cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of electron density depletion in a cathode spot driven dusty plasma for reentry vehicle communications applications

Communications blackout, which is experienced by spacecraft re-entering the atmosphere at hypersonic velocities, is caused by the formation of a dense plasma envelope produced by shock heating. Communication signals at frequencies below the plasma cutoff frequency cannot propagate through this layer. Methods suggested for mitigating blackout have included aerodynamic shaping, magnetic windows, and the use of quenchants to reduce plasma densities. The Gemini 3 mission in 1965 successfully used water as a quenchant to cool the reentry plasma and increase communication signal strength.
Bioidentical compounded hormones: a pharmacokinetic evaluation in a randomized clinical trial.

Abstract Objective Bioidentical compounded hormone therapy is popular among patients, but providers do not have pharmacokinetic information or dosing guidelines for these preparations. Our objective was to compare the pharmacokinetics of the commonly used compounded preparations with conventional hormonal preparations that are considered bioequivalent in practice. Methods We conducted a randomized, blinded, four-arm 16-day clinical trial of forty postmenopausal women assigned to one of three doses of a compounded estrogen cream (Bi-est (80:20); 2.0, 2.5, or 3.0 mg) + compounded oral progesterone 100 mg, or to a conventional estradiol patch (Vivelle-Dot™ 0.05 mg) + Prometrium™ 100 mg. Serum levels of estrone, estradiol, estriol, and progesterone were obtained at multiple time intervals during the first 24-h, and at steady-state. Results Results were analyzable for 37/40 women. Study medications were well tolerated. The AUC at 24 h and at steady-state for estrogens remained consistently lower for all doses of Bi-est tested relative to the patch. The difference was statistically significant for Bi-est 2.0 mg (AUC-estradiol = 181 vs. 956; p Conclusions This pharmacokinetic trial showed that the currently used doses of compounded hormones yield lower levels of estrogen compared to the standard-dose estradiol patch. To find comparable doses, further studies are needed. This successfully conducted randomized controlled study attests to the feasibility of using a similar design in the setting of a larger clinical trial.
Late Effects after Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

Over 30,000 autologous hematopoietic cell transplants (HCT) have been performed yearly during the past decade. With improvement in supportive care, few patients succumb to early treatment complications; hence, more attention is being paid to causes of late complications and death. However, interpretation of the data that exist is difficult as the definition of ‘‘late’’ varies by study, as does the patient population, underlying diseases, HCT mobilization and conditioning regimens, stem cell sources, and duration of follow-up (Table 1). Most importantly, the methods used to estimate the incidence of late complications over time are different or are not explained in sufficient detail. Some studies report relative risk or standardized mortality compared with the general population. Other studies report an acturial estimate (which ignores competing risks and thus may overestimate the incidence), whereas others report cumulative incidence calculations.
Empiric evidence for a genetic contribution to predisposition to surgical site infection

The genetics of microbial pathogens have been extensively studied, but there has been little work on human genetic susceptibility to surgical site infection (SSI). We analyzed a large genealogical population database to study the familial contribution to SSI. We analyzed 651 individuals with International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision codes indicating the presence of SSI. Matched hospital controls were randomly selected from the database based on birth year, sex, and birthplace. The average relatedness of all possible pairs of cases and separately of controls (×1000 sets) was compared empirically. The relative risk (RR) for SSI was estimated by comparing the number of observed affected individuals among the relatives of cases to the number of affected individuals observed among relatives of matched hospital controls. The genealogical index of familiality test for patients with SSI showed significant excess relatedness (p < 0.010); this excess was still observed when close relationships were ignored (p = 0.019). The RR for third-degree relatives of cases was significantly elevated (1.62, p = 0.029). The significant excess relatedness and the significantly elevated RR to distant relatives support a genetic predisposition to acquiring SSI.
Deer herbivory and habitat type influence long-term population dynamics of a rare wetland plant

Pinpointing the factors that alter the population viability of long-lived organisms, such as perennial plants, is especially useful for informing conservation management policies for threatened and endangered species. In this study, I used 4 years of demographic data on rare plant Polemonium vanbruntiae (Eastern Jacob’s ladder, Polemoniaceae) to determine how white-tailed deer herbivory and habitat type (wet meadow and forest seep) affect long-term population viability. I incorporated these factors into matrix population models to estimate the deterministic and stochastic growth rates (λ and λs, respectively), stable stage distribution (SSD), the reproductive value for each stage class, the cumulative probability of extinction, and the elasticity values for all vital rates under each browsing and habitat scenario. Population growth rates of P. vanbruntiae in wet meadow sites are expected to increase at a slightly faster rate than at forest seep sites. Herbivory significantly decreased the predicted population growth rate under stochastic conditions. However, P. vanbruntiae ramets are expected to increase in the future as the population growth rate (λ) > 1 under both “browse” and “no browse” scenarios, but deer herbivory increased the extinction risk to a detectable level. Deer preferentially browsed vegetative and reproductive adult ramets over yearlings and seedlings, and browsing significantly reduced fertility of reproductive ramets and increased the probability of stasis for small and large vegetative ramets. Browsing shifted the elasticity values of vital rates and changed the potential for younger life histories stages, such as seedlings, to change future population growth. Under herbivore pressure, survival and stasis of large vegetative ramets have the largest potential impact on future population growth. This study provides empirical evidence that white-tailed deer are an important ecological factor affecting long-term population dynamics of rare plant populations and offers management suggestions for remaining populations of P. vanbruntiae.
Na Extrusion by the Sartorius of Rana pipiens.

Sartorius muscles of R. pipiens may be enriched in sodium and depleted of potassium by prolonged soaking in the cold in K-free or low K Ringer's solution. Such K-depleted muscles take up potassium and extrude sodium when exposed to Ringer's solution containing 10 mM K at ordinary room temperature (ca. 20°C), with no dependence on external Na ion concentration in either phase within fairly wide limits. Extrusion of excess fiber Na is demonstrated on single muscles using Na24-loaded tissues. Rate of exchange of excess fiber Na does not differ significantly from the rate of exchange of Na normally present in muscle fibers.
Public Discourse and Personal Expression A Case Study in Theory-Building

The authors recount their attempt to analyze a case study in terms of two conflicting rhetorics: a collectivist rhetoric that values most the contributions individuals make to an ongoing collective project and an individualist rhetoric that values most the original and autonomous voice. These two rhetorics conflict in the experience of one writer working concurrently in a literature seminar within a university English department and in the public relations office of a reproductive services agency. This conflict, centering on different rhetorical ethics, had less to do with competence than with commitment: the writer's commitment to the individualist ethics practiced in the writing she did in the literature seminar prevented her from valuing the writing she did at the agency that worked toward a collectivist end. The authors then examine how this analysis is problematized by alternative interpretations of this case that demonstrate that the collectivist rhetoric practiced by researchers and theorists of wr...
Capsule Commentary on Gonzalo, et al., Impact of an Overnight Internal Medicine Academic Hospitalist Program on Patient Outcomes

T his retrospective, interrupted time-series analysis by Gonzalo et al. evaluated the effect of an overnight academic hospitalist (OAH) program on patient-level outcomes at a large university-based acute care hospital. The intervention consisted of a year-round overnight academic hospitalist program staffed by one hospitalist physician and coincided with the hours of the night float housestaff. The study showed no significant change in their patientlevel outcomes including the average length of stay, inhospital mortality rate, 30-day readmission rate, and upgrades in care to intensive care unit. The outcomes as described above were important to evaluate in this study. However, there are likely better components for measuring whether residents and supervising hospitalists were in fact impacting the health of patients. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are a helpful component of assessing whether clinicians are improving the health of patients. Unlike process measures, which capture provider productivity and adherence to the standards of recommended care, or patient experience measures, which focus on aspects of care delivery, PROMs seek to understand whether the services provided actually improved patients health and sense of well-being. For example, through the implementation of an OAH program, patients might be asked to assess their general health and satisfaction in care overnight. Moreover, it would seem that not only the patient-reported outcome measures but also a learner-reported outcome measure would show promising results. In the paper by Haber et al., increased overnight supervision enhanced the clinical value of the night float rotation, increased rates of attending contact during critical clinical decision-making, and improved perception of patient care. Nighttime supervision is a key concept in medical education and is critical in ensuring safe and effective patient care. As noted by Hanson et al., nighttime education should be transformed in a way that maintains clinical productivity for both attending and resident physicians, integrates high-quality teaching and curricula, and achieves a balance between patient safety and resident autonomy. The results of the study are promising and helpful for programs as they aim to implement systems to ensure appropriate nighttime supervision. Further study is needed to assess the impact on broader patient outcomes.
Transmission of stresses in static and sheared granular beds: The influence of particle size, shearing rate, layer thickness and sensor size

The spatial non-uniformities and temporal fluctuations in the normal stress transmitted across a sheared granular layer have been studied through a combination of experiments in a Jenike shear cell equipped with normal force (stress) transducers imbedded on the bottom shearing surface and discrete element method (DEM) simulations. Experiments were carried out with particles of different sizes and layers of different thicknesses; the normal stress was measured at several different shearing rates and at several positions on the bottom surface. The DEM simulations revealed a direct link between the spatial inhomogeneities and temporal fluctuations in the stress recorded in our measurements. We found that the dependence of the average normal stress on the bottom surface as a function of height mirrored that in Janssen's analysis of stresses in wall-bounded static assemblies.
The art of dealing with consultants

This article presents guidelines for interactions with consultant physicians by emergency physicians. The political aspects of dealing with consultant physicians often are not stressed in emergency medicine training programs and little has been written in the emergency medicine literature on this topic. Practicing maintenance of good relations with consultant physicians can make work in the emergency department more enjoyable for all concerned, and probably contributes to better overall patient care.
Role of the Minimal State Variable Criterion in Rational Expectations Models

This paper concerns the minimal-state-variable (MSV) criterion for selection among solutions in rational expectations models that feature a multiplicity of paths that satisfy all of the model’s conditions. It compares the MSV criterion with others, including the widely used saddle-path (dynamic stability) criterion. It is emphasized that the MSV criterion can be viewed as a scientifically useful classification scheme that delineates the unique solution that is free of bubble components. In the process of demonstrating uniqueness for a broad class of linear models, the paper exposits a convenient computational procedure. Applications to current issues are outlined.
Transmission Electron Microscopy Study of an Epitaxial Gate Oxide on III-N Semiconductor Structures

An effective gate insulator for compound semiconductors has been a challenging goal for the materials research community for nearly 40 years. Recent developments on the epitaxial deposition of complex gate oxides as gate insulators have shown promise with the demonstration of enhancement mode high electron mobility transistors (e-mode HEMTs). In this work, gate oxide epilayers deposited on III-V semiconductors for field effect transistors (III-V MOSFETs) are examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to identify the structure of the oxide/semiconductor interface. The high resolution images of the cross-sectional structures for the first time reveal a crystalline nature of the interface between the oxide and the III-V semiconductor. The composition of the oxide layers are determined by Z-contrast Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS). The surface morphology of the FET structures is investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM) both before and after gate oxide deposition, and the structural results are related to device DC electrical characteristics. With an underlying GaN/InGaN heterojunction grown by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) on sapphire, the MOSFET devices exhibit the characteristics of a substantially unpinned interface, including the capacity for significant charge accumulation and transconductance at positive gate voltages.
Differential up-regulation of ceruloplasmin gene expression in rat immune tissues during experimental inflammation

Abstract We have investigated whether rat immune tissues (spleen, thymus and bone marrow) contain a full-length ceruloplasmin (Cp) mRNA identical to that in rat hepatocytes and if this extrahepatic Cp mRNA is up-regulated in response to inflammation. Experimental inflammation was induced by intraperitoneal administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and was characterized by decreased (50%) food intake and a two-fold increase in serum Cp oxidase activity. Tissues were collected 24 h after LPS or saline injection (controls). Primer pairs spanning either exons 1–5 or exons 17–19 of rat liver Cp mRNA were selected for RT-PCR reactions with total RNA isolated from intact spleen, freshly-isolated splenic mononuclear cells (MNC), thymus, and bone marrow. RT-PCR products identical to those of rat liver tissue were generated suggesting the presence of a full-length Cp mRNA in these immune tissues. Northern analysis revealed that a 3.7 kb mRNA was present in both liver and intact spleen, but was barely detectable in the thymus. Densitometric analysis indicated that the abundance of splenic Cp mRNA was about 3% that of liver Cp mRNA per unit of total tissue RNA. LPS-induced inflammation increased Cp mRNA in liver and spleen tissues by 90% and 80%, respectively, but had little impact on Cp mRNA content in thymus. Additional studies are needed to define the role(s) of splenic Cp gene expression and copper in host defense.
Monitoring in the Intensive Care Unit

Neurologic illness is complex and often complicated by adverse effects on the cardiopulmonary system. Studies have shown improved outcomes for patients treated in a dedicated Neurologic Intensive Care Unit (NICU) likely secondary to specialized nursing care, neurointensivist teams, and protocolized management of complex neurologic illness [1]. The common types of hemodynamic monitors within any intensive care unit (ICU) include temperature monitoring, blood pressure measurements, electrocardiography, respiratory and ventilatory parameters, as well as measurements of volume status and cardiac output [2, 3]. Neuromonitoring within the NICU is conducted with transcranial Doppler, intracranial pressure (ICP) monitors, cerebral oxygen monitors, and electroencephalograms [4]. This discussion is presented in the context of a few case descriptions to exemplify the complexities of managing patients with severe neurologic disease.
Lung Transplantation in Patients with High Lung Allocation Scores in the US: Evidence for the Need to Evaluate Score Specific Outcomes

Objective. The lung allocation score (LAS) resulted in a lung transplantation (LT) selection process guided by clinical acuity. We sought to evaluate the relationship between LAS and outcomes. Methods. We analyzed Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipient (SRTR) data pertaining to recipients between 2005 and 2012. We stratified them into quartiles based on LAS and compared survival and predictors of mortality. Results. We identified 10,304 consecutive patients, comprising 2,576 in each LAS quartile (quartile 1 (26.3–35.5), quartile 2 (35.6–39.3), quartile 3 (39.4–48.6), and quartile 4 (48.7–95.7)). Survival after 30 days (96.9% versus 96.8% versus 96.0% versus 94.8%), 90 days (94.6% versus 93.7% versus 93.3% versus 90.9%), 1 year (87.2% versus 85.0% versus 84.8% versus 80.9%), and 5 years (55.4% versus 54.5% versus 52.5% versus 48.8%) was higher in the lower groups. There was a significantly higher 5-year mortality in the highest LAS group (HR 1.13, p = 0.030, HR 1.17, p = 0.01, and HR 1.17, p = 0.02) comparing quartiles 2, 3, and 4, respectively, to quartile 1. Conclusion. Overall, outcomes in recipients with higher LAS are worse than those in patients with lower LAS. These data should inform more individualized evidence-based discussion during pretransplant counseling.
Political Opportunities and Strategic Choices: Comparing Feminist Campaigns in Morocco and Iran

*† How do women’s rights activists mobilize in nondemocratic and culturally conservative contexts? Why do some women’s movements succeed in securing the policy outcomes they seek while others fail to realize their objectives? Comparing two recent cases of feminist activism in the Middle East/North Africa region—the Moroccan and Iranian campaigns for family law reform—the article demonstrates the way that political opportunity structures shape the strategic options available to activists and influence movement frames. While a political opening is conducive to movement growth and success, including cooperation for legal and policy reform (Morocco), the closing of political space compels extrainstitutional feminist contention and transnational links (Iran). In examining the structure of political opportunity in addition to strategic choices, the paper addresses the interplay of structure and agency in mobilization processes and finds that—to paraphrase Marx—women and men make history, but not under conditions of their own choosing. In October 2003, the Moroccan monarch, who is also known as the country’s Commander of the Faithful, issued a statement to the nation in which he endorsed the recommendation made by a Royal Commission that the country’s longstanding family law, the highly patriarchal moudawanna, be reformed. In early 2004, the Moroccan parliament approved legislation to adopt a more gender-egalitarian family law. The reform was hailed as a major victory for women’s rights in Morocco—and for the women’s movement, which had worked for over a decade to achieve this goal—and it was widely reported in the international press. Since then, women’s organizations and government agencies, including the judiciary, have collaborated to implement the new family law, promoted via frames of emancipatory Islam, national development, and children’s welfare. In June 2005, in the transition between President Khatami’s term and the incoming presidency of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a group of Iranian women’s rights activists staged a protest in front of Tehran University. They demanded “change for equality,” which included repeal of articles in the civil code that place women in a subordinate status and those in the penal code which do the same and sanction dire punishments for adultery. The activists were also galvanized by rumors of the imminent closure of nongovernmental organizations. The following year, a similar protest was broken up by police. Subsequently, the authorities launched a series of arrests, prosecutions, and harassment of activists that continues to this day. Despite its designation as “a threat to national security,” women’s rights activism persists in Iran, with strong support from feminists in the Iranian diaspora. What explains the differences in Morocco and Iran? In particular, why do some movements succeed in securing the policy outcomes they seek while others fail to realize their objectives? And how do feminists achieve their goals in an authoritarian polity and conservative culture?
Insight into the 6-thiopurine-mediated termination of the invasive motility of tumor cells derived from inflammatory breast cancer.

Our study showed that a combination of 6-thiopurine (6-TP) drugs and a redox agent effectively inhibits the motility of SUM cells derived from human inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) cells and RhoC-overexpressed mammary epithelium cells. This 6-TP-mediated inhibition of cell motility occurs because the treated 6-TPs target and inactivate RhoC. A molecular mechanism for inactivation by the 6-TP-mediated RhoC is proposed by which treated TPs are converted in cells into 6-thioguanosine phosphate (6-TGNP). This 6-TGNP in turn reacts with the Cys20 side chain of the redox-sensitive GXXXCGK(S/T)C motif of RhoC to produce a 6-TGNP-RhoC disulfide adduct. A redox agent synergistically enhances the formation process of this disulfide. The adduct that is formed impedes RhoC guanine nucleotide exchange, which populates an inactive RhoC. Our results suggest that 6-TGNP can also react with the redox-sensitive GXXXCGK(S/T)C and GXXXXGK(S/T)C motif of RhoA and Rac, respectively, to produce a 6-TGNP-RhoA and 6-TGNP-Rac dis...
SCORES ON THE CAREER MATURITY INVENTORY AND SELF-CONFIDENCE

Bartlett (1969) reported that scores on [he Attitude Scale of the Career Maturity Inventory Attitude Scale (Crites, 1973) were related to self-confidence. (The attitude scale measures maturity of the attitudes of subjects toward making a career choice.) To check upon this result, the attitude scale was given along with a test of self-confidence (Girdano & Everly, 1979) to 86 high school students (M,,, E 16.2 yr., SD = 0.4) and 96 college students (M,,, = 20.5 yr., SD = 1.7). Most were judged of lower and middle class. The two groups differed significantly in scores on the Career Maturity Inventory (Ms of 33.9 and 37.5, SDs of 6.4 and 5.6, respectively; Fl/lis = 17.36, fi < 0.001), and boys and girls also differed (Ms of 34.4 and 37.1, respectively; = 10.23, P < 0.002). The college students showed no significant difference in Career Maturity Inventory scores by year in college. Self-confidence scores were associated with inventory scores both for the high school students (Pearson r = 0.31, p = 0.002) and for the college students (r = 0.25, fi = 0.008). This study showed that mature attitudes toward careers were higher for girls and college students rhan for the high school students and for those with higher self-confidence.
Striving for Respectful Maternity Care Everywhere

Purpose The mistreatment of women during childbirth in health facilities is a growing area of research and public attention. Description In many countries, disrespect and abuse from maternal health providers discourage women from seeking childbirth with a skilled birth attendant, which can lead to poor maternal and neonatal outcomes. This commentary highlights examples from three countries-Kenya, Mexico and the United States-and presents different forms of mistreatment during childbirth, which range from physical abuse to non-consented care to discriminatory practices. Assessment Building on the momentum from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, and the Global and Maternal Neonatal Health Conference, the global community has placed respectful maternity care at the forefront of the maternal and neonatal health agenda. Conclusion Research efforts must focus on context-specific patient satisfaction during childbirth to identify areas for quality improvement.
Impact of a simple reminder on documentation of pediatric health screening procedures.

Improvement in health screening and health maintenance has become a major issue in the assessment of high-quality medical care in recent years. A number of studies have delineated the standards of quality for documenting health maintenance, such as mammography screening and care of the hypertensive patient.1-10 Trends toward improvement in quality in ambulatory care are evident nationally and locally. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals publishes a manual on the standards for ambulatory health care and is applying these standards to outpatient office practices. I I Institutions, such as the University of Chicago Hospitals, have developed quality assurance systems designed to be used in their ambulatory care clinics. 12 One area of emphasis in ambulatory family medicine training is well-child care. To this end, the American Board of Family Practice publishes a reference guide that serves as the standard of care for early disease detection during the wellchild visit. 13 Adherence to published standards of the well-child examination in a family practice residency program has not been reported in the current literature. This study was designed to improve physician compliance with routine well-child care by implementing a simple physician reminder system. A record review before and after implementation of the reminder was used to measure the impact of the intervention. The site selected for this project was the model Family Practice Center at Akron City Hospital, Akron, OH. A resident chart audit undertaken 1 year before this study indicated that although residents had almost always documented a cornea eye and tympanic
Study on correlation between Mycoplasma pneumoniaeinfection and acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma in children

OBJECTIVE To investigate correlation between the Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and the acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma in children so as to provide basis for the diagnosis and treatment of the acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma in children.METHODS Totally 324 cases of bronchial asthma children with acute attack(the asthma group) and 100 chnildren with respiratory tract infections(the control group) were enrolled in this study.The antibody of M.pneumonia(MP-IgM),specific DNA of M.pneumoniae(MP-DNA),peripheral eosinophilia,and serum immunoglobulin E(IgE) were detected 7 days after the admission.RESULTS The positive rate of MP was 37.65% in the asthma group,24.00% in the control group,the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P0.05).In the asthma group,the positive rate of MP in the children aged more than 6 years old was 46.67%,the children aged between 3 years and 6 years old 27.12%,the children aged less than 3 years old 23.08%,the difference in the positive rate of MP between the various age groups was statistically significant(P0.05).The blood eosinophil counts were(486.29±242.18)×109 in the MP positive children of the asthma group,(368.52±129.76)×109 in the MP negative children;the IgE level was(650.96± 257.84) in the MP positive children of the asthma group,(417.42±274.46) U/ml in the MP negative children,the difference was statistically significant(P0.05).CONCLUSION The acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma in children is closely related to the M.pneumoniae infections,and the attach of asthma is usually complicated with M.pneumoniae infections.The detection of MP-IgM maybe helpful to provide a scientific basis for the clinical treatment of acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma in the children.
Growth and differentiation of transplanted W/Wv marrow.

This paper reports new data on the effect of the action of the mutant genes W and Wv on murine hemopoiesis. Our studies demonstrate that the presence of these mutant genes produces: (1) a macrocytic anemia with neither granulocytopenia nor thrombocytopenia; (2) a severe defect in the early stages of hemopoietic repopulation manifested by (a) an apparent block in the differentiation of immature cells into erythroid precursors, and (b) a greatly reduced rate of proliferation of differentiated hemopoietic elements. These data demonstrate the existence of genetic influence on repopulation and differentiation of transplanted marrow and suggest that severe anemia may result not only from defects in the late stages of erythroid development but also from abnormalities in the early stages of erythroid maturation and hemopoietic repopulation.
The Adverse Effects of Hormonal Therapy

Estrogen therapy must be cycled with progestin therapy in women with intact uteri in order to prevent uterine cancer. However, these women cannot be expected to benefit (with regard to cardiovascular disease) from any estrogen-induced changes in the lipoprotein profile, as progestins will either negate or overwhelm any estrogen effects. However, such women will definitely benefit from estrogen's effects with regard to menopausal symptoms and bone loss. These clearly beneficial effects of estrogen-progestin therapy are not outweighed by any known risks. However, in women without uteri (approximately 30 per cent of women), unopposed estrogen therapy in the menopause may protect against cardiovascular disease, as well as have beneficial effects on bone metabolism and menopausal symptoms. In this special case, the beneficial effects of unopposed estrogen therapy clearly outweigh any known risk.
Trends in HIV Testing Among U.S. Older Adults Prior to and Since Release of CDC's Routine HIV Testing Recommendations: National Findings from the BRFSS.

Objective.This study examined temporal trends in HIV testing among U.S. older adults (50–64 years of age) before and after the release of CDC's routine HIV testing recommendations in 2006.Methods.T...
On the Spatial Resolution of GNSS Reflectometry

A method for defining the spatial resolution of a Global Navigation Satellite System reflectometry delay–Doppler map (DDM) and of any derived geophysical product is proposed. An effective spatial resolution is derived as a function of measurement geometry and delay–Doppler (DD) interval, and as a more appropriate representation of resolution than the geometric resolution previously used in the literature. The definition more accurately accounts for variations in the scattered power across different pixels of the DDM and more accurately includes the power spreading effect caused by the Woodward ambiguity function. The dependence of the effective resolution on incidence angle, receiver altitude, and DD interval is analyzed and compared with the dependence of the geometric resolution with similar parameters.
Modeling long-term water use of irrigated cropping rotations in the Texas High Plains using SWAT

The Ogalalla Aquifer is used to supplement insufficient precipitation for agricultural production in the semiarid Texas High Plains. However, decades of pumping combined with minimal recharge has resulted in decreased well capacity in most areas. A calibrated Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was used to compare simulated yields, crop water use, and required irrigation for crop rotations of the region using measured long-term (90 years) historical weather data. Crop rotations included continuous corn and cotton, corn–cotton, sorghum–cotton, cotton–winter wheat, and corn–winter wheat. Results demonstrated that a calibrated SWAT model simulated crop water use and yields well for all listed crops except cotton. The plant growth algorithms in SWAT appear unable to simulate representative cotton yields typical of cotton management in the Texas High Plains. A work-around for a limitation of the auto-irrigate function in SWAT to be suspended during the dormancy period of winter wheat was also used. Summary statistics for crop yield, crop water use, and irrigation were presented for all rotations. Long-term water use of simulations and irrigation probability exceedance statistics are presented for all simulated crops. These data may serve as a decision support tool for producers considering crop rotation strategies.
The History of Ketamine Use and Its Clinical Indications

Ketamine, which has a similar chemical structure to phencyclidine, was first administered to humans in 1964 and found to produce a unique effect termed “dissociative anesthesia.” In spite of the potential abuse liability, ketamine remains on the World Health Organization (WHO) Model List of Essential Medicines. It has been approved worldwide as the sole anesthetic agent for certain procedures, for the induction of anesthesia, and as an anesthetic supplement with low-potency agents like nitrous oxide. In addition, ketamine is also used for its analgesic properties in the management of cancer pain, chronic pain, and postoperative pain, among other indications. This chapter describes the history, development, clinical indications, and abuse potential of this agent.
Reliability Consideration in Shakedown Analysis

Shakedown analysis for ductile rigid frames has shown that a structure can respond linearly at a higher elastic limit after it has experienced some plastic deformation. If the residual deformation is acceptably small, one can increase the loading limit of the structure. Although shakedown analysis is understood by many engineers, only deterministic analyses have been performed thus far. It is desirable to include the uncertain nature of load and resistance in the analyses. A reliability model describing the residual deflection process of a 2-span continuous beam is proposed here. The goal is to aid future design of ductile rigid frames and continuous beams, such as bridges, to achieve a reliability level consistent with its design objectives.
Hablo Inglés y Español: Cultural Self-Schemas as a Function of Language

Research has demonstrated that bilingual individuals experience a "double personality," which allows them to shift their self-schemas when they are primed with different language modes. In this study, we examine whether self-schemas change in Mexican-American (N = 193) bilinguals living in the U.S. when they provide open-ended personality self-descriptions in both English and Spanish. We used the Meaning Extraction Helper (MEH) software to extract the most salient self-schemas that influence individuals' self-defining process. Following a qualitative-inductive approach, words were extracted from the open-ended essays and organized into semantic clusters, which were analyzed qualitatively and named. The results show that as expected, language primed bilinguals to think about different self-schemas. In Spanish, their Mexican self-schemas were more salient; whereas, in English their U.S. American self-schemas were more salient. Similarities of self-schemas across languages were assessed using a quantitative approach. Language differences and similarities in theme definition and implications for self-identity of bilinguals are discussed.
Sucrose Non-Fermenting Related Kinase Expression in Ovarian Cancer and Correlation with Clinical Features.

ABSTRACTSucrose non-fermenting related kinase (SNRK) is a serine/threonine kinase known to regulate cellular metabolism and adipocyte inflammation. Since alterations in adipocyte metabolism play a role in ovarian cancer metastasis, we investigated the expression of SNRK in benign and malignant human ovarian tissue using immunohistochemistry and qPCR. The number of SNRK positive (+) nuclei is increased in malignant tissue compared to benign tissue (21.03% versus 14.90%, p < .0431). The most strongly stained malignant SNRK+ nuclei were stage 1 compared to stage 2–4 disease. Differential expression of SNRK in early versus late stage disease suggests specific roles for SNRK in ovarian cancer metastasis.
MARKOV AND BAYESIAN NETWORKS: Two Graphical Representations of Probabilistic Knowledge

This chapter discusses effective graphic representations of the dependencies embedded in probabilistic models. Given an initial set of independence relationships, the axioms permit to infer new independencies by nonnumeric, logical manipulations. A Markov network is an undirected graph whose links represent symmetrical probabilistic dependencies, while a Bayesian network is a directed acyclic graph whose arrows represent causal influences or class-property relationships. After establishing formal semantics for both network types, one can explore their power and limitations as knowledge representation schemes in inference systems. A logic of dependency might be useful for verifying whether a set of dependencies asserted by an agent is consistent and whether a new dependency follows from the initial set. The nodes in the graphs represent propositional variables, and the arcs represent local dependencies among conceptually related propositions. Graph representations meet the requirements of explicitness, saliency, and stability. The links in the graph permit to express directly and qualitatively the dependence relationships, and the graph topology displays these relationships explicitly and preserves them, under any assignment of numerical parameters.
Preparation and infrared spectroelectrochemical studies of five-coordinate (por)Fe(OC(=O)R) compounds (por = TPP, OEP; R = CCl3, CH2Cl)

Abstract Three five-coordinate iron acetate porphyrin complexes, (por)Fe(OC(=O)R) (por = porphyrinato dianion; R = CCl 3 , CH 2 Cl), have been synthesized and characterized. The crystal structure of (TPP)Fe(OC(=O)CCl 3 ) (TPP = tetraphenylporphyrinato dianion) has been determined by X-ray crystallography. The redox behaviors of the (por)Fe(OC(=O)R) compounds have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry and infrared spectroelectrochemistry. Analysis of the data reveals that the first oxidations of the (por)Fe(OC(=O)R) compounds are porphyrin-centered processes to yield π-radical cations of the form (por + )Fe(OC(=O)R), and the first reductions may facilitate the dissociation of the axial acetate ligands from the iron centers.
Increasing nontuberculous mycobacteria reporting rates and species diversity identified in clinical laboratory reports.

Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental microorganisms that can affect human health. A 2009–2010 occurrence survey of NTM in potable tap water samples indicated an increased recovery rate for many clinically significant species such as M. avium (30%) and M. abscessus (12%). To determine if these trends by species were mirrored in human infections, isolation rates of NTM species identified in clinical laboratory reports from four states were evaluated. Clinical laboratory reports from the Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin Health Departments were used to investigate the species of NTM isolated from human specimens in 2014. The NTM positive specimen reports were tabulated for each species and complex/group. The number of reports by month were used to investigate seasonal trends. The 2014 isolation rates were compared to historic values to examine longitudinal trends. The positive rate of NTM specimens increased from 8.2 per 100,000 persons in 1994 to 16 per 100,000 persons in 2014 (or 13.3 per 100,000 after excluding Mycobacterium gordonae). Changes in NTM diversity were observed in complex/groups known to be clinically significant. Between 1994 and 2014 the rate implicating M. abscesses-chelonae group and M. avium complex increased by 322 and 149%, respectively. Based on public health data supplied by the four State’s Health Departments and the 2014 U.S. population, 50,976 positive NTM specimen reports per year were projected for the nation; serving as an indicator for the national potential disease burden that year.
Experimental Determination of Impurity and Interdiffusion Coefficients in Seven Ti and Zr Binary Systems Using Diffusion Multiples

Diffusion coefficients of seven binary systems (Ti-Mo, Ti-Nb, Ti-Ta, Ti-Zr, Zr-Mo, Zr-Nb, and Zr-Ta) at 1200 °C, 1000 °C, and 800 °C were experimentally determined using three Ti-Mo-Nb-Ta-Zr diffusion multiples. Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) was performed to collect concentration profiles at the binary diffusion regions. Forward simulation analysis (FSA) was then applied to extract both impurity and interdiffusion coefficients in Ti-rich and Zr-rich part of the bcc phase. Excellent agreements between our results and most of the literature data validate the high-throughput approach combining FSA with diffusion multiples to obtain a large amount of systematic diffusion data, which will help establish the diffusion (mobility) databases for the design and development of biomedical and structural Ti alloys.
Fluctuation analysis in queues with several operational modes and priority customers

We analyze a complex queueing system with a single server operating in three different modes and dependent on circumstances, servicing two different queues simultaneously. There are different switching policies that specify when the server takes one or two queues. Main techniques are based on fluctuation analysis. One of the objectives is to model processes that occur in software, computer, and electrical engineering, and to argue that methods of fluctuation theory produce closed form functionals.
Catching Idiomatic Expressions in EFL Essays.

This paper presents an exploratory study on large-scale detection of idiomatic expressions in essays written by non-native speakers of English. We describe a computational search procedure for automatic detection of idiom-candidate phrases in essay texts. The study used a corpus of essays written during a standardized examination of English language proficiency. Automatically-flagged candidate expressions were manually annotated for idiomaticity. The study found that idioms are widely used in EFL essays. The study also showed that a search algorithm that accommodates the syntactic and lexical exibility of idioms can increase the recall of idiom instances by 30%, but it also increases the amount of false positives.
NA-K ACTIVATED ADENOSINETRIPHOSPHATASE AND ACTIVE CATION TRANSPORT IN THE LENS.

The enzyme Na-K activated ATPase, which is closely related to the active transport system of sodium and potassium in erythrocytes, nerve and other tissues, occurs in relatively high activities in the epithelium of cat, calf, and rabbit lens. No significant activity could be detected in anterior and posterior capsule, cortex, and nucleus. Various properties of the enzyme system were determined and compared with corresponding properties of the transport system reported by other investigators. Both enzyme and transport system are located in the lens epithelium. They are both inhibited by ouabain, and there is good agreement between the half-maximal inhibition concentrations for the two systems in calf as well as in rabbit lens. In both enzyme and transport system Rb can replace K. In rabbit lens the pH optimum of the enzyme is 7.3 as compared to 7.5 for Rb uptake. The temperature coefficients of the two systems are 2.4 and 2, respectively. Ratios of equivalents cation transported to moles ATP hydrolyzed by the epithelial Na-K ATPase ranged from 2.51 to 4.15 (average 3.07) for the three cations transported in calf and rabbit lens. It is concluded that the epithelial Na-K ATPase and the active cation transport system of the lens are identical or very closely related. The relation with energy metabolism, the mechanism of action, the intracellular location, and the function of the Na-K ATPase system were discussed. TL .he evidence for the existence of an active cation transport system in the lens and the properties of this system have been discussed in detail in the preceding paper by Harris and Becker and may be summarized as follows.
Preventive Detention and Psychiatry

It is no surprise that our society contains people who support the idea of preventive detention. What is surprising is that this support cuts across the usual political ideologies and allegiances. Dr. Karl Menninger, a benevolent humanist, and Attorney General Mitchell, a law-and-order hard-liner, have both recently come out in support of the idea of preventive detention as a partial solution to the crime problem - Menninger in his The Crime of Punishment (New York: Viking, 1968) and Mitchell in proposed criminal legislation for the District of Columbia.1
Kinetically specific spin-label substrates of liver alcohol dehydrogenase and of liver aldehyde dehydrogenase.

The metabolism of alcohol in the mammalian liver involves two enzymes: (i) alcohol dehydrogenase, which converts an alcohol to its corresponding aldehyde product through a readily reversible reaction, and (ii) aldehyde dehydrogenase, which catalyzes the oxidation of the aldehyde to a carboxylic acid through an essentially irreversible step. For both enzymes the reaction proceeds at the level of a ternary complex formed by the enzyme, the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide coenzyme, and the substrate. In the case of alcohol dehydrogenase, the ternary complex is formed with coordination of the alcohol or the aldehyde to the active site Zn2+, and no covalent interaction occurs between the substrate and the protein. In this complex, hydride transfer proceeds directly between the substrate and the nicotinamide ring of the coenzyme that is responsible for chemical conversion of alcohol to aldehyde (Morris et al, 1980; Pettersson, 1987). In aldehyde dehydrogenase, hydride transfer from the aldehyde to the coenzyme results in formation of an acylenzyme intermediate in which a thiol group of a cysteinyl residue serves as a nucleophile (Tu and Weiner, 1988). It is likely that the conformations of the bound substrate for both enzymes are critically important in directing the path of the reaction. However, hitherto there has been relatively little structural data of sufficient resolution and accuracy to define catalytically competent conformations in alcohol dehydrogenase (Cedergren-Zeppezauer et al., 1982; Eklund et al, 1982), and at present X-ray crystallographic studies of aldehyde dehydrogenase are only at a preliminary stage (Rone et al, 1991; Hurley et al., 1993). Incisive progress towards understanding the molecular basis of the catalytic action of both enzymes would be obtained through high resolution studies of the structural relationships of active site residues with bound substrates in catalytically competent conformations.