cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Opioid-prescribing patterns among shoulder and elbow surgeons: considerations for future prescription guidelines.

Background Although the achievement of adequate analgesia is critical to patient comfort and recovery following orthopedic procedures, no standard protocol exists to dictate the appropriate duration and quantity of narcotic prescription in the postoperative period. Therefore, the purpose of this survey was to determine patterns of opioid prescribing among orthopedic shoulder and elbow providers. Methods In March 2020, a survey was distributed through a LISTSERV to 989 members of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons orthopedic society. Survey recipients were asked to describe their personal and practice characteristics. Additionally, they were asked to list their 3 most commonly performed procedures and, for each operation, to list which narcotic pain medication they most commonly prescribe postoperatively, along with the corresponding number of tablets typically given. Similarly, respondents were asked to record frequently recommended alternative strategies for postoperative pain control, factors influencing the respondents’ prescribing practices, and methods of patient counseling regarding opioid use and disposal. Results A total of 177 providers responded to the survey. Across all selected procedures, Percocet (5 mg of oxycodone hydrochloride and 325 mg of acetaminophen) was the most commonly prescribed drug, with 21-30 tablets being the most commonly prescribed amount. The majority of surgeons (82%) indicated that previous opioid prescriptions influence their decision to prescribe opioids. Respondents most frequently reported patient age (48%) and duration of the patient’s symptoms (32%) as additional influential factors. Most surgeons (93%) reported counseling their patients regarding the use of opioid medications. However, only 30% of surgeons reported providing information regarding how to dispose of unused opioids. In lieu of opioids, nearly all investigators reported the use of ice as a pain-relief strategy, with rest and the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reported as other commonly recommended alternatives. Of 137 respondents who were aware of prescription guidelines, 21% reported using recommendations from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 21% used institutional policies, and 20% used personal guidelines, whereas the remaining respondents used other literature findings in their prescription decisions. Of particular concern, 21% of overall respondents were unaware of any type of guidelines. Discussion To prevent both misuse and abuse of opioid prescribing, this analysis serves as a starting point for the establishment of more consistent, evidence-based opioid prescription guidelines for surgical procedures on the shoulder and elbow. In addition to recommending safe, procedure-specific opioid dosages and standardizing pain management strategies, these guidelines should include effective methods of educating both providers and patients regarding the use of opioid medication.
Advances in the Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Management of Pediatric Fatty Liver Disease.

Abstract Purpose Nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) is a major contributor to pediatric liver disease. This review evaluated the current literature on prevalence, screening, diagnosis, and management of NAFL in children and explored recent advances in the field of pediatric NAFL. Methods A PubMed search was performed for manuscripts describing disease burden, diagnosis, and management strategies in pediatric NAFL published within the past 15 years. Systematic reviews, clinical practice guidelines, randomized controlled trials, and cohort and case–control studies were reviewed for the purpose of this article. Findings The prevalence of NAFL in children is increasing. It is a leading cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality in children. Screening and diagnosis of NAFL in children are a challenge. Lifestyle changes and exercise are the cornerstones of the management of NAFL. Implications Further research is needed to develop better screening and diagnostic tools for pediatric NAFL, including noninvasive diagnostics. NAFL therapeutics is another area of much-needed, ongoing research.
Comorbid depression in surgical cancer patients associated with non-routine discharge and readmission.

Abstract Objective To characterize the rates of depression across primary cancer sites, and determine the effects of comorbid depression among surgical cancer patients on established quality of care indicators, non-routine discharge and readmission. Methods Patients undergoing surgical resection for cancer were selected from the Nationwide Readmissions Database (2010–2014). Multivariable analysis adjusted for patient and hospital level characteristics to ascertain the effect of depression on post-operative outcomes and 30-day readmission rates. Non-routine discharge encompasses discharge to skilled nursing, inpatient rehabilitation, and intermediate care facilities, as well as discharge home with home health services. Results Among 851,606 surgically treated cancer patients, 8.1% had a comorbid diagnosis of depression at index admission (n = 69,174). Prevalence of depression was highest among patients with cancer of the brain (10.9%), female genital organs (10.9%), and lung (10.5%), and lowest among those with prostate cancer (4.9%). Depression prevalence among women (10.9%) was almost twice that of men (5.7%). Depression was associated with non-routine discharge after surgery (OR 1.20, CI:1.18–1.23, p Conclusion Rates of depression vary amongst surgically treated cancer patients by primary tumor site. Comorbid depression in these patients is associated with increased likelihood of non-routine discharge and readmission.
Predicting Potential-Dependent Electrode–Chemisorbate Vibrational Behavior from Density Functional Theory Calculations

A Summary Report to The Electrochemical Society for the 2002 F. M. Beckett Summer Research Fellowship.
Influence of Orientational Genesis on the Actuation of Monodomain Liquid Crystalline Elastomers

The macroscopic alignment of the nematic director within liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) amplifies the magnitude of the directional strain response. Theory predicts that the stimuli response o...
Inlaws, Outlaws, and State Formation in Nineteenth-Century Oklahoma

While much of the federal Department of Justice’s policing bureaucracy was in retrenchment from the 1880s and 1890s, the Indian Territories was the site of some of the most aggressive policing in the nation’s history. Specifically, a series of reforms in US-Indian relations permitted a high level of federal involvement in policing and the management of local order. Using original demographic data on US deputy marshals and criminal gangs active in the Indian Territories, as well as an analysis of media coverage of Oklahoma crime, this article shows that this explosion of state-building was due, in part, to the ways in which kinship rules in Oklahoma allowed racially ambiguous inhabitants to be castigated as “outlaws.” This, in turn, opened up space for the federal marshal apparatus—which was primarily white—to expand its role as the purveyors of local law and order in a manner that had never been possible in the South.
Is China a Challenge to U.S. National Security

China and the actions of its leadership have been increasingly seen as a challenge to U.S. national security. This belief is held in common by high-level state officials throughout their official statements as well as by the general public in polls about China’s perceived threat. This article seeks to examine the extent to which China poses as a challenge to U.S. national security, describe how the nation-state might likely do so, and how this threat may change over time. While China remains an active and largely peaceful member of the international community that is constantly evolving in terms of its own foreign policy, it currently has the capabilities to directly challenge U.S. homeland security as well as indirectly degrade U.S. foreign interests as well. Rather than through traditional military means, this threat China poses to U.S. homeland security stems from a rising level of economic influence within the U.S. domestic sphere, as well as a robust cyberwarfare and counter-space program that has the potential to damage U.S. civilian, military, and commercial sectors. However, China has become more and more adept at challenging the U.S. alliance network and overseas bases through both non-conventional and conventional military means, posing a threat to U.S. objectives of free trade as well as allied nations’ political integrity that may lead to direct conflict in the future.
Variable Structure Control of Rigid-Flexible Closed-Chain Systems

This paper describes the control of rigid-flexible closed chain systems using Variable Structure Control. Particularly a configuration called the Rapid Deployment Truss (RDT) structure will be analysed. The insertion of a frequency shaping filter is introduced into the feedback loop, so that high frequency vibrational modes are less excited due to the switching phenomena inherent in such controllers. The controller is a result of a quadratic regulator problem in conjunction with sliding mode design. A numerical simulation suggests validity of the modeling method and effectiveness of the control.
Ceramics, Glass Structure and Properties

Inorganic glasses are important ceramic materials and glasses share many of the desirable properties of crystalline ceramics even though they lack long-range order. The structure of glasses is not completely random, however. Glasses do have short-range order in the arrangement of anions around cations. Glasses, less thermodynamically stable than crystals, must be “captured” in a metastable state, and this is typically accomplished by rapid cooling of a liquid. The simplest inorganic glasses are composed of only one element: B, C, P, As, S, or Se. Glassy selenium in thin-film form has been used extensively in the photocopying industry. Inorganic glasses containing more than one element can be broadly categorized according to the type of anion. There are two main categories: chalcogenide glasses and halide glasses. Several criteria for predicting which compounds form glasses have been proposed. The best known guidelines are those originally presented for oxide glasses and known as Zachariasen Rules. The most striking and useful characteristic of common silicate glass is its transparency to visible light. This transparency results from the absence of grain boundaries and delocalized electrons, which tend to scatter and absorb light. There are many applications in which glass is used as an electrical insulator. One example is glass-to-metal seals. Moreover, other glasses are useful as a result of ionic or electronic conductivity. Glasses are good thermal insulators, making them ideal materials for windows in buildings. The thermal conductivity of a glass increases markedly as it is crystallized to form a glass–ceramic. The thermal conductivity of an aerogel is exceptionally low. Glass processing techniques include melt processing, sol–gel processing, vapor-phase processing, and thin-film techniques. Silicate glass is a familiar, ubiquitous material, used in beverage containers, window panes, and automobile windshields. Increasingly, however, unusual glasses are being employed in high technology applications, such as optical fibers for telecommunications, graded-refractive-index glasses, nonlinear optical glasses, acousto-optic glasses, fast-ion conducting glasses, glass–ceramics, and glass microspheres. Keywords: Ceramics; Glass; Types; Glass structure; Optical properties; Electrical Thermal properties; Processing
Interaction of pressure- and flow-induced responses in porcine coronary resistance vessels.

Pressure-induced myogenic responses and flow-induced vasodilatory responses have been documented in coronary resistance arterioles, but the interaction of these two mechanisms and the nature of the...
Effects of replacing fish meal with poultry by-product meal and soybean meal and reduced protein level on the performance and immune status of pond-grown sunshine bass (Morone chrysops × M. saxatilis)

Two primary ways to achieve low-cost, nutritionally efficacious diets for sunshine bass (Morone chrysops × M. saxatilis) are to decrease crude protein (CP) levels and the use alternative animal or plant ingredients to partially, or totally, replace fish meal. A 459-day feeding trial was conducted with juvenile (35 g) sunshine bass to evaluate growth, feed efficiency, size distribution at harvest, immune function status and body composition when fed diets containing soybean meal (SBM), feed-grade poultry by-product meal (PBM), and supplemental methionine as complete replacements for menhaden fish meal (MFM) at 300 g kg−1 diet, while simultaneously reducing dietary crude protein (CP; 320, 360, and 400 g kg−1). The feeding trial was conducted in 12, 0.04-ha earthen ponds stocked at a rate of 300 per pond (3000/ac). At 400 g kg−1 dietary protein, there were no differences in responses between fish fed the diet containing MFM or the diet in which MFM was completely replaced with PBM and supplemental methionine on a digestible protein basis. However, final mean weight, percentage weight gain, specific growth rate, and protein efficiency ratio were linearly related (P 680 g) decreased as dietary protein level decreased based on ordinal logistic regression. There were no significant relationships between body compositional indices and dietary treatments. Body fat ranged from 56 g kg−1 to 62 g kg−1, single fillets ranged from 28% to 30%, and livers ranged from 2.45% to 2.62% of body weight across treatments. Fillet protein concentration was positively linear and quadratic for protein level in the diet but fillet moisture, lipid and ash did not differ among diets. Total serum protein, immunoglobulin and lysozyme activity decreased linearly with decreasing diet protein level. These results suggest that complete replacement of MFM with feed grade PBM and supplemental methionine is possible in diets for sunshine bass and that further reductions in dietary protein level may be possible with amino acid supplementation.
COLOR EROTICISM AND COLOR PREFERENCE

In reviewing the rather massive body of color preference research during the past century it appears that little attention has been given to the sexual properties of colors. The sexually stimulating effect of colors and the erotic connotations carried may be an important effect in its own right or it may influence ratings of color preference. The present study examines the similarity in sexual and preference ratings of eight colors. Twenty males and 20 female college students (M.,. 21.68 yr.) were handed the 37 x 70-mm color samples from Luscher's Color Test (Luscher & Scott, 1969) and were asked to arrange them in order of most to least "sexually stimulating." After recording their responses, the color samples were randomized and presented with the instruccions to arrange them in order of preference.
The detection of endotoxin by in vitro production of endogenous pyrogen: comparison with limulus amebocyte lysate gelation.

Abstract The sensitivities of leukocyte endogenous pyrogen (EP) production and limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) gelation to endotoxin from E. coli (minimum i.v. pyrogenic dose 4 ng/kg in rabbits) were determined. Concentrations of 0.5–1.0 ng/ml could be detected by LAL. The minimum endotoxin concentration which generated detectable EP from 2 × 10 6 monocytes was 10-fold lower (0.05–0.1 ng/ml). At an endotoxin concentration of 0.4 ng/ml the minimum number of monocytes required for detectable EP production was 5 × 10 5 . It is concluded that the LAL gelation test cannot safely be used to exclude significant endotoxin contamination in a cellular system where EP production is being measured. The same conclusion applies even more forcibly to the in vitro production of lymphocyte activating factor (LAF, interleukin-1), since it appears that LAF and EP are identical and sub-pyrogenic amounts of EP are easily detectable in the LAF assay.
Bridged Tetraquaternary Salts from N,N‘-Polyfluoroalkyl-4,4‘-bipyridine

4,4‘-Bipyridine (1) with excess of polyfluoroalkyl bromide or iodides 2a−d at 100−110 °C without solvent gave the monoquaternary salts 3a−d in >90% yields. However, 1 with 2.5 equiv of 2a−c in DMF at 110 °C resulted in the diquaternary salts 5a−c in >85% yields. In DMF, 5a−c were obtained in comparable yields when a molar excess of 2a−c reacted with 3a−c. 1,4-Dibromobutane with 3a,b in DMF at 100 °C led to the tetraquaternary salts 7a,b in ∼85% yields. In water or acetone/water as a solvent, salts 3a−d and 5a−c were metathesized with LiN(SO2CF3)2 and KSO3CF3 to produce monoquaternary ionic liquids 4a−h in >88% yields and diquaternary ionic liquids 6a−f in >86% yields, respectively. Tetraquaternary ionic liquids 8a,b were obtained when LiN(SO2CF3)2 was reacted with salts 7a,b. These compounds were stable to 340 °C as determined by DSC. They are the first N-mono-, N,N‘-di-, and N,N,N‘,N‘-tetra-4,4‘-polyfluoroalkylbipyridinium quaternary salts and ionic liquids.
Morphological Comparisons of White Fir and Red Fir Dwarf Mistletoes in the Sierra Nevada and Southern Cascade Mountains

Abstract Fir dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium abietinum, Viscaceae) is a common parasite of California white fir (Abies lowiana) and red fir (Abies magnifica) in California. Based on its host specificity, fir dwarf mistletoe consists of two special forms: A. abietinum formae specialis concoloris on California white fir and A. abietinum f. sp. magnificae on red fir. I sampled 17 populations of each special form in the Sierra Nevada and extreme southern Cascade Mountains (Mt. Lassen area) and completed additional morphological measurements of male and female plants, flowers, and fruits. As reported by previous studies, my results demonstrated that these special forms are morphologically similar. No significant differences were detected between the plant, flower, or fruit dimensions measured. The plant color of white fir and red fir dwarf mistletoe was also similar for both male and female plants, but some plants of red fir dwarf mistletoe are more brown-green than white fir dwarf mistletoe, particularly in the...
Single-crystal sapphire high-temperature sensor

With a single-crystal sapphire disk as the sensing element, a broadband polarimetric interferometer (BPI) based high temperature sensor is presented. The state of polarization of the broadband incident light is modulated by the birefringence of the sapphire disk and becomes a wavelength-encoded signal, which is detected by an optical spectrum analyzer (OSA). From the detected optical spectrum, an internally developed algorithm is employed to measure the difference of optical paths between two orthogonal linearly polarized lights in the sapphire disk, which is uniquely determined by environment temperature. A wide dynamic measurement range (from room temperature up to 1600 degrees Celsius) with a resolution less than 1 degree(s)C and accuracy 0.26% full scale is achieved. The great advantages of this sensor are its simplicity and long-term stability in the harsh environment.
Commercial applications of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers

Summary form only given, as follows. Since the first demonstration of room temperature continuous wave operation about 10 years ago, vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) have made significant inroads into commercial realization predominantly in the area of data communications. In 1996, several companies introduced a new generation of fiber optic products based on VCSEL technology. First devices at 850 nm wavelength are now in volume production and are being used for gigabit rate, multimode fiber transceivers for the ANSI Fiber Channel and Gigabit Ethernet IEEE 802.3 standards. VCSELs offer unique advantages over their edge-emitting counterparts in several ways. These include their low-cost (LED-like) manufacturability, on wafer testability, low current operation and their array integrability. As data rates continue to increase, VCSELs (due to their small mode volume) offer the advantage of being able to provide the highest modulation bandwidth per milliamp of modulation current. We review some of the current commercial applications of VCSEls from 650 nm to 1300 nm. Applications ranging from data communications to laser printing are discussed. We also discuss some of the outstanding issues that limit the commercial use of VCSELs.
Anion permeability of toad skeletal muscle incubated in plasma and ringer solution

Isolated semitendinosus muscles of the toad were incubated in both Ringer solution and toad plasma for periods ranging from 45 to 170 minutes. The extracellular volume (ECV), as measured from the equilibrium distribution of 35SO4(2-), was found to increase (in gram extracellular (EC) water/gram wet weight) from 0.15 +/- 0.01 to 0.20 +/- 0.02 in muscles incubated in Ringer solution, whereas the ECV was found to remain constant in tissues incubated in plasma (0.16 +/- 0.01 to 0.17 +/- 0.01), for periods up to 170 minutes. Since the true ECV, as measured morphometrically, was found to remain unchanged for muscles incubated in Ringer solution for up to 3 hours, the data for these muscles were interpreted to represent a change in anion permeability of the cellular membranes in response to the absence of some plasma fraction from the Ringer solution (with an electrolyte composition and pH similar to that of plasma). When toad plasma albumin was added to the Ringer solution, in physiological concentrations, the ECV of the muscles was observed to remain relatively constant during the 3-hour incubation period. This albumin effect on anion permeability was found to be albumin concentration-dependent. Further, other sources of albumin were found to have varying degrees of effect on the anion permeability of toad muscle, with bovine albumin serving as the most acceptable substitute for toad albumin, when incubating semitendinosus muscles.
Primary hyperparathyroidism during pregnancy.

Primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) during pregnancy is rare and associated with increased morbidity and mortality for both mother and fetus. This review aims to draw together recent thinking on pregnancy and pHPT. We have performed a Pubmed (Medline®) search with no time limit using “primary hyperparathyroidism”, “pregnancy” or “management” as keywords. We reviewed 37 articles in English and French languages on pHPT characteristics, clinical presentations, pregnancy complications, birth outcomes and management of pHPT during pregnancy. The diagnosis of pHPT is characterized by an elevated serum calcium level associated with an inappropriate increase in the parathyroid hormone level. The clinical manifestations are directly related to the calcium level. Usual techniques to detect parathyroid adenoma or hyperplasia, as computerized tomography and 99mTc-sestamibi scintigraphy, are not recommended in pregnancy. Thus, ultrasonography of the neck is the current first-line investigation during pregnancy for localization of parathyroid diseases. pHPT during pregnancy with mildly elevated calcium levels may be managed with medical treatment: intravenous or oral rehydratation, with or without forced diuresis. Few drugs are available for pHTP during pregnancy; calcitonin and cinacalcet require further study; bisphosphonate should be restricted to life-threatening hypercalcemia. Surgery is the only curative treatment and is recommended when calcium levels are above 2.75 mmol/L. It should be performed in the second trimester and considered in the third trimester if there is inadequate response to medical therapy. Early diagnosis of pHPT in a pregnant woman, followed by appropriate management and treatment, has been shown to significantly reduce maternal and fetal complications.
Rhythmic firing of deiters' neurons and synchronization by cerebellar inhibition in lidocaine-treated cats

Abstract Cerebellar inhibition of spontaneous or homocysteic acid-induced activity iof dorsal Deiters' neurons was studied in cats anesthetized with chloralose-urethane. Following intravenous lidocaine (5–10 mg/kg), cerebellar inhibition was not reduced but postinhibitory peaks (PIPs) appeared in the postimulus histograms. The number of PIPs increased as variability in firing rate decreased after lidocaine. The frequency of PIPs observed in the histograms approximated the monitored firing rates of the cells. The peaks observed in autocorrelograms constructed after lidocaine had the same frequency, structure and variability as the PIPs. In ‘dot diograms’, only one spike per corresponding PIP was observed. Similar PIPs were observed in poststimulus histograms constructed during inhibition of crayfish stretch receptor neurons which fired regularly in the absence of lidocaine. These studies indicate that the postinhibitory peaks and silent periods were due to synchronized firing of Deiters' neurons induced by cerebellar inhibition, which was detectable only after lidocaine regularized the firing of Deiters' neurons.
Exercise behavior and patient-reported outcomes in women with early breast cancer receiving locoregional radiation therapy

Abstract Purpose Radiation therapy is associated with acute treatment-related complications that can lead to decreased quality of life (QOL). Exercise has been shown in other cancer treatment settings to improve negative outcomes. We conducted a prospective pilot study to explore the association between exercise, patient-reported outcomes, and acute radiation therapy toxicities. Methods and materials Women receiving curative breast radiation therapy were enrolled. Each patient completed an exercise behavior/QOL survey before or during the first week of treatment and again during the last week of treatment. Exercise behavior was quantified with the Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (metabolic equivalent [MET] hours per week). Measurements to evaluate upper extremity lymphedema and shoulder range of motion were completed. Skin toxicity was assessed weekly. Patient-reported outcomes were measured using standardized questionnaires. Results Forty-five patients were enrolled. Mean patient age was 54 (range, 28-73) years. Mean METs in the exercise cohort (≥9 METs/wk) was 21 per week (range, 11-38, n=14); 3 per week (range, 0-8, n=25) in the nonexercise cohort ( Conclusions The vast majority of current exercise oncology literature implicates physical activity as an independent predictor of QOL in cancer patients. Our study noted similar trends, but they were not statistically significant. This may be due to our finding that patient-reported outcomes with radiation therapy are relatively high compared with other treatment modalities and remain stable throughout treatment. Thus, it may be that radiation therapy has a limited impact on QOL in breast cancer patients. Exercise may be best used as a targeted therapy in patients at high risk for poor QOL or radiation-related toxicities at baseline.
Atomistics of vapour-liquid-solid nanowire growth.

Vapour–liquid–solid route and its variants are routinely used for scalable synthesis of semiconducting nanowires, yet the fundamental growth processes remain unknown. Here we employ atomic-scale computations based on model potentials to study the stability and growth of gold-catalysed silicon nanowires. Equilibrium studies uncover segregation at the solid-like surface of the catalyst particle, a liquid AuSi droplet, and a silicon-rich droplet–nanowire interface enveloped by heterogeneous truncating facets. Supersaturation of the droplets leads to rapid one-dimensional growth on the truncating facets and much slower nucleation-controlled two-dimensional growth on the main facet. Surface diffusion is suppressed and the excess Si flux occurs through the droplet bulk which, together with the Si-rich interface and contact line, lowers the nucleation barrier on the main facet. The ensuing step flow is modified by Au diffusion away from the step edges. Our study highlights key interfacial characteristics for morphological and compositional control of semiconducting nanowire arrays.
Liquid-phase catalytic oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids

Liquid-phase catalytic oxidation of oleic acid with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of various transition metal/metal oxide catalysts was studied in a batch autoclave reactor. Azelaic and pelargonic acids are the major reaction products. Tungsten and tantalum and their oxides in supported and unsupported forms were used as catalysts. Alumina pellets and Kieselguhr powder were used as supports for the catalysts. Tungsten, tantalum, molybdenum, zirconium, and niobium were also examined as catalysts. Tertiary butanol was used as solvent. Experimental results concluded that tungsten and tungstic oxide are more suitable catalysts in terms of their activity and selectivity. The rate of reaction observed in the case of supported catalysts appears to be comparable or superior to that of unsupported catalysts. In pure form, tungsten, tantalum, and molybdenum showed strong catalytic activity in the oxidation reaction; however, except for tantalum the other two were determined to be economically unfeasible. Zirconium and niobium showed very little catalytic activity. Based on the experimental observations, tungstic oxide supported on silica is the most suitable catalyst for the oxidation of oleic acid with 85% of the starting oleic acid converted to the oxidation products in 60 min of reaction with high selectivity for azelaic acid.
Documenting drug information questions using software for poison information documentation.

Purpose. Current and alternative approaches to documenting drug information (DI) questions at DI centers in the United States and features of a software program used for documenting poison information are described. Methods. A survey was distributed through an Internet listserver for DI specialists in institutional or academic practices. The survey requested information regarding the use of electronic databases to document DI inquiries and the type of databases used. Documented DI questions during a nine-month period using Visual Dotlab (Visual Dotlab Enterprises, Fresno, CA) at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) DI center were analyzed to demonstrate the feasibility and efficiency of the software for documenting DI questions. Results. Thirty-three DI centers responded to the survey, and 22 (67%) used electronic databases for question documentation. Of these, 15 (68%) were created with Microsoft Office Access (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA). At the UPMC DI center, 841 DI questions were documented using Visual Dotlab. Questions from pharmacists, nurses, and physicians accounted for 654 (78%) of entries. Drug–drug interactions (12%) and dosage recommendations (12%) were the most common types of questions received. On average, DI specialists spent 46 minutes per response, which required an average of 1.7 follow-up calls per inquiry. Quality assurance was performed on 98% of questions documented. Conclusion. Visual Dotlab is not well-known and is currently not used widely by DI centers. However, it includes features that may help DI centers document and retrieve DI questions efficiently and comprehensively.
Agency and power in intercultural communication: negotiating English in translocal spaces

Abstract Sociolinguists have recently employed the notion of spatiotemporal scales to explain the changing social status of linguistic codes across social and geopolitical domains. Scales enable us to address the portability of semiotic resources in migration with great insight. In addition, unlike romanticized orientations to globalization and transnational relations, this model enables us to address the role of power in shaping the uptake of resources in shifting social contexts. Sociolinguists in this tradition show how the resources that enjoy power and prestige in certain local contexts receive lower status as migrants move to other social contexts, especially in Western urban communities. Despite the usefulness of this orientation, the sociolinguistics of scale suffers from certain limitations. It presents a highly stratified vision of social spaces, ignoring the possibility for renegotiating status differences and hierarchies. It assumes a normative orientation to languages, unable to accommodate t...
Likely cause found for global warming “hiatus”

An Atlantic current may be the cause of the recent warming “hiatus” observed since the beginning of the 21st century, according to new research published last week in the journal Science (doi:10.1126/science.1254937). The conclusion is based on observations of deep-sea temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean, from floats that sample water down to 2000 meters deep and from looking at historical records from the mid- to late 20th century.
Mechanisms of cell transfection by electroporation: Field induced DNA uptake and transfection efficiency

DNA transfection of cells by electroporation is simple and the transformant yield is often much higher than that using other chemical or physical methods. E. coli (prokaryotic), NIH 3T3 and HeLa cells (eukaryotic) have been used to study electrotransfection mechanisms. In all cases, transfection followed three essential steps: 1) cation facilitated binding of DNA to the cell surface, 2) electrophoresis of the surface bound DNA into the cells, and 3) the integration and/or expression of the loaded DNA. The first and second steps do not depend on the topology and the molecular weight of DNA, while the third step depends strongly on the topology of the loaded DNA. Transfer of the surface bound DNA into cells depends solely on the electric parameter. However, transfection efficiency depends also on the stability of the foreign DNA in the cytoplasm.
Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Disease Progression Model for Effect of Etanercept in Lewis Rats with Collagen-Induced Arthritis

Purpose To develop a pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic disease progression (PK/PD/DIS) model to characterize the effect of etanercept in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) progression.
Minibeam therapy with protons and light ions: physical feasibility and potential to reduce radiation side effects and to facilitate hypofractionation.

Purpose Despite several advantages of proton therapy over megavoltage x-ray therapy, its lack of proximal tissue sparing is a concern. The method presented here adds proximal tissue sparing to protons and light ions by turning their uniform incident beams into arrays of parallel, small, or thin (0.3-mm) pencil or planar minibeams, which are known to spare tissues. As these minibeams penetrate the tissues, they gradually broaden and merge with each other to produce a solid beam. Methods and Materials Broadening of 0.3-mm-diameter, 109-MeV proton pencil minibeams was measured using a stack of radiochromic films with plastic spacers. Monte Carlo simulations were used to evaluate the broadening in water of minibeams of protons and several light ions and the dose from neutron generated by collimator. Results A central parameter was tissue depth, where the beam full width at half maximum (FWHM) reached 0.7 mm, beyond which tissue sparing decreases. This depth was 22 mm for 109-MeV protons in a film stack. It was also found by simulations in water to be 23.5 mm for 109 MeV proton pencil minibeams and 26 mm for 116 MeV proton planar minibeams. For light ions, all with 10 cm range in water, that depth increased with particle size; specifically it was 51 mm for Li-7 ions. The ∼2.7% photon equivalent neutron skin dose from the collimator was reduced 7-fold by introducing a gap between the collimator and the skin. Conclusions Proton minibeams can be implemented at existing particle therapy centers. Because they spare the shallow tissues, they could augment the efficacy of proton therapy and light particle therapy, particularly in treating tumors that benefit from sparing of proximal tissues such as pediatric brain tumors. They should also allow hypofractionated treatment of all tumors by allowing the use of higher incident doses with less concern about proximal tissue damage.
Platelet stimulating agents--off the launching pad.

Promising clinical trial data suggest that thrombopoietic growth factors may soon enter clinical practice.
Vitreomacular observations II. Data on the pathogenesis of idiopathic macular breaks

• Background: The pathogenesis of idiopathic macular breaks is still uncertain. Their formation has been ascribed to anteriorly oriented intravitreous traction and to shrinkage of the prefoveal cortical vitreous. The validity of both hypotheses is considered in this paper. • Methods: In order to clarify the pathogenesis of idiopathic macular breaks 127 consecutive patients had their vitreous examined and photographed with the El Bayadi-Kajiura precorneal lens and a slit-lamp microscope. • Results: A comparison with 127 matched controls demonstrated that the vitreous was significantly more often attached in eyes with a macular break than in controls (P<0.01). In eyes with a macular break the vitreous was significantly more often attached in early cases (Gass stage 1) than in Gass stages 3 and 4 (P<0.01). Still photographs and observation of the movements of the operculum demonstrated that, in some cases of stage 3 and also in stage 4, it moved inside the partially liquefied posterior vitreous, anteriorly to the retinal surface and frequently without evidence of posterior vitreous detachment over the macular area. The following anatomical features characterize the vitreomacular area: extremely thin hyaloid membrane (<100 μm) and inner limiting lamina (10 nm) that adhere strongly to each other and to the underlying Mueller cells. There is no evidence that these structures can shrink selectively to cause a macular break. The premacular vitreous gel contains collagen fibers that attach posteriorly to the macula and anteriorly to the vitreous base. • Conclusions: Our working hypothesis is that when detachment of the posterior vitreous is abnormally delayed, anteroposterior traction by collagen fibers may pull a foveal operculum off the retina. Our observations make this hypothesis attractive. However, the generally accepted hypothesis of Johnson and Gass cannot be entirely dismissed. In reality, since the two hypotheses are not mutually exclusive, they may both the partially correct.
Effects of prey density on growth and survival of white sucker,Catostomus commersoni, and pumpkinseed,Lepomis gibbosus, larvae

Growth and survival of white sucker and pumpkinseed larvae were examined in the laboratory in relation to prey density. Mortality of both species was greatest during the transition from endogenous to exogenous nutrition. Mortality prior to yolk absorption was substantial for white suckers and was not related to prey density whereas, pumpkinseed mortality during the same period was low. After yolk absorption, however, pumpkinseed suffered considerably higher mortality rates than white sucker larvae and, in both species, mortality and growth were directly related to prey density. The minimum prey density supporting 10% survival of pumpkinseed larvae was estimated at 0.16 plankters ml-1 whereas, for white suckers it was 0.15 plankters ml-1. Significant growth of both white sucker and pumpkinseed larvae, however, occurred only at prey densities higher than 0.25 plankters ml-1. We suggest that since egg size and yolk reserve are greater in sucker larvae, suckers are better adapted to survive short term declines in prey abundance during the transition to exogenous feeding than pumpkinseed larvae. The reproductive strategies of each species seems to reflect this, with suckers spawning over a short time interval, but producing young with large yolk. Pumpkinseed, in contrast, spawn intermittently over an extended period but produce young with relatively small volk reserves.
Burn injuries caused by chip-pan fires: the Edinburgh experience

Thirty-two patients were admitted to the South-East Scotland Burn Unit over a 4-year period (1990-94), with burns sustained as a consequence of chip-pan fires. This represented 7 per cent of all admissions to the unit. Fourteen patients came from the Edinburgh city area, and 18 from surrounding countries. There were 14 males and 18 females, and an average age of 51.6 years. The average burn surface area was 4.7 per cent. Eighteen patients had burns to their hands, this being the most common area involved. Fourteen patients were managed conservatively, and 18 needed operative intervention. The patients spent an average of 19.4 days in hospital, and they required 46.3 days for complete healing to take place. Prevention by increased community awareness and widespread education is necessary to minimize the incidence, morbidity and cost of this relatively common and preventable type of burn.
Variability of DNA content of murine fibrosarcoma cells.

ANEUPLOIDY or heteroploidy and hyperploidy have been observed in tumours of experimental animals and of humans and seem to be a feature of most malignant cells1–9. DNA contents seem to correlate with karyotype in these changes or deviations from euploidy. Most tumours are hyperploid and higher in DNA content2,8,9. A rapid and reliable method of analysis of DNA content distribution of a cell population has recently become available with the development of flow microfluorometry (FMF)10. We report here the use of FMF analysis to measure DNA content of clones isolated from a fibrosarcoma. All the clones examined had a higher DNA content than did either the normal cells tested or the original fibrosarcoma. There is thus a variability of DNA content in fibrosarcoma cells. This suggests that variability, as well as increase in DNA content in malignant cells may relate to their neoplastic development.
The anodization voltage influence on the properties of TiO2 nanotubes grown by electrochemical oxidation

A systematic study of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotubes (NTs) grown by electrochemical anodization in NH4F + glycerol electrolyte has been carried out in a broad range of anodization voltage of 5–350 V and acid concentration of 0.1–0.7 wt%. It is found that NTs can be grown in the voltage range from 10 to 240 V. The maximum NH4F acid concentration at which NTs can be formed decreases with the anodization voltage (Va). The maximum NH4F acid concentration is 0.7% for Va<60 V, and it decreases to 0.1% at Va = 240 V. Glancing angle x-ray diffractometer (GAXRD) measurements show that as-grown amorphous TiO2 transforms to the anatase phase when annealed at 400 °C, and further transforms to the rutile phase at annealing temperatures higher than 500 °C. The transition temperature from anatase to rutile phase depends on the anodization conditions. The electrical resistivity of the NT increases by eight orders of magnitude when Va increases from 10 to 240 V.
ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS OF TRANSPOSITION OF THE GREAT ARTERIES IN A NEONATAL FOAL

The clinical and echocardiographic findings in a 19-h-old female foal with a ventricular septal defect, patent foramen ovale, patent ductus arteriosus, and complete transpositon of the great vessels are described. Clinical signs were suggestive of complex congenital heart disease and echocardiography of the foal allowed definitive diagnosis prior to postmortem.
On the Formation of the Low-Level Jet over Texas

Abstract The low-level jet (LLJ) in the winter half-year originates as a south wind over the high plains of Colorado. Kansas, western Oklahoma and West Texas. After formation, the LLJ spreads horizontally and upstream toward the Gulf of Mexico. The air in the LLJ becomes humid when the entrance to the jet moves to the Gulf. The water vapor in the LLJ originates in the nearby waters of the Gulf and enters Texas within the tropical air mass which has a recent (1–3 days) polar origin. A mature LLJ often has multiple maxima of the wind speed.
Stable loop in the crystal structure of the intercalated four-stranded cytosine-rich metazoan telomere.

In most metazoans, the telomeric cytosine-rich strand repeating sequence is d(TAACCC). The crystal structure of this sequence was solved to 1.9-A resolution. Four strands associate via the cytosine-containing parts to form a four-stranded intercalated structure held together by C.C+ hydrogen bonds. The base-paired strands are parallel to each other, and the two duplexes are intercalated into each other in opposite orientations. One TAA end forms a highly stabilized loop with the 5' thymine Hoogsteen-base-paired to the third adenine. The 5' end of this loop is in close proximity to the 3' end of one of the other intercalated cytosine strands. Instead of being entirely in a DNA duplex, this structure suggests the possibility of an alternative conformation for the cytosine-rich telomere strands.
Ocular injury reduction from ocular protection use in current combat operations.

BACKGROUND: The mechanisms of modern warfare unfortunately have lead to many ocular injuries. This study attempts to quantify the effect of military combat eye protection on the incidence of ocular injury among US service members engaged in current combat operations. METHODS: We retrospectively gathered data from the Joint Theater Trauma Registry from patients entering level III hospital facilities in Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom from March 2003 to September 2006. The presence of ocular injury was the primary outcome measure; whereas severity of injury and the effect of eye protection education on compliance with wearing this protection were secondary outcome measurements. RESULTS: Ocular protection status at the time of injury was documented in 3,276 casualties during the collection period. Of these, 451 of 2,671 (17%) casualties who reported wearing ocular protection sustained an ocular injury and 155 of 605 (26%) casualties who reported not wearing eye protection suffered an eye injury (p Language: en
Analysis of gas products from direct utilization of carbon in a solid oxide fuel cell

Abstract The evolution of gases from direct utilization of carbon in a solid oxide fuel cell (C-SOFC) was studied by potentiostatic/galvanostatic discharge of a fuel cell with coconut carbon, a carbonaceous material with low ash and sulfur content. Operation of C-SOFC at 750 °C produced less CO and more CO2 than those predicted by thermodynamic calculation using total Gibbs free energy minimization method. The addition of CO2 to the anode chamber increased CO formation and maximum power density from 0.09 W cm−2 to 0.13 W cm−2, indicating the occurrence of Boudouard reaction (CO2 + C ⇔ 2CO) coupling with CO electrochemical oxidation on the C-SOFC. Analysis of CO and CO2 concentration as a function of current and voltage revealed that electricity was mainly produced from the electrochemical oxidation of carbon at low current density and produced from the electrochemical oxidation of CO at high current density. The results suggest the electrochemical oxidation of solid carbon is more mass transfer limited than electrochemical oxidation of CO.
Little Potato Falls

It had been a very cold, wet and windy day, but as I was leaving dinner I saw a line of light on the western horizon. I raced …