cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vegetable crop emergence and weed control following amendment with different Brassicaceae seed meals

Brassicaceae seed meals produced through the oil extraction process release biologically active glucosinolate secondary products and may be useful as a part of biological weed control systems. Before meal can be used most efficiently, recommendations for suitable planting dates that maximize weed control but reduce crop injury must be determined. Our objectives were to determine the impact of 1 and 3% (w/w) meal applications of Brassica napus L. (canola), Brassica juncea L. (oriental mustard) and Sinapis alba L. (yellow mustard) on crop emergence and weed biomass in a growth chamber and field study. Results from the growth chamber experiment indicated that lettuce emergence was reduced by at least 75% when planted into 3% S. alba-amended soil earlier than 5 weeks after meal application. After 5 weeks, emergence was not different among treatments. Crop emergence was not reduced by any meal treatment as compared to the no-meal treatment in year 1 of the field study. In year 2, crop emergence in each 1.2-m row was inhibited by all meal treatments and ranged from 16 plants in the 3% B. juncea treatment to 81 plants in the no-meal treatment. The difference between emergence results in year 1 and year 2 is likely due to differing climatic conditions early in the season prior to irrigation, and the method of irrigation used. Redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) biomass was 72–93% lower in 1% B. juncea and 3% treatments relative to the no-meal control in the first weed harvest of year 1. These same treatments had 87–99% less common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.) biomass. By the second weed harvest, redroot pigweed biomass in meal treatments (0.02–1.6 g m−2) was not different from that in the no-meal treatment (0.97 g m−2). Redroot pigweed biomass in 3% B. juncea plots was reduced by 74% relative to the no-meal treatment in the first harvest of year 2. This treatment also reduced common chickweed [Stellaria media (L.) Vill.] biomass by 99% relative to the 1% meal treatments. While pigweed biomass was reduced by 3% B. juncea in the early part of the season, by the second harvest this same treatment had the greatest pigweed biomass. Despite significant variability between years, 3% B. juncea did provide early season weed control in both years. Repeated meal applications, however, may be necessary to control late season weeds. Inhibition of crop emergence appears to be highly dependent on the amount and distribution of water and needs to be further studied in field settings.
The effect of reduced gravity on solidification microstructures of NH4Cl-H2O alloys

The effect of gravity on the columnar-to-equiaxed microstructural transition was studied in small samples of NH4Cl-H2O. The behavior of the samples during laboratory (one gravity) experiments was contrasted with their behavior during a (low gravity) sounding rocket flight. In one gravity, the columnar zone accounted for 25 to 100 pct of the structure, depending on the superheat and orientation of the chill. Grain multiplication occurred by showering and by convection induced dendrite arm remelting. Convection was caused by both thermal gradients and solutal gradients. In low gravity, however, completely columnar structures were obtained; all grain multiplication mechanisms were entirely suppressed. Reduced gravity also modified the thermal conditions and caused the liquid to cool more slowly. This resulted in a steeper temperature gradient in the liquid ahead of the solidification interface. 'Big bang' type nucleation occurred in two of the samples, distributing nuclei throughout the liquid. Despite this, an equiaxed zone did not form, indicating that the most significant effect of low gravity on this experiment was modification of the thermal conditions.
Waldenström's macroglobulinemia resulting from localized gastric lymphoplasmacytoid lymphoma

A patient with a high level serum monoclonal IgM lambda paraprotein (3,850 mg/dL) was found to have a mass infiltrating the gastric mucosa. Gastric biopsy with immunohistochemical stains showed a B-cell lymphoplasmacytoid infiltrate expressing IgM lambda, consistent with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia. The patient's response to gastric radiation indicated that the primary source of the macroglobulinemia was the stomach. This is an extremely rare presentation, with only six other reported cases of this entity with gastric involvement.
2005 annual report of the american association of poison control centers' national poisoning and exposure database

Background. The American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC; http://www.aapcc.org) maintains the national database of information logged by the country's 61 Poison Control Centers (PCCs). Case records in this database are from self-reported calls: they reflect only information provided when the public or healthcare professionals report an actual or potential exposure to a substance (e.g., an ingestion, inhalation, or topical exposure.), or request information/educational materials. Exposures do not necessarily represent a poisoning or overdose. The AAPCC is not able to completely verify the accuracy of every report made to member centers. Additional exposures may go unreported to PCCs, and data referenced from the AAPCC should not be construed to represent the complete incidence of national exposures to any substance(s). U.S. Poison Centers make possible the compilation and reporting of this report through their staffs' meticulous documentation of each case using standardized definitions and com...
Preference and Interest as Functions of Distributional Redundancy in Rhythmic Sequences

This study was generated from a previous analytical study, the results of which provided evidence to suggest that redundancy in rhythmic sequences is a variable between musical styles if not between compositions. The purpose of the present study was to determine if the same factor (i.e., distributional redundancy) would have an influence on preference and interest responses for rhythmic sequences. Subjects were presented with pairs of rhythmic sequences in which all factors except level of distributional redundancy had been randomized or held constant. Subjects were asked to choose the sequence most preferred (Experiment I) or most interesting (Experiment II). The results of the study suggest: (1) the beginning of a curve showing preference to be an inverted U-shaped function of the amount of distributional redundancy in rhythmic sequences; and (2) that interest responses appear to be an increasing monotonic function of distributional redundancy in rhythmic sequences.
In-vitro characterization of blood-brain barrier permeability to delta sleep-inducing peptide.

— The diffusion of delta sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP) across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) has been investigated with an in-vitro model comprised of primary cultures of brain micro vessel endothelial cell (BMEC) monolayers. The BMEC monolayers were mounted in a side-by-side diffusion apparatus and the transendothelial flux of DSIP analysed by HPLC with UV detection at 280 nm. The transendothelial flux of the peptide was linear with time and increasing concentrations of DSIP (non-saturable), but was not altered by reduced temperature. The apparent permeability coefficient for DSIP penetration of BMEC monolayers was in a range similar to water-soluble substances (e.g. fluorescein, fluorescein isothiocyanate dextrans) that penetrate the blood-brain barrier to a limited degree based on molecular weight. DSIP flux across the BMEC monolayers was also found to be bidirectional, insensitive to metabolic inhibitors, and not altered by high concentrations of tryptophan. Little degradation (apparent t 1/2 about 10 h) of DSIP to major metabolites, tryptophan (trp) and des-trp DSIP, occurred over the time of the diffusion experiments. The results of these studies support and confirm observations in-vivo indicating that intact DSIP crosses the BBB by simple transmembrane diffusion.
Investigating baseline neurocognitive performance between male and female athletes with a history of multiple concussion

Objective The purpose of this study was to examine, using a dose–response model, sex differences in computerised neurocognitive performance among athletes with a history of multiple concussions. Design Retrospective with randomly selected concussion cases from four levels/numbers of previous concussion. Setting Multicentre analysis of NCAA student-athletes. Participants Subjects included a total of 100 male and 88 female NCAA athletes. Intervention Sex and four mutually exclusive groups of self-reported concussion history: (1) no history of concussion, (2) one previous concussion, (3) two previous concussions, (4) three or more previous concussions. Main outcome measurements Neurocognitive performance as measured by a computerised neurocognitive test battery (Immediate Postconcussion Assessment Cognitive Testing (ImPACT)). Results A dose–response gradient was found for two or more previous concussions and decreased neurocognitive performance. Females with a history of two and three or more concussions performed better than males with a history of two (p=0.001) and three or more concussions (p=0.012) on verbal memory. Females performed better than males with a history of three or more concussions (p=0.021) on visual memory. Finally, there was a significant difference for sex on both motor processing speed and reaction-time composite scores. Specifically, males performed worse than females on both processing speed (p=0.029) and reaction time (p=0.04). Conclusion The current study provided partial support for a dose–response model of concussion and neurocognitive performance decrements beginning at two or more previous concussions. Sex differences should be considered when examining the effects of concussion history on computerised neurocognitive performance.
Wind-field reconstruction using flight data

Although guidance of all aircraft is affected by wind disturbances, micro-UAVs are especially susceptible. To estimate unknown wind disturbance, we consider two illustrative scenarios for planar flight. In the first scenario, we assume that measurements of the heading angle are available, while, in the second scenario, we assume that measurements of the heading angle are not available. Since the disturbance estimation problem is nonlinear, we develop an extension of the unscented Kalman filter that provides an estimate of the unknown wind disturbance. Furthermore, we show through simulations that, when the heading angle is not measured, a kinematic ambiguity is introduced. However, when the initial heading angle is known and the subsequent heading angle is not measured, this kinematic ambiguity is resolved and accurate estimates of the wind velocity are obtained.
The Analysis Of Magnetohydrodynamic Modes In Tokamaks By X-Ray Techniques

A brief review of recent studies of fluctuations in x-rav emission from tokamak plasmas of controlled thermonuclear fusion interest is given. The origin of the x-rays, the nature of the oscillations, and measurement and analysis techniques are discussed, with emphasis on the work performed on the ST and PLT tokamaks. Areas for future research, particularly in the region of reconstruction, are stressed.
Nosocomial fungal infections: epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment

Invasive fungal infections are increasingly common in the nosocomial setting. Furthermore, because risk factors for these infections continue to increase in frequency, it is likely that nosocomial fungal infections will continue to increase in frequency in the coming decades. The predominant nosocomial fungal pathogens include Candida spp., Aspergillus spp., Mucorales, Fusarium spp., and other molds, including Scedosporium spp. These infections are difficult to diagnose and cause high morbidity and mortality despite antifungal therapy. Early initiation of effective antifungal therapy and reversal of underlying host defects remain the cornerstones of treatment for nosocomial fungal infections. In recent years, new antifungal agents have become available, resulting in a change in standard of care for many of these infections. Nevertheless, the mortality of nosocomial fungal infections remains high, and new therapeutic and preventative strategies are needed.
Prognostic implications of transient asymptomatic myocardial ischemia as detected by ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring

A SSESSMENT OF risk in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is related to the presence of transient myocardial ischemia, degree of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, and anatomic extent of CAD. Transient myocardial ischemia during exercise is an important prognostic determinant of cardiac outcome’-6 and may be objectively stratified with graded exercise tolerance tests (ETT) and/or radionuclide studies. Ambulatory electrocardiographic (AECG) monitoring is an alternative technique that is being used more frequently to quantitatively assess the ischemia that occurs during daily activities. Many studies have documented that more than 70% of daily ischemic episodes are asymptomatic,7-Z0 and investigators have debated whether AECG-detected silent ischemia (SI) is useful in the prognostic assessment of patients with CAD. The incidence and frequency of daily asymptomatic ischemic episodes varies between patient subgroups. AECG-detected SI may have different prognostic significance in patients selected from the general population undergoing noncardiac surgery, with stable and unstable angina (UA), after myocardial infarction (MI), and following mechanical revascularization. This article reviews the growing body of medical literature that has evaluated the prognostic value of AECG-detected asymptomatic myocardial ischemia in these patient subgroups.
FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS ON THE ORIGIN OF TUMORS IN MICE : II. TUMOR INCIDENCE AND TUMOR AGE IN HYBRIDS.

1. In crossing strains known to diner in their tumor rates, the hybrids show in a considerable number of cases a tumor rate corresponding to the parent with a high tumor incidence; in some cases the offspring have the tumor rate of the parent with the low tumor incidence; in certain cases the tumor rate of the offspring is intermediate between those of the parents. That these results are not accidental follows from the fact that we could show in some cases that two sisters crossed with the same strains or with the same male give similar offspring, and in other cases we could show that the same individual crossed successively with two strains that behave similarly produces hybrids with a similar tumor incidence. 2. There exists some evidence for the conclusion that different strains in being crossed with other strains differ in their power to impress their tumor rate upon the crosses. Thus the English strain and the I and II daughters of No. 10 have the tendency to transmit to the offspring a high tumor rate, while Cream, Silver, and some European other than 151 have a tendency to transmit a low tumor rate. While crosses of these daughters of No. 10 with European 151 or with No. 8(1/2) show the high tumor rate of the mothers, the crosses of one of the same females with Cream or Silver show an intermediate tumor rate. 3. We find further evidence for our conclusion previously stated that age class, of the tumors and tumor rate are not dependent on the same factor. The age class enters into the crosses as a factor independent of the tumor rate. Thus we find in the crosses between the first daughter of No. 10 and Cream, and in the crosses between the same female and English Silver a similar tumor rate, but the age classes differ in conformity with the difference in the age classes of the parents. We find, furthermore, that while in some cases a tumor rate and an age class that correspond to each other (high tumor rate, early tumors-low tumor rate, late tumors) are transmitted to the offspring, in other cases tumor rate and age class transmitted to the crosses diverge. 4. It seems that certain strains with very late tumors if mated with strains with earlier tumors have a tendency to transmit to the offspring their own tendency to very late tumors. With a certain strain lateness of the tumors seems to be dominant, while a low tumor rate is not necessarily dominant in the same crosses. This was noticeable in the crosses into which the strain European +/- 102 or 103 entered as one of the parents. 5. If both parents have a similar tumor rate the offspring have usually a similar tumor rate. There was, however, one exception to this rule in the case of the German +/- Carter mice, in which the offspring showed a much lower tumor rate and higher age class than either of the parent strains.
A New Risk Classification System for Therapeutic Decision Making with Intermediate-risk Prostate Cancer Patients Undergoing Dose-escalated External-beam Radiation Therapy

Abstract Background The management of intermediate-risk prostate cancer (PCa) is controversial, in part due to the heterogeneous nature of patients falling within this classification. Objective We propose a new risk stratification system for intermediate-risk PCa to aid in prognosis and therapeutic decision making. Design, setting, and participants Between 1992 and 2007, 1024 patients with National Comprehensive Cancer Network intermediate-risk PCa and complete biopsy information were treated with definitive external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT) utilizing doses ≥81Gy. Unfavorable intermediate-risk (UIR) PCa was defined as any intermediate-risk patient with a primary Gleason pattern of 4, percentage of positive biopsy cores (PPBC) ≥50%, or multiple intermediate-risk factors (IRFs; cT2b–c, prostate-specific antigen [PSA] 10–20, or Gleason score 7). Intervention All patients received EBRT with ≥81Gy with or without neoadjuvant and concurrent androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT). Outcome measurements and statistical analysis Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using a Cox proportional hazards model for PSA recurrence-free survival (PSA-RFS) and distant metastasis (DM). PCa-specific mortality (PCSM) was analyzed using a competing-risk method. Results and limitations Median follow-up was 71 mo. Primary Gleason pattern 4 (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.26; p p =0.0007), and multiple IRFs (HR: 2.20; p =0.008) all were significant predictors of increased DM in multivariate analyses. Primary Gleason pattern 4 (HR: 5.23; p p =0.002) but not multiple IRFs (HR: 1.74; p =0.21) independently predicted for increased PCSM. Patients with UIR disease had inferior PSA-RFS (HR: 2.37; p p =0.0003), and PCSM (HR: 7.39; p =0.007) compared with those with favorable intermediate-risk disease, despite being more likely to receive neoadjuvant ADT. Short follow-up and retrospective study design are the primary limitations. Conclusions Intermediate-risk PCa is a heterogeneous collection of diseases that can be separated into favorable and unfavorable subsets. These groups likely will benefit from divergent therapeutic paradigms.
Alcohol effects on performance monitoring and adjustment: affect modulation and impairment of evaluative cognitive control.

Alcohol is known to impair self-regulatory control of behavior, though mechanisms for this effect remain unclear. Here, we tested the hypothesis that alcohol’s reduction of negative affect (NA) is a key mechanism for such impairment. This hypothesis was tested by measuring the amplitude of the error-related negativity (ERN), a component of the event-related brain potential (ERP) posited to reflect the extent to which behavioral control failures are experienced as distressing, while participants completed a laboratory task requiring self-regulatory control. Alcohol reduced both the ERN and error positivity (Pe) components of the ERP following errors and impaired typical posterror behavioral adjustment. Structural equation modeling indicated that effects of alcohol on both the ERN and posterror adjustment were significantly mediated by reductions in NA. Effects of alcohol on Pe amplitude were unrelated to posterror adjustment, however. These findings indicate a role for affect modulation in understanding alcohol’s effects on self-regulatory impairment and more generally support theories linking the ERN with a distress-related response to control failures.
Threat Sensitivity in Bicolor Damselfish: Effects of Sociality and Body Size

Threat sensitivity involves graded antipredator responses that reflect the degree of predatory threat encountered. Models of predatory Atlantic trumpetfish (Aulostomus maculatus) were presented to differently sized juvenile bicolor damselfish (Pomacentrus partitus) that occurred singly or in small groups to test for threat sensitivity. Bicolor damselfish displayed threat sensitivity by responding more strongly: 1. To large models than to small models; and 2. As models were brought closer. Solitary damselfish showed stronger responses than did fish in small groups. However, no habituation to threat occurred, no correlation was found between response strength and fish size, and many individuals gave strong, ungraded responses to predator models. Comparisons between juvenile bicolor damselfish and threespot damselfish suggest that bicolor are weakly threat sensitive in that they respond strongly regardless of threat (hypersensitivity). Solitary fish are more hypersensitive than grouped fish. Threespot damselfish show a stronger influence of damselfish body size: small threespot exhibit graded responses in proportion to degree of threat (pure threat sensitivity), whereas large threespot show relatively weak responses (nonchalance). These interspecific comparisons indicate the potential range that characterizes threat sensitivity and the possible influence of social and ontogenetic factors on that range.
Early Induction and Late Abrogation of Respiratory Burst in A. phagocytophilum-Infected Neutrophils

Human granulocytic ehrlichiosis is an emerging tick-borne disease caused by the obligate intracellular pathogen, Anaplasma phagocytophilum. This organism is unique because it survives and propagates in neutrophil vacuoles. During phagocytosis professional phagocytes increase oxygen consumption (respiratory burst) through the activity of NADPH-oxidase, which generates superoxide anion (O2(-)) and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). We assayed the ability of A. phagocytophilum-infected neutrophils to generate O2(-) in response to early infection (0, 3, and 5 hours) by using 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA), a fluorogenic probe commonly used to detect cellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Our flow cytometric analyses showed that cell-free A. phagocytophilum induced respiratory burst 6.9-fold greater than that of LPS, an effect still evident to a lesser degree after 3 h, but absent by 5h. A. phagocytophilum initially induces and then represses respiratory burst in neutrophils. The long-term reduction in respiratory burst activity may be important for survival of A. phagocytophilum and other infectious agents in neutrophils. The effect of this may be to generate a limited functional equivalent of chronic granulomatous disease that predisposes to infections by opportunistic pathogens.
Micropatterned Surfaces for Control of Cell Shape, Position, and Function

The control of cell position and function is a fundamental focus in the development of applications ranging from cellular biosensors to tissue engineering. Using microcontact printing of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkanethiolates on gold, we manufactured substrates that contained micrometer-scale islands of extracellular matrix (ECM) separated by nonadhesive regions such that the pattern of islands determined the distribution and position of bovine and human endothelial cells. In addition, the size and geometry of the islands were shown to control cell shape. Traditional approaches to modulate cell shape, either by attaching suspended cells to microbeads of different sizes or by plating cells on substrates coated with different densities of ECM, suggested that cell shape may play an important role in control of apoptosis as well as growth. Data are presented which show how micropatterned substrates were used to definitively test this hypothesis. Progressively restricting bovine and human endothelial cell extension by culturing cells on smaller and smaller micropatterned adhesive islands regulated a transition from growth to apoptosis on a single continuum of cell spreading, thus confirming the central role of cell shape in cell function. The micropatterning technology is therefore essential not only for construction of biosurface devices but also for the investigation of the fundamental biology of cell-ECM interactions.
Probabilistic load flow algorithms considering correlation between input random variables: A review

Plenty of uncertainty and correlation factors exist in power systems. These factors have important influence on power system operation. The probabilistic load flow (PLF) algorithm considering correlation between input random variables is an efficacious tool to handle these factors. Three commonly used modeling techniques of correlated input random variables are analyzed, including Nataf transformation, polynomial normal transformation and Copula theory. The procedure, feature, advantage and disadvantage of different PLF algorithms, such as Monte Carlo simulation method, cumulant method and point estimate method, are reviewed considering correlation between input random variables.
Adult venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for severe respiratory failure: Current status and future perspectives

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for severe acute respiratory failure was proposed more than 40 years ago. Despite the publication of the ARDSNet study and adoption of lung protective ventilation, the mortality for acute respiratory failure due to acute respiratory distress syndrome has continued to remain high. This technology has evolved over the past couple of decades and has been noted to be safe and successful, especially during the worldwide H1N1 influenza pandemic with good survival rates. The primary indications for ECMO in acute respiratory failure include severe refractory hypoxemic and hypercarbic respiratory failure in spite of maximum lung protective ventilatory support. Various triage criteria have been described and published. Contraindications exist when application of ECMO may be futile or technically impossible. Knowledge and appreciation of the circuit, cannulae, and the physiology of gas exchange with ECMO are necessary to ensure lung rest, efficiency of oxygenation, and ventilation as well as troubleshooting problems. Anticoagulation is a major concern with ECMO, and the evidence is evolving with respect to diagnostic testing and use of anticoagulants. Clinical management of the patient includes comprehensive critical care addressing sedation and neurologic issues, ensuring lung recruitment, diuresis, early enteral nutrition, treatment and surveillance of infections, and multisystem organ support. Newer technology that delinks oxygenation and ventilation by extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal may lead to ultra-lung protective ventilation, avoidance of endotracheal intubation in some situations, and ambulatory therapies as a bridge to lung transplantation. Risks, complications, and long-term outcomes and resources need to be considered and weighed in before widespread application. Ethical challenges are a reality and a multidisciplinary approach that should be adopted for every case in consideration.
Orientation of Cyano-Substituted Bipyridine Re(I) fac-Tricarbonyl Electrocatalysts Bound to Conducting Au Surfaces

Sum frequency generation spectroscopy (SFG) and calculations of SFG spectra based on density functional theory are combined to elucidate the orientation of two Re(R-2,2′-bipyridine)(CO)3Cl (R = 4-cyano or 4,4′-dicyano) electrocatalysts when adsorbed on conductive gold surfaces. We find that the electrocatalysts lean on the Au surface to orient the plane of the bipyridine ligand at 63° relative to the surface normal. While the weak binding of the complexes to the gold surface precluded the ability to perform surface immobilized catalysis, homogeneous electrochemical experiments show that the molecular catalysts are active toward the reduction of CO2 to CO and carbonate in the triply reduced state (TOF of 13.3 and 7.2 s–1 for the doubly and singly substituted complexes, respectively). These findings demonstrate the capabilities of the approach of including rigorous spectroscopic and theoretical methods for revealing the conformation and orientation of CO2 reduction catalysts bound to electrode surfaces, whi...
Prophylactic plasma transfusion for surgical patients with abnormal preoperative coagulation tests: a single-institution propensity-adjusted cohort study

Summary Background Perioperative haemorrhage negatively affects patient outcomes and results in substantial consumption of health-care resources. Plasma transfusions are often administered to address abnormal preoperative coagulation tests, with the hope to mitigate bleeding complications. We aimed to assess the associations between preoperative plasma transfusion and bleeding complications in patients with elevated international normalised ratio (INR) undergoing non-cardiac surgery. Methods We did an observational study in a consecutive sample of adult patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery with preoperative INR greater than or equal to 1·5. The exposure of interest was transfusion of preoperative plasma for elevated INR. The primary outcome was WHO grade 3 bleeding in the early perioperative period (from entry into the operating room until 24 h following exit from operating room). Hypotheses were tested with univariate and propensity-matched analyses. We did multiple sensitivity analyses to further evaluate the robustness of study findings. Findings Between Jan 1, 2008, and Dec 31, 2011, we identified 1234 (8·4%) of 14 743 patients who had an INR of 1·5 or above and were included in this investigation. Of 1234 study participants, 139 (11%) received a preoperative plasma transfusion. WHO grade 3 bleeding occurred in 73 (53%) of 139 patients who received preoperative plasma compared with 350 (32%) of 1095 patients who did not (odds ratio [OR] 2·35, 95% CI 1·65–3·36; p Interpretation Preoperative plasma transfusion for elevated international normalised ratios was associated with an increased frequency of perioperative bleeding complications. Findings were robust in the sensitivity analyses, suggestive that more conservative management of abnormal preoperative international normalised ratios is warranted. Funding Mayo Clinic, National Institutes of Health.
LES of Partially-Premixed Unsteady Combustion

Large-Eddy Simulation (LES) methodology has been used to model the combustion dynamics in a realistic swirl-stabilized dump combustor. A novel partially-premixed flamelet combustion model is employed to capture the interaction of the unsteady flame-front with local velocity and equivalence ratio fluctuations. Two sets of simulations have been conducted which employ this combustion model. First, the model is used to simulate temporal variations in the mean inlet fuel flow-rate mimicking pressure and fuel feed-line interaction, a major source of instabilities. The second application models the effects of unmixedness as a result of spatial various in the inlet equivalence ratio. A baseline, uniform equivalence ratio simulation is also reported and is used for comparison. It is shown that the present model is capable of capturing the combustion dynamics under both temporal and spatial fluctuations in the equivalence ratio.
The relationship of leukocyte alkaline phosphatase to stress, to ACTH, and to adrenal 17-OH-corticosteroids.

Abstract 1.1. Leukocyte alkaline phosphatase in nonleukemic subjects markedly increases on a unit cell basis in many clinical disease states having as at least one common denominator increased pituitary-adrenal activity. 2.2. Increased phosphatase activity also results from the administration of AGTH gel or hydrocortisone to normal subjects in large doses over a 3-day period. 3.3. A similar response is observed when hydrocortisone but not ACTH is administered to subjects with Addison's disease, while subjects with pan-hypopituitarism respond to both medications. After bilateral adrenalectomy the ability to respond to ACTH by increased phosphatase activity usually is abolished. 4.4. Data are presented regarding the phosphatase activity in a variety of disease states with reference to the response to ACTH and 17-hydroxycorticosteroids. 5.5. Increased phosphatase activity does not appear to result from administration of ascorbic acid or Compound S intramuscularly. 6.6. Data regarding time-dosage responses are presented. Maximum activity increase develops gradually over a 72-hour period with a usual time lag of several hours to a day after medication is started before increased activity begins to be manifested. It appears that sustained increases in blood steroid levels rather than short bursts of increased adrenal activity are required to elicit this phenomenon. 7.7. Data correlating increased phosphatase activity and urinary excretion of 17-hydroxycorticoids are presented and discussed. 8.8. In chronic myelocytic leukemia native alkaline phosphatase activity of leukocytes is low and the ability to respond to ACTH or hydrocortisone is absent or only minimally present despite evidence of good adrenal function in terms of 17-hydroxycorticoid excretion. This is true in most therapeutically induced remissions, but two unusual exceptions have been observed during essentially complete initial remissions early in the course of the disease. The implications of this occasional reversion of the phosphatase activity pattern are discussed in detail with some speculation as to its possible mechanism. 9.9. While the phenomenon of increaed unit cell alkaline phosphatase activity occurs as a result of many natural "stresses" and the administration of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids, it is not to be assumed at this time that the adrenal mechanism is the only one by which this phenomenon is elicited. The data suggest that nonadrenal mediated responses or combinations of adrenal and non-adrenal mechanisms may be involved in certain instances. The elucidation of mechanisms involved requires further work.
Hospital Usage of Parenteral Antimicrobial Agents: A Gradated Utilization Review and Cost Containment Program

Forty percent to 60% of antimicrobial agents administered in hospitals without effective antimicrobial review and control programs are not needed. Excessive use of antimicrobial agents in the hospital promotes colonization of patients with resistant organisms, needlessly exposes them to the risk of an adverse drug reaction, and increases the cost of care. A gradated antimicrobial utilization review program is presented that determines hospital usage, develops guidelines for appropriate cost-effective drug administration, provides several options for implementation, and monitors outcome so that measures can be modified for specific situations. The techniques used are basic epidemiologic measures currently used to assess hospital infections.
Development and Validation of the Spanish Numeracy Understanding in Medicine Instrument

The Spanish-speaking population in the U.S. is large and growing and is known to have lower health literacy than the English-speaking population. Less is known about the health numeracy of this population due to a lack of health numeracy measures in Spanish. we aimed to develop and validate a short and easy to use measure of health numeracy for Spanish-speaking adults: the Spanish Numeracy Understanding in Medicine Instrument (Spanish-NUMi). Items were generated based on qualitative studies in English- and Spanish-speaking adults and translated into Spanish using a group translation and consensus process. Candidate items for the Spanish NUMi were selected from an eight-item validated English Short NUMi. Differential Item Functioning (DIF) was conducted to evaluate equivalence between English and Spanish items. Cronbach’s alpha was computed as a measure of reliability and a Pearson’s correlation was used to evaluate the association between test scores and the Spanish Test of Functional Health Literacy (S-TOFHLA) and education level. Two-hundred and thirty-two Spanish-speaking Chicago residents were included in the study. The study population was diverse in age, gender, and level of education and 70 % reported Mexico as their country of origin. Two items of the English eight-item Short NUMi demonstrated DIF and were dropped. The resulting six-item test had a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.72, a range of difficulty using classical test statistics (percent correct: 0.48 to 0.86), and adequate discrimination (item-total score correlation: 0.34–0.49). Scores were positively correlated with print literacy as measured by the S- TOFHLA (r = 0.67; p < 0.001) and varied as predicted across grade level; mean scores for up to eighth grade, ninth through twelfth grade, and some college experience or more, respectively, were 2.48 (SD ± 1.64), 4.15 (SD ± 1.45), and 4.82 (SD ± 0.37). The Spanish NUMi is a reliable and valid measure of important numerical concepts used in communicating health information.
Simple Ectopia of the Kidney in Monozygotic Twins

We report a case of simple ectopia of the kidney in monozygotic twins. The hypothesis of a genetic mechanism for renal dysmorphogenesis could be tested by banking autopsy tissue and analyzing the messenger ribonucleic acid.
Gunflint production in the Monti Lessini, Italy

Survey and excavation in the Monti Lessini of northern Italy reveal numerous small-scale gunflint production workshops. The location of these is related to the local geology and land-use practices of the 17th through 19th centuries, as well as regional demographics and political events. The recovered artifacts indicate a distinctive type of debitage was produced which allows discrimination of gunflint refuse from prehistoric materials. The stone used is macroscopically identical to French gunflint material commonly identified in historic sites.
Billions Lost Yearly To Earned Income Tax Credit: Errors Or Fraud?

The Earned Income Tax Credit is a refundable credit designed to assist working families with children; especially those who are considered to be living at or close to the poverty level. Over the last decade billions of dollars have been lost due to the improper application and fraudulent claims of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Critics believe that the program no longer serves its intended function because of the cumulative increase in the amounts lost each year; the legislation needs a major overhaul. The IRS have claimed that over 60 percent of the overpayments of EITC is due to manipulation of self-employed income and expenses, unqualified dependents being claimed, and misuse of single and head of household filing status. Even though the penalties for fraud and the lack of exercising due diligence are severe, these crimes continue to occur. While the tax authorities and other legislative bodies explore ways to combat these fraudulent claims, CPAs and other tax-preparers can assist in the fight against these crimes. As the de facto gatekeepers of the tax revenues, they are encouraged to exercise intensive due diligence and professional skepticism when claiming EITC for their clients.
Development, Feasibility, and Piloting of a Novel Natural Mentoring Intervention for Older Youth in Foster Care

Aging out of foster care is associated with deleterious emerging adulthood outcomes. The enduring presence of a caring adult, such as a natural mentor, can improve outcomes for emancipating foster ...
G. L. S. Shackle

The main goal of Peter Earl and Bruce Littleboy in this book is to explain why G. L. S. Shackle’s theory of decision making under conditions of uncertainty lost its battle against the rational expe...
What’s in a Name? Student Pharmacists’ Novel Extracurricular Process of Drug Therapy Reinforcement

Fostering excitement in pharmacy student learning can be achieved through reinforcing drug therapies in curricular and extracurricular endeavors. This paper described an extracurricular initiative that elevated awareness of drug therapy in its current, future, and past members. This process occurred on an annual basis. Upon invitation, participants were expected to attend meetings with current and graduate organizational members. These settings provided opportunities for recognition and remembrance of organizational history and drug therapies. Checkpoints were inserted to verify progression towards full membership. The primary role of graduate members in this process was the yielding of their professional insights. A student – led, peer – facilitated model of drug therapy exposure along these lines resonates with calls for increased innovative learning strategies.
Cell cycle pathway dysregulation in human keratinocytes during chronic exposure to low arsenite.

Abstract Background Arsenic is naturally prevalent in the earth's crust and widely distributed in air and water. Chronic low arsenic exposure is associated with several cancers in vivo, including skin cancer, and with transformation in vitro of cell lines including immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCaT). Arsenic also is associated with cell cycle dysregulation at different exposure levels in multiple cell lines. In this work, we analyzed gene expression in HaCaT cells to gain an understanding of gene expression changes contributing to transformation at an early time point. Methods HaCaT cells were exposed to 0 or 100 nM NaAsO2 for 7 weeks. Total RNA was purified and analyzed by microarray hybridization. Differential expression with fold change ≥ | 1.5 | and p-value ≤ 0.05 was determined using Partek Genomic Suite™ and pathway and network analyses using MetaCore™ software (FDR ≤ 0.05). Cell cycle analysis was performed using flow cytometry. Results 644 mRNAs were differentially expressed. Cell cycle/cell cycle regulation pathways predominated in the list of dysregulated pathways. Genes involved in replication origin licensing were enriched in the network. Cell cycle assay analysis showed an increase in G2/M compartment in arsenite-exposed cells. Conclusions Arsenite exposure induced differential gene expression indicating dysregulation of cell cycle control, which was confirmed by cell cycle analysis. The results suggest that cell cycle dysregulation is an early event in transformation manifested in cells unable to transit G2/M efficiently. Further study at later time points will reveal additional changes in gene expression related to transformation processes.
Resonant Cross-Commutated DC–DC Converter

Resonant current generated in one phase of two interleaved buck converters is injected into the switched node of the other phase to turn on the active switch at zero voltage over wide load range, and to turn off the synchronous switch at near-zero current at rated load. This idea is applied to an interleaved two-phase buck converter with output voltage regulated by extended duty ratio. Parametric analysis is performed to study the impact of resonant components on voltage and current stresses. The expectations were validated by a 2 MHz converter with 12 V input, 3.3 V at 20 A output, and peak efficiency of 93.5%.
The identification of genes associated with the metastatic LNCaP-LN3 prostate cancer cell line.

4496 Introduction and Objective: To investigate the biology of prostate cancer progression our lab establishedanorthotopic model of human prostate cancer. Two distinct subpopulations of the parental LNCaP cell line were selected. The LNCaP-Pro5 cell line is tumorigenic within the prostate while the LNCaP-LN3 cell line is metastatic (Pettaway et.al Clin.Can.Res.). To identify candidate genes and signaling pathways associated with the metastatic phenotype of prostate cancer we examined the differential expression between the LNCaP-Pro5 and LNCaP-LN3 cell lines. Materials and Methods: RNA was extracted from LNCaP-Pro5 and LNCaP-LN3 cell lines and used for DNA microarray and real time PCR analysis. The U133A plus 2.0 Affymetrix chips were used. Gene expression was detected and analyzed using GCOS software (Affymetrix). Differential expression was determined significant using the criteria FC 2.00, where FC was computed as the ratio of expression in the geometric means in LNCaP-LN3 to LNCaP-Pro5. Genes meeting the FC criteria for change in the LNCaP-Pro5 and LNCaP-LN3 cell lines were loaded into Ingenuity Systems, and explored for pathway and functional enrichment. Results: Sixty percent of the genes tested by real time PCR analysis correlated with DNA microarray data. Of these genes BCL2, ERBB4, NFKBIA, SEMA3F, SNAI1, TWIST1 and VEGF were validated. Overall microarray analysis identified fifty-five genes differentially expressed between LNCaP-Pro5 and LNCaP-LN3 involved in metastasis and angiogenesis. These data implicate established genes (i.e. BCL2, CXCR4, TWIST1, and VEGF) as well as genes novel to prostate cancer progression (i.e. AHSG, F2R, RET, and ZAP70) . In addition, significant changes observed in AHSG, CD44, CXCR4, ERBB2, ERBB4, F2R, FGF2, FYN, ITGB3, ITGB4, MAPK1, MMP14, MMP3, MMP9, NFKBIA, NRG1, NRP1, PTK2, RHOC, SERPINA1, SOCS1, and STAT3, implicate the actin cytoskeleton, acute phase response, axonal guidance, ephrin receptor, integrin, leukocyte extravasation, and neuregulin signaling pathways in prostate cancer metastasis. Conclusion: Gene expression analysis of the LNCAP-Pro5 and LNCAP-LN3 cell lines identified fifty-five genes significantly associated with the metastatic phenotype of LNCaP-LN3. The differential expression between LNCAP-Pro5 and LNCAP-LN3 involve alterations in the actin cytoskeleton, acute phase response, axonal guidance, ephrin receptor, integrin, leukocyte extravasation, and neuregulin signaling pathways.
Mast Cells and IgE can Enhance Survival During Innate and Acquired Host Responses to Venoms.

Mast cells and immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies are thought to promote health by contributing to host responses to certain parasites, but other beneficial functions have remained obscure. Venoms provoke innate inflammatory responses and pathology reflecting the activities of the contained toxins. Venoms also can induce allergic sensitization and development of venom-specific IgE antibodies, which can predispose some subjects to exhibit anaphylaxis upon subsequent exposure to the relevant venom. We found that innate functions of mast cells, including degradation of venom toxins by mast cell-derived proteases, enhanced survival in mice injected with venoms from the honeybee, two species of scorpion, three species of poisonous snakes, or the Gila monster. We also found that mice injected with sub-lethal amounts of honeybee or Russell's viper venom exhibited enhanced survival after subsequent challenge with potentially lethal amounts of that venom, and that IgE antibodies, FceRI, and probably mast cells contributed to such acquired resistance.
Dose-related mucositis with hydroxyurea for cytoreduction in acute myeloid leukemia.

Hyperleukocytosis occurs in 15–20% of all newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia patients and requires emergent treatment with leukapheresis or hydroxyurea when accompanied by signs or symptoms of ...