cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Economic Burden of Adult Pharyngitis: The Payer's Perspective

Abstract Objectives Although not recommended by practice guidelines, physicians frequently prescribe an antibiotic for adults with viral pharyngitis. The financial burden of this practice, from the payer's perspective, has not been previously evaluated. The purpose of this study was to estimate those expenditures. Methods A cost-of-illness study was performed to estimate annual expenditures of pharyngitis management from the payer's perspective. National Ambulatory Care Survey data were used to represent current patterns of ambulatory care visits and antibiotic prescriptions for adult pharyngitis. Direct and antibiotic resistance costs were summed to estimate total expenditures for pharyngitis management. Resistance costs were calculated using a model linking the effect of antibiotic consumption to the cost consequences of resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae infection. Sensitivity analyses compared cost outcomes of current practice, adherence to pharyngitis management guidelines from the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), and nonantibiotic treatment. Results In the base-case analysis, reflecting current practice patterns, total expenditures were $1.2 billion with antibiotic resistance contributing 36% ($426 million). IDSA guideline adherence decreased costs to $559 million with resistance accounting for 6.8% ($37.9 million). Guideline adherence plus reducing office visits by 30% decreased costs to $372 million, with only 1.4% ($5.3 million) due to resistance. Additional cost-savings of $88 million were realized by using a nonantibiotic treatment strategy. Conclusions Current practice imposed a substantial economic burden on the payer, while guideline adherence resulted in cost reductions, especially in terms of resistance, emphasizing that antibiotic prescribing habits have broad economic consequences. Relevant stakeholders, payers, physicians, and other health-care providers should revisit efforts to encourage adherence to pharyngitis guidelines to reduce health-care costs.
Child and Home Predictors of Children's Name Writing

The current study used dominance analysis to investigate the relative importance of multiple factors on children's (ages 3–5; mean age of 47.3 months) name writing skill when they enter preschool. Children () were tested individually at the beginning of preschool on six factors thought to be important for name writing success: letter knowledge, decoding, motor skills, problem behaviors, self-regulation, and home literacy environment. Collectively, these variables explained 37.1% of the variation in children's name writing, but the importance of each factor differed widely. Children’s knowledge of capital letters (11.8%) and their motor development (11.8%) were the most important for children’s name writing whereas the home learning environment (2.3%) and reported problem behaviors (1.5%) were the least important factors. These findings suggest that researchers and teachers should focus on letter knowledge and motor development in understanding and promoting children’s name writing skills.
Teach Like Lives Depend on It Agitate, Arouse, and Inspire

This article analyzes teaching that begins with the realities, ideologies, and articulations of dispossessed youth of color to shift perceptions of cultural deficits into potential academic strengths that are also critical. Drawing on culturally relevant, critical pedagogical, and critical literacy theories to understand the educational needs of historically dispossessed cultural groups in the United States and propose a humanizing pedagogy, this article offers critical participatory teacher analysis that suggests this can be done by (a) agitating students politically, (b) arousing their critical curiosity, and (c) inspiring self and social transformation.
Marriage Markets and Marital Choice

This article presents a search model of marital choice. We tested the hypothesis that demographic shortages of suitable marital partners not only lower the probability of marriage, but increase the likelihood that never-married women will either: (a) marry men with characteristics dissimilar to their own or (b) marry men with low socioeconomic status. This analysis was accomplished using data from the 1979-1986 waves of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, merged with various local-area sex ratios from the 1980 decennial U.S. Census. We found that a favorable marriage market, measured in terms of the relative number of men to women, increases the odds of marrying a high-status man compared with a low-status man (as measured in terms of education and occupation). It also increases the chance of forgoing marriage rather than marrying low-status men. At the same time, we found little evidence that mate surpluses or deficits in the local marriage market affect patterns of homogamy or assortative mating....
Coordination geometry of nonbonded residues in globular proteins

Backgound: Two opposite views have been advanced for the packing of sidechains in globular proteins. The first is the jigsaw puzzle model, in which the complementarity of size and shape is essential. The second, the nuts-and-bolts model, suggests that constraints induced by steric complementarity or pairwise specificity have little influence. Here, the angular distributions of sidechains around amino acids of different types are analyzed, in order to capture the preferred (if any) coordination loci in the neighborhood of a given type of amino acid. Results Some residue pairs select specific coordination states with probabilities about ten times higher than expected for random distributions. This selectivity becomes more pronounced at closer separations leading to an effective free energy of stabilization as large as −2 RT for some sidechain pairs. A list of the most probable coordination sites around each residue type is presented, along with their statistical weights. Conclusion These data provide guidance as to how to pack selectively the nonbonded sidechains in the neighborhood of a central residue for computer generation of unknown protein structures.
Genome-Wide Screen of Salmonella Genes Expressed during Infection in Pigs, Using In Vivo Expression Technology

Pigs are a food-producing species that readily carry Salmonella but, in the great majority of cases, do not show clinical signs of disease. Little is known about the functions required by Salmonella to be maintained in pigs. We have devised a recombinase-based promoter-trapping strategy to identify genes with elevated expression during pig infection with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. A total of 55 clones with in vivo-induced promoters were selected from a genomic library of approximately 10,000 random Salmonella DNA fragments fused to the recombinase cre, and the cloned DNA fragments were analyzed by sequencing. Thirty-one genes encoding proteins involved in bacterial adhesion and colonization (including bcfA, hscA, rffG, and yciR), virulence (metL), heat shock (hscA), and a sensor of a two-component regulator (hydH) were identified. Among the 55 clones, 19 were isolated from both the tonsils and the intestine, while 23 were identified only in the intestine and 13 only in tonsils. High temperature and increased osmolarity were identified as environmental signals that induced in vivo-expressed genes, suggesting possible signals for expression.
Wavelet-RX anomaly detection for dual-band forward-looking infrared imagery

This paper describes a new wavelet-based anomaly detection technique for a dual-band forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensor consisting of a coregistered longwave (LW) with a midwave (MW) sensor. The proposed approach, called the wavelet-RX (Reed–Xiaoli) algorithm, consists of a combination of a two-dimensional (2D) wavelet transform and a well-known multivariate anomaly detector called the RX algorithm. In our wavelet-RX algorithm, a 2D wavelet transform is first applied to decompose the input image into uniform subbands. A subband-image cube is formed by concatenating together a number of significant subbands (high-energy subbands). The RX algorithm is then applied to the subband-image cube obtained from a wavelet decomposition of the LW or MW sensor data. In the case of the dual band, the RX algorithm is applied to a subband-image cube constructed by concatenating together the high-energy subbands of the LW and MW subband-image cubes. Experimental results are presented for the proposed wavelet-RX and the classical constant false alarm rate (CFAR) algorithm for detecting anomalies (targets) in a single broadband FLIR (LW or MW) or in a coregistered dual-band FLIR sensor. The results show that the proposed wavelet-RX algorithm outperforms the classical CFAR detector for both single-band and dual-band FLIR sensors.
A multigene approach for assessing evolutionary relationships of Xenorhabdus spp. (γ-Proteobacteria), the bacterial symbionts of entomopathogenic Steinernema nematodes

Xenorhabdus spp., are gram-negative bacterial symbionts of entomopathogenic nematodes in the genus Steinernema. A specialized and intimate relationship exists between nematode and bacteria, affecting many of their life history traits, such as nutrition, dispersal, host-finding, foraging and defense from biotic and abiotic factors. Xenorhabdus currently comprises more than 20 species isolated from Steinernema spp. with diverse host range, host foraging behavior, reproductive modes and environmental tolerance. Xenorhabdus phylogenies have historically been based on 16s rDNA sequence analyses, and only recently has data from housekeeping genes been employed. The prevalence of lateral gene transfer among bacteria calls for a wider perspective when considering their phylogeny. With the increasing number of Xenorhabdus species and strains, various perspectives need to be considered for investigating the evolutionary history of these nematode bacterial symbionts, In this study, we reconstruct the evolutionary histories of 30 species of Xenorhabdus considering the traditional 16s rDNA gene region as well as the housekeeping genes recA and serC. Datasets were analyzed individually and then combined, using a variety of phylogenetic criteria.
Mycotic superior mesenteric aneurysm.

A 36-year-old man with a history of aortic valve replacement secondary to streptococcal endocarditis 8 years before admission presented with unexplained severe epigastric pain. After an extensive work-up, a 5-cm superior mesenteric artery (SMA) aneurysm was identified by computer tomography (CT). Three-dimensional CT reconstruction (Cover) and selective arteriography (A) demonstrated that the aneurysm arose from the main trunk of the SMA beyond the first segmental branches. The aneurysm was thought to be mycotic due to the patient’s history and the absence of any other vascular disease. The densely scarred SMA aneurysm was exposed through the transverse mesocolon (B) (note that a vessel loop surrounds the proximal SMA at the base of the mesocolon), the aneurysm resected, and a saphenous vein interposition graft performed (C). The patient’s recovery was unremarkable, and he was discharged home on postoperative day 5. As anticipated, cultures of the aneurysm were negative due to long-term (6 weeks) postoperative antibiotics 8 years ago.
A COMPARISON OF CAUSE OF DEATH DETERMINATION IN MEN PREVIOUSLY DIAGNOSED WITH PROSTATE CANCER WHO DIED IN 1985 OR 1995

Purpose: We quantified the agreement between the underlying cause of death determination from information in hospital medical records and on death certificates, and determined whether the frequency of assigning death from prostate cancer had changed since the introduction of testing for prostate specific antigen.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed the information in hospital medical records and on death certificates for men previously diagnosed with prostate cancer who died in 1985 or 1995.Results: The underlying cause of death determinations from a review of 201 hospital medical records agreed with those from information on part 1 of the death certificate in 87% of cases and with those using the International Classification of Diseases-9 system coding rules in 80%. Agreement was higher in men who were older than those who were younger at the time of death, and higher in those diagnosed with prostate cancer several years before death than in those diagnosed shortly before death...
Energy savings due to the use of shallow body temperature reduction in overwintering Northern Cardinals

Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) are able to endure drastic seasonal variations in ambient temperature. Many endotherms in these conditions utilize heterothermy (e.g., torpor) to conserve energy by adjusting their body temperatures according to changing environmental conditions. Previous research shows that cardinals reduce energy expenditure during winter nights. By examining whole-animal function, we asked whether this reduced metabolism was a result of decreased activity or an induced state of torpor. We measured body mass, percent fat content, metabolic rate ( $$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}$$ ) across a range of ambient temperatures and body temperature (T b) using data loggers during both summer (August to early September) and winter (December to January) conditions. We hypothesized that: (a) daily winter Tb fluctuations would reveal an induced torpor, and (b) alterations of insulation would play a significant role in thermoregulation. Although insulation in the form of fat stores was higher in the winter, there was no seasonal difference in whole body conductance. We found no evidence for torpor, but found a slight depression in overall circadian temperature rhythms for the winter animals compared to summer animals, resulting in a predicted 10–16 % savings in daily energy expenditure. Our findings support recent work showing that thermoregulatory mechanisms are not as fixed as previously thought and, while fat deposits may function to increase insulation, they are more likely important for fuel storage. These data identify subtle changes in the homeostatic set point for body temperature and show that these slight alterations can have significant impacts on daily energy expenditure in wild birds.
3D electromagnetic and electrical simulation of HgCdTe pixel arrays

We have investigated the combined electromagnetic and electrical response of HgCdTe based pixel detector arrays with different geometries. We have computed the propagation of the optical signal in the detector structure by solving Maxwell's curl equations using a finite-difference time-domain approach. From the field distribution inside the device, we have evaluated the optical carrier generation rate. Using this information in a 3D numerical model based on drift-diffusion, we have computed the quantum efficiency and photo-response of a number of pixel geometries. Specifically, we have analyzed the response of both mesa type and planar detector arrays with and without CdZnTe substrate. Furthermore, the electromagnetic response has also been evaluated for different metal contact dimensions and configurations. It is found that for mesa type arrays without the substrate, significant reflection effects take place in the device that lead to resonance peaks in the photo-response.
Aspirin stability in substituted and nonsubstituted polyhydric alcohols in absence and presence of added water

The degradation of aspirin in methoxypolyethylene glycol 350, 550, and 5000 and unsubstituted polyethylene glycol 400 was studied at four temperatures. The rate of degradation was slower in methoxypolyethylene glycols than in unsubstituted polyethylene glycol. The data were then compared to those obtained in the presence of varying amounts of water added to the bases. The effect of water on the rate of degradation of aspirin was greater in methoxypolyethylene glycol than in polyethylene glycol. Slower degradation of aspirin in methoxypolyethylene glycol was due to the fact that the transesterification pathway is partly blocked in this base. A conclusion is made that the stability of aspirin in polyhydric alcohols may be achieved by blocking the free hydroxyl group in the molecules.
In Search of the Arthrophycus Parallelus Tracemaker

Arthrophycus is an iconic ichnogenus known from lower Paleozoic clastic strata worldwide, yet its origin remains controversial. A medial groove imparts a bilobed symmetry in some forms, implicating arthropods as the tracemaker. Other forms have regular annulae that evoke an annelid body plan. Transverse ridges in some bilobed forms of Arthrophycus, however, were deemed by some as too blunt to have been made by arthropods, and the annulation is unlikely to have anything but a superficial resemblance to “worms.” Recent work has converged on a nontrilobite, long-bodied arthropod as the likely Arthrophycus tracemaker. Given the breadth of morphological variation and range in size included in various ichnospecies of Arthrophycus, there are likely multiple tracemakers for this ichnogenus, and the tracemakers may belong to more than one phylum. Some ichnospecies of Arthrophycus may even represent the only physical record of an unknown or poorly fossilized group of organisms. Observations of the physiology and neoichnology of modern Arthrophycus tracemaker analogs support the conclusion that the maker of the Carboniferous ichnospecies Arthrophycus parallelus is neither an annelid nor a previously described arthropod but a yet unknown member of the Ecdysozoa.
Puzzling about partial glucagon responses to hypoglycemia in intrahepatic islet recipients: missing pieces.

Fifteen years ago, Shapiro et al. (1), at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, published an article in the New England Journal of Medicine that caused great excitement. They reported that seven consecutive recipients with type 1 diabetes who had received intrahepatic infusions of human islet allografts maintained normal levels of HbA1c for more than 1 year after transplant (4.4–14.9 months) without insulin treatment (1). They attributed their success to the infusion of a large total number of islets and the avoidance of glucocorticoid use for immunosuppression. The number of islet infusions depended on whether or not success was achieved with the preceding infusion. The average total mass of islets used was 11,547 ± 1,604 islet equivalents/kg body weight (approximately 80% of that believed to be in a normal human pancreas). Glucocorticoids were avoided because of their known toxic effect on β-cells. Posttransplant C-peptide levels were stimulated twofold by mixed-meal tolerance tests. A subsequent publication by this group in 2002 reported that success appeared to be continuing as evidenced by sophisticated measures of β-cell function (2). However, by the fifth year of follow-up, these first blushes of prolonged success began to lose their glow. In 2005, Ryan et al. (3) reported that of 65 recipients, approximately 10% maintained insulin independence, 10% …
Leukocyte activation in patients with venous insufficiency

Purpose: Cell activation may play an important role in the production of venous insufficiency, just as leukocytes participate in the cause of venous ulcer. If activated, monocytes observed on venous endothelium can migrate into the venous wall and produce toxic metabolites and free oxygen radicals that may participate in valve destruction and venous wall weakening. At present, it remains uncertain to what degree leukocytes are actually activated in patients. This study was designed to explore the level of activation and to examine whether patient plasma contains an activator that leads to leukocyte activation of unstimulated naive leukocytes from volunteers without venous insufficiency disease. Methods: Twenty-one patients (4 men, 17 women), who ranged in age from 34 to 69 years (mean age, 53.2 years), with chronic venous disease were compared with 16 healthy control volunteers (4 men, 12 women), who ranged in age from 18 to 65 years (mean age, 48.4 years). All the patients underwent evaluation with Doppler ultrasound scanning and were classified with the CEAP score.1 Nearly all the patients who smoked or were hypertensive were excluded. The blood types (ABO and Rh) of the controls were matched to the study group. Isolates of patient whole blood, plasma, or leukocytes were incubated with isolates of control whole blood, plasma, or leukocytes to separate actual activation from spontaneously observed activation. The granulocyte activation was measured with nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction and quantitation of granulocyte pseudopod formation. Hydrogen peroxide production in patient plasma was measured with a recently developed electrode method. Results: Leukocytes from healthy blood and patient plasma had significantly higher NBT-positive granulocyte counts than either patient blood, healthy blood, or patient blood incubated in healthy plasma. In a comparison of patient groups across the CEAP classes, the NBT-positive granulocyte counts were significantly greater in classes 4, 5, and 6 than in classes 2 and 3 (P < .001). Pseudopod formation was significantly greater in mixtures of granulocytes in healthy blood and patient plasma than in all other groups. There was no difference in the level of pseudopod formation in control leukocytes incubated with patient plasma in patients across the CEAP spectrum. The patient plasma produced significantly higher hydrogen peroxide values than did the controls. Conclusion: These results suggest that patient plasma may contain an activating factor for granulocytes. The finding that activated neutrophils were fewer in number in patient whole blood than in healthy blood incubated in patient plasma could suggest that activated neutrophils in patients with chronic venous insufficiency might be trapped in the peripheral circulation. It is unknown what factors in the plasma might induce activation of naive neutrophils, but such activators could possibly be important in the pathogenesis of primary venous dysfunction and the development of chronic venous insufficiency. (J Vasc Surg 1999;30:148-56.)
Differential gene expression patterns in cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 deficient mouse brain

Background Cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 produce prostanoids from arachidonic acid and are thought to have important yet distinct roles in normal brain function. Deletion of COX-1 or COX-2 results in profound differences both in brain levels of prostaglandin E2 and in activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor-κB, suggesting that COX-1 and COX-2 play distinct roles in brain arachidonic acid metabolism and regulation of gene expression. To further elucidate the role of COX isoforms in the regulation of the brain transcriptome, microarray analysis of gene expression in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of mice deficient in COX-1 (COX-1-/-) or COX-2 (COX-2-/-) was performed.
Three-dimensional magneto-seismic reconstruction of the "Torre del Greco" submerged volcanic structure (Naples Bay, Southern Tyrrhenian sea, Italy): implications for Vesuvius's marine geophysics and volcanology

A three-dimensional reconstruction of a large volcanic structure located offshore the town of Torre del Greco (Naples Bay, Southern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy) and representing the seaward prolongation of the Vesuvius volcano has been carried out using integrated geological interpretation of existing densely-spaced high-resolution seismic and magnetic profiles. This reconstruction has provided new insights into the knowledge of marine geophysics and volcanology of Vesuvius, one of most studied volcanoes in the world. Seismic stratigraphy of the volcanic structures shows acoustically-transparent seismic facies and high contrasts of acoustic impedance with respect to the overlying sediments. The structures have mound-shaped external geometry and average dimensions measurable in terms of kilometres. The base of the Torre del Greco volcanic structure overlies the volcanic seismic unit correlated to the ‘Campanian Ignimbrite’ pyroclastic flow deposits. Consequently, no contrast of acoustic impedance between the two volcanic units is clearly evident on the seismic profiles. The top of the structure is irregular and eroded and shows several culminations. The three-dimensional reconstruction of the Torre del Greco structure has been carried out using seismic constraints and correlations of volcanic structure to bathymetry. The sea floor topography is compared to the top of the Torre del Greco volcanic structure represented by contour depth of corresponding seismic horizons. Proceeding from south-east to north-west there is a good correspondence between the sea floor topographic surface and the top of the volcanic structure, which does not crop out at the sea-bottom. The rising of the volcanic structure in proximity to the sea-bottom corresponds to the occurrence of topographic undulations of up to ten metres. This evidence is confirmed by the interpretation of seismic profiles, showing three main vertical culminations of the volcanic structure, where the overlying sediment drape is significantly reduced. These culminations are linked to magnetic anomaly extremes, having values ranging between 250–350 nT. A striking coincidence between the long-shaped topographic high on the sea floor (towards the east) and the high in the top of the volcanic structure underneath can be explained as a consequence of sea floor deformation due to the underlying volcanic culminations. Smaller volcanic mounds, buried and fossilized by marine sediments, are not related to any magnetic anomaly, probably due to their composition of volcanic tuffs.
Widely tunable high-Q evanescent-mode resonators using flexible polymer substrates

Widely tunable high-Q evanescent-mode resonators are created using layer-by-layer polymer stereolithography process. The ability of polymer stereolithography process to fabricate thin flexible 3D structures with small fabrication tolerances enables the realization of highly loaded tunable evanescent-mode resonators. A tunable frequency range of 5.4-10.9 GHz, which corresponds to an equivalent capacitance tunability of 400%, is obtained with quality factors ranging from 745 to 1,580 over the tunable frequency range.
Effects of the 1983 Coalinga, California, earthquake on creep along the San Andreas fault

Abstract The M L ≃ 6.5 earthquake that occurred near Coalinga, California, on 2 May 1983 induced changes in near-surface fault slip along the San Andreas fault. Coseismic steps were observed by creepmeters along a 200-km section of the San Andreas. Some of the larger aftershocks induced additional steps, both right-lateral and left-lateral, and in general the sequence disrupted observed creep at several sites from preseismic long-term patterns. During the 6 months preceding May 1983, five of the six creepmeters on the San Andreas fault nearest to Coalinga measured creep rates that were faster than the long-term averages. Seasonal rapid creep has been observed in previous winters, but never as pronounced as during early 1983. A single station near Parkfield, California, recorded an abrupt increase in creep rate beginning 16 hr before the main shock. Static dislocation models can approximately explain the magnitudes and distribution of the larger coseismic steps on 2 May. The smaller, more distant steps appear to be the abrupt release of accumulated slip, triggered by the coseismic strain changes, but independent of the strain change amplitudes.
Efficient 2D Multibit Tries for Packet Classification

We develop fast algorithms to construct space-optimal constrained 2D multibit tries for Internet packet classifier applications. Experimental evidence suggests that space-optimal 2D multibit tries and their extensions using a bucket scheme are superior to existing 2D and multidimensional packet classification schemes in terms of both memory requirement and number of memory accesses requirement. We propose a heuristic for 2D multibit tries with switch pointers, which may be used for 2D packet classification.
The Physical Examination and the Fifth Maneuver.

There are 4 cardinal maneuvers of physical diagnosis: inspection, percussion, palpation, and auscultation. The concept of cardiac auscultation is synonymous with clinical cardiology; however, our collective skills in auscultation have suffered a dramatic decline over the past 20 years [(1,2)][1].
The Transvestite as MonsterGender Horror in The Silence of the Lambs and Psycho

(1991). The Transvestite as MonsterGender Horror in The Silence of the Lambs and Psycho. Journal of Popular Film and Television: Vol. 19, No. 3, pp. 106-113.
The Changing Scene of Academic Advising

In his plenary speech given at the NACADA National Convention in 2003, Chancellor Mark Yudof identified three key features found in institutions progressing toward improved advising services to the student consumer: reduced advisor-advisee ratio, a university-wide characterization of students as consumers of services, and the transformation of advising into a profession recognized throughout the institution. Suggestions for furthering the facilitation of student success include transparent and accurate retention and performance records, institutional evaluation of student success, and a prevailing attitude that each student can succeed.
Children of Parents with Substance Use Disorder

Abstract Several models have been proposed to explain the progression from drug experimentation to regular use and addiction in persons with heritable risk. These include a two-factor model of the relationship between behavioral activation (i.e., decreased reward sensitivity) and behavioral control (i.e., decreased behavioral control). However, a more complex model suggests that different groups of individuals at risk exhibit different patterns of behavioral deficits. For instance, some at-risk individuals may show increased reward/sensation seeking and preference for smaller immediate rewards when others may show decreased reward sensitivity but also compromised ability to withhold behaviors that lead to negative outcomes. Physiological and neuroimaging studies have identified brain regions in individuals with familial substance use disorders (SUDs) that show different structural and functional patterns compared to unaffected controls. Although existing evidence prevents us from drawing a firm conclusion as to whether over- or underresponsive reward systems mediate the familial risk for developing SUDs, it is plausible that alterations in reward processing and behavioral control present a common deficit in individuals at familial risk for SUD.
Can American Students Learn Economics in a Foreign Language and Learn Spanish in an Economics Course? [FULL TEXT]

This paper describes the experiences of team-teaching a course about the culture and economy of Spain in Spanish. Our pedagogical approach is interdisciplinary and experiential learning through short-term international travel combined with classes in the US. Conducted in Spanish, the course integrates a foreign language experience with content in the social science of economics combined with both historical and cultural emphasis.
Inkjet-Printed Flexible Reconfigurable Antenna for Conformal WLAN/WiMAX Wireless Devices

A new flexible reconfigurable antenna based on the concept of folded slot antennas is reported. The device is designed on a flexible polyethylene terephthalate substrate, and inkjet-printing technology is used to fabricate the prototype. One p-i-n diode is incorporated on the antenna surface to redirect and redistribute the surface current resulting in a reconfigurable antenna in terms of frequency and polarization. When the p-i-n diode is forward biased ( ON ), the antenna has a single band at 2.42 GHz for WLAN wireless devices. However, when the p-i-n diode is reversed biased ( OFF ), the antenna is dual-band with different polarizations at 2.36 and 3.64 GHz for WLAN and WiMAX wireless devices, respectively. The proposed antenna is simulated, fabricated, and tested for both flat and curved geometries, such as circumferential and axial cylindrical configurations, with good agreement between measurements and simulations.
Sample Composition Bias and Response Bias in a Mail Survey: A Comparison of Inducement Methods:

Inducement techniques that increase mail questionnaire response rates do not necessarily improve the precision of survey results. An experimental investigation of sponsorship, cover letter message,...
Microscopic analysis of laser-induced proximal fiber tip damage during holmium:YAG and thulium fiber laser lithotripsy

The thulium fiber laser (TFL) is being studied as an alternative to the standard holmium:YAG laser for lithotripsy. The TFL beam originates within an 18-μm-core thulium-doped silica fiber, and its near single mode, Gaussian beam profile enables transmission of higher laser power through smaller (e.g., 50- to 150-μm core) fibers than possible during holmium laser lithotripsy. This study examines whether the more uniform TFL beam profile also reduces proximal fiber tip damage compared with the holmium laser multimodal beam. Light and confocal microscopy images were taken of the proximal surface of each fiber to inspect for possible laser-induced damage. A TFL beam at a wavelength of 1908 nm was coupled into 105-μm-core silica fibers, with 35-mJ energy, and 500-μs pulse duration, and 100,000 pulses were delivered at each pulse rate setting of 50, 100, 200, 300, and 400 Hz. For comparison, single use, 270-μm-core fibers were collected after clinical holmium laser lithotripsy procedures performed with standard settings (600 mJ, 350 μs, 6 Hz). Total laser energy, number of laser pulses, and laser irradiation time were recorded, and fibers were rated for damage. For TFL studies, output pulse energy and average power were stable, and no proximal fiber damage was observed at settings up to 35 mJ, 400 Hz, and 14 W average power (n=5). In contrast, confocal microscopy images of fiber tips after holmium lithotripsy showed proximal fiber tip degradation, indicated by small ablation craters on the scale of several micrometers in all fibers (n=20). In summary, the proximal fiber tip of a 105-μm-core fiber transmitted up to 14 W of TFL power without degradation, compared to degradation of 270-μm-core fibers after transmission of 3.6 W of holmium laser power. The smaller and more uniform TFL beam profile may improve fiber lifetime, and potentially translate into lower costs for the surgical disposables as well.
A Spanish Translation of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Form G

A Spanish version of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Form G is described. Over 2 weeks the reliabilities ranged from .79 to .89.
Perforations in Cockroach Cuticle as Viewed by a Scanning Electron Microscope

Conventional microscopy has demonstrated 2 types of channels transversing most of the cuticle in cockroaches, the dermal gland ducts and the pore canals, both of which have been implicated with transport processes. On the basis of other experiments on the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (L.), Beament (1965) suggested the pore canals to be the important route for water and wax movement, while Scheie and Smyth (1967, 1968) favored the dermal gland ducts for the passage of ions in solution. Considerable importance for resolving the issue resides in the questions of whether the dermal gland ducts are plugged and whether pore canals extend all the way to the external surface. This note presents information pertaining to these questions obtained by using a scanning electron microscope (S.E.M.) to view the cuticular surface of P. americana.
Bacterial colonization of nasal steroid inhalers in chronic rhinosinusitis.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to determine if nasal steroid inhalers harbor bacteria. METHODS Nasal steroid inhalers were randomly selected from an adult patient population with chronic rhinosinusitis. Swab cultures of the tip of the nasal inhaler were obtained and submitted for microbiological analysis. Contemporaneous control cultures were obtained from freshly opened nasal steroid inhalers. Comparisons were conducted between bacterial recovery rates and types of organisms recovered from the patient and control groups. RESULTS Among 31 nasal inhalers in use, 14 inhalers (45%) were found to harbor bacteria. The most common organisms were coagulase negative Staphylococci (11 inhalers) followed by oral flora (2 inhalers) and bacillus species (1 inhaler). None of the 10 control cultures were found to harbor bacteria. Nasal steroid inhalers in use were more likely to have bacterial colonization than new inhalers (p = 0.008, chi-square). CONCLUSIONS Nasal steroid inhalers may harbor pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, they may serve as a vehicle for subsequent reinfection.
Cardiovascular Disease Mortality in Asian Americans

Abstract Background Asian Americans are a rapidly growing racial/ethnic group in the United States. Our current understanding of Asian-American cardiovascular disease mortality patterns is distorted by the aggregation of distinct subgroups. Objectives The purpose of the study was to examine heart disease and stroke mortality rates in Asian-American subgroups to determine racial/ethnic differences in cardiovascular disease mortality within the United States. Methods We examined heart disease and stroke mortality rates for the 6 largest Asian-American subgroups (Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese) from 2003 to 2010. U.S. death records were used to identify race/ethnicity and cause of death by International Classification of Diseases-10th revision coding. Using both U.S. Census data and death record data, standardized mortality ratios (SMRs), relative SMRs (rSMRs), and proportional mortality ratios were calculated for each sex and ethnic group relative to non-Hispanic whites (NHWs). Results In this study, 10,442,034 death records were examined. Whereas NHW men and women had the highest overall mortality rates, Asian Indian men and women and Filipino men had greater proportionate mortality burden from ischemic heart disease. The proportionate mortality burden of hypertensive heart disease and cerebrovascular disease, especially hemorrhagic stroke, was higher in every Asian-American subgroup compared with NHWs. Conclusions The heterogeneity in cardiovascular disease mortality patterns among diverse Asian-American subgroups calls attention to the need for more research to help direct more specific treatment and prevention efforts, in particular with hypertension and stroke, to reduce health disparities for this growing population.
CD4-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: A variant with aggressive clinical potential

CD4 expression is rare in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), with 4 previously reported cases. Its significance is uncertain. We report five patients with CD4(+) DLBCL and one CD4(+) primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma. Cases were identified by searching the electronic database of the department; each was reviewed. Average age was 56 years. Neoplastic cells expressed CD20 (5/6 tested cases). BCL2/BCL6 expression were seen in 3/3 tested cases, suggesting a germinal center origin. Additionally, expression of T-cell antigens CD2 and CD5 was noted in 2/2 and CD7 in 1/1 tested case. CD3 was negative in all. Lymph nodes were commonly involved (67%). Patients received chemotherapy +/- radiation (6/6) and bone marrow transplant (2/6). Average survival was 44.2 mo. CD4 expression in DLBCL raises questions of lineage commitment. CD4(+) DLBCL is rare; care should be exercised not to diagnose these as T-cell lymphomas. A subset behaves aggressively.
Role of Dorsomedial Striatum Neuronal Ensembles in Incubation of Methamphetamine Craving after Voluntary Abstinence.

We recently developed a rat model of incubation of methamphetamine craving after choice-based voluntary abstinence. Here, we studied the role of dorsolateral striatum (DLS) and dorsomedial striatum (DMS) in this incubation. We trained rats to self-administer palatable food pellets (6 d, 6 h/d) and methamphetamine (12 d, 6 h/d). We then assessed relapse to methamphetamine seeking under extinction conditions after 1 and 21 abstinence days. Between tests, the rats underwent voluntary abstinence (using a discrete choice procedure between methamphetamine and food; 20 trials/d) for 19 d. We used in situ hybridization to measure the colabeling of the activity marker Fos with Drd1 and Drd2 in DMS and DLS after the tests. Based on the in situ hybridization colabeling results, we tested the causal role of DMS D 1 and D 2 family receptors, and DMS neuronal ensembles in “incubated” methamphetamine seeking, using selective dopamine receptor antagonists (SCH39166 or raclopride) and the Daun02 chemogenetic inactivation procedure, respectively. Methamphetamine seeking was higher after 21 d of voluntary abstinence than after 1 d (incubation of methamphetamine craving). The incubated response was associated with increased Fos expression in DMS but not in DLS; Fos was colabeled with both Drd1 and Drd2 . DMS injections of SCH39166 or raclopride selectively decreased methamphetamine seeking after 21 abstinence days. In Fos-lacZ transgenic rats, selective inactivation of relapse test-activated Fos neurons in DMS on abstinence day 18 decreased incubated methamphetamine seeking on day 21. Results demonstrate a role of DMS dopamine D 1 and D 2 receptors in the incubation of methamphetamine craving after voluntary abstinence and that DMS neuronal ensembles mediate this incubation. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT In human addicts, abstinence is often self-imposed and relapse can be triggered by exposure to drug-associated cues that induce drug craving. We recently developed a rat model of incubation of methamphetamine craving after choice-based voluntary abstinence. Here, we used classical pharmacology, in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and the Daun02 inactivation procedure to demonstrate a critical role of dorsomedial striatum neuronal ensembles in this new form of incubation of drug craving.
Integrin-β4 identifies cancer stem cell-enriched populations of partially mesenchymal carcinoma cells

Neoplastic cells within individual carcinomas often exhibit considerable phenotypic heterogeneity in their epithelial versus mesenchymal-like cell states. Because carcinoma cells with mesenchymal features are often more resistant to therapy and may serve as a source of relapse, we sought to determine whether such cells could be further stratified into functionally distinct subtypes. Indeed, we find that a basal epithelial marker, integrin-β4 (ITGB4), can be used to enable stratification of mesenchymal-like triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells that differ from one another in their relative tumorigenic abilities. Notably, we demonstrate that ITGB4+ cancer stem cell (CSC)-enriched mesenchymal cells reside in an intermediate epithelial/mesenchymal phenotypic state. Among patients with TNBC who received chemotherapy, elevated ITGB4 expression was associated with a worse 5-year probability of relapse-free survival. Mechanistically, we find that the ZEB1 (zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1) transcription factor activity in highly mesenchymal SUM159 TNBC cells can repress expression of the epithelial transcription factor TAp63α (tumor protein 63 isoform 1), a protein that promotes ITGB4 expression. In addition, we demonstrate that ZEB1 and ITGB4 are important in modulating the histopathological phenotypes of tumors derived from mesenchymal TNBC cells. Hence, mesenchymal carcinoma cell populations are internally heterogeneous, and ITGB4 is a mechanistically driven prognostic biomarker that can be used to identify the more aggressive subtypes of mesenchymal carcinoma cells in TNBC. The ability to rapidly isolate and mechanistically interrogate the CSC-enriched, partially mesenchymal carcinoma cells should further enable identification of novel therapeutic opportunities to improve the prognosis for high-risk patients with TNBC.
Assessing the impact of the new ICD‐10‐CM coding system on pharmacoepidemiologic studies—An application to the known association between angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors and angioedema

Purpose To replicate the well-established association between angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors versus beta blockers and angioedema in the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) era. Methods We conducted a retrospective, inception cohort study in a large insurance database formatted to the Sentinel Common Data Model. We defined study periods spanning the ICD-9-CM era only, ICD-10-CM era only, and ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM era and conducted simple-forward mapping (SFM), simple-backward mapping (SBM), and forward-backward mapping (FBM) referencing the General Equivalence Mappings to translate the outcome (angioedema) and covariates from ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM. We performed propensity score (PS)-matched and PS-stratified Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results In the ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM eras spanning April 1 to September 30 of 2015 and 2016, there were 152 017 and 145 232 angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor initiators and 115 073 and 116 652 beta-blocker initiators, respectively. The PS-matched HR was 4.19 (95% CI, 2.82-6.23) in the ICD-9-CM era, 4.37 (2.92-6.52) in the ICD-10-CM era using SFM, and 4.64 (3.05-7.07) in the ICD-10-CM era using SBM and FBM. The PS-matched HRs from the mixed ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM eras ranged from 3.91 (2.69-5.68) to 4.35 (3.33-5.70). Conclusion The adjusted HRs across different diagnostic coding eras and the use of SFM versus SBM and FBM produced numerically different but clinically similar results. Additional investigations as ICD-10-CM data accumulate are warranted.
Co-occurrence of frameshift mutations in SMAD6 and TCF12 in a child with complex craniosynostosis.

Non-syndromic craniosynostosis (CS) affects 1 in 2350 live births. Recent studies have shown that a significant fraction of cases are caused by de novo or rare transmitted mutations that promote premature osteoblast differentiation in cranial sutures. Rare heterozygous loss-of-function (LOF) mutations in SMAD6 and TCF12 are highly enriched in patients with non-syndromic sagittal and coronal CS, respectively. Interestingly, both mutations show striking incomplete penetrance, suggesting a role for modifying alleles; in the case of SMAD6, a common variant near BMP2 drastically increases penetrance of sagittal CS. Here, we report a proband presenting with both sagittal and coronal craniosynostosis with the highly unusual recurrence of CS within two months of initial surgery, requiring a second operation to re-establish suture patency at six months of age. Exome sequencing revealed a rare transmitted frameshift mutation in SMAD6 (p. 152 fs*27) inherited from an unaffected parent, absence of the common BMP2 risk variant, and a de novo frameshift mutation in TCF12 (p.E548fs*14). SMAD6 and TCF12 independently inhibit transcriptional targets of BMP signaling. The findings are consistent with epistasis of these mutations, increasing penetrance and severity of CS in this proband. They also add to the list of composite phenotypes resulting from two Mendelian mutations, and support the utility of exome sequencing in atypical CS cases.
Goal-Oriented Hypertension Management in Diabetic and Nondiabetic Patients

Despite increasing evidence favoring intensive therapy of high blood pressure (BP) (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), lower treatment goals have yet to be realized in clinical practice. This chapter will explore the evolution of practice guidelines, with a focus on trial findings that demonstrate benefits of vigorous BP management, especially in the diabetic population. We will review pharmacologic strategies derived from clinical trials, with an emphasis on optimal treatment for hypertensives with and without diabetes.