cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Caffeine modulates attention network function

The present work investigated the effects of caffeine (0 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, 400 mg) on a flanker task designed to test Posner’s three visual attention network functions: alerting, orienting, and executive control [Posner, M. I. (2004). Cognitive neuroscience of attention. New York, NY: Guilford Press]. In a placebocontrolled, double-blind study using a repeated-measures design, we found that the effects of caffeine on visual attention vary as a function of dose and the attention network under examination. Caffeine improved alerting and executive control function in a dose–response manner, asymptoting at 200 mg; this effect is congruent with caffeine’s adenosine-mediated effects on dopamine-rich areas of brain, and the involvement of these areas in alerting and the executive control of visual attention. Higher doses of caffeine also led to a marginally less efficient allocation of visual attention towards cued regions during task performance (i.e., orienting). Taken together, results of this study demonstrate that caffeine has differential effects on visual attention networks as a function of dose, and such effects have implications for hypothesized interactions of caffeine, adenosine and dopamine in brain areas mediating visual attention. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Scattering of plane electromagnetic waves by moving objects

A formulation is developed for the amplitude and polarization of the scattered radiation fields from a plane wave interacting with an arbitrary moving object in free space. The development is in terms of the scattering properties of the object in its rest frame and is relativistically correct for all velocities.
Organotypic skin culture

An organotypic culture system (OCS) allows for the in vitro growth of complex biological tissues in a way that replicates part of their normal physiology and function. Because epidermis and other skin components, such as hair follicles, can be readily maintained in vitro, OCSs have gained broad popularity in dermatological research. Compared with traditional “on-a-plastic” cultures, where individual dissociated cells quickly lose all but a few of their original in vivo properties, cells in OCSs can engage in elaborate behaviors, such as the growth of new hairs, which requires complex coordination of cell division, differentiation, and migration. OCSs enable human skin to be studied with approaches, such as genetic manipulations, that are otherwise unsafe and unethical in human subjects. As such, skin OCSs are powerful as an experimental platform in preclinical dermatological research, helping to validate mechanisms of diseases and test the therapeutic potential of candidate drugs. This article provides an overview of organotypic skin culture techniques with special emphasis on stratified epidermis and hair follicle in vitro systems.
Neural Network Model Based Job Scheduling and Its Implementation in Networked Manufacturing

On analysis of the workshop management characteristics of discrete enterprises in networked manufacturing environment, an instruction scheduling management system was designed and developed based on the discrete Hopfield network model. While changing weight factors or thresholds of neural network under associative memory mode, a suitable model for job scheduling was designed, which will bring advantages of neural network into play. The scheduling results were analyzed with multi-objective optimization computing method. Then this paper presented the comparison of simulation results and actual scheduling data,which shown that neural network scheduling model tends to consider evaluation indicators comprehensively, and all indicators of the corresponding scheduling solution keep balance.
Bent-beam electrothermal actuators-Part II: Linear and rotary microengines

For Part I see L. Que, J.S. Park and Y.B. Gianchandani, ibid., vol.10, pp.247-54 (2001). This paper reports on the use of bent-beam electrothermal actuators for the purpose of generating rotary and long-throw rectilinear displacements. The rotary displacements are achieved by orthogonally arranged pairs of cascaded actuators that are used to rotate a gear. Devices were fabricated using electroplated Ni, p/sup ++/ Si, and polysilicon as structural materials. Displacements of 20-30 /spl mu/m with loading forces >150 /spl mu/N at actuation voltages 200 /spl mu/N at displacements >100 /spl mu/m were measured.
Drugged and Dangerous Prevalence and Variants of Substance Use Comorbidity Among Seriously Violent Offenders in the United States

The evidence is clear that substance use and drug problems often accompany other antisocial behavior generally and violent behavior specifically; however, the specificity of the drug/violence nexus is less clear. Using data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) between 2008 and 2012, the current study examined the prevalence and possible heterogeneity of substance use among serious violent offenders in the United States. Three latent classes were discovered: Class 1 (61.18% of sample) who displayed limited substance use morbidity, Class 2 (28.17% of sample) who displayed comorbid alcohol and marijuana use disorders, and Class 3 (10.65% of sample) who displayed polydrug abuse/dependence and severe criminal careers. Additional results indicated that the most serious violent offenders have substance use problems that appear amenable to treatment; however, the most antisocial violent offenders also have the most severe drug problems. Implications of study findings for the epidemiology of ant...
Low Temperature Device Processing Technology for II-VI Semiconductors

Low temperature (<60°C) processing technologies that avoid potentially damaging processing steps have been developed for devices fabricated from II-VI semiconductor epitaxial layers grown by photoassisted molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). These low temperature technologies include: 1) photolithography (1 μm geometries), 2) calibrated etchants (rates as low as 30 A/s), 3) a metallization lift-off process employing a photoresist profiler, 4) an interlevel metal dielectric, and 5) an insulator technology for metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) structures. A number of first demonstration devices including field-effect transistors and p-n junctions have been fabricated from II-VI epitaxial layers grown by photoassisted MBE and processed using the technology described here. In this paper, two advanced device structures, processed at <60°C, will be presented: 1) CdTe:As-CdTe:In p-n junction detectors, grown in situ by photoassisted MBE, and 2) HgCdTe-HgTe-CdZnTe quantum-well modulation-doped field-effect transistors (MODFETs).
Modulation of pulmonary allergic responses by mucosal cytokine-gene transfer*

ABSTRACT Recent clinical and experimental animal studies have provided evidence for a pivotal role of T lymphocytes and Th2 cytokines in the development of allergic inflammatory responses and airway hyperreactivity. These studies suggest also that the Th2 cytokine-associated inflammatory responses are potential targets of developing novel and effective therapies. Using a novel gene-transfer approach, we investigated the role of a Th2-inhibitory cytokine, IFN- γ , in the regulation of antigen (Ag)-induced lung inflammatory response and airway hyperreactivity by transfer of the IFN-γ gene into mouse lung mucosal cells. Our results showed that mice receiving the IFN-γ gene demonstrate a lower degree of Ag- and Th2 cell-induced airway hyperresponsiveness and a reduced eosinophilia in the lung. These results provided evidence that the instillation of the IFN-γ gene into the lung is effective in modulating the allergic inflammation and bronchial hyperreactivity in an experimental animal model.
Computerized Cognitive Training with Older Adults: A Systematic Review

A systematic review to examine the efficacy of computer-based cognitive interventions for cognitively healthy older adults was conducted. Studies were included if they met the following criteria: average sample age of at least 55 years at time of training; participants did not have Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment; and the study measured cognitive outcomes as a result of training. Theoretical articles, review articles, and book chapters that did not include original data were excluded. We identified 151 studies published between 1984 and 2011, of which 38 met inclusion criteria and were further classified into three groups by the type of computerized program used: classic cognitive training tasks, neuropsychological software, and video games. Reported pre-post training effect sizes for intervention groups ranged from 0.06 to 6.32 for classic cognitive training interventions, 0.19 to 7.14 for neuropsychological software interventions, and 0.09 to 1.70 for video game interventions. Most studies reported older adults did not need to be technologically savvy in order to successfully complete or benefit from training. Overall, findings are comparable or better than those from reviews of more traditional, paper-and-pencil cognitive training approaches suggesting that computerized training is an effective, less labor intensive alternative.
The impact of genetic variation in DRD2 and SLC6A3 on smoking cessation in a cohort of participants 1 year after enrollment in a lung cancer screening study.

Smoking cessation strategies continue to have disappointing results. By determining the interindividual genetic differences that influence smoking behaviors, we may be able to develop tailored strategies that increase the likelihood of successful cessation. This study attempts to determine genetic influences on the relationship between the dopamine pathway and smoking cessation by examining associations with a variable number tandem repeat variation in SLC6A3 and the DRD2 variants TaqIA (A2 vs. A1), TaqIB (B2 vs. B1), C957T (C vs. T), and -141C Ins/Del (C vs. Del). Baseline smokers in the Pittsburgh Lung Screening Study who provided information on smoking status one year later were evaluated. We frequency-matched those who were not abstinent at one year to those who were abstinent at one year by gender, decade of age, and time of enrollment (three month intervals) in a three to one ratio (N=881). Logistic regression was used to identify the effect of genotype on abstinence at one year. In a model containing the matching variables and other genotypes, DRD2 TaqIA was significantly associated with being abstinent at one year (p=0.01). Compared to participants who were homozygous TaqIA major allele (A2A2), participants who carried at least one minor allele (A1) were less likely to quit (Odds Ratio: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.24–0.94). The other dopamine receptor genotypes and the SLC6A3 genotype were not associated with smoking status at one-year. The association between DRD2 TaqIA and smoking cessation supports the hypothesis that genetic variation in the dopamine pathway influences smoking cessation.
Proof of Factorization for Diffractive Hard Scattering

A proof is given that hard-scattering factorization is valid for deep-inelastic processes which are diffractive or which have some other condition imposed on the final state in the target fragmentation region.
Study of hydrogen bonding interactions relevant to biomolecular structure and function

Ab initio molecular orbital calculations were used to study hydrogen bonding interactions and interatomic distances of a number of hydrogen bonded complexes that are germane to biomolecular structure and function. The calculations were carried out at the STO-3G, 3-21G, 6-31G * , and MP2/6-31G * levels (geometries were fully optimized at each level). For anionic species, 6-31+G * and MP2/6-31+G * were also used. In some cases, more sophisticated calculations were also carried out. Whenever possible, the corresponding enthalpy, entropy, and free energy of complexation were calculated
Contract enforcement in Russian serf society, 1750-1860

This article examines questions about contract enforcement in the absence of formal legal institutions, using archival evidence for one particular rural society in pre-emancipation Russia. The evidence presented indicates that enforcement services provided by the local landlord made it possible for Russians from different socioeconomic and legal strata to engage in a wide variety of contractual transactions. However, this system had significant drawbacks in that the poorest serfs could not afford these services and no serf had recourse beyond his local estate.
Effects of non-equilibrium plasmas on low-pressure, premixed flames. Part 1: CH* chemiluminescence, temperature, and OH

Abstract In this paper, we investigate the effects of nanosecond, repetitively-pulsed, non-equilibrium plasma discharges on laminar, low-pressure, premixed, burner-stabilized hydrogen/O 2 /N 2 and hydrocarbon/O 2 /N 2 flames using CH * chemiluminescence and quantitative OH laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) diagnostics. Two different plasma sources, both of which generate uniform, low-temperature, volumetric, non-equilibrium plasma discharges, are used to study changes in chemiluminescence, temperature, and OH concentration when non-equilibrium plasmas are directly coupled to conventional hydrogen/hydrocarbon oxidation and combustion chemistry. Qualitative imaging of CH * chemiluminescence indicates that during plasma discharge, the luminous flame zone is shifted upstream towards the burner surface with little change in the CH * zone thickness. For the same plasma discharge and flame conditions, quantitative results using spatially-resolved OH LIF and multi-line, OH-LIF thermometry show significant increases in ground-state OH concentrations in the preheating zones of the flame. More specifically, for a particular axial position downstream of the burner surface, the OH concentration increases, which can be viewed as an effective “shift” of the OH profiles towards the burner surface. The increase in OH concentration is conceivably due to an enhancement of the lower-temperature kinetics including O atom, H atom and OH formation kinetics and temperature rise due to the presence of the low-temperature, non-equilibrium plasma.
A Parallel-Vector Skyline Equation Solver for Distributed-Memory Computers

It is now generally acknowledged that the most feasible and economical means of solving extremely large computational problems in the future will be with massively parallel computers and distributed memory. Though the relatively rapid growth in microprocessor technology over the last decade has lead to the development of massively parallel architectures capable of performing Giga arithmetic operations in a single second, the software required to efficiently solve large-scale problems remains a challenge to scientists and engineers today. A lot of effort has been made to develop efficient equation solvers on parallel computers [7.1], but most of them are either designed for computers with shared memory [7.2–7.6], or for special form of matrices [7.7–7.9], such as tridiagonal matrix, triangular matrix or banded matrix. Since in most scientific and engineering applications, the final systems of equations to be solved are large, symmetrical matrices with variable bandwidths, it is desirable to develop an efficient equation solver that can exploit such special features of the coefficient matrix.
Whether or not to accept a deceased donor kidney offer for a pediatric patient

The expansion of the number of children on the deceased donor renal transplant waitlist has far outstripped the supply of organs in most countries, leading to numerous adjustments to increase supply and to maximize the utility of donor organs. The system for organ allocation varies by country based on local laws, priorities, and resources. Adjustments are made to optimize allocation, enhance post-transplant survival benefit, decrease unequal transplant access, and optimize utilization of donated kidneys. Allocation of deceased donor kidneys is based on several criteria; however, the final decision to accept or reject the offered kidney is made by the potential recipient’s transplant team (surgeon/nephrologist). Several considerations including assessment of the donor quality, the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) match between the donor and the recipient, numerous recipient factors, the geographical location of the recipient, and the organ all affect the decision to accept the organ or not for a particular recipient. This decision must be made quickly, often on the spot. Maximizing the benefit from this scarce resource raises difficult ethical issues. The philosophies of equity and utility are often competing. In this manuscript, we highlight a representative case that helps to focus on important issues for the pediatric nephrologist to consider while making the decision to accept a deceased donor kidney offer for a particular pediatric patient.
Thinking Inside the Box: Simple Methods to Evaluate Complex Treatments

We risk ignoring cheaper and safer medical treatments because they cannot be patented, lack profit potential, require too much patient-contact time, or do not have scientific results. Novel medical treatments may be difficult to evaluate for a variety of reasons such as patient selection bias, the effect of the package of care, or the lack of identifying the active elements of treatment. Whole Systems Research (WSR) is an approach designed to assess the performance of complete packages of clinical management. While the WSR method is compelling, there is no standard procedure for WSR, and its implementation may be intimidating. The truth is that WSR methodological tools are neither new nor complicated. There are two sequential steps, or boxes, that guide WSR methodology: establishing system predictability, followed by an audit of system element effectiveness. We describe the implementation of WSR with a particular attention to threats to validity (Shadish, Cook, & Campbell, 2002; Shadish & Heinsman, 1997). DOI:10.2458/azu_jmmss_v2i1_menke
A Simple Alternative Model for the Estimation of the Carbon Dioxide Effect on the Earth's Energy Balance:

A simple model for the evaluation of the CO2 concentration effect on the radiative component of the Earth’s energy balance is described. The model calculates a single parameter, an expected increase of the average temperature at the Earth surface caused by doubling the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere. The model is based on the spectrum of Planck radiation leaving the Earth’s surface and on IR spectral characteristics of the air column above the surface. The principal distinction of the model with respect to comprehensive global general-circulation models is the representation of the atmosphere as a combination of narrow-range IR filters. Within the approximations used in the model, a doubling the CO2 concentration in the Earth’s atmosphere would lead to an increase of the surface temperature by about +0.5 to 0.7 °C, hardly an effect calling for immediate drastic changes in the planet’s energy policies. An increase in the absolute air humidity caused by doubling the CO2 concentration and the resulting ...
Between Personal and Official Memory: Memory, Opposition and Nigeria-Biafra War

Perhaps, more than any other period in Nigeria's post-civil war history, the publication of Chinua Achebe's book, There Was a Country: A Personal History of Biafra in 2012, brought memories of Biafra back to the very heart of Nigerian politics. Achebe's work opens up a landscape of contested memories marked by extant power struggles between official and unofficial forms of memories, national and sectional narratives, and hegemonic and subaltern conceptions of remembering in post-civil war Nigeria. While the Nigerian state still shapes the official history, memories and narratives of the war to suit its own vision, interests and politics, Achebe rejects the official views of the state as the sole and legitimate framework for remembering and interpreting the war and still connects to the war as a war of Igbo national liberation. Underpinning this divide, is the projection of memory as a critical tool, not just to remember or avoid a repeat of a difficult past, but as a control mechanism that defines relationships between âunequalâ groups with obvious implications for relations of power, legitimacy and authority in the Nigerian state.
Heidegger on Macht and Machenschaft

In a paradoxical manner, Heidegger's work is deeply tainted by his complicity with totalitarian (fascist) oppression, despite the fact that his philosophy, in its basic tenor, was always dedicated to “freedom” and resistance to totalizing uniformity. While acknowledging his early fascination with power struggles, the essay tries to show how, as a corollary of his “turning” (Kehre), Heidegger steadily sought to extricate himself from the tentacles of oppressive power (Macht) and manipulative domination (Machenschaft). The focus here is on recently published treatises of the 1930's. The conclusion inserts Heidegger's thought into the contemporary arena of global standardization.
Differentiation between bacterial and tryptic gelatin liquefaction as aid to diagnosis of fibrosis of pancreas.

Discussion and summaryIn order to render the x-ray film liquefaction test by fecal specimens more informative it is highly desirable to be able to differentiate between gelatin liquefaction due to the activity of pancreatic trypsin and that due to the action of bacterial enzyme. Soybean trypsin inhibitor, which prevents the liquefaction of gelatin (x-ray film) by crystalline trypsin and trypsin in feces, fails to inhibit gelatin liquefaction by various bacteria, including Proteus ammoniae, Proteus morganii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Suitable preparations of zinc oxide, zinc peroxide, and sodium perborate have no or only a slight effect on trypsin in feces but markedly inhibit the bacterial enzyme responsible for gelatin liquefaction.
Factors Influencing Implementation of Violence Prevention Education in Community Organizations

Abstract Violence prevention education can be effectively implemented in inner city neighborhoods by targeting many sites within the community. The Violence Prevention Project (VPP) of Boston sought, in its initial stage (1987–1989) to engage community organizations, such as schools, churches, YMCAs, and criminal youth programs as permanent change agents in the field of violence prevention. After the first year of the project, participation by community organizations was lower than anticipated. Some barriers and some catalysts to effective participation by these organizations were identified that may be useful for other community-based violence prevention projects.
Simulation of Impact of Roots on Soil Moisture and Surface Fluxes over Central Qinghai-Xizang Plateau

The central Qinghai-Xizang Plateau is characterized by dense roots and high soil organic carbon( SOC) in the top soil,which has significant effects on the soil hydraulic and thermal dynamics. These effects are investigated by using the Noah land surface model with multi-parameterization options( Noah- MP) which is forced by the intensive observation data at Amdo site from May to September 1998. The physical processes in Noah- M P with notable impact on soil temperature simulations are primarily assessed. Further,by investigating the different influence of stratifying soil properties,SOC and roots on soil hydraulic and thermal dynamics,surface energy simulations, results are obtained following. There are six physical processes,such as surface heat exchange and radiation transfer,have larger influence on soil temperature simulation. SOC effect optimize soil liquid water simulation slightly,yet it still possess large dry bias in the topsoil. This bias is significantly reduced from- 0. 094 m3·m- 3to- 0. 016 m3·m- 3after considering roots effect. The simulated soil temperature in topsoil is lower than observation,but it has better performance in deep soil layers. At the same time,the bias of sensible heat flux and latent heat flux is reduced from 24. 3 W ·m- 2,- 22. 5 W·m- 2to 6. 0 W ·m- 2,1. 2 W·m- 2,respectively.
Bioinspired intrinsic control of freeze cast composites: Harnessing hydrophobic hydration and clathrate hydrates

Abstract Bioinspired ZrO2-epoxy, two-phase composite materials were fabricated by the freeze casting fabrication technique followed by polymer infiltration. These materials were intrinsically controlled by adding varying concentrations of the monofunctional alcohols ethanol (EtOH), n-propanol (n-PrOH) and n-butanol (n-BuOH). The microstructures of freeze cast scaffolds created with these alcohol additives demonstrated maximum pore areas (peak Ap) at concentrations of 10, 5–7 and 3 vol% for EtOH, n-PrOH and n-BuOH respectively. Differential scanning calorimetry analyses of binary mixtures of these additives and water suggested only n-PrOH was capable of developing clathrate hydrates. Measurements of the adiabatic compressibility of complete freeze casting slurries showed that a similar room temperature phenomenon, hydrophobic hydration, was occurring in all cases with the maximum effect occurring at the same additive concentrations as the peak Ap values. This highlights that effects occurring within the slurry at room temperature and before freezing may have a significant effect on the freeze casting process. Analysis of the mechanical properties shows that infiltration of the scaffolds can provide resistance to Euler buckling, resulting in strengths of ∼3 orders of magnitude greater than uninfiltrated (and therefore unsupported) scaffolds. This suggests that layered structural design elements, found throughout nature, may be harnessing this Euler buckling resistance to increase strength.
Competing Cognitive Resilient Networks

We introduce competing cognitive resilient network (CCRN) of mobile radios challenged to optimize data throughput and networking efficiency under dynamic spectrum access and adversarial threats (e.g., jamming). Unlike the conventional approaches, CCRN features both communicator and jamming nodes in a friendly coalition to take joint actions against hostile networking entities. In particular, this paper showcases hypothetical blue force and red force CCRNs and their competition for open spectrum resources. We present state-agnostic and stateful solution approaches based on the decision theoretic framework. The state-agnostic approach builds on multiarmed bandit to develop an optimal strategy that enables the exploratory-exploitative actions from sequential sampling of channel rewards. The stateful approach makes an explicit model of states and actions from an underlying Markov decision process and uses multiagent ${Q}$ -learning to compute optimal node actions. We provide a theoretical framework for CCRN and propose new algorithms for both approaches. Simulation results indicate that the proposed algorithms outperform some of the most important algorithms known to date.
Occupant workstation level energy-use prediction in commercial buildings: Developing and assessing a new method to enable targeted energy efficiency programs

Abstract As buildings become more energy efficient and automated, the role of occupants becomes more significant to assist buildings in reaching their full energy efficiency potential. Predicting occupants’ consumption behavior has been identified as one of the most challenging processes in energy efficiency programs and building management system operations. Thus, more accurate behavior learning algorithms for commercial buildings are needed to improve energy efficiency. In this paper, we propose a method to predict occupants’ energy-use behavior based on individual energy consumption profiles and assess its potential to increase the effectiveness of energy efficiency programs. The proposed method implements a support vector machine in order to model and predict occupants’ short term energy-use patterns and test hypotheses for the existence of a correlation between occupants’ entropy, efficiency and prediction accuracy. The results show an average accuracy of 83% for individual energy-use pattern prediction while being positively correlated with individuals’ energy-use behavior. The main contributions of this paper are: (1) proposing and validating a new method to predict individuals’ energy-use patterns based on their individual workstation-level energy consumption patterns, and (2) assessing the feasibility and potential of implementing this method to enhance the efficacy of energy efficiency programs to further induce energy efficiency.
Corporate venture capital program autonomy, corporate investors’ attention and portfolio diversification

Purpose – From the attention-based view, the purpose of this paper is to examine how structural autonomy of a corporate venture capital (CVC) program influences its CVC managers’ investment decisions with regard to investment portfolio diversification. Design/methodology/approach – This study collects data from VentureXpert, Compustat, and the US Patent Office. The final sample consists of 868 CVC portfolio-year observations from 1990 to 2004. Panel linear regressions and hierarchical linear regressions are used in the analysis. Findings – The major finding of this study reveals that that structural autonomy of a CVC program is significantly related to its investment portfolio diversification. In addition to the direct effect, the authors also find that CVC structure autonomy moderates the relationship between corporate investor’s strategic attention and its CVC portfolio diversification. Specifically, when the autonomous level of a CVC program is high, the negative relationship between its parent’s relat...
Albrecht Koschorke. Hegel und wir. Berlin: Suhrkamp, 2015. 239pp. ISBN 978-3-518-58620-4

Hegel's philosophy of history is as much a work of narrative as of philosophy or history. As Albrecht Koschorke's Hegel und wir describes in detail, its narrative operations belong squarely to its ...
Epidemiology of Status Epilepticus in Children

The incidence, etiology, seizure characteristics, and outcome in childhood convulsive status epilepticus (CSE) are reviewed by researchers from Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, and the Institute of Child Health, London, UK.
Effectiveness of lead aprons in nuclear medicine.

2246 Objectives: To quantify the exposure reduction provided by lead aprons in a typical nuclear medicine department and PET/CT facility. Also to determine what effect different energy level exposures will have on the apron’s shielding ability. Methods: Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimetry badges were placed inside and outside of a lead apron in five separate locations. The deep, shallow, and eye readings were then measured every month for three consecutive months. Badges were placed in various study circumstances: a general nuclear medicine room, a PET/CT injection room, an outpatient cardiology room, and a general/PET nuclear medicine hot lab. A student technologist also wore a chest lead apron and worked in a combination of the above rooms with the exception of the PET/CT injection room. Badges were worn inside and outside the apron for one month. All exposure readings were measured by Landauer and results were recorded. Results: The mean values for all exposure levels of the inside and outside badges were calculated and compared. For all areas the mean inside value was less than the mean outside value. The deep dose equivalent data was then compared using the student t-test to determine if the differences were statistically relevant. Data from the inside badges compared to the outside badges in the general nuclear medicine room showed no significant difference (p=0.97). Similar findings were seen for the outpatient cardiology room (p=0.84), general/PET nuclear medicine hot lab (p=0.09), and PET/CT injection room (p=0.74). Data from the student technologist also showed no significant statistical difference (p=0.78). Conclusions: The data finds that for all areas the apron provides some shielding. The differences are too small to be statistically relevant. A longer study and a larger sample size may result in statistical differences.
Focus on Family: A Double-Edged Sword: Preparing Preservice Teachers to Work With Diverse Families Through Community-Based Learning

Although family engagement (“the beliefs, attitudes, and activities of families to support their children's learning whether at home, in the school, or in the community”; Weiss, Krieder, Lopez, & C...
On the Distributional Implications of Safe Drinking Water Standards

The provision of safe drinking water provides a dramatic example of the inherent complexity involved in incorporating environmental justice (EJ) considerations into the implementation and enforcement of new environmental standards. To promote substantive EJ, implementation policy must be concerned with the net risk reduction of new and revised regulations. The regulatory concern is that higher water bills for low-income customers of small public water systems may result in less disposable income for other health-related goods and services. In the net, this trade-off may be welfare decreasing, not increasing. Advocates of Health–Health Analysis have argued that the reduction in health-related spending creates a problem for traditional benefit-cost analysis since the long-run health implications of this reduction are not considered. The results of this investigation tend to support this contention. An evaluation of the internal structure of consumption expenditures reveals that low-expenditure households can be expected to react to an increase in the relative price of housing-related goods and services due to a water-rate hike by reducing both housing and health-related expenditures. That is, the representative low-expenditure household re-establishes equilibrium by not only decreasing housing-related spending, but also by decreasing spending on health-related expenditures in a modest but significant way. These results reflect the fact that expenditures on housing are a major proportion of overall household spending, and that accommodating drinking water surcharges exacerbates both health and food security concerns for low-expenditures households.
GalNAc-Tyrosine Is a Ligand of Plant Lectins, Antibodies, and Human and Murine Macrophage Galactose-Type Lectins

In 2011, a new type of protein O-glycosylation was discovered in which N-acetylgalactosamine is attached to the side chain of tyrosine (GalNAc-Tyr). While present on dozens of proteins, the biological roles of GalNAc-Tyr are unknown. To gain insight into this new type of modification, we synthesized a group of GalNAc-Tyr glycopeptides, constructed microarrays, and evaluated potential recognition of GalNAc-Tyr by a series of glycan-binding proteins. Through a series of >150 microarray experiments, we assessed binding properties of a variety of plant lectins, monoclonal antibodies, and endogenous lectins. VVL, HPA, and SBA were all found to bind tightly to GalNAc-Tyr, and several Tn binding antibodies and blood group A antibodies were found to cross-react with GalNAc-Tyr. Thus, detection of GalNAc-Tyr modified proteins is an important consideration when analyzing results from these reagents. Additionally, we evaluated potential recognition by two mammalian lectins, human (hMGL) and murine (mMGL-2) macrophag...
Increasing bile duct injury and decreasing utilization of intraoperative cholangiogram and common bile duct exploration over 14 years: an analysis of outcomes in New York State

During laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), common bile duct (CBD) visualization either directly or with cholangiography (IOC) is less routine. Cholangiography can be used to identify and possibly prevent bile duct injury (BDI), which is a dreaded complication of cholecystectomy. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the trend of IOC/CBD exploration and BDI during LC for benign disease. A state-wide database (SPARCS) was used to identify all LC for benign biliary non-obstructive and obstructive disease between 2000 and 2014 in the state of New York. ICD-9 and CPT codes were used to identify IOC/CBD exploration and BDI. Multivariable logistic regression models were used in examining the linear trend in the risk of complication, 30-day readmission, 30-day ED visits, and BDI among all cholangiogram patients after controlling for possible confounding factors. During 2000–2014, 391,945 patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The trend of IOC/CBD exploration performed significantly decreased for LC overall (12.37–10.44%, relative risk = 0.98, p <.0001) and particularly, in the outpatient setting (10.77–7.52%, relative risk = 0.96, p value <.0001). Among patients with IOC, overall complication rate, 30-day readmission rate, and 30-day ED visit rates increased. When looking at overall complication rate, there was an increase by about 4% per year (relative risk = 1.04, p value <.0001). After controlling for confounding factors, the complication risk and 30-day ED visit risk increased through years, while the 30-day readmission risk did not have significant change. Risk of BDI also increased significantly (p = 0.03). In an era of laparoscopy, the rate of IOC/CBD exploration during LC has significantly decreased, while BDI significantly increased.
Abstract 17902: Cost effectiveness of Coronary CTA or Vasodilator Stress Cardiac MRI for Determination of Invasive Angiography Following Equivocal Nuclear SPECT

Objective: To assess the cost effectiveness of coronary CTA or vasodilator stress cardiac MRI (CMR) for determining the need of invasive angiography in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) and an equivocal SPECT. Background: More than 10 million cardiac nuclear SPECT studies are performed in the United States per year and up to 10% are considered equivocal. The rate of obstructive CAD through invasive angiography with prior equivocal non-invasive testing is only 27%. The real-world cost effectiveness of CTA or CMR functioning as a gatekeeper to invasive angiography is not known in patients with a prior equivocal SPECT. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 107 subjects with suspected CAD and an equivocal SPECT exam within 90 days. Vasodilator stress CMR was performed on a 1.5 Tesla scanner and was classified as ischemic or normal. CTA was performed on a 320 row system and was classified as obstructive CAD (≥50% or unevaluable) or non-obstructive. Studies were read blinded. Subjects were followed for one year to assess for downstream cardiovascular testing or major adverse cardiovascular events. Costs for CTA and CMR were estimated based on 2012 Medicare reimbursement rates plus downstream testing including catheterization. The reference comparator cost was determined assuming invasive angiography in all subjects with an equivocal SPECT and avoiding “layered” non-invasive imaging. Results: Subjects averaged 56.1±11.9 years and 53% were men. Follow-up duration averaged 397±113 days and was obtained in all subjects. Of the 107 subjects, there were 18 obstructive and one unevaluable CTA. There were 15 ischemic and 3 non-diagnostic CMRs. There were 4 false negative CMRs and each had obstructive CTA confirmed by invasive angiography. No cardiovascular events occurred during the follow-up period in subjects with non-obstructive CTA. By utilizing a non-invasive test as a gatekeeper to invasive angiography, CTA had an overall cost savings of 51% and CMR had a 21% savings compared with an invasive strategy. Conclusion: Layered non-invasive testing with CTA or CMR is more cost effective than an invasive strategy in patients with equivocal SPECT scans. Cardiac CTA has additional cost savings primarily due to lower expenses and higher sensitivity than CMR.
C3 glomerulonephritis and dense deposit disease share a similar disease course in a large United States cohort of patients with C3 glomerulopathy

C3 glomerulonephritis (C3GN) and dense deposit disease comprise the two classes of C3 glomerulopathy. Studies from Europe and Asia have aided our understanding of this recently defined disorder, but whether these data apply to a diverse United States patient population remains unclear. We, therefore, reviewed clinical and histopathological data, including generation of a C3 Glomerulopathy Histologic Index to score biopsy activity and chronicity, to determine predictors of progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) in 111 patients (approximately 35% non-white) with C3 glomerulopathy: 87 with C3GN and 24 with dense deposit disease. Complement-associated gene variants and autoantibodies were detected in 24% and 35% of screened patients, respectively. Our C3 Glomerulopathy Histologic Index denoted higher activity in patients with C3GN and higher chronicity in patients with dense deposit disease. Over an average of 72 months of follow-up, remission occurred in 38% of patients with C3GN and 25% of patients with dense deposit disease. Progression to late-stage CKD and ESRD was common, with no differences between C3GN (39%) and dense deposit disease (42%). In multivariable models, the strongest predictors for progression were estimated glomerular filtration rate at diagnosis (clinical variables model) and tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis (histopathology variables model). Using our C3 Glomerulopathy Histologic Index, both total activity and total chronicity scores emerged as the strongest predictors of progression. Thus, in a large, diverse American cohort of patients with C3 glomerulopathy, there is a high rate of progression to CKD and ESRD with no differences between C3GN and dense deposit disease.
Flat epithelial atypia in directional vacuum-assisted biopsy of breast microcalcifications: surgical excision may not be necessary

The aim of this study was to analyze the clinicopathological features of patients with flat epithelial atypia, diagnosed in directional vacuum-assisted biopsy targeting microcalcifications, to identify upgrade rate to in situ ductal or invasive breast carcinoma, and determine factors predicting carcinoma in the subsequent excision. We retrospectively evaluated the histological, clinical, and mammographic features of 69 cases from 65 women, with directional vacuum-assisted biopsy-diagnosed flat epithelial atypia with or without atypical ductal hyperplasia or atypical lobular hyperplasia, which underwent subsequent surgical excision. The extent and percentage of microcalcifications sampled by directional vacuum-assisted biopsy were evaluated by mammography. All biopsy and surgical excision slides were reviewed. The age of the women ranged from 40 to 85 years (mean 57 years). All patients presented with mammographically detected microcalcifications only, except in one case that had associated architectural distortion. Extent of calcifications ranged from 3 cm (n = 6), and no measurement (n = 1). A mean of 11 cores (range 6–25) was obtained from each lesion. Post-biopsy mammogram revealed >90% removal of calcifications in 81% of cases. Pure flat epithelial atypia represented nearly two-thirds of directional vacuum-assisted biopsy specimens (n = 43, 62%), while flat epithelial atypia coexisted with atypical ductal hyperplasia (18 cases, 26%), or atypical lobular hyperplasia (8 cases, 12%). Upon excision, none of the cases were upgraded to in situ ductal or invasive breast cancer. In one case, however, an incidental, tubular carcinoma (4 mm) was found away from biopsy site. Excluding this case, the upgrade rate was 0%. Our study adds to the growing evidence that diagnosis of flat epithelial atypia on directional vacuum-assisted biopsy for microcalcifications as the only imaging finding is not associated with a significant upgrade to carcinoma on excision, and therefore, excision may not be necessary. Additionally, excision may not be necessary for flat epithelial atypia with atypical ductal hyperplasia limited to ≤2 terminal duct-lobular units, if at least 90% of calcifications have been removed on biopsy.
Novel and emerging therapies for cholestatic liver diseases

While bile acids are important for both digestion and signalling, hydrophobic bile acids can be harmful, especially when in high concentrations. Mechanisms for the protection of cholangiocytes against bile acid cytotoxicity include negative feedback loops via farnesoid X nuclear receptor (FXR) activation, the bicarbonate umbrella, cholehepatic shunting and anti-inflammatory signalling, among others. By altering or overwhelming these defence mechanisms, cholestatic diseases such as primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) can further progress to biliary cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease and death or liver transplantation. While PBC is currently treated with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and obeticholic acid (OCA), many fail treatment, and we have yet to find an effective therapy for PSC. Novel therapies under evaluation target nuclear and surface receptors including FXR, transmembrane G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) and pregnane X receptor (PXR). Modulation of these receptors leads to altered bile composition, decreased cytotoxicity, decreased inflammation and improved metabolism. This review summarizes our current understanding of the role of bile acids in the pathophysiology of cholestatic liver diseases, presents the rationale for already approved medical therapies and discusses novel pharmacologic therapies under investigation.
Induction chemotherapy for organ preservation in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx.

Squamous carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract comprises 5% of new cancer cases each year and accounts for 12000–15000 deaths. It is estimated that over 30000 new cases of oral cavity and pharynx cancer occur each year (Silverberg et al. 1990). Two thirds of these will be advanced (stage III or IV) at time of diagnosis. Conventional treatment strategies for these patients consist of combinations of radical surgical resection and postoperative radiation therapy and are associated with dismal 3-year survival rates ranging from 0%–50%. Furthermore, these treatment approaches result in significant functional and cosmetic disabilities due to radical resections of the tongue, mandible, pharynx, and larynx. Despite continuing refinements in surgical reconstruction, cancers arising in the oral cavity and pharynx consistently result in significant impairments in speech and swallowing that seriously affect quality of life.
Synergism between the tyrosine kinase inhibitor sunitinib and Anti-TNF antibody protects against lethal dengue infection

Dengue virus (DENV) currently circulates in more than 100 countries and causes an estimated 390 million infections per year. While most cases manifest as a self-resolving fever, ∼1.5% of infections develop into a more severe dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome (DHF/DSS), which causes ∼20,000 deaths annually. The underlying pathological feature of DHF/DSS, also known as Severe Dengue, is an acute increase in vascular permeability leading to hypovolemia and shock. Angiogenic factors and cytokines, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), have been implicated in the increased vascular permeability, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for Severe Dengue. Here, we employed a mouse model of antibody-dependent enhancement of DENV infection, which recapitulates the fatal capillary leakage and shock of human Severe Dengue, to investigate the effects of approved VEGF- and TNF-targeting drugs. DENV infection caused a significant increase in serum VEGF levels within 2 days and resulted in ∼80% mortality within 8 days of infection. Treatment of mice with sunitinib, a VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, once (day 2) or twice (days 1 and 2) post-infection reduced mortality by 50-80% compared with untreated mice. Notably, sunitinib treatment decreased serum TNF levels, white blood cell counts, and hematocrit levels relative to untreated mice, but had only marginal effects on tissue viral burden. Combination therapy with anti-TNF antibody and sunitinib significantly reduced vascular leakage and synergized to provide superior protection from lethal DENV infection compared with either agent alone. These data suggest that a two-pronged anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory approach may be useful for the rapid treatment of DHF/DSS.