cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
“Doubly Selective” Antimicrobial Polymers: How Do They Differentiate between Bacteria?

We have investigated how doubly selective synthetic mimics of antimicrobial peptides (SMAMPs), which can differentiate not only be- tween bacteria and mammalian cells, but also between Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, make the latter distinction. By dye-leakage experi- ments on model vesicles and comple- mentary experiments on bacteria, we were able to relate the Gram selectivi- ty to structural differences of these bacteria types. We showed that the double membrane of E. coli rather than the difference in lipid composition between E. coli and S. aureus was re- sponsible for Gram selectivity. The mo- lecular-weight-dependent antimicrobial activity of the SMAMPs was shown to be a sieving effect: while the 3000 g mol 1 SMAMP was able to pen- etrate the peptidoglycan layer of the Gram-positive S. aureus bacteria, the 50000 g mol 1 SMAMP got stuck and
Oral candidiasis: pathogenesis and host defense

Oral candidiasis is a common problem, frequently presenting as a chronic recurring infection. Oral infection is a potential reservoir of organisms for severe, spreading, local disease and systemic disease in the compromised host. Nonspecific local oral factors in host defense include the epithelial barrier, flow or saliva, microbial interactions, antimicrobial constituents of saliva, lysozyme, lactoferrin, the lactoperoxidase system, levels of iron, and salivary glycoproteins. Immunoglobins are present in saliva, but their role is poorly understood. The activity of antibody against Candida on oral mucosal surfaces may not be mediated by complement and phagocyte activity. Specific antibodies against Candida may function by aggregating the organisms and preventing mucosal adherence of the fungi.
Computed Tomograpy Angiography of the Renal Circulation

This article discusses adequate acquisition and display of the renal circulation and the various pathologies related to the renal arterial system, trauma, planning for renal transplantation, and common tumors of the kidneys.
Interdisciplinary Teamwork: Student Differences and Teaching Implications

Teamwork with individuals from multiple disciplines is recognized as a significant skill necessary for professional employment. While a variety of teaching methods for students in health care professions have been investigated and found to be generally effective in improving interdisciplinary team skills, one field - health administration - has not been included in these studies. The research presented here used two standardized instruments (with seven distinct subscales) to compare perceptions of health care administration students and clinical students regarding interdisciplinary teamwork. Three attitudes toward interdisciplinary health care teams were similar among all students - shared leadership, perceived need for cooperation, and understanding others’ values. Significant differences between administration and clinical students were found in four areas. Health administration students exhibited lower scores for: 1) believing in the value of teamwork, 2) recognizing teamwork efficiency, 3) believing their profession was perceived as competent by other health care professionals, and 4) recognizing their own lack of cooperation in teamwork. These findings reveal the diverse cultures among health care professionals and invite educators to consider the diversity of their students when implementing interdisciplinary team-teaching techniques and methods.
Serum Parathyroid Hormone Concentrations and Clinical Outcomes in ESRD: A Call for Targeted Clinical Trials

Secondary hyperparathyroidism almost universally accompanies end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In some, but not all studies, elevated serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations are associated with increased fracture rates, cardiovascular disease, and mortality in ESRD. The serum concentration of PTH required for optimal bone health and reduced cardiovascular risk in such patients remains elusive. Recent clinical trials have failed to show substantial changes in morbidity and mortality following reductions of elevated serum PTH concentrations. In this review, we will assess some of the difficulties in evaluating elevated serum PTH concentrations, and their association with skeletal fractures and mortality in ESRD patients. We are of the opinion that in the context of ESRD, elevated PTH concentrations occur in conjunction with other comorbid conditions such as diabetes mellitus, malnutrition, hypertension, volume excess, preexisting heart disease, all of which have prevented establishing a precise association between elevated serum PTH concentrations and global or skeletal outcomes. Age, gender, and racial variability among groups make interpretation exceptionally difficult. Analysis of prevalent ESRD populations with secondary hyperparathyroidism should take all these factors into account. We suggest that future clinical trials which examine the usefulness of reductions in serum PTH concentrations be conducted in age, sex, and racially balanced groups, without or with minimal coexisting confounding disease. Furthermore, trials in such populations should have as their primary outcome a reduction in fractures rather than an alteration in mortality.
Abstract T P187: How High Is Too High? An Analysis of the Upper Threshold for Serum FVIII in Ischemic Stroke

Background: Elevated factor VIII (FVIII) is an independent risk factor for thromboembolic events and acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Laboratory reference ranges categorize levels >150% and >200% activity as elevated and severely elevated, respectively. We sought to identify the upper limit of FVIII activity with the most clinical relevance for outcomes after AIS. Methods: From our stroke registry, patients admitted with AIS between 07/2008 to 10/2013 were included if FVIII levels were measured during admission. Logistic regression, was used to assess differences in baseline, in-hospital, and outcome variables in patients with FVIII elevation as compared to those with normal levels. The primary outcome was poor modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score on discharge, defined as mRS>2. Serial dichotomized FVIII levels using a 5-point incremental analysis of levels were analyzed with respect to poor outcome. The threshold yielding the largest area under the curve (AUC) was determined. Results: Among 1,453 cases in our r...
Modeling the Efficiency of Top Nationalised Indian Banks: A DEA–Neural Network Approach

In this paper, we investigate the efficiency of Nationalised Indian banks using two quantitative techniques: Data Envelopment Analysis and networks. The study uses a probabilistic neural network (PNN) and a traditional statistical classification method to model and classify the relative efficiency of top nationalized Indian banks. DEA has proven itself to be both theoretically sound framework for performance measurement and an acceptable method by those being measured. This paper assesses bank branches efficiency using DEA technique and neural network techniques. From a policy perspective, this study highlights the economic importance of encouraging increased efficiency throughout the nationalized Indian banks.
Airborne Field Strength Measurements in the Region of the NPM Antipode

In July 1963, the Naval Research Laboratory and the Navy Electronics Laboratory conducted a joint experiment in the vicinity of the antipode of the yery low frequency transmitter NPM (19.8 kHz). An analysis of data collected by the Naval Research Laboratory during aircraft flights in the immediate vicinity of the antipode dunng this experiment is presented. A definite increase in field strength in the antipodal region was observed; inverse square root of distance variations in the field strengths over sections of the antipodal area were seen. A diurnal pattern in which highest field strengths occurred at local sunrise, lowest field strengths at local sunset, and intermediate signal levels at local noon and midnight was observed. Inferences of antipodal movement could be drawn from the data. The antipodal situation appeared to be complex, and further study is needed before a complete understanding can be obtained.
Physics and Technology of High Flux Linear Accelerator-Based Inverse Compton Scattering Sources

High average flux inverse Compton scattering sources based on linear accelerators have emerging advanced applications in medicine, scientific imaging, industry and defense. We review recent progress in their experimental development, at UCLA and beyond. Article not available.
A NEW GENUS OF THE GYMNOASCACEAE WITH DARK ASCOCARPS

(1964). A New Genus of the Gymnoascaceae with Dark Ascocarps. Mycologia: Vol. 56, No. 4, pp. 482-487.
The Genus Odontacarvs (Acari: Trombiculidae) in North America

The genus Odontacarus Ewing and included North American subgenera Odontacarus and Tarsalacarus are redefined. Acomatacarus polychaetus Greenberg, Acomatacarus whartoni Greenberg and Odontacarus morlani Brennan are synonymized with Odontacarus dentatus (Ewing). Odontacarus (Odontacarus) pinnatus is described as new from lizard hosts taken in Texas. A key to the North American species of Odontacarus is given.
Generation of Hole Traps in Silicon Dioxide Under Fowler-Nordheim Stress

High field electron injection in silicon oxide layers in metal-oxide-semiconductor system is widely known to degrade thin silicon oxide layers and the silicon-oxide interface, eventually leading to catastrophic oxide breakdown. In this work we report generation of hole traps under high-field stressing of thermal silicon dioxide layers on silicon. Excess hole trapping on newly generated hole traps is observed by substrate hot-hole injection in 9 nm oxide PMOS transistors after high-field Fowler-Nordheim stress followed by standard post-metallization annealing in nitrogen. The concentration of generated traps is stress-polarity dependent and increases with electron fluence during degrading stress. Relaxation behavior under switching oxide fields indicates that the nature of hole trapping sites is different from anomalous positive charge centers. A correlation of density of generated hole traps with the amount of generated electron traps shows that both types of traps are effectively generated in the oxide layer under Fowler-Nordheim tunneling electron injection.
Tricuspid atresia with christmas disease (hemophilia B). Report of a case.

A case combining Christmas disease and tricuspid atresia is presented. A severe coagulation defect in a hypoxic, polycythemic patient poses an added grave risk to major surgery. In the presence of marked and worsening symptoms, however, major surgery can he performed in these difficult cases. Close liason with a skilled hematology department is essential. Minimal tissue dissection is advised, and the usefulness of a reversed saphenous vein conduit is described.
Exploratory Study on Intimate Partner Kidnapping: Is This a Prevailing Issue in Intimate Partner Relationships?

The following study is an exploratory analysis of intimate partner kidnapping. This research focuses on kidnappings that occur between adult intimate partners only. The purpose of this research is to identify the prevalence rates and demographic patterns of this type of violence as well as make comparisons between intimate partner kidnapping and nonintimate partner kidnapping and comparisons between intimate partner kidnapping and intimate partner assaults (a more commonly studied form of intimate partner violence). This research relies on the National Incident-Based Reporting System (Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2012) not only to identify descriptive characteristics but also to conduct bivariate comparisons of the different types of kidnapping violence and intimate partner violence. The findings from this research find that despite being a fairly rare event, intimate partner kidnapping occurs more often than nonintimate partner kidnapping, although not more often than intimate partner assaults. There are several differences between intimate partner kidnapping and nonintimate partner kidnapping as well as intimate partner kidnapping and intimate partner assault. Victims of intimate partner kidnapping were significantly younger than nonintimate partner kidnapping and intimate partner violence assaults, and females were more likely to be victims of kidnapping compared to nonintimate partner kidnapping and intimate partner violence assaults. There was a higher proportion of Whites and Hispanics who were victims of intimate partner kidnapping. There was also a greater proportion of blunt object/personal weapons (compared to firearms and knives) used in intimate partner kidnapping. Lastly, there was a significantly lower proportion of severe injury in intimate partner kidnapping compared to intimate partner violence assaults. A discussion of the conclusions and implications and directions for future research is also included.
Medical informatics and the concept of disease.

This paper attempts to address the general questionwhether information technologies, as applied in thearea of medicine and health care, have or are likelyto change fundamental concepts regarding disease andhealth. After a short excursion into the domain ofmedical informatics I provide a brief overview of someof the current theories of what a disease is from amore philosophical perspective, i.e. the ``valuefree'' and ``value laden'' view of disease. Next, Iconsider at some length, whether health careinformatics is currently modifying fundamentalconcepts of disease. To this question I will answerlargely in the negative, and I will provide the sketchof some arguments from current research programs inmedical informatics why I think this is the case. Thisargumentation is supported by a detailed account ofhow the disease profile for beriberi heart disease,used in one of the major medical informaticsdiagnostic programs, QMR (and its ancestorINTERNIST-1), was developed, and why at least thisprogram essentially follows received views oftraditional medicine.The one main exception to theconformity of this program to ``received'' views of adisease occurs when the program's designers need tofine-tune a disease definition. This fine-tuning is tocomport with the expert's perspective on the disease,including his or her epistemic values, as well as theprogram's other resources for diagnosing components ofa disease.
Making Learning the Object: Using Cultural Historical Activity Theory to Analyze and Organize Student Teaching in Urban High-Needs Schools

Background/ContextStudent teaching represents a critical component of most teacher education programs. However, there is significant variation both in the contextual factors that preservice teacher...
Surgery in the Prism Adaptation Study: Accuracy and Dose Response

Three hundred twenty-two patients underwent strabismus surgery for acquired esotropia according to a rigid protocol in the Prism Adaptation Study (PAS). This report describes the PAS surgical technique and the methods used to evaluate and assure adherence to the surgical protocol. We present analyses of the discrepancies between the amount of recession surgery planned by the surgeon and the amount of recession estimated by the masked graders from documentary photographs. In 74% of patients, the total discrepancy (combined from both medial rectus operations) was 1 mm or less. There was a distinct trend for masked graders to estimate larger recession amounts than were dictated by the protocol and claimed to be done by the surgeon. In 24% of patients, the masked graders estimated that the recession was more than 1 mm greater than that claimed by the surgeon, while in 2%, the graders estimated that the surgery was more than 1 mm less than planned. Of the 74 patients for whom the graders' estimated total recession was more than 1 mm greater than the amount planned by the surgeon, 88% were successful. Of the six patients for whom the graders' estimated total recession was more than 1 mm less than the amount planned by the surgeon, five (83%) were successful. We propose new surgical tables for patients with acquired esotropia. Enhanced amounts of recession appear to be necessary to decrease the rate of undercorrection for each group of patients.
Shallow geophysical imaging of the Olympia anomaly: An enigmatic structure in the southern Puget Lowland, Washington State

Gravity and magnetic anomalies suggest that the Olympia structure beneath the southern Puget Lowland (western Washington State, U.S.) vertically displaces Eocene Crescent Formation strata. Northeast of the Olympia structure, middle Eocene Crescent Formation is beneath 4–6 km of Paleogene–Neogene and Quaternary strata of the Tacoma basin, whereas the Crescent Formation is exposed at the surface immediately to the south. Although numerous marine seismic reflection profiles have been acquired near the surface location of the Olympia structure as defined by potential field anomalies, its tectonic character remains enigmatic, in part because inlets of southern Puget Sound are too shallow for the collection of deep-penetration marine seismic profiles across the geophysical anomalies. To supplement existing shallow-marine data near the structure, we acquired 14.6 km of land-based seismic reflection data along a profile that extends from Crescent Formation exposed in the Black Hills northward across the projected surface location of the Olympia structure. The reflection seismic data image the Crescent bedrock surface to ∼1 km depth beneath the southern Tacoma basin and reveal the dip on this surface to be no greater than ∼10°. Although regional potential field data show a strong linear trend for the Olympia structure that implies folding over a blind thrust and/or bedrock juxtaposed against a weakly to nonmagnetic sediment section, high-resolution magnetic anomaly analysis along the land-based profile suggests that the structure is more complex. Overall, seismic and potential-field profiles presented in this study identify only minor shallow faulting within the projected surface location of the Olympia structure. We suggest that the mapped trace of the Olympia structure along the northern flank of the Black Hills, at least within the study area, is constrained by juxtaposed normal and reversely magnetized Crescent Formation units and minor tectonic deformation of Crescent Formation bedrock.
Analysis of Pulsed Neutron Experiments in Polycrystalline Media Using a Model Kernel

A detailed investigation of pulsed neutron experiments in thermal, nonmultiplying, polycrystalline moderators is presented. A transport approximation of the spatial dependence of the neutron densit...
Lessons Learnt from KOYMER Agricultural Extension Project in Turkey

The reducing role of public in economy had encouraged the private alternatives in technology transfer, and also cost-sharing structures in agricultural extension services. The structural changes vary according to the country conditions. In this study, KOYMER Project, which was aimed at decentralization, cost sharing and creating a pluralistic structure in Turkish agricultural extension system, had been examined by interviewing with 566 consultants (advisors) in Turkey. Some information on personal characteristics, activities and problems have been gathered through the questionnaires. The project had positive effects on extension workers–farmers ratios, behavioral changes in technical and socio-cultural issues in rural areas. But, the planned financial contributions of farmers and sustainability of the model predicted had not provided in the project.
Frequency dependent harmonic powers in a modified uni-traveling carrier photodetector.

We use a drift-diffusion model to study frequency dependent harmonic powers in a modified uni-traveling carrier (MUTC) phododetector. The model includes external loading, incomplete ionization, the Franz–Keldysh effect, and history-dependent impact ionization. In three-tone measurements, the bias voltage at which a null occurs (bias null) in the second-order intermodulation distortion (IMD2) is different for the sum frequency and difference frequency. We obtained agreement with the experimental results. The bias null that appears in the IMD2 is due to the Franz–Keldysh effect. The bias voltage at which the bias null is located depends on the electric field in the intrinsic region, and the difference in the location of the bias null for the sum frequency and difference frequency is due to the displacement current in the intrinsic region. When the frequency is large, the displacement current is large and has a large effect on the harmonic powers. We also found that the bias null depends on the recombination rate in the p-absorption region because the electric field decreases in the intrinsic region when the recombination rate in the p-region decreases.
Mapping "Trauma-Informed" Legislative Proposals in U.S. Congress.

Despite calls for translation of trauma-informed practice into public policy, no empirical research has investigated how the construct has been integrated into policy proposals. This policy mapping study identified and analyzed every bill introduced in US Congress that mentioned “trauma-informed” between 1973 and 2015. Forty-nine bills and 71 bill sections mentioned the construct. The number of trauma-informed bills introduced annually increased dramatically, from 0 in 2010 to 28 in 2015. Trauma-informed bill sections targeted a range of sectors, but disproportionally focused on youth (73.2%). Only three bills defined “trauma-informed.” Implications within the context of a changing political environment are discussed.
Car-Pedestrian Impact

Road users who are not protected by the vehicular structure of an automobile are particularly vulnerable in a crash situation. These road users include pedestrians, bicyclists, motor cyclists, and people riding in non-motorized vehicles, such as horse-drawn carriages and the like. By far, the largest group of vulnerable road users is the pedestrian who travels in close proximity to automobiles and, in fact, often cross the roadways and are at high risk of being impacted by these vehicles. The most effective way of protecting the pedestrian is to separate vehicular and pedestrian traffic, especially in busy urban areas, by the use of overpasses and underpasses at intersections. These are costly solutions and are not available at most intersections, even in highly developed countries of North America and Europe. Strict enforcement of traffic regulations regarding pedestrians in intersections is helpful but many are still injured or killed.
Preparing Physical and Health Education Teacher Candidates to Create a Culture of Wellness in Schools: New Curriculum, New Message

We live in a dynamic educational world. Physical and health education teacher preparation programs must examine what society needs and consider a new model for teacher preparation that is based on inspiring youth to build healthy behaviors that last a lifetime. One university created a new School Wellness Education (SWE) program that prepares physical and health education teachers to also serve as school wellness educators. This includes being a champion for school-to-community wellness and using the Whole Child model to create a culture of wellness within schools that reaches all layers of the communities in which students live, work and play. This article describes the various elements of the program curriculum. The purpose of the SWE program is to prepare teachers who will cultivate a holistic approach to wellness in schools that allows the vision of 50 Million Strong to extend beyond 2029 and ensure that schoolchildren of both this generation and of future generations will live healthy and active lives.
A revision of the genus Thelocactus B. & R. (Cactaceae)

Thelocactus bicolor and T. hexaedrophorus are compared to Ferocactus hamatacanthus and Hamatocactus setispinus in 19 characters. H. setispinus has a greater similarity to T. bicolor than to the other 2 species and is placed in Thelocactus as T. setispinus (comb. nov.). The following characteristics of Thelocactus are discussed: ribs and tubercles, areoles, spines and extrafloral nectaries, epidermis, outer cell layers, druses and crystals, flowers, pollen, fruits, and seeds. Ecological characteristics, such as distribution, soils, habitat characteristics, sympatry, and associated plants, are described. The relationships and general features of each species are considered. In the section on formal taxonomy Thelocactus is redefined to include T. setispinus, T. bicolor, T. leucacanthus, T. macdowellii, T. tulensis, T. hastifer, T. conothelos, T. heterochromus, T. hexaedrophorus, T. lausseri, and T. rinconensis.
“Only Surpassed by the Light of Revelation”: Asher Brown Durand’s Thanatopsis

Asher B. Durand (1796–1886) began his long career in the Hudson River School under the guidance of his mentor, Thomas Cole (1801–1848). Influenced by the death of Cole in 1848 and other factors, Durand turned to the William Cullen Bryant poem, “Thanatopsis.” Durand’s Landscape—Scene from ‘ Thanatopsis ,’ an expansive allegory with a farmer and a funeral in the foreground illuminated by a sunrise, offers reassurance with its vision of nature’s paradisiacal beauty. The Christianized sublimity of this allegorical Durand painting reveals a hopeful vision for a heavenly paradise. This essay explores the significance of Durand’s 1850 painting in conjunction with Bryant’s “Thanatopsis,” a study Durand composed, Classical Landscape (Imaginary Landscape c. 1850), his 1855 Letters on Landscape Painting , as well as Durand’s 1862 repainting of the canvas.
Rapid measures of user's adherence to vaginal drug products using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and multivariate discriminant techniques.

Background The topical HIV prevention (microbicides) field is in acute need of a method to rapidly and objectively measure adherence to product use in clinical trials. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy has been used in many pharmaceutical and forensic applications but has yet to be applied to adherence monitoring. In this study, we report on efforts to test the feasibility of using IR spectroscopy as a means to measure residual active or placebo vaginal product, semen exposure and vaginal insertion from a single swab. Methods A portable IR spectrometer equipped with diamond attenuated total reflectance (ATR) was used to capture spectra of unused vs. vaginally-used swabs, vaginal swabs containing semen, and vaginal swabs to which either tenofovir-containing or matching placebo products (vaginal gel or insert) were added. Spectral data obtained from swabs placed directly on the spectrometer were divided into calibration and testing sets for developing and validating discriminant models set up to provide yes/no predictions of: vaginal vs. non-vaginal use, presence vs. no presence of each test product, and presence vs. no presence of semen. Further validation of models was performed using vaginal swabs collected from a clinical study evaluating vaginally administered placebo insert formulations. Results For each discriminant model developed to predict vaginal vs. non-vaginal use, presence vs. no presence of each test product, and presence vs. no presence of semen, classified validation samples not included in the model development were correctly identified into their respective classes with minimal prediction error. Clinically obtained vaginal swabs collected 15-60 minutes after placebo insert use were also correctly identified, further validating the models. Conclusion Our findings demonstrate the proof of concept that IR spectroscopy can be a method for rapid detection and characterization of microbicide products and biological fluids present in vaginal swabs. This novel method has potential to support real-time, on-site adherence monitoring in clinical or field settings.
A Nonradiating Finite-Gap Lumped-Port Model

A novel lumped-port model is presented to improve the accuracy of integral-equation solvers for extracting network parameters. A small gap region in the domain of analysis is identified as a two-terminal port, and the fields in the gap are linked to the lumped-circuit voltage/current definitions by enforcing the following conditions: 1) The line integrals of the electric field along straight paths in the gap are equal to the port voltage. 2) The current conducted into/out of the gap region is identical and equal in magnitude to the port current. The port model is implemented by modifying the traditional method-of-moments solution to use a novel divergence-conforming testing function at the gap as well as half-basis functions connected across the gap. Numerical results show the proposed model can outperform existing lumped-port models.
A comparison of three different sleep schedules for reducing daytime sleepiness in narcolepsy.

Study objective To determine if the combination of scheduled sleep periods and stimulant medications were more effective than stimulant medications alone in controlling the excessive daytime sleepiness experienced by narcoleptic patients. Design Twenty-nine treated narcoleptic subjects were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: 1) two 15-minute naps per day; 2) a regular schedule for nocturnal sleep; or 3) a combination of scheduled naps and regular bedtimes. Measures of symptom severity and unscheduled daytime were obtained at baseline and at the end of the two-week treatment period, using the Narcolepsy Symptom Status Questionnaire (NSSQ) and 24-hour ambulatory polysomnographic monitoring. No alterations were made in stimulant medications during the study period. Setting N/A. Patients or participants N/A. Interventions N/A. Measurements and results The addition of two-15 minute naps did not alter either symptom severity or the duration of unscheduled daytime sleep. Regular times for nocturnal sleep reduced perceived symptom severity, but did not reduce the amount of unscheduled daytime sleep. Only the combination of scheduled naps and regular nocturnal sleep times, significantly reduced both symptom severity and the amount of unscheduled daytime sleep in treated narcoleptic subjects. The type of sleep schedule prescribed, however, was less important than the severity of the patients' pre-treatment daytime sleepiness. Subjects with severe daytime sleepiness benefited from the addition of scheduled sleep periods, while those who were only moderately sleepy or able to maintain alertness did not benefit from scheduled sleep periods. Conclusions Scheduled sleep periods are helpful for only those patients who remain profoundly sleepy despite stimulant medications and should not be prescribed for all patients with narcolepsy.
Non-enzymatic inhibitors of coagulation and platelet aggregation from Najanigricollis venom are cardiotoxins

Abstract Four non-enzymatic polypeptides from Naja nigricollis crawshawii venom were recently isolated and shown to inhibit plasma coagulation and platelet aggregation. We have now determined the amino acid compositions, amino terminal sequences and direct lytic activity of these anticoagulants. The results of these studies allow us to identify the anticoagulants as cardiotoxins. The anticoagulant activity of these cardiotoxins is far more potent than that of other cardiotoxins previously reported to have anticoagulant activity.
Utility of Doppler Echocardiography to Estimate the Severity of Pulmonary Valve Regurgitation Fraction in Patients with Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot

In patients with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF), pulmonary regurgitation (PR) leads to significant morbidity. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is the gold standard to assess severity of PR in rTOF patients. We compared Doppler echocardiography derived indices of PR with CMR to find the best predictive parameter for hemodynamically significant (hs) PR. This is a retrospective analysis of echocardiogram and CMR measurements. Doppler indices obtained included: PR deceleration slope, pressure half time (PHT) and PR index. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to optimize the sensitivity and specificity of selected variables in predicting hsPR. Inter-observer variability of the Doppler parameters was assessed in a random sample of 25 Doppler spectral recordings. Our cohort (n = 96) comprised of 52 (54.2%) males. The mean (SD) age at CMR was 22.9 (10.3) years. 83.4% patients underwent complete repair with transannular patch. 78 (81%) patients had hsPR as defined by CMR PR > 20%. Doppler parameters with the values of; PR index of 375 cm/s2 and a PHT < 130 ms, demonstrated high sensitivity (93%) and high negative predictive values (98–99%). All the Doppler indices demonstrated minimal inter-observer variability (PHT = 0.9, 95% CI 0.69–0.97; PRi = 0.95, 95%CI 0.83–0.98). Our data, with its high negative predictive values, show that Doppler derived echocardiography indices have an ability to rule out hsPR, as measured by CMR. PHT, PR index and deceleration slope correlate with hsPR and can be used as screening tools for further testing.
Implications of perinatal buprenorphine exposure on infant head circumference at birth

Objective: To determine the potential impact of prenatal buprenorphine exposure on head circumference at birth and analyze whether head circumference may be related to maternal buprenorphine dose a...
Temporal trends and hospital costs associated with an endovascular-first approach for acute limb ischemia.

Abstract Objective Recent studies suggest similar perioperative outcomes for endovascular and open surgical management of acute limb ischemia (ALI). We sought to describe temporal trends, patient factors, and hospital costs associated with contemporary ALI management. Methods We used the weighted National Inpatient Sample to estimate primary ALI cases requiring open or endovascular intervention (2005-2014). We used multivariable regression models to examine temporal trends, patient factors, and hospital costs associated with endovascular-first vs open-first management. Results Of 116,451 admissions for ALI during the study period, 35.2% were treated by an endovascular-first approach. The percentage of admissions managed with an endovascular-first approach increased over time (P Conclusions Use of an endovascular-first approach for the treatment of ALI has significantly increased over time. Although major amputation rates are similar for both approaches, the costs associated with an endovascular-first approach are increasing over time, whereas the costs of open surgery have remained stable. The cost-effectiveness of modern ALI management warrants further investigation.
Characterization of Temperature Rise in Alternating Current Electrothermal Flow Using Thermoreflectance Method.

Alternating current electrothermal flow (ACET) induced by Joule heating is utilized to transport biologically relevant liquids in microchannels using simple electrode designs. However, Joule heatin...
One more tool for the food aid toolbox? Experimental evidence on food aid packaging

Abstract International food assistance reaches more than 90 million people per year, much of it through in-kind programs that distribute food. Several key aspects of in-kind programs—what food is shipped, when and from where it is sourced—have been changed to improve program effectiveness and efficiency, becoming helpful tools in the modernized in-kind food assistance toolbox. Packaging—in what food is shipped—remains an unstudied and underused tool despite more than 50 million bags per year passing through in-kind supply chains, affecting program effectiveness and efficiency. We conduct an experiment with 46 shipments using different packaging materials and sizes to measure the effect of packaging on shipment quality, cost, and timeliness. Analyzing the data with randomization tests, we find that, relative to the current materials, new materials maintain shipment quality and cost while improving timeliness and in some cases may reduce cost. One promising material that balances cost and effectiveness is a bag with a biopesticide applied, designed to prevent insects from reproducing. We also find that, relative to the current size, larger bags may improve costs at least in the domestic portion of the supply chain. Donors and their partners should consider packaging as one more tool in the modernized food assistance toolbox. As the toolbox continues to fill, the coming opportunity and challenge to identify situations where the various tools work in complementary ways.
Analysis of monitoring results of drinking water-borne endemic arsenic poisoning in Tuyouqi, Baotou of Inner Mongolia in 2010

Objective To understand the arsenic level in drinking water and the current situation in prevention and control of endemic arsenic poisoning in Tuyouqi,Baotou of Inner Mongolia.Methods Through door-to-door survey,we selected patients with arsenic poisoning in order to monitor the arsenic poisoning condition of seven villages(Gangfangying,Laohuyao,Shilaozhang,Youfangying,Wanglaosi,Dajing and Xiaojing) in Tuyouqi,Baotou in 2010,and the disease was diagnosed based on "Standard of Diagnosis for Endemic Arsenism"(WS/T 211-2001).We also investigated the operation of Salaqi Water Company,Maodai Water Company and the Laohuyao water improvement project.We collected two samples per place in both low water period and high water period to measure water arsenic with silver diethyldithiocarbamate spectrophotometry(WS/T 28-1996).Results Three water improving projects were operating in normal conditions.Water arsenic in Salaqi Water Company and Maodai Water Company was level less than 0.01 mg/L,which met the National Safety Standards of drinking water with arsenic.Water arsenic in Laohuyao improvement project was 0.053 mg/L,which was higher than the drinking water safety standards.The seven villages in Tuyouqi had improved their water conditions.Among them,the arsenic level in Laohuyao was 0.052 mg/L,and the remaining six villages were ＜ 0.05 mg/L.There were 6 suspected cases,14 mild cases,4 moderate cases and 10 severe cases of the 2095 people monitored and no new cases found.The age of patients with arsenic poisoning was in the range of 40 to 70.Conclusions The monitoring results show that drinking water arsenic level in some villages in Tuyouqi is still excessive,but no new arsenic poisoning patients in arsenic poisoning areas are found. Key words: Arsenic poisoning; Water; Epidemiology; Data collection
Ambient air pollution and risk of pregnancy loss among women undergoing assisted reproduction.

Abstract Accumulating evidence suggests that air pollution increases pregnancy loss; however, most previous studies have focused on case identification from medical records, which may underrepresent early pregnancy losses. Our objective was to investigate the association between acute and chronic exposure to ambient air pollution and time to pregnancy loss among women undergoing assisted reproductive technologies (ART) who are closely followed throughout early pregnancy. We included 275 women (345 human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-confirmed pregnancies) undergoing ART at a New England academic fertility center. We estimated daily nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), fine particulate matter
Do Released Prisoners’ Perceptions of Neighborhood Condition Affect Reentry Outcomes?:

As the United States enters a decarceration era, the factors predicting reentry success have received a rapidly growing body of research attention. Numerous studies expand beyond individual-level a...
Clinical phenotype and management of individuals with mosaic monosomy X with Y chromosome material stratified by genital phenotype

Individuals mosaic for monosomy X and a cell line with Y chromosome material can have genitalia that appear phenotypical female, male, or ambiguous. Those with this karyotype and typical female genitalia are diagnosed with Turner syndrome; however, this definition specifically excludes those with genitalia other than typical female. There is limited information on whether medical and neurodevelopmental risks are similar among individuals with monosomy X and Y chromosome material across genital phenotypes. This multicenter retrospective study compared comorbidities and clinical management in individuals with monosomy X and Y material and male/ambiguous genitalia to those with typical female genitalia. Electronic medical records for all patients with monosomy X and Y material (n = 76) at two large U.S. pediatric centers were abstracted for predetermined data and outcomes. Logistic regression was used to compare the two phenotypic groups adjusting for site and duration of follow-up. The male/ambiguous genitalia group was just as likely to have congenital heart disease (RR 1.0, 95%CI [0.5-1.9]), autoimmune disease (RR 0.6 [0.2-1.3]), and neurodevelopmental disorders (RR 1.4 [0.8-1.2]) as those with female genitalia. Despite similar risks, they were less likely to receive screening and counseling. In conclusion, individuals with monosomy X and Y chromosome material have similar medical and neurodevelopmental risks relative to individuals with Turner syndrome regardless of genitalia, but there are notable differences in clinical management.
Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone in Endothelial Barrier Function.

Growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) is the integral regulator of the growth hormone (GH)–insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) axis. It exerts mitogenic effects in a plethora of progressive cancers. Recent evidence suggests the emerging role of that 44-amino acid (aa) neuropeptide in lung endothelial barrier function (EBF), which will be discussed herein.
Stomatal dynamics and its importance to carbon gain in two rainforest Piper species : II. Stomatal versus biochemical limitations during photosynthetic induction.

The relative importance of biochemical and stomatal limitations on assimilation (A) during photosynthetic induction were compared in sun and shade plants of Piper auritum, a pioneer tree, and shade plants of Piper aequale, a shade tolerant shrub native to a Mexican tropical rainforest. For non-induced leaves, increases in A during induction depended on the dynamics of stomatal conductance (gs) and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBisCO) activation. At high leaf-air vapor pressure deficit (VPD), more of the limitation during induction was stomatal. Calculations of mesophyll conductance revealed longer time constants for shade than for sun plants. However, no differences in the time course of RuBisCO activity between sun- and shade-plants were found. We conclude on the basis of the similar RuBisCO responses that differences in induction can be accounted for by the differences in stomatal behavior. Differences in the time course of mesophyll conductance may be due to an artifact caused by stomatal patchiness. Experiments on induction loss of previously induced leaves revealed that under these circumstances biochemical limitations can be important. A more rapid induction loss was evident in sun as compared to shade plants. The rapid loss of induction in sum plants was not due to the decreases in gs and RuBisCO activity, which both occurred slowly. Instead, a limitation, probably in RuBP regeneration capacity, appeared to develop during the low light periods. This limitation was much smaller or absent in shade plants.
Intentional psychologism

In the past few years, a number of philosophers (notably, Siewert, C. (The significance of consciousness. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1998); Horgan and Tienson (Philosophy of mind: Classical and contemporary readings, Oxford University Press, 2002, pp. 520–533); Pitt 2004) have maintained the following three theses: (1) there is a distinctive sort of phenomenology characteristic of conscious thought, as opposed to other sorts of conscious mental states; (2) different conscious thoughts have different phenomenologies; and (3) thoughts with the same phenomenology have the same intentional content. The last of these three claims is open to at least two different interpretations. It might mean that the phenomenology of a thought expresses its intentional content, where intentional content is understood as propositional, and propositions are understood as mind-and language-independent abstract entities (such as sets of possible worlds, functions from possible worlds to truth-values, structured n-tuples of objects and properties, etc.). And it might mean that the phenomenology of a thought is its intentional content—that is, that the phenomenology of a thought, like the phenomenology of a sensation, constitutes its content. The second sort of view is a kind of psychologism. Psychologistic views hold that one or another sort of thing—numbers, sentences, propositions, etc.—that we can think or know about is in fact a kind of mental thing. Since Frege, psychologism has been in bad repute among analytic philosophers. It is widely held that Frege showed that such views are untenable, since, among other things, they subjectivize what is in fact objective, and, hence, relativize such things as consistency and truth to the peculiarities of human psychology. The purpose of this paper is to explore the consequences of the thesis that intentional mental content is phenomenological (what I call “intentional psychologism”) and to try to reach a conclusion about whether it yields a tenable view of mind, thought and meaning. I believe the thesis is not so obviously wrong as it will strike many philosophers of mind and language. In fact, it can be defended against the standard objections to psychologism, and it can provide the basis for a novel and interesting account of mentality.
Solitary Waves with Galilean Invariance in Dispersive Shallow-Water Flows

The present work deals with a recently derived nonlinear dispersive system for shallow-water flows. Unlike the classical Boussinesq models, the new one possesses Galilean invariance. It is investigated numerically by means of a conservative difference scheme. In order to understand the intrinsic physical mechanisms behind the balance between nonlinearity and dispersion larger phase speeds of the solitary waves are considered which are formally beyond the applicability of the weakly nonlinear approximation.
Integration of substrate-isolated high voltage devices in junction isolated technologies

This paper discusses how the voltage capability of the existing junction isolation (JI) based smart power bipolar-CMOS-DMOS (BCD) technologies for a 12V electrical automotive systems can be easily up-converted to support the new 42V electrical automotive systems. The modular integration and the new high voltage device architecture used to achieve this are also discussed in this paper.