cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sur1–Trpm4-Promising Target for Brain Edema Treatment in Brain Edema: From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Practice

Brain edema after acute neurological injury causes significant morbidity and mortality. In this chapter, we highlight the critical role of the sulfonylurea receptor 1–transient receptor potential M4 (SUR1–TRPM4) channel in the pathogenesis of brain edema across various neurocritical care conditions. We emphasize that SUR1–TRPM4 activation is pivotal at every stage in edema formation. It contributes to every type of edema (cytotoxic, ionic, and vasogenic) and to total microvascular failure, which results in the extravasation of blood and the formation of petechial hemorrhages. We present examples from experimental models that demonstrate that selective blockade of SUR1–TRPM4 with glibenclamide results in improvement in edema, lesion volume, mortality, and neurological function. Clinical studies supporting the role of SUR1–TRPM4 in edema formation in humans are also presented. Although definitive phase III studies are needed, the ability to block SUR1–TRPM4 over a broad time window with a safe medication (glibenclamide) is emerging as a highly promising approach to treat brain edema.
Comparison of Fusedose and MACCS2 Accident Dose Codes

The purpose of this paper is to present and document the differences discovered when comparing the two accident dose codes FUSEDOSE and MACCS2. Each code's methodology is first discussed. With this...
Utilizing cross-channel features for reverberation mitigation in cochlear implants

Cochlear implant (CI) users experience difficulties in understanding speech in reverberant environments as both active speech and non-informative speech segments of the reverberant signal are incorporated into the CI stimulus pattern. The non-informative speech segments are due to late reverberant signal reflections and are referred to here as overlap-masking segments. Desmond et al. (JASA, 2014) showed that removal of all overlap-masking segments from the CI stimulus pattern significantly improved the intelligibility of reverberant speech in CI users. Desmond (2014, Ph.D. dissertation) proposed a reverberation mitigation strategy based on training a machine learning classifier to identify and delete overlap-masking segments in CI pulse trains. The mitigation strategy employed within-channel features to mitigate overlap-masking effects in a given electrode channel. However, since adjacent electrode channels tend to enter the overlap-masking state concurrently, additional information about the state of oth...
Successful treatment of massive hemothorax with class IV shock using aortography with transcatheter embolization of actively bleeding posterior left intercostal arteries after penetrating left chest trauma: A case for the hybrid OR

Abstract Hemothorax is a common occurrence after blunt or penetrating injury to the chest. Posterior intercostal vessel hemorrhage as a cause of major intrathoracic bleeding is an infrequent source of massive bleeding. Selective angiography with trans-catheter embolization may provide a minimally invasive and efficient method of controlling bleeding refractory to surgical treatment. Presentation of case A 19 year-old male sustained a gunshot wound to his left chest with massive hemothorax and refractory hemorrhage. He was emergently taken to the operating room for thoracotomy and was found to have uncontrollable bleeding from the chest due to left posterior intercostal artery transection. The bleeding persisted despite multiple attempts with sutures, clips and various hemostatic agents. Thoracic aortography was undertaken and revealed active bleeding from the left 7th posterior intercostal artery, which was coil-embolized. The patient’s hemodynamic status significantly improved and he was transferred to the intensive care unit. Discussion Posterior intercostal bleeding is a rare cause of massive hemothorax. Bleeding from these arteries may be difficult to control due to limited exposure in that area. Transcatheter-based arterial embolization is a reliable and feasible option for arresting hemorrhage following failed attempts at hemorrhage control from thoracotomy. Conclusion Massive hemothorax from intercostal arterial bleeding is a rare complication after penetrating chest injury (Aoki et al., 2003). Selective, catheter-based embolization is a useful therapeutic option for hemorrhage control and can be expeditiously employed if a hybrid operating room is available.
Growth and processing of single crystal superconducting YBa2Cu3O7−δ

A method for growing millimeter-sized crystals of YBa2Cu3O7−δ is described. Processing conditions were developed to improve the superconducting transition temperature and sharpness, as observed by measurements of the dc magnetic susceptibility. Some of our crystals have been used in observations of the Raman Effect, specific heat, nuclear magnetic resonance, and nuclear quadrupole resonance, with results indicating that the samples are excellent.
Three-Dimensional Analytical Models for Virus Transport in Saturated Porous Media

Analytical models for virus transport in saturated, homogeneous porous media are developed. The models account for three-dimensional dispersion in a uniform flow field, and first-order inactivation of suspended and deposited viruses with different inactivation rate coefficients. Virus deposition onto solid particles is described by two different processes: nonequilibrium adsorption which is applicable to viruses behaving as solutes; and colloid filtration which is applicable to viruses behaving as colloids. The governing virus transport equations are solved analytically by employing Laplace/Fourier transform techniques. Instantaneous and continuous/periodic virus loadings from a point source are examined.
Social Skills: Methodological Issues and Future Directions

The basic premise of social skills training is that there are individual differences with respect to the degree of social competency exhibited by individuals in social situations and that for some of these individuals this lack of adequate performance is problematic. The presumed etiological bases for poor social skill performance are multiple and not mutually exclusive (Curran, 1977). The skills deficit hypothesis for poor social performance is that an individual does not possess in his behavioral repertoire the requisite skills needed for a competent performance. A variation of the skills-deficit interpretation is that while an individual at some point in time may have possessed the requisite skills, these behaviors are no longer readily available to him because of some decaying process (e.g., the decrement in skill performance often seen in individuals who have been institutionalized for long periods of time). Another interpretation of inadequate social performance is that the individual does possess the requisite skills, but due to his previous learning history a less adequate or socially inappropriate response has a higher probability of occurrence. For example, an individual who has experienced a learning history where aggressive behavior “paid off” may become oriented to this form of responding even though it is now inappropriate and even though the individual possesses the requisite skills for a more socially appropriate response.
Turbidity and Appearance of Water

Turbidity and the appearance of water are important considerations in pond aquaculture. If pond waters are clear and light can penetrate to the pond bottom, underwater weeds consisting of both macrophytic algae and vascular plants will develop. These plants compete with phytoplankton for nutrients, and they impede various pond management procedures. Clear water also makes aquatic animals more susceptible to bird predation. Production will be less in clear ponds than in ponds within the proper turbidity range. The appearance of water, such as color and presence of foam or scums, also can provide clues to water quality characteristics.
Incidence Trends of Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors in the United States.

Background & Aims Although multiple studies have reported an increasing incidence of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) over the past decades, there are limited national data on recent trends. Using a population-based registry, we evaluated GEP-NET incidence trends in the United States population from 1975 through 2012, based on age, calendar year at diagnosis, and year of birth. Methods GEP-NET cases from 1975 through 2012 were identified from the most recent version of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry using histologic and site codes. We calculated overall annual incidence, age-adjusted incidence (number of cases per 100,000), annual percent change (APC), and average APC by 5-year age intervals. We also evaluated the incidence rates by age, period, and birth year cohorts. Results We identified 22,744 patients with GEP-NETs. In adults 25–39 years old, GEP-NET incidence rates decreased from the mid-1970s to the early 1980s, then increased until 2012. In adults ages 40 years and older or young adults ages 15–24 years, incidence rates generally increased continuously from 1975 through 2012. Adults ages 40–69 years had the most rapid increases in average APC (approximately 4%–6% per year). Overall incidence rates were highest in adults 70–84 years old. Since the inception of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry, GEP-NET incidence has increased in consecutive birth cohorts. Conclusion The incidence of GEP-NET continues to increase—particularly in older adults. More recent generations have had higher GEP-NET incidence rates than more distant generations.
Brothers as Playmates for Their Siblings with Developmental Disabilities: A Multiple-Baseline Design Study

The feasibility of using typically developing siblings as social interaction intervention agents has been suggested in the literature addressing interactions and relationships between children with disabilities and their siblings. However, the outcomes are not completely understood. This study evaluated an intervention that targeted the social play of children with developmental disabilities (DD) that was implemented by typically developing brothers in the children’s home settings. A multiple-baseline design across three sibling dyads was used to examine the effectiveness of the social interaction intervention. The findings resulted in a moderate change in social behaviors of children with DD and increased social skill strategies used by typically developing boy siblings. Percentage of non-overlapping data and Tau-U indices were provided and discussed for the use of sibling-mediated social play intervention with children with DD. The goal of sibling-mediated social interaction intervention is to provide typically developing siblings with specific techniques to engage children with disabilities in play, with the intention of encouraging their active participation to improve the quality of their interaction. By individually fine-tuning the activities to meet the interests of both children with disabilities and their siblings, typically developing siblings can be taught some social competencies that have value not only for children with disabilities, but also for themselves. They can become cognitively aware of their own thought processes.
Precision mapping of the epileptogenic network with low- and high-frequency stimulation of anterior nucleus of thalamus.

Abstract Objective The goal of thalamic deep brain stimulation in epilepsy is to engage and modulate the epileptogenic network. We demonstrate how the anterior nucleus of thalamus (ANT) stimulation engages the epileptogenic network using electrophysiological measures (gamma response and post-stimulation excitability). Methods Five patients with suspected temporal lobe epilepsy syndrome, undergoing stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG), were enrolled in the IRB approved study to undergo recording and stimulation of the ANT. We analyzed the extent of gamma-band response (activation or suppression) and post-stimulation change in excitability in various cortical regions during low (10 Hz) and high (50 Hz) frequency stimulations. Results 10 Hz stimulation increased cortical gamma, whereas 50 Hz stimulation suppressed the gamma responses. The maximum response to stimuli was in the hippocampus. High epileptogenicity regions were more susceptible to stimulation. Both 10-and 50 Hz stimulations decreased post-stimulation cortical excitability. The greater the gamma-band activation with 10 Hz stimulation, the greater was the decrease in post-stimulation excitability. Conclusions We define an EEG marker that delineates stimulation-specific nodal engagement. We proved that nodes that were engaged with the thalamus during stimulation were more likely to show a short term decrease in post-stimulation excitability. Significance Patient-specific engagement patterns during stimulation can be mapped with SEEG that can be used to optimize stimulation parameters.
Age related differences in phylogenetic diversity, prevalence of Shiga toxins, Intimin, Hemolysin genes and select serogroups of Escherichia. coli from pastured meat goats detected in a longitudinal cohort study

Little is known on significance, diversity and characteristics of gut E. coli in goats despite their importance as food animals globally. We characterized the temporal dynamics in diversity of E. coli in fecal samples from a cohort of goat kids and adult meat goats on pasture over a one-year period. Isolates were characterized based on phylogenetic grouping, virulence genes; shiga toxins 1 and 2 (Stx1&Stx2) (STEC), intimin (eaeA), hemolysin (hly) and select important sero-groups (026, 045, 0103, 0126 and 0146) using molecular methods. A total of 516 E. coli isolates were screened. Prevalence of virulence genes and STEC was 65 and 56% respectively. Prevalence of virulence genes and STEC was significantly higher in goat kids less than six months (76% /66%) than adults (48% /28%). Isolates with virulence profiles of two or more genes were also higher in young goat kids (50%) than adults (20%). Entero-pathogenic E. coli (EPEC-eaeA gene only) were mostly from pre-weaned goat kids while hly gene only isolates were significantly higher in adults. The stx1, stx2 and hly genes peaked around weaning (60, 63 and 52%) respectively. Goats kids were mostly hosts to group D (59%) while adults older than one year had B1 (75%) isolates. Group D isolates were most abundant at weaning (64%) and diarrhea samples (74%). Group B2 isolates overall (6%) were mostly detected around weaning (63%) while A isolates were 4% overall. Twenty-four isolates belonged to sero-groups 026, 0103 and 0146 with 70% of the isolates detected around weaning. Nineteen of these isolates were STEC with most harboring the stx1/stx2/hly/eae (25%) profile. Most belonged to O26 sero-group (75%) and phylogroup D (75%). To our knowledge this is the first study to highlight longitudinal age related differences in E. coli phylogenetic diversity, abundance of virulence genes and select important sero-groups in goats. Differences detected suggest a possible role of age and weaning stress in influencing E. coli diversity in the gut of goats. The findings are relevant to both animal and public health to advise on further studies on caprine E. coli isolates as animal and human pathogens.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common cancer arising from malignant proliferation of epidermal keratinocytes. SCC represents a broad range of disease, from superficially invasive to aggressive, highly lethal tumors. This chapter will review the epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of cutaneous SCC, with a particular focus on disease in the lower extremity.
Zeroing in on the best early-course metrics to identify at-risk students in general chemistry: an adaptive learning pre-assessment vs. traditional diagnostic exam

General chemistry are key gateway courses for many Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) majors. To improve student outcomes, it is critical both to identify at-risk students and...
Transient increase in VEGF-A leads to cardiac tube anomalies and increased risk of congenital heart malformations.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a critical role during early heart development. Clinical evidence shows that conditions associated with changes in VEGF signaling in utero are correlated with an increased risk of congenital heart defects (CHD) in newborns. However, how malformations develop after abnormal VEGF exposure is unknown. During embryogenesis, a primitive heart, consisting of an endocardial tube enveloped by a myocardial mantle, is the first organ to function. This tubular heart ultimately transforms into a four-chambered heart. To determine how a transient increase in VEGF prior to heart tube formation affects heart development leading to CHD, we applied exogenous VEGF or a control (vehicle) solution to quail embryos in ovo at Hamburger-Hamilton (HH) stage 8 (28-30 hr of incubation), right before heart tube formation. Light microscopy analysis of embryos re-incubated after treatment for 13 hrs (to approximately HH11/HH12) showed that increased VEGF leads to impaired heart tube elongation accompanied by diameter expansion. Micro-CT analysis of embryos re-incubated for 9 days (to approximately HH38), when the heart is fully formed, showed that VEGF treatment increased the rate of cardiac malformations in surviving embryos. Despite no sex differences in survival, female embryos were more likely to develop cardiac malformations. Our results further suggest that heart tube malformations after a transient increase in VEGF right before heart tube formation may be reversible, leading to normal hearts.
Optimal Algorithms for Geometric Centers and Depth

$\renewcommand{\Re}{\mathbb{R}}$ We develop a general randomized technique for solving "implic it" linear programming problems, where the collection of constraints are defined implicitly by an underlying ground set of elements. In many cases, the structure of the implicitly defined constraints can be exploited in order to obtain efficient linear program solvers. We apply this technique to obtain near-optimal algorithms for a variety of fundamental problems in geometry. For a given point set $P$ of size $n$ in $\Re^d$, we develop algorithms for computing geometric centers of a point set, including the centerpoint and the Tukey median, and several other more involved measures of centrality. For $d=2$, the new algorithms run in $O(n\log n)$ expected time, which is optimal, and for higher constant $d>2$, the expected time bound is within one logarithmic factor of $O(n^{d-1})$, which is also likely near optimal for some of the problems.
How well is humanitarian assistance targeted in fragile environments? Evidence from the announcement of a food emergency in Yemen

Abstract The amount of assistance delivered during conflict is increasing to support the growing share of the extreme poor living in these settings. However, little is known about how well assistance is targeted, which can have implications for conflict itself. Using a novel data source in Yemen that tracks food assistance, which accounts for the largest share of assistance in the country, we find that the share of households receiving food assistance significantly increased following the U.N. announcement of a food emergency and that the increases were larger in regions identified by the U.N. as being closer to famine. Furthermore, the increases in assistance helped to maintain food access through repeated and strong conflict-related shocks. The results demonstrate that the humanitarian community can rapidly and effectively increase assistance when needed. However, the lack of a stronger and more immediate impact on food access suggests potential improvements to data collection, which could help to better identify households most in need of humanitarian assistance and could help to better identify how food assistance impacts households in humanitarian emergencies.
Carpal tunnel syndrome treatment and the subsequent alterations in tendon and connective tissue dynamics

Abstract Background Carpal tunnel syndrome patients demonstrate diminished motion of the median nerve and fibrotic changes in the subsynovial connective tissue within the carpal tunnel. Currently, there are few prognostic factors to help predict the outcome of commonly performed treatments including surgical carpal tunnel release and corticosteroid injections. This study aimed to non-invasively assess the changes in the dynamic response of the subsynovial tissue relative to tendon motion after the intervention and to correlate this with disease severity. Methods A total of 145 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome were recruited into this study. Clinical and demographic data, electrophysiological severity and dynamic ultrasound images were collected before and after treatment, either by injection or surgery. The relative motion of the subsynovial tissue with the underlying middle finger flexor digitorum superficialis tendon was measured using a speckle tracking algorithm and was expressed as a shear index (SI). Baseline and follow-up data, the association between change in SI and severity, and the role of treatment modality were analyzed and statistically compared. Findings Overall, there was a significant increase (more relative motion) after treatment in the mean shear index from 79.9% (±15.4% SD) to 82.9% (±14.8% SD) (p = 0.03). Secondary analyses showed that this change was mostly present in those with mild disease severity undergoing surgery (p = 0.01). Interpretation This study shows that the relative subsynovial tissue movement increases in patients after intervention. The present study lays a foundation for future studies to non-invasively assess the role of carpal tunnel dynamics in response to treatment.
Residual deficits in functional brain activity after chronic cocaine self-administration in rhesus monkeys.

Previous studies in humans and in animals have shown dramatic effects of cocaine on measures of brain function that persist into abstinence. The purpose of this study was to examine the neurobiological consequences of abstinence from cocaine, using a model that removes the potential confound of cocaine cues. Adult male rhesus monkeys self-administered cocaine (0.3 mg/kg/injection; N = 8) during daily sessions or served as food-reinforcement controls (N = 4). Two times per week, monkeys were placed in a neutral environment and presented with a cartoon video for ~30 min, sometimes pre- and sometimes post-operant session, but no reinforcement was presented during the video. After ~100 sessions and when the cocaine groups had self-administered 900 mg/kg cocaine, the final experimental condition was a terminal 2-[14C]-deoxyglucose procedure, which occurred in the neutral (cartoon video) environment; for half of the monkeys in each group, this occurred after 1 day of abstinence and for the others after 30 days of abstinence. Rates of local cerebral glucose metabolism were measured in 57 brain regions. Global rates of cerebral metabolism were significantly lower in animals 1 day and 30 days post-cocaine self-administration when compared to those of food-reinforced controls. Effects were larger in 30- vs. 1-day cocaine abstinence, especially in prefrontal, parietal and cingulate cortex, as well as dorsal striatum and thalamus. Because these measures were obtained from monkeys while in a neutral environment, the deficits in glucose utilization can be attributed to the consequences of cocaine exposure and not to effects of conditioned stimuli associated with cocaine.
Using Hypermedia Programs to Administer Tests

AbstractThis study compared two groups of students using anxiety level and test performance as measures. The control group took a written version of the anxiety scale and test at the beginning and end of the study. The experimental group took a written version of the test and computerized version of the anxiety scale (using HyperCard stack) at the beginning, but a computerized version of both the anxiety scale and test at the end of the study. No difference was found between computerized versus paper-and-pencil testing for both anxiety and performance. In addition, performance was higher on the pretest and posttest for those subjects who exhibited lower levels of anxiety. Other comparisons showing significant differences included owning a computer, previous use of computers, and gender. One area that was not significantly different was graduate students versus undergraduate students.
The Logic of Law Making in Islam: Women and Prayer in the Legal Tradition

This pioneering study examines the process of reasoning in Islamic law. Some of the key questions addressed here include whether sacred law operates differently from secular law, why laws change or stay the same and how different cultural and historical settings impact the development of legal rulings. In order to explore these questions, the author examines the decisions of thirty jurists from the largest legal tradition in Islam: the Hanafi school of law. He traces their rulings on the question of women and communal prayer across a very broad period of time - from the eighth to the eighteenth century - to demonstrate how jurists interpreted the law and reconciled their decisions with the scripture and the sayings of the Prophet. The result is a fascinating overview of how Islamic law has evolved and the thinking behind individual rulings.
Readership and Informational Needs: The Role of the Business Press for International Managers

Virtually nothing seems to be known about the readership of the business press by international managers. This paper reports on a business press readership study of international managers working in the State of Connecticut. The study sought to determine what they read and what their information requirements were with regard to their international business activities. We found that the respondents to this survey tend to read general and industry specific magazines and newspapers. The Wall Street Journal overwhelms all others as the best single source of international business information. Foreign exchange and tariff regulations are the types of information most often requested. Not surprisingly, Europe, Canada, and the Far East rank as regions of the world respondents most want information on. Directions for future research are suggested.
Male and Female He Created Them: Gender Traditionalism, Masculine Images of God, and Attitudes Toward Same-Sex Unions

Prior research demonstrates that religion and gender traditionalism are associated with less favorable attitudes toward same-sex unions because of its deviation from customary religious doctrine and traditional patterns of gender behavior. This study examines the link between religion, gender traditionalism, and attitudes toward same-sex unions by utilizing a novel measure of gender traditionalism that is distinctly religious as well. Recent work on images of God reveals that individuals’ views of the divine provide a glimpse of their underlying view of reality. The results suggest that individuals who view God as a “he” are much less favorable toward same-sex unions than those who do not view God as masculine, even while controlling for gender traditionalist beliefs and other images of God. Individuals who view God as masculine are signaling a belief in an underlying gendered reality that influences their perceptions of the proper ordering of that reality, which extends to marriage patterns. These findings encourage future research to identify innovative measures of religion that incorporate aspects of other social institutions to account for their interconnected nature.
Solubilization and reconstitution of a particulate hydrogenase from Vibrio succinogenes.

Abstract Hydrogenase activity was found to be associated with the particulate matter of cells of Vibrio succinogenes after lysis with EDTA at pH 9.0. Solubilization of the enzyme was effected by treatment of the particulate fraction at pH 11.0. While the particulate hydrogenase was unaffected by sulfhydryl compounds, the solubilized enzyme had an absolute sulfhydryl requirement. Proteolytic enzymes such as pronase and trypsin, as well as ethylenediaminetetraacetate, could substitute for β-mercaptoethanol in stimulating soluble hydrogenase activity. Incubation at pH 7.0 of the pH 11.0-soluble hydrogenase with the pH 11.0-extracted particulate fraction resulted in the incorporation of most or all of the hydrogenase into the particulate fraction. The reconstituted, particulate hydrogenase, which no longer required sulfhydryl compounds for activity, could be separated into a soluble, hydrogenase-containing fraction and an inactive, insoluble fraction by re-exposure to pH 11.0. These results suggest that solubilization and reconstitution of the particulate system is a reversible, pH-dependent process.
The molecular identity of the mitochondrial Ca2+ sequestration system.

There is ample evidence to suggest that a dramatic decrease in mitochondrial Ca2+ retention may contribute to the cell death associated with stroke, excitotoxicity, ischemia and reperfusion, and neurodegenerative diseases. Mitochondria from all studied tissues can accumulate and store Ca2+, but the maximum Ca2+ storage capacity varies widely and exhibits striking tissue specificity. There is currently no explanation for this fact. Precipitation of Ca2+ and phosphate in the mitochondrial matrix has been suggested to be the major form of storage of accumulated Ca2+ in mitochondria. How this precipitate is formed is not known. The molecular identity of almost all proteins involved in Ca2+ transport, storage and formation of the permeability transition pore is also unknown. This review summarizes studies aimed at identifying these proteins, and describes the properties of a known mitochondrial protein that may be involved in Ca2+ transport and the structure of the permeability transition pore.
Analysis of Satellite Orbit Perturbations to determine the Lunar Gravitational Field

The selenodetic use of artificial lunar satellites entails a dynamical problem because the greater magnitudes and longer periods of disturbing accelerations lead to more significant non-linearities, and entails statistical problems because tracking from the Earth coupled with the variety of terms in the lunar gravitational field having similar effects leads to ambiguities and ill-conditioning.
4D Printing: Design and Fabrication of 3D Shell Structures With Curved Surfaces Using Controlled Self-Folding

Self-folding structures such as origami-based structures have been studied by artists, mathematicians and engineers. New applications are emerging in fields such as biomedical and electronics. Self-folding structures can potentially extend three-dimensional (3D) printing into four-dimensional (4D) printing by intelligently designed material distribution in order to achieve controlled shape deformation over time. Traditionally, self-folding structures are folded along pre-defined hinges such that neighboring facets can transform their shapes. In this study, we present a new design and fabrication approach of self-folding structures with no foldable hinges. A significant benefit is its capability in fabricating shapes with smooth curved surfaces.Our self-folding method is based on a thermally responsive mechanism, where a thermal responsive film is used as the active material while another polymer material coated on the film is used as the constraining material. When the structure is heated, the two sides of the film will shrink differently due to the constraining material. Consequently the structure will fold. By changing the constraining patterns and coated material properties, the film can be self-folded into different shapes. Three types of folding features are presented in our study. Based on them, an unfolding algorithm is presented for a given shell structure with curved surfaces. Theoretical analysis and experimental tests are presented to demonstrate the capability of the self-folding method. Its limitation and future work are also discussed.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Measuring policy analytical capacity for the environment: A case for engaging new actors

This chapter discusses how varied policy analytical capacity can be evaluated at the systemic level through observed gaps in environmental data monitoring and reporting among countries. Such analytical capacity at the knowledge system level facilitates transparency and credibility needed for nation-states to cooperate on issues requiring global coordination, including ‘super- wicked’ environmental issues like climate change. So far there has been relatively sparse attention paid to whether countries will have the ability—or the policy analytical capacity—to report the necessary data and indicators required for the next round of global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) being proposed. In this chapter, I argue that the varied policy analytical capacity within the global environmental knowledge system necessitates the participation of new institutions and actors. Identifying gaps in data availability at a global, systemic scale, this chapter presents a proxy measure of policy analytical capacity based on publicly reported national statistics of air and water quality performance. Such discrepancies evaluated at a systemic level make a case for channels by which citizen scientists, independent watchdogs, private sector companies and third-party organizations can participate to enhance the policy analytical capacity of governments.
Effects of High Fat Feeding on Adipose Tissue Gene Expression in Diabetic Goto-Kakizaki Rats

Development and progression of type 2 diabetes is a complex interaction between genetics and environmental influences. High dietary fat is one environmental factor that is conducive to the development of insulin-resistant diabetes. In the present report, we compare the responses of lean polygenic, diabetic Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats to those of control Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats fed a high fat diet from weaning to 20 weeks of age. This comparison included a wide array of physiological measurements along with gene expression profiling of abdominal adipose tissue using Affymetrix gene array chips. Animals of both strains fed a high fat diet or a normal diet were sacrificed at 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 weeks for this comparison. The microarray analysis revealed that the two strains developed different adaptations to increased dietary fat. WKY rats decrease fatty acid synthesis and lipogenic processes whereas GK rats increase lipid elimination. However, on both diets the major differences between the two strains remained essentially the same. Specifically relative to the WKY strain, the GK strain showed lipoatrophy, chronic inflammation, and insulin resistance.
T4a laryngeal cancer survival: retrospective institutional analysis and systematic review.

Objectives/Hypothesis To assess the survival outcomes of a homogeneous group of pT4a laryngeal cancer patients treated at our institution by primary total laryngectomy and neck dissection with adjuvant therapy when indicated, and to systematically review studies reporting overall survival outcomes in T4a laryngeal cancer. Study Design Systematic review of PubMed and Embase databases. Methods Records of 108 laryngeal cancer patients treated by total laryngectomy were reviewed. pT4a cases treated by primary total laryngectomy between 1998 and 2010 were included. Overall and disease-free survival at 2 and 5 years were reported. A systematic review was performed including all published studies reporting overall survival outcomes by treatment modality in T4 laryngeal cancer patients. Results Thirty cases met the inclusion criteria. At 2 years, overall and disease-free survival were 81.3% and 78%, respectively. The 5-year overall and disease-free survival rates were 60%. The systematic review retrieved 24 articles. Overall survival at 2 years ranged from 12% to 21.2% with radiotherapy, <30% to 65% with chemoradiotherapy, and from 30% to 100% with surgery. At 5 years, it ranged from 0% to 75% with radiotherapy, 16% to 50.4% with chemoradiotherapy, and 10% to 80.9% with surgery. Conclusions Primary total laryngectomy provides a high survival rate for pT4a laryngeal cancer patients. Randomized controlled trials including homogenous patients are still needed before shifting to organ preservation protocols in these patients. Level of Evidence NA Laryngoscope, 124:1618–1623, 2014
PLAIN ABDOMINAL X-RAY VERSUS COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY SCREENING: SENSITIVITY FOR STONE LOCALIZATION AFTER NONENHANCED SPIRAL COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY

Purpose: Urolithiasis followup with plain abdominal x-ray requires adequate visualization of the calculus on the initial x-ray or computerized tomography (CT) study. We compared the sensitivity of plain abdominal x-ray versus CT for stone localization after positive nonenhanced spiral CT.Materials and Methods: We evaluated 46 consecutive nonenhanced spiral CT studies positive for upper urinary tract lithiasis for which concurrent plain abdominal x-rays were available. X-ray and CT studies were compared for the ability to visualize retrospectively a stone given its location by CT. A consensus of 1 radiologist and 3 urologists was reached in each case. Cross-sectional stone size and maximum length were measured on plain abdominal x-ray.Results: Plain abdominal x-ray and scout CT had 48% (22 of 46 cases) and 17% (8 of 46) sensitivity, respectively, for detecting the index stone (p <0.00004). Of the 39 stones overall visualized on plain abdominal x-ray only 19 (49%) were visualized on scout CT. Mean cross-sec...
Oropharyngeal Cleansing With 0.2% Chlorhexidine for Prevention of Nosocomial Pneumonia in Critically Ill Patients: An Open-Label Randomized Trial With 0.01% Potassium Permanganate as Control

Background Oral cleansing with chlorhexidine decreases the incidence of nosocomial pneumonia in patients after cardiac surgery. However, evidence of its benefit in ICU patients is conflicting. Methods Patients admitted to the ICU of an Indian tertiary care teaching hospital were randomized to twice-daily oropharyngeal cleansing with 0.2% chlorhexidine or 0.01% potassium permanganate solution. Effects on the incidence of nosocomial pneumonia during ICU stay (primary outcome) and length of ICU stay and in-hospital mortality (secondary outcomes) were studied. Results Five hundred twelve patients were randomized to either the chlorhexidine group (n = 250) or the control group (n = 262). Of the 471 subjects who completed the protocol, nosocomial pneumonia developed in 16 of 224 subjects (7.1%) in the chlorhexidine group and 19 of 247 subjects (7.7%) in the control group (p = 0.82; relative risk, 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.49 to 1.76); intention-to-treat analysis of 21 patients in whom the cleansing protocol was not followed revealed similar results. There was no significant difference between the study and control groups in the median day of development of pneumonia (5.0 days: interquartile range [IQR], 3.0 to 7.7 vs 5.0 days: IQR, 3.0 to 6.0, respectively), median ICU stay (5.0 days: IQR, 3.0 to 8.0 vs 6.0 days: IQR, 3.0 to 8.0, respectively), and mortality (34.8% vs 28.3%, respectively). On subgroup analysis, there was no significant difference in the primary and secondary outcomes in patients on mechanical ventilation, tracheal intubation, and coma (Glasgow coma scale ≤ 8). During the study period, nosocomial pneumonia developed in fewer subjects (35 of 471 subjects [7.4%]) than in the 3 months preceding and following the study (98 of 452 subjects [21.7%]; p Conclusions Oropharyngeal cleansing with 0.2% chlorhexidine solution was not superior to oral cleansing with the control solution. However, the decreased incidence of nosocomial pneumonia during the study period suggests a possible benefit of meticulous oral hygiene in ICU patients.
ANALYSIS OF SERUM AND WHOLE BLOOD VALUES IN RELATION TO HELMINTH AND ECTOPARASITE INFECTIONS OF FERAL PIGS IN TEXAS

In the summers of 1996 and 1997, 60 wild pigs (Sus scrofa) were necropsied from three sites in south Texas (USA) to test the hypothesis that serum and whole blood parameters vary significantly (P ≤ 0.05) with the prevalence and intensity of parasites infecting wild pigs. We found ten parasite species: five nematodes (Metastrongylus salmi, Metastrongylus pudentotectus, Stephanurus dentatus, Oesophagostomum dentatum, and Physocephalus sexalatus); four ixodid ticks (Amblyomma cajennense, Amblyomma maculatum, Amblyomma americanum, and Dermacentor variabilis); and one trematode (Fascioloides magna). Among juvenile pigs, the intensity of the four species of ticks, collectively, was negatively correlated (P ≤ 0.05) with whole blood principal component number one (PC-1); this factor was positively associated with lymphocytes and eosinophils. Lungworm intensity (Metastrongylus spp.) among adult pigs was negatively correlated (P ≤ 0.05) with whole blood PC-2; this factor was negatively associated with segmented neu...
Marijuana Use and Health in Primary Care

To The Editor: With the increased in prevalence of marijuana use in the past 20 years in the United States, and recent trends suggesting it may continue to rise,1 there is a great need for research that will improve our understanding and highlight the range of effects associated with marijuana use. Consequently, the article by Fuster et al.2 in your September issue was an interesting and timely piece. The authors found no significant association between frequency of current marijuana use and health care utilization and health among primary care patients identified by screening positive for use of any illicit drug. However, a few reservations remain. The study was a secondary analysis of data originally collected for a randomized trial. The large number of participants that were excluded as a result of ineligibility and refusal to participate make the study subject to selection bias. The authors reported that of the 270 subjects that were excluded due to ineligibility to the randomized trial and therefore their study, unwillingness/inability to return for visits was the reason for 77 % (209). It is possible that these excluded subjects were frequent users of marijuana, had poor health, and were more likely to have significant comorbidities that may have made them unable to return for visits. Also, another 428 subjects were excluded for refusal to participate. While the authors attempted to ascertain the homogeneity of this group to their study sample, based on age, gender and substance use, other variables that could potentially be associated with the study’s outcomes, including income, educational status, ethnicity, accessibility to care and depressive symptoms3 were not considered in their analysis. Also, the lack of appropriate comparison groups, which should include non-drug using individuals or limited drug users, in all sub-group analysis, including those with exclusive marijuana use, make drawing any substantive conclusion from the study problematic. Yet, in their discussion, the authors state that among exclusive marijuana users, cutting down use may have little measurable effect on health status or health utilization.2 Given that marijuana is perceived as having minimal health problems among users,4 and as the authors rightly state, there is a lack of research on its impact in health care utilization, more studies with convincing evidence are warranted.
Cell death and autonomous gene action in lethals affecting imaginal discs in Drosophila melanogaster

A series of 23 X-linked lethals affecting imaginal discs, previously classified as to disc phenotype and autonomy/nonautonomy of lethal gene action has been histologically characterized. Fluorescence microscopy of whole mounts of discs from 22 of the mutants and examination of sectioned disc material from 15 of the mutants at late third instar reveals the following: Thirteen of the mutants have extensive cell death; 10 of these mutants act autonomously (cell lethality). Three of the mutants with cell death phenotypes were previously classified as “normal” as judged by dissection. Discs from these three mutants may be able to respond to the molting hormone, β-ecdysone, but may be deficient in a secondary response leading to death of the tissue. No histologically normal autonomous mutants were found. Ten mutants have normal patterns of degeneration and function nonautonomously. These mutants may have defects external to the disc tissue. The autonomous mutants tend to have a slightly earlier effective lethal phase than the nonautonomous mutants.
Modeling learning effects via successive linear programming

Abstract A learning effect occurs when the amount of labor required per unit of production decreases as cumulative production increases. Learning effects occur in many situations, and this effect can be especially significant in the startup of a new process. However, from a modeling viewpoint, the inclusion of learning effects can result in a problem that is considerably more difficult to solve than when these effects are ignored. A number of mathematical programming solution methods have been proposed for modeling a learning effect. Unfortunetely, these methods frequently require the implementation of sophisticated algorithms. In this paper we develop an alternate solution strategy for modeling a learning effect based upon the use of Successive Linear Programming (SLP). This approach is particularly attractive in that it can be easily implemented, and only requires access to a linear programming package.
Dinitrotoluene structure-dependent initiation of hepatocytes in vivo

Technical grade dinitrotoluene (TDNT), composed principally of 2,4-DNT (76%) and 2,6-DNT (20%), is a potent hepatocarcinogen when fed to male F-344 rats for 1 year (100% incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma) while 2,4-DNT is only weakly hepatocarcinogenic. The present investigation was designed to determine the relative initiating potential of DNT isomers compared with the initiating potential of TDNT. A single administration of either TDNT or 2,6-dinitrotoluene (75 mg/kg, p.o.), in combination with partial hepatectomy, initiated hepatocytes in rats when assayed using hepatic initiation-promotion protocols. Five other DNT isomers (2,3; 2,4; 2,5; 3,4, and 3,5-DNT) evaluated similarly exhibited no such potential. Although 2,6-DNT was a relatively weak initiator, its activity was comparable to the initiating activity detected in TDNT. These data begin to provide an explanation for the marked differences in the hepatocarcinogenic potency of TDNT and 2,4-DNT observed in independent 2 year bioassays.
Ester Production by Pseudomonas fragi. III. Synergistic Flavor Interaction of Esters at Subthreshold Concentrations

Abstract Flavor threshold values were determined for ethyl acetate, ethyl butyrate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl isovalerate, butyric acid, diacetyl, and dimethyl sulfide in homogenized milk. In addition, flavor thresholds were determined for two component mixtures of these compounds in milk. Synergistic interactions (P
Hadronic production of heavy-quark bound states

We consider the hadronic production of heavy-quark bound states (QQ-bar) and also associated production of paris of hadron containing heavy quarks (Q-barq + q-barQ). Calculations of total cross sections and of x/sub F/ spectra are presented for both the J/psi and UPSILON. Processes involving fusion of quarks as well as amalgamation of gluons from the beam and target hadrons are important, but in both cases the production of J/sup P/C = 1/sup - -/ bound states proceeds mainly via P-wave intermediate states. Processes involving gluons from the initial hadrons dominate at high energies for all beams and targets, and at all energies for proton and K/sup +/ beams where quark fusion cannot proceed using only valence quarks.