cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
APTIMA® Trichomonas vaginalis, a transcription-mediated amplification assay for detection of Trichomonas vaginalis in urogenital specimens

The APTIMA(®) Trichomonas vaginalis (APTIMA TV; Gen-Probe Inc.) assay is the only amplification-based assay for T. vaginalis (TV) currently cleared by the US FDA. The assay was cleared in April 2011. APTIMA TV utilizes target capture specimen processing, transcription-mediated amplification and chemiluminescent probe hybridization for the qualitative detection of TV ribosomal RNA. The assay is used for the screening/diagnosis of trichomoniasis in women. Specimen types that can be used include physician-collected endocervical swabs, vaginal swabs, endocervical specimens collected in PreservCyt(®) (Thin Prep, Hologic Incorporated, MA, USA) solution and female urine specimens. The APTIMA TV assay has shown superior performance in side-by-side comparisons with other diagnostic methods in all patient populations and specimen types tested. Clinical sensitivity and specificity are >95 and 98%, respectively. The APTIMA TV assay fills a significant void in sexually transmitted infection diagnostics.
Management of Plantar Puncture Wounds In Children

port states that over 4-year period 0.82% of the pediatric emergency department visits were for the treatment of plantar puncture wounds, and in another study 7.4% of patients with lower extremity trauma who came to the emergency department h ad p lantar p uncture wounds.2 Other common sites for puncture injuries are the upper limb, legs, and trunk. These wounds are more common in the summer months when children are playing outdoors and often are barefoot. The common etiologic agents are nails, needles, glass, wood, plastic, and metal. Osteomyelitis is a relatively common complication in children, with an incidence ranging from 0.6% to 1.8%.3 The true incidence of complications associated with plantar puncture wounds is unknown, since not all people with such injuries seek medical attention.4
Functional Analysis of the RING-Type Ubiquitin Ligase Family of Arabidopsis

Approximately 5% of the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) proteome is predicted to be involved in the ubiquitination/26S proteasome pathway. The majority of these predicted proteins have identity to conserved domains found in E3 ligases, of which there are multiple types. The RING-type E3 is characterized by the presence of a cysteine-rich domain that coordinates two zinc atoms. Database searches followed by extensive manual curation identified 469 predicted Arabidopsis RING domain-containing proteins. In addition to the two canonical RING types (C3H2C3 or C3HC4), additional types of modified RING domains, named RING-v, RING-D, RING-S/T, RING-G, and RING-C2, were identified. The modified RINGs differ in either the spacing between metal ligands or have substitutions at one or more of the metal ligand positions. The majority of the canonical and modified RING domain-containing proteins analyzed were active in in vitro ubiquitination assays, catalyzing polyubiquitination with the E2 AtUBC8. To help identity regions of the proteins that may interact with substrates, domain analyses of the amino acids outside the RING domain classified RING proteins into 30 different groups. Several characterized protein-protein interaction domains were identified, as well as additional conserved domains not described previously. The two largest classes of RING proteins contain either no identifiable domain or a transmembrane domain. The presence of such a large and diverse number of RING domain-containing proteins that function as ubiquitin E3 ligases suggests that target-specific proteolysis by these E3 ligases is a complex and important part of cellular regulation in Arabidopsis.
Epicardial Catheter Ablation Using High-Intensity Ultrasound: Validation in a Swine Model

Background— Epicardial radiofrequency catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia remains challenging because of the presence of deep myocardial scar and adjacent cardiac structures, such as the coronary arteries, phrenic nerve, and epicardial fat that limit delivery of radiofrequency energy. High-intensity ultrasound (HIU) is an acoustic energy source able to deliver deep lesions through fat, while sparing superficial structures. We developed and tested an epicardial HIU ablation catheter in a closed chest, in vivo swine model. Methods and Results— The HIU catheter is an internally cooled, 14-French, side-facing catheter, integrated with A-mode ultrasound guidance. Swine underwent percutaneous subxyphoid epicardial access and ablation with HIU (n=10 swine) at 15, 20, and 30 W. Compared with irrigated radiofrequency lesions in control swine (n = 5), HIU demonstrated increased lesion depth (HIU 11.6±3.2 mm versus radiofrequency 4.7±1.6 mm; mean±SD) and epicardial sparing (HIU 2.9±2.1 mm versus radiofrequency 0.1±0.2 mm) at all HIU powers, and increased lesion volume at HIU 20 and 30 W ( P <0.0001 for all comparisons). HIU ablation over coronary arteries and surrounding epicardial fat resulted in deep lesions with normal angiographic flow. Histological disruption of coronary adventitia, but not media or intima, was noted in 44% of lesions. Conclusions— Compared with radiofrequency, HIU ablation in vivo demonstrates significantly deeper and larger lesions with greater epicardial sparing in a dose-dependent manner. Further development of this catheter may lead to a promising alternative to epicardial radiofrequency ablation.
Simulation in Competitive Analysis

Simulation is the use of a structural economic model to predict the effects of a change in economic conditions or policy. Simulation has wide application in competitive analysis, from merger review to the calculation of damages in antitrust and patent infringement litigation. It provides a scientific and quantitative approach that is a useful complement to making qualitative inferences based on a review of documents and other information. In this chapter, we describe simulation methods and techniques with a particular emphasis on merger review, where simulation has been most widely used.
Continuous-wave and transient characteristics of phosphorene microwave transistors

Few-layer phosphorene MOSFETs with 0.3-µm-long gate and 15-nm-thick Al2O3 gate insulator was found to exhibit a forward-current cutoff frequency of 2 GHz and a maximum oscillation frequency of 8 GHz after de-embedding for the parasitic capacitance associated mainly with the relatively large probe pads. The gate lag and drain lag of the transistor was found to be on the order of 1 µs or less, which is consistent with the lack of hysteresis, carrier freeze-out or persistent photoconductivity in DC characteristics. These results confirm that the phosphorene MOSFET can be a viable microwave transistor for both small-signal and large-signal applications.
Relationship between Segregation Strength and Permeability of Ethanol/Water Mixtures through Block Copolymer Membranes

A series of poly(styrene-b-dimethylsiloxane-b-styrene) (SDS) triblock copolymers with molecular weights ranging from 55 to 150 kg/mol and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) volume fractions ranging from 0.59 to 0.83 were used to fabricate membranes for ethanol/water separation by pervaporation. The rigid polystyrene (PS) microphase provides the membrane with structural integrity, while the rubbery PDMS microphase provides nanoscale channels for ethanol transport. We use a simple model to study the effect of morphology and PDMS volume fraction on permeabilitites of ethanol and water through the block copolymer membranes. We defined normalized permeabilities of ethanol and water to account for differences in morphology and PDMS volume fraction. We found that the normalized ethanol permeability in SDS copolymers was independent of the total polymer molecular weight. This is qualitatively different from what was previously reported for poly(styrene-b-butadiene-b-styrene) (SBS) membranes, where the normalized ethanol...
The Party is Over: The “Modernization” of the British Labour Party

When Tony Blair assumed office as Labour leader in 1994, the party had lost four consecutive general elections. The last defeat was on a knife-edge and came as a surprise against an unpopular Conservative party facing a number of deep divisions over economic and European policies. When he stood down from the premiership in June 2007, Blair left the party transformed. Such changes were announced in his first conference speech in 1994: “parties that do not change die, and this party is a living movement not an historical monument … It requires a modern constitution that says what we are in terms the public cannot misunderstand and the Tories cannot misrepresent” (Blair, 1994). In the following years, his team set out to “modernise” the organization and adapt it to the new times of economic globalization and permanent campaign. Once seen as almost unelectable (Heath et al., 2001; Jowell et al., 1994), Labour has, under the leadership of Blair, won three consecutive general elections. Such a turn around in the fortunes of the party cannot be only explained by external pressure (the succession of defeats), or the personality and the talent of Tony Blair.
Nursing care in period of hip replacement for elderly patients with diabetics meuitus

Objective To approach nursing care in period of hip replacement of elderly patients with diabetics meuitus.Methods The specific and effective nursing care including general duty nursing,monitoring of serum glucose,prevention of postoperative complications and rehabilitation training were performed in period of hip replacement for 21 elderly patients with diabetics meuitus.Results The 21 cases for hip replacement discharged on time without postoperative complications and with wound heal.Conclusion The specific and effective nursing care programs are important in period of hip replacement of elderly patients with diabetics meuitus.
Error dependent on renal function when monoexponential equation assumed

The recent paper by MacKichan and coworkers, which appeared in the November, 1977, issue of the Journal, states that there is an important error dependent on renal function when a one-compartment model is used to calculate drug clearance values from data better fitted to a more complex model. This error is related to the magnitude of the ratios of the exponents and constants of the two-compartment model and is independent of the pathway of elimination of the drug. Lidocaine, a drug with a rapid metabolism rate, shows an error when a one-compartment model is used, but this error is independent of renal function.4,5 Even for lidocaine, dosage recommendations calculated from a one-compartment model are not significantly different from those calculated from a two-compartment model.4 Thus the general conclusion of MacKichan and coworkers that “the clinical importance of this error cannot be overlooked” requires qualification. MacKichan and co-workers imply that a one-compartment model is inappropriate for calculating clearance values for antipyrine, tolbutamide, and pentobarbital in man. The literature documents that there are very small differences in clearance values calculated for these drugs when the one-compartment model is compared to the two-compartment model.1–3
Pharmacologic therapy of arrhythmias.

Regardless of the arrhythmia treated or the antiarrhythmic drug selected, proper evaluation and appropriate testing should be performed in control and treated states. During therapy, monitoring of ECG intervals, blood levels, subjective toxicity, and end-organ toxicity must be tailored for the individual patient and for the antiarrhythmic drug selected.
Automatic Generation of Proof Problems in Deductive Logic

Automatic problem generation for learning tools can provide the required quantity and variation of problems necessary for an intelligent tutoring system. However, this requires an understanding of problem difficulty and corresponding features of student performance. Our goal is to automatically generate new proof problems in Deep Thought – an online propositional logic learning tool – for individual students based on their performance and a set of instructor parameters.. In an initial exploratory study, we evaluate the generated problems compared to the original set of stored problems. This evaluation uses collected student data and instructor feedback.
Hegel's Theory of Normativity

This essay offers an interpretation of Hegel's theory of normativity according to which normative evaluation is primarily a matter of a thing's answerability to its own constitutive norms. I show that natural and spiritual norms correspond to two different species of normative evaluation for Hegel, two categorically distinct ways something can violate its own constitutive norms. I conclude with some general reflections on the relationship between normativity and ontology in Hegel's system.
A novel three-phase bi-directional, isolated, single-stage, DAB-based AC-DC converter with open-loop power factor correction

In this paper, a modulation method for a single-stage three-phase AC-DC converter with only two active switches on the AC-side is proposed. The Dual Active Bridge (DAB) based modulation provides the advantages of Zero Current Switching (ZCS) for the primary side switches, linear power relationship for easy control implementation and unity power factor with open-loop control. Some other features of this topology are galvanic isolation and bi-directional power flow capability. This converter is analysed and the conclusions of the analysis and simulation concur.
Afro-Floridian Art: Diaspora and Geography

In honor of the 500th anniversary of documented African presence in Florida (2013), this paper celebrates the ways in which Africans and people of African descent have shaped the history and visual culture of Florida. As geographic entities on a map, Africa and Florida may initially seem distant and distinct, but the ways in which we call them into being are similar. To look closely at the circumstances of Florida and the representations that describe and define them, we need to rethink the spatial configuration of our cultural and historic narratives and visualize a new geography --“new” in the sense that we are reimaging cultural and geographic borders that fluctuate based upon who is mapping the terrain and what it comes to represent. This paper will consider the lessons learned from the forthcoming book “Africa in Florida: 500 Years of African Presence in the Sunshine State” (University Press of Florida, 2013) in relation to broader discussions about the art of the African diaspora
Why Can’t We Find More Locally Produced and Fresher Food in Our Supermarkets and Restaurants?

Americans are pushing for fresher more local food, but it is hard to know how fresh is fresh. As covered in the previous chapter, the definition of “natural” is ambiguous at best. “Fresh,” on the other hand, has at least two distinctly different definitions related to food which at times contradict each other. Fresh is used to distinguish fruits and vegetables that have not been processed from those items that have. Freshness of a fresh fruit or vegetable is also an indication of how long it has been since it was picked. Freshness of a bakery item dates back to how long ago it came out of the oven. Consumers are urged by nutritionists and pundits to choose fresh produce over canned, dried, and frozen. At the same time supermarkets are criticized for calling their produce fresh even though it may have been a long time between the time when it was picked and the time it was bought.
Stability and interfacial viscoelasticity of oil-water nanoemulsions stabilized by soy lecithin and Tween 20 for the encapsulation of bioactive carvacrol

Abstract The rheology of oil-in-water (O/W) droplet interfaces stabilized by food-grade emulsifiers (soy lecithin or Tween 20) under controlled aqueous conditions was investigated to elucidate its contribution in the kinetic stabilization of nanoemulsion-based delivery systems containing carvacrol, a naturally-derived antimicrobial compound. Dilational rheology of surfactant-laden O/W interfaces was measured using axisymmetric drop shape analysis. The kinetic stability of corresponding nanoemulsions (containing mixtures of carvacrol and medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil dispersed in water (pH 7)) was characterized using dynamic light scattering. Zwitterionic lecithin molecules adsorbed to the O/W interface for 24 h formed a notably viscoelastic layer, compared to nonionic Tween 20 molecules. The kinetic stability within the first 24 h for each nanoemulsion was strongly dependent upon encapsulated carvacrol concentration, with higher carvacrol concentrations leading to lower kinetic stability. Lecithin-stabilized nanoemulsions (pH 7) were highly stable, yielding monodispersed droplet size distributions and high resistance to increases in droplet size over 30 days. Contrarily, corresponding Tween 20-stabilized nanoemulsions showed large increases in the droplet size and developed a bimodal droplet size distribution over time. The initial size of oil droplets stabilized by lecithin was slightly dependent on pH, yielding smaller droplets at pH 7 and larger droplets at pH 3; however, the extended kinetic stability was not greatly impacted by pH modulation. Determining a positive association between interfacial viscoelasticity and nanoemulsion stability may potentially be very useful for food manufacturers seeking to optimize the encapsulation and delivery of lipophilic antimicrobial molecules using food-grade emulsifiers.
Commentary on “Studies on molar volume, dielectric properties and refractive indices of cyanex 923 + benzene/xylene at 300 K”

Abstract Redlich-Kister equation coefficients reported by Satpathy and coworkers [J. Mol. Liq. 222 (2016) 383–389] for binary benzene + cyanex 923 and xylene + cyanex 923 are found to be inconsistent with the graphs of the experimental excess molar volumes, excess molar polarizabilities and excess molar refractions. Values calculated from the reported Redlich-Kister equation coefficients differ significantly from the measured experimental data.
A Political Theory of Constitutional Democracy: On Legitimacy of Constitutional Courts in Stable Liberal Democracies

My text offers an attempt to justify theoretically the existence of an important pillar of contemporary constitutional democracy: judicial review. Why do Supreme and Constitutional Courts that are not electorally accountable organs have the power to modify and occasionally cancel from the books statutory legislation passed by elected and accountable representatives? The argument presented discusses and questions the standard doctrine of the separation of powers and is based on the foundations of modern political authority as the agency the function of which is to protect and guarantee citizens’ rights.
Plasticity of Molybdenum Single Crystals

In the extension of molybdenum single crystals at room temperature, the slip planes were found to be of the type {110}; the slip direction . Theories of plasticity of body-centered cubic metals have been examined, and an explanation based upon planes of highest atomic density seems plausible to explain the plastic behavior of molybdenum single crystals.
Retrospective Review of Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in Patients With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in an Indigent Prenatal Clinic

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is diabetes that is diagnosed during the second or third trimester of pregnancy and is not clearly overt diabetes (1). Diagnosis is defined by severity of carbohydrate intolerance. The upper end of the GDM diagnostic glucose range is the same as would be indicative of diabetes outside of pregnancy, whereas the lower end of the GDM range is only slightly above normal and asymptomatic but still associated with increased risk of fetal morbidity (1,2). Diabetes during pregnancy is diagnosed by either a one-step approach involving a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) or a two-step approach starting with a 50-g (nonfasting) screen followed by a 100-g OGTT for those who initially screen positive (1). Glycemic goals for patients with a GDM diagnosis are as follows: preprandial ≤95 mg/dL and either 1-hour postprandial ≤140 mg/dL or 2-hour postprandial ≤120 mg/dL. Hyperglycemia throughout pregnancy carries increased risk for adverse fetal and maternal outcomes (3–8). Treatment of diabetes during pregnancy is aimed at decreasing the risk of perinatal outcomes such as macrosomia, birth trauma, neonatal metabolic abnormalities, and cesarean section (4,9–12). Lifestyle modification is first-line treatment and includes medical nutrition therapy (MNT), exercise, and glucose monitoring (13). Pharmacological therapy generally consists of insulin, glyburide, or metformin, and agents may be used adjunctly to MNT depending on presence and severity of hyperglycemia (13). Insulin is the preferred pharmacological treatment for management of diabetes in pregnancy if lifestyle modification is insufficient in achieving euglycemia (13). The setting of this review is the diabetes clinic located within the Hall County Health Department (HCHD) prenatal clinic in Gainesville, Ga. The population of Gainesville is ∼187,000 and includes a large percentage of Latino immigrants (14). The proportion of Latinos in the diabetes clinic has grown …
A method for evaluating the fatigue crack growth in spiral notch torsion fracture toughness test

The spiral notch torsion test (SNTT) has been a recent breakthrough in measuring fracture toughness for different materials, including metals, ceramics, concrete, and polymers composites. Due to its high geometry constraint and unique loading condition, SNTT can be used to measure the fracture toughness with smaller specimens without concern of size effects. The application of SNTT to brittle materials has been proved to be successful. The micro-cracks induced by original notches in brittle materials could ensure crack growth in SNTT samples. Therefore, no fatigue pre-cracks are needed. The application of SNTT to the ductile material to generate valid toughness data will require a test sample with sufficient crack length. Fatigue pre-crack growth techniques are employed to introduce sharp crack front into the sample. Previously, only rough calculations were applied to estimate the compliance evolution in the SNTT crack growth process, while accurate quantitative descriptions have never been attempted. This generates an urgent need to understand the crack evolution during the SNTT fracture testing process of ductile materials. The newly developed governing equations for SNTT crack growth estimate are discussed in the paper.
Recurrent rhabdomyolysis associated with influenza-like illness in a weight-lifter.

Objective. This report describes a unique case of recurring rhabdomyolysis associated with influenza-like illness. Patient. A 16-year-old black male, a physically fit weight-lifter, presented complaining of a brief history of upper respiratory infection. He had experienced muscular aches and observed his urine was a brown Coca Cola color. He was diagnosed with an influenza-like illness and associated rhabdomyolysis. He had been previously treated for a similar episode of flu-like symptoms and brown urine two years before. The patient was treated with IV fluids and discharged on day seven. He has remained asymptomatic. Post-discharge muscle biopsy results indicated a partial deficiency of carnitine palmitoyltransferase II, a rare defect in mitochondrial metabolism. Discussion. Although traumatic rhabdomyolysis cases have been reported, few case reports have been documented associating an influenza-like illness and rhabdomyolysis. Deficiency of carnitine palmitoyltransferase often causes nonexercise-induced rhabdomyolysis. Conclusion. Prevention should consist and a yearly influenza vaccination education on nutrition and exercise.
The pathogenesis of mucosal disease.

This article approaches the pathogenesis of mucosal disease by reviewing the chronologic progress made in the recognition of this disease and in the understanding of the complex series of events necessary to induce this disease. The importance of viral biotype, persistent infection, viral mutation, and antigenic similarity / dissimilarity are discussed.
In Vitro and In Vivo Models of HIV Latency

Latently infected cells are very infrequent in CD4+ T cells from antiretroviral (ARV) treated individuals, with only approximately one in a million infected CD4+ T cells in blood. Given the low frequency of infected cells in vivo, multiple in vitro latency models have been developed to facilitate investigations into mechanisms of HIV latency, as well as to enable the evaluation of pharmacological and immunological interventions aimed at depleting latently infected cells. These in vitro models include clones of transformed cell lines with integrated HIV proviruses or primary CD4+ T cells from uninfected donors that have been infected with HIV in particular conditions. This chapter presents a description of these various in vitro models, along with an overview of their advantages and limitations.Preclinical animal models represent a critical bridge between in vitro studies and human clinical trials. Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection of Indian origin rhesus macaques has been well established as an informative model of HIV infection. Recent years have seen breakthroughs in ARVs that permit the potent suppression of SIV replication, enabling studies of latency and putative curative interventions in this model. Small animal models of HIV infection can be generated by engrafting immunodeficient mice with human immune cells. These "humanized mice" have provided valuable insights into HIV pathogenesis and are under development as models for studying HIV latency. We summarize both the promise of these models and outstanding challenges that remain to be overcome to realize their potential to inform efforts to cure HIV infection.
Tracking Macrophage Infiltration in a Mouse Model of Pancreatic Cancer with the Positron Emission Tomography Tracer [11C]PBR28

Abstract Background The tumor microenvironment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) contains abundant immunosuppressive tumor-associated macrophages. High level of infiltration is associated with poor outcome and is thought to represent a major roadblock to lymphocyte-based immunotherapy. Efforts to block macrophage infiltration have been met with some success, but noninvasive means to track tumor-associated macrophagess in PDAC are lacking. Translocator protein (TSPO) is a mitochondrial membrane receptor which is upregulated in activated macrophages. We sought to identify if a radiotracer-labeled cognate ligand could track macrophages in PDAC. Materials and Methods A murine PDAC cell line was established from a transgenic mouse with pancreas-specific mutations in KRAS and p53. After confirming lack of endogenous TSPO expression, tumors were established in syngeneic mice. A radiolabeled TSPO-specific ligand ([11C] peripheral benzodiazepine receptor [PBR]28) was delivered intravenously, and tumor uptake was assessed by autoradiography, ex vivo, or micro-positron emission tomography imaging. Results Resected tumors contained abundant macrophages as determined by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Immunoblotting revealed murine macrophages expressed TSPO with increasing concentration on activation and polarization. Autoradiography of resected tumors confirmed [11C]PBR28 uptake, and whole mount sections demonstrated the ability to localize tumors. To confirm the findings were macrophage specific, experiments were repeated in CD11b-deficient mice, and the radiotracer uptake was diminished. Micro-positron emission tomography imaging validated radiotracer uptake and tumor localization in a clinically applicable manner. Conclusions As new immunotherapeutics reshape the PDAC microenvironment, tools are needed to better measure and track immune cell subsets. We have demonstrated the potential to measure changes in macrophage infiltration in PDAC using [11C]PBR28.
Physician barriers to implementation of hospital-based antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs): a global perspective

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant global health issue. Hospital-based antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) are an important component of a “One Health” approach for addressing AMR. However, the adaptation and implementation of ASPs in low-resource settings often faces multiple barriers, which need to be identified and addressed to ensure program effectiveness. Barriers to ASPs adoption have been identified at the health system and hospital levels, within the organization and interpersonal relationships in wards and departments, and at the individual level of knowledge and perceptions of physicians and other health providers regarding AMR and antimicrobial prescribing practices. Utilizing the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) is one means of providing a model for adapting ASPs to meet local needs and for recognizing and addressing barriers prior to and during program implementation. Despite challenges, hospital-based ASPs have been successfully introduced in low-resource settings. Key components of successful ASPs include a focus on de-escalation, development of local prescribing guidelines, inclusion of non-medical training such as communication, and engagement and partnering with a broad coalition of institutional and organizational stakeholders throughout the adaptation, evaluation, implementation, and scale-up processes.
The Gender of Colorism: Understanding the Intersection of Skin Tone and Gender Inequality

Although researchers have made great strides in understanding colorism and skin tone stratification in the USA, important connections are still outstanding. One of these connections lies at the intersection of skin tone and gender stratification among black Americans, a place where researchers have certainly visited but work remains to be done. This manuscript builds on previous work to examine how gender and skin tone combine to influence black Americans’ social outcomes. To that end, I leverage data from the National Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) and regression analysis to test the effect of skin tone and gender on black Americans’ individual incomes. My results suggest a three-tiered hierarchy of income stratification. Light-skinned men sit atop this hierarchy with higher incomes than other black Americans after controlling for other relevant factors. Dark-skinned people suffer at the bottom of this hierarchy with lower incomes than the other gender and skin tone combinations (medium-skinned men, light-skinned women, and medium-skinned women).
Refocusing on the Primary Prevention of Heart Failure

The burden of heart failure (HF) is a significant national and global public health problem, with prevalence rates on the rise. Given the significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs attributable to HF, it is of utmost importance to utilize preventive strategies to prevent the development of HF. Therefore, we sought to address how a multi-modal risk assessment approach can be used to stratify patients for HF risk and guide implementation of therapeutic strategies to prevent HF. New externally validated, multivariate prediction models for incident HF can be applied in the general population and may be used to aide clinicians in assessing individualized HF risk and screening for HF. Recent clinical trial data suggest a natriuretic peptide biomarker-based screening approach coupled with team-based cardiovascular care to focus on optimization of guideline-directed medical therapy may help prevent new-onset HF. However, widespread implementation of clinical risk scores and/or biomarkers is needed. In addition to promoting a heart healthy lifestyle, prevention and management of modifiable risk factors, including intensive blood pressure lowering and use of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, can prevent incident HF.
Lifeboat Theology: White Evangelicalism, Apocalyptic Chronotopes, and Environmental Politics

In this paper, I use insights from extensive ethnographic research with evangelicals in Colorado Springs, Colorado to investigate how competing ethical understandings of time and the future underpi...
ECONOMICS, RELIGION AND THE DECLINE OF EUROPE1

This article asks whether there is any casual connection between the contemporaneous decline in industriousness and religiosity in Europe over the past 25 years. In the United States working hours and levels of religious faith and observance have held steady or even increased over this period. But in most European countries they have declined together. Could this be a posthumous vindication of Max Weber's thesis about the Protestant work ethic and the rise of capitalism ? Though there (...)
Observations of [S IV] 10.5 micron and [Ne II] 12.8 micron in Two Halo Planetary Nebulae: Implications for Chemical Self-Enrichment

We have detected the [S IV] 10.5 micron and [Ne II] 12.8 micron fine-structure lines in the halo population planetary nebula (PN) DdDm 1, and set upper limits on their intensities in the halo PN H 4-1. We also present new measurements of optical lines from various ions of S, Ne, O, and H for DdDm 1, based on a high-dispersion spectrum covering the spectral range 3800 A to 1 micron. These nebulae have similar O/H abundances, (O/H) = 1e-4, but S/H and Ne/H are about half an order of magnitude lower in H 4-1 than in DdDm 1; thus H 4-1 appears to belong to a more metal-poor population. This supports previous suggestions that PNe arising from metal-poor progenitor stars can have elevated oxygen abundances due to internal nucleosynthesis and convective dredge-up. It is generally accepted that high abundances of carbon in many PNe results from self-enrichment. To the extent that oxygen can also be affected, the use of nebular O/H values to infer the overall metallicity of a parent stellar population (for example, in external galaxies) may be suspect, particularly for low metallicities.
Macro-elements for efficient FEM simulation of small geometric features in waveguide components

This paper introduces a novel class of specially-constructed elements aimed at the expedient finite-element modeling of waveguide components containing fine geometric/material features such as dielectric and conducting posts. Instead of utilizing a very fine grid to resolve such fine features, special elements are constructed, of the size of the regular grid, that capture accurately the electromagnetic properties of the fine features. Use of the proposed macro-elements leads to a significant reduction in the number of unknowns in the finite-element approximation of the structure without sacrificing solution accuracy.
Gazing into the Future: A Synopsis of Unanswered Questions.

More than two dozen authors contributed to this special issue from 14 different think tanks, regional collaborative organizations, and institution-based policy centers and institutes to share the work being done to promote the community college agenda at state, regional, and national levels in the United States. This article synthesizes the still unanswered questions posed by contributors to this special issue, and it poses additional questions for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to consider. It closes with a call to action, encouraging scholars, scholar-practitioners, and graduate students to engage in research that begins to help answer these questions for future action.
Dis)owning Religious Speech

To claims of a right to equal citizenship, one of the primary responses has long been to assert the right of private property. It is therefore troubling that, in two recent cases involving public displays of religious symbolism, the Supreme Court embraced property law and rhetoric when faced with the claims of minority religious speakers for inclusion and equality. The first, Pleasant Grove City v. Summum, is a free speech case in which the defendant evaded a finding that it was discriminating against the plaintiff’s religious speech by claiming a government speech defense. In the process, it claimed as its own speech a facially religious monument of the Ten Commandments. The second, Salazar v. Buono, which dealt with an establishment clause challenge to a Latin cross in the middle of the Mojave Desert National Preserve, was resolved primarily on the basis of the literal ownership of the religious speech at issue in the case. What both cases have in common is a claim, on one side, that the government has improperly and unconstitutionally excluded one religious group, both literally and metaphorically, and a response, on the other side, that is formulated in the language of ownership, property, and sovereignty. This Article explores the possible causes and implications of the Court’s recent embrace of property concepts and property rhetoric. It argues that the Court has turned to the language and even the law of property partly as a way of avoiding knotty First Amendment questions. But the rhetoric of property functions on another level, as well. Property rhetoric legitimates and naturalizes the acts of exclusion and subordination inherent in the Court’s decisions. It also gives the appearance of a concrete stake held by some in the religious majority - and a material loss that is incurred - when dominant religious symbols are removed. Ultimately, this article concludes that, for all their flaws, the endorsement test and public forum doctrine, which the Court appears to have temporarily marginalized, are superior approaches to the problem of public displays of religious symbolism.
Neuroplasticity, Sensitization, and Pain

Neuroplasticity is a term that is used quite frequently these days in pain-related literature, and in many ways, it has come to be a term especially associated with maldynia. However, neuroplasticity is a term that more accurately delineates the way our nervous system operates, peripherally and centrally, and it should have no intrinsic judgment placed upon it. It simply is what it is.
The Effects of Computer-Based Pretesting Strategies on Learning and Continuing Motivation

AbstractAlthough the utility of computer based pretesting as a means of precisely diagnosing lesson entry points has been well documented, the effects of such pretesting strategies on learner motivation and achievement have not been clearly established. In the present study, 120 fifth-and sixth- graders were randomly assigned to three pretesting conditions: a full-length pretest, an adaptive pretest that exited learners when nonmastery was indicated, and a no pretest control. Results indicate that learners in the adaptive treatment not only demonstrated significantly higher levels of performance on the posttest, but also expressed a significantly greater willingness to continue with the instruction.
Maximum throughput flow-based contraflow evacuation routing algorithm

With the combination of vehicular networks and a scalable algorithm, we can expect an effective real-time contraflow evacuation routing. In this paper we define the maximum throughput flow and propose a contraflow evacuation routing algorithm based on reverse shortest paths and maximum throughput flows that can be used for the real-time contraflow evacuation routing. The proposed algorithm computes the contraflow scheme by finding minimal number of shortest paths and hence its computation is highly efficient and scalable. In addition, the evacuation time for the computed contraflow scheme is better than or same as that of CCRP++ with the help of maximum (or at least higher) throughput flows. The computational results confirm the efficiency of the computation and the effectiveness of the computed contraflow schemes.
Quantitative 3D petrography using X-ray tomography 4: Assessing glass inclusion textures with propagation phase-contrast tomography

Textures (sizes, shapes, distributions) of glass inclusions in crystals can provide important insight into magmatic processes. Three-dimensional X-ray tomography is an excellent nondestructive method for assessing igneous rock textures in general; however, standard absorption-contrast tomography is not useful for imaging glass inclusions because it typically does not provide enough contrast between the inclusion and crystal host to allow quantitative separation of these phases during image processing. Propagation phase-contrast tomography enhances contacts between different phases, allowing the use of edge-detection algorithms to separate glass inclusions from their host crystal. The sample-to-detector distance is increased to achieve edge enhancement at the cost of some loss in image resolution. We qualitatively assessed images acquired at a series of distances (30, 100, 150, 200 mm) to determine the best distance for imaging given this trade-off. Typical image processing approaches used for absorption-contrast tomography are not useful for edge-detection problems, so we developed an IDL-based graphical user interface (GUI) to process propagation phase-contrast tomograms. A combination of grayscale filters, distance thresholding, erosion processes , and individual picking of outlier voxels is used to fit a convex hull to an individual inclusion, and the output provides information on its size and shape. The processed inclusions can be placed in the context of the original host, such that size, shape, and location of multiple inclusions can be assessed individually or in combination. We apply this method to five glass inclusions in quartz crystals from early erupted Bishop Tuff. Results indicate that inclusions range in shape from nearly spherical to nearly ellipsoidal and from round to faceted. The relationship between degree of faceting, size, and location within the host is consistent with melt inclusion faceting under magmatic conditions over centennial to millennial time scales. We also show application of this method to other kinds of studies, such as glass inclusion size distributions.
Effects of hydralazine on pressure-volume and stress-volume relations in congestive heart failure secondary to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

The mechanism by which hydralazine improves cardiac function in patients with heart failure is not well characterized. Hydralazine may improve left ventricular (LV) function by decreasing afterloading wall stress or by increasing myocardial contractility. The effect of intravenous hydralazine was assessed in 8 patients with severe idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Hydralazine increased stroke volume index (from 24 +/- 8 to 40 +/- 9 ml/m2, p less than 0.01) and decreased systemic vascular resistance from 1,603 +/- 619 to 810 +/- 317 dynes s cm-5, p less than 0.01) and peak LV wall stress (from 476 +/- 118 to 410 +/- 68 kdynes/cm2, p = 0.02). Two groups were defined by normal or high LV wall stress. Patients with high LV stress had higher LV end-diastolic pressure (38 +/- 12 vs 17 +/- 8 mm Hg, p less than 0.01), LV end-diastolic volume index (184 +/- 24 vs 149 +/- 7 ml/m2, p less than 0.01) and systemic vascular resistance (1,423 +/- 686 vs 846 +/- 293 dynes s cm-5, p = 0.01). Hydralazine decreased stress more in these patients (-101 +/- 57 vs -6 +/- 9 kdynes/cm2, p = 0.02), LV end-diastolic pressure (-12 +/- 7 vs 2 +/- 2 mm Hg, p = 0.02), systolic pressure (-15 +/- 13 vs 3 +/- 4 mm Hg, p = 0.03) and systemic vascular resistance (-1,053 +/- 247 vs -363 +/- 83 dynes s cm-5, p less than 0.01) than in patients with normal LV stress. Decreased LV stress was caused by decreased systolic and diastolic pressures and/or volumes. Late systolic pressure-volume relations in patients with normal LV stress suggested increased myocardial contractility, but this was not confirmed by LV dP/dt. Hydralazine improves LV function in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy by reducing elevated LV wall stress, with little inotropic effect.
Rebuttal: Mystery of FliK in length control of the Flagellar hook

Long history—I confess that I forgot about the 1972 Silverman and Simon Escherichia coli paper that came out before the Salmonella 1973 story (sorry Mel!) (1, 2, 4). Length distribution. True, when hook measurements are reported as 55 ± 6 nm, it makes the reader think that they range from 49 to 61, but I have no problem with the term “tight control,” as some 95% of the rulers are within 10% of each other in length. The short hooks can be attributed to nascent structures, and the long ones we now account for as described in our recently published study (3).
Periphyton as a potential phosphorus sink in the Everglades Nutrient Removal Project

Abstract Phosphorus uptake and release by periphyton mats were quantified in the Everglades Nutrient Removal Project (ENRP) to evaluate the potential for periphyton P removal. Short-term P uptake rates were determined by incubating cyanobacteria (Oscillatoria princeps and Shizothrix calcicola) and Chlorophycean (primarily Rhizoclonium spp.) algal mat samples for 0.5–2 h under ambient conditions in BOD bottles spiked with soluble reactive P (SRP). Cyanobacterial mats removed P more than twice as fast (80–164 μg P h−1 g−1 AFDM) as Chlorophycean mats (33–61 μg P h−1 g−1 AFDM) during these incubations. In a longer term study, fiberglass cylinders were used to enclose 1.8 m2 plots within the wetland and were dosed weekly for 7 weeks with: (1) no nutrients; (2) SRP (0.25 g P m−2 week−1); or (3) SRP plus nitrate (0.42 g N m−2 week−1) and ammonium (0.83 g N m−2 week−1). Phosphorus uptake rates by this periphyton assemblage, which was dominated by the chlorophytes Stigeoclonium spp. and Oedogonium spp., were measured weekly and were similar among nutrient treatments on most dates, indicating that the algal storage compartment for P was not saturated despite repeated P additions. Decomposition rates and P loss by cyanobacteria and Chlorophycean mats were determined by measuring biomass loss and SRP release in darkened BOD bottles over 28–42 day periods under anaerobic and aerobic conditions. First-order aerobic and anaerobic decomposition rates for cyanobacterial mats (k = 0.1095 and 0.1408 day−1, respectively) were 4–20-fold higher than rates for Chlorophycean mats (k = 0.0066 and 0.0250 day−1, respectively) and cyanobacteria released considerably more P back to the water column. Our findings suggest that periphyton can be an important short-term sink for P in treatment wetlands and that retention is strongly affected by the taxonomic composition of the periphyton assemblage.
Influences of artificial lighting on the seaward orientation of hatchling loggerhead turtles Caretta caretta

Abstract The seaward orientation behavior of hatchling loggerhead turtles Caretta caretta when exposed to five different artificial light sources (high-pressure) and low-pressure sodium vapor, and yellow, red, and white incandescent lamps) was examined. Each light source affected hatchling sea-finding performance either in direction of orientation or width of dispersion. Hatchlings were attracted to light sources emitting short-wavelength visible light and long-wavelength sources that excluded intermediate wavelengths. A negative response was observed toward sources emitting predominately yellow light. For this reason, low-pressure sodium vapor (LPS) luminaires, which emit only yellow light, are expected to affect loggerhead hatchling sea-finding minimally, if positioned behind the primary dune. LPS luminaires positioned between emerging hatchlings and the ocean, however, will disrupt hatchling orientation.