cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The frequency, causes and prevention of severe urinary dysfunction after radical hysterectomy

Summary. Urinary dysfunction that developed in 58 patients treated by radical hysterectomy, with or without total vaginectomy and whole pelvic irradiation over a 10-year period, was studied retrospectively by case record review and telephone enquiry. Seven of the 58 (12%) were found to be severely handicapped, six by incontinence and enuresis, and one by the complete inability to void. Twenty-one (36%) patients had absent bladder sensation or urine loss that caused only minor inconvenience. Advancing age, the menopause, whole pelvic irradiation, and total vaginectomy did not increase the likelihood of developing long-term urinary problems. The determining factor was whether the most lateral portions of the cardinal and uterosacral ligaments had been resected or spared at the time of surgery. It is concluded that serious disability may be avoided by conserving the lateral portions of the pelvic ligaments while obtaining adequate surgical margins during radical hysterectomy.
Alcohol dementia: “cortical” or “subcortical” dementia?

Abstract Most dementias are considered to exhibit either a predominantly “cortical” (e.g. Alzheimer's disease, AD) or “subcortical” (e.g. Parkinson's disease) pattern. A double dissociation has been reported, such that cortical and subcortical dementias can be differentiated based on performance on tests of declarative and procedural learning. The goal of this study was to determine if subjects with alcohol dementia exhibit a predominantly cortical or subcortical dementia profile. The performance of 10 elderly subjects diagnosed with alcohol dementia, 29 elderly subjects with histories of alcohol dependence but who were not demented, and 11 subjects with AD was compared to 20 elderly control subjects. The results indicated that the procedural learning task did not differentiate among the groups, whereas the discriminability index from the California Learning Test (the declarative learning task) did. Thus, alcohol dementia cannot clearly be ascribed to either dementia classification.
Snapshot of Vibrio parahaemolyticus densities in open and closed shellfish beds in Coastal South Carolina and Mississippi

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a Gram negative, halophilic bacterium that is ubiquitous in warm, tropical waters throughout the world. It is a major cause of seafood-associated gastroenteritis and is generally associated with consumption of raw or undercooked seafood, especially oysters. This study presents a snapshot of total V. parahaemolyticus densities in surface waters and shellstock American oysters (Crassostrea virginica) from open and closed shellfish harvesting areas, as well as “more rural areas” on two different US coasts, the Atlantic and the Gulf. Sampling was conducted from 2001 to 2003 at five sites near Charleston/Georgetown, SC and at four locations in the Gulfport/Pascagoula, MS area. V. parahaemolyticus numbers were determined by a direct plating method using an alkaline-phosphatase-labeled DNA probe targeting the species-specific thermolabile hemolysin gene (tlh) that was used for identification of bacterial isolates. The greatest difference between the two coasts was salinity; mean salinity in SC surface waters was 32.9 ppt, whereas the mean salinity in MS waters was 19.2 ppt, indicating more freshwater input into MS shellfish harvesting areas during the study period. The mean V. parahaemolyticus numbers in oysters were almost identical between the two states (567.4 vs. 560.1 CFU/g). Bacterial numbers in the majority of surface water samples from both states were at or below the limit of detection (LOD = <10 CFU/mL). The bacterial concentrations determined during this study predict a low public health risk from consumption of oysters in shellfish growing areas on either the Gulf or the Atlantic US coast.
Information sharing as enabler for the virtual team: an experimental approach to assessing the role of electronic mail in disintermediation

This paper is an attempt to document empirically the relation between information sharing accomplished via electronic mail and the performance of teams. We report on an experimental study of the role of electronic mail in the operation of supply chains. A variation of the well known 'Beer Game' role-playing simulation game was computerized and implemented in an internet-based envi- ronment to study the information-sharing behaviour of teams. A total of 76 teams of four players each competed to achieve best net team profit. Results of the sim- ulation game permit a detailed examination of email use in an organizational con- text. Findings indicate the expected significant correlation between email use to share information up the supply chain and net team profit. In other words, sharing information in the team has a positive impact on performance. The recorded behaviour of managers in the online simulation indicates that team members use electronic mail successfully to attempt disintermediation of the supply chain. When information is shared online, teams perform significantly better.
The Nexus of Domestic Violence Reform and Social Science: From Instrument of Social Change to Institutionalized Surveillance

This review examines the relationship between social science research and domestic violence activism. It explores how the feminist conception of domestic violence, as formulated early in the movement, has had a resounding influence on the development of both theory and practice. The review demonstrates how social science research has often followed uncritically the path set out by anti–domestic violence activists. It provides an examination of how studies of the efficacy of legal sanctions fail to raise questions about the consequences of these interventions into private lives. The review also considers how the feminist conception of domestic violence has led to unresolved scholarly debates about the frequency and attributes of women's violence as compared to men's. In addition, it shows that the failure of feminism's explanatory framework to guide theory and practice has contributed to the triumph of a gender-neutral understanding of the problem and its reformulation as intimate partner violence. Consequ...
Linear amplifiers architectures with very high gain-bandwidth product

An approach for implementation of amplifiers with high and accurate gain and with very wide bandwidth that is gain independent is introduced. The approach is based on sensing the output current of a unity gain amplifier. The current is then passed to a resistive load through a second stage without negative feedback. Simulations verify it is feasible to obtain gain bandwidth products close to 10 GHz in 1.2 /spl mu/m CMOS technology. Experimental results of a breadboard and a test chip prototype are used to demonstrate the proposed approach.
EXAMINING THE USE OF HOFSTEDE’S UNCERTAINTY AVOIDANCE CONSTRUCT IN INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH: A 25-YEAR REVIEW

The goal of this research was to determine the manner in which Hofstede’s uncertainty avoidance construct has been incorporated into international research. Hofstede’s work is often referenced in this realm of work, but how, specifically, is it used? This study provides a framework of this dimension from Hofstede’s work that other researchers can use as a resource for planning articles and/or as a benchmark upon which to develop further studies. During our data gathering, we identified 118 articles in the Journal of International Business Studies (i.e., the outlet for his initial article) that used Hofstede’s uncertainty avoidance. Three articles mentioned uncertainty avoidance in the research notes and 15 used uncertainty avoidance to support positions taken in the literature review. Forty-one articles used uncertainty avoidance while explaining their research hypotheses. Of the remaining 59 articles, 29 used Hofstede’s data to compare countries using composite indices, and 30 used uncertainty avoidance as an independent or control variable.
Adaptive threshold-based fault detection and isolation for automotive electrical systems

In this paper, a fault diagnosis scheme to detect and isolate faults commonly occurring in a vehicle alternator system based on an adaptive thresholds approach is developed. The mathematical model of the alternator subsystem is quite involved and highly nonlinear; to simplify the diagnostic scheme, an equivalent linear time varying model based on the input-output behavior of the system is used for threshold equations derivation. Since the order of the adaptive thresholds obtained for the model is high, two other alternative approximations are investigated. Probability of false alarm in the first approximation is computed. Finally, validity of the proposed diagnosis scheme is tested through simulation and the results are presented.
Nitric oxide protects against pathological ventricular remodeling: reconsideration of the role of NO in the failing heart

Nitric oxide (NO) is generated by NO synthases (NOSs) that convert l-arginine to l-citrulline in the presence of molecular oxygen, nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate, calmodulin, and several cofactors.1 Three NOS isoforms have been identified: NOS1 (neuronal NOS), NOS2 (inducible NOS), and NOS3 (endothelial NOS). The constitutive isoforms NOS1 and NOS3 display Ca2+-dependent calmodulin binding and are compartmentalized in cardiomyocytes, with NOS1 localizing to the ryanodine receptor of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), and NOS3 localizing to the caveolae of the sarcolemma (SL) in close proximity to β-adrenergic receptors and the L-type Ca2+-channel.2 NOS2 expression in cardiomyocytes requires induction in response to inflammatory cytokines or biological stress (eg, ischemia and reperfusion).3,4 NOS2 is expressed primarily in the cytosol, displays Ca2+-independent activity because of its high calmodulin-binding affinity, and has high capacity for generating NO.1,3,4 Modulation of cardiac function by NO is complex and multifaceted5,6 and is mediated by at least 2 mechanisms: activation of soluble guanylate cyclase with production of the second messenger cGMP and direct protein thiol nitrosylation. NO affects myocardial contraction in a dose-dependent biphasic fashion, with low NO concentrations (as occurs under normal, unstressed conditions) exerting positive inotropic effects and high concentrations exerting negative inotropic effects. Antecedent β-adrenergic stimulation shifts the descending limb of this bimodal curve to the left, such that the negative inotropic effects become more prominent.5 NO hastens relaxation, shortens contraction duration, and improves diastolic distensibility,7,8 and also depresses mitochondrial respiration, thereby altering mechanoenergetic coupling.5,6,9 NO-mediated contractile effects are significantly impacted by spatial confinement and localization of NOS isoforms. Studies in NOS1 and NOS3 null mice have demonstrated that by virtue of isoform-dependent localization of NO release and attendant divergent effects on SR and SL Ca2+ flux, each isoform exerts …
Estimation Problems for Rectangular Distributions (Or the Taxi Problem Revisited).

The problem of estimating the unknown upper bound θ on the basis of a sample of sizen from a uniform or rectangular distribution on [0, θ] has considerable interest. This or the analogous discrete version is variously known as the “Taxi-problem” or the “German bomb (or Tank) problem” and has a long history. The emphasis here is on estimation of θ through the lengths of the observed gaps or spacings which seem natural for this problem.
Dual power management for network connectivity in wireless sensor networks

Summary form only given. As the energy consumption in wireless sensor nodes is dominated by the radio transmission circuitry, the network configuration must be designed to minimize the power consumption by transmission radios. Sensor nodes are generally equipped with short-range radios that require low power consumption. But the current technology allows each node to adjust its transmission power. We consider the dual power radios in which the radio of each node can be assigned high-or low-power during the network initializing stage. Our primary goal in such an assignment is to minimize the overall power consumption by radios to maximize the network lifetime while maintaining the full network connectivity, the most fundamental network functionality. Using a graph-theoretic approach, we formulate the problem as a "minimum subgraph" problem, show its NP-completeness, establish upper and lower bounds on the optimum solution, and present a near-optimal heuristic algorithm and simulation results.
Asymptomatic myelitis in neuromyelitis optica and autoimmune aquaporin-4 channelopathy

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an autoimmune inflammatory CNS disease associated with pathogenic aquaporin-4 autoantibodies (AQP4-IgG); optic neuritis (ON) and myelitis are required to fulfill diagnostic criteria.1 NMO spectrum disorders (NMOSDs) are defined as one or more typical NMO syndromes accompanied by AQP4-IgG seropositivity but not yet fulfilling NMO diagnostic criteria (e.g., AQP4-IgG–seropositive recurrent ON). Non-Caucasian ethnicity and coexisting autoimmunity are common in NMO/NMOSD.2 Transverse myelitis episodes in patients with NMO/NMOSD are characteristically longitudinally extensive (extending ≥3 vertebral segments on MRI), and the resulting clinical phenotype is typically severe, with paraplegia and wheelchair dependence at nadir a frequent finding.2 In contrast, multiple sclerosis (MS) myelitis episodes are typically mild and often asymptomatic.3 Herein we report 3 AQP4-IgG–seropositive4 women with asymptomatic myelitis in the setting of NMO/NMOSD.
The effects of induced affective states on letter discrimination in disadvantaged preschool children

Abstract The relationship between affective state and academic performance was examined using 30 4- to 6- year old economically disadvantaged black children. Children were assigned to one of three affective induction groups: positive, negative, or neutral affect. Changes from pre- to posttest administrations of a letter discrimination task suggest that negative and positive affect inductions produce different changes in both errors and response latency. These findings suggest that further research on the possibility that negative affect may be responsible in part for the academic difficulties of disadvantaged children and other children under stress is warranted.
To an understanding of the biology of sex and gender differences: “an idea whose time has come”1

Abstract In 2001 the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences United States published a report, “Exploring the Biological Contributions to Human Health: Does Sex Matter?”, which addressed and highlighted the role of biological sex differences in health and disease, including especially sex differences in non-reproductive areas of the male and female. The report aroused considerable interest and comment and had a significant role in stimulating the generation of a growing body of basic and clinical research on fundamental aspects of sex differences and its role in disease susceptibility, development, and aging. Sex is the most common human polymorphism that affects health and illness through the life cycle. This perspective provides a brief overview of the importance of the critical interlinked interactions of nature (genes and sex hormones) and nurture (environment and experience) on behavior and perception. Differences in gene expression in the male and female appear in the early embryo,...
Effects of Post and Soil Strength on Performance of Modified Eccentric Loader Breakaway Cable Terminal

The effects of wood post strength and soil strength on the dynamic performance of guardrail systems have long been a concern of the roadside safety community. Evidence from full-scale crash tests has suggested that these parameters may significantly affect guardrail system performance. Essentially identical tests have resulted in widely varying outcomes that might be the result of various post strengths and soil conditions. A finite-element model of a common guardrail terminal—the modified eccentric loader breakaway cable terminal—was developed to examine the effects of post strength and soil strength on the overall performance of the terminal system. A matrix of 12 simulations of a particular full-scale crash test scenario was conducted with the explicit nonlinear dynamic finite-element software LS-DYNA3D to establish the combinations of post and soil strengths that produce favorable results. The parametric simulations show that certain combinations of soil and post strengths increase the hazardous possi...
A Miniaturized Conductor-Backed Slot-Line Resonator Filter With Two Transmission Zeros

In this letter, a miniaturized planar two-pole microwave filter with two transmission zeros is presented. The building block of this filter is a high-Q double spiral slot resonator backed by a conductor plane. The provision of a float back conductor plane allows vertical integration of this filter with other passive and active RF electronic components usually found in miniaturized wireless transceivers. The conductor plane also provides a coupling mechanism between the input and output of the filter giving rise to transmission zeros. It is shown that the location of transmission zeros can easily be adjusted and significant out-of-band rejection be achieved using only two miniaturized double-spiral resonators. The design procedure and fabrication of a two-pole filter operating at 2.11GHz is demonstrated and a very good agreement between measured and simulated results is shown
Recovery and morphology of Pinus resinosa Ait. trees 50 years after they were displaced by a hurricane

Abstract Leaning red pine (Pinus resinosa) trees at Harvard Forest in Petersham, Massachusetts, USA, were studied 50 years after they were displaced from the vertical by a hurricane. Objective methods of characterizing leaning trees in process of reorientation to the vertical were developed. The trees were sigmoid- or sinuous-shaped because their upper parts tended to regain vertical growth along a direction that was approximately a continuation of their original vertical growth path before they were displaced. There were large between-tree variations in (i) bole angle of displacement, (ii) external morphological parameters, and (iii) degree of recovery. On average, 63.6% of the leaning tree total height had regained vertical growth, 26.7% of the total weight was leaning toward the direction from which the hurricane came, while the remaining 9.7% was still leaning in the leeward direction in which it was displaced. The effect of angle of displacement was significant only on maximum bole displacement on the horizontal plane (positive), concave sweep length (positive), length of bole leaning windward (positive), length of corrected portion (negative) and curvature index (positive). Important relationships were observed (a) among indices of bole and crown size (positive), (b) between curvature index and length of corrected portion (negative), and (c) among indices of bole shape (positive).
Dynamic policy conflict analysis for collaborative web services

Policy-based management can simplify web service management by establishing policies to control various activities involved in service governance and provision. Administrators and users use policies to define control rules and restrictions, and to configure application environments. When collaboration is necessary between web services for a specific task, various management requirements from individual services may have conflicts. Some conflicts are static. Some conflicts are dynamic, which are difficult to detect and resolve. The situation is even worse when the collaboration is a one-time event. To detect and resolve potential dynamic conflicts between web services in a collaborative setting, especially between web services from different administrative domains, a semantic temporal logic is proposed and used in this paper to analyze dynamic policy conflicts. An implementation and resultant experiments are also discussed.
Examples of the failure of the local-global principle for similarity of matrices

A cohomological method for computing the set of similarity classes of endomorphisms locally similar to a given endomorphism is presented and several calculations are made.
Capturing what matters: measurement theory in yoga research.

Research starts with an idea. The idea leads to a review of the empirical literature to understand existing philosophical and theoretical models and reported results related to that topic. The idea is then refined to identify a novel question based on theory and previous investigations. A study is born. An idea or a question is not sufficient in and of itself. Studies are multifaceted, complex undertakings that require a diverse skill set, as illustrated in the Perspectives in this issue of the journal. One of the most important parts of this process is the understanding of measurement theory.
PATTERNS OF SEED DISPERSAL AND POPULATION DIFFERENTIATION IN MIMULUS GUTTATUS.

Traditionally, species have been viewed as homogeneous evolutionary units whose cohesion is maintained by gene flow within and between populations (e.g., Mayr, 1963, 1970; Dobzhansky, 1970; Grant, 1971). Recently this view has been questioned, especially for plants. Evidence now available suggests that gene flow in plant species usually is localized (Ehrlich and Raven, 1969; Levin and Kerster, 1974; Endler, 1977; Harper, 1977; Levin, 1979), and that microdifferentiation within and among populations is extensive (e.g., Epling et al., 1960; Solbrig and Simpson, 1974; Allard, 1975; Schaal, 1975; Levin, 1977). Indeed, Ehrlich and Raven (1969) and Levin (1979) have stressed that populations within a species may be kept from diverging extensively not because of gene flow but because they occupy habitats with similar sets of selective forces (see also Wright, 1932). It may be possible to determine the relative importance of gene flow and selection in maintaining the integrity of a species by examining local patterns of differentiation among populations. If gene flow is of primary importance, we expect similarity of two populations to be influenced by their physical proximity, whereas if selection is of importance, we expect similarity to be influenced by similarity of environments occupied. In this paper we correlate patterns of microdifferentiation among populations of the monkey flower Mimulus guttatus Fisch ex. D.C. (Scrophulariaceae) in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah to expected pat-
Collective Guilt in Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address

AbstractLincoln’s second inaugural address sees both North and South as responsible for the violence of the American Civil War and as complicit in slavery. Lincoln develops two theories of collective moral responsibility in the speech. The first concerns the behavior of the political class as the war approached. Because the political class acted through deliberative bodies that made commitments to which they could expect to be held, Lincoln sees their responsibility in terms of traditional concepts of agency, assigning them what I call “agential guilt.” But Lincoln also assigns moral responsibility for slavery as a whole to the nation, not just to the state, and nations, unlike states, do not have agency in the traditional sense of that word. For the nation Lincoln describes a kind of responsibility that turns not on what is chosen but on what is given, a kind of responsibility different in kind from agential guilt that I call “ontological guilt.”
Observations on a Supersonic Shear Layer

This paper documents some phenomena observed in the supersonic experiments conducted in the expansion ramp geometry of the Supersonic Shear Layer (S 3 L) laboratory at Caltech. A shear layer is formed between a supersonic upper stream (M1= 2.5) and a subsonic lower stream (UR= 60 m/s) injected at an angle fi = 30 ‐ with respect to the horizontal. When the shock wave interacts with the shear layer, a set of concentric cylindrical waves is formed at the location of the interaction. These waves were correlated with the frequency of the large scale structures within the shear layer. In reacting experiments, a difierence in the ∞ame color between lean and rich experiments was observed. This was attributed to the presence of larger concentrations of difierent species in the two conditions, with difierent emission spectra.
A clinical evaluation of efficacy and safety of hyaluronan sponge with Vitamin C versus placebo for scar reduction

BACKGROUND Scar formation after injury or surgery is a major clinical problem. Individually, hyaluronan, or hyaluronic acid (HA), and vitamin C have been shown to reduce scarring by means of different mechanisms. The authors evaluated the efficacy and safety of an HA sponge system containing an active derivative of vitamin C to determine whether the use of this product promotes healing and reduces inflammation and scarring after surgery. METHODS This double-blind, randomized, prospective study was approved by the local institutional review board. Participants who had unilateral or bilateral surgical scars more than 1 month but less than 18 months old were enrolled. Surgical scars were randomly assigned to receive placebo or HA sponge with vitamin C. Three blinded evaluators reviewed photographs of the incision lines and assessed the scars using a visual analog scale. A patient satisfaction survey was also administered. Participants were followed up at 4 weeks, 12 weeks, and 1 year. RESULTS Twenty-three patients were enrolled in the study. Six patients dropped out of the study, for a total of 17 patients included in final analysis. Mean (range) age of patient was 43.5 (25-67) years. Mean (range) body mass index was 27.4 (18-36.9) kg/m(2). The mean visual analog scale score for scars receiving HA sponge with vitamin C was slightly lower than the scars receiving placebo, but the difference was not statistically significant (t test; P = 0.9). The HA sponge with vitamin C was found to have significant positive findings on a patient satisfaction survey. CONCLUSIONS The HA sponge system with vitamin C is safe to use in any scars older than 4 weeks. It has high patient satisfaction in achieving a better scar after surgery. The micro-roller used to apply the product was easy to use to potentially increase the spread of the medication in older scars.
Effects of Hypercholesterolaemia on Physiological Recruitment of Coronary Vascular Reserve in Swine

1. The endothelium participates in the regulation of coronary vascular tone. As evidence exists from studies performed on epicardial vessels that hypercholesterolaemia impairs endothelial function, we tested the hypothesis that hypercholesterolaemia impairs coronary vascular reserve in an intact animal. 2. Domestic swine, maintained on a regular (n = 9) or a 2% high-cholesterol (n = 9) diet for 3 months were instrumented with a catheter in the left atrium for microsphere injection, a catheter in the anterior interventricular vein for venous sampling and an 82% stenosis in the left anterior descending artery. Papaverine was used to determine coronary vascular reserve. Regional coronary flow as reflected by perfusion (microsphere measurement), lactate consumption, oxygen consumption and haemodynamics were obtained at baseline, after 10 mg of papaverine and after atrial pacing at a rate of 120 beats/min and 150 beats/min. 3. Cholesterol was elevated in animals on the high cholesterol diet (350 +/- 50 mg/dl versus 99 +/- 10 mg/dl, P < 0.001). Baseline haemodynamics were similar between groups. Baseline transmural flow and its augmentation with papaverine were comparable in the two groups in the control (circumflex) and stenosed (left anterior descending artery) zones. In both groups, perfusion increased in the control zone in response to increased oxygen demand, whereas in the stenosis zone no increase was observed in either group (P not significant for normal versus high cholesterol diet). Endocardial flow reserve in the stenosis zone was exhausted in both groups. Epicardial flow in the stenosis zone increased significantly in the normal (P < 0.02) but not in the hypercholesterolaemic animals (P not significant). 4. The endocardial/epicardial ratio in the control zone at baseline revealed greater endocardial dominance in the normal compared with the hypercholesterolaemic animals (1.35 versus 1.10, P < 0.01). With papaverine, similar ratios indicated a similar reserve potential in both groups. During increased oxygen demand, normal animals continued to demonstrate endocardial dominance whereas it diminished in the hypercholesterolaemic group. In the stenosis zone, endocardial blood flow dominated at baseline in the normal animals and to a lesser extent in the hypercholesterolaemic animals (1.30 versus 1.10, P = 0.10). During increased oxygen demand, endocardial dominance decreased significantly in both groups of animals; however, it remained greater than 1.0 only in the normal animals. 5. Exposure to elevated cholesterol levels did not impair an animal's ability to augment coronary blood flow in response to an increase in oxygen demand. In contrast to this lack of effect on recruitment of coronary reserve, regional coronary blood flow was altered in the hypercholesterolaemic animals.
“‘Boht I Noh Yehri FINM Na Di Il ehn dehm ehn de Kehv dehm”: Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart in Krio

(2008). “‘Boht I Noh Yehri FINM Na Di Il ehn dehm ehn de Kehv dehm”: Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart in Krio1. Journal of the African Literature Association: Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 65-90.
The Future Evolution of the EU Compound Polity: The Obstacles to Voluntary Centralization

This penultimate chapter has three aims. Firstly, it questions whether the hitherto successful maintenance of a dynamic equilibrium is self-reinforcing or liable to potential future disruption. In particular, this necessitates an examination of what might threaten the ability to maintain a compromise between supranational and intergovernmental visions of integration. Here the obvious threat is the exacerbation of the two longest-standing cleavages between member states: the face-off between partisans of a free market Europe and advocates of a ‘social Europe’, based on market regulation, and the conflict between backers of NATO and Europeanists calling for security and foreign policy independence.
Intracranial tumors presenting in the first year of life: imaging features

Intracranial tumors presenting in the 1st year of life differ from those in later childhood in clinical presentation, anatomical distribution, and histopathological type. Many of these tumors are very large at the time of presentation. Supratentorial tumors are more common in the 1st year of life than posterior fossa tumors. The suprasellar location is more common during the 1st year of life than during the rest of the pediatric age group as a whole.
Phenanthriplatin Acts As a Covalent Poison of Topoisomerase II Cleavage Complexes

Drugs capable of trapping topoisomerase II (Top2), an essential enzyme that cleaves DNA to remove naturally occurring knots and tangles, can serve as potent anticancer agents. The monofunctional platinum agent phenanthriplatin, cis-[Pt(NH3)2(phenanthridine)Cl](NO3), is shown here to trap Top2 in addition to its known modes of inhibition of DNA and RNA polymerases. Its potency therefore combines diverse modes of action by which phenanthriplatin kills cancer cells. The observation that phenanthriplatin can act as a Top2 poison highlights opportunities to design nonclassical platinum anticancer agents with this novel mechanism of action. Such complexes have the potential to overcome current limitations with chemotherapy, such as resistance, and to provide treatment options for cancers that do not respond well to classical agents. Covalent DNA-platinum lesions implicated in Top2 poisoning are distinctive from those generated by known therapeutic topoisomerase poisons, which typically exert their action by rev...
Does walkability undermine neighbourhood safety

AbstractWhile the public health and environmental benefits of walkable neighbourhoods have been widely studied, the safety effect of walkability is still unclear. Using a three-year crime incident dataset in the City of Portland, Oregon, this study tests the link between walkability and neighbourhood safety. It finds that after controlling for many other variables, walkability is significantly and positively associated with burglary rates, but its effect on robbery rates is not statistically significant. Everything else equal, residents in the bottom 25% of Portland neighbourhoods with the lowest levels of street walkability are safer from burglary than those in other neighbourhoods. However, once street walkability reaches a medium-low level, the association between street walkability and burglary incidence turns statistically insignificant. After controlling for walkability and other variables, compact neighbourhoods tend to have lower burglary and robbery rates. Neighbourhoods with more retail space, r...
Non-battle injuries among U.S. Army soldiers deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq, 2001-2013

Abstract Introduction Many non-battle injuries among deployed soldiers are due to occupational-related tasks. Given that non-battle injuries are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, occupational safety and health are of great concern to the military. Some of the leading causes of non-battle injuries in the military are also common in non-military occupational settings. Nationally, falls and motor-vehicle accidents are leading causes of non-fatal occupational injuries in the civilian workforce. The objective of this research is to identify the leading causes, types, and anatomic locations of non-fatal non-battle injuries in Afghanistan and Iraq. Methods Non-battle injuries were identified from medical air evacuation records. Causes of air evacuated injuries were identified and coded using the diagnosis and narrative patient history in the air evacuation records. Descriptive statistics were used to report the air evacuated non-battle injury rates, causes, injury types, and anatomic locations. Results Between 2001 and 2013, there were 68,349 medical air evacuations from Afghanistan and Iraq. Non-battle injuries accounted for 31% of air evacuations from Afghanistan and 34% from Iraq. These injuries were the leading diagnosis category for air evacuations. The three leading causes of injury for Afghanistan and Iraq, respectively, were sports/physical training (23% and 24%), falls/jumps (19% and 16%), and military vehicle-related accidents (8% and 11%). The leading injury types were fractures (21%), overuse pain and inflammation (16%), and dislocations (11%). Practical applications Given that over 30% of medical evacuations of soldiers result from non-battle injuries, prevention of such conditions would substantially enhance military readiness during combat.
New light on an old problem

The transition between Thomson and Compton scattering is one of the oldest problems in quantum physics. It is nearly 100 years since JJ Thomson presented his formula for the scattering of light by free electrons, in which the wavelengths of the incident and scattered light are the same. However, in 1923 Compton showed that X-rays scattered by free electrons under-went an angle-dependent wavelength change – the Compton shift. The difference, of course, is that Thomson scattering is merely the low-energy limit of Compton scattering. If the photon energy is a large enough fraction of the electron rest energy, mc2, Compton scattering will take place.
Rationale and design of the Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography for Selective Cardiac Catheterization: Relation to Cardiovascular Outcomes, Cost Effectiveness and Quality of Life (CONSERVE) trial

Background Although coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) has shown promise as a “gatekeeper” to invasive coronary angiography (ICA) in longitudinal cohort studies, it remains unknown whether the strategy of selective ICA by initial performance of CCTA is either safe or effective when compared with a direct ICA strategy in patients with an American Heart Association (AHA)/American College of Cardiology (ACC) guideline–directed indication for ICA. Objectives The CONSERVE trial is a prospective randomized multicenter trial to determine the clinical effectiveness of “selective catheterization” vs “direct catheterization” strategies for stable patients with suspected but without known coronary artery disease, who meet AHA/ACC guideline indication for ICA. Methods Patients being referred for clinically indicated nonemergent ICA with an AHA/ACC class II guideline indication for ICA will be randomized to either direct catheterization or selective catheterization strategy. Patients in the direct catheterization arm will proceed directly to ICA as planned, whereas patients in the select catheterization arm will undergo initial CCTA, followed by ICA at the discretion of the site physician. All CCTAs and ICAs will be interpreted on site. Follow-up testing and/or therapy after CCTA or ICA will be at the discretion of the site physician. Results This trial will report a primary clinical end point of noninferiority rates of major adverse cardiac events, as defined by the composite of death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, unstable angina, stroke, urgent or emergent coronary revascularization, or cardiac hospitalization. Conclusion The CONSERVE trial will determine whether selective catheterization strategy, based on initial CCTA in patients being referred to ICA, is safe and effective.
Digital dome

A mobile application allows visitors to explore the artwork in the dome of the NAS Building Image courtesy of the Imaging Research Center/University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
Research on Manufacture of Pulp Cement Board Using Recovered Pulp from Municipal Solid Waste for Reinforcement (Part II)

Based on conditions obtained by batchwise forming machine with suction, pulp cement board (abriviated as PC board) was continuously produced by a cylinder machine starting from roughly refined pulps recovered from municipal solid waste. The results obtained in batchwise formation were re-confirmed in these continuous experiments, which showed that there was no need to modify or change the production process adopted for application of newsprint waste as reinforcing fibers. PC board produced continuously also fulfilled both JIS and fire-preventing specifications. In conclusion, roughly refined pulp proved to be suitable industrial reinforcing fiber for PC board and this made purification process for recovry of pulp from the solid waste and also new application field as production of composite from the waste open.
Allogeneic Myeloma GVAX with Lenalidomide Enhances Progression Free Survival through the Generation of Tumor Specific Immunity in Patients in Near Complete Remission

Abstract Background: The depth of response to therapy in myeloma (MM) correlates with improved progression free survival. We have previously shown that lenalidomide (Len) can augment vaccine efficacy to the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), PrevnarO. We extend those observations to examine whether vaccinating patients on Len in a near complete remission (nCR) (negative M-spike, IFE positive) could further deepen the clinical response and generate measurable myeloma specific immunity. Design: Patients on a Len-containing regimen (VRD, Rd, BiRD or R) that achieved and maintained a nCR for 4-6 months were eligible for the study. Patients continued only on single agent Len and received 4 GVAX vaccinations consisting of two allogeneic MM lines: H929, U266 admixed with K562 transduced to express GM-CSF as well as PCV. Patients received 3 monthly vaccines and a boost at 6 months. Immune monitoring was performed on BM samples obtained at baseline, 3 months and 1 year Results: To date 32 patients have been screened. 17 patients initially in a nCR were ineligible for vaccination: 3 (18%) had disease progression, 7 (42%) entered into an IFE negative CR, and 7 (42%) maintained a nCRduring the observation period but opted not to enroll. 15 patients have been enrolled and completed their vaccinations. Patient characteristics are shown in the Table. Of note, none possessed high-risk features by ISS or FISH. Median follow-up for the study is 34.0 months. Median progression free survival (PFS) of the cohort of vaccinated patients has not been reached whereas the PFS in the observation arm that remained on the multidrug Len-containing therapy was 17.9 months (p Conclusions: Vaccination in combination with Len in patients with minimal residual disease generates potent MM-specific immunity and appears to significantly extend the PFS. Vaccination in a nCR with a poly-antigenic approach such as GVAX in combination with Len-induced immunomodulation shows promising early clinical activity that warrants further investigation as an approach to inducing and maintaining durable clinical remissions. Table 1 . Vaccination (n=15) Observation (n=16) Age 69 (55-81) 66 (40-83) FISH (high risk) 0% 0% ISS Stage III 2 (13%) 3 (19%) IFE negative 0 (0%) 7 (42%) Prior Therapies 1.8 (1-4) 1.8 (1-3) Disclosures Borrello: Celgene: Research Funding. Noonan: Celgene: Speakers Bureau.
Rate dependence of grain boundary sliding via time-scaling atomistic simulations

Approaching experimentally relevant strain rates has been a long-standing challenge for molecular dynamics method which captures phenomena typically on the scale of nanoseconds or at strain rates of 107 s−1 and higher. Here, we use grain boundary sliding in nanostructures as a paradigmatic problem to investigate rate dependence using atomistic simulations. We employ a combination of time-scaling computational approaches, including the autonomous basin climbing method, the nudged elastic band method, and kinetic Monte Carlo, to access strain rates ranging from 0.5 s−1 to 107 s−1. Combined with a standard linear solid model for viscoelastic behavior, our simulations reveal that grain boundary sliding exhibits noticeable rate dependence only below strain rates on the order of 10 s−1 but is rate independent and consistent with molecular dynamics at higher strain rates.
Multiscale-multiphysics modeling of nonpolar InGaN LEDs

In this work, we develop and employ a multiscale-multiphysics simulator (based on coupled VFF molecular mechanics, 10-band sp3s∗-spin tight-binding formalism, many-body full configuration interaction, and a TCAD transport module) to study and compare the performance of realistically-sized multiple-quantum-well wurtzite InGaN LEDs in polar (c-plane) and nonpolar (a-plane) crystallographic directions. The a-plane device exhibited smaller yet non-vanishing internal fields and higher optical transition rate as compared to the c-plane counterpart.
Parental Perspectives on Transition to Kindergarten Videos to Promote Family Involvement

Video is one way to promote, and help families understand, the transition to kindergarten. The present study explored the experiences of parents with transition-to-kindergarten videos. Four videos, in English and Spanish with accompanying information sheets in English and Spanish, targeted parents for transitioning to kindergarten. There were a total of 141 parents in the six classrooms that could have received the videos and information sheets. Findings indicate that the quality of the videos was rated positively and that parents had positive experiences viewing the videos. Parents reported that the videos provided general information about the transition to kindergarten, provided examples of activities they could do to help their child transition to kindergarten, and promoted parents’ understanding of child development. Findings are discussed in light of implications for researchers advancing technology tools and family involvement.
Abstract 10908: Bare Metal Stents, Durable Polymer Drug Eluting Stents or Biodegradable Polymer Stents for Coronary Artery Disease: A Mixed Treatment Comparison Analysis of 254 361 Patient-Years of Follow-up From Randomized Trials

Background: Biodegradable polymer DES preserve the safety of BMS while maintaining the efficacy (restenosis reduction) of DES. However, the efficacy and safety of biodegradable polymer DES when compared with newer generation DES is not known. Methods: PUBMED, EMBASE, and CENTRAL were searched for RCTs, comparing any of the FDA approved durable polymer DES (SES, PES, CoCr EES, PtCr EES, ZES and ZES-R) or biodegradable polymer stent (BPS), with each other or against BMS. Long-term efficacy [target vessel revascularization (TVR)] and safety [death, myocardial infarction (MI), stent thrombosis] outcomes were evaluated. Landmark analysis at >1-year time point was evaluated to assess the potential late benefit of biodegradable polymer stents. Findings: From 124 randomized trials and 254 361 patient-years of follow-up, in terms of efficacy (TVR), BPS was superior to PES [Rate ratio (RR) 0.66; 95% credibility interval (CrI) 0.57, 0.78] and ZES (RR 0.69; 95% CrI 0.56, 0.84) but not to newer generation DES (e.g.: vs. CoCr EES Rate ratio RR 1.03; 95% CrI 0.89, 1.21). Similarly, BPS was superior to PES (RR 0.61; 95% CrI 0.37, 0.89) but inferior to CoCr EES (RR 2.04; 95% CrI 1.27, 3.35) for safety (definite stent thrombosis). In the landmark analysis after 1 year, BPS was superior to SES for TVR (RR 0.29; 95% CrI 0.10, 0.82) but was associated with increased mortality compared with CoCr EES (RR 1.52; 95% CrI 1.02, 2.22). Overall, among all stent types, the newer generation DES (ZES-R, CoCr EES and PtCr EES) were the most efficacious (lowest TVR rate) stents, while CoCr EES was the safest with significant reduction in definite stent thrombosis (RR 0.35; 95% CrI 0.21, 0.53), myocardial infarction (RR 0.65; 95% CrI 0.55, 0.75) and death (RR 0.72; 95% CrI 0.58, 0.90) when compared with BMS. Interpretation: Biodegradable polymer stents, are superior in reducing TVR compared to 1 st generation DES, but not to newer generation stents. Newer generation DES and especially CoCr EES have the best combination of efficacy and safety. The utility of biodegradable polymer stents in the context of excellent clinical outcomes with newer generation durable polymer DES needs to be proven.
The Bryozoan Nellia tenella as a Living Fossil

Bryozoans are a group of invertebrates with a history dating from Early Ordovician time, soon after wellskeletonized invertebrates first appeared. Many living representatives of the tubular Bryozoa, or Stenolaemata, retain some characteristics of their early Paleozoic ancestors, generally as orderlevel characters (Boardman 1981). Stenolaemates of simple morphology, such as the stomatoporids, show relatively little change from Ordovician to Recent (Boardman and Cheetham 1973). The peculiar mode of reproduction of living stenolaemates, polyembryony, resulting in production of many genetically identical larvae, also suggests a conservatism that makes this group the logical place to look for a species that could be called a living fossil.
CRACK-TIP SINGULARITY FIELDS IN NONLINEAR FRACTURE MECHANICS: A SURVEY OF CURRENT STATUS

ABSTRACT Recent activity is surveyed in the analysis of crack-tip stress and strain fields for stationary and growing cracks in inelastic solids under monotonic loading. Some of the main obstacles to further progress are discussed.