cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association of revisions or conversions after sleeve gastrectomy with annual bariatric center procedural volume in the state of New York

Although bariatric center procedural volume has been associated with early perioperative safety, data on the effect of such volume and long-term outcomes after sleeve gastrectomy (SG) are limited. This study aims to examine the relationship between annual bariatric center SG volume and the incidence of revisions or conversions (RC) after SG. The New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System database was used to identify all patients who underwent SG between 2006 and 2012. Subsequent RC events were captured up to 2016. Bariatric centers having annual SG volume less than 45, between 45 and 65, and greater than 65 were defined as low (LV), medium (MV), and high volume (HV), respectively. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was performed to compare the risk of having RC among centers with different yearly sleeve volumes. We identified 8389 patients who underwent SG. The overall estimated cumulative incidence of RC was 0.5% (95% CI 0.3–0.6%) at 1 year, 6.2% (95% CI 5.4–7.0%) at 5 years, and 15.3% (95% CI 12.6–18.0%) at 8 years after SG. The estimated cumulative incidence of RC for LV, MV, and HV at 8 years after SG was 16.7% (95% CI 11.1–22.3%), 15.5% (95% CI 11.2–19.8%), and 13.7% (95% CI 9.4–17.9%), respectively. HV centers have lower risk of RC compared to LV (hazard ratio 0.65; 95% CI 0.48–0.88) and MV (hazard ratio 0.75; 95% CI 0.57–0.98). LV and MV centers have comparable risk of RC (hazard ratio 1.15; 95% CI 0.87–1.51). Patients having the initial SG performed in LV were the least likely to have RC in the same institution (46.1% of LV, 13.2% of MV and 22.3% of HV; p < 0.0001). Patients undergoing SG at LV centers experience the highest risk of subsequent RC. This effect persists after adjusting for patient-level factors. These data underline the relationship between volume threshold and long-term effect.
Imaging Approach to Hemoglobinopathies

Hematologic disorders of the skeleton produce radiologic appearances related to marrow infiltration and/or replacement. These include common findings, such as osteopenia with trabecular prominence, growth disturbances, and extramedullary hematopoiesis. Most entities also manifest with various typical imaging features and appear in characteristic distributions, which aids in their differentiation and clinical management. In this chapter, we will discuss imaging appearances of sickle cell disease, thalassemia, and other rare causes of anemia.
Calculations of selective Si epitaxial growth

Abstract Dichlorosilane (DCS) is widely used in the semiconductor industry for selective epitaxial growth (SEG) of Si. Si SEG currently requires high temperatures, on the order of 800 °C; multiple approaches have been attempted to deposit Si at lower temperature, but no viable alternatives have been found. This failure is attributed to a poor understanding of the mechanisms and the underlying factors that determine Si growth. In this study, we investigate Si SEG using DCS and HCl on a crystalline silicon (c-Si) surface as compared to on SiO2 using density functional theory. Our calculations of Si SEG reaction mechanisms illustrate three factors that contribute to selectivity. First is that surface passivation by Cl does not limit SEG growth on c-Si while it hinders nucleation on the SiO2 surface. Second is that amorphous growth at nucleation sites on the SiO2 surface is slower than epitaxial growth on c-Si. Third is that the low entropic cost of epitaxial growth on c-Si is important for selectivity. The mechanistic understanding from this investigation suggests that future searches for low-temperature SEG of Si could focus on SiH2R2 like precursors.
Regulation of blood cell transdifferentiation by oxygen sensing neurons in Drosophila

Transdifferentiation of functionally specialized cell types, which omits the need for stem or progenitor cells, is known across the animal kingdom. However, in the blood cell system it remains largely unclear how transdifferentiation is regulated in vivo. Here we reveal the environmental control of blood cell transdifferentiation in a Drosophila melanogaster model. Functional lineage tracing provides new in vivo evidence for direct transdifferentiation from macrophage-like plasmatocytes to crystal cells that execute melanization. Interestingly, this transdifferentiation is promoted by neuronal activity of a specific subset of sensory neurons, in the sensory cones at the caudal end of the larva. Evidence for this stems from specific neuron ablation, and transient silencing or activation of these neurons by Kir2.1 or TrpA1, respectively. Crystal cells develop from plasmatocytes in clusters surrounding the sensory cones. Strikingly, environmental conditions trigger this process: oxygen sensing, through atypical guanylyl cyclases (Gyc88E, Gyc89Da, Gyc89Db) that are specifically expressed in sensory cone neurons, drives plasmatocyte-to-crystal cell transdifferentiation, as hypoxia or gyc silencing cause crystal cell reduction and loss of transdifferentiation. Our findings reveal an unexpected functional and molecular link of environment-monitoring sensory neurons governing blood cell transdifferentiation in vivo, suggesting similar principles in vertebrate systems where environmental sensors and blood cell populations coincide. HighlightsO_LIFunctional lineage tracing confirms in vivo transdifferentiation in a Drosophila model of hematopoiesis C_LIO_LIBlood cell transdifferentiation is promoted by active sensory neurons of the caudal sensory cones of the Drosophila larva C_LIO_LISensory cone neurons detect oxygen through atypical guanylyl cyclases and promote blood cell transdifferentiation C_LI
O6A.3 Implications of the workplace gender composition for depression-related service utilization: a retrospective cohort study of U.S. aluminum workers

Introduction Past research finds that both male and female workers in male-dominated workplaces experience decreased job satisfaction and increased work-related stress. Female workers in particular are more likely to experience gender discrimination, sexual harassment, and social isolation. Nevertheless, systematic evidence regarding the association between workplace gender composition and worker mental healthcare utilization remains limited. Methods Using data from the American Manufacturing Cohort Study (AMC), we examined the association between workplace gender composition and risk of depression-related outpatient visits among hourly workers employed at one of 32 U.S. aluminum plants between 2003 - 2013.Using generalized additive models (GAM) with a logit link, we modeled risk of depression-related outpatient visits as a function of annual workplace gender composition (i.e. percent women) and covariates (baseline age, race, sex, plant, and calendar year). We captured potential nonlinear relationships using cubic smoothing splines. We used g-computation to summarize the counterfactual risk of depression-related outpatient visits under three hypothetical interventions wherein women comprised at least 10, 20, or 30 percent of the workforce at all plants for all years of follow-up. We compared these counterfactual risks to the risk under no intervention (the observed data). Results Across all 32 U.S. plants, the final study sample included 5,279 female and 24,124 male hourly workers. We observed significant reductions in the number of depression-related outpatient visits when women comprised at least 20% (RD=-6.2, 95% CI -8.75, -3.65) and 30% (-14.6; 95% CI -19.0, -10.2) of the workforce. Findings were consistent within subgroups of male and female workers. Conclusion The gender composition of industries, occupations, and workplaces is an important expression of social structure. We find that modest increases in the percent women employed in otherwise male-dominated work environments can lead to measurable reductions in the frequency of depression-related outpatient visits among male and female hourly workers.
Catching Air: Risk and Embodied Ocean Health among Dominican Diver Fishermen

This article explores the connections between bodily health and environmental health among diver fishermen in the Dominican Republic, and how these relationships are excluded from broader conversations about marine conservation at the national and global levels. As changing ocean environments refigure marine ecosystems, making fish scarce in the shallows, diver fishermen must dive deeper and stay longer in risky conditions, using a compressor to pump an unlimited supply of air to the diver below. As a result, decompression sickness (the bends) has become a pervasive injury and a way that coastal communities experience changing ocean health. The article analyzes injury narratives from divers who "caught air," the local term for the bends, arguing that decompression sickness is a symptom of failing ecologies and strained human relations with the sea, where environments at risk become embodied through parallel risky practices at sea.
Health disparity in access to bariatric surgery

Abstract Background Sociodemographic disparities in terms of access to bariatric surgery are ongoing. Objectives This study aimed to examine the trends for bariatric interventions based on patient characteristics from 2011 to 2018 in the state of New York. Setting Administrative statewide database. Methods This study used the New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System database to identify all patients with obesity who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG), and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) between 2011 and 2018. The trends were studied for the types of bariatric procedures performed across different patient characteristics, including median household income as determined based on ZIP code. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to compare the yearly trends. Results We identified 111,793 patients who underwent bariatric surgery. The number of bariatric procedures increased from 9304 in 2011 to 16,946 in 2018. RYGB was the most performed bariatric operation in 2011, but was replaced by SG from 2013 to 2018. Patients living in the highest decile median household income ZIP code areas had the highest increase in SG (odds ratio [OR], 1.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.46–1.55; P Conclusions The use of bariatric surgery increased significantly from 2011 to 2018. However, the disproportionately and substantially increased use of SG and the decreased use of LAGB in patients living in wealthier areas suggest that disparity in the use of bariatric interventions still exists. Public health efforts should be made to equalize access to bariatric surgery.
Willingness to Pay for Police Reform

Consent decrees, authorized by Section 14141 of the 1994 Violent Crime Control Act, represent one of the most powerful governmental tools used to encourage—and possibly force—police reform. The con...
Chronic Exposure to Environmental DDT/DDE in 2 Species of Small Rodents: Measures of Contaminant Load, Immune Dysfunction, and Oxidative Stress

Persistent contaminants are ubiquitous in our water and soil, and thus chronic exposure to environmentally relevant levels of these contaminants may pose a risk to humans and wildlife. Two species of small mammals (deer mouse, Peromyscus maniculatus and cotton rat, Sigmodon hispidus) were collected from historically dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT)-contaminated and reference areas at the Redstone Arsenal (Huntsville, AL, USA), a US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)-designated Superfund site. Soil samples taken concurrently with mammal collection from the DDT abatement site exhibited DDT and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) levels >1 ppm (USEPA total threshold limit concentration for DDT and DDE <1 ppm), whereas soil samples from the reference area had undetectable levels. Liver samples from individuals of both species collected in the contaminated areas also had significantly elevated DDT/DDE levels, with P. maniculatus averaging an approximately 20× greater load than that documented for S. hispidus. Both rodent species collected from the contaminated site had significantly lower total leukocyte counts and total differential blood cell counts (p = 0.01 and p = 0.04, respectively) than those collected from the nearby (~7000-m) reference site. Cellular stress indices also trended higher in both species, suggesting a potential for chronic exposure to DDT to act as a mediator of oxidative damage. The present study provides support to the idea that environmental exposure to low levels of contaminants can cause physiological consequences that may influence immune responsiveness and initiate cellular stress in resident mammals. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1619-1629. © 2021 SETAC.
The Epigenetic Regulation of Microenvironment in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly lethal and complex malignancy strongly influenced by the surrounding tumor microenvironment. The HCC microenvironment comprises hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), stromal and endothelial cells, and the underlying extracellular matrix (ECM). Emerging evidence demonstrates that epigenetic regulation plays a crucial role in altering numerous components of the HCC tumor microenvironment. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the mechanisms of epigenetic regulation of the microenvironment in HCC. We review recent studies demonstrating how specific epigenetic mechanisms (DNA methylation, histone regulation, and non-coding RNAs mediated regulation) in HSCs, TAMs, and ECM, and how they contribute to HCC development, so as to gain new insights into the treatment of HCC via regulating epigenetic regulation in the tumor microenvironment.
The Modified Early Warning Score: A Useful Marker of Neurological Worsening but Unreliable Predictor of Sepsis in the Neurocritically Ill-A Retrospective Cohort Study.

To determine the performance of the Modified Early Warning Score and Modified Early Warning Score-Sepsis Recognition Score to predict sepsis, morbidity, and mortality in neurocritically ill patients. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING Single tertiary-care academic medical center. PATIENTS Consecutive adult patients admitted to the neuro-ICU from January 2013 to December 2016. INTERVENTIONS Observational study. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Baseline and clinical characteristics, infections/sepsis, neurologic worsening, and mortality were abstracted. Primary outcomes included new infection/sepsis, escalation of care, and mortality. Patients with Modified Early Warning Score-Sepsis Recognition Score/Modified Early Warning Score greater than or equal to 5 were compared with those with scores less than 5. 5. Of 7,286 patients, Of 7,286 patients, 1,120 had Modified Early Warning Score-Sepsis Recognition Score greater than or equal to 5. Of those, mean age was 58.9 years; 50.2% were male. Inhospitality mortality was 22.1% for patients (248/1,120) with Modified Early Warning Score-Sepsis Recognition Score greater than or equal to 5, compared with 6.1% (379/6,166) with Modified Early Warning Score-Sepsis Recognition Score less than 5. Sepsis was present in 5.6% (345/6,166) when Modified Early Warning Score-Sepsis Recognition Score less than 5 versus 14.3% (160/1,120) when greater than or equal to 5, and Modified Early Warning Score elevation led to a new sepsis diagnosis in 5.5% (62/1,120). Three-hundred forty-three patients (30.6%) had neurologic worsening at the time of Modified Early Warning Score-Sepsis Recognition Score elevation. Utilizing the original Modified Early Warning Score, results were similar, with less score thresholds met (836/7,286) and slightly weaker associations. CONCLUSIONS In neurocritical ill patients, Modified Early Warning Score-Sepsis Recognition Score and Modified Early Warning Score are associated with higher inhospital mortality and are preferentially triggered in setting of neurologic worsening. They are less reliable in identifying new infection or sepsis in this patient population. Population-specific adjustment of early warning scores may be necessary for the neurocritically ill patient population.
Utilization of reverse shoulder arthroplasty for the treatment of glenohumeral arthritis among American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) Part II candidates, 2008-2019

Abstract Background Despite advances in shoulder arthroplasty, treatment options for advanced glenohumeral osteoarthritis (GHOA) remain limited. Surgical management includes total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RSA), and hemiarthroplasty. The rates of TSA and RSA for the treatment of GHOA in the United States has increased in recent years. Trends in shoulder arthroplasty in recently trained surgeons have not been explored. The purpose of the study was to examine the trends in arthroplasty use (TSA, RSA, and hemiarthroplasty) for primary GHOA among American Board of Orthopedic Surgeons (ABOS) Part II examinees, and to identify patterns based on geographic region or fellowship training. Methods ABOS Part II examinees with at least 1 shoulder arthroplasty in the examination years 2008-2019 were collected. Hemiarthroplasty, TSA, and RSA performed from 2007-2018 for a diagnosis of primary GHOA were included. Arthroplasty for primary or secondary diagnoses of fracture, infection, tumor, rotator cuff arthropathy or tear, revision, and non-arthroplasty procedures were excluded. Proportion and volume of cases were evaluated, with sub-analyses of geographic region and fellowship training. Univariate logistic regression determined statistical significance (P Results A total of 946,946 cases from 8609 ABOS Part II examinees were submitted, with 8733 shoulder arthroplasties performed. Overall, 3923 arthroplasties for primary GHOA were included (44.9% of all shoulder arthroplasties). TSA was used in 50.9% of cases. The proportion of RSA performed for primary GHOA has increased over the past 11 years, with RSA surpassing TSA as the most common procedure for primary GHOA over the last 4 years (P Conclusion Utilization of RSA for treatment of primary GHOA by ABOS Part II examinees has increased significantly over the past twelve years. Among ABOS Part II examinees, RSA has recently surpassed TSA as the most common arthroplasty utilized for treatment of primary GHOA. Examination of early-career surgical practice allows for consideration of training influence in treatment of GHOA. As volume of shoulder arthroplasty continues to increase, trends and procedure volume have implications for clinical practice and patient outcomes. Level of evidence: Level III
Treating melasma with the 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser with a 650-microsecond pulse duration: A clinical evaluation.

Background The effective treatment of melasma remains a challenge that necessitates a multifaceted approach that includes strict sun protection, bleaching creams, chemical peels, and laser therapy. The 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser with a 650-microsecond pulse duration provides a safe option for all skin types. Methods We treated 10 patients with the 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser with a 650-microsecond pulse duration. Treatments were performed every 2-4 weeks. Results Using a conservative treatment protocol, lightening of melasma occurred as early as 3 weeks post-treatment, with all subjects requiring several treatment sessions to achieve adequate resolution of their melasma. The majority of subjects experienced up to 25% improvement after two treatments, and an even more noticeable improvement after the 3rd treatment session. None reported any associated pain or discomfort. Conclusions Advantages of this laser modality include essentially no pain or downtime, lower risk of rebound, and the ability to safely treat all skin types with melasma. Therefore, the 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser with a 650-microsecond pulse duration serves as a treatment option for melasma.
High Intensity and High Energy Molecular Beams

Publisher Summary Molecular beam techniques are one of the most powerful means of simplifying the inferential process. In many ways, a molecular beam apparatus can be considered as the low energy analog of a high-energy accelerator. There is a very real difference, however, which is not just a matter of degree. At very high energies, single events can be “seen.” At low energies, on no single event can be be heard because of the background noise. Therefore, an experimenter must bring about a large number of low energy events in order to obtain an observable signal. It is the collective contribution of a large number of events that determines the macroscopic behavior of matter, which has been the source of much of what is known. What the typical molecular beam experiment accomplishes is a large multiplicity of nearly identical events, so that the over-all observation is the consequence of their simple arithmetic sum. In this circumstance, the deduction of microscopic behavior from macroscopic observation becomes simple and reliable.
Estimating the Amount of a Global Feed-in Tariff for Renewable Electricity

We present a simple model to estimate the subsidy cost embedded in a global feed-in tariff (GFIT) to simultaneously stimulate electrification and the take-up of renewable energy sources for electricity generation in developing countries. The GFIT would subsidize developing countries for investments they make in generation capacity for renewable electricity up to a threshold level of electricity consumption per capita. Between 2010 and 2025, countries below this threshold strive to bridge the gap by 2025, when subsidies—based on the difference between the costs of renewable technologies and conventional energy sources—end.
Protective effect of atrial natriuretic factor and mannitol following renal ischemia.

We have examined the effect of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) administered with and without mannitol on renal function following ischemic injury in both the isolated erythrocyte-perfused rat kidney and in the rat in vivo. ANF, administered alone after 25 min ischemia in the isolated kidney, reversed postischemic vasoconstriction but did not improve glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Mannitol alone had no effect on either renal vascular resistance or GFR. However, in isolated kidneys treated with the combination of both ANF and mannitol following reflow, GFR (0.65 +/- 0.04 ml.min-1.g-1) was markedly improved compared with GFR in the untreated ischemia group (0.20 +/- 0.04 ml.min-1.g-1) and was not different from GFR in the nonischemic controls (0.68 +/- 0.05 ml.min-1.g-1). Comparable results were obtained in studies performed in vivo. In rats subjected to 45 min ischemia, GFR (0.15 +/- 0.05 ml/min) was reduced compared with the GFR in sham-operated animals (0.95 +/- 0.07 ml/min). ANF or mannitol administered alone following ischemia and reflow did not improve GFR compared with the untreated ischemic group. However, in rats subjected to ischemia and treated with a combination of ANF and mannitol postreflow, GFR (0.69 +/- 0.10 ml/min) was 4.6-fold higher than GFR in the untreated ischemic group. Thus the combination of ANF and mannitol appear to act synergistically to improve GFR following ischemic injury.
Evaluating Internet-based public participation GIS (PPGIS) and volunteered geographic information (VGI) in environmental planning and management

An Internet-based public participation geographic information system (PPGIS) is an affordable and accessible tool for citizens to provide location-based volunteered geographic information (VGI) in environmental planning and management. Based on a conceptual model, this study uses the SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis methodology to qualitatively evaluate user, information, and site use of six cases with Internet-based PPGIS. This study reviews each case's website to collect descriptive data for the case analysis. The results of this study show that user numbers do not have a significantly strong relationship with data submission numbers, since active users had the highest number of contributions. The most urgent task of using Internet-based PPGIS to attract citizen scientists is to invite and retain long-term and active contributors, and to change interested users into long-term active contributors.
Corporate Governance and the Timeliness of Financial Reporting: A Case Study of the Russian Energy Sector

Timeliness of financial reporting is an attribute of good corporate governance. Shareholders and other stakeholders need information while it is still fresh and the more time that passes between year-end and disclosure, the more stale the information becomes and the less value it has. Corporate governance is a relatively new concept for transition economies. Prior to the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union there were no profit-making corporations, no shareholders and no need to report financial results except to the government. All that has changed. In order to raise capital, corporations need to convince potential investors that an investment in their company will be safe. That requires financial reporting standards that can be trusted and financial information that is reported in a timely manner. But the culture of former communist countries is not to disclose information. That mentality is changing as their formerly closed economies open up to investment from the west. This article examines the timeliness of financial reporting in the Russian energy sector. One reason why this segment of the economy was chosen is because it is one of the most important economic sectors. Another reason is because the energy sector has been the recipient of large sums of foreign investment, which presumably means the standards of financial reporting in the energy sector is better than average. The timeliness of financial reporting in the Russian energy sector was measured by counting the number of days that elapsed between year-end and the date of the independent auditor's report. Those results were then compared to the timeliness of financial reporting by non-Russian energy companies to determine whether there was a significant difference in the timeliness of financial reporting. The study found that Russian companies took significantly more time to report financial results than did the non-Russian companies.
Mechanism of activation of HuBlym-1 gene unresolved.

The HuBlym-1 gene has been isolated from Burkitt's lymphoma DNA on the basis of its reported ability to produce foci of cells when NIH 3T3 cells are transfected with it1,2. The sequence of HuBlym-1 has been reported1 but it has not been established whether the sequence of the transforming gene differs from that of the gene in normal tissue, as might be expected from the common observation of mutational activation of proto-oncogenes into oncogenes. I report here that there are no differences between the sequences of three recombinant DNA clones that were isolated from Burkitt's cell lines and that cross-hybridize to HuBlym-1 but do not induce foci when transfected into NIH 3T3 cells, and the reported sequence of Burkitt's lymphoma Blym3. Also there is no obvious or consistent increase in the transcription of the HuBlym-1 gene in Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines of the type that might otherwise have accounted for its transforming activity even in the absence of a mutation. How the HuBlym-1 gene is activated therefore remains a mystery.
Structures, reductive dechlorination, and electron affinities of selected polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins: density functional theory study.

Density functional theory calculations were performed to obtain the structures, vertical electron affinities, and adiabatic affinities of 15 polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), including sev...
Cascade macroinvertebrate assemblages for in‐stream flow criteria and biomonitoring of tropical mountain streams

Few comprehensive studies on stream assessment and biomonitoring have been conducted in tropical, freshwater watersheds. Currently under threat from climate change, urbanization and increasing freshwater demands, there is a need for innovative approaches to tropical watershed assessment and management. This study investigated cascade habitat macroinvertebrate communities among four tropical mountain streams with the goal of enhancing future efforts to identify flow biocriteria for watersheds of Polynesia. Cascade macroinvertebrate communities were compared between streams of differing size and magnitude of flow removal to evaluate the biological effects of water withdrawal on benthic communities. Two cascade microhabitats, identified as torrenticolous and amphibious, were evaluated for macroinvertebrate community differences and presence of native taxa among watersheds. Cascade habitat in general was reduced, by as much as 98%, in downstream reaches, having a significant impact on the stream ecosystem physical template important for native stream communities. In addition, two-way ANOVA results revealed no main effects, but significant interactions of watershed size and flow removal on mean macroinvertebrate density for torrenticolous microhabitats; however, the opposite was true for the amphibious microhabitat. Diversity was significantly higher under undiverted flow conditions (t = 4.21, df = 272, p = 0.0004) and in torrenticolous microhabitats (t = 3.86, df = 272, p < 0.0001) over the entire study period. The amphibious microhabitat was composed of 39% native taxa, while the torrenticolous microhabitat contained <7%. This study provides new options for biomonitoring of native populations in Polynesian watersheds. Further studies that support the development of in-stream flow criteria to preserve cascades are important to understanding the role of this habitat in tropical stream ecosystem function. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robotic Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer: Surgical and Pathological Outcomes in 100 Consecutive Cases

Purpose: Radical cystectomy remains the most effective treatment for patients with localized, invasive bladder cancer and recurrent noninvasive disease. Recently some surgeons have begun to describe outcomes associated with less invasive surgical approaches to this disease such as laparoscopic or robotic assisted techniques. We report our maturing experience with 100 consecutive cases of robotic assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy with regard to perioperative results, pathological outcomes and surgical complications.Materials and Methods: A total of 100 consecutive patients (73 male and 27 female) underwent robotic radical cystectomy and urinary diversion at our institution from January 2006 to January 2009 for clinically localized bladder cancer. Outcome measures evaluated included operative variables, hospital recovery, pathological outcomes and complication rate.Results: Mean age of this cohort was 65.5 years (range 33 to 86). Of the patients 61 underwent ileal conduit diversion, 38 received a neo...
Degrees of freedom of completely-connected multi-way interference networks

This paper considers a fully-connected interference network with a relay in which multiple users equipped with a single antenna want to exchange multiple unicast messages with other users in the network by sharing the relay equipped with multiple antennas. For such a network, the optimal degrees of freedom (DoF) are derived by providing both converse and achievability. Further, considering single-antenna relays in the three-user fully-connected interference network, it is shown that three distributed relays with a single antenna is sufficient to achieve the optimal DoF. A major implication of the derived DoF results is that a relay with multiple antennas or distributed relays employing a single antenna increases the capacity scaling law of the multi-user interference network when multiple directional information flows are considered, even if the networks are fully-connected and all nodes operate in half-duplex. These results verify the intuition that the relay is useful in increasing DoF for the multi-way the interference network.
Fighting Networked Terrorist Groups: Lessons from Israel

In Iraq and Afghanistan, the United States faced “networked” adversaries: insurgent groups that communicated and coordinated their political and military campaigns without a central command. The rise of networked groups is a direct result of the preponderance of U.S. military power. Consequently, this article asks: What strategies have been most effective in defeating networked groups? To answer this question, the article examines Israeli operations against Palestinian groups during Operation Defense Shield in 2002. It argues that the most effective strategy to defeat networked adversaries is to use networked strategies. In Israel, this meant establishing multiple units to penetrate Palestinian urban areas, swarm together from several directions, and kill or capture militants.
GRP78, HSP72/73, and cJun Stress Protein Levels in Lung Epithelial Cells Exposed to Asbestos, Cadmium, or H2O2

Occupational exposure to crocidolite asbestos is associated with the development of nonmalignant and malignant pulmonary disease. Considerable evidence indicates that the mechanisms of asbestos-induced toxicity involve the production of active oxygen species (AOS). Production of AOS in excess of cellular defenses creates an environment of oxidative stress and stimulates the expression of a number of different genes whose products may be involved in mediating responses from oxidant injury. To further investigate the mechanisms of asbestos-induced pathogenicity, we have examined by Western blot analyses the induction of the stress response proteins GRP78 and HSP72/73 in rat lung epithelial cells (RLE) exposed to crocidolite asbestos. In comparative studies, we also examined GRP78, HSP72/73, and cJun expression in RLE cells exposed to equitoxic concentrations of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Our results demonstrate that asbestos and H2O2 do not alter GRP78 or HSP72/73 protein levels in RLE cells, but do increase levels of cJun protein. Increases by asbestos and H2O2 were not accompanied by alterations in cellular glutathione levels in this cell type, but asbestos caused elevations in protein levels of manganese-containing superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), an indirect indicator of oxidant stress. In contrast, exposure of cells to CdCl2 led to no changes in MnSOD protein levels, but increases in GRP78, HSP72/73, and cJun proteins as well as significant increases in oxidized and reduced thiol pools. Results suggest that environmental agents causing oxidative injury to lung epithelium elicit different patterns of stress responses.
Approach to decreasing emergency department ambulance diversion hours

Analysis between two local Emergency Departments (EDs) suggested an oscillatory phenomenon for ambulance diversion: When one hospital went on diversion it led to a disproportionate flow of ambulance traffic to a neighboring facility that subsequently was forced to go on divert. We hypothesized if one hospital could avoid diversion status, the need for diversion could be averted in the neighboring facility. ED A secured additional resources and made a commitment to no diversion for 1 week. No changes in operations occurred in hospital B. We found no differences in ambulance runs or ED census at either facility comparing the week before, during, and after the trial. There was a dramatic decline in diversion hours from 19.7 to 1.4 and 27.7 to 0 at hospitals A and B, respectively, during the trial period (p < 0.05) compared to the weeks before and after. We conclude that reciprocating effects can be decreased with one institution's commitment to avoid diversion, thus decreasing the need for diversion at a neighboring facility.
Effect of Coadsorbed Water on Deep Oxidation Mechanisms: Temperature-Programmed Reactions of Benzene and Hydroxyl on the Pt(111) Surface

The deep oxidation of benzene by preadsorbed hydroxyl on the Pt(111) surface has been characterized using temperature-programmed reaction spectroscopy. A mechanism for benzene oxidation in the presence of coadsorbed water has been developed based on these experiments. Reaction-limited carbon dioxide and water are formed over the temperature range 330–530 K, indicating oxydehydrogenation and skeletal oxidation are occurring over this temperature range. Oxidation of benzene has been compared on the oxygen-covered Pt(111) surface with and without coadsorbed water. With preadsorbed hydroxyl, the yield of water at low-temperatures is increased, and the yield of carbon dioxide is increased. The temperature ranges for carbon dioxide and water formation above 300 K are increased by 30 K when water is coadsorbed with atomic oxygen to form hydroxyl. These results clearly suggest that hydroxyl enhances oxydehydrogenation below 300 K, which results in the formation of different dehydrogenated intermediates with increased activation energy for oxidation during the reaction. Taken together these kinetic and mechanistic results provide a clear description of the reactivity of hydroxyl during benzene deep oxidation on the Pt(111) surface.
Role of fibrinogen alpha and gamma chain sites in platelet aggregation.

Abstract Fibrinogen (Fbg) mediates platelet aggregation by its interaction with the platelet glycoprotein IIb-IIIa (integrin alpha IIb beta 3). Peptides containing the amino acid sequence RGD derived from the alpha chain (residues alpha 95-97 and residues alpha 572-574) and the sequence HHLGGAKQAGDV derived from the carboxyl terminus of the gamma chain of Fbg (residues gamma 400-411) inhibit these interactions. To determine the role of these sequences in intact Fbg, recombinant human Fbg (rFbg), mutant rFbgs with an RGD-->RGE substitution at either position alpha 97 or alpha 574, and a rFbg gamma'-containing variant that has a carboxyl-terminal interruption in the HHLGGAKQAGDV sequence have been expressed in transfected BHK cells. Purified rFbg and the two RGE mutant Fbgs were similar to plasma Fbg in platelet aggregation assays. In contrast, the gamma' variant Fbg was markedly defective in platelet aggregation. These data support the proposals that the carboxyl-terminal region of the gamma chain of Fbg is essential for optimal platelet aggregation and that the alpha-chain RGD sequences are neither necessary nor sufficient for platelet aggregation.
Incremental dependence analysis for interactive parallelization

Incrementally updating dependence information during interactive parallelization is a difficult proposition. We have developed a tool (PAT) that maintains dependence information during incremental transformations to a Fortran program, including loop parallelization, code replication, alignment and shifting, as well as insertion and deletion of code including parallel primitives. Our analysis is based on a variation on the standard approach to dependence graph generation, with program wide and local information separated in a sequential and a parallel dependence graph.
The convergence and continuity of rational functions closely related to Padé approximants

Abstract Given any meromorphic function f, let E be a compact subset of C not containing any poles of f. It is shown that sequences of rational functions obtained by deleting certain poles of diagonal sequences of Pade approximants of f converge uniformly to f on E. Also discussed are existence and continuity properties of this pole deletion approximation procedure.
Elastic Backscattering of d-d Neutrons

The backscattering of $d\ensuremath{-}d$ neutrons was investigated for several materials. A directional thick paraffin detector was used. The detector was sensitive primarily to neutrons which had been scattered elastically or with little energy loss.
Replicating Spots in Reaction-Diffusion Systems

We review the phenomenon of replicating spots in reaction-diffusion systems and discuss the mechanism of replication. This phenomenon was discovered in recent experiments on a ferrocyanide-iodate-sulfite reaction-diffusion system. Patterns form in a thin gel layer that is in contact with a continuously fed stirred reservoir. Patterns of spots are observed to undergo a continuous process of growth and multiplication through cell division and death through overcrowding. A similar phenomenon is also found in numerical simulations in one dimension on a four-species model of the ferrocyanide-iodate-sulfite reaction and in simulations in two dimensions of simpler two-species reaction-diffusion models: Gray–Scott model by J. Pearson and FitzHugh–Nagumo model by A. Hagberg and E. Meron.
Structurally Confined Transition-Metal Oxide Layers, Chains and Oligomers in Molecular and Extended Magnetic Solids

In an attempt to abstract the structural units of widely known silicate, phosphate, and arsenate compounds based on a transition-metal oxide (TM oxide) framework, we have gained some new insight into the study of “nanostructured” materials and their corresponding electronic and magnetic properties. In this review, we highlight some of the features associated with the nanosized TM oxide frameworks observed in this special class of oxides. Structurally, these oxides adopt a mixed framework that is composed of interlinked MO6 (M = transition-metal cation) octahedra and XO4 (X = Si4+, P5+, As5+) tetrahedra. TM oxide octahedra may share vertexes, edges, and faces to form nanoscale layers, chains, and oligomers. These structurally well-defined low-dimensional lattices are of experimental and theoretical importance in the sense that electron interaction can be studied in a confined space. In this review, we will illustrate these structurally confined TM oxide frameworks, including those observed in molecular com...
Incidence of cerebrovascular accidents in patients undergoing minimally invasive valve surgery.

Objectives Minimally invasive valve surgery has been associated with increased cerebrovascular complications. Our objective was to evaluate the incidence of cerebrovascular accidents in patients undergoing minimally invasive valve surgery. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all the minimally invasive valve surgery performed at our institution from January 2009 to June 2012. The operative times, lengths of stay, postoperative complications, and mortality were analyzed. Results A total of 1501 consecutive patients were identified. The mean age was 73 ± 13 years, and 808 patients (54%) were male. Of the 1501 patients, 206 (13.7%) had a history of a cerebrovascular accident, and 225 (15%) had undergone previous heart surgery. The procedures performed were 617 isolated aortic valve replacements (41.1%), 658 isolated mitral valve operations (43.8%), 6 tricuspid valve repairs (0.4%), 216 double valve surgery (14.4%), and 4 triple valve surgery (0.3%). Femoral cannulation was used in 1359 patients (90.5%) and central cannulation in 142 (9.5%). In 1392 patients (92.7%), the aorta was clamped, and in 109 (7.3%), the surgery was performed with the heart fibrillating. The median aortic crossclamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times were 86 minutes (interquartile range [IQR], 70-107) minutes and 116 minutes (IQR, 96-143), respectively. The median intensive care unit length of stay was 47 hours (IQR, 29-74), and the median postoperative hospital length of stay was 7 days (IQR, 5-10). A total of 23 cerebrovascular accidents (1.53%) and 38 deaths (2.53%) had occurred at 30 days postoperatively. Conclusions Minimally invasive valve surgery was associated with an acceptable stroke rate, regardless of the cannulation technique.
Divergent Approach to Flavones and Aurones via Dihaloacrylic Acids. Unexpected Dependence on the Halogen Atom

The reaction of phenols with 7a led to the synthesis of aurones, while the reaction of phenols with 7b led to the synthesis of flavones.
Δ3‐ and Δ4‐1,2,4‐oxadiazolin‐5‐ and 3‐ones

Preparations for 2,3-diphenyl- and 2-benzyI-3-phenyl-Δ3-1,2,4-oxadiazolin-5-ones (3) and (4) and for 2,5-diphenyl-Δ4-1,2,4-oxadiazolin-3-one (7) are reported.
EFFECT OF A TEMPERATURE GRADIENT ON THE STOICHIOMETRY OF URANIA--PLUTONIA FUEL.

Abstract Refractory metal capsules containing Pu0.2U0.8O2−x pellets were subjected to thermal gradients in the temperature range 1200 to 2000 °C. In each experiment a gradient in the oxygen-to-metal ratio was produced by migration of oxygen to the coldest region of the material. The highest temperature region was correspondingly deficient in oxygen. The data obtained were treated using the Arrhenius equation ln x = Q ∗ /(RT) + C , where x is the deviation from stoichiometry, T is the absolute temperature and Q ∗ is the heat of transport.
X-ray diffraction evidence for aromatic π hydrogen bonding to water

THEinteraction of water with aromatic moieties is of importance in biological systems, as most encounter an aqueous environment during their normal functions. For example, common constituents of globular proteins such as phenylalanine, tryptophan and tyrosine possess aromatic side-chains1 that may encounter water molecules inside the protein structure2. As a model for hydrogen-bonding interactions with aromatics, we have performed X-ray diffraction studies on crystalline Na4[calix[4]arene sulphonate].13.5H2O. Calixarene molecules3,4contain hydrophobic cavities comprised of aromatic groups, rimmed, in the case of the water-soluble sulphonates (R = -SO3Na), by hydrophilic groups5,6. In the absence of a hydrophobic guest, the cavity invariably contains a water molecule. The low-temperature X-ray crystal structure of this compound (see Table 1 and Fig. 1) shows direct evidence for hydrogen bonding between water and the aromatic π electrons in the solid state.
Scleral lenses in the management of ocular surface disease.

Purpose To describe the management of ocular surface disease with commercially available scleral lenses. Design Retrospective case series at a tertiary referral center. Participants A total of 212 patients (346 eyes) who were evaluated for scleral lens therapy for the management of ocular surface disease between June 1, 2006, and November 30, 2011. Methods Retrospective review of medical records and analysis of a survey mailed to all patients who completed the scleral lens fitting process to evaluate the long-term success of scleral lens therapy in the management of ocular surface disease. Main Outcome Measures Therapeutic outcome of scleral lens therapy, improvement in visual acuity with scleral lenses, indications for scleral lens wear, and efficiency of fitting process. Results Of the 212 subjects, 115 (188 eyes) successfully completed the scleral lens fitting process, and therapeutic goals (improved comfort, ocular surface protection, or resolution of keratopathy) were achieved in all but 2 of these subjects. Visual acuity improved with scleral lens wear, from 0.32±0.37 logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) (mean ± standard deviation; Snellen equivalent, 20/42) with habitual correction to 0.12±0.19 logMAR (Snellen equivalent, 20/26) with scleral lenses ( P 0.001). The most common indications for scleral lens therapy were undifferentiated ocular surface disease, exposure keratopathy, and neurotrophic keratopathy. Subjects had attempted an average of 3.2 (range, 0–8) other forms of intervention before scleral lens wear. Scleral lens fitting was completed in an average of 3 visits (range, 2–6), with an average of 1.4 lenses/eye (range, 1–4). Three patients experienced complications during scleral lens wear that resolved without loss of visual acuity, enabling resumption of scleral lens wear. Conclusions Commercially available scleral lenses can be successfully used in the management of moderate to severe ocular surface disease. The scleral lens fitting process can be completed efficiently for most eyes by using diagnostic trial lenses. In addition to protecting the ocular surface, scleral lenses improve visual acuity in patients whose surface disease has compromised vision.