cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
THE INFLUENCE OF LA NINA ON AFRICAN RAINFALL

This article examines the influence of La Nina:cold events on rainfall over the African continent, using a harmonic analysis method. As with El Nino, there is a general association between wet conditions continentally and cold temperatures in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, and dry conditions in association with warm sea-surface temperatures (SSTs) in these oceans. La Nina appears to have the greatest influence on rainfall in southern Africa and wet episodes tend to occur throughout the subcontinent during the first few months of the post-La Nina year. There is a somewhat weaker tendency for below-normal rainfall in eastern equatorial Africa at this time. Our results provide further confirmation of an earlier conclusion that SSTs in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans are a primary influence on African rainfall. La Nina’s influence tends to be exactly opposite that of El Nino: reduced rainfall over much of the continent in the first half of the episode, abnormally high rainfall in the second half. The documented El Nino:La Nina associations with African rainfall reflect the impact of these episodes on SSTs in the oceans. Copyright © 2000 Royal Meteorological Society.
PREPARATION OF ALPHA URANIUM SINGLE CRYSTALS BY A GRAIN-COARSENING METHOD

A method for preparing single crystals of α uranium is described. The method depends on grain coarsening induced by the gradual decrease in grain growth inhibiting influence of dispersed inclusions in a fine grained recrystallized matrix. The factors which influence the tendency for this phenomenon and the size of coarse grains in uranium are described first. These factors are the bases for the method. However, to prepare single crystals of round cross section it is necessary to have the grain growth inhibiting inclusions distributed in a radial gradient increasing in quantity from the rod axis. This was accomplished by diffusion penetration of small concentrations of silicon from the rod surface. The steps in the process which produced a number of single crystals 4 mm in diam by 5 to 10 mm long are outlined and discussed in the second part of the text.
Hypoxia-induced pulmonary arterial contraction appears to be dependent on myosin light chain phosphorylation

The signal transduction pathway of hypoxic pulmonary arterial contraction has not been elucidated. Phosphorylation of the 20-kDa myosin light chain (MLC20) is thought to be essential for vascular m...
Adaptive control for backward quadrupedal walking. I. Posture and hindlimb kinematics

1. To gain new perspectives on the neural control of different forms of quadruped locomotion, we studied adaptations in posture and hindlimb kinematics for backward (BWD) walking in normal cats. Data from four animals were obtained from high-speed (100 fr/s) cine film of BWD treadmill walking over a range of slow walking speeds (0.3-0.6 m/s) and forward (FWD) treadmill walking at 0.6 m/s. 2. Postural adaptations during BWD walking included flexion of the lumbar spine, compared to a relatively straight spine during FWD walking. The usual paw-contact sequence for FWD walking [right hindlimb (RH), right forelimb (RF), left hindlimb (LH), left forelimb (LF)] was typically reversed for BWD walking (RH, LF, LH, RF). The hindlimbs alternated consistently with a phase difference averaging 0.5 for both forms of walking, but the phasing of the forelimbs was variable during BWD walking. 3. As BWD walking speed increased from 0.3 to 0.6 m/s, average hindlimb cycle period decreased 21%, stance-phase duration decreased 29%, and stride length increased 38%. Compared to FWD walking at 0.6 m/s, stride length was 30% shorter, whereas cycle period and stance-phase duration were 17% shorter for BWD walking. For both directions, stance occupied 64 +/- 4% (mean +/- SD) of the step cycle. 4. During swing for both forms of walking, the hip, knee, and ankle joints had flexion (F) and extension (E1) phases; however, the F-E1 reversals occurred earlier at the hip and later at the knee for BWD than for FWD walking. At the ankle joint, the ranges of motion during the F and E1 phases were similar for both directions. During BWD walking, however, the knee flexed more and extended less, whereas the hip flexed less and extended more. Thus horizontal displacement of the limb resulted primarily from hip extension and knee flexion during BWD swing, but hip flexion and knee extension during FWD swing. 5. At the knee and ankle joints, there were yield (E2) and extension (E3) phases during stance for both forms of walking; however, yields at the knee and ankle joints were reduced during BWD walking. At the hip, angular motion was unidirectional, as the hip flexed during BWD stance but extended during FWD stance. Knee extension was the prime contributor to horizontal displacement of the body during BWD stance, but hip extension was the prime contributor to horizontal displacement during FWD stance. 6. Our kinematic data revealed two discriminators between BWD and FWD walking.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Stealth Emulation: The United States and European Protection Norms

Theorists in international relations and sociological institutionalism suggest that norm emulation is more likely to occur in weak peripheral States than in the hegemon. Compounding the expectation that there might be less emulation of EU norms, the US scene presents additional negative factors: a reflexive American exceptionalism mindset, compounded by public antipathy to reliance on foreign law. Other hurdles include the US dualist tradition, with its strong emphasis on the domestic implementation of international norms, and the extensive multi-tiered US asylum system, which generates thousands of published asylum opinions every year. Despite these obstacles, there are suggestions that the process of norm diffusion is underway. This paper posits a rational account for the emulation of EU norms. The chief emulation drivers are the new challenges to the US protection regime posed by the seemingly unstoppable drug violence in Mexico and by transnational activity involving Central American-US criminal gangs. The uncertainties generated by these high profile phenomena appear to have pushed the BIA to search for new solutions. Though direct evidence is elusive, this paper identifies the definition of membership in a particular social group and subsidiary protection as two examples of partial emulation of EU norms in contemporary US jurisprudence.
Breast Cancer Screening

Mammography remains the primary technique for breast cancer screening. Women with dense breast tissue may benefit from digital mammography and tomosynthesis, and women at high risk may benefit from magnetic resonance imaging. However, false-positive results are problematic. The North Carolina breast density law necessitates education about screening options for women with dense breasts. At the end of a long day, as she gets into her SUV after picking up her puppy at doggie daycare, Mary notices the message light blinking on her smartphone. The message directs her to the patient portal of the new electronic medical record system of the clinic where she had her mammogram last week. There she finds this report: Your mammogram shows no signs of cancer. However, North Carolina law now requires that we give you the following information: “Your mammogram indicates that you may have dense breast tissue. Dense breast tissue is relatively common and is found in more than forty percent (40%) of women. The presence of dense tissue may make it more difficult to detect abnormalities in the breast and may be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. We are providing this information to raise your awareness of this important factor and to encourage you to talk with your physician about this and other breast cancer risk factors. Together, you can decide which screening options are right for you. A report of your results was sent to your physician.” Her puppy is barking at a stray cat crossing the parking lot, and Mary’s daughter is waiting at school, so she puts her gearshift into reverse—and backs directly into another car that is pulling out. She drops her face into her hands as she imagines a cascade of medical events that she fears will land her right where her Aunt Sarah ended up—swollen, bald, breastless, and breathless.
Ultrasonography for Diagnosis and Management of Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis; A Position Paper of the American Society of Neuroimaging

Abstract The importance of identifying patients with carotid artery stenosis has attained greater significance in light of recent treatment trials of the efficacy of medical and surgical treatment of both symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid stenosis. Doppler and B-mode ultrasonography can accurately diagnose and quantify stenosis at the cervical carotid artery bifurcation. The development of duplex color-flow instruments has enhanced the sensitivity and specificity of this examination. Ultrasonography should be employed as an initial examination to identify patients with carotid artery stenosis and determine whether further evaluation or treatment is necessary.
True Yankees: the South Seas and the discovery of American identity

In True Yankees, Dane Morrison provides an important corrective to histories of early America dominated by the trappings of territorial expansion. He reminds us that settler colonialism was not the...
A Physical Therapist Experience, Observation, and Practice With an Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom

ABSTRACTBackground: In 2005 the first physical therapists were employed in direct support of infantry brigade combat teams (BCTs) during a combat deployment. The initiative sought to bring soldiers direct access to specialized musculoskeletal care at the places they work and live. The goal was to prevent deferment of care for injuries that may become chronic and to decrease medical evacuations for orthopedic nonbattle injuries by locally providing acute and definitive management. Purpose: To describe the experience of a newly authorized physical therapy role in direct support of an infantry BCT in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). The practice patterns, observation, and utilization of the physical therapy team are reported, to include demographics, injury prevalence, and outcomes. Discussion: Physical therapists should be part of the risk management team and advise unit commanders on injury-prevention strategies in a combat setting.
Stable isotope profiles of Tridacna maxima as environmental indicators

To better understand the relationship between stable isotopic composition (13C/2C, 1801160) and symbiosis, ontogeny, and environment, detailed isotopic profiles were constructed for specimens of the giant clam Tridacna maxima and an encrusting bivalve (Chama cf savignyi) and coral (Montastrea spp.). Specimens were collected alive from depths of 1 m and 9 m within Rose Atoll (14?31' S, 168?1O' W) in the southwestPacific. Shells were sampled sequentially on the external shell layer along radial sections extending from the umbo to the outer shell margin, recording growth throughout the ontogeny of the organisms. Juvenile portions of the tridacnids accurately record seasonal water temperature fluctuations at the atoll. The amplitude of the 8QO profiles in tridacnids is greater in shallow specimens due to greater environmental variability. These shallower specimens have lower 8180 and 813C values compared to the deeper channel mouth specimen, probably because of higher temperatures and the greater influence of 13C-depleted carbon from oxidation of organic matter in sediments and from meteoric water. Ontogeny also influences the isotopic record of Tridacna. Once maturity is reached, growth is suppressed by high temperatures during summer. In addition, 813C values decline. Knowing the time of collection, we can correlate 8180 maxima and minima of different tridacnids, and of a tridacnid and its encrusting Chama. However, the shapes of the peaks often differ, suggesting that correlation of the 8180 profiles of fossil tridacnids would be difficult. No correlation is possible between the 813C records of live tridacnids. The similarity between the carbon isotopic composition of the symbiont-free bivalve Chama and the symbiont-bearing bivalve Tridacna it encrusts suggests that the presence of symbionts has no identifiable effect on the isotopic composition of Tridacna shells.
Finite Element Analysis of Nanoscale Thermal Measurements of Superlattices

A finite element analysis applicable to two- and three-dimensional heat flow in samples of arbitrary geometry and composition is presented for use in a thermal wave experiment. The finite element formulation is summarized, including the use of symmetry to simplify the problem, and the governing differential equations for the heat transport are found to be in the form of the Helmholtz equation for the specific case of a modulated heat source. Simulated data for a Nb/Si superlattice is calculated using the finite element code and is shown to agree with predictions from an analytical model, validating the approach taken.
BET bromodomain-mediated interaction between ERG and BRD4 promotes prostate cancer cell invasion

Prostate cancer (PCa) that becomes resistant to hormone castration and next-generation androgen receptor (AR)-targeted therapies, called castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), poses a significant clinical challenge. A better understanding of PCa progression and key molecular mechanisms could bring novel therapies to light. One potential therapeutic target is ERG, a transcription factor aberrantly up-regulated in PCa due to chromosomal rearrangements between androgen-regulated gene TMPRSS2 and ERG. Here we show that the most common PCa-associated truncated ERG T1-E4 (ERGΔ39), encoded by fusion between TMPRSS2 exon 1 and ERG exon 4, binds to bromodomain-1 (BD1) of bromodomain containing protein 4 (BRD4), a member of the bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) family. This interaction is partially abrogated by BET inhibitors JQ1 and iBET762. Meta-analysis of published ERG (T1-E4) and BRD4 chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq) data demonstrates overlap in a substantial portion of their binding sites. Gene expression profile analysis shows some ERG-BRD4 co-target genes are upregulated in CRPC compared to hormone-naive counterparts. We provide further evidence that ERG-mediated invasion of PCa cells was significantly enhanced by an acetylation-mimicking mutation in ERG that augments the ERG-BRD4 interaction. Our findings reveal that PCa-associated ERG can interact and co-occupy with BRD4 in the genome, and suggest this druggable interaction is critical for ERG-mediated cell invasion and PCa progression.
Clinical experience with flexible ureteropyeloscopy.

AbstractFlexible ureteroscopes and their accessory working instruments have undergone tremendous design advances since the earliest reports in the 1960s. These changes have allowed for the expansion of indications for flexible ureteroscopy with the emphasis now on therapeutic and not just diagnostic applications. This report covers 290 procedures done with actively deflectable, flexible ureteroscopes on 222 patients. Followup averaged 11.2 months in 228 patients, while the remaining 62 were followed by the original referral center. Included were 154 procedures for stones and 79 for tumors or filling defects. Of the procedures 149 were performed with the patient under local anesthesia with sedation, while 128 were done with use of general anesthesia. The procedure was done in only 22% of the cases for purely visual diagnosis without any interventional manipulation. More than 42% of the cases involved stone retrieval or lithotripsy, in which case the laser was most commonly used (56 cases).The total success...
Significance of changes in resting left ventricular ejection fraction after coronary artery bypass grafting.

The prognostic significance of changes in resting left ventricular ejection fraction was examined in 102 patients who underwent successful coronary artery bypass grafting. Between preoperative and early postoperative radionuclide ventriculography, mean resting left ventricular ejection fraction improved from 47.2% to 53.9% (p
Subcutaneous transplantation of bovine and human adrenocortical cells in collagen gel in scid mice.

Adrenocortical cells of bovine origin and of adult and fetal human origin were transplanted subcutaneously (s.c.) in scid mice after being embedded in collagen gel. In this site the cells survived, became vascularized by invasion of host endothelial cells, and secreted steroids into the circulation. The animals' own adrenal glands were removed at the time of cell transplantation. Steroids secreted by the transplants replaced the essential functions of the animals' own adrenal glands. Adrenalectomized animals without transplanted cells died after several days, but most animals with transplanted bovine or adult human adrenocortical cells survived; fewer animals survived with transplanted fetal human adrenocortical cells. The histology of the tissues formed from transplanted cells resembled that of the normal adrenal cortex. A few proliferating cells were observed in tissue from bovine or adult human cells; there was a greater percentage of dividing cells in tissue derived from fetal cells. Subcutaneous transplantation of bovine or human primary adrenocortical cells in collagen provides a model for the study of the physiology, cell biology, and molecular biology of adrenocortical cells in a three-dimensional vascularized tissue structure in a host animal.
Lost opportunities to prevent early onset type 2 diabetes mellitus after a pregnancy complicated by gestational diabetes

Objectives Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) greatly increases the risk of developing diabetes in the decade after delivery, but few women receive appropriately timed postpartum glucose testing (PPGT) or a referral to primary care (PC) for continued monitoring. This qualitative study was designed to identify barriers and facilitators to testing and referral from patient and providers' perspectives. Methods We interviewed patients and clinicians in depth about knowledge, values, priorities, challenges, and recommendations for increasing PPGT rates and PC linkage. Interviews were coded with NVIVO data analysis software, and analyzed using an implementation science framework. Results Women reported motivation to address GDM for the health of the fetus. Most women did not anticipate future diabetes for themselves, and focused on delivery outcomes rather than future health risks. Patients sought and received reassurance from clinicians, and were unlikely to discuss early onset following GDM or preventive measures. PPGT barriers described by patients included provider not mentioning the test or setting it up, transportation difficulties, work responsibilities, fatigue, concerns about fasting while breastfeeding, and timing of the test after discharge from obstetrics, and no referral to PC for follow-up. Practitioners described limited communication among multiple care providers during pregnancy and delivery, systems issues, and separation of obstetrics from PC. Conclusions Patients' barriers to PPGT included low motivation for self-care, structural obstacles, and competing priorities. Providers reported the need to balance risk with reassurance, and identified systems failures related to test timing, limitations of electronic medical record systems (EMR), lack of referrals to PC, and inadequate communication between specialties. Prevention of early onset has great potential for medical cost savings and improvements in quality of life.
Patent Reform Won't Hurt Professors

This essay responds to universities' opposition to patent reform bills that aim to curb nuisance-value patent litigation. Citing the results of a survey of university researchers recently published in the Yale Journal of Law & Technology, it explains that academic researchers generally oppose efforts by their institutions to patent their discoveries and that universities also generally lose money on their patent programs.
Mathematics Teachers' Visualization of Complex Number Multiplication and the Roots of Unity in a Dynamic Geometry Environment

ABSTRACTThis qualitative research, drawing on the theoretical frameworks by Even (1990, 1993) and Sfard (2007), investigated five high school mathematics teachers' geometric interpretations of complex number multiplication along with the roots of unity. The main finding was that mathematics teachers constructed the modulus, the argument, and the conjugate of a complex number along with the roots of unity through a series of discursive transformations without specifying the common terminology. While teachers exhibited a variety of visualizations, each founded in a diversity of approaches on the dynamic geometry software, writing mathematical expressions and equations proved challenging. Construction of roots of unity required teachers' mathematical proficiency—in particular, strategic competence in simultaneously coordinating various interpretations of complex numbers, and representational fluency in analytic geometrical and transformational reasoning.
A small high voltage bushing design for high altitude

The steadily increasing use of electrical components at higher voltages and altitudes has presented a problem in the design of bushings to meet the requirements of being corona-or radio-interference-free in the range of 10,000 volts and altitudes of 50,000 feet. There have been several papers written about the problem but with no concrete design procedure given. In this paper a design procedure is presented with some test results verifying the design.
Biological evaluation of ultrananocrystalline and nanocrystalline diamond coatings

Nanostructured biomaterials have been investigated for achieving desirable tissue-material interactions in medical implants. Ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) and nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) coatings are the two most studied classes of synthetic diamond coatings; these materials are grown using chemical vapor deposition and are classified based on their nanostructure, grain size, and sp3 content. UNCD and NCD are mechanically robust, chemically inert, biocompatible, and wear resistant, making them ideal implant coatings. UNCD and NCD have been recently investigated for ophthalmic, cardiovascular, dental, and orthopaedic device applications. The aim of this study was (a) to evaluate the in vitro biocompatibility of UNCD and NCD coatings and (b) to determine if variations in surface topography and sp3 content affect cellular response. Diamond coatings with various nanoscale topographies (grain sizes 5–400 nm) were deposited on silicon substrates using microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy revealed uniform coatings with different scales of surface topography; Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of carbon bonding typical of diamond coatings. Cell viability, proliferation, and morphology responses of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) to UNCD and NCD surfaces were evaluated. The hBMSCs on UNCD and NCD coatings exhibited similar cell viability, proliferation, and morphology as those on the control material, tissue culture polystyrene. No significant differences in cellular response were observed on UNCD and NCD coatings with different nanoscale topographies. Our data shows that both UNCD and NCD coatings demonstrate in vitro biocompatibility irrespective of surface topography.
Macrophages: The Bad, the Ugly, and the Good in the Inflammatory Response to Biomaterials

Macrophages play a central role in guiding proper organ and tissue development, physiological healing, and in maintaining tissue homeostasis. Further, they are one of the major cell components of the inflammatory response. During healing, macrophages assume a temporal series of distinct phenotypes that guide tissue repair and restoration of tissue homeostasis. Macrophages then decline and the restored tissue is macrophage free. Dysfunction or imbalance in macrophage phenotypes results in compromised healing that is thought to be the root cause of inflammatory diseases. Implanted biomedical devices elicit a robust inflammatory response driven largely by dysfunctional macrophages, which show a significant shift in their physiological behavior. They do not progress through the temporal series of phenotypes and do not decline with time, rather remain with the biomedical device for the life of it (the bad). At the host-device interface macrophages fuse to create large cells, foreign body giant cells. These giant cells are believed to damage the biomedical device at a structural and functional level (the ugly). Significant effort has been put forward to understand the processes leading to the dysfunctional macrophage response to biomedical devices, as well as to design novel approaches to guide the macrophages through the temporal series of phenotypes of physiological healing (the good). In this chapter, the current understanding of the developmental origin of macrophages, their functions in physiological processes, and dysfunction in response to the foreign body will be presented and discussed, as well as approaches to guide them toward resolution of the foreign body-elicited inflammatory response.
Evidence for Invertebrate Inflammatory Cytokines

Most invertebrates do not seem to be closely related to the vertebrates: In fact, some do not even appear to be animals with their plant-like appearances and sessile lifestyles. Yet, the more we learn about these distantly related ancestors, the more we realize how many vital systems we share. Parallels between mammalian and invertebrate cellular host defenses have been recognized for over a century (Metchnikoff 1968); but it is just in the past few years that molecular homologies have begun to be identified. A thorough understanding of ancient immune systems not only will help us to identify chinks in the armor of invertebrate pests, but will also provide a window to our own innate immune mechanisms.
Myofascial Pelvic Pain and Related Disorders

Myofascial pelvic pain refers to pain in the pelvic floor muscles, the pelvic floor connective tissue, and the surrounding fascia. The cause is often multifactorial and requires treatment that encompasses multiple modalities. This type of pain is often associated with other abdominopelvic disorders, so providers in these specialties need to be aware of these connections. A comprehensive musculoskeletal examination, including evaluation of the pelvic floor muscles, and history are key to diagnosing myofascial pelvic pain. Treatments include physical therapy, muscle relaxers, oral neuromodulators, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and pelvic floor muscle injections.
Family Business and Authentic Leadership: A Cross-level Model

While authentic leadership has been extensively studied, it has received little attention within the family business literature research. When viewed in the context of Person-Organization fit theor...
Effect of Age on the Disposition and Tissue Clearances of Fluorinated Pyrimidines in Rats

The age dependency of the elimination and tissue clearances of 5-fluorouracil (FU) and its nucleoside analog, 5′-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (dFUR), was investigated in 2 to 12 months old female Fischer rats. In all age groups, the blood clearances of dFUR at infusion rates of 500 and 750 mg kg−1 day−1 and of FU at 25 and 35 mg kg−1 day−1 were independent of the dose; however, the clearance of FU at a higher infusion rate of 50 mg kg−1 day−1 was significantly lower than at 25 mg kg−1 day−1. An inverse relationship between animal age and clearance was observed for dFUR at both 500 and 750 mg kg−1 day−1 doses, and for FU at the 50 mg kg−1 day−1 dose. By contrast, the FU clearance at the 25 and 35 mg kg−1 day−1 doses was independent of age. To examine the age effect on the metabolic activities of major eliminating organs, the metabolism of dFUR by liver and small intestine in young and old rats was compared using 13,000 × g supernatant fractions of the tissue homogenates. Data were computer-fitted to the Michaelis-Menten equation. The Km for both tissues of both age groups was approximately 120 µg ml−1. The intrinsic clearance (Vmax/Km) of dFUR was 5 ml kg−1 min−1 in the liver and 8 ml kg−1 min−1 in the intestine. The intestinal intrinsic clearance was independent of animal age, but the hepatic intrinsic clearance was significantly decreased in the older rats. The blood concentrations of FU derived as a metabolite from dFUR were also dependent on the animal age; an elevated FU concentration was associated with a lower dFUR metabolic clearance in the old rats. These data indicate that the elimination of FU and dFUR in rats is age-dependent, and that the systemic concentration of FU, a determinant of dFUR selectivity, is elevated in older animals.
Self-regenerating photocatalytic hydrogel for the adsorption and decomposition of methylene blue and antibiotics in water

Abstract Here we demonstrate the highly efficient adsorption and degradation of Methylene Blue and the antibiotics Tetracycline, Ofloxacin, and Ciprofloxacin using a TiO 2 -hydrogel nanocomposite that exhibits photocatalytic properties. The nanocomposite is synthesized through the thermal-polymerization of acrylic acid monomer in the prescence of TiO 2 nanoparticles (21 nm) and characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and FT-IR. The nanocomposite efficiently adsorps the contaminants in water and UV irradiation decomposes the adsorbed compounds in the hydrogel regenerating the material for further activity.
Special Functions in Applied Mathematics

Certain mathematical functions occur often enough in fields like physics and engineering to warrant special consideration. They form a class of well-studied functions with an extensive literature and, appropriately enough, are collectively called special functions. These functions carry such names as Bessel functions, Laguerre functions, and the like. Most of the special functions encountered in such applications have a common root in their relation to the hypergeometric function. The purpose of this book is to establish this relationship and use it to obtain many of the interesting and important properties of the special functions met in applied mathematics.
Pneumonia in nonambulatory patients: The role of oral bacteria and oral hygiene

ABSTRACT Background Considerable evidence exists to support a relationship between poor oral health, the oral microflora and bacterial pneumonia, especially ventilator-associated pneumonia in institutionalized patients. Teeth or dentures have nonshedding surfaces on which oral biofilms (that is, dental plaque) form that are susceptible to colonization by respiratory pathogens. Subsequent aspiration of respiratory pathogens shed from oral biofilms into the lower airway increases the risk of developing a lung infection. In addition, patients may aspirate inflammatory products from inflamed periodontal tissues into the lower airway, contributing to lung insult. Types of Studies Reviewed The author reviewed laboratory studies, clinical trials and review articles. Conclusions A number of studies have shown that the mouth can be colonized by respiratory pathogens and serve as a reservoir for these organisms. Other studies have demonstrated that oral interventions aimed at controlling or reducing oral biofilms can reduce the risk of pneumonia in high-risk populations. Taken together, the evidence is substantial that improved oral hygiene may prevent pneumonia in vulnerable patients. Clinical Implications Institution of rigorous oral hygiene regimens for hospitalized patients and long-term–care residents may reduce the risk of developing pneumonia.
SVM-SulfoSite: A support vector machine based predictor for sulfenylation sites

Protein S-sulfenylation, which results from oxidation of free thiols on cysteine residues, has recently emerged as an important post-translational modification that regulates the structure and function of proteins involved in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. By altering the size and physiochemical properties of modified cysteine residues, sulfenylation can impact the cellular function of proteins in several different ways. Thus, the ability to rapidly and accurately identify putative sulfenylation sites in proteins will provide important insights into redox-dependent regulation of protein function in a variety of cellular contexts. Though bottom-up proteomic approaches, such as tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), provide a wealth of information about global changes in the sulfenylation state of proteins, MS/MS-based experiments are often labor-intensive, costly and technically challenging. Therefore, to complement existing proteomic approaches, researchers have developed a series of computational tools to identify putative sulfenylation sites on proteins. However, existing methods often suffer from low accuracy, specificity, and/or sensitivity. In this study, we developed SVM-SulfoSite, a novel sulfenylation prediction tool that uses support vector machines (SVM) to identify key determinants of sulfenylation among five feature classes: binary code, physiochemical properties, k-space amino acid pairs, amino acid composition and high-quality physiochemical indices. Using 10-fold cross-validation, SVM-SulfoSite achieved 95% sensitivity and 83% specificity, with an overall accuracy of 89% and Matthew’s correlation coefficient (MCC) of 0.79. Likewise, using an independent test set of experimentally identified sulfenylation sites, our method achieved scores of 74%, 62%, 80% and 0.42 for accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and MCC, with an area under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.81. Moreover, in side-by-side comparisons, SVM-SulfoSite performed as well as or better than existing sulfenylation prediction tools. Together, these results suggest that our method represents a robust and complementary technique for advanced exploration of protein S-sulfenylation.
Unexpected higher blood loss associated with higher dose ε-aminocaproic acid in pediatric scoliosis surgery.

The purpose of this study was to determine if a higher dosing of e-aminocaproic acid (EACA) is associated with less perioperative blood loss than a lower dose. A total of 74 patients having scoliosis surgery were analyzed. Of the 74 patients, 36 patients received EACA (10 mg/kg/h) and 38 patients received EACA (33 mg/kg/h). After controlling for key variables, an infusion of 33 mg/kg/h of EACA was associated with an increase in intraoperative blood loss of 8.1 ml/kg compared with an infusion of 10 mg/kg/h of EACA. A 33 mg/kg/h intraoperative infusion is associated with higher intraoperative blood loss than an infusion at 10 mg/kg/h.
A quantitative analysis of the performance of computing architectures used in neural simulations.

Abstract Background Numerical solutions of neuron models are helping neuroscientists gain new insights into the behavior of neural systems. Although computing power is increasing, the complexity of the systems being simulated is also increasing. If the computation is not well matched to the computing hardware, simulations can take lengthy times to run, which can make it more difficult to draw inferences from those simulations and also to use them in feedback with living neurons such as in the dynamic clamp. New method In this paper, we perform a quantitative analysis to get a better sense of how much impact the hardware architectures can have on simulation performance. Three different architectures are implemented on the same hardware platform and compared with respect to simulation time, error, and resources used. Results The results indicate that a lookup table approach to evaluate functions can decrease simulation time by orders of magnitude with respect to the traditional approach of mathematical operations. Comparison with existing method(s) There are many different ways to implement a lookup table approach to evaluate a function. The method presented in this paper sacrifices some speed for greater generality and accuracy with respect to other published methods. Conclusions Lookup tables with 32 interpolation points can dramatically speed up computation time of neural simulations without adding significant error. In this paper linear interpolation was used, but higher order interpolation could be used to further reduce simulation time.
Compton profile of VO 2 across the metal-insulator transition: Evidence of a non-Fermi liquid metal

Many-body diffusion Monte Carlo is used to obtain the first-principles momentum distribution and Compton profile of vanadium dioxide. Our results for the Compton profile are in good agreement with the experimental values, and we show that good qualitative agreement in the scaled Compton profile difference across the monoclinic to rutile phase transition depends on an accurate description of electron correlation. The electron momentum distribution enables new insights into the metal-insulator phase transition. For example, the probability for electron scattering in the proximity of the Fermi surface (forward scattering) is suppressed in the vanadium chain direction (rutile $c$ axis) but enhanced in perpendicular directions. However, along the $c$ axis we observe an increase at $\ensuremath{\sim}2{k}_{\mathrm{F}}$ in the momentum distribution, which is characteristic for Friedel oscillations (backscattering). Our analysis of the momentum distribution supports experimentally observed anisotropies and provides an explanation for the anomalously low electronic thermal conductivity observed recently in the metallic phase [S. Lee et al., Science 355, 371 (2017)]. Moreover, our results indicate non-Fermi liquid behavior as well as quasi-one-dimensional Friedel oscillations in the metallic rutile phase, which is reminiscent of a Tomanaga-Luttinger liquid with impurities.
First record of Closterocerus chamaeleon, parasitoid of the Eucalyptus Gall Wasp Ophelimus maskelli (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Eulophidae), in the New World.

The uniparental parasitoid Closteroceruschamaeleon (Girault) is discovered to be fortuitously present on a population of the invasive Eucalyptus Gall Wasp Ophelimusmaskelli (Ashmead) in Riverside, California. This is the first report from the New World of Closteroceruschamaeleon, which has proven to be a highly effective natural enemy of Ophelimusmaskelli in the Mediterranean Basin. The taxonomy and identification of Closteroceruschamaeleon is discussed.
Introduction to Applied Linear Algebra: Vectors, Matrices, and Least Squares

This groundbreaking textbook combines straightforward explanations with a wealth of practical examples to offer an innovative approach to teaching linear algebra. Requiring no prior knowledge of the subject, it covers the aspects of linear algebra - vectors, matrices, and least squares - that are needed for engineering applications, discussing examples across data science, machine learning and artificial intelligence, signal and image processing, tomography, navigation, control, and finance. The numerous practical exercises throughout allow students to test their understanding and translate their knowledge into solving real-world problems, with lecture slides, additional computational exercises in Julia and MATLAB®, and data sets accompanying the book online. Suitable for both one-semester and one-quarter courses, as well as self-study, this self-contained text provides beginning students with the foundation they need to progress to more advanced study.
Strip grating output couplers for far infrared lasers

We have fabricated dielectrically-backed strip grating output couplers with 10 micron features. Fourier Transform Spectroscopy shows that the FIR transmission characteristics of these couplers vary with angle. The unique effects of these couplers in FIR lasers are described.
Educational Administration Research, Practice, and Preparation: Lessons from Woodworking and American Indian Philosophy:

There has been a continuing debate in scholarly circles about appropriate modes of inquiry. The traditionally dominant mode of inquiry, the quantitative paradigm, has in recent years been challenge...
The use of vitamin D in preventing post‐thyroidectomy hypocalcemia: An endocrinologist survey study

Objective To evaluate the use of preoperative vitamin D levels and postoperative vitamin D supplementation among endocrinologists for the prevention of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcaemia. Methods Endocrinologist members of the American Thyroid Association (ATA) were contacted via email to complete a 21-question survey, which included both questions about demographic information, and preventing and managing postoperative hypocalcaemia after thyroidectomy. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to determine the respondents' use of preoperative vitamin D levels, dose and duration of preoperative vitamin D repletion, decision to delay surgery for low vitamin D levels in the case of a benign or malignant disease, and routine prescription of postoperative calcium or vitamin D supplementation. Results 225 endocrinologists who were ATA members responded to the questionnaire. When compared to endocrinologists practicing in other countries, those that practice in the United States were 2.5 times more likely to check preoperative vitamin D levels (95% CI[1.404, 4.535], P = .002), significantly more likely to replete vitamin D deficient patients with high-dose vitamin D (ie ≥50K IU/week), 4.458 times more likely to prescribe prophylactic supplemental calcium (95% CI[2.446, 8.126]; P 10 years were also 1.915 times more likely to prescribe supplemental vitamin D (95% CI (1.080, 3.395); P = .0263). Physicians that treat >50 thyroidectomy cases/year were 2.083 more likely to recommend a vitamin D repletion duration of >1 month than those that treat ≤50 cases/year ([1.036, 4.190], P = .0395). Lastly, if the patient has low preoperative vitamin D levels, 47.05% of respondents chose to delay surgery in a benign disease, while only 11.61% of respondents would do so in a case of malignant disease. Conclusions Approximately one-half of surveyed endocrinologists reported using preoperative vitamin D levels to assess a patient's risk for post-thyroidectomy hypocalcaemia. Endocrinologists practicing in the United States, compared to those practicing in other countries, were more likely to both test for preoperative vitamin D levels and to recommend prophylactic post-thyroidectomy calcium and vitamin D supplementation.
US–China Rivalry in the twenty-first century: Déjà vu and Cold War II

In 2019, US–China relations that had been characterized by a pattern of ups and downs over the past quarter century took a clear and possibly irreversible turn for the worse. This change has provoked debate about whether China and the US have already become rivals, perhaps adversaries, in a new cold war. I examine five underlying influences shaping the newly intensifying rivalry. These influences reflect key features of the international context within which the US and China find themselves (systemic or structural constraints) and the fact that the two rivals happen to be the US and China (national or unit-level attributes). Chief among the international constraints are the structural conditions of anarchy and the distribution of power that defines the system’s polarity. The national attributes most relevant to understanding the evolution of US–China relations are the geography of the theater where the two countries’ vital interests intersect and two aspects of their militarily relevant technological capabilities. Examining these five influences draws attention to reasons for some important similarities but also differences between the current rivalry and the Soviet–American rivalry of the Cold War. It makes clear that a Cold War II, if that is what is emerging, will not simply replicate the rivalry of Cold War I. Unfortunately, this examination also directs attention to some troubling new concerns about the distinctiveness of the new rivalry and the challenges they may present in the coming decades.
Identifying turbulence features hindering swimming capabilities of grass carp larvae (Ctenopharyngodon idella) through submerged vegetation

Aquatic vegetation can provide habitat and refuge for a variety of species in streams. However, the flow features generated by submerged patches of vegetation can also pose a challenge for fish lar...
Forecasting With Temporally Aggregated Demand Signals in a Retail Supply Chain

Suppliers of consumer packaged goods are facing an increasingly challenging situation as they work to fulfill orders from their retail partners’ distribution facilities. Traditionally these suppliers have generated forecasts of a given retailer's orders using records of that retailer's past orders. However, it is becoming increasingly common for retail firms to collect and share large volumes of point-of-sale (POS) data, thus presenting an alternative data signal for suppliers to use in generating forecasts. A question then arises as to which data produce the most accurate forecasts. Compounding this question is the fact that forecasters often temporally aggregate data for consolidation or to produce forecasts in larger time buckets. Extant literature prescribes two countervailing statistical effects, information loss and variance reduction, that could play significant roles in determining the impact of temporal aggregation on forecast accuracy. Utilizing a large set of paired order and POS data, this study examines these relationships.
Legalizing Recreational Marijuana: Comparing Ballot Outcomes in Four States

Medical marijuana is now available in 23 states, and its growing acceptance has paved the way for the legalization of recreational marijuana. This article examines four recent campaigns to legal- ize recreational marijuana-two failures and two successes. Us- ing data from newspaper sources, interviews with key players, and other sources, we examine the factors that influence whether a ballot initiative succeeds or fails. We identify similarities and differences between the four measures, the social forces shaping the debate, their claims and counterclaims, and a set of factors that appear to increase the odds that a recreational marijuana ballot measure will be successful.
Bank Loan Remains the Main Tool to Maintain Households’ Spending

Households’ bank savings at the turn of 2019 have demonstrated better performance against the last year. The largest share of deposits unlike last year was denominated in foreign currency. In the meantime, brisk recovery of the bank lending on the retail side is ongoing. This strengthens the credit model of the households’ financial behavior.