cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ch’i and Artistic Expression: An East Asian Worldview that Fits the Creative Process Everywhere

Creative Arts Educ Ther (2016) 2(2):12–20DOI: 10.15534/CAET/2016/2/6 Ch’i and Artistic Expression: An East Asian Worldview that Fits the Creative Process Everywhere “气”和艺术性表达：契合所有创造性过程的东亚世界观 Shaun McNiff Lesley University, USA Abstract In the tradition of ch’i (气), past and present, we have a paradigm that accurately corresponds with how artistic expression happens and heals through the circulation and transformation of creative energy. It is a thoroughly empirical approach to forces inherent in all of nature which include physical and psychic elements of creative action. Beginning with reflections on the qualities of ch’i and how it has been interpreted in the West, this article explores its presence and cultivation. The historic Taoist and Confucian emphasis on nurturing ch’i as a personal way of participating in the more comprehensive creative processes of nature offers a timely practical and conceptual model for how art heals. 摘要 在“气”的自古至今的传统中，我们有一个范式精确地回应艺术表现如何通过创造性能量的循环和转变进而发生并进行疗愈的。它是一种对所有自然固有力量彻底的实证方法，包括创造性行为的身体和心理上的因素。从对“气”的质地及其在西方的解释的反思开始，本文探讨了它的存在和发展。历史上的道教和儒家强调培养“气”作为更为全面地参与自然创造过程的个人方式，为艺术如何疗愈提供了及时的实用性和概念性模型。
Nitro-Bid® (Marion)

Nitroglycerin is the prototype antianginal drug. It relaxes arterial and venous smooth muscle including the large coronary arteries. The mechanism of its antianginal effect is complicated and is only partly explained by its coronary vasodilating action. More likely its effectiveness in the typical angina patient is due to reduction in myocardial oxygen demand secondary to reduction of cardiac preload and afterload which results in reduced cardiac output and ventricular wall stress.
8 – The Covalent Bond

One can philosophize indefinitely about matters of this kind, but in practice one is limited by circumstance…
Utilization of beef from different cattle phenotypes to produce a guaranteed tender beef product.

Cattle (n = 303) were visually selected from four feed yards to represent six phenotypes (English [EN; n = 50], 3/4 English-1/4 Brahman [ENB; n = 52], 1/2 English-1/2 Exotic [ENEX; n = 56], 1/2 English-1/4 Exotic-1/4 Brahman [ENEXB; n = 47], 3/4 Exotic-1/4 Brahman [EXB; n = 49], and 1/2 Exotic-1/4 English-1/4 Brahman [EXENB; n = 49]). Carcasses were processed at a commercial beef packing facility, and strip loins were collected after 48-h chilling. Strip loins were aged for 14 d at 2 degrees C and frozen at -20 degrees C for 3 to 5 d before three 2.5-cm-thick steaks were cut for Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) determinations and sensory evaluations. Phenotype EN had the highest (P 0.05) were found among phenotypes for mean WBSF values or sensory panel ratings for initial and sustained tenderness, initial and sustained juiciness, beef flavor characteristics, and overall mouthfeel. More than 90% of steaks from carcasses of all phenotypes had WBSF values less than 3.6 kg when cooked to an internal cooked temperature of 70 degrees C. Results from this study indicated that all phenotypes represented in this study could be managed to produce tender beef.
Experimenter Presence or Absence: An Experimental Analogue with Implications for Organizational Behavior Management

Students performed a simulated bank-proofing task individually in a lab with either the experimenter present or absent. Although run rates were similar, those in the Experimenter-Absent Group were ...
Optimal Operation of Multilevel Modular Resonant Switched-Capacitor Converter

Multilevel modular resonant switched-capacitor converter can achieve either zero-current switching (ZCS) or zero-voltage switching (ZVS) by utilizing different converter control strategies. This paper presents a comprehensive way to compare the root mean square (RMS) value of current flowing through switching devices in both ZCS operation and ZVS operation. The study shows that with appropriate converter parameter design, the ZVS operation allows the RMS value of switch current at most 10% lower than that in ZCS operation. Therefore, the converter operating at ZVS mode has the potential to achieve higher efficiency comparing to the converter that operates at ZCS mode due to less semiconductor conduction loss. Furthermore, the ZVS operation can reduce the power loss due to MOSFET output capacitance. A 6x converter with 54V input voltage, 9V output voltage and 600W power rating is used as an example to show the detailed design procedure. Simulation results are provided to verify the theoretical analysis. Also, a 600W lab prototype that has 6 to 1 voltage conversion ratio has been built to verify the theoretical analysis.
Retroplacental Haematoma/Haemorrhage

The microscopic findings associated with retroplacental haematoma/haemorrhage include blood cells and acute inflammation in the basal decidua and the changes of infarction in the overlying placenta. Abnormalities in spiral arteries are described. Histologic changes can estimate the duration of the retroplacental haemorrhage from occurrence to delivery of the placenta.
The Civic Side of Diversity: Ambivalence and Belonging at the Neighborhood Level:

Although diversity has become a cherished ideal for Americans, a growing literature suggests that many are also ambivalent about lived experiences of diversity. Focusing on three historically homog...
Parallel Direct Search Methods Applied to Seismic Inverse Problems

The ultimate goal of this work is to improve the data processing techniques used to prospect for petroleum. The improvements will come from extracting detailed estimates of local parameter fluctuations in a model of the earth which may indicate lithological features associated with oil and gas deposits. Our hope is to further the evaluation of the widely-believed economic potential for finding and producing petroleum through more precise use of seismic data. A key component of this research lies in robust estimation of wave velocity models directly from waveform data. Interesting instances of this problem can be formulated via differential semblance optimization as a low (e.g., two- to four-) dimensional minimization problem [2], [3]. The catch is that while the number of control variables is small, the number of state variables is quite large. Thus an implementation of the objective function on a Stardent Titan, running at 20 Mflops, currently takes up to eight hours to return a function value. Noise in the data means that more than two digits in the value of the objective function is irrelevant. An analytic expression for the gradient is not yet available and a finite-difference approximation to the gradient appears fraught with numerical difficulties.
Retinoblastoma Loss in Cancer: Casting a Wider Net

Capturing both genomic and nongenomic mechanisms of retinoblastoma gene dysfunction has potential to improve risk stratification and patient selection for biomarker-driven therapy. A 186-gene expression signature is capable of identifying Rb loss across cancer types, providing a new framework for assessing Rb dysfunction based on transcriptome data.See related article by Chen et al., p. 4290.
Gender Differences in Emotional Reactions to the First 2016 Presidential Debate

The first presidential debate of 2016 was historic along a number of dimensions, including the first woman general election candidate and the first general election candidate in history with no political or military experience. Given the presence of the first woman nominee of a major party, along with dramatic gender differences in support for the candidates, we focus on the role of gender in shaping people’s emotional responses to candidate messaging during the debate. Through the use of a controlled experiment, we measure changes in attitudes after exposure to the debate. In addition, we utilize facial expression software to explore real-time reaction to the candidates during the debate. Leveraging data generated during the debate by the facial expression software and as well as responses to pretest and post-test questionnaires, we find that men and women respond differently to candidates’ messaging during the debate and these emotional responses influence post-debate evaluations.
Potency Analyses Provide Insight Into Student Aseptic Compounding Technique Errors.

Objective. To determine whether direct observational scores were predictive of the potency of pharmacy students’ compounded sterile preparations (CSPs) and to identify any misunderstandings student...
A Facile and Efficient Synthesis of Thieno[2,3-c]furans and Furo[3,4-b]indoles via a Pummerer-Induced Cyclization Reaction†

The alpha-thiocarbocation generated from the Pummerer reaction of an o-heteroaroyl-substituted sulfoxide is intercepted by the adjacent keto group to produce an alpha-thio-substituted heteroaromatic isobenzofuran. In the presence of a suitable dienophile, the reactive o-xylylene undergoes a Diels-Alder cycloaddition followed by an acid-catalyzed ring-opening and aromatization to give heteroaromatic naphthalene derivatives. This one-pot procedure occurs smoothly with electron-deficient dienophiles. The tandem Pummerer cyclization-cycloaddition sequence also occurs intramolecularly using unactivated alkenyl tethers of variable length. With acetylenic dienophiles, the primary cycloadducts undergo in situ ring-opening to produce hydroxynaphthalene derivatives. In the absence of a dienophile, it was possible to prepare 4-(ethylthio)-6-phenylthieno[2,3-c]furan and 1-ethyl-4-(phenylsulfonyl)-4H-furo[3,4-b]indole. Various synthetic approaches were used for the preparation of the requisite thiophene- and indole-derived sulfoxide precursors. The facility of the tandem Pummerer-Diels-Alder reaction was very dependent on the experimental conditions used to promote the reaction. The best results were achieved by employing a mixture of acetic anhydride and toluene which contained a catalytic quantity of p-toluenesulfonic acid. The presence of the acid effectively drives the reaction in the desired direction by preventing formation of the acetoxy sulfide, which corresponds to the normal Pummerer product.
Civic Power: Rebuilding American Democracy in an Era of Crisis

What will it take to restore American democracy and rescue it from this moment of crisis? Civic Power argues that the current threat to US democracy is rooted not just in the outcome of the 2016 election, but in deeper, systemic forms of inequality that concentrate economic and political power in the hands of the few at the expense of the many. Drawing on historical and social science research and case studies of contemporary democratic innovations across the country, Civic Power calls for a broader approach to democracy reform focused on meaningfully redistributing power to citizens. It advocates for both reviving grassroots civil society and novel approaches to governance, policymaking, civic technology, and institutional design - aimed at dismantling structural disparities to build a more inclusive, empowered, bottom-up democracy, where communities and people have greater voice, power, and agency.
Prevalence of thiamine deficiency is significant in patients undergoing primary bariatric surgery.

Abstract Background Patients undergoing metabolic and bariatric surgery are prone to developing micronutrient deficiencies, necessitating life-long nutritional supplementation and monitoring. Historically, these deficiencies were thought to be driven by postsurgical changes in absorption. Recent data, though, have demonstrated that obesity alone is also associated with micronutrient deficiencies. Thiamine deficiency, in particular, can lead to permanent neurologic deficits. Objective Identify thiamine deficiency prevalence within the preoperative metabolic and bariatric surgery patient population. Setting Single institution academic medical center. Methods A retrospective review of deidentified data was examined that included whole blood thiamine measured from consecutive patients from April 2018 to June 2019 (n = 346). Cohort characteristics were assessed including age, operation, preoperative weight, and race/ethnicity. The majority of the cohort were women (83%) with an average age of 44.9 years. Racial representation included White/Caucasian (73%) and Black (21%), while operations included Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (58%), sleeve gastrectomy (31%), and revisions (10%). Results Thiamine concentration was normally distributed with a mean of 144 nM. Overall, 3.5% of patients had thiamine concentrations below the lower limit of normal of Conclusion Previously quoted rates of thiamine deficiency in the preoperative patient are variable, but we describe a significant number of patients with, or at risk of, thiamine deficiency. Male sex and increasing height are likely associated with increased skeletal muscle mass, which is enriched with thiamine. Routine thiamine measurement, either preoperatively or at the time of surgery, is warranted given its limited stores within the body and potential catastrophic complications associated with acute or chronic deficiency.
Surgeon specialty significantly affects outcome of asymptomatic patients after carotid endarterectomy.

Abstract Background This study evaluates the impact of surgical specialty, specifically vascular surgery (VS) versus non-VS (NVS; namely, cardiac surgery, thoracic surgery, general surgery, or neurosurgery) on perioperative carotid endarterectomy (CEA) outcomes stratified by symptom status on presentation. Methods The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Vascular Procedure Targeted database was queried for elective asymptomatic or symptomatic CEA (excluding concomitant CEA and cardiac surgery) from 2011 to 2016. Data were stratified by VS versus NVS and symptom presentation. Primary end points were 30-day stroke and stroke/death; secondary end points included perioperative complications. Multivariable logistic regression determined predictors of all assessed primary outcomes and propensity-weight analysis was used to confirm results. Results Overall, 21,060 CEA (12,671 [59%] asymptomatic) were identified with 19,687 (93%) done by VS. In the asymptomatic CEA cohort, VS had lower unadjusted stroke (1.3% vs 2.4%; P = .021) and stroke/death (1.7% vs 3.2%; P = .006) rates. In addition, VS had fewer deaths (0.6% vs 1.3%; P = .033) and pulmonary complications (1.6% vs 2.7%; P = .036). After risk adjustment, the NVS asymptomatic cohort predicted stroke (odds ratio [OR], 1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-3.1; P = .032), driven by neurosurgery (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.3-7.2; P = .008). This NVS cohort also predicted stroke/death (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1-2.9; P = .013), driven by neurosurgery (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.1-5.7; P = .035). After propensity weighting, these differences persisted (stroke: OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.1-3.3; P = .030; stroke/death: OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.2-3.0; P = .011). Among symptomatic CEA, there was no difference between VS and NVS in unadjusted primary end points of stroke (3.1% vs 4.2%; P = .106) or stroke/death (3.8% vs 4.6%; P = .275). However, in this cohort, VS had fewer major complications (12.7% vs 15.5%; P = .029). Conclusions This study identifies the VS specialty as having significantly better outcomes after CEA in patients presenting with asymptomatic disease than NVS specialty, as evidenced by lower rates of stroke and stroke death, which persisted after risk adjustment and propensity weighting. This difference in stroke and stroke/death was not apparent in the symptomatic cohort; however, NVS did have increased unadjusted rates of major complications. Although this finding may reflect multiple factors, including higher operative volume, training, or technical approach, these differences in 30-day CEA outcomes may be crucial for the proper interpretation of ongoing national outcome trials such as CREST2.
Emission Trend of Multiple Self-Trapped Excitons in Luminescent 1D Copper Halides

Low-dimensional metal halides are promising luminescent materials with efficient self-trapped exciton (STE) emission at room temperature; however, the understanding of optical behaviors and trends ...
Incidence and mortality of acute kidney injury in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background While acute kidney injury (AKI) is commonly reported following hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT), the incidence and impact of AKI on mortality among patients undergoing HCT are not well described. We conducted this systematic review to assess the incidence and impact of AKI on mortality risk among patients undergoing HCT. Methods Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Databases were searched from database inceptions through August 2019 to identify studies assessing the incidence of AKI and mortality risk among adult patients who developed AKI following HCT. Random-effects and generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian-Laird were used to combine the effect estimates obtained from individual studies. Results We included 36 cohort studies with a total of 5144 patients undergoing HCT. Overall, the pooled estimated incidence of AKI and severe AKI (AKI Stage III) were 55.1% (95% confidence interval (CI) 46.6-63.3%) and 8.3% (95% CI 6.0-11.4%), respectively. The pooled estimated incidence of AKI using contemporary AKI definitions (RIFLE, AKIN and KDIGO criteria) was 49.8% (95% CI 41.6-58.1%). There was no significant correlation between study year and the incidence of AKI (P = 0.12) or severe AKI (P = 0.97). The pooled odds ratios of 3-month mortality and 3-year mortality among patients undergoing HCT with AKI were 3.05 (95% CI 2.07-4.49) and 2.23 (95% CI 1.06-4.73), respectively. Conclusion The incidence of AKI among patients who undergo HCT remains high, and it has not changed over the years despite advances in medicine. AKI after HCT is associated with increased short- and long-term mortality.
Digital Arrays using Commercial Transceivers: Noise, Spurious, and Linearity Measurements

Advancements of radio transceiver RFICs in the wireless industry can be an enabler for digital beamforming phased arrays requiring highly integrated electronics to fit within the on-array size constraints. As these integrated radio ICs emerge, there are a series of questions in the phased array community on system performance possible when these ICs operate as a coherent array. To assess electrical performance as channels combine, a multi-channel transceiver based digital receiver/exciter (DREX) demonstrator has been developed. The multi-channel transceiver-based DREX demonstrator is presented along with measured results. Measurements demonstrate the ability to increase dynamic range, improve spurious and improve phase noise as channels are combined. Measured results also find intermodulation products are correlated across channels with no improvement as channels are combined. Interpretation of measured results when scaled to large phased array performance is then presented.
Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides and thyroid cancer in connecticut women

Abstract Background Thyroid cancer incidence has increased substantially over the past decades, and environmental risk factors have been suggested to play a role. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and organochlorine pesticides (OCP) are established thyroid hormone disruptors, but their relationship to thyroid cancer is not known. Methods We investigated the relationship between serum PCB and OCP concentrations and papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) in 250 incident female PTC cases and 250 female controls frequency-matched on age, all residing in Connecticut. Interviews and serum samples were collected from 2010 to 2013. Samples were analyzed for 32 different chemicals using gas chromatography with isotope dilution high resolution mass spectrometry. We calculated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using single pollutant logistic regression models for concentrations (per interquartile range) of individual PCB/OCP and summed groups of structurally or biologically similar PCB/OCP, adjusted for education, family history of cancer, alcohol consumption, age, and body mass index. Sub-analyses included stratification by tumor size (≤ and >1 cm) and birth before or during peak PCB production (born in 1960 or earlier and born after 1960), as exposures during early life may be important. We also applied three multi-pollutant approaches (standard multi-pollutant regression, hierarchical Bayesian modeling, principal components regression analysis) to investigate associations with co-exposures to multiple PCB/OCPs. Results No PCB/OCPs were positively associated with PTC in primary analyses. Statistically significant associations were observed for 9 of the 32 chemicals and 3 summed groups of similar chemicals in the those born during peak production based on single-pollutant models. Multi-pollutant analyses suggested null associations overall. Conclusions Our results using single and multi-pollutant modeling do not generally support an association between PCB or OCP exposure and PTC, but some associations in those born during peak production suggest that additional investigation into early-life exposures and subsequent thyroid cancer risk may be warranted.
'Political' Lobbying of Proposed Standards: A Challenge to the IASB

The purpose of the paper is to contemplate the prospect of "political," i.e., self-interested, lobbying in the context of the issues coming before the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). As illustrations, the paper reprises a number of episodes of "political" lobbying on proposed accounting standards that have occurred at both the international and country levels (especially the US), and it raises the specter of the intense compaign already being mounted by US industry to oppose any attempt by the IASB to develop a standard on employee stock options that goes further than the disclosure requirement in the FASB's Statement No. 123.
Hemothorax as Rare Complication from COVID-19 Infection

Introduction The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has been linked with many sequelae not typical of other respiratory viruses. One of the unique features of this virus, known as COVID coagulopathy, has been associated with bleeding and/or clotting diathesis in the setting of a prothrombotic state. This has put patients at risk for hemorrhagic complications such as frank disseminated intravascular coagulation, and antiphospholipid syndrome activation. This is a case of hemothorax as a rare complication of COVID-19 infection. Case Presentation This is the case of a 48 year old male with a history of ESRD requiring dialysis, who presented to our facility with shortness of breath. He was recently admitted a month prior to an outside facility for a dialysis catheter infection and was found to be COVID-19 positive. He received IV antibiotics and supplemental oxygen. He was discharged home with plans for IV antibiotics. He presented to our facility with five days of shortness of breath. In the ED he was afebrile, tachypneic and tested negative for COVID-19. Computed Tomography of the chest was significant for a moderate to large right pleural effusion with loculated components. The next day he underwent a thoracentesis and 600 cc of bloody pleural fluid was aspirated. He then underwent a VATS, decortication, pleurodesis a few days later as the effusion failed to resolve. Cytology of the initial thoracentesis was negative for malignant cells and pathology from the VATS was positive for fibrosis, hemorrhage with fibrin deposition and acute and chronic inflammation. Discussion Hemothorax as a complication of COVID -19 has yet to be described in the literature. Altered markers such as D-dimer and fibrinogen were associated with increased coagulation and thrombotic complications respectively. Furthermore, studies have reported intra-alveolar hemorrhages and GI bleeding in post-mortem analysis of COVID patients. This case highlights the uniqueness of this novel virus and the vast array of complications that can result from infection.
Does FLT have greater prognostic value for people than for mice receiving therapy against human breast tumors

1643 Objectives: We recently reported that early changes in FLT uptake values in breast cancer patients had significant prognostic value with respect to longer-term efficacy of therapy, and tended to correlate better with outcomes than did FDG in this regard (Mol. Imaging Biol., 2006). We also found in a human-xenograft mouse-host model, however, that for forecasting long-term changes in tumor volumes following cytotoxic chemotherapy, FDG uptake had much greater prognostic value than did FLT (J. Nucl. Med., 2005). The analyses described here were aimed at better understanding this apparent discrepancy. Methods: In patients with newly identified primary or metastatic breast cancer about to undergo initiation of a new therapy regimen, early post-therapy changes in FDG and FLT tumor uptake were compared with changes in tumor volumes measured by CT. In mice bearing MCF-7 human xenografts, early post-therapy changes in FDG and FLT uptake were compared with late response, defined as change in tumor volume at 8 weeks following treatment. Results: In human breast cancer patients, FLT uptake served as a uniformly more powerful prognostic tool; prediction failures of FDG scans occurred both when subsequent tumor regression had been preceded by increases in FDG uptake, as well as when dramatic subsequent tumor progression had been preceded by little change in FDG uptake. On the other hand, in mice, tumor progression was not reliably predicted by FLT changes; only slight changes in early FLT uptake occurred in some of the tumors with the greatest rates of progression (where tumor volumes increased to 2-5 times their pre-treatment volumes). For example, a tumor demonstrating a 4% increase in FLT uptake and a 41% increase in FDG uptake a week after treatment with paclitaxel more than tripled in volume during the subsequent two months, while another tumor demonstrating a 2% decline in FLT and a 47% increase in FDG a week after therapy more than doubled in volume after treatment with paclitaxel. Among all tumors that at least doubled in volume in these mice, early changes in FLT averaged 14 ± 8% (range: -2.0% to 31%), while early changes in FDG averaged 34 ± 6% (range: 20% to 47%). Conclusions: Following cytotoxic chemotherapy in mice, in contrast with our experience in humans, breast cancer tumors which undergo substantial subsequent progression do not reliably show substantial early increases in FLT uptake. The possible reasons for this apparent difference in radiotracer behavior across species lines, and other biological contextual differences, will be discussed.
Using optogenetics to link myosin patterns to contractile cell behaviors during convergent extension.

Abstract Distinct patterns of actomyosin contractility are often associated with particular epithelial tissue shape changes during development. For example, a planar-polarized pattern of myosin II localization regulated by Rho1 signaling during Drosophila body axis elongation is thought to drive cell behaviors that contribute to convergent extension. However, it is not well understood how specific aspects of a myosin pattern influence the multiple cell behaviors, including cell intercalation, cell shape changes, and apical cell area fluctuations, that simultaneously occur during morphogenesis. Here, we developed two optogenetic tools, optoGEF and optoGAP, to activate or deactivate Rho1 signaling, respectively. We used these tools to manipulate myosin patterns at the apical side of the germband epithelium during Drosophila axis elongation and analyzed the effects on contractile cell behaviors. We show that uniform activation or inactivation of Rho1 signaling across the apical surface of the germband is sufficient to disrupt the planar-polarized pattern of myosin at cell junctions on the timescale of 3–5 min, leading to distinct changes in junctional and medial myosin patterns in optoGEF and optoGAP embryos. These two perturbations to Rho1 activity both disrupt axis elongation and cell intercalation but have distinct effects on cell area fluctuations and cell packings that are linked with changes in the medial and junctional myosin pools. These studies demonstrate that acute optogenetic perturbations to Rho1 activity are sufficient to rapidly override the endogenous planar-polarized myosin pattern in the germband during axis elongation. Moreover, our results reveal that the levels of Rho1 activity and the balance between medial and junctional myosin play key roles not only in organizing the cell rearrangements that are known to directly contribute to axis elongation but also in regulating cell area fluctuations and cell packings, which have been proposed to be important factors influencing the mechanics of tissue deformation and flow.
Novel polymer-based system for intrauterine delivery of everolimus for anti-cancer applications.

Abstract Non-surgical treatment options for low-grade endometrial cancer and precancerous lesions are a critical unmet need for women who wish to preserve fertility or are unable to undergo hysterectomy. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is frequently activated in endometrial cancers and has been associated with resistance to endocrine therapy, making it a compelling target for early stage disease. Oral everolimus, an inhibitor against mTORC1, has shown clinical benefit in advanced or recurrent disease but has severe adverse effects that may lead to treatment interruption or dose reduction. To overcome this, we developed a polymer-based intrauterine delivery system to achieve persistent, local delivery of everolimus without systemic exposure. In vivo studies, using a rat model, showed that a poly(propylene fumarate)-based rod loaded with everolimus achieved everolimus delivery to the endometrium with levels similar to oral administration, but with limited systemic exposure and up to 84 days of release. Biological activity of everolimus delivered with this system was confirmed, measured by reduced lumen epithelial cell height and PI3K pathway biomarkers. This study shows a promising new delivery approach for anti-cancer drugs for non-surgical treatment of low-grade endometrial cancer.
Ultrasound-Guided Pleural Effusion Drainage: Effect on Oxygenation, Respiratory Mechanics, and Liberation from Mechanical Ventilation in Surgical Intensive Care Unit Patients.

The question as to whether an aggressive management of post-operative pleural effusion may improve clinical outcomes after major surgery remains unanswered. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ultrasound-guided pleural effusion drainage on oxygenation, respiratory mechanics, and liberation from mechanical ventilation in surgical intensive care unit patients. Oxygenation and respiratory mechanics were measured before and after drainage. Over an 18-month period, a total of 62 patients were analyzed. The mean drainage volume during the first 24 h was 864 ± 493 mL, and there were no procedural complications. Both the mean PaO2/FiO2 ratio and lung compliance improved after drainage. Additionally, 41.9% (n = 26) of patients were ventilator-free within 72 h after drainage. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that non-cardiovascular or thoracic surgery (odds ratio [OR] = 4.968, p = 0.046), a longer time interval from operation to the onset of pleural effusion (OR = 1.165, p = 0.005), and a higher peak airway pressure (OR = 1.303, p = 0.009) were independent adverse predictors for being free from mechanical ventilation within 72 h after drainage. Specifically, patients with a time from surgery to the onset of pleural effusion ≤6 days—but not those with an interval >6 days—showed a significant post-procedural improvement in terms of PaO2/FiO2 ratio, PaCO2, peak airway pressure, and dynamic lung compliance. In summary, ultrasound-guided pleural effusion drainage resulted in significant clinical benefits in mechanically ventilated ICU patients after major surgery—especially in those with early-onset effusion who received thoracic surgery.
The Human Right to a Green Future: Environmental Rights and Intergenerational Justice

1. Environmental human rights and intergenerational justice 2. Emergent human rights, identity, harms and duties 3. Reflexive reciprocity and intergenerational environmental justice 4. Cosmopolitan ethics, communal reciprocity, and global environmentalism 5. Toward a global consensus on environmental human rights 6. Human rights as inheritance: instituting intergenerational environmental justice 7. Conclusion: environmental justice and the emergent future of human rights.
Polish Dance in Southern California

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Maja Trochimczyk Year: 2007 Pages: 320 Publisher: Columbia University Press ISBN: 978-0-88033-593-5 (hard cover). Prices: $40.00 USD(hard cover).
Control of In vivo IgE Production in the Mouse by Interleukin 4

In vitro studies have demonstrated that the cytokine IL-4 can, with the proper co-stimuli, induce IgE secretion. We have demonstrated in in vivo studies with a monoclonal anti-IL-4 antibody that this cytokine is required for the generation of the polyclonal primary IgE responses induced by injecting mice with GaM delta antibody or inoculating them with larvae of the nematode parasite Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (Nb), as well as for the secondary TNP-specific IgE response induced by immunizing mice with TNP-KLH on alum. We now report studies that demonstrate that: (1) the secondary polyclonal IgE response induced by repeated Nb inoculation, while mostly inhibitable by anti-IL-4 antibody, has an IL-4-independent component; (2) whereas treatment with anti-IL-4 antibody during a primary Nb inoculation does not prevent the rapid generation of a large IgE response during a second inoculation, treatment with anti-IL-4 antibody during both primary and secondary inoculation inhibits the development of a secondary IgE response by greater than 99%; (3) an established ongoing chronic IgE response, induced by inoculation of mice with larvae of the nematode parasite Heligmosomoides polygyrus (Hp), can be reduced by greater than 95% by administration of anti-IL-4 antibody; and (4) an anti-IL-4 receptor antibody effectively, efficiently and selectively blocks the GaM delta antibody-induced IgE response. These observations suggest that approaches aimed at blocking IL-4 effects may be useful for treating IgE-mediated diseases.
The practice of pediatrics in the era of vaccines effective against Haemophilus influenzae type b.

The practice of pediatrics is forever altered when a vaccine is effective in dramatically reducing the incidence of (or even eradicating) an infectious disease. As the targeted disease is rapidly declining in incidence, there are often exciting changes in the practice of pediatrics, with far-reaching effects in the everyday treatment of patients. Such is the case now due to the effectiveness of the conjugated polysaccharide vaccines against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). The resultant rapid decline in the incidence of invasive disease due to Hib during the past several years has been documented in numerous studies.1-3 The effects of this dramatic decline in Hib disease on the approach to children who have (presumed) infectious diseases are the subject of this editorial.
Hybrid systems and intelligent control

A finite-time algorithm which allows a hybrid system to determine whether or not a specified symbolic behavior can be realized by the system is introduced. The proposed algorithm is an inductive inference protocol based on the ellipsoid method. It can be viewed as a means by which the hybrid system can autonomously set its achievable goal behavior. This ability for goal self-determination is argued as an important attribute of intelligent control systems. >
A Synthetic Pathway to Cys-Xxx-Cys (N2S2) Analogue Ligands: An Improved Synthesis of HSCH2CH2C(O)NHCH2C(O)NHCH2CH2SH

Herein, two improved synthetic pathways to biologically relevant Cys-Xxx-Cys analogue ligands used in conjunction with metals as metalloenzyme models (Ni for carbon monoxide dehydrogenase/acetyl-CoA synthase A-cluster; Co and Fe for nitrile hydratase) are reported.
Kinase Inhibition as a Therapeutic Approach for P. falciparum Malaria

Malaria caused by parasitic protists of the genus Plasmodium remains a widespread, life-threatening infectious disease in the developing countries of the world [1]. Of the five Plasmodium species, P. falciparum is the most virulent and responsible for the most severe form of malaria. There are few known drugs that have been effective in the treatment of malaria, a problem that is complicated further by the development of resistance to existing antimalarials. Artemisinins have been one of the most effective antimalarials. As a result, artemisininbased combination therapy, which involves the combination of artemisinin and a long acting antimalarial with a varied mechanism of action, has largely replaced monotherapy. Some of the agents used in combination with artemisinin have included amodiaquine, mefloquine and lumifantrine. In recent years, resistance to artemisinin has also been observed, necessitating the development of novel antimalarials targeting varied processes in the malarial life cycle.
Polypeptide growth factors and phorbol ester induce progressive ankylosis (Ank) gene expression in murine and human fibroblasts

Polypeptide growth factors promote cellular proliferation by binding to specific plasma membrane-anchored receptors. This interaction triggers the phosphorylation of signal transducing molecules and the transcriptional activation of numerous genes. We have used a differential display approach to identify fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-1-inducible genes in murine NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. Here we report that one of these genes encodes ank, a type IIIa transmembrane protein reported to function in cells as an inorganic pyrophosphate transporter. FGF-1 induction of ank mRNA expression is first detectable at 2 h after growth factor addition and is dependent on de novo RNA and protein synthesis. Ank gene expression is also upregulated after treating quiescent fibroblasts with several other mitogenic agents (e.g., calf serum or platelet-derived growth factor-BB) or the tumor promoter phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Furthermore, in comparison to parental NIH 3T3 cells, oncogene-transformed NIH 3T3 cells constitutively express elevated levels of ank mRNA. FGF-1 also increases ank gene expression in non-immortalized human embryonic lung fibroblasts. Finally, the murine and human ank genes are expressed in vivo in a tissue-specific manner, with highest levels of mRNA expression found in brain, heart, and skeletal muscle. These results indicate that ank is a growth factor-regulated delayed-early response gene in mammalian cells, and we propose that increased ank expression during cell cycle progression may be necessary to maintain proper intracellular pyrophosphate levels during conditions of high cellular metabolic activity. J. Cell. Biochem. 84: 27–38, 2002. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The feasibility of robotic urologic surgery in infants and toddlers

Abstract Objective To determine the feasibility and safety of performing robotic-assisted laparoscopic urological surgery (RALS) in infants and young children, highlighting technical challenges posed by the smaller body size and their potential solutions. Patients and methods We retrospectively reviewed perioperative records of all patients less than 3 years of age who underwent RALS at our institution between January 2006 and October 2012. Intraoperative data included difficulties with the robotic instruments or surgical procedure. Post-operative data included length of hospital stay and any complications. Results A total of 65 children less than 3 years underwent RALS. The average patient age was 1.6 years ± 0.7, with 14 patients under 1 year of age. Median patient weight was 11.6 kg ± 2.5 kg. Mean operative time was 153.3 ± 57 min. No conversions to open technique or intra-operative complications were reported. A total of 12 post-operative complications were identified after a mean follow-up of 13.6 months: 7 early complications and 5 late complications. Smaller children did not have more complications than larger children. Conclusion There are inherent challenges with performing RALS in infants and young children. However, they may be overcome with specific technical maneuvers and through understanding of the limitations of the robotic system.
N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor blockade attenuates D1 dopamine receptor modulation of neuronal activity in rat substantia nigra

It has been proposed that dopamine and glutamate affect basal ganglia output, in part, through interactions between D1 receptors and NMDA receptors. The present study examined whether N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists affect the neurophysiological responses of substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc; dopaminergic) and pars reticulata (SNpr; non-dopaminergic) neurons to a systemically administered D1 dopamine agonist in two animals models of Parkinson's disease, reserpine treatment and nigrostriatal lesion. Previous studies using extracellular single unit recording techniques have shown that the D1 dopamine agonist SKF 38393 (10 mg/kg) exerts different effects on the firing rates of SNpr neurons after these two dopamine-depleting treatments, suggesting the involvement of multiple mechanisms. SKF 38393 consistently increased the firing rates of SNpr neurons in rats treated subchronically with reserpine, and markedly decreased SNpr firing rates in rats with nigrostriatal damage. Pretreatment with the non-competitive NMDA antagonist MK-801 (0.15 mg/kg i.v.) blocked, and the competitive NMDA antagonist (+/-)-CPP (30 mg/kg i.p.) attenuated, the rate effects of SKF 38393 in both dopamine-depleted preparations. SKF 38393 consistently inhibited the firing rate of SNpc dopamine neurons after acute reserpine treatment (10 mg/kg, 4-7 hours), an effect specifically mediated by D1 receptors. Pretreatment with MK-801 (0.1 mg/kg i.v.) or the competitive NMDA antagonist (+)-HA-966 (30 mg/kg i.v.) also effectively attenuated SKF 38393's inhibitory effect on SNpc dopamine neurons. Therefore, NMDA receptor blockade markedly reduces the ability of D1 receptor stimulation to modulate firing rates of both dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic cells in the substantia nigra. Although multiple mechanisms appear to underlie D1-mediated effects on substantia nigra firing rates in reserpine and 6-OHDA-treated rats, these results demonstrate a common dependence on glutamatergic transmission and a permissive role for NMDA receptor activation in the ability of D1 receptor stimulation to both enhance and reduce neuronal activity in the substantia nigra.
An in vitro study of possible food-drug interactions of the controlled-release propranolol products

Abstract The pH-dissolution profiles of 4 controlled release (C.R.) propranolol products were investigated. Three of the products were pretreated with peanut oil prior to the dissolution testing to simulate drug administration with a fatty meal. The results were displayed in 3-dimensional graphs utilizing the topographical plotting technique of Skelly et al. The influence of pH on the in vitro drug release from the C.R. formulations was found to be less significant than the effect of lipid. A substantial decrease in dissolution rate that occurs with lipid pretreatment across the entire pH range suggests that lipid may have a significant effect on these C.R. drug products which are subject to a high first-pass effect.
Patient perceptions of stool-based DNA testing for colorectal cancer screening.

Purpose Stool-based DNA (SB-DNA) testing is an emerging colorectal cancer screening strategy that offers a convenient, noninvasive, and potentially more acceptable alternative to existing screening tests. The objectives of this study were to compare patient perceptions of SB-DNA testing, fecal occult blood testing (FOBT), and colonoscopy, and elicit screening preferences. Methods A prospective survey was conducted between August 2001 and March 2003 of asymptomatic, mostly average-risk subjects aged ≥50 years who were participating in a multicenter comparison of SB-DNA testing and FOBT for detecting colorectal neoplasia. Subjects completed a 25-item questionnaire within 48 hours after undergoing a colonoscopy, which served as the standard. Respondents were asked to rate each of the three screening tests on various prep- and test-related features, using a five-point ordinal scale or yes/no format, and to select a preferred strategy. Results A total of 4042 subjects completed the survey (84% response rate). SB-DNA testing received the same or higher mean ratings than FOBT for most prep- and test-related features. When compared with colonoscopy, SB-DNA testing received higher ratings for all prep- and test-related features except perceived accuracy, where colonoscopy was rated higher. Overall, a higher percentage of patients preferred SB-DNA testing (45%) to both FOBT (32%) and colonoscopy (15%) for routine screening ( p Conclusions Patients willing to undergo colonoscopy, SB-DNA testing, and FOBT perceive SB-DNA testing to have a number of advantages over the other two tests. Moreover, many such patients prefer SB-DNA testing to FOBT and colonoscopy for routine screening.
A bit of viral protection is worth a megabyte of cure

Even in today's world of safeguarded networks and advanced detection software, computer viruses are still running amok in some of the seedier niches of cyberspace and hiding out on unclean disks and unprotected hard drives. Speculative rumors of wide-spread epidemics have only added to the confusion as computer users all over the world wonder if their systems are at risk and if there is any way to shield themselves from these stealth operatives of electronic malfeasance.
Self-Efficacy toward Service, Civic Participation and the Business Student: Scale Development and Validation

This paper presents the development andvalidation of new measurement tools to exploreself-efficacy toward service and toward civicparticipation. We developed and administereda survey to 851 students in an AACSB-accreditedcollege of business at a comprehensive publicuniversity located in the Midwest. Traditionalscale development methodologies plusconfirmatory factor analysis and simultaneousfactor analysis in several populations wereused to analyze both a primary sample and aholdback sample. Results strongly support thevalidity and reliability of the surveyinstrument. Future use for the instrumentincludes verification of the effectiveness ofpedagogies designed to increase self-efficacytoward service and motivation for civicparticipation in business students.