cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of single-dose intravenous dolasetron versus ondansetron in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting

Abstract Background: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a significant problem in surgical patients. The 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 —receptor antagonists ondansetron, dolasetron, and granisetron are being used to prevent PONV and avoid the adverse events associated with traditional antiemetics such as antihistaminic agents, anticholinergic agents, and dopamine antagonists. Objective: Because practitioners have taken widely differing approaches to the selection and dosing of agents in this class, this retrospective study assessed the relative efficacy of IV dolasetron and ondansetron in preventing PONV when used according to their approved labeling. Methods: The medical charts of patients who underwent total abdominal hysterectomy or laparoscopic cholecystectomy and received either dolasetron 12.5 mg or ondansetron 4 mg were reviewed. Efficacy was assessed based on the number of episodes of PONV and time to the occurrence of PONV in the 24 hours after surgery. Results: Of 75 medical records reviewed, 59 met the criteria for inclusion in the efficacy analysis. There were no statistically significant between-group differences in demographic or baseline clinical characteristics. The majority of patients were obese (body mass index ≥27 kg/m 2 ), had no history of either PONV or motion sickness, and underwent total abdominal hysterectomy. PONV occurred in 11 of 25 (44%) patients receiving dolasetron and 18 of 34 (53%) patients receiving ondansetron. Four patients receiving dolasetron experienced PONV in the first 2 hours after surgery, compared with 7 patients receiving ondansetron. Conclusion: There were no significant differences in efficacy between single doses of IV dolasetron 12.5 mg and IV ondansetron 4 mg in the prevention of PONV.
A Concise Total Synthesis of Largazole, Solution Structure, and Some Preliminary Structure Activity Relationships

A total synthesis of largazole that proceeds in 8 steps from commercial materials is reported, along with some structure−activity relationships. A combination of NMR studies and molecular modeling have also provided a preliminary picture of the conformation of largazole.
Electrophoretic cell separation using polyacrolein microspheres

The electrophoretic mobility of a number of microspheres of homo- or copolymerized acrolein has been studied. It was found that increasing amounts of methacrylic acid increased the negative mobility of the microspheres, whereas reaction of the microspheres with 1,6-diaminohexane decreased the negative mobility. When coated with antibody and specifically bound to cells, these microspheres were found to alter the target cells' electrophoretic mobility. This process allowed the separation of synthetic mixtures of microsphere-labeled and unlabeled cell populations. Over 90 % of the recovered cells were found in fractions that were essentially either pure labeled or unlabeled cells.
Effects of Evaluating Task Competence on the Self-Concept of Children from Different Socioeconomic Status Levels

Previous studies reported low SES children with higher self-concepts than high SES children; this experimental study probes explanatory factors. One hundred sixty second grade boys and girls were measured on self-concept following a design-copying task on which they received either a positive or a negative evaluation, either through the E's evaluative statements or through presentation of standards for the task. Direction of evaluation was reflected in children's ratings of their own work. There was an interaction between direction of evaluation and SES as they affected self-concept, with negative evaluation leading to enhanced self-concept scores of low SES children.
Trophic Relations of the Southernmost Populations of Dusicyon in Chile

Etude comparative de la niche ecologique et du regime alimentaire de D. griseus, D. culpaeus, D. fulvipes. Degre de chevauchement
Alpha particle thickness gauge using a solid state detector

An alpha particle thickness gage is described in wbich the shift in energy of alpha -particles in passing through the material is observed directly by means of a solid state detector and pulse height analyzer. Measurements of the thickness of 1 mg/cm/sup 2/ foils can be made easily to better than 1%. The arrangement is useful for absolute energy loss measurements and some results are given for mylar. (auth)
The dependence of magnetic properties and hot workability of rare earth-iron-boride magnets upon composition

Hot deformed magnets can be commercially produced from hyper-stoichiometric nanocrystalline Nd-Fe-B compositions. This paper summarizes the influence of the rare-earth component (Nd, Pr, Dy) and gallium to magnetic properties and hot workability of die-upset magnets based upon hyper-stoichiometric compositions. Increasing the Nd from 13.3 to 14.4 at.% raises the H/sub ci/ from 770 to 930 kAm/sup -1/. B/sub r/ values are highest (1.31 T) at lower levels of RE (/spl sim/13 at.%), although such compositions exhibit a decrease in hot workability. The substitution of Dy and Pr for Nd promotes higher H/sub ci/ values at some expense in B/sub r/. Gallium additions up to 0.5 at.% significantly increase both B/sub r/ and H/sub ci/.
Leak widths resulting from plasma diffusion in a magnetic cusp

Abstract Several formulas describing cusp leak widths are derived using different assumptions on the natures of the crossfield diffusion and the plasma flow parallel to the magnetic field.
Betatrophin Versus Bitter-Trophin and the Elephant in the Room: Time for a New Normal in β-Cell Regeneration Research

The purpose of studying pancreatic β-cells in nonhuman species is to learn how to protect and regenerate the supply of residual endogenous β-cells in the face of the immunologic attack of type 1 diabetes, and the glucolipotoxic, inflammatory, endoplasmic reticulum- and oxidative stress–inducing environment of type 2 diabetes. β-Cell replication was unimaginable 20 years ago, when many believed that β-cells were irrevocably, terminally differentiated or senescent, and could never reenter the cell cycle. Enormous progress has been made over the past two decades. There are now many, many agonists that induce β-cells to replicate and expand. The agonists have included nutrients, growth factors, intracellular signaling molecules, small molecules discovered in high-throughput screens, proteins discovered in similar screens, or transgenic mouse models. Examples of these agonists are shown in Table 1, some of which are derived from work in the author’s group. Importantly, most of the β-cell replication and expansion resulting from these agonists has been observed in β-cells from mice, rats, pigs, and zebra fish. Surprisingly few induce human β-cells to replicate at therapeutically meaningful rates. Demonstration of human β-cell replication is an unspoken “elephant in the room” that is avoided in most reports. View this table: Table 1 Example of small molecules, growth factors, hormones, and nutrients that induce robust β-cell replication in rodents, but not in adult humans One recent case in point is a report by Yi et al. (1) that attracted considerable attention both in the diabetes research community and in the lay media. Very briefly, Yi et al. described a novel …
Assessing Changes in Elemental Mass as a Result of Chemical Weathering of Granodiorite in a Mediterranean (Hot Summer) Climate

ABSTRACT In ascending order, relatively unweathered granodiorite, 1.97 m of friable granodiorite, and 0.91 m of very coarse loamy sand make up a well developed weathering profile that developed on a Cretaceous granodiorite lying within a Mediterranean (hot summer) climatic belt in the Peninsular Ranges of southern California, U.S.A. Textural, modal, and chemical data indicate that in the friable granodiorite and in the very coarse loamy sand, plagioclase was leached at a rate faster than was K-feldspar while quartz remained little changed. In addition, molecular Ca and Na were probably leached at a faster rate from plagioclase and titanite than K was leached from K-feldspar and biotite. Mass-balance calculations show that 3.4% (± 2.0%) of the original bulk mass of the friable granodiorite was removed during its development. This loss of bulk mass was accommodated through the removal of 4%, 9%, 18%, 11%, 17%, 29%, and 14% of the masses of Si, Ca, K, Na, P, Ba, and Sr respectively. In addition, the masses of Fe and Y were increased by 12% and 52% respectively. Of the 3.4% loss of original bulk mass, 99% is due to the loss of Si, Ca, K, and Na mass. The severity of chemical alteration is greatest in samples analyzed from very coarse loamy sand. This conclusion is supported not only by textural relationships, but also by mass balance relationships that show that 11.2% (± 2.1%) of the original bulk mass of the very coarse loamy sand was removed during its development. This loss in mass was accommodated through the removal of 12%, 12%, 42%, 14%, 41%, 80%, 21%, 14%, 10%, and 40% of the masses of Si, Mn, Ca, K, Na, P, Ba, Zn, Rb, and Sr, respectively. In contrast, during development of the very coarse loamy sand the masses of Ti and Fe were increased by 17% and 22%, respectively. Of the 11.2% loss of original bulk mass, 99% is attributable to the removal of Si, Ca, K, and Na mass. Data summarized above, and in work by others, imply that plutoniclastic sediment derived from sources lying within a wide range of climatic conditions, do not reflect directly the bedrock from which they were derived, but instead will mirror the compositions of the weathering profile.
Education and work: The perennial mismatch and ways to solve it

Abstract Every country in the world has attempted, one time or another, to improve the fit between education and work. None has really succeeded in doing so. The paper first discusses the theoretical reasons why the matching of education to jobs is a utopia. It then suggests a series of measures that, although will never result to a perfect fit between education and work, they would mitigate what appears to be educated unemployment
Preferred Sequences of Genetic Events in Carcinogenesis: Quantitative Aspects of the Problem

In this paper we discuss some natural limitations in quantitative inference about the frequency, correlation and ordering of genetic events occurring in the course of tumor development. We consider a simple, yet frequently used experimental design, under which independent tumors are examined once for the presence/absence of specific mutations of interest. The most typical factors that affect the inference on the chronological order of genetic events are: a possible dependence of mutation rates, the sampling bias that arises from the observation process and small sample sizes. Our results clearly indicate that just these three factors alone may dramatically distort the outcome of data analysis, thereby leading to estimates of limited utility as an underpinning for mechanistic models of carcinogenesis.
Site and age class variation of hematologic parameters for female Greater Sage Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) of Northern Nevada

Decreases in Greater Sage Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) numbers throughout the western United States have been attributed to declining habitat quantity and quality. Improving our understanding of how interannual ecologic site variability affects nutritional status and fitness of different bird age classes will lead to improved land management and conservation strategies. Greater Sage Grouse were sampled from two Population Management Units located in northern Nevada, United States: Tuscarora (TU) and Lone Willow (LW) during 15 March–11 April 2004 and 14–20 March 2005. Twenty (16 yearlings, four adults) and 17 (7 yearlings, 10 adults) female Sage Grouse were captured and bled during 2004, and 12 (four yearlings, eight adults) and 14 (10 yearlings, four adults) were sampled during 2005 in TU and LW, respectively. Samples were evaluated to examine the effect of site, age, and year on specific hematologic and serum chemistry parameters. Several differences between age classes, sites, and years were detec...
Electrical bursting and luminal calcium oscillation in excitable cell models

It is shown in this paper that electrical bursting and the oscillations in the intracellular calcium concentration, [Ca2+]i, observed in excitable cells such as pancreatic β-cells and R-15 cells of the mollusk Aplysia may be driven by a slow oscillation of the calcium concentration in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum, [Ca2+]lum. This hypothesis follows from the inclusion of the dynamic changes of [Ca2+]lum in the Chay bursting model. This extended model provides answers to some puzzling phenomena, such as why isolated single pancreatic β-cells burst with a low frequency while intact β-cells in an islet burst with a much higher frequency. Verification of the model prediction that [Ca2+]lum is a primary oscillator which drives electrical bursting and [Ca2+]i oscillations in these cells awaits experimental testing. Experiments using fluorescent dyes such as mag-fura-2-AM or aequorin could provide relevant information.
Detecting the Number of Transmit Antennas with Unauthorized or Cognitive Receivers in MIMO Systems

In this work we consider one of the challenges facing unauthorized receivers and cognitive radios since the appearance of MIMO system, which is detecting the number of transmit antennas. To achieves this goal, we present a detector based on objective information theoretic criteria (the celebrated AIC and MDL estimators). Numerical results derived for an ideal BLAST-like transmission demonstrate good performance already for mild SNR conditions and majority decision based on rather few independent measurements.
Toward quantum entanglement in a quantum-dot nanocavity

Our semiconductor normal-mode-coupling microcavities, each containing a single narrow-linewidth quantum well (QW), exhibit record many-oscillator vacuum-field Rabi splitting (VRS). The question addressed here is: can the vacuum field be increased sufficiently by reducing the cavity-mode volume, so that a single quantum dot can exhibit VRS similar to an atom in a high-finesse cavity? The quantum-dot nanocavity has two advantages: a length close to the theoretical minimum and a much larger dipole moment; these permit strong coupling without an ultra high-Q cavity even for such a short length.
Aortic volume as an indicator of disease progression in patients with untreated infrarenal abdominal aneurysm.

Abstract Objective The maximal diameter of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and the change in diameter over time reflect rupture risk and are used for surgical planning. However, evidence has emerged that aneurysm volume may be a better indicator of AAA remodeling. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between the volume and maximal diameter of the abdominal aorta in patients with untreated infrarenal AAA. Materials and methods This was a retrospective study of 100 patients with infrarenal AAA who were followed for more than 6 months. We examined 2 sets of computed tomography images for each patient, acquired ≥6 months apart. The maximal diameter and volume of the infrarenal abdominal aorta were determined by semiautomated segmentation software. Results At baseline, mean maximal infrarenal diameter was 5.1 ± 1.0 cm and mean aortic volume was 139 ± 72 mL. There was good correlation between the maximal diameter and aortic volume at baseline ( r 2 = 0.55; P r 2 = 0.34; P = 0.001). Most patients ( n = 64) had no measurable change in maximal diameter between studies (≤2 mm), but the change in volume was found to vary widely (−2 to 69 mL). Conclusion In patients with untreated infrarenal AAA, a change in aortic volume can occur in the absence of a significant change in maximal diameter. Additional work is needed to examine the relationship between change in AAA volume and outcomes in this patient group.
Endometriosis in an Adolescent Population: The Emory Experience

Abstract Objective To determine the incidence, clinical stage, and lesion type of endometriosis in adolescent girls. Design Retrospective review of patient records of adolescent girls (11–19) admitted to Emory University Affiliated Hospitals. Setting Patients from a private practice institutional setting. Patients 67 adolescent girls who had not responded to analgesia or oral contraceptives for pelvic pain. Information Laparoscopy or exploratory laparotomy to determine the etiology of pelvic pain. Main Outcome Measure Stage of endometriosis by the American Fertility Society classification system and description of lesion type. Results Endometriosis was diagnosed in 49 (73%) patients. The majority of patients had stage I disease. Superficial red lesions were most commonly observed. Conclusions Adolescent girls with pelvic pain have a high incidence of endometriosis. Minimal disease is most often encountered. Meticulous inspection of the pelvic peritoneal surfaces will often reveal superficial or atypical lesions.
Advances and opportunities at the interface between microbial bioenergy and nanotechnology

In this review, we highlight many recent developments in nanotechnology of critical relevance to microbial bioenergy synthesis. Nanoparticles, nanotubes, nanofibres, and nanoporous materials, are each being utilised in powerful ways as tools for feedstock processing, genetic engineering, and biofuel harvesting, as well as in bioelectrochemical systems. As materials and techniques continue to mature, nanomaterials will become a truly integral part of the bioenergy sector. Sustainable bioenergy production will ultimately be achieved through interdisciplinary efforts that continue to bridge the gap between these traditionally distinct fields of study. Dans cette etude, nous avons presente plusieurs nouveautes en matiere de nanotechnologie qui sont cruciales pour la synthese bioenergetique microbienne. Les nanoparticules, les nanotubes, les nanofibres et les materiaux nanoporeux servent efficacement d'outils pour le traitement des produits de depart, le genie genetique, les biocarburants, ainsi que pour les systemes bioelectrochimiques. Avec le developpement des materiaux et des techniques, les nanomateriaux feront partie integrante du secteur des bioenergies. On pourra atteindre une production bioenergetique durable grâce a des efforts pluridisciplinaires qui permettent de combler le fosse existant entre ces domaines d'etude traditionnellement differents.
Evaluation of polymeric coatings for MCM applications

An effort was initiated under the Reliability without Hermeticity (RwoH) project to evaluate the performance of nonhermetic coatings for multichip module (MCM) applications. As a means of selecting coating materials, Sandia ATCO1 test chips, with and without chip passivation (SiN), were coated with three nonhermetic polymer materials: a silicone gel, a filled epoxy, and a polyimide. Some of the coated parts were preconditioned (500 temperature cycles and 96 h of salt spray), and some were not. The coated parts were subjected to either pressure cooker test (PCT-121/spl deg/C, 99.6% RH, no bias) or temperature-humidity-bias (THB-85/spl deg/C, 85% RH, 40 V bias) tests, for 7000 and 10 000 h, respectively. In this paper, the moisture protection performance of the coatings on nonpassivated test chips is presented in detail. In addition, some overall comparisons of the failures in passivated and nonpassivated chips are given. For the preconditioned parts, THB median lives (times to 50% failures) in excess of 10 000 h were obtained for the epoxy and the gel coatings. Polyimides exhibited a THB median life of 6950 h. In PCT, the three coatings exhibited similar median lives in the range of 350-400 h, but, much different failure kinetics. Based on earlier published studies, these median lives are representative of good coating performance. The failures in the nonpreconditioned coated parts were much lower (20-50%) for the gel and the polyimide coatings, at the end of THB tests. Epoxies on the other hand did not exhibit such influence of preconditioning steps on failures. The comparison of passivated and nonpassivated coated ATC01's revealed that the presence of passivation enhances the moisture protection performance of all three coatings. This effect was especially pronounced for the silicone gel. >
Case-matched comparison of mitral valve replacement and repair.

Abstract Carpentier's techniques of prosthetic ring mitral valve repair for mitral regurgitation offer the potential for immediate and long-term improvement in valve function without the necessity of replacing the native valve with a prosthesis. A consecutive, case-matched series of 65 patients with prosthetic ring mitral valve repair was compared with 65 patients undergoing mitral valve replacement for mitral regurgitation. The aortic crossclamp time was 57 ± 33 minutes in the repair operations and 41 ± 25 minutes in the replacement operations ( p = 0.003). The cardiopulmonary bypass time was 154 ± 44 minutes in the repair operations and 113 ± 41 minutes in the replacement operations ( p = 0.0001). There were no myocardial infarctions in the hospital in either group. Hospital death was noted in 1.5% of repairs and 4.6% of replacements ( p = not significant). Survival at 4 years was 0.84 for repairs and 0.82 for replacements ( p = not significant). Freedom from reoperation to replace the mitral valve at 4 years was 62 of 65 patients in the repair group and 64 of 65 patients in the replacement group ( p = not significant). In-hospital and midterm results in a closely matched population show that mitral valve repair yields results comparable with those of replacement despite a more difficult procedure. The benefits of maintaining the native valve with chordal and papillary muscle structure intact and avoidance of prosthetic valve implantation may then become apparent with longer follow-up.
Motion control of cooperative robotic teams through visual observation and fuzzy logic control

This paper describes the development of an integrated autonomous multirobot system, where two heterogeneous robots exhibit coordinated convoying behavior. Coordination is accomplished without any communication but by visual observation. An active perception system uses visual servoing to track the leading vehicle to determine it's heading and relative distance. A novel object tracking algorithm based on minimum noise and correlation energy (MINACE) filter is used for determining the heading of the leading robot. A fuzzy logic based real-time motion controller uses the heading to control the steering and relative distance and speed information to adjust the speed to let the trailing robot smoothly follow the leader. The performance and robustness of the convoying system has been verified in a series of extensive laboratory trials.
Helicase Loading at Chromosomal Origins of Replication

Loading of the replicative DNA helicase at origins of replication is of central importance in DNA replication. As the first of the replication fork proteins assemble at chromosomal origins of replication, the loaded helicase is required for the recruitment of the rest of the replication machinery. In this work, we review the current knowledge of helicase loading at Escherichia coli and eukaryotic origins of replication. In each case, this process requires both an origin recognition protein as well as one or more additional proteins. Comparison of these events shows intriguing similarities that suggest a similar underlying mechanism, as well as critical differences that likely reflect the distinct processes that regulate helicase loading in bacterial and eukaryotic cells.
Iron Chelation and Vascular Function: In Search of the Mechanisms

In 1981, Sullivan suggested that a state of iron depletion (ie, reduced iron stores without anemia) was potentially protective against coronary heart disease (CHD).1 This original “iron hypothesis” was an attempt to explain the known sex difference in cardiovascular (CV) risk and the subsequent loss of the protective effect of female gender with menopause. This initial hypothesis was based in part on the observation that men exhibited an age-dependent increase in the accumulation of iron that was not seen in women until after menopause. This, coupled with the observation that hysterectomy without oophorectomy was associated with an increased CHD risk, supported the concept that a diminution in iron stores was protective against CHD. Basic and clinical data have recently begun to provide plausible explanations for a link between iron and atherosclerosis.2,3 See page 2282 The toxic effect of free iron has been linked to oxidative stress through the Fenton reaction, where Fe2+ oxidizes H2O2 leading to its autooxidation and the generation of hydroxyl radicals4 which in turn initiate lipid peroxidation. In addition, biological forms of iron such as heme have the potential to catalyze other oxidative reactions. For example, heme can initiate the oxidation of isolated LDL in vitro4 and, in contrast to free transition metals, LDL in diluted serum.5 Iron is also essential for the synthesis of enzymes that can play a central role in vascular function and atherosclerosis (eg, eNOS, 5-lipoxygenase, and myeloperoxidase). The amount of free ferrous (Fe2+) iron is normally maintained at a very low level in …
Field tracer investigation of unsaturated zone flow paths and mechanisms in agricultural soils of northwestern Mississippi, USA

Summary In many farmed areas, intensive application of agricultural chemicals and withdrawal of groundwater for irrigation have led to water quality and supply issues. Unsaturated-zone processes, including preferential flow, play a major role in these effects but are not well understood. In the Bogue Phalia basin, an intensely agricultural area in the Delta region of northwestern Mississippi, the fine-textured soils often exhibit surface ponding and runoff after irrigation and rainfall as well as extensive surface cracking during prolonged dry periods. Fields are typically land-formed to promote surface flow into drainage ditches and streams that feed into larger river ecosystems. Downward flow of water below the root zone is considered minimal; regional groundwater models predict only 5% or less of precipitation recharges the heavily used alluvial aquifer. In this study transport mechanisms within and below the root zone of a fallow soybean field were assessed by performing a 2-m ring infiltration test with tracers and subsurface monitoring instruments. Seven months after tracer application, 48 continuous cores were collected for tracer extraction to define the extent of water movement and quantify preferential flow using a mass-balance approach. Vertical water movement was rapid below the pond indicating the importance of vertical preferential flow paths in the shallow unsaturated zone, especially to depths where agricultural disturbance occurs. Lateral flow of water at shallow depths was extensive and spatially non-uniform, reaching up to 10 m from the pond within 2 months. Within 1 month, the wetting front reached a textural boundary at 4–5 m between the fine-textured soil and sandy alluvium, now a potential capillary barrier which, prior to extensive irrigation withdrawals, was below the water table. Within 10 weeks, tracer was detectable at the water table which is presently about 12 m below land surface. Results indicate that 43% of percolation may be through preferential flow paths and that any water breaking through the capillary barrier (as potential recharge) likely does so in fingers which are difficult to detect with coring methods. In other areas where water levels have declined and soils have similar properties, the potential for transport of agricultural chemicals to the aquifer may be greater than previously assumed.
Alternatives in digital communications

The following major interrelated aspects in digital communications are described: source encoding, channel encoding and transmission, and receiver methods. Methods for digitizing speech and video are summarized. Digitized voice can be transmitted at 10 kb/s, while phone video requires 1.544 Mb/s. The major aspects of both forward-error control (FEC) and automatic request for repeats (ARQ) are considered. Power-limited forward channels are distinguished from bandwidth-limited ones. Signal distance concepts and maximum-likelihood detection principles provide the framework for describing both block-coded and convolutional-coded signaling. Convolutional coding with Viterbi decoding appears to achieve the most cost-effective forward-error control. The improved FEC techniques benefit the transmission of real-time digitized voice and video and any communication over severely power-llmited links. ARQ methods continue to be effective and practical for most cases where the delay associated with retransmission can be tolerated.
Control of multiply resistant cocci: do international comparisons help?

Summary Antibiotic resistance has become a worldwide problem. However, the reasons for the uneven geographic distribution of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms are not fully understood. For instance, there are striking differences in the epidemiology of multiresistant Gram-positive cocci between the USA and Germany. According to recent reports, the prevalence of high-level penicillinresistant pneumococci (PRP), meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in clinically relevant isolates of hospitalised patients in the USA and Germany are: PRP, 14% versus less than 1%; MRSA, 36% versus 15%; and VRE, 15% versus 1%. These disparities may be explained by several determinants: (1) diagnostic practice and laboratory recognition (all three pathogens); (2) clonal differences and pathogen transmissibility (VRE); (3) antibiotic prescribing practices (all three pathogens); (4) population characteristics, including extensive daycare exposure in the USA (PRP); (5) cultural factors (all three pathogens); (6) factors related to the health-care and legal system (all three pathogens); and (7) infectioncontrol practices (MRSA and VRE). Understanding these determinants is important for preventing further spread of multiresistant cocci within the USA. A rational approach to national surveillance is urgently needed in Germany to preserve the favourable situation and decrease MRSA transmission. Finally, we suggest that a macro-level perspective on antibiotic resistance can broaden the understanding of this worldwide calamity, and help prevent further dissemination of multiply resistant microorganisms.
Spread of Gypsy Moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) and Its Relationship to Defoliation

Gypsy moth management is divided into three components: eradication, suppression, and transition zone management. All three components require knowledge of the boundaries that delimit these areas. Additional interest is also placed on the relationship between population spread and defoliation to prepare for the gypsy moth advance in new areas and minimize its impact. We developed relationships between advancing population boundaries, which were estimated using an algorithm implemented under the USDA Forest Service Gypsy Moth Slow-the-Spread Project and defoliation records collected by State and Federal agencies. We used current data from Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Virginia and historical data from the lower peninsula of Michigan. We observed that in West Virginia, Virginia, and Michigan, defoliation generally occurred in areas where moth abundance exceeded 300 male moths per pheromone-baited trap (i.e., the 300-moth population boundary), whereas in Wisconsin, it generally occurred between the 100- and 300-moth population boundaries. We also detected temporal changes in Michigan in the relationship between boundaries and defoliation, where the transition time between the 10-moth population boundary and defoliation was 4-5 yr. Recent data from Wisconsin suggest a similar transitional time, whereas recent data from West Virginia and Virginia do not seem to contradict an earlier study suggesting a transition time of roughly 8 yr.
AMP-Activated Protein Kinase and Cancer Cell Metabolism

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an essential energy sensor that exerts its effect at both the cellular and organismal levels. In response to increases in the AMP to ATP ratio, typically under energy stress conditions, AMPK phosphorylates downstream regulatory proteins and enzymatic effectors to upregulate ATP-producing catabolic pathways and downregulate ATP-consuming processes. The identification of the tumor suppressor LKB1 as a primary upstream activating kinase of AMPK has prompted intense inquiry into its possible role in cancer. Indeed, preclinical studies suggest that AMPK is a promising target for cancer therapeutics. More interestingly, drugs that activate AMPK, such as metformin, have been widely used for treating type 2 diabetes, and could therefore be quickly adapted for cancer treatment. In this chapter, we will discuss the structure and regulation of AMPK, its role in controlling cell growth, and proliferation and the therapeutic implications of these findings on cancer prevention and treatment.
Poverty, Guardianship, and the Vulnerable Elderly: Human Narrative and statistical Patterns in a Snapshop of Adult Guardianship Cases in New York City

Our population is aging and experts agree that not enough is known about the reality of guardianships, particularly those involving the vulnerable elderly. This article analyzes a small sample of adult guardianship cases in New York City involving older adults who are among the most vulnerable. Narrative and statistics are used to explore the relationship between the guardianship process and the gender, race, ethnicity, age, and economic status of the person alleged to be incapacitated. Many states have enacted modern guardianship statutes that provide adequate due process protections for the person alleged to be incapacitated. Effective practices for monitoring a guardian have been developed, and documented, but implementation remains a problem, which places the vulnerable elderly under guardianship at risk. This analysis of guardianship cases helps to uncover the hidden reality of the guardianship system and provides important information that informs recommendations for reform and raises questions for further analysis.
Proclaiming Independence: Language and National Identity in Sékou Touré’s Guinea

AbstractLanguage is both a means of constructing collective identity and an expression of collective identity in itself. The implications for postcolonial societies are considerable: as long as a colonial language is privileged over its indigenous counterparts in the public sphere, a country remains under the de facto control of the former coloniser. This article engages with the struggle to decolonise language in postcolonial Guinea under Sekou Toure, from 1958 to 1984. Guinea is a particularly attractive case study for several reasons: first, language was central to the nascent national culture; thus, engagement with the question of language played out consciously and publicly. Second, both the Toure government and grassroots movements were actively involved in this process, often with conflicting goals and mechanisms. Third, national language policy confronted a popular, indigenous, and truly postcolonial alternative in the form of N'ko. Finally, Guinea's struggle yielded mixed results, many of which c...
Intraoperative neuroprotective interventions prevent spinal cord ischemia and injury in thoracic endovascular aortic repair

Objective Transient and permanent paraparesis and paraplegia (spinal cord injury [SCI]) are reported in up to 13% of patients undergoing thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for descending thoracic aortic aneurysm, thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm, and thoracic aortic dissection. We hypothesize that aggressive intraoperative and postoperative neuroprotective interventions prevent or significantly reduce all SCI in TEVAR. Methods Using a prospectively maintained, Institutional Review Board-approved database, we retrospectively reviewed all TEVARs performed in a university tertiary referral center from 2005 to 2014 to study the incidence of all transient and permanent lower extremity SCI. Only TEVARs for traumatic aortic tear were excluded. Arch debranching and carotid subclavian bypass were performed before TEVAR in patients with arch involvement. All patients had moderate systemic hypothermia (34°C), mean arterial pressure ≥90 mm Hg, and hemoglobin ≥10 g/dL. Patients received mannitol (12.5 g), methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg), and naloxone (1 μg/kg/h). Patients in whom >12 cm of aortic coverage was planned had spinal fluid drained to a pressure of Results One hundred fifty-five patients had TEVAR between 2005 and 2014. Mean age was 74 years, and 56.1% were male. Descending thoracic aortic aneurysm was present in 91.6%, thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm in 8.4%, and dissection in 28.8%. Presentation was acute in 42.5%. The procedure included carotid-subclavian bypass in 18.7% of patients. Seventy-two percent of patients had spinal fluid drainage. Mean aortic coverage was 25 cm. Eighty-one percent of patients had >12 cm aortic coverage, and 49% had complete coverage of the thoracic aorta (coverage from subclavian to celiac artery). In-hospital mortality was 1.94%. Stroke occurred in 1.32% of patients. No patient had renal failure. SCI occurred in 0.65% (1 of 154) of patients. Conclusions SCI in TEVAR can be significantly reduced by using proactive intraoperative and postoperative neuroprotective interventions that prolong spinal cord ischemic tolerance and increase spinal cord perfusion and oxygen delivery.
The Composition of Novalis' Die Lehrlinge Zu Sais: A Reevaluation

Novalis' fragment Die Lehrlinge zu Sais displays in its composition a degree of purpose and coherence with which it has never been credited. A close examination of the text reveals a carefully constructed schema that unites the seemingly disparate elements of speculation and poetry into a meaningful and uniform statement on the relationship between man and nature. In the first section, entitled “Der Lehrling,” Novalis defines the ego's binary direction into an outer realm and an inner realm as the dual approach to the reality of nature; he outlines these dialectically opposed paths according to a pattern of alternate juxtaposition that reflects their opposite trends while it allows, at the same time, for their fundamental unity by linking one alternative to the other. The initial object of Novalis' exposition in the second section, called “Die Natur,” is the range of man's power of knowledge; he employs its various aspects as points of perspective from which nature may be examined, a fact that becomes fully obvious only after the underlying pattern of composition has been recognized as one that follows Kant's systematization of the human intellect, in particular his system for the categories of understanding.
Optical Limiting in a Photorefractive Polymer

Optical limiting has been suggested as a possible device application of high gain photorefractive (PR) polymers. The principle of operation relies on the existence of amplified scattering (beam fanning) to deplete the intensity of the incident coherent optical beam. The newest photorefractive polymers show a combination of high gain and reasonable speed, and we show how these materials behave as a beam fanning optical limiter and as a limiter based on self-pumped phase conjugation. A prototype cascaded beam fanning device is demonstrated and its salient features are discussed.
Using Distributed Transfer Function Method (DTFM) for Autonomous Health Monitoring of Interplanetary Drills

This paper documents the development of an autonomous health monitoring system for an interplanetary drill using the Distributed Transfer Function Method (DTFM). With the desire to search for extinct and extant life on other planets, it becomes necessary to develop deep penetrating system to capture a sample for science analysis. These drilling systems may encounter icy soils, which can cause the drill to freeze-in if preemptive measures are not taken. The drill operation is further challenged by long communications delay, which makes real time human operation impossible. For these reasons it is important for the drill to recover from faults completely autonomously. A method for autonomous drilling and fault recover presented in this paper uses modal analysis to compare natural frequencies with a model implemented with DTFM. The two approaches are: 1. use the model to calculate expected frequencies and then compare with real time data; or 2. port the real time natural frequencies into the DTFM modal to obtain the boundary conditions of the system. The implementation of both methods is documented herein.
Understanding the impact of breast cancer adjuvant endocrine therapy on cognitive function: a work in progress

Understanding the impact of breast cancer adjuvant endocrine therapy on cognitive function: a work in progress
"Harmony Between Man and Nature," the Basis for Harmonious Socialist Society Constructio

With the growing of human ability of conguesting nature,the conflict between man and nature is rising day by day,which destroyes the social harmony.Our nation always regard "harmony" as our purpose,which stressed that one has to take "harmony between man and nature"as the goal when dealing with the relationship between man and nature.Traditional thoughts has a lot to take advantage and has inspiration meaning for the modren society."Nature and Man",the simple concept,is still significant for solving the relationship between man and nature.Man and nature will finally be rational harmonious,and the harmony between them is the basic for the harmony society.
Three decades after Baby Doe: how neonatologists and bioethicists conceptualize the Best Interests Standard.

The objective of this study is to determine how neonatologists and bioethicists conceptualize and apply the Best Interests Standard (BIS). Members of the American Society for Bioethics and Humanities and the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine were surveyed to determine how they conceptualized the BIS and ranked the appropriateness of forgoing life-sustaining therapy (LST). Neonatologists’ median response supported an infant-specific BIS conceptualization that linked the infant’s and family’s interests. They did not support allowing limitations on the family’s obligations. Ethicists’ supported a conceptualization that linked the infant’s and family’s interests and limitations on the family’s obligations, a less infant-specific conceptualization. Ethicists were less or equally likely to agree with forgoing LST in seven of eight cases. Ethicists endorsed a conceptualization of the BIS that includes the effects on the family and rejected an infant-specific one. Neonatologists split between these two and rejected limiting the family’s obligations. Critical appraisal of the BIS is needed in neonatal ethics.
Astrocytic H + and Ca 2+ Changes: Implications for Ischemic Brain Injury

Astrocytes closely interact with all other brain cell elements. Therefore the consequences of brain injury from ischemia may be reflected specifically in the behavior of these cells. Astrocytes are either transformed into so–called “reactive species” after a reduction in blood flow [1, 33], or they are destroyed by the process, along with other brain cell elements [1]. Reactive astrocytosis is a process that may influence mechanisms by which the brain develops [28], functions under normal circumstances, and responds to global ischemia with selective loss of vulnerable neurons [18]. Alternatively, destruction of astrocytes from ischemia may not only contribute to selective loss of vulnerable neurons but also play a key role in the development of brain infarction [20, 23]. Two well–conserved and essential physiologic processes of eukaryotic cells that sensitively reflect their functional status are the regulation of intracellular pH (pHj) and calcium (Ca2+j) [6]. For example, a rise in pHj heralds the onset of increased cellular activity while a fall in pHi is associated with a reduction in vital processes in numerous cell types [5]. Furthermore, a rise in Ca2+i is a ubiquitous trigger for both constructive [41] and destructive cellular events [10, 11, 14, 36]. We are studying the role that astroglial changes in pHi and Ca2+i may have in causing the functional changes from ischemia that are seen in astrocytes.
THE FUNCTION OF ADULT PLAY IN FREE-RANGING Macaca mulatta

Play behavior is perhaps most reasonably viewed as a multifunctional and multicausal behavior not only at the inter specific level, but at the intra specific level as well, especially among complex, socially living species. Among primates, the function of play is usually described as inducing and/or facilitating 'learning' or 'socialization' in the immature individuals.
Optimization of Inventory for Two Level Multiple Retailers-Single Manufacturer Reverse Supply Chain

This paper deals with modelling of deteriorating used products inventory in a two level reverse supply chain. A time dependent optimisation model is developed for multi-retailer single manufacturer reverse supply chain involving collection and disposal of used products from customers. Collection rate or supply is assumed to exponential with time and time dependent deterioration of items is considered. Two cases are presented with one on decentralised policy optimizing retailers and manufacturer’s cost separately and another on centralised policy optimizing system wide cost. The optimal collection and disposal cycle times are derived and discussed with numerical example. The model has potential to be used in industries where existing distribution system is used for end-of life products collection and disposal.
Design Analysis and Implementation of MPPT using PSIM

Solar energy is one of the highly available non-conventional and clean energy sources. Harnessing the power from the solar panel is costlier than other sources. The maximum power point tracking (MPPT) helps maximum power utilization and also improves the system efficiency of PV panel and therefore reduces the overall cost of system. Normally, the voltage and current relationship is nonlinear and maximum power point (MPP) varies according to the solar irradiance. The MPPT consists of a DC–DC converter and a MPPT algorithm. This paper presents a simulation of perturb and observe (P&O) MPPT algorithm and SEPIC converter by using a simulation software powersim (PSIM). The simulation shows that the DC–DC converter extracts maximum power from the panel using MPPT algorithm.
Type-based Semantic Optimization for Scalable RDF Graph Pattern Matching

Scalable query processing relies on early and aggressive determination and pruning of query-irrelevant data. Besides the traditional space-pruning techniques such as indexing, type-based optimizations that exploit integrity constraints defined on the types can be used to rewrite queries into more efficient ones. However, such optimizations are only applicable in strongly-typed data and query models which make it a challenge for semi-structured models such as RDF. Consequently, developing techniques for enabling typebased query optimizations will contribute new insight to improving the scalability of RDF processing systems. In this paper, we address the challenge of type-based query optimization for RDF graph pattern queries. The approach comprises of (i) a novel type system for RDF data induced from data and ontologies and (ii) a query optimization and evaluation framework for evaluating graph pattern queries using type-based optimizations. An implementation of this approach integrated into Apache Pig is presented and evaluated. Comprehensive experiments conducted on real-world and synthetic benchmark datasets show that our approach is up to 500X faster than existing approaches