cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of radiation dose reduction with iterative reconstruction in abdominopelvic CT for patients with inappropriate arm positioning.

BACKGROUND The arms-down position increases computed tomography (CT) radiation dose. Iterative reconstruction (IR) could enhance image quality without increasing radiation dose in patients with arms-down position. AIM To investigate the feasibility of reduced-dose CT with IR for patients with inappropriate arm positioning. METHODS Twenty patients who underwent two-phase abdominopelvic CT including standard-dose and reduced-dose CT (performed with 80% of the radiation dose of the standard protocol) with their arms positioned in the abdominal area were included in this study. Reduced-dose CT images were reconstructed using filtered back projection (FBP), hybrid IR, and iterative model reconstruction (IMR). These images were compared with standard-dose CT images reconstructed with FBP. Objective image noise in the liver and subcutaneous fat was measured by standard deviation for the quantitative analysis. Then, two radiologists qualitatively assessed beam hardening artifacts, artificial texture, noise, sharpness, and overall image quality in consensus. RESULTS Reduced-dose CT with all IR levels had lower objective image noise compared to standard-dose CT with FBP reconstruction (P < 0.05). Quantitatively measured beam hardening artifacts were similar in reduced-dose CT with iDose levels 5-6 and fewer with IMR compared to standard-dose CT. In the qualitative analysis, beam hardening artifacts and noise decreased as the IR levels increased. However, artificial texture was significantly aggravated with iDose 5-6 and IMR, and overall image quality significantly worsened with IMR. CONCLUSIONS IR algorithms can reduce beam hardening artifacts in a reduced-dose CT setting in patients with arms-down position, and an intermediate level of hybrid IR allows radiologists to obtain the best image quality. Because the retrospective and single-center nature of our study limited the number of patients, multicenter prospective clinical studies are required to validate our results.
The impact of newborn screening for lysosomal disorders in a non-screening adjacent state

As other states have added Lysosomal Storage Disorderls (LSDs) to their newborn screening (NBS) programs, some families have crossed borders and sought confirmatory testing and follow-up care in Iowa. With the addition of Pompe disease and Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) to the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP) in 2013 and 2015, respectively, states in the Midwest (including Missouri, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Nebraska) have begun screening for a variety of LSDs. While Iowa does not presently screen for LSDs on NBS, four children have come to our genetics clinic for second tier testing based on positive Fabry disease Illinois NBS results. Three males from Illinois with A143T GLA mutations were seen in our clinic for follow-up NBS testing. Two of these were siblings for familial mutation analysis and the third needed confirmatory testing for Fabry disease and subsequent familial analysis for at-risk members. We now follow the three boys and five additional positive family members. Another male infant was referred to us by his primary care provider for a presumptive positive Fabry NBS. The child and subsequently his mother were found to have a c.1072_1074del mutation in the GLA gene. Mutation analysis is pending on additional family members. A Fabry family identified by Missouri newborn screening on a male child relocated to Iowa and is now in our care. Since moving to Iowa they have had two additional children, both with Fabry disease. Two children with MPS 1 pseudodeficiencies, one confirmed and one pending confirmation, were sent to us from Illinois for second tier testing. As the number of LSD patients identified through NBS increases due to surrounding states, we will adapt our clinic processes to incorporate the influx of patients and their families. This experience will prove valuable if and when Iowa begins NBS for LSDs.
Bile duct injury repairs: Progressive outcomes in a tertiary referral center.

Abstract Background Bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy persists as a significant problem in general surgery, resulting in complex injuries, arterial damage, and post repair strictures. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis between 2 eras of bile duct injury repairs: 1987 to 2001 (n = 58) and 2002 to 2016 (n = 52) using logistic regression analyses to assess presentation, repair complexity, and outcomes. Results No differences in demographics, incidence of cholecystitis, conversion, time to presentation, level of injury, or arterial injury were identified. The second era had an increase in patient age, transhepatic catheter use, prior repair, and utilization of complex repairs. This approach resulted in equivalent complications and mortality rates with increased resource utilization but a lesser incidence of post-repair strictures (P = .004). Regression modeling correlated strictures to prior operative repairs (OR 4.25; P = .016) and a protective effect of repairs performed in the second era (OR 0.23; P = .045). Conclusion The second era identified a decreasing trend of attempted repairs by referring surgeons but an increase in transhepatic catheters and complex repairs resulting in lesser rates of post-repair stricture. Final regression modeling confirmed increased operative experience decreased post-repair stricture reaffirming the benefits of early identification and referral of bile duct injuries to an experienced hepatobiliary surgeon at a specialty center.
Radiologic Imaging of Bowel Infections

Although radiologic imaging of bowel infections is often a precursor to definitive diagnosis by endoscopy, biopsy, or stool cultures, imaging can provide critical information for diagnosis and management. Many infectious entities such as viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections can be discovered on imaging. Furthermore, imaging characterizes the extent of infection, involvement of specific bowel segments, and presence of complications in the abdomen. Utilizing a multimodality approach using ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, we describe the spectrum of imaging findings that distinguish a number of infectious etiologies that affect the bowel, as well as differentiate from ischemic and inflammatory bowel processes.
Seven Ways to Become a Better Designer

This book has been mostly about the mechanics of product development; the concept of product evolution, its stages of development, and a process for planning design activities that promote that evolution. All of these things are meant to help you become better designers. At some point, however, the mechanics of product development fade into the background and our natural design instincts and experience take over. That’s not to say the mechanics are ignored, it simply means that our design intuition becomes well-aligned with the fundamental mechanics of the process.
Evaluating Nonresponse Bias in Survey Research Conducted in the Rural Midwest

An understanding of private landowner’s perceptions can guide decisions about conservation in rural landscapes. However, mailed surveys that evaluate landowner views are increasingly plagued by fal...
Lung Cancer Stigma: Does Smoking History Matter?

BACKGROUND Lung cancer patients commonly report stigma, often attributing it to the well-established association of smoking as the leading preventable cause. Theory and research suggest that patients' smoking history may differentiate patients' experience of lung cancer stigma. However, there is inconsistent evidence whether lung cancer stigma varies by patients' smoking history, owing to limitations in the literature. PURPOSE This study examined differences in lung cancer patients' reported experience of lung cancer stigma by smoking history. METHOD Participants (N = 266, 63.9% female) were men and women with lung cancer who completed a validated, multidimensional questionnaire measuring lung cancer stigma. Multivariable regression models characterized relationships between smoking history (currently, formerly, and never smoked) and lung cancer stigma, controlling for psychological and sociodemographic covariates. RESULTS Participants who currently smoked reported significantly higher total, internalized, and perceived lung cancer stigma compared to those who formerly or never smoked (all p < .05). Participants who formerly smoked reported significantly higher total and internalized stigma compared to those who never smoked (p < .001). Participants reported similar levels of constrained disclosure, regardless of smoking history (p = .630). CONCLUSIONS Total, internalized, and perceived stigma vary meaningfully by lung cancer patients' smoking history. Patients who smoke at diagnosis are at risk for experiencing high levels of stigma and could benefit from psychosocial support. Regardless of smoking history, patients reported similar levels of discomfort in sharing information about their lung cancer diagnosis with others. Future studies should test relationships between health-related stigma and associated health behaviors in other stigmatized groups.
End-of-life quality metrics among medicare decedents at minority-serving cancer centers: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND We calculated the performance of National Cancer Institute (NCI)/National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) cancer centers' end-of-life (EOL) quality metrics among minority and white decedents to explore center-attributable sources of EOL disparities. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study of Medicare beneficiaries with poor-prognosis cancers who died between April 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016 and had any inpatient services in the last 6 months of life. We attributed patients' EOL treatment to the center at which they received the preponderance of EOL inpatient services and calculated eight risk-adjusted metrics of EOL quality (hospice admission ≤3 days before death; chemotherapy last 14 days of life; ≥2 emergency department (ED) visits; intensive care unit (ICU) admission; or life-sustaining treatment last 30 days; hospice referral; palliative care; advance care planning last 6 months). We compared performance between patients across and within centers. RESULTS Among 126,434 patients, 10,119 received treatment at one of 54 NCI/NCCN centers. In aggregate, performance was worse among minorities for ED visits (10.3% vs 7.4%, P < .01), ICU admissions (32.9% vs 30.4%, P = .03), no hospice referral (39.5% vs 37.0%, P = .03), and life-sustaining treatment (19.4% vs 16.2%, P < .01). Despite high within-center correlation for minority and white metrics (0.61-0.79; P < .01), five metrics demonstrated worse performance as the concentration of minorities increased: ED visits (P = .03), ICU admission (P < .01), no hospice referral (P < .01), and life-sustaining treatments (P < .01). CONCLUSION EOL quality metrics vary across NCI/NCCN centers. Within center, care was similar for minority and white patients. Minority-serving centers had worse performance on many metrics.
Intravenous brivaracetam for the management of refractory focal non-convulsive status epilepticus

Diagnosis and management of status epilepticus (SE), including non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE), is challenging, with a reported 30%-50% of epilepticus patients not responding to available antiseizure medications (ASMs). Injectable benzodiazepines, fosphenytoin, valproate, levetiracetam, lacosamide and phenobarbital are commonly used for treating SE. Brivaracetam, a new ASM, with higher affinity and greater selectivity for the synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A than levetiracetam, has been approved as monotherapy or adjunct for treatment of focal onset seizures. Brivaracetam may have a role in the management of SE. However, limited data exist on brivaracetam's efficacy in SE. We describe a patient case with focal NCSE refractory to levetiracetam, fosphenytoin, lacosamide and valproate who demonstrated clinical and electrographic improvement on continuous electroencephalography monitoring after brivaracetam administration.
The World Trade Organization: A Survey of its Rules and Current Crises

This survey begins with an overview of the WTO/GATT system, which has been the heart of the rules-based, multilateral trading regime for over 70 years. It then devotes considerable attention to the WTO’s dispute settlement system and how its has functioned to date. The survey examines the principles and rules contained in the WTO agreements – trade liberalization; non-discrimination (focusing on GATT Articles I (most-favored-nation treatment) and III (national treatment); fair trade (focusing on the rules relating to dumping, subsidies and intellectual property); transparency; and special treatment for developing countries. The survey then examines the principal exceptions to the rules, including those for safeguards, national security and balance of payments. Special attention is given to the exception for public policy (morals, health, conservation), including consideration of the TBT and SPS Agreements. The survey closes with thoughts on the WTO’s current twin crises: the failure of its negotiating function and the collapse of the Appellate Body.
Electronic noise of warm electrons in semiconductors from first principles

The ab-initio theory of low-field electronic transport properties such as carrier mobility in semiconductors is well-established. However, an equivalent treatment of electronic fluctuations about a non-equilibrium steady state, which are readily probed experimentally, remains less explored. Here, we report a first-principles theory of electronic noise for warm electrons in semiconductors. In contrast with typical numerical methods used for electronic noise, no adjustable parameters are required in the present formalism, with the electronic band structure and scattering rates calculated from first-principles. We demonstrate the utility of our approach by applying it to GaAs and show that spectral features in AC transport properties and noise originate from the disparate time scales of momentum and energy relaxation, despite the dominance of optical phonon scattering. Our formalism enables a parameter-free approach to probe the microscopic transport processes that give rise to electronic noise in semiconductors.
Prediction of Speech, Swallowing, and Quality of Life in Oral Cavity Cancer Patients: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS To investigate the impact of specific treatment-related variables on functional and quality of life outcomes in oral cavity cancer (OCC) patients. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective Cohort. METHODS Patients with primary OCC at least 6 months after resection and adjuvant therapy were included. Patients completed surveys including the Speech Handicap Index (SHI), M.D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI), and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Head and Neck (FACT-HN). Performance Status Scale (PSS) and tongue mobility scale were completed to allow provider-rated assessment of speech and tongue mobility, respectively. Additional details regarding treatment were also collected. These data were used to generate a predictive model using linear regression. RESULTS Fifty-three patients with oral tongue and/or floor of mouth (FOM) resection were included in our study. In multivariable analysis, greater postoperative tongue range of motion (ROM) and time since treatment improved SHI. Flap reconstruction and greater postoperative tongue ROM increased MDADI and PSS (eating and speech). A larger volume of resected tissue was inversely correlated with PSS (diet and speech). Tumor site was an important predictor of PSS (all sections). There were no statistically significant predictors of FACT-HN. CONCLUSIONS In this pilot study, we propose a battery of tools to assess function in OCC patients treated with surgery. Using the battery of tools we propose, our results show that a surgical endpoint that preserves tongue mobility and employs flap reconstruction resulted in better outcomes, whereas those with greater volume of tissue resected and FOM involvement resulted in poorer outcomes. Larger prospective studies are needed to validate our findings. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3 Laryngoscope, 131:2497-2504, 2021.
Measuring the Effect of Neighborhood Racial Segregation on Fetal Growth

Prior studies of neighborhood racial segregation and intrauterine growth have not accounted for confounding factors in early life. We used the Life-Course Influences on Fetal Environment Study of births to Black women in metropolitan Detroit, 2009-2011, (N = 1,408) to examine whether health and social conditions in childhood and adulthood confound or modify the association of neighborhood segregation (addresses during pregnancy geocoded to census tract racial composition) and gestational age-adjusted birthweight. Before adjusting for covariates, women living in a predominantly (≥75%) Black neighborhood gave birth to 47.3 grams (95% CI: -99.0, 4.4) lighter infants, on average, compared with women living in <75% Black neighborhoods. This association was confounded by adulthood (age at delivery, parity, neighborhood deprivation) and childhood (parental education, neighborhood racial composition) factors and modified by adulthood socioeconomic position. These findings underscore the complex relationship between neighborhood racial segregation and birth outcomes, which would be enhanced through a life course framework.
Further experiences with direct sky blue in the in vivo study of gynecic lymphatics.

Abstract By using Wydase and Direct Sky Blue by injection on women and dogs according to techniques previously described, efforts were made to identify the preferred pathway for routine staining of the external iliac nodes. At the same time, the lymphatic drainage of the vagina, labia, femoral and inguinal canals was studied. Drawings made from Kodachrome transparencies taken at operation, and from operative notes, are presented and discussed.
Option Contracts and Renegotiation in Complex Environments

Hart & Moore (1999) construct a model to show that contracts perform poorly when the state of the world is unverifiable and renegotiation cannot be ruled out. They implicitly assume that one player can extort payment from another by threatening to take an inefficient action which hurts both of them. Without this assumption, a simple buyer option contract can implement the first-best even as complexity becomes severe. The model is a good illustration of the need to be careful with the ideas of one party has all the bargaining power and one party can make a take-it-or-leave-it offer.
Replicating multi-quality web applications using ACO and bipartite graphs

This paper presents the application of the Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) meta-heuristic to a new NP-hard problem involving the replication of multi-quality database-driven web applications (DA s) by a large application service provider (ASP). The ASP must assign DA replicas to its network of heterogeneous servers so that user demand is satisfied at the desired quality level and replica update loads are minimized. Our ACO algorithm, AntDA , for solving the ASP’s replication problem has several novel or infrequently seen features: ants traverse a bipartite graph in both directions as they construct solutions, pheromone is used for traversing from one side of the bipartite graph to the other and back again, heuristic edge values change as ants construct solutions, and ants may sometimes produce infeasible solutions. Testing shows that the best results are achieved by using pheromone and heuristics to traverse the bipartite graph in both directions. Additionally, experiments show that AntDA outperforms several other solution methods.
Survival of Azotobacter in Dry Soil

Detection of viable Azotobacter in soils stored in the laboratory for more than 10 years suggests that these bacteria can remain dormant in nature for prolonged periods of time. Studies of dried cultures show that cysts of A. vinelandii 12837 remain viable for at least 10 years, whereas vegetative cells do not survive for even 1 year under the same conditions.
A low noise CMOS frequency synthesizer with dynamic bandwidth control

A low noise 0.8 /spl mu/m CMOS phase locked loop (PLL) with a maximum output frequency of I20 MHz has been developed for a pixel clock generator for a range of computer monitors. Other applications include computer clock generation and disk drives. The synthesizer requires no external components. A low phase noise has been achieved through supply rejection techniques, by placing the oscillator in a high gain feedback loop to minimize its noise contribution, and by dynamically adjusting the PLL bandwidth to maximize the open loop gain. >
Implication of Creatinine and Gut Flora in the Uremic Syndrome: Induction of "Creatininase" in Colon Contents of the Rat by Dietary Creatinine

"Creatininase" activity was induced in the colon flora of rats by feeding creatinine. Sarcosine and methylamine were tentatively identified as the major products of the enzymic action. A third (unidentified) compound was observed. These compounds and methylguanidine were labeled in the urine of rats given 14CH3-creatinine orally. The results suggest that creatinine should not be considered biologically inert in animals, especially in those with decreased renal function.
The interrelationship between non-protein bound thiols and the biliary excretion of methylmercury

Abstract The biliary excretion of methyl mercury was investigated in male rats injected with various thiol compounds, methionine and 3'-methyl-4-dimethyl-azobenzene (3'-MeDAB) after the i.v. administration of 1.0 mg kg of Hg as Me 20 HgCl. All the thiol compounds (2 m-moles of glutathione (GSH) and 4 m-moles kg of cysteine, d -penicillamine or dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) reduced the blood concentration of Me 203 Hg + , but only cysteine, GSH and d -penicillamine increased the liver content of mercury and its biliary excretion. No significant changes were seen in the volume of bile flow after treatment. There was no correlation between the increase in non-protein thiol concentration in blood and either the liver content or the biliary excretion of Me 203 Hg + . Although those thiol compounds that stimulated the biliary excretion of methylmercury also increased the liver concentration of non-protein thiol groups, there was no proportionality between either the extent or time course of these effects. An initial inhibition of excretion was caused by 4 m-moles kg of cysteine though the concentration of non-protein thiols in the liver was at that time the highest. After the administration of cysteine and GSH, excretion increased from 30 to 120 min while the concentration of non-protein thiols in the liver declined. 3'-Methyl-4-dimethylazobenzene (3'-MeDAB) and methionine caused a larger increase in liver non-protein thiol concentration than GSH but their effect on the biliary excretion of Me 203 Hg + was smaller. On the assumption that d -penicillamine spares GSH from other metabolic processes, these results are consistent with the role of GSH in the biliary excretion of methylmercury. They do not support a direct relationship between free GSH and the biliary excretion of methylmercury.
Rates of oxygen exchange between the Al2O8Al28(OH)56(H2O)2618+(aq) (Al30) molecule and aqueous solution

Abstract Rates of steady exchange of oxygens between bulk solution and the largest known aluminum polyoxocation: Al 2 O 8 Al 28 (OH) 56 (H 2 O) 26 18+ (aq) (Al 30 ) are reported at pH≈4.7 and 32–40°C. The Al 30 molecule is a useful model for geochemists because it is ≈2 nm in length, comparable to the smallest colloidal solids, and it has structural complexity greater than the surfaces of most aluminum (hydr)oxide minerals. The Al 30 molecule has 15 distinct hydroxyl sites and eight symmetrically distinct bound waters. Among the hydroxyl bridges are two sets of μ 3 -OH, which are not present in any of the other aluminum polyoxocations that have yet been studied by NMR methods. Rates of isotopic equilibration of the μ 2 -OH and μ 3 -OH hydroxyls and bound water molecules fall within the same range as we have determined for other aluminum solutes, although it is impossible to determine rate laws for exchange at the large number of individual oxygen sites. After injection of 17 O-enriched water, growth of the 17 O-NMR peak near 37 ppm, which is assigned to μ 2 -OH and μ 3 -OH hydroxyl bridges, indicates that these bridges equilibrate within two weeks at temperatures near 35°C. The peak at +22 ppm in the 17 O-NMR spectra, assigned to bound water molecules (η-OH 2 ), varies in width with temperature in a similar fashion as for other aluminum solutes, suggesting that most of the η-OH 2 sites exchange with bulk solution at rates that fall within the range observed for other aluminum complexes. Signal from one anomalous group of four η-OH 2 sites is not observed, indicating that these sites exchange at least a factor of ten more rapidly than the other η-OH 2 sites on the Al 30 .
Everyday resistance to injustice in a Philippine village

(1986). Everyday resistance to injustice in a Philippine village. The Journal of Peasant Studies: Vol. 13, Everyday Forms of Peasant Resistance in South‐East Asia, pp. 107-123.
Pediatric Rehabilitation: 1. Common Medical Conditions in Children With Disabilities

Objective This self-directed learning module focuses on the physiatric management of the common morbidities associated with pediatric traumatic brain injury and cerebral palsy. It is part of the study guide on pediatric rehabilitation in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation and pediatric medicine. The goal of this article is to enhance the learner's knowledge regarding current physiatric management of complications related with pediatric traumatic brain injury and cerebral palsy.
No one needs it, (until they need it) implementing a new desktop backup solution

Faced with upgrading a set of Veritas Netbackup servers that backed up 1000 Windows desktop computers and a Retrospect server that backed up 200 Macintosh desktop computers, Bucknell University embarked on a project to identify and implement a new desktop backup solution. Working together, Technology Support and Systems Integration selected, configured, and installed CommVault Galaxy as a backup solution for all desktop Macintosh and Windows computers.Added pressures during the process included the incompatibility of the old servers with newer operating systems and increasing failures in aging backup software. In an attempt to maintain the optimum levels of available data, we developed a strategy and schedule to transition 1200 computers to the new backup as soon as disk space became available.This paper will examine the criteria used to select a new desktop backup solution and the implementation strategies employed to insure comprehensive data protection during the transition. Content will include selection of an administrative mechanism for the new server and service, examination of data protection and retention policies, documentation, customization to address end-user concerns about reporting and notification, and techniques used to install and uninstall the software from client workstations.
Transition in Gas Turbine Control System Architecture: Modular, Distributed, and Embedded

Controls systems are an increasingly important component of turbine-engine system technology. However, as engines become more capable, the control system itself becomes ever more constrained by the inherent environmental conditions of the engine; a relationship forced by the continued reliance on commercial electronics technology. A revolutionary change in the architecture of turbine-engine control systems will change this paradigm and result in fully distributed engine control systems. Initially, the revolution will begin with the physical decoupling of the control law processor from the hostile engine environment using a digital communications network and engine-mounted high temperature electronics requiring little or no thermal control. The vision for the evolution of distributed control capability from this initial implementation to fully distributed and embedded control is described in a roadmap and implementation plan. The development of this plan is the result of discussions with government and industry stakeholders
Numerical Evaluation of Single Fiber Motion for Short-Fiber-Reinforced Composite Materials Processing

This paper presents a computational approach for simulating the motion of a single fiber suspended within a viscous fluid. We develop a Finite Element Method (FEM) for modeling the dynamics of a single rigid fiber suspended in a moving fluid. Our approach seeks solutions using the Newton-Raphson method for the fiber’s linear and angular velocities such that the net hydrodynamic forces and torques acting on the fiber are zero. Fiber motion is then computed with a Runge-Kutta method to update the fiber position and orientation as a function of time. Low-Reynolds-number viscous flows are considered since these best represent the flow conditions for a polymer melt within a mold cavity. This approach is first used to verify Jeffery’s orbit (1922) and addresses such issues as the role of a fiber’s geometry on the dynamics of a single fiber, which were not addressed in Jeffery’s original work. The method is quite general and allows for fiber shapes that include, but are not limited to, ellipsoidal fibers (such as that studied in Jeffery’s original work), cylindrical fibers and bead-chain fibers. The relationships between equivalent aspect ratio and geometric aspect ratio of cylindrical and other axisymmetric fibers are derived in this paper.
Statistical, Practical, Clinical, and Personal Significance: Definitions and Applications in Speech-Language Pathology

Purpose To discuss constructs and methods related to assessing the magnitude and the meaning of clinical outcomes, with a focus on applications in speech-language pathology. Method Professionals in medicine, allied health, psychology, education, and many other fields have long been concerned with issues referred to variously as practical significance, clinical significance, social validity, patient satisfaction, treatment effectiveness, or the meaningfulness or importance of beyond-clinic or real-world treatment outcomes. Existing literature addressing these issues from multiple disciplines was reviewed and synthesized. Conclusions Practical significance, an adjunct to statistical significance, refers to the magnitude of a change or a difference between groups. The appropriate existing term for the interpretation of treatment outcomes, or the attribution of meaning or value to treatment outcomes, is clinical significance. To further distinguish between important constructs, the authors suggest incorporati...
Nitric oxide kinetics during hypoxia in proximal tubules: effects of acidosis and glycine.

Nitric oxide kinetics during hypoxia in proximal tubules: effects of glycine and acidosis . In the present study, we directly monitored nitric oxide (NO) with an amperometric NO-sensor in suspensions of rat proximal tubules. Hypoxia-stimulated NO generation was characterized by an initial rise and a subsequent sustained increase which preceded cell membrane damage as assessed by lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) release. In contrast, the NO concentration remained unmeasurable in normoxic controls. Nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME) prevented the hypoxia-induced increase in NO in a dose dependent manner in parallel with incremental cytoprotection. The hypoxia-induced elevation in NO and the associated membrane injury were both markedly prevented by extracellular acidosis (pH 6.95). In vitro proximal tubular nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity ( 3 H-arginine to 3 H-citrulline assay) was pH dependent with optimum activity at pH 8.0 and greatly reduced activity at acidic pH even in the presence of calcium and co-factors. However, glycine, a well recognized cytoprotective agent, did not attenuate the NO concentration during hypoxia. The present study therefore provides direct evidence that NO is generated by rat proximal tubules during hypoxia and demonstrates that the protective effect of low pH against hypoxic rat tubular injury is associated with an inhibition of this NO production.
Personality and personality disorders in the DSM-5: introduction to the special issue.

Pennsylvania State Univ ersityIn this introduction to the special section on Personality and Personality Disorders inDSM-5 , the editors briesy describe the major changes proposed by the Work Group onPersonality Disorders for DSM-5 . They then introduce and describe the key points inthe target articles by the Work Group as well as in the commentaries. The aim of thissection is to present an arena for the articulation and discussion of the rationale of theproposed changes and the logic and evidence for these proposed changes. Specialattention is paid to points of contention, debate, and controversy with regard to theproposed changes. It is the editorsO goal to facilitate an open discussion of these issuesin an effort to promote a scientiÞcally based and clinically useful product.
OBSTETRIC CHALLENGES OF MASSIVE OBESITY COMPLICATING PREGNANCY

This study examined the effects of massive maternal obesity on medical complications, mode of delivery, postpartum complications, and hospital confinement. In this retrospective case control study, women weighing > 300 pounds delivering from January 1, 1986, to November 1, 1991, were matched for age, race, parity, and height with lean parturient women (mean weight 160 +/- 21 pounds). Among massively obese women there was a greater incidence of chronic hypertension (p < 0.05) and diabetes (p < 0.05) than in the control group. Primary cesarean section was more frequent (p < 0.05), as was the postoperative complication of endometritis when obese patients were compared with lean women (p < 0.05). Cephalopelvic disproportion was the only indication for primary cesarean section, which occurred with greater frequency in the obese group. The postpartum hospital confinement was also significantly longer in the obese study group (p < 0.05). The gestation of a massively obese parturient woman is more frequently complicated by chronic hypertension and diabetes. Abdominal delivery for cephalopelvic disproportion is more likely, and this mode of birth is more often followed by endometritis, which results in longer hospital stays.
Fragility estimates of smart structures with sensor faults

In this paper, the impact of sensor faults within smart structures is investigated using seismic fragility analysis techniques. Seismic fragility analysis is one of the methods used to evaluate the vulnerability of structural systems under a broad range of earthquake events. It would play an important role in estimating seismic losses and in the decision making process based on vibration control performance of the smart structures during seismic events. In this study, a three-story building employing a highly nonlinear hysteretic magnetorheological (MR) damper is analyzed to estimate the seismic fragility of the smart control system. Different levels of sensor damage scenarios for smart structures are considered to provide a better understanding of the expected fragility estimates due to the impact of sensor failures. Probabilistic demand models are constructed with a Bayesian updating approach while the seismic capacity of smart structures is estimated based on the approximate structural performance of semi-actively controlled structures. Peak ground acceleration (PGA) of ground motion is used as a measure of earthquake intensity. Then the fragility curves for the smart structures are developed and compared with those for the semi-active control systems with different levels of sensor damage scenarios. The responses of an uncontrolled structure are used as a baseline. It is shown from the simulations that the proposed methodology is effective in quantifying the impact of sensor faults within smart structures.
Vacuum Infusion of Citrus Pectinmethylesterase and Calcium Effects on Firmness of Peaches

Vacuum infiltration of Majestic peaches (Prunus persica) for 1 hr with a solution of Marsh grapefruit pectinmethylesterase (PME) containing 100 mg/L CaCl2 significantly increased firmness of canned peaches. Mean firmness of peaches infused 2 hr and thermally processed was 13.9 J/Kg as compared to 3.2 J/kg for noninfused, processed controls. The calcium content increased from 278 to 432 mg/kg during 2 hr infusion of blanched peaches. Specific activity of PME in peach halves increased more than 20 fold after infusion.
Inhalation of acid coated carbon black particles impairs alveolar macrophage phagocytosis

A flow-past nose-only inhalation system was used for the co-exposure of mice to carbon black aerosols (CBA) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) at varying relative humidities (RH). The conversion of SO2 to sulfate (SO4(-2)) on the CBA, at a fixed aerosol concentration, was dependent on RH and SO2 concentration. The effect of the aerosol-gas mixture on alveolar macrophage (AM) phagocytosis was assessed three days following exposure for 4 h. Exposure to 10 mg/m3 CBA alone at low RH (10%) and high RH (85%), to 10 ppm SO2 alone at both RH, and to the mixture at low RH had no effect on AM phagocytosis. In contrast, AM phagocytosis was significantly suppressed following co-exposure at 85% RH, the only circumstance in which significant chemisorption of the gas by the aerosol and oxidation to SO4(-2) occurred. The results suggest that fine carbon particles can be an effective vector for the delivery of toxic amounts of SO4(-2) to the periphery of the lung.
Evaluating the effect of ration composition on income over feed cost and milk yield

Feed is generally the greatest expense for milk production. With volatility in feed and milk markets, income over feed cost (IOFC) is a more advantageous measure of profit than simply feed cost per cow. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of ration cost and ingredient composition on IOFC and milk yield. The Pennsylvania State Extension Dairy Team IOFC tool (http://extension.psu.edu/animals/dairy/business-management/financial-tools/income-over-feed-cost/introduction-to-iofc) was used to collect data from 95 Pennsylvania lactating dairy cow herds from 2009 to 2012 and to determine the IOFC per cow per day. The data collected included average milk yield, milk income, purchased feed cost, ration ingredients, ingredient cost per ton, and amount of each ingredient fed. Feed costs for home-raised feeds for each ration were based on market values rather than on-farm cost. Actual costs were used for purchased feed for each ration. Mean lactating herd size was 170 ± 10.5 and daily milk yield per cow was 31.7 ± 0.19 kg. The mean IOFC was $7.71 ± $1.01 cost per cow, ranging from -$0.33 in March 2009 to $16.60 in September 2011. Data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA in SPSS (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Values were grouped by quartiles and analyzed with all years combined as well as by individual year. Purchased feed cost per cow per day averaged $3.16 ± $1.07 for 2009 to 2012. For 2009 to 2012 combined, milk yield and IOFC did not differ with purchased feed cost. Intermediate levels (quartiles 2 and 3) of forage cost per cow per day between $1.45 and $1.97 per cow per day resulted in the greatest average IOFC of $8.19 and the greatest average milk yield of 32.3 kg. Total feed costs in the fourth quartile ($6.27 or more per cow per day) resulted in the highest IOFC. Thus, minimizing feed cost per cow per day did not maximize IOFC. In 2010, the IOFC was highest at $8.09 for dairies that fed 1 or more commodity by-products. Results of the study indicated that intermediate levels of forage cost and higher levels of total feed cost per cow per day resulted in both higher milk yield and higher IOFC. This suggests that optimal ration formulation rather than least cost strategies may be key to increasing milk yield and IOFC, and that profit margin may be affected more by quality of the feed rather than the cost.
Abstract 1856: Preclinical study for statins as anticancer drug.

Statins are a class of drug that inhibits 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase that is the rate-limiting enzyme of cholesterols synthesis. Now, statins are among the most prescribed drug used for treatment of hypercholesterolemia by lower down the serum cholesterol concentration and it is also a major means to preventing and reducing the risk for cardiovascular diseases. In addition to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases, the emerging evidences indicated the statins usage has a number of beneficial effect such as anti-inflammation and lowering down the risk of cancer. To investigate the anti-cancer effect statins drugs that have been approved to clinical usage we evaluated the inhibition of breast cancer and GBM cell line growth. Statins are also potent inhibitors to stem cell-like primary GBM cells freshly isolated from patients. Unexpected, statins treatment induces strong cell autophagy death signals as weak if not at all cellular apoptosis. Tumor cells can be rescued after statin treatment by adding intermediated product of cholesterol synthesis (mevalonate and GGPP), it indicates that the target of the statins is specifically related the cholesterols synthesis pathway. Knock-down the expression of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthetase-1 (GGPS-1), another key enzyme in cholesterol synthesis pathway, also stimulated strong cell autophagy and cell death in vitro, also dramatically reduced U87 tumor growth in vivo. In vivo data also showed that directly injection of statin is better than oral administrate to delay GBM tumor growth. This study showed statins are potent anti-cancer drug in vitro and in animal model. These safe and well-tolerate drugs are good candidates for clinical test as cancer chemotherapy reagents. Citation Format: Pengfei Jiang, Rajesh Mukthavavam, Ying Chao, Natsuko Nomura, Valentina Fogal, Sandra Pastorino, Ila Summit, Santosh Kesari. Preclinical study for statins as anticancer drug. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1856. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-1856 Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR Annual Meeting 2013 because the presenter was unable to attend.
Mechanical behavior, wear surface morphology, and clinical performance of UHMWPE acetabular components after 10 years of implantation

Abstract The relationships between the mechanical behavior of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and the long-term clinical performance of acetabular component bearings remain poorly understood. During previous hip simulator validation studies, researchers have correlated the mechanical behavior and surface morphology of polymeric biomaterials with the wear performance in a hip simulator. For the present study, we sought correlations between clinical performance and quantitative metrics of the mechanical behavior and surface morphology of retrieved cups. Nine all-UHMWPE acetabular cups of the same cemented design, 32 mm head size, and manufacturer were retrieved after an average implantation time of 14.1 years (range: 11.5–16.4 years). The implants were manufactured from RCH-1000, sterilized by gamma radiation in air and implanted between 1980 and 1983. Mechanical behavior of the retrieved components was determined using the previously validated small punch test, which subjects miniature specimens to multi-axial loading conditions. Surface morphology of the retrievals was assessed using white light interferometry. No significant relationship was observed between the surface roughness measurements and patient related variables. However, statistically significant relationships were observed between the mechanical behavior determined by the small punch test and the implantation time and patient weight associated with the retrieved hip cups. These findings support the hypothesis that the mechanical behavior of UHMWPE is related, at least in part, to the clinical performance of acetabular component bearings for total hip replacement.
Clinical applications of three-dimensional magnetic resonance image analysis

A methodology for measuring the kinematic parameters of joints in vivo has been refined using the technique of computerized three-dimensional reconstruction from magnetic resonance images. A research protocol has been developed to establish a classification of normal and pathologic foot function that will have broad clinical application. Development of algorithms for a computer-directed program that can predict resultant kinematics and joint morphometry for a given osteotomy or osseous remodeling procedure will assist the surgeon in preoperative surgical planning.
Generalization of a fundamental matrix

Abstract It is shown that, for a finite ergodic Markov chain, basic descriptive quantities, such as the stationary vector and mean first-passage matrix, may be calculated using any one of a class of fundamental matrices. New applications of the use of these operators are discussed.
A new solution to the problem of finding all numerical solutions to ordered metric structures

A new algorithm is used to test and describe the set of all possible solutions for any linear model of an empirical ordering derived from techniques such as additive conjoint measurement, unfolding theory, general Fechnerian scaling and ordinal multiple regression. The algorithm is computationally faster and numerically superior to previous algorithms.
Reinforcing Poly(ε-caprolactone) Nanofibers with Cellulose Nanocrystals

We studied the use of cellulose nanocrystals (CNXs) obtained after acid hydrolysis of ramie cellulose fibers to reinforce poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) nanofibers. Chemical grafting with low-molecular-weight PCL diol onto the CNXs was carried out in an attempt to improve the interfacial adhesion with the fiber matrix. Grafting was confirmed via infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analyses. The polymer matrix consisted of electrospun nanofibers that were collected as nonwoven webs. The morphology as well as thermal and mechanical properties of filled and unfilled nanofibers were elucidated by scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and dynamic mechanical analysis, respectively. The addition of CNXs into PCL produced minimal changes in the thermal behavior of the electrospun fibers. However, a significant improvement in the mechanical properties of the nanofibers after reinforcement with unmodified CNXs was confirmed. Fiber webs from PCL reinforced with 2.5% unmodified CNXs sho...
Research Involving Premature Infants: Timing Is Everything

Under what circumstances is it ethical to ask and allow parents to give permission for research on their newborn premature infant? Generally, parents can agree to enrollment in institutional review...
Cytomegalovirus diaper dermatitis.

• Cytomegalovirus inclusions have been reported in perineal ulcers from immunosuppressed adults. The importance of this finding is unknown. We report the first pediatric case of cutaneous cytomegalovirus infection in an infant with congenital human immunodeficiency virus infection, presenting as a diaper dermatitis. Cytomegalovirus was cultured from the skin biopsy specimen, and characteristic inclusions were seen on hematoxylin-eosin-stained sections. Results of this biopsy specimen analysis prompted further investigation revealing disseminated cytomegalovirus infection, including retinitis. Aggressive pursuit of a pathogen in common conditions such as diaper dermatitis is strongly recommended in immunosuppressed pediatric patients. ( Arch Dermatol. 1991;127:396-398)