cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
What physicians need to implement safer opioid prescribing: A qualitative study.

Introduction: In response to the US opioid epidemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a guideline (CDCG) for prescribing opioids for chronic pain. Successful implementation of the CDCG requires identification of the information, skills, and support physicians need to carry out its recommendations. However, such data are currently lacking. Methods: The authors performed one-on-one interviews with nine practicing physicians regarding their needs and perspectives for successful CDCG implementation, including the perceived barriers, focusing on communication strategies. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and a thematic qualitative analysis was performed. Findings: Three major themes were identified: communication, knowledge, and information technology (IT). Physicians reported that open communication with patients about opioids was difficult and burdensome, but essential; they shared their communication strategies. Knowledge gaps included patient-specific topics (eg, availability of/insurance coverage for non-opioid treatments) and more general areas (eg, opioid dosing/equivalencies, prescribing naloxone). Finally, physicians discussed the importance of innovation in IT, focusing on the electronic medical record for decision support and to allow safer opioid prescribing within the time constraints of clinical practice. Discussion: These qualitative data document practical issues that should be considered in the development of implementation plans for safer opioid prescribing practices. Specifically, healthcare systems may need to provide opioid-relevant communication strategies and training, education on key topics such as naloxone prescribing, resources for referrals to appropriate nonpharmacologic treatments, and innovative IT solutions. Future research is needed to establish that such measures will be effective in producing better outcomes for patients on opioids for chronic pain.
Addressing chronic pain vulnerability with interprofessional care and retrospective reflections from art and physical therapists on interprofessional education: A dual case study

Abstract This dual-case study explores the impact of interprofessional care for Janelle, a patient with developing chronic pain, and describes how interprofessional collaboration influenced the novice clinicians who provided her care. Two physical therapy residents, Jason and Mike, and an art therapy intern, Dylan, worked collaboratively with the guidance of their mentors. The novice clinicians used a clinical reasoning model to guide practice during Janelle's care, allowing them to address Janelle's risk factors and avoid development of chronic pain. They then used a retrospective reflection tool 5 years later to consider the impact of their collaboration on treatment and their professional development. Jason, Mike, and Dylan developed skills for treating complex issues such as chronic pain and gained new appreciation for interprofessional collaboration, feedback, and how working as a team produces holistic care.
Optimized selection of slow-relaxing 13 C transitions in methyl groups of proteins: application to relaxation dispersion

Optimized selection of the slow-relaxing components of single-quantum 13C magnetization in 13CH3 methyl groups of proteins using acute (< 90°) angle 1H radio-frequency pulses, is described. The optimal selection scheme is more relaxation-tolerant and provides sensitivity gains in comparison to the experiment where the undesired (fast-relaxing) components of 13C magnetization are simply ‘filtered-out’ and only 90° 1H pulses are employed for magnetization transfer to and from 13C nuclei. When applied to methyl 13C single-quantum Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) relaxation dispersion experiments for studies of chemical exchange, the selection of the slow-relaxing 13C transitions results in a significant decrease in intrinsic (exchange-free) transverse spin relaxation rates of all exchanging species. For exchanging systems involving high-molecular-weight species, the lower transverse relaxation rates translate into an increase in the information content of the resulting relaxation dispersion profiles.
Project SMART: A cooperative educational game to increase physical activity in elementary schools

Abstract Children's rates of physical activity are declining at alarming rates, even given the wealth of evidence that participation in physical activity is positively correlated with better performance in school and long-term health protective factors. In this paper, we describe Project SMART, which directly targets childhood physical activity within the elementary school. The basis of Project SMART is a cooperative educational game originally designed to raise kids awareness of sustainable active transportation to and from school. In Project SMART, we adapt this game to focus on the health and educational benefits of moderate to vigorous physical activity, leveraging organized physical activity opportunities during the school day. In the game, a class cooperatively earns credit for performing physical activity. This credit takes the form of distances traveled on a virtual path (e.g., along Route 66 across the United States). As the class makes progress, they unlock waypoints that contain learning modules defined by their teachers to be directly tied to their curricular content. The paper describes the manner in which Project SMART has used community based-participatory research to develop a game that integrates with the school and community, and reports on the results of a pilot study carried out during the 2019–2020 academic year.
Comparison of 4 Different Fixation Strategies for Midfoot Arthrodesis: A Retrospective Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND Midfoot arthrodesis is a common procedure performed both for arthritis and correction of deformity. The optimal fixation for midfoot arthrodesis has not been established, though numerous studies have been investigating the fixation techniques of midfoot arthrodesis. The purpose of this study was to compare the union rate of midfoot arthrodesis using 4 different fixation strategies and investigate risk factors of nonunion following midfoot arthrodesis. METHODS A retrospective chart review was performed for patients who underwent midfoot joint arthrodesis between January 2014 and May 2019. The rates of nonunion and postoperative complication were compared among 4 different fixation constructs: staple fixation, compression plate fixation, compression plate with lag screw fixation, and compression screw fixation. Predictors of nonunion following midfoot arthrodesis were investigated through a multivariable logistic regression analysis. A total of 95 patients (99 feet), including 240 midfoot joints were included in this study. The mean follow-up period was 78.4 weeks. RESULTS Overall, bony union was achieved in 86 out of 99 (86.9%) patients, which included 218 out of 240 (90.8%) midfoot joints. A significant difference in the nonunion rate according to the type of fixation construct was found (P = .011); the compression screw alone fixation construct was noted to have a significantly higher nonunion rate than other fixation constructs. Diabetes mellitus (odds ratio [OR] = 0.179 [95% CI: 0.059, 0.542]), the type of fixation construct (compression screw alone; OR =1.789 [95% CI: 1.071, 2.978]), lack of adjuvant bone graft (OR = 2.803 [95% CI: 1.081, 7.268], and postoperative nonanatomical alignment (OR = 3.937 [95% CI: 1.278, 12.126]) were identified as independent predictors of nonunion following midfoot arthrodesis. CONCLUSION The rate of nonunion following midfoot arthrodesis among 4 different commonly used fixation constructs was compared in this study. Risk factors of nonunion were investigated revealing that diabetes mellitus, compression screw fixation alone, lack of adjuvant bone graft, and postoperative nonanatomical alignment are independent predictors of nonunion following midfoot arthrodesis. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE Level III: Comparative cohort study.
Infection with the US Neisseria meningitidis urethritis clade does not lower future risk of urethral gonorrhea.

Background Cross-protective immunity between Neisseria meninigitidis (Nm) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng) may inform gonococcal vaccine development. Meningococcal serogroup B (MenB) outer membrane vesicle (OMV) vaccines confer modest protection against gonorrhea. However, whether urethral Nm infection protects against gonorrhea is unknown. We examined gonorrhea risk among men with US Nm urethritis clade (US_NmUC) infections. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of men with urethral US_NmUC (N=128) between January 2015 and April 2018. Using diagnosis date as the baseline visit, we examined Ng status at return visits to compute urethral Ng risk. We compared these data to three referent populations: men with urethral Ng (N=253), urethral chlamydia (Ct) (N=251), and no urethral Ng or Ct (N=255). We conducted sensitivity analyses to assess varied approaches to censoring, missing data, and anatomical site of infection. We also compared sequences of protein antigens in the OMV-based MenB-4C vaccine, US_NmUC, and Ng. Results Participants were primarily Black (65%) and heterosexual (82%). Over follow-up, 91 men acquired urethral Ng. Men with urethral US_NmUC had similar Ng risk to men with prior urethral Ng (adjusted hazard ratio (AHR): 1∙27, 95% CI: 0∙65-2∙48). Men with urethral US_NmUC had insignificantly increased Ng risk compared to men with urethral Ct (AHR: 1∙51, 95% CI: 0∙79-2∙88), and significantly increased Ng risk compared to men without urethral Ng or Ct (AHR: 3∙55, 95% CI: 1∙27-9∙91). Most of the protein antigens analyzed shared high sequence similarity. Conclusions Urethral US_NmUC infection did not protect against gonorrhea despite substantial sequence similarities in shared protein antigens.
A Phase Linearization Method for IF Sampling Digitizer

A digitally modulated signal has phase of the carrier modulated in addition to amplitude modulation. If time domain measurement or demodulation on the modulated signal is to be performed, the measurement system or receiver must not introduce phase distortion onto the signal prior to measurement process. Traditionally, receiver IF bandwidth is made sufficiently wide compared to the signal bandwidth such that the desired signal spectrum falls within the linear phase portion of the receiver’s IF response. This approach becomes impractical for new multi-carrier modulation such as various OFDM schemes with signal bandwidth in tens or even hundreds of megahertz. With limited digitizer sampling rate, the digitizer front end response (RF + IF + anti-aliasing) cannot be made sufficiently wide band to be presented as a linear phase channel to the received modulated signal. As such, a post-ADC phase linearizing scheme is required before accurate measurement of time-domain parameters of the signal can be performed. A design procedure and algorithm is presented with simulated results of a derived phase linearizing FIR filter compensating the nonlinear phase response of a 9th order Chebyshev BPF.
A Diagnostic Study of Robbers

The author reviews some of the literature on robbers and their offenses, and presents an original study of all 13 robbers referred to a maximum security hospital for pretrial psychiatric evaluation during 1 year. When compared with non-substance-abusers, accused robbers who abused alcohol or drugs tended to be younger, use weapons more often, and commit more robberies as an afterthought to other violent offenses against private citizens. Methods similar to the one used here might be helpful in understanding the relationships between other offenses and diagnoses.
Relationship between Hair Cortisol and Perceived Chronic Stress in a Diverse Sample

Hair cortisol (CORT) is a biomarker of chronic stress via long-term alterations in hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis activity. Relationships to perceived stress measures, however, have rarely been specifically investigated. A diverse sample of 135 adults participated in a study assessing relationships between chronic stress indicator CORT to perceived stress and health indicators. CORT was not correlated to single perceived domain indices but with a global stress composite. Differences in objective and subjective measures were found for sociodemographics: racial/ethnic identity, sex and socioeconomic status (SES). Race by SES interactions predicted both CORT and perceived stress, but produced a complex and partially unanticipated pattern of results. For minorities, low and high SES showed the highest CORT, with mid-SES showing the lowest CORT; there was little change in perceived stress at all levels of SES. For non-minorities, mid-SES showed the highest CORT, with decreases in both CORT and perceived stress in high SES. The unanticipated findings of deleterious outcomes for high SES minorities highlight the importance of investigating potential stressors and moderators, including perceived discrimination and social identity. Moreover, these results suggest that CORT may not always correlate with single stress indices but may provide a global assessment of chronic stress, with implications for the allostatic load literature. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Review of clinical evidence for persistent cognitive decline or incident dementia attributable to surgery or general anesthesia

A strong perception exists that elderly people are at risk for persistent cognitive deterioration lasting longer than six months following major surgery, particularly heart surgery. Furthermore, based on laboratory evidence, investigators hypothesize that surgery or anesthesia might precipitate incident dementia. Recent clinical studies have found that cognition might frequently be impaired within the first few months postoperatively, and that such impairment may be associated with death or debility. Unsurprisingly, the specter of cognitive decline or dementia following surgery is a source of consternation to elderly people and their families. However, there are methodological concerns relating to the investigation of postoperative cognitive decline. Studies have been hampered by lack of standard diagnostic criteria for cognitive decline, by the use of statistical rather than clinical definitions, by poorly matched controls or even the absence of controls, and by inadequate detection of preexisting mild dementia. For these reasons, there are ongoing controversies surrounding the time course, the severity, and even the clinical relevance of persistent postoperative cognitive deterioration. There is evidence that most patients recover cognition in the long-term, and that for those who experience persistent decline, this is probably attributable to underlying undiagnosed neurological disease or other co-morbidities rather than to surgery or to anesthesia. There is currently minimal clinical evidence linking surgery or anesthesia to incident dementia. Rigorous clinical research is needed to resolve the controversy whether anesthesia or surgery is likely to cause persistent neurological decline or to precipitate dementia.
Improving architecture-based self-adaptation using preemption

One common approach to self-adaptive systems is to incorporate a control layer that monitors a system, supervisorily detects problems, and applies adaptation strategies to fix problems or improve system behavior. While such approaches have been found to be quite effective, they are typically limited to carrying out a single adaptation at a time, delaying other adaptations until the current one finishes. This in turn leads to a problem in which a time-critical adaptation may have to wait for an existing long-running adaptation to complete, thereby missing a window of opportunity for that adaptation. In this paper we improve on existing practice through an approach in which adaptations can be preempted to allow for other time-critical adaptations to be scheduled. Scheduling is based on an algorithm that maximizes time-related utility for a set of concurrently executing adaptations.
Combined segregation and linkage analysis of late-onset Alzheimer's disease in Duke families using Gibbs sampling

We illustrate the use of Gibbs sampling for combined segregation and linkage analysis using late-onset families in the Duke Alzheimer's disease (AD) data set. The disease penetrance model is flexible, incorporating variable age of disease onset, sporadic cases, and unknown or uncertain ages of AD onset. Model parameters (including allele frequencies) and lod scores are estimated, and a correction for ascertainment is made. Little indication of linkage was observed for any chromosome 19 or 21 marker. However, there was strong evidence for the existence of an AD major gene under an autosomal dominant/sporadic model
Effects of Alcohols on Recombinant Adenylyl Cyclase Type 7 Expressed in Bacteria

Background: Our previous studies showed that ethanol enhanced the activity of adenylyl cyclase (AC) in an isoform-specific manner and that alcohol cutoff point of AC was isoform specific. Recently, we showed that 2,3-butanediol inhibited AC type 7 (AC7) activity in a stereoisomer-specific manner and that this inhibition was also AC isoform specific. These observations strongly suggest that a major target of alcohol action on cAMP signaling is AC. We hypothesized that alcohols exhibit their effect on AC activity by direct interaction with AC proteins. However, experimental systems employed in past studies such as intact cells and membrane preparations are too complex and do not allow us to unequivocally test this hypothesis. In attempt to bypass, these complications of the membrane-bound AC, we decided to study the effect of alcohols on AC recombinant proteins expressed in bacteria. Methods: A recombinant AC, designated as AC7sol, consisting of the C1a and C2 domains of the human AC7 was designed and expressed in bacteria. The activity of AC7sol was examined using lysate prepared from bacteria expressing AC7sol. Results: The activity of AC7sol was stimulated by manganese or by the α subunit of G protein that stimulates AC (Gsα). Forskolin by itself did not stimulate the activity of AC7sol. However, in the presence of activated Gsα, forskolin stimulated the activity of AC7sol. A series of n-alkanols including ethanol enhanced the manganese-stimulated activity of AC7sol. The alcohol cutoff point of AC7sol was pentanol. Ethanol and butanol increased Vmax and KM values of AC7sol. Conclusions: These results are consistent with our hypothesis and suggest that the enhancing effect of alcohols on AC activity is because of the increase in turnover number of AC. The current study demonstrates for the first time that the effect of alcohols requires only the C1a and C2 domains of AC and no other domains of AC as well as no other mammalian proteins.
Posterior scleral thickness in perfusion-fixed normal and early-glaucoma monkey eyes.

PURPOSE. To characterize posterior scleral thickness in the normal monkey eye and to assess the effects of acute (15- to 80-minute) and short-term chronic (3- to 7-week) intraocular pressure (IOP) elevations. METHODS. Both eyes of four normal monkeys (both eyes normal) and four monkeys with early glaucoma (one eye normal and one eye with induced chronic elevation of IOP) were cannulated. In each monkey, IOP was set to 10 mm Hg in the normal eye and 30 or 45 mm Hg in the contralateral eye (normal or early glaucoma) for 15 to 80 minutes. All eight monkeys were perfusion fixed, yielding eight low IOP‐normal eyes, four high IOP‐normal eyes, and four high IOP‐ early glaucoma eyes. Posterior scleral thickness was measured histomorphometrically at 15 measurement points within each eye, and the data were grouped by region: foveal, midposterior, posterior-equatorial, and equatorial. RESULTS. Overall, posterior scleral thickness was significantly different in the various regions and among the treatment groups (P , 0.0001). In the low IOP‐normal eyes, the posterior sclera was thickest in the foveal region (307 mm) and thinner in the midposterior (199 mm), posterior-equatorial (133 mm), and equatorial (179 mm) regions. In the high IOP‐ normal and high IOP‐ early glaucoma eyes, the posterior sclera was thinner both overall and within specific regions, compared with the low IOP‐normal eyes. CONCLUSIONS. The posterior sclera in the perfusion-fixed normal monkey eye thins progressively from the fovea to the equator and is thinnest just posterior to the equator. Acute and shortterm chronic IOP elevations cause regional thinning within the posterior sclera of some monkey eyes, which significantly increases stresses in the scleral wall. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2001;42:3202‐3208)
Qualitative dynamics of the Sun-Jupiter-Saturn system.

The stability of the three-body problem formed by the Sun, Jupiter and Saturn is investigated using surfaces of zero velocity. The results obtained with the models of the restricted and general problems of three bodies are compared with numerical integration. The system is found to be stable in the sense that Saturn will neither interrupt the (perturbed) binary orbit of Jupiter around the Sun, nor will it escape from the system. It is shown that the known classical triple stellar systems are “more stable” than the solar system, which in turn is “more stable” than the Earth-Moon system.
"Here We Do Not Have a City That Remains": A Figured Critique of Roman Imperial Propaganda in Hebrews 13:14

Does a first-century Christian document that compares Jesus to angels, Moses, and Levitical priests have any concern for the Roman imperial context in which it was written? An examination of Heb 13:14 in light of the ancient rhetorical cate gory of figured speech provides an important test case for demonstrating that Hebrews is possibly more concerned with its Roman imperial context than is gen erally believed.1 Over two decades ago, Klaus Wengst, and Gerd Theissen before him, were willing to see Rome behind the critique of 13:14.2 Wengst, however, pro
Visually salient features for highway scene analysis

In applications involving autonomous vehicle or camera assisted driving it is important to have a generic prior understanding of the highway scene. We present a visually salient feature-based approach for road image understanding. We use salient features for object localization, near-far distinction and urban-rural scene classification; these tasks have such applications as in adjusting a vehicle's speed. We empirically verify the efficacy and assess the performance of each task.
Absence of a direct role for RNase HI in initiation of DNA replication at the oriC site on the Escherichia coli chromosome.

On the basis of the experiments carried out with rnhA224 mutants, we previously concluded that RNase HI is not essential for initiation of Escherichia coli chromosome replication at oriC (T. Kogoma, N.L. Subia, and K. von Meyenburg, Mol. Gen. Genet. 200:103-109, 1985). In light of the recent finding that rnhA224 is a UGA nonsense mutation which can be leaky in certain genetic backgrounds, we reexamined this conclusion with the use of rnhA339 (Null)::cat mutants. The possibility that recB+ is required for initiation at the alternative origins (oriKs) of replication in rnhA mutants was also tested. The results clearly indicated that RNase HI is not essential for oriC initiation and that recB+ is not required for initiation at oriK sites.
The Spirit of Yellowstone: The Cultural Evolution of a National Park

The Spirit of Yellowstone: The Cultural Evolution of a National Park Judith Meyer. London: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, 1996.
The Wife Abuse Inventory: A Screening Device for the Identification of Abused Women

ical social workers and other experts in the area of family violence. It is a simple client-administered measure ment device for the purpose of iden tifying women who are current or potential victims of marital violence. The scale is designed to account for psychosocial factors known to be highly correlated with wife or partner abuse, such as the level and nature of stress, style of conflict resolution, and social isolation of those involved.
Persistence of Regulation of Macromolecular Synthesis by Escherichia coli During Killing by Disrupted Rabbit Granulocytes

Escherichia coli incubated in balanced salt solution with glucose as a carbon source but no nitrogen source exhibit a marked step-up of macromolecular synthesis when various non-bactericidal tissue extracts, or fractions thereof, are added. When disrupted granulocytes that cause rapid loss of viability are added, a step-up is also observed; i.e., incorporation of labeled precursors into ribonucleic acid is stimulated more than 15-fold, and incorporation into protein and deoxyribonucleic acid about twofold. This stimulation of macromolecular synthesis is still evident 30 min after more than 95% of the E. coli have lost their ability to multiply. Stimulation by disrupted granulocytes of [14C]leucine incorporation into E. coli protein occurs over a wide range of leucine concentrations but is usually eliminated by adding a Casamino Acids mixture or another more complete medium. The substance(s) in tissue homogenates that trigger step-up is heat stable and dialyzable. Thus, E. coli exposed to the bactericidal and digestive components of disrupted granulocytes and no longer capable of division maintain their ability to regulate macromolecular synthesis in response to changes in nutritional conditions for at least 1 h.
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT: ANTIBIOTIC THERAPY OF INFECTIOUS DIARRHEA IN CHILDREN

THE PURPOSE of this review is to summarize the present status of antibiotic therapy of diarrhea in infancy and childhood. Such a review is currently pertinent because increased knowledge of the natural history of bacterial enteric diseases and the effects exerted by antibiotics on the course of these diseases enables the physician to approach such therapy on a more rational basis. Most diarrhea in infancy and childhood is not identifiable as bacterial in etiology. While in some communities 5% or less of such patients can be shown to harbor recognizable bacterial pathogens, as many as 60% of patients in other areas may yield bacterial pathogens on culture. The etiology of diarrhea in the absence of identifiable bacterial pathogens is obscure, although the results of a number of studies indicate that certain enteroviruses are frequently responsible. BACTERIOLOGIC STUDIES Of paramount importance in the management of patients with diarrhea is a careful search for bacterial pathogens because the decision as to whether to employ an antibiotic—and, if so, which antibiotic—is based upon the results of appropriate studies. Such studies comprise culture of the stool on specific media or examination by fluorescent antibody techniques. Serologic examinations are ordinarily unavailable for infections due to shigellae and EPEC, and they are of value in only a few salmonella infections; in addition, they do not afford prompt answers. The expense involved in such bacteriologic examinations is considerable and indicates the need for some selectivity in determining which patients should be studied for the presence of bacterial pathogens.
Investigation of Effects of Underreporting Crash Data on Three Commonly Used Traffic Crash Severity Models: Multinomial Logit, Ordered Probit, and Mixed Logit

Although much work has been devoted to developing crash severity models to predict the probabilities of crashes for different severity levels, few studies have considered the underreporting issue in the modeling process. Inferences about a population of interest are biased if crash data are treated as a random sample from the population without consideration of the different unreported rates for each crash severity level. The primary objective of this study was to examine the effects of underreporting for three commonly used traffic crash severity models: multinomial logit (MNL), ordered probit (OP), and mixed logit (ML) models. The objective was accomplished with a Monte Carlo approach that used simulated and observed crash data. The results showed that, to minimize the bias and reduce the variability of a model, fatal crashes should be set as the baseline severity for the MNL and ML models, while for the OP models, the rank for the crash severity should be set from fatal to property damage only in a descending order. None of the three models was immune to this underreporting issue. When full or partial information about the unreported rates for each severity level was known, treatment of the crash data as outcome-based samples in model estimation (through the weighted exogenous sample maximum likelihood estimator) dramatically improved the estimation for all three models as compared with the results produced from the maximum likelihood estimator.
Experimental methods for producing chronic, progressive, coronary arterial occlusion

Abstract An experimental method for producing slow, progressive occlusion of coronary arteries is described. Studies on such preparations are presented in other papers.
EasyTracker: automatic transit tracking, mapping, and arrival time prediction using smartphones

In order to facilitate the introduction of transit tracking and arrival time prediction in smaller transit agencies, we investigate an automatic, smartphone-based system which we call EasyTracker. To use EasyTracker, a transit agency must obtain smartphones, install an app, and place a phone in each transit vehicle. Our goal is to require no other input.This level of automation is possible through a set of algorithms that use GPS traces collected from instrumented transit vehicles to determine routes served, locate stops, and infer schedules. In addition, online algorithms automatically determine the route served by a given vehicle at a given time and predict its arrival time at upcoming stops.We evaluate our algorithms on real datasets from two existing transit services. We demonstrate our ability to accurately reconstruct routes and schedules, and compare our system's arrival time prediction performance with the current "state of the art" for smaller transit operators: the official schedule. Finally, we discuss our current prototype implementation and the steps required to take it from a research prototype to a real system.
The weight of certain images of ω

Abstract We show that if κ is an infinite cardinal with the discrete topology, and f : κ ∗ → X is a continuous map such that each fiber has cardinality less than 2 c , then the weight of X is 2 κ .
Testing for Lorentz violation: constraints on standard-model-extension parameters via lunar laser ranging.

We present constraints on violations of Lorentz invariance based on archival lunar laser-ranging (LLR) data. LLR measures the Earth-Moon separation by timing the round-trip travel of light between the two bodies and is currently accurate to the equivalent of a few centimeters (parts in ${10}^{11}$ of the total distance). By analyzing this LLR data under the standard-model extension (SME) framework, we derived six observational constraints on dimensionless SME parameters that describe potential Lorentz violation. We found no evidence for Lorentz violation at the ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$ to ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}11}$ level in these parameters. This work constitutes the first LLR constraints on SME parameters.
Effects of heterologous hematopoietic cytokines on in vitro differentiation of cultured porcine inner cell masses

An exogenous supply of hematopoietic cytokines is essential for maintaining murine embryonic stem (ES) cells in a proliferative yet undifferentiated state. Recently, it was demonstrated that hematopoietic cytokines utilize the gp130 signal transduction pathway to maintain this phenotype, although their involvement toward maintaining porcine ES cell pluripotency has not been established. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of several heterologous hematopoietic cytokines at maintaining the isolated porcine inner cell masses (pICM) in an undifferentiated state. pICMs (day 7) were isolated by immunosurgery and cultured 4 days in one of six treatments: control medium, human leukemia inhibitory factor (hLIF; 1,000 mu/ml), human interleukin-6 (hIL-6; 100 ng/ml), hIL-6 + hIL-6 soluble receptor (hIL6 + sR; 100 ng/ml + 2.5 micrograms/ml), human oncostatin M (hOSM; 100 ng/ml), or rat ciliary neurotrophic factor (rCNTF; 100 ng/ml). All cytokines were prepared in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium/Ham's F-10 (1:1)-based medium. Morphology of pICMs was evaluated on a scale of 1 (fully undifferentiated) to 5 (fully differentiated) at 24-h intervals. Differentiation was significantly lower on day 2 for rCNTF vs. hLIF cultured pICMs (2.07 +/- 0.15 vs. 2.70 +/- 0.16; P 0.05). Since these heterologous cytokines were unable to inhibit differentiation, it is unlikely they will be beneficial towards isolating porcine ES cell lines under current conditions. Future work with homologous cytokines and dose effects may prove more beneficial.
Potential Vascular and Bleeding Complications of Treatment With Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) alter peripheral handling of serotonin, leading to potential side effects. Further, the majority of the body's serotonin is found outside the central nervous System. Peripheral serotonin is important in platelet aggregation and the modulation of vascular tone. SSRIs block platelet uptake and pulmonary endothelial metabolism of serotonin, and use of these agents may conceivably result in bleeding and vasospastic complications
Difficult-to-treat Ortolani-positive hip: improved success with new treatment protocol.

BACKGROUND The aim of this paper was to review the outcomes of treatment of dislocated but reducible (Ortolani-positive) hips. METHODS A comparative retrospective review was conducted of all patients aged younger than 6 months who presented for treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip for two 10-year periods. The inclusion criteria consisted of a clinical evaluation documenting Ortolani-positive examination, no previous treatment, and an initial treatment with Pavlik harness only. Patients with insufficient follow-up, neuromuscular disease, provocative dislocatable hips, or dislocated but not reducible hips were excluded. In group 1 (1984-1994), treatment involved initiation of Pavlik harness and parental education at the time of initial diagnosis. Group 2 (1997-2007) was treated the same as group 1 with the addition of serial orthopaedic office-based ultrasound examinations and use of a hip abduction orthosis in hips remaining unstable after 3 weeks in the Pavlik harness. Records were assessed for successful achievement and maintenance of hip reduction, need for and type of further treatment, and development of avascular necrosis. RESULTS In group 1, the mean time of follow-up was 28 months. Forty-four (85%) of 52 hips were treated successfully. Eight patients required further operative treatment. In group 2, the mean follow-up to the final evaluation was 34 months. Forty-one (93%) of 44 hips were treated successfully. Three hips required further treatment. There were no documented cases of avascular necrosis in patients treated for orthoses only in either group. CONCLUSIONS In 1994, we presented a series of 52 Ortolani-positive hips (group 1) with a success rate of reduction of 85%. Now, our protocol for treating Ortolani-positive hips has evolved to include serial orthopaedic office-based ultrasound in all patients and use of a hip abduction orthosis in hips remaining unstable after 3 weeks in a Pavlik harness. Three previous studies at major centers reported successful reduction in only 63% to 71%. In group 2, our current success rate of 93% exceeds that previously reported by us and is significantly greater than these 3 previous studies (all P < 0.006). Furthermore, our current treatment module has decreased our rate of open reduction from 10% in group 1 to 5% in group 2. LEVEL OF RELEVANCE: Therapeutic study, level 3.
Project-centered pedagogy and practice in teaching microprocessor and embedded systems design to undergraduate students

With rapid advances in science and technology, the concept of Microcontroller Unit (MCU) and the practice of embedded systems design are constantly changing and evolving, which present unique challenges to engineering education in related areas. To address this problem, in this paper, a project-centered pedagogy is proposed and its practice reported. The central idea of the proposed strategy is to develop a series of projects each focusing a particular issue or topic in the subject, then, after outlining the basic principles, it is up to the students to find out all the necessary details and weave all their acquired information and know-how into easily presentable outcomes to meet the requirements of each project. Upon completing the series of projects, students become adept in finding required information and conducting necessary research to produce desired project outcomes. In the mean time, students are better trained to adapt to the ever changing technologies and industry practices, and be better prepared to face the real world upon graduation.
Nonclassical nature of dispersion cancellation and nonlocal interferometry

Several recent papers have shown that some forms of dispersion cancellation have classical analogs and that some aspects of nonlocal two-photon interferometry are consistent with local realistic models. It is noted here that the classical analogs only apply to local dispersion cancellation experiments [A.M. Steinberg et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 68, 2421 (1992)] and that nonlocal dispersion cancellation [J.D. Franson, Phys. Rev. A 45, 3126 (1992)] is inconsistent with any classical field theory and has no classical analog. The local models that have been suggested for two-photon interferometry are shown to be local but not realistic if the spatial extent of the interferometers is taken into account. It is the inability of classical models to describe all of the relevant aspects of these experiments that distinguishes between quantum and classical physics, which is also the case in Bell's inequality.
Band lineups and deformation potentials in the model-solid theory.

Semiconductor heterojunctions and superlattices have recently shown tremendous potential for device applications because of their flexibility for tailoring the electronic band structure. A theoretical model is presented to predict the band offsets at both lattice-matched and pseudomorphic strained-layer interfaces. The theory is based on the local-density-functional pseudopotential formalism and the ``model-solid approach'' of Van de Walle and Martin. This paper is intended as a self-contained description of the model, suitable for practical application. The results can be most simply expressed in terms of an ``absolute'' energy level for each semiconductor and deformation potentials that describe the effects of strain on the electronic bands. The model predicts reliable values for the experimentally observed lineups in a wide variety of test cases and can be used to explore which combinations of materials and configurations of the strains will lead to the desired electronic properties.
Periodic fluid transients in rectangular ducts with transverse magnetic fields

This paper treats periodic fluid transients in liquid metals contained in constant-area rectangular ducts with uniform, transverse, applied magnetic fields. The magnetic Reynolds and Mach numbers are assumed to be small, and the Reynolds number is assumed to be large. Two separate families of discrete wave numbers are found for ducts with perfectly conducting sides (parallel to the applied magnetic field) and either perfectly conducting or insulating top and bottom. The dispersion relation is found for the wave modes in fully insulating ducts, and its numerical solution is outlined. Solutions are also given for the viscous boundary layers which match the inviscid wave modes in fully conducting ducts, these being typical of boundary layers in any rectangular duct.
Label-Free Biosensing by Surface Plasmon Resonance of Nanoparticles on Glass: Optimization of Nanoparticle Size

The unique optical properties of noble metal nanoparticles have been used to design a label-free biosensor in a chip format. In this paper, we demonstrate that the size of gold nanoparticles significantly affects the sensitivity of the biosensor. Gold nanoparticles with diameters in the range of 12−48 nm were synthesized in solution and sensor chips were fabricated by chemisorption of these nanoparticles on amine-functionalized glass. Sensors fabricated from 39-nm-diameter gold nanoparticles exhibited maximum sensitivity to the change of the bulk refractive index and the largest “analytical volume”, defined as the region around the nanoparticle within which a change in refractive index causes a change in the optical properties of the immobilized nanoparticles. The detection limit for streptavidin−biotin binding of a sensor fabricated from 39-nm-diameter nanoparticles was 20-fold better than a previously reported sensor fabricated from 13-nm-diameter gold nanoparticles. We also discuss several other factor...
Telbivudine: a new nucleoside analogue for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B

Telbivudine, beta-L-2'-deoxythymidine (LdT), is a new beta-L-nucleoside analogue with potent inhibitory activity against the hepatitis B virus. In in vitro studies and animal models, telbivudine has demonstrated potent and specific antiviral activity against hepatitis B. Additionally, in preclinical animal toxicology studies, telbivudine showed no adverse side effects or adverse effects on mitochondrial function. The promising results of the early in vitro and animal telbivudine studies prompted the development and initiation of Phase I and II human clinical trials. The Phase I clinical study demonstrated that end-of-treatment virological response rates were better for telbivudine recipients at multiple dosing levels as compared with placebo patients. The subsequent Phase IIb human clinical study demonstrated superior antiviral efficacy of telbivudine, significantly better ALT normalisation and better hepatitis B e-antigen loss as compared with lamivudine. Telbivudine was well tolerated with no identified safety issues. Virological breakthrough with telbivudine was significantly lower than with lamivudine.
Treating hypertension at high altitude: the quest for a magic bullet continues

This editorial refers to ‘Changes in 24 h ambulatory blood pressure and effects of angiotensin II receptor blockade during acute and prolonged high-altitude exposure: a randomized clinical trial’[†][1], by G. Parati et al ., on page 3113. Exposure to a hypoxic hypobaric environment often induces a rise in blood pressure (BP), which poses a concern for the safety of hypertensive patients who travel to high altitudes. However, the mechanisms underlying the rise in BP are poorly understood, and there are no widely accepted guidelines or patient-centered strategies designed to manage patients either who develop hypertension at altitude, or who have deterioration of BP control during an altitude sojourn.1 Parati and colleagues have now demonstrated in a randomized double-blinded trial that treatment with the angiotensin receptor blocker telmisartan caused a minor reduction in the 24 h ambulatory BP at 3400 m altitude, but had no effect on BP at 5400 m altitude.2 This is a potentially important finding, which … [1]: #fn-2
Reviving the Autopsy as a Diagnostic Error- Reduction Tool

Errors are estimated to occur in 10% to 15% of all diagnoses and can lead to significant harm and costs. An autopsy can reveal clinically significant diagnoses missed before death. Multiple studies have reported poor concordance between clinical and autopsy diagnoses; thus, autopsy remains a powerful tool for the study of diagnostic errors. Although there are benefits to autopsy in the era of advanced diagnostic technology, many barriers exist. In this article, we discuss the role of autopsy in reducing diagnostic errors and make several recommendations of how to invigorate efforts to support autopsy as a potential diagnostic error–reduction tool. A resurgence of autopsy as a learning tool will require not only focus on the actions of requesting physicians or pathologists, but also a systems-based approach, including nonphysician personnel, health information technology, reimbursement initiatives, and incentives to promote the use of autopsy. * ADASP : Association of Directors of Anatomic and Surgical Pathology; ACGME : Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education; ABMS : American Board of Medical Specialties; EHRs : electronic health records
Urological chronic pelvic pain syndrome flares and their impact: qualitative analysis in the MAPP network

Although in-depth qualitative information is critical to understanding patients’ symptom experiences and to developing patient-centered outcome measures, only one previous qualitative study has assessed urological chronic pelvic pain syndrome (UCPPS) symptom exacerbations (“flares”). We conducted eight focus groups of female UCPPS (interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome) patients at four sites from the MAPP Research Network (n = 57, mean = 7/group) to explore the full spectrum of flares and their impact on patients’ lives. Flare experiences were common and varied widely in terms of UCPPS symptoms involved, concurrent nonpelvic symptoms (e.g., diarrhea), symptom intensity (mild to severe), duration (minutes to years), and frequency (daily to < once/year), although the most commonly described flares were painful flares lasting days. These latter flares were also most disruptive to participants’ lives, causing some to cancel social events, miss work or school, and in the worst cases, go to the emergency room or on disability leave. Participants also reported a longer-term impact of flares, including negative effects on their sexual functioning and marital, family, and social relationships; and the loss of employment or limited career or educational advancement. Emerging themes included the need for a sense of control over unpredictable symptoms and reduced social engagement. Given their negative impact, future research should focus on approaches to prevent flares, and to reduce their frequency, severity, and/or duration. Patients’ quality of life may also be improved by providing them with a sense of control over their symptoms through ready access to flare medications/therapy, and by engaging them socially.
CALIBRATION AND PERFORMANCE OF A NEUTRON-TIME-OF-FLIGHT DETECTOR

Abstract The properties of a neutron detector for time-of-flight studies in the MeV energy region are described; calibration techniques for obtaining the absolute efficiency vs energy relationship are discussed and the results presented. In addition, the pulse-height response of several organic scintillators under neutron irradiation was measured and compared to the pulse height obtained from a gamma-ray source.
Influences of Work-Family Conflict on Job Satisfaction, Life Satisfaction and Quitting Intentions Among Business Owners: The Case of Family-Operated Businesses

This study examines the effect of inter-role conflict between the family and business domains among operators of small businesses and family-owned businesses. Findings indicate that work-family conflict can significantly affect both job and life satisfaction of owners as well as their propensity to seek a new line of work. Results vary among owners depending on whether or not they work with other members of their immediate family. Owners that employ other family members experience significantly higher levels of workfamily conflict.
Role of sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with thin (<1 mm) primary melanoma.

Background: Thin melanomas have become increasingly prevalent, and lesions ≤1 mm in thickness are frequently diagnosed. They are considered highly curable when treated solely with wide local excision, with reported 5-year disease-free survivals of 95% to 98%. However, thin Clark level III and IV melanomas may have increased potentials for metastasizing and late recurrences because of dermal lymphatics located at the interface of the papillary and reticular dermis. We have addressed this controversial area by reviewing the outcomes of patients with invasive thin melanomas.