cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fine structure of the choroidal coat of the avian eye. Lymphatic vessels.

Purpose. To clarify the fine structure of the avian choroid and thus help explain the mechanisms for normal and abnormal eye function and growth. Methods. Eyes from normal chickens and from experimental chickens subjected to unilateral paracentesis were fixed either by perfusion or in situ, with or without post-fixation by microwave irradiation, and then processed for light and electron microscopic analysis. Results. The avian choroid contains thin-walled lacunae, whose fine structure is identical to that of lymphatic vessels. The lacunae are much smaller toward the anterior chamber and the Schemm's canal than posteriorly in the eye bulb. Large lacunae are situated primarily in the suprachoroidea, and their blind-ended capillary branches enter the choriocapillaris and the walls of large veins. The walls of the large veins contain villous structures that plotrude into their lumina and are penetrated by thin lacunar branches and by side lines of the venous lumen. In normal chickens, the lacunae usually are devoid of blood cells. After paracentesis of the anterior eye chamber, the lacunae become filled with erythrocytes on the side that was operated on, but not on the contralateral side. Conclusions. The authors propose that the lacunae of the avian choroid represent a system of posterior short lymphatic vessels, which drain intraocular fluids directly into the eye's venous system, and that the villous structures are sites of communication between lacunae and veins, The demonstration of a choroidal lymphatic system opens new insights into the processes of fluid removal, control of intraocular pressure, and regulation of choroidal thickness in the avian eye under normal and experimental conditions.
Forecasting the Genetic Impacts of Net Pen Failures on Gulf of Mexico Cobia Populations Using Individual-based Model Simulations

Offshore net pen fish farming provides a cost-efficient means for production of marine finfish, and there is great interest in development of net pen operations in domestic waters. However, there are concerns over the possible genetic and ecological impacts that escaped fish may have on wild populations. We used individual-based simulations, with parameter values informed by life history and genetic data, to investigate the short-term (50 yr) impacts of net pen failures on the genetic composition of cobia, Rachycentron canadum, stocks in the Gulf of Mexico. Higher net pen failure rates resulted in greater genetic impacts on the wild population. Additionally, the use of more genetically differentiated source populations led to larger influxes of non-native alleles and greater temporal genetic change in the population as a result of net pen failure. Our results highlight the importance of considering the appropriate source population for broodstock collection in net pen aquaculture systems and help to provide a general set of best management practices for broodstock selection and maintenance in net pen aquaculture operations. A thorough understanding of the genetic diversity, stock structure, and population demography of target species is important to determine the impact escapees can have on wild populations.
A pharmacy-managed intravenous to enteral proton-pump inhibitor conversion program

This article describes a pharmacy-managed, intravenous (IV) to enteral proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) program at a 377-bed tertiary care, teaching community hospital. IV pantoprazole was not restricted by indication, service, or patient location. Pharmacy converted any eligible patient prescribed an IV PPI to either pantoprazole tablets or lansoprazole capsules, packets, or enteral suspension according to protocol. Over a four-month evaluation period, 113 patients (mean age of 66 years) were prescribed IV PPIs for primarily suspected or documented GI bleeding. Gastroenterology specialists initiated 85% of IV PPI therapy. The most common dosage of IV PPI was 40 mg, once or twice daily with a median duration of 3 to 4 days. Continuous infusion IV PPI therapy was used for only two patients, both with GI bleeding. IV pantoprazole was converted to an enteral PPI in 73 of 113 patients in dosages of pantoprazole 40 mg or lansoprazole 30 or 60 mg administered once (32%) or twice (68%) daily. Pharmacists initiated 34% of the conversions. The total PPI expenditure was $6200 during the evaluation period. Daily acquisition cost savings, based on nominal pricing, ranged from approximately $5 to $25. Initial evaluation of the conversion program resulted in protocol revision and education of the medical staff, in an effort to minimize days of IV PPI use and encourage transition to enteral therapy. The protocol conversion dosage of lansoprazole 60 mg twice daily was changed to 30 mg twice daily and enteral pantoprazole tablets were deleted from the protocol (all IV PPI is converted to lansoprazole, 30 mg twice daily). Although IV pantoprazole remained on the hospital formulary, the medical staff were educated about the relative effectiveness of IV and enteral PPI therapy and the use of histamine-2 receptor antagonists for various indications. Prescribers of IV pantoprazole are now required to document the rationale for use. The Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee will continue to explore the role IV PPI therapy, based on efficacy, safety, and cost.
Fighting the "silent epidemic". Hospital launches comprehensive program against domestic violence.

In 1991, when Sacred Heart Medical Center, Spokane, WA, launched its Domestic Violence Task Force, the group's members soon discovered that few U.S. hospitals had policies on domestic violence. So they created one. They decided to address three interrelated areas: public education, professional education, and the care of patients who are domestic violence victims. First, the group wrote a booklet introducing the public to the battering phenomenon. Second, to show medical professionals how to identify battering victims and intervene on their behalf, the group produced a video and organized conferences and training sessions. Third, the task force rewrote hospital policy to ensure appropriate treatment for patients who are victims of domestic violence. Other organizations, including the U.S. Air Force, are using the task force's video. Sacred Heart has been given several awards for its work against battering. The task force is currently developing guidelines on domestic violence in the workplace. Language: en
Estimating condition-related costs

In this chapter, we discuss how to estimate any changes in condition-related costs and outcomes that might be expected to occur as a result of the introduction of the new drug to the formulary. These changes should be included in the budget-impact estimates if they are likely to occur within the analysis time horizon and if there are credible clinical data that indicate that such changes are likely.Condition-related costs and outcomes that occur beyond the analysis time horizon may also be important to consider within an analysis.Consideration of these costs along with condition-related costs and outcomes that might occur for an incident versus a prevalent population are discussed.
Cervical and craniofacial necrotizing fasciitis

Cervical and craniofacial necrotizing fasciitis is an aggressive disease process that at times has subtle etiologies and physical findings. Involvement in the head and neck is rare; however, when present it can have extensive morbidity and mortality. High index of suspicion is paramount for early treatment and survival. We describe the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of cervical and craniofacial necrotizing fasciitis. We detail the typical physical examination findings as well as diagnosis based on imaging. We then describe in-depth the operative techniques needed to properly treat these patients allowing for their best chance at survival from this deadly disease.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Interval Colorectal Cancer Incidence.

This population-based study of adults aged 66 to 75 years examined whether the risk for interval colorectal cancer after colonoscopy differed by race/ethnicity and whether the potential variation d...
Differential associations of combined vs. isolated cannabis and nicotine on brain resting state networks

Concomitant cannabis and nicotine use is more prevalent than cannabis use alone; however, to date, most of the literature has focused on associations of isolated cannabis and nicotine use limiting the generalizability of existing research. To determine differential associations of concomitant use of cannabis and nicotine, isolated cannabis use and isolated nicotine use on brain network connectivity, we examined systems-level neural functioning via independent components analysis (ICA) on resting state networks (RSNs) in cannabis users (CAN, n = 53), nicotine users (NIC, n = 28), concomitant nicotine and cannabis users (NIC + CAN, n = 26), and non-users (CTRL, n = 30). Our results indicated that the CTRL group and NIC + CAN users had the greatest functional connectivity relative to CAN users and NIC users in 12 RSNs: anterior default mode network (DMN), posterior DMN, left frontal parietal network, lingual gyrus, salience network, right frontal parietal network, higher visual network, insular cortex, cuneus/precuneus, posterior cingulate gyrus/middle temporal gyrus, dorsal attention network, and basal ganglia network. Post hoc tests showed no significant differences between (1) CTRL and NIC + CAN and (2) NIC and CAN users. These findings of differential associations of isolated vs. combined nicotine and cannabis use demonstrate an interaction between cannabis and nicotine use on RSNs. These unique and combined mechanisms through which cannabis and nicotine influence cortical network functional connectivity are important to consider when evaluating the neurobiological pathways associated with cannabis and nicotine use.
On the implementation of AMBIT/G: a graphical programming language

This paper deals with the implementation of an interactive graphical programming language for the manipulation of directed graphs. Interesting aspects of the design and a user's view of the facilities are presented. The language is a modified version of AMBIT/G; a brief description of AMBIT/G is contained in the introduction.
Spatial Disease Surveillance: Methods and Applications

The availability of geographical indexed health and population data and statistical methodologies have enabled the realistic investigation of spatial variation in disease risks, particular at the small unit level. Recently, incidence or mortality counts at county level have been announced on the website of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Due to the reason of privacy, CDC does not announce the exact locations of disease events. Instead, it only announces the disease counts aggregated over geographical units, such as at the county or zipcode level. As this is also common in most countries, spatial disease surveillance therefore focuses on methodology development for aggregated data. Overall, statistical approaches for disease incidence or mortality fall into two classes of approaches: cluster detection approaches and disease mapping approaches. Cluster detection approaches, which are also called hypothesis testing approaches or frequentist approaches, are expected to test and locate spatial clusters in the study area. These approaches can also be classified into two categories: general testing approaches or focused testing approaches [5]. General testing approaches, also called general tests, consist of a single global test statistic associated with the null hypothesis of no spatial clusters [3, 8, 16, 37, 40]. They usually collect evidence of the existence of clusters throughout the whole study area without evaluating the statistical significance of a particular cluster. If the null hypothesis is rejected, a global statistic cannot give the location of the spatial clusters. Focused testing approaches, also called focused tests, are designed to locate the spatial cluster around a prespecified point in the study area [2, 16, 21, 23, 43]. Disease mapping is defined as the estimation and presentation of unit summary measurements of disease counts [26]. The aims of disease mapping include sim-
Non-contact Wearable EEG Sensors for SSVEP-based Brain Computer Interface Applications

Electroencephalography (EEG) based brain computer interfaces (BCI) introduces promising communication pathway between the brain and external devices, not only for the motor-impaired but also the healthy users. However, the current EEG-based interface device is not convenient enough for daily uses. In this study, we developed an EEG acquisition system that records brain signals without contacting scalp. The proposed system consists of a small sized ($5.5\,\times 3\,\mathrm{cm}^{2}$ acquisition hardware and four stainless steel electrodes integrated in a regular sport hat. To demonstrate the concept, we used an in-house developed steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEP) paradigm and recorded EEG signals using the proposed system. The EEG signals were compared with three different brain states – Eye Closed, Eye Open, and Visual Stimulation. The results show that the BCI system can record SSVEP from the brain without any professional setups or expensive dry-electrodes.
Millennial Motivation Issues Related to Compensation and Benefits: Suggestions for Improved Retention:

Millennials are currently the largest generation at work and will reach an estimated 75% of the labor force by 2025. Studies have shown that millennials hold slightly different attitudes toward wor...
Alternative Stimulation Protocols

A 29-year-old nulligravid woman presented to the emergency department with chest pain and shortness of breath. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest was unremarkable, and she was discharged home. She returned 3 months later with worsening symptoms at which time a repeat chest CT scan demonstrated a new 6.6 × 5 cm anterior mediastinal mass, suspicious for malignancy (Fig. 38.1).
Will You Use Animation on Your Web Pages? Experiments of Animation's Effects and Implications for Web User Interface Design and Online Advertising.

In this paper, we report an exploratory study that consists of two experiments investigating animation interference effect in the Web environment. Animation is “a dynamic visual statement, form and structure evolving through movement over time” (Baecker and Small, 1990). In this study, we limit animation to the kind that does not provide extra information for the user’s tasks. Thus, this type of animation is a non-primary stimulus because it carries non-primary information on a Web page. We use controlled experiments to evaluate the effect of animation under different conditions. We also collect data on subjects’ perceived interference and subjects’ attitude toward the use of animation during information-seeking tasks.The value of this study is twofold. First, it sheds light on the applicability of visual attention findings to the Web environment. The research enriches the value of the traditional visual attention studies by testing and applying them to a new environment, the Web. This empowers the general investigation of Human Information Interaction in the Web environment from a theoretical perspective. Empirical work is important but can also be endless. Theoretical work can guide the field of study. Second, it provides Web page designers with data that can replace speculation on the effects of animation as a non-primary information carrier on user performance. The study provides specific strategies and guidelines from both Web content providers’ and Internet advertisers’ perspectives. In the era of electronic commerce, studies on the real impact of online ads (most of them use animation nowadays) are timely and important. As many more people search for information on the Web, conduct business over the Internet, and encounter animation more frequently, research that investigates the real effects of animation becomes increasingly important.
Dietary Electrolyte Balance Effects on Performance and Metabolic Characteristics in Finishing Steers

The effects of dietary electrolyte balance (DEB; mEq of Na + K - Cl/100 g of DM) on performance and acid-base status of growing cattle consuming a corn silage-based diet were established using 120 Angus (n = 60) and Angus crossbred (n = 60) steers (247 +/- 2.4 kg). Treatments consisting of 0, 15, 30, or 45 mEq of DEB/100 g of DM were obtained by varying NH4Cl and NaHCO3. Average daily gain showed a linear increase (P < .05) with increased DEB for the first 28 d and a quadratic response (P < .05) for the remainder of the 84-d study. Average daily feed intake was not affected by DEB the first 28 d. However, feed intake over the entire feeding period showed a linear increase with increasing DEB (P < .01). On d 28, plasma Na, K, and Mg were not affected by DEB, whereas Ca followed a quadratic pattern (P < .10). On d 84, plasma Na and Mg decreased linearly with increasing DEB. Plasma Cl concentrations decreased linearly (P < .01) with increased DEB on d 28 and 84. On d 28 arterial blood pH and HCO3 increased linearly (P < .05) with increased DEB, whereas ionized Ca, pCO2, and pO2 were unchanged. On d 84, arterial blood pH (P < .10), HCO3 (P < .05), and ionized Ca (P < .10) increased quadratically, whereas pO2 and pCO2 were not affected by treatment. Ruminal pH increased linearly (P < .05) with increased DEB on d 28 but showed no differences on d 84. These data indicate that DEB affects performance and systemic values in growing feedlot cattle. A DEB in the range of 15 to 30 mEq seemed to provide normal homeostasis of growing steers fed a corn silage-based diet.
How do statistical properties influence findings of tracking (maintenance) in epidemiologic studies? An example of research in tracking of obesity ⋆

There is great interest in studying the tracking (maintenance) of health conditions and risk factors over the life span. Tracking is often defined as the maintenance of a distribution position (e.g., quintile or percentile) in a study population over time. This study investigated how statistical properties might influence research findings of tracking with a special attention on the tracking of extreme ranking. Our results show that when repeated measures over time were positively correlated, the probability of tracking in extreme rankings was greater than other rankings and this was closely influenced by the overall correlation (r) and by the categorization. For example, when r = 0.4, 38% remained in the bottom and upper quintile (Q1, Q5) respectively, while only 22% remained in the middle quintile (Q3); when r = 0.8, the figure became 65% vs. 32%. When r = 0.4 and 0.8, 19 and 50% remained in the upper 95th percentile (or under the 5th percentile), respectively. Our real data show that children in the upper body mass index (= weight(kg)/height(m)2) quintile were more likely to maintain their ranking (54%) than others (about 30%), but not significantly higher than the expected (47%, p > 0.05). In conclusion, the overall correlation should be considered when studying tracking. Our proposed methods and predicted probabilities of tracking can help test whether one's observed tracking patterns are different from the statistically predicted ones.
Accounting Discoveries from Archival Research: The Mobile and Ohio, an Antebellum Southern Railroad

This paper details discoveries relating to the accounting transactions that chronicle the circumstances of the Mobile and Ohio (M&O) Railroad's 1850s and 1860s asset ledgers. There were accounting differences between railroads overall because the northern lines used foreign construction workers, while the southern lines used slaves. ?Personal Property? was the title given to the account used by the M&O to record the acquisition of slaves?with the accountant using the term ?slaves? in a journal entry description. Moreover, this research provides information regarding the construction labour for the M&O that was supplied by planters from plantation labour pools composed of the slave population. Because of the availability of this plantation labour pool, the M&O did not have to rely on immigrant labour and accept the risk of controlling their behaviour. The coming of the American Civil War changed labour market conditions, and the M&O became a slave-holding organization to maintain itself during the War. At the War's end the accounting records detail the M&O's disposition of the wartime slave acquisitions with the comment ?? emancipated by force of circumstances?. This paper contributes to the literature by providing discoveries from original archival records documenting how a large major American corporation accounted for labour costs, initial construction, and beginning operations.
Entropy and the Entropy Principle

Clausius generalized the mathematical expression of Carnot’s principle obtained by Kelvin, and in 1865, introduced the concept of entropy and formulated the entropy principle. With the concept of entropy and the idea of the entropy principle, a definition of heat can be given, as well as mathematical formalism on equilibrium thermodynamics was formulated for organizing empirical data of thermodynamic properties. The establishment of the entropy principle signaled the beginning of a new era—in which, thermodynamics, which had originated as a branch of engineering knowledge, separated into two distinctive streams. The new science stream was manifested in the mathematical formalism on equilibrium thermodynamics. It is noted that the entropy principle, rather than the energy principle, is the true universal principle.
Risk Factors for Stunting in Children under the Age of 5 in Rural Guatemalan Highlands

Background: Previously, a study conducted by UNICEF found that malnutrition affects approximately 80% of the indigenous children in Guatemala. Objective: Identify prevalence and risk factors for stunted growth in communities surrounding Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. Methods: Height-for-age measurements of children under the age of five, N = 84, determined stunting prevalence and presumed burden of malnutrition in this region of the Guatemalan highlands. Mothers of a subset of this sample, N = 29, were interviewed to assess factors contributing to stunting. Analysis assessed the following risk factors: inadequate nutrition, increased infectious disease risk, high rate self-report illness, inadequate breastfeeding, and inadequate utilization of prenatal care. Findings: The majority of children under the age of five were stunted (65.6%) and likely malnourished. ANOVA analysis showed significant differences in mean height-for-age Z scores (HAZs) between groups with and without adequate nutrition (F = 7.069, p = 0.013), as well has with and without high rates of self-report illness (F = 6.894, p = 0.014). Both groups with inadequate nutrition (mean HAZs = –2.9, 95% CI = [–3.58, –2.24]) and high rates of self-report illness (mean HAZs = –2.8, 95% CI = [–3.13, –2.38]) had mean HAZs that are indicative of stunting. No other risk factors were associated with stunting. Conclusion: These pilot study results offer methods by which to obtain baseline data for assessing nutritional and public health interventions to improve stunting and malnutrition status as well as the health outcomes of children in rural, indigenous communities.
Living with a Rare Chronic Illness: A Phenomenological, Systemic Examination of Hemophilia Complicated by an Inhibitor

Up to 20% of individuals with hemophilia experience the added complication of an inhibitor. An inhibitor results in severe bleeds, joint damage, impaired mobility, and even death. We conducted a fo...
Preparing Undergraduate Medical Students for Future Practice – Development of a Future of Medicine Elective

The medical field operates in an ever-evolving state. The modern physician is expected to remain informed about the latest treatments, prescriptions, and procedures. One of the challenges facing medical education is ensuring medical students are taught the latest evidence-based information. In particular, medical students have limited exposure to the latest medical technologies that are transforming the way physicians treat patients. Having identified this lack of exposure, the authors designed, organized, and evaluated an elective curriculum to introduce their peers to emerging medical technologies. The elective aimed to familiarize fellow medical students with da Vinci Robotic surgery, Arthroscopic surgery simulation, 3D printing, electronic medical records, virtual reality via Google Glass and HoloLens, and multimodality cardiovascular imaging. This study surveyed the first and second year medical students enrolled in the Future of Medicine elective at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine. The evaluation found that this student-led, hands-on elective demonstrated high levels of student satisfaction, enrichment of the medical school experience, and the student’s desire to incorporate elements of the elective into both the standard medical school curriculum and into their future practices. The incorporation of emerging technologies into pre-clinical education can be beneficial to both medical schools seeking to improve the technological literacy of their graduates and to medical students interested in shaping the future of medicine.
'Shawl Sign' as a Paraneoplastic Dermatosis

Dermatomyositis (DM) is an idiopathic condition characterized by inflammation of muscles and skin lesions. It is often a paraneoplastic manifestation of internal malignancy. Hence, early recognition of this disorder is important. Although not all dermatomyositis are associated with malignancies, the ones with such association regress with the treatment of associated malignancy. In clinical practice, symptoms of muscle weakness can be vague, and skin lesions can be dismissed as sunburn. We present a case of an elder adult female who presented with dermatomyositis as a paraneoplastic syndrome secondary to an underlying Mullerian malignancy.
Pressure Induced Wetting and Dewetting of the Nonpolar Pocket of Deep-Cavity Cavitands in Water

Hydrophobic interactions drive the binding of nonpolar ligands to the oily pockets of proteins and supramolecular species in aqueous solution. As such, the wetting of host pockets is expected to play a critical role in determining the thermodynamics of guest binding. Here we use molecular simulations to examine the impact of pressure on the wetting and dewetting of the nonpolar pockets of a series of deep-cavity cavitands in water. The portals to the cavitand pockets are functionalized with both nonpolar (methyl) and polar (hydroxyl) groups oriented pointing either upward or inward toward the pocket. We find wetting of the pocket is favored by the hydroxyl groups and dewetting is favored by the methyl groups. The distribution of waters in the pocket is found to exhibit a two-state-like equilibrium between wet and dry states with a free energy barrier between the two states. Moreover, we demonstrate that the pocket hydration of the cavitands can be collapsed onto a unified adsorption isotherm by assuming the effective pressures within each cavitand pocket differ by a shift pressure that depends on the chemical identity and number of functional groups placed about the portal. These observations support the development of a two-state capillary evaporation model that accurately describes the equilibrium between states and naturally gives rise to the effective shift pressures observed from simulation. This work demonstrates that the hydration of host pockets can be tuned following simple design rules that in turn are expected to impact the thermodynamics of guest complexation.
Autophagy induction by exogenous polyamines is an artifact of bovine serum amine oxidase activity in culture serum

Polyamines are small polycationic alkylamines involved in many fundamental cellular processes, including proliferation, nucleic acid synthesis, apoptosis, and protection from oxidative damage. It has been proposed that in addition to these functions, elevated levels of polyamines promote longevity in various biological systems, including yeast, Drosophila, and murine models. A series of in vitro mechanistic studies by multiple investigators has led to the conclusion that addition of exogenous spermidine promotes longevity through autophagy induction; however, these experiments were confounded by the use of mammalian cell culture systems supplemented with fetal bovine serum. Using cell viability assays, LC3B immunoblots, and live-cell fluorescence microscopy, we report here that in the presence of ruminant serum, exogenously added polyamines are quickly oxidized by the copper-containing bovine serum amine oxidase. This polyamine oxidation resulted in the production of harmful byproducts including hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, and reactive aldehydes. Our data demonstrate that it is critically important to prevent confounding bovine serum amine oxidase-induced cytotoxicity in mechanistic studies of the roles of polyamines in autophagy.
Axial melorheostosis: A rare presentation.

Abstract Melorheostosis is a rare sclerosing bone dysplasia that most commonly affects the lower extremity long bones in a sclerotomal distribution. Melorheostosis of the spine is a particularly rare manifestation of this disease. In the appendicular skeleton, melorheostosis has a pathognomonic imaging appearance of flowing hyperostosis resembling melted candle wax flowing down the margins of a candlestick. In the spine, it can have a variety of imaging manifestations from unilateral focal sclerotic lesions resembling enostoses, to more bulky and deformative hyperostosis that span and fuse multiple adjacent spinal segments. This combination of nonaggressive radiologic features makes melorheostosis a particularly important diagnosis for radiologists to understand so that they may spare their patients unnecessary biopsy. Here we present the clinical features and computed tomography findings in a 33-year-old male with spinal melorheostosis involving the first and second cervical vertebrae.
The Effect of Injectable Butaphosphan and Cyanocobalamin on Postpartum Serum Beta-Hydroxybutyrate, Calcium, and Phosphorus Concentrations in Dairy Cattle

Catosal® (Bayer, Shawnee Mission, Kansas, USA) is a sterile solution containing 10% butaphosphan and cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12), and is intended to prevent or treat deficiencies of these nutrients. Supplemental vitamin B12 may enhance gluconeogenesis through its role in methylmalonyl-CoAmutase. Phosphorus plays important roles in the hydrogen buffering system in the blood, is a critical component of nucleic acids, and is clinically important due to its role in postparturient paresis in dairy cattle. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of two 25 mL injections of Catosal® on the serum BHBA, calcium, and phosphorus concentrations of cows in the early postparturient period. (Originally published in J Dairy Sci, Vol 93, No. 3, 2010.)
Abstract P3-12-09: Factors influencing aromatase inhibitor induced musculoskeletal syndrome: Roles of menopause timing and osteoporosis therapy

Background: Aromatase Inhibitor (AI) therapy is the most effective hormonal treatment in post-menopausal estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer. Side effects such as arthralgias - termed aromatase inhibitor induced musculoskeletal syndrome (AIMSS) - limit their use in some patients. We evaluated factors associated with AIMSS and explored possible therapeutic options in a large cohort of patients. Methods: We performed an IRB-approved retrospective review of breast cancer patients seen in the Norris Cotton Cancer Center clinics from April 2011 to January 2013. 378 patients were included in our chart review on the basis of taking an AI for breast cancer with follow up documented in the electronic health record. Statistical analysis was performed by chi squared test for dichotomous variables and students t-test for continuous variables. Results: In our cohort 91% of patients were taking an AI as adjuvant therapy (9% for metastatic disease) with 41% (n=153) reporting new or worsening arthralgias after initiation of an AI. AIMSS was 42.5%(95%CI: 0.375 to 0.478) in the adjuvant and 22.7%(95%CI: 0.101 to 0.434) in the metastatic groups. The median time to symptom onset was 120 days. 2.1% (n=8) discontinued AI therapy due to AIMSS. There was no association with prior chemotherapy, baseline arthralgia, BMI, or statin use. We found an increased risk of developing AIMSS with more recent menopause (p=0.055), and therapy in the adjuvant setting (p=0.067). We also note a potential association of baseline osteoporosis and osteoporosis therapies with lower rates of AIMSS. Treatments included temporary discontinuation of AI, switching between AI, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory therapy (NSAIDs). Of those attempting such treatment, all had improvement with temporary discontinuation, 25% improved after AI switch, and 85% had symptomatic benefit on NSAIDs. Conclusions: The incidence of AIMSS in our review was 41%. Patients treated in the metastatic setting may have a lower rate of AIMSS. Our cohort revealed that more recent menopause did seem to be a risk factor. Baseline osteoporosis and osteoporosis treatments have a potential association to be explored. Management options included switching between AIs, temporary discontinuation, and NSAID treatment. Updated analysis will be presented. Citation Format: Clinton R Morgan, Zsolt Kulcsar, Jonathan D Jones, William F Rigby, Peter A Kaufman. Factors influencing aromatase inhibitor induced musculoskeletal syndrome: Roles of menopause timing and osteoporosis therapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-12-09.
The Decision for Accidents: An Approach to Nonfault Allocation of Costs

Although it may seem desirable to seek to eliminate accident-causing activities, virtually all societies decide that many activities, though certain to cause some accidents, are nonetheless valuable enough to be allowed. Professor Calabresi examines this "decision for accidents" in light of the goals of accident law such as deterrence and compensation. Although he does not propose a specific liability plan or scheme, he formulates a theoretical framework for nonfault liability in which risky activities reflect in their market prices the cost of their accidents, and in which specific "useless" conduct is deterred by criminal and semicriminal penalties. He next analyzes what is meant by "costs of accidents" and concludes with an examination of the methods of allocating accident costs to the activities involved in accidents.
Identification of histidine phosphorylations in proteins using mass spectrometry and affinity-based techniques.

Abstract Histidine phosphorylation plays a key role in prokaryotic signaling and accounts for approximately 6% of the protein phosphorylation events in eukaryotics. Phosphohistidines generally act as intermediates in the transfer of phosphate groups from donor to acceptor molecules. Examples include the bacterial phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system (PTS) and the histidine kinases found in two‐component signal transduction pathways. The latter are utilized by bacteria and plants to sense and adapt to changing environmental conditions. Despite the importance of histidine phosphorylation in two‐component signaling systems, relatively few proteins have so far been identified as containing phosphorylated histidine residues. This is largely due to the instability of phosphohistidines, which, unlike the phosphoesters formed by serine, threonine, and tyrosine, are labile and susceptible to acid hydrolysis. Nevertheless, it is possible to preserve and identify phosphorylated histidine residues in target proteins using appropriate sample preparation, affinity purification, and mass spectrometric techniques. This chapter provides a brief overview of such techniques, describes their use in confirming histidine phosphorylation of a known PTS protein (HPr), and suggests how this approach might be adapted for large‐scale identification of histidine‐phosphorylated proteins in two‐component systems.
When does disengagement correlate with learning in spoken dialog computer tutoring

We investigate whether an overall student disengagement label and six different labels of disengagement type are predictive of learning in a spoken dialog computer tutoring corpus. Our results show first that although students' percentage of overall disengaged turns negatively correlates with the amount they learn, the individual types of disengagement correlate differently with learning: some negatively correlate with learning, while others don't correlate with learning at all. Second, we show that these relationships change somewhat depending on student prerequisite knowledge level. Third, we show that using multiple disengagement types to predict learning improves predictive power. Overall, our results suggest that although adapting to disengagement should improve learning, maximizing learning requires different system interventions depending on disengagement type.
Concentration, Contracting and Competition: Problems in Using the Packers and Stockyards Act to Supplement Antitrust

Consolidation and increased concentration in the agrifood sector over the past two decades, combined with an increased use of alternative marketing agreements in the poultry and livestock industries, have fueled concerns of anti-competitive behavior among large agribusinesses such as the major meat packing companies. The DOJ and USDA have partnered together in a pledge to strengthen enforcement both of antitrust restrictions and of the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921 ("PSA"). This paper provides a brief overview of the ongoing changes in the meat and livestock industries and the role of the PSA. The paper then outlines several challenges facing the successful and efficient use of the PSA as a competition policy from both theoretical and empirical economic perspectives. I argue that regulators need to tread carefully into their newly launched enforcement partnership given how little is well understood of the factors leading to the existing system and, therefore, the likely consequences associated with more aggressive enforcement in the name of competition.
Immunologic tolerance in the chicken. II. Isolation and characterization of a soluble factor from a macrophage-like cell from chickens tolerant to bovine serum albumin.

Abstract Macrophage-like cells harvested from 14-day-old chickens rendered tolerant at hatching with bovine serum albumin have been shown to release a soluble product which suppressed the adoptive secondary response to BSA. In addition, this suppressor factor suppressed the in vitro response to the non-cross-reacting antigen sheep red blood cells. The suppressor factor was found, by affinity chromatography, not to be composed of immunoglobulin but yet had the capacity to bind to the tolergen. Also, anti-line 3 antiserum, which is directed toward the major histocompatibility complex, removed the suppressive activity from macrophage supernatants.
Teleworkers with disabilities: Characteristics and accommodation use

Background The prevalence of telework among people with disabilities is not as great as the general population, despite the accommodative benefits of telework. Objective This study of employment and accommodation use patterns of people with disabilities investigates relationships between functional abilities, work location and nature, and accommodation use. Participants Currently employed subjects with disabilities were recruited from client lists of research, technical assistance, and service provision centers, as well as through over 100 social networking venues focused on individuals with disabilities. Methods A national, cross-sectional survey was administered electronically. Details of accommodation use for 373 individuals were compared using Chi-Square distribution analysis. Results Those in white-collar and knowledge-based jobs were twice as likely to telework as other worker types, and teleworkers were twice as likely to use flexible scheduling. Only 47% of teleworkers reported telework as a job accommodation. Of those, 57% were satisfied with telework and 76% reported it as important to job task completion. Conclusions Increased use of flexible scheduling, particularly among those who view telework as an accommodation, suggests the primary accommodative benefit of telework is to reduce pain and fatigue-related barriers to traditional employment. Relatively low satisfaction with telework suggests that it presents other employment-related barriers.
Over-reliance on Previous Periods' Earnings Can Cause Post-Earnings-Announcement Drift and Over-Reactions to Extreme Performance

This paper uses a laboratory experiment to show that investors systematically over-rely on firms' previous performance levels: when previous performance is high (low), prices are too high (low). This error creates two types of anomalies. Too much reliance on previous levels gives the appearance that investors under-react to changes in performance from that level. Prices therefore remain too low (high) after large increases (decreases) in performance, similar to the post-earnings-announcement drift anomaly. Too much reliance on previous levels also gives the appearance that investors overestimate the degree to which extreme performance in prior periods leads to extreme performance in the target period. Prices therefore remain too high (low) after persistently strong (weak) performance, similar to the long-term over-reaction anomaly. The results therefore suggest that these two anomalies may be caused by a single behavioral effect.
"What if you already know everything about sex?" Content analysis of questions from early adolescents in a middle school sex education program.

Abstract Purpose To assess sixth graders' knowledge and curiosity about sex-related topics that can guide the development of sexual health education and healthcare delivery. Methods Sixth graders (n = 795) in eight ethnically diverse schools participating in an evaluation of a sex education curriculum submitted 859 anonymous questions that were content analyzed. The χ 2 analysis examined whether the themes varied by coed/single-sex environments or by school-level sexual risk. Results Sexual activity, female anatomy, reproduction, and puberty were the most frequently mentioned topics, whereas, questions on STIs, sexual violence, and drug/alcohol use were fewer. Questions that avoided sexual topics came from lower sexual-risk schools; students at higher-risk schools asked about sexual initiation, contraception, vaginal and anal sex, general health, and pain during sex. Single-sex classrooms elicited more direct and explicit questions about sex. Conclusions The results are relevant to educators and healthcare providers who ask and answer questions from early adolescents regarding sexual health.
Presence of the blaZ beta-lactamase gene in isolates of Staphylococcus aureus that appear penicillin susceptible by conventional phenotypic methods

Beta-lactamase production may not be reliably detected by commonly used susceptibility testing methods such as Kirby-Bauer penicillin disk diffusion and nitrocefin beta-lactamase detection. We assayed 105 apparently penicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus isolates using multiple methods to detect beta-lactamase production. The bla(Z) beta-lactamase gene was detected by polymerase chain reaction in 10 (9.5%) of the 105 isolates. The average disk diffusion zone diameter was 34 and 38 mm for the bla(Z)-positive and -negative isolates, respectively (P < 0.001). Qualitative description of the zone edge was observer-dependent. The "cloverleaf assay" was positive in 6 of the 10 phenotypically susceptible isolates possessing bla(Z). The results of this study suggest that conventional methods for S. aureus penicillin susceptibility testing may not reliably detect penicillin resistance in all isolates; however, increasing the disk diffusion zone size interpretive criteria to 35 mm for this antimicrobial/organism combination from the current 29-mm breakpoint may improve the sensitivity of phenotypic penicillin susceptibility testing.
Selectivity improvement in the solvent refined coal process 1. Detailed first-stage reaction studies: Coal mineral catalysis

Abstract The influence of various coal mineral additives on coal liquefaction, hydrogenation and desulfurization was studied. The specific minerals studied include SRC-residue, Kerr-McGee residue, SRC-residue ash, Kerr-McGee residue ash, hematite-1 (commercial grade ore), hematite-2 (reagent grade), magnetite, coal ash, and reduced iron. Comparisons were made of the effect of these mineral additives on hydrogen consumption, desulfurization, and selectivity for desulfurization over hydrogenation. The effect of oxidation temperature on the surface area and desulfurization activity of the oxidized residues was evaluated.
Vernal keratoconjunctivitis and trachoma

Both vernal keratoconjunctivitis and trachoma affect young people, occur in hot, dry climates, and have a predilection for the limbus and upper tarsal conjunctiva. These two conditions may occur simultaneously and present the ophthalmologist with a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma.
Molecular cloning and characterization of the promoter region of the human Phox2b gene.

Abstract The closely related homeodomain transcription factors, Phox2a and Phox2b, are restrictively expressed in central and peripheral noradrenergic (NA) neurons in an overlapping but distinct manner, and critically regulate the differentiation and neurotransmitter identity of NA neurons. The structure and function of the human Phox2a (hPhox2a) promoter has recently been reported. Towards the long-term goal of delineating the regulatory cascade of NA neuron differentiation, we isolated a human Phox2b (hPhox2b) genomic clone encompassing approximately 7.8 kb of the 5′ upstream promoter region, the entire exon–intron structure and 4.5 kb of the 3′ flanking region. Two transcription start sites are identified to reside 115 and 110 nucleotides upstream of the start codon, based on both primer extension and 5′-rapid amplification of the cDNA ends analyses. In addition, transient transfection assays indicate that 1.1 kb or longer upstream sequences of the hPhox2b gene may confer cell type-specific gene expression in certain, but not all cell lines. The promoter activity of the hPhox2b gene is modestly transactivated by forced co-expression of Phox2b and the hPhox2b gene promoter contains a high-affinity binding site at −320 to −295 bp. This study provides a frame to further elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of Phox2a and Phox2b gene expression and its relation to NA differentiation.