cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Both lavender fleur oil and unscented oil aromatherapy reduce preoperative anxiety in breast surgery patients: a randomized trial.

Abstract Study objective The objective of this study was to determine whether lavender fleur oil (LFO) aromatherapy would reduce anxiety when administered to women before undergoing breast surgery. Design This was a single-site, randomized study comparing the effect of LFO to unscented oil (UO). Setting The study was conducted in the preoperative holding area of the ambulatory surgery department of NYU Langone Medical Center. Patients Ninety three women, 18 years and older, scheduled for breast surgery. Women meeting inclusion/exclusion criteria were randomized to either LFO or UO aromatherapy and were blind to their assigned treatment. Outcome measures Subjects completed a Speilberger State Anxiety Inventory for Adults (STAI) before and after aromatherapy. Vital signs were recorded before and after aromatherapy. Results STAI-State questions were divided into positive and negative emotions for analysis. Before aromatherapy, there was no significant difference between groups by individual questions or overall average answer of either positive or negative questions. The use of both LFO and UO increased the positive STAI score totals, with the LFO group having a slightly, but statistically significant, greater increase. Both resulted in a statistically significant decrease in the negative score totals after treatment. There were no differences in vital signs between groups for either treatment. Following the conclusion of the trial LFO was analyzed and found to contain a very low content of the 2 major Lavandula angustifolia constituents. Conclusions Both LFO and UO aromatherapy treatments lowered anxiety before surgery despite no significant changes in vital signs. LFO treatment generated a slight but statistically significant increase in positive feelings compared with UO treatment. It is probable that the beneficial effect observed was due to both aromatherapy with LFO and a placebo effect related to the added attention given to the patients.
E-36: The First Proto-Megascience Experiment at NAL

E-36, an experiment on small-angle proton-proton scattering, began testing equipment at the National Accelerator Laboratory (NAL) using a newly achieved 100 GeV proton beam on February 12, 1972, marking the beginning of NAL’s experimental program. This experiment, which drew collaborators from NAL, the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (Dubna, USSR), the University of Rochester (Rochester, New York), and Rockefeller University (New York, New York) was significant not only as a milestone in Fermilab’s history but also as a model of cooperation between the East and West at a time when Cold War tensions still ran high. An examination of the origin, operation, and resolution of E-36 and the chain of experiments it spawned reveals the complex interplay of science and politics that drove these experiments as well as seeds of the megascience paradigm that has come to dominate high energy physics research since the 1970s.
Qualitative research on the psychological experience of mothers of children with leukemia

Objective To find out and understand the feeling of mothers who had children with leukemia in order to provide proper psychological support by medical professionals.Methods 16 mothers of children with leukemia were interviewed with open-ended questions. The data collected from the interviews were analyzed thematically.Results These mothers had significant distress reaction and financial burden. The shock of initial diagnosis, persistent distress during treatment, and the hopeless feeling for children's future were found in the study. The sources of social support included mother's unconditional love, husband, family and other parents in the same situation.Conclusions Mothers with leukemia children needed psychological intervention and emotional support. Health professionals should consider the personal differences among mothers and help them cope with their children's life-threaten illness and improve their quality of life.
Survey of Chinese Medicine Students to Determine Research and Evidence-Based Medicine Perspectives at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine.

Context Research literacy and the practice of evidence-based medicine (EBM) are important initiatives in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), which requires cultural change within educational institutions for successful implementation. Objective To determine the self-assessed research and EBM perspectives of Chinese medicine Masters degree students at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, New York campus (PCOM-NY). Design and Methods A survey with 17 close-ended questions and one open-ended question was administered through Survey Monkey to students at PCOM-NY. Results The survey was sent to 420 Masters students and 176 (41.9%) responded. Students in all four years of the Masters degree indicated a generally high degree of interest in, and support for the value of research. However, increasing years (one to four years) in the program was associated with lower interest in post-graduation research participation and entering the doctoral program, and the fourth year students reported low levels of interest in having greater research content and training in their Masters degree programs. Students who responded to the open-ended question (23% of respondents) expressed enthusiasm for research and concerns about the relevance of research in Chinese medicine. Conclusions Consistent with findings in similar studies at CAM colleges, interest in research, and EBM of the PCOM-NY Masters students appeared to decline with increasing years in the program. Concerns around paradigm and epistemological issues associated with research and EBM among Chinese medicine students and practitioners warrants further investigation, and may be an important challenge for integrative medicine.
Cant take the heat: Temperature-enhanced toxicity in the mayfly Isonychia bicolor exposed to the neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid

Neonicotinoid insecticide usage has increased globally in recent decades. Neonicotinoids, such as imidacloprid, are potent insect neurotoxicants that may pose a threat to non-target aquatic organisms, such as aquatic insects. In nature, insects typically live in thermally fluctuating conditions, which may significantly alter both contaminant exposures and affects. Here we investigate the relationship between temperature and time-to-effect for imidacloprid toxicity with the aquatic insect Isonychia bicolor, a lotic mayfly. Additionally, we examined the mechanisms driving temperature-enhanced toxicity including metabolic rate, imidacloprid uptake rate, and tissue bioconcentration. Experiments included acute toxicity tests utilizing sublethal endpoints and mortality, as well as respirometry and radiotracer assays with [(14)C] imidacloprid. Further, we conducted additional uptake experiments with a suite of aquatic invertebrates (including I. bicolor, Neocloeon triangulifer, Macaffertium modestum, Pteronarcys proteus, Acroneuria carolinensis, and Pleuroceridae sp) to confirm and contextualize our findings from initial experiments. The 96h EC50 (immobility) for I. bicolor at 15°C was 5.81μg/L which was approximately 3.2 fold lower than concentrations associated with 50% mortality. Assays examining the impact of temperature were conducted at 15, 18, 21, and 24°C and demonstrated that time-to-effect for sublethal impairment and immobility was significantly decreased with increasing temperature. Uptake experiments with [(14)C] imidacloprid revealed that initial uptake rates were significantly increased with increasing temperature for I. bicolor, as were oxygen consumption rates. Further, in the separate experiment with multiple species across temperatures 15, 20, and 25°C, we found that all the aquatic insects tested had significantly increased imidacloprid uptake with increasing temperatures, with N. triangulifer accumulating the most imidacloprid on a mass-specific basis. Our acute toxicity results highlight the importance of evaluating sublethal endpoints, as profound impairments of motor function were evident far before mortality. Further, we demonstrate that temperature is a powerful modulator of sublethal toxicity within a range of environmentally relevant temperatures, impacting both uptake rates and metabolic rates of I. bicolor. Finally, we show that temperature alters imidacloprid uptake across a range of species, highlighting the physiological variation present within aquatic invertebrate communities and the challenge associated with relying solely on surrogate species. Taken together, this research points to the need to consider the role of temperature in toxicity assessments.
Twelve Hurdles to Starting an Executive MOT Program: How and Why to Overcome Them

Management of Technology (MOT) programs present unique problems of staffing, marketing, curriculum development and delivery, and fundraising. The IC2 Institute, Oregon Graduate Institute, Portland State University, and Maastricht School of Management have faced most or all of these problems, and overcome them with a combination of innovative business models, industry outreach, and quality improvements. This chapter lists the problems these schools have faced in building MOT and allied programs, and how they dealt with them. It also addresses the important question of why, despite the obstacles, it is worthwhile to build and expand MOT offerings. While centered primarily on American experiences, I believe most of the discussion is globally applicable, and ask readers to excuse any parochialisms.
Elderly patients are at increased risk for treatment failure in outpatient management of purulent skin infections.

Abstract Objective Current Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) guidelines for the management of purulent skin or soft tissue infections do not account for patient age in treatment recommendations. The study objective was to determine if age was associated with outpatient treatment failure for purulent skin infection after adjusting for IDSA treatment guidelines. Methods We conducted a multicenter retrospective study of adult patients treated for a purulent skin infection and discharged home from four emergency departments between April and September 2014. Patients were followed for one month to assess for treatment failure (defined as need for a change in antibiotics, surgical intervention, or hospitalization). We used multivariable logistic regression to examine the role of patient age on treatment failure adjusting for demographic variables (gender, race), comorbidities and severity of infection. Results A total of 467 patients met inclusion criteria (mean age 37.9 years [SD 14.0], 48.2% of whom were women). Overall, 12.4% failed initial therapy. Patients 65 years and older (n = 35) were almost 4 times more likely to fail initial ED therapy in follow-up compared with younger patients (adjusted Odds Ratio (OR) 3.87, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.24–12.10). After adjustment, for every 10 years of advancing age there was a 43% increased odds of failing initial treatment (OR 1.43 95% CI 1.09–1.88). Conclusion Elderly patients with purulent skin infections, whose providers followed the 2014 IDSA guidelines, were more likely to fail initial treatment than younger patients. This study suggests that there is a need to re-evaluate treatment guidelines in elderly patients.
100K Pathogen Genome Project: 306 Listeria Draft Genome Sequences for Food Safety and Public Health.

Listeria monocytogenes is a food-associated bacterium that is responsible for food-related illnesses worldwide. This is the initial public release of 306 L. monocytogenes genome sequences as part of the 100K Pathogen Genome Project. These isolates represent global genomic diversity in L. monocytogenes.
Draft Genome Sequence of Lactobacillus paracasei DmW181, a Bacterium Isolated from Wild Drosophila.

ABSTRACT The draft genome sequence of Lactobacillus paracasei DmW181, an anaerobic bacterium isolate from wild Drosophila flies, is reported here. Strain DmW181 possesses genes for sialic acid and mannose metabolism. The assembled genome is 3,201,429 bp, with 3,454 predicted genes.
Physician scientists should learn how to program

We live in a time with an abundance of clinical data. Federal investments have led to the development of research data networks for addressing clinical questions (eg, the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network,1 All of Us ,2 and the Electronic Medical Records and Genomics Network3). Additionally, there is a growing trend towards public data sharing through initiatives by the National Institute of Health.4 Such sharing of data increases transparency of findings and provides opportunities for generating new hypotheses.5 Physician scientists may be best positioned for secondary analysis because of their clinical knowledge. However, many do not have programming and analytical skills to take full advantage of these opportunities. Analyzing existing data offers advantages: it is less time and resource intensive, and it can provide preliminary data for grant proposals.5 6 Despite these advantages, and given the limited availability of resources, secondary analyses remain uncommon among physician scientists. Traditionally, physician scientists are trained in primary data collection to study clinical phenomena—often involving rigorous designs, patient-oriented interventions, and experimental manipulations. However, strong data management and analytical skills beyond primary data collection are required. Physician scientists must learn to design investigations involving all or part of publically available data, as …
Relationship of oscillatory potential amplitude to A-wave slope over a range of flash luminances in normal subjects.

The effect of flash luminance on the relationship of oscillatory potential (OP) amplitude, as a measurement of inner retinal function, to a-wave slope, as a measurement of photoreceptor function, was evaluated in full-field electroretinograms recorded from normal subjects. The ratio of OP amplitude to a-wave slope was found to be independent of flash luminance over a 3000-fold luminance range. This finding raises the possibility that a reduction in the ratio of OP amplitude to a-wave slope in eyes with media opacities may be used as a sign of inner retinal malfunction. Selected cases are presented to illustrate application of this approach. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 32:1508-1516,1991 Oscillatory potentials (OPs) are wavelets that appear on the ascending limb of the b-wave in electroretinographic (ERG) responses to bright flashes and are thought to reflect feedback synaptic modulation of bipolar cell responses. 1 ' 2 In some patients with diabetic retinopathy 3 " 9 or central retinal vein occlusion, 410 these wavelets have been reported to be reduced in amplitude, without alteration of the a-wave, which is generated by photoreceptors. 11 ' 12 Since OPs are more susceptible than the a-wave to clamping of the retinal circulation, 13 their reduction in patients with a normal a-wave has been interpreted as a sign of possible inner retinal ischemia. Patients with diabetic retinopathy or central retinal vein occlusion frequently have small pupils and media opacities 14 " 17 (cataracts, vitreous or subhyaloid hemorrhages, and retinal hemorrhages of variable extent) that may diminish the amount of light reaching the photoreceptors. Vitreous opacities, for example, can attenuate light up to 1000-fold. 18 The presence of such "filters" in front of the photoreceptors makes it difficult to quantify the degree of inner retinal mal
Electronic and thermal properties of stoichiometric Pt3Si films grown by co-evaporation

A stoichiometric Pt3Si thin-film phase has been stabilized by electron beam (e-beam) co-evaporation of controlled Pt and Si fluxes onto several different substrates. This Pt3Si phase has high electrical conductivity (≥ 106 S/m) and is inaccessible via the more conventional solid-state thermal reaction of a Pt film/Si substrate diffusion couple, a method that is ubiquitous for forming Pt-silicide films (PtSi and Pt2Si) in the semiconductor industry. The Pt3Si films exhibit finely grained columnar morphologies when grown at ambient temperature but develop a larger granular morphology at deposition temperatures exceeding 200 °C and have an electrical conductivity of ~ 1 × 106 S/m independent of substrate type and film thickness. For films deposited above 400 °C, film agglomeration and grain boundary grooving during fabrication leads to a decrease in overall film conductivity. Pt3Si films are less conductive than Pt2Si films, yet have a higher DOS population near the Fermi level as measured by valence band photoemission spectra in agreement with DOS calculations, which suggests a lower electron mobility in the Pt3Si phase. In situ high-temperature X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies indicate that a polymorphic phase transition between a monoclinic-Pt3Si and an orthorhombic-Pt3Si phase occurs ca. 225 °C. Also, the melting temperature of Pt3Si films was measured by in situ XRD to be ca. 920 °C; after cooling from melt, a small subset of Pt3Si grains resolidify with a crystallographic texture strongly oriented in the direction of the film normal.
The Bigger Picture: My Journey to a Purposeful Life and Career in Academia

I am a chemical and biological engineer teaching introductory engineering courses; I am an engineering education researcher with an interest in broadening opportunities for diverse students; I am the only Latina woman assistant professor in my college and a minority in my community; I am a mom of two small children (7 and 3.5), and I am married to my husband of 12 years and many more to come; I am powerful and impactful, my life is purposeful and part of a bigger picture.
National Longitudinal Comparison of Patients Undergoing Surgical Management of Craniosynostosis.

PURPOSE Limited cross-institutional studies compare strip craniectomy versus cranial vault remodeling (CVR) for craniosynostosis management. Given competing surgical preferences, the authors conducted a large-scale analysis of socioeconomic differences, costs, and complications between treatment options. METHODS Nonsyndromic craniosynostosis patients receiving strip craniectomies or CVR were identified in the Kids' Inpatient Database for years 2000 to 2009. Demographics, socioeconomic background, hospital characteristics, charge, and outcomes were tabulated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for comparison. RESULTS Two hundred fifty-one strip craniectomies and 1811 CVR patients were captured. Significantly more strip craniectomy patients were White while more CVR patients were Hispanic or Black (P < 0.0001). Strip craniectomy patients more often had private insurance and CVR patients had Medicaid (P < 0.0001). Over time, CVR trended toward treating a higher proportion of Hispanic and Medicaid patients (P = 0.036). Peri-operative charges associated with CVR were $27,962 more than strip craniectomies, and $11,001 after controlling for patient payer, income, bedsize, and length of stay (P < 0.0001). Strip craniectomies were performed more frequently in the West and Midwest, while CVR were more common in the South (P = 0.001). Length of stay was not significant. Postsurgical complications were largely equivocal; CVR was associated with increased accidental puncture (P = 0.025) and serum transfusion (P = 0.002). CONCLUSION Our national longitudinal comparison demonstrates widening socioeconomic disparities between strip craniectomy and CVR patients. Cranial vault remodeling is more commonly performed in underrepresented minorities and patients with Medicaid, while strip craniectomy is common in the White population and patients with private insurance. While hospital charges and complications were higher among CVR, differences were smaller than expected.
Age matters when comparing hemiarthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty for femoral neck fractures in Medicare patients.

Introduction:The optimal treatment of patients with a displaced intracapsular femoral neck fracture remains controversial. We utilised a national database of Medicare patients to determine if there...
Laser-capture microdissection of murine lung for differential cellular RNA analysis

The lung tissue contains a heterogeneous milieu of bronchioles, epithelial, airway smooth muscle (ASM), alveolar, and immune cell types. Healthy bronchiole comprises epithelial cells surrounded by ASM cells and helps in normal respiration. In contrast, airway remodeling, or plasticity, increases surrounding of bronchial epithelium during inflammation, especially in asthmatic condition. Given the profound functional difference between ASM, epithelial, and other cell types in the lung, it is imperative to separate and isolate different cell types of lungs for genomics, proteomics, and molecular analysis, which will improve the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to treat cell-specific lung disorders. Laser capture microdissection (LCM) is the technique generally used for the isolation of specific cell populations under direct visual inspection, which plays a crucial role to evaluate cell-specific effect in clinical and preclinical setup. However, maintenance of tissue RNA quality and integrity in LCM studies are very challenging tasks. It is obvious to believe that the major factor affecting the RNA quality is tissue-fixation method. The prime focus of this study was to address the RNA quality factors within the lung tissue using the different solvent system to fix tissue sample to obtain high-quality RNA. Paraformaldehyde and Carnoy's solutions were used for fixing the lung tissue and compared RNA integrity in LCM captured lung tissue samples. To further confirm the quality of RNA, we measured cellular marker genes in collected lung tissue samples from control and mixed allergen (MA)-induced asthmatic mouse model using qRT-PCR technique. RNA integrity number showed a significantly better quality of RNA in lung tissue samples fixed with Carnoy's solution compared to paraformaldehyde solution. Isolated RNA from MA-induced asthmatic murine lung epithelium, smooth muscle, and granulomatous foci using LCM showed a significant increase in remodeling gene expression compared to control which confirm the quality and integrity of isolated RNA. Overall, the study concludes tissue fixation solvent can alter the quality of RNA in the lung and the outcome of the results.
An S2 Synthetic Acceleration Scheme for the One-Dimensional Sn Equations with Linear Discontinuous Spatial Differencing

In this paper an S/sub 2/ synthetic acceleration scheme is developed for the one-dimensional S/sub n/ equations (slab and sphere) with linear discontinuous spatial differencing. A Fourier analysis shows that the scheme is unconditionally stable for a model problem. Computational results demonstrate the effectiveness of the technique for varying cell thickness and scattering anisotropy.
Is intra-articular platelet-rich plasma injection an effective treatment for knee OA?

Carrie Lynn Wilcox, MD; Valley Family Medicine Residency, University of Washington at Valley Medical Center, Renton; Sarah Safranek, MLIS, University of Washington Health Science Library, Seattle; Editor: Jon O. Neher, MD, Valley Family Medicine Residency, University of Washington at Valley Medical Center, Renton.
Germline Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer Risk: The Past, Present, and Future

The field of germline genetic testing for breast cancer (BC) risk has evolved substantially in the last decade. The introduction of multigene panel testing (MGPT) led to an urgent need to understan...
Necessary sample sizes for specified closeness and confidence of matched data under the skew normal setting

Previous researchers have shown how to compute a priori confidence interval (as opposed to sample-based confidence intervals) for means, assuming normal distributions (Trafimow 2017; Trafimow and M...
Use of a Laptop Computer and Spreadsheet Software for Geophysical Surveys

The use of a laptop computer and spreadsheet software have been introduced to geophysical field work for data acquisition, logging, reduction, and plotting. This is a helpful method for many types of geophysical problems, and can support the geophysicist in the field to understand what is happening as the survey progresses. Examples are given of the application to seismic data acquisition, gravity data reduction, and gravity modeling.
Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair Adverse Events Reported In The Food And Drug Administration Manufacturer And User Facility Device Experience Database

Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify adverse events (device- and patient-related) associated with thoracic aortic stent graft systems and their timing post-procedure. Materials and methods The Food and Drug Administration's Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (FDA-MAUDE) voluntary database was searched for Thoracic Aortic Endovascular Repair (TEVAR) devices reported over the course of 1 year (January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014). The data abstracted included the indication for treatment, device used, and adverse events. Results During 2014, there were 334 original submissions to the FDA-MAUDE database describing 371 adverse events regarding TEVAR devices that met inclusion criteria for this study. All submissions were from manufacturers, and none were from physicians. The most common pathologies treated were thoracic aortic aneurysm (67.6%) and type B aortic dissection (25.1%). The most frequently reported intraoperative, early postoperative ( 30 days) events overall were technical device failure, neurologic complications (stroke, paraplegia), and endoleak, respectively. Of note, there were descriptions of retained deployment materials, late graft infections, and aorto-visceral fistula formation up to 3 years postoperatively. Conclusion The MAUDE database is a valuable repository for complications and device failures that are not otherwise in the published literature and submitted by manufacturers relating to this relatively new technology.
No Home and No Acceptance: Exploring the Intersectionality of Sexual/Gender Identities (LGBTQ) and Race in the Foster Care System:

Black youth have been overrepresented in the U.S. foster care system for decades. This, coupled with disparities in treatment and outcomes, has forced all child welfare agencies to take note and in...
Intra-molecular 1,5-S⋯N σ-hole inter-action in (E)-N'-(pyridin-4-yl-methyl-idene)thio-phene-2-carbohydrazide.

The title compound, C11H9N3OS, (I), crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n. The mol­ecular conformation is nearly planar and features an intra­molecular chalcogen bond between the thio­phene S and the imine N atoms. Within the crystal, the strongest inter­actions between mol­ecules are the N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, which organize them into inversion dimers. The dimers are linked through short C—H⋯N contacts and are stacked into layers propagating in the (001) plane. The crystal structure features π–π stacking between the pyridine aromatic ring and the azomethine double bond. The calculated energies of pairwise inter­molecular inter­actions within the stacks are considerably larger than those found for the inter­actions between the layers.
Short-Term Load Forecasting Using an LSTM Neural Network

In this paper, two forecasting models using long short term memory neural network (LSTM NN) are developed to predict short-term electrical load. The first model predicts a single step ahead load, while the other predicts multi-step intraday rolling horizons. The time series of the load is utilized in addition to weather data of the considered geographic area. A rolling time-index series including a time of the day index, a holiday flag and a day of the week index, is also embedded as a categorical feature vector, which is shown to increase the forecasting accuracy significantly. Moreover, to evaluate the performance of the LSTM NN, the performance of other machines, namely a generalized regression neural network (GRNN) and an extreme learning machine (ELM) is also shown. Hourly load data from the electrical reliability council of Texas (ERCOT) is used as benchmark data to evaluate the proposed algorithms.
Automatic Lung Cancer Follow-Up Recommendation with 3D Deep Learning

Lung cancer is the most common form of cancer in the world affecting millions yearly. Early detection and treatment is critical in driving down mortality rates for this disease. A traditional form of early detection involves radiologists manually screening low dose computed tomography scans which can be tedious and time consuming. We propose an automatic system of deep learning methods for the detection, segmentation, and classification of pulmonary nodules. The system is composed of 3D convolutional neural networks based on VGG and U-Net architectures. Chest scans are received as input and, through a series of patch-wise predictions, patient follow-up recommendations are predicted based on the 2017 Fleischner society pulmonary nodule guidelines. The system was developed as part of the LNDb challenge and participated in the main challenge as well as all sub-challenges. While the proposed method struggled with false positives for the detection task and a class imbalance for the texture characterization task, it presents a baseline for future work.
Flip-Flop Quizzes: A Case Study Analysis to Inform the Design of Augmented Cognition Applications.

This paper examines the effectiveness of Flip-Flop quizzes, a pedagogical methodology in which students create quizzes synchronized with lecture videos as part of an inverted classroom. In order to generate quality quizzes, students must understand the material covered in the lecture videos. The results of our study inform the design of augmented cognition applications.
The influence of the board of directors on outside-in strategy

Abstract Evidence suggests that focusing on the needs of the marketplace to create customer value and firm advantage, an outside-in (OI) approach to strategy, yields superior firm performance. However, despite the acknowledged advantage of an OI approach to strategy, it has not yet achieved widespread adoption by industry practitioners. Absent formal insight regarding how a firm-wide OI approach to strategy emerges, we introduce the premise that a firm-wide practice requires influence from those at the top of firm hierarchy, i.e., its Board of Directors. We posit that if the OI construct is both: (1) strategic rather than tactical in nature, and (2) enterprise-wide rather than function specific (e.g., marketing), then firm-wide adoption requires BOD acceptance, if not advocacy and leadership. We present 10 research propositions that describe how the board influences a firm-wide OI approach to strategy and provide specific implications for scholars from marketing and corporate governance as well as boards and chief marketing officers.
Year, Location, and Variety Impact on Grape-, Soil-, and Leaf-Associated Fungal Microbiota of Arkansas-Grown Table Grapes

With the recent advancement of next-generation sequencing methods, there has been an increase in studies on identification of vineyard microbiota, winery-associated microbiota, and microbiota in wine fermentation. However, there have been few studies investigating the fungal microbiota of table grapes which present distinct spoilage and food safety challenges. The aims of this study were to identify and compare the impact of year, variety, and vineyard location on grape, leaf, and soil fungal communities of two varieties of table grapes, Faith and Gratitude, grown in two open-air vineyards and one high tunnel vineyard. The grape, leaf, and soil mycobiota were analyzed using high throughput amplicon sequencing of the ITS region. The sampling year and location of table grapes had an impact on grape, leaf, and soil mycobiota. Fungal diversity of grape, leaf, and soil was greater in 2017 than in 2016. Grape and leaf samples presented strong similarities in fungal communities with abundance of Sporidiobolaceae and Filobasidium in two vineyards and Cladosporium in another one. The high tunnel structure had distinct grape and leaf fungal communities compared to the two other vineyard locations. Mortierella was the predominant genus (27%) in soil samples for the three locations; however, genera of lower abundance varied between locations. These results provide extensive description of fungal communities in less-studied table grape vineyards and high tunnels, providing useful insight of potential threats and preventive strategies to help improve the production and marketability of table grapes.
Coherent, Co-Operative Aspects of Monopole and Matter Interaction

Since no highly ionizing monopoles are observed,1 the local velocity of the monopole must be v < 10−4c. Also because the sensitivity of the inductive superconducting2 detection technique used by Cabrera3 is independent of the monopole speed, the Cabrera result will be consistent with the negative results elsewhere, if it is agreed that the interesting monopole speeds lie in the rather restrictive low range 10−5c ⩽ v ⩽ 10−4c. Therefore, it is of considerable interest to identify new mechanisms by which a slowly moving monopole may interact with a material medium.4 This may be useful in the design of future monopole experiments.
Neuropathy associated with IgA monoclonal Gammopathy. A harbinger of AL amyloidosis

Peripheral neuropathy is seen in 15% of patients with IgA monoclonal gammopathy. Treatment and prognosis of dysproteinemic neuropathy is usually guided by the underlying plasma cell disorders, which could be either benign or malignant. The true incidence of hematologic malignancy in patients with neuropathy associated with IgA monoclonal gammopathy is not known. However, patients with IgA M-protein are generally at increased risk for malignant transformation. Since neuropathy may be the first and only organ involvement, neurologists are key contributors in identifying each patient's plasma cell dyscrasia. We report two patients who presented with severe progressive polyneuropathy, had a detectable low-level IgA lambda paraproteinemia dismissed as incidental. Both were diagnosed later with a combination of malignant plasma cell dyscrasia and AL amyloidosis resulting in multiorgan failure and death. Both patients demonstrated red flags for malignant progression including abnormal serum free light chain, rapidly progressive debilitating neuropathy refractory to immunotherapy, prominent autonomic dysfunction, and weight loss. In summary, patients with IgA monoclonal gammopathy presenting with polyneuropathy can be at risk for malignant transformation. Failure to investigate for hematologic malignancy and AL amyloidosis may cause significant delays in treatment and result in fatal outcomes.
Three Questions About the Economics of Relative Position: A Response to Frank and Sunstein

Cost-benefit analyses typically ignore the importance of relative position. That is, they do not take into account the possibility that people value particular goods, services, or other determinants of well-being through comparisons with others. Robert Frank and Cass Sunstein have recently concluded that taking into account positional issues implies that the benefits of health and safety regulations may be twice as large as the levels commonly found in cost-benefit analyses. However, the effects of positional externalities on the valuation of safety and health regulations, and hence the correct modifications to cost-benefit analyses, are theoretically ambiguous. Frank and Sunstein assume that people like others to become worse off and that the incomes of others are more important for comparison than their health and safety on the job. Because different assumptions can lead to opposite conclusions about the value of additional regulations, this response addresses whether the evidence supports Frank and Sunstein's assumptions. The nature of relative position can be described as answers to three questions. First, what is the relevant group to which people compare themselves? Second, which characteristics of the comparison group matter? Third, how strongly do these comparisons affect people? This paper evaluates Frank and Sunstein's evidence on all three questions. People inclined to favor the model of positional externalities espoused by Frank and Sunstein may find their evidence convincing, but there are appealing alternative explanations. There is also direct evidence that only a minority of people act in the way they assume. They estimate that people should be willing to spend $6,000 of a $10,000 raise to prevent their coworkers from getting the same raise. Though some people might pay to reduce the salaries of their coworkers, others would surely pay to raise them. That many people display altruistic behavior in many situations is completely ignored by Frank and Sunstein. Particularly because of the variation in preferences across individuals, the evidence is at present too limited to permit the precise characterization necessary to evaluate the effects of policy. Under some plausible models, the policies suggested by Frank and Sunstein make people worse off; in others, better off. Though it is premature to incorporate positional externalities in policy analysis, such issues undoubtedly will become a formal part of policy analysis as our understanding improves.
Detection of influenza virus by centrifugal inoculation of MDCK cells and staining with monoclonal antibodies

Two methods for detection of influenza virus in 451 clinical respiratory specimens were compared: (i) 24-well-plate centrifugation with Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells and staining with monoclonal antibody pools to influenza viruses A and B (Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Ga.) in an indirect immunofluorescence assay after incubation for 40 h, and (ii) conventional tissue cell culture with primary monkey cells and hemadsorption. For 100 of these specimens, direct examination of smears by the direct fluorescence assay with monoclonal antibodies (Boots Cell Tech/API Analytab Products, Plainview, N.Y.) was also performed. Influenza A virus was recovered from 28 specimens by tissue cell culture after incubation for an average of 4.75 days (range, 2 to 14 days). Influenza B virus was recovered from 35 specimens by tissue culture after incubation for an average of 5.4 days (range, 3 to 14 days). By the centrifugation assay, 23 specimens were positive for influenza A virus and 30 were positive for influenza B virus. All specimens positive by the centrifugation assay were also positive by conventional tissue cell culture. The sensitivities of the centrifugation assay were 82% for detection of influenza A virus and 86% for influenza B virus (84% overall); the specificity of the assay was 100%. Of the 100 specimens studied by direct examination, 15 were positive for influenza virus by both conventional culture and centrifugation assay; however, the direct-smear results for these 15 specimens were negative in 13 cases and inconclusive in 2. The centrifugation assay is a rapid and specific method for detection of influenza A and B viruses in clinical specimens, and it can serve as a valuable and cost-efficient adjunct to conventional culture methods.
Reflections on the relevance of integrated multiregion models: Lessons from Physics

Abstract This article examines the set of conceptual, theoretical, methodological and empirical developments in physics, wherein tremendous advances have been recently made. The validity of a pluralistic attack is demonstrated. For regional science this strongly suggests that scholars should pursue, sometimes simultaneously, sometimes sequentially, solid empirically-oriented studies, theories involving grand intuitive leaps, deterministic and non-deterministic models, micro- and macro-analyses, partial and general theories, dynamic and static models, and equilibrium and disequilibrium analyses. We should never hesitate to engage in integrated multiregion models or studies that can more effectively attack policy questions, even though we must combine approaches with some underlying inconsistencies.
piRNA-guided transposon cleavage initiates Zucchini-dependent, phased piRNA production

PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) protect the animal germ line by silencing transposons. Primary piRNAs, generated from transcripts of genomic transposon “junkyards” (piRNA clusters), are amplified by the “ping-pong” pathway, yielding secondary piRNAs. We report that secondary piRNAs, bound to the PIWI protein Ago3, can initiate primary piRNA production from cleaved transposon RNAs. The first ~26 nucleotides (nt) of each cleaved RNA becomes a secondary piRNA, but the subsequent ~26 nt become the first in a series of phased primary piRNAs that bind Piwi, allowing piRNAs to spread beyond the site of RNA cleavage. The ping-pong pathway increases only the abundance of piRNAs, whereas production of phased primary piRNAs from cleaved transposon RNAs adds sequence diversity to the piRNA pool, allowing adaptation to changes in transposon sequence.
An investigation of NOx storage on Pt-BaO-Al2O3

Abstract A series of samples containing 5 or 20 wt% BaO on γ-Al2O3 with different loadings of Pt were prepared and examined for their NO2 adsorption properties using temperature programmed desorption (TPD), temperature programmed reduction (TPR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). For calcination at 873 K or above, BaO/Al2O3 formed BaAl2O4. While carbonates were found to be unstable on the aluminate phase, NO2 reacted with the aluminate to form bulk Ba(NO3)2 and Al2O3, even at room temperature. With BaO/Al2O3, reaction to form the nitrate required slightly higher temperatures because of the need to displace CO2; however, pulsing NO2 over pure Ba(CO3) showed rapid reaction to form CO2 and NO in the gas phase, along with Ba(NO3)2, at 573 K. The decomposition temperature for Ba(NO3)2 shifted by more than 100° when TPD was carried out in vacuum rather than in a carrier gas, showing that re-equilibration with the gas phase is important in the decomposition process. The addition of Pt had a minimal effect on the thermal stability of the nitrates but was essential for the reduction of the nitrate in H2. Since a relatively small amount of Pt was sufficient to cause the complete reduction of the Ba(NO3)2 phase at temperatures below 400 K, it appears that the nitrates must be extremely mobile within the Ba-containing phase. Finally, trapping studies of NO2 at 573 K, with or without 10% CO2 in the gas phase, showed no measurable difference between BaO/Al2O3 and BaAl2O4, with or without CO2.
Everyday Geopolitics, the Valuation of Labour and the Socio-Political Hierarchies of Skill: Polish Nurses in Norway

Although researchers have paid much attention to the global migration of skilled labour and its geographical specificities, relatively few studies have examined the social and political production of labour value in specific historical and social contexts. Most studies of skilled migration have examined movements at the international scale, while feminist scholars have called for building explicit linkages between global processes and finer-grained scales of analysis. This article brings these two bodies of work together through a case study of interactions between Polish and Norwegian nurses in Norwegian nursing homes. I focus on the historical production of Polish labour value in Europe and its reproduction through everyday interactions between Polish nurses and their Norwegian co-workers. In these conversations, existing international inequalities and the devaluation of Polish nursing labour are reproduced, but I also find moments in which Polish nurses question and challenge the devaluation of their s...
Laparoscopic liver resection for cancer

The field of laparoscopic liver resection surgery has rapidly evolved, with more than 1000 cases now reported. Laparoscopic hepatic resection was initially described for small, peripheral, benign lesions. Experienced teams are now performing laparoscopic anatomic resections for cancer. Operative times improved with experience. When compared with open cases, blood loss was less in most laparoscopic series, but was the main indication for conversion to an open procedure. Patients undergoing laparoscopic resection had shorter length of hospital stay and quicker recovery. Perioperative complications were comparable between the two approaches. Importantly, basic oncologic principles were maintained in the laparoscopic liver resections. The purpose of this review is to summarize the data available on outcomes for laparoscopic hepatic resection for cancer. This includes primary hepatocellular carcinoma, as well as metastatic colorectal cancer to the liver. The evidence to date suggests that laparoscopic results are comparable with the open approach in cancer patients.
The radiotoxicity of iodine-125 in ataxia telangiectasia fibroblasts.

Abstract Normal and ataxia telangiectasia fibroblast strains were labeled with 3 H- or 125 I-labelled iododeoxyuridine, were stored at −75°C to accumulate damage, and were thawed for survival assays. X-ray survival of frozen, unlabeled cells was also determined. The ataxia telangiectasia strains were about twice as sensitive as normal (based upon survival curve slopes) when irradiated with X-rays or 3 H decays under frozen conditions. Accumulated 125 I decays, while about 13 times more toxic than 3 H decays, also killed ataxia telangiectasia cells about twice as efficiently as normal cells. These results indicate that a large proportion of 125 I-induced damage — at least 50% — is subject to repair in normal cells. In addition, they suggest that ataxia telangiectasia cells less capably repair a lesion that is induced in common by X-rays and 125 I, but in larger proportion by the latter — probably a DNA double-strand break.
Kirkendall void formation in eutectic SnPb solder joints on bare Cu and its effect on joint reliability

The electronic packaging industry has been using electroless Ni(P)∕immersion Au as bonding pads for solder joints. Because of the persistence of the black pad defect, which is due to cracks in the pad surface, the industry is looking for a replacement of the Ni(P) plating. Several Cu-based candidates have been suggested, but most of them will lead to the direct contact of solder with Cu in soldering. The fast reaction of solder with Cu, especially during solid state aging, may be a concern for the solder joint reliability if the package will be used in a high temperature environment and is highly stressed. In this work, the reaction of eutectic SnPb solder with electrodeposited laminate Cu is studied. Emphasis is given to the evolution of the microstructure in the interfacial region during solid state aging and its effect on solder joint reliability. A large number of Kirkendall voids were observed at the interface between Cu3Sn and Cu. The void formation resulted in weak bonding between solder and Cu and...
25,26-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 is not a major intermediate in 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone formation☆

Abstract Structural similarities between 25S,26-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone and their concomitant multifold increase in the plasma of animals treated with pharmacological doses of vitamin D3 suggest a precursor-product relationship. However, a single dose of 25S,26-[3H]dihydroxyvitamin D3 given to rats treated chronically with pharmacological amounts of vitamin D3 did not result in detectable plasma 25-[3H]hydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone. Multiple doses of synthetic 25S,26-dihydroxyvitamin D3 given to vitamin D3-deficient rats treated chronically with pharmacological amounts of vitamin D2 also did not result in detectable plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone. Furthermore, homogenates prepared from vitamin d -deficient chickens, dosed with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, converted 25-[3H]hydroxyvitamin D3 to 25-[3H]hydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone. But these same homogenates did not convert 25S,26-[3H]dihydroxyvitamin D3 to 25-[3H]hydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone. These data indicate that 25,26-dihydroxyvitamin D3 is not an intermediate in 25-hydroxyvitamin D326, 23-lactone formation.