cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
New records of ectoparasites from passerine birds in the High Tatras of Slovakia

During the summer of 2015, 52 passerine birds, representing 16 genera and 19 species were captured at a field site in the High Tatra Mountains, Tatranska Javorina, Slovakia. These birds were examined for ectoparasites, including chewing lice (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera), fleas (Siphonaptera), flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae), and feather mites (Acari). A list of host-parasite associations is provided, along with data on parasite prevalence and intensity. Many of the records are known host associations, but two species of lice (one named, one unnamed) represent new host records.
Two Security Symposia

Attendees report onthe IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy and the Almaden Institute Symposium on Privacy. Speakers from various affiliations discussed everything from mechanical locks to privacy policies.
The Relational Co-Construction of Selves: A Postmodern Perspective

Viewed in postmodern perspective, psychotherapy functions less as a context for self-analysis or self-actualization than as a dialogic sphere for the co-construction of a new sense of identity within and beyond the therapeutic relationship. This article considers some of the implications of this shift for postmodern practice, focusing especially on the place of narrative and performance in consolidating a preferred sense of self.
An accounting framework for identifying internet abuse

Current accounting methods used by companies do not charge departments appropriately for Internet usage. The problem is compounded because information technology (IT) departments have lacked the ability and process to track Internet usage. Currently time and costs for Internet usage by departments are often allocated based on head count or perceived usage. This crude allocation method could result in disproportionate allocation and charges, some departments being attributed more than their share while other departments get "free rides." This paper recommends the use of an activity-based costing system for budgeting the costs associated with Internet usage. The costs thus budgeted can then be compared to actual costs to arrive at a variance. If such variance is unfavorable, and it is significant, then managers should be penalized as this could reflect abuse with respect to Web usage. Penalization could take the form of reducing departmental incomes by the variance. If managers are evaluated on departmental earnings, then there will be an incentive to investigate the problem and take remedial action.
Innovation in Enzyme Engineering

It is always a pleasure to present the keynote address because one has considerable latitude as to topic and content. This latitude is particularly appropriate for a discussion of enzyme engineering, because the initial interest in this field seems to have matured considerably over the past few years. Most of the simpler studies have been done and the obvious applications tested, yet much of the earlier promise of enzyme engineering still remains as undemonstrated potential. Although a review of some of the developments that have occurred since the 1973 conference appears appropriate, a strong argument for more innovative approaches to research and development in enzyme engineering seems of greater value for stimulating the proper evaluation and hopeful achievement of more of these potentials.
Respiratory Care Following Open Heart Surgery

Respiratory care of patients undergoing open heart surgery should begin in the preoperative period. Patients must stop smoking, and if obese they are encouraged to lose weight. Pulmonary infection is treated and secretions must be eliminated. Postoperative hypoxemia, which is an expected event following anesthesia and surgery, is aggravated by circulatory instability and pulmonary complications. Following open heart surgery pulmonary complications such as atelectasis, congestion, edema, postperfusion lung, pneumothorax, pleural effusion, and hemothorax are common. Respiratory care should be planned to avoid these complications and to treat them promptly should they occur. Routinely every patient is mechanically ventilated for at least 12 to 18 hours following surgery. The type of ventilator used and its parameters are adjusted according to the clinical condition of the patient to maintain adequate oxygenation and to prevent any respiratory acidosis. When indicated, PEEP is applied to improve arterial oxygenation. Respiratory care is extended for at least 5 days after termination of artificial ventilation. Oxygen therapy is given with either a nasal catheter or a mask, according to the patient's need. IPPB and physiotherapy are continued until the patient shows no signs of pulmonary infection and is capable of effectively eliminating secretions. This routine management and extended postoperative respiratory care definitely contribute to the successful outcome of open heart surgery.
Characterization of Small Incidental Indeterminate Hypoattenuating Hepatic Lesions: Added Value of Single-Phase Contrast-Enhanced Dual-Energy CT Material Attenuation Analysis.

OBJECTIVE. The objective of this study is to determine whether single-phase contrast-enhanced dual-energy CT (DECT) material attenuation analysis improves the characterization of small (< 2.0 cm) i...
The addition of chemotherapy in the definitive management of high risk prostate cancer

Abstract In attempt to improve long-term disease control outcomes for high-risk prostate cancer, numerous clinical trials have tested the addition of chemotherapy (CTX)—either adjuvant or neoadjuvant—to definitive local therapy, either radical prostatectomy (RP) or radiation therapy (RT). Neoadjuvant trials generally confirm safety, feasibility, and pre-RP PSA reduction, but rates of pathologic complete response are rare, and no indications for neoadjuvant CTX have been firmly established. Adjuvant regimens have included CTX alone or in combination with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Here we provide a review of the relevant literature, and also quantify utilization of CTX in the definitive management of localized high-risk prostate cancer by querying the National Cancer Data Base. Between 2004 and 2013, 177 patients (of 29,659 total) treated with definitive RT, and 995 (of 367,570 total) treated with RP had CTX incorporated into their treatment regimens. Low numbers of RT + CTX patients precluded further analysis of this population, but we investigated the impact of CTX on overall survival (OS) for patients treated with RP +/− CTX. Disease-free survival or biochemical-recurrence-free survival are not available through the National Cancer Data Base. Propensity-score matching was conducted as patients treated with CTX were a higher-risk group. For nonmatched groups, OS at 5-years was 89.6% for the CTX group vs. 95.6%, for the no-CTX group (P In summary, CTX was not shown to improve OS in this retrospective study. Multimodal regimens—such as RP followed by ADT, RT, and CTX; or RT in conjunction with ADT followed by CTX—have shown promise, but long-term follow-up of randomized data is required.
Doxycycline Reduces Scar Thickness and Improves Collagen Architecture.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of local doxycycline administration on skin scarring. BACKGROUND Skin scarring represents a major source of morbidity for surgical patients. Doxycycline, a tetracycline antibiotic with off-target effects on the extracellular matrix, has demonstrated antifibrotic effects in multiple organs. However, doxycycline's potential effects on skin scarring have not been explored in vivo. METHODS Female C57BL/6J mice underwent dorsal wounding following an established splinted excisional skin wounding model. Doxycycline was administered by local injection into the wound base following injury. Wounds were harvested upon complete wound closure (postoperative day 15) for histological examination and biomechanical testing of scar tissue. RESULTS A one-time dose of 3.90 mM doxycycline (2 mg/mL) within 12 hours of injury was found to significantly reduce scar thickness by 24.8% (P < 0.0001) without compromising tensile strength. The same effect could not be achieved by oral dosing. In doxycycline-treated scar matrices, collagen I content was significantly reduced (P = 0.0317) and fibers were favorably arranged with significantly increased fiber randomness (P = 0.0115). Common culprits of altered wound healing mechanics, including angiogenesis and inflammation, were not impacted by doxycycline treatment. However, engrailed1 profibrotic fibroblasts, responsible for scar extracellular matrix deposition, were significantly reduced with doxycycline treatment (P = 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS Due to the substantial improvement in skin scarring and well-established clinical safety profile, locally administered doxycycline represents a promising vulnerary agent. As such, we favor rapid translation to human patients as an antiscarring therapy.
Lipopolysaccharide Induces TLR4 Dependent Activation of VRAC (LRRC8) in Nodose Neurons and May thereby Impair Satiety Signal

Recent reports indicate that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) reduces the response of vagal afferent nodose neurons to CCK and leptin and thereby reduces satiety signaling and contributes to hyperphagia (d...
His Bundle Pacing Versus Biventricular Pacing for CRT

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) by the way of biventricular (BiV) pacing is an established component of heart failure treatment in selected patients and aims at reestablishing synchrony between right ventricular and left ventricular activation [1]. However, this form of cardiac excitation fails to emulate the multisite simultaneous endo- to epicardial activation resulting in torsional contraction, which is critical to achieve optimal cardiac output.
Soft Materials with Broadband and Near-Total Absorption of Sound

All the noise, noise, noise, noise\dots{} Attenuating broadband, low-frequency acoustic noise remains a longstanding societal need. Helmholtz resonators are often employed for sound abatement, yet their rigid enclosures yield narrowband sound absorption. This report investigates a soft resonator in which the structural response, acoustic field, and material properties synergistically combine to induce broadband, low-frequency, nearly total sound absorption. Analysis and experiment uncover the mechanisms that create such multiphysics coupling and subwavelength sound attenuation in soft matter, and the findings may inspire further concepts for lightweight sound-absorbing materials.
CHARACTERISTICS OF HIGH AFFINITY AND LOW AFFINITY ADENOSINE BINDING SITES IN HUMAN CEREBRAL CORTEX: 96

Binding characteristics of human cortical membrane fractions were evaluated to test the hypothesis that there are A1 and A2 adenosine binding sites. Binding of chloroadenosine was time dependent, reversible and concentration dependent. The Kd for chloroadenosine was 280 nM with a Bmax of 1.6 pmoles/mg protein. The apparent Kd was estimated to be 0.74 μM for 5'-N-ethylcarbox-amideadenosine, 1 μM cyclohexyladenosine, 13 μM N6-(L-2-phenylisopropyl)adenosine, 84 μM isobutylmethylxanthine and 105 μM theophylline. Hill slope factors ranged from 0.3 to 0.6. The kob was 0.080 min−1, the K1 7.5 × 104 min−1M−1, and the k2 .074 min−1. The Kd calculated from the rate constants was 990 nM. Cyclohexyladenosine binding was concentration dependent and the Kd was 5 nM with a Bmax of 0.35 pmoles/mg protein. Cyclohexyladenosine binding was displaced by N6-(L-2-phenylisopropyl)adenosine (Kd 4 nM), 2-chloroadenosine (Kd 10 nM), 5'-N-ethylcarboxamideadenosine (Kd 6 nM), isobutylmethylxanthine (4 μM) and theophylline (8 μM). Hill slope factors ranged from 0.5 to 0.8. Our data support the existence of two adenosine binding sites in human cortex compatable with low affinity (A2) and high affinity (A1) adenosine receptors.
Transcriptome-wide analysis of PGC-1α-binding RNAs identifies genes linked to glucagon metabolic action.

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α) is a transcriptional coactivator that controls expression of metabolic/energetic genes, programming cellular responses to nutrient and environmental adaptations such as fasting, cold, or exercise. Unlike other coactivators, PGC-1α contains protein domains involved in RNA regulation such as serine/arginine (SR) and RNA recognition motifs (RRMs). However, the RNA targets of PGC-1α and how they pertain to metabolism are unknown. To address this, we performed enhanced ultraviolet (UV) cross-linking and immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (eCLIP-seq) in primary hepatocytes induced with glucagon. A large fraction of RNAs bound to PGC-1α were intronic sequences of genes involved in transcriptional, signaling, or metabolic function linked to glucagon and fasting responses, but were not the canonical direct transcriptional PGC-1α targets such as OXPHOS or gluconeogenic genes. Among the top-scoring RNA sequences bound to PGC-1α were Foxo1, Camk1δ, Per1, Klf15, Pln4, Cluh, Trpc5, Gfra1, and Slc25a25. PGC-1α depletion decreased a fraction of these glucagon-induced messenger RNA (mRNA) transcript levels. Importantly, knockdown of several of these genes affected glucagon-dependent glucose production, a PGC-1α–regulated metabolic pathway. These studies show that PGC-1α binds to intronic RNA sequences, some of them controlling transcript levels associated with glucagon action.
Toward an Enlightened Form of Capitalism: The Changing Role of Private Organizations in the Context of Global Affairs

In today’s fast-changing world, the role of business, government, and civil society actors are being redefined. Enormous challenges related to climate change, inequality, populism, and technology necessitate that private sector organizations rethink their responsibilities and approaches. This provides opportunities as well as challenges. Based on our in-depth research on private sector organizations, as well as a systematic review of the most relevant developments related to the global economy over the last 15 years, this chapter lays out a framework of how enlightened capitalism can emerge, based on the novel approaches of impact-focused organizations. Analyzing the past and future of global affairs via the prism of the global economy, this chapter shows how purpose-orientation, co-opetition, innovative multi-stakeholder-partnerships, and community-led approaches grounded in an enlightened self-interest will shape the future of global affairs in the decades to come. It captures how, in a world of discontinuities and disruptions—in which the only constant is change—individuals and organizations can develop the capacity to deal with the unexpected and play an effective role in tackling society’s most pressing challenges.
Local Search with a SAT Oracle for Combinatorial Optimization

NP-hard combinatorial optimization problems are pivotal in science and business. There exists a variety of approaches for solving such problems, but for problems with complex constraints and objective functions, local search algorithms scale the best. Such algorithms usually assume that finding a non-optimal solution with no other requirements is easy. However, what if it is NP-hard? In such case, a SAT solver can be used for finding the initial solution, but how can one continue solving the optimization problem? We offer a generic methodology, called Local Search with SAT Oracle (LSSO), to solve such problems. LSSO facilitates implementation of advanced local search methods, such as variable neighbourhood search, hill climbing and iterated local search, while using a SAT solver as an oracle. We have successfully applied our approach to solve a critical industrial problem of cell placement and productized our solution at Intel.
Current Management of Patients with HCV Genotype 5 or 6

There are important geographical differences in prevalence and in the distribution of HCV genotypes. Genotype 5 was thought to be confined to South Africa, but isolates of genotype infection have been identified in France, Spain, Syria and Belgium. HCV genotype 5 is relatively highly conserved; one subtype, 5a, has been identified. HCV genotype 5 accounts for approximately 1·4 million cases of HCV infection worldwide; genotype 6 is genetically diverse, and 23 subtypes have been described to date. HCV genotype 6 represents about 1% of the total burden of HCV infection globally. Genotype 6 is found predominantly in Southeast Asia and Southern China. Combination direct-acting antivirals with pan-genotypic activity are now available for genotype 5 and 6. Primary treatments include sofosbuvir and velpatasvir or glecaprevir and pibrentasvir or sofosbuvir and ledipasvir. The combination of sofosbuvir, velpatasvir and voxilaprevir could be reserved for salvage treatment. In low-income countries, generic sofosbuvir and daclatasvir could also be considered to scale up treatment rates. Genotype 5 and 6 HCV will need to be included in elimination target sets for 2030.
Making it Complicated: Does Disparity in Access to Care Lead to More Perforated Appendicitis?

ABSTRACT Introduction Delays in obtaining care may lead to perforated appendicitis, increasing risk of morbidity and mortality. We previously explored the role of social determinants in patients undergoing cholecystectomy, finding that emergent presentation is associated with neighborhood Social Vulnerability Index (SVI). We hypothesize that social vulnerability is associated with increased incidence of perforated appendicitis. Methods We retrospectively identified patients presenting to our urban, academic hospital with acute appendicitis during a 9-month timeframe (11/2019 – 7/2020). Patients were classified as perforated or non-perforated. Patient SVI was determined using geocoding at the census tract level. Because rates of perforation were higher in older patients, we performed a subset analysis of patients ≥ 40 years. Results 190 patients were included. Patients with perforated appendicitis (n = 48, 25%) were older and were more likely to present to a clinic versus the emergency department (P = 0.009). Perforated patients had longer delay before seeking care (56% versus 6% with > 72 hours of symptoms, P Conclusions Contrary to our hypothesis, while perforation was associated with delayed care in this population, we did not find overall that social vulnerability or individual social determinants accounted for this delay.
Climate change will exacerbate maternal malnutrition globally

Maternal malnutrition is a major public health problem. Low pre-pregnancy weight, inadequate weight gain during pregnancy, and micronutrient deficiencies are significant risk factors for adverse pr...
The Ionic Atmosphere Effect on the Absorption Spectrum of a Flavoprotein: A Reminder to Consider the Importance of Solution Ions

Ionizable residues and monoatomic ions in solution modulate enzyme catalysis and the structural stability of proteins; however, the delicate interplay between these short-range charges and long-range charges, and their contributions to the electrostatic environment in a protein active site, is currently not fully understood. The study presented here utilizes the FMN-dependent NADH:quinone oxidoreductase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 (NQO, EC 1.6.5.9, UniProtKB Q9I4V0) as a model system to study the effect of introducing an active site negative charge on the flavin absorption spectrum both in the absence and presence of a long-range electrostatic potential coming from solution ions. Using pH-dependent UV-visible spectroscopy, there were no observed changes in the flavin absorption spectrum when an active site tyrosine (Y277) deprotonated in vitro. These results could only be reproduced computationally using Average Solvent Electrostatic Configuration (ASEC) hybrid quantum mechanics / molecular mechanics (QM/MM) simulations that included both positive and negative solution ions. The same calculations performed with minimal ions to neutralize protein charges predicted that deprotonating Y277 would significantly affect the flavin absorption spectrum. Analyzing the distribution of solution ions from ASEC and radial distribution functions derived from molecular dynamics indicated that the solution ions reorganize around the protein surface upon Y277 deprotonation to cancel the effect of the tyrosinate on the flavin absorption spectrum. Biochemical experiments were performed to support this hypothesis. This work highlights the importance of salt ions, which are sometimes overlooked, since they can contribute a non-uniform and anisotropic long-range potential to the electrostatic environment of an active site.
Originalism as Faithfulness

Eric Segall's Originalism as Faith is a quick, easily-digestible summary of the conventional wisdom about the Supreme Court's relationship to original meaning for large portions of the legal academy. Prominent textbook authors like Deans Erwin Chemerinsky and Geoffrey Stone tout it as "masterful" and "persuasive." Originalism is false, Segall contends, because its adherents on the Court apply it selectively at best. If even the justices who most prominently claim to follow original meaning don't take it as binding, why should anyone else? The "faith" of which Segall's title speaks is a faith in the Supreme Court to govern its decisions by historical standards: a "faith that some combination of text, originalist-era evidence, and history can constrain Supreme Court decision making." This faith is misplaced, because the Court cannot do so. Originalism as Faith has one big virtue but four main flaws. Segall properly points out elements of hypocrisy from originalists on the Court, but draws the wrong lesson from that hypocrisy, and muddies three crucial distinctions in constitutional law: between Court and Constitution, between epistemology and ontology, and between application and meaning.
Splicing of tRNA Precursors

This chapter reviews what is known about the mechanism of precursor tRNA splicing: (i) the tRNA substrates for the splicing reaction, (ii) the enzymes involved in removing the introns to form the mature tRNA, (iii) interactions between these enzymes and their tRNA substrates and cofactors, (iv) the organization of tRNA splicing in the nucleus, (v) the identity of splicing mutants that affect the enzymatic machinery, (vi) current knowledge about the differences and similarities of tRNA splicing in systems of various organisms, and (vii) the possible function of tRNA introns.
Microlensing Searches for Extrasolar Planets: Current Status and Future Prospects

I review results from, and future prospects for, microlensing searches for extrasolar planets. Analyses of well-sampled microlensing light curves by several collaborations have demonstrated that current searches are sensitive to Jupiter-mass planets with few AU separations from M-dwarfs in the Galactic bulge. To date, however, no unambiguous planetary detections have been made. Detailed analysis has shown that this null result implies that <33% of typical stars (i.e. M-dwarfs) in the Galactic bulge have Jupiter-mass companions with separations between 1.5 and 4 AU, and <45% have three-Jupiter-mass companions between 1 and 7 AU. The recent dramatic increase in the number of alerts per year will allow ongoing microlensing searches to probe companion fractions of a few percent within a few years.
Response to second generation antipsychotics in youth with comorbid bipolar disorder and autism spectrum disorder.

SUMMARY Objective: To assess the impact of comorbid autism spectrum disorders (ASD) on the response to second-generation antipsychotics (SGA) in pediatric bipolar disorder (BPD). Methods: Secondary analysis of identically designed 8-week open-label trials of SGA monotherapy (risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, ziprasidone, or aripiprazole) in youth with BPD. Results: Of the 151 BPD subjects 15% (n= 23) met criteria for comorbid ASD. There were no differences in the rate of antimanic response (YMRS change ≥30% or CGI-Improvement ≤2: 65% vs. 69%; P= 0.7) in the presence of comorbid ASD. Conclusion: No difference observed in the rate of antimanic response or tolerability to SGA monotherapy in the presence of ASD comorbidity.
The Effect of Government Size on the Steady-State Unemployment Rate: An Error Correction Model

The relationship between government size and the unemployment rate is investigated using an error-correction model that describes both the short-run dynamics and long-run determination of the unemployment rate. Using data from twenty OECD countries from 1970 to 1999 and after correcting for simultaneity bias, we find that government size, measured as total government outlays as a percentage of GDP, plays a significant role in affecting the steady-state unemployment rate. Importantly, when government outlays are disaggregated, transfers and subsidies are found to significantly affect the steady-state unemployment rate while government purchases of goods and services play no significant role.
Virtual and Augmented Reality based assembly design system for personalized learning

Recent technological advances have revolutionized the way humans interact with computers and the world around them. These technological advances have significantly changed science and engineering practices and it has become imperative to bring these changes into engineering classrooms. This paper presents the development of a Virtual and Augmented Reality (VAR) based personalized learning environment. The VAR environment provides a virtual instruction based pedagogical tool which integrates virtual models and visual cues to teach engineering design. With machine design as the theme, the learning environment immerses students in practical assembly design challenges, where student can interact with real and virtual machine part objects in presence of interactive and guided support.
Uptake of homologous single-stranded fragments by superhelical DNA. III. The product and its enzymic conversion to a recombinant molecule.

Abstract When superhelical DNA (RFI) † of phages φX174 or G4 takes up a homologous single-stranded fragment, RF DNA and fragment are linked by as many as 300 base-pairs, and a corresponding length of one strand of the RFI is displaced, forming a displacement loop (D-loop). The length of the base-paired region was estimated from the fraction of the associated 32 P-labeled fragment that was resistant to digestion by exonuclease VII, as well as by electron microscopy. Dissociation of the fragment by heating was characterized by a sharp melting curve. The displaced strand of the RF DNA was digested by two endonucleases that act on single-stranded DNA, the S 1 nuclease of Aspergillus oryzae and the recBC DNAase of Escherichia coli . Acting on complexes, both enzymes converted the form I [ 3 H]DNA into form II DNA, and left some of the associated 32 P-labeled fragment undigested. The remaining 32 P-labeled fragment could no longer be displaced by branch migration, as expected if the displaced strand of the RF DNA were digested. The action of S 1 nuclease also produced the amount of acid-soluble 3 H expected from digestion of the D-loop. Treatment of such digested complexes with polynucleotide ligase covalently linked about 35% of the remaining 32 P-labeled fragment to 3 H-labeled strands, which proves that S 1 nuclease digested the D-loop.
PMD effects in fiber-based Raman amplifiers

We develop a vector theory to study the PMD effects on Raman amplification and use it to show that PMD not only makes the Raman gain to depend on signal polarization but also induces large fluctuations in the amplified signal.
Assessing the Effects of a Work-Based Antipoverty Program for Parents on Youth's Future Orientation and Employment Experiences

The impacts of New Hope, a 3-year work-based antipoverty program to increase parent employment and reduce poverty, on youth ages 9-19 (N = 866) were assessed 5 years after parents left the program. New Hope had positive effects on the future orientation and employment experiences of boys, especially African American boys. Compared to boys in control group families, boys in program group families were less cynical about work, less pessimistic about their employment prospects, and more involved in employment and career preparation. They also worked for longer periods during the school year than did control group boys. Comparable effects were not found for girls. The developmental significance of the findings, possible processes that led to the impacts, and the policy implications of the findings are discussed.
Directed Evolution of Protein-Based Neurotransmitter Sensors for MRI

The production of contrast agents sensitive to neuronal signaling events is a rate-limiting step in the development of molecular-level functional magnetic resonance imaging (molecular fMRI) approaches for studying the brain. High-throughput generation and evaluation of potential probes are possible using techniques for macromolecular engineering of protein-based contrast agents. In an initial exploration of this strategy, we used the method of directed evolution to identify mutants of a bacterial heme protein that allowed detection of the neurotransmitter dopamine in vitro and in living animals. The directed evolution method involves successive cycles of mutagenesis and screening that could be generalized to produce contrast agents sensitive to a variety of molecular targets in the nervous system.
Does familiarity breed respect? Physician attitudes toward nurse practitioners in a medically underserved state

Purpose: An evolving primary care environment underscores the importance of physician and nurse practitioner (NP) interactions. We analyze how physician characteristics and close working relationships (presence of NPs in practice) influence physicians’ attitudes toward NPs. Data sources: Bivariate analyses of 2007–2008 Missisisppi Physician Workforce Study survey data (response rate 23.3%) identified Mississippi physician characteristics associated with having NPs in practices and discrete NP-attitudinal items. Generalized physician attitudes toward NPs were modeled using multivariate regression. Conclusions: Generalists, physicians in public sector employment and physicians in larger practices are more likely to work in practices that also include NPs. Physicians working with NPs are somewhat younger than those who do not. Regression analysis indicates that male physicians had less-positive attitudes toward NPs, while physicians who practice alongside NPs and who have been in practice longer have the most positive generalized attitudes toward NPs. Implications for practice: Physicians who work in the same practice with NPs have more positive attitudes toward them. However, regardless of work arrangements, MS physicians are reluctant for NPs to practice independently. Physicians with early collaborative training with NPs may have more positive attitudes, but even such exposure will not necessarily lead physicians to support NPs’ independent practice.
Foxa2 regulates lipid metabolism and ketogenesis in the liver during fasting and in diabetes

The regulation of fat and glucose metabolism in the liver is controlled primarily by insulin and glucagon. Changes in the circulating concentrations of these hormones signal fed or starvation states and elicit counter-regulatory responses that maintain normoglycaemia. Here we show that in normal mice, plasma insulin inhibits the forkhead transcription factor Foxa2 by nuclear exclusion and that in the fasted (low insulin) state Foxa2 activates transcriptional programmes of lipid metabolism and ketogenesis. In insulin-resistant or hyperinsulinaemic mice, Foxa2 is inactive and permanently located in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes. In these mice, adenoviral expression of Foxa2T156A, a nuclear, constitutively active Foxa2 that cannot be inhibited by insulin, decreases hepatic triglyceride content, increases hepatic insulin sensitivity, reduces glucose production, normalizes plasma glucose and significantly lowers plasma insulin. These changes are associated with increased expression of genes encoding enzymes of fatty acid oxidation, ketogenesis and glycolysis. Chronic hyperinsulinaemia in insulin-resistant syndromes results in the cytoplasmic localization and inactivation of Foxa2, thereby promoting lipid accumulation and insulin resistance in the liver. Pharmacological intervention to inhibit phosphorylation of Foxa2 may be an effective treatment for type 2 diabetes.
THE NX - BOREHOLE JACK: A LESSON IN TRIALS AND ERRORS

Abstract The NX-borehole jack is a widely used tool for estimating the deformability of rock masses in situ. It applies uni-directional pressure to the walls of a rock borehole by means of two steel platens. In theory, the analysis of test data is straightforward; the modulus estimate requires a record of applied hydraulic pressure versus borehole diameter change, and a knowledge of the rock's Poisson's ratio. In practice, the above procedure, using the original theoretical formula, frequently has resulted in computing a material modulus which was demonstrably too low. This paper relates the history of attempting to explain the above discrepancy, and narrates the trials-and-errors which are attached to this supposedly simple instrument. Today, it is finally understood how one or more of the following factors can provide a low modulus estimate: • the longitudinal outward bending of the jack plates which gives artificially high readings of the displacement gauges; • the mismatch between borehole and jack platen radii, which would negate the full platen/rock contact assumed in the original analysis; and • tensile cracking of the intact rock, or tensile opening of natural joints around the borehole under jack loading The jack's theory was introduced in 1968. The initial analysis included an evluation of the effect of tensile cracking, perpendicular to the directionof loading, on the calculated modulus. The effect of discrete joints intersecting the borehole at various angles, at the location of the jack, was examined in 1971 and 1972, as well as the influence of a rock mass lacking tensile strength. The longitudinal bending hypothesis was proposed and quantified in 1976. The effect of radius mismatch was first mentioned in 1976 and correctly quantified in 1981 for oversize holes. This article relates the latest developments in correcting the original borehole jack analysis and in deriving the proper effect of radius mismatch for undersize holes. The paper is intended to augment the building block process for the borehole jack data analysis, as well as to be a vivid example of a not-so-simple solution to a ‘simple’ rock mechanics problem.
Microcalorimetric, Spectroscopic, and Kinetic Studies of Silica Supported Pt and Pt/Sn Catalysts for Isobutane Dehydrogenation

Abstract Kinetic, microcalorimetric, and Mossbauer spectroscopic studies were conducted to investigate the factors controlling the selectivity of isobutane conversion over silica-supported Pt and Pt/Sn catalysts. Kinetic studies show that addition of Sn to Pt enhances the selectivity for isobutylene formation at temperatures near 700 K. Mossbauer spectroscopic studies show that Sn interacts with Pt to produce a Pt/Sn alloy. Microcalorimetric investigations show that addition of Sn reduces the number of sites that strongly interact with hydrogen or carbon monoxide. The elimination of stronger adsorption sites may be caused by preferential blocking of sites by tin or weakening of sites due to ligand effects. However, strong adsorption sites are present on a Pt/Sn catalyst that exhibits high dehydrogenation selectivity. Microcalorimetric studies of ethylene adsorption suggest that addition of Sn inhibits the formation of highly dehydrogenated surface species. These results suggest that high dehydrogenation selectivity achieved by addition of Sn to Pt is caused by a decrease in the size of surface Pt ensembles.
Oxazolidinones Inhibit Cellular Proliferation via Inhibition of Mitochondrial Protein Synthesis

The oxazolidinones are a relatively new structural class of antibacterial agents that act by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis. The oxazolidinones inhibit mitochondrial protein synthesis, as shown by [35S]methionine incorporation into intact rat heart mitochondria. Treatment of K562 human erythroleukemia cells with the oxazolidinone eperezolid resulted in a time- and concentration-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation. The cells remained viable, but an increase in doubling time was observed with eperezolid treatment. Inhibition was reversible, since washing and refeeding of cells in the absence of compound resulted in a resumption of growth. The growth-inhibitory effect of the oxazolidinones did not appear to be cell type specific, and inhibition of CHO and HEK cells also was demonstrated. Treatment of cells resulted in a decrease in mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I levels, consistent with an inhibition of mitochondrial protein synthesis. Eperezolid caused no growth inhibition of rho zero (rho0) cells, which contain no mitochondrial DNA; however, the growth of the parent 143B cells was inhibited. These results provide a direct demonstration that the inhibitory effect of eperezolid in mammalian cells is the result of mitochondrial protein synthesis inhibition.
UNSTEADY TURBULENT HEAT TRANSFER IN TUBES

An analysis is made of the unsteady turbulent heat transfer in a circular tube whose wall temperature varies arbitrarily with time. The flow is steady and fully developed. The formulation permits the heat-transfer coefficient to vary with time and position in accordance with the energy conservation principle. This is in contrast to previous transient analyses where it was standard to use steady-state, fully developed coefficients. The first step in the analysis yields the heat-transfer response to a step jump in wall temperaiure, and this is then generalized by a superposition technique to apply to arbitrary time variations. Use of the generalized results is illustrated by application to the case where the wall temperature varies linearly with time. Comparison is made between the unsteady heat-transfer results of the present theory and those computed using steady-state heat-transfer coefficients.
Correlation Effects of the Antiferromagnetic Phase in the Hubbard Model

Using series expansion of local approach, the electron coupling between nearest-neighbour sites is considered to investigate the electron correlation effect in the Hubbard model. The results show that when the off-diagonal elements of the density matrix are considered in the calculation, it leads to an enhancement of double occupancy and are duce of the formation of the local moments. Mit einer Reihenentwicklung der lokalen Naherung wird die Elektronenkopplung zwischen Nachsten-Nachbar-Platzen betrachtet, um die Elektronenkorrelationseffekte im Hubbard-Modell zu untersuchen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, das Berucksichtigung der Nichtdiagonalelemente der Dichtematrix in der Berechnung zur Erhohung der Doppelbesetzung fuhrt und zur Reduzierung der Bildung der lokalen Momente.
Flame structure in fuel rich mono-dispersed sprays

Abstract The flame structure and the mechanism of the flame propagation in fuel sprays is studied through a one-dimensional, laminar, monodispersed spray of n-octane fuel. A hybrid Eulerian-Lagrangian method is used in this analyses. The results show that for sprays with small initial droplet radii (e.g., γ κ = 29.6 μ m), the flame structure resembles that of a premixed gaseous combustion. However, as the droplet size is increased, the flame becomes more heterogeneous. When droplet interaction is added to the model the heterogeneity of the flame is enhanced and large fluctuations both in the flame temperature and fuel vapor concentrations are observed.
Low back pain in a child associated with acute onset cauda equina syndrome: a rare presentation of an aggressive vertebral hemangioma: a case report.

Background Back pain prevalence in the pediatric age group is less compared with adults. There is a wide range of possible etiologies, and tumors such as primary spinal hemangiomas are uncommon. Most are incidental findings and asymptomatic; however, painful lesions can be presented in up to 0.9% to 1.2% of cases. These lesions can produce neurologic involvement either spinal cord compression or cauda equina syndrome as in our case. The aim of this study is to describe a case of low back pain in a child due to a vertebral hemangioma complicated with acute cauda equina syndrome, and performed a literature review that will help us to recognize this aggressive variance making an early treatment feasible. Methods A 13-year-old female, follow-up in an outer health care center due to a L1 vertebral hemangioma, characterized by 3 years of low back pain without neurologic symptoms presented to our emergency department with an acute cauda equina syndrome. Results An outside magnetic resonance imaging showed complete obliteration of the spinal canal at the level of the conus medullaris related to retropulsion of bone at L1. She underwent 2-stage surgical treatment: complete posterior L1 laminectomy and partial T12-L2 laminectomies, with partial L1 vertebrectomy and posterior fusion with instrumention from T11 to L3. Three weeks later, embolization before anterior fusion with inner body cage was performed. Forty months after surgery, she is doing well with no neurologic deficits. Conclusions Even though hemangiomas are not a common cause of back pain, they should be taken into account. It is important to recognize the aggressive variance so an early treatment could be performed. There is no enough clinical data to establish guidelines of management in children, therefore, the treatment should be individualized.
Histopathologic-Microbiologic Correlates of Invasiveness in a Mouse Model of Ascending Unobstructed Urinary Tract Infection

To clarify the usefulness of histopathology in evaluating invasiveness during acute cystitis and pyelonephritis in a mouse model of urinary tract infection, findings from bladder and kidney sections of mice inoculated transurethrally with Escherichia coli were compared with results of bladder, kidney, spleen, and blood cultures and with changes in peripheral blood leukocyte counts. All of the 14 bladder histopathologic abnormalities evaluated were significantly associated with a positive bladder culture, and 7 were associated with splenic infection. Histopathologic features of cystitis were present in some culture-negative bladders. Eleven of 12 renal histopathologic abnormalities evaluated were significantly associated both with a positive kidney culture and with splenic infection, and two correlated with the development of peripheral leukocytosis. Histopathologic features of pyelitis and nephritis permitted culture-positive kidneys to be categorized as exhibiting colonization only, pyelitis only, or pyelitis plus frank nephritis and demonstrated that some culture-negative kidneys exhibit signs of pyelitis and nephritis. These findings suggest that detailed, semiquantitative histopathologic evaluation can add to quantitative cultures in the assessment of bacterial urovirulence in the mouse model of ascending urinary tract infection.
Are symptoms of ADHD related to substance use among college students

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood disorder that often persists into adolescence and adulthood and has been associated with an increased risk for substance use. Due to improved treatment and educational policies, more students with high levels of ADHD symptoms are attending college despite continued ADHD symptoms. Little research has examined whether college students with higher levels of ADHD symptoms are at increased risk for heavy substance use compared to college students with few ADHD symptoms. The current study examined the relation of ADHD symptoms to substance use (e.g., cigarette smoking, alcohol use, marijuana use, and cocaine use). We hypothesized that greater ADHD symptomatology (inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, and total ADHD) would be related to higher rates of cigarette smoking, alcohol use, alcohol-problems, and illicit drug use. Participants were 889 college undergraduates who completed an online survey. Results suggest that ADHD symptoms, particularly inattentive symptoms, were positively associated with cigarette smoking and problems associated with alcohol after controlling for conduct disorder (CD) symptoms. ADHD symptoms were not significantly associated with alcohol use or illicit drug use after the effects of CD symptoms were accounted for. Results have important implications for prevention and treatment of college student substance use. Limitations and future directions are discussed.
Enhanced RNA polymerase activity in skeletal muscle undergoing hypertrophy

Abstract Increased microsomal RNA is characteristic of skeletal muscle undergoing hypertrophy and appears to contribute to enhanced protein synthesis in the tissue. Accordingly, RNA synthesis was studied in rat solei undergoing compensatory hypertrophy by measurement of the incorporation of 14 C-orotic acid into RNA in vivo and by assay of the activity of RNA polymerase in isolated nuclei at several time intervals after tenotomy of the synergistic gastrocnemius muscles. Solei from sham-operated contralateral limbs served as controls. Increased synthesis of RNA in vivo was apparent within 24 hr after the stimulus to hypertrophy. However, augmented activity of RNA polymerase in isolated nuclei in vitro was not demonstable until 48 hr later, at a time when microsomal RNA content was already elevated. The results are compatible with the view that an early alteration in the intracellular environment leads to increased activity of RNA polymerase in the cell resulting in the increased RNA synthesis characteristic of early hypertrophy. On the other hand, the increased activity of RNA polymerase in isolated nuclei in vitro , observed considerably later, appears to represent a secondary adaptation to physiologic stress in which the actual quantity of RNA polymerase is increased.
Comparison of models for parameter estimation in broad-line NMR spectra

Abstract The effects of finite acquisition time, improperly chosen sampling time, and spectrometer dead time on broad-line NMR spectra are examined. A discrete Fourier-transform model equation for a nonlinear least-squares analysis that overcomes these limitations is derived. A nonlinear regression method is used to perform the nonlinear least-squares fit of the simulated and experimental data. The accuracy of the proposed model is compared with those of the conventional Lorentzian and the time-domain models. It is shown that the proposed discrete Fourier-transform model yields higher accuracy than the conventional Lorentzian line. The accuracy of the estimation of the proposed discrete Fourier-transform model is similar to that of time-domain model; however, its uncertainty level is lower.
Recovery heart rate: An indicator of cardiovascular risk among middle school children

Recovery heart rate (RHR) has been used in adults to evaluate cardiovascular (CV) fitness, but less is known about RHR in children. Data from 1,276 participants in Project Healthy Schools, a school-based intervention in southeast Michigan, were collected. In addition, to demographic characteristics, physiologic factors examined included body mass index (BMI), lipid and glucose levels, blood pressure, and HR. Information on diet, physical activity, and sedentary behavior was collected through self-report. RHR was determined by measurement of HR after a 3-minute step test. Using quartiles of RHR as a marker of fitness, associations with demographic, physiologic, and behavioral factors were explored using χ2 and Student t tests. Compared with children in the lowest quartile of RHR (i.e., most fit), those in the upper quartile of RHR (i.e., least fit) had greater mean LDL cholesterol (93.0 vs. 86.7 mg/dL; P = 0.02) and lower mean HDL cholesterol (50.9 vs. 55.9 mg/dL; P < 0.001). Children in the upper 95 % of BMI had greater mean RHR compared with those in the normal BMI range (116.6 vs. 100.3 kg/m2). Children in the upper quartile of RHR reported fewer days of vigorous to moderate exercise per week compared with children in the lowest quartile of RHR [4.8 vs. 4.1 (P < 0.001) for moderate exercise and 3.6 vs. 3.0 (P = 0.001) for vigorous exercise]. Among middle school children, RHR appears to be associated with physiologic parameters and health behaviors. RHR may be useful for identifying children at increased risk for developing CV risk factors.