cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exposure to combustion generated environmentally persistent free radicals enhances severity of influenza virus infection

Background Exposures to elevated levels of particulate matter (PM) enhance severity of influenza virus infection in infants. The biological mechanism responsible for this phenomenon is unknown. The recent identification of environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) associated with PM from a variety of combustion sources suggests its role in the enhancement of influenza disease severity.
Advances in endoscopic neurosurgery.

ABSTRACT This article describes the authors' experience using neuroendoscopes to perform a variety of intracranial procedures with minimal invasiveness to neural tissue. The article also presents the history of neuroendoscopy and provides information about current practice. Surgical technique and intraoperative and postoperative nursing considerations are reviewed. AORN J 67 (May 1998) 957-965.
Model for a Josephson junction array coupled to a resonant cavity

We describe a simple Hamiltonian for an underdamped Josephson array coupled to a single photon mode in a resonant cavity. Using a Hartree-like mean-field theory, we show that, for any given strength of coupling between the photon field and the Josephson junctions, there is a transition from incoherence to coherence as a function of N, the number of Josephson junctions in the array. Above that value of N, the energy in the photon field is proportional to ${N}^{2},$ suggestive of coherent emission. These features remain even when the junction parameters have some random variation from junction to junction, as expected in a real array. Both of these features agree with recent experiments by Barbara and co-workers.
Resources medical students use to derive a differential diagnosis.

Background: Deriving an appropriate differential diagnosis is a key clinical competency, but there is little data available on how medical students learn this skill. Software resources designed to complement clinical reasoning might be asset in helping them in this task. Aims: The goals of this study were to identify the resources third year medical students use to solve a challenging diagnostic case, and specifically to evaluate the usefulness of Isabel, a second-generation electronic diagnosis support system. Methods: Third year medical students (n ¼ 117) were presented a challenging case and asked to identify and prioritize their top 3 diagnoses, report the time devoted to the exercise, and list the resources they used and their relative usefulness. Students were randomized to receive (or not) free access, instruction, and encouragement to use to a web-based decision support system (Isabel). Results: Students who identified the correct diagnosis as their first choice spent significantly more time on the case than did the other students (3.75 � 0.28 hours vs 2.88 � 0.15 hours, p < 0.05). Students used electronic resources extensively, in particular Google. Students who self-reported use of Isabel had greater success identifying the correct diagnosis (24/33 ¼ 73% for users vs 45/84 ¼ 53% for non-users) a difference of borderline statistical significance. Conclusions: These findings indicate that medical trainees use a wide range of electronic decision support products to solve challenging cases. Medical education needs to adapt to this reality, and address the need to teach future clinicians how to use these tools to advantage.
Bioluminescence ATP assay for estimating total plate counts of surface microflora of whole cantaloupe and determining efficacy of washing treatments

The surface microflora of cantaloupes were estimated using a bioluminescence ATP assay, and results were compared to plate count data. Cantaloupes were treated as follows: (i) water washed, or (ii) washed in solutions of sodium hypochlorite (1,000 mg/liter) or hydrogen peroxide (5%) for 5 min. Bioluminescence ATP assay results showed differences in ATP level/cm2 of cantaloupes dipped in chlorine or hydrogen peroxide solution; ATP levels in these washed samples were lower than in controls due to antimicrobial action of the treatments on the cantaloupe surface. Linear correlations were found between the bioluminescence ATP assay and aerobic plate counts of unwashed cantaloupe (r2 = 0.995) and those washed with water (r2 = 0.990) determined before storage. Lower correlations between the bioluminescence ATP assay and the aerobic plate counts were observed on cantaloupes stored for 120 h at 20°C (r2 = 0.751) than at 4°C (r2 = 0.980) without washing treatment. Lower correlation at 20°C may be the result of clus...
Shape from photomotion

A new technique called shape from photomotion is introduced. It uses a series of 2-D Lambertian images, generated by moving a light source around a scene, to recover the depth map. In each of the images, the object in the scene remains at a fixed position and the only variable is the light source direction. The movement of the light source causes a change in the intensity of any given point in the image. The change in intensity is what enables recovery of the unknown parameter, the depth map, since it remains constant in each of the input images. The authors' method differs from photometric stereo in the sense that the shape estimate is not only computed for each light source orientation, but also gradually refined by photomotion. >
Development of High-throughput Molecular Markers for Blackleg (Leptosphaeria maculans) Resistance Genes in Brassica napus for Gene Stacking

Quinta' and 'Glacier' are two important winter type canola cultivars from Europe. 'Quinta' has two independent blackleg resistance gene loci, Rlm1 and Rlm4; 'Glacier' has two other genes, Rlm2 and Rlm3. This study focuses on mapping the resistance genes Rlm1 and Rlm3 using high throughput SRAP (sequence related amplified polymorphism) markers and SNPs. The F2 and F3 populations were constructed with crosses of 'Westar' × 'Quinta' and 'Westar' × 'Glacier'. The populations were screened with the corresponding isolates. The phenotype segregation in the populations supported that a single dominant resistance gene controls the resistance in 'Quinta' and "Glacier" separately. The closest SRAP marker was identified for the resistance gene in 'Quinta' by using 256 pairs of primers and screening 2,500 polymorphic loci. B342 is 1.5 cM to Rlm1 and 6.8 cM to Rlm3. SNP80870 developed from the N7 orthologous region in Arabidopsis was 3 cM to Rlm3. A population for stacking the three resistance genes (Rlm1, Rlm3 and LepR3) was constructed. Marker screening and disease inoculation were both used for the selection of lines with the three resistance genes.
Barriers and facilitators to evidence-based blood pressure control in community practice.

Introduction: The Electronic Communications and Home Blood Pressure Monitoring trial (e-BP) demonstrated that team care incorporating a pharmacist to manage hypertension using secure E-mail with patients resulted in almost twice the rate of blood pressure (BP) control compared with usual care. To translate e-BP into community practices, we sought to identify contextual barriers and facilitators to implementation. Methods: Interviews were conducted with medical providers, staff, pharmacists, and patients associated with community-based primary care clinics whose physician leaders had expressed interest in implementing e-BP. Transcripts were analyzed using qualitative template analysis, incorporating codes derived from the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Results: Barriers included incorporating an unfamiliar pharmacist into the health care team, lack of information technology resources, and provider resistance to using a single BP management protocol. Facilitators included the intervention9s perceived potential to improve quality of care, empower patients, and save staff time. Sustainability of the intervention emerged as an overarching theme. Conclusion: A qualitative approach to planning for translation is recommended to gain an understanding of contexts and to collaborate to adapt interventions through iterative, bidirectional information gathering. Interviewees affirmed that web pharmacist care offers small primary care practices a means to expand their workforce and provide patient-centered care. Reproducing e-BP in these practices will be challenging, but our interviewees expressed eagerness to try and were optimistic that a tailored intervention could succeed.
JHAVE: supporting algorithm visualization

JHAVE fosters the use of algorithm visualization as an effective pedagogical tool for computer science educators, helping students to better understand algorithms. The Java-hosted algorithm visualization environment (JHAVE) is not an AV system itself but rather a support environment for a variety of AV systems (called AV engines by JHAVE). In broad terms, JHAVE gives such an engine a drawing context on which it can render its pictures in any way. In return, JHAVE provides the engine with effortless ways to synchronize its graphical displays with i) a standard set of VCR-like controls, ii) information and pseudocode windows, iii) input generators, iv) stop-and-think questions, and v) meaningful content generation tools.
Evaluating the Loss of Kinship Structures: A Case Study of North American Indians

This study is the result of an effort to determine the economic value of the kinship transformations suffered by the Soboba Band of Mission Indians. The kinship structures (or clans) disintegrated after water supplies dried out on the reservation in the 1930s. The paper attempts to show how elements borrowed from the technique of cost-benefit analysis, SIAM (Social Impact Assessment Methodology), and lessons from the experience of Third World economic development can be applied to produce intuitively reasonable valuations of a cultural intangible.
Sensing of unexploded ordnance with magnetometer and induction data: theory and signal processing

We consider the detection of subsurface unexploded ordnance via magnetometer and electromagnetic-induction (EMI) sensors. Detection performance is presented, using model-based signal processing algorithms. We first develop and validate the parametric models, using both numerical and measured data. These models are then applied in the context of feature extraction, and the features are processed via two signal-processing algorithms. The detection algorithms are discussed in detail, with comparisons made based on performance with measured magnetometer and EMI data.
Photodissolution of particulate organic matter from sediments

Irradiation of particulate organic matter (POM) at light intensities found at the earth's surface should induce reduction in molecular weight, as found for dissolved organic matter, and hence result in transfer to the dissolved phase. We studied Mississippi River suspended sediments to test if photodissolution can induce losses of POM similar to those observed between delivery and burial in coastal sediments. Irradiation experiments in a solar simulator demonstrated dissolution of tens of percent of the POM after several days of exposure to strong sunlight. Neither water type nor iron oxyhydroxide removal had large effect on the reaction extent, but temperature may be a strong controlling parameter. Ultraviolet and visible wavelengths drive this reaction. A hyperbolic response of reaction extent to photon flux allows significant reaction to occur in highly turbid suspensions, despite significant light penetration into the suspensions of only millimeters to centimeters. Our data do not yet allow quantitation of this reaction's contribution to POM loss between the Mississippi River and its depocenter, but they do demonstrate its potential significance under nearshore resuspension regimes. More importantly, these results point to a heretofore ignored role for photodissolution of particulate organic matter at the earth's surface.
Effects of Differing Gentamicin Concentrations in Semen Extender on Spermatozoa Motility and Velocity in Fresh and Cooled Stallion Semen

Abstract Bennett-Wimbush, K., Andrews, A., Jones, J. and Musolf, B. 2001. Effects of differing gentamicin concentrations in semen extender on spermatozoa motility and velocity in fresh and cooled stallion semen. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 20: 41–47. Ten light-horse stallions (ages 5–16) were used to determine the effects of differing concentrations of gentamicin sulfate in semen extender on sperm motility and velocity in both fresh and cooled stallion semen. Semen was collected once from all stallions from October 1997 through March 1998. Immediately after collection, semen was extended with a dried-skim milk based extender (pH—7.0) containing either 0, 500 or 2000 μg/ml gentamicin sulfate to a final concentration of 10 × 106 spermatozoa/ml. Average path velocity decreased (p<.01) in cooled semen (44.2±2.3 μm/sec) when compared with fresh semen (65.1±2.2 μm/sec). However, there was no difference in average path velocity (VAP) between samples extended with either 0, 500 or 2000 μg/ml of gentamicin sulfate in eit...
Theory of nonlinear optics in dielectric spheres. II. Coupled-partial-wave theory of resonant, resonantly pumped stimulated Brillouin scattering

I derive a self-consistent-field, coupled-mode theory of the generation of stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in transparent dielectric spheres by using full vector-partial-wave theory. The results are expressed in an analytical form that is suitable for efficient numerical evaluation. The theoretical method introduced in this paper uses the Racah–Wigner angular-momentum calculus to derive selection rules for the allowed nonlinear couplings of partial waves and uses Fourier–Bessel and Fourier–Dini expansions for the radial eigenfunctions of the electromagnetic and acoustic normal modes. The derivation shows that the SBS field must be resonant in order to satisfy the electromagnetic boundary conditions.
A comparison of factors associated with collagen metabolism in different skeletal muscles from dystrophic (mdx) mice: impact of pirfenidone.

Skeletal muscles in mdx mice exhibit differential degrees of pathological changes and fibrosis. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in various indices of collagen metabolism in skeletal muscles with widely different functions and activity profiles in mdx mice, and to determine whether pirfenidone would attenuate the development of fibrosis. Mice in the pirfenidone group were orally fed pirfenidone (500 mg/kg) daily for 4 weeks. Marked differences were noted in hydroxyproline concentration between muscles, which could not be explained solely by the level of type I collagen and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) mRNA. In normal mice, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 mRNA was significantly higher in the gastrocnemius than in the diaphragm or genioglossus muscles, suggesting that collagen degradation plays an important role in regulating collagen accretion in skeletal muscle. In mdx mice, the levels of both MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA were significantly elevated relative to control, although the response was muscle specific. Pirfenidone treatment resulted in a significant reduction in the level of hydroxyproline concentration across all muscles, although the effect was small. Results from this study reveal intrinsic dissimilarities in collagen metabolism between functionally different skeletal muscles. Moreover, the pharmacological use of pirfenidone may be beneficial in preventing fibrosis in muscular dystrophy. Muscle Nerve, 2006
Confirming or Conflicting Sales and Earnings Signals

This study examines market reactions to the preliminary earnings announcements of companies, when the announcements provide confirming or conflicting signals about sales and profit growth. Consistent with intuition, the authors show that when the signals are positive and confirming, i.e., when both sales and profits increase substantially, the market reaction is positive and significantly different from zero. Similarly, when the signals are negative and confirming, i.e., both sales and profits decline or grow slowly, the market reaction is negative and significantly different from zero. The authors then explore the market reactions when the sales and earnings signals conflict. When sales decline or grow slowly but profits grow substantially, the market reaction is different for value and growth firms. The market reaction of value firms is positive and statistically different from zero, indicating that market participants favor value companies that are able to control expenses even when they are facing a decline or slow growth in sales. Market participants react negatively, however, to growth companies that report a decline or slow growth in sales even if profits grow significantly. The authors do not find any clear differences between value and growth firms for the conflicting signals of high growth in sales but low growth in earnings.
Alcohol and illicit drugs in traumatic deaths: Prevalence and association with type and severity of injuries

Background My colleagues and I studied alcohol and illicit drug intoxication in trauma fatalities and their association with the nature and severity of injuries. Study design We examined the trauma registry and autopsies of all trauma fatalities at an academic Level I trauma center. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the association of substance use with the Injury Severity Score, body areas with severe trauma (Abbreviated Injury Score ≥ 3), and spinal injuries. Results From January 2000 to May 2003, 931 trauma deaths occurred; 600 victims were tested for alcohol and illicit drugs and 256 of these (42.7%) tested positive. Male victims were significantly more likely to have a positive screen than female patients (46.1% versus 26.7%, p=0.0003). Penetrating trauma was significantly more likely to be associated with a positive screen than blunt trauma (53.0% versus 31.0%, p Conclusions There is a high rate of alcohol and illicit drug use in patients who die from trauma, especially penetrating trauma in men aged 15 to 50 years, who are Hispanic or African American. Victims with penetrating trauma and positive toxicology are considerably more likely to have no vital signs on admission than victims with negative toxicology. Pedestrians killed by automobiles who had positive screens have a higher incidence of severe abdominal injuries than victims with negative screens.
Task differences confound sex differences in receiver permissiveness in túngara frogs.

In many mating systems, both sexes respond to the same sexual signal. In frogs, males typically call in response to advertisement calls, while females approach male calls in choosing a mate. The costs of signal detection errors are expected to differ between the sexes. Missed opportunities are costly for males because ignoring a signal results in failing to compete with rivals for mates, while their cost for misidentification is lower (time and energy displaying to the incorrect target). By contrast, for females, the cost of misidentification is high (mating with incorrect species or low-quality partner), while their cost for missed opportunity is lower because the operational sex ratio puts females at a premium. Consequently, females should be more selective in their response to signal variation than males. We report that presumed sexual differences in selectivity in tungara frogs (Physalaemus pustulosus) are task-specific rather than sex-specific. As predicted, male tungara frogs are less selective in their vocal responses than are females in their phonotactic responses. Males exhibiting phonotaxis to the same calls, however, are as selective as females, and are significantly more selective than when they respond vocally to the same calls. Our study shows that apparent differences between the sexes emerge from differences in the behaviours themselves and are not intrinsic to each sex. Analogous behavioural differences might confound sex differences in other systems; thus, we suggest consideration of the behavioural plasticity of sex as well as its stereotypy.
Mast cell expression of the serotonin1A receptor in guinea pig and human intestine

Serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)] is released from enterochromaffin cells in the mucosa of the small intestine. We tested a hypothesis that elevation of 5-HT in the environment of enteric mast cells might degranulate the mast cells and release mediators that become paracrine signals to the enteric nervous system, spinal afferents, and secretory glands. Western blotting, immunofluorescence, ELISA, and pharmacological analysis were used to study expression of 5-HT receptors by mast cells in the small intestine and action of 5-HT to degranulate the mast cells and release histamine in guinea pig small intestine and segments of human jejunum discarded during Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgeries. Mast cells in human and guinea pig preparations expressed the 5-HT1A receptor. ELISA detected spontaneous release of histamine in guinea pig and human preparations. The selective 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-hydroxy-PIPAT evoked release of histamine. A selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, WAY-100135, suppressed stimulation of histamine release by 5-HT or 8-hydroxy-PIPAT. Mast cell-stabilizing drugs, doxantrazole and cromolyn sodium, suppressed the release of histamine evoked by 5-HT or 8-hydroxy-PIPAT in guinea pig and human preparations. Our results support the hypothesis that serotonergic degranulation of enteric mast cells and release of preformed mediators, including histamine, are mediated by the 5-HT1A serotonergic receptor. Association of 5-HT with the pathophysiology of functional gastrointestinal disorders (e.g., irritable bowel syndrome) underlies a question of whether selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonists might have therapeutic application in disorders of this nature.
Bullae in a patient with toxic shock syndrome

A case of toxic shock syndrome presenting with macular erythema and subepidermal bullae is described. The patient meets the Centers for Disease Control criteria for toxic shock syndrome. A biopsy of the bullae and macular erythema revealed, respectively, subepidermal bullae and superficial perivascular infiltration. This case demonstrates the potential difficulty in differentiating between toxic shock syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis.
63.4: Invited Paper: Development and Application Prospects of InGaN‐based Optoelectronic Devices Prepared in Nonpolar Orientations

High-power light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and laser diodes have been realized on nonpolar planes of bulk-GaN substrates. Spontaneously polarized light emission is obtained from nonpolar LEDs, which is believed to improve the system energy efficiency when nonpolar LEDs are combined with liquid-crystal displays. Preliminary experimental results are reported.
Change of Transmitter Release Kinetics During Facilitation Revealed by Prolonged Test Pulses at the Inhibitor of the Crayfish Opener Muscle

Vyshedskiy, Andrey and Jen-Wei Lin. Change of transmitter release kinetics during facilitation revealed by prolonged test pulses at the inhibitor of the crayfish opener muscle. J. Neurophysiol. 78:...
Kinetic analysis of the hydrolysis of methyl parathion using citrate-stabilized 10 nm gold nanoparticles

"Ligand-free" citrate-stabilized 10 nm gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) promote the hydrolysis of the thiophosphate ester methyl parathion (MeP) on the surface of gold as a function of pH and two temperature values. At 50 °C, the active surface gold atoms show catalytic turnover ∼4 times after 8 h and little turnover of gold surface atoms at 25 °C with only 40% of the total atoms being active. From Michaelis-Menten analysis, k(cat) increases between pH 8 and 9 and decreases above pH 9. A global analysis of the spectral changes confirmed the stoichiometric reaction at 25 °C and the catalytic reaction at 50 °C and mass spectrometry confirmed the identity of p-nitrophenolate (PNP) product. Additional decomposition pathways involving oxidation and hydrolysis independent of the formation of PNP were also seen at 50 °C for both catalyzed and un-catalyzed reactions. This work represents the first kinetic analysis of ligand-free AuNP catalyzed hydrolysis of a thiophosphate ester.
Health promotion coaching for obese individuals with serious mental illnesses produces clinically significant reductions in cardiovascular risks up to 18 months

ABSTRACT FROM: Bartels SJ, Pratt SI, Aschbrenner KA, et al . Pragmatic replication trial of health promotion coaching for obesity in serious mental illness and maintenance of outcomes. Am J Psychiatry 2015;172:344–52. Individuals with serious mental illnesses (SMI) experience premature morbidity and mortality, largely as a consequence of increased cardiovascular risk resulting from illness, treatment and lifestyle. A growing body of research demonstrates lifestyle changes can improve fitness and reduce weight and cardiovascular risks among this disproportionately vulnerable group. For example, a trial of health promotion coaching effectively improved fitness and/or reduced weight in nearly half of those who received the intervention1. Additionally, lifestyle change programmes offered in community psychiatric rehabilitation programs2 and community mental health clinics3 have demonstrated clinically significant reductions in weight among intervention participants. However only one of these trials measured maintenance of outcomes4 and none have been replicated. Bartels and colleagues tested the effectiveness of In SHAPE, delivered in a pragmatic clinical trial, in three diverse urban community mental health clinics. In SHAPE consists …
Equilibrium Configurations of an Inflated Cylindrical Membrane

We study the inflation of a cylindrical elastic membrane under conditions where more than one equilibrium radius is possible at the same pressure. In particular, we investigate the existence of solutions connecting two sections of different radii. The existence of such solutions is found to be linked to a Maxwell equal area rule.
Implications of renal artery anatomy for endovascular repair using fenestrated, branched, or parallel stent graft techniques

Objective This study evaluated renal artery (RA) and accessory renal artery (ARA) anatomy and implications for endovascular repair using fenestrated, branched, or parallel (chimney, snorkel, and periscope) stent graft techniques. Methods We analyzed the digital computed tomography angiograms of 520 consecutive patients treated by open or fenestrated endovascular repair for complex abdominal aortic aneurysms (2000-2012). RA/ARA anatomy was assessed using diameter, length, angles, and kidney perfusion based on analysis of estimated volumetric kidney parenchyma. Endovascular suitability was determined by RA diameter ≥4 mm, length to RA bifurcation ≥13 mm, and preservation of >75% of a single kidney or >60% of two kidneys by volumetric kidney parenchyma analysis. Results There were 222 juxtarenal (43%), 241 suprarenal (46%), and 57 type IV thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (11%), Analysis of 1009 RAs and 177 ARAs showed endovascular incorporation was possible in 884 RAs (88%) and 30 ARAs (17%) using the proposed criteria. One or more factors rendered RA incorporation unsuitable in 97 patients (19%), including early bifurcation in 45 (9%), small diameter in 28 (5%), or inability to preserve kidney parenchyma in 28 (5%). Other anatomic issues were present in 170 patients (33%) that would increase technical difficulty to RA incorporation using transfemoral access, including excessive downward angulation in 125 (24%), high-grade stenosis in 51 (10%), or prior renal stents in 11 (2%). Conclusions Independent of the endovascular technique that is selected to treat a complex abdominal aortic aneurysm, one of five patients has anatomic limitations to endovascular incorporation. In these patients, open repair may provide the best alterative to maximize RA patency and preserve renal function.
Structure-activity relationship studies of the tricyclic indoline resistance-modifying agent.

Previously we discovered a tricyclic indoline, N-[2-(6-bromo-4-methylidene-2,3,4,4a,9,9a-hexahydro-1H-carbazol-4a-yl)ethyl]-4-chlorobenzene-1-sulfonamide (1, Of1), from bioinspired synthesis of a highly diverse polycyclic indoline alkaloid library, that selectively resensitizes methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains to β-lactam antibiotics. Herein, we report a thorough structure–activity relationship investigation of 1, which identified regions of 1 that tolerate modifications without compromising activity and afforded the discovery of a more potent analogue with reduced mammalian toxicity.
The Role of Moisture in the Winter Survival of the Boll Weevil Complex in Arizona

Studies made with temperature-control cabinets set for the average day and night soil temperatures at Stanfield, Arizona, and with several levels of moisture showed that winter survival of the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, complex was affected by moisture. Longevity after emergence increased when the levels of moisture in the bolls and in the simulated trash in which the weevils were hibernating were above 0.5 and 0.044 g of water/g of boll and trash, respectively. Some weevils freed from the bolls early in the winter survived long enough to oviposit in the 1st squares produced by cotton plants in the subsequent season and could serve as precursors for later damaging generations.
Arterial Cannulation (Radial and Femoral)

Arterial cannulation is frequently performed in the care of critically ill patients for purposes of both serial arterial blood gas sampling and continuous intra-arterial blood pressure monitoring. It also provides arterial access for less common procedures, including thrombolysis, embolization, angiography, and infusion of vasoactive drugs. This chapter discusses cannulation of the radial and femoral arteries—the two most common sites for indwelling arterial catheter placement.
Survey on self-directed learning ability among military nursing undergraduates in different grades

Objective To investigate the self-directed learning ability of military nursing undergraduates in different grades so as to provide reference for making targeted study strategies.Methods The Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale was used to investigate 234 nursing undergraduates.Software SPSS13.0 was employed in all data analysis.Results The total average score of self-directed learning ability was 160.01 ±24.93 with a score rate of 74.42%.The score of grade 2 was the highest among all the grades.The total score and the score of five dimensions in different grades indicated significant difference(P 0.01 or P 0.05).Conclusion To improve nursing undergraduates' self-directed learning ability,targeted study strategies should be made according to different undergraduates especially grade 3 and grade 4.
Scalable Loop Self-Scheduling Schemes for Large-Scale Clusters and Cloud Systems

Cloud systems have demonstrated the powerful computation and storage capability in many scientific applications. In this paper, we propose a class of scalable distributed loop self-scheduling schemes to achieve good load balancing and scalability. We implemented these schemes on a large-scale cluster and on a heterogeneous cloud system. The schemes consider the distribution of the output data, which can help reduce communication overhead and improve scalability. We evaluated the schemes using four scientific computations: Mandelbrot set, adjoint convolution, matrix multiplication and quick sort. The results show that the new schemes achieve better load balancing, better scalability and better overall performance than standard distributed loop self-scheduling schemes.
Gastroenterology. A hypothetical case of inflammatory bowel disease incorporating a management self-test.

The immediate and long-term care of a patient with inflammatory bowel disease requires many important management decisions, beginning with the choice of diagnostic studies and continuing with selection of appropriate therapy and, if this is effective, choice of follow-up examinations.
Learning from Mistakes: Expanding Pronunciation Lexicons Using Word Recognition Errors.

We introduce the problem of learning pronunciations of out-ofvocabulary words from word recognition mistakes made by an automatic speech recognition (ASR) system. This question is especially relevant in cases where the ASR engine is a black box – meaning that the only acoustic cues about the speech data come from the word recognition outputs. This paper presents an expectation maximization approach to inferring pronunciations from ASR word recognition hypotheses, which outperforms pronunciation estimates of a state of the art grapheme-tophoneme system.
Analysis of online information searching for cardiovascular diseases on a consumer health information portal.

Since the early 2000’s, Internet usage for health information searching has increased significantly. Studying search queries can help us to understand users “information need” and how do they formulate search queries (“expression of information need”). Although cardiovascular diseases (CVD) affect a large percentage of the population, few studies have investigated how and what users search for CVD. We address this knowledge gap in the community by analyzing a large corpus of 10 million CVD related search queries from MayoClinic.com. Using UMLS MetaMap and UMLS semantic types/concepts, we developed a rule-based approach to categorize the queries into 14 health categories. We analyzed structural properties, types (keyword-based/Wh-questions/Yes-No questions) and linguistic structure of the queries. Our results show that the most searched health categories are ‘Diseases/Conditions’, ‘Vital-Sings’, ‘Symptoms’ and ‘Living-with’. CVD queries are longer and are predominantly keyword-based. This study extends our knowledge about online health information searching and provides useful insights for Web search engines and health websites.
Branding Utah: Industrial Tourism in the Postwar American West

In the last half of the twentieth century, state governments played an important role in building the tourism industry in the West. Using Utah as a case study, this article argues that creating a state brand and attracting corporate support were key strategies for success, culminating in the 2002 winter Olympics. Durante la ultima mitad del siglo veinte, los gobiernos estatales desempenaron un papel importante en el desarollo del turismo en el Oeste. Utilzando el estado de Utah como studio de caso, este articulo mantiene que el crear una marca estatal y el atraer apoyo de companias privadas fueron dos estrategias claves para lograr exito, culminando en las Olympiadas de invierno del 2002.
It's a Small World after All: Cultural Competence for Advocates in Dispute Resolution Processess

Cultural competence has become an ethical mandate for all neutrals and advocates who use dispute resolution. Even though conflict is a universal phenomenon, our expression and choice of how to resolve conflict is culture specific. This column provides a framework to help advocates assess on an ongoing basis how cultural influence are impacting the every changing dynamics of the attorney/client relationship.
MUTUAL RECOGNITION, COMMON KNOWLEDGE, AND JOINT ATTENTION

In this paper I discuss three important, distinct phenomena. In my terminology, one is common knowledge of co-presence. Another is mutual recognition. I shall spend the most time on that. The third phenomenon is joint attention. As we shall see, common knowledge of co-presence is essential to mutual recognition; this, in turn, is essential to joint attention.
Down-Regulation of Placental Transport of Amino Acids Precedes the Development of Intrauterine Growth Restriction in Maternal Nutrient Restricted Baboons

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is an important risk factor for perinatal complications and adult disease. IUGR is associated with down-regulation of placental amino acid transporter expression and activity at birth. It is unknown whether these changes are a cause or a consequence of human IUGR. We hypothesized that placental amino acid transport capacity is reduced prior to onset of reduced fetal growth in baboons with maternal nutrient restriction (MNR). Pregnant baboons were fed either a control (n = 8) or MNR diet (70% of control diet, n = 9) from Gestational Day 30. At Gestational Day 120 (0.65 of gestation), fetuses and placentas were collected. Microvillous (MVM) and basal (BM) plasma membrane vesicles were isolated. System A and system L transport activity was determined in MVM, and leucine transporter activity was assessed in BM using radiolabeled substrates. MVM amino acid transporter isoform expression (SNAT1, SNAT2, and SNAT4 and LAT1 and LAT2) was measured using Western blots. LAT1 and LAT2 expression were also determined in BM. Maternal and fetal plasma amino acids concentrations were determined using mass spectrometry. Fetal and placental weights were unaffected by MNR. MVM system A activity was decreased by 37% in MNR baboon placentas (P = 0.03); however MVM system A amino acid transporter protein expression was unchanged. MVM system L activity and BM leucine transporter activity were not altered by MNR. Fetal plasma concentrations of essential amino acids isoleucine and leucine were reduced, while citrulline increased (P < 0.05) in MNR fetuses compared to controls. In this primate model of IUGR, placental MVM system A amino acid transporter activity is decreased prior to the onset of reduction in the fetal growth trajectory. The reduction in plasma leucine and isoleucine in MNR fetuses may be caused by reduced activity of MVM system A, which is strongly coupled with system L essential amino acid uptake. Our findings indicate that reduced placental amino acid transport may be a cause rather than a consequence of IUGR due to inadequate maternal nutrition.
Clinical pathology of foodborne diseases : Notes on the patient with foodborne gastrointestinal illness

The symptoms and signs in persons with food- or waterborne infections provide clues to the nature of the infecting microbe. Proper treatment of the affected individual, and protection of those exposed to the same source, is dependent on time-honored methods of diagnosis: exposure history, and physical examination. Laboratory testing may help to identify the responsible agent. Spontaneous recovery is the most likely outcome once supportive measures such as fluid and electrolyte replacement are addressed. Antibiotics are often unnecessary and may prolong fecal excretion of certain microorganisms. In immunosuppressed persons or those weakened by marginal nutrition, foodborne infection can be more severe, mandating more specific therapy. Management requires knowing the level of tissue invasion and organ infected by each of the commonly encountered microbes. Some of the most life-threatening infections (cholera, for example) are associated with no visible tissue injury, yet they have a profound impact on gut function. In contrast, salmonellosis and shigellosis can cause severe gut injury, and when foodborne infections extend beyond the confines of the gut, skilled care is essential. Examples are hemolytic uremic syndrome of Escherichia coli infections, or listeriosis, both of which require urgent attention. Long-term consequences of gut infections such as the paralytic Guillain-Barre syndrome following Campylobacter infections illustrates the long-term problems sometimes encountered. Because it is unlikely that all infectious agents will ever be removed from food and water in any country, sound medical intervention tailored to the extent of illness will be the mainstay of handling such illnesses.
Mesothelioma survivorship: challenges in delivering quality care

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Mesothelioma is one of the only malignancies that has a direct correlation to asbestos exposure. Utilizing electron microscopy, asbestos fibers can be ascertained in the lungs of indviduals who have been exposed; through these means, approximately 80% of mesothelioma cases can be linked to asbestos exposure.Areas covered: The quality of care for mesothelioma survivors has yet to result in national guidelines, and there is a dearth of literature on the lived experience of the mesothelioma patient. This article will explore the challenges unique to mesothelioma, transitioning to long-term care, and the benefits of support network engagement.Expert commentary: Individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma are often challenged with having to navigate their post-active treatment care on their own. Complicated by the lack of support networks and clear guidelines, this results in poor emotional health. As treatments for mesothelioma and other cancers continue to be based on druggable targets rath...
Application of Reciprocity Relations to Laser-Based Ultrasonics

An application of the global reciprocity theorem for thermo-anisotropic elastodynamics of inhomogeneous solids is discussed. The theorem relates body forces, surface tractions, displacements, temperatures and strains of two solutions of the field equations, states A and B, by integrals over a volume V and its bounding surface S. The difference between various anisotropies enters via the stress temperature tensor, which is different for different cases of anisotropy. The reciprocity theorem is used to analyze the dynamic response to high-intensity heating of a small surface region of a half-space that is transversely isotropic and whose elastic moduli and mass density depend on the depth coordinate.
Cabotegravir in the treatment and prevention of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a chronic infection that depletes the immune system of essential components causing those infected to be at risk for multiple life-threatening infections. Worldwide, millions live with this infection, the vast majority attributable to HIV-1. Transmission persists with hundreds of thousands of new infections reported yearly. Implementation of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has been effective in improving outcomes and decreasing transmission. Newer co-formulated agents have provided simpler medication regimens, fewer side effects, and, in some cases, a higher barrier to the emergence of medication resistance.Areas covered: Here, we review trials of cabotegravir (CAB) as treatment of HIV-1 infection and its potential use as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in high risk individuals, including issues around oral lead in and potential resistance emergence.Expert opinion: CAB is efficacious when used in combination therapy orally or given intr...
A new 1200 V HVIC with high side edge trigger in order to solve the latch on failure by the negative VS surge

This paper investigates the root cause of the latch on failure by a short turn-on input signal with a negative VS surge and proposes a new 1200 V HVIC with a high side edge trigger in order to solve the latch on failure. The proposed HVIC is fabricated using a 1.2 μm 1200 V BCDMOS process. The experimental results show the latch on failure no longer occurs on the new 1200 V HVIC because it doesn't overlap the VS recovery period and the RESET pulse period. The proposed HVIC can be applied to IPM modules (intelligent power modules) and APM modules (automotive power modules) which require a more robust HVIC solution.
The use of midazolam for persistent postoperative nausea and vomiting.

The effect of intravenous midazolam on persistent postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) was compared to placebo in a prospective randomized double-blind study. Twenty patients aged 18 to 82 year...
Mosco Convergence and Large Deviations

The techniques of convex analysis have come to play an increasingly important role in the theory of large deviations (see, e.g., Bahadur and Zabell, 1979; Ellis, 1985; de Acosta, 1988). The purpose of this brief note is to point out an interesting connection between a basic form of convergence commonly employed in convex analysis (“Mosco convergence”), and two theorems of fundamental importance in the theory of large deviations.
Examining the reinforcing properties of making sense: A preliminary investigation.

Acceptance and commitment therapy asserts that in clinical problems such as rumination and depression, making sense continues despite accompanying aversive consequences, because sense-making is reinforcing, particularly when it leads to experiential avoidance. The following series of experiments aimed to provide preliminary empirical evidence for this hypothesis by comparing college students’ preferences for a solvable laboratory task with response-contingent reinforcement to a formally similar but unsolvable task, on which equal amounts of reinforcement were presented independent of performance. When asked to choose, participants reliably preferred solvable or neutral tasks over unsolvable tasks according to self-report as well as concurrent and forced-choice behavioral procedures. These studies also aimed to investigate whether individuals preferred the solvable condition because it was positively reinforcing or because avoiding the unsolvable condition was negatively reinforcing. Results are consistent with the theory that making sense may continue despite adverse consequences because of experiential avoidance.
AS PINTURAS CORPORAIS DO POVO KARAJÁ-XAMBIOÁ::

The Karaja-Xambioa people, also known as Karaja do Norte or Irarumahadu (people from below), belonging to the Macro-Je linguistic trunk and the Karaja language family, have a population of approximately 543 (DSEI 2016) indigenous, distributed in four villages; Xambioa, Kurehe, Wari Lỹtỹ and Hawa Tamara. This article aims at analyzing the historicity of Karaja-Xambioa, using a historical and cultural representation of the representativeness and interface between graphics and territory in the cultural composition of these people. Graphism has different senses, not only in vanity, but in the search for perfect aesthetics and values ​​that are transmitted through the art of traditional traits. The problem of study deals with the contact with the non-indigenous, who caused damage to the history of this people, with loss of cultural identity, failing to practice their rituals, among them their body painting. Among the results is the rescue on the culture of "indigenous art", specifically the corporal drawing of the Karaja-Xambioa people, contributing to the maintenance and registration of the paintings, besides being also an important piece for the indigenous school education of the people , ensuring the memories and traits for future generations. Keywords: Graphics, Karaja-Xambioa, Body paints.
ROMark: A Robust Watermarking System Using Adversarial Training.

The availability and easy access to digital communication increase the risk of copyrighted material piracy. In order to detect illegal use or distribution of data, digital watermarking has been proposed as a suitable tool. It protects the copyright of digital content by embedding imperceptible information into the data in the presence of an adversary. The goal of the adversary is to remove the copyrighted content of the data. Therefore, an efficient watermarking framework must be robust to multiple image-processing operations known as attacks that can alter embedded copyright information. Another line of research \textit{adversarial machine learning} also tackles with similar problems to guarantee robustness to imperceptible perturbations of the input. In this work, we propose to apply robust optimization from adversarial machine learning to improve the robustness of a CNN-based watermarking framework. Our experimental results on the COCO dataset show that the robustness of a watermarking framework can be improved by utilizing robust optimization in training.