cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Short-, mid-, and long-term incontinence outcomes in women undergoing mid-urethral sling procedures: a retrospective cohort study

The primary aim was to compare subjective treatment success among women in short-, mid-, and long-term follow-up after mid-urethral sling (MUS). Symptom severity, condition-specific quality of life (QOL), and patient satisfaction were also examined. Women undergoing a primary MUS between 2001 and 2010 were identified by CPT code. Eligible subjects were mailed the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6), Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ-7), Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I), and Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ). Follow-up intervals were short term (≤ 36 months), mid term (37–70 months), and long term (119–200 months). The primary outcome of treatment success was defined as responses of “not at all” or “somewhat” to both stress urinary incontinence (SUI) subscales on the UDI-6. Of 896 respondents, 361 were assessed in the short-term (23.3 ± 7.2 months), 251 in the mid-term (49.8 ± 9.1 months), and 284 in the long-term group (147.9 ± 20.6 months). Treatment success was 75.4% in the short-, 62.3% in the mid-, and 67.0% in the long-term groups (p < 0.01). Logistic regression showed women with mid- and long-term follow-up were nearly half as likely as their short-term counterparts to report treatment success (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.36, 0.74). UDI-6 and PFIQ-7 scores differed significantly among the short-, mid- and long-term groups (p < 0.01). Patient satisfaction was similar, 83.3% in the short-, 76.6% in the mid-, and 78.2% in the long-term follow-up (p = 0.31). Women with short-term follow-up had the highest subjective treatment success rates; mid- and long-term follow-up was lower, but sustained after 3 years. Symptom severity and impact on QOL were lowest in the short-term group. However, high satisfaction was noted across all groups.
Management of renovascular hypertension.

Purpose of review Renovascular occlusive disease remains a common cause of resistant and rapidly progressive hypertension. The present review summarizes current practice regarding management of renovascular hypertension (RVH). Recent findings Current data using blood oxygen level dependent MR emphasize the tolerance of the kidney to moderate reductions in blood flow and the efficacy of antihypertensive drug therapy for many individuals. Prospective trials have failed to identify benefits of revascularization for moderate disease, either regarding blood pressure or renal function. Antihypertensive drug therapy including renin-angiotensin system blockade is central to management of RVH. Recent and ongoing observational studies report important improvements after revascularization regarding blood pressure, management of refractory or 'flash' pulmonary edema, and survival in specific 'high risk' clinical populations not included in randomized trials. Research directions underscore the role of adjunctive measures, including mitochondrial protection, therapeutic angiogenesis, and cell-based regenerative repair to protect kidney function in RVH. Summary Clinicians should recognize the potential for disease progression to threaten renal function with severe and prolonged renal ischemia. Improved patient selection for true resistant hypertension with RVH and 'high-risk' clinical manifestations is critical to identify those likely to benefit from renal revascularization.
Computation of Maximum Voltage Droop in Power Delivery Networks

Computation of maximum voltage droop in power delivery networks is important for performance estimation. This article proposes a methodology to predict the maximum voltage droop caused by current sources in ICs. We derive the analytical relations and analyze the error in the predicted voltage droop values. Furthermore, we consider the effect of current step rise time on the voltage droop along with error analysis. Results capture the error bounds for the analytical equations derived.
Robotic duodenal (D3) resection with Roux-en-Y duodenojejunostomy reconstruction for large GIST tumor: Step by step with video.

Abstract Background: Duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are uncommon, making up only 3–5% of all GISTs. [ 1 , 2 ] Historically, the treatment of choice for duodenal GIST tumors was pancreaticoduodenectomy. [3]Currently, newer surgical intervention methods including local resection via laparotomy, endoscopic resection, and robotic resection are feasible. When doing a local resection, the defect can be closed either primarily or via a Roux-en-Y duodenojejunostomy. [ 3 ] Case presentation: Our patient is a 64-year- old female who presented initially with shortness of breath and was found to have a pulmonary embolism. She then developed upper GI bleeding from anticoagulation and was found to have an ulcerated GIST tumor in the anti-mesenteric border of the third portion of the duodenum (D3). Initial surgery was postponed due to high pulmonary artery pressure from the pulmonary embolism. The patient underwent argon beam coagulation of the bleeding mass to control the bleeding, followed by localized radiotherapy plus Gleevec. Unfortunately, the tumor grew in size during follow-up. The patient was then taken to the OR for a robot-assisted partial duodenal resection (D3) with Roux-en-Y duodenojejunostomy to reconstruct the large defect. She did well post operatively and her final pathology showed a GIST tumor, c-kit and DOG1 positive, 3.5 cm in size, with negative margins. Conclusion: Robotic duodenal resection is a new technique currently being used to resect duodenal GIST tumors. Our video demonstrates the feasibility of D3 partial resection with Roux-en-Y duodenojejunostomy. Duodenal GIST tumor robotic resection offers both decreased morbidity and adequate oncologic outcomes.
Holistic Approaches to Support Sleep in the Intensive Care Unit Patient

Sleep disruption in intensive care unit patients has internal, interpersonal, behavioral, and environmental factors to consider when developing sleep promotion protocols. Holistic approaches are integrative practices that go beyond modifying environmental factors. This article presents 3 holistic approaches that are cost-effective, easy to use, and independent nursing actions that are integrative in nature. Aromatherapy, guided imagery, and mindfulness show promising effects in the literature to improve comfort, anxiety and stress, which are thought to improve sleep.
Stress Reduction to Decrease Hypertension for Black Women: A Scoping Review of Trials and Interventions.

INTRODUCTION Chronic stress is a potential root cause of racial/ethnic disparities in cardiovascular disease. This review assesses literature surrounding effective stressreduction interventions to reduce hypertension (HTN)-a cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor-among an understudied population, non-Hispanic black (NHB) women. METHODS We conducted an electronic search of PubMed and PsycINFO literature published between January 1, 2000 and February 1, 2020, employing the keywords: "blood pressure", "hypertension", and "women", "black", "African-American", "stress", "meditation", "stress-coping", "stress-management", and "faith-based". We manually searched the bibliographies for additional articles. Studies were excluded if they: were published before 2000; were not intervention-based; did not study Black women in the US; did not target stress reduction; or did not measure blood pressure as an outcome. Independent reviewers screened the articles, which were selected based on consensus. Effect sizes and statistical p values were reported as provided in the included articles. RESULTS We identified 109 articles in total. Of those, six articles met inclusion criteria. Stronger evidence presented by a randomized control trial supported the efficacy of transcendental meditation with reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure up to 7 mmHg. Relaxation exercises, support groups, and therapeutic massage emerged as potentially beneficial in non-randomized pilot trials with reductions in systolic BP up to 9 mmHg and diastolic BP up to 5 mmHg varying by type and duration of the intervention. CONCLUSIONS This scoping review found that faith-based strategies and meditation can be effective stress reduction techniques to reduce BP among NHB women. However, much remains to be known about how these strategies may be leveraged to reduce blood pressure within this highly vulnerable population.
A Peat Moss-Based Technology for Mitigating Residues of the Explosives TNT, RDX, and HMX in Soil

There is increased interest in how to balance military preparedness and environmental protection at Department of Defense (DoD) facilities. This research evaluated a peat moss-based technology to enhance the adsorption and biodegradation of explosive residues at military testing and training ranges. The evaluation was performed using 30-cm-long soil columns operated under unsaturated flow conditions. The treatment materials were placed at the soil surface, and soil contaminated with 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), and octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) was spread over the surface. Simulated rainfall initiated dissolution and leaching of the explosive compounds, which was monitored at several depths within the columns. Peat moss plus soybean oil reduced the soluble concentrations of TNT, RDX and HMX detected at 10 cm depth by 100%, 60%, and 40%, respectively, compared to the no-treatment control column. Peat moss alone reduced TNT and HMX conc...
A quick proof of the classification of simple real Lie algebras

Elie Cartan's classification of the simple Lie algebras over R1 is derived quickly from some structure theory over R and the classification over C. Elie Cartan classified the simple Lie algebras over R for the first time in 1914. There have been a number of simplifications in the proof since then, and these are described in [3, p. 537]. All proofs assume the classification over C and a certain amount of structure theory over JR. Recent proofs tend to run to 25 pages. Here is a shorter argument. Theorem. Up to isomorphism, the only simple Lie algebras over R that are neither complex nor compact are those in Cartan's list as organized in [3, p. 518]. We use terminology as in [3]. Let go = to D ipo be a Cartan decomposition of a noncomplex simple Lie algebra over IR, and let 0 be the Cartan involution. Choose a maximal abelian subspace to of to and extend to a maximally compact Cartan subalgebra bo = to (3 ao of go. Removal of subscripts 0 will indicate complexifications. Let A = A(g, f) be the root system. Roots are imaginary on to and real on ao. All roots are imaginary-valued or complex on 40; there are no real-valued roots. Introduce a positive system A+ that takes ito before ao. The map 0 carries roots to roots and permutes the simple roots. The complex simple roots move in two-element orbits, while the imaginary simple roots are fixed. By the Diagram of (00, 0o iA+), we mean the Dynkin diagram of A with the two-element orbits under 0 so labeled and with the imaginary roots shaded or not, according as the simple root is noncompact (root vector in p) or compact (root vector in t). Lemma 1. If (go, Oo, iA+) and (,g, O', (A')+) have the same Diagram, then go and 0/ are isomorphic. Proof. We may assume that the complexifications (g, f,,A+) are the same and that the associated compact forms are the same: uo = to G ipo = t' G ip'. Using the conjugacy of compact forms, the conjugacy of maximal abelian subspaces within them, and the standard construction of a compact form from 0, we see that we can normalize root vectors Xa, a E A, as in Theorem 5.5 of [3, p. 176] and obtain u0 from {X,} as in Theorem 6.3 of [3, p. 181]. Received by the editors April 12, 1995. 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification. Primary 17B20, 22E15. (?1996 American Mathematical Society
Applications of Preclinical MRI/MRS in the Evaluation of Drug Efficacy and Safety

The drug discovery process is a series of interrelated, bidirectional steps culminating in the declaration of an investigational new drug. Upon selection of a disease target and initiation of drug screening and chemistry efforts, secondary and tertiary assays to assess the efficacy and safety of potential lead candidates or develop biomarkers to demonstrate a pharmacologic response are initiated. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS) are well suited to assess drug mechanism of action, efficacy, and safety; to correlate PK/PD measures; and to provide clinically translatable biomarkers of drug action. While MRI is a sensitive measure of tissue structure, functional MRI (fMRI) approaches can be used to assess tissue composition, blood volume and flow, water diffusion, tissue biochemistry, and the consequence of drug intervention. MRI, fMRI, and pharmacological MRI (phMRI) have been used to monitor a broad range of structural and physiological changes in the body associated with disease, including neural network connectivity and neuronal activation/deactivation, atherosclerotic plaque size and composition, tumor vascularity and necrosis, joint cartilage degradation, synovitis, bone edema, and lung alveolar size and function. MRS has been used to assess global neurotransmitter changes, glucose and lipid metabolism associated with diabetes, and the energetic state and pH in muscle and tumors. MRI and MRS have been used in drug intervention studies across all therapeutic areas; however, there is scant utilization of MRI in the evaluation of drug safety despite its potential utility in measuring endpoints dynamically and assessing their reversibility. In summary, MRI and MRS have specific advantages; in that, anatomic changes can be monitored with high spatial resolution over the course of a disease and/or drug intervention. Furthermore, functional measures of a pharmacodynamic effect can be established to demonstrate that target engagement results in a pharmacologic response associated with drug efficacy. Keywords: in vivo imaging; MRI; MRS; drug efficacy; drug safety; preclinical
Arteriographic Diagnosis and Management of Suspected Colonic Diverticular Hemorrhage

Abstract Selective arteriography was performed in 12 patients with rectal hemorrhage who were suspected of having diverticulosis as the cause of bleeding. Four patients had negative arteriography and have had no recurrence of hemorrhage. In 4 patients, the hemorrhage was due to a lesion other than diverticulosis. These included 1 patient each with malignant lymphoma, intestinal ischemia, cecal ulcer, and arteriovenous malformation of the small bowel. Four patients were bleeding from diverticular disease of the colon, including 3 patients with diverticulosis and 1 patient with diverticulitis. Three of these patients were treated with intraarterial infusion of vasopressin. In each case bleeding stopped for at least 24 hr resulting in significant improvement in the preoperative condition of these patients. Selective arteriography in patients in whom hemorrhage is thought to be due to colonic diverticular disease is indicated to (1) exclude other causes of rectal hemorrhage, (2) accurately localize the site of the bleeding diverticulum, (3) allow a trial of nonoperative control of hemorrhage by infusion of vasopressin or other vasoconstrictor agents, and (4) allow more specific and limited colonic resection when bleeding is uncontrolled or recurrent.
Magnetospheric Multiharmonic Instabilities

In this review, we discuss the status of our calculations of linear convective growth rates of instabilities of electrostatic multiple electron cyclotron harmonic waves in a plasma consisting of a hot electron component with a loss-cone type of free energy source and a cold electron component of presumably ionospheric origin. When Tc/TH, the ratio of cold to hot electron temperature is small, the cold upper hybrid frequency controls the harmonic bands that can be non-convectively unstable. The band containing the cold upper hybrid frequency and those below it can be non-convectively unstable, however convective instability is possible in bands whose frequencies exceed the cold upper hybrid frequency. When Tc/TH increases above a few times 10-2 non-convective instability disappears more or less simultaneously for each harmonic band, when the density ratio Nc/NH is less than unity. A consistent interpretation of the spatial localization and harmonic frequency bandwidths of the observed waves can be made assuming linear convective saturation, provided that the cold electrons have temperatures considerably in excess of those in the ionosphere. Nonlinear saturation and cold electron heating mechanisms are briefly discussed.
The growing up fast diversion program: An example of juvenile justice program development for outcome evaluation

Current levels of juvenile crime and a review of juvenile justice programming outcomes reveal the need for prevention-oriented, family-based juvenile crime reduction programming. This article presents the Growing Up FAST: Families and Adolescents Surviving and Thriving Diversion Program as an illustration of a logic-model-based approach to the development, implementation, and eventual outcome evaluation of a juvenile crime prevention program. It describes the development of a program logic model that has both intermediate outcomes (reduced risky behavior and increased family functioning) and initial outcomes (awareness of goals associated with successful adulthood and identification of the resources that will help achieve these goals) that are linked to the longer-term outcome of reduced recidivism. Program outputs that contribute to initial outcomes are presented in a detailed description of five interrelated programming levels. Descriptive data on youth and families who have been referred to this program also are provided, as well as descriptions of the outcome measures being utilized with these families. With such logically derived initial and intermediate outcomes, Growing Up FAST is thought to exemplify a crime-prevention program that is family-based and can be reliably evaluated for outcomes early in its implementation.
Design driven LED degradation model for opto-isolators

Results from a matrix of temperature and current stress testing of opto-isolator LEDs (light emitting diodes) are presented. Extensive statistical analysis of this large database is shown along with the method used to define the shape of the LED degradation curves. A basic equation was developed based on the Arrhenius model for temperature-dependent effects and on the author's experience with the physics of LED degradation. Also shown are the results of multiple regression analysis of the plotted points and how they were used to resolve the constants associated with this equation. In addition, explanations are presented of unusual findings and their causes. This equation can be used by circuit designers to predict LED degradation for any time, operating current, and ambient temperature. A graph of percent degradation versus time is shown which was derived by plugging into the equation typical use currents and temperatures. A further refinement is presented that describes degradation in terms of a six-sigma distribution, giving the ability to encompass variations encountered during production. >
Towards flexible coordination of human-agent teams

Enabling interactions of agent-teams and humans is a critical area of research, with encouraging progress in the past few years. However, previous work suffers from three key limitations: (i) limited human situational awareness, reducing human effectiveness in directing agent teams, (ii) the agent team's rigid interaction strategies that limit team performance, and (iii) lack of formal tools to analyze the impact of such interaction strategies. This article presents a software prototype called DEFACTO (Demonstrating Effective Flexible Agent Coordination of Teams through Omnipresence). DEFACTO is based on a software proxy architecture and 3D visualization system, which addresses the three limitations mentioned above. First, the 3D visualization interface enables human virtual omnipresence in the environment, improving human situational awareness and ability to assist agents. Second, generalizing past work on adjustable autonomy, the agent team chooses among a variety of team-level interaction strategies, even excluding humans from the loop in extreme circumstances. Third, analysis tools help predict the performance of (and choose among) different interaction strategies. DEFACTO is illustrated in a future disaster response simulation scenario, and extensive experimental results are presented.
Vasoconstriction is amplified by autoregulation during vasoconstrictor-induced hypertension.

This study investigated the degree to which autoregulation of blood flow interacts with vasoconstrictors to determine vascular resistance. Anesthetized rats were instrumented with a Doppler flow probe on the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) to measure blood flow and for calculation of vascular resistance. An adjustable occluder was placed on the SMA to set local perfusion pressure at values independent of mean arterial pressure (MAP) even when MAP was increased by the vasoconstrictors. Infusion of angiotensin II (ANG II, 50-1,247 ng.kg-1.min-1) produced a dose-dependent rightward shift in the intestinal pressure-flow relationship and elevated MAP from 85 to 127 mmHg. Low doses of phenylephrine (PE, 2.5-12.4 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) failed to shift the pressure-flow curve but did increase arterial pressure from 83 to 102 mmHg. At higher doses (25-62 micrograms.kg-1.min-1), PE also shifted the pressure-flow curve to the right. Maintaining local perfusion pressure at different values during the infusion of ANG II or PE produced a family of dose-response curves, with each exhibiting a different maximum change in resistance. When local pressure was permitted to increase with MAP, the composite dose-response curve for resistance that was obtained reflected the influence of the rise in local pressure (i.e., auto-regulation) and vasoconstrictor dose. At low doses of PE the increase in vascular resistance was attributable solely to an autoregulatory response related to the rise in MAP and not due to the constrictor effects of PE. Thus these data indicate that the rise in MAP accompanying systemic infusion of a vasoconstrictor stimulates autoregulation to amplify the local increase in vascular resistance.
Nanogap-based dielectric immunosensing

A novel device for measuring dielectric properties of protein bound to a surface without using a three-electrode system or redox couples is presented. This is achieved by reducing double layer capacitance contributions through decreased electrode gap size (60-100 nm). A proof of concept is demonstrated by immunosensing the glycoprotein laminin, which is clinically relevant to kidney disease at a concentration of 0.5 /spl mu/g/ml. Dissipation factor measurements for different laminin concentrations indicate a detection limit of 10 ng/ml in a 30 microliter droplet. The measurement device described is applicable to a whole range of biological recognition systems including other protein-biomolecule binding interactions and nucleic acid hybridization.
Cost-effectiveness of second-generation antipsychotics for the treatment of schizophrenia.

Abstract Objective To compare the cost-effectiveness of alternate treatment strategies using second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) for patients with schizophrenia. Methods We developed a Markov model to estimate the costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) for different sequences of treatments for 40-year-old patients with schizophrenia. We considered first-line treatment with one of the four SGAs: olanzapine (OLZ), risperidone (RSP), quetiapine (QTP), and ziprasidone (ZSD). Patients could switch to another of these antipsychotics as second-line therapy, and only clozapine (CLZ) was allowed as third-line treatment. We derived parameter estimates from the Clinical Antipsychotic Trial of Intervention Effectiveness (CATIE) study and published sources. Results The ZSD-QTP strategy (first-line treatment with ZSD, change to QTP if ZSD is discontinued, and switch to CLZ if QTP is discontinued) was most costly while yielding the greatest QALYs, with an incremental cost-effective ratio (ICER) of $542,500 per QALY gained compared with the ZSD-RSP strategy. However, the ZSD-RSP strategy had an ICER of $5,200/QALY gained versus the RSP-ZSD strategy and had the greatest probability of being cost-effective given a willingness-to-pay threshold between $50,000 and $100,000 per QALY. All other treatment strategies were more costly and less effective than another strategy or combination of other strategies. Results varied by different time horizons adopted. Conclusions The ZSD-RSP strategy was most cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold between $5,200 and $542,500 per QALY. Our results should be interpreted with caution because they are based largely on the CATIE trial with potentially limited generalizability to all patient populations and doses of SGAs used in practice.
Specificity of the dehydrogenases of maize endosperm.

By means of starch gel electrophoresis and spectrophotometric assays, several different, specific dehydrogenases have been detected in liquid endosperm of maize 16 days after pollination. The typical alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) bands on the starch gel appear when ethanol is used as substrate in the reaction mixture. However, some activity does appear with no substrate and with galactose or lactic acid as substrates, though not to the extent previously found and probably not due to the presence of a “general” type dehydrogenase as previously suggested (Scandalios, 1967). No specific activity appears with glucose, glucose 6-phosphate, galactose, malic acid, and isocitric acid when these are substituted for ethanol in the spectrophotometric assay for ADH. However, more specific spectrophotometric assays do show activity for malic acid and for isocitric acid. Both these enzymes, malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and isocitrate dehydrogenase, show definite patterns on the zymogram, with only a slight overlap with the ADH bands. MDH shows zymogram overlap with lactic acid as substrate.
A Human Atrial Natriuretic Peptide Gene Mutation Reveals a Novel Peptide With Enhanced Blood Pressure-Lowering, Renal-Enhancing, and Aldosterone-Suppressing Actions

Objectives We sought to determine the physiologic actions and potential therapeutic applications of mutant atrial natriuretic peptide (mANP). Background The cardiac hormone atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is a 28-amino acid (AA) peptide that consists of a 17-AA ring structure together with a 6-AA N-terminus and a 5-AA C-terminus. In a targeted scan for sequence variants within the human ANP gene, a mutation was identified that results in a 40-AA peptide consisting of native ANP(1-28)and a C-terminal extension of 12 AA. We have termed this peptide mutant ANP. Methods In vitro 3′,5′-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) activation in response to mANP was studied in cultured human cardiac fibroblasts known to express natriuretic peptide receptor A. The cardiorenal and neurohumoral properties of mANP compared with ANP were assessed in vivo in normal dogs. Results We observed an incremental in vitro cGMP dose response with increasing concentrations of mANP. In vivo with high-dose mANP (33 pmol/kg/min), we observed significantly greater plasma cGMP activation, diuretic, natriuretic, glomerular filtration rate enhancing, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibiting, cardiac unloading, and blood pressure lowering properties when compared with native ANP. Low-dose mANP (2 pmol/kg/min) has natriuretic and diuretic properties without altering systemic hemodynamics compared with no natriuretic or diuretic response with low-dose native ANP. Conclusions These studies establish that mANP activates cGMP in vitro and exerts greater and more sustained natriuretic, diuretic, glomerular filtration rate, and renal blood flow enhancing actions than native ANP in vivo.
Staggered finite volume scheme for solving cascade flow with a k-omega turbulence model

A k-ω turbulence model by Wilcox is applied to cascade flow calculations. A staggered finite volume scheme is proposed to solve the compressible Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations and the k-ω equations are solved on staggered control volumes with k and ω defined at the cell vertices of the original grid. By use of this combination of the cell-centered and cell-vertex schemes, the method maintains a small stencil for all diffusion terms and closely couples the Navier-Stokes and k-ω equations
NEW FRONTIERS IN ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

ABSTRACT This symposium brings together seven papers pertaining to alternative dispute resolution (ADR). ADR, denoting non-judicial means of settling disagreements, has become the dominant mechanism for resolving disagreements. Its expansion should continue, fueled by the inherent deficiencies of the judicial system and by the changing nature of disputed issues that lend themselves more readily to these types of dispute resolution mechanisms. The first three papers focus on resolving environmental and natural resource disputes. These include a survey of American environmental lawyers, a case study of the World Commission on Dams, and a methodology aimed at uncovering “win-win” solutions. The fourth paper analyzes the new mediator training program of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, an American governmental agency which is primarily charged with improving labor-management relations. The final three papers discuss ADR as a community-based approach to resolving civil and criminal justice cases...
Models of emotional intelligence, spiritual intelligence, and performance: a test of Tischler, Biberman, and McKeage

Tischler, Biberman, and McKeage proposed five models that could explain the relationship between emotional intelligence, spiritual intelligence, and performance. This article empirically tested those models on a large sample of junior‐level and senior‐level business students. Emotional intelligence was measured using the 16‐item Wong Law Emotional Intelligence Survey, spiritual intelligence was measured with a modified version of Ashmos and Duchon’s survey, and performance was the student’s cumulative grade point average. Literature on these variables is discussed regarding definitional and measurement issues. None of the proposed models were supported by the data. Findings, limitations, and future research for these models are discussed.
Adoptively transferred ex vivo expanded γδ-T cells mediate in vivo antitumor activity in preclinical mouse models of breast cancer

In contrast to antigen-specific αβ-T cells (adaptive immune system), γδ-T cells can recognize and lyse malignantly transformed cells almost immediately upon encounter in a manner that does not require the recognition of tumor-specific antigens (innate immune system). Given the well-documented capacity of γδ-T cells to innately kill a variety of malignant cells, efforts are now actively underway to exploit the antitumor properties of γδ-T cells for clinical purposes. Here, we present for the first time preclinical in vivo mouse models of γδ-T cell-based immunotherapy directed against breast cancer. These studies were explicitly designed to approximate clinical situations in which adoptively transferred γδ-T cells would be employed therapeutically against breast cancer. Using radioisotope-labeled γδ-T cells, we first show that adoptively transferred γδ-T cells localize to breast tumors in a mouse model (4T1 mammary adenocarcinoma) of human breast cancer. Moreover, by using an antibody directed against the γδ-T cell receptor (TCR), we determined that localization of adoptively transferred γδ-T cells to tumor is a TCR-dependant process. Additionally, biodistribution studies revealed that adoptively transferred γδ-T cells traffic differently in tumor-bearing mice compared to healthy mice with fewer γδ-T cells localizing into the spleens of tumor-bearing mice. Finally, in both syngeneic (4T1) and xenogeneic (2Lmp) models of breast cancer, we demonstrate that adoptively transferred γδ-T cells are both effective against breast cancer and are otherwise well-tolerated by treated animals. These findings provide a strong preclinical rationale for using ex vivo expanded adoptively transferred γδ-T cells as a form of cell-based immunotherapy for the treatment of breast cancer. Additionally, these studies establish that clinically applicable methods for radiolabeling γδ-T cells allows for the tracking of adoptively transferred γδ-T cells in tumor-bearing hosts.
Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for patients with high-risk extremity and truncal sarcomas: a 10-year single institution retrospective study.

Abstract Background Patients with large, high-grade extremity and truncal soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are at considerable risk for recurrence. A regimen of pre-operative chemotherapy consisting of mesna, adriamycin, ifosfamide and dacarbazine (MAID), interdigitated with radiotherapy (RT), followed by resection and post-operative chemotherapy with or without RT, has demonstrated high rates of local and distant control. The goal of this study is to assess outcomes in a recent cohort of patients treated on this regimen. Methods We retrospectively reviewed records of 66 consecutive patients with STS of the extremity or trunk who were treated with the aforementioned regimen from May 2000 to April 2011. Clinicopathologic characteristics and patient outcomes were analysed. Results Sixty-six patients were analysed and were equally divided between grade 2 and 3 tumours. Margins were negative in 57 (89%) patients and positive in seven (11%) patients. At a median follow-up of 46 months, there were six (9%) locoregional and 20 (30%) distant recurrences. The locoregional and distant 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were 91% and 64%, respectively. The 5-year overall (OS) and disease-specific survival rates were 86% and 89%, respectively. There were no treatment-related deaths or secondary myelodysplasias. Thirty-four (52%) patients had grade 3 or 4 acute haematologic chemotherapy-related toxicity. There were no statistically significant predictors of OS or RFS. Conclusions For a contemporary cohort of patients with high-risk extremity and truncal STS, a regimen of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and surgery continues to result in high rates of survival with tolerable short- and long-term toxicity.
Linking land use with household vehicle emissions in the central puget sound: methodological framework and findings

A leading cause of air pollution in many urban regions is mobile source emissions that are largely attributable to household vehicle travel. While household travel patterns have been previously related with land use in the literature (Crane, R., 1996. Journal of the American Planning Association 62 (1, Winter); Cervero, R. and Kockelman, C., 1997. Transportation Research Part D 2 (3), 199–219), little work has been conducted that effectively extends this relationship to vehicle emissions. This paper describes a methodology for quantifying relationships between land use, travel choices, and vehicle emissions within the Seattle, Washington region. Our analysis incorporates land use measures of density and mix which affect the proximity of trip origins to destinations; a measure of connectivity which impacts the directness and completeness of pedestrian and motorized linkages; vehicle trip generation by operating mode; vehicle miles/h of travel and speed; and estimated household vehicle emissions of nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, and carbon monoxide. The data used for this project consists of the Puget Sound Transportation Panel Travel Survey, the 1990 US Census, employment density data from the Washington State Employment Security Office, and information on Seattle’s vehicle fleet mix and climatological attributes provided by the Washington State Department of Ecology. Analyses are based on a cross-sectional research design in which comparisons are made of variations in household travel demand and emissions across alternative urban form typologies. Base emission rates from MOBILE5a and separate engine start rates are used to calculate total vehicle emissions in grams accounting for fleet characteristics and other inputs reflecting adopted transportation control measures. Emissions per trip are based on the network distance of each trip, average travel speed, and a multi-stage engine operating mode (cold start, hot start, and stabilized) function.
A Central Limit Theorem for Empirical Histograms

The central limit theorem is often used heuristically to justify the approximation of histograms for data by the normal curve. This argument can be made precise through the following model. There is some basic random variable X. Take the sum of n independent copies of X, and then take k independent copies of this sum: the data is considered as the sequence of observed values of these sums. Provided X is well-behaved, n is large, and k is large in relation to n, this model rigorously justifies the use of the curve to approximate the histogram for the data. The object is to explore this idea in detail. Let X 1 , X 2 , . . . be independent, identically distributed random variables. Suppose the X i are integer-valued, and have period 1:
Cochlear implants: growing pains.

Objectives/Hypothesis The objective was to make familiar the problems faced in the application of cochlear implants to the half-million to a million severe to profoundly deaf individuals who are potential beneficiaries of this technology. Study Design Observations accumulated during 23 years as Medical Director of the Manhattan Eye Ear Throat Hospital Cochlear Implant Center. Methods The author reviewed insights gained while directing the Cochlear Implant Center since the early 1980s at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital (New York, NY). Results The rapid application of cochlear implant technology for patients with severe to profound hearing losses is creating critical problems. It is being hampered by inadequate reimbursement. There is a critical shortage of cochlear implant–trained audiologists, who are an essential keystone in the application of this technology. These audiologists are required to provide lifelong audiological services to patients who have received cochlear implants. At the same time, they must evaluate the exponentially growing number of new candidates. Conclusion The restoration of hearing with cochlear implants provides an enormous educational and societal benefit. However, the existing health care delivery system limits the application of cochlear implant technology. University audiological training programs must expand their curricula to include cochlear implant–related courses. The existing rehabilitation audiologist delivery system could be applied to provide long-term, community-based cochlear implant services.
Binding of Helix‐Threading Peptides to E. coli 16S Ribosomal RNA and Inhibition of the S15–16S Complex

Helix-threading peptides (HTPs) constitute a new class of small molecules that bind selectively to duplex RNA structures adjacent to helix defects and project peptide functionality into the dissimilar duplex grooves. To further explore and develop the capabilities of the HTP design for binding RNA selectively, we identified helix 22 of the prokaryotic ribosomal RNA 16S as a target. This helix is a component of the binding site for the ribosomal protein S15. In addition, the S15–16S RNA interaction is important for the ordered assembly of the bacterial ribosome. Here we present the synthesis and characterization of helix-threading peptides that bind selectively to helix 22 of E. coli 16S RNA. These compounds bind helix 22 by threading intercalation placing the N termini in the minor groove and the C termini in the major groove. Binding is dependent on the presence of a highly conserved purine-rich internal loop in the RNA, whereas removal of the loop minimally affects binding of the classical intercalators ethidium bromide and methidiumpropyl–EDTA⋅Fe (MPE⋅Fe). Moreover, binding selectivity translates into selective inhibition of formation of the S15–16S complex.
Stream flow and ground water recharge from small forested watersheds in north central Minnesota

In hydrologic studies of forested watersheds, the component of the water balance most likely to be poorly defined or neglected is deep seepage. In the complex glaciated terrain of the northern Lake States, subsurface water movement can be substantial. On the Marcell experimental forest (MEF) in north-central Minnesota, ground water table elevations measured in observation wells in recharge areas were used to calculate rates of ground water recharge. In northern Minnesota winters, precipitation is stored on the surface as snow and ground water recharge ceases. Water table elevations in recharge areas decline over winter at calculable rates. Deviations from these rates during other times of the year are due to ground water recharge. On 10-50 ha watersheds on the MEF, ground water recharge varies among watersheds but constitutes about 40% of the total water yield. Annual ground water recharge amounts were found to vary linearly with precipitation. Even in high precipitation years, the infiltration capacity of the watersheds was not exceeded. Regression equations were developed relating yearly ground water recharge, stream flow, and total water yield, to seasonal precipitation amounts, summer and autumn precipitation during the previous year, and non-winter air temperature.
Characteristics of lysine uptake by isolated renal cortical tubule fragments from mature and immature dogs.

Abstract The uptake of l -lysine was examined in isolated renal cortical tubule fragments from adult and 1-week-old dogs. Lysine uptake by adults tubules was initially more rapid than that by the immature tubules. This uptake by mature tubules reached a steady state after 30 min of incubation, while the newborn tubules still had not reached a steady by 90 min of incubation. Because a steady state of lysine uptake was not attained with the immature tubules, their uptake of lysine exceeded that of the adult after 60 min of incubation. Kinetic studies revealed that lysine was taken up by one saturable transport system with Km of 0.56 mM and Vmax of 6.18 mmol/liter intercellular fluid per 5 min in the adult and one saturable transport system in the 1-week-old with a Km of 0.38 mM and Vmax mmol/l intracellular fluid per 5 min. Lysine also entered the renal tubule cells in both age groups via a diffusional pathway with kd of 0.35 min−1 in the adult and 0.30 min−1 in the newborn. Cystine competitively inhibited lysine uptake by adult dog tubules with a Ki of 0.61 mM. The other dibasic amino acids, ornithine and arginine, also inhibited lysine uptake in both the adult and the newborn.
Using state observers to model viscoelastic effects

Researchers have been seeking the best combinations of active and passive damping since the mid 1980's. Much of this work has centered around classical control schemes and has assumed real- or complex-valued approximations of the viscoelastic material properties. The time dependence of viscoelastic materials has been addressed effectively by several researchers using internal variable methods. Most of these methods do yield simple entries in existing mass and stiffness matrices. Rather, the time dependence of the system is represented by coupling of the physical and internal degrees of freedom in a set of first-order equations. Just as with many of the physical states, the internal degrees of freedom are not measurable. This work explores the implications of reconstructing these states through an observer for the purpose of feedback control. After reviewing some basic theory for internal variables, the effect on control effort is demonstrated for systems using output feedback versus full state feedback. This work is a preliminary step toward better accounting for the time dependencies of viscoelastic materials in systems with active control.
Temperature-dependent enhancement of the antinociceptive effects of opioids in combination with gabapentin in mice

Abstract Prescription opioids and anticonvulsants such as gabapentin are often used as combination therapeutics for chronic as well as acute post-operative pain conditions although the effectiveness of such combinations may be dependent on the intensity of the pain state. To test the capacity of gabapentin to enhance opioid effectiveness in the presence of different thermal stimulus intensities, morphine, oxycodone and gabapentin were examined alone and in combination for antinociception in Swiss-Webster male mice using a hot-plate set to one of three temperature intensities (48.5 °C, 50.5 °C, 52.5 °C). Morphine and oxycodone produced significant dose- and stimulus intensity-dependent antinociception whereas gabapentin produced only modest antinociception. However, in combination, gabapentin enhanced the effectiveness of sub-antinociceptive doses of morphine and oxycodone and the gabapentin and oxycodone combinations were both dose- and temperature intensity-dependent. These results provide evidence that the effectiveness and magnitude of the interactions between gabapentin and opioids are dependent on the intensity of the pain stimulus in acute thermal pain states.
Paroxetine pharmacokinetics in depressed children and adolescents.

ABSTRACT Objective To describe the pharmacokinatics and safety of paroxetine in children and adolescents and to explore the role of genetic polymorphisms in paroxetine pharmacokinetics. Method Thirty depressed youths were enrolled. Samples for phenotyping with respect to cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) and catechol- O -methyltransferase were collected. A single 10-mg dose of paroxetine was then administered followed by 5 days of blood and urine collection for pharmacokinetic analyses. Subjects subsequently received open treatment for 8 weeks, and weekly blood samples were obtained for plasma concentration measurements. Results There was tremendous interindividual variability in paroxetine disposition. The mean half-life of paroxetine was 11.1 5.2 (SD) hours. The average clearance was 88.7 66.4 mt./kg. The mean area under the plasma drug concentration curve was 0.09 0.10 μUg/mL-hr. Within-subject variability of plasma paroxetine concentrations was generally not significant. Clearance and fractional urinary excretion of paroxetine were found to correlate with CYP2D6 activity. Two subjects developed hypomania necessitating drug discontinuation. No clinically significant changes in any safety assessments were noted. Conclusions Paroxetine is more rapidly cleared in youths than adults and may be given once daily in this population. Short-term treatment with paroxetine appears safe and well tolerated in this relatively small sample of pediatric patients. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry , 1999, 38(8):952–959.
Synthesis and electrocatalytic oxygen reduction properties of truncated octahedral Pt3Ni nanoparticles

Pt3Ni nanoparticles have been obtained by shape-controlled synthesis and employed as oxygen reduction electrocatalysts for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). The effects of varying the synthesis parameters such as the types of the capping agent and the reducing agent, and the reaction time have been systematically studied. The as-prepared Pt3Ni nanoparticles were subjected to a butylamine-based surface treatment in order to prepare carbon-supported electrocatalysts. The Pt3Ni electrocatalysts show an areaspecific activity of 0.76 mA/cm2(Pt) at 0.9 V in an alkaline electrolyte, which is 4.5 times that of a commercial Pt/C catalyst (0.17 mA/cm2 (Pt)). The mass activity reached 0.30 A/mg(Pt) at 0.9 V, which is about twice that of the commercial Pt/C catalyst. Our results also show that the area-specific activities of these carbon-supported Pt3Ni electrocatalysts depend strongly on the (111) surface fraction, which is consistent with the results of a study based on Pt3Ni extended single-crystal surfaces.