cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Completion pancreatectomy and islet cell autotransplantation as salvage therapy for patients failing previous operative interventions for chronic pancreatitis

Purpose Traditional decompressive and/or pancreatic resection procedures have been the cornerstone of operative therapy for refractory abdominal pain secondary to chronic pancreatitis. Management of patients that fail these traditional interventions represents a clinical dilemma. Salvage therapy with completion pancreatectomy and islet cell autotransplantation (CPIAT) is an emerging treatment option for this patient population; however, outcomes after this procedure have not been well-studied. Methods All patients undergoing CPIAT after previous decompressive and/or pancreatic resection for the treatment of chronic pancreatitis at our institution were identified for inclusion in this single-center observational study. Study end points included islet yield, narcotic requirements, glycemic control, and quality of life (QOL). QOL was assessed using the Short Form (SF)-36 health questionnaire. Results Sixty-four patients underwent CPIAT as salvage therapy. The median age at time of CPIAT was 38 years (interquartile range [IQR], 14.7–65.4). The most common etiology of chronic pancreatitis was idiopathic pancreatitis (66%; n = 42) followed by genetically linked pancreatitis (9%; n = 6) and alcoholic pancreatitis (8%; n = 5). All of these patients had previously undergone prior limited pancreatic resection or decompressive procedure. The majority of patients (50%; n = 32) underwent prior pancreaticoduodenectomy, whereas the remainder had undergone distal pancreatectomy (17%; n = 11), Frey (13%; n = 8), Puestow (13%; n = 8), or Berne (8%; n = 5) procedures. Median time from initial surgical intervention to CPIAT was 28.1 months (IQR, 13.6–43.0). All of these patients underwent a successful CPIAT. Mean operative time was 502.2 minutes with average hospital duration of stay of 13 days. Islet cell isolation was feasible despite previous procedures with a mean islet yield of 331,304 islet cell equivalents, which totaled an islet cell autotransplantation of 4,737 ± 492 IEQ/kg body weight. Median patient follow-up was 21.2 months (IQR, 7.9–36.8). Before CPIAT, all patients required a mean of 120.8 morphine equivalent milligrams per day (MEQ/d), which improved to 48.5 MEQ ( P n = 28) achieved narcotic independence. All patients were able to achieve stable glycemic control with a mean insulin requirement of 16 units per day. Of these patients, 20% ( n = 13) were insulin independent after CPIAT. Mean postoperative glycosylated hemoglobin was 7.8% (range, 4.6–12.5). Islet cell viability was confirmed with endocrine testing and mean C-peptide levels 6 months after CPIAT were 0.91 ng/mL (range, 0.1–3.0). The SF-36 QOL survey administered postoperatively demonstrated improvement in all tested modules. Conclusion This study is the first to examine the results of salvage therapy with CPIAT for patients with refractory chronic pancreatitis. Patients undergoing CPIAT achieved improved postoperative narcotic requirements, stable glycemic control, and improved QOL.
Hypertension, Proteinuria, and Antagonism of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Signaling: Clinical Toxicity, Therapeutic Target, or Novel Biomarker?

There are three US Food and Drug Administration–approved angiogenesis inhibitors for the treatment of cancer that specifically target vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling. Bevacizumab (monoclonal antibody to VEGF) has been shown to confer a survival advantage when used in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer and non– small-cell lung cancer. 1,2 Sorafenib and sunitinib are orally bioavailable, small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors that target the intracellular tyrosine kinase domain of the VEGF receptor (VEGFR) among other tyrosine kinase targets. Sorafenib has been shown to increase progression-free survival in patients with renal cell carcinoma. 3 Sunitinib has been shown to increase progressionfree survival in patients with renal cell carcinoma and GI stromal tumors. 4-6 A plethora of new small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors are in preclinical development and early-phase clinical trials that target VEGFR with varying degrees of specificity, including AZD2171, which is the subject of a published report by Drevs et al
Library and Laboratory: Partners in Research

Duplication of research effort can be prevented when a literature search is made before starting laboratory work. The role of the librarian in assisting the engineer-researcher is discussed, and the services which can be expected of the librarian are stated. This article discusses certain library tools and techniques for the engineer-researcher.
RhoA stimulates IEC-6 cell proliferation by increasing polyamine-dependent Cdk2 activity.

Although RhoA plays an important role in cell proliferation and in Ras transformation in fibroblasts and mammary epithelial cells, its role in intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) is unknown. In a pre...
Social Work and Labor Unions: Historical and Contemporary Alliances

While the profession of social work and the labor move- ment have moved in different directions since the post-WW2 era, recent events, such as the dominance of managed care and cuts in government financing, have led social workers to rediscover unions as potential po- litical and workplace allies. This essay uses interviews, union docu- ments and secondary data to document both historical and contemporary alliances between unions and social workers. Specifically, the cases of public sector workers organized through Service Employees Interna- tional Union 535 and the affiliation of the Clinical Social Work Federa- tion with the Office and Professional Employees International Union are examined and compared. Implications for community and workplace orga- nizing are developed. (Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-HAWORTH. E-mail address: Website: © 2005 by The
Endoscopic‐assisted management of chronic sialadenitis

Background Chronic sialadenitis is a relatively common disorder that is frequently referred to head and neck surgeons for diagnosis and management. The management of the disorder is rapidly evolving with the introduction of salivary endoscopy. The purpose of the present study was a review of the indications and techniques of endoscopic-assisted management of chronic sialadenitis at a single U.S. institution. Methods This study is a retrospective case series of patients undergoing salivary endoscopy for chronic sialadenitis. Patient clinical information was reviewed to determine endoscopic findings, associated procedures, complications, rate of gland preservation, and early symptom control. Results A total of 51 patients underwent endoscopic-assisted salivary surgery over a 24-month period. Treatment indications included sialadenitis of unclear etiology (49%), sialadenitis with sialolithiasis (47%), and Sjogren syndrome (4%). Findings included obstructive stricture formation in 22 patients (43%). Associated procedures included sialodochoplasty (41%), steroid infusion (39%), and ductal stenting (8%). Gland preservation was achieved in 40 patients (78%). Of those who were treated with endoscopic-assisted techniques alone, 38 patients (84%) had symptomatic improvement whereas 7 patients (16%) did not improve. Minor complications were observed in 12% of the patients. Conclusion Endoscopic-assisted management of chronic sialadenitis is both safe and effective and allows gland preservation with symptom control in the majority of patients. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2011
Acetylcholine Receptor Antibody Titer and HLA-B8 Antigen in Myasthenia Gravis

• In 82 white patients with myasthenia gravis, a high serum human acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody titer was related to the presence of the HLA-B8 antigen and increasing severity of the disease and not to age at onset, sex, presence of thymoma, or mode of treatment. Among patients without thymomas a high antibody titer was also associated with HLA-B8, particularly in those patients whose age at onset was less than 35 years. Thymectomy was associated with a lower median antibody titer when compared in two groups of HLA-B8-positive patients without thymoma who were similar for all other factors. Patients with thymomas who had received corticosteroids had a lower median titer than those who had not received steroids. This study supports the possibility that immune-response genes near the HLA-B8 segment of the major histocompatibility complex participate in the regulation of the humoral response to autoantigens, such as AChR protein.
Satellite observations of the water vapor greenhouse effect and column longwave cooling rates: Relative roles of the continuum and vibration-rotation to pure rotation bands

Received 16 July 2003; revised 25 January 2004; accepted 6 February 2004; published 20 March 2004. [1] The Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) instrument on board the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite provides, for the first time, a largescale (40 S to 40 N) data set for the atmospheric greenhouse effect and the columnaveraged longwave (LW) radiative cooling rates in the broadband (5–100 microns) and the window (8–12 microns) regions. We demonstrate here that the separation into the window and the nonwindow (5–8 microns and 12–100 microns) fluxes provides the first global-scale data set to exhibit the sensitivity of the atmospheric greenhouse effect to vertical water vapor distribution. The nonwindow greenhouse effect varies linearly with the logarithm of column water vapor amount weighted with the atmospheric pressure, while the window component varies quadratically with the water vapor partial pressure. The column cooling rates range from about � 170 to � 210 W m � 2 for the nonwindow region. The window cooling rates are only about 10% to 20% of the above range and approach rapidly to near-zero values for surface temperatures less than 288 K. The nonwindow component of the greenhouse effect and cooling rates are shown to be more sensitive to upper troposphere water vapor, while the window greenhouse effect and cooling rates are shown to be more sensitive to the lower troposphere water vapor amount. In addition, the data reveal that in tropical regions, with warm sea surface temperatures (greater than 297 K) and elevated upper tropospheric water vapor amounts, the continuum emission in the window region leads to enhanced cooling of the column, while the rotational bands in the nonwindow region lead to a net decrease in the longwave cooling of the atmospheric column. INDEX TERMS: 1640 Global Change: Remote sensing; 1694 Global Change: Instruments and techniques; 3359 Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics: Radiative processes; 3314 Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics: Convective processes; KEYWORDS: remote sensing, instruments and techniques, radiative processes
On the multi-state modeling of mobile satellite channels

We obtain new analytical expressions for the probability density function (PDF) of the received signal envelope in a mobile satellite channel. These expressions are derived from measured data for an urban environment, but the method can yield an insight into other environments. Using the average fade duration (AFD) and level crossing rate (LCR) data, we obtain a composite model, which is similar to other models given in the literature, e.g., the Loo (1985) model. This new model is amenable to the development of computer simulations of mobile satellite channel amplitude time series realizations, and provides additional insight into the physical channel character.
Fumaryl chloride and maleic anhydride-derived crosslinked functional polymers for nonlinear optical waveguide applications

The synthesis, processing, and characterization of new crosslinked functional polymer thin films derived from fumaryl chloride and maleic anhydride is presented. Experimental data demonstrated that this is a versatile, convenient, and cost-effective method of fabricating ultrastructure crosslinked and functional polymer thin films for potential nonlinear optical (NLO) or other applications where molecular orientation is required. The unsaturated and processable polyester thin films are capable of crosslinking in air to form a hardened lattice under a variety of conditions, including both thermal and photoinitiated crosslinking. The thermal stability of the second harmonic (SHG) signal for a crosslinked NLO thin film was stable at temperatures up to 150°C, which is in contrast to uncrosslinked polymers whose SHG signals typically decreased over 50% below 100°C. Because of the lack of NH/OH groups and their vibrational overtones in the polymer, these crosslinked polyester systems have a great potential for low optical loss applications at 1550 nm communication wavelength. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 317–322, 2004
T1 hyperintensity of bladder urine at prostate MRI: frequency and comparison with urinalysis findings

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to assess the possible clinical significance of bladder urine T1 hyperintensity based upon comparison with urinalysis findings, using a cohort of patients who underwent prostate MRI and urinalysis at a similar point in time during preoperative work-up. Methods We identified 56 patients who underwent prostatectomy at our institution who obtained prostate MRI and urinalysis within 1 day of each other preoperatively. A control group of 160 consecutive adult men who underwent pelvic MRI during the same time period for other indications was also identified. Two radiologists independently and in consensus reviewed the T1-weighted images to assess the frequency of bladder urine T1 hyperintensity in both groups. The urinalyses in the 56 men undergoing prostatectomy were reviewed, with the results compared between patients with and without bladder urine T1 hyperintensity. Results Four (7.1%) of 56 men with prostate cancer exhibited T1 hyperintense bladder urine, compared with six (3.8%) of 160 patients exhibiting this finding in the control group ( P =.288). Of the four prostate cancer patients with this finding, all exhibited a normal urinalysis. An abnormal urinalysis was identified for four of the prostate cancer patients, all of whom exhibited normal urine T1 signal intensity. Conclusion Bladder urine T1 hyperintensity may be seen occasionally in patients with prostate cancer but is not associated with abnormal urinalysis and therefore should not be regarded as a sign of acute urinary pathology.
Characterization of Zak Space Support of a Discrete Chirp

General conditions are derived for an (N=KL2)-point discrete chirp with chirp rate a and carrier frequency b to have minimal support on the LtimesKL Zak transform lattice. Earlier, it has been shown that when the normalized chirp parameters amacr= aK, amacr= aK 2, and 2bmacr = 2bK are integers, the last two of the same parity, then the discrete chirp is supported at KL points. Here, this condition is relaxed, by allowing amacr to be a rational number, i.e., amacr = n/d, n, disin Z, (n,d)=1, and requiring only that amacr and bmacrL be integers of arbitrary parity. It is shown that the support of the Zak space chirp satisfying the new condition then increases to dKL points. The results provide foundations for future constructions of sophisticated radar and communications signal processing algorithms. Examples of direct applications of the Zak space conditions in chirp parameter estimation, chirp detection, and chirp de-noising are included
Saline infusion sonohysterography: technique, indications, and imaging findings.

Objective To review the technique, indications, and common imaging findings regarding saline infusion sonohysterography. Methods The literature on saline infusion sonohysterography was reviewed. Pertinent images from our institution are presented to illustrate common imaging findings. Results From the literature review, we summarize the various clinical scenarios in which saline infusion sonohysterography is useful and give examples from our clinical practice. Conclusions Saline infusion sonohysterography is a useful procedure for evaluation of endometrial and subendometrial abnormalities.
Why we cried: John Lennon and American culture

The murder of John Lennon on December 8, 1980, sent ripples across American society. The public response was reminiscent of the assassinations of John and Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King. President Carter said Lennon "helped create the mood and music of our time." President-elect Reagan called the death "tragic," adding "we have to find an answer" to stop such violence. Each of the major television networks devoted nearly half of their nightly news shows to the murder and presented special reports on Lennon's life and music. Radio stations across the nation broadcast musical tributes to Lennon and the Beatles. Americans of all ages rushed out to buy Lennon and Beatle records. Within hours numerous record stores sold out all copies of Lennon's latest album Double Fantasy. Millions of Beatle fans throughout the world staged silent vigils and prayer sessions. For a short time, the death of the former Beatle seemed to dominate the thoughts of millions world-wide, leaving us with an interesting and important question—why did so many people mourn for John Lennon?
Harold D. Lasswell's Concept of Democratic Character

A DEQUATE ASSESSMENT of the functioning of any social sysA tem," Inkeles comments, "or of the maintenance and change of particular patterns within it, may in important degree depend on knowledge of the particular personality traits, needs, structures, and adjustments of the participants in the system. . .. In the degree and quality of the fit between the modal personality patterns prevalent in the population and the role demands characteristic of the social system lies one of the keys to the system's functioning and one of the central points for the articulation of psychological and sociological theory."' Inkeles' statement appears in an essay which represents one of a number of recent efforts to re-conceptualize the field of inquiry that hitherto has been known as "culture-and-personality" (or "natural character") on a sufficiently clear basis to permit rigorous, systematic research.2 My purpose here is to provide a simple, clear exposition of one attempt to grapple with the problem of analyzing the connections between personality and social system-Harold D. Lasswell's delineation of the "democratic characters This Boswellian foray may be justified on several grounds. Lasswell's thought is
Condition Factorization: A Technique for Building Fast and Compact Packet Matching Automata

Rule-based matching on network packet headers is a central problem in firewalls, and network intrusion, monitoring, and access-control systems. To enhance performance, rules are typically compiled into a matching automaton that can quickly identify the subset of rules that are applicable to a given network packet. While deterministic automata provide the best performance, previous research has shown that such automata can be exponential in the size and/or number of rules. Nondeterministic automata can avoid size explosion, but their matching time can increase quickly with the number of rules. In contrast, we present a new technique that constructs polynomial size automata. Moreover, we show that the matching time of our automata is insensitive to the number of rules. The key idea in our approach is that of decomposing and reordering the tests on packet header fields so that the result of performing a test can be utilized on behalf of many rules. Our experiments demonstrate major reductions in space requirements over previous techniques, as well as significant improvements in matching speed. Our technique can uniformly handle prioritized and unprioritized rules, and support applications that require single-match as well as multi-match.
Passive performance and building form: An optimization framework for early-stage design support

Abstract To achieve low and zero net energy performance objectives in buildings, designers must make optimal use of passive environmental design strategies. The objective of this research is to demonstrate the application of a novel Passive Performance Optimization Framework (PPOF) to improve the performance of daylighting, solar control, and natural ventilation strategies in the early design stages of architectural projects. The PPOF is executed through a novel, simulation-based parametric modeling workflow capable of optimizing building geometry, building orientation, fenestration configurations, and other building parameters in response to program requirements, site-specific building adjacencies, and climate-based daylighting and whole-building energy use performance metrics. The applicability of the workflow is quantified by comparing results from the workflow to an ASHRAE 90.1 compliant reference model for four different climate zones, incorporating real sites and urban overshadowing conditions. Results show that the PPOF can deliver between a 4% and 17% reduction in Energy Use Intensity (EUI) while simultaneously improving daylighting performance by between 27% and 65% depending on the local site and climatic conditions. The PPOF and simulation-based workflow help to make generative modeling, informed by powerful energy and lighting simulation engines, more accessible to designers working on regular projects and schedules to create high-performance buildings.
Structured RNAs that evade or confound exonucleases: function follows form

Cells contain powerful RNA decay machinery to eliminate unneeded RNA from the cell, and this process is an important and regulated part of controlling gene expression. However, certain structured RNAs have been found that can robustly resist degradation and extend the lifetime of an RNA. In this review, we present three RNA structures that use a specific three-dimensional fold to provide protection from RNA degradation, and discuss how the recently-solved structures of these RNAs explain their function. Specifically, we describe the Xrn1-resistant RNAs from arthropod-borne flaviviruses, exosome-resistant long non-coding RNAs associated with lung cancer metastasis and found in Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, and tRNA-like sequences occurring in certain plant viruses. These three structures reveal three different mechanisms to protect RNAs from decay and suggest RNA structure-based nuclease resistance may be a widespread mechanism of regulation.
Algorithms for Network Interdiction and Fortification Games

This chapter explores models and algorithms applied to a class of Stackelberg games on networks. In these network interdiction games, a network exists over which an operator wishes to execute some function, such as finding a shortest path, shipping a maximum flow, or transmitting a minimum cost multicommodity flow. The role of the interdictor is to compromise certain network elements before the operator acts, by (for instance) increasing the cost of flow or reducing capacity on an arc. We begin by reviewing the field of network interdiction and its related theoretical and mathematical foundations. We then discuss recent applications of stochastic models, valid inequalities, continuous bilinear programming techniques, and asymmetric analysis to network interdiction problems. Next, note that interdiction problems can be extended to a three-stage problem in which the operator fortifies the network (by increasing capacities, reducing flow costs, or defending network elements from the interdictor) before the interdictor takes action. We devote one section to ongoing research in this area and conclude by discussing areas for future research.
Gout and Association with Erectile Dysfunction

For greater than a century, and seemingly even exceeding a millennium, the clinical features of gout have been clearly recognized. These include rapidity of onset, crescendo escalation of joint pain and swelling, association with gluttony and excessive consumption of high purine foods and alcoholic beverages, and predilection for involvement of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (i.e., podagra) at onset of disease1,2. Similarly, demographic aspects about gout are well known: the predominant involvement among men and the abrupt rise in disease incidence among women in the postmenopausal phase of life3,4,5. In contrast, what is relatively new to the field of gout epidemiology is the increasing number of comorbid disorders that are associated with gout incidence and prevalence. In fact, gout is not a condition that lives in isolation. Gout keeps company with many common and highly prevalent chronic medical disorders in contemporary society. For example, among data derived from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007–2008, the large majority of Americans afflicted with gout have one or more concomitant comorbidities6. Over 70% of affected men and women have concomitant hypertension and/or compromised renal function; and over half are obese. Approximately one-quarter have diabetes mellitus; the same proportion has a history of nephrolithiasis. Moreover, in the subsequent 2009–2010 survey period, the prevalence of gout steadily rose in association with increasing number of involved comorbidities. As such, the overall prevalence of gout rose from 1.7% among those free of comorbidity, to 4.1% among those who were hypertensive, to 7.0% in those hypertensive with one additional cardiovascular risk factor, and then higher still, to 9.8%, among hypertensive adult Americans with 2 additional cardiovascular risk factors7. Such large population-based surveys also afford the opportunity to observe these comorbid associations among various … Address correspondence to Dr. A.C. Gelber, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 5200 Eastern Ave., Mason F. Lord Bldg., Center Tower, Suite 4100, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA; E-mail: agelber{at}jhmi.edu
Role of DHA in aging-related changes in mouse brain synaptic plasma membrane proteome

Aging has been related to diminished cognitive function, which could be a result of ineffective synaptic function. We have previously shown that synaptic plasma membrane proteins supporting synaptic integrity and neurotransmission were downregulated in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-deprived brains, suggesting an important role of DHA in synaptic function. In this study, we demonstrate aging-induced synaptic proteome changes and DHA-dependent mitigation of such changes using mass spectrometry-based protein quantitation combined with western blot or messenger RNA analysis. We found significant reduction of 15 synaptic plasma membrane proteins in aging brains including fodrin-α, synaptopodin, postsynaptic density protein 95, synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2B, synaptosomal-associated protein 25, synaptosomal-associated protein-α, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit epsilon-2 precursor, AMPA2, AP2, VGluT1, munc18-1, dynamin-1, vesicle-associated membrane protein 2, rab3A, and EAAT1, most of which are involved in synaptic transmission. Notably, the first 9 proteins were further reduced when brain DHA was depleted by diet, indicating that DHA plays an important role in sustaining these synaptic proteins downregulated during aging. Reduction of 2 of these proteins was reversed by raising the brain DHA level by supplementing aged animals with an omega-3 fatty acid sufficient diet for 2 months. The recognition memory compromised in DHA-depleted animals was also improved. Our results suggest a potential role of DHA in alleviating aging-associated cognitive decline by offsetting the loss of neurotransmission-regulating synaptic proteins involved in synaptic function.
Inhibition of platelet function by organic nitrate vasodilators.

There is evidence that platelet activation in the coronary circulation may be important in the pathogenesis of myocardial ischemia. Since organic nitrate vasodilators are commonly used in coronary artery disease, we have studied the in vitro effects of these drugs on platelet function. Nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, and their biotransformation product, inorganic nitrite, inhibited platelet aggregation with collagen, epinephrine, arachidonate, and ionophore, and blocked both primary and secondary aggregation in response to ADP. Nitroglycerin was studied in more detail. Its inhibitory effect was reversible and not dependent on external calcium concentration. It inhibited arachidonic acid oxygenation as measured by the arachidonate- induced oxygen burst and malonaldehyde production. These effects were not due to an increase in intracellular cyclic AMP. This unusual generalized inhibition of platelet function by nitroglycerin possibly contributes to its beneficial effect in myocardial ischemia in part by attenuating platelet reactivity in the coronary circulation.
Bactericidal Properties of Acrolein.

SummaryThe well known sulfides responsible for the peculiar odor of garlic are not responsible for its bactericidal activity. Acrolein was found to be a highly active bactericide. Its properties are such that it gives promise of being a respiratory disinfectant. Its general properties suggest that it or related compounds may be the bactericide of garlic.†The writers are grateful to Dr. Henry Borsook for his encouraging advice.
Racial/Ethnic Health Care Disparities and Inequities: Historical Perspectives

The US population is becoming more diverse. Despite changing demographics, health disparities and inequities in the numbers of ethnically/racially diverse health care providers perpetuate. Numbers of underrepresented minorities (URM’s) graduating from medical schools continue to be far less than percentages in the population. Quality health care and outcomes for minorities continue to lag behind white counterparts. Successful methods and strategies to address these concerns should be sought and utilized. These disparities and inequities must be addressed aggressively and continuously through training, research, recruitment, and retention of health care providers and researchers from underrepresented minority groups. We present historical perspectives on racial/ethnic health care disparities and inequities.
The design of wrinkled microcapsules for enhancement of release rate

Thermally expandable microcapsules (TEMs) with wrinkled shells are prepared by one-step suspension polymerization, allowing for encapsulation and controlled release of cargos. Wrinkling results from concurrent crosslinking of shell copolymers and vaporization of volatile reagents along with density increase upon polymerization. Through control of the vapor pressure of the reagents and systematic variation of the suspension composition, microcapsules with different degrees of wrinkling are prepared, ranging from locally dimpled to highly crumpled morphologies. The corresponding increase of the surface-to-volume ratio results in increasing release rate of encapsulated oil red dye as a model cargo. As such, in addition to shell thickness and radius, the wrinkleness provides an effective control parameter for adjusting the release rate. The wrinkled microcapsules with a large surface-to-volume ratio may find applications in drug delivery, chemicals scavenging, and self-healing materials.
Carbon Capture and Storage from Fossil Fuel Use

Glossary Carbon sequestration: capture and secure storage of carbon that would otherwise be emitted to or remain in the atmosphere. Carbon sources: for this chapter, we are concerned with large stationary sources of CO2, e.g. fossil fueled power plants, cement manufacturing, ammonia production, iron and non-ferrous metal smelters, industrial boilers, refineries, natural gas wells. Carbon capture: the separation and entrapment of CO2 from large stationary sources. CO2 storage: the injection of CO2 into geologic or oceanic reservoirs for timescales of centuries or longer.
Osteoblastic VEGF Coordinates Remodeling of the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Niche

Osteoblasts (OBs) and the bone marrow (BM) vasculature constitute hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSC/HSPC) niches. Immature perivascular osteolineage cells enforce HSC quiescence while signals from mature OBs are capable of bone and vascular remodeling. We previously demonstrated that bone anabolic parathyroid hormone (PTH) stimulation increases HSPCs with short and long-term repopulating activity. Based upon the coupled nature of osteogenesis and angiogenesis as well as the multifaceted role blood vessels play in HSC regulation, we investigated effects of PTH on the BM vasculature. Both genetic PTH receptor activation in maturing OBs (Col1caPTH1R) and systemic PTH treatment increased functional blood vessel branching imaged intravitally in the calvaria (14±2 vs 34±3 and 14±2 vs 27±4 branchpoints, n=3-4 mice/group, 3-7 regions analyzed per mouse). These changes were confirmed histologically in long bones, where PTH-induced tortuosity was accompanied by the emergence of α smooth muscle actin (αSMA)+ bone-associated vascular networks, likely small-caliber arterioles, containing red blood cell rouleaux, while control marrow displayed sparse, non-bone-associated αSMA+ vessels. Further, PTH increased morphologically-heterogeneous BM microvessels (167±18 vs 348±39 per section, n=5 mice/group) and endothelial cell (EC) abundance (0.09±0.02% vs 0.2±0.02%, n=4-5 mice/group). VEGF-A and FGF2, known to be important proangiogenic signals in bone, were increased after PTH treatment of osteoblastic cell lines and primary osteolineage cells in vitro, and in bone-associated cells of mice treated in vivo. Because the perivascular milieu is heterogeneous and can support HSC quiescence or activation depending on vessel type and stimuli, we tested whether tuning BM angiogenic responses modulated effects of PTH on HSCs. Treatment with the anti-VEGF-A monoclonal antibody bevacizumab (αVEGF) precluded PTH-induced vascular branching in calvarial BM and reduced pre-established vascular branching in Col1caPTH1R mice (34±3 vs 21±1 branchpoints, n=4 mice/group, 3-5 regions analyzed per mouse), while PTH-induced bone anabolism, EC abundance and bone-associated αSMA+ small-caliber vessels were sustained. Moreover, αVEGF did not change the frequency of CD51+ PDGFRα+ or PDGFRα+ Sca1+ immature mesenchymal cells reported to regulate HSCs. The altered balance of marrow sinusoidal vs arteriolar structures we quantified in PTH + αVEGF-stimulated BM would be expected to improve HSC support based on niche remodeling, therefore we tested the hematopoietic consequences. αVEGF did not alter frequencies of phenotypically-defined HSCs in the BM or mature hematopoietic cells and platelets in the peripheral blood (PB). Remarkably, αVEGF augmented PTH-induced repopulation of the PB in primary BM transplantation (p = 0.0013, n=10 recipients/group) and sustained the repopulating ability (p Disclosures Off Label Use: Bevacizumab (trade name Avastin, Genentech/Roche) is used by the authors as a strategy to block VEGF-A in the bone marrow microenvironment.. Calvi:Fate Therapeutics: Patents & Royalties.
The Effect of Oral Medication on Wound Healing.

GENERAL PURPOSE:The purpose of this learning activity is to provide information about the effects of oral medications on wound healing.TARGET AUDIENCE:This continuing education activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses with an interest in skin and wou
Clinical impact of dose intensity of initial tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy in accelerated-phase CML (CML-AP).

6587 Background: For patients (pts) presenting with CML-AP, TKIs are recommended. Although generally well tolerated, dose reductions and/or interruptions are often required. The impact of TKI dose ...
Development of the Retinotectal Projection in Chicks

Connections between neurons do not develop in a random fashion but rather in orderly predetermined patterns. This developmental phenomenon is commonly referred to as “neuronal specificity”. There are many gradations of neuronal specificity which range from a population of neurons forming connections with another specific population of neurons to a single axonal branch synapsing with a specific region of a dendrite. The precision with which the connections between any two populations of neurons are predetermined and the mechanisms involved in the formation of these connections in an orderly manner are matters of considerable controversy and study.
Identification of Putative M1 Muscarinic Receptors Using [3H]Pirenzepine: Characterization of Binding and Autoradiographic Localization in Human Stellate Ganglia

The advent of selective antimuscarinic drugs such as pirenzepine has led to increased acceptance of the concept of distinct subclasses of muscarinic recegtors. This chapter focuses upon our studies of [3H]pirenzepine ([3H]PZ), which we suggested is an effective ligand for the investigation of putative M1 receptor- effector mechanisms (26–31). Data indicating that [3H]PZ labels putative M1 muscarinic receptors with high affinity is discussed in relation to the growing body of evidence which supports the M1/M2 hypothesis. Emphasis is placed upon our studies of human stellate ganglia. Several relevant reviews have recently appeared in the literature (3, 22, 23, 29).
Designing a Cognitive Concierge Service for Hospitals

This paper and associated talk is based on our experience at Jefferson Health implementing a cognitive patient concierge system. In this paper and presentation we describe: how the environmental constraints in a typical hospital (e.g., network security and privacy considerations) affect the design, how to use current speech recognition technologies to deliver acceptable levels of cognitive accuracy, how to connect various sensors and get their data correlated with speech input, how to interface with the hospitals’ information systems and building automation systems (e.g., to control HVAC systems), and how to design for solution enhancement and maintenance. We also illustrate other human factors for placement of microphones, speakers and controls in patient rooms for both ergonomic and hygienic reasons.
Blowing dust and highway safety in the southwestern United States: Characteristics of dust emission "hotspots" and management implications.

Despite the widespread media attention of chain-reaction traffic incidents and property damage caused by windblown dust in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world, very few studies have provided in-depth analysis on this issue. Remote sensing and field observations reveal that wind erosion in the southwestern U.S. typically occurs in localized source areas, characterized as "hotspots", while most of the landscape is not eroding. In this study, we identified the spatial and temporal distribution patterns of hotspots that may contribute dust blowing onto highways in the southwestern U.S. We further classified the hotspots for the potential of blowing dust production based upon field observations and wind erosion modeling. Results of land use and land cover show that shrubland, grassland, and cropland accounted for 42%, 31%, and 21% of the overall study area, respectively. However, of the 620 total hotspots identified, 164 (26%), 141 (22%), and 234 (38%) are located on shrubland, grassland, and cropland, respectively. Barren land represented 0.9% of the land area but 8% of the dust hotspots. While a majority of these hotspots are located close to highways, we focused on 55 of them, which are located 3.79kg m-2, yielding highly hazardous dust emissions to ground transportation with visibility <200m. Results of location, timing, and magnitude of the dust production at the hotspots are critical information for highway authorities to make informed and timely management decisions when wind events strike.
The Pro-Environmental Behaviour of Employee in an Apparel Manufacturing Organization in Nuwara-Eliya District of Sri Lanka

The pro-environmental behaviour of employee is a key employee behaviour in the workplace in the context of green organizational behaviour. In general, there are many internal and external factors which promote pro-environmental behaviour of employee. In this context, objective of this paper is to examine the impact of internal and external factors on pro-environmental behaviour of employee in the workplace. Based on the literature review, relevant internal and external factors which can predict pro-environmental behaviour of employee in the workplace were identified. Internal factors include social norms, personal norms and attitude toward pro-environmental behaviour and external factors consist of situational factors, leadership behaviour and leadership support. The primary data were collected through questionnaire from 130 respondents from a selected apparel manufacturing organization in Nuwara-Eliya District of Sri Lanka to achieve the research objective. In order to achieve the study objective, this study applied univariate, correlation and regression analyses. Findings of the study show that both internal and external factors have positive impact on pro-environmental behaviour of employee individually, however in the overall model, only the external factors have positive and significant impact on pro-environmental behaviour of employees. The findings of this study are useful in understanding the impact of selected internal and external factors on pro-environmental behaviour of employee in apparel manufacturing organizations.
Moving window approach: Condition monitoring and robust power forecasting for a solar farm

Costs of PV installations has been progressively declining over the past decade and has attained grid parity in several countries. In developing countries such as India with high energy shortages and growing energy demand, new energy firms are setting up large solar farms to offering greener energy at a competitive tariffs. The fact that solar PV power is irradiance dependent make it an intermittent source of energy and thus prone to penalties while feeding the power into the national grid. Moreover, there are factors such as accumulation of dust, breakage, aging, etc. which can lead to under-performance of the solar farms, thus further reducing the profit margins. This calls for methodologies that can not only predict the power generation capacity of the solar farm accurately but also detect the under-performance, malfunction and aging of the solar panels. In this paper, we propose a moving window based machine learning approach to accurately predict the energy production from a solar farm. The proposed methodology may also be used monitor the performance yields of solar farms, identification of operational problems and degradations in solar panels due to aging. We demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approach on a 1.2MW solar farm located in a tropical country consisting of 6 different PV technologies of 200KW each.
Effect of Nose Bluntness on Leading-Edge Receptivity

The effect of the curvature of the leading edge on boundary layer receptivity is analyzed using asymptotic methods supplemented by numerical results. The case of free-stream acoustic waves, propagating parallel to a symmetric mean flow past a parabolic body, is considered. The body nose radius, r n , enters the theory through a Strouhal number, S = ωr n /U∞, where ω is the frequency of the acoustic wave and U∞ is the mean flow speed. The finite nose radius dramatically reduces the receptivity level, with the amplitude of the instability waves in the boundary layer being decreased by an order of magnitude when the value of S is only 0.3.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Radiotherapy

Stereotactic radiosurgery and radiotherapy are two valuable and increasingly applied techniques combining sophisticated brain or body imaging with stereotactic guidance and computer treatment planning for precise radiation treatment programs given either as a single large, small number of moderately large, or multiple conventional size doses with maximal sparing of adjacent normal tissues. Several devices and treatment schedules have been tested and reported on in the literature, substantiating the validity of these approaches. They have substantially increased our knowledge of tumor response and normal tissue tolerance in a very quantitative sense, and have provided useful alternative and complimentary treatments for a number of conditions. Further progress is eagerly anticipated in combining these techniques with other targeted therapies to enhance our increasingly sophisticated anti-cancer armamentarium.
Wolbachia and host germline components compete for kinesin-mediated transport to the posterior pole of the Drosophila oocyte

Widespread success of the intracellular bacterium Wolbachia across insects and nematodes is due to efficient vertical transmission and reproductive manipulations. Many strains, including wMel from Drosophila melanogaster, exhibit a specific concentration to the germplasm at the posterior pole of the mature oocyte, thereby ensuring high fidelity of parent-offspring transmission. Transport of Wolbachia to the pole relies on microtubules and the plus-end directed motor kinesin heavy chain (KHC). However, the mechanisms mediating Wolbachia’s association with KHC remain unknown. Here we show that reduced levels of the host canonical linker protein KLC results in dramatically increased levels of Wolbachia at the oocyte’s posterior, suggesting that KLC and some key associated host cargos outcompete Wolbachia for association with a limited amount of KHC motor proteins. Consistent with this interpretation, over-expression of KHC causes similarly increased levels of posteriorly localized Wolbachia. However, excess KHC has no effect on levels of Vasa, a germplasm component that also requires KHC for posterior localization. Thus, Wolbachia transport is uniquely KHC-limited because these bacteria are likely outcompeted for binding to KHC by some host cargo/linker complexes. These results reveal a novel host-symbiont interaction that underscores the precise regulation required for an intracellular bacterium to co-opt, but not disrupt, vital host processes.
A Visco-Hyperelastic Softening Model for Predicting the Strain Rate Effects of 3D-Printed Soft Wavy Interfacial Layer

Abstract Strong strain rate effects were observed from uniaxial tension experiments on 3D printed specimens with soft wavy suture layer under the strain rates ranging from 10 − 3 /s to 10 − 1 /s. A stress-triaxiality-dependent visco-hyperelastic softening model was developed to predict the strain rate effects. The model was numerically implemented via ABAQUS/VUMAT. To characterize the model parameters under mixed mode I/II loading, uniaxial tension experiments were performed on a set of 3D printed scarf joint specimens under various strain rates. Also, finite element models of the 3D printed suture specimen were developed. By utilizing the visco-hyperelastic softening model for the soft interfacial layer, the strain-rate-dependent load-displacement relations and the failure mechanisms were accurately predicted from the numerical simulations. The results provide insights on how the strain rate and stress triaxiality jointly influence the damage initiation and evolution in a soft interfacial layer under in-plane mixed-mode loading.
Examining the Impact of Black Political Representation on White Racial Attitudes in Majority Black Congressional Districts

This article investigates the impact of Black congressional representation on the racial attitudes of Whites. Utilizing data from the 2010 and 2012 Cooperative Congressional Election Survey, we tes...
Cost-effectiveness of Argatroban Versus Heparin Anticoagulation in Adult Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Patients.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cost effectiveness of argatroban compared to heparin during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy. Methods: This was a retrospect...