cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enfuvirtide: a fusion inhibitor for the treatment of HIV infection.

Abstract Background : Drug resistance continues to be a major challenge in the treatment of HIV-1 infection. Virtually all currently available antiretroviral medications inhibit the viral reverse transcriptase or protease. Enfuvirtide is the first fusion inhibitor approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in treatment-experienced patients. Objective : This paper describes the pharmacologic properties and clinical usefulness of enfuvirtide. Methods : Relevant information was identified through searches of MEDLINE (1990 to October 2003), International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970 to October 2003), and meeting abstracts of major HIV/AIDS conferences (1996–2003) using the search terms enfuvirtide, pentafuside, T-20, DP-178 , and fusion inhibitor . Results : In vitro, enfuvirtide exhibits activity against HIV-1 isolates that are resistant to all other classes of anti-retroviral medications. Enfuvirtide blocks the entry of HIV-1 into host cells by interfering with virus-cell fusion, making it unique among licensed antiretroviral medications. In human adults, enfuvirtide has a volume of distribution of 5.48 L, is highly bound to plasma protein (92%), has a plasma elimination half-life of 3.8 hours, and is catabolized by peptidases and proteinases in various tissues. Dose adjustment does not appear necessary on the basis of age, race, or body weight, but may be warranted in women weighing 10 copies/mL in the enfuvirtide arm at week 48, compared with −0.63 log 10 copy/mL in the control arm ( P 3 (91 cells/mm 3 ) in the enfuvirtide arm vs 45 cells/mm 3 in the control arm; P 15 cases per 100 patient-years of exposure) adverse events (AEs) in clinical trials included injection-site reactions, diarrhea, nausea, fatigue, insomnia, peripheral neuropathy, headache, vomiting, and fever. The most commonly reported (≥2%) laboratory abnormalities (grade III or IV) were eosinophilia, anemia, and increases in amylase, lipase, triglycerides, creatine phosphokinase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase. In clinical trials, serious AEs leading to study discontinuation occurred in 12.9% (114885) of patients in the enfuvirtide arm, compared with 10.7% (12112) in the control arm ( P = NS). The recommended dosag of enfuvirtide is 90 mg SC BID in adults and 2 mg/kg SC BID in children. Efficacy studies in children are ongoing. Conclusion : Although additional studies are needed, enfuvirtide appears to be a promising agent, in combination with other antiretroviral agents, for the treatment of HIV infection in treatment-experienced patients.
Characterization of the acetaminophen-induced degradation of cytochrome P450-3A4 and the proteolytic pathway

It has been shown that large doses of acetaminophen can result in increased degradation of the hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes in vivo; however, the proteolytic pathways have not been identified. We found that incubating transfected HepG2 cells that express CYP3A4 or a reconstituted microsomal model containing human liver microsomes and cytosol, high concentrations of acetaminophen could induce a dose- and time-dependent degradation of CYP3A4. In the microsomal model the degradation could be blocked and augmented by the presence of catalase and superoxide dismutase, respectively. Tocopherol could also protect against the acetaminophen-induced degradation. However, lipid peroxidation assays showed no significant increases in lipid peroxidation products nor was there any protection by propyl gallate. Protease and proteasome inhibitors showed that the proteolytic process was mainly (85%) mediated by the lysosomal pathway, whereas a minor portion (15%) of the degradation was mediated by the proteasomal pathway. Both pepstatin A and anti-cathepsin D neutralizing antibody decreased acetaminophen-induced degradation of CYP3A4 in microsomal model systems. Pepstatin A also blocked the acetaminophen-induced degradation of the CYP3A4 in a transfected HepG2 cell line. Incubating the 3A4 cells in the presence of acetaminophen also increased cathepsin D content and activity. The lysosomal pathway, mainly mediated by cathepsin D, appears to be the major proteolytic pathway involved in the degradation of the P450 enzymes induced by toxic doses of acetaminophen.
Humidity Threshold Variations for Dendrite Growth on Hybrid Substrates

The investigation of black-box failures, which occurred during operational temperature cycling, revealed that the failures were caused by a dendritic like growth of gold between metallization paths on hybrid micro-circuit substrates. The hybrids had successfully passed the level B screening tests required by MIL-STD-883. Subsequent investigation revealed that tests to determine the presence of water vapor in the hybrid packages could not consistently detect parts which contained dendrites. This fact led to the initiation of a series of tests designed to determine and quantify the levels of moisture and/or contamination required to promote the growth of dendrites.
Social network probability mechanics

A new model for a random graph is proposed that can be constructed from empirical data and has some desirable properties compared to scale-free graphs [1, 2, 3] for certain applications. The newly proposed random graph maintains the same "small-world" properties [3, 4, 5] of the scale-free graph, while allowing mathematical modeling of the relationships that make up the random graph. E-mail communication data was collected on a group of 24 mid-career Army officers in a one-year graduate program [6] to validate necessary assumptions for this new class of random graphs. Statistical distributions on graph level measures are then approximated using Monte Carlo simulation and used to detect change in a graph over time.
Performance Analysis of BPSK Signals Transmitted over Slow, Flat, Nakagami Fading Channels with Pulse-Noise Interference and Modified Noise-Normalization of the Soft Receiver Output

The performance of a system utilizing a binary phase-shift keyed waveform transmitted over a frequency-selective, selective, slowly fading Nakagami channel with pulse-noise interference in addition to additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) is examined. The underlying information bits are assumed to be convolutionally encoded prior to transmission over the channel, and the receiver is assumed to use soft decision Viterbi decoding with modified noise-normalization of the soft receiver output. Two types of modification are examined. In the first, the interference power present during a bit is multiplied by some factor prior to normalization, providing the means to determine the effect of either underestimating or overestimating the interference noise power on receiver performance. In the second, when interference power is determined to be present, the normalization factor is taken to be four or more times the noise power of AWGN alone, thus providing a deemphasis of bits that are affected by the pulse-noise interference that relies only on a measurement of the relative noise power instead of an exact measurement of the noise power for a particular bit. The performance obtained with both types of modified noise-normalization of the soft receiver output prior to decoding is compared with the performance obtained with a maximum-likelihood, soft decision receiver.
A Perfect Time for Data Use: Using Data-Driven Decision Making to Inform Practice

Data-driven decision making has become an essential component of educational practice across all levels, from chief state school officers to classroom teachers, and has received unprecedented attention in terms of policy and financial support. It was included as one of the four pillars in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (2009), indicating that federal education officials seek to ensure that data and evidence are used to inform policy and practice. This article describes the emergence of data-driven decision making as a topic of interest, some of the challenges to and opportunities for data use, and how the principles of educational psychology can and must be used to inform how educators are using data and the examination of its impact on educational practice.
Weight loss in obese C57BL/6 mice limits adventitial expansion of established angiotensin II-induced abdominal aortic aneurysms

Previous studies demonstrated that obesity increases inflammation in periaortic adipose tissue and promotes angiotensin II (ANG II)-induced abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). We sought to determine...
Seeing reversals in ambiguous images: to know or not to know?

Summary.—The present study is an attempt to replicate the 1992 findings of Rock and Mitchener that knowing about the ambiguity in ambiguous images is necessary for seeing reversals. In contrast to Rock and Mitchener's study, the present study used a between-subjects design, in which 190 participants were randomly assigned to either an uninformed or an informed condition, and saw 12 images, 6 ambiguous and 6 unambiguous. The findings show that participants in the informed condition were significantly more likely to see reversals in the ambiguous images than were those in the uninformed condition. In contrast to Rock and Mitchener's findings, knowledge of ambiguity did not ensure that all informed participants saw all six reversals; there were spontaneous reversals in the uninformed condition for most of the images. These findings are discussed in terms of suggesting that seeing a reversal in an ambiguous image is a complex process that requires consideration of the interplay of visual perception and higher...
Symbiont-Mediated Protection against Fungal Pathogens in Pea Aphids: a Role for Pathogen Specificity?

Here we show that a bacterial endosymbiont, Regiella insecticola, protects pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum) from the aphid-specific fungal entomopathogen Zoophthora occidentalis but not from the generalist insect fungal pathogen Beauveria bassiana. This finding highlights the complex influence of fungi on the dynamics of this economically important agricultural pest.
Helping the Helpers to Help Children: Advances by the American Academy of Pediatrics

Geographic circumstances: We remained out of the disaster area while providing indirect support and resources to on-site pediatricians. Our involvement with disasters has escalated since Hurricane Katrina. About the lead author (Dr Krug): I am a professor of pediatrics at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and head the division of emergency medicine at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. I currently serve as the chairperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Disaster Preparedness Advisory Council and am past-chair for both the AAP Committee on Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Section on Pediatric Emergency Medicine. I am a member of the advisory board for the National EMSC Data Analysis Resource Center and have been an active participant within the Emergency Medical Services for Children program at both state and national levels. I am the editor-in-chief for Clinical Pediatric Emergency Medicine. My areas of interest include emergency medical services for children, disaster preparedness, patient safety and care quality, clinical outcomes of emergency care, medical education, trauma systems, access to health care and the economics of health care delivery. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has been involved in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts for many years, but after Hurricane Katrina, the AAP Board of Directors elevated disaster preparedness as a priority that requires special attention and resources. The AAP appointed the Disaster Preparedness Advisory Council (DPAC) to establish a focused effort within the AAP to develop and implement a 3- to 5-year AAP strategic action plan for disaster preparedness. Specific activities in this plan included responding to all pediatric disaster-preparedness inquiries, identifying opportunities for advocacy such as providing congressional testimony, offering comments on federal regulations, participating in federal disaster-planning initiatives, implementing a Web-based resource for health care professionals and families, and creating the AAP Disaster Preparedness Contact Network. This … Address correspondence to Laura Aird, MS, Disaster Preparedness and Response, American Academy of Pediatrics, 141 Northwest Point Blvd, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007-1098. E-mail: laird{at}aap.org
The effects of iron on microbial antagonism by fluorescent pseudomonads

Abstract The experiments reported here were designed to examine the effects of iron on the procaryotic and eucaryotic microbial inhibitory activities of fluorescent, plant‐associated pseudomonads. A numerical analysis which included data on 113 characters of 176 bacterial strains served as the foundation on which the strain specific iron induced changes in inhibition were examined. Siderophore production affects both bacteriocin typing and production of fungistatic zones of inhibition in this group of bacteria. Antibiosis directed towards the eucaryotic organisms, Geotrichum candidum, Ceratocystis ulmi and a Rhodotorula species increases for most pseudomonad strains on media containing iron; moreover, we believe this to be the first report of strains exhibiting fungicidal activity which produce greater zones of inhibition in the presence of iron. The nature of these antibiotics is discussed in relation to the possible commonality to known antibiotics and plant toxins. The results lead to the speculation t...
UCS Intensity-dependent Attenuation of Infantile Amnesia

Unconditioned stimulus (UCS) reactivation treatments may attenuate infantile amnesia in rats by providing an external reminder cue, creating an internal contextual reminder cue via endogenous hormones, and/or modulating memory retrieval via neurochemical changes from activation of the stress cascade. In the present study, the UCS reactivation treatment and the relationship between intensity at training and intensity at testing were examined. In Experiment 1, 17-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were given multiple-trial passive-avoidance conditioning with a high-intensity footshock. Those subjects administered a high-intensity reactivation treatment performed significantly better than did subjects that received a low-intensity reactivation treatment, subjects that received no treatment, or pseudo-trained animals. Experiment 2 repeated the first experiment with a low-intensity training footshock. The results indicated that only a high-intensity reactivation treatment attenuated infantile amnesia. These findings suggest that the training UCS need not match the reactivation treatment in terms of intensity and leaves open the possibility that aversive reactivation treatments may be multifaceted, involving external contextual cues, internal contextual cues, and neuromodulatory effects from activation of the stress cascade.
Gender differences in personality and cancer-related pain among older cancer patients

Indicators explaining gender differences in personality and pain among older cancer patients have not been adequately addressed. This study examined gender differences in cancer-related pain severity, the Five Factor Model of personality, and affect among older cancer patients (86 women, 64 men). No significant differences were found in pain severity between the gender groups. Analyses indicated that women scored significantly higher for the personality trait of neuroticism than men (p < .05). Further analyses showed that different demographic, health, and personality variables predicted pain severity in women and men. Gender was found to be a significant moderator in the association between the personality trait of neuroticism and average pain. These findings suggest that both gender and different personality types may influence reported pain severity. Specifically, the results suggest that how patients experience and report pain severity may be gender-specific, and that it may be inappropriate to assume...
Δ (1232) production and parity violations in proton proton scattering

Abstract We calculate the pp→ NΔ contribution to the parity violating quantity Δσ p.v. = σ + − σ t - where σ +- is the total cross-section for beam protons with ± ve helicity. If the Weinberg-Salam model is valid, Δσ p.v. is large and rapidly varying with beam energy in the Δ production region.
UNDERSTANDING SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNING DIFFICULTIES. Madeline E. Ehrman. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 1996. Pp. xvii + 346. $25.95 paper.

The purpose of this book is to provide language teachers with insights and tools for understanding some of the reasons why their adult students often encounter less-than-smooth sailing when trying to learn another language. The book explores a variety of case studies that involve real students, thus bringing to life the human dimension of the learning difficulties presented. Although some examples of ESL students are provided, the major focus is on foreign language learners. Ehrman's felicitous writing style ensures that the book reads like an extended and intellectually stimulating conversation with the author.
Performance analysis of The TCP SACK-based loss recovery mechanism (RFC 3517) under correlated losses

Most of the TCP/IP applications running over mobile communication systems such as GPRS, UMTS or CDMA1X-EV/DO use TCP as the transport protocol. The end-to-end performance of an application depends significantly on the performance of TCP. In particular, when a mobile device moves between two cells an entire burst of packets might be lost. How well TCP recovers from this type of scenario in which losses are highly correlated will greatly influence the end-to-end performance of the upper layer application. Correlated losses are also introduced by drop-tail buffers, which is the dominant packet drop policy implemented in mobile communication systems. In this paper we develop an analytical model to analyse the performance of the TCP SACK-based loss recovery mechanism defined in RFC 3517 under correlated losses imposed by mobility and/or drop-tail buffers. The results show that the mean TCP SACK throughput is no better than TCP Reno. Our model includes the details of the loss recovery phase, which helps us to show the low probability of having a successful SACK recovery phase and its potentially long recovery times
Redescription and transfer of Geolycosa grandis (Araneae, Lycosidae) to the genus Hogna

Geolycosa grandis (Banks 1894) (Araneae, Lycosidae) is redescribed, and illustrations are provided for the first time. We propose that Geolycosa grandis be transferred to the genus Hogna Simon 1885. Hogna permunda (Chamberlin 1904) is synonymized with H. grandis. Notes are given on distinguishing H. grandis from similar species including H. helluo (Walckenaer 1837), Allocosa georgicola (Walckenaer 1837), and H. aspersa (Hentz 1844). Information on Lycosa permiana Scheffer 1904 is examined and the species is declared nomen dubium.
Restricting Pesticide Use: The Impact on Profitability by Farm Size

A sample of 226 cash grain farms in the Lake States-Corn Belt region are analyzed to estimate the impact of restricting pesticide use on profits. These 226 farms are classified into small, medium, and large farms according to their sale revenues. The results suggest the existence of pest management practices that could substantially reduce pesticide use without incurring economic losses. The reductions in profits associated with gradual reductions in pesticide expenditure appear to increase with farm size.
Evaluation of a large scale pervasive embedded network for robot path planning

We investigate a technique that uses an embedded network deployed pervasively throughout an environment to aid robots in navigation. First, we show that the path computed by the network is useful for a simple mobile robot. The robot uses a network of 156 nodes to navigate through a complex, dynamic, environment. This is the largest embedded network used for navigation we are aware of. In our approach, the network nodes do not need to know their absolute or relative positions and the mobile robots do not build any kind of map. Second, the impact of specific network deployments on path quality is examined. Two types of arrangements, hexagonal and rectangular, in two different environments are considered. We present quantitative results collected from a real-world embedded network of 60 nodes. Experimentally, we find that on average, the path computed by the network is only 24% longer than the optimal path. Also, we find a slight advantage for the hexagonal arrangement
Simulation and Validation of Mach Number Effects on Secondary Flow in a Transonic Turbine Using a Multigrid, k-ε Solver

An existing three dimensional Navier-Stokes flow solver with an explicit Runge-Kutta algorithm and a low Reynolds number k-e turbulence model has been modified in order to simulate turbomachinery flows in a more efficient manner. The solver has been made to converge more rapidly through use of the mutligrid technique. Stability problems associated with use of multigrid in conjunction with two equation turbulence models are addressed and techniques to alleviate instability are investigated. Validation for the new code was performed with a transonic turbine cascade tested by Perdichizzi. In the fully three dimensional turbulent cascade, real convergence (i.e. CPU time) was improved nearly two times the original code. Robustness was enhanced with the full multigrid initialization procedure. The same test case was then used to perform a series of simulations that investigated the effect of different exit Mach numbers on secondary flow features. This permitted an in depth study into the mechanisms of secondary flow formation and secondary losses at high Mach numbers. In this cascade, it was found that secondary losses and secondary flow deviation, which are fairly constant in incompressible flows with similar geometries, underwent a large reduction in the compressible flow range. The structure of the trailing edge shock system and the reduced endwall boundary layer at supersonic exit conditions were shown to be very significant in reducing the amount of secondary flow and losses.Copyright © 1996 by ASME
Russian Olive, Elaeagnus angustifolia, Alters Patterns In Soil Nitrogen Pools Along The Rio Grande River, New Mexico, USA

Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia L.) is an invasive non-native tree in western North America capable of nitrogen fixation through symbiotic actinorhizal associations. The high abundance of the tree may have important effects on ecosystem nutrient dynamics and consequent community responses. This study explored the influence of Russian olive on soil nitrogen along a section of the Rio Grande River riparian zone in Rio Grande Valley State Park, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Cottonwood trees (Populus deltoides, var. wislizenii) without subcanopy trees were paired with cottonwood having a Russian olive under the canopy, and soil nitrogen pools were assessed. Relative to open interplant areas, soils under subcanopy Russian olive showed a 55% increase in total nitrogen and nearly four times the amount of available nitrogen compared to soils under cottonwood alone. Organic matter accumulation followed a similar pattern relative to open areas with 73% more accumulation under subcanopy Russian olive compared with cottonwood trees alone. Acetylene reduction and δ15N revealed that nitrogen fixation occurred in Russian olive at the site during the time of sampling, and foliar chemistry averaged 2.58% nitrogen for Russian olive compared to 0.54% for cottonwood. Both soil texture and Russian olive presence proved to be important factors affecting the observed soil nitrogen patterns. Despite these nitrogen inputs, cottonwood trees appeared to utilize sources other than that derived from Russian olive. A soil respiration experiment assessed the influence of Russian olive on soil microbial productivity, which revealed that soils at this location are carbon limited and not nitrogen limited. Even after imposing a nitrogen limitation through the addition of carbon, Russian olive did not affect microbial productivity despite higher nitrogen levels in soils associated with it. The results of this study show that Russian olive enhances soil nitrogen resources in this semi-arid riparian environment, but the added nitrogen is not likely to facilitate cottonwood tree growth or further exotic weed invasion. Russian olive may instead compete with cottonwood for other resources.
2D Materials Beyond Graphene: Optical Properties of Atomically Thin Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Crystals

The development of graphene has demonstrated the possibility of preparing, characterizing, and utilizing crystals with a thickness of just one or a few monolayers. The study of graphene revealed not only the attractive mechanical properties of such atomically thin materials, but also the emergence of distinctive electronic and optical properties in the two-dimensional limit that are not shared by the bulk counterpart of the material. During the past few years, the community has recognized that atomically thin two-dimensional crystals can be prepared using a much broader class of materials than carbon, including the preparation of new insulators (such as hexagonal BN) and new semiconductors. In this paper, we focus on our growing understanding of the properties of a new class of two-dimensional semiconductors in the transition metal dichalcogenide family. In particular, we will consider materials of the form MX2, with transition metal M = Mo, W and chalcogen atom X = S, Se, Te. These materials, semiconductors in the bulk, have now been prepared and investigated in the limit of single and few-layer crystals. The materials share the attractive mechanical properties of graphene, including flexibility and stability under high levels of strain, but they offer very different electrical and optical properties.
Application of a Radioimmunoassay (RIA) for Monitoring Immune Response to Porcine Zonae Pellucidae

AbstractRadioimmunoassay (RIA) methodology for purposes of monitoring immune response of female mice to injection with porcine zonae pellucidae was investigated. Titers of antibodies prepared against zonae pellucidae and, as measured by RIA, were compared to those obtained by the two frequently used zona antibody titration methods of (i) antibody produced precipitation layer formation on the zona surface (PPT titer), and (ii) indirect immunofluorescence (IF titer). RIA 30% binding and endpoint titers produced comparable immune profiles which indicated rapid rise in anti-zona activity occurring during the first 4 weeks following immunization, peak titer achieved between approximately 5 and 8 weeks followed by a very gradual decline in titer. Anti-zona titers remained at significantly high levels at 225 days following injection. RIA endpoint titers were approximately 200 times greater than the IF titers which, in turn, were 32-64 times greater than PPT titers. These data emphasize the greater sensitivity of...
Numerical Simulation of a Supersonic Cruise Nozzle

The prototyping and testing of a supersonic cruise nozzle that covers wide range of nozzle geometry configurations (to help with large operating envelop of an aircraft) is both time consuming and expensive. Numerical simulations offer quick and less expensive solution to reduce the design time and cost. In the present study one of the configurations of a supersonic cruise nozzle is simulated for a range of nozzle pressure ratios and the results are compared with experimental data. The pressure-based and density-based solvers in ANSYS Fluent CFD code are used for the validation study and solution based adaption is examined to determine if the accuracy can be improved by local mesh refinement. The simulation results show very good agreement with the experimental data, and this study demonstrates an optimized simulation process which can be used to study the entire envelope of flow and nozzle geometry conditions.
Neighborhood Social Processes and Adolescent Sexual Partnering: A Multilevel Appraisal of Anderson’s Player Hypothesis

An increasing amount of sociological research is directed at unpacking the social processes behind neighborhood effects on youth behavioral outcomes. The goal of the current study is to build upon these prior efforts and advance research on neighborhood cultural mechanisms and adolescent sexual-partnering behaviors. We formulate and test a series of multilevel hypotheses informed by Anderson’s research on the relationship between neighborhood cultural processes and multiple sexual partnering or “player-like” sexual behavior. The hypotheses are tested using data from a multisite sample of African American adolescent males from the Family and Community Health Study. Results from a series of multilevel models provide evidence of both contextual and indirect effects of neighborhood culture on sexual partnering; moreover, these effects are conditioned by neighborhood structural deprivation.
Effect of lead-salt burning-rate catalyst LBC on thermal decomposition behaviors of key constituents of GAP propellant

The effects of lead salt burning-rate catalyst(LBC) on thermal decomposition procedures of key constituents of GAP propellants,such as ammonium perchlorate(AP),cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine(HMX) and GAP binder system,were investigated respectively by means of thermogravimetric(TG) analysis and differential scanning calorimeter(DSC) methods with linear heating-up mode.The characteristic values of thermal decomposition and weight loss for(AP,AP/LBC),(HMX,HMX/LBC) and(GAP binder,GAP binder/LBC) were determined and compared.The research results verify that addition of the LBC leads to the decrease of the high-temperature decomposition temperature and the increase of the exothermic reaction for AP within low-temperature region,which indicates that the LBC can conduct remarkable catalysis on thermal decomposition procedure of AP.The addition of LBC has an obvious influence on exothermic quantity of nitrate esters and pure GAP.But the case is not visible for that of HMX.
Comparative bacteriology of vaginal trichomonad infestations; a study of 190 clinical cases.

Abstract Microorganisms in the human vaginal vault were isolated from 104 clinical cases of Trichomonas vaginalis vaginitis and are compared and contrasted with the microflora isolated from a control series of 86 normal patients without vaginal discharge or any clinically confirmable manifestations of a trichomonad infestation. The bacteria isolated in both series are strikingly similar in distribution both as to species and frequency of presence. No single bacterial or fungus organism is associated with the flagellate, Trichomonas vaginalis , in clinical cases of vaginitis that does not appear in the normal vagina. Doderlein bacilli or diphtheroid rods appear to be present in a similar frequency in the trichomonad-infested vagina and the normal vagina. Common to all cases of trichomonad vaginitis in this series is the flagellate, Trichomonas vaginalis . These data would appear to support the contention that this trichomonad is the etiological agent in a specific vaginitis.
Adolescent’s respiratory sinus arrhythmia is associated with smoking rate five years later

Abstract Introduction Vulnerability factors like respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) may help identify adolescents at risk for nicotine dependence. We examined if resting RSA and the acute effects of smoking on RSA was associated with cigarette smoking five years later among adolescents at high risk for smoking escalation and nicotine dependence. Methods Sixty-nine adolescents participated in a baseline laboratory session- RSA was collected before and after smoking a single cigarette ad libitum. Participants were then followed for five years. Results Lower pre-smoke resting RSA was related to higher past month smoking rate five years later, even after controlling for baseline smoking rate and other relevant covariates including gender, race/ethnicity, age of initiated use, and frequency of exercise at baseline (p = 0.018). Exploratory analyses suggested resting RSA is an independent predictor of increased cigarette rate beyond other baseline predictors. Conclusions Low resting RSA may be a vulnerability factor, helping to identify adolescents at risk for cigarette escalation.
The surgical treatment of distal hypospadias

Distal hypospadias is one of the most common conditions encountered by the pediatric urologist. For many years it was considered to be a non-surgical pathology, since attempts to correct this condition was cosmetically unsatisfactory and more problems were caused rather than resolved. Over the last 15 years, early in the 80's, John Duckett rekindled the interest in this pathology whose treatment had advanced very little since the era of Mathieu. This article is a posthumous tribute to my mentor, John W. Duckett, who contributed considerably to the advancement of surgical treatment of hypospadias.
Dietary NaCl loading enhances antihypertensive effect of guanabenz in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Our previous studies demonstrated that high dietary NaCl intake causes increases in blood pressure and plasma norepinephrine (NE) levels and a decrease in NE release associated with local upregulation of alpha 2-adrenoceptor number in the anterior hypothalamic area (AHA) of NaCl-sensitive spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR-S). Further, acute microinjection of clonidine into the AHA of SHR-S fed a high NaCl diet resulted in greater depressor and bradycardic responses than in SHR-S receiving a normal NaCl diet. The current study tested the hypothesis that the antihypertensive effect of chronic systemic administration of guanabenz (0.24 micrograms/kg/min, IV) is enhanced in SHR-S maintained on a high (8%) NaCl diet than in control rats on a normal (1% NaCl) diet. After two weeks on the diets, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were measured and blood for NE and epinephrine (E) assay was collected from intra-arterial cannulas in conscious, unrestrained rats. The ratio of left ventricle and septum to body weight (LV + S/BW) was determined. Chronic infusion of guanabenz significantly decreased MAP (P less than .05), HR (P less than .01) and LV + S/BW (P less than .01) in 8% NaCl fed SHR-S, but not in 1% NaCl fed SHR-S (P greater than .1). Guanabenz tended to reduce plasma NE levels in 8% NaCl fed SHR-S (.1 greater than P greater than .05), but not in 1% NaCl fed rats (P greater than .1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Race and 30-Day Morbidity in Pediatric Urologic Surgery

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Quality improvement in surgery involves identifying patients at high risk for postoperative complications. We sought to assess the impact of race and procedure type on 30-day surgical morbidity in pediatric urology. METHODS: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program–Pediatrics (NSQIP-P) is a prospective registry of surgical cases from 50 and 56 pediatric hospitals in 2012 and 2013, respectively. We performed a cohort study of children followed in NSQIP-P who underwent urologic surgery. Forty unique operations were stratified into 6 clinically related procedure groups: ureteral, testicular, renal, urinary diversion, penile and urethral, or bladder procedures. Outcomes were 3 different composite measures of 30-day morbidity. Primary predictors were patient race and procedural group. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify associations between race, procedure type, and postoperative morbidity. RESULTS: Of 114 395 patients in the NSQIP-P cohort, 11 791 underwent pediatric urologic procedures. Overall 30-day complication rate was 5.9% and was higher in bladder and urinary diversion procedures. On multivariate analyses, non-Hispanic black compared with non-Hispanic white children had higher odds of 30-day overall complications (odds ratio 1.34; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–1.74) and 30-day hospital-acquired infection (odds ratio 1.54; 95% confidence interval, 1.08–2.20). Bladder and urinary diversion procedures relative to testicular procedures had significantly higher odds of surgical morbidity across all composite outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS: Black race and bladder and urinary diversion operations were significantly associated with 30-day surgical morbidity. Future efforts should identify processes of care that decrease postoperative morbidity among children.
Generation of Solitons by Recoiling Nuclei in 2D Lattices

Recent interest in using low temperature phonon-based detectors to search for dark matter has emphasized the need to understand the spatial distribution of the phonon flux produced by a recoiling nucleus. The phonon distribution may reflect the recoil’s direction, which in turn can be used in identifying events caused by scattering of dark matter. It has been suggested [1] that there is an anisotropy in the primaeval phonon flux (the phonons created immediately after the recoil) due to the creation of solitons whose range and amplitude depend on the recoil direction and energy. The solitons decay, emitting phonons. One can then look for traces of this wake in the measured distribution of phonons at the surface.
U.S. Arms Transfers to Latin America, 1945‐1974

The multiplicity of models and approaches to the study of political behavior provide for numerous and important insights, but also for a great deal of confusion as a consequence of explanatory overkill. However, different perspectives can be related to each other to provide an interlocking and consistent explanation which brings order and understanding out of theoretical chaos. U.S. government “decision-making” concerning arms transfers to Latin America in the postwar period can be explained in terms of rational strategy, bureaucratic politics, and executive parameters, and relationships that exist between these modes of analysis. The most important independent variable is the strategic perspective held by the members of the National Security Council. Variance in this perspective has given greater and lesser support to the arguments of bureaucracies having different concerns and interests. This has been especially true for those institutions that, having narrowly defined missions, tend to favor more rigid policies. As a result of its diffuse responsibilities, the State Department has tended to be more adaptable to a changed NSC perspective. The availability of arms for transfer and especially the Congress have provided important checks on arms transfers to Latin America.
Playing to your opponent’s weakness – or strength

AbstractPlaying to your opponent’s weakness is a strategy commonly adopted in head-to-head sports. I argue, however, that competitors in head-to-head sports should adopt the opposite strategy: playing to your opponent’s strength (PTS). To do so, I first distinguish two senses of victory and explain what constitutes a meaningful victory in head-to-head sports. I then examine the implications of mutualism as exhibited in Robert L. Simon’s view that sport is a mutual quest for excellence through challenge. Finally, I defend the notion that competitors in head-to-head sports should adopt PTS by stating and answering seven objections.
Emotion, Desire, and Morality

While temperance may not be widely appreciated, emotion is a topic of vast appeal and importance in the moral life. Emphasis on the analysis of emotion in this chapter will lie in the areas of psychology and morality.
High contrast observations of circumstellar disks with the Gemini Planet Imager's polarimetry mode

The Gemini Planet Imager (GPI) is a near-infrared high-contrast imager on the 8-m Gemini South telescope, optimized for the direct detection and characterization of extrasolar Jovian-mass planets and circumstellar disks. The instrument includes a dual-channel polarimetry mode designed to detect the inherently polarized light scattered off debris disks and protoplanetary disks and suppress unpolarized light from the host star. GPI has imaged over two dozen circumstellar disks {detecting some for the first time in scattered light {and carried out polarimetric measurements of brown dwarfs and exoplanets. Here, we review the current status of the debris disk component of the GPI Exoplanet Survey and report on updates to standard data reduction techniques that improve upon the achievable polarimetric contrasts.
Wealth Privilege and the Racial Wealth Gap: A Case Study in Economic Stratification:

The emerging subfield of stratification economics is a response to the orthodoxy’s resistance to recognizing the role of racial and ethnic disparities and its penchant for adopting cultural explanations for intergroup differences. With this view, the literature on the racial wealth gap and its particular embrace of the Life Cycle Hypothesis (LCH) offers a clear example of this critique at work. Not only is the LCH incapable of explaining why the racial wealth gap is so much larger than the income gap, but its limitations restrict the range of explanations explored. As an alternative, this paper introduces the Wealth Privilege (WP) model. Unlike the LCH, the WP model can incorporate the effects of contemporary racism as well as the systemic sources that are a legacy of several centuries of racialized policies. Using evidence from the 2013 Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF), this article offers empirical corroboration as well. Since the SCF queries households on their attitudes toward saving and investment, this article investigates the extent that cultural differences explain the wealth gap. To limit the problem of skewness, which is inherent in wealth studies, the analysis uses an inverse hyperbolic-sine transformation of household net worth. The OLS regression results show scant support for key features of the LCH while demonstrating the importance of asset ownership and family support, both crucial facets of the WP model. Two different decomposition methods, Blinder - Oaxaca and DiNardo - Fortin - Lemieux, corroborate these conclusions. As wealth is easily transferable across generations, the evidence supports the contention that household wealth serves as a source of economic stratification as it functions to preserve and even widen the racial wealth gap.
Better Together: B7S1 Checkpoint Blockade Synergizes with anti-PD1.

T cell checkpoint blockades can produce durable clinical responses, but only some patients and cancer types respond. In this issue of Immunity, Li et al. (2018) show B7S1-B7S1R signaling additionally regulates CD8+ T cell responses by working with the PD1-PDL1 checkpoint to block anti-tumor immunity.
A canine model of chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy: characterization of regional flow-function relations.

The controversy regarding the mechanism(s) of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in chronic coronary artery disease is, in part, related to the lack of an appropriate animal model for this condition. We have developed such a model by placing Ameroid constrictors on proximal portions of coronary arteries in dogs who were euthanized (mean of 6 wk) after the development of severe global LV dysfunction noted on two-dimensional echocardiography. The LV end-systolic size nearly doubled (P 50% (P < 0.001). Regional dysfunction was noted in 23 of 24 myocardial beds analyzed within regions showing no gross evidence of infarction. In 10 of these beds, severe dysfunction was noted without a decrease in radiolabeled microsphere-derived myocardial blood flow (MBF). In 13 myocardial beds, decrease in function was associated with a decrease in MBF (P < 0.001), with close coupling noted between percent wall thickening and MBF. In the beds that exhibited an ultimate decrease in MBF, the decrease in function preceded the decrease in MBF. In conclusion, we describe chronic LV dysfunction in a canine model of multivessel stenosis that closely mimics chronic ischemic LV dysfunction in humans. Whereas regional function is severely reduced in this model, MBF is varied in different segments and at different times during the observation period. These results provide new insights regarding flow-function relations in chronic ischemic LV dysfunction.
Outcomes after Intravitreal Bevacizumab versus Laser Photocoagulation for Retinopathy of Prematurity: A 5-Year Retrospective Analysis.

Purpose To determine the relative effectiveness, major complications, and refractive errors associated with intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) versus panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) to treat type 1 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Design Retrospective case series. Participants Consecutive infants with type 1 ROP who received either IVB or PRP and had at least 6 months of follow-up. Methods The data from infants treated with either IVB or PRP for type 1 ROP between 2008 and 2012 were recorded from 2 medical centers in Atlanta, Georgia. Main Outcome Measures Recurrence rate, complication rate, and refractive error. Results A total of 54 eyes (28 patients) with type 1 ROP were evaluated: 22 eyes (11 patients) received IVB, and 32 eyes (17 patients) received PRP. Among the 22 eyes treated with IVB, 16 eyes had zone I ROP and 6 eyes had posterior zone II ROP. The number of zone I and II ROP eyes treated with PRP were 5 and 27, respectively. Mean gestational age, birth weight, postmenstrual age at initial treatment, and follow-up period for the infants receiving IVB were 24.2 weeks, 668.1 g, 35.1 weeks, and 21.7 weeks, respectively, and for the infants receiving PRP, these were 24.8 weeks, 701.4 g, 36.1 weeks, and 34.5 weeks, respectively. Retinopathy of prematurity recurred in 3 (14%) of 22 IVB-treated eyes and in 1 (3%) of 32 PRP-treated eyes. Neither retinal detachment nor macular ectopia developed in any of the IVB-treated eyes. In PRP-treated eyes, retinal detachment developed in only 1 eye and macular ectopia developed in 5 eyes. Mean spherical equivalent and postgestational age at the last refraction for IVB-treated eyes were −2.4 diopters (D) and 22.4 months, respectively, and for PRP-treated eyes, these were −5.3 D and 37.1 months, respectively. Mean spherical equivalent for zone I ROP eyes treated with IVB and PRP were −3.7 D and −10.1 D, respectively, and for zone II ROP eyes, these were 0.6 D and −4.7 D, respectively. Conclusions Both IVB and PRP are effective treatment options for type 1 ROP with low complication rates. IVB was associated with less myopia than PRP, although longer follow-up was available for PRP.
Catheter removal versus retention in the management of catheter-associated enterococcal bloodstream infections

BACKGROUND: Enterococci are an important cause of central venous catheter (CVC)-associated bloodstream infections (CA-BSI). It is unclear whether CVC removal is necessary to successfully manage enterococcal CA-BSI.
Anterior–Posterior Spinal Cord Patterning of the Motor Pool

One of the major challenges in the neurosciences has been to define the genetic programs that specify distinct classes of neurons and to understand how neuronal identity influences the precision of neuronal connectivity. Spinal motor neurons have provided a useful model system for exploring the basic principles underlying cellular diversity and synaptic specificity in the central nervous system. During development, motor neurons acquire subtype identities that allow them to make selective connections with only one out of hundreds of potential muscle targets. The specification of motor neuron identities requires the actions of a diverse array of transcriptional regulators, and a large family of Hox proteins appears to be particularly important in establishing the motor neuron pool subtypes required for innervation of muscle targets in the limb.
Qualität und Qualitätsmanagement bei Pflanzenkläranlagen

Qualitat wurde fruher, und speziell im Ingenieurwesen, vor allem als technische Eigenschaft des Produktes verstanden. Zwischenzeitlich ist, insbesondere auch mit der aktuellen Fassung der „Qualitats“-DIN 9000:2000, die Kundenzufriedenheit bei der Beurteilung des Produkts in den Vordergrund getreten.
Effect of Blocked Versus Random Practice on Physical Therapy Students’ Manual Force Modulation:

This study examined (a) the effect of practice organization on learning to modulate manual force, and (b) the effect of force magnitude on ability to accurately reproduce force. I randomly assigned...