cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The allocation and interaction model: A new model for predicting total energy expenditure of highly active humans in natural environments.

Objective The purpose of this study was to develop a new model, the Allocation and Interaction Model (AIM), to better predict human total energy expenditure (TEE) among a group of highly active humans living in a variety of natural environments. AIM estimates were tested to determine if it produces more accurate TEE predictions than the Factorial Method. Methods AIM includes metabolic cost terms for basal metabolic rate, thermoregulation, and the thermic effect of food, as well as more accurate activity cost estimations. AIM was tested using doubly labeled water and Flex-Heart Rate (Flex-HR)-measured TEEs of healthy, highly active adults (N = 59) participating in National Outdoor Leadership School semester-long courses. Data from a month-long pilot study (N = 6) were also included. Results AIM produced TEE estimates that were not significantly different from measured energy expenditure values. Overall, AIM came within 4.1% of measured values; the Factorial Method underestimated by over 25%. At TEEs greater than 3,000 kcal day−1, AIM underestimated TEE by 11% compared to 31.6% by the Factorial Method. Also, at TEEs greater than 3,000 kcal day−1, the Flex-HR method overestimated TEE by 17%. Conclusions This analysis demonstrated that AIM is more accurate than the Factorial Method for predicting TEE across a range of climates and physical activity levels. This suggests that AIM should be used in place of the Factorial Method for estimating human TEE. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Case report: treatment of chronic osteomyelitis.

Presented is a case of chronic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis, which was unsuccessfully treated with multiple courses of debridement and potent antibiotic therapies. Amputation of the patient’s lower limb was believed to be the only option remaining. A compassionate access program, with approval from the US Food and Drug Administration and the institutional review board, enabled the patient to undergo a course of treatment with oral fusidic acid (CEM-102). The patient tolerated the drug well, with no significant toxicities noted to date. His infection improved rapidly, his flap healed, he has returned to work part-time, and he continues to take daily suppressive doses of oral CEM-102. Reported is a case of chronic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) femoral osteomyelitis. Despite multiple debridements and failed curative antibiotic courses, the use of suppressive fusidic acid (CEM-102)resulted in the sparing of the lower limb and resolution of acute infective symptoms. Although presently not registered in the United States, fusidic acid offers an attractive alternative for difficult-to-treat cases of MRSA infection as a well-tolerated, oral agent. It has been used widely since the 1960s and is currently available in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Israel, where it is available in oral and topical form. Increasing drug resistance, noted especially in staphylococcal isolates, has lead to revitalized interest in its use in countries where it is currently unavailable, such as the United States [1], as well as cautious attempts at restriction in places where it is widely used [2].
ISOLATION OF THE AQUEOUS PHASE OF HUMAN INTESTINAL CONTENTS DURING THE DIGESTION OF A FATTY MEAL

Commonly used methods for isolating the aqueous phase of human intestinal contents after a fatty meal involve heating pooled samples of intestinal contents to 70 C to abolish lipolysis and spinning the heated sample at 100,000 g for 15 to 18 hr to separate the aqueous phase from the emulsion droplets. We found that this method introduces artifacts. (1) Heating batches of intestinal contents in a 70 C water bath increases free fatty acid markedly and alters phospholipid composition. (2) Spinning intestinal contents creates concentration gradients, which makes random sampling misleading because of the heterogeneous composition of the infranatant solution. A method is described which isolates the aqueous phase of intestinal contents by filtration through two series of Millipore filters. Clogging of filters is avoided by feeding a protein-free test meal. A 10-ml sample of intestinal contents can be passed within 30 sec through the first series of filters (mean pore diameter: 30,000; 8,000; 4,500; and 3,000 A). Release of free fatty acid in the resulting 3000-A filtrate is greatly reduced, because more than 95% of the triglyceride of intestinal contents is removed. Most of the turbidity in the 3000-A filtrates is removed when these filtrates are passed through the second series of filters (2200 and 1000 A). The resulting 1000-A filtrate is optically clear, or slightly turbid, and contains 89.7% of the bile salts of unfiltered intestinal contents. Experiments in which intestinal contents were labeled with radioactive cholesterol and bile salt indicate that the micellar association between these two lipids is not disrupted by filtration. Intestinal contents from the duodenojejunal junction of 9 normal subjects after a test meal contained 669 ± 106 (mean ± SD) μg of trypsin per ml and 8.6 ± 1.4 mm bile salts; the aqueous phase (1000-A filtrate) contained 7.7 ± 1.3 mm bile salts and 10.8 ± 3.5 mm free fatty acid.
Triglyceride- and cholesterol-rich lipoproteins have a differential effect on mild/moderate and severe lesion progression as assessed by quantitative coronary angiography in a controlled trial of lovastatin.

BACKGROUNDThe Monitored Atherosclerosis Regression Study, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2-year trial of lovastatin monotherapy, found that coronary lesions or = 50% S at baseline had different responses to therapy. We now report on clinical, lipid, and nonlipid risk factors of treatment response in these lesion subsets.METHODS AND RESULTSTwo hundred seventy subjects, 37 to 67 years old, with plasma total cholesterol (TC) 190 to 295 mg/dL (4.91 to 7.63 mmol/L) and total triglyceride or = 50% S) lesions in 220 angiogram pairs analyzed by computer quantitative coronary angiography. In the placebo group, risk factors (P < .05) for the progression of mild/moderate lesions were trig...
Premature Birth and Large for Gestational Age Are Associated with Risk of Barrett's Esophagus in Adults.

Birth characteristics, including weight and gestational age, may be associated with risk of Barrett’s esophagus (BE), the only known precursor for esophageal adenocarcinoma; however, data are limited. To examine associations between various birth characteristics and BE, and whether these associations are mediated by known risk factors for BE. Data were obtained from a cross-sectional study among eligible Veterans Affairs patients scheduled for an upper endoscopy, and a sample identified from primary care clinics. Participants underwent an esophagogastroduodenoscopy and completed a survey that captured information on sociodemographic and clinical factors, as well as birth information. We compared 263 patients with histologically confirmed BE to 1416 controls without BE on endoscopy. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using multivariate logistic regression. Premature birth was independently associated with risk of BE after adjusted by age, sex, race, and other birth characteristics (OR 3.28, 95 % CI 1.22–8.79). On the other hand, large for gestational age was inversely associated with risk of BE (OR 0.46, 95 % CI 0.21–0.98). These effects were stronger for patients with long-segment BE than with short-segment BE. The associations were not mediated by gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms, use of proton pump inhibitors, Helicobacter Pylori infection, waist-hip-ratio, height or the presence of hiatus hernia. Premature birth and large for gestational age may be associated with risk of BE in adults. These associations do not appear to be mediated through known risk factors for BE; however, additional studies are required to confirm our findings.
Ambulatory Health Care Visits for Epilepsy in the United States in 2006-2008 (P03.116)

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to characterize ambulatory health care visits for epilepsy in a large representative US sample and to compare epilepsy patients in office-based clinics and hospital- based clinics. BACKGROUND: There is very little information on the pattern of ambulatory health care visit among epilepsy patients in the United States. DESIGN/METHODS: Epilepsy (both primary and secondary diagnoses) visits from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) from 2006 to 2008 were analyzed. All estimates have been adjusted using weights provided by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) to account for the multi-stage sampling design of the NAMCS and the NHAMCS. RESULTS: There were an estimated 6.96 million epilepsy patient visits to the physicians9 offices and hospital outpatient departments during 2006 - 2008. Overall, 88% of epilepsy patients visited physicians9 offices, with 12% visiting hospital outpatient departments. Epilepsy visits per 1000 persons during 2006-2008 were 23. Among the 6.1 million epilepsy visits to the physicians9 offices, the top 3 specialties being visited were neurology (54%), General/Family practice (21%), and Internal medicine (10%). 57% of all epilepsy visits were made by females. 14% of all epilepsy visits were made by African-Americans. 37% of all epilepsy visits were paid by private insurance, Medicare covered 25% and Medicaid covered 25% of all visits. Top co-morbidities for epilepsy visits included hypertension, Diabetes, Depression, Arthritis, Hyperlipidemia, cerebrovascular disease, cancer. When comparing epilepsy patients in physicians9 offices and hospital outpatient departments, epilepsy patients with Medicaid were more likely to visit hospital outpatient departments than privately insured patients (p=0.02). African-American patients accounted for a disproportionately large percentage of hospital outpatient department visits (p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Our study describes the current national pattern of ambulatory health care visits among patients with epilepsy. Disclosure: Dr. Sun has nothing to disclose. Dr. Selassie has nothing to disclose. Dr. Pritchard has nothing to disclose.
Bioprocessing of silk proteins-controlling assembly

A model for silk processing in silkworms and spiders is proposed and based on the unique domain structure in the sequences of silk proteins. A hypothesis for the silk-spinning process begins with chain folding at lower concentrations of protein, proceeds through formation of micelles and then micellar aggregates (globules) through water loss and increasing protein concentration, and finally leads to fiber formation due to the phys- ical shear process during fiber spinning. Many aspects of this process can be mimicked in vitro, and the all-aqueous environment used is instructive as a model for polymer processing in general.
Spatio-temporal depth data reconstruction from a subset of samples

High-quality depth data is needed in many advanced computer vision as well as 3D and virtual reality applications. To surpass the hardware limitations, computational approaches are commonly exploited, and the solutions are from the intersection of two fundamental problems, depth map super-resolution and inpainting, leading to a general problem of reconstructing depth data from a subset of samples. Extending our previous work [1], we propose a spatio-temporal depth reconstruction (STDR) algorithm, which is scalable to temporal volume. We also present an updated parameter tuning approach and a speed-up scheme for depth video reconstruction application. Experimental results show that the proposed STDR algorithm outperforms the existing methods and is robust to varying temporal volumes.
Node counting in wireless sensor networks

A distributed consensus algorithm for estimating the number of nodes in a wireless sensor network in the presence of communication noise is proposed. The idea is based on estimating the norm of available samples at nodes. Each node generates its own random initial measurements and updates its state by only communicating with its neighbors: the algorithm is fully distributed with no assumptions about the structure of the network. We also show that there is a trade-off between the estimation error and the storage at each node.
Near-Surface Nitric Oxide Concentration Measurement in the LENS-XX Expansion Tunnel Facility

A high-resolution tunable diode laser absorption spectrometer setup has been constructed and installed in the LENS-XX hypervelocity expansion tunnel at CUBRC. Previous studies in the literature indicate that the heterogeneous recombination of atomic nitrogen and oxygen into nitric oxide (NO) is an important catalytic pathway in hypervelocity flows. Concentration measurements of NO along the surface of a 4” long, 2” diameter stainless steel cylinder are made using the fundamental vibrational-rotational absorption feature in the mid IR region located at 1835.56 cm. These near-surface measurements are used to describe the catalytic reactivity of the gas-surface interface. Data traces obtained using both a single-element and multi-element detector are discussed.
Continuous Inertial Focusing and Separation of Particles by Shape

Inertial effect of a flowing fluid, often a complicating factor in hydrodynamics, offers a way to high-purity, high-throughput shape-based separation of manmade particles or biological cells in microfluidic channels.
Decreased Mammotropin in Pituitaries of Thyroidectomized (Maternalized) Male Rats

SummaryThe anterior pituitaries of normal adult male rats, when implanted directly over the center of the crop sacs of squabs, evoke a greater response in the crop sacs, hence store more mammotropin, than do the glandules from thyroparathyroidectomized (maternalized) males of the same age.Acknowledgment is hereby made to Dr. Herbert McLean Evans for his helpful criticism.
Modeling Phase Transformation Kinetics and Their Effect on Hardness and Hardness Depth in Laser Hardening of Hypoeutectoid Steel

Much research has been done to model laser hardening phase transformation kinetics. In that research, assumptions are made about the austenization of the steel that does not translate into accurate hardness depth calculations. The purpose of this paper is to develop an analytical method to accurately model laser hardening phase transformation kinetics of hypoeutectoid steel, accounting for non-homogeneous austenization. The modeling is split into two sections. The first models the transient thermal analysis to obtain temperature time-histories for each point in the workpiece. The second models non-homogeneous austenization and utilizes continuous cooling curves to predict microstructure and hardness. Non-homogeneous austenization plays a significant role in the hardness and hardness depth in the steel. A finite element based three-dimensional thermal analysis in ANSYS is performed to obtain the temperature history on three steel workpieces for laser hardening process with no melting; AISI 1030, 1040 and 1045 steels. This is followed by the determination of microstructural changes due to ferrite and pearlite transformation to austenite during heating and the subsequent austenite to martensite and other diffusional transformations during cooling. Johnson-Mehl-Avrami-Kolmogorov (JMAK) equation is used to track the phase transformations during heating, including the effects of non-homogenous austenitization. The solid state nodal phase transformations during cooling are monitored on the material’s digitized Continuous Cooling Transformation (CCT) curve through a user defined input file in ANSYS for all cooling rates within the Heat Affected Zone (HAZ). Material non-linearity is included in the model by including temperature dependent thermal properties for the material. The model predictions for hardness underneath the laser and the HAZ match well with the experimental results published in literature.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Mouse Cytomegalovirus: Placental Infection

The cytomegaloviruses are highly speciesspecific agents capable of initiating prolonged active infections; although they produce little if any clinically apparent disease in the adult, they have in some species an adverse effect on gestation. The human cytomegalovirus may cause severe pathologic change in the fetus following placental transfer and may directly invade fetal tissues. Mannini and Medearis [1], while studying the mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) as a possible experimental model for the human infection, demonstrated that MCMV infection of pregnant mice caused fetal loss without evidence of fetal
Patchy Particle Packing under Electric Fields

Colloidal particles equipped with two, three, or four negatively charged patches, which endow the particles with 2-fold, 3-fold, or tetrahedral symmetries, form 1D chains, 2D layers, and 3D packings when polarized by an AC electric field. Two-patch particles, with two patches on opposite sides of the particle (2-fold symmetry) pack into the cmm plane group and 3D packings with I4mm space group symmetry, in contrast to uncharged spherical or ellipsoidal colloids that typically crystallize into a face-centered ABC layer packing. Three-patch particles (3-fold symmetry) form chains having a 21 screw axis symmetry, but these chains pair in a manner such that each individual chain has one-fold symmetry but the pair has 21 screw axis symmetry, in an arrangement that aligns the patches that would favor Coulombic interactions along the chain. Surprisingly, some chain pairs form unanticipated double-helix regions that result from mutual twisting of the chains about each other, illustrating a kind of polymorphism th...
On the structure of β-molybdenum dichloride.

The structure of β-molybdenum dichloride is compared with that of TcCl2 using EXAFS spectroscopy. For TcCl2, the Tc atom is surrounded by Tc atoms at 2.13(2), 3.45(3), 3.79(4), and 4.02(4) A. For β-MoCl2, the Mo is surrounded by Mo atoms at 2.21(2), 2.91(3), and 3.83(4) A. The latter distances are consistent with the presence of an [Mo4Cl12] unit in the solid state, one constituted by two triply Mo–Mo-bonded [Mo2Cl8] units. First-principles calculations show that β-MoCl2 with the TcCl2 “structure type” is less stable than α-MoCl2 (Mo6Cl12) or [Mo4Cl12] edge-sharing clusters.
Induction of neoplasia in vitro in hamster thyroid tissue by SV40 and adenovirus 7-SV40 "hybrid" (STRAIN LLE46).

SummaryExplant cultures of newborn hamster thyroid tissue were readily transformed by SV40 and the LLE46 strain of adenovirus 7. The SV40 and adenovirus 7 “T” antigens were present in the majority of LLE46 transformed cells, while the SV40 “T” antigen was present in SV40 transformed cells. When LLE46 transformed cells were injected into hamsters, they produced tumors with histological characteristics of adenovirus-type neoplasms. Tumors produced by SV40 transformed cells were predominantly fibro-sarcomas, but also contained areas of adeno-carcinoma with well defined follicular structures.The authors are grateful to Dr. Richard A. Malmgren for assistance with immunofiuorescent studies, to Frances Y. Legallais, Frances J. Paul and Paula G. Carney for technical assistance and to John W. McGuire for photomicrographs.
Strategies for soil-based precision agriculture in cotton

The goal of precision agriculture is to increase crop yield while maximizing the use efficiency of farm resources. In this application, UAV-based systems are presenting agricultural researchers with an opportunity to study crop response to environmental and management factors in real-time without disturbing the crop. The spatial variability soil properties, which drive crop yield and quality, cannot be changed and thus keen agronomic choices with soil variability in mind have the potential to increase profits. Additionally, measuring crop stress over time and in response to management and environmental conditions may enable agronomists and plant breeders to make more informed decisions about variety selection than the traditional end-of-season yield and quality measurements. In a previous study, seed-cotton yield was measured over 4 years and compared with soil variability as mapped by a proximal soil sensor. It was found that soil properties had a significant effect on seed-cotton yield and the effect was not consistent across years due to different precipitation conditions. However, when seed-cotton yield was compared to the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), as measured using a multispectral camera from a UAV, predictions improved. Further improvement was seen when soil-only pixels were removed from the analysis. On-going studies are using UAV-based data to uncover the thresholds for stress and yield potential. Long-term goals of this research include detecting stress before yield is reduced and selecting better adapted varieties.
An ‘Irish Paladin’: John Nicholson as an Ulster and Irish Imperial Hero

On 12 April 1960, a crowd of 200 people assembled on a cold, windy, rainy afternoon at the Royal School Dungannon in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. The occasion was the rededication of a statue of one of the heroes of the Indian Rebellion of 1857, John Nicholson. Brought to Northern Ireland two years earlier, the statue had stood in Delhi for over 50 years. The honor of unveiling the statue on its new site fell to the man who had been the last viceroy of British India, Lord Louis Mountbatten. In his remarks, Mountbatten said he ‘well remembered’ the statue when it stood outside the Kashmir Gate in Delhi. He praised Northern Ireland’s prime minister, Lord Brooke-borough, for his efforts in bringing the statue to Ulster, and concluded by stating ‘he hoped the statue would serve to remind coming generations of Britain’s great connection with India—a connection of which they could always be proud.’1
Controlling our brains – a case study on the implications of brain-computer interface-triggered deep brain stimulation for essential tremor

AbstractDeep brain stimulators (DBS) are a neurotechnological means of treating a variety of movement disorders, including essential tremor (ET). Current stimulation systems apply an electrical current to targets in the brain at a constant rate for as long as they are implanted and activated – treating symptoms but causing uncomfortable side-effects and inefficient power usage. Some users feel estranged or isolated for various reasons. Next-generation DBS systems could use the patient’s self-modulated neural signals to trigger stimulation. These brain-computer interface-triggered DBS (BCI-DBS) systems would give the user the ability to moderate side-effects and reduce battery power consumption. It’s not yet clear, however, whether neural control will alleviate or exacerbate psychosocial problems. To explore these concerns, we conducted interviews with an ET patient using an experimental BCI-DBS platform. Our interviews offer preliminary insights about what problems ET patients may face while using BCI-DBS.
Identifying Optimal Multi-state collaborations for reducing CO2 emissions by co-firing biomass in coal-burning power plants

Identify min-cost approaches to reduce CO2 emissions via co-firing woody biomass.Extend model to identify min-cost multi-state partnerships for emission reduction.Apply model to 5 states, meets some (renewable energy) but not all (emission) goals. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently proposed a rule that aims to reduce carbon emissions from US coal-fired power plants. The proposed "Clean Power Plan" specifies state-specific rate-based goals to achieve a total US carbon emission reduction of 32% below 2005 levels by 2030. An increase in the co-firing of woody biomass with coal to generate biopower is one of the potential approaches that electricity providers could take to comply with EPA's proposed rules. We develop a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model to identify minimum-cost approaches for reducing CO2 emissions via co-firing biomass subject to spatially-explicit biomass availability constraints. An important feature of the EPA recommendations is an allowance for states to participate in multi-state compliance strategies. We extend the MILP model to optimize within a larger geographical framework that allows states to identify minimum-cost partnerships that meet aggregated emission reduction goals. We apply the MILP model to data for five Midwestern US states to determine the role that co-firing biomass could play in achieving their EPA-proposed emission reduction targets, and find that some states can meet their renewable energy generation targets through co-firing, although co-firing alone is not sufficient to achieve any state's emission reduction targets.
Teaching about social business: The intersection of economics instruction and civic engagement

Abstract This study describes the implementation of a curricular tool designed for students to develop civic engagement through running a social business in one fifth-grade classroom. The One Hen unit focuses on teaching elementary students the concept of social entrepreneurship through a project where students run their own social business to address a community need. This study has the potential to contribute to our understanding of how elementary students learn economics to increase civic engagement as the One Hen unit could lead to students’ becoming more aware of problems in their community and to gain experience planning for civic action.
Less Exercise and More Drugs: How a Low-Income Population Manages Chronic Pain.

Abstract Objectives To evaluate chronic pain management in a multistate, low-income Hispanic population, and to examine predictors of exercising and prescription pain medication (PPM) use. Design Online survey administered to a representative sample of Hispanic adults in June 2015. Setting Five southwestern states. Participants Among all online panel members who were Hispanic (N=1007), aged 35 to 75 years from 5 states, representing 11,016,135 persons, the survey was completed by 516 members (51%). Among these, 102 participants were identified with chronic noncancer pain representing 1,140,170 persons. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Exercising or using PPM for chronic pain in past year. Results Most participants reported using PPM (58%) and exercise (54%) to manage pain. Compared with annual household incomes >$75,000, adjusted odds ratios [AORs] for exercising were .20 for P =.12); .40 for $10,000 to $34,999 ( P =.22); and .15 for $35,000 to $74,999 ( P =.015). Conversely, AORs for PPM were over 4-fold higher for lower-income groups as follows: 14.2, 4.79, and 4.85, respectively (all P P =.01), while exercisers rated the feasibility of gym access to manage pain higher ( P =.001). Conclusions In a Hispanic population-based sample with chronic pain, lower-income groups tended to exercise less but use PPM more. Barriers to gym access and use may play a role in these disparities.
Perspective: POTUS Trump's executive orders - Implications for immigrants and health care

The United States, under new executive orders proposed by its 45th president, may quickly lose its greatness in serving Emma Lazarus' untimely portrait of immigrants and refugees as "the tired, poor and huddled masses yearning to breathe free." After years of progress in improving health care access to underserved populations, new executive orders threaten our nation's advancements in health equity. Within this perspective, we offer examples on how these actions may result in damaging impacts on patients, families, communities and the health care workforce. We add our voices to a myriad of national leaders who are advocating for the preservation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the protection of immigrants, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
Organ and Tissue Retention

Few legal challenges have had the potential to disrupt the functions of medical examiner and coroner offices as much as those related to organ and tissue retention. Typically a routine part of the ...
Simultaneous Fluorescein Angiography and Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Correlate Retinal Thickness Changes to Vascular Abnormalities in an In Vivo Mouse Model of Retinopathy of Prematurity.

Background. Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a condition of abnormal retinal vascular development (RVD) in premature infants. Fluorescein angiography (FA) has depicted phases (early, mid, late, and mature) of RVD in oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) mice. We sought to establish the relationship between retinal structural and vascular changes using simultaneous FA and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Method. 63 mice were exposed to 77% oxygen at postnatal day 7 (P7) for 5 days, while 63 mice remained in room air (RA). Total retinal thickness (TRT), inner retinal thickness (IRT), and outer retinal thickness (ORT) were calculated at early (P19), mid (P24), late (P32), and mature (P47) phases of RVD. Results. TRT was reduced in OIR (162.66 ± 17.75 μm, ) compared to RA mice at P19 (197.57 ± 3.49 μm, ), P24, P32, and P49 ( ). ORT was similar in RA and OIR mice at all ages ( ). IRT was reduced in OIR (71.60 ± 17.14 μm) compared to RA (103.07 ± 3.47 μm) mice at P19 and all ages ( ). Conclusion. We have shown the spatial and temporal relationship between retinal structure and vascular development in OIR. Significant inner retinal thinning in OIR mice persisted despite revascularization of the capillary network; further studies will elucidate its functional implications in ROP.
Cardiac Transplantation Pathology

Survival rates for heart transplants have risen to 88 % after 1 year, 75 % after 5 years, and about 56 % after 10 years. Patients have benefited from improvements in immunosuppressive therapy and from skilled clinicians’ increased ability to recognize rejection. While immunosuppressive therapy has reduced the rate of acute cellular rejection (ACR), the incidence of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) has remained largely unchanged over the years. AMR appears in about 10–20 % of heart transplant patients and is associated with poor outcomes such as hemodynamic instability and greater development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV). Risk factors for AMR include female gender, elevated pretransplant panel-reactive antibodies, development of de novo donor-specific antibodies (DSAs), positive donor-specific crossmatch, seropositivity for cytomegalovirus, retransplantation, and prior use of a ventricular assist device. Endomyocardial biopsies (EMBs) remain the mainstay for diagnosing both ACR and AMR and for monitoring rejection. This chapter describes the EMB procedure and its recommended timing and how to evaluate biopsy findings, including for indicators of AMR or more rare developments such as posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease. The pathophysiology of ACR and AMR is also detailed, as is the progression in standardized ACR grading systems developed by the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. While progress is being made, research is needed for better ways to recognize and treat early signs of CAV and AMR. One area under investigation, for example, is using proteomic and genomic markers to predict cardiac transplant rejection and risk of graft failure.
Optimization of a Vaginal Suppository Formulation to Deliver SHetA2 as a Novel Treatment for Cervical Dysplasia.

Abstract Cervical dysplasia induced by the human papilloma virus unpredictably progresses to cervical cancer. Therapeutic options are invasive and affect the patient's quality of life. SHetA2 has demonstrated therapeutic efficacy against human and murine human papilloma virus–induced tumors, but its oral bioavailability is max-cervix = 336.78 μg/g) being more than 100-fold the therapeutic SHetA2 concentration. Furthermore, the levels of cyclin D1 protein decreased 9-fold indicating a correlation of drug concentrations with the pharmacodynamic endpoint. These proof-of-concept studies suggest that the SHetA2 optimized vaginal suppository formulation may have a potential use in the prevention of cervical dysplasia, but detailed efficacy studies are required to confirm this assumption.
Getting to network effects: Social Club and Open Door strategies in two-sided marketplaces

This study examines how two-sided marketplaces emerge. It focuses on the strategies that facilitate marketplace participant recruitment in the early stages when network effects are not yet compelli...
Water Oxidation Catalysis and Hydrogen Evolution

The application of electrolysis or photoelectrolysis of water to generate oxygen and hydrogen gas could provide a scalable mechanism to store intermittent renewable energy.
Data on genetic associations of carotid atherosclerosis markers in Mexican American and European American rheumatoid arthritis subjects.

Abstract Carotid Intima-media thickness (CIMT) and plaque are well established markers of subclinical atherosclerosis and are widely used for identifying subclinical atherosclerotic disease. We performed association analyses using Metabochip array to identify genetic variants that influence variation in CIMT and plaque, measured using B-mode ultrasonography, in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Data on genetic associations of common variants associated with both CIMT and plaque in RA subjects involving Mexican Americans (MA) and European Americans (EA) populations are presented in this article. Strong associations were observed after adjusting for covariate effects including baseline clinical characteristics and statin use. Susceptibility loci and genes and/or nearest genes associated with CIMT in MAs and EAs with RA are presented. In addition, common susceptibility loci influencing CIMT and plaque in both MAs and EAs have been presented. Polygenic Risk Score (PRS) plots showing complementary evidence for the observed CIMT and plaque association signals are also shown in this article. For further interpretation and details, please see the research article titled “A Genetic Association Study of Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT) and Plaque in Mexican Americans and European Americans with Rheumatoid Arthritis” which is being published in Atherosclerosis (Arya et al., 2018) [1].(Arya et al., in press) Thus, common variants in several genes exhibited significant associations with CIMT and plaque in both MAs and EAs as presented in this article. These findings may help understand the genetic architecture of subclinical atherosclerosis in RA populations.
Has the robot caught up? National trends in utilization, perioperative outcomes, and cost for open, laparoscopic, and robotic pediatric pyeloplasty in the United States from 2003 to 2015

Summary Introduction Since 2010, there have been few new data comparing perioperative outcomes and cost between open (OP) and robotic pyeloplasty (RP). In a post-adoption era, the value of RP may be converging with that of OP. Objective To 1) characterize national trends in pyeloplasty utilization through 2015, 2) compare adjusted outcomes and median costs between OP and RP, and 3) determine the primary cost drivers for each procedure. Study design We performed a retrospective cohort study using the Premier database, which provides a nationally representative sample of U.S. hospitalizations between 2003 and 2015. ICD9 codes and itemized billing were used to abstract our cohorts. Trends in utilization and cost were calculated and then stratified by age. We used propensity scores to weight our cohorts and then applied regression models to measure differences in the probability of prolonged operative time (pOT), prolonged length of stay (pLOS), complications, and cost. Results During the study period 11,899 pyeloplasties were performed: 75% open, 10% laparoscopic, and 15% robotic. The total number of pyeloplasty cases decreased by 7% annually; OP decreased by a rate of 10% while RP grew by 29% annually. In 2015, RP accounted for 40% of cases. The largest growth in RPs was among children and adolescents. The average annual rate of change in cost for RP and OP was near stagnant: −0.5% for open and −0.2% for robotic. The summary table provides results from our regression analyses. RP conferred an increased likelihood of pOT, but a reduced likelihood of pLOS. The odds of complications were equivalent. RP was associated with a significantly higher median cost, but the absolute difference per case was $1060. Discussion Despite advantages in room and board costs for RP, we found that the cost of equipment and OR time continue to make it more expensive. Although the absolute difference may be nominal, we likely underestimate the true cost because we did not capture amortization, hidden or down-stream costs. In addition, we did not measure patient satisfaction and pain control, which may provide the non-monetary data needed for comparative value. Conclusion Despite an overall decline in pyeloplasties, RP utilization continues to increase. There has been little change in cost over time, and RP remains more expensive because of equipment and OR costs. The robotic approach confers a reduced likelihood of pLOS, but an increased likelihood of pOT. Complication rates are low and similar in each cohort. Table . Propensity-score weighted multivariable-adjusted analyses for perioperative outcomes and cost associated with robotic pyeloplasty (as compared with the open approach). OR 95% CI p-value Prolonged LOS (>2 days) 0.14 (0.05–0.38) 0.001 Prolonged OT (>200 min) 5.4 (3.1–9.2) Complications 0.80 (0.34, 1.9) 0.62 Open Robotic p-value Median cost (USD) $10,817 $11,877 0.03 LOS = length of stay; OT = operative time.
Histopathology of locally advanced colorectal carcinoma, with emphasis on tumor invasion of adherent peritoneal membranes.

Abstract Locally advanced colorectal carcinomas are characterized by neoplastic cells that invade beyond the colon and directly into surrounding organs and structures that include the retroperitoneum and abdominopelvic sidewall. These aggressive tumors are prognostically adverse and are categorized with highest possible tumor stage in current cancer staging systems. Recognizing colorectal carcinoma with extensive locoregional invasion is typically straightforward, but some cases can be diagnostically challenging. These include tumors with limited invasion of extracolonic tissue such as the subserosa in which there are no cells or structures that are histologically or architecturally distinct from the colonic primary. Tumor-associated injury of the colonic peritoneum often precedes invasion by the neoplastic cells and can cause the peritoneal membrane of the colon to adhere and subsequently fuse to the peritoneal membrane of a neighboring organ or structure, thereby creating a trans-peritoneal bridge through which a tumor can directly invade the adherent extracolonic tissue. Hence, locally advanced colorectal carcinoma can be narrowly defined by neoplastic cells that completely invade through the fused peritoneal membrane and into the subserosa of the adherent extracolonic tissue. The evaluation of tumor invasion of the fused peritoneal membrane, which is enhanced by the combined use of an elastic stain and an immunostain for pan-keratin, is essential for the proper staging of locally advanced colorectal carcinoma and its clinical management.
Robot-Assisted Ureteral Reconstruction

This chapter describes reconstructive robotic surgical techniques for the treatment of ureteral pathology. Included are descriptions of ureterolysis with omental wrapping, ureterocalicostomy, ureteroureterostomy, and ureteral reimplantation. Robotic pyeloplasty will be discussed in a separate chapter.Robotics is particularly suited for surgery of ureteral pathology because this often entails delicate, sharp dissection in areas that are adjacent to major anatomic structures. By offering a three-dimensional, magnified view of the surgical field and allowing for seven degrees of freedom with 90° of instrument angulation, robotic surgical systems allow surgical maneuvers to be performed with extreme control and visualization. While the basic tenets of open surgical techniques are followed during robotic surgery, the drawbacks of morbid large incisions and the subsequent pronged postoperative recovery are avoided.
NC 2 algorithms regarding Hamiltonian paths and circuits in interval graphs

This paper describes an O(log2n) time, n processor EREW PRAM algorithm to determine if there is a Hamiltonian path in an interval graph. If there is a Hamiltonian path, we can find it within the same resource bounds. Many graph theoretic problems including finding all maximal cliques, optimal coloring, minimum clique cover, minimum weight dominating set, and maximum independent set were previously known to be in NC when restricted to interval graphs. However, the Hamiltonian path problem was open and resisted classification until now. We also show that testing whether an interval graph has a Hamiltonian circuit can be done in NC2. If the intervals are presorted, our parallel approach leads to an O(nα(n)) sequential algorithm, where α(n) is the inverse of Ackermann's function. This improves on the previous bound of O(n log log n) for the sequential case with presorted intervals.
Regression, Causation and Prediction

Regression is a special case, not a special subject. The problems of causal inference in regression studies are instances of the problems we have considered in the previous chapters, and the solutions are to be found there as well. What is singular about regression is only that a technique so ill suited to causal inference should have found such wide employment to that purpose.
An Economic Analysis of New Venture Profit and Growth and Their Interrelations

This paper examines interrelationships between profit and growth, and their determinants for technology driven, independent new ventures. Studies of new venture performance have generally emphasized growth, with little treatment of its relationship to other performance measures. The study’s theoretical framework adopts aspects of Marris’ model. It also incorporates disequilibrium effects on venture performance. The framework is tested using data for over 100 German new ventures in their first six years of existence.The interrelations and determinants of profit and growth are empirically examined using causality and regression analyses. We find that profit exhibits a causal relationship to employment growth, but not to sales growth. New venture growth (sales and employment) does not exhibit significant effects on new venture profits. Finally we find both similarities and differences between the determinants of growth and profit. These results suggest that the specification of models of each of these two measures should be conducted independently, drawing upon the relevant theory related to each of these dependent variables, and recognizing the interrelationship between them.
Quantifying and forecasting changes in the areal extent of river valley sediment in response to altered hydrology and land cover

In river valleys, sediment moves between active river channels, near-channel deposits including bars and floodplains, and upland environments such as terraces and aeolian dunefields. Sediment avail...
Estimating the Magnitude of the Relation Between Bullying, E-Bullying, and Suicidal Behaviors Among United States Youth, 2015

Background: Suicide is the second leading cause of death among US adolescents aged 12-19 years. Researchers would benefit from a better understanding of the direct effects of bullying and e-bullying on adolescent suicide to inform intervention work. Aims: To explore the direct and indirect effects of bullying and e-bullying on adolescent suicide attempts (SAs) and to estimate the magnitude of these effects controlling for significant covariates. Method: This study uses data from the 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey (YRBS), a nationally representative sample of US high school youth. We quantified the association between bullying and the likelihood of SA, after adjusting for covariates (i.e., sexual orientation, obesity, sleep, etc.) identified with the PC algorithm. Results: Bullying and e-bullying were significantly associated with SA in logistic regression analyses. Bullying had an estimated average causal effect (ACE) of 2.46%, while e-bullying had an ACE of 4.16%. Limitations: Data are cross-sectional and temporal precedence is not known. Conclusion: These findings highlight the strong association between bullying, e-bullying, and SA.
Improving adherence to endocrine hormonal therapy among breast cancer patients: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Adjuvant endocrine hormonal therapy (EHT) is highly effective and appropriate for nearly all breast cancer patients with hormone receptor-positive tumors, which represent 75% of all breast cancer diagnoses. Long-term use of EHT reduces recurrence rates and nearly halves the risk of death during the second decade after diagnosis. Despite the proven benefits, about 33% of women receiving EHT do not take their medication as prescribed. This causes an increase in the risk for recurrence and death. To promote adherence to EHT among breast cancer patients, this study will develop and pilot-test an intervention consisting of 1) a bilingual, culturally tailored, personalized, interactive smartphone application (app); and 2) support from a patient navigator. The control group will receive usual care. This 2-group randomized control trial will recruit 120 breast cancer patients receiving EHT at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio. The two-year study will have 3-time assessments (baseline, 3 and 6 months). This theory-based intervention will empower patients' self-monitoring and management. It will facilitate patient education, identification/reporting of side effects, delivery of self-care advice, and simplify communication between the patient and the oncology team. The ultimate goal of this innovative multi-communication intervention is to improve overall survival and life expectancy, enhance quality of life, reduce recurrence, and decrease healthcare cost. The anticipated outcome is a scalable, evidence-based, and easily disseminated intervention with potentially broad use to patients using EHT and other oral anticancer agents.
Proactive outreach tobacco treatment for socioeconomically disadvantaged smokers with serious mental illness.

Smokers with serious mental illness (SMI) face individual, interpersonal, and healthcare provider barriers to cessation treatment utilization and smoking abstinence. Proactive outreach strategies are designed to address these barriers by promoting heightened contact with smokers and facilitating access to evidence-based treatments. The present study examined the effect of proactive outreach among smokers with SMI (n = 939) who were enrolled in the publicly subsidized Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) and compared this effect to that observed among MHCP smokers without SMI (n = 1382). Relative to usual care, the intervention increased treatment utilization among those with SMI (52.1% vs 40.0%, p = 0.002) and without SMI (39.3% vs 25.4%, p < 0.001). The intervention also increased prolonged smoking abstinence among those with SMI (14.9% vs 9.4%, p = 0.010) and without SMI (17.7% vs 13.6%, p = 0.09). Findings suggest that implementation of proactive outreach within publicly subsidized healthcare systems may alleviate the burden of smoking in this vulnerable population. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01123967.