cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Financial Payments by Orthopedic Device Makers to Orthopedic Surgeons

ers made 568 payments totaling more than $228 million to 526 orthopedic surgeons (which included $109 millioninone-timeroyaltybuyoutsbyasinglefirm).The proportionofsurgeonsreceivingpaymentswhohadacademic affiliations rose from 39.4% in 2007 to 44.9% in 2008. Similar patterns were observed in 2009 and 2010 for 3 firms that continued to disclose by choice. We also notedsubstantialvariationacrossfirmsinthedetailsprovided in the disclosed data. Conclusions: The impact of the DOJ settlement in the short term appears complex, with an increase in payments, a decline in the number of consultants, and an increaseintheproportionofconsultantsdrawnfromacademia. There is a need for clearer specific requirements for disclosure to allow for meaningful long-term analyses to be performed. Arch Intern Med. 2011;171(19):1759-1765
THE USE OF CORTIN IN ADDISON'S DISEASE

Cases of Addison's disease have been treated by adrenal preparations (Rowntree, 1; Cohoe, 2). Whole gland or whole cortex have been used. Some cases showed definite improvement. Cortin, a substance obtained from the adrenal cortex, enables adrenalectomized cats and rats to survive indefinitely (3), (4). If Addison's disease is due to a deficiency of cortin, the injection of the latter should ameliorate the condition. We are reporting the effects of cortin injections in one case. This is warranted because repeated redaction or withdrawal of the substance has demonstrated conclusively that the patient is kept alive by cortin. Not only was the patient revived from an apparently moribund condition but four times the cortin has been reduced or discontinued and each time there has been a decided relapse. Recovery from these relapses occurred when cortin was increased.
CaMKIIβ Functions As an F-Actin Targeting Module that Localizes CaMKIIα/β Heterooligomers to Dendritic Spines

Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is a serine/threonine protein kinase that regulates long-term potentiation and other forms of neuronal plasticity. Functional differences between the neuronal CaMKIIalpha and CaMKIIbeta isoforms are not yet known. Here, we use green fluorescent protein-tagged (GFP-tagged) CaMKII isoforms and show that CaMKIIbeta is bound to F-actin in dendritic spines and cell cortex while CaMKIIalpha is largely a cytosolic enzyme. When expressed together, the two isoforms form large heterooligomers, and a small fraction of CaMKIIbeta is sufficient to dock the predominant CaMKIIalpha to the actin cytoskeleton. Thus, CaMKIIbeta functions as a targeting module that localizes a much larger number of CaMKIIalpha isozymes to synaptic and cytoskeletal sites of action.
Quantum binary field inversion: improved circuit depth via choice of basis representation

Finite fields of the form F2m play an important role in coding theory and cryptography. We show that the choice of how to represent the elements of these fields can have a significant impact on the resource requirements for quantum arithmetic. In particular, we show how the use of Gaussian normal basis representations and of 'ghost-bit basis' representations can be used to implement inverters with a quantum circuit of depth O(mlog(m)). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first construction with sub-quadratic depth reported in the literature. Our quantum circuit for the computation of multiplicative inverses is based on the Itoh-Tsujii algorithm which exploits that in normal basis representation squaring corresponds to a permutation of the coefficients. We give resource estimates for the resulting quantum circuit for inversion over binary fields F2m based on an elementary gate set that is useful for fault-tolerant implementation.
A multidisciplinary surgical approach to superior sulcus tumors with vertebral invasion

Abstract Background . Vertebral body invasion by superior sulcus tumor has traditionally been considered a contraindication to surgical resection. Attempts at definitive radiation or chemoradiation have not been successful. Recent advances in spinal instrumentation have allowed more complete resection of vertebral body tumors. We, therefore, reviewed our recent experience with vertebral resection of superior sulcus tumors. Methods . All patients (n = 17) undergoing resection of superior sulcus tumors with T4 involvement of the vertebrae from October 18, 1990 to September 21, 1998 at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) were evaluated. Their clinical and pathologic data were reviewed and analyzed for short- and long-term outcomes. Results . Total vertebrectomy was performed in 7 patients (42%), partial vertebrectomy in 7 (42%), and 3 (18%) underwent neural foramina or transverse process resection. The median hospital stay was 11 days. Postoperative complications occurred in 7 patients (42%) and included pneumonia (6, 36%), arrhythmia (2, 12%), cerebrospinal fluid leak (2, 12%), wound breakdown (1, 6%), and reoperation for bleeding (1, 6%). Sixteen out of 17 patients received preoperative or postoperative radiation therapy. No perioperative mortality occurred. All patients remained ambulatory after spinal reconstruction. Overall actuarial survival at 2 years was 54%, with 11 patients still alive 2 to 50 months after resection. Locoregional tumor recurrence was noted in all 6 patients who had positive surgical margins, as opposed to 1 out of 11 patients (9%) with negative margins ( p p Conclusions . An aggressive multidisciplinary approach to superior sulcus tumors with vertebral invasion can lead to long-term survival with acceptable morbidity if negative margins can be obtained. Vertebral body invasion should no longer be considered a contraindication for resection of superior sulcus tumors.
A Formal Study of the Mcube Interconnection Network

The Mcube network has been proposed in [11] as a highly recursive and symmetrical interconnection network based on twisted links [1]. The Mcube topology has been developed and defined in terms of the structural constraints between components to enforce structural symmetry instead of specifying edges between node pairs. Mcubes have almost half the diameter of a comparable hypercube, a lower average internode distance than most other twisted networks and an uniform spatial node distribution. Unlike most twisted cube-based networks, randomly destined traffic results in uniform traffic flow through every node in the Mcube and links in the Mcube saturate more slowly than hypercubes. The Mcube is recursively partitionable and allows several parallel algorithms to execute as fast as or faster than on a hypercube. We establish the node distribution for the Mcubes to be uniform with the internode distance. Based on the constraints imposed by the construction and the routing algorithm, we derive an expression for the average internode distance for Mcubes. We also introduce an efficient broadcasting algorithm for the Mcube interconnection and show how Mcubes can be reconfigured into hypercubes. Finally, we show how representative parallel algorithms can be directly implemented on the Mcube topology.
Preliminary Results of T and F Asymmetries for η Photoproduction from the Proton

We present preliminary data for the T and F asymmetries in η photoproduction from the proton, along with comparisons to theoretical predictions. The data used in the present analysis were taken using the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS) at Jefferson Lab, a cryogenic target which utilized transversely polarized protons in a butanol target, and incident tagged photons with energy between 0.62 and 2.93 GeV.
Effects of a computer-assisted language intervention in a rural Nevada center.

Summary A computer-assisted language intervention, Fast For Word-Language (FFW-L), was tested at a rural Nevada center in a group of children (Grades 2-12) referred by parents and teachers to assess enhancement of language skills. Given conflicting results from previous studies, language scores were measured using Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals, Third Edition (CELF-3) before and after the FFW-L intervention. 58 children's CELF-3 postintervention scores were adjusted for age-specific expected changes and compared with pretest scores. Adjusted scores increased in both receptive and expressive domains of the CELF-3. Children with prior diagnoses of language and/or learning impairment did not differ from other referrals on adjusted CELF-3 adjusted gain scores after treatment. Thus the Fast For Word-Language intervention may benefit a much broader group of children referred by parents and teachers for language or reading problems.
Rapid evaluation of the root causes of BJT mismatch

This paper presents a new technique for the simple and rapid evaluation of the process and geometry parameter contributions to BJT mismatch. The pinched base sheet resistance variation, the geometric emitter size variation, and the ideal component of the emitter-base current variation can be uniquely determined from the I/sub c/, I/sub b/ and /spl beta/ mismatch variances in the ideal region. The variation in the nonideal component of the base current can be evaluated from the I/sub b/ and /spl beta/ mismatch in low level injection region. The variation in extrinsic resistance can be evaluated from the I/sub c/ and I/sub b/ mismatch in the high current region. The mismatch evaluation can be performed with as few as six measurements per device type per die site.
Developing Effective Behavior Intervention Plans: Suggestions for School Personnel

With federal mandates to develop and implement programs for students with disabilities who have behavior problems that impede their educational performance, school personnel are faced with increasing responsibility for developing individualized interventions. Developing interventions that appropriately, effectively, and efficiently address the relationship between learning and behavior problems is a complex task that requires a host of essential elements and procedures. For intervention team members who lead and design the functional behavior assessment and behavior intervention plans, specific issues to consider in developing and monitoring these plans are discussed.
REDUCTION OF PAIRWISE COMPARISONS IN DECISION MAKING VIA A DUALITY APPROACH

Although pairwise comparisons have been seen by many as an effective and intuitive way for eliciting qualitative data for multi -criteria decision making problems, a major drawback is that the number of the required comparisons increases quadratically with the number of the entities to be compared. Thus, often even data for medium size decision problems may be impractical to be elicited via pairwis e comparisons. The more the comparisons are, the higher is the likelihood that the decision maker will introduce erroneous data. This paper introduces a dual formulation to a given multi-criteria decision making problem, which can significantly alleviate the previous problems. Some theoretical results establish that this is possible when the number of alternatives is greater than the number of decision criteria plus one.
Metternich versus Chateaubriand: Austria, France, and the Conclave of 1829

The consensus on the moral aspect of the Papal election of 1829 expressed in the above statements represents an unusual agreement between two men who seldom agreed about anything, least of all about the conclave of 1829, which had been a battleground for their conflicting interests. This battle between two old rivals, their last conflict, as it turned out, adds interest to an event that was in itself important for the course of Restoration history. Although Chateaubriand's role has been studied, primarily from the viewpoint of literary rather than of diplomatic history, Metternich's part has been strangely ignored. Since it was the Austrian chancellor rather than the French ambassador who won this particular encounter, Prince Klemens Wenzel von Metternich deserves greater attention from historians than he has received. Consequently, this article is devoted primarily to the Austrian side of the struggle to elect a Pope in 1829.
GENDER‐SPECIFIC SELECTION DURING EARLY LIFE HISTORY STAGES IN THE DIOECIOUS GRASS DISTICHLIS SPICATA

Bias in the adult sex ratio of a population, if not due to a biased primary sex ratio, may be due to differential mortality of males and females, which can occur during any life history stage. Yet, although adult sex-ratio bias is common in dioecious plant species, little is known about the demography of prereproductive individuals. Using a RAPD-PCR (randomly amplified polymorphic DNA) marker that co-segregates with female phenotype, I studied juvenile demography in the saltmarsh grass Distichlis spicata, which exhibits within-population sex-ratio variation (spatial segregation of the sexes) and has genetic sex determination. First, I surveyed populations of D. spicata to ascertain whether any environmental factor co-varies with local sex ratio, and I found that habitats with female majorities are located at significantly lower elevations in the marsh than are habitats with male majorities. In randomly collected seeds, the sex ratio was significantly biased toward females, but male and female seeds did not differ in mass. Using a subsample of these seeds, I conducted greenhouse and field experiments to examine whether differences in seed germination or seedling survival between the sexes explain sex-ratio variation along the micro-elevation gradient in the marsh. In greenhouse treatments designed to mimic field habitats with female majorities, more male seeds germinated than did female seeds. In habitats with female majorities in the field, significantly more female seedlings survived an extreme high tide than did male seedlings (25.17% of females vs. 13.49% of males). These results suggest that, in habitats with female majorities, gender-specific bias in seedling survivorship, rather than seed germination, is a causal factor in the underlying sex-ratio bias. In habitats with male majorities, seed germination and seedling survival did not differ between the sexes. This study is the first to document environment-dependent differential seed germination and seedling mortality between males and females in a dioecious plant species.
„Rentabilität“ der Kinderorthopädie unter DRG-Bedingungen

Die Einfuhrung eines neuen Abrechnungssystems fuhrt zu einer grundlegenden, inzwischen auch allgemein akzeptierten Veranderung unseres Gesundheitssystems (Hensen et al. 2004). Die Frage muss jedoch gestellt werden, ob nicht in wichtigen Bereichen die Qualitat der Versorgung trotz aller Anstrengungen, sie auf einem international vergleichbar hohen Niveau zu halten, sich notgedrungen verschlechtert, da eine kostendeckende und zeitgemase Behandlung bestimmter Patienten nicht mehr moglich ist (Reineke et al. 2003). Bei diesen Uberlegungen darf vorausgesetzt werden, dass ein funktionierendes Qualitatsmanagement eingerichtet und Behandlungspfade erarbeitet wurden, worauf schon (2003) hinweist. Im Folgenden sollen die Besonderheiten der Kinderorthopadie und ihre Veranderungen durch die DRG angesprochen werden.
Abstract LB-254: PRMT5 is upregulated in malignant and metastatic melanoma, and regulates expression of the MITF transcription factor

Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) is an enzyme which catalyzes the covalent attachment of methyl groups to arginine residues of various proteins. PRMT5 binds and/or methylates both nuclear (e.g. histones) and cytoplasmic (e.g. p53, CRAF) proteins to regulate cellular functions including gene expression, cell cycle, and apoptosis among others. PRMT5 has been characterized in leukemia, lymphoma, glioma, and breast cancer; however little is known regarding its role in malignant melanoma. We hypothesized that PRMT5 plays a unique role in regulating melanoma cell biology. PRMT5 expression was measured by IHC analysis of formalin-fixed samples from patients with melanoma (n=133 primary; n=66 metastases), benign nevi (n=24), and normal adjacent epidermis (n=21). PRMT5 expression was significantly elevated in melanoma samples compared to normal adjacent epidermis (p Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-254. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-LB-254
A Method for Obtaining Polynomials of Bernstein Type of Two Variables

(1963). A Method for Obtaining Polynomials of Bernstein Type of Two Variables. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 70, No. 3, pp. 260-264.
The Theory of Context-Aware Ubiquitous Learning and the Affordances of This Approach for Geometry Learners

The use of mobile learning has provided new pedagogical approaches to teaching geometry as a result of the technological affordances provided. One of the key affordances of mobile learning is the portability of the devices. This has untethered the learner from a particular environment to learn wherever and whenever the learner chooses. This chapter describes a subcategory of mobile learning called context-aware ubiquitous learning (context-aware ulearning) where learning happens in a real-world environment while using mobile devices to interact with that setting. This chapter delineates this subcategory and how this type of learning can be dichotomized into sensory and ambient context-aware ulearning. An argument is made that context-aware ulearning is a useful pedagogical approach for learning geometry.
Prenatal ultrasonic diagnosis of fetal lacrimal sac cyst

Objective To explore the value of prenatal ultrasound in diagnosis of lacrimal sac cyst.MethodsPrenatal ultrasonic features of 12 fetuses with fetal lacrimal sac cyst were retrospectively analyzed,and the pregnancy outcomes were followed up.ResultsTwelve fetuses of fetal lacrimal sac cyst were detected with prenatal ultrasound,and their gestational age ranged from 26 to 36 weeks.Among these fetuses,lacrimal sac cyst was bilateral in 3 fetuses and unilateral in 9 fetuses.The typical ultrasonic feature of lacrimal sac cyst was cystic mass without echo in medial and inferior orbit.The lacrimal sac cyst resolved spontaneously prenatally in 6 fetuses.One lacrimal sac cyst was determined after termination of pregnancy.Two lacrimal sac cyst resolved spontaneously after delivery.The lacrimal sac cyst disappeared in one newborn after receiving surgical intervention for respiratory distress syndrome after delivery.Two fetuses were lost during follow-up.ConclusionFetal lacrimal sac cyst has characteristic ultrasonic appearances.Correct diagnosis is valuable for guiding clinical work.
Memapsin 2, a drug target for Alzheimer's disease.

Mempasin 2, a ϐ-secretase, is the membrane-anchored aspartic protease that initiates the cleavage of amyloid precursor protein leading to the production of ϐ-amyloid and the onset of Alzheimer9s disease. Thus memapsin 2 is a major therapeutic target for the development of inhibitor drugs for the disease. Many biochemical tools, such as the specificity and crystal structure, have been established and have led to the design of potent and relatively small transition-state inhibitors. Although developing a clinically viable mempasin 2 inhibitor remains challenging, progress to date renders hope that memapsin 2 inhibitors may ultimately be useful for therapeutic reduction of ϐ-amyloid.
Skeletal Origins of Exercise Intolerance in Horses

Skeletal origins of exercise intolerance or performance failure most commonly are shown as lameness. Subtle gait abnormalities are occasionally consistent with continued training, but the quality of expected competition can be decreased by skeletal tissue injury. Familiarity with the anatomy, physiology, and biomechanical function of equine skeletal tissues is necessary to interpret the influence of injury on performance. Physical examination, application of new technologies, and imaging studies often are needed to understand fully skeletal tissue origins of exercise intolerance.
Abstract 1874: Oncogenic EGFR signaling inhibits the Spred1-NF1 interaction to sustain constitutive Ras signaling

Spred proteins negatively regulate Ras/MAPK signaling following mitogen stimulation. Inhibition of Ras primary occurs through Spreds ability to bind and localize NF1, a RasGAP and major tumor suppressor, to the plasma membrane. Loss-of-function Spred1 and NF1 mutations occur across multiple cancer types including melanoma, non-small cell lung carcinoma, stomach carcinoma, and uterine carcinosarcoma. Here we demonstrate that oncogenic EGFR signaling disrupts Spred1-NF1 binding. Mass spectrometry was performed on cells overexpressing EGFRL858R to identify potential phosphorylation sites on Spred1 and NF1 that could disrupt Spred1-NF1 binding by steric hindrance. A serine phosphorylation site on Spred1 was identified in which a phosphomimetic and phosphodeficient mutant decreased or increased Spred1-NF1 binding, respectively. Therefore, phosphorylation of Spred1 at this site by a serine kinase downstream of oncogenic EGFR may disrupt Spred1-NF1 binding. Our findings provide one potential mechanism by which oncogenic EGFR signaling disrupts negative feedback to allow for constitutive Ras signaling. Furthermore, this work may elucidate a novel kinase therapeutic target for restoring NF1 mediated inhibition of Ras. Citation Format: Evan Markegard, Ellen L. Mercado, Jacqueline Galeas, Marena I. Trinidad, Anatoly Urisman, Frank McCormick. Oncogenic EGFR signaling inhibits the Spred1-NF1 interaction to sustain constitutive Ras signaling. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 1874.
A new readout system for “Digital Hadron Calorimetry” for the International Linear Collider

A new detector concept called "digital calorimetry" is being developed for the International Linear Collider to achieve unprecedented jet energy resolution. Instead of traditional tower geometry and energy summation from many sampling layers, the new approach detects energy deposition in 1 cm2 cells on each sampling layer using discriminators. Jets are reconstructed using hit patterns from each layer, combined with information from inner tracking and the electromagnetic calorimeter. Detector R&D is in progress, and we are building a readout system for a 400,000 channel "prototype detector" to demonstrate this concept. The readout system uses a 64-channel custom integrated circuit called DCAL to record hits from each cell and apply a global timestamp. The chips mount directly on sophisticated front-end boards that are not only an integral part of the charge collection of the detector chambers, but also incorporate digital signal transmission, clock and control, and power and ground. The readout of data is serial, multiplexed into high-speed serial streams and sent to a "back-end" VME system for time-sorting and higher-level triggering. The system can be operated with an external trigger or be self-triggered, and can produce trigger signals from the front-end chips. We have built a "vertical slice" of the readout system, and are using it for tests of Resistive Plate Chambers (RPCs) and Gas Electron Multipliers (GEMs) in a test beam at Fermilab. This represents the first stage in building a 400,000 channel system for reading out the "cubic meter" prototype detector as part of the CALICE collaboration. The components of the system are described, and preliminary system performance is reported.
Contracting for system availability under fleet expansion: Redundancy allocation or spares inventory?

Operational availability is a fundamental measure to assess the system performance after the installation. To achieve the desired availability goals, various strategies have been discussed, ranging from preventive maintenance, reliability-redundancy allocation (RRA), to spare parts logistics. RRA aims to extend the system uptime while spare parts logistics can reduce the downtime. These methods become difficult to choose if the fleet size changes over time. This situation often occurs in the new product introduction stage. This paper develops new cost model and analyzes the trade-off between redundancy allocation and spare parts stocking. Our model is built upon an integrated product-service mechanism where the firm manufactures the products and also provides after-sales support. We show that component redundancy is preferred over spare part inventory under long-term, performance-based contract. Examples from semiconductor equipment industry are used to demonstrate the application of the proposed method.
Experimental investigation of flow induced limit cycle oscillations in a tensioned ribbon

Researchers have performed theoretical investigations of flow induced limit cycle oscillations (LCOs) of tensioned ribbons. Furthermore, attempts have been made to tap into the energy harvesting capability of such ribbons, owing to its structural simplicity, low weight and ease of fabrication. However, in order to tune the ribbon to perform optimally at a given location, a robust, reliable model of the ribbon is essential to predict the limit cycle behavior. The model needs validation across a broad spectrum of its operating envelope based on experimentally obtained results. This paper seeks to provide experimental data for a sample tensioned ribbon in cross flow to serve as basis for validation of an aeroelastic model. This paper experimentally characterizes a PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) ribbon of aspect ratio 18 across a range of applied axial preload tension and wind speeds.
Rayleigh scattering of a cylindrical sound wave by an infinite cylinder

Rayleigh scattering, in which the wavelength is large compared to the scattering object, is usually studied assuming plane incident waves. However, full Green's functions are required in a number of problems, e.g., when a scatterer is located close to the ocean surface or the seafloor. This paper considers the Green's function of the two-dimensional problem that corresponds to scattering of a cylindrical wave by an infinite cylinder embedded in a homogeneous fluid. Soft, hard, and impedance cylinders are considered. Exact solutions of the problem involve infinite series of products of Bessel functions. Here, simple, closed-form asymptotic solutions are derived, which are valid for arbitrary source and receiver locations outside the cylinder as long as its diameter is small relative to the wavelength. The scattered wave is given by the sum of fields of three linear image sources. The viability of the image source method was anticipated from known solutions of classical electrostatic problems involving a conducting cylinder. The asymptotic acoustic Green's functions are employed to investigate reception of low-frequency sound by sensors mounted on cylindrical bodies.
Introduction: engaged scholarship for non-capitalist political ecologies

The articles in this special section, by offering ethnographically grounded reflections on diverse strains of economic activism, begin to articulate a non-capitalocentric political ecology that we think can help scholaractivists politicize, reimagine, and recreate socio-ecological relations. In this introductory article, we offer a useful vision of how scholar-activists can engage with and support more just and sustainable ways of organizing human–human and human–environment relations. Specifically, we argue that engaged researchers can significantly contribute to a meaningful "ecological revolution" by (1) examining the tremendously diverse, already-existing experiments with other ways of being in the world, (2) helping to develop alternative visions, analyses, narratives, and desires that can move people to desire and adopt those ways of being, and (3) actively supporting and constructing economies and ecologies with alternative ethical orientations. Each article in this collection attempts one or more of these goals, and this introductory article provides a conceptual grounding for these ethnographic studies and a synthesis of some of their primary contributions. We begin by describing why critique is analytically and politically inadequate and explain why we think a non-capitalocentric ontology offers an essential complement for engaged scholarship. We then turn to the work of J.K. Gibson-Graham and the Community Economies Collective in order to explain how ideas of overdetermination, diverse economies, and performativity better equip the field of political ecology to contribute to alternative futures. And finally, we discuss how the articles in this volume reconceptualize values, politics, and scale in a manner that illuminates our scholarly and activist efforts. Keywords: non-capitalism, political ecology, alternative economies, capitalism, scale, values, politics, Gibson-Graham
Estimating the number of pulses in a mass extinction

Abstract. The Signor-Lipps effect states that even a sudden mass extinction will invariably appear gradual in the fossil record, due to incomplete fossil preservation. Most previous work on the Signor-Lipps effect has focused on testing whether taxa in a mass extinction went extinct simultaneously or gradually. However, many authors have proposed scenarios in which taxa went extinct in distinct pulses. Little methodology has been developed for quantifying characteristics of such pulsed extinction events. Here we introduce a method for estimating the number of pulses in amass extinction, based on the positions of fossil occurrences in a stratigraphic section. Rather than using a hypothesis test and assuming simultaneous extinction as the default, we reframe the question by asking what number of pulses best explains the observed fossil record. Using a two-step algorithm, we are able to estimate not just the number of extinction pulses but also a confidence level or posterior probability for each possible nu...
Successful use of intra-aortic balloon pump in sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy: A case report

Abstract A 78-year-old female presented to our emergency department with worsening breathlessness and high-grade fever over two days, and was found to be in profound septic shock. She required immediate intubation, mechanical ventilation, fluid resuscitation, vasopressor support, antibiotics and intensive care unit admission. Over the next 2 days, she developed worsening shock, sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy and multi-organ failure, leading to an episode of pulseless electrical activity. An intra-aortic balloon pump was inserted within an hour of cardiopulmonary collapse. The patient's condition improved dramatically. She was weaned off intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) and inotropes by the seventh day, and eventually discharged well and ambulant. Thus, in our patient, the use of IABP enabled a dramatic recovery in the setting of severe septic cardiomyopathy with multi-organ dysfunction by improving hemodynamics and supporting myocardial function while allowing time for sepsis treatment to take effect. We recommend conducting larger studies to further study this phenomenon.
Ovarian Tumor Cell Expression of Claudin-4 Reduces Apoptotic Response to Paclitaxel

A significant factor contributing to poor survival rates for patients with ovarian cancer is the insensitivity of tumors to standard-of-care chemotherapy. In this study, we investigated the effect of claudin-4 expression on ovarian tumor cell apoptotic response to cisplatin and paclitaxel. We manipulated claudin-4 gene expression by silencing expression [short hairpin RNA (shRNA)] in cells with endogenously expressed claudin-4 or overexpressing claudin-4 in cells that natively do not express claudin-4. In addition, we inhibited claudin-4 activity with a claudin mimic peptide (CMP). We monitored apoptotic response by caspase-3 and Annexin V binding. We examined proliferation rate by counting the cell number over time as well as measuring the number of mitotic cells. Proximity ligation assays, immunoprecipitation (IP), and immunofluorescence were performed to examine interactions of claudin-4. Western blot analysis of tubulin in cell fractions was used to determine the changes in tubulin polymerization with changes in claudin-4 expression. Results show that claudin-4 expression reduced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cell apoptotic response to paclitaxel. EOCs without claudin-4 proliferated more slowly with enhanced mitotic arrest compared with the cells expressing claudin-4. Furthermore, our results indicate that claudin-4 interacts with tubulin, having a profound effect on the structure and polymerization of the microtubule network. In conclusion, we demonstrate that claudin-4 reduces the ovarian tumor cell response to microtubule-targeting paclitaxel and disrupting claudin-4 with CMP can restore apoptotic response. IMPLICATIONS: These results suggest that claudin-4 expression may provide a biomarker for paclitaxel response and can be a target for new therapeutic strategies to improve response.
Qualitative Analysis of an Unique Clinical Model for Adolescent Transition Within a Medical Home

Background/Purpose: Successful transition of young adults with complex medical conditions from pediatric to adult medical care is an area of increasing need. Almost one fifth of children and adolescents in the United States require care for chronic conditions, and many of these youth are not receiving necessary transition preparation and support that enable integration into adult medicine. There is also limited information about the …
Task-Unrelated Images and Thoughts While Reading

The study of task-unrelated images and thoughts (TUITS) has typically been conducted during non-semantic tasks such as sustained attention or vigilance tasks. This study investigated TUIT frequency during a semantic task, reading. Reading material may differ in both difficulty and interest to the reader. While interest attracts the reader’s attention, difficulty requires the conscious control of attention. Both interest and difficulty were predicted to be inversely related to TUIT frequency. In this study, 59 men and women, 18–39 years old, recorded their TUIT frequency while reading four separate nonfiction passages (low interest-low difficulty, low interest-high difficulty, high interest-low difficulty, and high interest-high difficulty). Analyses of variance found that greater interest resulted in significantly (p . 05) affect TUIT frequency. Thus, interesting text attracts more attention to it and reduces attention to internal stimuli, i.e., TUITs. More difficult text did not produce fewer TUITs than less difficult texts.
Numerical model development and application of shelterbelt and windbreak flow during nocturnal stably stratified conditions

CHAPTER 1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION Introduction Thesis Organization Literature Review References CHAPTER 2. Stable stratification interactions within shelterbelt-perturbed flow Abstract Introduction Model Development Results Discussion Conclusion Acknowledgements References Figures Tables CHAPTER 3. Stratified flow and odor transport at a poultry house with shelterbelt dispersion potential Abstract Introduction Materials and Methods Results Conclusions Acknowledgements References Figures Tables CHAPTER 4. GENERAL CONCLUSIONS General Discussion Future Research References
Biomechanical evaluation of an autologous flexor digitorum lateralis graft to augment the surgical repair of gastrocnemius tendon laceration in a canine ex vivo model.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of an autologous flexor digitorum lateralis (FDL) graft to augment a three-loop pulley (3LP) core repair in a canine cadaveric gastrocnemius tendon (GT) laceration model. STUDY DESIGN Ex vivo, biomechanical study. SAMPLE POPULATION Twenty-six canine cadaveric hind limbs. METHODS Tendons were divided into two groups (n = 13). After sharp transection, paired GT were repaired with 3LP or 3LP + FDL tendon augmentation. Yield, peak and failure loads, tensile loads required to create 1 and 3-mm gapping, and failure modes were analyzed. Significance was set at P < .05. RESULTS Yield and failure force (mean ± SD) for 3LP + FDL were 134.9 ± 44.1 N and 205.4 ± 46.4 N, respectively, which were greater than for 3LP alone (67.9 ± 12.2 N and 91.8 ± 9.9 N, respectively, P < .0001). No constructs (0%) formed 1 or 3-mm gaps in the 3LP + FDL graft group compared with 84% and 39% for 3LP, respectively (P < .0001). Failure modes were different between groups (P < .001), with 85% of 3LP + FDL constructs failing by tissue rupture at the myotendinous junction, distant to the repair site. CONCLUSION Addition of an autologous FDL graft to a core 3LP tendon repair increased yield, peak, and failure forces by twofold, 2.3-fold, and 2.2-fold, respectively, compared with core 3LP alone while preventing the occurrence of gap formation. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Use of FDL tendon augmentation for GT laceration may increase repair site strength and resist gap formation better than 3LP core suture use alone. Additional studies are required in vivo to determine the effect of FDL graft augmentation on clinical function.
Animal health: the foundation for aquaculture sustainability

Abstract Maintaining animal health is the central tenet to all captive animal production including aquaculture. Farmers must provide for their captive charges; as the moment practices providing for adequate health are sacrificed, the animals will underperform and mortality may ensue. Animal health is the most important factor for the farmer to address given that poor animal health has immediate financial impacts on the farmer, can create an environmental burden, and can even create broader social and human health impacts. Because of this myriad of impacts, and their direct influence on the long-term operation of the farming system, animal health is foundational to the sustainability of farmed production.
ED PHONE HOME: A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED INTERVENTION TO DECREASE REPEAT EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT VISITS

Background In 2005 children under 15 yrs accounted for nearly 24 million emergency department (ED) visits in the U.S., up to one-half of which were for non-urgent conditions. Objective To test whether a follow-up phone call from the primary care practice (PCP) within 72 hours of an ED visit to counsel families about ED use and primary care availability, would modify subsequent ED use. Design and Methods A longitudinal prospective randomized intervention of subjects visiting an ED from April-December 2005 who received primary care at one of four PCPs associated with an urban medical center. Subjects received either routine follow-up with their PCP or a follow-up phone call from the PCP within 72 hours of the visit. All subsequent visits occurring within 365 days to PCP, ED, pediatric sub-specialists (PSS) or hospitalizations (HOSP) were recorded. Logistic and OLS regressions estimated unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios and mean number of follow-up visits of various types. Results 4,246 subjects enrolled and recorded 28,009 follow-up visits during the study. The 50% randomized to the intervention group did not differ from the control subjects by age, race, sex, or payer status. Intervention subjects recorded lower rates of follow-up ED visits (OR 0.88; p Conclusions Follow-up phone calls from the PCP offices to counsel families regarding ED use and primary care availability can successfully modify subsequent care seeking behavior in pediatric patients.
Pain in the Elderly

Chronic pain can be a common complaint in the elderly population. As the median age of our patient population continues to rise, these patients will likely experience more pain symptoms related to musculoskeletal pathology, cancer, diabetes, and other chronic disorders [1]. It is estimated that between 25% and 50% of community-dwelling elderly have pain complaints [2].There is an even higher prevalence of pain complaints in nursing home patients, estimated between 45% and 80% [3]. The consequences of chronic pain are significant, as it can cause feelings of isolation, depression, sleep impairment, and diminished quality of life. Ultimately, pain related to these chronic conditions contributes significantly toward annual health-care costs and health-care utilization. Although much of these pain complaints related to chronic conditions are not curable, there can still be an emphasis on management of pain in the older patient population. This chapter will review pain in the elderly, looking at the physiology, assessment of pain, pharmacologic, and nonpharmacological treatments.
Original ContributionsClinical and manometric features of the lower esophageal muscular ring

OBJECTIVE: In contrast to the well-recognized Schatzki’s ring, the lower esophageal muscular ring remains a poorly defined entity. The purpose of this study is to report on the clinical features of three patients with lower esophageal muscular rings and review the literature on this disorder, to better understand its importance as a cause of dysphagia. METHODS: Three patients presenting to the West Roxbury VA Medical Center were identified as having a contractile, focal narrowing in the distal esophagus by upper GI series. Clinical histories were obtained and endoscopic and manometric evaluations were performed. RESULTS: The three patients had symptoms consisting of chronic, intermittent dysphagia for both liquids and solids. The results of barium swallows and upper endoscopic examinations were similar and revealed a focal, thick constriction of variable luminal diameter located a few centimeters above the squamocolumnar junction. Esophageal motility testing revealed peristaltic, high-amplitude, long-duration, and multiple peaked contractions. Lower esophageal sphincter function was normal. The patients derived partial or only temporary relief of dysphagia with esophageal dilation with rigid dilators. All three patients had significant symptomatic responses to anticholinergic agents. CONCLUSIONS: Lower esophageal muscular rings are an uncommon but important cause of dysphagia. Significant esophageal motility abnormalities can be found in symptomatic patients. Distinguishing the lower esophageal muscular ring from the Schatzki’s ring is important because of differences in the treatment and outcome of the two conditions.
EFFECT OF MENTORSHIP ON THE EARLY ENTREPRENEURIAL JOURNEY OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Acknowledging the value of entrepreneurs in today’s society, universities are looking into mentorship to improve their support system for students considering entrepreneurship as a viable career path after graduation. This paper reports the main findings of a systematic literaturereview aimed at understanding the role that mentorship plays during the early entrepreneurial journey of university students. That is, identifying what motivates students to seek mentorship and recognizing the critical elements of successful mentorship programs that develop robustmentor-mentee relationships. The systematic literature review classified the selected articles into three thematic categories: mentoring in entrepreneurship, gender differences in mentoring, and mentorship programs in business incubation. Findings in the combined categories suggest that a positive mentoring experience depends on the mentor’s credibility and connection inthe business world and the mentee’s perception of similarities between their mentor and themselves.
Orbit response measurements with oscillating trajectories

Optical properties of components in a linac can be reconstructed from analysis of the orbit response matrix, composed from responses of BPMs to changes in currents of dipole correctors. An efficient way to record such response, discussed in this note, is to excite the corrector current with a sine wave and record its Fourier component of the BPM spectrum. Because of a narrow band of the excitation signal, response to multiple correctors can be recorded at the same time without significantly affecting the signal-to-noise ratio. For that, the correctors are oscillated at different frequencies, and the corresponding BPM Fourier components are recorded. In an ion (non-relativistic) linac, similar measurements can be performed for the longitudinal plane as well. Examples of measurements at the PIP2IT test linac are shown.
Automorphism subgroups for designs with $$\lambda =1$$ λ = 1

Given an integer $$k\ge 3$$ and a group G of odd order, if there exists a 2-(v, k, 1)-design and if v is sufficiently large then there is such a design whose automorphism group has a subgroup isomorphic to G. Weaker results are obtained when |G| is even.
Risky Measures of Risk: Error Analysis of Numerical Differentiation

We review and detail the causes of errors in numerical differentiation, including roundoff error, convexity error, cancellation error and correlated errors. We discuss methods for improving accuracy, including step size selection and smoothing techniques, as well as a number of approaches specific to the types of computations being done.
Neutron Scattering Techniques and Applications in Structural Biology

Neutron scattering is exquisitely sensitive to the position, concentration, and dynamics of hydrogen atoms in materials and is a powerful tool for the characterization of structure-function and interfacial relationships in biological systems. Modern neutron scattering facilities offer access to a sophisticated, nondestructive suite of instruments for biophysical characterization that provides spatial and dynamic information spanning from Angstroms to microns and from picoseconds to microseconds, respectively. Applications in structural biology range from the atomic-resolution analysis of individual hydrogen atoms in enzymes through to meso- and macro-scale analysis of complex biological structures, membranes, and assemblies. The large difference in neutron scattering length between hydrogen and deuterium allows contrast variation experiments to be performed and enables H/D isotopic labeling to be used for selective and systematic analysis of the local structure, dynamics, and interactions of multi-component systems. This overview describes the available techniques and summarizes their practical application to the study of biomolecular systems.
Recursive grid partitioning on a cortical surface model: an optimized technique for the localization of implanted subdural electrodes.

Object Precise localization of subdural electrodes (SDEs) is essential for the interpretation of data from intracranial electrocorticography recordings. Blood and fluid accumulation underneath the craniotomy flap leads to a nonlinear deformation of the brain surface and of the SDE array on postoperative CT scans and adversely impacts the accurate localization of electrodes located underneath the craniotomy. Older methods that localize electrodes based on their identification on a postimplantation CT scan with coregistration to a preimplantation MR image can result in significant problems with accuracy of the electrode localization. The authors report 3 novel methods that rely on the creation of a set of 3D mesh models to depict the pial surface and a smoothed pial envelope. Two of these new methods are designed to localize electrodes, and they are compared with 6 methods currently in use to determine their relative accuracy and reliability. Methods The first method involves manually localizing each electr...
A comparative measurement study the workload of wireless access points in campus networks

Our goal is to perform a system-wide characterization of the workload of wireless access points (APs) in a production 802.11 infrastructure. The key issues of this study are the characterization of the traffic at each access point (AP), its modeling, and a comparison among APs of different wireless campus-wide infrastructures. Unlike most other studies, we compare two networks using similar data acquisition techniques and analysis methods. This makes the results more generally applicable. We analyzed the aggregate traffic load of APs and found that the log normality is prevalent. The distributions of the wireless received and sent traffic load for these infrastructures are similar. Furthermore, we discovered a dichotomy of APs: there are APs with the majority of clients that are uploaders and APs in which the majority of their clients are downloaders. Also, the number of non-unicast wireless packets and the percentage of roaming events are large. Finally, there is a correlation between the number of associations and traffic load in the log-log scale