cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Understanding pre-enrollment surgical outcomes for hospitals participating in Medicare Accountable Care Organizations.

Abstract Background To anticipate the effects of accountable care organizations (ACOs) on surgical care, we examined pre-enrollment utilization, outcomes, and costs of inpatient surgery among hospitals currently enrolled in Medicare ACOs vs nonenrolling facilities. Methods Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2007 to 2011), we compared patient and hospital characteristics, distributions of surgical specialty care, and the most common inpatient surgeries performed between ACO-enrolling and nonenrolling hospitals before implementation of Medicare ACOs. We used multivariable regression to compare pre-enrollment inpatient mortality, length of stay (LOS), and costs. Results Hospitals now participating in Medicare ACO programs were more frequently nonprofit ( P P = .01) that performed more specialty procedures ( P Conclusions Medicare ACO hospitals had pre-enrollment outcomes that were similar to nonparticipating facilities. Future studies will determine whether ACO participation yields differential changes in surgical quality or costs.
Prognostic indicators in carcinoma of the nasal vestibule

Objectives: Squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal vestibule is rare variant of skin cancer. The TNM classification for skin cancer has been used, whereas, Wang has devised an independent staging system, which he stated was more accurate. The purpose of this study was to analyse the prognostic indicators for survival in a patients with nasal vestibule cancer from the Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto. Design: A retrospective review of case notes from the Princess Margaret Hospital archives was performed. Setting: The Princess Margaret Hospital/Ontario Cancer Institute is the tertiary regional Head and Neck Oncology Centre for ON, Canada. Participants: All patients with nasal vestibule cancer (ICD10 C300) were included. Main outcome measures: Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed and Kaplan–Meier survival curves constructed. Results: Eighty-four patients were identified. The mean age was 67, there was a male preponderance of 2 : 1. Primary radical radiation was used in 77% of patients. Age (P = 0.02), N stage (P = 0.0001) and Wang classification (P = 0.0001) were associated with prediction of overall survival using multivariate analysis. Grade, depth of invasion and N stage were associated with disease-free survival outcome. A 5-year overall survival rate of 58% and disease-free survival of 52% was seen. Conclusion: Nasal vestibule cancer behaves in a more aggressive manner than any other skin cancers affecting the head and neck. The Wangs’ classification appears to be a better prognostic indicator for overall survival then the TNM classification for skin cancer.
Disequilibrium analysis in developing economies : an overview

A general theory of distortions in product and in factor markets distinguishes between endogenous and policy-imposed distortions. The literature has tended to focus on policy-imposed distortions in product markets, and on endogenous distortions in factor markets. This paper analyzes policy-imposed distortions in product and in factor markets of developing economies. Section I briefly describes the principal policy-imposed distortions observed, reviews recent estimates on the extent of discrimination in particular markets, and indicates their possible economic effects. Section II reports on available estimates of the impact of these distortions on the efficiency of allocating existing resources as well as on savings, investment efficiency, and economic growth.
Arab Behaviour Towards Israel: Strategic Avoidance or Exploiting Opportunities?

Scholars often observe that the foreign policies of states are not made in a vacuum but rather are determined or moulded to a significant degree by the external and internal actions of rivals. Domestic unrest is often considered a potential impetus for changing strategic behaviour. Leaders may be tempted to employ force externally to divert attention away from domestic unrest. The intended result is a ‘rally round the flag’ effect that culminates in higher approval/support for the executive as citizens forget about domestic problems and pay attention to a common adversary. One implication of this sort of ‘diversion’ is that potential scapegoats might employ strategic behaviour to avoid becoming a diversionary target. In other words, when they witness domestic unrest in a rival state, they worry that the rival may lash out at them and thus engage in ‘strategic avoidance’.Conversely, strategic behaviour may lead to a greater chance that the potential ‘diverter’ will itself be targeted for hostile behaviour. Erstwhile scapegoats may view periods of social unrest such as elections, domestic political protests or unstable cabinet structures in the other country as convenient and favourable times to escalate hostility. Such situations are viewed as opportunities that are ripe for exploitation.Alastair Smith's work has been extended to both the US case and a comparative cross-national study. Our purpose here is to extend this line of inquiry by looking at a region of the world locked in a long-term hostile relationship; namely, the Middle East. Our approach builds upon previous research that addresses the strategic interaction of enduring rivals.
Insulating Films Formed Under Electron and Ion Bombardment

In an evacuated tube in which the slightest traces of organic vapors may occur, even with liquid air cooling, insulating layers are formed on surfaces subject to electron or canal-ray bombardment. These layers may be attributed to carbon compounds, and their formation is related to the polymerization of organic vapors by electrical discharges, $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-particles, and ultraviolet light. The simple ion-deposition theory is inadequate as the layers are formed only at the point of impact of the rays on the surface. Electrical resistances and break-down potentials were observed for several films. The importance of these deposits in general experimental practice, such as the photometry of mass-spectra, is pointed out, and, amongst others, cases are cited of their influence producing contact potentials, pseudo high vacua, erroneous photographic recording and differential condensation of vapors upon previously bombarded surfaces.
Ants, a source of ant-igenic activity? A case history

Abstract The suggestion that ants may produce ABH antigen-like substances was tested, using Argentine ants ( Iridomyrmex humilis ). Prolonged tracking by these ants did not leave ABH antigen-like substances on filter paper, and did not act to produce an ABH antigen-like reaction on non-secretor saliva. An extract of the head and thoracic regions showed activity that mimicked that of an A secretor. Lesser amounts of A antigen-like material were found in other circumstances.
Isodirectional tuning of adjacent interneurons and pyramidal cells during working memory: evidence for microcolumnar organization in PFC.

Studies on the cellular mechanisms of working memory demonstrated that neurons in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dPFC) exhibit directionally tuned activity during an oculomotor delayed response. To determine the particular contributions of pyramidal cells and interneurons to spatial tuning in dPFC, we examined both individually and in pairs the tuning properties of regular-spiking (RS) and fast-spiking (FS) units that represent putative pyramidal cells and interneurons, respectively. Our main finding is that FS units possess spatially tuned sensory, motor, and delay activity (i. e., "memory fields") similar to those found in RS units. Furthermore, when recorded simultaneously at the same site, the majority of neighboring neurons, whether FS or RS, displayed isodirectional tuning, i.e., they shared very similar tuning angles for the sensory and delay phases of the task. As the trial entered the response phase of the task, many FS units shifted their direction of tuning and became cross-directional to adjacent RS units by the end of the trial. These results establish that a large part of inhibition in prefrontal cortex is spatially oriented rather than being untuned and simply regulating the threshold response of pyramidal cell output. Moreover, the isodirectional tuning between adjacent neurons supports a functional microcolumnar organization in dPFC for spatial memory fields similar to that found in other areas of cortex for sensory receptive fields.
Occurrence, Characteristics, and Impact of Chronic Pain in Formerly Abused Women

The purposes of this study were to describe the occurrence of chronic pain and to evaluate for differences in pain characteristics and intimate partner violence between women who reported mild compared with moderate to severe chronic pain. A convenience sample of community-based women (N = 84) was recruited. The 77% of women who reported chronic pain were dichotomized into two groups. Women with moderate to severe pain (n = 49) were significantly more likely to be unemployed, to be in the abusive relationship longer, to report more minor injuries and threats of violence, and to report pain in multiple locations that significantly interfered with every aspect of their lives.
Identifying vulnerabilities, exploring opportunities: reconfiguring production, conservation, and consumption in California rice

This paper describes a role for rural sociology in linking agrifood system vulnerabilities to opportunities for encouraging sustainability and social justice. I argue that the California rice industry is particularly vulnerable for two reasons. First, a quarter of rice growers’ revenues derive from production-based subsidies that have been recently deemed illegal by the World Trade Organization. Second, about half of California’s rice sales depend on volatile export markets, which are susceptible to periodic market access disruptions. Such vulnerabilities present political opportunities to reconfigure the connection between production and consumption. By exploring how production subsidies could be transformed into multifunctionality payments, and investigating new regional markets, rural sociology can contribute to discussions about how to encourage a more sustainable and socially just California rice industry. My discussion aims to prompt rural sociologists to explore similar questions in comparable agrifood systems.
Subcutaneous mycotic infection of a Burmese python snake.

Summary: A diffuse subcutaneous infection in a Burmese python snake is described. Direct microscopic examinations of the purulent material aspirated from the lesions revealed multiple bacterial species and fungal elements. The bacterial isolates were identified as Proteus sp., Enterobacter sp., and E. coli. The isolated fungus proved to be Geotrichum candidum. The same fungus was isolated twice from the affected tissue. Antibacterial agents failed to cure the condition. The granulomatous masses under the skin were removed surgically. The snake died nine days post surgery. Post mortem examination showed signs of toxaemia involving the visceral organs. Zusammenfassung: Eine diffuse subcutane Infection bei einer burmesischen Pythonschlange wird beschrieben. Die direkte mikroskopische Untersuchung des aspierierten purulenten Materials ergab den Nachweis von Bakterien und Pilzelementen. Die Bakte-rien wurden als Proteus sp., Enterobakter sp. und E. coli identifiziert. Der isolierte Pilz erwies sich als Geotrichum candidum. Der Pilz konnte zweimals aus dem betroffenen Gewebe isoliert werden. Antibakterielle Medikamente hatten keinen therapeutischen Effekt. Die granulomatosen Massen unter der Haut wurden chirurgisch entfernt. Die Schlange starb genau 9 Tage nach der Operation. Die Post mortem-Untersuchungen zeigten Zeichen einer Toxikamie an den inneren Organen.
Trade-offs in resistance to competitors and predators, and their effects on the diversity of tropical marine sponges

Summary 1. Consistently very high regional diversity of tropical marine sponges reflects a combination of high within-habitat diversity and distinctness of species composition among habitats. Distinctive sponge faunas of Caribbean coral reefs and mangroves seem to support the assumption that abiotic factors determine sponge diversity within habitats and faunal differences between habitats because these habitats differ greatly in abiotic characteristics and because lower species diversity on mangroves appears to reflect their inferiority as sponge habitat. 2. A way to test this assumption is provided by unusual mangrove cays in Belize that are inhabited by the typical Caribbean reef sponge fauna. Reciprocal transplant experiments, combined with caging (predator-free space) and artificial substrata (competitor-free space), demonstrated control of community membership by biological interactions for 12 common species: spongivorous predators excluded typical mangrove sponges from reef sponge assemblages, and reef sponges were excluded from mangrove sponge assemblages by competition. 3. Variation in growth rate was related inversely to variation in defences against predators in the species studied, suggesting a trade-off between resistance to competitors and to predators. 4. This trade-off influences community structure, as the key importance of competition for space among mangrove species results in lower within-habitat diversity, while multiple challenges, including predation, may maintain high diversity of reef sponges. Differences in species composition between habitats are maintained, as this trade-off precludes success of individual species as members of both faunas. 5. Most surprising is that typical faunas of mangroves and reefs are not tied to these habitats by abiotic factors. Greater sponge species diversity on the reef does not necessarily indicate superior conditions for sponges. Instead reefs may be a refuge for species that grow too slowly to coexist with typical mangrove species.
Brain natriuretic peptide-guided therapy in the inpatient management of decompensated heart failure

Heart failure is extremely prevalent and is associated with significant mortality, morbidity and cost. Studies have already established mortality benefit with the use of neurohormonal blockade therapy in systolic failure. Unfortunately, physical signs and symptoms of heart failure lack diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, and medication doses proven to improve mortality in clinical trials are often not achieved. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) has proven to be of clinical use in the diagnosis and prognosis of heart failure, and recent efforts have been taken to further elucidate its role in guiding heart failure management. Multiple studies have been conducted on outpatient guided management, and although still controversial, there is a trend towards improved outcomes. Inpatient studies are lacking, but preliminary data suggest various BNP cut-off values, as well as percentage changes in BNP, that could be useful in predicting outcomes and improving mortality. In the future, heart failure management will probably involve an algorithm using clinical assessment and a multibiomarker-guided approach.
Secretion and Assembly of Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins by Growing Mouse Oocytes Microinjected with Epitope-tagged cDNAs for mZP2 and mZP3

The zona pellucida (ZP) is a highly organized extracellular coat that surrounds all mammalian eggs. The mouse egg ZP is composed of three glycoproteins, called mZP1-3, that are synthesized, secreted, and assembled into a ZP exclusively by growing oocytes. Here, we microinjected epitope-tagged (Myc and Flag) cDNAs for mZP2 and mZP3 into the germinal vesicle (nucleus) of growing oocytes isolated from juvenile mice. Specific antibodies and laser scanning confocal microscopy were used to follow nascent, recombinant ZP glycoproteins in both permeabilized and nonpermeabilized oocytes. When such cDNAs were injected, epitope-tagged mZP2 (Myc-mZP2) and mZP3 (Flag-mZP3) were synthesized, packaged into large intracellular vesicles, and secreted by the vast majority of oocytes. Secreted glycoproteins were incorporated into only the innermost layer of the thickening ZP, and the amount of nascent glycoprotein in this region increased with increasing time of oocyte culture. Consistent with prior observations, the putative transmembrane domain at the C terminus of mZP2 and mZP3 was missing from nascent glycoprotein incorporated into the ZP. When the consensus furin cleavage site near the C terminus of mZP3 was mutated, such that it should not be cleaved by furin, secretion and assembly of mZP3 was reduced. On the other hand, mZP3 incorporated into the ZP lacked the transmembrane domain downstream of the mutated furin cleavage site, suggesting that some other protease(s) excised the domain. These results strongly suggest that nascent mZP2 and mZP3 are incorporated into only the innermost layer of the ZP and that excision of the C-terminal region of the glycoproteins is required for assembly into the oocyte ZP.
Family Influence on Career Decision Making: Validation in India and the United States

This study examined the nomological network for the Family Influence Scale in the United States and India. Specifically, the study assessed the relationship between family influences on career decision making and the constructs of family obligation, work volition, calling, work values, and occupational engagement across two countries. A total of 136 U.S. participants and 377 participants from India responded to a survey via Amazon Mechanical Turk. The study found support for the construct validity and the four different types of family influences both between the United States and the Indian population. Family influence was correlated in expected ways with family obligation, work volition, work values, calling, and occupational engagement.
Smart antennas based on spatial multiplexing of local elements (SMILE) for mutual coupling reduction

A new method for reducing mutual coupling in a smart antenna array using patch antenna elements is proposed. In a recently introduced smart antenna architecture, the spatial multiplexing of local elements (SMILE) scheme, the newly proposed array feed network affects mutual coupling. It is demonstrated that proper design of the feed network may reduce mutual coupling significantly, yielding nearly ideal radiation characteristics. Numerical solutions are used to study and optimize the currents on the surface of a four-element C-band patch antenna array and feed network. Radiation patterns of the same array with different feed networks are also computed. Results show a reduction in sidelobe level of several decibels, increased accuracy in beam pointing during scan, and improved null depth and placement.
Experimental Games and Games of Life among the Ju/’hoan Bushmen

Experimental games—the dictator game and the ultimatum game—were played out among the Ju/’hoan Bushmen of the Kalahari. Subsequently, the experimenter tracked what the players did with the money earned in the games to see how it was used in “games of everyday life.” Players were stingy and did not punish in experimental games and were generous and did punish in “games of life.” The fact that the conditions of anonymity of the games removed cultural institutions and emotions governing sharing and reciprocity led Ju/’hoansi to reassess risks and benefits and play more selfishly. The findings underline the importance of cultural institutions such as sharing, reciprocity, and social sanctions (costly punishment) to provide the structure for other‐regarding behavior to be expressed and to be rendered beneficial for the participants.
Hypothalamic PKA regulates leptin sensitivity and adiposity

Mice lacking the RIIβ regulatory subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) display reduced adiposity and resistance to diet-induced obesity. Here we show that RIIβ knockout (KO) mice have enhanced sensitivity to leptin's effects on both feeding and energy metabolism. After administration of a low dose of leptin, the duration of hypothalamic JAK/STAT3 signalling is increased, resulting in enhanced POMC mRNA induction. Consistent with the extended JAK/STAT3 activation, we find that the negative feedback regulator of leptin receptor signalling, Socs3, is inhibited in the hypothalamus of RIIβ KO mice. During fasting, RIIβ-PKA is activated and this correlates with an increase in CREB phosphorylation. The increase in CREB phosphorylation is absent in the fasted RIIβ KO hypothalamus. Selective inhibition of PKA activity in AgRP neurons partially recapitulates the leanness and resistance to diet-induced obesity of RIIβ KO mice. Our findings suggest that RIIβ-PKA modulates the duration of leptin receptor signalling and therefore the magnitude of the catabolic response to leptin.
Spiracles of Adult Scarabaeoidea (Coleoptera) and Their Phylogenetic Significance. II. Thoracic Spiracles and Adjacent Sclerites

The concealed mesothoracic spiracles of adult Scarabaeoidea have the same types of immobile filter apparatusas abdominal spiracles but usually differ in having amedial extension of the peritreme and have a different type of closing device. Associated with the mesothoracic spiracles are 1 or more setiferous intersegmentalia. Meta thoracic spiracles are simple in structure, have movablelips, and are unlike either mesothoracic or abdominal spiracles. Evolutionary trends found in mesothoracic spiracles are the development of a porous or solid filter apparatus from separate atrial spines, a reduction in the size of the spiracular opening, and a reduction in the number of intersegmentalia from several on each side to a median, setiferous sclerite. Many of the structures found in both mesothoracic spiracles and intersegmentalia appear to have taxonomic value. The degree of specialization found in both mesothoracic and abdominal spiracles and in adjacent structures is summarized. Pleocoma and the Lucanidae are the least specialized Scarabaeoidea; other less specialized groups are Passalidae, Troginae, Geotrupinae, Taurocerastinae, Oncerinae (Oncerus), Acoma, Podolasia , Glaphyrinae, Acanthocerinae, Ochodaeinae, and Allidostominae. Melolonthinae, Dynastinae, Rutelinae, and Cetoniinae are the most specialized groups.
Twelve-membered macrolactones: privileged scaffolds for the development of new therapeutics.

Natural products commonly produced as secondary metabolites of various plants and micro-organisms represent a diverse chemical space of compounds. The diversity of natural products makes them an attractive target for interrogation by both chemists and biologists alike. Indeed, the study of 12-membered macrolactones has already led to the discovery of lead drug compounds and new biological targets, which has motivated the development of diverted total synthetic routes to libraries of analogs. This review explores the discovery, biological characterization, and synthesis of several 12-membered macrolactones, exploiting examples that underscore their importance in the drug discovery field. It is our hope that this review will motivate further interest in this class of natural products, a group of molecules that we think merit the classification of ‘privileged scaffolds’ within the medicinal chemistry community, to further investigate and develop novel compounds with promising bioactivity.
Ion chromatography for simultaneous determination of bromate,chlorite and chlorate in drinking water

Objective:To develop an ion chromatography(IC) for simultaneous determination of chlorite,chlorate and bromate in drinking water.Methods:The IC separation was carried out with the IonPAC AS19 column by using hydroxide eluent at the flow rate of 1.0 ml/min.The injection volume was 500 μl.Conductivity detection cell temperature was set at 30℃,column temperature was set at 35℃.Suppressor was in automatic regeneration mode,suppressor current was 87 mA.Results:The results showed that in the range of 0 μg/L to 500 μg/L,the linear equation of chlorite was y=2.640x-0.027,r=0.9999,the detection limit was 0.1 μg/L;In the range of 0 μg/L~100 μg/L,the linear equation of bromate was y=1.342x-0.003,r=0.9999,detection limit was 0.5 μg/L;In the range of 0 μg/L~500 μg/L,the linear equation of chlorate was y=2.157x-0.043,r=0.9999,the detection limit was 0.2 μg/L.The recovery rates were 99.70%~102.6% and the relative standard deviations(RSD) were 1.16%~3.56%.Conclusion:The method is simple,fast,accurate,sensitive,little interference and applicable to the simultaneous determination of chlorite,chlorate and bromate in drinking water.
Maximizing your potential to promote the Pharmacy Practice Model Initiative as a student.

The practice of pharmacy is evolving rapidly. The engagement of student pharmacists is vital in achieving professional advancements. The Pharmacy Practice Model Initiative (PPMI) is a valuable opportunity for pharmacy students to shape their careers and support the expansion of pharmacists’ role
Haploid differentiation in maize kernels based on fluorescence imaging

A new fluorescence-based method for inbred haploid differentiation in maize kernels was developed by utilizing the R1-nj colour marker in combination with fluorescence microspectroscopy and imaging. Seven inbred lines with varying R1-nj expression were used in this study. The fluorescence response of the diploid kernels at the embryonic dye spot was shown to simultaneously exhibit lower intensity and occur at a higher wavelength than the fluorescence of the dye-lacking haploid embryos. Intensity and area thresholds were applied to fluorescence images to sort the haploids from mixed sample populations, and sorting efficiencies of greater than 80% were achieved in all seven inbred lines (with values greater than 90% for five lines). The potential for high-throughput sorting when fluorescence imaging is combined with existing technologies for seed handling as well as high sorting efficiency may make fluorescence a viable and promising alternative to current sorting methods for some inbred lines.
Comparative Evoked Potential Studies on Somatosensory Cortex of Mammals

Dr. Mountcastle, Dr. Ottoson, Dr. Franzen, distinguished colleagues! It is an honor and privilege to be invited to take part in this symposium honoring the memory of Dr. Yngve Zotterman.
Mental Health Service Use Among Young Adults: A Communication Framework for Program Development

Research on mental health service engagement has been dominated by attempts to identify determinants of engagement. Such knowledge is important but incomplete. Once identified, program designers need to use evidence-based principles to design programs to bring about changes in the empirically identified determinants. Research is relatively silent on such principles. This article develops a framework to guide program designers' as they address factors that constrain and/or facilitate engagement. The framework is grounded in communication theory and evidence from related behavioral science research. The literature is summarized and used to generate a check-list of questions to consider when structuring engagement programs.
Rounded leaf end modeling in Pinnacle VMAT treatment planning for fixed jaw linacs

During volume-modulated arc therapies (VMAT), dosimetric errors are introduced by multiple open dynamic leaf gaps that are present in fixed diaphragm linear accelerators. The purpose of this work was to develop a methodology for adjusting the rounded leaf end modeling parameters to improve out-of-field dose agreement in SmartArc VMAT treatment plans delivered by fixed jaw linacs where leaf gap dose is not negligible. Leaf gap doses were measured for an Elekta beam modulator linac with 0.4 cm micro-multileaf collimators (MLC) using an A16 micro-ionization chamber, a MatriXX ion chamber detector array, and Kodak EDR2 film dosimetry in a solid water phantom. The MLC offset and rounded end tip radius were adjusted in the Pinnacle treatment planning system (TPS) to iteratively arrive at the optimal configuration for 6 MV and 10 MV photon energies. Improvements in gamma index with a 3%/3 mm acceptance criteria and an inclusion threshold of 5% of maximum dose were measured, analyzed, and validated using an ArcCHECK diode detector array for field sizes ranging from 1.6 to 14 cm square field arcs and Task Group (TG) 119 VMAT test cases. The best results were achieved for a rounded leaf tip radius of 13 cm with a 0.1 cm MLC offset. With the optimized MLC model, measured gamma indices ranged between 99.9% and 91.7% for square field arcs with sizes between 3.6 cm and 1.6 cm, with a maximum improvement of 42.7% for the 1.6 cm square field size. Gamma indices improved up to 2.8% in TG-119 VMAT treatment plans. Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core (IROC) credentialing of a VMAT plan with the head and neck phantom passed with a gamma index of 100%. Fine-tune adjustments to MLC rounded leaf ends may improve patient-specific QA pass rates and provide more accurate predictions of dose deposition to avoidance structures.
Relic gravitational waves and limits on inflation.

It is shown that only a narrow class of inflationary models can possibly agree with the available observational data on the anisotropy of the cosmic microwave background radiation. These models may be governed by «matter» with the effective equation of state −1.2 < p/e < −0.6
Plasma membrane calcium ATPase 4 (PMCA4) co-ordinates calcium and nitric oxide signaling in regulating murine sperm functional activity.

Reduced sperm motility (asthenospermia) and resulting infertility arise from deletion of the Plasma Membrane Ca2+ -ATPase 4 (Pmca4) gene which encodes the highly conserved Ca2+ efflux pump, PMCA4. This is the major Ca2+ clearance protein in murine sperm. Since the mechanism underlying asthenospermia in PMCA4's absence or reduced activity is unknown, we investigated if sperm PMCA4 negatively regulates nitric oxide synthases (NOSs) and when absent NO, peroxynitrite, and oxidative stress levels are increased. Using co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET), we show an association of PMCA4 with the NOSs in elevated cytosolic [Ca2+ ] in capacitated and Ca2+ ionophore-treated sperm and with neuronal (nNOS) at basal [Ca2+ ] (ucapacitated sperm). FRET efficiencies for PMCA4-eNOS were 35% and 23% in capacitated and uncapacitated sperm, significantly (p < 0.01) different, with the molecules being <10 nm apart. For PMCA4-nNOS, this interaction was seen only for capacitated sperm where FRET efficiency was 24%, significantly (p < 0.05) higher than in uncapacitated sperm (6%). PMCA4 and the NOSs were identified as interacting partners in a quaternary complex that includes Caveolin1, which co-immunoprecipitated with eNOS in a Ca2+ -dependent manner. In Pmca4-/- sperm NOS activity was elevated twofold in capacitated/uncapacitated sperm (vs. wild-type), accompanied by a twofold increase in peroxynitrite levels and significantly (p < 0.001) increased numbers of apoptotic germ cells. The data support a quaternary complex model in which PMCA4 co-ordinates Ca2+ and NO signaling to maintain motility, with increased NO levels resulting in asthenospermia in Pmca4-/- males. They suggest the involvement of PMCA4 mutations in human asthenospermia, with diagnostic relevance.
REBOA in hemorrhagic shock: a unique non-responder?

A 79-year-old woman presented to the Emergency Department after a ground level fall. On arrival, the patient was hemodynamically normal with an unremarkable primary survey. The secondary survey demonstrated pelvic tenderness to palpation. A pelvic radiograph and subsequent computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis demonstrated left inferior and superior rami, sacral wing, and iliac bone fractures with pelvic hematoma and a focus of contrast extravasation. Approximately 1 hour after initial presentation, the patient became hypotensive with a systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 76 mm Hg. The trauma surgery team was consulted. On evaluation, the patient was alert with appropriate mentation. The abdominal examination was notable for tenderness in the lower abdominal quadrants. Radial arterial line confirmed SBP <80 mm Hg, which was transiently responsive to intravenous fluid boluses. The patient carried a legal document and verbally stated that she was a Jehovah’s Witness and declined transfusion of all blood products; however, she would accept autologous transfusion or cell salvage. 1. Go to interventional radiology (IR) for angiography/embolization. 2. Go to the operating room (OR) for exploratory laparotomy with preperitoneal packing. 3. Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA). 4. Transfuse blood products. Correct …
Enabling configuration-independent automation by non-expert users

The Internet has allowed collaboration on an unprecedented scale. Wikipedia, Luis Von Ahn's ESP game, and reCAPTCHA have proven that tasks typically performed by expensive in-house or outsourced teams can instead be delegated to the mass of Internet computer users. These success stories show the opportunity for crowd-sourcing other tasks, such as allowing computer users to help each other answer questions like "How do I make my computer do X?". The current approach to crowd-sourcing IT tasks, however, limits users to text descriptions of task solutions, which is both ineffective and frustrating. We propose instead, to allow the mass of Internet users to help each other answer how-to computer questions by actually performing the task rather than documenting its solution.This paper presents KarDo, a system that takes as input traces of low-level user actions that perform a task on individual computers, and produces an automated solution to the task that works on a wide variety of computer configurations. Our core contributions are machine learning and static analysis algorithms that infer state and action dependencies without requiring any modifications to the operating system or applications.
Iodate Reduction by Shewanella oneidensis Does Not Involve Nitrate Reductase

ABSTRACTMicrobial iodate (IO3−) reduction is a major component of iodine biogeochemical cycling and is the basis of alternative strategies for remediation of iodine-contaminated environments. The m...
Teacher Formation and the Epistemic Suppression of Borinquen

Prologue I begin this essay with a brief story of its origins in order to situate my reader — the realization that I had passed through all of my formal schooling without ever encountering philosophers of education from Puerto Rico. How had I not imagined the possibility of their existence? How had this happened? My familial education had exposed me to the figures of Pedro Albizu Campos, Eugenio Maria Hostos, Antonio Corretjer, Julia de Burgos, and Ramon Emeterio Betances. But, as I realize now, I never understood them as philosophers that could bring to bear important pedagogical ideas in education because they were not part of the curriculum in the elite universities I had attended, because knowledge emanated from geographies decidedly untropical in character. My epistemic suppression was so profound that it was not until after my formal studies ended that the lacuna of philosophies of education from Puerto Rico fully revealed itself. This question led me to investigate why I had not adequately imagined philosophies of education from Puerto Rico (and the Caribbean). This investigation has led me to unexpected places: one of which is the advent of teacher education in the United States and its role in the colonization of Borinquen.
Analytical high-speed countercurrent chromatography with photodiode array detection (HSCCC-UV)

The use of analytical high-speed countercurrent chromatography with a photodiode array detector (HSCCC-UV) is described. Reduction of detector noise caused by non-retained stationary phase was achieved by adding an auxiliary solvent (MeOH, isoPrOH) by means of a post-column reactor. The technique was applied to the separation of aromatic compounds and natural products in Hexane-MeOH-H{sub 2} and CHCl{sub 3}-MeOH-H{sub 2}O solvent systems. On-line recorded UV spectra were almost identical to those obtained with pure standards in methanol. Spectra obtained by HSCCC-UV can be used to characterize separated compounds and facilitate peak identification.
Failure of a Rural Water System — a Case Study

A large rural water system constructed in South Dakota, USA was involved in extensive litigation following poor quality installation and subsequent failure to pass acceptance testing. The resulting investigation assessed not only the material handling, preparation, and installation, but also the hydraulic performance of the system. In this case it was found that the problems were due primarily to poor workmanship, and that hydraulic considerations were at most a secondary effect. After a successful litigative effort and the replacement of significant portions of the system, it has functioned properly for over four years.
Clinicians and Health Care Advocacy: The Reasons Why

This book is written for busy clinicians, not for skilled grassroots organizers, professional health care lobbyists, or health policy experts. Furthermore, it is written for clinicians of any political affiliation as well as those with no particular interest in political or economic theory, nor fascination with the theatrics that sometimes attach to the political process. The audience is clinicians who are committed to helping their patients receive the best health care possible, and who see an opportunity to accomplish that goal through a change in health care policy.
Invitro synthesis of a peptide which modifies the transcriptional specificity of Bacillussubtilis RNA polymerase

Abstract After infection of Bacillus subtilis by phage SP82 the sigma subunit of RNA polymerase is replaced by a positive regulatory subunit of 28,000 molecular weight (the 28K peptide) thereby altering the specificity of transcription. The synthesis of messenger RNA coding for the 28K peptide has been investigated using in vitro translation followed by chromatography of the translation products on columns of RNA polymerase immobilized on Sepharose. In vivo , synthesis of the mRNA occurred by 4 min after infection and was not affected by addition of chloramphenicol just prior to infection. In vitro , synthesis of the 28K peptide was detected in experiments using a coupled transcription-translation system derived from B. subtilis .
MRA and ASL perfusion findings in pediatric reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome

Reversible vasoconstriction is rare in the pediatric population. Typically manifesting as peripheral vasoconstriction with variable neurologic symptoms, Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome is often a diagnosis of exclusion and may not be diagnosed in the absence of angiographic imaging. Shown here are 2 cases of pediatric Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome with disparate MRI findings and arterial spin labeling perfusion findings.
High-Throughput Nanoelectrospray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Microfluidic Droplet Samples.

Droplet microfluidics enables high-throughput manipulation of fL−μL volume samples. Methods implemented for the chemical analysis of microfluidic droplets have been limited in scope, leaving some a...
Food effect on pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol oral capsules in adult patients with refractory epilepsy

Objective To evaluate the pharmacokinetics of a purified oral cannabidiol (CBD) capsule administered with and without food in adults with refractory epilepsy. Methods Adult patients who were prescribed CBD for seizures, had localization-related intractable epilepsy with ≥4 seizures per month, and qualified for Minnesota cannabis were enrolled. A single dose of 99% pure CBD capsules was taken under both fasting (no breakfast) and fed (high fat 840-860 calorie) conditions. Blood sampling for CBD plasma concentrations was performed under each condition between 0 and 72 hours post-dose and measured by a validated liquid chormatography-mass spectometry assay. CBD pharmacokinetic profiles including maximum concentration (Cmax ), area-under-the-curve from zero to infinity (AUC0-∞ ), and time-to-maximum concentration (Tmax ) were calculated. The confidence intervals (CIs) for log-transformed Cmax and AUC0-∞ ratios between fed and fasting states were calculated. Seizure and adverse events information was collected. Results Eight patients completed the study. On average Cmax was 14 times and AUC0-∞ 4 times higher in the fed state. The 90% CI for the ratio of fed versus fast conditions for Cmax and AUC0-∞ were 7.47-31.86 and 3.42-7.82, respectively. No sequence or period effect for Cmax and AUC0-∞ was observed. No adverse events were reported. Significance Administering CBD as a capsule rather than a liquid allows for more precise determination of pharmacokinetics parameters and is more representative of CBD swallowed products. The fat content of a meal can lead to significant increases in Cmax and AUC0-∞ and can account for variability in bioavailability and overall drug exposure within patients with oral products.
Volvo and Other Foreign Carmakers in Belgium

In this chapter, examines the experiences of Volvo and four former other foreign-owned/licensed car plants in Belgium. It begins with a terse review of Chrysler in Antwerp, before turning to two short-lived operations that eventually came under the control of British Leyland: Standard/Leyland-Triumph Malines in Mechelen; and Austin Morris in Seneffe. This is followed by a section on the Mechelen facility of Importer of Moteurs et d’Automobiles, which produced small lots of Saab and Mercedes-Benz between 1959 and 1978, and Brondeel of Antwerp, which built Saab between 1967 and 1971. The last half of the chapter and the conclusion then focus on Volvo Car Gent, which is currently owned by Geely of China.
Robotic-Assisted Spinal Surgery: Current Generation Instrumentation and New Applications.

In contrast to other surgical fields, robotics is relatively new to spinal surgery. The initial focus for spinal robotics has been on accurate pedicle screw placement, which early studies have shown to be successful. Beyond pedicle screw placement, however, newer generation spinal robots have the capability of navigation, which can impact other aspects of a spinal procedure. In this study, pedicle screw placement with the recently introduced Excelsius GPS robot (Globus) was similarly found to be accurate in a cohort of patients undergoing both open and minimally invasive fusion. Potential applications of the spinal robot's navigation capability are demonstrated.
Ambiguous chromatic neural representations: perceptual resolution by grouping

Two basic principles of human color vision are (1) color is not in light but instead constructed within the (human) perceiver and (2) in natural viewing, photoreceptor signals fail to determine uniquely the colors we see. The visual system, therefore, must resolve the ambiguity implicit in the neural representation of the stimulus. This paper focuses on a perceptual property used by the visual system to resolve ambiguity when two or more parts of a scene share the same ambiguous chromatic neural representation: the parts are grouped so tend to appear the same color. Chromatic interocular-switch rivalry, a novel paradigm, is described and then used to demonstrate grouping of two, four or 16 parts of an image with the same ambiguous chromatic representation.
Communicating Intelligence Research.

Despite intelligence research being among the most replicable bodies of empirical findings—a Rosetta stone across the social sciences—the communication of intelligence research with non-intelligence researchers and the public remains a challenge, especially given ongoing public controversies throughout the history of the field. Hunt argued that “we have a communication problem.” This article is a call for intelligence researchers to consider communication at multiple levels—communication with other intelligence researchers, communication with non-intelligence researchers, and communication with the public, defined here as policymakers, practitioners, students, and general readers. It discusses ongoing tensions between academic freedom and social responsibility and provides suggestions for thinking about communication and effective research translation and implementation of intelligence research from the frameworks of science and policy research communication. It concludes with some recommendations for effective communication and stresses the importance of incentivizing more scholars to responsibly seek to educate and engage with multiple publics about the science of intelligence.
Uncertainty, the Demand for Health Care, and Precautionary Saving

We analyze the demand for medical care and precautionary saving in a framework with uncertainty surrounding the incidence of illness and the effectiveness of medical treatments and a representation of preferences that disentangles ordinal preferences, risk preferences, and intertemporal smoothing preferences. We consider a pure consumption model with exogenous health capital and a model where young consumers invest in preventive care to increase their future health stock. In both cases, we establish conditions for the different sources for uncertainty to induce precautionary saving and we evaluate how uncertainty affects the demand of curative and preventive care. We also show that given the self-insurance function of preventive care, consumers' welfare may increase with the degree of uncertainty surrounding health care effectiveness.
I-Poetry as an Instructional Tool in Counselor Education

Originally intended for qualitative research, I-poetry is proffered here as a tool that counselor educators can use to help counselor trainees develop case conceptualization and treatment planning ...
Neurologic Functional and Quality of Life Outcomes after TBI: Clinic Attendees versus Non-Attendees.

Abstract This investigation describes the relationship between TBI patient demographics, quality of life outcome, and functional status outcome among clinic attendees and non-attendees. Of adult TBI survivors with intracranial hemorrhage, 63 attended our TBI clinic and 167 did not attend. All were telephone surveyed using the Extended-Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOSE), the Quality of Life after Brain Injury (QOLIBRI) scale, and a post-discharge therapy questionnaire. To determine risk factors for GOSE and QOLIBRI outcomes, we created multivariable regression models employing covariates of age, injury characteristics, clinic attendance, insurance status, post-discharge rehabilitation, and time from injury. Compared with those with severe TBI, higher GOSE scores were identified in individuals with both mild (odds ratio [OR]=2.0; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1–3.6) and moderate (OR=4.7; 95% CI: 1.6–14.1) TBIs. In addition, survivors with private insurance had higher GOSE scores, compared with those with public...