cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Laparoscopically assisted transsacral resection of rectal cancer with primary anastomosis. A preliminary review.

Background: The management of rectal cancer has been changing to include more sphincter-sparing procedures. We report our initial experience with a new technique incorporating laparoscopy and a transsacral approach for low or midlevel rectal cancer. Here, we tried to determine whether this sphincter-sparing method could produce acceptable morbidity and recurrence rates. Methods: Patients with rectal cancer 4 to 8 cm from the dentate line underwent laparoscopically-assisted transsacral resection (LTR) with primary anastomosis. With this technique, the rectosigmoid is mobilized via laparoscopy while the patient is in the supine position. Next, the patient is placed in the prone jackknife position, and a segment of rectum is resected by a transsacral approach. Age, estimated blood loss, length of time in the operating room, length of stay, and postoperative complications were noted. Aspects of the tumor pathology regarding stage, lymph nodes, tumor size, and presence of tumor at resection margins also were recorded. Results: A total of 13 patients, ages 26 to 70 years (mean, 52.5 years), underwent the procedure. No perioperative deaths occurred. The mean hospital stay was 9.6 days. The average size of the rectal lesion was 4.3 cm in the largest dimension. The average specimen contained 11.5 total, and 2.0 metastatic lymph nodes. Postoperative complications included two anastomotic breakdowns and two other wound complications. Late follow-up evaluation ranged from 10 to 30 months, with 11 of 13 patients alive (85% survival). Two local recurrences and three distant recurrences were noted at long-term follow-up assessment. Conclusions: In selected patients with low or midlevel rectal cancer, LTR may be a viable option. Further experience is necessary to define its oncologic efficacy and whether routine temporary diverting colostomy is indicated.
Shortening of the PLC—AN Empirical Test

Analysis of changes in the length of the introductory and growth stages of the product life cycle of 37 household appliances over a 50-year period provides the first empirical evidence for the comm...
Genetics of Blood Pressure Regulation

In this chapter, we review the genetics of disorders of cerebral cortical development. As a framework, we start with a basic outline of human brain development, including proliferation, migration, and later cortical organization. We then discuss individual genetic malformations of cortical development in the context of the stages of normal development that are disrupted. We present the clinical features of each disorder, the genes known to be responsible for each condition (when known), and the role of genetics in the understanding of these conditions.
Intratumoral Inhibition of C5a Using Anti-C5a Monoclonal Antibody Inhibits Lymphoma Progression

Background: The complement system can have both pro-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. Our preliminary studies demonstrated that C5a can limit antigen-specific responses, in part, by enhancing the induction of immunosuppressive T regulatory (Treg) cells by primary human antigen-presenting cells and malignant B cells. The current study explored the effect of intratumoral C5a on B lymphoma progression and intratumoral T cells using the A20 murine lymphoma mouse model. Methods: (A) Co-injection approach: Female Balb/C mice were subcutaneously injected with A20 B lymphoma cells mixed with either 20 μg of rat anti-mouse C5a neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb) or matching isotype control mAb. Tumor growth was followed and the phenotype of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes analyzed by flow cytometry. (B) Therapeutic approach: Established subcutaneous A20 tumors (7-9 mm diameter) were treated intratumorally with 20 µg of anti-mouse C5a neutralizing mAb (considered as day 1). A second dose (20 µg) of mAb was given intratumorally on day 5. Control mice were treated similarly with matching isotype control mAb. Tumor growth was followed. Data was analyzed using standard t-test (for tumor growth and immune responses) and Log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test (for comparing survival). Results: (A) Co-injection approach: Co-injection of anti-C5a mAb at the time of tumor cell inoculation significantly delayed A20 tumor growth (Fig. 1; p (B) Therapeutic approach: Treatment of pre-established subcutaneous A20 tumors with anti-mouse C5a mAb slowed tumor growth significantly when compared to the control mice (Fig. 3; **p Conclusions: Intratumoral anti-C5a mAb therapy inhibits progression of B lymphoma and improves survival, likely by reducing immunosuppression. We are currently exploring the mechanisms behind C5a-promoted tumor immunosuppression. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
“Was Maslow an Aristotelian?” Revisited

It is argued that in the formulation of his health and growth psychology Maslow was not inspired by Aristotelian philosophy but rather by Kurt Goldstein. A close study of Maslow’s written references to Aristotle reveals that he was critical of Aristotle’s understanding of the growth hypothesis, mainly its teleological features. It is thus concluded that Maslow was not an Aristotelian.
Formulation of the S-Model

In this chapter, we introduce the formulation and properties of a new kinematic model for describing robot kinematics. This kinematic model, which we call the S-Model, was designed to facilitate kinematic parameter identification. This model can be applied to model the kinematics of all robotic manipulators which satisfy assumptions (A-1) through (A-7) (refer to Chapter 2).
Risk of progressive hearing loss in untreated superior semicircular canal dehiscence.

Objective Patients with incidental or minimally symptomatic superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) are usually observed, without surgical repair. However, it remains unknown whether a labyrinthine fistula of the superior semicircular canal is associated with progressive conductive or sensorineural hearing loss over time. Study Design Retrospective review at two tertiary care academic referral centers. Methods Adults analyzed were diagnosed with SSCD by high-resolution temporal bone computed tomography and vestibular evoked myogenic potential testing and observed with a minimum of two sequential audiograms. Patients with other potential causes of hearing impairment were excluded. Results A total of 40 ears in 30 adult patients (median age: 59 years; 63% female) were analyzed. Median audiometric follow-up was 23 months (range 1–136 months). None experienced a sudden hearing loss over the follow-up period. In patients with audiometric follow-up of at least 20 months (median 34 months), the median change in air-conduction pure tone average and air–bone gap was 0.9 decibels (dB) per year (interquartile range [IQR] 0–2.1) and 0.7 dB per year (IQR 0–2.0), respectively. Speech discrimination scores did not differ when comparing median initial (100%) and median final (98%) scores (P = 0.77). There was no statistically significant change in bone-conduction thresholds at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz over the period of observation. Conclusion The risk of progressive hearing loss with observed SSCD is low during short- and intermediate-term follow-up. Further studies are necessary to determine whether late hearing loss occurs. Such information may be critical toward patient counseling regarding the need for and timing of surgery. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 127:1181–1186, 2017
Information and communications technology use and income growth: evidence of the multiplier effect in very small island states

ABSTRACTVery small island states face unique challenges, such as volatile economies, increasing vulnerability to natural disasters, particularly with raising seas, increases their dependence on the world economy. Despite their growing use of ICTs, the results are mixed in terms of the effect of growing ICT usage on income growth. This paper investigates how growth in ICT usage may enable growth in per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in very small island states by analyzing the effects of average ICT usage on GDP growth based on the most recent data available from the World Bank and from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). Following an analysis of data over four years of 32 very small island states, this paper identifies an ICT multiplier effect that may explain and predict the relationship between average ICT usage and GDP growth. By showing how the ICT multiplier effects may be connected to GDP growth, this paper adds to what we know about the relationship between these two indicators i...
The development of an employer's pension scheme and additional private pension scheme in the Czech Republic (after 2012) and its problems

Abstract The amendment to the pension scheme that remains a part of the third pillar of the pension system even after its reform, valid since 2013, has brought many serious changes. Except for the alteration of the state contribution, there is in particular the fact that the newly established so-called participation funds do not guarantee a non-negative evaluation of the paid funds which allows choosing a more dynamic strategy with the hope of a higher yield under higher risks. At the same time an opportunity to continue in the so-called transformed funds (previous pension funds) and continue having a guarantee of a non-negative yield has been preserved. An analysis of development of the pension scheme and an additional private pension scheme after reform shows that these products have not fulfilled their primary function, i.e. to strengthen the role of the third pillar at the system of creation of the total savings for the period of old age, and they are not even able to compete with share funds or with other substitutes offered at the financial market without significant state support.
Comprehensive thermodynamic modeling of saline water with electrolyte NRTL model: A study of aqueous Sr2+-Na+-Cl−-SO42− quaternary system

Abstract This study reports the parameters of electrolyte nonrandom two-liquid (eNRTL) model for aqueous Sr2+-Na+-Cl–-SO42– quaternary system. The molecule-electrolyte interaction parameters of eNRTL model and their temperature coefficients are identified for the H2O:(Sr2+-Cl–) pair via regression of available experimental data including vapor pressure, mean ionic activity coefficient, osmotic coefficient, liquid molar enthalpy, and liquid molar heat capacity. The electrolyte-electrolyte interaction parameters and their temperature coefficients are determined for the (Sr2+-Cl–):(Na+-Cl–) pair via regression of available solubility data of SrCl2 and SrSO4 in aqueous NaCl solution. Due to the low solubility of SrSO4 in water, the eNRTL interaction parameters corresponding to the Debye-Huckel theory are chosen for the H2O:(Sr2+-SO42–) pair and the interaction parameters for the (Sr2+-SO42–):(Na+-SO42–) and (Sr2+-Cl–):(Sr2+-SO42–) pairs are set to zero. The interaction parameters for the remaining molecule-electrolyte pairs, H2O:(Na+-Cl–) and H2O:(Na+-SO42–), and the electrolyte-electrolyte pair, (Na+-Cl–):(Na+-SO42–), are directly retrieved from the literature. The resulting eNRTL model satisfactorily calculates all thermodynamic and calorimetric properties for the quaternary system at 273.15–523.15 K and salt concentrations up to saturation.
Physiological dead space and arterial carbon dioxide contributions to exercise ventilatory inefficiency in patients with reduced or preserved ejection fraction heart failure

AIMS Patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced (HFrEF) or preserved (HFpEF) ejection fraction demonstrate an increased ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide (VE /VCO2 ) slope. The physiological correlates of the VE /VCO2 slope remain unclear in the two HF phenotypes. We hypothesized that changes in the physiological dead space to tidal volume ratio (VD /VT ) and arterial CO2 tension (PaCO2 ) differentially contribute to the VE /VCO2 slope in HFrEF vs. HFpEF. METHODS AND RESULTS Adults with HFrEF (n = 32) and HFpEF (n = 27) [mean ± standard deviation (SD) left ventricular ejection fraction: 22 ± 7% and 61 ± 9%, respectively; mean ± SD body mass index: 28 ± 4 kg/m2 and 33 ± 6 kg/m2 , respectively; P < 0.01] performed cardiopulmonary exercise testing with breath-by-breath ventilation and gas exchange measurements. PaCO2 was measured via radial arterial catheterization. We calculated the VE /VCO2 slope via linear regression, and VD /VT = 1 - [(863 × VCO2 )/(VE × PaCO2 )]. Resting VD /VT (0.48 ± 0.08 vs. 0.41 ± 0.11; P = 0.04), but not PaCO2 (38 ± 5 mmHg vs. 40 ± 3 mmHg; P = 0.21) differed between HFrEF and HFpEF. Peak exercise VD /VT (0.39 ± 0.08 vs. 0.32 ± 0.12; P = 0.02) and PaCO2 (33 ± 6 mmHg vs. 38 ± 4 mmHg; P < 0.01) differed between HFrEF and HFpEF. The VE /VCO2 slope was higher in HFrEF compared with HFpEF (44 ± 11 vs. 35 ± 8; P < 0.01). Variance associated with the VE /VCO2 slope in HFrEF and HFpEF was explained by peak exercise VD /VT (R2 = 0.30 and R2 = 0.50, respectively) and PaCO2 (R2 = 0.64 and R2 = 0.28, respectively), but the relative contributions of each differed (all P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Relationships between the VE /VCO2 slope and both VD /VT and PaCO2 are robust, but differ between HFpEF and HFrEF. Increasing VE /VCO2 slope appears to be strongly explained by mechanisms influential in regulating PaCO2 in HFrEF, which contrasts with the strong role of increased VD /VT in HFpEF.
173 Size Matters: a Follicle-of-Origin Effect on the Preovulatory Epigenetic Constitution of Germinal Vesicle-Stage Porcine Oocytes

The goal of this study was to evaluate global levels of a variety of histone modifications at different lysine (K) residues on Histone 3 (H3) within the chromatin of porcine germinal vesicle (GV)-stage oocytes that were aspirated from follicles of different sizes. We hypothesised that we would see evidence of a transition from open, transcriptionally active chromatin (in oocytes from smaller, growing follicles) to more closed, transcriptionally silent chromatin associated with fully grown oocytes (aspirated from large, preovulatory follicles). Cumulus-enclosed oocytes were aspirated from small ( 7 mm) follicles from abattoir-derived pig ovaries. Oocytes were denuded immediately after aspiration and then immunoprobed with antibodies specific for trimethylated (me3) H3K4, H3K9me3, and H3K27me3. Background-corrected nuclear fluorescence levels for each histone mark were collected from multiple oocytes from each of at least three experimental replicates (aspiration days). Data were subjected to one-way ANOVA with a Bonferroni multiple testing correction to determine whether there were differences in fluorescence intensities in the nuclei (germinal vesicles) of oocytes from small v. large follicles. Oocytes from large follicles displayed more intense nuclear staining for all 3 histone marks: average nuclear H3K4me3 intensity was 31.4% higher (P = 0.0004), H3K9me3 was 70.3% higher (P = 0.0218), and H3K27me3 was 32.0% higher (P = 0.0231) in oocytes from large follicles. An ancillary analysis of the data revealed no effect (P > 0.1) of pubertal status (i.e. whether small and large follicles were aspirated from pre- v. post-pubertal ovaries) on the intensity of nuclear fluorescence for any of the marks evaluated. In continuation, 3 oocytes from both follicle types were collected on each of 6 aspiration days (i.e. 18 individual oocytes from each follicle type), and the mRNA from these were used for an RT-qPCR experiment to detect the relative abundance of transcripts from 21 different genes coding for histone methyltransferase or demethylase enzymes in oocytes from large v. small follicles. Of the 21 genes tested, 5 genes (KDM4C, KDM4D, KDM5B, KDM5C, and SETD7) were not detectable in our individual oocyte samples, but transcripts from 6 of the 16 remaining genes (KDM6A, KMT2B, MLL3, SETD1B, SETDB1, and SUV39H2) were shown to be significantly more abundant in oocytes from large follicles (at least 2-fold greater abundance and P < 0.05). Although our expectation-that histone marks (and related transcripts) would consistently reflect a globally “repressive” chromatin configuration in oocytes from large follicles and a more “open” configuration in oocytes from small follicles-turned out to be untrue, the evidence suggests that the epigenetic constitution of oocytes from small follicles may indeed vary from that of oocytes from large, preovulatory follicles, and this phenomenon warrants further investigation.
The Physiognomy of Nature in the Macchiaioli Landscapes of Qamil Grezda

“The Drawing School remains the most important institution, the foundation of all the subsequent activities related to the Albanian painting experience ... it was in that school that the best known artists learned the art of painting, those who today represent the golden generation of the tradition of the Albanian painting and sculpture, mentioning such artists as: Sadik Kaceli, Foto Stamo, Nexhmedin Zajmi, Kel Kodheli, Ibrahim Kodra, Llazar Nikolla, Bukurosh Sejdini, Qamil Grezda, Abdulla Cangonji, Hasan Reci dhe Sabri Tuci”, F. Hudhri. It is exactly in this group of artists where the painter Qamil Grezda belonged [...]. A quote on the distant shores of the time, but close to the excitement and energy that accompany the landscapes of this painter, who used to live between the feelings, colors, shapes, volumes, lights and shades of nature... that nature, which would be alienated through a process of alchemy in a relationship of close, intimate - almost a platonic love between the artist and this nature... a relationship which served as food for his sensitivity toward the greatness of nature, raving him on canvas... The relationship of this artist with nature and its dimensions are built on the universal human virtues and foundations, and he shows to be prudent, just, strong and self-control towards it. These four virtues are nothing else but the four cardinal virtues, Virtutibus Cardinalibus[la]* (Prudentia[la]* Iustitia[la]*, Fortitudo[la]* and Temperantia[la]* ) which governed the human being from the strands of his creation of clay and water described in the lines of the mythology, until the shaping of his physiognomy and contemporary character. Keywords: history, analysis, aesthetics, anthropology, art, comparisons.
Abrupt Increase in Washover Deposition Along a Transgressive Barrier Island During the Late Nineteenth Century Acceleration in Sea-Level Rise

Determining the magnitude of barrier-island geomorphologic change and response time to an increase in the rate of sea-level rise is important because sea-level rise is accelerating, many barriers islands are urban centers, and barriers buffer mainland shorelines and estuaries from ocean processes, especially during storms. Here, we show that Onslow Beach, NC, a sediment-starved transgressive barrier island located along a cuspate shoreline, had an immediate increase in apparent frequency and landward extent of washover deposition during the late nineteenth century increase in the rate of relative sea-level rise. The evolution of the barrier at millennial to decadal time scales was reconstructed from sediment cores, radiocarbon dates, and remote sensing. Those data show that the oldest washover deposit preserved in the stratigraphy of the island is approximately AD 722 and at that time the island was seaward of its present location and an open-water lagoon separated it from the mainland. Barrier-island transgression progressed mainly through overwash processes and saltmarsh replaced the lagoon by AD 1500. During the nineteenth century, the number and landward extent of washover deposits increased abruptly along the island concurrently with a threefold increase in the rate of relative sea-level rise. This was not a period of increased storminess in the Atlantic. Rather, the increase in number and landward extent of washover deposits is interpreted to have been caused by an increase in the rate of island transgression. The increase in the rate of relative sea-level rise, and possibly other contemporaneous mechanisms such as changes in wave climate, likely caused island narrowing through landward movement of the shoreline, lowered the elevation of the island principally through erosion of the dunes and made the island more vulnerable to overwash. These data suggest that transgressive barriers, especially those at the center of a coastal embayment, are extremely sensitive to increases in water level, which cause an abrupt decrease in resistance to overwash. The response of other barrier islands to accelerating sea-level rise may well be similarly rapid, but the degree of geomorphic change will vary depending on island morphology, rates of sediment supply, and physical processes.
Measurement of the influence of antenna pattern on radio frequency propagation in a concrete tunnel

This paper investigates the influence of antenna pattern on radio frequency (RF) propagation in tunnel/mining environments. Propagation measurement results in a concrete tunnel using different antennas, i.e., omni-directional, Yagi, patch, and circular, are reported. Extensive measurements are carried out in various scenarios which include vertical, horizontal, and circular polarization for line-of-sight propagation (LoS) at four frequencies (455, 915, 2450, and 5800 MHz) that are common to many voice and data transport radio systems used in underground mines. The results show that antenna pattern has a strong influence on the uniformity of RF propagation gain in the near zone and does not significantly affect propagation behavior in the far zone except for a constant gain offset.
Effect of supercritical CO2 on the dehydration of polyacrylamide-based super-absorbent polymer used for water management

Abstract CO2-EOR (enhanced oil recovery) has been widely applied in the fields to improve oil recovery while sequestrating CO2 in reservoirs to reduce the greenhouse effect. Polyacrylamide-based super-absorbent polymer (PSAP) as a plugging agent has been used in CO2/water flooding fields to manage excess CO2/water production. However, the performance of PSAP under supercritical CO2 conditions has not been systematically studied. A series of PSAP samples prepared in various salinity brines were evaluated under different pressures using newly designed high-pressure vessels to demonstrate the effect of CO2 on PSAP. The swollen PSAP samples were kept in the high-pressure vessels and pressurized using CO2 to various pressures. The vessels were kept vertically in a 65 °C oven for 1, 3, or 5 days. The PSAP samples before and after exposure to CO2 were examined, and the free water left in the vessels was analyzed. It was observed that the swollen PSAP particle size became smaller due to significant dehydration. The dehydration became more severe with time. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images showed that the PSAP network structure was more compacted with increased testing time. The PSAP’s dehydration also increased with the increase of pressure and decreased with the increase of salinity. The re-swelling ratio was at least 91% of the original swelling ratio, and the swollen PSAP’s strength decreased by 20% after exposure to CO2, which was caused by the loss of solid content, such as loosely bonded polymers. The major reason that caused the PSAP dehydration was the CO2-induced pH effect.
Why "More Research Is Needed," Despite Overall Certainty: Women and Colorectal Cancer Screening.

Holme and colleagues offer the latest evidence that adds to and challenges our understanding of the optimal screening approach for colorectal cancer. The study confirms the effectiveness of screeni...
Who reads self-help books?: Development and validation of the Self-Help Reading Attitudes Survey

Abstract The publication and use of psychological self-help books are ubiquitous in our society. Nevertheless, little research is available concerning the public’s attitudes toward such books and the psychological variables associated with these attitudes. The current investigation involved the development and validation of the Self-Help Reading Attitudes Survey with a sample of 264 male and female college students. The resultant 40-item measure was found to be psychometrically sound, with acceptable reliability and both discriminant and convergent validity. Persons with more favorable attitudes toward reading self-help books held better attitudes about reading in general, were more psychologically minded, had a stronger self-control orientation, and reported greater life satisfaction. Women and psychology majors had more positive self-help reading attitudes than did men and nonpsychology majors. The utility of this new assessment with respect to further research and clinical applications was discussed.
Measuring residual radioactivity in syringes to determine if the 3-way stopcock injection method is more effective than the straight-stick method

2723 Objectives After the patient’s injection of a radiopharmaceutical, there is usually residual radioactivity left behind in the syringe. This limited study will determine how much radioactivity is left behind in the syringe after injecting patients at one facility. Method of injection will also be assessed to determine reasons for different amounts of radioactivity remaining in the syringe. Such methods include straight-stick injections and butterfly with 3-way stopcock and flush injections. This study is to determine whether or not the 3-way stopcock method is more consistent than the straight-stick method in making sure the patient gets the entire dose. Methods Syringes were measured in the dose calibrator before injecting the patient’s dose. After injection, the syringes were measured again to determine how much radioactivity was remaining. The radiopharmaceutical, method of injection, and number of saline flushes was noted. Forty injections will be examined: twenty injections using no syringe flush and twenty injections using the 3-way stopcock method with syringe flush. The 3-way stopcock method consists of a butterfly needle, 3-way stopcock, and a saline flush. In this study, the straight-stick method was either the traditional straight-stick or an injection into an IV line where line was flushed but the syringe was not flushed. Results Forty injections were examined and the results were as followed. For the straight-stick method there was an average of 1.00 mCi (37.0 MBq) of radioactivity remaining in the syringe after injection. For the 3-way stopcock method there was an average of 1.18 mCi (43.7 MBq) of radioactivity remaining in the syringe after injection. Conclusions There should be less radioactivity remaining in the syringe using the 3-way stopcock method. This is because the 3-way stopcock method allows the use of a saline flush to flush out the syringe. This method will make it so patients consistently get the actual prescribed dose
Dynamic Inelastic Electron Scattering III: Multislice Theory

The multislice theory of elastic scattering theory was outlined in chapter 3. The unique advantage of this theory is its convenience of including defects in computations. The equivalent method has been applied to calculate the scattering of inelastic electrons in crystals. In this chapter we first illustrate the multislice solution of Yoshioka’s equations. Then we discuss the applications of the theory for calculating the images of high-angle phonon scattered electrons in STEM and TEM. Finally, we present a real space multislice theory which is more convenient for calculating the images and diffraction patterns of TDS electrons. The exact theory based on the real space multislice approach for simulating the composition sensitive image using diffusely scattered electrons is also outlined.
Large Vessel Pulmonary Arteritis

Takayasu’s arteritis (TA) and giant cell arteritis (GCA) are the most well known large vessel vasculitides. Although similar in histologic appearance, they have been divided into two distinct clinical entities on the basis of their age of onset, clinical presentation, and distribution of vascular involvement. Although both may involve large and mediumsized arteries, including the aorta and its branches, the vast majority of large vessel pulmonary arteritis cases reported in the literature are attributed to TA. TA will therefore be the primary focus of this chapter. TA is named after Mikito Takayasu, a Japanese ophthalmologist who first reported a case of a 21-year-old woman with an interesting fundoscopic finding of coronary anastomosis of the retinal central vessels. Takayasu did not report on any other physical findings in the patient during his presentation at the Ophthalmology Society in Japan in 1905. However, at this same meeting two other ophthalmologists, Onishi and Kagoshima, presented two additional cases with the same retinal abnormalities associated with absent radial pulses. TA is now recognized to be a vasculitis whose characteristic ophthalmic findings are a result of retinal artery ischemia. TA is an acute and chronic form of vasculitis of the elastic arteries resulting in stenosis, occlusion, and occasionally aneurysmal changes of the aorta, its main branches, pulmonary arteries, and coronary arteries. It is a disease that predominantly affects young women, with symptoms determined by the distribution of the vessels involved, the type of vascular lesion, and the presence of active inflammation. Treatment strategies are focused on suppressing inflammation with corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive agents, but revascularization procedures may be required in some patients.
Über die Grundlagen der Handlungstheorie: Vier Imperative

Der Beitrag beschaftigt sich mit vier wichtigen Moglichkeiten, durch die die allgemeine theoretische Soziologie weiterentwickelt werden kann. Diese Moglichkeiten werden als vier Imperative fur effektive Theoriearbeit dargestellt, welche Prozessphilosophie mit der Methodologie formaler Theorie verbindet. Die vier Imperative sind: Denke in Prozessen! Denke in Strukturen! Denke integrativ! Denke in Idealisierungen! Diese Imperative werden in allgemeiner Form beleuchtet und mit speziellem Bezug zum Programm der Handlungstheorie von Talcott Parsons im Kontext grundlegender Fragen gegenwartiger soziologischer Theorie.
Unmasking the Interplay Between Technology Evolution and the Organization of R&D

Technological progress in an industry is enabled by the collective R&D efforts of suppliers, users and research organizations. In this study, we explore how the distribution of R&D efforts and the ...
Doctors of a Certain Age.

You know who we are, but you don't really know us. We're old physicians now—advancing into our fourth, fifth, or sixth decade of doctoring—and you see us everywhere.
Outcome Disparities In Multiple Myeloma: A SEER-Based Comparative Analysis of Hispanic Patients

Abstract 396 Background: Study of ethnic disparities in various malignancies has revealed variation in clinical outcomes. In multiple myeloma (MM) patients, such an analysis has not yet been undertaken for patients with Hispanics decent. Since this is the fastest growing ethnic subgroup in the United States, we sought to define the epidemiological characteristics as well as disease related outcome of Hispanics with MM. Methods: The Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) 17 Registry data (1973-2007) was utilized. Patients with confirmed diagnosis of MM were eligible for this analysis. To avoid bias of under representation, analysis was restricted to adults (>18 yr) with a diagnosis date of 1992 or later. Cases that received a diagnosis at death certificate or autopsy, no follow-up records, as well as lacking documentation on age at diagnosis, sex, or race/ethnicity were excluded. Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for confounding variables, were used to evaluate association between patient characteristics and survival. All statistical tests were two-sided with a significance level of 0.05. Analysis was performed utilizing the SAS software (v9.2). Results: The final analysis included 37,963 MM patients (20,498 males; 54%, 17,465 females; 46%). The studied age-group cohorts included: 18–44 yrs (1,453; 4%), 45–54 yrs (4,495; 12%), 55–64 yrs (7,974; 21%), 65–74 yrs (11,146; 29%), and ≥75 yrs (12,895; 34%). Patients were stratified by race/ethnicity: White (25,753; 68%), African-American (6,595; 17%), Hispanic (3,475; 9%), Asian (1,961; 5%), and Native American (179; 0.5%). For survival analysis, Native Americans were excluded due to their small numbers. Patients were also stratified based on year of diagnosis (before or after 2002) to study the impact of novel agents on MM treatment. To investigate the effect of geographical location on disease outcome, patients were stratified across regional registries within the SEER 17. Mean age at diagnosis for Hispanics was significantly younger than W (64.2 yr Vs. 69.3 yr; p Conclusions: Studies of ethnic disparities are important for evaluating disease characteristics and management needs of specific patient populations as well as optimal triaging of healthcare resources. There is limited data to define MM characteristics and survival outcome in Hispanics. Here we present epidemiological characteristics and survival outcomes for MM in this fast growing ethnic subgroup. We observed significantly younger age at MM diagnosis for Hispanics. Hispanic MM patients had higher overall mortality than all other racial subgroups. Furthermore, we noted that the effect of race on survival depends on patient9s age, with Hispanic patients ≥75 yrs having a significantly higher overall and MM-specific mortality. These results will help in better understanding of ethnic influences on disease biology and clinical behavior. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Addressing the Gender Gap: Using Quantitative and Qualitative Methods to Illuminate Women’s Fisheries Participation

While key to the sustainability of fisheries, women’s contributions to this sector are largely outside of the conventional discourse on fisheries participation and remain poorly understood and unrecognized. Furthermore, the research on women’s engagement in fisheries has largely focused on small-scale fisheries in a development context. This study extends this geographic focus by using a systematic analysis of the literature to explore how women’s fisheries participation has been examined in developed countries in Europe and North America. We demonstrate the preponderance of themes and methodologies that have been utilized in these regions, highlighting the reliance on case studies employing qualitative methods due in part to the dearth of gender disaggregated data in this sector. Although such methods can yield a deep understanding, the results are often limited in geographic scope and generalizability. In response, we present a methodological approach that can extend the scope of research and comprehensively examine women’s participation across its multifaceted dimensions. We demonstrate the accuracy of a freely available software to predict gender using limited personal information and apply it to harvest data in Alaska, addressing the previous impediment of a lack of a gender attribute within fisheries datasets and extending the methodological applications to include quantitative methods. This is coupled with focus groups across highly engaged fishing communities in the Gulf of Alaska to integrate the multiple themes that have been explored in the literature on women’s fisheries participation, evidencing the utility of a mixed-methods approach to explore the multi-faceted nature of women’s fisheries engagement.
Innovative technologies and living spaces; Updated living standards according to the evolution of homo sapiens

Homosapiens is the common family name for contemporary human beings. There are different kinds of homo species but the most recent one with the most improved abilities are human beings of the present era, who have adapted themselves to the new technologies and life conditions by improving themselves. The substantial improvements in technology started with the French Revolution in 1799. Initially, technology helped human beings in the production and industry sectors. Thereafter, in the 1990s, technology penetrated living spaces, firstly helping with household duties and then impacting social life, first with the radio and later with the television. Living spaces started to change through the organisation of spaces, and most houses were organised according to location reserved for the television. This is the biggest change brought about by technology in living spaces. The expectations of human beings were on the rise simultaneously with economic welfare and consumption-based demands. In the 2000s, phyisical limitations occurred, while expectations increased even more. These were constraints over time, materials and economy, and the solution came from technology via virtual reality and generated cyber spaces, which were without limits, economical and surpassed the built environments. Due to the lack of physical conditions, built envionments ceded their place to virtual living spaces and virtual cities. In the present study, data collection was undertaken via a study of innovations within living spaces and also via an observation of social lives within living spaces. The present article aims to present what can be foreseen, on the basis of cause and effect, concerning the impacts of the current evolution on the one hand and massive outbreaks of viruses on the other hand, the impacts on the physical spaces of the homosapiens species that have succeeded in adapting to all the changes that they have come across from their beginnings until the present era, the impacts that both phenomena will have on the current living standards and living spaces of humans and what changes human living spaces will undergo in the ongoing process of evolution. Human beings will continue renewing themselves throughout the said phenomena before concluding their process of evolution. Keywords: Innovative, technology, living spaces, living standards, homosapiens.
ENHANCING MARKETING RESEARCH LEARNING OUTCOMES USING THE OUTDOORS

Students routinely struggle with grasping and retaining the content of marketing research courses. To combat this problem, a new market research course was designed that applies all content in the ...
Power of the Curriculum: Content, Context, and Learning in Physical Education.

Purpose: It is argued that the constructivist physical education has the potential to overcome socioeconomic (SES) constraints and promote learning. The purpose of this study was to determine the e...
Glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol anchor synthesis in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: partial or complete defect in an early step

The defect in the biosynthesis of the glycosyl-phosphatidyl inositol (GPI) anchor in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) appears to be in the initial steps. In biosynthetic studies using [3H]mannose, abnormal granulocytes of eight patients, and B lymphocytes transformed by Epstein-Barr virus of six different patients synthesized dolichyl phosphoryl mannose, but little or no later mannosylated intermediates. When fused with murine cell lines known to be deficient at different biosynthetic steps of the GPI anchor, the GPI-anchor-deficient granulocytes of 21/21 patients and lymphocytes from 6/6 patients complemented all murine cell lines except those of class A; cells of this class are not able to add N-acetylglucosamine to phosphatidylinositol. These studies indicate that the defect in GPI- anchor synthesis in PNH is early in the pathway, and is the same as that of class A mutants, but may be partial in some patients, resulting in the production of small amounts of mannosylated intermediates.
The Linder hypothesis during the globalization era

Abstract This paper investigates the impact of globalization on the Linder hypothesis. My theory-consistent general equilibrium estimates offer evidence that the Linder hypothesis has been phasing out during the globalization era. My results also refute the aggregation bias of the Linder effect but unveil that the time-span selection could justify its magnitude.
Biomedical Applications of Nanotechnology

Preface. Contributors. 1. Biological Applications of Multifunctional Magnetic Nanowires. 2. Nucleic Acid Delivery and Localizing Delivery with Magnetic Nanoparticles. 3. Magnetic Nanoparticles in Cancer Diagnosis and Hyperthermic Treatment. 4. Brownian Motion In Biological Sensing. 5. Dendrimers And Hyperbranched Polymers For Drug Delivery. 6. Nanogels: Chemistry to Drug Delivery. 7. Targeted Gold Nanoparticles for Imaging and Therapy. 8. Building Blocks of Nucleic Acid Nanostructures: Unfolding Thermodynamics of Intramolecular DNA Complexes. 9. Nanotoxicology. Index. About the Editors.
Differential maturation of vesicular glutamate and GABA transporter expression in the mouse auditory forebrain during the first weeks of hearing

Vesicular transporter proteins are an essential component of the presynaptic machinery that regulates neurotransmitter storage and release. They also provide a key point of control for homeostatic signaling pathways that maintain balanced excitation and inhibition following changes in activity levels, including the onset of sensory experience. To advance understanding of their roles in the developing auditory forebrain, we tracked the expression of the vesicular transporters of glutamate (VGluT1, VGluT2) and GABA (VGAT) in primary auditory cortex (A1) and medial geniculate body (MGB) of developing mice (P7, P11, P14, P21, adult) before and after ear canal opening (~P11-P13). RNA sequencing, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry were combined to track changes in transporter expression and document regional patterns of transcript and protein localization. Overall, vesicular transporter expression changed the most between P7 and P21. The expression patterns and maturational trajectories of each marker varied by brain region, cortical layer, and MGB subdivision. VGluT1 expression was highest in A1, moderate in MGB, and increased with age in both regions. VGluT2 mRNA levels were low in A1 at all ages, but high in MGB, where adult levels were reached by P14. VGluT2 immunoreactivity was prominent in both regions. VGluT1 (+) and VGluT2 (+) transcripts were co-expressed in MGB and A1 somata, but co-localization of immunoreactive puncta was not detected. In A1, VGAT mRNA levels were relatively stable from P7 to adult, while immunoreactivity increased steadily. VGAT (+) transcripts were rare in MGB neurons, whereas VGAT immunoreactivity was robust at all ages. Morphological changes in immunoreactive puncta were found in two regions after ear canal opening. In the ventral MGB, a decrease in VGluT2 puncta density was accompanied by an increase in puncta size. In A1, perisomatic VGAT and VGluT1 terminals became prominent around the neuronal somata. Overall, the observed changes in gene and protein expression, regional architecture, and morphology relate to-and to some extent may enable-the emergence of mature sound-evoked activity patterns. In that regard, the findings of this study expand our understanding of the presynaptic mechanisms that regulate critical period formation associated with experience-dependent refinement of sound processing in auditory forebrain circuits.
Redefining competition in health care

The U.S. health care system is in bad shape. Medical services are restricted or rationed, many patients receive poor care, and high rates of preventable medical error persist. There are wide and inexplicable differences in costs and quality among providers and across geographic areas. In well-functioning competitive markets--think computers, mobile communications, and banking--these outcomes would be inconceivable. In health care, these results are intolerable, with life and quality of life at stake. Competition in health care needs to change, say the authors. It currently operates at the wrong level. Payers, health plans, providers, physicians, and others in the system wrangle over the wrong things, in the wrong locations, and at the wrong times. System participants divide value instead of creating it. (And in some instances, they destroy it.) They shift costs onto one another, restrict access to care, stifle innovation, and hoard information--all without truly benefiting patients. This form of zero-sum competition must end, the authors argue, and must be replaced by competition at the level of preventing, diagnosing, and treating individual conditions and diseases. Among the authors' well-researched recommendations for reform: Standardized information about individual diseases and treatments should be collected and disseminated widely so patients can make informed choices about their care. Payers, providers, and health plans should establish transparent billing and pricing mechanisms to reduce cost shifting, confusion, pricing discrimination, and other inefficiencies in the system. And health care providers should be experts in certain conditions and treatments rather than try to be all things to all people. U.S. employers can also play a big role in reform by changing how they manage their health benefits.
Auditorías de cumplimiento en los programas de fondos federales de los municipios de Puerto Rico

The municipalities of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico are eligible to receive funds from the federal government of the United States. This study presents a descriptive discussion of the federal funding received by these municipalities during fiscal years 2005 to 2009. The findings of the audits performed in connection with these funds are also discussed. The results indicate that the municipalities in the sample received an average of $8.2 million a year in federal funding. The municipality of San Juan, the capital city of Puerto Rico, received an average of $126.5 million a year and was largest recipient of federal funds during the sample period. The results also indicate that 72.99 percent of the audits disclosed reportable conditions and 31.02 percent disclosed material weaknesses. In addition,auditors issued a qualified opinion report on 33.69 percent of the conducted audits. Lastly, 53.15 percent of all audited funds are associated with programs that disclosed audit findings.
Chromium and zinc concentrations in pediatric patients receiving long-term parenteral nutrition.

Serum, urine, and parenteral nutrition (PN) chromium and zinc concentrations in pediatric patients receiving long-term PN were studied. Serum, urine, and PN chromium and zinc concentrations were measured at baseline and four to six months later in four infants (less than 1 year old) and seven children (1-12 years old) receiving long-term PN. In the children, serum, urine, and PN solution zinc concentrations were measured monthly after the amino acid product was changed from a standard to a pediatric product with monthly dosages of 0, 20, 30, and 40 mg of cysteine hydrochloride per gram of amino acids. The mean +/- S.D. baseline serum chromium concentration was 4.9+/-1.9 microg/L (normal value, <0.3 microg/L); the urine chromium concentration ranged from 3.4 to 32.2 microg/L. The mean +/- S.D. prescribed chromium dosage was 0.18+/-0.05 microg/kg/day, and the dosage delivered in PN solutions was 0.41+/-0.23 microg/ kg/day. At baseline, the mean +/- S.D. serum zinc concentration was 1383+/-472 microg/L (normal range, 430 to 940 microg/L), and the prescribed and delivered zinc dosages were 177+/-10 and 238+/-145 microg/kg/ day, respectively. With 20, 30, and 40 mg of cysteine per gram of amino acids, the mean +/- S.D. serum zinc concentration was 1728+/-782, 1664+/-349, and 1685+/-268 microg/L, respectively, and the actual zinc dosages delivered were 209+/-10, 270+/-148, and 322+/-194 microg/kg/day, respectively. Serum and urine chromium concentrations were abnormally high in infants and children receiving PN solutions supplemented with normal doses of these trace elements; an escalating dosage of cysteine in the children tended to increase serum and urine zinc concentrations.