cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Self-regulated polymerization of the actin-related protein Arp1.

Abstract The actin-related protein Arp1 (or centractin, actin RPV) is the major subunit of dynactin, a key component of the cytoplasmic dynein motor machinery [1–3]. Of the ubiquitously expressed members of the Arp superfamily, Arp1 is most similar to conventional actin [4–6] and, on the basis of conserved sequence features, is predicted to bind ATP and possibly polymerize. In vivo , all cytosolic Arp1 sediments at 20S [7] suggesting that it assembles into oligomers, most likely dynactin – a multiprotein complex known to contain eight or nine Arp1 monomers in a 37 nm filament [8]. The uniform length of Arp1 polymers suggests a novel assembly mechanism that may be governed by a ‘ruler' activity. In dynactin, the Arp1 filament is bounded by actin-capping protein at one end and a heterotetrameric protein complex containing the p62 subunit (D.M. Eckley, S.R. Gill, J.B.B., J.E. Heuser, T.A.S., unpublished observations) at the other [8]. In the present study, we analyzed the behavior of highly purified, native Arp1. Arp1 was found to polymerize rapidly into short filaments that were similar, but not identical, in length to those in dynactin. With time, these filaments appeared to anneal to form longer assemblies but never attained the length of conventional actin filaments.
Imported fire ant stings: clinical manifestations and treatment.

: Stings by imported fire ants result in local reactions to the insect's venom; less frequently, they induce systemic allergic reactions. A 19-month-old child developed a characteristic localized cutaneous reaction at the sites of numerous stings after disturbing an ant mound. He experienced no secondary complications, and his pustular lesions resolved with conservative treatment.
Pathogenesis-related proteins of plants as allergens.

Objective Many pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins from plants are allergenic. We review the evidence that PR proteins represent an increasingly important group of plant-derived allergens. Data Sources A detailed literature search was conducted through PubMed and GenBank databases. Study Selection All reports in PubMed and GenBank related to PR protein allergens for which at least partial amino acid sequence is known were included. Results Production of PR proteins by plants is induced in plants by stress. Members of PR-protein groups 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, and 14 have demonstrated allergenicity. PR2-, 3-, 4-, and 8-homologous allergens are represented by the latex allergens. Cross-reactivity of PR3 latex allergen, Hev b 6.02, with some fruit allergens may be a reflection of the representation of homologous PR proteins among varied plants. The expression of one of the representative PR5-homologous cedar pollen allergens, Jun a 3, is highly variable across years and geographic areas, possibly because of variable induction of this PR protein by environmental factors. PR10-homologous birch pollen allergen, Bet v 1, is structurally similar to and cross-reacts with PR10 proteins from fruits (eg, Mal d 1) which cause oral allergy syndrome. PR14 allergens (eg, Zea m 14) consist of lipid transfer proteins found in grains and fruits and are inducers of anaphylaxis. Conclusions PR-homologous allergens are pervasive in nature. Similarity in the amino acid sequences among members of PR proteins may be responsible for cross-reactivity among allergens from diverse plants. Induced expression of PR-homologous allergens by environmental factors may explain varying degrees of allergenicity. Man-made environmental pollutants may also alter the expression of some PR protein allergens.
What makes bloggers share knowledge? An investigation on the role of trust

As a Web 2.0 technology, blogs are gaining attention as useful knowledge sharing platforms for knowledge management in a collaborative work environment. This study investigates the relationship between trust and bloggers' knowledge sharing practices. Based on an analysis of results from the 485 survey respondents, the research found that there is the positive relationship between bloggers' trust and their knowledge sharing practices. This study explores trust in multiple dimensions including economy-based trust, trust in bloggers, and trust in the Internet and trust in blog providers. The detailed research findings are presented.
Gas-fueling studies in the PDX Tokamak

Measurements of the gas fueling characteristics of the PDX tokamak have been extended in parameter range. An earlier study presented the gas fueling efficiency for H/sub 2/ and D/sub 2/ for the standard PDX divertor configurations with a large conductance between the divertor and main plasma chambers. This study presents the observed variations in H/sub 2/, D/sub 2/, and He neutral pressure and ionization light emission for divertor configurations with a restricted conductance between the divertor and main plasma chambers. The restricted conductance improved the divertor/main-chamber compression ratio by more than an order of magnitude. For the same plasma density, gas fueling from the divertor chamber was twice as efficient as fueling from the main chamber. At the highest plasma densities that were investigated, anti n/sub e/ approx. = 4 x 10/sup 13/ cm/sup -3/, a decrease in the plasma temperature in the divertor was indicated by a decrease in the ionization light at the divertor throat for D/sub 2/ and He fueled discharges. These observations are consistent with a Monte-Carlo model of neutral gas transport in the divertor.
Residential demand for wood: Results from the U.S. Pacific Northwest

Abstract We analyze household decisions to use wood for space heating. Logistic regression and simultaneous equation models are estimated by using billing history and survey data collected from households in the Pacific Northwest. Strong positive determinants of wood use are size of the household, heating degree days, and future electricity prices. Results from the simultaneous equation model indicate that wood and electricity demand are not strongly interrelated. Wood use is weakly positively related to electricity use in one equation and electricity use is weakly negatively related to wood use in the other.
The Fayetteville Flora I: Upper Mississippian (middle Chesterian/lower Namurian A) plant assemblages of permineralized and compression remains from Arkansas, USA

Abstract The Fayetteville Formation of northwestern Arkansas contains a unique Upper Mississippian fossil flora with allochthonous permineralized plant remains recovered from offshore marine black shales and two coalified compression assemblages: one compression assemblage represents an autochthonous terrestrial/deltaic assemblage, and the other was recovered from near-shore strata. Fossil plants have been known from the Fayetteville Formation since at least 1937, and since that time, numerous individual taxa have been described, but no synopsis of the assemblages has been previously complied. This report summarizes previous reports and adds new data to produce a comprehensive floristic survey of this important fossil flora. The flora consists of 41 morphospecies: 19 permineralized species and 22 compression species that represent at least 15 whole plants. Lycopsid remains are the most numerous and pteridosperms are the most diverse. Sphenopsids are abundant but of low diversity (one genus) and ferns are rare. Lyginopteris royalii, Trivena arkansana, Megaloxylon wheelerae, Quaestora amplecta, Rhynchosperma quinnii, Chlamidostachys chesterianus, and Telangiopsis arkansanum are known only from these strata. The occurrence of Rhetinangium marks the first report of this genus in North America, and the occurrence of Medullosa is the oldest unequivocal evidence for this genus anywhere in the world.
Hyperfiltration studies V. Salt rejection of membranes by a concentration polarization method

Abstract A method was developed for rapid measurement of the salt rejecting characteristics of hyperfiltration membranes based on the theory of concentration polarization in an unstirred system. A piston forces solution through a cylinder (an adapted one cc tuberculin syringe) sealed at one end by a membrane. The transmission rate of the membrane and the concentration of the effluent are measured and the concentration-flux curves compared with those computed theoretically through solution of the time-dependent diffusion equation. Results have been obtained that agree well with theory and also with other experimental observations.
Minimizing Disparities in Osteoporosis Care of Minorities With an Electronic Medical Record Care Plan

Background Ethnic disparities in care have been documented with a number of musculoskeletal disorders including osteoporosis. We suggest a systems approach for ensuring osteoporosis care can minimize potential ethnic disparities in care.
Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT): a better option for patients

At present there are two methods to determine the chromosome health of unborn fetus in pregnant women. One is through maternal serum screening that is considered as simple but less sensitive method and the second options involves invasive methods like amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS) for women who are found to be positive in maternal serum screening. Recent studies have demonstrated that non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) using cell-free fetal DNA (cfDNA) present in circulating maternal blood is considered as one the most effective method of screening for trisomy 21. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) based Non-invasive Pre-natal test, being offered by Quest Diagnostics in technical collaboration with Natera Inc to determine chromosomal copy number by looking for specific patterns of (SNPs). This second generation technology analyzes cfDNA in a single reaction targeting 19,500 single nucleotide polymorphisms which are the most informative portions of an individual’s DNA selected across all the analyzed chromosomes. Two published study demonstrated in the women undergone both invasive chorionic villus samplings followed by karyotyping in conjunction with non-invasive prenatal testing the efficacy of test. Data from Nicolaides et al., 2013 paper on total of 242 cases that include thirty two cases aneuploidy included trisomy 21 (n=25) which were correctly identified with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity with no false positive and false negative. Another study by Zimmerman et al., 2012 study on 166 samples from pregnant women, including 11 trisomy 21, three trisomy 18, two trisomy 13, two 45, X, and two 47,XXY samples including 146 low risk pregnancies. The study also correctly reported the chromosome copy number of all five chromosomes in 145 samples that passed a DNA quality test. The studies had demonstrated that SNP based NIPT is considered as an effective method of screening for common chromosomal abnormalities with detection rate of more than 99% and false positive rate of less than 0.1%. The initial finding shows NIPT approach has potential to avoid invasive procedure and can be provided an option to high risk pregnancies i.e. those with advanced maternal age, screens positive for biochemical screening and history of pregnancies with previous aneuploidies.
Vesicouterine fistula: a review of eight cases

Eight cases of vesicouterine fistula (VUF) (obstetrical etiology in six cases and inflammatory bowel disease in two) have been treated in the past 14 years. All six obstetrical cases were related to cesarean section. Both cases of colovesicouterine fistula presented acutely with watery vaginal discharge or fecaluria. Presenting complaints were vaginal urinary incontinence (five cases), hematuria (three), and vaginal discharge (two). Diagnosis was made with cystoscopy in seven cases and computed tomography in one. VUF usually was between posterior bladder and anterior uterine walls above the internal os. Of the initial treatments, six were surgical (three hysterectomies) with an abdominal (five) or transvaginal (one) approach. Mean follow up was 9 months (range, 2–24). Urinary incontinence resolved in all surgically treated patients. Two patients reporting cyclic hematuria were initially managed medically (medroxyprogesterone injections), with delayed surgical repair elsewhere. Surgical repair is the primary treatment for VUF. Successful pregnancy and cesarean delivery have been reported after VUF repair, without sequelae.
The mechanism for low-pH-induced clustering of phospholipid vesicles carrying the HA2 ectodomain of influenza hemagglutinin.

Homotrimeric hemagglutinin (HA) is one of the major spike membrane glycoproteins of the influenza virus. Initial pH-triggered conformational changes in the target membrane-interacting HA2 domain are necessary for a preliminary step in membrane fusion. Using spin-labeling electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, we examined subsequent pH-dependent changes of a membrane-bound HA2 construct (FHA2, aa 1−127). Residues 91−94, 108−115, 122, and 125 were mutated to cysteine and spin-labeled. Low solvent accessibility and side chain mobility were observed by EPR at positions 91−94, 122, and 125. Spin-labels at residues 108−115 were solvent-exposed and highly mobile, revealing the presence of a flexible loop. These results are consistent with the low-pH crystal structure of a truncated HA2 domain, particularly the unusual kink loop at residues 108−115 [Bullough et al. (1994) Nature (London) 371, 37−43]. Most interestingly, at endosomal pH, spin-labels at 108−115 become immobile and no longer solvent-exp...
Wireless electricity metering of miscellaneous and electronic devices in buildings

Miscellaneous and electronic loads (MELs) consume about 30% of the electricity used in U.S. commercial buildings, but our understanding of their energy use lags the traditional end-uses. A key component of reducing energy use is understanding how devices are used, but few studies have collected field data on the long-term energy used by a large sample of devices due to the difficulty and expense of collecting device-level energy data. This paper describes a wireless MELs metering system and an office building case study where these meters were deployed. Hundreds of miscellaneous and electronic devices where metered for several months. This paper includes key findings on the meters, network and MELs energy use.
Hydrophilic polymers enhance early functional outcomes after nerve autografting.

Abstract Background Approximately 12% of operations for traumatic neuropathy are for patients with segmental nerve loss, and less than 50% of these injuries obtain meaningful functional recovery. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) therapy has been shown to improve functional outcomes after nerve severance, and we hypothesized this therapy could also benefit nerve autografting. Methods We used a segmental rat sciatic nerve injury model in which we repaired a 0.5-cm defect with an autograft using microsurgery. We treated experimental animals with solutions containing methylene blue (MB) and PEG; control animals did not receive PEG. We recorded compound action potentials (CAPs) before nerve transection, after solution therapy, and at 72 h postoperatively. The animals underwent behavioral testing at 24 and 72 h postoperatively. After we euthanized the animals, we fixed the nerves, sectioned and immunostained them to allow for quantitative morphometric analysis. Results The introduction of hydrophilic polymers greatly improved morphological and functional recovery of rat sciatic axons at 1–3 d after nerve autografting. Polyethylene glycol therapy restored CAPs in all animals, and CAPs were still present 72 h postoperatively. No CAPS were detectable in control animals. Foot Fault asymmetry scores and sciatic functional index scores were significantly improved for PEG therapy group at all time points ( P P P P P = 0.019 and P = 0.003). Conclusions Polyethylene glycol therapy improves early physiologic function, behavioral outcomes, and distal axonal density after nerve autografting.
Gene-expression profiling in rheumatic disease: tools and therapeutic potential.

Genomic technologies are becoming increasingly accessible to clinical research laboratories. Gene-expression profiling is a powerful tool that can be used for the identification of biomarkers, with potential widespread clinical applications in rheumatic disease. These applications, together with an overview of the latest technologies for gene-expression profiling, are outlined in this Review.
Rigidity of abutments in integral abutment bridges

In this article, we present the results from a numerical and an experimental analysis of the Scotch Road integral abutment bridge located in Trenton, New Jersey. A three-dimensional, non-linear finite element (FE) model of the bridge has been developed to study the effect of thermal loading on pile–soil interaction. The abutment, pile and soil were modelled using solid elements. Material non-linearity is accounted for both, the piles and the soil. The bridge substructure was fully instrumented. An analysis of the pile-soil system was performed using the finite difference software LPILE. Field data were used to verify the results obtained from the FE and finite difference (FD) analyses. We found that the integral abutments are not behaving rigidly as was assumed and a plastic hinge is formed at the connection between the piles and the abutment at a lateral displacement of 0.06 m which is greater than the maximum displacement of 0.023 m that the bridge can experience as a result of a maximum expected temper...
Financial innovation, precautionary saving and the risk-free rate

Abstract We explore the implications of the theory of precautionary saving for the effect of financial innovation on the riskless interest rate. This theory implies that when marginal utility is convex, the presence of uninsured risk in the economy can lead to greater savings, and hence to a lower equilibrium interest rate, than would otherwise be the case. This suggests, in particular, that financial innovation should tend to induce an increase in the interest rate. We assess this argument, somewhat critically, and provide examples and a theoretical result which suggest that it is not a general phenomenon.
SLOWLY-VARYING WAVE DRIFT FORCES IN SHORT-CRESTED IRREGULAR SEAS

Abstract A new method for predicting slowly-varying wave drift excitations in multidirectional seas is developed and compared to existing methods based on index and envelope approximations. The present method retains the assumption of narrow bandedness in frequency but treats the wave directional spreading exactly. The method is consequently more applicable for realistic seas but is comparable in computational effort to the other techniques. For the interesting case when storm and swell seas are present from different directions, surprising new results are obtained which indicate that the slowly-varying forces on an axisymmetric body can be greatly amplified when the wave systems are incident from opposing directions. For each of the methods, the slowly-varying force spectra are derived and their statistics confirmed against time-history simulations. For the index and envelope approximations, theoretical probability distributions of the slowly-varying force are reexamined and generalized, and compared satisfactorily to numerically simulated histograms.
Importance of myocardial infarct artery patency on the prevalence of ventricular arrhythmia and late potentials after thrombolysis in acute myocardial infarction.

Abstract Sustained infarct artery patency is an important determinant of survival in patients with acute myocardial infarction. We studied 61 patients with acute myocardial infarction who received intravenous recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator, aspirin or heparin within 6 hours of symptom onset, to determine if infarct artery patency after intravenous thrombolytic therapy influences myocardial electrical stability as measured by the prevalence of spontaneous ventricular ectopy or late potential activity. Infarct artery patency was determined by angiographic evaluation 2.5 ± 3 days after infarction. Forty-eight patients (79%) had a patent infarct-related artery and 13 (21%) patients had an occluded vessel. The mean number of ventricular premature complexes (VPCs)/hour (p 0.03) after symptom onset. Thus, successful thrombolysis decreases the frequency of ventricular ectopic activity and late potentials in the early postinfarction phase. The reduction in both markers of electrical instability may help explain why the prognosis after successful thrombolysis is improved after acute myocardial infarction.
Rate of Sustained Virologic Response in Relation to Baseline Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA Level and Rapid Virologic Clearance in Persons with Acute HCV Infection

Treatment of acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection leads to a sustained virologic response (SVR) in the vast majority of patients, although the clinical predictors of these favorable responses are not well understood. In chronic infection, the most potent predictor of a SVR is complete viral suppression after 4 weeks of treatment, also known as a rapid virologic response (RVR). However, few patients with HCV genotype 1 infection and high-level viremia ever achieve this benchmark. In 2 separate cohorts of patients with acute HCV infection, we demonstrate that rapid virologic clearance and low-level viremia (HCV RNA level, <400,000 IU/mL) are highly prevalent, regardless of HCV genotype.
Rapid RNA Folding: Analysis and Acceleration of the Zuker Recurrence

RNA folding is a compute-intensive task that lies at the core of search applications in bioinformatics such as RNAfold and UNAFold. In this work, we analyze the Zuker RNA folding algorithm, which is challenging to accelerate because it is resource intensive and has a large number of variable-length dependencies. We use a technique of Lyngso to rewrite the recurrence in a form that makes polyhedral analysis more effective and use data pipelining and tiling to generate a hardware-friendly implementation. Compared to earlier work, processors in our array are more efficient and use fewer logic and memory resources. We implemented our array on a Xilinx Virtex 4 LX100-12 FPGA and experimentally verified a 103x speedup over a single core of a 3 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU. The accelerator is also 17x faster than a recent Zuker implementation on a Virtex 4 LX200-11 FPGA and 12x and 6x faster respectively than an Nvidia Tesla C870 and GTX280 GPU. We conclude with a number of lessons in using FPGAs to implement arrays after polyhedral analysis. We advocate using polyhedral analysis to accelerate other dynamic programming recurrences in computational biology.
Nectar CAB: a high-speed network processor

Nectar is a high-speed fiber-optic network developed as a network backplane to support distributed and heterogeneous computing. A distinguishing component of the Nectar network is a highly programmable network processor called the communication accelerator board (CAB). The Nectar CAB has a flexible architecture, where almost all interactions between the network and the host are programmable. This structure allows arbitrary protocols to be implemented, evaluated, and utilized. A description is presented of the design, implementation, and usage of the Nectar CAB, and performance implications of its hardware features are discussed. >
Improving identification of child maltreatment fatalities through public health surveillance

Estimated fatalities due to child maltreatment may underestimate the true extent of fatal child maltreatment. Public health surveillance of child maltreatment fatalities can help identify previously undetected cases and inform research, policy, and prevention efforts. A pilot effort in three states offers potentially useful insights for state-level child welfare leaders considering a similar collaboration. Key findings include the added value of using multiple data sources to identify child maltreatment fatalities, the challenges and benefits of engaging multiple disciplines in the surveillance process, and the feasibility of incorporating a common definition of child maltreatment for surveillance purposes.
Dysregulation of LPS-Induced Toll-Like Receptor 4-MyD88 Complex Formation and IL-1 Receptor-Associated Kinase 1 Activation in Endotoxin-Tolerant Cells

Prior exposure to LPS induces a transient state of cell refractoriness to subsequent LPS restimulation, known as endotoxin tolerance. Induction of LPS tolerance has been reported to correlate with decreased cell surface expression of the LPS receptor complex, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/MD-2. However, other results have underscored the existence of mechanisms of LPS tolerance that operate downstream of TLR4/MD-2. In the present study we sought to delineate further the molecular basis of LPS tolerance by examining the TLR4 signaling pathway in endotoxin-tolerant cells. Pretreatment of human monocytes with LPS decreased LPS-mediated NF-κB activation, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation, and TNF-α gene expression, documenting the induction of endotoxin tolerance. FACS and Western blot analyses of LPS-tolerant monocytes showed increased TLR2 expression, whereas TLR4 expression levels were not affected. Comparable levels of mRNA and protein for myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), IL-1R-associated kinase 1 (IRAK-1), and TNFR-associated factor-6 were found in normal and LPS-tolerant monocytes, while MD-2 mRNA expression was slightly increased in LPS-tolerant cells. LPS induced the association of MyD88 with TLR4 and increased IRAK-1 activity in medium-pretreated cells. In LPS-tolerant monocytes, however, MyD88 failed to be recruited to TLR4, and IRAK-1 was not activated in response to LPS stimulation. Moreover, endotoxin-tolerant CHO cells that overexpress human TLR4 and MD-2 also showed decreased IRAK-1 kinase activity in response to LPS despite the failure of LPS to inhibit cell surface expression of transfected TLR4 and MD-2 proteins. Thus, decreased TLR4-MyD88 complex formation with subsequent impairment of IRAK-1 activity may underlie the LPS-tolerant phenotype.
The effect of age on hypertension control and management.

Background Despite guidelines recommending similar blood pressure (BP) treatment goals regardless of age, controversy exists regarding treating those ≥80 years of age. Whether this affects current practice in terms of differences in BP control and number of prescribed antihypertensives by age is unknown. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of 59,207 outpatients with hypertension treated at 10 Veterans Health Administration sites. Outcome measures were BP control ( Results Subjects 40 to 49 years and those 50 to 59 years of age had better BP control (adjusted odds ratios 1.35 [95% CI = 1.26 to 1.44] and 1.22 [CI = 1.17 to 1.28] respectively) compared with subjects 60 to 69 years of age; those 70 to 79 years of age and ≥80 years had worse control (OR = 0.92 for both; respective CIs = 0.88 to 0.96 and 0.86 to 0.99). Antihypertensive medication use increased by successive decade to age 80 years, after which the trend reversed. Adjusted mean number of medications by age were: P Conclusions The oldest hypertension patients, despite worse BP control, are being treated less aggressively with fewer medications than their younger counterparts (those 60 to 79 years of age). Our results suggest that current controversy in treating the oldest hypertensive patients is having an impact on actual practice.
A rigorous formalism of information transfer between dynamical system components. II. Continuous flow

The transfer of information between dynamical system components is formalized with causality faithfully represented. In a continuous system with many components, information transfer is a mechanism controlling the marginal entropy evolution of the target component. It is measured by the rate of entropy thus transferred, which is obtained through freezing the source component instantaneously, and comparing the entropy increases between the original system and the so modified system. The resulting transfer measure is consistent with our earlier 2D formalism derived in Liang and Kleeman [X.S. Liang, R. Kleeman, Information transfer between dynamical system components, Phys. Rev. Lett. 95 (24) (2005) 244101] using different methods; it also possesses a property of unidirectionalism which has been emphasized by Schreiber [T. Schreiber, Measuring information transfer, Phys. Rev. Lett. 85 (2) (2000) 461‐464]. We apply our formalism to a two-mode (four-dimensional) truncated Burgers‐Hopf system. No significant information exchange is identified between the four components, save for a transfer from the cosine direction of mode 2 to the sine direction of mode 1. This transfer occurs continuously and at a nearly constant rate. The present work should serve as a starting point for the development of a rigorous dynamics-free formalism for the information transfer of multivariate time series. c 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Management and Outcomes of Hospitalized Patients With Primary Neuroendocrine Tumor and Non-Neuroendocrine Tumor Appendiceal Cancers in the United States.

Background: The incidence of appendiceal cancers continues to rise at a very rapid pace. Although surgery has a central role in the management of appendiceal tumors, literature is lacking regarding the pattern and predictors of surgical treatment for patients with appendiceal cancers. We aimed to describe the surgical treatment for patients with appendiceal cancers, with emphasis on utilization based on histology. Methods: Hospitalized patients with appendiceal cancer in the US between 2006 and 2010 were included in the study. The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database maintained by the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality was employed for univariate and multivariate testing to identify factors significantly associated with patient outcome. Results: A total of 3,799 patient discharges were identified over the 5-year period covered by the study. Neuroendocrine tumor (NET) was the diagnosis in 291 (7.66%) patients and non-NET in 3,508 (92.34%) patients. The mean age was 56.8 years (± SD 14.6), with female predominance (54.73% vs. 45.27%). NET patients were younger than those with non-NET (50.7 vs. 57.4 years; P < 0.001). NET patients were more commonly treated with appendectomy compared to non-NET (OR: 1.59; 95% CI: 1.23 - 2.07; P < 0.001). Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) was used in 8.5% of all the cases, mostly in non-NET histology (91% vs. 8%). Majority of the patients treated with HIPEC had no co-morbid medical illness (60%), and received care at high volume hospitals located in urban areas. There was a very low incidence of in-hospital mortality (2.5%). Conclusions: The described surgical utilization pattern should prompt more research focusing on barriers to appropriate surgical debulking and HIPEC utilization in non-NET appendiceal cancers. World J Oncol. 2015;6(3):349-354 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/wjon927w
Spatial analysis of within-population microsatellite variability reveals restricted gene flow in the Pacific golden chanterelle (Cantharellus formosus)

We examined the within-population genetic structure of the Pacific golden chanterelle (Cantharellus formosus) in a 50 y old forest stand dominated by Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) with spatial autocorrelation analysis. We tested the null hypothesis that multilocus genotypes possessed by chanterelle genets were randomly distributed within the study area. Fruit bodies from 203 C. formosus genets were collected from a 50 ha study plot. One hundred six unique multilocus genotypes were identified after scoring these collections at five microsatellite loci. Statistically significant positive spatial autocorrelation was detected indicating the presence of fine-scale genetic structure within the area. Repeated autocorrelation analyses with varied minimum distance classes (50-500 m) detected positive spatial genetic structure up to 400 m. Therefore nonrandom evolutionary processes (e.g., isolation by distance) can cause fine-scale genetic structure in C. formosus. The implications of this research for future broad-scale population studies of this species are that population samples should be separated by at least 400 m to be considered statistically independent. Sampling designs that account for fine-scale genetic structure will better characterize heterogeneity distributed across the landscape by avoiding the effects of pseudo replication.
Reflex cardiovascular response to brief abdominal visceral ischemia is mediated in part by prostaglandins.

Prostaglandin concentrations are elevated in intestinal lymph during brief abdominal visceral ischemia, and exogenously applied prostaglandins can directly stimulate or sensitize ischemically sensi...
Light scattering by small particles in an absorbing medium.

Extinction for the scattering by small particles embedded in an absorbing medium is defined and a generalized form of an optical theorem is derived. In general, the extinction is related to both the forward and the backward scattering amplitude.
A primer of skin diseases associated with obesity

Obesity has become a major epidemic of the 21st Century, making the number of obese patients who consult the dermatologist significant. Some cutaneous entities, such as achrocordons, candidosis, cellulite and intertrigo, may exist in the obese patient owing to the increased amount of skin, where the weight placed on the skin and skin structure could contribute to the development of decubitus ulcers and plantar hyperkeratosis. The relationship of acanthosis nigricans and certain malignancies might indicate underlying pathophysiological changes created by the obese state.
Prescribing Errors in a Pediatric Clinic

Objective: This project was completed to determine the frequency and type of prescribing errors occuring in a pediatric clinic. Study design: Records for all patient encounters in the pediatric acute care clinic from February through April 2007 were reviewed. Prescriptions entered into the electronic medical records (EMR) were reviewed the day after they were written. Results: A total of 3523 records containing 1802 new prescriptions were reviewed. Prescribing errors were found in 175 prescriptions (9.7%). The most common type of error was an incomplete prescription (42%), followed by dosing errors (34%). Anti-infectives were most commonly written in error followed by anti-inflammatories. Conclusions: Prescribing errors were commonly identified in a pediatric clinic utilizing electronic medical records. Incomplete prescriptions and dosing errors were the most commonly occurring errors. Recognizing the types of errors has been beneficial for developing educational programs intended to decrease prescribing ...
Influence of a ketogenic diet, fish-oil, and calorie restriction on plasma metabolites and lipids in C57BL/6J mice

Diet therapies including calorie restriction, ketogenic diets, and fish-oil supplementation have been used to improve health and to treat a variety of neurological and non-neurological diseases. We investigated the effects of three diets on circulating plasma metabolites (glucose and β-hydroxybutyrate), hormones (insulin and adiponectin), and lipids over a 32-day period in C57BL/6J mice. The diets evaluated included a standard rodent diet (SD), a ketogenic diet (KD), and a standard rodent diet supplemented with fish-oil (FO). Each diet was administered in either unrestricted (UR) or restricted (R) amounts to reduce body weight by 20%. The KD-UR increased body weight and glucose levels and promoted a hyperlipidemic profile, whereas the FO-UR decreased body weight and glucose levels and promoted a normolipidemic profile, compared to the SD-UR. When administered in restricted amounts, all three diets produced a similar plasma metabolite profile, which included decreased glucose levels and a normolipidemic profile. Linear regression analysis showed that circulating glucose most strongly predicted body weight and triglyceride levels, whereas calorie intake moderately predicted glucose levels and strongly predicted ketone body levels. These results suggest that biomarkers of health can be improved when diets are consumed in restricted amounts, regardless of macronutrient composition.
Targeted Local Support Vector Machine for Age-Dependent Classification.

We develop methods to accurately predict whether presymptomatic individuals are at risk of a disease based on their various marker profiles, which offers an opportunity for early intervention well before definitive clinical diagnosis. For many diseases, existing clinical literature may suggest the risk of disease varies with some markers of biological and etiological importance, for example, age. To identify effective prediction rules using nonparametric decision functions, standard statistical learning approaches treat markers with clear biological importance (e.g., age) and other markers without prior knowledge on disease etiology interchangeably as input variables. Therefore, these approaches may be inadequate in singling out and preserving the effects from the biologically important variables, especially in the presence of potential noise markers. Using age as an example of a salient marker to receive special care in the analysis, we propose a local smoothing large margin classifier implemented with s...
Investigations on hexagonal shape dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) and array with wide impedance bandwidth

The paper presents the investigation results on the hexagonal shape DRA and its 3-element array for beamforming purposes, both on the finite ground planes. This paper is written in the memory of Preet R. S. Sodhi who was the M. Sc. student at SDSU and was carrying out his thesis research on the DRA antennas under the guidance of Dr. Sharma. Mr. Sodhi left this research with an impedance bandwidth of 65%. After further optimizations, an impedance bandwidth of 85% is achieved with the monopole like radiation patterns in the beginning of the bandwidth and the directional radiation patterns later on. Similar bandwidth performance is also observed with the array configuration. The additional simulation results will be presented during the symposium.
Group Member Satisfaction: A Conflict-Related Account

Self-reports representing three types of member satisfaction (decision-making activity, communication in the group, and leadership); perceptions of three conflict-management styles (i.e., solution orientation, control, and nonconfrontation); and motivation to work for the group were collected after 24 groups completed each of four different sets of tasks structured to represent different steps of the "standard agenda. " Propositions associating a variety of general group activities and facets of group life to the nature of group conflict were used to generate hypotheses that related the satisfaction measures to measures of style and motivation and that suggested how satisfaction measures were likely to change across the four periods of interaction. With the exception of the relationship between motivation and satisfaction with decision-making activity, data confirmed expectations and showed that the measures of satisfaction were positively related to solution orientation and motivation and negatively rela...
The Pharisee Heresy: Circumcision for Gentiles in the Acts of the Apostles

This narrative-critical study of Acts proposes that Luke has deliberately arranged events so that the discussion about circumcising baptised Gentiles is postponed for as long as possible. When the issue does surface, it is raised by a delegation of second-wave Christians from the sect of the Pharisees. These factors combined give the impression that circumcision of Gentiles, a matter long settled by Luke's own day, had never been original, favourable or sanctioned by God or the apostles. By portraying the movement to circumcise Gentiles as belated, extrinsic and pernicious, Luke's representation of difference in the church resembles that of later heresiologists.
Size-specific differences in tail loss and escape behavior in Liolaemus nigromaculatus

Facultative tail loss (autotomy) is a common and widespread antipredation adaptation in lizards (Arnold, 1988; Zani, 1996). Although offering an escape from predators, tail loss has been demonstrated to influence many life-history traits and to have fitnessrelated ecological and behavioral correlates (e.g., Martin and Avery, 1998; Wilson and Booth, 1998; Martin and Lopez, 2000, and references therein). Animals with autotomized tails also may have reduced abilities to escape predators (Dial and Fitzpatrick, 1984). Costs and benefits of tail autotomy have been discussed for many taxa, but these studies encompass only a small percentage of species employing this tactic, and further studies are critical to evaluate the generality of these observations. Theoretical models of escape behavior predict that animals will adjust the distance at which they flee from an approaching predator ("fleeing distance") according to the relative costs of staying put versus the costs of fleeing (Ydenberg and Dill, 1986). When the former cost exceeds the latter, over any distance, the animal should seek refuge. A number of factors are known to influence the decision to stay put, including both intrinsic (e.g., age) and extrinsic factors such as predator characteristics, ambient temperature, distance and quality of available refuges, etc. (e.g., Rocha and Bergallo, 1990; Martin and L6pez, 1995, 2000; Cooper, 1997). Costs associated with fleeing are predominantly missed opportunity costs associated with abandoning a food resource, but for ectotherms may also include metabolic costs such as reduced time spent basking in the sun. Although several authors have evaluated the role of tail autotomy on escape behavior (e.g., Vitt and Cooper, 1986; Formanowicz et al.,
Characterization of the Morphometry of Impact Craters Hosting Polar Deposits in Mercury's North Polar Region

Earth-based radar images of Mercury show radar-bright material inside impact craters near the planet s poles. A previous study indicated that the polar-deposit-hosting craters (PDCs) at Mercury s north pole are shallower than craters that lack such deposits. We use data acquired by the Mercury Laser Altimeter on the MESSENGER spacecraft during 11 months of orbital observations to revisit the depths of craters at high northern latitudes on Mercury. We measured the depth and diameter of 537 craters located poleward of 45 N, evaluated the slopes of the northern and southern walls of 30 PDCs, and assessed the floor roughness of 94 craters, including nine PDCs. We find that the PDCs appear to have a fresher crater morphology than the non-PDCs and that the radar-bright material has no detectable influence on crater depths, wall slopes, or floor roughness. The statistical similarity of crater depth-diameter relations for the PDC and non-PDC populations places an upper limit on the thickness of the radar-bright material (< 170 m for a crater 11 km in diameter) that can be refined by future detailed analysis. Results of the current study are consistent with the view that the radar-bright material constitutes a relatively thin layer emplaced preferentially in comparatively young craters.
The Utilization of Spirituality in Occupational Therapy: Beliefs, Practices, and Perceived Barriers

Spirituality has become an increasingly important topic in healthcare and specifically in occupational therapy. This study utilized a survey design to examine occupational therapists' current beliefs and practices regarding spirituality, and to identify barriers to the use of spirituality in OT treatment. No statistically significant relationship was found between the use of spirituality and different practice settings or therapists' demographics However the participants' response indicated that the beliefs and practices regarding spirituality in occupational therapy may be changing Therapists reported discussing spiritual issues with clients more frequently than in previous studies. Lack of education or experience in taking a spiritual history was reported as the major barrier impeding the therapists' ability to incorporate spirituality into OT practice.
L’Argent des autres et la constitution d’un genre : le film d’homicide économique

Sorti en 1978, L’Argent des autres fait le double recit d’une escroquerie financiere et du chomage d’un cadre. Cet article analyse cinq caracteristiques generiques precoces, reperables dans ce film de Christian de Chalonge, qui se developperont dans un ensemble d’œuvres produites dans les annees 2000 que nous regroupons sous l’identite « film d’homicide economique ». Dans un deuxieme temps, nous montrerons pourquoi, en depit de ces traits semantiques communs – le sujet du chomage, le theme de la manipulation des individus, l’inquietante etrangete des decors, le personnage du conformiste et une structure narratologique qui releve de la descente aux enfers – ces films qui traitent de la guerre economique et de ses consequences individuelles et collectives ne peuvent se constituer en genre cinematographique populaire.
Deformation Mapping at the Microstructural Length Scale

Digital Image Correlation (DIC) experiments performed in a scanning electron microscope (SEM) allow for deformation mapping at length scales not possible with optical cameras. This paper presents the development of a new experimental methodology to map full-field surface deformations at the microstructural level. The results obtained through this approach when combined with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) microstructure maps enable linking of the deformation behavior to the underlying microstructure as the material is thermo-mechanically loaded. This paper will address the challenges associated with this technique including surface patterning at the nano- and micro-scale, image distortion correction, and dealing with stress relaxation that occurs over long SEM frame scans.
Direct comparison of 129 Xe diffusion measurements with quantitative histology in human lungs.

Purpose Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an irreversible lung disease characterized by small-airway obstruction and alveolar-airspace destruction. Hyperpolarized 129Xe diffusion MRI of lung is a promising biomarker for assessing airspace enlargement, but has yet to be validated by direct comparison to lung histology. Here we have compared diffusion measurements of hyperpolarized (HP) 129Xe in explanted lungs to regionally matched morphological measures of airspace size. Methods Explanted lungs from five COPD patients and two idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients were imaged using MRI with hyperpolarized 129Xe using a two-b-value gradient-echo diffusion sequence, and 34 histological samples were taken from these lungs for quantitative histology. Mean-linear-intercept (Lm) was compared with spatially matched measures of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) from 129Xe MRI. Results The mean ADC from COPD lung samples was 0.071 ± 0.011 cm2/s, and for IPF lungs was 0.033 ± 0.001 cm2/s (P < 10−15 between groups). The mean Lm in COPD samples was 0.076 ± 0.027 cm and 0.041 ± 0.004 cm in IPF (P = 2.7 × 10−7 between groups). The Pearson-correlation between ADC and Lm measurements was r = 0.59. Conclusions Diffusion MRI of HP 129Xe quantifies regional airspace enlargement in COPD. 129Xe ADC showed much less overlap between groups than quantitative histology, consistent with our past experience with 3He diffusion MRI in COPD. Magn Reson Med, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Experimental study for microwave-induced thermoacoustic tomography

The advantage of Microwave-Induced Thermoacoustic Tomography (MI-TAT) hybrid modality is its ability to take advantage of the microwave absorption coefficients which provide high contrast across soft tissues and materials. This in combination with the superior spatial resolution of ultrasound waves is important in providing a low-cost alternative to MRI and early breast cancer detection methods as well as high resolution and contrast for Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE).