cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Value of Treating Opioid Use Disorder in Family Medicine: From the Patient Perspective.

Introduction: Despite evidence demonstrating that medications for opioid use disorder (OUD) reduce morbidity and mortality, the majority of patients do not receive treatment. The National Academies of Science call for more research exploring the patient9s perspective of treatment modalities to increase access to individualized, patient-centered care. We aim to build on existing literature by describing patient experiences treated for OUD in a rural family medicine setting. Methods: We employed a convenience sampling methodology to complete brief, structured interviews with thematic data analysis for 30 of 57 eligible patients receiving office-based opioid treatment (OBOT) in the primary care setting. Results: Participants9 experiences with OBOT were generally positive and shaped by societal structures and institutions, their life before treatment, their treatment history, and the kind of care they received in OBOT. Patients identified accessibility and privacy as advantages to receiving OBOT in primary care. Discussion: This research identifies ways providers can provide individualized and effective OUD treatment within the family medicine setting.
Gut commensal microbiota and decreased risk for Enterobacteriaceae bacteriuria and urinary tract infection

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common complication in kidney transplant recipients and can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Recent evidence supports a role for the gut as a source f...
Osteoid osteoma of the hook of the hamate presenting as ulnar-sided wrist pain: A case report.

Abstract Osteoid osteomas are benign, typically intracortical lesions most often affecting the diaphyses of long bones. We describe a case involving a 26-year-old male laborer who presented with the insidious onset of ulnar-sided wrist pain. He was diagnosed with and successfully treated with surgical excision for an osteoid osteoma involving the hook of the hamate.
Intensive care unit nurses living through COVID-19: A qualitative study.

AIMS: To understand how nurses experience providing care for patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in intensive care units. BACKGROUND: As hospitals adjust staffing patterns to meet the demands of the pandemic, nurses have direct physical contact with ill patients, placing themselves and their families at physical and emotional risk. METHODS: From June to August 2020, semi-structured interviews were conducted. Sixteen nurses caring for COVID-19 patients during the first surge of the pandemic were selected via purposive sampling. Participants worked in ICUs of a quaternary 1,000-bed hospital in the Northeast United States. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, identifiers were removed, and data were coded thematically. RESULTS: Our exploratory study identified four themes that describe the experiences of nurses providing care to patients in COVID-19 ICUs during the first surge: (a) challenges of working with new co-workers and teams, (b) challenges of maintaining existing working relationships, (c) role of nursing leadership in providing information and maintaining morale and (d) the importance of institutional-level acknowledgement of their work. CONCLUSIONS: As the pandemic continues, hospitals should implement nursing staffing models that maintain and strengthen existing relationships to minimize exhaustion and burnout. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: To better support nurses, hospital leaders need to account for their experiences caring for COVID-19 patients when making staffing decisions.
Awakened Leadership: Leading with Light

This chapter provides a mental and emotional framework to help readers understand how to deal with challenging situations, both, those we can and those we cannot change. It reflects first on the long-standing concern among members in society when it comes to the behaviors of leaders. The short-term, excessive profit focus at the expense of the well-being of living stakeholders is at the core of this concern. This chapter subsequently introduces us to the need for and the concept of wakefulness, briefly analyzes a series of contemporary leadership styles, and subsequently lays out a behavioral road map for those interested in adopting a reflective, “awakened” leadership approach, built on value-based, ethical, trust-driven, visionary, respectful, passionate, committed, compassionate, kind, forgiving, courageous, loving, attentive, inspired, authentic, connected, multidimensional, fulfilled, initiative-oriented, and change-focused qualities.
Electrochemical and Molecular Assessment of Quinones as CO2-Binding Redox Molecules for Carbon Capture

The complexation and decomplexation of CO2 with a series of quinones of different basicity during electrochemical cycling in dimethylformamide solutions were studied systematically by cyclic voltammetry. In the absence of CO2, all quinones exhibited two well-separated reduction waves. For weakly complexing quinones, a positive shift in the second reduction wave was observed in the presence of CO2, corresponding to the dianion quinone-CO2 complex formation. The peak position and peak height of the first re-duction wave were unchanged, indicating no formation of complexes between the semiquinones and CO2. The relative heights of both reduction waves remained constant. In the case of strongly complexing quinones, the second reduction wave disappeared while the peak height of the first reduction wave approximately doubled, indicating that the two electrons transferred simultaneously at this potential. The observed voltammograms were rationalized through several equilibrium arguments. Both weakly and strongly complexing quinones underwent either stepwise or concerted mechanisms of oxidation and CO2 dissociation depending on the sweep rate in the cyclic voltammetric experiments. Relative to stepwise oxidation, the concerted process requires a more positive electrode potential to remove the electron from the carbonate complexes to release CO2 and regenerate the quinone. For weakly complexing quinones, the stepwise process corresponds to oxidation of the uncomplexed dianion and accompanying equilibrium shift, while for strongly complexing quinones the stepwise process would correspond to the oxidation of mono(carbonate) dianion to the complexed semiquinone and accompanying equilibrium shift. This study provides a mechanistic interpretation of the interactions that lead to the formation of quinone-CO2 complexes required for the potential development of an energy efficient electrochemical separation process and discusses important considerations for practical implementation of CO2 capture in the presence of oxygen with lower vapor pressure solvents.
Material Inscriptions: Rhetorical Reading in Practice and Theory

This title includes readings that work through tropes disclose the material inscription at the origins of literary texts. Focusing insistently on the practice of rhetorical reading, this book demonstrates how the self-undoing of tropological systems necessarily generates narratives which turn out to be allegories of their own conditions of (im)possibility. The volume also contains two essays on Paul de Man and literary theory, as well as an interview on the topic of 'Deconstruction at Yale'. These latter texts are explicitly about the 'place' of rhetoric and its importance for any critical reading worthy of the name. As Warminski demonstrates, such 'rhetorical reading' is a species of 'deconstructive reading' - in the full 'de Manian' sense - but one that, rather than harkening back to a past over and done with, would open the texts to a different future. Features: new readings of texts by Wordsworth, Keats, Descartes, Nietzsche, and Henry James; and essays and an interview on Paul de Man and 'Deconstruction at Yale'. It reflects on and exemplifies the pedagogical value of 'de Manian' rhetorical reading.
The Parsing Process

In the last chapter, we cursorily outlined the representational flexibility and the highly-parallel operation of Cleopatra’s parser. In this chapter we examine the parsing process in depth. Since some understanding of parse-states is a prerequisite for understanding the parsing process, we begin with a discussion of parse-states.
Robert W. Rentoul: Ferenczi’s Language of Tenderness: Working with Disturbances from the Earliest Years

In his (1938) Autobiography of a Purpose, William Alanson White wrote ‘‘... being a psychiatrist, I have a very keen appreciation of the fact that no life is uninteresting, that everyone is unique and that, properly told, the biography of the simplest among us would turn out to be a story of outstanding dramatic interest’’ (p. viii). Psychoanalytic clinicians have always realized the accuracy of White’s assertion. Further, there seems to be an increasing recognition among clinicians that it is important to know something of the background of a psychoanalytic writer. Particularly within the interpersonal and relational perspectives, we recognize that the person of the clinician/ writer and her/his life experiences are inseparable from the theories about which s/he writes (Cornett 2008). Robert W. Rentoul’s Ferenczi’s Language of Tenderness: Working with Disturbances from the Earliest Years, is commendable in this regard. Rentoul’s book is, at its heart, a fascinating study of one professional life. Indeed, the memoir aspect of the book is its greatest strength. It is courageous, bold, and, at moments, appropriately and profoundly iconoclastic. Throughout the book, Rentoul describes the ways in which his developmental achievements and deficits shaped his theories of human development and psychotherapy. I found myself both surprised and grateful for statements that acknowledge both therapist strength and deficit as imperative to psychotherapy. Arguing that touch in psychotherapy should not be considered anathema a priori, Rentoul offers a candid explanation of why he could sometimes touch a patient in psychotherapy: I could not offer myself as someone secure in my own sexuality (I do not think that I have ever reached that stage); but I could offer myself as someone who shared the need [for warmth and human touch] and did not necessarily want a more adult or passionate sexual encounter (p. 159).
Comparison of cytotechnologists' and cytopathologists' ASCUS rates preimplementation and postimplementation of the ThinPrep® imaging system

Background The automated ThinPrep® Imaging System assists the cytotechnologists in the primary screening of ThinPrep® Pap Tests. This study compares the concordance of the cytotechnologists and cytopathologists in the interpretation of Pap Tests as Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance (ASCUS) before and after implementation of the Imager in our laboratory. Methods From January 1–December 31, 2011, 12,853 ThinPrep® Pap Tests were processed on a ThinPrep® 3000 Processor, stained by the Papanicolaou method and screened manually by the cytotechnologists. In 2012, 26,581 Pap Tests were processed on a ThinPrep® 3000 Processor, stained with the ThinPrep® Stain, screened on the Image Processor, and reviewed on a Review Scope by the cytotechnologists. All cases interpreted as ASCUS were sent to the cytopathologist for final review. Results Overall, 52% of the ASCUS Pap Tests were overcalled by the cytotechnologists on manual screening and 56% were overcalled by the cytotechnologists with use of the ThinPrep® Imaging System, as addressed by the cytopathologist as the final arbitrator. Conclusion In this study, initial use of a new technology resulted in over interpretation of negative cases as ASCUS. Increased usage and familiarity with the System should lead to pre-Imager rates. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2015;43:105–107. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Double-outlet right ventricle with pulmonary valve atresia: Report on a patient surviving to age 25

Abstract The case of a 25-year-old woman who had both great vessels arising from the right ventricle, two ventricular septal defects, pulmonary infundibular stenosis, and pulmonary valve atresia has been presented, with a brief review of pertinent literature. Unusual features of this case included right ventricular hypertrophy pattern in the electrocardiogram, and bronchial collateral circulation to the left lung that was thought radiographically to be tuberculosis.
Sub)Optimality of Dynamic Pricing Decisions in a Competitive Oligopoly

The current study contributes to the largely theoretical field of revenue management with an empirical investigation into the sub-optimality of managerial dynamic pricing policies as evidenced in the Las Vegas hotel market. We demonstrate in this advance selling setting that managers consistently choose prices that yield revenues approximately 25% below optimal levels. Specifically, we show that managers appear to choose prices in a manner consistent with maximizing a mix of occupancy and revenue. We find support for the hypothesis that the unobservability of counterfactual revenues may drive managers’ suboptimal pricing policies when the hotel is expected to fill capacity. Additionally, we explore a novel managerial use of online reviews in pricing decisions and the effect of competitors’ pricing strategies on a focal hotel’s optimal prices. We discover that predicting mean reverting tendencies of online reviews can improve the focal hotel’s bottom line during slow seasons. Similarly, we show that there is an economically significant impact of predicting competitors’ prices on the focal hotel’s pricing policies.
The Role of Health‐Related Quality of Life in Early Discontinuation of Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

To examine the role of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in early treatment discontinuation among women enrolled in a breast cancer clinical trial. A total of 464 women were enrolled in the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group randomized controlled trial of adjuvant regimens comparing six cycles of cytoxan, adriamycin and 5-flurouricil (5-FU) with a 16-week regimen (weekly therapy with cytoxan, adriamycin, vincristine, methotrexate, and 5-FU) among women with lymph node positive breast cancer. One hundred sixty-four women participated in the HrQL substudy using the Breast Chemotherapy Questionnaire, which was designed to measure HRQOL in women receiving chemotherapy. Changes in global HRQOL score were examined over time as a predictor of early treatment discontinuation using generalized estimation equations (GEE) modeling and Cox proportional hazards regression. We considered early treatment discontinuation as a longitudinal binary variable determined at each time point HRQOL was measured. The results of multivariate GEE model fitting indicated that declines in HRQOL (p=0.04), older age (p=0.02), higher degree of nausea (p=0.02), higher degree of neurosensory toxicity (0.03) and lower degrees of hair loss (p=0.004) were correlated with early treatment discontinuation. We then fitted a proportional hazard regression model for time to early discontinuation with HRQOL score as a time-dependent covariate. The results were identical. Declines in HRQOL during therapy predicted early treatment discontinuation even after accounting for age and chemotherapy-related side effects. In the age of ever more aggressive treatments for breast cancer, women's perception of the impact of these treatments on their lives will become more important.
Synthesis of (-)-tetracycline.

We describe a convergent, enantioselective synthesis of (−)-tetracycline (1) from benzoic acid (17 steps, 1.1% yield). Benzoic acid was transformed into the AB precursor 2 in 10 steps (11% yield), as previously described, and the latter compound was activated toward Diels−Alder cycloaddition by the introduction of an α-phenylthio group (two steps, 66% yield). Heating of the resulting α-(phenylthio)enone (3) with the triethylsilyloxybenzocyclobutene derivative 4 at 85 °C gave the endo-Diels Alder adduct 5 in 64% yield. Deprotection and oxidation of the latter intermediate gave the 2-(phenylthio)-1,3-diketone 7, which was oxidized with m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid. The sulfoxide intermediate(s) formed eliminated upon warming to 35 °C to give the anyhydrotetracycline derivative 8. Intermediate 8 underwent spontaneous autoxidation at 23 °C to form the hydroperoxide keto-9 stereoselectively. Without isolation, hydrogenolysis of 9 in the presence of palladium black gave (−)...
The effects of tax rates and enforcement policies on taxpayer compliance: A study of self-employed taxpayers

This paper presents an econometric analysis of taxpayer compliance, exploring its relationship with audit rates, penalties if detected, tax rate schedule, income level, and sources of self-employment income. Using data drawn from theAnnual Report of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue Service [IRS, various] and theData Book [IRS, various] for 1980 to 1995, the audit rate and penalty rate are both effective deterrents to noncompliance. The effectiveness of these two policy instruments depends upon the individual's level of income. It seems the higher the income level, the more effective these instruments are. In general, compliance increases with the level of income but at a decreasing rate. It is also found that individuals tend to comply less as the marginal tax rate rises. Again, such tendency is more pronounced for high-income taxpayers than for low-income taxpayers.
Metabolic syndrome rates in United States adolescents, from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2002.

Objective To report the prevalence rates of the metabolic syndrome in a nationally representative sample of adolescents in the United States using 4 previously reported definitions of the syndrome. Study design Data from 12- to 19-year-old adolescents included in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1999 to 2002 (NHANES 99-02) were analyzed by cross-sectional methods, by using 4 definitions of the metabolic syndrome previously applied to adolescents. Results In NHANES 99-02, the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in all teens varied from 2.0% to 9.4% of teens in the United States, depending on the definition used. In obese teens, these prevalence rates varied from 12.4% to 44.2%. In the group of obese teens, application of the definition by Cruz produced a metabolic syndrome prevalence rate of 12.4%; that of Caprio produced a rate of 14.1%. However, none of the normal weight or overweight teens met either definition. Application of the definition by Cook produced a prevalence rate of 7.8% in overweight teens and 44% in obese teens. The adult definition of metabolic syndrome produced a prevalence rate of 16% in overweight teens and 26% in obese teens. Conclusions In the period between 1999 and 2002, the prevalence rate of metabolic syndrome varied from just >9% to as low as 2% of adolescents overall. Different definitions of metabolic syndrome generated prevalence rates in obese adolescents that varied widely from 12% to 44%. For this syndrome to be a useful construct, a more standardized set of criteria may be needed.
Some clay nanocomposites based on a high-temperature, high-performance polymer

The techniques of reinforcing relatively tractible polymers by means of intercalated and exfoliated clay particles are applied here to the more challenging case of a necessarily less tractible high-performance polymer. The polymer, poly(biphenyl ether triphenylphosphate), was chosen because of its earlier characterization in U.S. Air Forceprograms developing such composites. Conditions were found in which the polymer intercalated and exfoliated a montmorillonite clay, and the resulting nanocomposites were characterized with regard to their structures, thermal properties, and mechanical properties. As was found in previous investigations of high-performance materials, it was possible to improve a few properties, but then only at the cost of undesirable changes in other properties. In the present case, it was at least somewhat possible to increase thermal stability and to significantly increase extension moduli.
Transcriptional Regulation of the Human α2(I) Collagen Gene COMBINED ACTION OF UPSTREAM STIMULATORY AND INHIBITORY CIS-ACTING ELEMENTS

This study identifies three regions of the human alpha2(I) collagen promoter involved in the binding of nuclear factors. These regions include sequences from -173 to -155 (footprint I), -133 to -119 (footprint II), and -101 to -72 (footprint III). A novel positive cis-element containing a TCCTCC motif was identified within footprint II. In addition, we demonstrated that a pyrimidine-rich region within footprint I is a binding site for a transcriptional repressor, and a CCAAT motif within footprint III is a binding site for a transcriptional activator. Comparative functional analysis of the cis-acting elements within the proximal 350 base pairs of this promoter, including previously characterized Sp1 binding sites at -300, indicates that constitutive activity of this promoter is regulated equivalently by the three positive cis-acting elements at -300, -125, and -80. Mutations in the repressor site at -160 increase constitutive activity by 4-6-fold. However, simultaneous mutations of the repressor site and the cis-regulatory element at either the -300 or -125 sites result in no increase in constitutive transcription activity suggesting interaction between the activators and repressor elements. In contrast, simultaneous mutation of the CCAAT motif and the repressor site results in about a 4-fold increase, suggesting that activation via the CCAAT motif may be independent of this repressor.
Characterization of stress rupture behavior of commercial-purity-Ti via burst testing

Abstract An understanding of the stress rupture behavior of Ti alloy tubing is of primary importance for structural applications in energy technology. The stress rupture properties were evaluated using burst testing of closed-end, thin-walled tubing at varied test temperatures and internal pressures. The rupture data are correlated using the Larson–Miller parameter. The uniform hoop strains were also measured along with rupture times from which the strain-rates were calculated. These results were fitted to Monkman–Grant relation with the aim of extrapolating to in-service stress levels. The activation energy for creep deformation was calculated from the Arrhenius equation, and the experimental data were analyzed using Dorn parameters. The analysis indicated a transition from a power-law controlled creep regime to power-law breakdown at high stresses. Transmission electron microscopy studies corroborated the transition in mechanism from power-law region to a power-law breakdown region.
Instructional and probability manipulations of bias in multiletter matching.

Ratcliff (1985) performed fits of his diffusion model to the results of multiletter-matching experiments conducted by Ratcliff and Hacker (1981) and Proctor, Rao, and Hurst (1984), in which bias to respond “same” or “different” was manipulated by instructions and probabilities, respectively. The fits showed that both bias manipulations affected settings of a goodness-of-match criterion, whereas instructions also affected sensitivity. Evaluations of the experimental procedures and of Ratcliff’s model-fitting procedures were performed in the present study. Three experiments showed that instructions and probabilities had similar effects, regardless of whether the different pairs were blocked or randomized according to the number of mismatching positions. The most salient feature of the results—that \ldsame\rd reaction times were traded off more than were \lddifferent\rd reaction times, with no corresponding asymmetry in the error rates—was evident in all situations. The evaluation of Ratcliff’s model-fitting procedures indicated that the apparent influence of instructions on sensitivity likely is an artifact of unequal variance for the sets of same and different pairs. Moreover, the effects of bias can be explained in terms of settings of response criteria, rather than of the goodness-of-match criterion, as in Ratcliff’s fits.
Least squares stationary optimal control and the algebraic Riccati equation

The optimal control of linear systems with respect to quadratic performance criteria over an infinite time interval is treated. Both the case in which the terminal state is free and that in which the terminal state is constrained to be zero are treated. The integrand of the performance criterion is allowed to be fully quadratic in the control and the state without necessarily satisfying the definiteness conditions which are usually assumed in the standard regulator problem. Frequency-domain and time-domain conditions for the existence of solutions are derived. The algebraic Riccati equation is then examined, and a complete classification of all its solutions is presented. It is finally shown how the optimal control problems introduced in the beginning of the paper may be solved analytically via the algebraic Riccati equation.
Political incorporation in America: immigrant partisans

Demographic changes and the stakes for both democracy and immigrants themselves make the political incorporation of immigrants a key political issue in the USA today. Two structural features of American politics help with political incorporation by providing multiple opportunities for political activity: federalism with its enormous number of state and local government elections and offices, and the permeable character of political parties. Naturalization, voter registration, and political participation are central to the political incorporation of immigrants, and we argue that historically and still today, political parties are the key institutions charged with political incorporation in the USA. Parties' goal in the political incorporation of immigrants should be to create long-term partisans, not just to naturalize immigrants and create voters in the next election. Partisanship has noninstrumental significance as well. As political identity and practice, partisanship has a good claim to earning immigra...
Online poker in a quantum world

When the online chips are down and simultaneously not down, could your quantum computer win you riches?
Exploring the impact of permitting and local regulatory processes on residential solar prices in the United States

Abstract This article statistically isolates the impacts of city-level permitting and other local regulatory processes on residential PV prices in the United States. We combine data from two “scoring” mechanisms that independently capture local regulatory process efficiency with the largest dataset of installed PV prices in the United States. We find that variations in local permitting procedures can lead to differences in average residential PV prices of approximately $0.18/W between the jurisdictions with the least-favorable and most-favorable permitting procedures. Between jurisdictions with scores across the middle 90% of the range (i.e., 5th percentile to 95th percentile), the difference is $0.14/W, equivalent to a $700 (2.2%) difference in system costs for a typical 5-kW residential PV installation. When considering variations not only in permitting practices, but also in other local regulatory procedures, price differences grow to $0.64–$0.93/W between the least-favorable and most-favorable jurisdictions. Between jurisdictions with scores across the middle 90% of the range, the difference is equivalent to a price impact of at least $2500 (8%) for a typical 5-kW residential PV installation. These results highlight the magnitude of cost reduction that might be expected from streamlining local regulatory regimes.
Epstein-Barr virus-associated natural killer-large granular lymphocyte leukemia

We describe the first case of an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated natural killer-large granular lymphocyte (NK-LGL) leukemia in the United States to the best of our knowledge. A 29-year-old woman of Japanese descent developed EBV infection after a blood transfusion as indicated by a rise in serum antibody titers. Peripheral blood and bone marrow aspirate smears demonstrated increased LGLs. Flow cytometry showed that these cells expressed NK-associated surface antigens. Cytogenetic analysis of the bone marrow aspirate showed two distinct but related clones with multiple copies of a modified 7 marker chromosome. Death followed colonic perforation. Findings at necropsy included bone marrow lymphocytosis and erythrophagocytosis, a mononucleosis-like lymphadenitis, atypical hepatitis with a mixed, predominantly T-cell infiltrate, interstitial pneumonitis, and multiorgan system vasculitis with perforation of the transverse colon. Epstein-Barr virus transcripts were identified in lymphocytes infiltrating liver and peripheral nerve by in situ hybridization. In addition, Southern blot analyses showed monoclonal bands superimposed on oligoclonal ladders of EBV termini in liver and lymph node. The identical episomal form of EBV was found in the bone marrow, lymph node, and liver. No immunoglobulin (Ig), T-cell receptor beta, or T-cell receptor gamma chain gene rearrangements were identified. These studies support the hypothesis that the LGL population was a neoplastic EBV-related clonal proliferation of NK cells.
Impact of problem-based learning on academic achievement in high school: a systematic review

The considerable impact of problem-based learning (PBL) on academic achievement of students in medical education has prompted the K-12 community to start implementing this non-traditional, student-centered, and inquiry-driven teaching approach in its classrooms. This paper examines the current reported evidence of PBL effectiveness in secondary education. To our knowledge, there has been no systematic review of the literature that evaluates the impact of PBL on student academic achievement in high school education. Based on the exhaustive review of the current literature it is not possible to claim with a high degree of confidence that PBL is indeed more effective in increasing student content knowledge. While it is evident from the results of the reviewed studies that PBL positively influences student academic achievement, there are several reasons that prevent the generalization of these findings to a wider, secondary education population. The current reported literature lacks sufficient, rigorous evide...
VARIETIES OF DYNAMICS IN A DISORDERED FLUX-LINE LATTICE

Abstract Dynamics of a flux-line lattice (FLL) has been studied in the anisotropic superconductor 2H-NbSe 2 , where pinning is extremely weak (critical current/depairing current ∼ 10 −6 ), the lattice is well-formed and a robust “peak effect” occurs slightly below H c2 . The strong H dependence of the rigidity of the FLL is used to explore the crossover between interaction-dominated and disorder-dominated dynamics. Three distinct types of dynamics, describing elastic flow, plastic flow and fluid flow, respectively, are observed as the lattice softens with the approach to the superconducting-to-normal phase boundary. A power-law behavior, V ∼ ( I − I c ) β , describes the I – V curves for both elastic and fluid flow (with different β) reasonably well, but not for plastic flow. The latter dominates the intermediate regime, where the peak effect occurs, and is accompanied by qualitative changes in the I – V curves related to tearing of the FLL. In this regime, a “fingerprint phenomenon” is observed in the current-dependent differential resistance describing a specific sequence of depinning of “chunks” or filaments in a given sample. At large driving forces, the disorder due to pinning is less significant, the dynamically generated defects heal and a nearly defect-free coherent motion is recovered. In some samples, the I – V curves at the onset of motion in this regime become discontinuous and hysteretic as in first-order transitions. A “non-equilibrium phase diagram” describing various regimes of dynamics is constructed. A time-averaged velocity correlation length characterizes the spatial inhomogeneity of a moving FLL and thus distinguishes between the various dynamical regimes. These dynamical phenomena are compared and contrasted with phenomena attributed to thermodynamic phase transitions in the cuprate superconductors.
High-density lipoprotein and coronary heart disease: lessons from recent intervention trials.

Epidemiologic studies have consistently implicated low plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol as an important, independent risk factor for the development of coronary heart disease. However, clinical trials specifically designed to evaluate the role of lipid therapy in patients with low high density lipoprotein cholesterol have only been recently reported. They include two trials with angiographic end points, the Lopid Coronary Angiography Trial and the Bezafibrate Coronary Atherosclerosis Intervention Trial, and three clinical end points trials, the Air Force/Texas Coronary Atherosclerosis Prevention study, the Department of Veterans Affairs High Density Lipoprotein Intervention Trial, and the Bezafibrate Infarction Prevention study. These and other trials clearly indicate that persons with coronary heart disease and high low density lipoprotein cholesterol (>130 mg/dL [3.36 mmol/L]), with or without low high density lipoprotein cholesterol, benefit from statin therapy. The Air Force/Texas Coronary Atherosclerosis Prevention study showed that persons at high risk of coronary heart disease but without known disease, who have moderate levels of low density lipoprotein cholesterol as well as low levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol, also appear to benefit from statin therapy although the cost effectiveness of this approach is unclear. The results from the Department of Veterans Affairs High Density Lipoprotein Intervention Trial provide convincing evidence that patients without high low density lipoprotein cholesterol and with established coronary heart disease and low high density lipoprotein cholesterol benefit from gemfibrozil. This drug may be particularly beneficial for patients who, in addition to low high density lipoprotein cholesterol, present with other features of the metabolic syndrome, such as obesity, glucose intolerance, and high triglycerides. Whether other fibrates, niacin, or statins lower coronary heart disease risk in persons with low high density lipoprotein cholesterol in the absence of high or moderately high low density lipoprotein cholesterol is unknown.
A calibration of the various heat-conduction paths for a heat-flux-type temperature-modulated DSC

Abstract A study was made of the effects of the heat-conducting paths from the temperature sensor to the sample and from the sample-temperature to the reference-temperature sensors on the determination of heat capacity in a temperature-modulated DSC (TMDSC) of the heat-flux type. These effects are usually assumed to be small. This is shown not to be so, and calibration procedures are developed. Using a simple model calculation, it is demonstrated that the phase angle difference between the sample temperature and the heat-flow rate should be taken into account when determining heat capacity. The results are experimentally verified for aluminum samples with various masses in quasi-isothermal experiments for a wide range of frequencies of temperature modulation for a Mettler–Toledo 820 DSC using no reference pan to simplify the analysis.
UWG-2, a garnet standard for oxygen isotope ratios: Strategies for high precision and accuracy with laser heating

UWG-2 is a new garnet standard for oxygen isotope analysis prepared from a single large porphyroblast that was homogeneous (±0.21‰) at the millimeter-scale before grinding. The δ 18O value of UWG-2 has been determined in seven laboratories using either a laser probe system or externally heated Ni reaction vessels. The raw laser probe value is 5.74‰ at the University of Wisconsin. If all data are normalized to NBS-28 = 9.59‰, then the UW value (5.89‰) is in good agreement with the average of all labs (5.78‰). There is no significant difference between garnet analyses made with the two techniques, nor among labs using different wavelengths of IR laser. UWG-2 is available for interlaboratory comparison, and for assessing the performance of microanalytical techniques including laser probes and ion microprobes with a recommended value of δ 18O = 5.8‰ SMOW. Multiple, daily analyses of UWG-2 at the University of Wisconsin provide an accurate evaluation of all components in our laser-probe, mass-spectrometer system, and allow analytical problems to be rapidly identified. With this standardization, the accuracy of a single laser probe analysis is better than ±0.10‰. Over 1000 analyses of UWG-2 have been made. The average of all uncorrected δ 18O values is 5.74 ± 0.15‰ (1 sd). The precision on a single day averages ±0.07‰ and is frequently better than 0.05‰. The uncertainty in the mean for all analyses is ±0.005‰ (1σ). A small drift of the daily average over time results from inevitable changes in the vacuum line which require careful attention and maintenance.
Predicting diurnal variations in water content along with temperature at the soil surface

Abstract Under field conditions, much of the uncertainty regarding the magnitude of nitrogen loss as ammonia from surface-applied urea fertilizers arises from the interaction of short-term fluctuations in soil water and temperature with chemical processes. A mechanistic model to combine present knowledge of individual components of the volatilization process may provide insight into the variability. Thus, the ability to adequately predict fluctuations in surface water content and temperature is desirable. Diurnal fluctuations in soil surface water contents and temperatures were compared with predictions from a model based on the finite difference solution of the coupled soil water and heat flow equations and on simulated mass and energy balances at the soil surface. The measured values were taken over several weeks on Muir silt loam (fine-silty, mixed, mesic, Pachic Haplustolls) and Haynie very fine sandy loam (coarse-silty, mixed, mesic, Typic Udifluvents). Small diurnal fluctuations in the surface soil water content were simulated closely by the model for both soils. The fluctuations of soil temperature were simulated well by the model for both soils, even under overcast skies. Generally, there was good agreement (
Inhibition of enzymes of polyamine back-conversion by pentamidine and berenil

Pentamidine and berenil, clinical antiparasitic amidines, have been found to be potent competitive inhibitors of human spermidine/spermine acetyltransferase (SSAT), Ki values were found to be 2.4 and 2 μM, respectively, with spermidine as substrate. A second enzyme of polyamine back-conversion, murine polyamine oxidase (PAO), was found to be competitively inhibited by pentamidine, with a Ki of 7.6 μM when N-acetylspermine was the substrate. Berenil, on the other hand, was an extremely weak inhibitor (Ki = 120 μM). The implication of the effect of inhibition of polyamine back-conversion on the growth of mammalian parasites is discussed.
JIP1 regulates the directionality of APP axonal transport by coordinating kinesin and dynein motors

Regulation of the opposing kinesin and dynein motors that drive axonal transport is essential to maintain neuronal homeostasis. Here, we examine coordination of motor activity by the scaffolding protein JNK-interacting protein 1 (JIP1), which we find is required for long-range anterograde and retrograde amyloid precursor protein (APP) motility in axons. We identify novel interactions between JIP1 and kinesin heavy chain (KHC) that relieve KHC autoinhibition, activating motor function in single molecule assays. The direct binding of the dynactin subunit p150Glued to JIP1 competitively inhibits KHC activation in vitro and disrupts the transport of APP in neurons. Together, these experiments support a model whereby JIP1 coordinates APP transport by switching between anterograde and retrograde motile complexes. We find that mutations in the JNK-dependent phosphorylation site S421 in JIP1 alter both KHC activation in vitro and the directionality of APP transport in neurons. Thus phosphorylation of S421 of JIP1 serves as a molecular switch to regulate the direction of APP transport in neurons.
Electrocardiographic interrelationship of the pre-excitation (Wolff-Parkinson-White) syndrome and myocardial infarction.

Abstract A case is presented in which electrocardiographic evidence of myocardal infarction is demonstrated in a patient with intermittent pre-excitation (Wolff-Parkinson-White) syndrome. It has been shown in this case that the QRS complex of pre-excitation phenomenon can both simulate and mask that of myocardial infarction, and that J-T segment alterations can be due to either or both when these two conditions co-exist.
Impact of dairy housing practices on lagoon effluent characteristics: Implications for nitrogen dynamics and salt accumulation

Increasing emphasis on maintaining environmental integrity by dairy operations warrants examination of management influence on waste characteristics. Complete profiles of anaerobic dairy lagoons for eleven operations in central Texas, distinguished by use of dry-lot and hybrid (i.e., facilities comprised of free stalls with smaller dry-lot areas) management systems, were analyzed for 15 physicochemical parameters. Although solids, pH and TKN values were similar between housing type, statistical differences in NH4-N, P, K, Mg, Na, Mn, Cu and electrical conductivity (EC) were observed. The discrepancies were attributed to dissimilar cattle activity, where cows spend more time near flush alleys in hybrid systems than dry-lot systems, which facilitates waste transport to anaerobic lagoons. These results suggest a possible difference in N dynamics between lagoon types, which in turn would have implications for NH3 volatilization. Potential salt-stress impact on both lagoon effectiveness and pastures receiving land-applied lagoon effluent may also be enhanced by hybrid systems. This study not only contributes data on anaerobic lagoon characteristics, but also provides additional considerations for dairy producers striving to meet more rigorous regulations while attempting to protect soil resources for crop production.
Modeling the Complexity of the Terrorism/Counter-Terrorism Struggle: Mathematics of the Hearts and Minds

The United States armed forces could be considered the world's most powerful military force. However, in modern conflicts, techniques of asymmetric warfare terrorism wreak havoc on the inflexible, regardless of technological or numerical advantage. In order to be more effective, the US military must improve its counter-terrorism CT capabilities and flexibility. In this light, the authors model the terrorism-counter-terrorism T-CT struggle with a detailed and complex mathematical model and analyze the model's components of leadership, promotion, recruitment, resources, operational techniques, cooperation, logistics, security, intelligence, science, and psychology in the T-CT struggle, with the goal of informing today's decision makers of the options available in counter-terrorism strategy.
Increased Diacylglycerol Levels Inhibit [20-3H]Phorbol 12, 13-Dibutyrate Binding and the Glucocorticoid-Mediated Increase in Glycerol Phosphate Dehydrogenase Levels in C6 Rat Glioma Cells

I examined whether the phorbol ester-mediated inhibition of glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) induction could be mimicked by raising the cellular diacylglycerol levels. Phorbol ester tumor promoters and diacylglycerols activate protein kinase C. An increase in radiolabeled diacylglycerol levels in C6 rat glioma cells was observed when cells were prelabeled overnight with [3H]arachidonic acid and treated with either phospholipase C (Clostridium perfringens) or 2-bromooctanoate. The increase was dose dependent. The diacylglycerols competed with [20-3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate in binding to the phorbol ester receptor. A Scatchard analysis of the binding of cells treated with 0.1 unit/ml of phospholipase C demonstrated that the inhibition was mainly due to a decrease in binding affinity and not in the total number of binding sites. 2-Bromooctanoate and phospholipase C, but not the synthetic diacylglycerol 1-oleoyl 2-acetyl glycerol, inhibited the glucocorticoid induction of GPDH levels. Boiled phospholipase C, phospholipase A2, or phospholipase D was ineffective in inhibiting induction, a result suggesting that the inhibition was not due to nonspecific membrane perturbation. Thus, inhibition of the glucocorticoid-mediated increase in GPDH induction is most likely mediated by protein kinase C, and not by an alternate phorbol ester receptor.
Protect My Privacy or Support the Common-Good? Ethical Questions About Electronic Health Information Exchanges

When information is transformed from what has traditionally been a paper-based format into digitized elements with meaning associated to them, new and intriguing discussions begin surrounding proper and improper uses of this codified and easily transmittable information. As these discussions continue, some health care providers, insurers, laboratories, pharmacies, and other healthcare stakeholders are creating and retroactively digitizing our medical information with the unambiguous endorsement of the federal government. Some argue that these enormous databases of medical information offer improved access to timely information, evidence-based treatments, and complete records from which to provide care. To the extent that these claims are true, it would seem that this is a valuable asset that offers immeasurable benefit to all. Others believe this digitization to be an egregious invasion of privacy. In this article, I investigate the broad research questions of whether the public good aspect of capturing private health information outweighs individual interests and whether it is ethical to mandate participation in health information exchanges by all individuals who use the U.S. health system.
Defining clinically meaningful outcomes in the evaluation of new treatments for oral mucositis: a commentary.

The members of the Oral Mucositis Patient Provider Advisory Board are to be commended for identifying critical content and methodological issues related to oral mucositis. In their listing of sympt...
The diagnostic value of initial video-EEG monitoring in children--review of 1000 cases.

Abstract Objective: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical utility of initial video-EEG monitoring in a series of 1000 children suspected of epileptic disorders. Methods: The ages of patients (523 boys and 477 girls) ranged from 1 month to 17 years (median age: 7 years). The mean length of stay was 1.5 days (range: 1–10 days). Outcomes were classified as: ‘useful-epileptic' (successful classification of epilepsy), ‘useful-nonepileptic' (demonstration of nonepileptic habitual events), ‘uneventful' (normal EEG without habitual events captured), and ‘inconclusive' (inability to clarify the nature of habitual events with abnormal interictal EEG findings). Results: A total of 315 studies were considered ‘useful-epileptic'; 219 ‘useful-nonepileptic'; 224 ‘uneventful'; 242 ‘inconclusive'. Longer monitoring was associated with higher rate of a study classified as ‘useful-epileptic' in all age groups (Chi square test: p p Conclusion: Video-EEG monitoring may fail to capture habitual episodes. To maximize the utility of studies in the future, a video-EEG monitoring longer than 3 days should be considered in selected children such as adolescences with habitual events occurring on a less than daily basis. We recognize a reasonable clinical utility of the current ILAE classification in the present study. It may not be common to identify children with pure unilateral temporal lobe epilepsy solely based on video-EEG monitoring.
Economic Stimulus and the Tax Code The Impact of the Gulf Opportunity Zone

This article investigates the impact of geographically targeted Federal tax relief enacted after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The relief included provisions to replace lost income, mitigate uninsured...