cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modeling Geospatial Patterns of Late-Stage Diagnosis of Breast Cancer in the US.

In the US, about one-third of new breast cancers (BCs) are diagnosed at a late stage, where morbidity and mortality burdens are higher. Health outcomes research has focused on the contribution of measures of social support, particularly the residential isolation or segregation index, on propensity to utilize mammography and rates of late-stage diagnoses. Although inconsistent, studies have used various approaches and shown that residential segregation may play an important role in cancer morbidities and mortality. Some have focused on any individuals living in residentially segregated places (place-centered), while others have focused on persons of specific races or ethnicities living in places with high segregation of their own race or ethnicity (person-centered). This paper compares and contrasts these two approaches in the study of predictors of late-stage BC diagnoses in a cross-national study. We use 100% of U.S. Cancer Statistics (USCS) Registry data pooled together from 40 states to identify late-stage diagnoses among ~1 million new BC cases diagnosed during 2004–2009. We estimate a multilevel model with person-, county-, and state-level predictors and a random intercept specification to help ensure robust effect estimates. Person-level variables in both models suggest that non-White races or ethnicities have higher odds of late-stage diagnosis, and the odds of late-stage diagnosis decline with age, being highest among the <age 50 group. After controlling statistically for all other factors, we examine place-centered isolation and find for anyone living in an isolated Asian community there is a large beneficial association (suggesting lower odds of late-stage diagnosis) while for anyone living in an isolated White community there is a large detrimental association (suggesting greater odds of late-stage diagnosis). By contrast, living in neighborhoods among others of one’s own race or ethnicity (person-centered isolation) is associated with greater odds of late-stage diagnosis, as this measure is dominated by Whites (the majority). At the state level, living in a state that allows unfettered access to a specialist is associated with a somewhat lower likelihood of being diagnosed at a late stage of BC. Geographic factors help explain the likelihood of late-stage BC diagnosis, which varies considerably across the U.S. as heterogeneous compositional and contextual factors portray very different places and potential for improving information and outcomes. The USCS database is expanding to cover more states and is expected to be a valuable resource for ongoing and future place-based cancer outcomes research.
Cultural Landscape in Environmental Studies

The term cultural landscape has two interrelated meanings. It refers to the three-dimensional patterns that cultures imprint on the land, such as agricultural field systems, transportation networks, residential and commercial buildings, and urban forms. It also refers to an approach to studying those forms, an approach that uses interpretative strategies for understanding cultural meanings embedded in landscapes. This entry traces the historical development of these two meanings of cultural landscape, primarily as expressed in the discipline of geography, and concludes with discussions of the recent engagement of the concept with social, cultural, and political theories.
Comparison of 30-day readmission rates and risk factors between carotid artery stenting and endarterectomy.

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to analyze the rates, reasons, and risk factors of 30-day readmission, both planned and unplanned, after carotid revascularization as well as to evaluate major outcomes associated with those readmissions. Methods Using the Premier Healthcare database, we retrospectively identified patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting (CAS) between 2009 and 2015. The primary outcome was 30-day all-cause readmission. Secondary outcomes included mortality and overall cost associated with readmissions. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used and further validated using coarsened exact matching on baseline differences between CEA and CAS patients. Results A total of 95,687 patients underwent carotid revascularization, 13.5% of whom underwent CAS. Crude 30-day readmission rates were 6.5% after CEA vs 6.1% after CAS ( P = .10). Stroke, bleeding, pneumonia, and respiratory failure were the most common reasons for readmission after both CEA and CAS (6.7% vs 8.3%, 6.9% vs 5.3%, 3.4% vs 2.4%, and 4.4% vs 3.9%; all P > .05). Myocardial infarction and wound complications were more likely to be an indication for readmission after CEA (4.1% vs 2.5% and 4.1% vs 1.5%, respectively; P P = .003). On multivariate analysis, CEA was found to be associated with 41% higher odds of readmission than CAS (adjusted odds ratio, 1.41; 95% confidence interval, 1.29-1.54; P P P = .001), increased readmission mortality (6.2% vs 2.8%; P P = .01) compared with those readmitted after CEA. Conclusions Our results show that CAS is associated with lower 30-day readmission rates compared with CEA. However, CAS readmissions are more complex and are associated with higher mortality and costs. We have also identified patients who are at high risk of readmissions, which can help focus attention on interventions that can improve the management of these patients and reduce readmission rates.
Thalassiosira mala (Bacillariophyta), a potentially harmful, marine diatom from Chilka Lake and other coastal localities of Odisha, India: Nomenclature, frustule morphology and global biogeography.

Our examination of net phytoplankton collected from coastal localities in Odisha on the east coast of India, including Chilka Lake, Chandrabhaga Beach and Puri, in December 2015, revealed the overwhelming dominance of Thalassiosira mala, a gelatinous colony-forming, potentially harmful, marine planktonic diatom. The large numbers of cells allowed us to observe details of the cingulum not previously reported. The epicingulum is composed of four open bands including an areolated valvocopula, an areolated copula and two non-areolated pleurae. The immature hypocingulum includes at least two bands. Openings of alternate bands are arranged in a dextral pattern. Based on previous reports from the west coast and our current findings, Thalassiosira mala appears to be a common, widely distributed primary producer in Indian coastal waters. The presence of morphologically similar species, especially those <20 μm in diameter, underscores the importance of reliable species-level taxonomy using appropriate techniques for meaningful ecological and biogeographic considerations and for monitoring potentially harmful algae in India’s economically important coastal waters. Published reports suggest that Thalassiosira mala is widely distributed in temperate and tropical waters, present in 26 of 232 ecoregions and 18 of 62 provinces recognized in a recent classification of coastal marine ecoregions.
Higher n–6:n–3 Fatty Acid Intake Is Associated with Decreased Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in a Racially Diverse Sample of Children

Background Accumulating evidence implicates diet quality in childhood as playing a significant role in adult cardiometabolic health. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) of the n-6 (ω-6) and n-3 (ω-3) series contribute unique protective effects against cardiometabolic disease. As such, the ratio between n-6 and n-3 PUFAs is a dietary metric of interest in the early life span, although an optimum intake ratio has yet to be determined. Objective This cross-sectional study assesses relations between the ratio of total n-6:n-3 PUFA intake and cardiometabolic risk factors in a racially diverse sample of children (n = 191) from the Admixture Mapping of Ethnic and Racial Insulin Complex Outcomes (AMERICO) study. Methods Outcome measures included waist circumference, lipid concentrations, fasting glucose, and two 24-h dietary recalls from boys and girls aged 7-12 y who self-reported as European American (n = 81), African American (n = 55), or Hispanic American (n = 55). Linear regression analyses were used to assess associations between predictors of interest and outcomes after adjusting for covariates. Results PUFA intake reflected in the n-6:n-3 ratio was inversely associated with concentrations of total and LDL cholesterol [β ± SE: -0.359 ± 0.107 (P = 0.001) and -0.189 ± 0.069 (P = 0.007), respectively]. Exploratory analyses showed that the intake of total n-6 PUFAs was not significantly predictive of any cardiometabolic risk factor assessed, whereas total n-3 PUFA intake was positively associated with concentrations of HDL cholesterol (β ± SE: 0.114 ± 0.042; P = 0.007). Conclusions Results suggest that the effect of n-6 and n-3 PUFA intake reflected in the ratio may be largely driven by n-3 PUFAs in reducing 2 lipid cardiometabolic risk factors among this multiethnic cohort of children. Until an ideal intake ratio is determined, nutritional counseling should focus on meeting recommended levels of both n-3 and n-6 PUFAs in order to establish beneficial childhood dietary patterns that may positively influence adult cardiometabolic health.
Paced breathing and phrenic nerve responses evoked by epidural stimulation following complete high cervical spinal cord injury in rats.

The present work offers the first demonstration of successful life-supporting breathing paced by epidural stimulation (EDS) at the level of the phrenic nucleus, following a complete spinal cord inj...
Italian Diplomacy Adapts to Fascist Radicalism

The Foreign Ministry, staffed by Fascist fiancheggiatori, nationalists, and permanent office holders aimed at stability, not revolution. In latter 1944 Mussolini endeavored to impose Fascists on the Foreign Ministry. The traditional diplomats, lead by Foreign Minister Serafino Mazzolini, fought a rearguard action to keep in check the radical Fascists joining their midst. Still, the Foreign Ministry staff followed Mussolini to the end. Various former functionaries in the postwar era have published memoirs projecting a martyred image of themselves as practitioners of realpolitik fighting honorably to defend the country.
Diversification Patterns Among Small Businesses

Questionnaire responses from 91 owner-managers of diversified businesses in Texas were studied to identify diversification patterns among owner-managed small businesses. The results suggest that financial growth is the usual reason for diversifying and that owner-managers are more likely to start rather than to buy or inherit a second business. Respondents tended to operate relatively distinct businesses rather than closely related, highly integrated ones and to have little experience in the new business area. Although a diversification frequently shared accounting/consulting services among its business lines, no other resource was shared by as many as half of the diversifications. Most of the diversifications studied were profitable, and in most cases the owner would make the same decision again to diversify.
Optimizing Drug Prescribing in Managed Care Populations

Managed care presents interesting opportunities to optimize clinical and economic outcomes related to drug prescribing. There are very few randomized controlled trials that have evaluated methods to educate or incentivize physicians, implement formulary management or guideline tools, profile physicians, and implement pharmacist interventions to ensure optimal drug prescribing. Single methods of optimizing medication outcomes have not been shown to be as effective as multifaceted approaches. Specific reinforcement of the message at the time of prescribing has been shown to improve antibiotic prescribing in patients with chronic bronchitis and improve adherence to treatment guidelines for the management of patients following myocardial infarction. Results from a randomized controlled trial showed that changes in pharmacy benefit design decreased costs and medication utilization. Much of the literature evaluating the effectiveness of utilization management techniques in optimizing drug therapy outcomes is retrospective in nature. However, pharmacist intervention has been shown to reduce polypharmacy in a randomized controlled trial in the elderly. Appropriate prescribing scores were improved and this improvement was sustained at 12 months post intervention. Clinical pharmacy services have been shown to reduce hospital admission and hospital days, decrease prescription and total health care costs, reduce the number of drugs per patient, and improve attainment of target low density lipoprotein cholesterol values. Recent analyses have shown that there is a higher likelihood of achieving improved outcomes of care when three or more of the following aspects of healthcare are impacted: patient self-management, clinical information availability, redesign of the way care is delivered, decision support strategies, the healthcare system, and the provider organization. In a review of interventions designed to improve the care of patients with chronic illnesses, process variables were improved when one or two of the aspects were improved. Outcome variables were improved when three or four of the aspects were impacted. There continues to be great focus on improving the quality of care in managed care environments. With the passing of the Medicare legislation in the US, by 2006 the vast majority of citizens will receive healthcare in managed care environments. Additional research designed to explore methods of optimizing drug therapy outcomes is needed to characterize the most efficient, transparent, and least costly ways to reduce misuse, overuse, and underuse of prescription drugs.
Formation and tidal synchronization of sdB stars in binaries an asteroseismic investigation using Kepler Observations

Subdwarf B (sdB) stars are low mass (0.5 M ) helium burning stars with thin hydrogen envelopes and Teff 22000–40000 K. Many of these stars are found in binary systems. One common proposed formation mechanism is common envelope (CE) ejection, where the companion spirals deep into the star’s envelope ejecting the outer layers and forming a close binary system. In this dissertation, we use short cadence (tint=58.86 s) Kepler photometric time–series data to study three close sdB binaries with P ≈ 10 hours and g-mode pulsations. Asteroseismic analysis finds that each system has a constant period spacing of ∆P ≈ 250 s consistent with single sdB stars. This analysis also shows the presence of rotational multiplets which we used to find the rotation period. In all three cases the binary system is far from tidal synchronization with a rotation period an order of magnitude longer than the orbital period. These observations agree with predictions using the Zahn formulation of tidal evolution which predicts a synchronization time longer than the sdB lifetime (108 yr). We use this synchronization time to backtrack the sdB’s rotation history and find its initial rotation period as it is first exiting the CE. This is one of the only observationally based constraints that has been placed on CE evolution. Preliminary investigations of single sdB stars show similar rotation periods, indicating that the rotation period may be independent of the formation channel.
delta-Aminolaevulinate synthase in human HepG2 hepatoma cells. Repression by haemin and induction by chemicals.

delta-Aminolaevulinate (ALA) synthase, the rate-limiting enzyme in haem biosynthesis in the normal liver, was examined in human HepG2 hepatoma cells. Haemin, up to 100 microM, had no effect on ALA synthase activity in vitro; it did, however, exhibit a dose-dependent inhibitory action when added to cells growing in culture (half-maximal inhibition at 1 microM). The half-life of ALA synthase activity after haemin treatment was 2 h, which was similar to that found after treatment with cycloheximide. Cells treated with actinomycin D showed a longer half-life of the enzyme activity, i.e. 4 h, compared with haemin or cycloheximide treatment. Treatment of cells with succinylacetone markedly inhibited the activity of ALA dehydratase and 59Fe incorporation into haem, but in increased ALA synthase activity. Both the haemin-induced repression and the succinylacetone-mediated de-repression of ALA synthase activity were reversible within 4 h after replacing the medium with fresh medium without the chemical. In addition to succinylacetone, dimethyl sulphoxide and 3-methylcholanthrene induced the enzyme. Induction of ALA synthase by these chemicals was also suppressed by treatment of cells with haemin. These findings indicate that the level of ALA synthase in HepG2 cells is maintained by both synthesis and degradation of the enzyme, and that the synthesis of the enzyme is regulated by the concentration of regulatory free haem in the cell.
A Dialectical Understanding of the Vulnerability of International Migrants

Some conceptual innovations around the concepts of vulnerability and resilience are introduced. A theoretical development is presented around the concept of dialectics of vulnerability. An historical perspective of United States-Mexico relations is discussed. A new political approach toward a solution of Mexican immigration is introduced around the concept of bilateralism in the US Mexico immigration phenomenon. An empirical approach is presented about data on regional migratory routes (East-Gulf and West-Pacific) contrasting developments of these migratory routes is pointed out with an analysis of its human rights implications.
Proteases in the Eukaryotic Cell Cytosol

Defective proteins (e.g., due to mutation, aberrant posttranslational modification, or denaturation by stress) tend to misfold, aggregate, and precipitate, which eliminates potentially useful protein molecules from the pool amenable to folding. Furthermore, defective peptides and their precipitates can be deleterious to the cell. Therefore, defective peptides must be rescued, i.e., folded, or degraded by proteases. This article presents protein-degrading machines that occur in the cytosol of the eukaryotic cell.
Plasma metabolomics pilot study suggests age and sex-based differences in the metabolic response to traumatic injury.

Abstract Introduction Age and sex affect outcomes from trauma. Older patients tend to be under-triaged, consume more healthcare resources, and experience worse outcomes relative to younger patients. Sex has also been associated with different outcomes, with women experiencing better outcomes than men. While baseline metabolism differs with both age and sex, no study has examined how these differences affect the response to trauma. We used high-throughput metabolomics to assess metabolic differences associated with blunt trauma according to age and sex. Methods Metabolic profiles were constructed using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for trauma patients age 21–40 years (n = 20, 55% male) and >65 years (n = 22, 41% male) from plasma samples obtained on Day 1 and Day 3 of each patient’s hospital stay. These were compared to profiles constructed from plasma obtained from healthy controls of the same age (21–40: n = 23, 61% male; 65+: n = 26, 50% male). Differences in metabolic profiles were assessed with partial least squares discriminant analysis. Results Trauma elicits an overwhelming global stress response that includes more subtle differences in metabolism related to age and gender. Significant differences due to normal aging were also identified. Many of the metabolites measured were present in similar levels in healthy controls age 65+ as they were in trauma patients of all ages. Sex-based differences in metabolism were observed in younger trauma patients on Day 3 but not in older patients. Conclusions Differences in energy metabolism and oxidative stress were implicated in the response to trauma in all patients. Older trauma patients may enter the trauma state with pre-existing oxidative stress and energy deficits that complicate recovery. Sex-based differences in recovery from trauma support the large body of work demonstrating the role of sex in recovery from trauma.
Evolutionary Rescue in a Linearly Changing Environment: Limits on Predictability

Populations subject to substantial environmental change that decreases absolute fitness (expected number of offspring per individual) to less than one must adapt to persist. The probability of adaptive evolutionary rescue may be influenced by factors intrinsic to the organism itself, or by features specific to the individual population and its environment. An important question (given the increasing prevalence of environmental change) is the predictability of evolutionary rescue. We used an individual-based simulation model and a related analytic model to examine population persistence, given a continuously changing environment that leads to a linear change in the optimum for a phenotypic trait under selection. Population persistence was not well predicted by the population genetics at the start of environmental change, which contrasts strongly with the results shown in prior work for persistence after a sudden environmental change. Larger populations, which had a greater scope for the generation and maintenance of beneficial genetic variation, showed a clear advantage, but increasing the rate of environmental change always decreased the probability of persistence. Extinctions occurred throughout the period of continuous change, and populations that went extinct showed little sign of their eventual fate until shortly before extinction. Partially clonal populations showed less predictability and greater vulnerability to extinction when impacted by continuous change than did fully sexual populations—any advantage gained by the initial transmission of well-adapted phenotypes via clonal reproduction is lost as the phenotypic optimum continues to shift and the generation of novel variation is required for continuous adaptation.
Differences in Gene Expression in Older Compared With Younger Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Background For the growing numbers of older transplant patients, increased incidence of infection and death compared with younger patients may limit the many benefits provided by transplantation. However, little is known about age-associated immune dysfunction in the older transplant recipient. Methods A cohort of 60 kidney transplant recipients, 23 older (≥ 60y) and 37 younger (30-59y), matched on antithymocyte induction and donor type (living vs deceased) was evaluated. Gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells 3 months after kidney transplantation was analyzed to compare differences between older and younger patients. Results Proinflammatory genes were upregulated in older kidney transplant patients, including cytokines IL1-β and IL-6. Downregulated genes were associated with B-cell and T-cell function, including CCR7 and CD27. Analysis of predicted transcription factor binding suggested an increase in proinflammatory transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β-binding sites in older patients, whereas interferon regulatory factor 2 transcription factor binding sites were less prevalent. Conclusions Older kidney transplant recipients exhibited multiple differences in gene expression compared with younger patients, with upregulation of proinflammatory genes and downregulation of adaptive immune response genes. These findings may explain the mechanism of increased vulnerability to infection and malignancy observed in older transplant patients.
Better living through optimization

In his short book Hacking Life: Systematized Living and Its Discontents, Joseph Reagle provides a comprehensive look at the recent history and major personalities (also known as "the geeks and gurus") associated with the emergent phenomenon known as "life hacking." Each chapter focuses on a distinct aspect of life hacking—from how to manage one9s time and productivity to how to stay motivated, and from how to organize one9s personal belongings to how to optimize health, wellness, and relationships—reflecting on the factors and philosophies that drive these practices and unpacking their myriad implications.
Autogenous Tissues Versus Alloplastic TMJ Condylar Replacement

End-stage temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disease due to a multitude pathophysiologic process can benefit from TMJ replacement. The traditional method has been used to reconstruct the TMJ using autogenous tissues from various donor sites in the body. However, as materials and understanding how to use those materials have advanced, the pendulum is now moving much more toward alloplastic reconstruction. This chapter will compare and contrast the two types of reconstruction methods for reconstructing the diseased TMJ.
Wax Hybrids: Re-thinking Subjects and Objects in Ovid, Paré, Descartes, and Spenser

This chapter turns toward posthumanist theory and explores early modern anxieties about prosthetics, automatons, and other human-object hybrids. Starting with Ovid’s Metamorphoses, this chapter argues that wax models the possibilities of both human supplementation and supplantation in the period. In Pare’s Workes, we see a careful limiting of the scope of the surgeon to stay within nature’s bounds, while simultaneously reading the body as malleable. Descartes’ Meditations reveals considerable anxiety about automatons in and around his famous wax passage, and Spenser’s Faerie Queene unleashes a wax woman upon Faerie Land, calling into question what it means to be both human and woman in the period.
A Simple ORAM

Abstract : In this short note, we demonstrate a simple and practical ORAM that enjoys an extremely simple proof of security. Our construction is based on a recent ORAM due to Shi, Chan, Stefanov and Li [SCSL11], but with some crucial modifications, which significantly simply the analysis.
Sequence analysis of the medium (M) segment of Cache Valley virus, with comparison to other Bunyaviridae.

The complete sequence of the medium (M) segment of Cache Valley virus (CVV), a human neuropathogen, has been determined using a series of overlapping cDNA clones. The viral complementary-sense RNA is comprised of 4463 nucleotides which encodes a polyprotein precursor of 1435 amino acids, starting at AUG at bases 49–51 to a UGA stop codon at bases 4351–4353. This polyprotein-encoding sequence is arranged as G2-NSm-G1. The base composition of the segment is 34.9% A, 17.0% C, 19.4% G and 28.7% U. Comparison of the nucleotide sequence to the prototype Bunyamwera virus sequence shows an identity of 63%, indicating several differences exist within the individual coding regions, most notably within the NSm and G1 coding regions. Based on two presumed cleavage points within the precursor, the G2 glycoprotein, encoded from nt 94-951, is 286 amino acids long, and has two sites of potential glycosylation. NSm, encoded from nt 952-1476, is 175 amino acids, while the largest glycoprotein, G1, encoded from nt 1477-4350, consists of 958 amino acids, and has five potential glycosylation sites, two of which appear to be unique to CVV. The subsequent study of these glycosylation sites and potential differences between the sequence of this prototype CVV strain and other geographic isolates may suggest the means for improving detection of human infections as well as mapping differences in neurovirulence, neuroinvasiveness and other aspects of pathogenicity.
Correlation of granulocyte mobilization with etiocholanolone and the subsequent development of myelosuppression in patients with acute leukemia receiving therapy.

1. Etiocholanolone was employed in the assessment of bone marrow granulocyte reserves in a group of patients with acute leukemia prior to the administration of therapy. 2. Normal levels of circulating white blood cells and granulocytes and/or remission bone marrow status were often associated with abnormal test responses. 3. Individuals having a positive test response experienced significantly less hematologic toxicity following therapy than did those patients having a negative response. 4. Etiocholanolone proved to be a safe agent without significant side effects. 5. This test can be helpful in the prediction of toxicity following antileukemic therapy.
Back to Sleep: Teaching Adults to Arrange Safe Infant Sleep Environments.

There are over 3,000 sleep related infant deaths each year in the United States. Attempts to teach medical personnel and parents safe infant sleep practices in the infant sleep training literature have demonstrated mixed results. Thus, strategies to teach arrangements of safe infant sleep environments warrant further investigation. Behavioral skills training (BST) is an evidence-based teaching strategy shown to successfully teach various safety skills to children and adults. The current study evaluated the effectiveness of behavioral skills training to teach safe infant sleep practices to typically developing adults. Specifically, differential responding was assessed across multiple environmental arrangements typical of contexts parents may be exposed to when putting an infant to sleep. BST significantly improved appropriate arrangement of a safe sleep environment for infants for all 8 participants.
Operative pancreatic debridement: Contemporary outcomes in changing times.

Abstract Background/objectives Operative pancreatic debridement (OPD) is the historic gold standard for treating necrotizing pancreatitis (NP). Recent success with minimally invasive NP treatment approaches have raised the question of which NP patients require OPD. We therefore sought to define contemporary outcomes of NP patients undergoing OPD. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed of 116 consecutive NP patients undergoing OPD using a prospectively maintained institutional NP database between 2006 and 2018. Results 86 (74%) patients underwent open pancreatic debridement (OD) and 30 (26%) underwent open transgastric debridement (TGD). Median follow-up was 16 months (interquartile range [IQR], 8–45 months). Median age was 51 years (IQR, 43–65 years); 73 (63%) were male. Pancreatitis etiology included biliary (53%), alcohol (22%), and idiopathic/other (25%). Median time from diagnosis to OPD was 64.5 days (IQR, 32–114.5 days). Mean APACHE-II score was: admission 8.5 (standard deviation [SD], 5.9); worst 12.6 (SD, 7.9); preoperatively 7.2 (SD, 4.6). 40 patients (34%) were initially managed with minimally invasive techniques (percutaneous drain only in 24, endoscopic only in 6, combination in 10). Median postoperative length of stay was 11 days (IQR, 7–19 days). 90-day morbidity and mortality were 70% and 2%, respectively. Conclusions NP patients who require OPD are critically and chronically ill. OPD is associated with substantial morbidity, but acceptable mortality in an experienced center with multidisciplinary support. This large contemporary series demonstrates that in properly selected patients, OPD remains an important treatment for NP.
Surgical Approaches for the Esophagus

Thoracic surgery technological advancements have led to a greater use of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) techniques. The authors preferably perform most cases using MIS. With MIS, complications such as intraoperative hemorrhage, length of hospital stay, as well as pulmonary complications are reduced. However, for certain procedures such as a pharyngoesophageal diverticulectomy, the authors still favor an open surgical approach as the endoscopic approach has not proven to be superior.
Photocatalytic TiO2-based nanostructured materials for microbial inactivation

Pathogenic microorganisms can spread throughout the world population, as the current COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically demonstrated. In this scenario, a protection against pathogens and other microorganisms can come from the use of photoactive materials as antimicrobial agents able to hinder, or at least limit, their spreading by means of photocatalytically assisted processes activated by light—possibly sunlight—promoting the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can kill microorganisms in different matrices such as water or different surfaces without affecting human health. In this review, we focus the attention on TiO2 nanoparticle-based antimicrobial materials, intending to provide an overview of the most promising synthetic techniques, toward possible large-scale production, critically review the capability of such materials to promote pathogen (i.e., bacteria, virus, and fungi) inactivation, and, finally, take a look at selected technological applications.
Franchisee Perceived Relationship Value

The paper seeks to develop a conceptualization of franchisee perceived relationship value (FPRV), defined as the trade-off between perceived net worth of tangible and intangible benefits and costs to be derived over the lifetime of the franchisor-franchisee relationship, as perceived by the franchisee, taking into consideration the available alternative franchise relationships.
Cytologic features of hepatic YAP1-TFE3 rearranged epithelioid hemangioendothelioma

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a rare vascular tumor of intermediate malignancy, often with indolent behavior. Though most cases have a characteristic WWTR1-CAMTA1 gene fusion, a subtype of EHE with YAP1-TFE3 fusions and a distinct morphology has recently been described histologically, but no cases of YAP1-TFE3 EHE have been described in the cytology literature. We herein report on a case of YAP1-TFE3 fusion associated EHE diagnosed on fine-needle aspiration and core biopsy of a liver mass in an 18-year-old male patient who presented with synchronous lung and liver involvement. We also discuss the differential diagnosis of EHE on cytology specimens.
Surface Nonreciprocity in Iron Garnets

Surface reconstruction and electronic transitions are examined. XMCD through total fluorescence yield and total electron yield show evidence of density of state differences between bulk and surface. Surface reconstruction was examined via STEM.
The effect of disorder on the optical constants of nanoscale RuO2

Abstract Optical constants and electrical resistivity are determined for conformal, nanometric films of RuO2 (“nanoskins”) electrolessly deposited from cold nonaqueous solutions onto transparent dielectrics. The RuO2 nanoskins are disordered and exhibit lower conductivity than polycrystalline sputtered RuO2 films but are more optically transmissive: ~ 1.6 kΩ sheet resistance and 80% transmission at 800 nm for a 10-nm–thick nanoskin. Ruthenia nanoskins are promising transparent conducting coatings because they are easy to fabricate and provide a chemically versatile, conformal film that is highly transmissive over a broad spectral region suitable for spectroelectrochemical studies. Due primarily to their lower absorption, the real component (e1) of the complex permittivity e for the RuO2 nanoskins is positive over the entire spectral region investigated (0.6–4.5 eV) whereas it is negative for the sputtered films, consistent with their metallic character. The imaginary component (e2) of the complex permittivity places disordered RuO2 in the ranks of less “lossy” conductors, but its low e1 ensures that this form of the oxide cannot be plasmonic in the optical window.
Reinforcement for Torque in Spandrel L-Beams

The torsional stiffness of reinforced concrete beams drops drastically when diagonal cracking occurs, to 1/10 or 1/30 of the initial stiffness. Elexural stiffness drops only to 1/2 or 1/3 when flexural cracking occurs. Thus the elastic analysis appropriate at small loads cannot be projected to the ultimate or collapse state. The strength of web reinforcement is not fully developed until the rotation angle is 10 to 15 times that first causing diagonal cracking. Such large twist angles are not usable, even at an ultimate condition. A stiffness limit rather than a strength limit probably controls the proper use of web reinforcement. Longitudinal reinforcement for torsion carries stresses dependent more on twist angle than on the magnitude of torque. With properly limited twist angles (at ultimate) the extra longitudinal reinforcement for torsion can be reduced below that now recommended.
Contributions of Archaeometry

Archaeometry is the use in archaeology of technologies and associated generalizations from the physical and biological sciences; it includes a host of subfields ranging from archaeometallurgy to zooarchaeology. Archaeometric analyses furnish entirely new classes of data for modeling recipes of artifact manufacture and use. Two case studies are drawn from literature, which illustrate how archaeometry contributes to the archaeology of science: (1) constructing a recipe for the manufacture of Maya blue pigment, whose ingredients include indigo and palygorskite clay, and (2) constructing a recipe for the use of cylinder jars from Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, which contained cacao (chocolate).
Quality, measurement errors, and profit function estimation

Abstract A producer demand/profit function estimator is developed which uses the structure of clustered samples to estimate the importance of variations in factor quality and errors in measurement of the wage, and to correct for biases caused by these factors.
Genetic analysis of 987P adhesion and fimbriation of Escherichia coli: the fas genes link both phenotypes.

Abstract The 987P fimbrial gene cluster has recently been shown to contain eight genes (fasA to fasH) clustered on large plasmids of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and adjacent to a Tn1681-like transposon encoding the heat-stable enterotoxin STIa. Different genetic approaches were used to study the relationship between 987P fimbriation and adhesion. TnphoA mutagenesis, complementation assays, and T7 RNA polymerase-promoted gene expression indicated that all of the fas genes were involved in fimbrial expression and adhesion. In contrast to other fimbrial systems, the lack of expression of any single fas gene never resulted in the dissociation of fimbriation and adhesion, indicating that the adhesin is required for fimbrial expression and suggesting that FasA, the fimbrial structural subunit itself, is the adhesin. In addition, fimbrial length was shown to be modulated by the levels of expression of different fas genes.
Substance P and neurotensin.

During the past 15 years, this laboratory has been involved in the isolation and chemical characterization of two neural peptides, Substance P and neurotensin. Substance P had been detected as early as 1931 (von Euler and Gaddum, 1931), but had resisted purification until the work of Chang and Leeman (1970). Neurotensin, another vasoactive peptide, was previously undiscovered, and is a new addition to the group of peptides of neural origin. It was detected in hypothalamic extracts during the course of purification of Substance P and its isolation reported by Carraway and Leeman (1973). This chapter will review general guidelines for the isolation and characterization of biologically active peptides, and then illustrate how they were applied to studies of Substance P and neurotensin, in the hope that this material will be of some value to those now considering similar problems for the first time.
Metals, Cations, and Anions

Grapes, musts, and to a lesser extent, wine contain trace amounts of heavy metals. The term “heavy metals” distinguishes those near the bottom of the periodic table (i.e., lead, mercury, and cadmium) and metal-like elements (such as arsenic) from the common “lighter weight” metals (such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium) present in significant amounts in grapes (see Chapter 15). Heavy metals are toxic to biological systems due to their ability to deactivate enzymes. As such, their allowable concentrations in foods is regulated. In terms of decreasing concentrations normally seen in wine, these include iron, copper, zinc, manganese, aluminum, lead, and arsenic (Table 12-1).
High pressure anion exchange chromatographic measurement of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate and cyclic (14C) adenosine monophosphate specific activity in myocardium prelabeled with (14C) adenosine.

Abstract A 10-min high pressure pellicular anion exchange chromatographic method coupled to a new sensitive ultraviolet flow cell has been used to measure picomole amounts of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) in biological materials after previous purification of the samples. Tissue extracts in trichloroacetic acid are previously purified by anion exchange chromatography, zinc-barium precipitation, and thin layer chromatography. High specific activity cyclic [3H]AMP is used to determine purification recovery for each sample. The method has also been used to determine cyclic AMP and cyclic [14C]AMP specific activity in perfused frog ventricles prelabeled with [14C]adenosine. In addition, this method has been used to demonstrate that the positive inotropic effects of epinephrine and norepinephrine could not be dissociated from increased myocardial levels of cyclic AMP in the presence of the glycogenolytic blocking agent, N-isopropylmethoxamine.
Optimal Intertemporal Irrigation Management under Saline, Limited Drainage Conditions

Dynamic optimization models are formulated to determine economically efficient irrigation practices for an individual field over a sequence of years. The models consider crop rotations, spatial variability, and investment in irrigation systems, under saline, limited drainage conditions. Crop rotations can result in significantly different decision rules for a given crop depending on its position within the rotation. A cyclical pattern of water applications and soil salinity was also found when crop rotations are considered. Nonuniform irrigation results in significantly greater water applications and significantly greater response to changing prices compared to the perfectly uniform case.
Mrp2 is involved in the efflux and disposition of fosinopril

The multidrug-resistance-associated proteins 1 and 2 (MRP1/MRP2) are transporters responsible for the efflux of drugs and endogenous compounds. Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells transfected with the human MRP1 or MRP2 genes were used to assess whether several widely used pharmaceuticals are potential substrates by examining their differential toxicity, accumulation and efflux. Loratadine, an antihistamine, was 1.4-fold less toxic to MRP1 cells and its retention was 1.3-fold lower than that from MDCK control cells. Fosinopril, an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, was 2.4-fold less toxic and its retention was 4.5-fold lower in MRP2-transfected cells compared with control cells. To determine whether fosinopril contributed to a drug–drug interaction, fosinopril efflux was examined in vitro in combination with other known or suspected MRP2 substrates over a period of 20 min. When fosinopril was coincubated with desloratadine, loratadine or methotrexate, its retention was increased by 2-, 4.7- and 2-fold, respectively, which likely indicates that a drug–drug interaction is occurring. In vivo studies were conducted, in which FVB wild-type and FVB/Mrp2−/− mice were dosed with fosinopril and the known MRP2 substrate methotrexate, and tissues collected after 1 h. In mice lacking Mrp2, drug levels were reduced in the intestine by 1.5-fold, but increased in the liver, serum and kidneys, by 2.1-, 2.9- and 3-fold, respectively. These data suggest that, in the absence of Mrp2, fosinopril alters the retention of a second drug. These findings will help increase our understanding of the role that MRP2 plays in altering the retention and disposition of coadministered pharmaceuticals. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of fiber length distribution on gas holdup in a cocurrent air-water-fiber bubble column

Abstract An experimental investigation is reported on the effect of fiber length distribution on gas holdup in a cocurrent air–water–fiber bubble column. Different combinations of 1 and 3 mm Rayon fibers are used to simulate different fiber length distributions. At a constant total fiber mass fraction, gas holdup generally decreases with increasing mass fraction of the 3 mm Rayon fiber while other conditions remain constant. Crowding factors estimated using four different methods ( N c = N c , A , N c * , N c , L , and N c , M ) and the parameters N c , L N f 0.2 0.8 and N c , M N f 0.2 0.8 are tested on their performance to quantify the overall effects of fiber mass fraction and fiber length and its distribution on gas holdup. N c , L N f 0.2 0.8 and N c , M N f 0.2 0.8 provide the best characterization of the fiber effects on gas holdup in the cocurrent air–water–fiber bubble column. The crowding factor estimated using the model-based average fiber length ( N c , M ) also provides a good characterization and is better than the other crowding factor definitions.
Kirramyces phormii comb. nov. from leaves of Phormium

Hendersonia phormii, a coelomycetous fungus originally described from leaves of Phormium, is transferred to Kirramyces. The species is redescribed from the host and in culture. Generic relationships are discussed and characters summarized. Kirramyces phormii is compared to and contrasted with other species in that genus and a key is provided to species of Kirramyces.
Hypoglossal motoneuron responses to pulmonary and superior laryngeal afferent inputs.

Abstract In decerebrate, paralyzed cats ventilated with a cycle-triggered pump, the inspiratory discharges of the hypoglossal (whole nerve or single fibers), phrenic, and recurrent laryngeal nerves were compared, and the effects of pulmonary and superior laryngeal inputs were observed. During lung inflations phase with neural inspiration, hypoglossal and recurrent laryngeal activities differed from phrenic with respect to (a) burst onset times: both preceded the phrenic; (b) overall pattern: phrenic, augmenting; hypoglossal, decrementing; recurrent laryngeal, plateau-like. When inflation was withheld, the phrenic pattern was not markedly changed, but both hypoglossal and recurrent laryngeal became augmenting; the marked increas of hypoglossal activity (both whole nerve and single fiber) indicated strong inhibition by lung afferents. Superior laryngeal electrical stimulation evoked excitation of the contralateral phrenic (latency 4.1 msec) and the ipsilateral whole hypoglossal (latency 5.3 msec), followed by bilateral inhibitions (durations 20–30 msec); most hypoglossal fibers showed only inhibition. We conclude that, although both hypoglossal and phrenic outputs are driven by the inspiratory pattern generator(s), their premotor systems differ with respect to influences from central and peripheral inputs.
Morphodynamics and cobbles behavior in and near the surf zone

Abstract The evolution of an initially flat sandy slope and the dynamics of large objects (cobbles/mines) emplaced on it are studied in a laboratory wave tank under simulated surf conditions. Upon initiation of wave forcing, the initially flat beach undergoes bedform changes before reaching a quasi-steady morphology characterized by a system of sand ripples along the slope and a large bar near the break point. Although the incoming wave characteristics are held fixed, the bottom morphology never reaches a strict steady state, but rather slowly changes due to the migration of ripples and bar transformation. When the wave characteristics are changed, the bedform adjusts to a new quasi-steady state after a suitable adjustment time. Studies conducted by placing model cobbles/mines on the evolving sandy bottom subjected to wave forcing show four distinct scenarios: (i) periodic cobble oscillations with zero mean displacement and small scour around the cobbles, (ii) mean onshore motion of relatively light cobbles, (iii) periodic burial of relatively heavy cobbles when their sizes are comparable to those of sand ripples, and (iv) the burial of relatively large cobbles under the bar, when the bar migrates due to changes of incoming waves. Quantitative data on the characteristics and dynamics of the bedform, including ripple-formation front propagating down the slope, ripple growth and drift, and flow around ripples, are presented. Physical explanations are provided for the observations.