cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Suffering and wisdom.

Suffering is frequent in life, often ensuing when a wished-for state cannot be realized. One common response to suffering is mourning. Mourning may take problematic forms, and this can lead to chronic denial or embitterment or despair or stagnation. On the other hand, mourning may occur in such manner as to facilitate meaning in life, empathy, caring, and perspective. One's “myths” and beliefs often affect the mourning process and may themselves be influenced by that process. Different myths accompany or influence different identity patterns and life-styles. The core concepts of religion are often associated with certain myths and beliefs that may inspire meaning and courage, caring and wisdom.
Training international medical graduates in psychiatry: a cultural adventure.

International medical graduates (IMGs) currently make up about 25% of physicians practicing in the US. IMGs and U.S. medical school graduates (USMGs) have a great deal in common. The quality of the medical skills of more recent IMGs has improved as measured by the scores they obtain on the clinical skills assessment examination and has begun to approach that of USMGs, 89% compared to 80% (Whelan, Gary, Kostis, Boulet, & Hallock, 2002). In clinical practice, IMGs provide services comparable in effectiveness to USMGs (Norcini et al., 2010). However, the specific educational needs of IMGs must be recognized by training programs. IMGs face a series of concurrent issues having to do with immigration (Akhtar, 1999), which may result in loneliness and social isolation, a decrease in social status with diminishment of self-esteem, concerns related to the family left behind, and the impact of migration on the family they may have brought with them. Some IMGs are also concerned about the vagaries of their visa status. Group and individual resident social interaction with faculty is enormously valuable in reducing the sense of isolation. The central role of language and culture lies at the heart of the challenges that IMGs face in psychiatric training in the American context, particularly in learning psychological theory and therapy. Without mastery of the dominant language, both formal and informal (i.e., slang and idioms), IMGs may have difficulty understanding and being understood by their patients and teachers. In some settings, IMG psychiatric residents have asked for more intensive training including more demonstrations of interviewing, opportunities for oral presentations, and examinations and feedback. Fully 41% of psychiatric residents in the US are from Asia (Gangure, 2002) and their values and conceptions of personhood may be different from those
African Mitochondrial DNA Subhaplogroups and Peripheral Neuropathy during Antiretroviral Therapy

Susceptibility to peripheral neuropathy during antiretroviral therapy with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) was previously associated with a European mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroup among non-Hispanic white persons. To determine if NRTI-associated peripheral neuropathy was related to mtDNA variation in non-Hispanic black persons, we sequenced mtDNA of participants from AIDS Clinical Trials Group study 384. Of 156 non-Hispanic blacks with genomic data, 51 (33%) developed peripheral neuropathy. In a multivariate model, African mtDNA subhaplogroup L1c was an independent predictor of peripheral neuropathy (OR=3.7, 95% CI 1.1-12.0). An African mtDNA subhaplogroup is for the first time implicated in susceptibility to NRTI-associated toxicity.
Induction of a coupling defect in rats during inhibition of tyrosine dehalogenase.

We have reported earlier that administration of 3-nitro-L-tyrosine (MNT), 8 mM in drinking water, to rats receiving a low iodine diet (LID) results in greater TSH secretion, larger goiters, and more rapid uptake and release of radioiodine than LID alone, and ultimately may produce hypothyroidism. These findings have been confirmed, and hypothyroidism documented by demonstrating depressed levels of hepatic mitochondrial α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase. Also, prolonged treatment with MNT † LID produced a depression in labeled iodothyronine (ITh*) synthesis, as judged by chromatographic analysis of thyroid digests from rats killed 4 or 24 hours after ip injection of radioiodine, or two weeks after adding radioiodine to drinking fluid. Low thyroidal ITh* levels were accompanied by low levels of ITh* in serum, despite the presence of various other labeled organic iodine compounds. Cessation of MNT treatment, or ip injection of small amounts (0.5–1.0 µg) of Na 127I together with radioiodine 4 h before sacrific...
Oxides: Solid‐State Chemistry

This article is an overview of the solid-state chemistry of oxides. It starts with a brief description of the periodic trends associated with compounds of oxygen and is followed by a discussion of the principle of the closest packing of spheres that can be used to describe ionic structures. An in depth description of several structure types, important in solid-state oxide chemistry, follows, and covers the important binary structures as well as several ternary structures including the Perovskite, Spinel, Garnet, Pyrochlore, and Scheelite structures. Selected special topics in solid-state oxide chemistry include a discussion of crystallographic shear structures, defect oxides, and tungsten and molybdenum bronzes, intergrowth structures of which the high-temperature superconductor YBa2Cu3O7 is an example. The importance of structure-property relations in oxides is illustrated by a discussion of metal–metal bonds in oxides, electronic conduction in a variety of oxides, and the catalytic properties of defect scheelites. A lengthy discussion is devoted to the various means used by solid-state chemists to synthesize oxides not only as bulk polycrystalline phases but as single crystals and thin films as well that are so important to electronic applications. The article concludes with a discussion of several important practical applications of oxides including magnetic oxides, oxide sensors, luminescent materials, ferroelectrics, CMR oxides, optical materials, ceramics, and refractory materials as well as a brief overview of other important uses. Because this is a survey article, in depth discussion of many properties of oxides is not possible. However, many of these topics are covered in depth in other parts of the Encyclopedia and the reader will find the cross references helpful. A substantial list of references also provides a gateway to the solid-state literature. Keywords: oxides; crystal structure; properties; uses; electronic properties; applications; synthesis; solids; materials
Inflammatory cytokine mRNAs in surgical specimens of necrotizing enterocolitis and normal newborn intestine.

Coagulation necrosis, inflammation, and hemorrhage are pathologic hallmarks of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Because cytokines are peptides that mediate inflammatory cell recruitment and amplify the immune response, several of the inflammatory cytokines have been implicated in NEC. We hypothesized that mRNA levels for the interrelated cytokines interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-6, and the neutrophil chemotactic factor IL-8 would be increased in NEC and would be associated with the presence of inflammation. In this study, we determined the relative levels and localization of mRNA for these cytokines in surgical pathology archival intestinal tissue from 29 premature infants with acute NEC and 15 control infants with congenital intestinal malformations using a novel quantitative in situ hybridization technique. Compared with controls, there were higher IL-1 beta mRNA levels in full-thickness sections and higher TNF-alpha mRNA levels in full-thickness and mucosa sections of acute NEC samples, suggesting a potential role for these cytokines in the pathogenesis of local inflammation in NEC. IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA levels were similar in samples of control and acute NEC cases. Analysis of covariance including all subjects showed that the presence of acute inflammation was associated with increased IL-1 beta mRNA levels in mucosa (P = .035) and increased IL-8 in full-thickness sections (P = .005) and mucosa (P = .01). In four of five NEC cases in which intestinal specimens were available from reanastomosis surgery, cytokine mRNA levels decreased to low or undetectable levels. These data suggest that the inflammatory cytokines are involved in neutrophil recruitment and augmentation of the inflammatory response in neonatal intestine.
Some remarks on heat flow and gravity anomalies

Heat flow anomalies on the oceanic ridges and the large free air gravity anomalies observed from the earth's surface and from satellites are often believed to be surface expressions of high temperatures and flow within the mantle. A simple model for the temperature within a spreading sea floor can, however, reproduce the shape and magnitude of the observed anomalies. Thus, it is not necessary for the upper mantle to be hotter beneath ridges than it is elsewhere. A similar model may be used to relate the free air gravity anomaly to the stress in the lithosphere. The results show that long-wavelength harmonics of the external gravity field cannot be supported by the strength of the lithosphere. Most free air anomalies observed on the surface can be maintained in this way, except possibly the largest of those over the trenches.
Automated tutoring dialogues for training in shipboard damage control

This paper describes an application of state-of-the-art spoken language technology (OAA/Gemini/Nuance) to a new problem domain: engaging students in automated tutorial dialogues in order to evaluate and improve their performance in a training simulator.
Effect of Ca/P coating resorption and surgical fit on the bone/implant interface.

The effect of coating resorption on bone apposition and attachment strength to resorbable hydroxyapatite (HA), nonresorbable HA-coated, and uncoated rough titanium implants was evaluated in interference- and noninterferencefit (gap of 2–3 mm) surgical models 2, 4, and 12 weeks postoperatively. Interference and noninterference fits showed differences in bone bridging. Bone apposition was circumferential around the implants in noninterference fit. Significantly greater bone apposition was seen to nonresorbable HA-coated implants than uncoated and resorbable HA-coated implants at 4 and 12 weeks. Only resorbable HA coatings showed significantly lower bone apposition for noninterference versus interference fit and from 4–12 weeks. At 2 weeks, strengths of bone attachment to resorbable HA-coated implants were greater than the other implants, and decreased to lower values (not significant) than the nonresorbable HA-coated implants at 4 and 12 weeks. Differences in push-out shear strengths between interference- and noninterference-fit surgical models were significant for uncoated implants at 4 weeks, but not for HA-coated implants at any time period. Significant differences were seen between the three implant types only for the noninterference-fit model, where the HA-coated implants showed greater strengths than the uncoated implants (significant at 2 and 4 weeks). This study showed that presence of resorbable or nonresorbable HA coatings is beneficial when a gap of 2–3 mm is present between the implant and the bone. The resorbable HA-coated implants showed greatest strengths at the early time period. At later time periods, resorbable HA-coated implants showed lower bone apposition and attachment strengths than nonresorbable HA coatings. However, resorbable HA-coated implants showed equivalent bone apposition and attachment to uncoated implants, suggesting that HA coating resorption and remodeling at the bone/implant interface can provide good osteoconduction and fixation. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
ACOUSTIC SIMULATION OF HOT COAXIAL JETS USING COLD HELIUM-AIR MIXTURE JETS

This work examines the ability of small-scale, helium-air-mixture, coaxial jets to capture the acoustics of large-scale hot jets representing the exhaust of separate-flow turbofan engines. Experiments at University of California, Irvine (UCI) employed a one-eighth-scale model of a separate-flow nozzle being used at the Nozzle Acoustic Test Rig (NATR) of NASA Glenn Research Center. Comparisons were conducted for two set points using the following methods: matching velocity and density, and matching velocity and Mach number. For both methods, the UCI data compare very well with the NATR data in all measures of noise: spectral shapes, spectral levels, and overall sound pressure levels. The method of matching velocity and Mach number gives slightly better agreement in the spectral shapes at angles close to the jet axis, and in the overall sound pressure levels. The overall agreement between the UCI and NATR data is within one decibel.
Requirement for Tec Kinases in Chemokine-Induced Migration and Activation of Cdc42 and Rac

Abstract Cell polarization and migration in response to chemokines is essential for proper development of the immune system and activation of immune responses. Recent studies of chemokine signaling have revealed a critical role for PI3-Kinase, which is required for polarized membrane association of pleckstrin homology (PH) domain-containing proteins [1, 2] and activation of Rho family GTPases that are essential for cell polarization and actin reorganization [3, 4]. Additional data argue that tyrosine kinases are also important for chemokine-induced Rac activation [4]. However, how and which kinases participate in these pathways remain unclear [5]. We demonstrate here that the Tec kinases Itk and Rlk play an important role in chemokine signaling in T lymphocytes. Chemokine stimulation induced transient membrane association of Itk and phosphorylation of both Itk and Rlk, and purified T cells from Rlk −/− Itk −/− mice exhibited defective migration to multiple chemokines in vitro and decreased homing to lymph nodes upon transfer to wt mice. Expression of a dominant-negative Itk impaired SDF-1α-induced migration, cell polarization, and activation of Rac and Cdc42. Thus, Tec kinases are critical components of signaling pathways required for actin polarization downstream from both antigen and chemokine receptors in T cells.
Detection of the membrane-retained carboxy-terminal tail containing polypeptides of the amyloid precursor protein in tissue from Alzheimer's disease brain.

Abstract A major hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the presence of extracellular amyloid plaques consisting primarily of amyloid beta peptide (Aβ) which is derived from a larger beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP). APP is processed via secretory and endosomal/lysosomal pathways by a group of proteases called secretases. During the processing of APP, the carboxy-terminal tail fragment has been suggested to remain within the cell. To investigate the fate of this fragment, we generated an antibody specific for a nine amino acid residue, the sequence of which was derived from the carboxy-terminal putative cytoplasmic tail of APP. Computer analysis of the entire APP gene, searching for regions of greatest antigenicity, surface probability, hydrophilicity and presence of beta turns, indicated that the cytoplasmic tail region is an immunodominant region of APP. The peptide coupled to keyhole limpet hemocyanin protein, produced a very high titer antibody (1:1 × 106). To evaluate the specificity of the antibody, immunoprecipitation of in vitro transcribed and translated DNA encoding the carboxy-terminal amino acids of APP in wheat germ extract was carried out. A single immunoprecipitated band of the correct size was seen by SDSPAGE. The antibody was also able to specifically detect the accumulation of the stable C-terminal tail containing fragments of APP in neurites of the amygdala and hippocampus regions of the human brain tissue from AD subjects, but did not react with age-matched control normal brain tissue. The localization of the C-terminal tail of APP within the brain tissue of AD patients underscores the likely importance of the C-terminus in the pathogenesis of AD.
MultiMAC - an adaptive MAC framework for dynamic radio networking

Software-defined/cognitive radio has recently made the jump from a purely research driven endeavor to one that is now being driven commercially. Such radios offer the promise of spectrum agility and re-configurability through flexibility at the MAC and physical layers. In the wireless domain, it has been shown that hybrid-MAC layer algorithms can lead to improved overall performance in varying network conditions. A hybrid MAC that uses CSMA in low-contention periods and switches to TDMA in high-contention periods can outperform CSMA or TDMA individually. However, such hybrid systems do not offer the flexibility and cognition required of dynamic spectrum networks. In this paper, we describe MultiMAC, a framework and experimental platform for evaluating algorithms that dynamically reconfigure MAC and physical layer properties. MultiMAC acts as a mediating MAC layer and dynamically reconfigures and/or selects from a collection of alternative MAC layers. As a result of monitoring current network metrics, MultiMAC chooses the MAC layer capable of achieving the best performance while ensuring that incoming frames are decoded using the correct MAC layer algorithm. MultiMAC incorporates decision processes to select the appropriate MAC component based on per-node and per-flow statistics. This engine will allow intelligent reconfiguration of the MAC and physical layers in response to changes in external conditions and/or requirements optimizing use of the available spectrum
Transesophageal echocardiography for study of bioprostheses in the aortic valve position

Transesophageal echocardiography is a relatively new imaging modality with unequivocal advantage over precordial echocardiography in a significant number of conditions.*-3 The importance of transesophageal echocardiography in the assessment of aortic valve disease (native or prosthetic) has not been clearly shown. There is some evidence from anecdotal case reports4v5 and small series of patients that it may be superior to transthoracic imaging.6 The present study was undertaken to evaluate the use of transesophageal echocardiography in the setting of bioprosthetic aortic valve disease and to define the clinical situations in which its use is superior to the precordial approach. Between July 1987 and July 1990, 33 patients (19 men and 14 women, mean age 61 f I3 years) were studied by transesophageal echocardiography for suspected bioprosthetic aortic valve disease, and the recordings were reviewed retrospectively. The indication for transesophageal echocardiography was based on a strong clinical suspicion of aortic valve abnormalities, yet with a normal aortic valve by the transthoracic approach, or when there was a suspicion, but not definite, of an abnormality of the aortic valve on the transthoracic study. Sixteen patients were referredfor suspected infective endocarditis, 12 for aortic prosthesis assessment, and 5 for suspected prosthetic dysfunction. Twenty-seven patients were inpatients and 6 were ambulatory. Thirteen patients underwent subsequent cardiac surgery. All ultrasound recordings were obtained using a
Drosophila UTX is a histone H3 Lys27 demethylase that colocalizes with the elongating form of RNA polymerase II

Histone H3 methylation at Lys27 (H3K27 methylation) is a hallmark of silent chromatin, while H3K4 methylation is associated with active chromatin regions. Here we report that a Drosophila JmjC family member, dUTX, specifically demethylates di- and trimethylated but not monomethylated H3K27. dUTX localization on chromatin correlates with the elongating form of RNA polymerase II (Pol II), and dUTX can associate with Pol II. Furthermore, heat shock induction results in the recruitment of dUTX to the hsp70 gene, like that of several other Pol II elongation factors. Our data indicate that dUTX is intimately associated with actively transcribed genes and may provide a paradigm for how H3K27 demethylation is required for the activation of preinitiated Pol II on transcriptionally poised genes.
Exploratory behavior of dispersers within a metapopulation of sockeye salmon

In many anadromous fishes, such as salmon, most individuals return (home) to their natal habitat to spawn. However, experimental and observational studies of the homing and spawning behavior of hatchery-raised salmon have indicated that their search for high-quality spawning habitat can overcome their homing tendency. Nevertheless, the extent to which dispersal between populations is motivated by habitat selection versus navigational errors during the homing process is not well understood, especially in wild populations. Here we investigated whether dispersers between populations of stream-spawning sockeye salmon successfully homed to their natal streams before dispersing. We tracked the daily locations of all adult salmon spawning in 2 proximate streams and determined the dispersal status for each individual by comparing its chosen spawning stream with that of its parents (as determined by genetic parentage reconstruction). Dispersers were often observed in or at the mouths of their natal streams before spawning elsewhere, whereas philopatric individuals were rarely observed in or at the mouths of their non-natal streams. This result suggests that dispersers were exposed to multiple spawning habitats, potentially allowing local environmental or demographic conditions to influence patterns of dispersal within the metapopulation.
The selling of olestra.

Abstract The Procter & Gamble Company spent 30 years and an estimated $500 million to bring its non-digestible fat substitute, olestra, to market. The Food and Drug Administration approved olestra as a food additive but requires products containing olestra to carry a warning statement about its potential effects on gastrointestinal function. In obtaining approval for olestra, PG FDA staff; and food, nutrition, and health professionals. This campaign raises larger questions about corporate influence on government policies, and the relationships of corporations to health professionals. To address these larger concerns, the author reviews the history of olestra's approval; describes PG and suggests implications for public health policies.
Backfired! Distorted Incentives in Wildfire Supression

Wildfires’ increasing growth and spread have prompted aggressive approaches to fighting fire. The techniques used by firefighters can cause great damage to timberlands. Yet, there is currently no external review of the efficiency, costs, or impacts of various firefighting techniques. Consequently, there is no meaningful way to compare the relative costs and benefits of various strategies. This article provides a ground breaking first ex post analysis of the effects of wildfire firefighting techniques. It provides a detailed case study of the technique of backfire — use of fire to fight fire — to demonstrate that the incentives of firefighters can be poorly aligned with the interests of landowners and environmentalists interested in protecting timberlands. Despite the costs inflicted by backfire, firefighters increasingly use it as a firefighting technique. The result is that enormous swaths of forest are burned to fight fire that could be suppressed with far less environmental and property loss. Using backfire as an example, this article illustrates the importance of ex post analysis of wildfire suppression techniques and the value of such analysis in encouraging more sustainable firefighting techniques.
Electrophysiological evidence for Na+-coupled bicarbonate transport in cultured rat hepatocytes

Recent observations suggest that hepatocytes exhibit basolateral electrogenic Na+-coupled HCO3- transport. In these studies, we have further investigated this transport mechanism in primary culture of rat hepatocytes using intracellular microelectrodes to measure membrane potential difference (PD) and the pH-sensitive fluorochrome 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein to measure intracellular pH (pHi). In balanced media containing 25 mM HCO3-, PD averaged -32.1 +/- 0.6 (SE) mV and pHi averaged 7.22 +/- 0.03. PD became more negative (hyperpolarized) when extracellular [HCO3-] was increased and less negative (depolarized) when extracellular HCO3- was decreased. Acute replacement of extracellular Na+ by choline also resulted in membrane depolarization of 18.0 +/- 1.6 mV, suggesting net transfer of negative charge. This decrease in PD upon Na+ removal was HCO3- -dependent, amiloride insensitive, and inhibited by the disulfonic stilbene 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (SITS). PD also decreased upon acute exposure to SITS. The degree of depolarization seen with removal of Na+ or HCO3- correlated directly with resting PD (r = 0.81 and 0.95, respectively), suggesting a voltage-dependent mechanism. Removal of extracellular Na+ also decreased pHi to 7.06 +/- 0.02, and this acidification was decreased in the absence of HCO3- or in the presence of SITS or amiloride. These studies provide direct evidence for electrogenic Na+-coupled HCO3- transport in rat hepatocytes. Further, they suggest that it represents a major pathway for conductive movement of Na+ across the membrane and that it contributes, along with Na+-H+ exchange, to the intracellular acidification observed upon removal of extracellular Na+.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Military health system efficiency: a review of history and recommendations for the future

This article reviews the history of measuring military medical health care efficiency. No single approved definition or uniform framework has ever been offered or suggested defining military medical treatment facility efficiency over the last 225 years within the Department of Defense. The purpose of this article is to consolidate much of the existing research on the latent variable of military medical efficiency over the last two centuries, and to provide health care leaders a framework for understanding past and current practices in measuring efficiency in the military health care setting.
Enhancing microwave absorption of TiO2 nanocrystals via hydrogenation

TiO2 has attracted tremendous research interest for photocatalytic water splitting, solar hydrogen generation, environmental pollution removal, dye-sensitized solar cells, lithium-ion batteries, supercapacitors, and field emission. Microwave absorption materials (MAMs) play important roles in many military (e.g., the stealth coating on the B-2 bomber) and civil (e.g., telecommunications, noise reduction, information security, signal, and data protection) applications. However, TiO2 is not a good MAM due to its poor absorption in the microwave region. Here, we report that via hydrogenation excellent and tunable microwave absorption is achieved with hydrogenated TiO2 nanocrystals. After hydrogenation, 4.3x and 103x improvements have been obtained in storing and dissipating the electric energy of the microwave electromagnetic field. Their permittivity values are higher than those of the current carbonaceous MAMs. Instead of relying on the dipole rotation or ferromagnetic resonance mechanisms for traditional MAMs, the hydrogenated TiO2 nanocrystals work as good MAMs based on a newly proposed collective-movement-of-interfacial-dipole (CMID) mechanism. Although there is still no direct physical evidence of the interface effects of the CMID mechanism, the CMID as a hypothesis at this point successfully explained the origin of the enhanced microwave absorption of the hydrogenated TiO2 nanoparticles. This study thus may open new applications for TiO2 nanocrystals and also stimulate new approaches for new MAM development.
Enhanced Hydrogen Diffusion Under Illumination in Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon

We provide experimental evidence for the fact that hydrogen diffusion in hydroge-nated amorphous silicon is controlled by the concentration of electronic carriers. It is experimentally demonstrated that the hydrogen diffusion coefficient (a) is enhanced if the carrier population is increased by illumination and (b) is strongly suppressed if carriers are extracted from the diffusion region by the application of an electric field.
Discussion on Reformation of Emperor Xiaowen at Beiwei Dynasty——and the Inspiration on Rules of Nations Amalgamation

The reformation,carried on Emperor Xiaowen,at Beiwei dynasty transformed politics,economy and culture of Xianbei people,especially their life styles and customs.The emperor reinforced Xianbei ethnic to integrate with Han ethnic by "entire Han style".Be objectively,the reformation brought development to both the dynastic and Xianbei history,and catalyzed nationalities integration to a new stage.However the "entire Han style" removed the characteristics of Xianbei ethnic.It resulted not only in the breakage of the nature rule of amalgamation,but acceleration the perdition of the Beiwei dynasty.
Evaluation of Schistosomiasis Control Effect in Sichuan Province

Objective To evaluate the effect of infection control of schistosomiasis in Sichuan Province according to Chinese national evaluation requirements of infection control of schistosomiasis.MethodsWTBZ Data about sichistosomiasis control activities during 2003 to 2007 in Sichuan Province were collected by use of retrospective study.In addition,the infection condition of local population and livestock,the distribution situation of snails were investigated by field investigation in 2007.The completeness and accuracy of prevention information were also verified.Results During 2003-2007,the infection rates of residents in Sichuan decreased from 0.61% to 0.08%;the infection rates of livestock decreased from 3.68% to 0.18%;the numbers of acute schistosomiasis cases decreased gradually from 58 to 0;the snail habitat areas decreased from 70.1862 to 25.69 million m2;the numbers of infected snails decreased from 626 to 0.At the field surveys in 72 villages of 24 counties in 2007,the human average infection rate was 0.19%,and there were schistosomiasis patients in 23 villages with a highest infection rate of 1.37%(unit=village).The cattle average infection rate was 0.13%,and there were infected cattles in 4 villages with the highest infection rate of 1.92%(unit=village).The results indicated that the areas of snail habitats were 22.5 389 m2 of 388 spots,and the average density of living snail was 0.18/0.1m2.However,no positive snails were detected.All the data related to schistosomiasis control were complete and could reflect the local prevalence,control activities and annual alteration trends of the infection.By data-checking and house-visiting,no acute cases of schistosomiasis were identified in 2007.Conclusion Since 2004,the infection rate of schistosomiasis decreases annually,and all indices regarding to control program measured are up to the Criteria of Schistosomiasis Control in China issued by Chinese Ministry of Health.
Extremely large vulvar fibroma in a 15-year-old girl.

BACKGROUND Fibromas and fibromyomas belong to the most common solid vulvar tumors. Their cause remains unknown. CASE A 15-year-old girl arrived at our department for extirpation of a large pendulous vulval fibroma. For three years she had observed a gradually enlarging structure protruding from her external genitals. After a preoperative CT examination the tumor was extirpated with a histological diagnosis of benign soft fibroma. CONCLUSION Our report describes a therapeutic management of a large vulval fibroma in a young girl. The extended time from first symptoms to final treatment deserves reflection.
Assessing Cyber Threats and Solutions for Municipalities

Americans live, work, and play in cyberspace. However, our increasing reliance on cyber technologies makes us more vulnerable to those who would attack our digital infrastructure with the intent of undermining our security and economic prosperity. Vigilance, constant and unwavering, is the price all municipalities must pay to keep their cyber infrastructure safe from those who would use violence, or the threat of violence, theft, or vandalism to disrupt or destroy their cyber-systems. The threat is real. Cyber-attacks include the unintentional or unauthorized access, use, manipulation, interruption, or destruction of electronic information and/or the electronic and physical infrastructure used to process, communicate, and store that information. There have been numerous cyber-attacks in the last few years that have illuminated various vulnerabilities both in our computing hardware and software. These attacks have been target specific and sophisticated. A good cyber-attacker can disrupt the electronic controls of our power grids, water treatment plants, and telecommunications networks. As well, these cyber-criminals can interfere with the production and delivery of basic goods and services provided to us by our municipal governments. Ultimately, these criminals can undermine our privacy by stealing our personal information and creating false identities for profit. With a subject as critical as cyber security, there is no room for ambiguity in terms of what must be done. Municipalities must strengthen their capability to detect, deter, and defend against cyber-attacks. How municipalities respond in both theory and practice to threats from within its jurisdiction or beyond its borders, tests the validity and application of its security principles and strategies. This chapter will examine cyber security infrastructure and the threats facing municipalities; in addition, it will examine those mechanisms that once implemented, can create a more secure cyber infrastructure.
Rates of Thermal Inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes in Beef and Fermented Beaker Sausage

Rates of thermal inactivation of a five-strain mixture of Listeria monocytogenes were determined in ground beef roast and fermented beaker sausage. Studies were also done on ground beef contaminated with L. monocytogenes Scott A from an experimentally infected cow. D-values for the five-strain mixture at 54.4, 57.2, 60.0, and 62.8°C were 22.4, 15.7, 4.47, and 2.56 min, respectively, for ground beef roast. D-values for fermented beaker sausage at 48.9, 51.7, 54.4, and 60.0°C were 98.6, 44.4, 20.1, 11.2, and 9.13 min, respectively. D-values for the single strain of L. monocytogenes mixture in ground beef from the infected cow were about two to four times less at equivalent temperatures than those of the five-strain L. monocytogenes mixture in ground beef roast. Results from the five-strain mixture indicate that L. monocytogenes is about four times more heat resistant that Salmonella in ground beef roast.
DICOM Implementation Plans

We all like planning, don’t we? This section is meant to give you a few useful DICOM implementation plans, tailored for a few standard types of imaging practices. We primarily concentrate on DICOM-related items. We all like planning, don’t we? This section is meant to give you a few useful DICOM implementation plans, tailored for a few standard types of imaging practices. We primarily concentrate on DICOM-related items.
Where are the flying cars

Will the digital revolution actually transform the process of innovation? A professor from NYU spent three years with NASA's engineers and scientists to uncover the significant opportunities and challenges involved with new models for R&D work.
Attention without intention: explicit processing and implicit goal-setting in family medicine residents' written reflections.

AbstractBackground: Reflection, a process of self-analysis to promote learning through better understanding of one’s experiences, is often used to assess learners’ metacognitive ability. However, writing reflective exercises, not submitted for assessment, may allow learners to explore their experiences and indicate learning and professional growth without explicitly connecting to intentional sense-making. Aim: To identify core components of learning about medicine or medical education from family medicine residents’ written reflections. Design and setting: Family medicine residents’ wrote reflections about their experiences throughout an academic year. Method: Qualitative thematic analysis to identify core components in 767 reflections written by 33 residents. Results: We identified four themes of learning: ‘Elaborated reporting’ and ‘metacognitive monitoring’ represent explicit, purposeful self-analysis that typically would be characterised as reflective learning about medicine. ‘Simple reporting’ and ‘g...
A Public Health of Consequence: Review of the March 2017 Issue of AJPH.

An introduction is presented in which the authors discuss various American public health-related articles in the March 2017 issue of the journal, and it mentions the potential impact of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration and population health and health disparities in America.
On the Asymptotic Stability of Stationary Solutions of the Inviscid Incompressible Porous Medium Equation

We study the stability of stationary solutions of the two dimensional inviscid incompressible porous medium equation (IPM). We show that solutions which are near certain stable stationary solutions must converge as t → ∞ to a stationary solution of the IPM equation. It turns out that linearizing the IPM equation about certain stable stationary solutions gives a non-local partial damping mechanism. On the torus, the linearized problem has a very large set of stationary (undamped) modes. This makes the problem of long-time behavior more difficult since there is the possibility of a cascading non-linear growth along the stationary modes of the linearized problem. We solve this by, more or less, doing a second linearization around the undamped modes, exploiting a special non-linear structure, and showing that the stationary modes can be controlled.
Beta Blocker Administration During Emergency Department Evaluation for Acute Coronary Syndrome Is Associated With Lower Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms 1-Month Later.

We examined whether beta blocker administration in the emergency department (ED) during evaluation for suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) was associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms 1-month later. Participants (N = 350) were enrolled in the Reactions to Acute Care and Hospitalization (REACH) study, an ongoing observational cohort study of ED predictors of medical and psychological outcomes after evaluation for suspected ACS. Beta blockade during evaluation in the ED was extracted from medical records, and PTSD symptoms in response to the experience of suspected ACS were assessed 1-month later via telephone. Beta blockade in the ED was associated with lower PTSD symptoms 1-month later, b = −2.80, β = −.09, p = .045, after adjustment for demographics, preexisting psychological and medical covariates, and participants’ distress during ED evaluation. Despite small effects, findings suggest that beta blockade during ED evaluation for suspected ACS—a time period relevant to fear consolidation of the memory of this potentially life-threatening event—may have protective effects for later psychological health.
Membrane Guanylate Cyclase catalytic Subdomain: Structure and Linkage with Calcium Sensors and Bicarbonate.

Membrane guanylate cyclase (MGC) is a ubiquitous multi-switching cyclic GMP generating signaling machine linked with countless physiological processes. In mammals it is encoded by seven distinct homologous genes. It is a single transmembrane spanning multi-modular protein; composed of integrated blocks and existing in homo-dimeric form. Its core catalytic domain (CCD) module is a common transduction center where all incoming signals are translated into the production of cyclic GMP, a cellular signal second messenger. Crystal structure of the MGC’s CCD does not exist and its precise identity is ill-defined. Here we define it at a sub-molecular level for the phototransduction-linked membrane guanylate cyclase, the rod outer segment guanylate cyclase type 1, ROS-GC1. (1) The CCD is a conserved 145-residue structural unit, represented by the segment V820-P964. (2) It exists as a homo-dimer and contains seven conserved catalytic elements (CEs) wedged into seven conserved motifs. (3) It also contains a conserved 21-residue neurocalcin δ-modulated structural domain, V836-L857. (4) Site-directed mutagenesis documents that each of the seven CEs governs the cyclase’s catalytic activity. (5) In contrast to the soluble and the bacterium membrane guanylate cyclase which use Mn2+-GTP substrate for catalysis, MGC CCD uses the natural Mg2+-GTP substrate. (6) Strikingly, the MGC CCD requires anchoring by the Transmembrane Domain (TMD) to exhibit its major (~92%) catalytic activity; in isolated form the activity is only marginal. This feature is not linked with any unique sequence of the TMD; there is minimal conservation in TMD. Finally, (7) the seven CEs control each of four phototransduction pathways- -two Ca2+-sensor GCAPs-, one Ca2+-sensor, S100B- and one bicarbonate-modulated. The findings disclose that the CCD of ROS-GC1 has built-in regulatory elements that control its signal translational activity. Due to conservation of these regulatory elements, it is proposed that these elements also control the physiological activity of other members of membrane guanylate cyclase family.
First-year secondary mathematics teachers’ metacognitive knowledge of communication activities

Research has documented that mathematics teachers rarely use communicative activities; activities that allow for the sharing of ideas and clarification of understandings (NCTM, 2000). Teacher metac...
Responding to the information needs of citizens in an open society: the role of smart communities

The use of ICTs in community development areas has increased over the past 10 years. This chapter examines how the "Smart Community" concept can help areas of various sizes accomplish a variety of local and regional development processes. The chapter covers such issues the role of citizen participation, the roles of information technologies, the components of a "Smart Community", the California Smart Communities Program, and the lessons learned to date from the program. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the "digital divide" between people with access to various ICTs and those without access any access to ICTs.
A study on the growth of TiO2 nanorods using sol electrophoresis

This article presents a study on the growth process for the template-based growth of TiO2 nanorods by sol electrophoretic deposition, through both experiment and simulation. Uniformly sized nanorods of approximately 45–200 nm in diameter and 10–60 μm in length can be grown over large areas with near unidirectional alignment. The nanorods have the desired stoichiometric chemical composition and anatase crystal structure, after firing to 500°C for 1 h. These nanorods have also been formed into parallel arrays on a substrate, such as indium-tin oxide (ITO) glass. The current flowing though the deposition cell has been measured, to gain insights into the growth process. Additionally, a model has been used to calculate the currents, to compare the expected growth behavior with the experimental results. Relations between processing conditions, growth parameters and the morphologies of nanorods are discussed.
Diagnosis and Management of Bleeding from Upper Gastrointestinal Neoplasms

Neoplasms in the upper gastrointestinal (UGI) tract account for the minority of episodes of acute UGI bleeding. Many UGI neoplasms have been associated with blood loss and anemia; however, if the bleeding is severe and persistent, endoscopic or surgical intervention may be necessary. Such intervention depends on tumor characteristics (location, type, extent) and the general condition of the patient. Upper GI neoplasms with associated GI bleeding are discussed, including an overview of their incidence and prevalence, clinical features, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatments, including endoscopic treatments.
E-cigarette Use and Subsequent Smoking Frequency Among Adolescents

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use is associated with cigarette initiation among adolescents. However, it is unclear whether e-cigarette use is associated with more frequent cigarette use after initiation. Also, the extent to which cigarette or dual cigarette and e-cigarette users transition to exclusive e-cigarette use or to the nonuse of either product is not yet known. METHODS: Data were pooled from 3 prospective cohort studies in California and Connecticut (baseline: 2013–2014; follow-up: 2014–2016; N = 6258). Polytomous regression models were used to evaluate the association of baseline e-cigarette use (never or ever) with cigarette use frequency at follow-up (experimental: initiation but no past-30-day use; infrequent: 1–2 of the past 30 days; frequent: 3–5 or more of the past 30 days). Polytomous regression models were also used to evaluate transitions between baseline ever or past-30-day single or dual product use and past-30-day single or dual product use at follow-up. RESULTS: Among baseline never smokers, e-cigarette users had greater odds of subsequent experimental (odds ratio [OR] = 4.58; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.56–5.88), infrequent (OR = 4.27; 95% CI: 2.75–6.62) or frequent (OR = 3.51; 95% CI: 1.97–6.24) cigarette use; the 3 OR estimates were not significantly different. Baseline past-30-day exclusive cigarette use was associated with higher odds at follow-up of exclusive cigarette or dual product use than of exclusive e-cigarette use. CONCLUSIONS: Tobacco control policy to reduce adolescent use of both e-cigarettes and cigarettes is needed to prevent progression to more frequent tobacco use patterns and reduce combustible cigarette use (with or without concurrent e-cigarette use) to lessen the adverse public health impact of e-cigarettes.
SCREENING FOR HYPERLIPIDEMIA IN PREGNANT WOMEN: AN UNDERUTILIZED OPPORTUNITY FOR EARLY RISK ASSESSMENT

The peripartum period provides a unique opportunity for lipid screening in a population with relatively few exposures to our healthcare system. Up to 94% of pregnant women interact with a healthcare provider in the peripartum period compared to a much smaller percentage of non-pregnant patients
The Role of Platelets in Inflammation

Platelets are anucleate circulating blood cells with canonical roles in hemostasis and thrombosis. Established and emerging data highlights that in addition to these canonical functions, platelets also have a dynamic repertoire of functions that span inflammatory and immune continuums. Moreover, in many cases there is interplay between hemostatic and inflammatory responses by platelets. In this chapter, we profile a number of inflammatory syndromes and diseases in which platelets have physiological or pathophysiological roles. We briefly review both infectious and non-infectious inflammatory settings and, where available, highlight complementary clinical and experimental systems.
Todd LeVasseur and Anna Peterson (eds.), Religion and the Ecological Crisis: The ‘Lynn White Thesis' at Fifty

Todd LeVasseur and Anna Peterson (eds.), Religion and the Ecological Crisis: The ‘LynnWhite Thesis' at Fifty (New York and London: Routledge, 2017), 205 pp., $140.00 (hbk),ISBN: 978-1-138-64412-0.
Monolignol lithium cation basicity estimates and lithium adduct ion optimized geometries

Abstract Mass spectrometric analysis of lignin for developing biomaterials requires advances of characterization techniques. Positive ion mass spectrometry of lignin model compounds using lithium has recently been explored as a viable alternative to current negative mode techniques. To date, little is known about the impact of lithium adduct ion formation on relative response factors of lignin and lignin decomposition products. In this contribution, we report estimates of lithium cation basicity for synthetic monolignols H, G and S using Cooks’ kinetic method on a linear quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. Optimized geometries and interaction energies have also been calculated by DFT methods to quantify the electrostatic cation coordination. Based on a combination of experimental and computational evidence, lithium appears to preferentially bind to the phenol and methoxy substituents on the aromatic ring of monolignols. The strength of this interaction increases with the number of methoxy substituents (S > G > H). This work serves as a basis of understanding for future work in developing lithium adducted lignin mass spectrometric analytical methods.