cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 1178: Loss of PHLPP expression promotes glycolysis in colon cancer cells

Proceedings: AACR 106th Annual Meeting 2015; April 18-22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA Increased glycolysis is considered as one of the most important metabolic alterations adapted by cancer cells in order to generate high levels of glycolytic intermediates to support proliferation. PHLPP belongs to a novel family of Ser/Thr protein phosphatases. Our previous studies have shown that PHLPP serves as a tumor suppressor to inhibit cell proliferation, promote apoptosis and increase therapeutic sensitivity in colon cancer cells. Here, we further examined the role of PHLPP in regulating metabolic pathways in colon cancer. Our results showed that the rate of glucose consumption and lactate production was significantly increased in PHLPP knockdown colon cancer cells and in PHLPP knockout MEF cells. Metabolic analysis using Seahorse XF96 analyzer revealed that decreased PHLPP expression resulted in an increase in the extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) suggesting enhanced glycolysis. To determine the underlying molecular mechanism, we found that the Akt-mediated phosphorylation of HK2 was elevated in PHLPP knockdown colon cancer cells and the amount of mitochondria-associated hexokinase 2 (HK2) was increased. This is consistent with previous finding that Akt-mediated phosphorylation of HK2 increases its activity by promoting mitochondria translocation. Furthermore, PHLPP, Akt and HK2 were found in the same mitochondria fraction and PHLPP co-immunoprecipitated with HK2 in colon cancer cells. As HK2 is the key enzyme that determines the direction and magnitude of glucose flux, our studies identified PHLPP as a novel regulator of glucose metabolism by controlling Akt-mediated regulation of HK2 activity. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Xiaopeng Xiong, Yang-an Wen, Tianyan Gao. Loss of PHLPP expression promotes glycolysis in colon cancer cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 1178. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-1178
Equity and Efficiency of Minnesota Educational Expenditures with a Focus on English Learners, 2003-2011: A Retrospective Look in a Time of Accountability.

Policymakers and practitioners often must balance distributing resources equitably and efficiently while being accountable for high student achievement. This paper focuses on these concepts as they relate to English learners and examines equity and efficiency in Minnesota’s educational funding from 2003 through 2011, the years spanning implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act and Minnesota’s waiver from its regulations. Equity refers to the distribution of resources in the achievement of established goals (Alexander, 2012); efficiency entails the attainment of those goals using fewer resources (Rolle, 2004). We measure equity by looking at three standard distribution measures: (1) McCloone Index; (2) Verstegen Index; and (3) Coefficient of Variation (Odden & Picus, 2008). We operationalize efficiency using data envelope analysis, thus getting at aspects of technical efficiency. We found that distribution of expenditures are increasingly uneven in the nine-year period examined. This inequality was largely driven by low-spending districts falling farther behind the median. Moreover, despite specific guidelines in its school finance formula that awarded additional resources for English learner populations, districts with higher portions of English learners have lower total and instructional expenditures per pupil, not higher. If more dollars are not available for EL programming, then doing more with less becomes paramount. Nevertheless, the efficiency of resource use was relatively constant over the years examined with efficiency in the use of education resources similar for English learners as it was for the population overall.
Mechanical testing of knee implants

Abstract Knee arthroplasty has become one of the most common place and successful surgical interventions for arthritis of the knee. Through the clinical and technological evolution of knee joint replacements, many valuable lessons were learned regarding the critical attributes of knee implant function. This chapter details the anatomy of the knee relevant for understanding knee joint function and testing, a brief history of the evolution of knee arthroplasty technology, the common descriptions of knee kinematics, the loading at the knee, and the methods used to evaluate knee function. Together, this chapter provides a summary of the state of the industry regarding how knee implants are evaluated through mechanical testing methods.
Association between antenatal corticosteroids and neonatal hypoglycemia in indicated early preterm births

AbstractPurpose: We sought to determine if administration of antenatal corticosteroids in early preterm births (<34 weeks) is associated with an increased risk of developing neonatal hypoglycemia (<40 mg/dL) within the first 48 h of neonatal life.Materials and methods: Retrospective cohort of all indicated singleton preterm births (23−34 weeks) in a single tertiary center from 2011 to 2014. The primary outcome was neonatal hypoglycemia (<40 mg/dL) within the first 48 h of life. The outcome was compared by antenatal corticosteroids received at any point during the gestation, within 2–7 d of delivery, and whether the patient received a partial, full, or repeat course of antenatal corticosteroids. Logistic regression was used to adjust for confounders.Results: Six hundred thirty-five patients underwent an indicated preterm birth during the study period. Six hundred and four (95%) received antenatal corticosteroids prior to delivery and 31 (5%) did not. The incidence of neonatal hypoglycemia within 48 h of li...
A Trespass Framework for the Crime of Hacking

Computer crime statutes prohibit accessing a computer without “authorization.” In recent years, this element has attracted considerable controversy, with some courts expressing concern that “authorization” is so indeterminate that the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (“CFAA”) is void for vagueness. This Article argues that “authorization” under the CFAA has the same meaning as authorization under criminal physical trespass laws. This approach is more straightforward than the alternatives currently offer, and it aligns with Congress’s announced intention to bring physical trespass law to computer networks. Although interpreting “authorization” under the CFAA can be difficult, near-identical difficulties also arise in the context of physical trespass. As a result, questions under the CFAA can be resolved by looking to the resolution of similar questions in the context of physical trespass. In addition, because both physical trespass and the CFAA require proof that the defendant knew his access was unauthorized, the merits of a void-for-vagueness challenge to computer trespass rise and fall with the merits of a similar challenge to physical trespass. Given the pedigree of the latter, a constitutional challenge to the former seems questionable.
MRI sport-specific pulley imaging

We aim to create a novel MRI methodology that employs sport-specific stress views for imaging finger pulley injuries in the evaluation of post-operative healing effectiveness. The goal is to measure the bone to tendon distance (BTD), which is the current standard for determining pulley injuries. The athlete was imaged in a crimp-grip stressed position to emulate sport-specific biomechanics. A Gradient Echo technique was modified to maximize the signal to noise ratio and minimize distortion near the bone and tendon, simplifying the determination of the BTD. A stress-crimped hand position is imaged in less than one half-minute to enable diagnostic visualization of a normal proximal phalanx’ bone and tendon via measurement of their BTD. This novel stress methodology allows for sport-specific imaging, which is ideal for determining functional compromise of the hand’s pulley mechanism. Surgical outcomes may be more sensitively compared when using stress views, and these comparisons may then direct optimal repair technique. Future studies will utilize this technique to attempt early-stage detection of pulley injuries prior to complete rupture.
PPGIS: State of the Practice

I have previously observed that public involvement in planning is determined by particular social, political, and cultural contexts. Similarly, GIS adoption and implementation in planning is also influenced by a wide variety of contextual factors such as the attitudes of key decision makers towards the new technologies, availability of skilled personnel, and resource constraints (e.g., Masser & Onsrud, 1993; Campbell & Masser, 1995; Huxhold & Levinsohn, 1995; Obermeyer & Pinto, 2008). Even inter-departmental rivalries can influence how GIS adoption progresses within an organization (e.g., Kraemer et al., 1989).
The effect of amniotic membrane grafting on healing and wound strength after strabismus surgery in a rabbit model.

Background Amniotic membrane grafts (AMGs) are used, with mixed results, as a platform for ocular healing and to reduce pathologic scarring. This study evaluated wound tensile strength and histopathologic changes after strabismus surgery with AMGs in 20 New Zealand white rabbits. Methods All subjects underwent 4 mm inferior rectus hang-back recessions to both eyes. The right eyes served as controls. Ten left eyes (group 1) received processed dehydrated amniotic membrane allografts (Ambiodry2, IOP Inc, Costa Mesa, CA) and ten left eyes (group 2) received cryopreserved human amniotic membrane allografts (AmnioGraft, Bio-Tissue, Miami, FL) between the sclera and muscle insertion and between the muscle and repositioned conjunctiva. At postoperative month 1, tensile strengths of the muscle–globe and conjunctiva–globe attachments were measured, and histopathologic analysis of each eye was performed. Results In group 1 the mean tensile strength of the muscle–globe attachments was 441.4 ± 274.4 g; of the conjunctiva–globe attachments, 640.3 ± 266.4 g. In the control eyes, the comparable values were 365.8 ± 199.8 g and 595.2 ± 315.3 g, respectively (P = 0.19, P = 0.13). In group 2 the mean tensile strengths were 456 ± 297.5 g and 608.2 ± 306.7 g, compared with control values of 352.7 ± 114.8 g and 583.8 ± 347.1 g (P = 0.43, P = 0.45). Conclusions There was no significant change in tensile strength of the muscle insertion using AMGs. In a rabbit model, AMGs do not reduce inflammation or improve scar formation 1 month after strabismus surgery.
Recent Advances in the Treatment of Renal Dysfunction in Liver Disease (Hepatorenal Syndrome)

A large body of information is available concerning the effects on the kidney of a diseased liver. The most grave expression of this interrelationship is the hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) (1, 2). The HRS is a form of unexplained acute renal failure occurring in patients with parenchymal end-stage or acute liver disease of diverse etiology in the absence of clinical, laboratory, or anatomic evidence of other known causes of renal failure. The relative frequency of different types of liver disease causing HRS, depends on geographic and other unknown factors. In the U.S.A. the most common cause of HRS is alcoholic liver disease (Laennec’s cirrhosis), whereas in other countries in addition to an alcoholic etiology, postnecrotic, cryptogenic cirrhosis or fulminant acute hepatic failure are also frequently reported. The occurrence of the HRS is distinctly rare in children (3). Terms such as “renal failure of cirrhosis”, “functional renal failure”, “cirrhotic nephropathy”, and others, have been used from time to time to identify this specific renal dysfunction of liver disease. Not having any desire to add to the controversy related to terminology, I will use in this review the more appealing and common term HRS. A comprehensive review of the clinical aspects and pathogenesis of the HRS can be found elsewhere (1, 2, 4). In this review, the emphasis will be on the treatment of this serious condition.
Ethics of the Fathers: A Tool for Improving the World

Ethics of the Fathers (Pirkei Avot) is a remarkable document; it consists of sayings of Jewish sages who lived from 300 BCE to 200 CE as well as many anonymous sayings. It is indispensable to anyone who wants to learn how to be ethical. It also provides valuable life lessons for children as well as leaders of countries and even corporate executives. Avot teaches people how to attain wealth, honor, fame, longevity, wisdom, courage and even happiness. It also provides a vision for countries or organizations that wish to prosper.
Localization and Polarity

In plain and simple terms, the EEG is the recording of the difference in electrical potential or voltage between various pairs of sampling electrodes attached to the surface of the scalp. Seen in this limited context, there are three major questions that need to be answered in clinical electroencephalography, namely, (1) what is the magnitude of a particular voltage observed at a particular instant in time?, (2) what is its polarity, that is to say, is the particular voltage positive or negative?, and (3) from where does it originate? Whereas the answers to these questions can be relatively simple for a linear conductor, they are considerably more complex in the case of a volume conductor like the brain. The magnitude of the complexity already was recognized in 1853 by Hermann Helmholtz who noted that a given “electromotive surface” may reflect an infinite variety of internal electrical fields (Helmholtz H, 1853).
Fluorescence Spectroscopy in the Analysis of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Adducts

An important first step in the initiation of carcinogenesis by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), is the formation of a covalently bound adduct between the metabolized PAH and one or more deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) bases. In vivo concentrations of these adducts are typically ∼1 adducted base per 10 8 normal DNA base pairs. Methods of generating high resolution fluorescence spectra of adducts at these levels will be described. Methods of overcoming factors such as photochemistry and nonphotochemical hole burning which limit detection limits will be described. By generating line narrowed fluorescence spectra, it is possible to spectrally distinguish between various adduct possibilities.
Different patterns of sensitivity differentially affect infant attention span

Abstract We exposed infants to different types of sensitive behavior to examine effects on infants’ attention. Results revealed infants changed their patterns of visual attention; infants had longer durations of sustained attention to toys, shorter durations to the social partner, and fewer attention shifts when interacting with a nonvocal social partner than when interacting with a vocal social partner.
Initial Therapy in Older Patients with Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma affects adults of all ages, but it is primarily a disease of older persons. The highest burden of myeloma-related deaths occurs among persons between 65 and 84 years of age.1 As is...
Normal Saline Trigger Point Injections vs Conventional Active Drug Mix for Myofascial Pain Syndromes.

Abstract Background Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) originates in the muscle and fascia. MPS presents with referred pain specific for each muscle and a trigger point that reproduces the symptoms. Trigger-point-injection (TPI) is an effective approach to treating MPS. Some TPI agents, however, are associated with systemic and local side effects. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of TPI with a conventional active drug mixture (CADM) vs. that with normal saline solution (NS) alone in patients with MPS presenting to the emergency department (ED). Methods Adults with MPS diagnosed in the ED, participants were randomly assigned to receive TPI with NS or with CADM. Pain intensity was scored using a 0–10 numeric rating scale prior to and after TPI, before discharge and 2 weeks after TPI. Results Among 48 patients analyzed, 23 received TPI with NS. The mean pain scores were as follows: immediately before TPI, 7.59 (NS) and 7.44 (CADM); immediately after TPI, 2.22 (NS) and 1.76 (CADM); prior to discharge, 1.52 (NS) and 1.76 (CADM). At 2-week follow up, the mean pain scores were 4.29 (NS) and 4.14 (CADM). Pain was significantly reduced after TPI in both groups. At 2 weeks, the mean pain scores were similar between the groups. No adverse events were reported. Conclusion In cases of MPS in the ED, pain can be controlled with TPI independent of the injectate. TPI with NS may be preferred over CADM because of its lower cost and more favorable side effect profile.
Marcy’s Story: Fortune Favors the Bold

As the shortest kid in my class throughout elementary school, my teachers would always select me first when the class lined up to go anywhere and always positioned me in front in any class picture. I think perhaps I got used to the view from the front! I was quiet, some would say shy, and an astute observer of things around me. I remember on more than one occasion witnessing some injustice or inequity being visited on a classmate and speaking up on that person’s behalf. I remember feeling deep unfairness in the way my best friend in junior high school was treated because she was tracked into a different ability group than mine. These experiences had a profound effect on my nascent conceptions of leadership. When you are small and shy, then to be out front you had to be bold.
Role of ABO blood type in delayed cerebral ischemia onset and clinical outcomes after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in an ethnic minority urban population.

Background In recent years, the role of ABO blood type moved into focus through the discovery of different hemostaseologic properties with importance in many diseases including subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). However, the role of ABO blood type in delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) onset, clinical progress, and outcome after SAH is to date largely unexplored. Our aim was to explore the role of ABO blood group in DCI and clinical outcomes after aneurysmal SAH (aSAH). Methods A retrospective analysis was made with data collected from patients who presented aSAH at our single- academic center from 2015 to 2018. We included demographic, clinical, and imaging variables in the univariate analysis and in the subsequent multivariate analysis. Results A total of 204 patients were included in this study. About 17.9% of "O" type patients developed a DCI while DCI was reported in only 8.2% of non-O type patients (P = 0.04). "O" type was an independent risk after in the logistic regression after adjusting for significant factors in the univariate analysis (OR=2.530, 95% CI: 1.040- 6.151, P = 0.41). Compared to "non-O" type patients, "O" type patients had a trend to have poorer outcomes at discharge (25.5% vs. 21.3%, P = 0.489) and at 12-18 months (21.1% vs. 19.5%, P = 0.795). However, there were no significant differences. Conclusion Our study evidenced that patients with "O" blood type have higher risk of DCI onset after aSAH. Although these findings need to be confirmed, they may aid to improve DCI prevention and outcome predictions.
In-situ monitoring of the growth of Bi 2 Te 3 and Sb 2 Te 3 films and Bi 2 Te 3 -Sb 2 Te 3 superlattice using spectroscopic ellipsometry

In this work, we present in-situ monitoring of the growth of bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) and antimony telluride (Sb2Te3) thin films as well as Bi2 Te3-Sb2Te3 superlattice using a spectroscopic ellipsometer (SE). Bi2Te3 and Sb2 Te3 films were grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) at 350 C. A44-wavelength ellipsometer with spectral range from 404 nm to 740 nm was used in this work. The optical constants of Bi2 Te3 and Sb2Te3 at growth temperature were determined by fitting a model to the extracted in-situ SE data of optically thick Bi2 Te3 and Sb2 Te3 films. Compared to the optical constants of Bi2 Te3 and Sb2 Te3 at room temperature, significant temperature dependence was observed. Using their optical constants at growth temperature, the in-situ growth of Bi2 Te3 and Sb2 Te3 thin films were modeled and excellent fit between the experimental data and data generated from the best-fit model was obtained. In-situ growth of different Bi2 Te3-Sb2 Te3 superlattices was also monitored and modeled. The growth of Bi2 Te3 and Sb2 Te3 layers can be seen clearly in in-situ SE data. Modeling of in-situ superlattice growth shows perfect superlattice growth with an abrupt interface between the two constituent films.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, and Persistence of Methotrexate and TNF Inhibitors in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective To examine the relationship of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with earlier treatment discontinuation and medication adherence in US veterans with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods Veterans Affairs (VA) administrative data (2005-2014) were used to define unique dispensing episodes of methotrexate (MTX) and tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) for veterans with RA. Diagnosis codes were used to categorize patients into mutually exclusive groups: PTSD (with/without depression/anxiety), depression/anxiety without PTSD, and neither psychiatric diagnosis. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate associations between psychiatric diagnoses and time to disease-modifying antirheumatic drug discontinuation (lapse in refill >90 days). Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine associations of diagnoses with medication nonadherence (proportion of days covered Results There were 15 081 dispensing episodes of MTX and 8412 dispensing episodes of TNFi. PTSD was independently associated with a greater likelihood of earlier discontinuation of both MTX (hazard ratio [HR] 1.15 [1.10-1.21]) and TNFi (HR 1.20 [1.13-1.28]). Depression/anxiety had a comparable risk of discontinuation for both MTX (HR 1.14 [1.10-1.19]) and TNFi (HR 1.16 [1.10-1.22]). Depression/anxiety, but not PTSD, was associated with higher odds of MTX (odds ratio [OR] 1.12 [1.03-1.22]) and TNFi (OR 1.14 [1.02-1.27]) nonadherence. Conclusion Veterans with RA and comorbid PTSD, depression, or anxiety had poor persistence of MTX and TNFi therapies. These results suggest that earlier discontinuation and low adherence to therapy among patients with RA with these psychiatric comorbidities may contribute to worse disease outcomes. Mechanisms by which these comorbidities contribute to lower adherence deserve further investigation and may lead to targeted interventions to improve disease outcomes.
Valley Average of Lines (VAL) and of Directions (VAD) in 3D

Abstract Extending (Sati et al., 2016) to 3D, we propose definitions and closed-form expressions for what we call the Valley Average of Directions (VAD), T → , of a set { T → i } of directions (unit vectors) and for what we call the Valley Average of Lines (VAL), L , of a set { L i } of lines. L is independent of the input order. When the { L i } are parallel, L is parallel to them and passes through the centroid of their intersections with any normal plane. When all { L i } contain point P , L passes through P .
Towards a Realistic, Data-Driven Thermodynamic MHD Model of the Global Solar Corona

In this work we describe our implementation of a thermodynamic energy equation into the global corona model of the Space Weather Modeling Framework (SWMF), and its development into the new Lower Corona (LC) model. This work includes the integration of the additional energy transport terms of coronal heating, electron heat conduction, and optically thin radiative cooling into the governing magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) energy equation. We examine two different boundary conditions using this model; one set in the upper transition region (the Radiative Energy Balance model), as well as a uniform chromospheric condition where the transition region can be modeled in its entirety. Via observation synthesis from model results and the subsequent comparison to full sun extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and soft X-Ray observations of Carrington Rotation (CR) 1913 centered on Aug 27, 1996, we demonstrate the need for these additional considerations when using global MHD models to describe the unique conditions in the low corona. Through multiple simulations we examine ability of the LC model to asses and discriminate between coronal heating models, and find that a relative simple empirical heating model is adequate in reproducing structures observed in the low corona. We show that the interplay between coronal heating and electron heat conduction provides significant feedback onto the 3D magnetic topology in the low corona as compared to a potential field extrapolation, and that this feedback is largely dependent on the amount of mechanical energy introduced into the corona.
Epstein–Barr virus-positive lymphoproliferative disorder manifesting as pulmonary disease in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia: a case report

Patients with lymphoproliferative disorders following hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) most commonly present with fever and lymphadenopathy within the first 5 months of transplant. Pulmonary post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a particularly aggressive and rapidly progressive disease, with high morbidity and mortality. There are a very limited number of reported pulmonary PTLD cases following HSCT in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Early diagnosis and detection of pulmonary PTLD is critical given its high lethality. However, variable clinical presentations and nonspecific radiographic findings make pulmonary PTLD difficult to distinguish from other more common causes of pulmonary disease in AML patients. Here, we describe a 68-year-old Caucasian man who presented for salvage induction therapy following relapse of his AML after a haploidentical allogeneic HSCT 10 months earlier. He developed recurrent fevers, dry cough, and hypoxemia, with chest computed tomography (CT) showing bibasilar consolidations and increased nodularity without increased lymphadenopathy. His symptoms initially improved with antibiotic and antifungal therapy, but his follow-up chest CT showed progression of disease despite symptomatic improvement. Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) was detected in his blood by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and a lung biopsy revealed monomorphic PTLD with B cells positive for EBV. Unfortunately, the patient’s condition rapidly deteriorated, and he passed away prior to treatment initiation. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of an AML patient developing pulmonary PTLD relatively late in his post-transplant course in the setting of relapsed disease and salvage therapy. Pulmonary PTLD, a rare but highly lethal disorder, can imitate the symptoms and radiographic findings of pneumonia, a common diagnosis in immunocompromised AML patients. This case illustrates the importance of considering pulmonary PTLD in the differential diagnosis for pulmonary disease in AML patients with a history of HSCT, especially in the setting of progressive radiographic findings despite broad antibacterial and antifungal therapy. Further, our case demonstrates the importance of biopsy and uninterrupted EBV DNA monitoring in the definitive diagnosis of PTLD, given nonspecific symptomatology and radiographic findings.
Endoscopic Microvascular Decompression for Hemifacial Spasm: A Technical Case Report Demonstrating the Benefits of the Angled Endoscope and Intraoperative Neuromonitoring.

A 57-year-old female with eight years of hemifacial spasm (HFS) underwent endoscopic microvascular decompression (MVD) of the facial nerve. Baseline stimulation of the zygomatic branch of the facial nerve activated at 1.2 mA. Lateral spread response (LSR) to the buccal and mandibular branches was observed at 2.2 mA. A straight endoscope was used to enter the cerebellopontine angle, allowing for visualization of the vestibulocochlear and facial nerve. Neurovascular compression was not clearly identified. A 30-degree endoscope was directed medially/inferiorly and compression at the root entry zone was identified and decompressed. Subsequent LSR to the buccal/mandibular branches was seen at 3.2 mA/3.6 mA, respectively. Additional vascular compression was suspected given persistent LSR. The 30-degree endoscope was directed laterally. Compression was seen at the porus acustics and decompressed. Subsequent LSR to the buccal/mandibular branches was not observed until 9.8 mA, indicating good decompression. The patient tolerated the procedure well with complete resolution of her symptoms and remains spasm-free as of three months post-procedure without a hearing deficit. The 30-degree endoscope enabled visualization of pathology that was not easily seen at 0-degree. Additionally, LSR indicated persistent nerve compression following root entry zone decompression. Subsequent distal decompression resulted in greater LSR reduction. This case report suggests that MVD for HFS may yield better results with both proximal and distal decompression of the seventh nerve, and this type of decompression can benefit from endoscopic visualization.
Distributing Whiteness: Please Like Me and Global Television Circulation:

This essay examines the formal and informal distribution of Australian dramedy Please Like Me via the now-defunct American digital cable channel Pivot and via fan communities on Tumblr. I argue tha...
4-Hydroxy-1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroisoquinolines: Potential Reaction Products of Norepinephrine

Isoquinolines derived from DA and excreted in the urine of Parkinsonian patients under L-dopa therapy are called “Mammalian TIQ”.3,4 Pictet-Spengler synthesis5 provides an easy route for the preparation of optically inactive TIQ. Many TIQ have been prepared from DA and carbonyl compounds (phenylpyruvic acids, aldehydes, ketones) in this way and under so-called “physiological” conditions, suggesting that this reaction might have biological significance.6 If so, then similar reactions could take place with the two catecholamines (±)-NE or (±)-E or their optical isomers, resulting in the formation of diastereomeric 4,6,7-trihydroxy TIQ or their optical isomers. The preparation of TIQ alcohols 17 and 28 (Figure 1) belonging to this class of compounds, and prepared from (±)-NE and formaldehyde and (-)-E and acetaldehyde respectively, has been reported.
Analysis of the HDAF for interpolation and noise suppression in volume rendering

In this paper, we evaluate the HDAF (Hermite Distributed Approximating Functionals) family of interpolation and derivative functions, with respect to their accuracy for reliable volume rendering, and compare them with other interpolation and derivative estimation filters. We utilize several different evaluation methods, both analytical and experimental. The former includes the order of decay of the global error, the local spatial error, and the behavior of the filters in the frequency domain. In the experimental part, visualizations of both synthetic and medical data are produced and studied. We show that the HDAFs exhibit superior behavior if the volumetric data are distorted by high frequency noise, and perform well under noise free conditions. This due to their ability to adjust the range of recovered frequencies.
Circulating Levels of Carboxy‐Methyl‐Lysine (CML) Are Associated With Hip Fracture Risk: The Cardiovascular Health Study

Advanced glycation end products (AGE) in bone tissue are associated with impaired biomechanical properties and increased fracture risk. Here we examine whether serum levels of the AGE carboxy‐methyl‐lysine (CML) are associated with risk of hip fracture.We followed 3373 participants from the Cardiovascular Health Study (age 78 years; range, 68–102 years; 39.8% male) for a median of 9.22 years (range, 0.01–12.07 years). Rates of incident hip fracture were calculated by quartiles of baseline CML levels, and hazard ratios were adjusted for covariates associated with hip fracture risk. A subcohort of 1315 participants had bone mineral density (BMD)measurement. There were 348 hip fractures during follow‐up, with incidence rates of hip fracture by CML quartiles of 0.94, 1.34, 1.18, and 1.69 per 100 participant‐years. The unadjusted hazard ratio of hip fracture increased with each 1 SD increase (189 ng/mL) of CML level (hazard ratio, 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16–1.40]; p<0.001). Sequential adjustment for age, gender, race/ethnicity,body mass index (BMI), smoking, alcohol consumption, prevalent coronary heart disease (CHD), energy expenditure, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (based on cystatin C), moderately attenuated the hazard ratio for fracture (1.17; 95% CI, 1.05–1.31; p=0.006).In the cohort with BMD testing, total hip BMD was not significantly associated with CML levels. We conclude that increasing levels of CML are associated with hip fracture risk in older adults, independent of hip BMD. These results implicate AGE in the pathogenesis of hip fractures.
Is Alzheimer’s disease inevitable with age?: LESSONS FROM CLINICOPATHOLOGIC STUDIES OF HEALTHY AGING AND VERY MILD ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

The unprecedented and growing number of older adults in the US and other developed countries has crystallized scientific interest in the health consequences of aging. Perhaps the most feared of these consequences is Alzheimer’s disease (AD). As the leading cause of dementia, AD not only extracts a terrible toll from patients and their families but is an enormous public health burden, with annual costs in the US alone approaching 100 billion dollars. The major risk factor for AD is living longer; AD prevalence doubles every 5 years after age 65 and approaches 50% by age 85 (1). Some epidemiologists report that the prevalence of AD continues to increase in the very old and conclude that “AD … may become universal when age is sufficiently advanced” (2). As we enter the 21st century with increasing life expectancies, the obvious question becomes, “If we live long enough, will we all be demented?” (3). Although this question cannot be definitely resolved at present, accumulating evidence suggests that not all of us will.
Asymptotic Relative Efficiency (ARE)

The efficiencies of two consistent estimators of a parameter may be compared by the ratio of their asymptotic variances. Alternative measures are the Pitman and Bahadur measures, which relate to the ratio of sample sizes needed to achieve equivalent asymptotic power. Topics examined are the relevance for finite samples, sensitivity to the underlying distribution, higher-order efficiency (to compare different fully efficient estimators), and efficiency estimation in complex models. Keywords: large samples; Pitman; Bahadur; nonparametric
Fibrosarcoma of a polycystic kidney with extension into the vena cava

Abstract 1. 1. A case of fibrosarcoma developing in a polycystic kidney with extension into the vena cava is presented. 2. 2. The difficulties of accurate diagnosis are discussed since both polycystic kidneys and tumors frequently bleed. 3. 3. Surgical removal by opening the vena cava is described and the vena cava closed by sutures. 4. 4. The patient has lived three years and six months since operation which shows that a patient may live for some time with only one polycystic kidney.
The Regulation of Pyruvate Dehydrogenase in Isolated Beef Heart Mitochondria THE ROLE OF CALCIUM, MAGNESIUM, AND PERMEANT ANIONS

Factors affecting regulation of the pyruvate dehydrogenase activity of isolated beef heart mitochondria were investigated. It was demonstrated that both calcium and magnesium caused a time-dependent enhancement of the activity of mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase. Permeant anion addition either in presence or absence of exogenous divalent metal cations also caused an activation of this enzyme. Energization of the mitochondrial membranes in the absence of permeant anions resulted in an almost complete prevention of the metal cation-associated stimulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase. Permeant anion addition to the energized mitochondria re-established the ability of calcium and magnesium to activate the pyruvate dehydrogenase. Incubation of mitochondria with ATP plus magnesium resulted in a time-dependent inactivation of the pyruvate dehydrogenase which was intensified by energization of the mitochondrial system. The results of this study indicate the importance of the intramitochondrial location of divalent metal cations in the regulation of the pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex. The location of the divalent metal cations in the mitochondrial system may be strongly influenced by the energetic state of the mitochondria and the flux of anionic species across the membrane.
Automation of software system development using Natural Language Processing and Two-Level Grammar

In software engineering, even with recent active research on formal methods and automated tools, users’ involvement is inevitable and crucial throughout the software development lifecycle. Automation of these manual tasks would assist the developers throughout the development. Our project goal is to help the engineers to resolve ambiguity in natural language (NL) using Natural Language Processing and to overcome different levels of abstraction between requirements documents and formal specifications using Two-Level Grammar (TLG). The result is a system that assists developers to build a formal representation from the informal requirements for rapid prototyping and complete system implementation.
Recent advances in molecular pathology: a review ultrastructure of human atheroma.

Abstract The human atheroma, the characteristic lesion of atherosclerosis, is an intimal lesion composed of a hard fibrous cap and a soft lipid core. Electron-microscopic studies have in general supported the conclusions of light microscopists: the lipid particles are as widely variable in their ultrastructure as they have been shown to be in histochemical reaction; the fibrous cap is principally collagenous, but contains scattered fibrin strands; tissue necrosis and inflammatory reaction are not present by the usual criteria. The chief result of ultrastructural studies has been the emergence of the smooth muscle cell (myointimal cell) as the principal and essential cell type in atheroma. Fine structural studies of these myointimal cells have, instead of generating clear criteria for their recognition, suggested a spectrum of characteristics ranging from those of a resting connective tissue cell (fibrocyte) to a lipid-laden histiocyte (foam cell); a similarly wide range of function has been implied.
A Complete and Constant Time Wait-Free Implementation of CAS from LL/SC and Vice Versa

We consider three popular types of shared memory that support one of the following sets of operations: {CAS, read, write}, {LL, SC, VL, read, write}, or {RLL, RSC, read, write}. We present algorithms that, together with Moir's [Moi97], efficiently implement each shared memory above from any of the other two. Our implementations are wait-free and have constant time and space complexity. Thus, concurrent programs developed for one of the above memories can be ported to any other without incurring any increase in time complexity. Further, since our implementations are wait-free, a wait-free concurrent program remains wait-free even after porting.
The Relationship of Communication, Ethical Work Climate, and Trust to Commitment and Innovation

Recently, Hosmer (1994a) proposed a model linking “right,” “just,” and “fair” treatment of extended stakeholders with trust and innovation in organizations. The current study tests this model by using Victor and Cullen's (1988) ethical work climate instrument to measure the perceptions of the “right,” “just,” and “fair” treatment of employee stakeholders.In addition, this study extends Hosmer's model to include the effect of “right,” “just”, and “fair” treatment on employee communication, also believed to be an underlying dynamic of trust.
The influence of cyclic deposition and anneal on growth of isolated and well-dispersed Au nanoisland arrays

Abstract Isolated and well-dispersed Au nanoisland arrays were prepared with sputter deposition and post-deposition anneal in a cyclic fashion. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterization and associated image analysis in aspects of nanoisland size, coverage, circularity, and density were performed to investigate the influence of cyclic deposition and anneal (DAA) on the morphology of as-prepared Au nanoisland arrays. This study revealed that, given a fixed amount of Au deposition per cycle, increasing the number of DAA cycles drove Au nanoislands’ gradual growth that was interpreted with the increase of their size and coverage and decrease of their density and circularity. In addition, given a fixed amount of total Au deposition, dividing the growth process into more cycles was shown to lower the growth rate of Au nanoislands. Moreover, the as-prepared Au nanoisland arrays were demonstrated to be a viable option as surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensing platform whose SERS enhancement was found to be highly dependent upon the size of nanoislands.
Cytochrome P450 2D6 and 3A4 enzyme inhibition by amine stimulants in dietary supplements

A number of dietary supplements used for weight loss and athletic performance enhancement have been recently shown to contain a variety of stimulants, for which there is a lack of pharmacological and toxicological information. One concern for these emerging compounds is their potential to inhibit metabolic enzymes in the liver such as cytochromes P450 (CYP), which can lead to unexpected interactions among dietary supplements, drugs, and other xenobiotics. In this study, inhibition of human recombinant CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 by 27 amine stimulants associated with dietary supplements and their analogs was evaluated by luminescence assays. The strongest CYP2D6 inhibitors were coclaurine (IC50 = 0.14 ± 0.01 μM) and N-benzylphenethylamine (IC50 = 0.7 ± 0.2 μM), followed by several other relatively strong inhibitors (IC50 , 2-12 μM) including β-methylphenethylamine, N,β-dimethylphenethylamine (phenpromethamine), 1,3-dimethylamylamine (DMAA), N,α-diethylphenethylamine, higenamine (norcoclaurine) and N,N-diethylphenethylamine. Only nine compounds inhibited CYP3A4 by 20-55% at 100 μM. Results of this study illustrate that several amine stimulants associated with dietary supplements inhibit CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 in vitro, and these compounds may participate in adverse drug-dietary supplement interactions in vivo. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Computational mutagenesis of E. coli lac repressor: insight into structure-function relationships and accurate prediction of mutant activity

A computational mutagenesis methodology that utilizes a four-body,knowledge-based, statistical contact potential is applied toward quantifyingrelative changes (residual scores) to sequence-structure compatibility in E. colilac repressor due to single amino acid residue substitutions. We show that theseresidual scores correlate well with experimentally measured relative changes inprotein activity caused by the mutations. The approach also yields a measure ofenvironmental perturbation at every residue position in the protein caused bythe mutation (residual profile). Supervised learning with a decision tree algorithm,utilizing the residual profiles of over 4000 experimentally evaluated mutantsfor training, classifies the mutants based on activity with nearly 79% accuracywhile achieving 0.80 area under the receiver operating characteristic curve.A trained decision tree model is subsequently used to infer the levels of activityfor all remaining unexplored lac repressor mutants.
Rationale and Benefits of Surveillance After Prosthetic Infrainguinal Bypass Grafts

Infrainguinal revascularization with autogenous conduit remains the gold standard of care for the treatment of critical lower extremity ischemia when bypass is required. One of the major factors diminishing long-term patency of these grafts is the development of stenosis of the graft or inflow and outflow arteries. Twenty to forty percent of all infrainguinal bypass grafts will develop stenosis due to different factors.1 It is critical to identify these lesions while grafts are patent, as treatment with minor procedures will maintain patency, while treatment after thrombosis is significantly more morbid and less successful. Clinical examination looking for signs and symptoms of limb ischemia, including pulse evaluation and with measurement of ankle systolic pressure, can usually identify only the very high grade stenoses or occlusions. Over the past two decades there has been increasing evidence to support postoperative surveillance of arterial bypass grafts to improve long-term patency. The use of duplex ultrasound (DU) surveillance for infrainguinal vein grafts has become widely accepted.2 We have suggested that DU is also applicable for prosthetic bypass grafts.3
Efficient Energy Transfer and Enhanced Near‐IR Emission in Cu+/Nd3+‐Activated Aluminophosphate Glass

The development of photonic materials for efficient energy conversion and high-power solid-state lasers is currently pursued given the wide range of applicable technologies and the possibility to help meet global energy demands in laser fusion power plants. In this work, Cu+ ions successfully incorporated in aluminophosphate glass are recognized as near-ultraviolet (UV) sensitizers of Nd3+ ions resulting in remarkable near-infrared (IR) 4F3/2 → 4I11/2 emission at 1.06 μm. Optical absorption, solid-state 31P nuclear magnetic resonance, Raman, and photoluminescence spectroscopies characterizations are employed and assessment methods for material optical and structural properties are proposed. The spectroscopic data indicates an efficient (>50%) nonradiative energy transfer where the Cu+ ions first absorb photons broadly around 360 nm, and subsequently transfer the energy from the Stokes-shifted emitting states to resonant Nd3+ energy levels. Then, the Nd3+ electronic excited states decay and the upper lasing state 4F3/2 is populated, leading to enhanced near-IR emission. It is suggested that the physico-chemically robust Cu+/Nd3+ codoped aluminophosphate glass is a suitable candidate as solid-state laser material with enhanced pump range in the near-UV part of the spectrum and for solar spectral conversion in photovoltaic cells.
Building reliability into EPROMs

Four areas for achieving a stable, reliable process in a high volume environment are considered: (a) process capability in a manufacturing environment; (b) manufacturing control; (c) assessment of process interactions; (d) process monitoring. These areas are discussed, and suggestions for their application are made. >
Attributions in Marriage: Integrating Specific and Global Evaluations of a Relationship

How do partners in close relationships integrate perceptions of specific aspects of the relationship with global evaluations of the relationship as a whole? The attributions that partners make for each other’s behaviors should moderate this process by determining whether specific behaviors have global implications. To evaluate this idea, the current study assessed attributions and daily ratings of global and specific aspects of the relationship in a sample of 82 newlywed couples. Attributions were not associated with either kind of rating directly, but hierarchical linear modeling revealed that attributions were associated with the covariance between global and specific ratings within spouses. Results suggest a mechanism to account for the longitudinal association between attributions and marital satisfaction and point out the importance of measuring global and specific perceptions of relationships independently.