cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of an Integrated Platform Using Multidisciplinary Real-World Data to Facilitate Biomarker Discovery for Medical Products.

Translational multidisciplinary research is important for the Center for Devices and Radiological Health's efforts for utilizing real-world data (RWD) to enhance predictive evaluation of medical device performance in patient subpopulations. As part of our efforts for developing new RWD-based evidentiary approaches, including in silico discovery of device-related risk predictors and biomarkers, this study aims to characterize the sex/race-related trends in hip replacement outcomes and identify corresponding candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Adverse outcomes were assessed by deriving RWD from a retrospective analysis of hip replacement hospital discharge data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS). Candidate SNPs were explored using pre-existing data from the Personalized Medicine Research Project (PMRP). High-Performance Integrated Virtual Environment was used for analyzing and visualizing putative associations between SNPs and adverse outcomes. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) was used for exploring plausibility of the sex-related candidate SNPs and characterizing gene networks associated with the variants of interest. The NIS-based epidemiologic evidence showed that periprosthetic osteolysis (PO) was most prevalent among white men. The PMRP-based genetic evidence associated the PO-related male predominance with rs7121 (odds ratio = 4.89; 95% confidence interval = 1.41-17.05) and other candidate SNPs. SNP-based IPA analysis of the expected gene expression alterations and corresponding signaling pathways suggested possible role of sex-related metabolic factors in development of PO, which was substantiated by ad hoc epidemiologic analysis identifying the sex-related differences in metabolic comorbidities in men vs. women with hip replacement-related PO. Thus, our in silico study illustrates RWD-based evidentiary approaches that may facilitate cost/time-efficient discovery of biomarkers for informing use of medical products.
Patient Satisfaction With Decision Making Does Not Correlate With Patient Centeredness of Surgeons.

Abstract Background High-quality decision making is important in patient-centered care. Although patient involvement in decision making varies widely, most patients desire to share in decision making. The Press-Ganey Patient Satisfaction survey includes questions that measure patients' perceptions of their providers' efforts to involve them in decision making (PGDM). We hypothesized that higher PGDM scores would correlate with higher scores on a validated measure of patient centeredness. Materials and methods Surgical providers at a university hospital who routinely receive Press-Ganey scores received a survey that included the Patient-Practitioner Orientation Scale (PPOS), a validated tool that measures the provider's orientation toward patient centeredness on a continuous six-point scale: score ≥5 = high, 4.57-5 = moderate, and Results Eighty-six of 112 (75%) of surgical providers responded to the survey. Fifty-two (46%) had PGDM scores available and 26% achieved a perfect score on the PGDM. The overall PPOS scores were low, with a mean of 4.2 (SD = 0.5). The PPOS was not correlated with the PGDM, correlation coefficient (rs) = −0.07 (CI: −0.34-0.21, P = 0.63). Similarly, the two subscales of the PPOS did not correlate with the PGDM with rs = −0.15 (CI: −0.41-0.13, P = 0.29) for “caring” and rs = −0.04 (CI: −0.31-0.23, P = 0.76) for “sharing”. Conclusions Although surgical providers scored low in patient centeredness using the PPOS, over one-quarter (26%) of them rank in the top 1% on the PGDM. No correlation was found between providers' patient centeredness and their patients' perceptions of efforts to include them in decision making.
The state of technologies and research for energy recovery from municipal wastewater sludge and biosolids

Abstract Wastewater resource recovery facilities produce wastewater solids that offer potential for energy recovery. This opinion article provides a perspective on state-of-the-art technologies to recover energy from sludge (unstabilized wastewater residual solids) and biosolids (stabilized wastewater solids meeting criteria for application on land). The production of biodiesel fuel is an emerging technology for energy recovery from sludge, whereas advancements in pretreatment technologies have improved energy recovery from anaerobic digestion of sludge. Incineration is an established technology to recover energy from sludge or biosolids. Gasification, and to a greater extent, pyrolysis are emerging technologies well-suited for energy recovery from biosolids. While gasification produces high-energy gases, pyrolysis has the benefit of producing biochar in addition to pyrolysis gas. Research on the use of pyrolysis liquids, however, must proceed to advance pyrolysis implementation efforts. Future research on improvements to dewatering and drying of sewage sludge and biosolids will help advance all technologies reviewed.
Utilization of 3D Printed Materials in Expendable Pattern Casting Process

While lost foam casting process offers advantages of producing complex parts without the needs of parting line, draft and core, this process requires long lead time and only works for high volume applications due to the tooling requirements. With recent developments of 3D printing technology, the limitations of this process can be mitigated. Utilization of 3D printed materials instead of foam will allow the production of pattern materials at lower cost and shorter lead time, and also, low-volume production. The objective of this study was to explore the feasibility of producing cast parts using expendable casting process with 3D printed materials (PLA, ABS, and PVA) as patterns. These materials were printed in a shape of fluidity spiral with different sizes and infill designs, and were then poured with A356.0 Aluminum. Results showed that this process can be used as an alternative method to produce cast aluminum components.
Comprehensive update on current outbreak of novel coronavirus infection (2019-nCoV)

Recently, a new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has emerged as a respiratory infection with significant concern for global public health hazards. With an initial suspicion of the animal to the human transmission for earlier cases, now the paradigm has shifted towards human to human transmission via droplets, contacts and/or through fomites. with each passing day, more and more confirmed cases are being reported worldwide which has alarmed the global authorities including World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China to take immediate action in order to reduce the transmission and subsequent mortalities associated with COVID-19 to as minimum as possible. Unfortunately, like the previous Coronavirus outbreaks, there is no definite antiviral therapy for the treatment of confirmed cases and hence preventing ourselves from contracting 2019-nCoV is the best way to prevent it from becoming pandemic. Herein, we aim to discuss the latest updates on the origin, genomic characteristics, diagnosis, treatment options and current efforts being made by international health organizations with regards to the 2019-nCoV outbreak.
The closed response style and posttraumatic stress: Examining the interaction between experiential avoidance and cognitive fusion among women experiencing sexual trauma.

Objective Experiential avoidance and cognitive fusion synergistically form what is known as the closed response style. Prior study findings indicate that the closed response style, examined as an interaction between experiential avoidance and cognitive fusion, relates to posttraumatic stress symptom severity among a heterogeneous sample of trauma survivors. The present study sought to extend those findings by examining the association between the closed response style and posttraumatic stress symptom severity specifically among women who survived a Criterion A sexual trauma. Method The sample was 136 women attending a southern U.S. university who reported Criterion A sexual trauma exposure. Participants completed self-report measures assessing the study variables. Results The predicted interaction between experiential avoidance and cognitive fusion accounted for unique variance in posttraumatic stress symptom severity (total symptom severity, along with hyperarousal and alterations in cognitions and mood). Simple effects indicated that experiential avoidance and cognitive fusion only shared associations with posttraumatic stress symptom severity when coupled with high levels of the other process (i.e., cognitive fusion or experiential avoidance, respectively). Conclusions Results provide further support for the potential relevance of the closed response style to posttraumatic stress. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Chapter 22 – Choosing Greatness in Leadership

One of the questions that anyone who looks at the business school literature asks sooner or later is “Let’s get to the bottom line why do some companies do so well while others don’t even when other factors are the same.” This is one of the big questions, perhaps even the biggest that you can ask in the field of management. Two companies face similar costs, similar geography, and the same market issues. One succeeds, the other performs at a mediocre level or even worse. Is it leadership, is it technology, is it culture, is it history, or something else? What factor or factors really matter within a much larger ocean of possibilities? In this chapter, we will look at a short list of important factors that are at the heart of great leadership so that you can think about applying these in your group or department and in your career path.
A Task-Oriented Distributed Assignment Algorithm for Collaborative Unmanned Aerial Systems

In this paper, we propose a new distributed algorithm for task assignment problems for unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Inspired by the Hungarian method, the proposed algorithm, namely, the task-oriented distributed assignment algorithm (TODAA), uses a mechanism that updates the label and the slack variables in a heuristic manner throughout the assignment process for each individual UAS. We compare the proposed TODAA with the Concensus-Based Auction Algorithm (CBAA) in terms of computational time and cost optimality errors. The results show that the TODAA outperforms the CBAA in assignment cost whereas is outperformed in computational time.
Associations of burnout with awakening and diurnal cortisol among police officers.

Abstract The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the associations of burnout with cortisol parameters in 197 police officers from the Buffalo Cardio-Metabolic Occupational Police Stress (BCOPS) study (2010–2014). The Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey assessed depersonalization, exhaustion, and professional efficacy. Officers provided salivary cortisol samples collected upon awakening, and 15, 30, and 45 ​min thereafter as well as three additional samples at lunchtime, dinnertime, and bedtime. Total area under the curve with respect to increase (AUCWI for waking and AUCDI for diurnal), total area under the curve with respect to ground (AUCWG for waking and AUCDG for diurnal), and diurnal slope were determined and used in this study. Unadjusted and adjusted (age, sex, and race/ethnicity) associations were examined using linear regression. The mean age of the officers was 48 years and 72% were males. The depersonalization component of burnout was negatively associated with AUCDG (β ​= ​−108.4; p ​= ​0.036). Similarly, as exhaustion increased, AUCWI (β ​= ​−9.58, p ​= ​0.038), AUCDG (β ​= ​−114.7, p ​= ​0.029) and the diurnal slope (β ​= ​−0.000038; p ​= ​0.017) decreased. The Professional efficacy was not associated with any of the cortisol parameters. These results suggest that certain characteristics of burnout may be associated with diminished cortisol secretion in this group of urban police officers. Our findings add to previous studies examining associations of burnout with the cortisol awakening response. Future longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate the temporal relationship between burnout and these cortisol parameters.
A survey of the effects of magnetic fields, resistivity, viscosity and thermal conduction on the Rayleigh–Taylor instability

The Rayleigh–Taylor instability (RTI) is ubiquitous in nature and has been investigated in great detail in a number of theoretical, numerical, and experimental studies relevant to laboratory and sp...
Amygdala microglia modify neuronal plasticity via complement C1q/C3-CR3 signaling and contribute to visceral pain in a rat model

Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) show altered amygdala activity. We showed previously that stress induces visceral hypersensitivity partially through microglia-modulated synaptic plasti...
Abstract 16043: Effectiveness and Safety of Switching From Warfarin to Apixaban in Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease Patients With Prevalent Atrial Fibrillation in the United States Between 2012 and 2016

Introduction: Apixaban is the preferred direct acting oral anticoagulant in patients with CKD and has advantages compared with warfarin. Data on effectiveness and safety outcomes after switching fr...
Spatial Variation in Sensitivity of Hurricane Surge Characteristics to Hurricane Parameters

AbstractMitigating losses from a storm surge requires an accurate prediction of its peak, duration, and current speed along the coastline. Because this prediction depends on varying atmospheric and...
Acute failure of S2-alar-iliac screw pelvic fixation in adult spinal deformity: novel failure mechanism, case series, and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE Pelvic fixation with S2-alar-iliac (S2AI) screws is an established technique in adult deformity surgery. The authors' objective was to report the incidence and risk factors for an underreported acute failure mechanism of S2AI screws. METHODS The authors retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of ambulatory adults with fusions extending 3 or more levels, and which included S2AI screws. Acute failure of S2AI screws was defined as occurring within 6 months of the index surgery and requiring surgical revision. RESULTS Failure occurred in 6 of 125 patients (5%) and consisted of either slippage of the rods or displacement of the set screws from the S2AI tulip head, with resultant kyphotic fracture. All failures occurred within 6 weeks postoperatively. Revision with a minimum of 4 rods connecting to 4 pelvic fixation points was successful. Two of 3 (66%) patients whose revision had less fixation sustained a second failure. Patients who experienced failure were younger (56.5 years vs 65 years, p = 0.03). The magnitude of surgical correction was higher in the failure cohort (number of levels fused, change in lumbar lordosis, change in T1-pelvic angle, and change in coronal C7 vertical axis, each p < 0.05). In the multivariate analysis, younger patient age and change in lumbar lordosis were independently associated with increased failure risk (p < 0.05 for each). There was a trend toward the presence of a transitional S1-2 disc being a risk factor (OR 8.8, 95% CI 0.93-82.6). Failure incidence was the same across implant manufacturers (p = 0.3). CONCLUSIONS All failures involved large-magnitude correction and resulted from stresses that exceeded the failure loads of the set plugs in the S2AI tulip, with resultant rod displacement and kyphotic fractures. Patients with large corrections may benefit from 4 total S2AI screws at the time of the index surgery, particularly if a transitional segment is present. Salvage with a minimum of 4 rods and 4 pelvic fixation points can be successful.
Incorporating deep and shallow components of genetic structure into the management of Alaskan red king crab

Observed patterns of genetic variability among marine populations are shaped not only by contemporary levels of gene flow, but also by divergences during historical isolations. We examined variability at 15 SNP loci and in mtDNA sequences (COI, 665 bp) in red king crab from 17 localities in the North Pacific. These markers define three geographically distinct evolutionary lineages (SNPs, FCT = 0.054; mtDNA ΦCT = 0.222): (i) Okhotsk Sea–Norton Sound–Aleutian Islands, (ii) southeastern Bering Sea–western Gulf of Alaska, and (iii) Southeast Alaska. Populations in the Bering Sea and in Southeast Alaska are genetically heterogeneous, but populations in the center of the range are homogeneous. Mitochondrial DNA diversity drops from h = 0.91 in the northwestern Pacific to h = 0.24 in the Southeast Alaska. Bayesian skyline plots (BSPs) indicate postglacial population expansions, presumably from ice-age refugia. BSPs of sequences simulated under a demographic model defined by late Pleistocene temperatures failed to detect demographic variability before the last glacial maximum. These results sound a note of caution for the interpretation of BSPs. Population fragmentation in the Bering Sea and in Southeast Alaskan waters requires population management on a small geographic scale, and deep evolutionary partitions between the three geographic groups mandate regional conservation measures.
Stabilization in dynamic systems with varying equilibrium

System design often explores optimality of performance. What is optimal is, however, often not predefined or static in most cases, because it is affected by the context of operation, such as the environment or external system inputs. In this paper, we formulate the maintenance of optimality of performance in dynamical systems in terms of the standard notion of stabilization. For systems with observable external inputs and computable optimality, stabilization may be achieved by adding a stabilizing input estimator to the system. But environments and external inputs are often unobservable. To overcome this difficulty, we present two alternative methods, one based on a game-theoretic MinMax strategy that leads to Nash equilibrium, and the other based on a feedback control mechanism that adds a stabilizing output transformer to the system. We exemplify these two approaches with a pursuit-evasion application and a MAC layer duty cycle adaptation protocol, respectively.
Arbitrating in the Ether of Intent

The U.S. Supreme Court’s jurisprudence interpreting the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) is incoherent insofar as it relies on the concept of the parties’ “intent.” To illustrate this distorting influence of "intent," the Article dissects Supreme Court opinions in two broad sections of the FAA case law, both of which illustrate vividly the deforming effect of intent on it. The first concerns the carving up of jurisdiction between courts and arbitrators that goes to the foundations of the FAA, namely, the question of which decisionmaker — court or arbitrator — should determine whether the underlying dispute is arbitrable. The second is a controversy of more recent provenance that already has striking implications for all manner of consumer and employment contracts, specifically, the question concerning the availability of class arbitration. The result of this confused exercise is a tottering FAA case law built on ever more rarefied abstractions of “intent” that are little anchored in reality, but yet impact in a very real way a broad range of contracts, including countless consumer and employment agreements. Thus, a complete and accurate account of the Court’s jurisprudence under the FAA is not possible without a close scrutiny of the role of “intent,” a concept that is ultimately wanting.
A correction to “Ultradifferentiable functions on lines in ℝⁿ"

The proof of Theorem 1 in Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 127 (1999), no. 7, 2099–2104, is revised. The proof of Theorem 1 in [1] uses Lemma 3(ii) which turns out to be valid only for the case n = 2. In this note the proof of Theorem 1 is revised by replacing Lemma 3(ii) by the proposition stated below. For x ∈ R, 0 6= ξ ∈ Sn−1, let Hxξ denote the hyperplane in R that passes through x with ξ as its normal vector. If φ : Rn−1 → R is a linear map such that Hxξ = φ(Rn−1), then the restriction of a function u ∈ C∞(Rn) to Hxξ is defined by uxξ(t) = u(x+ φ(t)), t ∈ Rn−1. Proposition. For any u ∈ C∞(Rn), the following inequality holds: (0.1) max |α|=k |∂u(x)| ≤ max β∈Zn−1 + ,|β|=k max |ξ|=1 ∣∣∂β (uxξ) (0)∣∣ , ∀k ≥ 0. Proof. Conforming to the notation in [1], let a1, e ∈ R, e > 0, x ∈ R, k ∈ Z, k ≥ 0, and (α1, α2, . . . , αn) ∈ Z+, |α| = k, be fixed. Put a1j = a1+ ej k , j = 0, ..., k. Consider the hyperplanes given by the images of the linear maps φj : Rn−1 → R, φj(t2, ..., tn) = (x1 + a1jt2, x2 + t2, ..., xn + tn) , ∀j, 0 ≤ j ≤ k. Then, ∂12 2 ∂ α′′ (u ◦ φj) (0) = α1+α2 ∑ l=0 a1 1j ( ∂ 1∂ α1+α2−l 2 ∂ αu ) (x) , where ∂ ′′ = ∂3 3 · · · ∂n n . By applying Lemma 3(i), we have for e = 8e and l = α1, |∂u(x)| ≤ max |β|=|α| max 0≤r≤k ∣∣∂β (u ◦ φr) (0)∣∣ . Let V be an n-dimensional vector space. By using a linear isomorphism between V and R, the classes C∞(V ) and C (V ) can be identified with C∞(Rn) and Received by the editors June 20, 2002. 2000 Mathematics Subject Classification. Primary 30D60, 46F05.
GEOGRAPHIC IGNORANCE AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS IN THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

Abstract Geographic ignorance is a focus of considerable discussion in the United States. Data on geographic awareness among respondents at four locations in the People's Republic of China are analyzed to provide perspective on the U.S. experience. The general patterns of agreement, degree of accuracy, and possible causes for variations are examined. Comparisons with findings of previous studies indicate a number of similarities and several significant differences in patterns of geographic knowledge.
Bisphosphonates rescue articular cartilage from trauma damage

We previously found that systemic injection of zoledronic acid (ZA), a bisphosphonate, could suppress the post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) in meniscus dislocated animal model. The aim of this study is to explore the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying ZA's chondro-protective function. We found that ZA can rescue the trauma-damaged cartilage explants during in vitro culture without the presence of subchondral bone. The effect of ZA is associated with the intracellular calcium ([Ca2+] i ) signaling of chondrocytes and the inhibition of mevalonate pathway, especially the protein geranylgeranylation. Our results indicate that local administration of bisphosphonate could serve as a new potential therapeutic technique to prevent the initiation of PTOA.
Design of a Real-Time SQL Engine in the Distributed Environment

Real-time database research has reached a point when a practical approach need to be found to combine academic research fruits with real world problems. It is generally believed that the transaction scheduling principles of the traditional database management is too stringent to meet real-time constraints. In this paper, we look at the real world problem and argue that the future will see the proliferation of federated database consisting of distributed heterogeneous subdatabases. We propose the similarity predicate to unify real-time constraints on applications of the federated database system. We then design a real-time SQL engine that sits between the distributed database and the applications that separates the database design from individual user application. The real-time part of the engine benefits from SQL standard and can be scaled from empty to very sophisticated.
Fermi Bubble: Giant Gamma-Ray Bubbles in the Milky Way

Data from the Fermi-LAT reveal two gigantic gamma-ray emitting bubble structures (known as the Fermibubbles), extending∼​​​​ 50∘ above and below the Galactic center symmetric about the Galactic plane, with a width of∼​​ 40∘ in longitude. The gamma-ray emission associated with these bubbles has a significantly harder spectrum \((\mathit{dN}/\mathit{dE} \sim {E}^{-2})\) than the inverse Compton emission from known cosmic ray electrons in the Galactic disk, or the gamma-rays produced by decay of pions from proton-ISM collisions. The bubbles are spatially correlated with the hard-spectrum microwave excess known as the WMAPhaze; the edges of the bubbles also line up with features in the ROSATsoft X-ray maps at 1.5–2keV. The Fermibubble is most likely created by some large episode of energy injection in the Galactic center, such as past accretion events onto the central massive black hole, or a nuclear starburst in the last∼10Myr. Study of the origin and evolution of the bubbles also has the potential to improve our understanding of recent energetic events in the inner Galaxy and the high-latitude cosmic ray population.
Sonic hedgehog and bone morphogenetic protein regulate interneuron development from dorsal telencephalic progenitors in vitro

Cortical progenitors are competent to produce interneurons, but do not generate large numbers of interneurons in vivo under normal circumstances. This could reflect the absence of an inductive signal in the environment of the dorsal telencephalon and/or the presence of an inhibitory signal. To determine whether either or both mechanisms regulate interneuron generation, progenitors in dorsomedial and dorsolateral wall explants of mouse telencephalon were marked with a retrovirus and cultured under several conditions. When cultured separately, progenitors in dorsomedial wall explants produced fewer GABAergic interneurons than progenitors in dorsolateral wall explants. When cocultured with ventral telencephalic cells, however, dorsomedial wall progenitors produced more GABAergic interneurons than in dorsomedial wall explants alone. The inductive effect of ventral telencephalon depended on sonic hedgehog (Shh) and could be mimicked by exogenous Shh. In contrast, exogenous bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) reduced the production of interneurons in dorsolateral wall explants and inhibited the induction by exogenous Shh. Moreover, inhibiting BMP signaling in dorsomedial wall progenitors with a dominant-negative BMP receptor Ib (dnBMPIb) virus increased their production of interneurons, even if Shh was blocked. Shh and dnBMPRIb increased proliferation and the generation of interneurons, but FGF2 did not induce interneurons, although it increased proliferation. This suggests that proliferation per se does not control the production of interneurons. Our findings suggest that the generation of interneurons by dorsal telencephalic progenitors is normally limited by excess levels of BMPs. Shh may promote the generation of interneurons by antagonizing BMP, but may not be required directly for the generation of interneurons.
Healing of perineal Crohn's disease with metronidazole.

Abstract The effect of metronidazole was studied in 21 consecutive patients with chronic unremitting perineal Crohn's disease. Drainage, erythema, and induration diminished dramatically in all patients, and complete healing was obtained in 10 of 18 patients maintained on therapy. Five others have shown advanced healing; in 2 patients the inflammation is improved, but healing is minimal. Side effects of metallic taste, dark urine, and mild gastrointestinal upset occurred in many patients. However, the dosage had to be decreased in only 4 patients and the drug discontinued in only 1 patient, all because of peripheral neuropathy that proved to be reversible. In 2 other patients, metronidazole was discontinued because of poor compliance. If further experience corroborates this prompt and striking response in patients with extreme, disabling, and otherwise unmanageable disease, metronidazole will play an important role in the therapy of perineal Crohn's disease.
Enhancing the Understanding about Emotions in Services Interactions

This article proposes a reflective discussion by means of a theoretical approach about emotion in the context of services. Firstly, emotion is discussed and the role it plays in the interaction existing between customer and front-line personnel of the service provider. Subsequently it treats empowerment and competence of the front-line personnel in maximizing the effects originated from emotion, and, from that, liking, trust and commitment developed between the parties are also discussed. Finally, it is proposed that services rendering companies develop long-term relationships, and in doing so understand in time the value of the customer. Therefore the central objective of the article is to propose a framework that treats the emotion existing in the context of service, and, as a consequence, to identify a few propositions that may contribute for a better understanding of the subject, both in the academic and the entrepreneurial environment. Key-words: Consumer behavior. Emotion. Services interaction. Relationship. Services.
Improving pancreatic cancer diagnosis using circulating tumor cells: prospects for staging and single-cell analysis

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related death in the USA, primarily due to late presentation coupled with an aggressive biology. The lack of adequate biomarkers for diagnosis and staging confound clinical decision-making and delay potentially effective therapies. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are a promising new biomarker in PC. Preliminary studies have demonstrated their potential clinical utility, and newer CTC isolation platforms have the potential to provide clinicians access to tumor tissue in a reliable, real-time manner. Such a 'liquid biopsy' has been demonstrated in several cancers, and small studies have demonstrated its potential applications in PC. This article reviews the available literature on CTCs as a biomarker in PC and presents the latest innovations in CTC research as well as their potential applications in PC.
Proton Transfers from Carbon Acids Activated by π-Acceptors. Changes in Intrinsic Barriers and Transition State Imbalances Induced by a Cyano Group. An ab Initio Study

We report an ab initio study of the identity carbon-to-carbon proton-transfer NCCH(2)Y + NCCH=Y(-) right arrow over left arrow NCCH=Y(-) + NCCH(2)Y in the gas phase, where Y = H, CH=CH(2), CH=O, CH=S, CN, NO, and NO(2). The main focus is on a comparison with the previously reported systems CH(3)Y + CH(2)=Y(-) right arrow over left arrow CH(2)=Y(-) + CH(3)Y, i.e., on the effect of the cyano group on acidities, proton-transfer barriers, and transition state structures. The conclusions of this study are as follows: (1) The transition state for the NCCH(2)Y/NCCH=Y(-) systems is more imbalanced than that for the CH(3)Y/CH(2)=Y(-) systems. (2) The cyano group leads to an increase in the acidities but to a decrease in the proton transfer barriers. This barrier reduction results from the fact that the stabilizing effect of the cyano group on the transition state is greater than that on the anion. (3) Within a reaction series, the barriers are largely dominated by the pi-acceptor strength of Y, i.e., the strongest pi-acceptors lead to the highest barriers. This is similar to proton transfers in solution but quite different from the CH(3)Y/CH(2)=Y(-) systems in the gas phase; in these latter systems pi-acceptor effects play a minor role while the barrier lowering field effect of Y is dominant.
Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia with Corticobasal Degeneration Pathology: Phenotypic Comparison to bvFTD with Pick’s Disease

Patients with corticobasal degeneration (CBD) pathology present with diverse clinical syndromes also associated with other neuropathologies, including corticobasal syndrome, progressive nonfluent aphasia, and an Alzheimer’s-type dementia. Some present with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), though this subtype still requires more detailed clinical characterization. All patients with CBD pathology and clinical assessment were reviewed (N = 17) and selected if they initially met criteria for bvFTD [bvFTD(CBD), N = 5]. Available bvFTD patients with Pick’s [bvFTD(Pick’s), N = 5] were selected as controls. Patients were also compared to healthy older controls [N = 53] on neuropsychological and neuroimaging measures. At initial presentation, bvFTD(CBD) showed few neuropsychological or motor differences from bvFTD(Pick’s). Neuropsychiatrically, they were predominantly apathetic with less florid social disinhibition and eating disturbances, and were more anxious than bvFTD(Pick’s) patients. Voxel-based morphometry revealed similar patterns of predominantly frontal atrophy between bvFTD groups, though overall degree of atrophy was less severe in bvFTD(CBD), who also showed comparative preservation of the frontoinsular rim, with dorsal > ventral frontal atrophy, and sparing of temporal and parietal structures relative to bvFTD(Pick’s) patients. Despite a remarkable overlap between the two patient types, bvFTD patients with underlying CBD pathology show subtle clinical features that may distinguish them from patients with Pick’s disease neuropathology.
Abstract 2467: Acidic pericellular pH increases contribution of cathepsin B to invasiveness of a human breast carcinoma cell line

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Among the non-cellular microenvironmental factors that may contribute to malignancy of solid tumors is an acidic peritumoral pH (pHe). We have shown that this induces secretion of the lysosomal cysteine protease, cathepsin B. The object of the present study was to further examine the effect of a slightly acidic pericellular pH (i.e., pHe 6.8) on degradation of collagen IV and the activity and secretion of proteolytic enzymes, in particular cathepsin B. For these studies, we used: 1) a highly malignant human breast carcinoma line, MDA-MB-231-RFP; 2) a 3D reconstituted basement membrane overlay culture model; 3) a live cell confocal microscopy assay for imaging proteolysis and detecting active cathepsin B via an activity based probe, GB123; 4) a protocol for quantification of proteolysis on a per cell basis; 5) and fluorometric real-time and plate-reader assays for measuring cathepsin B activity. The live cell proteolysis assay confirmed that degradation of collagen IV by the MDA-MB-231 cells was consistently higher at a slightly acidic pHe and was decreased by a highly selective cathepsin B inhibitor, CA074. A dramatic increase in cathepsin B secretion from MDA-MB-231 cells was observed upon exposure to an acidic pHe, as assessed by assays of conditioned media and analysis of secretion in real-time. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis by Gillies and colleagues of “acid-mediated invasion” in tumors and suggest a role for cathepsin B in promoting degradation of collagen IV and thereby tumor invasiveness in the acidic peritumoral microenvironment. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2467. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2467
Evaluation of Pelvic Organ Prolapse With Medical Imaging

Female pelvic floor defects are often multiple and can be associated with concomitant pathological conditions that must be addressed at evaluation. Imaging of the pelvic floor can provide these important anatomical and pathological findings that are often missed or undetectable on physical examination. Imaging of the pelvis not only assesses what can be seen on the outside but also provides the internal relationship of pelvic organs. Various imaging modalities have been used to visualize the pelvic structures and lower urinary tract including fluoroscopy, sonography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This article reviews the methodology and application of these imaging modalities for the diagnosis of pelvic organ prolapse.
Meta-Analysis of Incremental Rehearsal Using Phi Coefficients to Compare Single-Case and Group Designs

The current study meta-analyzed single-case design (SCD) and group research regarding incremental rehearsal (IR). We used phi to meta-analyze data from 19 IR studies. Data from the SCD studies resulted in a nonoverlap of all pairs (NAP) score of 98.9 % (95 % CI = 97.6–100 %), which resulted in a weighted phi of .77 (95 % CI = .69–.83). The group research data resulted in a median d of 1.67 (95 % CI = 1.43–1.91), which converted to a weighted phi of .63 (95 % CI = .39–.87). Results suggested that using NAP to compute a weighted phi from SCD research led to a coefficient that was not significantly different from the weighted phi based on group studies z = .46, p > .05, and there was not significant heterogeneity among the effect sizes (Q (k = 17, df = 16) = 11.73, p > .05, I 2 = 0). Efficiency data resulted in a weighted phi of −.22 (95 % CI = −.79 to .34), which suggested a small effect when comparing the efficiency to other approaches, but the studies used different data to determine efficiency. Suggestions for future research are included.
CELLULAR SLIME MOLDS OF SOUTHEAST ASIA. I. DESCRIPTION OF NEW SPECIES

A B S T R A CT Sixteen species of cellular slime molds were isolated from Southeast Asian forest soils. Ten of these, Dictyostelium mucoroides Brefeld, D. purpureum Olive, D. polycephalum Raper, D. lacteum van Tieghem, D. rhizopodium Raper and Fennell, D. lavandullin Raper and Fennell, D. vinaceo-fuscum Raper and Fennell, D. coeruleo-stipes Raper and Fennell, Polysphondylium violaceum Brefeld, and P. pallidum Olive have been previously described and are well-recognized species occurring in other parts of the world. Two, one in the genus Dictyostelium and one belonging to the family Guttulinaceae, are considered species by the author but have not been formally described. Four are described in this paper as new: Dictyostelium intermedium, D. multi-stipes, D. bifurcatum, and Acytostelium subglobosum. A new variety papilloideum of D. lacteum is also described. One other discovery of special interest is an isolate of Polysphondylium violaceum which produces abundant macrocysts, now known to be the sexual stage in the life cycle of cellular slime molds.
Thrombosis and the Antiphospholipid Syndrome

The antiphospholipid syndrome is an antibody-mediated hypercoagulable state characterized by recurrent venous and arterial thromboembolic events. Several studies have determined that the frequency of antiphospholipid syndrome in patients presenting with a venous thromboembolic event is between 4% and 14%. Because of the high risk for recurrent thromboembolism in these patients, current recommendations suggest a longer, potentially lifelong, course of antithrombotic therapy following an initial event. Although most authorities agree on an extended course of therapy, considerable controversy surrounds the optimal target therapeutic INR for patients with antiphospholipid syndrome. For an initial venous thromboembolic event, a target INR of 2.0 to 3.0 is supported by two prospective, randomized clinical trials. In contrast, relatively limited data exist for an initial arterial thromboembolic event in patients who have the antiphospholipid syndrome, and therapeutic recommendations range from aspirin to warfarin with a high target INR. Recurrent thromboembolic events can be extremely difficult to treat, and some patients may benefit from the addition of immunosuppressive therapies. Importantly, as many as 50% of the initial thromboembolic events sustained by patients with antiphospholipid antibodies occur in the setting of additional, coincident prothrombotic risk factors, indicating the importance of addressing any additional risk factors, such as hypercholesterolemia, in these patients. Prospective studies are needed to address the role of thromboprophylactic strategies in asymptomatic individuals with antiphospholipid antibodies in the absence of additional risk factors.
PCR detection and 16S rRNA sequence-based phylogeny of a novel Propionibacterium acidipropionici applicable for enhanced fermentation of high moisture corn

Aims: The aims of this study were to develop a sensitive and more rapid detection of Propionibacterium acidipropionici DH42 in silage and rumen fluid samples, and to explore its 16S rRNA sequence-based phylogeny. Methods and Results: Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used with DH42-specific primers dhb1 and dhb2 for the secondary amplification of a 1267-bp fragment of 16S rRNA encoding gene. Using the established protocols for PCR amplification, as low as 102 and 103 CFU ml−1 of strain DH42 in silage extracts and rumen fluid, respectively, were detected. To determine phylogenetic relationships between DH42 and other representatives of Propionibacterineae, a 1529-bp fragment of its 16S rRNA was amplified by PCR and sequenced. The propionibacterium DH42 formed a cluster with Eubacterium combesii, P. acidipropionici and P. microaerophilus. Conclusions: 16S rRNA-based PCR detection technique was developed for DH42 in silage and rumen fluid samples. The 16S rRNA sequence confirmed the earlier identification of strain DH42 as P. acidipropionici. However, variable nucleotide positions were revealed. Significance and Impact of the Study: Variability of 16S rRNA sequence within the species P. acidipropionici, determined in this study, poses the need of re-sequencing for some species of the suborder Propionibacterineae for a more reliable classification.
Tensile Rate Effects in High Strength-High Ductility Concrete

Abstract Researchers at the University of Michigan have recently developed a new class of concrete, named High Strength-High Ductility Concrete (HSHDC), which possesses exceptional combination of compressive strength (> 150 MPa) and tensile ductility (> 3%) under quasi-static loads. The structural applications of HSHDC for withstanding extreme events, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, impacts, and blasts, require an understanding of its dynamic behavior at high strain rates. This research experimentally investigates the effects of strain rate (from 10− 4/s to 10/s) on the composite tensile properties and the micro-scale fiber/matrix interaction properties of HSHDC. A micromechanics-based scale-linking model is used to analytically explain the composite-scale rate effects based on the micro-scale rate effects. Due to the unique interactions between the Polyethylene fibers and densely packed ultra-high strength matrix of HSHDC, novel rate effects are revealed, which are expected to be foundational for the future development of this class of materials for improving infrastructure resilience.
A stink bug, Edessa protera sp. n. (Pentatomidae: Edessinae) in Mexican amber

A new species of stink bug, Edessa protera sp. n. (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae: Edessinae) is described from Mexican amber. Diagnostic characters include: an anterior thin but strongly carinate mesosternum, a scutellum with a long tongue and obtuse apex, alternate connexiva and the configuration of the terminalia. This is the first description of a fossil pentatomid in amber and the first fossil stink bug from the Neotropics.
Pitman's measure of closeness for symmetric stable distributions

Abstract: This paper considers symmetric stable distributions with different exponents y (0 < y Q 2) and studies Pitman’s measure of closeness of sample averages (both weighted and unweighted) based on different sample sizes. The behavior of measures of concentration of such averages around the point of symmetry is also studied. It is found that while Pitman’s closeness criterion is compatible with the measure of concentration for 1 d y Q 2, this need not always be so for 0 < y < 1. The relationship of our results with the ones given in Blyth and Pathak (1985) is also pointed out. AMS 1980 Subject Classification: 62FlO. Keywords: Pitman-closeness; measure of concentration; stable distributions; symmetric; sample averages; weighted; normal; Cauchy. 1. Introduction Pitman’s measure of closeness, originally introduced in Pitman (19371, is, in effect, a comparison between two estimators of a parameter of interest based on the joint distribution of resulting losses. This is in sharp contrast to the usual decision-theory analysis based on the marginal distributions of the losses. It is shown in Hwang (1985) that one estimator dominates the other uniformly under any symmetric bowl-shaped loss if and only if the former has greater concentration around the parameter of interest than the latter. On the other hand, even though an estimator has greater concentration around the parameter than another, the former can be vastly inferior to the latter according to Pitman’s closeness criterion.
Phase II evaluation of docetaxel plus one‐day oral estramustine phosphate in the treatment of patients with androgen independent prostate carcinoma

Background Recent clinical trials have shown antitumor activity with the combination of docetaxel plus estramustine phosphate (EMP) in the treatment of patients with androgen independent prostate carcinoma (AIPC). However, the most commonly employed treatment schedules with EMP have been associated with significant gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and thromboembolic toxicity. The authors hypothesized that the therapeutic index of the combination of docetaxel plus EMP for patients with prostate carcinoma could be enhanced by reducing the incidence and severity of EMP-associated toxicity, which could be accomplished by shortening the duration of exposure to EMP. To preserve the therapeutic synergism between docetaxel and EMP, they designed a regimen employing higher doses of oral EMP administered on the day of the docetaxel infusion. Methods From June 1, 1998 through September 28, 2000, 42 patients with AIPC were registered to receive docetaxel (70 mg/m2 intravenously over 1 hour) and EMP (280 mg orally every 6 hours x 5 doses) every 21 days, up to a maximum of 6 cycles. Dexamethasone was administered prior to docetaxel and coumadin 2 mg orally every day was taken during the study treatment period. Patient characteristics included a median age of 68 years, a median Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 1, a median prostate specific antigen (PSA) level at study entry of 110.5 ng/mL, and a median of 2 prior hormonal manipulations. Ten patients (25%) had received prior chemotherapy, and 14 patients (33%) had received prior palliative radiation therapy. Results Forty patients were evaluable for response and toxicity. Eighteen patients (45%; 95% confidence interval, 29-62%) had a decline > 50% in PSA level that lasted > 4 weeks with a median time to PSA progression and a median duration of PSA response of approximately 4.0 months. Four of 20 patients (20%) had partial soft tissue responses. Ten of 17 symptomatic patients (59%) had improvement in pain. The median survival for all patients was 13.5 months. The most prominent Grade 3 and 4 toxicities were reversible myelosuppression and fatigue. Nausea, emesis, diarrhea, and peripheral edema were minimal. No thromboembolic or hepatic complications were seen. Conclusions Docetaxel plus 1 multidose day of oral EMP was active in patients with AIPC and was associated with an acceptable toxicity profile. Overall, the therapeutic index of this regimen compared favorably with regimens that employed a longer administration of EMP.
Flight Energy Management Training: Promoting Safety and Efficiency

Poor aircraft energy management can lead to unsafe and inefficient operations. Despite their impact on safety and economy, energy management skills are not adequately taught or evaluated in civilian pilot training. This paper 1) addresses the need for better energy management training, 2) provides a conceptual and pedagogical framework for later curriculum development, and 3) suggests key attributes of an effective training program. To make the case, the study uses energy management to link safety and efficiency. It then synthesizes energy principles across disciplines and illustrates how such principles, once simplified, become powerful instructional tools. Finally, it suggests that an integrated, energy-centered, top-down training approach will lead to a better mental model of how the airplane works and, in doing so, to enhanced energy management and decision-making skills for safe and efficient operations.