cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long-term economic evaluation of resectoscopic endometrial ablation versus hysterectomy for the treatment of menorrhagia

Abstract Study Objective . To assess long-term costs of resectoscopic endometrial ablation versus hysterectomy in women with menorrhagia. Design. Controlled cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). Setting. Multispeciality group practice. Patients. Sixty-four women who underwent endometrial ablation during 1992–1994 and 46 women who underwent hysterectomy during 1990–1992. To attain comparable controls, patients with uterine size exceeding 14 weeks or uterine weight greater than 300 g, ovarian pathology, endometriosis, or neoplasia were excluded. Interventions. Endometrial ablation and hysterectomy, followed by economic evaluation. Measurements and Main Results. Direct costs were hospitalization charges, professional fees, preoperative depot leuprolide, and gyneocologic care during 3 years after primary surgery. Indirect costs were calculated based on known demographic data, recovery time, and lost productivity. Surgical outcomes, complications, repeat surgeries, menstrual outcomes, and overall patient satisfaction were assessed. Operating time (38 vs 107 min), hospital stay (0.7 vs 2.7 days), frequency of postoperative complications (6.3% vs 21.7%), and recuperation time (5 vs 32 days) were less with endometrial ablation than with hysterectomy. Mean follow-up was 48.5 months (range 36—68 mo), with rates of amenorrhea, hypomenorrhea, and eumenorrhea of 49%, 29%, and 8%, respectively. One patient was lost to follow-up. There were eight failures (12%): repeat endometrial ablations (2 women), abdominal hysterectomy (1), and laparoscopic-assisted hysterectomy (5). Most women (85%) remained satisfied with the operation. Total direct costs/case for endometrial ablation were $5434 versus $8417 for hysterectomy; respective indirect costs/case were $525 and $3360.
HDAC4 regulates neuronal survival in normal and diseased retinas.

Histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) shuttles between the nucleus and cytoplasm and serves as a nuclear co-repressor that regulates bone and muscle development. We report that HDAC4 regulates the survival of retinal neurons in the mouse in normal and pathological conditions. Reduction in HDAC4 expression during normal retinal development led to apoptosis of rod photoreceptors and bipolar (BP) interneurons, whereas overexpression reduced naturally occurring cell death of the BP cells. HDAC4 overexpression in a mouse model of retinal degeneration prolonged photoreceptor survival. The survival effect was due to the activity of HDAC4 in the cytoplasm and relied at least partly on the activity of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α). These data provide evidence that HDAC4 plays an important role in promoting the survival of retinal neurons.
Effect of caffeine, theophylline and nicotine on d-glucose and folate transport in rat jejunal brush border membrane vesicles

1. Nicotine at 10 mM, but not caffeine or theophylline, reduced by 20% the overshoot of the Na+-dependent D-glucose transport in rat jejunal brush border membrane vesicles. 2. Since nicotine did not affect the transport of Na+, its inhibition on Na+-dependent D-glucose transport must be due to a direct effect upon the D-glucose transport system. 3. Folate transport in these membrane vesicles was found to a be a free diffusion process at pH 7.4. 4. Neither caffeine, theophylline nor nicotine has any effect on folate transport.
The intrinsic properties of the stellar clusters in the M82 starburst complex: Propagating star formation?

Near-Infrared spectroscopy combined with high spatial resolution imaging have been used in this work to probe the central 500 pc of M82. Imaging observations in the 2.36 μm CO band head are added to our previously published near-infrared hydrogen recombination line imaging, near-infrared broadband imaging, and 3.29 μm dust feature imaging observations, in order to study the nature of the starburst stellar population. A starburst model is constructed and compared with the observations of the stellar clusters in the starburst complex. Our analysis implies that the typical age for the starburst clusters is 107 yr. In addition, our high spatial resolution observations indicate that there is an age dispersion within the starburst complex that is correlated with projected distance from the center of the galaxy. The inferred age dispersion is 6 × 106 yr. If the starburst in M82 is propagating outward from the center, this age dispersion corresponds to a velocity of propagation, originating in the center, of ~50 km s-1. Our quantitative analysis also reveals that a Salpeter initial mass function, extending from 0.1 to 100 M☉, can fit the observed properties of M82 without using up more than 30% of the total dynamical mass in the starburst.
Anti-idiotypic antibodies elicited by pterin recognize active site epitopes in dihydrofolate reductases and dihydropteridine reductase

Abstract Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against antipterin immunoglobulin and dihydropteridine reductase (DHPR) and also polyclonal antibodies against human dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) were obtained. The anti-idiotypic mAbs and anti-DHPR mAbs bind specifically to human DHFR, Escherichia coli DHFR, soybean seedling DHFR, and human DHPR in solidphase immunoassays. Further, the mAbs bind to the native but not to the denatured forms of DHFRs. The monoclonal antibodies also inhibit the enzymatic activity of human DHFR but not that of human DHPR. Competitive solid-phase immunoassays show stoichiometric inhibition by methotrexate and partial inhibition by NADPH of mAb binding to human DHFR. Cyanogen bromide fragments derived from human DHFR (residues 15–52 and 53–111), containing several active site residues, bind partially to some of the monoclonal anti-bodies. Accordingly, polyclonal antibodies to peptide 53–111 of human DHFR cross-react to some extent with human DHPR. Data from competitive immunoassays in which the binding of the various mAbs was tested singly and in combination with other mAbs suggest that these antibodies bind to a common region on human DHFR. The results also indicate that the mAbs display some heterogeneity with respect to specific epitopes. These data suggest that despite the absence of significant amino acid sequence homologies among the various DHFRs and DHPR, they have a fundamentally similar topography at the site of binding of the pterin moiety that is recognized by the anti-idiotypic mAbs generated by pterin. In the relatively simple structure of the pterin ring system there are different substituent groups at positions C 4 and C 6 in methotrexate, 7,8-dihydrofolate, and 7,8-dihydrobiopterin, suggesting that these antibodies are specific for regions on various proteins that interact with the remainder of the pterin moiety. These mAbs and similar mAbs specified by substituent groups on pterin may thus be used as specific probes or inhibitors of various folatedependent enzymes and transport proteins. They should also provide insights into some of the general features of antibody recognition of protein antigens.
A Test of Magnitude: Does the Strength of Predictors Explain Differences in Drug Use among Adolescents?.

Prior research has provided much needed information on the association between gender, race, predictive factors, and drug use. However, none have provided conclusive evidence regarding the extent to which gender and race differences, or their interaction, in adolescent drug use is accounted for by predictors. Using data on adolescents in four public schools, this study examined variations in the comparative strength of predictors of self-reported drug use. Data were collected as part of an ongoing longitudinal study of a federally funded multi-model program intervention for the prevention of alcohol and drug abuse among high risk youth. Analysis of variance was used to examine gender by race differences in predictors and drug use and logistic regression was used to assess the comparative strength of predictors of adolescent drug use and to explore the effect of gender by race on the decision to use drugs. Findings indicated, in general, whites, both male and female, had a significantly stronger positive association between predictors and drug use relative to blacks. Regarding the effect of gender by race on the decision to use drugs, these data indicate, with or without adjustments, white females were most likely to use gateway substances, followed by white males.
CONTINUOUS REVIEW INVENTORY MODELS UNDER TIME VALUE OF MONEY AND CRASHABLE LEAD TIME CONSIDERATION

A stock is an asset if it can react to economic and seasonal influences in the management of the current assets. The financial manager must calculate the input of funds to the stock intelligently and the amount of money cycled through stocks, taking into account the time factors in the future. The purpose of this paper is to propose an inventory model considering issues of crash cost and current value. The sensitivity analysis of each parameter, in this research, differs from the traditional approach. We utilize a course of deduction with sound mathematics to develop several lemmas and one theorem to estimate optimal solutions. This study first tries to find the optimal order quantity at all lengths of lead time with components crashed at their minimum duration. Second, a simple method to locate the optimal solution unlike traditional sensitivity analysis is developed. Finally, some numerical examples are given to illustrate all lemmas and the theorem in the solution algorithm.
Formal synthesis of aspidosperma alkaloids via the intramolecular [3 + 2] cycloaddition of 2-azapentdienyllithiums.

A formal synthesis of the Aspidosperma alkaloids aspidospermidine, aspidospermine, and quebrachamine is reported through an efficient preparation of Stork's penultimate intermediate. The key step of the sequence involved an intramolecular [3 + 2] cycloaddition of the 2-azapentadienyllithium 21 formed in situ from the corresponding imine 1, which after N-alkylation of the resulting cycloadduct provided 2 in excellent yield. The synthesis represents a new disconnection of the classical tricyclic ketone used for appendage of the requisite indole.
Iodofluoroalkylsulfonyl fluorides - synthesis and conversion to new derivatives

Abstract The thermal reaction of I(CF2)2O(CF2)2SO2F 1 with unsaturated alkenes and alkynes, in the presence of benzoyl peroxide, was studied as a means for preparing reactive iodofluoroalkylsulfonyl fluorides. The following compounds have been prepared and characterized: R(CF2)2O(CF2)2SO2F where R = I (CH2)2, I(CH2)4, CH3CH2, -(CH23-, ClCH2CHICH2, ICHCH (cis and trans), CF3CHCH (E and Z). The Alcohol, HO (CH2)2(CF2)2O(CF2)2SO2F, and olefin, H2CCH(CF2)2O(CF2)2SO2F, have been also synthesized from the corresponding iodoalkane. Infrared, mass and NMR spectra data are presented in order to support the assigned structures.
Hollow cathode startup using a microplasma discharge

The use of a microplasma discharge to initiate a hollow cathode discharge is described. Operating characteristics of a hollow cathode designed and built around this starting concept are presented. Possible applications for this hollow cathode are discussed.
pXRF analyses of Louise Herreshoff’s paintings in relation to CdS and other pigment degradation issues

Portable X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (pXRF) was used to survey 33 works in Washington and Lee University’s collection of Louise Herreshoff’s paintings. This work was done both to support a condition assessment of the paintings and their pigments and to determine which paintings might be appropriate for further study in the context of ongoing key synchrotron research into the degradation mechanisms of cadmium sulfide yellow pigment (CdS).
The Bricks That Build the Clicks: Newsroom Investments and Newspaper Online Performance

s the world embraces the Internet for media consumption, the concept of a hybrid newspaper—a printed newspaper with a companion Web site—is becoming more prevalent. Many hope that online advertising revenue (OAR) will help newspapers make up for losses in print (offline) revenue. However, there is little research that has empirically investigated whether and how investment in the “bricks” (i.e., the newsroom staff and resources that produce news content) will help to build “clicks” (i.e., more online visitors and, subsequently, OAR). This article examines the issue via an econometric analysis of 12 years of longitudinal data from a hybrid newspaper. The results show that the basic success of the clicks model depends on the investment in the bricks of the newspaper (i.e., its newsroom). Specifically, although news gathering is a very expensive part of the news business, it is also a creator of value and directly brings in OAR in addition to print advertising revenue. Therefore, as newspapers seek to capture more OAR, they may need to increase, rather than decrease, investment levels in the newsroom. ACCESS TO FULL TEXT
A knowledge-based boundary delineation system for contrast ventriculograms

Automated left-ventricle (LV) boundary delineation from contrast ventriculograms has been studied for decades. Unfortunately, no accurate methods have ever been reported. A new knowledge based multistage method to automatically delineate the LV boundary at end diastole (ED) and end systole (ES) is discussed in this paper. It has a mean absolute boundary error of about 2 mm and an associated ejection fraction error of about 6%. The method makes extensive use of knowledge about LV shape and movement. The processing includes a multi-image pixel region classification, shape regression, and rejection classification. The method was trained and cross-validated tested on a database of 375 studies whose ED and ES boundary had been manually traced as the ground truth. The cross-validated results presented in this paper show that the accuracy is close to and slightly above the interobserver variability.
Impact of Source/Drain contact and gate finger spacing on the RF reliability of 45-nm RF nMOSFETs

We report the radio frequency (RF) stress reliability response of 45-nm SOI RF nMOSFETs. The dependence of gate oxide degradation and off-state leakage (due to RF stress) on the contact spacing of the Source/Drain (S/D) terminals and the gate finger-to-gate finger spacing is investigated. The RF device performance trade-offs vs. RF stress reliability that result are investigated. Devices with “tight” S/D contact spacing have improved RF performance but worse RF reliability than devices with “loose” S/D contact spacing. Devices with “loose” gate-finger to gate-finger spacing have better RF performance and also better RF reliability. The net result of this investigation is that fundamental tradeoffs between RF performance and reliability exist at these advanced scaling nodes.
RELATIVE INVERSION AND EMBEDDINGS

Commencing from a monoidal semigroup A, we consider the ge- ometry of the space W(A) of pseudoregular elements. When A is a Banach- able algebra we show that there exist certain subspaces of W(A) that can be realized as submanifolds of A. The space W(A) contains certain subspaces constituting the Stiefel manifolds of framings for A. We establish several embedding results for such subspaces, where the relevant maps induce em- beddings of associated Grassmann manifolds.
UTILITY MAXIMIZING INVESTMENT IN WELL CAPACITY FOR CONJUNCTIVE USE OF GROUND AND SURFACE WATER AT THE FARM LEVEL IN SOUTHERN IRAN

Conjunctive use of ground and surf ace water can increase reliability of the water supply by providing independent sources. In this study, corrected utility-ef f icient programming that allows f or more than one seasonal irrigation depth f or each crop was used to determine the amount of utility maximizing investment in the well capacity f or conjunctive use. Results showed that optimum investment at the 15% discount rate f or the small, medium and large representative f arms with a low degree of risk aversion is 150341, 531592.7 and 1084648 thousand Rials, respectively, which decreases as aversion to risk increases.
Repeated transmission of x-linked ocular albinism type 1 by a carrier oocyte donor ☆

Abstract Objective: To report the transmission of unsuspected X-linked ocular albinism in an oocyte donor program. Design: Case report. Setting: University medical center. Patient(s): A 24-year-old white female oocyte donor and the outcomes of three recipient pregnancies. Intervention(s): Clinical assessment and molecular diagnostic tests. Main Outcome Measure(s): Mutation detection. Result(s): Demonstration of carrier status and multiple transmissions of a mutant allele. Conclusion(s): We describe the transmission of a mutant allele for X-linked ocular albinism from an unsuspected carrier female oocyte donor to three independent pregnancies. We emphasize the need for diligent inquisition to clarify any unusual history of ocular or constitutional signs that might signify an X-linked disorder.
Facilitating Intimate Partner Violence Education among Pharmacy Students: What Do Future Pharmacists Want to Know?

Abstract Objectives This paper describes the first step toward creating training tools to improve pharmacy students’ and pharmacists’ ability to identify intimate partner violence (IPV) among patients and facilitate referrals. The objectives were to evaluate an IPV didactic session adapted for pharmacy students and describe student quantitative and qualitative feedback on the session. Methods 237 students participated in a 1.5-hour evidence-based IPV lecture and completed an anonymous, nine question follow-up questionnaire. The first seven questions provided the quantitative data and the last two open-ended questions provided data for the qualitative analysis; for these, grounded theory was used to see what themes emerged. Results Almost 90% of students believed IPV was relevant to their pharmacy careers and that the session improved their ability to recognize IPV. Twenty one percent believed they had encountered a patient they suspected was a victim of IPV. Legal and liability issues, course logistics, skill development, greater specificity and student engagement were themes that emerged. Conclusions Greater specificity toward pharmacy was recommended to understand the intricacies of legal and professional responsibilities, patient and personal safety risks, and maintaining strong provider/patient relationships. To overcome barriers to screening, assessment and referral, students need opportunities to engage in role-playing and practical application of the knowledge gained.
Some characteristics of optimal vehicle suspensions based on quarter-car models

This study addresses the main characteristics of optimal active automobile suspension based on two degree-of-freedom quarter-car vehicle models and associated global performance maps. In addition, the authors put into perspective the optimal active suspension performance through comparison with passive counterparts. It is shown that, in general, stiffer active suspension with more damped wheel-hop mode will result for very rough roads and/or high speeds. Moreover, the same suspension control gains could result from different roads and/or speeds, depending on, for example, road curvature. The passive counterparts, on the other hand, cannot in general, reproduce the same level of performance. Even where the active and passive RMS performances are similar, the active suspension results in faster and much better damped sprung mass modes, substantially reducing sprung mass motion induced by various cornering and acceleration/braking maneuvers. >
Exospheric transport restrictions on water ice in lunar polar traps

There is little doubt that at least 10 exp 17 g of water has accreted on the moon as a result of the reduction of ferric iron at the regolith surface by solar wind protons, the vaporization of chondrites, and perhaps comet impacts. Lacking an efficient escape mechanism, most of this water (or its progeny) is probably on the moon now. If the water were to have migrated to permanently shaded cold traps near the lunar poles, ice deposts with densities greater than 1000 g/sq cm would cover the traps, providing accessible resources. However, exospheric transport considerations suggest that the actual amount of water ice in the cold traps is probably too small to be of practical interest. The alternative is global assimilation of most of the water into the regolith, a process that must account for about 30 micromoles of water per gram of soil.
Zipf's law and the Internet

Zipf's law governs many features of the Internet. Observations of Zipf distributions, while interesting in and of themselves, have strong implications for the design and function of the Internet. The connectivity of Internet routers influences the robustness of the network while the distribution in the number of email contacts affects the spread of email viruses. Even web caching strategies are formulated to account for a Zipf distribution in the number of requests for webpages.
Mechanotransduction in cardiac myocytes.

Abstract: Cardiac myocytes react to diverse mechanical demands with a multitude of transient and long-term responses to normalize the cellular mechanical environment. Several stretch-activated signaling pathways have been identified, most prominently guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G-proteins), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), Janus-associated kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT), protein kinase C (PKC), calcineurin, intracellular calcium regulation, and several autocrine and paracrine factors. Multiple levels of crosstalk exist between pathways. The cellular response to changes in the mechanical environment can lead to cardiac myocyte hypertrophy, cellular growth that can be accompanied by pathological myocyte dysfunction, and tissue fibrosis. Several candidates for the primary mechanosensor in cardiac myocytes have been identified, ranging from stretch-activated ion channels in the membrane to yet-unknown mechanosensitive mechanisms in the nucleus. New and refined experimental techniques will exploit advances in molecular biology and biological imaging to study mechanotransduction in isolated cells and genetically engineered mice to explore the function of individual proteins.
Polyadenylation of RNAs Associated with a Nucleus-localized Phosphorolytic Nuclease

The exosome is a protein complex consisting of a variety of 3′→5′ exoribonucleases that functions both in the processing of rRNA precursors and in the degradation of mRNA. A prokaryotic counterpart of the exosome known as the degradosome exists in bacteria and chloroplasts. Interestingly, RNA polyadenylation has been implicated in degradosome functioning, giving rise to the possibility of a similar role in exosome function. Using phosphorolytic breakdown of RNA as an assay, we have purified an exosome-like activity from pea nuclear extracts. This activity copurifies with at least one Arabidopsis exosome subunit homologue. Recombinant Arabidopsis poly(A) polymerase and purified chloroplast poly(A) polymerase can polyadenylate RNAs that copurify with the exosome-like activity, even though the quantity of this co-purifying RNA is well below the affinity of the PAPs for free RNA. These results suggest a role for polyadenylation in exosome function, perhaps analogous to the role that polyadenylation plays in facilitating RNA breakdown by the bacterial degradosome.
The Effect of Surface Stress on Crystal-Melt and Crystal-Crystal Equilibrium

The effect of surface stress on the equilibrium conditions at crystal-melt, coherent crystal-crystal and greased crystal-crystal interfaces is investigated by using a variational method to test for equilibrium. In all three cases, the interface between the phases is modelled as a Gibbsian dividing surface, and the excess internal energy associated with the interface is allowed to depend on both the deformation of the interface and the crystallographic normal to the interface. The position of an interface can vary due to both deformation at the interface and transformation between the two phases at the interface (accretion), and so we define a special variation that accounts for both. Thus, surface stress appears explicitly in both the force and energy balances at crystal-melt and coherent crystal-crystal interfaces. In particular, an interfacial strain energy term appears in the energy balance at these interfaces; this term gives the energy of deforming the interface against the force associated with the surface stress, and is a new result from this analysis. Anisotropy also appears in this energy balance through a term that can be expressed by using Cahn and Hoffman’s ξ-vector. Finally, it is shown that a greased crystal-crystal system differs from crystal-melt and coherent crystal-crystal systems in that two independent deformations and crystallographic normals can be defined at a greased interface. However, by partitioning the excess energy associated with a greased interface between these deformations and normals, one can reduce the equilibrium conditions at a greased interface to those that obtain if the two crystals would interact only through a thin fluid layer at the interface.
Embodied mind sparsism

If we are physical things with parts, then accounts of what we are and accounts of when composition occurs have important implications for one another. Defenders of restricted composition tend to endorse a sparse ontology in taking an eliminativist stance toward composite objects that are not organisms, while claiming that we are organisms. However, these arguments do not entail that we are organisms, for they rely on the premise that we are organisms. Thus, sparsist reasoning need not be paired with animalism, but could instead be paired with other accounts according to which we are composites. The embodied mind account—a version of the brain view—is one such account. Replacing the premise that we are organisms with the premise that we are embodied minds, in arguments that otherwise parallel those supporting animalist sparsism, yields an account according to which composite objects include thinkers, but perhaps nothing else. Since animalism has implausible implications about scenarios which are handled better by the embodied mind account, this approach is preferable to animalist sparsism. Furthermore, the role of mental features in sparsism makes embodied mind sparsism the more reasonable conclusion. Meanwhile, adopting sparsism allows the embodied mind account to dodge objections that may not be as easily avoided by it or other versions of the brain view if not paired with sparsism. These include objections about brains that are not persons, inorganic part replacement, and another form of part replacement that might seem to allow one to get a new brain.
Minimizing damage of porous SiCOH using He/H 2 plasmas

The low dielectric constant (low-k) and low capacitance of porous materials used for the inter-layer dielectric reduces signal propagation delays in integrated circuits. Typical low-k materials include SiO 2 with methyl groups (CH 3 ) lining the pores - SiOCH. Generally, fluorocarbon plasmas are used to etch porous SiOCH, a process that deposits CF x polymers on the sidewalls of features and inside pores. The CF x polymer must be cleaned as these fluorocarbon compounds cause compatibility issues in future process steps. O 2 plasmas may be used for such cleaning due to the efficiency of oxidation of the polymer. However, O 2 plasma cleans can also remove hydrophobic methyl groups in the SiOCH, replacing them with hydrophilic groups (such as -OH) that increases the dielectric constant.[1] Photons (777 nm and 130 nm) produced by plasma can also break Si-C bonds and speed the C depletion rate. It has been reported that the low-k SiOCH is relatively stable when H 2 plasmas are used for cleaning.[2] The addition of He to the H 2 plasma also aids in preconditioning the surface to improve pore sealing in subsequent treatment using NH 3 containing plasmas.
Framework for Retail Demand and Supply Chain Planning

Retail shelf management means matching cost-efficient consumer demand with retail operations. This takes especially place at the point-of-sales in front of the retail shelf, where consumer demand meets retail offer. Therefore, we develop a comprehensive planning framework for retail demand and supply chain planning in this chapter, before we analyze and develop decision support systems for retail shelf management. The increasingly competitive retail environment requires greater customer orientation and operational efficiencies. Consumers are always demanding higher service levels and better purchase prices. Retailers are striving towards broader product variety, better prices and lower costs, and are growing vertically by taking over more logistical functions. Effective structures and planning tools for demand and supply chain planning (DSCP) are therefore the core technique for coordinating thousands of individual decisions in supply chain and customer management.
Integral Procedures in Pharmacokinetics and their Application to the Parameter Determination of Appearing Metabolites

The pharmacokinetics of a substance are studied best by the simultaneous measurement of the drug and all of its possible metabolites, especially if they possess similar pharmacological activities, in all monitorable tissues of the animal (1,2). The mathematical delineation of the plasma concentration-time course of the administered drug yields only an equation. Thus, it is difficult to predict the time course of drug and metabolites in plasma and urine under selected conditions of dose and administration. An integrated model, that quantitatively describes the tissue concentrations, interconversions, transformations, and excretory patterns of the drug and its metabolites as functions of the dose, may permit correlations with pharmacodynamic activities and give insight into the mechanisms of action.
Current Surgical Management of Carotid Body Tumors

Abstract Background Carotid body tumors (CBTs) are rare. Management guidelines may include genetic testing for succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) mutations. We performed an institutional review of the surgical management of CBT. Methods A retrospective analysis (1994-2015) of CBT excisions at our institution was performed. Data obtained included demographics, genetic testing (if performed), intraoperative details, postoperative morbidity, and long-term outcomes. Data from the first CBT excision were included in patients with bilateral tumors. Genetic testing was routinely offered in patients with a family history of CBT or multiple paragangliomas. Results A total of 183 CBTs (124 female [67.7%]) were excised. A neck mass was present in 106 patients (57.9%), 24 patients (12.1%) presented with tenderness or neck pain, and 3 (1.6%) presented with cranial nerve dysfunction. Computed tomography (57.9%) or magnetic resonance imaging (51.3%) were the most commonly used imaging modalities. Preoperative angiography was performed in 73 patients (39.8%), and 62 of them (84.5%) underwent embolization or internal carotid balloon occlusion testing, or both. Mean tumor diameter was 3.2 cm (range, 0.6-7.2 cm). There were 71 (38.8%), 75 (41%), and 37 (20.2%) Shamblin type 1, 2, and 3 tumors, respectively. Average operating time was 224 minutes (range, 52-696 minutes). Average blood loss was 143.9 mL (range, 10-2000 mL). Arterial reconstruction with an interposition graft was required in 10, and patch angioplasty was performed in four. Cranial nerve injury was permanent in 10 (5.5%), and the rate of stroke was 1% (n = 2). A total of 382 lymph nodes were excised, and all were benign. There were no deaths ≤30 days. Only one patient presented with malignant disease 2 years after CBT excision, and this patient did not undergo genetic testing. Thirty-four (18.6%) had a family history of CBT. SDH testing was performed in 18 patients, and 17 tested positive. Positive genetic testing had a correlation with earlier age at operation ( P Conclusions CBT can be treated with minimal morbidity and mortality; however, the subgroup of patients with positive SDH mutations may represent a variant group of younger patients. Vascular surgeons should be aware of genetic testing to identify patients and family members who should undergo additional preoperative testing and monitoring for other paragangliomas. Concomitant lymph node dissection does not appear to add value in absence of clinic suspicion for malignancy.
Bacterial pericarditis in a cat.

Case summaryA 4-year-old male neutered domestic shorthair cat was presented to the Oregon State University cardiology service for suspected pericardial effusion. Cardiac tamponade was documented an...
Nitric oxide's pulsatile release in lobster heart and its regulation by opiate signaling: pesticide interference.

BACKGROUND: Data is emerging in the human and invertebrate literature demonstrating that mu opiate receptors and morphine are present in cardiovascular tissues in diverse animals, including human tissues, where they may be exerting a cardioregulatory role via stimulation of constitutive nitric oxide (NO) production. MATERIAL/METHODS: NO release from lobster heart was evaluated without stimulation and after morphine exposure using a real-time NO-specific amperometric probe. In addition, real time NO release was evaluated after treatment with low doses of widely used pesticides (e.g., pyrethroids). Real time RT-PCR was used to investigate the presence of mu opiate receptor subtypes in lobster heart. RESULTS: Basal NO release occurs in lobster heart at the nanomolar level. Morphine enhanced this level of release; naloxone (an opiate antagonist) blocked it, as did exposure to the NO synthase inhibitor L-NAME. In addition, treatment with the pyrethroids, permethrin and resmethrin, abrogated constitutive NO release from lobster heart. Finally, by way of real time RT-PCR we were able to demonstrate the presence of the micro(3) opiate receptor subtype in lobster heart. CONCLUSIONS: Rhythmic NO bursts appear to be involved in normal cardiac muscle activity in Homarus americanus. Lobster heart contains morphinergic signaling components capable of slowing down its beating rate via NO production. In addition, compounds such as pyrethroid pesticides may alter normal cardiac activity by interfering with constitutive NO production and thus, depressing basal NO levels. This may ultimately make these animals more susceptible to environmental assaults/toxins.
Pulsed laser annealing of thin films of self-assembled nanocrystals.

We investigated how pulsed laser annealing can be applied to process thin films of colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) into interconnected nanostructures. We illustrate the relationship between incident laser fluence and changes in morphology of PbSe NC films relative to bulk-like PbSe films. We found that laser pulse fluences in the range of 30 to 200 mJ/cm2 create a processing window of opportunity where the NC film morphology goes through interesting transformations without large-scale coalescence of the NCs. NC coalescence can be mitigated by depositing a thin film of amorphous silicon (a-Si) on the NC film. Remarkably, pulsed laser annealing of the a-Si/PbSe NC films crystallized the silicon while NC morphology and translational order of the NC film are preserved.
MRS Metabolites in Rasmussen Encephalitis

The evolution of metabolite changes in an 8-year-old boy with focal Rasmussen encephalitis was studied by MRI and MRS at the Brain Research Institute, University of Melbourne, Australia.
The Nuclear Spin of Li 7 from Hyperfine Structure Data

Theoretical patterns for the $5485(1s2s^{3}S\ensuremath{-}1s2p^{3}P)$ line of Li II have been calculated assuming nuclear spin values of $\frac{3}{2}$, 2 and $\frac{5}{2}$ in units of $\frac{h}{2\ensuremath{\pi}}$. Comparison of experimental measurements of Sch\"uler and of Granath confirm the previously accepted value of $i=\frac{3}{2}$ for the spin of ${\mathrm{Li}}^{7}$. It is also shown that $i=\frac{5}{2}$ can be excluded and that $i=2$ is quite improbable. The calculation follows the method used by G\"uttinger and Pauli and includes the 6 percent correction for the effect of the $2s$ electron worked out by Breit and Doermann.
Analysis and accurate numerical solutions of the integral equation derived from the linearized BGKW equation for the steady Couette flow

The integral equation for the flow velocity u ( x ; k ) in the steady Couette flow derived from the linearized Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook-Welander kinetic equation is studied in detail both theoretically and numerically in a wide range of the Knudsen number k between 0.003 and 100.0. First, it is shown that the integral equation is a Fredholm equation of the second kind in which the norm of the compact integral operator is less than 1 on L p for any 1 ? p ? ∞ and thus there exists a unique solution to the integral equation via the Neumann series. Second, it is shown that the solution is logarithmically singular at the endpoints. More precisely, if x = 0 is an endpoint, then the solution can be expanded as a double power series of the form ? n = 0 ∞ ? m = 0 ∞ c n , m x n ( x ln ? x ) m about x = 0 on a small interval x ? ( 0 , a ) for some a 0 . And third, a high-order adaptive numerical algorithm is designed to compute the solution numerically to high precision. The solutions for the flow velocity u ( x ; k ) , the stress P x y ( k ) , and the half-channel mass flow rate Q ( k ) are obtained in a wide range of the Knudsen number 0.003 ? k ? 100.0 ; and these solutions are accurate for at least twelve significant digits or better, thus they can be used as benchmark solutions.
A short-duration restrictive diet reduces visceral adiposity in the morbidly obese surgical patient

Abstract Background This study aims to determine if visceral obesity can be reduced after a brief preoperative diet in obese patients. Methods Forty morbidly obese patients were placed on a 1,000 kCal per day diet for 14 days before bariatric surgery. Patients had weight measurements and an abdominal ultrasound performed on days 1 and 14. The ultrasound measured visceral obesity using the distance between the abdominal muscle and the aorta, the fat thickness of the perinephric space, and the distance between the abdominal muscle and splenic vein. Mesenteric fat burden was calculated and compared. Results Thirty-eight patients (95%) lost weight on the diet, with a mean loss of 5.2 lbs. Twenty-five patients (63%) had a reduction in mesenteric fat. The average visceral obesity lost was 7.76 cm 3 or 3% of the visceral adiposity of the average obese patient (250 cm 3 ). Conclusions A short preoperative calorie restricting diet is well tolerated and results in a reduction in visceral obesity.
Enantioseparation and Quantification of Chiral Pesticide Indoxacarb Residues in Tea by UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS

In order to meet the need of enantioseparation and quantification of chiral pesticide indoxacarb residue determination in tea,an effective reversed phase chiral analytical method was developed for the resolution and determination of indoxacarb enantiomers in tea by ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS).Indoxacarb enantiomers were extracted by acetonitrile followed by Florisil and GCB mix-column cleanup from tea,then separated on a Lux 3 μ Cellulose-1 column with V(0.10% formic acid)∶V(methanol)=15∶85 as the mobile phases at 0.40 mL/min.Over the concentrations in the range of 0.002 5—0.600 mg/L for both of indoxacarb enabtiomers,the correlation coefficients(r) of the calibration curves are 0.997 3 and 0.993 1 for each other,and the estimated limits of detection(LODs) are 0.001 mg/L.The average recoveries of two indoxacarb enantiomers in green tea at three spiked concentration levels(0.01,0.10 and 1.00 mg/kg) range from 80.75% to 101.69% with relative standard deviations(RSDs) lower than 15%(n=6).The limits of quantitation(LOQs) of two indoxacarb enabtiomers are 0.002 5 mg/kg in green tea.The result shows that this method is reliable,accurate and suitable for the residue determination of indoxacarb enantiomers in tea.
A Proposed Natural History of Symptomatic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries of the Knee

This article highlights the symptoms and clinical findings associated with anterior cruciate ligament instability. The symptomatic anterior cruciate ligament-deficient knee presents as an acute isolated incident or as a chronic progression of recurrent episodes of instability. The results of 71 patients diagnosed with an anterior cruciate ligament instability to the knee are reported. No distinction was made between the acute and chronic injuries as both patient populations received the same surgical procedure. The Lachman’s test and the pivot shift test are the clinical examinations used to document cruciate ligament instability. The recommended procedure of choice for the symptomatic anterior cruciate-deficient knee is an autogenous patella tendon graft, bone-tendon-bone preparation, arthroscopically placed in an isometric position within the knee joint. A rehabilitation program for the reconstructed knee is outlined.
Adhesion of Polymer Coatings: Principles and Evaluation

Adhesion of polymer coatings to a metal, polymer, or glass substrate is one of the main characteristics that affect the protective, decorative, and other properties of coatings. In different fields of applications, the challenges of protecting devices and constructions, while providing special functions, promote a growing interest in investigation and evaluation of coating adhesion. This leads to the development of new approaches for its enhancement. Different mechanisms of adhesion, including chemical bonding and physical adsorption, mechanical interlocking, and others, are considered in this chapter. Adhesion is influenced by the nature of the polymer material and the substrate surface properties, film thickness, internal stress, as well as by the conditions of the coating application and service. The approaches to enhancement of adhesion of polymer coatings to a substrate are demonstrated in this chapter. For coatings with different functions, including novel intelligent coatings, a reliable evaluation of adhesion is one of the key factors that affect the strategies for its improvement and the coating’s overall performance. The chapter provides an overview of the approaches to the destructive and nondestructive characterization of adhesion, from the traditional methods that are common in research and industry to less common intelligent techniques. The main challenges, strengths, and weaknesses, related to evaluation of adhesion, are communicated in this chapter.
What explains the demand for collective forest rights amidst land use conflicts

This article presents one of the first empirical studies of the demand for collective forest rights by forest-dependent groups locked in longstanding conflicts with government forestry agencies, which is a common feature of forested regions in the Global South. This analysis shows that (1) past engagements with community-based forest protection help foster demand for collective forest management rights despite the longstanding land use conflicts; (2) large areas of forest land affected by land use conflicts undermine the propensity of community groups to demand collective forest rights; (3) after the area affected by land use conflicts is controlled for, a larger number of land rights claimants is associated with a greater probability that a village group will claim collective forest rights; and (4) micro-institutional variables, particularly financial autonomy of village groups engaged in forest protection efforts, are likely to be among the main drivers of the local demand for collective forest management rights. The main finding is that community-based forest management is not merely an agenda that is imposed from the top by donors. Rather, recognizing the agency of rural residents in the process of adjudication of land use conflicts and providing them with autonomous spaces for management of local resources is likely to significantly boost the local demand for environmental stewardship.
Optimal surgical technique in spontaneous pneumothorax: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Numerous thoracoscopic techniques have been used in the management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP), including wedge resection, pleurectomy, pleural abrasion, chemical pleurodesis, and staple line covering. The purpose of this systematic review was to compare outcomes for the most commonly reported techniques. Materials and methods A systematic literature search looking at pneumothorax recurrence rate, length of stay, and chest tube duration after surgery was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines using the PubMed database. Results Fifty-one unique studies comprised of 6907 patients published between January 1988 and June 2015 were identified. Heterogeneity among effect sizes was significant for all outcomes. The lowest recurrence rates were observed in the wedge resection + chemical pleurodesis (1.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0%-2.7%) and the wedge resection + pleural abrasion + chemical pleurodesis (2.8%; 95% CI, 1.7%-4.7%) groups. The shortest chest tube duration and length of stay were observed in the wedge resection + staple line covering ± other group (2.1 d; 95% CI, 1.4-2.9 and 3.3 d; 95% CI, 2.6-4.0, respectively). Conclusions The variability in reported outcomes and the lack of published multicenter randomized controlled trials highlights a need for more robust investigations into the optimal surgical technique in the management of PSP. Based on the limited quality studies available, this systematic review favors wedge resection + chemical pleurodesis and wedge resection + pleural abrasion + chemical pleurodesis in terms of recurrence rate after surgery for PSP.
Nature, Nurture, Adolescents, and Resilience

Resilience is an individual’s ability to maintain or regain mental health despite adversity; this is a dynamic process that may begin as early as conception. Early on, brain development is guided by the interactions of genes and experience, and an individual’s response to environmental insults can be influenced in a gene-by-environmental interaction. Adverse or positive early childhood experiences (ACE’s) can lead to biological embedding. Resilience is very likely to be influenced by genes and upbringing as well as other biological, psychological, and social interactions. Adolescent behaviors including bullying and dating violence may affect one’s resilience, and adolescent substance abuse may be indicative of a resilience issue.
ENDANGERED AND THREATENED FISHES OF THE WEST

The endangered and threatened fish fauna of the United States exhibits problems resulting primarily from habitat modification by man. The evolutionary history of the fauna has left it especially sensitive to biotic interactions. In addition, many forms are of such restricted distribution that the entire taxon can be destroyed by very minor perturbations. The effects of habitat modification on woundfin and roundtail chub in the Virgin River of Utah, Arizona, and Nevada are discussed. Parasitism by Lernea on White River springfish is shown to coincide with population decline in some, but not all, cases. Population declines of Pahrump killifish are related to biotic interactions with both goldfish and mosquitofish. Population size of Devils Hole pupfish are shown to be quite responsive to small changes in habitat availability. Fishes of the West are affected by the same general kinds of ecological problems that are causing extinctions throughout the world. The interplay of the economics with perceived value in society has led us into the numerous ecological problems facing us today. There is some evidence to suggest that society is making some preliminary effort to slow the rate of extermination. Perhaps this is happening because the conclusions of ecologists, philosophers, and theologians regarding the relationship of man and environment are to some extent being translated into legislation as well as into conventional wisdom.