cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Survival Value and Sugar Access of Four East African Plant Species Attractive to a Laboratory Strain of Sympatric Anopheles gambiae (Diptera: Culicidae)

Mosquitoes derive energy from plant sugar, thereby promoting survival and reproduction. Its survival value to females plays a key role in the vectorial capacity of mosquito populations. Previous olfactometry assays of responsiveness demonstrated that Senna didymobotrya Fresenius, Parthenium hysterophorus, L. Senna occidentalis, (L) and Lantana camara L were among the most attractive plants for the Mbita strain of Anopheles gambiae s.s. Giles in eastern Africa. Here, we provide experimental evidence that three of these four species also provide varying but substantial amounts of sugar for mosquito survival, whereas a fourth does not. Rank order of survival of both sexes of mosquitoes housed with these plants was as follows: S. didymobotrya was highest, followed by S. occidentalis and L. camara, whereas survival on P. hysterophorus was only slightly better than on only water. A positive control group, housed with 10% sucrose, survived well but fell significantly short of those with S. didymobotrya. A causal connection between survival and sugar availability was established by exposing mosquitoes to plants overnight, and then testing them for the presence and amount of undigested fructose. Fructose positivity was most frequent in those exposed to L. camara, whereas greatest amounts of fructose were obtained from S. occidentalis and S. didymobotrya. Parthenium hysterophorus scored lowest in both categories. We conclude that attractiveness and sugar availability are often, but not always, concordant. It remains unclear why P. hysterophorus should be attractive if it offers little sugar and does not prolong survival. Furthermore, the cause behind the superior survival benefit of S. didymobotrya, compared with 10% sucrose, is unknown.
Comparing targeted and non-targeted high-resolution mass spectrometric approaches for assessing advanced oxidation reactor performance.

High resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS) offers the opportunity to track large numbers of non-target analytes through water treatment processes, providing a more comprehensive view of reactor performance than targeted evaluation. Both approaches were used to evaluate the performance of a pilot scale advanced oxidation process (AOP) employing ultraviolet light and hydrogen peroxide (UV/H2O2) to treat municipal wastewater effluent. Twelve pharmaceuticals and personal care products were selected as target compounds and added to reactor influent. Target compound removal over a range of flow rates and hydrogen peroxide addition levels was assessed using a liquid chromatograph combined with a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer (LC-qTOF-MS). Target compound removals were used to determine hydroxyl radical concentrations and UV fluence under pilot scale conditions. The experiments were also analyzed using a nontarget approach, which identified "molecular features" in either reactor influent or effluent. Strong correlation (r = 0.94) was observed between target compound removals calculated using the targeted and non-targeted approaches across the range of reactor conditions tested. The two approaches also produced consistent rankings of the performance of the various reactor operating conditions, although the distribution of compound removal efficiencies was usually less favorable with the broader, nontarget approach. For example, in the UV only treatment 8.3% of target compounds and 2.2% of non-target compounds exhibited removals above 50%, while 100% of target compounds and 74% of non-target compounds exhibited removals above 50% in the best condition tested. These results suggest that HR-MS methods can provide more holistic evaluation of reactor performance, and may reduce biases caused by selection of a limited number of target compounds. HR-MS methods also offer insights into the composition of poorly removed compounds and the formation of transformation products, which were widely detected.
Animal and human motor system neurophysiology related to intraoperative monitoring

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the animal and human motor system neurophysiology related to intraoperative monitoring. It uses data from animal models and human subjects to describe some physiological principles underlying intraoperative spinal cord monitoring of the motor pathways. Monitoring motor responses for stimulating the human cerebral cortex has been used for much more than clinical mapping studies of the exposed brain at operation. In intraoperative motor system monitoring, the physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms concern two types of responses to stimulation of the cerebral cortex. The recording of a monophasic D wave provides a basis for constructing relationships between stimulus intensity and D wave response. Electrical stimulation of the subcortical white matter at increasing intensity yields a monotonic relationship to the D wave amplitude. A major determinant in the human of the amplitude of I wave responses is the level of anesthesia. It should be emphasized that the important aspects of the relationship of corticospinal tract (CT) activity to motoneuron discharge requires investigation at the cellular level.
A logic of knowledge and belief for recursive modeling: a preliminary report

To make informed decisions in a multiagent environment, an agent needs to model itself, the world, and the other agents, including the models that those other agents might be employing. We present a framework for recursive modeling that uses possible worlds semantics, and is based on extending the Kripke structure so that an agent can model the information it thinks that another agent has in each of the possible worlds, which in turn can be modeled with Kripke structures. Using recursive nesting, we can define the propositional attitudes of agents to distinguish between the concepts of knowledge and belief. Through the Three Wise Men example, we show how our framework is useful for deductive reasoning, and we suggest that it might provide a meeting ground between decision theoretic and deductive methods for multiagent reasoning.
Associations of parity and age at first pregnancy with overall and cause-specific mortality in the Cancer Prevention Study II.

Objective To evaluate the association of parity, number of live births, and age at first birth with mortality using multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression models. Design Observational cohort. Setting Not applicable. Patient(s) A total of 424,797 women. Intervention(s) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) All-cause and cause-specific mortality. Result(s) During median follow-up of 24.93 years, 238,324 deaths occurred. Parous, compared with nulliparous, women had lower rates of all-cause (hazards ratio [HR] = 0.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.93–0.96) mortality, driven by heart disease and overall cancer mortality. A linear trend was found for more births and diabetes mortality ( P Conclusion(s) Although parity was associated with a slight reduction in rates of all-cause mortality resulting in a minimal impact on average lifespan, the higher diabetes mortality in grand multiparous women might warrant continuous monitoring, particularly for abnormal glucose metabolism, among these women.
On estimates of the density of Feynman–Kac semigroups of α-stable-like processes

Abstract Suppose that α ∈ ( 0 , 2 ) and that X is an α-stable-like process on R d . Let F be a function on R d belonging to the class J d , α (see Introduction) and A t F be ∑ s ⩽ t F ( X s − , X s ) , t > 0 , a discontinuous additive functional of X. With neither F nor X being symmetric, under certain conditions, we show that the Feynman–Kac semigroup { S t F : t ⩾ 0 } defined by S t F f ( x ) = E x ( e − A t F f ( X t ) ) has a density q and that there exist positive constants C 1 , C 2 , C 3 and C 4 such that C 1 e − C 2 t t − d α ( 1 ∧ t 1 α | x − y | ) d + α ⩽ q ( t , x , y ) ⩽ C 3 e C 4 t t − d α ( 1 ∧ t 1 α | x − y | ) d + α for all ( t , x , y ) ∈ ( 0 , ∞ ) × R d × R d .
Holocaust knowledge and Holocaust education experiences predict citizenship values among US adults

This community-based research investigated the relationship among Holocaust knowledge, Holocaust education experiences, and citizenship values in adults residing in the US. This study contributes t...
Mechanical topological semimetals with massless quasiparticles and a finite Berry curvature

A topological quantum phase requires a finite momentum-space Berry curvature which, conventionally, can arise through breaking the inversion or the time-reversal symmetry so as to generate nontrivial, topologically invariant quantities associated with the underlying energy band structure (e.g., a finite Chern number). For conventional graphene or graphenelike two-dimensional (2D) systems with gapless Dirac cones, the symmetry breaking will make the system insulating due to lifting of the degeneracy. To design materials that simultaneously possess the two seemingly contradicting properties (i.e., a semimetal phase with gapless bulk Dirac-like cones and a finite Berry curvature) is of interest. We propose a 2D mechanical dice lattice system that exhibits precisely such properties. As a result, an intrinsic valley Hall effect can arise without compromising the carrier mobility as the quasiparticles remain massless. We also find that, with confinement along the zigzag edges, two distinct types of gapless edge states with opposite edge polarizations can arise, one with a finite but the other with zero group velocity.
Characterization of the viscoelastic effects of thawed frozen soil on pile by measurement of free response

Abstract Most of the man-made structures in cold regions could expose in seasonally frozen conditions which could have significant impact on the soil-pile systems of structures. Little research has been conducted to investigate the thawed frozen soil effects on the dynamic performance of pile structures. An experimental investigation of the thawed frozen soil effects on the dynamic behavior of a pile structure is presented. Free-decay response approach is used in summer to estimate the dynamic properties of a pile partially embedded in Fairbanks silt one year ago. The frequency spectrum analyses are used to evaluate system's vibration properties. The empirical modal decomposition is used to decompose response signal for system parameter identification. Results show that two dominant modes can be used to characterize pile dynamic response, one is a component at 14 Hz and the other one is at 920 Hz. The former is a pile rocking mode in which pile behaves like a rigid body; the latter is the first order structural bending mode of the embedded pile. The rocking mode exhibits nonlinear characteristics in the time-frequency domain which is dominated by strong soil nonlinearity. The structural modes of embedded pile exhibit weak nonlinear characteristics. The damping ratios are identified, which can be used to characterize pile-thawed frozen soil interactions. A theoretical nonlinear model including equivalent nonlinear soil spring and nonlinear damping coefficients is developed to correlate with the experimental results.
"Birds in the Clouds": Adventures in Data Engineering.

Leveraging their eBird crowdsourcing project, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology generates sophisticated Spatio-Temporal Exploratory Model (STEM) maps of bird migrations. Such maps are highly relevant for both scientific and educational purposes, but creating them requires advanced modeling techniques that rely on long and potentially expensive computations. In this paper, we share our experience porting the eBird STEM data pipeline from a physical cluster to the cloud, providing a seamless deployment at a lower cost. Using open source tools and cloud "marketplaces", we managed to divide the operating costs by a factor of 6, making it possible to scale our pipeline on a research budget.
Saving Natural Teeth: Intentional Replantation-Protocol and Case Series.

Abstract Introduction Intentional replantation is a reliable and predictable treatment for cases in which nonsurgical endodontic retreatment failed or is impractical and endodontic surgery is hampered because of anatomic limitations. Methods and Results This article presents a protocol for intentional replantation illustrated with some interesting cases. The cases presented here are from patients (average age, 61 years) with no contributing medical history. The cases are molars with previous failed endodontic treatment/retreatment and diagnosed with apical periodontitis. Treatment procedures included atraumatic extractions with minimal manipulations of the periodontal ligament, followed by root-end resection, root-end preparation with ultrasonic tips, root-end fill with bioceramic cement, and rapid tooth replacement into the socket. Granulomatous tissue was gently curetted when applicable. All procedures were performed under the microscope. Conclusions Intentional replantation with careful case selection may be considered as a last option for preserving hopeless teeth. Atraumatic extraction by using state-of-the-art equipment, instruments, and materials, minimal extra-alveolar time, and maintaining an aseptic technique are key factors for success.
The weight of fatherhood: identifying mechanisms to explain paternal perinatal weight gain

Men appear to gain weight during the transition to parenthood, and fathers are heavier than non-fathers. Paternal perinatal weight gain may set weight trajectories in midlife and have long-term health implications. Since men do not undergo the physical demands of pregnancy and breastfeeding, the specific mechanisms underlying weight gain in new fathers warrant investigation. This review aims to stimulate research on paternal perinatal weight gain by suggesting testable potential mechanisms that (1) show change across the transition to parenthood and (2) play a role in weight and body composition. We identify seven mechanisms, within three categories: behavioural mechanisms (sleep, physical activity, and diet), hormonal mechanisms (testosterone and cortisol), and psychological mechanisms (depression and stress). We also discuss direct effects of partner pregnancy influences (e.g., 'couvade syndrome') on men's body weight. In presenting each mechanism, we discuss how it may be affected by the transition to parenthood, and then review its role in body composition and weight. Next, we describe bidirectional and interactive effects, discuss timing, and present three broad research questions to propel theoretical development.
The Effect of Shear on Conditioning: Chemical Requirements during Mechanical Sludge Dewatering

In this study it is shown that the shear occurring in a sludge cake during dewatering can create an increase in polymer demand. Comparisons between a laboratory mixing unit and a pilot filter press indicate that polymer requirements for mechanical dewatering equipment can be predicted using laboratory procedures.
Accidental death associated with motorized wheelchair use: a case report

Motorized wheelchairs provide independence for individuals with a wide variety of severely disabling conditions. The benefits of powered mobility are widely appreciated. In this case report, one potential risk associated with motorized wheelchairs is illustrated by the accidental death of a young man with Duchenne type muscular dystrophy. Careful patient selection, anticipatory guidance and training should help minimize any risks. Language: en
Mechanisms of Cancer Growth and Progression in Lymphoma

B-cell lymphomas often recapitulate the stages of normal lymphocyte differentiation as shown by molecular techniques such as gene-expression profiling. This similarity is a major basis for B-cell lymphoma classification and nomenclature. B-cell development is a central component of the adaptive immune response. B-cell differentiation begins as progenitor B-cells undergo immunoglobulin gene rearrangement and differentiate into naive B-cells that express surface immunoglobulin molecule. Upon antigen encounter, naive B-cells undergo transformation and ultimately differentiation into memory B cells or antibody secreting plasma cells, primarily through germinal centers of the secondary lymphoid tissue. These developmental stages are influenced by extrinsic signals, interaction with cellular elements and microenvironment, and controlled by transcriptional regulation. Aberrations during B-cell development, activation and differentiation, particularly during the germinal centre (GC) reaction, can lead to oncogenic chromosomal translocations that block differentiation, prevent apoptosis or promote proliferation. Unregulated extrinsic signals including cytokines and antigenic stimulation can further contribute to progression of malignant transformation.
A comparison of secure multi-tenancy architectures for filesystem storage clouds

A filesystem-level storage cloud offers network-filesystem access to multiple customers at low cost over the Internet. In this paper, we investigate two alternative architectures for achieving multi-tenancy securely and efficiently in such storage cloud services. They isolate customers in virtual machines at the hypervisor level and through mandatory access-control checks in one shared operating-system kernel, respectively. We compare and discuss the practical security guarantees of these architectures. We have implemented both approaches and compare them using performance measurements we obtained.
Guest Workers, Social Order, and West German Municipalities, 1960–7

This article examines the response of West German cities and their main political pressure group, the Deutsche Stadtetag (DST, The German Council of Municipalities) to the arrival of guest workers ...
Kinetic treatment of unsegmented flow systems

Abstract A variable-time kinetic model is used to derive a comprehensive set of equations for an unsegmented flow system with a gradient chamber for the situations in which the analyte, reactant or product is monitored. Equations are presented for single-channel systems with excess analyte and excess reactant. These response equations are used to develop relationships that permit one to calculate whether analyte or reactant is in excess, to understand the merits and limitations of dispersion coefficients and to relate measured time intervals to initial analyte concentration for both single- and dual-channel systems. Relationships between time intervals ( Δt ) and the logarithm of initial analyte concentration ( C ) are inherently non-linear and include terms for the reference-point concentrations between which time intervals are measured. Special cases for which Δt vs. In C relationships are linear and do not include the reference-point concentrations are discussed and the assumptions that lead to these simplified equations are identified. Computed response curves are included to illustrate behavior in different phases of the processes.
Evaluation and Management of Enterocutaneous Fistula.

Case Summary:A 36-year-old woman presents with an abscess at her midline wound 4 weeks following an ileocecectomy for Crohn’s disease. After the abscess is incised, there is purulent drainage followed by the drainage of enteric contents; the output is 750 mL per 24 hours.
Temporal Trends in Ca, Mg and K Concentrations of Grassland and Garden Soils in West Virginia, U.S.A. between 1986 and 1999

The effects of acidic deposition on agricultural soils have not received much attention because they are regularly limed and receive acid forming fertilizers far in excess of what would accumulate in these soils from atmospheric acidic deposition. However, not all agricultural soils are managed with equal intensity, and some may be prone to element specific effects from acidic deposition. Using data from the West Virginia University Soil Testing Laboratory and the National Atmospheric Deposition Program,it was found that soil Mg concentrations were decreasing up to 2.6% yr-1 in hay and pasture soils where acidic deposition was the highest. Rainfall amounts and biomass removaldid not appear to be related to this effect. By comparison, no trends in Mg depletion with acidic deposition were found for the more intensely managed home garden soils. Nor were there regional trends in Ca or K for either hay and pasture or home garden soils. While the correlation Mg depletion and acidic deposition does not in and of itself indicate causality, it does suggest the Mg status of unmanaged or moderately managed grasslands may be adversely affected by acidic deposition.
Unintended consequences in traffic-light food labeling: A call for mixed methods in public health research

Nudge theory describes how indirect suggestions and positive reinforcement can influence decision-making. We used nudge theory to implement a traffic-light labeling and choice architecture (modifying product placement) intervention at Harvard University cafeterias, but found no significant change in sales. Survey and focus group data showed that some students thought the labeling may exacerbate eating disorders, however, there is extremely limited research on potential negative consequences of labeling. One way to describe these findings is through 20th century philosopher Michel Foucault's concept of biopower. Biopower manipulates cultural norms and nudges individuals to engage in self-surveillance and self-discipline, de facto subjugating themselves to certain ways of being. Biopower may lead to the creation of an in-group and an out-group based on who can adopt the new behaviors, such as healthy eating. Those in the out-group may face additional unintended consequences, highlighting the need for mixed-methods research to better evaluate public health interventions.
Deposition of Iron in the Bone Marrow of a Murine Model of Hematopoietic Acute Radiation Syndrome.

Exposure to high-dose total body irradiation (TBI) can result in hematopoietic acute radiation syndrome (H-ARS), characterized by leukopenia, anemia, and coagulopathy. Death from H-ARS occurs from hematopoietic insufficiency and opportunistic infections. Following radiation exposure, red blood cells (RBCs) undergo hemolysis from radiation-induced hemoglobin denaturation, causing the release of iron. Free iron can have multiple detrimental biological effects, including suppression of hematopoiesis. We investigated the impact of radiation-induced iron release on the bone marrow following TBI and the potential impact of the ACE inhibitor captopril, which improves survival from H-ARS. C57BL/6J mice were exposed to 7.9 Gy, 60Co irradiation, 0.6 Gy/min (LD70–90/30). RBCs and reticulocytes were significantly reduced within 7 days of TBI, with the RBC nadir at 14–21 days. Iron accumulation in the bone marrow correlated with the time course of RBC hemolysis, with an ∼10-fold increase in bone marrow iron at 14–21 days post-irradiation, primarily within the cytoplasm of macrophages. Iron accumulation in the bone marrow was associated with increased expression of genes for iron binding and transport proteins, including transferrin, transferrin receptor 1, ferroportin, and integrin αMβ2. Expression of the gene encoding Nrf2, a transcription factor activated by oxidative stress, also increased at 21 days post-irradiation. Captopril did not alter iron accumulation in the bone marrow or expression of iron storage genes, but did suppress Nrf2 expression. Our study suggests that following TBI, iron is deposited in tissues not normally associated with iron storage, which may be a secondary mechanism of radiation-induced tissue injury.
Evaluation of a regional nerve block with an experimental formulation of encapsulated lidocaine in sheep

Abstract Objective To compare the duration of nociceptive and proprioceptive blockade from an experimental encapsulated lidocaine preparation with that of conventional lidocaine. Study design Prospective, blinded, randomly assigned, crossover study. Animals A total of six adult Dorset ewes, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II, weighing 60.4 ± 18.0 kg (mean ± standard deviation). Methods Under general anesthesia and guided by electrolocation, the common peroneal nerve was blocked unilaterally with encapsulated lidocaine (0.1 mL kg–1, 200 mg mL–1) or conventional lidocaine hydrochloride (0.1 mL kg–1, 20 mg mL–1). Each sheep was administered both treatments with an interval of 2 weeks between treatments. Nociception and proprioception were scored (scales of 0–3) before anesthesia, at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 hours after completion of local anesthetic injection, and every 12 hours thereafter for 9 days. Nociceptive and proprioceptive blockade ended the first time each score reached ‘0’; maximum blockade duration was considered and recorded to be the time point immediately prior to this end point. Significance of differences between treatments for duration of blockade was tested with the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Effects of time and treatment on nociceptive and proprioceptive blockade were evaluated with mixed-effect models. Significance was set at p Results Compared with conventional lidocaine, nociceptive blockade lasted 88 hours longer with encapsulated lidocaine (p = 0.008), and proprioceptive blockade lasted 6 hours longer (p = 0.03). Significant effects of time (p Conclusion Encapsulated lidocaine produced nociceptive blockade with a duration substantially longer than conventional lidocaine. Clinical relevance Sustained-release encapsulated lidocaine alleviates pain and may minimize systemic analgesic use.
Estimation and demographic analysis of COVID-19 infections with respect to weather factors in Europe

The main objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between the COVID-19 and the weather factors of the most populated and industrialised countries in Europe and propose the best ma...
Teen Pregnancy Prevention Evaluation Technical Assistance: A Case Study:

Purpose:This case study discusses Mathematica’s experience providing large-scale evaluation technical assistance (ETA) to 65 grantees across two cohorts of Teen Pregnancy Prevention (TPP) Program g...
Characteristics of interpersonal conflicts preceding youth suicide: analysis of data from the 2017 National Violent Death Reporting System

Background Deaths by suicide among US adolescents aged 10 to 19 increased by more than 85% between 2007 and 2017. Interpersonal conflicts with peers or family members, in combination with biological, psychological, and cognitive attributes of adolescents, are among risk factors. More insight about contextual factors, including timing of conflicts relative to suicide, would be useful for professionals and programmers. Method We used data from the 2017 National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) reflecting most cases in 37 US states to explore contextual circumstances in adolescent death by suicide preceded by interpersonal conflicts. We calculated descriptive statistics and conducted content analysis of narratives to identify attributes of 197 cases. Results Most deaths by suicide (n = 155) occurred within 24 hr of the conflict; most conflicts involved the adolescent and family members (n = 138). When subject matter was described, most conflicts (n = 27) focused on concerns with an adolescent's behavior. Nearly a quarter of cases (n = 49) involved technology, including technology restrictions as punishment, as either a primary or additional aspect of the conflict. Conclusions Our findings provide support for prior research suggesting links between technology and mental health concerns, including suicidality, among adolescents. While previous works have identified both positive and negative aspects of the use of technology by adolescents, our findings suggest that restriction of technology as a punishment may be an additional contextual factor of interest in a proportion of youth suicides preceded by an argument. Given ongoing regular use of technology, practitioners should address these potential risk factors regardless of risk status.
Characterization of Brucella abortus S19 as a challenge strain for use in a mouse model of brucellosis

The objective of this project was to conduct a feasibility study to determine whether the Brucella abortus S19 vaccine infects and persists in mice and determine whether S19 can be used as a challenge strain for vaccine trial studies. Groups of BALB/c mice were inoculated (intraperitoneally, subcutaneously, intranasally) and euthanized to determine colonization titers in the spleens and lungs. This study showed that S19 does infect and persist in the tissues of mice for 8 weeks and demonstrates that S19 can be used, safely and economically under BSL2 containment, as the challenge strain for future trials to evaluate vaccine efficacy.
Effects of Starvation, Age, and Mating Status on Flight Capacity of Laboratory-Reared Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stal) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is an invasive species to North America and has spread throughout most of the territory. Understanding flight in H. halys is crucial to understanding the dispersal capacity and developing forecasting models for this pest. The purpose of this research was to assess the effects of starvation, age, mating status, sex, and preflight weight on flight parameters of laboratory-reared H. halys using computer-monitored flight mills. The mean flight distance observed over a 24-h period was 266 m and the maximum distance was 7.3 km. Overall, the flight capacity of males and females was similar, even though females weighed more than males. The proportion of H. halys that initiated flight was not affected by starvation, age, or mating status. The number of bouts of individual flights and velocity significantly increased with longer durations of starvation. The number of bouts significantly decreased with increasing age. The total distance flew and total flight time was not affected by starvation, age, or mating status. Although some statistical differences were seen across the experiments, these differences likely represent minimal ecological significance. Therefore, these results suggest that H. halys are remarkably resilient, which may contribute to their success as an invasive species. The findings of this study could help better predict the dispersal potential of H. halys in Minnesota.
Clinical Study of the Effectiveness of Constant Therapy in the Treatment of Clients With Dementia: Implications for Telepractice

Purpose The purpose of this clinical focus article was to advance interventions for person living with dementia by exploring the implications of integrating technology through telepractice to stren...
Co-creating opportunities to incorporate cessation for electronic nicotine delivery systems in family medicine - a qualitative program evaluation.

BACKGROUND The number of Americans who use tobacco has decreased in the twenty-first century, but electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) have increased the complexity of treating tobacco dependence. The experiences of 18 family medicine practices were explored and opportunities to improve ENDS cessation were co-created in this study. METHODS Eighteen family medicine practices were enrolled into an implementation project to incorporate ENDS cessation into their practice. The participants' experiences were explored throughout the project using an iterative qualitative approach. The research team provided technical assistance. Semi-structured group interviews and focus groups were held with participants at the beginning, middle, and end of the project to explore participants' experiences. The collective knowledge and experiences of participants, expert consultants and the research team were fused together to co-create opportunities to improve ENDS cessation. RESULTS Nine opportunities to improve ENDS cessation were identified in three larger categories. The first category was leading change. This included: creating a vision for change to establish buy-in from key stakeholders and educate health care professionals to improve their confidence to address ENDS. The second category was creating processes. This included: establishing criteria for screening and quality improvement for ENDS cessation; being specific when asking about ENDS; creating electronic health record systems to support incorporating ENDS cessation; using chart audits if electronic health records cannot support incorporating ENDS into tobacco cessation; and assigning roles and responsibilities to members of the clinical care team. The third category was assisting patients who use ENDS. This included: educating patients and their parents/caregivers about ENDS and their potential harms, avoiding dual use, and developing a plan to quit. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights challenges and opportunities for incorporating ENDS cessation into family medicine. The opportunities outlined here provide a practical approach which is rooted in the experiences of family physicians and their clinical care teams working to improve how they address ENDS and based on peer reviewed literature and expert input. Improving how ENDS are addressed in family medicine will require more than clinical expertise. It will also require leadership skills and the ability to create process improvements. TRIAL REGISTRATION Not applicable.
Exploring Middle School Students' Perspectives on Utilizing Serious Games for Cancer Prevention Education: A Focus Group Study.

BACKGROUND Cancer in the United States is a leading cause of mortality. Educating adolescents about cancer risks can improve awareness and introduce healthy lifestyle habits. Public health efforts have made significant progress in easing the burden of cancer through the promotion of early screening and healthy lifestyle advocacy. However, there are limited interventions that educate the adolescent population about cancer prevention. Previous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of serious games (SGs) to teach adolescents about healthy lifestyle choices, but limited research has examined the utility of using SGs to educate youth specifically on cancer prevention. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate middle school students' preferences for the use of SGs for cancer prevention education. The study also characterized the students' perceptions of desired game design features for a cancer prevention SG. METHODS Focus groups were conducted to allow adolescents to review a game playbook and discuss gaming behaviors and preferences for a SG for cancer education. The game playbook was developed based on Cancer, Clear & Simple, a curriculum intended to educate individuals about cancer, prevention, self-care, screening, and detection. In the game, the player learns that they have cancer and is given the opportunity to go back in time to reduce their cancer risk. A focus group discussion guide was developed and consisted of questions about aspects of the playbook and participants' gaming experience. Adolescents were eligible to participate if they were 12 to 14 years, could speak and understand English, and had parents who could read English or Spanish. Each focus group consisted of five to ten adolescents. Focus groups were audio-recorded and professionally transcribed, then content and thematically analyzed by two study team members. Intercoder reliability (kappa coefficient) among the coders was reported as 0.97. Prevalent codes were identified and categorized into themes and subthemes. RESULTS A total of 18 focus groups were conducted with 139 participants from a Wisconsin middle school. Most participants had at least "some" gaming experience. Three major themes were identified: Educational Video Games, Game Content, and Purpose of Game. Participants preferred customizable characters and realistic storylines that allowed players to make choices that affect the characters' outcomes. Middle school students also preferred SGs over other educational methods such as lectures, books, videos, and websites. Participants desired SGs to be available across multiple platforms and suggested the use of SGs for cancer education in their school. CONCLUSIONS Adolescents consider SGs to be an entertaining tool to learn about cancer prevention and risk factors. The design preferences of adolescents should be considered to create a cancer education SG that is acceptable and engaging for youth. CLINICALTRIAL
Collision Avoidance at Nontowered Airports

From January 1 of 1988 to December 31 of 1998 there were an average of 16.9 midair collisions and 17.7 fatalities per year involving general aviation aircraft in the United States (Carter, 1999). In February of 2000 alone there were five midair collisions (NTSB, 2000). Most midair collisions occur in the traffic patterns of non-towered airports and on final approach. What can a general aviation pilot do to reduce the risk of a midair collision at a non-towered airport? What are the FAA’s and Transport Canada’s recommended procedures for traffic patterns? What alternative procedures are currently in use by pilots and are they safe? A review of the regulations, advisories, and various articles on the subject, a survey of flight instructors on the methods taught to enter such patterns, and a discussion of legal precedents and certificate actions will aid the pilot in choosing a method for pattern entry at non-towered airports.
Compliant Leg Shape, Reduced-Order Models and Dynamic Running

The groundbreaking running performances of RHex-like robots are analyzed from the perspective of their leg designs. In particular, two-segment-leg models are used both for studying the running with the legs currently employed and for suggesting new leg designs that could improve the gait stability, running efficiency and forward speed. New curved compliant monolithic legs are fabricated from these models, and the running with these legs is tested by using a newly designed running test robot. Both the simulations and the experimental trials seem to suggest that running with legs with unity-ratio of the leg segments is faster and more efficient than running with the leg that is currently used on the RHex-like robots. The simulation model predictions seem to match closely to experimental trials in some instances but not always. In the future, a more sophisticated model is needed to capture the actual running with curved legs more accurately.
Helicobacter pylori and gastric diseases

The isolation of Helicobacter pylori from clinical specimens by Marshall and Warren 15 years ago1 launched revolutions in gastroenterology and microbiology. 2 3 Like other revolutions in history, the original directions of the H pylori story have changed in response to conflicting ideologies, observation, and practices. Currently, enthusiasts, drug companies, and the lay press are putting pressure on physicians to eliminate H pylori from all patients, symptomatic or not, in whom it is detected. There is little evidence that this is appropriate, and management will continue to change as new knowledge emerges and socioeconomic environments change in ways that are relevant to H pylori and clinical medicine. This article looks at past and current trends to anticipate the future of these common bacteria and the disorders associated with them. H pylori is one of a large family of related bacteria that are well adapted to persist in the stomachs of vertebrates for the life span of their hosts. It is likely that H pylori has colonised our stomachs since well before we became humans.4 Studies of primates and human populations in developing countries suggest that, until the last century, nearly all humans carried H pylori or closely related bacteria in their stomachs. H pylori can thus be regarded as indigenous or “normal” flora, which most humans acquire within the first few years of childhood and then carry for life. With socioeconomic development, fewer children are acquiring H pylori .5 This is a worldwide phenomenon that seems to have preceded the introduction of antibiotics, although it may have been accelerated by their widespread use. The reasons for the decline in the prevalence of H pylori colonisation are unknown. Improved nutrition and clean water have been proposed. An alternative hypothesis is that most transmission is from child to child …
Adhesion and friction in mesoscopic graphite contacts

The weak interlayer binding in two-dimensional layered materials such as graphite gives rise to poorly understood low-friction characteristics. Accurate measurements of the adhesion forces governing the overall mechanical stability have also remained elusive. We report on the direct mechanical measurement of line tension and friction forces acting in sheared mesoscale graphite structures. We show that the friction is fundamentally stochastic in nature and is attributable to the interaction between the incommensurate interface lattices. We also measured an adhesion energy of 0.227 ± 0.005 joules per square meter, in excellent agreement with theoretical models. In addition, bistable all-mechanical memory cell structures and rotational bearings have been realized by exploiting position locking, which is provided solely by the adhesion energy.
Coaching Software Skills on the Job: Laying the Groundwork

We describe the use of a recommender system to enable continuous knowledge acquisition and the individualized coaching of application software skills throughout an organization for an indefinite period of time. We present the results of a year-long naturalistic inquiry into one application’s usage patterns based on logs of users’ actions. We analyze the data to develop user models, individualized expert models, certainty factors, and instructional indicators. We show how this information could be used to tutor users. We observed sixteen users of Microsoft Word for up to one year. Of the commands used, usage frequencies varied by several orders of magnitude, for example, the ten most-frequently-used commands accounted for 80 percent of all use. The relative frequency of command occurrence is best described by a power curve. Surprisingly, our diverse group of users all tended to learn the same commands in the same sequence, and to use them with the same frequency on the job. Furthermore, the sequence of command acquisition corresponded to the commands’ frequency of use. Learning opportunities then, are found at the edge of users’ competence and in their areas of anomalous usage. A recommender system can present these learning opportunities to users via an Intelligent Tip mechanism, or present them a Skill Map for more active exploration and learning. With this approach, a group of users automatically creates an evolving set of individualized learning recommendations for each other, continuously becoming more competent at their software-based tasks.
Potential Agents of Bioterrorism: Historical Perspective and an Overview

A quote from Hans Zinser, a bacteriologist and historian during the Great Depression in the United States, puts the concept of “terror associated with biological agents” in the best possible perspective [1]. He said “Infectious disease is one of the great tragedies of living things – the struggle for existence between different forms of life ... incessantly the pitiless war goes on, without quarter or armistice – a nationalism of species against species.” What he seemed to convey in this quote is the fact that mankind will never be able to completely protect itself against many of the biological agents coexisting in nature. The interaction between humans and disease-causing pathogens in nature is constant, with one or the other winning at all times and the course of human history has been altered frequently by the capability of infectious agents to spread and cross national borders. The epidemics and pandemics of infectious diseases caused by communicable agents have swept unchecked across continents claiming more lives and creating more social devastation than wars. Examples include [2]: 1. diseases like smallpox, measles, plague, typhoid, and influenza causing 95% of deaths in pre-Columbian native American populations; 2. the death of 25 million Europeans (a quarter of the population) caused by plague in the 14th century; and 3. more than 21 million deaths because of the influenza pandemic of 1918 and 1919.
Inactivation and degradation of glucagon by dipeptidyl aminopeptidase I (cathepsin C) of rat liver.

Chloride and sulfhydryl activators in glucagol degradation and secretion by purified rat liver dipeptidyl aminopeptidase I /Cathepsin C/
Leaving our fathers’ house: Micrologies, archetypes, and barriers to conscious femininity in organizational contexts

What does it mean to leave one’s father’s house? Archetypally, the father’s house represents the dominant content of a culture’s collective consciousness, as well as dominance in the form of tyranny and fear. There is little question that contemporary organizations remain edifices constructed in the image of the father’s house. This article is about articulating barriers to conscious femininity in organizational contexts, drawing on psychoanalytic theory and personal experience to explore some of the social and psychological structures that contribute to the repression of feminine attributes.
A validated LC-MS/MS method for neurotransmitter metabolite analysis in human cerebrospinal fluid using benzoyl chloride derivatization.

Background: Human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is often acquired in Phase I clinical trials to assess the CNS penetration of new pharmacological agents and to search for biomarkers associated with PD effects. Robust methods for neurotransmitter metabolites in CSF have proven elusive, in part due to inadequate reversed phase LC retention. Results: Benzoyl chloride derivatization was used to promote retention for LC–MS/MS for a panel of neurotransmitter metabolites while delivering a concise method for sample preparation. Conclusion: A validated assay in human CSF was obtained for 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, homovanillic acid, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. This method is differentiated from other LC–MS/MS methods by delivering results in line with full regulatory expectations.
Role of granulocyte transfusions in invasive fusariosis: systematic review and single-center experience

BACKGROUND Invasive Fusarium infection is relatively refractory to available antifungal agents. Invasive fusariosis (IF) occurs almost exclusively in the setting of profound neutropenia and/or systemic corticosteroid use. Treatment guidelines for IF are not well established, including the role of granulocyte transfusions (GTs) to counter neutropenia. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS We conducted a systematic review, identifying IF cases where GTs were used as adjunctive therapy to antifungal agents and also report a single-center case series detailing our experience (1996-2012) of all IF cases treated with antifungal agents and GTs. In the systematic review cases, GTs were predominantly collected from nonstimulated donors whereas, in the case series, they were universally derived from dexamethasone- and granulocyte–colony-stimulating factor–stimulated donors. RESULTS Twenty-three patients met inclusion criteria for the systematic review and 11 for the case series. Response rates after GTs were 30 and 91% in the review and case series, respectively. Survival to hospital discharge remained low at 30 and 45%, respectively. Ten patients in the systematic review and three in the case series failed to achieve hematopoietic recovery and none of these survived. In the case series, donor-stimulated GTs generated mean “same-day” neutrophil increments of 3.35 × 109 ± 1.24 × 109/L and mean overall posttransfusion neutrophil increments of 2.46 × 109 ± 0.85 × 109/L. Progressive decrements in neutrophil response to GTs in two cases were attributed to GT-related HLA alloimmunization. CONCLUSION In patients with IF, donor-stimulated GTs may contribute to high response rates by effectively bridging periods of neutropenia or marrow suppression. However, their utility in the absence of neutrophil recovery remains questionable.
Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Proteins (SREBPs)

This article has no abstract. Keywords: sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs)