cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Advances in the diagnosis and management of chronic pulmonary aspiration in children

Chronic pulmonary aspiration (CPA) in children is an important cause of recurrent pneumonia, progressive lung injury, respiratory disability and death. It is sporadic, intermittent and variable, and often occurs in children with complicated underlying medical conditions and syndromes that produce symptoms indistinguishable from CPA. For most types of aspiration there is no gold-standard diagnostic test. The diagnosis of CPA is currently made clinically with some supporting diagnostic evaluations, but often not until significant lung injury has been sustained. Despite multiple diagnostic techniques, the diagnosis or exclusion of CPA in children is challenging. This is of particular concern given the outcome of unrecognised progressive lung injury and the invasiveness of definitive therapies. Although new techniques have been introduced since the 1990s and significant advances in the understanding of dysphagia and gastro-oesophageal reflux have been made, characterisation of the aspirating child remains elusive.
Effectiveness of community health workers in the care of people with hypertension.

Background The contributions of community health workers (CHWs) in the delivery of culturally relevant programs for hypertension control have been studied since the 1970s. This systematic review examines the effectiveness of CHWs in supporting the care of people with hypertension. Methods Computerized searches were conducted of multiple bibliographic electronic databases from their inception until May 2006. No restrictions were applied for language or study design, and studies were restricted to those that reported at least one outcome among participants. Results Fourteen studies were identified, including eight randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Many of the studies focused on poor, urban African Americans. Significant improvements in controlling blood pressure were reported in seven of the eight RCTs. Several studies reported significant improvements in participants' self-management behaviors, including appointment keeping and adherence to antihypertensive medications. Four studies reported positive changes in healthcare utilization and in systems outcomes. Two of the RCTs showed significant improvements in other patient outcomes, such as changes in heart mass and risk of CVD. Conclusions Community health workers may have an important impact on the self-management of hypertension. Programs involving CHWs as multidisciplinary team members hold promise, particularly for diverse racial/ethnic populations that are under-served.
Metastases of thin melanomas.

Although thin malignant melanomas, i.e., those less than 0.76 mm in thickness, of the skin generally do not metastasize, it has been recently reported that when histologic regression is present, such lesions may then have a greater propensity for dissemination. However, this was not apparent in this study in which only one melanoma metastasized in a consecutive series of 41 thin lesions which were step-sectioned and had evidence of regression histologically. Possible explanations for this discrepancy are the failure of other authors to include only step-sectioned specimens of the primary melanomas in their material and/or geographic differences in the biologic behavior of this malignant neoplasm.
Release rates of solid drug mixtures dispersed in inert matrices II Mutually interacting drug mixtures

The theory for the simultaneous release of a mixture of two noninteracting drugs dispersed in an inert plastic matrix has been developed. Quantitative relationships based on a physical model were derived that express the diffusion-controlled rates of release of both drugs as functions of the amounts of each drug, the solubilities of the drugs, their diffusional coefficients, and the porosities and tortuosities of the tablet. The theoretical relationships were applied to the salicylic acid-benzoic acid-plastic mixture. The experimental data were found to be in close agreement with the theoretically calculated values.
A Lower Bound on Convergence of a Distributed Network Consensus Algorithm

This paper gives a lower bound on the convergence rate of a class of network consensus algorithms. Two different approaches using directed graphs as a main tool are introduced: one is to compute the "scrambling constants" of stochastic matrices associated with "neighbor shared graphs" and the other is to analyze random walks on a sequence of graphs. Both approaches prove that the time to reach consensus within a dynamic network is logarithmic in the relative error and is in worst case exponential in the size of the network.
Antigen capture of Porphyromonas gingivalis by human macrophages is enhanced but killing and antigen presentation are reduced by endotoxin tolerance.

The innate and the adaptive arms of the mucosal immune system must be coordinated to facilitate the control of pathogenic invasion while maintaining immune homeostasis. Toll-like receptors, able to activate the cell to produce bactericidal and inflammatory cytokines but also able to upregulate antigen (Ag)-presenting and costimulatory molecules, are particularly important in this regard. We have previously shown that the chronically infected oral mucosa is in a state of endotoxin tolerance, as evidenced by the downregulation of Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 and of inflammatory cytokines and the upregulation of SH2-containing inositol phosphatase, an inhibitor of NF-κB signaling. In the present study, we hypothesized that endotoxin tolerance would influence the ability of human macrophages to engage in Ag capture and killing of the oral pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis and to upregulate costimulatory molecules and stimulate autologous T-cell proliferation. We show that uptake, but not killing, of P. gingivalis 381 is enhanced by endotoxin tolerance. Reduced killing is possibly due to a reduction of the intracellular lysosomes. We further show that the expression of the Ag-presenting molecule HLA-DR and costimulatory molecules CD40 and CD86 is dampened by endotoxin tolerance to the constitutive level. This, along with our previous evidence for reduction in immunostimulatory cytokines, is consistent with the observed decrease in the induction of autologous CD4+ T-cell proliferation by endotoxin-tolerized macrophages. Overall, these studies suggest that endotoxin tolerance, as observed in the inflamed oral mucosa, potentiates the innate Ag capture activity of macrophages but diminishes the potential of human macrophages to initiate the adaptive immune response. In conclusion, endotoxin tolerance, while helpful in bacterial clearance and in surmounting excessive inflammatory tissue damage, could potentially reduce the (protective) adaptive immune response during chronic infections such as periodontitis.
Particulate matter concentrations, physical characteristics and elemental composition in the Milan underground transport system

An extensive measurement campaign was conducted in the Milan subway system in order to investigate PM10 concentrations, to determine its physical and elemental composition, its origins, and to attempt to quantify source contributions. The Milan subway system includes three lines and stations typically consist of two underground levels: an intermediate floor (mezzanine) where the turnstiles for accessing the platform are located, and a platform level, one floor down. Measurements were performed in two stations for each line, and both microenvironments (platform and mezzanine) were investigated in all cases. PM10 samples were collected at all twelve sites over three daily periods for nine consecutive days at each site. Particle number concentrations were also measured with Optical Particle Counters (OPC) and size-number distributions were determined. X-ray fluorescence analysis was also performed on the samples to determine element concentrations. The results indicate PM sources related with train operations as the dominant impact on particulate concentrations. Average weekday PM10 concentrations between 105 and 283 m gm � 3 were observed at the platform level, while average ambient concentrations of 36 m gm �3 were observed. Fe, Ba, Sb, Mn and Cu were found to be significantly enriched. Metal particles, occurring mostly in the range of diameters between 1 and 5 mm, and therefore likely originating from mechanical processes, account for most of the PM10 mass at the platform level. Wheel, brake and track wear are found to contribute 40e73% of total PM10 mass and electric cable wear (Cu and Zn oxides) 2%e3%. Concentrations measured on the mezzanine levels are intermediate between those found in ambient air and on the platform level, with average daytime PM10 values ranging from 50 to 80 m gm �3 . The situation observed on the mezzanine can well be described through an appropriate mixing of ambient and platform level air. A decreasing, albeit still significant, impact from internal sources is observed, with particulate from wheel, brake and track wear contributing an average of 2e25%, and electric cable wear 0.5e1.2%, to total PM10 mass.
Trends in pregnancy and fertility in a rural area of East Pakistan.

Data from three separate studies conducted in Maputo, Mozambique, in 1993 are used to analyse the relationship between the type of social environment in which women work and their fertility and contraceptive use. The analysis finds that women who work in more collectivized environments have fewer children and are more likely to use modern contraception than women who work in more individualized milieus and those who do not work outside the home. Most of these differences persist in multivariate tests. It is argued that collectivized work environments are most conducive to diffusion and legitimation of reproductive innovations. In contrast, individualized environments tend to isolate women and therefore may retard their acceptance of innovative fertility-related behaviour.
Clutter covariance smoothing by subaperture averaging

Space-time processing has been proposed as an approach by which an airborne radar can adaptively detect small targets in the presence of ground clutter and jammers, provided the covariance matrix of the interference is available. One of the difficulties in estimating the covariance matrix is the need to obtain a sufficient number of independent samples, especially for high pulse-repetition-frequency (PRF) systems. It is shown here that this difficulty can be overcome by combining subaperture averaging, or spatial smoothing, of the received data with conventional range bin averaging. >
Value of a complete or partial remission in severe lupus nephritis.

Background and objectives: The value of a complete remission in severe lupus nephritis is well known but little is known about the impact of a partial remission in this patient population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term prognosis of achieving a complete or partial remission in a well-defined group of patients with severe lupus nephritis. Design, setting, participants, & measurements: In this study, 86 patients with diffuse lupus glomerulonephritis were reviewed for assessment of the value of a partial remission (50% reduction in baseline proteinuria to ≤1.5 g/d and ≤25% increase in baseline creatinine) and complete remission (proteinuria ≤0.33 g/d and serum creatinine ≤1.4 mg/dl) on outcomes compared with patients who did not attain a remission. These well-characterized patients were entered into a prospective therapeutic trial conducted by the Collaborative Study Group and were followed for more than 10 yr. Results: All biopsies showed diffuse lupus nephritis. A complete remission was attained in 37 (43%) patients, a partial remission in 21 (24%) patients, and no remission in 28 (32%) patients. Baseline clinical and serologic features were similar among the groups, but patients with a complete remission had a lower serum creatinine and chronicity index compared with patients with partial or no remission. The patient survival at 10 yr was 95% for complete remission, 76% for partial remission, and 46% for no remission. The renal survival at 10 yr was 94% for complete remission, 45% for partial remission, and 19% for no remission, and the patient survival without end-stage renal disease at 10 yr was 92% for complete remission, 43% for partial remission, and 13% for no remission. Conclusion: Even a partial remission in lupus nephritis is associated with a significantly better patient and renal survival compared with no remission.
Patient-Reported Outcome Performance Measures in Oncology

Patient self-reporting affords the opportunity to better understand the impact of care processes on how patients feel.
Human Skin Mast Cells Express Complement Factors C3 and C5

We examine whether complement factor C3 or C5 is synthesized by human skin–derived mast cells and whether their synthesis is regulated by cytokines. C3 and C5 mRNAs were assessed by RT-PCR, and proteins by flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, Western blotting, and ELISA. C3 and C5 mRNAs were each expressed, and baseline protein levels/10 6 cultured mast cells were 0.9 and 0.8 ng, respectively, and located in the cytoplasm outside of secretory granules. C3 accumulated in mast cell culture medium over time and by 3 d reached a concentration of 9.4 ± 8.0 ng/ml, whereas C5 levels were not detectable (
An ultra low-power single chip intelligent sensing platform

An ultra low-power intelligent sensing platform has been developed by the authors. The platform is based on a novel single chip solution, designed and fabricated using a 0.18 µm CMOS technology. To that end, quad-channel low-power sensor front end sections composed of event-driven amplifiers and ADCs have been integrated with a custom low-power microcontroller and a wireless interface on the same chip for extended battery life. A sensor node using only this chip can support multi-sensor interfaces, processing of the sensor signals, and provide wireless communications between a central coordinating node. On the other hand, the smart sensor platforms reported in literature are based on COTS solutions that result in significantly higher power consumption levels as well as larger footprints due to their multi-component nature. The low-power operation was verified in a range of applications that includes detection of radiation and sensing the arrival angle of acoustic signals.
Automatically exploiting cross-invocation parallelism using runtime information

Automatic parallelization is a promising approach to producing scalable multi-threaded programs for multicore architectures. Many existing automatic techniques only parallelize iterations within a loop invocation and synchronize threads at the end of each loop invocation. When parallel code contains many loop invocations, synchronization can easily become a performance bottleneck. Some automatic techniques address this problem by exploiting cross-invocation parallelism. These techniques use static analysis to partition iterations among threads to avoid crossthread dependences. However, this partitioning is not always achievable at compile-time, because program input determines dependence patterns at run-time. By contrast, this paper proposes DOMORE, the first automatic parallelization technique that uses runtime information to exploit additional cross-invocation parallelism. Instead of partitioning iterations statically, DOMORE dynamically detects crossthread dependences and synchronizes only when necessary. DOMORE consists of a compiler and a runtime library. At compile time, DOMORE automatically parallelizes loops and inserts a custom runtime engine into programs. At run-time, the engine observes dependences and synchronizes iterations only when necessary. For six programs, DOMORE achieves a geomean loop speedup of 2.1× over parallel execution without cross-invocation parallelization and of 3.2 × over sequential execution on eight cores.
Rangewide glaciation in the Sierra Nevada, California

The 600-km-long Sierra Nevada underwent extensive Pleistocene glaciation except for its southernmost 100 km. Presently, ∼1700 small glaciers and ice masses near the crest of the range occur above 3250 m in elevation; these covered an area of ∼50 km 2 in 1972. Fourteen of the largest glaciers decreased by about one half in area during the period from 1900 to 2004. Rock glaciers, generally glacial ice covered by 1–10 m of rockfall debris, occur in about the same span of the range as ice and permanent snowfields. They are, on average, lower by 200–300 m, apparently because of the insulating layer of rocky rubble that protects their internal ice from the sun’s heat and from wind. The principal Pleistocene glacial stages are the Sherwin (ca. 820 ka), Tahoe (170–130 and ca. 70 ka), Tioga (14–28 ka), and Recess Peak (13 ka). Some 7040 glacial lakes, produced primarily by quarrying from bedrock, were mostly exposed after recession of the Tioga glacial stage. The lakes largely mark the area of primary snow accumulation. Below the lower limit of the lakes, ice flowed downward into river-cut canyons, forming major trunk glaciers within the zone of ablation. The range is in general a westward-tilted block upfaulted on its east side. Therefore, the main late Pleistocene trunk glaciers (Tahoe/Tioga) west of the crest extend 25–60 km, whereas those east of the crest extend only 5–20 km. Because of higher precipitation northward, glacial features such as the toes of existing glaciers and rock glaciers, as well as the late season present-day snowline, all decrease in elevation northward. Likewise, the elevation of the lower limit of glacial lakes, an indication of the zone of snow accumulation during the late Pleistocene, decreases about the same degree. This similarity suggests that the overall climate patterns of the late Pleistocene, though cooler, were similar to those of today. The east slope glaciers show a similar northward depression, but they are ∼500–1000 m higher. The upper part of the glacial system was erosive over a broad highland area as the evenly distributed ice in the accumulation zone moved to lower elevation. The abundant lake basins record this erosive action. The lower part of the glacier system was largely confined to major preexisting river canyons in which melting dominated. The average of rangewide estimates of the equilibrium line altitude (ELA)—the boundary between the upper snow and ice accumulation zone and the lower ablation zone—of many late Pleistocene glaciers parallels, and is only 200–300 m above, the altitude of the lower limit of the lakes. Hence, the lake zone provides a means of estimating the ELA.
Soot Surface Growth in Laminar Hydrocarbon/Air Diffusion Flames

The structure and soot surface growth properties of round laminar jet diffusion flames were studied experimentally. Measurements were made along the axes of ethylene-, propylene-propane- and acetylene-benzene-fueled flames burning in coflowing air at atmospheric pressure with the reactants at normal temperature. The measurements included soot structure, soot concentrations, soot temperatures, major gas species concentrations, some radial species (H, OH and 0) concentrations, and gas velocities. These measurements yielded the local flame properties that are thought to affect soot surface growth as well as local soot surface growth rates. When present results were combined with similar earlier observations of acetylene-fueled laminar jet diffusion flames, the results suggested that soot surface growth involved decomposition of the original fuel to form acetylene and H, which were the main reactants for soot surface growth, and that the main effect of the parent fuel on soot surface growth involved its yield of acetylene and H for present test conditions. Thus, as the distance increased along the axes of the flames, soot formation (which was dominated by soot surface growth) began near the cool core of the flow once acetylene and H appeared together and ended near the flame sheet when acetylene disappeared. Species mainly responsible for soot oxidation - OH and 02 were present throughout the soot formation region so that soot surface growth and oxidation proceeded at the same time. Present measurements of soot surface growth rates (corrected for soot surface oxidation) in laminar jet diffusion flames were consistent with earlier measurements of soot surface growth rates in laminar premixed flames and exhibited good agreement with existing Hydrogen-Abstraction/Carbon-Addition (HACA) soot surface growth mechanisms in the literature with steric factors in these mechanisms having values on the order of unity, as anticipated.
Phylogeographic Lineages and Species Comparisons in Conservation Analyses: A Case Study of California Herpetofauna

Abstract: Many phylogeographic studies have revealed strongly diverged lineages within species that are masked by a lack of congruent morphological differentiation. To assess the extent to which the genetic component of diversity affects conservation assessments, we compared spatial patterns of endemism and conservation value for 22 species of Californian amphibians and reptiles with the 75 phylogeographic lineages that they contain. We used bioclimatic distribution modeling with environmental layers to generate 5‐km spatial‐resolution maps of predicted distribution for each species and lineage. We found concentrations of lineage breaks across the Central Valley, San Francisco Bay, the Sierra Nevada, and the Tehachapi and Trinity ranges. Subdivision of the ranges of species into phylogeographic units revealed novel areas of endemism. Several areas of very high conservation value for lineages were not evident in the species‐level analysis. These observations illustrate the importance of considering multipl...
Channel morphology and P uptake following removal of a small dam

Dam removal is becoming an increasingly common management solution for aging dams, and evaluation of the impact of dam removal on basic attributes of streams such as nutrient uptake and transport is essential. The removal of 2 small dams from a forested, 2 nd -order stream in Wisconsin allowed us to study how nutrient dynamics were influenced by changes in channel geometry and bed material. We calculated P uptake and transient storage metrics from a series of 19 short-term injections, measured cross- sectional profiles, and determined benthic sediment size at regular intervals for 2 mo before and after the removals. We also repeated these measurements over the same time period the following year. Nutrient uptake was highly variable, and the stream changed from being a soluble reactive P (SRP) sink to being a source several times over the study period. Uptake lengths increased immediately after dam removal but differences between measurements made before and after removal were not significant. We found no significant relationship between uptake length and benthic sediment composition, channel geometry, or water residence time over the course of the dam removals. Our results indicate that changes in physical channel attributes did not play an important role in controlling SRP retention, probably because the impact of dam removal was small compared with the natural variability of this system.
The Future of Work

Imagine organizations where bosses give employees enormous freedom to decide what to do and when to do it. Imagine that workers are allowed to elect their own bosses and vote directly on important company decisions. Imagine organizations where most workers aren't employees at all, but electronically connected freelancers living wherever they want to. And imagine that all this freedom in business lets people get more of whatever they really want in life—money, interesting work, helping other people, or time with their families. These things are already happening today and—if we choose—they can happen even more in the future. We are now in the early stages of a profound increase in human freedom in business that may, in the long run, be as important for businesses as the change to democracies was for governments. The key enabler for this remarkable change is information technology. By reducing the costs of communication, these technologies now make it possible for many more people, even in huge organizations, to have the information they need to make decisions for themselves, instead of just following orders from above. And so, for the first time in human history, we can now have the best of both worlds—the economic and scale efficiencies of large organizations, and the human benefits of small ones: freedom, motivation, creativity, and flexibility.
Setting the Scene: Cognitive Decline and the Default American Lifestyle

In America, a chronic excess of calories eaten over calories burned forms the main dietary input to old-age cognitive decline. On the input side, food gets ever more abundant, palatable, and affordable. On the output side, human physical activity becomes ever more unnecessary, incidental, and obstructed. Sedentary work, transportation, and leisure undermine the aerobic and metabolic fitness required for the brain to perform well. Body fat is increasing, and diabetes and metabolic syndrome are on the rise. Drug treatment of the physiological consequences often exacerbates the cognitive problems, as many drugs impair cognitive function. America’s predicament today may become the world’s tomorrow.
The Promise of Participatory Research

This article reviews current literature in the field of participatory research and outlines elements that distinguish participatory research from traditional approaches to social science inquiry. I explore historical contributions to participatory research from popular education, feminism and international grassroots development. Participatory research is built around the concepts of people, power and praxis. I explain these concepts and consider the relevance of participatory research to social work theory and practice.
A longitudinal study of the relationships between overload, social support, and burnout among nursing educators.

The major purpose of this study was to examine the causal relationships between role overload, social support, and burnout among nursing educators over a period of time. Eighty-four nursing educators from eight campuses of a state university system completed a questionnaire twice, within a two-year interval. Data analyses consistently revealed the following: 1) Emotional exhaustion correlated significantly and positively with a demanding job, time pressure, and feelings of job inadequacy; 2) Burnout (i.e., emotional exhaustion, depersonalization of students, and a sense of decreased accomplishment) correlated significantly and negatively with social support from one's chairperson and peers. Predictor variables from the initial data set were regressed on the burnout data of two years later. The variable--job demands--was the strongest predictor of emotional exhaustion. Chairperson support was the strongest predictor of both depersonalization toward students and a person's sense of accomplishment two years later. The reported chronic exhaustion among educators in this study should be of concern. An awareness of the role of social support and overload as associated with burnout can help educators develop policies to assure peak performance on the job.
Unsettling the discourse of punishment? Competing narratives of reentry and the possibilities for change

In academic and policy circles, there is widespread optimism about the ability of reentry to change the terms of the punishment debate. In this article, we assess the impact of the reentry concept ...
Medicare Cancer Screening in the Context of Clinical Guidelines: 2000 to 2012.

Objectives Cancer screening is a ubiquitous and controversial public health issue, particularly in the elderly population. Despite extensive evidence-based guidelines for screening, it is unclear how cancer screening has changed in the Medicare population over time. We characterize trends in cancer screening for the most common cancer types in the Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) program in the context of conflicting guidelines from 2000 to 2012. Materials and methods We performed a descriptive analysis of retrospective claims data from the Medicare FFS program based on billing codes. Our data include all claims for Medicare part B beneficiaries who received breast, colorectal (CRC), or prostate cancer screening from 2000 to 2012 based on billing codes. We utilize a Monte Carlo permutation method to detect changes in screening trends. Results In total, 231,416,732 screening tests were analyzed from 2000 to 2012, representing an average of 436.8 tests per 1000 beneficiaries per year. Mammography rates declined 7.4%, with digital mammography extensively replacing film. CRC cancer screening rates declined overall. As a percentage of all CRC screening tests, colonoscopy grew from 32% to 71%. Prostate screening rates increased 16% from 2000 to 2007, and then declined to 7% less than its 2000 rate by 2012. Discussion Both the aggressiveness of screening guidelines and screening rates for the Medicare FFS population peaked and then declined from 2000 to 2012. However, guideline publications did not consistently precede utilization trend shifts. Technology adoption, practical and financial concerns, and patient preferences may have also contributed to the observed trends. Further research should be performed on the impact of multiple, conflicting guidelines in cancer screening.
Preparation and Formation Mechanism of Flower-like Magnesium Carbonate Pentahydrated

Flower-like magnesium carbonate pentahydrated was prepared by aqua-solution method using magnesite as raw materials and potassium dihydrogen phosphate as additives.Microtopography and phase composition of the crystal were analyzed by scanning electron microscope(SEM),X-ray diffraction(XRD) and FT-IR.The influence of thermal decomposition time on the crystal morphology was explored.The formation mechanism of products was studied,as well as crystal structure of magnesium carbonate pentahydrated.The results showed that flower-like magnesium carbonate pentahydrated with 1.5 ~ 3.0 micrometers long and 100 ~ 500 nanometers wide,can be successfully synthesized under 30 min of thermal decomposition time.For the magnesium carbonate pentahydrated crystal,Mg2 +presents two different octahedral-coordination,which constitutes Mg(H2O)2 +6and[Mg(H2O)4(CO2-3)2]2-,and its chemical formula is Mg(H2O)6·Mg(H2O)4(CO2-3)2.The adsorption of potassium dihydrogen phosphate on the surface of magnesium carbonate pentahydrated changes the surface energy and growth rate of individual crystal faces,promotes it to nucleate and gradually superimpose flower-like bodies.
Application of Natural Gradient Algorithm for Blind Source Seperation to Vibration Signal Processing

In this paper several algorithms of blind source separation are introduced and a simulation experiment on the mixture signals is conducted,which validates these algorithms.When using different steps,the separation performances of several algorithms,such as Infomax,EASI and natural gradient algorithm,are also compared in this paper.An improved natural gradient algorithm based on minimum mutual information are used to seperate the vibration signals of aero-engine and to get eigenfrequency of each vibration source,which is an available approach to seperating mechanical vibration signal sources.
Exploiting MicroRNA (miRNA) Profiles for Diagnostics

Clinical management of any disease depends upon timely, accurate, and sensitive diagnosis of the etiology of disease to determine an appropriate counter strategy. As defined by the Biomarkers Definitions Working Group, biomarkers are characteristics that are objectively measured and evaluated as indicators of normal biological, pathological, or pharmacological responses to a disease or therapeutic intervention (1, 2). An ideal biomarker should be inexpensive to detect; readily assayed; present at favorable concentrations in cells, target tissues, and/or in biological fluids; and resistant to degradation during typical storage. The biomarker should also provide insights into disease etiology, progression, and/or treatment efficacy. Biomarkers can indicate toxicity, safety, efficacy, pharmacodynamics, disease diagnosis, or prognosis following treatment or at clinical endpoints (3). Assessment of molecular biomarkers has been typically slow, expensive, and time consuming (4–6). Factors that contribute to this are the collection methods and the need for preservation, purification, and environmental stability of biological samples. Three large consortia, the NCI Early Detection Research Network (EDRN), Critical Path Predictive Safety Testing Consortium (PSTC), and the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), are presently involved in screening thousands of biomolecules as potential biomarkers. Irrespective of their role, discovering biomarkers relies on defining their intended roles (diagnosis/prognosis, drug efficacy, sample type, assay to be used, etc.) in day-to-day clinical practice.
Severe Impairment Battery: A Potential Measure for AD Clinical Trials

Objective measures of cognitive change as an index of drug efficacy are an integral part of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) clinical trials. As potential AD therapies are evaluated, objective measures of cognition are needed if more advanced AD patients are enrolled. As AD progresses, many objective assessments of patient functioning become limited in their ability to measure cognitive functions given the continued dissolution of expressive and receptive abilities in the moderate to severe stages of AD.
Where are we in the study of animal emotions

The study of emotion is rife with debate over issues as fundamental as how to define emotion, and such disputes are particularly common in the nonhuman animal emotion literature. Here, we seek to address some of these issues, especially in terms of how they relate to animal research. Definitional issues are prevalent; clear definitions are often not given of crucial terms, including 'emotion,' and even where provided, such terms may be used inconsistently throughout a single paper. Further disagreement over the structure of emotions, and the nature of conscious experiences involved, leads to consistent differences in authors' criteria for emotions. We concur with those who believe that animals experience emotions and believe that animal emotions should be studied in their own right, not only as they compare to those of humans. We also propose several avenues for future research that we believe will further our understanding of animal emotions. First, the use of multiple measurement methods to assess emotional responses is most likely to provide the information necessary to distinguish between various states and opens the field to more research in harder-to-study species, such as marine mammals. Second, researchers should also endeavor to increase the range of emotions studied, particularly positive ones, in order to move toward a more balanced range of studied states. Finally, we believe that several aspects of personality research would prove beneficial to the study of animal emotions, particularly the distinction between trait and state emotion and the use of the rating method. WIREs Cogn Sci 2016, 7:354-362. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1399 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
Mania and Agitation

This chapter reveals that patients with symptoms of classic mania should initially be tried on lecithin, and if insufficient response is obtained, Omega-3 may be tried, with an addition vitamin E and/or carnitine if needed. If symptoms persist, and patient exhibits a history of rapid cycling, melatonin may be added. If this combination is ineffective, lecithin should be discontinued, and magnesium can be added to Omega-3, with or without melatonin. Theanine or taurine can also be substituted for magnesium in this combination, but clinicians should generally avoid using theanine taurine, magnesium, and lecithin with each other (in any combination) without medical supervision.
Readability of patient education materials in ophthalmology: a single-institution study and systematic review

Patient education materials should be written at a level that is understandable for patients with low health literacy. The aims of this study are (1) to review the literature on readability of ophthalmic patient education materials and (2) to evaluate and revise our institution’s patient education materials about glaucoma using evidence-based guidelines on writing for patients with low health literacy. A systematic search was conducted on the PubMed/MEDLINE database for studies that have evaluated readability level of ophthalmic patient education materials, and the reported readability scores were assessed. Additionally, we collected evidence-based guidelines for writing easy-to-read patient education materials, and these recommendations were applied to revise 12 patient education handouts on various glaucoma topics at our institution. Readability measures, including Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL), and word count were calculated for the original and revised documents. The original and revised versions of the handouts were then scored in random order by two glaucoma specialists using the Suitability Assessment of Materials (SAM) instrument, a grading scale used to evaluate suitability of health information materials for patients. Paired t test was used to analyze changes in readability measures, word count, and SAM score between original and revised handouts. Finally, five glaucoma patients were interviewed to discuss the revised materials, and patient feedback was analyzed qualitatively. Our literature search included 13 studies that evaluated a total of 950 educational materials. Among the mean FKGL readability scores reported in these studies, the median was 11 (representing an eleventh-grade reading level). At our institution, handouts’ readability averaged a tenth-grade reading level (FKGL = 10.0 ± 1.6), but revising the handouts improved their readability to a sixth-grade reading level (FKGL = 6.4 ± 1.2) (p < 0.001). Additionally, the mean SAM score of our institution’s handouts improved from 60 ± 7 % (adequate) for the original versions to 88 ± 4 % (superior) for the revised handouts (p < 0.001). Our systematic review of the literature reveals that ophthalmic patient education materials are consistently written at a level that is too high for many patients to understand. Our institution’s experience suggests that applying guidelines on writing easy-to-understand material can improve the readability and suitability of educational materials for patients with low health literacy.
Recommendations for Virtual Teamwork Based on Human Factors Research

This proceeding attempts to review human factors research on virtual teams. The focus is on project-based teams of knowledge workers, the scope is to identify challenges specific to such teams, and...
Bornite Crystals from Morocco and the USSR

(1987). Bornite Crystals from Morocco and the USSR. Rocks & Minerals: Vol. 62, South Carolina, pp. 248-250.
Fabrication of 3D Thermoplastic Sandwich Structures Utilizing Ultrasonic Spot Welding

The ultimate goal of this work was to create 3D polycarbonate sandwich structures fabricated utilizing ultrasonic spot welding (USSW). First, a study of weld strength vs. weld time, frequency, amplitude of vibration and depth of penetration was carried out. Lap shear and peel tests were used to quantitatively characterize weld strength, and from these results, a set of parameters for USSW of polycarbonate was determined. To create the sandwich structures, three layers of 1.59 mm polycarbonate sheet were stacked together, and using an alternating pattern of USSW, the middle layer was joined to each of the outer layers. Post-weld processing of the stacked layers involving heat and pressurization of the structure with air generated a 3D open cell geometry sandwich structure of polycarbonate. 3-point bend and drop impact tests were conducted to study the stiffness and the impact properties of the sandwich structures, and the results suggest that the fabricated polycarbonate sandwich structures might be suitable for applications requiring high strength and energy absorption while maintaining low weight. Additionally, the ability to easily incorporate different geometries in the structure allows the possibility to design structures with tailored mechanical properties.
No One Will Let Her Live: Women's Struggle for Well-Being in a Delhi Slum, by Claire Snell-Rood: Oakland, CA, University of California Press, 2015, 296 pp., US$29.95 (paperback), ISBN 9780520284821

How do poor, chronically vulnerable women living in Delhi's informal settlements negotiate their survival and well-being? In No One Will Let Her Live, medical anthropologist Claire Snell-Rood offer...
56 Micromanaging lupus nephritis: mir17–92 modulates regulatory t cell activity by targeting foxp3 co-regulators

Background and aims Regulatory T (Treg) cells play a critical role in maintaining self-tolerance and controlling the magnitude of physiologic immune response. The Treg transcription factor forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) works in concert with other co-regulator molecules including Eos to determine suppressive phenotype of Treg. We identified miR17-92 cluster targeting Eos through bioinformatics approaches. Methods We generated T-cell-specific miR-17–92 null (mir17-92 -/-) mice by mating mir17-92flox/flox mutants to CD4-Cre+ transgenic mice. Treg from mir17-92 -/- mice will be isolated, followed by suppression assay to evaluate the role of the miR-17–92 cluster in Treg function. We applied pristane to induce lupus nephropathy in wild type and mir17-92 -/- mice. We examined the up-stream promoter region of miR-17–92 for binding sites of down-stream mediators of IL-6 signalling, verified by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Results The inflammatory cytokine IL-6 unregulated miR17-92 through HIF-1. MiR17-92 cluster.actively suppressed Eos expression. Knockdown of miR17-92 in Treg enhanced their suppressive activity. Mir17-92 T cell specific deficiency mitigated pristane induced-lupus nephropathy associated with diminished Th17 cells and autoantibody. Moreover, histological analysis revealed a lower mean renal histopathology score and less compliment deposition. Ectopic expression of miR-17 downmodulated the suppression functions of Tregs and provided Treg with partial effector activity via the derepression of cytokine genes. Conclusions Our studies suggest that miR17-92 modulates Treg cell function by targeting Eos and potentially additional Foxp3 co-regulators, unveiling the future therapeutic potential of microRNA manipulation in lupus nephritis.
Magnetic properties of {Fe}/{Mn} superlattices

Abstract Some magnetic properties of Fe Mn superlattice films have been investigated. X-ray diffraction data show that the films have a textured bcc Fe (110) α- Mn (330) stacking. The interface thickness, due to interdiffusion, has been assessed to be 12A from the reduction of the saturation magnetization. The temperature dependence of the magnetization shows bulk-like properties for thick Fe and Mn layers. Superimposed on these, spin-glass-like behavior is observed, which can be attributed to the region of interdiffusion. The coercive and anisotropy fields have been found to increase abruptly for larger Mn layer thickness. Possible origins of this behavior are discussed, including the inverse magnetostrictive effect and the magnetostatic interaction between the Fe layers.
Supporting the Coordinated Care Model Through Technology

Abstract Oregon is on an extraordinary path to transform the delivery of health care to improve health outcomes, quality of care, and reduce costs through implementation of a “coordinated care model.” To succeed, the coordinated care model relies on health information technology, including new systems for capturing, analyzing, and sharing information about patient care and new models of sharing care information among all members of care teams. Oregon reinvigorated its health information technology strategic plan shortly after launching the coordinated care model for its Medicaid population. With unexpected state funding, Oregon leveraged significant federal funding and embarked on a significant public/private partnership opportunity that led to statewide health information exchange of hospital event information, under the Emergency Department Information Exchange (EDIE). That unprecedented success enabled further technology opportunities, and Oregon continues on its path toward supporting the right technology infrastructure and tools necessary for success.
Terahertz deconvolution based on autoregressive spectral extrapolation

A novel terahertz (THz) deconvolution technique based on the autoregressive (AR) spectral extrapolation is presented in this study. An autoregressive process is modeled based on the THz frequency components with high signal-to-noise ratio, and the missing frequency components in regions with low signal-to-noise ratio are extrapolated based on the autoregressive model. In this way, the entire THz frequency spectrum of the impulse response function is estimated. This method is able to provide a ‘quasi-ideal’ impulse response function, and therefore, significantly enhances the depth-resolution for resolving optically thin layers in the THz regime.
A Toddler with Pica

A 2-year-old girl presented to the emergency department with daily fevers for approximately 1 month, ranging from 102 to 104 °F orally. She did not have upper respiratory symptoms, cough, vomiting, diarrhea, joint swelling, mouth sores, or rash. When febrile, the child wanted to remain in bed and refused to eat, but shortly after taking ibuprofen she would begin to behave almost normally. At a local emergency department approximately 1 week prior to the current presentation, the parents were told that she likely had a viral illness, and she was sent home.
Practice Patterns and Outcomes Associated With Early Sedation Depth in Mechanically Ventilated Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objectives Emerging data suggest that early deep sedation may negatively impact clinical outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis defines and quantifies the impact of deep sedation within 48 hours of initiation of mechanical ventilation, as described in the world's literature. The primary outcome was mortality. Secondary outcomes included hospital and ICU lengths of stay, mechanical ventilation duration, and delirium and tracheostomy frequency. Data sources The following data sources were searched: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Database of Abstracts of Reviews and Effects, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews databases, ClinicalTrials.gov, conference proceedings, and reference lists. Study selection Randomized controlled trials and nonrandomized studies were included. Data extraction Two reviewers independently screened abstracts of identified studies for eligibility. Data synthesis Nine studies (n = 4,521 patients) published between 2012 and 2017 were included. A random effects meta-analytic model revealed that early light sedation was associated with lower mortality (9.2%) versus deep sedation (27.6%) (odds ratio, 0.34 [0.21-0.54]). Light sedation was associated with fewer mechanical ventilation (mean difference, -2.1; 95% CI, -3.6 to -0.5) and ICU days (mean difference, -3.0 (95% CI, -5.4 to -0.6). Delirium frequency was 28.7% in the light sedation group and 48.5% in the deep sedation group, odds ratio, 0.50 (0.22-1.16). Conclusions Deep sedation in mechanically ventilated patients, as evaluated in a small number of qualifying heterogeneous randomized controlled trials and observational studies, was associated with increased mortality and lengths of stay. Interventions targeting early sedation depth assessment, starting in the emergency department and subsequent ICU admission, deserve further investigation and could improve outcome.