cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interventions to maintain cardiac risk control after discharge from a cardiovascular risk reduction clinic: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract Aims To evaluate the efficacy of two maintenance strategies compared to usual care after discharge from a pharmacist-led cardiovascular risk reduction clinic (CRRC). Methods Open-label, randomized-controlled trial of 200 consecutive CRRC patients that met clinic discharge criteria (HbA1c ≤7% (53mmol/mol); blood pressure ≤140/80mmHg for those with diabetes and ≤140/90mmHg for those without diabetes; and an LDL-cholesterol ≤2.59mmol/l). Participants were randomized to either [1] quarterly group medical visits or [2] quarterly CRRC individual clinic visits, or [3] a usual care control arm with the standard primary care alone first in a 1:1:1 ratio, followed by a 2:2:1 ratio after first 100 patients. Primary outcome measures were time to failure for guideline recommended goals of HbA1c and blood pressure over 12-months. Results Of the 200 participants randomized, 89% had diabetes and were similar in other cardiovascular risk factors. After 1-year, the HbA1c failure rate was 0.36 [95% CI, 0.28–0.47] per quarter for the group medical visit arm, 0.24 [95% CI, 0.18–0.33] per quarter for the quarterly CRRC individual arm and, 0.82 [95% CI, 0.69–0.96] per quarter for the usual care control arm, p p Conclusion After discharge from a CRRC program, both individual and group interventions are more effective in maintaining glycemia and blood pressure control for patients with diabetes than usual care after 1-year of follow-up.
Architecture and Performance Analysis of Lossless FFT in OFDM Systems

The design of Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) architecture is one of the bottlenecks in the implementation of OFDM systems. With the recent progress on the development of lossless transform, its possible applications in communication systems have received more and more attentions. In this paper, a lossless integer FFT (IntFFT) architecture based on radix-22FFT algorithm is analyzed and implemented. By exploring the symmetric property, the overall memory usage is reduced by 27.4% for a 64-point FFT design. The variance of quantization loss for both IntFFT and conventional fixed-point FFT (FxpFFT) is derived. The signal to quantization loss ratio (SQNR) and the bit error rate (BER) performance in system level is also simulated to test the accuracy of IntFFT. Based on the simulation results, IntFFT can yield comparative performance while using less memory usage than FxpFFT designs.
Agentive awareness is not sensory awareness

In this paper, I argue that the conscious awareness one has of oneself as acting, i.e., agentive awareness, is not a type of sensory awareness. After providing some set up in Sect. 1, I move on in Sect. 2 to sketch a profile of sensory agentive experiences (SAEs) as representational states with sensory qualities by which we come to be aware of ourselves as performing actions. In Sect. 3, I critique two leading arguments in favor of positing such sensory experiences: the argument from pathology and the argument from cognitive impenetrability. Since neither of these arguments succeeds, the case for positing SAEs is dealt a significant blow. I proceed in Sect. 4 to advance my positive argument against SAEs. The argument runs as follows: If SAEs exist, then they must exist in some sensory modality or set of sensory modalities. Either the relevant sensory modalities are ones that we already recognize, or they are novel sensory modalities. I will argue that neither of these options is workable, and so we have nowhere to locate SAEs. Agentive awareness is not sensory awareness.
p-p and p-t final state interactions in the reaction 3He(d, tp)p

Abstract Absolute coincidence cross sections were measured for the reaction 3 He(d, tp)p at E d = 20.7 MeV. Deep minima were observed in the cross sections when the relative energy of either p+p or t+p was below ≈ 20 keV. Predictions of the Watson-Migdal theory and of the PWBA and DWBA theories of Henley, Richards and Yu gave good agreement with the shapes of the spectra near these minima, but the required normalization factors varied widely from one geometry to another. Decay of the 21.2 MeV 4 He state, but not the 20.0 MeV state, was observed.
Phytanic acid, AMACR and prostate cancer risk

The growing body of knowledge in cancer prevention demonstrates that for many cancers, risk must be defined in terms of both environmental and genetic factors. In prostate cancer, there is increasing evidence linking risk with polymorphisms in the alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR) gene and branched-chain fatty acids derived from specific sources of dietary fats. We are now at the point where we can begin to conceptualize possible inter-relationships between dietary and genetic risk as applied to prostate cancer, with the goal of generating testable hypotheses amenable to coordinated examinations. A greater understanding of such relationships should provide better ways to establish overall risk, to screen for the disease and perhaps to offer specific opportunities for prevention and treatment.
Virulence may determine the necessary duration and dosage of oseltamivir treatment for highly pathogenic A/Vietnam/1203/04 influenza virus in mice.

Background. Control of highly pathogenic avian H5N1 influenza viruses is a major public-health concern. Antiviral drugs could be the only option early in the pandemic. Methods. BALB/c mice were given oseltamivir (0.1, 1, or 10 mg/kg/day) twice daily by oral gavage; the first dose was given 4 h before inoculation with H5N1 A/Vietnam/1203/04 (VN1203/04) virus. Five- and 8-day regimens were evaluated. Results. Oseltamivir produced a dose-dependent antiviral effect against VN1203/04 in vivo (P<.01). The 5-day regimen at 10 mg/kg/day protected 50% of mice; deaths in this treatment group were delayed and indicated the replication of residual virus after the completion of treatment. Eight-day regimens improved oseltamivir efficacy, and dosages of 1 and 10 mg/kg/day significantly reduced virus titers in organs and provided 60% and 80% survival rates, respectively (P<.05). Overall, the efficacy of the 5- and 8-day regimens differed significantly (death hazard ratio, 2.658; P<.01). The new H5N1 antigenic variant VN1203/04 was more pathogenic in mice than was A/HK/156/97 virus, and a prolonged and higher-dose oseltamivir regimen may be required for the most beneficial antiviral effect. Conclusions. Oseltamivir prophylaxis is efficacious against lethal challenge with VN1203/04 virus in mice. Viral virulence may affect the antiviral treatment schedule.
A generic task approach to a real time nuclear power plant fault diagnosis and advisory system

A generic task toolkit has been used in the development of an aid for operators of nuclear power plants. The toolkit consists of high-level programming tools that enable knowledge to be used in accordance with its need. That is, if diagnosis is the need, a framework for performing diagnosis is provided. The operator aid provides for monitoring the conditions in the plant, detecting abnormal events, and providing the operator with guidance and advice through procedures on what path should be following to mitigate the consequences. Using the two generic task tools, CSRL and DSPL, design work on a diagnosis and sensor validation system and a dynamic procedure management system is nearing completion. >
Vice or Virtue? The Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on Executive Compensation

We empirically examine the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on CEO compensation using a large sample of the US firms from 1996 to 2010. We develop and test two hypotheses, the overinvestment hypothesis based on agency theory and the conflict–resolution hypothesis based on stakeholder theory. We find that the lag of CSR adversely affects both total compensation and cash compensation, after controlling for various firm and board characteristics. Our estimates show that an interquartile increase in CSR is followed by a 4.35% (2.78%) decrease in total (cash) compensation. We also find an inverse association between lagged employee relations and CEO compensation. Our results are robust to the correction for endogeneity using instrumental variable approach. Taken together, our results support the conflict–resolution hypothesis, but not the CSR overinvestment argument.
Constructive logics: Part I: a tutorial on proof systems and typed l-calculi

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to give an exposition of material dealing with constructive logics, typed λ-calculi, and linear logic. The emergence in the past ten years of a coherent field of research often named “logic and computation” has had two major (and related) effects: firstly, it has rocked vigorously the world of mathematical logic; secondly, it has created a new computer science discipline, which spans a range of subjects from what is traditionally called the theory of computation, to programming language design. Remarkably, this new body of work relies heavily on some “old” concepts found in mathematical logic, like natural deduction, sequent calculus, and λ-calculus (but often viewed in a different light), and also on some newer concepts. Thus, it may be quite a challenge to become initiated to this new body of work (but the situation is improving, and there are now some excellent texts on this subject matter). This paper attempts to provide a coherent and hopefully “gentle” initiation to this new body of work. We have attempted to cover the basic material on natural deduction, sequent calculus, and typed λ-calculus, but also to provide an introduction to Girard's linear logic, one of the most exciting developments in logic these past six years. The first part of these notes gives an exposition of the background material (with some exceptions, such as “contraction-free” systems for intuitionistic propositional logic and the Girard translation of classical logic into intuitionistic logic, which is new). The second part is devoted to more current topics such as linear logic, proof nets, the geometry of interaction, and unified systems of logic ( LU ).
Radiating sensor selection for distributed beamforming in wireless sensor networks

Collaborative beamforming has already demonstrated its potential of significant power savings in distributed sensor networks. In collaborative beamforming, the antennas of the sensor nodes form a distributed antenna array in an effort to direct the radiated energy to the desired direction and thus increase the overall power efficiency of the network. Existing studies, however, have not addressed several major design issues: how to (1) optimally select a subset of radiating sensors for a given receiver to obtain optimal beamforming performance, (2) alternate among subsets of radiating sensors to prolong the lifetime of the sensors and robustness of network connection to the receiver, and (3) do so in the presence of synchronization and localization uncertainties. In this paper, we first define the problem of selecting the subset of sensors that achieve optimal beamforming performance. We then propose a heuristic algorithm with complexity O(M log M), where M is the total number of distributed sensors, that simultaneously addresses the above three issues. In particular, we demonstrate its effectiveness in realistic scenarios with synchronization and localization errors. Further, we show that real-time grouping can be achieved even when thousands of sensors are spread over large distances of over 1000 wavelengths.
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and serologic responses to Pneumocystis jiroveci.

Seroepidemiologic studies of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in humans have been limited by inadequate reagents. We have developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using three overlapping recombinant fragments of the human Pneumocystis major surface glycoprotein (MsgA, MsgB, and MsgC) for analysis of antibody responses in HIV-positive patients and healthy blood donors. HIV-positive patients had significantly higher antibody levels to all Msg fragments. Furthermore, HIV-positive patients who experienced a previous episode of PCP (PCP-positive) had higher level of antibodies to MsgC than patients who never had PCP. A significant association was found between ELISA antibody level and reactivity by Western blot in HIV-positive patients, especially those who were PCP-positive. Thus, this ELISA will be useful in studying serum antibody responses to Pneumocystis in different human populations.
Distance saturation product predicts health–related quality of life among sarcoidosis patients

Sarcoidosis is a chronic disease with different phenotypic manifestations. Health-related quality of life is an important aspect in sarcoidosis, yet difficult to measure. The objective of this study was to identify clinical markers predictive of poor quality of life in sarcoidosis patients that can be followed over time and targeted for intervention. We assessed the quality of life of 162 patients with confirmed sarcoidosis in a prospective, cross-sectional study using the Sarcoidosis Health Questionnaire (SHQ) and Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36). We evaluated the validity of these questionnaires and sought to identify variables that would best explain the performance scores of the patients. On multivariate regression analyses, the very best composite model to predict total scores from both surveys was a model containing the distance-saturation product and Borg Dyspnea Scale score at the end of a 6-min walk test. This model could better predict SF-36 scores (R2 = 0.33) than SHQ scores (R2 = 0.24). Substitution of distanced walked in 6 min for the distance-saturation product in this model resulted in a lesser ability to predict both scores (R2 = 0.26 for SF-36; R2 = 0.22 for SHQ). Both the SHQ and SF-36 surveys are valuable tools in the assessment of health-related quality of life in sarcoidosis patients. The best model to predict quality of life among these patients, as determined by regression analyses, included the distance-saturation product and Borg score after the 6-min walk test. Both variables represent easily obtainable clinical parameters that can be followed over time and targeted for intervention.
SNARE bundle and syntaxin N-peptide constitute a minimal complement for Munc18-1 activation of membrane fusion

Sec1/Munc18 (SM) proteins activate intracellular membrane fusion through binding to cognate SNAP receptor (SNARE) complexes. The synaptic target membrane SNARE syntaxin 1 contains a highly conserved Habc domain, which connects an N-peptide motif to the SNARE core domain and is thought to participate in the binding of Munc18-1 (the neuronal SM protein) to the SNARE complex. Unexpectedly, we found that mutation or complete removal of the Habc domain had no effect on Munc18-1 stimulation of fusion. The central cavity region of Munc18-1 is required to stimulate fusion but not through its binding to the syntaxin Habc domain. SNAP-25, another synaptic SNARE subunit, contains a flexible linker and exhibits an atypical conjoined Qbc configuration. We found that neither the linker nor the Qbc configuration is necessary for Munc18-1 promotion of fusion. As a result, Munc18-1 activates a SNARE complex with the typical configuration, in which each of the SNARE core domains is individually rooted in the membrane bilayer. Thus, the SNARE four-helix bundle and syntaxin N-peptide constitute a minimal complement for Munc18-1 activation of fusion.
Dynamic growth modeling of human cognitive microdevelopment

It is important but challenging to study human cognitive microdevelopment, a developmental process that changes over minutes or hours. This study piloted a dynamic systems approach to describing and explaining students' microdevelopment in learning a computer program. Based on intensive observation of 30 students learning processes, we used both typological analysis for describing patterns of individual microdevelopmental trajectories and dynamic growth modeling for explaining the mechanisms underlying these patterns. The results of the study for the first time provided a comprehensive microscopic picture of cognitive development, indicating that (a) specific patterns emerged from complex and pervasive variations and (b) these microdevelopmental patterns were associated with different states of dynamic organization. It is concluded that human cognitive microdevelopment is a dynamic process that takes place in the form of pattern change rather than linear progress.
Foraging Theory and Hypothesis Testing in Archaeology: An Exploration of Methodological Problems and Solutions

Abstract Archaeological tests of hypotheses drawn from foraging theory face a unique set of challenges. Simple foraging models, such as the diet breadth model, rely on assumptions that are clearly violated in the human case. Testing is complicated by the indirect nature of the observations used to reconstruct environment and behavior and by the cumulative nature of the archaeological record. However, the negative impact of these issues on understanding can be ameliorated by adding and valuing research strategies that go beyond those those designed to test hypotheses derived from the model against archaeological evidence. One such strategy is to probe the model's failures by manipulating constraints and variables. The model's performance under varying environmental conditions constitutes a partial test of alternative explanations of behavior. The value of such an approach is illustrated by a case study involving plant use by early food producers who lived in the rugged hill country of eastern Kentucky during the early 3rd millennium B.P. Archaeobotanical data suggest changes in the dietary contributions of different mast-producing tree species during the transition to food production. Possible explanations for these changes were evaluated using linear programming. Running the model under varying conditions of resource availability showed that the broad-based mast diet inferred from nutshell assemblages was probably not energetically optimal. Although chestnut is profitable to exploit when hickory is limited, acorns are too costly to use under most environmental conditions unless efficent processing techniques are used. The substitution of starchy seeds for nuts with similar nutritional characteristics would have been inefficient, although seed crops are potentially important sources of macronutrients and energy when mast supplies are depleted. These findings point out vulnerabilities in economic efficiency-based explanations for the origins of agriculture in eastern North America.
Infrastructure Mobility: A What-if Analysis

Mobile computing has traditionally implied mobile clients connected to a static infrastructure. This paper breaks away from this point of view and envisions the possibility of injecting mobility into infrastructure. We envision a WiFi access point on wheels, that moves to optimize desired performance metrics. Movements need not necessarily be all around the floor of a home or office, neither do they have to operate on batteries, or connect wirelessly to the Internet. At homes, they could remain tethered to power and Ethernet outlets while moving in small areas (perhaps under the study table). In offices of the future, perhaps APs could move on tracks installed on top of false ceilings.This paper explores the viability of this vision and presents early measurements from various home/office environments. We find that complex multipath characteristics of indoor environments cause large fluctuations in link quality even when the antenna moves in the scale of few centimeters. Mobile APs can leverage this spatial variation by relocating to a location that is strong for its own clients and yet weak from its interferers. Experiment results show that such micro-mobility itself can offer up to 2x throughput gains. Additional opportunities may emerge, such as in energy savings, security, QoS, and even in applications such as indoor localization. While this paper explores a small fraction of the landscape of opportunities, the results have been far more promising than what we had anticipated originally.
The advance of science and scientific revolutions

Scientific revolutions in biology do not conform to the description of such revolutions as given by T. Kuhn. Instead, several paradigms may coexist simultaneously for long periods of time, and succeeding paradigms are not necessarily incommensurable. Biological revolutions are not separated by long periods of normal science; rather, there are always minor revolutions and theory changes of various magnitude. Kuhn's theory is in good agreement with essentialistic philosophy, while theory change in biology fits Darwinian evolutionary epistemology, consisting of variation (the continuing proposal of new theories) and selection (the survival of the successful ones). Nowadays there is very little dissent (at least among scientists) from the thesis that science makes steady advances and that, as a result of these advances, we are gaining an ever improving understanding of the world. What is, however, highly controversial is how these advances occur. This controversy occupies a large portion of the literature of contemporary philosophy of science. Leaving a number of minor movements aside, one can distinguish two major schools, Kuhn's theory of scientific revolutions (and normal science) and Darwinian evolutionary epistemology. I shall not discuss the latter1.
Formal Volunteering as a Protective Factor for Older Adults' Psychological Well-Being

Objective Guided by interactional role theory and employing a resilience framework, this study aimed to investigate whether formal volunteering protects older adults with more role-identity absences in major life domains (partner, employment, and parental) from poorer psychological well-being. Methods We used data from 373 participants, aged 65-74, in the 1995 National Survey of Midlife Development in the U.S. (MIDUS). Multivariate regression models estimated the effects of major role-identity absences, formal volunteering, and the interaction between major role-identity absences and volunteering on respondents' negative affect, positive affect, and purpose in life. Result Participants with a greater number of major role-identity absences reported more negative affect, less positive affect, and less purpose in life. Being a formal volunteer was associated with more positive affect and moderated the negative effect of having more major role-identity absences on respondents' feelings of purpose in life. Discussion Consistent with previous studies, findings indicate that having more role-identity absences constitutes a risk factor for poorer psychological well-being. Results further demonstrate that being a formal volunteer can protect older adults with a greater number of major role-identity absences from decreased levels of purpose in life. The findings suggest that associations between volunteering and psychological well-being might be contingent upon the volunteer's role-identity status and the dimension of psychological well-being examined.
Are smokers adequately informed about the health risks of smoking and medicinal nicotine

The present study assessed smokers' beliefs about the health risks of smoking and the benefits of smoking filtered and low-tar cigarettes, and their awareness of and interest in trying so-called reduced-risk tobacco products. Results were based on a nationally representative random-digit-dialed telephone survey of 1,046 adult (aged 18 years or older) current cigarette smokers. Data were gathered on demographic characteristics, tobacco use behaviors, awareness and use of nicotine medications, beliefs about the health risks of smoking, content of smoke and design features of cigarettes, and the safety and efficacy of nicotine medications. In addition, respondents were asked about their interest in and perceived ability to stop smoking and about their desire for more information about the health risks of smoking. Smokers were least knowledgeable about low-tar and filter cigarettes (65% of responses were incorrect or "don't know") and most knowledgeable about the health risks of smoking (39% of responses were incorrect or "don't know"). The smokers' characteristics most commonly associated with misinformation when all six indices were combined into a summary index were as follows: those aged 45 years or older, smokers of ultralight cigarettes, smokers who believe they will stop smoking before they experience a serious health problem caused by smoking, smokers who have never used a stop-smoking medication, and smokers with a lower education level. Those who believed they would stop smoking in the next year were more knowledgeable about smoking. Some 77% of respondents reported a desire for additional information from tobacco companies on the health dangers of smoking. The present findings demonstrate that smokers are misinformed about many aspects of the cigarettes they smoke and stop-smoking medications and that they want more information about ways to reduce their health risks.
The Identity Of Cicada tibicen Linné [=Tibicen chloromerus (Walker, 1850)] (Hemiptera: Cicadoidea: Cicadidae)

A lectotype is designated for Cicada tibicen Linne, 1758. The Linnaean specimen located in the Zoological Museum of Uppsala University can be traced to Linne and the original species description. The species is determined to be the same as what is currently recognized as Tibicen chloromerus (Walker, 1850), making T. chloromerus and Cicada sayi Smith and Grossbeck, 1907, junior synonyms of Tibicen tibicen (L.).
Emphydematous pyelonephritis - Treat the patient, not the scan

Background: Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a severe, necrotizing infection of the renal parenchyma. Until the late 1960s, these patients were treated with nephrectomies as EPN is associated with a high rate of mortality. It is a diagnosis based on computed tomography (CT) scan of the patient and based on the results, can be classified according to the severity of the disease. In our case report, we present a patient with seemingly extensive EPN on CT scan who was treated successfully with intravenous antibiotics (IV) and percutaneous drainage. Methods: Together with current literature, our case study adds to increasing evidence which supports how carefully selected patients can be treated with the above modalities. Results: We present a 75 year old diabetic Indian gentleman who came to us with right iliac fossa pain and was noted to have a positive right renal punch. CT scan revealed extensive gas in the right kidney. Considering that he was clinically stable amongst other factors, he was started on appropriate IV antibiotics and underwent a percutaneous nephrostomy tube insertion. Subsequent follow-up scans showed resolution of the EPN. Conclusions: EPN is a severe, necrotizing infection of the kidneys associated with high mortality rates. As such, physicians need to have a high index of suspicion in patients who are at risk. There is increasing evidence to show that patients with early EPN can and should be treated with appropriate IV antibiotics and percutaneous drainage procedures. We hope that this will help to increase awareness of the possible treatment modalities of this potentially life-threatening disease.
Intensity modulated radiation therapy for recurrent ovarian cancer refractory to chemotherapy

Abstract Objective To evaluate local control, survival outcomes, and toxicity after intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for recurrent chemorefractory ovarian cancer. Methods Between 2006 and 2014, 33 patients were treated with IMRT for recurrent ovarian cancer. Patients received a median of 3 chemotherapy regimens prior to IMRT (range, 1–12) with 11 (33%) undergoing concurrent therapy. Local control (LC), recurrence free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS) were calculated via Kaplan-Meier method. Toxicity was assessed using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v4.03. Impact of patient characteristics on outcomes was evaluated via Cox's proportional hazard model. Results Median follow up was 23.7months. Forty-nine sites were treated to a median dose of 5040cGy (range, 4500–7000). Nine (18%) of the 49 sites had in-field failures. Two year actuarial LC, RFS, and OS were 82%, 11%, and 63%, respectively. Seventeen patients had both a pre and post-treatment FDG-PET/CT; 6 (35%) had a complete metabolic response while 11 (65%) had a partial metabolic response. Acute≥grade 3 gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities occurred in 2 (6%) patients, late≥grade 3 GI toxicities occurred in 12 (36%), acute≥grade 3 hematological toxicities occurred in 5 (15%) and late≥grade 3 hematological toxicities occurred in 14 (42%). Conclusions IMRT for recurrent chemorefractory ovarian cancer is associated with excellent local control and limited radiation related toxicity. Future studies will be required to determine which subpopulation will benefit most from IMRT and whether alternative techniques such as stereotactic body radiotherapy may be feasible.
Laboratory Extraction Methods and Field Detection of Entomophilic Rhabditoid Nematodes From Soil

Three techniques were compared for efficiency at extracting entomophilic rhabditoid nematodes from soil samples. The Baermann funnel extraction was superior to centrifugation flotation, and flotation sieving methods in recovering Neoaplectana carpocapsae Weiser dauerlarvae from sand with 71.2, 45.8, and 7.6% recovery rates, respectively. In a petri dish bioassay, larvae of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (L.), were exposed to filtered Baermann funnel extracts of nematode-spiked field soil. This method was effective in detecting populations of entomophilic rhabditoids.
The Perceived Importance of the Elements of Strategy

The economic theory of competitive behavior emphasizes pricing and places relatively little emphasis on product, promotion, and distribution. However, the marketing executives of manufacturing corp...
Maternal Fetal Transport: Efforts to Develop Comprehensive and Coordinated Transport Care for the Health of Both Women and Infants

The St. Louis Children’s Hospital (SLCH) Critical Care Transport Team is one of the most experienced teams in the region, providing over 2,900 transports a year including a comprehensive range of services. One impactful addition was the introduction of Maternal Fetal Transport (MFT) in late 2012. The unique physiology of pregnancy affects medical care delivery to expectant mothers and produces increased threats to the life of both women and infants (Elliott, et al., 1996). Transport of high-risk obstetrical patients has increased in frequency with more favorable fetal outcomes when …
The hybrid model for concept development: its value for the study of therapeutic alliance

Schwartz-Barcott and Kim's hybrid model is used as a research methodology for the development and analysis of the concept of therapeutic alliance. Empirical data gathered in a community health setting by field research techniques are used to compare, to contrast, and to rework existing definitions and related concepts from literature review. The resulting definitional refinement provides clear distinctions between the concepts of compliance and therapeutic alliance and assists in selection of appropriate nursing interventions supportive of clients' health goals.
Diuretics for Hypertension: A Review and Update

This review and update focuses on the clinical features of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), the thiazide-like agents chlorthalidone (CTDN) and indapamide (INDAP), potassium-sparing ENaC inhibitors and aldosterone receptor antagonists, and loop diuretics. Diuretics are the second most commonly prescribed class of antihypertensive medication, and thiazide-related diuretics have increased at a rate greater than that of antihypertensive medications as a whole. The latest hypertension guidelines have underscored the importance of diuretics for all patients, but particularly for those with salt-sensitive and resistant hypertension. HCTZ is 4.2-6.2 systolic mm Hg less potent than CTDN, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, beta blockers, and calcium channel blockers by 24-hour measurements and 5.1mm Hg systolic less potent than INDAP by office measurements. For reducing cardiovascular events (CVEs), HCTZ is less effective than enalapril and amlodipine in randomized trials, and, in network analysis of trials, it is less effective than CTDN and HCTZ-amiloride. Combined with thiazide-type diuretics, potassium-sparing agents decrease ventricular ectopy and reduce the risk for sudden cardiac death relative to thiazide-type diuretics used alone. A recent synthesis of 44 trials has shown that the relative potencies in milligrams among spironolactone (SPIR), amiloride, and eplerenone (EPLER) are approximately from 25 to 10 to 100, respectively, which may be important when SPIR is poorly tolerated. SPIR reduces proteinuria beyond that provided by other renin angiotensin aldosterone inhibitors. EPLER also reduces proteinuria and has beneficial effects on endothelial function. While guidelines often do not differentiate among specific diuretics, this review demonstrates that these distinctions are important for managing hypertension.
Hidden-Hand Presidential Fundraising For Party and Self

This paper explores the extent to which recent presidents have headlined closed press fundraisers as a way of exercising hidden-hand party leadership that allows presidents and their fellow party members to reap the benefits of presidential fundraising while mitigating some of the costs that often accompany these efforts. This study examines the president’s role as the electoral leader of his party, then discusses a unique and newly expanded data set of open and closed press fundraisers for all six presidents elected during the current era of campaign finance laws. It then analyzes the contours of open and closed press fundraising, as well as the ways in which these practices relate to presidential popularity and pressures for White House transparency, and then discusses the implications of these evolving dynamics for presidential leadership.
Hemodynamic Effects of Continuous Positive and Negative Pressure Breathing in Normal Man

Alterations in cardiac output, central blood volume, and arterial and central venous pressures were studied in 36 young men subjected to continuous negative or continuous positive pressure breathing. Negative pressure breathing increased cardiac output, stroke volume, and, to a lesser extent, central blood volume. Positive pressure, without overbreathing, decreased both cardiac output and central blood volume, but hyperventilation reversed these effects. On the basis of these observations, it is concluded that decreased intrathoracic pressure is important in maintaining or increasing the blood available to the heart in man, particularly during circulatory stress.
Physical Properties of Glycine Decarboxylase Multienzyme Complex from Pea Leaf Mitochondria

The glycine decarboxylase multienzyme complex was extracted from pea leaf mitochondria and purified by Sephadex G-150 and DEAE-cellulose. The complex was fractionated into three major peaks by G-150. Peak I contained the entire complex, while peaks II and III had lost one or more subunits and were only able to catalyze partial reactions.
Harry in the Limelight: The Life and Times of Harry Wiener

The purpose of the present monograph is to commemorate the life and work of the scientist and physician Harry Wiener (1924-1998). In this opening chapter it is thus fitting that the spotlight be directed on the many notable achievements of this remarkable man. Accordingly, we present here for the first time a full biographical account of the life and times of Wiener. As this monograph is intended primarily for the mathematical chemistry community, we highlight and pay especial tribute to Wiener's contributions in this area. In particular, the events leading up to Wiener's breakthrough to the first topological index are explained in some detail. In addition to discussing Wiener's chemical accomplishments, however, we also recount the highly unusual and dramatic circumstances of the early part of his life and the many difficulties he successfully overcame. Our account is considerably enriched by several first-hand reminiscences provided by his former colleagues and coworkers, and by family members.
Vertical cavity lasers for printing

The laser printer uses a rotating polygon mirror to scan a modulated laser beam across a photoconductive material, writing a latent image as an electrostatic charge pattern. This electrostatic charge pattern attracts toner particles which are then transferred to paper. Semiconductor lasers have been a key enabler in the development of small and low cost desktop laser printers.
Immune-Mediated Protection Against BCR/ABL-Induced Leukemia: A Common Pathway Shared between IRF8/ICSBP and IFN alpha and beta.

Abstract Most Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) patients are treated with the targeted agent imatinib (Gleevec), but cytogenetic remission is rarely achieved and the only cure remains bone marrow transplantation. The mainstay of therapy prior to imatinib was interferon (IFN) alpha, which induces cytogenic remission in a minority of patients. Because clinical response to IFN alpha correlates with immune system reactivity against leukemic clones, immunotherapy may be an important adjunct to imatinib. ICSBP (Interferon Consensus Sequence Binding Protein) is a tumor suppressor of CML. Ectopic expression of ICSBP in Bcr-Abl transformed cells prevents the formation of a lethal leukemia, and we have shown that this anti-leukemic effect is mediated by a long-lasting and potent CD8+ response against unknown epitopes on the leukemic cells. We have begun to characterize the immune response against CML induced by ICSBP and to understand its relationship to the anti-leukemic effects of IFN alpha. IFN alpha and IFN beta can substitute for ICSBP expression in inducing potent anti-leukemic immunity against BCR-ABL transformed cells. We could find little evidence for the direct regulation of the IFN genes by ICSBP; thus we have favored the alternative hypothesis that ICSBP and IFNs alpha and beta activate a common pathway that ultimately triggers an immune-mediated anti-leukemic response. To test this hypothesis, we compared the transcriptional profiles of BaF3 cells to those overexpressing Bcr-Abl, ICSBP, or both (unpublished data). Our data confirm the reported effects of ICSBP on genes that regulate proliferation and apoptosis in cells overexpressing Bcr-Abl (e.g. cyclin D2). In addition, our analysis revealed an interesting new mechanism through which ICSBP may stimulate an anti-leukemic immune response and Bcr-Abl expressing cells may escape immune detection. IFN alpha and beta appear to share the mechanism induced by ICSBP. Our data confirm the differential expression of several known (e.g. Proteinase 3) as well as new potential protein epitopes of the anti-leukemic immune response induced by ICSBP and the IFNs. Our in vivo experiments should shed further light on the role of the immune regulatory genes we have identified in the immune response to CML.
Sabrina Dean Phillips, MD: a conversation with the editor.

Sabrina Phillips was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on September 3, 1968, and grew up in Cleveland, Oklahoma. Both she and her older brother were adopted by loving parents who created a warm and enriching home. From early on, Sabrina was curious about how things worked. She won a full scholarship to Oklahoma State University and studied electrical engineering. After marrying her sophomore year, she transferred to Wichita State University where her husband, also an engineer, was employed. She graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's in engineering from Wichita State University in 1990. After working for 3 years in Dallas at Texas Instruments, she enrolled at The University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical School in 1993 and graduated first in her class of 210 students in 1997. Her training in internal medicine and cardiology was at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas (BUMC), and after completion of the cardiology fellowship in 2003, she did a year-long fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in adult congenital heart disease. In 2004, she returned to Dallas as a member of the cardiology staff of BUMC. Within a year she was offered a staff position at the Mayo Clinic in the Division of Cardiovascular Disease, specializing in adult congenital heart disease. Since returning to the Mayo Clinic, she has become an international leader in the field of adult congenital heart disease. She has published 31 articles in peer-reviewed medical journals and 8 chapters in various books focusing on congenital heart disease in adults. Since 2002, she has given over 120 talks at various meetings around the world. She has received two outstanding teacher or educator awards at the Mayo Clinic. We here at BUMC are very proud of Sabrina's success in light of her 6 years of postgraduate training at this institution. Sabrina and her husband, Nathan, are the proud parents of two daughters. Sabrina is an absolute straight shooter and a pleasure to be around.
Clinical Aspects of Growth Hormone Hypersecretory States

Growth hormone (GH) is secreted by the anterior pituitary and the pattern of secretion in both human and animal species is pulsatile [6, 19]. Thus, there are episodes of enhanced growth hormone secretion which occur at varying intervals. At present it is not clear whether growth hormone is tonically secreted between secretory bursts or whether it is only secreted episodically. Episodic growth hormone secretion is thought to be mediated by dual stimulation by hypothalamic growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) associated with a reduction in the tonic secretion of somatostatin (growth hormone release inhibiting hormone: SS) [18, 22]. Evidence from animal studies indicates that pulses of growth hormone secretion require GHRH, since passive immunization with antibodies to GHRH abolishes these GH bursts [24]. In contrast, basal growth hormone secretion is apparently tonically inhibited by somatostatin since passive immunization with antibodies to somatostatin leads to an increase in basal GH secretion [25]. The exact nature of hypothalamic secretion of somatostatin and GHRH is speculated to be reciprocal (Fig. 1) [18, 22]. This hypothesis has been supported by direct sampling of hypophyseal-portal blood in rats [12].
T gamma-lymphoproliferative disease and related disorders in humans and experimental animals: a review of the clinical, cellular, and functional characteristics

T gamma lymphocytes are those lymphocytes that express receptors for both the Fc portion of IgG and sheep erythrocytes. A very high proportion of normal T gamma lymphocytes are large granular lymphocytes (LGL), the cell responsible for most, if not all, natural killer (NK) and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) in humans, rats, and mice. In general, these cells are large lymphocytes with prominent azurophilic granules in the cytoplasm. Recently, a group of lymphoproliferative disorders made up predominantly of T gamma lymphocytes has been described. The most common and best studied of these disorders we refer to as "chronic T gamma-lymphoproliferative disease" (T gamma-LPD). In most cases, this disease represents the abnormal expansion of LGL, which is reflected by an increase in functionally active NK or ADCC effector cells. The chronic T gamma-LPD lymphocytes are generally characterized as E- and EA-rosette positive, acid-phosphatase, and beta-glucuronidase positive and express the pan-T antigens OKT3/Leu-4, OKT11/Leu-5, the suppressor-associated antigens OKT5,8/Leu-2, and the NK-associated antigens Leu-7/HNK-1. Typically, the patients are older, predominantly males and characteristically have a lymphocytosis of predominantly T gamma lymphocytes with lymphocyte infiltration of the bone marrow and often the spleen. While chronic T gamma-LPD is not usually an aggressive disease, the patients are often neutropenic and have recurrent bacterial infections requiring antibiotic therapy. Some patients have benefited from cytotoxic chemotherapy., but most patients have not required chemotherapy. An experimental LGL leukemia in F344 rats appears morphologically, functionally, and clinically similar to the human chronic T gamma-LPD and serves as an experimental model for further examining the ontogeny and function of LGL and may be applicable for exploring new and more effective means for the treatment of patients with chronic T gamma-LPD.
Solutions of Nonlinear Wave Equations and Localization Theory

In this note we describe a new method for constructing time periodic solutions of nonlinear wave equations of the form $$ {u_{{tt}}} = {u_{{xx}}} - g\left( {x,u} \right)\quad 0 < x < \pi $$ (1) , with either periodic or Dirichlet boundary conditions. For a complete description of the results and methods with detailed proofs, see [2]. This article will attempt only to explain the general ideas behind this method and some of its possible extensions.
Abstract B030: MEK5 downregulation enhances radiosensitization of human prostate cancer cells by inhibiting DNA repair

Radiotherapy is commonly used to treat a variety of solid human tumors, including localized prostate cancer. However, treatment failure almost always ensues due to tumor intrinsic or acquired radioresistance. Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 5 (MAP2K5 or MEK5), belongs to the family of MAP kinases. It is activated by the upstream kinases MEKK2 and MEKK3 at Ser311/Thr315. MEK5, in turn, phosphorylates and activates extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5 or BMK1) at Thr218/Tyr220. MEK5/ERK5 pathway plays a pivotal role in tumor initiation and progression. MEK5 protein is overexpressed in prostate cancer cells compared with normal prostate epithelial cells, and MEK5 levels are correlated with prostate cancer metastasis. High expression of ERK5 in prostate cancer is also found to correlate with poor disease-specific survival and can serve as an independent prognostic factor. To determine whether the MEK5/ERK5 pathway is activated in response to ionizing radiation (IR), RNA interference was used to deplete MEK5 from PC3 and DU145 cells. Western blot analysis demonstrated that control cells with normal levels of MEK5 exposed to 3-Gy γ-rays had an increase in phospho-ERK5 levels at 5 and 15 min post-IR, diminishing at later time points. No activated ERK5 was detected in MEK5-depleted cells. Downregulation of MEK5 did not impact on cell cycle checkpoint activation in irradiated cells. In contrast, depletion of MEK5 markedly impaired phosphorylation of DNA-PKcs at Ser2056 in response to IR treatment. Furthermore, MEK5 knockdown did not influence the initial appearance of γH2AX or 53BP1 foci after irradiation, but significantly delayed the resolution of radiation-induced γH2AX and 53BP1 foci, detectable even 48 h post-irradiation, indicating a DNA repair defect. Cell based assay showed that nonhomologous end-joining is compromised in PC3 cells with ablated MEK5 protein expression. Finally, long-term clonogenic survival analyses and short-term cell growth assays indicated that MEK5 knockdown sensitized PC3 and DU145 prostate cancer cell lines to IR. Likewise, the topoisomerase II inhibitor etoposide that causes double-strand breaks also sensitized MEK5-depleted cells. These data indicate that MEK5 influences the response of prostate cancer cells to radiation and MEK5 downregulation is associated with delayed double-strand break repair kinetics. Inhibition of MEK5 in combination with radiation may provide a strategy to improve survival of prostate cancer patients. Citation Format: Constantinos G. Broustas. MEK5 downregulation enhances radiosensitization of human prostate cancer cells by inhibiting DNA repair [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Prostate Cancer: Advances in Basic, Translational, and Clinical Research; 2017 Dec 2-5; Orlando, Florida. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(16 Suppl):Abstract nr B030.