cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Do vascular risk factors contribute to the prevalence of pressure ulcer in veterans with spinal cord injury

AbstractObjective: The overall goal of this observational study was to determine whether modifiable vascular risk factors contribute to the prevalence of pressure ulcers (PrU) in veterans with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI).Background: Given the increasingly limited financial resources in hospitals and clinics, identifying risk factors associated with the development of PrU in persons with SCI will be a major step in reducing the cost of care for these individuals, and may improve their quality of life.Method: We retrospectively reviewed the electronic charts of 87 veterans with SCI who are being followed regularly in our SCI clinic and are enrolled in the SCI registry. The data collected included the basic demographics, presence of modifiable vascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and current smoking; presence of incontinence and depression; and results from blood drawn for hemoglobin level, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and albumin levels and lipid profile ...
Innovation and Entrepreneurship

How can management be developed to create the greatest wealth for society as a whole? This is the question Peter Drucker sets out to answer in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. A brilliant, mould-breaking attack on management orthodoxy it is one of Drucker’s most important books, offering an excellent overview of some of his main ideas. He argues that what defines an entrepreneur is their attitude to change: ‘the entrepreneur always searches for change, responds to it and exploits it as an opportunity’. To exploit change, according to Drucker, is to innovate. Stressing the importance of low-tech entrepreneurship, the challenge of balancing technological possibilities with limited resources, and the organisation as a learning organism, he concludes with a vision of an entrepreneurial society where individuals increasingly take responsibility for their own learning and careers. With a new foreword by Joseph Maciariello
A High Ductal Flow Velocity Is Associated with Successful Pharmacological Closure of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Infants 22–27 Weeks Gestational Age

Objective:To identify factors affecting closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in newborn infants born at 22-27 weeks gestational age (GA) during pharmacological treatment with cyclooxygenase in ...
Development and Internal Validation of a Pediatric Acute Asthma Prediction Rule for Hospitalization

Background Clinicians have difficulty predicting need for hospitalization of children with acute asthma exacerbations. Objective The objective of this study was to develop and internally validate a multivariable asthma prediction rule (APR) to inform hospitalization decision making in children aged 5-17 years with acute asthma exacerbations. Methods Between April 2008 and February 2013 we enrolled a prospective cohort of patients aged 5-17 years with asthma who presented to our pediatric emergency department with acute exacerbations. Predictors for APR modeling included 15 demographic characteristics, asthma chronic control measures, and pulmonary examination findings in participants at the time of triage and before treatment. The primary outcome variable for APR modeling was need for hospitalization (length of stay >24 h for those admitted to hospital or relapse for those discharged). A secondary outcome was the hospitalization decision of the clinical team. We used penalized maximum likelihood multiple logistic regression modeling to examine the adjusted association of each predictor variable with the outcome. Backward step-down variable selection techniques were used to yield reduced-form models. Results Data from 928 of 933 participants were used for prediction rule modeling, with median [interquartile range] age 8.8 [6.9, 11.2] years, 61% male, and 59% African-American race. Both full (penalized) and reduced-form models for each outcome calibrated well, with bootstrap-corrected c-indices of 0.74 and 0.73 for need for hospitalization and 0.81 in each case for hospitalization decision. Conclusion The APR predicts the need for hospitalization of children with acute asthma exacerbations using predictor variables available at the time of presentation to an emergency department.
Improved in vitro detection of hemolysin BL from Bacillus cereus

Abstract The production of a discontinuous hemolysis pattern that is characteristic of hemolysin BL, an enterotoxic and dermonecrotic hemolysin previously described, was investigated with 114 Bacillus cereus, two B. thuringiensis and nine B. mycoides strains. Discontinuous patterns were monitored by a blood agar gel diffusion assay of 5 h and overnight culture supernatants, and by direct examination after colony growth on blood agar. For gel diffusion, the condition for optimal discontinuous pattern development included the use of sheep blood agar containing 1–2 mM EDTA, the addition of calf serum (8% v/v) to supernatants before loading the gels, and incubating at 27°C; under these conditions the patterns generally appeared within 4 h of incubation. The final percent of strains exhibiting a pattern was 74–78%. For the colony system, two types of blood agar were used: nutrient agar (NA) and brain heart infusion agar with glucose (BHIG) containing 8% calf serum and 0.1–1 mM EDTA. Both NA and BHIG, containing 0.1 mM EDTA and incubated at 22°C, gave the highest percent of strains exhibiting a pattern. The patterns generally appeared between 12 and 28 h. Used in combination, NA and BHIG gave 73–74% of positive B. cereus/thuringiensis. Previous results obtained with 68 strains ( Beecher and Wong, 1994a , Beecher and Wong, 1994b ) were confirmed; the gel diffusion system was improved regarding homogeneity of time range of development, clarity, stability and final yield of patterns; the conditions for the colony growth system were chosen to make monitoring compatible with a laboratory working schedule. In both cases central hemolytic zones, that can hamper the observation of the patterns, were decreased. It did not seem that B. cereus, B. thuringiensis and B. mycoides can be differentiated on the basis of production of hemolysin BL.
Cocaine causing convulsions in a large municipal hospital population

We reviewed all cases with a diagnosis of convulsions admitted to a large municipal hospital in 1 year and determined which of these patients had an additional diagnosis of ongoing cocaine use. Of 795 patients with convulsions, 29 also had a diagnosis of active cocaine use (4%). On review of these cases, only 4 (0.5%) were determined by history to possibly show a causal relationship between cocaine use and convulsions. On review of 22 cases of convulsions related to cocaine use over the past 4 years, 9 were found to have multiple convulsive episodes related to cocaine. Our findings suggest that cocaine is an infrequent cause of seizures in a city hospital population. However, there is a small number of patients in whom cocaine is apparently highly proconvulsant.
Firm location and the determinants of exporting in low- and middle-income countries

Using a cross-section of more than 35,000 manufacturing and services firms in 76 low- and middle-income countries, we assess how firm location determines the likelihood of exporting. Results from a probit model show that, in addition to firm-specific characteristics, both regional investment climate and agglomeration factors have a significant impact on export participation. Export spillovers and industry diversity are associated with increased exporting, but the impact varies by location and sector. The analysis finds that firm-level determinants of exporting matter more for firms located in non-core regions, whereas regional determinants and agglomeration economies play a larger role in core regions.
Extraesophageal acid reflux and recurrent respiratory papilloma in children.

Summary Objective: Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is a benign infectious disease which is caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). When it infects the larynx, hoarseness and airway obstruction are often the presenting symptoms. Latent virus is found in the laryngeal mucosa of many more patients than exhibit the disease. The factors which lead to virus activation have not been identified, however, extra-esophageal acid reflux disease (EERD) has been suggested as one of these factors. Methods: This is a case series of four patients with RRP who had increase in severity of their disease with the recognition of concurrent extra-esophageal acid reflux. The clinical course of the papillomatosis and the diagnosis and treatment of reflux are compared over time. Results: In all four cases, with identification and treatment of the EERD, control of the RRP improved, and in at least two patients, was complete with resolution of the EERD. Lapses in compliance with medications or behavioral and dietary recommendations in three out of four patients led to a rebound in symptoms and signs of RRP, including worsening of vocal quality and the endoscopic appearance of the larynx. Conclusion: The clinical course of these patients suggests a link between the presence of EERD and RRP. The inflammation induced by chronic acid exposure may result in the expression of HPV in susceptible tissues. Prompt diagnosis and effective treatment of EERD should be considered in all patients with difficult to control RRP or with clinical presentation or endoscopic signs of EERD.
Familial Hypocalciuric Hypercalcemia

Persistent primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) after an initial neck exploration requires a consideration of several factors including the adequacy of the initial neck exploration, as well as reviewing the underlying diagnosis. In the setting of a possible familial disorder, initial biochemical screening with a finding of a low urinary calcium to creatinine clearance ratio would suggest familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH). Genetic testing of the CASR gene is available and is helpful in such clinical situations as there is an overlap in the biochemical appearance of PHPT and FHH.
Enhanced CO2 separation selectivity in oligo(ethylene glycol) functionalized room-temperature ionic liquids

Novel imidazolium-based room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) with one, two, or three oligo(ethylene glycol) substituents were synthesized. Solubilities and ideal solubility selectivities of CO2, N2, and CH4 at low pressure (1 atm) in these RTILs were determined using a pressure decay technique. Comparison to corresponding alkyl analogues of these RTILs reveals similar levels of CO2 solubility but lower solubilities of N2 and CH4. As a consequence, RTILs with oligo(ethylene glycol) substituents were observed to have 30−75% higher ideal solubility selectivities for CO2/N2 and CO2/CH4.
Corticosteroid feedback control of ACTH secretion: rapid effects of bilateral adrenalectomy on plasma ACTH in the rat.

In male rats, bilateral adrenalectomy leads to an increase in circulating ACTH that persists for 2 hr, followed by a decline to control levels which persist from the 6th to approximately the 48th hr after operation. Thereafter, circulating ACTH increases to high levels. No such triphasic response is seen after sham adrenalectomy, the only increase being a brief elevation 2.5 min after the stress. This increased ACTH secretion after bilateral adrenalectomy is promptly inhibited by corticosterone replacement, although it is not completely prevented. One and 2 hr after adrenalectomy the increase in circulating ACTH produced by laparotomy stress is much greater than it is in sham adrenalectomized control animals, but by 24 hr the response has returned to normal. The hyperresponsiveness to laparotomy following adrenalectomy is prevented if the rats receive corticosterone injections 120 and 60 min before the stress. The data suggest that there is a rapid inhibition of ACTH secretion produced by corticosterone s...
Semiparametric spatio‐temporal frailty modeling

Recent developments in GIS have encouraged health science databases to incorporate geographical information about the subjects under study. Such databases have in turn generated interest among statisticians to develop and analyze models that account for spatial clustering and variation. In this article we develop a semiparametric (Cox) hierarchical Bayesian frailty model for capturing spatio-temporal heterogeneity in the survival patterns of women diagnosed with breast cancer in Iowa. In the absence of appropriate surrogates for standards of treatments and health care for cancer patients in the different counties, epidemiologists and health-care professionals are interested in discerning spatial patterns in survival from breast cancer that might be present among the counties. In addition, it is naturally of interest to see if the counties show discernible temporal trends over the years. The SEER (Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results) database from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) provides data on a cohort of breast cancer patients observed progressively through time, spanning 26 years. We implement our hierarchical spatio-temporal models on data extracted from the database for the 99 counties of Iowa. Our results suggest log-relative hazards that are generally flat initially, but steadily decrease for more recent years. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Locoregional and distant failure following image-guided stereotactic body radiation for early-stage primary lung cancer.

Abstract Purpose To report our institutional experience using image-guided stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for early stage lung cancer, including an analysis into factors associated with nodal and distant failures (NF, DF). Methods Forty-eight patients with early-stage primary lung cancer were treated with image-guided SBRT between 2007 and 2009. Median prescription dose was 48Gy in 4 fractions. Toxicity was graded according to the NCI CTCAE v3.0 scale. Results Local failure was detected in two lesions and actuarial 24-month local control was 95%. At 24months, the cumulative incidence of NF was 6%, and DF was 29%. Larger lesions (>3cm) and younger age ( p =0.005 and p =0.015, respectively). A single grade⩾3 toxicity was observed. After adjusting for age and lesion size, distant failure was significantly associated with a poorer OS (Cox regression, p =0.0059). Conclusion Image-guided SBRT can produce excellent LC rates with minimal toxicity. Distant failure was a major determinant of OS and the most common pattern of failure, indicating a potential role for systemic therapy in younger patients with large lesions.
Study of teleseismic P II - amplitude data

Abstract A study of recorded amplitudes of P for the same suite of events studied in part I indicates several step-wise changes in amplitude as a function of distance as reported by Gutenberg. They appear to be correlated with the near-discontinuities in slope of the P travel-time curve. It is suggested that Gutenberg may have miscalibrated near and far teleseismic portions of the amplitude versus distance curve. It is shown that the P amplitudes for long distance teleseismic signals are lower in Western United States (WUS) than in Eastern United States (EUS) by a factor of 3, implying high dissipation of P energy in the upper mantle or crust under WUS.
Arrhythmia detection by digital computer.

Abstract A digital computer program has been described for automatic interpretation of the most common arrhythmias, which can be recognized in 6- and 10-second ECG recordings. A decision-tree method was applied for classification. The logic attempted to compensate for possible measurement or pattern recognition failures. The program consisting of approximately 1700 FORTRAN instructions, was developed using a learning file of various arrhythmias and was tested against independent new records. Correct diagnosis of sinus rhythm without atrioventricular block was obtained in 86–97% of the cases dependent upon the material analyzed in 6- as well as 10-second recordings. Atrial fibrillation was correctly recognized in 82 and 92%, respectively, of short and long records. Eighty-seven percent of ventricular extrasystoles and aberrant beats were found correctly with a relatively low incidence of false positives, which compares favorably with results published by others. The limitations of the program and of arrhythmia detection in general, using short strips recorded with surface ECG leads, are discussed.
Fast Optimization of Through-Wall Radar Images Via the Method of Lagrange Multipliers

Through-wall radar images taken from man-portable systems have limited resolution due to the finite bandwidth and aperture size. However, these images can be enhanced by exploiting scene sparseness (leading to sharper images) or homogeneity (leading to more natural, i.e., visually intuitive, images). To realize these enhancements, we employ a constrained non-linear optimization algorithm based on the Lagrange multiplier method. This approach has an advantage over related image optimization algorithms in that the Lagrange multipliers are solved within the algorithm rather than being selected a priori. This yields a system of equations that is solved iteratively rather than by gradient search. Data from a portable wideband UHF radar is used to test algorithm performance for several through-wall (cinder block) and free-space scenarios.
Being a Good Nurse and Doing the Right Thing: a qualitative study

Despite an abundance of theoretical literature on virtue ethics in nursing and health care, very little research has been carried out to support or refute the claims made. One such claim is that ethical nursing is what happens when a good nurse does the right thing. The purpose of this descriptive, qualitative study was therefore to examine nurses' perceptions of what it means to be a good nurse and to do the right thing. Fifty-three nurses responded to two open-ended questions: (1) a good nurse is one who...; and (2) how does a nurse go about doing the right thing? Three hundred and thirty-one data units were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Seven categories emerged: personal characteristics, professional characteristics, patient centredness, advocacy, competence, critical thinking and patient care. Participants viewed ethical nursing as a complex endeavour in which a variety of decision-making frameworks are used. Consistent with virtue ethics, high value was placed on both intuitive and analytical personal attributes that nurses bring into nursing by virtue of the persons they are. Further investigation is needed to determine just who the 'good nurse' is, and the nursing practice and education implications associated with this concept.
SELF-CONCEPTS AND TELEVISION VIEWING AMONG WOMEN

In studies of TV program preference, personality traits have been relegated to the background. This article, in which TV viewing, itself, is considered value-expressive behavior, compares the self-concepts and ideal self-concepts of light and heavy TV viewers and relates them to demographic variables. The author is Associate Professor of Marketing and Communications at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. He wishes to thank the Los Angeles Times for permission to publish these data and Professor David McConaughy for his comments on the manuscript.
A Mutation in the C. elegans EXP-2 Potassium Channel That Alters Feeding Behavior

The nematode pharynx has a potassium channel with unusual properties, which allows the muscles to repolarize quickly and with the proper delay. Here, the Caenorhabditis elegans exp-2 gene is shown to encode this channel. EXP-2 is a Kv-type (voltage-activated) potassium channel that has inward-rectifying properties resembling those of the structurally dissimilar human ether-a-go-go-related gene (HERG) channel. Null and gain-of-function mutations affect pharyngeal muscle excitability in ways that are consistent with the electrophysiological behavior of the channel, and thereby demonstrate a direct link between the kinetics of this unusual channel and behavior.
Polyamines modulate AMPA receptor-dependent synaptic responses in immature layer v pyramidal neurons.

α-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate receptors (AMPARs) mediate the majority of fast excitation in the CNS. Receptors lacking GluR2 exhibit inward rectification and paired-pulse facili...
Recursive Eigenspace Decomposition, RISE, and Applications

Abstract Many important signal modeling and spectrum estimation problems have been solved robustly and accurately using the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a covariance matrix or the singular value decomposition (SVD) of a data matrix. Due to the high computational cost of these techniques, the standard approach is to fix a model order or matrix dimension (often on somewhat heuristic grounds) and solve the problem a single time. Typically, no comparison of solutions for different choices of model order or matrix dimension is attempted. In many situations, performance can be improved by examining solutions for different model orders, however, until recently this has not been considered due to the computational burden and a lack of means for comparing relative quality. A recently developed algorithm, the Recursive/Iterative Self-adjoint Eigenspace Decomposition (RISE), enables an efficient computation of the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of successively larger sized Hermitian matrices. A reverse version of RISE that decomposes successively smaller sized Hermitian matrices has also been formulated. Due to its generality, RISE is applicable to many signal processing problems where the order or structure of the model is reflected in the size of a covariance matrix, and it is desired to examine solutions for different model orders. Three such applications are described in this paper, coming from the diverse fields of model order estimation, sensor array processing, and pattern recognition.
Determination of the temperature dependent thermal conductivity of isotopically modified single crystal diamond

The experimental details of the in-solid mirage technique for the determination of thermal conductivities of diamond crystals of different isotopic compositions at low temperatures is described. The significance of the results is discussed.
Tuned artificial contrasts to detect signals

Quick detection of shifts under specific faults in multivariate statistical process control has been of interest. Process knowledge can be exploited to design a control chart to be sensitive to more specific mean shifts. Out-of-control observations are simulated representing the shifts resulted from the specific faults and thus the detection problem is converted to a supervised learning task. A control region can be learned through the classifier. The effectiveness of this approach is shown here through graphical illustrations in comparison with the results from normal theory and error rate tables.
Specular-Gloss Measurement of Ceramic Materials

A standard specular-gloss method is required to achieve duplicability between laboratories for the wide range of gloss found in recently developed porcelain enamels. A decision was made to standardize on the gloss scale resulting from the geometry of the 45″ gloss attachment of the Hunter multipurpose reflectometer. As the source and receiver apertures of this instrument were not readily measurable, a goniophotometer was adjusted so that its scale duplicated that of the Hunter instrument. The source and receiver apertures of the adjusted goniophotometer were measured and these were recommended to glossmeter manufacturers for inclusion in the design of their instruments. Significant improvement in the duplicability of specular-gloss measurements resulted, as evidenced by the measurement of 45″ specular gloss of a large number of ceramic specimens having a wide variety of surface-appearance characteristics. The recommendations resulting from this investigation have been incorporated, with slight modification, into gloss tests for porcelain enamels proposed by the Porcelain Enamel Institute and the American Society for Testing Materials.
Sexual Harassment in Middle and High School Children and Effects on Physical and Mental Health

Sexual harassment can be physical interaction and touching, as well as, psychological, environmental, or via Internet and text messaging. An online survey in an urban clinic asked children, aged 12 to 18 years the following: demographic data, height and weight, chronic medical conditions, healthcare use, questions concerning sexual harassment-witnessed and exposure, and finally questions from the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC-35). Overall, 124 of 210 (59%) of the 12- to 18-year-olds surveyed had experienced sexual harassment, with the predominance being female 69% (80/116) versus 48% (49/92) male. Participants who had experienced sexual harassment were significantly more likely to score positive for psychological impairment than those who had not experienced sexual harassment (chi-square test P < .001; odds ratio: 4.7 (95% confidence interval, 1.9-11.8). There was a borderline significant association between elevated body mass index and having experienced sexual harassment (2-sample t test P = .08). Sexual harassment has a direct correlation to psychological impairment in adolescents, especially females.
Transport of fatty acids into human and rat peroxisomes. Differential transport of palmitic and lignoceric acids and its implication to X-adrenoleukodystrophy.

The different topology of palmitoyl-CoA ligase (on the cytoplasmic surface) and of lignoceroyl-CoA ligase (on the luminal surface) in peroxisomal membranes suggests that these fatty acids may be transported in different form through the peroxisomal membrane (Lazo, O., Contreras, M., and Singh, I. (1990) Biochemistry 29, 3981-3986), and this differential transport may account for deficient oxidation of lignoceric acid in X-adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) (Singh, I., Moser, A. B., Goldfisher, S., and Moser, H. W. (1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 81, 4203-4207). To define the transport mechanism for these fatty acids through the peroxisomal membrane and its possible implication to lignoceric acid metabolism in X-ALD, we examined cofactors and energy requirements for the transport of palmitic and lignoceric acids in isolated peroxisomes from rat liver and peroxisomes isolated from X-ALD and control fibroblasts. The similar rates of transport of palmitoyl-CoA (87.6 +/- 6.3 nmol/h/mg protein) and palmitic acid in the fatty acid activating conditions (83.4 +/- 5.1 nmol/h/mg protein) and lack of transport of palmitic acid (4% of palmitoyl-CoA transport) when ATP and/or CoASH were removed or substituted by alpha,beta-methyleneadenosine-5'-triphosphate (AMPCPOP) and/or desulfoCoA-agarose from assay medium clearly demonstrate that transport of palmitic acid requires prior synthesis of palmitoyl-CoA by palmitoyl-CoA ligase on the cytoplasmic surface of peroxisomes. The 10-fold higher rate of transport of lignoceric acid (5.3 +/- 0.6 nmol/h/mg protein) as compared with lignoceroyl-CoA (0.41 +/- 0.11 nmol/h/mg protein) and lack of inhibition of transport of lignoceric acid when ATP and/or CoASH were removed or substituted with AMPCPOP or desulfoCoA-agarose suggest that lignoceric acid is transported through the peroxisomal membrane as such. Moreover, the lack of effect of removal of ATP or substitution with AMPOPCP (a nonhydrolyzable substrate) demonstrates that the translocation of palmitoyl-CoA and lignoceric acid across peroxisomal membrane does not require energy. The transport, activation, and oxidation of palmitic acid are normal in peroxisomes from X-ALD. The deficient lignoceroyl-CoA ligase (13% of control) and oxidation of lignoceric acid (10% of control) as compared with normal transport of lignoceric acid into peroxisomes from X-ALD clearly demonstrates that pathogenomonic accumulation of very long chain fatty acids (greater than C22) in X-ALD is due to the deficiency of peroxisomal lignoceroyl-CoA ligase activity.
A sense of spatial semantics

This paper describes an approach to the semantic analysis of location information. The system gathers verified natural language input and uses a ranking system to produce semantically meaningful tags. These associations are tied to precise spatial locations allowing a viewer to get the sense of a space.
Stent implantation for coarctation of the aorta in a premature infant through carotid cutdown as a bridge to surgical correction

Isolated coarctation of the aorta accounts for 5% to 10% of all congenital heart defects. Neonatal repair is typically surgical at our institution. Stent implantation for coarctation is typically reserved for older children in whom a larger-caliber stent can be used that can potentially be postdilated to adult diameters. We report a case of stent implantation for native coarctation as a bridge to successful surgical repair in an extremely preterm infant. CLINICAL SUMMARY The patient was a male infant born at 25 weeks’ gestation because of preterm labor. Birth weight was 875 g. After delivery, the patient was noted to have a large patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). He underwent PDA ligation on day of life 6 through a left thoracotomy with multiple clips. After PDA ligation, he had significant upper extremity hypertension. Repeat echocardiographic analysis demonstrated severe aortic coarctation with a Doppler-predicted 58 mm Hg gradient. He was transferred to our institution for further care. Echocardiographic analysis at our institution confirmed the diagnosis. The patient remained severely hypertensive, with systolic blood pressures ranging from 97 to 118 mm Hg in the upper extremities and 35 to 47 mm Hg in the lower extremities with evidence of end-organ hypoperfusion. A carotid cutdown was performed in the cardiac catheterization laboratory, and a 4F sheath was placed in the right internal carotid artery. Angiographic analysis revealed a discrete coarctation adjacent to the ductal clips (Figure 1). The transverse aortic arch measured 3.5 mm, narrowing to 1.04 mm in the region of the coarctation. The descending aorta
Galileo as a Bad Theologian

In the last chapter we saw that although Galileo was factually right in believing the thesis of the earth’s motion, there are legitimate questions that can be raised about whether his reasons for this belief were logically and methodologically valid. However, although such questions are legitimate, that is not to say that the corresponding anti-Galilean criticisms are themselves correct, either factually, logically, or methodologically. Similarly, although Galileo was substantively right in believing that Scripture is not a scientific authority, his supporting arguments can and should be questioned. But again, these questions have not yielded tenable criticisms of his hermeneutical arguments.
Continuous-wave 1.50-μm thulium cascade laser

A cascade laser scheme is used to obtain continuous-wave 1.50-microm laser emission at room temperature on the normally self-terminating Tm(3+)(3)H(4) ? (3)F(4) transition in YLiF(4). The long-lived (3)F(4) state is quenched through energy transfer to the Ho(3+)(5)I(7) state, which is depopulated through the Ho(3+)(5)I(7) ? (5)I(8) 2.06-microm laser transition.
Development and outcomes of an online-onsite hybrid dental admissions enhancement pilot program.

The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) School of Dentistry has piloted two years of an Admissions Enhancement Program (AEP) with students from underrepresented minority groups and/or economically disadvantaged areas of Missouri interested in applying to dental school. The AEP utilizes an innovative online-onsite hybrid format to elevate students’ foundational knowledge in biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, and quantitative reasoning. The online component includes interaction with UMKC instructors using tablet technology and Wimba virtual classroom sessions. The onsite component engages students in academic and professional development, enrichment activities targeting skills training, experience in dental labs and clinics, and mentoring in preparing the dental school application, essay writing, and interviewing. Results to date indicate overall program satisfaction among AEP participants and a dental school acceptance rate of 73.7 percent (14/19 students). Participants reported the mock interviews and essay-writing portions contributed to their becoming competitive candidates for the admission process, and the online material enhanced their preparation for the Dental Admission Test (DAT). Pre- and post-AEP data show participant DAT Academic Average scores increased by two points. The school will continue to monitor program participants in subsequent years.
SHELL-MODEL STRUCTURE OF $sup 208$Bi.

The level structure of $^{208}\mathrm{Bi}$ has been investigated using both stripping and pickup reactions. The $^{207}\mathrm{Pb}(^{3}\mathrm{He},d)$ and $^{207}\mathrm{Pb}(\ensuremath{\alpha},t)$ reactions permit the identification of a series of doublets arising from the coupling of a proton in the ${h}_{\frac{9}{2}}$, ${f}_{\frac{7}{2}}$, ${i}_{\frac{13}{2}}$, ${f}_{\frac{5}{2}}$, and ${p}_{\frac{3}{2}}$ single-particle states with a neutron hole in the ${p}_{\frac{1}{2}}$ shell. The $^{209}\mathrm{Bi}(d,t)$ and $^{209}\mathrm{Bi}(^{3}\mathrm{He},\ensuremath{\alpha})$ reactions populate the multiplets arising from coupling of a neutron hole in the ${p}_{\frac{1}{2}}$, ${f}_{\frac{5}{2}}$, ${p}_{\frac{3}{2}}$, ${i}_{\frac{13}{2}}$, ${f}_{\frac{7}{2}}$, and ${h}_{\frac{9}{2}}$ states with a proton in the ${h}_{\frac{9}{2}}$ shell. A detailed analysis shows that the total strength in each multiplet is close to that for the corresponding single-particle or single-hole transition on $^{208}\mathrm{Pb}$. In addition to the strong transitions leading to states of these multiplets, some relatively weak transitions are observed which provide a measure of the mixing of different configurations. The structure and purity of the particle-hole multiplets below about 3-MeV excitation is in good agreement with shell-model calculations.
This is Just Not Working for Us: Why After Ten Years on the Job- It is Time to Fire Garcetti

In Lane v. Franks, the U.S. Supreme Court held that public employees who give truthful testimony in court are protected so long as it was outside their ordinary job duties.1 This issue arose after ten years of the Garcetti rule which does not protect employee speech pursuant to their job dutiesa nebulous topic in the digital era.2 In applying Garcetti, lower courts have extended it to include any speech that is a product of job duties, even if it would serve the public interest.3 In Lane v. Franks, the Court amended the employee speech doctrine to protect subpoenaed testimony that is outside the employee’s job duties.4 This article applauds the new exception, but argues that the Court’s ruling was too narrow. Using the principles espoused in the case, this article argues that the Court should have amended the Garcetti rule and refocused the test on the public trust rather than the employee-employer relationship.
En-Face OCT

En-Face(C-scan)OCT acquired simultaneously with paired confocal ophthalmoscopic images provides unprecedented point-to-point correlation between surface and subsurface anatomy of the retina. High resolution, image fragmentation, and inclusion of multiple depths within single slices make interpretation of images challenging. Recognizable patterns and corresponding longitudinal (B-scan) OCTs have insured its clinical usefulness.
Installed Engine Performance in Dust Laden Atmosphere

Abstract : Aircraft engines operating in areas where the atmosphere is polluted with small solid particles are subjected to erosion damage and consequently, their performance deteriorates. This paper presents the results of an investigation of the solid particles dynamics through a helicopter engine with inlet particle trajectories were determined through the five stage axial flow compressor. The results are presented to show the particle distribution throughout the compressor and the intensity of the particle blade impacts at the various stages. Originator furnished keywords include: Engine performance, Dust, Aircraft engines, Particles, Erosion, Helicopters.
A Novel Electrospun Dendrimer-Gelatin Hybrid Nanofiber Scaffold for Tissue Regeneration and Drug Delivery

Gelatin has been widely used to develop tissue engineering scaffolds because it has many attractive properties. Dendrimer provides a versatile, compositionally and structurally controlled architecture to construct nanomedicine. This study was aimed at developing a novel electrospun dendrimer-gelatin nanofiber scaffold to best mimic natural extracellular matrix (ECM) to promote tissue formation and serve as a reservoir for controlled drug delivery. Starburst™ polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer G3.5 was covalently bonded to the gelatin backbone and electrospun into nanofibers. Doxycycline (DC), which is an effective antibiotic that has the ability to inhibit matrix metalloproteinase, was encapsulated into the nanofiber scaffold. The electrospun DC-gelatin scaffold provides a bacterial free environment for cell growth and tissue regeneration. The resulting dendrimer-gelatin nanofiber scaffold achieved a unique structural configuration where covalently bound three-dimensional dendritic nanospheres were evenly distributed along the elongated dimension of the nanofiber, and both dendrimer and gelatin had numerous functional groups suitable for accommodating multiple functional entities and high payload of drugs. The development of this new scaffold with the capability of delivering multiple functional entities was an important step towards the use of bioactive nanofibers to facilitate tissue regeneration and controlled drug release.
Grounding the randomness of quantum measurement.

Julian Schwinger provided to physics a mathematical reconstruction of quantum mechanics on the basis of the characteristics of sequences of measurements occurring at the atomic level of physical st...
Prevalence and influencing factors of type 2 diabetes among residents aged 18 years and over in Xinhua District,Shijiazhuang City,2010

Objective To understand the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and its influencing factors among adult residents in Xinhua District,Shijiazhuang City. Methods Based on the Handbook of Chinese National Nutrition and Health Survey 2010,residents aged 18 years and over in Xinhua District,Shijiazhuang City were selected by multistage cluster stratified random sampling fo investigation. Survey contents included questionnaire interview( family members' basic information,personal health status,etc.),physical examination( height,weight,waist circumstance,and blood pressure),and laboratory testing( fasting glucose,oral glucose tolerance test,impaired fasting glucose [IFG],total cholesterol [TC],triglyceride[TG],and high density lipoprotein cholesterol[HDL-C]). Based on descriptive epidemiology analysis,univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to analyze risk factors of type 2 diabetes. Results A total of 908 residents aged 18 years and over were selected from Xinhua District,including 392 males and 516 females. Participants aged 18- 44,45- 59,and 60 years and over accounted for 38. 88%( 353/908),31.83%( 289/908),and 29.30%( 266/908) of the all subjects,respectively. The overall prevalence of type 2 diabetes and prevalence of IFG were 13. 22%( 120 /908) and 8. 37%( 76 /908),respectively; accordingly,their standardized prevalence rates were 9. 41% and 7. 03%,respectively. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that age rising( OR = 3. 198),central obesity( OR = 2. 798),and high TC( OR = 1. 617) were strongly associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes( P 0. 05 or P 0. 01). Age rising( OR = 1. 411),higher BMI( OR = 1. 570),and hypertension( OR = 2. 364) were the risk factors for IFG( P 0. 05 or P 0. 01). Conclusion The prevalence of type 2 diabetes of residents aged 18years and over was serious in Xinhua District,Shijiazhuang City. Age rising,central obesity,and high TC were risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes.
Study on extended-spectrum β-lactamases of Escherichia coli in the neonates and its correlation with antibiotics

Objective: To explore the means of preventing and treating on the neonatal infections by ESBL of E. coli. Methods: Identifications of bacteria were performed by using the method of the completely automatic system of microorganism' s identification and antimicrobial susceptibility, american DADE Scan Walkaway - 40 on the patients of department of neonates. Count the rates of ESBL in positive cultures which were E. coli. Result: The rates of ESBL were 71. 8% in 110 E. coli strains, and 92. 3% were counted when B-lactam antibiotic had been used, even when had used the three generations of cephalosporin, the rates were 100%. Conclusions: The occurrence of ESBL accelerated by B-lactam antibiotic especially the three generations of cephalosporin. It is very important to use the antibiotics correctly.
fNIR Study of Cognitive Decline and Reading in Parkinson’s Disease: Preliminary Data

As yet, there has been little research applying functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIR) neuroimaging studies to aspects of brain activation such as cognitive decline or working memory deficits with reading difficulties in Parkinsonâ€™s disease (PD). The purpose of this study is to investigate cerebral hemoglobin concentration changes related to reading and cognitive load tasks in an individual with PD. An individual with PD and a healthy normal person of the same age with no history of neurogenic disorders participated in this study. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIR) measurements were recorded while the participants carried out a reading task (grandfather passage) and four cognitive load tasks. The fNIR results for the reading task revealed significant differences in the changes in the oxygen concentration levels experienced by the two participants and this was also manifested in both the left and right hemispheres. There were also significant differences between the two participants across all of the cognitive tasks. Unlike the non-PD participant, the PD participant did not exhibit any significant differences among the four cognitive tasks and no significant oxygenation change between the left and right hemispheres when performing cognitive tasks 1 and 4 was observed. These results suggest that PD patients either lack sufficient brain activation to complete linguistic or cognitive tasks or are unable to use oxygenation effectively in a specific brain area when seeking to accomplish these types of tasks.
Shifting white pox aetiologies affecting Acropora palmata in the Florida Keys, 1994-2014.

We propose ‘the moving target hypothesis’ to describe the aetiology of a contemporary coral disease that differs from that of its historical disease state. Hitting the target with coral disease aet...
The Clinical Effect of a Rotator Cuff Retear: A Meta-analysis of Arthroscopic Single-Row and Double-Row Repairs.

Background:The clinical effect of a retear after rotator cuff repair remains unclear. While some studies have indicated clinical deficits due to a retear, others have stated that a retear does not detrimentally affect outcomes.Purpose:To conduct a meta-analysis comparing clinical outcomes between intact and retorn rotator cuffs after arthroscopic repair.Study Design:Meta-analysis.Methods:A literature search using the terms “arthroscopic,” “rotator cuff,” “repair,” “retear,” “re-tear,” “defect,” “single-row,” “double-row,” “clinical outcomes,” and “functional outcomes” was conducted. Article inclusion criteria were an adequate description of the surgical technique, stratification of outcomes by intact rotator cuff versus retear with a minimum of 1 year of follow-up, and documentation of the presence/absence of a full-thickness retear using imaging. Exclusion criteria were isolated subscapularis tears/repairs, labral repairs, infections, postoperative fractures, insufficient data or statistical indications,...
Harmful Speech in Intergroup Encounters: An Organizational Framework for Communication Research

Verbally disturbing communication, or what is broadly referred to as harmful speech (e.g., racist, sexist, and ageist speech), is a growing but fragmented area of inquiry in need of integration. In an effort to capitalize on various traditions’ insights and make connections across academic boundaries, the authors present a model for summarizing findings and generating and guiding research for several intergroup forms of deprecating speech. To begin, seven of the more established research areas—verbal aggression, gender, age, physical disability, ethnicity, jurisprudence, and rhetoric—are overviewed. These are then integrated into a model that describes the dynamics and processes underlying the type of communication that results in harm. The general utility of the framework lies in (a) its comprehensive elucidation of many types of harmful speech; (b) its specificity, because it allows for the complexity and interaction of a variety of situational, psychological, affective, social, and communicative factor...
Hospital Decontamination: What Nurses Need to Know

Incidents involving the release of hazardous materials challenge medical providers with safely, quickly, and correctly removing contaminants from the victim. While doing so, the safety of the first receiver, current patients, bystanders, as well as the victim all have to be considered. Key challenges with hospital decontamination include, but are not limited to, selection of team members, training protocols, employee turnover, and funding. Best practices, based on the available literature and evidence, include administration buy-in and support; strong policy and procedure documentation; equipment maintenance programs; and team member recruitment, retention, and education.
Lifelines performance in the Landers and big bear (California) earthquakes of 28 June 1992

Abstract The southern California high desert and mountain area was hit by two earthquakes on Sunday, 28 June 1992. The epicenters for the Landers ( M s 7.5) and Big Bear ( M s 6.6) earthquakes were about 100 miles (160 km) east of Los Angeles, California. The most significant impact on lifelines was to the highway, water, and electrical systems. As a result of the large surface fault displacement in the Yucca Valley and very old pipe in other areas, there were hundreds of water pipeline breaks, and it took up to several weeks to fully restore service. Electrical service was disrupted throughout southern California owing to wires swinging together, which caused the automatic circuit breakers to trip. Most service was restored in seconds, and all service was restored by the next day. Also, these earthquakes caused closure of several state highways, as a result of surface fault displacement, cracking of pavement, and rock slides.
Differentially coherent detection: Lower complexity, higher capacity?

We compare the achievable rate for QPSK and DQPSK modulations while considering the effect of channel estimation errors and pilot overhead. DQPSK is generally regarded in the literature as the low complexity alternative to QPSK, and is considered to sacrifice the performance as a trade-off. This argument is valid when the channel is perfectly known to the receiver. Here, we show that when the cost of pilot overhead and channel estimation errors are considered, there exist cases where DQPSK modulation delivers higher data rates as compared to QPSK modulation, even if optimal ratio of symbols are assigned as pilots. We classify these cases, and show through simulations that they occur frequently in underwater acoustic channels as the long delay spread requires a considerable pilot overhead for estimating the channel. Our results are supported by analysis, as well as simulation.