cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Minimally Invasive Surgery for Rectal Prolapse: Robotic Procedures

Robotic surgery is a safe technique for the treatment of rectal prolapse with specific advantages over both open abdominal and laparoscopic techniques. Robotic surgery provides high-quality, three-dimensional visualization of the pelvic anatomy while providing easier dissection of the rectovaginal septum and easier suturing in the deep pelvis compared to laparoscopic techniques. These advantages make robotic surgery ideally suited for minimally invasive ventral rectopexy; a technique with a proven low recurrence rate and excellent functional outcomes. Although robotic surgery is associated with longer operative times, recent studies have shown that the time of the procedure decreases with increased experience and there is ultimately not a significant difference between robotic and laparoscopic surgery. The major disadvantage of robotic surgery still remains a higher hospital cost compared with laparoscopy and open techniques. There is limited clinical data regarding the benefits of robotic surgery and further prospective clinical trials are needed to affirm the role of robotic surgery in the treatment of rectal prolapse.
Progressive retraction of a fractured os peroneum suggesting repetitive injury to the peroneus longus tendon.

Abstract The os peroneum is an accessory ossicle within the peroneus longus tendon. Prior reports have discussed fracture of the os peroneum with associated tears of the peroneus longus tendon. When the ossicle fractures, there can be varying degrees of retraction of the tendon, which can be diagnosed by malposition of the ossicle or the ossicle fragments. We report a case of a man with recurrent eversion ankle injuries with progressive retraction of a fractured os peroneum, implying injuries to the superior and inferior peroneal retinacula and the peroneus longus tendon.
Weighted caseload: a critical element of modern court administration

In recent years, court systems in the US and abroad have begun to adopt objective, empirically based methods for determining the need for judges. This methodology, called workload assessment or wei...
Opioids and Alternatives in Female Chronic Pelvic Pain

Chronic pelvic pain is a complex condition with peripheral and central mechanisms of pain. Successful nonsurgical management typically relies on a multimodal approach, with integration of both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions. This article reviews nonpharmacologic therapies including pelvic floor physical therapy, dietary modifications, psychotherapy, and acupuncture. These interventions are low risk and should be incorporated into treatment for chronic pelvic pain, as they show promise for successful symptom relief in many overlapping chronic pain conditions. Common nonopioid medications for pelvic are also reviewed, including analgesics, hormone modulating agents, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants. Guidelines for cautious and responsible opioid use are also summarized. While data specific to chronic pelvic pain management remain limited, evidence supporting treatment of other chronic pain conditions is reviewed to help guide management.
Low Rank Approximation with Entrywise $\ell_1$-Norm Error

We study the $\ell_1$-low rank approximation problem, where for a given $n \times d$ matrix $A$ and approximation factor $\alpha \geq 1$, the goal is to output a rank-$k$ matrix $\widehat{A}$ for which $$\|A-\widehat{A}\|_1 \leq \alpha \cdot \min_{\textrm{rank-}k\textrm{ matrices}~A'}\|A-A'\|_1,$$ where for an $n \times d$ matrix $C$, we let $\|C\|_1 = \sum_{i=1}^n \sum_{j=1}^d |C_{i,j}|$. This error measure is known to be more robust than the Frobenius norm in the presence of outliers and is indicated in models where Gaussian assumptions on the noise may not apply. The problem was shown to be NP-hard by Gillis and Vavasis and a number of heuristics have been proposed. It was asked in multiple places if there are any approximation algorithms. We give the first provable approximation algorithms for $\ell_1$-low rank approximation, showing that it is possible to achieve approximation factor $\alpha = (\log d) \cdot \mathrm{poly}(k)$ in $\mathrm{nnz}(A) + (n+d) \mathrm{poly}(k)$ time, where $\mathrm{nnz}(A)$ denotes the number of non-zero entries of $A$. If $k$ is constant, we further improve the approximation ratio to $O(1)$ with a $\mathrm{poly}(nd)$-time algorithm. Under the Exponential Time Hypothesis, we show there is no $\mathrm{poly}(nd)$-time algorithm achieving a $(1+\frac{1}{\log^{1+\gamma}(nd)})$-approximation, for $\gamma > 0$ an arbitrarily small constant, even when $k = 1$. We give a number of additional results for $\ell_1$-low rank approximation: nearly tight upper and lower bounds for column subset selection, CUR decompositions, extensions to low rank approximation with respect to $\ell_p$-norms for $1 \leq p < 2$ and earthmover distance, low-communication distributed protocols and low-memory streaming algorithms, algorithms with limited randomness, and bicriteria algorithms. We also give a preliminary empirical evaluation.
Drivers of α-Sheet Formation in Transthyretin under Amyloidogenic Conditions.

Amyloid diseases make up a set of fatal disorders in which proteins aggregate to form fibrils that deposit in tissues throughout the body. Amyloid-associated diseases are challenging to study because amyloid formation occurs on time scales that span several orders of magnitude and involve heterogeneous, interconverting protein conformations. The development of more effective technologies to diagnose and treat amyloid disease requires both a map of the conformations sampled during amyloidogenesis and an understanding of the molecular mechanisms that drive this process. In prior molecular dynamics simulations of amyloid proteins, we observed the formation of a nonstandard type of secondary structure, called α-sheet, that we proposed is associated with the pathogenic conformers in amyloid disease, the soluble oligomers. However, the detailed molecular interactions that drive the conversion to α-sheet remain elusive. Here we use molecular dynamics simulations to interrogate a critical event in transthyretin a...
Inverse spectroscopic optical coherence tomography to measure tissue ultrastructures and functions (Conference Presentation)

This Conference Presentation, “Inverse spectroscopic optical coherence tomography to measure tissue ultrastructures and functions” was recorded at Photonics West held in San Francisco, California, United States.
Sulfate resistance of portland-limestone cement concrete systems: Linking laboratory and field performances

Abstract The work presented in this paper comprises an extensive testing program on the resistance of portland-limestone cement (PLC) concrete systems to external sulfate attack. Several mixture parameters, namely interground limestone content, C3A content, and SCM type and replacement level, were evaluated in a wide range of experimental conditions designed to link, replicate, and predict laboratory and field performances. The presented results have highlighted the role that the experimental parameters play in the degradation process, which were shown to be particularly pronounced in systems of low sulfate resistance with high limestone contents, owing to their high propensity for thaumasite formation. The findings presented will be crucial to evaluate/develop an accelerated testing procedure that provides a better correlation with actual field performance of concrete structures.
Symposium Article: Complete Contracts in Finance

Notwithstanding its significant influence in corporate finance, the theory of incomplete contracts is arguably misunderstood by courts enforcing contracts governing corporate transactions. In resolving such disputes, judges implicitly assume that complete contracts are both achievable and desirable when the parties are financially sophisticated, and they systematically assign blame to one of the parties for leaving the contract incomplete. This, in turn, prompts parties to write ever longer and more complex agreements. Such agreements do not necessarily produce more efficient outcomes, however. In fact, they may yield unexpected outcomes or interpretations, which can be enforced opportunistically by one of the parties or by third parties.
Characterization of the hemorrhagic syndrome in the New Zealand white rabbit model following total body irradiation.

The hemorrhagic syndrome is a major cause of morbidity and mortality associated with the acute radiation syndrome (ARS). We previously characterized the dose–response relationship for total body ir...
Soft tissue density within the foramen magnum, a predictor for surgical intervention in pediatric patients with Chiari malformation type I.

OBJECTIVE Chiari malformation type I (CMI) is diagnosed as herniation of the cerebellar tonsils by at least 5 mm below the foramen magnum. However, the degree of tonsillar herniation is a poor predictor of the need for decompression surgery. Exploration for an alternative morphological predictor for surgical intervention could provide greater insight into the development of an appropriate treatment plan for these patients. To investigate this issue, the authors calculated the soft tissue density within the foramen magnum as a measure of impaction of the cerebellar tonsils. Soft tissue density within the foramen magnum and degree of tonsillar herniation were then assessed for their correlation with the need for surgical intervention. METHODS The authors conducted a retrospective, longitudinal chart review of pediatric patients with CMI. Those who had undergone surgical intervention were considered symptomatic and those who had been treated conservatively, as asymptomatic. Soft tissue density was found by dividing the soft tissue occupancy of the foramen magnum (brainstem and cerebellar tonsils) by the total area of the bony foramen magnum. The predictive value of these two measurements for the need of surgery was determined. RESULTS Of the 465 patients seen for CMI at the authors' institution between July 1, 2011, and May 31, 2017, 80 underwent surgical intervention and 385 were asymptomatic. The average tissue density was significantly greater in the surgical group than in the asymptomatic group (83.3% and 78.6%, respectively, p < 0.0001). The average tonsillar descent for surgical patients was 10.8 mm compared to 9.8 mm for asymptomatic patients (p = 0.140). The point-biserial correlation coefficient was assessed, and soft tissue density was found to positively correlate with the need for surgical intervention (rpb = 0.199, p = 0.0001), whereas tonsillar herniation did not correlate with the need for surgery (rpb = 0.083, p = 0.115). Additionally, the degree of tonsillar herniation did not correlate with soft tissue density (r = 0.09), indicating that soft tissue density is an independent morphological parameter. CONCLUSIONS The study findings suggest that the need for surgical intervention in CMI patients is positively correlated with increasing soft tissue density within the foramen magnum, whereas the degree of tonsillar herniation did not show a correlation with the need for surgical intervention. Additionally, soft tissue density is a factor independent of the degree of tonsillar herniation. Further investigation of tissue density within the foramen magnum is needed in the hope of discovering a clinically applicable parameter that would indicate a need for surgical intervention in patients with CMI.
Quantifying the Window of Uncertainty for SSTDR Measurements of a Photovoltaic System

Spread spectrum time domain reflectometry (SSTDR) is a non-intrusive method for electrical fault detection and localization that enables continuous monitoring of live electrical systems. Electrical faults create changes in impedance that create subsequent changes in the SSTDR reflection response. These changes in reflection response can be detected only if the changes are outside the window of uncertainty of the SSTDR measurement. In this paper, we establish a method of determining this window of uncertainty and the associated minimum-detectable change in impedance for SSTDR measurements. We demonstrate this for a photovoltaic (PV) systems, although the methods could be similarly applied to other applications. We assess the variability in SSTDR measurements caused by changes in the PV system that are representative of normal maintenance actions such as disconnecting/reconnecting a connector and completely breaking-down/setting-up the entire system. We evaluate how this variability translates to a minimum-detectable change in impedance and how that relates to common faults in PV systems (arc and ground faults, shading, damaged cells, and aging). We also describe methods of increasing SSTDR fidelity to accurately extract minor changes in impedance and therefore, detect small-magnitude electrical faults.
The AAHKS Best Podium Presentation Research Award: Comparing the Efficacy of Irrigation Solutions on Staphylococcal Biofilm Formed on Arthroplasty Surfaces.

Abstract Background A diverse array of antibacterial solutions is utilized by orthopedic surgeons in an attempt to disperse bacterial biofilm. Few studies compare these agents against biofilm grown on clinically relevant orthopedic biomaterials, such as plastic, acrylic cement, and porous titanium. Methods MSSA biofilm was grown on plastic 48-well plates, polymethylmethacrylate cement beads and porous Ti-6Al-4V acetabular screw caps. Antibacterial solutions were tested according to manufacturer guidance and included: isotonic saline, vancomycin (1 mg/mL), polymyxin-bacitracin (500,000 U/L-50,000 U/L), povidone-iodine 0.3%, povidone-iodine 10%, a 1:1 combination of povidone-iodine 10% & 4% hydrogen peroxide, polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) and betaine 0.04%, a commercial solution containing chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) 0.05%, and a commercial solution containing benzalkonium chloride and ethanol. Twenty four and 72-hour biofilms were exposed to solutions for 3 minutes to reproduce intraoperative conditions. Solution efficacy was measured through sonication of treated surfaces followed by counting colony forming units and validated with a resazurin assay to assess cell viability. Experiments were performed in triplicate and repeated at least once. A three-fold log reduction in CFU counts versus controls was considered as a measure of solution efficacy. Results Saline, vancomycin and polymyxin-bacitracin were ineffective compared to other solutions against planktonic MSSA. Povidone-iodine 10% and a 1:1 solution of povidone-iodine 10% and 4% hydrogen peroxide were the only effective solutions against biofilm across all three surfaces and time points. Conclusion Commercial antibacterial solutions vary significantly in their efficacy against MSSA biofilm. Efficacy globally decreased as biofilm maturity increased. Increased solution cost did not confer increased efficacy.
Sub-0.5 nm Interfacial Dielectric Enables Superior Electrostatics: 65 mV/dec Top-Gated Carbon Nanotube FETs at 15 nm Gate Length

To realize superior electrostatic control, a gate oxide bilayer for carbon nanotubes (CNT) is employed consisting of a 0.35 nm interfacial dielectric (k=7.8) and 2.5 nm high-k ALD dielectric (k=24). Using experimentally measured dielectric constants on sp2 carbon and minimum oxide thickness on CNT, a COX on CNT of 2.94×10-10 F/m is calculated for top-gate geometry. Gate leakage sub-1 pA/CNT is measured at 0.7V, better than the sub-5 nm node technology target. Top-gated carbon nanotube field effect transistors in this paper have 65 mV/dec subthreshold slope and DIBL as low as 20 mV/V at 15 nm gate length. Negligible hysteresis and no degradation in drive current from the top-gate process is observed. TCAD modeling predicts this approach will enable 68 mV/dec for top-gate CNFET with 10 nm L G , 1 nm CNT diameter and 250 CNT/μm, revealing a path to energy and performance gains from a CNT transistor technology.
Biocatalytic, Intermolecular C−H Bond Functionalization for the Synthesis of Enantioenriched Amides

Directed evolution of heme proteins has opened access to new-to-nature enzymatic activity that can be harnessed to tackle synthetic challenges. Among these, reactions resulting from active site iron-nitrenoid intermediates present a powerful strategy to forge C-N bonds with high site- and stereoselectivity. Here we report a biocatalytic, intermolecular benzylic C-H amidation reaction operating at mild and scalable conditions. With hydroxamate esters as nitrene precursors, feedstock aromatic compounds can be converted to chiral amides with excellent enantioselectivity (up to >99 % ee) and high yields (up to 87 %). Kinetic and computational analysis of the enzymatic reaction reveals rate-determining nitrenoid formation followed by stepwise hydrogen atom transfer-mediated C-H functionalization.
The role of family history of Cancer in Oral Cavity Cancer.

OBJECTIVES Oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the 10th most common cancer in the United States (8th in males, 13th in females), with an estimated 54,010 new cases expected in 2021, and is primarily associated with smoked tobacco, heavy alcohol consumption, areca nut use and persistent high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV). Family history of cancer (FHC) and family history of head and neck cancer (FHHNC) have been reported to play an important role in the development of OSCC. We aimed to investigate the role of FHC, FHHNC and personal history of cancer in first/second degree-relatives as co-risk factors for oral cancer. METHODS This was a retrospective study of patients diagnosed with OSCC at the Division of Oral Medicine and Dentistry at Brigham and Women's Hospital and at the Division of Head and Neck Oncology at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Conditional logistic regressions were performed to examine whether OSCC was associated with FHC and FHHNC of FDRs and SDRs, personal history of cancer and secondary risk factors. RESULTS Overall, we did not find an association between FHC, FHHNC and OSCC risk, whereas patients with a cancer history in one of their siblings were 1.6-times more likely to present with an OSCC. When secondary risk factors were considered, patients with a history of oral leukoplakia and dysplasia had a 16-times higher risk of having an OSCC. CONCLUSIONS Our study confirmed that a previous history of oral leukoplakia or dysplasia was an independent risk factor for OSCC. A positive family history of cancer in one or more siblings may be an additional risk factor for OSCC.
Interstellar Neutral Hydrogen

Interstellar space is filled with cold hydrogen gas that radiates at a wavelength of 21 cm, in the radio band. The spectral line is shifted in wavelength (the Doppler effect) due to motion toward or away from the Sun so that observations of the hydrogen line reveal fascinating details about clouds in interstellar space.
A mutant of bacteriophage φX174 which infects E. coli K12 strains: II. Replication of φXtB in tsDNA strains

Abstract The replication of φ X tB , a φX174 mutant which infects E. coli K12 strains, was examined in several ts DNA strains. φ X tB replicates in some ts DNA strains in which φX replication is blocked. Ideas which may explain φ X tB 's replicative properties are presented.
Surgical motor skill differentiation via functional near infrared spectroscopy

This study proposes a method to objectively differentiate surgical motor skill by analyzing brain activation in the prefrontal cortex, supplementary motor area (SMA), and primary motor cortex (M1) using functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) while performing a bimanual surgical task. Results show that experts have a significant decrease (p<0.05) in functional activation in the prefrontal cortex, SMA, and M1 compared to surgical novices for the physical trainer bimanual task. However, experts show a significant increase in functional activation in the prefrontal cortex and SMA compared to novices for the virtual trainer bimanual surgical task.
11 Genetic Control of Mammalian Female Meiosis

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the control of chromosome segregation during mammalian female meiosis. It emphasizes the complexities of mammalian meiosis and differences between male and female mammals. As in mitotic cells, the meiotic process is subject to checkpoint control mechanisms that regulate cell cycle progression. The meiotic process in females requires additional cell cycle controls to ensure arrest at two independent points in the cell division because, with few exceptions, mammalian female meiosis is characterized by a protracted arrest at prophase of the first meiotic division (MI) and a subsequent arrest at metaphase of the second meiotic division (MII). In the majority of mammals, mitotic proliferation of oogonia is limited to the prenatal period, and all oogonia enter meiosis before or shortly after birth. The prenatal differentiation of germ cells has been best characterized in the mouse: the germ cell lineage is thought to be established during early gastrulation, when an estimated 40 or so cells are segregated to the extraembryonic mesoderm. Animals carrying targeted disruptions of DNA mismatch repair genes as well as of other genes known to play a role in meiosis in lower eukaryotes provide the first of the long awaited mammalian meiotic mutants.
Decreased BRCA1 protein expression alert the response of MCF7 cells to tamoxifen

B44 Approximately 60% of breast cancers are estrogen receptor-positive and tamoxifen, which targets the estrogen receptor (ER), is one of the most effective treatments. However, de novo and acquired tamoxifen resistance remain important clinical problems. The circumvention of tamoxifen resistance using rational therapeutic approaches requires an understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of the cellular response to tamoxifen. Decreased protein expression of the tumor suppressor BRCA1 has been observed in sporadic breast cancer and is associated with poor prognosis and a more aggressive phenotype. BRCA1 has also been shown to directly inhibit ER activity. ER activity plays a major role in mammary epithelial cell proliferation during carcinogenesis so it is not surprising that decreased BRCA1 protein is associated with poor prognosis. Furthermore, tamoxifen was shown to promote mammary cancer development in a mouse model of BRCA1-mutation-related breast cancer. In order to reveal the relationship between decreased BRCA1 protein levels and tamoxifen response, MCF7 cells stably expressing shRNA targeted against the BRCA1 gene were established using recombinant retrovirus, resulting in a 38% reduction of BRCA1 protein levels compared to cells expressing scrambled control shRNA. BRCA1 knockdown was accompanied by increased cell proliferation and decreased response to tamoxifen as determined by MTT assay. To asses the molecular mechanisms of these effects, we used mass spectrometry to determine the global changes in protein expression. For these studies, iTRAQ isobaric tags were used the peptides were separated with two-dimensional liquid chromatography. Tandem mass spectrometry was performed on an ABI 4800 MALDI ToF/ToF. Changes in levels of expression of proteins involved in processes such as metabolism, differentiation, cell death and biosynthesis were identified. An understanding of the mechanisms of tamoxifen resistance is the first step toward developing new therapeutic strategies for women with this phenotype. Identification of global protein expression patterns will provide valuable information toward understanding the mechanisms underlying tamoxifen response and can be used immediately to develop a clinical strategy for treating tamoxifen resistant tumors. A greater understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of tamoxifen will lead to individualized treatment against breast cancer.
Effect of burn and first-pass splanchnic leucine extraction on protein kinetics in rats

The effects of burn and first-pass splanchnic leucine extraction (FPE) on protein kinetics and energy expenditure were assessed by measuring O2 consumption, CO2 production, nitrogen balance, leucine kinetics, and tissue fractional protein synthetic rates (FSR-%/day) in enterally fed rats. Anesthetized male rats (200 g) were scalded on their dorsum with boiling water (25-30% body surface area) and enterally fed isovolemic diets that provided 60 kcal/day and 2.4 g of amino acids/day for 3 days. Controls were not burned. An intravenous or intragastric infusion of L-[1-14C]leucine was used to assess protein kinetics on day 3. FPE was taken as the ratio of intragastric to intravenous plasma leucine specific activity. There was a 69% reduction in cumulative nitrogen balance (P less than 0.001) and a 17-19% increase in leucine oxidation (P less than 0.05) and total energy expenditure (P less than 0.01) in burned rats. A 15% decrease in plasma leucine clearance (P less than 0.05) was accompanied by a 20% increase in plasma [leucine] (P less than 0.01) in burned rats. Burn decreased rectus muscle FSR from 5.0 +/- 0.4 to 3.5 +/- 0.5 (P less than 0.05) and increased liver FSR from 19.0 +/- 0.5 to 39.2 +/- 3.4 (P less than 0.01). First pass extraction of dietary leucine by the splanchnic bed was 8% in controls and 26% in burned rats. Leucine kinetics corrected for FPE showed increased protein degradation with burn that was not evident without FPE correction. This hypermetabolic burn model can be useful in the design of enteral diets that optimize rates of protein synthesis and degradation.
Effect of Various Doses of Recombinant Human Thyrotropin on the Thyroid Radioactive Iodine Uptake and Serum Levels of Thyroid Hormones and Thyroglobulin in Normal Subjects

Recombinant human TSH (rhTSH), usually given as 0.9-mg doses im on 2 successive days, increases serum thyroglobulin (Tg) and radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) in residual thyroid tissue in patients with thyroid cancer. We previously reported that a single, relatively low dose of rhTSH (0.1 mg im) is a potent stimulator of T(4), T(3), and Tg secretion in normal subjects. The present study describes the effects of higher doses of rhTSH on thyroid hormone and Tg secretion. Six normal subjects for each dose group, having no evidence of thyroid disease, received either 0.3 or 0.9 mg rhTSH by im injection. Serum TSH, T(4), T(3), and Tg concentrations were measured at 2, 4, and 8 h and 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7 days after rhTSH administration. The peak serum TSH concentrations were 82 +/- 18 and 277 +/- 89 mU/L, respectively, for the 0.3- and 0.9-mg doses of rhTSH. Serum T(4), T(3), and Tg concentrations increased significantly in subjects receiving 0.3 and 0.9 mg rhTSH, with significant increases in T(4) and T(3) being observed before significant increases in serum TG: Peak concentrations of serum T(4), T(3), and Tg, after 0.3 mg rhTSH administration, were 100 +/- 19, 131 +/- 14, and 1035 +/- 724% above individual baselines, respectively. Similarly, peak concentrations of serum T(4), T(3), and Tg, after 0.9 mg rhTSH administration, were 102 +/- 16, 134 +/- 7, and 1890 +/- 768% above individual baselines, respectively. These data, compared with previously reported data for the responses to 0.1 mg rhTSH, indicated that 0.1, 0.3, and 0.9 mg rhTSH had similar quantitative stimulatory effects on thyroid hormone and Tg secretion, except that the T(4) response was greater in groups receiving 0.3 and 0.9 mg rhTSH than in the group receiving 0.1 mg rhTSH. We also studied the effect of rhTSH on the thyroid RAIU in the group that received 0.9 mg rhTSH. The 6- and 24-h RAIU values were significantly higher after rhTSH (pre-rhTSH, 6-h value = 12.5 +/- 1.8%; 24 h value = 23 +/- 2.7%; post-rhTSH, 6 h value = 27 +/- 4.8%; 24-h value = 41 +/- 4.2%). The stimulating effects of 0.9 mg rhTSH on the 6- and 24-h RAIUs were similar. rhTSH is a potent stimulator of T(4), T(3), and Tg secretion and the RAIU in normal subjects. Single doses greater than 0.1--0.3 mg do not seem to further enhance thyroid hormone or Tg secretion.
Identification of HeLa cell glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase.

Although the electrophoretic mobility of HeLa G6PD is similar to that of the common Negro variant G6PD A+, several reports have suggested slight differences between HeLa G6PD and G6PD A+. This study, carried out using the pure homogeneous B+, A+, and HeLa G6PD, showed that (1) the electrophoretic mobility of HeLa G6PD is identical to that of G6PD A+, (2) the enzymatic properties and thermostability of HeLa G6PD are indistinguishable from those of G6PD A+, and (3) the peptide map of the tryptic digest of HeLa G6PD is identical to that of G6PD A+, with one peptide spot of HeLa G6PD different from the corresponding spot of G6PD B+. These results indicate that the structure of HeLa G6PD is identical to that of G6PD A+, and that the amino acid substitution in HeLa G6PD is from one asparagine residue in the wild-type G6PD B+ to an aspartic acid residue in HeLa G6PD.
Elastic-plastic analysis of edge-notched panels subjected to fixed grip loading

Abstract An expression for the mode I stress intensity factor for single edge-notch panels under fixed-grip loading is derived using known solutions for uniform tension and pure bending cases. An expression for the stress distribution along the fixed boundary is also derived. Then, using this stress distribution, an approximate expression for the J -integral is derived. The stress intensity factor and the J -integral solutions are compared with finite-element analysis results.
Spatiotemporal Analysis of the Late ERP Responses to Deviant Stimuli

We used a novel application of principal components analysis (spatiotemporal PCA) to decompose the event-related brain potentials (ERPs) obtained with a dense electrode array, with the purpose of elucidating the late ERP components elicited by deviant stimuli under “attend” and “ignore” conditions. First, a “spatial” PCA was performed to identify a set of scalp distributions (spatial factors or “virtual electrodes”) that accounted for the spatial variance in the data set. The data were expressed as spatial factor scores or “virtual ERPs” measured at each of the virtual electrodes. These virtual ERPs were submitted to a “temporal” PCA, yielding a set of temporal factors or “virtual epochs.” Statistical analyses of the temporal factor scores found that (1) attended deviant stimuli elicited the P300 and Novelty P3 components, the latter being largest for highly salient nontargets; (2) “ignored” deviants elicited a small Novelty P3, and depending on the primary task, a small P300; and (3) the classical Slow Wave consisted of separate frontal-negative and posterior-positive components.
Preparation, phase equilibria, and crystal chemistry of La, Pr, and Nd hydroxide bromides and hydroxide lodides

Abstract Hydrothermal phase equilibria in the pseudoternary hydroxide bromide and hydroxide iodide systems of lanthanum, praseodymium, and neodymium have been investigated. The condensed products obtained by composition variation along isothermal (550–600°C) and isobaric (1330 atm) sections have been characterized by X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetry. The hexagonal UCl3-type trihydroxides are stable in all cases. In the hydroxide bromide systems, the hexagonal Ln7(OH)18Br3 and monoclinic Ln(OH)2Br (Ln = La, Pr, Nd) phases are found. A single hydroxide iodide, Ln7(OH)18I3, is observed for La and Pr; hydroxide iodides are not found for Nd. Lattice parameters are reported for both the Y(OH)2Cl- and La7(OH)18I3-type phases. Quaternary Ln7O7(OH)4 X phases (X = Br−, I−) are formed during thermal decomposition of the Ln7(OH)18X3 phases. The phase equilibria and structural features of the hydroxide halides and hydroxide nitrates are discussed.
Low uptake of influenza vaccine among university students: evaluating predictors beyond cost and safety concerns.

Abstract Introduction Annual influenza vaccine coverage for young adults (including college students) remains low, despite a 2011 US recommendation for annual immunization of all people 6 months and older. College students are at high risk for influenza morbidity given close living and social spaces and extended travel during semester breaks when influenza circulation typically increases. We evaluated influenza vaccine uptake following an on-campus vaccine campaign at a large, public New York State university. Methods Consecutive students visiting the University Health Center were recruited for a self-administered, anonymous, written survey. Students were asked about recent influenza vaccination, barriers to influenza vaccination, and willingness to get vaccinated to protect other vulnerable individuals they may encounter. Frequencies and proportions were evaluated. Results Of 653 students approached, 600 completed surveys (92% response proportion); respondents were primarily female (61%) and non-Hispanic white (59%). Influenza vaccine coverage was low (28%). Compared to coverage among non-Hispanic white students (30%), coverage was similar among Hispanic (30%) and other race/ethnicity students (28%) and lowest among non-Hispanic black students (17%). Among the unvaccinated, the most commonly selected vaccination barriers were “Too lazy to get the vaccine” (32%) and “Don’t need the vaccine because I’m healthy” (29%); 6% of unvaccinated students cited cost as a barrier. After being informed that influenza vaccination of young, healthy people can protect other vulnerable individuals (e.g., infants, elderly), 71% of unvaccinated students indicated this would increase their willingness to get vaccinated. Conclusions Influenza vaccine uptake among college students is very low. While making vaccine easily obtained may increase vaccine uptake, college students need to be motivated to get vaccinated. Typically healthy students may not perceive a need for influenza vaccine. Education about vaccinating healthy individuals to prevent the spread of influenza to close contacts, such as vulnerable family members, may provide this motivation to get vaccinated.
Lyophylized dura patch repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia: Occurrence of relapses

During an 8-year period, 71 neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia were admitted to the Sophia Children's Hospital. Seventeen patients died before surgery. The other 54 patients underwent either direct suture (18) or patch closure with lyophylized dura (36), depending on the size of the defect. Forty patients survived. In 16 of them the defect was closed by direct suturing. In the other 24 patients a patch was used. Five recurrences of the defect occurred, all of them among the latter group.
Cultural Adaptation of an MNC in Mexico: A Success Story

This paper analyzes Wal-Mart’s successful venture in Mexico by following a model of globalization called glocalization. Coined by Robertson (J Int Commun 1(1):33–52, 1994), glocalization refers to the cultural adaptation strategies adopted by an MNC (multinational corporation) in order to cater to local preferences worldwide. A major finding of this paper is that globalization is not a monolithic phenomenon whereby an MNC forces its corporate culture and policies on foreign markets. As demonstrated by the authors in this analysis, even in Mexico Wal-Mart was unable to impose its Bentonville, Arkansas, blueprint of low wages for employees, hard-hitting pressure on manufacturers, uncompromising anti-union policies, and ruthless expansionist wishes. Rather, Wal-Mart had to cater to local tastes in various parts of that nation.
HERMES examinations in adult and paediatric respiratory medicine

The HERMES examinations in adult and paediatric respiratory medicine mark significant milestones in the overall mission to Harmonise Education in Respiratory Medicine for European Specialists. The knowledge-based examinations originate from the corresponding HERMES syllabi in adult respiratory medicine and paediatric respiratory medicine, covering 90 multiple choice questions taken over 3 hours at the ERS Annual Congress. Individuals now have the opportunity for a number of options should they wish to sit the examination In-training assessment: for those currently within their specialist training period Self assessment: open to all medical practitioners who would like to benchmark themselves European Diploma: for those who are nationally accredited adult or paediatric respiratory specialists Detailed individual feedback according to syllabus topics will be provided to allow participants to assess …
2014 Presidential Address: Our Academy, Our Future

As a living association of scholars from across the globe, the Academy of Management changes over time. My experience supports this, given that the Academy is quite different today than it was in 1976 when I attended my first annual meeting. Herein I argue that the challenges the Academy is now facing—challenges that will bring about additional change—arise primarily from increasing expectations of us as scholars as we complete our work, the increased scrutiny from stakeholders that affects our work, and a set of external realities (e.g., declining revenue streams from sources that historically have supported academic institutions and reputational contests through which universities seek to be seen positively relative to their peers) and conditions within academic institutions (e.g., changing compositions of management faculties). I offer a value proposition that might serve as a foundation for determining actions the Academy can take to deal with the constant challenge of a changing world. While the prop...
The Intersection of Power, Trust and Supplier Network Size: Implications for Supplier Performance

This paper examines the intersecting effects of power, trust and supplier network size on five dimensions of supplier performance (delivery, quality, cost, innovation and flexibility). When assessing main effects, coercive power shows a negative relationship with supplier quality and innovation, referent power shows a positive relationship with all dimensions of supplier performance and legitimate power shows a positive relationship with supplier delivery, cost and flexibility. The supplier's trust in the buyer also shows a positive relationship to all five supplier performance dimensions. While exhibiting no main effects, supplier network size moderates these power–performance relationships. Increasing supplier network size appears to attenuate the impacts of coercive and referent power upon supplier performance, while strengthening this connection in the case of legitimate power. Contrary to our hypotheses, expert power use exhibits a negative relationship with supplier delivery performance, an effect which is exacerbated with increasing supplier network size. Overall, this study suggests that while not as independently important as perhaps thought, selecting the right number of suppliers may have considerable contextual influence on the interplay between power, trust and performance in buyer–supplier relationships.
SOME DIFFICULTIES AND IMPROVEMENTS IN APPLYING LINEAR PROGRAMMING FORMULATIONS TO THE DISCRIMINANT PROBLEM

In this paper, we discuss some disturbing features of two linear programming (LP) approaches to the discriminant problem. Specifically, we show that both approaches are sensitive to the choice of origin for the data although, intuitively, placement of origin should have no effect on the method of assigning cases to groups. In addition, we show that these LP approaches may lead to discriminant functions which assign all cases to the same group. We show that the usual statistical approach to this problem does not share these difficulties, and we make recommendations for implementing these LP approaches which help to alleviate the difficulties.
Retrograde pedal/tibial artery access for treatment of infragenicular arterial occlusive disease

Endovascular intervention has emerged as an accepted modality for treating patients with critical limb ischemia. However, this therapy poses multiple challenges to the interventionalist due to the presence of widespread multilevel disease, long and complex occlusive lesions, and the common involvement of the tibial vessels. Retrograde pedal/tibial access is a relatively new technique that allows the treatment of tibial occlusive lesions when conventional endovascular techniques fail. This article reviews the technical details and published data regarding this technique and evaluates its use in this difficult-to-treat patient population.
Finite temperature QCD with dynamical fermions

Abstract The current status of finite temperature studies of QCD with dynamical fermions is reviewed with special emphasis on results since the lattice conference in Capri. Progress with staggered fermions for various numbers of flavors is discussed, followed by results with Wilson fermions. Estimates of the transition or crossover temperature are also reviewed. The temperature and order of the transition are sensitive to the number of flavors.
Effects of Cultivars, Transplanting Patterns, Environment, and Their Interactions on Grain Quality of Japonica Rice

With the increasing scarcity of rural labor, the rice transplanting pattern is encountering a shift from artificial transplanting (AT) to mechanical transplanting (MT) in numerous rice-growing districts of China. The shift of transplanting patterns combined with altered growing environment during the grain-filling stage in different years presumably affects rice quality. Nevertheless, related information is currently limited. This study investigated the effects of cultivars, transplanting patterns, environment, and their interactions on appearance, milling, eating, and nutritional qualities of four japonica rice varieties. The significant interactive effects of cultivars, environment, and transplanting patterns on almost all rice quality parameters (except Thr, Met, and Ile) were observed. Cultivars and environment were the main factors influencing rice appearance and milling and eating qualities. Cultivar was the primary factor affecting rice nutritional quality. Among all treatments, environment showed ...
Common volume coherent and incoherent scatter radar observations of mid-latitude sporadic E-layers and QP echoes

Abstract. Common-volume observations of sporadic E-layers made on 14-15 June 2002 with the Arecibo incoherent scatter radar and a 30MHz coherent scatter radar imager located on St. Croix are described. Operating in dual-beam mode, the Arecibo radar detected a slowly descending sporadic E-layer accompanied by a series of dense E-region plasma clouds at a time when the coherent scatter radar was detecting quasi-periodic (QP) echoes. Using coherent radar imaging, we collocate the sources of the coherent scatter with the plasma clouds observed by Arecibo. In addition to patchy, polarized scattering regions drifting through the radar illuminated volume, which have been observed in previous imaging experiments, the 30MHz radar also detected large-scale electrostatic waves in the E-region over Puerto Rico, with a wavelength of about 30km and a period of about 10min, propagating to the southwest. Both the intensity and the Doppler shifts of the coherent echoes were modulated by the wave.
A Review of the Clinical Evidence for Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Parkinson’s Disease

No conventional treatment has been convincingly demonstrated to slow or stop the progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Dopaminergic therapy is the gold standard for managing the motor disability associated with PD, but it falls short of managing all of the aspects of the disease that contribute to quality of life. Perhaps for this reason, an increasing number of patients are searching for a more holistic approach to healthcare. This is not to say that they are abandoning the standard and effective symptomatic therapies for PD, but rather are complementing them with healthy living, mind-body practices, and natural products that empower patients to be active participants in their healthcare and widen the net under which disease modification might one day be achieved. Despite high rates of utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices, data on efficacy is generally limited, restricting physicians in providing guidance to interested patients. Exercise is now well-established as integral in the management of PD, but mind-body interventions such as Tai Chi that incorporate relaxation and mindfulness with physical activity should be routinely encouraged as well. While no comment can be made about neuroplastic or disease-modifying effects of mind-body interventions, patients should be encouraged to be as active as possible and engage with others in enjoyable and challenging activities such as dance, music therapy, and yoga. Many PD patients also choose to try herbs, vitamins, and neutraceuticals as part of a healthy lifestyle, with the added expectation that these products may lower free radical damage and protect them against further cell death. Evidence for neuroprotection is limited, but patients can be encouraged to maintain a healthy diet rich in “high-power,” low-inflammatory foods, while at the same time receiving education that many promising natural products have produced disappointing results in clinical trials. It is vital that the science of holistic medicine reaches a point where all neutraceuticals are investigated with the same rigor as conventional drugs. A number of agents discussed here that have a proposed role in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases (and PD in particular), including cannabis, mucuna pruriens, and Chinese herbals, deserve more attention from basic science researchers and clinical investigators before they can be either safely utilized or dismissed.
Organization of brain synaptic vesicle proteins.

: The topographical arrangement of proteins and glycoproteins of mouse brain synaptic vesicles was studied with trypsin and galactose oxidase, reagents known to be impermeable with respect to other membranes. Incubation of vesicles with trypsin at a concentration of 1 μg/ml extensively degraded seven polypeptides of molecular weights (M.W.) (×10-3) 125, 107, 95, 83, 70, 60, and 36; higher concentrations degraded two additional species of 75,000 and 46,000 M.W., while leaving unaffected polypeptides of M.W. 66,000, 55,000, 33,000, 26,000, 22,000, 19,000, and 16,000. All of the trypsin-sensitive species of greater than 70,000 M.W. stained positively with the periodic acid-Schiff reagent; several other glycoproteins, all of M.W. less than 70,000, were identified, and all of these were insensitive to trypsin. Galactose oxidase-NaB3H4 treatment of synaptic vesicles heavily and exclusively labeled material of greater than 70,000 M.W. All of the polypeptides studied were sensitive to each reagent when the synaptic vesicles were first treated with detergents. Extraction of vesicles with 0.05 M-NaOH partially or completely removed a wide variety of polypeptides, including most of those in the M.W. range 46,000–83,000; none of the glycoproteins was solubilized. Essentially the opposite results were obtained when the vesicles were extracted with 0.5% Triton X-100. Most of the vesicle's species were insensitive to several bisimidate cross-linking reagents. These results suggest that: (a) The polypeptides of M.W. 125K, 107K, 95K, 83K, 75K, 70K, 60K, 46K, and 36K are externally oriented in the vesicle, whereas those of 66K, 55K, 33K, 26K, 22K, 19K, and 16K are internally oriented; (b) the vesicles contain two classes of glycoproteins, one consisting of high-molecular-weight, externally oriented species that are rich in galactose, and the other consisting of low-molecular-weight, internally oriented species of relatively low galactose content; (c) the vesicles contain a large class of nonglycosylated species that are relatively loosely attached to the membrane; and (d) most of the vesicles' polypeptides are probably freely mobile in the membrane. The organization of synaptic vesicle proteins is compared with that of the proteins of synaptosomal plasma membrane, with which the vesicle is believed to fuse.