cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A stepwise surgical technique using the medial orbital floor as the key landmark in performing endoscopic sinus surgery.

Hypothesis The medial orbital floor (MOF) and adjacent bony ridge of the antrostomy, when combined with columellar measurements, are easily identifiable and consistent anatomic reference points from which critical orbital and skull base structures can be found during endoscopic sinus surgery. Methods Two examiners, with varying endoscopic sinus surgery experience, performed endoscopic and direct measurements from the columnella and medial orbital floor to critical orbital and skull base structures on 11 human cadaver heads (18 sides). The distances to four critical skull base or orbital structures and to the anterior and posterior wall of the sphenoid sinus were measured. The mean, ranges, and standard deviations for all measurements (endoscopic and direct) were calculated and simple regression analysis was performed. Results The mean and range of values for each of the variables correlated well between examiners, and between endoscopic and direct measurements. There was slightly more variability in measurements when the MOF was used. However, the differences were no more than a few millimeters and did not appear to affect the overall clinical use of these values. Conclusions The MOF and adjacent bony ridge of the antrostomy, when combined with columellar measurements, are easily identifiable and consistent anatomic landmarks that are not affected by the presence of significant inflammatory disease or previous surgery. These reference points provide even the most inexperienced surgeon with precise anatomic localization within the paranasal sinuses. They also determine the correct anteroposterior trajectory into the sphenoid sinus, whereby inadvertent intracranial or intraorbital complications may be avoided.
Indirectness in L1 and L2 academic writing

Abstract Indirectness strategies and markers have been identified in written discourse in many languages, including English. However, in Anglo-American academic writing, explicit points and direct support are expected. In the view of specialists and ESL instructors alike, indirectness seems to characterize the writing of students raised in Confucian, Taoist, and Buddhist societies. The reasons that non-native speaker (NNS) second language writing appears vague and indirect may lie in the specific and contextual uses of indirectness devices in English writing rather than in the fact that they are used. This study, based on corpus analysis, compares specific indirectness devices employed in native speaker (NS) and NNS student essays and focuses on NS and NNS uses of twenty-one rhetorical, lexical, referential (deictic), and syntactic indirectness devices. The results of the study indicate that speakers of Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Indonesian utilized rhetorical questions and tags, disclaimers and denials, vagueness and ambiguity, repetition, several types of hedges, ambiguous pronouns, and the passive voice in greater frequencies than NSs did. However, NSs and NNSs did not differ significantly in their use of other types of indirectness devices and markers, such as point of view distancing, downtoners, diminutives, discourse particles, and understatements, as well as nominalization and conditional tenses.
Retinoic acid and liver X receptor agonist synergistically inhibit HIV infection in CD4+ T cells by up-regulating ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux

Background Retinoic acids regulate the reverse cholesterol transport by inducing the ATP binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) dependent cholesterol efflux in macrophages, neuronal as well as intestine cells. In the present study, we aim to test the effect of all trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on ABCA1 expression in human CD4+ T cells and the involvement of cholesterol in ATRA mediated anti-HIV effect.
Electron Stimulated Desorption of Deuterium from GaN (0001) Surface

Temperature programmed desorption (TPD) was performed on deuterated GaN(0001) surfaces which had been exposed to various doses of 90-eV electrons. TPD of the deuterated surface without electron exposure shows a broad D2 desorption feature with a peak desorption temperature at ∼400 °C. Electron exposure results in a decrease in intensity of the desorption peak which is attributed to removal of surface deuterium by electron stimulated desorption (ESD). This removal of deuterium by ESD produces no change in the peak desorption temperature indicating that recombinative desorption is first order in deuterium coverage.
Understanding the trust of software-intensive distributed systems

An early understanding of the trust concerns while composing a distributed system from independently developed software services saves time and effort. It also allows the developer of such distributed systems to reason about the trust-related properties of these systems. Although there are prevalent approaches for evaluating the trust of such systems, it is not clear which approach, if any, is the most comprehensive and best suited for a given situation. Moreover, there is no agreement about a unified approach, for quantifying trust, which can be applied to the entire software life-cycle of distributed systems. This article, first, motivates the need for such a quantification of trust via a case study from the domain of indoor tracking. It then provides a comprehensive survey of current approaches that define trust, in general domains, and then focuses on the relevant approaches from the domain of software-oriented distributed systems. These prevalent efforts are categorized into groups using existing clustering tools and then are further analyzed for their comprehensiveness. The analysis depicts: 1 many trust-related efforts and associated models have their own constrained views of trust; 2 different trust models focus on different aspects of trust and life-cycle details; and 3 it is difficult to interoperate across different trust models. Hence, the paper identifies a set of principles that can assist in quantifying and evaluating the trust throughout the software life-cycle of distributed systems. These principles, then, are applied to the aforementioned case study to provide an outline of how trustworthy distributed systems can be composed from independent software services. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microtubules released from the neuronal centrosome are transported into the axon

There is controversy concerning the source of new microtubules required for the development of neuronal axons. We have proposed that microtubules are released from the centrosome within the cell body of the neuron and are then translocated into the axon to support its growth. To investigate this possibility, we have developed an experimental regime that permits us to determine the fate of a small population of microtubules nucleated at the neuronal centrosome. Microtubules within cultured sympathetic neurons were depolymerized with the anti-microtubule drug nocodazole, after which the drug was removed. Microtubules rapidly and specifically reassembled from the centrosome within three minutes of nocodazole removal. At this point, low levels of vinblastine, another anti-microtubule drug, were added to the culture to inhibit further microtubule assembly while not substantially depolymerizing the small population of microtubules that had already assembled at the centrosome. Within minutes, released microtubules were apparent in the cytoplasm, and many of these had already translocated to the cell periphery by ten minutes. By one hour, virtually all of the microtubules had been released from the centrosome and were concentrated at the cell periphery. With increasing time, these microtubules appeared within and progressively farther down developing axons. Nonneuronal cells within the culture also reassembled microtubules at the centrosome, but only a small portion of these microtubules were released. These observations indicate that microtubules were released from the neuronal centrosome and transported into growing axons, and that microtubule release and relocation from the centrosome are especially active in neurons compared to nonneuronal cells.
Monitoring Susceptibility of Western Bean Cutworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Field Populations to Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1F Protein.

Zea mays L. (maize) hybrids producing the Cry1F protein from Bacillus thuringiensis were first commercialized in the United States in 2003. These products demonstrated varying levels of moderate control, but not immunity to Striacosta albicosta (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) (western bean cutworm). Susceptibility of western bean cutworm to Cry1F protein was assessed in field populations collected in the mid- and western United States in 2003, 2004, 2013, and 2014 using diet bioassay. A meta-analysis of 32 western bean cutworm field collections assessed for susceptibility to Cry1F was conducted to investigate changes in susceptibility over time. Based on meta-analysis results, these data suggest a 5.2-fold increase in median lethal concentration (LC50) response to Cry1F in the 2013–2014 populations compared with collections that were assessed 10 yr earlier. Widespread use of Cry1F-producing maize hybrids over the past 10 yr may have contributed to favoring western bean cutworm populations with tolerance to the Cry1F protein.
Blood loss and outcomes after resection of colorectal liver metastases.

Abstract Background The influence of intraoperative blood loss (IBL) on long-term outcomes of patients undergoing liver resection for colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM) remains not well defined. Materials and methods A total of 433 patients who underwent curative-intent hepatic resection for CRLM between 2000 and 2013 at Johns Hopkins were identified. Demographics, IBL data, and long-term outcomes were collected and analyzed. Clinicopathologic predictors of IBL and the association of IBL and outcomes were assessed. Results The median patient age was 54 y (interquartile range, 44–64), most patients were male (58.9%; n = 255). At surgery, the median IBL was 400 mL (range, 10–5100 mL). Two-hundred eighty-seven patients (66.3%) had an IBL of >250 mL. Factors associated with increased IBL (>250 mL) on multivariate analysis were male sex (odds ratio [OR], 2.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.68–4.09; P 3 cm (OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.18–2.99; P = 0.008), and major hepatic resection (OR, 3.08; 95% CI, 1.92–4.92; P 1000 mL, respectively ( P = 0.004). IBL >250 mL remained an independent prognostic factor of overall survival in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.01–1.97; P = 0.04) after adjusting for other factors including the receipt of blood transfusion. Conclusions The magnitude of IBL during CRLM resection was related to biologic characteristics of the tumor and the extent of surgery. Increased IBL during CRLM resection was an independent prognostic factor for worse patient survival. Furthermore, a dose–response relationship between increasing IBL and worsening survival was evident.
Durability of advanced electrically heated catalyst design

Testing was performed on Corning`s Generation 3 Electrically Heated Catalyst (EHC) to determine product reliability and durability. A number of functional measurements was performed before and after all electrical, thermal/mechanical and environmental tests. EHCs were also successfully tested on vehicles for 100,000 miles. The results of all tests were favorable and indicated that the new design meets or exceeds requirements.
Evaluation of Colorado Potato Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Defoliation with Concomitant European Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Damage on Potato Yield

The relationship between Irish potato, Solanum tuberosum L., yield and Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), defoliation has been established in many regions but rarely has been considered coincident damage by other pests. In eastern North Carolina, the Colorado potato beetle and the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner), attack potato each spring, and the potential exists for reduced potato yields caused by a combination of potato beetle and corn borer damage. Yields from potatoes damaged by both pests were evaluated in small-plot experiments for 3 yr. Plant damage was achieved by manipulating pest densities with insecticides and by augmenting plots with potato beetles from nearby commercial fields. Yields were measured at the end of each growing season in late June to early July. Defoliation caused by Colorado potato beetle during bloom significantly reduced yields of U.S. No. 1 tubers in 'Atlantic' each year, whereas European corn borer damage did not. Absence of an interaction effect between corn borer damage and defoliation on potato yield indicated that the yield/damage relationship for each pest can be defined independently.
1‐O‐alkyl‐linked phosphoglycerides of human platelets: Distribution of arachidonate and other acyl residues in the ether‐linked and diacyl species

In this study, the 1-O-alkyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine content of human platelets was determined. The distribution of arachidonate among the 1,2-diacyl, 1-O-alkyl-2-acyl, and 1-O-alk-l′-enyl-2-acyl classes of choline- and ethanolamine-containing phosphoglycerides was also assessed. The major platelet phospholipids were choline-containing phosphoglycerides (38%), ethanolamine-containing phosphoglycerides (25%) and sphingomyelin (18%), with smaller amounts of phosphatidylserine (11%) and phosphatidylinositol (4%). In addition to the diacyl class, the choline-linked fraction was found to contain both 1-O-alkyl-2-acyl (10%) and 1-O-alk-l′-enyl-2-acyl (9%) species. The ethanolamine-linked fraction, on the other hand, had an elevated level of the 1-O-alk-l′-enyl-2-acyl (60%) species and a small amount of the 1-O-alkyl-2-acyl component (4%). The major fatty acyl residues found in all classes of the choline and ethanolamine phospholipids were 16∶0, 18∶0, (Δ9), 18∶2(n−6) and 20∶4(n−6). The 1-O-alk-l and 1-O-alk-l′-enyl fraction of the ethanolamine-linked phospholipids also contained substantial amounts of 22∶4(n−6), 22∶5(n−3) and 22∶6(n−3) acyl chains. Arachidonate comprised 44% of the acyl residues in thesn-2 position of 1-O-alkyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. Corresponding values for the diacyl and 1-O-alk-l′-enyl-2-acyl species were 23% and 25%, respectively, based on all 20∶4(n−6) being linked to thesn-2 position of all classes. In the ethanolamine-linked phosphoglycerides, arachidonate constituted 60%, 20% and 68% of the acyl groups in thesn-2 position of the 1,2-diacyl, 1-O-alkyl-2-acyl and 1-O-alk-l′-enyl-2-acyl classes, respectively. The content of 1-O-alkyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine appears sufficient to support the synthesis of platelet activating factor by a deacylation-reacylation pathway in platelets. Our findings also demonstrate that human platelets contain a significant amount of 1-O-alkyl-2-arachidonyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine that could possibly serve as a precursor of both platelet activating factor and bioactive arachidonate metabolites.
The Spatiotemporal Pattern of Glis3 Expression Indicates a Regulatory Function in Bipotent and Endocrine Progenitors during Early Pancreatic Development and in Beta, PP and Ductal Cells

The transcription factor Glis-similar 3 (Glis3) has been implicated in the development of neonatal, type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In this study, we examined the spatiotemporal expression of Glis3 protein during embryonic and neonatal pancreas development as well as its function in PP cells. To obtain greater insights into the functions of Glis3 in pancreas development, we examined the spatiotemporal expression of Glis3 protein in a knockin mouse strain expressing a Glis3-EGFP fusion protein. Immunohistochemistry showed that Glis3-EGFP was not detectable during early pancreatic development (E11.5 and E12.5) and at E13.5 and 15.5 was not expressed in Ptf1a+ cells in the tip domains indicating that Glis3 is not expressed in multipotent pancreatic progenitors. Glis3 was first detectable at E13.5 in the nucleus of bipotent progenitors in the trunk domains, where it co-localized with Sox9, Hnf6, and Pdx1. It remained expressed in preductal and Ngn3+ endocrine progenitors and at later stages becomes restricted to the nucleus of pancreatic beta and PP cells as well as ductal cells. Glis3-deficiency greatly reduced, whereas exogenous Glis3, induced Ppy expression, as reported for insulin. Collectively, our study demonstrates that Glis3 protein exhibits a temporal and cell type-specific pattern of expression during embryonic and neonatal pancreas development that is consistent with a regulatory role for Glis3 in promoting endocrine progenitor generation, regulating insulin and Ppy expression in beta and PP cells, respectively, and duct morphogenesis.
Progeny Clustering : A Method to Identify Biological Phenotypes

Estimating the optimal number of clusters is a major challenge in applying cluster analysis to any type of dataset, especially to biomedical datasets, which are high-dimensional and complex. Here, we introduce an improved method, Progeny Clustering, which is stability-based and exceptionally efficient in computing, to find the ideal number of clusters. The algorithm employs a novel Progeny Sampling method to reconstruct cluster identity, a co-occurrence probability matrix to assess the clustering stability, and a set of reference datasets to overcome inherent biases in the algorithm and data space. Our method was shown successful and robust when applied to two synthetic datasets (datasets of two-dimensions and ten-dimensions containing eight dimensions of pure noise), two standard biological datasets (the Iris dataset and Rat CNS dataset) and two biological datasets (a cell phenotype dataset and an acute myeloid leukemia (AML) reverse phase protein array (RPPA) dataset). Progeny Clustering outperformed some popular clustering evaluation methods in the ten-dimensional synthetic dataset as well as in the cell phenotype dataset, and it was the only method that successfully discovered clinically meaningful patient groupings in the AML RPPA dataset.
On the parametrization of resonances occurring near threshold

The importance of using the resonance formula proposed by Jackson rather than the standard Breit-Wigner form for the parametrization of resonances occurring near threshold is emphasized. Specifically, we explicitly evaluate Jackson's formula in the approximation that the resonance occurs just above threshold, and demonstrate the the distortion of the resonance shape and the shift of the resonance peak away from the resonance mass. In addition, we apply Jackson's formula to the analysis of recent data on the S*(∼1070) enhancement, and show the effects on the determination of the resonance parameters. The importance of using Jackson's formula for parametrizing resonances near threshold lies not so much in the fact that it contains (M2−M02)2 rather than the usual (M−M0)2 in the denominator, but in the fact that phase space, the energy dependence of the resonance widths, and the effect of competing decay modes are explictly included.
Abstract 188: Blood Pressure Control in Veterans following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background: As per the US Joint National Committee VII (JNC-7) recommendations, patients with known underlying CAD and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) should have goal blood pressures of systolic <130 and diastolic <80. In addition to lifestyle modification, these goals can be attained by use of multiple classes of drugs including beta-blockers (BB), angiotensin agonists (ACE-I/ARB), calcium channel blockers (CCB), diuretics and nitrates. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study in 935 consecutive patients undergoing PCI between September 2004 and January 2011 at the Jesse Brown Veterans Administration Hospital in Chicago, IL. Blood pressure (BP) measurements and antihypertensive medications pre and post PCI at 6-month follow-up were documented. Results: Over the 6-month follow-up period, mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) decreased from 134 to 129 mmHg (p < 0.0001) and mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) decreased from 73 to 70mmHg (p < 0.0001). As per JNC-7 guidelines, the percent of patients who reached SBP goals increased from 43 to 52% (403 to 485 of 935) and with DBP goals rose from 70 to 76% (655 to 706 of 935). At 6-month follow-up, there was a statistically significant increase in the utilization of beta-blockers, ACE-I/ARBs, and nitrates. (TABLE) Conclusions: In this group of patients undergoing PCI, both systolic and diastolic blood pressure improved with more patients achieving JNC-7 targets. There was a significant increase in utilization in evidence-based medication. ![Graphic][1] [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif
Diode-pumped 22-W average-power uv laser with user- selectable pulse width and >50% conversion efficiency

A diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser (39 W at 1064 nm) has been frequency tripled with >50% conversion efficiency (22 W at 355 nm). The laser operates at 300 Hz with pulse energies >73 mJ.
Seed dispersal by rodents in a lowland forest in central Panama

We studied the removal of seeds of three species of large-seeded tree (Astrocaryum standleyanum, Attalea butyracea and Dipteryx oleifera) from three different heights within six study plots in a lowland forest in central Panama. Fresh fruits with intact seeds fitted with industrial sewing bobbins were placed within semi-permeable exclosures. Removed seeds were tracked to deposition sites, and seed fate was determined. Removals were likely perpetrated by two small rodents, the strictly terrestrial Proechimys semispinosus and the scansorial Sciurus granatensis, because they were the most abundant small rodents in the study site during the study period and were of sufficient size to remove large seeds. Rodent abundance and fruit availability were estimated by conducting censuses. Nine microhabitat variables were measured at each deposition site to determine if these two rodents were preferentially depositing seeds in sites with certain characteristics or were randomly depositing seeds. During the study, rodents handled 98 seeds, 85 of which were not predated upon and could potentially germinate. Removal rates were not influenced by rodent abundance or fruit availability. Seeds were most frequently moved 10 m). Rodents preferentially deposited seeds in locations with large logs (>10 cm diameter), dense herbaceous cover, and an intact canopy. The number of large logs was different from random locations. Despite not being able to determine long-term fate (greater than c. 1 y), we show that these small rodents are not primarily seed predators and may in fact be important mutualists by dispersing seeds relatively long distances to favourable germination sites.
Morbidity of curative cancer surgery and suicide risk.

Importance Curative cancer operations lead to debility and loss of autonomy in a population vulnerable to suicide death. The extent to which operative intervention impacts suicide risk is not well studied. Objective To examine the effects of morbidity of curative cancer surgeries and prognosis of disease on the risk of suicide in patients with solid tumors. Design Retrospective cohort study using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data from 2004 to 2011; multilevel systematic review. Setting General US population. Participants Participants were 482 781 patients diagnosed with malignant neoplasm between 2004 and 2011 who underwent curative cancer surgeries. Main outcomes and measures Death by suicide or self-inflicted injury. Results Among 482 781 patients that underwent curative cancer surgery, 231 committed suicide (16.58/100 000 person-years [95% confidence interval, CI, 14.54-18.82]). Factors significantly associated with suicide risk included male sex (incidence rate [IR], 27.62; 95% CI, 23.82-31.86) and age >65 years (IR, 22.54; 95% CI, 18.84-26.76). When stratified by 30-day overall postoperative morbidity, a significantly higher incidence of suicide was found for high-morbidity surgeries (IR, 33.30; 95% CI, 26.50-41.33) vs moderate morbidity (IR, 24.27; 95% CI, 18.92-30.69) and low morbidity (IR, 9.81; 95% CI, 7.90-12.04). Unit increase in morbidity was significantly associated with death by suicide (odds ratio, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.03; P = .02) and decreased suicide-specific survival (hazards ratio, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.00-1.03, P = .01) in prognosis-adjusted models. Conclusions In this sample of cancer patients in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, patients that undergo high-morbidity surgeries appear most vulnerable to death by suicide. The identification of this high-risk cohort should motivate health care providers and particularly surgeons to adopt screening measures during the postoperative follow-up period for these patients.
Nodes of Knowledge: Librarians as Navigators for Geospatial Technology Users

Decades following the advent of geospatial technology use in government, industry, and academia, elementary and secondary classrooms remain mostly uninitiated in the ways of spatial analysis, data collection, and map creation. While computers have become more common in schools, limitations of bandwith, accessibility, and familiarity remain barriers to using geospatial technology across the curriculum. A multitude of small studies has been undertaken describing the success of teachers using geospatial technology in classrooms, yet these reports have not led to widespread usage by technology, geography, science, or social studies teachers. Geospatial technology professionals who shared their enthusiasm for this resource with educators decades earlier remain surprised at the continued dearth of geographic information science (GIS) in pre-collegiate classrooms. This review uses survey results from seven professional development workshops in Colorado to frame a discussion of the cycle of adoption of new techno...
Complications following transoral robotic surgery (TORS): A detailed institutional review of complications

Abstract Objectives To report the complications occurring following TORS and to identify the factors predictive of complications. Methods Following IRB approval a retrospective analysis of all TORS operations at our institution was performed. Postoperative complications within 45 days were collected and graded with the Clavien-Dindo system. Complications were categorized into groups: all complications, not related to TORS and TORS related. Unadjusted odds ratios were calculated to test association between patients with and without a complication. Results 122 TORS operations were carried out between June 2010 and August 2015. 77% were male, with a median age of 57. There were 92 primary tumor resections, 10 second head and neck primary resections, 13 salvage procedures and 7 other indications. Surgical resection involved 1, 2 or >3 sub-sites in 36%, 28% and 36% patients, respectively. Overall, there were 107 complications (66 TORS related, 41 non-TORS related) that occurred in 57 patients (47%). A major complication occurred in 23 patients (18%). 19 patients had a TORS related major complication and 6 patients experienced a non-TORS related major complication. There was a temporal trend in TORS related major complication rate decreasing from 33% in 2010 to 10% in 2015. Statistical analysis showed that the odds of having any complication were 3 times greater in patients over 60 years old (p = 0.017), and 2.5 times greater when there were more than 2 subsites resected (p = 0.022). Conclusions Age over 60 years and a larger extent of resection were the significant factors predictive of major complications.
Development of carbon nanotube: cellulose composites using a simple papermaking process for multifunctional sensing applications

For more than 4000 years, paper has been mainly used for the purpose of recording information. With the recent advance in the field of flexible electronics and wearable devices, paper is being investigated as an environmentally friendly alternative to the traditional petrochemical-based polymeric materials. In this work, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were employed as fillers to produce electrically conductive papers using a typical papermaking process. Lignin was utilized as a renewable dispersant to prepare aqueous suspensions of CNTs and softwood fibers, which served as precursors for sheet fabrication (60 g/m2). CNTs were functionalized to increase the presence of hydroxyl groups and further improve the interfacial strength between CNTs and cellulose fibers through hydrogen bonding. Both tensile strength and breaking length of the papers increased by more than 10% with volume resistivities in the range of 1,600 Ω.cm for CNT loadings as low as 2.5 wt%. The multifunctional sensing behavior of the composite papers to aqueous solutions and tensile strain was thoroughly studied. Results show that the relative electrical resistance significantly increased under water and returned almost to their initial levels after drying, with fast and reproducible signals over multiple immersion/drying cycles. The piezoresistive behavior of the composites increased linearly at low strains followed by an exponential growth at larger strains, and exhibits higher sensitivity than conventional strain gauges. These novel CNT-cellulose composite papers have outstanding multifunctional properties and are promising to be employed for the design of various smart materials, which can revolutionize the way electronic devices are manufactured and used.
Long-term Pulmonary Outcomes in Pediatric Survivors of High-risk Neuroblastoma.

Background Children with high-risk neuroblastoma are exposed to multimodality therapies early in life and survivors confront late therapy-related toxicities. This study assessed respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function tests (PFTs), and risk factors for abnormalities among survivors. Materials and methods High-risk neuroblastoma survivors followed in the long-term follow-up clinic at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center were enrolled. Self-administered symptom questionnaires were completed. Medical records were reviewed for treatment information and comorbidities. PFTs included spirometry, plethysmography, and diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO). Results Thirty-nine survivors participated (median age at study: 11.4 y; median age at diagnosis: 2.3 y; median time since completion of therapy: 5.5 y). Chronic respiratory symptoms were reported for 33%. PFT abnormalities were identified in 79% and included low forced expiratory volume in 1 second (38%), decreased total lung capacity (44%), and abnormal DLCO (67%). PFT abnormalities were mostly mild to moderate. Mean forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, and total lung capacity were normal and mean DLCO was mildly abnormal. Risks included thoracic surgery, chest radiation therapy, thoracic surgery plus chest radiation therapy, and shorter time since completion of therapy (P Conclusions Although respiratory abnormalities were common, they were mostly mild or moderate. Continued pulmonary surveillance of this at-risk population is warranted.
Regularized optimization with spatial coupling for robust decision making

Abstract In high-dimensional optimization problems where a large number of decisions need to be made, the resulting solution may exhibit high sensitivity to perturbations in the input parameters, which hinders reliable decision-making. This is particularly prevalent when there is dependence between decision variables. This paper introduces a regularized optimization approach to control the trade-off between optimality and sensitivity of the solution to optimization problems that match supply and demand over a geographical area. The proposed regularization technique achieves spatial smoothing of the solution over the geographic area. It was motivated by the need of modeling intrinsic spatial dependencies between decision variables (called herein spatial coupling), thus resulting in a more realistic solution. We demonstrate the applicability of the proposed approach for multiple optimization problems. We illustrate the proposed approach using a specific application in health care access measurement, in which a smooth solution that is robust to perturbations of model parameter leads to reliable decision-making. The experimental results show that the proposed approach can be used to find a smooth and robust solution while sacrificing its optimality at a minimum level.
An 88-year-old patient with ADPKD: underscoring the importance of risk factor modification

The mean age of onset of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is between 56 and 69. Our case represents one of the oldest patients with ADPKD, whose chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression rate could be successfully reduced by optimal risk factor modification.
Unique Phrenic Nerve-Sparing Regional Anesthetic Technique for Pain Management after Shoulder Surgery

Background. Ipsilateral phrenic nerve blockade is a common adverse event after an interscalene brachial plexus block, which can result in respiratory deterioration in patients with preexisting pulmonary conditions. Diaphragm-sparing nerve block techniques are continuing to evolve, with the intention of providing satisfactory postoperative analgesia while minimizing hemidiaphragmatic paralysis after shoulder surgery. Case Report. We report the successful application of a combined ultrasound-guided infraclavicular brachial plexus block and suprascapular nerve block in a patient with a complicated pulmonary history undergoing a total shoulder replacement. Conclusion. This case report briefly reviews the important innervations to the shoulder joint and examines the utility of the infraclavicular brachial plexus block for postoperative pain management.
An examination of the potential wetland development landscape around managed reservoirs in the central U.S. Great Plains

Abstract Reservoirs around the world are losing storage capacity due to sediment infilling, leading to reductions in the quality and value of reservoir uses. However, the sediment accumulating in the upper ends of reservoirs, particularly around primary inflows within well-defined floodplains, could potentially be developing into wetland ecosystems that provide services such as sediment filtration, nutrient sequestration, and wildlife habitat. In this study, we examine lake level, wetland, and topographic characteristics for 20 large, federally operated reservoirs in the state of Kansas located in the central U.S. Great Plains. First, daily water level data and empty-basin topography (created by merging LiDAR elevation with bathymetry) are used to delineate the primary fluctuation zone for each reservoir, which we define to be the range of extents between the 25th and 75th lake level percentiles. Next, we use data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) to characterize wetland composition in the upper fluctuation zone (extent range between the 50th and 75th lake level percentiles) and the upper flood pool (extent range between the 75th percentile and the maximum designed flood pool elevation). For the final assessment, we examine the relationship between ground slope and NWI in the upper fluctuation zone and the upper flood pool. Results indicate that relatively low-sloped ground is classified as wetland in the upper fluctuation zone at 24% greater frequency than in the upper flood pool.
Abnormal protein and mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines in the prefrontal cortex of depressed individuals who died by suicide

Background: Depression and stress are major risk factors for suicidal behaviour, and some studies show abnormalities of proinflammatory cytokines in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of depressed and suicidal patients. However, it is not clear if similar abnormalities of cytokines are present in the brain of suicidal and depressed patients. Methods: We therefore determined the mRNA (using real-time polymerase chain reaction) and protein (using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western Blot) expression levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, lymphotoxin A, lymphotoxin B, IL-8, IL-10 and IL-13 in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) obtained from 24 depressed individuals who died by suicide and 24 nonpsychiatric controls. Results: We observed that the mRNA and protein levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and lymphotoxin A were significantly increased, and levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, and of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) were significantly decreased in the PFC of depressed individuals who died by suicide compared with controls. There were no significant differences in the protein and mRNA levels of IL-8 and IL-13 in the PFC. Limitations: The main limitation of this study is that some of the suicide group had been taking antidepressant medication at the time of death. Conclusion: Our results suggest that alterations of cytokines may be associated with the pathophysiology of depressed suicide and there may be an imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in people who die by suicide. The causes of these increases in the brain of people who die by suicide, therefore, need to be investigated further.
Faculty Equity, Diversity, Culture and Climate Change in Academic Medicine: A Longitudinal Study.

Abstract There is a national call for academic medicine to use evidence-based initiatives to improve its culture and climate. The authors report data-driven policy and programmatic interventions that were associated with increased faculty diversity, equity, respectful behavior and improved faculty climate, at UC San Diego Health Sciences. Methods Based on demographic and survey data, interventions were designed to improve the climate between 2005 and 2015. Interventions included routine measuring and dissemination of demographic data, changes and dissemination of policy and procedures, and new and improved faculty development programming. Impact was measured using demographic data over time, salary equity studies, and school-wide climate surveys in 2005, 2011, and 2015. Specific outcomes included measures of diversity, salary equity, behavior, and climate. Results Over the ten-year period, the proportion of women increased from 16% to 23% of tenure/tenure-track faculty and 31%–40% of all faculty. Underrepresented minority faculty increased from less than 1%–7% of tenure/tenure-track faculty and from 5% to 8% of all faculty. While women continued to be paid less than men, the adjusted difference dropped from 23% to 12%. Reports of inappropriate behavior by faculty decreased significantly, while satisfaction and knowledge about institutional mentoring and resources improved. Conclusion Multiple interventions including new faculty development programs, changes in policy, and measuring demographics/climate supported diverse faculty recruitment, enhanced a culture of respect and improved faculty morale. Cultural changes in policy, periodic faculty data collection with dissemination, and increased faculty development, improve the climate in academic medicine.
Radiation Dosimetry: Formulations, Models, and Measurements

As measurements of doses received by internal tissues of the body cannot be made, internal dose estimates must be performed via calculations and the use of theoretical models. Standardized models of the human body, and often standardized models of radiopharmaceutical behavior in the body, are employed to describe and predict the radiation doses received by various tissues in the body. The use of agreed-upon standardized models will result in calculations that are traceable and reproducible, but one must bear in mind that calculated dose estimates are only as good as the input assumptions and models employed as input to the calculations. One must also remember that these calculated doses are doses to a model, not a patient. In diagnostic applications, this is generally acceptable. All input data has some associated uncertainty, and the calculated results reflect the inherent uncertainty in the data as well as those related to the application of standardized models of the body to a variety of patients who vary substantially in size, age, and other physical characteristics (this subject is discussed in detail later in this chapter). When the radiation doses are relatively low, this kind of uncertainty is tolerable, because if calculated answers are not entirely accurate, the consequences for the patient will be small or even nonexistent (depending on what one believes about radiation risk at low doses and dose rates). In therapeutic applications, however, more attention to accuracy and precision is needed, as with these higher doses, the chances of reaching or exceeding an organ’s threshold for expressing radiation damage are more significant.
Presence of Nerves and Their Receptors in Mouse and Human Conjunctival Goblet Cells

PURPOSE. To determine whether neural pathways for controlling goblet cell secretion are present in mouse and human conjunctiva. METHODS. Mouse conjunctiva was homogenized and subjected to electrophoresis and Western blotting to detect PGP 9.5 (indicates nerves), muscarinic receptor subtypes (indicates parasympathetic pathway), and adrenergic receptors (indicates sympathetic pathway). Mouse eyes and human conjunctival tissue were analyzed by immunofluorescence microscopy. Antibodies to vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine b-hydroxylase (DBH), and muscarinic and a1- and b-adrenergic receptor subtypes were used. RESULTS. Western blot demonstrated PGP 9.5, M1 ,M 2, and M3 muscarinic receptors and a1A-, b1-, b2-, and b3-adrenergic receptors in mouse conjunctiva. Immunoreactivity for VIP, TH, and DBH was found adjacent to mouse and human goblet cells. M1 and M2 muscarinic receptors were identified throughout mouse conjunctiva, but M3 receptor was predominantly on goblet cells. All three muscarinic receptor subtypes were detected on goblet cells in human conjunctiva. a1A-Adrenergic receptors were found on epithelial cells and on goblet cells in mouse and human conjunctiva. b1- and b2-Adrenergic receptors were found on both epithelial and goblet cells in mouse conjunctiva, but not on human conjunctival cells. b3-Adrenergic receptors were found on both epithelial and goblet cells in human conjunctiva but not on mouse conjunctival cells. CONCLUSIONS. The following conclusions were drawn: parasympathetic nerves and M1 ,M 2, and M3 muscarinic receptors, as well as sympathetic nerves are present on mouse and human goblet cells. The adrenergic receptors b1 and b2, but not a1A and b3 are present on mouse conjunctival goblet cells, whereas a1A and b3, but not b1 and b2 are present on human conjunctival goblet cells, suggesting that these nerves and receptors could activate goblet cell secretion in mouse and humans. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2001;42:2270 ‐2282)
Lead exposure to children from consumption of backyard chicken eggs.

Abstract Backyard chicken ownership is rapidly increasing in urban areas in the United States, largely as a way to provide eggs for household consumption. Despite elevated levels of environmental lead contamination in many US cities, the role of backyard chicken eggs as a pathway for lead exposure, particularly for children, has received limited scrutiny. To characterize lead exposure from consumption of backyard chicken eggs for children and predict related effects on blood lead level (BLL), we conducted a cross-sectional study of backyard chicken owners in the Greater Boston area (n = 51). We interviewed participants regarding egg consumption by household members and collected backyard eggs (n = 201) and coop soil samples (n = 48) for analysis. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to evaluate lead concentration in homogenized eggs and an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) portable device was used to assess soil lead levels in the laboratory. We used the USEPA's Integrated Exposure Uptake Biokinetic Model for Lead in Children (IEUBK) to assess the relative contribution of backyard egg consumption to aggregate BLL in children. Four scenarios were developed in the IEUBK model to address variability in egg consumption rates and egg lead contamination. Lead was detected in egg samples from 98% of the households that provided egg samples. Mean household lead concentration was 0.10 μg/g (SD: 0.18). Egg lead concentrations ranged from below the limit of detection (0.0014 μg/g) to 1.798 μg/g (
An Additional Nomenclatural Transfer in the Pantropical Genus Myrsine (Primulaceae: Myrsinoideae)

Rapanea pellucidostriata Gilg & Schellenb. is transferred to Myrsine L. as M. pellucidostriata (Gilg & Schellenb.) Pipoly & Ricketson, comb. nov. To our knowledge, this is the last species of Rapanea Aubl. remaining that did not have a name in the genus Myrsine. With the transfer of this species complete, all species of Rapanea and Suttonia A. Rich. have been transferred into Myrsine.
Titling community land to prevent deforestation: An evaluation of a best-case program in Morona-Santiago, Ecuador

Assigning land title to collective landholders is one of the primary policies land management agencies use to avoid deforestation worldwide. Such programs are designed to improve the ability of landholders to legally exclude competing users and thereby strengthen incentives to manage forests for long-term benefits. Despite the prevalence of this hypothesis, findings about the impacts of land titling programs on deforestation are mixed. Evidence is often unreliable because programs are targeted according to factors that independently influence the conversion of forests. We evaluate a donor-funded land titling and land management program for indigenous communities implemented in Morona-Santiago, Ecuador. This program offers a close to best case scenario for a land titling program to reduce deforestation because of colonization pressure, availability of payments when titled communities maintain forests, and limited opportunities for commercial agriculture. We match plots in program areas with similar plots outside program areas on covariates that influence the conversion of forests. Based on matched comparisons, we do not find evidence that land titling or community management plans reduced forest loss in the five years following legal recognition. The results call into question land titling as a direct deforestation strategy and suggests land titling is better viewed a precursor to other programs.