cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Augmented Renal Clearance.

Augmented renal clearance (ARC) is a phenomenon in critically ill patients characterized by increased creatinine clearance and elimination of renally eliminated medications. Patients with severe neurologic injury, sepsis, trauma, and burns have been consistently identified as at risk of ARC, with mean creatinine clearances ranging from 170 ml/minute to more than 300 ml/minute. Several potential mechanisms may contribute to the occurrence of ARC including endogenous responses to increased metabolism and solute production, alterations in neurohormonal balance, and therapeutic maneuvers such as fluid resuscitation. Augmented renal clearance is associated with suboptimal exposure to critical medications, including β-lactams and vancomycin, increasing the risk of treatment failure. Although definitive screening tools are not yet known, critical care pharmacists must be vigilant in recognizing when ARC may be a contributing factor affecting expected treatment outcomes in individual patients. Optimizing dosing strategies in critically ill patients with ARC remains a goal of continued research. The current review discusses the clinical characteristics and methods of identifying patients at risk of ARC, potential mechanisms for ARC, and describes pharmacotherapy dosing considerations in patients with ARC.
Water Table Drawdown Alters Soil and Microbial Carbon Pool Size and Isotope Composition in Coastal Freshwater Forested Wetlands

Loss of coastal wetlands is occurring at an increasingly rapid rate due to drainage of these wetlands for alternative land-uses, which also threatens carbon (C) storage in these C-rich ecosystems. Wetland drainage results in water table drawdown and increased peat aeration, which enhances decomposition of previously stabilized peat and changes stable C isotope profiles with soil depth. The effect of water table drawdown on the pool size and δ13C signature of plant C, soil organic C (SOC) and microbial biomass C (MBC) across a range of organic and mineral soils has not previously been reported in coastal freshwater forested wetlands. To this end, litter, roots, and soils were collected from organic and mineral soil horizons in two coastal freshwater forested wetlands in North Carolina with different hydrological regimes: 1) a natural bottomland hardwood forest (natural); and 2) a ditched and drained, intensively-managed wetland for loblolly pine silviculture (managed). We found that hydrology and soil horizon, and to a lesser degree micro-topography, was important in shaping observed differences in size and 13C signature of soil and microbial pools between the natural and managed wetland. The natural wetland had higher SOC and MBC concentrations in the litter, surface organic, and mineral horizons compared to the managed wetland. In the managed wetland, 13C of SOC was enriched across most of the soil profile (Oa and mineral soil horizons) compared to the natural wetland, suggesting enhanced decomposition and incorporation of microbially-derived inputs to soils. Root C concentration decreased with soil depth, while root 13C signature became enriched with soil depth. In the litter and Oe horizon of the natural wetland, MBC was higher and 13C of MBC and SOC was enriched in hummocks compared to hollows. The 13C of MBC and SOC tended to be enriched in upper soil horizons and depleted in lower soil horizons, particularly in the managed wetland. We conclude that drainage of these coastal wetlands has enhanced the breakdown of previously stabilized C and has the potential to alter regional C storage, feedbacks to climate warming, and ecosystem responses to changing environmental conditions.
Taphonomic and Methodological Perspectives of Leporid Hunting During the Upper Paleolithic of the Western Mediterranean Basin

Leporid (rabbit and hare) bones have been shown to yield important information about subsistence practices, mobility patterns, and demographic trends during the Paleolithic of the western and eastern Mediterranean regions. Studies of Spanish Paleolithic caves rich in rabbit bones suggest that residential mobility patterns influence the degree of leporid hunting through time. Studies of Paleolithic sites in the eastern Mediterranean suggest that leporids were hunted in large numbers only after population sizes and densities reached certain thresholds. This paper reviews and critiques these studies based on current taphonomic and ecologic information about leporids. Leporid hunting during the Upper Paleolithic of central Portugal is then discussed and compared to these existing models. These latter data suggest that rabbit hunting in central Portugal does not conform to any existing model, suggesting that local factors of leporid density and environmental conditions likely influenced the nature and timing of small game acquisition during the Upper Paleolithic.
Sea Level Rise Exposure and Municipal Bond Yields

Coinciding with upward revisions of sea level rise (SLR) projections, municipal bond markets begin pricing increased risk of SLR exposure in 2013. The effect is larger for long-maturity bonds and is not solely driven by near-term flood risk. We apply a structural model of credit risk to quantify the implied economic impact and distinguish the effects of underlying asset values and uncertainty. The SLR exposure premium exhibits a different trend than house prices and is unaffected by controlling for them, which suggests that uncertainty about SLR's future impact, rather than reduced current asset values, drives the effect on bond prices.
Marriage, Courtship and Aristotle's Spouidaia in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

For Aristotle, seriousness is one of the loftiest qualities a human can acquire, requiring a level of refined practical judgment that rules an individual in private and public life. While Aristotle...
Disinfection By-Product Exposures and the Risk of Musculoskeletal Birth Defects.

Background Epidemiological studies suggest that exposure to water disinfection by-products (DBPs) may increase the risk of certain birth defects. However, evidence for musculoskeletal defects (MSDs) is limited. Previous MSD studies have not examined DBPs beyond trihalomethanes (THMs) and have not separately examined limb or diaphragm defects which may have distinct developmental etiologies. Methods We calculated adjusted odds ratios (aORs) in a registry-based case-control study of birth defects in Massachusetts with complete quarterly 1999-2004 data on four THMs and five haloacetic acids (HAAs). We matched 10 controls each to 187 MSD cases based on week of conception. Weight-averaged town-level first-trimester DBP exposures were individually assigned based on residence at birth. We adjusted THM models for exposure to the sum of five HAAs (HAA5), and HAA models for the sum of four THMs (THM4). Results We detected positive exposure-response associations for all grouped MSDs with THM4 quintiles (aOR range: 1.90-3.18) and chloroform quartiles (aOR range: 1.30-2.21), and for reduction of upper or lower limbs with chloroform quartiles (aOR range: 2.39-3.52). We detected elevated aORs for diaphragmatic hernia with DBP9 (sum of THM4 and HAA5), and chloroform and bromodichloromethane tertiles and an exposure-response relationship for THM4 tertiles (aOR range: 1.67-1.80). Conclusions This is the first epidemiological study to examine HAAs in relation to MSDs. Given the indirect nature of our exposure assessment data and small case numbers, the exposure-response relationships that we detected for THM4 and chloroform warrant further investigation.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Hydrolytic Degradation of Copolymers of 2-Methylene-1,3-dioxepane with Ethylene and with Styrene

2-Methylene-1,3-dioxepane (MDP) was copolymerized with ethylene (E) at a pressure of approximately 1000 psi and a temperature of approximately 70°C with AIBN as the free radical initiator. The copolymers obtained, poly(MDP-co-E), were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectroscopy, DSC, and GPC. The copolymers contained 2–15 mol% ester units. MDP was also copolymerized with styrene (S) at 120°C with di-t-butyl peroxide as the initiator to prepare the copolymer, poly(MDP-co-S). The number-average molecular weights of both types of copolymers were in the range of 6000 to 11,000, and the weight-average molecular weights were in the range of 9000 to 17,000. The melting temperatures of poly(MDP-co-E) decreased with increasing ester unit content in the copolymer. For the MDP-S copolymers, the glass transition temperatures decreased with increasing ester unit content. Both poly(MDP-co-E) and poly(MDP-co-S) were degraded by methanolysis, and their molecular weights decreased by the expected amounts based on the ester unit content.
Chapter 18 – Utility of Adenoviral Vectors in Animal Models of Human Disease I: Cancer

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the utility of the adenoviral vectors in animal models of cancer. It mainly focuses on the use of animal models in the process of evaluating adenoviral gene transfer strategies for the treatment of human cancer. Animal models of lung cancer and human prostate cancer are discussed along with different therapeutic approaches such as immunotherapy and gene therapy with adenovectors. To realize the full potential of cancer gene therapy, advances must be made on a number of fronts. Construction of better Ad-vectors, more relevant animal models, and incorporating emerging technologies to a useful purpose within the experimental design are required for developing new gene therapy strategies. The implementation of a quantitative and noninvasive method capable of monitoring transgene expression in living animals repetitively would be useful toward validating the efficacy of any gene therapy strategy.
Head and neck survivorship care in the times of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

With the arrival of the coronavirus disease (SARS-CoV-2) in the United States, care practice paradigms have drastically changed. Data from China suggest that the new virus poses additional risks as case fatality of patients with cancer was higher at 5.6% compared to 2.3% of the general population. There are three proposed major strategies to address care for patients with cancer in this SARS-CoV-2 pandemic with postponing treatment for those with stable cancer, increasing personal protection provisions for patients with cancer, and increasing monitoring if a patient becomes infected with SARS-CoV-2. In this present commentary, we discuss the unique mental health challenges and burdens of patients with head and neck cancer in the times of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and approaches to mitigate these stressors through telemedicine to reduce future burdens to the patient and the health care system.
Systematic review of the treatment options for pericardial effusions in dogs

Objective To evaluate the evidence for the conservative and surgical management of pericardial effusions for neoplastic and idiopathic etiologies in dogs. Study design Systematic review. Sample population Peer-reviewed English-language articles describing the treatment and outcome of naturally occurring pericardial effusion in domestic dogs. Methods A literature search was performed with PubMed, Cab Abstracts, Scopus, and Agricola in August 2019 for articles describing pericardial effusion treatment in dogs. Inclusion criteria were applied, and articles were evaluated for reported outcome and level of evidence by using The Oxford 2011 Levels of Evidence, a previously described hierarchical system, and GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation). Results One hundred eight of the 641 unique articles that were identified and evaluated met inclusion criteria. Most articles included were case studies (68.2%) or retrospective case series (25.2%), with all articles providing a low level of evidence. The articles had inconsistent inclusion criteria, outcome measures, and follow-up, making comparison of outcomes difficult. Conclusion Because of the low quality of evidence of the studies included in this systematic review and the variability of the outcomes, there is not sufficient evidence to recommend one treatment option rather than another. Clinical significance There is a requirement for higher quality evidence such as randomized controlled trials and prospective comparative cohort studies. Standardization of outcome measures reported for each treatment option and disease process studied will allow for better comparison of outcomes between studies.
Validation of an Instrument for Real-Time Assessment of Neonatal Intubation Skills: A Randomized Controlled Simulation Study.

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the construct validity and reliability of real-time assessment of a previously developed neonatal intubation scoring instrument (NISI). Study Design We performed a randomized controlled simulation study at a simulation-based research and training facility. Twenty-four clinicians experienced in neonatal intubation (“experts”) and 11 medical students (“novices”) performed two identical elective intubations on a neonatal patient simulator. Subjects were randomly assigned to either the intervention group, receiving predefined feedback between the two intubations, or the control group, receiving no feedback. Using the previously developed NISI, all intubations were assessed, both in real time and remotely on video. Construct validity was evaluated by (1) comparing the intubation performances, expressed as percentage scores, with and without feedback, and (2) correlating the intubation performances with the subjects' level of experience. The intrarater reliability, expressed as intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), of real-time assessment compared with video-based assessment was determined. Results The intervention group contained 18 subjects, the control group 17. Background characteristics and baseline intubation scores were comparable in both groups. The median (IQR) change in percentage scores between the first and second intubation was significantly different between the intervention and control group (11.6% [4.7–22.8%] vs. 1.4% [0.0–5.7%], respectively; p = 0.013). The 95% CI for this 10.2% difference was 2.2 to 21.4%. The subjects' experience level correlated significantly with their percentage scores (Spearman's R = 0.70; p Conclusion Our NISI has construct validity and is reliable for real-time assessment. Key Points
Perceptions of campaign donors and their impact on judgments of judicial fairness

Perceptions of judicial fairness for elected state judges were examined across a series of studies. Of particular interest was how campaign donations and types of cases affect perceptions that judg...
The History (and Pre-history) of the Discovery and Chemistry of the Noble Gases

The existence of the then-so-called inert gases was discovered over a short period of time in the 1890s; the demonstration that they were in fact not inert took place during an even shorter period of time, in 1962. This paper surveys the key events, as well as some of the earlier work that led up to them, of those two crucial episodes in the history of chemistry.
A flow-weighted approach to generate daily total phosphorus loads in streams based on seasonal loads

Phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient for all forms of life but its over-enrichment can result in eutrophication of surface waters. For many watersheds around the world, some seasonal total P (TP) load datasets may exist but the continuous and multi-year daily TP concentrations and/or load datasets are not available due to the lacks of in situ P sensor measurement, time-consuming, and budget constraint. Traditionally, the seasonal TP loads are normally obtained with measuring daily TP concentrations for a couple of times within a season in a watershed, and then these daily TP concentrations along with their respective daily discharges are used to calculate the seasonal TP loads for the watershed. However, without the continuous and multi-year daily TP load dataset, development of total maximum daily load (TMDL) and calibration of watershed models for TP cannot be achieved. A flow-weighted method was developed (with detailed procedures) here to generate the daily TP loads based on the seasonal loads. The method was rigorously validated using the measured daily TP datasets from three different US Geological Survey gage stations. With very good statistical comparisons between the method predicted and field measured TP loads, we demonstrated that the flow-weighted method herein is a useful tool to disaggregate the seasonal TP loads into the daily TP loads when the measured daily TP data are not available while the TMDL development and model calibrations/validations are inevitable.
Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) Use and Pregnancy II: Perinatal Outcomes Following ENDS Use During Pregnancy

This review examines the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes following electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use during pregnancy, and considers whether there are sufficient data to support ENDS as a harm reduction approach during pregnancy. Seven papers assessed perinatal outcomes following ENDS use during pregnancy. There was evidence that ENDS use was associated with increased risk for some adverse perinatal outcomes (e.g., small for gestational age). However, the repeated use of data sets, insufficient data (e.g., timing of ENDS use, type of ENDS products used), and limited samples sizes contributed to mixed findings on the degree to which ENDS use (alone or in combination with combustible cigarettes (CC)) impacts the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes relative to CC smoking alone. The current data are still insufficient to support ENDS as a harm reduction approach, though findings do warrant concern and more detailed investigation of ENDS use during pregnancy. Future research directions, as well as implications for clinical recommendations and tobacco regulatory science, are discussed.
An Approximation Algorithm for an Assisted Shortest Path Problem

In this article, we introduce a cooperative path planning algorithm for a cardinal and a support robot where the cardinal robot is unable to traverse a subset of edges in a network until the support robot has first traversed them. This subset of edges represent paths in an environment that are initially unavailable to the cardinal robot and require the assistance of the support robot. A (2 + α)-approximation algorithm (where α is the supremum of the ratio of the travel time of the support robot versus the travel time of the cardinal robot) is presented for this problem and is applied to various types of networks in order to examine the quality of the solutions it produces. We then conclude by discussing some potential future work concerning variations of this problem.
Computational fracture mechanics

ABSTRACT The field of Computational Fracture Mechanics is reviewed. The paper focuses on the impact of computational methodology on furthering the understanding of fundamental fracture phenomena. The current numerical approaches to the solution of fracture mechanics problems, e.g. finite element methods, finite difference methods and boundary element methods are reviewed. The application of these techniques to the problems of linear elastic fracture problems is discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on three dimensional problems and the issues involved with surface crack geometries and stress intensity factor calculations. Numerical solutions of two dimensional ductile fracture problems are surveyed. A special focus is placed on the effect of stable crack growth on the field quantities and the implications of numerical solutions for fracture prediction. Creep fracture problems are discussed. The similarities and differences between creep and ductile fracture problems are highlighted. The importance of large strain phenomena and accurate modeling of nonlinear effects are highlighted. The current state of knowledge of continuum fields for elastostatic cracks, elastodynamic cracks, ductile cracks and viscoplastic cracks is summarized. The range of applicability of asymptotic solutions (especially in the nonlinear regimes) is highlighted. Major research needs in computational fracture mechanics are detailed. Emphasis is placed on coupled theoretical and numerical approaches. Prospects for future research trends are proffered. Application of fracture mechanics and computational fracture approaches are explored.
An Asymptotic Analysis of the Logrank Test

Asymptotic expansions for the null distribution of the logrank statistic and its distribution under local proportional hazards alternatives are developed in the case of iid observations. The results, which are derived from the work of Gu (1992) and Taniguchi (1992), are easy to interpret, and provide some theoretical justification for many behavioral characteristics of the logrank test that have been previously observed in simulation studies. We focus primarily upon (i) the inadequacy of the usual normal approximation under treatment group imbalance; and, (ii) the effects of treatment group imbalance on power and sample size calculations. A simple transformation of the logrank statistic is also derived based on results in Konishi (1991) and is found to substantially improve the standard normal approximation to its distribution under the null hypothesis of no survival difference when there is treatment group imbalance.
Religiously-Motivated Investing

This encyclopedia article defines and describes religiously motivated investing and selected topics revolving around religiously motivated investing.
Impact of electric vehicle infrastructure on the University of Southern California microgrid: Based on smart grid regional demonstration project — Los Angeles

With the growing penetration of the electric vehicles to our daily life owing to their economic and environmental benefits, there will be both opportunities and challenges to the utilities when adopting plug-in electric vehicles (PEV) to the distribution network. In this paper, a thorough analysis based on real-world project is conducted to evaluate the impact of electric vehicles infrastructure on the grid relating to system load flow, load factor, and voltage stability. University of Southern California (USC) Distribution microgrid was selected and tested along with different case scenarios utilizing the electrical distribution design (EDD) software to find out the potential impacts to the grid.
Strain effects on device characteristics: Implementation in drift-diffusion simulators

Abstract We have added the effects of strain (or stress) into 2DP [ IBM J. Res. Dev. 29 , 242 (1985)], a drift-diffusion simulator. The transport equations are modified to account for strain effects in such a way that few source code changes are required for easy implementation in any drift-diffusion code. The electron transport model is modified to include the predominant strain effect of shifts in the ellipsoid minimums of the band structure. The effect of strain on hole transport is modeled through changes in the hole concentration and an angular, averaged change in the mobility. The models are verified and a good match for the calculated piezoresistance coefficients of silicon are obtained with those from experiment. Then, we examine the effects of strain on npn transistors caused by isolation trenches. The calculated Gummel plots and ΔV be match well with experimental data.
Integration and Germ-Line Transmission of a Pseudotyped Retroviral Vector in Zebrafish

The zebrafish is rapidly becoming a popular model system for the study of vertebrate development because it is ideal for both embryological studies and genetic analysis. To determine if a retroviral vector pseudotyped with the envelope glycoprotein of the vesicular stomatitis virus could infect zebrafish embryos, and in particular, the cells destined to become the germ line, a pseudotyped virus was injected into blastula-stage zebrafish embryos. Fifty-one embryos were allowed to develop and eight transmitted proviral DNA to their progeny. Founders were mosaic, but as expected, transgenic F1's transmitted proviral DNA in a Mendelian fashion to the F2 progeny. Transgenic F1 fish inherited a single integrated provirus, and a single founder could transmit more than one viral integration to its progeny. These results demonstrate that this pantropic pseudotyped vector, originally developed for human gene therapy, will make the use of retroviral vectors in zebrafish possible.
Synthesis of enzymatically noncleavable carbocyclic nucleosides for DNA-N-glycosylase studies.

Carbocyclic nucleosides have been of great interest as antiviral agents and in studies in the area of antisense technology. The recent finding that the replacement of a single 2‘-deoxynucleoside in DNA by a carba analogue does not alter the Watson−Crick base pairing, yet at the same time provides a chemically and enzymatically stable “glycosidic” linkage, led us to examine this class of compound as enzyme inhibitors of the DNA-repair enzymes involved in oxidative damage. We now report the synthesis and incorporation into oligomeric DNA via suitable derivatives, the carbanucleosides 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2‘-deoxycarbainosine, 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2‘-deoxycarbaguanosine, and 2‘-deoxyaristeromycin. Aristeromycin (1) was deoxygenated at the 2‘-position as follows. Treatment of 1 with TPDSCl2 gave the 3‘,5‘-protected derivative 3 (76%) which on phenylthiocarbonylation at the 2‘-position gave 4 in 51% yield. The latter compound on reduction with Bu3SnH led to the 2‘-deoxy derivative 5 (90%). Benzoylation followed by d...
Exploring antibody polyspecificity using synthetic combinatorial libraries

Extensive mapping studies for seven antigen-antibody interactions have been carried out using both individual analogs and peptide libraries. With competitive ELISA, these studies have revealed that monoclonal antibodies exhibit a broad range of specificities, from antibodies that recognize only conservative substitutions for 1–2 positions of the antigenic determinant, to antibodies that recognize sequences that are completely unrelated to the parent antigen with comparable affinities. Synthetic combinatorial libraries, containing millions of peptide sequences, permit a more systematic and rapid evaluation of the extent of multiple-binding specificities of monoclonal antibodies than individual analogs. The peptide libraries used here comprise mixtures of compounds having specifically defined positions and mixture positions. The same diversity of sequences in different formats, which differ by the numbers of positions singularly defined and different locations defined within the sequence, can be examined. Comparison of the screening results, selection criteria of the most active mixtures, and different approaches used for the deconvolution of active individual compounds are discussed. Synthetic combinatorial libraries greatly facilitate the understanding of antigen-antibody interactions at the amino acid level and will assist in the development of improved immunodiagnostics.
Child care in Russia

D U R I N G July, 1956, Dr. Ru th Bakwin and I spent three weeks touring the pr incipal cities of European Russ ia -Leningrad , Moscow, Stalingrad, Rostov, Odessa, and Kiev. I n all these cities we talked to p rominent pediatr icians and visited children's hospitals and other child care institutions. I t is not easy to obtain informat ion in Russia. Visits to hospitals, outpat ient departments , nurseries, and universities must be a r ranged beforehand through official sources and definite appoin tments must be made. No great difficulties were encountered until we reached Moscow. There Intourist, the official Russian tourist agency, asserted tha t i t was not its funct ion to a r range hospi ta l visits, t ha t i t had to do only wi th sightseeing; and Voks, the society for cultu ra l re la t ions wi th foreign countries, took the posit ion t ha t i t was concerned only wi th "culture," and hospitals were not culture. Taunts such as, " A r e you, perhaps, ashamed to let us see you r hosp i t a l s ? " and " S h a l l we go back to Amer ica and tell our colleagues tha t we were not pe rmi t t ed to see you r hosp i t a l s ? " seemed to have no effect. When, a f t e r four days of concent r a t ed effort which was get t ing us nowhere, the Minis try of Hea l th fi-
Teaching Rural Women in Nicaragua the Principles of Breast Health

Breast cancer has emerged as an important health condition worldwide, including developing countries. Screening is limited or non-existent in resource-poor areas. The purpose of this study was to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices of self (SBE) and clinical (CBE) breast examinations among 198 rural Nicaraguan women. Ten (5.1%) had performed a SBE, and 16 (8.1%) had a CBE. CBE was significantly associated with a pre-instruction total score of 70% or greater (OR = 13.7, 95% CI = 1.26, 149.70, p = 0.03). Family history of breast cancer was significantly associated with performing a SBE (OR = 5.5, 95% CI = 1.10, 27.81, p = 0.037) and a CBE (OR = 7.1, 95% CI = 1.40, 35.94, p = 0.018). A CBE is a significant determinant of pre-existing breast health knowledge. Physicians or physician extenders should be encouraged to perform a CBE as a routine component of health care delivery and cancer screening for women.
Abstract 4899: Altered receptor glycosylation confers cisplatin resistance in ovarian and colon cancer cells

Chemotherapy resistance is a significant clinical obstacle in the treatment of cancer. Platinum-based drugs are a mainstay of treatment in many solid cancers; however, tumor resistance to these drugs hampers long term efficacy. Resistance is multi-factorial, and theories to explain resistance are incomplete. In this study we report a novel mechanism for resistance to cisplatin involving changes in receptor glycosylation. Previous work in our lab has demonstrated enhanced colon cancer cell survival in cells expressing ST6Gal-I, a Golgi glycosyltransferase that adds the negatively-charged sugar, alpha2-6-linked sialic acid, to selected membrane proteins. We showed that sialylation of the Fas death receptor by ST6Gal-I decreases apoptotic signaling in response to Fas agonists by blocking DISC formation and receptor internalization. Elevated ST6Gal-I expression has been reported in many cancers, including ovarian and colon, and its expression is negatively correlated with patient prognosis. Interestingly, cisplatin has been demonstrated to mediate its cytotoxic effects, in part, through Fas receptor upregulation and activation, although the mechanism is not currently understood. Combining these results and observations, we investigated whether ST6Gal-I-mediated sialylation of the Fas receptor inhibits apoptotic signaling in response to cisplatin treatment, contributing to intrinsic cisplatin resistance. We determined the extent of cisplatin-induced apoptotic cell death by blotting for cleaved caspase-3, a terminal caspase, and detected decreased levels of activated caspase in ST6Gal-I expressing ovarian and colon cell lines. This result was observed in both a low endogenous ST6Gal-I cell model with forced ST6Gal-I expression, as well as a high endogenous ST6Gal-I expression cell model with shRNA ST6Gal-I knockdown. We also show sustained viability in cells expressing ST6Gal-I after cisplatin treatment by measuring a peptide protease substrate which is cleaved in live cells. Conversely, we detected a decrease in viability in non-ST6Gal-I expressing counterpart cell lines indicating that cells lacking ST6Gal-I expression are more sensitive to cisplatin-mediated cell death. Finally, we observed that cisplatin-mediated cell death is attenuated by treating cells with blocking antibodies to Fas, consistent with other studies implicating this receptor in cisplatin efficacy. Our findings suggest a novel mechanism contributing to platinum drug resistance in cancer cell populations and identify ST6Gal-I as a promising target for therapeutic intervention. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4899. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4899
Near shot-noise limited performance of an open loop laser-driven interferometric fiber optic gyroscope

We report for the first time experimental evidence of near shot-noise limited performance for an open loop interferometric fiber optic gyroscope interrogated with a narrowband laser instead of a broadband source. Using a highly coherent laser source (uf = 2.2 kHz), the measured gyroscope noise is 350 nrad/Hz for an average returning power of 20 μW, while the measured noise for the same gyro operated with a broadband source (uλ ≈ 30 nm) was 850 nrad/√Hz. This measured noise is only ~2 dB above the calculated shot noise for this power. This result was made possible by using a very narrow linewidth, which greatly reduces the laser phase noise and thus the phase-noise-mitigated coherent backscattering. This excellent noise performance has applications for future fiber gyroscope technologies as well as other sensors utilizing a Sagnac interferometer. The bias drift of the laser-driven gyroscope was higher than anticipated but could be reduced to roughly Earth-rate using a frequency sweeping technique. In addition to improved sensitivity, the benefits of using a laser include much higher scale factor stability, lower power consumption, and lower component cost.
Dental Benefits of Limited Exposure to Fluoridated Water in Childhood

The effect of limited exposure to fluoridated water in childhood is of potential importance in highly-mobile modern society, but the subject has not been well-studied. This longitudinal study assessed caries experience and S. mutans proportions from fissure plaque in school-children who lived for at least the three years of the study in a non-fluoridated community (0.2 mg/L). Residence histories permitted division of the cohort into those who had lived all their lives in non-fluoridated communities, and those who had lived for some time previously in a fluoridated community. The children were aged 6-7 years at the beginning of the three-year study. Children with previous residence in the fluoridated communities developed 26.8% less caries in their permanent teeth during the study than did the children who had lived in non-fluoridated communities all their lives (p = 0.04), and had 29.8% less caries after three years (p = 0.02). Differences between the groups in S. mutans proportions from fissure plaque, sampled at six-monthly intervals throughout the study, could not be demonstrated. The dental benefits observed could not be attributed to socio-economic differences between the groups. Despite evidence that the benefits of limited ingestion of fluoridated water are topical in nature, the fact that many of the affected teeth in this study were unerupted at the time of the fluoride exposure means that pre-eruptive benefits cannot be ruled out.
Coaches' Preferences for Continuing Coaching Education:

As the popularity of youth sports has grown, so too has the need for qualified coaches. However, while multiple organizations have begun to offer, or even require, coaching education, more informat...
Nonlinear Resonant Response of Deep Draft Platforms in Surface Waves

To minimize body motions, floating marine structures are often designed with natural frequencies far away from the spectrum of ocean waves. Such design considerations led to a class of deep draft caisson vessels (DDCV or spars). Even so, large resonant responses may still be generated by excitation from nonlinear interactions of waves with body motions. Past experiments indicated that a DDCV experiences large-amplitude heave and pitch resonant motions when the incident wave frequency is much larger than the heave and pitch natural frequencies. Such resonant motions are not predicted by classical theories without considering nonlinear effects. This nonlinear mechanism has received little attention because of the complex nonlinear wave-body dynamics involved. In this work, we investigate nonlinear wave-wave and wave-body interaction effects on dynamic instability of such marine structures. We first perform a linear stability analysis of the wave-frequency body motion. From the analysis, we find that at certain incident wave frequencies the body motion is unstable with natural heave and pitch motions growing exponentially with time by taking energy from the incident wave through nonlinear wave-body interactions. The condition for the occurrence of instability and the key characteristic features of unstable natural heave and pitch motions, predicted by the analysis, agree well with the experimental measurement and our full-nonlinear numerical simulations. As time-domain fully nonlinear numerical simulations are computationally expensive, we further develop an approximate time-domain analytic model, by including the second-order body nonlinearity only, for predicting the onset of instability and ultimate response of DDCVs in both regular and irregular waves. We use this model to systematically investigate the dependence of unstable motions on frequency detuning, damping, body geometry, and wave parameters.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Husband violence: personality disorders among male batterers

The potential role of personality disorders in understanding husband violence is a controversial issue. Although researchers consistently find high rates of personality disorders, particularly antisocial and borderline characteristics, among samples of male batterers, feminist theorists worry that such research will divert attention from the broader, societal changes believed necessary to end violence from men. The authors of this paper propose that consideration of personality dimensions, rather than diagnosable personality disorders, is the most productive method of examining the role of personality in husband violence. In particular, batterer typologies integrate our current understanding of the roles of differing personality characteristics in distinguishing among subtypes of violent husbands. The clinical implications of a batterer typology are considered.
Convection and permeation of albumin between plasma and interstitium

Abstract Nonequilibrium thermodynamics is combined with compartmental analysis to interpret albumin sieving and tracer experiments in terms of a permeability-surface product PS (permeation) and a solvent drag reflection coefficient σ f (convection) for various blood-tissue barriers. The human whole-body albumin data of Lassen, Parving, and Rossing ( Lassen, Parving, and Rossing, Microvasc. Res. 7 , i–iv (1974) ), modified for nonliver tissues by Johnson and Levitt ( Johnson & Levitt, Microvasc. Res. 9 , 141 (1975) ) lead to P ∼ 1.8 × 10 −8 cm sec −1 (based on a surface area per unit plasma volume of 700 cm −1 ) and to σ f ∼ 0.9, which imply, in agreement with Johnson and Levitt, that permeation is the dominant nonliver blood-tissue transport mechanism for albumin in the normal resting human. Similar values are derived from the dog paw muscle data of Garlick and Renkin ( Garlick and Renkin, Amer. J. Physiol. 219 , 1595–1605 (1970) ). The Casley-Smith ( Casley-Smith, Microvasc. Res. 9 , 43–48 (1975) ) mechanism of uphill albumin transport is verified as possible. It is tentatively inferred that lymph formation in resting tissue does not result from a small difference between a large fluid (volumetric) filtration and an almost equally large fluid reabsorption, either in the same capillary (Starling) or between different capillaries (Zweifach) ( Zweifach, Circ. Res. 34 , 858–866 (1974) ). Rather, reabsorption is negligibly small relative to filtration, and lymph flow is comparable to volumetric filtration.
Knowledge, Scepticism and Coherence

I defend a coherence theory of knowledge.2 It is a reply to the sceptic and at the same time an admission that we cannot prove the claims of the sceptic to be in error. We have much to learn from the sceptic, including what knowledge is. I shall articulate, however briefly, a coherence theory of knowledge. I shall then explain what sort of concession to the sceptic it permits. The theory is based on the assumption that we are fallible, that is, that we can err, no matter how well justified we might be in what we accept. Coherence yields a theory of justification, not of truth, but an adequate match between coherence and truth is all that is required to yield knowledge. Let us see how. Knowledge is based on what we accept as true and on the truth of what we accept. But the acceptance of something true does not suffice for knowledge, for we may be unjustified in what we accept and yet accept something true. We may, in fact, proceed by the most irrational methods and fallacious reasoning and still be lucky enough to accept something true. My own view of acceptance is that it differs from belief in constituting a positive evaluation of belief at a metamental level of evaluation. Thus, acceptance, unlike mere belief, constitutes the best efforts of a person to obtain truth and avoid error. But our best efforts can go awry. What, then, must we add to convert our acceptance of something true to knowledge of it? The answer is justification, but justification is the place where the sceptic dwells. We must enter, nonetheless. The sceptic raises objections to what we accept, whether it concerns tables, persons, galaxies or neutrinos. And the sceptic can be expected to raise doubts, hyperbolic doubts from Descartes or more mundane doubts from everyday life. The sceptic might appeal to a powerful demon, if demonology attracts her, or a malicious scientist manipulating our brain in a vat, if science fiction attracts her. Or she might appeal to our dreams, the illusions of sense, or even our familiar lapses of memory. How should I reply? What can I appeal to in order to argue that I know the sceptic is wrong in her hyperbolic and mundane doubts?
Endorectal Repair of Rectocele Revisited.

Background Transanal repair of rectocele involving the suprasphincteric portion of the rectovaginal septum has been shown to provide excellent results in up to 90 per cent of cases. Selection of patients suitable for repair is important. Rectocele with concomitant cystocele is best repaired transvaginally. An alternative approach is recommended for enterocele. Methods With the patient in the prone position and using local anaesthesia, a mucomuscular endorectal flap is raised and the underlying tissues are plicated. The excessive flap is excised, and the cut edges are approximated. A retrospective review of 123 consecutive cases of transanal repair of rectocele was conducted. Patient satisfaction and complications were compared with those in a previously reported study. Results Overall patient satisfaction improved from 63 per cent of 59 patients in an earlier study to 82 per cent in this report. The overall complication rate decreased from 7 to 3 per cent. Conclusion This study demonstrates the validity of a simple technique of transanal repair of rectocele in an ambulatory setting. Minimal morbidity and successful outcome can be achieved with this procedure.
Can future systemic financial risks be quantified?: ergodic vs nonergodic stochastic processes

Different axioms underlie efficient market theory and Keynes’s liquidity preference theory. Efficient market theory assumes the ergodic axiom. Consequently, today’s decision makers can calculate with actuarial precision the future value of all possible outcomes resulting from today’s decisions. Since in an efficient market world decision makers “know” their intertemporal budget constraints, decision makers never default on a loan, i.e., systemic defaults, insolvencies, and bankruptcies are impossible. Keynes liquidity preference theory rejects the ergodic axiom. The future is ontologically uncertain. Accordingly systemic defaults and insolvencies can occur but can never be predicted in advance. JEL Classification: G1; D80; E1.
Synaptogenesis in the postnatal rat fascia dentata is influenced by 5-HT1a receptor activation.

Abstract Neonatal serotonin (5-HT) depletion or 5-HT 1a receptor blockade results in a significant and permanent reduction in the number of dentate granule cell dendritic spines. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the loss of spines was accompanied by a reduction in molecular layer synaptic profile density. Rat pups were treated with parachloroamphetamine (PCA), 5,7-DHT or the 5-HT 1a receptor antagonist NAN-190. The synaptic profile density (profiles/100 μm 2 ) of the dentate molecular layer was estimated on P14, P21 and P60. Molecular layer synaptic profile density the was significantly reduced in each treatment group on P14 and P21. By P60, the NAN-190 and PCA groups had reached control values, but the 5,7-DHT group remained significantly lower than control. The most dramatic changes were observed among synapses terminating on dendritic spines. Numbers of profiles forming simple spine contacts were significantly reduced by all treatments at P14 and P21, but returned to normal by P60 in the PCA and NAN-190 groups. Simple spine synapses in the 5,7-DHT group remained significantly below control, but numbers of complex spine synapses were higher than either control or the other treatment groups at each age. These results indicate that the loss of dendritic spines observed following 5-HT depletion or 5-HT 1a antagonist treatment is accompanied by a decrease in synaptic profile density. This effect appears to be a retardation of synaptogenesis since recovery occurs once 5-HT 1a receptor activity resumes. Data from the 5,7-DHT group shows that complex spine synapse formation may represent an effort to attain some degree of functional compensation when synaptogenesis is slowed.
Shunts between the coronary and pulmonary arteries with normal origin of the coronary arteries.

Abstract Seven patients with shunts between the coronary and the pulmonary arteries with normal origin of both coronary arteries are described. Symptoms, when present, may be related to critical diversion of local blood flow or to the size of the shunt relative to total coronary blood flow. Maximal exercise testing may aid in finding those patients in whom the shunt leads to myocardial ischemia and may be a convenient way to follow up asymptomatic patients. These small shunts are frequently difficult to detect by sensitive methods; selective coronary arteriography proved to be the most helpful diagnostic procedure. Indications for surgery are not well established, but would include (1) relief of symptoms, (2) prophylaxis against complications of coronary artery disease and (3) the prevention of bacterial endarteritis.
Complications of sphenoid sinus surgery and transsphenoidal hypophysectomy

Abstract Complications from sphenoid surgery and transsphenoidal hypophysectomy are generally uncommon but can be severe. A knowledge of the anatomy and possible complications is crucial to avoid problems. Prompt recognition and appropriate treatment are essential to protecting the patient. The most frequent complications are reviewed.