cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identifying strategies to promote team science in dissemination and implementation research.

Author(s): Aarons, Gregory A; Reeder, Kendal; Miller, Christopher J; Stadnick, Nicole A | Abstract: IntroductionScientific endeavors are increasingly carried out by teams of scientists. While there is growing literature on factors associated with effective science teams, little is known about processes that facilitate the success of dissemination and implementation (DaI) teams studying the uptake of healthcare innovations. This study aimed to identify strategies used by DaI scientists to promote team science.MethodsUsing a nominal group technique, a sample of 27 DaI scholars responded to the question, "What strategies have you or others used to promote team science?" Participants were asked to individually respond and then discuss within a small group to determine the group's top three strategies. Through a facilitated consensus discussion with the full sample, a rank-ordered list of three strategies was determined.ResultsA total of 126 individual responses (M = 9; SD = 4.88) were submitted. Through small group discussion, six groups ranked their top three strategies to promote team science. The final ranked list of strategies determined by the full sample included: (1) developing and maintaining clear expectations, (2) promoting and modeling effective communication, and (3) establishing shared goals and a mission of the work to be accomplished.ConclusionsBecause of its goal of translating knowledge to practice, DaI research necessitates the use of team science. The top strategies are in line with those found to be effective for teams in other fields and hold promise for improving DaI team cohesion and innovation, which may ultimately accelerate the translation of health innovations and the improvement of care quality and outcomes.
Synthesis and structural characterization of nickel(II) complexes of 20-membered macrocyclic rings bearing chelating bis(N-heterocyclic carbene) ligands

Abstract 20-Membered macrocyclic rings (Lbenz and Limid) containing two amine moieties and two N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) moieties coordinate in a κ2 coordination mode to Ni(II) through the NHC moieties. Complexes 3a and 3b were synthesized by generating free carbenes in situ from bis-benzimidazolium bromide salts and subsequent addition of one equivalent of [Ni(DME)X2] (X = Cl, Br) at 25 °C. Free carbenes of 20-membered macrocyclic ligands Lbenz and Limid can be generated in situ in THF-d8 and characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. 3b can also be synthesized by treatment of silver(I)-bis(NHC) complex 2a with one equivalent of [NiBr2(DME)] in refluxing methylene chloride for 20 h affording yields of up to70%. Complexes 3a and 3b were characterized by X-ray diffraction. [NiI2(Lbenz)] 5c was prepared by halogen exchange of 3a or 3b with NaI at 25 °C. Ni complexes of Limid can be prepared and characterized in situ but cannot be isolated cleanly from the reaction mixtures. The cis and trans isomers of [NiCl2(Limid)] (4a and 4b) and the bromide derivative 4c were characterized by X-ray crystallography by judicious selection of individual, high-quality crystals obtained from crude reaction mixtures.
Abstract IA19: Role of autophagy in cancer metabolism

Autophagy captures intracellular components and delivers them to lysosomes, where they are degraded and recycled to sustain metabolism and enable survival in starvation. Acute, whole-body deletion of the essential autophagy gene Atg7 in adult mice causes a systemic metabolic defect manifested by starvation intolerance and gradual loss of white adipose tissue, liver glycogen, and muscle mass. Cancer cells benefit from autophagy as deletion of essential autophagy genes impairs spontaneous tumor growth in autochthonous cancer models. Tumor cell autonomous autophagy is required to recycle macromolecules to sustain mitochondrial substrate supply and thereby energy and nucleotide pools essential for survival during nutrient limitation. In addition to promoting tumor cell survival, autophagy in the host also promotes tumorigenesis. Host-specific Atg7 or Atg5 deletion impairs growth of multiple different allografted tumors, by preventing the release of Arginase 1 from hepatocytes. Arginase 1 degrades circulating arginine that is essential for the growth of tumors, most of which are auxotrophic for arginine. Thus, autophagy sustains both tumor cell and host metabolism to enable tumor growth. In tumors with a high neoantigen load that can be recognized and killed by T cells, autophagy suppresses an antitumor T-cell response. Autophagy prevents tumor killing by T cells by suppressing production of interferon gamma in a T cell-dependent manner. Thus, autophagy promotes tumorigenesis by promoting intrinsic and extrinsic tumor metabolism and by suppressing the ability of the immune system to eliminate tumors. This suggests that autophagy inhibitors may be especially useful for cancer therapy when combined with immunotherapy. To better understand the toxicity of autophagy inhibition to normal tissues, we have examined the functional consequence of conditional Atg7 or Atg5 deletion in adult mice. Whereas Atg7 deletion causes neurodegeneration in 2-3 months, Atg5 deletion causes very specific loss of telocytes and stem cells in the ileum part of the intestine and rapid death due to a more abrupt loss of autophagy function. This indicates that there is a difference in the sensitivity of cell types and tissues to the loss of autophagy and that there are discrete functional dependencies on different ATGs. Citation Format: Eileen P. White. Role of autophagy in cancer metabolism [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on the Evolving Landscape of Cancer Modeling; 2020 Mar 2-5; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(11 Suppl):Abstract nr IA19.
The Challenge of Networked Democracy

We are living in a time marked by the evolution of social media and its relation to democracy and governance. Platforms, Protests, and the Challenge of Networked Democracy explores this evolution and the future of networked democracy in chapters that address social media’s outsized impact on the public sphere, the increasing role of misinformation in online spaces, and the challenges facing individuals, collectives, and governments as they work within and in response to this environment. The authors gathered here examine how digital platforms influence democratic deliberation across multiple cultures and nations, considering online moderation, governance, and activism in the aftermath of recent anti-democratic manipulation and interference. In doing so, the collection demonstrates how emerging digital methods and communication theory are integral to addressing the challenges introduced by disruptive events from across the globe. In this way, the book argues less for the emergence of new promises or dangers of social media, but rather documents how scholars are becoming increasingly in tune with the array of forces impacting networked democracy.
Law Graduate Employment in Utah By the Numbers

This Article surveys the employment, debt, and wage data available for law school graduates in Utah. Further, this Article recommends adjustments to current ABA employment survey information that will paint a more comprehensive picture of law graduate employment
Full recovery after 45 min of open cardiac massage for penetrating trauma: Resuscitation guided by end tidal CO2 and permissive hypotension.

Abstract We present a rare case of a patient who sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen, injuring the aorta, IVC and right common iliac vein. After initially obtaining return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) en route to the hospital, the patient again lost cardiac activity in the operating room during exploratory laparotomy. Resuscitative thoracotomy was performed and open cardiac massage was maintained for approximately 45 min while vessel injuries were repaired. During cardiac massage, end tidal CO2 was maintained between 15 and 31 mm Hg with 100% oxygen saturation and the patient received on-going transfusion of recycled whole blood and blood component therapy. Permissive hypotension was maintained to facilitate rapid repair of major vessels. Return of spontaneous circulation was achieved with a single 30 joule defibrillation. The patient was discharged home on hospital day 11, neurologically intact. This is the first report of survival after 45 min of open cardiac massage with aortic cross clamping, indicating that end tidal CO2 may act as an indicator of adequate end organ perfusion during protracted periods of hypotension.
Fashion Printing Technology Diffusion: Big Data Analytics

Digital printing technology (DPT) represents a core innovation that is currently revolutionizing the global decorated apparel market by automating printing process, facilitating customization, and reducing energy and production lead time. However, the fundamental understanding of the emerging DPT market remains unexplored due to its novelty. This study aims to identify DPT diffusion patterns over the past decade in the U.S. market and establish a predictive user profile using social media based data analytics along with data mining and traditional statistical modeling. The visualized DPT diffusion pattern depicts an s-shaped curve, which highlight the propensity that as new technology evolves over time. Additionally, the outcome profile suggests that likely DPT adopters reside in locations that reflect higher levels of education (bachelor’s degrees or higher), relatively young populations (i.e., between 19-34 years of age), proportionately higher incomes generated from art and design occupations, but lower levels of household incomes.
Only Relative Speed Matters: Virtual Causal Profiling

Causal profiling is a novel and powerful profiling technique that quantifies the potential impact of optimizing a code segment on the program runtime. A key application of causal profiling is to analyze what-if scenarios which typically require a large number of experiments. Besides, the execution of a program highly depends on the underlying machine resources, e.g., CPU, network, storage, so profiling results on one device does not translate directly to another. This is a major bottleneck in our ability to perform scalable performance analysis and greatly limits cross-platform software development. In this paper, we address the above challenges by leveraging a unique property of causal profiling: only relative performance of different resources affects the result of causal profiling, not their absolute performance. We first analytically model and prove causal profiling, the missing piece in the seminal paper. Then, we assert the necessary condition to achieve virtual causal profiling on a secondary device. Building upon the theory, we design VCoz, a virtual causal profiler that enables profiling applications on target devices using measurements on the host device. We implement a prototype of VCoz by tuning multiple hardware components to preserve the relative execution speeds of code segments. Our experiments on benchmarks that stress different system resources demonstrate that VCoz can generate causal profiling reports of Nexus 6P (an ARM-based device) on a host MacBook (x86 architecture) with less than 16% variance.
Free Tissue Transfer in Pressure Ulcer Reconstruction: A Systematic Review

Background Pressure ulcers (PUs) affect 2.5 million people in the United States annually and incur health-care costs of 11 billion dollars annually. Stage III/IV PU often require local flap reconstruction. Unfortunately, PU recurrence is common following reconstruction; recurrence rates as high as 82% have been reported. When local flap options are inadequate, free tissue transfer may be indicated but the indications have yet to be delineated. To develop evidence-based guidelines for the use of free flaps in PU reconstruction, we performed a systematic review. Methods A systematic review of the available English-language, peer-reviewed literature was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Scopus, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Articles were manually reviewed for relevance. Results Out of 272 articles identified, 10 articles were included in the final analysis. Overall, this systematic review suggests that free-flap PU reconstruction yields fewer recurrences compared with local flaps (0–20 vs. 13–82%). Further, several types of free flaps for PU reconstruction were identified in this review, along with their indications. Conclusion Free tissue transfer should be considered for recurrent PU. We offer specific recommendations for their use in PU reconstruction.
Mode of Marijuana Use among Young Adults: Perceptions, Use Profiles, and Future Use.

BACKGROUND Given changes in marijuana regulations, retail, and products and potential impact on use, we examined young-adult perceptions of different modes of use, the proportion using via different modes (e.g. smoking, vaping, ingesting), and associations with the use levels and stability of use over time. METHODS We analyzed baseline and one-year follow-up survey data (Fall 2018-2019) among 3,006 young adults (ages 18-34) across six metropolitan areas (Atlanta, Boston, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Oklahoma City, San Diego, Seattle). Measures included marijuana use frequency and mode, sociodemographics, other substance use, and social influences. RESULTS Participants' rated the following modes of use as: least harmful/addictive: topicals, oral pills, joint/bowl; most socially acceptable: joint/bowl, edibles/beverages, vaporized; and most harmful/addictive and least acceptable: wrapped, vaped, or waterpipe/bong with tobacco. Baseline past-month use prevalence was 39.2% (n = 1,178). Most frequent use mode was smoking (joints/bowls/cigar papers; 54.0%), vaping (21.8%), via pipe/bong (15.1%), and ingesting (9.1%). Multinomial logistic regression indicated that participants in states with legalized marijuana retail were at greater odds for using via modes other than smoking; participants more frequently using were at greater odds for using via pipe/bong (vs. smoking) (ps < .001). Regarding most frequent mode across time, most consistent was pipe/bong (53.3%), followed by smoking (49.3%), vaping (44.5%), and ingesting (32.9%). Past-month abstinence at follow-up was most common among those originally ingesting (34.3% abstinent), followed by smoking (23.6%), vaping (18.8%), and pipe/bong (14.8%). CONCLUSIONS Ongoing surveillance is needed to understand marijuana use patterns over time across different user groups (particularly by mode) and to inform interventions promoting abstinence.
Terahertz Waveguide Standards

A viewgraph presentation on terahertz waveguide standards is shown. The topics include: 1) Why new standards are needed; 2) Rectangular waveguide sizes; and 3) Waveguide flanges
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF CRASH SENSORS

TECHNIQUES AND PRINCIPLES FOR EVALUATING AND COMPARING VARIOUS CRASH SENSOR CONCEPTS ARE DISCUSSED. THE PURPOSE OF THE SENSOR IS TO ACTIVATE PASSIVE RESTRAINTS SUCH AS AIR BAGS. THE TRADE-OFF CRITERIA INCLUDE: CRASH/ROUGH-ROAD DISCRIMINATION, TARGET LETHALITY, COMPONENT RELIABILITY, ZONE OF PROTECTION, ENVIRONMENTAL SUSCEPTIBILITY, AND OTHER CRITERIA. WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF HARDWARE PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS, CURRENTLY PROMINENT DEVICES ARE DESCRIBED INCLUDING: INERTIAL MASS, SPRING MASS, PIEZOELECTRIC AND PIEZORESISTIVE ACCELEROMETERS, RADAR SONAR, AND LASER PREDICTIVE SENSORS, AND BUMPER MOUNTED DETECTORS. AN EXAMPLE OF THE ASSESSMENT METHOD IS PRESENTED, COMPARING AN INERTIAL MASS AND A SPRING MASS DETECTOR. /HSL/
New benchmark instances for the Steiner problem in graphs

We propose in this work 50 new test instances for the Steiner problem in graphs. These instances are characterized by large integrality gaps (between the optimal integer solution and that of the linear programming relaxation) and symmetry aspects which make them harder to both exact methods and heuristics than the test instances currently in use for the evaluation and comparison of existing and newly developed algorithms. Our computational results indicate that these new instances are not amenable to reductions by current preprocessing techniques and that not only do the linear programming lower bounds show large gaps, but they are also hard to be computed. State-of-the-art heuristics, which found optimal solutions for almost all test instances currently in use, faced much more difficulties for the new instances. Fewer optimal solutions were found and the numerical results are more discriminant, allowing a better assessment of the effectiveness and the relative behavior of different heuristics.
Greening U.S. National Parks: Expanding Traditional Roles to Address Climate Change

The U.S. National Park Service has embarked on a new campaign to address climate change. This directive includes new programs to encourage visitors to change their behaviors once they return home. By becoming involved in issues that go beyond park boundaries, these changes mark a shift in how the National Park Service fulfills its mission. This article explores how these efforts evolved and the possible implications to the visitors being exposed to a new message. Visitors were surveyed in Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska. The results revealed that the majority of those surveyed support these new efforts by the National Park Service.
A Modal Choice Model for Fare-Free Transit

Using travel data collected at the University of Massachusetts during a research and demonstration project sponsored by the Urban Mass Transportation Administration, a disaggregate behavioral-mode choice model has been developed for predicting ridership on fare-free transit systems. The calibrated model suggests that access time to the fare-free transit stop, annual automobile parking fee, auto mode bias constant reflecting the comfort and convenience associated with auto travel, and number of autos available for commuting are the most significant attributes in explaining the mode choice between auto and fare-free transit. For this specific demonstration project, some level-of-service variables, such as the difference between in-vehicle travel time using auto and fare-free transit, auto operating cost, wait time at the fare-free transit stop, and some of the socio-economic attributes of the commuter, such as sex and status, were not found to be as important in affecting the mode choice. 14 references.
The Shareholder-Based Origins of the Corporate Income Tax

This Article explores the origins of the separate corporate income tax. During the Civil War and Reconstruction, shareholders were taxed on their corporation's undivided profits. While corporations in certain industries were subject to a tax on dividends and undistributed profits, the tax was based on the nature of their business rather than their form of organization. When the income tax returned in 1894, however, corporations were subject to a separate tax. What accounted for this change? The traditional explanation is that changes in the theory of the corporation led Congress to consider it a separate actor for tax purposes. The evidence for this explanation, however, is unconvincing. This Article concludes that the corporate income tax was seen not as a tax on the entity, but rather as a proxy for a shareholder tax on corporate income. It was a natural outgrowth of state and federal efforts to combat tax evasion and reach intangible wealth. In effect, the corporate income tax was thought to be a necessary mechanism for enforcing an individual income tax. This rationale both undercuts the entity theory explanation for double taxation and provides a basis for distinguishing among various proposals to integrate the corporate and shareholder taxes.
Sleep duration associated with cardiovascular conditions among adult Nevadans.

Abstract Background Associations between sleep duration and cardiovascular conditions have been inconsistent. Both short and long sleep duration are associated with increased risk for diabetes, hypertension, obesity, high cholesterol, depression, and overall metabolic dysfunction; all of which are cardiovascular disease risk factors. This study aimed to determine if deficient or excessive sleep duration is associated with cardiovascular conditions. Methods Data were obtained from the 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System for the state of Nevada. A total of 5101 participants completed the survey and answered questions as to whether they had ever had a cardiovascular condition ie, myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease or angina, and stroke. Multiple logistic regression was implemented during analyses and yielded four models including demographics, co-morbidity, behavior, and final significant variables. Results Six significant predictor variables were identified in the final model. Sleep duration was statistically significant ( p Conclusions Both deficient and excessive sleep duration were significantly associated with a cardiovascular condition, even after adjustment for covariates. The findings from this study can be used as additional evidence to encourage further research on improving sleep by developing future treatment therapies, and recommendations, that may help lower the risk of cardiovascular disease conditions.
The Case For Emerging Market Funds

This study investigates the performance of open-end actively managed emerging market mutual funds during the time period 1999 to 2005. Our analysis is cross-sectional and time series across a wide range of emerging markets. Previous research includes performance studies of international mutual funds and emerging market funds, but none of the previous studies were as broad nor as specific as the current study. Monthly fund returns are compared to three indices (emerging markets, MSCI, and S&P 500 Index), using annualized returns, Sharpe ratio and Treynor ratio. The results show that the emerging market funds outperform the MSCI Index and the S&P 500 Index, but not the emerging market index. During the study period, an investor would have benefited by either investing in emerging market funds or the emerging market index. There is also a negative relationship between emerging market fund returns and turnover, and a positive relationship between fund returns and size.
Dietary Fish Oil Impairs Primary Host Resistance Against Listeria monocytogenes More than the Immunological Memory Response

The primary objective of this study was to determine whether dietary (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) impair the ability of mice to generate an immunological memory response against the bacterial pathogen, Listeria monocytogenes. Weanling BALB/c female mice were fed for 28 d one of two semipurified high fat diets containing either lard or refined menhaden fish oil, rich in long-chain (n-3) PUFA. Mice were immunized with 10(4) or 10(3) colony forming units (cfu) bacteria. Thirty-five days later, these immune mice and age-matched naive (i.e., unimmunized) mice were challenged with 10(5) cfu bacteria. Three days postchallenge, bacterial clearance was determined. Compared with lard-fed mice, naive mice in the fish oil treatment group had higher bacterial loads in their liver and spleen (P < 0.001). When mice were immunized with 10(4) cfu bacteria before rechallenge with 10-fold more bacteria, both lard- and fish oil-fed mice had significantly lower bacterial loads in their liver and spleen (e.g., approximately 2 log(10); P < 0.001) compared with their naive counterparts. However, when the immunization dose was reduced to 10(3) bacteria, a modest diet treatment effect was observed, such that compared with immune lard-fed mice, immune fish oil-fed mice had significantly greater bacterial loads in their liver and spleen (i.e., approximately 0.5 log(10); P < 0.01). These data demonstrate for the first time that although dietary (n-3) PUFA can significantly impair host resistance to a primary as well as a secondary L. monocytogenes infection, the impairment of the immunological memory response is much less severe.
Asenapine in the treatment of older adults with bipolar disorder.

Objective In spite of growing numbers of older people, there are few treatment studies on late-life bipolar disorder (BD). This was a 12-week prospective, open-label trial to assess efficacy and tolerability of adjunct asenapine in non-demented older adults (≥60 years) with sub-optimal previous response to BD treatments. Methods Asenapine was initiated at 5 mg/day and titrated as tolerated. Effects on global psychopathology were measured with Clinical Global Impression, bipolar version (CGI-BP), and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). Mood polarity severity was measured with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale, and Young Mania Rating Scale. Other outcomes included the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II. Results Fifteen individuals were enrolled (mean age 68.6, SD 6.12; 53% female; 73% Caucasian, 13% African American, and 7% Asian). There were 4/15 (27%) individuals who prematurely terminated the study, whereas 11/15 (73%) completed the study. There were significant improvements from baseline on the BPRS (p < 0.05), on CGI-BP overall (p < 0.01), and on CGI-BP mania (p < 0.05) and depression (p < 0.01) subscales. The mean dose of asenapine was 11.2 (SD 6.2) mg/day. The most common reported side effects were gastrointestinal discomfort (n = 5, 33%), restlessness (n = 2, 13%), tremors (n = 2, 13%), cognitive difficulties (n = 2, 13%), and sluggishness (n = 2, 13%). Conclusions Older people with BD had global improvements on asenapine. Most reported adverse effects were mild and transient, but adverse effects prompted drug discontinuation in just over one quarter of patients. Although risks versus benefits in older people must always be carefully considered, asenapine may be a treatment consideration for some non-demented geriatric BD patients. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cardiopulmonary Consequences of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

During sleep, oxygen consumption and systemic blood pressure decrease in normal subjects; during rapid eye movement sleep, irregular ventilation can be accompanied by brief periods of apnea. In patients with obstructive sleep apnea, alveolar ventilation during an apneic episode is immediately reduced to zero, and the metabolic demands for oxygen must be met from oxygen stores within the body. As the stores of oxygen within the lung are diminished, the rate of arterial oxyhemoglobin desaturation increases. The development of alveolar hypoventilation during wakefulness seems to be based on a balance between central ventilatory drives to breathe and mechanical loads placed on the respiratory system. Coexistent cardiopulmonary or neuromuscular disease in patients with obstructive sleep apnea contributes to the development of alveolar hypoventilation. During apneic episodes, the systemic blood pressure increases while the heart rate and cardiac output decrease. Both bradycardias and increased ventricular ectopic activity have been associated with these disordered breathing episodes. Because of the possibility of apnea-associated arrhythmias, patients with obstructive sleep apnea may be at increased risk for cardiovascular mortality. The influence of these recurrent nocturnal episodes of asphyxia on cardiovascular longevity needs further investigation.
Presence of covalent bonds between immune deposits and other macromolecules in murine renal glomeruli.

Microscopic studies have suggested that immune deposits persist for a long time in subepithelial areas of renal glomeruli in human diseases and in experimental models. This study showed quantitatively that in an experimental murine model radiolabelled antibodies in subepithelial immune deposits remained constant for 9 months at about 3 μg/mouse. The extraction of these antibodies was incomplete with 1% SDS at 8 months after immune deposit formation. Furthermore, in the extracted material some antibodies were covalently bound to other molecules. This study demonstrates that covalent bond formation contributes to the persistence of immune deposits in renal glomeruli.
Reaction of Amino-Acids and Peptide Bonds with Formaldehyde as Measured by Changes in the Ultra-Violet Spectra

Abstract : Molar absorptivity changes 220 millimicrons during the reactions of mono- and di-amino acids, unsubstituted amides, and N-alkyl substituted amides with formaldehyde are reported and the implications are discussed.
D values of Salmonella enteritidis isolates and quality attributes of shell eggs and liquid whole eggs treated with irradiation

Abstract Irradiation sensitivity of five Salmonella enteritidis isolates inoculated either on the surface or inside of whole shell eggs were determined. The shell eggs were irradiated at doses of 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 kGy. A minimal dose of 0.5 kGy was sufficient to eliminate all the isolates from the surface of whole eggs; however, the same isolates were more resistant to irradiation when present inside the eggs. The ATCC 13076 isolate was significantly more sensitive to irradiation, with a D value of 0.32 kGy, than the other four isolates from animal origin. Irradiation D values of the latter ranged from 0.39 to 0.41 kGy. Liquid whole eggs were also inoculated (2.4 x 10(6) cells per milliliter) with two S. enteritidis isolates and were heat-treated at 50 C for 0, 20, 40, or 60 min followed by irradiation at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, or 1.0 kGy. The results indicate that mild heating prior to irradiation was ineffective in reducing the irradiation D values. However, on the basis of the D values obtained, an irradiation dose of 1.5 kGy should be sufficient to reduce Salmonella counts by approximately 4 log10 in both whole shell and liquid eggs. Results also indicate that color and thermal characteristics of the whole or liquid eggs were unaffected by a 1.5-kGy dose of irradiation.
Abstract LB-39: Sphingosine kinase activity is not required for tumor cell viability.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Sphingosine kinase activity is not required for tumor cell viability Holger Wesche, Matthew L. Brown, Timothy J. Carlson, Angela Coxon, Brendon Frank, Darin J. Gustin, Shawn Jeffries, Shyun Li, Yihong Li, Kurt Morgenstern, Matthew Plant, Karen Rex, Joanna Schmidt, Shanling Shen, Nigel Walker, Dineli Wickramasinghe, Mariwil Wong, Guifen Xu Contribution from the Departments of Oncology Research, Medicinal Chemistry, Molecular Structure and Characterization and Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, Amgen Inc., South San Francisco, 1120 Veterans Blvd., South San Francisco, Ca, 94080. Sphingosine kinases (SPHKs) are enzymes that phosphorylate the lipid sphingosine, leading to the formation of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). In addition to the well established role of extracellular S1P as a mitogen and potent chemoattractant, SPHK activity has been postulated to be an important intracellular regulator of apoptosis. According to the proposed rheostat theory, SPHK activity shifts the intracellular balance from the pro-apoptotic sphingolipids ceramide and sphingosine to the mitogenic S1P, thereby determining the susceptibility of a cell to apoptotic stress. Despite numerous publications with supporting evidence, a clear experimental confirmation of the impact of this mechanism on tumor cell viability in vitro and in vivo has been hampered by the lack of suitable tool reagents. Utilizing a structure based design approach, we developed potent and specific SPHK1/2 inhibitors. These compounds completely inhibited intracellular S1P production in human cells and attenuated vascular permeability in mice, but did not lead to reduced tumor cell growth in vitro or in vivo . These results show that the SPHK rheostat does not play a major role in tumor cell viability, and that SPHK inhibition may not offer an advantage over S1P neutralization in the treatment of cancer. Citation Format: Holger Wesche, Matthew L. Brown, Timothy J. Carlson, Angela Coxon, Brendon Frank, Darin J. Gustin, Shawn Jeffries, Shyun Li, Yihong Li, Kurt Morgenstern, Kurt Morgenstern, Matthew Plant, Karen Rex, Joanna Schmidt, Shanling Shen, Nigel Walker, Dineli Wickramasinghe, Guifen Xu. Sphingosine kinase activity is not required for tumor cell viability. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-39. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-LB-39
An approach for computer-aided detection of brain metastases in post-Gd T1-W MRI.

Purpose To develop an approach for computer-aided detection (CAD) of small brain metastases in post-Gd T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
The effects of future climatic changes on international water resources: the Colorado River, the United States, and Mexico

International water resources have been a source of contention in many parts of the world over the last few decades and such conflicts may grow in frequency and severity as future climatic changes alter the quantity or quality of limited water resources. Indeed, some future climatic changes appear inevitable due to growing atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and other trace gases. Unless mechanisms for incorporating climatic changes into water agreements can be worked out, these changes may provoke further frictions and conflicts. One region with a history of political conflict over shared water resources is the Colorado River Basin in the United States and Mexico. While past disagreements over water have mostly been resolved, future climatic changes that adversely affect the existing hydrologic regime of the basin cannot be discounted. This paper examines the possibility that future long-term climatic changes may exacerbate shortages in the Colorado River. Political conflicts and tensions that arise from reductions in water supply in both the United States and Mexico are evaluated and discussed, together with recommendations for incorporating the issue of climatic change into existing international treaties and agreements.
A Systematic Approach to Chest X-Ray Interpretation in the Perianesthesia Unit

In the perianesthesia setting, the chest X-ray has become an essential diagnostic tool to help direct the optimal care of critically ill patients. The ordering of medical tests, the interpretation of the results, and the determination of an appropriate medical plan of care remain within the role of the physician. In many United States acute care hospitals, however, the perianesthesia nurse is taught to implement emergency standing orders including obtaining a chest X-ray for unexpected respiratory distress, unexplained hypoxemia, or unequal breath sounds. This article will offer the perianesthesia nurse the basic knowledge to rapidly and systematically read chest radiographs and compare the findings with the patient's previous films and current clinical presentation. The assessment tool outlined in this paper may be combined with the clinical picture the patient presents to ensure that the nurse implements needed interventions in a timely manner.
Prediction of atherosclerotic cardiovascular death in men using a prognostic score.

Abstract Treadmill and clinical data were gathered prospectively on consecutive patients who underwent exercise testing for evaluation for coronary artery disease in a 1,200 bed Veterans Affairs Medical Center. From 3,609 men referred for exercise testing from 1984 to 1990, 3,134 patients remained after excluding those with significant valvular heart disease and those with prior coronary artery bypass surgery. Of these, 588 were selected for clinical reasons to undergo cardiac catheterization within 3 months of evaluation leaving 2,546 who were not selected. Over 3 years, there were 158 cardiovascular deaths, 99 nonfatal myocardial infarcts and 183 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery. In the total population, the Cox proportional-hazards model demonstrated the following characteristics to be statistically significant independent predictors of time until cardiovascular death: a history of congestive heart failure and/or taking digoxin, exercise-induced ST depression, the change in systolic blood pressure during exercise, and exercise capacity in METs. Using the Cox model coefficients to weight the variables, a simple score (the Veterans Affairs Prognostic Score) was constructed based on these items. Average annual cardiovascular mortality was plotted against the score enabling its estimation for any given patient. In the subgroup selected for cardiac catheterization (n = 588), the mean score was greater, consistent with a poorer prognosis, compared with the total population; 53% (n = 312) had a score
In motor learning, variable practice improves transfer, but only when the variations elicit synergies

It has previously been suggested that providing variable experience during motor practice is crucial for learning, retention, and transfer of motor skills. However, it is not clear what should be varied to optimize learning. In this study, we investigate whether practicing to modulate or regulate performance parameters, during practice of a virtual shuffleboard task, leads to better transfer of learning between tasks. Our results indicate that during practice, the parameter that was held constant improved the most during initial learning, and transferred best to a task requiring modulation of that parameter. Translation of this improvement into task performance depended upon the sensitivity of each task to changes in each variable. We conclude that during variable practice, learning to regulate, not modulate task variables leads to optimal learning and transfer. Further, optimal transfer occurs when variable practice elicits synergistic covariation between performance parameters.
Movements of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) in Impounded Waters as Determined by Underwater Telemetry

Abstract Sixteen sonic-tagged largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) were released from 4 March 1972 to 14 April 1973 to determine water management practices and environmental factors that may affect fish movement, home range of largemouth bass, and behavior patterns associated with activity within home area. Tags had an average life of 13.8 days. They were implanted in the body cavity and seemed to have no effect on the movements of the bass. A total of 570 hours of tracking showed water temperature to be the only parameter that related to increases or decreases in movement. Diurnal movement was prevalent in the spring and fall. Nocturnal movement increased as water temperature approached summer highs. Fish were most active in March and September and least active in December and January. Home ranges differed with seasonal water temperature changes but never exceeded 100 m. Behavior patterns associated with activity within home range consisted of movements from deep to shallow water.
The impact of assist-circuit design for 22nm SRAM and beyond

Increasing process variation in advanced technology nodes requires sustained process and circuit innovation to meet yield, performance and margin requirements for SRAM memories. Memory assist circuits are becoming an important tool in co-developing critical scaled memory solutions and can have significant impact on process optimization, as well as power consumption, minimum operating voltage and performance of memories.
Mechanism of inhibition of Epstein-Barr virus replication by phosphonoformic acid

Abstract The trisodium salt of phosphonoformic acid (PFA) inhibits Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) replication in lymphoblastoid cells at concentrations nontoxic to cellular growth. The synthesis of early antigen (EA) in the infected cells is not affected by the drug under conditions when viral capsid antigen (VCA) and viral DNA synthesis are inhibited to the extent of 75 and 90%, respectively. In vitro studies with partially purified DNA polymerases show that PFA inhibits EBV-associated DNA polymerase to a greater extent than it inhibits α- and β-polymerases. Enzyme kinetic analysis reveals a linear noncompetitive inhibition with four deoxytriphosphates and a typical uncompetitive inhibition with variable concentrations of DNA as substrate at saturating deoxytriphosphate concentrations. The apparent inhibition constant for EBV-associated polymerase was in the range of 2–3 μ M . The inhibitory effect is exerted at the pyrophosphate binding site of DNA polymerase. Although productive viral DNA synthesis is completely arrested by the drug, the virus-associated DNA polymerase activity is expressed normally in super-infected Raji cells even in the presence of the drug. We propose that in addition to potential therapeutic value, the compound could be used as a tool to study some of the restricted early functions of virus in the absence of productive viral DNA synthesis. Induction of viral DNA polymerase can also be used as an additional marker for expression of early viral functions.
Policy designs for cannabis legalization: starting with the eight Ps

AbstractThe cannabis policy landscape is changing rapidly. In November 2012 voters in Colorado and Washington State passed ballot initiatives to remove the prohibition on the commercial production, distribution, and possession of cannabis. This paper does not address the question of whether cannabis should be legal; it instead focuses on the design considerations confronting jurisdictions that are pondering a change in cannabis policy. Indeed, whether or not cannabis legalization is net positive or negative for public health and public safety largely depends on regulatory decisions and how they are implemented. This essay presents eight of these design choices which all conveniently begin with the letter “P”: production, profit motive, promotion, prevention, potency, purity, price, and permanency.
The Influence of Treatment Descriptions on Advance Medical Directive Decisions

Objective: To determine whether the wording of the descriptions of life-sustaining interventions would affect the choices elderly patients make when completing advance directives. Methods: Survey. Setting: General community in Omaha, Nebraska. Patients: Two hundred one community-dwelling elderly were selected from a population-based sample. Main Outcome Measures: Subjects were asked whether they would accept or reject three life-sustaining interventions: cardiopulmonary resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, or tube feeding in three separate hypothetical case scenarios. The three life-sustaining interventions were each described positively, negatively, and exactly as they are worded in a widely used advance directive. Subjects reviewed each scenario three times with three different descriptions of the three interventions. Results: For the three interventions presented in three scenarios, subjects opted for the intervention 12 percent of the time when it was presented negatively, 18 percent of the time when it was phrased as in an advance directive already in use and 30 percent of the time it was phrased positively. One hundred fifty-five of the 201 subjects (77 percent) changed their minds at least once when given the same scenario but a different description of the intervention. Of these 155, 33 percent changed decisions one to three times, 33 percent changed decisions four to seven times, and another 34 percent changed decisions eight to seventeen times based solely on the description of the intervention. Conclusion: The decisions patients make about whether to accept or reject life-sustaining treatments are affected by the descriptions of the treatments. These findings emphasize the critical importance of doctor-patient consultation when patients execute advance directives. J Am Geriatr Soc 40:1255–1260, 1992
Enrichment of High-Rate PCE Dechlorination and Comparative Study of Lactate, Methanol, and Hydrogen as Electron Donors To Sustain Activity

The influence of three electron donors on the ability to sustain rapid tetrachloroethene (PCE) dechlorination in mixed cultures was investigated. Experiments were performed in recycle columns containing either a high-rate PCE dechlorinating culture developed from granular sludge or a (1:1) mixture of this culture with an enrichment culture derived from soil cores taken from a chlorinated ethene contaminated site. Columns were fed PCE (aqueous concentration of 5 mg/L) and either lactate, methanol, or H2 as their electron donor. Comparisons between electron donors were formulated using the observed rates of PCE disappearance and the extent of dechlorination achieved in each column. Over a period exceeding 1 year, the observed PCE half-life in each column was found to decrease from approximately 13 h to slightly less than 2 h, regardless of electron donor fed. Although initial mass balance studies demonstrated that the extent of dechlorination varied between inoculum and electron donor, over time, the recycl...
Abundance and Distribution of Sympatric Gibbons in a Threatened Sumatran Rain Forest

Agile gibbons (Hylobates agilis) and siamangs (Symphalangus syndactylus) are sympatric small apes inhabiting threatened forests of Sumatra, Indonesia. We censused both species in the 3,568-km2 Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, at the southern limit of their ranges, over a 7-mo period in 2001. First, we monitored daily calling rates from known populations to develop probabilities of calling during a specified number of days and used the probability of calling at ≥1 time during 3 days to convert calling rates to abundance. Next, we used 3-day calibrated call count censuses (n=31) stratified by distance from forest edge and across a range of elevations to estimate species-specific group densities. We used group size from the known populations as well as data collected ad libitum during the census to convert group density to individual density. Agile gibbon group density averaged 0.67 km−2 (SE = 0.082) and group size averaged 2.6 (SE = 0.73) for a population estimate of 4,479 (SE = 1,331) individuals. Siamang group density averaged 2.23 km−2 (SE = 0.245), and group size averaged 3.9 (SE = 1.09) for a population estimate of 22,390 (SE = 8,138). Agile gibbon and siamang densities are negatively correlated, with agile gibbons more abundant in mid-elevation forests and siamangs most abundant in lowland and submontane forests. The small group sizes of agile gibbons indicate potential survival problems in infant and juvenile size classes. Although neither species is presently threatened by direct human disturbance, continued deforestation will jeopardize the long-term viability of both species in Bukit Barsian Selatan National Park and on Sumatra.
Electronic cigarettes: navigating the vapor

Electronic cigarettes (e-Cigarettes) are novel nicotine delivery systems that have the potential to drastically change the landscape of nicotine addiction and tobacco use. Their increasing popularity has raised concerns that e-Cigarettes might undercut the gains associated with tobacco cessation efforts and limits on public use and advertising.1,2 Particularly worrisome is the increasing use of e-Cigarettes in youth. The goal of this piece is to (1) introduce the reader to e-Cigarettes, (2) describe safety concerns and the limited evidence supporting potential benefits, and (3) discuss pertinent regulatory issues. The authors conclude by suggesting proactive responses that medical professionals can take regarding this developing issue.
Surface behavior of dibenzanthracene with lipid monolayers.

Abstract The surface behavior of insoluble monolayers of lecithin-cholesterol mixed films and lecithin with two structural isomers of dibenzanthracene is reported. Surface pressure and surface potential findings are discussed in view of a previous report and published results of other workers. Results showed that cholesterol may be a membrane lipid capable of a critical interaction with carcinogen leading to tumor initiation.
Organometallic free radicals in solution

Abstract Laser flash photolysis of [CpM(CO) 3 $#x0005D; 2 (M = W, Mo, and Cr) provides a convenient source of CpM(CO) 3 °, an organometallic free radical with 17 valence electrons. It is a transient and highly reactive species. Depending on the circumstances and the other reagents present, the radical will dimerize, undergo halogen and hydrogen atom abstraction reactions, and electron transfer reactions. With tetramethyl-phenylenediamine, there is a cyclic process of electron transfer steps, the net result of which is the catalyzed disproportionation of the metal radical.