cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 4527: Major pathologic response and biomarker predict survival in lung cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy

In a previous study, we determined that major pathologic response (MPR) as indicated by the percentage of residual viable tumor cells predicted overall survival (OS) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In this study, we assessed whether 2 gene and 5 protein biomarkers could predict MPR and OS in 98 NSCLC patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. We assessed whether gene mutation status or protein expression was associated with MPR or OS. We observed that KRAS mutation tended to be associated with OS (p = 0.06), but EGFR mutation was not associated with OS. We found that patients with high RAD51 expression levels had a poorer prognosis than did those with low RAD51 expression. We also observed that RAD51 expression was associated with MPR. MPR and RAD51 expression were associated with OS in univariate and multivariate analyses (p = 0.04 and p = 0.02, respectively). Combination of MPR with RAD51 is a significant predictor of prognosis in NSCLC patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. No association of MPR or VEGFR2, EZH2, ERCC1, RAD51, or PKR expression with KRAS or EGFR mutation was found. We demonstrated that MPR or RAD51 expression was associated with OS in NSCLC patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Prediction of a patient9s prognosis could be improved by combined assessment of MPR and RAD51 expression. Citation Format: Apar Pataer, Ruping Shao, Arlene M. Correa, Ignacio I. Wistuba, Stephen G. Swisher. Major pathologic response and biomarker predict survival in lung cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4527.
The impact of urbanization on risk for eating disorders.

Purpose of review Urbanization has broadly been implicated in negatively impacting mental health, including risk for disordered eating and eating disorders. Understanding the specific mechanisms that contribute to risk for maladaptive eating behavior in the context of urbanization is essential to improving public health policy and guiding future clinical, research, and prevention efforts. Recent findings This review of recent investigation related to the impact of urbanization on eating disease highlights specific risk factors for eating disorders, including acculturation to Western standards of beauty and food resources with associated body weight and body image concern. Summary Recommendations for clinical and research endeavors include improved specificity in defining urbanization, as well as increased sensitivity within community-based assessment of cultural and demographic variables that may impact eating behavior and risk for eating disorders.
Single-cell Migration Chip for Chemotaxis-based Microfluidic Selection of Heterogeneous Cell Populations

Tumor cell migration toward and intravasation into capillaries is an early and key event in cancer metastasis, yet not all cancer cells are imbued with the same capability to do so. This heterogeneity within a tumor is a fundamental property of cancer. Tools to help us understand what molecular characteristics allow a certain subpopulation of cells to spread from the primary tumor are thus critical for overcoming metastasis. Conventional in vitro migration platforms treat populations in aggregate, which leads to a masking of intrinsic differences among cells. Some migration assays reported recently have single-cell resolution, but these platforms do not provide for selective retrieval of the distinct migrating and non-migrating cell populations for further analysis. Thus, to study the intrinsic differences in cells responsible for chemotactic heterogeneity, we developed a single-cell migration platform so that individual cells’ migration behavior can be studied and the heterogeneous population sorted based upon chemotactic phenotype. Furthermore, after migration, the highly chemotactic and non-chemotactic cells were retrieved and proved viable for later molecular analysis of their differences. Moreover, we modified the migration channel to resemble lymphatic capillaries to better understand how certain cancer cells are able to move through geometrically confining spaces.
The group of automorphisms of an elementary-abelian-over-cyclic regular wreath product p-group

AbstractLet W denote the regular wreath product finite group C≀E where C is a cyclic p-group and E is an elementary abelian p-group. Let A denote the subgroup of Aut(W) consisting of those automorp...
LncRNAs in molluscan and mammalian stages of parasitic schistosomes are developmentally-regulated and coordinately expressed with protein-coding genes.

Despite the low level expression of some long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), the differential expression of specific lncRNAs plays important roles during the development of many organisms. Schistosomes,...
Japanese Persimmon Cultivars in Florida

Japanese persimmons were first grown in Florida in the 1870s, but as of 2017, most US plantings are on a small scale; however, even as the overall acreage has decreased, the number of farms in Florida growing the fruit increased from 2012 to 2017. Trees grow and fruit best in central and northern Florida and can produce high yields of good-quality fruit. With an estimated population of more than 21 million, a diverse cultural base, and large cities close to production zones, Florida is primed for a larger persimmon industry. This 11-page revision provides growers with a primer on persimmon characteristics, marketing, and cultivars. Written by Ali Sarkhosh, Peter C. Andersen, and Dustin M. Huff, and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg242
Internal Jugular Vein Central Line Placement with and Without Ultrasound

This chapter discusses technical aspects of internal jugular vein central line placement including instrumentation and equipment, patient positioning, localizing the jugular vein, canalizing and dilatation of the vein, and threading of central line. The authors also offer pearls and pitfalls.
Efficiency Analysis of a Switched-Capacitor Quadrature Power Amplifier Employing RF Pulse-Width-Modulation

Amplitude variation in a switched-capacitor Cartesian quadrature class-D PA can be achieved by scaling capacitor ratios or by employing pulse-width modulated signals to drive the class-D stages. The second approach allows for continuous amplitude control, thus avoiding the quantization noise that can result from discrete amplitude variation. The efficiency of the PWM class-D stage is analyzed in this paper. A brief comparison with discrete switched-capacitor-based amplitude control is presented.
Medium Voltage Contactless Power Transfer for EV Fast Charging

In this paper, a novel contactless electric vehicle charging architecture is proposed to achieve single-stage power conversion from the medium voltage (MV) DC grid to electric vehicle charging level by utilizing a detachable, galvanically isolated power transformer as the charging plug to provide a highly efficient, fast and safe charging experience to the end users. A scaled-down prototype of 20kW, 1000Vdc to 50Vdc solution is provided as a proof of concept of the full-scale 150kW, 8000Vdc to 400Vdc fast charging solution for electric vehicle.
Modulation by tetrahydrouridine (THU) of gemcitabine (2’,2’-difluoro-2’-deoxycytidine, dFdC) pharmacokinetics, metabolism and bioavailability in mice

1556 Introduction In vivo, dFdC is rapidly inactivated by cytidine deaminase (CD) metabolism to 2’,2’-difluoro-2’-deoxyuridine (dFdU). Therefore, dFdC has poor po bioavailability and needs to be dosed iv. THU is a potent CD inhibitor that we have shown has a po bioavailability of ~20%. We investigated the potential for THU to decrease elimination and first-pass effect by CD, thereby enabling po dosing of dFdC. Methods An LC-MS/MS assay was developed to quantitate dFdC and dFdU in plasma. Male CD2F1 mice were dosed with 100 mg/kg dFdC iv or po with or without 100 mg/kg THU iv or po. At specified times between 5 and 1440 min, mice (N=3) were euthanized. Blood was collected and divided into two fractions. THU was rapidly added to fraction 1, and dFdC and dFdU were quantitated in the plasma. THU was quantitated in plasma from fraction 2. Urine was diluted ≥1:10 in control plasma and assayed for dFdC, dFdU, and THU. Results The lower limit of quantitation was ≤20 ng/ml for all analytes. THU iv and po produced concentrations >400 ng/mL for 3 and 2 h, respectively. dFdC po bioavailability without THU was ~10% (PK# 1&2). iv THU decreased dFdU concentrations (PK# 1&3) but had no effect on iv dFdC PK including clearance (40 and 42 mL/min/kg) and distribution volume (2.14 and 2.44 L/kg). A 60% increased renal dFdC excretion was observed as a compensatory eliminating mechanism when THU blocked CD. Both iv and po THU substantially increased po bioavailability of dFdC (PK# 2&4&5). iv THU revealed absorption of po dFdC to be 59% (PK# 3&4, assuming full CD block with iv THU), but only 10% reached the systemic circulation after first pass (PK# 1&2). po THU increased dFdC po bioavailability to 40% (PK# 3&5). Conclusion Our results suggest that co-administration of THU enables po dosing of dFdC, resulting in easier dosing and potentially prolonged dFdC exposure. This promising approach warrants clinical testing. Support: N01-CM-52202 and P30-CA47904 from the NCI.
Nicotine acutely alters temporal properties of resting brain states.

Abstract Background Nicotine-dependent individuals have altered activity in neurocognitive networks such as the default mode (DMN), salience (SN) and central executive networks (CEN). One theory suggests that, among chronic tobacco smokers, nicotine abstinence drives more DMN-related internal processing while nicotine replacement suppresses DMN and enhances SN and CEN. Whether acute nicotine impacts network dynamics in non-smokers is, however, unknown. Methods In a randomized double-blind crossover study, 17 healthy non-smokers (8 females) were administered placebo and nicotine (2-mg lozenge) on two different days prior to collecting resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Previously defined brain states in 462 individuals that spatially overlap with well-characterized resting-state networks including the DMN, SN, and CEN were applied to compute state-specific dynamics at rest: total time spent in state, persistence in each state after entry, and frequency of state transitions. We examined whether nicotine acutely alters these resting-state dynamics. Results A significant drug-by-state interaction emerged; post-hoc analyses clarified that, relative to placebo, nicotine suppressed time spent in a frontoinsular-DMN state (posterior cingulate cortex, medial prefrontal cortex, anterior insula, striatum and orbitofrontal cortex) and enhanced time spent in a SN state (anterior cingulate cortex and insula). No significant findings were observed for persistence and frequency. Conclusions In non-smokers, nicotine biases resting-state brain function away from the frontoinsular-DMN and toward the SN, which may reduce internally focused cognition and enhance salience processing. While past work suggests nicotine impacts DMN activity, the current work shows nicotinic influences on a specific DMN-like network that has been linked with rumination and depression.
Photonic-Chip-Based Nonlinear Compression of Picosecond Pulses

We demonstrate soliton-effect compression of picosecond pulses using ultralow loss dispersion-engineered 40-cm-long silicon-nitride nanowaveguides. We show compression by factors of 21× of 1 ps pulses using pulse energies as low as 18 pJ.
A POI-Based Machine Learning Method for Predicting Residents’ Health Status

Health environment is a key factor in public health. Since people’s health depends largely on their lifestyle, the built environment which supports a healthy living style is becoming more important. With the right urban planning decisions, it’s possible to encourage healthier living and save healthcare expenditures for the society. However, there is not yet a quantitative relationship established between urban planning decisions and the health status of the residents. With the abundance of data and computing resources, this research aims to explore this relationship with a machine learning method. The data source is from both the OpenStreetMap and American Center for Decease Control and Prevention (CDC). By modeling the Point of Interest data and the geographic distribution of health-related outcome, the research explores the key factors in urban planning that could influence the health status of the residents quantitatively. It informs how to create a built environment that supports health and opens up possibilities for other data-driven methods in this field.
Commentary: The Role of Curriculum Resources in Promoting Effective and Equitable Science Learning

The articles in this issue represent ground-breaking work to design and develop research-based supports for the implementation of the vision of science education put forward in “A Framework for k-1...
Corporate Globalization and the Liberal Order: Disembedding and Reembedding Governing Norms

Advocacy oriented international human rights lawyers and others informed by them tend to differentiate between two types of norms: moral and legal. From moral norms many then try to derive and drive lex feranda; law as it should be. Social scientists and sociologically minded legal scholars also place great weight on the role of social norms. This chapter explores the relationship between social and legal norms in corporate globalization: legal norms undermining social norms in the early stages of the most recent wave of corporate globalization, but then social norms increasingly constraining corporate practices, turning into soft law, with some becoming hard law.
Single Crystal Fibers of Yttria-Stabilized Cubic Zirconia with Ternary Oxide Additions

Single crystal fibers of yttria (Y2O3)-stabilized cubic zirconia (ZrO2) with ternary oxide additions were grown using the laser float zone fiber processing technique. Ternary additions to the ZrO2-Y2O3 binary system were studied aimed at increasing strength while maintaining the high coefficient of thermal expansion of the binary system. Statistical methods aided in identifying the most promising ternary oxide candidate (Ta2O5, Sc2O3, and HfO2) and optimum composition. The yttria range investigated was 14 to 24 mol% and the ternary oxide component ranged from 1 to 5 mol%. Hafnium oxide was the most promising ternary oxide component based on 816 °C tensile strength results and ease of fabrication. The optimum composition for development was 81ZrO2-14Y2O3-5HfO2 based upon the same elevated temperature strength tests. Preliminary results indicate process improvements could improve the fiber performance. We also investigated the effect of crystal orientation on strength.
Effect of temperature on waterflea Daphnia magna (Crustacea:Cladocera)

Acclimation of the waterflea Daphnia magna Straus (Crustacea: Cladocera) at 2 o to 12 o C above their habitat temperature (16 o C) for 6 months increased the rate of their metabolic activity (respiration and heartbeat rates). Temperature-enhanced activity appeared to be supported by cellular ATP synthesis (increased cytochrome c oxidase and succinic dehydrogenase activities) and hydrolysis (increased ATPases activities), indicating high rate of intermediary metabolism, the substrates for which may come from the stored glycogen and fat in addition to ingested food. Temperature-enhanced activity was associated with loss of body mass and decrease in body size, both of which may result from hyperactivity (causing lack of replenishment of consumed stored glycogen and fat) and loss of body water (due to hyperosmolarity of water because of evaporation). Hyperthermia-caused hypoxia was associated with increase in hemoglobin (Hb) synthesis (a typical daphnid response to hypoxia). These responses to hyperthermic stress started showing up after one month of acclimation at 27 o-29 o C and after 6 months at lower temperature ranges (18 o-20 o C) indicating the possibility of initiation of similar responses in field populations at current expected rise in global temperature due to climate change. Since the thermal stress will continue for generations, the effects observed with D. magna may start showing up in other small aquatic poikilotherms; indicating the speeding up of their life processes and of their gametes, embryos, larvae, and young adults. Such responses can affect aquatic ecosystem dynamics.
Changing markets, changing relationships : How libraries and vendors respond to the next generation challenge

Purpose – Dissatisfaction with the online public access catalog (in particular) and the integrated library system (in general) have prompted a variety of responses from libraries and library automation vendors. The purpose of this paper is to summarize and examine these responses to get some sense of the library automation market's “trajectory.”Design/methodology/approach – The approach is to write a discursive essay on: the “broken” online public access catalogs; a review of the literature about online catalog features, limitations and remedies; customer (library) responses; (library automation) vendor responses, including a review of recent market surveys, and an attempted meta‐analysis of some of those surveys; and an attempt to redefine the ILS.Findings – The findings suggest the market “trajectory” is towards products other than the “traditional” ILS. Literature describing ILS faults and remedies may be productively applied to these other products.Research limitations/implications – The attempted met...
Understanding Key Barriers to Fathers’ Involvement in Their Children's Lives

Fathers who are uninvolved or play minimal roles in their children's lives may unwittingly have adverse effects on their psychosocial development. In 2003, only 54% of nearly a half million children in foster care in the United States had contact with their fathers, compared to 72% of children from the general population. There are multiple, complex personal, familial, societal, and agency barriers that limit fathers’ involvement with their children. We provide recommendations for child welfare agencies to modify their policies to be equitable and financially helpful to fathers, and engage fathers in case planning about their children's safety, well-being and permanency.
Envelope Threshold Detection in a Class of Non-Gaussian Interference

This paper considers the detection of a sinusoidal or chirp signal imbedded in wideband FM interference (as might be generated by some types of active jamming), such that after pulse compression or other integration, the interference can be approximated by a sum of sinusoids of independent phase. The detection probability in such non-Gaussian noise is compared to that for Gaussian noise, with the Gaussian result approached, as required, in the limit that the number of sinusoids in the sum increases without bound. For detection using a comparison of the envelope with a threshold which yields a given false-alarm probability (CFAR detection), the detection probability is improved over the case of Gaussian noise, so that the usual approach basing the design on Gaussian noise would be conservative. Using a threshold determined from the envelope mean, the FM interference yields a lower false-alarm probability than for Gaussian noise, with detection probability only slightly degraded.
Effects of Dietary Phosphorus on Resistance of Channel Catfish to Edwardsiella ictaluri Challenge

Abstract Young-of-year channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus were fed an egg-white-based purified diet supplemented with serial concentrations of phosphorus from monosodium phosphate for 10 weeks; they were subsequently challenged by a 24-h immersion in a cell suspension of Edwardsiella ictaluri (105.4 cells/mL) at 25 ± 1°C. Fish responses, which included weight gain, serum phosphorus concentration, serum alkaline phosphatase activity, mortality of challenged fish, and antibody production, were compared with dietary phosphorus concentration by regression analysis. Significant (P < 0.05) quadratic responses occurred in weight gain, serum alkaline phosphatase activity, mortality of challenged fish, and antibody production. Serum phosphorus concentration showed a significant linear response. The break points in the quadratic response curves showed that 0.38, 0.40, and 0.42% dietary phosphorus amounts were required for maximum alkaline phosphatase activity, survival from E. ictaluri challenge, and weight gain, ...
Simultaneous determinations of the sensible and latent heat transfer coefficients for tree leaves

The heat and mass transfer coefficients for exchange across the fluid dynamic boundary layer over tree leaves were simultaneously determined in a controlled environment chamber. The mass transfer coefficients were calculated from measured values of evaporation, air specific humidity and a value of leaf specific humidity at leaf temperature. The heat transfer coefficients were calculated from measured values of air temperature, leaf temperature and an estimate of the sensible heat flux density calculated as the measured net radiation at the leaf surfaces minus the latent heat flux density. The experiments described in this paper indicate that the equations based on laminar boundary-layer theory can give reasonable estimates of the transfer coefficients of real tree leaves for the velocities most commonly experienced in plant canopies, if they are adjusted by a constant multiplier greater than one. Calculations of local mass transfer coefficients based on temperature measurements at three locations at different distances from the leading edge of the leaves, indicate that the deviation from theory is probably the result of transition to turbulent boundary-layer flow at some distance from the leading edge.
HOST INFLUENCE ON THE DENSITY OF NEWCASTLE DISEASE VIRUS (NDV).

Abstract NDV populations behave in cesium chloride density gradients as if they contain infectious particles with a wide range of densities. The density heterogeneity does not appear to be an artifact of techniques employed in the study. Density is not primarily controlled by the viral genome. Variation in amount or composition of host materials incorporated directly into the virus structure or variation in “packaging” of virus subunits are suggested as possible explanations for density heterogeneity. Studies of virus stocks grown in a variety of host cell types established that NDV density differs according to the cell type used for propagation. Virus populations were heterogeneous for density irrespective of their source, but infectivity peak densities of virus of avian cell origin (ranging from 1.219 to 1.221) were significantly different from those of mammalian cell origin (ranging from 1.236 to 1.242). The standard deviation inherent in the test procedure did not lend significance to small differences observed within either group. These findings confirm a type of host-controlled modification.
Measuring structural features using a dual window method for light scattering spectroscopy and Fourier-domain low coherence interferometry

Light scattering spectroscopy (LSS) and Fourier domain low coherence interferometry (fLCI) are used in combination with the dual window method (DW) to measure scattering features from a thick turbid sample. By processing with the DW method, the trade off that hinders spectroscopic OCT is avoided, thus yielding depth resolved spectra with simultaneously high spatial and spectral resolution. The capabilities of the method are demonstrated by analyzing a double layer phantom, where the top layer contains polystyrene beads of diameter d = 4.00 μm, and the bottom layer contains beads of d = 6.98 μm. A white light parallel frequency domain OCT system is used to image the sample. The results show that scattering structure can be assessed accurately and precisely throughout the whole OCT image using LSS and fLCI.
A method to estimate the water content of concrete shields

Abstract The water content of concrete is of decisive importance for the effectiveness of a concrete shield against neutron radiation. In addition, it influences the thermal conductivity of concrete and thus the temperature distribution in a concrete shield. In the following, the modes by which water may be held within the concrete are described. Then, the major parameters affecting the water content of concrete are discussed and a method is given to estimate the water content of concrete both for the case of a drying concrete and for a concrete which is in moisture equilibrium with the surrounding atmosphere. The method is applicable for structural members exposed to temperatures up to 40°C. Some data are also given for the water content of concrete at elevated temperatures. In the final sections means of maintaining a high water content and experimental procedures to determine the water content of concrete are described.
Disposal of Waste Dust from Cement Kilns

A survey of 101 cement plants in the United States revealed that over one fourth of the dust collected from kiln exhaust gases is discarded because of excessive concentrations of alkalies, predominantly potassium, which makes the dust unsuitable for, return to the cement making process. Leaching of alkalies from kiln dust, either in rainwater percolating through disposal piles, or in dust reclamation processes, causes the most serious water pollution problem faced by the cement industry. Treatment of the leachate by electrodialysis to recover and concentrate alkalies is recommended. A promising alternative to disposal of the dust is utilization in agriculture for neutralizing acidic soils and replenishing potassium removed by crops.
The Batterer's View of the Self and Others in Domestic Violence

Researchers estimate that 3-4 million women are abused by intimate partners each year, and the United States Surgeon General reports physical abuse as the leading cause of injury to women in the U.S. Although numerous studies have examined survivors’perceptions of domestic violence, few have examined battery from the perpetrator's perspective. We use a symbolic interactionist perspective to examine in-depth interviews with thirty-three male batterers and a demographically matched comparison group of twenty-five nonviolent male subjects. Our findings indicate that batterers minimize others’negative views of themselves, and they dissociate themselves from their partners’physical and emotional injuries. The comparison subjects, on the other hand, consider others’negative views of themselves, and they describe a deeper understanding of their intimate others’problems. We argue that an understanding of the batterer's perception of himself and others in domestic violence will help counselors develop techniques to stop male violence against women.
Recent Developments in Pattern Recognition

Extensive research and development has taken place over the last twenty years in the areas of pattern recognition. Areas to which these disciplines have been applied include business (e.g., character recognition), medicine (diagnosis, abnormality detection), automation (robot vision and automatic inspection), military intelligence, communications (data compression, speech recognition), and many others. This paper presents a very brief survey of recent developments in basic pattern recognition techniques.
Dynamic complexity in Physarum polycephalum shuttle streaming

The nature of the oscillator controlling shuttle streaming inPhysarum polycephalum is not well understood. To examine the possibility of complex behavior in shuttle streaming, the time between reversal of streaming direction was measured over several hours in an intact plasmodium to produce a time series. Time series data were then used to analyze shuttle streaming dynamics. Complexity in shuttle streaming is revealed by an inverse frequency (1/f) power spectrum where the amplitude of reversals is plotted against their frequency. The complex dynamics of shuttle streaming is also shown by a trajectory in phase space typical of a strange attractor. Finally, shuttle streaming time series data have a dominant Lyapunov exponent of approximately zero. Dynamic systems with a Lyapunov exponent of zero exist in a state at the edge of chaos. Systems at the edge exhibit self-organized criticality, which produces complex behavior in many physical and biological systems. We propose that complex dynamics inPhysarum shuttle streaming is an example of self-organized criticality in the cytoplasm. The complex behavior ofPhysarum is an emergent phenomenon that probably results from the interaction of actin filaments, myosin, ATP, and other components involved in cell motility.
Evaluating the Effects of a Virtual Environment (Starbright World) With Hospitalized Children

The objective was to pilot test the impact of STARBRIGHT World (SBW)—a virtual environment for seriously ill, hospitalized children. The impact of SBW was assessed with a series of nine replicated single system designs. The outcomes were children’s pain intensity, pain aversiveness, and anxiety. The results were aggregated using meta-analysis. At the individual child level, 6 of 27 contrasts between the two conditions reached significance. Overall, there was a trend for the later participants to report greater impact in the SBW condition and this appeared to parallel the increase in the SBW system’s functionality. When the results were combined meta-analytically, the combined p value was less than .05 for pain intensity and pain aversiveness and slightly greater than .05 for anxiety. This study provided modest support for the effectiveness of SBW and demonstrates the use of meta-analysis with single system designs.
A Pre-Emptive Multimodal Pathway Featuring Peripheral Nerve Block Improves Perioperative Outcomes After Major Orthopedic Surgery

Background and Objectives: Patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery experience significant postoperative pain. Failure to provide adequate analgesia may impede early physical therapy and rehabilitation, which are important factors for maintaining joint range of motion and facilitating hospital dismissal. We examined the effect of a pre-emptive, multimodal, perioperative analgesic regimen emphasizing peripheral nerve block in patients undergoing total hip (THA) and total knee (TKA) arthroplasty. Perioperative outcomes and major postoperative complications were evaluated. Methods: One hundred consecutive patients undergoing primary or revision THA or TKA using the Mayo Clinic Total Joint Regional Anesthesia (TJRA) protocol were retrospectively reviewed. The TJRA protocol is a pre-emptive, multimodal, perioperative analgesic regimen emphasizing peripheral nerve block that was jointly developed by the Departments of Anesthesiology and Orthopedic Surgery. Identified patients were matched 1:1 with historical controls undergoing identical surgical procedures with traditional anesthetic techniques. Matching criteria included patient age, gender, surgeon, date of surgery, and American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status. Patient demographics, preoperative joint range of motion, and anesthetic management were recorded for each patient. The primary study outcome was hospital length of stay. Secondary outcome variables included time to ambulation, joint range of motion, and discharge eligibility. Postoperative verbal analog pain scores (VAS), opioid requirements, side effects, and perioperative complications were also documented. Results: One hundred patients underwent THA or TKA using the newly implemented Mayo Clinic TJRA protocol. Matched controls (n = 100) received intravenous patient-controlled analgesia with subsequent conversion to oral analgesics for postoperative pain management. TJRA patients had significantly shorter hospital lengths of stay (3.8 days v 5.0 days; P Conclusions: Patients undergoing THA or TKA using a comprehensive, pre-emptive, multimodal analgesic regimen emphasizing peripheral nerve block may have significantly improved perioperative outcomes, and fewer adverse events, when compared with patients receiving traditional intravenous opioids during the initial postoperative period. Improved perioperative outcomes include a shortened hospital length of stay, and a significant reduction in postoperative urinary retention and ileus formation.
External pressures generated by vented gas and dust explosions

Abstract Several different data correlations have been developed for the external pressures associated with vented gas explosions and dust explosions. These correlations, which are applicable to external locations in the direct line-of-sight of the enclosure vent, are reviewed here. In addition, the application of spherically symmetric and of ellipsoidal blast wave models is explored as a possible means of calculating external pressures over a wider range of conditions than is possible with the existing data correlations. Results indicate that the spherically symmetric blast wave model can obtain a comparable accuracy (8–9 kPa standard deviation) for line-of-sight locations as the more recent data correlations. In the case of the lower blast pressures at locations perpendicular to the vent line-of-sight, the ellipsoidal blast wave provides significantly better agreement with data (to within 1 kPa standard deviation for the one set of available test data) than the spherically symmetric model.
Differential serum cytokine responses to inactivated and live attenuated seasonal influenza vaccines.

Abstract Despite vaccine efforts, influenza outbreaks pose a significant threat to global public health. There are two commercially available seasonal influenza vaccines in the United States: the trivalent inactivated vaccine (TIV), delivered parenterally, and the live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), delivered intranasally. Although both vaccines are generally efficacious, the immunologic mechanisms which contribute to protective immunity are incompletely understood. Thus, we investigated the protracted effects of TIV and LAIV on serum cytokine profiles at 14 and 28 days post-vaccination (when antibody titers are peak) in healthy adults over two influenza seasons. Vaccination with TIV was associated with a small, yet significant, decrease in the levels of both IL-8 and TNF-α at 14 and 28 days post-vaccination. LAIV, however, had no impact on serum cytokine levels. Similarly, analysis of serum antibody titers indicated that TIV recipients had a significantly higher sero-response rate compared to LAIV recipients, as has been previously shown. Finally, we examined the relationship between baseline serum cytokine levels and antibody responses to TIV (LAIV recipients were excluded due to the poor sero-response rate). Interestingly, in TIV recipients pre-vaccination levels of IL-8 were higher in sero-responders compared to non-responders. Collectively, these data suggest that cytokines may influence vaccine outcomes and indicate that parenteral immunization with TIV induces a sustained, systemic cytokine response which lasts for weeks.
Hume and the Implanted Knowledge of God

Hume is justly famous for his criticisms of theistic proofs. However, what is less well-known is that Hume also criticized the claim that belief in God, simply because it is natural, is justified without supporting argument. Hume certainly encountered this claim in his own Protestant milieu, as various textual clues throughout his corpus indicate. His own endorsement of natural beliefs raises the possibility that religious belief might be justified without argument. One of Hume's chief aims in The Natural History of Religion was to show that religious belief is not natural in a way that makes it justified without argument.
Biomolecular sensing using gold nanoparticle–coated ZnO nanotetrapods

Gold nanoparticle–coated ZnO tetrapods have been utilized as a substrate for the detection of fluorescently labeled protein tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate bovine serum albumin and phospholipid 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-(Lissamine rhodamine B sulfonyl) down to the concentrations of 15 pM and 79 nM, respectively. Our detection scheme is based on enhanced fluorescence excitation of the biomolecular analytes by the surface plasmon polaritons of gold nanoparticles coated on the ZnO tetrapod whiskers. This enhanced excitation is confirmed using COMSOL Multiphysics, where the optical near field is shown to be dependent on the coating density of the gold nanoparticles and branching of the ZnO nanostructures.
Routine Part-per-Million Mass Accuracy for High- Mass Ions: Space-Charge Effects in MALDI FT-ICR.

The effect of ion space-charge on mass accuracy in Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry is examined. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization is used to form a population of high-molecular-weight polymer ions with a wide mass distribution. The density of the ions in the analyzer cell is varied using ion remeasurement and suspended trapping techniques to allow the effect of ion space charge to be examined independently of other experimental influences. Observed cyclotron frequency exhibits a linear correlation with ion population. Mass errors of 100 ppm or more in externally calibrated mass spectra result when ion number is not taken into account. By matching the total ion intensities of calibrant and analyte mass spectra, the protonated ion of insulin B-chain, 3494.6513 Da, is measured with an accuracy of 0.07 ppm (average of 10 measurements, σ = 2.3 ppm, average absolute error 1.6 ppm) using a polymer sample as an external calibrant. Alternatively, the correction for space charg...
Sertraline in the treatment of women with postpartum major depression

No consensus has yet been reached as to whether or not postpartum depression (PPD) represents a distinct clinical entity. Despite the increasing evidence that gender differences may exist in antidepressant treatment response, there is an absence of studies in women with postpartum onset of major depression. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), sertraline, in the treatment of women with a major depressive episode (MDE) that occurred within 6 months of childbirth using an 8 week, prospective, open-labelled design. Further, we sought to determine if the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was a useful instrument to monitor the clinical response to drug treatment. Twenty-six postpartum women who fulfilled DSM-IIIR criteria for major depressive episode, non-psychotic, with symptom onset within 6 months postpartum were enrolled in the study. Biweekly assessments included physician and self-rated depression measures. Twenty-one of the women (81%) completed the 8 week study; 20 women exhibited a salutary response as defined by > 50% reduction from baseline in SIGH-D scores (mean reduction = 15.7 points). Fourteen women demonstrated complete symptom remission with recovery of function (SIGH-D 80) upon completion of the 8 week study. Three women experienced significant side effects; these included gastrointestinal disturbance (n =1) and anorgasmia (n = 2). Our results indicate that: (1) sertraline is a highly efficacious and well-tolerated treatment for women with postpartum depression; (2) the EPDS is comparable to the BDI and SIGH-D for monitoring treatment response in women with postpartum onset MDE; (3) PPD (MDE onset within 4 weeks postpartum, as defined by DSM IV) required significantly less medication and tended to respond faster than MDE onset after 4 weeks postpartum; and (4) the rapid response rate underscores the need to conduct placebo-controlled studies in this population. Depression 3:49–55 (1995). © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Microhabitat Specificity of Macracanthorhynchus ingens (Acanthocephala: Oligacanthorhynchidae) in the Raccoon (Procyon lotor)

Abstract Microhabitat specificity of Macracanthorhynchus ingens (Acanthocephala: Oligacanthorhynchidae) in the small intestine of raccoons (Procyon lotor) was investigated. Twenty-nine of 43 raccoons necropsied from Ossabaw Island, Georgia, U.S.A., were infected with 1–767 M. ingens. Macracanthorhynchus ingens occurred in the anterior 19 of 20 intestinal segments; however, over 71% of 1,481 total worms collected occurred in segments 4–9 of raccoon intestines. Worm location did not differ between sexes, among size classes, or between reproductive states (gravid vs. nongravid). Levin's standardized niche breadths for individual infrapopulations were significantly smaller than niche breadths calculated from a null model assuming random site selection. Observed niche breadths reached an asymptote at between 25 and 50 worms/raccoon. In addition, worms were observed attached to each other in segments 5–10 of the most heavily infected raccoon. These data suggest that M. ingens exhibits preferential site selectio...
Activation of protein biosynthesis in non-nucleate fragments of sea urchin eggs.

Abstract Incorporation of amino acid into protein by non-nucleate fragments of sea urchin eggs can be stimulated by artificial activation to the same extent as by fertilization.
Anemia in Cancer

In summary, anemia developing in a patient with cancer can be due to several different factors. A relative failure of erythropoiesis, in conjunction with a modestly shortened erythrocyte survival, is the most likely explanation for the anemia and can occur in patients with or without bone marrow invasion. Several theories have been proposed to explain the mechanism of limited red cell production in cancer. Internal iron starvation and cancer toxic factors have been widely implicated. Immunoglobulin inhibitors of erythropoiesis occur in the rare entity, pure red cell aplasia, which is sometimes associated with thymomas. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia can also occur in patients with solid cancers, pointing out the need for a complete evaluation of anemia in any patient with recent-onset anemia. Successful treatment and prognostic implications of anemia in cancer is dependent on proper diagnosis.
Taste and smell losses in HIV infected patients

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) associated wasting is an increasingly common clinical manifestation of AIDS. The pathogenesis of wasting is multifactorial and includes reduced caloric intake as a major contributing mechanism. The perceptions of taste and smell play an important role in stimulating caloric intake and in optimizing nutrient absorption through cephalic phase reflexes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the degree of losses in taste and smell function that occur in subjects infected with HIV. Taste and smell function was evaluated in 40 HIV infected individuals and 40 healthy control subjects matched for age, sex, race, smoking behavior, and number of years of education. Chemosensory tests administered to subjects included taste and smell detection thresholds, taste and smell memory tests, taste and smell discrimination tests, and taste and smell identification tasks. Significant differences were observed between experimental and control subjects in glutamic acid taste detection threshold (p < 0.001), quinine hydrochloride taste detection threshold (p < 0.001), menthol smell detection threshold (p < 0.001) and in the taste identification task (p = 0.006). Overall the results suggest abnormalities in the peripheral and central nervous systems, and subjective distortion of taste and smell. A significant correlation was not established between CDC classification of HIV infection and taste and smell function, although trends were observed suggesting worsening function with progression of HIV disease. These results document significant taste and smell losses in HIV infected subjects which may be of clinical significance in the development or progression of HIV associated wasting.
Effect of affect on social cost bias in social anxiety disorder

The cognitive model of social anxiety disorder (SAD) assumes that cognitive biases are important maintaining factors of the disorder. Research and theory have highlighted the impact of cognitive self-regulatory processes on affect, but have not sufficiently focused on the influence of affect on self-regulatory cognitions. The present study examined the influence of affect on cognitive self-regulatory mechanisms in SAD by focusing on one critical cognitive bias, estimated social cost. Individuals with SAD (N=48) and non-anxious controls (N=48) were randomly assigned to one of three experimental, affect induction conditions (negative, positive, or neutral) before giving a 10-minute impromptu, videotaped speech. As expected, the affect manipulation resulted in changes in estimated social cost. However, this effect was not specific to individuals with SAD. Participants in the positive affect condition in both groups had the highest social cost estimates post-speech challenge. These results suggest that social cost bias is dependent on the affective state in both individuals with SAD and controls.
CS-US interval and conditioned fear facilitation of shuttlebox avoidance learning in the goldfish

Goldfish were given 40 Pavlovian fear conditioning trials and then were trained on a shuttlebox avoidance task under either a 10-sec or a 30-sec CS-US interval. When compared with unstimulated control Ss, fear-conditioned fish showed facilitation of avoidance responding for the 30-sec, but not for the 10-sec, interstimulus interval.
Concordance of Patient-Physician Obesity Diagnosis and Treatment Beliefs in Rural Practice Settings.

: Context: Although clinical guidelines recommend routine screening and treatment for obesity in primary care, lack of agreement between physicians and patients about the need for obesity treatment in the primary care setting may be an unexplored factor contributing to the obesity epidemic. Purpose and Methods: To better understand this dynamic, we surveyed 439 obese patients (body mass index ³30) at the time of clinic visits in 2003 at diverse primary care settings in rural Kansas and conducted same-day interviews with their physicians (N = 28). We used Spearman’s correlation to describe and compare patient and physician responses. Findings: Most patients were women (66%). Their mean age was 55.8 years, and mean body mass index was 37.7. Half (51%) reported discussing their weight on that visit date. Overall, 51% of patients wanted to discuss weight more often with their physician and 54% wanted to discuss weight sooner. Patients and physicians gave similar assessments of the patient’s preference for discussing weight loss, how often weight was discussed at visits, and the patient’s motivation for weight loss. Spearman’s correlations on these variables were .33, .54, and .25, respectively (all P < .001). Conclusions: These patients and their physicians demonstrated a weak to moderate agreement on several variables crucial to initiating and continuing obesity care. Understanding patient and provider beliefs and preferences regarding obesity diagnosis and treatment is essential in designing obesity interventions for primary care.
The Multidivisional Structure: Organizational Fossil or Source of Value?

The multidivisional (M-form) structure has been variously characterized as the most significant organizational innovation in the twentieth century (Williamson, 1985) and as an organizational fossil that is increasingly irrelevant in the modern world (Bettis, 1991). Against this background, the purpose of this paper is threefold. First, to critically evaluate three perspectives, including transaction cost, strategic management and sociological, relating to the M-form firm. Second, to examine what the empirical evidence finds about relationships proposed by these perspectives. Finally, to develop a model that summarizes the relationships proposed among these perspectives and make suggestions about future theory building and areas where further empirical work is needed.