cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Cancer Chemotherapy Drug Etoposide (VP-16) Induces Proinflammatory Cytokine Production and Sickness Behavior–like Symptoms in a Mouse Model of Cancer Chemotherapy–Related Symptoms

Cancer chemotherapy-related symptoms such as fatigue, malaise, loss of interest in social activities, difficulty concentrating, and changes in sleep patterns can lead to treatment delays, dose reductions, or termination and have a profound effect on the physical, psychosocial, and economic aspects of quality of life. Clinicians have long suspected that these symptoms are similar to those associated with "sickness behavior," which is triggered by the production of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 by macrophages and other cells of the innate immune system in response to immune challenge. The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) plays a central role in the production of these cytokines and consequently the induction of sickness behavior. Several cancer chemotherapy drugs have been shown to activate p38 MAPK, but whether these drugs can also induce the production of inflammatory cytokines to cause sickness behavior is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether the cancer chemotherapy drug etoposide (VP-16), which is known to activate p38 MAPK, could induce inflammatory cytokine production by murine macrophages and sickness-like behaviors when injected into mice. VP-16 activated p38 MAPK and induced IL-6 production in murine macrophages in a p38 MAPK- dependent manner. VP-16 administration rapidly increased serum levels of IL-6 in healthy mice and induced sickness-like behaviors as evidenced by a decrease in food intake, body weight, hemoglobin level, and voluntary wheel-running activity. These findings support the idea that the induction of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 by cancer chemotherapy drugs underlies the fatigue and associated symptoms experienced by people undergoing cancer chemotherapy.
Cationic Triarylmethane Photosensitizers For Selective Photochemotherapy: Victoria Blue-Bo, Victoria Blue-R And Malachite Green

We have investigated the malignant cell selective phototoxicity of some triarylmethane dyes including Victoria Blue BO (VB-BO), Victoria Blue R (VB-R), and Malachite Green (MG). Phototoxicity was studied in human squamous (FaDu) and colon (CX-1) carcinoma, and in human and murine melanoma (NEL, B-16) cell lines, as well as in non-malignant monkey kidney cells (CV-1). Cultured cells were exposed to varying concentrations of the dyes for 60 min, washed with PBS, irradiated after an efflux time of 90 min in culture media, and placed in a colony forming assay. VB-BO was the most effective photosensitizer, giving 90% killing of malignant cells such as B-16 when treated with 5x10-8 M dye and 13 J/cm2 light. CV-1 cells were unaffected under these conditions. VB-R was about 10 fold less effective, while MG had minimal phototoxicity in this assay. VB-BO was studied in vivo, using subcutaneous FaDu tumors in nude mice. At a dose of 3 mg/kg followed 4 hrs later by dye laser irradiation under conditions which did not produce hyperthermia, there was an 80% complete remission rate without significant phototoxicity to overlying or adjacent normal skin. The triarylmethanes are a novel class of photosensitizers which may have promise in vitro and in vivo.
Multiple access and two-way channels with energy harvesting and bi-directional energy cooperation

This paper considers the multiple access and two-way channels with energy harvesting transmitters that can cooperate by transferring energy to each other. Specifically, the jointly optimal transmit power allocation and energy transfer policies that achieve the sum-capacity in both models are found. These models were first considered in previous work with unidirectional energy transfer, and optimal policies were found using a two-dimensional water-filling algorithm. In this paper, the bi-directional extension of the energy cooperation model is considered. Using an equivalent energy transfer efficiency representation, it is found that in the optimal policy, a node cannot simultaneously send and receive energy. It is shown that a class of power policies termed procrastinating policies include at least one optimal policy, leading to the insight that the resulting power allocation problem can be solved by a one-dimensional directional water-filling algorithm. It is observed that in the multiple access channel, a node either transfers no energy, or transfers all of its energy to a single user to achieve sum-capacity. For the two-way channel, the optimal policy is found to have a directional water-filling interpretation with two non-mixing fluids whenever optimal energy transfer is non-zero.
Cortical lesions and response inhibition in cats

Abstract Groups of five cats each, with lesions in gyrus proreus, in the pericruciate area, and in both areas, were tested on 6 tasks yielding measures of perseveration and of deficiencies in response suppression. The animals with pericruciate lesions were inferior to normal controls only in the rate with which they extinguished responding in a runway. No evidence that pericruciate lesions exacerbate the effects of proreal lesions was obtained. Cats with proreus or combined lesions and severe retrograde degeneration in the mediodorsal nucleus showed marked impairments on all tasks studied. Subjects with proreal or combined lesions and less severe degeneration in MD showed similar but midler and more transient impairments on extinction and reversal tasks. Intercorrelations between seven measures of learning performance did not suggest that the behavioral impairments in the brain-injured cats could be explained in terms of the disruption of one or two pervasive forms of inhibition. An impairment in reversal learning in cats with of one or two pervasive forms of onhibition. An impairment in reversal learning in cats with lesions in the posterior association cortex involving Ep was also described.
METACOGNITIVE EXPERIENCES AND HINDSIGHT BIAS: IT'S NOT JUST THE THOUGHT (CONTENT) THAT COUNTS!

Theories of hindsight bias have emphasized the role of declarative information. However, accumulating evidence suggests that the production and reduction of hindsight bias involves an intricate interplay of declarative information and metacognitive experiences. These experiences are informative in their own right and may qualify or even reverse the implications of thought content. We summarize and integrate the available findings in terms of a new model of hindsight bias that includes the interplay between: (a) declarative information, (b) metacognitive experiences, (c) their informational value, and (d) the naive theories used to interpret experiences.
Relative Importance of the Annual Cycles of Sea Surface Temperature and Solar Irradiance for Tropical Circulation and Precipitation: A Climate Model Simulation Study

Abstract A recent version of the Goddard Earth Observing System GCM which contains several upgrades to the model's prognostic cloud physics and microphysics as well as snow and ice hydrology, was used to isolate the influences of the annual cycles of solar irradiation and sea surface temperatures (SSTs) on the annual cycle of circulation and precipitation. Four 50-month-long integrations were produced with the GCM. The first integration, called the control simulation, C, was forced with daily interpolated SSTs from a 30-yr climatology of monthly SST data. In this simulation both SSTs and incoming solar irradiance had their normally prescribed annual cycles. The next two companion simulations were called S1, which used annual mean prescribed incoming solar irradiation, and S2, which used annual mean prescribed SST; everything else was kept similar to C in these two simulations. In the fourth simulation, called S3, both SSTs and incoming solar irradiation at the top of the atmosphere were prescribed to alwa...
Gonadotropin stimulation demonstrates a ceiling effect on in vitro fertilization outcomes

Objective To determine the effect of number of oocytes retrieved and number of 2PN embryos developed on in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. Design Retrospective data analysis. Setting University practice. Patient(s) Reproductive-aged women (n = 467). Intervention(s) First fresh nondonor cycle of IVF. Main Outcome Measure(s) Clinical pregnancy rate Result(s) Clinical pregnancy rates increase until age 30 (odds ratio (OR) 1.72 per year (95% confidence interval 1.19–2.49)) before demonstrating a linear decline. In subjects 2). In subjects ≥37 years old, maximum clinical pregnancy rates were achieved in subjects who had ten oocytes retrieved (OR 1.09 (1.01–1.18)), 20 2PN embryos developed (OR 1.29 (1.03–1.62)), and no more than two embryos transfered (OR 0.72 (0.56–0.92) for each additional embryo transferred >2). Conclusion(s) The odds of achieving a successful clinical pregnancy with IVF are greatest with retrieval of approximately 20 oocytes, transfer of no more than 2 embryos, and the development of about five 2PN embryos in women
The use of additionally trained sonographers as ultrasound practitioners: our first-year experience.

Objective. Two sonographers were trained to help manage an abrupt, permanent increase in the number of ultrasound examinations in our department. Called “ultrasound practitioners,” they functioned as physician assistants and triaged 20 to 30 cases per day, allowing the cases to be batch read at a formal reading at day’s end. We report our first-year experience with this program. Methods. Two sonographers with 10 and 30 years of experience, respectively, were trained to triage and dictate cases. Once trained, they triaged the cases of 20 to 30 patients per day. Reports were predictated with voice recognition technology. A radiologist was always readily available to provide support, and consultation with a radiologist was always obtained for the infrequent verbal reports that were requested. Reports from the practitioner were graded subjectively on a 4-point scale for the first year, according to the modification required at formal readout (A, no change; B, minor change not affecting patient care; C, moderate change not affecting care in a dramatic way; and D, major change markedly affecting care). Results. Practitioner 1 monitored the examinations of 2858 patients. The graded report results were as follows: A, 96.2%; B, 3.5%; C, 0.3%; and D, 0.00%. Practitioner 2 monitored the examinations of 2825 patients. The graded report results were as follows: A, 96.1%; B, 3.6%; C, 0.2%; and D, 0.00%. There were no category D reports. Conclusions. The results far exceeded expectations, with a very low rate of category B and C reports and an absence of category D reports. The practitioners allowed the cases of 20 to 30 patients to be batch read by the existing
Development of Eating Patterns

As can be seen throughout this book, childhood and adolescent obesity is of great concern. Obesity during childhood and adolescence has been associated with physical, behavioral, and academic difficulties (Anderson & Butcher, 2006; Datar & Sturm, 2006). This chapter will discuss developmental patterns related to normative eating habits as well as eating patterns associated with problematic eating. Given that the behavioral correlates of eating habits and nutrition begin at birth, this chapter will cover eating patterns from infancy through adolescence. Because issues outside the family (such as the school environment and media) are also related to the development of eating patterns, they will be discussed briefly. The primary focus of this chapter, however, will be the influences of the family on the development of eating patterns.
ANCIENT MAYA ROYAL STRATEGIES: Creating power and identity through art

Ancient Maya monumental art was designed to enact the physical, social, and ritual hierarchy. Physically, sculpture created barriers and access patterns that altered movement through sites. Monumental architecture separated ritual participants in buildings from audiences in the plazas below. Access to monuments and portrayals on monuments in part defined social and power hierarchies. Motifs were altered to communicate various forms of power appropriate to each context and audience. Complex supernatural themes and ritual roles demonstrated hierarchical differences among the ruler and other nobles, while more simplistic representations of a powerful ruler demonstrated the separation of the ruler from commoners.
Radiative Impacts of Anvil Cloud during the Maritime Continent Thunderstorm Experiment

Abstract In this study the radiative impact of three separate cirrus anvil systems that occurred during the Maritime Continent Thunderstorm Experiment is investigated. Retrievals of microphysical cloud properties and an independent radar measurement are used to develop an appropriate set of radar reflectivity factor (Z)–ice water content (IWC) parameterizations. This set of parameterizations is then applied to the reflectivity field of a scanning 5.2-cm radar. The three-dimensional ice water structure is used as input to a two-stream radiative transfer model using an independent pixel approximation for several different stages in the life cycle of the cloud system. Peak radiative heating/cooling occurs at many different levels from just below the tropopause down to the freezing level. This behavior is attributed to spatial variability of the anvil cloud–top height. There is a distinct difference between the average radiative heating profile in the presence of island-based convection as compared with ocean...
Novel fiber-optics-based current sensor for power system protection

Fiber-optics-based magnetic field sensors have investigated for current measurement. These sensors have potential in power system protection. Particularly, they can easily be connected to form a sensing network that will coordinate the response of power protective devices and assist power system restoration. Basic components of these sensors are a passive rugged fiber-Bragg-grating and a fast and compact magnetostrictive transducers that can translate magnetic field into optical signal. In additional to easy integration into an optical sensing network these sensors can be compensated for temperature drift. A broadband light source at a central location (e.g. a substation) scans the change in optical power reflection at a unique frequency band that corresponds to the surge in magnetic field associated with an increased fault current at a certain sensor location. In this paper, we report our recent alternating current and direct current measurements with these sensors.
Optimal design of experiments for sensor calibration

A framework for the design of experiments for sensor calibration is presented. The theoretical ideas, which are based on the mathematical theory of optimal design of experiments, are demonstrated using a new software program, I-OPT. This program has been used to find I-optimal designs for both a silicon capacitive absolute-pressure sensor and a silicon piezoresistive pressure sensor. It is noted that I-optimal designs are particularly attractive if the model variance is relatively small or if it is desired to keep the number of experiments to a minimum, although in this last case comparisons should be made with designs based on other criteria. >
Analysis of B-scan speckle reduction by resolution limited filtering.

Much of the signal energy due to speckle in ultrasound images is shown to be of higher spatial frequency than the intrinsic pulse shape limited resolution in B-scan ultrasound images. A significant increase in signal to noise ratio can therefore be obtained by resolution limited spatial filtering which selectively removes energy of higher spatial frequency than the pulse envelope resolution limit. The concept is illustrated by resolution limited filtering ECG gated B-scan echocardiographic images. Signal to noise improvement is illustrated by comparing time-motion displays generated from both processed and unprocessed images.
Collaboration Within a Multicultural Society: Issues for Consideration

The author discusses perspectives and offers suggestions for the development of multicultural competence in each of the following Areas: understanding one's perspective in relation to culturally diverse collaborators, using effective interpersonal and communication strategies in a multicultural context, understanding the role(s) assumed by collaborators who work with students who are culturally and linguistically diverse, and Promoting the use of appropriate assessment and instructional strategies. Collaborators skilled in these areas are necessary to enhance the success of the growing numbers of culturally and linguistically diverse students who are at risk of failing in school.
A Phenomenological Study of Being Criminally Victimized: Contributions and Constraints of Qualitative Research

Phenomenological analyses of 50 victims' experiences are presented. The format of the results preserves what it was like to live through being victimized, including the temporal flow and the vicissitudes of the experience. This presentation tries to put readers in touch with existential meanings of being criminally victimized, especially the radical threat to the victims' sense of social order and of community. It also draws out implications for strengthening citizens' sense of mutuality. Concrete suggestions include advice to police officers and to designers of victim brochures. Theoretical integration of representative research studies is offered. The article provides clarifications about qualitative methods, including their advantages and constraints.
Signal Processing for Phased Array Feeds in Radio Astronomical Telescopes

Relative to traditional waveguide feeds, phased array feeds (PAFs) for radio telescopes can increase the instrument field of view and sky survey speed. Unique challenges associated with PAF observations, including extremely low signal levels, long-term system gain stability requirements, spatially correlated noise due to mutual coupling, and tight beamshape tolerances, require the development of new array signal processing techniques for this application. We propose a calibration and beamforming strategy for PAFs including interference mitigation with power spectral density (PSD) estimation bias correction. Key efficiency metrics for single-feed instruments are extended to the array case and used to verify performance of the algorithms. These techniques are validated using numerical simulations and experimental data from a 19-element PAF on the Green Bank 20-m telescope.
Locus of Control and Attitudes Toward Work and Retirement

Abstract Fifty-three older workers (M = 57.2) enrolled in a preretirement training program were administered a battery of measures designed to further evaluate the role that locus of control plays in determining attitudes toward work and retirement. Results suggested that perceived control related to work commitment. The extent of the relationship between perceived control and attitudes toward retirement, however, was mediated by sex, level of education, and self-rated health. Consistent with previous research, perceived control related to measures of adjustment.
U, Sr, and Mg in Holocene and Pleistocene corals A. palmata and M. annularis

ABSTRACT Mg, Sr, and U concentrations are reported for living, Holocene (dead), and Pleistocene Montastrea annularis and Acropora palmata in an effort to characterize starting materials and identify diagenetic effects in unrecrystallized skeletal aragonite. The data indicate that skeletogenesis of minor elements is a taxa-specific process, yielding different Mg, Sr, and U values for each species. During diagenesis Sr concentrations increase and Mg concentrations decrease in both species. U diagenesis appears to be affected by skeletal structure. Establishment of U concentration ranges for modern corals provides a criterion for selecting samples for dating. Concentration changes in Mg and Sr during diagenesis limit their usefulness as paleo-environmental indicators.
The design and simulation of a 400/533Mbps DDR-II SDRAM memory interconnect bus

A major bottleneck in todaypsilas computer system performance is the speed of the main memory bus. A memory bus should be carefully designed for good signal integrity (SI) and timing performance. This paper presents the design, modelling and simulation of a double data rate synchronous dynamic RAM (DDR-II SDRAM) memory bus operating at 400/533 Mbps. Three bus topologies are investigated and compared in terms of the amount of inter-symbol-interference (ISI) and the eye-width (EW). The topology with on-die-termination (ODT) gave about 95% improvement in ISI reduction, and about 37% and 12% improvement in the eye-width for the worst case write and read operations for the 400 Mbps data rate, respectively, when compared to the conventional mother board termination (MBT) scheme.
Mapping to Curricular and Institutional Goals

This chapter will discuss how institutional research professionals might integrate co-curricular learning outcomes into larger measures of institutional effectiveness. By mapping co-curricular learning outcomes to align with curricular and institutional goals, linkages can be made that demonstrate mission-congruent activities and outcomes across the institution.
Global Trade Process and Supply Chain Management

As a result of increased globalization of industrial supply chains, effective supply chain management requires sound alignment with the global trade processes. The design of the global supply chain and the determination of the right level of postponement are both tied intimately to the prevailing network of trade agreements, regulations, and local requirements of the countries in which the company is operating in. Moreover, the dynamic changes and uncertainties of these agreements and requirements must be anticipated. In addition, the complexity of the cross-border trade processes results in uncertainties in the lead time and costs involved in global trade, which naturally forms part of the consideration of global sourcing, and the resulting safety stocks or other hedging decisions. Governments, exporters, importers, carriers, and other service providers have to work together to reduce the logistics frictions involved in the global trade processes. The benefits accrue not only to the exporters, importers, and the intermediaries but ultimately they could foster bilateral trade. The only way to reduce the frictions is to gain a deep understanding of the detailed process steps involved to improve upon it by using information technologies and potentially re-engineer the processes. But the payoffs to such investments can be huge. This chapter provides some preliminary discussion of the inter-relationships between global trade processes and supply chain management, with the objective to stimulate research in this area.
Abstract B44: Vitamin D receptor Fok1 gene polymorphisms are associated with colorectal cancer among African American and Hispanic participants

Background: Vitamin D plays a role in cancer and acts through the vitamin D receptor (VDR). There is a dearth of information on VDR gene polymorphisms and colorectal cancer among African-American and other underrepresented groups who also have hypovitaminosis D. This study examines whether VDR SNPs, single nucleotide gene polymorphisms (Fok1, Bsm1, Apa1, and Taq1), are associated with colorectal cancer in African-American and Hispanic study participants. Methods: DNA for genotyping was extracted from blood collected from N=378 participants (N=78 colorectal cancer patients (Cases), N=230 non-cancer subjects with no polyps (Controls w/o polyps), and N=70 non-cancer subjects with polyps (Controls w/polyp). A total of N = 149 (39.4%) participants self-identified as African-American, N = 212 (56.1%) as Hispanic/Latino, N = 9 (2.4%) as Caucasian, and N = 8 (2.1%) as Asian. The four polymorphic SNPs in VDR (FokI, BsmI, TaqI and ApaI) were assessed using the PCR-RFLP method. Results: There was a significant association of the VDR-Fok1 FF genotype with colorectal cancer Cases (OR=2.9; P=0.036) when compared with Controls w/o polyps. The most common VDR-Fok1 genotype in the overall study population was the FF genotype (46%). However, upon breakdown by ethnicity, the FF was the most common in African-American participants (61%), and the Ff was most common in Hispanic/Latino participants (49%). When the association was assessed in a multivariate model adjusting for ethnicity, gender, age, BMI, and diagnosis, there was no significant association with any VDR polymorphism and colorectal cancer Cases (P>0.05). There was also an association of the VDR-Fok1 polymorphism with metastasis (P=0.011), but not tumor size, lymph node involvement, or Duke Stage (P>0.05). The other three polymorphic variants of VDR (BsmI, TaqI and ApaI) were not associated with colorectal cancer. Conclusions: This study suggests that genetic variation at the VDR locus, in particular VDR-FokI SNPs, may influence colorectal cancer risk in the present underrepresented patient cohort. Specifically, the FF genotype is associated with Cases and was more prevalent in African-American participants, and may contribute to cancer health disparities. Additional studies are warranted to examine whether the VDR-Fok1 polymorphism assessed in combination with vitamin D levels may provide better insights into the role of VDR polymorphisms in risk and outcome from colorectal cancer. Citation Format: Marianna Sarkissyan, Yanyuan Wu, Zujian Chen, Dhruva Mishra, Jaydutt V. Vadgama. Vitamin D receptor Fok1 gene polymorphisms are associated with colorectal cancer among African American and Hispanic participants. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Sixth AACR Conference: The Science of Cancer Health Disparities; Dec 6–9, 2013; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2014;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr B44. doi:10.1158/1538-7755.DISP13-B44
Probing Exciton Diffusion and Dissociation in Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube-C60 Heterojunctions

The efficiency of thin-film organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices relies heavily upon the transport of excitons to type-II heterojunction interfaces, where there is sufficient driving force for exciton dissociation and ultimately the formation of charge carriers. Semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are strong near-infrared absorbers that form type-II heterojunctions with fullerenes such as C60. Although the efficiencies of SWCNT–fullerene OPV devices have climbed over the past few years, questions remain regarding the fundamental factors that currently limit their performance. In this study, we determine the exciton diffusion length in the C60 layer of SWCNT–C60 bilayer active layers using femtosecond transient absorption measurements. We demonstrate that hole transfer from photoexcited C60 molecules to SWCNTs can be tracked by the growth of narrow spectroscopic signatures of holes in the SWCNT “reporter layer”. In bilayers with thick C60 layers, the SWCNT charge-related signatures display...
Totality of outcomes: A different paradigm in assessing interventions for treatment of tuberculosis

Abstract Conventional analytic methods used for tuberculosis (TB) outcomes research use standardized outcomes definitions and assess safety and efficacy separately. These methods are subject to important limitations. Conventionally utilized outcome definitions fail to capture important aspects of patients' treatment experience and obscure meaningful differences between patients. Assessing safety and efficacy separately fails to yield an objective risk–benefit comparison to guide clinical practice. We propose to address these issues through an analytic approach based on prioritized outcomes. This approach enables a more comprehensive and integrated assessment of TB interventions. It simultaneously considers a “totality of outcomes”, including clinical benefit, adverse events, and quality of life. These composite outcomes are ranked terms of overall desirability and compared using statistical methods for ordinal outcomes. Here we discuss the application of this approach to TB research, the considerations involved with prioritizing TB treatment outcomes, and the statistical methods involved in comparing prioritized outcomes.
Management of DCIS--a work in progress.

Improved screening practices have lead to a dramatic increase in the diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) over the past 40 years.
Upregulation of Glutaredoxin-1 Activates Microglia and Promotes Neurodegeneration: Implications for Parkinson's Disease

Abstract Aims: Neuroinflammation and redox dysfunction are recognized factors in Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis, and diabetes is implicated as a potentially predisposing condition. Remarkably, upregulation of glutaredoxin-1 (Grx1) is implicated in regulation of inflammatory responses in various disease contexts, including diabetes. In this study, we investigated the potential impact of Grx1 upregulation in the central nervous system on dopaminergic (DA) viability. Results: Increased GLRX copy number in PD patients was associated with earlier PD onset, and Grx1 levels correlated with levels of proinflammatory tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in mouse and human brain samples, prompting mechanistic in vitro studies. Grx1 content/activity in microglia was upregulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), or TNF-α, treatment. Adenoviral overexpression of Grx1, matching the extent of induction by LPS, increased microglial activation; Grx1 silencing diminished activation. Selective inhibitors/probes of nuclear ...
Thinking Like a Lawyer

Professors Davis and Francois explain what it means to train lawyers for intellectual versatility. They then describe, and rely on Carol Gilligan’s relational psychology to explain, the resistance this kind of training can engender. Finally, they draw on post-realist legal thought to explain why training for intellectual versatility is necessary to capable and responsible legal practice.
MOBILE KNEE RECONSTRUCTIONS AFTER RESECTION OF MALIGNANT TUMORS OF THE DISTAL FEMUR

SUMMARY Limb-salvage surgery involving mobile knee reconstructions for malignant tumors about the distal femur is a desirable and achievable goal. With limb salvage, the survival rate does not decrease significantly, and the resulting function is superior to when an amputation plus a prosthesis are used. Immediate and delayed morbidity is greater after limb-salvage surgery than after amputation. However, with thorough preoperative planning, use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy as indicated, and an experienced team of surgeons, limb-salvage surgery can provide a mobile knee with excellent function in the vast majority of cases for patients with malignant tumors of the distal femur.
Systemic and nutritional considerations in diabetic wound healing

Metabolic and nutritional aspects of wound healing are discussed in this article, as well as the effects of both acute and chronic hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, end-organ complications of diabetes, and impaired nutritional status of wound healing. Specific recommendations regarding the perioperative management of patients with diabetes mellitus are set forth, and the importance of achieving tight glucose control and overall improved metabolic control are emphasized.
Gene‐specific DNA methylation may mediate atypical antipsychotic‐induced insulin resistance

Objectives Atypical antipsychotics (AAPs) carry a significant risk of cardiometabolic side effects, including insulin resistance. It is thought that the insulin resistance resulting from the use of AAPs may be associated with changes in DNA methylation. We aimed to identify and validate a candidate gene associated with AAP-induced insulin resistance by using a multi-step approach that included an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) and validation with site-specific methylation and metabolomics data. Methods Subjects with bipolar disorder treated with AAPs or lithium monotherapy were recruited for a cross-sectional visit to analyze peripheral blood DNA methylation and insulin resistance. Epigenome-wide DNA methylation was analyzed in a discovery sample (n = 48) using the Illumina 450K BeadChip. Validation analyses of the epigenome-wide findings occurred in a separate sample (n = 72) using site-specific methylation with pyrosequencing and untargeted metabolomics data. Regression analyses were conducted controlling for known confounders in all analyses and a mediation analysis was performed to investigate if AAP-induced insulin resistance occurs through changes in DNA methylation. Results A differentially methylated probe associated with insulin resistance was discovered and validated in the fatty acyl CoA reductase 2 (FAR2) gene of chromosome 12. Functional associations of this DNA methylation site with untargeted phospholipid-related metabolites were also detected. Our results identified a mediating effect of this FAR2 methylation site on AAP-induced insulin resistance. Conclusions Going forward, prospective, longitudinal studies assessing comprehensive changes in FAR2 DNA methylation, expression, and lipid metabolism before and after AAP treatment are required to assess its potential role in the development of insulin resistance.
The Turnover Process of Capital

This chapter conceives the basic turnover process of capital, in which fixed and circulating capital become distinguished with fundamental implications that undermine the reveries of “perfect competition” that infect both classical political economy and neo-classical economics.
Fear of Crime Among Black Elderly

Many studies show that fear of crime among the elderly is a serious problem (Clark, Ekblom, & Mayhew, 1985; Eve & Eve, 1984; Ollenburger, 1981; Ortega& Myles, 1987). Most of the studies also suggest that fear of crime has serious psychological, physical, and financial consequences for the elderly (Garafalo, 1981; Jayewardene, Juliani, & Taibot, 1983; Yin, 1985). Although several studies have focused on the fear of crime among the elderly, few have analyzed fear of crime within the person-environment context. As a consequence, the causes of fear of crime remain unclear. Rather than viewing fear of crime as a consequence of victimization, fear of crime should be viewed within a more general context of person-environment, which reflects the interaction between the person and the environment. Such a context places fear of crime in a broader and more analytic perspective. Moreover, although the Black elderly represent the largest minority group among the aged (U.S. Census Bureau, 1992), information on the fear of crime among elderly Blacks is sparse because the Black elderly are underrepresented in most of the studies on fear of crime. Therefore, it is difficult to evaluate the representative nature and relevance of the data collected with regard to Black seniors. The purpose of this study is to examine the nature, extent, and causes of the fear of crime among Black seniors by focusing on the environmental factors, perceptions of vulnerability, vicarious victimization, and personal victimization.
Relationship Between Extracellular Neutral Protease Production and Appearance of Bleb-Like Evaginations in Pseudomonas fragi.

Pseudomonas fragi is one of several pseudomonads known to produce proteolytic enzymes. During growth of P. fragi in brain heart infusion broth (BHI) at 10°C, the bacterial population increased from 107 to over 1010 CFU/ml after 130 h, with a concurrent increase in pH from 7.4 to 8.5. Maximal extracellular protease activity occurred after 60 to 72 h. Ultrastructural examination of cells grown in BHI showed the presence of bleb-like evaginations of the cell wall. Similar structures were not detected when P. fragi was grown in Koser citrate broth, a medium which was unsuitable for supporting protease production by P. fragi .
Thin MLCC (multi-layer ceramic capacitor) reliability evaluation using an accelerated ramp voltage test

For every semiconductor device, digital processor, FPGA (field programmable gate array), etc. on a typical electronics board, there are usually a dozen or more associated MLCCs. They perform power supply bypassing, DC isolation, EMI filtering functions and many others. Over the last decade in the drive toward higher density, the number of multilayered stacks have increased to the hundreds, while the dielectrics (typically doped BaTiO3) have become thinner, approaching the submicrometer regime. We have developed a technique to evaluate MLCC reliability using a ramp voltage method that can be completed in a week in highly accelerated fashion. We describe the analytical model for MLCC reliability using the effective thickness concept to characterize defects that dominate the early (infant) and midterm (adolescent) reliability. Example ramp data for a typical MLCC and the resulting cumulative defect density and failure rates are shown. The reliability improvement by electrical screening is also evaluated.
Fair value accounting and analyst forecast accuracy

Abstract This study examines the effect of fair value accounting on the behavior of analysts using a large, generalizable sample of U.S. firms. By employing a measure of firms' fair value intensity, we provide evidence showing that firms with higher fair value intensity have more accurate analyst earnings forecasts, a significant main effect elusive to Magnan, Menini, and Parbonetti (2015). Furthermore, by using disclosures required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 157, we find significant positive associations between analyst forecast accuracy and Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements, but we do not find such association for Level 3 measurements. We document that these main effects are predominantly concentrated in non-financial industry firms in contrast to financial industry firms. This suggests that qualitative features of fair value measurements, including their business purpose and on-average accounting treatment (e.g., trading assets, available for sale, etc.), could also have an impact on analyst forecasting accuracy beyond mere measurement issues. Our results contribute to the debate over fair value accounting by showing the impact of fair value accounting upon an important participant in the capital markets.
Using Artificial Intelligence to Reduce the Risk of Nonadherence in Patients on Anticoagulation Therapy.

Background and Purpose— This study evaluated the use of an artificial intelligence platform on mobile devices in measuring and increasing medication adherence in stroke patients on anticoagulation therapy. The introduction of direct oral anticoagulants, while reducing the need for monitoring, have also placed pressure on patients to self-manage. Suboptimal adherence goes undetected as routine laboratory tests are not reliable indicators of adherence, placing patients at increased risk of stroke and bleeding. Methods— A randomized, parallel-group, 12-week study was conducted in adults (n=28) with recently diagnosed ischemic stroke receiving any anticoagulation. Patients were randomized to daily monitoring by the artificial intelligence platform (intervention) or to no daily monitoring (control). The artificial intelligence application visually identified the patient, the medication, and the confirmed ingestion. Adherence was measured by pill counts and plasma sampling in both groups. Results— For all patients (n=28), mean (SD) age was 57 years (13.2 years) and 53.6% were women. Mean (SD) cumulative adherence based on the artificial intelligence platform was 90.5% (7.5%). Plasma drug concentration levels indicated that adherence was 100% (15 of 15) and 50% (6 of 12) in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Conclusions— Patients, some with little experience using a smartphone, successfully used the technology and demonstrated a 50% improvement in adherence based on plasma drug concentration levels. For patients receiving direct oral anticoagulants, absolute improvement increased to 67%. Real-time monitoring has the potential to increase adherence and change behavior, particularly in patients on direct oral anticoagulant therapy. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02599259.
A Sociological Theory of Crime and Delinquency

The sociological study of crime and delinquency has focused either on the social structural factors (e.g., poverty and social disorganization) believed to generate such behavior or on the arenas (e.g., family, school, and peer groups) in which socialization to conventional or criminal values and behavior are affected. Both approaches explicitly or implicitly recognize that some form of learning takes place. For the most part, however, these approaches have not explicated the social process nor the behavioral mechanisms by which criminal behavior is produced. A notable exception is the social learning theory first proposed by Burgess and Akers (1966a) and elaborated upon by Akers (1973, 1977). The theory was originally called the “differential association-reinforcement theory” to acknowledge the two traditions that were melded to form the revision. Burgess and Akers employed the principles and vocabulary of operant conditioning to specify the learning process alluded to in Edwin Sutherland’s influential theory of differential association.
Chemical- and Drug-Induced Asthma

Each year, approximately 300 million people worldwide are diagnosed with asthma, and more than 250,000 deaths annually are attributed to asthma. However, the sources and mechanisms behind the development of asthma are diverse. High-molecular-weight proteins, including detergent enzymes and common allergens, contribute to an immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated atopic asthma response. Low-molecular-weight chemicals typically are haptens that form hapten–protein complexes resulting in IgE-mediated or IgE-independent immune-mediated asthma. Hapten–protein exposures typically occur at the workplace and can include acid anhydrides, isocyanates, as well as others. Irritant-induced asthma typically results from a single, accidental exposure to a highly concentrated irritant in the workplace that induces pulmonary damage by releasing proinflammatory mediators that lead to asthma. Additionally, ingestion of certain medications including aspirin, β-blockers, or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors can cause drug-induced asthma by enzymatic reactions leading to the production of proinflammatory mediators and modulation of smooth muscle function. Overall, the diversity of asthma makes this prevalent lung disease difficult to diagnose and manage. This article compares and contrasts phenotypes, mechanisms, and possible treatments for these differing types of drug- and chemical-induced asthma that are currently understudied.
Measurement Techniques for Evaluating Current Range Extenders from 1 Ampere to 3000 Amperes

When measuring standard resistors at different ratios with a direct current comparator (DCC) incorporating current range extenders (CREs), it can be difficult to determine if the measurements are c...
Invited Essay: Investigating Family Voices from the Margins

ABSTRACTThis essay surveys articles from the Journal of Family Communication to make the argument that our journal needs to feature more scholarship on families that heretofore have been virtually ignored or marginalized. We discuss four types of diversity to consider when exploring questions of family communication, and review three imperatives for making this argument.
Houston Consensus Conference on Testing for Helicobacter pylori Infection in the United States

Despite guidelines for detection and treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection, recommendations to test patients before and after therapy are commonly not followed in the United States. At the Houston Consensus Conference, 11 experts on management of adult and pediatric patients with H pylori, from different geographic regions of the United States, met to discuss key factors in diagnosis of H pylori infection, including identification of appropriate patients for testing, effects of antibiotic susceptibility on testing and treatment, appropriate methods for confirmation of infection and eradication, and relevant health system considerations. The experts divided into groups that used a modified Delphi panel approach to assess appropriate patients for testing, testing for antibiotic susceptibility and treatment, and test methods and confirmation of eradication. The quality of evidence and strength of recommendations were evaluated using the GRADE system. The results of the individual workshops were presented for a final consensus vote by all panel members. After the Expert Consensus Development meeting, the conclusions were validated by a separate panel of gastroenterologists, who assessed their level of agreement with each of the 29 statements developed at the Expert Consensus Development. The final recommendations are provided, on the basis of the best available evidence, and provide consensus statements with supporting literature to implement testing for H pylori infection at health care systems across the United States.
Assessing low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol as a risk factor in coronary heart disease: A working group report and update

Clinical data show that a 1% increase in serum concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) can decrease cardiovascular risk by 2% to 3%. Therefore, mechanisms affecting the level and functionality of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and its constituents are being investigated as targets for the rational development of drugs to prevent or treat cardiovascular disease. High-density lipoprotein-related research may also increase our understanding of the link between atherosclerosis and metabolic disorders. This report and update of the HDL Working Group discusses HDL metabolism and reverse cholesterol transport, impaired HDL as a marker and a cause of proatherogenic states, and experimental and current approaches to HDL-related therapy.
Robot/vision system calibrations in automated assembly

A vision guided robot for assembly is defined to be a robot/vision system that acquires robotic destination poses (location and orientation) by visual means so that the robot’s end-effector can be positioned at the desired poses. In this paper, the robot/vision system consists of a stereo-pair of CCD array cameras mounted to the end-effector of a six-axis revolute robot arm. Automated calibration methodologies for local and global work volumes of the robot/vision system are described, including a perspective error transform calibration method for cameras. Multiple component assembly and robotic fastening has been demonstrated with the developed vision guided robot.
Teaching Rehearsals and Repeated Teaching: Practice-based Physical Education Teacher Education Pedagogies

Historically, efforts to prepare teachers have relied on teaching preservice teachers bits of knowledge across various courses in a way that results in the accumulation of broad knowledge and skill...