cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pilot- and field-scale uranium lysimeter studies at the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant

The Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant initiated the Uranium Lysimeter Demonstration Project in 1988 as a critical component in the development of new disposal facilities for solid low-level waste (LLW) generated at the Plant. Data collected over a long period of time (in excess of 20 years) relevant to the disposal concerns of the Y-12 Plant are not currently available. The research activities associated with this project were designed to provide comprehensive data on the fate of depleted uranium disposed of in landfills and burial trenches over long periods of time (up to five years). Of particular interest is determining the radiological and chemical characteristics of collected Y-12 waste streams and their respective leachates under field conditions. The data collected during those studies will be used in the preparation and validation of pathways models currently being developed to calculate the radiological dose and chemical toxicity to man resulting from LLW disposal. It is also anticipated that the results of this research will be usedto meet regulatory requirements for siting and permitting future on-site LLW disposal facilities. The project objectives will be met by construction, loading and operation of field leaching facilities (lysimeters) and the completion of several pilot-scale studies.
Bacterial Endotoxin Is an Active Component of Cigarette Smoke

Background Chronic bronchitis in cigarette smokers shares many clinical and histologic features with environmental lung diseases attributed to bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) inhalation. Experimental LPS inhalation mimics many of the acute effects of cigarette smoke in the lower airway. Therefore, we reasoned that LPS may be a biologically active component of cigarette smoke. Design The Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay was used to measure LPS in the tobacco and filter tip components of unsmoked 1R4F experimental cigarettes and commercially available “light” cigarettes, as well as in mainstream (MS) and sidestream (SS) smoke particles generated with an automated smoking machine and collected on ventilator mainflow filters. Setting and participants Blood LPS activity and plasma cytokine concentrations were measured in groups of healthy smokers and nonsmokers who reported to the walk-in clinic at the Baltimore VA Medical Center for unrelated complaints. Measurements Blood LPS levels were measured by LAL assay and plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), soluble TNF receptors I and II (sTNFR I and sTNFR II) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Bioactive LPS was detected in both the tobacco portion (1R4F, 17.8 ± 1.0μ g/cigarette; light, 26.8 ± 7.3 μg/cigarette [mean ± SE]) and filter tips (1R4F, 0.67 ± 0.55 μg/cigarette; light, 0.70 ± 0.39 μg/cigarette) of cigarettes. Bioactive LPS was also detected in both MS (1R4F, 120 ± 64 ng/cigarette; light: 45.3 ± 16 ng/cigarette) and SS smoke (1R4F, 18 ± 1.5 ng/cigarette; light: 75 ± 49 ng/cigarette). Although systemic absorption of inhaled LPS may occur, we failed to detect any differences between nonsmokers and smokers in median blood LPS levels (median values, 66.75 and 72.1 pg/mL, respectively; p = 0.55) or plasma concentrations of TNF-α (0 vs 0 pg/mL, respectively; p = 0.71), sTNFR I (1,469 vs 1,576 pg/mL, respectively), sTNFR II (2,011 vs 3,110 pg/mL, respectively), or IL-6 (8.8 vs 0 pg/mL, respectively; p = 0.20). Conclusions Smoking one pack of cigarettes per day delivers a dose of respirable LPS that is comparable to the levels of LPS associated with adverse health effects in cotton textile workers. Thus, we suggest that the bioactive LPS in cigarette smoke may contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic bronchitis that develops in susceptible cigarette smokers.
An investigation of the linkage between technology-based activities and STEM major selection in 4-year postsecondary institutions in the United States: multilevel structural equation modelling

Among the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), much attention has been paid to the influences of math- and science-related learning contexts on students’ STEM major selection. However, the technology and engineering learning contexts that are linked to STEM major selection have been overlooked. In response, a nationally representative sample of young adults in the US was used to investigate the relationship between technology-based activities and students’ STEM major choices in 4-year postsecondary institutions. Multilevel structural equation modelling (ML-SEM) revealed that the frequent use of video or computer games was related strongly to students’ STEM major selections in 4-year postsecondary institutions, after taking into account demographic characteristics and math achievement scores. The results provide evidence that promoting technology-rich learning environments is a significant factor in motivating students to pursue STEM careers.
Shaping the Future: SAA Leadership in a Changing World

This past year has offered the Society of American Archivists (SAA) unprecedented opportunities to begin to change public perception about archivists' proper place and the value of records. The challenge for the next few years will be to capitalize on these opportunities to build a sustained leadership effort. SAA's recently adopted strategic plan calls on the Society to exert leadership on significant archival issues by shaping policies and standards, building effective coalitions, and improving public awareness of the value of archives. The author discusses some issues that the Society should address as it moves to implement this goal.
Maximizing the Research Potential of Refit Analysis Without Replicating Pincevent: A Case Study from the Big Eddy Site in Southwest Missouri

AbstractLithic refit analysis is a time-intensive, yet rewarding, analytical tool that has the potential to yield substantial data for studies of spatial organhation, taphonomic processes, and technological organization. Few other types of analysis allow archaeologists to prove—not just hypothesize—spatial links between materials or features. Discerning what those links mean is another issue, but one cannot dispute that conjoining artifacts from different loci reflect some form of connection. Unfortunately, constraints of time and moneyfor most archaeological research projects do not typically permit time-consuming analyses such as lithic refitting, at least as it has been practiced in some of the best-known case studies, such as thePincevent site, in France (Leroi-Gourhan and Brezillon 1966; Leroi-Gourhan 1984; Pelegrin 1985, 1986; Bodu et al. 1990). This paper presents a case studyfrom the Big Eddy site in Southwest Missouri that offers insight into how we can work within budgetary and temporal constrai...
Deployment of a Robotic Fish Platform in Informal Science Learning

Interactive robotics-based exhibits for informal science learning are becoming increasingly popular, as they offer the novelty of a robot to visitors and they allow them to reflect on their actions through instant feedback from remote control elements. This study explores the deployment of one such platform featuring a robotic fish at informal science learning events and venues. We examine the usage of three control modes, varying in their degree of interactivity, implemented through an iDevice application for maneuvering a robotic fish. Specifically, we evaluate the time spent by visitors on three control modes of the platform at informal science learning event and venues, and the distribution of the demographics of the users. This preliminary study is conducted to assess the user interest among the control modes.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Circulating Tumor DNA as a Marker of Therapeutic Response in Patients With Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Pilot Study

Currently, no serum biomarkers are available for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has been shown to correlate with advanced disease and the response to therapy in several solid malignancies; however, little is known about the presence of ctDNA in patients with RCC. We characterized the presence of ctDNA in patients with locally advanced and metastatic RCC. Next-generation sequencing using a panel of 203 candidate genes identified tumor-specific mutations in the 4 queried tumor specimens. One of the identified mutations per patient was then selected and queried in the plasma. Serum polymerase chain reaction detected mutant ctDNA in 1 patient with metastatic disease, with a substitution mutation resulting in a splice site donor of VHL. In this patient, the ctDNA burden decreased after nephrectomy and the initiation of systemic therapy but increased with disease progression, indicating the potential utility of ctDNA as a marker of tumor response in select patients with RCC patients. Future directions will work to optimize the detection of ctDNA in patients with metastatic RCC.
P1-13-03: Zoledronic Acid Induces an Immune Response in Breast Cancer Patients through Stimulation of Central Memory and Effector Memory gamma/delta T-Cells.

Background Zoledronic acid (ZA) in combination with endocrine therapy (ET) and ovarian ablation (OA) reported a DFS advantage in premenopausal women with early stage breast cancer (EBC) in ABCSG-12. Emerging evidence from pre-clinical studies suggests that ZA increases gamma/delta T-cells (GDT), an immune cell population with anti-tumor activity. This study examined immune responses to a single dose of ZA in patients with either EBC or metastatic breast cancer (MBC) through sequential measurement of T-cells and immune regulatory cytokines. Methods Women with EBC/MBC, both pre- and post-menopausal, and no history of immune dysregulation who were scheduled to receive their first-ever dose of ZA were eligible. Blood was collected for serum and blood mononuclear cells at Day 0 (pre-ZA), Day 1 (18-48 hours post-ZA), Day 7 (Day 5–8 post ZA), and Day 28 (Day 25–32 post-ZA). GDT populations and cytokine responses were assayed using flow cytometry and multi-analyte profiling beads (Luminex), respectively. Relative changes from baseline at days 1, 7 and 18 were quantified using log-ratios and analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results 24 patients were enrolled from Oct 2009 to Mar 2011. 75% of pts had MBC, and 25% had EBC, while 75% received ET, 17% received chemo (C), and 8% received other. Following ZA administration, a transient decrease in total GDT (CD3+/Vdelta2+) at Day 1 was seen (p Conclusion: ZA appears to induce a highly significant change in immune effector cells in both EBC and MBC patients receiving ET or C. Mobilization of anti-tumor T-cells with a decrease in total (non-specific) GDT followed by a marked increase post-ZA in specific central and effector memory GDT was seen at day 7. Significant increases in cytokine levels, like those seen in this study including those associated with Th1 responses or cell-mediated immunity, as well as IL-12 levels, have been implicated in direct anti-tumor activity. This apparent cytokine and cellular response to ZA could offer an important biologic mechanism for the anti-cancer activity reported in ABCSG-12. Further studies should be performed to determine which subsets of BC patients might achieve these described immune benefits from ZA. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-13-03.
Adenosine Stress Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance With Variable-Density Spiral Pulse Sequences Accurately Detects Coronary Artery Disease Initial Clinical Evaluation

Background— Adenosine stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance perfusion imaging can be limited by motion-induced dark-rim artifacts, which may be mistaken for true perfusion abnormalities. A high-resolution variable-density spiral pulse sequence with a novel density compensation strategy has been shown to reduce dark-rim artifacts in first-pass perfusion imaging. We aimed to assess the clinical performance of adenosine stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance using this new perfusion sequence to detect obstructive coronary artery disease. Methods and Results— Cardiovascular magnetic resonance perfusion imaging was performed during adenosine stress (140 μg/kg per minute) and at rest on a Siemens 1.5-T Avanto scanner in 41 subjects with chest pain scheduled for coronary angiography. Perfusion images were acquired during injection of 0.1 mmol/kg Gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentacetate at 3 short-axis locations using a saturation recovery interleaved variable-density spiral pulse sequence. Significant stenosis was defined as >50% by quantitative coronary angiography. Two blinded reviewers evaluated the perfusion images for the presence of adenosine-induced perfusion abnormalities and assessed image quality using a 5-point scale (1 [poor] to 5 [excellent]). The prevalence of obstructive coronary artery disease by quantitative coronary angiography was 68%. The average sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 89%, 85%, and 88%, respectively, with a positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 93% and 79%, respectively. The average image quality score was 4.4±0.7, with only 1 study with more than mild dark-rim artifacts. There was good inter-reader reliability with a κ statistic of 0.67. Conclusions— Spiral adenosine stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance results in high diagnostic accuracy for the detection of obstructive coronary artery disease with excellent image quality and minimal dark-rim artifacts.
Sources of Conflict between Trustees and Faculty

Members of the boards of trustees at colleges and universities often come into conflict with students and faculty. There are two possible sources for this conflict. First, the aspects of college life that are important to trustees probably are quite different from those that concern faculty and students so the two sides have very different priorities. Second, the trustees receive different information about the coUege from that available to faculty and students. Much of what the trustees read is, in fact, selected for them by the president of the college, who can thereby shape their perception of the college. Furthermore, trustees come into contact with the president and senior administrative staff more often than with faculty and students and come to rely more on what they hear from senior administrators. We recently obtained some data from members of boards of trustees that bear upon these problems. In the spring of 1988 we surveyed the trustees of the New Jersey state colleges as part of a project sponsored by the New Jersey State College Governing Boards Association. We asked them what issues they were most concerned about and what sources of information they thought were most important for them. Their answers confirmed our expectations. Questionnaires were sent to all 78 members of the boards of trustees of the New Jersey state college system, and 64 (82%) were returned. The respondents were 69% male, 75% white, with a mean age of 50 yr. (and a range of 21 to 77 yr.). Ninety-four percent had never served on another college board of trustees. The respondents had served for an average of five years on the board (with a range of 0 to 15). Of the members 38% were in business, 14% in the legal profession, 13% in education, 13% retired, 3% in medicine, and 19% in other Fields. The trustees reported that board meetings involved 4.6 hours per month, internal board committees 3.9 hours, and external work 3.3 hours. Sixty percent were h h l y satisfied with their policy-making role, 36% somewhat satisfied, and 5% somewhat dissatisfied. The helpfulness of the various sources of information given to board members was rated on a scale of 0 (not important at all) to 3 (very important). The five most important sources of information were internal documents to the boards or documents controlled bv the resident of A .
Photic, Thermic, and Sibling Influences on the Hatching Rhythm of the Southern Green Stink Bug, Nezara viridula (L.)

The hatching of Nezara viridula was found to be a function of a photoperiodically entrained rhythm. Periodicity of hatching found in a constant photoperiod was shifted by 12 h from that found in a 14:10 (L:D) photoperiod and the former was probably a reflection of periodicity of oviposition. Both the onset and distribution of the photoperiodic hatching rhythm were dependent on the temperature of incubation. Although emergence was temperature dependent, it was not thermoperiodically entrained. The synchronization of hatching within an egg mass was the result of the interaction of emerging nymphs stimulating hatching in adjacent eggs and was not due to independent timing of eclosion of each egg. Thus, in addition to timing eclosion at the onset of light, the photoperiodic rhythm may also have functioned to synchronize development so that all eggs in an egg mass were simultaneously capable of hatching when stimulated by the emergence of siblings.
Seasonal abundance and within-plant distribution of parasitoids of Bemisia tabaci (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) in peanuts

Sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), was sampled on peanuts during 1991 and 1992 in Alachua County, FL, to determine parasitoid abundance and levels of parasitism. Common parasitoid species of B. tabaci in 1991 were Encarsia nigricephala Dozier, Encarsia pergandiella Howard, and Eretmocerus californicus Howard. E. nigricephala, E. pergandiella , and E. transvena (Timberlake) were the most abundant parasitoid species in 1992, whereas E. californicus appeared only rarely. E. nigricephala was the most common species in both years and accounted for 91% of adult parasitoids reared from whitefly-infested foliage in 1991, and for 54 and 71% of parasitoids reared from foliage at two sites in 1992. E. pergandiella , E. californicus , and E. transvena were more common during the late season, whereas E. nigricephala was most prevalent during the early season. Parasitism contributed significantly to whitefly mortality und, in 1992, 90% of all fourth instars were parasitized by 10 September at the second site and by 21 September at the first site. Vertical distribution within plants of sweetpotato whitefly stages, unparasitized and parasitized, was assessed in 1992. Red eye nymphs (late fourth instar) were most common on leaves 4, 5, and 6 (from the top of a lateral stem), and 91% were located on the lower leaflet surface. Parasitized fourth instars were most prevalent on leaves 5, 6, and 7 and were found on the lower leaflet surface 79% of the time. All life stages were equally distributed among the four leaflets of the compound leaf. These data indicate that monitoring for whitefly parasitism in peanuts could best be accomplished by examining both surfaces of a leaflet picked from the fifth leaf down from the terminal lateral stemleaf. The conservation of parasitoids to increase natural biological control of sweetpotato whitefly in peanuts is discussed.
Globalization and inflation: A threshold investigation

We use a threshold methodology to investigate the importance of non-linear effects in the analysis of the inflation globalization hypothesis. Accounting for potential non-linearities in the Phillips Curve, we show that trade openness is not rejected as a threshold variable for the effects of domestic and foreign slack on inflation in many advanced economies, and we find a switch of the output gap slopes from one regime to the other that is consistent with the key predictions of the inflation globalization hypothesis. For some countries the threshold Phillips Curve model also leads to improvements in out-of-sample forecast over the linear Phillips models, especially at longer horizons. Contrary to most of the previous literature which ignores such non-linearities, our new approach provides some interesting empirical evidence supportive of the effect globalization has on a country’s inflation dynamics.
Where Texas Meets the Sea: Corpus Christi & Its History. By Alan Lessoff.

Where Texas Meets the Sea: Corpus Christi & Its History . Clifton and Shirley Caldwell Texas Heritage Series. By Alan Lessoff. (Austin: University of Texas Press, 2015. viii + 360 pp. Illustrations, maps, charts, table, notes, index. $29.95, cloth; $29.95, e-book.) Urban historian Alan Lessoff’s Where Texas Meets the Sea is a thoughtful, well-written, and wide-ranging analysis. Lessoff taught at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi and wrote this rich and detailed book after leaving that position, and he writes as an outsider with an insider’s knowledge. Lessoff demonstrates his deep understanding of the stories that residents tell about their past and of the frustrations they feel about their second-tier status among Texas cities. Lessoff begins by saying he has two audiences: historians interested in urban history and public history and Corpus Christi residents. The introduction explains … wcbarnett{at}noctrl.edu
Selective oxidation of propane to acrylic acid over mixed metal oxides

Mo-V-Te-Nb-O catalyst was prepared by solution method and the effects of calcination times on the catalytic behaviors were studied as well as the storage time under air-tight condition and stability in continuous reactions.The results showed that M1 and M2 phase increased for the catalyst prepared by two times of calcination,which favored formation of acrylic acid;the crystalline state did not change while sintering increased with calcination times.The catalyst could be stored under air-tight condition for 24 months without change in its properties.Activity and selectivity of the catalyst increased unsteadily with the process of reaction,with initial acrylic acid yield of 24.7% and maximum 31.8% after 180 hours, and then declined rapidly.XRD,BET and catalyst regeneration experimental results indicated that deac- tivation of the catalyst was mainly due to loss of Te.
SYMMETRY AND STABILITY OF HOMOGENEOUS FLOCKS

The study of the movement of flocks, whether biological or technological, is motivated by the desire to understand the capability of coherent motion of a large number of agents that only receive very limited information. In a biological flock a large group of animals seek their course while moving in a more or less fixed formation. It seems reasonable that the immediate course is determined by leaders at the boundary of the flock. The others follow: what is their algorithm? The most popular technological application consists of cars on a one-lane road. The light turns green and the lead car accelerates. What is the efficient algorithm for the others to closely follow without accidents? In this position paper we present some general questions from a more fundamental point of view. We believe that the time is right to solve many of these questions: they are within our reach.
Corporeal Perforation or Undersized Prosthesis? The Role of Corpus Cavernosum Endoscopy

At the time of revision for a unilaterally short penile prosthesis it sometimes is difficult to differentiate between an originally undersized implant and a proximal corporeal perforation. Intraoperative inspection of the corpus cavernosum with a cystoscope was performed in 2 instances and appears to be a simple diagnostic method to differentiate a proximal corporeal perforation from an undersizing of unequal corporeal bodies.
Drug Interaction of Pirfenidone with Commonly Prescribed Pharmaceutical Drugs

PurposePirfenidone was initially developed as an antihelminthic, antipyretic agent now approved by US FDA as antifibrotic drug for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. In vitro experimen...
Arterial vascular ultrasonography

A new generation of high frequency, high resolution ultrasound scanners has provided unprecedented information about the state of the arterial wall in a variety of superficial vessels and can document the disturbed flow within them. The information now available is of great clinical value to many clinicians, including vascular surgeons and subspecialty internists who care for individuals at risk for accelerated atherosclerosis and other vascular diseases.
HCoV-NL63 and HCoV-HKU1 Rates of Infection in Chicago: Winter 2011

Human coronaviruses (HCoV) NL63 and HCoV-HKU1 have been identified but few studies have evaluated infection rates. Our institution began routine testing for HCoV-NL63 and HCoV-HKU1 in the fall of 2011 giving us the opportunity to determine the prevalence of infection. A retrospective analysis of 1,163 respiratory specimens submitted to Loyola University for evaluation using the Idaho Technology FilmArray Respiratory …
Uses of an Ear Tag Based Behavioral and Temperature Monitoring System (Cow ManagerR) at the ISU Dairy

Animal movement monitors have been researched since the 1990’s. The advent of accelerometer technology into these monitors coupled with wireless technologies to transmit data, and finally sophisticated algorithms and software to transcribe data to graphical and easy to use decision tools on animal behavior has resulted in many recent behavioral monitor systems becoming commercially available for animals and people. For dairy, many of the systems are neck based on collars, but a recent one has incorporated the accelerometer into an eartag that also has a temperature sensor. At Iowa State University, 36animals were fitted with an ear tag based behavior and temperature monitor (Cow Manager, Agis Automatisering, Netherlands) to evaluate behavior and ear temperature change and learn the system. Tags were put on breeding age heifers, lactating cows, and transition cows. 34 other tags were acquired and put on transition cows. The system has served multiple purposes at the ISU Dairy. These include monitoring of animals and the herd from a commercial herd standpoint;teaching tool to introduce and embed undergraduate, graduate, and veterinary studentsin the technology(7 classes to date);a platform for 5 undergraduate independent studies to date;and utilized in 5research projects to date including heat stress, calving behavior, LPS challenge model, calves, and evaluating animals as they adjust to Calan gate feeders. The system has also been a platform for extension presentations both at the ISU Dairy as well as many extension meetings and invited conferences and presentations. The behavior monitoring system has resulted in an excellent herd monitoring and decision system, as well as a teaching, research, and extension tool. The purpose of this report is to discussthese uses and give some examples of the systems output on behavior and temperatures and decisions associated or implemented as a result of that information.
Epidemic and endemic pathogen dynamics correspond to distinct host population microbiomes at a landscape scale

Infectious diseases have serious impacts on human and wildlife populations, but the effects of a disease can vary, even among individuals or populations of the same host species. Identifying the reasons for this variation is key to understanding disease dynamics and mitigating infectious disease impacts, but disentangling cause and correlation during natural outbreaks is extremely challenging. This study aims to understand associations between symbiotic bacterial communities and an infectious disease, and examines multiple host populations before or after pathogen invasion to infer likely causal links. The results show that symbiotic bacteria are linked to fundamentally different outcomes of pathogen infection: host–pathogen coexistence (endemic infection) or host population extirpation (epidemic infection). Diversity and composition of skin-associated bacteria differed between populations of the frog, Rana sierrae , that coexist with or were extirpated by the fungal pathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Data from multiple populations sampled before or after pathogen invasion were used to infer cause and effect in the relationship between the fungal pathogen and symbiotic bacteria. Among host populations, variation in the composition of the skin microbiome was most strongly predicted by pathogen infection severity, even in analyses where the outcome of infection did not vary. This result suggests that pathogen infection shapes variation in the skin microbiome across host populations that coexist with or are driven to extirpation by the pathogen. By contrast, microbiome richness was largely unaffected by pathogen infection intensity, but was strongly predicted by geographical region of the host population, indicating the importance of environmental or host genetic factors in shaping microbiome richness. Thus, while both richness and composition of the microbiome differed between endemic and epidemic host populations, the underlying causes are most likely different: pathogen infection appears to shape microbiome composition, while microbiome richness was less sensitive to pathogen-induced disturbance. Because higher richness was correlated with host persistence in the presence of Bd, and richness appeared relatively stable to Bd infection, microbiome richness may contribute to disease resistance, although the latter remains to be directly tested.
Comparing the 5-Year Health State Utility Value of Cervical Disc Replacement and Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion.

Study Design:Health utility analysis.Objectives:To determine the health state utility (HSU) of 1- and 2-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and cervical disc replacement (CDR).Methods:Data from the Medtronic Prestige Cervical Disc investigational device exemption studies was used. Four groups were defined: 1-level ACDF, 1-level CDR, 2-level ACDF, and 2-level CDR. The 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) was collected at baseline, 12 months, 24 months, 36 months, and 60 months postoperatively and converted into utility scores for each time point. A repeated-measures 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to detect differences among groups. Tukey’s method for multiple comparisons was used to determine which means within the groups were statistically different (P < .05).Results:We found a statistically significant difference in HSU among groups as determined by repeated-measures 1-way ANOVA (P = .0008). Post hoc analysis indicated that 1-level ACDF had a statistically lower utility ...
New Cities of Color: Spatial Patterns and Financial Conditions of Majority-Minority Municipal Incorporation Efforts in the USA, 1990–2009

More than 10% of the new municipalities established between 1990 and 2010 had majority-minority populations. These Cities of Color provide a unique insight into the intersection of race and place in the USA and also reveal that NIMs are not a homogeneous block of White, wealthy, and well-educated suburban enclaves. The research presented in this chapter reveals that 44.4% of the new Cities of Color had a majority population of Black residents. Other communities of color represented the remaining portion of new Cities of Color with 35.6% of the new Cities of Color incorporating with majority Hispanic populations. Meanwhile, Native Americans were the majority in 3 NIMs (6.7%) and residents of Asian origins were the majority in 2 NIMs (4.4%). Four NIMs (8.9%) had populations in which no one race/ethnicity constituted more than 50% of the population. Recent research on Cities of Color revealed that the genesis for why these communities incorporate has less to do with traditional incorporation triggers (i.e., annexation and community identity) and more to do with the role of direct and indirect racism in the form of municipal underbounding, siting of unwanted land uses, and the need for public services. Additionally, according to a recent survey of these new majority-minority municipalities, the dire financial situations portrayed by many prior to incorporation have not come to fruition and almost 90% of Cities of Color reported budget surpluses or balanced budgets. The research on Cities of Color is in its infancy, and more scholarship examining these unique local government boundary change manifestations is warranted.
Micro/Meso/Macrolevels of Analysis

Understanding the interplay between micro-, meso-, and macrolevels of analysis is a fundamental problematic of organizational communication scholarship. These terms are typically used to locate the researchers' analytical focus (e.g., on individuals, teams, organizations) relative to superordinate contextual phenomena and subordinate compositional phenomena. A simultaneous focus on multiple levels of analysis or on the influence of one on another has important conceptual and methodological implications. Organizational communication scholarship offers multiple theoretical and analytical approaches to the multilevel study of micro- meso-, and macro-phenomena. Keywords: communication research methods; communication theory; discourse analysis; levels of analysis; multilevel analysis; network analysis; organizational theory
Ventricular Assist Devices for Neonates and Infants

Heart transplant waitlist survival in pediatric patients has been substantially improved since the introduction of pediatric-specific ventricular assist device. In neonates and infants, however, the waitlist mortality remains very high. The only long-term device currently approved for use in the United States is the Berlin Heart EXCOR, but this device has several important limitations because of the paracorporeal, pulsatile nature of the underlying technology. We reviewed Stanford ventricular assist experience on patients less than 1 year old since 2004. It shows overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival were 68%, 62%, and 49%, respectively. There are statistically significant differences in survival among cardiomyopathy group, end-stage congenital heart disease group and single ventricle group. In order to improve outcomes in this extremely high risk group, modifications were made to anticoagulation protocols, cannulation strategy in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients, and preferential use of continuous flow pumps in a single ventricle patients. The long-waited PumpKIN trial testing the Jarvik 2015 is about to start with the first human implant.
Resident and Staff Satisfaction of Pediatric Graduate Medical Education Training on Transition to Adult Care of Medically Complex Patients.

Introduction This study aims to describe the quantity and satisfaction current residents and experienced pediatricians have with graduate medical education on transitioning medically complex patients to adult care. There is an increasing need for transitioning medically complex adolescents to adult care. Over 90% now live into adulthood and require transition to adult healthcare providers. The 2010 National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs found that only 40% of youth 12-17 yr receive the necessary services to appropriately transition to adult care. Materials and methods Prospective, descriptive, anonymous, web-based survey of pediatric residents and staff pediatricians at Army pediatric residency training programs was sent in March 2017. Questions focused on assessing knowledge of transition of care, satisfaction with transition training, and amount of education on transition received during graduate medical education training. Results Of the 145 responders (310 potential responders, 47% response rate), transition was deemed important with a score of 4.3 out of 5. The comfort level with transition was rated 2.6/5 with only 4.2% of participants receiving formal education during residency. The most commonly perceived barriers to implementing a curriculum were time constraints and available resources. Of the five knowledge assessment questions, three had a correct response rate of less than 1/3. Conclusions The findings show the disparity between the presence of and perceived need for a formal curriculum on transitioning complex pediatric patients to adult care. This study also highlighted the knowledge gap of the transition process for novice and experienced pediatricians alike.
Sleep Issues in Motor Neuron Diseases

Motor neuron diseases (MND) are progressive neuromuscular disorders that affect lower motor neurons and sometimes, upper motor neurons. Some of the MNDs manifest early in life while some develop later. Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is a very common association in these diseases and can present as sleep apnea or hypoventilation. Untreated, SDB contributes to morbidity and reduced quality of life. In this chapter, we discuss the different types of MNDs and then about the associated sleep issues in these disorders. Early recognition of these associated sleep disorders and appropriate therapeutic intervention is the key to improve quality of life and reduce morbidity and mortality in these patients.
Psychological impact of sports restriction in asymptomatic adolescents with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, and long QT syndrome

Abstract Adolescents with cardiomyopathy and arrhythmia syndromes are at increased risk for sudden death. As such, adolescents with these conditions are often restricted from participation in competitive sports despite the absence of exertional symptoms. Many studies have reported the psychological impact of cardiovascular disease in symptomatic patients, such as those with heart failure or internal defibrillators. However, there are few studies investigating the impact of sports restrictions on asymptomatic adolescents with cardiac conditions. This is a prospective cross-sectional study examining the psychological impact of sports restriction on asymptomatic adolescents with cardiomyopathy or long QT syndrome. Among 30 eligible adolescents aged 12–18 years who had dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or long QT syndrome and were asymptomatic, 12 (40%) completed the survey. The questionnaires included scale-based questions as well as open-ended questions related to quality of life, anxiety, and identity development. Survey responses were analyzed according to the level of adherence to the sports restrictions: 8 who adhered always or almost always were compared to 4 patients who were less adherent. While there was no statistical difference in quality of life, anxiety, or identity development scores between those who adhered versus those who did not, our sample size was small. We did find a trend toward greater anxiety in those who adhered to the restrictions. This finding deserves further investigation into the association between anxiety and sports restriction. Additionally, studies examining the overall prevalence of anxiety in this population are needed for better anticipatory guidance and psychological intervention for adolescents with these conditions.
Central Composite Experimental Designs for Multiple Responses With Different Models

Central composite designs (CCDs) are widely accepted and used experimental designs for fitting second-order polynomial models in response surface methods. However, these designs are based only on t...
Sexually Transmitted and Infectious Diarrheal Diseases

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to be a tremendous health burden. In the United States it is estimated that 15 million persons acquire an STI each year. Diagnosis, treatment and prevention guidelines continue to evolve. Patients with STIs often present with nonspecific symptoms and findings. The anorectum has been used with increasing frequency for sexual fulfillment over the past several decades, resulting in an explosive growth in the incidence of STIs which affect the anorectum. This chapter will discuss the bacterial and viral pathogens associated with anorectal proctitis.
Proceedings of the 14th annual conference on Genetic and evolutionary computation

It is my pleasure to welcome you to Philadelphia for the 2012 Genetic and Evolutionary Computation Conference (GECCO-2012). This is the first time GECCO has been held in Philly. We very much you hope you enjoy this historic American city and all it has to offer. This will be my 14th year attending GECCO. I have contributed a number of papers and have enjoyed many thought-provoking presentations over the years. GECCO has played a very important role in my research program and in the training of many of my students and postdocs. I agreed to serve as General Chair of GECCO-2012 because it was time to give back to the community I have enjoyed being a part of since 1999. Terence Soule served as the editor-in-chief this year and did a very skillful job maintaining the high quality of the conference. GECCO-2012 accepted 172 full papers for oral presentation out of a total of 467 submitted. This is an acceptance rate of less than 37%. I am very thankful to Terry, Anne Auger, our Proceedings Chair, and all the track chairs for their hard work managing the review, selection and scheduling process for the scientific papers. One of the highlights of every GECCO is the free tutorials and the free workshops held during the first two days of the conference. I found these to be incredibly helpful when I was still learning about the field.
Training novice anaesthesiology trainees to speak up for patient safety.

Abstract Background Effectively communicating patient safety concerns in the operating theatre is crucial, but novice trainees often struggle to develop effective speaking up behaviour. Our primary objective was to test whether repeated simulation-based practice helps trainees speak up about patient management concerns. We also tested the effect of an additional didactic intervention over standard simulation education. Methods This prospective observational study with a nested double-blind, randomised controlled component took place during a week-long simulation boot camp. Participants were randomised to receive simulation education (SE), or simulation education plus a didactic session on speaking up behaviour (SE+). Outcome measures were: changes in intrapersonal factors for speaking up (self-efficacy, social outcome expectations, and assertiveness), and speaking up performance during four simulated scenarios. Participants self-reported intrapersonal factors and blinded observers scored speaking up behaviour. Cognitive burden for each simulation was also measured using the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index. Mixed-design analysis of variance was used to analyse scores. Results Twenty-two participants (11 per group) were included. There was no significant interaction between group and time for any outcome measure. There was a main effect for time for self-efficacy (P Conclusions In novice anaesthesia trainees, intrapersonal factors and communication performance benefit from repeated simulation training. Focused teaching may help trainees develop assertive behaviours.
Healing of Initial Ulcers in Relation to Age and Race

Seven hundred and seventy-four patients were selected for this study, representing about 64% of the patients known to have gastric ulcers in the participating hospitals during this time. Of the 638 patients completing treatment, healing took place at least as rapidly as the protocol required in 76%, and the remainder failed these criteria. In 46.1%, healing was complete in 3 weeks; in 24.3%, it was complete in 6 weeks; and in an additional 5.5%, 12 weeks were required. Of the 154 patients whose ulcers did not heal as specified by the protocol, 111 patients were subjected to randomized decision for continued medical treatment or for surgery. The ulcers healed in 42% of cases randomized to medical treatment. Neither age nor race affected the location of the ulcers. Negro patients had fewer large ulcers, a lower healing rate, a higher rate of coexistent duodenal ulcer, and a higher recurrence rate.
Changes in coral reef community structure in response to year-long incubations under contrasting pCO2 regimes

Coral reefs are threatened by ocean acidification (OA), which depresses net calcification of corals, calcified algae, and coral reef communities. These effects have been quantified for many organisms, but most experiments last weeks-to-months, and do not test for effects on community structure. Here, the effects of OA on back reef communities from Mo’orea, French Polynesia (17.492 S, 149.826 W), were tested from 12 November 2015 to 16 November 2016 in outdoor flumes maintained at mean pCO2 levels of 364 µatm, 564 µatm, 761 µatm, and 1067 µatm. The communities consisted of four corals and two calcified algae, with change in mass (Gnet, a combination of gross accretion and dissolution) and percent cover recorded monthly. For massive Porites and Montipora spp., Gnet differed among treatments, and at 1067 µatm (relative to ambient) was reduced and still positive; for Porolithon onkodes, all of which died, Gnet was negative at high pCO2, revealing dissolution (sample sizes were too small for analysis of Gnet for other taxa). Growth rates (% cover month−1) were unaffected by pCO2 for Montipora spp., P. rus, Pocillopora verrucosa, and Lithophyllum kotschyanum, but were depressed for massive Porites at 564 µatm. Multivariate community structure changed among seasons, and the variation under all elevated pCO2 treatments differed from that recorded at 364 µatm, and was greatest under 564 µatm and 761 µatm pCO2. Temporal variation in multivariate community structure could not be attributed solely to the effects of OA on the chemical and physical properties of seawater. Together, these results suggest that coral reef community structure may be more resilient to OA than suggested by the negative effects of high pCO2 on Gnet of their component organisms.
Development of hepatic cholestasis and fibrosis in patients with massive loss of intestine supported by prolonged parenteral nutrition

Abstract We studied the effect of 1 yr of parenteral nutrition on liver function tests and, when indicated, liver histology and ultrastructure of 18 patients with no (n = 6), modest (n = 6), and massive (n = 6) loss of intestine. The resection was for Crohn's disease and infarction, respectively. The liver function tests remained normal in all patients with no loss and modest loss of intestine. Four patients with massive loss of intestine, 4–10 mo after initiation of parenteral nutrition, began to develop progressive, marked increases in serum alkaline phosphatase (2–10 times normal), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (7–20 times normal), and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (5–14 times normal) activity levels, and bilirubin concentration (5–22 times normal). Light microscopic examination of liver showed cholestasis, bile ductular proliferation, periportal inflammation, fibrosis, and mild steatosis. Electron microscopic examination of liver showed cholestasis with nonspecific organelle changes. None of the patients had any evidence of extrahepatic obstruction. Our data suggest that massive loss of intestine is a contributing factor to hepatic cholestasis and fibrosis in patients maintained on prolonged parenteral nutrition.
A 43-year-old functional Starr-Edwards ball and cage mechanical aortic valve.

The Starr–Edwards ball and cage valves were among the first and most commonly used mechanical valve devices. These valves offered a novel design that would become one of the mainstays for replacement of severely diseased heart valves in the early second half of the twentieth century. We describe the case of a patient with a Starr–Edwards ball and cage valve in the aortic position that was replaced 40 years earlier who was admitted with concerns for symptoms of new volume overload. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated a functional mechanical aortic valve with no evidence of compromise. The patient was treated with diuretics for congestive heart failure exacerbation and on 3 years follow-up was doing well. This is one of the few cases reported of a patient with Starr–Edwards ball and cage aortic valve functioning normally extending into the fifth decade without signs of significant instability.