cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pain Management Barriers in Jordanian Critical Care Units

Background: Pain is the greatest concern of patients in intensive care units (ICUs). Most critically ill patients experience moderate to severe pain. The nurse plays an important role in providing pain relief, which continues to be undertreated in many critical care settings, even though the negative consequences of uncontrolled pain and the benefits of pain relief have been well documented. Aim: To explore pain management barriers in Jordanian critical care units. Method: Qualitative content analysis with 37 participant nurses from Jordanian critical care units. Data were obtained through semistructured serial interviews. Results: The barriers to managing pain identified by the critical care nurses originated from three sources: patients and their families, nurses, and hospital policies. Conclusion: The results identify potential pain management barriers which can be considered when developing and disseminating policies and procedures in managing the pain in Jordanian critical care settings.
Married to the boss, or how checking the box changed my life.

H eing married to the boss can be most pleasant or most frusrating depending on the situation and circumstance. Overall, it s wonderful—it is never dull—it is always extraordinary! ow did I come into this situation? At 29 years of age, I was third-year surgery resident at the Cleveland Clinic Foundaion and frustrated at not having the opportunity to pursue basic esearch during my training. In the absence of such opportuities, I undertook retrospective reviews of that institution’s ast clinical experiences, in this case choosing to submit an bstract for consideration for presentation to the Society for urgery of the Alimentary Tract (SSAT) [1]. This was 1986, he first year that Ross Laboratories, together with the officers f the SSAT, had offered a resident research competition, hich still continues to this day. My life was changed by hecking the box “consider for resident competition.” Little did know that Hiram C. Polk, a surgeon from Jackson, Missisippi, who was that year’s SSAT president, would preside over he Residents Research Conference the Saturday before Digesive Disease Week in Napa Valley, California. I remember him rriving late to the residents’ dinner reception. During his ntroduction that night, he told my fellow residents and I that at his meeting we would forge contacts and friendships that ould continue for the rest of our lives. Neither of us at the ime realized how true that statement would be. On the bus ack to San Francisco, I told him of my desire to do basic urgical research. He promptly offered me a job as the Price ellow in Surgical Research. At the end of my formal presenation at the SSAT scientific meeting, when I returned to my eat, I found a note from him with only two words: “first lass.” I know many of you have learned firsthand how much hat phrase means. This was my first glimpse of the effectiveess of Hiram Polk as a mentor: He knew how those two imple words could give so much encouragement to a resident. After completing my general surgery residency in Cleveand, I moved to Kentucky—where people were polite and
Two-Phase Designs to Follow-Up Genome-Wide Association Signals With DNA Resequencing Studies

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of complex traits have generated many association signals for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). To understand the underlying causal genetic variant(s), focused DNA resequencing of targeted genomic regions is commonly used, yet the current cost of resequencing limits sample sizes for resequencing studies. Information from the large GWAS can be used to guide choice of samples for resequencing, such as the SNP genotypes in the targeted genomic region. Viewing the GWAS tag-SNPs as imperfect surrogates for the underlying causal variants, yet expecting that the tag-SNPs are correlated with the causal variants, a reasonable approach is a two-phase case-control design, with the GWAS serving as the first-phase and the resequencing study serving as the second-phase. Using stratified sampling based on both tag-SNP genotypes and case-control status, we explore the gains in power of a two-phase design relative to randomly sampling cases and controls for resequencing (i.e., ignoring tag-SNP genotypes). Simulation results show that stratified sampling based on both tag-SNP genotypes and case-control status is not likely to have lower power than stratified sampling based only on case-control status, and can sometimes have substantially greater power. The gain in power depends on the amount of linkage disequilibrium between the tag-SNP and causal variant alleles, as well as the effect size of the causal variant. Hence, the two-phase design provides an efficient approach to follow-up GWAS signals with DNA resequencing.
Observations on the spores of Pleistophora gigantea (Thélohan, 1895) Swellengrebel, 1911, a microsporidan parasite of the fish Crenilabrus melops.

SYNOPSIS. After 1914 protozoologists have generally agreed that Pleistophora gigantea (Thelohan, 1895) Swellengrebel, 1911, Ichthyosporidium giganteum (Thelohan, 1895) Swarczewsky, 1914, and I. phymogenes Caullery and Mesnil, 1905, are identical. Because no polar filament was found in the spores, however, some authors have followed Swarczewsky in considering this species to be a haplosporidan, while others have persisted in thinking it a microsporidan. Using preserved material that Swellengrebel saved from a tumor on which he based his studies, we have found a polar filament in the spores both with the PAS reaction and with the electron microscpe. This new information removes the only basis for the doubt which some authors have entertained, that Thelohan and Sweliengrebel correctly considered the parasite to belong to the Microsporida. Since Pleistophora gigantea is believed to be identical with I. phymogenes, recently selected by Sprague as type species of genus Ichthyosporidium Caullery and Mesnil, 1905, then Ichthyosporidium, originally assigned to the Haplosporida, must be regarded as a microsporidan genus. Whether it is distinct from all other microsporidan genera is a matter needing further consideration.
RF Impedance of Power Lines and Line Impedance Stabilization Networks in Conducted Interference Measurements

Impedance measurements were made of 60-Hz commercial ac power sources throughout the LF-HF frequency spectrum and compared to the impedance presented by a typical 5-?H line impedance stabilization network. The results are presented in graphical and tabular form.
Oleic acid supplementation reduces oxidant-mediated dysfunction of cultured porcine pulmonary artery endothelial cells

We have previously shown that supplementing cultured porcine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAEC) with exogenous oleic acid (18:1ω9) alters the fatty acid composition of the cells and reduces oxidant-mediated cytotoxicity. Because the mechanisms by which lipid alterations modulate oxidant susceptibility have not been defined, the ability of 18:1 to reduce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-mediated PAEC dysfunction was evaluated. PAEC monolayers on polycarbonate filters were incubated for 3 h in maintenance medium supplemented with either 0.1 mM 18.1 in ethanol vehicle (ETOH) or with an equivalent volume of vehicle alone. Twenty-four hours later monolayers were treated for 30 min with 50 or 100 μM H2O2 in Hanks' balanced salt solution (HBSS) or with HBSS alone (nonoxidant control). As a functional index of PAEC monolayer integrity, the permeability of monolayers to albumin was then measured for 3 h. Treatment with 100 μM H2O2 caused cytotoxicity and progressive increases in PAEC monolayer permeability that were attenuated by 18:1 supplementation, whereas 50 μM H2O2 caused only a transient increase in permeability without cytotoxicity. Supplementation with 18:1 also attenuated H2O2-induced reductions in PAEC adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content and disruption of PAEC microfilament architecture. The ATP content of PAEC monolayers was reversibly reduced in the absence of oxidant stress by incubation with glucose-depleted medium containing deoxyglucose and antimycin A. Metabolic inhibitor-induced ATP depletion increased monolayer permeability and altered cytoskeletal architecture, alterations that resolved during recovery of PAEC ATP content. These results demonstrate that ATP depletion plays a critical role in barrier dysfunction and suggests that the ability of 18:1 to reduce oxidant-mediated PAEC dysfunction and injury may relate directly to its ability to preserve PAEC ATP content. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Who Reads Shashi? The Case of the Hiroshima Regional Newspaper

The company history of a newspaper company raises new questions about the genre of company histories. Who reads them? What features should readers and researchers be aware of when using them as a source? This article examines the shashi of the Chugoku Shinbun, the Hiroshima regional newspaper. The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 were significant because of their perceived role in bringing World War II to an end and in signaling the start of the nuclear age. Most research to date has emphasized the role of national newspapers and the international media in informing the public about the extent of the damage and generating a framework within which to understand. I compare the representation of three key events in the Chugoku Shinbun company history ( shashi ) to those in two national newspapers (Asahi and Yomiuri), as well as the ways that the Hiroshima company’s 100 th and 120 th year self-presentations reveal important concerns of the region and the nation, and motivations in going public with its shashi . These comparisons will reveal some of the merits and limits of using shashi in research. This article is part of a larger study on the work of the influence of regional press and publishers on literature in twentieth-century Japan.
EPR and Luminescence of ${\hbox {F}}^{+}$ Centers in Bulk and Nanophosphor Oxyorthosilicates

The main thermally stimulated luminescence glow peak in irradiated oxyorthosilicates occurs near 360-400 K and has been postulated to comprise an electron trapped at an oxygen vacancy (F+ center). We have used electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy to identify this defect in Ln2SiO5:Ce (Ln = Lu and Y) and show that it consists of a single electron trapped at a non-silicon-bonded oxygen vacancy in both bulk and nanophosphor oxyorthosilicates. Both Lu- and Y-based nanophosphors form seven- and nine-oxygen coordinated structures (P21/c) whereas the bulk phosphors form six- and seven-oxygen coordinated structures (C2/c). In each case the F+ center predominately forms at the larger oxygen site. A typical resonance comprises a single Gaussian line broadened by hyperflne interaction with g-values near the free electron value and hyperflne coupling ~0.4 mT. The F+ center can be annealed and radiation-induced, consistent with the thermally stimulated luminescence glow peak behavior.
Source‐surface model of the magnetosphere

A new concept for modeling a planetary magnetosphere is implemented by juxtaposing the sunward portion of the magnetosphere (in which the magnetic field is expressed formally as an analytical expansion) and the tail region (in which field lines are constructed geometrically). The expansion coefficients for the sunward region are determined by means of a variational principle, according to which a user-specified linear combination of the mean-square normal component of the magnetic field on the prescribed magnetopause and the mean-square tangential component of the magnetic field on the innermost cross-magnetospheric surface normal to the tail field lines must be minimized. The contour of the vanishing normal component of the magnetic field on this latter surface corresponds to the inner edge of the neutral sheet in the planetary magnetotail. In its present form, the source-surface model accommodates an arbitrary angle of incidence between the solar-wind velocity and the planetary magnetic-dipole moment.
Morphological and molecular studies on Resinicium s. str.

Resinicium Parmasto is typified by Resinicium bicolor (Alb. & Schwein.: Fr.) Parm., (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota), a readily recognized and widely distributed corticioid, lignicolous species in the northern hemisphere. Five new species of Resinicium closely allied to R. bicolor from the Caribbean region are described and illustrated: Resinicium confertum Nakasone, sp. nov., Resinicium monticola Nakasone, sp. nov., Resinicium mutabile Nakasone, sp. nov., Resinicium rimulosum Nakasone, sp. nov., and Resinicium tenue Nakasone, sp. nov. In addition, R. bicolor and Resinicium friabile Hjortstam & Melo are redescribed and illustrated. Sequence analyses of the internal transcribed spacer region support the recognition of the new taxa. Further, nuclear small subunit ribosomal RNA sequence data support the recognition of two groups of Resinicium species: the Resinicium s. str. group, including R. bicolor, and the Resinicium s.l. group that includes Resinicium furfuraceum (Bres.) Parm. The genus Resinicium is re...
Upper respiratory tract infections increase self-rated hostility and distress.

Abstract The authors administered a personality inventory, the Eysenck Personality Inventory and a distress scale, the Symptom Questionnaire, to all patients in a walk-in clinic of a general hospital during an influenza epidemic. Hostility, depression, anxiety and somatic symptoms were significantly higher in patients with upper respiratory tract infections (p less than .005); the majority scored in the range of psychiatric patients, regardless of whether patients had clinically classical influenza or merely symptoms and signs of another respiratory tract infection. There were no differences in the personality traits of extraversion or neuroticism between any of the groups, suggesting that hostility and distress were consequences of the viral infections and were largely unaffected by preexisting personality traits.
Auditory masking of anuran advertisement calls by road traffic noise

There is growing concern that anthropogenic noise could interfere with animal behaviours by masking the perception of acoustic communication signals. To date, however, few experimental studies have tested this general hypothesis. One common source of anthropogenic noise is the sound of roadway traffic. We tested the hypothesis that road traffic noise can mask a female's perception of male signals in the grey treefrog, Hyla chrysoscelis, by comparing the effects of traffic noise and the background noise of a breeding chorus on female responses to advertisement calls. In this species, advertisement calls are necessary and sufficient to attract females for breeding. Using a phonotaxis assay, we presented females with an advertisement call broadcast at one of nine signal levels (37–85 dB, 6-dB steps) in one of three masking conditions: (1) no masking noise, (2) a noise simulating a moderately dense breeding chorus, or (3) a noise modelled after road traffic noise recorded in two wetlands near major roads. Females showed similar increases in response latency and decreases in orientation towards the target signal in the presence of both the chorus noise and the traffic noise maskers. Moreover, response thresholds were elevated by about 20–25 dB in the presence of both noise maskers compared to the unmasked condition. Our results suggest that realistic levels of traffic noise could place constraints on the active space of the acoustic signals of some animals.
Adolescent Friendship Networks and Distress in School

This study investigated the association between the structure of adolescent friendship networks, and distress responses in a private school. The 254 students in grades nine through twelve completed sociometric questionnaires, and measures of physiological, psychological, and behavioral distress. Results showved, first, that indices of netwvork structure were more strongly associated with distress responses than were sociometric counts of relationships. Second, some dimensions of network structure were associated with reduced distress, but others were associated with increased distress. Third, physiological, psychological, and behavioral distress responses exhibited different patterns of association with network structure. Overall, psychological responses were positively associated with sociometric counts of relationships, but higher reachability was consistently associated with higher blood pressure, suggesting that some netwvork roles may enhance psychological well-being while simultaneously involving physiological costs. A large tradition of research suggests that social support influences health and illness. Social support is widely believed to protect individuals from experiencing undue stress, and to provide resources for coping with life events (Cassel,a). People with more close relationships are assumed to have more financial, psychological, social, and informational resources which help them solve problems and bear emotional upsets (Caplan). However, the concept of social support has been operationalized in a "bewildering assortment of ways" (Wilcox). Recent reviews (Gottlieb,a; Thoits,a) have emphasized the lack of consensus in defining social support and its relationships to stressful stimuli and distress responses. One major tradition of research in this field investigates the interactive effects *Earlier versions of this paper were presented at the 1981 American Psychological Association meetings and at the 1982 National Conference on Social Stress at the University of New Hampshire. The research was partly supported by National Institute of Education Grant NIE-G-80-0113 made to the Center for Social Organization of Schools at The Johns Hopkins University. I thank Ronald Angel and anonymous referees for helpful comments on the manuscript. Address correspondence to the author, Room 203, Murray Hall, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08903. C 1985 The University of North Carolina Press
Improving ancilla states for quantum computation

We analyze the improvement in output state fidelity upon improving the construction accuracy of ancilla states. Specifically, we simulate gates and syndrome measurements on a single qubit of information encoded into the [[7,1,3]] quantum error correction code and determine the output state fidelity as a function of the accuracy with which Shor states (for syndrome measurements) and magic states (to implement T-gates) are constructed. When no syndrome measurements are applied during the gate sequence, we observe that the fidelity increases after performance of a T-gate and improving magic states construction slows the fidelity decay rate. In contrast, when syndrome measurements are applied, loss of fidelity occurs primarily after the syndrome measurements taken after a T-gate. Improving magic state construction slows the fidelity decay rate, and improving Shor state construction raises the initial fidelity but does not slow the fidelity decay rate. Along the way, we show that applying syndrome measurements after every gate does not maximize the output state fidelity. Rather, syndrome measurements should be applied sparingly.
Role of G proteins in agonist-induced Ca2+ sensitization of tracheal smooth muscle.

Increased sensitivity to intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]) is an important mechanism for agonist-induced contraction of airway smooth muscle, but the signal transduction pathways involved a...
P2-02-04: Novel Functions of vps34 in Non-Transformed Epithelial Cells: Regulation of Cell Proliferation and Tumorigenesis.

Autophagic and endocytic pathways are tightly regulated membrane rearrangement processes that are crucial for homeostasis, development and disease. A list of proteins regulating these cellular processes show altered expression in cancers, suggesting derailed autophagy or endocytosis as an emerging feature of cancer. Class III phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3kinase) Vps34 regulates both autophagic and endocytic systems by recruiting proteins containing PtdIns3P binding domains. Recently, many new insights into the biology of class III PI3Kinase have been reported. Most of these studies, however, used mainly transformed cells. It is unclear whether class III PI3Kinase works similarly in non-transformed cells. In the recent study, we explored this by depleting both transformed and non-transformed mammary epithelial cell lines of Vps34 using shRNA. In consistent with previous finding, vps34-depleted cells are defect in formation of FYVE-GFP puncta, and showed altered early and recycling endosome dynamics. In a shark contrast to transformed cells where knockdown of Vps34 was associated with decreased growth, Vps34 deficiency in non-transformed cells resulted in a marked increase in cell proliferation. The deregulated autophagy function found in Vps34-depleted cells appeared to be not involved in cell growth regulation as silence of either Atg7 or Beclin1 expression did not affect the growth rate. On the other hand, reporter luciferase-based ten-pathway screens suggested an altered activity of the MAPK pathway. Indeed, biochemical analysis indicated a sustained ERK activation resulting from the impediment of endosome-mediated EGFR turnover in Vps34 deficient cells. A contribution of the endosomal pathway to Vps34-mediated regulation of cell proliferation was further confirmed by using Rab5 and Rab11 mutants that deregulated early and recycling endosome, respectively. Importantly, inactivation of Vps34 compromised the cellular barrier against oncogene-mediated transformation, as demonstrated by the increased susceptibility of Vps34 depleted cells to Ras-induced colony formation in vitro and tumor development in mice. All together, our data uncover a novel role for the class III PI3Kinase-endosomal pathway in regulation of cell proliferation. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-02-04.
Solid-State Electrolytes: Revealing the Mechanisms of Li-Ion Conduction in Tetragonal and Cubic LLZO by First-Principles Calculations

In this study, we applied first-principles-based calculations, such as ab-initio molecular dynamics simulation, metadynamics, and nudged-elastic band calculations, to successfully identify the mechanisms responsible for the considerable difference in ionic conductivity between the tetragonal and the cubic phases of LLZO (Li7La3Zr2O12)—a promising candidate for use as a highly Li-ion conductive solid-state electrolyte in Li-based batteries. Whereas in tetragonal LLZO the motion of Li ions is of fully collective nature or synchronous, we identified an asynchronous mechanism dominated by single-ion jumps and induced collective motion in cubic LLZO. The latter mechanism is possible at considerably lower energetic cost. The calculated energetic barriers that represent the two distinct mechanisms show good agreement with experimental values. Moreover, we were able to map the different mechanisms to the structural features of the particular polymorphs.
Cushing's Syndrome Caused by Corticotropin Secretion by Pulmonary Tumorlets

The term “pulmonary tumorlets” describes multiple microscopic nests of neuroendocrine cells in the lungs.1 Like bronchial carcinoid tumors and small-cell carcinomas, pulmonary tumorlets arise from Kulchitsky's cells. In the lung the abnormalities in these cells range from hyperplasia to malignant transformation, since control over cellular growth is lost.2 Both bronchial carcinoid tumors and small-cell lung carcinomas may secrete corticotropin in sufficient quantities to cause Cushing's syndrome. We describe a patient with Cushing's syndrome due to ectopic secretion of corticotropin in whom the source of the excess corticotropin was ultimately found to be hundreds of tumorlets in one lobe of the . . .
Analysis and Measures of Circulating Water Saving Technology of Wet Cooling Units in Thermal Power Plants

Based on the conducted testing and research of raising the circulating water concentration multiplying factor in the ten odd thermal power plants in Shanxi Province,the technical problems existing for achieving the water-saving goal through raising the circulating water concentration multiplying factor of wet cooling units in the thermal power plants were analyzed.In light of the existing problems,the tests were conducted. With ensuring the safe operation of equipment as basis,the relevant improvement and handling measures were put forward.These have the practical reference significance in raising the circulating water concentration multiplying factor,saving water and reducing discharge of sewage etc. aspects of wet cooling units in the other regions.
Connexin 32/38 chimeras suggest a role for the second half of inner loop in gap junction gating by low pH

Gap junction channels are regulated by gates that close with cytosolic acidification and transjunctional voltage (Vj). For identifying the connexin (Cx) domain(s) involved in channel gating, CO2 and Vj sensitivities of channels made of Cx38, Cx32, Cx32/Cx38 chimeras, and Cx32 mutants were studied in Xenopus oocyte pairs. Recently, we have reported that Cx38 is more sensitive to CO2 and Vj than Cx32 because of differences in the Cx inner loop. To identify the responsible inner loop domain, chimeras of Cx32/Cx38 in which the first (I1) or the second (I2) half of the inner loop of Cx38 replaced that of Cx32 and I2 mutants of Cx32 were tested. The chimera Cx32/Cx38I2 (Cx32 with I2 of Cx38) was like Cx38 in CO2 sensitivity but like Cx32 in Vj sensitivity. Cx32/Cx38I1 (Cx32 with I1 of Cx38) did not express channels. Of the three Cx32 mutants, Cx32-VH/IR VH of Cx32 replaced with IR of Cx38) and Cx32-WW/MC WW of Cx32 replaced with MC of Cx38) were like Cx32 in both CO2 and Vj sensitivity, whereas Cx32-S*T/Q*P (S*T of Cx32 replaced with Q*P of Cx38) was closer to Cx38 in CO2 sensitivity but behaved like Cx32 in Vj gating. The data suggest that I1 and I2 contain domains relevant for Vj and CO2 gating, respectively.
The Voyage of Entrecasteaux: Part 6 On to New Caledonia

A sudden change in the wind on 27 February 1793 enabled the frigates to get underway. Entrecasteaux meant to resume his attempt to follow La Perouse’s projected route. That required the Tonga Islands to be the next visit. Ample provisions would be readily available on islands so heavily cultivated, and the relative advancement of the native population offered some assurance that, if La Perouse had indeed visited the islands, reliable information could be obtained. Conversely, the Tonga Islands could no longer be a happy hunting ground for botanists, who would have to occupy their days observing native mores. Frank Horner’s recent description of the Tongan interlude, colorful and unequivocal, need not be duplicated here.243
Effect of rams on progestin-treated ewes.

The effect of rams on progestin-treated ewes was studied in 2 experiments with the same ewe flock. In Experiment 1 vaginal sponges containing 20 mg flurogestone acetate were inserted on Day 1 (July 28) and removed on Day 13. 88 ewes were pastured with 5 vasectomized rams on Days 13-28 while 87 ewes were pastured alone as controls. The ewes in each group were assigned at random to be artificially inseminated or mated as they exhibited estrus on Days 29-32. 94.3% of those teased showed estrus compared with 50.5% of the controls (p less than .01). The conception rate of those artificially inseminated was 51% compared with 79.5% of those naturally mated. In Experiment 2 treatment and teasing were the same as above except a third group (teased) was added. The number showing estrus during the 4-day period was greater (p less than .01) in teased progestin-treated ewes than in control or teased ewes. The conception rate at first service in control ewes was lower compared with the other 2 groups (p less than .05). Those lambing by February 18 were fewer (p less than .05) in the teased than in the teased and treated but did not differ from the values for control ewes. Overall lambing rate was higher (p less than .05) among controls (1.83) than among teased treated (1.55) but not higher than among teased (1.72).
Computer Simulations of High Pressure Systems

Numerical methods are capable of solving very difficult problems in solid mechanics and gas dynamics. In the design of engineering structures, critical decisions are possible if the behavior of materials is correctly described in the calculation. Problems of current interest require accurate analysis of stress-strain fields that range from a very small elastic displacement to very large plastic deformation. Described here is a finite difference program that solves problems over this range and in two and three space-dimensions and time. A series of experiments and calculations serve to establish confidence in the plasticity formulation. Then the program can be used to design high pressure systems where plastic flow occurs. The purpose is to identify material properties, strength and elongation, that meet the operating requirements. An objective is to be able to perform destructive testing on a computer rather than on the engineering structure. Examples of topical interest are given.
Efficacy of N-carbamoyl-L-glutamic acid for the treatment of inherited metabolic disorders

ABSTRACTIntroduction: N-carbamoyl-L-glutamic acid (NCG) is a synthetic analogue of N-acetyl glutamate (NAG) that works effectively as a cofactor for carbamoyl phosphate synthase 1 and enhances ureagenesis by activating the urea cycle. NCG (brand name, Carbaglu) was recently approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) for the management of NAGS deficiency and by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of NAGS deficiency as well as for the treatment of hyperammonenia in propionic, methylmalonic and isovaleric acidemias in Europe.Areas covered: The history, mechanism of action, and efficacy of this new drug are described. Moreover, clinical utility of NCG in a variety of inborn errors of metabolism with secondary NAGS deficiency is discussed.Expert commentary: NCG has favorable pharmacological features including better bioavailability compared to NAG. The clinical use of NCG has proven to be so effective as to make dietary protein restriction unnecessary for patients wit...
XtracTB Assay, a Mycobacterium tuberculosis molecular screening test with sensitivity approaching culture

Nucleic acid amplification tests are increasingly used to diagnose tuberculosis (TB) due to their speed and sensitivity compared to sputum smear microscopy. However, these tests fail to equal culture’s sensitivity with sputum smear microscopy negative specimens and therefore cannot be used to rule out TB disease. For molecular tests to match culture’s sensitivity, they must detect ≤10 genomic copies of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) DNA, the limit of detection of culture, process ≥1 ml of sputum ensuring sufficient number of MTB are in the reaction, and efficiently remove sputum associated inhibitors from this large sample. Here we report the preliminary characterization of XtracTB Assay, a MTB testing protocol designed for inclusion in either an integrated point-of-care platform or a high throughput automated central laboratory system. The test combines DNA sequence specific sample prep to reduce the co-extraction of qPCR inhibitors with the amplification of two MTB specific loci (IS6110 and senX3-regX3) to increase test sensitivity and minimize the likelihood of false negatives. The analytical sensitivity of the XtracTB Assay was 5 genomic copies/ml of sputum rivaling that of culture. Furthermore, 142 valid test results yield clinical sensitivity of 94.9% (95% CI: 90.1–99.9) and specificity of 100% (95% CI: 90.0–100.0).
A feasibility study of neoadjuvant talazoparib for operable breast cancer patients with a germline BRCA mutation demonstrates marked activity.

This study was undertaken to determine the feasibility of enrolling breast cancer patients on a single-agent-targeted therapy trial before neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Specifically, we evaluated talazoparib in patients harboring a deleterious BRCA mutation (BRCA+). Patients with a germline BRCA mutation and ≥1 cm, HER2-negative primary tumors were eligible. Study participants underwent a pretreatment biopsy, 2 months of talazoparib, off-study core biopsy, anthracycline, and taxane-based chemotherapy ± carboplatin, followed by surgery. Volumetric changes in tumor size were determined by ultrasound at 1 and 2 months of therapy. Success was defined as 20 patients accrued within 2 years and <33% experienced a grade 4 toxicity. The study was stopped early after 13 patients (BRCA1 + n = 10; BRCA2 + n = 3) were accrued within 8 months with no grade 4 toxicities and only one patient requiring dose reduction due to grade 3 neutropenia. The median age was 40 years (range 25–55) and clinical stage included I (n = 2), II (n = 9), and III (n = 2). Most tumors (n = 9) were hormone receptor-negative, and one of these was metaplastic. Decreases in tumor volume occurred in all patients following 2 months of talazoparib; the median was 88% (range 30–98%). Common toxicities were neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. Single-agent-targeted therapy trials are feasible in BRCA+ patients. Given the rapid rate of accrual, profound response and favorable toxicity profile, the feasibility study was modified into a phase II study to determine pathologic complete response rates after 4–6 months of single-agent talazoparib. An investigational PARP inhibitor seems safe and possibly effective when given ahead of surgery to women with BRCA-mutated breast cancer. Jennifer Litton and colleagues from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, USA, conducted a small feasibility study to see if patients with stage I-III breast cancer and inherited mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 would put off their standard course of chemotherapy ahead of surgery to first receive two months of talazoparib, an experimental inhibitor of poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP), an enzyme involved in DNA damage repair. The trial was a resounding success. In fact, owing to rapid patient enrollment, decreases in tumor volume among all 13 participants and few signs of serious side effects, the researchers amended the study protocol to give talazoparib for longer and test for therapeutic efficacy.
The future of electronics based on memristive systems

A memristor is a resistive device with an inherent memory. The theoretical concept of a memristor was connected to physically measured devices in 2008 and since then there has been rapid progress in the development of such devices, leading to a series of recent demonstrations of memristor-based neuromorphic hardware systems. Here, we evaluate the state of the art in memristor-based electronics and explore where the future of the field lies. We highlight three areas of potential technological impact: on-chip memory and storage, biologically inspired computing and general-purpose in-memory computing. We analyse the challenges, and possible solutions, associated with scaling the systems up for practical applications, and consider the benefits of scaling the devices down in terms of geometry and also in terms of obtaining fundamental control of the atomic-level dynamics. Finally, we discuss the ways we believe biology will continue to provide guiding principles for device innovation and system optimization in the field. This Perspective evaluates the state of the art in memristor-based electronics and explores the future development of such devices in on-chip memory, biologically inspired computing and general-purpose in-memory computing.
Missed Opportunities for Military Suicide Prevention: Perspectives of Suicide Loss Survivors

Suicide remains a significant public health problem for the United States military, and surviving family members of military suicide can help generate lessons learned for suicide prevention. Indivi...
Judicial stress: the roles of gender and social support

Because judges experience a myriad of occupational stressors, they are at risk of experiencing secondary trauma, burnout, negative mental/physical health, poor job performance and low job satisfaction. These experiences might not be uniform, however, as gender and social support might mitigate such stress-related outcomes. Judges from two states in the United States completed a variety of stress and subjective performance measures. Social support was related to less perceived stress, less burnout, and more job satisfaction, but only for males. This suggests that males and females might receive qualitatively different types of social support. Different types of social support could differ in their ability to buffer judges from these stress-related outcomes. Further, among judges with high social support, females scored higher than males on subjective job performance; the opposite pattern occurred for judges with low social support. Thus, a lack of social support appears to have a negative effect on performance self-appraisals but only for females. Results have implications for the psychological study of stress and for programs designed to reduce judges' stress.
Effect of Manganese and zeolite composition on zeolite-supported Ni-catalysts for dry reforming of methane

Abstract This study examines the effects of manganese (Mn) on zeolite-supported Ni catalysts for dry reforming of methane (DRM). Three commercially-available zeolites (NH4-ZSM5, NH4-Y, Na-Y) were used as catalyst supports for the Ni (10 wt%) catalysts, and 4 different loadings of Mn (0-15 wt%) were used. The activities of the catalysts were screened, and selected catalysts were investigated for 24 hours in the DRM reaction. It was found that the effects of Mn on catalyst activity depends upon the type of zeolite support. Generally, however, Mn decreased the activity of the zeolite-supported Ni-based catalyst, but reactivity was more stable over a 24 -h reaction period. The beneficial effects of Mn as a promoter on NH4-ZSM5 and NH4-Y zeolites are to reduce carbon deposition, to decrease the crystal size of Ni, and to increase Ni dispersion on the zeolite. However, as Mn loading increases, the crystallinity of the zeolite structure and its micropore surface area generally decrease. Mn loading at 10 wt% and 15 wt% on Na-Y is detrimental to catalyst activity and to crystal structure, as it facilitates the destruction of the crystal structure of the Na-Y zeolite and significantly enhances sintering in a high temperature reducing atmosphere.
Asymptomatic ST elevation myocardial infarction.

Abstract Background A 71-year-old non-smoking female with a history of diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and end-stage renal disease presented to the emergency department for right leg pain due to an ankle fracture. Case The patient's initial electrocardiogram (ECG) revealed ST segment elevations in the anterior leads. She denied any chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, lightheadedness, palpitations, nausea or diaphoresis. Her initial laboratory Troponin I resulted 35.9 ng/mL. Coronary catheterization demonstrated 99% occlusion of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. The patient had 2 drug eluting stents placed in the LAD with 10% residual stenosis. Conclusion Although witnessing an ongoing asymptomatic ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is rare, this case highlights the importance of early revascularization when the ECG demonstrates a STEMI, even in the absence of symptoms for patients at risk for silent myocardial infarctions.
THE USE OF GRAPHITE IN HIGH-TEMPERATURE NUCLEAR FUEL ELEMENTS

A summary of the development and evaluation of graphite-matrix fuel compacts and lowpermeability graphites for the High-temperature Gas-cooled Reactor (HTGR) is presented. The fuel compacts consist of thorium-uranium dicarbide particles dispersed in a high-density graphite matrix and are produced by a hot-pressing process. Detailed experimental studies of fuel-compact properties have shown that satisfactory fuel compacts containing up to 40 wt.% fuel (thorium plus uranium) can be prepared. Compacts prepared from thorium-uranium oxide and pyrolytic carboncoated thorium-uranium dicarbide were subjected to radiation and fission-product-retention testing and other evaluations. Typical properties of these graph ite-matrix, dispersion-fuel compacts include graphite density, 1.90–1.95 g/cm3; crushing strength, 8500 psi; thermal conductivity at 2000°C, 0.07 cal/cm2-sec. °C. cm3; and permeability, 2 × 10−3 cm2/sec. Extensive radiation testing showed these compacts to be dimensionally and structurally stable after burnups of 6.9 × 1019 fissions/cm3 (60% of HTGR design burnup) at 1100°–1500°C. Compacts containing thorium-uranium dicarbide particles coated with pyrolytic carbon showed continuing fission-product holdup times of several hundred hours after burnups of 5.4 × 1019 fissions/cm3 at 1500–1900°C. Results of the radiation and fission-product-retention testing of graphite-matrix fuel compacts are discussed in detail. The fuel-element design requires a low-permeability-graphite tubular can and sleeve set that is 10 ft long and 3½ in. in outside diameter with a permeability of 0.18 MeV) neutron exposures of 1021 nvt or greater; permeabilities remained the same or increased by an order of magnitude; and compressive strengths emained the same or increased. The large dimensional changes are believed to be due to carbon black and impregnant coke additions that were not graphitized before testing.
Universalizability and the Generalization Principle

Without generalization foreknowledge is impossible. The circumstances under which one has worked will never reproduce themselves all at once. The observed action then will never recur; the only thing that can be affirmed is that under analogous circumstances an analogous action will be produced. In order to foresee, then, it is necessary to invoke at least analogy, that is to say, already then to generalize.*
Laser Resonant and Nonresonant Photoionization of Sputtered Neutrals

This chapter deals with photoionization of atoms and molecules sputtered from a surface under vacuum. In order to understand the origin and motivation of the work discussed here, first note the initial experiments on sputtering performed in 1910 by J.J. Thomson.(1) In that early work Thomson sputtered a cathode and noted that some of the sputterd atoms were in a charged state while the majority were neutral in charge. After many years of general inactivity in the field, beginning in the late 1950’ Honig(2,3) began developing the sputtering of solids as a means of surface and materials chemical characterization using the charged particles driven from the surface, so-called secondary ions. The use of secondary ions as a means of analysis has flourished in the intervening years.(4–6) The secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) technique became popular because of its sensitivity, and also, while not experimentally trivial, it was relatively straightforward to bombard a sample with a (primary) beam of ions and examine those secondary ions directly with a mass spectrometer.
Barcoding blood meals: New vertebrate-specific primer sets for assigning taxonomic identities to host DNA from mosquito blood meals

The transmission dynamics of mosquito-vectored pathogens are, in part, mediated by mosquito host-feeding patterns. These patterns are elucidated using blood meal analysis, a collection of serological and molecular techniques that determine the taxonomic identities of the host animals from which blood meals are derived. Modern blood meal analyses rely on polymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA sequencing, and bioinformatic comparisons of blood meal DNA sequences to reference databases. Ideally, primers used in blood meal analysis PCRs amplify templates from a taxonomically diverse range of vertebrates, produce a short amplicon, and avoid co-amplification of non-target templates. Few primer sets that fit these requirements are available for the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, the species identification marker with the highest taxonomic coverage in reference databases. Here, we present new primer sets designed to amplify fragments of the DNA barcoding region of the vertebrate COI gene, while avoiding co-amplification of mosquito templates, without multiplexed or nested PCR. Primers were validated using host vertebrate DNA templates from mosquito blood meals of known origin, representing all terrestrial vertebrate classes, and field-collected mosquito blood meals of unknown origin. We found that the primers were generally effective in amplifying vertebrate host, but not mosquito DNA templates. Applied to the sample of unknown mosquito blood meals, > 98% (60/61) of blood meals samples were reliably identified, demonstrating the feasibility of identifying mosquito hosts with the new primers. These primers are beneficial in that they can be used to amplify COI templates from a diverse range of vertebrate hosts using standard PCR, thereby streamlining the process of identifying the hosts of mosquitoes, and could be applied to next generation DNA sequencing and metabarcoding approaches.
Simultaneous coherent structure coloring facilitates interpretable clustering of scientific data by amplifying dissimilarity

The clustering of data into physically meaningful subsets often requires assumptions regarding the number, size, or shape of the subgroups. Here, we present a new method, simultaneous coherent structure coloring (sCSC), which accomplishes the task of unsupervised clustering without a priori guidance regarding the underlying structure of the data. sCSC performs a sequence of binary splittings on the dataset such that the most dissimilar data points are required to be in separate clusters. To achieve this, we obtain a set of orthogonal coordinates along which dissimilarity in the dataset is maximized from a generalized eigenvalue problem based on the pairwise dissimilarity between the data points to be clustered. This sequence of bifurcations produces a binary tree representation of the system, from which the number of clusters in the data and their interrelationships naturally emerge. To illustrate the effectiveness of the method in the absence of a priori assumptions, we apply it to three exemplary problems in fluid dynamics. Then, we illustrate its capacity for interpretability using a high-dimensional protein folding simulation dataset. While we restrict our examples to dynamical physical systems in this work, we anticipate straightforward translation to other fields where existing analysis tools require ad hoc assumptions on the data structure, lack the interpretability of the present method, or in which the underlying processes are less accessible, such as genomics and neuroscience.