cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Perioperative lidocaine infusion reduces the incidence of post-mastectomy chronic pain: a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial.

Background: Chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) is a not uncommon complication after mastectomy, with a reported incidence between 20% and 68%. Careful dissection, the use of minimally invasive surgical techniques, and attempts to reduce the associated inflammatory and hyperalgesic responses are suggested methods to prevent CPSP. Objective: To determine if the use of perioperative lidocaine infusion is associated with decreased incidence of CPSP after mastectomy. Study Design: Double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of data from 61 out of 71 patients who underwent mastectomy for breast cancer. Patients were randomized to either placebo (Group P; n = 27) or intravenous lidocaine (Group L; n = 34, bolus 1.5 mg/kg at induction, then infusion at 2 mg/kg/hr, up to 2 hours after the end of surgery) in a prospective double-blind design. CPSP was assessed at 6 months after surgery. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the efficacy of lidocaine. Results: Overall 12 (20%) patients developed CPSP, 8 (30%) in the placebo group and 4 (12%) in the lidocaine group. Predictive factors for CPSP that remained significant after multivariate analysis included lidocaine (associated with a 20-fold decrease in CPSP, P = 0.013), breast implant placement (associated with a 16-fold increase in CPSP, P = 0.034), and radiotherapy (associated with a 29-fold increase in CPSP, P = 0.008). Limitations: Small sample size. Conclusion: Perioperative lidocaine administration was associated with a decreased incidence of CPSP, while breast implant placement and radiotherapy were associated with an increased incidence. These findings suggest a protective effect of lidocaine on CPSP development in mastectomy patients.
Preparing Global Managers and Consultants: A Justification and Framework for International Exchange Programs in Higher Education

International trade continues to grow and, likewise, organizations conduct business in an increasingly globally interconnected environment. Business leaders view academia as responsible for training competent global leaders who can thrive in this environment. In this chapter, we discuss the justification for, and important nuances of, establishing effective international exchange programs in higher education. There is extensive evidence for the educational benefit of a more diverse student population. In short, more diverse classrooms and campuses result in more innovative group decision making, a higher degree of critical analysis by way of multiple diverse viewpoints, as well as greater cognitive development, satisfaction, and improved leadership abilities. Many institutions of higher education have, at least to some degree, adapted to the requirements of the global business arena and have internationalized, or are beginning to internationalize, their curriculum to develop competencies related to Intercultural Competence. Therefore, in this chapter, we provide a framework for establishing and managing an international exchange program. We have drawn recommendations from a wide variety of resources, such as national organizations on higher education, scholarly literature, exemplar institutions, case examples, and our own experience, to provide a framework for developing and sustaining an international exchange program and these recommendations are grouped into the following categories—(1) institutional commitment, (2) study abroad infrastructure, (3) adequate resources, (4) clarity and accountability, (5) student preparation, and finally, (6) student repatriation.
Some ethical issues in feminist-oriented therapeutic groups for women.

Review of the origins of group psychotherapy reveals concerns with social as well as with personal “psychopathology.” Thus, group processes have been mobilized for curative or change purposes for i...
Superconductivity in the fcc negative-U Hubbard model: From two to three dimensions.

We evaluate the s-wave pairing correlation in the negative-U Hubbard model on the fcc lattice as the system evolves from a two-dimensional thin film to a three-dimensional bulk structure. Exact-diagonalization techniques and a simple interpolation scheme connecting the film and the bulk structure are employed. The dependence of the pairing correlation on band filling and dimensionality has been systematically studied. Indications of superconductivity at different band fillings with changing dimensionality and interaction strength have been found and discussed.
Symptomatic epidural hematoma caused by lumbar synovial cyst rupture: report of two cases and review of the literature.

Objective and importance Juxtafacet cysts of the lumbar spine are a recognized cause of back pain, radicular symptoms, neurogenic claudication, and, less often, cauda equina compression syndrome. Hemorrhagic rupture of a juxtafacet cyst and the resulting epidural hematoma may cause chronic and/or acute cauda equina compression. Clinical presentation We report two cases of ruptured hemorrhagic lumbar synovial cysts resulting in epidural hematoma and progressive symptomatic cauda equina compression. Intervention Surgical excision of the epidural hematoma and the associated cyst resulted in complete resolution of symptoms. Conclusion Rarely, juxtafacet cysts of the lumbar spine may rupture and hemorrhage into the epidural space causing symptomatic cauda equina compression. It is important to consider this entity when evaluating the patient with cauda equina compression. The findings of these cases give insight into the clinical presentation, operative treatment, and outcome in these patients.
Estimating testosterone concentrations in adolescent girls: Comparison of two direct immunoassays to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Abstract Context: The appropriate role of direct total testosterone (T) immunoassays in reproductive research is controversial. Objective: To assess the concordance between two direct immunoassays and a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assay for total T in adolescent girls with measured concentrations Design: Cross-sectional analysis. Setting: Academic medical center. Participants: Adolescent girls (age 8.4–18.1 years) participating in clinical research protocols. Intervention: Paired blood samples were obtained for total T by LC-MS/MS (n = 66; Mayo Clinic Laboratory) and by direct immunoassay (Center for Research in Reproduction)—either radioimmunoassay (RIA; n = 31) or chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA; n = 35). At the time of assay, laboratories were unaware that results would be compared. Main outcome measure: Measurement agreement between immunoassay and LC-MS/MS. Results: Measured T concentrations (LC-MS/MS) were Conclusions: These data support the use of rigorously-performed and carefully-validated direct T immunoassays in high-quality endocrine research in peripubertal adolescent girls.
Slow Violence and Water Racism in Sarnath Banerjee’s All Quiet in Vikaspuri

This paper claims that Sarnath Banerjee destabilizes the narrative of national economic progress in his graphic narrative All Quiet in Vikaspuri by highlighting ecological crises and destruction of...
Person-Centered Sexual Expression: Determining Preferences of Future Nursing Home Residents.

Background and objectives Approaches to sexual expression in nursing homes are often devoid of person-centered components, such as resident choice. Little is known about residents' preferences for sexual and intimate expression across different situations. To evaluate future resident preferences, a convenience sample of 389 midlife and older adults in the United States were assessed for their perceptions of appropriateness of sexual and intimate activity among couples in nursing homes, given certain situational factors (e.g., cognitive impairment, relationship status, assent behaviors). Research design and methods A randomized experimental vignette design was implemented to determine situational factors that influence future resident preferences for sexual expression in nursing homes. Data were analyzed via multilevel modeling, allowing for multiple vignette ratings to be nested among respondents. Results Behavioral indications of assent, level of intimacy between the couple, and age of respondent affected respondents' ratings of appropriateness of sexual and intimate activities. Also, cognition and relationship levels interacted for more nuanced effects on activity appropriateness. Discussion and implications Future resident preferences are often incongruent with attitudes and common practices for approaching sexual expression in nursing home settings. This marks a unique opportunity for person-centered policy development and implementation in the realm of sexual expression.
Management of gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) continues to be one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal tract disorders. Management of GERD is individualized for each patient depending on severity of symptoms, complications of GERD and patient/physician preference. The different management options include life style modification, pharmacological therapy, minimally invasive procedures and surgery. The final decision regarding management should be made based on an individualized patient centered approach on a case-by-case basis in consultation with a multidisciplinary team including primary care physician, gastroenterologist and surgeon. We provide a comprehensive review for the management of GERD.
Automated Construction of Malware Families.

Discovery of malware families from behavioral characteristics of a set of malware traces is an important step in the detection of malware. Malware in the wild often occur as variants of each other. In this work, a data dependent formalism is described for the construction of malware families from trace data. The malware families are represented in an edge labeled graph where the nodes represent a malware trace and edges describe relationship between the malware traces. The edge labels contain a numerical value representing similarity between the malware traces. Network theoretical concepts such as hubs are evaluated on the edge labeled graph. The formalism has been elucidated by the experiments performed on multiple data sets of malware traces.
Revisiting the success rate of one-stage Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy with postoperative Doppler ultrasound and long-term follow-up: a 15-year single-surgeon experience.

Summary Introduction The optimal management of a high undescended testicle (UDT) remains debated. When tethering is due to shortened spermatic vessels, a one-stage or two-stage Fowler-Stephens Orchiopexy (FSO) can be performed. Published series suggest a higher success rate with a two-stage FSO, though its superiority has not been ascertained. The authors examine patient and surgical factors associated with success of one-stage FSO and compare our outcomes with the established literature. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 43 boys who underwent one-stage FSO for 45 testes from 2003 to 2018 by a single surgeon at our institution. Patient factors, surgical approach, and postoperative results were reviewed. Radiographic success was a testis with intact vascular flow or normal echotexture on scrotal ultrasound. Clinical success was a non-atrophic, intrascrotal testis at postoperative follow-up. Radiographic and clinical success was compared. Data analysis was performed with Fisher's exact test and t-test for categorical and continuous variables respectively. Results Follow-up (mean 29 months; 0.5 months-14.5 years) was available for 40 patients (42 testes; 21 bilateral, 21 unilateral). Average age at surgery was 21.8 months (4 months–10.4 years). Associated conditions were seen in 14 patients. Twenty-nine patients had postoperative scrotal Doppler ultrasound with radiographic success in 25/29 (86.2%). Overall clinical success was 34/42 (81%) with 4 (9.5%) each of atrophy and ascent. A second surgery to address ascent in four patients allowed correction in three for a success rate of 88%. Radiographic and clinical success was significantly associated (P = 0.01). Clinical success was also significantly associated with inguinal rather than laparoscopic testis mobilization (P = 0.03) but not to patient's age, associated conditions, unilaterality/bilaterality, or pre-operative hypoplasia or location. Greater than 3 years of follow-up was available in 11 (26.2%) cases, of which seven had successful results. All adverse outcomes occurred within 8 months after surgery. Success was otherwise durable. Conclusion This is the largest series of one-stage FSO to date. The success rate of one-stage FSO in this series matches that published in the literature for two-stage FSO; equal success is achieved with fewer surgeries. Postoperative Doppler ultrasound demonstrating intact vascular flow or normal testis echotexture is significantly associated with clinical success and highlights the utility of postoperative ultrasound in patients with an equivocal exam. Download : Download high-res image (92KB) Download : Download full-size image Summary Fig. .
Coming in at a Trickle: The Optimal Frequency of Public Benefit Payments

The question of how governments should choose the frequency of payments has received little attention in the literature on the optimal design of public benefits programs. We propose a simple model in which the government chooses the length of the interval between payments, subject to a tradeoff between the administrative cost of providing more frequent benefits and the welfare gain from reducing deviations from full consumption smoothing. In our empirical application, we examine consumer and retailer responses to bimonthly payments from the Japanese National Pension System. We exploit variation in the duration of payment cycles using a unique retail dataset that links consumers to their purchase history. Our difference-in-differences style approach shows a clear spike in spending on payment dates for customers who are of retirement age relative to those who are not. While within-store average prices increase by 1.6% on payday, this effect is almost entirely due to consumers substituting towards higher quality goods rather than a retailer response. We use these reduced form estimates to parameterize the model and conclude that the optimal frequency of Japanese public pension payments is less than one month, implying the government could improve welfare by increasing payment frequency.
Systematic Representative Design and Clinical Virtual Reality

The authors of the article, “Causal Inference in Generalizable Environments: Systematic Representative Design”, boldly announce their core point in the opening line of the abstract stating that, “C...
Trading and the Information Environment of IPO Stocks Around Lockup Expiration: Evidence from Intraday Data

The significant price drop for IPO stocks upon lockup expiration seems to contradict the market efficiency hypothesis. To gain insight into this phenomenon, I examine the trading activity and the information environment around IPO lockup expiration. First, I find that active buyer-initiated trades increase significantly before lockup expiration, particularly for small-size trades and for stocks with high dispersion of market opinion and high visibility. I provide and evaluate three possible explanations for the money-losing active buying before lockup expiration, including negative supply shocks in the equity lending market, demand induced insider selling, and noise trading. The evidence is consistent with the noise trading explanation. Further, I find that before lockup expiration, IPO stocks typically announce optimistic quarterly earnings exceeding analysts' consensus forecasts to create positive publicity. Overall, analysts are over-optimistic about the stocks they cover. The price drop around lockup expiration is significant positive correlated with venture backing, analysts' earnings forecast bias, and forecast dispersion. Second, I study the information environment of IPO stocks around lockup expiration. Corporate insiders are likely to possess better information about firm fundamentals and future growth potential. Upon lockup expiration, these informed investors are allowed to sell their holdings in the open market. What impact these trades may have on the information environment, particularly information asymmetry, of the stock market? I find that information asymmetry of the IPO stocks experiences little change after the unlock day. This suggests that insider trading upon lockup expiration is unlikely to be driven by private information. Because corporate insiders' wealth is usually concentrated in the newly public companies, the selling may reflect insiders' diversification effort.
In situ procedure for high-efficiency computational modeling of atrial fibrillation reflecting personal anatomy, fiber orientation, fibrosis, and electrophysiology.

We previously reported the feasibility and efficacy of a simulation-guided clinical catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) in an in-silico AF model. We developed a highly efficient realistic AF model reflecting the patient endocardial voltage and local conduction and tested its clinical feasibility. We acquired > 500 endocardial bipolar electrograms during right atrial pacing at the beginning of the AF ablation procedures. Based on the clinical bipolar electrograms, we generated simulated voltage maps by applying fibrosis and local activation maps adjusted for the fiber orientation. The software’s accuracy (CUVIA2.5) was retrospectively tested in 17 patients and feasibility prospectively in 10 during clinical AF ablation. Results: We found excellent correlations between the clinical and simulated voltage maps (R = 0.933, p < 0.001) and clinical and virtual local conduction (R = 0.958, p < 0.001). The proportion of virtual local fibrosis was 15.4, 22.2, and 36.9% in the paroxysmal AF, persistent AF, and post-pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) states, respectively. The reconstructed virtual bipolar electrogram exhibited a relatively good similarities of morphology to the local clinical bipolar electrogram (R = 0.60 ± 0.08, p < 0.001). Feasibility testing revealed an in situ procedural computing time from the clinical data acquisition to wave-dynamics analyses of 48.2 ± 4.9 min. All virtual analyses were successfully achieved during clinical PVI procedures. We developed a highly efficient, realistic, in situ procedural simulation model reflective of individual anatomy, fiber orientation, fibrosis, and electrophysiology that can be applied during AF ablation.
Investigation of low-cost oxygen carriers for chemical looping combustion at high temperature

Abstract Chemical looping combustion (CLC) allows combustion with less complex effluent than typical atmospheric combustion. CLC, which oxidizes the fuel with a regenerable solid oxygen carrier (OC), typically requires a step to separate unburned carbon and ash from the OC using a separation unit. This study investigated the use of high temperature combustion (1100 °C) and low-cost OCs prepared using readily available natural and industrial waste materials to potentially reduce the need for the separation step. Two OC materials consisting of 1) iron-impregnated FCC, a spent fluid cracking catalyst and 2) red mud, the main waste product from the extraction of alumina from bauxite, were compared to a benchmark natural hematite. The high temperature conditions led to sintering and attrition of the hematite. Red mud was found to also suffer apparent sintering and attrition. Iron-impregnated FCC showed little morphology change or attrition when the fuel was limited to the amount that could be oxidized without reducing the iron beyond Fe3O4. The most promising candidate proved to be FCC loaded with a moderate amount of iron, and optimization may further improve the stability and performance.
Diabetes mellitus and its many complications

Abstract Diabetes mellitus is a chronic endocrine/metabolic disease with heterogeneous etiologies (mainly via insulin deficiency and/or insulin resistance) and varied clinical presentations. “He who knows syphilis knows medicine” said Sir William Osler, over a century ago. In 2020, we can say the same about diabetes and its many complications, including the well-known classic microvascular (retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy), and macrovascular (coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral arterial disease) complications. There are lesser known complications involving bone (osteoporosis, increased fracture risk, impaired fracture healing, and increased bone infections), dental (periodontal disease, gingivitis, and possibly osteonecrosis), and musculoskeletal (sarcopenia, cheiroarthropathy, diabetic myonecrosis, trigger finger, frozen shoulder, rotator cuff tendinopathy, Charcot arthropathy, diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, and others) systems. All diabetes complications add a burden to the affected individual and to society. Both the direct and indirect costs (healthcare and related loss of productivity), impact families, friends, and public health programs.
Monte Carlo Study of Si, Ge, and In 0.53 Ga 0.47 As n-Channel FinFET Scaling: Channel Orientation, Quantum Confinement, Doping, and Contacts

The effects of channel scaling in silicon (Si) and Si-alternative germanium (Ge) and In0.53Ga0.47As (InGaAs) n-channel devices toward the end of the CMOS roadmap are addressed theoretically. The devices are simulated using a quantum-corrected semiclassical Monte Carlo method. The results are discussed with an emphasis on the underlying physics. Multiple effects of quantum conf inement within the channel, far-from equilibrium-degenerate statistics, saddle/slot contact geometries with appropriate material-dependent specific contact resistivities, and appropriate material-dependent source and drain doping concentrations are considered, with the exception of the contact resistivity of Ge, which is idealized to reflect what may be possible if the currently prohibitive contact challenge can be overcome.
Perceptions of Personal Selling: Is There a Trend?

The perception of personal selling as a career choice by college students is examined. Previous research indicates that while college students generally believe that personal selling offers opportunities such a promotion and higher earnings, it frequently is not a preferred career choice. This paper extends existing literature by including a description (although in vague terms) of the sales position under consideration. Previous research has used a general statement about a sales career that does not define a personal selling career. A randomized block design is used to assign students to 1 of 4 possible selling situations. Contrary to previous research, MANOVA did not reveal a significant difference between gender, race, or major in the students’ perception of personal selling. The results did confirm earlier research in that the students sampled did perceive personal selling as offering positive career opportunities but again students were not desirous of a career in sales. Implications for management are offered.
Evaluating the use of pharmacological stress agents during single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging tests after inadequate exercise stress test

Past clinical trial findings suggest that the availability of regadenoson in a nuclear imaging center may affect real-world center practices related to the transition of patients from an inadequate exercise stress test (EST) to a pharmacological stress agent (PSA). This was a cross-sectional study using one-on-one telephone interviews with nuclear imaging center staff to facilitate survey development, followed by an online survey to evaluate patterns and processes around use of PSAs during single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI) in patients with inadequate ESTs. Of the 50 participants, 35 (70%) used only regadenoson, 3 (6%) only adenosine, 3 (6%) regadenoson and adenosine, 7 (14%) regadenoson and dipyridamole, and 2 (4%) all 3 agents for converting patients from an inadequate EST to a PSA. Nearly all centers (94%) used protocols to guide conversions. Of 12 centers using > 1 PSA, 11 reported regadenoson to be the most preferred PSA. Total staff time required from PSA transition to post-test monitoring was shortest for regadenoson. Compared to adenosine and dipyridamole, regadenoson is preferred by nuclear imaging center staff and associated with operational efficiencies after inadequate EST in real-world practice SPECT-MPI.
RNA sequencing on muscle biopsy from a 5-week bedrest study reveals the effect of exercise and potential interactions with dorsal root ganglion neurons

Lack of physical activity is a predictor of poor health outcomes that can be prevented or reversed by exercise. Sedentary lifestyle, chronic disease or microgravity can cause muscle deconditioning that then has an impact on other physiological systems. An example is the nervous system, which is adversely affected by decreased physical activity resulting in increased incidence of neurological problems such as chronic pain. We sought to better understand how this might occur by conducting RNA sequencing experiments on muscle biopsies from human volunteers in a 5-week bed-rest study with an exercise intervention arm. We also used a computational method for examining ligand-receptor interactions between muscle and human dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, the latter of which play a key role in nociception and are generators of signals responsible for chronic pain. We identified 1352 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in bed rest subjects without an exercise intervention but only 132 DEGs in subjects with the intervention. Thirty-six genes were shared between the exercise and no intervention groups. Among 591 upregulated muscle genes in the no intervention arm, 26 of these were ligands that have receptors that are expressed by human DRG neurons. We detected a specific splice variant of one of these ligands, placental growth factor (PGF), in deconditioned muscle that binds to neuropilin 1, a receptor that is highly expressed in DRG neurons and known to promote neuropathic pain. We conclude that exercise intervention protects muscle from deconditioning transcriptomic changes, and prevents changes in expression of ligands that might sensitize DRG neurons that promote pain. Our work creates a set of actionable hypotheses to better understand how deconditioned muscle may influence the function of sensory neurons that innervate the entire body.
The Online Learning Environment: Creating a space for women learners?

This paper examines how online distance education acts to democratize access to, and suit the ontologies of, Mauritian women who seek to empower themselves for development. Data from semi-structured interviews of 30 middle class couples are presented in this paper. Interviews and analyses are premised on a feminist perspective and conducted within the social relations analysis framework. The objective of this research was to understand what types of supportive environments (social spaces) enable Mauritian women to engage in educational endeavours that promote their personal potentials and creativities which, in turn, advance democracy for all citizens of Mauritius. Husbands were also interviewed to provide ground for analysis and to decrease bias, which can be generated by women-only data. (1) Marriage/ family and (2) occupation, represent the ‘social spaces’ selected for this study. Discretion, degree of learner control, and the outreach capacity inherent in distance learning makes the online modality a natural choice to democratize women’s access to education. Based on interviewees’ experiences and perceptions, this study concludes that online learning can enhance and democratize women’s access to education for personal development – but only if the power relationships in the two ‘social spaces’ are well understood and well negotiated by these women. The findings in this paper shed light on the importance of understanding ‘learner spaces’ when establishing and setting-up open learning organisations.
Comparison of two cut-to-length harvesting systems operating in eastern hardwoods

We compared production rates, operating costs, and break-even points (BEP) for small and large cut-to-length (CTL) harvesting systems operating at several machine utilization rates (MUR) in mixed hardwood and softwood stands in Vermont. The small CTL harvester produced 11.08 m3 [391.4 ft3] per productive machine hour (PMH) compared to 14.83 m3 [523.80 ft3] per PMH for the large harvester. The impact of average tree size (volume) on cost was substantial but similar for both CTL systems. At a fixed stump-to-landing logging cost of about $14.12/m3 or [$0.40/ft3], the BEP tree size was 0.14 m3 [5.0 ft3] for the small harvester and 0.26 m3 [9.33 ft3] for the large system at the 85 percent MUR. At an MUR of 70 and 85 percent, the processing cost for trees that averaged 0.08 m3 [3.0ft3] was $22.19 and $18.28/m3 [$0.6285 and $0.5176/ft3], respectively, for the small CTL harvester. Results were similar for the large harvester. Either CTL system would be effective in helping managers meet forest management goals in eastern hardwood stands.
Directly modeling speech waveforms by neural networks for statistical parametric speech synthesis

This paper proposes a novel approach for directly-modeling speech at the waveform level using a neural network. This approach uses the neural network-based statistical parametric speech synthesis framework with a specially designed output layer. As acoustic feature extraction is integrated to acoustic model training, it can overcome the limitations of conventional approaches, such as two-step (feature extraction and acoustic modeling) optimization, use of spectra rather than waveforms as targets, use of overlapping and shifting frames as unit, and fixed decision tree structure. Experimental results show that the proposed approach can directly maximize the likelihood defined at the waveform domain.
Seasonal Patterns in Money Market Mutual Funds

This study analyzes seasonal patterns in tax-exempt and taxable money market mutual fund yields. We document a significant increase in tax-exempt and taxable yields during the last three weeks of December, followed by a significant decrease in yields during the first three weeks of January. The yield changes are associated with a corresponding outflow of fund assets at the end of the year and inflow of assets in the beginning of the year. We also find that tax-exempt yields change systematically around the 15th of April, June and September, which are key individual income tax dates. These results are consistent with liquidity effects associated with year-end wages, dividends, and bonus payments and tax-effects. We also find that institution window dressing contributes to the year-end movements in taxable and tax-exempt fund yields. One implication is that municipalities planning to issue short-term notes and investors in these funds can time their actions to take advantage of these systematic yield changes.
The study of metabolic turnover rates by means of isotopic tracers. II. Turnover in a simple reaction system.

Abstract The chemical kinetic equations for a simple metabolic scheme have been solved in general terms. The scheme is one which may be regarded as an approximate representation of a number of interesting metabolic situations. The special forms of the solution which result from several common sets of experimental conditions have been studied in detail. Some approximate solutions to the foregoing system, used by various authors for the isotopic study of protein turnover, have been examined and the validity of the approximations considered. The problem of growth induction—whether it is due to increased rate of synthesis or decreased rate of catabolism—has been considered in the light of the equations, and the possibilities for settling the question in terms of data on isotope incorporation have been discussed. The problem of the heterogeneity of metabolic pools within the organism has been discussed at length, and some proposals for a more, rigorous experimental analysis have been formulated.
Mass Transport in Saturated Media

Advection and hydrodynamic dispersion affect the movement of solutes in groundwater. Advection is the movement of solutes with flowing groundwater. Hydrodynamic dispersion is the spreading of groundwater and its dissolved constituents by mechanical mixing and chemical diffusion. The aquifer matrix induces mechanical mixing, which causes water to move faster at some locations than at others and forces water to move through different passages. Chemical concentration gradients induce diffusion, which causes solutes to move from areas of high to low concentration. Diffusion may take place in groundwater that is not flowing. Hydrodynamic dispersion takes place in all directions in three-dimensional space, but to a greater degree parallel to groundwater flow. The longitudinal component of hydrodynamic dispersion parallels the direction of groundwater flow. Transverse components occur in all directions in a plane perpendicular to groundwater flow. Beyond the pore scale, bodies of rock or sediment with different hydraulic conductivity may induce mechanical dispersion within an aquifer. Reactive solutes, which have a tendency to intermittently sorb to the aquifer matrix, move at a slower rate than does groundwater. Keywords: groundwater; mass transport; advection; dispersion; diffusion
Food Safety, Chemical Contaminants and Toxins

A large number of chemicals, both natural and synthetic, may enter the food supply and pose potential food safety concerns. Some of these chemicals are intentionally added to food, such as preservatives, colors, and flavors, while others, such as pesticides, metals, veterinary drugs, and food packaging materials, may inadvertently contaminate the food supply. This article gives an overview of the risk assessment and regulation of food contaminants, with specific emphasis on pesticide residues, dioxins, acrylamide, and chemical components in organic foods Keywords: food safety; chemical contaminants; toxins; regulation; risk assessment; pesticides; dioxins; acrylamide; organic foods
Revision total knee arthroplasty: complicated cases.

• Understand extensor mechanism complications after total knee arthroplasty and the preferred treatment options for those complications • Understand the need for increased constraint in revision total knee arthroplasty.
Hectiling: an integration of fine and coarse-grained load-balancing strategies

General-purpose programmers have come to expect a high degree of portability among widely varying architectures. Advances in run-time systems for parallel programs have been proposed in order to harness available resources as efficiently as possible. Simultaneously, advances in algorithmic methods of dynamically balancing computational load have been proposed in order to respond to variations in actual performance and therefore in run-time. The primary mechanism for harnessing idle resources effectively, task migration, can be used alongside the primary mechanism for dynamic load balancing, data redistribution. Besides the fact that the two methods can be used simultaneously to spur further increases in performance, the run-time information-gathering infrastructure necessary to detect and use idle resources can also benefit dynamically load-balanced applications. This paper describes an architecture for and preliminary implementation of a system that combines data-parallel load balancing with task-parallel load balancing. Performance test results are included as well.
Efficient Gene Editing in Primary Human T Cells

Recent advances in T-cell therapy for cancer, viral infections, and autoimmune diseases highlight the broad therapeutic potential of T-cell engineering. However, site-specific genetic manipulation in primary human T cells remains challenging. Two recent studies describe efficient genome editing in T cells using CRISPR and TALEN approaches.
Sedimentary and diagenetic environments of Middle Ordovician iron-rich limestones (Pobroszyn Formation) in the northern Holy Cross Mountains, Poland

The Middle Ordovician (Dapingian) of the northern Holy Cross Mountains (central Poland) is represented by condensed limestones that make up the Pobroszyn Formation. They reveal a complex stratification reflecting alternating depositional conditions. The basal limestones were deposited in open-marine conditions during the early Middle Ordovician sea level rise (navis Zone) correlated with the Baltoscandian Gardlosa drowning. Periods of non-deposition associated with this transgression favoured precipitation of authigenic Fe minerals close to the sediment-water interface. The upper part of this succession appears to represent a succeeding depositional phase associated with a second transgressive event, which probably involved reworking of the underlying lithified substrate. High energy events were interrupted by periods of non-deposition favouring development of benthic microbial communities contributing to Fe authigenesis. The Pobroszyn Formation reveals features suggesting an early diagenetic alteration of the parent carbonate sediment in a shallow marine setting (e.g., beach shoreface) or even was influenced by meteoric diagenesis, which probably took place during a sea level fall preceding the second transgressive event.
The relationship between cancer locus of control and complementary and alternative medicine use by women diagnosed with breast cancer.

Research has shown that perceptions of control influence health-related behavior and outcomes. This study explored the influence of the control constructs in the context of the theory of cognitive adaptation to the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among 551 women diagnosed with breast cancer in Portland, Oregon. The majority of these women had high perceptions of cancer control and used one or more types of CAM therapy. Multinomial logistical regression indicated that higher perceptions of control over the course and cause of cancer significantly predicted CAM use. The model combining sociodemographic variables (age, education and type of health insurance) and control variables explained more variation (R2=0.23) in predicting CAM use than the model with only sociodemographic variables (R2=0.14), indicating that perceptions of control over the cause and the course of cancer had an independent significant influence. It was concluded that the assessment of control constructs from the theory of cognitive adaptation is useful for studying CAM use among women diagnosed with breast cancer and that understanding the meanings that lie behind the decisions to use these therapies are essential for health care providers who are promoting the health and well-being of their patients. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Late-onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia: a treatable cause of anxiety

Abstract Background: Some intermediaries of cortisol synthesis, especially the sulfated ester of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEAS), are picrotoxin-like antagonists of the γ-aminobutyric acid A (GABA-A) receptor and exert potent anxiogenic effects. We report 5 men and 7 women with refractory anxiety disorders, who had late-onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), and in whom interactions between neuroactive steroids and anomalous brain substrates may have participated in the pathophysiology and treatment of anxiety. Methods: Twelve patients with refractory anxiety disorders as defined by DSM-IV had elevated DHEAS and specific enzyme deficiencies diagnostic of CAH. All were treated with adrenal suppressive therapy using ketoconazole or low (physiologic) dose glucocorticoids. Anxiety was rated by the Tension Scale of the Profile of Mood States (POMS Tension) questionnaire before and during hormonal treatment. Results: Reduction of DHEAS was associated with lower anxiety scores in all twelve cases. POMS Tension scores decreased by 55%. Hormonal treatment, which failed to lower DHEAS, was ineffective. Conclusions: These findings suggest that late onset CAH can contribute to anxiety disorders and that adrenal suppressive therapy or inhibition of steroidogenesis with ketoconazole may be efficacious as adjuvant therapy.
Crystal structure of triphenylselenonium chloride dihydrate

The structure of triphenylselenonium chloride dihydrate has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. Crystals of the compound C18H15Se+, Cl−, 2H2O are monoclinic, space groupC2/c, witha = 12.798(3),b = 13.802(1),c = 19.933(34) A, β = 9.0.0(1) ° andZ = 8. The structure was refined by full-matrix least-squares methods from 1444 diffraotometer intensities to a conventionalR of 0.067 and a weightedR of 0.072. The structure consists of pairs of triphenylselenonium cations which are weakly joined through pairs of bridging chloride ions. The water molecules are clustered in groups of four, separated by the triphenylselenonium chloride dimers. The hydrogen atoms of the water could not be positioned unambiguously, but it appears that hydrogen bonds link the four water molecules and the chloride ions together.
Determination of GDP-Fuc:Galβ1-4GlcNAc-R (Fuc to GlcNAc) α1,3 Fucosyltransferase Activity by a Solid-Phase Method

We report the development of a solid-phase assay for the activity of the enzyme GDPFuc:Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc-R (Fuc to GlcNAc) alpha 1,3 fucosyltransferase (alpha 1,3FT). This enzyme generates the blood group antigen Lewis x (Lex)Gal beta 1-4(Fuc alpha 1-3)GlcNAc-R from the acceptor Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc-R. In our method, the tetrasaccharide Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc beta 1-3Gal beta 1-4Glc (lacto-N-neotetraose, LNnT) from human milk was chemically conjugated to bovine serum albumin (BSA) to generate LNnT-BSA. As a source of alpha 1,3FT to develop the assay, we used extracts of COS7 cells created to stably express the human FucTIII and FucTIV genes, both of which have alpha 1,3FT activity. LNnT-BSA was immobilized in microtiter wells and incubated with GDPFuc and cell extracts. The Lex antigen generated by alpha 1,3FT was detected with a monoclonal IgM antibody (anti-CD15). Binding of this IgM-type antibody to product was detected by one of two methods. Method 1 was based on the binding of alkaline phosphatase-conjugated goat anti-mouse IgM. Method 2 was based on the binding of a streptavidin conjugate of the recombinant bioluminescent protein aequorin to biotinylated goat anti-mouse IgM. The alpha 1,3FT assay was linear with respect to time (0-3 h), extract added (0-40 micrograms), and was dependent on GDPFuc (20 microM optimal) and LNnT-BSA. Both methods 1 and 2 allowed measurement of alpha 1,3FT in extracts of the human cell line HL-60.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Inhibition of proteinase 3 by ANCA and its correlation with disease activity in Wegener's granulomatosis

Inhibition of proteinase 3 by ANCA and its correlation with disease activity in Wegener's granulomatosis. Detection of circulating antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) to the neutrophil serine proteinase, proteinase 3 (PR3), has proven valuable for the diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis (WG). However, the importance of these autoantibodies in the pathogenesis of WG remains unknown. It was recently reported that anti-PR3 autoantibodies (PR3-ANCA) from some patients with WG inhibit the proteolytic activity of PR3 and interfere with the inactivation of PR3 by the physiologic inhibitor, α 1 -proteinase inhibitor (α 1 -PI). We have studied the effect of PR3-ANCA on the enzymatic activity of PR3 and its correlation with disease activity in patients with WG. We purified IgG from 21 PR3-ANCA positive sera obtained from 17 patients with WG, and determined its effect on the esterolytic and proteolytic activity of purified human PR3 using Boc-Ala-O-Nitrophenyl ester and fluoresceinated-elastin as enzyme substrates. Controls included seven sera containing anti-MPO autoantibodies (MPO-ANCA) from patients with systemic vasculitis and seven ANCA-negative sera obtained from healthy individuals. We found that PR3-ANCA from 9 of the 17 patients significantly inhibited the activity of PR3. There was no correlation between the titers of PR3-ANCA and their inhibitory activity. For one extensively characterized autoantibody, the inhibition reached 70 to 95% at 20-fold molar excess of IgG to enzyme, with an apparent K i app of 56.5 µM. This inhibition was non-competitive in nature, and was additive to that produced by α 1 -PI. A review of the clinical histories of the patients revealed a strong association between active WG and inhibitory autoantibodies. PR3-ANCA from eight of 10 patients with active disease showed significant inhibition of PR3 activity, whereas only one of seven patients in remission had inhibitory PR3-ANCA. These results suggest that the inhibitory profile of PR3-ANCA may be more reflective of disease activity in patients with WG than the absolute titer, and suggest possible alternative mechanisms for the role of these autoantibodies in the pathogenesis of WG.
Geochemical Niches of Iron-Oxidizing Acidophiles in Acidic Coal Mine Drainage

A legacy of coal mining in the Appalachians has provided a unique opportunity to study the ecological niches of iron-oxidizing microorganisms. Mine-impacted, anoxic groundwater with high dissolved-metal concentrations emerges at springs and seeps associated with iron oxide mounds and deposits. These deposits are colonized by iron-oxidizing microorganisms that in some cases efficiently remove most of the dissolved iron at low pH, making subsequent treatment of the polluted stream water less expensive. We used full-cycle rRNA methods to describe the composition of sediment communities at two geochemically similar acidic discharges, Upper and Lower Red Eyes in Somerset County, PA, USA. The dominant microorganisms at both discharges were acidophilic Gallionella-like organisms, “Ferrovum” spp., and Acidithiobacillus spp. Archaea and Leptospirillum spp. accounted for less than 2% of cells. The distribution of microorganisms at the two sites could be best explained by a combination of iron(II) concentration and pH. Populations of the Gallionella-like organisms were restricted to locations with pH >3 and iron(II) concentration of >4 mM, while Acidithiobacillus spp. were restricted to pH 4 mM. Our findings offer a predictive framework that could prove useful for describing the distribution of microorganisms in acid mine drainage, based on readily accessible geochemical parameters.
Inhibitory effects of JTE-522, a novel prostaglandin H synthase-2 inhibitor, on adjuvant-induced arthritis and bone changes in rats

Objective and Design: To investigate the effect of JTE-522, a novel selective prostaglandin H synthase (PGHS)-2 inhibitor, on adjuvant-induced arthritis and bone changes.¶Subjects: Male Lewis rats at 8 weeks old were immunized with heat-killed mycobacteria.¶Treatment: JTE-522 (0.1–30 mg/kg) and indomethacin (0.1–3 mg/kg) were administered orally once-daily after immunization.¶Methods: Paw swelling, bone changes in arthritic paws and vertebrae, urinary levels of deoxypyridinoline and pyridinium crosslinks, and the incidence of gastric lesions were determined in arthritic rats.¶Results: JTE-522 (from 0.3 mg/kg) suppressed the development of paw swelling, and also reduced bone damage (score and bone mineral density) in arthritic paws and the urinary excretion of deoxypyridinoline and pyridinium crosslinks. However, JTE-522 did not cause gastric lesions even at 30 mg/kg in arthritic rats.¶Conclusions: These results suggest that JTE-522 possesses potent anti-arthritic activities and suppressive activity on inflammatory bone resorption without gastric side effects.
Poly(4-N-pyrrolidinopyridine) copolymers as supernucleophilic reagents

Synthese rapide en deux etapes de ces copolymeres avec un degre eleve de fonctionnalisation: condensation de copolymeres de l'anhydride maleique avec l'amino-4 pyridine suivie d'une reduction par un hydrure de l'imide en pyrrolidine