cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dots are not clots: the over-diagnosis and over-treatment of PE

The purpose of this work is to question the conventional theory that all pulmonary emboli (PE) are abnormal, and to test the hypothesis that small peripheral PE are a function of life. Most radiologists report any filling defect, independent of size, as clinically significant PE when detected in the pulmonary arteries. We sought to reinforce the theory that small dots in the pulmonary arteries are not clinically significant clots in the conventional setting. The necessity for anticoagulation should be balanced against the risk of bleeding. This retrospective HIPAA-compliant study was approved by the institutional review board; informed consent was not required. All patients diagnosed with PE by 16-slice or 64-slice multidetector computed tomography (CT) over a 6-month period who also had a lower extremity venous ultrasound (US) performed within 7 days of CT were identified. The study group included 26 women and 24 men (mean, 56 years; range, 21–90 years). The locations of the PE were plotted on a pulmonary arterial diagram, and width of the most proximal clot for each patient was measured. Of 1,273 consecutive CT studies, 101 were positive (7.9%) and 50 patients underwent lower extremity US. Thirty-three (66%) patients had PE in the central pulmonary arteries, of which 19 (58%) had deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Seventeen (34%) patients had peripheral PE; DVT was detected in 0 (0%) patients. The peripheral clots measured 1.0–3.8 mm (mean, 2.5 mm). These clots appeared focal and rounded with a “dot-like” appearance. Peripheral, focal filling defects in the pulmonary arteries, which we termed “dots,” are not traditional embolic clots, are not associated with detectable lower-extremity clot load, and may represent “normal” embolic activity originating from the lower extremity venous valves. We suggest that more in-depth understanding about small peripheral PE is needed. The necessity of conventional anticoagulation should be critically reviewed in patients with subsegmental PE and minimal clot burden.
Simulation of the spine-extrapolation of function from the 3D form of structures derived from the Visible Human CT data base

This report describes the definition of an interactive 3D simulation of the spine using the system previously developed to simulate the upper and lower extremities. Up to three effective axes of motion are defined for each spinal segment based upon the generally accepted descriptions in the literature. The effects of these functional anatomy definitions upon ligament function and structural stiffness are hypothesized using simulated motion and segment positions. Structures, developed from the NLM Visible Male CT database are sufficient for analyses at a certain level of detail, but hypotheses relating facet joint form and function will require greater detail.
ST segment changes following retinal surgery.

Abstract Study Objective: To describe the perioperative cardiac morbidity in adult patients undergoing retinal surgery using continuous Holter monitoring. Design: Prospective study. Setting: University hospital. Patients: 56 patients scheduled for elective retinal surgery with local anesthesia. Interventions: Patients were monitored continuously for 24 hours using a Holter recorder. Blood samples for creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and serum myocardial creatine phosphokinase (CPK-MB) were taken preoperatively and 24 hours postoperatively. The characteristics of myocardial ischemia were compared according to the number of risk factors for ischemic heart disease. Measurements and Main Results: The overall incidence of perioperative myocardial ischemia was high: 26.7% (n = 15). These patients exhibited 41 episodes of ischemia with mean ST segment change from baseline of 2.2 ± 0.7 mm. However, almost all (93.3%) ischemic episodes were silent. Patients with two risk factors or more had 77% more episodes of ischemia than patients with one risk factor (p Conclusion: Retinal surgery with local anesthesia is accompanied by a high incidence of postoperative myocardial ischemia. No negative outcome was correlated to the occurrence of postoperative myocardial ischemia. The significance of these findings has yet to be evaluated.
An exact solution to the transistor sizing problem for CMOS circuits using convex optimization

A general sequential circuit consists of a number of combinational stages that lie between latches. For the circuit to meet a given clocking specification, it is necessary for each combinational stage to satisfy a certain delay requirement. Roughly speaking, increasing the sizes of some transistors in a stage reduces the delay, with the penalty of increased area. The problem of transistor sizing is to minimize the area of a combinational stage, subject to its delay being less than a given specification. Although this problem has been recognized as a convex programming problem, most existing approaches do not take full advantage of this fact, and often give nonoptimal results. An efficient convex optimization algorithm has been used here. This algorithm is guaranteed to find the exact solution to the convex programming problem. We have also improved upon existing methods for computing the circuit delay as an Elmore time constant, to achieve higher accuracy, CMOS circuit examples, including a combinational circuit with 832 transistors are presented to demonstrate the efficacy of the new algorithm. >
Perceived and Actual Memory, Concentration, and Attention Problems After Whiplash-Associated Disorders (Grades I and II): Prevalence and Predictors

Abstract Robinson JP, Burwinkle T, Turk DC. Perceived and actual memory, concentration, and attention problems after whiplash-associated disorders (grades I and II): prevalence and predictors. Objectives To evaluate neuropsychologic test performance of people with whiplash-associated disorders (WADs) and to compare the performance of those who report cognitive symptoms (CS+) with those who do not (CS−). Design Cross-sectional analysis of a convenience sample. Setting Outpatient research center. Participants People with recent WADs (N=203) who responded to advertisements to participate in a treatment study. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Participants completed a history form including information about demographics, medical history, description of the collision, litigation status, a set of instruments designed to assess neck disability, pain severity, depressed mood, pain-related anxiety, and fear of potentially stressful neck movements and completed a generic 38-item symptom checklist that included items about memory and concentration problems. They also were administered the third revision of the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS-III) and the Trail-Making Test (TMT). Participants were designated CS+ if they endorsed memory problems or concentration problems on the symptom checklist and CS− if they did not endorse either type of problem. Results CS+ and CS− participants performed equally well on the TMT and on all WMS-III indexes. Univariate analyses revealed that CS+ participants scored higher than CS− participants in neck disability, pain severity, depression, pain-related anxiety, and fear of neck movements. They also endorsed more items on the symptom checklist, including items (eg, skin rash) that had no obvious connection with WADs. In a multivariate analysis, CS+ versus CS− status was predicted only by the total number of items endorsed on the symptom checklist. Conclusions Reports of memory or concentration problems appear to be indicators of heightened somatic vigilance rather than indicators of actual neuropsychologic deficits. Our results suggest that it is reasonable for physicians to defer neuropsychologic testing or advanced imaging studies on WAD patients who report cognitive symptoms but no other indicators of brain injuries and instead to rely on reassurance and education about the normal aftermath of motor vehicle collisions.
Sex-hormone-induced inflammation and fibromuscular proliferation in the rat lateral prostate.

The subacute administration of estradiol-17β was shown to be a potent inducer of an inflammatory response specific to the lateral prostate of the castrated Wistar rat. The subsequent administration of dihydrotestosterone restored the wet weight of the gland while maintaining the inflammation established with estrogen treatment. These changes are histologically similar to a spontaneously arising nonbacterial prostatitis previously reported by others in the aging rat lateral prostate. When the same hormones were administered on a chronic basis, the intensity of the inflammation increased with time and was accompanied by a fibromuscular proliferation that consisted of fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and collagen. These chronic changes correlated well with studies by other investigators on human benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) where certain forms of BPH were associated with a significant degree of inflammation and fibromuscular growth. The present studies therefore establish a model system for the hormonal induction of an inflammatory reaction in the rat lateral prostate that precedes and could be causally related to proliferative responses in the fibromuscular stroma. The potentially important similarities that exist between these experimental findings and the human problems of nonbacterial prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia warrant additional study.
Determination of Vancomycin and Daptomycin MICs by Different Testing Methods for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Vancomycin and daptomycin MICs from 161 isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were compared using commercial and in-house broth microdilution, Etest, and common automated methods. Vancomycin Etest MICs were higher than those of other methods, whereas the MICs for daptomycin testing were comparable. Vancomycin MICs vary depending on the testing methodology.
The robustness of the two—sample t—test over the Pearson system

The present paper has as its objective an accurate quantification of the robustness of the two–sample t-test over an extensive practical range of distributions. The method is that of a major Monte Carlo study over the Pearson system of distributions and the details indicate that the results are quite accurate. The study was conducted over the range β 1 =0.0(0.4)2.0 (negative and positive skewness) and β 2 =1.4 (0.4)7.8 with equal sample sizes and for both the one-and two-tail t-tests. The significance level and power levels (for nominal values of 0.05, 0.50, and 0.95, respectively) were evaluated for each underlying distribution and for each sample size, with each probability evaluated from 100,000 generated values of the test-statistic. The results precisely quantify the degree of robustness inherent in the two-sample t-test and indicate to a user the degree of confidence one can have in this procedure over various regions of the Pearson system. The results indicate that the equal-sample size two-sample ...
Type IV Collagen-mediated Melanoma Cell Adhesion and Migration: Involvement of Multiple, Distinct Domains of the Collagen Molecule

Tumor cell metastasis involves a complex series of interdependent events, including repeated invasion of basement membranes. Studies from several laboratories have implicated tumor cell adhesion and migration in response to laminin as a major contributing factor in tumor cell invasion. The current studies address the direct role of type IV collagen in promoting tumor cell adhesion, spreading, and migration. The observations of type IV collagen-mediated cellular behavior are contrasted with cellular behavior on type I collagen. The highly metastatic K1735 M4 melanoma cell line adhered, spread, and migrated in response to type IV collagen in a concentration-dependent manner. Functional assays using well-defined proteolytic fragments of type IV collagen demonstrated that melanoma cells interact with multiple domains of this protein. Highly metastatic melanoma cells adhered, spread, and exhibited motile behavior in response to 0.2 to 200 nM concentrations of a purified pepsin-generated, triple helix-rich domain of type IV collagen. In contrast, cells adhered and spread but were essentially nonmotile in response to a purified major noncollagenous domain of the protein. In addition, de novo protein synthesis was required for cell adhesion to the major noncollagenous domain, whereas adhesion to the helical domain was less dependent upon de novo protein synthesis. Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-related peptides were used to study the adhesion and spreading of melanoma cells on type IV collagen. The results demonstrated that a serine containing RGD-related peptide (GRGDSP) has virtually no effect on melanoma cell adhesion on type IV collagen-coated substrata, whereas this peptide inhibited melanoma cell adhesion to fibronectin-coated substrata in a concentration-dependent manner. In contrast, when threonine was substituted for serine (GRGDTP), cell adhesion to type IV collagen was significantly (45%) inhibited. The threonine-containing peptide virtually eliminated cell adhesion on substrata coated with type I collagen. These data demonstrate that adhesion, spreading, and migration of melanoma cells on type IV collagen have a complex molecular basis which is partially dependent on RGD-related sequences.
Criminal Punishment and the Development of Virtue

Philosophers of law have emphasized that punishment ought to respect citizens’ capacities for rational choice-making (see, for example, (Hart 1968) (Duff 2002)). Offenders are assumed by the law to be fully capable thinkers with equal moral status to non-offenders (Duff 2002). Respect for persons’ choice-making and moral status implies and respect for the dispositions that give rise to, and are shaped by, choices and action (Pincoffs 1980). From the perspective of virtue theory, the criminal law’s obligation to treat offenders as rational persons with equal moral status to non-offenders requires the criminal law acknowledge a citizen’s right to form their own character. In this chapter I argue that virtue theory is an important tool for analyzing punishment practices because it provides a robust view of human character and moral development. All things being equal, punishment ought to preserve moral agency and the possibility of character development to the extent that it can do so without running afoul of the functions of punishment. Specifically, I examine two contemporary punishment practices that unduly limit or eliminate the possibility of moral development, isolation sanctions and chemical castration, and argue that both unjustly limit an offender’s capacity to develop his character and undermine moral agency.
The Holy City

And once again the scene was changed, New earth there seem'd to be, I saw the Holy City Beside the tideless sea; The light of God was on its streets, The gates were open wide, And all who would might enter, And no one was denied. No need of moon or stars by night, Or sun to shine by day, It was the new Jerusalem, That would not pass away, It was the new Jerusalem, That would not pass away. "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! Sing, for the night is o'er! Hosanna in the highest, Hosanna for evermore! Hosanna in the highest, Hosanna for evermore!" Music resources from www.traditionalmusic.co.uk For personal educational purposes only
‘The Idea Embodied in the Cosmology’: the Significance of Dorothy Van Ghent’s The English Novel: Form and Function

For the past few decades the teaching of fiction in England and the United States has been radically affected by the appearance of two books: Wayne Booth’s The Rhetoric of Fiction (1961) and Dorothy Van Ghent’s The English Novel: Form and Function (1953). While Booth may be more widely discussed in professional forums, Van Ghent is the more influential in terms of her effects upon the teaching of fiction in America and England. Van Ghent’s essays have provided models for teachers of fiction on how to approach a novel in terms of its organizing aesthetic principles. Prior to Van Ghent, high school courses discussed plot in terms of the students’ own lives, while undergraduate novel courses wavered uneasily between plot synopsis, biography, history, and sociology. Yet although Booth’s importance has been recognized by both Anglo-American critics and European theorists who appreciate his methodological clarity, Van Ghent’s significance has been neglected. I think that there are two reasons for this neglect. Because her theory is gradually presented in a series of essays about specific novels, the implications of her conceptual framework have not been acknowledged even by those who appreciate the subtlety and power of her readings of English novels that span a spectrum from Moll Flanders to A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.
Solution Growth of Single Crystal Methylammonium Lead Halide Perovskite Nanostructures for Optoelectronic and Photovoltaic Applications

Understanding crystal growth and improving material quality is important for improving semiconductors for electronic, optoelectronic, and photovoltaic applications. Amidst the surging interest in solar cells based on hybrid organic–inorganic lead halide perovskites and the exciting progress in device performance, improved understanding and better control of the crystal growth of these perovskites could further boost their optoelectronic and photovoltaic performance. Here, we report new insights on the crystal growth of the perovskite materials, especially crystalline nanostructures. Specifically, single crystal nanowires, nanorods, and nanoplates of methylammonium lead halide perovskites (CH3NH3PbI3 and CH3NH3PbBr3) are successfully grown via a dissolution-recrystallization pathway in a solution synthesis from lead iodide (or lead acetate) films coated on substrates. These single crystal nanostructures display strong room-temperature photoluminescence and long carrier lifetime. We also report that a solid...
Evidence for the Intervention of Different C−H Activating Intermediates in the Irradiation of (η5-C5Me5)(PMe3)IrH2 and the Reaction of (η5-C5Me5)(PMe3)Ir(H)(Cl) with Strong Base. Detection and Spectroscopic Characterization of (η5-C5Me5)(PMe3)Ir(Li)(Cl), an Intermediate in the Dehydrohalogenation Reaction

Reaction of (η5-C5Me5)(PMe3)Ir(H)(X) (X = Cl, Br) with tert-butyllithium in hydrocarbon solvent results in dehydrohalogenation of the iridium center and subsequent C−H bond activation of solvent to give (η5-C5Me5)(PMe3)Ir(R)(H) (R = Ph, cyclohexyl, cyclooctyl). Low-temperature 1H, 31P, and 7Li NMR studies indicate that the dehydrohalogenation reaction occurs via the formation of the intermediate (η5-C5Me5)(PMe3)Ir(Li)(X). Competition experiments involving C−H bond activation in benzene−cyclohexane−cyclooctane mixtures have allowed for the determination of a relative intermolecular selectivity scale for these substrates. The selectivities (reported on a per hydrogen basis) for benzene, cyclooctane, and cyclohexane C−H bond activation were found to be 4.98:0.74:1, respectively, and are significantly different from those obtained via photoinduced dihydrogen elimination from (η5-C5Me5)(PMe3)IrH2. Further, when Bronsted bases other than tert-butyllithium were employed, the intermolecular selectivities in the b...
Another Caprellid Amphipod with Extended Parental Care: Aeginina Longicornis

ABSTRACT The caprellid amphipod Aeginina longicornis is a common species in coastal waters of the North Atlantic. Here, I report on aquarium observations of 2 females. After hatching from the brood pouch the juveniles remained on the bodies of the females for at least 2 weeks. Both females with all attached juveniles (N = 31 and N = 42) were collected 5 June 1995. One female with relatively large juveniles was ovigerous, the other was attended by a male. Aeginina longicornis belongs to the group of epibenthic peracarids with extended parental care, most members of this group being suspension feeders
Shear-Wave Velocity as an Indicator of Increased Stress and Failure Potential Associated with Dissolution-Mining Voids

The use of dissolution wells for mining salt has been common practice for over a century, leaving behind brine-filled “salt jugs” or voids in the subsurface which, over time, can migrate through overlying rock formations, potentially leading to sinkhole formation and public safety hazards. In an effort to determine the relative range of stress on the roof rock above these jugs at various stages of failure, evaluate the extent of void migration, and aid in remediation planning, shear-wave reflection surveys were conducted at a well field near Hutchinson, Kansas, where drill-confirmed dissolution features exist in the 125-m deep Hutchinson Salt Member. Since shear-wave velocity (Vs) is directly related to stress through the shear modulus, Vs profiles were analyzed at known well locations to determine if measurable variations in velocity were consistent with zones likely experiencing elevated relative stress and therefore, increased failure potential. Changes in Vs upwards of 20% were observed along lines where voids were known to be present and had experienced significant migration into the shale cap rock. Localized velocity changes were coincident with the findings of drilling and associated borehole investigations. Alluvium velocities for the same lines remained relatively constant, suggesting that Vs changes are constrained to consolidated rock above mapped subsurface dissolution voids and are not related to depositional changes in the unconsolidated overburden.
Unconventional Intersection Control Strategies for Urban Evacuation

Intersections form one of the biggest challenges to emergency managers when evacuation plans are developed in urban areas. Signalized intersections reduce the directional capacity of a roadway because they must allocate the right-of-way between competing movements and approaches. In response to this problem, a variety of unconventional intersection control strategies have been developed for implementation during evacuations. Three of the most common are manual traffic control (MTC), flashing yellow signals, and crossing elimination. Fundamentally, each of these strategies has demonstrated strengths and weaknesses, but little work has been done to evaluate them systematically in an apples-to-apples comparison. The goal of this study was to determine which unconventional intersection control strategy was best suited for a given urban evacuation scenario. With results generated by the microscopic traffic simulation software VISSIM 7.0, a dynamic program identified the optimum control strategy for various eva...
TCL/RhoJ Plasma Membrane Localization and Nucleotide Exchange Is Coordinately Regulated by Amino Acids within the N Terminus and a Distal Loop Region

TCL/RhoJ is a Cdc42-related Rho GTPase with reported activities in endothelial cell biology and angiogenesis, metastatic melanoma, and corneal epithelial cells; however, less is known about how it is inherently regulated in comparison to its closest homologues TC10 and Cdc42. TCL has an N-terminal extension of 18 amino acids in comparison to Cdc42, but the function of this amino acid sequence has not been elucidated. A truncation mutant lacking the N terminus (ΔN) was found to alter TCL plasma membrane localization and nucleotide binding, and additional truncation and point mutants mapped the alterations of TCL biochemistry to amino acids 17–20. Interestingly, whereas the TCL ΔN mutant clearly influenced nucleotide exchange, deletion of the N terminus from its closest homologue, TC10, did not have a similar effect. Chimeras of TCL and TC10 revealed amino acids 121–129 of TCL contributed to the differences in nucleotide loading. Together, these results identify amino acids within the N terminus and a loop region distal to the nucleotide binding pocket of TCL capable of allosterically regulating nucleotide exchange and thus influence membrane association of the protein.
TIRAP/Mal Mediates Particle-Induced Osteolysis in Vitro and in Vivo

Introduction: Wear particles cause aseptic loosening by stimulating macrophages to produce inflammatory cytokines. Recent studies indicate that Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4 mediate macrophage responses to the wear particles [1–3]. TLR2 and TLR4 uniquely activate MyD88-dependent signaling via an additional adapter protein known as TIRAP/Mal [4]. Del Vescovo et al reported that three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the TIRAP/Mal gene associate with aseptic loosening in THA patients [5]. The goal of the current study was therefore to determine whether TIRAP/Mal mediates responses to orthopaedic wear particles. Methods: Immortalized wild type (WT) and TIRAP/Mal knockout (KO) murine macrophages (Mfs) were incubated in the presence or absence of titanium (Ti) particles (1 × 10 8 particles/cm 2 [2]. Three types of particles were used as described previously [1,2]: Ti particles with adherent bacterial debris (38.3 Endotoxin Units/10 9 particles), endotoxin-free Ti particles ( 9 particles), and Ti particles with adherent lipopolysacharide (LPS, 32.8 EU/10 9 particles). TNFa, IL-1b, and IL-6 mRNAs were measured by real-time PCR and the secreted cytokines were measured by ELISA. Particle-induced osteolysis in calvaria of TIRAP/Mal KO and WT mice was measured 7 days after particle implantation [1,2]. In vitro results are presented as mean ± SEM of 3–4 replicate experiments analyzed by two-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc corrections. In vivo results are presented as means of individual parietal bones ± SEM (n = 22) and analyzed by one-way ANOVA on ranks with Student Neuman-Keuls post-hoc corrections. * denotes p Results: Ti particles with adherent bacterial debris induced substantial osteolysis and expression of TNFa, IL-1b, and IL-6 at both the mRNA and protein levels and all of those responses were significantly inhibited by TIRAP/Mal KO (Fig 1 & Fig 2). Endotoxin-free Ti particles had a small effect on osteolysis and cytokine mRNA expression that was not dependent on TIRAP/Mal (Fig 1 & data not shown). Adherence of highly purified LPS to the endotoxin-free particles reconstituted the stimulation of osteolysis and cytokine expression as well as the dependence on TIRAP/MAL (Fig 1 & data not shown). Specificity of the effects of TIRAP/Mal KO was demonstrated since responses induced by recombinant murine IL-1b were unaffected (data not shown). Discussion: Our results are the first demonstration that TIRAP/Mal mediates effects of orthopaedic wear particles. TIRAP/Mal KO inhibited expression of TNFa by ∼50% and almost completely inhibited particle-induced osteolysis, as well as expression of IL-1b and IL-6. Our results, coupled with the genetic association of SNPs in human TIRAP/Mal with aseptic loosening [5], lead to two conclusions. First, activation of TIRAP/Mal likely contributes to aseptic loosening in patients. Second, pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) also likely contribute to aseptic loosening since the results with endotoxin-free Ti particles demonstrate that adherent PAMPs are required for activation of TIRAP/Mal.
Reactor length-scale modeling of chemical vapor deposition of carbon nanotubes

Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) of carbon nanotubes from a gas mixture consisting of methane (carbon precursor) and hydrogen (a carrier gas) in the presence of cobalt, nickel or iron catalytic particles in a cylindrical reactor is modeled at the reactor length-scale by solving a continuum-based coupled boundary-layer laminar-flow hydrodynamics, heat-transfer, gas-phase chemistry and surface chemistry problem. The model allows determination of the gas-phase fields for temperature, velocity, and various species as well as the surface-species coverages and the carbon deposition rate. Various available experimental and theoretical assessments are used to construct the necessary database for gas-phase and surface chemistry and gas-phase transport parameters. A reasonably good agreement is found between the model predicted and the experimentally measured carbon nanotubes deposition rates over a relatively large range of processing conditions.
BOOK REVIEW: Schwartzman, S. (Ed.). (2015). Education in South America. New York: Bloomsbury. 496 pp. ISBN: 9781472592460.

BOOK REVIEW: Schwartzman, S. (Ed.). (2015). Education in South America. New York: Bloomsbury. 496 pp. ISBN: 9781472592460. The full text of the article can be found at 10.18275/fire201603011108
Abstract 423: High-Risk Plaque in the Carotid and Femoral Arteries of Men and Women with Peripheral Arterial Disease: Prevalence and Clinical Correlations

OBJECTIVES. It is currently unknown whether high-risk atherosclerotic plaque develops simultaneously in multiple arterial beds or whether it is an isolated phenomenon. We used direct plaque imaging with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in participants with lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) to determine whether individuals with lipid rich necrotic core (LRNC) in the femoral arteries have a higher prevalence of LRNC in the carotid arteries than individuals without LRNC in the femoral arteries. METHODS AND RESULTS. Twenty-four participants with PAD underwent direct plaque imaging of both their carotid and superficial femoral arteries. Four participants (16.7%) had LRNC in the femoral artery and 18 (75%) had LRNC in the carotid artery (P<0.001). The prevalence of LRNC in the carotid arteries was 75% among participants with LRNC in the femoral arteries vs. 75% among participants without LRNC in the femoral arteries (P=1.00). Mean ages were 69.0+8.7, 61.9+9.6, and 63.7 +3.8 among participants wi...
Laser simulation applying Fox-Li iteration: investigation of reason for non-convergence

Fox-Li iteration is often used to numerically simulate lasers. If a solution is found, the complex field amplitude is a good indication of the laser mode. The case of a semiconductor laser, for which the medium possesses a self-focusing nonlinearity, was investigated. For a case of interest, the iterations did not yield a converged solution. Another approach was needed to explore the properties of the laser mode. The laser was treated (unphysically) as a regenerative amplifier. As the input to the amplifier, we required a smooth complex field distribution that matched the laser resonator. To obtain such a field, we found what would be the solution for the laser field if the strength of the self focusing nonlinearity were α = 0. This was used as the input to the laser, treated as an amplifier. Because the beam deteriorated as it propagated multiple passes in the resonator and through the gain medium (for α = 2.7), we concluded that a mode with good beam quality could not exist in the laser.
The Economics of Private Label Pricing and Channel Coordination

The marketing of products in developed economies relies primarily upon the sale of branded products rather than commodities. Companies that manufacture such products go to great lengths to differentiate specific products from close substitutes, and use real or perceived differences to do so. The resulting product differentiation is an important feature of market structure in mature industries that tend to have high seller concentration and high brand promotion budgets. Those budgets typically include advertising, direct consumer promotion activities such as manufacturer coupons or rebates, and trade promotion activities that provide retailers incentives to display the brand at a special (lower) price. Consequently the price of the prototype branded product is significantly higher than the direct manufacturing cost and the resulting price-cost margin is used to cover marketing costs and generate a profit. Ultimately the amount spent on marketing and the level of profitability depends upon the brands elasticity of demand. A firm can unilaterally develop inelastic demand brand level conditions through its differentiation efforts, and it can possibly do the same by tacitly colluding with other sellers (Levy and Reitzes, 1993; Deneckere and Davidson, 1985).
Oxidative stress, antioxidants, aging and disease

Individuals are exposed to oxidants from before the moment of birth. Sources are both exogenous and endogenous, with the latter being mainly from “leaks” in electron transport. Various antioxidant defenses have evolved to combat the constant oxidant load, but free radical damage inevitably accumulates with age. This has led to the Free Radical Theory of Aging, first formulated by Denham Harman. The theory states that the free radical load is the cause of general aging. It may also be the cause of specific diseases associated with aging, such as heart disease, cancer, and neurodegeneration. The latter presents a good case for oxidative involvement, especially in conditions such as Parkinson’s disease. Once aging is looked at in terms of free radical processes, strategies for retarding the aging process or decreasing the likelihood of aging-related diseases become apparent. These include decreasing exposure to free radical sources and bolstering antioxidant defenses.
Iris: Gaze Visualization Design Made Easy

Eye movements contain a wealth of information about how we process visual information. However, typical visual representations of gaze only reflect a single feature such as the current fixation point. As eye tracking technology becomes more affordable and ubiquitous it is important to consider the entire design space for visualizing eye movements. The Iris system allows users to quickly design visualizations to represent gaze patterns in real time. The visualization can be manipulated to represent different features of gaze including current fixation, duration, and saccades. Stylistic elements can also be adjusted such as color, opacity, and smoothness to give users creative and detailed control over the design of their gaze visualization.
The Design and Optimization of Plasmonic Crystals for Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Using the Finite Difference Time Domain Method.

We present computational studies of quasi three-dimensional nanowell (NW) and nanopost (NP) plasmonic crystals for applications in surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The NW and NP plasmonic crystals are metal coated arrays of cylindrical voids or posts, respectively, in a dielectric substrate characterized by a well/post diameter (D), relief depth (R D), periodicity (P), and metal thickness (M T). Each plasmonic crystal is modeled using the three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method with periodic boundary conditions in the x- and y-directions applied to a computational unit cell to simulate the effect of a periodic array. Relative SERS responses are calculated from time-averaged electric field intensity enhancements at λ exc and λ scat or at λ mid via G SERS 4 = g 2 ( λ exc ) × g 2 ( λ scat ) or G mid 4 = g 4 ( λ mid ) , respectively, where g 2 = | E | 2 / | E 0 | 2 . Comparisons of G SERS 4 and G mid 4 are made to previously reported experimental SERS measurements for NW and NP geometries. Optimized NW and NP configurations based on variations of D, P, R D, and M T using G SERS 4 are presented, with 6× and 2× predicted increases in SERS, respectively. A novel plasmonic crystal based on square NP geometries are considered with an additional 3× increase over the optimized cylindrical NP geometry. NW geometries with imbedded spherical gold nanoparticles are considered, with 10× to 10 3 × increases in SERS responses over the NW geometry alone. The results promote the use of FDTD as a viable in silico route to the design and optimization of SERS active devices.
Evaluating county-level spatial prevalence and clustering of medicare beneficiaries in Mississippi

Abstract Objective This study seeks to examine how the extent of socioeconomic deprivation, racial and ethnic isolation, and health disadvantage differ among Medicare beneficiaries in Mississippi. Methods: Geographical information system (GIS) mappings are used in conjunction with cluster analysis to examine patterns of disparities in disease distribution, healthcare utilization and socioeconomic well-being among different counties in Mississippi. Results Results reveal that counties in these two clusters are markedly different in terms of socio-economic well-being but are somewhat similar in terms of disease distributions and healthcare utilization. Conclusion Addressing the geographic disparities in disease distribution and healthcare utilization that exist among the counties should be a public health priority. Specifically, health policies and programs should be renewed to target people living in counties that are either predominantly rural or predominantly Black or have higher percentages of population living below the poverty level.
Temperature Distribution During Plate Bending by Torch Flame Heating

The flame bending of metal hull plates involves a complex thermoplastic process. In order to investigate the thermoplastic behaviour it is first necessary to determine the time-varying temperature field in the plate. In this paper the temperature distribution during flame bending of a plate is studied using a distributed heat source moving along the plate surface at a constant speed. The temperature distribution is determined by the numerical solution of the partial differential equation describing the heat conduction in the plate as the distributed heat source passes. The equation is solved using the finite-element program ADINAT in the transient analysis mode. A number of results are presented to illustrate the transient behaviour of the temperature near the plate edge as well as the quasi-steady-state temperature distribution. The results are shown to be in qualitative agreement with published experimental data. Additional studies are presented to clarify the influence on the temperature distribution from different material parameters, torch parameters and plate thickness.
Other Glomerular Diseases

Human glomerular diseases are extremely heterogenous. This chapter will deal with several of the uncommon forms of glomerular diseases not covered elsewhere in this monograph including collagenofibrotic glomerulopathy, lipoprotein glomerulopathy, C1q nephropathy, idiopathic nodular glomerulosclerosis, and immunotactoid/fibrillary glomerulonephritis. The clinical and pathological features, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment (if any) will be discussed.
Overuse Syndromes in the Upper Limb

Overuse syndromes, or cumulative trauma disorders, are a major health concern to business, industry, government, and the medical and legal professions. It has been estimated that as many as 15 to 20% of employees are at risk of developing a cumulative trauma disorder. These disorders account for a large source of lost income, lost work time, and overuse of health care resources. This article explores the epidemiology, occupational risk factors, management, and prevention of overuse or cumulative trauma disorders of the upper limb.
Strongly Correlated Electrons: a Dynamical Mean Field Perspective

We discuss the role of the Mott transition in the strong correlation problem and describe new insights gained using dynamical mean field techniques (DMFT).
The Mitrofanoff Principle: Technique and Application in Continent Urinary Diversion

The Mitrofanoff procedure (appendicovesicostomy and creation of a low-pressure urinary reservoir) is a technically innovative way of providing patients with a form of continent diversion. The principles behind the procedure are use of a narrow, supple conduit, which, when brought out to the skin as a catheterizable stoma, will provide continence by acting as a flap-valve and attachment of the conduit to a low-pressure urine storage reservoir by an antireflux mechanism. Upper-tract contamination is prevented by an antireflux mechanism at the level of the distal ureters. Strict attention to every step of the procedure is mandatory. Emptying of the reservoir is achieved by clean intermittent catheterization. Long-term results are good in a majority of patients with careful selection and education. Life-long follow-up of patients is mandatory.
Changes in blood pressure associated with lead, manganese, and selenium in a Bangladeshi cohort.

Abstract Background Heavy metal contamination is widespread in Bangladesh. Previous studies have observed lead increases blood pressure over time. However, the role of other metal contaminants and essential micronutrients, which could also adversely affect blood pressure or act as protective factors, is understudied. Objectives We therefore evaluated the associations of lead, manganese, and selenium with blood and pulse pressure trajectories. Methods We prospectively followed placebo-assigned participants nested within a randomized trial for the prevention of arsenic-related skin cancer (n = 255). Blood lead, manganese, and selenium were measured at baseline; blood pressure was measured at baseline and at 3 biennial follow-up examinations. Mixed-effect linear regression models were used to estimate associations with average annual changes in systolic, diastolic, and pulse pressure. Results In models simultaneously adjusted for baseline blood lead, manganese, and selenium concentrations in addition to other potential confounders, lead was linearly associated with increases in systolic blood pressure, but not with diastolic blood pressure or pulse pressure. A non-linear association was observed for manganese, such that mid-range concentrations were associated with decreases in systolic, diastolic, and pulse pressure. Baseline selenium concentrations in the highest quartile were also associated with longitudinal decreases in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, while null associations were observed with pulse pressure. In exploratory analyses, the combination of mid-range manganese and high selenium concentrations completely offset lead-associated increases in blood and pulse pressure. Conclusions The results indicate a direct, linear association of lead exposure with systolic blood pressure, and manganese and selenium exposures within certain ranges may have a blood pressure-lowering effect in this population.
5-FLUOROURACIL INDUCED HEART FAILURE: RECOGNIZING A RARE SIDE EFFECT IN A COMMON CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC AGENT

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is an integral part of the chemotherapy for Colorectal cancer. The incidence of cardiotoxicity is rare (1.5-18%), with severe cardiac complications being only 0.55%. 48 year old male with metastatic colon cancer on the chemo-regimen 5-fluorouracil, irinotecan, avastin and
Parental Use of Religion and Spirituality in Medical Decision-Making.

New medical technology has extended children’s lives, creating challenges for parental decision-making. Many parents utilize religion or spirituality (R/S). This study examined the semi-structured ...
Injury prevention programmes with plyometric and strengthening exercises improve on-field performance: a systematic review

Importance Injury prevention programmes (IPPs) have been demonstrated to be highly efficacious in protecting young athletes from anterior cruciate ligament and other lower-extremity injuries. However, the effectiveness of these programme in practice has been limited due to poor adherence among coaches of organised sports teams. Objective A change in messaging from injury reduction to performance enhancement may be an effective strategy for improving adherence. We conducted a systematic review to address whether implementing IPP can also provide benefits on sports performance as measured by on-field tests. Evidence review Data Sources: PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases were searched from January 2000 to August 2018. Study Selection: English-language studies were selected if they evaluated on-field performance testing before and after participation in the IPP or compared with another programme/control. No limitations were placed on study design or study population. Studies were excluded if they evaluated programme without an explicit focus on injury prevention or reported on injury risk factors that were not related to athletic performance. Study design Systematic review Data extraction Study design, population, sport and level, comparison group and duration/frequency of the IPP were extracted from full-text articles. The results of performance testing were summarised into the following categories: balance, sprinting, agility, jumping, physical fitness and sport-specific skills. Findings The evidence shows that IPP can have beneficial effects on measures of sports performance and physical fitness. Factors that resulted in significant improvement included longer frequency and duration of the programme, as well as inclusion of plyometric and muscle strengthening exercises. Conclusions There is a wide variety of measures used for athletic performance. IPPs that are done more frequently for longer durations and that include strengthening and plyometric exercises have been shown to improve athletic performance. Enhanced performance with tests that can be conducted on the field with existing equipment may help convince coaches and athletes to improve adherence with the IPP exercises. Level of evidence Level II
Collaborative Response to Disruption Propagation with Established Lines of Collaboration (CRDP/ESLOC) in Cyber-Physical Systems: Informatics for Decision Support

Abstract The interconnectedness and complexity of cyber-physical systems (CPSs) provide greater quality of service, productivity, and flexibility. On the other hand, the high levels of interactions, communications, and dependencies within CPSs also increase their vulnerabilities to disruptions and targeted attacks. Disruptions in one part of a CPS can propagate to another part, eventually compromising the entire CPS if protective mechanisms and preparations are insufficient. This challenge is addressed in this work with the Collaborative Response to Disruption Propagation with Established Lines of Collaboration (CRDP/ESLOC) model. The CRDP/ESLOC model simulates the effects of disruption propagation on a CPS and provides informatics on the disruptions’ behaviors. The CRDP/ESLOC model also analyzes the possible strategic decisions of allocating prevention resources and recovery resources to contain and mitigate the disruptions, and recover the CPS for continuity of service. The new disruption propagation informatics and protocols, categorized as centrality-based and coverage-based, are simulated and validated with a network model based on an industrial CPS. The experiment shows that coverage-based informatics and protocols provide higher CPS prevention and recovery resilience, and thus, should be further developed in future work.
Dual Master of Social Work – Master of Public Health (MSW/MPH): Lessons Learned from Program Development and Implementation in a Southeastern University

While there has been a proliferation of MSW/MPH programs concurrent with dramatic changes in the U.S. health system, there is minimal research on these programs. The purpose of this article is to describe the conceptualization, development, and implementation of an innovative MSW/MPH program at a southeastern university—the only such program in the state. Our goal as the first two directors of the program, serving consecutively, is to share knowledge and offer “lessons learned” for universities seeking to develop or enhance an MSW/MPH program, as well as agencies interested in forming collaborative partnerships. “Lessons learned” include the importance of strong ongoing communication among all MSW/MPH stakeholders, thoughtful consideration of the time demands associated with the program director’s role, viewing a developmental evaluation plan as a critical component for success, and recognizing the benefits of purposeful linkages between the two disciplines.
Real-time monitoring of cellular oxidative stress during aerosol sampling: a proof of concept study.

The Portable In Vitro Exposure Cassette (PIVEC) was developed for on-site air quality testing using lung cells. Here, we describe the incorporation of a sensor within the PIVEC for real time monito...