cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Antagonism of quinidine's electrophysiologic effects by epinephrine in patients with ventricular tachycardia.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine whether pharmacologically induced elevations in the plasma epinephrine concentration within reported physiologic limits alter the response to quinidine during electropharmacologic testing. Twenty-one patients with coronary artery disease and a history of unimorphic ventricular tachycardia were found to have inducible sustained unimorphic ventricular tachycardia that was suppressed by treatment with oral quinidine gluconate. Epinephrine was then infused at a rate of either 25 or 50 ng/kg per min and testing was repeated. These infusion rates of epinephrine were previously demonstrated to result in elevations of the plasma epinephrine concentration in the range of concentrations that occur during a variety of stresses. Quinidine significantly lengthened the ventricular refractory periods and the QRS duration at a ventricular pacing cycle length of 350 ms, which was used as an index of intraventricular conduction. Epinephrine partially or completely reversed the effects of quinidine on ventricular refractory periods, but had no effect on QRS duration. During electropharmacologic testing of quinidine, no ventricular tachycardia was inducible in 12 patients, and only nonsustained ventricular tachycardia, 8 to 48 beats in duration, was inducible in 9 patients. Retesting during infusion of epinephrine demonstrated inducible sustained unimorphic ventricular tachycardia in 2 of the 12 patients in whom quinidine had completely suppressed the induction of ventricular tachycardia and in 8 of the 9 patients in whom only nonsustained ventricular tachycardia had been inducible during testing of quinidine. In conclusion, physiologic elevations in the plasma epinephrine concentration may reverse quinidine-induced prolongation of ventricular refractoriness but not intraventricular conduction. Epinephrine may facilitate the induction of sustained ventricular tachycardia in patients in whom quinidine has suppressed this arrhythmia. Patients in whom nonsustained ventricular tachycardia is inducible during electropharmacologic testing may be particularly susceptible to antagonism by epinephrine of quinidine's therapeutic effects.
Air Pollutants and Incidence of Respiratory Disease.

The correlation of prolonged (> 7 days) respiratory disease incidence in women working in electronics plants was studied with various pollutant indices. A three-year study of plants in 7 cities was conducted. Mean incidence was significantly correlated with suspended particulate sulfate (r = 0.964, 5 cities). No similar trend was found for benzene-soluble organic matter (OM), acetone-soluble OM, nitrates, Cu, Ti, Bi, Cd, Fe, Pb, Sn, Cl, or Zn. Similar trends for Ni and V, however, were noted. Various factors (e.g., age, socio-economic class, children, weather) were not thought to affect this conclusion. Pollution may prolong illness due to viral disease.
Wave-driven Turbulent Coronal Heating in Open Field Line Regions: Nonlinear Phenomenological Model

A model is presented to investigate the driving of coronal turbulence in open field line regions, powered by low-frequency oscillatory field line motions at the coronal base. The model incorporates the combined effects of wave propagation, reflection associated with gradients of Alfven speed, and low-frequency quasi-two-dimensional turbulence, which is treated using a one-point closure phenomenology appropriate to a transverse cascade in the reduced magnetohydrodynamic regime. Considering a sample of the corona and employing open boundary conditions, we use the model to investigate the dynamical efficiency of turbulent dissipation, which competes with propagation of fluctuations away from the coronal base. We examine the dependence of the heating efficiency on wave-forcing frequency, the sensitivity to parameters controlling the Alfven speed profile, the behavior of the model for varying the phenomenological correlation length of turbulence, including asymptotic limits of negligible or very intense nonlinearities, and the confinement of turbulent dissipation to the region near the coronal base. Each of these issues may be of importance in understanding the heating of the corona and the origin of the solar wind.
Elevated serum cathepsin B1-like activity in women with neoplastic disease

Abstract Activities of selected hydrolytic enzymes were assessed in blind-coded sera of 121 women with invasive cancer of various organs. Acetylglucosaminidase, β-glucuronidase, and alkaline phosphatases were not markedly elevated above controls. In contrast, cathepsin B1-like (CB1) activity in sera before therapy averaged 45-fold greater than that of 56 normal controls ( P P P
Sesquiterpenes produced by truncated taxadiene synthase

Abstract Soluble, highly active N-terminal truncated taxadiene synthase catalyzes the formation of an isomeric mixture of taxadienes from geranylgeranyl diphosphate. Farnesyl diphosphate was also found to be a good substrate, producing four sesquiterpenes which were characterized. The dual activities of taxadiene synthase and product inhibition caused by sesquiterpene metabolites make it imperative that active GGDP synthase be present in order for multi-enzyme systems to follow the taxol pathway in vitro.
Probing the Function of EGFR/EphA2 Interaction using Ligand Induced Heterodimerization

Heterooligomerization of cell signaling molecules has been observed in many signal transduction systems and is thought to affect signaling output. For example, in the EGFR and Eph families of receptor tyrosine kinases, both homotypic and heterotypic interactions modulate receptor function. We hypothesize that these interactions alter the molecular composition of signaling clusters, which drives changes in cell behavior. Unfortunately, current experimental methods do not allow control of heterotypic interactions between receptors. We have developed a method to form heterodimers of cell signaling ligands on supported lipid bilayers and have employed this approach to study receptor cross-talk between EGFR and EphA2. These receptors are often overexpressed in metastatic breast cancer cells and have been reported to physically interact. We are currently probing the effects of EphA2 and EGFR co-clustering in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells using this directed heterodimerization approach. We have found that presentation of the ligands for these receptors in the form of a heterodimer modulates downstream signaling, and we will discuss these results.
The Abolition of EL Cortito, the Short-Handled Hoe: A Case Study in Social Conflict and State Policy in California Agriculture

In 1975, an administrative ruling by a California state agency, banned the use of el cortito, the short-handled hoe, as an occupational hazard to California farm workers. This study analyzes the conflict over the short-handled hoe, focusing on the legal and administrative actions from 1968 to 1975 which led to abolition of the tool. By comparing the problem of el cortito as defined by state policy, with the historical development of this occupational hazard, I question the use of legal institutions and the state arena as a means for resolving issues of social conflict. Late one afternoon in the spring of 1973, farm workers leaving the fields of the fertile Salinas Valley in central California gathered beside the buses which would take them to the nearby labor camps for the night. They moved nervously about a large pile of short-handled hoes which they had been using that day to thin and weed long rows of lettuce. One farm worker quickly doused the hoes with gasoline; another tossed a match, setting them ablaze. Cries of protest swept through the crowd as the farm workers served their bosses with a defiant notice: no longer would they work with el cortito, the short-handled hoe. Farm workers have protested in the California fields throughout the 20th century, yet most of their attempts to improve agricultural working conditions have met with little success. Often their protests have unleashed repressive measures from growers or local governments. But the struggle over the short-handled hoe was an unusual event in farm worker history. El cortito became the focus of California government hearings, a California Supreme Court ruling (Sebastian Carmona et al. v. Division of Industrial Safety, January 13, 1975), and ultimately a California administrative edict (Administrative Interpretation No. 62, Division of Industrial Safety, April 7, 1975) banning the tool from further use in the California fields.
Culture-Induced Abnormalities in Tautog

Abstract We compared external and internal morphometrics of tautog Tautoga onitis reared by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sea Grant Marine Finfish Hatchery with wild fish collected in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Twenty-five length-standardized external morphometrics differed statistically between cultured (N = 5; standard length [SL] 93–152 mm) and wild caught (N = 5; 108–170 mm SL) fish based on a size-corrected discriminant analysis (canonical correlate 1 > 0.99, P 0.99, P < 0.001 for both tests) between wild (N = 9; 117–442 mm SL) and cultured fish (N = 10; 125–275 mm SL). The lower pharyngeal jaws of cultured individuals were similar to those of wild fish in their surface area and tooth density but were distorted and exhibited irregular tooth placement. Cultured tautogs also exhibited a foreshortening of the head super...
The Holonomic Ansatz I. Foundations and Applications to Lattice Path Counting

Many combinatorial quantities belong to the holonomic ansatz. For example, sequences enumerating lattice paths. Once this fact is known, many times empirically obtained “conjectures” can be easily proved automatically.
Reference service in an academic archives

Reference questions received at the Archives of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology during fiscal year 1997 fall into several distinct categories. Using these questions as examples, this article offers reasons as to why archival reference is so time-consuming and notes several differences between archival and standard library reference services.
Effects of Stimulus Spectral Contrast on Receptive Fields of Dorsal Cochlear Nucleus Neurons

Neurons in the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) exhibit strong nonlinearities in spectral processing. Low-order models that transform the stimulus spectrum into discharge rate using a combination of f...
What skills should students of undergraduate biochemistry and molecular biology programs have upon graduation

Biochemistry and molecular biology (BMB) students should demonstrate proficiency in the foundational concepts of the discipline and possess the skills needed to practice as professionals. To ascertain the skills that should be required, groups of BMB educators met in several focused workshops to discuss the expectations with the ultimate goal of clearly articulating the skills required. The results of these discussions highlight the critical importance of experimental, mathematical, and interpersonal skills including collaboration, teamwork, safety, and ethics. The groups also found experimental design, data interpretation and analysiand the ability to communicate findings to diverse audience to be essential skills. To aid in the development of appropriate assessments these skills are grouped into three categories, 1) Process of Science, 2) Communication and Comprehension of Science, and 3) Community of Practice Aspects of Science. Finally, the groups worked to align these competencies with the best practices in both teaching and in skills assessment.
Incremental costs of enrolling cancer patients in clinical trials: a population-based study.

Background: Payment for care provided as part of clinical research has become less predictable as a result of managed care. Because little is known at present about how entry into cancer trials affects the cost of care for cancer patients, we conducted a matched case‐control comparison of the incremental medical costs attributable to participation in cancer treatment trials. Methods: Case patients were residents of Olmsted County, MN, who entered phase II or phase III cancer treatment trials at the Mayo Clinic from 1988 through 1994. Control patients were patients who did not enter trials but who were eligible on the basis of tumor registry matching and medical record review. Sixty-one matched pairs were followed for up to 5 years after the date of trial entry for case patients or from an equivalent date for control patients. Hospital, physician, and ancillary service costs were estimated from a population-based cost database developed at the Mayo Clinic. Results: Trial enrollees incurred modestly (no more than 10%) higher costs over various follow-up periods. The mean cumulative 5-year cost in 1995 inflation-adjusted U.S. dollars among trial enrollees after adjustment for censoring was $46 424 compared with $44 133 for control patients. After 1 year, trial enrollee costs were $24 645 compared with $23 964 for control patients. Conclusions: This study suggests that cancer chemotherapy trials may not imply budget-breaking costs. Cancer itself is a high-cost illness. Clinical protocols may add relatively little to that cost. [J Natl Cancer Inst 1999;91:847‐53]
An approximate-predictor approach to reduced-order models and controllers for distributed-parameter systems

Two reduced-order digital controllers for distributed parameter systems (DPS) are described. Reduced-order models approximate the optimal finite past predictor and error covariance for the full system to minimize an approximation to the Kullback-Leibler information distance (KLID). An LQG controller based on a reduced-order-system model is described. A reduced-order controller is found to minimize the KLID between the closed-loop system outputs with the full- and reduced-order controllers. Noncollocated control of a flexible beam is simulated.
Pillar array-type parabolic reflector antenna driven by air-lifted monopole fed by CB-CPW for 2.4 GHz applications

A parabolic reflector antenna consisting of an air-lifted monopole, a reflector pillar array, and a director on a ground plane is demonstrated for 2.4 GHz applications. The monopole is fed by conductor backed coplanar waveguide (CB-CPW) for easy connectivity with other on-board components. The apex of the parabolic reflector is located 0.2 lambda from the monopole and the reflector pillar array has a space of approximately 0.1 lambda each other. The antenna with 7 pillar reflectors shows a directivity of 8.0 dBi, has a less reflector weight compared to the solid wall counter part by approximately 75%, and has less cross talk with the CPW feeding line. With an additional pillar in the opposite side of the apex 0.2 lambda from the monopole, an enhanced directivity has been obtained when the lateral reflector span is small e.g. for 3, 5 pillars, while little or degraded directivity has been observed when the reflector span is large e.g. for 7 pillars. Transmission test using two identical antennas show a transmission gain of -23.9 dB with a distance of 3lambda.
Identification and initial characterization of the murine gammaherpesvirus 68 gene M3, encoding an abundantly secreted protein.

Several viruses, including members of the gammaherpesvirus family, encode proteins that are secreted into the extracellular environment. We have identified an abundant 44-kDa secreted protein that is present in the supernatant of fibroblasts infected with murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (γHV68; also referred to as MHV-68) but not in that of uninfected fibroblasts. Sequence analysis of the amino terminus and of internal peptides revealed that this protein is encoded by the γHV68 M3 open reading frame (ORF). The amino-terminal sequence of the secreted protein starts at residue 25 of the M3 ORF, consistent with the first 24 residues functioning as a signal peptide. Northern blot analysis revealed a single abundant ∼1.4-kb early-late lytic transcript encoded by the M3 ORF. Analysis of a partial cDNA clone and subsequent analyses of products of rapid amplification of cDNA ends coupled with S1 nuclease protection assays demonstrate that the M3 protein is encoded by an unspliced, polyadenylated mRNA initiating at bp 7294 and terminating at bp 6007 of the γHV68 genome. The 3′ end of the M3 transcript maps 9 bp downstream of a consensus polyadenylation signal. Thus, the predicted M3 ORF is a functional gene that encodes an abundant secreted protein which is a candidate for interacting with host cellular receptors or cytokines.
Dendritic Cells in Irradiated Mice Trigger the Functional Plasticity and Antitumor Activity of Adoptively Transferred Tc17 Cells via IL12 Signaling

Purpose: The adoptive cell transfer (ACT) of CD8 + T cells is a promising treatment for advanced malignancies. Lymphodepletion before ACT enhances IFNγ + CD8 + T cell (Tc0)–mediated tumor regression. Yet, how lymphodepletion regulates the function and antitumor activity of IL17A + CD8 + T cells (Tc17) is unknown. Experimental Design: To address this question, pmel-1 CD8 + T cells were polarized to secrete either IL17A or IFNγ. These subsets were then infused into mice with B16F10 melanoma that were lymphoreplete [no total body irradiation (TBI)], or lymphodepleted with nonmyeloablative (5 Gy) or myeloablative (9 Gy with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation) TBI. The activation of innate immune cells and function of donor T-cell subsets were monitored in recipient mice. Results: Tc17 cells regress melanoma in myeloablated mice to a greater extent than in lymphoreplete or nonmyeloablated mice. TBI induced functional plasticity in Tc17 cells, causing conversion from IL17A to IFNγ producers. Additional investigation revealed that Tc17 plasticity and antitumor activity were mediated by IL12 secreted by irradiated host dendritic cells (DC). Neutralization of endogenous IL12 reduced the antitumor activity of Tc17 cells in myeloablated mice, whereas ex vivo priming with IL12 enhanced their capacity to regress melanoma in nonmyeloablated animals. This, coupled with exogenous administration of low-dose IL12, obviated the need for host preconditioning, creating curative responses in nonirradiated mice. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that TBI-induced IL12 augments Tc17 cell–mediated tumor immunity and underline the substantial implications of in vitro preparation of antitumor Tc17 cells with IL12 in the design of T-cell immunotherapies. Clin Cancer Res; 21(11); 2546–57. ©2015 AACR .
Vitamin K content of ground beef.

The vitamin K content of cooked ground beef was determined by bioassay in the rat to be equivalent to about 0.07 Mg of phylloquinone/g of tissue. Approximately one-half of this activity was concentrated from beef fat by molecular distillation. Beef preserved by -,-irradiation did not contain a detectable amount of vitamin K nor any detectable anticoagulant activity.
Application of Cylinder Forming Block Copolymers as Templates for Formation of Bit Patterned and Graded Media

Bit patterned media, including media fabricated with a gradient in composition, is being developed as a potential path to higher information storage density. The formation of metal nanopillars with 20-30 nm repeat spacing and precisely controlled magnetic properties presents a significant challenge to current fabrication methods. We have been developing cylinder forming block copolymer phases as a method to generate the desired patterns coupled with the processing steps necessary to transfer the pattern into magnetic material. This involves spin coating of the polymer on an appropriate orienting layer, annealing to allow the pattern to form by self-organization of the block copolymer, solvent processing to remove the minority domain, electrodeposition to form a hard mask, followed by ion-milling to transfer the pattern to the magnetic material. We have demonstrated each step in this process and report on the quality of the pattern achieved.
Protocol: a rapid and economical procedure for purification of plasmid or plant DNA with diverse applications in plant biology

Research in plant molecular biology involves DNA purification on a daily basis. Although different commercial kits enable convenient extraction of high-quality DNA from E. coli cells, PCR and agarose gel samples as well as plant tissues, each kit is designed for a particular type of DNA extraction work, and the cost of purchasing these kits over a long run can be considerable. Furthermore, a simple method for the isolation of binary plasmid from Agrobacterium tumefaciens cells with satisfactory yield is lacking. Here we describe an easy protocol using homemade silicon dioxide matrix and seven simple solutions for DNA extraction from E. coli and A. tumefaciens cells, PCR and restriction digests, agarose gel slices, and plant tissues. Compared with the commercial kits, this protocol allows rapid DNA purification from diverse sources with comparable yield and purity at negligible cost. Following this protocol, we have demonstrated: (1) DNA fragments as small as a MYC-epitope tag coding sequence can be successfully recovered from an agarose gel slice; (2) Miniprep DNA from E. coli can be eluted with as little as 5 μl water, leading to high DNA concentrations (>1 μg/μl) for efficient biolistic bombardment of Arabidopsis seedlings, polyethylene glycol (PEG)-mediated Arabidopsis protoplast transfection and maize protoplast electroporation; (3) Binary plasmid DNA prepared from A. tumefaciens is suitable for verification by restriction analysis without the need for large scale propagation; (4) High-quality genomic DNA is readily isolated from several plant species including Arabidopsis, tobacco and maize. Thus, the silicon dioxide matrix-based DNA purification protocol offers an easy, efficient and economical way to extract DNA for various purposes in plant research.
Relation of Race, Ethnicity and Cardiac Surgeons to Operative Mortality Rates in Primary Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in California

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether African American, Hispanic, and Asian patients in California were more likely to undergo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) by cardiac surgeons with higher risk-adjusted mortality rates (RAMRs). Clinical data from the California CABG Outcomes Reporting Program were analyzed for all patients who underwent isolated CABG from 2003 to 2006 by surgeons who performed ≥10 operations. Surgeons were divided into quintiles on the basis of their RAMRs, with the top-performing surgeons in the first quintile and the lowest performing surgeons in the fifth quintile. There were 72,845 isolated CABG procedures performed by 303 surgeons, including 49,886 in white, 9,380 in Hispanic, 6,867 in Asian, and 2,750 in African American patients. African American and Asian patients underwent CABG by surgeons with higher mean RAMRs (2.90% and 2.99%, respectively) compared with the state average of 2.65% (p
Cardiotrophic Effects of Protein Kinase C ε Analysis by In Vivo Modulation of PKCε Translocation

Abstract—Protein kinase C (PKC) is a key mediator of many diverse physiological and pathological responses. Although little is known about the specific in vivo roles of the various cardiac PKC isoz...
Single-copy transduction and expression of human γ-globin in K562 erythroleukemia cells using recombinant adeno-associated virus vectors : the effect of mutations in NF-E2 and GATA-1 binding motifs within the hypersensitivity site 2 enhancer

The use of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors provides a new strategy to investigate the role of specific regulatory elements and trans-acting factors in globin gene expression. We linked hypersensitivity site 2 (HS2) from the locus control region (LCR) to a A gamma-globin gene (A gamma*) mutationally marked to allow its transcript to be distinguished from endogenous gamma-globin mRNA. The vector also contains the phosphotransferase gene that confers resistance to neomycin (NeoR). HS2 region mutations within the NF-E2 motifs prevented NF-E2 binding while preserving AP-1 binding. Another set in the GATA-1 motif prevented binding of the factor. Several NeoR K562 clones containing a single unrearranged RAAV genome with the A gamma* gene linked to the native HS2 core fragment (WT), mutant NF-E2 HS2 (mut-NFE2), mutant GATA-1 HS2 (mut-GATA1), or no HS [(-)HS] were identified. In uninduced K562 cells, mut-NFE2 clones expressed A gamma* mRNA at the same level as the WT clones, compared with a lack of A gamma* signal in the (-)HS2 clones. However, hemin induction of mut- NFE2 clones did not result in an increase in the A gamma* signal above the level seen in uninduced cells. Mut-GATA1 clones expressed the A gamma* mRNA at the same level as WT clones in both uninduced and induced cells. Thus, GATA-1 binding to this site does not appear to be required for the enhancing function of HS2 in this context. This single- copy rAAV transduction model is useful for evaluating the effects of specific mutations in regulatory elements on the transcription of linked genes.
From Ephemeral Planning to Permanent Urbanism: An Urban Planning Theory of Mega-Events

Mega-events like the Olympic Games are powerful forces that shape cities. In the wake of mega-events, a variety of positive and negative legacies have remained in host cities. In order to bring some theoretical clarity to debates about legacy creation, I introduce the concepts of the mega-event utopia, dystopia and heterotopia. A mega-event utopia is ideal and imaginary urbanism embracing abstract concepts about economies, socio-political systems, spaces, and societies in the host during events. The mega-event utopia (in contrast to other utopian visions other stakeholders may hold) is dictated by the desires of the mega-event owners irrespective of the realities in the event host. In short, a mega-event utopia is the perfect event host from the owner’s perspective. Mega-event utopias are suggested as a theoretical model for the systematic transformation of their host cities. As large-scale events progress as ever more powerful transformers into this century, mega-event dystopias have emerged as negatives of these idealistic utopias. As hybrid post-event landscapes, m ega-event heterotopias manifest the temporary mega-event utopia as legacy imprints into the long-term realities in hosting cities. Using the Olympic utopia as an example of a mega-event utopia, I theorize utopian visions around four urban traits: economy, image, infrastructure and society. Through the concept of the mega-event legacy utopia , I also provide some insight toward the operationalization of the four urban traits for a city’s economic development, local place marketing, urban development, and public participation.
Alloparental behaviour in Sinai spiny mice Acomys dimidiatus : a case of misdirected parental care?

Communal breeding, where reproducing females share a nest and the care of their pups, occurs in many animal species. According to kin selection theory, alloparental behaviour should occur predominantly among closely related conspecifics. However, familiarity between females, a prerequisite for reciprocal altruism, may also play a role. The aim of our study was to analyse the effect of kinship and familiarity on the occurrence of two types of alloparental care—nursing and the retrieval of pups wandering from the nest—in a communally breeding rodent, the Sinai spiny mice Acomys dimidiatus. In addition, the effects of other factors that may also have an impact on alloparental care were tested; these included age difference between litters, pup age, maternal experience, pup sex ratio, litter size, group age, and mother’s weight. We found that kinship and familiarity had no effect on alloparental care. The nursing of alien pups depended on the maternal reproductive experience measured as the number of weaned litters and also on the age difference between the litters of both females. Less experienced females nursed alien pups more often than experienced ones. With increasing age difference between litters, females preferentially nursed their own pups. Similarly, the retrieval of alien pups was affected by the age disparity between the litters; with increased age difference, the females more readily retrieved their own pups. These results indicate that the occurrence of alloparental care in the Sinai spiny mouse may be more related to misdirected parental care than to kin selection.
In-Situ Ellipsometric Monitoring of the Electron Cyclotron Resonance Etching of Diamond-Like Carbon

The electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) etching of diamond-like carbon films in an oxygen plasma has been studied. The input variables were flow rate, pressure, power, and bias, while the output parameters were etch rate, and uniformity. In-situ ellipsometry, performed at 44 wavelengths simultaneously, was employed to monitor the etch process in real time. We will show that DLC films can be etched without an applied bias, but the application of an rf induced dc bias greatly enhances etch uniformity. Further, the etch rate is a strong function of the bandgap of the DLC film.
Blood Sugar Level and Influence of Hyperventilation on Slow Activity in Electroencephalogram

SummaryLowering blood sugar below 120 mg % may influence the response of the electroencephalogram to hyperventilation. Consequently it is advisable to keep blood sugar at a level of 120 mg % when the electroencephalogram is recorded during overventilation.
Characteristic Functions of the Product of Two Gaussian Random Variables and the Product of a Gaussian and a Gamma Random Variable

We derive the characteristic function (CF) for two product distributions—first for the product of two Gaussian random variables (RVs), where one has zero mean and unity variance, and the other has arbitrary mean and variance. Next, we develop the characteristic function for the product of a gamma RV and a zero mean, unity variance Gaussian RV. The underlying rationale for this is to develop a model for a “quasi-Gaussian” RV—an RV that is nominally Gaussian, but with mean and variance parameters that are not constant, but instead, are RVs themselves. Due to the central limit theorem, many “real-world” processes are modeled as being Gaussian distributed. However, this implicitly assumes that the processes being modeled are perfectly stationary, which is often a poor assumption. The quasi-Gaussian model could be used as a more conservative description of many of these processes.
Computer-assisted total knee arthroplasty marketing and patient education: an evaluation of quality, content and accuracy of related websites.

The internet is increasingly being used as a resource for health-related information by the general public. We sought to establish the authorship, content and accuracy of the information available online regarding computer-assisted total knee arthroplasty (CA-TKA). One hundred fifty search results from three leading search engines available online (Google, Yahoo!, Bing) from ten different countries worldwide were reviewed. While private physicians/groups authored 50.7 % of the websites, only 17.3 % were authored by a hospital/university. As compared to traditional TKA, 59.3 % of the websites claimed that navigated TKA offers better longevity, 46.6 % claimed accelerated recovery and 26 % claimed fewer complications. Only 11.3 % mentioned the prolonged operating room time required, and only 15.3 % noted the current lack of long-term evidence in support of this technology. Patients seeking information regarding CA-TKA through the major search engines are likely to encounter websites presenting a narrow, unscientific, viewpoint of the present technology, putting emphasis on unsubstantiated benefits while disregarding potential drawbacks. Survey of Materials—Internet.
Impact of heat wave on non-accidental mortality of local residents in Jinan

Objective To assess the impact of heat wave on non-accidental mortality in Jinan.Methods Mortality data,meteorological data and air pollution index data were collected during the period from June to August of 2009,2010,and 2012 in Jinan. A time-stratified case-crossover study was used to assess the effects of heat wave on non-accidental death and deaths due to the main cause-specific circulatory diseases and their subtypes of acute myocardial infarction,cerebrovascular diseases,respiratory disease,and tumors of residents on different lag days in the city. Results A total of 16 427 non-accidental deaths were recorded during the 276 study days,of which 14 121 deaths were in 242 non-heat wave days and2 306 deaths were in 34 heat wave days. Significant impacts of heat wave on non-accidental mortality,mortalities of circulatory diseases,respiratory diseases,cerebrovascular disease,and acute myocardial infarction were observed among the local residents and significant delayed effects were observed on day 2,day 2,day 1,day 2 and day 4 for non-accidental deaths and other deaths,respectively. No significant effect was found for mortality from tumors. After controlling for the holidays,atmospheric pressure,relative humidity and average pollution index,the factor analysis OR values of heat wave and non-accidental mortality,mortality of circulatory diseases,respiratory diseases,cerebrovascular disease,and acute myocardial infarction were 1. 44,1. 70,1. 87,1. 56 and 1. 60. Conclusion This study suggests that heat wave may be a risk factor for the health of residents in Jinan. Heat wave had large impact on respiratory disease,followed by circulatory diseases. Relevant authorities should take corresponding measures to reduce health hazard in accordance with meteorological characteristics in Jinan.
Decreasing in-hospital mortality of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with persistent higher mortality rates in women and minorities in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Advances in interventional techniques have been dramatic in the last 10 years. The goal of this study was to evaluate the age-adjusted in-hospital mortality rate in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using a large database. METHODS: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was utilized to calculate the age-adjusted mortality rate for PCI from 1988 to 2004 in patients over the age of 40 retrospectively. Specific ICD-9- CM codes for PCI were used for this study. Demographic data were also analyzed and adjusted for age. RESULTS: The mean age for these patients was 71.56 +/- 10.59 years (53.55% male). From 1988 to 1995, the age-adjusted mortality rate was stable. However, after 1995 the age-adjusted mortality rate showed persistent decline to the lowest level in 2004. (In 1988, age-adjusted mortality rate was 75.43 per 100,000 [95% CI = -7.88-158.76], in 1995, 66.83 per 100,000 [95% CI = 24.62-109.050] and in 2004, 38.38 per 100,000 [95% CI 19.53- 57.22]; p < 0.01). Total death also declined from 1.8% to 1.2%. This trend was similar across gender and ethnicities except for Asians. Furthermore, minorities and women had persistently higher mortality in comparison to males and Caucasians. CONCLUSION: The age-adjusted in-hospital mortality rate from PCI was steady until 1995 and declined to its lowest level in 2004. Despite this decline, racial and gender disparity in regard to mortality persisted over the study years.
The Association Between Body Image and Behavioral Misperception (BIBM) and Alcohol Use Among High School Girls: Results From the 2013 Youth Risk Behavioral Survey

Objective:The need to be thin is pervasive in adolescent culture and is associated with increased risk outcomes among adolescent girls. Body image and behavioral misperception (BIBM) exists when there is a disconnect between body weight perception and actions taken related to perceived weight status. To understand this further, we examined the relationship between BIBM and alcohol use among high school girls in the United States.Method:Using 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data, we ran survey-weighted multivariable logistic regression analyses to examine BIBM and (a) lifetime alcohol use, (b) current alcohol use, and (c) current heavy episodic drinking (≥5 drinks in a few hours) among female high school students (N = 6,579).Results:A total of 37.5% of high school females screened positive for BIBM, and 67.7%, 32.9%, and 17.8% reported lifetime alcohol use, current alcohol use, and heavy episodic drinking, respectively. In the final model, controlling for demographics, reporting a BIBM was associated with ...
Finding the Cause: Examining the Role of Qualitative Causal Inference through Categorical Judgments

Previous work showed that people‟s causal judgments are modeled better as estimates of the probability that a causal relationship exists (a qualitative inference) than as estimates of the strength of that relationship (a quantitative inference). Here, using a novel task, we present experimental evidence in support of the importance of qualitative causal inference. Our findings cannot be explained through the use of parameter estimation and related quantitative inference. These findings suggest the role of qualitative inference in causal reasoning has been understudied despite its unique role in cognition. Further, we suggest these findings open interesting questions about the role of qualitative inference in many domains.
Communicating mild cognitive impairment diagnoses with and without amyloid imaging

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has an uncertain etiology and prognosis and may be challenging for clinicians to discuss with patients and families. Amyloid imaging may aid specialists in determining MCI etiology and prognosis, but creates novel challenges related to disease labeling. We convened a workgroup to formulate recommendations for clinicians providing care to MCI patients. Clinicians should use the MCI diagnosis to validate patient and family concerns and educate them that the patient’s cognitive impairment is not normal for his or her age and education level. The MCI diagnosis should not be used to avoid delivering a diagnosis of dementia. For patients who meet Appropriate Use Criteria after standard-of-care clinical workup, amyloid imaging may position specialists to offer more information about etiology and prognosis. Clinicians must set appropriate expectations, including ensuring that patients and families understand the limitations of amyloid imaging. Communication of negative results should include that patients remain at elevated risk for dementia and that negative scans do not indicate a specific diagnosis or signify brain health. Positive amyloid imaging results should elicit further monitoring and conversations about appropriate advance planning. Clinicians should offer written summaries, including referral to appropriate social services. In patients with MCI, there is a need to devote considerable time and attention to patient education and shared decision-making. Amyloid imaging may be a tool to aid clinicians. Careful management of patient expectations and communication of scan results will be critical to the appropriate use of amyloid imaging information.
Formation of 238U16O and 238U18O observed by time-resolved emission spectroscopy subsequent to laser ablation

We have measured vibronic emission spectra of an oxide of uranium formed after laser ablation of the metal in gaseous oxygen. Specifically, we have measured the time-dependent relative intensity of a band located at approximately 593.6 nm in 16O2. This band grew in intensity relative to neighboring atomic features as a function time in an oxygen environment but was relatively invariant with time in argon. In addition, we have measured the spectral shift of this band in an 18O2 atmosphere. Based on this shift, and by comparison with earlier results obtained from free-jet expansion and laser excitation, we can confirm that the oxide in question is UO, consistent with recent reports based on laser ablation in 16O2 only.
Environmental Control Plasma Educational Laboratory

The primary goal of the Environmental Control Plasma Educational Laboratory is to introduce students to the engineering principles of non-thermal plasma application for air cleaning from Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and other methods of VOC control and measurements, by combining hands-on laboratory experience with lectures. Specifically, during the laboratory sessions, the students learn the engineering and physical principles of non-equilibrium plasma systems operation using the unique pulsed corona system of the Drexel Plasma Institute Environmental Laboratory, carry out experiments on plasma cleaning of VOC contaminated air, measure dependence of Destruction and Removal Efficiency (DRE) of particular VOC on plasma power and other system parameters, and calculate the energy cost of VOC removal. In addition, the students are able to determine the air flow rate and VOC concentration in air stream before the treatment, after the scrubber, after the pulsed corona, and after the mist separator. Efficiency of VOC control by scrubbing is also discussed in details. The work in the laboratory enhances the fundamentals taught in the classroom sessions. Another goal of this laboratory course is to improve the students’ data gathering and communication skills. Therefore, a concise written report clearly describing all conclusions and comments is required within 7 days after completion of the laboratory session, upon which the students become familiar with basic VOC control techniques, gain hands-on experience with scrubbing and low-temperature plasma equipment, and are able to demonstrate the basic principles of low temperature plasma cleaning.
Adolescents and Their Parents: Perceptions of Addressing Obesity in the Inpatient Setting.

OBJECTIVES: Extending obesity screening to the inpatient setting may increase adolescent and parent awareness of weight status. Whether this should be a priority given limited resources depends on how interventions would be received by adolescents and their parents. In this study, we aimed to further understand the perception of adolescents and their parents to addressing obesity in the inpatient setting to inform how to better address this issue. METHODS: Pairs of hospitalized adolescents 13 to 18 years old on a general service and their parents were surveyed. The adolescent and parent surveys included 20 and 21 multiple choice and ordered response questions, respectively. Questions assessed perception of adolescent weight status, readiness to discuss weight status in the hospital, and preferences regarding how that should be done. Demographics were self-reported. Adolescent BMI was calculated from medical records and categorized on the basis of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention charts. RESULTS: Analysis was done on 121 of 122 adolescent-parent pair responses. Of the adolescents, 34% were obese and 21% were overweight. Over two-thirds of adolescents and parents wanted to be informed during the hospitalization if the adolescent was overweight or obese, but there was concordance of both wanting to be informed in only 55% of pairs. A majority of adolescents and parents indicated that they preferred receiving information from physicians and through face-to-face discussion. CONCLUSIONS: Although most adolescents and parents want to be informed of weight status in the inpatient setting, providers should be aware of potential differences in adolescent and parent receptiveness.
Comparison of linezolid and daptomycin for the treatment of vancomycin-resistant enterococcal bacteremia:

Vancomycin-resistant enterococcal bacteremia (VRE-B) is a common nosocomial infection associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Daptomycin and linezolid are primary treatment options alt...
Questioning the status quo: Should Gleason 3+3=6 PCa be considered a “negative core” for pre-RP risk nomograms?

31Background: Current pre-radical prostatectomy (RP) nomograms predicting RP pathology do not differentiate between Gleason 6 prostate cancer (Gl6 PCa) and clinically significant Gleason 7-10 PCa. ...
Abstract IA05: Genomic approaches to drug discovery

It is now becoming possible to bring powerful genomic methods to bear on the process of drug discovery. This talk will illustrate 1) the use of the Connectivity Map, a large-scale effort to develop a compendium of gene expression signatures of cellular state; 2) the use of PRISM, a new multiplexed, high-throughput approach to screening cancer cell lines for anticancer activity; and 3) the use of cancer models (cell lines and patient-derived xenografts) in discovery, with particular focus on clonal drift in these models and the impact of that drift on drug sensitivity. Citation Format: Todd Golub. Genomic approaches to drug discovery [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Conference on Advances in Sarcomas: From Basic Science to Clinical Translation; May 16-19, 2017; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2018;24(2_Suppl):Abstract nr IA05.
Teaching Industrial Design Through Real World Markets and Manufacturing

Traditionally, Industrial Design studio classes consist of teaching Industrial Design through completing a series of projects at school. But what if there was a way to leverage existing real-world wholesale markets and manufacturing facilities outside of school to teach students about the realities of taking a design from “art to part”? This paper presents a case study in which students were challenged to design a product that could be sold at the Dallas Market, an international home goods marketplace in Dallas, TX for retailers from all over the world.
Accrual Prediction Program: A web-based clinical trials tool for monitoring and predicting accrual for early-phase cancer studies.

BackgroundMonitoring subject recruitment is key to the success of a clinical trial. Accordingly, researchers have developed accrual-monitoring tools to support the design and conduct of trials. At ...
Force-induced recruitment of cten along keratin network in epithelial cells

The cytoskeleton provides structural integrity to cells and serves as a key component in mechanotransduction. Tensins are thought to provide a force-bearing linkage between integrins and the actin cytoskeleton; yet, direct evidence of tensin's role in mechanotransduction is lacking. We here report that local force application to epithelial cells using a micrometer-sized needle leads to rapid accumulation of cten (tensin 4), but not tensin 1, along a fibrous intracellular network. Surprisingly, cten-positive fibers are not actin fibers; instead, these fibers are keratin intermediate filaments. The dissociation of cten from tension-free keratin fibers depends on the duration of cell stretch, demonstrating that the external force favors maturation of cten-keratin network interactions over time and that keratin fibers retain remarkable structural memory of a cell's force-bearing state. These results establish the keratin network as an integral part of force-sensing elements recruiting distinct proteins like cten and suggest the existence of a mechanotransduction pathway via keratin network.
Callimico goeldii (Goeldi’s marmoset)

This species is polymorphic in respect to the Y chromosome. Egozcue et al. found that both the female and the male (specimens from the Oregon Regional Primate Center, Beaverton, Oregon, USA) possessed a diploid number of 48 and the males had a distinct Y chromosome. Hsu and Hampton (1970) found, from two separate colonies (Houston, Texas and Oak Ridge, Tenn.), the Y was apparently translocated to one of the small acrocentric autosomes as its short second arm. This segment is marked by an arrow in this plate. Unfortunately the precise original locality data are not available.