cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tools for Physical Activity Counseling in Medical Practice

Health-care providers can play an important role in promoting weight loss among their overweight and obese patients by promoting regular physical activity. Regular physical activity, performed at moderate-to-vigorous intensities has substantial health benefits. Physical activity is effective in reducing the risks for complications of obesity, such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, and diabetes. Regular physical activity is also associated with appetite suppression. The amount of physical activity recommended for promoting health and prevention of disease and early mortality by the Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health—150 kcal/d or 1000 kcal/wk—is equal to a 1.5-mile brisk walk (1). If the energy is not replaced, this accumulated energy expenditure is sufficient to prevent a weight gain and/or promote a weight loss of nearly 10 pounds a year.
Flame Diagnostics: Local Temperature Profiles and Atomic Fluorescence Intensity Profiles in Air-Acetylene Flames

Temperature profiles of the "premixed" air-acetylene and argon-separated air-acetylene flames, produced with a capillary burner, have been investigated by a two-line atomic fluorescence method. The temperatures were obtained at a volume resolution of 0.3 × 2 × 5 mm3 in the flames. In an unseparated air-acetylene flame, temperature ranges from ca. 2600 to ca. 1900°K; the highest temperature (2650°K) was found 3 mm from the burner center and 60 mm above the burner head. In an argon-separated air-acetylene flame, temperature is in the range ca. 2500 to 1300°K; the temperature is the highest at the center and decreases rapidly towards the fringe of the flame (outer cone) due to the cooling effect of argon gas. In order to elucidate the analytical usefulness of the temperature profiles obtained, atomic fluorescence intensity profiles of Mg, Cu, In, and Cr have been also measured and discussed in detail.
The Impact of Personal Consumption Values and Beliefs on Organic Food Purchase Behavior

Abstract This study examines the nature of the consumption values that differentiate organic food buyers from non-organic food buyers. Specific functional economic values and ideological social values appear to play important roles in shaping individual' retail food buying behavior. Of specific interest is the extent to which the composite set of values thatcharacterizes organic food purchasers differs from the values sets of non-organic buyers.The conceptual framework organizing this investigation is the Theory of Market Choice Behavior, developed by Sheth, Newman and Gross (1991). This theory postulates that market choices are a function of multiple types of consumption values and that each type makes independent, differential contributions in any given choice situation.
Performance indicators and rational management tools: A compatative assessment of projects in North America and Europe

Performance assessment projects have appeared on the landscape of higher education at public and independent universities in North American and Europe. This paper represents work in progress that develops a classificatory schema to critically compare these rational management initiatives along several dimensions, for example, conceptual underpinnings, governance, levels of aggregation, usage patterns, and the like. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of these initiatives for organizational change and some lessons for institutional researchers in North American and Europe.
Using localized random walks to model Delay-Tolerant Networks

Mobile wireless delay-tolerant networks (DTNs) are wireless networks that suffer from intermittent connectivity, but enjoy the benefit of mobile nodes that can store, carry, and forward packets or messages, bringing them closer to their destinations through a selective forwarding policy. The evaluation of DTN routing protocols has primarily relied on simulation because most theoretical mobility models are unable to represent the mobility patterns that such protocols seek to take advantage of. In this paper we present and analyze a mobility model that we call localized random walk. This model is simple enough that it can be incorporated into mathematical models, but is spatially localized, which unlike other common mobility models, will make it possible to showcase the properties of heuristic-based DTN routing protocols. We derive the stationary spatial distribution of the mobility model, approximate what we call its spatial cross section, approximate the properties of its interaction with nodes following other mobility models, and use it to model some relatively simple DTN scenarios.
Sleeping with baby: an internet-based sampling of parental experiences, choices, perceptions, and interpretations in a western industrialized context

Mothers and infants sleeping within proximity to each other (co-sleeping) represents normal, healthy, and expectable human behaviour, especially if mothers breastfeed. Yet, western health officials generally recommend against particularly one form of co-sleeping known as bedsharing. This study explores these issues and especially highlights parental accounts of their sleep practices, interpretations, and reflections based on detailed narratives or ‘ethnohistories.’ The sample involves a self-selected sub-group of over 200 mostly middle-class mothers from Canada, the United States, Australia, and Great Britain. Mothers report how and why they adopted co-sleeping practices, how satisfied they are (or were) with their decisions, and what benefits they think they or their infants derived from their co-sleeping practices. Also included in the reports are a surprisingly high number of parents who think they may have saved their infant's life by bedsharing, data heretofore never reported in the literature. The formulation of medical policies, we suggest, ultimately must be informed by a full understanding of how parents actually think about and subsequently structure their infant's sleep, what their goals and expectations are, and by an awareness of the emotional factors motivating parents to choose certain sleeping arrangements over others. The results reveal that many factors coalesce, often in unique ways, under unique circumstances, family by family, to determine where babies sleep and why. We conclude that sleeping arrangements are not solely determined by medically based recommendations, but also by the method of feeding, the particular needs of a particular infant, and the needs of mothers and fathers to get more sleep. While baby sleep locations and sleep patterns change in the first year of life, nighttime sleeping arrangements almost always reflect the nature of family values and the quality of social relationships at any given time. We conclude that these factors, alongside widely known independent SIDS risk factors, must also be acknowledged and respected if we are ever to achieve an effective and inclusive public health approach to the question of creating safe sleep environments for infants and children. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Se´zary syndrome with elevated serum IgE and hypereosinophilia: Role of dysregulated cytokine production

Abstract A 62-year-old man presented with a 4-year history of a pruritic erythematous rash. Initial workup was not diagnostic, and the rash was refractory to standard treatment. A complete blood cell count demonstrated a white cell count of 9100 cells/μl with 61% polymorphonuclear neutrophils, 16% eosinophils, and 17% lymphocytes. A serum protein electrophoresis revealed an M spike identified as IgGk. His IgE level was 11,900 IU/ml. A bone marrow biopsy specimen demonstrated "atypical plasma cells" but was not diagnostic for myeloma. Peripheral blood smear was remarkable for highly convoluted lymphoid cells diagnostic for Se´zary T cells. Consistent with this diagnosis, 89% of his peripheral blood CD2 + cells expressed CD4. The eosinophilia, elevated IgE level, and monoclonal gammopathy led to further investigations. Circulating adherent monocytes were 96% positive for presumed low-affinity IgE receptor expression as shown by surface IgE binding. In a 9-day lymphocyte coculture, the patient's T lymphocytes induced IgE production in vitro (1.25 ng/ml) by a normal donor's cultured B cells. A healthy donor's T cells failed to induce IgE production (0 ng/ml) in a similar culture system. In situ hybridization with an Sulfur-35-labeled cDNA probe revealed interleukin-4 mRNA expression by 84% and interleukin-2 mRNA expression by 62% of nonadherent peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Interleukin-5 mRNA was shown by reverse transcription and the polymerase chain reaction. These studies demonstrate a subject with Se´zary T cell leukemia with hypereosinophilia and elevated IgE due to presumed enhanced interleukin-4 and interleukin-5 production by the Se´zary T cells.
In Vivo Mutagenesis by Escherichia coliDNA Polymerase I ILE709 IN MOTIF A FUNCTIONS IN BASE SELECTION

The fidelity of DNA replication byEscherichia coli DNA polymerase I (pol I) was assessedin vivo using a reporter plasmid bearing a ColE1-type origin and an ochre codon in the β-lactamase gene. We screened 53 single mutants within the region Val700–Arg712in the polymerase active-site motif A. Only replacement of Ile709 yielded mutator polymerases, with substitution of Met, Asn, Phe, or Ala increasing the β-lactamase reversion frequency 5–23-fold. Steady-state kinetic analysis of the I709F polymerase revealed reductions in apparent K m values for both insertion of non-complementary nucleotides and extension of mispaired primer termini. Abolishment of the 3′–5′ exonuclease activity of wild-type pol I increased mutation frequency 4-fold, whereas the combination of I709F and lack of the 3′–5′ exonuclease yielded a 400-fold increase. We conclude that accurate discrimination of the incoming nucleotide at the polymerase domain is more critical than exonucleolytic proofreading for the fidelity of pol I in vivo. Surprisingly, the I709F polymerase enhanced mutagenesis in chromosomal DNA, although the increase was 10-fold less than in plasmid DNA. Our findings indicate the feasibility of obtaining desired mutations by replicating a target gene at a specific locus in a plasmid under continuous selection pressure.
Dynamics of molecular CH4 adsorption on Pt(111)

Abstract The dynamics of molecular methane adsorption on Pt(111) were probed with supersonic molecular beam techniques. Initial trapping probabilities were directly measured between 0.94 and 0.16 for incident total translational energies between 3.4 and 20.2 kJ/mol and angles of incidence (with respect to the surface normal) between 0° and 45° at a surface temperature ( T s ) of 100 K. The incident methane molecules were rotationally and vibrationally cold. The initial trapping probability decreases with increasing incident translational energy ( E T ) and decreasing angle of incidence (θ i ) and varies smoothly with incident normal energy ( E n = E T cos 2 θ i ), indicating a low corrugation of the molecule-surf ace interaction potential. The dependence of the initial trapping probability on incident normal translational energy agrees quantitatively with both a modified hard cube model and Leuthausser's theory at incident normal translational energies below 8 kJ/mol. At higher incident normal translational energies the observed initial trapping probabilities are higher than the values predicted by both models. Energy loss mechanisms other than surface phonon excitations may partially account for this discrepancy. A rapid decrease in the apparent adsorption probability as the surface temperature approaches 140 K is caused by the competitive influence of desorption. The temperature at which the apparent adsorption probability goes to zero agrees well with the desorption temperature measured independently by temperature programmed desorption. In accordance with the aforementioned models, the measured in-plane angular distributions suggest that the trapping probability is relatively independent of surface temperature in the range of 160 to 500 K. The relatively low intensity of methane found near the surface normal in the angular distributions may be partially explained by a wider than cosine angular distribution for the trapped-desorbed channel, which is consistent with the observation that the trapping probability increases with angle of incidence. Comparison of our initial trapping probability versus normal translational energy data to previous mean translational energy measurements of methane molecules desorbing from Pt(111) at the surface normal suggests that detailed balance applies for the non-equilibrium situation involving a collimated monoenergetic molecular beam of methane incident on a Pt(111) surface.
Prediction of environmental risk over very long time scales

Abstract Undergraduate students (N = 128) drew curves to reflect the perceived risk over time for nine environmental factors (population, food, water, environmental pollution, disease, genetic defect, mental disorder, nuclear power and nuclear war). Each curve began half-way up the y axis at the year 1982. Four upper time bounds (year) were employed: 2000, 3000, 4000 and 7000. Average statistical profiles were then developed to represent entire sets of curves. Subjects were most optimistic about disease factors and most pessimistic about nuclear power and nuclear war. The upper time limit seemed to have little effect on the results; these students' view of the future appears to be the same over relatively short (20 years) and very long (5, 000 years) time scales.
Neutron Resonance Spectroscopy. V. Nb, Ag, I, and Cs

Total neutron cross-section measurements for niobium, natural silver, iodine, and cesium have been made using a neutron velocity spectrometer with a resolution of about 0.5 nsec/m near the highest energy. The measurements were performed in the energy interval of 35 eV to 8 keV for niobium and 100 eV to about 4 keV for the other elements. The energies and neutron widths of about one thousand levels observed in these nuclei have been determined. The level-spacing distributions of these nuclei were investigated and found to be compatible with the random-matrix model of Wigner. These elements have $A$ values in the neighborhood of an expected peak in the $p$-wave strength function and relative minimum in the $s$-wave strength function. Histograms of the distribution of values for $y={〈g{{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{n}}^{0}〉}^{\frac{1}{2}}$ show a considerable excess of small widths over the number expected from the Porter-Thomas $\ensuremath{\nu}=1$ distribution. This excess is interpreted as being due to the observation of many $p$-wave levels. In the case of Nb, about $\frac{2}{3}$ of the observed levels are probably $p$ wave, while the percentages were much smaller for the other elements. The numerical values of the correlation coefficients between level spacings, neutron reduced widths, and local spacing have been determined for all these nuclei. The correlation coefficients, except for the spacing correlation coefficients, are found to be consistent with zero within the statistical accuracy of the measurements. The $l=0$ strength-function values averaged over spin states and isotopes of Nb, Ag, I, and Cs have been determined as (0.36\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.06)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$, (0.48\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.04)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$, (0.69\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.08)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$, and (0.70\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.10)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$, respectively.
Inertia and ordering in anisotropic solvents: substituted benzenes

Abstract The principal values and axes of the order matrix and the inertia tensor are computed and compared for 27 substituted benzenes, using NMR data and a simplistic model for the molecular structure. The principal axes of the order matrix are located at or near the principal axes of the inertia tensor, even if the molecule has no symmetry axis in the plane of the ring. The principal values of the order matrix and of the inertia tensor show that that direction is most strongly oriented which most resists rotational motion. Finally, a strong correlation between the asymmetry parameters of the order matrix and inertia tensor completes our evidence in support of the thesis that ordering of molecules in anisotropic solvents is determined largely by inertial properties.
T cell receptor β-chain third complementarity-determining region gene usage is highly restricted among Sm-B autoantigen–specific human T cell clones derived from patients with connective tissue disease

Objective To determine the structure of T cell receptors (TCR) used by Sm-B–reactive human T cell clones, to map T cell epitopes on the Sm-B autoantigen, and to determine the HLA restriction element used in the recognition of Sm-B by T cells. Methods Sm-B–reactive T cell clones were generated from patients with connective tissue disease by using either a recombinant fusion protein or synthetic peptides. The TCR structure was defined with the use of polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing. Synthetic peptides were used to map T cell epitopes on Sm-B. HLA restriction element usage was defined by using monoclonal antibody blocking. Results Usage of the TCR third complementarity-determining region (CDR3) was highly restricted among Sm-B autoantigen–specific human T cell clones. Only amino acids 48–96 of the Sm-B2 autoantigen were recognized by T cells, and this occurred in the context of HLA–DR. Conclusion TCR CDR3 gene usage is highly conserved by Sm-B autoantigen–specific T cell clones, and this appears to be related to the recognition of a limited number of T cell epitopes on the Sm-B autoantigen presented in the context of HLA–DR.
New evidence for covalent coupling of peptides to humic acids based on 2D NMR spectroscopy: A means for preservation

Abstract Nitrogen immobilization in soils and sediments involving the preservation of peptides is an important yet not well-understood process. Several hypotheses have been proposed for the preservation of peptides in these systems; however, to date, there is no direct molecular-level evidence for any one of several hypotheses. In this study, a synthesized peptide with 15 N-labeled amino acid residues was utilized to examine the mechanism by which humic substances from a peat might chemically interact with peptides to induce preservation. Two-dimensional 15 N- 1 H HSQC NMR experiments were performed to evaluate the bonding and nonbonding interactions between 15 N-labeled peptide and an Everglades peat humic acid. The observed changes in cross peaks provide the first direct spectroscopic evidence for what we believe to be covalent binding between these substances. Noncovalent interactions between the 15 N-labeled peptides and humic acid molecules are also observed in the spectra. Quinone structures in humic acids are suggested to be the important reactive groups, based on reaction of the labeled peptide with a model quinone which shows similar nitrogen–proton correlated peak patterns as is observed in the HSQC NMR spectra of humic acids reacted with the peptide. The Michael reaction with quinone structures is proposed, and this type of reaction provides a mechanism that is consistent with previous observation for the chemistry of sedimentary nitrogen species.
The Role of Kisspeptins and GPR54 in the Neuroendocrine Regulation of Reproduction

Neurons that produce gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) reside in the basal forebrain and drive reproductive function in mammals. Understanding the circuitry that regulates GnRH neurons is fundamental to comprehending the neuroendocrine control of puberty and reproduction in the adult. This review focuses on a family of neuropeptides encoded by the Kiss1 gene, the kisspeptins, and their cognate receptor, GPR54, which have been implicated in the regulation of GnRH secretion. Kisspeptins are potent secretagogues for GnRH, and the Kiss1 gene is a target for regulation by gonadal steroids (e.g., estradiol and testosterone), metabolic factors (e.g., leptin), photoperiod, and season. Kiss1 neurons in the arcuate nucleus may regulate the negative feedback effect of gonadal steroids on GnRH and gonadotropin secretion in both sexes. The expression of Kiss1 in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV) is sexually dimorphic, and Kiss1 neurons in the AVPV may participate in the generation of the preovulatory GnRH/luteinizing hormone (LH) surge in the female rodent. Kiss1 neurons have emerged as primary transducers of internal and environmental cues to regulate the neuroendocrine reproductive axis.
Flossing for 2 Weeks Reduces Microbes Associated with Oral Disease

Article Title and Bibliographic Information Treatment outcomes of dental flossing in twins: molecular analysis of the interproximal microflora. Corby PM, Biesbrock A, et al. J Periodontol 2008;79(8):1426-33. Reviewer Anwar T. Merchant, ScD, MPH, DMD Purpose/Question Does flossing in addition to brushing the teeth and gums alter the microbial profile? Source of Funding Industry: Proctor & Gamble Company, Mason, OH Type of Study/Design Randomized controlled trial Level of Evidence Level 2: Limited-quality, patient-oriented evidence Strength of Recommendation Grade Grade B: Inconsistent or limited-quality patient-oriented evidence
All-Season Virtual Test Site for a Real-Time Vehicle Simulator

Abstract : A virtual, all-season test site for use in real-time vehicle simulators and mobility models was constructed of an Army firing range in Northern Vermont. The virtual terrain will mimic the terrain of our Virtual Data Acquisition and Test Site (VDATS) at Ethan Allen Firing Range (EAFR). The objective is to realistically simulate on- and off-road vehicle performance in all weather conditions for training and vehicle design for the US Army. To this end, several spatial datasets were needed to accurately map the terrain and estimate the state-of-the- ground and terrain strength at different times of the year. The terrain strength is characterized by terramechanics properties used in algorithms to calculate the forces at the vehicle-terrain interface. The performance of the real vehicles will be compared to the simulated vehicle performance of operator-in-the-loop and unmanned vehicles for validation of the simulations. Real vehicles are instrumented and perform maneuvers at the test site to develop and validate mathematic models describing vehicle behavior in all-season conditions, including snow, ice, frozen and thawing ground.
Lung transplantation: Literature review 2003–2004

: This is the second review in a series providing summaries of the recent medical literature in the field of pediatric transplantation. In this review we summarize important articles in the field of pediatric lung transplantation that were published in 2003 and 2004. This review is intended to be comprehensive, but not exhaustive.
Verbal learning in children: implications for developmental research.

Current research in verbal learning is reviewed in terms of its implications for developmental research. Suggestions are provided which relate to the methodology of research incorporating age as a treatment variable in addition to highlighting the analytical utility of verbal learning paradigms in the study of developmental learning processes. The similarities of theory and data relating to nonverbal tasks (e.g., probability-learning, transposition, reversal-shift, and discrimination-learning paradigms) and to theory concerning the interaction of verbal learning and development are also discussed. Two general implications may be drawn from Keppel's (1964) recent review of the research related to verbal learning in children: 1. There is a paucity of research in this area, with little data tracing changes in verbal processes that take place as a function of age. 2. The data that are available provide evidence that the processes that characterize verbal learning in children are similar to those of adults. The latter conclusion is not an earthshaking one, as the expectation would be that the processes involved in verbal learning, transfer of training, etc., operative in children would be subject to the same variables as those in adults. However, it does not follow that the data collected from children should mirror (with the possible exception of a difference in a learning-rate constant) those from adults. It is a contention of this paper that the data and theory collected in the area of verbal learning, especially those appearing since 1960, contain myriad implications or suggestions for age-related interactions. Goulet (in press) has discussed some of these implications especially as they relate to the assessment of the learning deficit in retardates and retardate development, but no parallel review is available which concerns the development of normal children.
Poster: Assessing the content of active endogenous LINE1 retrotransposons in human colorectal cancer samples using high-throughput pyrosequencing

We developed a novel methodology to identify L1 Ta-1 insertion events in human patient tissue samples using high-throughput pyrosequencing. Using this method, we identified many new L1 Ta-1 insertions. One novel L1 Ta-1 insertion was identified in a tumor tissue DNA, but was absent in the adjacent normal tissue DNA. These results suggest that L1 Ta-1 insertions can occur during colon cancer development, where they may contribute mutations conferring a selective advantage to the developing tumor.
Stronger Working Memory Reduces Sexual Risk Taking in Adolescents, Even After Controlling for Parental Influences.

This study examined the prospective influence of adolescent working memory (WM) on changes in impulsivity and sexual risk taking and assessed whether this relation could be explained by confounding effects of parental influences. Data from 360 community adolescents (Mage = 13.5 ± 0.95 years; 52% female; 56% non-Hispanic White; low-mid socioeconomic status (SES); recruited from Philadelphia area in 2004–2005) were analyzed using structural equation modeling to predict changes in impulsivity and sexual risk taking over a 2-year follow-up, using baseline assessments of WM, parental monitoring, parental involvement, and SES. Stronger WM predicted reduced involvement in sexual risk taking at follow-up, effects channeled through changes in impulsivity dimensions of “acting without thinking” and “inability to delay gratification.” Parental variables had a protective influence on adolescent impulsivity and risk involvement, but the effects of WM operated independently of parental influences.
Leadership Based Agent Architecture

This paper discusses an intelligent and evolving agent based CAD system to support collaborative design. Such systems consist of autonomous and mobile agents, each performing specialized functions. The question is how to resolve conflicts between agents. No structured general methods have yet been established to this end. This paper proposes selecting a leadership style dynamically in the agent architecture based upon the state of the engineering design environment. This tool is derived from research in the psychology, sociology, and political science fields of leadership theory and applied to the evolving design artifact in mechanical engineering design.
Recent Development of Active Nanoparticle Catalysts for Fuel Cell Reactions

This review focuses on the recent advances in the synthesis of nanoparticle (NP) catalysts of Pt-, Pd- and Au-based NPs as well as composite NPs. First, new developments in the synthesis of single-component Pt, Pd and Au NPs are summarized. Then the chemistry used to make alloy and composite NP catalysts aiming to enhance their activity and durability for fuel cell reactions is outlined. The review next introduces the exciting new research push in developing CoN/C and FeN/C as non-Pt catalysts. Examples of size-, shape-and composition-dependent catalyses for oxygen reduction at cathode and formic acid oxidation at anode are highlighted to illustrate the potentials of the newly developed NP catalysts for fuel cell applications.
Roles of math search in mathematics

Math-aware fine-grain search is expected to be widely available. A key question is what roles it can play in mathematics. It will be argued that, besides finding information, math search can help advance and manage mathematical knowledge. This paper will present the short-term goals and state of the art of math-aware fine-grain search. Afterwards, it will focus on how math search can help advance and manage mathematical knowledge, and discuss what needs to be done to fulfill those roles, emphasizing two key components. The first is similarity search, and how it applies to (1) discovering and drawing upon connections between different fields, and (2) proof development. The second is math metadata, which math search will surely encourage and benefit from, and which will be pivotal to mathematical knowledge management.
It Takes a State: A Policy Feedback Model of Women's Political Representation

American women attain more professional success in medicine, business, and higher education than do most of their counterparts around the world. An enduring puzzle is, therefore, why the US lags so far behind other countries when it comes to women's political representation. In 2008, women held only 16.8 percent of seats in the House of Representatives, a proportion that ranks America lower than 83 other countries. This article addresses this conundrum. It establishes that equal rights alone are insufficient to ensure equal access to political office. Also necessary are public policies representing maternal traits that voters associate with women. Such policies have feedback effects that teach voters that the maternal traits attributed to women represent strengths not only in the private sphere of the home but also in the public sphere of the state. Most other democracies now have such policies in place, but the United States lacks such policies, which accounts for its laggard status with regard to the political representation of women.
New views of quality and safety offer new roles for nurses and midwives.

Around the world nurses, midwives and all health professionals are developing new roles and responsibilities in improving health care. By applying the science that undergirds the approach to quality improvement and safety developed in other high performance industries, health professionals are shifting from only considering personal responsibility and accountability to systems redesign. Error reporting systems in many countries and regions allow systematic analysis of near misses as well as sentinel events so that the system can be redesigned to prevent future occurrence. Health care organizations match their quality data with benchmarks established among their peers to discover gaps in quality, create quality improvement teams to close the gap, and encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and teamwork to achieve improved outcomes. Nurses are challenged to create the educational approaches so nurses have the necessary skills and leadership opportunities, as illustrated in the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) project.
Approach to the Adult with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia due to 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) describes a group of autosomal recessive disorders where there is impairment of cortisol biosynthesis. CAH due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency accounts for 95% of cases and shows a wide range of clinical severity. Treatment of the classic or severe form of CAH is targeted at replacing cortisol and aldosterone and effectively controlling excess androgen symptoms by using the lowest possible glucocorticoid dose. Treatment of the mild or nonclassic form is targeted at controlling excess androgen symptoms and may or may not involve glucocorticoid therapy. Hydrocortisone is the treatment of choice for children, but there is no consensus on how patients should be treated as adults. Current glucocorticoid therapy is suboptimal because it is often difficult to reduce excess androgen without giving excess glucocorticoid, and patients may experience hypercortisolism, androgen excess, or a combination of these states. Treatment of CAH, especially in the adult patient, remains controversial given the lack of prospective randomized controlled trials comparing treatment regimens. Nevertheless, patients benefit from careful individualized therapy with avoidance of Cushingoid side effects and optimization of reproductive, sexual, and bone health.
Mercury Levels in Michigan River Otters, Lutra canadensis

ABSTRACT Mercury (Hg) concentrations were examined in kidney and/or liver tissues of 43 river otters collected from the upper and northern lower peninsulas of Michigan from 1987–1989. In general, Hg concentrations in Michigan's otters were lower than reported for other localities in the United States but higher than concentrations reported in Michigan fish species. Concentrations were significantly higher in liver tissue relative to kidney tissue, averaging 2.18 mg Hg kg−1 dry weight ± 0.25 (S.E.) in the liver and 1.50 mg Hg kg−1 dry weight ± 0.22 in the kidney. Hg concentrations in liver and kidney tissues were significantly correlated (r = 0.41, p < 0.05). When the data were pooled for all years. Hg concentrations in liver tissue were statistically (94%) higher in males than females. Additionally. Hg concentrations in kidney tissue were 18.5% higher in males than females. but this difference was not statistically significant. No statistically verifiable relationships were noted between Hg concentrations...
Attack Politics in Presidential Nomination Campaigns: An Examination of the Frequency and Determinants of Intermediated Negative Messages against Opponents

This article explores the negative campaign messages made by presi dential nomination candidates on their opponents. Using a compilation of national and state media accounts of candidate attack activity from the 1992 Democratic nomination race, we seek to answer the questions -- are the intermediated attacks made by presidential nomination candidates random events or are they predictable consequences of measurable vari ables ? Moreover, when candidates attack, who is their likely target? We find that intermediated candidate attacks can be predicted based on a number of conditions. Among these conditions are competitive position ing, reward factors and media-related conditions. Moreover, the general foci of attacks appear to be limited to attacking those who are competi tively in the top tier. Attacks vary both in their frequency and in their nature depending on the competitive stage of the campaign. The system atic evaluation of these opponent-focused negative messages and their role in candidate strategy...
General anesthesia soon after dialysis may increase postoperative hypotension - A pilot study

Introduction: Pilot study associating hemodialysis-to-general-anesthesia time interval and post-operative complications in hemodialysis patients to better define a more optimal pre-anesthetic waiting period. Methods: Pre-anesthetic and 48-hours post-anesthetic parameters (age, gender, body-mass-index, pre-operative ultrafiltrate, potassium, renal disease etiology, hemodialysis sessions per week, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation-II score, Portsmouth-Physiologic and Operative Severity Score for the Enumeration of Mortality and Morbidity, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, Johns Hopkins Surgical Classification System Category, surgical urgency, intra-operative fluids, estimated blood loss, post-operative complications) were collected on chronic hemodialysis patients between 11/2009-12/2010. Continuous data were analyzed by Analysis of Variance or t-test. Bivariate data were analyzed by Fisher’s Exact Test. Relative Risks/Confidence Intervals were calculated for statistically significant comparisons (p=0.05). Exclusion criteria were incomplete records, peritoneal dialysis, intra-operative hemodialysis, liver transplant, and cardiopulmonary bypass. Results: Patients were grouped by dialysis to anesthesia time interval: Group 1 >24 hours, Group 2 7–23.9 hours, Group 3 <7 hours. Among Surgical Category 3-5 patients, hypotension was more common in Group 3 than Group 1 (63.6% vs 9.2%, p<0.0001, relative risk=6.9, confidence interval=3.0-15.7) or Group 2 (63.6% vs 17.3%, p=0.0002, relative risk=3.7, confidence interval=1.9-7.2). Other complications rates were not statistically significant. Disease and surgical severity scores, preoperative ultrafiltrate, and intra-operative fluids were not different. Conclusions: Post-anesthetic hypotension within 48 hours was more common in those with <7 hours interval between dialysis and anesthesia. Therefore, if surgical urgency permits, a delay of ≥7 hours may limit postoperative hypotension. More precise associations should be obtained through a prospective study.
Metal‐catalyzed oligomerization reactions of organosiloxanes

Abstract : Transition metal complexes, e.g. L2Pt(C2H4), L3RhCl, and L2Ir(CO)Cl (L=Ph3P), react with tetraalkyldisiloxanes, (HRR'Si)2O, to produce metallacycles featuring the transition metal, two silicons, and the oxygen in a four-membered ring, MSiOSi. When R=Me and R'=Ph, stereoselectivity in the formation of the metallacycle from a mixture of stereoisomers of the starting disiloxane is observed. The catalytic activity of these complexes for the oligomerization of the disiloxanes has been investigated in the hope of obtaining stereoregular silicones. It has been found that extensive rearrangements occur which redistribute the groups on the silicon atoms. Increased selectivity for the desired exchange type (SiO-groups for Si-H) was found when the catalysts were adsorbed on oxide supports. Although the goal of synthesizing stereoregular silicones has not yet been achieved, the results warrant further investigation.
Turbulence Measurements in the Surf Zone

Abstract Velocity measurements within 1 m of the bottom in approximately 4.5-m water depth on a sand beach provide estimates of turbulent Reynolds shear stress, using a dual-sensor technique that removes contamination by surface waves, and inertial-range estimates of dissipation. When combined with wave measurements along a cross-shore transect and nearby wind measurements, the dataset provides direct estimates of the terms in simplified equations for alongshore momentum and turbulence energetics and permits examination of semiempirical relationships between bottom stress and near-bottom velocity. The records are dominated by three events when the measurement site was in the outer part of the surf zone. Near-bottom turbulent shear stress is well correlated with (squared correlation coefficient r2 = 0.63), but smaller than (regression coefficient b = 0.51 ± 0.03 at 95% confidence), wind stress minus cross-shore gradient of wave-induced radiation stress, indicating that estimates of one or more of these ter...
Wave Propagation through Longitudinally and Transversally Inhomogeneous Slabs-I

Although invariant imbedding techniques have been successfully applied to various one-dimensional wave-propagation problems [2–5, 7, 11], until now little has been done to extend these techniques to wave propagation in more than one dimension. It might, at first glance, appear that the recent work of Angel, Jain, and Kalaba [1], on the two-dimensional Laplace equation could easily be extended to the slightly more complicated two-dimensional reduced wave equation. However, this turns out to not be the case for our problem since the boundary conditions are of a different nature.
Impact of Personal Information Technologies on American Education, Interpersonal Relations, and Business, 1985–2010

Human beings are in the business of information. As Arthur C. Clarke pointed out,1 we can last longer without food and water — longer as functioning individuals — than we can devoid of sensory connection to the outside world. Our bodies hum with information conveyed through a myriad of synapses, and these in turn get their cues from the wider nets we cast across ourselves, our communities, our planet, and beyond.
A Rolling Stone Gathers Momentum: Generational Units, Collective Memory, and Entrepreneurship

We draw on the historiographical concepts of “generational units” and “collective memories” as a framework for understanding the emergence of entrepreneurially oriented cohesive groups within regions. Generational units are localized subgroups within generations that have a self-referential, reflexive quality by virtue of the members’ sense of their own connections to each other and the events that define them. Collective memories are shared accounts of the past shaped by historical events that mold individuals’ perceptions. The two concepts provide a valuable point of departure for incorporating historical concepts into the study of entrepreneurial dynamics and offer a framework for understanding how entrepreneurs’ historically situated experiences affect them. Our framework breaks new theoretical ground in several ways. First, we synthesize disparate bodies of literature on generational units, collective memory, and organizational imprinting. Second, we specify mechanisms through which imprinting occurs...
Spatio-temporal optical random number generator

We present a first random number generator (RNG) which simultaneously uses independent spatial and temporal quantum randomness contained in an optical system. Availability of the two independent sources of entropy makes the RNG resilient to hardware failure and signal injection attacks. We show that the deviation from randomness of the generated numbers can be estimated quickly from simple measurements thus eliminating the need for usual time-consuming statistical testing of the output data. As a confirmation it is demonstrated that generated numbers pass NIST Statistical test suite.
Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Strategies in Alzheimer’s Disease: From Brain to Periphery

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an irreversible, progressive neurodegenerative disorder. At present, there are no effective disease-modifying therapies, and the cause of the disease remains unclear. Previously, almost all researchers focus on the brain for exploring the pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies in AD. A recent study by Xiang et al. (Acta Neuropathol 130:487–499, 2015) reported the significance of the physiological capacity of peripheral tissues and organs in clearing brain-derived amyloid-beta (Aβ), which opens a novel avenue to understand the AD pathogenesis and develop therapies for AD.
A Machine Learning Approach to Heterologous Membrane Protein Overexpression

Membrane protein production is difficult; their biogenesis does not stop with translation but also requires translocation and integration into a lipid bilayer. These additional steps hamper their heterologous expression which significantly impedes biophysical and structural studies. Detailed and anecdotal evidence in literature suggests that a variety nucleotide and amino-acid sequence level determinants may potentially support or hinder their biogenesis, e.g. mRNA pausing elements, codon adaptation, transmembrane segment hydrophobicity, “positive inside rule.” By training a preference-ranking Support Vector Machine, we have developed a statistical model that predicts a relative likelihood of a membrane protein's successful expression using quantitative experimental data of overexpression. This model is rigorously validated against expression outcomes from small-scale laboratory experiments (e.g. expression tests that routinely precede structural studies) published in the literature as well as large-scale expression trials from a Protein Structure Initiative consortium facility. We show remarkable agreement between the predicted and experimental expression outcomes and propose our model, trained and cross-validated on the entire corpus of data, as a tool for the membrane protein biophysics community to streamline the process of overexpressing a target for study. Given the framework of our model, it can be trivially re-trained as additional experimental outcomes are gathered from past work or created from experiments. Furthermore, the relative weights gathered from parameters of the statistical model may help further characterize translocation mechanisms and suggest intriguing areas for further biophysical and computational experiments.
FDA Approval of Gefitinib for the Treatment of Patients With Metastatic EGFR Mutation-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

On July 13, 2015, the FDA approved gefitinib (Iressa; AstraZeneca UK Limited) for the treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have EGFR exon 19 deletions or exon 21 (L858R) substitution mutations as detected by an FDA-approved test. Concurrently, a labeling expansion of the therascreen EGFR RGQ PCR Kit (Qiagen) as a companion diagnostic test was approved. The approval was based on the results of a multicenter, single-arm, open-label clinical study of 106 treatment-naive patients with metastatic EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC who received gefitinib, 250 mg daily, until disease progression or intolerable toxicity. The major efficacy outcome was RECIST v1.1 objective response rate (ORR). The blinded independent central review (BICR) ORR was 50% [95% confidence interval (CI), 41-59] with a median duration of response (DoR) of 6.0 months. Efficacy results were supported by a retrospective exploratory analysis of a subset of a randomized, multicenter, open-label trial on 1,217 patients with metastatic NSCLC. Of the patients randomized, 186 (15%) were retrospectively determined to be EGFR positive and evaluable for a BICR assessment. The HR for progression-free survival (PFS) was 0.54 (95% CI, 0.38-0.79), favoring gefitinib over platinum-doublet chemotherapy. The most common (≥20%) adverse reactions were skin reactions, increased aspartate and alanine aminotransferase, proteinuria, and diarrhea. Approximately 5% of patients discontinued treatment due to an adverse reaction. Given the safety profile and clinically meaningful ORR, DoR, and PFS, the benefit-risk analysis was deemed favorable for FDA approval.
Solid State Electrically Injected Exciton-Polariton Laser

Inversionless ultralow threshold coherent emission, or polariton lasing, can be obtained by spontaneous radiative recombination from a degenerate polariton condensate with nonresonant excitation. Such excitation has, hitherto, been provided by an optical source. Coherent emission from a GaAs-based quantum well microcavity diode with electrical injection is observed here. This is achieved by a combination of modulation doping of the wells, to invoke polariton-electron scattering, and an applied magnetic field in the Faraday geometry to enhance the exciton-polariton saturation density. These measures help to overcome the relaxation bottleneck and to form a macroscopic and degenerate condensate as evidenced by angle-resolved luminescence, light-current characteristics, spatial coherence, and output polarization. The experiments were performed at 30 K with an applied field of 7 T.
Book Review: Cosmetic Injection Techniques: A Text and Video Guide to Neurotoxins and Fillers

Theda C. Kontis, Victor G. Lacombe Cosmetic Injection Techniques: A Text and Video Guide to Neurotoxins and Fillers. Stuttgart, Germany: Thieme, 2013. ISBN-10: 1604067128 Cosmetic Injection Techniques: A Text and Video Guide to Neurotoxins and Fillers is a comprehensive and detailed book that describes locations/techniques for the injection of fillers and neurotoxins. Its concise descriptions of these techniques, along with excellent videos and high-quality original artwork, make this one of the best cosmetic surgery textbooks of the past 25 years. Designed to assist both beginners and advanced cosmetic physicians and practitioners with filler and neurotoxin injection techniques, this book is divided by injection location and indication (eg, sunken cheeks, tear trough deformity, acne scars, sweating of the feet, and masseter hypertrophy). Fifty-nine injection techniques are listed in the table of contents—this number includes an overview and sections on preparation, instrumentation, and collaboration of societies—and each is accompanied by a video. …