cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Control of blood utilization

Blood utilization may be viewed as the response to any one of three questions. How much blood is transfused? Who are recipients? Why did the physician prescribe the blood products? Considerable data exists to answer the first question, and some data exists regarding the second. However, answering the third question is the real key to the control of blood utilization.
Adherence and health care costs

Medication nonadherence is an important public health consideration, affecting health outcomes and overall health care costs. This review considers the most recent developments in adherence research with a focus on the impact of medication adherence on health care costs in the US health system. We describe the magnitude of the nonadherence problem and related costs, with an extensive discussion of the mechanisms underlying the impact of nonadherence on costs. Specifically, we summarize the impact of nonadherence on health care costs in several chronic diseases, such as diabetes and asthma. A brief analysis of existing research study designs, along with suggestions for future research focus, is provided. Finally, given the ongoing changes in the US health care system, we also address some of the most relevant and current trends in health care, including pharmacist-led medication therapy management and electronic (e)-prescribing.
Subjective response to nicotine by menstrual phase.

Introduction The luteal menstrual phase might be a favorable time for smoking cessation when non-nicotine interventions (e.g. counseling, bupropion) are used, whereas the follicular menstrual phase appears favorable when nicotine interventions are used. Thus, there may be an interaction between menstrual phase and response to nicotine. We sought to examine the role of menstrual phase on response to nicotine during acute smoking abstinence.
The family and friends of rural aged as a natural support system

The literature on natural support systems of rural aged is examined from the perspective of functional specificity. Although family and friends are prominent in the support systems of both rural and urban aged, there are differences in support systems. Further, rural aged have more transportation, housing, and health problems than do urban aged. A number of program recommendations are made that will benefit rural as well as urban aged as future resource availability declines.
Rheb GTPase Regulates β-Secretase Levels and Amyloid β Generation

The β-site amyloid precursor protein (APP)-cleaving enzyme 1 (β-secretase, BACE1) initiates amyloidogenic processing of APP to generate amyloid β (Aβ), which is a hallmark of Alzheimer disease (AD) pathology. Cerebral levels of BACE1 are elevated in individuals with AD, but the molecular mechanisms are not completely understood. We demonstrate that Rheb GTPase (Ras homolog enriched in brain), which induces mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activity, is a physiological regulator of BACE1 stability and activity. Rheb overexpression depletes BACE1 protein levels and reduces Aβ generation, whereas the RNAi knockdown of endogenous Rheb promotes BACE1 accumulation, and this effect by Rheb is independent of its mTOR signaling. Moreover, GTP-bound Rheb interacts with BACE1 and degrades it through proteasomal and lysosomal pathways. Finally, we demonstrate that Rheb levels are down-regulated in the AD brain, which is consistent with an increased BACE1 expression. Altogether, our study defines Rheb as a novel physiological regulator of BACE1 levels and Aβ generation, and the Rheb-BACE1 circuitry may have a role in brain biology and disease.
Effect of barbiturates on release of endogenous amino acids from rat cortex slices

The potassium-stimulated, calcium-dependent release of endogenous GABA and glutamic acid was suppressed by pentobarbital. The ouabain and veratridinestimulated fluxes of the amino acids, calcium-independent processes, were not suppressed by pentobarbital. Release of GABA and glutamic acid was not suppressed by pentobarbital in the presence of the calcium ionophore A23187. Of eight barbiturates studied at equimolar concentrations six were found to inhibit GABA release. Thiopental was the most potent, and phenobarbital and secobarbital were inactive.
The Reversal of Triparanol-Induced Cataract in the Rat

Cataracts were induced in rat lenses by feeding of triparanol. In a number of animals a reversal of these cataracts occurred. Thin-layer isoelectric focusing was carried out to separate crystallins in pre-α-, α-, 12 β- and 8 γ-crystallin components. Compared to the normal lens, the cataractous lens cortex and nucleus show a decrease of γ-crystallins and a considerable increase of albuminoid. In the cataractous lens that cleared again an almost complete recovery of transparency was observed, accompanied by a diminish-ment of the albuminoid content and an augmentation of the content of all watersolu-ble crystallins. In the clearing cataractous lens there is a tendency to return to normal values of lens wet weight, and water-soluble and insoluble dry weight. The feeding of triparanol appears to cause an artificial ageing of the rat lens.
Synthesis of rabbit globin by a bacterial cell free system.

A cell free system from E. coli primed with an RNA preparation from rabbit reticulocytes produces a material having properties of rabbit globin. The presence of N-acetyl-valyl-tRNA seems essential.
Nitrogenase. III. Nitrogenaseless mutants of Azotobacter vinelandii: Activities, cross-reactions and epr spectra

Abstract Mutant strains of Azotobacter vinelandii that are unable to fix nitrogen were analyzed for their ability to reduce acetylene and oxidize dithionite. The activities of Components I (Fe-Mo-protein) and II (Fe-protein), the presence of antibody cross-reacting material to each of the components and the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) intensities at g = 3.65 also were examined in these strains. All mutant strains so far studied that are unable to reduce nitrogen, are also incapable of reducing acetylene or oxidizing dithionite. Representatives of various nitrogenaseless mutants have been characterized. Based on activity measurements they fall into three classes: those lacking both components (I − II − ), those lacking Component I (I − II + ) and those lacking Component II (I + II − ). Many strains have extremely low levels of activity for either component, but in some of these strains, cross-reacting material is made for one or both of the components. The EPR at g = 3.65 correlates well with the activity for Component I in several of these mutant strains, but in four of the mutants there appears to be 10-20-fold higher amounts of paramagnetic center than the nitrogen-fixing activity in in vitro tests would indicate.
Slice-n-Swipe: A free-hand gesture user interface for 3D point cloud annotation

Three-dimensional point clouds are generated by devices such as laser scanners and depth cameras, but their output is a set of unstructured, unlabeled points. Many scenarios require users to identify parts of the point cloud through manual annotation. Inspired by the current generation of “natural user interface” technologies, we present Slice-n-Swipe, a technique for 3D point cloud annotation based on free-hand gesture input. The technique is based on a chef's knife metaphor, and uses progressive refinement to allow the user to specify the points of interest. We demonstrate the Slice-n-Swipe concept with a prototype using the Leap Motion Controller for free-hand gesture input and a 3D mouse for virtual camera control.
Apical Morphology of the Palatal Roots of Maxillary Molars by Using Micro–Computed Tomography

Abstract Introduction The apical constriction (AC) has been a traditional landmark as an end point of canal preparation and obturation. However, the morphology and incidence of this structure have not been definitively determined. The purpose of this study was to determine these factors by using a noninvasive technology, micro–computed tomography. Methods Forty extracted maxillary molar palatal roots were separated and mounted. Each root was scanned with micro–computed tomography. Slices from the scan were computer reconstructed by using special software. This rendered each root three-dimensionally “transparent.” Roots were rotated, and the apical canal region was selected. In 2 sessions, trained evaluators identified the AC as to (1) presence (single and tapered) or (2) absence (flaring, parallel, and delta). Evaluator agreement was assessed by Cohen's kappa. Descriptive frequencies were determined for apical constriction presence and morphology. Results Interagreement and intra-agreement of evaluators were good. In regard to frequency of occurrence, most (65%) canals did not demonstrate an AC. The morphology, in order of most to least, was parallel 35%, single 19%, flaring 18%, tapering 15%, and delta 12%. Conclusions From the noninvasive evaluation of our sample it was concluded that an AC was usually not present and that this apical canal region was variable. If this is true with other tooth groups, the AC should not be used as an anatomical marker for preparation and obturation.
Facial involvement in genodermatoses

Facial involvement represents a characteristic feature of a wide range of genodermatoses. Specific facial findings often help point to the correct diagnosis, which improves counseling and management. In particular, this can facilitate the identification and treatment of associated extracutaneous disease. The highly visible nature of facial lesions in genodermatoses and facial birthmarks can result in stigmatization and frequently leads to particular concern in patients and their family members. It is therefore critical for dermatologists to be aware of the broad spectrum of facial manifestations in genetic skin disease, especially when these findings have important implications with regard to monitoring and treatment. In this contribution, facial involvement in genodermatoses is divided into five morphologic categories based on the most prominent feature: Papules, scaling, photosensitivity/findings associated with aging (eg, telangiectasias, atrophy, lentigines), blisters/erosions, and birthmarks. Hopefully, this will provide a practical and clinically useful approach to a large and diverse assortment of genetic skin conditions.
Conformational movement of F251 contributes to the molecular mechanism of constitutive activation in the C5a receptor.

The activation mechanism of G-protein-coupled receptors triggered upon binding of a ligand represents a very important ‘conformational switch’ in the biological array of signal transduction. However, the molecular and functional details for this activation switch remain unknown. Random saturation mutagenesis data on the complement factor 5a receptor has provided a large data set of mutants including several constitutively active mutants. In the present study, we employed computational modeling to rationalize the constitutive activity for two constitutively active mutants, NQ (I124N/L127Q) and F251A, and we then made predictions for a series of mutants that either promote or constrain constitutive activity. Biological testing of the site-directed mutants confirmed most of the predictions of the computational modeling. These results support a molecular mechanism of constitutive activity in complement factor 5a receptor mutants that is associated with conformational changes in a network of residues neighboring F251 as the focal point of origin.
Endowed chairs in accounting worldwide

Colleges and universities worldwide have benefited from the growth of the stock market of the 1990s. Many universities have seen marginal increases in their endowments. Accounting programmes have been among the beneficiaries of endowment growth and a concurrent increase in the number of endowed chairs. The primary purposes of this study are to: (1) examine the nature and status of endowments in accounting programmes worldwide; (2) determine objectives, criteria, benefits, and challenges of establishing endowed chairs; and (3) establish benchmarks for universities worldwide for assessing the credentials and qualifications necessary to obtain endowed chair positions. Findings indicate that: (1) the primary purpose of the endowed chair is to enhance the reputation and provide better recognition for the college or university; (2) research is considered the most important objective; (3) although excellence in teaching is considered important, this is not always reflected in the time spent on professional activ...
Pharmacologic characterization of immune complex induced bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs.

Intravenous injections of soluble immune complexes to anesthetized guinea pigs resulted in bronchoconstriction that was inhibited by FPL 55712, indomethacin, oxarbazole, soybean trypsin inhibitor, and cobra venom factor. Immune complex induced bronchoconstriction was not inhibited by atropine, imidazole, mepyramine, ketotifen, methysergide, and the anti-anaphylactic compound DPP (Diethyl |2-(4-pyridyl)-4-pyrimidinyl|aminoethylene malonate).
Medicaid eligibility policy in the 1980s: medical utilitarianism and the "deserving" poor

Between 1981 and the early 1990s, the Medicaid program grew substantially, in part because, for the first time in the program's history, eligibility for medical assistance was severed from eligibility for income-maintenance payments. Program participation had always been reserved for the "deserving poor," and these were originally defined as persons excluded from market relationships through no fault of their own. The Medicaid expansion of the 1980s, however, created a new constituency of poor, and not-so-poor, persons whose actual or predictable medical problems promised a calculable return on program funds.
Benefits of using Integrated Assessment to address sustainability challenges

Integrated Assessment (IA) offers an effective way to frame and inform decisions for sustainability problems that often lack a clear cause or solution. IA is designed to use stakeholder input to collectively define problems, incorporate diverse perspectives, use best available information, and establish partnerships to identify options for making positive change. Because IA projects are complex and require dedicated time and resources, it is important for participants to understand their benefits. Through interviews with scientists, nongovern- mental organization staff, state and federal agency experts, consultants, and community members who participated in four very different IA projects, we developed a common lexicon of tangible and intangible benefits. These results demonstrate IA works effectively at many geographic scales, increases knowledge and understanding of issues among diverse participants, creates new policy perspectives and processes, helps leverage new resources, and builds coalitions that would not otherwise exist.
Pyruvate Kinase-Deficient Escherichia coli Exhibits Increased Plasmid Copy Number and Cyclic AMP Levels

Previously established consequences of abolishing pyruvate kinase (Pyk) activity in Escherichia coli during aerobic growth on glucose include reduced acetate production, elevated hexose monophosphate (HMP) pathway flux, elevated phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (Ppc) flux, and an increased ratio of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) to pyruvate. These traits inspired two hypotheses. First, the mutant (PB25) may maintain more plasmid than the wild type (JM101) by combining traits reported to facilitate plasmid DNA synthesis (i.e., decreased Pyk flux and increased HMP pathway and Ppc fluxes). Second, PB25 likely possesses a higher level of cyclic AMP (cAMP) than JM101. This is based on reports that connect elevated PEP/pyruvate ratios to phosphotransferase system signaling and adenylate cyclase activation. To test the first hypothesis, the strains were transformed with a pUC-based, high-copy-number plasmid (pGFPuv), and copy numbers were measured. PB25 exhibited a fourfold-higher copy number than JM101 when grown at 37 degrees C. At 42 degrees C, its plasmid content was ninefold higher than JM101 at 37 degrees C. To test the second hypothesis, cAMP was measured, and the results confirmed it to be higher in PB25 than JM101. This elevation was not enough to elicit a strong regulatory effect, however, as indicated by the comparative expression of the pGFPuv-based reporter gene, gfp(uv), under the control of the cAMP-responsive lac promoter. The elevated cAMP in PB25 suggests that Pyk may participate in glucose catabolite repression by serving among all of the factors that tighten gene expression.
Oral Health Knowledge and Dental Visits in Community Living Older Adults in Rural Appalachia-West Virginia: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between oral health knowledge and dental visits of older adults in an Appalachian county. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. Surveys were returned from 205 older adults (50 years and above) from an Appalachian county. Questions were asked about oral health, last dental visit and sociodemographics. Results: The variable of interest, oral health knowledge, was associated with dental visit. Having low oral health knowledge increased odds of having delayed a dental visit beyond a year (unadjusted odds ratio: 2.99; 95% Confidence interval: 1.70, 5.28). Even after considering the number of existing teeth, and controlling for age, sex, education and smoking, the association remained positive and independently significant (adjusted odds ratio: 2.25; 95% Confidence interval: 1.05, 4.82). Education was the only sociodemographic variable associated with last dental visit Conclusion: The surveyed older adults have a need for increasing dental visits within the previous year. Increasing dental knowledge was associated with odds of increased dental visits. Improving dental knowledge may be a strategy to improve the number of older adults having a dental visit within the year.
SPECIES RICHNESS, DENSITY, AND DIVERSITY OF GRASSHOPPERS (ORTHOPTERA: ACRIDIDAE) IN A HABITAT OF THE MIXED GRASS PRAIRIE

An assemblage of 24 grasshopper species inhabited a mixed grass prairie site near Livermore, Colorado. Ten species were gomphocerines, 9 melanoplines, and 5 locustines; the gomphocerines represented ca. 80% of total density, melanoplines 15%, and locustines 5%. Grass feeders, gomphocerines and most locustines, made up 85% of total density. The dominant species was Ageneotettix deorum which contributed 52% of the grasshopper density in 1981 and 37% in 1982. The grasshopper population was at outbreak density both years, 60/m2 in 1981 and 36/m2 in 1982. The pasture had never been treated with insecticide or herbicide. The Shannon-Wiener index of ca. 2.00 indicated a high grasshopper diversity.
Approaches to user modeling

The three existing approaches to user modeling-GOMS (goals, operators, methods, and selection rules), production simulation, and mental models-are examined. Each approach is described, relevant experimental research is reviewed, and each approach is summarized in terms of its advantages, limitations, and applicability to the system design process. It is suggested that these approaches are inadequate to account fully for the interplay between human information processing, user characteristics, computer systems, and the demands of the various tasks. An alternative approach to user modeling that utilizes structural covariance analysis is presented. A theoretical causal model of the human-computer interaction, which incorporates the user, system, and task characteristics, is described and discussed in terms of applying structural analysis to the theorized pattern of causation among the user, system, and task. How this approach can provide useful information for guiding the design process is discussed. >
Weakly Fault-Tolerant Supervisory Control of Discrete Event Systems

A framework for fault-tolerant supervisory control of discrete-event systems was introduced in (Q. Wen et al., 2007). Given a plant, possessing both faulty and nonfaulty behavior, and a submodel for just the nonfaulty part, the goal of fault-tolerant supervisory control is to enforce a certain specification for the nonfaulty plant and another (perhaps more liberal) specification for the overall plant, and further to ensure that the plant recovers from any fault within a bounded delay so that following the recovery the system state is equivalent to a nonfaulty state (as if no fault ever happened). In certain applications a weaker notion of fault-tolerance may suffice: Following any fault the system is guaranteed to reach a "recovery" state from where the subsequent behaviors are subsumed by those that are possible from a nonfaulty state. Thus following the recovery, the system satisfies those properties that are also satisfied by the behaviors starting from some nonfaulty state. We formulate this weaker notion of fault-tolerance and present a necessary and sufficient condition (involving the notion of language-stability) for the existence of a weakly fault-tolerant supervisor. An example of a power system is provided to illustrate the framework. We also introduce and analyze the notion of nonuniformly-bounded fault-tolerance and its weak version.
Idealized analysis of SAW longitudinally coupled resonator filters

A surface acoustic wave (SAW) longitudinally coupled resonator (LCR) filter consists of either two or three interdigital transducers located between two strongly reflecting gratings. The behavior of this structure is, in general, very complex because the transducers are of the single-electrode type, which gives strong electrode reflections. It is shown here that, for the filter passband, a number of realistic assumptions can be used to derive a very simple set of approximate relations for the device Y-matrix. The simplifications involve reciprocity, symmetry, and power conservation. The theory also uses the necessary fact that each grating, combined with its adjacent transducer, must have high directivity so that application of a voltage results in wave generation primarily toward the center of the device. For a three-transducer device, it is shown using symmetry that the central transducer behaves as if it were transparent, despite having strong electrode reflections. Hence, the device behaves as a single resonant cavity. The simple Y-matrix formulae are shown to agree very well with accurate results obtained by a coupling-of-modes (COM) analysis for both types of device. They also lead to simple formulae for the electrical loading required to obtain a flat, low-loss filter response. Equivalent circuits also are discussed.
Thermally actuated microshutter for MOEMS applications

This paper will investigate a novel thermally actuated micro-shutter design for micro-optical-electro-mechanical system (MOEMS) applications. The use of actuators in optical systems has improved with new developments in micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) designs for use as components in optical systems. Thermal actuators provide a novel approach to scaling MOEMS to reduce size, weight and power of optical systems. Through the investigation of an aluminum electro-thermal actuator, we developed an in-house fabrication method which operates at less than one volt to aid in reducing the size, weight, and power of the optical system. This paper discusses several challenges and opportunities that may arise from the fabrication of thermally actuated micro-shutter designs which can help improve the actuator's uniformity, reproducibility, and reliability. In addition, we discuss the characterization of the thermal actuator micro-shutter to include mechanical, electrical and optical properties. The "switching" speed of the thermal actuator will also be assessed from a scaling perspective to determine usability.
Synthesis of High-Quality Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotubes on Bulk Copper Substrate for Thermal Management

Vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs) grown on bulk copper substrate are of great importance for real-life commercial applications of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as thermal interface materials in microelectronic packaging. However, their reproducible syntheses have been a great challenge so far. In this study, by introducing a well-controlled conformal Al2O3 support layer on the bulk copper substrate by atomic layer deposition, we reproducibly synthesized VACNTs of good alignment and high quality on the copper substrate. The alignment and the quality were characterized by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, and Raman spectroscopy. The key roles of the conformal Al2O3 support layer by atomic layer deposition are discussed. This progress may provide a real-life VACNT application for thermal management.
The Ionization Potential of Si2N and Si2O

One-color resonant and nonresonant ionization studies of Si2N and Si2O have been performed using a pulsed laser vaporization cluster source in conjunction with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The ionization potential of Si2N is established as less than 6.4 eV, while the ionization potential of Si2O is bracketed between 6.4 and 7.9 eV. The experimentally established ionization potential for Si2N is confirmed by detailed molecular electronic structure calculations which indicate an adiabatic as well as vertical ionization potential of 6.2 ± 0.05 eV and a close similarity between neutral Si2N and ionic Si2N+. Similar detailed calculations lead to a best estimate of an adiabatic ionization energy of 7.42 ± 0.04 eV and a vertical ionization energy of 7.66 ± 0.04 eV for Si2O.
High-speed photon counting techniques for broadband quantum key distribution

ABSTRACT Quantum Cryptography has demonstrated the potential for ultra-secure communications. However, with quantum-channel transmission rates in the MHz range, typical link losses and signal-to-noise ratios have resulted in key-production rates that are impractical for continuous one-time-pad encryption of high-bandwidth communications. We have developed high-speed data handling electronics that support quantum-channel transmission rates up to 1.25 GHz. This system has demonstrated error-corrected and privacy-amplified key rates above 1 Mbps over a free-space link. While the transmission rate is ultimately limited by timi ng jitter in the single-photon avalanche photodiodes (SPADs), we find the timing resolution of silicon SPADs sufficient to operate efficiently with temporal gates as short as 100 ps. We have developed systems to implement such high-resolution gating in our system, and anticipate the attendant reduction in noise to produce significantly higher secret-key bitrates. Keywords: Single-photon detection, quantum key distribution, avalanche photodiode
Prognostic Accuracy of Computed Tomography Findings for Patients With Laryngeal Cancer Undergoing Laryngectomy

Purpose The indications for upfront laryngectomy in the management of laryngeal cancer are a functionless larynx and extralaryngeal extension. Practically, clinicians rely on imaging to predict which patients will have T4 disease. Our goal was to review the accuracy of preoperative computed tomography (CT) scanning in determining the necessity for initial laryngectomy for advanced laryngeal cancer. Patients and Methods In total, 107 consecutive untreated laryngectomy specimens with high-quality, preoperative CT imaging interpreted by our neuroradiologists were reviewed. Radiographic findings, including sclerosis, invasion, penetration, extralaryngeal spread, and subglottic extension were correlated with pathologic findings. CT images were not reinterpreted, since our purpose was to assess the original interpretations. Results CT imaging reported 23 cases of thyroid cartilage penetration and 27 cases of extralaryngeal spread. Pathology reported 12 cases of thyroid cartilage invasion, 29 cases of penetratio...
Clinical presentation of intraocular lens schisis.

Purpose To analyze the clinical presentation and implications of cavity or schisis formation in the MemoryLens (CIBA Vision) intraocular lens (IOL) optic. Setting Eye Department, Red Cross Hospital, Munich, Germany. Methods This study was a retrospective chart review and slitlamp photography analysis of IOL schisis. Results Four patients with IOL schisis were identified and their charts analyzed. Clinically, the schisis presented as a sharply demarcated round structure. The aspect was clear on coaxial illumination, but on tangential illumination the schisis area was opaque. Patients experienced glare, foggy vision, and deteriorated visual function or had no symptoms. One patient lost visual acuity, and the IOL was explanted. Conclusions Clinically, IOL schisis was easily differentiated from cases of IOL opacification due to calcification. The clinical implication was not uniform, ranging from no symptoms to great visual disturbance leading to explantation of the IOL. The cause of this complication remains unclear. A possible explanation is the impact of solvent-induced tensile stress on the IOL optic material during the manufacturing process.
A Lagrangian Formulation For Optical Backpropagation Training In Kerr-Type Optical Networks

A training method based on a form of continuous spatially distributed optical error back-propagation is presented for an all optical network composed of nondiscrete neurons and weighted interconnections. The all optical network is feed-forward and is composed of thin layers of a Kerrtype self focusing/defocusing nonlinear optical material. The training method is derived from a Lagrangian formulation of the constrained minimization of the network error at the output. This leads to a formulation that describes training as a calculation of the distributed error of the optical signal at the output which is then reflected back through the device to assign a spatially distributed error to the internal layers. This error is then used to modify the internal weighting values. Results from several computer simulations of the training are presented, and a simple optical table demonstration of the network is discussed.
Survival by race among children with extracranial solid tumors in the United States between 1985 and 2005.

Background The National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was used to compare survival rates by race among children with common extracranial solid tumors between 1985 and 2005. Procedure Diagnosis and outcome data were obtained from SEER. Five-year survival probabilities were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Survival hazard ratios were calculated using the Cox proportional hazards model. Survival probabilities were compared among Whites, Blacks, American Indians/Alaskan Natives, and Asians/Pacific Islanders. Results Five-year survival probabilities were higher for White children than for children belonging to other racial groups (77% vs. 71% for Blacks, 72% for American Indian/Alaskan Native, 72% for Asian/Pacific Islander). Male non-White children had worse 5-year survival than male White children while there were no differences in survival among females across racial groups. There was no difference when survival probabilities for Hispanic and non-Hispanic children were compared. Overall, Black children had a higher risk of death compared to White children (1.31, P < 0.05). Black children had a higher risk of death from germ cell tumors, hepatoblastoma and non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas. Asian/Pacific Islander children also had a higher risk of death overall (1.34, P < 0.05) and a higher risk of death from germ cell tumors, hepatocellular carcinoma, neuroblastoma, and Wilms tumor compared to White children. Conclusions Male children from minority groups have poorer survival from extracranial solid malignancies than White male children. Future efforts should be directed at understanding the causes of these differences and at developing practical clinical interventions to eliminate them. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011;56:425–431. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Escherichia coli Serotype O157:H7: Novel Vehicles of Infection and Emergence of Phenotypic Variants

Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7 was only recognized as a human pathogen a little more than a decade ago, yet it has become a major foodborne pathogen. In the United States, the severity of serotype O157:H7 infections in the young and the elderly has had a tremendous impact on human health, the food industry, and federal regulations regarding food safety. The implication of acidic foods as vehicles of infection has dispelled the concept that low-pH foods are safe. Further, the association of nonbovine products with outbreaks suggests that other vehicles of transmission may exist for this pathogen. In laboratory diagnosis, most microbiologic assays rely on a single phenotype to selectively isolate this pathogen. However, the increasing evidence that phenotypic variations exist among isolates in this serogroup may eventually necessitate modifications in assay procedures to detect them.
Allocation of Parallel Programs with Time Variant Resource Requirements

This paper presents an innovative allocation strategy for parallel programs composed of communicating processes whose resource requirements vary during program execution. The primary difference between this and previous work is the incorporation into the allocation process of the estimation of variation in resource requirements over time. Experimental results are presented that compare this model with previous work and indicate that this method achieves superior allocation results without any increase in computational complexity. Results indicate a high correlation between the improvement achieved and the degree of process clustering in the parallel program.
The inevitable contrast: Conscious vs. unconscious processes in action control

The simple actions of everyday life—flicking a light switch, suppressing the urge to say something, or grabbing a waiter's attention with a “check, please”—remain difficult to understand from a scientific point of view. Unlike the mechanisms giving rise to machine action—which are designed according to clear-cut, well principled plans—the mechanisms underlying human action are fashioned by the happenstance and tinkering process of evolution, whose products can be counterintuitive and suboptimal (Simpson, 1949; Lorenz, 1963; Gould, 1977; de Waal, 2002; Marcus, 2008), far unlike the kinds of things we humans design into robots (Arkin, 1998)1. When speaking about the reverse engineering of biological products, the roboticist thus cautions, “Biological systems bring a large amount of evolutionary baggage unnecessary to support intelligent behavior in their silicon based counterparts” (Arkin, 1998, p. 32), and, speaking of the products of mother nature, the ethologist concludes, “To the biologist who knows the ways in which selection works and who is also aware of its limitations it is no way surprising to find, in its constructions, some details which are unnecessary or even detrimental to survival” (Lorenz, 1963, p. 260). Faced with this and many other challenges (cf., Rosenbaum, 2005; Herwig et al., 2013), the student of human action is forced to abandon a normative view (which describes how things should function) of the phenomena at hand and adopt instead a more humble, descriptive view (which describes the products of nature as they have evolved to be). From such a descriptive approach, investigators over the past two decades have begun to illuminate, not only the basic processes underlying human action, but the liaison between action and consciousness—the most mysterious aspect of nervous function (Roach, 2005). In this special issue of Frontiers in Cognition, we survey these advances stemming from disparate fields of inquiry, including cognition, neuroscience, and artificial intelligence/robotics. Together, these developments unveil a great deal about the links between perception and action while also illuminating much about all else in between. Of note, these developments also reveal that the study of action production and control (“action control,” for short) provides a unique portal through which to examine the nature of conscious processing. As explained below, many aspects of consciousness are easier to study from an action-based approach than from a perception-based perspective, which has been the traditional approach to studying consciousness (e.g., Crick and Koch, 2003; see discussion in Baars, 1997). Before discussing further the liaison between consciousness and action control, and what the latter informs about the former, it is important to first describe the most nebulous term at hand, “consciousness.”
Getting Closer to Customers: Mobility Revolution in Pharmaceuticals

With the advent of mobile revolution, the future of the world communications has irrevocably changed. The initial contours of the change were felt in the social dimension that eased communication barriers between individuals. Overtime, fuelled by fertile minds, the contours extended to achieve greater business effectiveness by establishing a personal connect which hitherto was almost impossible in some business segments like pharmaceuticals. This paper looks at how mobile revolution is transforming the pharmaceutical industry by enabling the consumer to industry connection and proceeds to give a glimpse of the transformation by discussing three real life examples. The paper concludes with a discussion on future trends and challenges.
Psychiatric resident moonlighting : a review and modest proposal.

Moonlighting by psychiatric residents remains controversial, with debate surrounding the ethical, legal, financial, and educational risks involved in the practice. The authors present a literature review of resident moonlighting, which encompasses the policy positions of various organizations responsible for graduate medical education; surveys of various groups and specialties regarding the prevalence, form, and justification for moonlighting; and models of moonlighting programs in several institutions. The authors conclude with specific proposals for research regarding psychiatric resident moonlighting and, more importantly, emphasize the need for research on the effects of moonlighting on resident performance and education.
DNA repair, oxidative stress and aging

A major factor in the progression of senescence and of age-associated diseases is the accumulation of DNA damage. Several studies have documented an age-associated increase in oxidative DNA damage, notably 7,8 dihydro-8-oxodeoxyguanosine (8-oxodG). Although not all studies have agreed on damage accumulation in the nuclear DNA, there seems to be a consensus that the level of 8- oxodG increases with aging in mitochondrial DNA (Richter et al., 1988). Oxidative DNA damage may (1) induce genes that are involved in the regulation of cellular proliferation (an example of this would be the activation of the p53 tumor suppressor gene) or could (2) simply inactive specific genes and thereby provoke progression to senescence or malignancies. If this DNA damage is a key element in senescence, then a major goal in aging research should be to clarify the mechanism involved. One likely mechanism is that the DNA repair processes which normally remove these DNA damages, deteriorate with age and thereby permit the damage accumulation. We therefore need to investigate the change in DNA repair processes and their efficiency with increasing age.
Older Adults Technology Assessment, Use, and Needs for Health Applications

This paper presents results on the state of technologies at independent living retirement communities in the United States. Results indicate that the level of technologies use is lower than determined by current reports.
Characterization of thin films for biomedical applications

This chapter describes some of the most commonly used techniques for evaluating thin film coatings found in biomedical devices. This includes the analysis of inorganic coatings and the study of the adsorption of proteins onto substrates in the form of nanomolar- to micromolar-thick films. These techniques can be used in other applications such as biofilms. The first part deals with measurement of the physical characteristics of films such as the thickness and structure. This is followed in the second part by a description of techniques to determine the chemical composition of thin films. Finally, techniques for assessing the biological properties of the coatings are described. The principles of each technique are described and illustrated with examples relevant to biomedical applications.
Human Relations Training for Middle Management: A Field Experiment

A field experiment was conducted in a specialty steel plant that was attempting to improve human relations practices. The research design included the use of an experimental and a control group and...
Methotrexate, Vinblastine, Doxorubicin and Cisplatin followed by Radiotherapy or Surgery for Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer: The University of Chicago Experience

A total of 29 patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer, clinical stage T2N0 (12), T3aN0 (9), T3bN0 (5), T3N2 (2) or T4N2 (1), underwent 2 to 4 cycles of neoadjuvant methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin (M-VAC) chemotherapy followed by either radiotherapy (15), radical cystectomy (11) or no local therapy (3). The overall response rate to M-VAC chemotherapy was 69%, with 31% clinical complete responses and 38% clinical partial responses. A functioning bladder was maintained in 55% of the responding patients, although bladder wall calcifications were observed in 4 of 15 irradiated patients. Overall survival was 71% and disease-free survival was 55% at a median followup of 57 months. For the 12 stage T2N0 cancer patients overall survival was 100% at a median followup of 52 months. For the stages T3a and T3bN0 cancer patients overall survival was 63%, while all 3 node positive patients died. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with a modified M-VAC regimen is well tolerated and may result in bladder preservation.
EVIDENCE FOR THE VENOUS ORIGIN OF PLETHYSMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION.

Abstract Fifteen infusions of histamine (6 μg per minute) and levarterenol (1 μg per minute) were made in the hind leg of 9 dogs. Small artery pressure, small vein pressure, and plethysmographic volume were recorded simultaneously. In every case, changes in small vein pressure and plethysmographic volume changes were in the same direction and opposite to the changes in small artery pressure. In addition, there is a marked similarity in contour between the small vein pressure pulse record and the plethysmographic volume pulse record. It is suggested that in the "normal" animal, under these experimental conditions, the volume plethysmograph is measuring events which occur primarily in the postcapillary region. These results may be applicable to clinical studies as well as other experimental situations.
The Risk of Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, Liver-Related Outcomes, and Death Over 10 Years in HIV/HCV-Coinfected Patients With and Without Steatosis

Abstract Background: Coinfection with HIV/HCV is associated with more severe liver disease, including increased frequency of steatosis and significant fibrosis, compared to patients mono-infected with HCV or HIV. We sought to explore the impact of steatosis on cardiovascular disease (CVD), liver-related outcomes, and survival. Methods: An IRB-approved, single-center retrospective cohort study was undertaken to analyze 10-year clinical outcomes in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients. Liver biopsy was performed at study entry for the evaluation of HCV disease; a study pathologist graded samples for fibrosis and steatosis. Clinical outcomes, including cardiac events, liver function with FIB-4, AST to Platelet Ratio Index, and survival were assessed over 10 years. Results: At cohort entry N = 105, mean age 45 ± 7 years, 70% male, and 56% had steatosis present on biopsy. During the 10-year follow-up, no association was found between incident CVD, changes in noninvasive liver fibrosis measures, or survival in the steat...
Effects of passage number and post-expansion aggregate culture on tissue engineered, self-assembled neocartilage

Abstract Chondrocyte dedifferentiation presents a major barrier in engineering functional cartilage constructs. To mitigate the effects of dedifferentiation, this study employed a post-expansion aggregate culture step to enhance the chondrogenic phenotype of passaged articular chondrocytes (ACs) before their integration into self-assembled neocartilage constructs. The objective was twofold: (1) to explore how passage number (P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, and P7), with or without aggregate culture, affected construct properties; and (2) to determine the highest passage number that could form neocartilage with functional properties. Juvenile leporine ACs were passaged to P2–P7, with or without aggregate culture, and self-assembled into 5 mm discs in non-adhesive agarose molds without using any exogenous scaffolds. Construct biochemical and biomechanical properties were assessed. With aggregate culture, neocartilage constructs had significantly higher collagen content, higher tensile properties, and flatter morphologies. These beneficial effects were most obvious at higher passage numbers. Specifically, collagen content, Young’s modulus, and instantaneous compressive modulus in the P7, aggregate group were 53%, 116%, and 178% higher than those in the P7, non-aggregate group. Most interestingly, these extensively passaged P7 ACs (expansion factor of 85,000), which are typically highly dedifferentiated, were able to form constructs with properties similar to or higher than those formed by lower passage number cells. This study not only demonstrated that post-expansion aggregate culture could significantly improve the properties of self-assembled neocartilage, but also that chondrocytes of exceedingly high passage numbers, expanded using the methods in this study, could be used in cartilage engineering applications. Statement of Significance This work demonstrated that extensively passaged chondrocytes (up to passage 7 (P7); expansion factor of 85,000) could potentially be used for cartilage tissue engineering applications. Specifically, an aggregate culture step, employed after cell expansion and before cell integration into a neocartilage construct, was shown to enhance the ability of the chondrocytes to form neocartilage with better biochemical and biomechanical properties. The beneficial effects of this aggregate culture step was especially noticeable at the high passage numbers. Most interestingly, P7 chondrocytes, which are typically highly dedifferentiated, were able to form neocartilage with properties similar to or higher than those formed by lower passage number cells. The ability to obtain high chondrocyte yields with an enhanced chondrogenic potential could have a broad, beneficial impact in improving current therapies (e.g., using higher cell seeding densities for repair) or developing new strategies that require high cell numbers, such as a scaffold-free approach in forming engineered cartilage.
Molecular Mobility in Cells Examined with Optical Methods

Publisher Summary This chapter addresses the issue of protein mobility from the point of view of nondirected random walk of molecules. The diffusion of molecules in well-mixed dilute environments is relatively straightforward and follows a set of basic well-established principles. However, the interior of cells presents a much more complex environment to a moving molecule. Macromolecular crowding, viscosity, physical barriers, and specific and/or nonspecific binding can influence the distance a given molecule can travel per unit time. The chapter provides a brief description of each of these factors that influence translational diffusion relevant to cell biologists. A discussion of the present techniques used to quantify translational diffusion is also presented as well as some examples of how each of these techniques has helped advance the present understanding of molecular mobility in a cellular setting.