cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Implantable cardiac defibrillator lead failure or myopotential oversensing? An approach to the diagnosis of noise on lead electrograms

The appearance of noise on electrograms (EGMs) recorded from the lead of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) may be owing to oversensing of myopotentials, insulation breach, conductor coil fracture, loose set screw, or electromagnetic interference from an external source. The extraneous noise may lead to inappropriate shocks or inhibition of pacing. We describe two cases of pectoral myopotentials oversensing in patients with ICD and an approach to distinguish among the various extraneous noises recorded on EGMs. A systematic approach to identify the cause of the noise is important to render an appropriate treatment, which might include simple device re-programming or require re-operation and lead revision or replacement.
Transforming Growth Factor α: A Potential Autocrine Growth Regulator in Prostatic Carcinoma

Since the classical observation of Huggins and Hodges in 1941 [1], the efficacy of androgen-ablative therapy has been well established in the management of patients with advanced prostate cancer. However, this type of therapy remains palliative in nature. Although, initially patients with stage D disease are expected to experience beneficial responses to androgen ablation, the vast majority of them eventually will face progression of the disease despite the continuous androgen-depleted state [2]. This phenomenon is attributed to the presence in the primary and metastatic sites of an androgen-insensitive prostate cancer cell subset which is able to proliferate in the absence of any androgenic support [3]. Patients with androgenrefractory disease (stage D3) have a dismal prognosis with a mean survival period of less than one year [4], for existing therapeutic regimens are not effective for this group of patients [5]. Therefore, it is important to study the mechanisms through which these androgen-insensitive cells are able to escape androgendependency and become autonomous in cell proliferation.
Vascular and metabolic response to cycle exercise in sedentary humans: effect of age.

We measured leg blood flow (LBF), drew arterial-venous (A-V) blood samples, and calculated muscle O2 consumption (V˙o 2) during incremental cycle ergometry exercise [15, 30, and 99 W and maximal ef...
Identification and Characterization of Cyclic Diguanylate Signaling Systems Controlling Rugosity in Vibrio cholerae

Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of the disease cholera, can generate rugose variants that have an increased capacity to form biofilms. Rugosity and biofilm formation are critical for the environmental survival and transmission of the pathogen, and these processes are controlled by cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) signaling systems. c-di-GMP is produced by diguanylate cyclases (DGCs) and degraded by phosphodiesterases (PDEs). Proteins that contain GGDEF domains act as DGCs, whereas proteins that contain EAL or HD-GYP domains act as PDEs. In the V. cholerae genome there are 62 genes that are predicted to encode proteins capable of modulating the cellular c-di-GMP concentration. We previously identified two DGCs, VpvC and CdgA, that can control the switch between smooth and rugose. To identify other c-di-GMP signaling proteins involved in rugosity, we generated in-frame deletion mutants of all genes predicted to encode proteins with GGDEF and EAL domains and then searched for mutants with altered rugosity. In this study, we identified two new genes, cdgG and cdgH, involved in rugosity control. We determined that CdgH acts as a DGC and positively regulates rugosity, whereas CdgG does not have DGC activity and negatively regulates rugosity. In addition, epistasis analysis with CdgG, CdgH, and other DGCs and PDEs controlling rugosity revealed that CdgG and CdgH act in parallel with previously identified c-di-GMP signaling proteins to control rugosity in V. cholerae. We also determined that PilZ domain-containing c-di-GMP binding proteins contribute minimally to rugosity, indicating that there are additional c-di-GMP binding proteins controlling rugosity in V. cholerae.
Caught at the Clinic African American Men, Stigma, and STI Treatment in the Deep South

The literature on gender and health typically addresses behavioral patterns when discussing men’s attitudes to health. Few of these studies explore men’s anxieties or presentations of self in relation to health problems, particularly for stigmatizing conditions such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Through direct observation and focus group interviews of health workers, clients, and students, this study explores African American men’s attitudes toward attending STI clinics in the Deep South. The men’s concerns about STI clinics center on realistic health or stigma-related concerns. Using a gender-relational analysis, three main sources of fear are identified in relation to attending the clinics: Gender anxiety (attacks on masculinity), social anxiety (damage to social reputation through stigma), and racial anxiety (AIDS as genocide). These fears present a barrier to STI care for African American men.
Participatory assessment: supporting engagement, understanding, and achievement in scientific inquiry

Tensions over educational assessment and measurement are central to ongoing debates about inquiry-oriented science education. This presentation sheds new light on this issue by (1) reviewing widely-appreciated tensions over assessment of inquiry-oriented vs. more expository science instruction, (2) revisiting these tensions using newer situative views of measurement and assessment, (3) introducing a participatory assessment model that addresses these tensions, and (4) showing how this model was used to foster communal engagement, individual understanding, and aggregated achievement in three design studies of leading technology-based inquiry curricula.
Anxious for Answers: A Meta-Analysis of the E!ects of Anxiety on African American K-12 Students’ Mathematics Achievement

Mathematics anxiety is recognized as a significant performance impediment that affects students across multiple ethnic and economic backgrounds. However, research has yet to fully examine the possible differential effect of mathematics anxiety on underrepresented K-12 students. Specifically, given the long-standing achievement gap between African American and White students it is imperative that the possible differential effect of mathematics anxiety on African American students be addressed. The purpose of this study was to utilize the techniques of meta-analysis to summarize the effects of anxiety on mathematics achievement in K-12 African American student populations. The results suggest that anxiety has a statistically significant effect on the mathematics achievement of representative samples of African American students. Furthermore, this effect is mediated by student grade level. More representative research is needed to better ascertain the factors that promote and sustain mathematics anxiety in African American student populations. In particular, studies that disaggregate results based on student race are necessary for more robust estimates of this phenomenon.
Outcome of Therapies in Refractory Convulsive Status Epilepticus

Researchers at Queen Square, London, review the long-term outcome of therapies in refractory convulsive status epilepticus.
The Logical Foundations of Economic Research

T WENTY-FIVE years ago agricultural economists were deeply concerned over the need for improved methods of research. The efforts in this direction and the assistance of the Social Science Research Council are well known, and need not be recounted here. Whatever else may be said about this effort, it gave impetus to great improvement in statistical methods of economic research, which has been of inestimable value; some of the top flight statisticians of the country are to be found among research workers in agricultural economics. There is again a deep sense of uneasiness about methods of research in agricultural economics. But now, if I sense the situation correctly, there is little expectation that a well chosen committee might go to some authority, such as Karl Pearson, and find adequate answers to our problems. What has happened, is that now the whole underpinnings of economics itself are open to question. Consequently, just as it is no longer possible to find an adequate research method to apply to our problems, so it is no longer possible to find an adequate "pure" economics to apply to the economic problems of agriculture. Two conclusions seem obvious: (1) that comprehensive methods of investigation must be devised by agricultural economists out of our own investigation, and (2) this presents an unusual opportunity to contribute to economic and social science theory generally if we have the wit to do the job before us.
Mid-incubation relocation and embryonic survival in loggerhead sea turtle eggs

Relocations of sea turtle nests are generally performed within 12 hours of deposition to avoid damaging fragile respiratory membranes as they attach to the egg. In May 2007, a tropical storm on the east coast of Florida resulted in severe dune erosion and permission was given for beach and dune restoration. Nests already located on the beach, or that were laid prior to project commencement, were relocated at times varying between 10 days and 38 days post-deposition. This provided an opportunity to examine egg mortality in loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nests moved during this critical time period, and determine whether there was a correlation between the relocation and the timing of arrested egg development; we compared hatching and emergence success to nests relocated during the standard initial 12 hours post-deposition and those left in situ. Following hatchling emergence, we collected remaining unhatched eggs to determine development stage at the time of embryonic death. Mean hatch success was 53% for nests moved mid-incubation, versus 79–90% for nests left in situ or moved within 12 hours of deposition. For 6 of 10 nests, embryonic development ceased at the same visual developmental stage as the relocation. Although moving nests later than 12 hours decreases nest success and should be a matter of last resort, the forecasts for increased storm activity and sea level rise, and other impacts such as beach oiling, may necessitate nest relocation under less than ideal circumstances. Choice of relocation site may also be significant; nests placed in native sand had lower emergence success than those moved to the renourished area. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.
When does feature search fail to protect against attentional capture

When participants search for a shape (e.g., a circle) among a set of homogenous shapes (e.g., triangles) they are subject to distraction by color singletons that are more salient than the target. However, when participants search for a shape among heterogeneous shapes, the presence of a non-target color singleton does not slow responses to the target. Attempts have been made to explain these results from both bottom-up and top-down perspectives. What both accounts have in common is that they do not predict the occurrence of attentional capture on typical feature search displays. Here, we present a case where manipulating selection history, rather than the displays themselves, leads to attentional capture on feature search trials. The ability to map specific colors to the target and distractor appears to be what enables resistance to capture during feature search.
Crystal and molecular structure of chloro(2,2′,2″-terpyridine)palladium(II)chloride dihydrate, C15H15Cl2N3O2Pd

The crystal and molecular structure of chloro(2,2′,2″-terpyridine)palladium(II)-chloride dihydrate, C15H15Cl2N3O2Pd, has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The crystals are orthorhombic: space groupPna21,a = 17·217(9),b = 14·026(8),c = 6·801(5) A,Z = 4. Least-squares refinement of 2064 non-zero manually gathered diffractometer reflexions was carried out to a conventional unweightedR of 0·069. The molecule consists of a basically planar 4-coordinate [Pd(terpy)Cl]+ cation and a Cl− anion. The molecules are packed in a layer structure in which the average separation is about 3·4 A, the closest approach being 3·13 A between a palladium atom and one of the nitrogen atoms of a neighboring molecule. Bond distances are within acceptable limits of predicted values. Deviations from planarity in the coordinated terpyridine ligand are presumably due to its steric limitations and are similar to those found in other terpyridine complexes.
Survival of the polyembryonic parasitoid Copidosomopsis tanytmema (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in envenomized larvae of its host Anagasta kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

We investigated whether the endoparasitic encyrtid Copidosomopsis tanytmema Caltagirone could survive in host larvae envenomized by the braconid Bracon hebetor (Say). The former is a polyembryonic, egg-larval, species-specific parasitoid of the pyralid Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller). The latter is a solitary ectoparasitoid on fatally envenomized late instars of A. kuehniella and other pyralids. Our results indicate that C. tanytmema broods survive in envenomized hosts, although the proportion in a brood emerging as adults is reduced significantly. This reduction appears to be the result of polygerm failure and not death of C. tanytmema larvae, which were observed to survive well past the time that pupation normally occurs. Because polygerm development is seriously delayed but not aborted, and parasitoid larvae persist but do not transform, B. hebetor venom probably compromises parasitoid survival indirectly by gradually diminishing the quality of the host tissues required for C. tanytmema's development, rather than by directly intoxicating C. tanytmema polygerms and larvae. The implications for interspecific competition between C. tanytmema and B. hebetor are discussed.
Applying the Think-Aloud Strategy to Improve Reading Comprehension of Science Content.

This research was designed to investigate the effectiveness of using the think-aloud strategy to improve the reading comprehension in the content area of science. Based on state standards assessments, many early elementary grade students who were considered fluent readers struggled with evaluative science comprehension. In this quasi-experimental case study, the researcher used a self-created set of lessons using the think-aloud strategy for science as the intervention. The target group of this study consisted of two classrooms totaling 48 first-grade students identified as regular education or gifted. The treatment group received instruction using the think-aloud strategy during the science block. The control group received the regular instruction of the school district’s science curriculum without the think-aloud strategy being incorporated. Results of using the think-aloud strategy during science instruction significantly increases a students’ comprehension of science text. Findings from this study assisted with improving student learning by providing teachers with an instructional method (the think-aloud strategy) in the science-content area and in enabling every student to experience a certain degree of success in the evaluative comprehension of science text. The findings from this study were useful to teachers, administrators, school district personnel, and curriculum developers to improve comprehension levels in all students by implementing the think-aloud strategy.
Correlation between signalment and the biphasic hyperelastic mechanical properties of equine articular cartilage

Abstract The correlation between mechanical properties from the equine articular cartilage and signalment was investigated. Fresh articular cartilage of fetlock, carpus, and stifle were harvested from 12 deceased horses with information on the breed, age, sex, and weight within 4 h of euthanasia for measurements. Seven indentation tests at different normalized displacements of 10, 20, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50% of the cartilage thickness were performed with a spherical probe indenting at 0.1 mm/s velocity. The solid matrix of the cartilage was found to follow a hyper-elastic material behavior defined by Ogden; the solid phase aggregate modulus ( E a ), hyperelastic material constant ( α ), and fluid load fraction ( F ′) of the cartilage were characterized. The characterized material properties were statistically analyzed using a mixed model ANOVA and Scheffe's test to check the correlation between the properties and signalment variables (breed, age, sex, and weight). There were correlations between both the solid phase aggregate modulus and age ( p p p p
Fast Neuroimaging-Based Retrieval for Alzheimer's Disease Analysis.

This paper proposes a framework of fast neuroimaging-based retrieval and AD analysis, by three key steps: (1) landmark detection, which efficiently extracts landmark-based neuroimaging features without the need of nonlinear registration in testing stage; (2) landmark selection, which removes redundant/noisy landmarks via proposing a feature selection method that considers structural information among landmarks; and (3) hashing, which converts high-dimensional features of subjects into binary codes, for efficiently conducting approximate nearest neighbor search and diagnosis of AD. We have conducted experiments on Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) dataset, and demonstrated that our framework could achieve higher performance than the comparison methods, in terms of accuracy and speed (at least 100 times faster).
A Distal Disulfide Bridge in OXA-1 β-Lactamase Stabilizes the Catalytic Center and Alters the Dynamics of the Specificity Determining Ω Loop.

Widespread antibiotic resistance, particularly when mediated by broad-spectrum β-lactamases, has major implications for public health. Substitutions in the active site often allow broad-spectrum enzymes to accommodate diverse types of β-lactams. Substitutions observed outside the active site are thought to compensate for the loss of thermal stability. The OXA-1 clade of class D β-lactamases contains a pair of conserved cysteines located outside the active site that forms a disulfide bond in the periplasm. Here, the effect of the distal disulfide bond on the structure and dynamics of OXA-1 was investigated via 4 μs molecular dynamics simulations. The results reveal that the disulfide promotes the preorganized orientation of the catalytic residues and affects the conformation of the functionally important Ω loop. Furthermore, principal component analysis reveals differences in the global dynamics between the oxidized and reduced forms, especially in the motions involving the Ω loop. A dynamical network anal...
Do GAAP And IFRS Differ In Collectiblity Judgments Related To Revenue Recognition

The goal of this study is to examine whether financial statement preparers may interpret the collectibility threshold differently given the differences in the prior definitions of “probable” in IFRS and GAAP. We conducted an experiment where participants were provided with either the IFRS or GAAP definition of “probable” and then asked to evaluate five short revenue recognition scenarios. We find that their judgments regarding collectibility of consideration did not differ across the IFRS or GAAP conditions. This study contributes to the prior accounting literature on interpreting vague verbal probability terms and expands this line of work to the arena of revenue recognition. Our results also provide insight for standard setter and policy makers in their efforts to achieve true convergence in accounting standards.
Broadband heterodyne terahertz detector based on plasmonic photomixing

A novel heterodyne terahertz detector based on a plasmonic photomixer integrated with a logarithmic spiral antenna is presented. Broadband terahertz detection over 0.1–0.55 THz frequency range is demonstrated through a prototype detector fabricated on a LT-GaAs substrate.
Improving causal inference with a doubly robust estimator that combines propensity score stratification and weighting.

Rationale, aims and objectives When a randomized controlled trial is not feasible, health researchers typically use observational data and rely on statistical methods to adjust for confounding when estimating treatment effects. These methods generally fall into 3 categories: (1) estimators based on a model for the outcome using conventional regression adjustment; (2) weighted estimators based on the propensity score (ie, a model for the treatment assignment); and (3) “doubly robust” (DR) estimators that model both the outcome and propensity score within the same framework. In this paper, we introduce a new DR estimator that utilizes marginal mean weighting through stratification (MMWS) as the basis for weighted adjustment. This estimator may prove more accurate than treatment effect estimators because MMWS has been shown to be more accurate than other models when the propensity score is misspecified. We therefore compare the performance of this new estimator to other commonly used treatment effects estimators. Method Monte Carlo simulation is used to compare the DR-MMWS estimator to regression adjustment, 2 weighted estimators based on the propensity score and 2 other DR methods. To assess performance under varied conditions, we vary the level of misspecification of the propensity score model as well as misspecify the outcome model. Results Overall, DR estimators generally outperform methods that model one or the other components (eg, propensity score or outcome). The DR-MMWS estimator outperforms all other estimators when both the propensity score and outcome models are misspecified and performs equally as well as other DR estimators when only the propensity score is misspecified. Conclusions Health researchers should consider using DR-MMWS as the principal evaluation strategy in observational studies, as this estimator appears to outperform other estimators in its class.
The pre-cloak superhero: a tool for superhero play and intervention

AbstractSince the early 1940s, superheroes have been used by educators and clinicians to instill community and confidence; resiliency and courage; tolerance and sharing among children. Through superhero play, the early childhood classroom has become a laboratory filled with capes and costumes. In the therapist’s milieu, the empowered superhero provides a model for children to aspire to. But both of these environments – the classroom and the counselor’s office – use the fully powered superhero. While the literature attests to health benefits provided through use of the empowered superhero, this article draws attention to a resource often overlooked: the pre-empowered, pre-cloak superhero. As many popular superheroes (~86%) were orphaned or abandoned, prior to acquiring superpowers, the article focuses on the adversities they share with these two specific groups of vulnerable children. With orphaned and abandoned children as the treatment group of focus, the article proposes environments for pre-cloak inter...
An Expert System for Local Flood Response Coordination and Training

Flood response is an essential component of flood management to rescue people, reduce property loss, and limit the impact to the environment. Effective flood response depends on a sound coordination structure with unified responsibilities, smooth communications, and scalable response plans. An efficient coordination system, including command and management structures, is built on a thorough understanding of the responsibilities and actions of each role for delivering the response core capabilities. Collecting, sharing, using, and handling the knowledge require great efforts in knowledge management. To further enhance such efforts, an expert system for local flood response coordination and training (LFRS) was developed and introduced in this paper. LFRS can help emergency managers construct scalable, flexible, and adaptable coordination structures and support educating flood response entities, such as individuals, communities, nongovernmental organizations, private sector entities, and local governments. The output of the prototype expert system contains two CSV formatted reports as well as prompt screens. The operational structure report hierarchically depicts the crisscross linkages among all responders, their primary functions, and contact information. Another report summarizes the responsibilities and actions of a certain role of flood responders from commanders to individuals.
Experimental and Modeling Assessment of the Roles of Hydrophobicity and Zeta Potential in Chemically Modified Poly(ether sulfone) Membrane Fouling Kinetics

This study investigated the roles of hydrophobicity and zeta potential of polymer membranes and foulants on membrane fouling during filtration. A series of chemically modified poly(ether sulfone) (PES) membranes were used to evaluate filtration performance with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and humic acid (HA) employed as model foulants. Hydrophobicity and zeta potential of both membranes and foulants were measured and incorporated in the surface interaction energy calculation by the extended Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (EDLVO) theory analysis. Foulant deposition rate was then calculated based on particle transport equation and interaction energy. Membrane fouling rates, indicated by the decrease of permeate flux, were well correlated (R2 = 0.74–0.99) with the foulant deposition rates. This correlation indicates that both electrostatic interaction and hydrophobic interaction played decisive roles in membrane fouling. Our results have important implications for elucidation and prediction of the structure...
Plant physiological changes along an encroachment gradient: an assessment of US Mid-Atlantic serpentine barrens

Serpentine barrens of the Mid-Atlantic United States are globally rare, grass-dominated ecosystems thought to exclude C₃ species and characterized by unique soil composition. However, like many grassland ecosystems globally, these sites are presently facing encroachment by surrounding forest. In this ecosystem, the tendril climbing vine, Smilax rotundifolia, forms dense thickets around barrens that typically precede forest encroachment. While numerous factors speculatively initiate and promote encroachment in these systems, few studies have examined photosynthetic responses of serpentine grasses to changes in resource availability initiated by encroachers or physiological ability of encroaching S. rotundifolia to colonize high-light barren environments. We sought to understand both environmental and physiological dynamics of encroachment along an irradiance gradient in these systems. At three serpentine barren sites in southeastern Pennsylvania, physiological responses of the native grasses Sorghastrum nutans and Schizachyrium scoparium to increased shading by S. rotundifolia were examined. Additionally, the physiological performance of S. rotundifolia in the forest understory was compared to that in sunlit barrens environments. Light-saturated photosynthesis (Aₛₐₜ), stomatal conductance (gₛ), instantaneous transpiration efficiency (ITE), maximum efficiency of photosystem II (Fᵥ/Fₘ), midday leaf water potential (ψₗₑₐf) and specific leaf area (SLA) were measured for all species over the course of the 2014 growing season. Two-way analyses of variance were used to assess changes in these parameters across growing environments, as well as seasonally for each species. Multiple regression analyses were also performed to investigate the influence of vapor pressure deficit (D) and leaf temperature (Tₗₑₐf) on Aₛₐₜ and ITE. Light-saturated photosynthesis was significantly greater in S. rotundifolia growing in sun than in the shade (P < 0.001) and early in the season (P = 0.012). Sun S. rotundifolia had up to 27% greater Aₛₐₜ than shaded plants. Even with reduced ψₗₑₐf in the barrens, S. rotundifolia maintained high gₛ though Aₛₐₜ was limited by high D later in the growing season. These data are in agreement with recent research suggesting that plants are not subject to water limitation in Mid-Atlantic barrens. Unexpectedly, shaded grasses at the encroachment interface did not exhibit any significant reduction in Aₛₐₜ. Declines in grass photosynthesis do not likely occur until S. rotundifolia rhizomes transition into monotypic thickets, completely excluding grasses. Encroachment by S. rotundifolia appears to be primarily facilitated by its ability to capitalize on light resources early on in the summer growing season, when environmental conditions are less stressful.
Infinite Dimensional Group Representations and their Applications

The theory of infinite dimensional group representations may be regarded as a blend of Fourier analysis and the classical purely algebraic theory of group representations.
Corneal transplant rejection after initiation of systemic antineoplastic agents

In this case series, we describe corneal transplant rejection after initiation of various antineoplastic agents. In our first case, an 85-year-old woman with previous Descemet-stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty of the right eye presented with decreased vision in the same eye after initiation of platinum taxane compounds and doxorubicin; examination demonstrated decreased acuity and corneal edema. In our second case, a 60-year-old woman with previous penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) in the left eye presented with irritation in the same eye after starting ipilimumab; examination showed keratic precipitates. In our last case, a 68-year-old woman with PKPs in both eyes presented with bilaterally decreased acuity, corneal edema, and anterior chamber reaction after initiating tamoxifen. These patients were diagnosed with rejection within 4 weeks of beginning their respective antineoplastic therapies and they were treated with topical prednisolone with or without hypertonic ointment (Muro 128). Close observation might be warranted in patients with corneal grafts starting antineoplastic therapy.
Strategies for Increasing the Efficacy of and Overcoming Resistance to Platinum Complexes In Vivo

Current anticancer drugs often cause solid tumor masses to regress but cure is usually not possible. In order to improve efficacy, we have tested a number of modulators of platinum complexes in an effort to use the altered physiology of tumor masses to advantage. Using the FSaIIC murine fibrosarcoma, tumor cell excision survival versus bone marrow CFUC survival rations were obtained for CDDP (10 mg/kg), carboplatin (100 mg/kg) and D,L-Tetraplatin (20 mg/kg) i.p. used in conjunction with Fluosol-DA/carbogen breathing for 6 hr., Etanidazole, Lonidamine, Pentoxifylline, Etoposide, SR-4233 or hyperthermia. Large improvements in the tumor cell kill to bone marrow CFU-GM kill ratios of 21–276 times were obtained with Fluosol-DA/carbogen and CDDP or Carboplatin, with etanidazole and CDDP or carboplatin and with local hyperthermia and CDDP. Lesser improvements were evident with the other combinations. By using the Hoechst 33342 dye assay we were able to improve the ratio of dim (putative hypoxic) versus bright (putative oxic) cell killing produced by CDDP with Fluosol-DA/carbogen, etanidazole, etoposide and SR-4233. Hyperthermia and radiation when added to CDDP resulted in relatively increased killing of bright cells. In the tumor growth delay assay additive or greater effects with CDDP were produced by Fluosol-DA/carbogen, etanidazole, lonidamine, SR-4233, hyperthermia and x-ray., while pentoxifylline, acetazolamide and etoposide probably produced less than additive increase in tumor growth delay with CDDP. These results indicate that by using modulators, platinum complex drugs can be made to be more selectively toxic toward tumor cells in general and physiologically selected tumor cell subpopulations in particular. This sort of approach may improve the clinical management of solid tumors.
A new focus on caring for survivors of extreme violence.

Guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder using a clinical approach that enables victims to recover with the help of their own coping strategies and healing strength. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Non-viral suicide gene therapy in cervical, oral and pharyngeal carcinoma cells with CMV- and EEV-plasmids.

Background Cervical cancer is the third most common cause of cancer in women. The 5-year survival rate in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas is approximately 50% and this rate has not improved in recent decades. These cancers are accessible to direct intervention. We examined the ability of a highly efficient non-viral vector, TransfeX (ATCC, Manassas, VA, USA), to deliver the suicide gene HSV-tk to cervical, oral and pharyngeal cancer cells and to induce cytotoxicity following the administration of the prodrug, ganciclovir. Methods HeLa cervical carcinoma, HSC-3 and H357 oral squamous cell carcinoma and FaDu pharyngeal carcinoma cells were transfected with cytomegalovirus (CMV)- or enhanced episomal vector (EEV)-driven HSV-tk plasmids and treated with ganciclovir for 24-120 h. Cell viability was assessed by Alamar blue. Results The viability of HeLa cells was reduced to only 30-40%, despite the very high levels of transgene expression. By contrast, the viability of HSC-3 cells was reduced to 10%, although transgene expression was 18-fold lower than that in HeLa cells. An approximately five-fold higher transgene expression was obtained with the EEV-plasmid than from the CMV-plasmid. Nevertheless, HeLa cell viability after suicide gene + ganciclovir treatment was reduced by only 35% compared to 70% with the CMV-plasmid. For HSC-3 cells, the reduction was 40% for the EEV- and 80% for the CMV-plasmid. The lower efficiency of transfection with the EEV-plasmid may explain the lower cytotoxicity. Conclusions TransfeX-mediated gene delivery to cervical, pharyngeal and oral cancer cells may be used for suicide gene therapy. The levels of transgene expression, however, do not translate directly to cytotoxicity.
Simple preoperative radiation safety interventions significantly lower radiation doses during central venous line placement in children.

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to reduce radiation exposure during pediatric central venous line (CVL) placement by implementing a radiation safety process including a radiation safety briefing and a job-instruction model with a preradiation time-out. Methods We reviewed records of all patients under 21 who underwent CVL placement in the operating room covering 22 months before the intervention through 10 months after 2013–2016. The intervention consisted of a radiation safety briefing by the surgeon to the intraoperative staff before each case and a radiation safety time-out. We measured and analyzed the dose area product (DAP), total radiation time pre- and postintervention, and the use of postprocedural chest radiograph. Results 100 patients with valid DAP measurements were identified for analysis (59 preintervention, 41 postintervention). Following implementation of the radiation safety process, there was a 79% decrease in median DAP (61.4 vs 13.1 rad*cm2, P Conclusion A preoperative radiation safety briefing and a radiation safety time-out supported by a job-instruction model were effective in significantly lowering the absorbed doses of radiation in children undergoing CVL insertion. Type of study Case–control study. Level of evidence Level III.
Social Comparison Processes and Employee Reactions to Merit Pay

Applying social comparison theory to merit pay raise contexts, we argue that employees use upward and downward social comparisons (i.e., downward contrast, upward identification, upward contrast, a...
Transparent Grafted Zwitterionic Copolymer Coatings That Exhibit Both Antifogging and Self-Cleaning Properties

In this work, we have investigated a zwitterionic copolymer that demonstrates outstanding antifogging and self-cleaning properties. These polymer coatings are photochemically grafted to substrates containing C–H bonds with rapid kinetics and form a robust polymer networks on plastic and alkyl-modified glass surfaces. The copolymers consist of a zwitterionic monomer, which provides high hydrophilicity, and a benzophenone moiety that produces a densely cross-linked network. The optical clarity of the substrates is not impacted by the polymer coating and even slightly improved due to the lower refractive index of the polymer relative to glass. The antifogging and self-cleaning capabilities were determined by a series of experiments, where the optical transmittance of substrates modified with copolymer coatings was excellent under both hot and cold fogging conditions. Additionally, surfaces contaminated with oil are easily cleaned by simply submerging the coatings in water. Moreover, the coatings exhibit exce...
Race-related differences in acute pain complaints among inner-city women: the role of socioeconomic status

Previous research has shown that African Americans (AA) report higher pain intensity and pain interference than other racial/ethnic groups as well as greater levels of other risk factors related to worse pain outcomes, including PTSD symptoms, pain catastrophizing, and sleep disturbance. Within a Conservation of Resources theory framework, we tested the hypothesis that socioeconomic status (SES) factors (i.e., income, education, employment, perception of income meeting basic needs) largely account for these racial/ethnic differences. Participants were 435 women [AA, 59.1%; Hispanic/Latina (HL), 25.3%; Non-Hispanic/White (NHW), 15.6%] who presented to an Emergency Department (ED) with an acute pain-related complaint. Data were extracted from psychosocial questionnaires completed at the participants' baseline interview. Structural equation modeling was used to examine whether racial/ethnic differences in pain intensity and pain interference were mediated by PTSD symptoms, pain catastrophizing, sleep quality, and sleep duration, and whether these mediation pathways were, in turn, accounted for by SES factors. Results indicated that SES factors accounted for the mediation relationships linking AA race to pain intensity via PTSD symptoms and the mediation relationships linking AA race to pain interference via PTSD symptoms, pain catastrophizing, and sleep quality. Results suggested that observed racial/ethnic differences in AA women's pain intensity, pain interference, and common risk factors for elevated pain may be largely due to racial/ethnic differences in SES. These findings highlight the role of social inequality in persistent health disparities facing inner-city, AA women.
Introduction to veterinary toxicology

Abstract Veterinary toxicology is a complex subject as it deals with a wide variety of toxins and toxicants. Unlike humans, most animals live outdoors and face adverse weather conditions, and they are exposed to toxic substances through contaminated food, water, and air. During the last few decades, the flood of pesticides has made the environment even more contaminated than ever before. Animals, being inquisitive, are involved in accidental poisonings with the greatest frequency. In small animals, toxicological problems are usually associated with inadvertent use of chemicals, including household products. Small animals are also often intoxicated with therapeutic drugs as well as drugs of abuse. In farm animals, poisonings are often encountered with plants, mycotoxins, and farm chemicals. Losses in farm animals are not just from deaths due to chemical or plant poisonings. Enormous losses are also experienced from reduced growth rates, reduced milk yield, poor performance, poor meat and wool quality, and infertility. This chapter describes poisoning in animals due to metals, pesticides, plant alkaloids, mycotoxins, and an industrial solvent.
Cognitive Efficacy of Pharmacologic Treatments in Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review.

Cognitive impairment is prevalent and debilitating among persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). While many pharmacologic treatments have shown good efficacy in reducing clinical relapses, brain lesions, and improving certain physical symptoms, their efficacy for improving cognitive function is not well understood. The current systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of pharmacologic treatments for improving cognitive function among persons with MS. A literature search was conducted through the PubMed and PsycINFO databases. Two independent reviewers assessed each paper, and a third reviewer weighed in if the two reviewers could not reach a consensus. Classification of evidence was determined using the 2017 American Academy of Neurology (AAN) criteria for therapeutic trials. Standardized effect sizes (Cohen’s d) were calculated to compare across studies. Eighty-seven journal articles published between 1990 and January 2020 were included in the current review. Overall, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of pharmacologic treatments to improve cognitive function in persons with MS. There were many contradictory findings observed in this review, which may be due to possible unidentified moderating treatment response variables and/or lack of standardization in assessment procedures. There was also an overreliance on statistical significance (most papers did not provide sizes of treatment effects), which may not be clinically meaningful. Higher-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to establish the cognitive efficacy of pharmacologic treatments for MS-related cognitive dysfunction, with cognition as the primary endpoint. Researchers are urged to use standardized criteria (such as the AAN criteria) to guide their research designs. Clinicians should consider effect sizes of studies before deciding whether to prescribe certain medications to ameliorate cognitive symptoms.
Rupture of Pararenal Aortic Aneurysm

Ruptured pararenal abdominal aortic aneurysm was treated with open repair using midline transperitoneal approach. Patient has gradual enlargement of suprarenal aortic segment and is being followed by CTA of the chest and the abdomen. Patient had repair of large right femoral anastomotic aneurysm many years later.
Impact of Perioperative Blood Transfusion in Anemic Patients Undergoing Infra Inguinal Bypass.

Objective Patients who present with lower extremity ischemia are frequently anemic and the optimal transfusion threshold for this cohort remains controversial. We sought to evaluate the impact of blood transfusion on postoperative major adverse cardiac events (MACE), including myocardial infarction, dysrhythmia, stroke, congestive heart failure, and 30-day mortality for these patients. Methods All consecutive patients who underwent infra-inguinal bypass at our institution from 2011 to 2020 were included. Perioperative red blood cell transfusion was the primary exposure, and the primary outcome was MACE. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to assess the impact of patient and procedural variables, including red blood cell transfusion, stratified by hemoglobin (Hgb) nadir: 8 g/dL. Results Of the 287 patients reviewed for analysis, 146 (50.9%) had a perioperative transfusion (mean: 1.6 ± 3 units). Patients who received a transfusion had a mean nadir Hgb of 8.3 ± 1.0 g/dL, compared to 10.1 ± 1.7 g/dL without a transfusion. The overall incidence of MACE was 15.7% (45 of 287 patients). Univariate analysis demonstrated that MACE was associated with blood transfusion (P = 0.009), lower Hgb nadir (P = 0.02), and higher blood loss (P = 0.003). On multivariate analysis, transfusion was independently associated with MACE for patients with a Hgb nadir >8 g/dL (OR: 3.09; P = 0.006), but not for patients with Hgb nadir 7–8 g/dL (OR: 0.818; P = 0.77). Additionally, patients with MACE had significantly longer length of hospital stay than for patients without (13 vs. 7.7 days, P = 0.001). Conclusions For patients undergoing infra-inguinal bypass, receiving a red blood cell transfusion with a Hgb nadir >8 g/dL was associated with a 3-fold increase in MACE, with nearly twice the length of stay. For patients with a Hgb 7–8 g/dL, transfusion did not increase or reduce the incidence of MACE. These findings suggest no benefit of blood transfusion for patients with Hgb nadir >7 g/dL and harm for Hgb >8 g/dL, however causation cannot be proven due to the retrospective nature of the study and randomized studies are needed to confirm or refute these findings.
Is hyperbilirubinemia a contraindication for neonatal circumcision? A survey of practice patterns of pediatric urologists and a review of the literature.

Summary Introduction and Objective 50–80% of term newborns develop jaundice, or hyperbilirubinemia (HB), in their first week. The vast majority have benign etiologies, including physiologic jaundice of the newborn and breast milk/breastfeeding jaundice, which do not affect the synthetic capacity of the liver, thus conferring a low risk of peri-procedural bleeding. Though uncommon, HB in the setting of sepsis, biliary obstruction, or metabolic disease, may increase procedural bleeding risk. Circumcision of neonates with HB has not been well studied. We sought to characterize practice patterns among Society of Pediatric Urology (SPU) members and to explore whether HB confers increased bleeding risk for newborn circumcision. Methods An anonymous survey of 14 multiple-choice questions was sent to members of the SPU listserv. Questions regarding circumcision and HB were presented. We performed a literature review regarding whether HB confers increased surgical bleeding risk. Results 100/234 (43%) SPU members completed the survey. The majority (79/100) perform neonatal circumcision and use the Gomco© clamp (68%). 24/79 (30%) factor total bilirubin (Tbili) level in their decision prior to performing circumcision. Of those who consider HB a factor, 11/24 (46%) had cutoff Tbili levels at which they await improvement prior to proceeding. The most common cutoff level was Tbili level of 10–15 mg/dL (6/11, 55%). Discussion Existing data suggest a possible increased bleeding risk isolated to cases of HB in the setting of biliary obstruction or other associated relevant findings (ill infant, recent infection, congenital syndromes) or known personal/family history (fulminant liver disease, familial bleeding diatheses). While literature from Jewish Mohels and Talmudic discussion suggest that elevated Tbili may be a contraindication to circumcision, no scientific studies exist directly assessing the impact of HB on bleeding risk with circumcision. A review of the scientific literature suggests that isolated HB in otherwise healthy newborns does not increase bleeding risk. Conclusions 30% of pediatric urologists survey respondents consider HB a potential contraindication to neonatal circumcision. Despite varied practices in circumcising jaundiced babies, neonatal jaundice rarely confers increased bleeding risks. While deferring circumcision is appropriate in an ill infant with HB, or in those with a genetic/congenital syndrome or with family history of coagulopathic, review of the scientific literature suggests that in otherwise healthy neonates, elevated Tbili likely represents benign causes and is unlikely to increase bleeding risk. Download : Download high-res image (116KB) Download : Download full-size image Summary Figure . Total bilirubin level at which respondents with a cutoff level would defer circumcision (n=11).
Banning Coal: A Modest Proposal for U.S.-China Climate Change Cooperation

The U.S. and China can and should reinvigorate global climate change action through a joint commitment to achieving (or approaching) carbon neutrality by 2045 in the run up to the next major international climate summit (COP26) in November 2021. Such a joint pledge would restore the constructive competition on climate change and clean technologies that emerged for a brief period around the conclusion of the Paris Agreement. As the harms of climate change (e.g., fires, glacial melt, extreme storm events, drought, sea level rise) become more apparent, aggressive action from the world’s two largest emitters is essential.