cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Results of Clinical Trials in Stroke Rehabilitation Research

• Research Problem and Methods. —There are currently 1.5 million stroke survivors in the United States. More than half of these individuals have significant residual physical disability and functional impairment. Survivors of stroke constitute the largest group of patients receiving rehabilitation services in this country. We examined existing clinical trials investigating the effectiveness of stroke rehabilitation programs to improve functional outcomes and discharge destination. One hundred twenty-four research reports were initially identified. From this sample, 36 trials meeting selected criteria were evaluated by the methods of meta-analysis. Results. —A total of 3717 patients participated in the 36 clinical trials included in the meta-analysis. The results revealed a mean d-index of 0.40±0.33. This effect size index was converted to a U 3 value of 65.5, indicating that the average patient receiving a program of focused stroke rehabilitation performed better than approximately 65.5% of those patients in comparison groups (95% confidence interval, 63.6% to 67.3%). The results also revealed a significant interaction between type of research design and method of recording the outcome of a clinical trial. Blind recording of the outcome measure appears to be an essential design characteristic in clinical trials that do not randomize patients to conditions. Conclusions. —Programs of focused stroke rehabilitation may improve functional performance for some patients who have experienced a stroke. The improvement in performance appears related to early initiation of treatment, but not to the duration of intervention. Improvements are also associated with the patient's age and the type of design. Research design should be considered an important moderator variable in planning and interpreting future clinical trials of treatment effectiveness in stroke rehabilitation.
Ketogenic diet prevents seizure and reduces myoclonic jerks in rats with cardiac arrest-induced cerebral hypoxia

Although the mechanism underlying the anti-epileptic effects of a ketogenic diet (KD) is not known, KD is reported to be an effective treatment for intractable epilepsy, in particular among children. Here, we evaluated whether a KD can reduce posthypoxic seizure and myoclonic jerks in a rat model of cardiac arrest-induced cerebral hypoxia. In this study, rats were divided into two groups: one group received a normal diet while the other group was fed a KD for 25 days before being subjected to cardiac arrest-induced cerebral hypoxia. We found that rats fed a normal diet developed seizures and severe myoclonic jerks in response to auditory stimuli after the hypoxic insults, whereas the rats on the KD did not develop seizure and showed much less severe myoclonic jerks in response to auditory stimuli. The results suggested that the KD has beneficial effects against posthypoxic seizure and myoclonus.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, acetaminophen, and risk of skin cancer in the Nurses’ Health Study

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been associated with lower risk of certain cancers, but data on the effect on skin cancer risk have been limited and contradictory. We prospectively examined whether use of NSAIDS or acetaminophen was associated with a lower risk of skin cancer in women. The 92,125 Caucasian women in the Nurses’ Health Study provided information on aspirin use in 1980. Other NSAIDs and acetaminophen were added in 1990. Medication use, frequency, and quantity were reassessed on biennial questionnaires. Through 2008, we confirmed 658 melanoma cases, 1,337 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cases, and had 15,079 self-reports of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). We used COX proportional hazards models to compute relative risks (RR) adjusted for known skin cancer risk factors. Neither aspirin nor non-aspirin NSAID use was associated with a lower risk of melanoma, SCC, or BCC, even for women with high quantity, frequency, or duration of use. Instead, we observed an increased risk of melanoma among current aspirin users (RR = 1.32, 95 % CI 1.03–1.70), though an increase of similar magnitude among past users and lack of a dose–response effect did not support a pharmacologic mechanism. We observed a mild reduction in SCC risk in current acetaminophen users (RR = 0.88, 95 % CI 0.75–1.02), with a linear decrease in risk with greater frequency of use (p = 0.04). Aspirin and other NSAIDs were not associated with a lower risk of melanoma, SCC, or BCC in women. Our large, prospective study does not support a chemoprotective effect of NSAIDs against skin cancers.
Fatigue and crack growth behavior of VCrTi alloys

Abstract The results of in-vacuum low cycle fatigue tests are presented for unirradiated V5Cr5Ti tested at 25, 250, and 400°C. A pronounced environmental degradation of the fatigue properties is observed in this alloy at 25°C. Fatigue life was reduced by as much as 84% when testing was completed in a rough vacuum. Cyclic stress range data and SEM observations suggest that this reduction is due to a combination of increases in rates of crack initiation and subsequent growth. In high vacuum, the fatigue results also show a trend of increasing cyclic life with increasing temperature between 25 and 400°C. At 250°C, life averages 1.7 times that at 25°C, and at 400°C, life averages 3.2 times that at 25°C. A comparison of low cycle fatigue results for V5Cr5Ti was made to 20% cold-worked 316 stainless steel and several vanadium-base alloys. The results suggest that V5Cr5Ti has better resistance to fatigue than 316-SS in the temperature range of 25 to 400°C. At 400°C, the data also show that V5Cr5Ti out performs Vanstar alloys 7 and 8 over the entire range of strains investigated. Furthermore, the fatigue properties of the V5Cr5Ti alloy compare favorably to V15Cr5Ti (at 25°C) and Vanstar 9 (at 400°C) at strains greater than 1%. At lower strains, the lower fatigue resistance of V5Cr5Ti is attributed to the higher strengths of the V15Cr5Ti and Vanstar 9 alloys.
On the Possibilities of a Charming Anthropocene

The Anthropocene—the geological epoch in which human activities are signaled in Earth's geological records—often appears as an age to be met with grim resignation. Anxiety-driven narratives about t...
Valéry Jeune Poète: Les Dialogues antiques de Paul Valéry: Essai D'analyse D'Eupalinos ou L'Architecte

(1963). Valery Jeune Poete: Les Dialogues antiques de Paul Valery: Essai D'analyse D'Eupalinos ou L'Architecte. Symposium: A Quarterly Journal in Modern Literatures: Vol. 17, No. 1, pp. 66-68.
Symbolic solution of non-Markovian jump linear quadratic (JLQ) systems

The authors consider a class of scalar JLQ problems wherein the form transition probabilities are state-dependent and are piecewise constant in the state. The optimal solution is known to exhibit interesting algorithmic formulations of the control involving logical expressions and recursions. These are amenable to symbolic computation rather than to numerical processing. Symbolic computational methods can be used to design the optimal control law explicitly. A specific example is given, and extensions to more general problems are discussed. >
Urban/Rural Differences in Therapy Service Use Among Medicaid Children Aged 0-3 With Developmental Conditions in Colorado.

Abstract Objective To describe urban/rural differences in physical (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) service utilization and spending among a sample of young Medicaid-enrolled children with developmental conditions. Methods We analyzed Colorado Children's Medicaid administrative claims from 2006 to 2008. The sample included children who were younger than 36 months of age, had a select developmental condition, and were continuously eligible for each study year up to their third birthday. The study outcomes were number of PT/OT claims, type of PT/OT service, and Medicaid PT/OT spending. Multivariable analyses examined urban/rural differences in PT/OT utilization and spending, adjusting for child, family, and health service characteristics. Results The sample included 20,959 children. In adjusted analyses, urban children had 2-fold higher odds (odds ratio 2.18, 95% confidence interval 1.89, 2.51) of receiving PT/OT compared to their rural peers. Median annual per-child Medicaid PT/OT spending was $99 higher ($98.79 [$3.23, $194.35]) for urban children versus rural children. When place of PT/OT service and PT/OT procedures was included, this spending difference was drastically reduced. Conclusions Even accounting for child, family, and health service characteristics, Medicaid PT/OT spending is lower for rural children compared to their urban peers. The difference in spending is largely attributable to utilization of services that are less specialized than urban peers, thus suggesting disparities in access to appropriate PT/OT services.
Genetic Predictors of Perioperative Neurologic and Neuropsychological Injury and Recovery

Central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction after cardio pulmonary bypass represents a continuum from coma and focal stroke to cognitive deficits after surgery. Despite the marked increase in investigation of neuro logic and neurocognitive deficits after cardiac surgery, causative factors fail to predict the majority of the variance in the observed incidence of both early and late neurocognitive decline pointing to some inherent indi vidual susceptibility to injury. The authors' investigative team recently discovered a genetic association be tween late-onset Alzheimer's disease and the apolipo protein E (APOE, gene; apoE, protein) ∈-4 gene. This finding triggered many recent studies that have shown an important role of apoE in the determination of neurologic injury and recovery following a variety of acute ischemic insults including intracerebral hemor rhage, closed-head injury, as well as acute stroke and dementia pugilistica. Most important to the current discussion is the authors' recent report documentin...
Agricultural Industrialization and Sustainable Development: A Global Perspective

Agricultural industrialization and sustainable development issues are important contemporary areas of debate. This paper argues that the two processes are a consequence of a set of forces operating in our global system. It outlines a number of conceptual interactions between the two phenomena and examines economic development and sustainable development policy implications that appear to be logical extensions of the arguments presented.
A fluxless Sn-In bonding process achieving high remelting temperature

In this paper, we report a new alternative to the conventional solder. It is based on In-Sn multilayer composite design. This is a fluxless, oxidation-free, and most important of all, a non-eutectic soldering technique that can achieve a remelting temperature significantly higher than the bonding temperature. The In-Sn non-eutectic multilayer alloy so designed has the composition of 13.9 atomic% In and 86.1 atomic% Sn. The SEM and EDX analyses performed on the joint cross section clearly indicate a uniform joint thickness of 9 /spl mu/m, while the joint microstructure is clearly visible and nearly void-free. The EDX results obtained also successfully demonstrate that the entire joint is heavily Sn-rich, as anticipated. The remelting temperature of several joints was analysed. It ranges from 175 to 190/spl deg/C, The results clearly show that the joint composition is heavily Sn-rich, a very significant advantage from which it maximizes the temperature tolerance the device package can possibly handle.
AT1 Receptor Antagonism Is Proangiogenic in the Brain: BDNF a Novel Mediator

Candesartan is an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker (ARB) that has been to shown to limit ischemic stroke and improve stroke outcome. In experimental stroke, candesartan induces a proangiogenic effect that is partly attributable to vascular endothelial growth factor. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of the neurotrophin family that has been reported to have angiogenic effects and play an important role in recovery after stroke. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the role of BDNF in the proangiogenic effect of candesartan in the brain under hypertensive conditions. Accordingly, spontaneously hypertensive rats were treated with candesartan, and brain tissue samples were collected for quantification of BDNF expression. In addition, human cerebromicrovascular endothelial cells were treated with either low-dose (1 ƒM) or high-dose (1 µM) angiotensin II alone or in combination with candesartan (0.16 µM) to assess the effect of candesartan treatment and BDNF involvement in the behavior of endothelial cells. Candesartan significantly increased the expression of BDNF in the SHR (P < 0.05). In addition, candesartan reversed the antiangiogenic effect of the 1-µM dose of AngII (P = 0.0001). The observed effects of candesartan were ablated by neutralizing the effects of BDNF. Treatment with the AT2 antagonist PD-123319 significantly reduced tube-like formation in endothelial cells. AT2 stimulation induced the BDNF expression and migration (P < 0.05). In conclusion, candesartan exerts a proangiogenic effect on brain microvascular endothelial cells treated with angiotensin II. This response is attributable to increased BDNF expression and is mediated through stimulation of the AT2 receptor.
Structure and Function of Arginases

The arginases catalyze the divalent cation dependent hydrolysis of L-arginine to produce L-ornithine and urea. Although traditionally considered in terms of its role as the final enzyme of the urea cycle, the enzyme is found in a variety of nonhepatic tissues. These findings suggest that the enzyme may have other functions in addition to its role in nitrogen metabolism. High-resolution crystal structures have been determined for recombinant rat liver (type I) arginase and for recombinant human kidney (type II) arginase, their variants, and complexes with products and inhibitors. Each identical subunit of the trimeric enzyme contains an active site that lies at the bottom of a 15 A deep cleft. The 2 essential Mn(II) ions are located at the bottom of this cleft, separated by approximately 3.3 A and bridged by oxygens derived from 2 aspartic acid residues and a solvent-derived hydroxide. This metal bridging hydroxide is proposed to be the nucleophile that attacks the guanidinium carbon of substrate arginine. On the basis of this proposed mechanism, boronic acid inhibitors of the enzyme have been synthesized and characterized kinetically and structurally. These inhibitors display slow-onset inhibition at the pH optimum of the enzyme, and are found as tetrahedral species at the active site, as determined by X-ray diffraction. The potent inhibition of arginases I and II by these compounds has not only delineated key enzyme-substrate interactions, but has also led to a greater understanding of the role of arginase in nonhepatic tissues.
An Incentive-Compatible Mechanism for Scheduling Non-Malleable Parallel Jobs with Individual Deadlines

We design an incentive-compatible mechanism for schedulingn non-malleable parallel jobs on a parallel system comprising m identical processors. Each job is owned by a selfish user who is rational: she performs actions that maximize her welfare even though doing so may cause system-wide suboptimal performance. Each job is characterized by four parameters: value, deadline, number of processors, and execution time. The user's welfare increases by the amount indicated by the value if her job can be completed by the deadline. The user declares theparameters to the mechanism which uses them to compute the schedule and the payments. The user can misreport the parameters, but since the mechanism is incentive-compatible, she chooses to truthfully declare them. We prove the properties of the mechanism and perform a study by simulation.
The Future of Alumina-Forming Alloys: Challenges and Applications for Power Generation

Alumina-forming alloys have been studied for over 50 years and are now needed for high efficiency power generation applications operating at higher temperatures. Especially in the presence of water vapor, alumina-forming alloys outperform conventional chromia-forming alloys above 1000°C. However, alloy mechanical behavior is a significant issue and alumina-forming alloy development has been limited. The opportunity for alloy development is discussed as well as thefactors that limit oxidation resistance, including alloy thermal expansion and optimizing reactive element additions. Finally, lifetime modeling is discussed for thick section components together with the need to address performance in more complex environments.
Optimal transmit spectra for communication in the presence of crosstalk and imperfect echo cancellation

In many communication systems, including Digital Subscriber Lines, performance is severely limited by crosstalk interference. Previous work has presented a general framework for designing optimal transmit spectra for crosstalk avoidance. The technique uses the channel, noise, and interference characteristics to setup and solve an optimization problem which maximizes the capacity of neighboring lines, while maintaining spectral compatibility with other services. This joint signaling and optimal power distribution technique yields significant performance gains over conventional fixed spectra in terms of bit-rates and performance margins. In general, the spectra that result from this scheme have both an echo cancelled and frequency division multiplexed region. To ease the analysis, this technique assumed that the echo canceller has perfect echo rejection capability, which in practice is not true. In this paper, we propose an extension to these techniques, in which we factor the performance of practical echo cancellers into the optimization procedure. When echo rejection is not perfect, as is generally the case, our technique shows significant performance gains over previous techniques. As the performance of the echo canceller increases, our technique converges to the same solution.
The Good Provider: Missing or Overlooked?

This chapter explores Black men's reasons for participating in an adult basic education and literacy program through the lens of gender identity.
Fountain codes with message passing and maximum likelihood decoding over erasure channels

We investigate the performance of fountain codes on erasure channels with message passing and maximum likelihood decoding algorithms. Fountain codes under message passing decoding are efficient but, for short data length, the decoding overhead may not be optimal. We focus on reducing overhead without losing the code's efficiency and universality, and propose a hybrid message passing and fast maximum likelihood decoding algorithm for LT codes. We also design Raptor codes with one stage pre-codes which are remarkable LDPC codes in the IEEE 802.16e standard. Simulation results show that small dimension fountain codes can save impressive decoding overhead with the maximum likelihood algorithm and the hybrid scheme.
Role of mitochondrial KATP channels in PKCβ-dependent constriction of small pulmonary arteries (1090.10)

PKCβ mediates vasoconstriction through a unique signaling pathway in the pulmonary circulation that involves mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mitoROS). We hypothesized that PKCβ elicits these responses through activation of vascular smooth muscle mitochondrial KATP channels (mitoKATP). To test this hypothesis, we examined constriction in endothelium-disrupted, pressurized rat pulmonary arteries (~150 μm diameter) and mitoROS production (by MitoSOX fluorescence) in cultured rat and human pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMC) in response to the PKC agonist phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). PMA caused vasoconstriction and mitoROS production that were significantly attenuated (p<0.05) by both the PKCβ inhibitor LY-333,531 (10 nM) and PKCβ siRNA. Consistent with our hypothesis, the specific mitoKATP channel antagonist 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD; 500 μM) inhibited vasoconstriction and mitoROS production to both PMA and the mitoKATP activator diazoxide (10-5- 10-3 M). Consistent with a role for...
Mitochondria as biosynthetic factories for cancer proliferation

Unchecked growth and proliferation is a hallmark of cancer, and numerous oncogenic mutations reprogram cellular metabolism to fuel these processes. As a central metabolic organelle, mitochondria execute critical biochemical functions for the synthesis of fundamental cellular components, including fatty acids, amino acids, and nucleotides. Despite the extensive interest in the glycolytic phenotype of many cancer cells, tumors contain fully functional mitochondria that support proliferation and survival. Furthermore, tumor cells commonly increase flux through one or more mitochondrial pathways, and pharmacological inhibition of mitochondrial metabolism is emerging as a potential therapeutic strategy in some cancers. Here, we review the biosynthetic roles of mitochondrial metabolism in tumors and highlight specific cancers where these processes are activated.
Brain tissue PO2, PCO2, and pH during cerebral vasospasm

Abstract BACKGROUND The purpose of the present study was to assess brain tissue monitoring for detection of ischemia due to vasospasm in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients. METHODS After obtaining informed consent, a burr hole was made in 10 patients and a Neurotrend 7 probe was inserted ipsilateral to the region of SAH. In eight patients the probe was inserted during surgery for clipping the aneurysm and in two patients the probe was inserted in the neurosurgery ICU. Brain tissue gases and pH were collected over 6-hour periods for 7 to 10 days until the termination of monitoring. The onset of vasospasm was confirmed by angiography and xenon computed tomography (Xe/CT) cerebral blood flow studies. RESULTS Seven patients did not develop vasospasm during monitoring and were considered as controls. In this group, brain tissue oxygen pressure (PO2) remained above 20 mmHg, carbon dioxide pressure (PCO2) stabilized at 40 mmHg and pH remained between 7.1 and 7.2. In three patients who developed vasospasm during monitoring, PO2 was not different from the control group. However, PCO2 increased to 60 mmHg and pH decreased to 6.7 (p CONCLUSION In this study, patients with SAH who developed vasospasm had significantly lower brain tissue pH and higher PCO2 compared to controls. However, there was no significant change in PO2 levels associated with vasospasm. Brain tissue monitoring can provide an indication of ischemia during vasospasm.
Targeting antigens to CD180 rapidly induces antigen-specific IgG, affinity maturation, and immunological memory

Antigen (Ag) targeting is an efficient way to induce immune responses. Ag is usually coupled to an antibody (Ab) specific for a receptor expressed on dendritic cells (DCs), and then the Ag–anti-receptor is inoculated with an adjuvant. Here we report that targeting Ag to a receptor expressed on both B cells and DCs, the TLR orphan receptor CD180, in the absence of adjuvant rapidly induced IgG responses that were stronger than those induced by Ag in alum. Ag conjugated to anti-CD180 (Ag-αCD180) induced affinity maturation and Ab responses that were partially T cell independent, as Ag-specific IgGs were generated in CD40- and T cell–deficient mice. After preimmunization with Ag-αCD180 and boosting with soluble Ag, both WT and CD40 knockout (KO) mice rapidly produced Ag-specific IgG-forming cells, demonstrating that Ag–anti-CD180 induces immunological memory. The potent adjuvant effect of Ag-αCD180 required Ag to be coupled to anti-CD180 and the responsive B cells to express both CD180 and an Ag-specific B cell receptor. Surprisingly, CD180 Ag targeting also induced IgG Abs in BAFF-R KO mice lacking mature B cells and in mice deficient in interferon signaling. Targeting Ag to CD180 may be useful for therapeutic vaccination and for vaccinating the immune compromised.
Passive circuit model parameter extraction using genetic algorithms

A significant advantage of multichip technology is the ability to embed passive components (i.e., capacitors, resistors, and inductors) directly into the substrate at low cost. The extraction of circuit model parameters for embedded passive components operating at high frequencies is crucial for both circuit design and performance characterization. In this paper, a method for optimizing the extraction of these parameters using genetic algorithms (GAs) is presented. To do so, a set of integrated passive structures are fabricated, and their scattering parameters are measured for a range of frequencies from 45 MHz to 5 GHz. Optimal equivalent circuit models for these structures are derived from the S-parameter measurements. Predicted S-parameters for the optimized equivalent circuit are then obtained from HSPICE. The difference between the measured and predicted S-parameters in the frequency range of interest is used as the measure of the accuracy of the optimization results. We then compare GA-based optimization to optimization using the Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) algorithm. It is determined that the accuracy of the parameter values obtained is improved using GAs.
Evaluation of Age and Comorbidity as Risk Factors After Laparoscopic Urological Surgery

ABSTRACTPurpose: Few reports in the urological literature have focused on the growing population of elderly (65 years or older) patients. Coexistent medical conditions, which are more prevalent in elderly individuals, can confound results of outcome studies in this population. This single center, retrospective study was done to determine whether age and comorbidity are predictors of outcome in patients undergoing laparoscopic renal and adrenal surgery.Materials and Methods: From 1997 to 2001 laparoscopic radical nephrectomy, partial nephrectomy, nephroureterectomy and adrenalectomy were performed in 399 consecutive adults. Patient demographics and preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative parameters were extracted from a prospectively designed computerized database. Risk stratification was based on preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score. Additional risk stratification was constructed using the Charlson comorbidity index. Univariate and multivariate analyses were also performed...
American Indian treaties and the lower federal courts: A guide to treaty citations from opinions of the lower United States federal court system

Abstract In a previous study, it was found that 209 of 375 recognized American Indian treaties have been cited in opinions of the United States Supreme Court ( Bernholz, 2004 ). This guide now identifies – through 246 citations from 142 cases between the years 1863 and 2005 – 85 treaties found only in opinions of the lower Federal Court system. In addition, this investigation uncovered another treaty referenced by the Supreme Court. The remaining 80 instruments have not appeared in opinions of the federal courts ( Bernholz, 2001 , Bernholz, 2002 , Bernholz and Weiner, 2005 ).
Preliminary Report of a Pilot Tele-Health Palliative Care and Bioethics Program for Residents in Skilled Nursing Facilities

Currently about 25% of Americans die in nursing homes, many with poorly controlled pain and other symptoms, with minimal provisions for psychosocial support. New models are necessary to lessen structural and process barriers to give effective end-of-life care in nursing homes. Objectives: 1) To extend hospital-based Bioethics Consultation Services (BCS) and Palliative Care Services (PCS) at Montefiore Medical Center (MMC) in the Bronx to two local Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs), Morningside House Aging in America (MSH) using direct face-to-face consultations and Beth Abraham Health Systems (BAHS) via video consultations (VC); 2) Achieve improvements in quality of life and comfort for elderly residents and their families; 2a) Improve the level of practice and increase staff satisfaction with palliative care content-related knowledge and bioethical analysis. Methods: We report preliminary findings of this two group quasi experimental project with results of pre- and post- tests rating content-related knowledge in aspects of end-of-life care for staff. Select pre-test and post-test questions were given to physicians and other staff, but were re-configured for, registered and licensed practice nurses, social workers, and certified nursing assistants from the End-of-Life Physician Education Resource Center (EPERC). Patient, family, and staff ratings of the quality of palliative care were measured with a Palliative Outcomes Scale (POS) one week prior to and post consultation. Results: 72 staff attended in-services; 53 completed pre-tests and 49 post-tests. Overall knowledge scores increased for 9 of the 16 items that were analyzed. There were improvements in knowledge scores in 12 of 16 items tested for staff content related knowledge which were statistically significant in regard to management of cancer pain from 63.8% to 81.5% (p = 0.03) and a trend to significance for assessment and management of delirium from 31.6% to 61.9% (p = 0.073). Seventy five POS surveys were completed from 13 video-conferenced Palliative Care consultations and 14 direct face- to-face consultations from March 2008 to January 2009. There were improvements in ratings for some aspects of quality of care on the POS. Patient and staff aggregate response scores for the POS were significantly improved between baseline and follow-up (Wilcoxon signed-rank test p = 0.0143 and p = 0.005) at the videoconsultation site and for family and staff at the face-to-face consultation site (Wilcoxon signed-rank test p = 0.0016 and p = 0.0012). Conclusion: Preliminary evidence suggests that use of real time videoconferencing to connect hospital-based Bioethics and Palliative Care clinicians with patients, families, and staff in Skilled Nursing Facilities may enhance some aspects of end-of-life care for their residents, as well as content related knowledge in core aspects of end-of-life care for interdisciplinary groups of staff or caregivers.
The 1980 Summer Heat Wave and Drought in Historical Perspective

Abstract Economic losses during the hot, dry summer of 1980 were estimated at $16 billion. Despite these substantial economic losses, analyses of historical (1895–1980) monthly temperature and precipitation data across the 48 contiguous United States indicate that conditions could easily have been worse. Much more hostile conditions have existed in the past, particularly during the 1930's and the 1950's. However, the summer of 1980 does stand out from the past two decades as an extreme anomaly across the southern and southeastern United States. Analyses of Palmer's (1965) drought severity index, Paimer's soil moisture abnormality index, and values of precipitation minus potential evapotranspiration are used in the assessment of drought. Monthly mean temperature and population weighted cooling degree days as related to electrical energy consumption are used to assess the summer heat wave of 1980.
Occipital condyle fractures: clinical presentation and radiologic detection.

PURPOSE To describe the CT findings in occipital condyle fractures in patients suffering craniocervical trauma. METHODS Six occipital condyle fractures in five patients were analyzed. Because of clinical or plain-film findings, the craniocervical junction in each patient was imaged using thin-section, high-resolution CT. Axial data were reformatted in the coronal plane or in both coronal and sagittal planes. Clinical and radiologic findings associated with occipital condyle fractures reported in the English medical literature were correlated with our cases to determine conclusive predictive features indicating condylar injury. RESULTS Two avulsion (type III) fractures in two patients, two compression (type I) fractures in one patient, and two compression fractures in two patients were diagnosed by CT. Specific predictive features indicating occipital condyle fracture could not be confirmed. CONCLUSIONS CT greatly facilitates diagnosing and typing of occipital condyle fractures. Nonspecific parameters promoting CT after trauma are unexplained persistent upper-neck pain with normal plain-film findings, lower cranial nerve palsies, spasmodic torticollis, retropharyngeal or prevertebral soft-tissue swelling, and fractures of the atlas or axis.
Pharmacology of Anticonvulsant Drugs in Cerebrospinal Fluid

Transport of anticonvulsant (as well as other) drugs both into and out of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and brain depends on the same principles as those that determine the movements of all solutes across the blood-CSF and blood-brain barriers. Indeed, many of the classic studies on these barriers were with substances that possess pharmacological activity. Before the distribution of the individual anticonvulsants in CSF is discussed, it is pertinent to consider the significant factors involved in the transport of these substances into CSF. A summary of the anatomical basis of the blood-brain and blood-CSF barriers and the routes of entrance of anticonvulsants into and their exit from CSF are shown in Fig. 1.
Community Land Trusts: Why Now Is the Time to Integrate This Housing Activists' Tool Into Local Government Affordable Housing Policies

A recent study found that housing expenses in the period from 2006 to 2010 were 52 percent higher for the typical household living in each of the 25 largest U.S. metropolitan areas than they had been in 2000. This rise in housing expenses, coupled with stagnant wages in those same locations over the same period, is one of the major reasons that community land trusts (CLTs) have risen from a fringe housing movement to the center of cities’ efforts to provide affordable housing within the last decade. In addition, many cities see CLTs as a way to provide perpetually affordable units, a benefit not provided by inclusionary zoning ordinances that often only require affordability for a term of years. This article explores how some cities have already added CLTs to their list of affordable housing policy tools, ultimately arguing that the current economic environment presents a strong case for more cities to start CLTs at this time. Even where cities are not ready to take such steps now, the dramatic rise in CLT formation nationally, as well as the massive city-wide CLTs planned for several major cities in the U.S., such as Chicago, Illinois and Irvine, California, are developments that land use and zoning lawyers will want to watch. If the massive CLTs ultimately work as planned, other cities are likely to follow suit in embracing CLTs, a move that in turn could alter how project proponents meet inclusionary housing requirements and revolutionize how affordable housing dollars are spent by local governments. The article proceeds by offering a history of CLTs; reviewing 10 characteristic features of the “classic” CLT structure; reviewing the rise of cities’ use of CLTs and presents, in detail, a review of two of the most ambitious city-backed CLTs started by Chicago and Irvine; reviewing several legal and policy issues unique to city CLTs; and finally making the case for why cities should consider starting CLTs now.
Translational Development of Therapeutic Vaccines for Lymphoma

Follicular lymphoma expresses a unique immunoglobulin molecule termed idiotype that has been used as a tumor-specific antigen for vaccine development. Early stage clinical studies revealed that vaccination consisting of keyhole limpet hemocyanin-conjugated lymphoma idiotype protein in combination with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor induced tumor-specific immune responses and molecular remission in patients with follicular lymphoma. Three double-blind, randomized, phase III trials were conducted to further ­determine the clinical benefits of this vaccine therapy. Compared to the placebo, prolonged disease-free survival in vaccinated patients was concluded only in one study where all the patients enrolled in the trial already had complete remission from induction chemotherapy. Next generation idiotype vaccines are being developed with the focus on simplifying vaccine formulation and potentiating tumor-specific immunity. This category includes genetically modified idiotype single chain DNA liposome-encapsulated idiotype vaccine and dendritic cell vaccine. Although preclinical data supported the immunogenicity and therapeutic advantage of these new vaccines, their clinical benefits remain to be tested. Optimizing next generation idiotype vaccines may require combination with immune adjuvants that potentiate vaccine-induced antitumor immunity, have direct effects against tumor or block immune regulatory checkpoints. Moreover, identification of a universal follicular lymphoma antigen is important for future development of vaccine therapy against this disease.
Targeted Inactivation of Murine Band 3 (AE1) Gene Produces a Hypercoagulable State Causing Widespread Thrombosis In Vivo

Only 5% to 10% of band 3 null mice survive the neonatal period. To determine the cause of death, 3 adult and 11 newborn band 3 null mice were submitted for histopathologic examination. All but 1 pup showed evidence of thrombosis including: (1) large thrombotic lesions in the heart, which were partially organized, calcified in some fields, and endothelialized, indicating a process that developed premortem (3 of 3 adults and 6 of 11 pups). (2) Subcapsular necrotic areas in the liver suggestive of premortem ischemic events caused by arteriolar occlusions (8 of 11 pups). (3) Large vein thrombi (4 of 11 pups). To investigate the etiology of this hypercoagulable state, we have used the Russell’s viper venom test (RVV) to show that red blood cells (RBCs) from band 3 null mice significantly shorten the RVV clotting time of normal plasma in a dose-dependent fashion, whereas RBCs from normal mice have no effect, suggesting that the membrane of band 3 null RBCs provides a suitable surface for activation of the prothrombinase complex. Using flow cytometry, we have examined the phosphatidylserine (PS)-specific binding of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-annexin V to normal and band 3 null RBCs. A subpopulation of cells (3% to 5% of RBCs) with increased FITC-annexin V binding was detected in band 3 null RBCs as compared with normal RBCs. Furthermore, the entire cell population of band 3 null RBCs shows a measurable increase in the mean fluorescence intensity, suggesting that band 3 null RBCs may have increased PS exposure on the outer membrane leaflet. These findings are further supported by direct fluorescence microscopy of normal and band 3 null RBCs labeled with FITC-annexin V. Based on these observations, we postulate that the high mortality of band 3 null mice may be related to a hypercoagulable state, which appears to originate from changes in the phospholipid composition of the membrane leading to PS exposure on the outer leaflet. © 1998 by The American Society of Hematology.
Keep honking: Making noise about e-books and resource-sharing models

The traffic flow at the intersection of U.S. copyright law and e-books is not working very well—think stop sign on the Autobahn. Libraries, which have long enjoyed the benefits of resource sharing,...
CAR-T Cell Therapies From the Transfusion Medicine Perspective

The use of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy for the treatment of hematologic malignancies has generated significant excitement over the last several years. From a transfusion medicine perspective, the implementation of CAR-T therapy as a potential mainstay treatment for not only hematologic but also solid-organ malignancies represents a significant opportunity for growth and expansion. In this review, we will describe the rationale for the development of genetically redirected T cells as a cancer therapeutic, the different elements that are required to engineer these cells, as well as an overview of the process by which patient cells are harvested and processed to create and subsequently validate CAR-T cells. Finally, we will briefly describe some of the toxicities and clinical efficacy of CAR-T cells in the setting of patients with advanced malignancy.
ESTABLISHMENT OF NEAR-INFRARED REFLECTANCE SPECTROSCOPY MODEL FOR AMYLOSE CONTENT OF MILLED RICE IN HEFEI

Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy scanning technique was conducted by using 203 rice varieties grown in Hefei region to determine amylose content of milled rice by normal chemistry method.The distribution of amylose content in calibrating samples ranged from 3.44% to 28.05%.Several mathematics treatments of the sample spectra and partial least square(PLS) regression was used to establish the calibration model of milled rice.The samples of calibration set(C-set) and validation set(V-set) is 132 and 67.The standard error of calibration(SEC),standard error of validation(SEP),correlation coefficient of calibration set(C-set) and validation set(V-set) were 1.6582,1.9083,0.9278,0.8736,respectively.All the above results proved that the model has good accuracy and practicality,and was veracious and useful for rice breeding and the research of seed resource in Hefei region.
Design of Disease Monitoring and Intelligent Information Acquisition System Based on Regional Health Information Platform

The paper puts forward the design idea of disease monitoring and intelligent information acquisition system based on regional health information platform,introduces the expected benefits and the matters that should be noted.The system will contribute to the requirements of disease monitoring information of zero omitting report,zero delay report,zero hiding report and zero error report,provide timely and accurate basis for disease prevention and control decision-making of relevant government departments,at the same time it provides references for other similar system construction.
On Information Literacy Education for University Students

The paper discusses the meaning and character of information literacy, the significance of information literacy education for university students, and probes into the measures and approaches to develop information literacy education for university students.
Embryonic chicken fibroblast collagen binding proteins: distribution, role in substratum adhesion, and relationship to integrins

Collagen binding proteins (CBP) are hydrophobic, cell surface polypeptides, isolated by collagen affinity chromatography. Antibodies to CBPs inhibit the attachment of embryonic chicken heart fibroblasts to native type I collagen fibrils in a dose-dependent manner. The CBP antibodies also induce rounding and detachment of cells adherent to a planar substratum. This process of antibody-mediated substratum detachment resulted in a clustering of CBP and cell-associated extracellular matrix at the cell surface, and the rearrangement of filamentous actin. Other functional studies showed that cells grown within a three-dimensional gel of type I collagen cannot be immunostained at the cell surface with CBP antibodies. However, treatment of cultures with purified collagenase, unmasks immunoreactive sites and permits strong cell surface immunolabeling. This result suggests that collagen sterically blocks antibody access to CBP. Finally, we show that antibodies to CBP recognize purified avian integrin beta subunits; and that antibodies to avian integrins recognize a 100,000 Mr CBP. These data demonstrate that chicken embryonic fibroblasts possess surface polypeptides that mediate adhesion to type I collagen, and suggest that two of these proteins are related to the integrin family.
DRSTI: A Workbench for Querying Retinal Image Data of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Patients

Age-related macular degeneration AMD affects the vision of millions of people around the world. Currently there are a few treatment options to treat and/or arrest the visual distortions in AMD patients; however, they are not uniformly effective. Retinal health of AMD patients is monitored using imaging of the retina using optical coherence tomography, fluorescein agiography, etc. The visual distortions experienced by the patients are monitored using Amsler grids. All these different types of image data can be used to study the retinal health of patients and develop correlations among data collected from different images, particularly from the Amsler grids annotated by AMD patients. This paper proposes a conceptual and logical data model that combines all of the image data from AMD patients and describes a query model for accessing the data for a single as well as across multiple patients. All retinal images are processed to construct a retinal map for each eye of a patient. The rich retinal map data is then stored in a relational database for further querying.
Habitat Use by Five Turtle Species in the Middle Mississippi River

Abstract Turtles face unique conservation challenges in modern modified river systems. Despite their ecological importance, gaps in knowledge still exist that may hinder their conservation. Turtle by-catch data from the US Army Corps of Engineers' Long-Term Resource Monitoring Program were analyzed for 5 turtle species (false map turtle, Graptemys pseudogeographica; red-eared slider, Trachemys scripta; common snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina; smooth softshell turtle, Apalone mutica; and spiny softshell turtle, Apalone spinifera) to better understand macrohabitat and mesohabitat use. These species demonstrated differences in habitat use between various macrohabitats, substrata, velocity classes, and depth classes. Common snapping turtles and spiny softshell turtles were captured most often in tributaries, whereas red-eared sliders were captured most often in tributaries and closed side channels. Smooth softshell turtles used open side channels and unstructured main-channel borders most often. False map...
Improving Evapotranspiration Mechanisms in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Storm Water Management Model

AbstractMost stormwater models oversimplify evapotranspiration (ET) processes, which restricts their applications in water budget analyses, ecosystem services assessments, and coupled modeling studies such as with urban climate models to investigate benefits of green infrastructure (GI) implementation. To address this need, the Penman–Monteith scheme was incorporated into the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s storm water management model (SWMM) to improve the latter’s ET routine. The modified SWMM allows heterogeneous and subdaily potential ET (PET) inputs, and includes the effects of water stress on actual ET (AET). The updated ET routine was validated for GI, including bioretention (R2=0.57) and green roof (R2=0.78), by comparing with direct measurements. A case study showed the upgraded SWMM model generates improved daily ET estimates and more accurate temporal patterns than previous SWMM versions. The results also suggest that water cycle fluxes could be miscalculated if a homogeneous po...