cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetic and environmental influences on factors associated with cardiovascular disease and the metabolic syndrome.

The relative influence of genetics and the environment on factors associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) remains unclear. We performed model-fitting analyses to quantify genetic, common environmental, and unique environmental variance components of factors associated with CVD and MetS [waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose and insulin, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and fasting plasma lipids] in adult male and female monozygotic twins reared apart or together. We also investigated whether MetS components share common influences. Plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were highly heritable (56–77%, statistically significant). Waist circumference, plasma glucose and insulin, HOMA-IR, and blood pressure were moderately heritable (43–57%, statistically significant). Unique environmental factors contributed to the variance of all variables (20–38%, perforce statistically significant). Common environmental factors contributed 23, 30, and 42% (statistically significant) of the variance of waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, and plasma glucose, respectively. Two shared factors influenced MetS components; one influenced all components except HDL cholesterol, another influenced only lipid (triglyceride and HDL cholesterol) concentrations. These results suggest that genetic variance has a dominant influence on total variance of factors associated with CVD and MetS and support the proposal of one or more underlying pathologies of MetS.
Rapid dead-end ultrafiltration concentration and biosensor detection of enterococci from beach waters of Southern California

Same-day microbial water quality assessments are not possible with standard methods, which increases the possibility of public exposure to fecal pathogens. This study examined the efficacy of high-volume hollow fibre ultrafiltration coupled to biosensor detection for enterococci in marine waters to allow same-day public notification of poor water quality. Fifty-six 100 l ultrafiltered samples and 100 ml grab samples were collected weekly from May to July 2007. Post-ultrafiltration processing included sonication and micron sieve passage to remove interfering particulates, followed by centrifugation for secondary concentration. Levels of enterococci in grab and ultrafiltration samples were determined by a standard method (EPA method 1600) for calculation of recovery efficiencies and concentration factors. Each final retentate was analysed with the RAPTOR evanescent wave biosensor. Enterococci levels increased over 26,000-fold in final retentates. Enterococci were detected when ambient concentrations exceeded the regulatory standard for a single sample (≥105 CFU/100 ml), and detection was highly correlated with breaches of the single-sample regulatory limit. The combined procedure required 2.5 h for detection compared with 24 h for EPA method 1600. This field study achieved rapid detection of enterococci by ultrafiltration, secondary concentration and biosensor analysis, and demonstrates its potential usefulness for water quality monitoring.
Black Shell turbidite, Hatteras Abyssal Plain, western Atlantic Ocean

An upper Pleistocene turbidite with a volume of at least 1011 m3 (100 km3) has been traced in 35 piston cores over a 44,000 km2 area of the Hatteras Abyssal Plain. Entering the plain from the Hatteras Canyon System, the flow traveled uninterrupted for at least 500 km in a southerly direction and resulted in a tongue-shaped turbidite with a width between 100 and 140 km and a thickness of as much as 400 cm. This turbidite appears to be one of the largest, if not the largest, single turbidite yet to be correlated between deep-sea cores and to be mapped on an abyssal-plain floor. Correlation of the unit is based on grain size, mineralogy, relative thickness, and similarity of sequences in the cores. Because correlation between cores is based largely on sand-layer characteristics, the turbidite cannot be traced beyond the last occurrence of a distinct sand layer in the distal (southerly) direction. The turbidite is characterized by its high percentage (2% to 50%) of blackened mollusk shell fragments, which led to the informal name Black Shell turbidite, and by a coarser grain size than other turbidites in the same cores. The maximum thickness of the turbidite's sand part is in the center of the abyssal-plain basin, whereas maximum thicknesses of lutite and of the total turbidite are displaced east of the center line of the depositional basin. Depending on lateral position in the flow, the sands texturally comprise a wide range of graywackes, and mineralogically they constitute a suite ranging from lithic arkoses to quartzarenites. Sand petrology indicates that the fluvially derived terrigenous fraction came from United States mid-Atlantic coast rivers, whereas molluscan and foraminiferal bioclastic components indicate an initial shallow-shelf origin from the vicinity of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. It appears that the turbidity current began as a massive shelf-edge slump. Sand came from the shelf edge; mud was picked up on the upper continental slope. The flow apparently evolved from a slump into a high-concentration flow as it moved down-slope. Characteristics in the axial center zone, such as poor sand sorting, high mud content, Bouma AE sequences, and discontinuous vertical grading, suggest deposition from a high-concentration flow. The nature of the characteristics changed (better sorting, more continuous vertical grading, more complete Bouma sequences, and lower mud content) as the flow spread, reflecting deposition from a low-concentration turbidity current.
The Good(all) Effect Answering the Call of Narrative Ethnography

The Good(all) Effect refers to the groundbreaking and influential work of H. L. “Bud” Goodall, Jr., and its continuing and rippling effects in qualitative studies and the discipline of Communication Studies following his death. In this tribute piece, one of his protegees writes a narrative reflection of their professional relationship and reflects on how his work and words inspire her own. She also considers ways to honor her mentor by forwarding his goals for narrative ethnography into the 21st century.
Inhibition of NF-κB Activation by Pyrrolidine Dithiocarbamate Prevents In Vivo Expression of Proinflammatory Genes

Background-The inability to inhibit multiple mediators of septic shock represents a major hurdle in the treatment of septic shock. In vivo inhibition of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB activation, a transcription factor regulating expression of many proinflammatory genes, could provide a useful strategy for the treatment of septic shock. Methods and Results-In rats challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 8 mg/kg IV, we determined the time course of NF-kappaB activation and expression of multiple inflammatory signals: tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), cytokine-inducible neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM)-1. We studied the effects of in vivo inhibition of NF-kappaB activation using pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) on the expression of these mediators. NF-kappaB activation preceded the induction of TNF-alpha, COX-2, CINC, and ICAM-1 mRNAs. PDTC prevented the LPS-induced NF-kappaB activation but did not inhibit activation of the transcription factors AP-1, Sp-1, and CREB. PDTC inhibited the LPS-induced expression of TNF-alpha, COX-2, CINC, and ICAM-1 mRNA and proteins and reduced the LPS-induced increases in plasma TNF-alpha, 6-keto-prostaglandin F(1alpha), and CINC concentrations. Inhibition of expression of these mediators prevented the increases in myeloperoxidase activity (a measure of neutrophil sequestration) in the heart, lungs, and liver. Conclusions-NF-kappaB activation correlates with LPS-induced expression of TNF-alpha, COX-2, CINC, and ICAM-1 genes in vivo. PDTC inhibits NF-kappaB activation and expression of these proinflammatory genes and their products. Thus, blocking NF-kappaB activation may be an effective strategy in the treatment of septic shock.
Platelets and eltrombopag: a not-so-sticky situation.

In this issue of Blood , Psaila and colleagues examine the in vivo effects of eltrombopag, a thrombopoietin receptor agonist (TPO-RA), on platelet function and reactivity.[1][1] Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disease associated with increased platelet destruction and ineffective
Defending Life: A Moral and Legal Case against Abortion Choice

Defending Life is arguably the most comprehensive defense of the pro-life position on abortion - morally, legally, and politically - that has ever been published in an academic monograph. It offers a detailed and critical analysis of Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey as well as arguments by those who defend a Rawlsian case for abortion-choice, such as J. J. Thomson. The author defends the substance view of persons as the view with the most explanatory power. The substance view entails that the unborn is a subject of moral rights from conception. While defending this view, the author responds to the arguments of thinkers such as Boonin, Dworkin, Stretton, Ford and Brody. He also critiques Thomson's famous violinist argument and its revisions by Boonin and McDonagh. Defending Life includes chapters critiquing arguments found in popular politics and the controversy over cloning and stem cell research.
Optically detected magnetic resonance of the tryptophan phosphorescent state in native proteins

(ReceilJed 18 December 1972; accepted 13 MaTch 1973) Abstrad-The phosphorescent triplet state of tryptophan has been studied by the method of optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) at pumped helium temperatures in zero magnetic field . Only one of the triplet sublevels is found to be significantly radiative; the other two decay radiationlessly. Although the phosphorescence and ODMR decay lifetimes are influenced by spin-Ianice relaxation processes at T = 1·3°K. the lifetime of the radiative level can be estimated as approximately 2 s. whereas the lifetimes of the non·radiative levels are in excess of 10 s. Comparison of the ODMR signals and the phosphorescence spectra has been made for tryptophans in native proteins with the folJowing results : the ODMR signals of the two types of tryptophan sites in horse liver alcohol de­ hydrogenase can be resolved due to a shift in the D and E values of the respective triplet states; binding of the substrate tri-N-ace tylglucosamine to hen lysozyme leads to a considerable narrowing of the phosphorescence peaks and ODMR signals as well as to a shift in the E value oflhe triplet state. The following tentative conclusions can be reached: the tryptophan triplet D and E values are measurably affected by the environment of the chromophore in the protein, as are the Iinewidths of the magnetic resonance transitions. The I EI value is reduced and the mag netic resonance Iinewidth is increased with increasing exposure of the tryptophan to hydroxylic solvent. Although a consider­ able part of the width of the magnetic reso nance transi tion can be ascribed to a heterogeneity of en­ vironments in the sample, there appears to exist an intrinsic line-broadening process which at present is not understood.
The rat alpha-tropomyosin gene generates a minimum of six different mRNAs coding for striated, smooth, and nonmuscle isoforms by alternative splicing.

Abstract Tropomyosin (TM), a ubiquitous protein, is a component of the contractile apparatus of all cells. In nonmuscle cells, it is found in stress fibers, while in sarcomeric and nonsarcomeric muscle, it is a component of the thin filament. Several different TM isoforms specific for nonmuscle cells and different types of muscle cell have been described. As for other contractile proteins, it was assumed that smooth, striated, and nonmuscle isoforms were each encoded by different sets of genes. Through the use of S1 nuclease mapping, RNA blots, and 5' extension analyses, we showed that the rat alpha-TM gene, whose expression was until now considered to be restricted to muscle cells, generates many different tissue-specific isoforms. The promoter of the gene appears to be very similar to other housekeeping promoters in both its pattern of utilization, being active in most cell types, and its lack of any canonical sequence elements. The rat alpha-TM gene is split into at least 13 exons, 7 of which are alternatively spliced in a tissue-specific manner. This gene arrangement, which also includes two different 3' ends, generates a minimum of six different mRNAs each with the capacity to code for a different protein. These distinct TM isoforms are expressed specifically in nonmuscle and smooth and striated (cardiac and skeletal) muscle cells. The tissue-specific expression and developmental regulation of these isoforms is, therefore, produced by alternative mRNA processing. Moreover, structural and sequence comparisons among TM genes from different phyla suggest that alternative splicing is evolutionarily a very old event that played an important role in gene evolution and might have appeared concomitantly with or even before constitutive splicing.
The relevance of Kant's objection to Anselm's ontological argument

The most famous objection to the ontological argument is given in Kant's dictum that existence is not a real predicate. But it is not obvious how this slogan is supposed to relate to the ontological argument. Some, most notably Alvin Plantinga, have even judged Kant's dictum to be totally irrelevant to Anselm's version of the ontological argument. In this paper I argue, against Plantinga and others, that Kant's claim is indeed relevant to Anselm's argument, in the straightforward sense that if the claim is true, then Anselm's argument is unsound.
Host and Viral Factors Influencing the Pathogenesis of HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) invades the central nervous system early in the course of infection and establishes a protected viral reservoir. However, neurocognitive consequences of HIV infection, known collectively as HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), develop in only a small portion of infected patients. The precise mechanisms of pathogenesis involved in HIV-induced central nervous system injury are still not completely understood. In particular, most theories of HAND pathogenesis cannot account for either the selective vulnerability of specific neuronal populations to HIV-induced neurodegeneration or why only a subset of patients develop clinically detectable nervous system disease. Epidemiological and virological studies have identified a variety of host and viral factors that are associated with increased risk of developing HAND. Some host factors that predispose HIV-infected patients to HAND overlap with those associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), suggesting the possibility that common pathogenic mechanisms may participate in both diseases. Here, we will review reports of host and viral factors associated with HAND and place these studies in the context of the data employed to support current theories regarding the molecular and cellular mechanisms that lead to HIV-induced neurodegeneration with additional focus on mechanisms common to AD pathogenesis.
Of palms, soles, and gums

Of not quite venerable status, Papillon-Lefevre syndrome was first described in 1924. That was a year after I was born and one never likes to think of oneself as venerable. However, as a graduate fellow in pathology at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, New York, USA in the late 1940s, my initial exposure to the general concept of syndromes had only just occurred (acanthosis nigricans and gastric adenocarcinoma). Although I had high hopes that other oral syndromes existed for me to identify (the idea of discovering a new one did not enter my mind at the time), I remember talking about my new found interest to almost everyone I encountered at Columbia University Dental School, my hope being that they would show me a new one. In late 1949, Dr Sam Rosenthal, Chair of Pediatric Dentistry, knowing of my interests, asked me to see a child who was experiencing exfoliation of his entire dentition. The child clearly did not have mercury intoxication. I noticed that …
Quality of life and pain in advanced stage prostate cancer: Results of a Southwest Oncology Group randomized trial comparing docetaxel and estramustine to mitoxantrone and prednisone

Purpose Palliation of bone pain can be achieved in men with androgen-independent prostate cancer treated with docetaxel and estramustine (DE) or mitoxantrone and prednisone (MP). While Southwest Oncology Group trial 99-16 demonstrated a survival improvement of DE over MP, the study also was designed to compare the palliation of disease-related symptoms. Methods Pain palliation and global quality of life (QOL) were the two primary patient-reported outcomes. Pain was measured with the Present Pain Intensity scale of the McGill Pain Questionnaire-Short Form. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 (QLQ-C30) and its Prostate Cancer Module (PR25) measured QOL and symptom status. Pain and analgesic use were measured at random assignment, every cycle for eight cycles, and 1 year from random assignment; the QLQ-C30 and the PR25 were administered at random assignment, before cycle four (week 10) and cycle eight (month 6) and at 1 year. In addition to th...
Analyzing Your Complexes: Structure of the Quinol-Fumarate Reductase Respiratory Complex

The integral membrane protein complex quinol-fumarate reductase catalyzes the terminal step of a major anaerobic respiratory pathway. The homologous enzyme succinate-quinone oxidoreductase participates in aerobic respiration both as complex II and as a member of the Krebs cycle. Last year, two structures of quinol-fumarate reductases were reported. These structures revealed the cofactor organization linking the fumarate and quinol sites, and showed a cofactor arrangement across the membrane that is suggestive of a possible energy coupling function.
Finding Hierarchical Communities in Complex Networks Using Influence-Guided Label Propagation

Communities play fundamental organizational and functional roles in various complex network systems. Community detection is an important challenge in network analysis. We approach community detection based on a Shared-Influence-Neighbor (SIN) similarity metric that measures the closeness of a pair of nodes in terms of their mutual influence and the common set of nodes they both influence. In this paper, we present two novel influence-guided label propagation (IGLP) algorithms. One is called IGLP-Weighted-Ensemble (IGLP-WE), in which each node adopts the label of the majority of its neighbors, weighted by the SIN similarity. This simple weighting scheme effectively resolves the significant stability issue in conventional label propagation algorithms. The other is called IGLP-Direct-Passing (IGLP-DP), in which the label is propagated directly from one node to its most similar neighbor step by step. This new label propagation method produces a deterministic partition and requires no convergent iterations. For both IGLP-WE and IGLP-DP, we regard the resultant partitioning as the initial configuration of the community structure. We then perform agglomerative hierarchical clustering to uncover the hierarchical communities at different scales using a new cluster-proximity measure. Extensive tests on a set of real-life networks and synthetic benchmarks demonstrate superior performance of our algorithms in terms of both quality and efficiency in undirected/directed and unweighted/weighted networks. Both IGLP-WE and IGLP-DP manifest promising scalability for large-scale networks.
Swine feed efficiency: Implications for swine behavior, physiology and welfare

The overall goal of this dissertation was to address how improving feed efficiency impacts swine welfare through two objectives: 1) assess how altering feeding behavior impacts pig feed efficiency of lean tissue gains and 2) evaluate how selection for altered feed efficiency impacts pig ability to respond to and cope with stressful events. The results of this dissertation identify a relationship between pig behavior and feed efficiency of lean tissue gains, and suggest that improving feed efficiency did not negatively impact pig welfare in regards to the ability to respond to stress. Swine feed efficiency and welfare are interrelated and represent both producer goals and consumer concerns. Feed efficiency can be defined as the efficiency at which an animal utilizes dietary nutrients for maintenance and tissue accretion. Increasing swine feed efficiency of lean tissue gains is an important goal that is critical for improving sustainable pork production and profitability. In order to improve feed efficiency, a deeper understanding of the environmental and biological factors underlying feed efficiency is essential. It is also necessary to ensure that feed efficiency modifications do not negatively impact animal welfare, as concerns have specifically been raised in which genetic selection for and improvement in feed efficiency impacts how livestock cope with various forms of stress. Therefore, the overall goal of this dissertation was to address these concerns by evaluating how altering feed efficiency impacts swine welfare in regards to feeding behavior and the stress response. To address this goal, four research chapters (2-5) focused on the following objectives:
Search for the Decay K S 0 → μ + μ −

A search for the decay ${{K}_{S}}^{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ has been completed at the Argonne zero-gradient synchrotron. No event has been found. The upper limit for the branching ratio is $\frac{\ensuremath{\Gamma}({{K}_{S}}^{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{\ensuremath{-}})}{\ensuremath{\Gamma}({{K}_{S}}^{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathrm{all}\mathrm{decays})}l9.7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}5}$.
A Five-Year Study of Potential Western Corn Rootworm Resistance to Diazinon and Phorate in Nebraska

Starting in 1963 adults of the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera Le Conte, were collected annually from 18 sites in Nebraska and treated to determine LD30 levels for diazinon and phorate. Dosage-mortality curves and LD30 values are presented for both insecticides for 1963 through 1967. The LD30 values for both diazinon and phorate have increased significantly since 1963. Control of the western corn rootworm with both insecticides remains effective, but the increasing LD30 values should alert entomologists to possible failures in the field.
The Effects of Seasonal Photoperiods on Activity of Cotton Rats and Rice Rats

To determine whether existing literature discrepancies as to the time of activity of Sigmodon hispidus were due to seasonal differences as in other rodent species, six cotton rats were placed in running wheels and exposed to three photoperiods. Sigmodon generally showed a bimodal nocturnal activity pattern with the first peak of activity occurring immediately after dark. This pattern assumed a crepuscular distribution only under the shorter night of a 14 h light: 10 h dark (14L:10D) regime; a significantly greater proportion of activity occurred during the light under this condition. Two Oryzomys palustris also studied were nocturnal in their activity, with a single peak occurring between those of Sigmodon . The activity of cotton rats is thus not under photoperiodic control and varying literature reports on the time of activity probably arise from local environmental factors. It is further suggested that the differential activity times of Sigmodon and Oryzomys are significant for the coexistence of these species.
Investigation of Unstructured Higher-Order Methods for Unsteady flow and Moving Domains

An existing Petrov-Galerkin finite-element method has been extended to include highorder temporal accuracy using several schemes. Unlike finite-volume and discontinuous Galerkin finite-element methods, the mass matrix is not constant in stabilized finite-element formulations. Therefore, within the existing literature, it is uncommon to find semi-discrete stabilized finite-element schemes with time accuracy greater than second-order. The temporal integration methods investigated are the backward differentiation formula (BDF), the modified extended backward differentiation formula (MEBDF), the two implicit advanced step-point (TIAS) method, and a stiffly accurate singly diagonally implicit RungeKutta (SDIRK) scheme. Furthermore, it is shown that these methods may be recast into a single algorithm whereby only the number of stages and coefficients need be specified. Using the method of manufactured solutions, results are shown that demonstrate that each method achieves its design order of accuracy. Additionally, the convergence of each scheme is examined for a time-dependent, moving boundary problem.
Prediction of the Heat Rejection from Uniform Annular Fins by the Finite-Difference Method with a Reduced System of Algebraic Equations

An ordinary differential equation of second order with variable coefficients, called the modified Bessel equation of zero order, governs the radial temperature variation along annular fins of uniform thickness and constant properties. This educational paper addresses a simplistic finite-difference procedure for solving this kind of Bessel equation relying on a reduced system of algebraic equations. Approximate temperature distributions and heat transfer rates have been obtained by hand and also with a symbolic algebra software, such as Maple V or Mathematica on a personal computer. Students of heat transfer courses may benefit from this alternative computational procedure that seeks to circumvent the use and operations with Bessel functions and still produce numerical results of good quality. Rudimentary knowledge of numerical techniques is the only mathematical background that students need to have in order to implement the computational scheme.
Properties of rat liver alkaline phosphatase before and after bile duct ligation.

SummaryBile-duct ligation causes a 5-10-fold increase in rat-liver alkaline phosphatase activity. The alkaline phosphatase in bile-duct-ligated rat liver is identical to electrophoretic mobility on polyacrylamide gel, rate of sedimentation in a sucrose gradient, rates of heat and urea denaturation, pH optima, and Michaelis constants. Since the “induced” and base-level enzyme are identical by all criteria studied, it is unlikely that the increase in alkaline phosphatase activity is due to activation of a preformed enzyme. Enzyme induction appears a more likely mechanism.This work was supported by Research Training Grant AM-5424 and Research Grant AM-10571 from the National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases, National Institutes of Health, and by a grant from the John A. Hartford Foundation, Inc. Dr. Kaplan is the recipient of Research Career Development Award AM-31760 from the National Institutes of Health.
Specific Translocations Characterize Burkitt's-Like Lymphoma of Homosexual Men With the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

A Burkitt's-like B-cell lymphoma (BLL) has recently been shown to be associated with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which affects homosexual men. We report cytogenetic studies of two BLL tumors in homosexual men. Both tumors had chromosome translocations characteristic of Burkitt's lymphoma (BL), one the t(8;14) and the other the t(8;22). The pathway of lymphomagenesis in this disorder is discussed in the light of recent data on chromosome change and localization of immunoglobulin genes and oncogenes.
The analysis and application of solar energy PV power

Solar power is an important measure to improve the energy structure, so PV power application becomes an important research field. Based on the application of solar power in the high-speed railway stations and the canopy architectural design, this paper makes a comparison between independent system and grid-connected system and solar battery comparison, thoroughly studies the PV power in domestic railway stations and proposes two schemes of monocrystalline silicon panel grid-connected system and amorphous silicon thin film panels grid system. Considering the factors of economic, energy saving, environmental protection and beauty, the second scheme is finally selected, and the engineering practice verifies the correctness and rationality of the second one.
Complications and revision amputation following trauma-related lower limb loss

Abstract Introduction Trauma-related amputations are a common cause of limb loss in the United States. Despite the military and public health impact of trauma-related amputations, distributions of various lower limb amputations and the relative frequency of complications and revision amputations have not been well described. We used the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) in order to investigate the epidemiology of trauma-related lower extremity amputations among civilians in U.S. trauma centers. Materials and methods We conducted a secondary data analysis of the 2011–2012 NTDB research data sets, using means and frequencies to characterize the patient population and describe the distribution of major lower extremity amputations. Multivariable regression models were fit to identify predictors of major post-surgical complications, revision amputation, length of hospitalization, and in-hospital mortality. Results A total of 2879 patients underwent a major lower extremity amputation secondary to a trauma-related lower limb injury, representing 0.18% of all NTDB trauma admissions from 2011 to 2012. 80.4% were male and 67.6% were white. The three most frequent definitive amputations preformed included trans-tibial (46%), trans-femoral (37.5%), and through foot (7.6%). The average length of hospitalization for all amputees was 22.7 days. Patients with at least one revision amputation stayed in the hospital approximately 5.5 days longer than patients not needing a revision amputation. 1204 patients (41.8%) required at least one revision amputation. 27.5% of amputees experienced at least one major post-surgical complication. African Americans experienced a 49% higher major post-surgical complication incidence and stayed, on average, 2.5 days longer in the hospital compared to whites. Injury severity score, age, hospital teaching status, presence of a crush injury, fracture location, presence of compartment syndrome, and experiencing a major post-surgical complication were all significant predictors of revision amputation. Conclusion We report a high rate of complications and revision amputations among trauma-related lower limb amputees, and identify predictors of surgical outcomes that have not been described in the literature including African American race. Compartment syndrome is a significant predictor of major post-surgical complications, revision amputation, and length of hospitalization.
Optimizing current and emerging therapies in multiple myeloma: a guide for the hematologist

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematologic malignancy. The diagnosis of MM requires ⩾10% clonal plasma cells in the bone marrow or biopsy-proven plasmacytoma, plus evidence of end-organ damage (hypercalcemia, renal failure, anemia, and lytic bone lesions). The definition of MM has recently been expanded to include a ⩾60% clonal plasma cell burden in the bone marrow, serum involved/uninvolved light chain ratio of ⩾100, or more than one focal lesion on magnetic resonance imaging ⩾5 mm in the absence of end-organ damage. MM is an incurable malignancy previously associated with poor survival rates. However, over the past two decades, the introduction of novel treatment options has resulted in a dramatic improvement in response rates and overall survival (OS). The combination of a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulator (IMiD) is the preferred induction treatment for newly diagnosed transplant-eligible MM patients. After induction, high-dose therapy with autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) is still the standard of care for these patients. In patients who are transplant ineligible, dose adjusted IMiDs or proteasome inhibitor-based combinations are the preferred treatment option. With the recent approval of novel drugs like carfilzomib, ixazomib, pomalidomide, panobinostat, and monoclonal antibodies (elotuzumab and daratumumab), as well as improved understanding of risk stratification, management of comorbidities and treatment side effects, clinicians can optimize anti-MM therapy, particularly in relapse/refractory MM patients. In this review, we outline the current therapeutic approach to the management of MM.
Rapid detection of theophylline using aptamer-based nanopore thin film sensor

This paper reports, for the first time, an aptamer-based nanopore thin film sensor for detecting theophylline in buffer and complex fluids. Compared to antibody-based detection, aptamer-based detection offers many advantages such as low cost and high stability at elevated temperatures. Experiments found that this type of sensor, without any optimization, can detect theophylline at a concentration as low as 0.2 μΜ, which is comparable to the detection limit of current lab-based equipment such as liquid chromatography (LC). Experiments also found the aptamer-based sensor has good specificity and selectivity. By using some nanopore thin film sensors as the reference sensors to further cancel out the non-specific binding effect, the theophylline in plant extract has been detected successfully.
Oxidative and frying stabilities of soybean oils with altered fatty acid and/or lipoxygenase contents

57 INTRODUCTION 58 MATERL\LS AND METHODS 60 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 63 ACKNOWLEDGMENT 65 REFERENCES 66
Exploring Sustainable Energy Economics: Net Metering, Rate Designs and Consumer Behavior

Increasing adoption of renewable energy distributed generation (DG) and concerns over cost shifts and utility cost recovery are motivating new studies on alternative rate designs and policies. We review a growing body of literature on residential rate design, net metering and DG costs/benefits. and consumer behavior to understand what progress published literature has made in addressing public policy concerns in these areas. Much of the quantitative focus in these studies has applied to the merit order effect of renewable DG decreasing wholesale electricity prices or the costs of net metering to utilities. However, no studies directly compare these two metrics. One study separates out effects from net metering and DG in a quantitative estimation of cost shift. However, there is much opportunity and need for more studies that examine net metering and DG effects separately and through comparison, for a wider variety of policy, regulatory, and geographical contexts. In addition, there is growing evidence to support demand charges as a potential solution, yet the consumer behavior effects of new rate changes need to be thoroughly explored.
Decoupling Exciton Formation and Recombination Losses in Organic Light-Emitting Devices During Lifetime Testing

A method is demonstrated that separates the overall luminance loss of OLEDs during degradation into corresponding reductions in emitter photoluminescence and exciton formation. Devices based on the green phosphor tris[2-phenylpyridinato-C2,N]iridium(III) (Ir(ppy)3) are characterized.
Improving the feasibility and utility of OpTrust—A tool assessing intraoperative entrustment

Abstract Background Changes in the surgical training landscape have sparked an interest in developing new educational models anchored on entrustment assessment. We sought to optimize the validated OpTrust entrustment assessment tool by comparing ratings from short-course video reviews to previously validated intraoperative assessments. Methods Entrustment assessment scores for video-based and 1-h (short-course) observations were compared to previously validated intraoperative assessment scores. Faculty and residents were surveyed for their perceptions related to operative observation. Results There was a strong association between entrustment scores when comparing in-person to video-based observations (R2 = 0.76–0.84, p 97%) felt observation did not negatively impact operative experience. Conclusions Assessment of entrustment behaviors using short-course video review provides a feasible approach to intraoperative assessment. This latest application of OpTrust allows for the tool to be incorporated into surgical training programs across a variety of environments.
Statistical analysis of longitudinal data and applications to neuro-imaging

Longitudinal data analysis is an often encountered problem in Medical Image Analysis. A differential geometric treatment of such problems has been reported in literature in the recent past. However, most of these methods require that the trajectory characterizing the evolution of features over time lie on a geodesic emanating from the initial time point on the manifold containing the trajectory. This is a stringent and not necessarily a meaningful requirement. Further, most of these methods impose the restriction that the number of samples on a trajectory be the same across the members of a group of trajectories. At times, this restriction is hard to meet from a practical view point. In this paper, we present a novel formulation of the trajectory analysis problem that overcomes the aforementioned limitations. We represent the trajectories by embedding them in a product Riemannian manifold and endowing it with a Riemannian metric, thereby facilitating the statistical analysis. Finally, we present real data (from MR brain scans of dementia patients) examples depicting the performance of our algorithms.
Imaging Endophenotypes of Stroke as a Target for Genetic Studies.

Stroke is a heterogeneous disease leading to death of neural tissue and often resulting in the loss of motor and cognitive function. It is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of severe long-term disability in the United States.1 Most strokes (≈80%–90%) are caused by an acute interruption of the brain arterial blood supply because of vascular occlusion, leading to brain tissue ischemia. Approximately 10% to 20% of strokes are caused by blood vessel rupture, leading to hemorrhage. Although a growing number of genetic loci have been identified for the major stroke risk factors, the genetic architecture of stroke and its subtypes remains largely uncharacterized. The use of imaging measures as endophenotypes in genetic studies of stroke is leading to new discoveries and may provide a better understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying stroke pathogenesis. The concept of endophenotype was first developed in the early 1970s by Gottesman and Shields2 for schizophrenia research. An endophenotype was originally defined as a quantitative characteristic of the disease, which cannot be observed by the naked eye (Endo- means internal or inside; Pheno- means showing or appearing).3 It is not a risk factor but rather an expression of the underlying disease liability. Gottesman and Gould3 identified 6 criteria that define an endophenotype (Table). Because endophenotypes are typically quantitative and lie in the causal pathway to the disease but are closer to the gene action than the clinical phenotype,3 they provide greater power than their corresponding clinical phenotypes in gene discovery, as has been shown in the genetic study of other complex diseases.4,5 This review will discuss selected imaging endophenotypes of stroke. Genetic studies referenced in this article mostly focus on genome-wide association studies (GWASs) in large population-based samples. View this table: Table. Criteria Defining an Endophenotype3 …
Wheat Pasture Poisoning. I. An Evaluation of Cereal Pastures as Related to Tetany in Beef Cows

Forage samples were obtained from three wheat and rye mixed pastures (replications) from December 1979, to April 1980 (140 d), while they were being grazed by mature cows at the Southwestern Livestock and Forage Research Station, El Reno, Oklahoma. These samples were taken three times during December, twice monthly in January and February and weekly in March and April. Samples were analyzed for dry matter, ash, N, K, Ca, Mg, P, ash alkalinity, aconitic, malic and citric acids, total lipids, NO3-N, Na and total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC). In vitro digestibility was also determined. The N:TNC ratio, estimated plasma Mg levels and K:(Ca + Mg) ratio (tetany ratio) were calculated. On d 105 (March 19), 16% (five of 32 head) of the cows developed tetany. At tetany, the forage K, protein, digestibility, ash alkalinity, aconitic acid and total lipids increased suddenly and markedly. Forage dry matter, TNC and ash decreased. Forage Ca and Mg were slightly below or equal to the animals' requirements and remained relatively constant during the period of tetany. Forage P increased about 2 wk before tetany and decreased after tetany occurred. The levels of forage NO3-N and Na did not appear to be related to the incidence of tetany. The N:TNC ratios exceeded .4 immediately before tetany and two sampling periods thereafter. The estimated plasma Mg levels were lowest at tetany and shortly thereafter and tetany ratio exceeded 2.2 during most of the study, with peaks of 3.2 in December, at tetany and in early April.
A Portable Transmitter for Wirelessly Powering a Ventricular Assist Device Using the Free-Range Resonant Electrical Energy Delivery (FREE-D) System

Wireless power technology offers an exciting opportunity to eliminate the wired connections that power electronic devices. In the context of implanted medical devices, wireless power, together with wireless data communication, can eliminate transcutaneous (skin-penetrating) cables altogether. Ventricular assist devices (VADs) are implanted heart pumps that currently rely on transcutaneous cables for transport of power and data; however, these transcutaneous cables are a leading source of infection and re-hospitalization that negate the intended benefits of VAD implants. By eliminating the transcutaneous driveline, wireless power can eliminate the leading cause of VAD complications. Nearly one million Americans have heart problems that lead to hospitalization, and 80,000 of them experience heart failure. Integrating wireless power technology into VADs will enable VAD therapy to become a more viable option for heart failure patients than heart transplants. The Free-range Resonant Electrical Delivery (FREE-D) system uses magnetically coupled resonators to efficiently transfer power across meter distances to a VAD implanted in the human body. For use inside the patient’s home, several strategically placed transmit resonators will be situated around the household so that the implanted receiver is within an all-encompassing space where it can constantly receive power as the patient moves around. Naturally, each transmit resonator will be directly connected to an electrical outlet [1-4]. To eliminate the constraints of staying inside the home to be in range of the transmitters, a battery-powered transmitter can power the portable FREE-D system, which enables full patient mobility outside the household. An overview of both the in-home FREE-D system and the portable FREE-D system are presented in this chapter. Also, an adaptive frequency tuning method is integrated with the battery-powered inverter to allow for maximum power transfer efficiency over a range of separation distances and angular orientations between the transmit and receive resonators. Measured results show the continuous operation of a VentrAssist centrifugal pump VAD [5] using the portable FREE-D system with a coil-to-coil wireless power transfer efficiency around 90%.
Wasserschlag in Kreiselpumpensystemen

Mit Wasserschlag bezeichnet man eine Druckwelle in geschlossenen Rohrleitungen als Folge einer plotzlichen Geschwindigkeitsanderung. Obwohl die analytische Losung des Wasserschlagproblems ziemlich verwickelt ist, erfordert die hier dargestellte graphische Methode keine exakte Kenntnis aller theoretischen Grundlagen und vermittelt gleichzeitig eine klare Vorstellung von den Vorgangen, die den Konstrukteur in die Lage versetzt, die Methode zur Losung praktischer Probleme anzuwenden. Das Verstandnis fur den Mechanismus von Druck-wellen, ihre Fortpflanzung, Reflexion und Addition ist fur den sinnvollen Gebrauch der graphischen Methode selbst in ihrer einfachsten Form unerlaslich.
Control of Tetrahymena pyriformis as a Microrobot

There is great interest in microrobots since the development of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology. Some researchers have tried to use microorganisms such as bacteria (Steager E, et al. Control of microfabricated structures powered by flagellated bacteria using phototaxis. Appl Phys Lett 2007;90(26):263901–3; Steager E, et al. Galvanotactic control of self-powered microstructures. In: Proceedings, 2008 IEEE/ASME International Conference on International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition, Boston, Massachusetts; 2008; Martel S, et al. Towards swarms of communication-enabled and intelligent sensotaxis-based bacterial microrobots capable of collective tasks in an aqueous medium. In: IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, 2009. ICRA '09; 2009; Martel S, et al. Controlled manipulation and actuation of micro-objects with magnetotactic bacteria. Appl Phys Lett 2006;89:233904), Euglena (Itoh A, Tamura W, Mishima T. Motion control of Euglena group by weak laser scanning system and object manipulation using Euglena group. In: Proceedings, 2005 IEEE/ASME International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics, 2005), Paramecium (Ogawa N, et al. A physical model for galvanotaxis of Paramecium cell. J Theor Biol 2006;242(2):314-28), and Tetrahymena (Kim DH, et al. Galvanotactic and phototactic control of Tetrahymena pyriformis as a microfluidic workhorse. Appl Phys Lett 2009;94(16):163901; Kim DH, et al. Artificial magnetotactic motion control of Tetrahymena pyriformis using ferromagnetic nanoparticles: A tool for fabrication of microbiorobots. Appl Phys Lett 2010;97(17):173702) as microrobots. There are some advantages when biological creatures are utilized as microrobots. Because their motile organelles are used for actuation, power is drawn from the fluid environment. Also, microorganisms are cost-effective and easily fabricated in comparison to manmade robots because cells can be cultured in bulk. Another advantage is the sensory organelles that are already embedded in the cell body. The biological actuators and sensors allow the microrobots to be used for various applications. Microorganisms are able to move about in low Reynolds environments as they are able to use their cilia and/or flagella to perform various kinds of swimming. Tetrahymena have been highlighted recently as a microrobot because of its powerful swimming force great speed. There are approximately 600 cilia on the cell body of Tetrahymena pyriformis , and while they are governed by various signaling pathways, they respond directly to, and in turn, are able to be controlled, various taxis (Kim DH, et al. Galvanotactic and phototactic control of Tetrahymena pyriformis as a microfluidic workhorse. Appl Phys Lett 2009;94(16):163901). In this chapter, galvanotaxis and phototaxis of Tetrahymena are introduced, and a real-time feedback control system for artificial magnetotactic Tetrahymena is discussed in detail.
The University in America

The implications of an idea are its associations. These include other ideas as well as actions. The implications of the idea of a university as a community of scholars and students have been built up over 900 years. This chapter describes the way this happened in Europe, culminating in the idea of a research university represented by the University of Berlin. This was then transported to the United States. In this new context, specific strengths and weaknesses emerged that were peculiar to the American situation. The political attacks have exploited these weaknesses. The present problem is to preserve the strengths, turn back the attacks, and repair the weaknesses.