cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Validation of a Provider Self-Report Inventory for Measuring Patient-Centered Cultural Sensitivity in Health Care Using a Sample of Medical Students

The paper describes the construction and initial evaluation of the new Tucker-Culturally Sensitive Health Care Inventory (T-CSHCI) Provider Form, which was developed to address the shortcomings of existing similar measures. Two hundred seventeen (217) 3rd and 4th year medical students completed the T-CSHCI-Provider Form. Factor analysis was used to identify non-overlapping items. The final solution produced five factors: patient-centeredness, interpersonal skills, disrespect/disempowerment, competence, and cultural knowledge/responsiveness. The five T-CSHCI-Provider Form factors/subscales proved to be reliable and were associated with related constructs as hypothesized. This study provides initial evidence that the T-CSHCI-Provider Form measures independent dimensions of patient-centered culturally sensitive health care as perceived by medical students. Recommendations for ways in which the T-CSHCI Provider Form can be used to guide culturally sensitive health care training are provided.
Alcohol and Tobacco Cessation in Alcohol Dependent Smokers: Analysis of Real-Time Reports

Alcohol-tobacco interactions and relapse precipitants were examined among alcohol-dependent smokers in a trial of concurrent alcohol and tobacco treatment. After discharge from treatment, participants completed 14 days of electronic diary (ED) assessments of mood, self-efficacy, urges to drink or smoke, and drinking and smoking behavior. ED data revealed an increase in frequency of alcohol urges after smoking episodes. Drinking relapse episodes were predicted by prior ED ratings of low self-efficacy to resist drinking and high urge to smoke. Smoking relapse episodes were predicted by high urge to smoke and high negative, high arousal mood. Results support a cross-substance cue reactivity model of multiple substance use and a limited-strength model, but not a cross-substance coping model.
Steady-state and nonsteady-state transport through membranes using rotating-disk electrode polarography: Description and properties of a rapid response new technique

A new rapid response technique was developed to measure both steady-state and nonsteady-state flux (mass transport rate, moles per second) through membranes. The system utilizes a rotating-disk electrode, which is covered with a porous membrane and connected to a polarographic module. The rotating-disk configuration provides a uniform flux density over the entire surface of the membrane. Since flux is directly measured as current, there is no need to construct a concentration versus time plot to obtain steady-state permeability and there is no need to rely on lag time to measure effective diffusivity. The use of lag times for this purpose has recently been shown to introduce significant errors in estimating diffusivity. In this technique, the membrane is placed on the surface of the electrode. In the receiving compartment, response to flux is so rapid that nonsteady-state diffusion may be characterized. Moreover, it is possible to determine steady-state flux in the same experimental trial in short time periods. The technique and its use are described and theoretically explained through basic electrochemical and diffusion principles. The reproducibility achieved in transport measurements is seen to be quite good.
Characterization of collagen-specific T cells derived from pathogenic and nonpathogenic rat T cell lines.

Abstract Rat/mouse T-T hybridomas have been devoped from an arthritogenic and a nonarthritogenic T cell line. These hybridomas express αβ TCR and are CD4 + , CD8 − , and MRC OX-22 − . They have type II collagen reactivity as assessed by an IL-2 release assay. Southern blot analysis of DNA extracted from these hybridomas demonstrates that each T cell line contains at least three different collagen-reactive clones. The data suggest that the spectrum of TCR β gene rearrangements is limited, as one hybridoma from the nonpathogenic line shares an identically sized productive TCR β gene rearrangement with two hybridomas from the pathogenic line. Both cell lines as well as one hybridoma from the pathogenic line are autoreactive to rat type II collagen. The anti-collagen responses of all the hybridomas are restricted to the rat class II MHC RT1.B gene loci. The hybridomas, like their parental cell lines, do not respond preferentially to either native or denatured type II collagen. These hybridomas recognize a specific type II collagen epitope and not repetitive collagen-like sequence motifs. They require antigen processing to respond to both native and denatured type II collagen.
Mapping of Cortical Metabolic Activation in Soman-Induced Convulsions in Rats

Abstract The metabolic activation of the cerebral cortex during convulsions induced by the organophosphorus cholinesterase inhibitor soman was studied in detail. Soman was given at a dose equivalent to 0.9 LD 50 (100 μ g/kg SC after pretreatment with 26 μ g/kg pyridostigmine, IM, to decrease lethality) to examine separately the metabolic effects of severe acetylcholinesterase inhibition, present always with this dose, and convulsions, present only in some of the animals. Cerebral glucose utilization (CGU) values of cortex divided by CGU of brain stem (nCGU) were calculated for 96 locations in nine coronal slices. Animals injected with pyridostigmine-soman and that developed convulsions ( n = 7) showed statistically significant increases of nCGU with regard to animals injected with saline ( n = 5) in 33 locations, 27 of which were in a single cluster, with the piriform cortex at its center. Perirhinal cortex, and insular cortex also showed significantly higher nCGU in convulsing rats. Other foci of elevated nCGU were found in frontal and parietal locations. In animals injected with pyridostigmine-soman and that did not develop convulsions ( n = 5) in spite of severe cholinesterase inhibition, a single location (piriform cortex) showed significantly higher nCGU than controls. Neuropathology evaluation showed a significant decrease in viable cells only in animals that developed convulsions. This effect correlated with enhanced nCGU. It is concluded that the presence of convulsions, and not exposure to pyridostigmine-soman, determined the pattern of nCGU cortical activation, which correlated closely with the structural changes.
The influence of regional health system characteristics on the surgical management and receipt of post operative radiation therapy for glioblastoma multiforme

Despite a known optimal treatment protocol for the management of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), many patients fail to receive complete surgical resection or post-operative radiation therapy (PORT). The underlying reasons behind this disparity are unclear. Our study investigates the influence of regional health system resources on the surgical management and PORT receipt in patients with GBM. Surgical intervention, PORT receipt and patient data for patients diagnosed with GBM were obtained from the years 2004 to 2008 from the NCI Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database and combined with the health system data from the Area Resource File. Four logistic models were constructed to test the effect of health system characteristics on surgical treatment choice and PORT receipt among health service areas (HSAs). We found that younger, married patients in HSAs with higher median incomes were significantly more likely to receive both gross total resection (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.002) and PORT (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.008). The density of radiation oncology equipped hospitals was also a significant predictor of PORT receipt (p = 0.002). Our findings suggest regional variations in of neuro-oncology services and income may have impact on GBM management. Policies aimed at narrowing disparities in treatment may need to focus on addressing regional variations in oncology resources.
Absence of complement-mediated events after protamine reversal of heparin anticoagulation

Abstract Protamine reversal of heparin anticoagulation is associated with adverse hemodynamic effects that may be attenuated with protamine pretreatment (PP). This study assesses the role of complement activation during these phenomena in adult cardiac surgery patients. Sixteen individuals undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass were given intravenous normal saline or protamine (2 mg/kg) as a randomized pretreatment prior to undergoing heparin anticoagulation (400 IU/kg), coronary artery revascularization, and subsequent reversal of the anticoagulated state with protamine (4 mg/kg). Blood pressure, pulmonary artery diastolic pressure (PAD), heart rate, and cardiac output (CO) were measured during and after pretreatment, prior to heparin reversal by protamine, and for 10 min after reversal. Total hemolytic complement (CH50), C3 conversion to C3b, C3a/C5a, platelet count, and white blood cell count (WBC) were also measured at the same time periods. No significant correlation existed between complement activation and hemodynamic events, as might have been evident by decreased CH50, increased C3 conversion to C3b, or elevations in C3a/C5a levels. PP significantly prevented the CO decrease occurring at 1 and 3 min following heparin reversal by protamine (−0.8 and −1.4 liters/min vs 0.1 and −0.2 liters/min, P
Solution Structures of the Ca2+-free and Ca2+-bound C2A Domain of Synaptotagmin I: Does Ca2+ Induce a Conformational Change?†

C2 domains are widespread Ca2+-binding modules that are particularly abundant in proteins involved in membrane traffic and signal transduction. The C2A domain of synaptotagmin I is believed to play a key role in neurotransmitter release through its Ca2+-dependent interactions with syntaxin and phospholipids. Elucidating the structural consequences of Ca2+ binding to the C2A domain is critical for understanding its mechanism of action and for models of the functions of other C2 domains. We have determined the solution structure of the Ca2+-free and Ca2+-bound forms of the C2A domain of synaptotagmin I by NMR spectroscopy. Our data represent the first structure determination of a C2 domain in its Ca2+-free and Ca2+-bound forms. Three Ca2+ ions were included in the Ca2+-bound structure, yielding a Ca2+-binding motif that involves five aspartate side chains and one serine side chain. Ca2+ immobilizes the structure of the C2A domain but does not produce a significant conformational change from a well-defined conformation to another. Thus, the mechanism of action of the C2A domain of synaptotagmin I is different from that used by Ca2+-binding proteins of the EF-hand family. The main effect of Ca2+ binding on the C2A domain is to change its electrostatic potential rather than its structure. These results support a model whereby the C2A domain functions as an electrostatic switch in neurotransmitter release. The similarity between the structures of the synaptotagmin I C2A domain and the PLC-delta1 C2 domain suggests that the latter binds four Ca2+ ions and acts by a similar mechanism. This mechanism may also be valid for other C2 domains that share the unusual ability to bind multiple Ca2+ ions in a tight cluster at the tip of the domain.
A Possible formation pathway for the 2-nitrofluoranthene observed in ambient particulate organic matter

Abstract The reaction of N2O5 with gaseous fluoranthene has been shown to be a possible formation pathway for the 2-nitrofluoranthene observed in ambient particulate organic matter.
Designing Networks with the Optimal Availability

Availability is one of the most critical aspects of a network design. Despite that, few organizations have a good understanding of how much availability they really need. Factors such as budget constraints, limited time, or skills and experience of the staff at hand are what decide the network design and availability obtained. As a result, most organizations end up with solutions that have a sub-optimal level of availability. These solutions will have either too much availability or worse, too little. In the former case, the extra cost of the solution could be saved and used for other Information Technology (IT) projects. In the latter case, the lack of adequate network availability could impact operation, which ultimately can harm the financial performance of the organization. In both cases, organizations can lose money; hence the importance of selecting the adequate level of availability. This paper discusses different issues related to network availability. First, the paper presents some of the elements that impact the availability of a solution. Then the paper discusses how network designers can calculate the exact availability of their solution. Finally the paper provides means to determine the optimal level of availability. Using these elements, network designers should then be able to evaluate which of the options at hand provide that adequate level of availability.
The impact of rush hour traffic and mix on the ozone weekend effect in southern California

The ozone weekend effect refers to the counterintuitive observations showing weekend ozone concentrations frequently to be higher than or comparable to those observed on weekdays. Ozone dynamics are closely linked to the timing, magnitude and fleet mix of transportation activities, primary sources of ozone precursor emissions. To examine the effects of traffic activity on the ozone weekend effect, a statistical analysis was conducted of the weekly patterns of time dependent light-duty vehicle and heavy-duty truck volumes observed at 27 weigh-in-motion stations in southern California. The results show statistically significant variations in traffic flows by day of week, by vehicle type, and by location with respect to the Los Angeles metropolitan area. These variations in traffic, when converted to variations in running exhaust emissions, tend to support four of the seven California Air Resources Board's ozone weekend effect hypotheses.
A spectral shading model for human skin

Caucasian Asian African Textured Caucasian Different skin types simulated with our model (top) compared to actual photographs of real skin samples (bottom). For Caucasian skin, Cm = 0.5%, βm = 0.7, Ch = 0.5%, and ρs = 0.3. For Asian skin, Cm = 15%, βm = 0, Ch = 1%, and ρs = 0.3. For African skin, Cm = 50%, βm = 0.7, Ch = 5%, and ρs = 0.3. The far right image applies an albedo texture to the Caucasian skin.
Exercise haemodynamic effects of beta-blockade and intrinsic sympathomimetic activity.

Beta-adrenergic blockade with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA) causes less depression of resting and submaximal heart rate (HR) than non-ISA beta-blockers. The effects of these drugs on exercise haemodynamics have not been well studied. We evaluated effects of pindolol, propranolol and placebo during rest and steady-state exercise on cardiac output, oxygen consumption, calf blood flow, HR and blood pressure in 18 healthy subjects. Pindolol 5 mg and propranolol 80 mg given twice daily, reduced maximal exercise HR by 50 and 52 beats.min-1 respectively, confirming similarity of beta 1-blockade. Resting cardiac output was unchanged in all three groups after one week of therapy. Cardiac output, measured during steady-state exercise decreased in the propranolol group (18.3 vs 15.6 l.min-1) with no significant changes in pindolol (15.7 vs 16.01.min-1) or placebo (18.6 vs 17.3 l.min-1). The rise in cardiac output, from rest to exercise, was similarly attenuated by propranolol but not by pindolol or placebo. Exercise stroke volume increased 12% on pindolol (123-140 cc) and decreased 7% on propranolol (143-133 cc). Neither drug had a detrimental effect on exercise calf blood flow compared to placebo. Thus, unlike propranolol, pindolol with ISA, maintains a normal cardiac output during submaximal exercise.
Veterinary Medical Ethics: A Focus of Conflicting Interests

Because the veterinary profession serves both animals and people, it occupies a unique position in current discussions of animal welfare and animal rights. Veterinarians are confronted daily by the central ethical fact underlying all human-animal interaction: animals as well as humans often have legitimate interests and moral claims that flow from these interests. This article explores some of the ways in which veterinarians must face the difficult task of balancing animal and human interests. I argue that the resolution of many ethical issues facing veterinarians will require consideration of fundamental questions regarding the value of animal life, careful analysis of key concepts that are applied to animals, and empirical investigations of animals and people who interact with them.
Hippocampal atrophy relates to fluid intelligence decline in the elderly.

Measures of brain and hippocampal volume in 40 healthy young (aged 18–30 years) and 36 healthy elderly (aged 60–83 years) subjects were compared with composite cognitive function scores in three conceptual domains: memory ability, processing speed, and general fluid intelligence. Through a series of general linear models testing the relationship between these brain measures and cognitive performance scores, a significant positive relationship between hippocampal volume and fluid intelligence ability was found in elderly subjects but not in young. No relationship between the other cognitive domains and brain or hippocampal volume was found. The findings suggest a role of hippocampal atrophy in the decline in fluid intelligence in the elderly.
Twice-a-day radiation therapy for cancer of the head and neck

Experience with the twice-a-day (BID) radiation therapy program for carcinomas of the head and neck areas is presented. The program consists of 1.6 Gy per fraction, two fractions per day with 4 hours between fractions, for 12 days, 5 days a week. After 38.4 Gy, the patient is given a 2-week break for symptoms of acute mucositis to subside and then twice-a-day radiation therapy is resumed with similar fraction size, two fractions a day for an additional 8 days to bring the total dose to 64 Gy. In some instances the primary site was boosted to an additional BID day with a maximum of 67.2 Gy. The spinal cord dose was limited to 38.4 Gy. A subset of 321 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (61 patients), oropharynx (74 patients), and larynx (186 patients) treated by this program is reported. Marked improvement in local control rate at 36 months was observed for advanced tumors (T3 and T4) and with nodal disease by BID radiation therapy program as compared to conventional once-a-day (QD) radiation therapy program. The improvement in local control for early lesions, T1 and T2 when treated with BID radiation therapy was not noted to reach a statistically significant level. However, the successful results are quite different when compared to QD radiation therapy program, with a trend suggesting that significant difference might exist if additional patients had been entered into the studies. Acute mucosal reactions are generally more severe than those produced by QD continuous radiation therapy, but the duration of symptoms is shorter. Late effects on the normal tissues, as observed during the 4-year follow-up period, show no undue subcutaneous or mucosal reactions nor an increase in chondronecrosis or osteoradionecrosis. With the dose limited to 38.4 Gy in 2.5 weeks to the spinal cord, no case of radiation myelitis has been encountered.
Tropical Strains of Ralstonia solanacearum Outcompete Race 3 Biovar 2 Strains at Lowland Tropical Temperatures

ABSTRACT Bacterial wilt, caused by members of the heterogenous Ralstonia solanacearum species complex, is an economically important vascular disease affecting many crops. Human activity has widely disseminated R. solanacearum strains, increasing their global agricultural impact. However, tropical highland race 3 biovar 2 (R3bv2) strains do not cause disease in tropical lowlands, even though they are virulent at warm temperatures. We tested the hypothesis that differences in temperature adaptation and competitive fitness explain the uneven geographic distribution of R. solanacearum strains. Using three phylogenetically and ecologically distinct strains, we measured competitive fitness at two temperatures following paired-strain inoculations of their shared host, tomato. Lowland tropical strain GMI1000 was only weakly virulent on tomato under temperate conditions (24°C for day and 19°C for night [24/19°C]), but highland tropical R3bv2 strain UW551 and U.S. warm temperate strain K60 were highly virulent at both 24/19°C and 28°C. Strain K60 was significantly more competitive than both GMI1000 and UW551 in tomato rhizospheres and stems at 28°C, and GMI1000 also outcompeted UW551 at 28°C. The results were reversed at cooler temperatures, at which highland strain UW551 generally outcompeted GMI1000 and K60 in planta . The superior competitive index of UW551 at 24/19°C suggests that adaptation to cool temperatures could explain why only R3bv2 strains threaten highland agriculture. Strains K60 and GMI1000 each produced different bacteriocins that inhibited growth of UW551 in culture. Such interstrain inhibition could explain why R3bv2 strains do not cause disease in tropical lowlands.
Second-Generation Genetic Linkage Map of Catfish and Its Integration with the BAC-Based Physical Map

Construction of high-density genetic linkage maps is crucially important for quantitative trait loci (QTL) studies, and they are more useful when integrated with physical maps. Such integrated maps are valuable genome resources for fine mapping of QTL, comparative genomics, and accurate and efficient whole-genome assembly. Previously, we established both linkage maps and a physical map for channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, the dominant aquaculture species in the United States. Here we added 2030 BAC end sequence (BES)-derived microsatellites from 1481 physical map contigs, as well as markers from singleton BES, ESTs, anonymous microsatellites, and SNPs, to construct a second-generation linkage map. Average marker density across the 29 linkage groups reached 1.4 cM/marker. The increased marker density highlighted variations in recombination rates within and among catfish chromosomes. This work effectively anchored 44.8% of the catfish BAC physical map contigs, covering ~52.8% of the genome. The genome size was estimated to be 2546 cM on the linkage map, and the calculated physical distance per centimorgan was 393 Kb. This integrated map should enable comparative studies with teleost model species as well as provide a framework for ordering and assembling whole-genome scaffolds.
Deforestation beyond borders: Addressing the disparity between production and consumption of global resources

Analysis of production and trade data from 176 countries reveals that patterns of wood product consumption and harvest differ significantly across income groups. Poorer countries’ consumption consists primarily of domestic fuelwood, yet between 1972 and 2009, low-income countries harvested >171 million hectares of forest products for export. High-income countries were the only group to act as net importers, suggesting that rich countries practice preservation within borders but appropriate resources from poorer countries to sustain consumption. Harvests in poorer countries do occur at relatively low harvest efficiencies, implying that losses may be attenuated via technological improvement. However, efficiency does not mitigate the effects of high consumption. Despite exceptionally high efficiencies, high-income countries are still responsible for just as much (or more) consumption-driven forest loss as any other group. These findings highlight the importance of reducing consumption and suggest that neither technocentric solutions nor national-level conservation policies are sufficient means to preserve global forests.
Mutations that alter the third cytoplasmic loop of the a-factor receptor lead to a constitutive and hypersensitive phenotype

Abstract The STE3 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae encodes a G protein-coupled receptor that is specific for the mating pheromone a-factor. The ste3L194Q mutation, which leads to the substitution of glutamine for leucine-194 within the third cytoplasmic loop of the receptor, resulted in a 20-fold increase in pheromone sensitivity and also caused partial constitutive activation of the response pathway. Moreover, other amino acid substitutions at the 194 position and several deletion mutations that collectively remove most of the third cytoplasmic loop resulted in hyperactive receptors. Therefore, we suggest that one role of the third cytoplasmic loop is to function as a negative regulatory domain involved in the maintenance of a nonsignaling state of the receptor. The constitutive activity and the pheromone hypersensitivity of ste3L194Q cells were recessive, suggesting that the wild-type receptor can antagonize the signal associated with the activated receptor. The ste3 delta 306 mutation, which results in truncation of most of the C-terminal domain of the receptor, led to a 20-fold increase in pheromone sensitivity, indicating that this domain also mediates negative regulation of the receptor. The ste3L194Q and ste3 delta 306 mutations appear to affect receptor activity independently, because the double mutant was associated with a 400-fold increase in pheromone sensitivity.
Point-Probe Spectroscopy: A Real-Time Technique to Identify Gastrointestinal Dysplasia

Screening and surveillance can prevent gastrointestinal cancer by detecting precursor lesions of cancer, but in many cases dysplasia is invisible to the eye of the endoscopist. Therefore, surveillance in these situations requires extensive random biopsies and histologic examination of the excised tissue for dysplasia. This biopsy strategy may overlook areas of dysplasia and is limited by sampling errors. Spectroscopic methods have the potential to overcome these limitations by rapidly and safely evaluating wide regions of tissue for dysplasia without required excision of the tissue. Spectroscopy can objectively quantify the color and brightness of light and uses this information to detect changes within the mucosa that are too subtle to be appreciated by the naked eye. Most spectroscopic techniques are initially developed and tested with optical fiber probes. These probes have several advantages including ease of passage through the accessory channel of standard diagnostic endoscopes and highly predictable geometry between fibers that provide the source of light and those that deliver collected light to the detector. These factors make point probes highly suitable for research and technology development; however, they are limited by the small surface area they examine at the tip of the probe.
A Novel Fabrication Technique for Developing Metal Nanodroplet Arrays

Metal patterned lines on a substrate have been annealed and broken down into isolated linear arrays of alloyed metal nanoscale droplets. These droplets are selectively fabricated across large-scale areas by controlling the location metal is present on a substrate. The metal instability and formation into nanoscale particles forms similar to studies in Rayleigh Instability of metal at an elevated temperature. Experimental results discussed here show a change in droplet diameter and formation by controlling the metal width.
Factors Affecting Appearance of Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Injury on Apple

Three main types of stink bug injury have been reported on the surface of apple fruit: (1) discolored dots, (2) discolored dots with depressions, and (3) discolored dots with discolored depressions. From 2005 to 2008, studies were performed to determine the factors linked to the variations in the appearance of adult stink bug injury on apple fruit observed at harvest. The main factors tested were type of feeding injury (i.e., mechanical versus breakdown and removal of tissues), time between injury and evaluation, cultivar, fruit maturity, and relative exposure to sunlight and UV radiation. No differences were observed that were caused by type of feeding. Studies of the time between injury and evaluation showed that there is a progression in the development of injury appearance. This progression of injury is influenced by cultivar and relative maturity of the fruit. Concomitantly, sites of injury on fruit exposed to no or limited sunlight and UV radiation were less likely to progress to discolored depressions.
Slice, chunk, and dataflow anomaly as datalog rules

Abstract A chunk intuitively corresponds to the range of impact of a program change, and is defined as the union of those program slices impacted by the change. Given a chunk with respect to a program change, a maintenance programmer can consider the impact of the change without examining the entire program. Our definition of a chunk, along with the related debugging techniques slicing and detection of dataflow anomaly, is formulated as rules in DATALOG, a function-free logic-based data base query language. This formulation facilitates integration of these debugging aids into a uniform maintenance environment based on a knowledge-base system, and the concise and exact datalog rules also provide clear semantics to these debugging techniques.
A History of the Civil Trial in the United States

For most Americans, the word "trial" conjures up a courtroom drama, usually concerning a crime. Of course, much of what goes on in American courtrooms is not very dramatic, and much of it does not concern crime. But American courts have become the setting for significant decisions about how the country operates. These decisions are sometimes dramatically announced, but they often pass quietly into the public domain. In this article, I will trace the history of the mechanism for these significant decisions -- the civil trial.
Psiactive routing - a new class of ad hoc network routing

We propose Psiactive routing as a new class for intelligent and highly integrated route discovery and maintenance based on a powerful sensing and prediction philosophy and its methods. Psiactive routing (/spl Psi/Rt) is targeted towards mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) but application to other networks could also prove very useful, /spl Psi/Rt fuses key information from multiple network layers (or planes) as is necessary to accomplish reliable prediction of future required routes and the maintenance of existing and future routes. In this paper, Psiactive network architecture and simulation results for /spl Psi/Rt demonstrating the capabilities of a predictive approach to mobile ad hoc network routing are included. The paper concludes with simulation results consistently showing throughput and real-time response advantages of Psiactive routing over selected representative "conventional" MANET routing approaches.
Psychometric properties of the Cervical Spine Outcomes Questionnaire and its relationship to standard assessment tools used in spine research.

Abstract Background The Cervical Spine Outcomes Questionnaire (CSOQ), a disease-specific outcomes instrument, has not been systematically compared with the Short Form-36 (SF-36) or the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Purpose To examine the psychometric properties of the CSOQ and to compare them with those of the SF-36 and NDI. Study design Prospective analysis of outcomes data in patients undergoing surgery. Methods We used telephone surveys (CSOQ) and clinical assessments (SF-36 and NDI) to evaluate 534 patients undergoing anterior cervical decompression and fusion at 23 nationwide sites. The psychometric properties of the CSOQ were analyzed for floor/ceiling effect, internal consistency of items within the CSOQ, and concurrent validity with the SF-36 and NDI. Results The CSOQ domain scores showed good psychometric properties (Cronbach's alpha >0.70). Only physical symptoms (other than pain) showed a ceiling effect. The CSOQ domain scores had good concurrent validity (Spearman rank correlation coefficient >0.70) with the mental health score of the SF-36 and the total disability score of NDI. Conclusions The CSOQ domain scores provide a disease-specific assessment of functional limitations resulting from cervical spine disorders. The domain scores for functional disability and psychological distress provide similar information to that provided by the NDI and SF-36. The CSOQ domain scores for pain severity provide information that is more specific to cervical disc disease than does the physical health score of the SF-36.
Cost-Effectiveness of the Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Versus Antiarrhythmic Drugs in Survivors of Serious Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias Results of the Antiarrhythmics Versus Implantable Defibrillators (AVID) Economic Analysis Substudy

Background— The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is an effective but expensive device. We used prospectively collected data from a large randomized clinical trial of secondary prevention of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias to determine the cost-effectiveness of the ICD compared with antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) therapy, largely with amiodarone. Methods and Results— Charges for initial and repeat hospitalizations, emergency room, and day surgery stays and the costs of antiarrhythmic drugs were collected on 1008 patients. Detailed records of all other medical encounters and expenses were collected on a subgroup of 237 patients. Regression models were then created to attribute these expenses to the rest of the patients. Charges were converted to 1997 costs using standard methods. Costs and life years were discounted at 3% per year. Three-year survival data from the Antiarrhythmics Versus Implantable Defibrillators trail were used to calculate the base-case cost-effectiveness (C/E) ratio. Six...
Gender differences in left ventricular function at rest and with exercise in asymptomatic aortic stenosis

Abstract In 29 women and 53 men with asymptomatic aortic stenosis, two-dimensional (2-D) and Doppler echocardiography were performed at rest and immediately after treadmill exercise testing to examine gender difference in left ventricular geometry, systolic and diastolic function, functional status, and exercise capacity. Aortic stenosis severity was similar between men and women. Women reported more functional impairment than men (88% ± 14% vs 95% ± 7%; p = 0.02). When indexed to body surface area, women had a smaller end-diastolic volume (39 ± 14 vs 50 ± 15 ml/m 2 ; p = 0.002), end-systolic volume (13 ± 6 ml/m 2 vs 18 ± 9 ml/m 2 ; p = 0.01) and left ventricular mass (73 ± 26 gm/m 2 vs 84 ± 21 gm/m 2 ; p = 0.05), but a higher relative wall thickness in systole (1.5 ± 0.4 cm vs 1.3 ± 0.4 cm; p = 0.05), and fractional shortening (43% ± 7% vs 39% ± 10%; p = 0.03). Women had higher early and late transmitral velocities than did men (early, 92 ± 24 cm/sec vs 79 ± 29 cm/sec; p = 0.05; late, 97 ± 30 cm/sec vs 68 ± 23 cm/sec; p p = 0.006), a significantly shorter exercise duration (4.5 ± 4.1 minutes vs 8.0 ± 3.9 minutes; p p = 0.02), and a smaller increase in cardiac output with exercise (5.4 ± 3.5 L/min vs 8.0 ± 4.3 L/min; p = 0.01), in spite of similar peak heart rate and blood pressure responses. In these asymptomatic subjects with aortic stenosis, women had smaller, relatively hypercontractile ventricles, a different diastolic filling profile, more exercise limitation, and poorer functional capacity. These findings demonstrate the importance of gender in the response of the left ventricle to chronic pressure overload.
Component versus Holistic Visual Search Training for Improvised Explosive Detection

In this study, we investigated X-ray screener performance on improvised explosive device (IED) detection within a perceptual discrimination training paradigm. We looked at the effects of a particular IED discrimination training intervention (holistic IED versus IED components) on detection when tested using realistic stimuli that varied the level of clutter overlap and overall difficulty in terms of clutter quantity. Results suggest that holistic training has benefits for performance during testing when threats are partially occluded. The results are discussed in the context of additional research directions and training design issues.
A Narrative Account of Abundant Life With Mental Illness

How might abundant life be evident even in the midst of mental illness? The present article begins with an exploration of the meaning of Christ's words in John 10:10. The author then considers biographical narrative as a means by which to consider the possibility of abundant life in the context of mental illness. The author shares select events from the life of her sister, now deceased, who had severe mental illness and multiple other impairments. Her sister's use of humor was described as evidence of joy despite mental illness, as well as her sister's desire to bring joy to others.
Incidence and risk factors for traumatic intraocular pressure elevation and traumatic glaucoma after open-globe injury.

To examine traumatic intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation and glaucoma after open-globe injury. Retrospective, observational case series. Review of patients with open-globe repair at the University of Washington from May 1997 through July 2010. Traumatic IOP elevation and glaucoma were defined respectively as intraocular pressure (IOP) ≥22 mm Hg at >1 visit or need for glaucoma medication, and long-term (at least 3 months) glaucoma medication use or glaucoma surgery. We included 515 eyes (515 patients). The mean follow-up was 12.6±20.1 months. One hundred twenty eyes (23.3%) developed traumatic IOP elevation, of which 32 (6.2%) developed glaucoma; six eyes (1.2%) required glaucoma surgery. The mean time to development of traumatic IOP elevation was 1.5±3.4 months (range 1 day to 2 years). Kaplan–Meier 6- and 12-month estimates for development of traumatic IOP elevation were 27.2 and 32.4%, respectively, and for development of traumatic glaucoma were 7.1 and 11.0%, respectively. Multivariate regression revealed associations between traumatic IOP elevation and older age, and traumatic glaucoma and prior penetrating keratoplasty, initial vitreous hemorrhage, Zone II injury, and penetrating keratoplasty after open-globe repair. Traumatic glaucoma was controlled (IOP <22 mm Hg) in 78.1% of eyes at final follow-up, with mean IOP of 18.2 mm Hg on 1.7 medications. Traumatic IOP elevation and glaucoma were common after visually salvageable open-globe injury. Most cases developed within 6 months, although longer follow-up remains important for case detection. Penetrating keratoplasty before or after repair, and vitreous hemorrhage were notable risk factors.
Cognitive Effects of Soy Isoflavones in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease.

Background In a previous trial, treatment with soy isoflavones was associated with improved nonverbal memory, construction abilities, verbal fluency, and speeded dexterity compared to treatment with placebo in cognitively healthy older adults. Objective The current trial aimed to examine the potential cognitive benefits of soy isoflavones in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Methods Sixty-five men and women over the age of 60 were treated with 100 mg/day soy isoflavones, or matching placebo capsules for six months. APOE genotype was determined for all participants. Cognitive outcomes and plasma isoflavone levels were measured at baseline, and at two additional time points: three and six months after baseline. Results Of the sixty-five participants enrolled, thirty-four (52.3% ) were women, and 31 (47.7% ) were APOEɛ4 positive. Average age was 76.3 (SD = 7.2) years. Fifty-nine (90.8% ) subjects completed all study visits. Plasma isoflavone levels increased in subjects treated with soy isoflavones compared to baseline and to placebo, although intersubject variability in plasma levels was large. No significant differences in treatment effects for cognition emerged between treatment groups or genders. Exploratory analyses of associations between changes in cognition and plasma isoflavone levels revealed an association between equol levels, and speeded dexterity and verbal fluency. Conclusions Six months of 100 mg/day treatment with soy isoflavones did not benefit cognition in older men and women with Alzheimer's disease. However, our results suggest the need to examine the role of isoflavone metabolism, i.e., the ability to effectively metabolize soy isoflavones by converting daidzen to equol when attempting to fully clarify the cognitive effects of isoflavones.
Injuries among children--some cost considerations in USA.

Unintentional and intentional injuries are a major cause of morbidity and mortality among children under the age of 19. The large number of premature death and disabilities due to injury and accompanying high economic cost, including public sector expenditures, emphasize the need to reduce the burden of injury. Productivity losses are greater from injury than from the three other leading causes of death - heart disease, stroke and cancer. Implementation of known injury-control interventions can substantially reduce the incidence, severity, and accompanying cost of injury. Because financial resources are limited, decision-makers need to consider the cost and effectiveness of alternative prevention strategies. Injury causes with the highest cost per injury could make a priority, especially within maternal and child health programs; as an alternative, projected total injury cost could determine program priority.
PLIF Flow Visualization of a Supersonic Injection COIL Nozzle

This paper describes Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence (PLIF) flow visualization of a supersonic nozzle with supersonic injection. The nozzle simulates Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser (COIL) flow conditions with non-reacting, cold flows, where the injected flow was seeded with iodine. A laser sheet near 565nm excited the iodine, and the fluorescence was imaged with a gated, CCD camera. Spanwise and streamwise images were taken, where the relative concentration of the injected to primary flow, turbulent structures, and penetration distance of the injected flow were identified. These images qualitatively revealed a lack of mixing of the secondary (injected) and primary flows at the centerline of the nozzle, even far downstream of the throat. Quantitative data of the penetration of the secondary flow, with varying primary to secondary flow rate ratios, helped identify the shallow angle of the injectors as an inhibiter of secondary penetration even at relatively low primary flow rates. From the PLIF results, this nozzle is characterized as a poor mixer and would not be recommended as a nozzle that produces a well-mixed medium, as required with chemical lasers. This work precedes a project that will use PLIF results to design a well-mixed supersonic nozzle with supersonic injection. The results will be compared to and enable validation of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) predictions of the designed nozzle.
Enhanced Gel Electrophoresis Versus Capillary Electrophoresis: Which System Meets the Needs of a High Specimen Throughput Laboratory?

Gel electrophoresis and capillary electrophoresis are commonly used for serum and urine protein analysis in the medical laboratory. We perform over 4,000 serum and urine specimens monthly for protein and immunofixation testing. We are utilizing Helena Laboratories, Beaumont, Texas, gel electrophoresis SPIFE 3000 and ESH specimen handlers. Reliable new technology and enhanced methods are commercially available that could increase …
Case-control study on the influencing factors of kala-azar in the foci of desert-type kala-azar

To explore the influencing factors of kala-azar in the foci of desert-type kala-azar,a 1:3matched case-control study was conducted on 21cases of kala-azar and 63matched controls from Jiashi County,Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.Healthy children were chosen as controls under the following criterion:in the same village,the same gender and similar age within one year with cases,without the history,symptoms and signs of kala-azar,and negative results with rK39dipsticks.Using SPSS 17.0software,the potential influencing factors including habits,living environment and behavior were analysed by univariate and multivariate conditional logistic regression.The univariate conditional logistic regression analysis showed that the distance between bedrooms and enclosures of livestock and kala-azar patients in home or neighbours in the last two years were significantly different between groups of cases and controls(P0.05).The multivariate analysis showed that the number of domestic animals and the distance between bedrooms and enclosures of livestock were incorporated in the multivariable models with their interaction being significantly different(P0.05).The factors of the number of domestic animals and the distance between bedrooms and enclosures of livestock are influencing factors of kala-azar in the foci of desert-type kalaazar.
Design and Implementation of a GaN-Based, 100-kHz, 102-W/in 3 Single-Phase Inverter

High power density is a desirable feature of power electronics design, which prompts economic incentives for industrial applications. In this paper, a gallium nitride (GaN)-based 2-kVA single-phase inverter design was developed for the Google Little Box Challenge, which achieves a 102-W/in $^{3}$ power density. First, the static and dynamic temperature-dependent characteristics of multiple SiC and enhancement-mode GaN FETs are investigated and compared. Based on the device testing results, several topologies of the inverter stage and different power decoupling solutions are compared with respect to the device volume, efficiency, and thermal requirements. Moreover, some design approaches for magnetic devices and the implementation of gate drives for GaN devices are discussed in this paper, which enable a compact and robust system. Finally, a dc notch filter and a hard switching full-bridge converter are combined as the proposed design for the prototype. A 2-kVA prototype is demonstrated, which meets the volume, efficiency, and thermal requirements. The performance of the prototype is verified by the experimental results.