cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Online Palliative and End-of-Life Care Education for Undergraduate Nurses

The curricula of undergraduate nursing programs lack education in palliative and end-of-life care. If the topic is covered, it is generally within isolated lectures and rarely as a full course. With the growing demand for nursing competence in palliative care, curricula must adapt to also place emphasis on this important topic. The release in 2016 of the American Association of College of Nursing (AACN) Palliative Competencies and Recommendations for Educating Undergraduate Nursing Students (CARES) drew attention to the need for expanded undergraduate education on this topic. This paper describes the development and delivery of an undergraduate-level online nursing elective course in palliative and end-of-life care offered through a large public university. Innovative elements of the course include practicing difficult conversations using technology to enable active student engagement in an online environment, a serious game involving individual role play for treatment decision making, and special topic weeks allowing a deeper dive into seldom discussed populations such as the homeless, which the students described as playing an important role in contributing to their learning.
Information Technology Integration Effect on Operational Performance of Kenya's Public Health Sector

The purpose of the research is to examine the effect of information technology integration on the operational performance of the of Kenya’s public health sector level five hospitals in Kenya. The study examined the moderating role of public procurement to the relationship between information technology integration and operational performance . To test the extent of information technology integration and relationship with the operational performance of level five hospitals in Kenya was empirically tested utilizing a causal, non-experimental, and cross-sectional research design. Regression analysis was carried out based on data from 164 respondents. In general, the study results support the idea that information technology integration has a significant effect on operational performance (β1=0.411, p <0.05) with R2 of 0.449 implying that 44.9% of the variation of operational performance is attributed to information technology integration. Information technology integration is vital in coordinating the SCI dimensions leading to the improved operational performance of the health facilities. It finds that public procurement mediates the relationship between information technology integration and operational performance of the health sector as it is an enabler of improved working relationships with the suppliers.
High incidence of complications associated with shoulder girdle reconstruction utilizing a Stryker proximal humerus cap endoprosthesis following Tikhoff-Linberg resections

The Tikhoff-Linberg procedure is a limb salvage technique for tumours of the shoulder girdle which preserves function of the hand and elbow; however, shoulder function is limited. A humeral cap endoprosthesis (Stryker Orthopedics, Mahwah, NJ, USA) was developed within the Modular Replacement System (MRS) to act as a functional spacer for these defects; however, the outcomes of this implant have not been described. Thirty-three (17 male, 16 female) patients underwent a Tikhoff-Linberg procedure at our institution. Of these, 17 (11 females, 6 males) were reconstructed with a MRS humerus endoprosthesis. Outcomes and complications were compared between patients who were reconstructed (n = 17) and those who were not (n = 16). Complications occurred in 14 (42%) patients, with more complications in patients who were reconstructed (n = 11, 65% vs. n = 3, 19%, p = 0.01). Endoprosthetic complications included stress shielding of the bone/prosthesis interface (n = 7, 41%) and subluxation/instability (n = 5, 29%), leading to a revision surgery in two (12%). Post-operatively, the mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Score (MSTS93) was 67 ± 11%, with no difference in the mean MSTS93 between patients who were reconstructed and those who were not (67 ± 10% vs. 68 ± 12%, p = 0.77). Reconstruction with a MRS humerus cap endoprosthesis resulted in a high rate of complications following a Tikhoff-Linberg procedure. Stress shielding and subluxation were common, and as such, the use of this prosthesis is limited to cases where a standard implant is not a feasible option.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Treatment of Tinnitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the treatment efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in patients with tinnitus. DATA SOURCES PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched for the following concepts: "Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation" and "Tinnitus." STUDY SELECTION Inclusion: 1) double- or single-blinded randomized controlled trials; 2) double- or single-blinded randomized comparison trials; 3) prospective or retrospective observational studies; and 4) case series. Exclusion: Non-English studies, nonhuman studies, case reports (n ≤ 5), and review articles. DATA EXTRACTION Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and perceived tinnitus suppression after treatment. Additional data collected included tinnitus laterality, duration of symptoms, location of electrode placement, time to follow-up, etiology of tinnitus, and treatment side effects. DATA SYNTHESIS The literature search yielded 2941 unique articles. After reviewing 118 full-text articles, 17 studies reporting on 1,215 patients were included for final analysis. Four studies provided data available for meta-analysis of pre- and posttreatment THI and VAS (Cochrane Review Manager). TENS showed significant overall reduction on THI (-7.55 [-10.93 to -4.18], p < 0.0001) and VAS (-0.65 [-0.99 to -0.30], p < 0.0002). Subjective improvement of tinnitus was pooled across 13 studies using meta-analysis of proportions (MedCalc). Tinnitus suppression occurred in 40.0% [28.9-51.7%] patients. Among those who responded, 22.2% [12.2-29.7%] experienced complete suppression and 10.2% [0.2-31.9%] experienced persistent improvement at 3 months. CONCLUSIONS TENS represents a safe and feasible treatment option for tinnitus and might be a worthy consideration among the spectrum of interventions developed for tinnitus.
Circuit lower bounds for low-energy states of quantum code Hamiltonians.

The No Low-energy Trivial States (NLTS) conjecture of Freedman and Hastings (Quantum Information and Computation, 2014) -- which posits the existence of a local Hamiltonian with a super-constant circuit lower bound on the complexity of all low-energy states -- identifies a fundamental obstacle to the resolution of the quantum PCP conjecture. In this work, we provide new techniques, based on entropic and local indistinguishability arguments, that prove circuit lower bounds for all the low-energy states of local Hamiltonians arising from quantum error-correcting codes. For local Hamiltonians arising from nearly linear-rate and polynomial-distance LDPC stabilizer codes, we prove super-constant circuit lower bounds for the complexity of all states of energy $o(n)$ (which can be viewed as an almost linear NLTS theorem). Such codes are known to exist and are not necessarily locally-testable, a property previously suspected to be essential for the NLTS conjecture. Curiously, such codes can also be constructed on a two-dimensional lattice, showing that low-depth states cannot accurately approximate the ground-energy in physically relevant systems.
Elevated bands as a predictor of bloodstream infection and in-hospital mortality.

Abstract Objective Although >10% bands on a CBC has been a part of the definition for sepsis, scant data exists regarding the clinical significance of lower percentages of bands. Our aim was to determine whether any associations exist between percentage of bands on an initial CBC and likelihood of a bloodstream infection and in-hospital mortality. Methods We performed a retrospective study of emergency department adults from January 1, 2016 to September 1, 2019 who had a CBC with manual differential and blood cultures obtained during their initial evaluation. Band percentages were grouped into zero (0% bands), minimal (1–2% bands), mild (3–4% bands), moderate (5–10% bands) and high (>10% bands). The primary outcomes were bloodstream infections and in-hospital mortality. Results Increasing rates of bloodstream infections were observed as bands went from zero (95% CI: 9.3%–10.5%) to minimal (17.5%–19.1%, p Conclusion Elevated bands on an initial CBC were correlated with the likelihood of a concurrent bloodstream infection and in-hospital mortality, even at levels below 10%. Our results suggest that clinical suspicion for a bloodstream infection due to Gram-negative bacilli should rise if bands are elevated on an initial CBC. Therefore, clinicians should consider obtaining blood cultures if bands are elevated on an initial CBC.
A Crosstalk-Harnessed Signaling Enhancement that Eliminates Common-Mode Encoding

This paper presents an encoding variation on the Crosstalk-Harnessed Signaling (CHS) technique, aimed towards eliminating the common-mode eigenvector included in the Hadamard matrix for CHS encoding/decoding. This is accomplished by either removing the eigenvector or making it differential by concatenating matrices in a diagonal fashion, or by adding columns to the matrix; this results in a non-square matrix that delivers a larger number of signals to be routed in the interface. Simulation results show the signaling/routing overhead translates in a significantly higher performance for high-speed parallel interfaces with very high routing integration levels.
A Radiomic-based Machine Learning Algorithm to Reliably Differentiate Benign Renal Masses from Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Abstract Background A substantial proportion of patients undergo treatment for renal masses where active surveillance or observation may be more appropriate. Objective To determine whether radiomic-based machine learning platforms can distinguish benign from malignant renal masses. Design, setting, and participants A prospectively maintained single-institutional renal mass registry was queried to identify patients with a computed tomography–proven clinically localized renal mass who underwent partial or radical nephrectomy. Intervention Radiomic analysis of preoperative scans was performed. Clinical and radiomic variables of importance were identified through decision tree analysis, which were incorporated into Random Forest and REAL Adaboost predictive models. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis The primary outcome was the degree of congruity between the virtual diagnosis and final pathology. Subanalyses were performed for small renal masses and patients who had percutaneous renal mass biopsies as part of their workup. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate each model’s discriminatory function. Results and limitations A total of 684 patients met the selection criteria. Of them, 76% had renal cell carcinoma; 57% had small renal masses, of which 73% were malignant. Predictive modeling differentiated benign pathology from malignant with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.84 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.79–0.9). In small renal masses, radiomic analysis yielded a discriminatory AUC of 0.77 (95% CI 0.69–0.85). When negative and nondiagnostic biopsies were supplemented with radiomic analysis, accuracy increased from 83.3% to 93.4%. Conclusions Radiomic-based predictive modeling may distinguish benign from malignant renal masses. Clinical factors did not substantially improve the diagnostic accuracy of predictive models. Enhanced diagnostic predictability may improve patient selection before surgery and increase the utilization of active surveillance protocols. Patient summary Not all kidney tumors are cancerous, and some can be watched. We evaluated a new method that uses radiographic features invisible to the naked eye to distinguish benign masses from true cancers and found that it can do so with acceptable accuracy.
Cutting Edge: Requirement for IL-15 in the Generation of Primary and Memory Antigen-Specific CD8 T Cells

IL-15 and IL-15Rα are required for generation of memory-phenotype CD8 T cells in unimmunized mice. However, the role of IL-15 in primary expansion and generation of Ag-specific memory CD8 T cells in vivo has not been investigated. We characterized the CD8 T cell response against vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) in IL-15 −/− and IL-15Rα −/− mice. Surprisingly, IL-15 was required for primary expansion of VSV-specific CD8 T cells. The generation of VSV-specific memory CD8 T cells was also impaired without IL-15 signaling, and this defect correlated with a decrease in memory CD8 T cell turnover. Despite minimal proliferation without IL-15, a subset of memory cells survived long-term. IL-15Rα expression was low on naive CD8 T cells, up-regulated on Ag-specific effector cells, and sustained on memory cells. Thus, IL-15 was important for the generation and the subsequent maintenance of antiviral memory CD8 T cells.
Influence of a Spiral Gravitational Field on the Observational Determination of Galactic Structure

To investigate the nature and the extent of the influence of a spiral gravitational field on the observational determination of galactic structure, we examine several models of the solar vicinity, including a spiral gravitational field and the accompanying shocks. (These models are described in the Appendix.) We calculate the radial motions and the proper motions that would be observed from the solar vicinity. We then treat these theoretically calculated data by the conventional methods used for analyzing observational data. In this way, we hope to recover the galactic parameters originally adopted in our models. The accuracy of this process is then a measure of the uncertainty in the existing determinations of galactic constants, because of the influence of the spiral gravitational field.
Laparoscopic Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision (taTME) for Rectal Cancer

Proper treatment of adenocarcinoma of the rectum demands a systematic, multidisciplinary approach where surgery remains the cornerstone of treatment. An evolving shift toward minimally invasive surgical approaches for rectal cancer continues to be hampered by the challenges of reliable pelvic exposure and adequate instrumentation for rectal dissection, distal rectal division, and low pelvic anastomosis. The laparoscopic transanal total mesorectal excision surgery has been developed as a novel alternative that provides solutions to many of the limitations of conventional open, laparoscopic and robotic proctectomy. This manuscript will describe the procedure in detail and attempt to define its role as the optimal surgical approach for rectal resection.
Intoxication and Culpability

I tackle the difficult problem of specifying how voluntary intoxication affects criminal culpability generally and recklessness in particular. I contend that the problem need not be conceptualized as an instance of actio libera in causa, namely the situation in which persons do something at t1 to culpably create the conditions of their own defense at t2. Instead, I argue that we need only consider intoxicated defendants at t2 in order to justify their punishment. In the course of defending my view, I challenge conventional wisdom about both the nature of recklessness and the effects of intoxicants. I conclude by discussing a possible ground on which involuntary intoxication might be treated differently.
ON THE DESIRABILITY AND POSSIBILITY OF A POSITIVE SOCIOLOGY

The current crisis of sociological theory is due to our failure to do sociology as a positive science‐our failure to accept both explanation and prediction as the goal of theorizing, and to use predictive power as the primary criterion for assessing theories. It is argued that sociology as a positive science can advance sociological theory. It is also argued that a positive science of sociology is possible by correcting four major fallacies‐i.e., fallacies concerning controlled experiments, realism of assumptions, subjectivity, and complexity.
Penetration of Trichophyton terrestre in human hair

The systematic human hair degradation by Trichophyton terrestre was examined by electron and light microscopy. The cuticular and hair shaft regions were readily decomposed by the wild type or parent strain selected for phenotype studies after exposure to spaceflight parameters.
Rare-earth element geochemistry of Colour Lake, an acidic freshwater lake on Axel Heiberg Island, Northwest Territories, Canada

A lake column profile was collected in 24 m of water from Colour Lake, Axel Heiberg Island, Northwest Territories, Canada, in early June of 1991 beneath 1.8 m of lake-ice. The rare-earth element (REE) concentrations of the acidic, fresh waters of Colour Lake were analyzed, along with the major solute chemistry, in order to investigate REE distribution and speciation in the low-pH waters. Previous studies indicate the lake is dominated by Ca2+, Mg2+ and SO42−, and has no measurable carbonate alkalinity. Shale-normalized REE patterns for the lake waters are all enriched in the middle REE's (MREE's) as compared to the light REE's (LREE's) and heavy REE's (HREE's). Dissolved REE concentrations in Colour Lake (e.g., 2.3–22 nmol kg−1 for Nd, mean value of 20 nmol kg−1) are typically less than values obtained for the acid, saline waters of the Lake Tyrrell playa system in Australia as well as the slightly acidic groundwaters of the Carnmenellis region of England but greater than REE concentrations measured in the alkaline, saline waters of Mono Lake, California, U.S.A. The speciation of the REE's in Colour Lake was modelled based on the major solute chemistry, using a combined specific ion interaction and ion pairing model. These calculations suggest that in the relatively high-sulfate, low-pH waters of Colour Lake, the REE's exist as either free metal, SO42−, or F− complexes. Our calculations indicate that SO42− complexes dominate over the free metal and fluoride species for the majority of the REE's in the lake water and that, in general, for acidic, high-sulfate waters, sulfate complexes with the REE's may increase the dissolved concentrations of the REE's over natural waters where relatively low sulfate concentrations prevail.
Reliabilism and induction

Contre le scepticisme de Hume concernant la legitimite de la connaissance inductive, l'A. propose une solution fiabiliste au probleme de la justification de l'induction, qui autorise la these de la projectibilite
Methodological Issues for University Collaboration With a Rural Latino Community and Substance-Abusing Population

Much of the research on the causes of minority health disparities has focused on populations in large cities. Yet, the growth of the Latino population in rural areas in the United States often results in isolation of these communities, fewer resources, and invisible barriers that lead to health disparities. Specifically, substance use is of growing concern in many rural Latino communities. To help eliminate health disparities, treatment must be provided by well-trained, qualified, and culturally competent health professionals. This article reviews the relevant literature that highlights health disparity issues, and discusses ways to reduce, and eventually eliminate, minority health inequities by building on and strengthening the community partners' ability to collaborate on intervention programs. The challenges of collaborating with trained bilingual clinicians along with issues of mental health promotion in rural Latino communities are identified.
Biosynthesis and processing of the α subunit of the voltage-sensitive sodium channel in rat brain neurons

Abstract The sodium channel from rat brain is a complex of α (260 kd), β1 (36 kd), and β2 (33 kd) subunits. The α and β2 subunits are linked by disulfide bonds. The earliest biosynthetic precursor of the α subunit is a 203 kd core polypeptide with sufficient high-mannose carbohydrate chains to increase its apparent size to 224 kd. It is processed to 224 kd and 249 kd precursor forms containing complex carbohydrate chains before it achieves the mature size of 260 kd. Most newly synthesized α subunits are not disulfide-linked to β2 subunits, but remain as a metabolically stable pool of intracellular subunits. α subunits disulfide-linked to β2 are found preferentially at the cell surface. A possible role for this intracellular pool as a rate-limiting step in the regulation of the cell surface density and localization of sodium channels in developing neurons is proposed.
Endothelium-derived relaxing factor in brain blood vessels is not nitric oxide.

The endothelium-derived relaxing factor that mediates the actions of acetylcholine is now most frequently identified as nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is believed to have numerous important regulating actions in neurons, blood vessels, and several other biological systems.The literature concerning tissue other than cerebral blood vessels supports the conclusion that the endothelium-derived relaxing factor for acetylcholine is either nitric oxide or a compound formed from and containing nitric oxide (for example, a nitrosothiol). However, papers can be found indicating that this endothelium-derived mediator is not nitric oxide. In brain blood vessels the evidence is strongly against the conclusion that nitric oxide is the endothelium-derived mediator for acetylcholine. If this mediator is formed from nitric oxide, either in brain vessels or in other vessels, no data are available delineating how this synthesis is regulated or whether and where nitric oxide leaves the nitroso compound to initiate dilation. Inde...
Saturable absorption during high-intensity laser heating of liquids

The interaction of high-intensity, short-pulse laser radiation with liquids is fundamental to many contemporary technologies. At low laser intensities, the classical model of absorption and heating applies, which assumes a constant absorption coefficient and no dependence on intensity. As the intensity increases, however, many molecules are promoted to excited states, whose absorption properties differ from those of the ground state, and the absorption of the bulk liquid is altered. This phenomenon, called saturable absorption, results in intensity-dependent absorption, heating, and temperature distributions that can deviate significantly from classical absorption. This work investigates the thermal aspects of saturable absorption during laser heating of liquids. A microscopically based model of the radiation absorption and heating processes is presented. Model solutions are discussed and compared with experiment for a contemporary saturable absorbing liquid. Simple engineering criteria and relevant applications are then discussed.
Preparation and adsorption, chemical and catalytic properties of iron boride fischer-tropsch catalysts

Abstract Sodium-free and sodium-promoted, iron borides were prepared by reducing anhydrous iron acetate with diborane/THF or NaBH4/diglyme solution. These new preparation techniques provide straightforward pathways to preparation of high surface area iron borides without oxidation of the catalysts. The catalysts were characterized by hydrogen and carbon monoxide adsorptions, Moessbauer Spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). CO hydrogenation activities and selectivities of these catalysts were determined at 493 K to 577 K and 10 or 20 atm with a H2/CO reactant ratio of 2. An in situ Moessbauer study indicates that the sodium-free, chemically reduced, iron boride interstitial consists mainly of a boron-rich FeB phase which transforms to a mixture of Fe0, FeB and Fe2B phases upon treating with hydrogen at 400°C; the corresponding sodium-containing catalyst contains mainly Fe2B. Laboratory reactor data indicate that unpromoted iron borides have activity/selectivity properties similar to unpromoted iron catalysts for the Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis (FTS). Sodium significantly enhances activity and alkene selectivity of iron boride for FTS. Unpromoted iron borides are not stable under FTS conditions over long reaction times, however their stability is enhanced by sodium promotion. The rate of carbon monoxide hydrogenation and the average molecular weight of products obtained on iron boride catalysts increase with increasing pressure.
Lithium-induced polydipsia: Dependence on nigrostriatal dopamine pathway and relationship to changes in the renin-angiotensin system

The dependence of lithium-induced polydipsia (LIP) on central monoamine pathways was investigated using several pharmacological manipulations. Intracisternal administration of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) in combination with pargyline or desipramine was used to deplete dopamine (DA), norepinephrine, or both catecholamines. Significant decreases in LIP were seen after treatments that depleted brain DA, whereas depletion of norepinephrine alone did not affect LIP. Site-specific injection of 6-OHDA into the substantia nigra or caudate nucleus, but not the nucleus accumbens or noradrenergic dorsal bundle, also caused a decrease in LIP. Depletion of serotonin by intracisternal administration of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine also had no effect on LIP. Consistent with these findings, the DA receptor blocker haloperidol attenuated LIP. Thus, LIP appears to be dependent on intact nigrostriatal DA fibers, but not on other monoaminergic systems in the brain. Lithium also increased plasma renin activity (PRA) and angiotensin I and II immunoreactivity in plasma, though the time course of LIP onset did not directly parallel these latter changes in the renin-angiotensin axis. Neither the PRA or angiotensin II immunoreactivity in lithium-treated animals was sufficiently high to account for LIP. In addition, the 6-OHDA lesions of the caudate nucleus or substantia nigra that attenuated LIP did not affect the lithium-induced increases in PRA or in angiotensin I or II concentrations. Thus, LIP probably involves mechanisms other than just being a direct response to lithium-induced increases in PRA or angiotensin II concentration and simply may not be secondary to lithium-induced polyuria. Because of the similar pharmacological characteristics of angiotensin II and lithium-induced drinking, a role for angiotensin receptors in LIP cannot be ruled out.
Rheological modeling of ceramic composites: An indirect method of interfacial mechanical property measurements

Abstract A decomposition of the displacement and stress fields of a ceramic composite specimen subjected to an “off-axis” compressive loading allows the simulation of creep and load relaxation hy integrating a generalized two-dimensional boundary value problem in time. A continuum approach is used for the composite model, with the matrix and liber being described by nonlinear Maxwell fluid constitutive relations. The fiber matrix interface is described as an infinitely thin layer, in which a Coulomb friction constitutive model i.s used for the traction displacement response. This paper describes a fundamentally based inicromechanical model in conjunction with several tools required for its solution, including an incremental plasticity formulation and a singular yield surace provision that utilities proportional stressing. The resulting solution predicts the existence of a steady-state creep rate for the composite, which is a function of the fiber orientation angle, the stress exponent and the friction coefficient of the liber matrix interlace. Several conclusions are presented concerning the ability of this methodology to assess the rheologie response and interfacial mechanical behavior of ceramic composites at elevated temperatures.
Cystic hygroma and 45,X/46,XY mosaicism

Fetal cystic hygroma is most often associated with a female phenotype and 45,X karyotype. However, among two fetuses with cystic hygroma, a male phenotype and 45,X karyotype was noted [Tabor et al., 1981] and, in another, a female phenotype and 46,XY karyotype [Chervenak et al., 1983]. A recent case of ours may elucidate the phenotypic-karyotypic discrepancy in these cases
Promptness does not imply superlow cuppability

A classical theorem in computability is that every promptly simple set can be cupped in the Turing degrees to some complete set by a low c.e. set. A related question due to A. Nies is whether every promptly simple set can be cupped by a superlow c.e. set, i.e. one whose Turing jump is truth-table reducible to the halting problem ∅'. A negative answer to this question is provided by giving an explicit construction of a promptly simple set that is not superlow cuppable. This problem relates to effective randomness and various lowness notions.
A simple method for determination of fission gases trapped in irradiated fuel forms

Fission gases trapped in fuel particles, cladding and matrix of irradiated refractory metal-uranium oxide cermets determined by gamma counting
Group workers' perceptions of their philosophical ethical beliefs and actual ethical practices

Abstract This article reports the results of a random survey of the ASGW membership regarding ethical practices and standards for group workers.
Dealing with eminent domain

Abstract In light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision, Kelo vs. New London, there has been a renewed interest in problems dealing with the acquisition of perfectly-complementary inputs, specifically in the context of land assembly and eminent domain. Using a sequential-Nash-bargaining model we examine a scenario where a buyer can purchase N identical properties from N queued sellers. We examine the scenario with respect to two bargaining processes, (i) where each contingent price must be agreed upon by buyer and seller, (ii) where the buyer has an additional option to execute a transaction at a predetermined price for a fee. Using the first mechanism, theory predicts, given equal bargaining weights, that sellers who are later in the queue will receive lower prices. Using the second mechanism, theory predicts that prices should be equal when sellers have equal bargaining weight. We experimentally test these predictions and find evidence that welfare is maximized in both treatments, and that price predictions in the second protocol align with the theory.
Research, relationships and making understanding: a look at Brantlinger's Darla and the value of case study research

This article examines Brantlinger and colleagues' longitudinal case study Fighting for Darla; Challenges for family care and professional responsibility [Brantlinger, E.A., S.M. Klein, and S.L. Gus...
Meat consumption and fatal ischemic heart disease

In 1960 the meat-consumption habits of 25,153 California Seventh-Day Adventists were assessed by questionnaire. Between 1960 and 1980 ischemic heart disease deaths were identified. Meat consumption was positively associated with fatal ischemic heart disease in both men and women. This association was apparently not due to confounding by eggs, dairy products, obesity, marital status, or cigarette smoking. The positive association between meat consumption and fatal ischemic heart disease was stronger in men than in women and, overall, strongest in young men. For 45- to 64-year-old men, there was approximately a threefold difference in risk between men who ate meat daily and those who did not eat meat. This is the first study to clearly show a dose-response relationship between meat consumption and ischemic heart disease risk.
The effect of discrete viscous damping on the transverse vibration of beams

Abstract The effect of a discrete elastic element on the transverse vibration of a Bernoulli–Euler beam has been well-studied; however, the same cannot be said for a beam with a viscous damper. While the former can be analyzed via separation of variables and the solution of the eigenvalue problem, this article presents a method for computing the resonances of the latter case. The nature of a discrete viscous damper's effect on the fundamental frequency of a beam is revealed as the method is applied to the case of a cantilevered beam. In this process, it is shown that damping has the capacity to increase the fundamental frequency of the beam, and that there exists both a particular location and critical value of damping that maximize this frequency.
Transient inhibition of glucose uptake mimics ischemic preconditioning by salvaging ischemic myocardium in the rabbit heart.

The aim of this study was to test whether transient inhibition of glucose uptake could precondition the rabbit heart. Rabbit hearts experienced 30 min regional ischemia followed by either 120 min (isolated heart protocol) or 180 min (in situ protocol) reperfusion. Infarct size was determined by tetrazolium staining. In isolated heart experiments, 15 min perfusion with glucose-free Krebs buffer starting 30 min prior to ischemia significantly limited infarct size to 9.9±2.6% of the risk zone as compared with 29.4 ± 1.7% infarction in controls. This protection could be blocked (30.8 ± 3.4%) by polymyxin B (50 μm), a protein kinase C inhibitor, but not by 8-(p-sulfophenyl)theophylline, an adenosine receptor inhibitor, suggesting the mechanism was similar to that of ischemic preconditioning but without involvement of adenosine receptors. Pyruvate and acetate inhibit glucose uptake without incurring a metabolic deficit. When 20 mm pyruvate or 1 mM acetate was added to the glucose-containing buffer for 15 min prior to ischemia, protection was evident (12.0 ± 3.0% and 10.0 ± 3.7% infarction, respectively). However, when acetate (1 mm) was present in the perfusate throughout the experiment, neither omission of glucose nor addition of pyruvate caused protection (26.1 ± 2.2% and 28.9 ± 4.7% infarction, respectively). Furthermore, when in situ hearts which preferably utilize lipid substrates were treated with pyruvate (2 g/kg i.v. 20 min before ischemia), infarct size was 40.3 ± 3.0%, which did not differ from that in untreated hearts (38.6 ± 3.2%). Hence transient inhibition of glucose uptake can precondition the heart. but only if other substrates which are utilized in preference to glucose are absent.
The effect of radiation dose on mouse skeletal muscle remodeling

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of two clinically relevant radiation doses on the susceptibility of mouse skeletal muscle to remodeling. Materials and Methods: Alterations in muscle morphology and regulatory signaling were examined in tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscles after radiation doses that differed in total biological effective dose (BED). Female C57BL/6 (8-wk) mice were randomly assigned to non-irradiated control, four fractionated doses of 4 Gy (4x4 Gy; BED 37 Gy), or a single 16 Gy dose (16 Gy; BED 100 Gy). Mice were sacrificed 2-weeks after the initial radiation exposure. Results: The 16 Gy, but not 4x4 Gy, decreased total muscle protein and RNA content. Related to muscle regeneration, both 16 Gy and 4x4 Gy increased the incidence of central nuclei containing myofibers, but only 16 Gy increased the extracellular matrix volume. However, only 4x4 Gy increased muscle 4-hydroxynonenal expression. While both 16 Gy and 4x4 Gy decreased IIB myofiber mean cross-sectional area (CSA), only 16 Gy decreased IIA myofiber CSA. 16 Gy increased the incidence of small diameter IIA and IIB myofibers, while 4x4 Gy only increased the incidence of small diameter IIB myofibers. Both treatments decreased the frequency and CSA of low succinate dehydrogenase activity (SDH) fibers. Only 16 Gy increased the incidence of small diameter myofibers having high SDH activity. Neither treatment altered muscle signaling related to protein turnover or oxidative metabolism. Conclusion: Collectively, these results demonstrate that radiation dose differentially affects muscle remodeling, and these affects appear related to fiber type and oxidative metabolism.
Interfacial shear stress between a single-walled carbon nanotube and a gold surface after different physical treatments.

Abstract The interfacial shear stress between gold and dielectrophoretically assembled single-walled carbon nanotubes can be increased by annealing in N2, by e-beam irradiation, or by e-beam deposition of carbon. For the first time this increase has been measured, using a technique developed by this group that is based on NEMS cantilever measurements combined with modeling. Annealing increases the shear stress by more than a factor of 3 over its value of 87 MPa for untreated gold surfaces, while e-beam irradiation increases the shear stress by more than a factor of 2 and carbon deposition increases the shear stress by a smaller amount.
Present assessment of myocardial viability by nuclear imaging

Prospective delineation of viable from nonviable myocardium in patients with coronary artery disease is an important factor in deciding whether a patient should be revascularized or treated medically. Two common techniques — single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron-emission tomography (PET)—are used in nuclear medicine using various radiopharmaceuticals for the detection of myocardial viability in patients. Thallium-201 ( 201 TI) and technetium-99m ( 99m Tc)-sestamibi are the common radiopharmaceuticals used in different protocols using SPECT, whereas fluoride-18 ( 18 F)-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and rubidium-82 ( 82 Rb) are most widely used in PET. the SPECT protocols involve stress/redistribution, stress/redistribution/reinjection, and rest/redistribution imaging techniques. Many studies have compared the results of 201 TI and ( 99m Tc)-sestamibi SPECT with those of FDG PET; in some studies, concordant results have been found between delayed thallium and FDG results, indicating that 201 TI, although considered a perfusion agent, shows myocardial viability. Discordant results in a number of studies have been found between sestamibi and FDG, suggesting that the efficacy of sestamibi as a viability marker has yet to be established. Radiolabeled fatty acids such as iodine-123 ( 123 I)-para-iodophenylpentadecanoic acid and carbon-11 ( 11 C)-palmitic acid have been used for the assessment of myocardial viability with limited success. 11 C-labeled acetate is a good marker of oxidative metabolism in the heart and has been used to predict the reversibility of wall motion abnormalities. ( 18 F)-FDG is considered the marker of choice for myocardial viability, although variable results are obtained under different physiological conditions. Detection of myocardial viability can be greatly improved by developing new equipment and radiopharmaceuticals of better quality.
Testosterone self-administration in female hamsters.

Abstract Abuse of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) is a growing public health concern. In addition to their anabolic effects, steroids are also reinforcing as demonstrated by testosterone self-administration in male hamsters. However, steroid use in women lags behind that in men. Are androgens also rewarding in females? We determined if female hamsters voluntarily consume testosterone by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) self-administration in an operant chamber. Twelve ovary-intact female hamsters self-administering testosterone (1.0 μg/μl) i.c.v. for 19.1±2.3 days developed a significant preference ( P P P R 2 =0.66, P
Anodic Ordered Titania Nanostructures and in-Situ Electropolymerized Poly-3-Methylthiophene Films for Hybrid Photovoltaic Solar Cells☆

Abstract In the field of hybrid photovoltaic cell technology, the present work aims studying titanium dioxide layers with ordered nanostructure and poly-3-methylthiophene (P3MT) films in-situ electropolymerized onto them. Nanotube arrays were synthesized by anodization technique using a wide range of process conditions, and the dimensions and morphology of the obtained nanotubes were thoroughly analyzed. This study allowed tailoring the nanotube dimensions as requested by the final application. In this case, arrays with low thickness and large pore diameter, obtained in the acidic water based electrolyte, were selected to carry out further electropolymerization onto them. The nanotube pore diameter was identified as the dominant parameter influencing the P3MT layer thickness. The P3MT layers with the lowest thickness were obtained onto the less porous morphologies with low nanopore diameter values.
What Really Happened: A Tribute to John C. Fletcher

John C. Fletcher, a pioneer in the field of bioethics and friend and mentor to many generations of bioethicists, died tragically on May 27th at the age of 72. The son of an Episcopal priest from Bryan, TX, Fletcher graduated in 1953 with a degree in English Literature from the University of the South in Sewanee, TN. After completing a Masters in Divinity degree from the Virginia Theological Seminary and a stint as a Fulbright scholar at the University of Heidelberg in 1956, he was ordained in the Episcopal Church and received a doctorate in Christian ethics from the Union Theological Seminary in New York. After ordination, Fletcher worked in various Episcopal churches and founded the Interfaith Metropolitan Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. However, despite his religious faith, he was also a skeptic, and renounced his ordination in the mid-1990s due to his need for ‘intellectual honesty.’ Fletcher began his bioethics contributions in the early 1970's, when he became a founding Fellow of the Hasting...
Comparative study of selegiline plus L‐dopa–carbidopa versus L‐dopa–carbidopa alone in the treatment of parkinson's disease

The long-term effect of selegiline (L-deprenyl) in the treatment of Parkinson's disease has not been clearly delineated. We report on a group of patients whose treatment was initiated with selegiline (n = 43) and then subsequently included L-dopa-carbidopa (Sinemet) and in whom an extended period of observation was carried out; they are compared to a group of patients whose treatment consisted of L-dopa-carbidopa alone (n = 39). In each, serial observations of the parkinsonian state and the response to treatment on a yearly basis for a period of 5 years were performed. No significant difference in the Hoehn-Yahr stage or in the motor subscores of tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and gait-posture was found between the two groups, nor was there a significant difference in the incidence of fluctuating responses or dyskinesias. The group that received combination therapy required less L-dopa than did the group that received L-dopa-carbidopa alone during the first 3 years of treatment and a similar trend was evident in years 4 to 5. We conclude that minimal benefits accrued to the parkinsonian patients from long-term use of selegiline. No clinical evidence to support the claim of "neuroprotective" properties was found. Selegiline's major usefulness is to modify the fluctuating therapeutic response seen with L-dopa-carbidopa.
Efficacy of antimicrobial-impregnated bladder catheters in reducing catheter-associated bacteriuria: a prospective, randomized, multicenter clinical trial

Objectives. To examine the efficacy of bladder catheters impregnated with minocycline and rifampin in reducing catheter-associated bacteriuria. Methods. A prospective, randomized clinical trial was conducted at five academic medical centers. Patients undergoing radical prostatectomy were randomized to receive intraoperatively either regular silicone bladder catheters (control catheters) or silicone bladder catheters impregnated with minocycline and rifampin (antimicrobial-impregnated catheters). Catheters remained in place for a mean of 2 weeks. Urine cultures were obtained at about 3, 7, and 14 days after catheter insertion. Bacteriuria was defined as the growth of organism(s) in urine at a concentration of 104 colony-forming units per milliliter or greater. Results. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that it took significantly longer for patients (n = 56) who received the antimicrobial-impregnated catheters to develop bacteriuria than those (n = 68) who received the control catheters (P = 0.006 by the log-rank test). Patients who received the antimicrobial-impregnated catheters had significantly lower rates of bacteriuria than those in the control group both at day 7 (15.2% versus 39.7%) and at day 14 (58.5% versus 83.5%) after catheter insertion. Patients who received the antimicrobial-impregnated catheters had significantly lower rates of gram-positive bacteriuria than the control group (7.1% versus 38.2%; P <0.001) but similar rates of gram-negative bacteriuria (46.4% versus 47.1%) and candiduria (3.6% versus 2.9%). The antimicrobial-impregnated catheters provided zones of inhibition against Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli, both at baseline and on removal. Conclusions. Bladder catheters impregnated with minocycline and rifampin significantly reduced the rate of gram-positive catheter-associated bacteriuria up to 2 weeks after catheter insertion.
Quantize and Encode Relaying Through FSO and Hybrid FSO/RF Links

A relaying scheme that uses both radio frequency (RF) and free space optical (FSO) links is investigated. In the proposed quantize and encode relaying (QER), a mobile source broadcasts the RF signal using quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM). The relay estimates and quantizes the log-likelihood ratio (LLR) of each received bit in the symbol and transmits the corresponding information to the destination through a high-speed FSO link or through a hybrid FSO/RF link. Relaying of multiple bits through high-speed FSO links improves RF spectrum utilization over systems where both the source and the relay transmit using RF signals. Exploiting the high available unlicensed bandwidth of the FSO links, the relay can even encode the LLRs using a channel code. Multiple encoded bits can then be mapped to FSO or hybrid FSO/RF symbols. The performance of the proposed system is analyzed, and it is shown that optimal symbol mapping can provide improvements of several decibels over conventional FSO transmissions that employ ON and OFF for binary ones and zeros, respectively. The system is found to achieve full diversity in fading FSO and RF channels.
Beyond kinetic traps in RNA folding

Large RNAs often have rugged folding energy landscapes that result in severe misfolding and slow folding kinetics. Several interdependent parameters that contribute to misfolding are now well understood and examples of large RNAs and ribonucleoproteins that avoid kinetic traps have been reported. These advances have facilitated the exploration of fundamental RNA folding processes that were previously inaccessible.