cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Processes and Their Frameworks

A process is a time-dependent sequence of events governed by a process framework. A group process has five components: the entities performing the process, the steps or elements of a process, the relationship between any pair of elements, the links to other processes, and the resources and their characteristics-in-use involved with the elements. A process framework is denoted by Y = FC where Y is the set of outcomes or consequences of a process, C is the set of considerations or elements in the process, and F is the network linking the considerations to each other and to the outcomes. The properties of the set of considerations, the linkages between pairs of consequences, the set of outcomes or consequences, the network, F, and the use of process frameworks are discussed in detail with examples. Process models are compared to variable models.
Traitement percutané d’une fistule artérioveineuse traumatique réno-cave révélée par une insuffisance cardiaque à haut-débit

Un homme de 67 ans, hemodialyse chronique, admis dans le service de cardiologie pour la decompensation d'une insuffisance cardiaque a haut debit, avait a l'examen clinique un souffle râpeux du flanc droit. Comme antecedent majeur, il avait eu plusieurs laparotomies secondaires a un traumatisme penetrant survenu 7 ans plus tot. Une tomodensitometrie montrait l'existence d'un faux-anevrysme de l'artere renale droite et d'une communication fistuleuse avec la veine cave. Une procedure d'embolisation par coils et encollage au cyanoacrylate permis de fermer la fistule sans causer d'infarctus renal. Les symptomes d'insuffisance cardiaque se sont resolus apres traitement. Les procedures endovasculaires permettent de traiter de maniere sure et non invasive des fistules compliquees, developpees aux depens de la vascularisation renale.
Improving Regulation Through Incremental Adjustment

Claiming that existing regulation is excessive and irrational, regulatory critics have successfully convinced Congress and the White House to implement a plethora of procedural requirements to analyze a proposed regulation before it is promulgated. In our book, Risk Regulation at Risk: Restoring A Pragmatic Approach (2003), we argued that the previous initiatives address the possibility of regulatory failure on the wrong end of the regulatory policy implementation process. We suggested that one way of improving regulation would be to rely on incremental adjustments in regulation on the back end of the regulatory process. This article addresses in more detail the potential of two types of back-end processes (deadline extensions and waivers, exceptions, and variances) by examining five federal statutes (administered by EPA and OSHA) that provide opportunities for the two types of adjustments we are studying. We find that these adjustment provisions are generally consistent with the precautionary tilt of the statutes in which they are located because they still require the regulated entity to do the best it can to protect people and the environment. Where such protective mechanisms are absent, we urge that the statutes be amended to include them. We also consider the procedures by which requests for back-end adjustments are currently processed. We support the use of notice and comment procedures because more elaborate procedures are not necessary to promote rational decision-making, given the nature of the issues likely to be raised in back-end adjustment proceedings. We are concerned, however, about the extent to which effective public participation will occur under these procedures. We therefore endorse two steps to enhance the transparency of back-end adjustment decision-making: the establishment of electronic reading rooms and the issuance by agencies of annual reports on back-end adjustments.
Adult Still's disease presenting as serum sickness

A 30-year-old Chinese woman presented with fever of 104 °F, diffuse arthralgias, multiple pruritic erythematous papules and plaques, and pharyngitis. Three weeks prior to admission, she had received empirically a single intramuscuiar injection of penicillin for the pharyngitis. Several days later, fever, arthraigias, and an eruption were observed. The patient was started on oral prednisone, 40 mg daily, and tapered to 15 mg daily during a 21-day period. The persistence of these findings led to subsequent hospitalization. On physical examination, the patient appeared acutely ill, with fever of 102.5 °F and multiple annular and polycyclic urticarial plaques, ranging from 0.5 to 3.0 cm in diameter, symmetrically located on the neck, upper part of the back, upper aspect of the chest, and flexural aspect of the forearms and arms (Fig. 1). There was evidence of asymmetric arthritis involving the wrists, knees, and elbows. Abnormal laboratory tests on admission included a white cell count of 21.1 × 103/mm3 with 94.8% granulocytes, normochromic normocytic anemia with hemoglobin of 10.0 g/dL, an erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 115 mm/h, lactate dehydrogenase of 373 units/mL (normal: 100–225 units/mL), and a serum iron of 32 μmol/L (normal: 50–150 μg/dL). At this juncture, a clinical diagnosis of serum sickness induced by penicillin was considered most likely. Despite the continuation of prednisone, 15 mg daily, spiking fevers, skin lesions, and joint symptoms persisted for 2 weeks. Additional studies did not reveal infection, collagen vascular disease, or malignancy; these included repeated blood cultures, antistreptolysin O titer (ASLO), rapid plasma reagin (RPR), serologic analysis for hepatitis virus, Lyme disease, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, cytomegalovirus, and parvovirus, as well as complement factors, rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibody, sequential chest X-rays, total body gallium scan, conventional electrocardiograms, and a transthoracic echocardiogram. An abdominal sonogram showed mild splenomegaly with a normal-sized liver. A serum ferritin level was profoundly elevated at 20,440 μg/L (normal: 15–200 μg/L). A skin biopsy specimen obtained from an urticarial plaque on the arm showed a mild superficial perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate with occasional neutrophils. There were no features of vasculitis. The epidermis was intact (Figs 2 and 3). A diagnosis of adult Still's disease (ASD) was ultimately based upon the absence of diagnostic markers in the blood and tissue for infection, collagen vascular disease, and malignancy, in conjunction with exceptionally high serum levels of ferritin. Aspirin was started at 3.9 g daily and oral prednisone was maintained at 15 mg daily. Two weeks later, the patient was afebrile with complete resolution of the cutaneous findings. Two months after discharge, the patient was symptom-free with the exception of mild arthralgias involving both knees. A repeated ferritin level was 460 μg/L. The white cell count remained elevated at 15.1 × 103/mm3, presumably as a consequence of corticosteroid therapy.
Development of a nanoparticle-based influenza vaccine using the PRINT technology.

Abstract Historically it is known that presentation of vaccine antigens in particulate form, for a wide range of pathogens, has clear advantages over the presentation of soluble antigen alone [J.C. Aguilar, E.G. Rodriguez, Vaccine adjuvants revisited. Vaccine 25 (2007) 3752–3762, M. Singh, D. O'Hagan, Advances in vaccine adjuvants. Nature Biotechnology 17 (1999) 1075–1081]. Herein we describe a novel particle-based approach, which independently controls size, shape, and composition to control the delivery and presentation of vaccine antigen to the immune system. Highly uniform particles were produced using a particle molding technology called PRINT® (Particle Replication in Non-wetting Templates) which is an off-shoot of imprint lithography [J Am Chem Soc 127 (2005) 10096–10100, J Am Chem Soc 126 (2004) 2322–2323, Chem Soc Rev 35 (2006) 1095–1104, J Am Chem Soc 130 (2008) 5008–5009, J Am Chem Soc 130 (2008) 5438–5439, Polymer Reviews 47 (2007) 321–327, Acc Chem Res 41 (2008) 1685–1695, Acc Chem Res 44 (10) (2011) 990–998]. Cylindrical (diameter [d] = 80 nm, height [h] = 320 nm) poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) based PRINT particles were designed to electrostatically bind commercial trivalent injectable influenza vaccine. In a variety of blended PLGA formulations, these particles were safe and showed enhanced responses to influenza hemagglutinin in murine models. From the Clinical Editor Shape is one of the determining factors in interactions of nanoparticles with their biologic environment. PRINT technology is able to fabricate nearly uniform nanoparticles and this technology is tested here in murine models to effectively deliver influenza vaccine.
Self-organizing map for cluster analysis of a breast cancer database

The purpose of this study was to identify and characterize clusters in a heterogeneous breast cancer computer-aided diagnosis database. Identification of subgroups within the database could help elucidate clinical trends and facilitate future model building. A self-organizing map (SOM) was used to identify clusters in a large (2258 cases), heterogeneous computer-aided diagnosis database based on mammographic findings (BI-RADS(TM)) and patient age. The resulting clusters were then characterized by their prototypes determined using a constraint satisfaction neural network (CSNN). The clusters showed logical separation of clinical subtypes such as architectural distortions, masses, and calcifications. Moreover, the broad categories of masses and calcifications were stratified into several clusters (seven for masses and three for calcifications). The percent of the cases that were malignant was notably different among the clusters (ranging from 6 to 83%). A feed-forward back-propagation artificial neural network (BP-ANN) was used to identify likely benign lesions that may be candidates for follow up rather than biopsy. The performance of the BP-ANN varied considerably across the clusters identified by the SOM. In particular, a cluster (#6) of mass cases (6% malignant) was identified that accounted for 79% of the recommendations for follow up that would have been made by the BP-ANN. A classification rule based on the profile of cluster #6 performed comparably to the BP-ANN, providing approximately 25% specificity at 98% sensitivity. This performance was demonstrated to generalize to a large (2177) set of cases held-out for model validation.
Agglomeration of Services in American Metropolitan Areas

The growth of many service industries among American metropolitan areas stem from an eclectic set of forces. These include market penetration effects of increasing importance of services throughout the economy, agglomeration effects in immature and deregulated industries, and institutional and infrastructure constraints. These diverse forces are interpreted as urbanization and localization economies. A cycle of centralization of 27 fast growing service industries is documented for MS As in the period 1977-84. The two agglomeration effects are tested directly, using a power function model that relates employment and establishment growth to MSA size and initial level of employment in a local industry. Localization economies rather than the general advantages of metropolitan size best explain the growth patterns. This result implies that service industrial complexes are rapidly emerging in American metropolitan areas.
The efficient use of enterprise information for strategic advantage: A data envelopment analysis

Abstract A majority of manufacturers make use of some form of enterprise systems (ES), yet on average, the financial impact of ES adoption is essentially neutral. We propose that in an ES environment of easy information access, competitive success depends, in part, on the policies regulating enterprise information use. To explore this proposition, we examine the efficient use of different types of enterprise information in the realization of strategic performance. Efficient firms will devote fewer resources to information use to achieve the same strategic performance as less efficient firms. We employ data envelopment analysis (DEA) using data collected from Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system adopters at two different points in time in order to calculate a measure of efficient information use. This information efficiency metric is validated as a strong predictor of Compustat profitability. Additional analyses suggest that the most efficient users of information tend to emphasize information related to operational excellence. Regardless of information emphasis, however, efficient manufacturers – in contrast to their less efficient counterparts – were more likely to exhibit a better match between the most emphasized type of information and the corresponding dimension of strategic performance.
State Abortion Politics and TRAP Abortion Laws

How responsive are political lawmakers to an abortion issue that is potentially less salient to the public or in the media? Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers (or TRAP) laws impose physical plant and personnel regulations and requirements on abortion providers that exceed those imposed on other comparable health care providers or outpatient medical facilities. Using event history analysis, this article examines the determinants of the enactment by states of a TRAP law over the period 1974 to 2008. The empirical results find that the polarized ideological positions of the Republican Party and the Democratic Party on the issue of abortion, in conjunction with institutional control of state government, has a statistically significant impact on the enactment of a TRAP law in the expected direction.
Reference and Preference: How does the Brain Scale Subjective Value?

Would you be willing to pay more for a new television the same day you bought a new house? Would you be more likely to purchase that television if it was marked on sale? Most individuals respond affirmatively to questions of this form, likely because they use a “reference point” to help with evaluating their options. A common example is when ownership of an item affects its valuation. This is known as the “endowment effect”, demonstrated by individuals reporting a higher minimum willingness-to-accept (WTA) as a purchase price for an already-owned item than a maximum willingness-to-pay (WTP) to acquire the same item.
Out of Sight Should Not Be Out of Mind: What Lurks Just Beneath the Surface of the Cirrhotic Abdominal Wall

Paracentesis is a commonly performed procedure in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Useful for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, prior studies have documented the inherent safety of this procedure. In proper hands, modern techniques such as the use of safety (Turkel) tipped needles and ultrasound localization have reduced the risk of major complications to less than 1%. Nevertheless, major bleeding remains a dreaded complication of this procedure, especially in patients with liver failure. Our historical experience has been that this complication is unpredictable, likely because of procedural injury to an abdominal wall artery or peritoneal varix. The authors report a case where the risk of vascular injury was mitigated using portable ultrasound and suggest a simple procedure for future risk reduction.
Notch and VEGF pathways play distinct but complementary roles in tumor angiogenesis

Anti-angiogenesis is a validated strategy to treat cancer, with efficacy in controlling both primary tumor growth and metastasis. The role of the Notch family of proteins in tumor angiogenesis is still emerging, but recent data suggest that Notch signaling may function in the physiologic response to loss of VEGF signaling, and thus participate in tumor adaptation to VEGF inhibitors. We asked whether combining Notch and VEGF blockade would enhance suppression of tumor angiogenesis and growth, using the NGP neuroblastoma model. NGP tumors were engineered to express a Notch1 decoy construct, which restricts Notch signaling, and then treated with either the anti-VEGF antibody bevacizumab or vehicle. Combining Notch and VEGF blockade led to blood vessel regression, increasing endothelial cell apoptosis and disrupting pericyte coverage of endothelial cells. Combined Notch and VEGF blockade did not affect tumor weight, but did additively reduce tumor viability. Our results indicate that Notch and VEGF pathways play distinct but complementary roles in tumor angiogenesis, and show that concurrent blockade disrupts primary tumor vasculature and viability further than inhibition of either pathway alone.
Radiative Transfer in Cirrus Clouds. Part III: Light Scattering by Irregular Ice Crystals

Abstract A new Monte Carlo/geometric ray-tracing method has been developed for the computation of the scattering, absorption, and polarization properties of ice crystals with various irregular structure, including hollow columns, bullet rosettes, dendrites, and capped columns. The shapes of these ice crystals are defined by appropriate geometric models and incident coordinate systems. The incident photons are traced with a hit-and-miss Monte Carlo method and followed by geometric reflection and refraction on the crystal boundary. Absorption has been accounted for by means of stochastic procedures. Computation of the phase matrix elements and normalization of the phase function have been carried out using the results derived from rays that undergo reflections and refractions and from Fraunhofer diffraction using projected cross section areas for irregular ice crystals. Numerical results are presented for visible and near-infrared wavelengths. It is shown that irregular ice crystals scatter more in forward ...
BILL E. KUNKLE INTERDISCIPLINARY BEEF SYMPOSIUM: A meta-analysis of research efforts aimed at reducing the impact of fescue toxicosis on cattle weight gain and feed intake

The objective of this paper is to present a systematic review and meta-analysis of research efforts aimed at recovering cattle production losses attributed to toxic endophyte-infected [ (Morgan-Jones & Gams.) Glenn, Bacon, & Hanlin comb. Nov.] tall fescue [ (Schreb.) Darbysh.]. The strategies presented include those 1) applied with forage systems, 2) based on pharmacological compounds and functional foods, and 3) based on supplemental dietary nutrients. Cattle BW gain and DM intake was the dependent response evaluated. Among the forage systems reviewed, studies with nontoxic, endophyte-infected tall fescue as a total replacement forage system demonstrated the greatest improvement in per-hectare (152 ± 27.5 kg/ha) and per-animal (0.29 ± 0.03 kg/d) BW gain. Studies with interseeded legumes have exhibited a small and highly variable BW gain effect size per hectare (52 ± 24.1 kg/ha) and per animal (0.11 ± 0.03 kg/d). The legume response was seasonal, with summer exhibiting the greatest benefit. Studies with chemicals that suppress plant growth demonstrated BW gain responses (0.17 ± 0.06 kg/d) equal to or greater than the response observed with legume studies. Cattle grazing toxic tall fescue responded well to anthelmentics, antimicrobial feed additives, and steroid implants, and the use of these technologies may additively help recover production losses. As a group, functional foods have not improved BW gain ( = 0.85). Studies with cattle supplemented with highly digestible fiber supplements observed a 0.15 kg greater BW gain compared with studies using starch- and sugar-based supplements ( < 0.05). Weight gain was positively impacted by the level of supplementation (0.06 kg/DM intake as percent BW). Supplement feed conversion was estimated at 6:1 for the highly digestible fiber supplements compared with 11:1 for starch-based supplements. Tall fescue forage DM intake was predicted to maximize at a supplemental feeding rate of 0.24% BW with a breakpoint at 0.5% BW, and total maximum DM intake (forage plus supplement) occurred at 2.7% BW when supplemental feeding approached 0.9% BW. Results from this meta-analysis should be useful for 1) establishing and comparing measured responses to theoretical improvements in BW gain when additive strategies are considered, 2) research planning, and 3) producer education.
Boosting contextual information for deep neural network based voice activity detection

Voice activity detection (VAD) is an important topic in audio signal processing. Contextual information is important for improving the performance of VAD at low signal-to-noise ratios. Here we explore contextual information by machine learning methods at three levels. At the top level, we employ an ensemble learning framework, named multi-resolution stacking (MRS), which is a stack of ensemble classifiers. Each classifier in a building block inputs the concatenation of the predictions of its lower building blocks and the expansion of the raw acoustic feature by a given window (called a resolution). At the middle level, we describe a base classifier in MRS, named boosted deep neural network (bDNN). bDNN first generates multiple base predictions from different contexts of a single frame by only one DNN and then aggregates the base predictions for a better prediction of the frame, and it is different from computationally-expensive boosting methods that train ensembles of classifiers for multiple base predictions. At the bottom level, we employ the multi-resolution cochleagram feature, which incorporates the contextual information by concatenating the cochleagram features at multiple spectrotemporal resolutions. Experimental results show that the MRS-based VAD outperforms other VADs by a considerable margin. Moreover, when trained on a large amount of noise types and a wide range of signal-to-noise ratios, the MRS-based VAD demonstrates surprisingly good generalization performance on unseen test scenarios, approaching the performance with noise-dependent training.
Compartmental Analysis of Sulfobromophthalein Transport in Normal Patients and Patients with Hepatic Dysfunction

The plasma disappearance curve following a single intravenous injection of sulfobromophthalein (BSP) was analyzed by an established computer technique and BSP kinetics evaluated for 10 normal control subjects and 16 patients with various hepatic disorders. The two-compartment model used in this analysis was supported by the findings of constant fractional transport rates for different injected BSP doses and close simulations of experimental plasma and biliary data. Four fractional transport rates were determined for the two-pool system: (1) fractional hepatic removal rate; (2) fractional hepatic plasma reflux rate; (3) fractional biliary secretory rate; and (4) fractional urinary excretion rate. Mean values and per cent fractional standard deviation for the four respective rates in normal subjects are: (1) 0.14 min-1 (11%); (2) 0.013 min-1 (25%); (3) 0.036 min-1 (16%); (4) 0.0009 min-1. The corresponding mean rates for 7 patients with biopsyproved portal cirrhosis are: (1) 0.046 min-1 (19%); (2) 0.024 min-1 (35%); (3) 0.018 min-1 (25%); (4) 0.0008 min-1. The respective means for 4 patients with biopsy-documented viral hepatitis are: (1) 0.041 min-1 (15%); (2) 0.021 min-1 (26%); (3) 0.004 min-1 (42%); (4) 0.0007 min-1. Changes in these parameters were monitored serially during the clinical course of patients with acute hepatic necrosis. This kinetic approach was compared with previous evaluations of BSP transport in man by a constant infusion technique and similar results were obtained for the two techniques in normal subjects.
Prescription drug use during and immediately before pregnancy in Hawai'i—findings from the Hawai'i Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, 2009-2011.

There are relatively few population-based studies on prescription drug use during pregnancy. Hawai‘i Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) survey data from 4,735 respondents were used to estimate statewide prevalence of overall non-vitamin prescription drug use during and in the month before pregnancy. Data were weighted to be representative of all pregnancies resulting in live births in Hawai‘i in 2009–2011. Of women with recent live births in Hawai‘i, 14.2% (95% CI: 13.0 – 15.5) reported prescription drug use before pregnancy and 17.6% (95% CI: 16.2 – 19.0) reported prescription drug use during pregnancy. Prevalence of prescription drug use both before and during pregnancy was highest among women who had a pre-pregnancy chronic disease, were White, and had a pregnancy-related medical problem. Pain relievers (2.82%; 95% CI: 2.28 – 3.47), psychiatric medications (2.34%; 95% CI: 1.85 – 2.95), and anti-infectives (1.91%; 95% CI: 1.46 – 2.48) were the most common types of medications used before pregnancy. The most commonly-reported prescription medication types taken during pregnancy were anti-infectives (4.00%; 95% CI: 3.34 – 4.79), pain relievers (3.18%; 95% CI: 2.56 – 3.94), and gastrointestinal drugs (3.08%; 95% CI: 2.47 – 3.83). Of women who reported prescription drug use during pregnancy and attended prenatal care, 10.3% (95% CI: 8.0 – 13.2) reported that their healthcare provider had not counseled them during prenatal care on which medicines are safe to use during pregnancy.
The fabellofibular and short lateral ligaments of the knee joint.

The variations in size of the short lateral ligament, the occasional absence of the short lateral ligament, and the reasons for the presence of the fabellofibular ligament are indicated in this study. The short lateral ligament and the fabellofibular ligament are apparently homologous structures cor
Distribution and Transport of Fecal Bacteria in a Rural Alaskan Community

Without piped water and sewer, some Alaska Native communities are at increased risk for diseases caused by waterborne pathogens. Whether treated water from the washeteria or untreated water from traditional water sources is used, care must be taken in transport and storage. Use of untreated water from traditional sources requires more attention to risk as source areas and catchments can become contaminated by pathogens from honeybucket disposal sites, dogs, and local wildlife. This study is being conducted to determine the major pathways of contamination outside the home in a rural Alaskan community. Pathways under consideration include vehicles, shoes, and surface flow. In early summer many puddles in and around town tested positive for total coliform and E. coli, indicators of fecal pollution. While the concentrations of coliform bacteria were low in many cases, members of the total coliform group were widely present and several areas around town had high concentrations of E. coli. E. coli was also detected on at least of half the tested shoes, dog paws and tires of ATVs returning from the dump, indicating that these may serve as vectors transporting pathogens to the home.
Washington State Entomological Society 1954–1976

September 17, 1954, 29 entomologists met at Ellensburg, WA for the purpose of organizing an entomological society for Washington State. The meeting was organized by Carl Johansen who was selected chairman pro tem. A name, Washington State Entomological Society, was quickly chosen and it was decided to hold two meetings annually. A constitution and bylaws were not adopted until the second meeting, March, 1955. Purpose of the Society (article II) is “… to promote both professional and avocation entomology … with emphasis … in the State of Washington and the Pacific Northwest.”
An Ergonomic Evaluation of a Hybrid Keyboard and Game Controller

A laboratory experiment with 20 Ss compared performance, posture, and discomfort ratings for typing and video-gaming tasks performed using either a prototype hybrid game controller and keyboard (AG), or a conventional keyboard and a conventional game controller. Posture was measured using wrist monitoring apparatus and video-motion analysis. Performance was measured by typing speed, accuracy, game scores and a dexterity task. Comfort was measured by questionnaire. Results showed that after an initial 15-minutes of use, Ss were able to type on the AG at 9.35 wpm with 92% accuracy of use, and performance on a video game and on a dexterity task were comparable. Subjects reported significantly greater right thumb and right and left pinky finger discomfort after the typing task using the AG, when compared to the other 4 tasks. For the gaming there was no significant difference between devices.
Optimal Management of Double-Hit Lymphoma.

Although the majority of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) can be cured by using standard immunochemotherapy, a sizeable proportion of patients cannot. Therefore, it is critical to be able to identify these patients up-front by looking at various clinical and biologic characteristics. DLBCL is a heterogeneous disease with clinical, morphologic, and genetically distinct subtypes, and it is important to understand how these various factors impact treatment outcome as a prerequisite for the development of effective and specific treatment strategies for clinically and molecularly defined subtypes.Whereas the role of clinical characteristics, such as those comprising the International Prognostic Index score, in predicting outcome has been understood for some time, many recent studies demonstrate a prognostic role for individual tumor biomarkers. Biomarkers are thus becoming more andmore of an important consideration in first-line optimal therapy selection. Most DLBCL cases can be divided into one of two molecular subtypes—a germinal center B-cell subtype or an activated B-cell (ABC) subtype—on the basis of mechanisms of oncogenic activation.Outcomes for patients with the ABC subtype are significantly inferior after standard therapy than are outcomes for those with the germinal center B-cell subtype; therefore, there is a need todevelop novel strategies for theABC subtype. It has beenhelpful that anumberof recently developed agents have shown selective activity within the ABC subtype, and randomized clinical trials to test someof these agents in the up-front setting are in progress. Role of MYC and BCL2 Whereas discovering the cell of origin has been helpful in the development of therapeutic agents, there has been much interest and focus in the literature on the roles ofMYC and BCL2 in DLBCL. Several retrospective studies have investigated these roles, and it has been shown that after standard CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) or R-CHOP(rituximabplusCHOP) therapy, cases that harbor a MYC rearrangement, which is usually detected by fluorescent in situ hybridization, or both aMYC and a BCL2 rearrangement (double-hit lymphomas [DHLs]) have inferior outcomes. In patients with DHL, BCL2 is typically the translocation partner withMYC but it can sometimes be BCL6, or there can be three rearrangements with BCL2 and BCL6 (triple-hit lymphoma). In addition, by using immunohistochemistry to assess expression ofMYCandBCL2 inDLBCL,various groups have demonstrated that approximately 20% to 25% of newly diagnosed patients with DLBCL have high levels of MYC and BCL2 protein expression, without translocations in the majority of cases. These cases have been called double-expresser lymphomas, and patients do not respond well to treatment with standard R-CHOP therapy. An important question, therefore, is how should these patients be managed?
The role of IgA1 rheumatoid factor in the formation of IgA-containing immune complexes in Henoch-Schönlein purpura.

The present study was performed to investigate the role of IgA rheumatoid factor (RF) in the formation of IgA-containing immune complexes and to determine the IgA subclass composition of IgA RF in patients with Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP). Immune complexes were isolated from the sera of 22 children with HSP and 13 controls by means of polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation. The percentage of IgG, IgA, and IgM precipitated by PEG was significantly greater in HSP patients than controls (p less than 0.01). There was a strong correlation (r = 0.723, p less than 0.001) between the amount of IgG and IgA in the PEG precipitates from HSP patients, but not controls. HSP patients had significantly higher levels of IgA RF in their serum (p less than 0.05) and in their PEG precipitates (p less than 0.05) compared to controls. There was a strong correlation between IgA RF concentrations in the serum and PEG precipitates in HSP patients (r = 0.910, p less than 0.001). PEG precipitation eliminated IgA RF activity from the serum of 7 of 8 HSP patients tested, and substantially reduced the titer in the remaining patient. IgA RF was recovered in the PEG precipitates from all patients. Testing of HSP patients showed that IgA1 was the predominant IgA subclass of the serum IgA RF (p less than 0.02) and PEG precipitate IgA RF (p less than 0.01). These results indicate that IgA RF is a constituent of IgA-containing immune complexes in HSP, and that IgA RF is composed primarily of IgA1.
Methods for the study of the genetic determinants of diabetes and its complications.

Diabetes and its complications have a multifactorial etiology that includes both environmental and genetic factors. This makes the aim of finding susceptibility genes difficult because of the contribution of multiple genes, the wide variety of environmental factors that are involved, the lack of a clear mode of inheritance, and the presence of genetic heterogeneity. Despite these problems, the recent advances in biotechnology offer the opportunity to dissect the genetics background of complex diseases. As in the case of other disorders, there are two major approaches to study the molecular genetics of diabetes: association studies and linkage studies in families. Association studies aim to identify susceptibility alleles through several approaches, the simplest of which is to compare unrelated cases and controls. While this study design is relatively easy, false positive results are common due to unrecognized differences between cases and controls. An alternative is to use family-based association studies such as the transmission disequillibrium test. While this approach requires more recruitment efforts, the chances of false positive results are minimized. In contrast to association studies, linkage studies are not targeted to single candidate genes, but rather investigate the cosegregation between large chromosomal regions and the disease. Linkage analysis can be performed by either non-parametric or parametric methods. Non-parametric studies are relatively easy to conduct and do not require previous knowledge of the mode of inheritance. However, they cannot detect genetic heterogeneity (i.e. the presence of multiple genes that contribute to diabetes in different families). In contrast, parametric methods require large pedigrees and the assumption of a model of genetic inheritance, but they can detect genetic heterogeneity. Several new diabetes loci and genes have already been identified through the strategies outlined above, and many more are expected to be found in the next few years with the completion of the Human Genome Project.
Left Ventricular Assist Devices for Long-Term Circulatory Support

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have become an increasingly utilized therapy for advanced heart failure (HF) due to recent innovations in technology, which have led to significantly improved outcomes. With a rapidly aging population in the United States and industrialized world, it is expected that the prevalence and incidence of HF will continue to increase. It is estimated that there are currently between 110,000 and 280,000 adults in the United States alone with NYHA Class IIIB and Class IV HF that could potentially be candidates for LVAD therapy [1]. Currently, <5000 LVAD implants are being performed annually in the US so it appears that this therapy is significantly underutilized.
Finding success in failure: using latent profile analysis to examine heterogeneity in psychosocial functioning among heavy drinkers following treatment

AIMS: To estimate differences in post-treatment psychosocial functioning among treatment "failures" (i.e., heavy drinkers, defined as 4+/5+ drinks for women/men) from two large multi-site clinical trials, and to compare these levels of functioning to those of the purported treatment "successes" (i.e., non-heavy drinkers) DESIGN: Separate latent profile analyses of data from two of the largest alcohol clinical trials conducted in the United States, COMBINE and Project MATCH, comparing psychosocial outcomes across derived classes of heterogeneous treatment responders SETTING: Eleven U.S. academic sites in COMBINE, 27 U.S. treatment sites local to nine research sites in Project MATCH. PARTICIPANTS: 962 individuals in COMBINE (69% male, 77% white, mean age: 44 years) treated January 2001 to January 2004 and 1,528 individuals in Project MATCH (75% male, 80% white, mean age: 40 years) treated April 1991 to September 1994. MEASUREMENTS: In COMBINE, we analyzed health, quality of life, mental health symptoms, and alcohol consequences 12-months post-baseline. In Project MATCH, we examined social functioning, mental health symptoms, and alcohol consequences 15-months post-baseline. FINDINGS: Latent profile analysis of measures of functioning in both samples supported a three-profile solution for the group of treatment "failures," characterized by high-functioning, average-functioning, and low-functioning individuals. The high-functioning treatment "failures" generally performed better across measures of psychosocial functioning at follow-up than participants designated treatment "successes" by virtue of being abstainers or light drinkers. CONCLUSIONS: Current United States Food and Drug Administration guidance to use heavy drinking as indicative of treatment "failure" fails to take into account substantial psychosocial improvements made by individuals who continue occasionally to drink heavily post-treatment.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. Language: en
Relevance of Nonhuman Primate Translational Research to Understanding Social Inequalities in Health in Human Beings

Social inequality has significant consequences for development which include neurobiological underpinnings of health disorders. The current chapter introduces the relevance of using nonhuman primates as model systems to further investigate these effects. Because nonhuman primates form complex societies that involve inequalities, they provide an ideal translational system in which experimental manipulation can be used to investigate the neurobiological consequences of inequality.
Gradient Polymer Nanofoams for Encrypted Recording of Chemical Events

We have fabricated gradient-grafted nanofoam films that are able to record the presence of volatile chemical compounds in an offline regime. In essence, the nanofoam film (100–300 nm thick) is anchored to a surface cross-linked polymer network in a metastable extended configuration that can relax back to a certain degree upon exposure to a chemical vapor. The level of the chain relaxation is associated with thermodynamic affinity between the polymer chains and the volatile compounds. In our design, the chemical composition of the nanofoam film is not uniform; therefore, the film possesses a gradually changing local affinity to a vapor along the surface. Upon vapor exposure, the nonuniform changes in local film morphology provide a permanent record or “fingerprint” for the chemical event of interest. This permanent modification in the film structure can be directly detected via changes not only in the film surface profile but also in the film optical characteristics. To this end, we demonstrated that sensi...
Reverse Monitoring: On the Hidden Role of Employee Stock-Based Compensation

This Article develops a new understanding of equity-based compensation schemes, such as employee stock option plans. Current literature views such schemes as a measure aimed at motivating the recip...
IMU-Based Wrist Rotation Control of a Transradial Myoelectric Prosthesis

This paper describes a control method intended to facilitate improved control of a myoelectric prosthesis containing a wrist rotator. Rather than exclusively utilizing electromyogram (EMG) for the control of all myoelectric components (e.g., a hand and a wrist), the proposed controller utilizes inertial measurement (from six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU)) to sense upper arm abduction/adduction, and uses this input to command a wrist rotation velocity. As such, the controller essentially substitutes shoulder abduction/adduction in place of agonist/antagonist EMG to control wrist angular velocity, which preserves EMG for control of the hand (or other arm components). As a preliminary assessment of efficacy, the control method was implemented on a transradial prosthesis prototype with a powered wrist rotator and hand, and experimentally assessed on five able-bodied subjects who wore the prototype using an able-bodied adaptor and one transradial amputee subject while performing assessments representative of activities of daily living. The assessments compared the (timed) performance of the combined EMG/ IMU-based control method with a (conventional) sequential EMG control approach. Results of the assessment indicate that the able-bodied subjects were able to perform the tasks 33% faster on average with the EMG/IMU-based method, relative to a conventional sequential EMG method. The same assessment was subsequently conducted using a single transradial amputee subject, which resulted in similar performance trends, although with a somewhat lessened effect size—specifically, the amputee subject was on average 22% faster in performing tasks with the IMU-based controller.
APIs and Libraries

AbstractThis column introduces application programming interfaces (APIs) and discusses how APIs are used in various library projects. APIs allow developers to use and reuse information in new ways and on a larger scale. In the landscape of digital libraries, APIs are enabling exciting new endeavors and simplifying routine tasks. Included is a table of library-related APIs from organizations such as OCLC, Ex Libris, and the New York Public Library.
On the boundedness of solutions of nonlinear differential equations in Hilbert spaces

LetH be a complex Hilbert space and letB be the space of all bounded linear operators fromH intoH with the strong operator topology. We will give a boundedness result for the solutions of the differential equationx′=A(t)x+f(t,x) whereA: I=[t0, ∞)→B is continuous,f: I×H→H is also continuous and for every bounded setS⊂I×H there exists a constantM(S)>0 such that |f(t,x)−f(t,y)|≤M(S)|x−y|,(t,x), (t,y)∈S.
Reduced regenerative capability of minced dystrophic mouse muscles

Abstract Regeneration of muscle minces from normal and dystrophic mice was studied and compared. In 22 dystrophic mice at 20 days ex utero , a soleus from a normal littermate was grafted into the right leg of each dystrophic mouse, where it was thoroughly minced and mixed with the host soleus (ND). In 10 dystrophic hosts, a soleus from a dystrophic littermate was grafted into the left leg, followed by mince and mix with the host soleus (DD). Solei in the left legs of the other 12 dystrophic mice were left intact (D). Only 3 of 10 DD preparations had regenerated functional solei 6 to 7 months after the operation, whereas all 22 ND regenerated muscles were viable and functional. The ND regenerated solei produced greater twitch and tetanic tensions than the viable DD regenerated muscles, but neither produced as much tension as the D preparations. Histopathological changes were observed in all muscles examined. Muscle fibers present were most numerous in the D and least numerous in the DD preparations. The following conclusions were drawn: (i) Dystrophic mouse solei exhibit less-than-normal regenerative capability after mincing, (ii) mincing is a poor procedure for muscle transplant if the function of the transplanted muscle has to be maintained, and (iii) the introduction of cell contents of normal genotype into minced dystrophic muscle improves the function of the regenerated muscle.
Osteomyelitis of the lower extremity: pathophysiology, imaging, and classification, with an emphasis on diabetic foot infection

Osteomyelitis is inflammation of the bone caused by an infectious organism, and is a difficult clinical problem. The pathophysiology, imaging, and classification of osteomyelitis are challenging, varying with the age of the patient (child versus adult), the chronicity of the infection (acute versus chronic), and the route of spread (hematogenous versus contiguous focus), as well as the immune and vascular status of the patient and affected region. The two most common classification schemes are those of Lew and Waldvogel, and Cierny and Mader. Brodie's abscess is seen in subacute osteomyelitis, while sequestrum, involucrum, and cloaca are inter-related entities of chronic osteomyelitis. Imaging workup of suspected osteomyelitis should begin with radiographs, although MRI is the most accurate imaging test. Three patterns of T1 signal change have been described in the setting of suspected osteomyelitis including confluent intramedullary, hazy reticular, and subcortical. The confluent intramedullary pattern is most associated with osteomyelitis, while hazy reticular is rarely associated with hematogenous osteomyelitis, and subcortical is not associated with osteomyelitis. It can be challenging to differentiate neuropathic arthropathy from osteomyelitis. Osteomyelitis tends to involve a single bone subjacent to an ulcer or sinus tract. In contrast, neuropathic arthropathy tends to involve multiple bones of the midfoot. Subchondral cystic change, thin rim enhancement of a joint effusion, and the presence of intra-articular bodies are more indicative of a neuropathic joint without infection. Biopsy can play an important role in diagnosis and treatment of osteomyelitis.
The shifted boundary method for embedded domain computations. Part I: Poisson and Stokes problems

Abstract We propose a new finite element method for embedded domain computations, which falls in the category of surrogate/approximate boundary algorithms. The key feature of the proposed approach is the idea of shifting the location where boundary conditions are applied from the true to the surrogate boundary, and to appropriately modify the shifted boundary conditions, enforced weakly, in order to preserve optimal convergence rates of the numerical solution. This process yields a method which, in our view, is simple, efficient, and also robust, since it is not affected by the small-cut-cell problem. Although general in nature, here we apply this new concept to the Poisson and Stokes problems. We present in particular the full analysis of stability and convergence for the case of the Poisson operator, and numerical tests for both the Poisson and Stokes equations, for geometries of progressively higher complexity.
Microconstituents in Chromium-Base Chromium-Iron-Molybdenum Alloys and Their Behavior with Heat Treatment

The phases in Cr-Fe-Mo alloys have been investigated with homogenization, aging temperature, composition range, and alloy addition as variables. Metallography, three X-ray methods, and hardness were used as methods of study. The behavior of σ, M23C6, and Z phase are reported for composition range 60 pct Cr-15 to 25 pct Fe-15 to 25 pct Mo-<0.005 to 0.36 pct C with aging at 1400° to 2000°F. With 2 pct Ti, TiC and TiC-TiN are formed; with nitrogen Cr2N.