cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Literary Fiction and Medical Care: A Perfect Example

Earlier this year, The American Journal of Medicine published 2 articles that discussed how doctors can benefit from nonmedical reading. In February, our Editor-in-Chief, Dr Joseph Alpert, explained how reading helps him deal with the pressures of medical practice and administration. In April, I suggested that reading fiction can function as a virtual house call, introducing practitioners to a wide array of personalities and situations before they are encountered in a clinical setting. I also argued that literary fiction has the ability to enhance clinically important skills, such as empathy, sensitivity, and understanding. This special role of literary fiction depends on its complexities and ambiguities, which disrupt expectations and force the reader to actively and creatively interpret the inner thoughts, feelings, and beliefs of fictional characters. At that time, I presented empiric data by Kidd and Castano that support the specific benefits of literary fiction. Now, I will call attention to a wonderful new novel that demonstrates the power of literary fiction. Perfect is a compact, compelling, beautifully written novel by Rachel Joyce. It tells 2 apparently unrelated tales that unfold in parallel. Each story centers on a disturbed protagonist. Although both characters are portrayed in clinically convincing detail, these are not dry case studies but gripping, moving human stories. The first story takes place in the English countryside in 1972. It centers on Byron Hemmings, an awkward preteen schoolboy who lives in an outwardly perfect home with his beautiful, loving mother Diana and his uncomplicated younger sister; Byron’s domineering father is
Experiencing the Blitz: A Poetic Representation of a Childhood in Wartime London

This article utilizes poetic representation of an oral narrative to explore the wartime experiences of Jackie (Cole) Hanauer who as a child lived through the repeated bombings, displacement, distress and uncertainty of London during the Second World War (WWII). This poem utilizes a poetic critical ethnographic approach and extends current historical research on individual experiences during the Blitz that have focused on personal literacies against the backdrop of mythic and stifling perceptions of this historical period. The methodological approach consisted of recording, transcription and transformation into poetic form using the guidelines of poetic rendition. The resultant poem offers emotional insight and experiential understanding.
Corrosion Detection/Quantification on Thin-Wall Structures Using Multi-Mode Sensing Combined With Statistical and Time-Frequency Analysis

In this paper, we present a multiple mode sensing methodology to detect active corrosion in aluminum structure utilizing the broadband piezoelectric wafer active sensors. This method uses ultrasonic Lamb wave complemented with the electromechanical impedance measurement to detect, quantify, and localize the corrosion progression in plate-like structures. The ultimate objective of this research is to develop in-situ multimode sensing system for the monitoring and prediction of critical aerospace structures that can be used during in-service period, recording and monitoring the changes over time. The test experiments were conducted on an aluminum plate installed with a five sensor network using 7-mm piezoelectric wafer active sensors. The corrosion was emulated as material loss of an area of 50mm 38mm on the other surface of the plate. Detection of corrosion and its growth was first conducted using the Lamb wave method in pitch-catch mode. The corroded area resulted in a thickness loss on the Lamb wave propagation and caused the amplitude and phase changes in the structural responses. The experimental data was first evaluated by the statistics-based damage indicator using root mean square deviation. Though the damage indicator is able to detect the presence of the corrosion and identify the corrosion location quantitatively, it failed in giving the right indication of corrosion development. A more corrosion signal processing based method, the cross time-frequency analysis, was proposed and used to analyze the phase characteristics of the data set. This cross time-frequency analysis was found more reliable and precise for detecting the corrosion progression compared with the damage indicator method.
A static data placement strategy towards perfect load-balancing for distributed storage clusters

Applications like cluster-based video-on-demand (VOD) systems are inherently data-intensive because clients frequently retrieve data stored on a distributed storage subsystem interconnected by a high-speed local network. To meet the quality-of-service (QoS) imposed by the clients, quick responses to access requests are fundamental for these applications. Among the numerous ways to reduce response times, data placement, has attracted much attention from researchers due to its effectiveness and low cost. In this paper, we propose a novel load-balancing and performance oriented static data placement strategy, called perfect balancing (PB), which can be applied to distributed storage subsystems in clusters to noticeably improve system responsiveness. The basic idea of PB is to balance the load across local disks and to minimize the discrepancy of service times of data on each disk simultaneously. A comprehensive experimental study shows that PB reduces mean response time up to 19.04% and 8.67% over the two well-known data placement algorithms Greedy and SP respectively.
A distributed service composition protocol for pervasive environments

Service composition in pervasive environments enables users to utilize services in the environment to solve complex queries. Current work in development of service composition architectures focuses on wired-networked environments where solutions are centralized and tailored towards a reliable network and fixed service topology. In this paper, we present an alternate and novel design architecture of a broker-based distributed service composition protocol for pervasive environments. We present simulation results by comparing our protocol to a centralized architecture for composition. Results show that our distributed broker-based composition architecture perform better than the centralized solution in terms of composition efficiency, broker arbitration efficiency and composition radius.
Minimizing ROBDD size of incompletely specified multiple output functions

The size of ROBDD is essential in many applications. In this paper we propose a heuristic that minimizes ROBDD size for incompletely specified multiple output functions. Our technique involves giving a new interpretation of ROBDDs with an extra variable, Z for incompletely specified functions. This new interpretation allows us to assign don't cares to either the on-set or the off-set yielding an efficient minimization of ROBDD size. The extra variable Z carries the information of the don't cares and preserves the flexibility of choosing the best cover for a given incompletely specified function. Starting from the top level of an ROBDD, we minimize greedily the number of nodes at every level by assigning as few don't cares as possible to either the on-set or the off-set. We propagate the remaining unused don't cares to lower levels of an ROBDD by moving the extra variable downwards. We performed three sets of experiments. The results are very encouraging. >
Wiener System Identification with Four-Segment and Analytically Invertible Nonlinearity Model

This paper focuses on modeling and parameter identification of Wiener systems with the ultimate aim of compensating for the nonlinearity in those systems. Four-segment polynomial approximations are investigated for the nonlinear part of the Wiener systems and are shown to perform better than global and two-segment approximations. A special type of polynomial expression is also proposed that makes the analytical inverse of the nonlinearity possible. The idea behind finding inverse of the nonlinearity is to compensate for the nonlinearity introduced into the closed loop systems because of nonlinear sensors.
On the computation of switching surfaces in optimal control: a Grobner basis approach

A number of problems in control can be reduced to finding suitable real solutions of algebraic equations. In particular, such a problem arises in the context of switching surfaces in optimal control. A powerful new methodology for doing symbolic manipulations with polynomial data has been developed and tested, namely the use of Grobner bases. We apply the Grobner basis technique to find effective solutions to the classical problem of time-optimal control.
Anticoagulant Therapy for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Received June 2, 2009; accepted November 16, 2009. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the most commonly performed invasive therapeutic cardiac procedure and plays an important role in the treatment of ischemic heart disease. Since the first description of coronary angioplasty in a human by Gruntzig,1 the technique, equipment, and associated pharmacotherapy have undergone substantial evolution, leading to significant improvements in periprocedural complications.2 In particular, procedural anticoagulant therapy has been the focus of numerous clinical trials, and several options are now available and supported by practice guidelines; each agent has both advantages and disadvantages, and procedural pharmacotherapy continues to be a focus of drug development. The purpose of this review is to summarize the goals of anticoagulant therapy during PCI, the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of available agents, and the clinical data surrounding each agent and to identify new agents in development. The goals of pharmacotherapy during PCI are 2-fold: (1) to mitigate the sequelae of iatrogenic plaque rupture from balloon angioplasty or stenting and (2) to reduce the risk of thrombus formation on intravascular PCI equipment. Central to these thrombotic events is thrombin (factor IIa). Iatrogenic damage to the endothelium during PCI leads to increased expression of tissue factor, activation of the coagulation cascade, and formation of activated factor Xa. This ultimately leads to the generation of thrombin, conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin, and thrombus formation.3 In addition to its effects on fibrin, thrombin also directly activates platelets, enhances platelet aggregation, and is proinflammatory.4 Because of its multiple actions in promoting thrombosis, the focus of most anticoagulant agents is thrombin inhibition. Available agents for use include unfractionated heparin (UFH), low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWH, of which enoxaparin has the largest body of clinical data), the synthetic pentasaccharides (of which fondaparinux has the largest body of clinical data), and the …
The Nature of the Passive Film on Iron III . The Chemi‐Conductor Model and Further Supporting Evidence

A new model, which describes the behavior of the passive film on iron more adequately than the usual semiconductor model, is presented. We define a chemi‐conductor as an insulator whose stoichiometry can be varied by oxidative and/or reductive valency state changes. These nonstoichiometries can then modify the local electronic (and/ or ionic) conductivity of the film. This is equivalent to variable doping with defects rather than with a foreign species. The passive film is pictured as an insulating ferric oxyhydroxide with a principal (O 2p‐Fe 4s) gap at ∼5.5 eV. Small (<5%) nonstoichiometries, primarily Fe2+ near the inner (metal‐film) interface and Fe4+ near the outer (film‐solution) interface, affect the local conductivity in the film. These defects, probably associated with excess (or deficient) protons, are modulated by the externally applied potential, mimicking semiconductor behavior.
Substance P markedly potentiates the antinociceptive effects of morphine sulfate administered at the spinal level.

Abstract The undecapeptide substance P and the alkaloid morphine sulfate are two agents previously thought to have opposite roles in the mediation of spinal nociceptive processes. The present report, however, demonstrates that low doses of substance P when coadministered with marginally effective doses of morphine sulfate into the rat subarachnoid space produce a markedly enhanced analgesic response, as monitored by the tail-flick test. This pharmacological effect is blocked by prior treatment with the opioid antagonist naloxone, indicating that the potentiated analgesic response is mediated by opioid-responsive neurons. In addition, the putative immediate precursor form of substance P (i.e., substance P-glycine) may substitute for the mature compound in the potentiated pharmacological effect. Moreover, the described synergism is unaffected by transection of the spinal cord, demonstrating the lack of supraspinal modulation of the observed phenomenon. Based on these observations, we are now able to dissociate opioid-potentiating and analgesic properties of substance P from traditional hyperalgesic effects realized at significantly higher concentrations. Consistent with previous biochemical data, a likely mechanism underlying the peptide-mediated enhancement of opioid analgesia may center on the ability of substance P to release endogenous opioid peptides within the local spinal cord environment. Finally, the pharmacological relationship of coadministered substance P and morphine sulfate established here supports the hypothesis that spinal tachykinin and opioid systems have a direct functional interaction in the modulation of local nociceptive responses.
The cost-effectiveness of C-reactive protein testing and rosuvastatin treatment for patients with normal cholesterol levels.

Objectives We sought to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of applying the JUPITER (Justification for the Use of statins in Prevention: an Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin) trial results into clinical practice. Background The JUPITER trial found that rosuvastatin reduces vascular events in apparently healthy subjects with elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) but normal low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. The implications of expanding treatment recommendations based on these results have not been evaluated. Methods We constructed a cost-effectiveness model of men ≥50 years and women ≥60 years with LDL cholesterol levels of Results Among patients with LDL Conclusions Rosuvastatin treatment for JUPITER-eligible patients appears to be cost-effective, particularly among those with a Framingham risk score ≥10%.
Antecedent Streptococcal Infection in Acute Rheumatic Fever

One of the most intriguing pathogenetic puzzles of the many illnesses with unsolved origins-even in this age of molecular biology-is rheumatic fever. Despite a half-century of intensive and productive, basic, epidemiological, and clinical research, the precise mechanism(s) remain unknown. Of equal importance is that the opportunity to employ research findings to benefit potentially affected patients and populations is extremely limited. In this issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases, McDonald et al. [1] report epidemiologic and microbiologic data from their household studies of cases of streptococcal infection among Aboriginal people in northern Australia, a population group that experiences an extraordinarily high incidence of acute rheumatic fever (ARF). On the basis of their observations, the authors raise critical questions regarding the nature of the antecedent streptococcal infections that give rise to ARF. For many years, it has been established dogma that ARF only follows upper respiratory tract infection with group A streptococci (GAS), in contrast to post-
BiP/GRP78 Is an Intracellular Target for MDA-7/IL-24 Induction of Cancer-Specific Apoptosis

Melanoma differentiation-associated gene-7/interleukin-24 (mda-7/IL-24) is a unique member of the IL-10 gene family that induces cancer-selective growth suppression and apoptosis in a wide spectrum of human cancers in cell culture and animal models. Additionally, recent clinical trials confirm safety and document significant clinical activity of mda-7/IL-24 in patients with diverse solid cancers and melanomas. Despite intensive study the molecular basis of tumor-cell selectivity of mda-7/IL-24 is not well characterized. Using deletion analysis, a specific mutant of MDA-7/IL-24, M4, consisting of amino acids 104 to 206, is described that retains the cancer-specific growth-suppressive and apoptosis-inducing properties of the full-length protein. Employing rationally designed mutational analysis, we show that MDA-7/IL-24 and M4 physically interact with BiP/GRP78 through their C and F helices, localize in the endoplasmic reticulum, and activate p38 MAPK and GADD gene expression, culminating in cancer-selective apoptosis. These studies provide novel mechanistic insights into the discriminating antitumor activity of MDA-7/IL-24 by elucidating BiP/GRP78 as a defined intracellular target of action and present an unparalleled opportunity to develop improved therapeutic versions of this cancer-specific apoptosis-inducing cytokine.
Preaxial polydactyly caused by Gli3 haploinsufficiency is rescued by Zic3 loss of function in mice

Limb anomalies are important birth defects that are incompletely understood genetically and mechanistically. GLI3, a mediator of hedgehog signaling, is a genetic cause of limb malformations including pre- and postaxial polydactyly, Pallister‐Hall syndrome and Greig cephalopolysyndactyly. A closely related Gli (glioma-associated oncogene homolog)-superfamily member, ZIC3, causes X-linked heterotaxy syndrome in humans but has not been investigated in limb development. During limb development, post-translational processing of Gli3 from activator to repressor antagonizes and posteriorly restricts Sonic hedgehog (Shh). We demonstrate that Zic3 and Gli3 expression overlap in developing limbs and that Zic3 converts Gli3 from repressor to activator in vitro .I nGli3 mutant mice, Zic3 loss of function abrogates ectopic Shh expression in anterior limb buds, limits overexpression in the zone of polarizing activity and normalizes aberrant Gli3 repressor/Gli3 activator ratios observed in Gli31/2 embryos. Zic3 null;Gli31/2 neonates show rescue of the polydactylous phenotype seen in Gli31/2 animals. These studies identify a previously unrecognized role for Zic3 in regulating limb digit number via its modifying effect on Gli3 and Shh expression levels. Together, these results indicate that two Gli superfamily members that cause disparate human congenital malformation syndromes interact genetically and demonstrate the importance of Zic3 in regulating Shh pathway in developing limbs.
White Matter Abnormalities and Cognitive Impairment in Early-Onset Schizophrenia-Spectrum Disorders

Objective To characterize white matter abnormalities in adolescents with early-onset schizophrenia (EOS) relative to 3 comparison groups (adolescents at clinical high risk for developing schizophrenia [CHR], adolescents with cannabis use disorder [CUD], and healthy controls [HC]), and to identify neurocognitive correlates of white matter abnormalities in EOS. Method We used diffusion tensor imaging and tractography methods to examine fractional anisotropy (FA) of the cingulum bundle, superior longitudinal fasciculus, corticospinal tract (CST), inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF), inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus (IFOF), and uncinate fasciculus in adolescents with EOS (n = 55), CHR (n = 21), CUD (n = 31), and HC (n = 55). FA in tracts that were significantly altered in EOS was correlated with neurocognitive performance. Results EOS and CHR groups had significantly lower FA than HC in 4 tracts, namely, bilateral CST, left ILF, and left IFOF. CUD had lower FA than HC in left IFOF. Lower FA in left IFOF and left ILF predicted worse neurocognitive performance in EOS. Conclusions This study identified white matter abnormalities of the left ILF and left IFOF as possible biomarkers of vulnerability for developing schizophrenia. Lower FA in these tracts may disrupt functioning of ventral visual and language streams, producing domain-specific neurocognitive deficits that interfere with higher-order cognitive abilities.
Laboratory Assessment of Flight Activity Displayed by Colorado Potato Beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Fed on Transgenic and Cry3a Toxin-Treated Potato Foliage

Adults of full-sib Colorado potato beetle families were separated into 3 groups fed on different diets: transgenic potato foliage, potato foliage treated with a foliar formulation of B. thuringiensis endotoxin (12.37 μg of Cry3A δ-endotoxin per 1 μl of mixture), and untreated potato foliage. After feeding for 3 h, all the beetles were placed on a computer-linked flight mill system. The number of beetles that flew, duration of each flight, and the number of flights for each beetle were recorded. Feeding on transgenic foliage had a strong negative effect on the proportion of beetles that flew, as well as the average number of flights per flying beetle. Mean flight duration was not influenced by the beetle diet, but interaction between family and diet was highly significant, with pronounced family effects observed for the beetles fed on standard and treated foliage. Beetles from families that performed the longest flights when fed on untreated foliage performed the shortest flights when fed on transgenic foliage. Suppression of beetle flight as a result of endotoxin ingestion could keep beetles within transgenic fields, thus increasing selection pressure toward development of physiological resistance. One possible way to reduce this pressure is to provide refugia for susceptible beetles in close association with fields planted to transgenic potato.
Metabolism of 24(R,S),25-epiminolanosterol to 25-aminolanosterol and lanosterol by Gibberella fujikuroi.

Abstract Mycelia of Gibberella fujikuroi metabolized 2-tritio-24(R,S),25-epiminolanosterol, a novel fungal sterol biosynthesis inhibitor that regulates Δ24-sterol methyltransferase, to 25-aminolanosterol (a new sterol) and lanosterol. The identities of the two sterols were established by cochromatography with authentic samples, mass spectroscopy, and isotopic dilution and recrystallization to constant specific activity. The newly biosynthesized tritiolanosterol was demonstrably introduced into the sterol pathway as evidenced by significant tritium label in the radiochemically purified sterols; 24(28)-methylene-24, 25-dihydrolanosterol and 14-norlanosterol. The results demonstrate for the first time the direct reduction in situ of an aziridine ring to a tertiary amine and the stereocontrolled deamination of a C-25 aminosteroid to produce a Δ24, rather than a Δ25(27), steroid.
Diagonalization of Quadratic Forms by Gauss Elimination

The La Grange linear similarity transformation completing the square can be used to remove all cross-product terms from a quadratic form. It is shown that the La Grange transformation may be found conveniently by adapting the well-known Gauss elimination procedure for solving linear equations. A simple algorithm for finding the inverse transformation is given. This diagonalization scheme takes much less effort than finding the characteristic roots and vectors. It produces important simplifications in quadratic programming, statistics, and optimization problems.
Reduced after-effects following podokinetic adaptation in people with Parkinson's disease and freezing of gait

Abstract Introduction Gait dysfunction is common in people with Parkinson's disease (PD). Freezing of gait (FOG) is one such gait disturbance that significantly impacts mobility and quality of life in PD. Recent evidence suggests that cerebellar connectivity may differ in people with PD and FOG (PD+FOG) relative to those without FOG (PD-FOG). Investigation of gait adaptation, or the ability to change gait patterns in response to external perturbations, is cerebellum-dependent, is a practical means of probing cerebellar integrity and may provide additional insights regarding the FOG phenomenon. Methods In this study, we investigated gait adaptation in PD and FOG by measuring after-effects, namely whole-body rotation, following stepping on a rotating disc in PD+FOG compared to PD-FOG and older healthy adults. We refer to the period of stepping on the rotating disc as the podokinetic (PK) stimulation and after-effects as podokinetic after-rotation (PKAR). Our primary measure of adaptation was the magnitude and rate of decay of the after-effects. Results We noted that PKAR was diminished in PD+FOG compared to the other groups, indicating reduced storage of the adapted gait pattern in PD+FOG. In the PD groups, FOG explained about 20% of the variability in peak velocity. Furthermore, these differences were independent of stepping cadence or motor sign severity. Conclusion Our results show that gait adaptation is impaired in PD+FOG, suggesting the cerebellum may be differentially impacted in PD+FOG compared to PD-FOG. This supports previous neuroimaging evidence of cerebellar dysfunction in PD+FOG. Overall, these data further our understanding of gait deficits in PD+FOG.
Arrhythmias and Arrhythmia Management in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathies are diseases of the myocardium associated with cardiac dysfunction. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification, cardiomyopathies are classified either as primary or secondary cardiomyopathies. Based on morphological and functional criteria, heritable cardiomyopathies are classified into four primary categories including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), and restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM). More recently, left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) syndrome has been recognized as a separate cardiomyopathy. Secondary cardiomyopathies include for example ischemic and hypertensive cardiomyopathy. This chapter focuses solely on HCM, the most common heritable cardiovascular disease (estimated prevalence 1:500) and the most common cause of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young adolescents and athletes. This chapter discusses HCM’s clinical and genetic substrate, genetic testing and screening, and has particular focus on its arrhythmogenic features and the role and indication of the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and prevention of SCD.
Fundamentos de la eficacia publicitaria y el retorno de la inversión

Ficha tecnica: Fernando Rodriguez Varona, Carmen Llorente Barroso y Maria Luisa Garcia Guardia Delta Publicaciones Madrid, 2012 218 p.
Study of copper-charged membranes for control of fouling due to bacteria and algae organic matter

The accumulation of micro-organisms, along with the presence of nutrients, forms biofilms. Biofoulants that are typically encountered in desalination systems include cellular organisms (e.g. bacteria or algae) and organic debris, including algae organic matter. The accumulation of these micro-organisms are problematic to membranes by causing irreversible fouling. The most adverse effects due to biofouling include declines in permeate flux and salt rejection. In addition, biofilm formation necessitates frequent membrane cleaning, increasing operating costs and decreasing membrane life. The goal of this research was to investigate the performance of low-fouling copper-charged membranes for microbial resistance. The extent of fouling on the microbial resistant membranes was characterized by assessing surface area coverage by image analysis. Fluorescent microscopy was used to determine activity of biofilm cells on the surface. The presence of extracellular polymeric substance presence was verified using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy. The permeate flux values were compared for both unmodified and copper-charged membranes by conducting dead-end filtration experiments using synthetic brackish water.
Kinetic Theory for the Standard Map

In this paper we apply the methods of kinetic theory (Subdynamics) to the Chirikov-Taylor Standard Map. We reinterpret the mechanism for the Lyapounov instability of a map and obtain a criterion for chaos within the framework of kinetic description.
The presumption of dangerousness in sexually violent predator commitment proceedings

Twenty states, the District of Columbia, and the federal government have adopted sexually violent predator (SVP) Laws, which permit the post-incarceration confinement of persons who: (1) have a previous conviction or charge for a sexual offence; (2) suffer from a mental abnormality; and (3) are likely to engage in future acts of sexual aggression. Although most who are convicted of a sexual offence will not be subject to SVP commitment, a burgeoning body of research indicates that commitment is highly likely once the decision is placed in the hands of the jury. The high rate of commitment suggests that there might be a presumption of dangerousness in these proceedings, possibly stemming from the previous conviction requirement. This potential explanation was tested in the current experiment. Jury-eligible participants (n1⁄4 190) were provided with varying degrees of information pertaining to the SVP commitment criteria. Some participants were told only that a person had been referred for an SVP commitment proceeding, whereas others were given information relevant to some or all three of the legal criteria. The rate of commitment did not vary as a function of the information provided. The mere fact that a respondent had been referred for an SVP proceeding was sufficient for a majority of participants to authorize commitment. We then calculated participants’ implicit operationalization of the ‘likely to offend’ criterion. On average, participants require the risk of recidivism to exceed 31% (range 20–40%) to effectuate commitment. These findings raise concerns about whether the constitutionally required due process occurs in SVP commitment proceedings.
OUTCOMES OF VENOARTERIAL EXTRACORPOREAL MEMBRANE OXYGENATION

Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) can provide circulatory support with or without gas exchange. We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who were supported with VA ECMO to analyze outcomes based on the etiology of cardiogenic shock. We reviewed the records of
Judicially Mandated Treatment with Naltrexone by Opiate-Addicted Criminal Offenders

Arrests for drug offenses have nearly tripled since 1980, and more than 1,600,000 people were arrested for drug offenses in 2003. About 80% of these arrests are for possession offenses. In any given year, nearly twice as many people are convicted for a drug felony as for a violent felony, and in 2002, drug offenders accounted for about a third of felons convicted in state courts. In 2001, almost 250,000 drug offenders were incarcerated in state prisons, more than twelve times as many as in 1980. The offenses for which offenders were convicted denote only part of a strong relationship between addiction and crime. In 2002, approximately 80% of inmates, 80% of parolees, and 55% of probationers were either convicted for a drug (or alcohol)-related offense, were under the influence of drugs or alcohol while committing their offenses, committed their offenses in furtherance of a drug habit, or were regular drug users. More than 60% of adult, male arrestees test positive for illegal drugs at the time of their arrests in United States booking facilities that are part of the National Institute of Justice’s Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring Program.
Research on the Exchanged Connection Technology of Coal Mine Intrinsically Safe System

It indicates that the intrinsically safe system can be connected successfully only when electrical performance parameters matches as well as intrinsic safety parameter matches and comply with associate requirements of the standards,it is based on analysis and research of exchanged connection of coal mine intrinsically safe system.
A Cognitive-Developmental Model of Emotional Awareness and Its Application to the Practice of Psychotherapy

The ability to be aware of one's own emotional states has been a time-honored ingredient of successful psychodynamic psychotherapy. With the rise of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), however, the utility of experiencing and reflecting upon emotional experience has become less certain, and a quantifiable measure of emotional awareness for clinicians has not been previously available. Several recent advances cast the role of emotional awareness in psychotherapy in a different light: (1) a new theory of change in psychotherapy has been formulated that highlights emotional experience as an important ingredient of change in a variety of modalities; (2) new evidence shows that individual differences in the capacity for emotional awareness predict successful psychotherapeutic outcome in the treatment of panic disorder both by manualized psychodynamic psychotherapy and CBT; and (3) a new online version of the electronic Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale (eLEAS) has been created that can be used with individual patients as a guide to psychotherapy treatment. Here we review evidence of a reliable and valid measure of emotional awareness that has been used in both normative and clinical contexts. The psychotherapeutic treatment of three patients is described to illustrate the clinical manifestations of the different levels of emotional awareness and the ways the eLEAS can be useful in the clinical context, including (1) assessment of the patient's current level of emotional functioning and his or her potential for higher levels of functioning, (2) the targeting of interventions to facilitate functioning at the next level, and (3) a possible marker of treatment progress. These observations suggest that the eLEAS has the potential to be a clinically useful tool that may assist clinicians in guiding psychotherapy treatment.
Principles in cellular oxygenation: fetal and neonatal intestines.

Hypoxia in the fetus and neonate results in decreased gastrointestinal (GI) blood flow, especially to the GI mucosa. Although severe oxygen deprivation cannot be entirely compensated for, an increase in tissue oxygen extraction does occur in cases of moderate hypoxemia. In the neonate, increased demands for oxygen during feedings result in increased blood flow. The occurrence of hypoxia during feedings causes a decrease in intestinal motility, suggesting a clinical correlate to feeding intolerance and increased vulnerability to necrotizing enterocolitis.
Plate-based assay for swimming motility in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Swarming motility is one of three distinct modes of motility observed in the gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Swarming motility is defined as the movement across a semisolid surface, and in P. aeruginosa requires flagellar motility and the production of biosurfactants. Swarming motility is thought to occur on gelatinous/viscous surfaces inside a host, such as on epithelial cells. There is currently no standardized in vitro assay to visualize and study swarming motility, and the assays used can vary greatly between laboratory groups. Here, we describe a detailed, reproducible in vitro swarming motility assay for P. aeruginosa. While different protocols have previously been reported in the literature, we hope that adopting this method will improve the reproducibility of these swarming motility assays and allow comparisons of swarming motility findings between and among groups.
Hypoxia on the Expression of Hepatoma Upregulated Protein in Prostate Cancer Cells

Hepatoma Up-Regulated Protein (HURP) is a multi-functional protein with clinical promise. This protein has been demonstrated to be a predictive marker for the outcome in high-risk prostate cancer (PCa) patients besides being a resistance factor in PCa. Although changes in oxygen tension (pO2) are associated with PCa aggressiveness, the role of hypoxia in the regulation of tumor progression genes such as HURP has not yet been described. We hypothesized that pO2 alteration is involved in the regulation of HURP expression in PCa cells. In the present study, PCa cells were incubated at 2% O2 (hypoxia) and 20% O2 (normoxia) conditions. Hypoxia reduced cell growth rate of PCa cells, when compared to the growth rate of cells cultured under normoxia (p<0.05). The decrease in cell viability was accompanied by 5-fold (p<0.05) elevated rate of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) release. The expression of VEGF and the hypoxia-inducible metabolic enzyme carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA9) were elevated maximally nearly 61-fold and 200-fold, respectively (p<0.05). Noted in two cell lines (LNCaP and C4-2B) and independent of the oxygen levels, HURP expression assessed at both mRNA and protein levels was reduced. However, the decrease was more pronounced in cells cultured under hypoxia (p<0.05). Interestingly, the analysis of patients’ specimens by Western blot revealed a marked increase of HURP protein (5-fold), when compared to control (cystoprostatectomy) tissue (p<0.05). Immunohistochemistry analysis showed an increase in the immunostaining intensity of HURP and the hypoxia-sensitive molecules, hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1a, VEGF, and Heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) in association with tumor grade. The data also suggested a redistribution of subcellular localization for HURP and HIF-1a from the nucleus to the cytoplasmic compartment in relation to increasing tumor grade. Analysis of HURP Promoter for HIF-1 binding sites revealed presence of 4 putative HIF binding sites on the promoter of DLGAP5/HURP gene in the nontranslated region upstream from the start codon, suggesting association between HIF-1a and the regulation of HURP protein. Taken together, our findings suggest a modulatory role of hypoxia on the expression of HURP. Additionally our results provide basis for utilization of tumor–associated molecules as predictors of aggressive PCa.
Communication, Gender, and Development

Women are more central than ever before to visions of global development: so why then do gender inequities remain? More money is being spent in development in the name of women’s empowerment. More women are serving in roles of global leadership. More girls are being educated. But serious gender gaps in employment, in pay, in legal rights, and in leadership positions challenge the ability of both women and men to reach their potential. The overarching question guiding this project concerns how it is that development has failed to resolve gender disparities on a global scale.
Lymphadenectomy for Adrenocortical Carcinoma: Is There a Therapeutic Benefit?

Background Lymph node metastasis is an established predictor of poor outcome for adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC); however, routine lymphadenectomy during surgical resection of ACC is not widely performed and its therapeutic role remains unclear.
Cigarette Smoking and Sociodemographic, Military, and Health Characteristics of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans: 2009-2011 National Health Study for a New Generation of US Veterans.

Objective:We examined the sociodemographic, military, and health characteristics of current cigarette smokers, former smokers, and nonsmokers among Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) / Operation Iraq...
When more than reputation is at risk: How two hospitals responded to Ebola

Abstract In 2014, two United States hospitals faced the challenges and uncertainties associated with treating Ebola patients. With varying levels of preparation, the outcomes for Emory University Hospital and Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas were vastly different. Emory successfully treated four patients, whereas Texas Health was caught off guard by an Ebola patient’s arrival, resulting in the patient’s misdiagnosis and death, as well as the infection of two nurses. Drawing from issues management and actional legitimacy, this study uses organizational and media reports to examine how these two organizations planned for and responded to the Ebola risk. Findings emphasize the need for healthcare organizations to maintain vigilant in monitoring their environments to promptly address any potential risks in an effort to prevent or alleviate crises. Should a crisis manifest, health communicators must provide quick, accurate, and consistent statements to maintain credibility, reassure publics, and reduce public anxiety about the health risk while simultaneously protecting the organization’s reputation.
Effects of Moderate Food Deprivation on Plasma Corticosterone and Blood Metabolites in Common Watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon)

Abstract Lack of food is one of the most common natural stressors that animals face, yet the physiological response to food restriction in most nonmammalian species is poorly understood. Food restriction can elicit an elevation of plasma glucocorticoid hormones and changes in blood metabolites in several vertebrates, but this has not been shown in snakes, despite their remarkable ability to tolerate food shortages. The purpose of this study was to determine the physiological response to moderate food deprivation in Common Watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon). When food was withheld for 15 d, snakes lost body mass, had elevated baseline plasma corticosterone concentrations, lower hematocrit, and depressed levels of triglycerides and uric acid. Food deprivation had no effect on blood glucose or lactate. Elevation of corticosterone levels could help snakes mobilize stored energy to allow them to survive periods of restricted feeding. Depressed triglycerides likely indicate increased utilization of lipid stores. Bec...
Brief activity performance measure for upper limb amputees: BAM-ULA:

Background:Measures of activity performance for adults with upper limb amputation are needed. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the measurement properties of a new measure of activity per...
Abstract 17915: Brainstem Neuronal Networks for Breathing Control Involve a Disinhibitory Projection From the Dorsal Medulla

The critical neuronal networks for breathing control known to be located in the brainstem are still not fully understood. γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a neurotransmitter that not only plays an important role in the networks, but also allows investigational interventions to the networks. To gain a fast, local and reversible access to brainstem GABAergic neurons, we developed a strain of transgenic mice that expressed channelrhodopsin in a tandem with eYFP in GABAergic neurons directed by the glutamic acid decarboxylase 2 promotor, the Gad2-ChR mouse. We firstly studied eYFP fluorescence in brainstem tissue sections. Several groups of previously known GABAergic neurons were positively labelled. Breathing response to optostimulation and CO 2 challenge were then studied in the anesthetized mice in vivo . When the optostimulation was applied to the ventral surface of the brainstem, especially the medulla, phrenic nerve activity was remarkably inhibited. Surprisingly, we found that optostimulation to the dorsal surface of the brainstem induced significant augmentation of both breathing activity and CO 2 chemosensitivity in the Gad2-ChR mice. Both breathing frequency and integrated phrenic amplitude were augmented. The effect was reversible and fast reaching peaking activation within 1 min. With respect to ventilation responses, optostimulation was nearly as potent as the response to 6% CO 2 . In the presence of 6% CO 2 , optostimulation was still capable of enhancing breathing activity. The breathing stimulation effect of optical GABA activation was located to the medulla. These observations suggest that respiratory neuronal networks involve a disinhibitory projection from dorsal GABAergic neurons in the medulla to a group of unidentified inhibitory neurons that are actively inhibit central breathing activity.
The development and initial evaluation of the Pornography-Use Avoidance Self-Efficacy Scale

Background and aimsThis study employed a newly developed questionnaire to evaluate whether men’s self-efficacy to avoid using pornography in each of 18 emotional, social, or sexually arousing situations was associated with either their typical frequency of pornography use or their hypersexuality.MethodsUsing an Internet-based data collection procedure, 229 male pornography users (Mage = 33.3 years, SD = 12.2) who had sought or considered seeking professional help for their use of pornography completed questionnaires assessing their situationally specific self-efficacy, history of pornography use, self-efficacy to employ specific pornography-reduction strategies, hypersexuality, and demographic characteristics.ResultsFrequency of pornography use was significantly negatively associated with level of confidence in 12 of the 18 situations. In addition, lower hypersexuality and higher confidence to employ pornography-use-reduction strategies were associated with higher confidence to avoid using pornography in ...
Sustainability, robustness, and resilience metrics for water and other infrastructure systems

Metrics representing water resources security (Sustainability, Robustness, Resilience – SRR) were adopted from reliability engineering to quantify stress on water systems in both the demand and sup...
Mutations in THAP1/DYT6 reveal that diverse dystonia genes disrupt similar neuronal pathways and functions

Dystonia is characterized by involuntary muscle contractions. Its many forms are genetically, phenotypically and etiologically diverse and it is unknown whether their pathogenesis converges on shared pathways. Mutations in THAP1 [THAP (Thanatos-associated protein) domain containing, apoptosis associated protein 1], a ubiquitously expressed transcription factor with DNA binding and protein-interaction domains, cause dystonia, DYT6. There is a unique, neuronal 50-kDa Thap1-like immunoreactive species, and Thap1 levels are auto-regulated on the mRNA level. However, THAP1 downstream targets in neurons, and the mechanism via which it causes dystonia are largely unknown. We used RNA-Seq to assay the in vivo effect of a heterozygote Thap1 C54Y or ΔExon2 allele on the gene transcription signatures in neonatal mouse striatum and cerebellum. Enriched pathways and gene ontology terms include eIF2α Signaling, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Neuron Projection Development, Axonal Guidance Signaling, and Synaptic LongTerm Depression, which are dysregulated in a genotype and tissue-dependent manner. Electrophysiological and neurite outgrowth assays were consistent with those enrichments, and the plasticity defects were partially corrected by salubrinal. Notably, several of these pathways were recently implicated in other forms of inherited dystonia, including DYT1. We conclude that dysfunction of these pathways may represent a point of convergence in the pathophysiology of several forms of inherited dystonia.
Protein Supplementation During or Following a Marathon Run Influences Post-Exercise Recovery

The effects of protein supplementation on the ratings of energy/fatigue, muscle soreness [ascending (A) and descending (D) stairs], and serum creatine kinase levels following a marathon run were examined. Variables were compared between recreational male and female runners ingesting carbohydrate + protein (CP) during the run (CPDuring, n = 8) versus those that were consuming carbohydrate (CHODuring, n = 8). In a second study, outcomes were compared between subjects who consumed CP or CHO immediately following exercise [CPPost (n = 4) versus CHOPost (n = 4)]. Magnitude-based inferences revealed no meaningful differences between treatments 24 h post-marathon. At 72 h, recovery [Δ(72 hr-Pre)] was likely improved with CPDuring versus CHODuring, respectively, for Physical Energy (+14 ± 64 vs −74 ± 70 mm), Mental Fatigue (−52 ± 59 vs +1 ± 11 mm), and Soreness-D (+15 ± 9 vs +21 ± 70 mm). In addition, recovery at 72 h was likely-very likely improved with CPPost versus CHOPost for Physical Fatigue, Mental Energy, and Soreness-A. Thus, protein supplementation did not meaningfully alter recovery during the initial 24 h following a marathon. However, ratings of energy/fatigue and muscle soreness were improved over 72 h when CP was consumed during exercise, or immediately following the marathon.