cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
P2-13-04: Testing Women with Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer for BRCA Mutations.

Background: Infiltrating lobular carcinoma (ILC) is the second most common type of invasive breast cancer behind infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC). ILC makes up approximately eight percent of all invasive lesions. In addition, the mixed ductal and lobular carcinoma histology makes up approximately seven percent of all invasive diagnoses. There are several biologic differences that are demonstrated by ILC compared to other common pathologies. They are more frequently bilateral and multicentric. They tend to be seen in women slightly older than the average age of diagnosis and are usually ER positive. It is also known that individuals with a genetic predisposition have an increased risk to develop breast cancers. Women with a mutation in their CDH1 gene have up to a 39% chance to develop ILC. The majority of hereditary breast cancer is caused by germ line mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Women with a mutation in their BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene have up to an 87% risk to develop an invasive breast cancer, however, the presence of ILC in this population has not been well defined. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the rate of germline BRCA mutations in a cohort of patients both with pure ILC, as well as mixed ILC/IDC. Methods: A retrospective chart review revealed one hundred and sixty nine women with ILC and mixed ILC/IDC who underwent genetic testing for mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes through the Clinical Cancer Genetics Program at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. Women are referred for genetic testing using referral guidelines based on the NCCN guidelines, this usually involves a personal history of early onset breast cancer and/or a family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer. Results: Out of the 169 patients, 19 (11.24%) were found to have a germline mutation in their BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. A significant majority (73.7%) of these patients were BRCA2 positive. Five women tested for a variant of uncertain significance. The average age of diagnosis for the cohort was 55.6 years (range 30–87); while the average age of diagnosis for a positive patient was 49.4 years (range 30–72). Of the 62 women with pure ILC, 5 (8.06%) were positive for a BRCA gene mutation. Historically, out of all the patients with breast cancer referred and tested through the Clinical Cancer Genetics Program, approximately 15% test positive, and research shows that in the general population, 7–10% of breast cancer patients will test positive. Conclusions: while the positivity rates between the cohorts are not statistically significant, we have shown that patients with a BRCA mutation can develop ILC in addition to the more commonly seen IDC. We suggest that patients continue to be referred for genetic counseling according to the NCCN guidelines, regardless of the pathology of their tumor. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-13-04.
Digestive enzymes of larvae of three species of caddisflies (trichoptera)

Abstract The midguts of late larval instars of Pycnopsyche guttifer , (a detritivore), Phryganea sp (an omnivore) and Agrypnia vestita (an omnivore) are only weakly basic. Proteolytic activity in the midguts of all three species is extremely high. Under natural conditions, polysaccharide digestion is restricted to α-1,4-glucans and β-1,3-glucans. Midgut extracts exhibited negligible activity toward cellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, xylan and locust bean gum, substrates representative of the major structural polysaccharides of higher plants. No activity was detected toward chitin.
Inferred limits on lepton flavor violating decays of the Ks

Strong model independent upper bounds on Br(K{sub s} {yields} {pi}{sup 0} e{mu}) may be inferred from recent experimental limits on Br(K{sub L} {yields} {pi}{sup 0} e{mu}) and Br(K{sup +} {yields} {pi}{sup +}e{sup +}{mu}{sup -}). From this result, upper bounds for Br(K{sub s} {yields} e{mu}) may be obtained for a broad class of models. Models outside of this class seem unlikely.
Top Five Lesions That Do Not Need Referral to Orthopedic Oncology

Patients with potential bone and soft tissue tumors can be challenging for orthopedic surgeons. Lesions that appear benign can still create anxiety for the clinician and patient. However, attention to a few key imaging and clinical findings is enough to correctly diagnose five of the most common bone and soft tissue lesions: lipoma, enchondroma, osteochondroma, nonossifying fibroma, and Paget disease. Accurate identification of these lesions should be within the scope of most orthopedic surgeons and, because most of these patients will not need surgical treatment, referral to orthopedic oncology will not typically be required.
Behavioral confirmation in the interrogation room: on the dangers of presuming guilt.

A two-phased experiment tested the hypothesis that the presumption of guilt that underlies police interrogations activates a process of behavioral confirmation. In Phase I, 52 suspects guilty or innocent of a mock theft were questioned by 52 interrogators led to believe that most suspects were guilty or innocent. Interrogators armed with guilty as opposed to innocent expectations selected more guilt-presumptive questions, used more interrogation techniques, judged the suspect to be guilty, and exerted more pressure to get a confession—particularly when paired with innocent suspects. In Phase II, neutral observers listened to audiotapes of the suspect, interrogator, or both. They perceived suspects in the guilty expectations condition as more defensive—and as somewhat more guilty. Results indicate that a presumption of guilt sets in motion a process of behavioral confirmation by which expectations influence the interrogator's behavior, the suspect's behavior, and ultimately the judgments of neutral observers.
The renal effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: Summary and recommendations

The renal effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are reviewed with special emphasis on the clinical, pathophysiologic, and risk factors for acute renal failure. Renal papillary necrosis and chronic renal insufficiency can occur with the prolonged use of these drugs, although the prevalence of this manifestation of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug nephrotoxicity is unknown. Current recommendations based on a critical literature survey are provided, along with a list of suggested areas in which more research is needed.
The Hydrolysis of Castor Oil Using a Lipase from Pseudomonas sp. f-B-24: Positional and Substrate Specificity of the Enzyme and Optimum Reaction Conditions

The optimal hydrolytic conditions for the hydrolysis of castor oil using the lipase from Pseudomonas sp. f-B-24 (lipase PC) were identified. The optimal amount of lipase for hydrolysis was found to be about 45 μg per g of substrate. The optimal temperature was 40°C. The apparent Km and Vmax for castor oil hydrolysis were 416 g · 1−1 and 110 μmol · mg −1 · min−1, respectively. The addition of isooctane, Triton X-I00, or PEG-6000 to the reaction mixture slightly improved the hydrolysis of castor oil using the enzyme, but CaCl2 inhibited it. The hydrolysis catalyzed by lipase PC was 1,3-specific by TLC analysis of the enzymatic hydrolyzates of triolein, however the estolide, the intermolecular ester compound of liberated ricinoleic acid, was produced in the hydrolyzates of castor oil using lipase PC. Results of the hydrolyzability of lipase PC toward castor oil derivatives and the several methyl esters of C18-fatty acid showed that the hydrolytic activity of lipase PC was not affected either by hydroxyl grou...
College Admissions and Academic Ethic How Context-Specific Evaluation Within a Science-Based Compensatory Program Benefits African American Students

This study investigates how the college readiness of participants in a compensatory program designed to facilitate interest in science and engineering was determined. Archival data were used to qua...
Structural requirements of a membrane-spanning domain for protein anchoring and cell surface transport

The membrane-spanning domain of the vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (G) contains 20 uncharged and mostly hydrophobic amino acids. We created DNAs specifying G proteins with shortened transmembrane domains, by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis. Expression of these DNAs showed that G proteins containing 18, 16, or 14 amino acids of the original transmembrane domain assumed a transmembrane configuration and were transported to the cell surface. G proteins containing only 12 or 8 amino acids of this domain also spanned intracellular membranes, but their transport was blocked within a Golgi-like region in the cell. A G protein completely lacking the membrane-spanning domain accumulated in the endoplasmic reticulum and was secreted slowly. These experiments indicate that the size of the transmembrane domain is critical not only for membrane anchoring, but also for normal cell surface transport.
Erthrocyte 2,3-diphosphoglycerate in normal and porphyric fetal, neonatal and adult cattle

Abstract 1. 1. Erythrocyte 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) was determined in normal and porphyric bovine fetuses, newborns and adults by an enzymatically coupled assay. 2. 2. The erythrocyte 2,3-DPG in the normal adult bovine was 13·4 ± 2·1 mμM/ml RBC in the porphyric adult. 3. 3. The 2,3-DPG was found to be high in the youngest fetuses and progressively declined during gestation. 4. 4. After birth, 2,3-DPG increased to its highest levels followed by a gradual decline to adult levels at 2 months. Changes during the neonatal period paralleled the disappearance of Hb F. 5. 5. The pattern of changes of 2,3-DPG was similar though more pronounced in the porphyric cattle.
A Comparison of Psychiatry and Internal Medicine: A Bibliometric Study

Objective Psychiatric education needs to expose students to a broad range of topics. One resource for psychiatric education, both during initial training and in later continuing medical education, is the scientific literature, as published in psychiatric journals. The authors assessed current research trends in psychiatric journals, as compared with internal-medicine counterparts and examined their relevance to psychiatric education.
Depression in African American Women: Application of a Psychosocial Competence Practice Framework

Social work interventions that emphasize culturally relevant services from a strengths-based perspective may be more appropriate than traditional mental health services for African American women who suffer from depression. An examination of the literature on epidemiology, etiology, and use of services for this population highlights the paucity of empirical studies, and an exploration of the treatment literature reveals insufficient application of culturally relevant approaches to African American women. Psychosocial competence, a strengths-based approach, and the Black feminist perspective offer the opportunity to gain a clearer understanding of the intersection and influence of oppression among depressed African American women and provide a useful framework for mental health practice with this population. A case vignette is provided, and future directions for research, practice, and policy are discussed.
Rapid evaluation of many pulse echo system characteristics by use of a triggered pulse burst generator with exponential decay

A pulse burst generator is utilized in which the pulses are triggered by the transmitter pulse of the ultrasound system being tested. The pulses are spaced the equivalent of every 2 mm in the body, and their amplitude decays with 0, 1.25, or 2.5 dB/cm over greater than a 50 dB dynamic range. By replacing the ultrasound transducer with the pulse generator, one can record quite easily the accuracy of depth gain compensation (DGC) and of distance measurements in A mode and B mode. If the DGC on the ultrasound unit can be turned to zero, the unit's A mode display characteristic and B mode gray scale curve can be determined rapidly and the receiver gain control or attenuator can be calibrated. Measurement of a receiver signal-to-noise ratio is possible, and more quantitative imaging should be facilitated as well.
Genetic dissection of region associated with behavioral abnormalities in mouse models for Down syndrome.

Two animal models of Down syndrome (human trisomy 21) with segmental trisomy for all (Ts65Dn) or part (Ts1Cje) of human chromosome 21-homologous region of mouse chromosome 16 have cognitive and behavioral abnormalities. To compare these trisomies directly and to assess the phenotypic contribution of the region of difference between them, Ts65Dn, Ts1Cje, and a new segmental trisomic (Ms1Ts65) for the region of difference (App to Sod1) have been generated as littermates and tested in parallel. Although the performance of Ts1Cje mice in the Morris water maze is similar to that of Ts65Dn mice, the reverse probe tests indicate that Ts65Dn is more severely affected. By contrast, the deficits of Ms1Ts65 mice are significantly less severe than those of Ts65Dn. Therefore, whereas triplication of Sod1 to Mx1 plays the major role in causing the abnormalities of Ts65Dn in the Morris water maze, imbalance of App to Sod1 also contributes to the poor performance. Ts65Dn mice are hyperactive and Ts1Cje mice are hypoactive; the activity of Ms1Ts65 mice is not significantly above normal. These findings indicate that genes in the Ms1Ts65 trisomic region must interact with others in the Ts1Cje region to produce hyperactivity in Ts65Dn mice.
Contralateral femoral nerve compression: An unrecognized complication after extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF)

Extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF) is a relatively new procedure for the treatment of degenerative disc disease avoiding the morbidity of anterior approaches. Ipsilateral L2-5 nerve root irritation and injury are well-described complications. We describe two patients with contralateral extremity symptoms, not reported so far. In the first patient the injury was caused by a displaced endplate fragment compressing the contralateral nerve root; in the second patient, the injury resulted from a far-lateral herniation after the XLIF procedure. Both patients experienced resolution of their symptoms after being reoperated. Overall, this complication was encountered in 2/32 levels treated during the study period. Overzealous endplate removal and breaking of the osteophytes in the opposite corner of the intervertebral disc, although desirable for maximal coronal deformity correction, may lead to irritation of the contralateral nerve roots. Attention is needed especially where the interbody cage is placed posteriorly or diagonally towards the neuralforamen.
Fourteen ways to say nothing with scientific visualization

In "Twelve Ways to Fool the Masses When Giving Performance Results on Parallel Computers," (see Supercomputer Rev., vol.4, no.8, p.54-5, 1991) David Bailey ends with the admonition, "Conclude your technical presentation and roll the videotape. Audiences love razzle-dazzle color graphics, and this material often helps deflect attention from the substantive technical issues." Unfortunately, Bailey gives no guidance in the means and methods for producing such a result. This article seeks to fill this void. There are numerous time-tested scientific visualization techniques for producing pretty pictures while avoiding unnecessary illumination of the data. Our collection has been culled from the scientific visualization literature and numerous presentations we have given and attended. >
Outcomes in the management of vascular prosthetic graft infections confined to the groin: a reappraisal.

The management of vascular prosthetic graft infections confined to the groin continues to be controversial. To critically evaluate this problem, we reviewed the records of our vascular registry from December 1992 through February 1995 and found 17 incidences of groin sepsis involving a vascular prosthesis in 10 patients. These included a proximal prosthetic femoropopliteal bypass (n=6), an aortobifemoral graft limb (n=5), an ileofemoral bypass (n=3), a prosthetic femoral patch (n = 2), and an aortofemoral/femorofemoral bypass (n=1). The mean age of these patients was 65 years. Six patients were diabetic, four were on systemic steroids, and two were diabetic and on steroids. All infections were Szilagyi grade III including three in which the patients presented with local hemorrhage. Treatment consisted of irrigation, radical debridement with or without in situ graft replacement, and local rotational muscle flap coverage in nine cases, graft excision with extra-anatomic (obturator ileofemoral bypass) graft replacement in six cases, and excision alone in two cases. Of the 17 infections treated operatively and followed from 1 week to 18 months (median 5 months), eight (47%) showed no evidence of recurrence, six (35%) recurred, two (12%) caused early death, and one resulted in a thrombosed graft requiring extra-anatomic reconstruction. Of the nine infected grafts treated locally with muscle flaps, six showed recurrent infection from 3 weeks to 15 months and one thrombosed for a total local treatment failure rate of 78%. Only two grafts are free of infection at 4 and 5 months, respectively. Of the six incidences of infection treated with obturator bypass, four (66%) are free of infection and two resulted in patient death; both infections treated with excision alone were eradicated but resulted in a major lower extremity amputation. These data question the growing acceptance of debridement and local muscle flap coverage for the treatment of all prosthetic vascular graft infections confined to the groin, especially in patients who are diabetic or on systemic steroids.
Auditing state and federal protections for migrant and seasonal agricultural workers

The Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA) was enacted to provide workplace protections for migrant and seasonal farm workers. The US Dept. of Labor is charged with audit enforcement of the Act’s wage and hour provisions as well as parts of the Act that ensure health and safety. Studies conclude that US Government enforcement of MSPA has been ineffective (Southern Poverty Law Center, 2009). Part of what is perceived to be an illegal immigration problem in the USA is of our own making. US taxpayer financed agricultural subsidies render Mexican farmers unable to compete. Poverty fuels migration (Peace, 2009). If US taxpayers are financing agricultural subsidies that encourage immigration to the USA, taxpayers should feel a responsibility for the fair pay, health, and safety of those who are lured across our borders. We should demand effective compliance audits.
Fluoride Intake from Beverage Consumption in a Sample of North Carolina Children

Since the 1940's, the prevalence of dental fluorosis has increased in the US, concomitant with a reduction in dental decay. These changes have been attributed in part to the widespread use of systemic and topical fluorides. Various sources of increased systemic fluoride exposure have been investigated. However, little is known regarding fluoride intake from beverages in a sample of children of ages susceptible to dental fluorosis. The purpose of this study was to estimate the amount of fluoride ingested from beverages by a sample of North Carolina (NC) children of ages 2-10 years. Data on beverage consumption were collected by means of a diary format. A questionnaire was included so that demographic information and self-assessment on the accuracy of the diaries could be obtained. Beverages reported in the diaries were purchased, and their fluoride content was assayed. Daily total fluid intake ranged from 970 to 1240 mL, and daily beverage consumption ranged from 585 to 756 mL. The estimated mean daily fluoride intakes from beverages for children 2-3, 4-6, and 7-10 years of age were 0.36, 0.54, and 0.60 mg, respectively.
Insular Organization of Gene Space in Grass Genomes

Wheat and maize genes were hypothesized to be clustered into islands but the hypothesis was not statistically tested. The hypothesis is statistically tested here in four grass species differing in genome size, Brachypodium distachyon, Oryza sativa, Sorghum bicolor, and Aegilops tauschii. Density functions obtained under a model where gene locations follow a homogeneous Poisson process and thus are not clustered are compared with a model-free situation quantified through a non-parametric density estimate. A simple homogeneous Poisson model for gene locations is not rejected for the small O. sativa and B. distachyon genomes, indicating that genes are distributed largely uniformly in those species, but is rejected for the larger S. bicolor and Ae. tauschii genomes, providing evidence for clustering of genes into islands. It is proposed to call the gene islands "gene insulae" to distinguish them from other types of gene clustering that have been proposed. An average S. bicolor and Ae. tauschii insula is estimated to contain 3.7 and 3.9 genes with an average intergenic distance within an insula of 2.1 and 16.5 kb, respectively. Inter-insular distances are greater than 8 and 81 kb and average 15.1 and 205 kb, in S. bicolor and Ae. tauschii, respectively. A greater gene density observed in the distal regions of the Ae. tauschii chromosomes is shown to be primarily caused by shortening of inter-insular distances. The comparison of the four grass genomes suggests that gene locations are largely a function of a homogeneous Poisson process in small genomes. Nonrandom insertions of LTR retroelements during genome expansion creates gene insulae, which become less dense and further apart with the increase in genome size. High concordance in relative lengths of orthologous intergenic distances among the investigated genomes including the maize genome suggests functional constraints on gene distribution in the grass genomes.
Low Vccmin fault-tolerant cache with highly predictable performance

Transistors per area unit double in every new technology node. However, the electric field density and power demand grow if Vcc is not scaled. Therefore, Vcc must be scaled in pace with new technology nodes to prevent excessive degradation and keep power demand within reasonable limits. Unfortunately, low Vcc operation exacerbates the effect of variations and decreases noise and stability margins, increasing the likelihood of errors in SRAM memories such as caches. Those errors translate into performance loss and performance variation across different cores, which is especially undesirable in a multi-core processor. This paper presents (i) a novel scheme to tolerate high faulty bit rates in caches by disabling only faulty subblocks, (ii) a dynamic address remapping scheme to reduce performance variation across different cores, which is key for performance predictability, and (iii) a comparison with state-of-the-art techniques for faulty bit tolerance in caches. Results for some typical first level data cache configurations show 15% average performance increase and standard deviation reduction from 3.13% down to 0.55% when compared to cache line disabling schemes.
Exploring websites through contextual facets

We present contextual facets, a novel user interface technique for navigating websites that publish large collections of semi-structured data. Contextual facets extend traditional faceted navigation techniques by transforming webpage elements into user interface components for filtering and retrieving related webpages. To investigate users' reactions to contextual facets, we built FacetPatch, a web browser that automatically generates contextual facet interfaces. As the user browses the web, FacetPatch automatically extracts semi-structured data from collections of webpages and overlays contextual facets on top of the current page. Participants in an exploratory user evaluation of FacetPatch were enthusiastic about contextual facets and often preferred them to an existing, familiar faceted navigation interface. We discuss how we improved the design of contextual facets and FacetPatch based on the results of this study.
Do travel visa requirements impede tourist travel

Yes. Using a travel visa data set developed by Lawson and Lemke (2012) and travel flow data from the World Bank and the UN’s World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), we investigate the deterrent effect of travel visa requirements on travel flows. At the aggregate level, a one standard deviation more severe travel visa regime, as measured, is associated with a 30 % decrease in inbound travel. At the bilateral level, having a travel visa requirement on a particular country is associated with a 70 % reduction in inbound travel from that country. The gains associated with eliminating travel visas appear to be very large.
Three new cases of transient bullous dermolysis of the newborn.

Abstract We present 3 new patients with transient bullous dermolysis of the newborn (TBDN), which is a form of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. TBDN may be diagnosed by electron microscopy showing a sublamina densa cleavage; immunofluorescence antigenic mapping demonstrating bullous pemphigoid antigen, laminin-1, and type IV collagen along the epidermal roof of subepidermal clefts; and indirect immunofluorescence with monoclonal antibodies revealing intraepidermal type VII collagen. Although intraepidermal type VII collagen has been reported in other forms of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, we believe that the presence of type VII collagen in a striking intraepidermal granular array is a finding unique to TBDN. Our cases demonstrate the importance of immunodermatologic studies in the diagnosis of bullous disorders that are seen at birth because accurate diagnosis carries prognostic implications. This variant of epidermolysis bullosa, in contrast to other forms of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, is a benign, self-limited disease. (J Am Acad Dermatol 1999;40:471-6.)
Decision-Making in the Treatment of the Spastic Shoulder and Elbow: Tendon Release Versus Tendon Lengthening.

Upper extremity deformities and dysfunction are often the result of injury to the central nervous system. Upper motor neuron syndrome is a condition that arises as a result of the disruption of the upper motor neuron inhibitory pathways that frequently occurs in association with conditions such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, and cerebrovascular accident1. Damage to these pathways often leads to the constellation of symptoms that characterize this syndrome. Most notably, these symptoms include muscle weakness and diminished endurance as well as symptoms of hypertonicity, such as spasticity (muscle activation with a quick-stretch stimulus), rigidity (exaggerated response with a slow-stretch stimulus), dyssynergy or spastic co-contraction (antagonist co-activation alongside an agonist), and hyperreflexia. The presentation of this condition can be highly variable as any combination of these symptoms may be reported by the patient. The alteration of the muscular balance about the joints in the upper extremity often initially presents as a dynamic problem characterized by impaired motion. However, prolonged deformity may lead to the formation of contracture (fixed shortening)—a consequence that may impair the active or passive function of the affected limb. Patients with upper motor neuron syndrome often complain of pain. The reported prevalence of shoulder pain after a stroke has ranged from 24% to 84%2-5. The association between hemiplegia and shoulder pain is unclear, …
My Experiences with Prof. Rudy Kalman [Historical Perspectives]

I initially met Prof. Kalman when, in 1965, I took a course he was teaching at Stanford University in modern algebra theory applied to linear dynamical systems. He became my Ph.D. thesis adviser in 1966. From 1966 to late 1968, I was basically his only student and consequently did many tasks for him that resulted from his numerous consulting activities.
Guidance Law Based on an Exponential Cost Criterion for High Order Missile and Maneuvering Target

An explicit, closed form formula of a guidance law based on the linear exponential ganssian cost criterion for a linear, time-invariant, acceleration commanded and arbitrary order missile and a linear, time-invariant, arbitrary order, maneuvering target is derived. The formula is given in terms of the missile's and target's transfer functions, responses to initial conditions, error variance matrix of the estimated states and weights in the criterion. Examples are explicitly solved for several models of missile and target maneuvers. It is shown that even for the case when LQG criterion yields an Effective Navigation Ratio of 3, with the linear exponential gaussian cost criterion the Navigation Ratio is higher and time varying.
Temporal filtering of wavelet-compressed motion imagery

Temporal filtering of motion imagery can alleviate the effects of noise and artifacts in the data by incorporating observations of the imagery data from several distinct frames. If the noise that is expected to occur in the data is well-modeled by independent and identically distributed (IID) Gaussian noise, then straightforward algorithms can be designed to filter along motion trajectories in an optimal fashion. This paper addresses the restoration of motion imagery that has been compressed by scalar quantization of the data's two- or three-dimensional discrete wavelet transform coefficients. Noise due to compression in such situations is neither independent nor identically distributed, and thus simple filters designed for the IID case are suboptimal. This paper shows how proper statistical characterization of the compression error can be used in temporal filtering to improve the visual quality of the compressed motion imagery.
Preoperative cerebrospinal fluid β-Amyloid/Tau ratio and postoperative delirium

Objective: The neuropathogenesis of postoperative delirium remains unknown. Low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) b-amyloid protein (Ab) and high CSF Tau levels are associated with Alzheimer’s disease. We, therefore, assessed whether lower preoperative CSF Ab/Tau ratio was associated with higher incidence and greater severity of postoperative delirium. Methods: One hundred and fifty-three participants (71 5 years, 53% men) who had total hip/knee replacement under spinal anesthesia were enrolled. CSF was obtained during initiation of spinal anesthesia. The incidence and severity of postoperative delirium were determined by Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) and Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale (MDAS) on postoperative day 1 and 2. Ab40, Ab42, and Tau levels in the CSF were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The relationships among these variables were determined, adjusting for age and gender. Results: Participants in the lowest quartile of preoperative CSF Ab40/Tau and Ab42/Tau ratio had higher incidence (32% vs. 17%, P = 0.0482) and greater symptom severity of postoperative delirium (Ab40/Tau ratio: 4 vs. 3, P = 0.034; Ab42/Tau ratio: 4 vs. 3, P = 0.062, the median of the highest MDAS score) as compared to the combination of the rest of the quartiles. The preoperative CSF Ab40/Tau or Ab42/Tau ratio was inversely associated with MDAS score (Ab40/Tau ratio: 0.12 0.05, P = 0.014, adj. 0.12 0.05, P = 0.018; Ab42/Tau ratio: 0.65 0.26, P = 0.013, adj. 0.62 0.27, P = 0.022). Interpretation: Lower CSF Ab/Tau ratio could be associated with postoperative delirium, pending confirmation of our preliminary results in further studies. These findings suggest potential roles of Ab and/or Tau in postoperative delirium neuropathogenesis.
Near Real-Time Computer Assisted Surgery for Brain Shift Correction Using Biomechanical Models

Conventional image-guided neurosurgery relies on preoperative images to provide surgical navigational information and visualization. However, these images are no longer accurate once the skull has been opened and brain shift occurs. To account for changes in the shape of the brain caused by mechanical (e.g., gravity-induced deformations) and physiological effects (e.g., hyperosmotic drug-induced shrinking, or edema-induced swelling), updated images of the brain must be provided to the neuronavigation system in a timely manner for practical use in the operating room. In this paper, a novel preoperative and intraoperative computational processing pipeline for near real-time brain shift correction in the operating room was developed to automate and simplify the processing steps. Preoperatively, a computer model of the patient's brain with a subsequent atlas of potential deformations due to surgery is generated from diagnostic image volumes. In the case of interim gross changes between diagnosis, and surgery when reimaging is necessary, our preoperative pipeline can be generated within one day of surgery. Intraoperatively, sparse data measuring the cortical brain surface is collected using an optically tracked portable laser range scanner. These data are then used to guide an inverse modeling framework whereby full volumetric brain deformations are reconstructed from precomputed atlas solutions to rapidly match intraoperative cortical surface shift measurements. Once complete, the volumetric displacement field is used to update, i.e., deform, preoperative brain images to their intraoperative shifted state. In this paper, five surgical cases were analyzed with respect to the computational pipeline and workflow timing. With respect to postcortical surface data acquisition, the approximate execution time was 4.5 min. The total update process which included positioning the scanner, data acquisition, inverse model processing, and image deforming was ~ 11-13 min. In addition, easily implemented hardware, software, and workflow processes were identified for improved performance in the near future.
Student satisfactions in four mixed courses in elementary teacher education program

Mixed or hybrid method has become an increasingly popular course delivery model in recent years, but research regarding the effect of mixed learning is limited because of its recent debut in the landscape of educational technology. This one-year exploratory study looked at 78 elementary teacher candidates' view of learning in four mixed courses that used Blackboard Learning Management System (LMS) to supplement as well as replace some portions of face-to-face instruction. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from surveys designed to measure students' satisfaction and perspectives of hybrid learning. Results suggested high level of satisfactions but also revealed several important issues and complexities involving hybrid course implementation.
Effect of Customer Participation on Service Outcomes: The Moderating Role of Participation Readiness

Prior empirical evidence on the role of customer participation (CP) on service outcomes is limited and inconsistent. The authors add new insights by investigating the boundary conditions of the CP-service outcome link. Using two experiments, the article examines the moderating effect of three CP readiness factors: ability, perceived benefits of participation, and role identification. The results show that when CP readiness is high, increasing CP enhances service outcomes including customer satisfaction and perceived service quality; however, when CP readiness is low, the effect of CP on service outcomes tapers off or becomes negative. The results highlight the contingent nature of CP’s effect, demonstrate that CP could indeed be a double-edged sword, and provide managerial guidelines to enhance CP’s benefits through appropriate targeting and service design.
Nutritional Epidemiology: Nutritional Assessment and Analysis

Dietary assessment is used to determine the amounts of intakes of foods, nutrients, energy, and other dietary components consumed by individuals. Different methods are employed to obtain quantitative data on usual intake patterns that reflect long-term eating habits. These include the 24-h recall, diet record, food frequency questionnaire, and others. After data are collected and checked for reliability, linkage with nutrient databases and statistical analyses are used to generate estimates of actual intake of individuals or populations. Nutrient consumption patterns vary with age and current studies using these tools focus on specific age categories, such as children, older adults, or those with one or another chronic disease. Diet–bone linkages have been advanced by assessment techniques, but only a few nutrients have been investigated in depth. For example, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D have been extensively investigated, whereas other micronutrients have been given little attention. Two forms of vitamin K are now receiving greater attention because the menaquinones (vitamin K2) may have greater effects on bone than phylloquinone (vitamin K1). The skeletal effects of phytochemical intakes from foods, i.e., chemicals made only by plants, are receiving more attention because of potential benefits. Both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies of the skeleton have used assessment methods to determine if any benefits accrue from defined diets or from single or multiple nutrient supplements. Further randomized controlled trials for one or more years designed to test nutrients besides calcium are needed for advancing our knowledge of skeletal effects and recommending dietary intakes of nutrients across the life cycle.
Bis(η5-penta­methyl­cyclo­penta­dien­yl)cobalt(II)

The crystal structure of the title compound, deca­methyl­cobaltocene, [Co(C10H15)2], has been determined. High-quality single crystals were grown from a cold saturated hexa­methyl­disiloxane solution. The structure is related to the manganese and iron analogs. The molecule has D5d symmetry, with the Co atom in a crystallographic 2/m position. The cobalt–centroid(C5) distance is 1.71A and the centroid(C5)–Co–centroid(C5) angle is 180°, by symmetry.
Effects of Acridine Orange on the Productivity of Male Aedes Aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

The effects of various concentrations of acridine orange, a nucleic acid dye, on the genetic fitness of Aedes aegypti males were studied. One-day-old male mosquitoes were treated orally with 0.005%. 0.025%. 0.050%, and 0.075% acridine orange by allowing them to feed freely on sugar cubes containing the chemical. Subsequently, control and treated males were crossed with non treated virgin females. The F1 females were then backcrossed with F1 males derived from a 2nd control population. Analyses of total F2 productivity showed that the mean number of progeny was significantly decreased with exposure to 0.050% and 0.075% acridine orange. At 0.050%, a mean of 60.83 F2 progeny per culture was produced; the 0.075%-treated group showed a mean of 75.04. By comparison, the control population produced a mean of 139.79 F2 progeny per culture.
FECUNDITY IN PRIMITIVE PLETHODONTID SALAMANDERS.

The Plethodontidae, with 23 genera and over 180 species, has more living members than any other family of salamanders. The geographic distribution of the group includes most of the forested region of temperate North America, the American tropics, and a restricted area of southern Europe. Wilder and Dunn (1920) believed that plethodontids originated in Appalachia as a group adapted to life in mountain streams, and that the subsequent radiation from Appalachia was facilitated by adaptation to more terrestrial modes of life. Dunn (1926) and Wake (1966) elaborated on this hypothesis, and both authors considered Gyrinophilus and Pseudatriton to be the most primitive existing members of the family. The species of Gyrinophilus, including G. porphyriticus and a paedogenetic derivative, G. palleucus, are highly aquatic salamanders occupying springs, small streams, and cave waters of the Appalachian region. Pseudotriton is also represented by two, species, P. ruber and P. montanus, both of which are more terrestrial than Gyrinolphilus (Bruce, 1968, and unpublished data). Pseudotriton ruber occurs in both upland and lowland habitats throughout a large area of the eastern United States, whereas P. montanus occupies lowland habitats in the Southeast. If the mountain streams of Appalachia represent the ancestral adaptive zone of plethodontids, then Pseudotriton shows advances over Gyrinophilus in geographic distribution and habitat associations. A comparison of the life cycles of the species of Gyrinopiilus and Pseudotriton might indicate trends in the early evolution of plethodontid life history features. In
Transparent optical bus using a chain of remotely pumped erbium-doped-fiber amplifiers

LD-pumped optical amplifiers are key components in fiber networks. In a practical application, such as a fiber bus, the number of required amplifiers should be minimized for cost-effectiveness, since the cost is dominated by that of the pump LD’s. We propose a transparent fiber bus scheme in which all the optical amplifiers are remotely pumped by a single pump LD. The bus consists of conventional single-mode fiber and passive directional couplers, with erbium-doped fibers (EDF’s) spliced between them for loss compensation. The 1.48-µm pump wavelength is best suited for a chain of remotely pumped EDFA’s because of the low fiber loss near this wavelength. The concept was demonstrated in a four-station bus in which periodic gain maintains constant received signal power at each station. An accurate model made it possible to predict the EDF length required for each bus segment.
No cultural revolution? Continuity and change in consumption patterns in contemporary China

One globalization paradigm argues that developing countries will increasingly resemble Western societies. Although influenced by Western trends, I argue that global consumerism will not make most C...
Fabrication Method for Paper Microfluidics Utilizing 3D Printing and PDMS Stamps

Paper microfluidics is an emerging technology that offers a simple and inexpensive alternative to traditional microfluidics. Paper is an attractive medium for microfluidic devices because of its inherent hydrophilicity and low cost. Hydrophobic materials including wax and photoresist are used to pattern the paper. The most common method for making paper microfluidic analytical devices (µPAD) is wax printing, however, this method requires an expensive and specialized printer that is limited to printing documents and channel designs. Our method uses inexpensive materials and tools accessible to most research labs in the US. We utilize 3D printers, a common tool available in many universities because of their versatility. Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) wax stamps are used to deposit wax onto paper, forming microfluidic channels. The PDMS stamps are produced with ABS 3D printed molds designed in CAD software. A PDMS stamp is dipped into melted wax and then pressed onto paper much like the process of using a rubber stamp and ink. Once the wax is deposited, the paper is heated, letting the wax penetrate the paper and form hydrophilic channels. This rapid and simple procedure allows researchers to easily produce µPADs with the flexibility of CAD software and 3D printers.
The endoplasmic reticulum, not the pH gradient, drives calcium refilling of lysosomes

Impaired homeostasis of lysosomal Ca2+ causes lysosome dysfunction and lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs), but the mechanisms by which lysosomes acquire and refill Ca2+ are not known. We developed a physiological assay to monitor lysosomal Ca2+ store refilling using specific activators of lysosomal Ca2+ channels to repeatedly induce lysosomal Ca2+ release. In contrast to the prevailing view that lysosomal acidification drives Ca2+ into the lysosome, inhibiting the V-ATPase H+ pump did not prevent Ca2+ refilling. Instead, pharmacological depletion or chelation of Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) Ca2+ prevented lysosomal Ca2+ stores from refilling. More specifically, antagonists of ER IP3 receptors (IP3Rs) rapidly and completely blocked Ca2+ refilling of lysosomes, but not in cells lacking IP3Rs. Furthermore, reducing ER Ca2+ or blocking IP3Rs caused a dramatic LSD-like lysosome storage phenotype. By closely apposing each other, the ER may serve as a direct and primary source of Ca2+for the lysosome.
Predicting the Robot Learning Curve based on Properties of Human Interaction.

Presented at the AAAI Symposium on Agents that Learn from Human Teachers, San Jose, CA, March 2009.
Comment on severe lumbar back pain following epidural anesthesia.

This review provides an overview of the role of long-term treatment of severe asthma with oral corticosteroids (OCS) and its associated side-effects in adults. It is based on a systematic literature search conducted in MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Library to identify relevant studies. After a short overview of severe asthma and its treatment we present studies showing a dose–response relationship in asthmatic patients treated with OCS and then consider by organ systems the undesired effects demonstrated in clinical and epidemiological studies in patients with OCS-dependent asthma. It was found that the risk of developing various OCS-related complications, including infections, diabetes and osteoporosis as well as psychiatric disorders, was higher for patients with long-term exposure to OCS compared with control groups. In addition, studies showed a significant increase in healthcare resource utilisation due to OCS treatment. Therefore, it is incumbent on every clinician to carefully weigh the potential beneﬁt of preventing loss of asthma control against this risk before opting to prescribe long-term OCS therapy. Effective corticosteroid-sparing strategies must be used and should aim at short-term use with the lowest effective dose and start tapering as soon as possible until OCS therapy is terminated.
Middle Range Organization Theorizing

The purpose of this paper is to examine the nature of middle range organization theory, to identify some of its major strengths and limitations, and to suggest some guidelines for middle range theorizing. Role theory will be used as an illustration throughout the discussion. This area of theory has been identified as middle range by Merton (1968) and is likely to receive increased attention through the new edition (1978) of Katz and Kahn’s The Social Psychology of Organizations.
Monopsony in Law and Economics: Monopsony in Action: Physician Collective Bargaining: Monopoly or Bilateral Monopoly

Introduction Managed care, a source of significant buying power, has had a substantial impact on markets in which health care providers operate. For example, buying power in the market for pharmaceuticals has led to discounts to the more powerful buyers. Hospital buying cooperatives can force down the price of essential supplies. Most prominently, however, physicians have seen their reimbursement rates fall and their practice autonomy erode. This final chapter in the monopsony in action series focuses on physicians and their responses to buying-side pressures. The topic is especially interesting because different state’s laws may affect this relationship differently, leading to varying economic outcomes. In some instances, physicians have tried to join forces in order to negotiate collectively as a way of gaining some bargaining power. These efforts, however, have been thwarted by the antitrust laws, which forbid collaborative efforts that restrain trade. There is, of course, a specific antitrust exemption for labor unions, but most physicians do not qualify for the labor exemption because they are not employees . Instead, they are independent professionals who are largely self-employed. When physician groups are not horizontally integrated and have been formed simply to bargain with health insurers over reimbursement issues, they have been challenged by the antitrust authorities.