cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analgesic Properties of Oral Sucrose During Routine Immunizations at 2 and 4 Months of Age

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the analgesic properties of oral sucrose during routine immunizations in infants at 2 and 4 months of age. PATIENTS AND METHODS. A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted at a pediatric ambulatory care clinic. One-hundred healthy term infants scheduled to receive routine immunizations were recruited, randomly stratified into 2- or 4-month study groups, and further randomly assigned to receive 24% oral sucrose and pacifier or the sterile water control solution. The study preparations were administered 2 minutes before the combined diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis, inactivated polio vaccine, and hepatitis B vaccine. Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine was administered 3 minutes after the combined injection, followed by the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, 2 minutes after the H influenzae type b injection. The University of Wisconsin Children9s Hospital Pain Scale measured serial acute pain responses for the treatment and control groups at baseline and 2, 5, 7, and 9 minutes after solution administration. Repeated-measures analysis of variance examined between-group differences and within-subject variability of treatment effect on overall pain scores. RESULTS. Two- and 4-month-old infants receiving oral sucrose (n = 38) displayed reductions in pain scores 2 minutes after solution administration compared with 2- and 4-month-old infants in the placebo group (n = 45). Between-group comparisons for the oral sucrose and placebo groups showed lower pain responses at 5, 7, and 9 minutes after solution administration. The oral sucrose and placebo groups demonstrated their highest mean pain score at 7 minutes, with a mean pain score of 3.8 and 4.8, respectively. At 9 minutes, the placebo group had a mean pain score of 2.91 whereas the mean pain score for the oral sucrose group returned to near baseline, reflecting a 78.5% difference in mean pain score (oral sucrose − placebo) relative to the placebo mean. CONCLUSIONS. Oral sucrose is an effective, easy-to-administer, short-acting analgesic for use during routine immunizations.
ROCK-generated contractility regulates breast epithelial cell differentiation in response to the physical properties of a three-dimensional collagen matrix

Breast epithelial cells differentiate into tubules when cultured in floating three-dimensional (3D) collagen gels, but not when the cells are cultured in the same collagen matrix that is attached to the culture dish. These observations suggest that the biophysical properties of collagenous matrices regulate epithelial differentiation, but the mechanism by which this occurs is unknown. Tubulogenesis required the contraction of floating collagen gels through Rho and ROCK-mediated contractility. ROCK-mediated contractility diminished Rho activity in a floating 3D collagen gel, and corresponded to a loss of FAK phosphorylated at Y397 localized to 3D matrix adhesions. Increasing the density of floating 3D collagen gels also disrupted tubulogenesis, promoted FAK phosphorylation, and sustained high Rho activity. These data demonstrate the novel finding that breast epithelial cells sense the rigidity or density of their environment via ROCK-mediated contractility and a subsequent down-regulation of Rho and FAK function, which is necessary for breast epithelial tubulogenesis to occur.
Effect of gastric acid suppressants on human gastric motility

Background— The effect of histamine H2receptor antagonists on gastric emptying is controversial. Aims— To determine the effects of ranitidine, famotidine, and omeprazole on gastric motility and emptying. Patients and methods— Fifteen normal subjects underwent simultaneous antroduodenal manometry, electrogastrography (EGG), and gastric emptying with dynamic antral scintigraphy (DAS). After 30 minutes of fasting manometry and EGG recording, subjects received either intravenous saline, ranitidine, or famotidine, followed by another 30 minutes recording and then three hours of postprandial recording after ingestion of a radiolabelled meal. Images were obtained every 10–15 minutes for three hours to measure gastric emptying and assess antral contractility. Similar testing was performed after omeprazole 20 mg daily for one week. Results— Fasting antral phase III migrating motor complexes (MMCs) were more common after ranitidine (9/15 subjects, 60%), famotidine (12/15, 80%), and omeprazole (8/12, 67%) compared with placebo (4/14, 29%; p<0.05). Postprandially, ranitidine, famotidine, and omeprazole slowed gastric emptying, increased the amplitude of DAS contractions, increased the EGG power, and increased the antral manometric motility index. Conclusions— Suppression of gastric acid secretion with therapeutic doses of gastric acid suppressants is associated with delayed gastric emptying but increased antral motility.
Cities and Citizenship

Cities and Citizenship. James Holston. ed. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 1999. 260 pp.
Universal scaling in nonlinear optical molecules

In organic molecules, the strength of the linear and nonlinear optical response scales depends on the size of the structure. Power-laws that correlate the length of a structure and its nonlinear structure have been proposed by different researchers. These power-laws are described as function of the number of repeating units, and are derived from the experimental characterization of one set of homologue compounds. Typically, every set of homologues has been reported to obey a different power-law. We show how the sum rules allow to derive universal scaling power-laws that apply to all structures and are in agreement with the experimental data. Using the concept of universal scaling, we propose a classification of the scaling behavior that can be used to determine what are the best molecular paradigms for future nonlinear optical applications.
A nonblocking architecture for broadband multichannel switching

The paper investigates multichannel switching as a promising alternative to traditional single-channel switching where virtual paths established in a switch are between a single input channel and a single output channel. A particular non-blocking condition is derived for flip networks, which is exploited to realize a multichannel switching architecture that supports an arbitrary number of channel groups. The architecture is internally nonblocking and bufferless. Using one flip network recursively a number of times based on the number of channel groups, the resulting architecture becomes efficient in the sense that the cross point complexity is O(N log/sub 2/ N) for N inputs. Other distinguishing features are the abilities to provide multicasting, superrate switching (i.e., rates that exceed the capacity of a single channel are accommodated), multirate switching (i.e., bit pipes of different rates are supported simultaneously), multiple performance requirements (i.e., services with different performance requirements are treated accordingly), and fair access to all inputs (i.e., no input is systematically discriminated against). In multichannel switching, cells belonging to a single session can traverse multiple channels. Providing the cell sequencing integrity becomes a challenging issue. The architecture proposed in the paper accomplishes the task without employing any cell resequencing mechanism. >
The Perkin Reaction and Related Reactions

In 1868, W. H. Perkin described a synthesis of coumarin by heating the sodium salt of salicyaldehyde with acetic acid. Further study led to a new discovery for preparing cinnamic acid and its analogs by means of a synthesis of very general application, which became know as the Perkin reaction. In the course of study of unsaturated acids, Fittig made several important contributions to the mechanism of the Perkin reaction. Many studies have been made regarding this reaction and are described. The Perkin reaction may be regarded essential as the condensation of a carbonyl component A and an acid and dihydride-salt combination B. The discussion here is a survey of the types of carbonyl components and acid anhydride salt combinations that can be used and of the yields obtained under favorable conditions. Keywords: Perkin reaction; carbonyl compounds; cinnamic acids; unsaturated acids; benzaldehyde; acid components; laboratory procedures; cinnamic acid derivatives; experimental conditions
The American Metropolis at Century's End: Past and Future Influences

Abstract The American metropolis at century's end is vastly different than what many expected just 50 years ago. At mid‐century, seers envisioned a clean, rationally planned city of the future, free of long‐standing problems such as traffic and poverty. The reality is more complex. We built a new metropolis that addressed some major problems while simultaneously creating a host of new ones. The next 50 years will undoubtedly contain similar surprises. In conjunction with the 1999 Annual Housing Conference, which looked at the legacy of the 1949 Housing Act, the Fannie Mae Foundation commissioned a survey that asked urban scholars to rank the key influences shaping the past and future American metropolis. The “top 10” lists that resulted are the focus of this article.
Efficient calculation of g-factors for CG-SENSE in high dimensions: noise amplification in random undersampling

Background SENSE [1,2] is one of the most used parallel imaging techniques. In [1], uniform undersampling was employed to efficiently reconstruct an unalised image, whereas in [2], a conjugate gradient-based method (CG-SENSE) was used for reconstruction with arbitrary trajectories. SENSE framework allows the calculation of g-factors, characterizing the noise amplification for a given k-space trajectory and coil configuration [1]. However, calculation of g-factors for arbitrary trajectories in high dimensions is time-consuming [3]. Furthermore, noise characteristics of random undersampling, used in compressed sensing, is not wellunderstood. In this work, we use a Monte-Carlo (MC) method for fast calculation of g-factors for CG-SENSE similar to [4,5] and apply it to random Cartesian undersampling trajectories. Theory: SENSE involves a prewhitening step [1,2], thus without loss of generality, we assume white noise. SENSE reconstruction solves minm ||y Em||2, where E is the system matrix, and y are the undersampled measurements. The g-factor for the k voxel is given by gk = √([E*E] -1 k,k [E*E]k,k). Inverting E*E is not feasible in high dimensions. Instead we note the gk corresponds to the k diagonal of the reconstruction noise covariance matrix (for normalized coil sensitivities), where nrecon = (E*E) E*nmeas, and nmeas is measurement noise with identity covariance matrix. We calculate the sample correlation matrix using a MC approach (since sample mean goes to 0), as 1/(p-1)∑p n p recon (n p recon)* for p instances of nrecon. Note we only calculate and store the diagonal elements of this matrix, significantly increasing efficiency. Methods The MC method was first verified in a numerical simulation, where the g-factor was explicitly calculated for a 2D coil configuration, to determine how many MC simulations suffice. Whole-heart imaging was performed with an isotropic resolution of 1.3 mm using a 32-channel coil array. Two 4-fold accelerated acquisitions were performed, one with uniform undersampling (2 × 2 in the ky-kz plane) and one with random undersampling. Coil sensitivity maps were exported. Images were reconstructed using SENSE (for uniform) and CG-SENSE (for both). g-factors were also calculated with the proposed approach.
Excitation of the double chamber right ventricle: Electrophysiologic and anatomic correlation

To examine the excitation of the double chamber right ventricle and the possibility that it results from a displaced, hypertrophied moderator band, seven patients with double chamber right ventricle were studied. All seven had pre- and postoperative electrocardiograms. Intraoperative right ventricular epicardial maps were obtained in three; right ventricular endocardial activation maps performed at postoperative catheterization were obtained in four. In the three patients studied at operation the breakthrough point of right ventricular epicardial activation was demonstrated in a normal inferior location well below the obstructing muscle band. Two patients with right bundle branch block after operation and two others with only right ventricular conduction delay on postoperative electrocardiogram demonstrated high normal right ventricular time with prolongation of activation in the right ventricular outflow or inflow region, or both, suggesting only peripheral injury. These data suggest that activation of the double chamber right ventricle is similar to that of the normal heart. In addition, the observed normal activation sequence militates against the hypothesis that the moderator band is the obstructing bundle.
A nongrading histologic approach to Clark (dysplastic) nevi: A potential to decrease the excision rate.

Background Despite a lack of evidence that dysplastic nevi are precursors to melanoma, a large proportion of dermatologists continue to treat them as such. Emerging data suggest that histologic grading approach may result in many unnecessary excisions. Objective Using a nongrading approach to diagnosis of Clark/dysplastic nevi, the current study sought to define and determine the diagnostic uncertainty rate, and to report on the results of re-excisions of such lesions. Methods All melanocytic nevi submitted to an academic dermatopathology laboratory between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2013, were categorized. The number of Clark nevi recommended for re-excision divided by the total number of Clark nevi was taken to be the diagnostic uncertainty rate. Results This nongrading approach resulted in an excision recommendation/diagnostic uncertainty rate of 11.1%. In 2% of the excised specimens, the diagnosis was changed to melanoma. Limitations The study was performed at a single institution, and assigned diagnoses could not be verified other than by the diagnosing dermatopathologists. Lesions that were not submitted as re-excision specimens could have altered the results had they been available for evaluation. Conclusion Compared with previously reported excision rates, the current study shows that the nongrading approach to Clark nevi results in a lower excision rate while still maintaining a low rate of change in diagnosis similar to the grading approach.
Automated External Defibrillators in Washington State High Schools

Objective: The placement of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in schools and public sporting venues is a growing national trend. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and utilization of AEDs in Washington State high schools and examine existing emergency preparedness for sudden cardiac arrest. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: High schools in Washington State. Participants: The principal at each high school in the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (N=407) was invited to complete a web-based questionnaire using the National Registry for AED Use in Sports (www.AEDSPORTS.com). Main Outcome Measurements: The primary outcome measures studied included AED prevalence and location, funding for AEDs, AED training of school personnel, coordination of AED placement with local emergency response agencies, and prior AED utilization. Results: One-hundred eighteen schools completed the survey (29% response rate). Fifty-four percent (64/118) of schools have at least one AED on school grounds (mean 1.6, range 1-4). The likelihood of AED placement increased with larger school size (p = 0.044). Sixty percent of AEDs were funded by donations, 27% by the school district, and 11% by the school or athletic department itself. Coaches (78%) were the most likely to receive AED training, followed by administrators (72%), school nurses (70%), and teachers (48%). Only 25% of schools coordinated the implementation of AEDs with an outside medical agency and only 6% of schools coordinated with the local emergency medical system. One school reported a prior AED use to treat sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in a basketball official who survived following a single shock. The estimated probability of AED use to treat SCA was 1 in 154 schools per year. Conclusions: Over half of Washington State high schools have an AED on school grounds. AED use occurred in less than 1% of schools annually and was effective in the treatment of SCA. Funding of AED programs was mostly through private donations with little coordination with local emergency response teams. Significant improvement is needed in structuring emergency response plans and training targeted rescuers for a SCA in the high school setting.
SoyTEdb: a comprehensive database of transposable elements in the soybean genome

Background: Transposable elements are the most abundant components of all characterized genomes of higher eukaryotes. It has been documented that these elements not only contribute to the shaping and reshaping of their host genomes, but also play significant roles in regulating gene expression, altering gene function, and creating new genes. Thus, complete identification of transposable elements in sequenced genomes and construction of comprehensive transposable element databases are essential for accurate annotation of genes and other genomic components, for investigation of potential functional interaction between transposable elements and genes, and for study of genome evolution. The recent availability of the soybean genome sequence has provided an unprecedented opportunity for discovery, and structural and functional characterization of transposable elements in this economically important legume crop. Description: Using a combination of structure-based and homology-based approaches, a total of 32,552 retrotransposons (Class I) and 6,029 DNA transposons (Class II) with clear boundaries and insertion sites were structurally annotated and clearly categorized, and a soybean transposable element database, SoyTEdb, was established. These transposable elements have been anchored in and integrated with the soybean physical map and genetic map, and are browsable and visualizable at any scale along the 20 soybean chromosomes, along with predicted genes and other sequence annotations. BLAST search and other infrastracture tools were implemented to facilitate annotation of transposable elements or fragments from soybean and other related legume species. The majority (> 95%) of these elements (particularly a few hundred low-copy-number families) are first described in this study. Conclusion: SoyTEdb provides resources and information related to transposable elements in the soybean genome, representing the most comprehensive and the largest manually curated transposable element database for any individual plant genome completely sequenced to date. Transposable elements previously identified in legumes, the third largest family of flowering plants, are relatively scarce. Thus this database will facilitate structural, evolutionary, functional, and epigenetic analyses of transposable elements in soybean and other legume species.
Self-medication of migraine headaches with freebase cocaine

The following report describes a patient who began cocaine use as a self-treatment for migraine headaches and developed a full-blown cocaine dependency disorder. Treatment implications are discussed in relation to the self-medication hypothesis of addictive disorders. The discussion concludes that both initiating and perpetuating factors in substance abuse must be addressed for effective treatment to occur.
Finite Populations, Finite Resources, and the Evolutionary Maintenance of Genetic Recombination

Most previous models for the evolution of sex implicitly assume infinite population sizes and limitless resources. However, because favorable mutations are very rare and eukaryotic populations are finite, it has already been shown that multiple favorable mutants virtually never occur by chance. Therefore, sex is required to combine different favorable mutations into a single lineage. Second, we show that even when multiple favorable mutations do coexist, competition between genotypes can create negative epistasis for fitness, thus favoring recombination. Competition is especially effective when selection is at the level of viability in K-selected species living in a resource-limited environment. This means that recombination is advantageous both for incorporating new favorable mutations into the gene pool and for accelerating their increase to fixation. These advantages of recombination are diminished, however, as genome sizes decrease or as the amount of competition within the species is a less important component of selection.
First Principles Based Solution to the Boltzmann Transport Equation for Co/Cu/Co Spin Valves

We present the results of a first principles based semi-classical study of electronic transport in Co/C/u/Co spin valves. The model is parameterized using Bloch states obtained from local spin-density electronic structure calculations and lifetimes appropriate to sputtered films. The approach is used to study the variation in giant magnetoresistance (GMR) with the individual layer thicknesses. Using values for the lifetimes for electrons in the Co and Cu layers that reproduce the resistivities of sputtered films, we are able to rationalize the variation in the current in the plane (CIP) GMR in a set of Co/Cu/Co spin valves produced under similar conditions. Important contributions to the GMR come from two sources, a channeling effect in the Cu which is a direct result of the different sized Fermi spheres for majority Cu and Co electrons, and from within a region in the Co layers within about one to two mean free paths of the interface. Unlike the CIP GMR, values for the current perpendicular to the plane (CPP) GMR are much larger and much less sensitive the variations in the individual layer thicknesses.
Dien Rubber: Compounding and Testing

Abstract Over 2,000,000 miles of testing on tires containing Diene rubber in blends with natural rubber or SBR show conclusively the advantages of using these stocks. Important improvements in abrasion and cracking resistance, operating temperature, rolling resistance and gasoline consumption, and traction on snow should be mentioned. At the present time, all of the Diene rubber being manufactured in a pilot plant is being utilized in production of tire stocks. It is certain that this usage will be greatly expanded in the near future when the full scale plant goes on stream.
EFFECTS OF IRRADIATION OF THE PAROTID GLAND AND PANCREAS ON HUMAN ISOAMYLASES.

Isoamylases of parotid saliva, serum, and urine were studied during incidental 60Co irradiation of the parotid glands in three patients. Samples were obtained before, one day after, and the fourth day after irradiation. Polyacrylamide electrophoretic zymograms and total amylase concentrations were obtained for each sample. Parotid saliva flow rates were also obtained. Total amylase increased in saliva, serum, and urine after irradiation and then decreased by the fourth day posttreatment. In general, the salivary zymograms reflected these amylase concentration changes in each of the bands. Serum and urine zymograms increased in the banding nearer the anode after irradiation, indicating the salivary gland contribution to serum amylase. A fourth patient was subjected to 60Co pancreatic radiotherapy for generalized lymphosarcoma. Only serum and urine were collected. The part of the serum zymogram nearer the cathode increased after irradiation, in contrast to the increase in the part nearer the anode when parotid glands were irradiated, demonstrating the pancreatic serum amylase.
A new type of concept learning situation.

Data obtained from four groups of human Ss suggest that general concepts of stimulus identity and distinctness are learned from discrimination tasks involving few or many exemplars of these concepts.
Tenacious Composite Foams as Cryogenic Tank Insulation

Reinforcing polymer foams with short aramid fibers has the potential to greatly improve the reliability of the thermal protection systems applied to cryogenic propellant tanks. The critical failure mode is peeling of the foam along the bondline with the tank. One of the worst structural foams, phenolic, exhibited great peel strength increase when reinforced with short aramid fibers, and the improvement was retained when tested at -320 degrees F. This is noteworthy because polymers lose toughness at cryogenic temperatures, and reinforcement with short fibers appears to be a promising method for circumventing this shortcoming. This paper shows some of the remarkable performance improvements aramid fiber filled foams exhibit, both at ambient and cryogenic temperatures.
Manganese η2-complexes as auxiliaries for stereoselective aldol synthesis of allenyl carbinols.

A convenient and robust manganese auxiliary was linked via an η2-bond to alkynyl esters and ketones using a mild complexation reaction with methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl. This comple...
Role of Stent Grafts and Helical-Woven Bare-Metal Stents in the Superficial Femoral and Popliteal Arteries

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a devastating medical problem that may lead to significant life alterations for patients, from simply limiting their daily activities to potential loss of limbs and eventual demise. Superficial femoral and popliteal arteries are significantly common locations for PVD sequelae to present itself, and owing to their length and mobile nature, treatment of these segments are quite challenging. Indications for PVD treatment include lifestyle-limiting claudication that is not responding to medical management, ischemic rest pain, nonhealing ulcers, and lower extremity gangrene. There is a wide variety of treatment options that include medical management, interventional, and surgical techniques. Interventional techniques include plain old balloon angioplasty, cryoplasty, drug-coated balloon angioplasty, self-expanding bare-nitinol stents, self-expanding covered stents, self-expanding drug-eluding stents, and a number of atherectomy devices (ie, laser, rotational, orbital, and excisional). The scope of this article is to review indications, patient selection, and deployment techniques of Viabahn and Supera self-expanding stents.
Measurement and analysis of temperature in friction stirring welding process

Temperature distribution during stir welding process not only affect the material flow pattern,but also affect the microstructure at different zones of the welding seam,subsequently decide the welding property of the welding parts.Several experiments have been implemented to study the influence of the welding parameters,such as the influence of the welding speed and rotating speed,on temperature distribution in the welding field of 2024 aluminum alloy plate.The distribution regularity of the temperature field in the temporal and space has been obtained,and the changing regularities among the temperature,welding speed and stir-head velocity have been obtained as well.The influence of the ratio between welding speed and rotating speed on temperature has been investigated.
Phase and stress evolution of Si swarf in the diamond-coated wire sawing of Si ingots

Diamond-coated wire (DCW) sawing of Si solar ingots generates swarf which is analyzed using micro-Raman spectroscopy. Two types of Si swarf are found. Particulate swarf is crystalline and shows residual compressive stress. Fibrillar swarf is amorphous and shows residual tensile stress. The origin of particulate, crystalline swarf is attributed to brittle machining, while the origin of fibrillar, amorphous swarf is attributed to ductile machining. Finite element modeling suggests that brittle machining resulting in particulate, crystalline swarf generation is initiated by sharp diamond microparticles. On the other hand, ductile machining resulting in fibrillar, amorphous swarf generation is caused by blunt diamond microparticles. Over the course of sawing, the ratio of crystalline/amorphous phase in swarf decreases, quantifying the average loss in sharpness of diamond microparticles. Thus, micro-Raman spectroscopy can be an effective analytical tool for quantifying and monitoring DCW sawing processes for Si solar ingots.
Biodistribution of Self-Assembling Polymer–Gemcitabine Conjugate after Systemic Administration into Orthotopic Pancreatic Tumor Bearing Mice

Therapeutic efficacy of gemcitabine (GEM) is severely limited due to its rapid metabolism by enzymatic deamination in vivo. We recently determined its therapeutic efficacy before (F-GEM) and after conjugation to poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(2-methyl-2-carboxyl-propylene carbonate) (mPEG-b-PCC-g-GEM-g-DC, abbreviated as P-GEM) in subcutaneous and orthotopic pancreatic tumor bearing mice. In this study, pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters and biodistribution profiles of F-GEM and P-GEM were determined after intravenous injection into orthotopic pancreatic tumor bearing NSG mice. To assess the short-term toxicity, the levels of hematological, hepatic, and renal injury markers were measured after 24 h postadministration into these mice. P-GEM was distributed to all the major organs, with higher accumulation in the liver, spleen, and tumor compared to F-GEM. Area under the curve (AUC), elimination half-life (t1/2), and mean residence time (MRT) of P-GEM treated group were significantly higher compared to those...
A Discussion of Studies in CDST: An Introduction

In this special issue on Complex Dynamic Systems Theory (CDST), four empirical studies (by Ahmed, Choe, Ciriani Dean, and Van Horn) investigate interlanguage through a CDST perspective. As a way of extending the discussion on CDST, students in the Second Language Acquisition (SLA) doctoral seminar in the Applied Linguistics and TESOL Program at Teachers College, Columbia University were asked to select and discuss one empirical study published in the current issue, reflecting on the following: the theoretical viewpoint, the findings, the methodology, and/or the significance and implications. In response, three papers were submitted to the present forum.
Hospice care, cancer-directed therapy, and Medicare expenditures among older patients dying with malignant brain tumors.

Background End-of-life care for older adults with malignant brain tumors is poorly understood. The purpose of this study is to quantify end-of-life utilization of hospice care, cancer-directed therapy, and associated Medicare expenditures among older adults with malignant brain tumors. Methods This retrospective cohort study included deceased Medicare beneficiaries age ≥65 with primary malignant brain tumor (PMBT) or secondary MBT (SMBT) receiving care within a southeastern cancer community network including academic and community hospitals from 2012-2015. Utilization of hospice and cancer-directed therapy and total Medicare expenditures in the last 30 days of life were calculated using generalized linear and mixed effect models, respectively. Results Late (1-3 days prior to death) or no hospice care was received by 24% of PMBT (n = 383) and 32% of SMBT (n = 940) patients. SMBT patients received late hospice care more frequently than PMBT patients (10% vs 5%, P = 0.002). Cancer-directed therapy was administered to 18% of patients with PMBT versus 25% with SMBT (P = 0.003). Nonwhite race, male sex, and receipt of any hospital-based care in the final 30 days of life were associated with increased risk of late or no hospice care. The average decrease in Medicare expenditures associated with hospice utilization for patients with PMBT was $-12,138 (95% CI: $-18,065 to $-6210) and with SMBT was $-1,508 (95% CI: $-3,613 to $598). Conclusions Receiving late or no hospice care was common among older patients with malignant brain tumors and was significantly associated with increased total Medicare expenditures for patients with PMBT.
Declines in adult blood lead levels in New York City compared with the United States, 2004-2014.

Abstract Objectives To assess changes in lead exposure in the New York City (NYC) adult population over a 10-year period and to contrast changes with national estimates, overall, and by socio-demographics and smoking status. Methods We used measurements of blood lead levels (BLLs) from NYC resident adults who participated in the NYC Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (HANES) in 2004 and 2013–2014. We compared estimates of geometric means (GM), 95th percentiles, and prevalence of BLL ≥ 5 µg/dL overall and by subgroups over time, with adults who participated in the National HANES (NHANES) 2001–2004 and 2011–2014. Results The GM BLLs among NYC adults declined from 1.79 µg/dL in 2004 to 1.13 µg/dL in 2013–2014 (P Conclusion The lessening of disparity in lead exposure across income groups and decreasing exposure at the high end of the distribution among non-Hispanic black and Asian adults in NYC suggest that regulatory and outreach efforts have effectively targeted these higher exposure risk groups. However, Asian adults still had the highest average BLL, suggesting a need for enhanced outreach to this group. Local surveillance remains an important tool to monitor BLLs of local populations and to inform initiatives to reduce exposures in those at highest risk.
Total joint arthroplasty for the arthritic thumb carpometacarpal joint

Thumb basal joint arthritis remains one of the most common and functionally limiting conditions that orthopedic and hand surgeons encounter in daily practice. Nevertheless, surgical treatment options have largely centered on ablative procedures in which the critical trapezial carpal bone is excised completely. Newer orthopedic techniques, such as arthroscopy and implant arthroplasty, have not gained widespread acceptance for this particular joint. Despite equivocal results for basal joint implant arthroplasty in early studies, improved implant design and refinement of surgical indications support adding this option to the surgeon's treatment armamentarium.
A Reproducible Triple-Network Neurobiology of Depressive Rumination

Functional brain networks including Default Mode, Salience, and Executive Control (DMN; SN; ECN), collectively called the 9triple-network9, are associated with Depressive Rumination (DR) severity in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The underlying white-matter (WM) microstructure supporting these networks and its precise role in DR remains unknown, however. Using diffusion MRI and resting-state BOLD fMRI, we explored multimodal relationships between DR, WM microstructure, and triple-network functional connectivity in adults with MDD (N = 39), and then replicated our analyses in an independent dataset of adults with MDD (N = 39). Results showed that higher DR severity was negatively associated with: (a) microstructure of primary and secondary WM fibers spanning the right Superior Longitudinal Fasciculus and surrounding clusters, (b) functional network connectivity of the Cingulo-Opercular SN (coSN), Precuneal DMN (pDMN), and frontal ECN (fECN), (c) inverse correlations between the pDMN and each of the coSN and fECN, and (d) a direct correlation between the fECN and coSN. Ultimately, thirty-one findings replicated fully or partially, lending support to the conclusion that individual differences in WM microstructure, resting-state functional connectivity of the triple-network, and their multivariate, microstructural-functional intersection, provide a neurobiological basis for depressive rumination.
Late summer glacial meltwater contributions to Bull Lake Creek stream flow and water quality, Wind River Range, Wyoming, USA

The Wind River Range in Wyoming contains more glacial ice than any other location within the USA’s Rocky Mountain states of Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. Bull Lake Creek watershed in the s...
Using risk terrain modeling to predict homeless related crime in Los Angeles, California

Abstract We apply Risk Terrain Modeling (RTM) to identify the factors that predict homeless related crime at micro grid cells in Los Angeles, CA. We find that place based factors predicting whether homeless individuals are victimized or the offender being homeless are largely consistent with one another. Out of 26 different crime attractors and generators, prior drug arrests, homeless shelters, and bus stops are the three biggest factors in predicting homeless related crime. We show how the RTM model can effectively forecast future homeless related crimes as well. This suggests that targeted spatial strategies can reduce both homeless offending and victimization risk. Given that the majority of homeless individuals are only intermittently homeless, place based strategies may be a more an effective way to limit risk than strategies that focus on individuals.
Reduced-dose intramuscular ketamine for severe agitation in an academic emergency department.

AbstractIntroduction: Rapid sedation of severely agitated patients is often necessary to ensure the safety of patients and healthcare workers. Intramuscular (IM) ketamine 4–6 mg/kg was previously s...
Making tough choices: A policy capturing approach to evaluating the tradeoffs in sustainable supplier development initiatives

Abstract This research explores the tradeoffs that decision makers are willing to make when implementing development initiatives to improve supplier sustainability performance. We employ a policy capturing methodology in which respondents are forced to choose between multiple potential sustainable supplier development initiatives. Data were collected from traditional and executive MBA students. The results suggest that when confronted with tradeoffs, decision makers value improvements in supplier cost savings and injury reduction equally, which was somewhat unexpected. Further, both improvements in supplier cost savings and injury reduction were valued over supplier emissions performance. Because we measure individual tradeoff preferences, multi-level regression analysis was used to better understand the impact of respondent value structure regarding sustainably developing suppliers. Our findings suggest a hierarchy of tradeoff preferences for decision makers as they pertain to sustainable supplier development. As the pressure to ensure supply chain sustainability increases, more firms will engage in sustainable supplier development. The outcomes of the choices they make when choosing between initiatives, and how managers make these choices, will be of increasing interest in both industry and academia. This research answers previous calls for further examination of decision maker tradeoff preferences in sustainable supply chain development.
The Role of Conformation in Chemical Mutagenesis

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses in vitro chemical point modifications of nucleic acids and the mutations detectable after such treatments. It describes the chemistry of mutagenic reactions and illustrates the working hypothesis that mutagenesis requires a tautomeric shift in the N-1, C-6 region of the purines or the N-3, C-4 region of the pyrimidines. The chapter explains that the efficiency of a mutagen is dependent on the extent of tautomeric shift it produces and on the ratio of the frequencies of the mutagenic to the inactivating events occurring simultaneously. The chapter summarizes the literature dealing with in vitro mutagenesis, with particular reference to nucleic acid conformation and milieu. It also indicates the relative reactivity of the bases, based on the chemical data. The chapter explains that mutagenesis is usually observed at an early stage of the reaction, before the base changes reach the level of analytical detectability for most reactions.
Transcendent Friendship: The Potential of Foucault’s Ascesis to Subvert School Gender Regimes and Facilitate Learning

Foucault’s theories regarding friendship (or philia), homosexual ascesis, and queer culture may be useful in reforming the institutional gender regimes that permeate academic environments, especially those of secondary schools, where hegemonic masculinity often establishes a hierarchy that affects power relationships, academic disciplines, and extracurricular activities. The epistemic value of friendship has the potential to counter these potent and oppressive school gender regimes that operate as an element of the hidden curriculum and dictate behavior ranging from the expression (and suppression) of emotion to pedagogical methods. A review of selected empirical research demonstrates the effects of implementing pedagogical and extracurricular strategies that promote friendship as a crucial component of culturally responsive curricula. Considered through a queer theoretical lens, Foucault’s complex theory of homosexual ascesis may be seen as a counternarrative to restrictive school gender regimes. It can provide a conceptual foundation for practical strategies that will fortify students’ knowledge, skills, and dispositions. Consequently, promoting friendship as both a pedagogical and social scaffold has the potential to deconstruct oppressive gender regimes, create more equitable and socially just academic environments, and cultivate enjoyable teaching and learning experiences that occur within collaborative, communal contexts.
Health Information Technology Utilization by Adolescent and Young Adult Aged Inpatients Undergoing Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

This longitudinal study examined feasibility of "Roadmap 1.0," a modular health information application integrated with the electronic medical record, provided to 30 adolescent and young adult (AYA) inpatients 11-24 years of age undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Feasibility was demonstrated: 70% accessed the application. Utilization was highest the first 2 weeks of hospitalization, with the laboratory results module used most. Users' tension and fatigue were higher than nonusers' at baseline, but not hospital discharge or day 100. Results suggest AYAs utilize health information technology in ways consistent with the HSCT trajectory and Roadmap 1.0 addressed informational and psychological needs.
Complications of the Climate Change Narrative within the Lives of Climate Refugees: Slow Causality and Apocalyptic Themes

With projections of rapidly increasing numbers of climate refugees in the next decades, the discourse surrounding climate refugees becomes ever more pertinent within the field of sustainable development and the public sphere. I offer an alternative analysis of the processes which surround “knowing” and “defining” climate refugees by employing an interpretive framework which disseminates the term “narrative” according to Jean Francois Lyotard’s The Postmodern Condition: A Report on Knowledge. In the discourse surrounding climate refugees, two main narratives interact with each other: the dominant climate change narrative and the individual narratives of climate refugees themselves. I contend that the dominant narrative of climate change complicates the narratives of climate change refugees through specific characteristics of climate change discourse, specifically, the temporal characteristics of slow causality and apocalyptic themes as evinced in two case studies, one in the small town of Shishmaref, Alaska and the other in the Maldives. Through researching and examining the thematic elements featured in narration, we gain a fuller comprehension of the personal narratives of climate refugees. The dominant climate change discourses permeate almost all environmental issues, and therefore, the field of sustainable development continuously confronts and interacts with such discourses. Furthermore, one aspect of sustainable development involves the ongoing circumstances of forced migration due to climate change. Illuminating the ways in which the dominant climate change narrative reduces the personal narratives of climate refugees compels us to look towards climate refugees themselves as sources for their own narratives instead of permitting the dominant narratives to overshadow their experiences.
Biventricular implantable cardioverter-defibrillator device placement in patients with hostile tricuspid valve anatomy: two case reports and review of the literature

Aims Right ventricular (RV) lead placement can be contraindicated in patients after tricuspid valve (TV) surgery. Placement of the implantable cardiac-defibrillator (ICD) lead in the middle cardiac vein (MCV) can be a viable option in these patients who have an indication for biventricular (BiV) ICD. We aim to describe the case of two patients with MCV lead placement and provide a comprehensive review of patients with complex TV pathology and indications for RV lead placement. Methods and results We describe the cases of two patients with TV pathology unsuitable for the standard transvenous or surgical RV lead placement and undergoing BiV ICD implantation. Their characteristics, procedure, and outcomes are summarized. The BiV ICD was successfully placed with the RV lead positioned in the MCV in both patients. The procedures had no complications and were well-tolerated. On follow-up, both patients had appropriate tachytherapy with no readmissions for heart failure or worsening of cardiac function. Conclusion Right ventricular lead placement of BiV ICD in the MCV can be an excellent alternative in patients with significant TV pathology and poor surgical candidacy.
Lymphocytic Colitis With Increased Apoptosis: A Marker of Mutation in T-Cell-Mediated Immunity?

Lymphocytic colitis is a subtype of microscopic colitis that is mostly seen in adults. It presents mainly as chronic nonbloody diarrhea, with the hallmark of normal or near-normal endoscopy. In thi...
Salivary measurement and mindfulness-based modulation of prescription opioid cue-reactivity.

Abstract Background Chronic pain patients on long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) may be at elevated risk for developing conditioned opioid cue-reactivity as their prescribed dosing schedules simultaneously function as fixed reinforcement schedules. Since opioids are typically consumed orally during LTOT, it stands to reason that opioid cue exposure might elicit conditioned salivary responses. However, no study has examined salivary cue-reactivity among opioid users during in-vivo exposure to their own prescription opioid medication. Methods Two samples (N = 68, N = 39) of chronic pain patients on LTOT were recruited from primary care and specialty care clinics. Study 1 aimed to determine whether chronic pain patients receiving LTOT exhibited salivary cue-reactivity to their prescribed opioid. Study 2 was a pilot study that aimed to assess the effects of behavioral treatment on chronic pain patients’ salivary cue-reactivity. Results In Study 1, exposure to the patient’s own prescribed opioid resulted in significantly greater increases in salivation and cue-elicited craving than exposure to a neutral cue. In Study 2 participants who were randomized to an 8-week Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement intervention evidenced significantly greater decreases in opioid cue-reactivity than participants in an active control condition as evidenced by both reduced salivation and craving ratings. Conclusions Study findings demonstrate salivation may serve as a useful, objective index of opioid cue-reactivity. With further refinement of this task, conditioned salivary response could be used to identify especially vulnerable patients, who then could be targeted with a personalized medicine approach for selective and intensive prevention/treatment interventions to preempt escalation of opioid use to opioid misuse and OUD.