cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Treatment of Older Persons With Hypercholesterolemia With and Without Cardiovascular Disease

Hypercholesterolemia is a risk factor for new coronary events in older men and women. Secondary prevention trials have demonstrated in persons with coronary artery disease (CAD) and hypercholesterolemia that statin drugs reduced in older persons all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, coronary events, coronary revascularization, stroke, and intermittent claudication. Statins have also been shown to slow progression of coronary atherosclerotic plaques in persons with CAD, to reduce restenosis after coronary stent implantation, and to decrease myocardial ischemia in persons with CAD. Older men and women with CAD, prior atherothrombotic brain infarction, peripheral arterial disease, or extracranial carotid arterial disease and a serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level higher than 125 mg/dl despite diet should be treated with statin drug therapy to lower the serum LDL cholesterol level below 100 mg/dl. Primary prevention trials have shown that statins were also effective in reducing cardiovascular events in older persons with hypercholesterolemia. On the basis of data from the Air Force/Texas Coronary Atherosclerosis Prevention Study, the physician should consider using statins in persons aged 65-80 years without cardiovascular disease with a serum LDL cholesterol level above 130 mg/dl and serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level below 50 mg/dl.
Remote audio/video acquisition for human signature detection

To address the challenges of noncooperative, large-distance human signature detection, we present a novel multimodal remote audio/video acquisition system. The system mainly consists of a laser Doppler virbometer (LDV) and a pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) camera. The LDV is a unique remote hearing sensor that uses the principle of laser interferometry. However, it needs an appropriate surface to modulate the speech of a human subject and reflect the laser beam to the LDV receiver. The manual operation to turn the laser beam onto a target is very difficult at a distance of more than 20 meters. Therefore, the PTZ camera is used to capture the video of the human subject, track the subject when he/she moves, and analyze the image to get a good reflection surface for LDV measurements in real-time. Experiments show that the integration of those two sensory components is ideal for multimodal human signature detection at a large distance.
Parent Psychological Functioning and Communication Predict Externalizing Behavior Problems After Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury

OBJECTIVE: Adolescents sustaining traumatic brain injury (TBI) show increased prevalence of behavior problems. This study investigated the associations of parent mental health, family functioning, and parent-adolescent interaction with adolescent externalizing behavior problems in the initial months after TBI, and examined whether injury severity moderated these associations. METHODS: 117 parent-adolescent dyads completed measures of family functioning, adolescent behavior, and parent mental health an average of 108 days post-TBI. Dyads also engaged in a 10-min video-recorded problem-solving activity coded for parent behavior and tone of interaction. RESULTS: Overall, higher ratings of effective parent communication were associated with fewer externalizing behavior problems, whereas poorer caregiver psychological functioning was associated with greater adolescent externalizing behaviors. Results failed to reveal moderating effects of TBI severity on the relationship between socio-environmental factors and behavior problems. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions targeting parent communication and/or improving caregiver psychological health may ameliorate potential externalizing behavior problems after adolescent TBI. Language: en
Customer managed knowledge factories

This article highlights the importance of knowledge management for organizations, and the understanding of how customers play an important role in shaping an organization’s customer knowledge management strategy. Briefly introducing the evolution of customer knowledge management, the authors make the case for the next step in evolution — customer managed knowledge factories. Drawing from real-world examples such as Apple’s iPhone and using the Global Text Project as an illustration, the authors describe the key factors behind successful customer managed knowledge factories. Keywords customer innovation, customer knowledge, innovation, innovation economics, knowledge management
The Livermore secure-voice radio system

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has designed and installed a security radio system that protects sensitive radio traffic against interception and deception while providing full radio coverage of the desired service area. The interception often includes penetration into buildings and heavily-shielded basement areas. The system is protected from possible assault or natural disasters. Expansion, flexibility, and integration of the control system with the security command console have been provided for. The system uses digital voice encryption throughout a system of receiver voting, VHF repeaters, and slotted transmission line for building penetration. It achieves redundancy and system protection by the use of backup antenna sites, secondary radio channels, a standby control system, and special electronics to monitor and control operation of the field units. >
Due Process Challenges in Environmental and Natural Resources Law

Environmental and natural resources attorneys are likely to encounter a broad range of due process issues in their practices. In the administrative and civil implementation of environmental and natural resources laws, many of these issues are relatively commonplace. For example, basic administrative law highlights the issues of whether the Constitution’s guarantees of procedural due process require a federal or state agency to hold a hearing on a pending matter and, if so, what kind of hearing. However, other kinds of due process issues arise less frequently in the practice of environmental and natural resources law but can have great practical import in particular cases. For example, in 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court implied that substantive due process as well as general principles of maritime law limit the amount of punitive damages that a jury could impose on Exxon in connection with the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska.This chapter provides an overview of the most common and important procedural and substantive due process issues that arise in environmental and natural resources law. While most of these challenges are unsuccessful, they provide an important check on how the government interacts with regulated entities and the rationality of government action. Moreover, this chapter highlights two due process issues that have yet to be resolved by the U.S. Supreme Court: the constitutionality of Administrative Compliance Orders in the enforcement of environmental and natural resources laws; and the relevance of the Court's punitive damages/due process jurisprudence to environmental and natural resources penalty provisions.
Beyond Markets, Hierarchies, or Clans Lessons from Natural Resource Management in the Reagan Era

During the Reagan era, three common remedies for reforming public and private bureaucracies animated popular debate: hierarchies, markets, and clans. This article uses natural resource management as a window for exploring the political economies, consequences, and paradoxes of these reforms as applied during the 1980s. It then offers a fourth alternative to restructuring public agencies that incorporates the virtues of markets, hierarchies, and clans while attenuating their deficiencies. In the process, reform centers on deregulating agency practices while regulating agency incentives. Premised on the need to restructure public agencies for accomplishment rather than control, this alternative has three primary prescriptions: deemphasize the administrative orthodoxy, selectively deregulate agency operations, and restructure units when feasible and appropriate on a flow-of-work or modular basis.
AGE AND ORIGIN OF QUARTZ-CARBONATE VEINS ASSOCIATED WITH THE COEUR D’ALENE MINING DISTRICT, IDAHO AND WESTERN MONTANA: INSIGHTS FROM ISOTOPES AND RARE-EARTH ELEMENTS

Sm-Nd, Pb, and Sr isotope and rare-earth element (REE) analyses of quartz-carbonate veins associated with the Coeur d’Alene mining district, Idaho and western Montana, constrain the age and origin of Coeur d’Alene veining. An Sm-Nd isochron age of siderites from ore-bearing veins (1511 ± 45 Ma) and a Pb-Pb isochron age of siderites, ankerites, and calcites from ore-barren veins (1523 ± 41 Ma) are similar to the model age of Coeur d’Alene-type Pb (~1450 Ma) and constrain Mesoproterozoic events in the earliest history of the Belt-Purcell Basin. Xenotime, an accessory mineral found in all veins, is zoned with a core laser ablation age of 1420 ± 90 Ma, confirming vein emplacement early in the diagenetic and/or metamorphic history of the Belt-Purcell Basin, and an overgrowth age of 990 ± 130 Ma results from later, Grenville-age metamorphism. Pb isotope ratios of carbonates from both ore-bearing and ore-barren veins define a single linear array resulting from Mesoproterozoic vein emplacement with an initial Pb isotope ratio similar to that of Coeur d’Alene-type Pb observed in galena, while moderately radiogenic Pb isotope ratios originate from variable amounts of accompanying xenotime. This array is similar to the previously determined “more radiogenic” array of Leach et al. (1998a). Ore-barren veins are characterized by initial 143 Nd/ 144 Nd and 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios of 0.5108 and 0.769, respectively, which may be partially inherited from Belt-Purcell Supergroup and/or Archean rocks. In contrast, initial 143 Nd/ 144 Nd and 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios of 0.5083 and 1.146 of ore-bearing veins require a source with highly unradiogenic Nd and highly radiogenic Sr, most likely Archean crust. Ore minerals may result from interaction of hydrothermal fluids from Archean sources with potential Belt-Purcell Basin sedimentary exhalative (sedex) deposits. REEs are concentrated in carbonate fractions of veins. Siderite and ankerite are light REE depleted and heavy REE enriched, resulting in significant Sm/Nd fractionation from the dual effects of REE complexation in carbonate fluids and mineralogical control, which in the case of siderite and ankerite favors the heavy REEs. Positive Eu anomalies characterize ore-bearing veins, whereas ore-barren veins retain negative Eu anomalies. Normalization of REE patterns of ore-barren veins to those of adjacent Belt-Purcell wall rocks results in a near-zero anomaly, implying that REEs from Belt-Purcell metasediments were locally scavenged by carbonate-rich fluids responsible for ore-barren veins. In contrast, leaching of Archean gneisses followed by probable interaction with sedex deposits produced fluids that formed ore-bearing deposits. Further faulting and deposition from successive fluxes of carbonate-rich solutions derived in part from leaching Belt-Purcell metasediments generated ore-barren siderite-, ankerite-, and, finally, calcite-dominant veins.
Basal Metabolism of Chicks as Affected by Antibiotics

Abstract BRAUDE and Johnson (1953) noted that the addition of an antibiotic to a diet being fed to pigs caused an increase in the ouptput of urine which was not accompanied by a corresponding increase in water consumption. They postulated that an increase in urine production, without water intake having been increased, could conceivably have resulted from the antibiotic having lowered the basal metabolism. Robinson et al. (1953) reported a reduction in water intake when pigs received procaine penicillin. The work reported here was undertaken to determine whether or not antibiotics would influence the basal metabolism of young chicks. EXPERIMENTAL Male chicks originating from a mating of New Hampshire males × Columbian females were used in both experiment 1 and experiment 2. For the first week following hatching the chicks were fed the basal diet shown in Table 1. Supplementing this ration with aureomycin has consistently improved chick growth when fed …
Modern natural language interfaces to databases: composing statistical parsing with semantic tractability

Natural Language Interfaces to Databases (NLIs) can benefit from the advances in statistical parsing over the last fifteen years or so. However, statistical parsers require training on a massive, labeled corpus, and manually creating such a corpus for each database is prohibitively expensive. To address this quandary, this paper reports on the PRECISE NLI, which uses a statistical parser as a "plug in". The paper shows how a strong semantic model coupled with "light re-training" enables PRECISE to overcome parser errors, and correctly map from parsed questions to the corresponding SQL queries. We discuss the issues in using statistical parsers to build database-independent NLIs, and report on experimental results with the benchmark ATIS data set where PRECISE achieves 94% accuracy.
Use of the StarClose device for closure of inadvertent subclavian artery punctures.

Purpose The placement of central catheters is a common procedure. It is also associated with multiple known complications. One of the potential complications that carry high morbidity and morality is arterial puncture and cannulation. Herein, we describe five case reports of a central line that was inadvertently placed in the subclavian artery and successfully removed using a StarClose device (Abbott Laboratories, Redwood CA). Methods/Results A retrospective chart review of a prospectively maintained database was performed. We identified five cases of inadvertent subclavian artery cannulation during central venous catheter placement. All catheters were removed successfully either in the operating room under fluoroscopic guidance or at the bedside with closure of the arteriotomy using the StarClose device. No cases required conversion to an open procedure for repair. No postremoval hematomas, bleeding episodes, myocardial infarctions, arrhythmias, or adverse clinical sequelae were identified. Discussion Based on our limited experience, we feel that this method can be performed safely and expeditiously not only in the operating room but also at the bedside.
Allo Bile Acids

The allo bile acids are the 5α-cholanoic acids, i.e., derivatives of cholanoic acid in which the hydrogen at C5 is alpha-oriented rather than beta-oriented as in the large number of naturally occurring bile acids. The sequence of numbering in the cholane nucleus is the same as in the normal series. The prefix allo (Greek allos, other) has been defined by Chemical Abstracts to designate the more stable of two geometrical isomers. The trans relationship of rings A and B existing in these derivatives is the more stable conformation [see Fieser and Fieser (1) for discussion of this matter]. The allo-acids presently known, in addition to the unsubstituted allocholanoic acid, are oxygenated at positions 3, 6, 7, and/or 12. Where the structure of the allo-acid is otherwise identical to a known 5β acid, the acid is frequently named by the trivial name of the 5β acid with the prefix allo; e.g., allocholic acid (t) (3α, 7α, 12α-trihydroxy-5α-cholanoic acid) is the 5α-derivative of cholic acid.
Do the Science, Own the Field. Are We Doing the Science?

For oral and maxillofacial surgery to continue being a premier specialty in the management of patients with craniomaxillofacial conditions, contributions to the better treatment of these patients must be continuously offered. Without performing the science, these offerings will not come or will not be valid. Environmental and funding challenges to performing the science have increased in the past 2 decades. The incorporation of protected research time and a research sabbatical for residents within their training program might be effective ways to meet these challenges.
Integral Reactor Theory: Orthogonality and Importance

It is observed that the formal mathematical adjoint of the integral form of the solution of the Boltzmann equation is not the same as, and is not a solution for, the formal mathematical adjoint to the integro-differential form. If the concept of importance is to have a unique physical meaning, there must be a basic physical difference between the adjoint integral and the integral solution to the integro-differential equation. It is shown that such a physical difference can be specified, that the concept of "inverse causality" is unnecessary, and that normal "forward" causality is sufficient to derive the importance from first principles. The resulting equations for the importance distributions are then shown to be completely consistent with all requirements of orthogonality between thesedistributions and the neutron distributions. (auth)
Detaillierte 3D-Ringpaketanalyse

Anspruchsvolle Emissionsziele mussen bei Verbrennungsmotoren in immer kurzeren Entwicklungszyklen erreicht werden. Federal-Mogul nutzt die 3D-Ringpaketanalyse, um die Dynamik von Kolbenringen beim Anlagewechsel schnell und prazise nachbilden zu konnen. Eine Beispielanwendung zeigt mit 15 % weniger Blow-by-Gas das Potenzial moglicher Optimierungsmasnahmen.
Psychosocial factors related to the use of InterStim® for the treatment of refractory overactive bladder.

Objectives Sacral neuromodulation is a well-established treatment of refractory overactive bladder (OAB). Although literature exists on the psychosocial impact of other implanted medical devices, data do not exist for InterStim therapy. We aim to evaluate the relationship between optimism and treatment satisfaction in women undergoing InterStim for refractory OAB and change in OAB symptoms. Methods Adult women undergoing InterStim therapy for refractory OAB completed a series of validated questionnaires before test stimulation assessing optimism, urinary symptom severity, depression, and body image. Questionnaires included the Life Orientation Test-Revised, OAB Questionnaire-Short Form, Major Depression Inventory, and a body image scale. Three months postoperatively, participants repeated the questionnaires to assess urinary symptoms, depression, and body image and completed the OAB Satisfaction with Treatment Questionnaire (OAB-SAT-q). Correlations assessed the relationship between the Life Orientation Test-Revised score and OAB-SAT-q subscale scores, and the OAB questionnaire subscale change scores. Subjects also completed the nonvalidated questions aimed at patients concerns regarding the implanted devices preoperatively and postoperatively. Results Twenty-eight women were included. Level of optimism was weakly correlated with subject satisfaction across all OAB-SAT-q subscales (r value of -0.11, -0.21, -0.42, and -0.20 for satisfaction, endorsement, adverse effects, and convenience, respectively). Optimism had a weak correlation with change in OAB symptoms in symptom severity and health-related quality of life subscales. Comparison of preoperative and postoperative questionnaires demonstrated statistically significant improvements in depression, body image, symptom severity, and health-related quality of life. Patients concerns regarding implanted devices changed only marginally. Conclusions The level of optimism did not correlate with satisfaction with InterStim treatment, change in OAB symptoms, or OAB-related quality of life. Health-related quality of life, OAB symptoms, depression, and body image improved after InterStim treatment.
Rural tobacco use across the United States: How rural and urban areas differ, broken down by census regions and divisions.

Abstract This project compared urban/rural differences in tobacco use, and examined how such differences vary across regions/divisions of the U.S. Using pooled 2012–2013 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), we obtained weighted prevalence estimates for the use of cigarettes, menthol cigarettes, chewing tobacco, snuff, cigars, and pipes. NSDUH also provides information on participants’ residence: rural vs. urban, and Census region and division. Overall, use of cigarettes, chew, and snuff were higher in rural, compared to urban areas. Across all tobacco products, urban/rural differences were particularly pronounced in certain divisions (e.g., the South Atlantic). Effects did not appear to be fully explained by differences in poverty. Going beyond previous research, these findings show that urban/rural differences vary across different types of tobacco products, as well as by division of the country. Results underscore the need for regulatory efforts that will reduce health disparities.
Characteristics of quantitative tissue velocity imaging and tissue tracking imaging in dilated cardiomyopathy

Objective To quantitatively assess global and regional left ventricle (LV) systolic and diastolic function by Doppler tissue imaging. Methods ①2D: The end-diastolic area of left ventricle (AC), length in long-axis of LV (L), the end-diastolic diameters of left ventricular posterior wall (LVPWTd), ejection fraction (EF); ②QTVI: The peak velocity and VTI of s wave, e wave, a wave in each segments of septal, lateral, anterior, inferior ante-septal and posterior walls were detected. The velocity of endocardium and epicardium in left ventricular posterior wall were detected as well; ③TTI: The systolic mitral valve displacement (mvd) in 6 sites were determined by tissue tracking technique; ④b/a ratio, Em/Am, velocity gradient (VG), myocardial velocity gradient (MVG), the sum of mvd (∑mvd) were calculated. Results Compared to healthy controls, ①The b/a ratio of DCM increased; ②In group of DCM, the peak velocity of Sm, VTI, ∑mvd, VG and MVG were significantly decreased and Em/Am1 (P respectively0.001); ③EF negative correlated very closely with b/a ratio (r=-0.59, P0.001). EF positive correlated very closely with ∑mvd (r=0.88, P0.001); And positive correlated with VG and MVG (r=0.45 and 0.43 respectively, P0.01). Conclusion Evaluation of QTVI and TTI in dilated cardiomyopathy can provide reliable information to clinic.
Improved synchrony, conception rate, and fecundity in postpartum suckled beef cows fed melengestrol acetate prior to prostaglandin F2 alpha.

Occurrence of estrus, conception rate, and fecundity were compared between postpartum suckled beef cows fed or not fed melengestrol acetate (MGA) before synchronizing estrus with prostaglandin F2 alpha (PG). One hundred thirty-three purebred Angus cows were stratified by age and days postpartum to one of two treatments. All cows received an injection containing 25 mg of PG; however, one group (MGA+PG) was fed .5 mg of MGA.cow-1.d-1 for 14 d then received PG 17 d after the last feeding of MGA. The other group (PG) received only PG. Cows in both treatments that failed to exhibit estrus within 6 d after PG received a second injection of PG 11 d after the first injection was administered. Cows were checked for estrus from the first PG injection until 6 d after the second PG injection. Cows were inseminated with semen from a 3/4 Brahman bull 12 h after observed estrus. Cows were exposed to Angus bulls after the AI period. Conception date was determined by palpation per rectum and verified by calving date and calf phenotype. Differences in response variables were analyzed by chi-square. A greater proportion of cows (P < .04) that were pretreated with MGA exhibited estrus after the first injection of PG (76%) than of cows that received only PG (60%). Total response did not differ between treatments after both injections of PG. Conception rate among cows that received a first service was higher (P < .007) for the MGA+PG (88%) group than for the PG (67%) group, although the total number of cows that received a first service was not different between groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Lymphocyte-mediated lysis of antibody coated human red cells in the presence of human serum

When peripheral blood lymphocytes and human red cells coated with IgG were incubated in vitro in culture medium, antibody-dependent lymphocyte-mediated lysis was observed. This lysis was markedly inhibited by the addition of purified monoclonal IgG1 (1000 microgram/ml) to the culture medium. In contrast, lysis by lymphocytes of sensitized red cells in the presence of undiluted human serum was equal to or greater than lysis in medium alone, even in the presence of IgG1 at 1000 microgram/ml, despite the high concentration of IgG in human serum (6000--19,000 microgram/ml). Serum heated to 56 degrees C for 30 min also restored lysis in the presence of IgG1. When serum was separated into three fractions by passage through a Sephadex G-200 column, the third fraction, which contained proteins with a molecular weight of less than 100,000 d (but neither of the other two fractions nor purified human albumin), restored lymphocyte-mediated lysis in the presence of IgG1.
Review of Fiducial and Non-Fiducial Techniques of Feature Extraction in ECG based Biometric Systems

Background/Objectives: Biometric is a tool of measuring and statistically analyzing biological data. Due to advancement in technology, spoofing attacks and credential forgery are becoming very common issues of modern societies. Methods/ Statistical Analysis: Over the last decade, the Electrocardiogram (ECG) is known as an emerging biometric instrument for individual identification and verification as the ECG varies among people because of their diverse anatomy of the heart. At present ECG is a popular research topic in the area of physiological biometrics. The greater part of ECG biometric literature employs fiducially based features, resulting from spikes, crest and temporal marker of ECG signal. Findings: The main focus of this review is to provide scientific analysis and comparison between fiducial and non-fiducial techniques of feature extraction especially in terms of efficiency in large and small datasets. It also provides a key manifestation of future research perspectives in the field of ECG based biometrics. Application/Improvements: The proposed review can be useful in further research in the same area.
CyberCare: A Novel Electronic Health Record Management System

Computer Science is a field that runs on innovation and departs from traditional ways of completing certain tasks. Data processing has been undergoing major changes during the past few decades. While written documentation was once the only way to organize and store patient information, electronic databases have been ushered into the medical field as a tool for a better type of healthcare. This paper discusses the implementation of an EHR prototype that maintains the efficiency of existing systems, but advances away from their outdated features. The novel components of the implemented system are the voice navigation feature, medical image processing and editing ability, and interactive calendar. The newly developed health management system aims to provide an efficient and convenient tool for physicians to manage patient information and medical records.
Latency change estimation for evoked potentials via a new generalized cross correlation method

Variations in Evoked Potential (EP) can be used to detect changes in the neurological system. Experiments have shown a good correlation between latency variations and injury-related changes in the neurological system. Reliable detection and accurate estimation of latency changes in EP therefore become very important in monitoring the status of the neurological system. In this paper, the Generalized Cross Correlation (GCC) method is used to estimate latency changes in EP. Experimental results show that the performance of the GCC method can be improve significantly by using the Linear Prediction Coefficients (LPC) to estimate the power spectrum instead of the traditionally used Fast Fourier Transform (FFT).
A Prospective Study on Pulmonary Function in Patients Receiving Hodgkin's Disease Therapy.

Abstract Purpose: To describe changes in pulmonary function and subjective dyspnea over time in patients who received bleomycin-based chemotherapy for Hodgkin's disease (HD) and to identify predictors for decline in pulmonary function and subjective dyspnea after HD therapy Methods: 52 patients with newly-diagnosed classical HD receiving bleomycin-based chemotherapy with or without mediastinal radiation therapy were enrolled. Patients underwent baseline pulmonary function tests (PFTs), and completed the Pulmonary Functional Status and Dyspnea Questionnaire (PFSDQ-M) pre-treatment. The PFSDQ-M is a 40-item, validated questionnaire measuring the 3 areas of dyspnea, fatigue and activity. The scores range from 0–10, with higher scores representing worse health status. The PFTs and PFSDQ-M were repeated at 1 month, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years post-treatment. Other information collected were number of cycles of bleomycin, radiation dosimetric parameters, and smoking history. This report is based on the 33 patients who had completed treatment and had at least follow-up at 1 month post-treatment. 19 patients received chemotherapy alone and 14 received combined modality therapy. Three-dimensional radiation planning was used and lung dose-volume histograms were generated. Wilcoxon rank sum tests were used to compare the baseline and 1-month objective and subjective lung function results, and to determine whether the addition of radiation therapy to chemotherapy, and among patients who received combined modality therapy, whether the percentage of lung volume receiving 20 Gray (V20), contribute to the changes. A general linear model was used to identify predictors for decline in percentage of predicted carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (%DLCO) at 1 month. Results: At baseline, the median %DLCO was 94% (range: 53–139%). At 1 month post treatment, it was significantly lower at 82% (range: 46–133%) (p=0.0003). Decline in %DLCO at 1 month was not significantly predicted by the addition of mediastinal irradiation (p=0.84), number of cycles of bleomycin (p=0.6), and smoking history (p=0.14), but it was significantly predicted by the baseline %DLCO, with a lower baseline %DLCO associating with less decline in %DLCO (p=0.03). However, the baseline %DLCO also significantly correlated with treatment, with 72% of patients who received chemotherapy alone having a baseline %DLCO =
Establishment of a 3D In Vitro Model to Accelerate the Development of Human Therapies against Corneal Diabetes.

PURPOSE To establish an in vitro model that would mirror the in vivo corneal stromal environment in diabetes (DM) patients. METHODS Human corneal fibroblasts from Healthy (HCFs), Type 1DM (T1DM) and Type 2DM (T2DM) donors were isolated and cultured for 4 weeks with Vitamin C stimulation in order to allow for extracellular matrix (ECM) secretion and assembly. RESULTS Our data indicated altered cellular morphology, increased cellular migration, increased ECM assembly, and severe mitochondrial damage in both T1DM and T2DMs when compared to HCFs. Furthermore, we found significant downregulation of Collagen I and Collagen V expression in both T1DM and T2DMs. Furthermore, a significant up regulation of fibrotic markers was seen, including α-smooth muscle actin in T2DM and Collagen III in both T1DM and T2DMs. Metabolic analysis suggested impaired Glycolysis and Tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) pathway. CONCLUSION DM has significant effects on physiological and clinical aspects of the human cornea. The benefits in developing and fully characterizing our 3D in vitro model are enormous and might provide clues for the development of novel therapeutics.
Enkephalins: Mediators of Stress-Induced Immunomodulation

It is well known that environmental stress can influence the immune response and tumor growth (1). Although stress has usually been associated with detrimental effects on the host, under certain experimental conditions of timing and duration of stressful stimuli. immunoenhancement and inhibition of tumor growth can result (1,2.3,4). In addition, stress brings about numerous biochemical changes including the release of neurotransmitters, corticosteroids, and other hormones that can have various effects on the immune system and which may be benificial or detrimental to the host (5,6,7).
A Survey Method to Gauge Public Interest in Programs, Activities, and Events at Arboreta and Botanic Gardens

Abstract To provide arboreta and botanic gardens with a guide to determine public interests in programs at their institution, a case study was completed of the Crosby Arboretum, Mississippi State University. ‘Community’ was defined as participants that resided within 105 km (65 mi) of the arboretum (97% of community respondents) and attended the Picayune Street Fair. ‘Visitors’ were defined as respondents that attended the Piney Woods Heritage Festival at the arboretum. At each event, an intercept survey was conducted in Picayune, MS, during November 2009 where self-selected respondents (n = 271 for community and n = 56 for visitors) answered six demographic and 11 program, activity, and event questions. Both groups were similar in all demographic variables except age (9 year average age difference) and the number of homes without children (60 and 76%). Each group was most interested in continuing education classes, craft exercises, music performances, fitness walks, and workshops. The community and visit...
A scaling for vortex formation on swept and unswept pitching wings

We examine the dynamics of the leading-edge vortex (LEV) on a rapidly pitching plate with the aim of elucidating the underlying flow physics that dictates the stability and circulation of the LEV. A wide variety of flow conditions is considered in the present study by systematically varying the leading-edge sweep angle ( , , ) and the reduced frequency ( ), while keeping the pitching amplitude and the Reynolds number fixed. Tomographic particle image velocimetry is used to characterise the three-dimensional fluid motion inside the vortex core and its relation to the LEV stability and growth. A series of control volume analyses are performed to quantify the relative importance of the vorticity transport phenomena taking place inside the LEV to the overall vortex development. We show that, near the wing apex where tip effects can be neglected, the vortex develops in a nominally two-dimensional manner, despite the presence of inherently three-dimensional vortex dynamics such as vortex stretching and compression. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the vortex formation time and circulation growth are well-described by the principles of optimal vortex formation number, and that the occurrence of vortex shedding is dictated by the relative energetics of the feeding shear layer and the resulting vortex.
Incidence of major hemorrhage after aggressive image-guided liver mass biopsy in the era of individualized medicine

To analyze a large volume of image-guided liver mass biopsies to assess for an increased incidence of major hemorrhage after aggressive liver mass sampling, and to determine if coaxial technique reduces major hemorrhage rate. Patients who underwent image-guided liver mass biopsy over a 15-year period (December 7, 2001–September 22, 2016) were retrospectively identified. An aggressive biopsy was defined as a biopsy event in which ≥ 4 core needle passes were performed. Association of major hemorrhage after aggressive liver mass biopsy and other potential risk factors of interest were assessed using logistic regression analysis. For the subset of aggressive biopsies, Fisher’s exact test was used to compare the incidence of major hemorrhage using coaxial versus noncoaxial techniques. Aggressive biopsies constituted 11.6% of biopsy events (N =579/5011). The incidence of major hemorrhage with <4 passes was 0.4% (N =18/4432) and with ≥4 passes 1.2% (N =6/579). In univariable models, aggressive biopsy was significantly associated with major hemorrhage (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.16–6.92, p =0.025). After adjusting for gender and platelet count, the association was not significant at the p =0.05 level (OR 2.58, 95% CI 0.927–6.24, p =0.067). The rate of major hemorrhage in the coaxial biopsy technique group was 1.4% (N =3/209) compared to 1.1% (N =4/370) in the noncoaxial biopsy technique group, which was not a significant difference (p =0.707). Although aggressive image-guided liver mass biopsies had an increased incidence of major hemorrhage, the overall risk of bleeding remained low. The benefit of such biopsies will almost certainly outweigh the risk in most patients.
Design of microcosms to provide data reflecting field trials of GEMS

The issue of releasing genetically engineered micro-organisms into the environment is not one of either we do or we do not. It has already been done [19]. There have been more than 1,000 applications for testing genetically engineered organisms in the environment, most of which have or will occur in the USA [28].
Cricoid pressure decreases ease of tracheal intubation using fibreoptic laryngoscopy (WuScope System.

Purpose Cricoid pressure is commonly used during rapid sequence induction and intubation to minimize the risk of aspiration. The objective of the study was to evaluate the ease of fibreoptic (WuScope System™) intubation in anesthetized adults receiving cricoid pressure.
Existing and Emerging Information Technologies for SMEs

Every enterprise has the challenge of establishing a stable and competitive environment. In most enterprises, information plays a key (if not critical) role. Establishing the best fitting information technology could break or catapult an enterprise to the next level.
The biology and conservation status of the large hammerhead shark complex: the great, scalloped, and smooth hammerheads

Hammerhead sharks are among the most intriguing yet imperiled groups of large sharks globally. Until recently, our understanding of their biology, movements, diet, and life histories was challenged by a lack of studies. In recent years there has been a surge of published studies on this group of sharks, incorporating new information on age and growth, behavior, and the threats they face. Here we summarize and compare what is known on the biology and conservation of the three largest species of hammerhead sharks: the great hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran), the scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini), and the smooth hammerhead (Sphyrna zygaena). We chose these species since they are the most well-studied of the hammerheads, and also because they are commonly captured in target and non-target fisheries worldwide. Thus, we also discuss population trends and the vulnerabilities of each species, and make recommendations for future studies on these fascinating and complex elasmobranch fishes.
The Church Club of New York Library

Organized in 1887 by religious, financial, and social leaders in Manhattan, the Church Club of New York holds a library of some 1,500 volumes. It documents the religious roots and theological framework of New York’s financial elite, the birth of the Episcopal Church, and mainline American Protestantism’s reaction to the Social Gospel movement in the early 20th century. This essay discusses how titles illustrate the challenges these gentlemen confronted to their roles and their church’s identity in a rapidly changing society. Industrialization, modernization, immigration were all affecting their personal, professional, and spiritual lives. It also reflects on how the collection as a whole mirrors the evolution of one sector of 20 th century American culture.
Remote Sensing Using VNIR/SWIR Dispersive Imaging Spectrometers: Historical Development, Current State-of-the-Art, and Furture Trends

The development of remote sensing using an imaging spectrometer is traced from its origins to the current highly performing spectral sensors. The advancement of the technology has primarily been driven by novel optical designs and focal plane array development. Current state-of-the-art dispersive sensors, employing innovative grating or prism arrangements, operate at low F-numbers while maintaining a high degree of aberration control. These challenging designs have been implemented in hardware with alignment tolerances on the order of microns. The application of imaging spectrometers to science problems that require highly accurate radiometry necessitates new characterization approaches that combine state-of-the-art radiometric sources and detailed sensor models. Future challenges are to reduce the size, weight, and power requirements while maintaining the performance of current systems.
Crustal evolution in the silicate planets

This paper reviews recent discoveries from space missions to the Moon, Mercury, Mars, and Venus, and their implications for planetary development. It appears that all these planets have undergone similar sequences of crustal evolution, the chief difference among them being how far each has evolved. All have apparently undergone a first differentiation in which a global crust was formed. This crust was partly disrupted by heavy impact bombardment some 4·109 years ago. A second differentiation, resulting in basalt eruptions, followed. The Moon and Mercury essentially stopped evolving at this point; Mars and Venus continued to a stage of incipient plate tectonics, with crustal fracturing and vulcanism. Terrestrial Precambrian geologic evidence is consistent with a similar but further-advanced evolutionary sequence for the Earth as well, and the theory is proposed that terrestrial continents are the greatly altered and redifferentiated remnants of an originally global igneous crust of intermediate composition. The ocean basins of today are the multi-cyle descendants of mare-like basins localized by a late heavy bombardment about 4·109 years ago analogous to that which formed the lunar mare basins and similar basins on other planets.
Computer-Assisted Propofol Sedation for Esophagogastroduodenoscopy Is Effective, Efficient, and Safe.

Computer-assisted propofol sedation (CAPS) allows non-anesthesiologists to administer propofol for gastrointestinal procedures in relatively healthy patients. As the first US medical center to adopt CAPS technology for routine clinical use, we report our 1-year experience with CAPS for esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Between September 2014 and August 2015, 926 outpatients underwent elective EGDs with CAPS at our center. All EGDs were performed by 1 of 17 gastroenterologists certified in the use of CAPS. Procedural success rates, procedure times, and recovery times were compared against corresponding historical controls done with midazolam and fentanyl sedation from September 2013 to August 2014. Adverse events in CAPS patients were recorded. The mean age of the CAPS cohort was 56.7 years (45% male); 16.2% of the EGDs were for variceal screening or Barrett’s surveillance and 83.8% for symptoms. The procedural success rates were similar to that of historical controls (99.0% vs. 99.3%; p = 0.532); procedure times were also similar (6.6 vs. 7.4 min; p = 0.280), but recovery time was markedly shorter (31.7 vs. 52.4 min; p < 0.001). There were 11 (1.2%) cases of mild transient oxygen desaturation (< 90%), 15 (1.6%) cases of marked agitation due to undersedation, and 1 case of asymptomatic hypotension. In addition, there were six (0.6%) patients with more pronounced desaturation episodes that required brief (< 1 min) mask ventilation. There were no other serious adverse events. CAPS appears to be a safe, effective, and efficient means of providing sedation for EGD in healthy patients. Recovery times were much shorter than historical controls.
Fibrous dysplasia of bone.

1. Fibrous dysplasia of bone includes monostotic lesions, polyostotic lesions, and Albright's syndrome. 2. The basic morphology of all three groups includes replacement of cortical and cancellous bone and marrow by fibrous connective tissue, containing varying amounts of imperfect cancellous bone. 3. The etiology and pathogenesis of fibrous dysplasia of bone are still obscure. 4. The diagnosis may sometimes be made on the basis of clinical and roentgenographic examinations, but often a biopsy is necessary to differentiate from other conditions. 5. Treatment consists in reduction and immobilization of pathological fractures, correction of deformities, and surgical excision of painful lesions, whenever possible.
Aberrant Epigenomic Modulation of Glucocorticoid Receptor Gene (NR3C1) in Early Life Stress and Major Depressive Disorder Correlation: Systematic Review and Quantitative Evidence Synthesis

Early life stress (ELS) induced by psychological trauma, child maltreatment, maternal separation, and domestic violence predisposes to psycho-behavioral pathologies during adulthood, namely major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety, and bipolar affective disorder. While environmental data are available in illustrating this association, data remain to be established on the epigenomic underpinning of the nexus between ELS and MDD predisposition. Specifically, despite the observed aberrant epigenomic modulation of the NR3C1, a glucocorticoid receptor gene, in early social adversity and social threats in animal and human models, reliable scientific data for intervention mapping in reducing social adversity and improving human health is required. We sought to synthesize the findings of studies evaluating (a) epigenomic modulations, mainly DNA methylation resulting in MDD following ELS, (b) epigenomic modifications associated with ELS, and (c) epigenomic alterations associated with MDD. A systematic review and quantitative evidence synthesis (QES) were utilized with the random effect meta-analytic procedure. The search strategy involved both the PubMed and hand search of relevant references. Of the 1534 studies identified through electronic search, 592 studies were screened, 11 met the eligibility criteria for inclusion in the QES, and 5 examined ELS and MDD; 4 studies assessed epigenomic modulation and ELS, while 2 studies examined epigenomic modulations and MDD. The dense DNA methylation of the 1F exon of the NR3C1, implying the hypermethylated region of the glucocorticoid receptor gene, was observed in the nexus between ELS and MDD, common effect size (CES) = 14.96, 95%CI, 10.06–19.85. With respect to epigenomic modulation associated with child ELS, hypermethylation was observed, CES = 23.2%, 95%CI, 8.00–38.48. In addition, marginal epigenomic alteration was indicated in MDD, where hypermethylation was associated with increased risk of MDD, CES = 2.12%, 95%CI, −0.63–4.86. Substantial evidence supports the implication of NR3C1 and environmental interaction, mainly DNA methylation, in the predisposition to MDD following ELS. This QES further supports aberrant epigenomic modulation identified in ELS as well as major depressive episodes involving dysfunctional glucocorticoid-mediated negative feedback as a result of allostatic overload. These findings recommend prospective investigation of social adversity and its predisposition to the MDD epidemic via aberrant epigenomic modulation. Such data will facilitate early intervention mapping in reducing MDD in the United States population.
Equitable or Equal Classroom Management? Teacher Candidates' Contrasting Beliefs about the Impact of Student Demographics.

This qualitative study involved teacher candidates’ entry and exit survey responses from one teacher preparation program. From survey items about whether these teacher candidates think student demographics impact upon classroom management, we found that teachers at the beginning of the program started to recognise that students are indeed diverse in many ways, but contrasted in how they would respond to student differences accordingly. At the end of the program, teachers were more robust in their responses but differed with one another in being either equitable or equal in their classroom management strategies. Findings have implications for teacher education for creating learning environments that are more culturally-responsive towards students’ individual needs.