cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and evaluation of tetracycline imprinted xerogels: Comparison of experiment and computational modeling

A series of silica-based tetracycline (TC)-imprinted xerogel sorbents were prepared by sol–gel processing and were characterized for TC binding. Molecularly imprinted xerogels (MIXs) formed from allyltriethoxysilane (AtEOS) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and end capped with trimethylchlorosilane exhibited the best analytical performance (imprinting factor, IF, of 7.46 ± 0.13). Computational modeling was used to estimate the interaction energy (IE) between TC and each type of silane to evaluate our ability to predict the analytical performance of a given MIX. Rankings from the computations agreed with the experimental data showing the AtEOS having the highest IE in comparison to the other formulations. Together, these results demonstrate the potential and limitations of using theoretical calculations to guide the development of analyte selective MIXs in comparison to arbitrary trial and error approaches traditionally used to produce MIXs as sorbents for solid phase extraction.
Dyadic Green's functions for a rectangular waveguide filled with two dielectrics

The dyadic Green's functions for a rectangular waveguide filled with two dielectrics are obtained by starting with the functions for a parallel plate waveguide then applying the method of scattering superposition to construct the desired functions. By means of a contour integration of the Fourier integral we can obtain a series representation of the desired electric dyadic Green's function. The characteristic equations for the wave numbers of two sets of residue waves agree with the early works based on the matching of transversal wave impedances across the interface of the two dielectrics.
Inducing liquidity in thin financial markets through combined-value trading mechanisms

Asset pricing theory hypothesizes that investors are only interested in portfolios; individual securities are evaluated only in terms of their contribution to portfolio risk and return. Yet, standard financial market design is that of parallel, unconnected markets, whereby investors cannot submit orders in one market conditional on events in others. When markets are thin, this exposes them to substantial execution risk. Fear of ending up with unbalanced portfolios after trading may even keep investors from submitting orders, further eroding liquidity and the ability of markets to equilibrate. The suggested solution is a portfolio trading mechanism referred to as combined-value trading (CVT). Investors are allowed to submit orders for packages of securities and the system matches trades and computes prices by optimally combining portfolio orders in an open book. We study the performance of the CVT mechanism experimentally and compare it to the performance of parallel, unconnected double auctions in experiments with similar parametrization and either a similar number of subjects or substantially thicker markets. We present evidence that our portfolio trading mechanism facilitates equilibration to the extent that the thicker markets do. Inspection of order submission and trade activity reveals that subjects manage to exploit the direct linkages between markets enabled by the CVT system.
An ENU mutagenesis approach to dissect “self”-induced immune responses: Unraveling the genetic footprint of immunosurveillance

The immune system exerts a critical function as it recognizes and eliminates transformed or neoplastic cells, a process also referred to as immunosurveillance. NK cells play a particularly important role in that they are able to recognize tumor cells via “missing-self”—i.e., the absence of major histocompatibility complex Class I on target cells. Moreover, recent studies suggest that NK cells also participate in the onset and regulation of adaptive immune responses. The exact molecular pathways by which this occurs, however, remain poorly understood. To obtain further insight into the genes that are required for self-induced immune responses via NK cell-mediated cell death, our laboratory initiated a forward genetic approach using N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) as a mutagen. Specifically, we tested the ability of NK cells from G3 ENU germline mice to recognize missing-self target cells and induce CD8+ T-cell responses following immunization with irradiated tumor cells. Here we present two ENU germline mutants, designated Ace and Chip, that are defective in the recognition of β-2 microglobulin-deficient target cells, yet exhibit improved clearance of B16 melanoma cells in vivo. Coarse mapping and whole genome sequencing of the Chip mutation revealed a missense mutation causing a T’A amino acid substitution in the highly conserved third immuno-receptor tyrosine-based switch motif of CD244 (2B4). The forward genetic approach described here promises to reveal important insight into critical genes that are required for host responses involved in anticancer immunity.
Extrascleral extension of choroidal melanoma diagnosed by ultrasound.

Abstract Four cases of choroidal melanoma with extrascleral extension are presented. In each case, contact B-scan ultrasonography identified extrascleral extension of choroidal melanoma as an area of relative echolucency immediately behind the globe. These ultrasonographic findings are contrasted with those demonstrated by computerized tomography. The importance of B-scan ultrasonography in the assessment of a patient with possible choroidal melanoma is discussed
Prostaglandin biosynthesis does not participate in isoproterenol-induced renin release

Abstract Rat renal slices were incubated in two different media. One was a normal K. physiological saline solution and the other a high K medium. Renin release was measured every 15 min in the presence and absence of 10 −6 M isoproterenol and also in the presence and absence of aspirin, 0.8 or 1.6 ×10 −5 M. In all experiments renin release was linear during the 75 min of incubation. Isoproterenol increased renin release by approximately 100%. This was the case even in the presence of aspirin which significantly inhibited prostaglandin release (PGE 2 , PGF 2 α and 6-keto-PGF 1 α). Nor was there any reduction in the basal secretory rate by aspirin alone. These data are taken to indicate that aspirin in pharmacological doses does not interfere with either in vitro basal release rates of renin, nor the response to B agonists. It is also suggested that B agonists do not exert their effect by stimulating prostaglandin secretion.
‘Teacher, you’ve got a problem', or recuperating humpty‐dumpty

Humpty‐Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty‐Dumpty had a great fall, And all the king's horses, and all the king's men Couldn't put Humpty‐Dumpty back together again. Margaret greeted her lord with peculia...
Biometric Authentication for Web-Based Couse Examinations

The paper discusses design considerations and a prototype for a biometrics (fingerprint) based identification and authentication system to support web-based course examinations. The goal of the resulting system is to be acceptable to the university culture and minimally disruptive to university procedures and processes.
A novel fairness criterion for input queued switches

In this paper, we propose a new fairness criterion-queue proportional fairness (QPF)- that employs the cell loss ratio as the fairness metric to improve the utilization of switch resources. In QPF, bandwidth allocation is implemented by considering both available bandwidths and buffer occupancies of competing best effort traffic.
Joint source/channel coding for multiple video sequences with JPEG2000

Summary form only given. In this work, we extend the methods of (Z. Wu et al, Proc. IEEE Global Telecom. Conf. (Globecom), 2004) to video coding. The proposed algorithm considers the transmission of one or more motion JPEG2000 (MJP2) coded video sequence(s) over a constant bit rate channel. Rate distortion diversity over several dimensions is exploited. This work demonstrates that by minimizing the expected overall distortion at the receiver, both improved average quality of the frames (quality multiplexing gain), as well as more uniform quality across the frames (variance multiplexing gain) can be achieved. Experimental results illustrate the efficiency of the proposed methods.
A tool towards integration of IC process, device, and circuit simulation

An interactive simulation system, comprised of an integrated set of tools, suitable for accurate characterization of arbitrary submicrometer devices is presented. The system, which is an extension of the University of California, Berkeley, tool SIMPL-IPX, uses a transparent link with 2D device simulation and provides an application-specific interface to 3D. While the system can be used to generate typical device characteristics (I-V curves and delay analysis) useful for sensitivity analysis and analytic model development, a greater benefit of the system is its ability to analyze parasitic devices that may lead to reliability problems. These parasitic devices are extremely difficult to characterize and tend to be overlooked. The system is used to investigate the influence of these parasitics by analyzing the effect of layout on the latch-up characteristics of a standard logic cell. >
Use of Colorimetric Analysis to Estimate Salmonid Flesh Carotenoid Content

Abstract Farm-raised rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss were evaluated by sensory and instrumental analysis to determine differences in flesh color. A wide range of pigment levels matched a single color tile. On the other hand, colorimeter values produced unique concentration values for each sample. A predictive model based on colorimeter readings was created as a rapid, easy-to-use field test for determining flesh color pigmentation levels for selective breeding programs.
Partial PCA-based optimal structured residual design for fault isolation

We are dealing with structured residuals, generated for fault detection and isolation in static linear systems by partial PC models. Structured design is combined with sensitivity optimization, using a max-min criterion applied to the fault-to-noise response ratio in the residual. A graphic representation of the optimization problem is given, together with illustrative examples.
Modeling Turbulent Hydraulic Fracture Near a Free Surface

Motivated by observations of the subglacial drainage of water, we consider a hydraulic fracture problem in which the crack grows parallel to a free surface, subject to fully turbulent fluid flow. Using a hybrid Chebyshev/series-minimization numerical approach, we solve for the pressure profile, crack opening displacement, and crack growth rate for a crack that begins relatively short but eventually becomes long compared with the distance to the free surface. We plot nondimensionalized results for a variety of different times, corresponding with different fracture lengths, and find substantial differences when free-surface effects are important.
Renewed diversification is associated with new ecological opportunity in the Neotropical turtle ants

Ecological opportunity, defined as access to new resources free from competitors, is thought to be a catalyst for the process of adaptive radiation. Much of what we know about ecological opportunity, and the larger process of adaptive radiation, is derived from vertebrate diversification on islands. Here, we examine lineage diversification in the turtle ants (Cephalotes), a species-rich group of ants that has diversified throughout the Neotropics. We show that crown group turtle ants originated during the Eocene (around 46 mya), coincident with global warming and the origin of many other clades. We also show a marked lineage-wide slowdown in diversification rates in the Miocene. Contrasting this overall pattern, a species group associated with the young and seasonally harsh Chacoan biogeographic region underwent a recent burst of diversification. Subsequent analyses also indicated that there is significant phylogenetic clustering within the Chacoan region and that speciation rates are highest there. Together, these findings suggest that recent ecological opportunity, from successful colonization of novel habitat, may have facilitated renewed turtle ant diversification. Our findings highlight a central role of ecological opportunity within a successful continental radiation.
Evaluation of output current PV MPPT controller with different step sizes and multiple panels or cells

Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) techniques are used in photovoltaic system to maximize solar array output power under varying conditions. This paper presents simulation and experiment prototype results of a standalone PV system with multiple solar panels or cells and with different perturbation step sizes, including the realization of MPPT algorithm and power stage control. The controller tracks MPP of each individual panel/cell by sensing only the output currents in the PV system. The effect of the perturbation step size value on controller speed and accuracy is experimentally tested analyzed.
Endothelial Cell Prostaglandin I2 and Platelet-Activating Factor Production Are Markedly Attenuated in the Calcium-Independent Phospholipase A2β Knockout Mouse

Damage and activation of lung endothelium can lead to interstitial edema, infiltration of inflammatory cells into the interstitium and airways, and production of inflammatory metabolites, all of which propagate airway inflammation in a variety of diseases. We have previously determined that stimulation of human microvascular endothelial cells from lung (HMVEC-L) results in activation of a calcium-independent phospholipase A(2) (iPLA(2)), and this leads to arachidonic acid release and production of prostaglandin I(2) (PGI(2)) and platelet-activating factor (PAF). We stimulated lung endothelial cells isolated from iPLA(2)beta-knockout (KO) and wild type (WT) mice with thrombin and tryptase to determine the role of iPLA(2)beta in endothelial cell membrane phospholipid hydrolysis. Thrombin or tryptase stimulation of WT lung endothelial cells resulted in increased arachidonic acid release and production of PGI(2) and PAF. Arachidonic acid release and PGI(2) production by stimulated iPLA(2)beta-KO endothelial cells were significantly reduced compared to WT. Measured PLA(2) activity and PGI(2) production by iPLA(2)beta-KO cells were suppressed by pretreatment with (R)-bromoenol lactone (R-BEL), which is a selective inhibitor of iPLA2gamma. In contrast to the increase in PAF production induced by stimulation of WT endothelial cells, none was observed for KO cells, and this suggests that endothelial PAF production is entirely dependent on iPLA(2)beta activity. Because inflammatory cell recruitment involves the interaction of endothelial cell PAF with PAF receptors on circulating cells, these data suggest that iPLA(2)beta may be a suitable therapeutic target for the treatment of inflammatory lung diseases.
Impact of upper and lower gastrointestinal blood loss on healthcare utilization and costs: A systematic review

AbstractObjectives:Gastrointestinal (GI) blood loss is a common medical condition which can have serious morbidity and mortality consequences and may pose an enormous burden on healthcare utilization. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review to evaluate the impact of upper and lower GI blood loss on healthcare utilization and costs.Methods:We performed a systematic search of peer-reviewed English articles from MEDLINE published between 1990 and 2010. Articles were limited to studies with patients ≥18 years of age, non-pregnant women, and individuals without anemia of chronic disease, renal disease, cancer, congestive heart failure, HIV, iron-deficiency anemia or blood loss due to trauma or surgery. Two reviewers independently assessed abstract and article relevance.Results:Eight retrospective articles were included which used medical records or claims data. Studies analyzed resource utilization related to medical care although none of the studies assessed indirect resource use or costs...
Human hopping on very soft elastic surfaces: implications for muscle pre-stretch and elastic energy storage in locomotion

During hopping in place and running, humans maintain similar center of mass dynamics by precisely adjusting leg mechanics to compensate for moderate changes in surface stiffness. We investigated the limits of this precise control by asking humans to hop in place on extremely soft elastic surfaces. We found that hoppers drastically altered leg mechanics and maintained similar center of mass dynamics despite a sevenfold change in surface stiffness (11–81 kN m-1). On the stiffest surfaces, the legs compressed in early stance and then extended in late stance in the pattern that is typical for normal bouncing gaits. On the softest surfaces, however, subjects reversed this pattern so that the legs extended up to 8 cm in early stance and then compressed by a similar distance in late stance. Consequently, the center of mass moved downward during stance by 5–7 cm less than the surface compressed and by a similar distance as on the stiffest surfaces. This unique leg action probably reduced extensor muscle pre-stretch because the joints first extended and then flexed during stance. This interpretation is supported by the observation that hoppers increased muscle activation by 50% on the softest surface despite similar joint moments and mechanical leg work as on the stiffest surface. Thus, the extreme adjustment to leg mechanics for very soft surfaces helps maintain normal center of mass dynamics but requires high muscle activation levels due to the loss of the normal extensor muscle stretch–shorten cycle.
Abundance Patterns of Dragonflies along a Wetland Buffer

Local abundance of animals with aquatic and terrestrial life stages may be useful to determine criteria for protective buffers around wetlands. Maiden flights and daily commutes of adult Odonata (damselflies, dragonflies) occur between wetland breeding area and adjacent upland habitat used for foraging, maturation, and nocturnal roosting. We measured abundance of dragonflies adjacent to a wetland in Mississippi, USA to determine if abundance varied with distance from water. Sexually mature males and combined females/prereproductive adult males (females-immatures) were recorded 10- 160 m from the littoral edge of a 185 ha shallow reservoir. The number of dragonflies was dominated by Celithemis eponina throughout the study period. Mean abundance did not change with distance from water out to 160 m, both for all species combined and for each of three dominant species. In the assemblage, mature males outnumbered females-immatures in the 10-40 m distance, whereas the reverse occurred in the 130-160 m distance. At the species-level, there was a mixed response in the mature male: female-immature ratio, with little resemblance to the assemblage pattern. Results of this study suggest that wide buffer zones around wetlands may be essential to protect Odonata assemblages, especially females and sexually immature adults. Furthermore, odonate flight behavior may serve as a useful bio- criterion to determine the width of ecologically significant wetland buffers.
Influence of head-down and lateral decubitus neck flexion on heart rate variability.

The purpose of this study was to examine the response of heart rate variability (HRV), a noninvasive index of autonomic control, to head-down neck flexion (HDNF), which engages both otoliths and ne...
Risk for maternal postpartum diabetes

For over half a century, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has been recognized as a risk factor for maternal diabetes after delivery or postpartum. GDM confers a 7-fold risk for future diabetes, independent of other significant risk factors such as weight, visceral adiposity, and physical activity. Up to a third of women with diabetes may have been affected by prior GDM. However, postpartum studies of GDM women are relatively few compared to prenatal and peripartum examinations. This chapter reviews methodological issues and risk factors affecting postpartum maternal diabetes risk estimates. The chapter also presents evidence regarding the risk for future cardiovascular disease among women with a GDM history. In doing, so, the chapter underlines the need for, and lack of: uniform diagnostic criteria and screening strategies for the index diagnosis of GDM as well as for postpartum glucose intolerance; quality improvement initiatives to improve postpartum glucose screening; and diabetes prevention interventions in this population. Perhaps most importantly, this chapter underlines the significance of GDM upon postpartum maternal glucose tolerance outside of pregnancy.
Case Study of an Unsustainable Community-Academic Partnership: Toward Core Standards for the Structure of Emerging Participatory Research

This report retrospectively examines the structure of an emerging community-academic participatory research (PR) partnership that was not sustainable, despite attempts to adhere to PR principles and demonstrable success in research outcomes. The influence of community and academic parent organizations on the PR process and outcomes is presented in the context of the Donabedian Model. We dissected the structural elements contributed by parent organizations to forming the structure of the PR partnership (memorandum of understanding, policy environment, human resources and effort, community and academic resources, expertise and experience, and funding) and explored the influence of potential and actual conflicts on the PR partnership's sustainability. The effect of potential and actual conflict on the PR process and quality of PR outcomes is discussed. Based on this, we conclude by proposing seven core standards for the establishment and development of emerging community-academic PR partnerships.
Integrating Safety Assessment Methods using the Risk Informed Safety Margins Characterization (RISMC) Approach

Safety is central to the design, licensing, operation, and economics of nuclear power plants (NPPs). As the current light water reactor (LWR) NPPs age beyond 60 years, there are possibilities for increased frequency of systems, structures, and components (SSC) degradations or failures that initiate safety significant events, reduce existing accident mitigation capabilities, or create new failure modes. Plant designers commonly “over-design” portions of NPPs and provide robustness in the form of redundant and diverse engineered safety features to ensure that, even in the case of well-beyond design basis scenarios, public health and safety will be protected with a very high degree of assurance. This form of defense-in-depth is a reasoned response to uncertainties and is often referred to generically as “safety margin.” Historically, specific safety margin provisions have been formulated primarily based on engineering judgment backed by a set of conservative engineering calculations. The ability to better characterize and quantify safety margin is important to improved decision making about LWR design, operation, and plant life extension. A systematic approach to characterization of safety margins and the subsequent margin management options represents a vital input to the licensee and regulatory analysis and decision making that will be involved. In addition, asmore » research and development (R&D) in the LWR Sustainability (LWRS) Program and other collaborative efforts yield new data, sensors, and improved scientific understanding of physical processes that govern the aging and degradation of plant SSCs needs and opportunities to better optimize plant safety and performance will become known. To support decision making related to economics, readability, and safety, the RISMC Pathway provides methods and tools that enable mitigation options known as margins management strategies. The purpose of the RISMC Pathway R&D is to support plant decisions for risk-informed margin management with the aim to improve economics, reliability, and sustain safety of current NPPs. As the lead Department of Energy (DOE) Laboratory for this Pathway, the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is tasked with developing and deploying methods and tools that support the quantification and management of safety margin and uncertainty.« less
Heterogeneous practice patterns regarding antiplatelet medications for neuroendovascular stenting in the USA: a multicenter survey

Background Adequate dual antiplatelet (AP) therapy is imperative when performing neurovascular stenting procedures. Currently, no consensus for the ideal AP regimen exists. Thus the present study aimed to gain a better understanding of real world practice AP patterns by surveying neurointerventional surgeons. Methods Survey links were emailed to 296 neurointerventional surgeons practicing in the USA, asking 51 questions including demographics, stent specific use, AP pre and post-medication, types of APs, point of care (POC) assessment, complications, and outcomes. Data were collected and analyzed using Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap). Results 74 participants responded; 56.8% were from academic centers. Participants treated an average of 5.5 aneurysms per month. They placed an average of 1.6 intracranial stents and 1.4 cervical stents per month. Mean number of pipeline embolization devices (PEDs) placed per year was 15.2. Heterogeneity existed regarding AP regimens; the most frequent included acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) 325 mg+Plavix 75 mg daily (for 7 days prior) and ASA 325 mg+Plavix 75 mg daily (for 5 days prior) for routine placement of intracranial and cervical stents, respectively. For emergency placement, ASA 325 mg+Plavix 600 mg (at time of surgery) was the most frequently used. 46.8% routinely used POC testing, most frequently VerifyNow (Accumetrics, San Diego, California, USA); the most common threshold determining a non-responder was Conclusions The results highlight the heterogeneity of current practices regarding AP medication regimens during neurovascular stenting. Given its importance, evidence based protocols are imperative. Minimal literature exists focusing on neurovasculature, and therefore understanding current practice patterns represents a first step toward generating these protocols.
Reduction of group reactivity of complement fixing antigen of meningopneumonitis virus by potassium periodate.

SummaryIt was found possible to reduce the group reactivity of the MP CF antigen by treatment with KIO4. Three kinds of results were obtained depending on the state of the original antigen. 1) The group reactivity of the crude antigen was left practically unaltered. 2) Most of this reactivity was removed by KIO4 from the purified antigen. Such preparations became inactive or only slightly active in the CF test with either homologous or heterologous antisera since the specific activity was previously destroyed by heating. 3) Antigens possessing the heat-labile specific component as well as the KIO4-sus-ceptible group-reactive “component” could be rendered fairly specific by treatment with KIO4. It appears that the group reactive “component” is not a single entity, but is made up of at least 2 antigenic constituents.
Etiopathogenic Differences in Coronary Artery Disease and Peripheral Artery Disease: Results From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 1999 to 2004 were pooled for this study. Compared with coronary artery disease (CAD), a greater proportion of individuals with peripheral artery disease (PAD) were female, black, and active smokers. Patients with PAD had significantly higher serum concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and C-reactive protein than those with CAD alone. The risk of CAD increased with serum cotinine levels>0.02 ng/mL. However, the risk of PAD increased only with serum cotinine levels>138 ng/mL. Despite this association, there was no significant association of secondhand smoke exposure with CAD or PAD. In conclusion, patients with CAD and PAD differed with respect to several demographic and biochemical factors. The relationship between PAD and cotinine demonstrated a threshold phenomenon (serum cotinine levels>138 ng/mL).
Comparison of the transformation temperatures of heat-activated Nickel-Titanium orthodontic archwires by two different techniques

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the suitability of the Bend and Free Recovery (BFR) method as a standard test method to determine the transformation temperatures of heat-activated Ni-Ti orthodontic archwires. This was done by determining the transformation temperatures of two brands of heat-activated Ni-Ti orthodontic archwires using the both the BFR method and the standard method of Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The values obtained from the two methods were compared with each other and to the manufacturer-listed values. Methods Forty heat-activated Ni-Ti archwires from both Rocky Mountain Orthodontics (RMO) and Opal Orthodontics (Opal) were tested using BFR and DSC. Round (0.016 inches) and rectangular (0.019 × 0.025 inches) archwires from each manufacturer were tested. The austenite start temperatures (A s ) and austenite finish temperatures (A f ) were recorded. Results For four of the eight test groups, the BFR method resulted in lower standard deviations than the DSC method, and, overall, the average standard deviation for BFR testing was slightly lower than for DSC testing. Statistically significant differences were seen between the transformation temperatures obtained from the BFR and DSC test methods. However, the A f temperatures obtained from the two methods were remarkably similar with the mean differences ranging from 0.0 to 2.1 °C: A f Opal round (BFR 26.7 °C, DSC 27.6 °C) and rectangular (BFR 27.6 °C, DSC 28.6 °C); A f RMO round (BFR 25.5 °C, DSC 25.5 °C) and rectangular (BFR 28.0 °C, DSC 25.9 °C). Significant differences were observed between the manufacturer-listed transformation temperatures and those obtained with BFR and DSC testing for both manufacturers. Significance The results of this study suggest that the Bend and Free Recovery method is suitable as a standard method to evaluate the transformation temperatures of heat-activated Ni-Ti orthodontic archwires.
Analysis of lead,cadmium,arsenicum and mercury contamination in foods in Shiyan from 2000 to 2008

Objective: To understand the contamination and distribution of the lead,cadmium,arsenicum and mercury and foods species in market selling foods in Shiyan city.Methods:Under the network system of the national food contamination,the total 742 samples of 14 big categury were collected from 2000 to 2008,the content of arsenicum and mercury were analysised by the hydrogenate atomic fluorescence photometry instrument,the content of lead and cadmium were analysised by the black lead stove atomic absorption instrument.Results:In all samples,the total detection rate and exceed scale rate of the lead,cadmium,arsenicum and mercury are 63.2% and 3.77%,and the exceed scale rate of the lead,cadmium,arsenicum and mercury is 4.57%,3.23%,5.00%,1.56% respectively,among the total,the total exceed scale rate of the preserved egg,meat including animal intermal organs and domestic fungus are 8.89%,7.09%,5.95% respectively.They are the high risk foods of heavy metal contamination.Conclusion:There are the different degree accumulation of the lead,cadmium,arsenicum and mercury in foods and the potential hazard for human health.
Unknown HIV Status in the Emergency Department: Implications for Expanded Testing Strategies.

Objectives:The authors sought to determine the prevalence of unknown HIV status among emergency department (ED) patients, how it has changed over time, and whether it differs according to patient c...
Abstract B02: Honokiol attenuates stemness, growth and metastasis of pancreatic tumor cells: A novel natural agent for therapy and prevention

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States with a five year survival rate at just 6.0%. Its poor clinical outcome is largely attributed to its aggressive and metastatic nature as well as refractoriness to currently available therapeutic modalities. Hence, there is a critical need to develop novel and more effective treatments for this malignancy. We previously reported that honokiol (HNK), a phytochemical isolated from the leaves and bark of Magnolia grandiflora, suppresses the growth of PC cells. Moreover, HNK sensitized PC cells to gemcitabine by preventing its activation of NF-kB pathway. Here, we have further analyzed the effects of HNK on clonogenicity, stemness, tumorigenicity and metastasis by performing in vitro and in vivo functional assays. Furthermore, we have conducted biochemical, histological and immunohistochemical analyses on vehicle and HNK-treated tumor cells and xenografts to examine the mechanism of action and molecular targets of HNK. We report that HNK treatment reduces the clonogenicity and stemness of PC cells as well as limits their capability to migrate and invade through the extracellular matrix. Our animal studies demonstrate that HNK significantly impedes the growth of pancreatic tumors and reduces the incidence as well as extent of metastases. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses suggest a decrease in desmoplasia, which is a key feature of pancreatic adenocarcinomas, acting as a physical barrier for drug delivery. At the molecular level, we have observed that HNK decreases the expression of hedgehog pathway through suppression of SHH production in PC cells. Further, we demonstrate a suppression of CXCR4 (a receptor for stromal cell derived chemokine, CXCL12) after treatment with HNK in a dose- and time-dependent manner. This is highly significant considering the known functions of SHH/CXCR4 signaling axes in growth, invasion, metastasis and therapeutic resistance of pancreatic tumor cells. Using transient transfection of constitutively active IKKB; mutant (pCMV-IKKB; S177E S181E) to neutralize the suppressive effect of HNK on NF-kB activation, we reveal its partial role in downregulation of CXCR4 and SHH expression. Together, our findings suggest that HNK likely impacts multiple molecular pathways to confer its anti-tumor activity and thus support its potential utility as a novel agent for PC therapy and/or prevention. Citation Format: Courey A. Averett, Arun Bhardwaj, Sumit Arora, Sanjeev Srivastava, Seema Singh, JE Carter, Ajay P. Singh. Honokiol attenuates stemness, growth and metastasis of pancreatic tumor cells: A novel natural agent for therapy and prevention. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fourth AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Basic Cancer Research; 2015 Oct 23-26; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(3 Suppl):Abstract nr B02.
Adenomatous Polyps of the Prostatic Urethra: A Cause of Hematospermia

AbstractHematospermia is a common urologic problem that is not always evaluated by cystoscopic examination. We report on 4 patients with hematospermia in whom polypoid lesions were observed in the prostatic urethra near the verumontanum on cystoscopic examination. In 3 of these patients the lesions were adenomatous polyps, resembling a normal prostate, and in 2 the hematospermia resolved following resection. In the remaining patient the lesion proved to be an intraductal carcinoma. We believe that cystoscopy is indicated in all patients with hematospermia that does not resolveon antibiotic therapy. Polypoid lesions in the prostatic urethra should be resected as a diagnostic and sometimes therapeutic measure.
Durability of the viable aortic allograft

Of 581 aortic allografts implanted since 1967, 421 were analyzed for structural deterioration. This series is unique in that it includes patients from the early allograft experience. All allografts were cleanly procured, antibiotic sterilized, and either stored at 4° C for up to 8 weeks or frozen to liquid nitrogen temperatures with cryopreservation to preserve the viable cusp fibroblasts. There were 25 frozen mounted aortic valves with a median time to valve failure of 12.1 years, which was not significantly different from the 12.5-year period for 114 fresh free-sewn aortic valves. The median time to valve failure was 6.6 years for 90 fresh-mounted aortic valves and 8.6 years for 192 fresh-mounted mitral valves (p = 0.05). The difference between all mounted and unmounted grafts was significant (p = 0.0001). In all groups, viable fibroblasts were present in specimens explanted up to 5 years after the operation. All specimens returned after more than 10 years were almost totally acellular. Evidence of increased collagen, suggesting that the fibroblasts survive implantation and then gradually die, was present in all specimens. This series suggests that durability of the unmounted viable allograft for aortic valve replacement is greater than for other types of tissue valves. Pre-mounted allografts for aortic or mitral valve replacement have a median survival of 8 years and are not more durable than other tissue valves.
Surgeon case volume and readmissions after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: more is less.

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) is a commonly performed bariatric procedure. Readmissions are used as a quality indicator with a nationwide emphasis on reduction. In LRYGB surgery, surgeon volume studies have focused on correlation with technical outcomes, offering limited data on readmissions. Our aim was to evaluate nationwide data to explore the relationship between surgeon case volume and hospital readmissions following LRYGB. The Bariatric Outcomes Longitudinal Database from 2011 was used for this study. Analysis was restricted to patients who underwent non-revisional LRYGB. Surgeons performing more than 50 LRYGB during the study period were defined as high-volume surgeons (HVS). Multivariable logistic regression modeling was used to control for patient demographics and comorbidities. We identified 32,521 patients who underwent LRYGB with an overall 30-day readmission rate of 5.5 %, mean age 45.7 (12.0) years, and mean BMI 47.2 (8.0) kg/m2. There were no major differences in BMI (47.3 ± 8.1 vs 47.1 ± 7.9, p = 0.282) or age (45.5 ± 12.0 vs 45.8 ± 12.0, p = 0.030) between low-volume surgeon (LVS) and HVS patients. After controlling for baseline characteristics, HVS patients were less likely to be readmitted compared to those with a LVS (OR = 0.85, 95 % CI 0.77–0.94), with a readmission rate of 5.2 vs 6.1 % (p = 0.001). Additionally, HVS patients had lower rates of 30-day mortality (OR = 0.50, 95 % CI 0.27–0.91), complication (OR = 0.81, 95 % CI 0.75–0.87), reoperation (OR = 0.82, 95 % CI 0.72–0.93), and anastomotic leak (OR = 0.64, 95 % CI 0.46–0.87). Readmission following LRYGB is significantly associated with surgeon operative volume; surgeons that perform fewer than 50 LRYGB per year are more likely to have 30-day readmissions and complications. Our findings support other more generalized studies suggesting surgeon case volume is inversely associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes and complications. As such, performance of LRYGB by HVS may decrease patient morbidity, hospital readmission, and overall healthcare utilization.
Spatially varying radiometric calibration for camera-display messaging

Modern society has ubiquitous electronic displays including billboards, signage and kiosks. The concurrent prevalence of handheld cameras creates a novel opportunity to use cameras and displays as communication channels. The electronic display in this channel serves a twofold purpose: to display an image to humans while simultaneously transmitting hidden bits for decoding by a camera. Unlike standard digital watermarking, the message recovery in camera-display systems requires physics-based modeling of image formation in order to optically communicate hidden messages in real world scenes. By modeling the photometry of the system using a camera-display transfer function (CDTF), we show that this function depends on camera pose and varies spatially over the display.We devise a radiometric calibration to handle the nonlinearities of both the display and the camera, and we use this method for recovering video messages hidden within display images. Results are for 9 different display-camera systems for messages with 4500 bits. Message accuracy improves significantly with calibration and we achieve accuracy near 99% in our experiments, independent of the type of camera or display used.
The Research-Practice Gap in I/O Psychology and Related Fields: Challenges and Potential Solutions

The gap between science and practice in I/O psychology and related fields is large and, some believe, getting larger. Although not everyone views this as a matter for concern, there is growing momentum to take actions to strengthen the interface between science and practice. This chapter examines three underlying sources of the gap: lack of awareness of what the other side knows and cares about; lack of belief or confidence in the knowledge generated or held by the other side; and lack of implementation of knowledge or ideas, even in the face of awareness and belief. Based on this analysis, proposed solutions are offered for each source of the gap, as are directions for future research and practice.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer: inter-relationships

Purpose of reviewChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a well established risk factor for lung cancer. Newer studies reveal a myriad of other mechanisms, some proven and some putative, which may contribute to their association.Recent findingsThere is an ever-growing bundle of evidence that
Uncertainty quantification on simulation analysis driven by random forests

We consider simulation-based estimation where the inputs are calibrated from predictive models generated by random forests (RFs). RF is a common technique to produce ensemble predictions by aggregating many individual decision trees. This problem arises in data-driven applications such as individualized surgery operations scheduling and supply chain management. We investigate the estimation of the output variance contributed from the noises in the input prediction, which can be used to construct output confidence intervals. In particular, we study the integration of simulation runs with a recently proposed infinitesimal jackknife estimator that can reduce the computational burden from double layers of bootstrapping. We demonstrate our scheme with an elementary numerical example.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors and radiosurgery for newly diagnosed melanoma brain metastases

Brain metastases are common in metastatic melanoma and radiosurgery is often utilized for local control. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) play a central role in contemporary melanoma management; however, there is limited data exploring outcomes and potential toxicities for patients treated with CPIs and radiosurgery. We retrospectively identified all consecutive cases of newly diagnosed melanoma brain metastases (MBM) treated with Gamma Knife radiosurgery at a single institution between 2012 and 2017, and included only patients that initiated CPIs within 8 weeks before or after radiosurgery. Thirty-eight patients were included with a median follow-up of 31.6 months. Two-year local control was 92%. Median time to out-of-field CNS and extra-CNS progression were 8.4 and 7.9 months, respectively. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 3.4 months and median overall survival (OS) was not reached (NR). Twenty-five patients (66%) received anti-CTLA4 and 13 patients (34%) received anti-PD-1+/-anti-CTLA4. Compared with anti-CTLA4, patients that received anti-PD-1+/-anti-CTLA4 had significant improvements in time to out-of-field CNS progression (p = 0.049), extra-CNS progression (p = 0.015), and PFS (p = 0.043), with median time to out-of-field CNS progression of NR vs. 3.1 months, median time to extra-CNS progression of NR vs. 4.4 months, and median PFS of 20.3 vs. 2.4 months. Six patients (16%) developed grade ≥ 2 CNS toxicities (grade 2: 3, grade 3: 3, grade 4/5: 0). Excellent outcomes were observed in patients that initiated CPIs within 8 weeks of undergoing radiosurgery for newly diagnosed MBM. There appears to be an advantage to anti-PD-1 or combination therapy compared to anti-CTLA4.
Developing Guidelines for Cervical Cancer Prevention in the Face of Diagnostic Complexity

Adoption of new cervical cancer screening guidelines by the American Cancer Society and others in 2012 required new guidelines for the management of abnormal screening and follow-up tests. The American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology led a consensus conference including 26 professional organizations and agencies that developed new management guidelines. These guidelines are risk-based and derive from analysis of approximately 1.4 million women screened by the Kaiser Permanente Northern California medical group, with risk assessment in collaboration with NCI. New guidelines provide guidance for the conservative management of young women, for women with unsatisfactory Papanicolaou (Pap) tests and tests with limited transformation zone component, for women with discordant Pap and human papillomavirus (HPV) co-testing results, and for the incorporation of HPV 16/18 genotyping results into management decisions. The increasing number of available tests and the increasingly nuanced understanding of risk mean that clinicians will need to offset the complexity of diagnostic and treatment algorithms with technology and specialization.
Impact of an electronic decision support rule on ESR/CRP co-ordering rates in a community health system and projected impact in the tertiary care setting and a commercially insured population.

Abstract Introduction Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are common laboratory assays used as markers of inflammation. ESR suffers from higher false positive and false negative rates than CRP. To that end, the American Board of Internal Medicine's (ABIM's) Choosing Wisely campaign has recommended against ESR testing for those with undiagnosed conditions in favor of CRP testing. This study describes the impact of a computerized provider order entry (CPOE) decision support rule against ESR/CRP co-ordering within a community health system that predates the ABIM's Choosing Wisely national guidance. To demonstrate the potential impact of such a CPOE rule within other healthcare settings, ESR/CRP ordering data from a multi-site tertiary care practice and from the commercially insured population in the OptumLabs® Data Warehouse (OLDW) were analyzed and the relative reduction in ESR/CRP co-ordering achieved within the community health system was projected onto these populations. Materials and methods ESR and/or CRP orders from a community health system were assessed from 2012 to 2016. Co-ordering and test concordance rates between ESR and CRP were compared before and after CPOE decision support rule launch. Similarly, ESR/CRP co-ordering across three tertiary care sites from 2015 to 2016 and the OLDW from 2009 to 2013 were assessed and the co-ordering rate reduction achieved in the community health system was mathematically projected onto these populations. Estimated payer savings from the rule's effect were calculated within each population using Medicare reimbursement rates. Results The CPOE decision support rule realized an unadjusted 42% relative rate reduction in ESR/CRP co-ordering within the community health system yielding an annual payer savings of $15,000 with a modest increase in ESR/CRP concordance rates. Projecting a 40% relative reduction in ESR/CRP co-ordering rates from a similarly effective CPOE rule, annual payer cost reductions exceeding $100,000 within a multi-site tertiary care setting and $1,000,000 within the OLDW would be expected. Conclusion ESR/CRP co-ordering represents an opportunity to eliminate testing waste and reduce payer costs. A CPOE decision support rule stably reduces ESR/CRP co-ordering rates. Similar results may occur as one component of new commercially available decision support platforms.