cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relationships between polymorphisms in DNA repair genes and therapeutic outcomes of AML patients from Southwest Oncology Group 9031 and 9333 clinical trials

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 46, 2005 2562 A number of studies have previously shown that polymorphisms in genes in DNA repair pathways, - including APE1 and XRCC1 (base excision repair), ERCC1 (nucleotide excision repair), XRCC3 (homologous recombinant repair), are associated with risk of several cancers. DNA repair is also likely important in the ultimate effects of chemotherapeutic agents on both normal and tumor cells, and polymorphisms may be associated with both toxicity and survival. Thus, identification of individuals carrying genetic polymorphisms responsible for reduced DNA repair capacity could have substantial therapeutic implications. We conducted an analysis to evaluate the role of the APE1 (Asp148Glu), XRCC1 (Arg399Gln), XRCC3 (Thr241Met) and ERCC1 (C8092A) polymorphisms in both toxicity and overall survival rates of 200 SWOG adult patients with AML. AML is the most common type of adult leukemia, with CR rates under 55% and long-term survival rates for patients over 60 years of approximately 10%. All 200 patients were over 60 years of age with de novo or secondary (23%) AML and had received standard induction regimens (cytarabine, 200mg/m2 per day x 7 and daunorubicin, 45 mg/m2 per day x 3) plus either placebo or G-CSF. Using logistic and proportional hazards regression models, associations between genotypes and toxicities as well as response to induction therapy and overall survival were evaluated. ERCC1 polymorphisms were associated with both lung (p=0.037) and metabolic (p=0.041) toxicities. However, there were no statistically significant associations between any of the genotypes and response to induction therapy or to overall survival (Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI): APE1 , HR= 1.09 (CI, 0.76-1.58) for TT; XRCC1 , HR=1.48 (CI, 0.85-2.56) for GG; XRCC3 , HR= 0.77 (CI, 0.44-1.35) for TT). There was a suggestion of increased risk for ERCC1 TT homozygotes (HR = 2.30 (CI, 0.84-6.29), but numbers were small and the confidence interval wide. Polymorphisms in XRCC1 , XRCC3 , and ERCC1 were associated with differential survival times by genotype, but none of the differences were significant. These data indicate that DNA repair polymorphisms do not significantly impact overall survival for patients with adult AML, but ERCC1 may have an effect on toxicities. Because the analyses were conducted in the context of clinical trials, the patient population was homogeneous and received the same treatments. However, larger sample sizes may be needed to determine small effects of DNA repair polymorphisms, if they exist.
Abstract T P122: Dose-Response Relationships in Brain and Behavioral Measures with Stroke Rehabilitation Using a Brain-Computer Interface

Introduction: Brain-computer interface (BCI) is an emerging technology for stroke rehabilitation, but little is known about how the administration of these therapies affects brain and behavior. We examine relationships between BCI therapy dose, intensity, and frequency with changes in laterality index (LI), Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), and Stroke Impact Scale (SIS). Methods: We collected ARAT and SIS scores as well as anatomical and functional MRI of 16 stroke patients with upper extremity motor impairment before, during, and after therapy using a BCI system with tongue and functional electrical stimulation. We acquired fMRI during finger tapping of each hand and computed LI with 3 mask sets at 2 thresholds. Changes from baseline LI and behavioral scores were assessed for correlation with cumulative therapy sessions, cumulative BCI runs, and overall runs/session using Spearman analysis and generalized estimating equations (GEE). Changes from baseline were also compared between subjects with different therapy frequencies. Results: Increased sessions correlated with changes in impaired finger tapping LI in 2 of 6 mask-threshold combinations (p<0.05) and trended to significance (0.05≤p<0.1) in 2 additional mask-threshold combinations. The relationship between cumulative runs and changes in impaired finger tapping LI also trended to significance (0.05≤p<0.1) in 2 mask-threshold combinations. Changes in SIS Strength correlated (p<0.05) with cumulative runs and with runs/session. All 8 of these relationships identified with Spearman analysis were significant with analysis using GEE (p < 0.05). No relationships were observed between therapy dose or intensity and ARAT scores or unimpaired hand measures. No differences were observed between subjects with higher and lower therapy frequency. Conclusions: Patterns of brain activation shift toward contralesional hemisphere with additional therapy sessions and additional BCI runs. Increased BCI therapy intensity also correlates with increased self-reported strength. When using BCI in stroke rehabilitation, therapy frequency may be less important than dose and intensity, and neuroimaging and self-report measures may be more sensitive to differences in therapy administration.
Chapter 19 - U.S. Report

This chapter 19 is contained in a publication of the International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation, comprising the proceedings and working documents of an annual seminar held in Milan in November 2014. The publication provides a thorough analysis of the taxation of immovable properties. The analysis starts from a survey of the concept of "immovable property" in common and civil law jurisdictions and then considers how different approaches affected the taxation of income deriving therefrom. EU tax law issues are then taken into consideration, both from an income tax and VAT viewpoint. In particular, the income tax analysis provides an extensive examination of how taxation of immovable property applied by EU Member States may affect fundamental freedoms. The book then moves to selected tax treaty issues. In particular, the analysis examines: (i) the relationships between tax treaty law and national law; (ii) the interaction between articles 6, 7 and 21 of the OECD Model Convention; and (iii) the concept of "enterprise" in the context of article 6 of the OECD Model Convention and its possible implications. Finally, the evolution of article 6 of the OECD Model Convention with respect to income from agriculture, forestry and mining is reviewed. Individual country surveys provide in-depth analyses of the above concepts and issues from a national viewpoint in selected European and North American jurisdictions, as well as in Australia. Ch. 19 is the U.S. Report of the IBFD publication.
Adaptive Dynamic Programming for Stochastic Systems With State and Control Dependent Noise

In this technical note, the adaptive optimal control problem is investigated for a class of continuous-time stochastic systems subject to multiplicative noise. A novel non-model-based optimal control design methodology is employed to iteratively update the control policy on-line by using directly the data of the system state and input. Both adaptive dynamic programming (ADP) and robust ADP algorithms are developed, along with rigorous stability and convergence analysis. The effectiveness of the obtained methods is illustrated by an example arising from biological sensorimotor control.
Sources, Composition and Absorption Ångström Exponent of Light-absorbing Organic Components in Aerosol Extracts from the Los Angeles Basin

We investigate the sources, chemical composition, and spectral properties of light-absorbing organic aerosol extracts (i.e., brown carbon, or BrC) in the Los Angeles (LA) Basin during the CalNex-2010 field campaign. Light absorption of PM2.5 water-soluble components at 365 nm (Abs365), used as a proxy for water-soluble BrC, was well correlated with water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) (r(2) = 0.55-0.65), indicating secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation from anthropogenic emissions was the major source of water-soluble BrC in this region. Normalizing Abs365 to WSOC mass yielded an average solution mass absorption efficiency (MAE365) of 0.71 m(2) g(-1) C. Detailed chemical speciation of filter extracts identified eight nitro-aromatic compounds that were correlated with Abs365. These compounds accounted for ∼4% of the overall water-soluble BrC absorption. Methanol-extracted BrC in LA was approximately 3 and 21 times higher than water-soluble BrC at 365 and 532 nm, respectively, and had a MAE365 of 1.58 m(2) g(-1) C (Abs365 normalized to organic carbon mass). The water-insoluble BrC was strongly correlated with ambient elemental carbon concentration, suggesting similar sources. Absorption Angstrom exponent (A(a)) (fitted between 300 and 600 nm wavelengths) was 3.2 (±1.2) for the PILS water-soluble BrC measurement, compared to 4.8 (±0.5) and 7.6 (±0.5) for methanol- and water-soluble BrC from filter extracts, respectively. These results show that fine particle BrC was prevalent in the LA basin during CalNex, yet many of its properties and potential impacts remain unknown.
Correlates of objectively measured sedentary behavior in breast cancer survivors

Emerging evidence indicates increased sedentary behavior is associated with poorer health outcomes and quality of life among cancer survivors. However, very little is known about which factors are associated with increased sedentary behavior. The purpose of the present study was to examine potential correlates of sedentary behavior among breast cancer survivors. We used hierarchical general linear modeling to examine the associations between demographic, disease-specific, and psychosocial factors at baseline and accelerometer-estimated daily proportion of time spent sedentary at 6 months in breast cancer survivors [n = 342; M age = 56.7 (SD = 9.4)]. All models adjusted for objectively measured moderate and vigorous intensity physical activity and sedentary behavior at baseline. The final model including all baseline potential predictor variables and physical activity and sedentary behavior explained 49.8 % of the variance in the proportion of daily time spent sedentary at 6 months. The following factors were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with increased sedentary behavior among breast cancer survivors: higher number of comorbidities, more advanced disease stage, and increased fatigue severity. Additionally, being treated with surgery and chemotherapy was significantly related to a lower proportion of time spent sedentary compared to women who had received surgery alone. This study provides preliminary insight into factors associated with sedentary behavior in breast cancer survivors. Future research is warranted to understand the potential demographic, disease-specific, psychosocial correlates of sedentary behavior to determine which correlates are potential mechanisms of behavior change and intervention targets.
Adiponectin is associated with early diabetic kidney disease in adults with type 1 diabetes: A Coronary Artery Calcification in Type 1 Diabetes (CACTI) Study

Objective The associations between elevated adiponectin and end-stage renal disease are well recognized and thought to be at least partially explained by reduced renal clearance. Conversely, the relationship between adiponectin and early diabetic kidney disease (DKD) with preserved glomerular filtration rate (GFR), including rapid GFR decline and incident chronic kidney disease (CKD) is unclear. We hypothesized that elevated adiponectin would be associated with early DKD in adults with type 1 diabetes.
The Evolution of Virtual Violence: How Mobile Screens Provide Windows to Real Violence

Public discussion of child and adolescent exposure to “virtual violence” typically focuses on the simulated violence that occurs within gaming applications and the glamorized or normalized violence depicted in television and movies. Historically, the American Academy of Pediatrics has also framed virtual violence in this way, as virtual consumption of either simulated or fictional violence.1–4 This traditional perspective is well-described in the most recent Virtual Violence Policy Statement, published in this issue of Pediatrics .5 However today, youth have unprecedented access to portable devices with internet, photo, and video capabilities6–10 that fundamentally change the scope, magnitude, and outcomes of virtual violence exposures by providing access to real violence that can be captured and consumed, virtually. In contrast to the fictional violence Christakis et al5 caution against, now youth can produce, view, and share problematic content,11 including images of community violence, school violence, sexual violence, and police violence on their smart, portable devices. Some social media feeds even provide unsolicited and unwelcome exposure to acts of actual terrorism, gender violence, and war. Mobile exposures to real violence are distinct from the simulated violence depicted … Address correspondence to Rhea W. Boyd, MD, Pediatric Urgent Care, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, 795 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94301. E-mail: rheaboydmd{at}gmail.com
Climate Change Impacts in Agriculture

In this chapter, we begin by reviewing the evidence on climate change, its consequences for temperature and precipitation, and the resulting mechanisms through which it affects crop production. These include: the impact of temperature on crop development, how elevated CO2 levels affect plant photosynthesis and respiration, increased water stress for crops due to higher temperatures and uneven rainfall, extreme temperature damage, and additional crop damage from pests and disease. We then review the empirical evidence quantifying some of these impacts historically and use these as a basis for some global simulations of climate change impacts using the SIMPLE model. In addition to analyzing the basic impacts on land use and food prices, we also explore potential responses to climate change, including adaptation through additional investments in irrigation, as well as the development of heat and drought tolerant crop varieties via increased funding for agricultural research. We also show how successful adaptation to climate change can offer significant mitigation benefits, stemming from the fact that improved yields lessen the need for land conversion, which in turn reduces further emissions from land use change.
Spindle cell oncocytoma of adenohypophysis: Cytogenetics and β-catenin findings with pathology differential diagnosis and review of the literature

Abstract Spindle cell oncocytoma (SCO) is an extremely rare neoplasm arising in the anterior pituitary. We report comprehensive pathological description of a case of SCO in a 60year-old male who presented with nausea, vomiting and severe hyponatremia, and pan hypopituitarism. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a 3.1×2.3×2.0cm homogeneously enhancing bilobed mass within the sella turcica and suprasellar cistern. Intraoperative frozen section and touch imprint cytology showed cohesive spindle cells with abundant oncocytic cytoplasm. Histologic sections revealed the tumor was composed of interlacing fascicles of compact spindled cells with abundant dense oncocytic cytoplasm. There was no mitosis or necrosis present. Ki-67 index varied in areas, with an average of 3%. By immunohistochemistry (IHC), the tumor cells were negative for Cam5.2, AE1/3, neurofilament (NF), NeuN, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and synaptophysin, and strongly positive for vimentin, TTF-1 and EMA. S-100 showed focal weakly positivity. By electron microscopy (EM), the cytoplasm of the spindle cells contained numerous abundant, back-to-back, uniform, round, normal-sized mitochondria with long and lamellar cristae. Beta-catenin showed diffuse membranous and partial cytoplasmic positivity. Cytogenetic analysis showed extra copies of chromosome 1 (74%, up to 8 copies), and loss of chromosome 2 (35%). The histogenesis, classification and differential diagnosis are discussed.
Disorder fingerprint: Intensity distributions in the near field of random media

The structural morphology of complex dielectric media determines their functionalities by driving the statistical properties of the electromagnetic fields. Our controlled experiments and full electromagnetic calculations that go beyond common dipolar approximations demonstrate that the specific characteristics of disorder lead to non-Rayleigh statistics of detected intensity, which can be directly accessed in the near field of random media and can be unambiguously related to the short-range correlations of disorder.
Peripheral WiFi Vision: Exploiting Multipath Reflections for More Sensitive Human Sensing

A large amount of energy could be saved by detecting home occupancy and automatically controlling the lights, and HVAC. Existing occupancy sensors can detect the motion of people but cannot detect people when they are stationary. In this paper, we present a system called Peripheral WiFi Vision (PeriFi), which exploits multipath reflections as individual spatial sensors to increase the sensitivity of the conventional approaches. PeriFi analyzes each multipath component independently, increasing sensitivity so it can directly sense both moving and non-moving occupants. Our evaluations for 6 physical configurations with 11 different occupancy states show that PeriFi can achieve 96.7% accuracy, which translates to nearly 30% improvement over the conventional approaches.
Abstract 221: Chronic Alterations of the Tissue Dendritic Cell and Macrophage Network Underlies the Th1 Response in the Failing Heart

Little is known about changes in the immune cell network that underlie pro-inflammatory cytokine elaboration in chronic heart failure (HF). Dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages are antigen-presenting cells that play a central role in inflammation and immune tolerance. We investigated the pattern of infiltrating cardiac DCs and macrophages in chronic post-ischemic HF. Myocardial infarction (MI) was induced by left coronary ligation in male C57BL/6 mice. Pathological remodeling and HF were confirmed by hemodynamics, gravimetry, and echocardiography at 8 weeks post-MI. Sham-operated mice served as controls. At 8 weeks, cardiac infiltrating immune cells were isolated by collagenase digestion followed by density gradient centrifugation. Trypan blue-negative viable cells were quantified using flow cytometry. DCs were characterized using specific markers for classical (cDC) (CD11C+B220-), plasmacytoid (pDC) (CD11C+B220+), and immunogenic (CD11c+B220+CD86hi) and tolerogenic (CD11c+B220+CD86low) DCs. Macrophages were classified as activated (CD11b+F480+), pro- or anti-inflammatory (CD11b+F480+Gr1hi or low), and M1 (CD11b+F480+CD206-) or M2 (CD11b+F480+CD206+). Significant increases in cDCs (1.4 fold; p=0.016) and pDCs (4.3 fold; p=0.0016) were observed in failing myocardium. Surface expression of the maturation marker CD86 was increased 8.6 fold (p=0.009), whereas immature DCs exhibited a robust 24.4 fold (p=0.0005) increase. Activated macrophages were also significantly elevated in the failing heart as compared with sham-operated hearts (19.2 ± 1.9 vs 10.9 ± 2.9%; p=0.033), with marked infiltration of pro-inflammatory and M1 macrophages (6.2 ± 0.6 vs 3.8 ± 0.7%; p=0.019). In contrast, levels of anti-inflammatory and M2 macrophages were unchanged. We conclude that in chronic HF, there is marked upregulation of cDC and pDC subsets and pro-inflammatory/M1 macrophages that alter immune homeostasis, contribute to the recruitment and activation of immune cells, and underlie the chronic Th1 response in failing myocardium that promotes pathological remodeling. This suggests that targeting or altering immune cell subsets in the failing heart, rather than specific cytokines, may be a better approach to modulating inflammation in HF.
Earlier Pediatric Psychology Consultation Predicts Lower Stem Cell Transplantation Hospital Costs.

Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the hypothesis that earlier time to psychology consultation would predict lower costs for the initial stem cell transplant (SCT) hospitalization among patients receiving care at a children's hospital. Methods A retrospective medical record review identified 75 patients (ages 0-32 years) with one or more visits by a licensed clinical psychologist during the initial SCT hospitalization from 2010 to 2014. Demographic and clinical variables were obtained from the electronic medical record and hospitalization costs were obtained from patient billing records. A generalized linear model with a gamma distribution and log link function was used to estimate the relationship between time to psychology consultation and cost for the initial SCT hospitalization while controlling for demographic, clinical, and utilization factors. Results After controlling for age at SCT, gender, race, insurance status, diagnosis, SCT type, length of stay, and number of psychology visits, earlier time to psychology consultation predicted lower costs for the initial SCT hospitalization (χ2 = 6.83, p = .01). When the effects of covariates were held constant, every day increase in the time to psychology consultation was associated with a 0.3% increase in SCT hospitalization costs (β = 0.003, SE = 0.001). Conclusions Results suggest that facilitating consultations with a pediatric psychologist early in the initial SCT hospitalization may reduce costs for patients undergoing SCT at children's hospitals. Future research is needed to determine the optimal timing of psychology consultation and quantify the economic impact of psychological services.
Multiple intraparenchymal cystic brain metastases - a rare manifestation of metastatic adenocarcinoma of the prostate

Abstract Intraparenchymal brain metastases are rare manifestations of prostatic adenocarcinoma. Similarly, cystic intracranial metastases are even more unusual. We report on a patient with known stage IV adenocarcinoma of the prostate who presented with a recent onset of dizziness. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated multiple cystic and nodular lesions throughout the brain parenchyma and cerebellum. At the time of diagnosis, the patient had normal PSA levels. The patient underwent palliative whole brain radiation and survived for 3 months after diagnosis with intracranial disease. We review the literature highlighting the incidence, treatment, and ongoing research endeavors to improve understanding of prostate cancer brain metastases.
The Hamlet First Quarto (1603) & the Play of Typography

I argue that the First Quarto of Hamlet (1603) expresses a more intense sensitivity to polysemous typography than has been critically articulated. The orthography, typography, and layout functioned as rich sources of meaning-making for early modern readers, poets, and publishers. Performances happened on the playtext page that were often unavailable in a live theatrical setting. This article makes a crucial critical intervention by recuperating the poetic value of Q1, a text that has historically generated interest mostly within analytical bibliography, performance studies, and character studies. Readers were sensitive to how visual wordplay activated important themes to which my critical analysis attends.
The Education of Individuals With Disabilities in Guyana: An Overview:

Over the past 20 years, the education system in Guyana has significantly improved. Despite this improvement, students with disabilities in Guyana still face higher rates of poverty, lack of access ...
The soybean cyst nematode

The soybean cyst nematode (SCN), Heterodera glycines Ichinohe, now infests many soybean producing areas in the USA and will, no doubt, eventually infest every major production area. Ichinohe (1959) reviewed the early history of SCN. It was first reported in Japan in 1915 by Hori (1915), but the nematode had been known for many years prior to that and was believed to be H. schachtii Schmidt (Ishikawa, 1916). Ishikawa referred to the soybean disease as “Tsukiyobo” which translates into “moon night disease” in reference to the pale yellow oval patches of diseased soybeans. Ito (1921) later coined the name “Daizu-iwo-byo” or “soybean yellow dwarf disease”, the name more commonly used today.
Application of Laser-Based 3D Imaging to Steel Construction

The ability to automatically recognize, locate and track structural steel components during production, fabrication, and erection in real-time using laser-based 3D imaging technologies has the potential to provide a notable improvement in the productivity of the steel industry. This paper provides a review of current practices in the U.S. steel construction industry and presents potential insertion points for 3D imaging technologies. A brief review of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) research towards construction object recognition and automated steel construction is included.
Cold-Formed Steel Design

The applications of light gauge cold-formed steel in agricultural and other light structures, equipment, and machinery are probably more numerous and varied than those of hot-rolled steel. Cold-formed sections find use as purlins, wall studs, siding, roofing, grain bin walls, components of feeding and watering equipment, components of livestock housing equipment (such as cage laying systems, coverings, and panels), and light secondary framing for machinery. Cold-formed steel is an economical material choice where loads are light to moderate and where structural strength is required along with a unique shape which can be fabricated by a press brake or cold-forming process.
PRECISE: A clinical-grade automated molecular eligibility screening and just-in-time (JIT) physician decision support solution for molecularly-selected oncology trials.

6507Background: Clinical informatic systems that aid in identifying and matching actionable molecular alterations to the appropriate targeted therapies are critical for ensuring both the delivery o...
Aquatic fungi of Iceland: Olpidium (Braun) Rabenhorst

Eight species of Olpidium are reported from freshwater algae and from soils in Iceland. Similarities between Olpidium endogenum and O. entophytum are discussed. On the basis of the specimens at hand and the substrates in which they occur, O. zygnemicola and O. spirogyrae are reduced to synonymy with O. entophytum and O. endogenum respectively. Olpidioid fungi in Oedogonium and sterilized pine pollen are tentatively assigned to the doubtfully distinct species O. saccatum and O. utriculiforme. Olpidium pendulum, O. luxurians, and O. longicollum occur in pine pollen bait in gross water cultures of soil. These three species are only doubtfully distinct entities. Olpidium rhizophlyctidis is reported for the first time from Iceland.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in pregnant and postpartum women: a ten-year case series.

Objective tExtracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life-saving therapy for severe, reversible cardiopulmonary failure, but data regarding its use in pregnancy and the postpartum period are limited. We sought to quantify survival of pregnant and postpartum women necessitating ECMO in a contemporary cohort at a single tertiary institution. Study Design All women of reproductive age (14–44 years), who underwent ECMO at our institution between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2017, were identified using a query of hospital encounters for ECMO-related CPT codes. We manually reviewed all charts of women of reproductive age; women who were pregnant or Results In this study, 54 women of reproductive age underwent ECMO for cardiopulmonary failure. Of those, 9 (17%) were pregnant or Conclusion When ECMO was initiated during pregnancy or during childbirth, 60% of mothers and fetuses survived, supporting current use of ECMO as a salvage therapy in pregnant and intrapartum women. In this generally young and healthy population, ECMO has the potential to increase the survival rates of both mother and fetus and should be considered a salvage therapy for peripartum women with reversible forms of cardiorespiratory failure.
Racialized differences in perceptions of and emotional responses to police killings of unarmed African Americans

Widespread attention to, and mobilization against, police killings of unarmed African Americans shatter any lingering myths of a post-racial America. We argue that the entrenched racial divide in t...
Lawyers' Poker: 52 Lessons that Lawyers Can Learn from Card Players

There is an old and deep symmetry between litigation and poker, which will be recognizable to any lawyer who ever anted up, sweetened the pot, kept his cards close to the vest, or played her ace in the hole. Great poker players are master tacticians. Not only do they calculate odds with lightning speed and astonishing precision, but they also cunningly anticipate and manipulate the actions of their adversaries. In short, they boast skills that every lawyer can envy. The best card players, like the best lawyers, have a knack for getting their adversaries to react exactly as they want, and that talent separates the winners from the losers. Lawyers' Poker explores the interface between poker strategy and law practice, showing how poker tactics can be applied to comparable situations in litigation. In law practice, many dependent variables defy isolation, making it difficult to validate even the most well-recognized truisms. Poker, however, is a game of repetition, meaning that the maxims are constantly being tested and refined. In other words, poker wisdom represents real knowledge (remember, every mistake costs money), which makes it a great strategic guide for litigators.
Abstract 138: Adoption of U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations in Primary Care

Background: The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations for cardiovascular disease(CVD) includes aspirin for primary prevention and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA)screening . USPSTF recommends that men ages 45 to 79 years and women ages 55 to 79 years should be prescribed aspirin to prevent cardiovascular events. USPSTF also recommends one-time screening for AAA with ultrasonography in men ages 65 to 75 years who have ever smoked.We sought to evaluate the adoption of aspirin use and AAA screening per USPSTF recommendations in a primary care setting at an urban academic teaching hospital. Methods and Results: We obtained data for aspirin use and AAA screening by chart review of patients seen in primary care continuity clinic by internal medicine resident physicians in their first and second year of training, between August - October, 2014. A total of 626 charts were reviewed to identify patient who needs primary prevention per USPSTF (men 45 -79 years and women 55- 79 years of age). This resulted in a study population of 388 patients which comprised of 219 men and 169 women. Comorbid conditions in this patient population included hypertension (69.3%), diabetes mellitus (28.10%), dyslipidemia (39%), smoking (37.9%) and obesity. Only 150 (38.7%) of the 388 patients were appropriately placed on aspirin per USPSTF recommendations. Moreover only 13% of patients were appropriately screened for AAA (Table 1). Conclusion: Adoption of USPSTF recommendations for aspirin use for primary prevention of CVD and AAA screening is under implemented even in an academic teaching environment. Our results indicate that there is an urgent need for implementation strategies to improve the adoption of these recommendations. Table 1: Patient characteristics and screening percentage
Going Beyond Deadline-Driven Low-level Scheduling in Distributed Real-Time Computing Systems

In real-time computing systems, timing-requirement specifications coming from the application designer are the obvious primary driver for resource allocation. Deadline-driven scheduling of computation-segments has been studied as an advanced mode of scheduling devised to meet the timing requirement specifications. However, it does not reflect additional concerns of the application designer, the damaging impacts of various timing violations on the application. The notion of risk-incursion function (RIF) as a framework for specification of such damaging impacts has been established by the first co-author. In this paper, a concrete implementation approach of the RIFdriven resource allocation scheme is discussed first. Then two RIF-based scheduling algorithms are discussed. The results of the experiment conducted to compare the performance of RIF-based scheduling algorithms against that of deadline-driven scheduling algorithms are also provided.
Of Painters, Sculptors, Quill Pens, and Microchips: Teaching Legal Writers in the Electronic Age

No longer do lawyers write most of their work “by hand.” Instead, most legal writing is now done on word processors. This has the potential to change the way lawyers write in a fundamental way. Because word processors make it easier to write more than was possible “by hand” modern legal writers are more akin to sculptors than painters. Such writers must create finely-tuned written products from the large quantities of material that can now be inputted into a document and then edited and whittled away to create a finished product.This Article examines how the arrival of the electronic age has changed the ways in which lawyers write and argues that these changes require rethinking the way legal writing is taught. This Article begins by discussing the increased use of computers as the primary medium for legal writing. This development mandates studying the differences a word processor makes in the way lawyers write and learn to write.Then, the Article posits that writing via word processor may detrimentally change legal writing and explains how this might have happened. It then acknowledges that there are some ways in which legal writing may be improved significantly through the use of computers. Reconciling these benefits and detriments is the challenge for today’s legal writing programs. The Article concludes with recommendations for ways in which those who teach legal writing can refine their pedagogical techniques to assist new lawyers in becoming effective writers and word sculptors in the electronic age.In the years that have passed since the publication of this piece, the transition to electronic writing has occurred even faster than this Article posits. Thus, the need to consider the impact of electronic media is greater than ever.
Employee Stock Options and the Underpricing of Initial Public Offerings

A major reason that issuers accept IPO underpricing is that they use options and stock grants to protect themselves from dilution to their existing shares. IPO underpricing decreases taxes paid by employees with options or can be used as currency to strengthen strategic alliances and customer loyalty. Option use is directly related to IPO underpricing and explains a substantial amount of its variation, but probably does not drive underpricing. Venture capital backing increases underpricing and options use. Nonfounder CEOs benefit more from the tax benefit than they lose in dilution, while founder CEOs are less likely to come out ahead.
Nimbus: Tuning Filters Service on Tweet Streams

With hundreds of millions of tweets being generated by Twitter users every day, tweet analysis has drawn considerable attention for event detection and trending sentiment indication. The problem is finding the few important tweets in this huge volume of traffic. A number of systems provide applications the ability to filter a complete or partial Twitter stream based on keywords and/or text properties to try to separate the relevant tweets from all of the noise. Designing a filter to produce useful results can be extremely difficult. For instance, consider the problem of finding tweets related to the Target Corporation or Guess USA. Just scanning the text of tweets for "target" or "guess" is likely to generate lots of hits, but few really relevant tweets. Nimbus is a service that can be used to tune filters on tweet streams. The Nimbus service builds a database of tweets from a Twitter stream (it does not have to be a full Twitter fire hose) and provides an API for testing filters (based on the Power Track language and Spark as evaluation engine) against the database. The important feature of Nimbus is that it allows repeatable testing of filter expressions against real Twitter data using the same filter language that can be used against live Twitter streams. This makes it possible for users of the service to tune their filters before putting them into production use.
Saline Volume Necessary to Achieve Predetermined Intraluminal Pressures during Leak Testing of Small Intestinal Biopsy Sites in the Dog

Objective: To determine the volume of saline needed to achieve targeted intraluminal pressures during leak testing of closed jejunal biopsy sites in the dog. Study Design: Experimental. Animals: Dogs (n=38). Methods: Jejunal biopsies in dogs were performed and closed using 3–4 full thickness simple interrupted sutures. Saline volumes needed to achieve 2 predetermined intraluminal pressures (20 and 34 cm water [15 and 25 mmHg]) in a 10 cm canine jejunal segment containing a closed biopsy site using 2 methods of luminal occlusion were recorded. Results: The 95% confidence intervals for the volume of saline needed to achieve 20 and 34 cm water intraluminal pressure were 10.9–13.6 and 16.3–19.0 mL, respectively with digital occlusion and 8.5–11.1 and 12.1–14.8 mL, respectively with Doyen occlusion. Correlation between volume of saline instilled and the pressure achieved was 0.76 for digital occlusion and 0.86 for Doyen occlusion. Conclusion: Correlation between volume of saline instilled and pressure achieved was greater with Doyen than digital occlusion. Clinical Relevance: For canine jejunum, saline volumes of 16.3–19 mL (digital occlusion) and 12.1–14.8 mL (Doyen occlusion) can be used to achieve intraluminal pressures of 34 cm water during leak testing of a 10 cm segment containing a closed biopsy site.
Multi-Attribute Utility Theory: Models and Assessment Procedures

This article reviews multi-attribute utility theory under a measurement theoretic perspective. It describes and classifies decision situations according to three salient aspects of choice: uncertainty, time-variability, and multi-dimensionality. For each choice situation the main mathematical representations, their interrelations and differences are discussed. Measurement theoretic tests are described which separate between multi-attribute utility models in riskless and risky time invariant choice situations. Assessment procedures are outlined to encode utility functions for the representations developed, and experimental applications of multi-attribute utility theory are briefly reviewed.
The Mu repressor–DNA complex contains an immobilized 'wing' within the minor groove

We have determined the solution structure of the complex between the 'winged-helix' enhancer binding domain of the Mu repressor protein and its cognate DNA site. The structure reveals an unusual use for the 'wing' which becomes immobilized upon DNA binding where it makes intermolecular hydrogen bond contacts deep within the minor groove. Although the wing is mobile in the absence of DNA, it partially negates the large entropic penalty associated with its burial by maintaining a small degree of structural order in the DNA-free state. Extensive contacts are also formed between the recognition helix and the DNA, which reads the major groove of a highly conserved region of the binding site through a single base-specific hydrogen bond and van der Waals contacts.
Accompanying the Primary Grocery Shopper Is Positively Related to Requests for Purchase of Fruits & Vegetables in Third & Fourth Grade Students

Consumption of fruits and vegetables is important for growth and development yet intake remains below recommended levels in children in the US. The purpose of this study was to determine whether children accompanying the primary grocery shopper impacts requests for fruit and vegetables and if those children requesting fruits and vegetables like to consume them on a daily basis. A cross-sectional survey design of matched pairs of third- and fourth-grade students and their parents/guardians in an urban Midwest school district was utilized. Third- and fourth-grade participants who asked for fruits and vegetables were more likely to accompany the primary grocery shopper and more prone to liking these key foods as part of their regular diet. Grocery shoppers should consider taking children along when food shopping, emphasizing strategies to find a variety of fruits and vegetables.
Effectiveness of a Refuge for Lake Trout in Western Lake Superior I: Empirical Analysis of Past Performance

AbstractThe Gull Island Shoal Refuge was created in 1976 in response to overfishing of the Lake Trout Salvelinus namaycush population in the Apostle Islands region of western Lake Superior. Our objective was to evaluate effectiveness of the refuge by determining whether Lake Trout abundance, growth, maturity, and mortality differed inside and outside the refuge. We compared abundance of wild and stocked fish captured inside and outside the refuge during spring large-mesh gill-net and summer graded-mesh gill-net surveys. We compared growth and mortality during four periods corresponding to four generations of wild Lake Trout, including the last generation that hatched before the refuge was instituted (sampled in 1981–1984) and three generations that were protected by the refuge (sampled in 1985–1992, 1993–2000, and 2001–2010). Maturity of wild fish inside and outside the refuge was compared only for the latter period (2001–2010) because maturity was not assessed earlier. After the refuge was created, wild ...
Time-Limited Psychosocial Treatment for Specific Panic Disorders and Agoraphobia

almost half of those afflicted with these problems do not receive treatment for them. Additionally, there is no singular most effective and appropriate treatment for panic disorders and agoraphobia, the use of psychotropic medications having met with mixed success. This article reviews pertinent literature on this topic and presents an empirically based, nonpharmacological brief treatment model that has been shown to be effective in treating these disorders. A case study illustrates this model. [Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention 1:29–41 (2001)]
NDE of advanced ceramics

Radiographic, ultrasonic, and scanning laser acoustic microscopy (SLAM) techniques were used to characterize silicon nitride and silicon carbide modulus-of-rupture test specimens in various stages of fabrication. Conventional and microfocus X-ray techniques were found capable of detecting minute high-density inclusions in as-received powders, green compacts, and fully densified specimens. Significant density gradients in sintered bars were observed by radiography, ultrasonic velocity, and SLAM. Ultrasonic attenuation was found sensitive to microstructural variations due to grain and void morphology and distribution. SLAM was capable also of detecting voids, inclusions, and cracks in finished test bars. Consideration is given to the potential for applying thermoacoustic microscopy techniques to green and densified ceramics. Some limitations and the detection probability statistics of the aforementioned nondestructive evaluation (NDE) processes are also discussed.
Suicide Risk Among Dentists: A Multivariate Analysis

Dentists are recognized as an occupational group with a high incidence of suicide. Past work, however, has focused only on the bivariate dentist‐suicide relationship. It is not clear whether this risk of suicide is because of occupational stress or sociodemographic factors, such as gender and divorce, which are covariates of dentist status. The present study reassesses the link between dentistry and suicide by controlling for dentistry's covariates. Controlling for sociodemographic factors, dentists still have a significantly higher risk of suicide, indicating that occupational stress may be a source of their high suicidality.
Synthesis and structure of two phases with both extended and point defects: Mn1 − xBi2 + yS4andMn1 − xBi2 + ySe4

We report the structures of Mnt_~Bi2+yS4 (0<x<0.3; y=0.667x) and Mna_~.Bi2+j, Se4 (0.1~x~0.14; y=O.667x). Both compounds are defect structures of the HgBi2S4 structure type. In the case of Mno.TBi2.2S4 we report a single crystal structure. The cell parameters are a = 12.869(2)/~,, b =3.9546(6) A, c = 14.771(2)/~,, /3= 116.690(9)* and the space group is C21m. Final refinement gave the values R/Rw=3.3/3.7%. This crystal was grown in an alkali halide flux. The reported compounds belongs to the family of chemically twinned face-centered cubic (f.c.c.) structures. Unlike most members of this family, they exhibit both extended defects and point defects.
Major, non-chromosomal, birth defects and maternal physical activity: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: We reviewed the published literature to assess the association between maternal periconceptional physical activity and the risk for major, non-chromosomal, birth defects and whether this varies by pre-pregnancy obesity. METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases. Data were abstracted from all articles that met our inclusion criteria and included information on physical activity intensity (mild, moderate, and vigorous) and modality (i.e., standing, lifting, other). We assessed occupational and recreational physical activity separately. The quality of included articles was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. RESULTS: Of 3316 screened articles, 11 were included in this review. Of the four studies that assessed prolonged standing, two reported a positive association with risk for some birth defects; null associations were observed in the other two studies. Associations between heavy lifting or other occupational physical activity exposures and risk for birth defects were inconsistent. A protective association between leisure-time physical activity (i.e., active sports, swimming) and some birth defects (e.g., neural tube defects), was suggested by the results of two studies. Only one study reported assessment of possible effect modification by maternal body mass index (BMI). DISCUSSION: Our review suggests that there may be some associations between occupational and leisure-time physical activities and some, major non-chromosomal, birth defects, but relatively limited published research exists on these associations. Further research in this area should include differentiation of birth defects phenotypes, valid assessments of all domains of physical activity, including household and transportation activity, and account for the potential influence of pre-pregnancy BMI. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Language: en
Finite element analysis of footings on layered soils

Abstract The paper presents the results of theoretical and experimental investigations on footings on homogeneous and layered soils. Experimentally, laboratory tests were conducted on a model strip footing on homogeneous and two layers of sand and theoretically a finite element model using a non-linear stress- strain relationship was developed to simulate the testing conditions. The theoretical results compared well with the experimental data. The theoretical model was then used to generate data for the purpose of comparison with existing design theories.
Circadian Clock in Photoperiodic Time Measurement: A Test of the Bünning Hypothesis

A technique has been developed for effectively separating the direct inductive effect of a light signal from its effect on the phase of the rhythm of sensitivity to photoperiodic induction. With this technique it has been shown that a 75-minute pulse of light per day, when appropriately positioned with respect to the circadian activity cycle of the sparrow Passer domesticus, is sufficient to produce a response normally produced only by long days. The results cannot be interpreted in terms of a requirement of an absolute amount of either darkness or light and offer strong confirmation of Bunning's hypothesis concerning the mechanism of photoperiodic time measurement.