cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association between Cough and Cytology of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid and Pulmonary Function in Horses Diagnosed with Inflammatory Airway Disease

Background: The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between chronic cough, pulmonary mechanical function, bronchial hyper-responsiveness, and peripheral airway inflammation in adult performance horses with nonseptic inflammatory airway disease (IAD). Hypothesis: We hypothesized that horses with a presenting complaint of cough have a higher percentage of inflammatory cells on bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), greater airway obstruction, and airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR) than do horses without cough. Animals/Sample Population: Adult performance horses (n = 137) referred for evaluation of signs of IAD including cough or exercise intolerance (university hospital patients) and BAL samples (n = 142) taken in first opinion practice. Methods: A descriptive, retrospective cohort analysis was performed to evaluate the association between chronic cough and pulmonary mechanical function, AHR, BAL cytology, patient signalment, and comorbid features (multivariable logistic regression). Results: Cough was significantly more prevalent in horses >7 years, and best characterized by a high BAL neutrophil count (>5%) and nasal discharge. Lung function mechanics, abnormal thoracic auscultation, and exercise intolerance did not retain statistical significance in the logistical regression analysis of cough. Although AHR was not related to neutrophilic airway inflammation (BAL neutrophils >5%), it was significantly associated with BAL mast cells >2%. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Our data support that neutrophilic airway inflammation may potentiate cough without further changing respiratory mechanical function in IAD. In contrast, mast cell release increased AHR without affecting the incidence of cough. Cough may be used as an indicator of neutrophilic airway inflammation in the presence of low-grade nonseptic respiratory disease.
Poetry Therapy: A Framework and Synthesis of Techniques for Family Social Work

ABSTRACT The conjunction of poetry therapy and family social work is briefly discussed with respect to philosophical, theoretical, and professional issues. Noting that the use of poetry, narrative, metaphor, and the related language arts are within the purview of poetry therapy, 14 techniques applied to family therapy are examined. The limitations of poetry therapy and new directions for practice and research are also noted.
CONCURRENT CHEMORADIATION IN THE TREATMENT OF HEAD AND NECK CANCER

The concurrent use of chemotherapy with radiation in the management of head and neck cancer has been shown in several randomized studies and two recent meta-analyses to result in statistically and clinically significant gains in locoregional control and overall survival. This article highlights and summarizes the results of selected randomized studies. Concurrent single-agent chemotherapy trials, hypoxic cell sensitizer trials, and multiagent chemotherapy trials are presented. Trials employing concurrent chemoradiation in the postoperative setting, trials employing concurrent chemoradiation with an altered fractionation scheme, and promising results using concurrent chemoradiation in the previously radiated patient are presented. Current ongoing trials and future directions in concurrent chemoradiation are discussed.
Teaching database management system use in a library school curriculum

Database management systems are in widespread use as efficient means for managing information in a computer. This paper describes how the use of such systems is being taught to students at the School of Library and Information Studies, University of California, Berkeley. It discusses some of the concepts of database systems and presents an instructional data base used by students in the course.
Pharmacoeconomic Education in Egyptian Schools of Pharmacy

Objective. To investigate the status of pharmacoeconomics education in Egyptian schools of pharmacy and compile and construct recommendations on how Egypt and similar countries could improve their educational infrastructure in pharmacoeconomics. Methods. A modified version of a published survey instrument was sent to all schools of pharmacy in Egypt (n= 24). The data were assessed to identify associations between offering pharmacoeconomics education and school characteristics. Results. Usable responses were obtained from 20 schools (response rate: 83%). Only 7 schools offered pharmacoeconomics education, with a median of 20 teaching hours per semester. Among respondents, 4 schools had instructors with some training in pharmacoeconomics and only 1 school had a faculty member with PhD-level training. Only 4 schools offered graduate-level courses in pharmacoeconomics. Eight additional schools expressed interest in teaching pharmacoeconomics in the near future. Having 1 or more faculty members with training in pharmacoeconomics was significantly associated with offering pharmacoeconomics education (p = 0.03). Conclusions. Pharmacoeconomics education in Egypt is still in its infancy and there exists a unique opportunity for well-trained instructors and researchers to fill this gap. Providing structured pharmacoeconomics education to student pharmacists, researchers, and stakeholders can help countries establish an integrated scientific community that can start applying pharmacoeconomic evidence to healthcare decision-making.
Metabolism of pregnenolone-4-14C and pregnenolone-7-alpha-3H sulfate by the Macaca mulatta fetal adrenal in vitro.

Abstract These studies were initiated to ascertain the feasibility of utilizing the fetal monkey adrenal as a model for further studies on comparative steroid metabolism at various periods of gestation. Homogenates of midtrimester fetal monkey ( Macaca mulatta ) adrenals were incubated simultaneosly with pregnenolone-4- 14 C and pregnenolone-7α- 3 H sulfate. Conversion of both substrates to 17α-hydroxypregnenolone, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, androstenedione, 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione, and cortisol as well at 17α-hydroxypregnenolone sulfate and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate was demonstrated. Conversion of pregnenolone to progesterone was also shown. Neither free nor conjugated 16α-hydroxypregnenolone or 16α-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone were found. These studies demonstrate the capacity of the midtrimester fetal monkey adrenal to convert these free and sulfurylated steroid substrates to other Δ 5 -3 β -hydroxysteroid and Δ 4 -3-ketosteroids, as well as to other Δ 5 -3 β -hydroxysteroid sulfates.
Diffusive transport enhancement and escape processes in frictionless nonlinear oscillators with noise

The time-dependent escape rates and evolution of a distribution density are considered for a Hamiltonian many-dimensional nonlinear oscillator with external noise. The Hamiltonian dynamics is assumed to be nearly integrable and is described in terms of isolated nonlinear resonances. In case of a small angle between the resonant oscillations and the resonance line, a dynamic enhancement of diffusion occurs inside the separatrix, leading to a strongly enhanced growth of distribution tails and escape rates even when the resonances are relatively narow. The underlying mechanism of the phenomenon is essentially many-dimensional.
Time-resolved blowoff transition measurements for two-dimensional bluff body-stabilized flames in vitiated flow

Abstract Flame holding and blowoff characteristics of bluff-body stabilized, turbulent flames were measured in an enclosed rectangular duct with a triangular flame holder in vitiated, premixed flows. Blowoff stability margins were characterized with chemiluminescence measurements performed by high-speed imaging to capture flame dynamics during the approach to flame blow off. As the equivalence ratio was decreased, local extinctions along the flames interacting with shear layers surrounding the bluff body recirculation zone occurred with greater frequency and proximity to the wake stagnation zone. Decreased equivalence ratio resulted in extinction events at the trailing edge of the stagnation zone, which allowed reactants to be convected into the recirculation zone and burned behind the bluff body. Increasing reactant dilution of the recirculation zone eventually resulted in flame lift-off or extinction of the flame in the neighboring shear layer. These near field shear layer flames convected to the wake stagnation zone, and were eventually quenched. Simultaneous particle imaging velocimetry (PIV) and OH planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) measurements captured the flame edge location and aerodynamic behavior as blowoff was approached. Two-dimensional hydrodynamic stretch along the flame front and flow field vorticity maps were extracted from the combined PIV/OH PLIF data. The distribution of flame stretch shifted to greater values as the equivalence ratio decreased and is believed to be the cause of local flame extinction in the wake stagnation zone that starts the blowoff process.
Carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of living cells and their metabolism of a specifically labeled 13C substrate.

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy is an extremely valuable tool for biochemical studies in that much information can be obtained by an essentially non-destructive procedure. Extensive applications of proton NMR spectroscopy have been developed in many areas of biochemistry as a result of the high natural abundance of the 1 H isotope (99.98%) and its occurrence in virtually every biological molecule. Another magnetically active atomic nucleus of great potential use in biochemistry is 13C. In the past the low natural abundance of this isotope (1.1%) has restricted its experimental use, but with the advent of high sensitivity signal averaging and Fourier transform techniques [l] and the development of the technology for large scale 13C enrichment [2] this nucleus can become at least as useful as the proton in biochemical research. Several characteristics of the 13C nucleus make it particularly suitable for biochemical studies. It exhibits a wide range of chemical shifts and these shifts are extremely sensitive to the chemical environment. Because the magnetogyric ratio of 13C is small, the relaxation rates of this nucleus are relatively low even for large molecules in viscous media. This fortunate combination of large chemical shifts and favorable relaxation effects, which result in widely shifted groups of narrow 13C resonance, suggests that high res-
Evolution of the Earliest Horses Driven by Climate Change in the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum

Body size plays a critical role in mammalian ecology and physiology. Previous research has shown that many mammals became smaller during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), but the timing and magnitude of that change relative to climate change have been unclear. A high-resolution record of continental climate and equid body size change shows a directional size decrease of ~30% over the first ~130,000 years of the PETM, followed by a ~76% increase in the recovery phase of the PETM. These size changes are negatively correlated with temperature inferred from oxygen isotopes in mammal teeth and were probably driven by shifts in temperature and possibly high atmospheric CO(2) concentrations. These findings could be important for understanding mammalian evolutionary responses to future global warming.
Dry-Processing Induced Isolation-Degradation in GaAs Integrated Circuits

Our study shows that the isolation-degradation in semi-insulating GaAs substrate is closely related to dry-processes during the device fabrication. It was found that EL2, the major electron trap in undoped LEC semi-insulating GaAs, could be passivated by plasma—assisted etchings or depositions. The passivation of EL2 causes surface leakage and leads to crosstalk in GaAs ICs.
Outcomes of carotid endarterectomy in the elderly: report from the National Cardiovascular Data Registry.

Background and Purpose—Benchmark trials of carotid endarterectomy often did not include elderly patients, and the results may not be easily extrapolated to the general population. Using the Carotid Artery Revascularization and Endarterectomy registry, we sought to determine real-world outcomes of carotid endarterectomy in the elderly. Methods—This was a retrospective cohort study of patients aged >70 years. We compared outcomes stratified by age among symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Results—There were 4149 patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy; 1376 (33.1%) were symptomatic. Overall mortality rate was 0.5%. The primary outcome of in-hospital death, stroke, and myocardial infarction showed a significant trend and was highest in the age >85 years group (5.6%). Among symptomatic patients, mortality and the primary outcome were not statistically different between those aged >75 years and those aged 70 to 74 years. Among asymptomatic elderly patients, mortality rate was significantly higher in a...
Molecular models of the intercellular lipid lamellae from epidermal stratum corneum

The purpose of the present study was to test the hypothesis that the 13 nm trilamellar repeat units within the intercellular spaces of epidermal stratum corneum are composed of lamellae with alternating 5-3-5 nm dimensions as presented in previous models [J. Invest. Dermatol. 92 (1989) 251, P.W. Wertz, Integral lipids in hair and stratum corneum, in: P. Jolles, H. Zahn, H. Hocker (Eds.), Hair: Biology And Structure, Birkhauser Verlag, Basel, 1996, pp. 227-238, Acta Derm.-Venereol., Suppl. 208 (2000) 23]. Electron density profiles were measured from transmission electron micrographs of porcine stratum corneum prepared using ruthenium tetroxide [J. Invest. Dermatol. 92 (1989) 251]. Center-to-center distances of adjacent electron-dense bands as well as adjacent lucent bands were measured. Dense band center-to-center measurements were consistent with a 5-3-5 nm arrangement. However, lucent band center-to-center measurements revealed uniform lamellar thickness. It is suggested that linoleate chains in the central lamella reduce more ruthenium than the predominantly saturated chains in the outer lamellae and that this additional reduced ruthenium accumulates under the polar head group regions. A similar phenomenon involving the sphingosine moieties of the covalently bound omega-hydroxyceramide molecules accounts for the three-band pattern seen between the ends of adjacent corneocytes. It is concluded that the component lamellae of the several types of 13 nm trilamellar units of the stratum corneum are all of equal thickness.
Freight Data Mining Strategy Using Socio-economic Variables for Metropolitan Planning

Infrastructure investment decisions consider future infrastructure demand projections from freight models, the quality of which depends on fidelity of input freight data. The Freight Analysis Framework Version 2.2 (FAF2.2) being a primary source of freight data for infrastructure planning provides commodity origin-destination flows for 114 zones within the USA. Freight disaggregation approaches using demographic and economic variables can be used to obtain county-level freight distribution. Freight distributions at both the levels: federal and county are insufficient for incorporating the effect of freight-related traffic on metropolitan-level transportation infrastructure. This paper describes a clusters-based freight data mining strategy using socio-economic variables to aggregate the most granular representations of freight flows called Traffic Analysis Zones (TAZs) in the Mobile Metropolitan Area (MMA). Such aggregation results in an intermediate level of freight distribution between the county and traffic zone levels, at a resolution meaningful for metropolitan-level planning.
Diversity of bacteria and glycosyl hydrolase family 48 genes in cellulolytic consortia enriched from thermophilic biocompost

The enrichment from nature of novel microbial communities with high cellulolytic activity is useful in the identification of novel organisms and novel functions that enhance the fundamental understanding of microbial cellulose degradation. In this work we identify predominant organisms in three cellulolytic enrichment cultures with thermophilic compost as an inoculum. Community structure based on 16S rRNA gene clone libraries featured extensive representation of clostridia from cluster III, with minor representation of clostridial clusters I and XIV and a novel Lutispora species cluster. Our studies reveal different levels of 16S rRNA gene diversity, ranging from 3 to 18 operational taxonomic units (OTUs), as well as variability in community membership across the three enrichment cultures. By comparison, glycosyl hydrolase family 48 (GHF48) diversity analyses revealed a narrower breadth of novel clostridial genes associated with cultured and uncultured cellulose degraders. The novel GHF48 genes identified in this study were related to the novel clostridia Clostridium straminisolvens and Clostridium clariflavum, with one cluster sharing as little as 73% sequence similarity with the closest known relative. In all, 14 new GHF48 gene sequences were added to the known diversity of 35 genes from cultured species. The exploration and understanding of cellulose fermentation capabilities in nature could inform and enable industrial processes converting cellulosic biomass to fuels and other products. Enrichment of microbial communities that can utilize cellulose is useful in this context for the identification of novel organisms, novel metabolisms, and novel functions. Of particular interest are communities that can utilize cellulose at high temperatures and under anaerobic conditions, featuring high rates of solubilization under conditions where the energy and the reducing power of substrates are conserved in potentially useful fermentation products. Some evidence indicates that cocultures may be able to
Dehydration anorexia is attenuated in oxytocin-deficient mice

Evidence in rats suggests that central oxytocin (OT) signaling pathways contribute to suppression of food intake during dehydration (i.e., dehydration anorexia). The present study examined water de...
Defining Information Policy: Relating Issues to the Information Cycle

The emerging field of information policy is difficult to define, given that issues often overlap other policy areas. The most useful definitions of information policy refer to steps in the information cycle, from creation to use. Another approach to delimiting the scope of information policy has focused on classification of issues. This article combines these approaches by relating information policy issues to steps of the information cycle. These issues are underpinned by economics, and influenced by differing perspectives of interested parties. The importance of information policy to academic librarians is briefly discussed.
CD4(+) T Cells Play a Critical Role in Mediating Hypertension in Response to Placental Ischemia.

Similar to preeclamptic women, hypertension in the chronic Reduced Uterine Perfusion Pressure Rat Model Of Preeclampsia (RUPP) is associated with increased CD4+ T cells, cytokines, sFlt-1 and agonistic autoantibodies to the AngII receptor (AT1-AA). We examined the effect inhibition of T cell co-stimulation in RUPP rats treated with (A) (abatacept, 250 mg/kg, infused i.v. at gestation day 13), on hypertension and sFlt-1, TNF-α and AT1-AA. RUPP surgical procedure was performed on day 14. On day 19 MAP increased from 94+2 mmHg in Normal Pregnant (NP) to 123 ± 3 mmHg in RUPP control rats. This response was attenuated by Abatacept, MAP was 104 ± 2 mmHg in RUPP ± A, and 96 ± 2 mmHg NP ± A. Percent circulating CD4+ T cells were 66 ± 3% in RUPPs compared to 55 ± 3% NP rats (p<0.04) but were normalized in RUPP ± A rats (54 ± 3%). The twofold increase in TNF alpha seen in RUPPs (277 ± 47 pg/ml) was decreased to 80 ± 18 pg/ml in RUPP+A. Placental sFlt-1 was reduced 70 % to 151 ± 28 in RUPP ± A compared 488 ± 61 pg/ml in RUPP (p<0.001). AT1-AA decreased from 20 ± 0.8 bpm in control RUPP to 6 ± 0.7 bpm in RUPP ± A. We next determined the effect of RUPP in causing hypertension in pregnant T cell deficient rats by examining MAP in NP (123 ± 5 mmHg) and RUPP athymic nude rats (123 ± 7 mmHg). In the absence of T cells, hypertension in response to placental ischemia was completely abolished. Collectively these data indicate that CD4+ Tcells in response to placental ischemia play an important role in the pathophysiology of hypertension associated with preeclampsia.
Cofeeding intra- and interspecific transmission of an emerging insect-borne rickettsial pathogen

Cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) are known as the primary vector and reservoir of Rickettsia felis, the causative agent of flea-borne spotted fever; however, field surveys regularly report molecular detection of this infectious agent from other blood-feeding arthropods. The presence of R. felis in additional arthropods may be the result of chance consumption of an infectious bloodmeal, but isolation of viable rickettsiae circulating in the blood of suspected vertebrate reservoirs has not been demonstrated. Successful transmission of pathogens between actively blood-feeding arthropods in the absence of a disseminated vertebrate infection has been verified, referred to as cofeeding transmission. Therefore, the principal route from systemically infected vertebrates to uninfected arthropods may not be applicable to the R. felis transmission cycle. Here, we show both intra- and interspecific transmission of R. felis between cofeeding arthropods on a vertebrate host. Analyses revealed that infected cat fleas transmitted R. felis to naive cat fleas and rat fleas (Xenopsylla cheopis) via fleabite on a nonrickettsemic vertebrate host. Also, cat fleas infected by cofeeding were infectious to newly emerged uninfected cat fleas in an artificial system. Furthermore, we utilized a stochastic model to demonstrate that cofeeding is sufficient to explain the enzootic spread of R. felis amongst populations of the biological vector. Our results implicate cat fleas in the spread of R. felis amongst different vectors, and the demonstration of cofeeding transmission of R. felis through a vertebrate host represents a novel transmission paradigm for insect-borne Rickettsia and furthers our understanding of this emerging rickettsiosis.
Guns, Fear, the Constitution, and the Public's Health

On March 18, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case of District of Columbia v. Heller, a case challenging handgun control statutes adopted in 1976. Dr. Garen Wintemute argues that the overturning of gun control statutes could weaken the framework of ordered liberty that makes civil society possible.
The old order Changeth"a reassessment of the basic rule of psychoanalytic technique commentary on John Lindon's gratification and provision in psychoanalysis;

The discussant finds himself in essential agreement with the author's proposed revision of psychoanalytic theory and practice to allow for the importance of the concept of provisions and to lessen the privileged position of abstinence. The discussant's aim is to place the author's innovative concept within the older as well as the newer canons of psychoanalysis by synoptically reviewing some of the constraints that earlier Zeitgeists have imposed on it. Further, the discussant attempts to place the author's theory in the perspective of other, hitherto undiscussed, but nevertheless vital aspects of psychoanalytic practice, e.g., its being like an improvisational passion play in which patient and analyst must “know their roles”; (supporting the rule of abstinence) but is also a humanistic enterprise for which the analyst, like a parent, must continually remain aware of the necessity for humanistic provisions, to say nothing of common, decent courtesy.
Scalability analysis of a multihomed network mobility protocol

Previous studies have analyzed cost and performance of multihomed network mobility management protocols, such as, Seamless IP diversity-based Network Mobility management scheme (SINEMO). However, increase in the number of mobile nodes raises scalability issues which can result in its performance degradation. In this paper, we have developed analytical models for scalability analysis of SINEMO in terms of network size, mobility rate, and traffic rate. We have used numerical results to validate the analytical model and compared scalability with basic Network Mobility (NEMO) protocol. Results show that the network-mobility protocols exhibit asymptotically identical scalability for the network though the mobility agent of SINEMO scales better than NEMO. This scalability model can help in quantitative scalability analysis of other mobility protocols, thereby visualizing the effects of future network expansion on the performance of the mobility protocols.
Compositional Tuning of Structural Stability of Lithiated Cubic Titania via a Vacancy-Filling Mechanism Under High Pressure

Experimental and theoretical studies on the compositional dependence of stability and compressibility in lithiated cubic titania are presented. The crystalline-to-amorphous phase transition pressure increases monotonically with Li concentration (from $\ensuremath{\sim}17.5\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GPa}$ for delithiated to no phase transition for fully lithiated cubic titania up to 60 GPa). The associated enhancement in structural stability is postulated to arise from a vacancy filling mechanism in which an applied pressure drives interstitial Li ions to vacancy sites in the oxide interior. The results are of significance for understanding mechanisms of structural response of metal oxide electrode materials at high pressures as well as emerging energy storage technologies utilizing such materials.
A KINETIC ANALYSIS OF THE ENDOGENOUS RESPIRATION OF BAKERS' YEAST.

The process of endogenous respiration of two strains of bakers' yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was examined kinetically. The rate of respiration with respect to time in a non-nutrient medium was found to exhibit two phases: (a) a period of constant rate of O2 consumption and CO2 production (R.Q. = 1) characteristic of cells with ample concentrations of stored material; (b) a first order decline in rate of respiration with respect to time, where the rate was proportional to the concentration of some substrate, S. (R.Q. = 1 throughout second phase.) The nature of this substrate was reexamined and the evidence summarized confirms the notion that it is a carbohydrate, probably glycogen. These phases of endogenous respiration were shown to depend upon the age of the culture and the amount of substrate available.
Time-frequency distribution inversion of the Radon transform

In using filtered backprojection to compute the inverse Radon transform, the Hilbert transform-derivative filtering operation amplifies noise. Filtering the noise generally reduces resolution and smoothes edges. It would be desirable to spatially filter the noise where the projections do not have high-frequency components, and accept the noise where high-frequency components are present, since these must be preserved for the Hilbert transform-derivative. The short-time Fourier transform is used in applying a time-frequency mask filter that zeros out each projection in locations where local signal energy is below a threshold. Results show improvement over reconstruction using time-invariant smoothing filters. >
CRRT efficiency and efficacy in relation to solute size.

CRRT efficiency and efficacy in relation to solute size. Removal of blood solutes in patients with decreased or absent glomerular filtration is the prime objective of continuous renal replacement therapies (CRRTs). However, because these blood solutes are of different molecular weights, factors such as the porosity and hydrophobicity of the filter membranes and the extracorporeal flow rates determine the CRRT that is the most effective filtration system. This article discusses both small and large solute removal, the interaction of convection and diffusion, and the potential for CRRTs to remove particular inflammatory mediators of acute renal failure.
Planthopper (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea) Diversity of Weeping Lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula), an Introduced Host of Little-Known, Rarely Collected Native Species

Weeping lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees; Poaceae), an African species planted in the southern United States for erosion control and forage, has been colonized by a diversity of native planthoppers. Collecting data and previously recorded host plants are provided for 26 species of Fulgoroidea in 12 genera and 5 families; nymphs of 13 fulgoroid species were observed. New state records are given for 16 planthopper species; 15 planthopper species are considered little-known or rarely collected.
A book on common statistics errors is reviewed

[1] Common Errors in Statistics (and How to Avoid Them), by Philip I. Good and James W. Hardin, 2006, John Wiley and Sons Inc., 111 River Street, MS 8-01, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774, USA, ISBN: 0 471 7...
Iron impurities as non-radiative recombination centres in chalcogenide glasses

Abstract Photoluminescence and E.S.R. studies have been carried out on pure and iron-doped As2S3 glass. The luminescence spectra, photoluminescence excitation spectra, temperature dependence of the luminescence efficiency, and luminescence fatiguing curves demonstrate that the iron impurities quench the luminescence efficiency by introducing competing non-radiative recombination centres. The E.S.R. measurements reveal that iron is a pervasive inadvertent impurity even in nominally pure chalcogenide glasses. It is suggested that non-radiative recombination occurs by transfer of an exciton's recombination energy to localized d-band excited states of an iron ion; the excited iron ion then relaxes non-radiatively by phonon emission.
Rapid Intraoperative Immunoassay of Parathyroid Hormone and Other Hormones: A New Paradigm for Point-of-Care Testing

Background: The first description of the use of a rapid assay for the measurement of intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) in patients undergoing parathyroidectomy for hyperparathyroidism was reported in 1988. Subsequent improvements in the analytical performance of the rapid intraoperative PTH assay allowed the establishment of its clinical utility in the surgical management of hyperparathyroidism. These modifications also allowed the assay to be performed in or near the operating suite. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, using the following key words: intraoperative, rapid, quick, parathyroid hormone, hormone, and immunoassay. Relevant articles that focused on the analytical aspects and clinical utility of rapid intraoperative hormone immunoassays were selected for this review. Content: On the basis of the positive impact that the rapid intraoperative PTH test has had on both patient outcomes and cost savings, other rapid intraoperative hormone immunoassays for the diagnosis and/or treatment of other endocrine-hormone-secreting tumors have been developed. These hormones share certain characteristics that make them suitable for use as rapid intraoperative tests, i.e., short analyte half-life and/or large analyte concentration gradient, rapid analysis time, and positive clinical utility. Initial studies with cortisol, gastrin, insulin, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and testosterone have shown promising results in preoperative localization studies and/or for assessing the effectiveness of tumor resection during surgery. Conclusion: The emergence of these rapid intraoperative immunoassays indicates that this test format is likely to provide future opportunities to improve patient care by advances in clinical laboratory testing.
GAUGE SIMPLIFICATION OF HAMILTONIAN WITH OFF-DIAGONAL ± 1

Tight-binding Hamiltonians with off-diagonal disorder are studied extensively in connection with localization phenomena. For instance, applying a random magnetic field to a square lattice amounts to assigning phases to the off-diagonal entries of H. A gauge transformation simplifies the resulting H to an equivalent Hamiltonian with apparently less disorder. This paper concerns the special case when non-zero entries of a Hamiltonian H are ± 1 between nearest-neighbor sites. Some thought shows that a one-dimensional chain Hamiltonian with this type of randomness can be transformed to that of an ordered chain by flipping the signs of selected basis functions, i.e. by a unitary transformation. Hence such a chain is not disordered at all. On the other hand, whether or not a similar H for a square lattice implies actual disorder is a topological question. The question can be put this way: Can one find a set of simple closed curves such that reversing the signs of basis functions inside the curves will change al...
Head Computed Tomography Interpretation in Trauma: A Primer

Noncontrast computed tomography (CT) provides important diagnostic information for patients with traumatic brain injury. A systematic approach to image interpretation optimizes detection of pathologic air, fractures, hemorrhagic lesions, brain parenchymal injury, and abnormal cerebrospinal fluid spaces. Bone and brain windows should be reviewed to enhance injury detection. Findings of midline shift and mass effect should be noted as well as findings of increased intracranial pressure such as hydrocephalus and cerebral edema, because these may immediately influence management. Compared with CT, magnetic resonance imaging may provide more sensitive detection of diffuse axonal injury but has no proven improvement in clinical outcomes. This article discusses key CT interpretation skills and reviews important traumatic brain injuries that can be discerned on head CT. It focuses on imaging findings that may deserve immediate surgical intervention. In addition, the article reviews the limits of noncontrast CT and discusses some advanced imaging modalities that may reveal subtle injury patterns not seen with CT scan.
Diodes and Transistors

In the previous chapter, we learned the fundamental basics of electronic circuitry using resistors. Many resistors are neither conductors nor insulators. Rather, they are somewhere in between those two. This class of materials is called semiconductors. Semiconductors are the building blocks of many other electronic components, such as diodes and transistors—the subjects of this chapter.
That the god of the philosophers is not the god of abraham, isaac, and jacob

How can we decide if in fact Judah Halevi, Pascal, and Martin Buber were right when they asserted that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is not the God of the Philosophers? First we must clarify what they were asserting. What they meant was that the purported entity which the Biblical-Judaic-Christian-Moslem tradition identifies as “God” is not the same entity as the purported entity which the Jewish-Moslem-Christian traditions of philosophy identify as “God.” Presupposed in this assertion is that it is possible to say some things about each entity and on the basis of what is said about each it can be determined that they are not the same entity. It should be noted that if we claim that either entity is in every respect unknowable, there would be no way to make the assertion in question. Also it should be noted that the assertion in question does not entail that either or both entities exist. “A unicorn is not a centaur” entails some knowledge of both but it does not entail that either exists. The same is the case with the claim that Zeus is not Marduk.
Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS2) Nanomechanical Resonators Integrated on Microchannels

We report on experimental demonstration of multilayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanomechanical resonators integrated on microchannels, with the potential for resonant operation and sensing applications in microfluidics. Microchannels with width of ∼5μm and depth of ∼1–2μm are fabricated on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate. We transfer MoS2 flakes with both singly-clamped cantilever and doubly-clamped membrane structure onto the PDMS channels, and measure both undriven thermomechanical resonances and optically driven responses from the devices. The devices show up to 6 thermomechanical resonances, with highest resonance frequency (fres) of 16.3MHz and quality (Q) factor ∼200. This type of MoS2 nanomechanical resonators, when integrated with microfluidics in microchannels, would make new interesting candidates for biosensing and chemical sensing in fluids.© 2015 ASME
Non-invasive Ventilation

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) has become a common treatment for acute and chronic respiratory failure. The main theoretical advantage of NIV is avoiding the side effects and complications related to endotracheal intubation, improving patient comfort and preserving airway defense mechanisms. NIV has been demonstrated to reduce ICU and hospital length of stay and improve outcome in select patient groups.
5G mobile technology: A survey

Abstract All new 5G mobile technology is expected to be operational by 2020. This time, it is therefore crucial to know the direction of research and developments enabling 5G technology. This paper provides an inclusive and comprehensive analysis of recent developmental endeavors toward 5G. It highlights salient features, i.e., flexibility, accessibility, and cloud-based service offerings, those are going to ensure the futuristic mobile communication technology as the dominant protocol for global communication.
Tyrosine Kinase Medications and the Skin

In recent years, numerous targeted therapy medications have been developed and utilized for the treatment of solid and hematologic malignancies. While these medications often demonstrate better anti-tumor efficacy than conventional chemotherapeutics, they frequently lead to a range of non-immunologic cutaneous adverse effects. Skin reactions associated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors include inflammatory eruptions such as acneiform folliculitis and hand foot skin reaction, and new onset of benign and malignant neoplasms. Tyrosine kinase medications and their associated skin reactions will be reviewed here.
Assessing student usage, perception, and the utility of a Web-based simulation in a third-year medical school clerkship.

Abstract Study objective The goals of this study were to assess students' usage data of Web-based simulation (WBS), to determine if it can fill gaps in clinical experience-based medical education, and to determine students' perceived value of this kind of simulation during a clinical clerkship. Design Observational/prospective cohort. Setting Medical school affiliated with a large academic hospital. Subjects A total od 138 medical students. Interventions Web-based simulation. Measurements Medical students in an anesthesiology clerkship were assigned a WBS focusing on the clinical use of pulmonary artery catheters (PACs). Usage data, including day of week and time of day that the simulation was used and total usage time, were collected for 99 students. Eighty voluntary survey responses, which gauged student perception of the simulation and clinical exposure to PACs, were also collected. Main results Seventy-two percent of attempts were made during nonclinical hours of 5 pm to 7 am. Seventy-seven percent of students spent less than 30 minutes in total using the simulation. Students preferred the simulation (rated 4.1/5) over textbook (3.59) learning to a statistically significant degree ( P P Conclusions WBS in medical school clerkships is accepted by students and can fill gaps in clinical medical school education, without negatively affecting students' workloads or clerkship experiences.
The Role of Mononuclear Cell Deficiency in the Production of Neutrophilic Allergic Encephalomyelitis: Parabiosis Experiments

SummaryExperimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) produced during a transient period of mononuclear cell deficiency and relative neutrophilic leukocytosis induced by cyclophosphamide is characterized by neutrophilic rather than mononuclear cell infiltrates. Parabiosis to a normal animal increased the mononuclear content and inhibited the neutrophils in the infiltrates, presumably because the normal parabiont replenished the nonspecific mononuclear cells made deficient by cyclophosphamide. This evidence supports the hypothesis that neutrophilic infiltrates in EAE are caused by a deficiency of nonspecific mononuclear cells, and that mononuclear infiltrates in ordinary forms of EAE are reactive, nonspecific cells.We are grateful for assistance from Dr. E. M. Hoenig, J. Torg, R. Zaplin, F. Strebel and Lillian Levine; for cyclophosphamide from Dr. W. A. Zygmunt of Mead Johnson & Co.; and for pertussis vaccine from Dr. H. B. Devlin of Parke, Davis & Co.
PATTERNS OF VARIATION AND LINKAGE DISEQUILIBRIUM IN A FIELD CRICKET HYBRID ZONE.

The distribution of multilocus genotypes found within a natural hybrid zone is determined by the sample of genotypes present when the hybrid zone first formed, by subsequent patterns of genetic exchange between the hybridizing taxa, and by drift and selection within each of the hybrid zone populations. We have used anonymous nuclear DNA restriction fragment polymorphisms (RFLPs) to characterize the array of multilocus genotypes present within a well-studied hybrid zone between two eastern North American field crickets, Gryllus pennsylvanicus and Gryllus firmus. These crickets hybridize along a zone of contact that extends from New England to Virginia. Previous studies have shown that both premating and postmating barriers exist between the two cricket species, but the absence of diagnostic morphological and allozyme markers has made it difficult to assess the consequences of these barriers for genetic exchange. Analyses based on four diagnostic anonymous nuclear markers indicate that hybrid zone pop- ulations in Connecticut contain few F1 hybrids, and that nonrandom associations persist among nuclear gene markers, between nuclear and cytoplasmic markers, and between molecular markers and morphology. Field cricket populations within the hybrid zone are not "hybrid swarms" but consist primarily of crickets that are very much like one or the other of the parental species. Despite ample opportunity for genetic exchange and evidence for introgression at some loci, the two species remain quite distinct. Such a pattern appears to be characteristic of many natural hybrid zones.
PEAK SHIFTS AND POLYMORPHISM DURING PHASE THREE OF WRIGHT'S SHIFTING-BALANCE PROCESS.

The third phase of Wright's shifting-balance theory involves the export of adaptive gene combinations from one subpopulation to another. Previous results have demonstrated that this can occur at very low migration rates, but it has been argued that this simply reflects the ability of migration to overcome selection and fix any (even deleterious) alleles. Here, previous analyses are extended by concentrating on the critical balance between forward and reverse migration rates that still allows phase III to proceed. It is shown that selective advantage, dominance, recombination rate, and the number of loci all affect the ability of a genotype to invade and become fixed in a new subpopulation, but it is unlikely that phase III will occur in the absence of differential migration unless the invading genotype consists of a few dominant loci with a large selection advantage, spreading into a few populations of lower fitness. Therefore, as was envisioned by Wright, differential migration from more to less fit populations will be necessary for phase III to occur under most circumstances.
Reversal agents for use with direct and indirect anticoagulants.

Purpose The properties of three oral anticoagulant-specific reversal agents are reviewed, and guidance is presented to assist pharmacists in planning for the agents’ introduction to the market. Summary Idarucizumab, which received Food and Drug Administration approval in October 2015, is a humanized monoclonal antibody fragment that immediately neutralizes the anticoagulant effect of dabigatran, as evidenced by reduced unbound dabigatran concentrations and normalized coagulation tests. Preliminary Phase III trial results demonstrated a median maximum reversal of 100%, a median time to bleeding cessation of 11.4 hours, and normal intraoperative hemostasis in 92% of patients requiring anticoagulation reversal before an urgent procedure. Andexanet alfa is a factor Xa (FXa) decoy that binds to direct and indirect FXa inhibitors. In Phase III trials in healthy volunteers, andexanet alfa reduced anti-FXa activity by more than 90%, reduced the concentration of unbound direct FXa inhibitor, and inhibited thrombin generation. Ciraparantag is a reversal agent under development for reversal of anticoagulation with direct and indirect FXa inhibitors and certain factor IIa inhibitors; it exerts its effect through hydrogen bonding. Concerns for thromboembolic events directly related to administration of idarucizumab, andexanet alfa, or ciraparantag have not arisen. Pharmacists need to begin preparing for the introduction of these specific reversal agents through protocol development and provider education; in addition, pharmacy departments need to plan for procurement and storage. The specific reversal agents should be incorporated into antithrombotic stewardship or other clinical pharmacy programs for surveillance. Conclusion As agents that provide rapid reversal of direct oral anticoagulant activity become available, advance planning will help hospitals to optimize their use.
Clinical nursing care of individual lingual orthodontics in malocclusion of adults

With the improvement of living conditions, orthodontic treatment need of patients with malocclusion is growing. Accompanying with speed development of orthodontics, orthodontic treatment techonology has acquired continuous improvement and innovation. The individual lingual orthodontic techonology has rised in recent few years, which is not only concerned sufficiently by orthodontic doctors at home and abroad, but also becomes the focus in adults with malocclusion. The appliance of this techonology is placed lingually in oral, which is devised personalized according to different individuals. The individual lingual orthodontic techonology is really invisible, it can not only obtain the same satisfactory treatment effect as traditional labial orthodontics and traditional lingual orthodontics, much critical, it also can completely meet recessive and artistic demands of patients with malocclusion in overall orthodontic process. The purpose of this paper is to introduce and summarize the clinical nursing care of individual lingual orthodontics of recent few years, and then promote this orthodontic techonology to develop and extend extensively in orthodontic clinic.
ASSIGNMENT OF FUNCTION TO POLYPEPTIDES OF 32–34 KILODALTONS IN THYLAKOIDS

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the assignment of function to polypeptides of 32–34 kDa in thylakoids. Various functions have been ascribed to the polypeptides in the 32–34 kDa size class including protective or shield role for the phototsystem II (PS II) reaction center, formation of the herbicide binding site, the apoprotein of B, participation in the process of water oxidation, and the site of Mn++ binding. Two polypeptides of similar molecular weight can be resolved on LDS-PAGE systems containing 4M urea. The protein running at 33 kDa in this system can be easily extracted from membranes or PS II particles and purified. It is a lysine-rich polypeptide that, upon removal, makes Q– accessible to ferricyanide in an herbicide-insensitive reaction. It, therefore, fulfills the requirements of the PS II shield-protein. A polypeptide that runs at 31 kDa in 4M urea/SDS PAGE binds azido–atrazine and is designated as the herbicide binding polypeptide.