cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessment of clinical and educational interventions that Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) students contributed to a family medicine residency program

Abstract Background and purpose The literature firmly establishes that clinical interventions made by pharmacy students on Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) rotations contribute significantly to cost-savings realized by the hosting practice sites. The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) specifies the experiential curricula include opportunities for students to learn about, from, and with other members of the healthcare team through interprofessional education activities. Educational activity This study assesses clinical and educational interventions contributed by APPE students at a family medicine residency program to determine the extent students were engaged in the interprofessional team and physicians’ receptiveness to the recommendations. Findings Student interventions made from January 2009 to September 2012 were recorded in a Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet. Data was evaluated to determine 1) the most common types of clinical and educational interventions, 2) potential associated cost-savings/avoidance, and 3) provider receptiveness to recommendations based upon acceptance rates. A standardized scheme was utilized to assign a cost savings value according to Midwest America Division of Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) clinical savings standards. Pharmacy students contributed 2868 interventions in 3.5 years. A total of 59.2% of interventions were clinical and accounted for an estimated cost savings of $55,892. The remaining 40.8% of interventions were pharmacy care activities, none were associated with a cost savings and three-fourths were considered educational. Intervention acceptance rate was over 80%, showing providers were very receptive to pharmacy students. Summary This study lends support that APPE students provide substantial clinical and educational contributions to healthcare providers and patients affiliated with family medicine residency programs. Additionally, healthcare providers and patients are very receptive to pharmacy students as members of the interprofessional team.
Research Update: Materials design of implantable nanogenerators for biomechanical energy harvesting

Implantable nanogenerators are rapidly advanced recently as a promising concept for harvesting biomechanical energy in vivo. This review article presents an overview of the most current progress of implantable piezoelectric nanogenerator (PENG) and triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) with a focus on materials selection, engineering, and assembly. The evolution of the PENG materials is discussed from ZnO nanostructures, to high-performance ferroelectric perovskites, to flexible piezoelectric polymer mesostructures. Discussion of TENGs is focused on the materials and surface features of friction layers, encapsulation materials, and device integrations. Challenges faced by this promising technology and possible future research directions are also discussed.
Salivary Diagnostics in Pediatrics: Applicability, Translatability, and Limitations.

In the last decade, technological advances, combined with an improved appreciation of the ability of saliva to inform caregivers about both oral health and systemic disease, have led to the emergence of salivary diagnostic platforms. However, the majority of these assays have targeted diseases that more commonly affect the adult population, largely neglecting infants and children who arguably could benefit the most from noninvasive assessment tools for health monitoring. Gaining access into development, infection and disease through comprehensive ‘omic’ analyses of saliva could significantly improve care and enhance health access. In this review, we will highlight novel applications of salivary diagnostics in pediatrics across the ‘omic’ spectrum, including at the genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, microbiomic and metabolomic level. The challenges to implementing salivary platforms into care, including the effects of age, diet and developmental stage on salivary components, will be reviewed. Ultimately, large-scale, multicenter trials must be performed to establish normative biomarker values across the age spectrum to accurately discriminate between health and disease. Only then can salivary diagnostics truly translate into pediatric care.
Feedstock Crop Production Costs and Biofuel Feedstock Input Costs Associated with the Production of Energy Cane and Sweet Sorghum in the Southeastern USA

Concentration of biofuel feedstock crop production in specific regions of the USA is dependent on the relative comparative advantage of production in a specific region based on several agronomic and economic factors. For the southeastern region of the USA, energy cane and sweet sorghum have been identified as two feedstock crops with the greatest potential for further development of production. This study utilized field trial data from yield studies in Louisiana to develop estimates of feedstock crop production costs and biofuel feedstock input costs for these two crops. Results indicated that feedstock production costs on a harvest yield basis, as well as the related dry matter basis, were heavily dependent on yield level. Economic research from this study indicated that energy cane had a slight cost advantage compared with sweet sorghum, although production of sorghum in certain periods during the growing season was very cost competitive with energy cane.
Video Competition in a Digital Age

(Testimony before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet, Committee on Energy and Commerce)Statistics and trends in the video marketplace show that consumers have abundant and diverse viewing options. There is more competition than ever before for viewers among all video providers - from traditional broadcasters to pay TV distributors to Internet distribution platforms - and new rules would hamper the ability of operators to grow and offer innovative new programming options.Contrary to views that there is a problem with diversity in media, we can cite steady growth in the number of local broadcast channels and an increase in pay TV channels owned by independent programmers. Internet video is also a viable competitor to traditional multichannel video providers as more content migrates to online platforms.America's video marketplace should be viewed as a pro-consumer success story. With an abundance of choices, competition, and diverse viewing options, the only real scarcity remaining today is our personal time and attention spans - not video options. We should celebrate that fact.
Human respiratory mucosal immunity is altered by stress

Respiratory tract infections are the third leading cause of death worldwide, and progress in reducing mortality due to respiratory infection has lagged behind other conditions. Stress contributes to risk or severity of respiratory infection, yet the influence of stress on immune host defense within the respiratory tract of adults is not well defined. In this study, adults were exposed to a moderate stressor (45 min of exercise), or a severe stressor (3 h of exercise). Nasal lavage was performed on participants at rest and immediately after each stressor to assess immune function within the respiratory tract. Nasal lavage leukocytes (CD45+ cells) and epithelial cells (CD326+ cells) were evaluated by flow cytometry, and nasal fluid was evaluated for antiviral activity against influenza virus by plaque assay. The results showed that severe stress significantly increased the total number of leukocytes and epithelial cells present in nasal lavage fluid whereas moderate stress did not significantly alter cell number or percentage. In the moderate stress condition, antiviral activity against influenza virus was enhanced. In conclusion, the moderate stress condition was associated with improved antiviral defense and minimal perturbation of leukocytes and epithelial cells. In contrast, the large increase of cells in nasal lavage fluid collected during severe stress may suggest increased shedding of the protective epithelial cell layer and increased recruitment of leukocytes in response to the stress.
Treatment of peripancreatic fluid collections in patients with complicated acute pancreatitis.

We reviewed an experience with treatment of peripancreatic fluid collections in patients with complicated acute pancreatitis to identify clinical and computed tomography (CT) parameters that are helpful in the selection of patients for treatment and to assess treatment outcome. The extent of CT abnormalities determined a CT severity score (mild = 1, severe = 4). From 1985 to 1990, 650 patients were hospitalized with acute pancreatitis; a peripancreatic fluid collection was found in 36 patients (5.5 percent). Ten of 11 patients with successful outcome after no invasive treatment (group 1) had a low CT severity score of 1 or 2; mean serum albumin was 4.0 gram percent. Of 25 patients who had some form of drainage, 12 had a high CT severity score of 3 or 4 (p < 0.05) and a mean serum albumin of 3.4 grams percent (p < 0.05). Nine patients had only operative drainage (group 2) and 16 had CT-directed percutaneous catheter drainage (group 3). In group 3, percutaneous catheter drainage successfully drained the fluid collection in six patients, while ten patients needed an operation, in addition to percutaneous drainage, to effectively debride and drain the necrotizing pancreatic problem. As a result of the current review, we propose an algorithm for treatment of these patients.
Priest and Shaman on the Plains: A False Dichotomy?*

For a number of years, anthropologists have tended to classify religious leaders of more or less primitive peoples into shamans on the one hand, and priests on the other. Such terms are analyticall...
Microdenervation of the spermatic cord for post‐vasectomy pain syndrome

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the outcomes of patients who underwent microdenervation of the spermatic cord (MDSC) for post-vasectomy pain syndrome (PVPS) at our institution. METHODS A retrospective study of all patients who underwent MDSC for PVPS by a single surgeon between March 2002 and October 2016 was performed. Pain was documented using the numerical rating scale (NRS). Spermatic cord block (SCB) was performed on all patients, and success was defined as NRS score ≤1 for >4 h. All patients had failed medical therapy prior to MDSC. All previous procedures for PVPS had been performed elsewhere. Surgical success was defined as a postoperative NRS score of ≤1. RESULTS A total of 27 patients with 28 scrotal units underwent MDSC for PVPS. The median (1st quartile; 3rd quartile) follow-up was 10 (2; 16.5) months. The median (range) duration of pain prior to surgery was 57 (8-468) months. Pain was bilateral in 14 (52%), left-sided in eight (30%) and right-sided in five patients (19%). Data on SCB were available for 23 patients, with a success rate of 96%. The median (range) preoperative pain NRS score was 7 (2-10). The median (range) pain score after SCB on the NRS scale was 0 (0-5). The median (range) postoperative pain score on the NRS was 0 (0-9). Overall success was achieved in 20 of 28 testicular units (71%). Patients with involvement of multiple structures in the scrotum (i.e. testis, epididymis, spermatic cord) had a success rate of 81% and were more likely to have a successful surgery (P < 0.001). Five patients had failed a prior epididymectomy and three had failed a vaso-vasostomy for PVPS; this had no correlation with the success of MDSC (P = 0.89). CONCLUSION The MDSC procedure is a reasonably successful, durable and valuable approach for PVPS, especially when pain involves multiple structures in the scrotum (testis, epididymis, spermatic cord). MDSC was equally efficacious in patients who had previously failed a procedure for PVPS. No patient had a worsening NRS score after MDSC. This is the largest study to date evaluating MDSC for the treatment of PVPS.
Mapping optical properties of the esophagus using sub-diffuse spatial frequency domain imaging (Conference Presentation)

For decades, the incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) has risen, while the long-term survival rate remains poor. The progression of EAC is marked by superficial changes in cell and tissue microstructure. Early detection of EAC can reduce mortality, but current screening techniques require extensive biopsies because these tissue changes are invisible to conventional endoscopy. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is being commercialized for screening and guiding biopsies, but is expensive and requires scanning a small beam across the entire surface of the esophagus. Spatial frequency domain imaging (SFDI) can capture microscopic tissue signatures over a wide field of view. However, conventional SFDI integrates signal from many millimeters deep into tissue, which is beyond the depth that OCT and histology observe abnormalities. We are developing a sub-diffuse SFDI system that measures the reflectance of tissues from spatial frequencies of 0 to 0.5 mm⁻¹. Optical property maps of absorption, reduced scattering, and qualitative scattering phase function differences are extracted using diffuse and Monte Carlo models. Scattering phase sensitivity was validated in agar phantoms containing polystyrene beads with a distribution of diameters. Varying the fractal dimensions from 3.50 to 4.25, our reflected measurements varied by 41% for a constant scattering coefficient of 0.6 mm⁻¹ at 851 nm and 0.5 mm⁻¹ spatial frequency. This approach was piloted in ex-vivo porcine tissue, where we observed strong scattering contrast between the esophagus, gastroesophageal junction, and stomach tissue. Future work will measure optical properties of ex-vivo human tissue to guide the design of an endoscope-compatible system.
Tobacco Smoking and Brain Endogenous Opioid Release: More Than Nicotine Alone.

Introduction The effects of smoking denicotinized (denic) and average nicotine (avnic) tobacco cigarettes were studied on brain mu opioid receptor binding by positron emission tomography with 11C carfentanil. The results indicated the importance of physiological and psychological effects induced by denic smoking. Methods Regional mu opioid binding potential (nondisplaceable binding potential, BPND) was measured in 20 adult male overnight abstinent chronic tobacco smokers. The denic sessions were conducted about 8:00 am followed by avnic sessions about 2 hours later. Venous plasma nicotine levels and scores of craving to smoke were assessed before and after each smoking session. Fagerstrom scores of nicotine dependence were determined. Pearson's and Spearman's correlation tests were used to examine associations between BPND and other smoking parameters. Results Surprisingly, the very low plasma nicotine peak levels after denic smoking (mean ± SD: 3.3 ± 1.8 ng/mL) were significantly correlated with BPND after denic and avnic smoking. Equally surprising no association was found between nicotine levels after avnic smoking and BPND. Delta craving scores and Fagerstrom scores were correlated with both BPND after denic and avnic in several brain regions. Conclusions Very small amounts of nicotine, psychological and behavioral effects of denic smoking appear to have important actions on the endogenous mu opioid system. Implications Associations between very low venous plasma nicotine levels after denic smoking and regional brain mu opioid receptor availability are a surprising "placebo" effect. Delta craving and Fagerstrom scores were correlated with BPND in several brain regions including amygdala, hippocampus, insula, nucleus accumbens, putamen, and ventral striatum. This study is limited by modest Power (mean 1 - β = 0.6) for all correlation analyses.
An expanding carbon cap-and-trade regime? A decade of experience with RGGI charts a path forward

Abstract On carbon, states have been forced by federal inaction to take matters into their own hands. Over a dozen states are participating in or considering CO2 cap-and-trade regimes. The oldest – the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative – has in a decade achieved emission reductions through joint state implementation and efficient market-based carbon pollution control. The initiative also has yielded $5 billion in economic benefits and tens of thousands of jobs. RGGI thus charts a path forward for states seeking a practical approach to carbon reduction in the absence of federal leadership.
Localized Carcinoma of the Prostate: Patterns of Failure with External Beam Radiation Therapy

External beam irradiation is used as definitive therapy in a large proportion of patients with clinical stage A and B carcinoma of the prostate and, in most institutions, in the majority of patients with stage C or more locally extensive tumors (Perez et al. 1993a). Tumor doses have ranged from 60 to 64 Gy for stage Al (T1a), 65 to 70 Gy for stage A2 (T1b) and B (T2), and 66 to 72 Gy for stage C (T3) tumors. Several retrospective studies indicate that dose has an impact on the local tumor control. Perez et al. (1986, 1993c) reported improved local control rates with doses greater than 65 Gy, particularly in stage C patients. Hanks et al. (1988), in 1348 patients with stage B and C tumors, reported an actuarial 5-year local recurrence rate of 37% for patients with stage C tumors treated to doses of less than 60 Gy, 36% for 60–64.9 Gy, 29% for 65–69.9 Gy, and 19% for those receiving 70 Gy or more. By 7 years, 32% of patients receiving 65–69 Gy and 24% treated with higher doses had local recurrences.
Analysis of an Anti-Phishing Lab Activity.

Despite advances in spam detection software, anti-spam laws, and increasingly sophisticated users, the number of successful phishing scams continues to grow. In addition to monetary losses attributable to phishing, there is also a loss of confidence that stifles use of online services. Using in-class activities in an introductory computer course is one way of familiarizing students with phishing and teaching them how to recognize a phishing email in order to avoid becoming victims. This paper analyzes one activity based on an online phishing IQ test.
Memorias de mujeres campesinas del valle de Aconcagua a 50 años de la Reforma Agraria Chilena

The article presents the results of an investigation that aims to rescue and value the collective memory of rural women who were part of the Agrarian Reform process in the Aconcagua Valley, Valparaiso Region, Chile. The methodology is guided by studies of collective memory, defining time and space within the framework of the Chilean reform process. The research group corresponds to peasant women linked to farmers benefited by the Agrarian Reform process. The information was collected through biographical interview and documentary review, allowing to interpret personal memories and endow them with stability and collective transcendence. The analysis considers the documentary information available and the memories of the peasant women compiled. The results indicate that peasant women were direct recipients of government actions that claimed their social rights and contributed to the improvement of rural living conditions in the areas of health, housing and education. The main conclusion is that the right to land of the peasant woman was mediated by her conjugal relationship with a beneficiary peasant or assignee of the process, through the exercise of the right of conjugal partnership or inheritance. Five decades after the Chilean reform process, it can be affirmed that the Agrarian Reform promoted structural transformations that had a direct impact on the living and working conditions of the peasant family, being the peasant man his main economic protagonist in the farm and the peasant woman his main social beneficiary in the home.
Data-Driven Dialogue Systems for Social Agents

In order to build dialogue systems to tackle the ambitious task of holding social conversations, we argue that we need a data-driven approach that includes insight into human conversational “chit-chat”, and which incorporates different natural language processing modules. Our strategy is to analyze and index large corpora of social media data, including Twitter conversations, online debates, dialogues between friends, and blog posts, and then to couple this data retrieval with modules that perform tasks such as sentiment and style analysis, topic modeling, and summarization. We aim for personal assistants that can learn more nuanced human language, and to grow from task-oriented agents to more personable social bots.
Endovascular Reconstruction of the Hepatic Arterial System for the Management of Mycotic Pseudoaneurysm in a Liver Transplant Patient.

Background Hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm is a rare but very morbid complication after liver transplant. Treatment options include ligation or endovascular embolization, followed by revascularization. We describe a new endovascular approach by stent exclusion in a high-risk patient. Results A 62-year-old male who received a second liver transplant after failed allograft presented with hemobilia and was diagnosed with a hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm in the setting of infection. Given his hostile abdomen, an endovascular approach was sought. We excluded the mycotic pseudoaneurysm with multiple covered stent grafts extending from the common hepatic artery to the right and left hepatic arteries. He was discharged with long-term antibiotics. On his 6-month follow-up visit, his stent was patent and hepatic function was stable. Conclusions Endovascular stent-graft placement for management of hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm after liver transplant should be considered as a lower morbidity alternative to surgical repair, even in the setting of infection.
Effect of two digestive enzymes and pH on the dsRNA of endornaviruses of bell pepper and melon under in vitro conditions

The objective of this investigation was to determine the in vitro effect of two common digestive enzymes, amylase and pepsin, and pH on the integrity of the RI dsRNA of bell pepper endornavirus (BPEV) and Cucumis melo endornavirus (CmEV) evaluated by gel electrophoresis and reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR). We conducted experiments on the in vitro effect of two common digestive enzymes, amylase and pepsin, and pH on the structural integrity of the replicative intermediate (RI) dsRNA of bell pepper endornavirus (BPEV) and Cucumis melo endornavirus (CmEV), evaluated by gel electrophoresis and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. The effect of the amylase, pepsin, and pH treatments on the dsRNA of both viruses was similar. Amylase did not appear to affect the structural integrity of the dsRNA. In contrast, gel electrophoresis analysis of pepsin-treated dsRNA samples showed an abnormal electrophoretic migration and evidence of partial dsRNA degradation. DsRNAs from both fruits were partially degraded when exposed to a pH value of 2.0 and completely degraded at a pH value of 1.0. The results of this investigation suggest that when exposed to pepsin and pH values lower than 2.0, the RI of BPEV and CmEV lose their structural integrity. Therefore, when consuming endornavirus-infected bell pepper or melon, our digestive organs are exposed to both fragmented and full RI dsRNA of these two viruses.
Analyzing the activity and expression of acyl peptide enzyme hydrolase (APEH) in the blood serum of patients with type II diabetes

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia and insulin resistance, which the CDC estimates currently afflicts one in ten U.S. adults and is projected to continue to rise sharply over the next 50 years. Acyl peptide enzyme hydrolase (APEH), an enzyme circulating in peripheral blood, has been implicated in rodent models of diabetes. To understand if APEH is affected in diabetes, the APEH activity was measured in the blood serum of patients with T2D compared to age-matched controls. Our results show that APEH activity is 22% lower (p = 0.0163) in T2D patients compared to matched controls. Importantly, there was no observable difference in APEH protein expression between cohorts, suggesting that APEH activity is regulated at the protein level. This work is important as it contributes to our knowledge of T2D and the role of APEH in human disease.
Damned Nation: Hell in America from the Revolution to Reconstruction

As a social, political, and historical phenomenon – as opposed to a purely theological one – arguing about hell has always been a great American pastime, arising from the intertwining of American e...
A Scan Register Based Access Scheme for Multilevel Non-Volatile Memristor Memory

The memristor, an emerging non-volatile memory (NVM) device, has garnered widespread attention as a candidate device of choice for reconfigurable logic or memory systems due to its nanoscale dimension, scalability, multi-bit storage, and CMOS compatibility. This work provides a means for sequential access of memristors to configure or extract multi-bit information stored in a reconfigurable electronic integrated system. The proposed scheme uses two scan registers interchangeably to separate and parallelize the programming/reading and shifting in/out of data bits. To outline the utility of the scheme, scalability and energy analysis are provided.
The Privacy Preserving Framework with Virtual Ring and Identity-Based Cryptography for Smart Grid

One of the main challenges in the smart grid is how to efficiently manage the high volume data from smart meters and sensors and preserve the privacy from the consumption data to avoid potential attacks (e.g., identity theft) for the involved prosumers, retail electricity providers and other clusters of distributed energy resources. This paper proposes a two-layer framework with the cloud computing infrastructure. The virtual ring and identity-based cryptography are utilized in each layer to preserve privacy efficiently. The methods of the virtual ring and identity-based cryptography are introduced. The purposes and needs are discussed at the end of this paper.
Deep-ocean paleo-seafloor erosion in the northwestern Pacific identified by high-resolution seismic images

Abstract The deposition and diagenesis of pelagic marine sediments together play important roles in global geochemical cycles by returning elements, such as silica, from the hydrosphere to the geosphere and stably sequestering them within deep-ocean sedimentary sections around the world. Here, we present new, high-resolution (vertical resolution 2–5 m) seismic reflection data from the northwestern Pacific that we interpret to indicate a period of erosional activity that has returned silica to the hydrosphere and thus represents a departure from uniform sequestration by pelagic sediment deposition. The interpreted erosional features are observed as a ~ 200- to 300-m-wide horizontal variation in reflection character within the ~20-m interval overlying the regional chert/porcellanite layer. This reflection character variation is not consistent with uniform pelagic sedimentation, and it has not previously been noted in the northwestern Pacific, where most seismic data are lower-resolution. Erosion of seafloor sediments may have been caused by bottom-current activity, but the geometry of the observed features suggests that fluid-expulsion erosion from diagenesis of primarily siliceous sediment played some role in driving this mass transfer. This period of erosional activity occurred after this portion of the Pacific plate left the equatorial zone of high biological productivity ~75 Ma, and ended between approximately 35 and 55 Ma. Regardless of the details of the process, erosion of deep-ocean seafloor sediments represents a return of silica and other chemicals from the sediment to the bottom water and, if pervasive in the oceans, these processes should be accounted for in models of global geochemical cycles.
Dynamical Refraction of Space-Time Wave Packets

We show that introducing tight spatio-temporal correlations into a wave-packet unveils remarkable dynamical refractive phenomena, such as group-velocity invariance with respect to the refractive index and group-delay cancellation while traversing a bilayer of optical materials.
Energy geostructures: Theory and application

The subsurface represents space and resource of ever-growing importance to meet human activity needs associated with the availability of built environments and energy. So-called energy geostructures represent a breakthrough technology in this context. By integrating the structural support role of earth-contact structures with the heating-cooling role of shallow geothermal heat exchangers, energy geostructures can sustain or enclose built environments while providing them with renewable thermal energy. Despite such promising features, the integrated roles of energy geostructures pose various challenges to understand their behavior and performance, and to address the related analysis and design. Appropriate formulation and application of scientific theory are crucial for the successful analysis and design of energy geostructures. This Bright Spark Lecture Paper presents selected theory for addressing the behavior and performance of energy geostructures, and discusses the application of this theory to analysis and design. In this context, the work focuses on energy piles and barrettes, energy tunnels, as well as energy walls and slabs. The ultimate goal of this paper is to provide competence for facilitating future research and development of energy geostructures across science and engineering.
A 5 bit Low Loss Compact Switched Delay Line Phase Shifter for Phased Array Radar Applications

Phase Shifters are employed in phased array radars to induce phase shift within transmitted power which results in steering of transmitted beam. This paper encompasses design of a compact, 5-bit switched delay line phase shifter, capable of handling up-to 10W RF power. Switched delay line phase shifter works on the principle of inducing phase shift through comparative passage of RF waves through reference and delay arms. Initial design of phase shifter was completed on Agilent's Advanced Design Simulation (ADS) Schematic window with center frequency of 1.3 GHz. Final version from Schematic window was then drawn in ADS Layout window which was further simulated for computation of S parameters. Design was optimized for best possible values of insertion and return losses with minimum phase error. Fabrication of final design is accomplished on low loss Rogers RT Duroid 6006 substrate. Solid state SPDT switches provided selection of reference or delay arm to achieve desired phase shift. Fabricated model was tested on Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) for all 32 combinations of phase states. 5-bit phase shifter designed in this work is realized on a low loss substrate coupled with a highly efficient switched delay line phase shifting technique.
Screening for Depression in Adolescents with Developmental Disabilities: Brief Report

Objectives: (1) To examine adherence of universal screening for adolescent depression at initial visits by using an established screening instrument (Patient Health Questionnaire 9 [PHQ-9]) in a un...
Kratom Use Among U.S. Adolescents: Analyses of the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Abstract Background Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is an opioid-like psychoactive substance not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that could be used due to its euphoric, stimulant, and analgesic effects. Kratom is gaining popularity in the U.S. and becoming a reason of concern among pediatricians. Methods Data from the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health were analyzed to estimate the prevalence and identify correlates of lifetime and past 12-month kratom use among 13,397 U.S. adolescents. Multivariable logistic regression models were conducted to assess the associations of interest. Results Lifetime and past 12-month prevalence of kratom use was .44% (95% confidence interval [CI] .32–.60) and .27% (95% CI .18–.40), respectively. Past 12-month cigarette use was associated with lifetime kratom use (adjusted odds ratio 2.60, 95% CI 1.07–6.35). Past 12-month cannabis use was associated with past 12-month kratom use (adjusted odds ratio 2.48, 95% CI 1.15–5.35). Conclusions This first report on the epidemiology of adolescent kratom use provides a baseline to assess kratom use trends in future years and identify potential correlates of use among adolescents.
Whole Genome Screens in Macrophages

The development of whole genome RNA interference (RNAi) by using double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) in Drosophila cells opened up the potential to screen the entire genome of macrophage-like cells for host proteins that modulate bacterial infection. This chapter focuses on how these screens have been used in in vitro studies with several different pathogens, both intra- and extracellular. The S2 cell line is thought to be derived from embryonic plasmatocytes and behaves similarly to primary Drosophila macrophages. Coupled with the fact that Drosophila lack the interferon response, allowing use of (relatively) inexpensive dsRNAs (unlike mammalian cells), and that S2 cells take up dsRNAs passively through the receptor Eater, it is reasonable that whole genome screens for macrophage function using RNAi first became viable in Drosophila cell lines. A remarkably small group of genes appear to be required for phagocytosis of all the pathogens studied so far, and most of these are concerned with actin remodeling and vesicle trafficking. The power and usefulness of genome-wide screens utilizing RNAi technology depends on the critical assumption that gene silencing is a very specific process.
Emotion regulation deficits in intermittent explosive disorder.

Intermittent explosive disorder (IED) is a psychiatric disorder characterized by repeated acts of affective aggression. Despite the diagnostic emphasis on the failure to control aggressive impulses, there is little research on affective processes and emotion regulation in IED; however, this research suggests possible dysfunctions in experiences of emotional intensity and lability. The hypothesis in the present study was that compared to individuals with other psychiatric disorders, and psychologically healthy individuals, individuals with IED experience greater negative affect intensity and emotional lability. Participants (N = 373) consisted of 202 individuals diagnosed with IED, 68 non-IED psychiatric controls (PC), and 103 healthy volunteers (HV). Emotion regulation was assessed using the General Behavior Inventory, the Affective Lability Scale, and the Affect Intensity Measure. RESULTS showed that IED participants reported greater negative affect intensity and greater emotional lability across several emotion domains (e.g., anger, anxiety, depression) than PC and HV participants. These findings suggest that IED is characterized by more global emotion regulation deficits than those associated with anger alone. Aggr. Behav. 9999:1-9, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Language: en
Dense Nucleation of Polycrystalline Diamond Films Using CF4-H2 Low Pressure rf Discharges

Abstract Dense nucleation of small-grain polycrystalline diamond films on Si(100) substrates has been accomplished without the use of any surface pretreatment such as abrasive diamond scratching, surface oil treatments, or diamond-like carbon predeposition. The depositions occurred in a low pressure rf plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition system using mixtures of CF 4 and H 2 . Films deposited at 5 Torr and 850°C on as-received silicon wafers show dense nucleation, well-defined facets, and crystallites which ranged in size from 500 to 10,000 a. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electron energy loss show the films to be diamond with no major impurity and no detectable graphitic component. Raman spectroscopy shows a pronounced 1332 cm- 1 line accompanied with a broad band centered about 1500 cm- 1 . Preliminary data indicates that this process is applicable to substrates other than silicon. This process will have important applications in areas where surface pre-treatments, such as diamond polishing, are not viable.
Protein Phosphatase 1 Binding Proteins

Publisher Summary Protein phosphatase 1 belongs to the phosphoprotein phosphatase (PPP) family of phosphatases and is involved in the regulation of a wide variety of cellular processes ranging from intermediary metabolism to apoptosis. It is estimated that almost 300 serine/threonine kinases are encoded by the human genome but only some two-dozen catalytic subunits of serine/threonine protein phosphatases. The question of how such a limited number of protein phosphatases can dephosphorylate the myriad of cellular phosphoproteins in a specific and regulated manner appears to be satisfied by the existence of a multitude of regulatory/targeting subunits. This chapter is limited to mammalian PP1-binding subunits and explains how they can account for the pleiotropic functions of the enzyme in the cell. It also takes into account some other recent reviews on this topic. It suggests that all forms of PP1 holoenzymes contain a similar, highly conserved catalytic subunit but differ in the associated regulatory subunits. The large number of associating proteins provides compelling evidence that the distinctive features of different PP1 holoenzymes reside in the regulatory components. Thus, functionally distinct forms are generated by a combination of a similar catalytic component with different regulatory subunits that are responsible for targeting the enzyme to specific cellular locales, for conferring substrate specificity, or for controlling the enzyme activity. The large number of targeting/ regulatory subunits of PP1 can thus account for the pleiotropic function of the type 1 phosphatase in the cell.
Chapter 52 Dynamics of dislocation motion in L12 compounds

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the dynamics of dislocation motion in L1 2 compounds. The increase of the yield strength with temperature observed in the L1 2 intermetallic compounds has been the focus of intensive research efforts over the past several decades. The principle motivation for these studies has been to understand the fundamental cause for the inverse or anomalous temperature dependence of the yield strength. A characteristic of deformation in the anomalous regime is that the dislocation microstructure is remarkably homogeneous, with little apparent tendency to form the sub-grains or cell structures found in pure metals. Therefore, it is plausible that this regime is amenable to dislocation-based modeling. In fact, central to most modeling efforts, including that presented in the chapter, is the assumption that the macroscopic mechanical properties of these compounds are determined largely by the behavior of individual dislocations, while the interaction between dislocations is far less important.
Determination of Stellar Rotational Velocities

The three basic methods for measuring axial rotation of stars had been suggested before the beginning of this century. These are (1) Modulation of starlight due to dark or bright areas on a rotating star; (2) Distortions in the radial velocity curves of eclipsing binary systems; and (3) Line profile analysis. Research in each of these areas is reviewed.
Adenosine Receptors and the Heart: Role in Regulation of Coronary Blood Flow and Cardiac Electrophysiology

Adenosine is an autacoid that plays a critical role in regulating cardiac function, including heart rate, contractility, and coronary flow. In this chapter, current knowledge of the functions and mechanisms of action of coronary flow regulation and electrophysiology will be discussed. Currently, there are four known adenosine receptor (AR) subtypes, namely A(1), A(2A), A(2B), and A(3). All four subtypes are known to regulate coronary flow. In general, A(2A)AR is the predominant receptor subtype responsible for coronary blood flow regulation, which dilates coronary arteries in both an endothelial-dependent and -independent manner. The roles of other ARs and their mechanisms of action will also be discussed. The increasing popularity of gene-modified models with targeted deletion or overexpression of a single AR subtype has helped to elucidate the roles of each receptor subtype. Combining pharmacologic tools with targeted gene deletion of individual AR subtypes has proven invaluable for discriminating the vascular effects unique to the activation of each AR subtype. Adenosine exerts its cardiac electrophysiologic effects mainly through the activation of A(1)AR. This receptor mediates direct as well as indirect effects of adenosine (i.e., anti-beta-adrenergic effects). In supraventricular tissues (atrial myocytes, sinuatrial node and atriovetricular node), adenosine exerts both direct and indirect effects, while it exerts only indirect effects in the ventricle. Adenosine exerts a negative chronotropic effect by suppressing the automaticity of cardiac pacemakers, and a negative dromotropic effect through inhibition of AV-nodal conduction. These effects of adenosine constitute the rationale for its use as a diagnostic and therapeutic agent. In recent years, efforts have been made to develop A(1)R-selective agonists as drug candidates that do not induce vasodilation, which is considered an undesirable effect in the clinical setting.
Patterns in 500 hPa geopotential height associated with temporal clusters of tropical cyclone tornadoes

Tropical cyclones are known to produce tornadoes, but the total number of tornadoes a tropical cyclone will produce, or the rate at which it will produce tornadoes throughout its lifespan, is not well understood. To understand better the link between the large-scale environment in which a tropical cyclone is located and tornado production, this study analyses and classifies 500 hPa geopotential height plots that correspond to temporal clusters of tornadoes. The primary 500 hPa patterns identified in this study represent various stages of interaction with the mid-latitude westerlies that a tropical cyclone may experience as it tracks from the tropics and subtropics to the mid-latitudes. Statistical analysis of the number of tornadoes per cluster suggests that tropical cyclones produce more tornadoes when they begin to interact with, or become embedded within, the mid-latitude westerlies.
Electrical conductivity of cadmium sulphide exposed to pulsating x radiation

The cadmium sulfide erystal is being used in equipment for fast X-ray inspection of homogeneous substances. The equipment used and the theory utilized in the design of the equipment are described in this article.
Activation of terminal components of complement in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome and other demyelinating neuropathies.

In the present study, the role of antiperipheral nerve myelin antibody (anti-PNM Ab) in demyelination by generating the terminal attack complex (C5b-9) of complement was explored in patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and other demyelinating neuropathies. The presence in serum of SC5b-9, an inactive C5b-9 containing S protein, was assessed quantitatively by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using an antibody (Ab) to neoantigens expressed on C9 when complexed with C5b-8 or after tubular polymerization. SC5b-9 was detected in all 19 GBS, four patients with paraprotein-associated neuropathy and five of six patients with chronic recurrent polyneuritis. No SC5b-9 was detected in 10 normal controls. Kinetic studies from six GBS patients showed the highest values of SC5b-9 on the 3rd to 5th d of admission; in contrast, the anti-PNM Ab were highest on the day of admission. Anti-PNM Ab fell rapidly to very low levels by the 15th to 20th d. SC5b-9 declined with similar kinetics to undetectable levels by the 30th d. Levels of Ab and SC5b-9 did not quantitatively correlate with soluble immune complexes in these patients' serum. Membrane-bound C5b-9 was also detected by immunohistochemistry in the peripheral nerves from a GBS patient. These results, which show a relationship between levels of complement-fixing anti-PNM Ab and the tissue-damaging C5b-9 complex, suggest that peripheral nerve myelin may serve as the target for Ab-mediated complement attack.
Antagonism of sulfonamide inhibition by para-aminobenzoic acid and folic acid in Toxoplasma infected mice.

SummaryMice inoculated with fatal dosages of Toxoplasma (R.H. strain) were protected by the administration of sodium sulfathiazole in the diet in concentrations of 1.0%, 0.15%, and 0.08% but not by a concentration of 0.03%.Neither para-aminobenzoic acid nor folic acid were observed to exert a significant effect on experimental toxoplasmosis in mice.The protection afforded toxoplasma-infect-ed mice by treatment with sodium sulfathiazole was nullified by the simultaneous administration of para-aminobenzoic acid or folic acid.
Temporal Analysis of Income Earned by Former Agriculture Students

Earnings profiles of students formerly enrolled in a college of agriculture were analyzed in the context of labor market information. Analysis of covariance was used to estimate models explaining how salary determinants changed during the alumni's careers. Gender, education, year of job market entry, profit sharing, and personal emphasis on earnings were found to be significant determinants of starting incomes. Starting incomes were found to be a prime determinant of later year salaries along with experience on the immediate job, profit sharing, oral and technical skills, marital status, and place of residence. Labor market information was found to vary in quality across participants and have a limited shelf life.
TNF-α downregulates vascular endothelial Flk-1 expression in human melanoma xenograft model

High-dose TNF with melphalan has significant antitumor activity in regional perfusion of the limbs and liver in human malignancies. TNF is believed to target tumor vasculature, but the precise mole...
That's Blog Worthy: Ten Ways to Integrate Blogging into the Health Education Classroom

Abstract Blogs are popular, innovative, online platforms for learning. Blogging allows for synthesis of content and helps sustain student engagement in the health education classroom setting. Objectives: Students will define a blog, execute a blog to apply learned health content, and post and respond to other students’ health-related blogs. Target Audience: Students in high school health courses.
E-Book Purchasing Best Practices for Academic Libraries.

The article provides a guideline for purchasing of electronic books (e-books) in relevance to academic libraries. Topics include advantages and disadvantages of different acquisition routes such as aggregators, access models and ownership of e-books, and access management systems such as catalogs and electronic resource management systems (ERMs). File formats of e-books, and licensing and copyright issues are discussed along with information on open-access digital resources.
Wood hydrolyzate treatments for improved fermentation of wood sugars to 2,3-butanediol

Acid-hydrolyzed hardwood contains compounds inhibitory to microorganisms that convert wood sugars to fermentation products such as fuels and chemicals. Several methods of treating acid-hydrolyzed hardwood (hydrolyzate) to reduce the levels of potential microbial inhibitors (acetate, furfural, sulfate, and phenolics) were evaluated. The methods evaluated were precipitation with calcium hydroxide, extraction with organic solvents, treatment with ion-exchange resins, adsorption resins, and activated charcoal. Treatment of the hydrolyzate with an anion exchange resin (Amberlite IRA-400) was the most effective method for removing potential inhibitors. Non-treated hydrolyzate adjusted to pH 6 inhibited growth of a 2,3-butanediol-producing culture of Klebsiella pneumoniae. However, hydrolyzate treated with Amberlite IRA-400 was not inhibitory and resulted in yields of 2,3-butanediol that were greater than 90% of theoretical.
Correlation of Data with a Digital Computer in the Differential Diagnosis of Hematological Diseases

With the aid of a digital computer, comparison was made of hospital case data and data characteristic of hematologic diseases. The differential diagnoses of the hospital cases were tabulated in written form. Conclusions were also stated regarding whether enough hospital case data were present to establish a diagnosis, or whether additional data were needed.