cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Percutaneous intervention for infrageniculate arterial disease in women may be associated with better outcomes when compared to men.

Objective The purpose of this study was to identify any gender-associated differences in the percutaneous treatment of infrageniculate lesions in individuals with chronic critical limb ischemia. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed on 112 index tibial lesions in 81 consecutive patients operated on from January 2005 to February 2011. All patients were treated for critical limb ischemia—defined as rest pain or tissue loss. Patient demographics, comorbidities, clinical presentation, vascular studies, lesion characteristics, procedures, and postoperative complications were entered into a database for review. Patients were evaluated for primary patency, secondary patency, limb salvage, and mortality rates. Results Sixty-three index tibial lesions were treated percutaneously in 43 women, compared to 49 lesions in 38 men. There was a trend toward increased cardiac disease (65.8% men vs 44.2% women; P = .052) and smoking (52.6% men vs 32.6% women; P = .070) in men. Men were more likely than women to have TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC) C and D lesions (83.7% vs 65.1%; P = .023) and to be treated for total occlusion (44.9% vs 25.4%; P = .031). There were no significant gender-related differences in length of stay or postoperative complications. Women had statistically better primary patency rates than men at 12 and 24 months (77.5% ± 6.9% and 72.9% ± 7.8% in women vs 58.7% ± 9.3% and 45.2% ± 9.9% in men; P = .032). Women also had statistically better secondary patency rates than men at 12 and 24 months (90.4% ± 4.8% and 85.1% ± 6.8% in women vs 76.0% ± 8.1% and 58.5% ± 10.8% in men; P = .028). Female gender remained an independent predictor of superior patency even after controlling for gender-related differences in TASC grade. There were no significant differences in limb salvage rates at 12 and 24 months (92.1% ± 4.4% and 85.0% ± 7.9% in women vs 88.3% ± 6.4% and 83.4% ± 7.7% in men; P = .985). Overall survival rates were similar (59.8% ± 7.6% for women and 68.0% ± 8.1% for men at 24 months; P = .351). Conclusions Percutaneous intervention may be an equally effective or better treatment option for women with chronic limb ischemia and tibial disease when compared to men. In this study, male gender was an independent predictor of poorer primary and secondary patency rates after infrageniculate intervention. There were no differences in postoperative wound complications between genders. Endovascular procedures may lessen the gap in gender-related treatment outcomes and postoperative complications seen after open arterial reconstructions.
Hepatic Imaging Characteristics Predict Overall Survival in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background Pathologic tumor-related factors, including vascular invasion, remain the only reliable predictor of recurrence and overall survival in hepatocellular cancer (HCC). Other preoperative factors, such as hepatitis status, degree of liver disease (cirrhosis), number of tumors, and size of tumors have been inconsistent in predicting outcome. The aim of this study is to demonstrate that standard radiological imaging characteristics will predict overall survival in HCC.
From Executive Suite to Production Line: How Employees in Different Occupations Manage Elder Care Responsibilities

It is now widely accepted that employee caregivers-in the main, women-need to make adjustments in or take time from their jobs in order to provide or oversee assistance required by elderly relative...
Multiple criteria optimization for the robust design of quantitative parameters

This paper proposes a new method for optimizing multiple responses in robust design with quantitative parameters. A stochastic achievement function is developed based on the achievement function used in the reference point approach of multiple criteria optimization, and the Cholesky decomposition of the covariance matrix of the estimated responses. Nondominated solutions that are closest to the reference points specified by designers can be obtained by maximizing the stochastic achievement function. The new method guarantees the optimality of the solution for problems in which the measurements are embedded in noise. It is more flexible, and has a substantially lower computation cost than a previous approach for this problem. The proposed method is integrated into an interactive procedure that can assist the designer in finding the optimal solution that conforms to his/her preferences. >
Is suicide an option?: The impact of disability on suicide acceptability in the context of depression, suicidality, and demographic factors

Background: Suicide is a major clinical and public health issue, especially in people with disabilities. However, research on the acceptability of suicide in people with disabilities has not directly compared the relative acceptability of suicidality in people with and without disabilities. Method: An online sample of five hundred American adults read five pairs of vignettes about individuals who were experiencing suicidal ideation following a life stressor. Each pair contained a disability and nodisability condition; a sixth pair of vignettes discussed suicidal ideation in an elderly individual and contained physical and cognitive disability conditions. Participants completed questions regarding the relative acceptability of suicidality for each vignette as well as demographic items and measures of suicidality, depressive symptoms, and attitude towards disability. Results: In all vignette five pairs, suicidality was seen as significantly more acceptable in the disability condition; this was true even when the participants themselves had disabilities or friends or family members with disabilities. Suicidality, depressive symptomology, and more negative attitudes towards disability predicted greater acceptability in both conditions; no factors predicted greater differences between the two conditions. Limitations: The vignettes in this study focused primarily on individuals in their 20s and most did not compare two disabling conditions. Conclusions: The greater social acceptability of suicidality in people with disabilities may be taken by individuals with disabilities who are suicidal as implicit permission to end their lives. The potential impact of such social influences should be assessed and addressed by clinicians and suicide prevention advocates.
Depression and stereotypes of women: Preliminary empirical analyses of the gender-role hypothesis

For four studies, which provide modest support for the view that depression and stereotypes of women are similar, overlapping categories are presented. The first study found that depressed people and normal people were described in stereotypically feminine and stereotypically masculine terms, respectively. The second study found that DSM-III descriptions of depressive disorders were perceived as women, and that the more severe depression was perceived as a married woman. The third study found that stereotypes of women differ significantly by marital status, where the stereotype of married women was both less stereotypically masculine and more stereotypically feminine than the other stereotypes. The fourth study found that the stereotype of married women did not differ significantly on most items from a description of depressives, while stereotypes of single women and of mothers did. Implications of these studies for the gender role hypothesis of depression are discussed, along with suggestions for future research.
Regulatory actions to enhance appropriate drug use: the case of antidiarrhoeal drugs.

Abstract Inappropriate drug use is a serious problem in the control of diarrhoeal diseases. To address this problem, the World Health Organization's Programme for the Control of Diarrhoeal Diseases reviewed the literature on the most commonly used antidiarrhoeal agents, and distributed the resulting document widely in 1990. Antidiarrhoeal drugs received simultaneous attention in the popular media as groups and individuals campaigned against their registration and use. This article evaluates the actions against antidiarrhoeal drugs taken by national drug regulators in the period during and after these events (January 1989 until December 1993). Information on regulatory actions was requested from countries and extracted from published and unpublished sources. Sixteen countries reported regulatory actions on 21 occasions during the period of study. The majority of actions concerned antimotility drugs; few were against adsorbents, antidiarrhoeal drugs containing antimicrobials, or adult formulae. Six countries took action against large and heterogenous groups of antidiarrhoeal drugs. Most actions occurred in the two-year period immediately following the distribution of the WHO review and the attention in the media. The sequence of distribution of the review, media coverage, and activities of dedicated groups and individuals, followed by a noticeable cluster of regulatory actions suggests a clear relationship. Further research is necessary to determine the relative role of each activity. There are several constraints to deregistration of profitable drugs and some drug regulators may have chosen to delay action until the end of a drug's registration cycle. Many more antidiarrhoeal drugs may lose their register in the future through a passive deregistration process. Deregistration of inappropriate drugs will probably take much time and widespread deregistrations are not likely. Furthermore, regulatory actions alone are probably insufficient to achieve a more appropriate use of drugs. More effect can be expected from simultaneous regulatory, managerial, and educational interventions directed at providers, combined with communication to the general public.
Comparison of automated Difco ESP blood culture system with biphasic BBL Septi-Chek system for detection of bloodstream infections in pediatric patients.

We compared the Difco ESP 384 blood culture system with the pediatric Septi-Chek system for the detection of bloodstream infections in pediatric patients. A total of 10,762 blood culture sets included an ESP aerobic bottle and a Septi-Chek bottle. From these cultures, a total of 278 organisms classified as probable pathogens were isolated, including 237 from ESP bottles and 221 from Septi-Chek bottles. This difference was not statistically significant. More organisms classified as possible contaminants were also isolated from ESP bottles (for ESP, 480 bottles; for Septi-Chek, 418 bottles; P
Technical perspective Where the chips may fall

The chief idea of the paper is to use bounding techniques to capture the probability distribution of the circuit delay.
Hemojuvelin and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling in iron homeostasis

Mutations in hemojuvelin (HJV) are the most common cause of the juvenile-onset form of the iron overload disorder hereditary hemochromatosis. The discovery that HJV functions as a co-receptor for the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family of signaling molecules helped to identify this signaling pathway as a central regulator of the key iron hormone hepcidin in the control of systemic iron homeostasis. This review highlights recent work uncovering the mechanism of action of HJV and the BMP-SMAD signaling pathway in regulating hepcidin expression in the liver, as well as additional studies investigating possible extra-hepatic functions of HJV. This review also explores the interaction between HJV, the BMP-SMAD signaling pathway and other regulators of hepcidin expression in systemic iron balance.
The Perspective of Younger People with Dementia: Still an Overlooked Population

ABSTRACT Dementia is socially defined as an old person's disease. And although the definition of dementia has changed over time, its correlation with the aging process has not. Yet, there are younger people diagnosed with dementia, early on-set dementia, people diagnosed below the age of 65. This study focuses on two specific research questions concerning this population: (1) Is being diagnosed with a dementing illness at a younger age a unique experience? and (2) Is it necessary to have specifically designed guidelines and services to meet the needs of these younger individuals? Rarely are younger people with dementia directly asked questions, conclusions are based mainly on the perspectives of health care professionals and family members. Twenty-three in-depth interviews focusing on the subjective experience of younger people with dementia were conducted. The data were gathered through face-to-face or on-line interviews, and focus group. From this research, eight common themes were identified, such as: ...
Numeric Experiments in Relativistic Thermodynamics: A Moving System Appears Cooler

In this paper we simulate a two dimensional relativistic ideal gas by implementing a relativistic elastic binary collision algorithm. We show that the relativistic gas faithfully obeys Juttner's speed distribu- tion function. Furthermore, using this numeric simulation in conjunction with the energy equipartition theorem for a relativistic gas, we conclude that a moving system appears cooler.
Locus-Specific Decoupling of Base Composition Evolution at Synonymous Sites and Introns along the Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila sechellia Lineages

Selection is thought to be partially responsible for patterns of molecular evolution at synonymous sites within numerous Drosophila species. Recently, “per-site” and likelihood methods have been developed to detect loci for which positive selection is a major component of synonymous site evolution. An underlying assumption of these methods, however, is a homogeneous mutation process. To address this potential shortcoming, we perform a complementary analysis making gene-by-gene comparisons of paired synonymous site and intron substitution rates toward and away from the nucleotides G and C because preferred codons are G or C ending in Drosophila. This comparison may reduce both the false-positive rate (due to broadscale heterogeneity in mutation) and false-negative rate (due to lack of power comparing small numbers of sites) of the per-site and likelihood methods. We detect loci with patterns of evolution suggestive of synonymous site selection pressures predominately favoring unpreferred and preferred codons along the Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila sechellia lineages, respectively. Intron selection pressures do not appear sufficient to explain all these results as the magnitude of the difference in synonymous and intron evolution is dependent on recombination environment and chromosomal location in a direction supporting the hypothesis of selectively driven synonymous fixations. This comparison identifies 101 loci with an apparent switch in codon preference between D. melanogaster and D. sechellia, a pattern previously only observed at the Notch locus.
Angiotensin type 1a receptors in the forebrain subfornical organ facilitate leptin-induced weight loss through brown adipose tissue thermogenesis

Objective: Elevations in brain angiotensin-II cause increased energy expenditure and a lean phenotype. Interestingly, the metabolic effects of increased brain angiotensin-II mimic the actions of leptin, suggesting an interaction between the two systems. Here we demonstrate that angiotensin-type 1a receptors (AT1aR) in the subfornical organ (SFO), a forebrain structure emerging as an integrative metabolic center, play a key role in the body weight-reducing effects of leptin via brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis. Methods: Cre/LoxP technology coupled with targeted viral delivery to the SFO in a mouse line bearing a conditional allele of the Agtr1a gene was utilized to determine the interaction between leptin and SFO AT1aR in metabolic regulation. Results: Selective deletion of AT1aR in the SFO attenuated leptin-induced weight loss independent of changes in food intake or locomotor activity. This was associated with diminished leptin-induced increases in core body temperature, blunted upregulation of BAT thermogenic markers, and abolishment of leptin-mediated sympathetic activation to BAT. Conclusions: These data identify a novel interaction between angiotensin-II and leptin in the control of BAT thermogenesis and body weight, and highlight a previously unrecognized role for the forebrain SFO in metabolic regulation.
Infection of Human B Lymphocytes with Lymphocryptoviruses Related to Epstein-Barr Virus

Lymphocryptoviruses (LCVs) naturally infecting Old World nonhuman primates are closely related to the human LCV, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and share similar genome organization and sequences, biologic properties, epidemiology, and pathogenesis. LCVs can efficiently immortalize B lymphocytes from the autologous species, but the ability of a given LCV to immortalize B cells from other Old World primate species is variable. We found that LCV from rhesus monkeys did not immortalize human B cells, and EBV did not immortalize rhesus monkey B cells. In this study, baboon LCV could not immortalize human peripheral blood B cells but could readily immortalize rhesus monkey B cells. Thus, efficient LCV-induced B-cell immortalization across distant Old World primate species appears to be restricted by a species-specific block. To further characterize this species restriction, we first cloned the rhesus monkey LCV major membrane glycoprotein and discovered that the binding epitope for the EBV receptor, CD21, was highly conserved. Stable infections of human B cells with recombinant amplicons packaged in rhesus monkey or baboon LCV envelopes were also consistent with a species-restricted block occurring after virus binding and penetration. Transient infections of human B cells with simian LCV resulted in latent LCV EBNA-2 gene expression and activation of cell CD23 gene expression. EBV-immortalized human B cells could be coinfected with baboon LCV, and the simian virus persisted and replicated in human B cells. Thus, several lines of evidence indicate that the species restriction for efficient LCV-induced B-cell immortalization occurs beyond virus binding and penetration. This has important implications for the study of LCV infection in Old World primate models and for human xenotransplantation where simian LCVs may be inadvertently introduced into humans.
Spectral Evidence: the Ramona Case: Incest, Memory, and Truth on Trial in Napa Valley, by Moira Johnston [Book Review]

Adherents of theview that repressed memories are either nonexistent or generally false almost invariably begin and end their books and essays with references to the Salem witch trials. Spectral Evidence, by Moira Johnston, is no exception; indeed, references are liberally sprin­ kled throughout the text as well. Salem, of course, is the American icon for a period during which innocent persons were falsely accused of incredible deeds,accusations founded upon superstition and mass hys­ teria. Spectral evidence is a term for the types of evidence of diabolical possession introduced into evidence at the Salem witch trials in 1692.
The Impact of Capsid Proteins on Virus Removal and Inactivation During Water Treatment Processes

This study examined the effect of the amino acid composition of protein capsids on virus inactivation using ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and titanium dioxide photocatalysis, and physical removal via enhanced coagulation using ferric chloride. Although genomic damage is likely more extensive than protein damage for viruses treated using UV, proteins are still substantially degraded. All amino acids demonstrated significant correlations with UV susceptibility. The hydroxyl radicals produced during photocatalysis are considered nonspecific, but they likely cause greater overall damage to virus capsid proteins relative to the genome. Oxidizing chemicals, including hydroxyl radicals, preferentially degrade amino acids over nucleotides, and the amino acid tyrosine appears to strongly influence virus inactivation. Capsid composition did not correlate strongly to virus removal during physicochemical treatment, nor did virus size. Isoelectric point may play a role in virus removal, but additional factors are likely to contribute.
Technology Policy Instrument (TPI): A Decision Model for Evaluating Emerging Technologies for National Technology Policy - Research Framework

In this paper, a model and process for strategic evaluation of emerging technologies for national technology policy is proposed. A decision model is built to assess the contributions of emerging technologies and evaluate their impacts on the country's objective. The "impact value" of the technology called "technology effectiveness". A hierarchical decision model which comprises with six hierarchies; national objective, industry's goals, industry's strategies, technological benefits, technological factors, and technologies, will be developed.
A peridynamic implementation of crystal plasticity

Abstract This paper presents the first application of peridynamics theory for crystal plasticity simulations. A state-based theory of peridynamics is used (Silling et al., 2007) where the forces in the bonds between particles are computed from stress tensors obtained from crystal plasticity. The stress tensor at a particle, in turn, is computed from strains calculated by tracking the motion of surrounding particles. We have developed a quasi-static implementation of the peridynamics theory. The code employs an implicit iterative solution procedure similar to a non-linear finite element implementation. Peridynamics results are compared with crystal plasticity finite element (CPFE) analysis for the problem of plane strain compression of a planar polycrystal. The stress, strain field distribution and the texture formation predicted by CPFE and peridynamics were found to compare well. One particular feature of peridynamics is its ability to model fine shear bands that occur naturally in deforming polycrystalline aggregates. Peridynamics simulations are used to study the origin and evolution of these shear bands as a function of strain and slip geometry.
Interspecies Polymorphism of Double-Stranded RNA Extracted from Reoviruses of Turkeys and Chickens:

rus DNAs at different degrees of stringency. Intervirol 28:114121. 17. O’Banion MK, Sundberg JP, Shima AL, Reichmann ME: 1987, Venereal papilloma and papillomavirus in a Colobus monkey (Colobus guereza). Intervirology 28:232-237. 18. Pfister H, Hettich I, Runne U, Chilf GN: 1983, Characterization of human papillomavirus type 13 from focal epithelial hyperplasia Heck lesions. J Virol 47:363-366. 19. Sundberg JP: 1987, Animal papillomaviruses. In: Papillomaviruses and human disease, ed. Syrjanen K, Gissmann L, Koss L, pp. 40-103. Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg. 20. Sundberg JP, Junge RE, Lancaster WD: 1984, Immunoperoxidase localization of papillomaviruses in hyperplastic and neoplastic epithelial lesions of animals. Am J Vet Res 45: 14411446. 21. Sundberg JP, Reichmann ME: 1991, Papillomavirus infections in nonhuman primates. In: Diseases of nonhuman primates. Monographs in laboratory animal pathology, ed. Jones TC, Mohr U, Hunt RD, in press. Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg. 22. Syrjanen K, Gissmann L, Koss L: 1987, Papillomaviruses and human disease. Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg. 23. Syrjanen SM, Syrjanen KJ, Happonen RP: 1988, Human papillomaviruses (HPV) DNA sequences in oral precancerous lesions and squamous cell carcinoma demonstrated by in situ hybridization. J Oral Pathol 17:273-278. 24. Syrjanen SM, Syrjanen KJ, Happonen RP, Lamberg MA: 1987, In situ DNA hybridization analysis of human papillomavirus (HPV) sequences in benign oral mucosal lesions. Arch Dermatol Res 279:543-549.
Extracting and improving microarchitecture performance on reconfigurable architectures

Applications for constrained embedded systems require careful attention to the match between the application and the support offered by an architecture, at the ISA and microarchitecture levels. Generic processors, such as ARM and Power PC, are inexpensive, but with respect to a given application, they often overprovision in areas that are unimportant for the application's performance. Moreover, while application-specific, customized logic could dramatically improve the performance of an application, that approach is typically too expensive to justify its cost for most applications. In this paper, we describe our experience using reconfigurable architectures to develop an understanding of an application's performance and to enhance its performance with respect to customized, constrained logic. We begin with a standard ISA currently in use for embedded systems. We modify its core to measure performance characteristics, obtaining a system that provides cycle-accurate timings and presents results in the style of gprof, but with absolutely no software overhead. We then provide cache-behavior statistics that are typically unavailable in a generic processor. In contrast with simulation, our approach executes the program at full speed and delivers statistics based on the actual behavior of the cache subsystem. Finally, in response to the performance profile developed on our platform, we evaluate various uses of the FPGA-realized instruction and data caches in terms of the application's performance.
Two Rings of Negative Charges in the Cytosolic Vestibule of Type-1 Ryanodine Receptor Modulate Ion Fluxes

The tetrameric ryanodine receptor calcium release channels (RyRs) are cation-selective channels that have pore architecture similar to that of K+ channels. We recently identified, in close proximity to the selectivity filter motif GGGIG, a conserved lumenal DE motif that has a critical role in RyR ion permeation and selectivity. Here, we substituted three aspartate residues (D4938, D4945, D4953) with asparagine and four glutamate residues (E4942, E4948, E4952, E4955) with glutamine hypothesized to line the cytosolic vestibule of the skeletal muscle RyR (RyR1). Mutant single channel properties were determined using the planar lipid bilayer method. Two mutants (D4938N, D4945N) showed a reduced K+ ion conductance, with D4938N also exhibiting a reduced selectivity for Ca2+ compared to K+. The cytosolic location of D4938 and D4945 was confirmed using the polycation neomycin. Both D4938N and D4945N exhibited an attenuated block by neomycin to a greater extent from the cytosolic than lumenal side. By comparison, charge neutralization of lumenal loop residues (D4899Q, E4900N) eliminated the block from the lumenal but not the cytosolic side. The results suggest that, in addition to negatively charged residues on the lumenal side, rings of four negative charges formed by D4938 and D4945 in the cytosolic vestibule determine RyR ion fluxes.
Simulation evaluation of a low-altitude helicopter flight guidance system adapted for a helmet-mounted display

A computer aiding concept for low-altitude helicopter flight has been developed and evaluated in a real-time piloted simulation. The concept included an optimal control trajectory-generation algorithm based upon dynamic programming, and a helmet-mounted display (HMD) presentation of a pathway-in-the-sky, a phantom aircraft, and flight-path vector/predictor guidance symbology. The pilot evaluation was conducted at the NASA-Ames Research Center moving base vertical motion simulator by pilots representing NASA, the US Army, Air Force, and helicopter industry. The pilot manually tracked the trajectory generated by the algorithm utilizing the HMD symbology. The pilots were able to perform the tracking tasks satisfactorily while maintaining a high degree of awareness of the outside world. >
Fur and the Novel Regulator YqjI Control Transcription of the Ferric Reductase Gene yqjH in Escherichia coli

Iron acquisition in aerobic habitats is complicated by the low solubility of ferric hydroxides. Siderophores that bind ferric iron with high affinity are used to mobilize iron. The reduction of ferric iron to the ferrous form can be coupled to the release of iron from siderophores. Iron is also stored intracellularly as a ferric mineral in proteins, such as ferritin, and must be reduced during release. In Escherichia coli, the yqjH gene encodes a putative ferric siderophore reductase that is also part of the Fur regulon. Here we show that YqjH has ferric reductase activity and is required for iron homeostasis in E. coli. Divergently transcribed from yqjH is the yqjI gene, which encodes a novel member of the winged-helix family of transcriptional regulators and also contains an N-terminal extension similar to the Ni2+-binding C-terminal tail of SlyD. Deletion of yqjI leads to constitutive high-level activity of the yqjH and yqjI promoters. Purified YqjI binds inverted repeat target sequences within the yqjH and yqjI promoters. We also observed that YqjI-dependent transcriptional repression is reduced when cells are exposed to elevated nickel levels, resulting in increased expression of yqjH and yqjI. YqjI binding to nickel or iron reduces YqjI DNA-binding activity in vitro. Furthermore, we found that elevated nickel stress levels disrupt iron homeostasis in E. coli and that deletion of yqjH increases nickel toxicity. Our results suggest that the YqjI protein controls expression of yqjH to help maintain iron homeostasis under conditions (such as elevated cellular nickel levels) that disrupt iron metabolism.
Polycystic Kidney Disease

Autosomal dominant (ADPKD) and autosomal recessive (ARPKD) polycystic kidney diseases represent clinically challenging disease states that affect adults and children, respectively. The newly discovered molecular and genetic mechanisms of disease have provided great insight into each disorder. ADPKD is usually characterized by an adult patient with many large, bilateral, renal cysts that distort and destroy renal parenchyma over time and lead to renal insufficiency. Hypertension is an important and modifiable symptom of the disease. If left unmanaged, hypertension and renal insufficiency would quickly lead to morbidity and mortality in most ADPKD patients. These patients also have a variety of surgical and medical complications, such as infections, cyst hemorrhage, nephrolithiasis, renal neoplasms, and aneurysms. ARPKD is a rare but usually fatal hepatorenal disorder affecting infants and young children. It is closely associated with hepatic fibrosis, and patients with this disease can rapidly develop renal and hepatic failure that necessitates heroic medical and surgical measures. Though diagnosis of these diseases has historically been radiographic, new molecular/genetic techniques can allow for a very specific characterization of mutations, which may have clinical ramifications. Ongoing research has been fruitful, though effective treatments for these diseases, aside from palliative management, have been difficult to develop. Nonetheless, these disease states are important for any kidney-focused clinician to understand well.
Input–output life cycle environmental assessment of greenhouse gas emissions from utility scale wind energy in the United States

Abstract Wind energy is an emerging source for renewable energy. This article presents an application of the economic input–output life cycle assessment (EIO-LCA) to estimate the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the life cycle of wind energy farms in a state. The EIO-LCA incorporates manufacturing, installation, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning of the wind turbine over its life cycle period. In doing so, the study demonstrates that O&M and decommissioning of infrastructure with a longer life period can be considered to assess the total environmental impacts. The life cycle costs of wind turbine installation in Indiana is used in this study. The uncertainty in wind energy production, and hence the variability in GHG emission intensities in metric tons per gigawatt hour (GWh), is demonstrated by using the Monte Carlo simulation. The research finds that wind energy production is not entirely GHG emission-free if all the costs and life cycle stages are considered. Emission estimates have uncertainty, and O&M and decommissioning can add up to 200 metric tons of GHG emissions in CO 2 e per wind turbine life cycle. The regional EIO-LCA can be a helpful tool to determine strategies for state compliance to initiatives, such as the Clean Power Plan.
Foundations of museum studies: evolving systems of knowledge

The authors have ambitious goals for their book: ‘to be the central text for an introductory graduate course on museum studies … [and to give] readers a broad overview of museums, from their early ...
Nuclear pasts, nuclear futures; or, disarming through rebuilding

This essay considers how the nuclear revolution transferred American ideas about the future. Tracking the utopian/dystopian logics of the nuclear age from the Cold War to the War on Terror, it interrogates contemporary proposals to rebuild the US nuclear arsenal over the coming decades.
Intraoperative electron radiotherapy boost as a component of adjuvant radiation for breast cancer in the community setting.

Abstract To reduce toxicity/treatment time and improve accuracy, intraoperative electron radiotherapy (IOERT) was used as an alternative to electron beam radiation therapy boost. Primary objective was to determine feasibility and acute toxicity. From August 2009 to June 2011, 50 patients (age 32 to 76 years) with in situ or invasive breast cancer (Stage 0 to IIIA) were treated. Toxicity assessed according to standard National Cancer Institute scales. Median tumor size was 20 mm (range, 6 to 80 mm) with 43 infiltrating ductal, two infiltrating lobular, and five ductal in situ carcinoma. A single 10-Gy fraction boost was given to the tumor bed after resection followed by whole-breast radiotherapy. After IOERT, three patients required completion axillary lymph node dissection, eight had reexcision resulting from positive margins, and four opted for completion mastectomy. The median follow-up was 10 months (range, 2 to 24 months). Ten patients had Grade 1 and one reported Grade 2 breast pain 2 weeks after IOERT; all resolved at 6 weeks. Two patients had delay in wound healing, but none developed a wound infection. Three patients reported symptomatic fat necrosis. No other toxicities were reported. IOERT resulted in a reduction in treatment time, was not associated with additional toxicity or change in the acute toxicity profile, and is a feasible treatment option in a community hospital setting.
Mycrocosm: Visual Microblogging

This paper introduces Mycrocosm, a microblogging site in which users communicate via statistical graphics, rather than the usual short text statements.Users of Mycrocosm can record everyday personal statistics and share this information in the form of simple graphs and charts. People have used it to track how they got to work and how long it took, what colour clothes they wore, how often they checked their Facebook updates, how often a colleague shows up late, and many other trends and events. Mycrocosm raises awareness of the strong yet subtle effect a medium has upon the messages it conveys. Most computerbased communication interfaces are textbased, so while the conduit is computational, the medium is not far different from a typewriter. Mycrocosm, by using easily updated statistical graphs, creates an easy to use and understand medium that nevertheless is quite different from other forms of communication, both direct and computer mediated.
Techniques Used to Test Native DNA

Several techniques commonly are used to test native high-molecular-weight DNA obtained from cells and tissues, including the Southern blot, dot and slot blot procedures, and in situ hybridization of tissue sections with oligonucleotide probes. These techniques work well when there is an adequate amount of fresh tissue or cells available to provide a source for the intact DNA. These techniques involve separating, or denaturing, the double-stranded DNA into individual strands, and then applying a marked nucleotide probe and allowing it to hybridize to a complementary DNA sequence that may be present. These techniques are used to determine whether a particular DNA sequence is present. This is the second article in a three-part series on DNA. Other articles discuss the structural properties of DNA, how it is extracted from cells for study, some of the basic tools used to gain useful clinical information, and DNA amplification techniques. On completion of this series, readers will be able to describe the composition of DNA, how the strands are arranged, how to extract DNA from tissues prior to testing, and how DNA fragments are prepared by enzyme digestion, separated using gel electrophoresis, and then isolated for further study.
A 45-Year-Old Man With Delayed Onset of OSA Events During Polysomnography

A 45-year-old man with a medical history that included asthma and chronic nasal congestion presented for an evaluation of possible OSA. He reported loud snoring, witnessed apneas in sleep, and daytime sleepiness. The patient's score on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale was 12 of 24, indicating excessive sleepiness. His nasal congestion had been treated with frequent use of an over-the-counter nasal decongestant.
Experimental and Computational Wake Characterization of a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

This work visualizes the wake of a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) both experimentally and computationally. In the experiments, a scale VAWT model is placed inside a wind tunnel under a controlled laboratory setting. A motor rotates the scale model at a constant angular speed. Stereo particle image velocimetry (PIV) is used to visualize the wake of the turbine. When designing the scaled system, the turbine size, angular velocity, and wind speed were selected to most closely match the dimensionless parameters of the original full-scale system. The experiments are coordinated with a series of computations. A large-eddy simulation approach is utilized to resolve all the energy carrying eddies in the wake. Wake profiles from both experiments and computations show that the wakes contain a large oppositely signed pair of vortices from each foil as well as several smaller vortical structures. This structure is similar to that of a spinning cylinder, but the smaller structures present create a distinct difference. This study is among the first attempts to gain an understanding of the fundamental wake structure of a single VAWT.
An in vitro study of magnetization transfer and relaxation rates of hematoma.

PURPOSE To assess, in an in vitro model of acute hematoma, whether hemoglobin immobilization by clot and red cell membrane aging can account for the T2 shortening usually attributed to deoxyhemoglobin. METHODS Clotted and heparinized blood samples were packed (100% hematocrit). The apparent magnetization transfer rate (AMTR), T1 and T2 relaxation rates of the samples, and images with a volunteer's head were obtained at 1.5 T. RESULTS The AMTR and T1 and T2 relaxation rates were unaffected by the presence of clot. The AMTR was unaffected by red cell aging. The diamagnetic packed blood samples, which are much denser than brain, were isointense to gray matter on T2-weighted images and had about one-fifth the AMTR of white matter. CONCLUSIONS Hemoglobin immobilization by clot structure or red cell contraction with aging is insignificant and does not contribute to the T2 shortening of acute hematoma. The low AMTR and T2 relaxation rates of diamagnetic blood appear to be caused by the mobility of hemoglobin and by the red cell's lack of immobile macromolecular structures such as those associated with nucleated brain cells.
Epigenetics of breast cancer: Modifying role of environmental and bioactive food compounds.

cope Reduced expression of tumor suppressor genes (TSG) increases the susceptibility to breast cancer. However, only a small percentage of breast tumors is related to family history and mutational inactivation of TSG. Epigenetics refers to non-mutational events that alter gene expression. Endocrine disruptors found in foods and drinking water may disrupt epigenetically hormonal regulation and increase breast cancer risk. This review centers on the working hypothesis that agonists of the aromatic hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), bisphenol A (BPA), and arsenic compounds, induce in TSG epigenetic signatures that mirror those often seen in sporadic breast tumors. Conversely, it is hypothesized that bioactive food components that target epigenetic mechanisms protect against sporadic breast cancer induced by these disruptors. Methods and results This review highlights (i) overlaps between epigenetic signatures placed in TSG by AHR-ligands, BPA, and arsenic with epigenetic alterations associated with sporadic breast tumorigenesis; and (ii) potential opportunities for the prevention of sporadic breast cancer with food components that target the epigenetic machinery. Conclusions Characterizing the overlap between epigenetic signatures elicited in TSG by endocrine disruptors with those observed in sporadic breast tumors may afford new strategies for breast cancer prevention with specific bioactive food components or diet.
Surveillance and control of rodent populations in Panzhihua,China from 2008 to 2012

ObjectiveTo understand the community structure, population density, and seasonality of rodents by analyzing the rodent surveillance data in Panzhihua, China from 2008 to 2012 and to provide a scientific basis for rodent control in Panzhihua. MethodsThe rodent population density was monitored by night trapping once every month in the residential area, special environment, and rural areas.ResultsThe average annual rodent population density in Panzhihua from 2008 to 2012 was 0.74%; the highest density(0.86%) was observed in 2009 and the lowest in 2012, exhibiting a generally decreasing trend year by year. Mus musculus was the dominant species, accounting for 54.94% of all captured rodents, followed by Rattus norvegicus and Apodemus agrarius. The female- to- male ratio of rodents was 1.10∶1. The highest average annual rodent population density(1.20%) was observed in the special industry, and the rodents from the special industry accounted for 54.58% of all captures. The peak of rodent activity was during June to August, and the rodents in the three months accounted for 40.29% of all captures. ConclusionThe rodent population density and its seasonality in Panzhihua have been well unbderstood. Integrated control measures are recommended, and rodent control and deratization should be carried out especially during June to August; the longterm surveillance of rodents should be strengthened continuously, scientifically, and specifically, in order to reduce the incidence of rodent-borne diseases.
The Prevalence and Regional Variation of Major Depressive Disorder Among Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease in the Medicare Population

Background:Current evidence suggests an association between coronary artery disease and major depressive disorder (MDD). Data to support a similar association between peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and MDD are more limited. This study examines the prevalence and regional variation of both PAD and MDD in a large contemporary patient sample.Methods:All Medicare claims, part A and B, from January 2009 until December 2011 were queried using diagnosis codes specific for a previously validated clinical algorithm for PAD and major depression. Codes for PAD included those specific to cerebrovascular disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and peripheral vascular disease. Peripheral arterial disease prevalence, major depression prevalence, and coprevalence rates were determined, respectively. Regional variation of both conditions was determined using zip code data to identify potential endemic areas of disease intensity for both diagnoses.Results:Over the study interval, the percentage of Medicare beneficiaries wit...
reflections on the OUS cuba programme: internationalisation via a ‘double hybrid’ model

In light of recent trends in the internationalisation of post-secondary education, the rising popularity of short-term study abroad programmes, and the persistent lack of diversity in study abroad, this article presents an option for a short-term, hybrid study abroad programme. The article highlights the Oregon University System Cuba programme and its use of a ‘double hybrid’ model utilising both in-person and on-line coursework and on-campus and study abroad courses aimed to internationalise educational opportunities statewide and to diversify populations participating in international programmes. Though early in its evolution, the ‘double hybrid’ model has much to offer educational institutions, faculty and students alike, either in its entirety or in part.
A Bayesian Framework for Learning Words From Multiword Utterances.

Current computational models of word learning make use of correspondences between words and observed referents, but as of yet cannot—as human learners do—leverage information regarding the meaning of other words in the lexicon. Here we develop a Bayesian framework for word learning that learns a lexicon from multiword utterances. In a set of three simulations we demonstrate this framework’s functionality, consistency with experimental work, and superior performance in certain learning tasks with respect to a Bayesian word leaning model that treats word learning as inferring the meaning of each word independently. This framework represents the first step in modeling the potential synergies between referential and distributional cues in word learning.
Conceptualization of research of power hybrid electric power complexes

The following disadvantages were revealed for hybrid diesel-electric propulsion complex (DEPC) under the influence of non-determined external disturbances: lack of coordination parameters of the medium-speed engines (MSE) with other components, leading to uneven regulation of magnetic flux and voltage amplitude, causing an additional increase of voltage pulsation in the output of converters and an emergence of equalization currents at synchronous operation; elevated levels of harmonics in the current of energy consumers; reduced reliability, efficiency, increased size and weight that occur through the use of high power elements and sets of equipment for them; no possibility of balancing three-phase system of power supply voltage with uneven loading of the phases. The impact of some disadvantages of hybrid DEPC operation has been reduced due to the determination of the ways of their modernization and use of criteria for improving energy processes through the integration of appropriate criteria of management strategies in the power distribution system. When using the classic PI control with adjustable level of ESS battery charge, power consumption by the consumers connected to the DC-link is decreased by 5 ÷ 7 % depending on the operating mode, and reactive power compensation is increased in the range of 2 ÷ 3 %. Control of frequency and MSE condition with adjustable degree of ESS battery charge for all other equal conditions allows to reduce the number or power of photovoltaic elements by 7 ÷ 10 % and management for criteria to obtain a maximum of alternative energy and control of the charge degree of ESS battery allows to use batteries of smaller capacity within 6 ÷ 8 %. The proposed approach ensured optimization of power for PVGS, CPU and ESS diesel and generating units for hybrid DEPC that in the future will lead to minimize investment and operating costs.