cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mid-pliocene deep-sea bottom-water temperatures based on ostracode Mg/Ca ratios

Abstract We studied magnesium:calcium (Mg/Ca) ratios in shells of the deep-sea ostracode genus Krithe from a short interval in the middle Pliocene between 3.29 and 2.97 Ma using deep-sea drilling sites in the North and South Atlantic in order to estimate bottom water temperatures (BWT) during a period of climatic warmth. Results from DSDP and ODP Sites 552A, 610A, 607, 658A, 659A, 661A and 704 for the period Ma reveal both depth and latitudinal gradients of mean Mg/Ca values. Shallower sites (552A, 610A and 607) have higher mean Mg/Ca ratios (10.3, 9.7, 10.1 mmol/mol) than deeper sites (661A, 6.3 mmol/mol), and high latitude North Atlantic sites (552A, 610A, 607) have higher Mg/Ca ratios than low latitude (658A: 9.8 mmol/mol, 659A: 7.7 mmol/mol, 661A: 6.3 mmol/mol) and Southern Ocean (704: 8.0 mmol/mol) sites. Converting Mg/Ca ratios into estimated temperatures using the calibration of Dwyer et al. (1995) [Dwyer, G.S., Cronin, T.M., Baker, P.A., Raymo, M.E., Buzas, J.S., Correge, T., 1995. North Atlantic deepwater temperature change during late Pliocene and late Quaternary climatic cycles. Science 270, 1347–1351] suggests that mean middle Pliocene bottom water temperatures at the study sites in the deep Atlantic were about the same as modern temperatures. However, brief pulses of elevated BWT occurred several times between 3.29 and 2.97 Ma in both the North and South Atlantic Ocean suggesting short-term changes in deep ocean circulation.
Binding and Inactivation of the Germ Cell-Specific Protein Phosphatase PP1γ2 by sds22 During Epididymal Sperm Maturation

Abstract Testis- and sperm-specific protein phosphatase, PP1γ2, is a key enzyme regulating sperm function. Its activity decreases during sperm maturation in the epididymis. Inhibition of PP1γ2 leads to motility initiation and stimulation. Our laboratory is focused on identifying mechanisms responsible for the decline in PP1γ2 activity during sperm motility initiation in the epididymis. Previously, using immuno-affinity chromatography, we showed that a mammalian homologue of yeast sds22 is bound to PP1γ2 in motile caudal spermatozoa (Huang Z, et al. Biol Reprod 2002; 67:1936–1942). The objectives of this study were to determine: 1) stoichiometry of PP1γ2-sds22 binding and 2) whether PP1γ2 in immotile caput epididymal spermatozoa is bound to sds22. The enzyme from caudal and caput sperm extracts was purified by column chromatography. Immunoreactive PP1γ2 and sds22 from both caudal and caput spermatozoa were found in the flow-through fraction of a DEAE-cellulose column. However, PP1γ2 from caudal spermatozoa...
Demography of perennial grassland plants: survival, life expectancy and life span

Summary 1. Survival, life expectancy and life span are key demographic parameters that are essential for understanding life-history evolution and forecasting population dynamics, but empirical data on these parameters is extremely limited for herbaceous species. 2. We used long-term data from annually mapped permanent quadrats in a Kansas, USA, grassland to estimate survival, life expectancy and life span for 29 perennial forbs (herbaceous dicots) and 11 perennial grasses. In the cases of both forbs and grasses, they were the most common species at the research site. 3. We developed computer programs to track the identity of individual genets based on their spatial locations in the permanent quadrats. The programs distinguished between new recruits and surviving individuals, and calculated the ages and life spans of the survivors. 4. Most herbaceous perennials die young; life expectancy at age 1 year ranged from 0.6 to 6.5. However, forbs are more likely to die young than grasses. Survival from age 1 to 2 years for forbs ranged from 0.11 to 0.49 with an average of 0.30, whereas for grasses it ranged from 0.30 to 0.63 with an average of 0.44. Maximum observed life spans ranged from 3 to 25 years for forbs and 5 to 39 years for grasses. 5. All species tended towards Type III survivorship curves, but grasses were more strongly Type III while many forbs had relatively constant survival rates with age. Therefore, population models must account for increasing survival with age, especially for grasses. 6. Age was a better predictor of grass survival than size, raising questions about the use of size-based methods to indirectly estimate survival and life span. 7. Maximum observed life span was positively and significantly related with species importance. 8. Synthesis . The higher survival, life expectancy and life span of grasses compared to forbs may provide a demographic explanation for community-level differences in the dominance and turnover of these two functional groups in grassland plant communities.
Site selective spectroscopy of Eu-doped GaN

Site-selective combined excitation emission spectroscopy studies have been performed on Eu-doped GaN and numerous sites have been identified. Relative numbers and broadening of these peaks has been investigated for different growth conditions
Dissecting the Neural Mechanisms Mediating Empathy

Empathy is thought to play a key role in motivating prosocial behavior, guiding our preferences and behavioral responses, and providing the affective and motivational base for moral development. While these abilities have traditionally been examined using behavioral methods, recent work in evolutionary biology, developmental and cognitive neuroscience has begun to shed light on the neural circuitry that instantiate them. The purpose of this article is to critically examine the current knowledge in the field of affective neuroscience and provide an integrative and comprehensive view of the computational mechanisms that underlie empathy. This framework is of general interest and relevance for theory as well as for assisting future research in the domains of affective developmental neuroscience and psychopathology.
Peramorphic traits in the tokay gecko skull.

Traditionally, geckos have been conceived to exhibit paedomorphic features relative to other liz- ards (e.g., large eyes, less extensively ossified skulls, and amphicoelous and notochordal vertebrae). In con- trast, peramorphosis has not been considered an impor- tant process in shaping their morphology. Here, we studied different sized specimens of Gekko gecko to document ontogenetic changes in cranial anatomy, especially near maturity. Comparison of this species with available descriptions of other geckos resulted in the identification of 14 cranial characteristics that are expressed more strongly with size increase. These char- acteristics become move evident in later stages of post- hatching development, especially near maturation, and are, therefore, attributed to peramorphosis (hyperossifi- cation). ACCTRAN and DELTRAN character optimiza- tions were applied to these characters using a tree of 11 genera derived from a gekkotan molecular phylog- eny. This analysis revealed that G. gecko expresses the majority of these putative peramorphic features near maturity, and that some of these features are also expressed in species closely related to G. gecko .T he characters studied have the potential to be applied in future phylogenetic and taxonomic studies of this group of lizards. J. Morphol. 000:000-000, 2015. V C 2015 Wiley
Accurate Quantification Methods for Aortic Insufficiency Severity in Patients With LVAD : Role of Diastolic Flow Acceleration and Systolic-to-Diastolic Peak Velocity Ratio of Outflow Cannula

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to develop a technique to measure regurgitant flow throughout the entire cardiac cycle that would more accurately measure aortic insufficiency (AI) severity in patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVADs). Background AI is a common problem after CF-LVAD implantation. Current echocardiographic evaluation of AI does not take into account the unique flow properties present in patients with CF-LVADs. Methods In this prospective study, patients with LVADs who had varying degrees of AI (N = 20) underwent simultaneous right-sided heart catheterization (RHC) and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Regurgitant fraction (RF) across the aortic valve was calculated by subtracting the cardiac output obtained using the Fick method from the total systemic flow measured using the sum of the product of the velocity time integral and the cross-sectional area of the LVAD outflow cannula and aortic valve, respectively. The RFs were then compared with the following: 1) traditional TTE grading parameters; and 2) new TTE parameters unique to LVAD physiology, namely the diastolic flow acceleration and the systolic-to-diastolic peak velocity (S/D) ratio of the LVAD outflow cannula. Results Patients without evidence of AI had an RF approaching zero (2.4 ± 4.6%). Patients with trace and mild AI had an RF of 31.0 ± 5.4%, whereas patients with moderate or severe AI had an RF of 45.8 ± 3.6%. RF correlated better with pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) than with vena contracta (correlation coefficient [R] = 0.73 vs. 0.56). The new TTE parameters (S/D ratio and diastolic acceleration) highly correlated with RF (R = 0.91 and 0.94, respectively) and more strongly correlated with PCWP than did vena contracta (R = 0.82 and 0.65 vs. 0.56). Conclusions RF measured by simultaneous RHC and TTE better correlates with clinical filling pressures than do traditional TTE parameters and may identify significant AI that could be underestimated using conventional measures. Novel TTE parameters, unique to CF-LVAD physiology, better correlate with RF and filling pressures than do our current TTE measurements.
Myth in Restorative Justice History

As the restorative justice movement surges breathlessly forward, its proponents feel an irresistible urge to glance back. Discontented with the view that restorative justice is a novel and innovative approach to criminal justice, many scholars have begun to disseminate a far older ideological and institutional history than the scant 30 years or so that restorative justice has been considered a real criminal justice movement. John Braithwaite, considered by many as the world’s foremost scholar on restorative justice, has declared no less than that “restorative justice has been the dominant model of criminal justice throughout most of human history for all of the world’s peoples.” Others have added that “humans have used restorative justice for the larger part of their existence.” These bold assertions, that restorative justice approaches are far older than retributivist or rehabilitative models, are more than just historical claims of equality - they are clear signals of legitimacy and illegitimacy. With this historical move, scholars are claiming not only that restorative justice approaches have modern utility, but also that they are more “traditional” than our modern approaches. These restorative justice histories are an attempt to show that modern justice is “bad” and that traditional justice, couched in restorative justice principles, is “good.” As proponents have argued “[f]orms of restorative justice, as we could find them in acephalous and especially in early state societies, seem to be the better answer to the crime problem of today’s societies.” In this article, I explore the history put forward by these proponents and compare their uses of history to those often employed in the more mainstream narratives of feature fils. In the end, it appears that restorative justice scholars go too far in their uses of history. There is no need for restorative justice scholars to create a “golden age” of past mercy and restoration. The fact that past societies employed criminal justice processes that were simultaneously brutal, illiberal, and class-conscious, can be accepted. That these processes may have existed simultaneously with more restorative processes may be accepted - but even these processes, whether victim-oriented, or seeking to restore balance, are nevertheless radically incompatible with our current ideals of individual sovereignty and liberty. There is simply no reason why advocates need to create a false context about how “it used to be.” Instead, they should focus on what it should be. Tradition is a powerful force, but it is not the only force. Indeed, overreaching attempts to create history where one does not exist seem like a waste of mental effort and rhetorical capital.
Theory: Definition and Purpose

Concealed in these two statements is a number one confusion in the minds of too many professional and academic economists. It is the purpose here to explain this confusion and to show some of its consequences, for practical theory is a generalization of meansconsequence relationships that serves as an aid in determining a future course of action. Why would any research economist ever say that he doesn't engage in theoretical research? And why would anyone think of the teaching of economic principles as a goal distinct from formulating a future course of action? Every scientific effort to analyze the facts so as to anticipate the future and guide action requires the use of a variety of concepts or mental tools. And an economic principle is an expected repetition of a past relationship that has practical significance for future action.
Multiresolutional autonomy

The phenomenon of autonomy is strongly connected with the multiresolutional representation of intelligent systems and the mechanisms that provide for the existence of MR-representation. In the meantime, the issue of autonomous intelligent control systems (AICS) is a complicated one. Not all premises of this issue are universally accepted. In the paper, attention is focused upon the topics, which require additional discussion before the consensus could be achieved.
Incorporation of Excess Arsenic in GaAs and AlGaAs Epilayers Grown at Low Substrate Temperatures by Molecular Beam Epitaxy

Excess arsenic can be incorporated in GaAs and AIGaAs epilayers by growing at low substrate temperatures (LT-GaAs and LT-AIGaAs) by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Upon annealing these epilayers, the excess As precipitates forming GaAs:As and AIGaAs:As. Using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), we have measured the densities and sizes of the As precipitates and thereby determined the amount of excess As incorporated in these epilayers. The volume fraction of excess As as a function of inverse substrate growth temperature follows an Arrhenius-type behavior with an activation energy of 0.87 eV. The sizes of the As precipitates increase and the densities decrease with increase anneal temperatures; for Si-doped GaAs:As this results in n-type material when the densities become small enough that the depletion regions around the As precipitates no longer overlap. Also investigated is the formation of As precipitates at GaAs/AIGaAs heterojunctions and superlattices, and our attempts to tailor the As precipitate distribution.
Building-related illness and sick building syndrome: from the specific to the vague

When a primary-care physician encounters a patient with a possible building-related illness, common sense applies. Does the patient have a potentially serious condition? Does he or she need a referral to a specialist? This paper explores the topics of building-related illness and sick building syndrome.
Studies on Papua New Guinea Chiggers (Acari: Trombiculidae): VII. A new species of Sasatrombicula

Sasatrombicula umboiensis is described from specimens taken from an unidentified bat collected in Papua New Guinea.
Quality Signaling Game in Supply Chain under the Conditions of Asymmetric Information

Based on the game theory and principal-agent theory,this paper studies the problem of how to signal product quality in supply chain under the conditions of asymmetric information.The supplier makes the decision of production process investment level and determines quality prevention strategy,who may signal the type of the production process investment level to the producer in order to obtain the optimal incentive contract,and then the producer makes the quality appraisal decision and processing decision when it receives the intermediate components.We use the optimal theory to establish producer's quality decision control model and describe the information rents.The simulation results will show that the supplier has incentive to signal the type of production process investment level to the producer,and improve its product quality level.When the producer observes the signal of product quality,it will reduce the quality inspection level,improve the processing level and increase the forward payments,which will be as supplier's quality rewards.Meanwhile the whole supply chain's joint expected profits will increase,and then the producer will reduce information rents.Finally,we investigate the causes of ratchet effects and provide corresponding quantitative descriptions and proofs respectively.
Current practices of obesity pharmacotherapy, bariatric surgery referral and coding for counselling by healthcare professionals

Summary Introduction Rates of obesity pharmacotherapy use, bariatric surgery and intensive behavioural counselling have been extremely low. Objectives The primary objective of this study was to survey healthcare provider beliefs, practice and knowledge regarding obesity management. Methods Primary care physicians (PCPs), OB-GYN physicians and nurse practitioners (NPs) responded to a web-based survey related to drug therapy practice, bariatric surgery referral and reimbursement coding practice. Results Rates of reported use of obesity pharmacotherapy appear to be increasing among PCPs, which is likely related to the approval of four new obesity pharmacotherapy agents since 2012. Rates of pharmacotherapy use among OB-GYNs and NPs appear much lower. Similarly, few PCPs are averse to recommending bariatric surgery, but aversion among OB-GYNs and NPs is significantly higher. Conclusion Together, these observations suggest that OB-GYN and NP populations are important targets for education about obesity management. Very few PCPs, OB-GYNs or NPs use behavioural counselling coding for obesity. Better understanding of why this benefit is not being fully used could inform outreach to improve counselling rates.
Work of breathing, not dysoxia, as the cause of low central venous blood O2 saturation in sepsis.

The review by Nguyen et al. [1] acknowledges the substantially lower baseline central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) values reported by Rivers et al. [2] (48.6 ± 11.2 %) when compared to those for ProCESS [3] (71 ± 13 %), ARISE [4] (72.7 ± 10.5 %) and ProMISe [5] (64 ± 20 %) trials. Assuming normality, the distribution of baseline ScvO2 values in the study by Rivers et al. differed from those of the other trials (Fig. 1; p < 0.0001 by t test). Nguyen et al. ascribed this difference to “earlier central venous catheter (CVC) placement, greater shock severity or imbalances between O2 delivery and O2 consumption before corrective interventions”.
Equable end Mesoproterozoic climate in the absence of high CO2

The Proterozoic Eon (2500–542 Ma) appears to have been a warm period bookended by glaciations, despite a 5%–18% reduction in solar output compared to modern during this interval. Radiative-convective climate models suggest that glaciation could have been avoided if p CO 2 were 30–300× preindustrial atmospheric levels (PIAL, 280 ppmv). Constraints from late Mesoproterozoic (ca. 1.2–1.0 Ga) microfossil calcification sheaths and paleosol mass balance, however, suggest that p CO 2 may have been no higher than 10× PIAL. In the lower oxygen Mesoproterozoic atmosphere, an increased CH 4 flux from methanogenic bacteria may have contributed additional greenhouse warming. We use a fully coupled atmosphere-ocean general circulation model (the U.S. National Center for Atmospheric Research Community Earth System Model, CESM) to test whether these p CO 2 constraints are consistent with the absence of widespread glaciation inferred from the geologic record. We vary p CO 2 and p CH 4 between 1400 and 2800 ppmv and 3.5 and 140 ppmv, respectively, using a reconstructed 1.0 Ga paleogeography and solar output reduced by 9%. Our simulations suggest that ice-free conditions can be maintained at 10× PIAL CO 2 when CH 4 is 140 ppmv. When CH 4 is lowered to 28 ppmv at 10× PIAL CO 2 , or if p CO 2 is lowered to 5× PIAL, permanent land snow cover at high and middle latitudes suggests that glaciation would be more extensive than preindustrial conditions, but with warm tropical regions. Global glaciation occurs if p CO 2 is reduced below 5× PIAL. Overall, our simulations suggest that an ice-free climate for the Mesoproterozoic (1.6–1.0 Ga) is consistent with the relatively low p CO 2 implied from proxies if CH 4 or other greenhouse gas concentrations were sufficiently elevated.
Evaluating Testing, Profile Likelihood Confidence Interval Estimation, and Model Comparisons for Item Covariate Effects in Linear Logistic Test Models.

The linear logistic test model (LLTM) has been widely applied to investigate the effects of item covariates on item difficulty. The LLTM was extended with random item residuals to account for item ...
Electrospray‐Assisted Fabrication of Moisture‐Resistant and Highly Stable Perovskite Solar Cells at Ambient Conditions

An electrospray deposition technique to fabricate a perovskite (CH3NH3PbI3) layer for highly stable and efficient perovskite solar cells at ambient humidity (30%–50% relative humidity) conditions is demonstrated. A detailed study is conducted to determine the effect of different electrospray parameters on the device performance and to provide a mechanistic explanation of the superior stability of the films. Due to the controlled reactivity that results in the formation of a smooth perovskite film, these cells exhibit stability exceeding 4000 h, in contrast to much lower stability of those fabricated by conventional spin coating methods. Furthermore, the perovskite film deposited by electrospray methods exhibits a self-healing behavior when exposed to moisture. The authors hypothesize the formation of an intermediate metastable phase and smooth morphology of the film as the reason for this enhanced stability. Electrospray is a scalable technique that provides precise control over the amount of material required for deposition, reducing significant material loss that occurs in conventional solution-based methods. Overall, this work shows that stability of perovskite solar cells can be improved by fabrication using a well controlled and optimized electrospray technique, without the use of any additives or cell encapsulants.
Understanding Hurricane Evacuation Decisions Under Contingent Scenarios: A Stated Preference Approach

We conduct a stated preference analysis to understand the factors that individual households take into consideration to evacuate during hurricanes. In designing the contingent scenarios for evacuation, we randomly assign varying levels of hurricane characteristics (wind speed, lead time for landfall and the height of storm surge) combined with different types of emergency management options (voluntary versus mandatory evacuation order and a voucher with varying amounts to cover evacuation expenses). Findings indicate that individual households respond, in a non-linear fashion, to the intensity of hurricanes when making evacuation decisions. Respondents are also more likely to evacuate when the storm surge reaches a certain threshold. In terms of policy interventions, mandatory evacuation orders are more effective to increase the likelihood of evacuation. The potential intervention in the form of providing evacuation vouchers to assist households to cover their expenses (e.g. for food, water, transportation and lodging) also seems effective. We discuss policy implications of our findings.
Data-optimized source modeling with the Backwards Liouville Test–Kinetic method

Abstract In this paper, we discuss the general applicability of the Backwards Liouville Test–Kinetic (BLTK) method to the modeling of time-dependent particle distributions in magnetospheric plasmas. We discuss a new particle tracing model, SHIELDS-PTM, and describe certain novel features of its implementation. Finally, we apply SHIELDS-PTM to highlight a powerful but oft-overlooked feature of the BLTK approach: the invariant trajectories are independent of the quantity being transported, so it is straightforward to optimize source models with undetermined parameters. We demonstrate this by using SHIELDS-PTM to determine the local-time distribution of particle fluxes around geosynchronous orbit using simple models for the electromagnetic fields and statistical models of geosynchronous electron fluxes. We find that optimized source distributions generally provide a far superior result than statistical models of the source region, improving the accuracy of modeled fluxes at some energies by more than an order of magnitude.
Treatment of human polyomavirus-7-associated rash and pruritus with topical cidofovir in a lung transplant patient: Case report and literature review.

Human polyomavirus-7-associated rash and pruritus (PVARP) is a chronic superficial viral skin infection, which primarily impacts immunocompromised individuals. We report on a case of PVARP in a lung transplant recipient. Our patient developed symptoms 13 years after being on his immunosuppressive regimen, with an insidious course of progressive gray lichenification with marked islands of sparing and quality of life-altering pruritus. Treatment for PVARP is not established; however, topical cidofovir combined with immunomodulation may offer sustained therapeutic benefit.
Secondary mathematics teachers’ meanings for measure, slope, and rate of change

Abstract This article reports an investigation of 251 high school mathematics teachers’ meanings for slope, measurement, and rate of change. The data was collected with a validated written instrument designed to diagnose teachers' mathematical meanings. Most teachers conveyed primarily additive and formulaic meanings for slope and rate of change on written items. Few teachers conveyed that a rate of change compares the relative sizes of changes in two quantities. Teachers’ weak measurement schemes were associated with limited meanings for rate of change. Overall, the data suggests that rate of change should be a topic of targeted professional development.
Prednisone Pharmacokinetics During Pregnancy and Lactation

To evaluate the steady-state pharmacokinetics of prednisone and its metabolite prednisolone in pregnant and lactating female subjects, 19 subjects received prednisone (4-40 mg/day orally) in early (n = 3), mid (n = 9), and late (n = 13) pregnancy as well as postpartum with (n = 2) and without (n = 5) lactation. Serial blood and urine samples were collected over 1 dosing interval. Prednisone and its metabolite, prednisolone, steady-state noncompartmental pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated. During pregnancy, prednisone apparent oral clearance increased with dose (35.1 ± 11.4 L/h with 5 mg, 52.6 ± 5.2 L/h with 10 mg, and 64.3 ± 6.9 L/h with 20 mg, P = .001). Similarly, unbound prednisone apparent oral clearance increased with dose. In addition, prednisolone renal clearance increased with dose (0.3 ± 0.3 L/h with 5 mg, 0.5 ± 0.4 L/h with 10 mg, and 1.3 ± 1.1 L/h with 20 mg, P = .002). Higher prednisone (r = 0.57, P ≤ .05) and prednisolone (r = 0.75, P ≤ .05) concentrations led to a higher percentage of unbound drug. Breast-milk/plasma area under the concentration-time curve ratios were 0.5-0.6 for prednisone and 0.02-0.03 for prednisolone. Relative infant doses were 0.35% to 0.53% and 0.09% to 0.18%, for prednisone and prednisolone, respectively. Prednisone and prednisolone exhibit dose- and concentration-dependent pharmacokinetics during pregnancy, and infant exposure to these agents via breast milk is minimal.
Diffusion models for gas production from coal: Determination of diffusion parameters

Abstract A method for the laboratory measurement of transient diffusivity parameters for methane in coal has been developed. Previously described Chromatographic techniques for measurement of single diffusivity parameters have been modified for the bi-disperse pore diffusion model. This model, which is necessary to describe methane diffusion and desorption in coal for both short and long times, requires the determination of three parameters to characterize a particular coal sample. The experimental technique uses a pulse of methane gas which is introduced into a helium stream flowing through a long tube containing the coal sample. The three desired parameters are determined by matching the experimental and theoretical elution curves. Further refinement of the technique accounts for tracer pulse duration thus allowing operation over a greater flow rate and sample size range. This technique has been applied to anthracite, bituminous and subbituminous coals. For all three coal types, the macropore diffusivity (≈10−5 s) was about two orders of magnitude higher than the micropore diffusivity. The anthracite adsorbs more methane in the micropores than the other coals. These results showed the expected trends taking the known change of pore structure with rank into account.
Some Aspects of Intracellular Parasitism: Intracellular protozoa enter host cells in subtle ways and escape the cell's digestive processes

In intracellular parasitism the host cell is a true and hospitable host. The parasite does not have to break in the door. It has subtle ways of inducing the host to open the door and welcome it in. One of the exciting fields in the future of parasitology is to find out what these ways are and why they are sometimes so highly specific that the cell that invites one parasite in will not open the door to another closely related species. Once inside, the parasite not only exploits nutrients already available in the cell, and the cell's energy-yielding system, but it further induces the cell to assist actively in its nutrition. Like a bandit who has cajoled his way in, the parasite now forces his host to prepare a banquet for him. Finally it may destroy its host cell, as in most of the associations I have described herein, or it may stimulate its host cell to abnormal increase in size or to have an altered metabolism with the formation of new products. Or it may even contribute some positive benefit to the host cell or to the multicellular organism of which the cell is a part, so that the two kinds of organisms then live together in a state of mutualism or symbiosis ( 26 ).
Diagnosis of HIV-associated tuberculosis.

Purpose of review The current review highlights recent advances in tuberculosis (TB) diagnostics that are relevant for clinicians engaged in the care of HIV-positive adults. Recent findings The first section focuses on newly available tools, highlighting recent progress. The second section focuses on new diagnostic approaches that are not yet widely available or implemented, but have considerable potential to improve the management of TB/HIV coinfected persons. The final section speculates about future directions that may be fruitful. Summary Advances in Mycobacterium tuberculosis nucleic acid amplification-based genotypic tests stand to improve case detection and drug susceptibility testing in the near term. Identification of human gene expression signatures that are associated with TB and/or TB risk, and the identification of novel M. tuberculosis targets coupled with exploitation of advances in biosensor technology may transform TB diagnosis in the future.
Cholera: Immunity and Prospects in Vaccine Development

Vibrio cholerae is a prototypical noninvasive mucosal pathogen, yet infection generates long-lasting protection against subsequent disease. Vibriocidal antibody responses are an imperfect but established correlate of protection against cholera following both infection and vaccination. However, vibriocidal antibody responses are likely a surrogate marker for longer-lasting functional immune responses that target the O-polysaccharide antigen at the mucosal surface. While the current bivalent inactivated oral whole cell vaccine is being increasingly used to prevent cholera in areas where the disease is a threat, the most significant limitation of this vaccine is it offers relatively limited direct protection in young children. Future strategies for cholera vaccination include the development of cholera conjugate vaccines and the further development of live attenuated vaccines. Ultimately, the goal of a multivalent vaccine for cholera and other childhood enteric infections that can be incorporated into a standard immunization schedule should be realized.
L-Loop or Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries (L-TGA or CCTGA)

L-loop transposition of the great arteries (L-TGA) is a rare congenital heart disease with an incidence of 1 in 33,000 live births. L-TGA accounts for 0.4–0.6% of all congenital heart disease with a slight male predominance [1]. Of note the term congenitally corrected TGA (CCTGA) is synonymous with L-TGA. For historical perspective, see Table 26.1.
The Challenges of a Partnership between Medicine and Religion

In Hostility to Hospitality, Michael and Tracy Balboni, call for greater attention to the underlying spiritual commitments that motivate clinical practice. They argue that secular medicine constitutes an unacknowledged “functional” religion, a “religion of immanence” or one that denies any source of meaning outside the material and further that traditional religious outlooks provide a better explanation for why care of the sick is such a crucial human value. Patients often rely upon religion for spiritual support and clinicians need better training in how to engage with patients about spiritual concerns. The Balbonis are on solid ground in proposing greater attention to professionalism and sense of vocation in medical and nursing education, with the inclusion of religious and philosophical perspectives. Some of their other proposals seem less well thought through, though worthy of continued discussion and debate. Some may see their suggestion that medical and nursing professionals provide spiritual care as overly intrusive. An alternative view might understand attentive, high quality medical care as in itself a form of spiritual care, which religion helps sustain through its reminder that medicine is both craft and calling.
Envisioning America and the American Self: Republican and Democratic Party Platforms, 1840-2016

This book explores the Democratic and Republican Party platforms from 1840 to 2016. As the only official, institutionally sanctioned document espousing the parties’ views on the state of the nation, the platforms present to the party faithful a diagnosis of what ails the country and the promise of possessing the necessary cure. In doing so, they offer more than a listing of specific issues in need of redress through legislative action, and moreover serve as a form of national storytelling through which political parties forge their vision of America and of what it means to be an American. Using topic modeling as an entry point into the documents, the author moves to consider more closely two related themes: those of how the platforms narrate the "American" self and individual freedom. With consideration of the extent to which the parties envision the self as an isolated economic actor or as an individual with a range of duties and obligations to a broader community, the spheres of action that they consider focal points for individual autonomy, and the extent to which they view liberty as freedom from restraint or freedom to act, this book sheds light on the historical trajectory of the growing fracture in American politics as well as the points of convergence across the two parties. Moreover, positing that behind their divisive rhetoric, both share a fundamental vision of what it means to be a "person," the author argues that perhaps their seemingly intractable differences are more a matter of degree than kind.
Airborne contamination of graphite as analyzed by ultra-violet photoelectron spectroscopy

Abstract This paper reports the surface chemistry of highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) upon exposure to ambient air. Ultra-violet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements were collected from freshly-cleaved HOPG in ultra-high vacuum and after exposure to ambient air. We observed an immediate surface contamination during exfoliation of HOPG in ambient air, which we attribute to functionalization of surface defects and step edges. Additional air exposures result in further growth of the contamination layer, as well as dynamic composition changes from more weakly bound to more strongly bound species over time. This work is the first to show the immediate contamination of graphite upon exfoliation in air and the dynamic exchange of surface contaminants over long exposure times.
Small Business Manager Scanning Emphases and the Dominant Logic of the Business-level Strategy

Normative prescription dictates that the pursuit of a business-level strategy can be best achieved when strategic decision makers focus their attention on those functions and activities most relevant to that particular strategy (Porter, 1980; 1985). We examine two elemental research questions for strategic management: 1) what is the connection, if any, between business-level strategies and the sectors managers scan most in their external environments; and 2) are business-level strategies associated with specific internal firm characteristics and capabilities managers attend to most? We evaluate these questions using a field survey in which small business managers identify differences in the external environmental sectors and internal firm attributes they scan most when pursuing different strategies. Results demonstrate some connections between the strategy being pursued and external and internal scanning emphases. Importantly, we conclude that this "scanning connection" should not be taken for granted and we offer suggestions for how managers should be deliberate about their scanning behavior.
Development of Intuition in the Gifted

With a broadened definition of giftedness including creativity, there has been increasing attention to the role of intuition and creative imagery in programming for the gifted. Procedures that help develop the intuitive function are described and the relationship between creativity and imagery are noted. Classroom strategies for developing creativity and intuition are discussed.
Higher dietary protein intake preserves lean body mass, lowers liver lipid deposition, and maintains metabolic control in participants with long‐chain fatty acid oxidation disorders

Medical nutrition therapy for long-chain fatty acid oxidation disorders (LC-FAODs) currently emphasizes fasting avoidance, restricted dietary long-chain fatty acid intake, supplementation with medium chain triglycerides, and increased carbohydrate intake. We hypothesize that increasing dietary protein intake relative to carbohydrate intake would preserve metabolic control yet induce physical benefits including reduced hepatic lipogenesis. Therefore, we compared two dietary approaches with similar fat intake but different carbohydrate to protein ratios in participants diagnosed with LC-FAODs. Thirteen participants were enrolled and randomized into either a high-protein (PRO) or a high-carbohydrate (CHO) diet for 4 months. Baseline and 4-month assessments included body composition, ectopic lipid deposition, and resting energy expenditure. End of study assessments also included total energy expenditure, metabolic responses to oral feedings, and whole-body fatty acid oxidation capacity. At the end of the dietary intervention, both groups had similar energy expenditure, fat and glucose oxidation rates, and glucolipid responses to mixed meal and oral glucose loads. Neither dietary group experienced worsening symptoms related to their LC-FAOD. Compared to the CHO group, the PRO group exhibited increased blood levels of short-chain acylcarnitines, reduced intrahepatic lipid content, and maintained lean body mass while the CHO group lost lean mass. In patients with LC-FAODs, increasing protein intake maintained metabolic control, reduced liver fat without risk of metabolic decompensation, and helped preserve lean body mass. We propose that a modest increase in dietary protein along with fasting avoidance and fat restriction may improve body composition and energy expenditure in patients with LC-FAODs.
Gastrointestinal involvement in systemic sclerosis: an update.

Purpose of reviewThis review provides important updates in systemic sclerosis (SSc)-related gastrointestinal disease, specifically focusing on the most recent literature.Recent findingsIn the past year, several studies were published that present interesting insights into SSc and gastrointestinal di
Intersectionality of race, class, and gender in predicting police satisfaction

Although an intersectional approach has been taken by various social scientists to examine criminal justice issues, our literature review reveals that, to date, no studies have explored citizen per...
Overview of Optimal Techniques for Pericardiocentesis in Contemporary Practice

This review summarizes the optimal techniques for the performance of pericardiocentesis in contemporary practice, highlighting the indications, contraindications, and techniques used. Routine pericardial catheter management and the diagnostic role of pericardial fluid analysis are described. Echocardiographic-guided pericardiocentesis should be considered the therapy of choice in current clinical practice and may be performed safely despite the presence of coagulopathy and thrombocytopenia in the hands of expert operators. Computed tomography (CT)-guided techniques may provide a useful adjunctive tool in patients with poor acoustic windows or complex loculated effusions. Conservative management utilizing pericardiocentesis may be considered in select patients with device lead and interventional-related pericardial effusions. Echocardiographic-guided pericardiocentesis with extended pericardial drainage (goal output < 50 mL/24 h) should be considered the standard of care in contemporary practice. Pericardial fluid analysis should be tailored based on the clinical history and appearances of the pericardial fluid.
Institutional Variation in Surgical Rates and Costs for Pediatric Distal Radius Fractures: Analysis of the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) Database.

Background Reduction of variations may streamline healthcare delivery, improve patient outcomes, and minimize cost. The purpose of this study was to characterize variations in surgical rates and hospital costs for treatment of pediatric distal radius fractures (DRFs) using Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) database. Methods The PHIS database was queried from 2009-2013 for DRFs in patients 4-18 years of age. Patients who underwent surgical treatment with internal fixation were identified using surgical CPT codes and/or ICD-9 procedure codes. 25 children's hospitals were included. Surgical rates and hospital costs were modeled. Rates were adjusted and standardized for gender, age, presence of other diagnoses, and year. Results The aggregate rate of surgery for treatment of DRF was 2.65% and for open surgery was 0.81%. The standardized surgical rates for the 25 hospitals ranged widely, from 1.45% to 13.8% and for open surgical treatment from 0.51% to 4.27%. Six of the 25 hospitals had rates significantly higher than the aggregate for surgical treatment. Standardized hospital costs per patient ranged from $361 to $1,088 (2013 US dollars) across the hospitals with fairly uniform distribution. Conclusions In the United States, there is great variability in practice and hospital costs of treatment of distal radius fractures. Further characterization of the root causes of these variations, and the effect, if any, on patient outcomes, is needed to improve value delivery in pediatric orthopaedic care.Level of Evidence: II.
Quantitative assessment of proton beam dose and myocardial lesion formation detected by high-resolution, ex vivo delayed contrast-enhanced MRI for treatment of ventricular tachycardia

Proton beam therapy has the potential to non-invasively treat ventricular tachycardia (VT) by homogenizing infarct scar. It has been previously demonstrated that proton beam therapy can create lesions in healthy myocardial tissue, thereby suggesting a potential for treatment of VT. In prior work, we quantified the relationship between dose delivered to myocardial tissue with lesion formation identified with in vivo, delayed contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) scans. In the current work, we evaluate the relationship of delivered dose with lesions identified in high resolution, post-mortem DCE-MRI scans. Deformable registration is used to align the dose maps from the baseline planning CT scans to ex vivo scans following proton beam therapy in swine. The current study demonstrates that nearly 100% of tissue exposed to a dose of 30 Gy or higher developed into lesion and approximately 85% of the tissue in the 20-30 Gy interval developed into lesion. On the other hand, tissue exposed to doses of 10 Gy or less tended to remain healthy myocardium, with less than 10% of tissue in the 5-10 Gy range and almost no tissue in the 0-5 Gy range developing into lesion.
Factors associated with refeeding hypophosphatemia in adolescents and young adults hospitalized with anorexia nervosa

BACKGROUND Refeeding hypophosphatemia (RH) in individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) is a potentially fatal complication of nutrition restoration; yet, little is known about risk. This retrospective cohort study examined factors found in hospitalized youth with AN that may contribute to RH. METHODS We reviewed medical records of 300 individuals diagnosed with AN admitted between the years of 2010 and 2016. Logistic regression examined factors associated with RH. Multivariate regression examined factors associated with phosphorus nadir. RESULTS For 300 participants, the mean (SD) age was 15.5 (2.5) years, 88.3% were White, and 88.3% were female. Participants lost an average of 11.3 (9.7) kg of body weight and were 82% (12.1) of median body mass index (BMI). Age (P = .022), nasogastric (NG) tube feeding (P = .054), weight gain (P = .003), potassium level (P = .001), and magnesium level (P = .024) were contributors to RH. Odds of RH were 13.7 times higher for each unit reduction in magnesium, 9.2 times higher for each unit reduction in potassium, three times higher in those who received NG feeding, 1.5 times higher for each kg of weight gain, and 1.2 times higher for each year of age. Regarding phosphorus nadir, serum magnesium level (P < .001) and admission BMI (P = .002) contributed significantly. CONCLUSION The results indicate that age, NG feeding, weight gain, electrolyte abnormalities, and BMI on admission are potential indicators of the development of RH in youth. This study identifies clinical risk factors associated with RH and may guide further investigation.