cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Medialisation thyroplasty with tensor fascia lata: a novel approach for reducing post-thyroplasty complications.

Background Medialisation thyroplasty is considered the 'gold standard' treatment for unilateral vocal fold paralysis, enabling improvement of voice and swallowing function, and preventing life-threatening aspiration events. The most commonly used laryngeal implants induce some degree of local tissue inflammatory response, and carry the risk of immediate or delayed implant extrusion. Methods This paper describes a novel approach for medialisation thyroplasty. Specifically, it utilises a ribbon of autologous tensor fascia lata harvested at the time of surgery. This is layered within the paraglottic space in a manner similar to Gore-Tex thyroplasty. Results Thus far, this method has been accomplished in two patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis, who also received prior radiotherapy to the head and neck. Conclusion Given the increased risk of post-operative wound breakdown and infection in irradiated patients, it is suggested that this new approach will lead to improved outcomes, and a decrease in complications such as extrusion or wound infection, particularly in this patient population.
The Cambridge Introduction to the Novel: Origins of the novel

The story of the novel's emergence can be told differently depending on what you think a novel actually is. And depending on how you define the novel, you could attribute its emergence to the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern empire of the ancient Greeks or to England over a millennium and a half later. So the divergence is enormous, both geographically and temporally: on the one hand, the novel is the product of a culturally hybrid classical antiquity, and, on the other, the outcome of Britain's transition into a capitalist modernity. This chapter surveys some very different accounts of the origins of the novel, and it turns in closing to a follow-up question: why do we want to be able to pinpoint when, where, and how the novel emerged? Dates and definitions “This book is the revelation of a very well-kept secret,” Margaret Anne Doody writes in the opening line of The True Story of the Novel (1996): “that the Novel as a form of literature in the West has a continuous history of about two thousand years.” Doody goes on to offer a history of prose narrative which suggests that the novel is as old as Western civilization itself, beginning with ancient Greek fictions written around the time of Christ, among them those works that Bakhtin had considered when he sought to distinguish the irreverent novel from the stately classical epic. But are these all really novels ?
Immigration Policies and Social Determinants of Health: Is Immigrants’ Health at Risk?

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of immigration legislation on Latino immigrants within the social determinants of health framework to understand the impact of such legislation on the immigrant’s health. While the socio-political climate in California is geared towards more pro-integration immigration policies, findings indicate that immigrants still experiences poor treatment in the form of microaggressions, horizontal discrimination, and institutional discrimination. This poor treatment may be an indication of residual anti-immigrant sentiment that remains in the state as well as a spillover effect from the anti-immigrant legislation being passed in neighboring states or national rhetoric. The findings overlap with four domains of the social determinants of health framework including economic stability, education, health and access to care, and social and community context. Implications for practice, policy and research are discussed.
Analytical Methods | DNA-Based Assays

With the advent of molecular-based methods to detect the presence of microbial pathogens, technologies such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) have revolutionized the field of food microbiology in ensuring that food products are pathogen free. In addition, these tests can also be applied to strain-specific identification, thus serving as an important tool for differentiating and identifying strains used in food production and as probiotics. The basis of these methods is the amplification of select sites in either DNA or RNA molecules such that the level of sensitivity is as low as one microbial cell or virus particle. Since the first days that PCR was rolled out and its potential as a powerful tool for microbial diagnostics was recognized, improvements in its chemistry and the machines that perform these reactions have been impressive. Real-time PCR, which enables concurrent amplification of nucleic acid target sites and the data readout indicating the status of the reaction, has reduced the time of analysis from 2–4 h to less than 1 h. Improvements in this technology have such potential that the detection and identification of all known microbial pathogens can be accomplished in one reaction. Many different types of molecular-based assays are described in this article.
Adolescent pregnancy: implications for prevention strategies in educational settings.

Over 1 million teenagers become pregnant each year in the U.S. The most alarming increases have occurred among adolescents who are younger than 15 years of age. Variables strongly associated with teen pregnancy include minority status low socioeconomic status low academic achievement and occupational aspirations and growing up in a single- parent household. A majority of teenage pregnancies are unintended and pregnancy is the largest contributor to school dropout rate for U.S. adolescent females. During pregnancy adolescent mothers suffer higher rates of health complications and after childbirth they receive less education have more children and are more likely to be dependent on welfare. Psychologists employed in educational settings are in a unique position to be involved in adolescent pregnancy prevention efforts and schools are increasingly considered to be appropriate environments for this purpose. Progressive school-based family planning programs have been established by the St. Paul/Ramsey Medical Center in St. Paul Minnesota and by the Johns Hopkins University Medical Center in Baltimore Maryland. Both programs emphasize the distribution of contraceptives. An increasing number of school programs focus their efforts on helping adolescents become more responsible in their approach to sexual relationships though they do not distribute contraceptives. A number of innovative community-based programs have also been formed that utilize multiple strategies to provide positive alternatives to pregnancy. Before setting up teen pregnancy prevention programs school psychologists should try to learn from the lessons offered by established programs. They should also consult with teachers administrators students and parents and they should decide what instructional approaches are appropriate for their own situations.
A Long-Term Follow-Up Study of Former Dental School Teaching Assistants: Are They Teaching After Graduation?

There has been growth in teaching opportunities for dental students over the past two decades, but little research on whether these experiences have led to actual positions in academia. The aims of this study were to determine whether former teaching assistants at New York University College of Dentistry continued in dental academia after graduation or intended to teach during their careers and to assess their reasons for or for not teaching. Of the 294 former teaching assistants who taught their peers from 2003 to 2014, 106 responded to a survey, for a response rate of 36%. Of the respondents, 28% reported having teaching appointments, with 7% (n=8) having full-time teaching appointments and 21% (n=22) having part-time teaching appointments in a dental school or hospital-based program at some point after graduation. The most common reasons given for teaching were “intellectual stimulation” and “enjoyment” followed by “interactions with students.” The most reported reason for not teaching was “student loan debt,” followed by “too busy building private practice,” “limited teaching opportunities in area,” and “family commitments.” Significantly, 95% of these former teaching assistants either taught or intended to teach during their careers, and they were six times less likely to rule out future teaching than dental school seniors in national surveys. These findings suggest that participating in teaching opportunities in dental school plants the seed for future teaching. More follow-up studies should be undertaken to see which types of teaching assistant programs are more successful in creating long-term teaching commitments.
Sulfamides direct radical-mediated chlorination of aliphatic C–H bonds

Given the prevalence of aliphatic amines in bioactive small molecules, amine derivatives are opportune as directing groups. Herein, sulfamides serve as amine surrogates to guide intermolecular chlorine-transfer at γ-C(sp3) centers. This unusual position-selectivity arises because accessed sulfamidyl radical intermediates engage preferentially in otherwise rare 1,6-hydrogen-atom transfer (HAT) processes through seven-membered transition states. The site-selectivity of C–H abstraction can be modulated by adjusting the steric and electronic properties of the sulfamide nitrogen substituents, an ability that has not been demonstrated with other substrate classes. The disclosed reaction relies on a light-initiated radical chain-propagation mechanism to oxidize C(sp3)–H bonds efficiently.
Antipsychotics for Treatment of Adolescent Onset Schizophrenia: a Review

Schizophrenia is a leading cause of disease burden in youth and can significantly impair an adolescent’s peer and familial relationships and academic functioning. Therefore, safe and effective treatments are needed. This article reviews the pharmacological treatment of adolescents with schizophrenia, when possible, with a focus on the past five years of research. There are relatively few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and head-to-head trials informing selection of a medication in pediatric schizophrenia. However, recent literature focusing on the efficacy and tolerability of atypical antipsychotics has led to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of multiple agents, specifically risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, aripiprazole, paliperidone, and lurasidone, for the treatment of pediatric schizophrenia. Asenapine has also been studied in a large RCT within the past five years, but participants randomized to asenapine treatment did not do statistically significantly better than those assigned to receive placebo. Comparison RCTs on clozapine have indicated benefit in treatment-resistant pediatric schizophrenia, but at the cost of significant side effect burden. Common adverse events with atypical antipsychotics include weight gain, akathisia, hyperprolactinemia, and somnolence. Atypical antipsychotics remain first-line treatment for children and adolescents with early onset schizophrenia. However, further study is required to develop more effective and better tolerated treatment options, and in addition to pharmacologic management, current guidelines recommend combination treatment with psychotherapy and psychoeducation.
P795 Prevalence and etiology of post-azithromycin persistent non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) symptoms in men

Background Persistent NGU occurs when symptoms persist after empiric NGU treatment and has been associated with Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) infection. The prevalence and etiology of persistent NGU in men remains largely unknown. Methods Within the Idiopathic Urethritis Men’s Project cohort study, we recruited men with NGU. NGU was diagnosed by the presence of urethritis signs and/or symptoms and urethral Gram stain with ≥5 PMN/HPF. Men were treated with 1 gm azithromycin and returned for a 1-month test-of-cure visit. At the test-of-cure visit, men were asked about post-treatment symptom outcomes and partner treatment. A first-catch urine specimen was obtained at both visits for five-pathogen testing for Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG),Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), MG, Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), and Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU). NG-positive cases were excluded and five-pathogen-negative cases were classified as idiopathic urethritis (IU). Post-treatment symptom outcomes were: (1) resolved, (2) resolved then recurred, or (3) persisted unchanged. Results One hundred twenty-four men are included in this study. The median age was 28, 52% were African American, and 86% self-identified as heterosexual. All men reported urethral symptoms and 98% had a discharge on exam at baseline. Symptoms resolved completely in 91 (73%) men. Symptoms resolved then recurred or persisted unchanged in 12 (10%) and 21 (17%) men, respectively. Excluding men with untreated partners (N = 9, 28%), a different pathogen was identified in 5 (50%) and 4 (25%) men with recurrent and persistent symptoms, respectively. In men with the same pathogen identified (N = 15), 53% were IU, 33% were MG, 7% were CT, and 7% were UU. Conclusion Persistent NGU occurs in approximately 25% of azithromycin-treated men and is related to a new infection in up to 50% of cases. In men with persistent symptoms and the same infection identified at the test-of-cure visit, MG and IU comprised 86% of cases, which suggests that MG and IU-associated organisms may be resistant to azithromycin. Disclosure No significant relationships.
A Shock Wave Instability Induced on a Periodically Disturbed Interface With Plasma

The shock wave instability induced when interacting with a small waviness on an interface with plasma was investigated analytically and numerically. The perturbation to the shock was phenomenologically treated assuming this as the consequence of the shock refraction. The instability develops in the form of wave-like stretchings into lower density plasma followed with the loss of stability in the flow behind it, and eventually evolving into an intense vortex structure. The instability mode is aperiodical and unconditional, and either a transition to another stable state or continuous development as a secondary flow is possible. Among other interesting features are: a similarity law in the spatial and temporal evolution of the perturbations with respect to the interface curvature; the instability locus independence of the gas density distribution, thus identifying the interface conditions as the sole triggering factor; the role of the density gradient in the instability evolution discriminating between qualitatively different outcomes; and the possibility of decay via nonviscous damping mechanisms. The phenomenological connection between the shock’s and the interface stability is discussed.
The Individual Mandate as Healthcare Regulation: What the Obama Administration Should Have Said in NFIB v. Sebelius

There was an argument that the Obama Administration's lawyers could have made—but didn't—in defending Obamacare's individual mandate against constitutional attack. That argument would have highligh...
Patients' Perceptions of Resident Surgeon Involvement in Otolaryngology.

OBJECTIVES To assess patient acceptance of resident involvement in otolaryngologic procedures and to evaluate the impact of a written preoperative educational pamphlet. STUDY DESIGN Prospective cohort study. METHODS This is a prospective survey study at a large tertiary care academic center. In addition to standard perioperative instructions and informed consent, 87 out of 183 patients received a pamphlet with information on the role of the otolaryngology resident. RESULTS Greater than 90% of all patients surveyed recognized that resident physicians are directly involved in delivering care at teaching hospitals and may have assisted in their surgical procedure. Ninety percent of patients receiving educational pamphlets were aware residents may have performed portions of their procedure versus 71% in the control group (P = .001). Ninety-seven percent of patients receiving pamphlets wanted to know how much of their procedure was performed by a resident versus 71% of the control group (P < .001), and patients undergoing single-surgeon procedures were less likely to want to know how much was performed by a resident (P < .05). Ninety-six percent in the pamphlet group agreed that residents improved the quality of their care versus 79% of the control group (P = .001). DISCUSSION Resident surgeons are well received by the large majority of otolaryngology patients. Structured perioperative information regarding surgical training facilitates an honest and open informed consent discussion between the patient and surgeon and helps to establish a solid foundation of trust. CONCLUSION Implementation of this practice is simple and inexpensive. It should be considered for any clinical practice with a focus on surgical education. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4 Laryngoscope, 131:2448-2454, 2021.
A soft-switching non-inverting buck-boost converter

Non-inverting buck-boost converter is a classical topology that can provide wide range of voltage conversion and bidirectional power transfer; thus, it is frequently used in industrial applications. However, the conventional hard-switching configuration can only reach a high voltage conversion ratio at the expense of low efficiency due to switching loss. In this paper, a soft switching non-inverting buck-boost converter is proposed. This converter uses a small film capacitor in parallel with the link inductor to provide zero voltage switching (ZVS) by allowing the link capacitor and link inductor resonate between power transfer states. This paper presents the principles of the operation of this converter and verifies its performance through simulation and experiment.
Early-life exposure to toxic and nutrient elements in relation to the infant microbiome as a possible mediator or modifier of autism-related social behaviors

Background/Aim: In our previous analysis in the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study, we identified associations between nutrient-toxic element mixtures and the early-life microbiome. The role of nutri...
Country image and satire in sport management: analyzing America through sports in South Park

Since the 1990s, the animated political satire South Park (SP) has received ample media and scholarship critiques for the way it portrays the United States. The research question this study address...
La reparación por violaciones a derechos fundamentales: ¿es necesario un reconocimiento constitucional expreso? Una mirada desde la reparación del daño en la responsabilidad civil

In the midst of the debate regarding the new Chilean Constitution, this paper goes through the consequences of an eventual incorporation of a norm of constitutional rank in our law that, to a greater or lesser extent, establishes the duty of reparation in the event of a violation of human rights, similar to other Latin American Constitutions; in particular we will analyze the topic of damage repair. The reason behind looking through the different modes that damage repairing for human rights violation takes, is to demonstrate that the law of liability and the standards of human rights law can complement each other, especially in the case that the state or its agents are the culprits of those violations.
Effects of Humic and Fulvic Acids on Silver Nanoparticle Stability, Dissolution, and Toxicity.

The colloidal stability of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in natural aquatic environments influences their transport and environmental persistence, while their dissolution to Ag+ influences their toxicity to organisms. Here, we characterize the colloidal stability, dissolution behavior, and toxicity of two industrially relevant classes of AgNPs (i.e., AgNPs stabilized by citrate or polyvinylpyrrolidone) after exposure to natural organic matter (NOM, i.e., Suwannee River Humic and Fulvic Acid Standards and Pony Lake Fulvic Acid Reference). We show that NOM interaction with the nanoparticle surface depends on (i) the NOM’s chemical composition, where sulfur- and nitrogen-rich NOM more significantly increases colloidal stability, and (ii) the affinity of the capping agent for the AgNP surface, where nanoparticles with loosely bound capping agents are more effectively stabilized by NOM. Adsorption of NOM is shown to have little effect on AgNP dissolution under most experimental conditions, the exception being w...
Research on Marketing Semiotics: In Search of the Appropriate Research Methodology

In relatively affluent societies, consumer activity has moved beyond basic survival-orientation. These consumers seek the fulfillment of more abstract, higher-order needs through the meaning ascribed to the activity (Burns 1989). Levy suggested that “people buy products not only for what they can do, but also for what they mean” (1959, p. 118). The ascription of meaning to such domains as consumer activity falls within the realm of semiotics. Unfortunately, the inconsistency of the meaning ascribed to products and activities across individuals and over time, and the confusion over the appropriate research paradigm(s) for understanding semiotics, have hampered research efforts in this area (Levy 1971). Also, the abstract nature of the subject has hindered semiotic research (Mick 1986). By examining the objectivist and subjectivist approaches to the study of semiotics, this paper addresses the issue of determining the appropriate paradigm(s) for researching semiotics in marketing.
Delightful, delovely and exterenalist

Se han desarrollado tres argumentos principales para apoyar un modelo externalista de justificacion y de conocimiento epistemico. El primer argumento nos pide nombrar nuevamente los origenes de modelos internalistas y nos recuerda que el trabajo contemporaneo sobre ciencia cognitiva y epistemologia naturalizada esta relacionado con estos textos. Un segundo argumento senala deficiencias en el analisis del externalismo en la obra de Bonjour y tambien se refiere al trabajo de Goldman. El tercer argumento trata el concepto de Kornblith que se refiere a que estamos condicionados para la adquisicion de conocimientos de diversas maneras que comprenden procesos inconscientes y no susceptibles de explicaciones en primera persona. Se concluye que las criticas de los internalistas sobre los externalistas no logran superar las dificultades de la posicion internalista y tampoco superan la capacidad comparativa del punto de vista externalista.[Traduccion: Gisela Hummell N.]
The Lay of the Land

The coloniality of being and knowledge has material consequences in marginalized students’ lives, no matter their discipline. Every day they spend on a predominantly white, middle-class campus brings challenges for first-generation or working-class students, and students of color.
Effect of varied amounts of PBS and time before application of PBS on the ACE for detection of calves persistently infected with bovine viral diarrhea virus.

The identification and removal of persistently infected (PI) animals from a production system is a key component to controlling BVD. In order to achieve this, a reliable method of testing for PI animals must be used. Ear notching is a common and easy way to obtain diagnostic samples in a relatively non-invasive manner. Previously these tissue samples were examined by immunohistochemistry for the presence of the BVD virus in the epithelium. Recently, advancements have been made that allows the testing of a phosphate buffered saline ear notch extract by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). This technique of detecting BVD infected animals is much more rapid than the conventional IHC testing. Additionally, ELISA testing methods do not require the level of specialized equipment or number of personnel that other methods such as ear-notch immunohistochemistry or polymerase chain reaction require, and readily adapt themselves to automation.
Determination of Coordinates for the Orroral Lunar Ranging Station

Using models of the Earth-Moon system developed from analysis of 10 years of laser ranging observations from the McDonald Observatory, we have analyzed observations obtained by the Orroral Lunar Ranging Station since April 1978. Normal point residuals from many of the observations performed before April 1980 using a 20 ns, multiple-mode laser pulse are discreetly spaced, as multiples of 6 ns, and may have been corrupted by variations in pulse shape. Further evaluation is required before these observations are used in scientific analyses. Observations performed during the MERIT Short Campaign (August — October 1980) using a 6 ns, single-mode pulse are apparently reliable. Using 27 single photoelectron events, obtained on 7 nights during this period, we have estimated the coordinates of Orroral, with respect to McDonald, with uncertainties of 1–2 m in cylindrical radius and longitude and 5–10 m in z-axis distance.
Micro- and Nano-Technologies for Automotive Sensor Research

Current and future research directions for micro- and nano-technologies applicable to the automotive sensor market are presented. Micro- and nano- based sensors are inherently small with high bandwidth and incredible sensitivity potential and can therefore used to measure the desired data directly (eg. force from road on wheel at wheel bearing) rather than inferring data by indirect measurement and data table lookup. The key to leveraging the capabilities of micro- and nano-systems is to control the interface between the microsystem and vehicle component, and/or the nanoscale device and the microscale packaging. The former interface is primarily responsible for device performance and the latter for processing and integration cost. To demonstrate these points, a number of micro- and nano-sensors, currently in development, are described and reviewed. To examine the influence of the interface between micro- and macroscale systems, a high sensitivity and bandwidth resonant strain sensor mounted to steel components is examined. To exemplify the interface between microscale physical (e.g. temperature, acceleration, pressure, strain) and chemical sensors (e.g. oxygen and hydrogen) and their environment are examined. Lastly, nanowire and nanotube sensors fabricated using a new, room temperature fabrication method that leverages microscale devices and enables the nanowires and nanotubes to be fabricated directly on CMOS chips will be discussed. These sensors, and others, promise to revolutionize the automotive sensor market and will make possible a new generation of extremely safe, high performance automobile systems.
NMR Probes for Small Sample Volumes

The progression toward small sample volumes for use in high-resolution liquids NMR, solid-state NMR, and MR microimaging is outlined, with an emphasis on the design issues pertinent to scaling sample volumes down to microliters or nanoliters. Distinct advantages of the use of very small sample volumes are mass sensitivity, RF field strength, and MAS spinning speeds. Keywords: microprobes; microcoils; probe technology
The senses of terrorism

This articles exposes the methodological errors involved in attempting to operationalize or value-neutralize the concept of 'terrorism.' It defends, instead, an effects-based approach to the taxonomy of 'terrorism' that builds out from a central conceptual connection between the term's negative connotation and a widely shared moral presumption against the killing of innocent non-combatants. Although this approach to the core meaning of 'terrorism' is far from value-neutral, it has a number of virtues to recommend it. First, it has the political virtue of even-handedness in the way it enables competing appraisals of asymmetric conflicts. Second, it is has the ethical virtue of being flexible enough to accommodate nuanced appraisals of various modes and degrees of terrorist violence. And third, it has the empirical virtue of being useful for purposes of rigorous social scientific research.
Formation of the Elements

This chapter discusses how elements were formed and why their abundances are heavily skewed toward the lighter elements. There are more than 100 known elements. The vast majority of matter in the universe is composed of just two: hydrogen and helium. Prior to the Big Bang, it seems likely that all substance was confined to a point source containing an incredible amount of energy. The hydrogen and helium atoms produced in the early stages of the expanding universe eventually coalesced into loosely knit nebulas that condensed further to form stars and ultimately, clusters of stars formed galaxies. There is a host of unstable elementary particles that were first detected among the cosmic rays and subsequently produced with particle accelerators. They are very short lived and decay into stable elementary particles in fractions of seconds following their production. These include quarks from which protons and neutrons are composed. Gravitational forces account for the universal attraction that material objects have for one another. Electromagnetic forces account for all known chemical reactions and most reactions between light and matter. The first phase of element creation began with the Big Bang. Cosmologists have speculated that prior to the Big Bang, the universe was massless with all the energy concentrated at a point. Reactions involving hydrogen and helium nuclei required a concentration of mass and energy that could only be achieved within the cores of stars.
Real-World Patterns of Care for the Overactive Bladder Syndrome in the United States.

Objective To examine the “real-world” overactive bladder (OAB) practice patterns using national data in the United States. Materials and Methods The Humedica EHR database was queried. This database consists of de-identified patient records from a network of organizations treating approximately over 30 million patients across states in the United States. The entire study period was from July 1, 2008, to September 30, 2013. Patients with a diagnosis of OAB between July 1, 2009, and June 30, 2012 were included and followed. Patient comorbidities, demographics, diagnostic testing, and medication usage were analyzed. Results Of 19,309,600 subjects enrolled during the study period, 46,648 adults had a diagnosis of OAB, with follow-up of at least 6 months, and met the inclusion criteria. There were 35,315 women and 11,333 men. Compared with women, men with OAB were more likely to undergo post-void residual measurement (32% vs 22%) and diagnostic cystoscopy (10% vs 7%). Women were more likely than men to undergo urodynamics (7% vs 3%). Overall, 34% of women and 19% of men diagnosed with OAB were prescribed medication. Conclusion Few patients with OAB underwent invasive diagnostic testing. Anticholinergic medication was prescribed to a minority of patients diagnosed with OAB, indicating possible underuse of a potentially effective therapy. Men were less likely than women to receive medical therapy, despite the fact that OAB is common in both sexes.
The State of Population Health Surveillance Using Electronic Health Records: A Narrative Review

Abstract Electronic health records (EHRs) are transforming the practice of clinical medicine, but the extent to which they are being harnessed to advance public health goals remains uncertain. Data extracted from integrated EHR networks offer the potential for almost real-time determination of the health status of populations in care, for targeting interventions to vulnerable populations, and for monitoring the impact of such initiatives over time. This is especially true in ambulatory care settings, which are uniquely suited for monitoring population health indicators including risk factors and disease management indicators associated with chronic diseases. As efforts gather steam to integrate health data across delivery systems, large networks of electronic patient information are increasingly emerging. Few of the national population health surveillance systems that rely on EHR data have progressed beyond laying groundwork to launch and maintain EHR-based surveillance, but a limited number of more focus...
Role of the levator palpebrae superioris (LPS) muscle in effecting nictitating membrane movement in the rabbit.

Abstract Examination of the origin and course of the muscle fibers attached to the nictitating membrane (NM) of the rabbit demonstrated that these muscle fibers constitute part of the nasal branch of the levator palpebrae superioris (LPS) muscle. Other fibers of the nasal branch of the LPS muscle were observed to terminate in the nasal half of the upper eyelid. No further anatomical division of the nasal LPS into distinct eyelid and NM branches was observable by dissection. Contraction of the fibers inserting in the NM, produced by direct electrical stimulation, resulted in movement of the extended membrane towards its resting position in the corner of the eye. The observed anatomical relationships demonstrate in part that functional control of NM movement is structurally linked to control of upper eyelid elevation in this species. The origin and distribution of fibers inserting in the NM, and the effects of contraction of the muscle fibers on movement of the NM, indicate that contraction of these fibers could both oppose extension of the NM and/or initiate or contribute to retraction of the membrane following extension. Because of their position and the direction of NM movement caused by their contraction, these muscle fibers cannot actively cause or contribute to extension of the NM. Therefore, it is suggested that the LPS has a role in effecting movement of the rabbit NM by actively contributing to its retraction or reopening.
Ratio of positron emission tomography uptake to tumor size in surgically resected non-small cell lung cancer.

Background In patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), previous studies have shown a prognostic benefit of maximum standardized uptake (SUV max ) values on positron emission tomography (PET). Because tumor size is also prognostic and is associated with SUV max , we sought to better characterize their relationship. We hypothesize that the ratio of SUV max to tumor size is a clinically useful measurement. Methods A retrospective review was performed for patients (tumors ≥ 1 cm) undergoing resection of NSCLC. Patients were placed into quartiles (SUV max and SUV max to tumor size ratio) and compared for clinical and pathologic factors. Predictors of SUV max and SUV max to tumor size ratio on survival were evaluated. Results Among 530 patients, increasing tumor size (odds ratio [OR], 2.04; confidence interval [CI], 1.68–2.47; p max . Patients in quartiles by the ratio of SUV max to tumor size demonstrated no significant difference in median tumor size. Those patients with the highest ratios (QR4, 3.21–27.5) more frequently had poorly differentiated tumors (51%; p p p = 0.013). On multivariate analysis, as a continuous variable SUV max to tumor size ratio was a stronger independent predictor of survival than SUV max alone (hazard ratio [HR], 1.06; CI, 1.00–1.13 versus HR, 1.02; CI, 0.99–1.06). Using cutpoint analysis, a high SUV max to tumor size ratio was also a stronger predictor of survival than was high SUV max alone, particularly for tumors 1–3 cm (HR, 1.53; CI, 0.93–2.53 versus HR, 1.15; CI, 0.69–1.93). Conclusions The ratio of SUV max to tumor size may be a more important indicator of prognosis than SUV max alone in patients with NSCLC. In particular, the use of the ratio may be appropriate for identifying patients with small tumors who are at high risk for lymph node metastases and poor survival.
A scaling theory for linear systems

In this paper we develop a theory of scaling for rational (transfer) functions in terms of transformation groups. In particular, we identify two different four-parameter scaling groups which play natural roles in studying linear systems and investigate the effect of scaling on Fisher information and related statistical measures in system identification. The scalings considered include change of time scale, feedback, exponential scaling, magnitude scaling, etc. The scaling action of the groups studied in this paper is tied to the geometry of transfer functions in a rather strong way as becomes apparent in our examination of the invariants of scaling. As a result, the scaling process also provides new insight into the parameterization question for rational functions.
Valuing solid biomass fuels for heat: thermodynamic and environmental considerations relative to liquid fuels

US federal energy policy strongly supports the use of biomass for conversion into liquid fuels for transportation. Although these biofuels can effectively reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and have other benefits, there are other possible and sustainable uses for biomass. Pursuing biomass heating options can displace more fossil fuels and reduce more GHGs than cellulosic ethanol. Utilizing solid biomass for fuels however, requires high-efficiency and clean-burning systems to minimize particulate matter and particulate-forming emissions. These types of heating systems and policies to promote biomass heating are available in Europe. It is time that these technologies are imported to the USA, and time it is recognized that regional biomass resources must be matched with regional energy needs to meet both heating and transportation needs.
Respiratory muscle coordination in acute spinal dogs

Abstract Our objectives were (1) to test whether respiratory muscles of spinal dogs can generate the alternating pattern of activation seen in intact animals and (2) to characterize the responsiveness of spinal rhythms to mechanical ventilation. We recorded the electromyographic activities of inspiratory muscles (diaphragm and parasternal intercostals) and expiratory muscles (triangularis sterni and transversus abdominis) in ten anesthetized dogs before and after transection of the cervical cord at levels C1–C2 (n = 2), C2–C3 (n = 6), and C8 (n = 2). In 9 10 dogs, we observed short lasting (3–4 min) rhythmic ventilatory muscle activity for up to 3 h after transection. Inspiratory and expiratory muscles contracted simultaneously, suggesting an absence of mechanism(s) responsible for reciprocal muscle activation on a spinal level. Five of ten dogs showed tonic rib cage activity during apnea that was phasically modulated during mechanical ventilation. From the absence of alternating inspiratory and expiratory muscle activity in acute spinalized dogs, we conclude that dogs do not have a spinal pattern generator for respiration.
Abstract 3165: Docosahexaenoic acid attenuates survival and progression in subtype-specific breast cancer by modifying Myc activity

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Overexpression of Myc in breast cancer is associated with poor prognosis and has a unique profile distribution among subtypes. Myc overexpression has been shown to be greatest in basal-like tumors, ∼50%, and least in luminal Her2-overexpressing tumors, ∼9%. Previous studies from our laboratory have identified a relationship between docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6 n-3) treatment and Myc activity and the effect seems to be specific to the breast cancer subtype and Myc overexpression profile, but is still unclear. In the current study, we investigated the effect of DHA on tumor growth, survival, and invasion in a high Myc expressing cell line, basal-like MDA-MB-231, and a low Myc expressing cell line, luminal Her2-overexpressing BT-474, in vitro. Basal expression analysis confirmed Myc overexpression levels in each cell line. While DHA treatment in the basal-like MDA-MB-231 cells significantly decreased Myc transcriptional activity and p-T58/S62-c-Myc phosphorylation status, the opposite response was observed with DHA treatment in the BT-474 luminal Her2-overexpressing cells, significantly enhancing Myc transcriptional activity and phosphorylation status. Although different responses in Myc activity existed between the two subtype-specific breast cancers, cell viability and apoptosis assays produced similar findings, revealing decreased cellular viability and increased early and late-apoptotic cellular status in response to DHA treatment. Additionally, dramatic decreases in wound healing and invasion index were observed in both cell lines with DHA supplementation compared to control treatments. Myc siRNA treatment rescued BT-474 cells from DHA treatment, confirming that DHA-induced alterations in apoptosis and invasion were initiated by Myc modification. Moreover, Myc knockdown in the MDA-MB-231 cell line displayed results similar to DHA treatment, consistent with our hypothesis that Myc activity is responsible for cellular survival and progression in subtype specific breast cancer. These results show that DHA is applying some of its anti-cancer effects by modifying Myc activity, inducing apoptosis and decreasing invasion in breast cancer, revealing new dietary targets that may enhance current therapeutics. Citation Format: Michael Mouradian, Palvinder K. Bains, Amy M. Chattin, Ronald S. Pardini. Docosahexaenoic acid attenuates survival and progression in subtype-specific breast cancer by modifying Myc activity. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3165. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3165
A novel regulatory mechanism based upon a dynamic core structure for the mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase complex

The Arabidopsis thaliana genome includes three genes for mitochondrial dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase, the E2-component of the mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC). Two genes encode E2-proteins with a single lipoyl domain, while the third has a two-lipoyl domain structure. Transcripts for each E2 protein were expressed in all plant organs. Each recombinant AtmtE2 can individually form an icosahedral PDC core structure, and results from bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays are consistent with formation of hetero-core structures from all permutations of the AtmtE2 proteins. We propose a unique regulatory mechanism involving dynamic formation of hetero-core complexes that include both mono- and di-lipoyl forms of AtmtE2.
Olanzapine treatment for tardive dyskinesia in schizophrenia patients: a prospective clinical trial with patients randomized to blinded dose reduction periods

Background: Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a potentially persistent and disabling abnormal involuntary movement disorder. The aim of this 8-month study was to determine if olanzapine treatment could lead to a significant and persistent reduction in preexisting TD. Methods: Eligible schizophrenia patients met restricted Research Diagnosis criteria of TD requiring, in part, a rating of at least moderate severity (score≥3) in one or more of seven body regions on the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS). Patients received olanzapine, 5–20 mg/day, for 8 months. During this period, they underwent one to two dose reduction periods under blinded conditions. Concurrent changes in TD, psychopathology, parkinsonism and akathisia were assessed with the AIMS, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and the Simpson-Angus and Barnes Akathisia Scales, respectively. Results: A significant reduction in mean AIMS total score was demonstrated at endpoint (n=92; p<0.001) as well as at each visit (p<0.001) and as early as Week 1 on olanzapine. Approximately 70% of patients no longer met the restricted Research Diagnostic criteria for persistent TD (RD-TD) after 8 months of treatment. No statistically significant rebound worsening of TD was found during either blinded drug reduction period. Significant improvement in psychopathology (p=0.001) and parkinsonism (p<0.001) was observed. Conclusions: Improvement in the severity of preexisting TD was achieved with olanzapine and persisted throughout the 8-month study and during each dose reduction period. Overall improvement in clinical status suggests that olanzapine may be effective for the long-term management of schizophrenia patients with preexisting TD.
A novel γ subunit of the GABAA receptor identified using the polymerase chain reaction

Abstract We have utilized a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) strategy to identify a novel subunit, γ3, of the GABA A receptor. The γ3 cDNA encodes a mature protein of 450 amino acids that contains structural features typically conserved among subunits of the GABA A receptor family. The γ3 subunit shares approximately 66% sequence identity with the γ2 subunit but only 38% and 29% with α1 and β1 subunits, respectively. Localization of the γ3 mRNA indicates that it is widely distributed throughout the mouse brain in a pattern similar to that observed for mRNAs encoding the γ2 subunits.
Multiple comparisons with a control in repeated measures incomplete block designs using R-estimators

New multiple comparison with a control (MCC) procedures are developed in repeated measures incomplete block design settings based on R-estimates. It is assumed that the errors within each subject are exchangeable random variables. The R-estimators of the treatment effects are obtained by minimizing a sum of Jaeckel (1972)-type dispersion functions. Based on the R-estimators, Dunnett-type multiple comparison procedures are developed for comparing test-treatments with a control-treatment. Under exchangeable errors, it is demonstrated that for Cox-type designs, the new procedures are more efficient than the existing nonparametric procedures. The new MCC procedures are applied to a data set in a clinical trial which consists of patients with reversible obstructive pulmonary disease.
Buffalo movements and accessibility to a community of hunters in Zambia

Summary This paper describes the strategies for hunting and use of cape buffalo by hunters in the central Luangwa Valley of Zambia. Reduced in numbers by a severe epizootic at the close of the nineteenth century, buffalo have only become plentiful within the last 15 years. Currently this species comprises 39% of hunter kills. Hunters recognize three groupings of buffalo each with its own behaviour and movements. Conditional probability statements, based upon buffalo movements on a 60-km2 area and information on buffalo-hunter interactions observed for 3 consecutive months during 1973, indicate that the likelihood of hunters on a given day killing a buffalo is nine chances in one hundred. Given this daily probability value, these hunters are estimated to kill thirty-three buffalo yearly. Subsistence hunters, whose weapon is primarily the muzzle-loading gun, take mainly bulls, while others, who use modern rifles and shotguns and often market their kills, take cows in addition to bulls. Resume Cette etude decrit la perception et les stratagemes employes pour chaser le buffle du Cap par des chasseurs de la Vallee Luangwa au centre de la Zambie. Le nombre des buffles etait reduit par une maladie epizootique sevkre a la fin du XIXe siecle et ce nombre ne s'augmente que depuis quinze ans. Maintenant cette espece comprend 39% de gibier tue par ces chasseurs. 11s reconnaissent trois groupes de buffle, chacun avec ses propres deplacements et facons d'agir. Les rapports de probabilite conditionnelle bases sur les deplacements des buffles dans une region de 60 km2 et sur les faits observes des rencontres entre buffle et chasseur dans une periode de trois mois de suite en 1973 indiquent que la probabilite qu'un chasseur tue un buffle estneuf sur cent. Etant donne cette valeur de probabilite quotidienne, on calcule que ces chasseurs tuent 33 buffles par an. Les chasseurs pour qui le buffle est un moyen de subsistance et qui emploient principalement un fusil qui se charge a la bouche prennent le plus souvent des mâles tandis que les autres chasseurs qui emploient des fusils de chasse modernes et qui vendent quelquefois leur prise prennent des femelles ainsi que des mâles.