cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Weight Loss Therapy Improves Pancreatic Endocrine Function in Obese Older Adults

Objective: Obesity and aging increase the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). We evaluated whether weight loss therapy improves pancreatic endocrine function and insulin sensitivity in obese older adults. Methods and Procedures: Twenty-four obese (BMI: 38 ± 2 kg/m2) older (age: 70 ± 2 years) adults completed a 6-month randomized, controlled trial. Participants were randomized to diet and exercise (treatment group) or no therapy (control group). β-Cell function (assessed using the C-peptide minimal model), α-cell function (assessed by the glucagon response to an oral glucose load), insulin sensitivity (assessed using the glucose minimal model), and insulin clearance rate were evaluated using a 5-h modified oral glucose tolerance test. Results: Body weight decreased in the treatment group, but did not change in the control group (−9 ± 1% vs. 0 ± 1%; P 0.05), the disposition index (DI), which adjusts β-cell insulin response to changes in insulin sensitivity, improved in the treatment group compared with the control group (100 ± 47% vs. −22 ± 9%; P 0.05), but insulin clearance rate increased (51 ± 25%; P < 0.05), resulting in lower plasma insulin concentrations. Discussion: Weight loss therapy concomitantly improves β-cell function, lowers plasma glucagon concentrations, and improves insulin action in obese older adults. These metabolic effects are likely to reduce the risk of developing T2D in this population.
Evaluation and identification of priority air pollutants for environmental management on the basis of risk analysis in Russia.

Since 1997, more than 30 health-risk analyses were conducted using Russian data sets. These studies demonstrated that air pollution is the most important environmental contributor toward morbidity and mortality risk in Russia, with 90% of the total human health risk coming from the criteria pollutants total suspended particulate (TSP), SO2, and NOx. This article contributes to the ongoing discussion of the magnitude of this health issue in Russia by providing an estimate of both the mortality rate attributed to airborne pollutants and the associated economic damages. The 90% confidence interval of mortality is 46,000–132,000, and the associated economic damages are between 2.6 and 6.5% of gross domestic product (GDP). The largest source of uncertainty in mortality is the concentration-response parameter, accounting for 50–60% of the total variability in the estimate. The point estimate of 87,000 implies that mortality due to airborne pollutants is threefold higher than reported due to tuberculosis, twofol...
Acute kidney injury after ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP).

Abstract Background Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) identifies viability for marginal organs but complicates and lengthens lung transplantation surgery. Preliminary evidence supports equivalency for EVLP-assisted versus traditional (non-EVLP) procedures regarding graft function, postoperative course, mortality, and survival. However, acute kidney injury (AKI), a common serious complication of lung transplantation, has not been assessed. We tested the hypothesis that EVLP-assisted and non-EVLP lung transplantations are associated with different AKI rates. Methods Demographic, procedural, and renal data were gathered for 13 EVLP-viable lung transplantations and a non-EVLP group matched 4:1 for single versus double, pulmonary disease, and age. AKI was defined by AKI Network (AKIN) criteria and peak creatinine rise relative to baseline (Δ%Cr) during the 1st 10 postoperative days. Chi-square was performed for AKIN and 2-tailed t test for %ΔCr. Results Patient and procedural characteristics were similar between the groups. One non-EVLP patient required postoperative dialysis. AKI rates were also similar, as assessed by both AKIN (EVLP 7/13 (54%) vs non-EVLP 32/52 (62%); P = .61) and %ΔCr (EVLP 91 ± 81% vs non-EVLP 72 ± 62%; P = .63). Conclusions We did not observe different AKI rates between EVLP-assisted and traditional lung transplant procedures. Although 1 non-EVLP patient required dialysis, AKI rates were otherwise similar. These findings further support EVLP as a strategy to expand the organ pool and reduce concerns for high–renal risk recipients. The small sample size and retrospective design are limitations. However, our sample size is similar to other reports, and it is the first to analyze AKI after EVLP-assisted lung transplantation. Larger multicenter prospective studies are needed.
Liver Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor γ Contributes to Hepatic Steatosis, Triglyceride Clearance, and Regulation of Body Fat Mass

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is a nuclear receptor that mediates the antidiabetic effects of thiazolidinediones. PPARγ is present in adipose tissue and becomes elevated in fatty livers, but the roles of specific tissues in thiazolidinedione actions are unclear. We studied the function of liver PPARγ in both lipoatrophic A-ZIP/F-1 (AZIP) and wild type mice. In AZIP mice, ablation of liver PPARγ reduced the hepatic steatosis but worsened the hyperlipidemia, triglyceride clearance, and muscle insulin resistance. Inactivation of AZIP liver PPARγ also abolished the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of rosiglitazone, demonstrating that, in the absence of adipose tissue, the liver is a primary and major site of thiazolidinedione action. In contrast, rosiglitazone remained effective in non-lipoatrophic mice lacking liver PPARγ, suggesting that adipose tissue is the major site of thiazolidinedione action in typical mice with adipose tissue. Interestingly, mice without liver PPARγ, but with adipose tissue, developed relative fat intolerance, increased adiposity, hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance. Thus, liver PPARγ regulates triglyceride homeostasis, contributing to hepatic steatosis, but protecting other tissues from triglyceride accumulation and insulin resistance.
Ambivalent hearts and the arts of well‐being in island Southeast Asia

Wikan, Unni. Managing Turbulent Hearts: A Balinese Formula for Living. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1990. xxvi + 343 pp. including notes, glossary, references, and index. $55.00 cloth, $19.95 paper. Laderman, Carol. Taming the Wind of Desire: Psychology, Medicine, and Aesthetics in Malay Shamanistic Performance. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1991. xvi + 366 pp. including notes, appendices, glossary, references, and index. $39.95 cloth.
The speed of human capital formation in the baseball industry: the information value of minor‐league performance in predicting major‐league performance

Using a data set of well over 1200 different pitchers covering an almost 20-year time period, this paper reveals that the process of human capital formation for professional baseball pitchers is relatively slow, rendering minor league statistics to be of limited value when projecting major league performance. This indicates that a considerable amount of the performance differences across pitchers at the major league level are revealed only after they reach the majors, and hence is unforeseen given their minor league statistics. These findings illustrate just how difficult it is for all organizations to predict the future success of their apprentice-level employees. Even in an industry such as baseball—where employee output is easily measurable and highly quantifiable, and where the nature of the work at the developmental level is identical to that at the advanced level (i.e. pitching a baseball)—apprentice-level performance only provides modest insights into how that employee will ultimately perform at the advanced level. Thus, firms that erroneously overestimate the importance of apprentice-level performance are at risk of making systematic errors in personnel decisions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Abstract IA5: Designing synthetic regulatory RNAs: New tools for temporal and spatial control in biological systems

Advances in synthetic biology are transforming our ability to design and build synthetic biological systems. While progress has been made in the design of complex genetic circuits, capabilities for constructing large genetic systems currently surpass our ability to design such systems. This growing “design gap” has highlighted the need to develop methods that support the generation of new functional biological components and scalable design strategies for complex genetic circuits that will lay the foundation for integrated biological devices and systems. As examples of functional RNA molecules playing key roles in the behavior of natural biological systems have grown over the past decade, there has been growing interest in the design and implementation of synthetic counterparts. Researchers are taking advantage of the relative ease with which RNA molecules can be modeled and designed to engineer functional RNA molecules that act as diverse components including sensors, regulators, controllers (ligand-responsive RNA regulators), and scaffolds. These synthetic regulatory RNAs are providing new tools for temporal and spatial control in biological systems. I will describe recent work in the design of RNA controllers and advances in addressing challenges faced in their broad implementation as user-programmed control systems in living cells. In particular, I will describe the development of high-throughput cell-based screens for rapidly generating synthetic regulatory RNAs with specified quantitative properties. I will also discuss how the application of synthetic regulatory RNAs as controllers in different biological pathways are leading to the elucidation of integrated systems design strategies and new capabilities for programming genetic systems. Citation Format: Christina D. Smolke. Designing synthetic regulatory RNAs: New tools for temporal and spatial control in biological systems [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Chemical Systems Biology: Assembling and Interrogating Computational Models of the Cancer Cell by Chemical Perturbations; 2012 Jun 27-30; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(13 Suppl):Abstract nr IA5.
The Decline Thesis of British Slavery since Econocide (1986)

Appearing in 1944, Capitalism and Slavery was a comprehensive attempt to explain the rise and fall of British colonial slavery in relation to the evolution of European world-capitalism.1 In dealing with the final stages of slavery, Eric Williams developed a two-pronged argument linking its demise to changes in the British imperial economy. The first prong related to changes in the structure of economic relationships between the metropolis and the colonies. Down to the American Revolutionary War, concluded Williams, British slavery, including the Atlantic slave trade, was a growing and complementary element of the imperial economy. The slave system provided an ever-increasing amount of tropical staples, a protected market for British manufactures, and a source of British metropolitan capital. In a number of ways, the slave economy thus helped to fuel the industrial revolution. Williams’ second prong related to political economy, to an economic ideology designated as mercantilism. It sustained the multiple linkages of the system by assuming the need for a protected imperial zone in which British manufactures, trade and maritime skills could develop.
Rotational angle based pressure control of a common rail fuel injection system for internal combustion engines

Common rail based direct injection system is critical for improving the fuel economy and emissions of both gasoline and diesel engines. The fuel pressure pulsation inside the common rail is induced by high-speed flows in and out of the common rail. This phenomenon could adversely affect the accuracy of injected fuel quantities and flow rates. So it is desirable to compensate for the pressure pulsations in a high pressure fuel injection system. Due to the stroke by stroke motion of the internal combustion engine, the fuel pressure pulsation is primarily periodic with respect to the engine rotational-angle since fuel injection timing is scheduled on an angular basis. However, the period of the pressure pulsation changes in time domain as the rotational speed varies in general. To compensate for the pressure pulsations, current control practice is to throttle the fuel through an electro-hydraulic valve, which not only results in energy loss but also has limited effect due to the bandwidth of the valve and the control. In this paper, we apply recently developed time-varying internal model-based design to compensate for the time-varying but angle dependent pressure pulsations.
Nuclear Overexpression of p53 Protein in Transitional Cell Bladder Carcinoma: A Marker for Disease Progression

BACKGROUND Approximately one third of the patients with superficially infiltrative transitional cell (T1-TNM pathological staging system) bladder carcinoma who are treated with transurethral resection alone have disease progression. Despite precise pathologic staging and grading, clinical outcome in these patients is not predictable. Recent reports reveal that mutations of the p53 tumor suppressor gene (also known as TP53) occur commonly in bladder cancers. PURPOSE The aim of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that altered patterns of expression of the protein product(s) of the mutated p53 tumor suppressor gene are associated with tumor progression in patients with T1 bladder cancer. METHODS We examined deparaffinized tumor tissue specimens from transurethral resection in 43 patients with T1 bladder cancer who had not received adjuvant therapy. Nuclear overexpression of p53 protein was detected by immunohistochemical analysis using the mouse monoclonal antibody PAb1801, which stains both wild-type and mutant p53 proteins. The data were then correlated with the following conventional prognostic variables: age, sex, histologic presence of associated carcinoma in situ, and vascular invasion of tumor. Disease progression rates per 100 person-years were calculated. RESULTS Median follow-up was 119 months. None of the urothelial and stromal cells from normal bladder specimens showed nuclear overexpression of p53 protein, but patients with T1 bladder tumors could be stratified into two groups with different patterns of staining for p53 protein. Eighteen patients (42%) had no more than 20% tumor cells with positive nuclear staining (group A), while the remaining 25 patients (58%) had 20% or more tumor cells with nuclear immunoreactivity (group B). Patients in group B had a significantly lower progression-free interval (P < .001). Disease progression rates were 20.5% per year for group B and 2.5% for group A. CONCLUSION These results suggest that T1 bladder cancers exhibiting nuclear overexpression of p53 protein have a higher probability of disease progression. This study also suggests that p53 overexpression is an important prognostic factor in these patients and may be useful in selecting appropriate therapy. IMPLICATIONS Large prospective studies are needed to confirm these results and to evaluate nuclear overexpression of p53 protein as a prognostic marker in bladder cancer.
Funds of Knowledge and Culturally Responsive Leadership Transforming a Failing School in a Postcolonial Border Context

This case study summarizes the leadership practices of Rosa Davis as she meets with community members and staff to discuss Hope Academy’s growth over the past 5 years. Davis began her tenure needin...
Parent-endorsed reasons for not completing homework in group-based behavioural parent training for high-risk families of youth with ADHD

Background: This study examined reasons parents endorsed/provided for not completing homework tasks during their participation in a group-based behavioural parent training (BPT) intervention. Method: Eighty single mothers anonymously completed a questionnaire at the end of each of eight BPT sessions to ascertain reasons for not completing assigned homework. Results: Data suggests that there are varied reasons for poor HW completion that are related to various aspects of the homework process, but most notably the implementation phase of homework. Conclusions: Therapists should utilise various strategies to support homework completion, with special attention focused on methods for ‘in-vivo’ support for parents.
Heat transfer in separated laminar hypersonic flow

provided 7^2 . If the disk is assumed to be traction free at its inner and outer radius, Ci and C^ will yield d = -(2 + OO 1)/[(T 4)(1 a)(a^ 1)] (12a) C2 = (2 + ver^tf** «)/[(7 4)(1 a) (a* 1)] (12b) The tangential stresses are plotted for the case 7 = 16 and VQr — 1.8 in Fig. 2 vs p, for various values of a. Those values of 7 and VQT are typical for a PYROCERAM glass ceramic matrix structure. When the disk is subjected to an internal pressure p0 only, the tangential stresses are Se = 7ai+^(l/pi+-v + l/pi-y)/(l a*?)' (13)
Probabilistic analysis of scheduling precedence constrained parallel tasks on multicomputers with contiguous processor allocation

Given a set of precedence constrained parallel tasks with their processor requirements and execution times, the problem of scheduling precedence constrained parallel tasks on multicomputers with contiguous processor allocation is to find a nonpreemptive schedule of the tasks on a multicomputer such that the schedule length is minimized. This scheduling problem is substantially more difficult than other scheduling problems due to precedence constraints among tasks, the inherent difficulty of task scheduling, and processor allocation in multicomputers. We present an approximation algorithm called LLB that schedules tasks level-by-level using the largest-task-first strategy supported by the binary system partitioning scheme to handle the three difficult issues in our scheduling problem. Though algorithm LLB does not have a bounded worst-case performance ratio, we show through probabilistic analysis that LLB has a quite reasonable average-case performance ratio for typical classes of parallel computations. In particular, algorithm LLB has an average-case performance ratio less than two for large scale parallel computations that have wide task graphs (i.e., that exhibit large parallelism).
Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition on protein kinase C and SR proteins in heart failure

We tested the hypothesis that activation of protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms in pressure-overload heart failure was prevented by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition, resulting in normaliz...
SOME PROPERTIES of FISH GELS MADE FROM SEVERAL NORTHWEST ATLANTIC SPECIES IN the PRESENCE of HIGH and LOW SALT

The relative effect of NaCl on true strain and stress at failure varied considerably among unfrozen fish species. Values of true strain were always greater in samples with 3% salt in the absence of cryoprotectants. the effect of NaCl on stress varied more widely than on true strain; in a couple of cases, stress at failure was higher for fish gels without 3% sodium chloride. Three of four fatty species (Atlantic mackerel, Atlantic menhaden and bluefish) were among the samples that had the lowest values of both true strain and stress. For red hake, seasonal effects of salt on gelation properties were observed. True strain and stress values of red hake were higher without added salt than they were with 3% added salt when cryoprotectants were added to the samples and the samples were stored for one week at -20C.
Multisite phosphorylation of 14-3-3 proteins by calcium-dependent protein kinases.

Plant 14-3-3 proteins are phosphorylated at multiple sites in vivo; however, the protein kinase(s) responsible are unknown. Of the 34 CPK (calcium-dependent protein kinase) paralogues in Arabidopsis thaliana, three (CPK1, CPK24 and CPK28) contain a canonical 14-3-3-binding motif. These three, in addition to CPK3, CPK6 and CPK8, were tested for activity against recombinant 14-3-3 proteins χ and e. Using an MS-based quantitative assay we demonstrate phosphorylation of 14-3-3 χ and e at a total of seven sites, one of which is an in vivo site discovered in Arabidopsis. CPK autophosphorylation was also comprehensively monitored by MS and revealed a total of 45 sites among the six CPKs analysed, most of which were located within the N-terminal variable and catalytic domains. Among these CPK autophosphorylation sites was Tyr463 within the calcium-binding EF-hand domain of CPK28. Of all CPKs assayed, CPK28, which contained an autophosphorylation site (Ser43) within a canonical 14-3-3-binding motif, showed the highest activity against 14-3-3 proteins. Phosphomimetic mutagenesis of Ser72 to aspartate on 14-3-3χ, which is adjacent to the 14-3-3-binding cleft and conserved among all 14-3-3 isoforms, prevented 14-3-3-mediated inhibition of phosphorylated nitrate reductase.
Plasma Treatment of Railway Rails to Improve Traction

Plasma torch treatments of track rails to improve locomotive wheel traction were investigated as a potential substitute for rail sanding. Rolling friction tests were conducted under simulated rail-wheel load conditions at about 200,000 psi contact stress. Although traction was improved significantly in laboratory tests, total power required to significantly improve the coefficient of friction for a diesel electric operation at low speeds appears excessive. Power required at 80 mph is prohibitive. Moreover, safety, maintenance, and mechanical aspects require a considerable amount of further development before such an application can be considered possible on American railroads.
“I Wanna Have a Good Future”: Teen Mothers' Rise in Educational Aspirations, Competing Demands, and Limited School Support

This longitudinal study examined teen mothers' descriptions of being students before and after giving birth and the impact of mothering on their educational goals and school progress. Nineteen teens and at least one of their parents were interviewed six times from the third trimester of pregnancy to 10 months postpartum. Regardless of their school status prior to pregnancy, the anticipation of motherhood led teens to reevaluate their priorities and motivated them to remain in or return to school. The transformed meaning and significance of school in the lives of these teens was apparent in improved grades, in their resolve to graduate, and in their new interest in attending college. Their renewed commitment to school was often thwarted by competing work demands, family responsibilities, and school policies and practices. These findings suggest that professionals are missing a critical opportunity to promote teen mothers' educational goals and their long-term success.
Early Catheter Removal After Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy: Long-term Followup

ABSTRACTPurpose: We examine the complication and continence rates with early catheter removal (day 3 or 4) after radical retropubic prostatectomy.Materials and Methods: A total of 365 patients with localized prostate cancer underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy at Indiana University Hospital with planned urethral catheter removal before discharge home. Low pressure cystograms were performed on postoperative day 3 or 4 to determine if catheter removal was possible. A subset of patients were analyzed using a validated prostate cancer specific questionnaire (University of California, Los Angeles Prostate Cancer Symptom Index) to determine quality of life outcomes.Results: The catheter was removed on postoperative day 3 or 4 in 263 patients (72%). The reasons for leaving the catheter indwelling were significant leak on cystogram or excessive suprapubic drainage (21%), extensive bladder neck reconstruction (1%) and prolonged hospitalization because of an ileus or other complicating factor (6%). Thirteen p...
Safety, feasibility, and early efficacy of subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery: A preliminary report from the North American registry☆☆☆

Abstract Purpose: The North American Subfascial Endoscopic Perforator Surgery (NASEPS) Registry was established to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of minimally invasive endoscopic Linton operations for treatment of chronic venous insufficiency. Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 151 patients who underwent attempt at 158 SEPS in 17 medical centers in the United States and Canada between June 1993 and February 1996. Results: SEPS was completed on 155 limbs of 148 patients, 81 male and 67 female (mean age, 56 years; range, 27 to 87 years). Three procedures were aborted. Seven patients had bilateral procedures (data from one limb were analyzed). One hundred four limbs (70%) had active ulcers, and 22 (15%) had healed ulcers. A single endoscopic port without insufflation was used in 66 procedures (45%) and laparoscopic instrumentation, with two or three ports, in 82 (55%), with CO 2 insufflation in 78 (53%). A tourniquet was used on 112 patients (76%). Concomitant venous procedures were performed in 106 patients (72%; saphenous stripping in 71, high ligation in 17, varicosity avulsion in 85). No early deaths or thromboembolism occurred. Complications included wound infections (9), superficial thrombophlebitis (5), cellulitis (4), and saphenous neuralgia (10). Seven patients with wound infection had open ulcers; nine of 10 with neuralgia had concomitant procedures. A roll-on tourniquet caused skin necrosis in one patient. The clinical score improved from 9.4 to 2.9 after surgery ( p Conclusions: The SEPS modified Linton operation appears safe, with no postoperative deaths or early thromboembolism. Wound infection after SEPS remains important. Early results indicate rapid ulcer healing. Prospective evaluation of long-term results is warranted. (J Vasc Surg 1997;25:94-105.)
Performance analysis of an ARQ transmission scheme for meteor burst communications

Packet error probability is the key parameter in evaluating the performance of ARQ schemes, in terms of waiting time to receive a data packet, and system throughput. The authors present an analysis of the packet error probability for two modulation schemes, BFSK and BPSK, when uncoded packets are transmitted over the meteor burst channel using a fixed data rate. They show that the optimum transmission rate, minimizing the waiting time to receive a packet correctly, is independent of the initial SNR of the trail and the modulation used. The results were derived analytically, and are in excellent agreement with exact numerical calculations. They also present simple approximations to the exact calculations, and lower bounds on the packet error rate which are tight in the neighborhood of the optimum transmission rate. >
Clinical and echocardiographic correlates of plasma osteopontin in the community : the Framingham Heart Study

Recent investigations have highlighted the importance of the matricellular protein osteopontin as a key mediator in the cardiovascular system, specifically in the processes of vascular remodelling, vascular and valvular calcification and left ventricular (LV) remodelling.1 To our knowledge, no prior study has investigated whether plasma osteopontin concentrations are related to cardiovascular disease risk factors, valve calcification, and LV dilatation and hypertrophy in a community-based sample. Accordingly, we investigated the clinical and echocardiographic correlates of plasma osteopontin in a community-based sample. The design and selection criteria of the Framingham Offspring study have been described previously.2 On the basis of the sex-specific distributions of echocardiographic LV measurements, we sampled participants from the sixth examination cycle (1995–8) with both LV end diastolic dimension (LVEDD) and wall thickness (LVWT) below the sex-specific median (referent, n = 129), with increased LVEDD (⩾ 90th sex-specific centile, n = 134) and increased LVWT (⩾ 90th sex-specific centile, n = 128) in a 1:1:1 ratio. Eighteen participants were included in both LV dilatation and increased LVWT groups, so the study sample consisted of 373 participants. Participants underwent a standardised medical history and physical examination. Fasting blood samples were drawn and frozen at −70°C without any freeze–thaw cycles until assay. Plasma osteopontin was measured in duplicate by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Calbiochem, Inc) with an intra-assay coefficient of variation of 4.6%. …
Last Word on Viewpoint: Initiating inspiration outside the medulla does produce eupneic breathing

Breathing cycles generated volitionally are strikingly similar to those produced spontaneously. This similarity goes beyond the characteristics of the breath cycles; isocapnia can be maintained during volitional initiation of inspiration when breathing frequency (f) varies ([6][1]). This intriguing
Ureteroileocecal Appendicostomy Based Urinary Reservoir in Irradiated and Nonirradiated Patients

Purpose: The ureteroileocecal appendicostomy reservoir is designed to potentially decrease the morbidity of continent diversion, particularly in previously irradiated patients. We report our experience with this reservoir to compare complications in irradiated and nonirradiated patients.Materials and Methods: The records of 52 consecutive patients who underwent ureteroileocecal appendicostomy diversion between March 2001 and January 2008 were evaluated. Outcomes were analyzed according to whether patients received radiation therapy to the pelvis. Complications were reported as early (within 90 days of surgery) or late.Results: Overall 29 patients received radiation therapy. The incidence of early complications requiring operative intervention was 14%, including 2 patients (9%) with and 5 (17%) without radiation (p = 0.68). All except 1 reoperation was done to revise the stoma. Early urinary tract infections developed in 17% of nonirradiated and 28% of irradiated patients (p = 0.51). The most common late c...
Media, Art, and Politics in the Work of Roberto Jacoby

Roberto Jacoby is part of a generation of artists who, in a series of important exhibitions at the Instituto Torcuato Di Tella in Buenos Aires in the 1960s, began to combine structuralism and semiology with Marxism. His art projects have been predominantly collaborative, and their very status as “art” has been troubled by their pervasive ephemerality, context specificity, and topicality. To this day, Jacoby's art, research, and writings continue to confound the boundaries of the art institution.
Preoperative Subject Paired Knees Exhibit Similar Tibiofemoral and Patellofemoral Kinematics

Introduction: Kinematic studies are used to evaluate function and efficacy of various implant designs. Given the large variation between subjects, matched pairs are ideal when comparing competing designs. It is logical to deduce that both limbs in a subject will behave identically during a given motion [1], barring unilateral underlying pathology, thus allowing for the most direct comparison of two designs. It is our goal to determine if this is a valid assumption by assessing whether or not there are significant differences present in the kinematics of left and right knees from the same subject. Gait studies have compared pre-and postoperative implantation kinematics for various pathologies like ACL rupture [2] and osteoarthritis [3, 4]. We designed a study to assess squatting in cadaver specimens. Methods: Sixteen matched pairs of fresh-frozen cadavers, (Eleven males, five females; aged 71 years [± 10 yrs]) were tested. Each knee, intact, was tested by mounting it on a dynamic, quadriceps-driven, closed-kinetic-chain Oxford knee rig (OKR), which simulated a deep knee bend from full extension to 120° flexion. We chose femoral rollback, tibiofemoral external rotation, tibial adduction, patellofemoral tilt and shift as our outcomes, which were recorded using an active infrared tracking system. Results: The maximum difference over 120° of flexion between the mean values of tibial adduction, tibiofemoral external rotation and patellofemoral tilt were 1.48 (Fig. 1), 0.94 and 1.64 degrees, respectively. The maximum differences between means for femoral rollback and patellofemoral lateral shift were 1.19 (Fig. 2) and 0.55 millimeters, respectively. Using the left knees as a baseline, the cumulative kinematic difference of each of our five outcomes was also calculated by summing the area under the curve of the absolute difference between right and left knees. The summed differences for each outcome were then broken down into four flexion ranges (Fig. 3). Discussion: Being able to utilize direct comparisons and control variables during the design and testing of an implant is an important aspect in comparing one iteration or feature to another. Using paired knees from the same subject can be done to remove a level of variability and to provide a more one-to-one comparison. In our study we found that while the kinematics remain very similar, there is a trend of divergence between the knees as they go into deeper flexion. This trend was observed in each of our five outcomes, though no statistical significance could be determined. We also observed that the standard error of the kinematic means was equal to, or greater than the difference between means, indicating that subject to subject variation was greater than left to right variation. This finding potentially gives further weight to the validity of bilateral comparisons.
Temporal and spatial binning of TCSPC data to improve signal-to-noise ratio and imaging speed

Time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) is the most robust method for fluorescence lifetime imaging using laser scanning microscopes. However, TCSPC is inherently slow making it ineffective to capture rapid events due to the single photon product per laser pulse causing extensive acquisition time limitations and the requirement of low fluorescence emission efficiency to avoid bias of measurement towards short lifetimes. Furthermore, thousands of photons per pixel are required for traditional instrument response deconvolution and fluorescence lifetime exponential decay estimation. Instrument response deconvolution and fluorescence exponential decay estimation can be performed in several ways including iterative least squares minimization and Laguerre deconvolution. This paper compares the limitations and accuracy of these fluorescence decay analysis techniques to accurately estimate double exponential decays across many data characteristics including various lifetime values, lifetime component weights, signal-to-noise ratios, and number of photons detected. Furthermore, techniques to improve data fitting, including binning data temporally and spatially, are evaluated as methods to improve decay fits and reduce image acquisition time. Simulation results demonstrate that binning temporally to 36 or 42 time bins, improves accuracy of fits for low photon count data. Such a technique reduces the required number of photons for accurate component estimation if lifetime values are known, such as for commercial fluorescent dyes and FRET experiments, and improve imaging speed 10-fold.
A variational characterization for \(\sigma_{n/2}\)

We present here a conformal variational characterization in dimension n = 2k of the equation $\sigma_{k}(A_g) = constant$ , where A is the Schouten tensor. Using the fully nonlinear parabolic flow introduced in [3], we apply this characterization to the global minimization of the functional.
Platform-Independent Geofencing for Low Altitude UAS Operations

Small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are rapidly proliferating for a variety of commercial and civil applications. Regulators cite detect-and-avoid of manned aircraft as the most significant challenge to integrating small UAS in the National Airspace System. However, most emerging small UAS use cases call for flight within immediate reach of the ground, airspace manned aircraft rarely occupy except on approach or departure. This paper presents a low-altitude geofencing capability for small UAS as a safe alternative to detect-and-avoid. The low-altitude small UAS can be flown manually or through any commercially-available autopilot with the independent geofence unit as a low-cost add-on. The geofencing unit passively monitors the flight, activating as a guidance system override on approach to an altitude or lateral fence boundary. Once active, the geofence turns the UAS back from the border then returns to its monitoring mode. This paper implements geofencing on a small quadrotor flown indoors to eliminate regulatory concerns. While GPS would be a primary means of navigating outdoors, a dual camera, inertial measurement unit, and height sensor package is used to geofence indoors. A Kalman filter integrates sensor data, and a geofence boundary controller overrides the nominal pilot/autopilot guidance inputs to drive the system back within the fenced region. Results show that the fence can be maintained, and that the control authority switch can be done in a stable manner so long as the operator understands when the fence activates and deactivates. Work is ongoing to flight test geofencing outdoors with both multicopter and fixed-wing platforms.
Depolymerizable Poly(O-vinyl carbamate-alt-sulfones) as Customizable Macromolecular Scaffolds for Mucosal Drug Delivery

Interest in stimulus responsive materials and polymers has grown over the years, having shown great promise in a diverse set of applications. For drug delivery, stimulus-responsive polymers have been shown to encapsulate therapeutics such as small molecule drugs or proteins, deliver them to specific locations in the body, and release them so that they can induce a therapeutic effect in the patient. Most hydrolytically degradable polymers are synthesized via nucleophilic, anionic, or cationic polymerization, which generally requires protection of nucleophilic or protic side chains prior to polymerization. Here, we report the synthesis of novel, alternating copolymers of sulfur dioxide and O-vinyl carbamate monomers that boast excellent functional group tolerance and pH-dependent instability. Alternating copolymers were synthesized containing pendant functionalities such as alcohol, carboxylic acid, ester, and azide without deprotection or postpolymerization modification. The copolymers were then formulated...
Homograft replacement of the pulmonary artery bifurcation

Severe deformity or nonconfluence of the pulmonary arteries was repaired during correction of congenital heart defects by implantation of a complete, fresh, antibiotic-sterilized homograft pulmonary artery bifurcation in 17 patients, aged 15 months to 17 years. Six patients had Fallot's tetralogy; five, pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect; three, truncus arteriosus; two, ventricular septal defect; and one, pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum. All but one had previously undergone one or more palliative or corrective operations. Thirteen patients survived the operation (76%; 70% confidence interval = 61% to 88%) and were followed up from 2 to 56 months postoperatively (mean = 16 months). All had symmetrical pulmonary perfusion on chest x-ray films and satisfactory homograft function on Doppler echocardiograms. There were no late deaths or reoperations. Four patients (24%; 70% confidence interval = 12% to 39%) died in the hospital of pulmonary or cardiac dysfunction despite a technically satisfactory reconstruction. Comparison of predicted and observed ventricular pressure ratios in nine patients showed that the factor contributed by a right pulmonary artery branch stenois was cancelled in most. The use of a complete, adult-size homograft has thus facilitated reconstruction of the pulmonary artery bifurcation and given encouraging early results.
Evidence for the Propositions of the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide Among a Military Sample.

OBJECTIVE: Although the interpersonal theory of suicide may explain the elevated suicide risk among military service members, past explorations have been equivocal. This study aimed to investigate the propositions of the interpersonal theory in a sample of U.S. Army recruiters. METHOD: Participants (N = 3,428) completed self-report measures assessing the interpersonal theory's constructs (i.e., thwarted belongingness (TB), perceived burdensomeness (PB), acquired capability for suicide), current suicidal ideation, agitation, and insomnia. History of depression was obtained from medical records. RESULTS: Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that the interaction between TB and PB was associated with current suicidal ideation, controlling for depression, agitation, and insomnia. This effect was especially notable among those with high capability for suicide. CONCLUSION: Findings provide support for the interpersonal theory in a large, diverse military sample. It may be advantageous to assess and therapeutically address TB and PB among at-risk service members.© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Language: en
Progesterone and Postpartum Smoking Relapse: A Pilot Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Randomized Trial.

Introduction Pregnancy is a strong motivator to quit smoking, yet postpartum relapse rates are high. Growing evidence suggests a role of sex hormones in drug abuse behavior and given the precipitous drop in sex hormones at delivery, they may play a role in postpartum relapse. This pilot study evaluates the feasibility and potential role of exogenous progesterone in postpartum smoking relapse. Methods This 12-week double-blind placebo-controlled randomized pilot trial randomized 46 abstinent postpartum women to active progesterone (PRO; 200mg twice a day) versus placebo (PBO) for 4 weeks. Participants were followed for relapse for 12 weeks. Main study outcomes include abstinence (point prevalence), feasibility (compliance per number of clinic visits attended, pill counts and Electronic Data Capture [EDC] completed) and self-reported acceptability. Safety was also measured by depressive symptom scores, adverse events, and breastfeeding. Results Overall retention rate was 87% at week 12. At week 4, abstinence rates were 75% in the PRO group and 68.2% in the PBO group (p = .75). Medication adherence was 68% and clinic visit attendance was 80%, with no differences by randomization. Depressive symptom scores, adverse events, and breastfeeding did not vary by randomization. Conclusions Although the study was not powered to evaluate abstinence rates, we did observe a higher prevalence of abstinence at week 4 in the PRO group. Further, exogenous progesterone was well tolerated and did not adversely affect depressive symptoms or breastfeeding. Thus, the results of this pilot study indicate further investigation into progesterone as a postpartum relapse prevention strategy is warranted. Implications This innovative pilot trial determined the feasibility of delivering exogenous progesterone as a potential prevention of postpartum smoking relapse. We observed high retention and moderate adherence rates, as well as high acceptability among participants. Further, though not statistically significant, more women in the treatment group remained abstinent from smoking during follow-up. This project adds to the growing body of literature on the role of sex hormones in smoking relapse and also provides support for a fully powered clinical trial.
Behavior Concerns Among Low-Income, Ethnically and Linguistically Diverse Children in Child Care: Importance for School Readiness and Kindergarten Achievement

ABSTRACTResearch Findings: Recent research and teacher reports have highlighted the importance of early behavior skills for children’s school readiness and academic success in elementary school. Significant gaps in school readiness and achievement exist between children in poverty and those more affluent. Low-income children are also more likely to exhibit behavior concerns than their more financially advantaged peers. The current study examined the importance of behavior skills at age 4 for school readiness and academic achievement in kindergarten among an ethnically diverse sample of 1,618 low-income children (63% Latino, 37% Black) in an urban setting. Children’s early behavior concerns at age 4 were significantly associated with children’s school readiness scores and end-of-year kindergarten grades above and beyond the contributions of family and child demographics and children’s early cognitive and language skills. In addition, behavior problems were more strongly related to school readiness and kind...
Investigating avoidable patient deaths.

Families must come first, not corporate damage limitation The Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) review of the way in which NHS trusts review and investigate the deaths of patients in England makes for sobering reading.1 It emphasises that learning from deaths needs to be given much greater priority within the NHS to avoid missing opportunities to improve care.1 The review also found that no trust had good practice across all aspects of identifying, reviewing, and investigating deaths and ensuring that learning is implemented, but that some trusts showed promising practice at individual steps.1 This comes as a welcome affirmation for patients and families, and as a validation of how they have, all too often, described their unsatisfactory experiences of interactions with healthcare services and professionals in the aftermath of adverse events.2 The experiences of the World Health Organization’s Patients for Patient Safety cohort, representative of over 50 countries, are testament to the …
The important but neglected legal context of virtual teams: Research implications and opportunities

Abstract The potential for the legal context in which an organization operates to significantly impact its HRM function is widely, if not universally accepted. Nonetheless, to date, the legal context of virtual teams has received very little attention from researchers. This article helps address that limitation in the literature by providing readers a foundational understanding of the primary legal constraints and legal issues affecting virtual teams, identifying important research questions related to the impact of legal context on virtual teams, and stimulating further thinking about the potential relevance of legal context to the role of trust, cultural differences, discriminatory behavior, and other phenomena in virtual teams.
Is Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis the Trigger in the Crohn’s Disease Spectrum?

We present and discuss a 30-month investigation of a patient that presented with abdominal pain, postprandial diarrhea, bloating, and night sweats and was treated for Crohn’s disease without significant improvement. The patient underwent an ileocecetomy with removal of an atonic segment with resolution of functional gastrointestinal symptoms, but profound night sweats continued postoperatively. The patient was presumptively treated for a mixed mycobacterial infection, blood cultures later grew Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (MAP), and she improved over time. We discuss MAP and its possible relationship to Crohn’s disease.
Quantifying the Kinetics of Somatic Embryo Development

Abstract Micropropagation by somatic embryogenesis is an important method for propagating elite clones of economically important plants. The quality of the embryo culture is often evaluated by the morphology of the embryo population. We have developed a pattern recognition system to classify developing embryos according to their morphology. The images of embryos of Douglas fir and carrot were processed and the embryo morphological information was converted into a set of digital numbers (Fourier features and size features) through discrete fast Fourier transformation. Neural network classifiers were developed to separate those embryos into different morphological classes based on these Fourier and size features. In addition, the course of each embryo’s development can be described as a trajectory in a multi-dimensional feature space spanned by the Fourier and size features. Important insights can be obtained by analyzing the developmental paths of normal and abnormal embryos. This quantitative description of embryo population is therefore a powerful tool for describing the kinetics of embryo development.