cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microbial activity affected by lime in a long-term no-till soil

Abstract Under conventional farming practices, lime is usually applied on the soil surface and then incorporated into the soil to correct soil acidity. In no-till (NT) systems, where lime is surface applied or only incorporated into the soil to very shallow depth, lime will likely not move to where it is required within reasonable time. Consequently, lime may have to be incorporated into the soil by mechanical means. The objective of this laboratory study was to characterize the effect of lime, incorporated to different depths, on chemical and biological soil properties in a long-term NT soil. Soil samples taken from the 0–5, 0–10, and 0–20 cm depths were analyzed in incubation studies for soil pH, nitrate, CO 2 respiration, and microbial biomass-C (MBC). Lime (CaCO 3 ) was applied at rates equivalent to 0, 4.4, 8.8, and 17.6 Mg ha −1 . Application of lime to both 0–10 and 0–20 cm depths increased soil pH from about 4.9 by 1, 1.7, and 2.8 units for the low, medium, and high liming rates, respectively. Soil nitrate increased over time and in proportion to liming rate, suggesting that conditions were favorable for N-mineralization and nitrification. Greater respiration rates and greater MBC found in lime-treated than in non-limed soils were attributed to higher soil pH. Faster turnover rates and increased mineralization of organic matter were found in lime-treated than in non-limed soils. These studies show that below-surface lime placement is effective for correcting soil acidity under NT and that microbial activity and nitrification can be enhanced.
On the power spectral density of UWB signals in IEEE 802.15.3a

Ultra wide-band (UWB) radio uses base-band pulses of very short duration, thereby spreading the energy of radio signal very thinly over gigahertz. Power spectral density (PSD) of UWB signals consists of continuous and discrete components. Since the discrete component contributes more to PSD than continuous component, it presents greater interference to other narrow-band wireless systems. UWB was approved by the FCC for commercial deployment in 2002. In order to ensure negligible mutual interference, the FCC has specified emission limits for UWB applications. UWB is now under consideration as an alternative physical layer technology for wireless PAN in IEEE 802.15.3a. However, little study has been reported on PSD issues in IEEE 802.15.3a. This paper presents analysis on PSD of UWB signals in IEEE 802.15.3a systems, and on what frame reversion can achieve in reducing the PSD.
PREDICTING ABUNDANCE OF 80 TREE SPECIES FOLLOWING CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE EASTERN UNITED STATES

Projected climate warming will potentially have profound effects on the earth's biota, including a large redistribution of tree species. We developed models to evaluate potential shifts for 80 individual tree species in the eastern United States. First, environmental factors associated with current ranges of tree species were assessed using geographic information systems (GIS) in conjunction with regression tree analysis (RTA). The method was then extended to better understand the potential of species to survive and/ or migrate under a changed climate. We collected, summarized, and analyzed data for climate, soils, land use, elevation, and species assemblages for .2100 counties east of the 100th meridian. Forest Inventory Analysis (FIA) data for .100 000 forested plots in the East provided the tree species range and abundance information for the trees. RTA was used to devise prediction rules from current species-environment relationships, which were then used to replicate the current distribution as well as predict the future potential distri- butions under two scenarios of climate change with twofold increases in the level of at- mospheric CO2. Validation measures prove the utility of the RTA modeling approach for mapping current tree importance values across large areas, leading to increased confidence in the predictions of potential future species distributions. With our analysis of potential effects, we show that roughly 30 species could expand their range and/or weighted importance at least 10%, while an additional 30 species could decrease by at least 10%, following equilibrium after a changed climate. Depending on the global change scenario used, 4-9 species would potentially move out of the United States to the north. Nearly half of the species assessed (36 out of 80) showed the potential for the ecological optima to shift at least 100 km to the north, including seven that could move .250 km. Given these potential future distributions, actual species redistributions will be controlled by migration rates possible through fragmented landscapes.
The Economic Effects of Sorting Cattle by Weight and Time of Year into Different Production Systems1

A 2-yr study using 288 steers each year was conducted to determine the economic effects of sorting and feeding genetically similar cattle in different production systems. Steers were purchased at weaning in November and assigned randomly into sorted or unsorted groups. Unsorted steers were assigned randomly to 1 of 3 production systems: calf-fed steers (enter feedlot after weaning), summer yearling, or fall yearling; n = 48 steers per system yearly. For sorted steers, the heaviest third were calf fed and the remaining steers grazed cornstalks during winter. After winter grazing, the heaviest half of those steers were fed as summer yearlings, and the lightest half were fed as fall yearlings. Initial steer price was calculated using breakeven analysis for sorted calf-fed steers, and all other profits and losses are relative to sorted calf-fed steers, with a defined profit of $0/steer. Steer values were determined using 2007 average prices. Initial steer costs were greatest for sorted calf-fed steers and lowest for sorted fall yearlings. There were 2-way and a 3-way interaction for profit/loss. In yr 1, fall yearling gains on grass were normal, and the sorted fall yearlings were more profitable than were the sorted calf-fed steers. The reverse was true in the second year, when pasture gains of the fall yearlings were below normal. Marketing cattle on a grid decreased profit of summer yearlings because of low QG and decreased profitability of unsorted fall yearlings because of overweight carcasses. For the overall system, sorting did not increase profit on either a live or a grid-based marketing system.
B-cell Lymphoproliferative Disorders Associated with Primary and Acquired Immunodeficiency

The diagnosis of lymphoproliferative disorders associated with immunodeficiency can be challenging because many of these conditions have overlapping clinical and pathologic features and share similarities with their counterparts in the immunocompetent setting. There are subtle but important differences between these conditions that are important to recognize for prognostic and therapeutic purposes. This article provides a clinicopathologic update on how understanding of these B-cell lymphoproliferations in immunodeficiency has evolved over the past decade.
A first look at the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education anesthesiology milestones: implementation of self-evaluation in a large residency program.

Abstract Study objective The objective was to determine if there is a correlation between resident postgraduate year (PGY) of training and self-evaluation of performance using the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education milestones. Design Survey. Setting Residency program at a large academic center. Patients Residents and Faculty Clinical Competency Committee (CCC). Interventions None. Measurements Resident and CCC milestone scores. Main results Correlation coefficients for average score for each milestone vs PGY level ranged from 0.80 for receiving and giving feedback to 0.95 for anesthetic choice and conduct. All milestones showed a relatively linear relationship with PGY of training, and none were found to be consistently reached very late or very early in training. When examining variation across the scores for the individual residents, the distributions for PGY-2 and -3 appeared to be wider than those for PGY-1 and -4. The intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.718 to 0.928. Conclusions There was a remarkable degree of consistency in the relationship between level of training and resident self-assessment score for every milestone, as well as strong agreement between the resident and CCC faculty scores. Examination of the variance in the scores, when interpreted in light of our particular training program's characteristics, suggests that the milestones accurately reflect the progression in skill across the residency. In addition, given the concordance between the self-evaluation scores and the CCC faculty scores, self-evaluation may be a reasonable starting point as programs begin the daunting task of determining scores for each of the 25 milestones as part of the biannual evaluation process.
Caffeine Modulates Hyperoxia- Induced Angiogenesis in Newborn Mice

Caffeine therapy for apnea of prematurity reduces the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the reduction in BPD with caffeine are uncertain. As vascular development promotes alveologenesis, we hypothesized that caffeine promotes angiogenesis in the lung, attenuating BPD. Our objective was to study the effects of caffeine on the expression of hypoxia …
Impervious Surface Detection from Satellite Imagery with Knowledge-Based Systems and GIS

Imperviousness is a critical input parameter in stormwater modeling because it is directly proportional to runoff rates and volumes. Impervious surfaces are commonly obtained by means of aerial photographs, field surveys, and other analogue maps. But these methods are long and difficult. A more efficient alternative is to process satellite imagery. We propose the use of knowledge-based systems and GIS in delineating impervious surfaces from raw and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) images. We observe that with the refinement of rules in the knowledge base and with the incorporation of ancillary data, the computed overall imperviousness can approximate the value calculated from public records. Overall classification accuracy is also acceptable, the highest computed being 89.1%. We also compare our knowledge-based classifications with the maximum likelihood technique. We find that our results are generally more satisfactory. We conclude that classification with the addition of ancillary data using knowledge-based systems and GIS is better than classification based on spectral information alone.
Screening colonoscopy intervals in familial colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the top causes of cancer death throughout the world, but it is also one of the most preventable through early detection and removal of premalignant polyps. CRC arises via various genetic and epigenetic changes which alter normal mucosa giving rise to polyps and eventual cancers. This has been well characterized for both the adenoma-to-carcinoma sequence (1) and the serrated polyp oncogenic pathway (2). There is strong evidence that regular colonoscopy and removal of premalignant polyps reduces the incidence of and death from CRC in the average risk population (3) and in hereditary conditions such as Lynch syndrome (4,5). CRC screening guidelines are well established for average risk populations, and for high-risk population such as those associated with hereditary syndromes. However, there is an intermediate risk group with family history of CRC, but without a defined syndrome, that is not as well characterized.
Concomitant depression and anxiety negatively affect pain outcomes in surgically managed young patients with trigeminal neuralgia: Long-term clinical outcome.

Background Onset of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is uncommon in young adults with less favorable benefit from surgical interventions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of concomitant psychosomatic disorders in long-term surgical outcomes in this population. Methods Twenty-one patients younger than 30 years of age were diagnosed initially as having medically refractory TN, and each patient underwent microvascular decompression (MVD) as initial surgical management. Correlation of clinical outcome and psychosomatic disorders (DSM-IV) was evaluated during a 15-year interval. Results A total of 93 procedures were performed for the management of TN and subsequent iatrogenic craniofacial pain disorders. At a median of 81 months, 8 of 21 patients were free of facial pain. Fourteen patients with concomitant major depressive disorder (MDD) or other anxiety disorders underwent a higher median of procedures compared with 7 patients without known MDD or anxiety (4.5 versus 1 intervention, P = 0.038). Two of 14 patients who were diagnosed with MDD or other anxiety disorders were free of craniofacial pain, whereas 6 of 7 patients without mood or anxiety disorders were free of craniofacial pain (P = 0.0005). Thirteen patients developed treatment-related complications that required further surgical procedures. Presence of MDD or other anxiety disorders was associated with higher rate of complications (P = 0.026). One patient with past medical history of severe anxiety died of unknown causes. Conclusions In young patients with TN, comorbid MDD or anxiety disorders was associated with seeking multiple invasive procedures in multiple academic centers with limited benefit and high rates of surgical induced complications.
High seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in elk (Cervus canadensis) of the central Appalachians, USA

Toxoplasma gondii is an important protozoan parasite of mammals that impacts animal health and behavior. Although this parasite has been documented in several cervid species, including red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Europe, little is known about T. gondii impacts on the closely related North American counterpart, the elk (wapiti, Cervus canadensis), which has increased in number and expanded in range during the past century. We assessed seroprevalence of T. gondii antibodies using a modified agglutination test (MAT) (1:25 titer) and blood collected from 142 free-ranging elk in Kentucky, USA, where the species was reintroduced during 1997–2002 after over a century of absence. Eighty of 142 (56.3%) elks were seropositive for T. gondii, but we found no infection or titer differences between sexes (U = 2146, P = 0.128). However, odds of T. gondii infection significantly increased with elk age (β = 0.429, P = 0.001) by a factor of 1.54 (95% CI 1.19–1.99), and titer increased commensurate with age (JT = 3071, P < 0.001). High prevalence of T. gondii infection in elk of this region may be explained by sympatry with two primary hosts, the bobcat and domestic cat, as well as shed oocysts in the soil of this relatively wet and humid region. We suggest that wildlife agency personnel incorporate warnings about proper elk meat preparation into their hunter education outreach programs and literature to reduce the chances for human infection from consuming contaminated venison.
Host non-inflammatory neutrophils mediate the engraftment of bioengineered vascular networks

Notwithstanding remarkable progress in vascular network engineering, implanted bioengineered microvessels largely fail to form anastomoses with the host vasculature. Here, we demonstrate that implants containing assembled human vascular networks (A-Grafts) fail to engraft due to their inability to engage non-inflammatory host neutrophils upon implantation into mice. In contrast, unassembled vascular cells (U-Grafts) readily engage alternatively polarized neutrophils, which in turn serve as indispensable mediators of vascular assembly and anastomosis. The depletion of host neutrophils abrogated vascularization in U-Grafts, whereas an adoptive transfer of neutrophils fully restored vascularization in myeloid-depleted mice. Neutrophil engagement was regulated by secreted factors and was progressively silenced as the vasculature matured. Exogenous addition of factors from U-Grafts reengaged neutrophils and enhanced revascularization in A-Grafts, a process that was recapitulated by blocking Notch signaling. Our data suggest that the pro-vascularization potential of neutrophils can be harnessed to improve the engraftment of bioengineered tissues.
Could EBT Machines Increase Fruit and Vegetable Purchases at New York City Green Carts

INTRODUCTION Residents of some low-income neighborhoods have limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables. In 2008, New York City issued new mobile fruit and vegetable cart licenses for neighborhoods with inadequate availability of fresh produce. Some of these carts were equipped with electronic benefit transfer (EBT) machines, allowing them to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. This article examines the association between type and quantities of fruits and vegetables purchased from mobile fruit and vegetable vendors and consumer characteristics, including payment method. METHODS Customers at 4 produce carts in the Bronx, New York, were surveyed during 3 periods in 2013 and 2014. Survey data, including purchased fruit and vegetable quantities, were analyzed using multivariable negative binomial regressions, with payment method (cash only vs EBT or EBT and cash) as the primary independent variable. Covariates included availability of EBT, vendor, and customer sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS A total of 779 adults participated in this study. Shoppers who used SNAP benefits purchased an average of 5.4 more cup equivalents of fruits and vegetables than did shoppers who paid with cash. Approximately 80% of this difference was due to higher quantities of purchased fruits. CONCLUSION Expanding access to EBT machines at mobile produce carts may increase purchases of fruits and vegetables from these vendors.
Moral Rationalism and the Normativity of Constitutive Principles

Recently, Christine Bratu and Mortiz Dittmeyer have argued that Christine Korsgaard’s constitutive project fails to establish the normativity of practical principles (such as the fundamental principle of morality) because it fails to show why a principle’s being constitutive of a practice shows that one ought to conform to that principle. They argue that in many cases a principle’s being constitutive of a practice has no bearing on whether one ought to conform to it. In this paper I argue that Bratu and Dittmeyer’s argument fails in three important respects. First, they fail to recognize the ways in which Korsgaard’s neo-Kantian view departs from more orthodox Kantian views. Second, they fail to recognize the respect in which Korsgaard’s view is a version of moral rationalism. Third, they overlook an important scope ambiguity in an important premise of their argument. A sensible way of resolving this ambiguity gives the constitutivist a reasonable response.
Newer Nephrotoxic Agents

There are numerous substances capable of affecting the kidneys and producing renal dysfunction or disease. Nephrotoxicity has been associated with acute or chronic poisoning, which may be accidental or suicidal in origin (HgCl2, ethylene glycol, CCl4), while in other cases results from exposure to industrial or environmental hazards (lead, mercury, CCl4, cadmium, hydrocarbons). Although these forms of nephrotoxicity are important to physicians, the most prevalent cause of nephrotoxicity now-a-days is drug induced (Table 1).
Designing Interfaces for Computer-based Assessments

Publisher Summary This chapter describes two examples of computer-based constructed-response questions that represent real-world tasks and must be automatically scored. The design specifications are described for each question, along with their corresponding interfaces. Particular attention is given to the iterative evolution of each interface, as well as the design rationale behind the initial and subsequent designs. The design rationale focuses on compromises made, such as trade-offs between real-world look and feel and the constraints necessary to allow automatic scoring. The chapter describes a question created to assess certain aspects of architectural skill, called the block diagram task. In constructed-response question, a test taker is presented with a one to three paragraph passage. To make automatic scoring of responses possible, each revision must be individually tracked and attached to its related error in the passage.
Neuronal Specificity and Development of Neuronal Circuits

History shows that the most advanced concepts and theories in biology are only gradually assimilated by neurobiology, and the concept of neuronal specificity is no exception. Concepts and theories such as those of adaptive evolution; of the matching of features of the outer world with functions of the organism; of the relations between structural and functional organization, which include the concepts of levels of organization and of localization of function; of homeostasis as a means of ensuring the integrity of structures and stability of functions—these were all appropriated by neurobiology from general biology in the nineteenth century. The present purpose is to show how the concept of neuronal specificity is related to and derived from the neuron theory and earlier concepts.
Effects of sodium channel blockade on ibutilide induced prolongation of repolarization in the isolated rabbit ventricle.

Introduction: Ibutilide fumarate is indicated for the termination of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. It's mechanism of action is unclear but may involve activation of a late inward Na+ current.
Macroscopic Quantum Coherence and Decoherence in Squids

I consider the general problem of decoherence in Josephson systems, with particular reference to the question of how far we can reliably infer the degree of such decoherence, in an experiment of the MQC type, either by a priori order-of-magnitude arguments or from other types of experiment which may be easier at the initial stages of the program, such as measurements of dissipation in the quasiclassical regime or of tunnelling rates out of a metastablestate. Potential sources of decoherence which will be considered include normal electrons, phonons, nuclear spins, the radiation field and the “passing truck.” It is concluded that the effects of all but the last can be reaosnably estimated, and that there are good prospects (confirmed by recent experiments) of reducing them to manageable levels. The implications for the use of suchsystems for practical quantum computation are briefly considered.
Shining a Light on Overnight Education: Hospitalist and Resident Impressions of the Current State, Barriers, and Methods for Improvement.

Introduction Restrictions on resident work hours and increased requirements for resident supervision have led to night float rotations overseen by overnight hospitalists (nocturnists). The educational value of night float rotations for residents has traditionally been low and studies have yet to elucidate the optimal role of nocturnists in resident education. Methods We performed a cross-sectional survey of all residents within our training program and attending hospitalists in the department of medicine at our three teaching medical centers. Questions sought to investigate the current state of overnight education within an internal medicine residency program, understand barriers to overnight education, and define best practices for nighttime teaching. Results Both attending and resident physicians reported low satisfaction with the current state of overnight education, while simultaneously expressing high levels of interest in performing and receiving dedicated nighttime teaching. Attending and resident physicians identified similar barriers to overnight teaching (clinical work, time coordination, provider fatigue) and agreed on the ideal format for overnight didactics (case-based, chalk-talk, 20-minute duration between 10 pm to 2 am). Conclusion Our study identifies a desire by both faculty and trainees for increased overnight teaching and offers a simple initial framework for programs to improve overnight housestaff education utilizing nocturnist providers.
WITHDRAWN: Evidence-based indicator approach to guide environmental impact assessments of hydropower development

Abstract Global expansion of renewables, especially hydropower resources, has increased in recent years to meet the growing energy demands and fill worldwide gaps in the supply of electricity. Although expansion of hydropower has slowed in the US within the past four decades, existing hydropower capacity has an increasingly important role in electric power system reliability and resilience. However, hydropower induces significant environmental effects on river ecosystems – effects that are addressed through environmental impact assessment (EIA) processes that vary internationally. The need for effective EIA processes is increasing as environmental regulations are either stressed in developing countries undertaking rapid expansion of hydropower capacity or time- and resource-intensive in developed countries, like the United States. In response, many have suggested using basin-scale assessments or sustainability protocols (indicator approaches) to improve decision-making and ensure that best practices are employed during hydropower planning. However, EIAs still serve an important role in understanding the complex, local environmental effects of hydropower, which are the basis for designing mitigation strategies. To help address this gap, we developed an assemblage of tools that rely on a weight-of-evidence approach to determine the most relevant impacts of hydropower on primary components of the river ecosystem, as identified using river function indicators. A science-based questionnaire (SBQ) helps users identify which environmental indicators may be impacted during hydropower development as well as those indicators that have the highest levels of uncertainty. In situations where questions cannot be answered reliably, we also provide an environmental-envelope model (EEM) that predicts the likelihood of impacts to river functions based on attributes of hydropower facilities. The questionnaire, predictive model, and their outputs can assist stakeholders in identifying knowledge gaps and river functions that might require further investigation. Furthermore, we provide a river function linkage assessment tool (RFLAT), which translates the SBQ results into a network visualization of inter-dependent indicator relationships that may help formulate hypotheses about causal relationships that can be explored through environmental studies. We apply these spreadsheet-based tools to four existing hydropower projects and one hypothetical new hydropower project of varying sizes and environmental contexts. The prototype tools and visualizations described in this paper will be refined through stakeholder feedback and developed into a decision-support toolkit aimed at increasing the efficiency of the EIA processes that engender environmental studies but doing so without loss of rigor or transparency of rationale necessary for understanding, considering, and mitigating the environmental consequences of hydropower.
Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and Superconductivity in Novel Neutral Organic Intercalates of TaS2 and TiS2

The intercalation of TaS2 and TiS2 with large aromatic organic guests is presented here. Recently, it has been reported that sonication of the sodium intercalate of these materials allows for a rapid intercalation of many large molecules [1]. Therefore, we attempted to introduce large, neutral aromatic compounds, such as pentacene and tetracene, into these metal dichalcogenides, in the hope of observing novel structural and physical characteristics.
“Everyone Deserves a Smartphone?”: Understanding the Media’s Legitimation of Mobile Technology Use by Syrian Refugees

This study investigates English-speaking media’s legitimation of smartphone uses by Syrian refugees to explore how “otherness” is negotiated through technologies. Qualitatively examining the media ...
Hooked on motility.

A new cryo-EM structure of the bacterial flagellar hook, which connects the motor to the flagellar filament, reveals 11 distinctive conformations of the subunit. The cooperative dynamic switching among these states offers a dramatic extension of two-state models of protein allostery.
The Biological Impact of Menthol on Tobacco Dependence.

In the 1920s, tobacco companies created a marketing campaign for what would one day be their most profitable series of products: mentholated tobacco cigarettes. Menthol provides the smoker with a pleasant mint flavor in addition to a cooling sensation of the mouth, throat, and lungs, giving relief from the painful irritation caused by tobacco smoke. Promising a healthier cigarette using pictures of doctors in white coats and even cartoon penguins, tobacco companies promoted these cigarettes to young, beginner smokers and those with respiratory health concerns. Today, smoking tobacco cigarettes causes one in five US Americans to die prematurely, crowning it as the leading cause of preventable death. In contrast to the dubious health claims by tobacco companies, mentholated cigarettes are in fact more addictive. Smokers of mentholated cigarettes have lower successful quit rates and in some cases are resistant to both behavioral and pharmacological treatment strategies. There is now considerable evidence, especially in the last 5 years, that suggest menthol might influence the addictive potential of nicotine-containing tobacco products via biological mechanisms. First, menthol alters the expression, stoichiometry, and function of nicotinic receptors. Second, menthol's chemosensory properties operate to mask aversive properties of using tobacco products. Third, menthol's chemosensory properties aid in serving as a conditioned cue that can both enhance nicotine intake and drive relapse. Fourth, menthol alters nicotine metabolism, increasing its bioavailability. This review discusses emerging evidence for these mechanisms, with an emphasis on preclinical findings that may shed light on why menthol smokers exhibit greater dependence. Implications Mentholated cigarettes have been shown to have greater addictive potential than their nonmentholated counterparts. Evidence is pointing toward multiple mechanisms of action by which menthol may alter tobacco dependence. Understanding menthol's biological functions as it pertains to nicotine dependence will be helpful in crafting novel pharmacotherapies that might better serve menthol smokers. In addition, a better understanding of menthol's pharmacology as it relates to tobacco dependence will be valuable for informing policy decisions on the regulation of mentholated cigarettes.
NOAC versus AVK: avaliação da qualidade de vida em idosos com fibrilhação auricular nos cuidados de saúde primários

Introducao: A Fibrilhacao Auricular (FA) e uma importante causa de morbimortalidade na populacao idosa. Os anticoagulantes orais assumem-se como eficazes na prevencao do Acidente Vascular Cerebral cardioembolico. Nao existe evidencia cientifica que suporte a decisao de escolha entre antagonistas da vitamina K (AVK) e novos anticoagulantes orais (NOAC), baseado no criterio qualidade de vida. Objetivo: Avaliar a qualidade de vida dos utentes com idade igual ou superior a 65 anos diagnosticados com FA nao valvular e anticoagulados, seguidos nos Cuidados de Saude Primarios. Metodos: Foi realizado um estudo observacional, transversal e analitico que envolveu uma amostra de utentes de sete Unidades de Saude Familiar. A qualidade de vida foi avaliada usando a escala Duke Anticoagulation Satisfaction Scale . Foram realizadas analises descritivas e inferenciais. Resultados: Aceitaram participar no estudo 292 utentes. A idade media dos participantes foi de 75,6 anos, sendo 52,1% do genero feminino, 92,1% reformados e com baixo nivel de escolaridade (81.8% com escolaridade igual ou menor que quatro anos). Observou-se diferenca estatisticamente significativa do valor mediano na qualidade de vida, quando comparado o grupo de utentes a realizar terapeutica com NOAC versus grupo de utentes a realizar terapeutica com AVK (p<0,0001). Nao se observaram diferencas significativas nas restantes variaveis estudadas. Conclusao: A qualidade de vida dos utentes com idade igual ou superior a 65 anos, diagnosticados com FA nao valvular, e influenciada pela escolha do tipo de anticoagulante (NOAC ou AVK), sendo o NOAC associado a melhor qualidade de vida.
Models and Methods for Youth and Young Adult Ministry: Ecumenical Examples and Pastoral Approaches for the Christian Church

In this concise and comprehensive book, Arthur Canales presents four models for youth and young adult ministers seeking a more integrated pedagogical and theological approach to ministry. Influence...
How the Politicization of Everyday Activities Affects the Public Sphere: The Effects of Partisan Stereotypes on Cross-Cutting Interactions

People use social cues to decide whether they want to interact with others. As everyday life has become more politicized, we now attach political meaning to seemingly apolitical activities, from th...
On prime character degree graphs occurring within a family of graphs

In this article, we investigate families of connected graphs which do not contain an odd cycle in their complement. Specifically, we consider graphs formed by two complete graphs connected in a par...
Convergent evolution of plant specialized 1,4-naphthoquinones: metabolism, trafficking, and resistance to their allelopathic effects

Plant 1,4-naphthoquinones encompass a class of specialized metabolites known to mediate numerous plant-biotic interactions. This class of compounds also presents a remarkable case of convergent evolution. The 1,4-naphthoquinones are synthesized by species belonging to nearly 20 disparate orders spread throughout vascular plants, and their production occurs via one of four known biochemically distinct pathways. Recent developments from large-scale biology and genetic studies corroborate the existence of multiple pathways to synthesize plant 1,4-naphthoquinones and indicate that extraordinary events of metabolic innovation and links to respiratory and photosynthetic quinone metabolism probably contributed to their independent evolution. Moreover, because many 1,4-naphthoquinones are excreted into the rhizosphere and they are highly reactive in biological systems, plants that synthesize these compounds also needed to independently evolve strategies to deploy them and to resist their effects. In this review, we highlight new progress made in understanding specialized 1,4-naphthoquinone biosynthesis and trafficking with a focus on how these discoveries have shed light on the convergent evolution and diversification of this class of compounds in plants. We also discuss how emerging themes in metabolism-based herbicide resistance may provide clues to mechanisms plants employ to tolerate allelopathic 1,4-naphthoquinones.
Assessing the feasibility of detecting epileptic seizures using non-cerebral sensor data.

Abstract This paper investigates the feasibility of using non-cerebral, time-series data to detect epileptic seizures. Data were recorded from fifteen patients (7 male, 5 female, 3 not noted, mean age 36.17 yrs), five of whom had a total of seven seizures. Patients were monitored in an inpatient setting using standard video-electroencephalography (vEEG), while also wearing sensors monitoring electrocardiography, electrodermal activity, electromyography, accelerometry, and audio signals (vocalizations). A systematic and detailed study was conducted to identify the sensors and the features derived from the non-cerebral sensors that contribute most significantly to separability of data acquired during seizures from non-seizure data. Post-processing of the data using linear discriminant analysis (LDA) shows that seizure data are strongly separable from non-seizure data based on features derived from the signals recorded. The mean area under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve for each individual patient that experienced a seizure during data collection, calculated using LDA, was 0.9682. The features that contribute most significantly to seizure detection differ for each patient. The results show that a multimodal approach to seizure detection using the specified sensor suite is promising in detecting seizures with both sensitivity and specificity. Moreover, the study provides a means to quantify the contribution of each sensor and feature to separability. Development of a non-electroencephalography (EEG) based seizure detection device would give doctors a more accurate seizure count outside of the clinical setting, improving treatment and the quality of life of epilepsy patients.
Tests und Tools Fragebogen zur Erfassung des Organisationsklimas (FEO) von K. Daumenlang, W. Müskens und U. Harder

The FEO was developed in cooperation with business practitioners for the assessment of organizational climate. Its eighty-two items represent twelve dimensions. One advantage of the FEO over any ad hoc questionnaires consists in the comparison data that are offered for commercial as well as non-profit organizations. The theoretical foundations of the FEO, its convenience, and the value of individual evaluation are discussed critically. Consensual, convergent, discriminant, and criterion validity have yet to be established.
Immunomodulatory roles of myeloid cells in gliomas

Abstract Myeloid cells represent the most abundant immune cell-type infiltrating glioblastoma (GBM). These myeloid cells are a heterogeneous population with primarily tumor-promoting functions. Macrophage activation status has been shown to span a broad spectrum of phenotypes that are highly dependent on the stimuli present in a specific tissue microenvironment. The paradigm defining macrophages as either classically activated antitumor M1 macrophages or immunosuppressive M2 macrophages provides points of reference; however, recent data indicate the differentiation of GBM-infiltrating macrophages is a continuous process, characterized by the large numbers of relatively immature myeloid cells that can express both canonical M1 and M2 markers at the same time. These cells are likely to contribute to the outcomes of GBM patients treated with immune therapies given their high abundance and immunosuppressive functions.
Public death: a basic philosophical concept of forensic pathology and medicine.

Following the establishment of the egalitarian democratizing political documents, such as Magna Carta, the Constitution of the United States, and the Declaration of Independence (which referred to a right to life), there has developed a rather basic division of human affairs and activities into those which are public and those which are private. Currently, this public-private interface of activity is under inspection, both in regards to the computer compilation of personal data, that is, a national death index [1], and in regards to the personal-private nature of police investigations [2]. These thoughts are directed toward the public-private hiatus present in the work of the medical examiner or coroner.
Immunodiagnosis of Human Melanoma: Detection of Circulating Melanoma-Associated Antigens by Radioimmunoassay

Immunodiagnosis of cancer may provide a powerful ancillary tool for more accurate staging and judicious clinical management of patients with neoplastic disease. This is particularly true in disease categories where a high incidence of complete clinical remission can be achieved by the current therapeutic modalities. Under these circumstances, with subclinical disease in all likelihood still present, an accurate secondary tumor staging is crucial for evaluation, planning, and monitoring of further treatment. The use of a sensitive immunodiagnostic procedure under these circumstances may detect evidence for the presence of minute amounts of actively growing residual tumor, as reflected by spontaneous release of tumor antigens into the circulation (Alexander, 1974).
POLYMERIC BIOMATERIALS FOR NERVE REGENERATION

Publisher Summary Polymers are being extensively investigated to help facilitate nerve regeneration. Entubulization methods involving polymers where a conduit is used to connect the nerve endings has great potential as a repair method for peripheral nerve regeneration. The conduit allows for neurotropic and neurotrophic communication between the nerve stumps and provides physical guidance for the regenerating axons similar to the grafts. The closely fitting tubes facilitate axonal regeneration by inducing rapid development of a highly organized capsule that isolates the repair site and guides and aligns endoneurial components. Entubulization minimizes unregulated axonal growth at the site of injury by providing a distinct environment, and allows for trophic factors emitted from the distal stump to reach the proximal segment, which enhances physiological conditions for nerve regeneration. The spatial cues also induce a change in tissue architecture, with the cabling of cells within the microconduit. The conduits can also be environmentally enhanced with chemical stimulants like laminin and nerve growth factor (NGF), biological cues such as from Schwann cells and astrocytes, the satellite cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems, and lastly, physical guidance cues.
Structural studies of SnPt(100) surfaces: conditions for alloy formation

Abstract The deposition of Sn onto Pt(100) and the thermal stability of these surfaces was studied primarily by using low energy alkali ion scattering spectroscopy (ALISS) combined with AES, LEED and CO adsorption in order to elucidate conditions for preparing ordered surface alloys of PtSn. Distinct c(2 × 2) and (3√2 × √2)R45° LEED patterns were observed for specific Sn precoverages and annealing temperatures. Several real space structures that could be responsible for each of the LEED patterns are proposed and investigated. The results of the ALISS studies show that both overlayer Sn and incorporated Sn atoms can produce the c(2 × 2) LEED pattern with the resultant structure determined by the initial coverage and, critically, by the thermal history. Although the overlayer c (2 × 2)- Sn Pt (100) structure is present from 500–700 K, which is over most of the temperature range of the c(2 × 2) LEED pattern, it is not the most stable structure. Annealing to 700–750 K causes Sn adatoms to become incorporated into the first Pt layer and forms the c (2 × 2)- Sn Pt (100) surface alloy. Heating to 750–850 K produces a more stable PtSn alloy structure characterized by a (3√2 × √2)R45° LEED pattern. For Sn incorporated into the first Pt layer to form a surface alloy, a buckling distance of 0.19 ± 0.02 A is determined. This indicates that an almost planar PtSn alloy surface is achieved, at least locally, in the first layer and that the buckling distance is independent of the substrate orientation for Pt(100) and Pt(111) surfaces.
Health Care Delivery: Current Problems and Future Challenges

In both rich and poor nations, public resources for health care are inadequate to meet demand. Policy makers and health care providers must determine how to provide the most effective health care to citizens using the limited resources that are available. This chapter describes current and future challenges in the delivery of health care, and outlines the role that operations research (OR) models can play in helping to solve those problems. The chapter concludes with an overview of this book - its intended audience, the areas covered, and a description of the subsequent chapters.
Effect of antioxidant protection by p-coumaric acid on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol oxidation

Mechanisms in which p-coumaric acid (CA) acts as an antioxidant are not well understood. This study investigated whether CA can act as a direct scavenger of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and whethe...
Operative Closure of Isolated Defects of the Ventricular Septum: Planned Delay

Selection of patients and the timing of operation for closure of ventricular septal defect (VSD) can be difficult because the risk of operation must be balanced against the hemodynamic abnormality and the age and size of the infant. In the past 6 years we have individualized our approach to the timing and necessity of operation in the patient with an isolated VSD. During this period, 133 patients with VSD were evaluated, and 71 underwent operative closure of the VSD. Of the 133 patients, 90 were 2 years old or younger, and 40 of them required operation because of congestive failure and growth retardation. Of the 45 infants who did not undergo operation, 17 have small intracardiac shunts with normal pulmonary vascular resistance while the other 28 infants remain compensated and are growing despite moderate left-to-right shunts. A persistent, large intracardiac shunt was the indication for operation in 31 of the 48 older patients; the other 17 older patients remain well. Although 3 severely growth-retarded infants (2 to 4 kg) died soon after operation, all infants weighing 4 kg or more survive. No child has died during preoperative observation, and irreversible pulmonary vascular changes have not occurred. Most infants with VSD and large intracardiac shunts do require early VSD closure, but the risk of operation remains high in the tiny neonate with profound failure. With appropriate hemodynamic and clinical criteria, operation for selected infants can be delayed so that the risk of operation can be minimized.
Shell rendering: fast volume rendering and analysis of fuzzy surfaces

We present a new paradigm, called shell rendering, for volume visualization of surfaces. It significantly overcomes the two major impediments of current volume rendering methods -- high computational cost and storage requirements -- and makes interactive volume rendering feasible in a workstation environment via portable software. It imparts the notion of a structure -- a shell -- to what is usually treated as an amorphous semi-transparent volume and makes morphometrics of surfaces feasible in the volume rendering paradigm.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Specificity of the Mutagenic Action of the Alkylating Agents

ETHYL methanesulphonate is mutagenic when applied to mature bacteriophage particles in suspension1. Methyl methanesuiphonate is either non- mutagenic or results in the induction of mutants at a frequency not much greater than the spontaneous frequency2. Krieg (quoted by Bautz and Freese2) has reported that ethyl methanesuiphon te will not induce reversion of bacteriophage mutations induced by itself. Mutants induced by ethyl methane- suiphonate can be induced to revert with 2-aminopurine2. Methyl methanesuiphonate is much more lethal on a molar basis than is the ethyl derivative1.
Rat strain differences in the potentiation of morphine-induced analgesia by stress

Restraint stress has been shown to increase the magnitude and duration of morphine-induced analgesia; however, this phenomenon has only been investigated using the Sprague-Dawley rat strain. The purpose of this study was to determine if other rat strains would also exhibit a potentiated analgesic response to morphine compared to their unrestrained controls. Dose-response and time course curves for the analgesic effect of morphine (1.0, 3.0, 5.6, 10 mg/kg) were generated in adult, male Wistar, Lewis, Fischer 344, Long-Evans Hooded, and Sprague-Dawley rats either unrestrained or restrained in Plexiglas cylinders, using the tail flick assay. Morphine produced dose-dependent increases in tail flick latencies, and this effect was potentiated by restraint stress in the Sprague-Dawley, Wistar, Lewis, and Fischer 344 strains, but not in the Long-Evans Hooded rats. Because Sprague-Dawley and Wistar rats displayed the most robust stress effect, the use of either of these rat strains is appropriate in studying the mechanisms of stress-induced potentiation of analgesia. The differences among rat strains demonstrated in this study may serve as a basis for correlation with opioid function.