cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Time from Booking Until Appointment and Healthcare Utilization in Hand Surgery Patients with Discretionary Conditions

Delaying treatment for benign musculoskeletal conditions may allow patients to learn self-efficacy and develop coping strategies, leading to less medical intervention and reduced cost. We tested the hypothesis that time from booking until appointment is not associated with healthcare costs. We further tested the secondary hypothesis that time from booking to appointment is not associated with specific healthcare utilizations. We identified 16,750 patients (55 % women; mean age 50 years) making first clinic visits to hand surgeons at our hospital between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2012. Booking time was defined as the time between the scheduling of an appointment and the actual visit. Imaging procedures, injections, nerve conduction studies, occupational therapy visits, surgery, and referrals were determined up until the patient's second visit with the surgeon, or 90 days. Costs were determined in Relative Value Units. Duration between booking and office visit was not associated with higher cost (regression coefficient [β] 0.0023, P = 0.77). Duration between booking and office visit was associated with a higher rate of nerve conduction studies (odds ratio [OR] 1.02, P < 0.001) and a lower rate of occupational therapy (OR 0.98, P < 0.001). There was substantial variation between surgeons. Greater wait time was not therapeutic, but is associated with different diagnostic and treatment measures that suggest people that are willing to wait have different types of problems. The variation by surgeon may make variation based on other factors, including time between booking and appointment, difficult to discern.
Stroke Patients’ Knowledge of Stroke: Influence on Time to Presentation

Background and Purpose New treatments for acute stroke will likely have to be given soon after stroke onset. Little is known about stroke patients’ general knowledge about stroke, their interpretation of stroke symptoms, and how these factors influence the timing of their decision to seek medical attention. Methods We interviewed consecutive stroke patients within 72 hours of stroke onset to define factors influencing time of arrival to the emergency department. Data recorded included demographic information, method of transportation, type of stroke symptoms, the patient’s interpretation of the symptoms, previous stroke, and knowledge of stroke warning signs. Stroke severity was measured with the Barthel Index. Early arrival was defined as within 3 hours of awareness of symptoms. Results Sixty-seven patients were interviewed; 96% had an ischemic stroke and 4% a cerebral hemorrhage. Although 38% of patients professed to know the warning signs of stroke, only 25% correctly interpreted their symptoms. Patien...
Demand-driven service differentiation in cluster-based network servers

Service differentiation that provides prioritized service qualities to multiple classes of client requests can effectively utilize available server resources. This paper studies how demand-driven service differentiation in terms of end-user performance can be supported in cluster-based network servers. Our objective is to deliver better services to high priority request classes without over-sacrificing low priority classes. To achieve this objective, we propose a dynamic scheduling scheme, called DDSD that adapts to fluctuating request resource demands by periodically repartitioning servers. This scheme also employs priority-based admission control to drop excessive user requests and achieve soft performance guarantees. For each scheduling period, our scheme monitors the system status and uses a queuing model to approximate server behaviors and guide resource allocation. Our experiments show that the proposed technique achieves demand-driven service differentiation while maximizing resource utilization and that it can substantially outperform static server partitioning.
Slow formation of aggregation‐resistant β‐sheet folding intermediates

Protein folding has been studied extensively for decades, yet our ability to predict how proteins reach their native state from a mechanistic perspective is still rudimentary at best, limiting our understanding of folding-related processes in vivo and our ability to manipulate proteins in vitro. Here, we investigate the in vitro refolding mechanism of a large beta-helix protein, pertactin, which has an extended, elongated shape. At 55 kDa, this single domain, all-beta-sheet protein allows detailed analysis of the formation of beta-sheet structure in larger proteins. Using a combination of fluorescence and far-UV circular dichroism spectroscopy, we show that the pertactin beta-helix refolds remarkably slowly, with multiexponential kinetics. Surprisingly, despite the slow refolding rates, large size, and beta-sheet-rich topology, pertactin refolding is reversible and not complicated by off-pathway aggregation. The slow pertactin refolding rate is not limited by proline isomerization, and 30% of secondary structure formation occurs within the rate-limiting step. Furthermore, site-specific labeling experiments indicate that the beta-helix refolds in a multistep but concerted process involving the entire protein, rather than via initial formation of the stable core substructure observed in equilibrium titrations. Hence pertactin provides a valuable system for studying the refolding properties of larger, beta-sheet-rich proteins, and raises intriguing questions regarding the prevention of aggregation during the prolonged population of partially folded, beta-sheet-rich refolding intermediates. Proteins 2010. (c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
SISTEMAS ELECTORALES Y ESTILOS DE CAMPAÑA: LOS DIPUTADOS PANAMEÑOS Y EL VOTO PERSONALISTA

El metodo de eleccion de los diputados panamenos no es muy conocido en el ambito academico y sus efectos han sido poco estudiados. Aun cuando la Constitucion de Panama establece “el principio de representacion proporcional”, la profusion de circunscripciones uninominales, aunada al sistema de mayoria relativa que se emplea para la distribucion de escanos residuales en los circuitos plurinominales, hacen de dicho metodo, en la practica, un sistema predominantemente mayoritario. En conjunto con lo anterior, la modalidad de lista abierta utilizada en las primeras dos fases de la asignacion de escanos en circunscripciones plurinominales contribuye a promover el voto personalista sobre el voto partidario, ideologico o programatico. Por tanto, como lo arguye este trabajo, los efectos del sistema electoral panameno coinciden con las predicciones teoricas sobre las consecuencias de los sistemas electorales en las campanas para diputado.
Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms, bone turnover, and rates of bone loss in older African-American women.

Bone mineral density (BMD) is under genetic control. Some studies in Caucasian and Asian women suggest that polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene are associated with BMD and the rate of postmenopausal bone loss. We determined if similar associations exist in 101 African-American women aged 65 years and older (71 ± 5 years, mean ± SD). We also examined the relation between VDR genotype and fractional 45 Ca absorption and markers of bone formation (osteocalcin) and resorption (N-telopeptides) in these women. BMD was measured at the proximal femur and whole body at baseline and after 1.9 ± 0.4 years (femur only) on a Hologic QDR-2000 densitometer using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Calcaneal BMD was measured with single x-ray absorptiometry. VDR gene polymorphisms were defined by the endonucleases BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI. These polymorphisms were not associated with BMD at any skeletal site or with markers of bone turnover. There was a significant interaction between age and VDR genotype where the oldest women (>70 years) with the tt genotype experienced greater hip bone loss than women with the TT genotype (-2.1%/year vs. -0.4%/year, respectively), whereas heterozygous women experienced an intermediate rate of bone loss (-1.3%/year). Women homozygous for the B allele had 14% lower fractional 45 Ca absorption compared with women homozygous for the b allele, although this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.08). We conclude that VDR gene polymorphisms are not associated with BMD or indices of bone turnover in this population of older African-American women. However, DNA sequence variation in the VDR gene or a nearby locus may influence intestinal calcium transport and the rate of postmenopausal bone loss in African-American women.
Modeling Laser Generated Shock Damage and Thermo-Mechanical Chaos in Nanoparticles

Continual advances in laser technology lead to shorter pulses and higher energies. As the duration of a laser pulse shortens, different physical mechanisms become important in determining the thermo-mechanical response of an absorbing particle. These thermo-mechanical responses fall into the general category of thermal heating (temperature rise), vaporization, and shock wave formation. Our theoretical work has produced a computational model that allows the quantitative calculation of all of these responses for a laser of any pulse duration or energy, absorbed by a particle of any size. We find that for relatively long pulses, particle damage occurs most easily, i.e. at the least pulse energy, due to thermal effects. As the pulse duration shortens, explosive vaporization can dominate as the primary damage mechanism. For short pulses, shock wave production becomes the dominant damage mechanism. We describe how the relative terms of “short” and “long” pulse duration can be determined from knowledge of the thermo-mechanical properties of the absorber. Conversely, when the thermo-mechanical properties are not known, we explain how our theoretical work leads suggests an experimental technique that allows measurement of these absorber properties. This technique is applicable to extremely small particles that present difficulties for thermo-mechanical measurements. Finally, we show computational evidence of chaotic behavioral response of the absorber. This results in some laser pulse durations and energies that cause anomalously small shock waves, whereas other durations and energies cause surprisingly large and damaging responses.
A modified bit-map-assisted dynamic queue protocol for multiaccess wireless networks with heterogeneous users

A modified bit-map-assisted dynamic queue (BMDQ) protocol is presented for wireless slotted networks with heterogeneous users and multiple packet reception (MPR) capability. As in our recently proposed BMDQ protocol, in the proposed protocol the traffic in the channel is viewed as a flow of transmission periods (TP). Each TP has a bit-map (BM) slot at the beginning followed by a data transmission period (DP). In the BMDQ protocol the BM slot is reserved for user detection so that accurate knowledge of the active user set (AUS) can be acquired. Then given the knowledge of the AUS and the channel MPR matrix, the number of users that can access the channel simultaneously in each packet slot in the DP is chosen to maximize the conditional throughput of every packet slot. In Wang et al. (2003), all users are assumed to have the same bit error probability, i.e. they were assumed to be homogeneous. In the proposed modified BMDQ protocol, we allow the users to have unequal bit error probability. In this case, given the AUS, the choice of users to transmit in a given slot to maximize the conditional throughput is no longer just the number of users, but also the specific choice of users. Simulation comparison of the performance of the modified BMDQ protocol with that of the original BMDQ protocol is presented.
Early Surgery Is Recommended for Mitral Regurgitation

Mitral regurgitation (MR), the systolic flow reversal from the left ventricle to the left atrium, is currently the most frequent valvular heart disease.1 Because MR affects predominantly patients ≥65 years of age,1 with age at surgery most often in the sixth decade,2 the observed prevalence will increase with the aging of the population. Thus, the number of US citizens affected by moderate or severe MR will almost double between 2000 and 2030, reaching almost 5 million by then.1 MR mechanism is classified as organic (intrinsic valve lesions) or functional (structurally normal mitral valve with MR caused by ventricular dysfunction).3 Indications of mitral surgery, the only current approved treatment of MR, are disputed because large clinical trials in MR have not been reported and outcome studies provide the best evidence available but require careful interpretation. The benefit of surgery is uncertain in functional MR and is not addressed here.4 However, we illustrate here that overwhelmingly coherent cumulative evidence obtained worldwide shows that early surgery should be the preferred management approach for organic MR. This approach differs from standard guidelines, and it is essential that its principles, rationales, and conduct be fully considered. Response by Gillam and Schwartz see p 804 Guidelines for the management of valve diseases mention class I versus class II indications as having agreed-on versus conflicting evidence/opinions.5 This classification is problematic for MR treatment because class I indications, based mostly on symptoms and overt left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, lead to the performance of rescue surgery (surgery for patients at considerable risk if unoperated) but do not result in optimal long-term outcomes for patients with organic MR.6,7 The concept of uniform surgical recommendations that supposedly apply equally to all centers is also problematic; recent studies have shown that the quality of …
The Learner-Centered Model: Implications for Research Approaches

When implementing a learner-centered model in transformative ways, we must advocate and implement practices grounded in research-validated principles that address well-researched central person variables and acknowledge the value of holistic principles and practices that address the whole person. This chapter describes necessary changes in research practices and methodologies that are emerging in multiple fields involved in transforming education to twenty-first century standards. Most important are those research methodologies that allow for multiple methods within a living systems ecological framework and advocate a collaborative approach. All stakeholders, including students, must be involved in the research so that it is owned and sustained over time in a model of continuous change and improvement. Evidence of the effectiveness of new research models following a person- and learner-centered approach within a collaborative approach is presented as a challenge to those advocating the theory of Carl Rogers and its associated personalized practices into our modern world.
The Empirical Roots of the 'Regulatory Reform' Movement: A Critical Appraisal

Over the past few years the debate over the economic rationality of health, safety and environmental regulation has morphed into a sustained controversy over the tests and methods by which that rationality is judged. Critics have argued that the main "regulatory scorecards" which comprise much of the empirical foundation for the regulatory reform movement are fundamentally flawed because they: alter agency estimates of future costs and benefits; disregard most uncertainties; and misrepresent ex ante guesses as "the" costs and benefits of regulation. They also zero out whole categories of benefits that cannot be quantified and/or monetized even when the benefits clearly are substantial. Finally, most scorecards contain no test to detect untaken regulatory opportunities or regulations that are too lenient. They only identify regulations that appear too strict, an asymmetry that creates a built-in bias favoring the conclusion they purport to have proven. This Article responds to the latest defenses of scorecards offered by their proponents. It observes that scorecardists do not, for the most part, deny engaging in the practices described above, and cannot deny that they stray from widely-agreed principles of sound cost-benefit analysis in so doing. Rather, defenders of scorecards have asserted that such deviations are justified on policy grounds, or that they do not materially affect the results, or (most fundamentally) that there is no alternative. This Article argues that these errors occur, they are inherent to strictly numeric scorecards, they are not justified, and they cannot rationally be disregarded as "harmless errors." Moreover, there is a clear alternative. Implementing that alternative, however, requires abandoning strictly numeric regulatory scorecards as a defunct mode of analysis. It also requires certain changes in the way regulatory analyses are prepared initially at the agency level, and in the way they are reviewed after the fact.
Hydrogen sulfide and turbidity control using catalysed oxidation coupled with filtration for groundwater treatment

The presence of hydrogen sulfide in drinking water supplies can result in odour complaints, sulfur induced corrosion and black-water problems in distribution systems. Conventional approaches for hydrogen sulfide control are based on either air stripping to remove nonionized H 2 S or oxidation to form sulfate. Residual hydrogen sulfide can react with chlorine or chloramines resulting in the generation of turbidity in the distribution system, potentially compromising disinfection effectiveness. A promising alternative is to employ hydrogen peroxide oxidation catalysed by iron to form elemental sulfur that can be removed by filtration. Bench and pilot-scale tests were conducted on a Florida groundwater to evaluate reaction kinetics and process efficiency. The use of in-line hydrogen peroxide oxidation catalysed by low dosages of ferric sulfate coupled with two-stage upflow filtration was capable of complete removal of hydrogen sulfide and associated turbidity. Additional benefits of this physical/chemical treatment approach include elimination of odour generation, reduction of chlorine demand and improved stability of the finished water.
Mechanism of cardiac changes observed in uremia.

Summary1. The cholinesterase activity of the ventricle of dogs in uremia is significantly lower than normals. 2. The observed electrocardiographic changes, characteristic of an impedance or block in action potential propagation in the heart, may therefore be specifically related to changes in the acetylcholinesterase activity of the conductive elements of this organ.
Surveying Populations of Western Pine Shoot Borers (Lepidoptera: Olethreutidae)

Three methods for estimating population levels of Eucosma sonomana Kearfott, in Pinus ponderosa Dougl ex Laws., in the West are compared. Use of pheromone-baited traps appears best for preliminary estimates or for generalized surveys of larger areas. A visual field survey for damaged terminal shoots is better for more precise assessment of individual plantations. A survey based on careful dissection of terminal shoots is most accurate but is not practical for most purposes.
What is a Topological Group

(1945). What is a Topological Group? The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 52, No. 6, pp. 302-307.
Update on Screening Recommendations for Hydroxychloroquine Retinopathy

Conflict of Interest Disclosures: All authors have completed and submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest. The authors are principals in Advanced Euclidean Solutions, which owns the Ladas Super Formula and Ladas Super Surface and their trademarks and copyrights. Dr Ladas reported having patents pending for “Super Formula” and “Super Surface.” No other disclosures were reported.
Effectiveness of Castration Versus Intravenous Estrogen Therapy in Producing Rapid Endocrine Control of Metastatic Cancer of the Prostate

Nine men with histologically confirmed stage D cancer of the prostate were evaluated with serial serum testosterone levels after being treated with bilateral orchiectomy or intravenous estrogen. Bilateral orchiectomy produced castrate serum testosterone levels (less than or equal to 50 ng. per 100 ml.) within 2 to 6 hours (mean 3 hours) after surgery. Intravenous estrogen therapy did not consistently produce castrate serum testosterone levels immediately but did significantly decrease testosterone within 12 hours after infusion. Both forms of therapy are safe, produce a clinically effective response and offer advantages for patients with advanced prostatic cancer.
Risk assessment of triazine herbicides in surface waters and bioaccumulation of Irgarol and M1 by submerged aquatic vegetation in Southeast Florida

Irgarol is a common antifoulant present in coastal environments experiencing high boating activities. Irgarol, its degradation product M1, and the similarly structured herbicide Atrazine, are highly toxic to non-target marine organisms and thus pose a continual risk to the environment. Nearshore areas with intensive boating activity were assessed for environmental exposure to Irgarol, M1, and Atrazine. Irgarol levels up to 241 ng/L were measured in surface water collected at Key Largo Harbor. Irgarol's metabolite, M1, was detected at levels up to 50 ng/L. Atrazine levels reached 21 ng/L throughout Miami River, and were also detected in waters within Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve at 7 ± 4 ng/L. The Irgarol 90th percentile exposure concentration (176 ng/L) in Southeast Florida--including Biscayne Bay--surface waters were found to exceed most toxicity benchmarks, suggesting Irgarol concentrations may be high enough to cause undesired effects on aquatic plants. Indigenous species of SAVs were also collected throughout Southeast Florida and assessed for their Irgarol and M1 bioaccumulation capabilities. All SAV species collected revealed Irgarol bioaccumulation capabilities and a 90th centile bioconcentration factor (BCF) of 9830. Several of those species were also capable of bioaccumulating M1, with a 90th centile BCF of 391. A 43-day in situ transplant between an impacted area and a pristine area within Biscayne Bay waters showed SAVs were able to uptake Irgarol from the environment with quick kinetics: tissue concentrations were 66 times greater than the water concentration within 6 weeks. Halodule and Syringodium had the highest capacity to bioaccumulate from marina surface waters, as indicated by the Irgarol BCF (Halodule=6809, Syringodium=6681) and M1 BCF (Halodule=277, Syringodium=558). Halodule and Syringodium are therefore the best candidate species to serve as bioindicators indicators of acute Irgarol contamination.
The United States Military under the Constitution of the United States, 1789–1989

How can a democratic nation which distrusts centralised power create and maintain the institutions to defend itself without undermining the very liberty it is trying to perpetuate? In attempting to answer this central question, this volume begins with an analysis of the constitutional framework for American national security and describes several major aspects of American military service: the character and role of the citizen-soldier; the historical experience of the regular army intervening to maintain internal order; and the experience of black Americans in their efforts to serve equally in the nation's armed forces. The book also explores tensions within the civil-military relationship, as exemplified by the dilemma posed for the army when Congress and the President gave conflicting guidance during the Reconstruction; George C. Marshall's views of military subordination to civil authority; and the sacking of Douglas MacArthur during the Korean War. Finally, the book focuses on the role of the three branches of government in controlling the military, and in making war and military policy during the 20th century. Each chapter aims to provide a discussion of important, and sometimes neglected or controversial, aspects of the American military experience.
Religion and Politics in an Industrial Midland City: The Case of Nottingham

It is not so easy to summarize the course of parliamentary elections in Nottingham, which experienced 11 elections during the years 1832 to 1847.1 If more complex than the Durham elections of the same period, the proceedings in Nottingham also tended to be less edifying, and outright bribery and riot were as likely influences on electors as issues of policy. In the 1841 general election, in which fewer than 700 electors polled, the liberal candidates lavished £12,000 on the borough, and the conservatives £5000—or nearly £25 per voter. The same election was marred by violence ranging from fists and occasional spencerings2 at one end, to stones, brickbats, and knives at the other. Many people were injured, and several were stabbed. In the confusion, one candidate was pick-pocketed on the hustings, and another feared himself constantly ’in danger almost of [his] life.’3 The Nottingham Review reported that A thick bludgeon, with a spike three inches long was handed to the Mayor, said to have been taken from some person on the hustings; the confusion was so great, that we could not ascertain from whom the deadly weapon was taken.4
Fingolimod hydrochloride gel shows promising therapeutic effects in a mouse model of atopic dermatitis.

Objectives To assess the efficacy of topically applied 2% hydroxypropyl cellulose gels containing 0.5% fingolimod hydrochloride (FNGL) with or without 6% colloidal oatmeal in an in vivo model of atopic dermatitis (AD). Methods AD-like lesions were induced in SKH1/Hr hairless mice and were treated with FNGL gels, non-medicated base gels and Elidel® cream for 6 weeks. The severity/improvement of the lesions was assessed regularly using the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), pH of the skin, transepidermal water loss, g/m2/h (TEWL), humidity and temperature. At the end of the experiments, the plasma levels of cytokines, FNGL and white blood cells were determined. Key findings The EASI score was almost unchanged for the vehicle-only groups compared to before the treatments, whereas the medicated groups showed a significant decrease in the overall EASI score (P 0.081). Both the FNGL groups also showed a significant (P ˂ 0.05) reduction in blood WBC. Conclusion This study shows that the gels containing 0.50% FNGL and FNGL 0.50% plus 6% colloidal oatmeal have potential for the treatment of AD. The presence of colloidal oatmeal may provide additional benefits.
A search for Nemesis; Current status and review of theory

Author(s): Perlmutter, S.; Muller, R.A.; Pennypacker, Carl R.; Smith, C.K.; Wang, L.P.; White, S.; Yang, H.S.
Robotic Assist-As-Needed as an Alternative to Therapist-Assisted Gait Rehabilitation.

Objective: Body Weight Supported Treadmill Training (BWSTT) with therapists’ assistance is often used for gait rehabilitation post-stroke. However, this training method is labor-intensive, requiring at least one or as many as three therapists at once for manual assistance. Previously, we demonstrated that providing movement guidance using a performance-based robot-aided gait training (RAGT) that applies a compliant, assist-as-needed force-field improves gait pattern and functional walking ability in people post-stroke. In the current study, we compared the effects of assist-as-needed RAGT combined with functional electrical stimulation and visual feedback with BWSTT to determine if RAGT could serve as an alternative for locomotor training. Methods: Twelve stroke survivors were randomly assigned to one of the two groups, either receiving BWSTT with manual assistance or RAGT with functional electrical stimulation and visual feedback. All subjects received fifteen 40-minutes training sessions. Results: Clinical measures, kinematic data, and EMG data were collected before and immediately after the training for fifteen sessions. Subjects receiving RAGT demonstrated significant improvements in their selfselected over-ground walking speed, Functional Gait Assessment, Timed Up and Go scores, swing-phase peak knee flexion angle, and muscle coordination pattern. Subjects receiving BWSTT demonstrated significant improvements in the Six-minute walk test. However, there was an overall trend toward improvement in most measures with both interventions, thus there were no significant between-group differences in the improvements following training. Conclusion: The current findings suggest that RAGT worked at least as well as BWSTT and thus may be used as an alternative rehabilitation method to improve gait pattern post-stroke as it requires less physical effort from the therapists compared to BWSTT.
The Sentencing/Punishment of Federal Environmental/Green Criminal Offenders, 2000–2013

ABSTRACTWhile much has been written about the purpose of environmental sentencing, little research summarizes the actual sentencing of environmental offenders, forcing criminologists to generalize about environmental sentencing patterns. This study helps fill that gap by examining federal environmental sentences across 22 environmental statutes from 2000 through 2013. The analysis examines case distributions and mean sentences received by individuals (N = 420) and corporations (N = 161) across 337 criminal cases. Key findings: few cases go to trial; a handful of corporate cases significantly affect mean fine amounts; compared to earlier studies, fewer individual received sentences that involve incarceration, but those sentences are now longer.
MULTIPLE REGRESSION AS A FLEXIBLE ALTERNATIVE TO ANOVA IN L2 RESEARCH

Second language (L2) research relies heavily and increasingly on ANOVA (analysis of variance)-based results as a means to advance theory and practice. This fact alone should merit some reflection on the utility and value of ANOVA. It is possible that we could use this procedure more appropriately and, as argued here, other analyses such as multiple regression may prove to be more illuminating in certain research contexts. We begin this article with an overview of problems associated with ANOVA; some of them are inherent to the procedure, and others are tied to the way it is applied in L2 research. We then present three rationales for when researchers might turn to multiple regression in place of ANOVA. Output from ANOVA and multiple regression analyses based on published and mock-up studies are used to illustrate major points.
Human Dose Production of 11C-L-Glutamine for Clinical PET Practice

278 Objectives To date, L-[5-11C]-glutamine (11C-L-Gln) has been developed for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of glutamine metabolism, an attractive target for new strategies of cancer diagnosis and therapy. However, PET imaging with 11C-L-Gln in humans remains unreported likely due to the fact that its radiosynthesis has not been optimized for clinical production. Herein we report a modified radiochemical method for efficient production of 11C-L-Gln toward the goal of its clinical applications. Methods Our modified radiosynthesis of 11C-L-Gln was carried out by adapting its reported synthetic procedures to two automated radiochemistry modules. Briefly, 11C-HCN produced from 11C-CO2 by a GE Procab module was automatically transferred to react with the precursor, an iodinated organic compound n-boc-L-homoserine-I butyl ester, in the reaction vessel of a cGMP-compliant GE FX-M module, in which the following radiochemical purification, hydrolysis, and final production separation were also programmed and accomplished. The dispensed 11C-L-Gln was analyzed and subjected to the quality assurance standards stipulated by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) chapter 823 for future human use. Results The automated radiosynthesis of 11C-L-Gln was successfully accomplished by linking two commercial radiochemical modules (GE Procab and FX-M). The averaged decay corrected radiochemical yield was 28 ± 3.5 % at the end of synthesis based on the radioactivity of 11C-HCN trapped in the reaction vial (n = 6). The radiochemical purity of 11C-L-Gln was 蠅 97% as measured by a radio-HPLC system on a chiral column (Astec CHIROBIOTIC T, 5 μm, 250 x 4.6 mm). Total synthesis time was 50 ± 2 min from the end of bombardment. The radioactivity range of obtained 11C-L-Gln was 15 to 25 mCi after the completion of all quality control tests required by the USP chapter 823. Conclusions Our work demonstrates that it is practical to implement the multi-step radiosynthesis of 11C-L-Gln on commercially available cGMP-compliant radiochemical modules for automated production of the radiotracer for its clinical applications.
Computational fluid dynamics simulation on the longwall gob breathing

Abstract In longwall mines, atmospheric pressure fluctuations can disturb the pressure balance between the gob and the ventilated working area, resulting in a phenomenon known as “gob breathing”. Gob breathing triggers gas flows across the gob and the working areas and may result in a condition where an oxygen deficient mixture or a methane accumulation in the gob flows into the face area. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFDs) modeling was carried out to analyze this phenomenon and its impact on the development of an explosive mixture in a bleeder-ventilated panel scheme. Simulation results indicate that the outgassing and ingassing across the gob and the formation of Explosive Gas Zones (EGZs) are directly affected by atmospheric pressure changes. In the location where methane zones interface with mine air, EGZ fringes may form along the face and in the bleeder entries. These findings help assess the methane ignition and explosion risks associated with fluctuating atmospheric pressures.
3.3 The Impact of Large Integrated and Bonded Composite Structures on Future Military Transport Aircraft

By the mid-1990s, the percentage of composite by weight on military aircraft had plateaued due to cost concerns. As a result, the United States Department of Defense (DoD) started a significant investment in affordable composites, with the focus of the research on large integrated (or unitized) and bonded structures. This chapter describes the nature and results of that work to demonstrate cost savings at the component level. It further explains the results of the capstone X-plane program to demonstrate the significance of large integrated and bonded structures on reducing the developmental time for such an airplane. Finally, the implications of large integrated and bonded structures on the production of a notional future military transport are discussed.
On the treatment of syntactically-distributed downstep

It is argued in this paper that the downsteps which mark the associative construction in Igbo and the set of "Class I" words in Kikuyu are best analyzed as morphemes of the form [ ? ], where the symbol " ? " represents a drop in pitch. If lexical tone contours are represented dynamically, as sequences of pitch rises ( ? 's) and pitch drops ( ? 's), then the interaction of the downstep with the surrounding tone contour can be accounted for in a coherent way by means of rules which move or delete pitch changes which would otherwise lie too close to another pitch change. In the final. section of the paper, this approach is extended to alienable possessive phrases in Asante Twi, whose special tonal properties are shown to result from the presence of an associative morpheme of the form [ t ].
Processing and Characterization of Ti64/AZ31 Multilayered Structure by Roll Bonding

Ti64 titanium alloy sheets and AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets were stacked in an alternating order and rolled to form three types of roll-bonded multilayered materials. The microstructure of these roll-bonded samples was observed using optical microscope, and the Vickers hardness data were also obtained. The thickness of the AZ31 layers was severely reduced, while the thickness of Ti64 layers was only slightly changed. Compared with the as-received Ti64 titanium alloy and AZ31 magnesium alloy, the Vickers hardness of Ti64 layers only slightly deviated from that of the as-received state, while AZ31 layers was refined equiaxed grains had higher hardness than that of the as-received state.
Robust dynamic state estimator to outliers and cyber attacks

To perform power system monitoring and control using synchrophasor measurements, various dynamic state estimators have been proposed in the literature, including the extended Kalman filter (EKF) and the unscented Kalman filter (UKF). However, they are unable to handle system model parameter errors and any type of outliers, precluding them from being adopted for power system real-time applications. In this paper, we develop a robust iterated extended Kalman filter based on the generalized maximum likelihood approach (termed GM-IEKF) for dynamic state estimation. The proposed GM-IEKF can effectively suppress observation and innovation outliers, which may be induced by model parameter gross errors and cyber attacks. We assess its robustness by carrying out extensive simulations on the IEEE 39-bus test system. From the results, we find that the GM-IEKF is able to cope with at least 25% outliers, including in position of leverage.
Hemophilus influenzae epididymo-orchitis

Epididymo-orchitis is an unusual cause of acute scrotal swelling in early childhood. We report the coexistence of otitis media and epididymo-orchitis owing to Hemophilus influenzae, type b in 2 children.
In vivo Corrosion of a Cobalt-Base Alloy and Its Biological Consequences

Implants used in modem orthopaedic surgery are fabricated from three alloy systems with different majority or base components. These alloy systems are iron based high chromium alloys, collectively termed stainless steels, cobalt based alloys and titanium based alloys. Stainless steels and titanium alloys are used for fabrication of internal fixation devices. Cobalt based alloys are not widely used in this application due to their high material and fabrication costs and their relative lack of ductility. Such devices are considered to be temporary implants; long term biological effects should not be a factor in their routine use.
Hierarchical Assemblies of Supramolecular Coordination Complexes

ConspectusHierarchical self-assembly (HAS) is a multilevel organization process that first assembles elementary molecular units into ordered secondary structures via noncovalent interactions, which further act as the building blocks to form more complex multifunctional superstructures at the next level(s). The HAS strategy has been used as a versatile method for the preparation of soft-matter nanoarchitectures of defined size and morphologies, tunable luminescence, and biological importance. However, such preparation can be greatly simplified if well-defined dynamic structures are employed as the cores that upon linking form the desired nanoarchitectures. Discrete supramolecular coordination complexes (SCCs) with well-defined shapes, sizes, and internal cavities have been widely employed to construct hierarchical systems with functional diversity. This Account summarizes the prevailing strategies used in recent years in the preparation of SCC-based HASs and illustrates how the combination of dynamic metal...
P116 Complement component 1q assay lacks sensitivity and trends with de novo donor-specific antibody titers

Aim Despite major advancements in immunosuppression, long-term allograft survival rates from deceased and living donors remain poor following post-kidney transplantation. The presence of de novo donor-specific antibodies (dnDSA) and complement component 1q (C1q) following transplantation contributes to repetitive microvascular injury that correlates with worsening graft function and graft failure. Immune monitoring post-transplantation of dnDSA and C1q is commonly employed to assess patient graft failure risk and can guide clinical decision making regarding the patient’s baseline immunosuppression. In this investigation, we sought to determine if the C1q assay provided added clinically relevant data as C1q positivity was often associated with dnDSA titer and the use of pooled patient serum for quality control varied greatly among different runs of the same lot number. Methods Kidney transplant patients were monitored for the presence of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and class II antibodies using the Labscreen Single Antigen Antibody Detection Tests and the C1qScreen (One Lambda, Inc., Canoga Park, CA). C1q risk scores were delineated as N = C1q negative, 2 = C1q weak positive, 3 = C1q moderate positive, 4 = C1q strong positive, 5–6 = very strong positive based on C1q mean fluorescent intensity (MFI) cutoff ranges. Results DSA titration (1:16, MFI = 3136) trended as N = C1q negative. DSA titration (1:256, MFI = 13136) trended as 5–6 = C1q very strong positive. Poor delineation of C1q risk at intermediate titrations may be due to confounding quality control variability in the daily pooled plasma serum measurements, which can alter baseline risk scoring of C1q MFI values. Conclusions C1q and dnDSA are often tracked to make risk assessments regarding kidney allograft health post-transplantation; however, C1q MFI measurements may not be additionally informative for clinicians as it often tracked with dnDSA antibody titer and the C1q assay lacks sensitivity at lower concentrations and potentially makes C1q risk scores ambiguous or misleading.
The Paris System: achievement of a standardized diagnostic reporting system for urine cytology

Abstract Urinary tract cytology is a common diagnostic test used in the initial work up of bladder cancer. Since its inception as an utilizable diagnostic technique by Dr. Papanicolaou in 1945, urinary cytology has proven to be a cheap, easily obtained, and accurate method in the detection of high-grade urothelial carcinoma. Despite readily agreed upon features of high-grade urothelial carcinoma, a reproducible, universally accepted reporting method has not been attained. The Paris System for Reporting Urinary Cytology was developed to bring about a standardized reporting system with specific diagnostic categories and clear cytomorphologic criteria for the reliable diagnosis of high-grade urothelial carcinoma. This paper sets out to review the utility of urinary cytology, the current understanding of urothelial carcinoma, and the diagnostic categories of The Paris System. We finish with a review of the current literature regarding implementation of The Paris System.
Undermining Obligation to God: Hobbes’s Religious Rhetoric and False Forms of Obligation

This paper examines Hobbes’s use of religious rhetoric, specifically his definitions of the terms grace, faith, and future words in his explanation of the nature and origins of obligation. Through ...
Chapter 7 Housing subsidies. Effects on housing decisions, efficiency, and equity

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses housing subsidies. The American housing market is subject to a mind-boggling array of government interventions by various levels of government. These include: housing codes, that set quality standards that must be met by builders; licensure of real estate brokers and sales people; exclusionary zoning, which stipulates that land in a given area can be used only for certain purposes; open housing laws, that prohibit discrimination in the selling of housing; rent control; interest rate and other regulations on mortgage lending institutions; urban renewal programs, under which communities use their powers of eminent domain to acquire urban land, destroy “slums,” and sell the land to private developers; real estate taxation; and interventions in the credit market to increase the flow of credit to housing. The chapter focuses on the two most important federal policies toward housing, at least in terms of costs to the government.
To Adopt or Not to Adopt: Contextualizing Police Body-Worn Cameras Through Structural Contingency and Institutional Theoretical Perspectives:

There has been an increase in the adoption of body-worn cameras (BWCs) by law enforcement agencies in the United States and abroad. While several studies have showed promising results in officer sa...
Quantitative relationships of exposure to chrysotile asbestos and mesothelioma mortality.

Background While asbestos has long been known to cause mesothelioma, quantitative exposure-response data on the relation of mesothelioma risk and exposure to chrysotile asbestos are sparse. Methods Quantitative relationships of mortality from mesothelioma and pleural cancer were investigated in an established cohort of 5397 asbestos textile manufacturing workers in North Carolina, USA. Eligible workers were those employed between 1950 and 1973 with mortality follow-up through 2003. Individual exposure to chrysotile fibres was estimated on the basis of 3420 air samples covering the entire study period linked to work history records. Exposure coefficients adjusted for age, race, and time-related covariates were estimated by Poisson regression. Results Positive, statistically significant associations were observed between mortality from all pleural cancer (including mesothelioma) and time since first exposure (TSFE) to asbestos (rate ratio [RR], 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-1.34 per year), duration of exposure, and cumulative asbestos fibre exposure (RR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.04-1.28 per 100 f-years/mL; 10-year lag). Analyses of the shape of exposure-response functions suggested a linear relationship with TSFE and a less-than-linear relationship with cumulative exposure. Restricting the analysis to years when mesothelioma was coded as a unique cause of death yielded stronger but less precise associations. Conclusions These observations support with quantitative data the conclusion that chrysotile causes mesothelioma and encourage exposure-response analyses of mesothelioma in other cohorts exposed to chrysotile.
HDAC Inhibitor Plus Doxorubicin Combinations Reverse Apoptosis Resistance in Myeloma Cells by Triggering Cathepsin-Mediated Bax Activation

Combining drugs that inhibit different antiapoptotic pathways will be useful in overcoming drug resistance in multiple myeloma (MM). Since histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) affect multiple pathways of cancer progression by relaxing chromatin; their ability to reverse apoptosis resistance in MM in combination with a DNA damaging agent (doxorubicin) was investigated. Sodium butyrate (SB) (0.15 mM, 0.3 mM and 0.6 mM) and vorinostat (0.3 uM and 0.6 μM) were used as HDACi and doxorubicin (10 nM, 20 nM and 40 nM) was used as a DNA damaging agent. Percent survival of fresh MM cells was assessed with flow cytometry and viability of MM cell lines (NCI H929, RPMI 8226 and U266) was measured with alamar blue. Molecular mechanisms of synergy between HDACi and doxorubicin were characterized in MM cell lines using TUNEL assay for apoptosis, immunofluorescence microscopy for apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) release and Bax conformational change. Cathepsin B (Cat B) and calpain activity were measured using kits from Biovision Inc. Gene expression array studies were carried out using Human V6 Illumina chip. Treatment of mononuclear cells containing stromal and plasma cells (CD138+) from bone marrow aspirates of 22 patients with SB (0.6 mM), doxorubicin (40 nM) or with their combinations for 72 hr markedly decreased the percentage survival of CD138+ cells. One way repeated measures of ANOVA showed a significant (P + survival by combination treatment with mean survival 47.9+6.6% vs. 73.6+5.3% (SB) or 83.8+4.3% (doxorubicin) as single agents. Similarly, vorinostat, a clinically relevant HDACi in combination with doxorubicin also markedly reduced the percentage survival of fresh MM cells further suggesting the clinical relevance of the drug combinations evaluated. Although combinations of SB and doxorubicin synergistically (with a combination index of
‘Last of the buffalo’: bison extermination, early conservation, and visual records of settler colonization in the North American west

Following their rapid extermination from North America in the nineteenth century, bison became an icon of the early conservation movement. The acquisition of the last free-ranging bison herd by the...
Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate Penetration During Phonophoresis at 2 Ultrasound Frequencies.

Context The effect of ultrasound frequency on phonophoresis drug delivery in humans is unknown. Objective To determine if a low (45-kHz) or high (1-MHz) frequency delivered a higher dexamethasone (...