cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preoperative hemodialysis fistula evaluation: angiography, ultrasonography and other studies, are they useful?

Background: There is increasing emphasis on optimizing fistula use for end-stage renal disease patients. Although early referral and strategies for vein preservation are clearly important, imaging modalities have assumed an ever-increasing role in preoperative vascular access assessment and management. Methods/Results: Review of available literature demonstrates angiography and ultrasonography provide anatomic information useful in diagnostic decisionmaking in many clinical settings. Targeted clinical programs can increase fistula use, and various practice patterns have emerged to achieve this goal depending on the available expertise, center-dependent experience, and differing patient populations. In recent years there have been a series of studies evaluating provocative maneuvers assessing vascular mechanics that attempt to increase the predictive power of imaging modalities. Assessing arterial and venous mechanics may help predict outcomes and assist in preoperative planning. Conclusion: In the quest to optimize fistula use, study results examining the value of angiography and ultrasonography demonstrate that there is currently no universal application of specific cut-offs on vessel diameter or even measures of distensibility and vessel mechanics. It is clear, however, that implementing programs that include imaging to increase fistula creation do achieve their goal. Conversely, in other settings, fistula failure rates have increased without significantly increasing the numbers of fistulae. The impact of preoperative diagnostic angiography and ultrasonography rests in part on identifying the underlying disease process involving arteries and veins that may change treatment decisions preoperatively. In many clinical settings where the dialysis population is becoming increasingly elderly, diabetic and with more vascular disease, these additional studies may be very useful. Given the variation in clinical study outcome and variations in patient populations, presently these methods will be used most effectively in the setting of strong quality assurance programs, and wherever feasible under study protocols for the purpose of improving practice patterns.
Fate and Transport of Radionuclides Beneath the Hanford Tank Farms: Unraveling Coupled Geochemical and Hydrological Processes in the Vadose Zone

The overall goal of this research is to provide an improved understanding and predictive capability of coupled hydrological and geochemical mechanisms that are responsible for the accelerated migration of radionuclides in the vadose zone beneath the Hanford Tank Farms. The study is motivated by the technological and scientific needs associated with the long-term management of the enormous in-ground inventories of multiple contaminants at the Hanford site. Our objectives are to (1) provide an improved understanding of how lithological discontinuities within the sediments influence the propensity for preferential flow and matrix diffusion at different water contents, (2) quantify the significance of downward vertical advection, lateral spreading, and physical nonequilibrium processes on radionuclide transport under variable hydrologic conditions, and (3) quantify the rates and mechanisms of {sup 137}Cs, {sup 235/238}U, and {sup 99}Tc interaction with the solid phase under various hydrodynamic conditions and to determine how physical heterogeneities (i.e. stratification, pore regime connectivity) influence the retardation and degree of geochemical nonequilibrium during contaminant transport.
Strategic Interaction and the Co-Determination of Firms’ Financial Policies

With a few notable exceptions, corporate finance studies of firms financial policies typically rely on a single firm setting, thus overlooking the possibility that firms financial policies are co-determined by those of their rivals. I develop and test a model in which firms interact by buying and selling productive assets. This interaction affects cash policies because a lack of cash may force a firm to sell assets at a discount, while having surplus cash may enable a firm to take advantage of other firms asset sales. The model generates sharp and novel empirical predictions at the industry (as opposed to the individual firm) level. I test these predictions using a carefully built methodology that tackles the endogeneity and persistence of firm-level determinants. Precisely as predicted by the theory, I find that both the average cash holdings in an industry, as well as the heterogeneity in cash policies within that industry, depend on two variables: the asset specificity of that industry and industry cashflow volatility. These results point to the importance of strategic interaction as a determinant of corporate financial policies.
An In-Database Streaming Solution to Multi-camera Fusion

Multi-camera based video object tracking is a multi-stream data fusion and analysis problem. With the current technology, video analysis software architecture generally separates the analytics layer from the data management layer, which has become the performance bottleneck because of large scaled data transfer, inefficient data access and duplicate data buffering and management. Motivated by providing a convergent platform, we use user-defined Relation Valued Functions (RVFs) to have visual data computation naturally integrated to SQL queries, and pushed down to the database engine; we model complex applications with general graph based data-flows and control-flows at the process level where "actions" are performed by RVFs and "linked" in SQL queries. We further introduce Stream Query Process with stream data input and continuous execution. Our solutions to multi-camera video surveillance also include a new tracking method that is based on P2P time-synchronization of video streams and P2P target fusion. These techniques represent a major shift in process management from one-time execution to data stream driven, open-ended execution, and constitute a novel step to the use of a query engine for running processes, towards the "In-DB Streaming" paradigm. We have prototyped the proposed approaches by extending the open-sourced database engine Postgres, and plan to transfer the implementation to a commercial and proprietary parallel database system. The empirical study in a surveillance setting reveals their advantages in scalability, real-time performance and simplicity.
Abstract 11741: Severe Aortic Stenosis With Normal Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction, Normal Flow and Low Gradients. Another Paradox or Only Moderate Stenosis?

Background: Among the 4 hemodynamic subsets of severe AS with preserved EF, based on LV stroke volume index (SVi) and mean pressure gradients, normal flow with a low gradient (NF/LG) has been attributed to measurement errors, small body size or inconsistencies in guideline criteria and associated with a favorable prognosis. We hypothesized that AV weight (AVW) in NF/LG AS, would be lower than that in other hemodynamic groups. Methods: Between 2010-13, 403 consecutive patients (pts) undergoing AV replacement (AVR) for severe isolated AS, (mean age 76.8 (9.3) yrs, 56% men, AVA index 0.36 (0.10 cm2)/m2, EF = 61.3 ± 4.6%, 11% bicuspid valves, mean follow-up 18 ± 9 months), underwent intraoperative TEE and had the AV weighed after excision (AVW = 2.4 ± 0.9 g), and excised valves were collected in formaldehyde, dried and weighed. All echo variables were measured off-line by a single observer on a dedicated reading station (Agfa). Medical records were reviewed to extract clinical data and all-cause mortality determined from the Social Security Death Index. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), Chi-square test, and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used as appropriate. Results: (for unadjusted comparisons see table.) In models adjusted for age, gender BSA, EF and annular area, AVW and AVW index remained lower in NF/LG than that in the high gradient groups (p<.01 for both). Although the number of deaths was small, no significant difference in all-cause mortality or time from AVR to death was found among the 4 groups (p=0.27 and p=0.28, respectively). AVR improved survival to a similar degree regardless of hemodynamic phenotype. Conclusions: 1. Compared with high gradient groups, pts with normal flow-low gradient have a lower AVW and AVW/aortic annulus area, a lower severity of stenosis and less LV remodeling. 2. These findings support the recent recommendation to categorize these pts as having only moderate AS. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
A robust −40 to 120°C all-digital true random number generator in 40nm CMOS

An all-digital True Random Number Generator (TRNG) harvesting entropy from the collapse of 2 edges injected into one even-stage ring is fabricated in 40nm CMOS. A configurable ring and tuning loop provides robustness across a wide range of temperature (−40 to 120°C), voltage (0.6 to 0.9V), process variation, and external attack. The dynamic tuning loop automatically configures the ring to meet a sufficient collapse time, thereby maximizing entropy. All dies pass all NIST randomness tests across all measured operating conditions and power supply attacks. The all-digital TRNG occupies only 836μm2 and consumes 23pJ/bit at nominal 0.9V and 11pJ/bit at 0.6V.
The Stories Children Tell: Making Sense of the Narratives of Childhood

The world of children's stories why children tell stories perspectives on narratives the kinds of stories children tell the origins of story-telling developing a narrative voice we are the stories we tell fostering narrative development.
MIXED GONADAL DYSGENESIS

The syndrome of mixed gonadal dysgenesis (MGD) is characterized by a unilateral testis, usually intra-abdominal, a streak gonad on the contralateral side, and persistent Mullerian structures. The external genitalia are always masculinized to some extent, on occasion achieveing a normal male phenotype: the somatic signs of Turner9s syndrome are frequently present. These patients are always chromatin-negative, and appear to represent the commonest expression of the mosaicism of XO and XY cells, probably resulting from a cytogenetic era very early in embryogenesis. Patients with Turner9s syndrome who are slightly masculinized because of "hilus cells" in their streak gonads appear on the one hand to represent a clinical and cytogenetic stage intermediate between MGD and XO Turner9s syndrome; while on the other, certain male pseudohermaphrodites with bilateral dysgenetic testes are probably intermediate between MGD and the normal XY male. Testicular androgenic function appears to be quantitatively and qualitatively normal at puberty in MGD, despite complete lack of germ-cell proliferation. The discrepancy between normal Leydigcell function at puberty and the evidence of incomplete genital masculinization during fetal life may possibly be explained by delayed and asynchronous fetal testicular development. Although patients with unilateral gonadoblastoma and contralateral streak gonad were included in the original description of the syndrome of MGD, most such patients differ clinically and cytogenetically from patients with a testis and probably should be considered more akin to patients with the syndrome of pure gonadal dysgenesis, than to MGD.
ADT: a toolkit for development of database-centered applications

An application-development toolkit is described that offers an alternative approach to the development of database-intensive applications. It offers direct support to application area specialists and end users in their production of complete application sets to meet their own requirements. The system has been applied successfully to the development of applications against a variety of DBMS (database management system) and data models (relational, network, and entity-category-relationship). The development environment is implemented on a personal computer (PC), generating code for an execution environment (including the symbolic debugger) on a Unix supermicro target system. >
The Segregation of Black Students at Oberlin College after Reconstruction

The community of Oberlin, Ohio, located in the northeast corner of the state, holds an important place in the history of the education of Black Americans. In 1834, one year after its founding, the trustees of Oberlin College agreed to admit students, “irrespective of color.” They were the only college, at that time, to adopt such a policy. Oberlin's history as the first college to admit Black students and its subsequent abolitionist activities are crucial to the discussion of Black educational history. Opportunities for education before the Civil War were not common for most of the American population, but for Blacks, these opportunities were close to nonexistent. In the South, it was illegal for Blacks to learn to read or write. In the North, there was limited access to public schooling for Black families. In addition, during the early nineteenth century there were no Black colleges for students to attend. Although Bowdoin College boasted the first Black graduate in 1827, few other colleges before the Civil War opened their doors to Black students. Therefore, the opportunity that Oberlin offered to Black students was extraordinarily important. The decision to admit Black students to the college, and offer them the same access to the college curriculum as their white classmates, challenged the commonly perceived notion of Blacks as childlike, inferior, and incapable of learning.
Laser desorption-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry for the analysis of peptides from aqueous solutions.

A recently reported ionization method, comprising an infrared (IR) laser pulse to desorb (LD) analyte species, followed by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) with a corona discharge (LD-APCI) to effect ionization of the desorbed neutral analyte molecules, is described for the direct analysis of aqueous peptide solutions. The source employs a heated capillary atmospheric pressure (AP) inlet coupled to a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer and allows sampling under normal ambient air conditions. By use of the corona discharge, signals of the atmospheric pressure infrared matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (AP-IR-MALDI)-generated analyte protonated molecule were enhanced by factors as large as 1400. In addition, the acid modifier trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) was found to improve the AP-IR-MALDI-generated signal by a factor of ∼10, whereas the LD-APCI generated signal yielded a 100-fold increase. In this study, the use of the corona discharge is described to enhance the analyte signal ge...
CORR Insights ®: The peripheral neuronal phenotype is important in the pathogenesis of painful human tendinopathy: a systematic review.

Myxoid degeneration is commonly found in various attachment points of tendon or ligament to bone during the middle third of a patient’s life, regardless of his or her activity level [3]. Enthesopathies are characterized by a benign, self-limiting course [1, 4, 6], although some tendons — often previously asymptomatic — rupture and rotator cuff tendinopathy can progress to a large defect that leads to arthropathy. ‘‘Overuse’’ and ‘‘microtears’’ are appealing concepts that do not seem plausible given the epidemiology and natural history of most enthesopathies. Perhaps most puzzling is the unexplained variation in pain intensity and magnitude of disability. In the biomedical illness paradigm, we attempt to reduce illness to specific pathophysiologies, including variations in neuronal phenotype as addressed in the current study. If we can identify pathophysiology at the heart of the variations, we can intervene to correct the physiology, ultimately reducing symptoms and disability. The data in the current study indicated some alterations in nerve physiology. Unfortunately, the control groups are inadequate. It is unclear if the pathophysiology is the cause or consequence of the disease. Additionally, it is unclear if neuronal pathophysiology correlates with symptoms and disability.
Wireless Temperature Sensor for Condition Monitoring of Bearings Operating Through Thick Metal Plates

This research presents the first wireless temperature sensor for bearing condition monitoring, capable of operating through thick metal (greater than 18-mm thick) plates. The sensor is a combination of a ring-shaped permanent neodymium magnet and a Hall Effect sensor. Based on the temperature-induced change in the magnetic field, the sensor is able to detect bearing temperature remotely from a distance of 40.5 mm. Additionally, temperature-induced change in magnetic field is detected at a distance of 26 mm through two 9.5-mm-thick copper, stainless steel, and aluminum plates. Furthermore, the sensor concept is experimentally demonstrated by mounting it on a commercially-available bearing and performing dynamic tests at 1500 rpm with 100–150 lb load. Maximum temperature readings for dynamic tests are in the order of 80 $^{\circ}{\rm C}$ –90 $^{\circ}{\rm C}$ , and are presently limited by the bearing test rig. However, the presented magnets are rated for operating up to 150 $^{\circ}{\rm C}$ with an estimated lifetime of greater than 10000 hours in operation.
The public as active agents in social movement

Activists wrote posts for information while the public used them for mobilization.Both groups of users used comments to write supportive or inspirational messages.Hyperlinks were used to provide information and develop coalitions for both groups.Both groups of users used motivational frames the most in both posts and comments. This study content analyzed a South Korean social movement Facebook page to examine how activists and the public used it for the movement. Specifically, the study examined posts as well as comments that activists and the public made on a Facebook page related to the Gangjeong movement. The findings imply that activists and the public are more similar than different in terms of their use of messages posted and general comments. In fact, differences between activists and the public were more clearly found in posts than comments; by and large, activists preferred to use posts while the public were more active in writing comments compared to their posting frequency. Both groups frequently used hyperlinks as a method of providing information and developing coalitions. Furthermore, frame conflicts between activists and the public are less likely to appear as they tend to prefer particular types of frames. Taken together, the results indicate that members of the public have become active agents within the social media movement.
High prevalence of antibodies to intestinal epithelial antigens in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and their relatives

Abstract Study Objective:To assess whether healthy members of families of patients with inflammatory bowel disease share an immune reactivity to gut epithelial cell antigens. Design:Assessment of i...
Zero-inflated generalized Poisson regression mixture model for mapping quantitative trait loci underlying count trait with many zeros

Abstract Phenotypes measured in counts are commonly observed in nature. Statistical methods for mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) underlying count traits are documented in the literature. The majority of them assume that the count phenotype follows a Poisson distribution with appropriate techniques being applied to handle data dispersion. When a count trait has a genetic basis, “naturally occurring” zero status also reflects the underlying gene effects. Simply ignoring or miss-handling the zero data may lead to wrong QTL inference. In this article, we propose an interval mapping approach for mapping QTL underlying count phenotypes containing many zeros. The effects of QTLs on the zero-inflated count trait are modelled through the zero-inflated generalized Poisson regression mixture model, which can handle the zero inflation and Poisson dispersion in the same distribution. We implement the approach using the EM algorithm with the Newton–Raphson algorithm embedded in the M-step, and provide a genome-wide scan for testing and estimating the QTL effects. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated through extensive simulation studies. Extensions to composite and multiple interval mapping are discussed. The utility of the developed approach is illustrated through a mouse F 2 intercross data set. Significant QTLs are detected to control mouse cholesterol gallstone formation.
Dispersal of radioactivity by wildlife from contaminated sites in a forested landscape

Abstract Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is located within the Valley and Ridge Physiographic Province of eastern Tennessee (USA). Wildlife populations have access to some radioactively contaminated sites at ORNL. Contaminated animals or animal nests within the Laboratory's boundaries have been found to contain 90Sr or 137Cs on the order of 10−2–104 Bqg−1 and trace amounts of other radionuclides (including transuranic elements). Animals that are capable of flight and animals with behavior patterns or developmental life stages involving contact with sediments in radioactive ponds, like benthic invertebrates, present the greatest potential for dispersal of radioactivity. The emigration of frogs and turtles from waste ponds also presents a potential for dispersal of radioactivity but over distances
Sensory and Instrumental Properties of Smoked Sausage Made with Mechanically Separated Poultry (MSP) Meat and Wheat Protein

The effects of wheat protein on the texture properties of mechanically separated poultry (MSP) smoked sausages were investigated by a partial 3 * 3 * 3 factorial design (water, wheat protein and method of protein preparation) with two blocking factors (3 time periods and 9 panelists). The methods of wheat protein preparation did not influence any measurement. Sensory data indicated that added water affected hardness, springiness, and juiciness (p<0.05) of samples, and added wheat protein affected hardness, cohesiveness of mass, juiciness, and wheat flavor (p< 0.05). Instrumental data showed that Hardness, Springiness and Cohesiveness decreased with increasing water content. (p<0.05), and increasing wheat protein levels increased Hardness and Cohesiveness (p<0.05).
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii mutants without ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase lack a detectable pyrenoid

The pyrenoid is a prominent proteinaceous structure found in the stroma of the chloroplast in unicellular eukaryotic algae, most multicellular algae, and some hornworts. The most prominent protein in the pyrenoid is the enzyme ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylaseoxygenase (Rubisco). We have investigated whether the pyrenoid is present in strains of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Dangeard containing mutations in the chloroplast rbcL gene. The mutants examined include a nonsense mutant lacking Rubisco, 18-7G, a missense mutant with an inactive Rubisco, 10-6C, and a temperature-sensitive mutant, 68-4PP, which contains Rubisco at room temperature but lacks the protein at 35°C. Normally, each C. reinhardtii cell has one chloroplast containing one large pyrenoid. In the nonsense mutant and 68-4PP at the non-permissive temperature no pyrenoid was observed. In the other strains, even those with an inactive Rubisco, the pyrenoid appeared normal. These results indicate that the presence of the Rubisco protein is necessary for the formation of a normal pyrenoid in C. reinhardtii. It is also clear that the Rubisco does not have to be active for normal pyrenoid formation, as strains 10-C and F-60 had morphologically normal pyrenoids.
Polymerization of diaspirin crosslinked hemoglobin (DCLHb) with PEG activated with benzenesulfonate bearing electron-withdrawing groups

Abstract The hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier solution, DCLHb, was polymerized with novel polyethylene glycol polymerization reagents to provide a solution of monomers to tetramers of hemoglobin molecules. The polyethylene glycol reagents 4 and 5 were designed to be selective toward nucleophilic displacement of the substituted benzenesulfonates by the sulfhydryl groups of β93 Cys of DCLHb.
Echoes of the Baby Boom and Bust: Recent and Prospective Changes in Living Alone among Elderly Widows in the United States*

Today the great majority of noninstitutionalized elderly widows live alone, a striking increase from a quarter-century ago. A noticeable difference has occurred, however, in trends by age; the proportion of the young-old widows living alone is starting to decline. while that of the old-old continues to increase. We use a model suggested by earlier studies to explain the emergence of this difference, and assess the prospects of its continuing over the next three decades. We find that the recent differential change in the proportions of younger and older widows living alone is due primarily to a differential change in kin availability that has emerged as the baby boomers’ parents have begun to reach retirement age. Over the next decade, the same type of differential change by age in kin availability will continue; living alone is likely to become less common among young-old than among old-old widows, in a reversal of the pattern of the last quarter-century. In the first two decades of the next century, as the baby boom affects kin availability among the old-old, and as the subsequent baby bust affects that among the young-old, the age pattern of living arrangements among elderly widows will reverse once again.
The foundations of wilderness medicine: some historical features

The surgeons of the navies of the early days of western civilization – Greece, Rome, and the Italian city-states – were most likely the first practitioners of recognizable wilderness medicine. The teachings of Hippocrates and Galen ruled over the practice of medicine in Europe for centuries, but the steady evolution of understanding of the nature and causes of disease was starting to provide a useful foundation upon which to build by the turn of the 19th century. By 1800, nonetheless, the gap between medical theory and knowledge and the real ability to provide effective therapy was still enormous. However, the discovery of anesthesia in the 1840s and Joseph Lister's elucidation and application of the principles of asepsis in 1865 were major steps forward in the history of medicine. Many other improvements in civilian medical care relevant to wilderness medicine, though, have come about as a direct result of military medicine having to determine how to best keep people alive and well, often in very trying combat-related circumstances. The advancement of wilderness medicine has been closely connected to military exploration/operations throughout history, and not surprisingly, this remains in many ways as true today as it was a thousand years ago.
An Electrochemical Approach to the Guanacastepenes

An asymmetric approach toward the [6-7-5] ring system of the guanacastepenes is described. [structure: see text]
Alkoxide Attack on Coordinated Olefin Can Be Reversible

Alkoxide (MeO-, EtO-, iPrO-) attack occurs at the coordinated olefin of Ir(Tripod)(COD) (Tripod = MeC(CH2PPh2)3, COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) in CH2Cl2 to give Ir(Tripod)(2-alkoxycyclooct-5-en-1-yl), primarily as the exo isomer. These products slowly eliminate alcohol to give Ir(Tripod)((1,2-η2)-6-σ-cycloocta-1,4-dienyl), which is the only product detected when the alkoxide is tBuO-. Addition of excess methanol to exo-Ir(Tripod)(2-methoxycyclooct-5-en-1-yl) abstracts MeO- (i.e., heterolytic O−C bond cleavage), and thus a hydrogen-bonding solvent reverses the nucleophilic attack on coordinated olefin. Alkoxide (MeO-, iPrO-, tBuO- and 2-BuO-) addition occurs at an olefinic carbon of Rh(Tripod)(NBD)+ (NBD = norbornadiene) to give Rh(Tripod)(2-alkoxynorborn-4-en-1-yl). The crystal structure of the exo/methoxy example has been determined. While this product cannot unimolecularly eliminate alcohol, attempts to protonate the norbornyl ether in the presence or absence of added NBD were not successful. Here again, ac...
Using generalized programs in the teaching of computer science

Courses in Computer Science have undergone significant improvement during the last few years. This improvement has resulted from the introduction of guiding principles such as structured programming and top-down design. Unfortunately, even with the use of these principles, buggy programs are commonplace. More guiding principles are needed.This paper introduces the concept of generalized programs and described how they may be used as a guide in the creation of correct computer programs. The method is discussed as it relates to a first course in Computer Science, but the idea could be applicable elsewhere in the curriculum. Basically, the idea is to partition the problems usually solved in the first course into groups such that the programs for solving the problems in each group will have common features. It was not found possible to find such a group for every problem, but a majority of the problems in the first course could be grouped in this manner. For each group a generalized program is written which captures the common features of the group. When given a problem to solve, if the student can ascertain the group to which it belongs, then the generalized program for this group will give guidance for programming the solution.
Cultural Health Capital on the margins: Cultural resources for navigating healthcare in communities with limited access

Communities struggling with access to healthcare in the U.S. are often considered to be disadvantaged and lacking in resources. Yet, these communities develop and nurture valuable strategies for healthcare access that are underrecognized by health scholars. Combining medical sociology and critical race theory perspectives on cultural capital, this paper examines the health-relevant cultural resources, or Cultural Health Capital, in South Texas Mexican American border communities. Ethnographic data collected during 2011-2013 in Cameron and Hidalgo counties on the U.S.-Mexico border provide empirical evidence for expanding existing notions of health-relevant cultural capital. These Mexican American communities use a range of cultural resources to manage healthcare exclusion and negotiate care in alternative healthcare spaces like community clinics, flea markets and Mexican pharmacies. Navigational, social, familial, and linguistic skills and knowledge are used to access doctors and prescription drugs in these spaces despite social barriers to mainstream healthcare (e.g. cost, English language skills, etc.). Cultural capital used in marginalized communities to navigate limited healthcare options may not always fully counteract healthcare exclusion. Nevertheless, recognizing the cultural resources used in Mexican American communities to facilitate healthcare challenges deficit views and yields important findings for policymakers, healthcare providers, and advocates seeking to capitalize on community resources to improve healthcare access.
Parents and Practitioners Are Poor Judges of Young Children's Pain Severity

Objective: Visual analog pain scales are reliable measures in older children and adults; however, pain studies that include young children often rely on parental or practitioner assessments for measuring pain severity. The authors correlated patient, parental, and practitioner pain assessments for young children with acute pain. Methods: This was a prospective, descriptive study of a convenience sample of 63 emergency department patients aged 4‐7 years, with acute pain resulting from acute illness or painful invasive procedures. A trained research assistant administered a structured pain survey containing demographic and historical features to all parents/guardians. Children assessed their pain severity using a validated ordinal scale that uses five different faces with varying degrees of frowning (severe pain) or smiling (no pain). Each face was converted to a numeric value from 0 (no pain) to 4 (severe pain). Parents and practitioners independently assessed their child’s pain using a validated 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) marked ‘‘most pain’’ at the high end. Pairwise correlations between child, parent, and practitioner pain assessments were performed using Spearman’s or Pearson’s test as appropriate. The association between categorical data was assessed using x 2 tests. Results: Sixty-three children ranging in age from 4 to 7 were included. Mean age (6SD) was 5.7 (61.1); 42% were female. Fifty-seven successfully completed the face scale. The distribution of the children’s scores was 0‐17%, 1‐9%, 2‐30%, 3‐14%, and 4‐30%. Mean parental and practitioner scores (6SD) on the VAS were 61 (626) mm and 37 (626) mm, respectively (maximal = 100 mm). Correlation between child and parent scores was 0.47 (p < 0.001). Correlation between child and practitioner scores was 0.08 (p = 0.54). Correlation between parent and practitioner scores was 0.04 (p = 0.001). Conclusions: There is poor agreement between pain ratings by children, parents, and practitioners. It is unclear which assessment best approximates the true degree of pain the child is experiencing. Key words: pain scales; pediatric; correlation; Smiley Analog Scale; visual analog scale; judgment. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2002; 9:609‐612.
Does Personality Predict Preferred Managerial Style? Evidence from New Zealand and the United States

In contrast with more traditional command and control organizations, recent years have witnessed a trend toward more participative managerial structures, where direct supervision is de-emphasized and front-line workers plan and think for themselves. As suggested by the person-organization fit literature, research is needed which identifies individuals whose characteristics represent a good match with alternative manager-subordinate relationship structures. This study investigates whether differences in personality are systematically associated with preferences for first-line management jobs requiring alternative supervisory approaches. Using participants drawn from New Zealand and the United States (n = 200), results generally indicate that individuals who prefer more participative managerial styles also exhibit higher levels of agreeableness and openness to experience. Two components of extraversion (sociability and ambition), display significant and opposing relationships with preferences for more parti...
The analysis of slag for copper, total iron, iron(II) and iron(III) by titration, controlled potential coulometry and electrodeposition

Abstract The interference of copper in the titrimetric determination of iron(II), iron-(III) and total iron in slags is discussed. The titration of iron(II) suggested by Bowen and Schairer is accurate and can be conducted with a reproducibility of ±0.29% at the 95% confidence level. Electrolytic copper-iron separation techniques were adapted to copper-containing iron-silicate slag, to obtain a reliable method for copper and total iron analysis. The theoretical and practical limitations for performing potentiostatic determinations of iron(III) in copper-containing slag are reviewed. Some determinatons were made but initial results were unreliable. Complete analyses of copper-gold alloys were made potentiostatically. Copper plus gold recoveries were ca. 99.8%.
Power-aware admission control and virtual machine allocation for cloud applications

Different service providers in the cloud computing environment assume different responsibilities. Software as a Service (SaaS) providers have to respond to users' requests within an acceptable deadline determined in their Service Level Agreement (SLA) contracts, while Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) providers mostly care about the infrastructural resources. Power and cooling management and pricing of available resources are concerns of IaaS providers. The goal of an SaaS provider is to maximize the revenue from SLAs and minimize the cost of using IaaS resources. An IaaS provider wants to maximize the prices of its own resources that it charges its clients, and at the same time minimize the total power consumption of infrastructural resources. Each provider's decision may affect the other providers' strategies. In this paper, we propose a power-aware algorithm for both IaaS and SaaS providers to jointly and optimally control the admission rate and allocate the resources. We simulate different scenarios to substantiate the viability of our proposed scheme.
The liquidity effect: Identifying short-run interest rate dynamics using long-run restrictions☆

Abstract This paper identifies money supply shocks using long-run money neutrality restrictions within a vector autoregression framework to estimate the dynamic response of interest rates to such shocks—the liquidity effect. This identification procedure has several advantages over procedures used in previous studies, including the fact that it is consistent with a larger class of theoretical models. Using this approach on a sample of monthly macroeconomic data, we find evidence for a liquidity effect. This finding is robust across alternative measures of the money stock.
Synthesis of bioinorganic antimicrobial peptide nanoparticles with potential therapeutic properties

Amphiphilicity and cationicity are properties shared between antimicrobial peptides and proteins that catalyze biomineralization reactions. Merging these two functionalities, we demonstrate a reaction where a cationic antimicrobial peptide catalyzes self-biomineralization within inorganic matrices. The resultant antimicrobial peptide nanoparticles retain biocidal activity, protect the peptide from proteolytic degradation, and facilitate a continuous release of the antibiotic over time. Taken together, these properties demonstrate the therapeutic potential of self-synthesizing biomaterials that retain the biocidal properties of antimicrobial peptides.
Proteinases as molecular adjuvants in allergic airway disease

Background Asthma and related respiratory tract allergic diseases are among the most common chronic diseases of adults and children. Despite their importance, disease course cannot be predicted and treatment remains non-specific and potentially hazardous, with no means for cure. Improved clinical management of asthma will require an improved understanding of the fundamental factors that initiate allergic inflammation, especially T helper type 2 (TH2) cell induction.
The evolution of oxygen as a biosynthetic reagent.

The biosynthesis of certain cell constituents: monounsaturated fatty acids, tyrosine, and nicotinic acid, is oxygen-dependent in many higher organisms. The same compounds can be synthesized by different, oxygen-independent pathways in lower organisms. The general outlines of these pathways are described and the importance of the compounds synthesized is discussed. An examination of the distribution of these pathways among living organisms reveals that oxygen-dependent pathways replaced the "anaerobic" pathways at different branch points on the evolutionary tree. Other groups of compounds are discussed, which are not distributed as widely among living organisms, but are found in all higher organisms. These compounds have specialized functions and their biosynthesis requires molecular oxygen. The oxygen-dependent portions of the biosynthetic pathways leading to porphyrins, quinone coenzymes, carotenoids, sterols, and polyunsaturated fatty acids are summarized. The distribution and functions of these compounds are also considered and an attempt is made to place them in the framework of evolution. While sterols and polyunsaturated fatty acids are found exclusively in the higher Protista and multicellular organisms, carotenoids, porphyrins, and quinones are also found in bacteria. The possibility of oxygen-independent mechanisms for their biosynthesis is discussed.
Ambulatory treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.

losis with antituberculosis chemotherapy has increased tremendously in the last five years, while sanatorium treatment has declined. Chemotherapy is the most important therapeutic tool in the management of patients with tuberculosis in hospitals and out-patient clinics. It is still desirable to start most active cases with antituberculosis drugs in a sanatorium, even with the present out-patient care. The tuberculosis program of the Boston Health Department has under ambulatory care 805 chemotherapy and 572 post-chemotherapy cases, for a total of 1377. The breakdown of the clinics: 626 patients in Chemotherapy Clinic (nonsurgical); 248 in Post-Chemo Clinic (nonsurgical); and 503 in Surgical Clinic (out-patient followup of all surgical procedures). At present, there is no patient under our care upon whom pneumothorax or pneumOperitone
Clinical response to gastric electrical stimulation in patients with postsurgical gastroparesis

Background & Aims: The aim of this study was to report the long-term clinical response to high-frequency gastric electrical stimulation (GES) in 16 patients with postsurgical gastroparesis who failed standard medical therapy. Methods: Clinical data collected at baseline and after 6 and 12 months of GES included (1) severity and frequency of 6 upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms by using a 5-point symptom interview questionnaire and total symptom score, (2) health-related quality of life including physical composite score and mental composite score, (3) 4-hour standardized gastric emptying of a solid meal by scintigraphy, and (4) nutritional status. Results: The severity and frequency of all 6 upper GI symptoms, total symptom score, physical composite score, and mental composite score were significantly improved after 6 months and sustained at 12 months ( P Conclusions: Long-term GES significantly improved upper GI symptoms, quality of life, the nutritional status, and hospitalization requirements of patients with postsurgical gastroparesis. Although vagal nerve damage or disruption was part of the underlying pathophysiology, GES therapy was still effective and is a potential treatment option for the long-term management of postsurgical gastroparesis. A controlled clinical trial of GES for PSG patients (who are refractory to medical therapy) is indicated given these encouraging results.
REGULATION OF THE SALMONELLA TYPHIMURIUM FLAVOHEMOGLOBIN GENE : A NEW PATHWAY FOR BACTERIAL GENE EXPRESSION IN RESPONSE TO NITRIC OXIDE

Flavohemoglobins, a family of two-domain proteins with homology to vertebrate hemoglobins, are found in a variety of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms. Recent studies suggest a role for these proteins in nitrogen oxide metabolism. We now show that nitric oxide donors positively regulate a chromosomal flavohemoglobin (hmp)/lacZ operon fusion in Salmonella typhimurium. hmp gene expression in the presence of NO⋅ is independent of the SoxS, OxyR, and FNR transcription factors and instead relies on inactivation of the iron-dependent Fur repressor. Other Fur-repressed promoters in S. typhimuriumare also activated by an NO⋅ donor. In contrast to the wild-type strain, an hmp − mutant requires markedly lower concentrations of NO to induce the hmp/lacZ fusion, whereas its response to iron chelation is equivalent to wild type. These data unveil a new pathway for NO-dependent gene expression inS. typhimurium.
Survival of Listeria monocytogenes, Yersinia enterocolitica and Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Quality Changes After Irradiation of Beef Steaks and Ground Beef

Beef steaks and ground beef were inoculated with Listeria monocytogenes, Yersinia enterocolitica, or Escherichia coli O157:H7. Samples were packaged in air or under vacuum and irradiated at low (0.60 to 0.80 kGy) or medium (1.5 to 2.0 kGy) doses, with each dose delivered at either a low (2.8 M/min conveyor speed) or high (6.9 M/min) dose rate. Medium-dose irradiation accompanied by 7°C storage resulted in no Y. enterocolitica or E. coli O157:H7 survivors being detected. There was no effect on survival of the pathogens by dose rate or storage atmosphere. No difference (P>0.05) was observed in meat pH or color, but TBA values increased after 7 days storage.
Epitaxial Growth of Cu on Au(111) and Ag(111) by Surface Limited Redox ReplacementAn Electrochemical and STM Study

The growth of ultrathin copper films by surface limited redox replacement is discussed and experimentally illustrated. Cyclic voltammetry, in situ scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), and X-ray diffraction are employed to monitor the two-dimensional growth and characterize the structure of up to 100 monolayers (ML) of Cu on Ag (111) and Au(111) substrates. The growth is carried out by multiple redox replacement of a layer of underpotentially deposited (upd) Pb used as a sacrificial metal. Open-circuit potential monitoring during the replacement reaction is used to control the completion of each deposition event. Anodic film stripping is performed to determine the film thickness and calculate the yield of the employed deposition strategy. The excellent surface quality of an epitaxially grown Cu film is manifested by a distinct Pb upd voltammetry and ascertained by in situ STM showing uniform surface morphology maintained during the entire growth process. High-resolution STM imaging of Pb upd layer deposited on as-grown Cu films reveals a structure identical to Pb on Cu(111). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis shows no traces of Pb into accordingly deposited Cu films.
Manual of Travel Medicine and Health

Although the field of travel medicine is relatively young, the number of textbooks about the field is growing. This international trio of authors from Switzerland, the United States, and Singapore recently published the second edition of their textbook, which adds new chapters and updates epidemiologic information. Because of the complexity of travel medicine, good resources for clinicians and travelers are needed. This edition represents a welcome addition to the library of travel medicine. The main audience for this textbook is travel medicine physicians. Like the first edition, it is designed to be a reference book. Although small enough to fit in a pocket of a white coat, this paperback is very readable and comes with an easy-to-use CD. Part 1 of the book, Basics, provides an overview of general topics for physicians to discuss with their traveling patients. The authors encourage a comprehensive strategy, one that discusses prevention measures such as vaccines and their appropriate uses. Appendix C is an excellent table that lists the required and recommended vaccinations for each country. The text also provides excellent information for travelers in varied situations, such as pilgrims to the Hajj, migrants, pregnant women, international adoptees, athletes, and persons who are immunocompromised. In addition to providing current information on immunizations, the authors provide thorough information on malaria, including some individual country maps displaying areas of risk. Although the malaria review is comprehensive, caution should be exercised when deciding not to provide prophylaxis for travelers to a country where malaria is endemic. Part 2, Infectious Health Risks and Their Prevention, is the familiar chronicle of travel-related infectious diseases. This section includes numerous maps and tables describing the epidemiology of the diseases. The authors have updated this part by adding several diseases, including severe acute respiratory syndrome. The book provides pertinent information on travelers' medical kits, water disinfection, and noninfectious health risks such as high altitude, arctic travel, diving, jet lag, and ultraviolet radiation. New for this edition are informative chapters on deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism and in-flight accidents. Another strength of this work is the section on posttravel medical treatment. This chapter presents concise guidelines for the clinician who is treating posttravel patients (with diarrhea, fever, malaria, dermatologic disorders, eosinophilia, sexually transmitted diseases) or screening expatriates after prolonged stays in tropical regions. A particularly useful feature is the dosing recommendations, many of which are for infrequently used drugs. In conclusion, the Manual of Travel Medicine and Health, Second Edition, should be a useful textbook for travel medicine physicians and those in training who want to learn more about the field. While the traditional topics are covered in customary detail, the strength of the book is its comprehensiveness and portability, providing a convenient reference.