cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rhetorical Listening and Moral Sensitivity

Rhetorical listening is explored within the practice of ethics as facilitating moral sensitivity to the interests of Others to thrive. By stimulating the moral imaginations of ethical actors, rhetorical listening prompts recognizing Others, especially those whose presence is obscured by language practices and rhetorical forms, as communicators possessing an interest to thrive in their relationships. Martha Solomon's analysis of the medical reports of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study is used to illustrate how rhetorical listening stimulates the moral imagination to recognize seen and unseen Others and facilitates moral sensitivity.
Independent Stiffness and Force Control of Pneumatic Actuators for Contact Stability during Robot Manipulation

This paper proposes a control approach that controls the stiffness and force of pneumatic actuator independently. This independent control of stiffness and force removes a primary cause of contact instability when utilizing stiffness or impedance based force control during interaction with stiff environments. Specifically, in typical stiffness or impedance control, since the force is defined in terms of motion variables, the desired force term appears as high gain position feedback when a manipulator is in contact with a stiff environment. In the proposed approach, since stiffness and force are controlled independently, the force appears as an exogenous input rather than as high gain position feedback, and therefore this source of instability is removed. The paper describes the control approach for independent stiffness and force control, which is based on an MIMO sliding mode controller design. Experimental results are presented that demonstrate the effectiveness of the control approach.
COMMUNICATION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN EMERGENCY MEDICINE

This article addresses communication between Emergency physicians, patients, nursing and medical staff colleagues. Each relationship presents its own potential for ongoing communication dynamics, which may include conflict and misunderstanding. The article identifies and suggests strategies for resolving possible conflicts and roadblocks to successful communication, to improve the successful practice of emergency medicine. Appreciating alternative viewpoints and a willingness to adapt are prerequisites for managing interpersonal conflict.
Critical role of proteostasis-imbalance in pathogenesis of COPD and severe emphysema

The environmental, genetic, and/or age-related changes in proteostasis induce inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. We quantified the correlation of protein expression of critical proteostasis mediators to severity of chronic lung disease using lung tissue samples from control and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) subjects (GOLD stage 0–IV) and cigarette smoke (CS)-induced murine model. The human bronchial epithelial cells, HEK-293, and Beas2B cells were used for in vitro experiments to verify the mechanisms. Our data verifies the correlation of higher expression of valosin-containing protein (VCP) retrograde translocation complex (VCP-Rma1-gp78) with severity of emphysema in COPD lung tissues and over-expression of inflammatory, ER stress and apoptotic mediators like NFκB, GADD-153/CHOP, and p-eIF2α. Moreover, subjects with severe emphysema had a higher accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins and deubiquitinating enzyme, UCHL-1, indicating towards the aggregation of misfolded or damaged proteins. The modulation of both protein degradation and synthesis rates by CS-extract substantiates the pathogenetic role of proteostasis-imbalance in emphysema and COPD. We identified that VCP also mediates proteasomal degradation of HDAC2 and Nrf2, as a potential mechanism for increased oxidative stress and corticosteroid resistance in COPD subjects with emphysema. Next, we confirmed that higher VCP expression associates with increased inflammation and apoptosis using in vitro and murine models. Our data clearly shows aberrant proteostasis in COPD subjects with severe emphysema. In addition, we evaluate therapeutic efficacy of salubrinal (ER stress inhibitor) to correct the proteostasis-imbalance based on its ability to control VCP expression and ubiquitin accumulation. Overall, our data demonstrate for the first time the critical role of proteostasis-imbalance in pathogenesis of severe emphysema.
Relationship between intracellular concentration of S-adenosylhomocysteine and inhibition of vaccinia virus replication and inhibition of murine L-929 cell growth.

This work was supported by a Public Health Service grant from the National Institutes of Health (GM-29332) and a grant from Glaxo, Inc.
Sound Production in the Salientia: Mechanism and Evolution of the Emitter

Frog sounds involve expulsion of air through the larynx. In mating, release, rain, and territorial calls, the air vibrates vocal cords and/or arytenoid cartilages. Sound is amplified and radiated by the distended buccal cavity and vocal sacs. Distress calls are emitted with open mouth, with minimum laryngeal modulation. The trunk is filled by inflation cycles, but air is driven out by synchronized contractions of the body wall musculature. The pressure levels are more than five times those during ventilation. In the release call of Bufo valliceps the dilatators and constrictors of the larynx fire simultaneously keeping the larynx closed. As the pulmonary pressure reaches a peak they cease firing. The arytenoids then separate and vibrate, as do the vocal cords. The dilatators terminate the sound pulse by pulling vibrators out of the air stream, hence the very sharp termination. Prolonged release call sequences include interpulse Teinflations that return air from buccal cavity to lung. Frogs apparently evolved from amphibians too small to use aspiration breathing. Vocalization represented a critical factor in their social organization and its importance locked these animals into reliance upon pulse-pumping rather than the more efficient aspiration breathing.
Graduate study for the bioentrepreneur: elective courses

The University of Illinois, Chicago has a graduate program for the Bioengineering Entrepreneur within the Department of Bioengineering. The objective of the program is to provide graduate students the basic knowledge needed to Identify, assess, and commercialize a new medical product concept. This is a joint program with the Institute of Entrepreneurial Studies within the College of Business. The program requires the student to complete a course schedule that includes Bioengineering core courses, business classes, and electives from the UIC Bioentrepreneur portfolio of classes. The uniqueness of this program is the elective course selection. Each Bioentrepreneur course emphasizes some of the special issues and skill sets required in bringing a product to market. For instance, the class, "Technology Assessment and the Start-Up of a Medical Device Company", begins with the Product Requirement Definition (PRD), an essential skill set. The student will be exposed to all possible areas that need to be defined or are of concern in the commercialization of the medical product. The class then progresses through all the essential steps of a business plan, funding, valuation of the technology, and culminates with an Executive Summary.
Diarrhea Incidence and Farm-Related Risk Factors for Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Campylobacter jejuni Antibodies among Rural Children

Serum samples were obtained from 215 farm-resident children and 396 non-farm-resident children living in a defined rural Wisconsin population. Antibodies to Campylobacter jejuni and Escherichia coli O157:H7 lipopolysaccharide (O157 LPS) immunoglobulin G were measured, and the incidence of clinic visits for diarrheal illness was determined. Risk factors were assessed in a telephone interview. There were 363 children (59%) with C. jejuni antibodies (seropositive for >or=2 immunoglobulin classes) and 86 (14%) with O157 LPS antibodies. Increasing age and farm residence were independently associated with C. jejuni seropositivity by multivariate analysis. O157 LPS antibodies were independently associated with increasing age, female sex, manure contact, and sheep contact. The incidence of clinically recognized diarrhea was similar among children with and without antibodies to C. jejuni and O157 LPS, but the clinic visit rate for diarrhea was 46% lower among farm-resident children. These results are consistent with reduced occurrence of clinical illness from repeated antigenic stimulation in a farm environment.
Astronomical infrared telescopes.

Consideration is given to the requirements on the image quality and potential gain in observing efficiency with large infrared telescopes. It is concluded that such large instruments cannot be light buckets with poor image quality. Specific engineering designs of large instruments should be undertaken to determine designs and costs associated with producing large instruments with image quality less than 2 sec of arc. It is important that such instruments be built so that the field of infrared astronomy can be extended to the detection of fainter infrared sources. The question of optimum size of telescopes from the point of view of information gained per dollar is considered. If such a most economical size exists, it is certainly much larger than presently existing 1.5-m (60-in.) infrared telescopes.
DISSOCIATION OF MICROBIC SPECIES : I. COEXISTENCE OF INDIVIDUALS OF DIFFERENT DEGREES OF VIRULENCE IN CULTURES OF THE BACILLUS OF RABBIT SEPTICEMIA.

Two types of organism have been shown to exist in cultures of the bacillus of rabbit septicemia, recently isolated from spontaneous infections. One, Microbe D, grows diffusely in serum and plain broth, forms rather opaque, fluorescing colonies on serum agar, and is highly virulent for rabbits. These characters are retained throughout many passages in serum or plain broth. The other type, Microbe G, flocculates rapidly in fluid media, forms translucent) bluish colonies with little fluorescence, and exhibits extremely low virulence for rabbits. Like Microbe D, its distinguishing characters persist throughout many passages in artificial media. Two methods for the dissociation of these varieties from the parent culture have been described. The two types are morphologically indistinguishable and possess identical fermentation reactions. Rabbits surviving inoculation with Type G are resistant to multiple lethal doses of Type D. The agglutination reactions bear out this suggestion of the antigenic identity of the varieties. Community of antigenic character is rendered certain by the results of absorption reactions. Microbe D, in contact with immune serum, flocculates well at 55°, but poorly or not at all at 37°C. Microbe G, on the other hand, agglutinates easily at both temperatures. Microbe D, after being carried through twenty-five passages in serum and in plain broth, retains perfectly its characteristics of diffuse growth and of virulence, in the plain as well as in the serum broth.
Miscellaneous Metal-Ligand Vibrations

The tendency to form predominantly covalent bonds between metals and donor atoms of ligands is greatest when the donor atom is a nonmetal from Group V through VII in the periodic table. The recent interest in the far-infrared region has centered on the search for vibrations involving metal-ligand donor atoms. Figure 8–1 shows a number of such vibrations. Chapters 5 through 7 have discussed the vibrations involving metal-oxygen, metal-nitrogen, and metal-halide atoms. For the most part, these vibrations are fairly well characterized. However, the remaining vibrations listed in Fig. 8–1 are less well known. This has been primarily due to a lack of spectroscopic studies, until recently, of compounds involving these linkages. Recent syntheses of compounds containing metal-sulfur, metal-selenium, metal-tellurium, metal-phosphorus, metal-arsenic, and metal-metal bonds and subsequent spectroscopic studies have given some preliminary information concerning the stretching vibrations of these bonding atoms. Little data is presently available on the bending vibrations involving these atoms. Furthermore, these vibrations would not be the easiest to study. It is difficult to prepare compounds in which the donor atom is replaced by an atom of the same group in the periodic table but of heavier mass and observe the shift of the metal-ligand vibration toward lower frequency as has been done with the metal-halide vibrations.
Vascular Stem Cell Therapy

There are numerous diseases associated with a malfunction of the endothelium, including ischemic injuries that follow thrombotic events, visual loss due to a defective cornea endothelium, and endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction in patients with diabetes. Some of these diseases are susceptible of cell therapies that aim to replace the defective endothelium. Thus, there is a need for a robust, clinically suitable source of autologous ECs. In principle, ECs can be obtained from a variety of autologous tissues, including small diameter veins and the microvasculature of tissues such as skin and adipose. However, the clinical use of mature ECs is limited by site morbidity and low cell proliferation potential. These limitations have motivated the search for other sources of ECs with more proliferative and vasculogenic activities such as those derived from embryonic stem cell (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). However, ethical considerations along with a poor understanding of the mechanisms controlling the differentiation of embryonic stem cells are hurdles that need to be overcome before these cells can be used in a clinical setting. Alternatively, the existence of postnatal endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in circulation represents a promising opportunity to non-invasively obtain large quantities of autologous ECs. However, the process for obtaining EPC-derived ECs has not been straightforward in part due to a lack of consensus regarding EPC definition, origin, and function of these cells. As a result, the term EPCs has been used to define two distinct subpopulations of cells, one with hematopoietic (early EPCs) and the other with endothelial (late EPCs) characteristics. Despite the often-confusing terminology, the functional distinction between these two very different types of EPCs is increasingly better understood. In particular, the ability of late EPCs to generate large amount of endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) is now well recognized. Blood-derived ECFCs represent a robust population of cells with endothelial phenotype and ability to function as bona fide ECs both in vitro and in vivo, and thus, they constitute a promising source of cells for future vascular cell therapies.
Peptide- and Amine-Modified Glucan Particles for the Delivery of Therapeutic siRNA

Translation of siRNA technology into the clinic is limited by the need for improved delivery systems that target specific cell types. Macrophages are particularly attractive targets for RNAi therapy because they promote pathogenic inflammatory responses in a number of important human diseases. We previously demonstrated that a multicomponent formulation of β-1,3-d-glucan-encapsulated siRNA particles (GeRPs) can specifically and potently silence genes in mouse macrophages. A major advance would be to simplify the GeRP system by reducing the number of delivery components, thus enabling more facile manufacturing and future commercialization. Here we report the synthesis and evaluation of a simplified glucan-based particle (GP) capable of delivering siRNA in vivo to selectively silence macrophage genes. Covalent attachment of small-molecule amines and short peptides containing weak bases to GPs facilitated electrostatic interaction of the particles with siRNA and aided in the endosomal release of siRNA by the...
Studies on the antigenic relationship among phleboviruses

Abstract : The antigenic relationship of the 31 currently recognized phlebotomus fever group viruses was examined by plaque reduction neutralization test. Although some low-level cross-neutralization was observed, each of the viruses was easily differentiated by this method. Rift Valley fever virus was shown to be antigenically related to Candiru, Frijoles, Karimabad and Punta Toro viruses. Naples, Tehran and Toscana viruses were also shown to be closely related. Preliminary results of indirect fluorescent antibody tests indicate that this technique is broadly reacting and less specific than either the complement-fixation or neutralization test for identifying phlebotomus fever group viruses. A discussion follows on some of the difficulties encountered in attempting to classify phleboviruses.
We Are Not Publicly Traded And So The Rules Don't Apply… Or Do They… Should They?

This paper presents a case study of the accounting practices of a company that is privately held. The company follows Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) but has some questionable transactions. The paper then follows up with a discussion of baby-GAAP and possible consequences of two different GAAP options.
Observations on the Tearing of Elastomers

Abstract 1. Frequency distributions of stick-slip tear arrest and initiation energies have different standard deviations; initiation values show greater variance. Tear arrest frequency distributions are symmetrical and have been described by a normal distribution. The tear-initiation distribution is skewed and has been modeled using both the extreme value and Weibull distributions. As a result, it is concluded that two separate mechanisms are responsible for the creation of the force minima and maxima observed in stick-slip tearing. Consequently, data reduction methods which average these values to estimate tear energy are inappropriate. 2. The direction of skewness of the tear-initiation energies indicates a distribution of the largest extreme. This has been contrasted with constant-rate tensile-rupture data which are distributed according to the smallest extreme. As a result, it is concluded that the process responsible for tear initiation is not a weakest link mechanism, but, rather, depends on a proce...
Colonization of Porphyra perforata thallus discs by Pythium marinum, a marine facultative parasite.

SummaryLaboratory infections of Porphyra perforata thallus discs with zoospores of Pythium marinum showed that the colonization rate is markedly influenced by temperature, salinity, and the reprodu...
Diagnosis and Treatment of Congenital Virilizing Adrenal Hyperplasia

The principle of treatment of congenital virilizing adrenal hyperplasia is to suppress adrenal activity with a cortisonelike steroid, thus preventing formation of precursors which have androgenic and sometimes hypertensive effects. After establishing a depot with initial large doses, the minimal maintenance dose for adequate suppression is determined by the output of urinary 17-ketosteroids. In growing children it is also important to regulate long-range treatment according to rates of growth and osseous development. Cortisone dosage must be greatly increased during periods of stress. In the author's opinion, most of the newer steroids advocated for therapy do not have an advantage over cortisone, desoxycorticosterone acetate or both.
Einfluß von Propranolol auf die Pharmakokinetik von Chinidin

Seit kurzem ist bekannt, das Propranolol (P) die Pharmakokinetik anderer Arzneimittel erheblich beeinflussen kann: So verlangert eine P-Therapie beim Menschen die Halbwertzeit von Antipyrin um mehr als 40% und vermindert die Anitipyrin- Clearance um 30%. Am Hund konnten Shand et al. zeigen, das die Lidocain-Clea- rance bei gleichzeitiger P-Gabe um 24% verringert und die HWZ um 48% verlangert wird. Wir haben daher untersucht, ob die Pharmakokinetik von i.v. appliziertem Chinidin sowie die durch Chinidin bedingten EKG-Veranderungen unter einer gleichzeitigen P-Gabe beeinflust werden.
797 Pilot study of a novel partnership for home fire and co prevention

Background Children are at increased risk for death in the event of a home fire. Fire departments have used a number of approaches to increase the uptake of smoke alarms with mixed success. This presentation will describe a pilot study which partnered home visiting nurses with a local fire department in Phoenix, AZ to instal smoke alarms in high-risk, hard-to-reach homes with young children. Methods During a regularly scheduled appointment, home visiting nurses with the Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) informed their clients about an opportunity to get free smoke alarms and recruited participants to the pilot study. Nurses sent a referral to the Phoenix Fire Department (PFD) for a smoke alarm installation. PFD responded to the next NFP appointment and installed long-life battery smoke and CO alarms in the home and provided safety education. Clients completed a follow up survey 3 months after the PFD installation visit. In-depth interviews were completed with key informants from NFP and PFD to solicit feedback on the program. Results 58 clients were enrolled into the pilot study. To date, 41 smoke alarm installation visits have been completed and 33 follow up surveys were completed. Before the fire department arrived, 56% (n = 23/41) homes had no working smoke alarm. PFD installed 54 smoke alarms into 41 homes; every home had at least one working smoke alarm by the end of the home visit. At follow up, all homes maintained at least one working smoke alarm. Participants increased knowledge scores by 30%. Interviewees from both NFP and PFD spoke highly of the program and would like the program to continue. The program is consistent with the missions of both NFP and PFD. Conclusion Partnering home visiting nurses and local fire departments can be a successful partnership to increase the number of homes with working smoke alarms.
The aromatic cytokinin meta-topolin promotes in vitro propagation, shoot quality and micrografting in Corylus colurna L.

The role of 4.1 or 8.2 μM meta-topolin (mT) on shoot multiplication, rooting and ex vitro acclimatization of micropropagated Corylus colurna L., a promising non-suckering rootstock for hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.), was examined in comparison to N6-benzyladenine (BA), the most used cytokinin in tissue culture of Corylus spp. The influence of 8.2 μM mT and BA on photosynthetic pigments content and antioxidant enzymes activity, catalase (CAT) and guaiacol peroxidase (POD), in regenerated shoots, and on the preparation of the rootstock for micrografting was also evaluated. The highest shoot multiplication was recorded on medium containing 8.2 μM mT and an overall positive effect of mT on growth and quality of micropropagated shoots was found. The highest chlorophyll a content (1.236 mg g−1 fresh weight, FW) and chlorophyll a/b ratio (2.48), and the lowest total carotenoids content (0.292 mg g−1 FW) and CAT activity (25.8 μmol min−1 mg−1 protein) were detected after 8.2 μM mT application, while no significant differences were found in chlorophyll b content and POD activity between the two cytokinins. The best rhizogenesis response (98% for 4.1 μM and 100% for 8.2 μM mT) and ex vitro acclimatization competence (higher than 78%) were exhibited from shoots multiplied on mT. Furthermore, the multiplication of rootstock on mT allowed obtaining the highest (70%) response of successful micrografting. The present findings provide the first evidence of the successful applicability of mT in C. colurna tissue culture and development of micrografted plantlets.
Measuring Community Adaptive and Transformative Capacity in the Arctic Context

Adaptive capacity (AC) plays a prominent role in reducing community vulnerability, an essential goal for achieving sustainability. The related concept, transformative capacity (TC), describes a set of tools from the resilience paradigm for making more fundamental system changes. While the literature appears to agree generally on the meaning of AC and TC, operational definitions vary widely in empirical applications. We address measurement of AC and TC in empirical studies of community vulnerability and resilience, with special attention to the problems of arctic communities. We discuss how some challenges follow from ambiguities in the broader vulnerability model within which AC is embedded. Other issues are more technical, such as a confounding of stocks (capacity) with flows (time-specific inputs or outcomes). We view AC and TC as forms of capital, as distinct from flows (i.e., ecosystem services, well-being), and propose a set of sequential steps for measuring the contribution of AC and TC assets to reducing vulnerability. We demonstrate the conceptual application in a comparative analysis of AC in two arctic Alaskan communities responding to an increase in the price of fuel. The comparative case study illustrates some key empirical challenges in measuring AC for small arctic communities.
Commentary: Applying "Dialogic Origin and Dialogic Pedagogy of Grammar" to Current Research on Literacy and Grammar Instruction

(2004). Commentary: Applying 'Dialogic Origin and Dialogic Pedagogy of Grammar' to Current Research on Literacy and Grammar Instruction. Journal of Russian & East European Psychology: Vol. 42, No. 6, pp. 53-58.
In memory of Susan Lindquist (1949–2016)

The current issue of Prion marks the 10-year anniversary since our journal has started in 2007. Unfortunately, Prion enters its second decade without one of the valuable members of its Editorial Bo...
A Grassroots Community Dialogue on the Ethics of the Care of People with Autism and Their Families: The Stony Brook Guidelines

The increased recognition and reported prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) combined with the associated societal and clinical impact call for a broad grassroots community-based dialogue on treatment related ethical and social issues. In these Stony Brook Guidelines, which were developed during a full year of community dialogue (2010–2011) with affected individuals, families, and professionals in the field, we identify and discuss topics of paramount concern to the ASD constituency: treatment goals and happiness, distributive justice, managing the desperate hopes for a cure, sibling responsibilities, intimacy and sex, diagnostic ethics, and research ethics. The members of the dialogue core committee included doctors, ethicists, administrators, social workers, ministers, disability experts, and many family members of individuals with autism who were especially engaged in community activities on behalf of their constituency, including siblings, parents, and grandparents. Our guidelines are not based on “top-down” imposition of professional expertise, but rather on a “bottom-up” grass roots attention to the voices of affected individuals and families speaking from experience. These guidelines can inform clinical practice, but they also are meaningful for the wider social conversation emerging over the treatment of individuals with ASD.
Peripheral T-cell lymphoma: novel backbone.

In this issue of Blood, Amengual et al report the results of a single-institution dose-escalation phase 1 study of pralatrexate plus romidepsin for patients with relapsed/refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This combination resulted in a very high response rate in patients with previously treated peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL).1
Impact of Operative Time on Adverse Events Following Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND Little is known regarding the impact of operative time on adverse events following arthroplasty. The present study tests for associations between a 15-minute increase in operative time and the occurrence of adverse events following primary total joint arthroplasty. METHODS Patients undergoing primary total hip or knee arthroplasty during 2006-2013 were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Operative time (as a continuous variable) was tested for association with perioperative outcomes using multivariate regression. All regressions were adjusted for differences in demographic, comorbidity, and procedural characteristics. RESULTS A total of 165,474 patients met inclusion criteria. The mean (±standard deviation) operative time was 91.9 ± 32.5 minutes. Following adjustment for baseline characteristics, an increase in operative time by 15 minutes increased the risk of anemia requiring transfusion by 9% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 8%-10%, P < .001), wound dehiscence by 13% (95% CI = 8%-19%, P < .001), renal insufficiency by 9% (95% CI = 3%-14%, P < .001), sepsis by 10% (95% CI = 6%-14%, P < .001), surgical site infection by 9% (95% CI = 7%-12%, P < .001), and urinary tract infection by 4% (95% CI = 2%-6%, P < .001). Similarly, an increase in operative time by 15 minutes increased the risk of hospital readmission by 5% (95% CI = 4%-6%, P < .001) and of extended hospital length of stay (≥4 days) by 9% (95% CI = 8%-10%, P < .001). CONCLUSION The present study suggests that greater operative time increases the risk for multiple postoperative complications following total joint arthroplasty. These data suggest that surgeons should consider steps to minimize operative time without compromising the technical components of the surgical procedure.
Oral Anticoagulation in Patients With Liver Disease.

Abstract Patients with liver disease are at increased risks of both thrombotic and bleeding complications. Many have atrial fibrillation (AF) or venous thromboembolism (VTE) necessitating oral anticoagulant agents (OACs). Recent evidence has contradicted the assumption that patients with liver disease are “auto-anticoagulated” and thus protected from thrombotic events. Warfarin and non–vitamin K–antagonist OACs have been shown to reduce thrombotic events safely in patients with either AF or VTE. However, patients with liver disease have largely been excluded from trials of OACs. Because all currently approved OACs undergo metabolism in the liver, hepatic dysfunction may cause increased bleeding. Thus, the optimal anticoagulation strategy for patients with AF or VTE who have liver disease remains unclear. This review discusses pharmacokinetic and clinical studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of OACs in patients with liver disease and provides a practical, clinically oriented approach to the management of OAC therapy in this population.
Replication of Flaviviruses

Flaviviruses were classified as members of the togavirus family until 1984, when the International Committee for the Nomenclature of Viruses voted to make Flaviviridae a separate family (Westaway et al., 1986). The togavirus family had originally been defined using morphological criteria. The change in classification was the result of recent research that clearly demonstrated that flaviviruses, although generally similar to alphaviruses in their morphology, differ markedly from the alpha togaviruses in their virion structure, strategy of replication, and morphogenesis.
Singlet Energy Transfer from Carotenoids to Bacteriochlorophylls

The close association of carotenoids and bacteriochlorophylls in anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria facilitates energy transfer processes between these molecules. A better understanding of the association between these two groups of pigments has been derived from significant, recent advances in: (1) The biochemical methodology for the separation and purification of pigment-protein complexes from photosynthetic bacteria; (2) The chemical procedures for the extraction, identification, and reconstitution of carotenoids into these complexes; (3) The analytical techniques for the chromatographic separation and purification of the carotenoid pigments; (4) The steady-state and time-resolved absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic techniques for exploring the nature of the excited states of carotenoids; and (5) Our understanding of the theoretical framework in which the photochemical properties of carotenoids may be cast. The present chapter will discuss these advances and attempt to provide a connection between the unique electronic structure of carotenoids and the manner in which they function as antenna pigments in photosynthesis.
Analysis of Many-Defect Systems

In the general problem of quantitative NDE, the majority of past approaches are based upon the questionable assumption that the dominant defect or flaw can be identified before the beginning of the main body of the analysis. This concept is fundamental to most (but not all) treatments of probabilistic failure prediction and accept/reject optimization. This oversimplification and associated logical tangles are obviated by a more comprehensive approach to defect characterization and probabilistic failure prediction, in which it is assumed in the pertinent stochastic models that the various significant types of defects occur in all possible numbers. In this paper, we present a version of such an approach that involves a single type of defect and a promising approximation methodology.
Spectra and structure of small ring compounds. LIX

The Raman (3200 to 10 cm−1) and far infrared (380 to 60 cm−1) spectra of gaseous fluorocyclobutane,c-C4H7F, have been recorded. A series of Q-branches observed in both of these spectra beginning at 166 cm−1 with successive transitions falling to lower frequencies have been assigned to the ring puckering vibrations of both the low energy equatorial and high energy axial conformers. These data have been fit to an asymmetric potential function of the form:V (cm−1)=(1.76±0.05)103X+(4.88±0.28)104X2+(2.12 ±0.16)103 exp(−5.66±0.41)10X2 with a reduced mass function ofg44= 0.00386−0.00295X+0.03485X2+0.1228X3 +0.3459X4, whereX is the ring puckering coordinate. Utilizing this potential, the difference between the puckering angles for the two conformers was calculated to be 4° with the equatorial conformer having the larger value of 28°. This potential function is consistent with an energy difference between the equatorial and axial forms of 447 cm−1 (1.28 kcal/mol) and a barrier to ring inversion from the equatorial to the axial conformation of 713 cm−1 (2.04 kcal/mol). Experimental values for the enthalpy difference between the two conformers have been determined for both the liquid (400±30 c−1) and gas (413±43 cm−1) from investigations of the Raman spectra at variable temperatures. The conformational stability, enthalpy difference, structural parameters, and fundamental vibrational frequencies, which have been determined experimentally, are compared to those obtained from ab initio Hartree-Fock calculations employing the 3-21G, 6-31 G*, and 6-31 G** basis sets.
Periostin and Inflammatory Disease: Implications for Chronic Rhinosinusitis.

ObjectiveTo provide a comprehensive overview of the emerging role of periostin, an extracellular matrix protein, as a key component in the development, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with chr...
“Switching on” iron in clay minerals

Being the fourth most abundant element in the Earth's crust, iron (Fe) is a key player in myriad biogeochemical processes. Iron that resides in the structures of nano- to micron-scale clay mineral particles undergoes cycling between Fe(II) and Fe(III). This iron comprises a large redox-active pool in surface environments, controlling the fate and transport of nutrients and contaminants. The mechanism of electron transfer involving this iron species is poorly understood. We observe that Fe(III) in clay minerals does not oxidize arsenic As(III), unless a minor amount of Fe(II) is introduced into the predominantly-Fe(III) structure. These “activated” clay minerals are redox-active both in the presence and absence of oxygen. In the presence of oxygen, Fe(II) catalyzes the production of reactive oxygen species; however, the oxidation pathway in the absence of oxygen is unknown. Here we show that under oxygen-free conditions, the redox-active species in clay minerals is FeII–O–FeIII moieties at the edge sites. We used in situ and ex situ spectroscopic methods, including X-ray absorption, Mossbauer, and diffuse reflectance spectroscopies, as well as ab initio calculations. Our ab initio calculations show that desorption of water from an FeII–O–FeIII site in clay mineral requires less energy, compared to a fully-oxidized FeIII–O–FeIII site. We propose that this lower barrier for the desorption of water increases the apparent kinetics of redox reactions on clay mineral surfaces.
A Study of the Sit-up Type of Test as a Means of Measuring Strength and Endurance of the Abdominal Muscles

(1944). A Study of the Sit-up Type of Test as a Means of Measuring Strength and Endurance of the Abdominal Muscles. Research Quarterly. American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 15, No. 1, pp. 60-63.
Hemodynamic Effects of Late Sodium Current Inhibitors in a Swine Model of Heart Failure.

Abstract Objectives To evaluate possible treatment-related hemodynamic changes, we administered ranolazine or mexiletine to swine with heart failure (HF) and to controls. Background Ranolazine and mexiletine potently inhibit depolarizing late Na+ current (INa,late) and Na+ entry into cardiomyocytes. Blocking Na+ entry may increase forward-mode Na/Ca exchange and reduce cellular Ca+2 load, further compromising systolic contraction during HF. Methods and Results Anesthetized tachypaced HF swine received ranolazine (n = 9) or mexiletine (n = 7) as boluses, then as infusions; the same experiments were performed in 10 nonpaced controls. The swine with HF had characteristic elevated left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and reduced maximal left ventricular pressure rise (+dP/dtmax) and left ventricular peak systolic pressure (LVSP). No significant change occurred after ranolazine dosing for any parameter: LVEDP, +dP/dtmax, LVSP, heart rate, maximal LV pressure fall rate (–dP/dtmax), or time constant for isovolumic relaxation. Similar results seen in additional swine with HF: 7 were given mexiletine, and 7 others were given ranolazine after a 27% rate decrement to maximize INa,late. Patch-clamped HF cardiomyocytes confirmed drug-induced INa,late blockade. Conclusions Ranolazine or mexiletine blocking INa,late neither worsened nor improved hemodynamics during advanced HF. Although results must be clinically confirmed, they suggest inhibition of INa,late by ranolazine or mexiletine may not exacerbate HF in patients.
A Granger causality analysis of groundwater patterns over a half-century.

Groundwater depletion in many areas of the world has been broadly attributed to irrigation. However, more formal, data-driven, causal mechanisms of long-term groundwater patterns have not been assessed. Here, we conducted the first Granger causality analysis to identify the “causes” of groundwater patterns using the rice-producing parishes of Louisiana, USA, as an example. Trend analysis showed a decline of up to 6 m in groundwater level over 51 years. We found that no single cause explained groundwater patterns for all parishes. Causal linkages were noted between groundwater and area harvested, number of irrigation wells, summer precipitation totals, and drought. Bi-directional linkages were noted between groundwater and rice yield, suggesting feedback between both time series. Causal linkages were absent between groundwater and many drivers where significant correlations were noted, highlighting the importance of using robust causal relationships over illusive correlations to detect the cause. These results advance our understanding of groundwater dynamics and can reveal a key connection between food and groundwater.
Response to the Opioid Epidemic: Current Treatment Models in the United States

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a complex condition requiring a multifaceted treatment approach. As such, a variety of different models, both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic, have been proposed and ultimately implemented as part of standard clinical practice over the past several decades, each providing a specific focus and expected therapeutic outcome. This chapter will take a closer look at such clinical approaches in their respective historical contexts, highlighting both their similarities and differences, while emphasizing the ongoing evolution of clinical approaches to an alarming and ever-changing public health crisis.
A Comparative Trial of the Effectiveness of Nasal Interfaces Used to Deliver Continuous Positive Airway Pressure for a Brief Period in Infants With Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn

Abstract Introduction There is insufficient data on the effectiveness of the interfaces used for nasal continuous airway pressure (nCPAP) in newborn infants. Transpulmonary pressure (PTP) calculated from a measured esophageal pressure (Pes) could be used as a surrogate for the pressure transmitted to the distal airways during nCPAP. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of two nasal interfaces, the nasal mask and bi-nasal short prongs, during a relatively brief period of respiratory support by calculated PTP (cPTP) in infants with transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN). Methods Newborns with TTN who needed respiratory assistance with nCPAP were randomized to use either bi-nasal short prongs or a nasal mask. Esophageal pressure measurements were done in order to calculate PTP with either interface. The primary outcome was the cPTP transmitted with each nasal interface. Esophageal pressure measurements were recorded and PTP values were calculated from Pes measurements at the 1st, 6th, 12th and 24th hours in each patient as long as the respiratory support lasted. Results Sixty-two newborns with TTN and on nCPAP were randomized into two groups: Group 1 to use bi-nasal short prongs (n: 31) and Group 2 to use a nasal mask (n: 31). Inspiratory and expiratory Pes and cPTP values at the 1st, 6th, 12th and 24th hours were similar with the two interfaces (P Conclusions A nasal mask is similarly effective and safe as bi-nasal short prongs during a brief period of non-invasive respiratory support with nCPAP in late preterm and term neonates with TTN.
Social Transformation and Military Leadership: The Nigerian Army and Fourth Generation Wars

Whereas military intervention in African politics has continued to receive scholarly attention (see Kieh and Agbese 2004; Souare 2014; Powell 2014), the internal leadership processes of the armed forces, especially as they transform to meet domestic and external commitments under democratic control, has practically become an analytic black hole. This chapter seeks to fill this lacuna by using the Nigerian Army (NA) as a case study of the ecology of leadership in which there may be wide gaps between legal governance and the leader’s ability to hold things together while an institution is undergoing transformation. The chapter adopts a context-specific approach that uses specific leadership events as a framework to understand the conditions under which leadership is produced, and the extent to which those conditions have shaped the kind of leaders and leadership paths which have emerged under the democratic dispensation.
US Wine Industry Preparedness For Unforeseen Crises And Disasters: An Empirical Test

Natural disasters and human-created crises have thrust the topic of strategic preparedness into management conversation around the world. Following recent fire, flood and earthquake disasters, this paper assessed perceived organizational preparedness and resilience as related to four key characteristics: the size of the firm through annual case production and number of employees, the age of the firm, and the organizational hierarchy. Data were gathered via an online survey, where 81 representatives of the western US wine industry responded. Data are analyzed using descriptive statistics, factor analysis, and analysis of variance. Results of this research indicate that wine firms with larger annual case production perceive greater resilience to disaster and crisis than firms with smaller annual case production perceive. Wine firms with more employees perceive greater resilience to disaster and crisis than firms with fewer employees perceive. Significant differences were found among managerial level perceptions of preparedness, in contrast to earlier studies. This study, which is based on exploratory empirical research and leads to a conceptual framework, can shed at least some light on what motivates wine firms to engage in strategic preparedness activities, as well as deepen our understanding of how communities would benefit from those actions.
CRISPR/Cas gene therapy

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated enzyme (Cas) is a naturally occurring genome editing tool adopted from the prokaryotic adaptive immune defense system. Currently, CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing has been becoming one of the most promising tools for treating human genetic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, neuro-disorders, and cancers. As the quick modification of the CRISPR/Cas9 system, including delivery system, CRISPR/Cas9-based gene therapy has been extensively studied in preclinic and clinic treatments. CRISPR/Cas genome editing is also a robust tool to create animal genetic models for studying and treating human genetic disorders, particularly diseases associated with point mutations. However, significant challenges also remain before CRISPR/Cas technology can be routinely employed in the clinic for treating different genetic diseases, which include toxicity and immune response of treated cells to CRISPR/Cas component, highly throughput delivery method, and potential off-target impact. The off-target effect is one of the major concerns for CRISPR/Cas9 gene therapy, more research should be focused on limiting this impact by designing high specific gRNAs and using high specificity of Cas enzymes. Modifying the CRISPR/Cas9 delivery method not only targets a specific tissue/cell but also potentially limits the off-target impact.
Brief iPad-Based Assessment of Cognitive Functioning with ImPACT® Quick Test: Prevalence of Low Scores Using Multivariate Base Rates.

Objective The ImPACT® Quick Test is a brief iPad-based battery of neurocognitive tests that has been standardized on a sample of children, adolescents, and adults (ages 12-70). This study provides information on the prevalence of ImPACT® Quick Test scores falling below specific percentiles in the normative sample to aid in clinical interpretation and reduce the risk of over-interpreting, or misinterpreting, a single low score. Method Participants were 683 individuals ranging in age from 12 to 70, who were assessed individually. The ImPACT® Quick Test includes five subtests, contributing to three factor scores: motor speed, memory, and attention tracker. The prevalence of low factor scores, stratified by age and sex, were calculated using multivariate base rates. Results In the total sample, obtaining 1 or more scores below the 25th percentile was common (base rate, BR = 47.2%), but obtaining 2 or more scores in this range was uncommon (BR = 15.3%). Similarly, obtaining 1 or more scores below the 16th percentile was common (BR = 31.4%), but obtaining two or more scores in this range was uncommon (BR = 6.9%). There were small differences in BRs between sexes and the number of low scores was fairly similar across the age groups. Conclusion Results from this study parallel previous work illustrating that a substantial percentage of healthy individuals will obtain one or more low test scores when administered a brief battery of cognitive tests. Given that some healthy individuals will obtain a single score below expected cut-offs, clinicians should caution against overinterpreting a single low test score.
Fog Computing and the Internet of Things (IoT): A Review

IoT integration with cloud brings about numerous benefits to devices that operate on heterogeneous platforms. IoT-based applications generate massive data from different sensors. This data is analyzed to make decisions. Fog computing offers advantage by providing data processing capabilities and storage to devices locally rather than sending data to the cloud.