cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Asking for help: internal medicine residents' use of a medical procedure service.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the professional help-seeking behavior of residents as they perform procedures in the hospital. OBJECTIVE: To determine when residents seek formal supervision to perform inpatient medical procedures. DESIGN: We conducted a prospective cohort study of resident physicians' use of formal supervision through a medical procedure service (MPS) for placing central venous catheters (CVCs) and performing thoracenteses. We compared resident, procedure, and patient characteristics among MPS and non-MPS procedures. We performed bivariable and multivariable analyses to examine factors associated with use of the MPS. We also performed a subgroup analysis of non-MPS procedures to assess the influence of resident, procedure, and patient characteristics on the choice of informal supervision. SETTING: Boston teaching hospital. SUBJECTS: Sixty-nine internal medicine residents. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Use of an elective MPS for formal faculty supervision. RESULTS: Among 191 procedures performed, 79 (41%) used the MPS. Residents were more likely to seek faculty supervision via the MPS among patients with 3 or more comorbidities (odds ratio [OR], 2.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-3.5). They were less likely to seek MPS supervision when procedures were performed urgently or emergently (OR, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2-0.8). There were few differences in the characteristics of unsupervised and informally supervised procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Resident physicians appear to seek formal assistance appropriately for procedures they perform on sicker patients. Additional research is needed to understand whether overconfidence or poor access to attending physicians is responsible for their failure to seek consultation with urgent and emergent cases. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2009;4:404–409. © 2009 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Mass transfer in the flow of gases through fluidized beds

Mass transfer studies were conducted for the flow of air through fluidized beds. These studies were concerned with the sublimation of p-dichlorobenzene spherical particles, approximately 0.04 to 0.08 in. in diameter, and with the evaporation of nitrobenzene and water from alumina spheres. 0.1168 in. in diameter. Void volumes for these fluidized beds were calculated from pressure-drop measurements. The results of this investigation were used to establish mass transfer factors which were in agreement with values obtained for fixed beds for corresponding modified Reynolds numbers, DpG/μ(1-e).
Low rate coding of the spectral envelope using channel gains

A dual rate embedded sinusoidal transform coder is described in which a core 14th order allpole coder operating at 2400 b/s is augmented with a set of channel gain residuals in order to operate at the higher 4800 b/s rate. The channel. Gains are a set of non-uniformly spaced samples of the spline envelope and constitute a lowpass estimate of the short-time vocal tract magnitude spectrum. The channel gain residuals represent the difference between the spline envelope and the quantized 14th order allpole spectrum at the channel gain frequencies. The channel gain residuals are coded using pitch dependent scalar quantization. Informal listening indicates that the quality of the embedded coder at 4800 b/s is comparable to that of an existing high quality 4800 b/s allpole coder.
CONSIDERING CONTEXT IN TEAM DIVERSITY RESEARCH: A META-ANALYTIC REVIEW.

This article provides a meta-analysis of research into diversity as a factor effecting teamwork. The role of occupational context in the impact of issues relating to diversity is considered. Workpl...
Plasma Thyrotropin Responses to Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone after Injection into the Third Ventricle, Systemic Circulation, Median Eminence and Anterior Pituitary

To determine whether the cerebrospinal fluid provides a potential route by which hypothalamic hypophysiotropic hormones might be transported to the anterior pituitary, thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) was injected into the third ventricle and plasma radioimmunoassayable thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) measured. Comparisons were made with injections into the median eminence, anterior pituitary and a peripheral vein. In one series of experiments, intraventricular TRH did not increase plasma TSH significantly above baseline, but did prevent the expected post—anesthetic fall. In a second series, intraventricular TRH caused a small but significant increase in plasma TSH. By contrast injections of similar amounts into the systemic circulation, median eminence and anterior pituitary led to a much greater rise in plasma TSH at five min post injection: third ventricular 27.9 ± 12.7, iv 70.8 ± 21, median eminence 107 ± 35, and pituitary 188 ± 22.6 mU TSH/100 ml. These studies indicate that TRH can reach the an...
155-nm Continuous-Wave Two-Pump Parametric Amplification

We investigate the synthesis of flat parametric response of a dual-pumped device with a distant pump separation ranging from 130 to 180 nm. The Raman contribution to the nonlinear polarization introduced predictable gain ripple and dispersion fluctuation along the highly nonlinear fiber had to be precisely accounted for. A 3-dB equalized gain was observed over 100 nm using 130-nm separated pumps. Record gain bandwidth of 155 nm was also measured for the first time.
Cognitive Control Deficits Associated with Antisocial Personality Disorder and Psychopathy

Antisociality has been linked to a variety of executive functioning deficits, including poor cognitive control. Surprisingly, cognitive control deficits are rarely found in psychopathic individuals, despite their notoriously severe and persistent antisocial behavior. In fact, primary (low-anxious) psychopathic individuals display superior performance on cognitive control-type tasks under certain circumstances. To clarify these seemingly contradictory findings, we administered a response competition (i.e. flanker) task to incarcerated offenders, who were assessed for Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD) symptoms and psychopathy. As hypothesized, APD related to poorer accuracy, especially on incongruent trials. Contrary to expectation, however, the same pattern of results was found in psychopathy. Additional analyses indicated that these effects of APD and psychopathy were associated with overlapping variance. The findings suggest that psychopathy and APD symptoms are both associated with deficits in cognitive control, and that this deficit relates to general antisociality as opposed to a specific antisocial syndrome.
Wavelet crack detection algorithm for smart structures

A wavelet-based crack detection algorithm is being developed which combines active detection by means of Fiber Bragg Grating sensors and passive detection by means of wavelet- based crack detection of composite-embedded optical fibers.
Adolescent marijuana use: A test of three theories of deviant behavior

Social learning theory, social bonding theory, and anomie (strain) theory are tested with survey data on adolescent drug use. Social learning theory is strongly supported, social bonding bonding theory receives some support, and anomie receives little support. Types of theoretical integration are reviewed, and the conceptual overlap between social learning and bonding theories is shown.
US Food and Drug Administration Approval of Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride for Management of Postexposure Inhalational Anthrax

In August 2000, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (Cipro; Bayer) for management of postexposure inhalational anthrax. This was the first antimicrobial drug approved by the FDA for use in treating an infection due to a biological agent used intentionally. The terrorist attacks of 2001 involving anthrax underscore the imperative that safe and effective drugs to manage such infections be readily available in the United States. The approval of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride, which was made on the basis of a surrogate human marker of efficacy, made extensive use of data from an animal model of disease. This represents a new direction in the development of efficacy data in support of drug approval and facilitates the availability of those drugs for which there is an urgent need. This article presents the scientific data and regulatory mechanism that supported the approval of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride for management of postexposure of inhalational anthrax.
How plants communicate using the underground information superhighway.

The rhizosphere is a densely populated area in which plant roots must compete with invading root systems of neighboring plants for space, water, and mineral nutrients, and with other soil-borne organisms, including bacteria and fungi. Root–root and root–microbe communications are continuous occurrences in this biologically active soil zone. How do roots manage to simultaneously communicate with neighboring plants, and with symbiotic and pathogenic organisms within this crowded rhizosphere? Increasing evidence suggests that root exudates might initiate and manipulate biological and physical interactions between roots and soil organisms, and thus play an active role in root–root and root–microbe communication.
Modeling and analyzing fractal point processes

Fractal point processes are modeled as doubly stochastic point processes for which the intensity is a fractal stochastic waveform process. With this model, the fractal point process is shown to be self-similar only over long time scales, with short time scales exhibiting little fractal effects. Parameters of the fractal process are measured with the Fano factor: the ratio of the variance to the mean of the number of events occurring in a time interval. The application of the analysis techniques is illustrated by an example taken from single auditory neuron recordings. >
Alleviating transcript insufficiency caused by Friedreich’s ataxia triplet repeats

Expanded GAA·TTC trinucleotide repeats in intron 1 of the frataxin gene cause Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA) by reducing frataxin mRNA levels .I nsufficient frataxin, a nuclear encoded mitochondrial protein, leads to the progressive neurodegeneration and cardiomyopathy characteristic of FRDA .P reviously w ed emonstrated that long GAA·TTC tracts impede transcription elongation in vitro and provided evidence that the impediment results from an intramolecular purine·purine·pyrimidine DN At riplex formed behind an advancing RNA polymerase .O ur model predicts that inhibiting formation of this triplex during transcription will increase successful elongation through GAA·TTC tracts .H ere w es how that this is the case .O ligodeoxyribonucleotides designed to block particular types of triplex formation provide specific and concentration-dependent increases in full-length transcript .I np rinciple, therapeutic agents that selectively interfere with triplex formation could alleviate the frataxin transcript insufficiency caused by pathogenic FRDA alleles.
Health behaviors of employed and insured adults in the United States, 2004-2005.

Abstract Purpose To examine the prevalence of health behaviors, including clinical preventive services and lifestyle risk behaviors, among insured workers and to determine whether disparities in health behaviors based on demographic factors exist among this group. Design Cross-sectional analysis of 2004–2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data. Setting United States. Subjects A representative sample of noninstitutionalized employed and insured adults aged 18 to 64 years (139,738 in 2004 and 159,755 in 2005). Measures Self-reported clinical preventive services utilization and lifestyle-related behaviors, as well as multiple logistic regression analyses assessing the independent effects of demographic and access variables on health behaviors. Results Among insured workers, rates of not using recommended clinical preventive services ranged from 8.5% (cervical cancer screening) to 73.9% (influenza vaccination). Rates for engaging in lifestyle-related risks ranged from 5.5% (heavy drinking) to 77.1...
Candidate lineage marker genes in human preimplantation embryos.

Abstract Cell allocation and subsequent lineage commitment in the human embryo may be established as early as in the unfertilized oocyte. This phenomenon might be the result of subtle differences of gene expression and protein distribution. To assess whether gene expression profiling by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction could be a suitable tool for the detection of cell allocation and lineage commitment, the expression pattern of the putative inner cell mass marker gene Oct-4 and the trophectodermal marker genes β-HCG and β-LH were correlated in individual blastomeres of preimplantation human embryos. In 2- to 5-cell stage embryos, expression of β-HCG and Oct-4 mRNA was negatively correlated in all blastomeres with statistical significance, suggesting that cell allocation can be assessed by those markers at early stages. In 7- to 10-cell stage embryos, expression of β-LH and Oct-4 mRNA was negatively correlated in some blastomeres without statistical significance, suggesting that more experiments are necessary to decide if lineage commitment can be assessed in some cells by those markers at later stages.
Near-Optimal-Sample Estimators for Spherical Gaussian Mixtures

Many important distributions are high dimensional, and often they can be modeled as Gaussian mixtures. We derive the first sample-efficient polynomial-time estimator for high-dimensional spherical Gaussian mixtures. Based on intuitive spectral reasoning, it approximates mixtures of k spherical Gaussians in d-dimensions to within l1 distance e using O(dk9(log2 d)/e4) samples and Ok,e(d3 log5 d) computation time. Conversely, we show that any estimator requires Ω(dk/e2) samples, hence the algorithm's sample complexity is nearly optimal in the dimension. The implied time-complexity factor Ok,e is exponential in k, but much smaller than previously known. We also construct a simple estimator for one-dimensional Gaussian mixtures that uses O(k/e2) samples and O((k/e)3k+1) computation time.
Quantitative steganalysis of digital images: estimating the secret message length

The objective of steganalysis is to detect messages hidden in cover objects, such as digital images. In practice, the steganalyst is frequently interested in more than whether or not a secret message is present. The ultimate goal is to extract and decipher the secret message. However, in the absence of the knowledge of the stego technique and the stego and cipher keys, this task may be extremely time consuming or completely infeasible. Therefore, any additional information, such as the message length or its approximate placement in image features, could prove very valuable to the analyst. In this paper, we present general principles for developing steganalytic methods that can accurately estimate the number of changes to the cover image imposed during embedding. Using those principles, we show how to estimate the secret message length for the most common embedding archetypes, including the F5 and OutGuess algorithms for JPEG, EzStego algorithm with random straddling for palette images, and the classical LSB embedding with random straddling for uncompressed image formats. The paper concludes with an outline of ideas for future research such as estimating the steganographic capacity of embedding algorithms.
An IFN-β-albumin fusion protein that displays improved pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties in nonhuman primates

The long half-life and stability of human serum albumin (HSA) make it an attractive candidate for fusion to short-lived therapeutic proteins. Albuferon™ (Human Genome Sciences [HGS], Inc., Rockville, MD) beta is a novel recombinant protein derived from a gene fusion of interferon-β (IFN-β ) and HSA. In vitro, Albuferon beta displays antiviral and antiproliferative activities and triggers the IFN-stimulated response element (ISRE) signal transduction pathway. Array analysis of 5694 independent genes in Daudi-treated cells revealed that Albuferon beta and IFN-β induce the expression of an identical set of 30 genes, including 9 previously not identified. In rhesus monkeys administered a dose of 50 μg/kg intravenously (i.v.) or subcutaneously (s.c.) or 300 μg/kg s.c., Albuferon beta demonstrated favorable pharmacokinetic properties. Subcutaneous bioavailability was 87%, plasma clearance at 4.7-5.7 ml/h/kg was approximately 140-fold lower than that of IFN-β, and the terminal half-life was 36-40 h compared with...
Social theory: an anti-individualist story

Prospective readers of this impressive work should not let its subtitle fool them. Its “twenty introductory lectures” are not for the uninitiated. This is an introduction, rather, for the relatively advanced student—and not only the student—who already knows enough sociology, philosophy of science, and (European) history, including the history of ideas, to benefit from the subtleties and sophistication of its analyses and attempt at synthesis. It is at once a work of pedagogy and of scholarship. It also has an agenda, arguing for a particular vision of social theorizing and thus against others. It is, moreover, concerned only with contemporary theory post-1945, referring only tangentially to classical works. As a pedagogical instrument, it is not a textbook in the conventional sense. As Jeff Manza and his co-authors have recently shown, 1 most sociology textbooks are constructed in strikingly formulaic ways, almost invariably reproducing identical long-superseded classifications. They show how, in the United States, these textbooks combine to congeal the teaching of sociology throughout the lower reaches of higher education under the market-driven pressures of editors and publishers responding to their remarkably uniform perception of the demands of aging and hard-pressed lecturers operating far from their discipline’s current thinking and research. By contrast, Joas and Knobl offer a distinctive, if controversial, vision of the scope of what they call “social” theory and of what it is to theorize. They also do so in an interesting and innovative way, in the form of a narrative with an overall unity and employing distinctive, and contestable, principles of selection. They seek to avoid, as they explain from the start, viewing social theory in “its purely empirical, explanatory dimension”: they promise instead to focus on “an overarching conception incorporating political and cultural dimensions.” The promise Theor Soc (2013) 42:653–657 DOI 10.1007/s11186-013-9207-y
Rapid Growth Can Cause Problems When it Stops: Education Finance in Botswana

For a long period from the late 1970s, Botswana was one of the most rapidly growing economies in the world. Education at all levels also rapidly expanded, and it would not be wholly unfair to say that for a long period the response to any education difficulty or problem was to throw more money at it and start a new initiative. The international financial crisis of 2007-8 signaled the end of Botswanas rapid growth, and the anticipated decline of diamond extraction and subsequent government revenue require a new attitude toward government policy. In recent years, the actual performance of the public education sector has been disappointing, particularly in comparison to other countries at similar income levels and given the resources Botswana has made available to public education. Based on information and data acquired while providing technical assistance to formulation of the Education and Training Sector Strategic Plan in 2013, this paper will discuss hypotheses as to why this happened and what the future of the sector and its financing are likely to be. Particular emphasis will be paid to policy toward tertiary education and its finance.
Reminiscence and Autobiographical Memory in the Study of the Personal Past

This study investigated adult age differences in memory for past personal experiences. Young, middle-aged, and older adults participated in an autobiographical memory task in which they were presented with word prompts and asked to report the first specific personal memory that came to mind. They also completed a reminiscence questionnaire and a measure of current well-being, the Bradburn Affect Balance Scale (ABS). The autobiographical memory data revealed significant increases across the three age groups in both the average time taken to respond to prompt words and the average "age" of reported memories. Age differences in reminiscence also were found. The hypothesis that persons who actively reminisce would respond more quickly and with more remote memories in the autobiographical memory task was not supported. Implications of this data for understanding the cognitive and functional aspects of personal memory are discussed.
Identification of Heterozygous Carriers of Gargoylism

SummaryThe carbazole and naphthoresorcinol methods for hexuronic acid determination have been used to characterize the partially purified acid mucopolysaccharides obtained from urine of normal persons, from patients with gargoylism and from their relatives. The results, expressed as a ratio of carbazole to naphthoresorcinol hexuronic acid, demonstrated a similar abnormal qualitative excretion of chondroitin sulfate B by patients with gargoylism. by one or both parents, and by some of their other relatives. Occurrence of an abnormal qualitative excretion of chondroitin sulfate B in the clinically normal relatives of patients with gargoylism probably indicates the heterozygous carrier state of the disease.
Safety and Economy Analysis of the Aged Transformer Based on the Condition and Risk Assessment

Risk management and economy analysis are the essential contents in modern asset management for power grid.This paper introduces the systematic analysis method and steps of the transformer safety and economy based on the condition and risk assessment.In order to confirm the optimized replacement time and further demonstrate the accuracy and feasibility of this analysis method,apply the method to evaluate 80 transformers of GXPG which were in service for 15 years or more,achieving the current HI and the changing trend of HI in future for each transformer.
A Study on the Impact of the Large-scale Distributed Photovoltaic Power on the Distribution Grid System

The photovoltaic power is gaining momentum and developing fastest among the distributed power generation technologies.The distributed photovoltaic power is connected to the distribution grid through the inverter.And it is stochastic and different from the traditional power plants.So it is necessary to study the impact of distributed photovoltaic power on the distribution grid.In this paper,the impact of distributed photovoltaic power on the distribution grid is discussed in detail in seven aspects to provide a reference for intensive study in future.
Feeding in ciliated protozoa. I. Pharyngeal disks in Euplotes: a source of membrane for food vacuole formation?

The ciliate Euplotes is able to expend a very large amount of membrane in the formation of food vacuoles. Calculations based on the rate of ingestion of the food organism Tetrahymena indicate that an amount of food vacuole membrane equivalent to approximately 50-150% of the total Euplotes cell surface area can be produced within 5-10 min. An aggregation of osmiophilic, membrane-limited ‘pharyngeal disks’ is found packed in the cytoplasm just beneath the cell surface membrane in the region of the cell mouth and cytopharynx. These disks, which can be seen also in living cells, have average dimensions of 2 µm diameter by 100 nm thickness, and contain tightly packed layers of a thin lamellar material. Electron micrographs have revealed the apparent fusion of the limiting membrane of disks with the cell9s plasma membrane at the base of the gullet. The lamellar disk contents are thereby released to the exterior medium in the buccal cavity, where they form a loosely packed layer over the surface membrane. It is postulated that the pharyngeal disks represent a repository of preformed membrane for use in food vacuole formation. The disk contents may also play a role in food ingestion, although this is not well defined at present. The myeloid content of old food vacuoles is very similar to that of nearby disks in the cytoplasm, suggesting that the disks may form by pinching from shrinking food vacuoles during the digestive cycle. Thus a cycle of membrane flow is envisaged, with the pharyngeal disks (1) coalescing with the surface membrane during food vacuole formation, (2) reforming by pinching from these food vacuoles during digestion, and (3) migrating back to the oral region to serve as a membrane store for subsequent food vacuole formation.
The Minimally Invasive Repair of Pectus Excavatum Using a Subxiphoid Incision.

Purpose Several surgeons have documented outcomes following the Nuss operation. Most reports have described the use of thoracoscopy to avoid cardiac injury. Since 1999, our group has utilized a subxiphoid incision, allowing insertion of the surgeon's finger into the substernal space to help guide the bar across the mediastinum. Our initial experience has been reported and we are now reporting our entire experience to date. Methods A retrospective review was conducted on all patients who underwent pectus excavatum repair using a subxiphoid incision from December, 1999 to September, 2015. Results During the study period, 554 repairs were performed. A total of 80% of the patients were male. The mean age was 14.3 years ± 3.1, the mean operating time was 52 minutes ± 17.4, the mean length of stay was 4.2 days ± 1.1, and the mean time to bar removal was 2.7 years ± 0.7. A total of 20 patients (3.6%) received two bars. No patients sustained cardiac injury or evidence of pericarditis. Postoperatively, 22 patients (4%) developed an infection, either cellulitis or a local abscess requiring incision and drainage and/or antibiotics. In four of these 22 patients, the wound infection developed after the bar had been removed. Only one patient required bar removal before 2 years due to an infection. A total of 12 patients required either repositioning of the bar due to rotation (4) or removal of a stabilizer due to chronic discomfort (8), 2 required early bar removal for chronic pain, and 1 patient developed a tension pneumothorax in the operating room. A recurrence has developed in two patients but neither patient has desired correction. Conclusion In this relatively large series of patients, the addition of a subxiphoid incision to the technique has allowed for safe passage of the bar across the mediastinum to avoid cardiac injury during the Nuss operation.
Central Repair With Antegrade TEVAR for Malperfusion Syndromes in Acute Debakey I Aortic Dissection.

Background In acute DeBakey I aortic dissection presenting with malperfusion syndromes, we assessed whether standard open repair with concomitant antegrade stent grafting (thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair; TEVAR) of the descending thoracic aorta (DTA) improves outcomes compared with standard repair alone. Methods From 2005 to 2012, 277 patients with acute DeBakey I dissection underwent emergent operation. Of these, 104 patients (37%) presenting with end-organ malperfusion were divided into those undergoing standard distal repair entailing transverse hemiarch replacement (Standard group, n = 65) versus standard repair with concomitant DTA TEVAR during circulatory arrest (TEVAR group, n = 39). Prospectively maintained aortic dissection database was retrospectively reviewed. Results Demographic characteristics and preoperative comorbidities were similar. Circulatory arrest (56 ± 12 versus 34 ± 14 minutes, p p = 0.001) times were longer in the TEVAR group. Overall, postoperative stroke rate (5% [n = 2] versus 6% [n = 4], p = 1), paraplegia rate (5% [n = 2] versus 5% [n = 3], p = 1.0), and renal failure rate (10% [n = 4] versus 22% [n = 14], p = 0.2) were similar. In-hospital/30-day mortality rate was lower in the TEVAR group but was not significant (18% (n = 7) versus 34% [n = 22], p = 0.1). In patients presenting with malperfusion involving greater than one end-organ system, the mortality rate was significantly improved in the TEVAR group (28% [n = 6] versus 58% [n = 14], p = 0.05). Conclusions Standard repair with antegrade TEVAR of the DTA for acute DeBakey I aortic dissection presenting with malperfusion syndromes can be safely performed. Further, true lumen stabilization achieved through DTA TEVAR may provide a survival benefit in patients with distal multiorgan malperfusion.
Impact of instructional decisions on the effectiveness of cooperative learning in chemistry through meta-analysis

Meta-analysis can provide a robust description of the impact of educational reforms and also offer an opportunity to explore the conditions where such reforms are more or less effective. This article describes a meta-analysis on the impact of cooperative learning on students’ chemistry understanding. Modifiers in the meta-analysis are purposefully chosen to model instructors’ decisions in implementing cooperative learning. Modifiers investigated include: using cooperative learning periodically or in every class period; setting a maximum group size at four or smaller versus five or larger; using closed-ended or open-ended assessments; and assessing a single topic or assessing the cumulative topics in the course. The results showed cooperative learning's effectiveness is robust across a wide range of instructional decisions except no evidence of effectiveness was found with cumulative assessments. The overall results from the meta-analysis provide a benchmark for evaluating future efforts to evaluate pedagogical interventions in chemistry.
An online course improves nurses' awareness of their role as antimicrobial stewards in nursing homes

Background To support the role of nurses as active proponents of antimicrobial stewardship in long-term care facilities, we developed an educational intervention consisting of a free online course comprised of 6 interactive modules. Here, we report the effect of the course on the knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes toward antimicrobial stewardship of nurses working in long-term care facilities. Methods We used a paired pre- and postcourse survey instrument to assess nurses' knowledge regarding the care of long-term care facility residents with infections and attitudes and beliefs regarding antimicrobial stewardship. Results There were 103 respondents, registered nurses or licensed practical nurses, who completed the pre- and postsurveys. Their mean knowledge scores improved from 75% (precourse) to 86% (postcourse, P .001). After the course, nurses' agreement that their role influences whether residents receive antimicrobials increased significantly ( P .001). Conclusions The online course improves nurses' knowledge regarding the care of long-term care facility residents with infections and improves their confidence to engage in antimicrobial stewardship activities. Empowering nurses to be antimicrobial stewards may help reduce unnecessary antibiotic use among institutionalized older adults.
Proteomic Screen for Cellular Targets of the Vaccinia Virus F10 Protein Kinase Reveals that Phosphorylation of mDia Regulates Stress Fiber Formation

Vaccinia virus, a complex dsDNA virus, is unusual in replicating exclusively within the cytoplasm of infected cells. Although this prototypic poxvirus encodes >200 proteins utilized during infection, a significant role for host proteins and cellular architecture is increasingly evident. The viral B1 kinase and H1 phosphatase are known to target cellular proteins as well as viral substrates, but little is known about the cellular substrates of the F10 kinase. F10 is essential for virion morphogenesis, beginning with the poorly understood process of diversion of membranes from the ER for the purpose of virion membrane biogenesis. To better understand the function of F10, we generated a cell line that carries a single, inducible F10 transgene. Using uninduced and induced cells, we performed stable isotope labeling of amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) coupled with phosphopeptide analysis to identify cellular targets of F10-mediated phosphorylation. We identified 27 proteins that showed statistically significant changes in phosphorylation upon the expression of the F10 kinase: 18 proteins showed an increase in phosphorylation whereas 9 proteins showed a decrease in phosphorylation. These proteins participate in several distinct cellular processes including cytoskeleton dynamics, membrane trafficking and cellular metabolism. One of the proteins with the greatest change in phosphorylation was mDia, a member of the formin family of cytoskeleton regulators; F10 induction led to increased phosphorylation on Ser22. Induction of F10 induced a statistically significant decrease in the percentage of cells with actin stress fibers; however, this change was abrogated when an mDia Ser22Ala variant was expressed. Moreover, expression of a Ser22Asp variant leads to a reduction of stress fibers even in cells not expressing F10. In sum, we present the first unbiased screen for cellular targets of F10-mediated phosphorylation, and in so doing describe a heretofore unknown mechanism for regulating stress fiber formation through phosphorylation of mDia. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD005246.
Signal processing subsystems for RF photonics

An overview of analog microwave photonics will be presented as it relates to RF front ends. Special emphasis will be placed on techniques to achieve discrete-device-based link performance in higher density integrated photonic circuits.
The Active Skim: Efficient Reading as a Moral Challenge in Postgraduate Education.

Faculty and students recognize that to succeed in graduate school, the ability to read efficiently and with comprehension is crucial. Students must be able to process information newly presented to...
Influence of a Training Program on Camp Counselors’ Perceived Competency When Accounting for Prior Camp Experience

The purpose of this study was to evaluate summer camp counselors’ perceived competency prior to and after an 8-day training at an independent for-profit overnight camp. The participants in this study were 101 camp counselors who were employed at an overnight summer camp in the northeastern United States. Counselors’ perceived competency was measured with a 21-item survey with seven subscales including typical day routine, conflict management, counselor expectations, safe camp environment, relationships, develop camper skills, and behavior management, prior to and following staff training. Results from the survey indicate increases across all constructs were significant, and the three factors with the largest increase after the orientation training were typical day routine, counselor expectations, and developing camper skills. The two factors with the smallest increase were behavior management and creating a safe camp environment. Devoting additional time teaching tangible methods on how to handle conflict and cultivate camp skills may similarly lead to stronger competency in staff. In the future, integrating video module training for staff prior to training may be beneficial.Subscribe to JOREL
Nonlinear time domain-FFT study of the f − 2f frequency response of lithium niobate YX-127 o SAW resonators

The nonlinear characteristics of SAW resonators have been of great interest recently. We present a new nonlinear solution algorithm for the f-2f nonlinear coupling phenomenon in SAW IDT resonators. Specifically we have applied our algorithm to obtain the f-2f frequency response of the lithium niobate YX-127o SAW IDT resonators. Lithium niobate was chosen because a complete set of its nonlinear material constants was known and published in the literature. The algorithm consisted of solving the nonlinear finite amplitude model in the time domain to obtain the time dependent response, and then performing a fast Fourier transform of the time dependent response. In order to minimize the transient response, the initial conditions for the time domain solution were obtained from the frequency response of the linear model. Results were presented for a one-electrode IDT SAW resonator at increasing drive voltages. The charge on the electrode IDT for the nonlinearly generated 2f mode increased with the square of the magnitude of f mode drive level voltage.
Incidence and Risk Factors for Vancomycin Nephrotoxicity in Acutely Ill Pediatric Patients

Background: Particularly with the current increased vancomycin dosing trends, the true risk of the agent’s nephrotoxicity is not well characterized and remains of concern. Objective: To determine t...
Desmoglein 3 Order and Dynamics in Desmosomes Determined by Fluorescence Polarization Microscopy

Desmosomes are macromolecular cell-cell junctions that provide adhesive strength in epithelial tissue. Desmosome function is inseparably linked to structure, and it is hypothesized that the arrangement, or order, of desmosomal cadherins in the intercellular space is critical for adhesive strength. However, due to desmosome size, molecular complexity, and dynamics, the role that order plays in adhesion is challenging to study. Herein, we present an excitation resolved fluorescence polarization microscopy approach to measure the spatiotemporal dynamics of order and disorder of the desmosomal cadherin desmoglein 3 (Dsg3) in living cells. Simulations were used to establish order factor as a robust metric for quantifying the spatiotemporal dynamics of order and disorder. Order factor measurements in keratinocytes showed the Dsg3 extracellular domain is ordered at the individual desmosome, single cell, and cell population levels compared to a series of disordered controls. Desmosomal adhesion is Ca2+ dependent, and reduction of extracellular Ca2+ leads to a loss of adhesion measured by dispase fragmentation assay (λ = 15.1 min). Live cell imaging revealed Dsg3 order decreased more rapidly (λ = 5.5 min), indicating that cadherin order is not required for adhesion. Our results suggest that rapid disordering of cadherins can communicate a change in extracellular Ca2+ concentration to the cell, leading to a downstream loss of adhesion. Fluorescence polarization is an effective bridge between protein structure and complex dynamics and the approach presented here is broadly applicable to studying order in macromolecular structures.
Control of heat-integrated extractive distillation processes

Abstract Pressure in many distillation columns is set such that cooling water can be used in the condenser. Pressure selection is more involved in some columns such as reactive distillation in which there is a trade-off between temperatures favorable for reaction kinetics and temperatures favorable for vapor-liquid equilibrium. In azeotropic systems, pressure selection is critical in achieving the desired separation by consideration of distillation boundaries and isovolatility curves. A recent paper presented a striking example of pressure selection in extractive distillation. Operation at 1 atm required a solvent-to-feed (S/F) ratio of 3.52 while operating at 10 atm cut the S/F to only 0.717. The purpose of this paper is to explore the dynamic controllability of this low S/F extractive distillation system. Results show that the control structure must be modified from the conventional configuration used in most extractive distillation processes.
Cognitive and Social Aspects of Engagement in Active Learning

This article reports analysis of students’ written reflections as to what helps them learn in an active learning environment. Eight hundred and twenty seven responses from 403 students in four different studio courses over two years were analyzed. An emergent coding scheme identified 55% of the responses as associated with cognitive processes (practice problem solving; connection to lecture; conceptual understanding) and 42% as social processes (small group interactions; guidance and help from the TA). Of the many responses that contained multiple codes, the most common coupling was between a cognitive and social process. These results are discussed in terms of social construction of knowledge and resulting instructional recommendations are provided.
Nanotechnology approaches to eradicating HIV reservoirs

The advent of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has transformed HIV-1 infection into a controllable chronic disease, but these therapies are incapable of eradicating the virus to bring about an HIV cure. Multiple strategies have been proposed and investigated to eradicate latent viral reservoirs from various biological sanctuaries. However, due to the complexity of HIV infection and latency maintenance, a single drug is unlikely to eliminate all HIV reservoirs and novel strategies may be needed to achieve better efficacy while limiting systemic toxicity. In this review, we describe HIV latency in cellular and anatomical reservoirs, and present an overview of current strategies for HIV cure with a focus on their challenges for clinical translation. Then we provide a summary of nanotechnology solutions that have been used to address challenges in HIV cure by delivering physicochemically diverse agents for combination therapy or targeting HIV reservoir sites. We also review nanocarrier-based gene delivery and immunotherapy used in cancer treatment but may have potential applications in HIV cure.
The Reception of Cicero in the Early Roman Empire: The Rhetorical Schoolroom and the Creation of a Cultural Legend

Cicero was one of the most important political, intellectual, and literary figures of the late Roman Republic, rising to the consulship as a 'new man' and leading a complex and contradictory life. After his murder in 43 BC, he was indeed remembered for his life and his works - but not for all of them. This book explores Cicero's reception in the early Roman Empire, showing what was remembered and why. It argues that early imperial politics and Cicero's schoolroom canonization had pervasive effects on his reception, with declamation and the schoolroom mediating and even creating his memory in subsequent generations. The way he was deployed in the schools was foundational to the version of Cicero found in literature and the educated imagination in the early Roman Empire, yielding a man stripped of the complex contradictions of his own lifetime and polarized into a literary and political symbol.
Cystolysis: A Procedure for the Selective Denervation of the Bladder

Cystolysis, a procedure for the selective supratrigonal denervation of the bladder, was used in 6 patients with intractable interstitial cystitis and in 4 patients with an uninhibited neurogenic bladder. Good results were obtained in both groups of patients.
Dynamic Properties of Geologic Specimens Subjected to Split-Hopkinson Pressure Bar Compression Testing at the University of Kentucky

Advances in materials science have shown that material behavior varies according to the rate of load application (strain-rate sensitivity). With regards to compressive strength, materials have been observed to exhibit a strengthening, weakening, or negligible response to increasing strain-rates (Zhang and Zhao in Rock Mech Rock Eng 47(4):1411–1478, 2014). Practical experimentation to ascertain these responses has been carried out for over a century, based on the fundamental equipment design pioneered by John Hopkinson in 1872 and modified by Kolsky in 1949. A contemporary Split-Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) has been constructed at the University of Kentucky (UKY) to research the dynamic properties of various geologic materials for mining and civil engineering applications. Geologic samples are of an inconsistent nature due to inherent discontinuities and large grain size. To ensure test specimens are of adequate size to reflect this inconsistent nature, the SHPB at the UKY has been constructed with component bars of 2 in. (5.08 cm) diameter. Prior publications have discussed various considerations associated with the testing procedure and data processing of this SHPB (dispersion correction, pulse shaping, etc.) (Silva and Lamont 2017). This publication presents the results of materials testing with this SHPB. Three materials were selected: Bedford (Indiana) Limestone, Berea (Ohio) Sandstone, and Aluminum 6061-T6. Two of these are common aggregates found in the mining and construction industries, while the third is an aluminum variant often encountered in industrial applications. Dynamic compression testing of these materials at various strain rates was carried out, and the results are included. Static test results have been included for comparison, and the testing and data analysis procedure are discussed in detail.
The Animal Ethics of Temple Grandin: A Protectionist Analysis

This article brings animal protection theory to bear on Temple Grandin’s work, in her capacity both as a designer of slaughter facilities and as an advocate for omnivorism. Animal protection is a better term for what is often termed animal rights, given that many of the theories grouped under the animal rights label do not extend the concept of rights to animals. I outline the nature of Grandin’s system of humane slaughter as it pertains to cattle. I then outline four arguments Grandin has made defending meat-eating. On a protection-based approach, I argue, Grandin’s system of slaughter is superior to its traditional counterpart. Grandin’s success as a designer of humane slaughterhouses however is not matched by any corresponding success in offering a moral defence of meat-eating. Despite, or perhaps because of, the popularity of her work, Grandin’s arguments for continuing to eat animals are noteworthy only in how disappointing and rudimentary they are. If we can thank Grandin for making a difference in the lives of millions of farm animals, her work can also be criticized for not engaging the moral status of animals with the depth and rigor that it deserves.
Clinical Factors Associated with Left Ventricular Recovery in Brain Dead Cardiac Donors

Purpose Donor left ventricular (LV) dysfunction remains a primary reason donor hearts are not utilized for transplant. Transient ventricular dysfunction often occurs after brain death, and recent work has shown that use of these donors may not be associated with poorer post-transplant outcomes. In order to identify the clinical factors associated with LV recovery in potential heart donors, we reviewed our experience using protocolized management of donors at an off-site organ diagnostic and recovery center at a single OPO. Methods Clinical data were obtained for all potential donors evaluated between 2012-2017. LV dysfunction was defined as an ejection fraction (LVEF) of ≤ 40% on the initial echocardiogram. LV recovery was defined as an LVEF ≥ 50% before procurement. Out of 815 donors, 176 had initial LV dysfunction. Of these, 113 had ≥2 echocardiograms performed. Non-recovered and recovered groups were compared using chi-square tests and Student's t-tests. Results Of the 113 donors analyzed, 43% did not recover (N=49) while 57% recovered (N=64). Those who recovered from LV dysfunction were more likely to be male, younger, receive pRBCs, and have longer OPO management time. Recovery was not associated with cause of death, BMI, or CPR performed before arrival. Those who recovered had a lower peak troponin I (2.78 vs 24.5 ng/mL, p = 0.035), but no significant difference was found regarding peak lactate, creatinine, or transaminases. At the time of the initial echocardiogram, there was no significant difference between vasoactive inotropic score (VIS) and norepinephrine dose between groups. However, at the time of the final echocardiogram, the recovery group had a lower VIS and norepinephrine dose. Conclusion Recovery of LV function is common after brain death. Several clinical factors are associated with LV recovery in potential heart donors and may be important in predicting LV recovery, extending donor management efforts, and ultimately increasing the number of hearts utilized for transplant.