTRACT.— Disturbance foraging – the use of disturbances created by other animals to locate cryptic or sedentary prey – is a widespread phenomenon, particularly in birds. In the Neotropics, a prominent example of disturbance foraging in birds is their relationship with army ants (Eciton burchellii). Numerous bird species attend army ant swarms and forage on the prey that the ants flush from the leaf litter. Here, I document a previously undescribed disturbance foraging association between two species of obligate ant-following birds and a small anteater, the northern tamandua (Tamandua mexicana). I observed both bird species approach and forage on fallen termites underneath the anteater, which was excavating a termite nest. The foraging association appeared to be a commensal relationship – the antbirds obtained a foraging benefit from the anteater, which was in turn unaffected by the birds. My observation suggests that ant-following birds may respond to other disturbances in addition to army ant swarms to...
Power Pressures and Pocketbook Concerns: Perceptions of Organizational Influences on News Content in the Television Industry

Using a national online survey of television reporters ( N = 612) and three theoretical approaches, this study examines reporter perceptions of organizational-level influences on news content. Findings indicate that owners and top-level executives have the strongest influence on coverage decisions, based on reporter perceptions, followed by economic pressures. Results also suggest that these sources of influence, along with staff-size pressures, are correlated with instances of agenda cutting, which is a less-studied phenomenon involving forces both within and outside the media attempting to cut or bury news. This research expands both topical and theoretical knowledge bases and provides strong support for agenda cutting and its use as a theoretical approach in media scholarship and beyond.
Chemical Engineering Design and Analysis: Models Derived from Laws and Mathematical Analysis

HAVE YOU EVER MARVELED at the beauty of an exquisite design? How did the engineers devise such a complex device or system? Surely they must have been geniuses. Although this may be true in some cases, good engineering generally does not require genius (although it certainly helps). Complex designs usually evolve from simple designs. It is important to be able to analyze and evaluate the effects of each evolutionary step in a design. How does a good design begin? Linus Pauling, who earned his B.S. degree in chemical engineering (Oregon State, 1922), and received a Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1954) and a Nobel Peace Prize (1962), recommended “The best way to get a good idea is to get a lot of ideas.” We modify and extend this useful advice to “The best way to get a good design is to create many designs and choose the best.” To choose the best design, one must be able to analyze and evaluate the designs. How does one analyze and evaluate a design? One option is to build the system and test it. This is appropriate when the design is for a small item, such as a can opener. This approach is also appropriate for a medium-sized item, such as an automobile, if one expects to manufacture thousands of units. But clearly it is impractical to build a full-sized system when the system is very large and only a few, perhaps only one, will be built.
Disentangling Exchange Rate Effect and Income Effect on Current Account and Analysis of U.S. And China Trade Balance

Abstract: this paper tries to establish a sample model to capture both exchange rate effect and Investment-Saving gap effect on trade balance. I do so by separating import into import of goods for consumption and for inventory and capital goods. Since they are portion of total consumption and total investment which are determined by income level, I isolate impact of exchange rate on trade balance from impact caused purely by income growth on trade balance. I also run a empirical analysis using U.S. and China Data. I find that growth in fixed capital formation in U.S. and accumulation of inventory in China, both of which are assumed to be independent from impact of exchange rate, explain thee two countries' trade balance while exchange rate effect is found for U.S. but not for China.
Cu-Based Single-Atom Catalysts Boost Electroreduction of CO2 to CH3OH: First-Principles Predictions

Electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) to fuels represents one of the most attractive approaches to mitigate our pressing energy and environmental threats. Cu is the best known metal cataly...
1747. Impact of Inappropriately Low Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Prophylaxis Dosing on CMV Outcomes Among Lung Transplant (LT) Recipients

Background Valganciclovir (VGCV) and ganciclovir (GCV) are commonly used to prevent CMV in at-risk lung transplant recipients (LTRs). Because renal function changes frequently in the post-transplant setting, antiviral under-dosing may occur. We sought to determine the frequency of GCV/VGCV under-dosing and its impact on CMV-related outcomes among LTRs.
Optimal regulation under imperfect enforcement: Permits, tickets, or both?

Economic activity is often regulated through both permits and tickets (subsequent inspections). We study the effectiveness of such policies where corruption and an underground economy make enforcement imperfect. In the theoretical model, asymmetric information justifies regulatory action which is enforced by corruptible bureaucrats. We find that regulation through permits alone is useless when corruption exists, while tickets still offer some benefit. Surprisingly, we also find that a system with both permits and tickets achieves welfare that is higher than that which can be achieved with only tickets—that combining the two mechanisms has an effect that is greater than the “sum of the parts.”
Epidemiology of complex hand injuries treated in the Plastic Surgery Department of a tertiary referral hospital in Warsaw.

Trauma to the hand is common and potentially serious, impairing daily living and general quality of life. Patients are often unable to work for several months, with hand function improving only gradually. Here, we review the epidemiology of hand injuries treated at a tertiary referral hospital in Warsaw, Poland. In this single-centre, retrospective study, we reviewed medical records of patients presenting to the A&E Unit of the Plastic Surgery Department, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education in Warsaw, Poland, between January 2001 and December 2005. We assessed a number of patient and injury characteristics, including severity, scored with the Hand Injury Severity Scoring System (HISS), and time off work. Of 1091 patients with a hand injury, 84% were male and over half were under the age of 40 years. Hand injury commonly resulted in tendon damage (56.1%), especially to finger flexors (79%), and in skin loss (37.8%). Amputations occurred in 24.1% of cases, while fractures (9.6%) and nerve (6.1%) or joint (5.5%) damage were less common. HISS-graded injury severity was moderate in 28.6% of cases, over half of the patients suffered severe (25.5%) or major (26.5%) injuries, and minor injuries were relatively uncommon (19.4%). Amongst patients admitted to our Department, the most common injuries were tendon damage, skin loss, and amputations. Over half of the patients presented with severe or major injuries and took six months or longer to return to work, suggesting they were likely to face substantial social and economic consequences of their injury. IV: retrospective series.
Dynamic Walking on Stepping Stones with Gait Library and Control Barrier Functions

Dynamical bipedal walking subject to precise footstep placements is crucial for navigating real world terrain with discrete footholds such as stepping stones, especially as the spacing between the stone locations significantly vary with each step. Here, we present a novel methodology that combines a gait library approach along with control barrier functions to enforce strict constraints on footstep placement. We numerically validate our proposed method on a planar dynamical walking model of MARLO, an underactuated bipedal robot. We show successful single-step transitions from a periodic walking gait with a step length of 10 (cm) to a stepping stone with a 100 (cm) separation (10x step length change), while simultaneously enforcing motor torque saturation and ground contact force constraints. The efficacy of our method is further demonstrated through dynamic walking over a randomly generated set of stepping stones requiring single-step step length changes in the range of [10:100] (cm) with a foot placement precision of 2 (cm).
Trends of skeletal related events in patients with breast cancer metastasized to bone.

1098Background: Up to three-quarters of women with advanced breast cancer develop bone metastases, predisposing to Skeletal Related Events (SRE), which are associated with a significant health care...
Effective nitrogen removal from ammonium-depleted wastewater by partial nitritation and anammox immobilized in granular and thin layer gel carriers.

Abstract This study investigates the effect of physicochemical conditions on the partial nitritation and anammox treatment by immobilized ammonia oxidizers under ammonium-deplete conditions. The impact of oxygen and temperature was studied by measuring the activity of immobilized aerobic and anaerobic ammonia-oxidizing organisms (Ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and archaea (AOA), and Anammox bacteria) embedded in polyvinyl alcohol – sodium alginate (PVA-SA) beads and in thin layer poly-ethylene glycol hydrogels. Beads and flat hydrogels were incubated in a fluidized bed reactor (FBR) and in two flow cells, respectively. Both systems were fed with synthetic wastewater (15 mg N–NH4+/L) at different temperatures (20 °C and/or 30 °C) and different dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations (0.1, 0.3, 0.5 and/or 1 mg/L) over 152 and 207 days, respectively. The FBR system had a maximum removal rate of 1.7 g-N/m3/d at 0.1 mg O2/L, corresponding to 80% removal efficiency, while a high aerobic ammonia-oxidizing activity but a partial oxygen inhibition of Anammox bacteria were observed at higher DO concentrations. In both flow cells, nitrogen removal efficiency was highest (80%) at 30 °C and 1 mg O2/L while removal was less favorable at lower DO and lower temperature. Our results indicate a potential use of hydrogel beads for an energy efficient technology with reduced aeration demand for treating low ammonia wastewater, while layered hydrogels are a possible first step for biological treatments of wastewater using tangential flow. In addition, we provide blueprint drawings of the flow cells, which may be used to 3D-print the apparatus for other applications.
"QM19 summary talk": Outlook and future of heavy-ion collisions

Abstract A summary of the QM19 conference is given by highlighting a few selected results. These are discussed as examples to illustrate the exciting future of heavy-ion collisions and the need for further instrumentation.
Clinical and Laboratory Predictors of Dehydration Severity in Children with Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Objectives The degree of dehydration in children with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is challenging to discern on presentation and its association with DKA outcomes is unclear. We aimed to characterize the degree of dehydration at presentation of DKA in a large cohort of children and to identify clinical and biochemical factors associated with severity of dehydration and outcomes. Methods This was a planned secondary analysis of data from the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) Fluid Therapies Under Investigation in DKA (FLUID) Study, a randomized clinical trial of fluid resuscitation protocols for children with DKA. Admission laboratory and physical examination data from …
Climate change and antibiotic resistance: a deadly combination.

Climate change is driven primarily by humanity’s use of fossil fuels and the resultant greenhouse gases from their combustion. The effects of climate change on human health are myriad and becomingl...
Communication Constrained Distributed Spatial Field estimation Using Mobile Sensor Networks

Abstract In this paper we address the problem of distributed estimation of spatial fields using mobile sensor networks with communication constraints. These constraints consist of a maximum communication bandwidth which limits the amount of data that can be exchanged between any two nodes of the network at each time instant. An algorithm to select the most significant data to be transferred between neighboring sensor nodes is developed starting from derived analytical error bounds. Moreover, the motion of the network nodes is controlled using a coverage control algorithm with the objective of minimizing the estimation uncertainty of each of the nodes. The resulting communication constrained distributed estimation algorithm is deployed on a team of ground mobile robots in the Robotarium, and its performance is evaluated both in terms of estimation accuracy of a simulated spatial field, and of the amount of data transferred.
Product Yield Enhancement by Spacer Thickness Variation Reduction

Process variation significantly affects product quality and yield in scaled CMOS technologies. Managing process variation is a critical challenge in high volume high mix semiconductor manufacturing environment. This work describes different aspects of overall product yield improvement by reducing CMOS spacer thickness variation.
Long-Term Outcomes in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Epidemiology, Mechanisms, and Patient Evaluation

Survivors of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) experience challenges that persist well beyond the time of hospital discharge. Impairment in physical function, cognitive function, and mental health are common and may last for years. The current coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic is drastically increasing the incidence of ARDS worldwide, and long-term impairments will remain lasting effects of the pandemic. Evaluation of the ARDS survivor should be comprehensive, and common domains of impairment that have emerged from long-term outcomes research over the past 2 decades should be systematically evaluated.
Patients With Extreme Early Onset Juvenile Huntington Disease Can Have Delays in Diagnosis: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Huntington disease (HD) is caused by a pathologic cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) trinucleotide repeat expansion in the HTT gene. Typical adult-onset disease occurs with a minimum of 40 repeats. Wit...
Common‐Mode Inductor Design

The common‐mode inductor (CMI) is a very interesting device used to reduce electromagnetic compatibility and electromagnetic interference problems. When considering the performance of an electrical device, it focuses on the differential‐mode voltage and current. Common‐mode voltages and currents can lead to several system problems. The common‐mode current is the sum of the currents in the conductors of the set. It often leads to electromagnetic noise, which can degrade the performance of sensors and cause low‐voltage control hardware to fail. The common‐mode equivalent circuit is a useful tool in understanding a system's common‐mode behavior. The impact of asymmetry is that the differential‐mode currents will create a voltage term in the common‐mode equivalent circuit. The chapter considers the magnetic analysis of the CMI. The CMI current has two components: the differential‐mode current, and the common‐mode current. The chapter develops a design paradigm for the CMI.
Adenoviruses: the nature of the virion and of controlling factors in productive or abortive infection and tumorigenesis.

Publisher Summary The chapter discusses the various properties of the adenoviruses, such as the nature of virion and the controlling factors in the productive or abortive infection. The dissection of the virion and its component parts, summarized in this chapter, has provided essential markers for the exploration and correlation of these biological variables, the mapping of phage chromosomes, based on deletions in conditional lethal mutants, required the structural and functional identification of phage precursors and subunits, such that each identifiable moiety of the adenovirion will help in relating biological activity to structural and molecular properties of the viral genomes. For a full understanding of the biology of adenovirus infection, as of other virus-cell systems, it is important to recognize that uniformity and synchrony of response is a deliberately created experimental artifact resulting only from high multiplicity infection of competent cells. This type of response may be absent in natural infections, which does not occur under conditions of low multiplicity infection, and may be fundamentally irrelevant in adenoviral tumorigenesis and abortive infection. For the sake of simplicity, any infection with complete adenovirus particles not leading to production of infectious progeny will be defined as “abortive.” The term “complete” in this context, implies that the same virions can induce productive infection in some suitable indicator cell. Hence, these viruses can be characterized, operationally, as host dependent conditionally lethal, either the permissive host cell supplies some function needed for virus replication that the non permissive cell lacks, or the latter imposes a restriction not present in the permissive one. Both alternatives could, in a purely descriptive way, satisfy the need for working hypotheses to explain the various examples of abortive infection with adenoviruses.
Modelling bicommunal conflict: 2. Structuring the model☆

Abstract The problems encountered in this exercise included those of drawing the system boundaries, selecting the most appropriate subsystems, deriving usable measures for complex parameters, and establishing relationships between variables. The article discusses the ways in which such problems were handled in a model of a complex social process.
An analysis of elevator operation in moderate height buildings—II: Multiple elevators

Abstract Approximate analytic methods are used to describe how the equilibrium trip time of an elevator depends upon the physical characteristics of the elevator, the passenger demand, and possible strategies of operation. The analysis is directed particularly toward elevators in buildings of moderate height (10–15 floors) at traffic levels such that the elevator is seldom idle or fully loaded. Part I describes the model and the general method for estimating means and variances of trip time if a group of floors is served by only one elevator and passenger arrivals define a homogeneous Poisson process.
Is ambiguity tolerance malleable? Experimental evidence with potential implications for future research.

We conducted two research studies to address the malleability of TA by manipulating situational ambiguity. Students participated in a semester-end assessment of their management skills (n = 306). In Study 1, students in low and moderate ambiguity conditions had significantly higher post-experiment TA, more positive change in self-efficacy, and marginally higher faculty ratings. In Study 2, a control group (n = 103) did not participate in the assessment and was established for comparison to the first study results. The Study 2 students reported TA significantly lower than Study 1 students in the low and moderate ambiguity conditions. The control group TA was not significantly different from that of the Study 1 high ambiguity condition. This further suggested TA’s situational malleability, as those who had controlled access to structured information appeared to have increased their TA over that observed in the other two groups. These results suggest that TA may be malleable. We review the relevant literature, offer hypotheses, report our analyses and findings, and then propose future research and potential prescriptive applications in such areas as management development, assessment, and decision-making.
Algorithms for Finding Repeated Game Equilibria

This paper describes computational techniques for finding all equilibria in infinitely repeated games with discounting and perfect monitoring. It illustrates these techniques with a three player Cournot game. This is the first infinitely repeated three player game ever solved. The paper also presents the solution for the set of equilibria in a two country tariff war. In both games the set of equilibria is large even when the players are not patient.
An Exploratory Study of Substance Abuse Among Latino Older Adults

Substance abuse among older adults is on the rise. Of particular concern is the increase in alcohol and drug use predicted among Latino elders, expected to result from an upsurge in the Latino population and concurrent growth in the number of older adults. Providing effective treatment for this group will require age-specific, culturally competent interventions. However, few studies have focused on geriatric substance abuse among Latinos. This study aims to lay the groundwork for further research by examining perceptions of the problem among treatment providers and researchers in aging and substance abuse. Implications for social work research and practice are addressed.
Benzyl-tris-[2-(di-benzyl-amino)-eth-yl]ammonium iodide.

In the title quaternary ammonium salt, C55H61N4+·I−, all three N,N-di­benzyl­ethanamine, –(CH2)2N(CH2C6H5)2, groups have different conformations. The N—C—C—N torsion angles are significantly different [89.86 (13), 162.61 (10) and 175.70 (10)°] and the dihedral angles between the phenyl rings in these groups are different as well [58.21 (4), 43.73 (4) and 76.72 (5)°]. In the crystal, the I− anions fill empty spaces between the bulky cations. The cations and anions are linked by weak C—H⋯I inter­actions, forming a chain along [110].
A frequency-selective terahertz radiation detector based on a semiconductor superlattice with a resonator

We propose the new design of the terahertz detector, which must have frequency selection property and operate at room temperature. The idea is based on a standing wave enhancement of detector responsivity. The detector contains lateral semiconductor superlattice, broadband bow tie THz antenna and THz resonator. As compared with well-known variant we change a technology of antenna attachment to the superlattice that allows additionally growing up THz resonator. We performed numerical analyze of the structure based on the relaxation time approximation of electron transport in superlattice and wave line description for matching between antenna and superlattice. We choose the superlattice parameters, which are technically available today and show that the detector responsivity can be enhanced several hundred times in comparison to well known existent variants of a such detector, also the frequency selection quality can achieve a very high value (F/-F/spl sim/10/sup 3/).
Physiological studies of Bacillus subtilis minicells.

Abstract Minicells produced by Bacillus subtilis strains carrying the div IV-B1 mutation, (CU 403 div IV-B1 and CU 403 div IV-B1, tag-1), were purified by a procedure which destroys parental cells with ultrasound, but spares minicells. Such preparations generally contain 109 or more minicells/ml and less than 104 colony-forming units/ml. Purified minicells are resistant to autolysis in tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane buffer, pH 7.5, at 30 C, conditions which result in total lysis of parental cells. Minicells are not completely devoid of autolytic activity, however. The medium in which minicells are produced, the temperature at which purified minicells are incubated, and the genotype of cells from which the minicells are derived all influence the rate of autolysis of purified minicells. These parameters are demonstrated by using minicells obtained from div IV-B1 and div IV-B1, tag-1 strains. Ultrastructural differences have been observed in the products of autolysis of these two minicell strains. Minicells are sensitive to low levels of lysozyme and yield miniprotoplasts when the wall is removed in an osmotically protective environment. Although minicells are unable to grow, they can maintain their integrity over long periods of time, which suggests functional energy metabolism in minicells. Direct measurements of adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) levels by the luciferase assay indicated that minicells can produce ATP. Oxygen consumption, measured by standard respirometry techniques, also indicates functional metabolism in minicells. These findings demonstrate that minicells purified by ultrasound are suitable material for study of physiological processes in anucleate cells.
Predictors of Left Ventricular Function Deterioration in Patients With Left Bundle Branch Block and Ejection Fraction >50%

Resynchronization therapy has become standard of care in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB), congestive heart failure (CHF), and low ejection fraction (EF). In order to characterize the left ventricular (LV) function evolution in patients with LBBB and baseline preserved LVEF, records of all patients who visited an academic echocardiography laboratory during a period of 4 years were retrospectively investigated. Patients were included if they had a baseline EF >50%, LBBB on surface electrocardiography, and at least one follow-up echocardiogram no earlier than 3 months after the baseline study. The endpoint was the occurrence of EF deterioration to values ≤40%. Clinical variables associated with this outcome were identified. Forty-nine patients satisfied the entry criteria. Over a mean 13±8.5 months of follow-up (range 3 to 36), 8 patients (16%) experienced EF deterioration ≤40%. History of CHF prior to baseline echocardiogram and LV mass >300 g were associated with this phenomenon (P=.004 and P=.015, respectively), with a negative predictive value of 100% and 92%, respectively. Our data profiles a risk-stratification methodology in patients with LBBB and baseline EF >50% and possibly a triage strategy toward resynchronization therapy in this population.
Myocardial proteolysis during acute myocardial ischaemia

To investigate the role of cellular proteinases in acute myocardial infarction, we measured the rate of total proteolysis ( ie, degradation of proteins to amino acids and oligopeptides) in slices obtained from nonischaemic myocardium, 1 h ischaemic endocardium, 3 h ischaemic epicardium, and 3 h ischaemic endocardium in open-chest dogs. Slices were incubated either in high pO2 or in low pO2 Krebs-Ringer-bicarbonate buffer with cycloheximide; proteolysis was estimated from tyrosine production. Tyrosine production in each of the ischaemic tissues incubated in low pO2 medium was lower than that in nonischaemic myocardium incubated in high pO2 medium. This suggests that proteolysis is inhibited during acute myocardial infarction both before (3 h ischaemic epicardium) and shortly after (1 h ischaemic endocardium, 3 h ischaemic endocardium) irreversible damage is believed to occur. Tyrosine production in 1 h and 3 h ischaemic endocardium was similar to that in 3 h ischaemic epicardium, indicating that no increase in proteolytic activity accompanies the progression of ischaemic damage from the phase of reversibility to that of presumed irreversibility. Ischaemic tissues did not exhibit a rebound increase in proteolysis when incubated in high pO2 medium, suggesting that reperfusion of acutely ischaemic myocardium is not associated with activation of proteolytic enzymes. Leupeptin, an inhibitor of thiol-proteinases, produced similar decreases of proteolysis in nonischaemic and ischaemic myocardium: thus, lysosomal thiol-proteinases (cathepsins B, L and H) do not appear to be activated in acute myocardial ischaemia. The data provide evidence that total proteolysis decreases throughout the phase of acute myocardial infarction during which irreversible injury develops, suggesting that cellular proteinases may not play a causal role in ischaemic myocellular death.
PARTICLE VELOCITIES FASTER THAN THE SPEED OF LIGHT.

In connection with another article by the author, we show how it might be possible to travel faster than the speed of light. We show that for clocks and rods moving faster than the speed of light, we get instead of “time dilation” and “Lorentz contraction,” respectively, “time contraction” and “Lorentz expansion,” respectively. It is shown that this paper is in confirmation with earlier articles dealing with this subject.
Prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome in adolescents

Objective To investigate the prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in adolescents and its association with obesity. Design Cross-sectional study using electronic medical records. Setting Not applicable. Patient(s) Adolescents aged 15–19 years (n = 137,502). Intervention(s) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) PCOS diagnosed or defined according to National Institutes of Health (NIH) criteria. Result(s) The prevalence of a confirmed diagnosis of PCOS was 0.56%, which increased to 1.14% when undiagnosed cases with documented symptoms qualifying for PCOS according to NIH criteria were included. Compared with normal/underweight girls, the odds ratios (OR and 95% confidence interval [CI]) for confirmed PCOS diagnosis were 3.85 (3.04–4.88), 10.25 (8.16–12.84), and 23.10 (18.66–28.61) for overweight, moderately obese, and extremely obese adolescents, respectively, after adjusting for potential confounders. When adolescents with two or more supportive diagnoses were included (diagnosed and undiagnosed PCOS-NIH), the ORs (95% CI) for PCOS-NIH by weight class were significantly attenuated to 2.95 (2.53–3.44), 6.73 (5.78–7.83), and 14.65 (12.73–16.86) for overweight, moderately obese, and extremely obese adolescents, respectively. Conclusion(s) Overweight and obesity were associated with higher odds of PCOS in adolescents. Studies based solely on diagnosis codes may underestimate the prevalence of PCOS and overestimate the magnitude of the association between obesity and PCOS.
Molecular Determinants of High Affinity Binding of α-Scorpion Toxin and Sea Anemone Toxin in the S3-S4 Extracellular Loop in Domain IV of the Na+ Channel α Subunit

α-Scorpion toxins and sea anemone toxins bind to a common extracellular site on the Na+ channel and inhibit fast inactivation. Basic amino acids of the toxins and domains I and IV of the Na+ channel α subunit have been previously implicated in toxin binding. To identify acidic residues required for toxin binding, extracellular acidic amino acids in domains I and IV of the type IIa Na+ channel α subunit were converted to neutral or basic amino acids using site-directed mutagenesis, and altered channels were transiently expressed in tsA-201 cells and tested for 125I-α-scorpion toxin binding. Conversion of Glu1613 at the extracellular end of transmembrane segment IVS3 to Arg or His blocked measurable α-scorpion toxin binding, but did not affect the level of expression or saxitoxin binding affinity. Conversion of individual residues in the IVS3-S4 extracellular loop to differently charged residues or to Ala identified seven additional residues whose mutation caused significant effects on binding of α-scorpion toxin or sea anemone toxin. Moreover, chimeric Na+ channels in which amino acid residues at the extracellular end of segment IVS3 of the α subunit of cardiac Na+ channels were substituted into the type IIa channel sequence had reduced affinity for α-scorpion toxin characteristic of cardiac Na+ channels. Electrophysiological analysis showed that E1613R has 62- and 82-fold lower affinities for α-scorpion and sea anemone toxins, respectively. Dissociation of α-scorpion toxin is substantially accelerated at all potentials compared to wild-type channels. α-Scorpion toxin binding to wild type and E1613R had similar voltage dependence, which was slightly more positive and steeper than the voltage dependence of steady-state inactivation. These results indicate that nonidentical amino acids of the IVS3-S4 loop participate in α-scorpion toxin and sea anemone toxin binding to overlapping sites and that neighboring amino acid residues in the IVS3 segment contribute to the difference in α-scorpion toxin binding affinity between cardiac and neuronal Na+ channels. The results also support the hypothesis that this region of the Na+ channel is important for coupling channel activation to fast inactivation.
Comparison of three commercially available enzyme immunoassays for the screening of autoantibodies to extractable nuclear antigens

The initial screening test used in the diagnosis of connective tissue diseases is based on the detection of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) by indirect immunofluorescence (IFA). When the ANA screen is positive, it is often useful to determine the specificity of the autoantibody to a series of extractable nuclear antigens (ENA), a procedure that has been classically performed by double immunodiffusion. Testing large numbers of clinical specimens for autoantibodies to ENA by double diffusion techniques can be time-consuming and expensive. ENA screening systems that employ enzyme immunoassay (EIA) technology have recently become commercially available. We compared three EIA ENA assays to classic Ouchterlony double diffusion techniques. Furthermore, the sensitivity of each antigen and methodology (including ANA immunofluorescence using HEp-2 cells) was tested using ENA positive sera possessing single autoantibodies. Two of the three EIAs that detected immunoglobulin G type autoantibodies to Smith (Sm), ribonucleoprotein (RNP), Sjogren's syndrome-associated antigens Ro (SSA) and La (SSB), were provided by INOVA and Sigma Diagnostics. A third EIA, which also included scleroderma-associated antigen 70 (SCL-70/DNA-topoisomerase I) and histidyl-tRNA synthetase (Jo-1) in addition to the four previously stated antigens, was provided by Clark Laboratories. This latter ENA screen detected IgG, IgA, and IgM type autoantibodies. Included in the study were sera covering a wide variety of anti-nuclear and other autoantibodies. Sensitivity was 100% for all EIA ENA screens when compared to Ouchterlony double diffusion and specificity exceeded 95% in each case. Sensitivity studies showed Ouchterlony to be less sensitive than EIA when detecting low levels of autoantibodies to ENA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Addition of deoxyribose to guanine and modified DNA based by Lactobacillus helveticus trans-N-deoxyribosylase.

The use of bacterial trans-N-deoxyribosylase was evaluated as an alternative method for deoxyribosylation in the synthesis of deoxyribonucleosides containing potentially mutagenic adducts. A crude enzyme preparation was isolated from Lactobacillus helveticus and compared to Escherichia coli purine nucleoside phosphorylase. trans-N-deoxyribosylase was more regioselective than purine nucleoside phosphorylase in the deoxyribosylation of Gua at the N9 atom, as compared to N7, as demonstrated by NMR analysis of the product. 5,6,7,9-Tetrahydro-7-acetoxy-9-oxoimidazo[1,2-a]purine was efficiently deoxyribosylated by trans-N-deoxyribosylase but not at all by purine nucleoside phosphorylase. Other substrates for trans-N-deoxyribosylase were N2-(2-oxoethyl)Gua, pyrimido[1,2-a]purin-10(3H)-one, 1,N2-e-Gua, N2,3-e-Gua, 3,N4-e-Cyt, 1,N6-e-Ade, C8-methylGua, and C8-aminoGua, most of which gave the desired isomer (bond at the nitrogen corresponding to N9 in Gua) in good yield. Neither N7-alkylpurines nor C8-(arylamino)-s...
A Comparison of the Mogen and Gomco Clamps in Combination With Dorsal Penile Nerve Block in Minimizing the Pain of Neonatal Circumcision

Objectives. 1) To compare the Mogen and Gomco clamps with regard to pain experienced during neonatal circumcision, and 2) to assess neonatal circumcision pain with and without dorsal penile nerve block (DPNB). Design/Methods. A randomized, controlled, nonblinded clinical trial; 48 healthy, full-term infants were randomized into one of the following four groups: Gomco vs Mogen with (+) or without (−) DPNB. DPNB+ infants were injected with 0.8 mL of 1% lidocaine before circumcision. DPNB− infants received no placebo injection. Heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation (Sao 2 ) during the procedure were monitored and data transferred to computer files by using the Datalab software system. Crying was recorded on videotape. Pre- and postcircumcision saliva samples for cortisol analysis were collected. Heart rate, respiratory rate, Sao 2 , cortisol changes, and duration of crying were evaluated statistically with two-way analyses of variance and t tests. Results. The type of clamp but not the use of anesthesia was significantly associated with the length of the procedure (mean Mogen time, 81 seconds; mean Gomco time, 209 seconds) and percentage of respiratory rate change. The use of anesthesia but not the type of clamp was significantly associated with percentage of crying time and percentage of Sao 2 change during the procedure. Heart rate changes and total crying time were significantly associated with both the type of clamp and the use of anesthesia. Neither clamp type nor anesthesia status was significantly associated with salivary cortisol changes, although the mean increase for the DPNB− group was approximately twice that for the DPNB+ group. Fifty-six percent of infants circumcised with the Mogen clamp and DPNB did not cry at all during the procedure. Conclusions. DPNB is effective in reducing neonatal circumcision pain with either the Mogen or the Gomco clamp. For a given anesthesia condition, the Mogen clamp is associated with a less painful procedure than the Gomco. The Mogen clamp with DPNB causes the least discomfort during neonatal circumcision.
Assessment of cerebral oxygenation and hemodynamics in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

We applied Near-Infrared Spectroscopy for the investigation of cerebral oxygenation during obstructive sleep apnea. We found a relatively large decrease in brain oxygenation during apnea and the peak of deoxygenation occurs after resumption of breathing.
Double-blind randomized comparison of single-dose ciprofloxacin versus intravenous cefazolin in patients undergoing outpatient endourologic surgery

Abstract Objectives. To compare the efficacy of single-dose oral ciprofloxacin with intravenous cefazolin as a prophylactic agent in patients undergoing outpatient endourologic surgery. Methods. One hundred patients were enrolled in a double-blind, randomized study to receive either ciprofloxacin (500 mg) or cefazolin (1 g) before surgery. A postoperative clinical evaluation and urine cultures were performed 5 to 10 days after surgery. Patients undergoing ureteral stent insertion or exchange, ureteroscopy, bladder biopsy, retrograde pyelography, collagen injection, and internal urethrotomy were included. Results. Postoperative urinary tract infection occurred in 7 (9.1%) of 77 patients, including 3 (8.1%) of 37 and 4 (10.0%) of 40 of those who received ciprofloxacin and cefazolin, respectively (P = 0.77). There were no episodes of sepsis, and no patient with infection required hospitalization. The total cost associated with the administration of prophylactic antibiotics in the study population was $3657 less in those 50 patients who received ciprofloxacin than in the 50 patients who received cefazolin. Conclusions. A single oral dose of ciprofloxacin in patients undergoing outpatient endourologic surgery was equally effective as cefazolin in preventing postoperative urinary tract infection, but was associated with markedly lower overall costs.
Radiation Damage Studies on BAF2 and BGO Scintillator Materials

Radiation damage effects in BGO and BaF2 have been studied in samples of commercial material. Optical transmission and scintillator response have been measured for integrated beta/gamma doses up to 8×107 R. Measurements, at dose rates up to 106; R/hr., indicate that both materials are quite resistant to damage, with BaF2 samples exhibiting superior recovery with time. Results of preliminary measurements are presented and discussed. Comparison of these data with previous measurements in the literature indicate that material purity correlations must be established to provide a basis for predicting radiation damage characteristics of scintillator materials. The case for further work in this area is discussed.
THOUGHTS ON INTERLIBRARY LENDING

A phenomenon, most challenging and, at the same time, most gratifying for every librarian, is the determined trend toward total bibliographical control. In particular, in the field of applied science, these efforts are mirrored in a considerable literature, which in heterogenous subject fields show many parallelisms of thought and method toward the ultimate aim: to bring together all available information on a certain subject to the person interested, in the shortest possible time and at the lowest possible cost. It stands to reason that in these times of rapidly expanding knowledge not one library or centre of information can reasonably be expected to contain and make available all published material even in a segment of applied science, as, e.g., aeronautics. The amount of material is too large, and its increase in seemingly more than geometric proportions precludes its purposeful handling by one single centre and renders the cost of operation irrational. On the other hand, well planned and carefully organized co‐operation between libraries which hold special material and are expertly staffed in the special areas will come closest to the realization of ideal bibliographic control.
Electromagnetic scattering by a fixed finite object embedded in an absorbing medium

This paper presents a general and systematic analysis of the problem of electromagnetic scattering by an arbitrary finite fixed object embedded in an absorbing, homogeneous, isotropic, and unbounded medium. The volume integral equation is used to derive generalized formulas of the far-field approximation. The latter serve to introduce direct optical observables such as the phase and extinction matrices. The differences between the generalized equations and their counterparts describing electromagnetic scattering by an object embedded in a non-absorbing medium are discussed.
Atypical presentation of an impacted radiolucent esophageal foreign body.

Patients with impacted esophageal foreign bodies usually present with gastrointestinal and rarely with respiratory symptoms. Impacted esophageal foreign bodies may be identified by radiologic studies. Ingested radiolucent foreign bodies may be more difficult to diagnose, especially if the patient presents with minimal symptoms. We report a rare case of a child who presented with stridor and obstructive sleep apnea. The cause of respiratory symptoms was thought to be due to enlarged tonsils and adenoids, and the patient was scheduled for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. On re-evaluation by the surgeon on the day of surgery, the procedure was changed to diagnostic microlaryngoscopy and bronchoscopy to rule out any other cause. The patient’s respiratory symptoms were resolved when an incidental discovery and retrieval of the radiolucent esophageal foreign body was made. The diagnosis of radiolucent esophageal foreign body can be difficult and can be easily missed without reasonable clinical suspicion.