cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Is this the drug or dose for you? Impact and consideration of ethnic factors in global drug development, regulatory review, and clinical practice.

Differences in response to medical products have been observed in racially and ethnically distinct subgroups of the US population.1,2 These differences may be attributable to intrinsic ethnic factors (e.g., genetics, metabolism, and elimination), extrinsic ethnic factors that are associated with environment and culture (e.g., medical practice, diet, use of alcohol, and concomitant drug use), or interactions among these factors (Figure 1).3 Behind these “ethnic” factors, of course, are individual differences that may be more common in particular subgroups but are generally present in all groups, albeit with different frequencies. Although subgroup differences are of great therapeutic and scientific interest, the ultimate goal is to understand these differences so that treatments can be truly individualized. In order to foster a better understanding of how medical products might differ in their performance in individual patients, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires tabulation in New Drug Applications (NDAs) of the numbers of participants in clinical trials by age group, gender, and race, as well as any Extrinsic
Control of porosity in fluoride thin films prepared by vapor deposition

We have measured the porosity in thin films of lithium fluoride (LiF), magnesium fluoride (MgF2), barium fluoride (BaF2), and calcium fluoride (CaF2) as a function of the substrate temperature for films deposited by thermal evaporation onto glass substrates. The amount of porosity in the thin films was measured using an atomic force microscope and a quartz crystal thickness monitor. The porosity was very sensitive to the substrate temperature and decreased as the substrate temperature increased. Consistent behavior was observed among all of the materials in this study.
Aminoglycoside-Associated Nephrotoxicity in the Elderly:

OBJECTIVE:To determine whether there was an increased incidence of nephrotoxicity in elderly patients (≥65 y) prescribed single-dose (SD) versus multiple-dose (MD) aminoglycosides and whether aminoglycoside-induced nephrotoxicity was associated with length of therapy and other risk factors.METHODS:A prospective, observational audit at a university teaching hospital was conducted. Physician prescribing was used to stratify subjects according to dosing regimen: MD (n = 60) or SD (n = 26). Nephrotoxicity was defined as an increase in the serum creatinine level of 0.5 mg/dL sustained over 2 days.RESULTS:Eighty-six patients were included; 9.3% developed nephrotoxicity, of whom 62.5% received SD therapy. The incidence of nephrotoxicity did not differ between regimens (p = 0.051). There was an increased length of therapy in those who developed nephrotoxicity (mean ± SD 6.1 ± 6.2 vs. 3.7 ± 2.8 d; p = 0.044). Additionally, patients who developed nephrotoxicity had an increased length of hospitalization (20.3 ± 16....
The "Contest of Homer and Hesiod" and the ambitions of Hadrian

This article examines the compilation known as the Contest of Homer and Hesiod. More usually mined for the material it preserves from the sophist Alcidamas, here I advance a reading that seeks to make sense of the compilation as a whole and situates the work ideologically in its Imperial context. An anecdote early in the compilation depicts the emperor Hadrian enquiring about Homer's birthplace and parents from the Delphic Oracle; he is told that Telemachus was Homer's father and Ithaca his homeland. When the text says that we must believe this self-evidently absurd response on account of the status of the emperor, its author is satirizing Hadrian's ambitions to participate in the Greek intellectual world and the pressures on scholars to accept Hadrian's authority in their field. Moreover, the compiler has linked this anecdote to the long account of the poetic contest between Homer and Hesiod in order to draw an unflattering parallel between Hadrian and King Panedes, who, as writers such as Lucian and Dio Chrysostom suggested, exposed his ineptitude in choosing Hesiod over Homer as the victor of the contest.
Is pocket ultrasound ready for prime time

Th e recent trial by Biais and colleagues adds to a growing body of literature supporting point-of-care ultrasound in the critical care setting [1]. Th e authors demonstrate that, in the hands of two expert users, a newer pocket-sized device was comparable with conventional ultrasound machines for several key echocardiographic parameters. Clearly in the right hands, the Vscan™ (GE Healthcare, Wauwatosa, WI, USA) is a promising tool, but we must be cautious not to extra polate these data to non-expert users. Th e novelty and convenience of pocket ultrasound should not distract from the requirement for proper training in medical school or for postgraduate medical education [2]. Th e emphasis must be on adequate training in a defi ned skill set within the scope of practice for a given specialist before pocket ultrasound becomes a management tool at the bedside. Furthermore, the device’s limitations must also be delineated. Th e Vscan™ has a single-phased array transducer, which is suitable for cardiac and abdominal windows, but the absence of a linear probe limits the use of this device for ultrasound-guided vascular access. For instance, in the medical ICU setting, the Vscan™ has great potential to guide bedside procedures such as thoracentesis and paracentesis but at this time is not appropriate to aid in central line placement. Th e authors do not directly bring cost into their discussion, but an advantage of the pocket device is that it retails at nearly one-quarter of the price of the comparison machine used in their trial. Th ese various ben efi ts and limitations must be taken into consideration when determining whether the Vscan™ is cost-eff ective for a given clinical setting.
Highly Ionized High Velocity Gas in the Vicinity of the Milky Way

We have completed our large FUSE survey of high velocity O VI absorption along ∼ 100 complete sight lines through the Galactic halo. The high velocity O VI traces tidal interactions with the Magellanic Clouds, accretion of gas, outflowing material from the Galactic disk, warm/hot gas interactions in a highly extended Galactic corona, and intergalactic gas in the Local Group. Approximately 60% of the sky (and perhaps as much as 85%) is covered by high velocity hot H+ associated with the high velocity O VI. Some of the O VI may be produced at the boundaries between warm clouds and a hot, highly-extended Galactic corona or Local Group medium. A hot Galactic corona or Local Group medium and the prevalence of high velocity O VI are expected in various galaxy formation scenarios. Additional spectroscopic data in the coming years will help to determine the ionization properties of the high velocity clouds and discriminate between the multiple types of high velocity O VI features found in this study.
UnityUK celebrates its second birthday: a paradigm shift for UK public libraries

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explain the UnityUK service and its benefits to the user community.Design/methodology/approach – The paper takes the form of a factual review of the UnityUK service.Findings – The paper finds that the UnityUK service is changing the way inter‐library loans work in the UK.Originality/value – The paper shares experiences of the UK market with the wider community.
The tether solution [space propulsion, electrodynamic tether]

Current-carrying wire tethers are promising a cheap and reliable means and propelling spacecraft. The electrodynamic tether is a current-carrying wire that harnesses the force exerted by Earth's magnetic field. The propellant-free device could one day have several uses: to transfer working satellites to new orbits; remove defunct satellites from orbit; keep the International Space Station aloft, and even power missions to the outer planets. The technology may also be used aboard the Russians' Mir space station. An important test of the electrodynamic tether will take place in December 2000. NASA's US $7 million Propulsive Small Expendable Deployer System (ProSEDS) experiment will show that an 11 kg, 5 km-long, 1.2 mm-diameter aluminum wire can rapidly remove a rocket's upper stage from orbit. The author describes basic principles of electrodynamic tether thrusters. The Earth's magnetic field exerts a force on and accelerates the wire and hence any payload attached to it. The direction of current flow through the tether, either away or towards the Earth, determines whether the magnetic force will add to or subtract from the tether's orbital energy, and therefore raise or lower its orbit.
Educating nursing students in team conflict communication

Interdisciplinary health care teams are pivotal in creating and organizing the comprehensive care and treatment of patients. Health care teams providing comprehensive services create an integrative approach that focuses on open communication among members. One challenge when communicating in teams is recognizing and understanding the potential for conflict. Awareness of conflict and an understanding of communication behaviors leading to more competent conflict management will create higher quality team performance. Increasing communication competence leads to more cooperative sharing of information and provides the opportunity for practiced decision-making. Understanding the team process can be strengthened by educating future health care workers, especially nursing students. In doing so, nursing students will learn and practice how to manage team conflict. To create an educational curriculum in conflict processes and management, it is necessary to understand conceptions about the conflict process. As a result, curriculum design is based on needs identified from the research. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine individual perceptions that current nursing students have about conflict, strategies individuals use for conflict resolution, and what communication strategies are perceived as being competent for health care team conflict resolution. Based in social learning theory, the final outcome is to understand expectations about team conflict behaviors to create a framework to design educational programs in conflict management for nursing programs.
Making Sense of Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines and Recommendations

Since the publication of the American Cancer Society (ACS)/American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP)/American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) clinical guidelines in 2012, the majority of practice organizations have reached a consensus on screening recommendations for a low-risk population. These guidelines were based on a thorough review of the evidence with reproducible methods to obtain high-quality, generalizable guidelines. Despite the strength of the evidence based recommendations comprising these guidelines, limitations in physician understanding and compliance remain with respect to reaching an unscreened population and defining and caring for women who are at “high risk.” “High-risk” patients are poorly characterized but should include women with a history of a prior abnormal screening, as data has shown a subsequent increased risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 (CIN2) or greater, even after treatment. These women warrant more intense screening than the general population—though there are no evidence-based guidelines for optimized screening protocols in this population. Emerging data in cervical cancer screening this year includes the FDA approval of primary high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) testing. While the data is promising, its role in clinical practice, impact on rates of colposcopy in a non-study population, and long-term outcomes are not fully understood, and ongoing research is needed. Challenges remain in this shifting environment on the optimal interval and modality for cervical cancer screening to provide the greatest benefit in detection of precancerous lesions while minimizing the harm of overtreatment. While rapid advancements in research provide improved knowledge on how to treat and prevent this disease, it is often difficult for providers across multiple specialties to remain abreast of these changes and to educate their patients about the most current recommendations. Ultimately, provider and patient education is critical both for improving primary prevention with HPV vaccination, as well as for the uptake of evidence-based screening and management guidelines aimed at detecting and treating precancerous changes of the cervix.
The vacuolar proton pump of Dictyostelium discoideum: molecular cloning and analysis of the 100 kDa subunit.

The vacuolar proton pump is a highly-conserved multimeric enzyme that catalyzes the translocation of protons across the membranes of eukaryotic cells. Its largest subunit (95-116 kDa) occurs in tissue and organelle-specific isoforms and thus may be involved in targeting the enzyme or modulating its function. In amoebae of Dictyostelium discoideum, proton pumps with a 100 kDa subunit are found in membranes of the contractile vacuole complex, an osmoregulatory organelle. We cloned the cDNA that encodes this 100 kDa protein and found that its sequence predicts a protein 45% identical (68% similar) to the corresponding mammalian proton pump subunit. Like the mammalian protein, the predicted Dictyostelium sequence contains six possible transmembrane domains and a single consensus sequence for N-linked glycosylation. Southern blot analysis detected only a single gene, which was designated vatM. Using genomic DNA and degenerate oligonucleotides based on conserved regions of the protein as primers, we generated products by polymerase chain reaction that included highly variable regions of this protein family. The cloned products were identical in nucleotide sequence to vatM, arguing that Dictyostelium cells contain only a single isoform of this proton pump subunit. Consistent with this interpretation, the amino acid sequences of peptides derived from a protein associated with endosomal membranes (Adessu et al. (1995) J. Cell Sci. 108, 3331–3337) match the predicted sequence of the protein encoded by vatM. Thus, a single isoform of the 100 kDa proton pump subunit appears to serve in both the contractile vacuole system and the endosomal/lysosomal system of Dictyostelium, arguing that this subunit is not responsible for regulating the differing abundance and function of proton pumps in these two compartments. Gene targeting experiments suggest that this subunit plays important (possibly essential) roles in Dictyostelium cells.
Long-Term Follow-Up of Retinoblastoma Survivors

Over the past century, advances in the treatment of retinoblastoma have resulted in dramatically improved survival rates. As a result, increased attention has been given to the delineation, early identification, and treatment of survivors’ potential late effects of therapy, which may develop many years after initial treatment. While adverse oculo-visual outcomes and an increased risk of subsequent primary malignancies (in those with the genetic form of the disease) are well-documented, little is known about retinoblastoma survivors’ long-term general health and health status. The current chapter seeks to summarize the published data on retinoblastoma-specific late effects and highlight areas of inquiry which warrant further investigation. We begin by providing background on general childhood cancer survivorship and then survey the published literature on retinoblastoma-specific late medical outcomes, health-related quality of life, and cognitive outcomes. We also include data on extra-ocular retinoblastoma survivors’ late effect profiles as well as recent published data on the utility of whole body MRI screening in those with the genetic form of the disease. We conclude with clinical recommendations for the long-term care of retinoblastoma survivors.
Design and Implementation of a Tunable, Duffing-Like Electronic Resonator via Nonlinear Feedback

To date, many vibration-based sensing modalities have relied upon monitoring small shifts in the natural frequency of a system to detect structural changes (e.g., in mass or stiffness), which are attributable to the chemical or biological species, or other phenomena, that are being measured. Often, this approach carries significant signal processing expense due to the presence of electronics, such as precision phase-locked loops, when high sensitivities are required. Bifurcation-based sensing modalities, in contrast, can produce large easy to detect changes in response amplitude with high sensitivity to structural change if applied appropriately. This paper demonstrates the design and implementation of a tunable, Duffing-like electronic resonator realized via nonlinear feedback electronics, which uses a quartz crystal tuning fork as the device platform. The system in this manifestation uses collocated sensing and actuation, along with readily available electronic components, to realize the desired behavior. The sensitivity of the device is tunable via the control of feedback gain and the type of Duffing-like response (hardening or softening) is also selectable, thus creating a versatile bifurcation-based sensing platform. [2015-0014]
Can radiology replace endoscopy in IBD

Inflammatory bowel disease diagnostic and management algorithms continue to rapidly evolve. This is partly driven by advanced radiologic techniques that provide objective, non-invasive evaluations. The realms of information provided by radiology and endoscopy continue to be intertwined. This has led to the question of whether radiologic applications will continue to expand, and eventually replace endoscopy in inflammatory bowel disease assessments. The likely outcome, however, will not be replacement, but rather imaging tools that complement endoscopic evaluations to provide global disease damage and activity scores.
PROTEIN-POLYSACCHARIDE COMPLEXES OF NORMAL AND HERNIATED HUMAN INTERVERTEBRAL DISCS.

SummaryA protein-polysaccharide complex containing a 1:1 ratio of chondroitin sulfate-C and keratosulfate has been found in both nucleus pulposus and annulus fibro-sus of human intervertebral discs. The limiting viscosity number of this complex decreases gradually with age in normal subjects. Complex prepared from herniated discs has a much lower limiting viscosity number than normal. An insoluble complex having considerable amounts of chondroitin sulfate-B has been found in normal aged discs and in all herniated discs.
Ironworkers: Physiological Demands during Construction Work

Construction craft work is a physically strenuous and demanding occupation. Physically demanding work leads to physical fatigue which is associated with decreased productivity. Early attempts to investigate the physical demands of construction work date back to the 1950s and were based on principles from work physiology. The work and workforce have changed since the 1950s warranting an investigation of today's construction work performed by today's construction workforce. This paper investigates the physical demands of construction ironworkers. Physiological measures of energy expenditure, including oxygen consumption and heart rate data, were collected for 7 ironworkers performing a total of 10 actual construction activities. The results indicate that these construction workers routinely exceed one or more published guidelines for acceptable levels of energy expenditure, oxygen consumption, and heart rate. The methods described in this paper have wide applications in identifying excessively demanding construction tasks so the work can be modified to accommodate the abilities of all workers, to reduce physical demands and resulting physical fatigue.
A WAVELENGTH-MULTIPLEXED DIODE LASER SENSOR FOR TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENTS IN PULSE DETONATION ENGINES

A wavelength-multiplexed diode laser sensor to measure temperature during the blowdown process in pulse detonation engines (PDEs) has been developed and demonstrated. The sensor utilizes direct-absorption spectroscopy, and gas temperature is determined from th e ratio of peak absorbance of two spectral lines. Three specific transitions near 1400 nm were selected to maximize temperature sensitivity in the range 300 to 1800 K, while maintaining adequate absorption levels. The sensor employs three fiber-coupled distributed feedback (DFB) diode lasers which are injection-current tuned 2-3 cm -1 over the selected transitions at 5 kHz, yielding temperature data with a temporal resolution of 200 µs. The sensor is compact, rugged and portable and has been applied to PDE test facilities at Stanford University and the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA. The sensor shows promise as a tool to aid in the evaluation of PDE performance, and has utility for high-temperature sensing in other harsh combustion environments.
Resistance of Culex pipiens pallens and Musca domestica in Jiangsu province from 2007 to 2008

Objective To know about the resistance of mosquitoes and flies to normally used insecticides in Jiangsu province and direct the scientific use of insecticides. Methods Larva dipping and dropping methods were applied to test the resistance of mosquitoes and flies individually. Results The resistance of the flies of Nanjing to DDVP,deltamethrin,beta-cypermethrin and propoxur was the highest in four cities,while it's the lowest in Huaian;in four insecticides,the resistance to propoxur was the highest,while the resistance to deltamethrin was the lowest.The resistance of mosquitoes of Huaian to beta-cypermethrin,deltamethrin and bassa were the highest in four cities and the resistance to temephos was the highest in Suzhou;in four insecticides,the resistance to bassa was the highest,while the resistance to betamethrin was relatively lower. Conclusion Pyrethroid should be used to control mosquitoes and flies instead of propoxur,bassa and DDVP.
Determination and Classification of Organic Acid in Soy Sauces by HPLC

A method has been developed for the determination of the organic acids in soy sauce and the sample preparation was very simple.The organic acids were separated well by using a cation exchange column.Their correlation coefficients were above 0.9990.The average recoveries were between 96.0%~103.9% with relative standard deviations of 1.1%~3.3%.The detection limits were between 0.001~0.005 mg/mL.The commercial fermented soy sauces and hydrolyzed vegetable protein seasonings and hydrolyzed animal protein seasonings had been determined.The results were analyzed with chemometrics,and the four kinds of soy sauces were classified well.
Status and Function-Play of Sci-tech Periodicals in the State Innovation System

As an important cycle in knowledge web system of national innovation system,sci-tech periodical plays an impor-tant role in the course of reflecting sci-tech level of my county,guiding adaptive arrangement of innovative resource and pro-moting advanced transformation of sci-tech achievements.By means of stating sci-tech status and function in national innova-tion system,manifesting its historic mission and giving sci-tech development strategy,so as to play a better role in country in-novative system.
Structure Optimization of Spacers on Jumpers of Strain Towers on 750 kV Transmission Line

To suppress the corona,the electric field intensity on the jumper and spacers should be reduced by optimizing structures.Consequently,we constructed a three-dimensional calculation model of the strain tower to compute the electric field distributions of jumpers and spacers,and proposed and compared a variety of optimization schemes,such as increasing the angle of the jumpers,increasing the clamps of the spacers,and installing a grading ring or grading spheres on the spacers.The results demonstrate that installing grading spheres on the spacers is the most reasonable and feasible scheme,which can reduce the maximum electric field intensity from 3540 V/mm to 2200 V/mm on the surfaces of the spacers.
Multimodal communication, mismatched messages and the effects of turbidity on the antipredator behavior of the Barton Springs salamander, Eurycea sosorum

Prey may use multiple sensory channels to detect predators, whose cues may differ in altered sensory environments, such as turbid conditions. Depending on the environment, prey may use cues in an additive/complementary manner or in a compensatory manner. First, to determine whether the purely aquatic Barton Springs salamander, Eurycea sosorum, show an antipredator response to visual cues, we examined their activity when exposed to either visual cues of a predatory fish (Lepomis cyanellus) or a non-predatory fish (Etheostoma lepidum). Salamanders decreased activity in response to predator visual cues only. Then, we examined the antipredator response of these salamanders to all matched and mismatched combinations of chemical and visual cues of the same predatory and non-predatory fish in clear and low turbidity conditions. Salamanders decreased activity in response to predator chemical cues matched with predator visual cues or mismatched with non-predator visual cues. Salamanders also increased latency to first move to predator chemical cues mismatched with non-predator visual cues. Salamanders decreased activity and increased latency to first move more in clear as opposed to turbid conditions in all treatment combinations. Our results indicate that salamanders under all conditions and treatments preferentially rely on chemical cues to determine antipredator behavior, although visual cues are potentially utilized in conjunction for latency to first move. Our results also have potential conservation implications, as decreased antipredator behavior was seen in turbid conditions. These results reveal complexity of antipredator behavior in response to multiple cues under different environmental conditions, which is especially important when considering endangered species.
The Basic Analysis of Conditionals

All of us use conditional constructions all the time. We use them to ask questions, to give commands, to make assertions, to make promises, and to do many other things. It seems perfectly obvious that we must each of us know a great deal about how conditional constructions function, about what constitutes an adequate answer to a question phrased using a conditional construction, about what must be done to obey a command made with a conditional construction, about what must be the case for a conditional assertion to be true, about what must be done to fulfill a conditional promise, and so on. Language is conventional and the function of conditional constructions must be determined by the way that we normally use them. So we can’t fail to use them correctly most of the time. Of course someone might try to use a conditional construction in a way in which it is not normally used. When this happens, something goes wrong, some kind of mistake has been made. But in a certain sense every speaker of English knows how to use conditional constructions. What I want to do in this chapter is to begin to make precise and explicit and to explain this knowledge which we all share.
15N-Natural Abundance of Trifolium spp. Inoculated with Different Rhizobium Strains

Recently, attention has been given to the 15N-natural abundance of N2-fixing plants as an indicator for calculating the % of total N derived from N3 -fixation (1,3). N2-fixing plants should show a lower 15N-natural abundance than non-N2-fixing control plants (2). Differences in atom % 15N should give an indication about the % of total N derived from N2 -fixation. This paper summarizes the effect of Rhizobium on the 15N-natural abundance of Trifolium spp.
Biosphere 2 agriculture: test bed for intensive, sustainable, non-polluting farming systems

Biosphere 2, a virtually airtight facility for the study of biospheric and ecosystem processes, includes an agricultural area of about 0.2 hectare for growing food for its eight crew members. Since...
Prothrombin Complex Concentrate (Octaplex®) In Patients Requiring Immediate Reversal of Vitamin K Antagonist Anticoagulation.

Abstract 1115 Rapid reversal of vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) is required when patients experience acute bleeding or are in need of urgent surgery. Traditionally, in Canada, the only therapeutic option for warfarin reversal was fresh frozen plasma (FFP); recently a four factor prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) has become available. In this retrospective chart review, we examined the use of Octaplex®, a four factor (FII, FVII, FIX, FX), solvent/detergent (S/D) treated and nanofiltered PCC, in a tertiary care centre over 18 months (November 2008 to May 2010), to determine its efficiency and safety in VKA reversal. The PCC was used 85 times in 82 patients. All patients had received warfarin prior to PCC administration. Patients received a mean dose of 1792 (1000 – 3500) IU of PCC for treatment of bleeding (36), urgent surgery (40) and excessively elevated international normalized ratio (INR) (8). One patient received PCC for an unknown indication and is excluded from the results presented here; a further 6 patients did not have INR tests done immediately before and immediately after PCC administration and are excluded from the laboratory results presented here. The mean INR before administration of the PCC was 5.10 (range 1.2 – 25). The mean INR after administration of the PCC was 1.43 (range 0.9 – 3.3). Forty-seven of seventy-nine [59.5%, 95% CI 47.9 to 70.4%] administrations resulted in an INR of 1.3 or less and 60/79 [75.9%, 65.0 to 84.9%] resulted in an INR of 1.5 or less. Of the 40 patient encounters where PCC was administered due to need for urgent surgery, 39 were able to undergo the procedure. Three patients experienced a thromboembolic event; one had a venous thromboembolism due to a clot extension of a previously diagnosed left leg DVT 8 days after PCC administration, another had a non-occlusive renal vein clot 8 days after PCC administration and the last had a cilioretinal artery occlusion 238 days after receiving PCC. No other adverse events potentially related to PCC were observed. We conclude that the prothrombin complex concentrate Octaplex® provides efficacious, safe and rapid reversal of VKA therapy. Disclosures: Crowther:Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Sanofi Aventis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Leo Laboratories: Consultancy, Research Funding; Artisan: Consultancy. Off Label Use: The product described in this abstract is not available in the US. The described use is “on label” in Canada.
Calorimetry and Atomic Oxygen Laser-Induced Fluorescence of Pulsed Nanosecond Discharges at Above-Atmospheric Pressures

The conversion efficiency of secondary electrical energy into thermal energy was measured in air using an optically accessible spark calorimeter for high-voltage (28 kV peak) pulsed nanosecond discharges with secondary streamer breakdown (SSB) and similar low-temperature plasmas (LTP) without. Initial pressures were varied between 1 and 5 bar absolute, with the anode/cathode gap distances likewise varied between 1 and 5 mm. Secondary electrical energy was measured using an in-line attenuator, with the thermal energy determined from pressure-rise calorimetry measurements. The SSB probability at each initial pressure and gap distance was also recorded. The calorimetry measurements confirm that, similar to inductive spark discharges, SSB discharges promote ignition by increasing the local gas temperature. LTP discharges, on the other hand, had very little local gas heating, with electrical-to-thermal conversion efficiencies of ~1 %. Instead, the LTP was found to generate substantial O-atom populations — measured using two-photon laser-induced fluorescence near the anode where electric field strengths were strongest — that persisted for 100’s of microseconds after the discharge. The influence of 10 repetitive pulses spaced 100 µs apart was also evaluated for a fixed 5 mm electrode gap distance, with the conditional SSB probability for each pulse evaluated using an available photodiode, with the SSB probability found to have increased for each successive pulse. The influence of chemical and thermal preconditioning by the preceding LTP pulse was evaluated, with the increase in SSB occurrence attributed predominantly to mild gas heating that decreased number densities between the electrodes and hence the gas resistance for the subsequent pulse.
Transmissible Viral Vaccines

Genetic engineering now enables the design of live viral vaccines that are potentially transmissible. Some designs merely modify a single viral genome to improve on the age-old method of attenuation whereas other designs create chimeras of viral genomes. Transmission has the benefit of increasing herd immunity above that achieved by direct vaccination alone but also increases the opportunity for vaccine evolution, which typically undermines vaccine utility. Different designs have different epidemiological consequences but also experience different evolution. Approaches that integrate vaccine engineering with an understanding of evolution and epidemiology will reap the greatest benefit from vaccine transmission.
Huntington’s Disease and Dementia: From Transgenic Models to Molecular Neuropathology

Huntington’s disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive development of involuntary movements, psychiatric disturbances, and loss of cognitive capabilities. Before the motor signs begin, patients show subtle cognitive deficiencies that increase in severity as HD progresses and that eventually culminate in dementia. Combined evidence from HD patients and transgenic animal models indicates that a decrease in the functional connectivity between cerebral cortex and striatum is an early sign of HD. In fact, it is highly probable that impaired neuronal processing in the corticostriatal pathway mediates the cognitive changes reported for asymptomatic HD patients. Here, we review the cognitive changes that occur in HD, and we discuss the molecular neuropathology in the cerebral cortex and striatum believed to underlie the cognitive deficits seen early in the progression of HD.
Clitellata: Hirudinida and Acanthobdellida

An updated and revised account of the systematics, phylogenetic relationships, distribution and diversity of leeches (Hirudinida) and acanthobdellids found throughout the world is included in this chapter. In addition, information on the external and internal anatomy, physiology, reproduction and life history, ecology, and behavior of these animals is included to give a broad understanding of how leeches and acanthobdellids are constructed and how they fit into the ecosystems that they inhabit. Much of the current chapter is based on work published in the Ecology and Classification of North American Freshwater Invertebrates (Davies and Govedich 2001; Govedich et al. 2010) and on the work of Ron Davies and others.
Treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysm.

The diameter of thoracic aortic aneurysm (AA) is at least 1.5 times that of a normal thoracic aorta (1). Sixty percent of thoracic AAs occur in the aortic root and/or the ascending aorta, 40% occur in the descending aorta, 10% occur in the aortic arch, and 10% occur in the thoracoabdominal aorta (2).
Non-parametric correlative uncertainty quantification and sensitivity analysis: Application to a Langmuir bimolecular adsorption model

We propose non-parametric methods for both local and global sensitivity analysis of chemical reaction models with correlated parameter dependencies. The developed mathematical and statistical tools are applied to a benchmark Langmuir competitive adsorption model on a close packed platinum surface, whose parameters, estimated from quantum-scale computations, are correlated and are limited in size (small data). The proposed mathematical methodology employs gradient-based methods to compute sensitivity indices. We observe that ranking influential parameters depends critically on whether or not correlations between parameters are taken into account. The impact of uncertainty in the correlation and the necessity of the proposed non-parametric perspective are demonstrated.
Chitins and chitinase activity in airway diseases

Chitin, one of the most abundant biopolymers on Earth, is bound and degraded by chitinases, specialized enzymes that are similarly widespread in nature. Chitin catabolism affects global carbon and nitrogen cycles through a host of diverse biological processes, but recent work has focused attention on systems of chitin recognition and degradation conserved in mammals, connecting an ancient pathway of polysaccharide processing to human diseases influenced by persistent immune triggering. Here we review current advances in our understanding of how chitin-chitinase interactions affect mucosal immune feedback mechanisms essential to maintaining homeostasis and organ health.
Pustular Vasculitis: Common Ground Among Behçet's, Bowel Bypass, and Disseminated Gonorrhea Syndromes

Similarities and differences of three heretofore unassociated conditions-Beheet's syndrome, bowel bypass/bowel-associated dermatosis-arthritis syndrome, and the gonococcal dermatosis-arthritis syndrome-are presented. Despite differences in distribution of lesions, each syndrome is characterized by pustular cutaneous lesions that occur on purpuric bases and histopathologically reveal leukocytoclastic or Sweet's-like vasculitis. These and other similarities suggest an emerging disease concept, pustular vasculitis.
State-of-the-art measurement of agricultural pesticide exposures

Accurate exposure estimates are a common goal for risk assessment and epidemiologic research. Current methods for measuring agricultural pesticide exposure have not been fully validated. Epidemiologic studies use questionnaires to estimate exposures, producing job-exposure matrices and exposure algorithms. Biological monitoring can assist in the validation of questionnaire data. Pesticide risk assessments tend to rely on models derived from personal measurements of dermal exposure collected in quasi-experimental studies. Such studies often place constraints on exposure variability. Observational studies of occupational pesticide exposure that incorporate repeated measures are needed to improve the quality of exposure information. Pesticide exposure of family members can occur through spray drift and para-occupational exposures. Residential proximity to pesticide applications has been investigated recently with geographic information system (GIS), and global positioning system (GPS) technology. Biological monitoring can help to characterize exposure pathways in agricultural communities.
Bimodal ankle-foot prosthesis for enhanced standing stability

Previous work suggests that to restore postural stability for individuals with lower-limb amputation, ankle-foot prostheses should be designed with a flat effective rocker shape for standing. However, most commercially available ankle-foot prostheses are designed with a curved effective rocker shape for walking. To address the demands of both standing and walking, we designed a novel bimodal ankle-foot prosthesis that can accommodate both functional modes using a rigid foot plate and an ankle that can lock and unlock. The primary objective of this study was to determine if the bimodal ankle-foot system could improve various aspects of standing balance (static, dynamic, and functional) and mobility in a group of Veterans with lower-limb amputation (n = 18). Standing balance was assessed while subjects completed a series of tests on a NeuroCom Clinical Research System (NeuroCom, a Division of Natus, Clackamas, OR), including a Sensory Organization Test, a Limits of Stability Test, and a modified Motor Control Test. Few statistically significant differences were observed between the locked and unlocked ankle conditions while subjects completed these tests. However, in the absence of visual feedback, the locked bimodal ankle appeared to improve static balance in a group of experienced lower-limb prosthesis users whose PLUS-M mobility rating was higher than approximately 73% of the sample population used to develop the PLUS-M survey. Given the statistically significant increase in mean equilibrium scores between the unlocked and locked conditions (p = 0.004), future testing of this system should focus on new amputees and lower mobility users (e.g., Medicare Functional Classification Level K1 and K2 prosthesis users). Furthermore, commercial implementation of the bimodal ankle-foot system should include a robust control system that can automatically switch between modes based on the user’s activity.
GEOTRACES: Accelerating Research on the Marine Biogeochemical Cycles of Trace Elements and Their Isotopes.

The biogeochemical cycles of trace elements and their isotopes (TEIs) constitute an active area of oceanographic research due to their role as essential nutrients for marine organisms and their use...
Vacuum-assisted delivery.

Current concepts and techniques of vacuum-assisted delivery are presented. Historical evolution of the technique and modern experimental data regarding safety and efficacy are reviewed. In addition, the applicability of vacuum-assisted delivery to modern obstetric practice is discussed.
Intraoperative Coronary Artery Imaging for Planning

A clear understanding of coronary anatomy is critical in congenital heart surgery, especially when a ventriculotomy is planned, as in right ventricular outflow tract reconstructions and biventricular repairs. Typically, major epicardial coronary arteries are easily identified during first-time operations. However, in reoperative surgery, epicardial adhesions can obscure coronary vessels making their identification challenging. This paper describes the application of intraoperative fluorescence imaging in congenital heart surgery to obtain real-time coronary artery visualization for operative planning in order to avoid coronary injury. The fluorescence imaging utilizes indocyanine green (ICG). ICG is diluted to 0.28 mg/mL, and 0.1–1.0 mL of ICG solution is delivered via the cardioplegia cannula into the coronaries. A handheld imaging probe illuminates the field with near-infrared laser light, which excites ICG fluorescence. The fluorescence is captured by a camera, and the signal is transmitted to a monitor for real-time viewing. The imaging probe shows the precise coronary anatomy, enabling identification of the optimal ventriculotomy site. Intraoperative fluorescence imaging is a safe and effective technique for characterizing coronary anatomy. This technique enhances procedural planning and helps minimize the risk of coronary injury during reoperative congenital heart surgery.
A comparison of disease burden and symptoms with age among CoVid-19 patients from data in a Florida clinic

Our knowledge of the disease burden and symptoms with age in COVID-19 patients is limited Therefore, it is of interest to document the clinical aspect of this association with respect to the disease We used the data of 3363 patients enrolled with an urgent care clinic in Volusia county, Florida for this study Data shows difference in age among COVID-19 antibody (Ab) - positive patients (48 3 years, 95% CI = 46 9, 49 7 years) and Ab-negative patients (46 1 years, 95% CI = 45 4, 46 8 years) However, disease burden by age is not significant on average Nonetheless, COVID-19 positive patients between 40-69-years of age experienced the highest burden of disease and highest average number of symptoms Thus, COVID-19 disease burden and number of symptoms experienced were highest among the 40-69-year-old patients Those above the populations mean age of 46 4 years old were more likely to test positive for COVID-19
Fifteen-year trends in participation of women in presentation and leadership positions in the Southern Association for Vascular Surgery, 2006 to 2020.

Abstract Objective The implementation of integrated vascular surgery training programs was recently shown to be associated with an increase in women entering the field. However, whether this has precipitated a subsequent increase in the active participation of women in academic vascular societies remains unclear. We sought to examine the trends of academic inclusion of women vascular surgeons and surgical trainees over the past 15 years at the Southern Association for Vascular Surgery (SAVS). Methods Scientific programs for annual meetings of the SAVS, and program matriculation statistics from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, were reviewed for the period of 2006 to 2020. Yearly rates and 3-year averages of conference and society participation and vascular surgery training program matriculation rates were calculated and compared with proportion testing. Spearman correlation testing was used to compare trends, with ρ ≥0.600 defined as a strong correlation. Results Examining 3-year means, the average number of women authors per SAVS abstract increased from 0.78 to 1.42 over the course of the study period (P Conclusion Participation of women authoring and presenting papers at the SAVS has increased over the past 15 years at a rate that strongly correlates with the increasing rate of women entering vascular surgery training programs. It is important that society leadership opportunities continue to parallel this trend as we seek to further improve diversity in vascular surgery.
Mucosal linear IgA disease with esophageal involvement responsive to ustekinumab.

Linear IgA bullous dermatosis (LABD), or linear IgA disease, is a rare autoimmune mucocutaneous blistering disease with vesicles and bullae characteristically arranged in an annular or arciform pattern on the skin and, less common, mucosal involvement manifesting as vesicles, erosions, and/or ulcers. We present a rare case of a patient who had Crohn's disease and LABD with primarily mucosal involvement, including oral, esophageal, and vaginal lesions, who responded well to ustekinumab therapy.
Artificial Intelligence and Human Reason: A Teleological Critique

Gary Indiana Bernard Cooper Christopher Bram Michael Cunningham Jim Grimsley Stephen McCauley Colm Tib-n Paul Russell Peter Cameron Matthew Stadler Philip Hensher Dale Peck
Cervical Carcinogenesis: An Epidemiologic Model Adaptable to Control Programs

It still is held that the multistage continuum of carcinogenesis, as proposed by Berenblum [1] and developed by others, has not yet been demonstrated in application to a solid human malignancy. That such a sequence of progressive stages, from initiation through promotion, is a biologic invariance hardly is secure. Yet, the model is much more than a claim; it has been demonstrated repeatedly and by many workers with animals that adherence to 4 ordered conditions will dependably induce malignant lesions. They are 1) an adequately young animal, 2) a specific carcinogenic initiator, 3) a sufficiently long latent period, and 4) a suitably contrived cocarcinogenic event. Fitted to human solid cancers, such a theory could provide a timetable of predictable events upon which planning of primary and secondary prevention might be designed, decisions related to therapy might be strengthened, and programs of rehabilitation for survivors and their dependents might be anticipated.