cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The discipline of product discovery: identifying breakthrough business opportunities

Purpose – This paper aims to cover the authors' experience with applying the latest methodologies in identifying and articulating product opportunities within a large, global corporation and dynamic marketplace.Design/methodology/approach – The study conducts a course of multiple explorations in identifying and articulating product opportunities within a large, global corporation and dynamic marketplace.Findings – The paper finds that identifying product opportunities is a large and at times fuzzy activity. As experts bring insights and improvements to light, the application of those within a large corporate context can be daunting. Over the course of multiple explorations key lessons emerge to improve the reliability of such endeavors. Building a repeatable process to identify new product opportunities requires the use of multiple methods from a range of fields to minimize blind spots that each inevitably have. The process also requires a non‐linear approach to allow the company's context and data at han...
Pharmacology Review: Sodium Phenylacetate and Sodium Benzoate in the Treatment of Neonatal Hyperammonemia

Ammonia is present in all body fluids and exists primarily as ammonium ion at physiologic pH. Hyperammonemia is defined as a blood ammonia concentration greater than about 100 mcmol/L in neonates or 50 mcmol/L in children and adults (precise cut-offs vary, depending on individual laboratory normative ranges). The concentration of ammonia is 10 times higher in tissue than in blood. A 5- to 10-fold increase in blood ammonia concentration usually is toxic to the nervous system. Hyperammonemia in the neonatal period, especially when due to inborn errors of metabolism, can progress rapidly and cause severe neurologic damage or early death. Hyperammonemia can be caused by inborn errors of metabolism as well as by a variety of acquired conditions (Tables 1 and 2). Urgent treatment is required because of the potential for irreversible neurologic sequelae that can, in many cases, be prevented by prompt diagnosis and institution of therapy. | Urea cycle defects | || | Amino acid transporter deficiencies | | Organic acidemias | | Fatty acid oxidation defects | | Pyruvate carboxylase deficiency | | Mitochondrial disorders | | Hyperinsulinism/hyperammonemia syndrome (glutamate dehydrogenase mutations) | | Delta1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase deficiency | Table 1. Inborn Errors of Metabolism Associated With Hyperammonemia | Sampling artifact | || | Cardiovascular | | Perinatal asphyxia | | Liver failure | | Bacterial colonization (urease-positive organisms) | | Iatrogenic | Table 2. Causes of Acquired Hyperammonemia The combination of sodium phenylacetate (NAPA) and sodium benzoate (NABZ) in a 10%/10% solution is an intravenously administered United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug used as adjunctive therapy for …
Tropical cirrus and water vapor: an effective Earth infrared iris feedback?

Abstract. We revisit a model of feedback processes proposed by Lindzen et al. (2001), in which an assumed 22% reduction in the area of tropical high clouds per degree increase in sea surface temperature produces negative feedbacks associated with upper tropospheric water vapor and cloud radiative effects. We argue that the water vapor feedback is overestimated in Lindzen et al. (2001) by at least 60%, and that the high cloud feedback is small. Although not mentioned by Lindzen et al. (2001), tropical low clouds make a significant contribution to their negative feedback, which is also overestimated. Using more realistic parameters in the model of Lindzen et al. (2001), we obtain a feedback factor in the range of -0.15 to -0.51, compared to their larger negative feedback factor of -0.45 to -1.03. It is noted that our feedback factor could still be overestimated due to the assumption of constant low cloud cover in the simple radiative-convective model.
PhosphoChain: a novel algorithm to predict kinase and phosphatase networks from high-throughput expression data

Motivation: Protein phosphorylation is critical for regulating cellular activities by controlling protein activities, localization and turnover, and by transmitting information within cells through signaling networks. However, predictions of protein phosphorylation and signaling networks remain a significant challenge, lagging behind predictions of transcriptional regulatory networks into which they often feed. Results: We developed PhosphoChain to predict kinases, phosphatases and chains of phosphorylation events in signaling networks by combining mRNA expression levels of regulators and targets with a motif detection algorithm and optional prior information. PhosphoChain correctly reconstructed � 78% of the yeast mitogenactivated protein kinase pathway from publicly available data. When tested on yeast phosphoproteomic data from large-scale mass spectrometry experiments, PhosphoChain correctly identified � 27% more phosphorylation sites than existing motif detection tools (NetPhosYeast and GPS2.0), and predictions of kinase–phosphatase interactions overlapped with � 59% of known interactions present in yeast databases. PhosphoChain provides a valuable framework for predicting condition-specific phosphorylation events from highthroughput data. Availability: PhosphoChain is implemented in Java and available at http://virgo.csie.ncku.edu.tw/PhosphoChain/ or http://aitchisonlab. com/PhosphoChain
Control of Isoleucine, Valine, and Leucine Biosynthesis VI. Effect of 5′,5′,5′-Trifluoroleucine on Repression in Salmonella typhimurium

The leucine analogue 5',5',5',-trifluoroleucine (fluoroleucine) replaced leucine for repression of the isoleucine-valine biosynthetic enzymes in Salmonella typhimurium. In contrast, the analogue had no effect on derepression of the leucine biosynthetic enzymes in leucine auxotrophs grown on limiting amounts of leucine. The effect of fluoroleucine on repression appeared to be specific for leucine since derepression of the isoleucine-valine enzymes due to an isoleucine or valine limitation was not affected by the analogue. The prevention of derepression by fluoroleucine was probably due to repression and not to the formation of false proteins, since the analogue had no effect on the derepression of a number of enzymes unrelated to the isoleucine-valine pathway. Fluoroleucine was able to attach to leucine transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) as evidenced by the ability of the analogue to protect about 70% of leucine tRNA from oxidation by periodate. We propose that the differential effects of fluoroleucine on repression are due to differences in the ability of the analogue to bind to the various species of leucine tRNA.
TLC of coumarin anticoagulants

A simple, rapid, and reproducible TLC procedure for the separation and identification of five 4-hydroxycoumarin derivatives used as anticoagulants and rodenticides is presented.
Seasonal Variation of Acinetobacter Infections: 1987–1996

To determine whether nosocomial infections due to Acinetobacter species have increased over the past 10 years and whether infections continue to have a pronounced seasonal variation, we analyzed infections reported by hospitals in the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System that performed adult and pediatric intensive care unit surveillance from 1987 through 1996. Overall, 3447 nosocomial acinetobacter infections were reported during 5,596, 156 patient-days. There was a yearly median of 7.2 infections (range, 5.0-10.5) per 10,000 patient-days and a downward trend in the rate of acinetobacter infections overall (P<.05) and of 2 major types of infection (P<.05): bloodstream infections (yearly median, 1.6 per 10, 000 central venous catheter-days; range, 1.3-2.9) and pneumonia (yearly median, 7.6 per 10,000 ventilator-days; range, 6.5-12.0). Throughout this period, average rates were significantly higher during July-October than during November-June for acinetobacter infections overall (8.0 vs. 5.2; P<.01) and for bloodstream infections (2.0 vs. 1.2; P<.01) and pneumonia (9.7 vs. 6.6; P<.01).
Extended cocaine self-administration and deprivation produces region-specific and time-dependent changes in connexin36 expression in rat brain.

Cocaine addiction is a disease that develops over time, and it is thought that drug-induced neuroadaptations underlie the changes in behavior seen across the addictive process. While a number of alterations in synaptic transmission have been identified, little is currently known regarding cocaine's effects on gap junctional communication between neurons. Here we examine the effects of a cocaine self-administration regimen, previously shown to increase the reinforcing efficacy of cocaine, on the expression of the neuron-specific gap junction-forming protein connexin36 (Cx36). Using real-time RT-PCR and immunoblotting, we show that binge cocaine self-administration produces region-specific and time-dependent changes in Cx36 mRNA and protein expression in the nucleus accumbens, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus. A number of changes in Cx36 were present 1 day and 7 days following self-administration, and Cx36 mRNA and protein appeared to be differentially regulated in a region-specific manner. Cx36 protein was significantly decreased in the prefrontal cortex 7 days following self-administration, a time point when behavioral sensitization to the reinforcing effects of cocaine is observed. These results suggest that changes in neuronal gap junction expression may be one mechanism by which cocaine self-administration produces enduring changes in behavior. Synapse 58:141–150, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Need for Optimal Design of Pharmaceutical Programs and Portfolios in Modern Medical Product Development

In drug development decisions regarding various development options should be defined such that that the expected value of a product or a portfolio is maximized. This needs to be done through the process of quantitative optimization of development decisions. This process involves development of multiple scenarios that are best compared by using simulations. While this optimization could focus on individual development programs, it is preferable that these decisions are made at the portfolio level, as individual programs are interdependent. The value of a product depends on quality of product itself, and quality of development program. The value of a portfolio depends on the value of individual products and the strategy for portfolio optimization. Key concepts that are addressed here are: 1. Drug development decisions should be made at the portfolio level. Budgets are limited and are determined at the portfolio level; therefore decisions within individual programs should be interrelated. 2. Study design and development strategy have a major impact on the success of drug development at: Trial level by application of adaptive design. Program level. More effective dose-finding leads to higher success rates in Phase 3 and an improved efficacy/safety profile Portfolio level. Improved allocation of a fixed budget into individual trials leads to an improved value of the portfolio. 3. An integrated, R&D and commercial approach is necessary for optimizing pharmaceutical portfolios.
A feasibility trial of narrow band imaging endoscopy in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Background & Aims: Narrow band imaging (NBI) endoscopy system enhances visualization of microvasculature and mucosal patterns. This study assessed the utility of NBI in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms. Methods: Patients with and without GERD symptoms completed 2 validated GERD questionnaires prior to enrollment. The distal esophagus was examined by standard white light endoscopy followed by NBI. The features seen only by NBI were compared between GERD patients and controls. Results: Overall, 80 patients (50 GERD, 30 controls) were eligible for final analysis (mean age, 58.4 years; males, 93.7%; white, 82.5%). A significantly higher proportion of patients with GERD had increased number (OR, 12.6; 95% CI: 3.7–42; P P P P P = .001) compared with controls. On multivariate analysis, increased number (OR, 5.5; 95% CI: 1.4–21.6) and dilatation (OR, 11.3; 95% CI: 3.2–39.9) of IPCLs were the best predictors for diagnosing GERD. The maximum, minimum, and average number of IPCLs/field were significantly greater in the GERD group compared with controls ( P Conclusions: NBI endoscopy may represent a significant improvement over standard endoscopy for the diagnosis of GERD. These preliminary findings including inter- and intraobserver agreement need to be evaluated in future prospective, controlled, and blinded GERD trials.
Use of a Cryptic Splice Site for the Expression of Huntingtin Interacting Protein 1 in Select Normal and Neoplastic Tissues

Huntingtin interacting protein 1 (HIP1) is a 116-kDa endocytic protein, which is necessary for the maintenance of several tissues in vivo as its deficiency leads to degenerative adult phenotypes. HIP1 deficiency also inhibits prostate tumor progression in mice. To better understand how deficiency of HIP1 leads to such phenotypes, we analyzed tumorigenic potential in mice homozygous for a Hip1 mutant allele, designated Hip1(Delta 3-5), which is predicted to result in a frame-shifted, nonsense mutation in the NH(2) terminus of HIP1. In contrast to our previous studies using the Hip1 null allele, an inhibition of tumorigenesis was not observed as a result of the homozygosity of the nonsense Delta 3-5 allele. To further examine the contrasting results from the prior Hip1 mutant mice, we cultured tumor cells from homozygous Delta 3-5 allele-bearing mice and discovered the presence of a 110-kDa form of HIP1 in tumor cells. Upon sequencing of Hip1 DNA and message from these tumors, we determined that this 110-kDa form of HIP1 is the product of splicing of a cryptic U12-type AT-AC intron. This event results in the insertion of an AG dinucleotide between exons 2 and 6 and restoration of the reading frame. Remarkably, this mutant protein retains its capacity to bind lipids, clathrin, AP2, and epidermal growth factor receptor providing a possible explanation for why tumorigenesis was not altered after this knockout mutation. Our data show how knowledge of the transcript that is produced by a knockout allele can lead to discovery of novel types of molecular compensation at the level of splicing.
TROY (TNFRSF19) promotes glioblastoma survival signaling and therapeutic resistance

Of the features that characterize glioblastoma, arguably none is more clinically significant than the propensity of malignant glioma cells to aggressively invade into the surrounding normal brain tissue. These invasive cells render complete resection impossible, confer significant resistance to chemo- and radiation-therapy, and virtually assure tumor recurrence. Expression of TROY (TNFRSF19), a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, inversely correlates with patient survival and stimulates glioblastoma cell migration and invasion in vitro. In this study, we report that TROY is overexpressed in glioblastoma tumor specimens and TROY mRNA expression is increased in the invasive cell population in vivo. In addition, inappropriate expression of TROY in mouse astrocytes in vivo using glial-specific gene transfer in transgenic mice induces astrocyte migration within the brain validating the importance of the TROY signaling cascade in glioblastoma cell migration and invasion. Moreover, knockdown of TROY expression in a primary glioblastoma xenograft significantly prolonged survival in vivo. We also report that TROY expression significantly increases resistance of glioblastoma cells to both IR- and TMZ- induced apoptosis in vitro via activation of Akt and NF-κB. Inhibition of either Akt or NF-κB activity suppressed the survival benefits of TROY signaling in response to TMZ treatment. These findings position aberrant expression and/or signaling by TROY as a contributor to the dispersion of glioblastoma cells and therapeutic resistance.
Equal optical path beamsplitter for a pencil beam interferometer and shearing interferometer

To produce stable beams used by pencil beam interferometers, a new equal optical path beamsplitter (EBS) is developed. The beamsplitter divides one incident pencil beam into two parallel exiting beams with a fixed separation. The new EBS is a monolithic unit comprised of two right-angle trapezoidal prisms with a thin film beamsplitting coating on the faces, which are cemented together. Adjusting the dimensions of each element according to a simple algebraic relation produces two identical, parallel beams separated by a fixed distance with a zero optical path difference between them. The monolithic EBS is very simple and stable. It has applications in interferometers that require the use of a pencil beam source, such as the long trace profiler (LTP) and the precise angle monitor. If a large-diameter wavefront is incident on the EBS, it can be used in shearing interferometer applications, such as the lateral translation shearing interferometer and the rotational shearing interferometer. Use of the EBS in all of these configurations significantly improves instrument stability and accuracy. Some application examples and test results are presented.
Rapid mRNA‐Display Selection of an IL‐6 Inhibitor Using Continuous‐Flow Magnetic Separation

Since the invention of hybridoma technology, methods for generating affinity reagents that bind specific target molecules have revolutionized biology and medicine.[1] In the postgenomic era, there is a pressing need to accelerate the pace of ligand discovery to elucidate the functions of a rapidly growing number of newly characterized molecules and their modified states.[2] Nonimmunoglobulin-based proteins such as DARPins, affibodies, and monobodies represent attractive alternatives to traditional antibodies as these are small, soluble, disulfide-free, single-domain scaffolds that can be selected from combinatorial libraries and expressed in bacteria.[3] For example, monobodies—highly stable scaffolds based on the immunoglobulin VH-like 10th fibronectin type III (10Fn3) domain of human fibronectin[4]—have yielded antibody mimetics that bind to numerous targets for applications including intracellular inhibition,[5,6] therapeutics,[7] and biosensors.[6,8] These 10Fn3-based ligands can be derived from highly diverse libraries using techniques such as phage, ribosome, mRNA, bacterial, and yeast displays.[9]
Does evidence exist on whether specific interventions can improve adherence to a home exercise program in a patient with intermittent claudication

The purpose of “Evidence in Practice” is to illustrate the literature search process to obtain evidence that can guide clinical decision making. This article is not a case report. The examination, evaluation, and intervention sections are purposely abbreviated. A 71-year-old man was referred by his physician to our clinic for examination and treatment with reports of bilateral lower-extremity pain, which was worse on the right side than on the left. The patient reported that his symptoms were most noticeable while walking distances greater than 2 city blocks. He did not report any pain while at rest, and his leg pain was relieved by sitting for 5 to 10 minutes. He also had a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. His current medications included glipizide (Glucotrol XL*) for control of diabetes mellitus, clopidogrel bisulfate (Plavix†) to reduce platelet-induced thrombosis, simvastatin (Zocor‡) to improve his plasma lipid profile, and amlodipine besylate (Norvasc*) for treatment of hypertension. He reported that he has smoked cigarettes for 46 years. Although he tried to quit unsuccessfully several times, he reduced his consumption to ½ pack per day for the past 5 years. He reported that his leg symptoms began approximately 2 years ago, but he initially attributed his pain with walking to his age and arthritis. He felt that the intensity of his symptoms were becoming progressively worse and that the symptoms seemed to come on sooner, causing his walking distances to become shorter. For example, he recently started walking several mornings each week with his wife and several acquaintances at a local shopping mall; however, he was unable to keep up with his wife and fellow “mall-walkers” because of his leg pain. Before referral to our clinic, the patient underwent radiographic studies of the lumbar spine and both …
Interlibrary loan in U.S. health sciences libraries: journal article use.

Health sciences libraries in the United States use the National Library of Medicine (NLM) DOCLINE system to request more than two million items annually through interlibrary loan (ILL). Ninety-seven percent of all ILL requests are for journal articles. In this study, NLM analyzed four million ILL requests entered into the DOCLINE system during two twelve-month periods ending September 30, 1992. The requests were analyzed at both the journal title level and article level. Data for the two years were found to be remarkably similar. Results showed that a large number of journals are required to fill ILL requests and that there is a relatively low number of repeat requests for most journal articles. Seventy-six percent of journal articles analyzed were requested only once, and fewer than 1% were requested more than ten times. About 39% of journals used to fill ILL requests were indexed in MEDLINE at some time, while 84% of the articles supplied were indexed in MEDLINE. Ninety-two percent of articles supplied were from English-language journals. Sixty-seven percent of articles were published in the most recent five years, and 85% in the most recent ten years. The 100 most frequently requested articles for each of the two years were examined to determine characteristics such as language, where they were indexed, and the subject matter. This study has provided valuable information for planning of NLM's interlibrary document delivery services and also should have significance for libraries and other organizations involved in document delivery.
Comparative techno-economic analysis of hybrid micro-grid systems utilizing different battery types

Abstract A systems-level lifetime cost-of-use optimization model was applied to a hypothetical hybrid off-grid power system to compare the impacts of different battery technologies. Specifically, a time-step battery degradation model was used to account for unit degradation over a 20-year system lifetime for three different batteries. Variables examined included: battery type, allowed state of charge swing during cycling, number of battery replacements, fractional renewable energy requirements, and applied discount rate. Our analyses show that storage packs with high energy, low cost lithium-ion cells have the potential to compete with a non-renewable solution in some cases. The discount rate also proves to be significant in determining the cost competitiveness of the hybrid systems: at low discount rates, the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) is only slightly higher than diesel generation, with costs diverging as the discount rate increases. The discount rate also determines which battery technology delivers the lowest cost of electricity: lead acid batteries are favorable at low rates, while high-energy lithium-ion batteries deliver lower cost electricity at higher rates. Similarly, market forces, like fuel or battery price changes, feed-in tariffs, or carbon taxes, required to trigger a switch to a hybrid system vary substantially with the discount rate.
Evaluation of the Intussusception Risk after Pentavalent Rotavirus Vaccination in Finnish Infants

Background An association between rotavirus immunisation and intussusception (IS) has been suggested with present rotavirus vaccines in post-licensure studies. In Finland, rotavirus vaccination programme was implemented in September 2009 using a 2, 3, and 5 months schedule with the pentavalent rotavirus vaccine. By the end of 2013, it is estimated that 719 000 rotavirus vaccine doses have been given in the national programme of which 240 000 were first doses. Nationwide register allows us to evaluate the association between rotavirus vaccination and IS. Methods and Materials Cases of IS diagnosed during 1999–2013 were identified from National Hospital Discharge Register. All cases under 250 days of age diagnosed during 2009–2013 were confirmed by reviewing medical charts. Self-controlled case-series method was used to assess the risk of IS during 1–21 days compared to 22–42 days post vaccination. Findings In register data the relative incidence of IS at 2 months of age between the post and pre vaccination era was 9.1 (95%CI 2.0–84.3). We identified 22 verified cases with date of admission less than 43 days after any of the three rotavirus vaccine doses. The incidence of IS in the risk period after the 1st dose relative to the control period was 2.0 (95% CI 0.5–8.4; p = 0.34.) Number of excess IS cases per 100 000 first vaccine doses was therefore estimated to be 1.04 (95% CI 0.0–2.5), i.e. one additional IS case per 96 000 first doses of rotavirus vaccine (95% CI 54 600 to ∞). There was no risk detected after 2nd and 3rd doses. Conclusion The finding is in line with the recent published estimates. The benefits of rotavirus immunisation programme outweigh possible small risks of intussusception.
Genome features of Mycobacterium leprae

Recent studies have revealed that the Mycobacterium leprae genome contains many pseudogenes. This short review summarizes the structural features of the M. leprae genome and genes.
An Engineering Method for the Design of Optimized Aircraft Wing Structures

SATS is a multidisciplinary technology development program that consists of three key components, namely, Experience shows that aircraft weight has a dominating effect on the vehicle overall performance. In fact, a 1.0 lb reduction in the structural weight translates to 4.525 lb reduction in gross aircraft takeoff weight. This paper focuses on the preliminary design of aircraft with optimized structural weight. The design concept is based on the optimal arrangement of the major force-carrying components within the aircraft. Further, it is shown that the optimum locations of the longitudinal wing spars results in, not only, minimum shear flows in spar webs and wing skins, but also, minimum axial stresses in the stringers of the wing spars. The net effect is an aircraft with minimum weight. The weight reduction is demonstrated by comparing the structural weight corresponding to the optimal arrangement with that corresponding to a randomly chosen arrangement. The computer aided design program developed in this research effort found the optimal locations of the two wing spars to be at 25% and 60% of the local chord length, respectively, after 136 iterations. Results indicated a 3.0% structural weight reduction when only two spars are considered. i. the development of a new civil aviation and aircraft technology transportation system, refer to Figure 1, ii. the design of ground facilities (landing and takeoff) and airspace infrastructure to support the new civil aviation system, refer to Figure 2, and iii. the development of auxiliary facilities and the provision of the required motivation to passengers and user for their utilization of the new transportation system. The motivation for SATS includes recognition of increasing transportation demands with time and speed as valuable commodities, the alleviation of highway gridlock and pending hub-spoke saturation, and the creation of jobs and enhanced quality of life.
A Review of Blue Whale Studies from HARUphones in the Pacific

The earliest long-term monitoring of low-frequency signals of large whales was via cabled military arrays. These arrays provided valuable new data but were restricted in the locations that were monitored and there was no open access to the data collected. In order to monitor the low-frequency signals of large whales in different areas and over shorter time scales, Haruphones, single hydrophone, autonomous recording packages, were developed by the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and deployed in the Gulf of Alaska and the eastern tropical Pacific. By integrating the acoustic data from these broadly spaced deployments with other data streams, new discoveries about blue whales in the eastern Pacific Ocean were made. These included establishing the geographic range and migratory patterns of eastern north Pacific blue whales; establishing that the eastern tropical Pacific appears to be a blue whale “hot spot” where as many as four, but primarily three, acoustic populations of blue whales occur; determining that the Gulf of Alaska is a region where eastern and western North Pacific blue whales overlap in space and time; and showing that blue whale calling behavior has a diel pattern whereby animals produce more sounds at night than during the day. In aggregate, these data show that passive acoustic monitoring is a valuable tool for establishing blue whale population identity, determining habitat range, and studying behavioral ecology over long time periods and in remote regions of the ocean.
ABH Isoantigens in Stage O Papillary Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder: Correlation with Biological Behavior

AbstractForty patients with stage O papillary transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder were tested for the presence or absence of ABH blood group substances. Of 25 tumors with antigens 21 (84 per cent) remained stage 0, with a mean followup of 13.3 years. Of 15 tumors devoid of blood group substances 11 (73.3 per cent) progressed to stage B or greater in a mean of 4.3 years. Patients without antigens whose tumor remained stage O were followed for a mean of 10 years. Two patients with initially positive tumors subsequently showed loss of antigens and invasion. In 7 of 8 patients the benign epithelium showed a greater concentration of blood group substances than did the corresponding tumor. The presence or absence of blood group substances can be used to predict the biological behavior of stage O transitional cell carcinoma.
Pelvic Ring Fractures

Pelvic ring fractures are serious, usually high-energy injuries. Standard advanced trauma life support (ATLS) protocol must be followed in order to rule out concomitant injury, as these may be life threatening. Fractures are generally broken up into lateral compression fractures (implosion) and anterior-posterior compression (explosion) patterns. The fractures and associated injuries can be significant and bear long-term sequelae; thus proper assessment, classification, and treatment are mandated to limit poor outcomes (Tile et al. Fractures of the Pelvis and Acetabulum. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2003; Egol et al. Handbook of Fractures. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2010; Weiss et al. Review of Orthopedics. Philadelphia: Elsevier, 2012; Rockwood et al. Rockwood and Green’s Fractures in Adults. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2001; Guyton Campbell’s Operative Orthopedics. Philadelphia: Elsevier, 2013).
A recursively constructed low-cost interconnect

Interconnects play a critical role in various networking environments including data center networks, high performance computing systems, networks-on-chip, etc. An important design concern of interconnects is the hardware cost, especially when the scale increases. In order to achieve lower hardware cost, a lot of previous work leverages a tradeoff between the cost and the performance. In this paper, we alternatively propose a new type of recursively constructed multi-stage interconnect which is both cost efficient and performance guaranteed. The proposed interconnect can deliver the same communication pattern support and path availability as previous designs, yet at the same time achieves lower hardware complexity. We first design a prototype (or base case) for the new interconnect, which consists of three stages of switching modules. Then we use this prototype to decompose and replace the switching modules repeatedly and obtain the recursive case of our interconnect. The hardware cost of the recursively constructed interconnect can be significantly reduced, meanwhile the communication pattern support and path availability are perfectly preserved. For both the base case and the recursive case, we study the properties of the network topology, propose routing algorithms, give performance analysis and calculate cost. We show that the interconnect reduces the hardware cost from the previously best known result O(N3/2), where N is the number of input or output nodes of the interconnect, to O(N11/1−2δ log1.585N), where δ is a small value approaching zero when N increases.
Nonlinear model predictive control using polynomial optimization methods

This paper reviews and provides perspectives on the design of nonlinear model predictive control systems for polynomial systems. General nonlinear systems can often be rewritten exactly as polynomial systems or approximated as polynomial systems using Taylor series. This paper discusses the application of model predictive control (MPC) to these types of systems. After MPC problem for discrete-time polynomial systems is formulated as a polynomial program, moment-based and dual-based sum-of-squares (SOS) algorithms and their relationship are described as two promising methods for solving the polynomial programs to global optimality. Finally, future directions for research are proposed, including real-time, output-feedback, and robust/stochastic polynomial MPC.
Post-9/11 cancer incidence in World Trade Center-exposed New York City firefighters as compared to a pooled cohort of firefighters from San Francisco, Chicago and Philadelphia (9/11/2001-2009).

Background We previously reported a modest excess of cancer in World Trade Center (WTC)-exposed firefighters versus the general population. This study aimed to separate the potential carcinogenic effects of firefighting and WTC exposure by comparing to a cohort of non-WTC-exposed firefighters. Methods Relative rates (RRs) for all cancers combined and individual cancer subtypes from 9/11/2001 to 12/31/2009 were modeled using Poisson regression comparing 11,457 WTC-exposed firefighters to 8,220 urban non-WTC-exposed firefighters. Results Compared with non-WTC-exposed firefighters, there was no difference in the RR of all cancers combined for WTC-exposed firefighters (RR = 0.96, 95%CI: 0.83–1.12). Thyroid cancer was significantly elevated (RR = 3.82, 95%CI: 1.07–20.81) from 2001 to 2009; this was attenuated (RR = 3.43, 95%CI: 0.94–18.94) and non-significant when controlling for possible surveillance bias. Prostate cancer was elevated during the latter half (2005–2009; RR = 1.38, 95%CI: 1.01–1.88). Conclusions Further follow-up is needed to assess the relationship between WTC exposure and cancers with longer latency periods. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:722–730, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Proposing a modeling framework for minimizing security vulnerabilities in IoT systems in the healthcare domain

As the use of and reliance on IoT devices grows within the public domain, there is an equivalent dependence on due diligence taken to the design and development of IoT devices entering the medical and healthcare domains. Coupled with the growth of data passed through these embedded systems, there is a clear and potential danger in having these IoT devices and networks not be held to the same rigorous standards of design as other industrial-level technology. In this paper we address the issue of poor security design and implementation in medical IoT devices by proposing the use of existing modeling software (AADL) as a method of standardization of medical IoT device development.
Environmental Associations with Post-Fire Butterfly Occupancy in the Sierra Nevada, California

ABSTRACT: Fire affects environmental attributes associated with the distribution, abundance, and reproduction of butterflies, and studies have demonstrated that species richness and abundance of butterflies respond to fire. However, the effects of fire on resources used by adult butterflies, and on butterfly occupancy, are largely unknown. In 2014 and 2015, we surveyed butterflies and elements of their habitat within the boundary of the Rim Fire (Stanislaus National Forest, Tuolumne County, California), one of the largest fires known to occur in California during the past century. We examined the extent to which butterfly occupancy and abundance in the first two years following the Rim Fire were associated with environmental attributes that were affected by fire. We also tested whether vegetation and soil burn severity, two indices used by resource management agencies, explained variation in the environmental attributes that we included in models of butterfly occupancy and abundance. We found that the per...
Coordinated sharing of resources in asynchronous systems

Deadlock is a serious problem in asynchronous systems in which several users share a pool of resources in an unpreemptable manner. Habermann has investigated the avoidance of deadlock in systems in which only the maximum needs of a user are known in addition to system parameters. This paper investigates avoidance of deadlock in systems in which more detailed information about a user's needs is available. The essential problem is one of devising a suitable representation for such a system to aid in the analysis of deadlock. A suitable directed graph model analogous to Petri nets [2] is described and analyzed for the case where user activity is sequential and independent. The analysis relates, at first, to systems with one type of resource (usually core memory in computer systems) and an algorithmic allocation scheme is specified which is non-exhaustive and involves little backtracking. In fact, it is shown that only a few of the possibilities need be examined at any stage in the procedure. The analysis is subsequently extended to systems with multiple resource types and significant differences appear. Work on further extensions of the model and analysis thereof in the context of deadlock avoidance is in progress.
1639a Biomarkers of chlorpyrifos and profenofos exposure and effect in adult and adolescent egyptian cotton field workers

Introduction Chlorpyrifos (CPF) and profenofos (PFF) are organophosphorus (OP) pesticides that are applied seasonally in Egypt to cotton fields. Urine trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCPy), a specific CPF metabolite, and 4-bromo-2-chlorophenol (BCP), a specific PFF metabolite, are biomarkers of exposure, while inhibition of blood butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities are effect biomarkers which may be associated with neurotoxicity. Methods Urine TCPy and BCP and blood BChE and AChE activities were measured in 37 adult Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture workers during and after 9–17 consecutive days of CPF application followed by PFF (8–10 days), and a second CPF application (5 days) in 2008. In a separate longitudinal study, 57 adolescent applicators and 38 age-matched non-applicators were studied over 10 months in 2010. Results During the OP applications, mean TCPy and BCP levels were significantly higher than baseline levels and remained elevated following the application periods. Peak urinary BCP and peak TCPy levels for individuals (ranging from 13.4 to 8052 and 16.4 to 30,107 ug/g creatinine, respectively) were also highly correlated (r=0.77, p Conclusion Biomarker data in the adolescent non-applicators, which mirrored that of the applicators, indicated that the non-applicators received environmental CPF exposures. The variability in environmental and occupational exposures suggest that job title and work location should not be used as the sole basis for categorising OP exposures. Together, these results can serve to guide future investigations in assessing health risks of OPs and guide efforts to reduce exposures.
Multiphoton Ionization of Clusters: Reactions and Spectroscopy

Clusters display properties intermediate between the gas and the condensed phase and studies of their varying properties as a function of degree of aggregation provide a unique way of bridging atomic and molecular science on the one hand with that dealing with condensed matter and surfaces on the other. The application of supersonic molecular beam techniques, coupled with both resonant and non-resonant multiphoton ionization, time-of-flight mass spectrometer methods in conjunction with reflecting electric fields will be discussed in terms of investigating variations of spectral features, ionization potentials, reactions, and dissociation processes.
Harmonic functions on Walsh’s Brownian motion

In this dissertation we examine a variation of two- dimensional Brownian motion introduced in 1978 by Walsh. Walsh's Brownian motion can be described as a Brownian motion on the spokes of a (rimless) bicycle wheel. We will construct such a process by randomly assigning an angle to the excursions of a reflecting Brownian motion from 0. With this construction we see that Walsh's Brownian motion in R² behaves like one-dimensional Brownian motion away from the origin, but at the origin behaves differently as the process is sent off in another random direction. Taking advantage of this similarity, we provide a characterization of harmonic functions for the process as linear functions on the rays that satisfy a slope- averaging property. We also classify superharmonic functions as concave functions on the rays satisfying some extra conditions. We then generalize the state space to consider a process on any connected, locally finite graph obtained by gluing a number of Walsh's Brownian motion processes in R² together. In this generalized situation, we also classify harmonic functions. We introduce a Markov chain associated to Walsh's Brownian motion on a graph and explore the relationship between the two processes. We address the reversibility of the process and derive the Dirichlet form of the reversible Walsh's Brownian motion on a graph.
Assessing Brief Intervention for Unhealthy Alcohol Use: A Comparison of Electronic Health Record Documentation and Patient Self-Report

Objective:Alcohol screening and brief intervention (BI) are recommended preventive health practices. Veterans Health Administration (VA) uses a performance measure to incentivize BI delivery. Conce...
Pre-operative Decolonization as a Strategy to Reduce Surgical Site Infection

To identify the most common strategies currently used for S. aureus decolonization and surgical site infection (SSI) prevention. Pre-operative colonization with Staphylococcus aureus increases SSI risk. Screening and decolonization with intra-nasal mupirocin and pre-operative chlorhexidine bathing remains the most common and effective strategy, especially for orthopedic and cardiovascular surgery. Intra-nasal povidone-iodine immediately before surgery appears effective in preliminary studies, is less expensive, and may be easier to implement in the clinical setting. Future well-designed clinical research studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness in SSI prevention. Intra-nasal alcohol-based antisepsis and photodynamic therapy are promising strategies that deserve further study before they can be clinically applied to SSI prevention. Decolonization with intra-nasal mupirocin or povidone-iodine, in addition to pre-operative chlorhexidine bathing, is an important SSI prevention strategy. Future studies should address optimal dosing, timing, and number of applications for each regimen.
Information Literacy Beyond Librarians: A Data/Methods Triangulation Approach to Investigating Disciplinary IL Teaching Practices

Abstract Objective – While library literature contains many studies examining faculty perceptions of the value of librarian-led information literacy (IL)instruction, there is little evidence regarding IL instruction practices of disciplinary faculty independent of librarians. In a climate of uncertain budgets, increasing student enrollment, and increased conversation around the need for IL, media, and digital literacy skills, this study aimed to investigate a little-researched area of the IL instruction, learning, and development milieu. Methods – In collaboration with the institutional research office, a data and methods triangulation approach was used. A survey of disciplinary faculty was administered and disciplinary faculty focus groups were also conducted. Student outcomes and annual assessment reports, documents that describe teaching and assessment methods for courses across the university, were analyzed. Voyant, a text-mining tool, was also used to determine key phrases and terms related to IL in these documents. Results – Results revealed that disciplinary faculty highly value skills and understandings affiliated with IL competency. Faculty provide the majority of IL learning opportunities independent of librarians, although these learning opportunities are generally provided through implicit, rather than explicit, methods. Pedagogical methods that may enable explicit practices, such as the use of standards and competencies, are infrequently used. Conclusion – Evidence and findings from this study are being used to inform several initiatives to work with disciplinary faculty for IL instruction, including new services, resources, and instruction models to support IL development in students.
Extendable mirrors to improve anesthesia provider comfort for eye and positioning checks in prone patients: A pilot study:

Prone positioning is frequently used for spinal surgery and is associated with risks including perioperative visual loss and stroke. Frequent eye checks and careful neck positioning are recommended...
Local Lattice Effects in the Layered Manganite La 1.4 Sr 1.6 Mn 2 O 7

The pair density function analysis of pulsed neutron diffraction data for the two-layer manganite La{sub 1.4}Sr {sub 1.6}Mn{sub 2}O{sub 7} indicates the presence of a large local Jahn-Teller (JT) distortion of comparable magnitude to that found in the perovskites, while the crystallographic structure shows a very small JT effect. A model that includes JT displacements provides a better representation of the local structure than the existing crystallographic one. While the local distortion is reduced at lower temperatures its change corresponds more to the increase in the transport in the ab plane than to the magnetic transition, reflecting the 2D nature of the crystal. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}
Chapter 5 – Sleep disorders

Inadequate sleep can be the result of sleep deprivation by choice but it can also be the result of biological dysfunction that can lead to a sleep disorder. Sleep disorders can take many forms, but they all disrupt sleep and can lead to a decreased cognitive function, decreased health metrics, and decreased quality of life. This chapter will describe several of the most common and relevant sleep disorders in a general manner to introduce the reader to what a sleep disorder is and the consequences of those disorders. There are many conditions that disrupt sleep and are classified as sleep disorders. There are commonly identified sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and insomnia. Some sleep disorders are caused by a conflict of the internal biological clock with work or social time. Some disorders are a little more obscure but gaining in notoriety, such as fatal familial insomnia and restless leg syndrome, whereas others occur during and around sleep, such as parasomnias and rapid eye movement behavior disorder. The common thread is the disrupted sleep and the consequences that it has on the employees and their performance. If one suspects that they or a loved one have a sleep disorder, they should see physician to determine if the sleep disorder is the primary cause of the sleep disruption or if it is secondary to another disorder. Fortunately there are treatments for many sleep disorders that can alleviate the symptoms of the sleep disorder and help people live with the sleep disorder.