cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Henderson Global Investors

In March 2001, the chief investment officer of this U.K.-based asset management company is reflecting on the firms dramatic transformation in the 1990s and on how it must continue to adapt in the future. Ongoing forces of change in the industry compel a careful re-examination of the firms strategy and structure. Three discrete issues are addressed: a) the extent of centralization versus decentralization; b) the location of equity analysts (centrally in London or "on the ground" around the world); and c) the suitability of Hendersons top down, theme-based approach that emphasizes sector analysis. The case can be used in both executive and degree programs as a program opener, because it raises many themes and creates a sense of drama about the strategic turbulence within the industry. This case helps set the stage for more detailed case problems and motivates students to examine carefully any assumptions about the evolution of the global asset management industry. Three chief lessons emerge from the discussion: (1) Corporate transformation is driven by strategic turbulence in the industry. Understanding the sources of turbulence as a foundation to setting strategy and designing the structure of an organization is necessary. In this industry, key sources of turbulence are globalization, technological change, deregulation, increasing integration of capital markets, and demographic change. (2) Core competencies are a useful focal point in considering the design of strategy and organization. Traditional strategic planning is focused on market position. More recent approaches employ analysis of core competencies that create strategic advantage. The main question for Henderson is how to exploit the competencies it now has and how to build new ones. (3) Change leadership is, in essence, process management.
Stereoselective Effects of 4-Hydroxynonenal in Cultured Mouse Hepatocytes

4-Hydroxynonenal (HNE) is produced from arachidonic acid or linoleic acid during oxidative stress. Although HNE is formed in tissues as a racemate, enantiospecific HNE effects have not been widely documented, nor considered. Therefore, a panel of cellular responses was compared after treatment with (R)-HNE, (S)-HNE, or racemic HNE. The phosphorylation status of Jun kinase (JNK) or Akt increased 28-fold or 2-3-fold, respectively, after treatment with 100 μM (S)-HNE and racemic HNE compared to (R)-HNE. In contrast, the increase in phosphorylation of MAPK was greatest for (R)-HNE. caspase-3-dependent cleavage of glutamate cysteine ligase (GCL) catalytic subunit and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) were greater in cells treated with (S)-HNE at 48 hrs. (S)-HNE also caused a greater number of subG1 nuclei, a hallmark of apoptosis, at 30 hours after treatment. Together, the results demonstrate different dose- and time-dependent responses to (R)-HNE and (S)-HNE. The results further suggest that HNE enantiomers could differentially contribute to the progression of different diseases or contribute by different mechanisms.
The condition monitoring system of the gateway metering devices

The problems faced by management and maintenance of gateway metering devices in current technology situation were analyzed. Combining with the error of electric energy metering devices, the paper introduced the basic principle of the condition monitoring system of the gateway metering devices, as well as its major structure, characteristics, technological indices. The further application perspective of the condition monitoring system was also predicted.
The clinicopathologic significance of the demonstration of viable tubercle bacilli in resected lesions.

SUMMARY A clinicopathologic correlation with microbiologic observations was performed on resected tuberculous lesions from 19 patients. Four of the 19 patients were considered as controls. Fourteen of the remainder had received from 4 to 12 months of chemotherapy preoperatively and showed morphologic evidence of cavity closure. One had received 11 months of chemotherapy preoperatively and showed evidence of an open cavity with healing. The recovery of viable tubercle bacilli from the 4 control patients and also from 11 of the 15 original and retreatment patients has been reported. No correlation between the presence of viable tubercle bacilli in tuberculous lesions and duration of chemotherapy, drug regimens used, duration of the preoperative period, noninfectiousness, or the anatomic nature of the lesions could be demonstrated in this study. Based on the findings reported herein, inspissated cavities with communicating bronchi, after prolonged chemotherapy on regimens universally used today, are potentially dangerous in a high percentage of cases. We should like to express our thanks to Mr. Massy M. Nakamura, for the illustrations in this article.
Building a campus portal: a strategy that succeeded

In 1997 Wake Forest University began the project of building a suite of personalized Web services that is now known as a portal. By July of 1998, we had a fully implemented and successful intranet that delivered almost one hundred personalized, filtered Web services to all students, faculty and staff, plus those alumni and parents who applied for a free account. Being on the leading edge of such an effort meant that we discovered on our own what works and what does not, without influence from portal vendors or benefit of advice from our peers at other institutions. This paper discusses successful design and implementation strategies that may be useful to others who are considering a portal solution.
Computer-assisted practitioner-response system for studying the use of cimetidine

A computer-assisted practitioner-response system was used to review cimetidine use in one hospital. All patients receiving cimetidine from April 1, 1981, through May 15, 1981, were identified daily using a computerized medication-profile system. A practitioner-response form, which asked the physician to indicate the reason for prescribing cimetidine, was placed in the chart of all patients receiving the drug. When these forms were collected, the reviewer scanned the chart for patient demographic information, duration of cimetidine therapy, and other drugs prescribed that potentially could interact with cimetidine. If the physician did not complete the form, the reviewer checked the chart for prescribing information. Cimetidine was prescribed for 10% (247) of all patients admitted during the study period. Seventy percent of the practitioner-response forms were completed; the indication for cimetidine use was obtained for an additional 20% through chart review. Seventy-five percent of the patients were exposed to a potential drug interaction. The most common reason for prescribing cimetidine was to prevent stress ulcers; only 15% of cimetidine orders were for FDA-approved uses. The computer-assisted practitioner-response system was an efficient method for reviewing cimetidine use. The computerized medication profile facilitated identification of patients receiving the drug, and the practitioner-response form provided the indication-for-use data more quickly than conventional chart review.
Infections following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: incidence, risk factors, and prophylaxis

The primary aim of the present study was to determine the incidence of infections following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in a single department over a 10-year period. Secondary goals included the evaluation of potential risk factors for infections and to investigate the efficacy of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis in the reduction of infectious complications. A retrospective evaluation of 3294 all-arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs performed between 2004 and 2014 at a single institution was conducted to determine the rate of infection in all-arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs. Detailed data including demographics, co-morbidities, initial surgical procedure, time from index surgery to infection, clinical presentation, isolated pathogens, and subsequent treatment were recorded of patients with infections. Univariate logistic regression was performed, and a multivariate model was developed to identify variables that were predictive of infections following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. The rate of infection was 8.5/1000 in whom rotator cuff repairs were performed (95 % CI 0.58–1.23 %) during the study period. The most commonly identified pathogen was Staphylococcus epidermidis (n = 11, 39.3 %), followed by Propionibacterium acnes (n = 8, 28.6 %) and Staphylococcus aureus (n = 2, 7.1 %). Patients presented at our institution with signs of infection an average of 28.9 ± 14.7 days after the index surgery. The leading symptom that was present in all patients was diffuse or localized shoulder pain, followed by local signs of infection in 19 (67.9 %), secretion in 14 (50 %), and fever in 9 (32.1 %) patients, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses identified the male gender, age over 60, and duration of surgery over 90 min as predictive factors for infection. Administration of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis was an independent mitigating factor for postoperative infection and reduced the infection rate from 1.54 % (95 % CI 0.98–2.30 %) to 0.28 % (95 % CI 0.10–0.67 %). The overall incidence of infection was 8.5/1000 arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs over a 10-year period. Gender, age, and length of surgery were identified as predictive factors for infection. The administration of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis significantly reduced the overall risk of infection and is therefore recommended in all-arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs. However, current prophylactic treatment strategies were not equally efficient for all types of pathogens. Retrospective comparative study, Level III.
ECONOMIC EVALUATIONS OF BIOMASS PLANTATIONS

ABSTRACT A series of production and utilization alternatives were proposed for short rotation Populus biomass plantations. A model was developed for the first rotation operation of a commercial-sized plantation managed under various strategy/site options. Data was obtained from research plantations established under four strategies (control, irrigation, fertilization and fertilization-irrigation) and on two sites representing favorable and unfavorable inherent growth conditions. The rotation length was 4 years and the trees were spaced at .6 m × .8m intervals. A linear programming model of a 924 hectare commercial plantation determined the most financial and energy efficient approach among the various options. The model used the technical parameters from each option and the financial and energy costs for capital, labor, land and material inputs. Biomass output was priced on the basis of an energy equivalent value derived from commercial coal. The model indicated the optimal strategy to be fertilization on the best site. This option provided a three fold increase of energy input to output and recovered over 90% of the first rotation financial costs.
Atmospheric Turbulence Measurements in Dynamical Links

Atmospheric turbulence measurements on a dynamical link are essential for sensing and communication applications. Monostatic systems represent a challenge for dynamical configurations. We present experimental data which evaluate such configurations.
FFT, STFT and DWT

This chapter explains the usage of LabVIEW tools to perform fast Fourier transform (FFT), short-time Fourier transform (STFT), and discrete wavelet transform (DWT) as a part of a frequency domain transformation system. In order to illustrate the difference between FFT and STFT transformations, a 512-point composite input signal is formed by combining three signals—a 75 Hz sinusoidal signal sampled at 512 Hz, a chirp signal with linearly decreasing frequency from 200 to 120 Hz, and an impulse signal having amplitude of 2 for 500 ms located at the 256th sample. The FFT graph exhibits the time averaged spectrum reflecting the presence of a signal from 120 to 200 Hz with one major peak at 75 Hz. The STFT graph shows the spectrogram for a time increment of 1 and a rectangular window of width 32 by which the presence of the impulse can be detected. In DWT, the time frequency window has high frequency resolution for higher frequencies and high time resolution for lower frequencies.
Nanocomposite Coatings for Severe Applications

Publisher Summary This chapter summarizes key recent developments in the production and use of nanostructured and composite coatings and their tribological properties. Structurally, these coatings are unique and may consist of two or more phases in a nanolayered or evenly distributed nanocomposite fashion. At present, several physical and chemical vapor deposition (PVD and CVD) techniques are available for the deposition of nanocomposite coatings on all kinds of substrates. With the cathodic arc and high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HIPIMS) methods, formation of multiphase and hence multifunctional coatings has become much easier. Unlike conventional coatings, nanostructured and composite coatings provide far superior friction and wear properties even under very harsh tribological conditions, including high contact loads and elevated temperatures in oxidizing environments. Some of the nanocomposite coatings are superhard and able to extend the wear life of metal-cutting and metal-forming tools significantly. The selection of grain-boundary phases and their thickness seems to control the hardness, toughness, and other mechanical properties of these films. Nanostructured and nanocomposite coatings hold great promise for applications involving severe operating conditions. In particular, these coatings can be ideal for transportation, aerospace, and manufacturing applications. Because of their superior mechanical properties and high chemical and structural stability, nanocomposite coatings can significantly lower friction and wear losses under rolling, rotating, sliding, cutting, grinding, chopping, drilling, milling, and forming operations that exist in numerous industrial sectors. They can also provide significant energy, environmental, and economic benefits in such operations.
A TEST OF THE NaCl EQUATION OF STATE BY THE BEHAVIOR OF THE SHEAR VELOCITIES AT HIGH PRESSURE

Decker’s theoretical equation of state for NaCl [1] now has the enviable prestige of being used as the primary pressure standard at very high pressure. Secondary pressure standards, such as for example, the ruby fluorescent gauge [2], rely on the theoretical extrapolation of the P, V, T relationships calculated from the lattice potential assumed by Decker. It is somewhat remarkable that this pressure standard has had few, if any, actual tests of its validity at high pressure. There are six parameters in the potential and these are evaluated by room pressure constants, so little actual high pressure data is injected into the theory.
Thermal Stability of Fractionated Bio-Oil from Fast Pyrolysis

A method was developed to simulate the rapid heating bio-oil fractions will undergo if upgraded using conventional petroleum refining processes. Bio-oil fractions were produced via fluidized bed fast pyrolysis of southern yellow pine sawmill residue. Thermal processing of the bio-oil fractions was evaluated at three temperatures (100, 200, and 300 °C) and two heating times (60 and 120 s). Thermal stability was defined as the increase in average relative molecular weight (RMW) of bio-oil samples after thermal treatment. The effect of moisture content and total acid number (TAN) on thermal stability was also investigated. Changes in chemical structures were observed via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Bio-oil fractions exhibited considerable instability at temperatures above 100 °C with substantial increases in average RMW for both 60 and 120 s heating times. The initial concentration of acids, as measured by TAN and ion chromatography (IC), was found to be the strongest predictor of thermal...
Basics of Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Primary Care Physicians and Internists

More than 60,000 hematopoietic cell transplantations (HCTs) are annually performed worldwide to treat a variety of malignant and nonmalignant conditions. Although HCT is complicated and risky, a majority of the HCT recipients are surviving for many years post-transplant. This article presents the basics of transplantation, HCT types/stem cell sources, mobilization and conditioning procedures, indications for HCT, conditioning regimens, engraftment, graft-versus-host-disease, and survivorship issues.
Draft Genome Sequence of Salmonella enterica subsp. diarizonae Serovar 61:k:1,5,(7) Strain CRJJGF_00165 (Phylum Gammaproteobacteria)

Here, we report a 4.78-Mb draft genome sequence of the Salmonella enterica subsp. diarizonae serovar 61:k:1,5,(7) strain CRJJGF_00165 [also called S. enterica subsp. IIIb serovar 61:k:1,5,(7) strain CRJJGF_00165], isolated from ground beef in 2007.
Fluid and Electrolyte Therapy in Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a dynamic disease that requires regular reassessment of an affected patient. Typical treatment regimens include crystalloid fluid therapy, insulin, and supplementation of dextrose, phosphorus, and potassium. This article presents an approach to and considerations for treatment of a diabetic ketoacidotic dog or cat.
Light and laser treatment modalities for disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis: a systematic review

Treatment of disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP) is poorly standardized. The present review seeks to comprehensively discuss the potential for laser and light modalities in the treatment of DSAP. A systematic review of light and laser treatment modalities was conducted to include 26 cases of patients with DSAP. Systematic review resulted in 14 articles to be included. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) overall was the least successful treatment modality, with clinical improvement seen in a minority of patients (MAL-PDT: N = 9 patients, 33.3% showed improvement; ALA-PDT: N = 3 patients, 0% improvement; hypericin-PDT: N = 2 patients, 0% improvement) after numerous post-procedural side effects of hyperpigmentation, inflammation, erythema, and discomfort. Overall, in the available reports, PDT demonstrates poor outcomes with greater incidence of side effects. The response rates of DSAP lesions treated with lasers were as follows: (Q-switched ruby lasers: N = 2, 100%; CO2 laser: N = 1, 100%; PDT and CO2 combination therapy: N = 2, 0-50%; erbium and neodymium YAG lasers: N = 2, 100%; fractional 1927-nm thulium fiber lasers: N = 2, 100%; Grenz rays: N = 1, 100%; and fractional photothermolysis: N = 2, 100%). The side effects of laser therapy were minimal and included mild erythema, slight hyperpigmentation, and moderate edema. Laser therapy is a promising treatment option for DSAP with an excellent side effect profile. However, higher power studies are required to determine optimal guidelines for laser treatment of DSAP.
Die Drei Verschiedenen Stufen bzw. Schichten der Apophantik

Jetzt aber mus man auf die funffache Dreischichtung der formalen Logik als formaler Apophantik bzw. apophantischer Analytik zuruckgehen, und zwar so, wie der Sachverhalt in der aufgestellten Tabelle (siehe wiederum Tabelle I) schon vorgezeichnet ist. Es drangt sich nun die Frage auf, wie sich die Spalten (1)–(5) und die Reihen (1′)–(3′) zueinander verhalten. Die damit indizierten Fragen und die Antworten darauf sind ebenso vielfaltig wie die strukturelle Schichtung der formalen Apophantik bzw. apophantischen Analytik selbst. Da nach der Darstellung in der Logik die Spalten (2)–(5) in die Argumentation eingefuhrt sind, um die Unterschiede zwischen den Reihen (1′)–(3′) zu „begrunden“ bzw. „nachzuweisen“ bzw. „evident zu machen“, soli hier mit einer Beschreibung der Stufen bzw. Schichten der apophantischen Analytik (also mit der Spalte (1)) begonnen werden. Es soil dann am Ende des vorliegenden Paragraphen versucht werden, die Spalte (1) der leeren, auszufullenden Tabelle von oben nach unten auszufullen.
Radiation-Induced Prostatic Sarcoma: A Case Report

AbstractA 64-year-old man had a prostatic sarcoma 8 years after transurethral prostatectomy and radical bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection with insertion of 125iodine implants for stage B1N carcinoma of the prostate. Therapy for the sarcoma consisted of isolated pelvic perfusion and then pelvic exenteration with creation of an ileal conduit and colostomy. The pathology report showed well encapsulated grade 2 spindle cell sarcoma of the prostate. Multiple small metallic particles were embedded in the tumor specimen.
Shifts in antimicrobial consumption and infection rates before and during a piperacillin/tazobactam shortage.

Abstract Objectives Anti-infective shortages represent a growing threat to optimum management of infected patients and alter the institutional selective pressure against hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). The objective of this analysis was to assess the impact of a shortage of piperacillin/tazobactam (TZP) on overall antibacterial use and HAI rates at an academic institution. Methods Antimicrobial use and infection data were extracted from TheraDoc Clinical Surveillance Software (Premier, Inc.) for adult patients and were stratified as pre-shortage (October–December 2014) and post-shortage (February–April 2015). Paediatric and emergency department use were excluded. Antimicrobial use was reported as percent change and defined daily doses (DDD)/1000 patient-days (PD). Pre- and post-shortage vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and Clostridium difficile -associated diarrhoea (CDAD) rates were normalised to 1000 PD/month. Results Total use of target antimicrobials remained constant before and after TZP shortage (990.29 vs. 957.77). Total TZP use fell 95.2% (81.1 vs. 3.9). Total meropenem use rose 96.0% (42.3 vs. 82.9) after the shortage, driven by a 125.4% increase in use for non-ICU patients. Cefepime and ceftazidime use rose 97.9% (28.2 vs. 55.8) and 94.2% (1.6 vs 3.0), respectively. Cefepime use in non-ICU patients rose 223.2%. Fluoroquinolone consumption did not differ between periods. CDAD rates decreased (−21.8%), whilst VRE rates doubled during the shortage (0.6 vs. 1.3 infections/1000 PD/month). Conclusions Whilst overall antimicrobial use appeared steady, the TZP shortage resulted in increased use of multiple other antimicrobials. The doubling of VRE rates is concerning and illustrates the need for increased antimicrobial stewardship vigilance and education in response to shifting prescribing patterns during shortages.
SP0108 Herpes zoster: how to prevent, to diagnose and to treat

Herpes Zoster is a major public health problem and is an infection that results from re-activation of latent varicella infection acquired most commonly naturally or more recently through immunization. The incidence of HZ is approximately twice that of the general population in patients with immune mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs). Underlying mechanisms are largely those which compromise cell mediated immunity and epidemiologic risks largely follow immunosenescent patterns (i.e. aging). Rheumatologists use a large variety of immunosuppressive drugs which further increase the risk of HZ and are obliged to recognize the clinical syndrome, its complications, apply effective therapy and be actively engaged in strategies to maximize immunization and prevention. This discussion will focus on recent advances in each of these areas highlighting newly described complications of HZ such as stroke and advances in vaccine development. Disclosure of Interest None declared
Post-mastectomy Radiation Therapy in Breast Cancer Patients with Nodal Micrometastases

Recent data support the use of post-mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) in women with one to three positive lymph nodes; however, the benefit of PMRT in patients with micrometastatic nodal disease (N1mi) is unknown. We evaluated the survival impact of PMRT in patients with N1mi within the National Cancer Database. The pattern of care and survival benefit of PMRT was examined in women with pT1-2N1mi breast cancer who underwent mastectomy without neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were employed for survival analysis, and subanalyses of high-risk patients and a propensity score-matched (PSM) cohort were completed. From 2004 to 2014, we identified 14,019 patients who fitted the study criteria. PMRT was delivered in 18.5% of patients and its use increased over the study period. Patients treated with PMRT were younger, had better performance status and larger primaries, were estrogen receptor (ER)-negative, had higher grade, lymphovascular invasion and positive surgical margins, and more often received systemic therapy. PMRT was significantly associated with overall survival (OS) in univariable analysis (hazard ratio [HR] 0.75 [0.64–0.89]), but was not significant in multivariable analysis (adjusted HR 1.01 [0.84–1.20]). There was no survival benefit to PMRT in ER-negative, high-grade, and/or young patients. There were 2 (0.9%) death events in the sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) + PMRT group versus 21 (2.9%) in the SLNB-alone group (log-rank p = 0.053), and 8 (3.9%) death events in the axillary lymph node biopsy (ALNB) + PMRT group versus 27 (3.6%) in the axillary lymph node dissection-alone group (p = 0.82). There was no significant association between PMRT and OS within the PSM subgroup. In this largest reported retrospective study, no OS differences were associated with PMRT, which suggests that PMRT may not benefit every patient with microscopic nodal disease.
Quality Improvement After Multiple Fatal Transfusion-Transmitted Bacterial Infections.

Objectives Transfusion-transmitted bacterial infection (TTBI) from platelet components is likely underrecognized and can be fatal. Twenty-four-hour prospective culture was felt to be insufficiently preventive after multiple TTBIs occurred and strategies to improve safety were sought. Methods Two fatal and one severe TTBIs occurred from a split-apheresis platelet donation contaminated with Klebsiella pneumoniae. Improvement opportunities were identified and corrective and preventive action (CAPA) followed. Results To mitigate bacterial contamination and improve detection sensitivity, additional prospective culture 48 hours postcollection was implemented. Since implementation, secondary cultures have caught two true positives (0.01%) missed by 24-hour culture. Bacterial testing at issue and pathogen reduction were later implemented as an added layer of safety. Conclusion While rare, TTBI is a prominent cause of morbidity and mortality from contaminated platelets. The approach to CAPA presented here may lower the risk of future transfusion-transmitted infections but must be weighed against potential added costs.
Interactive medical word sense disambiguation through informed learning.

Objective Medical word sense disambiguation (WSD) is challenging and often requires significant training with data labeled by domain experts. This work aims to develop an interactive learning algorithm that makes efficient use of expert's domain knowledge in building high-quality medical WSD models with minimal human effort. Methods We developed an interactive learning algorithm with expert labeling instances and features. An expert can provide supervision in 3 ways: labeling instances, specifying indicative words of a sense, and highlighting supporting evidence in a labeled instance. The algorithm learns from these labels and iteratively selects the most informative instances to ask for future labels. Our evaluation used 3 WSD corpora: 198 ambiguous terms from Medical Subject Headings (MSH) as MEDLINE indexing terms, 74 ambiguous abbreviations in clinical notes from the University of Minnesota (UMN), and 24 ambiguous abbreviations in clinical notes from Vanderbilt University Hospital (VUH). For each ambiguous term and each learning algorithm, a learning curve that plots the accuracy on the test set against the number of labeled instances was generated. The area under the learning curve was used as the primary evaluation metric. Results Our interactive learning algorithm significantly outperformed active learning, the previous fastest learning algorithm for medical WSD. Compared to active learning, it achieved 90% accuracy for the MSH corpus with 42% less labeling effort, 35% less labeling effort for the UMN corpus, and 16% less labeling effort for the VUH corpus. Conclusions High-quality WSD models can be efficiently trained with minimal supervision by inviting experts to label informative instances and provide domain knowledge through labeling/highlighting contextual features.
An adaptive excitation source for multiphoton imaging

We demonstrate an adaptive femtosecond laser source that improves the imaging speed by >10 times for multiphoton imaging of brain activity in awake mouse, achieving 30 frames/s, 734×734 μm field-of-view (FOV) at 700 μm depth.
On the Evolution of Genetic Systems

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the evolution of genetic systems. The analysis of non-chromosomal heredity has represented a tantalizing problem in biology since the discovery of the first non-chromosomal gene. Most of the experimental information has indicated the distribution of non-chromosomal genetic factors, especially in microorganisms and higher plants, but has not provided much insight into their chemical nature, cellular location, or mode of action. The importance of recombination analysis in genetics lies in its power to provide information about the organization of genetic material that is obtainable in no other way. It is possible to map the linear array of nucleotides within a gene by the same basic method of recombination analysis. The cytoplasmic genetic systems, far from representing a vestige of early evolution, might be of importance in providing flexibility for organelle growth in response to a changing environment, independent of the cellular division cycle.
Comparison of techniques for detecting T-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia.

Three versions of the E-rosette test, one using untreated sheep erythrocytes at 37#{176}C. another using such cells at 4#{176}C, and a third using sheep erythrocytestreated with S-(2-aminoethyl)isothiouronium bromide hydrobromido (AET). were applied to each of 72 bone marrow specimens from as many unselected patients with untreated acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). The same specimens were also examined for T-cell antigens. based on reactivity with an antithymocyte serum. Lymphoblasts in eight ALL specimens formed E rosetteS at 37#{176}C; no other E-positive specimens were identified when the assay was done at 4#{176}C. With AET-treated erythrocytes, lymphoblasts from these eight specimens and six additional specimens readily formed rosettes. T-cell antigens were detectable in all specimens positive for rosette formation with untreated erythrocytes, in four of the six specimens positive for rosette formation with AET-treated erythrocytes, and in four specimens that showed no rosette formation under any of the experimental conditions used. Altogether, 18 specimens contained lymphoblasts with one or more surface markers characteristic of T-cell leukemia. These findings indicate that more specimens are likely to be identifled as T-cell leukemias when E-rosette tests of increasing sensitivity and assays for T-cell antigens are used. Some leukemic blasts do not possess the full array of membrane receptors and antigens usually associated with T cells. A combination of E-rosette tests and serologic tests is necessary to determine reliably the relationship of the test specimen to either T-cell ALL or common ALL and to establish the clinical significance of blasts that express membrane properties intermediate between those of T-celI ALL and common ALL. I NTEREST in the cell surface features of leukemic lymphoblasts stems from the observation that some blast cells in acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) have membrane properties similar to those of normal thymus-derived lymphocytes (T cells).’6 Correlation of these T-cell markers with initial patient features associated with short remissions4�8 and with a high frequ#{231}ncy of meningeal relapse5’8 has established T-cell leukemia as a clinically important form of ALL. Since T-cell ALL is an unusually aggressive disease in many patients, a reliable laboratory basis for recognizing T-cell ALL is essential for the development of imprqved treatment and for clarification of the biologic bases for these clinical observations. The apparent percentages of ALL patients with T-cell blasts vary from I 2% to 35%, and reports of correlations between T-cell markers and individual clinical features at diagnosis are not consistent.5’689 These discrepancies could result from differences in the sensitivities of the methods used to detect T-cell properties or differences in the membrane structures being examined.
Customer recruitment: ethical, legal and practical issues

An often overlooked aspect of usability testing methodology is participant recruitment. Traditionally, test participants have either been independent users recruited by usability programs irrespective of their employer or they have been company representatives provided by product management or a sales team. However, there are drawbacks associated with these types of recruitment programs, which led our organizations at Oracle to create a standardized program of customer recruitment, instead. In this paper we describe the problems that we encountered when using the traditional methods of recruitment, how a new legal document and a customer recruiting process solved those problems, and what ethical considerations need to be made when recruiting customers.
CENTRAL ADRENERGIC NEURONS AS MEDIATORS OF MOTIVATION AND BEHAVIOR-EVIDENCE FROM THE SPECIFIC INHIBITION OF PNMT

The contributions of both norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) to motivation and behavior are now well established. Only scant attention has been paid, however, to epinephrine (E)-containing neurons. Our research using inhibitors of E biosynthesis suggests significant motivational and behavioral functions for E neurons as well. Pharmacological inhibition of phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT; EC2.1.1.28) reduced self-stimulation while chewing and stereotypy increased. E neurons were also involved in open field activity and stereotyped running. E neurons may therefore modulate other catecholamine (CA) systems.
Study on the Key Problems of UHVAC/DC Power Grids with New Generation Large Synchronous Condenser

In order to cope with the great pressure caused by the gradually exhaustion of fossil energy and environmental protection and climate warming, the development and application of the renewable energy has become an important foundation and development direction in the field of energy. However, due to the impact of energy and resource endowment, China’s load center and renewable energy base into the characteristics of long-range reverse distribution, the use of long-distance large-capacity transmission potential is necessary. With the “strong DC system and weak AC system” problem of the company power grid is increasingly prominent, the higher demand of dynamic reactive power support is put forward in the UHV DC power transmission project. Then, the large-capacity dynamic reactive power of new generation synchronous condenser is large-scale built up in the UHV DC/AC power system.Due to the high requirement of response speed and capacity in the UHV DC power transmission, the structure, dynamic characteristics, excitation control and relay protection and other aspects of the large synchronous condenser are different from generators and traditional synchronous condenser. Based on this, the dynamic reactive power demand of UHV DC power system is analyzed in this paper. Then, the main situation of large synchronous condenser is considered. In addition, the key points of the excitation control system and protection system are also discussed in this paper. There are important theoretical and practical significance for the safe and reliable operation of the UHV DC/AC power system.
Geographic and Patient Characteristics Associated With Election of Prophylactic Mastectomy in Young Breast Cancer Patients With Early Disease.

OBJECTIVES To examine the association between geography and utilization rates of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) relative to patient-level factors in patients with early stage breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using the Truven Health MarketScan Commercial Database, a descriptive analysis of geographic variation in genetic testing and CPM rates of 38,108 women ages 18 to 64 years treated with surgery for invasive unilateral breast cancer between 2010 and 2012 was conducted. Multivariate hierarchical analysis was used to examine the relationship between CPM likelihood and patient characteristics, with metropolitan statistical area (MSA) serving as a random effect. Patient characteristics included age group, BRCA1/2 carrier status, family history of breast cancer, breast surgery type, radiation therapy, drug therapy, and payer type. All MSAs in the United States were included, with areas outside MSAs within a given state aggregated into a single area for analytical purposes. RESULTS Descriptive analysis demonstrated significant geographic variation in rates of CPM irrespective of risk inferred from primary malignancy treatment course (P<0.01 to <0.001). Odds of CPM were higher among BRCA1/2 carriers (odds ratio [OR], 1.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.52-2.06), followed by MSA (median OR among all MSAs was 1.61; 95% CI, 1.51-1.73) and family history of breast cancer (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.28-1.53), respectively. Patients who were not tested for BRCA1/2 were less likely (OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.61-0.71) to undergo CPM than patients with a negative BRCA test. CONCLUSIONS The large geographic variation we observed in CPM indicate a need to understand and optimize clinical decision-making.
Contested Conquests: African Maroons and the Incomplete Conquest of Hispaniola, 1519–1620

On July 13, 1571, King Philip II of Spain, via a real cedula, authorized the Audiencia of Santo Domingo to enact plans to “conquer” a community of African cimarrones (maroons, runaway slaves) located about 36 miles from the city of Santo Domingo. The king offered to those who ventured forth compensation in the form of the cimarrones they captured as slaves. At face value, the substance of this order was not particularly unique. Since the 1520s, runaway African slaves had formed maroon communities in remote regions bordering Spanish conquests. By the 1570s, African maroons could be found in practically every part of Spanish America. The uniqueness of Philip's order comes from the choice of language, in particular the decision to label the expedition a conquest. In most cases, the monarch or his officials used words like ‘reduce’ (reducir/reducciones), ‘pacify’ (pacificar/pacificacion), ‘castigate’ (castigar), or ‘dislodge’ (desechar) to describe the goal of such campaigns. By describing an anti-maroon campaign as a conquest, this cedula went against the dominant Spanish narrative of the sixteenth century, in which resistance, especially by Africans or native groups, signified a punctuated disturbance of an ostensibly stable and coherent postconquest colonial order. The wording of the cedula, and the maroon movements to which it responded, explicitly link anti-maroon campaigns to the process of Spanish conquest. This article suggests that Spanish-maroon contestation on Hispaniola should be construed as an integral piece of a prolonged and often incomplete Spanish conquest. More importantly, this reevaluation of the conflict reveals maroons to be conquerors in their own right.
Power calculation in multiply imputed data

Multiple imputation (MI) has been proven an effective procedure to deal with incomplete datasets. Compared with complete case analysis (CCA), MI is more efficient since it uses the information provided by incomplete cases which are simply discarded in CCA. A few simulation studies have shown that statistical power can be improved when MI is used. However, there is a lack of knowledge about how much power can be gained. In this article, we build a general formula to calculate the statistical power when MI is used. Specific formulas are given for several different conditions. We demonstrate our finding through simulation studies and a data example.
Modify or abandon: minimally invasive radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer.

> “One of the greatest pains to human nature is the pain of a new idea.” -Walter Bagehot The Laparoscopic Approach to Carcinoma of the Cervix (LACC) trial was arguably the most provocative trial in the gynecologic oncology literature in recent times.[1][1] The current work by Kohler et al is
Where in the brain does Buddhism come from? Critical thoughts regarding Iain McGilchrist’s reflections on religion

In his interesting reflections on “Cerebral Lateralisation and Religion” in the present volume, Iain McGilchrist clearly understands “religion” as particularly involving theism. When it comes, for ...
A Biomimetic Synthesis Elucidates the Origin of Preuisolactone A

A short, biomimetic synthesis of the fungal metabolite preuisolactone A is described. Its key steps are a purpurogallin-type (5 + 2)-cycloaddition, followed by fragmentation, vinylogous aldol addition, oxidative lactonization, and a final benzilic acid rearrangement. Our work explains why preuisolactone A has been isolated as a racemate and suggests that the natural product is not a sesquiterpenoid but a phenolic polyketide.
Integrating Interprofessional Case Scenarios, Allied Embedded Actors, and Teaching Into Formative Observed Structured Clinical Exams.

Background and objectives Interprofessional education is a critical component of medical student training, yet it is often difficult to implement. Medical students who learn with, from, and about learners from other disciplines have been shown to create more effective and safe health care teams. The investigators wanted to know how participating in two interprofessional observed structured clinical exams (OSCEs) at Tufts University School of Medicine (TUSM) would affect changes in medical students' attitudes and values in interprofessional teamwork. Methods For the academic years 2017 and 2018, two interprofessional case scenarios were integrated into OSCEs for third-year medical students at TUSM, with an allied embedded actor (AEA) playing a social worker to an end-of-life scenario, and an AEA playing the role of a pharmacy student added to a chronic pain scenario. Students participated in didactic training about interprofessional teamwork and received structured feedback regarding interprofessional competencies following simulation cases. Changes in interprofessional knowledge and attitudes were assessed by comparing student pre- and postscenario mean scores on the Interprofessional Socialization and Valuing Scale (ISVS-21, a 21-item scale survey), with students rating themselves on a Likert scale from 1 (not at all) to 7 (to a very great extent). We performed paired t-test analysis on individual pre- and post-ISVS-21 means. Results Three hundred fifty-three of the 417 participating medical students fully completed pre- and postsurveys. Students reported significant changes in interprofessional knowledge and attitudes (mean change=1.3, Pl.0001). Students and faculty regarded the interprofessional cases very highly. Conclusions Placing interprofessional cases involving AEAs into OSCE events is easily replicated, and positively impacts students' attitudes and values in interprofessional knowledge.
PRIOR CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, DIABETES AND CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE AND THE RISK OF RECURRENT CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE FOLLOWING A MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

The 2018 AHA/ACC cholesterol guideline considers adults with a history of ≥2 atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events as being at very high risk for future events. We compared the risk for ASCVD events following a myocardial infarction (MI) among patients with a prior history of ASCVD
Upfront resection versus neoadjuvant therapy for T1/T2 pancreatic cancer

Abstract Background The role of neoadjuvant therapy remains controversial for resectable pancreatic neoplasms. We evaluated treatment outcomes for T1/T2 tumors. Methods Retrospective study of patients with T1/T2 (Stage I-II) pancreatic cancer within the NCDB. Treatment-sequence variables were used for classification: “surgery + chemotherapy” (S+C), “chemotherapy + surgery” (C+S), “surgery only” (SO), and “chemotherapy only” (CO). Results 13 412 patients were included; the majority had T2 tumors. 8 490 received upfront surgery; 4 922 preoperative chemotherapy. In the surgery branch, 5 684 received surgery and chemotherapy (S+C); 2 806 did not receive chemotherapy (SO). Of those intended to receive preoperative chemotherapy, 3 804 received only chemotherapy (CO); 1 118 proceeded to surgery (C+S). Median survival for S+C and C+S groups was similar (25.9 vs 26.2) [HR 0.92, p= 0.41]. Compared to the CO group, the SO group had improved median survival (13.5 vs. 10.8) [HR 0.63, p Conclusion Patients with T1/T2 pancreatic cancer have similar survival irrespective of the timing of chemotherapy and surgery, if they receive both. Upfront resection ensures surgery is delivered, increasing the possibility of long-term survival.
The Impact of Ability, Motivation, and Opportunity on Directors' Monitoring Effectiveness

Are boards effective monitors? There is a general consensus that directors’ ability and motivation are critical to board effectiveness. However, when dimensions of ability and motivation have been ...
On Improving the Performance of Logistic Regression Analysis Via Extreme Ranking

Logistic regression models for dichotomous or ordinal dependent variables is one of the generalized linear models. They have been frequently applied in several fields. In this chapter, we present more efficient and powerful performance of the logistic regression models analysis when a modified extreme ranked set sampling (modified ERSS) or moving extreme ranked set sampling (MERSS) are used and further improving the performance when a modified Double extreme ranked set sampling (modified DERSS) is used. We propose that ranking could be performed based on an available and easy to rank auxiliary variable which is associated with the response variable. Analytically and through simulations, we showed the superiority performance of the logistics regression analysis when modified ERSS, MERSS, and DERSS are used compared with using the simple random sample (SRS). For illustration purposes of the procedures developed, we use a real dataset from 2011/12 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH).
[Knockdown of ALAS2 Affects Erythroid Differentiation by Down-regulating Mitophagy Receptor BNIP3L].

AbstractObjective: To investigate the effect of ALAS2 downregulation on the expression of BNIP3L and erythroid differentiation in K562 cells. METHODS The expression of ALAS2 was down-regulated by transfection of lentivirus, then quantitative real-time PCR was performed to detect the transfection efficiency. Flow cytometry analysis was applied to evaluate apoptosis of cells, erythroid differentiation, mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. Western blot was used to detect the BNIP3L expression, Co-immunoprecipitation was performed to analyze the relationship between ALAS2 and BNIP3L. RESULTS Compared with sh-NC group, knockdown of ALAS2 induced downregulation of BNIP3L mRNA and protein expression(P<0.01) and erythroid related transcription factors GATA1, Nrf2 expression, as well as reduction of ROS level(P<0.05). Mitochondrial membrane potential of control (sh-NC) group was lower than that of shALAS2 group(P<0.05), but there was no significant change of cell apoptotic rate in two groups. CD71highCD235ahigh + CD71lowCD235ahigh cells of sh-NC and shALAS2 groups were 53.5%, 92.9% at 96 h after hemin induction, respectively. No direct action between ALAS2 and BNIP3L was observed. CONCLUSION The intracellular heme level can affect the expression of BNIP3L which may be related with the regulation of ROS and transcription factors GATA1 and Nrf2. Higher BNIP3L facilitates cell differentiation but lower BNIP3L is favorable for cells survival.