cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Exploratory Study of the Importance of Sustainable Practices in the Meeting and Convention Site Selection Process

The purpose of this exploratory study was to develop a list of sustainable practices at convention facilities and assess the importance of these items according to meeting planners. The recycling of items had the highest levels of importance. Significant differences were found between third party and association meeting planners’ levels of importance in the areas of water resources, energy efficiency, and recycling. Length of being a Certified Meeting Planner was not related to the importance of sustainability practices. Females placed more value on programs that capture separate organic waste for composting and on energy certification than did their male counterparts. Results give meeting planners and venues a clearer picture of the current state of sustainable practices and its importance in the meeting, incentive, convention and event (MICE) industry. However, further research is needed, and discussed.
Translating Science to Improve Health: Hope for Patients With Kidney Disease at What Cost?

In this issue, Erickson and colleagues add to the discussion of health care value by studying the cost-effectiveness of tolvaptan, a new medication for persons with autosomal dominant polycystic ki...
Converting MlyI endonuclease into a nicking enzyme by changing its oligomerization state.

N.BstNBI is a nicking endonuclease that recognizes the sequence GAGTC and nicks one DNA strand specifically. The Type IIs endonuclease, MlyI, also recognizes GAGTC, but cleaves both DNA strands. Sequence comparisons revealed significant similarities between N.BstNBI and MlyI. Previous studies showed that MlyI dimerizes in the presence of a cognate DNA, whereas N.BstNBI remains a monomer. This suggests that dimerization may be required for double-stranded cleavage. To test this hypothesis, we used a multiple alignment to design mutations to disrupt the dimerization function of MlyI. When Tyr491 and Lys494 were both changed to alanine, the mutated endonuclease, N.MlyI, no longer formed a dimer and cleaved only one DNA strand specifically. Thus, we have shown that changing the oligomerization state of an enzyme changes its enzymatic function. This experiment also established a protocol that could be applied to other Type IIs endonucleases in order to generate more novel nicking endonucleases.
Resting Position Variables at the Shoulder: Evidence to Support a Posture-Impairment Association

Background and Purpose. A relationship between posture and impairment at the shoulder is theorized, but not supported by evidence. It is proposed that posture and impairment are not directly related, but linked by movement dysfunction. The purpose of this analysis was to explore the relationships among posture, pectoralis minor muscle length, and movement alterations at the shoulder. Subjects. Subjects who were asymptomatic for shoulder pathology were divided into 2 groups of 25 subjects each based on normalized pectoralis minor muscle resting length. Methods. Scapula orientation, thoracic kyphosis, and pectoralis minor muscle lengths were measured, and ratios and indexes of postural variables were calculated. All variables were analyzed for correlations and group differences. Results. Significant group differences were demonstrated for several posture variables, including thoracic spine kyphosis and scapular internal rotation. The distance from the sternal notch to the coracoid process demonstrated the highest correlation with pectoralis minor muscle length. Discussion and Conclusion. The findings indicate a relationship between posture and pectoralis minor muscle length and support a proposed model linking posture, an anatomical variable, movement dysfunction, and impairment. [Borstad JD. Resting position variables at the shoulder: evidence to support a posture-impairment association. Phys Ther . 2006;86:549–557.]
Entrepreneurial outcomes and enterprise size in US retail farmers' markets

Recent studies have suggested that farmers' markets are increasingly important contributors to the economic development of rural and urban communities in the US. Yet, little is known about the specific ways and the extent to which farmers' markets contribute to developing their vendors' capacities as entrepreneurs or affect vendors' business success. In this study, we examine the capacities of farmers' market vendors in three states—New York, Iowa and California—and associated entrepreneurial outcomes. In particular, we explore how vendors' business activities and capacities are associated with different sizes of enterprises. A mail survey of up to 400 vendors, from 20 markets in each state, was conducted in 1999 to examine factors associated with business outcomes and vendor capacities. The importance of farmers' markets to small-, medium- and large-size enterprises and the particular contributions that have been most helpful to vendors were identified. Small-scale enterprises are still the most numerous at farmers' markets, making up almost 56% of all vendors. More than half of these enterprises are operated by part-time farmers or market gardeners. We found that the small enterprises had both less business and market experience, and sell at markets closer to home than do medium and large enterprises. Although these vendors with small enterprises have engaged in fewer entrepreneurial activities, made fewer business contacts and acquired fewer skills at farmers' markets, compared to medium and large enterprises they were more likely to consider farmers' markets to be their most important business development opportunity. Although, for these small enterprises, participating informers' markets may not yield financial gains as large as those gained by medium- and large-scale vendors, farmers' markets may be one of the few options for entrepreneurs to maintain and/or enhance their market niche in a community. Key information needs of small-, medium- and large-size enterprises are described, as well as suggestions for ways in which local educational institutions, Cooperative Extension, government agencies and nonprofit organizations can help support these enterprises and enhance community economic development in their regions.
Repair of alkylated DNA by cell extracts from various organs and species.

Simple alkylating agents form an interesting class of chemical carcinogens whose interaction with DNA is relatively well understood (1–7). These carcinogens include agents such as alkyl alkanesulfonates, alkylnitrosamides, alkylnitrosoguanidines, and monoalkyltriazines that are direct acting and the chemically-stable nitrosamines, dialkylhydrazines, and dialkyltriazines that require enzymatic activation to generate the alkylating species. The major adducts formed by these agents on reaction with DNA in target and nontarget tissues have been quantitated and their persistence with time measured (1,2,5,6). These studies have suggested that certain adducts are more likely to be responsible for the initiation of tumors than others; particular emphasis has been placed on the potential role of O 6-alkylguanine. O 6-Alkylguanine is known to miscode in nucleic acid synthesis and to lead to mutations. Furthermore, its rate of removal from DNA. differs from tissue to tissue, and the persistence correlates with sensitivity to tumor initiation (1,2,5). These results underline the significant role that DNA repair may play in preventing a carcinogenesis by alkylating agents. Other alkylated bases may also have the potential to initiate tumors, but the rapid removal would minimize their effect.
An FTIR Study of Water Sorption on TMA-and TMPA-Montmorillonites

Water inhibits sorption of uncharged organic compounds on montmorillonites saturated with small alkylammonium cations such as tetramethylammonium (TMA) and trimethylphenylammonium (TMPA). As a first step toward understanding the mechanism by which water inhibits arene sorption on TMA- and TMPA-montmorillonites, infrared spectroscopy and water sorption isotherm experiments were conducted to determine whether water preferentially hydrates adsorbed TMA and TMPA cations rather than the siloxane surface. Infrared spectra of normal-charge and reduced-charge TMA- and TMPA-mont- morillonites were obtained at partial water vapor pressures from 0.075 to 0.92 to determine if water vapor hydrates the adsorbed cations. Water adsorbed at partial pressures from 0 to about 0.2 caused the wave- number position of the HOH deformation vibration of adsorbed water to shift 4 to 10 cm 1 to higher wavenumber and the methyl deformation vibrations of adsorbed TMA and TMPA cations to shift 1 to 2 cm 1 to higher wavenumber, providing evidence that water interacts directly with adsorbed TMA and TMPA ions. There were no shifts in the ring stretching or C-H out-of-plane vibrations of TMPA, which indicates that water interacts with the methyl groups of TMPA, not with TMPA's aromatic ring. Water vapor sorption isotherms showed that normal-charge montmorillonites adsorb more water than do reduced- charge montmorillonites, consistent with the higher concentration of adsorbed cations on normal-charge clay. More water was adsorbed by TMA-montmorillonite than by TMPA-montmorillonite, consistent with the higher hydration energy of TMA. Thus, both the infrared and sorption isotherm results show that water preferentially hydrates adsorbed TMA and TMPA, not the siloxane surface of montmorillonite.
Sincalide cholescintigraphy--32 years later: evidence-based data on its clinical utility and infusion methodology.

Sincalide cholescintigraphy was first reported to have clinical utility in 1980. Since then, many publications have found that a reduced gallbladder ejection fraction (GBEF) can confirm the clinical diagnosis of acalculous chronic gallbladder disease and predict symptomatic relief with cholecystectomy. However, some publications had not found the test clinically predictive. Many different sincalide infusion methods and normal values have been used. It had been suspected that the different infusion methods and normal values might account for the variability in reported utility. Furthermore, clinical review articles have raised questions about the evidence-based quality of the published data on the diagnostic utility of sincalide cholescintigraphy. A recently published multicenter trial has established the optimal methodology for sincalide infusion and normal values. A subsequent multispecialty consensus publication has recommended that this method be the standard method for sincalide infusion, specifically, a 60-minute infusion of 0.02 μg/kg (abnormal GBEF,
Using generalized cross-validation to select parameters in inversions for regional carbon fluxes

[1] Estimating CO_2 fluxes from the pattern of atmospheric CO_2 concentrations with atmospheric transport models is an ill-posed inverse problem, whose solution is stabilized using prior information. Weights assigned to prior information and to CO_2 concentrations at different locations are quantified by parameters that are not well known, and differences in the choice of these parameters contribute to differences among published estimates of the regional partitioning of CO_2 fluxes. Following the TransCom 3 protocol to estimate CO_2 fluxes for 1992–1996, we find that the partitioning of the CO_2 sink between land and oceans and between North America and Eurasia depends on parameters that quantify the relative weight given to prior flux estimates and the extent to which CO_2 concentrations at different stations are differentially weighted. Parameter values that minimize an estimated prediction error can be chosen by generalized cross-validation (GCV). The GCV parameter values yield fluxes in northern regions similar to those obtained with the TransCom parameter values, but the GCV fluxes are smaller in the poorly constrained equatorial and southern regions.
Eddy current power dissipation at sharp corners: an external impedance solution applied to a wedge with large ratio of internal to external magnetic permeabilities

The corner constant, which serves to correct the internal impedance per unit length of a conductor, is calculated in closed form for the limit of large ratios of internal to external magnetic permeabilities for a right angle comer. The solution is accomplished by means of a generalization of a method used in the problem of water waves on a sloping beach. The corner constant is determined by an integration of the surface axial electric field and the perfectly conducting magnetic field. Expansions of the axial electric field are also given because of its utility in future papers. The correct behavior of the surface magnetic field near the edge is determined by using the constant limit of the axial electric field in an internal Green's theorem representation. Rotation of the surface fields to a complex radial coordinate is discussed.
Metamorphosis of two amphibian species after chronic cadmium exposure in outdoor aquatic mesocosms

Amphibian larvae at contaminated sites may experience an alteration of metamorphic traits and survival compared to amphibians in uncontaminated conditions. Effects of chronic cadmium (Cd) exposure on the metamorphosis of American toads (Bufo americanus) and southern leopard frogs (Rana sphenocephala) were determined. The two species were reared separately from shortly after hatching through metamorphosis in outdoor mesocosms (1,325-L polyethylene cattle tanks) that simulated natural ponds and enhanced environmental realism relative to the laboratory. Both species exhibited a decrease in survival with increasing initial nominal aqueous Cd concentration. Cadmium treatment did not influence mass at metamorphosis for either species when survival was included as a covariate, but increased the age at metamorphosis for the American toads. The whole body Cd content of metamorphs increased with aqueous Cd treatment level for both species, and the American toads tended to possess more elevated residues. Cadmium quickly partitioned out of the water column and accumulated in and altered the abundance of the tadpoles' diet. Cadmium-contaminated sites may produce fewer metamorphs, and those that survive will metamorphose later and contain Cd. Interspecific differences in the response variables illustrate the importance of testing multiple species when assessing risk.
Fine Tuning of Endometrial Function by Estrogen and Progesterone Through microRNAs

The endometrium is a complex steroid-responsive tissue that undergoes cyclic proliferation, hypertrophy, and differentiation in anticipation of embryo implantation. In the human, when pregnancy does not occur, menstrual shedding is followed by healing and intense proliferation in response to circulating estrogen resulting from ovarian follicular development. After ovulation, progesterone is secreted from the newly formed corpus luteum, transforming the endometrium into a secretory structure and establishing receptivity toward the nascent embryo, precisely and synchronously timed around a window of implantation [1]. Delays in the developmental milestones of the endometrium [2] can lead to infertility or pregnancy loss. Moreover, imbalance between the actions of estrogen and progesterone are associated with abnormal uterine bleeding [3] and proliferative disorders, such as endometriosis and endometrial hyperplasia [4]. Progesterone is essential for the establishment of pregnancy [5], opposing the actions of estrogen by a remarkable number of different mechanisms. One recognized antiestrogenic action of progesterone in the endometrium is the regulation of the cognate receptors for estrogen and progesterone [6]. Although estrogen increases the concentration of its own receptor (ESR1) and that of progesterone (PGR), progesterone downregulates the availability of ESR1 in most endometrial cell types and reduces its own receptor in the glandular epithelium. The reduction in steroid receptors is one of many means by which progesterone limits the action of estrogen during the secretory phase of the normal menstrual cycle.
Spatial mapping of ices in the Ophiuchus-F core. A direct measurement of CO depletion and the formation of CO_2

Aims. Ices in dense star-forming cores contain the bulk of volatile molecules apart from H 2 and thus represent a large fraction of dark cloud chemistry budget. Mm observations of gas provide indirect evidence for significant freeze-out of CO in the densest cores. To directly constrain the freeze-out profile of CO, the formation route of CO 2 and the carrier of the 6.8 μm band, the spatial distribution of the CO/CO 2 ice system and the 6.8μm band carrier are measured in a nearby dense core. Methods. VLT-ISAAC, ISOCAM-CVF and Spitzer-IRS archival mid-infrared (3-20μm) spectroscopy of young stellar objects is used to construct a map of the abundances of CO and CO 2 ices in the Oph-F star-forming core, probing core radii from 2 x 103 to 14 × 10 3 AU or densities from 5 x 104 to 5 x 10 5 cm -3 with a resolution of ∼ 3000 AU. Results. The line-of-sight averaged abundances relative to water ice of both CO and CO 2 ices increase monotonously with decreasing distance to the core center. The map traces the shape of the CO abundance profile between freeze-out ratios of 5-60%. and shows that the CO 2 ice abundance increases by a factor of 2 as the CO freezes out. It is suggested that this indicates a formation route of CO 2 on a CO ice surface to produce a CO 2 component dilute in CO ice, in addition to a fraction of the CO 2 formed at lower densities along with the water ice mantle. It is predicted that the CO 2 bending mode band profile should reflect a high CO:CO 2 number ratio in the densest parts of dark clouds. In contrast to CO and CO 2 , the abundance of the carrier of the 6.8 μm band remains relatively constant throughout the core. A simple freeze-out model of the CO abundance profile is used to estimate the binding energy of CO on a CO ice surface to 814± 30 K.
Does the Use of Electronic Interactive Social Networking Increase the Compliance Rate in Adolescent First Time Oral Contraceptive Users

Background: Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) are prescribed to adolescent girls for a variety of reasons and can provide relief for many gynecologic conditions and prevent unintended pregnancy. Research studies have highlighted high discontinuation rates in OCP users during the first few months. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an interactive social networking intervention on the compliance rate of firsttime adolescent oral contraceptive pill users. Methods: This prospective interventional study was approved by our Institutional Review Board. Patients between the ages of 13-21 presenting to our ambulatory center for gynecologic care and receiving a prescription of OCPs for the first time were offered enrollment. All participants possessed a cell phone with text messaging and photo capabilities. Nonpossession of a cell phone with texting and media capturing capabilities, previous OCP users and patients whom were actively pregnant were excluded. All eligible individuals agreed to participate. Participants received traditional verbal contraceptive counseling and chose a 21-day active pill or a three month extended cycle pill regimen. Participants chose to take their pill in the morning or in the evening. Pre and post intervention questionnaires were obtained documenting the participants perceived compliance rate. Participants were instructed to set a daily alarm on their phone to serve as a reminder and were registered for an online patient portal. A method for a three month follow up either in person, via telephone, or via the online portal was chosen. Daily text message reminders were sent Monday through Friday at either 0700 or 1645. The participants were prompted in the daily text messages to send a reply photo of their OCP pack. Although the number of participants enrolled in our study does not allow statistically significant comparison to historical controls regarding OCP compliance, several of our observational findings are reported. Results: To date, out of twenty participants, ten have completed the three month texting intervention. 51% of text messaging requests for photos of pill packs were returned. Frequency of text messaging was highest in weeks 1 and 8 (Fig, 1). Eight of the ten participants complied with a three month follow up. The rate of photo response was high in all participants who followed up after three months and low in the two patients that did not follow up. In the follow up group, patients recalled missing pills 3% of the time and all planned to continue use of an OCP. Based on photo responses, only two instances of missed pills were detected. Patients overwhelmingly preferred to follow up with text messaging in lieu of other methods. All incidences (3) of participant misuse errors were discovered via photo. All patients utilized interactive text messaging liberally for other concerns.
Efficacy of egg surface disinfectants in captive spawning Atlantic cod Gadus morhua L. and haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus L.

AbstractInan eiort to optimize the e⁄ciencyof high-densityincubation of Atlantic cod Gadus morhuaand had-dock Melanogrammus aegle¢nus eggs, the per centhatch of eggs treated with four disinfectants (3%hydrogen peroxide,1% polyvinylpyrrolidone iodine,0.1% sodium hypochlorite and a 0.005% antibioticsolution ^ penicillin/streptomycin) was compared inboth species.The per cent hatch of eggs of each spe-cieswasgreatestaftera24htreatmentwiththeanti-biotic solution. The hatching success of eggs treatedwithin the diierent disinfectant treatments de-pended upon the embryonic developmental stage inboth species. The sodium hypochlorite treatmenthad the lowest % coverage of colony growth afterdisinfected haddock eggs were plated onto sterileagar media, highest survival rates to the end of theembryonicperiod, butthelowestpercenthatch.Keywords: egg surface disinfectants, Atlantic cod,haddockIntroductionAttempts to optimize egg incubation techniques of-ten used in high-density aquaculture of marine ¢shhave focused on the use of disinfectants to controlbacterialgrowth.Thee⁄cacyofdiierenteggsurfacedisinfectants has been evaluated for some marine¢sh species including red drum Sciaenops ocellatus(Douillet & Holt1994), turbot ScophthalmusmaximusandAtlantichalibutHippoglossushippoglossus(Bergh& Jelmert1996; Salvesen, ie & Vadstein1997). Res-ults of these studies indicated that the most success-fuleggdisinfectantwasoftenspecies-speci¢c,anditsoptimalapplicationoftenstage-speci¢c.Adult Atlantic cod Gadus morhuaand haddockMelanogrammus aegle¢nus broodstocks have beenmaintainedattheNarragansett Laboratoryof theUSNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA NMFS)since the1970s.The primaryobjective for managingthesebroodstocks istoprovidegadideggsandlarvaefor use in a wide array of research eiorts, includingthoserelatedtothedevelopmentofcommercial-scaleaquaculture and possible stock enhancement in theNorthwestAtlantic(Buckley,BradleyA Mo-rrison, Bird, O’Neil, Leggiadro, Martin-Robichaud,Rommens & Waiwood 1999). T herefore, applicationof egg surface disinfectants in the culture of codand haddock may prove especially bene¢cial to eggsurvival.To optimize our productionand incubation of codandhaddockeggs,weevaluatedthepercenthatchofeggsof bothspeciesaftertreatmentwithfourreadilyavailable disinfectants: hydrogen peroxide (H
Model identification and attitude control for a micromechanical flying insect including thorax and sensor models

This paper describes recent developments on the model identification and attitude control system for a micromechanical flying insect (MFI). We include recently developed dynamical models for the thorax actuators and the various sensor models. Wing kinematic parameterization scheme was designed to generate feasible wing motions to decouple the body torques under the constraints of the thorax model. A nominal state-space LTI model in hover was identified through linear estimation and a LQR controller was designed to achieve stable hovering and steering maneuvers. Simulation results show satisfactory performance comparable to that of the real insects.
The dynamics of insight: mathematical discovery as a phase transition.

In recent work in cognitive science, it has been proposed that cognition is a self-organizing, dynamical system. However, capturing the real-time dynamics of cognition has been a formidable challenge. Furthermore, it has been unclear whether dynamics could effectively address the emergence of abstract concepts (e.g., language, mathematics). Here, we provide evidence that a quintessentially cognitive phenomenon—the spontaneous discovery of a mathematical relation—emerges through self-organization. Participants solved a series of gear-system problems while we tracked their eye movements. They initially solved the problems by manually simulating the forces of the gears but then spontaneously discovered a mathematical solution. We show that the discovery of the mathematical relation was predicted by changes in entropy and changes in power-law behavior, two hallmarks of phase transitions. Thus, the present study demonstrates the emergence of higher order cognitive phenomena through the nonlinear dynamics of self-organization.
County Poverty: The Case Of Los Angeles

This study serves two purposes. First, it demonstrates a method of estimating and projecting annual poverty at the sub-national level. Data obtained from decennial censuses provide the benchmarks from which poverty is estimated and projected for various demographic groups. Projections are based upon curvilinear trends both of rates and of counts for each group. The methodology can be easily applied in a variety of jurisdictional settings and levels. The second objective is to provide a specific portrait of poverty by demographic group within the County of Los Angeles. The evidence indicates a substantial increase over the next decade both in the incidence of poverty and in the number of impoverished residents. The primary source of County poverty is the growth in its Hispanic community.
Providing high availability in cloud storage by decreasing virtual machine reboot time

A Virtual Storage Architecture (VSA) is a storage controller deployed as a virtual machine on a server with a hypervisor. The advantage of VSA is to leverage shared data storage services without procuring additional storage hardware, which is a cost effective solution. In case of VSA, high availability (HA) is achieved by restarting the failed virtual machine on an event of a software failure. Rebooting the VSA is a slow operation thereby reducing the overall service availability. In this paper, we describe the challenges and approaches taken to decrease reboot time of VSA to achieve High Availability. We have been able to reduce the VSA reboot time by 18% using our optimizations. We also explore the changes required in Journal based File systems for efficient operation in the Cloud.
Left clavicular fracture.

ANSWER: Pyknodysostosis Pyknodysostosis, also known as Maroteaux-Lamy disease and Toulouse-Lautrec syndrome, is a rare autosomal recessive genetic sclerosing bone dysplasia with an estimated incidence of 1.7 per million births with no gender predilection [1]. The disorder is caused by a mutation of a lysosomal cysteine proteinase, cathepsin K, that is required for normal degradation of type I collagen, the major constituent (95 %) of organic bone matrix [1, 2]. The resultant osteoclast dysfunction impairs bone remodeling with resultant dense but fragile bones. Although a cathepsin K gene mutation analysis can provide confirmation, the diagnosis is usually based on the characteristic clinical and radiographic findings [3]. Clinically, patients demonstrate short-stature measuring <150 cm (4 feet 11 inches) and dysmorphic facial features including a beaked nose and micrognathia. Underlying bone fragility is clinically manifest as multiple fractures after only minor trauma [4]. It is believed that the famous French postimpressionist painter, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec had this disorder and suffered from bilateral femoral fractures at a young age from falls [5]. Typical locations for pathologic fracture include the jaw, clavicles, and lower extremities. Because of impaired vascularity in the dense bones, there is a propensity to develop jaw osteomyelitis after dental extraction or injury that can be refractory to treatment [6]. Affected individuals are usually diagnosed at a young age because of the characteristic appearance and bone fragility, but in some instances, as in this case, the diagnosis is made later in life. Cognitive function and life expectancy are normal [1]. Radiographic findings include generalized osteosclerosis with preservation of the medullary canal of long bones. For our patient, the osteosclerosis was not radiographically obvious but the DEXA scan detected increased bone density. There is foreshortening of the distal phalanges with irregular terminal tufts simulating acro-osteolysis, a finding considered a pathognomonic feature [4]. The calvarium demonstrates open fontanelles, widened sutures and, often times, wormian bones. There is also hypoplasia of the paranasal sinuses and an obtuse mandibular angle. Less commonly there is a thoracic deformity including kyphosis and pectus excavatum and distal clavicular hypoplasia. Segmentation abnormalities and spondylolisthesis in the cervical or lumbar spine can also be seen [7]. Long bone fractures are in the midshaft and are typically transverse rather than oblique, as with other pathological bone fractures. The radiological differential diagnosis includes osteopetrosis, which also presents with brittle sclerotic bones; however, with osteopetrosis, sutures of the skull are closed and there is typically obliteration of the medullary canal of the long bones with resultant anemia. Cleidocranial dysplasia may have some similar imaging features including open The case presentation can be found at doi: 10.1007/s00256-015-2318-y
Thrombectomy and Isolated Limb Perfusion with Urokinase in the Treatment of Phlegmasia Cerulea Dolens

Phlegmasia cerulea dolens is a rare form of deep vein thrombosis. A patient with recurrent episodes of such thrombosis caused by protein C deficiency who developed phlegmasia cerulea dolens is reported. Limb perfusion with urokinase successfully restored venous outflow after unsuccessful attempts at thrombectomy.
Disparities in medication therapy in patients with heart failure across the State of Hawai'i.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate if heart failure patients in Hawai‘i are receiving recommended standard therapy of a select beta-blocker in combination with an ACE inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), and to determine if a gap in quality of care exists between the different regions within the state. A retrospective claims-based analysis of all adult patients (age > 18 years of age) with CHF who were enrolled in a large health plan in Hawai‘i was performed (n = 24,149). Data collected included the presence of pharmaceutical claims for ACEI, ARBs and select β-blockers, region of residence, gender, and age. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine whether there were regional differences in Hawai‘i related to medication usage, after adjustment for age and gender. Results showed that only 28.4 % of patients were placed on the recommended therapy of an ACEI or ARB and a select β-blocker with significant differences being found between different regions. Further research is needed to better understand factors affecting regional differences in prescribing patterns.
Essential Noise Sources For Green’s Function Recovery In Passively-monitored Diffusion Systems

The principle of extracting Green’s function in geophysically cluttered environments makes it possible to retrieve the impulse response of a system without using controlled point sources. Urban areas, oilfield and industrial facilities are the sites that may provide a rich spectrum of noise from which to draw upon for Green’s function estimation. Green’s function can be extracted by correlation of diffusive wavefields at two separate locations where sources are available everywhere throughout a volume. However, in the real world the number of noise sources in an area is limited, and furthermore, unevenly distributed in time, space and spectral content. Hence, quantification of the requisite noise sources that enable us to calculate Green’s function acceptably well remains an open research question. In this study, the area of noise with more contribution to the cross-correlation results is investigated in homogeneous and inhomogeneous media. The results confirmed previous findings that the sources located between two receiver positions are the most important ones for the purpose of Green’s function recovery. For the 2D case, a suite of double halfspace models was examined in with one receiver located on either side of the contact. Varying the angle between the contact and the line connecting the receivers revealed that in general, the region between receivers remains that which contributes most to Green’s function estimation. However, the difference in diffusion rates across the interface skews the geometry of this region, in some cases leading to significant off-axis contributions to the recovered Green’s function.
The PROMIS® Smoking Initiative: Initial Validity Evidence for Six New Smoking Item Banks

INTRODUCTION The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Smoking Initiative has developed 6 item banks for assessing smoking behaviors and biopsychosocial correlates of smoking among daily and nondaily adult cigarette smokers. This paper presents descriptive information and preliminary validity evidence for the item banks (Nicotine Dependence, Coping Expectancies, Emotional and Sensory Expectancies, Health Expectancies, Psychosocial Expectancies, and Social Motivations). METHODS Using data from a large sample of daily (N = 4,201) and nondaily (N = 1,183) smokers, we generated mean daily and nondaily smoking bank scores according to select demographic groups. We also examined correlations among the 6 banks and examined the associations of bank scores with smoking behavior items (e.g., quantity of smoking, interest in quitting) and select health-related quality of life measures (i.e., physical functioning, anxiety, alcohol consumption). RESULTS Correlations among the 6 banks are moderate (daily mean r = .48, range = .04-.80; nondaily mean r = .47, range = .12-.75). The pattern of associations between bank scores and other measures provides validity evidence for the bank domains (e.g., nicotine dependence is most strongly associated with smoking quantity and time to first cigarette of the day; health and psychosocial expectancies are most related to quitting recency and interest; coping expectancies are strongly associated with anxiety). CONCLUSIONS These analyses provide useful descriptive information about the 6 smoking item banks as well as preliminary evidence for their validity. Independent sample data are currently being collected to replicate these findings, to establish test-retest reliability, and to develop crosswalks to existing smoking measures (e.g., nicotine dependence to Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence). Future research will also evaluate the bank scores' sensitivity to change.
Defective excitation-contraction coupling is partially responsible for impaired contractility in hindlimb muscles of Stac3 knockout mice

The Stac3 gene is exclusively expressed in skeletal muscle, and Stac3 knockout is perinatal lethal in mice. Previous data from Stac3-deleted diaphragms indicated that Stac3-deleted skeletal muscle could not contract because of defective excitation-contraction (EC) coupling. In this study, we determined the contractility of Stac3-deleted hindlimb muscle. In response to frequent electrostimulation, Stac3-deleted hindlimb muscle contracted but the maximal tension generated was only 20% of that in control (wild type or heterozygous) muscle (P < 0.05). In response to high [K+], caffeine, and 4-chloro-m-cresol (4-CMC), the maximal tensions generated in Stac3-deleted muscle were 29% (P < 0.05), 58% (P = 0.08), and 55% (P < 0.05) of those in control muscle, respectively. In response to 4-CMC or caffeine, over 90% of myotubes formed from control myoblasts contracted, but only 60% of myotubes formed from Stac3-deleted myoblasts contracted (P = 0.05). However, in response to 4-CMC or caffeine, similar increases in intracellular calcium concentration were observed in Stac3-deleted and control myotubes. Gene expression and histological analyses revealed that Stac3-deleted hindlimb muscle contained more slow type-like fibers than control muscle. These data together confirm a critical role of STAC3 in EC coupling but also suggest that STAC3 may have additional functions in skeletal muscle, at least in the hindlimb muscle.
Cross-Sections and Vector Analyzing Powers in the \({}^3He(\vec d,p){}^4He\) Reaction between 15 and 40 MeV

Differential cross-sections and angular distributions of the vector analyzing power iT11 were obtained for the \({}^3He(\vec d,p){}^4He\) reaction in intervals of 5 MeV between 15 and 40 MeV. At each energy data were taken at 25–35 angles. Figure 1 shows the results at three energies. The statistical errors are shown wherever they are larger than the symbols. The scale of the cross-sections is subject to a systematic error, estimated to be less than 6%. The data at 15 MeV join smoothly to measurements of lower energies1). The solid curves are the results of fitting with a Legendre polynomial expansion. Figure 2 shows the expansion coefficients dkq(L), normalized to yield 4π for the total cross-section2). The points below 12 MeV are taken from ref.1).
Intramedulläre Osteosyntheseverfahren am proximalen Femur im klinischen Vergleich, Gleitnagel versus Proximaler Femurnagel

Vergleich der klinischen Ergebnisse des Gleitnagels und des Proximalen Femurnagels (PFN) bezuglich Operationstechnik, Patienten out-come und Komplikationen.
Allocating Scarce Resources

The purpose of this chapter is to describe a method of allocating scarce resources across budget categories in a way that is both rational and feasible. It is rational because it allocates in proportion to proxies for elasticity coefficients in accordance with classical calculus optimization. It is, however, feasible in the sense that the proxies are of such a nature that they are easily obtained and can be easily worked with.
Cholinergic modulation of inhibitory synaptic transmission in the piriform cortex

The modulatory effects of acetylcholine in cortical structures have been previously studied in this laboratory and by others, using both experimental and computational tools (Hasselmo and Bower, 1992; Pitler and Alger, 1992). Cholinergic modulation in the piriform cortex shows laminar selectivity in suppression of excitatory synaptic transmission at the intrinsic (in layer lb) but not afferent (in layer Ib) fiber synapses, and may set the dynamics for recall and storage of information (Hasselmo and Bower, 1992). Cholinergic modulation has also been shown to enhance long term potentiation of synaptic potentials (Hasselmo and Barkai, 1995). The present work addresses the effect of cholinergic modulation on primarily inhibitory, and also excitatory components of synaptic transmission using intracellular recording techniques in a brain slice preparation.
Increasing Universal Lipid Screening Among 9- to 11-Year-Old Children Through a Quality Improvement Initiative.

In 2011, the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute recommended universal lipid screening (ULS) in 9- to 11-year-old children. This study aimed to determine whether a quality improvement (QI) init...
Class II composite resin restorations: faster, easier, predictable

Composite resin continues to displace amalgam as the preferred direct restorative material in developed countries. Even though composite materials have evolved to include nanoparticles with high physical properties and low shrinkage stress, dentists have been challenged to efficiently create quality, long lasting, predictable restorations. Unlike amalgam, composite resin cannot be condensed making the establishment of a predictable, proper contact more difficult. In addition, composite requires an understanding of adhesives and an appreciation for their exacting application. These facts combined with the precise adaptation and light-curing of multiple layers makes placement of quality Class II composite restorations tedious and time-consuming. For private practicing dentists, it can also have an effect on economic productivity. Clinicians have always wanted an easier, efficient placement technique for posterior composite restorations that rivals that for amalgam. It appears that advances in instrumentation, materials and technology have finally delivered it.
Cognitive Errors, Individual Differences, and Paternalism

Legal scholars commonly argue that the widespread presence of cognitive errors in judgment justifies legal intervention to save people from predictable mistakes. Such arguments often fail to account for individual variation in the commission of such errors even though individual variation is probably common. If predictable groups of people avoid making the errors that others commit, then law should account for such differences because those who avoid errors will not benefit from paternalistic interventions and indeed may be harmed by them. The research on individual variation suggests three parameters that might distinguish people who can avoid error: cognitive ability, experience and training, and demographic variables. None of the three predicts good cognitive performance in a reliable fashion, but all three might predict good performance in certain limited circumstances. Thus, legal scholars interested in the application of psychology to law would do well to consider the possibility that an identifiable group will avoid cognitive errors. Indeed, the legal system treats one of these (experience) as important, and marketers actively engage in efforts to determine the relative vulnerability of different groups to cognitive error.
Neoadjuvant Locoregional Therapy and Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Liver Transplantation

Background Neoadjuvant locoregional therapies (LRTs) have been widely used to reduce tumor burden or to downstage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) before orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). We examined the impact of LRT response on HCC recurrence after OLT. Study Design We performed a retrospective study of 384 patients with HCC treated by OLT. Tumor necrosis was determined by pathologic evaluation. The vascular and lymphatic vessels were localized by immunofluorescence staining in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue; expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-2 and VEGFR-3 were analyzed by Western blot. Plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A and VEGF-C levels of a consecutive cohort of 171 HCC patients were detected by ELISA. Results Of the 384 patients with HCC, 268 had undergone pretransplantation neoadjuvant LRTs. Patients with no tumor necrosis (n = 58; 5.2% recurrence) or complete tumor necrosis (n = 70; 6.1% recurrence) had significantly lower 5-year recurrence rates than those with partial tumor necrosis (n = 140; 22.6% recurrence; p Conclusions Locoregional therapy-induced or spontaneous partially necrotic HCC was associated with increased risk of lymphatic metastases compared with tumors with no or complete tumor necrosis. Anti-lymphangiogenic agents with neoadjuvant LRTs can decrease the pattern of lymphatic metastasis after OLT.
Bragg coherent diffractive imaging of single-grain defect dynamics in polycrystalline films

Polycrystalline material properties depend on the distribution and interactions of their crystalline grains. In particular, grain boundaries and defects are crucial in determining their response to external stimuli. A long-standing challenge is thus to observe individual grains, defects, and strain dynamics inside functional materials. Here we report a technique capable of revealing grain heterogeneity, including strain fields and individual dislocations, that can be used under operando conditions in reactive environments: grain Bragg coherent diffractive imaging (gBCDI). Using a polycrystalline gold thin film subjected to heating, we show how gBCDI resolves grain boundary and dislocation dynamics in individual grains in three-dimensional detail with 10-nanometer spatial and subangstrom displacement field resolution. These results pave the way for understanding polycrystalline material response under external stimuli and, ideally, engineering particular functions.
Coordination of Self- and Parental-Regulation Surrounding Type I Diabetes Management in Late Adolescence

Type 1 diabetes management involves self- and social-regulation, with past research examining components through individual differences unable to capture daily processes. Dynamical systems modeling was used to examine the coordinative structure of self- and social-regulation (operationalized as parental-regulation) related to daily diabetes management during late adolescence. Two hundred and thirty-six late adolescents with type 1 diabetes (M age = 17.77 years, SD = .39) completed a 14-day diary reporting aspects of self- (e.g., adherence behaviors, cognitive self-regulation failures, and positive and negative affect) and parental-regulation (disclosure to parents, knowledge parents have, and help parents provide). Self-regulation functioned as one coordinative structure that was separate from parental-regulation, where mothers and fathers were coordinated separately from each other. Mothers’ perceived helpfulness served as a driver of returning adolescents back to homeostasis. The results illustrate a dynamic process whereby numerous facets of self- and social-regulation are coordinated in order to return diabetes management to a stable state.
Antinuclear Antibody Subsets: Clinical and Prognostic Features

Numerous antinuclear antibodies are present in patients with connective tissue diseases. Many have diagnostic and prognostic implications They may, in some cases, be involved in pathogenesis. The author updates this rapidly evolving subject.
Correlations between tumor antigenicity, malignant potential, and local host immune response.

In the process of induction and growth of tumors, complex interrelationships are established between tumor and host. Among the multiple participating factors, some are particularly important in determining the outcome of tumor growth. To understand this complex interrelationship, it is therefore necessary to identify the determinant factors of tumor-host interaction and to study their functions.
Experiments on Hydrogels of Varying Shape

Responsive hydrogels constitute a class of shape memory materials that are capable of responding to a range of stimuli, and have been successfully used as components in microfluidic and biomedical devices. These materials operate in a hydrated environment and respond with a significant volumetric reversible transformation through absorption or release of water within the polymeric network. Often, in practice, hydrogels are polymerized on a substrate or within the confines of a channel in order to create sensor/actuator components in microfluidic devices such as micro-channels, micro-orifices, micro-valves, micro-pumps, and micro-compressors. The objective of this research is to develop an experimental mechanics method to characterize the interfacial adhesion of responsive hydrogels with a substrate.
My Daddy is Slick, Brown, and Cool Like Ice Water

Cliff Huxtable was the daddy of my dreams, a black Prince Charming who was intentional about parenting. He was smart, handsome, caring and affectionate. His everyday presence in the lives of his children, alongside class privilege, made him the kind of father black folk could be proud of and black children wished for.