cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Repair of complex renal artery aneurysms by laparoscopic nephrectomy with ex vivo repair and autotransplantation.

Objective Renal artery aneurysms are being discovered more frequently due to increased use of non-invasive imaging. Complex renal artery aneurysms involving multiple secondary or tertiary branches are not amenable to in vivo or endovascular treatment and often require ex vivo repair with autotransplantation. In order to minimize incisional morbidity and hasten recovery, we developed a technique of laparoscopic nephrectomy combined with backbench ex vivo repair, followed by autotransplantation through a small laparoscopic extraction incision. This study describes our initial experience with this combined technique in patients that were not candidates for endovascular techniques or in vivo arterial reconstruction. Methods Seven patients with complex renal artery aneurysms underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy and ex vivo repair with multiple saphenous vein grafts and autotransplantation through the small laparoscopic extraction incision. The aneurysms ranged from 2.5 to 5.0 cm. In all cases, the aneurysm was resected ex vivo, leaving multiple branch arteries that were extended with saphenous vein grafts. Arterial inflow was then re-established with sequential saphenous vein anastomoses to the external iliac artery. Ureteral reconstruction was performed via standard Lich ureteroneocystostomy. Patients were followed postoperatively for two to eight years. Results Laparoscopic nephrectomy with ex vivo repair of complex aneurysms was successfully employed in seven patients with renal aneurysms that were not amenable to endovascular or in vivo repair. There were no incisional morbidities and all patients had significant improvements in symptoms post-operatively. Renal function remained unchanged and there were no ureteral complications following surgery. All patients had postoperative ultrasound imaging done at two years which demonstrated patency of the anastomoses. The mean hospital stay was four days (range, two to seven days). Conclusion Repair of complex renal artery aneurysms involving distal branch arteries remains a challenge. This new technique combines the advantages of minimally invasive surgery with the effectiveness of ex vivo aneurysm repair.
Some Observations on Shrinkage of Synthetics when Exposed to Flame

Synthetics were exposed to flame by DOC FF 3-71; the highlights arc summarized. Observations were made of the (I) effect of quilting and (2) relationship between flame temperature, withdrawal, or shrinkage of the fabric. These observa tions might understand the complex relationship between the energy emitted by the flame and that absorbed and dis tributed by the fabric.
Marine defaunation: Animal loss in the global ocean

BACKGROUND: Comparing patterns of ter- restrial and marine defaunation helps to place human impacts on marine fauna in context and to navigate toward recovery. De- faunation began in ear- nest tens of thousands of years later in the oceans than it did on land. Al- though defaunation has been less severe in the oceans than on land, our effects on marine animals are increasing in pace and impact. Humans have caused few complete extinctions in the sea, but we are responsible for many ecological, commercial, and local extinctions. Despite our late start, humans have already powerfully changed virtually all major marine ecosystems. ADVANCES: Humans have profoundly de- creased the abundance of both large (e.g., whales) and small (e.g., anchovies) marine fauna. Such declines can generate waves of ecological change that travel both up and down marine food webs and can alter ocean ecosystem functioning. Human harvesters have also been a major force of evolutionary change in the oceans and have reshaped the genetic structure of marine animal popula- tions. Climate change threatens toaccelerate marine defaunation over the next century. The high mobility of many marine animals offers some increased, though limited, ca- pacity for marine species to respond to cli- mate stress, but it also exposes many species to increased risk from other stressors. Be- cause humans are intensely reliant on ocean ecosystems for food and other ecosystem ser- vices, we are deeply affected by all of these forecasted changes. Three lessons emerge when comparing the marine and terrestrial defaunation ex-
World Bank/GEF Solar Home Systems Projects : experiences and lessons learned 1993-2000

Abstract Twelve projects provide energy services to off-grid rural households in developing countries by enhancing markets for solar home systems and by removing barriers to their dissemination. Project approaches are reviewed, along with early implementation experience and lessons suggested by experience. Most projects incorporate the following features: pilot private-sector and NGO delivery models; pilot consumer credit delivery mechanisms; pay first-cost subsidies and offer affordable system sizes; support policy development and capacity; develop codes and standards and establish certification, testing, and enforcement institutions; and conduct consumer awareness and marketing programs. Most projects are just beginning implementation; a few are almost completed. Lessons from early experience suggest that: solar home system delivery firms face a myriad of difficulties operating in rural areas; credit risk is a serious concern of both financiers and dealers and makes credit sales particularly challenging; technical performance of systems is becoming well-proven; customers desire a range of component options and service levels and can benefit from even small systems; projects must recognize the link between rural electric-grid extension and solar home system demand; and marketing campaigns can be extremely costly and time consuming in rural areas. Challenges are to demonstrate sustainable and replicable business models, develop regulatory models for energy-service concessions, and integrate rural electrification policy with solar home system delivery.
Chronic Illness Management: Changing the System

A growing elderly population, affected primarily by chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, requires a different response from the health care system traditionally oriented toward the delivery of acute care services. It is time to shift to a delivery system oriented toward chronic illness management. With the right tools—evidence based decision support at the point of care, electronic clinical information available at all times to the health care team, support and education to facilitate self management for clients with chronic illness, and a health care system design and payment system to create and maintain these tools—it can be done. By applying evidence based standards of care within such a system, we should be able to provide effective health care for everyone who needs it, improve the general level of function of the population, and reduce or control cost at the same time.
Robust circadian rhythms of gene expression in Brassica rapa tissue culture

Circadian clocks provide temporal coordination by synchronizing internal biological processes with daily environmental cycles. To date, study of the plant circadian clock has emphasized Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) as a model, but it is important to determine the extent to which this model applies in other species. Accordingly, we have investigated circadian clock function in Brassica rapa. In Arabidopsis, analysis of gene expression in transgenic plants in which luciferase activity is expressed from clock-regulated promoters has proven a useful tool, although technical challenges associated with the regeneration of transgenic plants has hindered the implementation of this powerful tool in B. rapa. The circadian clock is cell autonomous, and rhythmicity has been shown to persist in tissue culture from a number of species. We have established a transgenic B. rapa tissue culture system to allow the facile measurement and manipulation of clock function. We demonstrate circadian rhythms in the expression of several promoter:LUC reporters in explant-induced tissue culture of B. rapa. These rhythms are temperature compensated and are reset by light and temperature pulses. We observe a strong positive correlation in period length between the tissue culture rhythm in gene expression and the seedling rhythm in cotyledon movement, indicating that the circadian clock in B. rapa tissue culture provides a good model for the clock in planta.
Inactivation effect of X‐ray treatments on Cronobacter species (Enterobacter sakazakii) in tryptic soy broth, skim milk, low‐fat milk and whole‐fat milk*

Aims: To determine the inactivation effect of X-ray treatments on Cronobacter (E. sakazakii) in tryptic soy broth (TSB), skim milk (0% fat), low-fat milk (1% and 2%) and whole-fat milk (3AE5%). Methods and Results: X-rays were produced using the RS 2400 generator system (Rad Source Technologies Inc.). Cronobacter (in TSB), inoculated skim milk (0% fat), low-fat milk (1% and 2% fat) and whole-fat milk (3AE5% fat) were treated with 0AE0, 0AE1, 0AE5, 0AE75, 1AE0, 2AE0, 3AE0, 4AE0, 5AE0 and 6AE0 kGy X-ray doses. Surviving bacteria in the TSB and inoculated milk, before and after treatment, were enumerated using plating method onto trypticase soy agar. Greater than 7AE0-log CFU reduction in Cronobacter population was observed with 4AE0, 5AE0, 6AE0, 6AE0 and 6AE0 kGy X-ray in the TSB, skim milk, 1% fat milk, 2% fat milk and 3AE5% fat milk, respectively. Conclusions: Treatment with X-rays significantly (P <0 AE05) reduced Cronobacter to less than detectable limits (<1 log CFU ml )1 ) in skim milk at 5AE0 kGy and milk with 1% fat content and greater at 6AE0 kGy dose levels. The D-value for Cronobacter in TSB was significantly (P <0 AE05) lower than those in milk samples. Significance and Impact of the Study: Treatment with X-rays could be an effective and safe alternative technology to control pathogenic bacteria (Cronobacter) in the dairy industry.
“The simple internal procedure as an effective tool in the teaching and practice of structured PL/I”

This paper reports on two successful curricular innovations made in the first-year PL/I programming course at Rutgers. Simple internal procedures are introduced at an early point, and used extensively thereafter; and fairly long, large programming projects are undertaken. The combined effect significantly reinforces the presentation of structured programming methodology, as well as enhancing the general educational effectiveness of the course.
Interactive computer programs in sequence data analysis

Abstract We present interactive computer programs for the analysis of nucleic acid sequences. In order to handle these programs, minimum computer experience is sufficient. The nucleotide sequence of the human gamma globin gene complex is used as an example to illustrate the data analysis.
Molecular Aspects of Thyroid Cancer in Children

Children with thyroid cancer generally have a more favorable prognosis than adults. This chapter reviews the data that suggest the pattern of ret/PTC, BRAF, and RAS mutations might differ in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) from children and adults. Expression of the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and IGF receptors may also differ, as well as the intensity or nature of the immune response. Additional study is warranted to better define the impact of each of these factors on the clinical behavior of thyroid cancers in children.
Endothelin-activated calcium signaling in enteric glia derived from neonatal guinea pig

The ability of guinea pig enteric glia to respond to endothelins was examined using fura 2-based digital microscopy in glial cells derived from guinea pig taenia coli. Each isoform of endothelin (ET-1, ET-2, ET-3) evoked dose-dependent and equipotent increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and in percentage of cells responding, 4alaEt-1, an ETB receptor agonist, elicited similar [Ca2+]i increments. BQ-788, an ETB antagonist, inhibited [Ca2+]i responses to endothelin. Preincubation of glia with U-73122 a phospholipase C inhibitor, abolished the [Ca2+]i response to ET-3 exposure. Thapsigargin also eliminated ET-3-evoked Ca2+ signaling. The inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor antagonist heparin, introduced into glial cells by radio frequency electroporation, blocked [Ca2+]i responses to ET-3 (100 nM) in 63% of glia. Sustained elevation in [Ca2+]i was abolished by removal of Ca2+ from the buffer and inhibited 85. -3% by Ni2+ (1 mM). Preincubation of glia with 100 nM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (24 h) also inhibited sustained increments in [Ca2+]i by 87%. The presence of IP3 receptors in enteric glia was confirmed by immunofluorescent confocal microscopy.
High prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus in three haemodialysis centres in south-western Poland

We assessed the prevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) antibodies and markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in patients of three haemodialysis centres before initiating anti-HBV vaccinations. Of the 94 patients, 39 (41.5%) were anti-HCV positive (+) and 81 (86.2%) were anti-hepatitis B core antigen (HBc) positive. There was a high rate of anti-HBc positivity among anti-HCV (+) patients (92.3%), although the presence of anti-HCV and anti-HBc antibodies were not significantly related to each other. Multiple blood transfusions (> 5 units) was a risk factor for development of HCV infection (P < 0.02), while none of our patients admitted intravenous drug abuse. Although 53.8% of anti-HCV (+) patients have had moderate serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevations during the study period, none has had considerable liver disease, nor did the increased ALT correlate with the presence of anti-HCV. Only two of 17 staff members participating in the survey were anti-HCV (+), though almost every one gave a history of accidental needlestick exposure. All the study subjects were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) negative. Our results, obtained with the second-generation, highly specific enzyme immunoassay and verified by the immunoblot assay for anti-HCV antibodies, support a recent suggestion that earlier reports might have underestimated the true prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies in haemodialysis patients.
Associated Production of Σ 0 and θ 2 0 ; Mass of the Σ 0

An event in which ${{\ensuremath{\theta}}_{2}}^{0}$ and ${\ensuremath{\Sigma}}^{0}$ production and decay are both observed, is described. This event yields a mass value for the ${\ensuremath{\Sigma}}^{0}$ and demonstrates the associated production of the ${{\ensuremath{\theta}}_{2}}^{0}$. Additional events yielding mass values of the ${\ensuremath{\Sigma}}^{0}$ are reported.
Sodium specificity of salt appetite in Fischer-344 and Wistar rats is impaired by chorda tympani nerve transection

Unlike other rat strains, the sodium-replete Fischer-344 (F344) strain shows no innate preference for NaCl and displays more aversive and fewer ingestive oral motor responses to orally infused NaCl when tested in sodium balance. Despite these differences, F344 rats show an increase in preference for NaCl in response to sodium depletion. The present study was designed to determine whether the salt appetite of sodium-depleted F344 rats is cation specific and whether such selectivity is mediated in part by an intact chorda tympani nerve. Sodium-depleted (10 mg furosemide) F344 (n = 13) and Wistar (n = 16) rats were permitted repeated access to nine stimuli (water, and 0.05 and 0.3 M NaCl, KCl, NH4Cl, and CaCl2), presented randomly in 10-s trials. One-half of the rats had their chorda tympani nerve sectioned (CTX). Under conditions of sodium depletion, both strains discriminated NaCl from other chloride salts. CTX significantly impaired the selectivity of the licking behavior in both strains, suggesting that sodium-specific licking is partially mediated by anterior tongue taste receptors. These findings suggest that both sodium-depleted F344 and Wistar rats are comparable in their abilities to recognize NaCl, to distinguish it from other salts, and to respond selectively to it, despite the fact that sodium-replete F344 and Wistar rats differ greatly in their NaCl preference.
Tony Sharp, Stalin's American Spy: Noel Field, Allen Dulles and the East European Show Trials

Though Noel Field's career as a Soviet spy in the United States barely lasted one year, his actions – both real and invented – had wide-reaching consequences. Tony Sharp's valuable monograph has tw...
Front page or “buried” beneath the fold? Media coverage of carbon capture and storage:

Media can affect public views and opinions on science, policy and risk issues. This is especially true of a controversial emerging technology that is relatively unknown. The study presented here employs a media content analysis of carbon capture and storage (CCS), one potential strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The authors analyzed all mentions of CCS in two leading Canadian national newspapers and two major western regional newspapers from the first article that discussed CCS in 2004 to the end of 2009 (825 articles). An in-depth content analysis was conducted to examine factors relating to risk from CCS, how the technology was portrayed and if coverage was negatively or positively biased. We conclude by discussing the possible impact of media coverage on support or opposition to CCS adoption.
Effect of Intracisternal Injection of Potassium Phosphate in Hemorrhagic Hypotension and Shock in the Dog

SummaryAlthough the intracisternal injection into normal dogs of therapeutic doses of potassium phosphate increases the rate and amplitude of respiration, the arterial pressure and heart rate, the ...
Digital Interfaces: The Key to Effective Decision-Making in Distributed Collaborative Design and Manufacturing

In product development, the interfaces between distinct phases of a design process are not well defined and largely misunderstood. The same ambiguity holds true for interactions among distributed stakeholders engaged in shared, concurrent design tasks. Such vagueness fosters poor communication, problematic changeovers, and hard-to-manufacture designs. Resulting design processes tend to be iterative and not only increase product development costs and extend time-to-market, but also ultimately impede collaboration. What is needed is the ability to propagate decision-critical, up-to-date information alongside design knowledge for both sequential and concurrent design tasks. This is particularly important for dependent and interdependent decisions that cannot be made in isolation. To address this need, digital interfaces are being developed as key components to successful collaboration in distributed design and manufacture applications. Such digital interfaces will constitute a means of communicating critical information and will address the need for allocating responsibility for decisions. The potential implementation of a digital interface is illustrated in an example focusing on the production of a functional prototype of a disposable camera spool.© 2002 ASME
CLINICAL RESEARCH OF TRANSVAGINAL MYOMECTOMY

Objective To study the safety and clinical efficacy of transvaginal myomectomy.Methods The clinical data of 31 cases(transvaginal group) of transvaginal myomectomy and 37 cases(celiotomy group) of celiotomy myomectomy were analyzed retrospectively.Results There was no difference between two groups in operation time,blood loss during operation and incidence rate after operation(p0.05).The levels of the time of gas passage by anus,activity time and hospital stay during the postoperative period in transvaginal group were significantly lower than those in celiotomy group(p0.05).Conclusion Transvaginal myomectomy has the advantage of slight trauma,safety,fast recovery,shorter postoperative hospital stay etc,which is regarded as the minimal invasive surgery and suitable for wide application in primary hospital.
Experimental investigation on concept of water ramjet

According to working mechanism of water ramjet,operation principle of the gas generator water ramjet was put forward.In combination with measurement system design of low-oxygen aluminum and magnesium propellant and water ramjet,experimental investigation on the gas generator water ramjet was finished,and combustion properties of aluminum and magnesium propellant were obtained.Feasibility of operation principle of water ramjet was successfully verified,which can provide sufficient test data for further performance investigation of water ramjet.
Perceived ease of access to alcohol, tobacco and other substances in rural and urban US students.

Introduction Ease of access to substances has been shown to have a direct and significant relationship with substance use for school-aged children. Previous research involving rural samples of middle and high school students reveals that perceived ease of access to substances is a significant predictor of recent use among rural adolescents; however, it is unclear if perceived access to substances varies between rural and urban areas. The purpose of the present study was to examine rural-urban differences in perceived ease of access to alcohol, smoking and chewing tobacco, marijuana, and seven other substances in the US state of Georgia in order to better inform and promote future substance use prevention and programming efforts in rural areas. Methods Data were analyzed from the 2013 Georgia Student Health Survey II, administered in all public and interested private/charter schools in the state of Georgia. A total of 513 909 students (18.2% rural) indicated their perceived ease of access to 11 substances on a four-point Likert-type scale. Rural-urban differences were investigated using χ2 analysis. Results In general, it appeared the rural-urban differences fell along legal/illicit lines. For middle school students, a significant difference in perceived ease of access was found for each substance, with rural students reporting greater access to smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, and steroids, and urban students reporting greater access to alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, inhalants, ecstasy, methamphetamine, hallucinogens, and prescription drugs. Rural high school students reported higher access to alcohol, smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, and steroids, with urban students reporting higher access to marijuana, cocaine, inhalants, ecstasy, and hallucinogens. Perceptions of ease of access more than doubled for each substance in both geographies between middle and high school. Conclusions The present study found multiple and fairly consistent differences between rural and urban students' perceived ease of access to a variety of substances, with rural students reporting higher levels of access to legal substances and urban students reporting higher levels of access predominantly to illicit substances. Most troubling were the high levels of perceived access to substances, particularly among high school students. Even within rural students who reported lower ease of access, more than half of students reported having at least somewhat easy access to marijuana. More than 60% of both rural and urban high school students reported easy access to alcohol. Future research should investigate ways to decrease the perceptions of access to substances in order to prevent use and abuse.
MSW student perceptions of sexual health as relevant to the profession: Do social work educational experiences matter?

ABSTRACTMany social work clients are at an increased risk for negative outcomes related to sexual behavior, including unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). However, there is a dearth of literature on social work student experiences with these topics in social work classrooms and their perceptions about the topic’s relevance to their practice. The purpose of this study is to explore relationships between experiences with STIs and contraception as topics in social work education and practica experiences on student perceptions toward sexual health as a relevant topic for social work. Among a national sample of MSW students (N = 443), experiences with STIs and contraception as topics in practica was significantly related to perceptions toward sexual health’s relevance to social work. Findings and implications are discussed.
The Tunneling Kinetics of NH3D+ Salts

We have found it possible to hole-burn the N-D stretching bands of a large number of crystalline ammonium salts containing small amounts of the NH3D+ ion [1,2,3]. The crystals that burn well are those with intermediate barriers to rotation, that is, barriers of the order of 1000 cm−1. Such crystals often have the ammonium ions in asymmetric (C1) sites, and these sites tend to have rather long and therefore rather weak hydrogen bonds. [Very symmetrical sites can have short and therefore strong hydrogen bonds, but low barriers to rotation due to the high symmetry.] The NH3D+ ion has four distinguishable positions and so gives rise to four N-D stretching bands — one for each different orientation of the N-D bond in the site (Fig. 1). The holes can be burned and relax on the time scale of hours and so the process can be followed conveniently with an FTIR [4]. We use a diode laser and irradiate the sample while it is in place in the FTIR (Fig. 2).
Plasmonic Enhancement of Biosolar Cells Employing Light Harvesting Complex II Incorporated with Core–Shell Metal@TiO2 Nanoparticles

Here the study of effects of plasmonic nanoparticles (PNPs) conjugated with natural extract light-harvesting complex II (LHCII) is reported. Three types of core–shell metal@TiO2 PNPs with distinct surface plasmonic resonance are prepared. The plasmonic adsorption of the metal core provides strong photon capture and enhances the LHCII excitation through plasmon-induced resonance energy transfer (PIRET). More efficient charge separation is facilitated at LHCII/TiO2 interface as revealed by quenching of the fluorescence and reduction of the fluorescence lifetime of LHCII after adsorbing on PNPs. Femtosecond transient absorption provides further conclusive proof for charge injection from excited LHCII into the TiO2 conduction band. The plasmonic effects are further demonstrated in the enhanced photovoltaic properties after incorporating the PNPs in LHCII-sensitized solar cells built on a 3D TiO2 nanotree photoanode. The photocurrent is enhanced by all PNPs under illumination of the full solar spectrum and the selected wavelength windows around Soret and Q bands of LHCII trimer, and the “dark region” between them. This study reveals that the core–shell PNPs can enhance the LHCII-sensitized solar cells based on multiple mechanisms, including enhancing light harvesting, promoting PIRET from PNP to LHCII, and facilitating charge injection from excited LHCII into TiO2.
Diagnosis and treatment of tinea versicolor

Tinea versicolor (pityriasis versicolor) is a common superficial fungal infection of the stratum corneum. Caused by the fungus Malassezia furfur, this chronically recurring disease is most prevalent in the tropics but is also common in temperate climates. Treatments are available and cure rates are high, although recurrences are common. Traditional topical agents such as selenium sulfide are effective, but recurrence following treatment with these agents is likely and often rapid. Currently, therapeutic interest is focused on synthetic "-azole" antifungal drugs, which interfere with the sterol metabolism of the infectious agent. Ketoconazole, an imidazole, has been used for years both orally and topically with great success, although it has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the indication of tinea versicolor. Newer derivatives, such as fluconazole and itraconazole, have recently been introduced. Side effects associated with these triazoles tend to be minor and low in incidence. Except for ketoconazole, oral antifungals carry a low risk of hepatotoxicity.
Altered Expression and Mutation Analysis Of Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein k In Bone Marrow Of Primary Myelofibrosis Patients

The heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) are RNA/DNA-binding proteins that consist of several family members: A1, A2, B1, C2 and K. hnRNPs have been implicated in numerous cellular processes and when dysregulated, have been suggested to impact tumorigenesis. hnRNP A2/B1 is overexpressed in some lung cancers and has been suggested to be a useful early detection marker for lung carcinoma. hnRNP K has been reported to associate with colon cancer and directly interacts with DNA, RNA, and proteins to regulate gene expression in numerous cellular processes involved in mitogenic responses and tumorigenesis. Loss of hnRNP K expression results in defects in differentiation and apoptosis, and increased hnRNP K expression has been associated with loss of apoptosis and an increase in cellular proliferation. To explore the possibility of altered hnRNP K expression or mutations in primary myelofibrosis, we isolated mRNA from primary blood or bone marrow mononuclear cells from patients with myelofibrosis (n=62) and healthy controls (n=19). We examined hnRNP K levels and determined that hnRNP K is significantly overexpressed in myelofibrosis (p= <0.0001). Sequencing of the hnRNP K locus revealed a single nucleotide alteration (A-to-G) one allele of intron 5 in 43% of myelofibrosis patients (n= 21) In contrast, only one out of 11 control samples harbored this alteration ((x 2 p = 0.05). At present, we are investigating whether G allele is a mutation or a SNP. Furthermore, western blotting indicates an increase in phosphorylation of serine-248 in myelofibrosis patients. Together, these data suggest altered hnRNP K expression and mutations in myelofibrosis that might play a significant role in myeloproliferation and hematopoietic differentiation in myelofibrosis patients. Given the significant impact that hematopoietic differentiation has on leukemogenesis, it is imperative to decipher Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Adherence to combination antiretroviral treatment and clinical outcomes in a Medicaid sample of older HIV-infected adults

The adherence threshold for combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has historically been set at 95% or greater. We examined whether different levels of cART adherence (≥95% [optimal adherence], 90-94%, 80-89%, and <80%) were associated with different clinical outcomes (emergency department visits [ED visits] and duration of hospital admission) in a sample of older (50-64 years) persons living with HIV (PLWH). Medicaid data from 29 US states (n = 5177) were used for this study. cART adherence was measured and data regarding relevant covariates, such as race, sex, age, urbanicity, and comorbidity were obtained. Descriptive statistics were conducted to characterize study participants. We conducted univariate and multivariable regression analyses to evaluate the association between cART adherence and ED visits and duration of hospital admission while adjusting for covariates (race, sex, age, urbanicity, and comorbidity). Approximately 32% of all participants (n = 5177) reported optimal cART adherence (≥95%). After adjusting for covariates, only participants who reported <80% adherence were more likely to have an ED visit (adjusted odds ratio = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.08-1.48, p < .0001) and a longer duration of hospital admission (regression coefficient = 1.24, 95% CI = 0.53-1.96, p = .0007) when compared to participants who reported ≥95% adherence. There were no significant differences in likelihood of having an ED visit and longer duration of hospital admission between participants who reported ≥95% adherence and participants who reported 90-94% adherence and 80-89% adherence. Significant differences by covariates were observed. Adverse clinical outcomes were associated with low cART adherence (<80%) among older PLWH, though they did not differ between optimal and moderate cART adherence (90-94% and 80-89%). Although optimal cART adherence is an important goal, clinical outcomes in older PLWH may not differ between moderate and optimal cART adherence.
Activated c-Met receptor tyrosine kinase: A novel molecular therapeutic target for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 46, 2005 2570 Malignant pleural mesothelioma is an aggressive malignancy, which is associated with asbestos exposure. Although standard chemotherapy has a modest impact on quality of life and survival, novel treatments are still needed. We have recently identified that the c-Met receptor tyrosine kinase is an important molecule in a variety of malignancies, including mesothelioma. c-Met is a proto-oncogene product consisting of an α-chain of 50 kDa and a β-chain of 145 kDa. The ligand for c-Met has been identified as hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). We examined the c-Met expression in mesothelioma cell lines (H513, H2596, H2373, H28, H2052, H2452 and MSTO211H) and normal mesothelial cell line (Met 5A) by immunoblotting. We found that c-Met was expressed at various levels in all the mesothelioma cell lines tested and predominantly with high level expression in the H28 and H2596 cells but not in Met 5A cells. Using H2596 cells as model, we further showed that there was enhanced cell proliferation with HGF (40ng/ml) stimulation, enhanced activation of c-Met itself (pY1230/pY1234/pY1235 and pY1003) and increased formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). There was activation of ERK1/2 and AKT notably with HGF stimulation. Time-lapse phase contrast video microscopy (TLVM) studies validate the importance of the HGF-triggered cell migration in mesothelioma cells. We examined the potency of a small molecule inhibitor (SU11274) of c-Met against cell viability using MTT assay and downregulation of c-Met signaling using immunoblotting with specific antibodies. Inhibition of activated c-Met at both the autocatalytic site (pY1230/pY1234/pY1235) and the c-Cbl binding site (pY1003) was achieved at 5 μM of SU11274. Further inhibition of downstream effectors molecules such as activated phospho-ERK1/2 and phospho-AKT with reduction of cell viability was achieved in mesothelioma cells treated with the SU11274 in a dose dependent manner (0-10μM). IC50 of SU11274 at 48h for H28 and MST0 211H cells was found to be ∼ 2.5 μM. Interestingly, abrogation of activated c-Met signaling and high reduction of cell viability were achieved with low dose levels of SU11274 only at H28 and MSTO 211H cells, which have overexpressed and endogenously activated c-Met. As measured by immunoflorescence microscopy, there was more extensive ligand-induced internalization of c-Met with HGF in the c-Met overexpressing H28 cells than in H2052 cells which express less c-Met. Importantly, immunoblot analysis with survivin and phospho AKT antibodies demonstrated that the overexpression of survivin and activation of AKT might play a protective role against the apoptotic effect of the small molecule inhibitor SU11274. The development of c-Met-targeted therapeutic agents, and those that target the downstream signaling pathways, would provide new possibilities in the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma.
Reliable airgap BEOL technology in advanced 48 nm pitch copper/ULK interconnects for substantial power and performance benefits

This paper demonstrates the first reliable and low cost airgap BEOL technology, generated at extremely tight dimensions (48 nm pitch) in Cu/ULK. This provides 20% nested-line capacitance reduction relative to the ungapped Cu/ULK baseline. This result is of critical importance, as it validates that airgaps can be extended down to ultrafine wire levels, such as for the 10 nm technology node. Current technologies implement airgaps only at fat-wire levels; however, a significant enhancement in chip performance can be gained by including airgaps in the finest wiring levels as well. To achieve this, we benefitted from several elements which address various process, integration, and reliability challenges associated with airgap formation at such small dimensions. We present data and explanations of these solutions, and their impacts on yield, performance, defectivity and reliability (EM and TDDB).
Identifying and Mitigating Technology-Related Anxiety

Our experience with digital literacy tutoring for older adults confirms other research that identifies technology-related anxiety as a significant barrier for this constituency. Based on established theories of instructional design, we hypothesize that anxiety impairs the development of digital literacy skills by consuming critical cognitive resources. Our research with experienced tutors reveals numerous strategies for mitigating anxiety and motivates the development of anxiety-aware instructional and design frameworks, and new anxiety scales that better reflect current devices, services, and threats.
Are you hiring Johnny Football or Johnny Doe? Uncertain labour quality and the measurement of monopsony in college football

I assess monopsony in the college football labour market as it relates to both typical and elite performers, while also accounting for the uncertain performance quality of prospective players who a...
An Exploratory Look at Attributes of Internet Use and Adoption by Franchisees

Web-enabled customer relationship management, or e-CRM, holds the promise to simultaneously achieve the conflicting goals of strategic flexibility and operational efficiency in developing and executing innovative e-commerce marketing strategies. A new multi-disciplinary field involving such diverse areas as marketing, information systems, and consumer behavior, e-CRM seeks to strengthen customer relationship via a portfolio of trust-building practices with the support of powerful information technologies. While most literature in e-CRM has focused on how firms formulate and implement e-CRM initiatives, there is a dearth of literature on viewing the overall quality of an e-commerce firmâ€™s e-CRM practices from the consumer point of view. This research proposes such a consumer-oriented concept, e-CRM value, based on existing e-CRM research literature and examines the effect of e-CRM value on website loyalty. It was found that customersâ€™ perception of e-CRM value has a positive causal effect on their website loyalty. The implications of this finding for the theory-building of e-CRM and marketing practices of e-commerce firms are discussed.
Better know who you are starving with: Judging humanness in a multiplayer videogame

Perceived humanness affects how others behave towards artificial agents, and can be examined with imitation games, where participants interact with either a human or an artificial agent and then have to guess who they interacted with. The current experiment uses the multiplayer, socially interactive videogame Don't Starve Together to examine whether it is possible for participants (Player 1) to distinguish a human from an artificial agent (Player 2) based on how they make decisions in complex environments. We explore how sensitive participants are at discriminating human from AI behavior, and whether Player 2's actual and/or perceived humanness has an impact on the participants' willingness to cooperate with them. The results show that while participants were good at correctly identifying AI behavior, they misidentified the human player with a high likelihood. Cooperation during the game was higher for participants who correctly identified Player 2 (as either human or AI), and participants always preferred to cooperate with Player 2 when they thought they were human. The willingness to cooperate with Player 2 in future interactions was higher when participants misidentified Player 2, and was not impacted by the actual or perceived humanness of Player 2.
Management of Infants Born with Disorders/Differences of Sex Development

Disorders of sex development (DSD) replaced the terms intersex, hermaphroditism, pseudohermaphroditism, sex errors of the body, and ambiguous genitalia in 2006; however, the terminology remains controversial. The current genetic-based classification system of DSD highlights the importance of chromosomal analysis in diagnosis and management of individuals with DSD. Despite advances in the domain of genetics, there has been little change in the endocrine treatment of DSD over the last few decades. On the other hand, there has been an evolving dynamic on many fronts including debates about the efficiency and timing of medically and nonmedically necessary genital surgery on infants and children with a DSD diagnosis; creation of a resolution by the Council of Europe in 2013 on the protection of children’s rights to physical integrity, demanding no one be “subjected to unnecessary medical or surgical treatment that is cosmetic rather than vital for health during infancy or childhood”; more transparency from physicians and other health professionals with families and patients; and an emphasis on the value of shared decision-making on issues such as genital surgery. In essence, there has been an evolving shift to a patient- and family-centered approach with the goal of optimizing quality of life. The aims of this chapter are to (1) provide a concise update on the mechanisms controlling normal and abnormal sexual differentiation, (2) share a protocol used at our institution for the practical management of infants born with DSD, (3) provide information to guide the physician when making a DSD diagnosis and designing medical management, (4) provide new behavioral information on DSD, and (5) highlight current differences of opinion regarding the care of infants born with DSD.
Nordic Skiing: Running the Tracks

The term “nordic” may be applied in general to any skiing not done on the groomed slopes of an alpine ski area. Nordic track and crosscountry skiing are usually done on prepared tracks or on designated routes that are used regularly. A nordic course with a relatively wide track is designed for skiers who use the skating technique; grooves set in the snow off to one side of the track are designed for skiers who use the diagonal stride technique. Although it is true that cross-country skiing routes may not be specifically prepared, for the purposes of our discussion we treat cross-country skiing (sometimes called touring) as nordic skiing done on routes used regularly enough that the snow has been packed, creating, in effect, a prepared surface. Nordic track skiers never have to break a new trail through the snow; cross-country skiers must do so only on relatively rare occasions. Finally, the elevation gains typically encountered in track and most cross-country skiing are usually modest, and any extended or relatively steep runs downhill are usually configured to provide run-outs, so speed control is seldom a problem.
Frequency of Use Matters: The Role of Peer Norms and Approval on College Students’ Marijuana Use

Social norms play a critical role in motivation for marijuana use, particularly for emerging adults. The current report evaluated the differential impact of perceived approval of friends (injunctive norms) and perception of friends’ use (descriptive norms) on marijuana use in n=187 college students. While injunctive norms were significantly associated with participants’ marijuana use, most reported their friends would be indifferent to abstinence or infrequent use. Our model using a traditional measure of injunctive norms indicated that perceptions of friends’ approval of marijuana use is not uniquely associated with use when considered in combination with descriptive norms. Given the lack of variability in perceptions of friends’ approval of all but regular use, we compared our original model with an exploratory one evaluating the differential impact of injunctive norms for regular use in addition to descriptive norms. Results indicated that perceptions of friends’ approval of regular use influenced participants’ use above and beyond perceptions of friends’ actual use. Such findings may be indicative of the current social climate, in which occasional use of marijuana is accepted, and may parallel similar findings in the binge drinking literature. Limitations and future directions are discussed. DOI: 10.26828/cannabis.2018.02.002
Federal Circuit Review of PTO Decisions: Jurisdictional Proposals

Judicial review of U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) decisions is complex. One source of complexity is that, as in the case of Copyright Office decisions, courts review both collaterally and directly. Direct review occurs when unhappy applicants challenge the agency. Collateral review occurs when favorable action is challenged by alleged infringers. Ignoring jurisdictionally straight-forward collateral review, this article examines jurisdictional options for direct review of PTO decisions. It is a lightly edited version of Direct Review of PTO Decisions: Jurisdictional Propsals, 42 Idea 537 (2002), published 20 years after creation of the Federal Circuit. The article proposes elimination of a jurisdictional limitation that has long confounded unwary appellants, appellees and courts. That it continues to do so seems aptly illustrated by Fred Beverages, Inc. v. Fred's Capital Management Co., 605 F.3d 963 (Fed. Cir. 2010). There, non-final action by the PTO Trademark Trial and Appeals Board, properly subject to intramural review, was reversed in an opinion that addressed neither of those issues and failed fully to consider the court's appellate jurisdiction.
Comments on the Legal Education Cartel

Outlines the argument that law schools are one of the two great barriers to entry of the legal professions cartel. The legal education cartel has some unusual features that channel and constrict the cartel generated rents into forms peculiar to the academic world. The central question explored is who owns the law school, and what do they seek to maximize. The argument made is that law schools, much like their almost universal parents, universities, are hybrid enterprises. They partake in the characteristics of, and bear similarities to: (1) the worker owned firms in the former Yugoslavia; (2) traditional non-profit enterprises; and (3) large equalitarian partnerships. In addition there is something quite unusual in the extreme sorting function of law schools. In legal education, more than in the rites of passage of any other profession, the most powerful impact of the law school at which one matriculates is on the sorting of the graduates based on their entering credential s, rather than on any putative superiority of the legal education they receive at higher ranked institutions.
2175. In vitro Potency of Ceftolozane/Tazobactam and Other Antipseudomonal β-Lactams Against P. aeruginosa

AbstractBackgroundChallenges due to multidrug resistant Gram-negative bacterial pathogens such as P. aeruginosa (PSA) are increasing globally. Suboptimal antimicrobial therapy of infections caused by PSA is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. As a result, antimicrobial susceptibility (%S) studies are pivotal to identifying trends in antimicrobial resistance that inform decisions regarding choice of antimicrobial therapy. This study assessed the in vitro potency of 7 antipseudomonal agents including ceftolozane/tazobactam against PSA collected from numerous sites across the United States.MethodsMultiple U.S. hospitals provided nonduplicate respiratory and blood isolates of PSA for potency testing. MICs against PSA were determined using broth microdilution methods according to CLSI for seven antimicrobials with antipseudomonal activity: aztreonam, cefepime, ceftazidime, ceftolozane/tazobactam, imipenem, meropenem and piperacillin/tazobactam. Susceptibility (%S) was defined per CLSI or FDA breakpoint criteria.ResultsFourteen hospitals geographically spread across the United States provided total of 560 PSA isolates. Of the antibiotics assessed, %S to C/T was the highest at 95% with an MIC50 of 1 µg/mL and MIC90 of 2 µg/mL. In comparison, other %S (MIC50/MIC90) were as follows: ceftazidime 76% (4/64); cefepime 75% (4/32); piperacillin/tazobactam 73% (8/128), meropenem 72% (0.5/16); aztreonam 65% (8/32) and imipenem 65% (2/16).ConclusionFor this geographically diverse PSA population, ceftolozane/tazobactam demonstrated the highest overall susceptibility (95%). Other antipseudomonal agents inclusive of the carbapenems displayed susceptibilities of 65–76%. In the era of escalating PSA resistance to the β-lactams, the potency of ceftolozane/tazobactam may represent an important clinical option.Disclosures D. P. Nicolau, Merck: Consultant, Grant Investigator and Speaker’s Bureau, Consulting fee, Research grant and Speaker honorarium.