cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Translational clinical trial design

ED01-01 Our improved understanding of the molecular basis of malignancy has led to the identification of many new biochemical targets for therapy. While some of the drugs developed to affect specific targets have demonstrated activity in clinical trials and have subsequently gained FDA approval, many questions remain about the optimal way to translate basic research observations into clinical practice. These questions include preclinical identification of therapeutically relevant targets with high fidelity and demonstration of clinical benefit in well-designed controlled clinical trials. There are even more vexing concerns as to whether incorporation of biomarkers or imaging studies into our current clinical trial designs will optimize the development of targeted agents and whether a subset of such biomarkers can be validated as surrogate markers for clinical benefit. Such optimization could lead to an increase in the percentage of novel agents entering phase I trials that ultimately gain FDA approval or increasing the speed with which novel agents move through the various phases of drug development. Previous publications (1, 2) suggest that measurement of drug effects in tumor or surrogate tissue or use of functional imaging studies have not improved the efficiency of phase I clinical trials and did not contribute to the selection of a dose for phase II study. Likewise, limited data from phase II efficacy studies of targeted agents typically employed a standard primary endpoint such as objective response with only a limited number of studies qualifying patients for therapy through measurement of target expression or use of enrichment designs. No phase II studies used measurement of a surrogate endpoint to assess anticancer drug effects with, or in place of, clinical endpoints (3). Despite the practical challenges highlighted by these data, effectively incorporating translational endpoints into early clinical trials of novel targeted agents remains appealing and suggests that clinical trials with translational endpoints require more extensive planning to demonstrate their relevance. We will consider how appropriate planning can begin to address the challenges inherent in designing successful translational clinical trials that contribute essential information to drug development and ultimately facilitate the approval of targeted anticancer agents. References Parulekar WR, Eisenhauer EA. Phase I trial design for solid tumor studies of targeted, non-cytotoxic agents: Theory and practice. J Natl Cancer Inst 2004;96:990-7. Goulart BHL, Clark JW, Pien HH, Roberts TG, Finkelstein SN, Chabner BA. Trends in the use and role of biomarkers in Phase I oncology trials. Clin Cancer Res 2007;13:6719-26. El-Maraghi RH, Eisenhauer EA. Review of Phase II trial designs used in studies of molecular targeted agents: Outcomes and predictors of success in Phase III. J Clin Oncol 2008;26:1346-54.
Flower Bud Hardiness of Forsythia Cultivars

Abstract Winter hardiness profiles were developed for six Forsythia cultivars introduced in the last 10—15 years for superior flower bud hardiness. The cultivars ‘Meadowlark’, ‘Northern Gold’, ‘Northern Sun’, ‘New Hampshire Gold’, ‘Sunrise’, and ‘Vermont Sun’ were at least 2–4°C (4–7°F) more hardy than F. × intermedia and F. ovata cultivars on most sampling dates. All cultivars acclimated sufficiently to withstand early-season minimum temperatures in most years. By mid-winter, five of the six new introductions obtained maximum hardiness levels of – 36°C (−33°F). ‘Sunrise’ was 2–4°C (4–7°F) less hardy than the other cultivars in mid-winter but was one of the most hardy cultivars in late-winter. With the exception of ‘Vermont Sun’, there was little difference among the new cultivars in timing of deacclimation. ‘Vermont Sun’ deacclimated earliest and was less hardy than the other cultivars by mid-March. While these new introductions have experienced little flower-bud injury in field trials over the past deca...
Patterns of Investor-State Dispute Settlement Decisions

This paper examines the pattern of settlements, investor wins and state wins in investor-state dispute settlement cases, focusing on the impact of arbitration rules, the resources and experience of the litigants, the type of treaty breach under investigation, and the pattern of state intervention. Logistic regression results show that settlements are more likely when investors do not disclose their allegations publicly, when the host state has been involved in a greater number of past cases, and when the respondent state has a higher control-of-corruption rating. Panel awards to investors are more likely in cases of alleged direct expropriation and less likely for indirect expropriation. Panel decisions favoring the state increase with higher per capita income and rule-of-law ratings.
Monitoring and Sedation in Regional Anesthesia

Multiple monitors are employed during every general anesthesia case to prevent adverse outcomes. In regional anesthesia, monitors are specifically used to permit the safe administration of sedation (oximetry, blood pressure monitoring), as well as to prevent procedural-related catastrophes such as nerve injury, local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST), and pneumothorax. Each monitor has strengths and weaknesses, but when used in combination, they serve to act in a complementary manner. Ultrasonography permits the direct visualization of nerve or plexus targets, guides needle advancement, and aids in the confirmation of appropriate spread of injectate. Ultrasonography has also been demonstrated, likely via reduced volumes of injectate required, to significantly reduce the incidence of LAST. Nerve stimulation and injection pressure monitoring also work in tandem to prevent injurious needle-nerve contact. Finally, appropriate use of sedative drugs allows for the safe and effective practice of regional anesthesia techniques.
Conventional Epidural vs Transversus Abdominis Plane Block with Liposomal Bupivacaine: A Randomized Trial in Colorectal Surgery

Background Colorectal surgery is a focus of enhanced recovery protocols (ERP). The use of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block for abdominal surgery has demonstrated effectiveness in ERP, however, no direct comparison of epidural vs TAP for nonanalgesic clinical factors has been published to date. The primary aim of this study was to compare epidural with TAP for length of stay in colorectal surgery. Study Design Patients undergoing open and laparoscopic colorectal surgery were prospectively randomized into epidural (n = 39) or TAP (n = 44) groups preoperatively. Anesthesiologists performed blocks in the preoperative area. A standardized ERP and discharge protocol were initiated on patients. Five patients unable to complete the ERP due to unrelated postoperative complications or technical factors were excluded from analysis. Results The study arms were statistically similar for demographic factors, operations, and intraoperative measures. Time to first flatus was equivalent in both groups (postoperative day 1.7 vs 1.9; p = 0.39). Length of stay was shorter with TAP (postoperative day 3.3 vs 2.8; p = 0.023). Postoperative nausea and vomiting rates were higher with TAP (14% vs 33%; p = 0.057). Urinary retention occurred with higher frequency with epidural (30% vs 15%; p = 0.11). Conclusions Transversus abdominis plane block was associated with a 0.5-day reduction in length of stay in a standardized ERP compared with epidural. Early indication favors TAP in patients with a history of postoperative urinary retention, as a trend of urinary retention was associated with epidural. Transversus abdominis plane block offers an effective alternative to epidural in colorectal surgery, regardless of operative approach.
BMP and Activin Membrane Bound Inhibitor Regulates the Extracellular Matrix in the Trabecular Meshwork.

Purpose The trabecular meshwork (TM) has an important role in the regulation of aqueous humor outflow and IOP. Regulation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) by TGFβ2 has been studied extensively. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and activin membrane-bound inhibitor (BAMBI) has been shown to inhibit or modulate TGFβ2 signaling. We investigate the role of TGFβ2 and BAMBI in the regulation of TM ECM and ocular hypertension. Methods Mouse TM (MTM) cells were isolated from B6;129S1-Bambitm1Jian/J flox mice, characterized for TGFβ2 and dexamethasone (DEX)-induced expression of fibronectin, collagen-1, collagen-4, laminin, α-smooth muscle actin, cross-linked actin networks (CLANs) formation, and DEX-induced myocilin (MYOC) expression. MTM cells were transduced with Ad5.GFP to identify transduction efficiency. MTM cells and mouse eyes were transduced with Ad5.Null, Ad5.Cre, Ad5.TGFβ2, or Ad5.TGFβ2 + Ad5.Cre to evaluate the effect on ECM production, IOP, and outflow facility. Results MTM cells express TM markers and respond to DEX and TGFβ2. Ad5.GFP at 100 MOI had the highest transduction efficiency. Bambi knockdown by Ad5.Cre and Ad5.TGFβ2 increased fibronectin, collagen-1, and collagen-4 in TM cells in culture and tissue. Ad5.Cre, Ad5.TGFβ2, and Ad5.TGFβ2 + Ad5.Cre each significantly induced ocular hypertension and lowered aqueous humor outflow facility in transduced eyes. Conclusions We show for the first time to our knowledge that knockdown of Bambi alters ECM expression in cultured cells and mouse TM, reduces outflow facility, and causes ocular hypertension. These data provide a novel insight into the development of glaucomatous TM damage and identify BAMBI as an important regulator of TM ECM and ocular hypertension.
Replication and evolution of viroid-like pathogens.

It is becoming increasingly evident that certain basic processes of macromolecular biology require RNA. Whether as a key component of ribosomes in the translation process, or as small nuclear RNAs in particles carrying out eukaryotic messenger RNA (mRNA) splicing, RNA—perhaps because of its historical role in molecular evolution—occupies a central position. Another class of RNA molecules—the pathogenic viroid-like RNAs—are also providing new insights into the role of RNA in gene expression. Until recently, these circular, self-replicating RNAs—250–400 bases in length—were found only in plants. Beginning in 1986, however, several reports have confirmed that the causative agent for delta hepatitis in mammals contains a circular, viroid-like RNA (Wang et al. 1986; Kos et al.1986; Chen et al. 1986; Taylor et al. 1987). This delta RNA is about four times the size of plant viroid RNAs. Knowledge that such RNAs can proliferate within cells has come at the same time as an increasing interest in the role of RNA in the evolution of primitive self-replicating systems. Several proposals based on RNA—a material with both template and enzymatic properties—as the initial genetic substance have appeared (Gilbert 1986; Sharp 1985).
Superconductivity at the Border with Magnetism

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses ternary magnetic superconductors, kondo impurities, and ferromagnetic superconductors. Ginzburg was the first to point out that superconductivity and ferromagnetism were incompatible. The depression of T c experiments included a study of superconductivity and ferromagnetism in the binary La–Gd alloy system, which appeared to be consistent with this claim. A number of intermetallic systems were subsequently investigated similarly via alloying between isostructural superconducting and ferromagnetic end members, where the magnetic exchange coupling appeared to be very weak but without any convincing evidence of the coexistence of superconductivity and long-range magnetic order. Ferromagnetism in materials such as ErRh 4 B 4 caused the reentrance of a normal state at temperatures below the ferromagnetic Curie temperature. Various theoretical arguments suggested, however, that in some cases ferromagnetic order might be compatible with superconductivity with superconductivity occurring near the quantum critical point at which the ferromagnetic Curie temperature is manipulated to approach T = 0 K.
Color Blindness: Acquired

Human color vision is normally trichromatic, allowing the discrimination of nearly 2 million hues. From the photoreceptors that initiate the process of transforming light into a neural signal, to the cortical machinery that provides the basis for our perceptual experience, the human color-vision system is extremely complex. As a result, there are multiple situations where the system can be damaged or disrupted. In this article, we review the myriad of conditions that result in the acquisition of a color-vision defect.
Clinical Evaluation of Synovial Alpha Defensin and Synovial C-Reactive Protein in the Diagnosis of Periprosthetic Joint Infection.

Background Diagnosing periprosthetic joint infection after total joint arthroplasty is often challenging. The alpha defensin test has been recently reported as a promising diagnostic test for periprosthetic joint infection. The goal of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of alpha defensin testing. Methods One hundred and eighty-three synovial alpha defensin and synovial fluid C-reactive protein (CRP) tests performed in 183 patients undergoing evaluation for periprosthetic joint infection were reviewed. Results were compared with the Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) criteria for periprosthetic joint infection. Results Alpha defensin tests were performed prior to surgical treatment for infection, and 37 of these patients who had these tests were diagnosed by MSIS criteria as having infections. Among this group, the alpha defensin test had a sensitivity of 81.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 64.8% to 92.0%) and a specificity of 95.9% (95% CI, 91.3% to 98.5%). There were 6 false-positive results, 4 of which were associated with metallosis. There were 7 false negatives, all of which were associated with either draining sinuses (n = 3) or low-virulence organisms (n = 4). A combined analysis of alpha defensin and synovial fluid CRP tests was performed in which a positive result was represented by a positive alpha defensin test and a positive synovial fluid CRP test (n = 28). Among this group, the sensitivity was calculated to be 73.0% (95% CI, 55.9% to 86.2%) and the specificity was calculated to be 99.3% (95% CI, 96.2% to 99.9%). An additional combined analysis was performed where a positive result was represented by a positive alpha defensin test or positive synovial fluid CRP test (n = 64). Among this group, the sensitivity was calculated to be 91.9% (95% CI, 78.1% to 98.3%) and the specificity was calculated to be 79.5% (95% CI, 72.0% to 85.7%). Conclusions Alpha defensin in combination with synovial fluid CRP demonstrates very high sensitivity for diagnosing periprosthetic joint infection, but may yield false-positive results in the presence of metallosis or false-negative results in the presence of low-virulence organisms. When both alpha defensin and synovial fluid CRP tests are positive, there is a very high specificity for diagnosing periprosthetic joint infection. Level of evidence Diagnostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
No Evidence That Abstract Structure Learning Disrupts Novel-Event Learning in 8- to 11-Month-Olds.

Although infants acquire specific information (e.g., motion of a specific toy) and abstract information (e.g., likelihood of events repeating), it is unclear whether extraction of abstract information interferes with specific learning. In the present study, eight- to 11-month-old infants were shown four audio-visual movies, either with a mixed or uniform presentation structure. Learning of abstract information was operationally defined as the looking time to changes in presentation structure of the movies (mixed vs. uniform blocks), and learning of specific information was defined as the looking time to changes in content in the four movies (object properties and identities). We not only found evidence of both specific and abstract learning, but more importantly that extraction of the presentation structure (i.e., abstract learning) did not disrupt specific learning of the events. We discuss the implications of the costs and benefits of the interaction between abstract and specific learning for infants.
Evaluation of Roof Bolter Canopy Air Curtain Effects on Airflow and Dust Dispersion in an Entry Using Blowing Curtain Ventilation

Roof bolter operators may be exposed to high respirable dust concentrations on continuous miner sections with blowing face ventilation when bolting is performed downwind of the continuous miner. One solution to reduce the high respirable dust concentrations is to use a canopy air curtain (CAC) to deliver clean air from a filtered blower fan directly to the bolter operators under the canopies. The influence of CAC installation in the airflow and dust dispersion around the location of the roof bolter operator can be evaluated by using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). This study, performed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), considers two scenarios: (1) a roof bolting machine in the center of the entry for installation of the fifth row of bolts from the face, and (2) a roof bolting machine positioned close to the face for the installation of the last row of bolts. In both scenarios, the bolting machine is placed in an environment which contains 6.0 mg/m3 of respirable dust and is ventilated by a blowing curtain with 3000 cfm (1.42 m3/s) of air. This environment is used to simulate the roof bolter machine operating downstream of a continuous mining machine. Two operation positions are simulated at the same bolting location: dual drill heads in the inward position for two inside bolts and dual drill heads in the outward position for two outside bolts. The influence of the CAC on airflows and dust dispersion is evaluated with the CAC operating at 250 cfm (0.12 m3/s).
Psychometric development of a new body image scale for breast cancer survivors.

The purpose of this study was to psychometrically test a body image scale for breast cancer survivors (BCS). Data (n = 1127 BCSs) were obtained via telephone and mailed questionnaires. Psychometric...
Regulation of tumor cell invasion and metastasis by COX-2 and RhoA

3933 Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) represents an important target for treatment and prevention of colorectal cancer. Although COX-2 signaling is implicated in promoting tumor cell growth and invasion, the molecular mechanisms that mediate these processes are largely unknown. In this study, we show that the RhoA pathway mediates COX-2 signaling to disrupt the formation of adherens junctions and increase cell motility. Disruption of adherens junctions promotes tumor cell invasion and metastasis and is often associated with tumor progression. We detected high levels of RhoA activity in HCA-7 colon carcinoma cells that constitutively express COX-2. Inhibition of COX-2 significantly reduced the levels of RhoA activity in HCA-7 cells, suggesting that constitutive expression of COX-2 stimulates RhoA activity. Interestingly, inhibition of COX-2 or silencing of COX-2 expression with small interfering RNA (siRNA) stimulated the formation of adherens junctions, concomitant with increased protein levels of E-cadherin and α-catenin. Furthermore, inhibition of RhoA or silencing of RhoA expression with siRNA increased the levels of E-cadherin and α-catenin. Inhibition of Rho kinases (ROCKs), the RhoA effector proteins, also increased levels of E-cadherin and α-catenin and stimulated formation of adherens junctions. The motility of HCA-7 cells was significantly decreased when COX-2 or RhoA was inhibited. Therefore, our data reveal a novel molecular mechanism that links COX-2 signaling to disrupt the formation of adherens junctions; COX-2 stimulates the RhoA/ROCK pathway which reduces levels of E-cadherin and α-catenin leading to disruption of adherens junction formation and increased motility. Understanding of COX-2 downstream signaling pathways that promote tumor progression is crucial for the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
Journey to explore identities through lived experiences

Courses: This single-class activity is designed for an intercultural communication class. It is suitable for any course that requires a discussion about identities.Objectives: This activity helps s...
Spectrums of Shakespearean Crossdressing: The Art of Performing Women

Given the issues of gender fluidity addressed in contemporary theatrical performances today and the increasing number of professional theatre companies experimenting with gender-blind casting, Cour...
Clonazolam abuse: a report of two cases

Abstract Clonazolam is a novel synthetic benzodiazepine that is being sold online over the internet. It has no medicinal use at this time. We report two cases in which the users had altered mental status, hypotension, bradycardia, and tachycardia after use of the drug to get high. The drug and the patients’ urine samples were analyzed by a reference laboratory to confirm the presence of clonazolam.
Understanding the complexity of health

The complexity of health cannot be adequately explained with a representation that only captures one level of abstraction of the ecosystem Multiple levels of abstraction are needed to comprehend the full range of forces that affect the health of a population These levels are outlined and run the gamut from cells to society, ranging from aberrations of immune system signalling to society's values and norms Computational modelling of this multilevel system can enable both understanding and managing the complexity of health This is illustrated in contexts that include Washington, DC, and New York City
Ultrafast photoemission electron microscopy: imaging light with electrons on femto-nano scale

Attosecond movies (330 as/frame) of surface plasmon polariton dynamics at a nanostructured silver/vacuum interface are recorded with a photoelectron emission microscope employing phase-locked pulse pair excitation. Examples of simple surface plasmon optical elements are given.
In-situ observations of the sensory hairs of Antarctic minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis)

The sense of touch in the largest marine mammals is poorly understood. While mysticetes possess specialized sensory hairs that are present through adulthood, descriptions of these structures are based almost entirely on examination of tissues in post-mortem individuals. Sensory hairs have rarely been observed and described in living whales. We photographed Antarctic minke whales Balaenoptera bonaerensis in the Western Antarctic Peninsula and used high-resolution images to describe the number, distribution, orientation, and relative size of sensory hairs in freely swimming individuals. Sensory hairs were well developed. They were distributed on the tip of the lower jaw, the margins of the upper and lower jaw, and near the blowhole. Far fewer hairs were observed than reported for other mysticete species, including the related species Balaenoptera acutorostrata. Placement and apparent stiffness of sensory hairs within living tissue combined with observations and images of moving whales suggest these structures aid in detecting air and ice interfaces, and possibly, the boundaries of submerged prey fields.
A Simulation Model of Animal Movement Patterns

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the movement patterns of animals obtained from telemetry data in terms of the probability distributions which are involved as the animal travels in its normal daily activities. Essentially, the chapter describes mammals such as the red fox, the snowshoe hare, or the raccoon. The studies for obtaining the movement patterns are done by constructing a computer simulation model of animal movements and then applying the appropriate modifications as the obvious deviations from actual data presented. It is noted that simulation modeling has been utilized in many sciences in order to imitate activities so that the probable outcome of procedures can be explored in advance of their application. This technique pressurizes in defining all assumptions so that the effects of alternative assumptions about a particular process can be observed. The process of defining and then testing assumptions is particularly useful as it allows modifying the simulation procedure until a realistic movement pattern is observed.
University Technology Buyers, A Glimpse Into Their Thoughts?

The university technology licensing research phenomena has mostly been addressed from seller (university) point of view while the technology buyer (licensee) has mostly been ignored. This paper reverses this research trend and addresses the university technology licensing phenomenon from the buyers’ perspectives. To explore the criteria most crucial to the university technology licensing decision making process, the author undertook a national survey addressing the most influential technology licensing executive in the US. In addition, the survey also addresses several questions about the licensing of university technologies, and shed insights on why some university technologies get licensed while many others do not.
Nonimaging concentrators for photovoltaic arrays in space

Two stage concentrators are studied in order to design an optimum concentrator for photovoltaic arrays in space. The study is directed at designs with two-dimensional geometries because they are better suited to moderate concentrations of about 10 X to 50 X, and because the instantaneous flux distribution is more uniform. It is found that with an f/0.5 primary, where f is the focal length of the primary, the flux distribution is very smooth regardless of the angle of incidence of the radiation. As the focal ratio is increased, peaks in the distribution begin to appear. The nonuniformities can be reduced by introducing small, closely spaced distortions into the reflecting surfaces, and practical arrays can achieve a concentration of 10 when the acceptance half angle is 4.25 deg or 50 when the acceptance half angle is + or - 1 deg.
Jenkins v. Missouri: School Choice as a Method for Desegregating an Inner-City School District

This Casenote describes the difficulties faced by school districts striving to provide desegregated education for children living in predominantly minority inner-city areas. In particular, it examines the challenge confronting the Kansas City Metropolitan School District (KCMSD) and suggests that educational vouchers would be a legally appropriate remedy. In Jenkins v. Missouri, originally filed on behalf of black KCMSD schoolchildren in 1977, the district court found that the KCMSD and the State of Missouri had created a dual, or segregated, school system and ordered the defendants to dismantle that system. To date, however, none of the court-ordered remedies, including a voluntary interdistrict transfer plan and a costly magnet school program, has succeeded in desegregating the KCMSD. The author argues that an alternative remedy-by which the KCMSD would provide tuition vouchers to black children to enable them to attend private schools in the district-is constitutional and worthy of consideration.
From BALANCE to DSM‐5: taking lithium seriously

Ghaemi SN. From BALANCE to DSM-5: taking lithium seriously. Bipolar Disord 2010: 12: 673–677. © 2010 The Author. Journal compilation © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.
Fandom meets activism: Rethinking civic and political participation

Fan activism lies at the intersection of cultural and political participation. The study of fan activism can inform our understanding of contemporary collective action more broadly. We suggest four key areas for analysis: the relationships between cultural and political participation; the tension between participation and resistance in the context of fan activism; affect and the role of content worlds in civic and political mobilization; and evaluation of the impacts of fan activism. By drawing on work across several disciplines including media studies and social movement literature, the analysis of fan activism through these lenses offers insights for theorizing contemporary cultures and modes of collective action.
Some Software Packages for Partial SVD Computation

This technical report introduces some software packages for partial SVD computation, including optimized PROPACK, modified PROPACK for computing singular values above a threshold and the corresponding singular vectors, and block Lanczos with warm start (BLWS). The current version is preliminary. The details will be enriched soon.
International space station carbon dioxide removal assembly (ISS CDRA) troubleshooting and evaluation

An important aspect of air revitalization for life support in spacecraft is the removal of carbon dioxide from cabin air. Several types of carbon dioxide removal systems are in use in spacecraft life support. These systems rely on various removal techniques that employ different architectures and media for scrubbing CO 2 , such as permeable membranes, liquid amine, adsorbents, and absorbents. Sorbent systems have been used since the first manned missions. The current state of key technology is the existing international Space Station (ISS) Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA), a system that selectively removes carbon dioxide from the cabin atmosphere. The CDRA system was launched aboard UF-2 in February 2001 and resides in the U.S. Destiny Laboratory module. During the past three years, the CDRA system has operated with varying degrees of success. This paper presents some of the troubleshooting that occurred, and discusses the results of the Test, Teardown, and Evaluation of the ORUs that were returned from orbit. Approaches to troubleshooting the CDRA system aimed at developing work-around solutions that would minimize the impact on astronaut time required to implement interim solutions. The paper also discusses short-term fixes applied to promote hardware life, restore functionality, and maintain system operability, as well as long-term solutions to prevent future malfunctions.
Concentration In Orthopedic Markets Was Associated With A 7 Percent Increase In Physician Fees For Total Knee Replacements

Physician groups are growing larger in size and fewer in number. Although this consolidation could result in improved patient care, the resulting increase in market concentration also could allow larger groups to negotiate higher physician fees from private insurers. We examined the association between market concentration and physician fees in the case of total knee arthroplasty by calculating market concentration for orthopedic groups practicing in a given market and by analyzing administrative claims data from Marketscan. In the period 2001–10 the average professional fee for total knee arthroplasty was $2,537. During this time, in markets that moved from the bottom quartile of concentration to the top quartile, physician fees paid by private payers increased by $168 per procedure. The increase nearly offset the $261 decline in fees that we observed, absent changes in market concentration. These findings suggest that caution should be used in implementing policies designed to encourage further group co...
Artificial Breeding of Turkeys

Abstract WARREN and Scott (1935) artifically inseminated turkey hens with the semen of chickens. Quinn and Burrows (1937) reported similar experiments. The fertility reported in these experiments was very low, but fertility obtained by such intergenera crossings cannot be considered a criterion of the effectiveness of artificial insemination in turkeys. Since excellent fertility in chickens was shown by Quinn and Burrows (1936) to be obtainable through artificial insemination it seemed desirable to determine the feasibility of artificially inseminating turkeys, and an investigation to do this was conducted at the National Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, Maryland. Thirty-two F2 hybrid turkey hens (Bronze ♂ × White Holland ♀ ) and a dozen turkey toms of the same breeding were held in separate pens in a long house for this work. Each group had access to an outside yard. The hens were trap-nested and each egg was marked with the hen’s legband number and . . .
Contribution of Nitric Oxide to Metabolic Coronary Vasodilation in the Human Heart

Background The vascular endothelium contributes to smooth muscle relaxation by tonic release of nitric oxide. To investigate the contribution of nitric oxide to human coronary epicardial and microvascular dilation during conditions of increasing myocardial oxygen requirements, we studied the effect of inhibiting nitric oxide synthesis with NG-monomethyl-l-arginine (L-NMMA) on the coronary vasodilation during cardiac pacing in patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries with and without multiple risk factors for coronary atherosclerosis. Methods and Results In 26 patients with angiographically normal or near-normal epicardial coronary arteries, metabolic vasodilation was assessed as a change in coronary vascular resistance and diameter during cardiac pacing (mean heart rate, 141 beats per minute). Endothelium-dependent vasodilation was estimated with intracoronary acetylcholine and endothelium-independent dilation with intracoronary sodium nitroprusside and adenosine. These measurements were re...
Experimental glutamic acid treatment in mentally retarded children.

Summary Granulated 1 (+) glutamic acid was administered to a series of sixteen children between the ages of 7 and 15 years, with intelligence quotients ranging from 42 to 77, at Storangen Children's Home, Soderkoping, for the purpose of studying its effect on the intelligence quotient. The dosage was 18 Gm. per day in three doses, and the duration of treatment just over four months. A control group comprising fifteen children of corresponding ages and intelligence was treated concurrently with a granulated substitute. The treatment had no demonstrable effect.
Heritability and 'evolvability' of Fitness Components in Callosobruchus maculatus

Heritabilities of traits closely related to fitness (e.g. life-history traits) tend to be lower than those of morphological traits in natural populations. It is unclear, however, whether this pattern reflects relatively low additive-genetic variation, relatively high residual variation (i.e. non-additive and environmental effects) or both. A standard, half-sib breeding design was used to estimate narrow-sense heritabilities and coefficients of additive-genetic variation (CVA) for a life-history trait (total fecundity), a morphological trait (wing length) and a behavioural trait (allocation of eggs among available resources) in two outbred populations of the seed beetle Callosobruchus maculatus. Heritabilities of fecundity and wing length were high in both populations whereas the heritability of egg-laying behaviour was low but non-zero. In contrast, estimates of ‘evolvability’, which depend on CVA, were highest for fecundity, intermediate for egg-laying behaviour and lowest for wing length. These results resemble those from a recent survey of Drosophila studies and suggest that the typically low heritabilities of behavioural or life-history traits are better explained by high residual variation than by low additive-genetic variation. Phenotypic and genetic correlations were generally not significant except for a positive relationship between wing length and fecundity. No evidence was obtained of a trade-off or underlying functional relationship between the number of eggs laid and the pattern of egg dispersion among available resources.
Cardiovascular autonomic function in healthy adolescents

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine effects of age, sex, race, body mass index, and Tanner's stage on short-term evoked cardiovascular autonomic tests (ie, Valsalva ratio and change in heart rate with deep breathing) and 24-hour heart rate variability (HRV) in a sample of healthy adolescents, as well as to identify normative indices of both short-term evoked and 24-hour HRV in this age group. Design: A descriptive, correlational design was used. Setting: Study took place in a university hospital in a health science center located in the mid-South. Subjects: Participants included 75 healthy adolescents: mean age was 15.0 ± 1.6 years, 14 were African American, 61 were white, 49 were girls, and 26 were boys. Outcome measures: Study measures included the Valsalva ratio, change in heart rate with deep breathing, and 24-hour HRV with power spectral analysis with Holter monitoring. Results: Major significant findings included lower values of 24-hour HRV measures for girls and African American adolescents (P <.05). Indices for normal ranges of both the short-term evoked and 24-hour HRV measures were computed with 95% confidence intervals. Conclusions: Few published studies address cardiac autonomic function, including 24-hour HRV, in adolescents. Most studies reporting actual normative control values of HRV for youth typically have not addressed sex or racial differences. Our study included the largest number of adolescents to date in the reported literature and demonstrated the importance of considering sex and race variation in interpreting test results. The availability of state-of-the-art technology for obtaining HRV data allows for the early identification of subclinical cardiac autonomic changes in youth who have predispositions for cardiac complications, such as those with diabetes, congential heart disease, or obesity. (Heart Lung® 2003;32:10-22.)
Hydroxyurea-induced dermatomyositis-like eruption

Abstract Hydroxyurea is a cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agent used for myelodysplasia. The adverse cutaneous effects due to hydroxyurea include leg ulcers, hyperpigmentation of the skin and nails, a lichen planus-like eruption, lupus erythematosus, and a dermatomyositis-like eruption. We present a case of hydroxyurea-induced dermatomyositis-like eruption and review the features of this entity as previously reported. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2003;48:439-41.)
On even and odd Latin squares

Abstract Latin squares can be classified as odd or even according to the signs of the permutations given by their rows and columns. In this paper, the behaviour of the parities of a latin square under the action of the isotopy group (permuting rows, columns, and symbols) and the transformation group (interchanging rows, columns, and symbols) is analyzed. A rule is given that shows that the behaviour of parities under the action of the transformation group is completely determined, and only depends on the order n . Also, we give a short proof of the equivalence of the conjectures of Alon-Tarsi and Huang-White and present the results of a computer calculation that show that the number of even and odd latin squares of order 8 are not equal, thus proving the Alon-Tarsi conjecture for this particular order.
An Adaptive Strategy for Hybrid Image Coding

In hybrid coding technique, the sampled data are divided into blocks of N \times M samples. Next, each block is transformed to generate a one-dimensional transform of each line in the block. The transform coefficients are then processed by a block of DPCM encoders which uncorrelate the data in the second dimension and qnantize the uncorrelated samples using appropriate quantizers. In this study an adaptive hybrid coding technique is proposed based on using a single quantizer (A/D converter) to quantize the transform coefficients and using a variable-rate algorithm for coding the quantized coefficients. The accuracy of the A/D converter (number of bits per sample) determines the fidelity of the system. The buffercontrol algorithm controls the accuracy of the A/D converter for each block resulting in a fixed-rate encoder system. Experimental results have shown a stable buffer condition and reconstructed images with a higher fidelity than nonadaptive hybrid systems.
Kinetic energies and angular distributions of H+ ions produced by electron impact on H+

Abstract An apparatus has been constructed to study the kinetic energies and angular distributions of ions produced by electron impact on gaseous molecules. Results are presented for positive ions produced from hydrogen molecules at incident electron energies of 30–75 eV. The H + kinetic energy data indicate dissociative ionization via the two lowest states of H 2 + along with strong contributions from other mechanisms. The H + angular distributions are anisotropic, peaking in directions parallel to the electron beam and with the degree of anisotropy depending on the electron energy and the ion kinetic energy. The present results are compared with previous studies and found to be in general agreement and to reaffirm the need to consider a variety of H + -producing mechanisms.
Retention of fully differentiated electrophysiological properties of chick embryonic heart cells in culture.

Abstract Many cultured cells in spherical reaggregates (100–1000 μm diameter), prepared using cells isolated from embryonic chick ventricles (16 days in ovo ), retain great sensitivity to tetrodotoxin (TTX; 0.1 μg/ml), rapidly rising action potentials (up to 200 V/sec), high resting potentials (up to −90 mV), and they lack automaticity. The Na + channels generating the action potential upstroke inactivate totally at about −50 mV. The chronaxie (hence, excitability), the ratio of P Na P K , and the intracellular K + concentration are about the same as in adult cells. Following blockade of the Na + channels with TTX, norepinephrine produces slowly rising overshooting responses, indicating the presence of functional beta-adrenergic receptors. Thus, trypsin-dispersed myocardial cells can be made to retain highly differentiated membrane properties in vitro .
Advances in steam turbine-generator design and manufacture using computer technology

General Electric Company's Steam Turbine-Generator Business has developed and is implementing a programme to integrate the use of advanced computer technology in its turbine-generator design and manufacturing operations. A shared product database will provide the foundation for the integration of engineering, manufacturing and business systems.
Revisiting the self-medication hypothesis from a behavioral perspective.

The self-medication hypothesis suggests that clients use substances as a means to reduce their psychiatric symptoms. However, substance use as a form of self-medication also can be interpreted as exacerbating symptoms. Behavioral principles may provide a useful perspective to understand this apparent contradiction. The authors investigated the relationship of types of substance use with psychiatric symptoms among 220 participants with co-occurring disorders in an acute care psychiatric unit. Participants were assessed for their use of 6 different classes of substances within 3 months of admission. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses found that particular substances were associated with each of the diagnostic categories and that the pattern of associated substances differed by diagnostic category in a way that supported both self-medication and symptom exacerbation hypotheses. Self-medication and symptom exacerbation can be defined and treated in cognitive-behavioral terms. Harm reduction strategies seem to offer great promise in this context.
A mathematical description of the fluid boundary layer

A method is developed for describing the fluid boundary layer formed adjacent to a solid due to fluid flow. The method is based on the observation that for laminar flow over a flat plate, the second derivatives of the velocity and temperature in the direction normal to the plate have a Gaussian-like profile. Borrowing from probability distribution function methodology, we describe the boundary layer in terms of the moments of these Gaussian-like kernels. The most important result is a physically meaningful measure of the boundary layer thickness. Several other new parameters are also developed which taken together allows one to describe the behavior of the velocity and temperature profiles in the boundary layer region in a much more comprehensive manner that is currently available. Laminar flow past a heated flat plate is used to demonstrate the method.
Accretion disk wind in the AGN broad-line region: Spectroscopically resolved line profile variations in Mrk 110 ?

Detailed line profile variability studies of the narrow line Seyfert 1 galaxy Mrk 110 are presented. We obtained the spectra in a variability campaign carried out with the 9.2 m Hobby-Eberly Telescope at McDonald Observatory. The integrated Balmer and helium (He i, ii) emission lines are delayed by 3 to 33 light days to the optical continuum variations respectively. The outer wings of the line profiles respond much faster to continuum variations than the central regions. The comparison of the observed profile variations with model calculations of different velocity fields indicates an accretion disk structure of the broad line emitting region in Mrk 110. Comparing the velocity-delay maps of the different emission lines among each other a clear radial stratification in the BLR can be recognized. Furthermore, delays of the red line wings are slightly shorter than those of the blue wings. This indicates an accretion disk wind in the BLR of Mrk 110. We determine a central black hole mass of $M = 1.8\times 10^{7}~M_{\odot}$. Because of the poorly known inclination angle of the accretion disk this is a lower limit only.
Nonparametric binary regression without replication

Abstract An estimator of the probability of occurrence of an event is developed for the case where the probability depends upon the values of some quantitative variables. The functional form of the conditional occurrence probability is assumed to be unknown. The estimator is data based and can be used when the observed values of the quantitative variables are essentially distinct. The estimation procedure is applied to the analysis of data gathered in a study of the abilities of two different kinds of salt to inhibit toxin outgrowth in processed, packaged, and stored fish steaks.
Inverse parabolic problems and discrete orthogonality

This paper considers a discrete sampling scheme for the approximate recovery of initial data for one dimensional parabolic initial boundary value problems on a bounded interval. To obtain a given approximate, data is sampled at a single time and at a finite number of spatial points. The significance of this inversion scheme is the ability to accurately predict the error in approximation subject to choice of sample time and spatial sensor locations. The method is based on a discrete analogy of the continuous orthogonality for Sturm-Liouville systems. This property, which is of independent mathematical interest, is the notion of discrete orthogonal systems, which loosely speaking provides an exact (or approximate) Gauss-type quadrature for the continuous biorthogonality conditions.
Open-label lithium for the treatment of adolescents with bipolar depression.

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the effectiveness and tolerability of lithium for the treatment of acute depression in adolescents with bipolar disorder. We hypothesized that patients receiving open-label treatment with lithium during a 6-week period would experience a statistically and clinically significant decrease in depressive symptoms and tolerate lithium treatment fairly well. Method Twenty-seven adolescents (12-18 years old) with an episode of depression associated with bipolar disorder type I received open-label lithium 30 mg/kg (twice-daily dosing), which was adjusted to achieve a therapeutic serum level (1.0-1.2 mEq/L). Effectiveness measures included the Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised (CDRS-R) and Clinical Global Impressions Scale for Bipolar Disorder (CGI-BP). Adverse events were assessed weekly. Results Mean CDRS-R scores significantly decreased from baseline to endpoint (mean [SD] change = −25.5 (20.4); p Conclusions The findings of this study indicate that lithium may be effective and is relatively well tolerated for the treatment of an acute episode of depression in adolescents with bipolar disorder. Controlled studies of lithium in adolescent bipolar depression are needed. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry , 2006;45(3):289-297.