cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modulation of visceral hyperalgesia by morphine and cholecystokinin from the rat rostroventral medial medulla

Abstract Using a model of visceral nociception, we examined whether cholecystokinin (CCK) acts as an anti-opioid peptide in the rat rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM). Because such interaction may be affected by inflammation, rats with and without inflamed colons were studied. The visceromotor response to noxious colorectal distension (CRD), quantified electromyographically, was recorded before and after intra-RVM administration of CCK, CCK receptor antagonists, and morphine. Either 50% ethanol/saline (vehicle) or 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS), which inflames the colon, was instilled into the colon 5 days before experiments. Intra-RVM morphine dose-dependently attenuated responses to CRD in intracolonic vehicle-treated rats. In TNBS-treated rats with inflamed colons, responses to CRD were significantly increased and 0.3, 3.0 and 6.0 μg doses of intra-RVM morphine reduced responses to control (i.e. were anti-hyperalgesic); the greatest dose tested (30 μg) further reduced responses to 40% control. In intracolonic vehicle-treated rats, intra-RVM pre-treatment with a selective CCK B (but not CCK A ) receptor antagonist dose-dependently and significantly enhanced the effect of a low dose of morphine. Intra-RVM CCK-8 peptide enhanced responses to CRD in intracolonic vehicle-treated, but not TNBS-treated rats. Intra-RVM naloxone was without effect in intracolonic vehicle-or TNBS-treated rats, suggesting an absence of tonic opioid activity in RVM. These results document a CCK-opioid interaction in RVM, suggesting that colon inflammation leads to tonic activity at CCK B receptors in RVM.
Use of deep sea manganese nodules as catalysts for reduction of nitric oxide with ammonia

Abstract The reduction of nitric oxide with ammonia was studied by use of deep sea manganese nodules as the catalyst. Temperatures in the range of 200–300°C were used. The initial concentrations of nitric oxide and ammonia were in the range of 500–1500 ppm and 500–1800 ppm, respectively. Total flow rates varied from 200 to 450 1.h−1, with helium as the carrier gas. An empirical rate expression was developed. The manganese nodules were found to be as effective as some commercial catalysts in the NO-NH3 reaction.
Microtubular protein: synthesis and metabolism in developing brain.

In the developing mouse brain 40 percent of the labeled soluble protein found found after injection of leucine-C14 consists of subunits with a molecular weight of 60,000 and with other characteristics of microtubular protein. This protein has a half-life of about 4 days.
Which individuals with acute pain are most likely to develop a chronic pain syndrome

Recent prospective studies of risk factors for the development of chronic pain in individuals with acute pain are reviewed. Particular attention is paid to the finding that severe acute pain is a risk factor for three chronic pain syndromes: phantom pain, postherpetic neuralgia, and chronic back pain. Biomedical and psychosocial risk factors for these chronic pain syndromes have also been identified, and a model is proposed of the relationships between these risk factors and acute pain severity. The implications of these risk factors for designing interventions to prevent the development of chronic pain are discussed, and directions for future research are identified.
‘God’s Totalitarianism’: Ecumenical Protestant Discourse during the Good War, 1941–45

Abstract This essay looks at the American liberal/ecumenical Protestant response to the rise of totalitarian states during the 1930s and 1940s. A Theological Discussion Group, which included Reinhold Niebuhr and a number of other prominent young churchmen, lent their talents to the progress of a ‘World Christian Community’. They hoped global Protestantism could act as a countervailing force to secular nationalist rivalry. In turn, World Council of Churches leaders presented World War II as the ‘rescue of Christendom’ to parishioners and politicians. They imagined the creation of a postwar ‘new Christendom’ with Catholics. While their totalising discourse served the purpose of distinguishing their agenda from Americanisation and other secular crusades, it did involve them for a season in the very reform strategies that religious liberals supposedly opposed.
Discrete choice models and the housing price and travel to work elasticities of location demand

Abstract Multinomial logit and nested logit models of mode choice in travel to work and housing location choice are estimated from 1970 U.S. census data aggregated to small zones of the Chicago SMSA. The estimated models are then used to derive the “housing rent,” “travel time,” and “travel cost” elasticities of location demand. The effects of sampling variation, sample size, attribute inclusion, model specification, and estimation method on the estimated elasticities are evaluated and found to be important. The elasticities are also compared and found to agree with those obtained from other discrete choice models and, in the case of “housing rent,” with estimates obtained from models based on other theoretical structure.
Deembedding of lossy Foster networks

Data-processing procedures are described, which should be useful for measurement of the radiation Q factors of small antennas such as microstrip patch antennas or dielectric-resonator antennas. Typical values of radiation Q factors are quite low, of the order of ten or even smaller. Two equivalent Foster-type networks are proposed, modified for the presence of losses: one for the single resonance behavior, and another for the dual resonance behavior. The individual network elements are determined by optimization. A least squares procedure is described that can provide a good estimate for the starting values of the optimization.
Successful treatment of calcific uremic arteriolopathy in a pediatric dialysis patient

Calcific uremic arteriolopathy (CUA) is a rare, life-threatening disease, typically affecting patients with end-stage renal disease. It is characterized by widespread vascular calcification, endothelial fibrosis and end-organ ischemia. The mortality rate is high with infection and sepsis being the most common causes of death. Common therapies include restoration of calcium and phosphorous homeostasis, wound care and pain control. Although soft tissue calcification is a known complication in children with advanced renal disease, the incidence of CUA in pediatrics remains unknown. Additionally, current literature regarding its management in pediatric patients is lacking. We report the case of a 17-year-old African–American male patient with end-stage renal disease secondary to Wegener’s granulomatosis who developed CUA after 3 years on peritoneal dialysis. Treatment with sodium thiosulfate (STS) and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy alone was ineffective, forcing the patient to undergo bilateral below the-knee-amputation (BKA) 5 months after presentation. It was not until peritoneal dialysis had been changed to daily hemodialysis, while continuing STS and HBO therapy, that the patient demonstrated complete resolution of CUA on repeat bone scan. Based on these findings, and the extremely high mortality rate associated with this disease, CUA management requires early and aggressive intervention with multi-faceted therapy, including prompt conversion from peritoneal dialysis to hemodialysis, STS infusions and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
BOLD-fMRI of PTZ-induced seizures in rats.

Abstract Purpose: To develop a non-invasive method for exploring seizure initiation and propagation in the brain of intact experimental animals. Methods: We have developed and applied a model-independent statistical method – Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) – for analyzing BOLD-fMRI data following administration of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) to intact rats. HCA clusters voxels into groups that share similar time courses and magnitudes of signal change, without any assumptions about when and/or where the seizure begins. Results: Epileptiform spiking activity was monitored by EEG (outside the magnet) following intravenous PTZ (IV-PTZ; n = 4) or intraperitoneal PTZ administration (IP-PTZ; n = 5). Onset of cortical spiking first occurred at 29 ± 16 s (IV-PTZ) and 147 ± 29 s (IP-PTZ) following drug delivery. HCA of fMRI data following IV-PTZ (n = 4) demonstrated a single dominant cluster, involving the majority of the brain and first activating at 27 ± 23 s. In contrast, IP-PTZ produced multiple, relatively small, clusters with heterogeneous time courses that varied markedly across animals (n = 5); activation of the first cluster (involving cortex) occurred at 130 ± 59 s. With both routes of PTZ administration, the timing of the fMRI signal increase correlated with onset of EEG spiking. Conclusions: These experiments demonstrate that fMRI activity associated with seizure activity can be analyzed with a model-independent statistical method. HCA indicated that seizure initiation in the IV- and IP-PTZ models involves multiple regions of sensitivity that vary with route of drug administration and that show significant variability across animal subjects. Even given this heterogeneity, fMRI shows clear differences that are not apparent with typical EEG monitoring procedures, in the activation patterns between IV and IP-PTZ models. These results suggest that fMRI can be used to assess different models and patterns of seizure activation.
Failure of metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty mimicking hip infection. A report of two cases.

New-generation metal-on-metal bearings made from cobalt-chromium alloys for use in total hip arthroplasty are now being utilized worldwide. A hypersensitivity reaction to a metal-on-metal bearing is a rare but reported complication and is thought to be a novel mode of failure of these implants1,2. These reactions were initially observed in patients with first-generation bearings and are now being reported in association with the second-generation metal-on-metal bearings currently in use3-5. Characteristic histological changes in the periprosthetic tissues obtained during revision surgical procedures in these patients have suggested the development of an immunological response2,6. Reports have suggested that the possibility of such a reaction should be considered when a patient presents with persistent, or the early reappearance of, preoperative pain symptoms, including a marked joint effusion, and the development of early osteolysis or radiolucent lines in the absence of infection2,7. Fever and elevated serum levels of inflammatory markers have routinely been reported to not occur in these patients. We describe two patients with failure of metal-on-metal implants who presented with signs that mimicked a deep-seated hip infection. To our knowledge, this has not been reported previously. Although the two cases were similar in terms of the clinical presentation, each ultimately represented a different pathological condition and etiology. The patients were informed that data concerning the case would be submitted for publication, and they consented. Case 1. A fifty-three-year-old man presented to our emergency department because of bilateral hip pain and episodes of low-grade fever three years after a bilateral metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty. A Pinnacle acetabular component with a cobalt-chromium metal bearing surface (DePuy Orthopaedics, Warsaw, Indiana) had been implanted bilaterally. The pain had been present since the surgery, and the patient had never stopped …
Musculoskeletal Injury in Arabian Racehorses: A Study of Injury Distribution and Prevalence in One Training Yard in the United Kingdom (2005–2012)

Aims There has been limited information regarding musculoskeletal injury in Arabian racehorses. This study aims to document the distribution of musculoskeletal injuries and their prevalence in a population of Arabians in flat training in one Newmarket yard. Methods A retrospective analysis of individual veterinary records for all horses in training in one Arabian racing yard during the period from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2012 was performed. Information including injury type, sex, age and limb affected were recorded. Injury categories included in the study were: 1) fractures involving the carpus, tarsus, proximal sesamoid bones and metacarpophalangeal/metatarsophalangeal joints; 2) stress fractures (pelvis, tibia, scapula, humerus, radius, metacarpus, metatarsus); 3) suspensory ligament branch desmitis; 4) superficial digital flexor (SDFT) tendonitis. Injuries which occurred as a result of trauma and those which may be associated with variable clinical signs were excluded. Results In 144 horses, 42 individual injuries occurring in 34 horses were recorded. Overall prevalence of horses sustaining musculoskeletal injury was 23.6%. Eight horses sustained more than one injury and 3 horses suffered re-injury (same site, same limb). Fractures of the proximal phalanx (P1) were the most common injury type (25/42, 59.5%), followed by SDFT tendonitis (8/42, 19.0%) and suspensory ligament branch desmitis (3/42, 7.1%). Musculoskeletal injury was most common in 4-year-olds. Gender was not significantly associated with overall musculoskeletal injury. Conclusions and practical significance A better knowledge of the distribution and prevalence of musculoskeletal injury in racing Arabians may allow earlier intervention and focus veterinary diagnostic efforts for injury detection. Acknowledgements The author is grateful for the co-operation of Mrs. G. Duffield and Shadwell Estate Management, Newmarket, UK. Ethical animal research This study, using client-owned animals, involves informed client consent. Sources of funding: None. Competing interests: None.
The Toxicology of Mercury

AbstractThe major physical forms of mercury to which humans are exposed are mercury vapor, Hg0, and methylmercury compounds, CH3HgX. Mercury vapor emitted from both natural and anthropogenic sources is globally distributed in the atmosphere. It is returned as a water-soluble form in precipitation and finds its way into bodies of fresh and ocean water. Land run-off also accounts for further input into lakes and oceans. Inorganic mercury, present in water sediments, is subject to bacterial conversion to methylmercury compounds that are bioaccumulated in the aquatic food chain to reach the highest concentration in predatory fish. Human exposure to mercury vapor is from dental amalgam and industries using mercury. Methylmercury compounds are found exclusively in seafood and freshwater fish. The health effects of mercury vapor have been known since ancient times. Severe exposure results in a triad of symptoms, erethism, tremor, and gingivitis. Today, we are concerned with more subtle effects such as preclinica...
Reduction of disulfide bonds in keratin with 1,4-dithiothreitol. I. Kinetic investigation

The kinetics of the reduction of disulfide groups in wool fibers with dithiothreitol has been investigated. The rate-controlling process appears to depend on the pH of the reducing solution and changes from diffusion control to reaction rate control as the pH is decreased from neutral to pH 3.50. Pseudo second-order kinetics, second-order with respect to the concentration of the disulfide groups in keratin, has been found to describe the experimental data at pH 3.50. An activation energy of 25 kcal/mole has been determined for the rate-controlling step at that pH value, as opposed to an activation energy of 13.4 kcal/mole for the diffusion-controlled process at neutral pH. Only about 85% of the disulfide groups are accessible to dithiothreitol under the conditions which were investigated.
40-Gbit/s OEIC on GaAs substrate through metamorphic buffer technology

An optoelectronic integrated circuit operating in the 1.55-/spl mu/m wavelength range was realized on GaAs substrate through metamorphic technology. High indium content layers, metamorphically grown on a GaAs substrate, were used to fabricate the optoelectronic integrated circuits (OEICs) with -3 dB bandwidth of 40 GHz and 210 V/W of calculated responsivity. The analog OEIC photoreceiver consists of a 12-/spl mu/m, top-illuminated p-i-n photodiode, and a traveling wave amplifier (TWA). This receiver shows 6 GHz wider bandwidth than a hybrid photoreceiver, which was built using comparable, but stand-alone metamorphic p-i-n diode and TWA. With the addition of a buffer amplifier, the OEIC shows 7 dB more gain than the hybrid counterpart. To our knowledge, this is the first 40 Gbit/s OEIC achieved on a GaAs substrate operating at 1.55 /spl mu/m.
Sensitivity analysis and assessment of prior model probabilities in MLBMA with application to unsaturated fractured tuff

[1] Previous application of maximum likelihood Bayesian model averaging (MLBMA, Neuman (2002, 2003)) to alternative variogram models of log air permeability data in fractured tuff has demonstrated its effectiveness in quantifying conceptual model uncertainty and enhancing predictive capability (Ye et al., 2004). A question remained how best to ascribe prior probabilities to competing models. In this paper we examine the extent to which lead statistics of posterior log permeability predictions are sensitive to prior probabilities of seven corresponding variogram models. We then explore the feasibility of quantifying prior model probabilities by (1) maximizing Shannon's entropy H (Shannon, 1948) subject to constraints reflecting a single analyst's (or a group of analysts') prior perception about how plausible each alternative model (or a group of models) is relative to others, and (2) selecting a posteriori the most likely among such maxima corresponding to alternative prior perceptions of various analysts or groups of analysts. Another way to select among alternative prior model probability sets, which, however, is not guaranteed to yield optimum predictive performance (though it did so in our example) and would therefore not be our preferred option, is a minimum-maximum approach according to which one selects a priori the set corresponding to the smallest value of maximum entropy. Whereas maximizing H subject to the prior perception of a single analyst (or group) maximizes the potential for further information gain through conditioning, selecting the smallest among such maxima gives preference to the most informed prior perception among those of several analysts (or groups). We use the same variogram models and log permeability data as Ye et al. (2004) to demonstrate that our proposed approach yields the least amount of posterior entropy (residual uncertainty after conditioning) and enhances predictive model performance as compared to (1) the noninformative neutral case in which all prior model probabilities are set equal to each other and (2) an informed case that nevertheless violates the principle of parsimony.
Intragroup Heterogeneity and Blackness: Effects of Racial Classification, Immigrant Origins, Social Class, and Social Context on the Racial Identity of Elite College Students

While the black population of the USA has grown more diverse with regard to ethnicity and class status, most research on racial identity relies on dichotomous proxies of racial group identification created during the civil rights era. Using a subset of the Multidimensional Inventory of Black Identity included in the National Longitudinal Survey of Freshmen, a representative sample of black students at twenty-eight selective American colleges and universities, we test how black student racial identity is related to students’ ethnic, nativity, socioeconomic, and contextual experiences in childhood. Our more nuanced measure of black racial identity shows that being Black/African American is central to the new generation of black elites’ self-identity and that, contrary to prior evidence and theorization that blacks are either assimilationist or nationalist, that black students express strong support for both assimilationist and nationalist ideological beliefs at the same time. In addition, students express strong tendencies toward group membership as well as individualism; race has less of an impact on how they feel about themselves and their social relationships. Further analyses reveal substantial variation in black identity between monoracial and mixed-race blacks, and between immigrant (both first and second generation) and native blacks, but few social class differences. Notably, childhood experiences of racial segregation and social disorganization are also strongly associated with black identity and racial ideologies.
Arginine Methylation of STAT1 Modulates IFNα/β-Induced Transcription

Transcriptional induction by interferons requires the tyrosine and serine phosphorylation of STAT transcription factors. The N-terminal region is highly homologous among the STAT proteins and surrounds a completely conserved arginine residue. Here we demonstrate arginine methylation of STAT1 by the protein arginine methyl-transferase PRMT1 as a novel requirement for IFNalpha/beta-induced transcription. Methyl-thioadenosine, a methyl-transferase inhibitor that accumulates in many transformed cells, inhibits STAT1-mediated IFN responses. This inhibition arises from impaired STAT1-DNA binding due to an increased association of the STAT inhibitor PIAS1 with phosphorylated STAT1 dimers in the absence of arginine methylation. Thus, arginine methylation of STAT1 is an additional posttranslational modification regulating transcription factor function, and alteration of arginine methylation might be responsible for the lack of interferon responsiveness observed in many malignancies.
Whistles as Potential Indicators of Stress in Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

We examined the possibility that parameters of bottlenose dolphin signature whistles may serve as indicators of stress. Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Sarasota Bay, Florida, were recorded during brief capture– release events, which are potentially a source of short-term stress to these dolphins, although no effects of chronic or long-term stress have been observed over the 37+-year duration of the research. Whistles recorded during both brief capture–release and undisturbed, free-ranging conditions were examined to determine whether whistle parameters differ during capture–release versus undisturbed conditions; at the beginning of a capture– release session versus at the end of a session; during an individual’s 1st capture–release session versus later capture–release sessions; and when a mother is caught and released with a dependent calf versus without a dependent calf (i.e., she has no dependent calf at the time of capture–release). We examined a variety of acoustic parameters, including whistle rate, number of loops (repetitive elements), maximum and minimum frequency, and loop, interloop, and whistle duration. We found that whistle rate and number of loops were greater during brief capture–release events than during undisturbed conditions; number of loops decreased and loop duration increased over the duration of a capture–release session; whistle rates decreased with number of capture–release sessions; and females caught and released with dependent calves produced whistles with higher maximum frequencies and shorter interloop intervals than when they did not have dependent calves. Thus, whistles appear to have potential as noninvasive indicators of stress in bottlenose dolphins. Further research is warranted in this area, for example by correlating physiological indices to whistle rates under varying levels of stress. Reliable, noninvasive correlates of stress could be used to monitor dolphins in a variety of circumstances, such as during exposure to anthropogenic noise.
Designing an observer-based controller for a network control system

We propose a numerical procedure to design a linear output-feedback controller for a remote linear plant in which the loop is closed through a network. The controller stabilizes the plant in the presence of delay, sampling, and dropout effects in the measurement and actuation channels. We consider two types of control units: anticipative and non-anticipative. In both cases the closed-loop system with delay, sampling and packet dropout effects can be modeled as a delay differential equation. Our method of designing the controller is based on the Lyapunov-Krasovskii theorem and a linear cone complementarity algorithm. Numerical examples show that our method is significantly better than the existing ones.
Cholinergic blockade and growth hormone responsiveness to insulin hypoglycemia.

SummaryAtropine in amounts sufficient to produce moderate signs and symptoms did not influence base-line plasma HGH values or the plasma HGH rise following insulin hypoglycemia. A relative refractory period in HGH responsiveness to insulin hypoglycemia was observed when insulin tolerance tests were performed on consecutive days.
What Can One Learn from the Learning Style Inventory?1

The Learning Style Inventory is exemplary of instruments used in experiential learning about whose measurement properties little is known. Investigation of the instrument using graduate business students (n = 1,692) cast doubt about its practical usefulness, although some support for the underlying theory was demonstrated. This research suggests that greater care be taken with other instruments before they are applied in experiential learning.
Semiblind frequency-domain timing synchronization and channel estimation for OFDM systems

In this article, we propose unit vectors in the high dimensional Cartesian coordinate system as the preamble, and then propose a semiblind timing synchronization and channel estimation scheme for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. Due to the lack of useful information in the time-domain, a frequency-domain timing synchronization algorithm is proposed. The proposed semiblind approach consists of three stages. In the first stage, a coarse timing offset related to the delayed timing of the path with the maximum gain in multipath fading channels is obtained. Then, a fine time adjustment algorithm is performed to find the actual delayed timing in channels. Finally, the channel response in the frequency-domain is obtained based on the final timing estimate. Although the required number of additions in the proposed algorithm is higher than those in conventional methods, the simulation results show that the proposed approach has excellent performance of timing synchronization in several channel models at signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) smaller than 6 dB. In addition, for a low-density parity-check coded single-input single-output OFDM system, our proposed approach has better bit-error-rate performance than conventional approaches for SNR varying from 3 to 8 dB.
Integrated component-based data acquisition systems for aerospace test facilities

The Multi-Instrument Integrated Data Acquisition System (MIIDAS), developed by the NASA Langley Research Center, uses commercial off the shelf (COTS) products, integrated with custom software, to provide a broad range of capabilities at a low cost throughout the system's entire life cycle. MIIDAS combines data acquisition capabilities with online and post-test data reduction computations. COTS products lower purchase and maintenance costs by reducing the level of effort required to meet system requirements. Object-oriented methods are used to enhance modularity, encourage reusability, and to promote adaptability, reducing software development costs. Using only COTS products and custom software supported on multiple platforms reduces the cost of porting the system to other platforms. The post-test data reduction capabilities of MIIDAS have been installed at four aerospace testing facilities. The systems installed at these facilities provide a common user interface, reducing the training time required for personnel that work across multiple facilities. The techniques employed by MIIDAS enable NASA to build a system with a lower initial purchase price and reduced sustaining maintenance costs. With MIIDAS, NASA has built a highly flexible next generation data acquisition and reduction system for aerospace test facilities that meets customer expectations.
Erratum to: Phylogenetic characterization and promoter expression analysis of a novel hybrid protein disulfide isomerase/cargo receptor subfamily unique to plants and chromalveolates.

Protein disulfide isomerases (PDIs) play critical roles in protein folding by catalyzing the formation and rearrangement of disulfide bonds in nascent secretory proteins. There are six distinct PDI subfamilies in terrestrial plants. A unique feature of PDI-C subfamily members is their homology to the yeast retrograde (Golgi-to-endoplasmic reticulum) cargo receptor proteins, Erv41p and Erv46p. Here, we demonstrate that plant Erv41p/Erv46p-like proteins are divided into three subfamilies: ERV-A, ERV-B and PDI-C, which all possess the N-proximal and C-proximal conserved domains of yeast Erv41p and Erv46p. However, in PDI-C isoforms, these domains are separated by a thioredoxin domain. The distribution of PDI-C isoforms among eukaryotes indicates that the PDI-C subfamily likely arose through an ancient exon-shuffling event that occurred before the divergence of plants from stramenopiles and rhizarians. Arabidopsis has three PDI-C genes: PDI7, PDI12, and PDI13. PDI12- and PDI13-promoter: β-glucuronidase (GUS) gene fusions are co-expressed in pollen and stipules, while PDI7 is distinctly expressed in the style, hydathodes, and leaf vasculature. The PDI-C thioredoxin domain active site motif CxxS is evolutionarily conserved among land plants. Whereas PDI12 and PDI13 retain the CxxS motif, PDI7 has a CxxC motif similar to classical PDIs. We hypothesize that PDI12 and PDI13 maintain the ancestral roles of PDI-C in Arabidopsis, while PDI7 has undergone neofunctionalization. The unusual PDI/cargo receptor hybrid arrangement in PDI-C isoforms has no counterpart in animals or yeast, and predicts the need for pairing redox functions with cargo receptor processes during protein trafficking in plants and other PDI-C containing organisms.
The effect of high-fidelity simulation on knowledge and confidence in critical care training: An integrative review

Patient outcomes in critical care have long been linked to provider experience, but with older providers retiring, it is becoming difficult to maintain a high-level of experience among the ICU staff. Innovative training methods that improve providers' knowledge and confidence may be able to make up for deficiencies in clinical experience. High-fidelity simulation training mimics clinical experience and has been extensively studied in the training of procedural skills, but what is the effect of this type of training on knowledge and confidence? To answer this question, we conducted a review of the literature for studies examining the effect of simulation training on knowledge and confidence among critical care providers. Seventeen papers were identified that met the inclusion criteria and a systematic approach was used to review the papers and synthesize the data. All 17 studies demonstrated an improvement in knowledge and while only 13 of the included studies examined the effect on provider confidence, all found an improvement. We conclude that high-fidelity simulation is a useful tool for improving knowledge and confidence among critical care providers and merits consideration for inclusion in critical care training programs.
Social Entrepreneurship in Communities: Examining the Collaborative Processes of Health Conversion Foundations Social Entrepreneurship Processes

The United States ranks low on many measures of population health. In addressing this societal problem, nonprofit health conversion foundations are emerging as important, local social entrepreneurs. We investigated the processes by which these organizations create and implement locally situated innovative approaches to promote health and wellness. Using an inductive, qualitative approach, we identified central themes by which conversion foundations, as social entrepreneurs, developed collaborative solutions to health. We found that they defined the social problem, generated social capital in the community, and educated potential partners. These mechanisms helped build a groundwork for collaboration among community actors. Conversion foundations then convened partners with complementary competencies to develop creative solutions. This research contributes to the literature on social entrepreneurship and nonprofits by expanding understanding of how foundations can foster community collaborations to develop innovative solutions to social problems. Further, this study sheds light on the activities and processes of nonprofit health conversion foundations as actors with the potential to improve population health.
Nonthermal plasma synthesis of metal sulfide nanocrystals from metalorganic vapor and elemental sulfur

Nanocrystal synthesis in nonthermal plasmas has been focused on elemental group IV semiconductors such as Si and Ge. In contrast, very little is known about plasma synthesis of compound nanocrystals and the time is ripe to extend this synthesis approach to nanocrystals comprised of two or more elements such as metal sulfides, oxides and nitrides. Towards this end, we studied, in an argon–sulfur plasma, the synthesis of ZnS, Cu2S and SnS nanocrystals from metalorganic precursors diethyl Zn(II), hexafluoroacetylacetonate Cu(I) vinyltrimethylsilane, and tetrakis(dimethylamido) Sn(IV), respectively. In situ optical emission spectroscopy was used to observe changes in relative concentrations of various plasma species during synthesis, while ex situ material characterization was used to examine the crystal structure, elemental composition and optical absorption of these nanocrystals. For a constant metalorganic vapor feed rate, the elemental composition of the nanocrystals was found to be independent of the sulfur flow rate into the plasma, above a small threshold value. At constant sulfur flow rate, the nanocrystal composition depended on the metalorganic vapor feed rate. Specifically, the ensemble metal atomic fraction in the nanocrystals was found to increase with increasing metalorganic vapor flow rates, resulting in more metal-rich crystal phases. The metalorganic feed rate can be used to control the composition and crystal phase of the metal-sulfide nanocrystals synthesized using this plasma process.
Digital Fabrication Technology in the Library: Where We Are and Where We Are Going

EDITOR'S SUMMARY Makerspaces are environments where crafters and techies can come together to create, share and learn. Many libraries support the maker movement by providing access to a variety of technologies from sewing machines and looms to recording equipment and production tools, an expansion of services that is in line with promoting literacy, community and lifelong learning. About one third of makerspaces charged a fee or required membership in 2013, though some, including libraries and museums, are supported by major funding agencies. Digital fabrication technology or 3D printers are increasingly available through library-based makerspaces and extend opportunities for STEM education, but libraries face challenges from high initial and ongoing costs, user training and even encouraging users in 3D thinking and design. 3D printers can be a powerful stimulus for creativity, learning and sharing, even promoting jobs and community development.
The Private Sector in China

The paper traces the history of the private sector in China from its rise to prominence in the 19th century to its near death experience under Mao, and its re-emergence in the reform era in which it is forced to co-exist and compete with Party controlled entities in ways that defy conventional definitions and the assumed distinctions between state owned enterprise and the private sector.
Lack of VEGFR2 signaling causes maldevelopment of the intestinal microvasculature and facilitates necrotizing enterocolitis in neonatal mice

The pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a common gastrointestinal disease affecting premature infants, remains poorly understood. We previously found that intestinal VEGF-A expression is decreased in human NEC samples and in a neonatal mouse NEC model prior to detectable histological injury. Therefore, we hypothesized that lack of VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) signaling facilitates neonatal intestinal injury by impairing intestinal microvasculature development. Here, we found that intestinal VEGF-A and its receptor, VEGFR2, were highly expressed at the end of fetal life and significantly decreased after birth in mice. Furthermore, selective inhibition of VEGFR2 kinase activity and exposure to a neonatal NEC protocol significantly decreased the density of the intestinal microvascular network, which was further reduced when both interventions were provided together. Furthermore, VEGFR2 inhibition resulted in greater mortality and incidence of severe injury in pups submitted to the NEC model. The percentage of lamina propria endothelial cells was decreased during NEC induction, and further decreased when VEGFR2 signaling was inhibited. This was associated with decreased endothelial cell proliferation rather than apoptosis. In conclusion, we found that VEGF-A and VEGFR2 proteins are highly expressed in the intestine before birth, and are significantly downregulated in the immediate neonatal period. Furthermore, VEGFR2 signaling is necessary to maintain the integrity of the intestinal mucosal microvasculature during the postnatal period and lack of VEGFR2 signaling predisposes to NEC in neonatal mice.
The Political Context in Antony and Cleopatra

H EV9 E have been dazzled by gorgeous poetry into seeing Antony and Cleopatra as almost entirely a love story. Our preoccupation with the central figures and their passion has led to conflicting interpretations of the play which alternately exalt the lovers into redemptive figures (the world well lost) or condemn them as examples of the consequences of lust.' My purpose is to suggest that we cease to neglect those features of the play which relate to the historical narrative and that if we view Antony and Cleopatra as rulers as well as lovers, we shall gain an understanding of the play and insights into their characters which we have missed hitherto.2 It is abundantly clear that Shakespeare had great respect for his source and followed Plutarch closely-too closely, some critics would have it.3 I contend simply that, far from including in the play irrelevancies to his central theme because they appear in Plutarch, Shakespeare saw a pattern and significance in the action he dramatizes, that it interested him enough so that he added to it, and that their political roles reveal to us a great deal about Antony and Cleopatra that we need to remember when interpreting their love story. For Shakespeare "the really important and interesting and relevant political lessons were those connected with princes ",4 and the actions of Antony, Cleopatra, and those around them exemplify several of these important political lessons. Antony is called a spacious mirror for Caesar (V. i. 33; all references to Antony and Cleopatra are to the Arden edition by Ridley [Cambridge, Mass., I956]), but the actions of great people ("In the name lay/ A moiety of the world") were examples for all:
The National Burn Information Exchange. The use of a national burn registry to evaluate and address the burn problem.

The National Burn Information Exchange (NBIE), a national voluntary data base founded in 1964, now contains over 99,000 patient care reports from 130 hospitals providing specialized burn care. Each year 6000 new cases, representing 610 of the 1740 burn beds in the United States, are added to this data base. Analysis of these data allows standardization of quality of care and gives insight into the variables of severity such as extent of injury, depth, age, and past medical history, as well as outcomes such as survival, length of stay, and cost of care.
A multi-omic future for microbiome studies.

Integration of multiple ‘omics’ technologies will allow researchers to gain a more complete picture of the constituents and functions of microbial communities and provide far richer information for predictive modelling of community phenotypes.
Identification of Complement-Receptor Lymphocytes (B Cells) in Lymph Nodes and Tumor Infiltrates

AbstractTo monitor the distribution of lymphocyte sub-populations infiltrating tumors, a simplified modification of standard techniques was developed to identify the complement-receptor B lymphocytes in frozen tissue sections. This technique is based on binding of antibody-coated bovine erythrocytes by B lymphocytes in the presence of sub-hemolytic concentrations of mouse complement. B lymphocytes can be identified in frozen tissue sections by adherent sensitized bovine erythrocytes.The specificity of the technique for B lymphocytes was established by 1) absence of spontaneous rosette formation with bovine erythrocytes by human T lymphocytes, 2) specific binding of bovine erythrocyte-antibody-complement complexes to B cell regions of normal lymph nodes and spleen and 3) binding of erythrocyte-antibody-complement to a high proportion of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (a B cell leukemia) lymphocytes.Five transitional carcinomas studied had regions of mononuclear infiltration that were virtually devoid of comp...
Processing cost and its consequences

I focus on two challenges that processing-based theories of language must confront: the need to explain why language has the particular properties that it does, and the need to explain why processing pressures are manifested in the particular way that they are. I discuss these matters with reference to two illustrative phenomena: proximity effects in word order and a constraint on contraction.
Does Inflammation Mediate the Obesity and BPH Relationship? An Epidemiologic Analysis of Body Composition and Inflammatory Markers in Blood, Urine, and Prostate Tissue, and the Relationship with Prostate Enlargement and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms

Background BPH is a common disease associated with age and obesity. However, the biological pathways between obesity and BPH are unknown. Our objective was to investigate biomarkers of systemic and prostate tissue inflammation as potential mediators of the obesity and BPH association. Methods Participants included 191 men without prostate cancer at prostate biopsy. Trained staff measured weight, height, waist and hip circumferences, and body composition by bioelectric impedance analysis. Systemic inflammation was estimated by serum IL-6, IL-1β, IL-8, and TNF-α; and by urinary prostaglandin E2 metabolite (PGE-M), F2-isoprostane (F2iP), and F2-isoprostane metabolite (F2iP-M) levels. Prostate tissue was scored for grade, aggressiveness, extent, and location of inflammatory regions, and also stained for CD3 and CD20 positive lymphocytes. Analyses investigated the association between multiple body composition scales, systemic inflammation, and prostate tissue inflammation against BPH outcomes, including prostate size at ultrasound and LUTS severity by the AUA-symptom index (AUA-SI). Results Prostate size was significantly associated with all obesity measures. For example, prostate volume was 5.5 to 9.0 mls larger comparing men in the 25th vs. 75th percentile of % body fat, fat mass (kg) or lean mass (kg). However, prostate size was not associated with proinflammatory cytokines, PGE-M, F2iP, F2iP-M, prostate tissue inflammation scores or immune cell infiltration. In contrast, the severity of prostate tissue inflammation was significantly associated with LUTS, such that there was a 7 point difference in AUA-SI between men with mild vs. severe inflammation (p = 0.004). Additionally, men with a greater waist-hip ratio (WHR) were significantly more likely to have severe prostate tissue inflammation (p = 0.02), and a high WHR was significantly associated with moderate/severe LUTS (OR = 2.56, p = 0.03) among those participants with prostate tissue inflammation. Conclusion The WHR, an estimate of centralized obesity, was associated with the severity of inflammatory regions in prostate tissue and with LUTS severity among men with inflammation. Our results suggest centralized obesity advances prostate tissue inflammation to increase LUTS severity. Clinically targeting centralized fat deposition may reduce LUTS severity. Mechanistically, the lack of a clear relationship between systemic inflammatory or oxidative stress markers in blood or urine with prostate size or LUTS suggests pathways other than systemic inflammatory signaling may link body adiposity to BPH outcomes.
"Mini-Residency" in Musculoskeletal Care: a National Continuing Professional Development Program for Primary Care Providers.

A cost-effective professional development program enhancing musculoskeletal (MSK) skills of physicians and allied health providers working in primary care settings has been reported at a single site. This article describes the first 2 years of the national expansion and implementation of a 3-day “MSK Mini-residency.” Faculty from Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers worked in partnership with national program faculty from the Salt Lake City VA to present an intensive, integrated, multidisciplinary program to strengthen the skills of primary care providers in evaluating and managing MSK conditions common in primary care. Course assessments included written surveys and a two-station observed structured clinical examination (OSCE) evaluating the physical examination of the shoulder and knee. In the first 2 years of the program, 13 VA facilities participated. Two hundred twenty-seven health care providers, including 135 physicians, were trained. Two hundred seven participants (91 %) completed all pre- and post-course written assessments and the two-station OSCE. The MSK Mini-residency program is an effective and well-received mixed-method educational initiative to strengthen the skills of primary care physicians and other health care providers in evaluating and managing patients with MSK complaints and to document their competence in performing physical examinations of the shoulder and knee. The 2-year experience in implementation suggests that this model of educational partnerships is a feasible approach to disseminating innovative educational programs in a way that preserves curricular consistency yet is adaptable to local needs.
Book Review. Home is Where the School Is: The Logic of Homeschooling and the Emotional Labor of Mothering.

This is a review of the book Home is Where the School Is: The Logic of Homeschooling and the Emotional Labor of Mothering , by Jennifer Lois.
What Is Different for Women Physicians

In the past decade medical schools have admitted substantially greater numbers of women students. Currently, 26.5% of matriculated students are women, compared with 9% in 1968.1 That women are no longer such a small minority and that their representation in the profession is continuing to increase are facts with far-reaching implications.