cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ovarian Cancer Rates After Hysterectomy With and Without Salpingo-oophorectomy

OBJECTIVE To estimate ovarian and peritoneal cancer rates after hysterectomy with and without salpingo-oophorectomy for benign conditions. METHODS All patients after hysterectomy for benign disease from 1988 to 2006 in Kaiser Permanente Northern California, an integrated health organization. Incidence rates per 100,000 person-years were calculated. RESULTS Of 56,692 patients, the majority (54%) underwent hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy; 7% had hysterectomy with unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and 39% had hysterectomy alone. There were 40 ovarian and eight peritoneal cancers diagnosed during follow-up. Median age at ovarian and peritoneal cancer diagnosis was 50 and 64 years, respectively. Age-standardized rates (per 100,000 person-years) of ovarian or peritoneal cancer were 26.7 (95% confidence interval [CI] 16-37.5) for those with hysterectomy alone, 22.8 (95% CI 0.0-46.8) for hysterectomy and unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and 3.9 (95% CI 1.5-6.4) for hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Rates of ovarian cancer were 26.2 (95% CI 15.5-37) for those with hysterectomy alone, 17.5 (95% CI 0.0-39.1) for hysterectomy and unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and 1.7 (95% CI 0.4-3) for those with hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Compared with women undergoing hysterectomy alone, those receiving an unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy had a hazard ratio (HR) for ovarian cancer of 0.58 (95% CI 0.18-1.9) and those undergoing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy had an HR of 0.12 (95% CI 0.05-0.28). CONCLUSIONS The removal of both ovaries decreases the incidence of ovarian and peritoneal cancers. Removal of one ovary might also decrease the incidence of ovarian cancer but warrants further investigation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE II.
Doing Exemplary Research

The article reviews the book “Doing Exemplary Research,” edited by Peter Frost and Ralph Stablein.
Comparing psychiatric and psychological ethics in forensic practice

Summary Objectives To clarify the similarities and differences that emerge in comparing psychiatric and psychological schemes for ethical conduct in forensic matters. To identify key issues facing forensic practitioners whose professional obligations will occasionally collide with the requirements of attorneys seeking to retain expert witnesses. To emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration that is undertaken in light of a mutual understanding of ethical guidelines. Equipment and methods A review of the literature and the law on mutual and divergent ethical obligations for forensic mental health practitioners from differing professional backgrounds.
Travel in Nursing Units

A method of comparing the efficiency of hospital-ward layouts in terms of nurses' travel is described. Comparisons of several floor plans are made. Travel that depends solely on physical layout and travel that is related to typical patterns of work can be identified. The method is useful to the behavioral scientist in making nursing unit studies in which equating travel or accounting for differences in travel are desired. The method is also useful to the industrial engineer and the architect in preventing needless travel, and to nursing management in showing the value of planned tours in reducing travel.
A Randomized Trial Comparing Fluconazole with Amphotericin B for the Treatment of Candidemia in Patients without Neutropenia

Background Amphotericin B has long been the standard treatment for candidemia, but its use is complicated by its toxicity. More recently, fluconazole, a water-soluble triazole with activity against candida species and little toxicity, has become available. We conducted a multicenter randomized trial that compared amphotericin B with fluconazole as treatment for candidemia. Methods To be eligible, patients had to have a positive blood culture for candida species, a neutrophil count ≥ 500 per cubic millimeter, and no major immunodeficiency. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either amphotericin B (0.5 to 0.6 mg per kilogram of body weight per day) or fluconazole (400 mg per day), each continued for at least 14 days after the last positive blood culture. Outcomes were assessed by a group of investigators blinded to treatment assignment. Results Of the 237 patients enrolled, 206 met all entry criteria. The most common diagnoses were renal failure, nonhematologic cancer, and gastrointestinal disease. T...
Clinical results of common bile duct exploration.

Abstract Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration has been successfully performed in hundreds of patients throughout the world since early 1990. The author reviews his personal experience with this procedure and compares it with the experience of others as reported in the literature. A variety of methods of managing common duct pathology has been employed. These include balloon-catheter manipulation, fluoroscopically-guided basket extraction, and choledochoscopy. The relative contributions of each of these modalities to the total framework of laparoscopic treatment of common bile duct stones is presented. By these techniques, 83 out of 86 patients had their common duct explored successfully. The author concludes that, based on accumulated experience, most, if not all, common duct stones can be treated and/or removed laparoscopically. In more than 90% of the cases, this can be accomplished through a cystic duct approach, although direct access to the common duct via choledochotomy is also possible. A rational protocol for management of common duct pathology is presented.
MEMS Technology Status and Development Prospects

The development status,processing technologies and product markets of Micro Electro Mechanical Systems(MEMS) technology are introduced.The packaging technology and existing problems of MEMS product are mainly discussed,combining the MEMS materials and processing techniques,and the development prospects of MEMS technology are prospected.
The evolution of gastrointestinal endoscopy at the Mount Sinai Hospital.

Gastrointestinal endoscopy came to The Mount Sinai Hospital in the 1950s, along with the Wolf-Schindler gastroscope. In 1961, it was supplemented by the Eder-Hufford semi-flexible esophagoscope and later by the Olympus gastrocamera and then the Hirschowitz fiberoptic instruments from ACMI and Olympus. A formal training program was started by Jerome Waye in 1966 for flexible gastroscopy and esophagoscopy. In 1969, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was introduced., Colonoscopy was at first performed under x-ray control, and subsequently replaced by the nonfluoroscopic method of colonoscopic topography, which was developed by Dr. Waye. A full-time nurse who was in charge of the endoscopy unit founded the Society for Gastrointestinal Nurses and Assistants while working at The Mount Sinai Hospital.
Solvent effects on the folding of o-phenylene oligomers.

ortho-Phenylene oligomers fold into compact helical conformations in solution, and have therefore recently emerged as a class of foldamers. Previous work has shown that their folding is controlled by arene–arene stacking interactions parallel to the helical axis. Such interactions might reasonably be expected to be sensitive to solvent, but little is known of solvent effects in this system. Here, we report on the behavior of a representative set of o-phenylene oligomers in solvents ranging from non-polar (benzene) to polar and protic (methanol and water). The oligomers have been synthesized using post-oligomerization functionalization by click chemistry. Their folding is good in all solvents studied, but becomes measurably worse as the dielectric constant of the solvent increases. Thus, in contrast to the behavior of many other classes of aromatic foldamers, the folding propensity of o-phenylenes does not appear to be strongly affected by the solvophobic effect. Instead, the greater polarity of “frayed end” states governs their behavior.
Compiler-Directed Soft Error Detection and Recovery to Avoid DUE and SDC via Tail-DMR

This article presents Clover, a compiler-directed soft error detection and recovery scheme for lightweight soft error resilience. The compiler carefully generates soft-error-tolerant code based on idempotent processing without explicit checkpoints. During program execution, Clover relies on a small number of acoustic wave detectors deployed in the processor to identify soft errors by sensing the wave made by a particle strike. To cope with DUEs (detected unrecoverable errors) caused by the sensing latency of error detection, Clover leverages a novel selective instruction duplication technique called tail-DMR (dual modular redundancy) that provides a region-level error containment. Once a soft error is detected by either the sensors or the tail-DMR, Clover takes care of the error as in the case of exception handling. To recover from the error, Clover simply redirects program control to the beginning of the code region where the error is detected. The experimental results demonstrate that the average runtime overhead is only 26%, which is a 75% reduction compared to that of the state-of-the-art soft error resilience technique. In addition, this article evaluates an alternative technique called tail-wait, comparing it to Clover. According to the evaluation with the different processor configurations and the various error detection latencies, Clover turns out to be a superior technique, achieving 1.06 to 3.49 × speedup over the tail-wait.
Tree-based ensemble models for predicting the ICU transfer of stroke in-patients

The cost for Intensive Care Unit (ICU) resources is extremely high and it affects healthcare budget that provides quality healthcare service for patients. Thus, the need for a predictive model for the decision to transfer stroke in-patients to the ICU is very important in order to utilize the ICU resources effectively. Also, this decision will help to lower morbidity and mortality rates through earlier detection and intervention. Tree-based ensemble approach can be used to improve the accuracy and performance of models. In this research the boosting methods such as Generalized Boosted Model (GBM) and Adaptive Boosting (AdaBoost. M1) were trained and tested on the balanced stroke inpatient dataset. Also, bagging methods such as Random Forest and Bagged AdaBoost (Adabag) were trained and tested on the same dataset. The boosting model, AdaBoost. M1, and bagging model, Random Forest, achieved better accuracy compared to the other models. Therefore, these two models could be used for helping healthcare professionals in decision-making.
Dysrhythmias and Ventricular Dysfunction and Heart Failure

Abstract Heart failure (HF) affects millions of Americans and remains a serious problem in children, not only in terms of lives lost but also in terms of morbidities and its effect on society (Rossano et al., 2012). Arrhythmias are intricately intertwined in the pathophysiology of HF, and its implications in pediatrics are far reaching. Currently, it is estimated that as much as 50% of deaths in HF may be due to malignant arrhythmias (Tomaselli and Zipes, 2004). The mechanisms of these arrhythmias can be diverse and are dependent on the underlying electrophysiological changes caused not only by HF itself but also by the processes that led to the final pathway. In a population where etiologies of HF are varied, including primary or acquired cardiomyopathy and structural heart disease, this interplay can be quite complex. Indeed, both the acute and chronic treatments of HF itself are known to have proarrhythmic proclivity (Stump et al., 2000). Additionally, chronic sustained tachyarrhythmias can lead to myocardial ischemia secondary to prolonged periods of decreased diastolic filling, resulting in the progression of ventricular dysfunction (tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy) (Fenelo et al., 1996). As such, understanding of the implications of arrhythmias and their management strategies in the different paradigms of HF in children remains essential. In this chapter, we aim to review the interplay of dysrhythmias and ventricular dysfunction and HF from several perspectives. Firstly, we hope to gain a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms for arrhythmogenesis in HF. We will then focus from a clinical perspective on both rhythm abnormalities implicated in causing HF as well as cardiomyopathy and their consequent arrhythmias. Lastly, we will discuss current concepts in the treatment of these arrhythmias.
Follow-Up Evaluation of Teacher Education Programs

Follow-up evaluations or studies of teacher education programs are based on the premise that teacher training produces competencies, defined as program objectives, that can be observed in the behaviors of teacher education graduates. Effective follow-up begins with the design and implementation of systems that provide accurate information regarding the graduates’ behaviors. Effective systems provide timely, adequate, and appropriate feedback to program faculty and administrators. It is crucial to note that effective follow-up studies involve more than just the design of data collection systems. Follow-up evaluation is NOT research—at least according to the traditional meaning of the term research (Sommer, 1977). True, the conduct of a follow-up study incorporates research techniques, but it also includes a set of additional processes and procedures that are not required when engaging in research. An effective follow-up study requires an understanding of: The social context in which the follow-up is being conducted, The purposes associated with the follow-up evaluation, and The manner in which the follow-up evaluation data will be used.
Survival Outcomes Among Lung Cancer Patients Treated Using a Multidisciplinary Team Approach

Abstract Background Evidence favoring a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach in the treatment of lung cancer is scarce, especially in the United States. The purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate survival outcomes of lung cancer patients treated with an MDT compared with a traditional care model. Patients and Methods The Stony Brook Cancer Center Registry was used to identify all lung cancer cases diagnosed between 2002 and 2016. We compared survival outcomes among 1956 lung cancer patients participating in our institution’s Lung Cancer Evaluation Center’s (LCEC) MDT program and 2315 lung cancer patients receiving traditional care. Log-ranks tests were used to evaluate differences in the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year survival outcomes between the 2 groups. To address inherent biases, Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the effects on survival outcomes and adjust for possible confounders. Propensity matching was also performed to account for the effects of selection bias. Results The 5-year survival rates in the propensity-matched sample were one third greater among LCEC patients compared with those receiving a traditional care approach (33.6% vs. 23.0%; P Conclusion The results of the present investigation suggest an improved survival benefit from usage of an MDT model versus a traditional care model in the treatment of lung cancer. Despite the use of sophisticated statistical methods to mitigate bias in a nonrandomized study, additional research is needed to determine the extent to which an MDT approach for lung cancer influences patient outcomes.
Role of the β-Adrenergic Receptor in the Regulation of Adenylate Cyclase

Hormones circulating outside of cells influence the metabolic activities of enzymes within them. Although the existence of these interactions has been known, at least in rudimentary form, for close to a century, the identities of the proteins responsible for their mediation are just now being established. Among the many hormonally controlled systems that have been studied, the β-adrenergic receptor—adenylate cyclase complex holds an important place. Studies of it have, in many instances, shaped our ideas about the mechanisms of the signaling process. In part, this has been due to the great variety of chemical compounds that are known to either stimulate or block β-adrenergic receptors. The availability of these compounds has allowed the pharmacological definition of a variety of subclasses of adrenergic receptors. Prominent among them are the α and β receptors and the more recently established distinctions within each of these classes (Langer, 1977).
Effects of in home high dose accelerometer-based feedback on perceived and actual use in participants chronic post-stroke.

Purpose To explore the effects of home-based high dose accelerometer-based feedback on (1) perception of paretic upper extremity (UE) use; (2) actual amount of use (AOU); and (3) capability. The se...
Treatment for Chronic Hepatitis C Prior to Total Hip Arthroplasty Significantly Reduces Periprosthetic Joint Infection

Abstract Background Patients with chronic hepatitis C (HCV) have had extremely high complication rates after total hip arthroplasty (THA). We sought to compare perioperative complication rates between untreated and treated HCV in THA patients and to compare these rates between patients treated with 2 different therapies (interferon vs direct antiviral agents). Methods A multicenter retrospective database query was used to identify patients diagnosed with HCV who underwent THA between 2006 and 2016. All patients (n = 105) identified were included and divided into 2 groups: untreated (n = 63) and treated (n = 42) HCV; treated patients were further subdivided into those receiving interferon (n = 16) or direct antiviral agent therapies (n = 26). Comparisons between the treated and untreated groups were made with respect to demographic data, comorbidities, preoperative viral load, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, and all surgical and medical complications; a subgroup analysis of the treated patients was also performed. Separate independent t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests were conducted for continuous variables. Categorical variables were compared using the chi-squared test of independence. Results A greater number of untreated patients were human immunodeficiency virus infected ( P = .01), while a reduced number of treated patients were either former or current smokers ( P = .004). The untreated group had greater surgical complication rates (25.4% vs 4.8%; P = .007), with a higher rate of periprosthetic joint infection (14.3% vs 0%, P = .01). For treated patients, no differences were observed between treatment types for postsurgical complications. Conclusion Treatment for HCV prior to THA appears to be associated to fewer postoperative complications, primarily periprosthetic joint infection. Although further investigation is warranted, strong consideration should be given to treating patients for HCV prior to elective THA.
Fixed choice design and augmented fixed choice design for network data with missing observations

The statistical analysis of social networks is increasingly used to understand social processes and patterns. The association between social relationships and individual behaviors is of particular interest to sociologists, psychologists, and public health researchers. Several recent network studies make use of the fixed choice design (FCD), which induces missing edges in the network data. Because of the complex dependence structure inherent in networks, missing data can pose very difficult problems for valid statistical inference. In this article, we introduce novel methods for accounting for the FCD censoring and introduce a new survey design, which we call the augmented fixed choice design (AFCD). The AFCD adds considerable information to analyses without unduly burdening the survey respondent, resulting in improvements over the FCD, and other existing estimators. We demonstrate this new method through simulation studies and an analysis of alcohol use in a network of undergraduate students living in a residence hall.
Examining Prosecutorial Discretion in Federal Criminal Cases: Legal and Extra-Legal Determinants of Declination and Charge Change Decisions

From 2000 to 2010, the federal criminal caseload increased roughly 50% with a large portion of this increase attributed to the rise in immigration prosecutions. These changes coupled with recent Su...
Ideology and Postvernacularity in 21st Century Yiddish Pedagogy

In this paper, based on five weeks of ethnographic field work in a Yiddish classroom in Poland, I describe how Yiddish language ideologies were realized and enacted within the classroom by language learners and teachers alike. This paper connects these language ideologies and classroom practices to larger historical negotiations of the Jewish past occurring within contemporary Poland, negotiations that center around memory and space. I argue that Yiddish can be understood as an object in cultural flux, discursively framed by multiple intersecting and, at times, contradictory narratives. Focusing on Yiddish language classrooms in contemporary Poland in particular, I demonstrate how Yiddish is embedded in non-Jewish Polish narratives and historical negotiations, as well those of diaspora Jewry.
Evaluating the Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma and Amniotic Viscous Fluid on Inflammatory Markers in a Human Coculture Model for Osteoarthritis.

Purpose To assess the anti-inflammatory effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and amniotic viscous fluid using a human coculture system of cartilage and synovial tissue from osteoarthritic patients. Methods A coculture system was created using cartilage and synovium from 3 patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. To induce inflammation, interleukin-1β was added to each coculture. Biologic agents tested included 2 PRP concentrations (PRPL and PRPH) and 2 different samples of amniotic viscous fluid (Amnion and Flograft). Amnion was also tested with PRP to check for any additive effects. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to measure gene expression of factors involved in osteoarthritis, including disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-5 (ADAMTS-5), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), aggrecan, type 1 collagen, and nitric oxide, at 0, 24, 48, and 72 hours. A synthetic nonsteroidal medication, Ketorolac, was used for baseline comparison to the biologic agents. Results When comparing from time 0, both Amnion and Flograft resulted in significant decreases of ADAMTS-5 and TIMP-1 gene expression in cartilage and synovium for up to 72 hours. Both amniotic preparations increased collagen-1 gene expression in cartilage and decreased VEGF expression in synovium. Amnion was not found to have any effect on nitric oxide concentration at any time point (P > .05), as opposed to both PRP concentrations (P Conclusion This study found that amniotic fluid had anti-inflammatory effects mostly similar to those of both PRPH and PRPL; however, no significant additive effects in reducing inflammatory gene expression were found when combining biologic agents. Clinical Relevance PRP and amniotic fluid may provide alternative treatment options to delay the progression of the disease without the systemic and intra-articular side effects of corticosteroids.
Dysbiosis: from fiction to function

Advances in data collection technologies reveal that an imbalance (dysbiosis) in the composition of host-associated microbial communities (microbiota) is linked to many human illnesses. This associ...
From NAFTA to USMCA: Providing Context for a New Era of Regional Investor-State Dispute Settlement

In October 2018, Trump, alongside his Mexican and Canadian counterparts, delivered what many have dubbed “NAFTA 2.0.” But the new U.S.–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) adopts not only a new name, but also a new approach to ISDS within its Chapter 14. On November 30, 2018 the leaders of all three nations signed the USCMA and now it is up to the legislatures of each country to ratify the Treaty. It remains to be seen whether Chapter 14’s ISDS scheme will remain intact during the ratification process. Regardless, NAFTA is now a historic relic and we face a new era in regional ISDS. This raises salient questions on motivation and timing. Criticisms of NAFTA are not new. Indeed they have been around since its very early days. So why the focus on renegotiating now and what does the shift from NAFTA Chapter 11 to USMCA Chapter 14 mean for the future of regional ISDS (and, indeed, global dispute resolution)? These developments and questions are considered in three parts. Part I reviews NAFTA’s Chapter 11, including its substantive protections, dispute resolution mechanisms, and general criticisms after twenty-five years of experience. Part II presents context for the emergence of USMCA, followed by an analysis of its Chapter 14 identifying key changes from the former NAFTA regime. Finally, Part III provides concluding remarks and attempts to place USCMA within broader regional and global shifts in international affairs, trade, and dispute resolution.
Valve in Valve in Valve

A female patient presented with severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis after distant surgical aortic valve replacement and subsequent transcatheter aortic valve implantation 6 years prior. A 23-mm CoreValve Evolut (Medtronic, Dublin, Ireland) was implanted with excellent symptomatic and hemodynamic results. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).
Analyzing travel time distribution based on different travel time reliability patterns using probe vehicle data

Abstract Travel time distribution (TTD) has been widely used to represent the traffic conditions on freeways and help to analyze travel time reliability (TTR). The goal of this study is to develop a systematic approach to analyzing TTD on different types of roadway segments along a corridor. By examining the historical TTR pattern using planning time index (PTI), four typical segments are identified and selected first. The distributions of travel time are then analyzed under different time of day, day of week, segment location and weather. The goodness-of-fit tests of different distributions are then conducted, and the results indicate that Burr distribution can provide highest acceptance rate with the consideration of different times of day (TOD) and days of week (DOW). The results also indicate that Burr distribution can provide highest acceptance rate with the consideration of different weather conditions. This study can provide the insightful information about TTD characteristics under different scenarios, and the results can also help transportation planners make informed decisions.
Distinctive characteristics of non-small cell lung cancer in younger patients: A national cancer database (NCDB) analysis of patients under 40 years old (1998–2003)

18035 Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is disease of the elderly and is rare in younger adults. NSCLC in younger patients may be biologically different and have a different presentati...
Integrating the health.moves.minds. Program into PETE

Using whole child approaches and promoting the development of social and emotional learning skills are educational priorities in today’s K-12 schools. SHAPE America’s heath.moves.minds. program hel...
Artificial Neural Networks for Asymmetric Selective Harmonic Current Mitigation-PWM in Active Power Filters to Meet Power Quality Standards

The main objective of an active power filter (APF) is to control the harmonics of nonlinear loads in power systems. In addition, the reactive power (fundamental component of the AC power) at the point of common coupling (PCC) can be compensated by using an APF. This paper investigates a technique for the modulation technique of the active power filters. Using the artificial neural network (ANN) technique, real-time fundamental and harmonic compensations can be achieved for the low-frequency modulation techniques such as asymmetric selective harmonic elimination/mitigation-pulse width modulation (ASHE/ASHM-PWM) and asymmetric selective harmonic current mitigation-PWM (ASHCM-PWM). This means that different phases and magnitudes of the fundamental and harmonics for the voltage of the converter can be obtained in real time by using the proposed technique. Furthermore, in the paper, a guideline is proposed for generating ANN training data for the ASHCM-PWM technique. Simulation and experimental results are conducted on a 7-level (3-cell) cascaded H-bridge (CHB) active power filter to evaluate the advantages and effectiveness of the proposed ANN-based technique.
Mentoring Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Evaluation of Role-Specific Workshops for Mentors and Mentees

Transitioning to post-secondary education is often challenging for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). To address this, Florida International University, specifically FIU Embrace, piloted the Embrace Mentoring Program (EMP), which provided unique role-specific workshops to both faculty/staff mentors, and student mentees with IDD. A mixed-method design was used to analyze knowledge acquisition and participant perceptions of the workshops. Quantitative findings indicated knowledge improvement in a key area for mentors, while qualitative data demonstrated a positive response to workshop content, and highlighted areas of improvement for future workshops. Ultimately, the results from the pilot EMP demonstrated promise in supporting students with IDD towards academic and career-related goals, by providing mentorship training to both mentors and mentees.
Integrated Thin-Film Lithium Niobate Photonics

Recent progress in integrated thin-film lithium niobate photonics will be reviewed with a focus on electro-optic, nonlinear optic, and quantum optic applications.
Biomaterials for Bone Grafting and Craniofacial Bone Regeneration

Reconstruction of craniofacial defects poses a challenging task for craniofacial surgeons. Reconstruction of the underlying craniofacial bone is crucial for successful outcome of these defects. Bone grafting is the standard technique employed for bone reconstruction. However, with the advent of novel biomaterials as bone substitutes for grafting procedures, attractive alternatives have unlocked for surgeons. Since a few decades, the field of craniofacial bone regeneration has expanded enormously with the advent of novel biomaterials and innovative concepts such as bioprinting and drug delivery. At present, several natural and synthetic bone graft materials are available as bone substitutes. In this chapter, the authors will focus on the various biomaterials that are currently used as bone substitutes in craniofacial bone regeneration along with an update of the active research among each class of biomaterials going on in this area. Also, the authors will brief-in the recent concepts for craniofacial bone regeneration.
Evaluation of publicly available in vitro drug sensitivity models for ovarian and uterine cancer.

Abstract Objective Publicly available data on drug sensitivity for cancer cell lines have been curated into a single, integrated database, PharmacoDB. The contributing datasets report modeled estimates of drug effect from high throughput assays. These databases have been informative for developing new broad insights, but the reliability of these data specifically for drugs used to treat ovarian and uterine cancers in related cell lines has not been reported. Methods In vitro viability assays were performed on A2780, OVCAR-3, TOV-21G, and RL95–2 cells with nine drugs to produce high resolution exposure-response curves. Lab generated data were compared to publicly available datasets by IC20, IC50, and IC80 values, and the area between the logarithmic logistic regression curves. Results For exposure-response curve comparisons with clinically indicated drugs between lab generated and publicly available data, the majority had area-between-curves less than 20%, indicating similarity. However, 15 out of 40 of these dataset curves were incomplete as indicated by the lack of, or extrapolated, IC50 value. The common ovarian and uterine cancer drug, carboplatin, exemplified this incomplete status as all of the available dataset curves were incomplete and therefore non-informative. Conclusions For gynecologic malignancy cell line models, experimental drug sensitivity data is comparable to the available data in PharmacoDB when exposure-response curves are complete. Incomplete exposure-response curves due to incomplete concentration ranges tested and related extrapolation of IC values can mislead individual drug/cell line pair data for downstream applications.
Displacement Risk and Asset Returns

We study asset-pricing implications of innovation in a general-equilibrium overlapping- generations economy. Innovation increases the competitive pressure on existing firms and workers, reducing the profits of existing firms and eroding the human capital of older workers. Due to the lack of inter-generational risk sharing, innovation creates a systematic risk factor, which we call “displacement risk.” This risk helps explain several empirical patterns, including the existence of the growth-value factor in returns, the value premium, and the high equity premium. We assess the magnitude of displacement risk using estimates of inter-cohort consumption differences across households and find support for the model.
Provider Perspectives on Implementing Shared Decision Making for PTSD Treatment in VA Primary Care

Shared decision making is an important implementation "pull" strategy for increasing uptake of evidence-based mental health practices. In this qualitative study, we explored provider perspectives on implementing shared decision making at the point of mental health treatment initiation using a publicly available, patient-facing decision support tool for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We conducted semi-structured interviews with 22 mental health providers (psychiatrists, nurses, psychologists, and social workers) working in one of five VA primary care clinics. Interviewed were analyzed using thematic analysis. Provider were enthusiastic about using decision aids as a source of high quality information that could improve patient experience and confidence in treatment. However, providers had concerns about decision aid accessibility, time constraints to conduct shared decision making in-session, and patient motivation to engage in shared decision making. Providers stated they would prefer to use shared decision making with patients that they felt were most likely to follow through with treatment. While providers believed that shared decision making could improve PTSD treatment planning, they thought it most appropriate for patients with the highest levels of motivation and fewest barriers to care. These beliefs may limit widespread adoption and reflect missed opportunities to reach difficult-to-engage patients.
Alkali pretreatment of industrial mixed vegetable waste for fermentable sugar production

In this study, a vegetable waste stream that predominantly contains onions was subjected to KOH pretreatment with the main goal of finding a condition that maximizes the yield of fermentable sugars while minimizing the yield of fermentation inhibitors. Temperature (50–150 °C) and KOH loading (0–7 wt.%) were considered using an orthogonal central composite response surface design with eight center points. The results indicated that the pretreatment was highly affected by the waste composition, particularly organic acids and proteins. The organic acids separated the pretreatment design space into an acid- and alkali-catalyzed region through KOH neutralization. On the other hand, the protein–sugar interaction (through the Maillard reaction) was significant at elevated temperatures. An optimum sugar yield of ~ 0.46 g/g dry vegetable waste was obtained at 150 °C, 3.5 wt.% KOH, and 30 min. The pretreatment also resulted in an organic acid yield of ~ 0.36 g/g dry vegetable waste, with no detectable furans. The sugars and organic acids in the pretreated biomass could serve as platform chemicals for the development of an urban-based biorefinery, where waste biomass resources from different sectors are used to produce high-value commodity products. This study highlights the importance and possible role of biomass composition (other than cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) during alkaline pretreatment.
Experience in extending query engine for continuous analytics

Combining data warehousing and stream processing technologies has great potential in offering low-latency data-intensive analytics. Unfortunately, such convergence has not been properly addressed so far. The current generation of stream processing systems is in general built separately from the data warehouse and query engine, which can cause significant overhead in data access and data movement, and is unable to take advantage of the functionalities already offered by the existing data warehouse systems. In this work we tackle some hard problems not properly addressed previously in integrating stream analytics capability into the existing query engine. We define an extended SQL query model that unifies queries over both static relations and dynamic streaming data, and develop techniques to extend query engines to support the unified model. We propose the cut-and-rewind query execution model to allow a query with full SQL expressive power to be applied to stream data by converting the latter into a sequence of "chunks", and executing the query over each chunk sequentially, but without shutting the query instance down between chunks for continuously maintaining the application context across the execution cycles as required by sliding-window operators. We also propose the cycle-based transaction model to support Continuous Querying with Continuous Persisting (CQCP) with cycle-based isolation and visibility. We have prototyped our approach by extending the PostgreSQL. This work has resulted in a new kind of tightly integrated, highly efficient system with the advanced stream processing capability as well as the full DBMS functionality. We demonstrate it with the popular Linear Road benchmark, and report the performance. By leveraging the matured code base of a query engine to the maximal extent, we can significantly reduce the engineering investment needed for developing the streaming technology. Providing this capability on proprietary parallel analytics engine is work in progress.
Swedish Consumers’ Willingness to Pay for Food Safety - a Contingent Valuation Study on Salmonella Risk

This paper examines the value to Swedish citizens of reducing the risk for salmonella bacteria in chicken filet. The contingent valuation (CV) study is based on the results of a postal questionnaire that was distributed to 2 000 randomly selected Swedish citizens aged 18-74. The valuation format used is a stated preference double bounded dichotomous choice. We employ the non-parametric Turnbull Lower Bound method in combination with Monte Carlo simulations to obtain lower bound estimates of the mean and median values of expected willingness-to-pay (WTP) for reducing the risk for salmonellosis, as well as values of a statistical case (VSC) and a statistical life (VSL). We find a VSC of between SEK 121 045 (110 297–131 814) and SEK 182 966 (167 915–197 896) depending on the format used (values in parentheses constitute a 90 percent confidence interval). VSL values of SEK 13.3 million and 48.3 million are estimated using different formats, but neither estimation is statistically significant. Since this is the first Swedish study on WTP for food safety, mean and median values of VSL and VSC cannot be directly compared with previous results, but the values obtained are in line with comparable Swedish studies on WTP for traffic safety as well as with international studies related to food safety. We do not find any strong linkage between WTP and income, age or gender. Scale sensitivity seems to depend on which model is chosen, while household size, risk perception ability and perceived Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALY:s) lost seem to be strong predictors of WTP. (Less)
Meeting the Need for E-Commerce and E-Business Education: Creating a Global Electronic Commerce Concentration in the Masters of Business Administration (MBA) Programme.

This case describes a problem facing many Schools of Business and Universities today and how the problem was addressed and solved at the Merrick School of Business at the University of Baltimore. Following a brief introduction, the environment and problem are described. Next the process used to develop a Global Electronic Commerce concentration is presented with the philosophy that guided the development process. Next, the characteristics embodied in the model are described and, the specific program, including course descriptions and structures are provided. Finally, a preliminary evaluation based largely on student responses is presented.
On the development of GNC algorithm for a high-glide payload delivery system

The paper considers the development and simulation testing of the control algorithms for an autonomous high-glide aerial delivery system, which consists of 650 sq. ft rectangular double-skin parafoil and 500lb payload. The paper starts with the optimal control analysis and applies it further to the real-time trajectory generation. Resulting guidance and control system includes tracking this reference trajectory using a nonlinear tracking controller. The paper presents the description of the algorithm along with simulation results.
Military and sexuality, the

This entry explores the various ways sexuality has been deployed as a weapon of war in the twenty-first century. Scholars and human rights activists note an increasing “militarization” of sexuality in war and peace-keeping zones, especially with regard to the widespread use of rape against civilian women and girls. Frequently mass rape is part of a broader ethnic cleansing program or simply a means of inflict psychological and physical terror on civilians and their families. Other research has examined various ways sexuality has shaped the policies in the U.S. Armed forces (i.e., the recent repeal of “Don't Ask; Don't Tell”); increased incidents of gender and sexual-based violence amongst female soldiers by their male comrades; and the sexualized representations of female soldiers in the “War on Terror” and war in Iraq. Keywords: Abu Ghraib; rape; sexual assault; U.S. military; war
NMR and Molecular Genetics as Tools for Investigating Protein Interactions in Membrane Systems

In our laboratory, we have applied the tools of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and molecular genetics to investigate the structural and dynamic properties of membrane-associated proteins and their interactions with membrane components. There are two general classes of membrane proteins, i.e., intrinsic and peripheral ones. For the intrinsic membrane proteins, we have chosen the membranebound D-lactate dehydrogenase (D-LDH) of Escherichia coli as a model to study protein-lipid interactions in membranes. D-LDH is a respiratory enzyme of molecularweight 65, 000 containing flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) as a cofactor. The activity of purified D-LDH is enhanced up to 100-fold by lipids and detergents. The gene for D-LDH has been sequenced, and production of the enzyme amplified up to 300-times normal levels. We have biosynthetically incorporated 5-fluorotryptophan (5F-Trp) into D-LDH and studied the five Trp residues by 19F-NMR spectroscopy. In order to gain additional information using 19F-NMR, site-specific, oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis has been used to insert a sixth Trp into D-LDH at various positions throughout the 571-amino acid chain. These mutant D-LDHs are being characterized biochemically and through NMR. For peripheral membrane proteins, we have chosen two periplasmic binding proteins, histidine-binding protein J (J protein) of Salmonella Typhimurium and glutamine-binding protein (GlnBP) of E. coli as models to investigate the structure-function relationship in periplasmic binding protein-mediated active transport systems. These two proteins both have molecular weights of approximately 25, 000. By using mutant J proteins and GlnBPs and site-specific, oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis techniques, we have assigned several resonances to specific amino acid residues. We are investigating the relationship between ligand-induced conformational changes in these two proteins and their roles in the active transport of ligand across the cell membrane. We have found that a combination of isotopic labeling, biochemistry, molecular biology, and NMR is a very useful approach to investigate various interactions of membrane-associated protein systems.
Photoactivation of Urocanase in Pseudomonas putida: Possible Role in Photoregulation of Histidine Metabolism

Irradiation by near-ultraviolet light of cells or extracts of Pseudomonas putida increased the urocanase activity. Irradiated cells exhibited enhanced catabolic activity on histidine and urocanate.
Temperature Dependence of Nucleoside Membrane Transport in Rabbit Alveolar Macrophages and Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes

Abstract The effects of temperature on two membrane transport systems in alveolar macrophages and one system in polymorphonuclear leukocytes which have been well characterized at 37° were analyzed. The results show a discontinuity in the Arrhenius plots (transition temperature) for both the alveolar macrophage systems but none in the polymorphonuclear leukocytes. A detailed analysis of the specificity of nucleoside transport in alveolar macrophages reveals a marked temperature dependence which is reflected mainly in requirements at the 3' (ribose)-position. Pretreatment of the alveolar macrophages with colchicine alkaloids results in a transport system for nucleosides which shows no transition temperature and has the specificity and activation energy of the untreated system in the low temperature range. On the basis of these findings it is proposed that the nucleoside carrier exists as two or more conformers, one of which is favored by high temperatures, and the other by low temperatures or colchicine alkaloids.
Visceral pain: From physiology to clinical practice

Even though a large portion of patients with chronic pain have pain from visceral structures (abdominal visceral, uterine, cardiac, etc.), our knowledge about visceral pain (including the anatomy, physiology and chemistry and spinal cord circuitry and pathways) arises largely from the study of the cutaneous and peripheral nervous system. In part, this is because the cutaneous nervous system has been easier to study and direct observations are more straight forward when assessing somatic pain. Unfortunately, there is an underlying misconception that occurs when basic mechanistic interpretations for somatic pain are used to interpret visceral pain that visceral pain is simply a variant of somatic pain [1]. This is probably not correct, rather visceral pain is more likely generated by different biologic or neurologic substrates and abides by different principles [2]. These misconceptions have been generated and propagated by observations that cutting, burning and other stimuli, which are noxious to
Why Didn’t Subprime Investors Demand (Much More of) a Lemons Premium?

The subprime crisis would never have occurred had investors not been such enthusiastic consumers of subprime securities. The investors now say, somewhat self-servingly (but probably correctly), that they did not understand the securities - securities for which they were willing to pay very high prices. This essay seeks to explain investors’ readiness to pay premium prices for these novel and complex instruments. The most satisfactory explanation lies in the incentives for herding among agents who made investment decisions for others. Investors (and markets) compare investment managers to other investment managers. A manager’s best strategy, therefore, may be to do what her peers do regardless of whether the manager believes her peers are a reliable source of information about the quality of the investment decision. Standard psychological forces including over-optimism and confirmation bias also help explain how this trajectory progresses and continues. Policy responses should take investor herding into account.