cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The weakness of a big heart

A well-known cell cycle regulator, p27KIP1, and protein kinase CK2-α´ mediate pathologic growth of cardiomyocytes. The findings have potential implications for the development of new treatment approaches to cardiac hypertrophy ( pages 315–324 ).
Ozone Monitoring Instrument Observations of Interannual Increases in SO2 Emissions from Indian Coal-Fired Power Plants during 2005–2012

Due to the rapid growth of electricity demand and the absence of regulations, sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from coal-fired power plants in India have increased notably in the past decade. In this study, we present the first interannual comparison of SO2 emissions and the satellite SO2 observations from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) for Indian coal-fired power plants during the OMI era of 2005-2012. A detailed unit-based inventory is developed for the Indian coal-fired power sector, and results show that its SO2 emissions increased dramatically by 71% during 2005-2012. Using the oversampling technique, yearly high-resolution OMI maps for the whole domain of India are created, and they reveal a continuous increase in SO2 columns over India. Power plant regions with annual SO2 emissions greater than 50 Gg year(-1) produce statistically significant OMI signals, and a high correlation (R = 0.93) is found between SO2 emissions and OMI-observed SO2 burdens. Contrary to the decreasing trend of national mean SO2 concentrations reported by the Indian Government, both the total OMI-observed SO2 and annual average SO2 concentrations in coal-fired power plant regions increased by >60% during 2005-2012, implying the air quality monitoring network needs to be optimized to reflect the true SO2 situation in India.
Sodomy and kingcraft in Urania and Antony and Cleopatra.

Despite his description of sodomy as a horrible crime that a king is "bound in conscience neuer to forgiue," James I pursues the affections of a string of young and handsome "favourites" on whom he lavished gifts, titles, and power. Relying on the evidence of the King's own letters and frank comments from his Puritan critics, most historians assume that his relations with some of these men were sexual. The King's friendship with Robert Carr (who was later made Earl of Somerset), coupled with his estrangement from Queen Anne, may have been the inspiration for at least two literary accounts of kingship confounded by sex: Lady Mary Wroth's Urania (1621) and Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra (1608). Wroth describes a duke who is made politically vulnerable by his love for a young man that leaves him "issue-les." The rise and fall of this disloyal companion closely resembles that of Somerset and would seem to indicate Wroth's belief and the King's relationship with the Earl was sexual. Antony and Cleopatra is...
Spatial resolution and efficiency of microchannel plate detectors with neutron converter films

Abstract An investigation into the potential neutron detection efficiency gains that could be made to microchannel plates (MCPs) has been conducted by a GEANT4 simulation. Thin-film neutron converters are coupled to the upstream-side of the MCP. MCPs with and without pre-existing neutron sensitivity were examined. A study into potential film materials favors a Gd2O3 converter film utilized in thin-film and pillar geometries for straight-channel MCPs. The objective was to increase thermal neutron detection efficiency without sacrificing the spatial resolution of the system by studying (1) the balance between capture efficiency and charged particle product production and range to optimize detection efficiency, and (2) the extent of radial straggling that the reaction products undergo as they are transmitted through the neutron converter and MCP, which affects spatial resolution. Our investigation reveals that an increase in efficiency of 9.9% can be achieved for an MCP without preexisting neutron sensitivity using a film geometry neutron converter of 4-μm thickness. An increase in efficiency of 4.3% can be achieved for a neutron-sensitive MCP using a pillar-type converter of 4-μm thickness. Degradation of spatial resolution is not significant for either film or pillar geometries with thicknesses in the range 0.5–10 μm.
EFFECTS OF ANTIOXIDANTS AND CHELATORS ON THE STABILITY OF FROZEN STORED MECHANICALLY DEBONED FLOUNDER MEAT FROM RACKS AFTER FILLETING

Using a mechanical deboner (Beehive), over 60% edible flesh was obtained from the “racks” (headed and gutted fish frames obtained as filleting waste). However, this meat developed an unattractive color during frozen storage and undesirable organoleptic changes occurred. The effectiveness of a combination of antioxidants, chelating agents and polyphosphates in retarding the development of rancidity, color deterioration and decrease of protein extractability in mechanically deboned flounder meat (MDFM) during frozen storage was studied. The most effective treatment to minimize undesirable change was a 1 min dip of the racks, prior to deboning, in a pH 4.5 solution of 0.5% each of ascorbic and citric acids and 0.2% each of Na2EDTA and Kena (Calgon), followed by a postdeboning addition of 0.3% each of ascorbic and citric acids and 0.2% each of Kena and Na2 EDTA.
Influence of high-dose pentobarbital on theophylline pharmacokinetics: A case report

The effect of high dose pentobarbital coma therapy on the total body clearance of theophylline (CLT) was evaluated in a neurosurgical patient. Preinduction and induction CLT were 4.22 and 8.02 L/h, respectively, which represented a 95% increase in the CLT as a consequence of pentobarbital therapy. Although barbiturates have been shown to induce hepatic microsomal enzymes, previous reports minimize their effect on CLT in humans. This case report demonstrates remarkable alterations in the CLT as a result of high doses of pentobarbital, necessitating the need for substantial dosage adjustments of theophylline.
Otolaryngological progression of granulomatosis with polyangiitis after systemic treatment with rituximab.

ObjectiveRituximab is used for the treatment of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), historically known as Wegener’s granulomatosis. However, the otolaryngological progression of GPA after systemic treatment with rituximab (Rituxan) is unclear. We therefore examined the disease sequelae of patients with GPA who were treated with rituximab.Study DesignCase series with chart review.SettingTertiary care medical center.Subjects and MethodsPatients with a diagnosis of GPA who were treated with rituximab between 2006 and 2012 were included in this study. Systemic and otolaryngological symptomatology, prednisone usage, and procedural interventions following B-cell depletion were analyzed.ResultsWe identified 11 patients who met our inclusion criteria. The average length of follow-up after treatment with rituximab was 23.5 months. After treatment with rituximab, there was a significant decrease in daily prednisone dose at 3, 12, and 18 months postinfusion (P < .05). However, there was no observed improvement i...
Two discrete forms of the Jordan curve theorem

The Jordan curve theorem is one of those frustrating results in topology: it is intuitively clear but quite hard to prove. In this note we will look at two discrete analogs of the Jordan curve theorem that are easy to prove by an induction argument coupled with some geometric intuition. One of the surprises is that when we discretize the plane we get two Jordan curve theorems rather than one, a consequence of the interplay between two natural products in the category of graphs. Topology in this context has been studied by Farmer in [2]. To state the discrete versions, we need to know what the discrete analog of the plane is and what plays the role of a simple closed curve. Since the plane is the topological product of two lines, we take as our discrete analog the product of two discrete lines. We will use undirected graphs for our analogs of spaces, with vertices for points and edges connecting points which are to be thought of as touching.
Effect of mucolytic agents on the rheological properties of tracheal mucos

Abstract Canine tracheal mucus was dissolved by a number of mucolytic agents, including disulfide bond reducing agents, hydrogen bond breaking agents, and chaotropic ions, and their effect on rheological properties was assessed. Sodium thiocyanate led to 85–100% dissolution with the maximum retention of elasticity. Thiocyanate exposure did not result in demonstrable alterations in the size or shape of the mucus glycoproteins. Sodium thiocyanate is therefore recommended as a suitable dispersing agent for physicochemical studies of glycoprotein secretions.
Systematics of North American Species of Sphaeropsocidae (Psocoptera)

The recent North American sphaeropsocid fauna consists of six species. Four of them are new and are described here. Two new genera are erected for accommodation of three of the new species. These are Prosphaeropsocus n. gen. for Prosphaeropsocus pallidus n. sp. (type species) and Prosphaeropsocus californicus n. sp., both from central-western California, and Troglosphaeropsocus n. gen. for Troglosphaeropsocus voylesi n. sp., from a cave in northern Arizona. Sphaeropsocopsis castanea n. sp. is described from northeastern Mexico. Descriptive notes are included on Sphaeropsocopsis argentina (Badonnel) based on the only known whole adult of that species. Sphaeropsocopsis Badonnel was originally based on forms with reduced venation in the forewing, but since the wings are not known for several included species, this genus is regarded here as a holding genus for species with reduced venation or wings not known and with otherwise no important departures from the type species of that genus. A key to the known species of Sphaeropsocopsis is included. New Alaskan records are given for Badonnelia titei Pearman. An evaluation of genitalic characters of both sexes and a brief discussion of phylogeny and biogeography are included.
Effect of Sulfate on the Passive and Crevice Corrosion Properties of Alloy 22 in 4 M Sodium Chloride

Abstract The study of the electrochemical behavior of Alloy 22 (UNS N06022) was carried out in 4 M sodium chloride (NaCl) and 4 M NaCl with sulfate additions of 0.4 M and 0.04 M between 45°C and 10...
Handling mobility in a wireless ATM network

The world of wireless telecommunications is rapidly changing. The capabilities of wireless networks are improving at a steady pace. This paper presents a protocol implementation for providing mobility in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network. The vision of the authors is of one "ATM-based wireless telecommunications network" that is capable of supporting a variety of today's applications with room to grow for advanced applications of the future. The next generation wireless networks are called personal communication services (PCS) networks and will provide for global user mobility, a life-long user identification numbering system and the ability to accommodate varying data rates.
Convergence analysis and computational testing of the finite element discretization of the Navier–Stokes alpha model

This report performs a complete analysis of convergence and rates of convergence of finite element approximations of the Navier–Stokes-α (NS-α) regularization of the NSE, under a zero-divergence constraint on the velocity, to the true solution of the NSE. Convergence of the discrete NS-α approximate velocity to the true Navier–Stokes velocity is proved and rates of convergence derived, under no-slip boundary conditions. Generalization of the results herein to periodic boundary conditions is evident. Two-dimensional experiments are performed, verifying convergence and predicted rates of convergence. It is shown that the NS-α-FE solutions converge at the theoretical limit of O(h2) when choosing α = h, in the H1 norm. Furthermore, in the case of flow over a step the NS-α model is shown to resolve vortex separation in the recirculation zone. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2010
Experimental results on single antenna target detection using time-reversal techniques

In this paper, we describe a single antenna time-reversal based detection scheme that can be used to enhance the performance of a radar system in a multipath rich scattering environment. Using time-reversal, the response from a cluttered medium is first nulled. When the target enters into the medium, the electromagnetic energy focuses around the target so that a stronger echo is obtained. The experimental results show that depending on the amount of clutter in the medium, the performance of a radar detection scheme can be improved up to 4.8 dB using time-reversal methods with a single antenna.
Retrospective cost analysis comparing Essure hysteroscopic sterilization and laparoscopic bilateral tubal coagulation

Abstract Study objective To compare the institutional cost of permanent female sterilization by Essure hysteroscopic sterilization and laparoscopic bilateral coagulation. Design Retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). Setting Midwestern academic medical center. Patients Women of reproductive age who elected for permanent contraception by the Essure method (n = 43) or by laparoscopic tubal coagulation (n = 44) during the time frame studied. Interventions Placement of the Essure inserts according to the manufacturer’s instructions or laparoscopic tubal sterilization using bipolar forceps according to standard techniques of open or closed laparoscopy. Measurements and main results Cost-center data for the institutional cost of the procedure was abstracted for each patient included in the study. In addition, demographic data and procedural information were obtained and compared for the patient populations. The Essure system of hysteroscopic sterilization had a significantly decreased cost compared with laparoscopic tubal sterilization when both procedures were performed in an operating room setting. The decrease per patient in institutional cost was $180 (p = .038). This included the cost of the confirmatory hysterosalpingogram 3 months after Essure placement and the cost of laparoscopic tubal occlusion by Filshie clip if the Essure micro-inserts could not be placed. The majority of the cost was related to hospital costs as opposed to physician costs. The Essure procedure had higher costs for disposable equipment (p Conclusion In our setting, the Essure hysteroscopic sterilization had significant cost savings compared with laparoscopic tubal sterilization (p = .038). We believe that our data represent the minimum of potential savings using this approach, and future developments will only increase the cost difference found in our study.
Cerium oxide nanoparticle treatment ameliorates peritonitis-induced diaphragm dysfunction

The severe inflammation observed during sepsis is thought to cause diaphragm dysfunction, which is associated with poor patient prognosis. Cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles have been posited to exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities suggesting that these particles may be of potential use for the treatment of inflammatory disorders. To investigate this possibility, Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to the following groups: sham control, CeO2 nanoparticle treatment only (0.5 mg/kg iv), sepsis, and sepsis+CeO2 nanoparticles. Sepsis was induced by the introduction of cecal material (600 mg/kg) directly into the peritoneal cavity. Nanoparticle treatment decreased sepsis-associated impairments in diaphragmatic contractile (P(o)) function (sham: 25.6±1.6 N/cm(2) vs CeO2: 23.4±0.8 N/cm(2) vs Sep: 15.9±1.0 N/cm(2) vs Sep+CeO2: 20.0±1.0 N/cm(2), P<0.05). These improvements in diaphragm contractile function were accompanied by a normalization of protein translation signaling (Akt, FOXO-1, and 4EBP1), diminished proteolysis (caspase 8 and ubiquitin levels), and decreased inflammatory signaling (Stat3 and iNOS). Histological analysis suggested that nanoparticle treatment was associated with diminished sarcolemma damage and diminished inflammatory cell infiltration. These data indicate CeO2 nanoparticles may improve diaphragmatic function in the septic laboratory rat.
Psychological fusion and personal conflict in organizations

An employee's failure to differentiate himself or herself from the perceived attitudes of another is at the heart of much stress in organizations. The world of family systems psychology identifies a dysfunctional process, called psychological fusion, which stems from insufficient self-definition by an individual and results in a dependency upon others to meet an innate need to feel accepted. People suffering from psychological fusion perceive any criticism as a threat, making it impossible for them to receive the critical feedback that is necessary for growth. To experience intrinsic motivation, people require a sense of relative self-determination and competence. This paper argues that much as employers take an interest in such emotional health issues as substance abuse and stress, they should also address psychological fusion; the paper offers methods for dealing with this interpersonal communications issue. >
Late results following surgical management of vascular graft infection

Abstract Ninety-two patients underwent surgical treatment for 59 prosthetic graft infections and 33 secondary aortoenteric fistulas. Definitive treatment was accomplished with a low perioperative mortality rate (14%). Long-term follow-up confirmed that most patients were cured of their infection or fistula, and 88% of the patients who survived the perioperative period (67 of 76) had no further evidence of infection when followed up from 10 months to 12½ years postoperatively. The 12% late mortality rate (9 of 76) was secondary to persistent infection and aortic stump disruption. When perioperative and late deaths in both groups are combined, 67 of 92 patients (73%) were cured of their prosthetic graft infection. Factors associated with a favorable prognosis for survival and cure of infection were autogenous reconstruction and possibly staged operative repair. Poor prognosis for survival and cure of infection resulted from aortic stump disruption, persistent infection, and retained graft material. Significant morbidity (amputation and multiple operative procedures) was related to the severity of underlying vascular disease, the inadequacy of extra-anatomic reconstruction, and in some cases progression of vascular disease. The major challenges in the treatment of graft infection at present are the preoperative identification of limited graft infection and the successful management of the interrupted aorta. Complex and innovative reconstructive procedures continue to be necessary to ensure limb salvage and remain a considerable technical challenge. Nonetheless, the prospects for cure as reported in this series justify an aggressive operative approach. A successful outcome following definitive treatment of these devastating complications is possible for the majority of affected patients. (J VASC SURG 1984;1:36-44.)
The use of simulation to determine maximum capacity in the surgical suite operating room

Utilizing ambulatory care units at optimal levels has become increasingly important to hospitals from both service and business perspectives. With the inherent variation in hospitals due to unique procedures and patients, performing capacity analysis through analytical models is difficult without making simplifying assumptions. Many hospitals calculate efficiency by comparing total operating room minutes available to total operating minutes used. This metric both fails to account for the required non-value added tasks between surgeries and the delicate balance necessary between having patients ready for surgery when an operating room becomes available, which can result in increased waiting times, and maximizing patient satisfaction. We present a general methodology for determining the maximum capacity within a surgical suite through the use of a discrete-event simulation model. This research is based on an actual hospital concerned with doctor/resource acquisition decisions, patient satisfaction improvements, and increased productivity.
Motion parallax from microscopic head movements during visual fixation.

Under normal viewing conditions, adjustments in body posture and involuntary head movements continually shift the eyes in space. Like all translations, these movements may yield depth information in the form of motion parallax, the differential motion on the retina of objects at different distances from the observer. However, studies on depth perception rarely consider the possible contribution of this cue, as the resulting changes in viewpoint appear too small to be of perceptual significance. Here, we quantified the parallax present during fixation in normally standing observers. We measured the trajectories followed by the eyes in space by means of a high-resolution head-tracking system and used an optical model of the eye to reconstruct the stimulus on the observer’s retina. We show that, within several meters from the observer, relatively small changes in depth yield changes in the velocity of the retinal stimulus that are well above perceivable thresholds. Furthermore, relative velocities are little influenced by fixation distance, target eccentricity, and the precise oculomotor strategy followed by the observer to maintain fixation. These results demonstrate that the parallax available during normal head-free fixation is a reliable source of depth information, which the visual system may use in a variety of tasks.
Mechanical ventilation in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome are commonly exposed to prolonged mechanical ventilation. Specific data on ventilatory management of these patients have been limited. OBJECTIVE: To describe the practice of mechanical ventilation in patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome and evaluate risk factors for morbidity and mortality. METHODS: We describe a historical cohort of mechanically ventilated patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome in a tertiarycare center. We extracted database information on demographics, severity of illness, pulmonary function, and ventilatory management for the period 1976 to 1996. Primary outcomes were development of pulmonary complications, duration of ventilatory support, and mortality. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients met the inclusion criteria. After 1990, lower tidal volume (p = 0.031) and higher positive end-expiratory pressure (p = 0.003) were used than during the 1976 to 1990. Outcomes did not change significantly during the studied period. Forty-six patients (85%) survived to hospital discharge, and 39 (72%) were alive at 1-year follow-up. Ventilator-associated pneumonia was the most frequent complication (56%) and was associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation (p CONCLUSIONS: Changes in ventilator practice did not affect outcomes of mechanically ventilated patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome. The majority of patients received tracheostomy, which should be considered early in the course of respiratory failure.
Predicting the Adoption of Broadcasting Innovations by Relating Technical Attributes to User Needs: Implications for System Designs

A variety of rather imaginative uses of conventional radio and television broadcast signals have been developed. These applications enrich the efficiency of spectrum utilization while increasing the diversity and nature of the types of services the broadcasting industry offers to home and business users. For example, several vertical blanking interval lines in NTSC broadcast television signals can be modulated to provide an electronic text and graphics service; unused portions of FM radio signals can be used to provide a subsidiary communications service; or broadcast television stations can transmit scrambled subscription programming to home video tape recorders during the "dark hours" of the broadcast day from 2:00 to 6:00 a.m.
Discrete Source Interpretation of Recent High Energy Cosmic Gamma Ray Measurements

RECENT data from the high energy gamma ray detector on the OSO-3 spacecraft are the first convincing measurement of cosmic gamma rays around 100 MeV. The angular distribution of the events indicates that a large fraction of the flux originates in the galactic disk. One possible interpretation is in terms of secondary gamma rays produced by the interactions of cosmic rays with the ambient interstellar gas. Detailed calculations of the expected flux due to this process have been done by various authors using gas density data from 21 cm hydrogen line measurements, and assuming that cosmic rays pervade the entire galaxy at the intensity level measured locally2–8. The predicted fluxes fall short by more than an order of magnitude in explaining the observed line intensity of 5 × 10−4 photons cm−2 s−1 rad−1 towards the galactic centre as well as the weaker anticentre intensity1. Modification of the predicted intensity by increasing the gas density or the cosmic ray flux cannot be clearly ruled out, but would imply a drastic modification of the accepted magnitudes and their galactic distribution.
Protective behavioral strategies, alcohol expectancies, and drinking motives in a model of college student drinking.

An extensive body of research asserts alcohol expectancies, or beliefs regarding the effects of alcohol, as an important influence on drinking. However, the extent to which expectancies are related to drinking motives and protective behavioral strategies (PBS) has yet to be examined. Existing alcohol mediational models suggest associations between expectancies and drinking motives as well as positive drinking motives and PBS use. Thus, it is possible that drinking motives and PBS use act as intervening factors in the relationship between expectancies and alcohol outcomes. Consequently, the cross-sectional study presented here aimed to test the indirect effect of expectancies (i.e., social facilitation) on alcohol outcomes through drinking motives and PBS use. Participants were 520 (358 female) college student drinkers with a mean age of 20.80 (SD = 4.61) years. Students completed measures of expectancies, drinking motives, PBS use, alcohol use, and alcohol-related problems. RESULTS from structural equation modeling indicated that drinking motives and PBS mediated the relationship between social expectancies and alcohol use. In particular, expectancies were associated with greater positive drinking motives, drinking motives were associated with less PBS use, and PBS was associated with less alcohol use and fewer alcohol-related problems. Given the key role of PBS in explaining drinking outcomes in our model, active efforts to incorporate PBS in alcohol interventions may be particularly beneficial for college students. Further, our findings support the consideration of PBS use as a part of the motivational model of alcohol use in future work. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved). Language: en
Magnitude of crustal extension in the southern Great Basin

Strike-slip faults in the southern Great Basin separate areas of Cenozoic upper crustal extension from relatively stable tectonic blocks. Linear geologic features, offset along the Garlock fault, Las Vegas Valley shear zone, and Lake Mead fault system, allow reconstruction of the southern Great Basin to a pre-extension configuration. The Sierra Nevada, Mojave Desert, Spring Mountains, and Colorado Plateau are treated as stable, unextended blocks that have moved relative to each other in response to crustal extension, with the Spring Mountains held fixed to the Mojave block. Our reconstruction indicates a minimum of 65% extension (140 km) between the southern Sierra Nevada and Colorado Plateau.
African-American inflammatory bowel disease in a Southern U.S. health center

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) remain significant health problems in the US and worldwide. IBD is most often associated with eastern European ancestry, and is less frequently reported in other populations of African origin e.g. African Americans ('AAs'). Whether AAs represent an important population with IBD in the US remains unclear since few studies have investigated IBD in communities with a majority representation of AA patients. The Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport (LSUHSC-S) is a tertiary care medical center, with a patient base composed of 58% AA and 39% Caucasian (W), ideal for evaluating racial (AA vs. W) as well and gender (M vs. F) influences on IBD. In this retrospective study, we evaluated 951 visits to LSUHSC-S for IBD (between 2000 to 2008) using non-identified patient information based on ICD-9 medical record coding (Crohn's disease 'CD'-555.0- 555.9 and ulcerative colitis 'UC'-556.0-556.9). Overall, there were more cases of CD seen than UC. UC and CD affected similar ratios of AA and Caucasian males (M) and females (F) with a rank order of WF > WM > AAF > AAM. Interestingly, in CD, we found that annual visits per person was the highest in AA M (10.7 ± 1.7); significantly higher (* -p 1/3 (36.4%) of annual IBD cases from 2000-2008 at LSUHSC-S. Further studies on genetic and environments risks for IBD risk in AAs are needed to understand differences in presentation and progression in AAs and other 'non-traditional' populations.
An Example of Slow Convergence of the Bootstrap in High Dimensions

This article examines the use of bootstrap hypothesis tests for testing the equality of two multivariate distributions. The test statistic used is the maximum of the univariate two-sample t-statistics. Depending upon the type of bootstrap resampling used, the simulation studies show that the test levels are conservative or anti-conservative when the sample sizes are small and the number of variables is large. For small sample sizes, using the bootstrap resampling that preserves the Type I error can lead to a testing procedure that has lower power, sometimes dramatically lower, than a permutation test.
Multicenter experience with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy in renal transplant recipients

Objective To evaluate our multi-institutional outcome with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in renal transplant recipients and describe technical modifications of the procedure. Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed 1677 patients, 1422 from Mayo Clinic Arizona and 255 from Loyola University Medical Center, undergoing RARP from March 2004 to October 2010, of which 7 were renal transplant recipients. Baseline demographic features, perioperative data, and oncologic outcomes were reviewed. Results At diagnosis, mean patient age was 63.3 years and serum prostate specific antigen was 6.17 ng/mL. The mean total operative time was 186 minutes (range, 80-210 minutes). No intraoperative complications were noted. The mean hospital length of stay was 1.8 days (range, 1-3 days). Clavien grade II postoperative complications occurred in 3 of the 7 patients (42.9%), consisting of urosepsis, atrial fibrillation, and gross hematuria, all resolving with appropriate medical management. No significant changes were observed in graft function. Two patients (28.6%) had positive surgical margins. During a mean follow-up of 16 months, 1 patient with pathologic T3a, Gleason 9 cancer experienced a biochemical recurrence, which was treated with salvage external-beam radiation and androgen-deprivation therapy. Conclusion Our series suggests that RARP is a safe and feasible form of therapy for localized prostate cancer in a select group of renal transplant recipients.
Using Linked Courses in the General Education Curriculum

Recent interest in learning communities indicates appreciation for the value of interdisciplinary study. Learning communities are "supportive settings which require students to share the experience of learning with others" (Tinto, 1998). Research suggests that learning communities are useful for several reasons. They result in more intellectual interaction among students and between students and faculty members. They increase student involvement and create a sense of community. The programs show impressive results in terms of student academic achievement, student intellectual development, retention, and student motivation. Learning communities increase curricular coherence and provide ample opportunities for the integration and reinforcement of ideas. They promote an understanding of complex issues that cross disciplinary boundaries (Smith, 1991). One type of learning community is that created through linked courses.
The impact of extralegal characteristics on recognizance release among misdemeanants

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study is to direct attention to pretrial release decisions on low-level offenders and to assess whether certain characteristics influence the pretrial release outcome. Bivariate correlations and stepwise logistic regression were used to analyze a 2004 primary data set of misdemeanants considered for release on recognizance in a California court (N = 539). The results showed that Hispanic defendants were more likely to be granted this condition of release. This finding is particularly noteworthy because it is in contrast with prior studies that found that defendants of color were less likely to be granted less restrictive release conditions. Furthermore, such a result may lead to imply that Hispanic Americans may be less stigmatized and more integrated in society.
Carnation Mottle Virus and Viruses with Similar Properties

Carnation mottle virus (CarMV) is a 30-nm, isometric plant virus that contains a single-component, positive-sense genome of 4.0 kb (molecular weight of about 1.4 × 106)and a capsid composed of protein subunits of Mr = 38,000. The nucleotide sequence and genetic organization of the viral genome has recently been elucidated, making CarMV one of the few monopartite small RNA plant viruses to be well characterized at the molecular level. A review of CarMV is appropriate at this time, in view of the detailed knowledge we now have about this and some similar viruses such as turnip crinkle virus; the lack of previous significant reviews; and the currently unsettled nature of their classification (Francki et al., 1985a,b).
Nucleosides and nucleotides in the lung: role in asthma.

Adenine nucleosides and nucleotides have multiple effects as extracellular mediators in every organ system (1) and initiate or modulate cellular responses via cell surface receptors. Current evidence indicates the existence of four receptors for adenosine: A 1 , A 2A , A 2B , and A 3 (2). These G protein–coupled receptors transduce activation or inhibition of adenylate cyclase and phospholipase C. Reasonably selective antagonists are available for some adenosine receptor subtypes. The receptors for adenine nucleotides, such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP), now encompass seven distinct P2X class receptors (P2X 1 through P2X 7 ) (3) and ten P2Y subfamily receptors: P2Y 1 through P2Y 11 (the former P2Y 7 -receptor is no longer included as a subtype) (4). Five of these receptors are mammalian. Despite its structure, uridine triphosphate (UTP) is a potent ligand at several P2Y-receptors. Responses to P2X-receptor stimulation result from activation of nonselective cation channels in the cell membrane. P2Y-receptor activation stimulates signaling mediated via phospholipase C. There is a paucity of specific antagonists for P2Xand P2Y-receptors, and their characteristics have been defined through the use of relative agonist potencies. Additional information about the molecular characteristics of these receptors, their pharmacologic properties, and associated signaling pathways can be found in several recent compendia and reviews (1, 5–8). Nucleosides and nucleotides have several important actions in the lung (9), among which are contractile and relaxant effects on airway smooth muscle, stimulation of mucus and surfactant secretion, and stimulation of ciliarybeating activity. Nucleosides and nucleotides activate or modulate a number of inflammatory cells that are involved in lung disease, including mast cells, neutrophils, macrophages, and eosinophils (1, 10, 11). Two particular aspects of nucleosides and nucleotides have direct applicability to lung disease and its treatment. First, ATP and UTP stimulate with comparable affinity epithelial alternative Cl 2 channels both in normal epithelium and in epithelium from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, who lack a normally functioning CF-transmembrane conductance regulator Cl 2
Using G-Theory to Enhance Evidence of Reliability and Validity for Common Uses of the Paulhus Deception Scales:

We applied a new approach to Generalizability theory (G-theory) involving parallel splits and repeated measures to evaluate common uses of the Paulhus Deception Scales based on polytomous and four types of dichotomous scoring. G-theory indices of reliability and validity accounting for specific-factor, transient, and random-response measurement error supported use of polytomous over dichotomous scores as contamination checks; as control, explanatory, and outcome variables; as aspects of construct validation; and as indexes of environmental effects on socially desirable responding. Polytomous scoring also provided results for flagging faking as dependable as those when using dichotomous scoring methods. These findings argue strongly against the nearly exclusive use of dichotomous scoring for the Paulhus Deception Scales in practice and underscore the value of G-theory in demonstrating this. We provide guidelines for applying our G-theory techniques to other objectively scored clinical assessments, for using G-theory to estimate how changes to a measure might improve reliability, and for obtaining software to conduct G-theory analyses free of charge.
Comparison of curative effects of three surgical metnods for congenital blepharoptosis

Purpose This essay analyzes and compares the three different surgical methods used in curing congenital blepharotosis.Methods In group A,elevator shortening method was adopted to upper eyelids only.In group B,suspension with 60 RE cores was used to improve frontal muscle.In group C,upper eyelid power reconstruction and suspension was adopted to frontal muscular flap.Orthotic effects of shape and function of upper eyelids as well as occurrence of complications after the surgery were observed.Results Patients having level Ⅰ and Ⅱ curative effects amounted to 89% of all patients.Complications occurred at a rate of 90%.Conclusion Orthotherapies for congenital blepharotosis should be subject to patients'conditions.Combined methods should be adopted,so as to enhance curative effects and reduce complications.
A Good Distance: Rawls and the New Rhetoric Project

In light of the genuine disagreement between the seemingly non-rhetorical political philosophy of John Rawls and the philosophical rhetoric of the new rhetoric project I propose a re-reading of Rawls that will help move that project in a needed direction. This re-reading will make the case that (1) Rawls’s conception of justice implies a commitment to the reasonable that is very like the new rhetoric projects, that (2) their differences regarding distance—in particular the distancing strategies of impartiality and objectivity—can be reconciled, that (3) the major difference between them—that is, the role of the rational—comes down to Rawls’s willingness to try universalizing the good, and that (4) such universalizing is a resource of rhetorical particularity that adds value to the construction of the universal audience.
Public Pension Plan Asset Allocations

During the recent financial crisis, public-sector pension plans have seen large declines in the value of their investment portfolios. This has affected entities from school districts, to local governments, to state governments. Among the most deeply affected in dollar terms was the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), whose pension fund value declined more than $81 billion in 2008, down 31 percent. The declines in the value of pension assets have brought attention to several issues, such as funding status, the rates of return used to discount plan liabilities (known as the "discount rate"), and investment strategies. And, given public-sector plan sponsors' limited ability to increase worker contributions, increasing deficits in pension plans has raised the probability that higher-than-expected employer contributions will have to be made to make up for the larger-than-previously-projected shortfall, if any. Not surprisingly, many public plan sponsors are considering how to stabilize their contributions to the plans. This paper reviews actual public pension plan contribution behavior from 2001 to 2006, pension asset allocations from 2003 to 2007, and the effect that investment performance has on employer contribution volatility. This analysis examines the volatility in employer contribution rates caused by the higher-return-seeking/higher-risk investment portfolios adopted by many pension plans, and whether plan sponsors will increase fixed-income investments in order to reduce volatility. It appears that, in the short run, a significant shift toward a lower-return investment policy in exchange for reduced volatility in employer contributions is unlikely to occur because of plans sponsors' expected high returns from current asset allocations based upon historical rates of return, their ability to use the assumed investment rate of return as the discount rate in calculating liabilities, and the understandable tendency of investment managers to not deviate from peer group investments, as fiduciary standards stress acting like other 'prudent experts' would in like circumstances.
Evolutionary Biosemiotics and Multilevel Construction Networks

In contrast to the traditional relational semiotics, biosemiotics decisively deviates towards dynamical aspects of signs at the evolutionary and developmental time scales. The analysis of sign dynamics requires constructivism (in a broad sense) to explain how new components such as subagents, sensors, effectors, and interpretation networks are produced by developing and evolving organisms. Semiotic networks that include signs, tools, and subagents are multilevel, and this feature supports the plasticity, robustness, and evolvability of organisms. The origin of life is described here as the emergence of simple self-constructing semiotic networks that progressively increased the diversity of their components and relations. Primitive organisms have no capacity to classify and track objects; thus, we need to admit the existence of proto-signs that directly regulate activities of agents without being associated with objects. However, object recognition and handling became possible in eukaryotic species with the development of extensive rewritable epigenetic memory as well as sensorial and effector capacities. Semiotic networks are based on sequential and recursive construction, where each step produces components (i.e., agents, scaffolds, signs, and resources) that are needed for the following steps of construction. Construction is not limited to repair and reproduction of what already exists or is unambiguously encoded, it also includes production of new components and behaviors via learning and evolution. A special case is the emergence of new levels of organization known as metasystem transition. Multilevel semiotic networks reshape the phenotype of organisms by combining a mosaic of features developed via learning and evolution of cooperating and/or conflicting subagents.
Global environmental constitutionalism: a rights-based primer for effective strategies

The constitutions of about three-quarters of nations worldwide address environmental matters in some fashion. The content of these constitutional provisions vary widely; some include a commitment to environmental stewardship, while others recognize a basic right to a quality environment or ensure a right to information, participation, and justice in environmental matters. This chapter provides an introduction to and overview of the field of global environmental constitutionalism. It surveys the variety of environmental provisions in national and subnational constitutions and examines several key challenges in implementation and adjudication. Ultimately, constitutional law fosters a comprehensive and holistic approach to the challenge of environmental protection because it facilitates a wide range of legal tools and because constitutionalism is closely tied with the basic principles of a society and the legitimacy of the sovereign in decisionmaking.
Association between chest compression rates and clinical outcomes following in-hospital cardiac arrest at an academic tertiary hospital.

Abstract Aims Recent guidelines for management of cardiac arrest recommend chest compression rates of 100–120 compressions/min. However, animal studies have found cardiac output to increase with rates up to 150 compressions/min. The objective of this study was to test the association between chest compression rates during cardiopulmonary resuscitation for in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) and outcome. Methods We conducted a prospective observational study at a single academic medical center. Inclusion criteria: age ≥ 18, IHCA, cardiopulmonary resuscitation performed. We analyzed chest compression rates measured by defibrillation electrodes, which recorded changes in thoracic impedance. The primary outcome was return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). We used multivariable logistic regression to determine odds ratios for ROSC by chest compression rate categories (100–120, 121–140, >140 compressions/min), adjusted for chest compression fraction (proportion of time chest compressions provided) and other known predictors of outcome. We set 100–120 compressions/min as the reference category for the multivariable model. Results We enrolled 222 consecutive patients and found a mean chest compression rate of 139 ± 15. Overall 53% achieved ROSC; among 100–120, 121–140, and >140 compressions/min, ROSC was 29%, 64%, and 49% respectively. A chest compression rate of 121–140 compressions/min had the greatest likelihood of ROSC, odds ratio 4.48 (95% CI 1.42–14.14). Conclusions In this sample of adult IHCA patients, a chest compression rate of 121–140 compressions/min had the highest odds ratio of ROSC. Rates above the currently recommended 100–120 compressions/min may improve the chances of ROSC among IHCA patients.
Mechanical Constraints on the Hominin Pelvis and the “Obstetrical Dilemma”

The "obstetrical dilemma" posits that increases in birth canal dimensions during hominin evolution were constrained by mechanical factors associated with bipedal gait. This model has recently been challenged, in part on the basis of experimental data showing little association between pelvic and proximal femoral dimensions and locomotor costs among human experimental subjects. However, complete rejection of the model is premature, for two reasons: (1) it is difficult to extrapolate experimental results to naturalistic conditions and the much more varied body form and possibly locomotor style of early hominins. Relative pelvic breadth and femoral neck length in both australopiths and early Homo are at or beyond the limits observed among modern humans, and there is evidence that australopiths may have used an altered form of bipedal gait. (2) Other mechanical factors in addition to locomotor cost are important when assessing pelvic and proximal femoral morphology. Increasing biacetabular breadth increases the joint reaction force (JRF) on the femoral head. Increasing femoral neck length may reduce hip JRF, but also increases stress and fracture risk in the femoral neck. Increasing both biacetabular breadth and femoral neck length also increases mediolateral bending stress in the proximal femoral shaft, necessitating substantial buttressing of the diaphysis. Thus, there are mechanical consequences beyond simply locomotor costs that must be considered when evaluating variation in pelvic and femoral morphology among past and extant hominins. Anat Rec, 300:946-955, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.