cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermal stability of melt grown Tl-doped PbTeSe material for thermoelectric applications

Abstract Although the thermoelectric performance of PbTe-based materials, processed by hot-pressing, has recently been improved, there are concerns about its thermal stability. On the other hand, during the process of melt crystal growth the material is formed in a quasi-equilibrium condition, which results in homogeneous solid structure in a lower-energy state and, consequently, more thermally stable and mechanically robust. To test the thermal stability of the melt-grown crystal, a Tl-doped PbTe 0.85 Se 0.15 ingot has been grown from the melt by directional solidification. Four adjacent disc-shape samples were sliced perpendicular to the growth axis from the grown boule. The thermoelectric characterizations together with microstructure examination and mechanical hardness measurements were performed on each of the three as-grown samples as well as on the fourth sample after it has been annealed at 455 °C for 570 h. The characterization results, showing that the annealing has essentially no effects on the thermoelectric properties, metallurgical microstructure as well as mechanical hardness of the annealed sample, have demonstrated that structurally homogeneous materials processed by melt growth are more suitable than those processed by other methods, such as hot press or quench-annealing, for long-term thermoelectric applications at elevated temperatures.
Hatch-year Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) prospecting and habitat quality influence second-year nest site selection

ABSTRACT Juvenile prospecting, or exploratory behavior for gleaning information about areas or events, can have profound effects on the selection of future breeding habitat, particularly for birds with high site fidelity whose initial choice of breeding habitat could represent a lifetime investment in fitness. We present data from a 10-yr study of Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodus) on the Missouri River, USA, to determine whether postfledging, hatch-year (HY) prospecting movements inform second-year (SY) nest site choices. First, we compared the home ranges of HY and adult (after-hatch-year; AHY) plovers to investigate whether differences in habitat use existed between HY and AHY plovers. Second, we evaluated the effects of prospecting, nest density, reproductive success, and nesting and foraging habitat availability on SY plover nest site selection. Lastly, we evaluated the potential reproductive benefits of nesting in prospected areas by comparing the nest success and fledging success of SY plovers tha...
Sacrificing Democracy in the Name of Prosperity: The Tradeoff Between Politics and Economics in Singaporean Development

As a small city-state in Southeast Asia, Singapore has always been politically vulnerable. In order for it to have any international political significance, Singapore has had to capitalize on its status as a centrally located trade center, billing itself as a free market paradise to attract foreign investment and therefore assure its place in the world. However, this unwavering focus on a strong economy has led the regime, controlled for the last 40 years by the patriarchal People’s Action Party, to sacrifice democracy and political freedom in the name of economic growth. This paper examines the tradeoffs Singapore has faced between a strong economy and the development of democracy. Specific regime policies are analyzed as to their effects on political freedom and democracy, and the prospects for the development of true democratic institutions, according to democratic theorist Robert Dahl, are evaluated.
Single-Dose Dexamethasone an Option for Acute Adult Asthma.

A single dose of 12-mg dexamethasone, which has a longer duration of action than prednisone, is almost as effective as five days of 60-mg prednisone for the prevention of relapse in adults with acute asthma treated in an emergency department.
Connections Among Marginal Likelihood, Conditional Likelihood and Empirical Likelihood

In this Chapter we present the results by Qin and Zhang (Biometrika 92:251–270, 2005) and Li and Qin (JASA 496:1476–1484, 2011) on the connection between marginal likelihood, conditional likelihood and empirical likelihood.
Abstract 26: Role of Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit 4- Isoform 2 in Neuronal Susceptibility to Lethal Ischemia/Reperfusion-Induced Injury

Brain ischemia-reperfusion injury (I/R) caused by stroke or cardiac arrest-resuscitation is associated with a high incidence of mortality and, in survivors, often results in profound neurological d...
Houses in the Rainforest: Ethnicity and Inequality among Farmers and Foragers in Central Africa, by Roy Richard Grinker; Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1994

Houses in the Rainforest: Ethnicity and Inequality among Farmers and Foragers in Central Africa, by Roy Richard Grinker; Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1994. xviii, 225 pp. Reviewed by Robert Harms, Department of History, Yale University.
A high areal capacity lithium–sulfur battery cathode prepared by site-selective vapor infiltration of hierarchical carbon nanotube arrays

The widespread use of melt infiltration has to date restricted sulfur–carbon cathode architectures to only host materials processed as bulk powders with no site control of sulfur deposits. Here, we combine structurally designed hierarchical carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays with site-selective vapor phase sulfur infiltration to produce thick electrodes with controlled sulfur loading and high areal performance. Our results illustrate the critical role structural hierarchy plays in sustaining electrical connectivity to enable high utilization of the sulfur embedded in thick electrodes with high gravimetric loading. Here, a primary large-diameter CNT population provides robust conductive trunks that branch into a secondary small-diameter and high-surface-area CNT population capable of giving rapid electrical access to coated sulfur. Site-selective vapor phase sulfur infiltration, based on the capillary effect, controllably targets loading of one or both of the CNT populations to facilitate gravimetric loading from 60 wt% to 70 wt% sulfur. With the high areal loading of 6 mg cm−2, we demonstrate 1092 mA h gS−1 and 6.5 mA h cm−2 and excellent rate performance with >60% capacity retained at 10 times the discharge rate. Overall, our work leverages site control of sulfur incorporation into a host cathode enabled by controlled CNT growth techniques to emphasize the important principle of “quality over quantity” in designing high areal loading strategies with high areal performance and good sulfur utilization.
What Do Those Who Disagree With A Development Agreement Do

Commentary on a recent California case upholding a development agreement concerning Parkmerced.
Effects of Survey Mode on Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) Hospice Survey Scores

Objectives To examine the effect of mode of survey administration on response rates and response tendencies for the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) Hospice Survey and develop appropriate adjustments. Design Survey response data were obtained after sampling and fielding of the CAHPS Hospice Survey in 2015. Sampled caregivers and decedents were randomized to one of three modes: mail only, telephone only, and mixed mode (mail with telephone follow‐up). Linear regression analysis was used to examine the effect of mode on individual responses to questions (6 composite measures and 2 global measures that examine hospice quality). Setting U.S. hospice programs (N = 57). Participants Primary caregivers of individuals who died in hospice (N = 7,349). Measurements Outcomes were 8 hospice quality measures (6 composite measures, 2 global measures). Analyses were adjusted for differences in case‐mix (e.g., decedent age, payer for hospice care, primary diagnosis, length of final episode of hospice care, respondent age, respondent education, relationship of decedent to caregiver, survey language, and language spoken at home) between hospices. Results Response rates were 42.6% for those randomized to mail only, 37.9%, for those randomized to telephone only, and 52.6% for those randomized to mixed mode (P < .001 for difference). There were significant mode effects (P < .05) for 10 of the 24 questions that compose the quality measures, with mail‐only respondents being significantly more likely to report better experiences than telephone‐only respondents. Conclusion Unlike results observed in previous mode experiments for hospital CAHPS, hospice primary caregivers tend to respond more negatively by telephone than by mail. Valid comparisons of hospice performance require that reported hospice scores be adjusted for survey mode.
Dancing to design: a gesture elicitation study

Algebra is deemed necessary for access to STEM courses and career fields. Research suggests that the low performance experienced nationwide is due to a weakened arithmetic foundation needed before the transition to algebraic thinking. African-Americans, in particular, are underperforming in Algebra, and many other levels of math. This research explores the intersection of African-American culture and educational technology to strengthen their foundation by improving skills necessary for success in Algebra 1. 6th and 7th grade African-American students were participants in a gesture elicitation to garner gestural input for the development of an educational technology designed to assist in pre-Algebra practice. Preliminary classification results suggested agreement for eight of the nine functional tasks assigned to the participants.
HEALTH PHYSICS ASPECTS OF SUPERSONIC TRANSPORT

Abstract Passengers and crew of a supersonic transport (SST) will be exposed to more intense fields of cosmic radiation than are usually encountered in commercial flights at the present time. The assessment of the radiation hazard posed by this new development must take into account the intensity of the radiation fields in the cruising altitude of the SST (60,000-80,000 ft), the quality factors appropriate for these radiations, and the many factors which determine the frequency and duration of exposure and the age distribution of the exposed as members of the population. Using presently available data on the relevant radiation fields, the dose rate and dose equivalent rate to occupants of the SST are estimated separately for solar cosmic radiation and for galactic cosmic radiation. These dose rates would be considerably higher in the case of planes flying a polar route than for those following a route at lower latitudes. Unusually high dose rates may occur during periods of a major solar flare, and it seems possible, in very exceptional cases, some change in flight plans might be desirable to reduce the dose from solar cosmic radiation. The cumulative exposure of a crew member who is constantly flying on polar routes might well be in the range of the present recommended levels for occupational exposure. The dose for the vast majority of passengers would be expected to be well within the permissible limits on population exposure. Extrapolating present data on passenger miles flown per year, it appears that the total contribution to the genetic dose would be well below 1% of the recommended limit of 5 rem per generation.
Cardiovascular Effects of Medications for the Treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

The effective medications currently marketed for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have central and peripheral catecholaminergic effects that have been shown to result in statistically significant increases in heart rate and blood pressure. The impact of these medications on serious cardiovascular events in healthy children is unknown, but serious cardiovascular events related to ADHD medications are considered rare. However, children with cardiac pathology may be at greater risk given that increased sympathetic tone has been reported as a causal factor in generating ventricular arrhythmias in adults with coronary artery disease, and physical exercise has been consistently reported as a trigger for increased risk of sudden cardiac death in athletes with underlying cardiovascular disease. ADHD has high co-morbidity with anxiety and depression. These conditions in adults have been reported to have their own cardiovascular risks that may be compounded by interactions resulting from combined pharmacotherapeutic treatments; this interaction has not been evaluated in children. High rates of ADHD reported in subjects with cardiac pathology, as well as in patients with genetic disorders associated with cardiovascular pathology, also suggest that the prevalence of cardiac pathology in ADHD subjects may be greater than that in the general population. Currently, the US FDA and Health Canada require warnings on prescription labeling information for ADHD medications, suggesting that these medications should not generally be used in children or adults with ‘known’ serious cardiac pathology. Family history, medical history, and physical examination have very low sensitivity for identifying serious cardiac pathology, but this can be markedly enhanced in many instances with the use of electrocardiography, which has high specificity and sensitivity. Identifying and managing underlying cardiovascular pathology may not eliminate the risk of serious cardiovascular events but may increase the safety of using medication frequently required for effective management of ADHD. When the very common and serious consequences from untreated ADHD are also considered in the assessment of risks and benefits, even in the presence of cardiac pathology, it seems that the prescribing of ADHD medications in children should remain unchanged.
Does High Inequality in Developing Countries Lead to Slow Economic Growth

The paper deals with the consequences of an unequal wealth distribution on economic growth in developing countries. Understanding whether or not there is a trade-off between inequality and growth is fundamental in order to give the adequate attention to those policies that avoid increases in inequality, which may hurt overall growth. With the use of crosscountry regressions in the context of modern growth theory and its idea of conditional convergence, the paper shows that higher initial income and land inequalities have a growthreducing impact in the long run. A more in-depth analysis is necessary to establish the channels through which inequality affects growth. Nevertheless, the study highlights factors, such as land reform and access of the poor to legal and credit systems, as fundamental to open up opportunities in unequal societies and to eliminate privileges held only by the rich. This article is available in Undergraduate Economic Review: http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/uer/vol2/iss1/2 Undergraduate Economic Review A publication of Illinois Wesleyan University
Tensile Properties and Annealing Characteristics of H. B. Robinson Spent Fuel Cladding

Studies of the tensile properties of Zircaloy-4 spent fuel cladding and their change with both isothermal and transient annealing have been conducted. The cladding was obtained from spent fuel rods irradiated to a maximum fuel burnup of 30 MWd/kg in the Carolina Power and Light H.B. Robinson power reactor. The yield and ultimate strengths of the as-received material decreased linearly with temperature from room temperature to 42.7/sup 0/C (800/sup 0/F). Uniform elongation was unaffected by temperature over the same range, while total elongation increased sharply between 329 and 371/sup 0/C (625 and 700/sup 0/F). At 482/sup 0/C (900/sup 0/F), properties reflected annealing that occurred during the test. The tensile properties at 371/sup 0/C (700/sup 0/F) were found to be strain rate dependent. The strength properties increased in strain rate, while the total elongation decreased. Uniform elongation exhibited no effect of strain rate. Evidence of dislocation channeling was observed. When the spent fuel cladding was annealed, radiation anneal hardening was noted during early stages in the annealing process. Annealing of irradiation-induced strengthening occurred rapidly at temperatures above 538/sup 0/C (1000/sup 0/F) under isothermal conditions and below 704/sup 0/C (1300/sup 0/F) under transient annealing conditions for heating rates of 28/sup 0/C (50/supmore » 0/F)/s or less. Ductility increases lagged the strength changes during annealing. A ductility minimum, as measured by total elongation, is not reflected in reduction-of-area measurements. The annealing behavior of cold-worked Zircaloy cladding was found to be significantly different from the irradiated material. Annealing was accompanied by a change in the isotropy of deformation as determined from tube wall and diameter measurements. The as-irradiated cladding exhibited essentially isotropic reductions, as opposed to the anisotropic reductions measured for both annealed cladding and unirradiated Zircaloy tubing.« less
Classical conditioning and extinction of human systolic blood pressure

Fifty-five male and female undergraduates underwent 3 sessions of conditioning and one of extinction. Shock (UCS) occurred intermittently during light-on (CS+) and never in light-off (CS-). Results showed that (1) pressure in CS+ was significantly higher than CS-throughout all sessions; (2) within session adaptation was significantly retarded while incoming pressure levels did not adapt across sessions; (3) conditioned effects persisted 6 months after the last shock session; (4) verbal information as to non-appearance of shock significantly dropped pressure levels and reduced the discriminative light effect; (5) the post-shock unconditioned pressure response was a peak rise at 52 seconds, then a decrease which stabilized to the pre-shock level at 2 minutes. Pavlovian control of blood pressure was demonstrated and the present methodology offers an explicit procedure for further laboratory exploration.
Review: National Identity, Nationalism and Constitutional Change

Over a six year period, from 1999 to 2005, Frank Bechhofer and David McCrone, of Edinburgh University, oversaw an ambitious multidisciplinary research programme, funded by the Leverhulme Trust, on 'Constitutional Change and National Identity'. Clearly, this was designed to focus on the impact of the devolutionary measures set in train in 1997. Beyond this, though, both Bechhofer and McCrone, together with other contributors to this volume, had long been conducting research into questions of national identity, specifically within the context of the United Kingdom and its future. This volume, slim but densely packed, provides a valuable distillation of their findings, together with their reflections on what these might mean. The timeliness of the topic, the quality of the contributions, and the breadth of coverage ensure that this will be a volume much consulted and discussed in the continuing debates on national identities in the United Kingdom.
Prevalence of Mental Health Disorders Among Adults With Cerebral Palsy: A Cross-sectional Analysis.

Background Persons with cerebral palsy (CP) have an increased risk for secondary chronic conditions during childhood, including mental health disorders. However, little is known about how these disorders affect adults with CP. Objective To determine the prevalence of mental health disorders among adults with CP compared with those without CP. Design Cross-sectional. Setting 2016 Optum Clinformatics Data Mart. Patients 8.7 million adults (including 7348 adults with CP). Measurements Other neurodevelopmental comorbid conditions (intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, epilepsy) and 37 mental health disorders (as 6 categories) were identified on the basis of diagnosis codes. Direct age-standardized prevalence of the mental health disorder categories was estimated by sex for adults with CP alone, adults with CP and neurodevelopmental disorders, and adults without CP. Results Men with CP alone had higher age-standardized prevalence than men without CP for schizophrenic disorders (2.8% [95% CI, 2.2% to 3.4%] vs. 0.7%), mood affective disorders (19.5% [CI, 18.0% to 21.0%] vs. 8.1%), anxiety disorders (19.5% [CI, 18.0% to 21.0%] vs. 11.1%), disorders of adult personality and behavior (1.2% [CI, 0.8% to 1.6%] vs. 0.3%), and alcohol- and opioid-related disorders (4.7% [CI, 3.9% to 5.5%] vs. 3.0%). The same pattern was observed for women. Compared with adults with CP alone, those with CP and neurodevelopmental disorders had similar or higher age-standardized prevalence of the 6 mental health disorder categories, except for the lower prevalence of alcohol- and opioid-related disorders in men. Limitations Single claims code was used to define the cohort of interest. Information on the severity of CP was not available. Conclusion Compared with adults without CP, those with CP have an elevated prevalence of mental health disorders, some of which may be more pronounced in patients with comorbid neurodevelopmental disorders. Primary funding source National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research.
Electrophysiological studies of the effects of interleukin-1 and α-interferon on the EEG and pituitary-adrenocortical activity

Publisher Summary The immune system is believed to generate signals that are able to alter central nervous system (CNS) activity and modulate neuroendocrine secretory events, thereby, providing a mechanism for the feedback regulation of immune activity. It is believed that some of the immune system-derived signals capable of affecting changes in the CNS neural activity may be cytokines released during immune activation. This chapter discusses studies that address some of the specific mechanisms by which the immune system may communicate with the brain. Activation of the immune system, such as that produced by infection, may act as a physiological stressor causing activation of the adrenal cortex and increasing circulating glucocorticoid levels. Stimulation of macrophages and monocytes causes a release of interleukin-1 (IL-1), which is a protein with a wide variety of effects including regulatory effects on lymphocyte activation and differentiation. In addition, IL-1 is an endogenous pyrogen, and exerts modulatory influences on the cortical electroencephalogram (EEG) and on glucose metabolism.
Single-Ring Intermediates in the Catalytic Cycle of the Human Mitochondrial Hsp60

The human mitochondrial heat shock protein 60 (hsp60) is composed to two heptameric rings stacked back-to-back. During the protein-folding cycle, these two rings dissociate to form single-ring intermediates that are catalytically active in-vitro and in-vivo. In this book chapter, we discuss the structural and catalytic features of hsp60 single-ring intermediates. We also provide a comparative analysis of the structural and mechanistic characteristics of single-ring intermediates observed in hsp60 versus ϕ-EL, OBP, and groEL chaperonin complexes that have also been reported to utilize single-rings within their catalytic cycle.
Datos sobre las vitaminas

Las vitaminas son compuestos quimicos que el cuerpo utiliza de muchas maneras. Nosotros necesitamos obtener las vitaminas en nuestra dieta porque nuestros cuerpos no las pueden crear. Existen 13 tipos de vitaminas que han sido identificadas como nutrientes importantes para los humanos. This 3-page fact sheet was written by R. Elaine Turner and Wendy J. Dahl and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, November 2012. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1343
"What Hypocrites!": Interactions between Japanese International and White Domestic Students in a U.S. Teacher Education Programme.

This two-year-long qualitative study investigated how white teacher candidates at a U.S. university interacted with two international teacher candidates from Japan. Findings reveal that the partici...
Nuclear Medicine Imaging Techniques of the Kidney

Radionuclide renal scintigraphy provides important functional data to assist in the diagnosis and management of patients with a variety of known or suspected diseases involving the kidney, ureters, and bladder. Several different radiopharmaceuticals are available for radionuclide renography, multiple quantitative indexes can be generated, and protocols often vary depending on institutional preference and the clinical presentation. The nuclear medicine physician needs to obtain a clear understanding of the clinical question so that the renal study can be optimized to answer the clinician’s question as clearly as possible.
Recommendations and future directions for the scientific study of dialectical behavior therapy: emphasizing replication and reproducibility

Abstract The empirical evidence in support of standard or comprehensive dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for the treatment of borderline personality disorder is based upon a strong theoretical narrative as well as empirical evidence derived from several replicated randomized-controlled trials. The purpose of this chapter is to review the scientific principles of replication and reproducibility as they relate to the continued advancement and interpretation of research on DBT-based interventions. The challenges faced by DBT research include an increased proliferation of treatment adaptations, the inconsistent use of adherence ratings to maintain the integrity of the treatment, the multiple and inconsistent use of outcome measurement, and a lack of transparency in data analysis. A functional approach to replication, enhanced analytic-reproducibility and analytic-robustness, and the use of preregistered hypotheses and data analytic plans are recommended.
Do You Remember Who You Are? The Pillars of Identity in Dementia

Loss of personal identity in dementia can raise a number of ethical considerations, including the applicability of advance directives and the validity of patient preferences that seem incongruous with a previous history of values. In this chapter, we first endorse the self-concept view as the most appropriate approach to personal continuity in healthcare. We briefly describe two different types of dementia, Alzheimer’s dementia (AD) and behavioral-variant frontotemporal dementia (bv-FTD). We identify elements considered important for the continuation of a self-concept, including continuation of memories, consistency in personality traits and personal preferences, and continued endorsement of certain moral tenets. We show that, depending on which element is considered most important for personal identity, continuity of a self-concept for individuals with distinct types of dementia will be affected and assessed differently. Utilizing a variety of empirical evidence, we argue that persistence of memory, personality traits, and preferences are not the most important for the maintenance of personal identity. Instead, as studies aimed to capture the folk-psychological view of personal continuity demonstrate, judgements about continuity depend primarily on the persistent commitment to widely shared moral beliefs. Because of that, we argue that individuals with bv-FTD are more likely to lose their sense of self than individuals whose dementia primarily affects memory, such as Alzheimer’s disease. We end the chapter by showing how the importance of moral beliefs for continuity of self can be used to provide guidance to health-care professionals when considering changes in preference by individuals with dementia.
Measuring macroprudential risk through financial fragility: a Minskian approach

The paper uses the analytical framework developed by Hyman P. Minsky to construct an index of financial fragility for residential housing in the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. In the process, a clear difference is made between financial fragility, bubble, and fraud. The goal is to capture the growing interdependence between debt and asset price on the upside. The index is able to capture the rapid growth of financial fragility in residential housing from the early 2000s and an usually high level of financial fragility from 2004 in the United States. However, the construction of the index reveals that the data available are of limited quantity and quality for the purpose at hand. If the Financial Stability Oversight Council is serious about measuring systemic risk, better data about cash flows and loan underwriting should be collected in order to get an idea of the quality of leverage. This quality is measured by focusing on the means used to service debts instead of ability and willingness...
A Panel-Regressions Investigation of Exchange Rate Volatility

This paper offers an empirical explanation behind the dynamics of the overall volatility of exchange rates and its high-frequency, most economically destabilizing components. Spectral methodology is employed to isolate the portion of volatility attributable to high-frequency components, and panel regressions are used to relate the volatility measures to various macroeconomic and policy variables. Given the estimated panel regressions, the paper suggests policies that may help reduce exchange rate volatility in general and along high-frequency components in particular, thereby contributing to financial stability. The paper shows that while the macroeconomic and policy variables affecting the high-frequency components of volatility and overall volatility are generally similar, there are some important differences. The paper also highlights the divergent impacts of policy variables in developed vis-a-vis developing economies. The results are robust with respect to using alternative cut-off frequencies and estimation methods. The presented analysis may help to gain an understanding of the determinants of the most destabilizing components of exchange rate volatility and provide guidance into managing currency crises.
A Protocol for the Management of Hyponatremia Peri-Liver Transplant Reduces Post-Transplant Neurological Complications.

Rapid changes in serum sodium (ΔSNa) peri-liver transplant (LT) predispose to post-LT neurological complications (NC). We aimed to assess whether implementation of a protocol directed at limiting peri-LT ΔSNa reduced post-LT NC. A retrospective single-center review of adult LT recipients from 1/2016 to 10/2017 was performed. Patients with hyponatremia (SNa < 135 mEq/L) within 7 days of LT were analyzed in two eras: pre-protocol (1/2016-9/2016) and post-protocol (10/2016-10/2017). The primary outcome was the development of NC within 1 month of LT. Perioperative ΔSNa (ΔSNaPost-LT) was assessed as a secondary outcome. Among 85 and 107 patients who underwent LT pre- and post-protocol, 39 (46%) and 42 (39%) were hyponatremic within 7 days of LT, respectively. Significantly fewer patients in the post-protocol era developed NC vs. pre-protocol (7.1% vs. 25.6%, p = .02). Additionally, fewer LT recipients in the post-protocol era developed ΔSNaPost-LT ≥ 10 mEq/L (9.5% vs. 30.7%, p = .02). Intraoperatively, more patients post-protocol received hypotonic saline (33.3% vs. 2.6%, p < .01). Multivariable logistic regression revealed that transplantation in the post-protocol era was associated with significantly reduced odds (odds ratio 0.11, 95% confidence interval 0.01-0.50) of developing NC. In conclusion, the implementation of a multidisciplinary protocol aimed at reducing ΔSNa peri-LT was independently associated with a reduction in post-LT NC.
Modified methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus detected in neonatal intensive care patients.

Objectives As part of an active MRSA surveillance programme in our neonatal ICU, we identified nares surveillance cultures from two infants that displayed heterogeneity in methicillin resistance between isolated subclones that lacked mecA and mecC. Methods The underlying mechanism for the modified Staphylococcus aureus (MODSA) methicillin-resistance phenotype was investigated by WGS. Results Comparison of finished-quality genomes of four MODSA and four MSSA subclones demonstrated that the resistance changes were associated with unique truncating mutations in the gene encoding the cyclic diadenosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase enzyme GdpP or a non-synonymous substitution in the gene encoding PBP2. Conclusions These two cases highlight the difficulty in identifying non-mecA, non-mecC-mediated MRSA isolates in the clinical microbiology laboratory, which leads to difficulties in implementing appropriate therapy and infection control measures.
Bactericidal urea crown ethers target phosphatidylethanolamine membrane lipids

An increasing number of people are infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria each year, sometimes with fatal consequences. In this manuscript, we report a novel urea-functionalized crown ether that can bind to the bacterial lipid phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), facilitate PE flip-flop and displays antibacterial activity against the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus cereus with a minimum inhibitory concentration comparable to that of the known PE-targeting lantibiotic duramycin.
Deciphering Transnational Health Challenges

For many, the twentieth century marked a turning point in domestic public health law and policy. Threats of communicable and noncommunicable diseases and risks of injuries diminished sharply. Consequently, life expectancies in many nations rose dramatically. Significant gains in communal health outcomes are only possible due to national and regional laws. These major legal achievements in the promotion of national public health are impressive, yet wholly insufficient.
Equal peer e-mentoring for online graduate students: a case study and mediation model

Equal peer e-mentoring in digital learning is emerging to promote online students' psychosocial wellness and academic success. The study purposes were (1) to evaluate the effectiveness of one equal...
Assessing the role of the pelvic canal in supporting the gut in humans.

The human pelvic canal (true pelvis) functions to support the abdominopelvic organs and serves as a passageway for reproduction (females). Previous research suggests that these two functions work against each other with the expectation that the supportive role results in a narrower pelvic midplane, while fetal passage necessitates a larger opening. In this research, we examine how gut size relates to the size and shape of the true pelvis, which may have implications on how gut size can influence pelvic floor integrity. Pelves and in vivo gut volumes were measured from CT scans of 92 adults (48 female, 44 male). The true pelvis was measured at three obstetrical planes (inlet, midplane, outlet) using 11 3D landmarks. CT volumetry was used to obtain an individual’s gut size. Gut volume was compared to the pelvic planes using multiple regression to evaluate the relationship between gut size and the true pelvis. We find that, in males, larger gut sizes are associated with increased mediolateral canal dimensions at the inlet and midplane. In females, we find that larger gut sizes are associated with more medially-projecting ischial spines and an anteroposteriorly longer outlet. We hypothesize that the association of larger guts with increased canal width in males and increased outlet length in females are adaptations to create adequate space for the gut, while more medially projecting ischial spines reduce the risk of pelvic floor disorders in females, despite its possible spatial consequences for fetal passage.
Manipulations of the Pool Characteristics of the Quinone Electron Donor and Acceptor to Ubiquinol-Cytochrome c Oxidoreductase. Evidence for Redox Contact between the Cytochrome b Hemes

Mitchell’s ideas on the function of the ubiquinol-cytochrome c oxidoreductase (1,2) elegantly explained the often puzzling kinetics displayed by this class of enzyme which is commonly called the bc 1, complex (b6f in plants); he also made several predictions, the most important of which have received clear experimental verification. The key to the model is the involvement of two distinct sites associated with the enzymes which catalyze quinol-quinone oxidation-reduction; see reference 3 for recent discussions. The existence of discrete sites for quinol oxidation (QQ) and quinone reduction (Qi) has been substantiated by: a) the specific action of inhibitors e.g. antimycin at the Qi (also called Qc) site; myxothiazol at QO (or Qz) site; b) the two pathways of cytochrome b oxidation-reduction; c) the distinct redox characteristics (e.g. Em values, semiquinone stability) of quinones associated with the sites; and d) studies with mutants impaired in quinol oxidation at the QQ site but which retain wild-type activity at Qi site (5,6).
Treatment of Distal/Left-Sided Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) has an incidence of 8–12/100,000 people per year, and there are approximately 500,000 individuals in the United States affected by this condition. The distribution of ulcerative colitis always involves the rectum and spreads proximally, in a continuous manner, to involve a part or all of the colon. At the time of diagnosis, up to 80 % of patients will present with left-sided colitis (L-UC), defined as a disease distribution that does not extend proximally to the splenic flexure. Early and aggressive intervention is paramount, and this may lessen the risk of disease progression over time, though this has not been proven in studies. As with ulcerative colitis in general, the goals of therapy for L-UC are the induction and maintenance of remission. The mainstay of the treatment of L-UC is rectally administered topical therapy, which has been proven in multiple studies to rapidly induce both symptomatic improvement and remission. Most patients will require long-term maintenance therapy, and rectal 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) therapy has been shown to be effective in this regard. However, maintenance therapy may be complicated by compliance factors inherent in the use of long-term rectally administered therapy, and patients often prefer oral formulations for maintenance therapy.
Primary pediatric care: A comparison of use by adolescent and older mothers

This survey compares the use of pediatric services during the first year of life by infants whose mothers were under 17 years of age with a random sample of babies born during the same period and at the same hospital but to older mothers. Both sets of mothers were found to have similar patterns of acute and well-child care. For adolescent mothers, use of a group practice emphasizing provider continuity significantly increased well-child visits and immunizations. The adolescent mother's late entry into prenatal care appeared to be related to a greater use of the emergency room and to inadequate well-child care. The existence of a sibling was related to inadequate well-child care for adolescents' babies but to improved levels of well-child care among older mothers' babies. These findings suggest that close monitoring of adolescent mothers with more than one child may improve the quality of medical care for their infants.
Solar wind alpha particles and heavy ions in the inner heliosphere observed with MESSENGER

obstructed by the spacecraft sunshade, a data analysis technique has been developed that recovers both bulk and thermal speeds to 10% accuracy and provides the first measurements of solar wind heavy ions (mass per charge >2 amu/e) at heliocentric distances within 0.5 AU. Solar wind alpha particles and heavy ions appear to have similar mean flow speeds at values greater than that of the protons by approximately 70% of the Alfven speed. From an examination of the thermal properties of alpha particles and heavier solar wind ions, we find a ratio of the temperature of alpha particles to that of protons nearly twice that of previously reported Helios observations, though still within the limits of excessive heating of heavy ions observed spectroscopically close to the Sun. Furthermore, examination of typical magnetic power spectra at the orbits of MESSENGER and at 1 AU reveals the lack of a strong signature of local resonant ion heating, implying that a majority of heavy ion heating could occur close to the Sun. These results demonstrate that the solar wind at � 0.3 AU is a blend of the effects of wave–particle interactions occurring in both the solar corona and the heliosphere.
Observations from the Field: Sharing a Literature Review Rubric

This paper reports an ongoing research project aimed at developing an analytic rubric used with graduate literature reviews, focusing on the process of adapting and testing it as an instructional and assessment instrument. Early data are presented with explanations of instrument adaptation and our reflections on training and implementation. Emphasis is given to our techniques for transferring the project from one off-campus graduate program to a similar one, while continuing the faculty-librarian model of collaboration. We offer recommendations for modifications to the process and highlight strengths of the rubric.
Localized granulomatous pyoderma gangrenosum

A 21-year-old female presented with erythematous, painful, crusted plaques on her right arm and left thigh of 4 month’s duration. There was no history of preceding trauma or constitutional symptoms. Response to oral antibioticas was poor. Clinical differential diagnoses of pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) and granulomatous skin diseases such as deep fungal infection, lupus vulgaris and sarcoidosis were considered. Histopathology revealed features of granulomatous variant of PG. The patient was initially treated with dapsone and topical clobetasone propionate but she developed dapsone induced hepatitis and anemia warranting stoppage of the drug. She recovered completely from these side effects and was subsequently treated successfully with intralesional triamcinolone injections.
12B(n,γ)—the influence on r‐process nucleosynthesis of light elements

Because of interest in the 11,12B(n,γ) reaction in seeding r‐process nucleosynthesis through light neutron‐rich nuclei, we have measured the 12B(d,p) reaction for the first time using the ATLAS in‐flight facility at Argonne National Laboratory. We also measured the 11B(d,p) reaction in the same way for calibration. The spectroscopic factors of excited states and the branching ratio of the neutron‐unbound state in 12B are obtained from the current experiment and the reaction rate for 11B(n,γ) is discussed in comparison with the theoretical prediction.
NF-IL6, a member of the C/EBP family, regulates E1A-responsive promoters in the absence of E1A.

Abstract A cDNA encoding NF-IL6, an interleukin-6 (IL-6)-regulated human nuclear factor of the C/EBP family, is demonstrated to complement the transactivation function of E1A. The endogenous NF-IL6 level varies according to cell type and correlates positively with an IL-6-regulated cellular E1A-substituting activity that was described recently (J.M. Spergel and S. Chen-Kiang, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:6472-6476, 1991). When expressed by transfection in cells which contain low levels of NF-IL6 and are incapable of complementing the function of E1A proteins, NF-IL6 also transactivates the E1A-responsive E2ae and E1B promoters, to the same magnitude as E1A. Activation by NF-IL6 is concentration dependent and sequence specific: mutational studies of the E2ae promoter suggest that the promoter-proximal NF-IL6 recognition site functions as a dominant negative regulatory site whereas the promoter-distal NF-IL6 recognition site is positively regulated at low NF-IL6 concentrations and negatively regulated when the NF-IL6 level is high. Consistent with these functions, NF-IL6 alone is sufficient to complement an E1A deletion mutant dl312 in viral infection, when expressed at appropriate concentrations. These results identify NF-IL6 as a sequence-specific cellular nuclear factor which regulates E1A-responsive genes in the absence of E1A.
The patient's journey with chronic hepatitis C from interferon plus ribavirin to interferon- and ribavirin-free regimens: a study of health-related quality of life.

SummaryBackground Interferon and ribavirin negatively impact health-related quality of life (HRQL) during treatment. Aim To compare the impact of interferon and/or ribavirin-containing regimens on HRQL to interferon- and ribavirin-free regimens. Methods HRQL data from nine multinational phase 3 clinical trials of sofosbuvir (SOF)-based regimens with and without ledipasvir (LDV), pegylated interferon (IFN) or ribavirin (RBV) were used. The Short Form-36 (SF-36) HRQL questionnaire was administered to subjects prospectively at baseline, during treatment, and 12 and 24 weeks after treatment cessation. Results A total of 3460 CH-C with SF-36 data were included (52.2 ± 10.3 years, 62.6% male, 73.6% treatment-naive, 15.0% cirrhotic, 68.2% HCV genotype 1 and 20.1% genotype 3). Compared to baseline HRQL, at the end of treatment, severe HRQL decrements were noted in IFN + RBV ± SOF regimens (on average, −3.8 to −24.3 on a 0–100 scale for different HRQL domains), while moderate decrements were noted in SOF + RBV ± LDV (−2.8 to −8.6). In contrast, in SOF/LDV without RBV, HRQL improvements were noted during treatment (+2.3 to +5.2). By 12 weeks post-treatment, HRQL returned to baseline in IFN + RBV ± SOF (P > 0.05) and improved in all IFN-free arms (+2.6 to +7.8). In multivariate analysis, a lower end of treatment HRQL was associated with IFN + RBV + SOF and a higher end of treatment HRQL was associated with SOF/LDV. By post-treatment-12, SOF/LDV was additionally associated with higher mental health scores. These improvements in HRQL scores were maintained 24 weeks post-treatment. Conclusions Removing interferon and ribavirin has led to substantial improvement of health-related quality of life during treatment. This may result in better patient experience and higher adherence to treatment regimen.
N-dansylaziridine: A new fluorescent modification for cysteine thiols

Abstract A new fluorescent reagent, N-dansylaziridine (I), which reacts selectively with protein thiols, has been synthesized. This reagent is readily prepared from the reaction of dansyl chloride (1-dimethyl aminonaphthalene-5-sulfonyl chloride) with an equimolar quantity of ethyleneimine in the presence of triethylamine. N-Dansylaziridine reacts at pH 6.5–8.6 with cysteine, mercaptoethanol and other sulfhydryl-containing compounds, but shows little or no reactivity toward weaker nucleophiles such as amines and alcohols. When proteins containing free sulfhydryls are reacted with 5% N-dansylaziridine suspended on cellulose, fluorescent dansylated proteins result, while proteins containing no free sulfhydryl groups are not derivatized. When N-dansylaziridinyl proteins are subjected to mild acid hydrolysis (105 C, 4 h, in 6.6 M HCl), the only hydrolysis product formed is S-(2-dansylamino-ethyl)-cysterine. Upon vigorous hydrolysis (110 C, 18 h) another product, dansyl taurine, results. The latter is formed by oxidative degradation of the former.
Bistable output from a coupled-resonator vertical-cavity laser diode

We report a monolithic coupled-resonator vertical-cavity laser with an ion-implanted top cavity and a selectively oxidized bottom cavity which exhibits bistable behavior in the light output versus injection current. Large bistability regions over current ranges as wide as 18 mA have been observed with on/off contrast ratios of greater than 20 dB. The position and width of the bistability region can be varied by changing the bias to the top cavity. Switching between on and off states can be accomplished with changes as small as 250 μW to the electrical power applied to the top cavity. The bistable behavior is the response of the nonlinear susceptibility in the top cavity to the changes in the bottom intracavity laser intensity as the bottom cavity reaches the thermal rollover point.