cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Implementing lifestyle medicine with medication therapy management services to improve patient-centered health care.

Objective To describe a patient-centered medication therapy management (MTM) program that focuses on lifestyle medicine. Setting Community pharmacy in Omaha, NE, from August 2008 to September 2010. Practice description Traditional MTM services are combined with lifestyle medicine interventions for employees of a self-insured organization who have dyslipidemia, hypertension, and/or diabetes. Program participants meet one-on-one with a pharmacist 12 times during the first year of the program to ensure proper drug therapy and modify lifestyle behaviors (physical activity, nutrition, weight control, sleep, stress, and alcohol and tobacco use) through individualized programming. Practice innovation Several patient-centered activities have been developed for the program with an emphasis on modifying lifestyle behaviors in conjunction with medications to manage participants' chronic condition. In addition, a new specialty position in health care is being developed (the ambulatist) that focuses on maintaining the ambulatory status of individuals with chronic medical conditions through appropriate drug therapy, lifestyle medicine, and care coordination. Main outcome measures Biometric data collection and participant survey data at baseline and after 12 months. Results Pilot data for 15 participants showed improvements in all measurements, including blood cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood glucose, body weight, physical activity level, fruit and vegetable intake, risk for myocardial infarction, risk for any cardiovascular disease event, self-reported unhealthy days, and qualitative survey data. Conclusion Pharmacists are in an ideal position to implement lifestyle medicine strategies in combination with MTM services to enhance patient-centered health care in a community pharmacy setting.
Visual Assessment And Instrumental Quantification Of Optical Surfaces And Thin Film Coatings Relative To Their Roughness And Light Scattering

Quasi-calibrated, easy-to-use visual methods for assessing the roughness (or smoothness) of optical surfaces and thin film coatings in the optical shop are investigated as to their correlation with instrumental surface roughness measurement methods. An intriguing relation between visual relative ranking of optical surfaces with the aid of a Nomarski microscope and the fractal dimension of their scattered light field is described in some detail.
The E5 transforming proteins of the papillomaviruses

Abstract The E5 proteins are short, hydrophobic transforming proteins encoded by many of the papillomaviruses. The 44 amino acid E5 protein of bovine papillomavirus efficiently transforms cultured fibroblasts and interacts with a variety of cellular proteins, Considerable evidence implicates the PDGF β receptor as an important mediator of the transforming activity of the BPV E5 protein in fibroblasts. Other potential targets of the BPV E5 protein include the EGF receptor, a subunit of the vacuolar H + -ATPase, and a protein related to α-adaptin. The E5 transforming proteins of the human papillomaviruses may interact with similar cellular targets in keratinocytes.
Ellipsis in russian

Les As discutent les ellipses en russe, ils distinguent deux types d'ellipses : les phrases incompletes, d'une part, et les phrases elliptiques, d'autre part
The human inflammatory response

Inflammation is a protective response of vascularized tissue normally elicited toward nonself-determinants or tissue injury. Inflammation functions as part of normal host surveillance mechanisms to destroy or quarantine both harmful agents and damaged tissue. Most forms of inflammation are exaggerated out of proportion to the stimulus, because humoral amplification systems recruit additional components of the immune system initiating the production of proinflammatory mediators, including cytokines synthesized by activated macrophages. These act as secondary messengers to induce synthesis and expression of specific adhesion molecules on endothelial cells and white cells. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes play a central role in the acute inflammatory response. Anaphylaxis, an immediate hypersensitivity reaction to substances administered in the perioperative period, serves as a useful model for some of the problems of acute inflammation because there are important interrelationships with the cardiovascular system, endothelium, and coagulation. Mast cells and basophils produce the acute inflammation associated with anaphylaxis mediated by immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies, whereas the immunoglobulin G (IgG)-antigen interaction activates the complement cascade to generate anaphylatoxins, specifically C5a. Activation of white cells causes release of proteolytic enzymes, production of oxygen-derived free radicals, and the synthesis of a variety of lipid mediators. Protamine sulfate is one of the most common causes of life-threatening anaphylactic reactions during cardiac surgery. Differing responses occur, dependent on the presence of either IgE or IgG antibodies with the activation of the mast cell or the complement system, respectively. The many different amplifying pathways that can be recruited during anaphylaxis and the array of mediators involved are important when therapeutic intervention is considered. The challenge for the future will be to identify a pharmacologic agent that will arrest the inflammatory cascade and thus prevent further amplification and resultant host injury.
Staff support group on a cancer ward: a pilot project.

Abstract Despite strong evidence of high stress among oncology nursing staffs, few empirical intervention studies have been attempted. This study involved a pilot project to combine two anxiety-reducing aids-group support and the provision of pertinent information-into a single format for maximum stress reduction. Weekly groups providing both support and information lasted 8 months and covered a wide range of topics. Both unstructured and didactic sessions were used. Pre- and postquestionnaires were distributed to each participant to assess ward atmosphere, attitudes about cancer, and level of stress. Participants expressed great satisfaction with the project, but their enthusiasm was not supported by statistical evaluation. Various methodological and programmatic aspects that may account for the discrepancy between anecdotal and statistical results are discussed.
Do Chickens Immunized with Bacterial Immunoglobulin G-Binding Proteins Produce Rheumatoid Factor-Like Antibodies?

An association between the production of rheumatoid factor (RF)-like antibodies in animals immunized with bacterial immunoglobulin (Ig)G-binding proteins has been noted. Three potential explanations have been proposed: (1) altered host IgG due to binding of the immunogen; (2) B-cell superantigenic properties of the binding proteins; and (3) idiotype-anti-idiotype response leading to an antibody which acts as an antigen mimic. In order to distinguish among these possibilities, it is necessary to carry out studies in animals whose IgG does not react with the IgG-binding protein immunogen. Consequently, we have determined the effects of immunizing chickens with a purified group C streptococcal IgG-binding protein, FcRc, a bacterium expressing this protein, and appropriate control immunogens. The results of these studies provided evidence for production of specific antibodies to FcRc in groups of chickens immunized with either the pure protein or bacteria expressing the protein. No significant association with production of RF-like antibodies was noted, favouring the altered IgG-binding explanation for the association between RF-like antibodies and immunization with the bacterial IgG-binding proteins.
A peptide-based catalyst approach to regioselective functionalization of carbohydrates

Two small peptide libraries (150 members and 36 members) have been subjected to screening experiments to evaluate their potential for regioselective (i.e. site-selective) acylation of carbohydrate monomers. Two substrates, one diol derived from N-acetyl glucosamine and one tetraol derived from glucose, have served as the test cases. In each case, the inherent regioselection of catalyzed acylation was defined as that derived from the reaction where N-methylimidazole (NMI) is used as the catalyst. With both substrates, peptides were found to perturb the inherent selectivities from those observed with NMI. From the libraries, the catalysts that provide the largest deviation from NMI were subjected to optimization studies. The work sets the groundwork for studies of expanded peptide libraries and development of structure-selectivity relationships to obtain catalysts that can selectively derivatize the unique sites in stereochemically complex polyols.
Salted food preferences in rats (Rattus norvegicus): Responses to liquid milk products

Sprague-Dawley rats do not prefer salted (NaCl) solid food when it is presented with its unsalted counterpart but prefer isotonic saline when it is presented with plain water. Preferences in liquid foods were examined by giving rats one-hour choices between various salted liquid milk products and their unsalted counterparts. When heavy cream and half and half were tested, rats consumed either equal amounts of the salted and unsalted food, or more of the unsalted food. The absence of salt preference in heavy cream and half and half was evident using other testing procedures and, with heavy cream, additional salt concentrations. In contrast, rats consumed more skin milk containing 0·150 m NaCl than plain skim milk. The role of fat content in modulating the expression of these salt preferences was examined in tests using whole milk and low-fat milk, both of which have water, protein and carbohydrate contents similar to skim milk, but a greater fat content. Unlike skim milk, preferences for 0·150 m NaCl in whole milk and low-fat milk were approximately 50%. The role of solidity in salted food preferences was also investigated by adding gelatin to salted (0·150 m NaCl) and unsalted skim milk. Whereas the rats ate equal quantities of salted and unsalted gelled skim milk, they preferred salted skim milk when it was a liquid. Results from these experiments suggest that several cues contained within food influence the expression of rats' salt preferences.
Human-automation cooperation for separation assurance in future NextGen environments

A 2012 Human-In-The-Loop air traffic control simulation investigated a gradual paradigm-shift in the allocation of functions between operators and automation. Air traffic controllers staffed five adjacent high-altitude en route sectors and, during the course of a two-week experiment, worked traffic under different function-allocation approaches aligned with four increasingly mature NextGen operational environments. These NextGen 'time-frames' ranged from near current-day operations to nearly fully-automated control in which the ground system's automation was responsible for detecting conflicts, issuing strategic and tactical resolutions, and alerting the controller to exceptional circumstances. Results indicate that overall performance was best in the most automated NextGen environment. Safe operations were achieved in this environment for twice today's peak airspace capacity, while being rated by the controllers as highly acceptable. However, results show that sector operations were not always safe; separation violations did in fact occur. This paper will describe in detail the simulation conducted, as well discuss important results and their implications.
Computational Aspects of Cognition and Consciousness in Intelligent Devices

We review computational intelligence methods of sensory perception and cognitive functions in animals, humans, and artificial devices. Top-down symbolic methods and bottom-up sub-symbolic approaches are described. In recent years, computational intelligence, cognitive science and neuroscience have achieved a level of maturity that allows integration of top-down and bottom-up approaches in modeling the brain. Continuous adaptation and teaming is a key component of computationally intelligent devices, which is achieved using dynamic models of cognition and consciousness. Human cognition performs a granulation of the seemingly homogeneous temporal sequences of perceptual experiences into meaningful and comprehensible chunks of concepts and complex behavioral sehemas. They are accessed during action selection and conscious decision making as part of the intentional cognitive cycle. Implementations in computational and robotic environments are demonstrated.
Partial Purification and Characterization of an Endo-Polygalacturonase from Monilinia fructicola and its Implication in the Brown Rot Disease of Peaches)

Summary A polygalacturonase (PG) from cultural media of Monilinia fructicola was purified 50-fold with 30% yield by ultrafiltration followed by successive chromatography on Sephadex G-75, Ecteola cellulose, and Biogel P-150 columns. The enzyme moved as a single band on disc gel electrophoresis and exhibited a single symmetrical peak on ultracentrifugation. Optimal PG 4 ) activity was at pH 5.2 and 50 ˚C with good enzyme stability between pH 4 and 6. The active form of the enzyme appeared to be a tetramer of molecular weight near 80,000. The enzyme was stable at acid pH but dissociated at pH > 9 to form an inactive monomer with a molecular weight of 20,000. Disc gel electrophoretic patterns supported this hypothesis. Kinetic studies indicated a V max of 2,700 µmoles/min/mg protein and a km of 1 x 10- 6 M with sodium polypectate as substrate. Although viscosity and uronic acid dehydrogenase measurements indicated the endo nature of this PG, hydrolysis of pectate yielded galacturonic acid as the major end product. Anthocyanins extracted from grapes, peaches, and cranberries caused varied inhibition while various polyphenol compounds and benlate, a fungicide, did not inhibit this PG at all. The properties of this enzyme in relation to host-pathogen interaction were discussed.
Fibrin sealants in clinical practice

Fibrin sealants are used in a wide range of surgeries, primarily as hemostatic agents, but also to assist tissue sealing and wound healing. While all fibrin sealants contain fibrinogen and thrombin, they differ in their final composition. This affects the properties of the resulting fibrin clot and may influence their use in different surgical procedures. Sealants with high concentrations of fibrinogen tend to produce stronger clots, whereas those containing higher concentrations of thrombin form clots rapidly. This is essential when rapid hemostasis is required to stop blood loss (e.g. suturing of blood vessels). However, in situations that require careful adjustment of tissue (e.g. a skin flap) a slower clot formation is advantageous. Some sealants are supplemented with factor XIII and this may increase the tensile strength and stability of the clot and improve hemostasis. Antifibrinolytic agents (e.g. aprotinin and aminocaproic acid) increase the lifespan of the clot by inhibiting fibrinolysis. Fibrin sealants containing aprotinin may have an added advantage when used on surgical sites with naturally high concentrations of fibrinolytic agents. The physical properties of the fibrin sealants also vary. For example, the fibrinogen component is relatively viscous and requires a lot of force to inject it through a long catheter. Fibrin sealants with a fibrinogen component of low viscosity are easier to use than highly viscous solutions in surgical situations where the sealant is applied by a catheter. Until recently, the use of fibrin sealants in the USA has been limited to noncommercial products--'home-brews'. The fibrinogen concentration of these products can vary between preparations, with subsequent variation in the mechanical strength of the clot making handling difficult. The introduction of commercial sealants into the USA with consistent composition should reduce the varying performance of fibrin sealants, although autologous and point-of-use prepared sealants may still vary. Consistency of performance is expected to result in an increased use of fibrin sealants both in established and novel fields of surgery.
A Review of Attachment of StratapaxR Using Gas Pressure Diffusion Bonding

The development of the gas pressure diffusion bonding technique for attachment of Stratapax/sup R/ diamond cutters to studs or bit blanks is reviewed. The results presented previously on this continuing project are updated. The process has been developed to a point where bonded parts can be obtained from commercial suppliers. A complete description is given of the latest bonding process including surface conditioning, metallization, canning, and gas pressure bonding. Results from experiments designed to facilitate reliable fabrication are included. Bond strengths of samples obtained from commercial suppliers have shear strengths (500 MPa) comparable to those developed at Sandia Laboratories. Results from laboratory drilling experiments are also included. These tests were run to demonstrate the reliability of the bond in a fatigue environment. With a suitable attachment technique and adequate cooling, the Stratapax has demonstrated superior cutting capabilities in rock with rates of penetration to 90 fph in Sierra White Granite.
Evaluation of Propeller-Induced Mortality on Early Life Stages of Selected Fish Species

Abstract The mortality of ichthyoplankton entrained through a scale model of a towboat propeller was evaluated in a large (>2 million L) circulating water channel. Five species of fish (larval shovelnose sturgeon Scaphirhynchus platorynchus, larval lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens, the larvae and eggs of paddlefish Polyodon spathula, larval blue sucker Cycleptus elongatus, and juvenile common carp Cyprinus carpio) were tested. Replicate groups of individuals were subjected to one or more shear stress levels (634, 1,613, 3,058, and 4,743 dynes/cm2 (1 dyne = the force that would give a free mass of 1 g an acceleration of 1 cm/s2). Mortality was a linear function of shear stress for all species and life stages. Paddlefish eggs and common carp juveniles were more resistant to shear stress than all larval fish. Smaller larvae (lake sturgeon and blue suckers) experienced higher mortalities (>75%) than larger larvae (shovelnose sturgeon and paddlefish). The conditional mortality (i.e., treatment less control m...
A Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitor NG-Nitro-l-Arginine, Attenuates Glucoprivic Feeding and Deprivation-Induced Drinking in the Mouse

Possible involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in glucoprivic hyperphagia was investigated in nondeprived male ICR mice in independent groups designs. One pair of experiments demonstrated dose-related reductions in 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG)- and insulin-induced solid food intake with increasing dose (10, 25, and 50 mg/kg s.c.) of the NO-synthase (NOS) inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG), reaching statistical significance at 10 mg/kg L-NOARG when compared to vehicle controls. In a second pair of experiments, initial pretreatment with L-arginine (500 and 1000 mg/kg i.p.) partially or completely restored the feeding inhibitory action of an effective challenge dose (25 mg/kg) of L-NOARG; D-arginine (500 mg/kg i.p.) was ineffective, thus supporting a stereospecific action of arginine. A third set of experiments demonstrated dose-related reduction in glucoprivic feeding under delayed access (4 or 6 h) to food. These findings suggest involvement of NO in glucoprivic hyperphagia; they are consistent with and extend research linking NO and ingestive behaviors through use of NOS inhibitors. Deprivation-induced drinking was attenuated by these doses of L-NOARG as well.
THE GAP-43 GENE IS A DIRECT DOWNSTREAM TARGET OF THE BASIC HELIX-LOOP-HELIX TRANSCRIPTION FACTORS

The GAP-43 promoter region contains seven E-boxes (E1 to E7) that are organized in two clusters, a distal cluster (E3 to E7) and a proximal cluster (E1 and E2). Deletion analysis and site-directed mutagenesis of the GAP-43 promoter region showed that only the most proximal E1 E-box significantly modulates GAP-43 promoter activity. This E-box is conserved between the rat and human GAP-43 promoter sequences in terms of flanking sequence, core sequence (CAGTTG), and position. We found that endogenous E-box-binding proteins present in neuronal N18 cells recognize the E1 E-box and activate the GAP-43 promoter. The transcriptional activity of the GAP-43 promoter was repressed not only by the negative regulator Id2 protein, but also by two class A basic helix-loop-helix proteins, E12 and ME1a. In vitro analyses showed that both ME1a and E12 bind to the E1 E-box as homodimers. By Northern analyses, we established an inverse correlation between the level of E12 and ME1a mRNAs and GAP-43 mRNA in various neuronal cell lines as well as in ME1a-overexpressing PC12 cells. Therefore, we have identified a cis-acting element, the E1 E-box, located in the GAP-43 promoter region that modulates either positively or negatively the expression of the GAP-43 gene depending on which E-box-binding proteins occupy this site. Together, these data indicate that basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors regulate the expression of the GAP-43 gene and that the class A ME1a and E12 proteins act as down-regulators of GAP-43 expression.
Electron Transfer to Protonated β-Alanine N-Methylamide in the Gas Phase: An Experimental and Computational Study of Dissociation Energetics and Mechanisms

Ammonium radicals derived from protonated β-alanine N-methyl amide (BANMA) were generated by femtosecond collisional electron transfer to gas-phase cations prepared by chemical ionization and electrospray. Regardless of the mode of precursor ion preparation, the radicals underwent complete dissociation on the time scale of 5.15 μs. Deuterium isotope labeling and product analysis pointed out several competitive and convergent dissociation pathways that were not completely resolved by experiment. Ab initio calculations, which were extrapolated up to the CCSD(T)/6-311++G(3df,2p) level of theory, provided the proton affinity and gas-phase basicity of BANMA as PA = 971 kJ mol-1 and GB = 932 kJ mol-1 to form the most stable ion structure 1c+ in which the protonated ammonium group was internally solvated by hydrogen bonding to the amide carbonyl. Ion 1c+ was calculated to have an adiabatic recombination energy of 3.33 eV to form ammonium radical 1c•. The potential energy surface for competitive and consecutive i...
Novel isoform of insulin receptor substrate p53/p58 is generated by alternative splicing in the CRIB/SH3-binding region.

Abstract Insulin receptor substrate p53/p58 (IRSp53) is involved in cytoskeletal dynamics and is a candidate disease sensor in polyglutamine expansion neurodegeneration. It is widely expressed throughout the body, but its levels are dramatically elevated in forebrain regions. IRSp53 functions as a signal transducing adaptor between activated Rho family GTPases and their effectors. There are four known alternatively spliced isoforms of IRSp53 that vary by the identity of the 3′-terminal exon. We report here that there is a fifth alternatively spliced isoform, IRSp53-B, which lacks 40 amino acids abutting the CRIB/SH3 (Cdc42/Rac-interactivebinding/Src homology3)-binding site. We speculate that the novel form has an altered function related to the mechanism of autoinactivation. IRSp53-B has an odd history in the mammalian lineage, which may complicate the use of rodent models to study cytoskeletal reorganization.
Use of logistic regression for validation of maps of the spatial distribution of vegetation species derived from high spatial resolution hyperspectral remotely sensed data

Abstract Logistic regression was used for validation of image-derived maps depicting large woody debris and three Populus spp. in a riparian area in Yellowstone National Park, USA. High spatial resolution hyperspectral imagery was used for data input. The logistic regression model related presence/absence field data for large woody debris and the Populus spp. to the continuous measurement scale output from matched filter image analysis. The agreement between the image analysis and field data was excellent, as measured by Model χ2, residual deviance, and Hosmer and Lemeshow's goodness of fit for the logistic regression. Kappa analysis for all possible thresholds imposed on the image output, and receiver operating characteristic curves, also indicated excellent goodness of fit for the image analysis output. The potential for use of logistic regression for both validation of hyperspectral image classification and calibration of results is discussed.
A complete catalog of Swift gamma-ray burst spectra and durations: Demise of a physical origin for pre-Swift high-energy correlations

We calculate durations and spectral parameters for 218 Swift bursts detected by the BAT instrument between and including gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) 041220 and 070509, including 77 events with measured redshifts. Incorporating prior knowledge into the spectral fits, we are able to measure the characteristic νFν spectral peak energy Epk, obs and the isotropic equivalent energy Eiso (1-104 keV) for all events. This complete and rather extensive catalog, analyzed with a unified methodology, allows us to address the persistence and origin of high-energy correlations suggested in pre-Swift observations. We find that the Epk, obs-Eiso correlation is present in the Swift sample; however, the best-fit power-law relation is inconsistent with the best-fit pre-Swift relation at >5 σ significance. It has a factor 2 larger intrinsic scatter, after accounting for large errors on Epk, obs. A large fraction of the Swift events are hard and subluminous relative to (and inconsistent with) the pre-Swift relation, in agreement with indications from BATSE GRBs without redshift. Moreover, we determine an experimental threshold for the BAT detector and show how the Epk, obs-Eiso correlation arises artificially due to partial correlation with the threshold. We show that pre-Swift correlations found by Amati et al., Yonetoku et al., and Firmani et al., and independently by others are likely unrelated to the physical properties of GRBs and are likely useless for tests of cosmology. Also, an explanation for these correlations in terms of a detector threshold provides a natural and quantitative explanation for why short-duration GRBs and events at low redshift tend to be outliers to the correlations.
Scientific Eminence, the History of Psychology, and Term Paper Topics: A Metascience Approach:

Teachers of courses in the history of psychology sometimes assign term papers requiring the treatment of a single major figure in the discipline. One instructive conceptual framework for writing su...
Vaccination with the variable tick protein of the relapsing fever spirochete Borrelia hermsii protects mice from infection by tick-bite

Tick-borne relapsing fevers of humans are caused by spirochetes that must adapt to both warm-blooded vertebrates and cold-blooded ticks. In western North America, most human cases of relapsing fever are caused by Borrelia hermsii, which cycles in nature between its tick vector Ornithodoros hermsi and small mammals such as tree squirrels and chipmunks. These spirochetes alter their outer surface by switching off one of the bloodstream-associated variable major proteins (Vmps) they produce in mammals, and replacing it with the variable tick protein (Vtp) following their acquisition by ticks. Based on this reversion to Vtp in ticks, we produced experimental vaccines comprised on this protein and tested them in mice challenged by infected ticks. The vtp gene from two isolates of B. hermsii that encoded antigenically distinct types of proteins were cloned, expressed, and the recombinant Vtp proteins were purified and used to vaccinate mice. Ornithodoros hermsi ticks that were infected with one of the two strains of B. hermsii from which the vtp gene originated were used to challenge mice that received one of the two Vtp vaccines or only adjuvant. Mice were then followed for infection and seroconversion. The Vtp vaccines produced protective immune responses in mice challenged with O. hermsi ticks infected with B. hermsii. However, polymorphism in Vtp resulted in mice being protected only from the spirochete strain that produced the same Vtp used in the vaccine; mice challenged with spirochetes producing the antigenically different Vtp than the vaccine succumbed to infection. We demonstrate that by having knowledge of the phenotypic changes made by B. hermsii as the spirochetes are acquired by ticks from infected mammals, an effective vaccine was developed that protected mice when challenged with infected ticks. However, the Vtp vaccines only protected mice from infection when challenged with that strain producing the identical Vtp. A vaccine containing multiple Vtp types may have promise as an oral vaccine for wild mammals if applied to geographic settings such as small islands where the mammal diversity is low and the Vtp types in the B. hermsii population are defined.
CRITICAL CARE ISSUES FOR THE NEPHROLOGIST: Low-dose Dopamine in the Intensive Care Unit: LOW-DOSE DOPAMINE IN THE ICU

For much of the last four decades, low-dose dopamine has been considered the drug of choice to treat and prevent renal failure in the intensive care unit (ICU). The multifactorial etiology of renal failure in the ICU and the presence of coexisting multisystem organ dysfunction make the design and execution of clinical trials to study this problem difficult. However, in the last decade, several meta-analyses and one large randomized trial have all shown a lack of benefit of low-dose dopamine in improving renal function. There are multiple reasons for this lack of efficacy. While dopamine does cause a diuretic effect, it does very little to improve mortality, creatinine clearance, or the incidence of dialysis. Evidence is also growing of its adverse effects on the immune, endocrine, and respiratory systems. It may also potentially increase mortality in sepsis. It is the opinion of the authors that the practice of using low-dose dopamine should be abandoned. Other drugs and treatment modalities need to be explored to address the serious issue of renal failure in the ICU.
Teaching nursing psychomotor skills in a fundamentals laboratory: a literature review.

Abstract Aim. The aim of this article is to determine the most effective methods of teaching psychomotor skills. Background. Research has pointed to a gap between nursing practice and nursing education. Due to a number of conditions, nursing students are learning basic skills in laboratories, rather than clinical settings. Method. A literature review was conducted to evaluate studies published since 1995 that compared alternative and traditional methods of teaching skills to novice nursing students. Results. Of the 13 studies found, most assessed computer-related methods. A few examined alternatives, such as the use of standardized patients, high-fidelity manikins, and a mental-imaging technique. Conclusion. Based on this limited evidence, it appears that teaching methods providing access to online interactive materials were significantly more effective than others. Three studies found that a combination of traditional lecture and demonstration methods plus computer use was more effective than either meth...
MODES OF ACQUISITION OF WOLBACHIA: HORIZONTAL TRANSFER, HYBRID INTROGRESSION, AND CODIVERGENCE IN THE NASONIA SPECIES COMPLEX

Wolbachia are maternally inherited bacteria that infect a large number of insects and are responsible for different reproductive alterations of their hosts. One of the key features of Wolbachia biology is its ability to move within and between host species, which contributes to the impressive diversity and range of infected hosts. Using multiple Wolbachia genes, including five developed for Multi-Locus Sequence Typing (MLST), the diversity and modes of movement of Wolbachia within the wasp genus Nasonia were investigated. Eleven different Wolbachia were found in the four species of Nasonia, including five newly identified infections. Five infections were acquired by horizontal transmission from other insect taxa, three have been acquired by hybridization between two Nasonia species, which resulted in a mitochondrial-Wolbachia sweep from one species to the other, and at least three have codiverged during speciation of their hosts. The results show that a variety of transfer mechanisms of Wolbachia are possible even within a single host genus. Codivergence of Wolbachia and their hosts is uncommon and provides a rare opportunity to investigate long-term Wolbachia evolution within a host lineage. Using synonymous divergence among codiverging infections and host nuclear genes, we estimate Wolbachia mutation rates to be approximately one-third that of the nuclear genome.
Market Reactions to Corporate Sponsorships of European Football Kits: The Moderating Effects of Firm Congruence

Although sports sponsorships build brand awareness, they also can highlight concerns about the congruence between a fan’s identity and the sponsor. While sponsoring venues (e.g., Clark, Cornwell, & Pruitt, 2002) feature positive market reactions, we find negative market reactions for sponsors of European football team kits. We suggest that the negative findings are related to concerns for rival fan backlash, as well as a perceived lack of congruence between the sponsor identity and the team identity. In addition, market reactions are more severe for sponsors that are both North American and technology-based firms.
Commentary: Hormone replacement therapy and coronary heart disease: four lessons

In 1991, Stampfer and Colditz, 1 reviewing epidemiological studies of the effect of postmenopausal oestrogen on coronary heart disease concluded that: ‘… the bulk of evidence strongly supports a protective effect of estrogens that is unlikely to be explained by confounding factors …’ Their best estimate of the relative risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in postmenopausal oestrogen users was calculated using meta-analytical techniques applied to the epidemiological studies they deemed to be of high quality based on their designs—prospective studies with internal controls and angiographic studies. This estimate was 0.50. The CI was narrow � 0.43 to 0.56.
Residents' perceptions of MRI training in the United States.

Abstract Purpose The primary objective of this exploratory study was to gain a better understanding of perceptions of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) training by US radiology residents. Methods Two surveys were administered between September 2002 and June 2003 to nonprobability-based samples totaling approximately 2000 residents, under the auspices of the ACR's Resident Physician Section. The MRI Training Survey was administered in 2002, and it was supplemented by the Cardiac MRI Training Survey in 2003. The response rate for the MRI Training Survey was 15%, whereas the response rate for the Cardiac MRI Training Survey was 43%. Results The sample of residents surveyed comprised approximately 74% men; approximately 80% were in their third postgraduate year or higher. Eighty-five percent of residents reported the receipt of formal training in MRI physics. At least 60% did not have dedicated MRI rotations in either musculoskeletal or body MRI, and 89% lacked dedicated rotations in cardiac MRI. Seventy percent reported that they viewed overall MRI training as less than adequate; 94% stated that dedicated MRI training was warranted. Conclusions This preliminary research suggests that current MRI training may be less than residents feel is needed in many training programs. New comprehensive, electronically disseminated core curricula, as well as a potential future mandate for minimum training requirements by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education's Radiology Residency Review Committee, may be necessary to strengthen MRI training at a time when the demand for radiology services is growing.
Supporting connection-oriented service in MLAN protocol

With the emerging ATM broadband networks, there will be a need for connectivity between LANs and broadband networks. The possibility of seamless internetworking between these networks has generated a significant research interest in providing connection-oriented service over LANs. Also, the multimedia nature of traffic is likely to necessitate a connection-oriented service for communication among the LAN terminals as well as between a LAN terminal and non-LAN terminals on ATM networks. We present a technique to provide connection-oriented service on LANs employing a bandwidth reservation scheme. Then we show how this technique is incorporated into a multimedia LAN (MLAN) protocol to provide connection-oriented service. The performance of the protocol under connection-oriented service is evaluated and the results are presented.
Transmigration of neutrophils across inflamed endothelium is signaled through LFA-1 and Src family kinase

Leukocyte capture on inflamed endothelium is facilitated by a shift in LFA-1 from low to high affinity that supports binding to ICAM-1. LFA-1 bonds help anchor polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) to inflamed endothelium in shear flow, and their redistribution to the leading edge guides pseudopod formation, migration, and extravasation. These events can be disrupted at the plasma membrane by stabilizing LFA-1 in a low- or intermediate-affinity state with allosteric small molecules. We hypothesized that a minimum dimeric bond formation between high-affinity LFA-1 and ICAM-1 under shear stress is necessary to catalyze transmembrane signaling of directed cell migration. Microspheres and substrates were derivatized with monomeric or dimeric ICAM-1 to simulate the surface of inflamed endothelium under defined ligand valence. Binding to dimeric ICAM-1, and not monomeric ICAM-1, was sufficient to elicit assembly of F-actin and phosphorylation of Src family kinases that colocalized with LFA-1 on adherent PMN. Genetic deletion or small molecule inhibition of Src family kinases disrupted their association with LFA-1 that correlated with diminished polarization of arrested PMN and abrogation of transmigration on inflamed endothelium. We conclude that dimeric bond clusters of LFA-1/ICAM-1 provide a key outside-in signal for orienting cytoskeletal dynamics that direct PMN extravasation at sites of inflammation.
On diagnosing path delay faults in an at-speed environment

Recent techniques for path delay fault diagnosis have addressed the problem in combinational circuits and sequential circuits. The root cause of a path delay fault test failure is narrowed down to a set of functionally sensitized paths and this set is further reduced by post processing the set of passing tests. In this paper, we present a method for narrowing down the suspects further to a set of segments on the failing functionally sensitized paths. The proposed method is implemented and applied to a set of industrial circuits and it is found to be very effective in determining the defective segments that explain excessive delays along paths.
ON CLASSES OF GRAPHS DEFINED BY SPECIAL CUTSETS OF LINES.

In this paper we present a new method for studying graphs. Generally speaking this involves decomposing a graph into two disjoint subgraphs which are connected by special sets of lines. We consider four types of connections between these subgraphs, i.e., those for which the set of connecting lines describes a function, a homomorphism, a permutation, or an automorphism.
Planning of smooth motions on SE(3)

This paper addresses the general problem of generating smooth trajectories between an initial and a final position and orientation. A functional depending an velocity and its higher derivatives involving a left invariant Riemannian metric on SE(3) is used to measure the smoothness of a trajectory. The problem of determining a smooth trajectory between two points is formulated as a variational problem on SE(3). The authors derive necessary conditions for the shortest distance and minimum jerk trajectories and solve the resulting two-point boundary value problem.
Fuzzily recent data: a Monte Carlo experiment

A simulation experiment demonstrates the effectiveness of using a fuzzy set of "recent data" to train a forecasting model when the underlying process is time-varying.
Use of transesophageal echocardiography in a patient with Zenker's diverticulum.

A 1 RANSESOPHAGEAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY (TEE) is increasingly being used in the intraoperative manageent of patients having heart valve and aortic surgery. It is an xcellent imaging modality; however, one of the main probems is the inability to directly visualize the esophagus during robe placement. Esophageal pathology is one of the contrainications to TEE. In the case of unknown underlying gastroinestinal (GI) disease, specifically diverticula, a patient is placed t risk for perforation by the TEE probe. The following case iscusses an alternative method of probe placement in a patient ith a Zenker’s diverticulum.
Swarm technology for search and rescue through multi-sensor multi-viewpoint target identification

In this paper, we present preliminary results from an undergraduate research project involving hardware and software development for a cooperative team of autonomous ground vehicles performing a search and rescue (SAR) operation. Key features of the proposed system are a novel localization method and cooperative target identification/situational evaluation using extremely low-cost hardware and simple user interfaces. The localization method relies on the use of technology from an optical computer mouse, which provides an innovative, low-computation solution for robot localization even on rough terrain. The proposed coordination scheme relies on low-bandwidth local communication, well suited to SAR environments, but also provides sufficient unit autonomy for the unstructured environment. Targets are located, identified and verified through cooperation and coordination of multiple viewpoints and data streams. The resulting system provides excellent flexibility, robustness and efficacy in a low-cost package.
Decreased carbon limitation of litter respiration in a mortality-affected piñon-juniper woodland

Microbial respiration depends on microclimatic variables and carbon (C) substrate availability, all of which are altered when ecosystems experience major disturbance. Widespread tree mortality, currently affecting pi ˜ non-juniper ecosystems in southwestern North America, may affect C substrate availability in several ways, for example, via lit- terfall pulses and loss of root exudation. To determine pi ˜ non
The importance of being cratered: The new role of meteorite impact as a normal geological process

This paper is a personal (and, in many ways, incomplete) view of the past development of impact geology and of the newly recognized importance of impact events in terrestrial geological history. It also identifies some exciting scientific challenges for future investigators: to determine the full range of impact effects preserved on the Earth, to apply the knowledge obtained from impact phenomena to more general geological problems, and to continue the merger of the once exotic field of impact geology with mainstream geosciences. Since the recognition of an impact event at the Cretaceous-Tertiary (K-T) boundary, much current activity in impact geology has been promoted by traditionally trained geoscientists who have unexpectedly encountered impact effects in the course of their work. Their studies have involved: 1) the recognition of additional major impact effects in the geological record (the Chesapeake Bay crater, the Alamo breccia, and multiple layers of impact spherules in Precambrian rocks); and 2) the use of impact structures as laboratories to study general geological processes (e.g., igneous petrogenesis at Sudbury, Canada and Archean crustal evolution at Vredefort, South Africa). Other research areas, in which impact studies could contribute to major geoscience problems in the future, include: 1) comparative studies between low-level (≤7 GPa) shock deformation of quartz, and the production of quartz cleavage, in both impact and tectonic environments; and 2) the nature, origin, and significance of bulk organic carbon (kerogen) and other carbon species in some impact structures (Gardnos, Norway, and Sudbury, Canada).
A probabilistic approach to language learning

Experiments designed to study “concept formation,” especially “language learning” do not usually resemble the actual situations in which concepts are formed and languages learned. For example, subjects in such experiments are usually required to learn the “names” of objects divided into “mutually exclusive” categories. In contrast, the child learning names of objects in his environment has no such ready-made, clear-cut divisions to guide him. Also the child is confronted with objects between which he can clearly discriminate but which nevertheless happen to be called by the same name. In this paper experiments are described in which the dis-criminability between objects is controlled by using as referents equally discriminable colors. The frequency with which members of referent categories are called by particular names is varied by the experiment, and the resulting effects of these variations as language learning are studied.
Homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia: new insights and guidance for clinicians to improve detection and clinical management. A position paper from the Consensus Panel on Familial Hypercholesterolaemia of the European Atherosclerosis Society

Homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HoFH) is a rare life-threatening condition characterized by markedly elevated circulating levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and accelerated, premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD). Given recent insights into the heterogeneity of genetic defects and clinical phenotype of HoFH, and the availability of new therapeutic options, this Consensus Panel on Familial Hypercholesterolaemia of the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) critically reviewed available data with the aim of providing clinical guidance for the recognition and management of HoFH. Methods and results EarlydiagnosisofHoFHandpromptinitiationofdietandlipid-loweringtherapyarecritical.Genetictestingmayprovidea definitive diagnosis, but if unavailable, markedly elevated LDL-C levels together with cutaneous or tendon xanthomas before 10 years, or untreated elevated LDL-C levels consistent with heterozygous FH in both parents, are suggestive of HoFH. We recommend thatpatients with suspected HoFH arepromptly referred to specialistcentres foracomprehensiveACVDevaluationandclinicalmanagement.Lifestyleinterventionandmaximalstatintherapyarethemainstaysof treatment, ideally started in the first year of life or at an initial diagnosis, often with ezetimibe and other lipid-modifying
Crystal formation in tetracyanoquinodimethane on the nanoscale: polymorphism and progression of self-assembly

Molecules self-assembling in solution may pass through multiple phases and morphologies before reaching athermodynamically stable state. Here we demonstrated this effect in tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ), an organic molecule often used as an electron acceptor in charge transfer complex compounds. We showed that it self-assembles in a wide range of crystal habits, from nanocoils to polyhedral crystals. Scanning electron microscopy imaging on freeze-dried samples revealed the crystal growth of TCNQ starting from seed-shaped nucleation sites, progressing through flower-like structures and finally forming polyhedral micro-crystals. These results are supplemented by absorption spectroscopy as well as x-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) characterization of a powder sample.