cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genomic events underlying the changes in adamantane resistance among influenza A(H3N2) viruses during 2006–2008

Background Adamantanes resistance in H3N2 viruses has been increasing since 2000, and in 2005–2006 reached nearly 100% in most countries, with the circulation of the N-lineage. In 2006–2007, however, a significant decrease in resistance was observed in many regions. Objectives To explore potential links between adamantane resistance and the A(H3N2) viruses that circulated between 2006 and 2008. Methods A total of 1451 Influenza A (H3N2) viruses collected globally in 2001–2008 were screened for the presence of adamantane resistance markers. A subset of 100 viruses representing the broad genetic and geographic spectrum of these viruses was selected for complete genome sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. Results Full genome sequence analysis of 2006–2007 viruses revealed co-circulation of four distinct genotypes, designated A–D. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated reassortment between viruses from the N-lineage and other viruses that had circulated in prior seasons, including those bearing an adamantane sensitive marker. Genotype D viruses became dominant in late 2006–2007 and continued to be the main H3N2 genotype in 2007–2008. Viruses of this genotype retained all N-lineage genome segments except PB2 and NP, which were acquired through reassortment. Conclusions The decrease in adamantane resistance at that time was due to transient co-circulation of genotypes that emerged through reassortment. Our findings emphasize the importance of complete genome sequencing in understanding the complex nature of the relationship between influenza virus evolution and antiviral resistance. The recent emergence of the pandemic multi-reassortant H1N1 virus underscores the importance of whole genome sequence monitoring for rapid detection of such unusual and novel strains.
Working memory mediates the relationship between intellectual enrichment and long-term memory in multiple sclerosis: an exploratory analysis of cognitive reserve.

Some individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) show decrements in long-term memory (LTM) while other individuals do not. The theory of cognitive reserve suggests that individuals with greater pre-morbid intellectual enrichment are protected from disease-related cognitive decline. How intellectual enrichment affords this benefit remains poorly understood. The present study tested an exploratory meditational hypothesis whereby working memory (WM) capacity may mediate the relationship between intellectual enrichment and verbal LTM decline in MS. Intellectual enrichment, verbal LTM, and WM capacity were estimated with the Wechsler Test of Adult Reading and Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, delayed recall of the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised and Logical Memory of the Wechsler Memory Scale, and Digit Span Total, respectively. Intellectual enrichment predicted LTM (B = .54; p = .003) and predicted WM capacity (B = .91; p<.001). WM capacity predicted LTM, (B = .44; p<.001) and fully mediated the relationship between intellectual enrichment (B = .24; p = .27) and LTM (B = .33, p = .03), Sobel test, Z = 3.31, p<.001. These findings implicate WM capacity as an underlying mechanism of cognitive reserve and are an initial first step in understanding the relationship between intellectual enrichment, WM, and LTM in MS. (JINS, 2014, 20, 868–872)
Mechanism of action of stinging nettles.

OBJECTIVE.-: Inadvertent exposure to the ubiquitous weed, Urtica dioica, called "stinging nettles" produces an immediate stinging and burning sensation on the skin. This investigation evaluates the structural effect that stinging nettle spicules may have on the clinical manifestation of these symptoms. This hypothesis was investigated by exposing murine skin to stinging nettles and then evaluating the skin using electron microscopy. It was hypothesized that the mechanism of action of stinging nettles is both biochemical and mechanical, which may have clinical significance regarding treatment for acute exposure. METHODS.-: Fresh post-mortem dermis samples from the carcasses of genetically modified hairless mice were brushed under the stem and leaf of a stinging nettle plant, mimicking the clinical method of exposure a patient might experience. Another set of mouse skin samples was obtained but not exposed to the nettles. Both sets of skin samples were imaged with scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS.-: The skin samples that were not exposed to nettle leaves were uniform, with occasional striated hairs on the skin surface and no nettle spicules. The skin samples exposed to nettle leaves showed many smooth nettle spicules piercing the skin surface. A few spicules retained their bases, which appear empty of any liquid contents. CONCLUSIONS.-: The mechanism of action of stinging nettles dermatitis appears to be both biochemical and mechanical. Impalement of spicules into the skin likely accounts for the mechanical irritation in addition to the known adverse chemical effects of stinging nettles. Further investigation of treatment modalities is warranted. Language: en
Analysis of Random Gust Response with Nonlinear Unsteady Aerodynamics

Experimental nonlinear unsteady aerodynamics is employed to determine the maximal aircraft response to random gust through matched filter theory. Two airplane configurations, the F-18 High Alpha Research Vehicle (HARV) and F-16XL, have been tested in forced oscillation to provide the necessary data. The atmospheric turbulence is assumed to be characterized by the von Karman gust power spectral density function. The nonlinear aerodynamic models are set up through Fourier functional analysis of the test data. For comparative purposes, linear aerodynamic models are also calculated by using the unsteady quasi-vortex-lattice method. It is shown that nonlinear unsteady aerodynamics produce the instantaneous maximum lift response to gust significantly higher than that by the linear unsteady aerodynamics
A Generalization, to Higher Dimensions, of a Theorem of Lucas Concerning the Zeros of the Derivative of a Polvnomial of one Complex Variable

Let m and n be positive integers, and z1,z2,...,zm be m points in real n dimensional Euclidean space En, For eachj=1,2,...,m,let fj be a real valued continuously differentiate function of the positive real variable r, with fj(r)gt;0 for r>0, Consider the real valued function F, which is defined, for w in En, with w=zj forj = 1,2,..., m, by the equation
Ocular complications of cancer therapy: a primer for the ophthalmologist treating cancer patients.

Purpose of reviewCancer patients may develop ocular complications secondary to direct or metastatic involvement with cancer, radiation exposure, or chemotherapy. As many as 1.4 million new cancer cases arise in the United States annually.Recent findingsChemotherapy administration remains a critical
Properties of plasma ions in the distant Jovian magnetosheath using Solar Wind Around Pluto data on New Horizons

The Solar Wind Around Pluto (SWAP) instrument on New Horizons (NH) made in situ observations of ions in Jupiter's distant magnetotail and magnetosheath during its 2007 flyby. NH observed 16 magnetopause crossings between 1654 and 2429 RJ antisunward from Jupiter. We have developed a method to calculate the bulk properties of the plasma ions (density, velocity, and temperature) based on a forward model of the SWAP instrument response. We fit the observations using both Maxwell and kappa distributions. In this paper we describe our technique, which includes accounting for the detailed and asymmetric response of the SWAP electrostatic analyzer, and present the results for the distant Jovian magnetosheath. Finally, we discuss the characteristics of the derived bulk properties and compare these results to previously developed gas dynamic models for magnetospheres of giant planets.
State policy and the globalization of Beijing: emerging themes

Abstract An emerging body of work has attempted to capture the formation and functions of the emerging global cities in Asia to add a new dimension to the global city literature. With economic reforms and open door policy, Chinese cities have become more and more integrated with the global economy and the global urban hierarchy, spearheaded by Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou. This paper analyzes the salient features of emerging global cities in China and highlights the role of the state in globalizing Chinese cities. We examine the efforts of Beijing to make itself into a global city: attracting foreign investment, building a world-class central business district (CBD), constructing Zhongguancun as “China's Silicon Valley,” and preparing for the 2008 Olympic Games. These themes are state-directed and involve many aspects of globalizing the city, which testifies to the difference in the process and mechanisms of the globalization in Chinese cities from their counterparts in the developed countries.
Photo-Mediated Copper(I)-Catalyzed Azide-Alkyne Cycloaddition (CuAAC) “Click” Reactions for Forming Polymer Networks as Shape Memory Materials

Abstract The formation of polymer networks polymerized with the Copper (I) – catalyzed azide – alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) click reaction is described along with their accompanying utilization as shape memory polymers. Due to the click nature of the reaction and the synthetic accessibility of azide and alkyne functional-monomers, the polymer architecture was readily controlled through monomer design to manipulate crosslink density, ability for further functionalization, and the glass transition temperature (55–114 °C). Free strain recovery is used to quantify the shape memory properties of a model CuAAC network resulting in excellent shape fixity and recovery of 99%. The step growth nature of this polymerization results in homogenous network formation with narrow glass transitions ranges having half widths of the transition close to 15 °C for these materials resulting in shape recovery sharpness of 3.9%/°C in a model system comparable to similarly crosslinked chain growth polymers. Utilization of the CuAAC reaction to form shape memory materials opens a range of possibilities and behaviors that are not readily achieved in other shape memory materials such as (meth) acrylates, thiol-ene, thiol-Michael, and poly(caprolactone) based shape memory materials.
Overview of Phase Behavior in Oil and Gas Production

A review is made of the growth in knowledge of phase behavior to permit the prediction of phase compositions in oil and gas reservoirs and for surface processing. Subjects treated include recovery of retrograde condensate, gas hydrates, surface tension, viscosity, and dense phases.
Reaction of organic halides with [CuI(TMPA)CH3CN]PF6

Abstract Under mild conditions, the copper(I) complex [Cu I (TMPA)CH 3 CN]PF 6 (TMPA=tris(2-pyridyl-methyl)amine), reacts stoichiometrically with benzyl and allyl halides, and α-halo-ketones to produce near quantitative yields of carbon-carbon reductively coupled products bibenzyls, diolefins or diketones, respectively. The copper complex acts as the halide acceptor and the copper(II) complex [Cu II (TMPA)X]PF 6 (XCl − or Br − ) is also isolated. No firm mechanistic conclusions can be drawn, but the intermediacy of oxidatively added RX products, i.e. organo-Cu(II) or Cu(III), is suggested.
Intermolecular energy transfer between lanthanide complexes. 8. Tb(III) donor and Eu(III) acceptor complexes of citric acid

Abstract Intermolecular energy transfer between the citric acid complexes of Tb(III) and Eu(III) has been used to evaluate the conditions under which the formation of polynuclear species might take place. The luminescence was followed both as a function of pH (ranging between 2 and 12), and metal/ligand ratio (working at ratios of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:5, and 1:10). Consideration of the luminescence results permitted a conclusion that all equilibria could be explained if only Ln(CIT) and Ln(CIT) 2 complexes existed under the conditions used. At the 1:1 metal/ligand ratio, extensive complex association was noted upon ionization of two of the citrate carboxyl protons. Since little hydroxide ion exists at these pH values, it would appear that the citrate ligand prefers to bind multiple metal centers while still in the bidentate bonding mode. However, upon ionization of the final carboxyl group, the associated complexes broke apart into monomeric species. At all higher ratios, the complexes were found to be monomeric at all pH values, thus indicating that the binding of two citrate ligands by a lanthanide ion (regardless of the bonding mode of the ligand) is also capable of preventing the formation of polynuclear species.
Transcutaneous PO2 measurement

Transcutaneous PO2 sensors have been developed over the past ten years from the same basic electrodes used in conventional blood gas machines. The skin is heated to enable the skin surface sensors to respond quickly to the gas tensions beneath them. PtcO2 is a variable which reflects the PO2 in the peripheral tissue. PtcO2 has its own range of normal values and it responds to cardiopulmonary changes which affect tissue oxygenation. In the majority of patients, those without decreased cardiac output, PtcO2 follows the trend of the arterial gas tension, and the PtcO2 value decreases relative to PaO2 with increasing patient age (Table II). When there is severely reduced cardiac output and peripheral perfusion, the PtcO2 values will deviate from their relationship with the arterial tensions and become blood flow dependent, thus providing quantitative information regarding blood flow. It is likely that the technique of transcutaneous PO2 monitoring will gain wider acceptance because it is a noninvasive and continuous monitor which provides useful information regarding tissue oxygenation.
Contributions of Ordered Solvent to Long-Range DNA-Dendrimer Interactions

Water is essential to nearly all biological reactions, and yet the role of solvent is often overlooked in studying such interactions. In particular, the ability of highly charged molecules to orient the dipole moments of water molecules has not been thoroughly explored. While short-range solvent ordering effects have been previously investigated, we report evidence of the existence of ordered waters between charged molecules at large distances and characterize the free energy contributions of this solvent ordering to the interaction. We present evidence from molecular dynamics simulations that the hydrogen bonding network in ordered waters between a strand of DNA and a highly charged nanoparticle, a generation 3 polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer, contribute significantly to the free energy and extend the interaction beyond the electrostatic range of the molecules. Such long-range water effects could potentially be of great importance to many biological systems, in which molecules appear to be able to recognize each other across significant distances, or for which the kinetic rates are too fast to be due to pure diffusion. Our results are in good agreement with experiments on the role of solvent in DNA condensation by multivalent cations.
Evolution of photoelectron–vibrational coupling with molecular complexity

We review how electronic and vibrational degrees of freedom become coupled in molecular photoionization, and describe effects that emerge as the molecular complexity increases. Molecular photoionization is frequently influenced by the temporary trapping of the continuum electron in the field of the target molecules, which is referred to as a shape resonance, as it depends on the shape of the potential experienced by the exiting photoelectron. Such resonances couple electronic and vibrational motion, and the nature of the coupling can vary widely for polyatomic molecules. We show how vibrationally resolved photoelectron spectra acquired as a function of energy can be used to elucidate such coupling. The experiments are analysed using physically realistic and computationally tractable Schwinger variational theory, and the systems studied to date can be well understood using an independent-particle, adiabatic nuclei framework. As a result, simple and intuitive pictures emerge, even when dealing with scattering phenomena involving complex molecular targets and potentials.
Influence of the helper virus on expression of β-galactosidase from a defective HSV-1 vector, pHSVlac

Defective herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) vectors can deliver genes into both mitotic and postmitotic cells, including neurons and these vectors, therefore, have great potential use. pHSVlac, the prototype HSV-1 vector, expresses the E. coli Lac Z gene from the HSV-1 immediate early 45 promoter. pHSVlac can stably express β-galactosidase in a range of mammalian cell lines and in neurons from throughout the nervous system, both in culture and in the adult rat brain. Thus, HSV-1 vectors may be useful for studying HSV-1 latency, neuronal physiology, and performing gene therapy for neurological conditions. A virus stock of pHSVlac consists of identical HSV-1 particles containing either pHSVlac DNA or the HSV-1 helper virus DNA. Thus, a cell can be infected with the pHSVlac virus, the helper virus, or both; consequently, it is important to determine if the helper virus influences the behavior of pHSVlac. The effect of the helper virus on expression of β-galactosidase from pHSVlac was investigated: it was demonstrated first, that pHSVlac can be efficiently packaged into HSV-1 virus particles using each of five HSV-1 temperature sensitive (ts) mutants as helper virus. Second, pHSVlac grown with each of the five HSV-1 ts mutants expressed high levels of β-galactosidase. Third, pHSVlac grown with HSV-1 strain 17 ts K as helper virus expresses the same amount of β-galactosidase in the absence or presence of ts K. Thus, pHSVlac can efficiently express a gene independent of the HSV-1 helper virus.
Nuclear-Magnetic-Resonance Line-Shape Calculations for Polycrystalline Materials with Simple Cubic Symmetry

The powder free induction decays for materials with simple cubic symmetry are calculated for spin $I=\frac{1}{2} \mathrm{and} 1$. The powder decays are calculated by a computerized numerical integration of the formula of Lowe and Norberg for free induction decays as extended to include arbitrary spin. The powder free induction decay for Ca${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$ is calculated and agrees reasonably well with the experimental decay. The powder absorption curves for materials with simple cubic symmetry and $I=\frac{1}{2} \mathrm{and} 1$ and also given.
Characteristics of participants in the oral physiology component of the Baltimore longitudinal study of aging

This report describes a variety of demographic, socioeconomic and dental characteristics of 254 (145 male, 109 female) participants in a longitudinal study of oral physiology and aging. All individuals are part of the U.S. National Institute on Aging's Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. Subjects are generally in middle to upper middle socioeconomic strata, well educated and in good health (about 75% not taking prescription medication). Most participants practice regular oral hygiene habits and receive regular and comprehensive dental care. Less than 4% of all subjects are edentulous and the average number of natural teeth present for all participants was about 23. Data are presented on DMFT scores, cervical caries (active an restored) scores and gingival and periodontal disease indices for male by age group (20-39, 40-59, 60-88 years) and for females by menopause status (pre-, post-).
Flow cytometric analysis of BrdU incorporation as a high-throughput method for measuring adult neurogenesis in the mouse

Introduction: The generation of new neurons occurs throughout adulthood in discrete brain regions, and may be regulated by neuropsychiatric diseases and therapeutic drug treatments. Most current methods that study this process measure the labeling of newborn cells by 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) using immunohistochemical methods followed by the microscopic counting of BrdU positive cells. This method is time consuming and labor intensive, typically taking several weeks to analyze. Methods: Therefore, we characterized a method to measure BrdU incorporation in the adult mouse hippocampus in vivo by using flow cytometry, which normally allows analysis of data within a single day. Results: The present study compared multiple BrdU dosing and loading protocols to determine a dosing strategy that produced the best signal to noise ratio. BrdU incorporation was also compared across different brain regions. The method was sensitive to a number of experimental disease manipulations. Induction of type-1 diabetes and depletion of norepinephrine reduced hippocampal cell proliferation. In contrast, chronic administration of electroconvulsive shock, a somatic treatment for depression, as well as chronic treatment with the antidepressant fluoxetine elevated hippocampal cell proliferation. This increase in cell proliferation with fluoxetine was detected as early as 14 days into treatment. Moreover, comparing measures of cell proliferation obtained by immunohistochemical and flow cytometric methods within the same animals were convergent and significantly correlated to each other. Flow cytometry was also sufficiently sensitive to quantify the survival of newly born cells. Discussion: These experiments validate the utility of flow cytometry in analyzing hippocampal cell proliferation and survival in a reliable and high-throughput fashion. The speedy analysis afforded by flow cytometry lends itself to be utilized in novel drug discovery and physiology.
Phylogeny and biogeography of the mite harvestmen (Arachnida : Opiliones : Cyphophthalmi) of Queensland, Australia, with a description of six new species from the rainforests of the Wet Tropics

The Wet Tropics of Queensland, Australia, represent the largest remaining fragment of vast rainforests that once covered the entire continent. Over the past few decades the Wet Tropics bioregion has received much attention from biologists interested in the effect of climate change on diversity and distribution of rainforest animals. However, most such studies have focused on vertebrates, and despite considerable interest in the biota of the area, the diversity of many of Wet Tropics invertebrate taxa remains poorly known. Here we describe six new species of mite harvestman from the area, identified using a combination of morphological and molecular data. Our study represents the first detailed phylogenetic study of the genus Austropurcellia, and provides insight into the historical biogeography of these dispersal-limited arachnids.
TERRORISM AND SEVERAL MORAL DISTINCTIONS

In this article, I examine several distinctions that may be relevant to the morality (and conceptual characterization) of terrorism: (1) the state/nonstate agent distinction, (2) the combatant/noncombatant distinction, (3) the intention/foresight distinction, (4) the means/side-effect distinction, (5) the interrelated necessary/nonnecessary means and produce/sustain distinctions, (6) the mechanical/nonmechanical use distinction, (7) the military/political distinction, (8) the harm/terror distinction, and (9) the harm-for-terror/terror-for-goal distinction. I conclude that some of these factors (though not those most commonly cited) account for the prima facie wrongness of terrorism and that the nondistinctive properties of terrorism (which it shares with some nonterrorist acts) are what make it most seriously wrong. I also provide a conceptual examination of terrorism as we commonly think of it and its relation to torture. In the course of discussing the distinctions and also in concluding the article, I consider why terrorism may sometimes be morally permissible.
Social and emotional support and its implication for health.

During the last 30 years, researchers have shown greatinterestinthephenomenonofsocialsupport,particularlyin the context of health. Prior work has found that thosewith high quantity or quality of social networks have adecreased risk of mortality in comparison with thosewho have low quantity or quality of social relationships,even after statistically controlling for baseline healthstatus [1]. In fact, social isolation itself was identiﬁedasanindependentmajorriskfactorforall-causemortality[2]. Current research has focused on expanding severalareas of knowledge in this ﬁeld. These include social-support inﬂuences on morbidity, mortality, and qualityof life in chronic disease populations, understandingthe mechanisms responsible for such associations, andhow we might apply such ﬁndings to design relevantinterventions.It is important to note that social support in these studiesisoperationalizedinseveraldifferentways.Mostbroadly,support can be conceptualized in terms of the structuralcomponents(e.g.socialintegration:being apartofdiffer-ent networks and participating socially [3 ]) and thefunctional components (e.g. different types of trans-actions between individuals, such as emotional supportor favors [4 ]). How the functional components aremeasured often varies between studies; transactionsmay be summarized by actual support received (oftenascertained by asking the support providers [5 ]),perceived support received or available [6 ], or thediscrepancy between perceived support and receivedsupport [7 ]. Support is often further broken down intodifferent types—for instance, instrumental support andemotional support—as people often have preferences fordifferent types of aid depending on the circumstances.This diversity of ways in which support is deﬁned isimportant and can provide greater speciﬁcity (context) toresearch ﬁndings.
It is a fundamental limitation to base probability theory on bivalent logic

Probability theory has long played-and is continuing to play-the role of the principal tool for dealing with problems in which uncertainty is a significant factor. The history of probability theory is a history of important advances in our understanding of decision-making in uncertain environments. But what we see alongside the brilliant successes are problem areas in which progress has been elusive. An example is the class of problems in which probabilities, utilities and relations are ill-defined in ways that put such problems well beyond the reach of existing methods. A thesis that is put forth is that standard probability theory, call it PT, has fundamental limitations-limitations which are rooted in the fact that PT is based on bivalent logic. It is this thesis that underlies the radically-sounding title of the paper: It is a fundamental limitation to base probability theory on bivalent logic. The principal rationale for this thesis is that the conceptual structure of PT is directed at addressing the partiality of certainty but not the partiality of possibility and, most importantly, the partiality of truth. A direct consequence of these omissions is that PT lacks the capability to deal with information which is not just partially certain but also partially possible and/or partially true. An example is: Most analysts believe that it is very unlikely that there will be a significant increase in the price of oil in the near future.
Wilderness Medicine Within Global Health: A Strategy for Less Risk and More Reward

s h p M p w c s a s p In the last several years, healthcare workers and trainees have demonstrated an unprecedented interest in global health and the medical challenges facing developing countries and regions in crisis. Perhaps nowhere is this interest so apparent than in our medical schools and universities, where educators have moved quickly to create programs that meet this enthusiasm. It is now common for medical schools to build relationships with partners overseas and to create formal programs in global health education. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) documented that 45 US medical schools have some sort of global health component in their curricula, with 29.9% of graduating US medical students stating they have had a “global health experience.” However, these programs vary widely, making it unclear whether schools are meeting a baseline standard of global health knowledge in the types of academic and hands-on opportunities offered to students. Collaborative groups such as the Global Health Education Consortium (GHEC) and the Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) have made preliminary attempts to standardize global health curricula by identifying core competencies for medical school global health programs. However, few efforts have been made to assess the risks of institutions sending students abroad, or to decide what skill sets are needed as preconditions to go overseas in a medical capacity. Although there is ample literature on the benefits of short-term international medical training experiences, the dangers associated with sending ill-equipped students to train in resource-poor regions are more difficult to quantify. Little data exist describing accidents occurring among students and trainees working abroad. The US State Department incident database is the most widely cited for injuries
Mechanical and thermal properties of combustion-synthesized perovskites, La 1−x Sr x Cr 0.2 Fe 0.8 O 3

This paper examined the room-temperature thermal and mechanical properties of a mixed conducting perovskite La1−xSrxCr0.2Fe0.8O3 (x = 0.2 to 0.8). Powders were made by the combustion-synthesis technique and sintered at 1250 °C in air. Sintered density, crystal phase, and grain size were characterized. Linear thermal expansion in air was also tested. Young’s and shear moduli, microhardness, indentation fracture toughness, and biaxial flexure strength were determined. It was found that the linear coefficient of thermal expansion increased with increasing Sr content, while elastic modulus appeared to decrease with increasing Sr content. Young’s modulus of 128 to 192 GPa and shear modulus of 51 to 74 GPa were measured. A biaxial flexure strength of 243 MPa was measured for the lowest Sr content batches. Batches with higher Sr concentrations (x = 0.6 to 0.8) showed extensive cracking. Indentation toughness showed a decrease with increasing Sr content. In addition, fractography was used to characterize the critical flaw and the fracture mode.
The Meaning and the Measure of Health Literacy

Health literacy is a complicated construct that depends on individual capacity to communicate and the demands posed by society and the health care system. More comprehensive tests are needed to understand the gap between capacities and current demands to help guide efforts to educate children and adults about health issues and to develop health-related information that more of the general public can understand. For research, new instruments are needed that will measure individuals reading fluency more precisely without posing an undue response burden. Computer-assisted testing, which selects items from a bank of possible items according to a baseline-predicted reading ability and responses to previous questions, should allow more accurate measurement of indiidual capacity without increasing the time required to complete testing. It remains unclear whether it is possible to develop an accurate, practical “screening” test to identify individuals with limited health literacy. Even if this goal is achieved, it remains unclear whether it is better to screen patients or to adopt “universal precautions” to avoid miscommunication by using plain language in all oral and written communication and confirming understanding with all patients by having them repeat back their understanding of their diagnosis and treatment plan. George Bernard Shaw said, “The main problem with communication is the assumption that it has occurred.” This is a universal truth that transcends reading ability.
Sildenafil for Pulmonary Hypertension

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the efficacy of sildenafil for treatment of pulmonary hypertension.DATA SOURCES:Literature retrieval was accessed through MEDLINE (1977–March 2005), Cochrane Library, and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1977–March 2005) using the terms sildenafil and pulmonary hypertension. In addition, reference citations from publications identified were reviewed.STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:All articles in English identified from the data sources were evaluated. Studies including >5 patients with primarily adult populations were included in the review.DATA SYNTHESIS:The treatment of pulmonary hypertension is challenging. Sildenafil has recently been studied as monotherapy and in combination with other vasodilators in the management of pulmonary hypertension. Eight hemodynamic studies and 12 clinical trials were reviewed (1 retrospective, 3 double-blind, 8 open-label). Sildenafil reduced pulmonary arterial hypertension and pulmonary vascular resistance/peripheral vascular resistance ...
Voltage Breakdown Characterization of Oil Dielectrics for High-Power Switching Applications

A high-voltage test stand has been developed at the University of Missouri-Columbia capable of producing a 160-kV voltage pulse with a 10-90% rise-time of 1.3-mus. The test stand is a CLC network utilizing a compact Marx Bank as the primary energy-discharge component. The compact Marx Bank is capable of storing and delivering 23-J of energy per discharge. The test stand drives a high voltage switch that has been designed specifically to test synthetic oil dielectrics at high pressures and adjustable gap lengths. Six types of oil were tested. For each oil type the voltage and current were recorded for 100 breakdowns. The oils were filtered and pressurized before each test.
Energetics and bonding in beryllium metallized carbon clusters

Small carbon clusters C, C2 and C3 metallized with beryllium were studied by first principles within the hybrid density functional approach with generalized gradient correction. Cluster isomer structures for the ground state and several excited states where systematically calculated for CxBey with x = 1–3 and y = 1–4 including the vibrational analysis of all states. Ionization potentials and electron affinities are calculated for the ground state cluster isomers. The thermal stability of the ground state isomers was verified within the harmonic approximation of the Helmholtz free energy up to temperatures of about 1000 K. Within the family of clusters studied, C2Be3 undergoes a solid-like structural transition at about 260 K changing from a planar structure at low temperatures to a linear isomer at high temperatures. 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
CONLIGHT: Lighting Design Model for Nighttime Highway Construction

The utilization of nighttime work in highway construction and rehabilitation projects has been increasing in recent years throughout the United States. In this type of projects, construction planners are required to develop and submit a lighting plan that provides: ~1! adequate illuminance levels for all planned nighttime construction tasks; ~2! reasonable uniformity of light distribution in the work area, and ~3! acceptable glare levels to both road users and construction workers. In order to support construction planners in this vital and challenging task, this paper presents a lighting design model, named CONLIGHT, which is capable of considering the specific requirements of nighttime highway construction operations. The model is developed to enable construction planners to evaluate the performance of various lighting plans and select a practical design that complies with all lighting requirements for the nighttime work being planned. An application example is analyzed to illustrate the use of the model and demonstrate its accuracy and capabilities in generating practical lighting plans for nighttime construction and rehabilitation projects.
Four-watt, Kt-band MMIC amplifier

The 4-watt, 28-percent-efficient, 20-GHz power amplifier results reported at last year's symposium have been significantly improved to 4 watts and 38-percent efficiency by using 0.25-/spl mu/m pHEMT device technology. The 1992 paper reported amplifier results for our 0.25-/spl mu/m HFET technology. In 1993, the amplifier was minimally redesigned to accommodate our latest pHEMT device improvements. The results, reported here are for a packaged Kt-band amplifier, include connector losses (no de-embedding), and are the best power and efficiency numbers reported to date for this frequency. The gain and bandwidth of this two-stage amplifier have also increased with the improved device technology, by 4.5- to 13.5-dB power gain across the 17.5- to 21-GHz band. The Kt-band amplifier features a mostly monolithic approach, with a portion of the input- and output-matching networks on alumina. AM/PM measurements for this amplifier demonstrate capability for transmitting QPSK information. This paper presents discrete 0.25-/spl mu/m pHEMT device results at 18 and 20 GHz, as well as amplifier design and performance over a >3-GHz band. >
Scattering in GaAs for Fermi kinetics transport

Progress on a Fermi kinetics hot electron transport model, a numerically efficient approach based on ideal Fermi gas thermodynamics, is reported. The basics of the model are first reviewed, and then methods for incorporating ionized impurity, acoustic phonon, and long range electron-electron scattering are described. The different roles the various scattering mechanisms serve within the model and their effects on simulation results are also presented.
Effect of dietary fat source and exercise on odorant-detecting ability of canine athletes.

Eighteen male English Pointers (2–4 years of age, 23:94 0:54 kg body weight) were allotted to three diet and two physical conditioning groups to evaluate the effect of level and source of dietary fat on the olfactory acuity of canine athletes subjected to treadmill exercise. Diet groups (6 dogs/diet) consisted of commercially prepared diets (minimum of 26% crude protein) containing 12% fat as beef tallow (A), 16% fat provided by equivalent amounts of beef tallow and corn oil (B), or 16% fat provided by equivalent amounts of beef tallow and coconut oil (C). This dietary formulation resulted in approximately 60% of the total fatty acid being saturated for diets A and C, while approximately 72% of the total fatty acids were unsaturated in diet B. One-half of the dogs within each dietary groupwere subjected to treadmill exercise 3 times p er week for 30 min (8.05 km/h, 0% grade) for 12 weeks. All dogs were subjected to a submaximal exercise stress test (8.05 km/h, 10% slope for 60 min) every four weeks beginning at week 0. Olfactory acuity was measured utilizing behavioral olfactometry before and after each physical stress test. Non-conditioned (NON) dogs displayed a greater decrease (P < 0:05) in olfactory acuity following exercise, while physically conditioned (EXE) dogs did not show a change from pre-test values. A diet by treatment interaction (P < 0:10) was detected over the course of the study. NON dogs fed coconut oil had decreased odorant-detecting capabilities when week 4 values were compared with week 12 values. Feeding a diet that is predominately high in saturated fat may affect the odorant-detecting capabilities of working dogs. Additionally, these data indicate that utilization of a moderate physical conditioning program can assist canine athletes in maintaining olfactory acuity during periods of intense exercise. 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Reliability and Validity of a Brief Measure of Loneliness with Anglo-American and Mexican American Adolescents

This article focuses on the operating characteristics of an eight-item loneliness scale developed by the second author. Data from a sample of 2,600 Mexican American and Anglo-American middle school...
Metastatic cardiac calcification in a patient with chronic renal failure who was undergoing hemodialysis: radiographic and CT findings.

M etastatic calcification, the depositK)fl of calcium in previously normal tissue, is the result of abnormal serum levels of calcium and phosphorus. This tissue calcifIcation is common in patients with chronic renal failure, especially those who have undergone maintenance dialysis [l-4J. The calcifIcation has been attributed to high serum values of either calcium. phosphorus, parathormone, or a combination of these I l-5J. Metastatic cardiac calcification is found at autopsy in most patients who have undergone dialysis, occuring in up to 58% of cases [21. Clinically, cardiac calcification can be suspected in dialyzed patients with unexplained cardiac failure and conduction abnormalities: however, it is not evident radiographically. The incidence of premortem diagnosis of myocardial calcification has not been reported. We present serial radiographic and CT findings of marked myocardial calcification in a 29-year-old woman with chronic renal failure who had undergone hemodialysis for 8 years. The patient had presented with multiple episodes of cardiac failure. To the best of our knowledge. this is the first report in the radiology literature of metastatic cardiac calcification revealed by CT.
Negative regulation of osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption by cytokines and transcriptional repressors

Bone remodeling in physiological and pathological conditions represents a balance between bone resorption mediated by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. Bone resorption is tightly and dynamically regulated by multiple mediators, including cytokines that act directly on osteoclasts and their precursors, or indirectly by modulating osteoblast lineage cells that in turn regulate osteoclast differentiation. The critical role of cytokines in inducing and promoting osteoclast differentiation, function and survival is covered by the accompanying review by Zwerina and colleagues. Recently, it has become clear that negative regulation of osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption by inflammatory factors and cytokines, downstream signaling pathways, and a newly described network of transcriptional repressors plays a key role in bone homeostasis by fine tuning bone remodeling and restraining excessive bone resorption in inflammatory settings. In this review we discuss negative regulators of osteoclastogenesis and mechanisms by which these factors suppress bone resorption.
Outpatient Management of Patients with Bronchiolitis Discharged Home on Oxygen: A Survey of General Pediatricians

Objective. To describe the experience of general pediatricians in weaning bronchiolitis patients, treated as outpatients, from oxygen. Methods. The authors surveyed members of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Council on Community Pediatrics regarding management of outpatient oxygen for bronchiolitis. Results. The survey had 214 (28.4%) responses from pediatricians, of whom 172 (80.3%) practiced outpatient pediatrics. Among those, 27 (15.7%) cared for bronchiolitis patients discharged on oxygen. Pediatricians managing home oxygen practiced at higher altitude (5000 vs 339 ft, P < .001). No clear weaning protocol was reported. Over half (61.5%) of the pediatricians managing home oxygen acknowledged difficulty in deciding when to stop oxygen. A median of 2 (interquartile range [IQR] = 2-2) outpatient visits and 6 (IQR = 4-7) outpatient days on home oxygen were needed prior to oxygen discontinuation. Conclusion. Pediatricians are not routinely managing home oxygen for hypoxic bronchiolitis patients. Variabl...
How google analytics and conventional cookie tracking techniques overestimate unique visitors

We report the results of the analysis of website traffic logs and argue that both unique IP address and cookies vastly overestimate unique visitors, e.g. by factor of 8 in our studies. Google Analytics 'absolute unique visitors' measure is shown to produce similar 6x overestimation. To address the problem we present a new model for relating unique visitors to IP address or cookies.
PROBLEM-BASED WRITING WITH PEER REVIEW IMPROVES ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN PHYSIOLOGY

The aim of this study was to determine whether problem-based writing with peer review (PW-PR) improves undergraduate student performance on physiology exams. Didactic lectures were replaced with as...
Re: Electronic Health Record Challenges, Workarounds, and Solutions Observed in Practices Integrating Behavioral Health and Primary Care.

To the Editor: Cifuentes et al[1][1] address the important issue of primary care behavioral health documentation and communication in electronic medical records. The article by Cifuentes et al reports frequent use of workarounds to respond to the inability of practices to integrate their electronic
Economic evaluation of an HIV prevention intervention for seropositive injection drug users.

Objective: To assess the cost-effectiveness of Intervention for HIV-Seropositive injection drug users—Research and Evaluation (INSPIRE), designed to reduce risky sexual and needle-sharing behaviors in research sites in four US cities (2001‐2003). Methods: We collected data on program and participant costs. We used a mathematical model to estimate the number of sex partners of injection drug users expected to become infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (with and without intervention), cost of treatment for sex partners who became infected, and the effect of infection on partners’ quality-adjusted life expectancy. We determined the minimum effect that INSPIRE must have on condom use among participants for the intervention to be cost-saving (intervention cost less than savings from averted HIV infections) or cost-effective (net cost per quality-adjusted life year saved less than $50,000). Results: The intervention cost was $870 per participant. It would be cost-saving if it led to 53 percent reduction in the proportion of participants who had any unprotected sex in 1 year and cost-effective with 17 percent reduction. If behavior change lasted 3 months, the cost-effectiveness threshold was 66 percent; if 3 years, the threshold was 6 percent. Conclusions: Although cost-saving thresholds may not be achievable by the intervention, we anticipate that cost-effectiveness thresholds will be attained.
Statistical inference in randomized consent designs in the presence of Hawthorne

Randomized consent designs have been advocated in some setting. It has been argued that the use of the randomized consent designs is justified as it eliminates the so-called Hawthorne effect in the control group. Besides the ethical issue in not informing the patients, there are other potentially serious issues regarding the confounding and resultant bias in treatment comparison. This is particularly so in behavioral intervention trials. There is not only the placebo effect, but also the so-called Hawthorn effect that could muddy the comparisons. Based on a randomized consent design with control and intervention which results in three distinct groups, this presentation will show using very simple statistical contrasts why unbiased comparison is impossible due to confounding and self-selection.