cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hyperbaric oxygen in vivo accelerates the loss of cytoskeletal proteins and MIP26 in guinea pig lens nucleus.

Abstract Previous studies have shown that treatment of guinea pigs with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) produces certain changes in the lens nuclei of the animals which are typical of those occurring during aging. These include an increase in nuclear light scattering (NLS), elevation in levels of oxidized thiols, loss of water-soluble protein and damage to nuclear membranes. The present study investigated the effect of HBO-treatment in vivo on lens cytoskeletal proteins and MIP26 which are also known to undergo alteration with age. Young (2-month-old) and old (18-month-old) guinea pigs were treated 15 and 30 times with HBO (3 times per week with 2.5 atmospheres of 100% oxygen for 2.5 hr periods). SDS-PAGE and Western blotting showed that HBO-treatment of the older animals accelerated the age-related loss of five nuclear cytoskeletal proteins including actin, vimentin, ankyrin, α-actinin and tubulin, compared to levels present in age-matched controls (effects on spectrin and the beaded filaments were not investigated in this study). Treatment of the young animals with HBO produced losses which were primarily associated with concentrations of the nuclear α- and β-tubulins; these cytoskeletal proteins were observed to be most sensitive to the induced oxidative stress, and were affected earliest in the study. Disulfide-crosslinking, rather than proteolysis, appeared to be the main cause of the HBO-induced cytoskeletal protein loss (elevated levels of calcium, which might have induced proteolysis, were not found in the experimental nuclei). Loss of MIP26 was observed only in the older guinea pigs treated 30 times with HBO; both disulfide-crosslinking and degradation to MIP22 were associated with the disappearance. Thus, nuclear MIP26 was susceptible to oxidative stress, but less so than the cytoskeletal proteins, particularly the tubulins. No cortical effects on either MIP26 or the cytoskeletal proteins were observed under any of the treatment protocols. No direct link was observed between an HBO-induced increase in NLS (observed in both the young and old animals using slit-lamp biomicroscopy) and losses of either MIP26 or the cytoskeletal proteins. The appearance of HBO-induced nuclear opacity without any change in the levels of nuclear sodium, potassium or calcium is similar to that observed previously for human senile pure nuclear cataracts. The results provide additional evidence that molecular oxygen can enter the nucleus of the lens and promote age-related events. The observed effects on MIP26 and the cytoskeletal proteins are indicative of an increased level of lens nuclear oxidative stress in the HBO model, possibly a precursor to nuclear cataract.
Emigración, identidad y vida asociativa: los españoles en la Francia de los años sesenta

As the flood of Spanish emigration to other European countries developed, migration experienced a phase of crisis; the project underwent change as the possibilities of amassing savings were less than expected. In France, immigration policies facilitated longer stays. The Spanish adapted to this situation through associative activities, which brought together a fairly high proportion of Spaniards living there. Associations provided a space for socialization and a means of recreating the culture of origin. Some of them, furthermore, acquired a critical awareness of the emigrant condition.
Activation of the Akt/FKHRL1 pathway mediates the antiapoptotic effects of erythropoietin in primary human erythroid progenitors.

Erythropoietin (Epo), stem cell factor (SCF), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) are key regulators of erythroid cell proliferation and differentiation. To understand the mechanisms of generation of signals by each of these growth factors, we determined the activation of the PI3-kinase/Akt pathway during proliferation and differentiation of primary human erythroid progenitors. Our results demonstrate that PKB/Akt is activated by Epo and SCF, but not by IGF-1 in human primary erythroid progenitors. In addition, Epo treatment of erythroid progenitors induces phosphorylation of a member of the Forkhead family (FH) of transcription factors FKHRL1, downstream of activation of the Akt kinase. Such Epo-dependent activation of FKHRL1 apparently regulates the generation of Epo-dependent antiapoptotic signals as evidenced by the induction of apoptosis of erythroid progenitors during treatment of cells with the PI3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002. Thus, the PI3K/Akt/FKHRL1 pathway is essential for inhibition of apoptosis in response to Epo and SCF, while the IGF-1 receptor utilizes a different pathway.
Three-dimensional finite element modelling of laser surface modification

AbstractA three-dimensional finite element modelling of laser surface modification is presented. The design capabilities of the ANSYS parametric design language (APDL) were employed for this purpose. The model calculates transient temperature profiles and the dimensions of fusion and the heat-affected zone (HAZ). Model simulations are compared with experimental results, acquired on-line using an ultra-high shutter speed camera which is able to acquire well-contrasted images of the molten pool, and off-line, using metallographical analysis, that show very good agreement. The results are further discussed to provide directions for feedback and process control.
A case study on the impact of local material chemistry on the mechanical reliability of packaged integrated circuits: Correlation of the packaging fallout to the chemistry of passivation dielectrics

Abstract In this paper, we use a variety of analytical techniques to examine the impact of local chemistry, and the mechanical properties, of the encapsulation dielectric films on the post-packaging device rejection rate of integrated circuit devices. A strong dependence of lot rejection rate (LRR) on the effective Young's modulus of the encapsulating dielectric stack is demonstrated; specifically, the device fall out rate increases with increasing Young's modulus. The increase in LRR with increasing stiffness of the encapsulating layer is attributed to the increase in thermal stress in the encapsulation dielectric stack layer and in the metal lines due to their increased constraint. This stems from the strong adhesion of the encapsulating dielectric material to the metal, thus fixing the loci of the surface planes of the metal, which could result in mechanical damage through voiding, cracking or delamination. It is also found that the increase in the local SiOH concentration leads to a decrease in the Young's modulus of the encapsulating SiO2. Thus, the engineering and optimization of the chemistry of the encapsulating dielectric are essential for improved post-packaging burn-in yields.
Turbulent properties of a compressible boundary layer.

Turbulent shear-stress, eddy-viscosity, mixing-length, heat-flux and Prandtl number distributions across a hypersonic turbulent boundary layer have been determined from the 'time-averaged' conservation equations using experimental mean profile data obtained at several streamwise locations in a fully developed turbulent boundary layer with negligible pressure gradient. The eddy-viscosity, mixing-length and Prandtl number results show general agreement with previous incompressible and adiabatic compressible correlations. However, when the turbulent Prandtl number is defined using total enthalpy as opposed to static enthalpy no clear correlation of the results in the outer portion of the boundary layer could be obtained.
The law and politics of embryo research in America.

The moral, legal, and public policy dispute over embryonic stem cell research (and related matters, such as human cloning) is the most prominent issue in American public bioethics of the past decade. The primary moral question raised by the practice of embryonic stem cell research is whether it is defensible to disaggregate (and thus destroy) living human embryos in order to derive pluripotent cells (stem cells) for purposes of basic research that may someday yield regenerative therapies. This essay will explain the legal and political dimensions of the embryonic stem cell debate as it has unfolded at the national level in the United States, contrasting the position and thinking of President Clinton's administration with that of George W. Bush. Building upon this, a set of brief reflections is offered on the form and substance of the American federal approach to this public matter, and whether it is ultimately sustainable to join the issue in this particular way.
Microstructure-based modeling of crack growth in particle reinforced composites

Abstract Crack growth in particle reinforced composites is significantly influenced by the size, orientation, morphology and distribution of the reinforcement particles. Hence, to accurately model crack growth in such a system it is important that the complex microstructure of the particles be taken into account and not approximated by circles or ellipses. In this paper, the effects of particle morphology and distribution (homogeneous and clustered) on crack growth have been studied using the finite element method. The degree of particle clustering in aluminum/silicon carbide composites was quantified by the coefficient of variance in the mean near-neighbor particle spacing, and cluster size distributions obtained by an image analysis technique. Two-dimensional linear elastic fracture mechanics principles were used to propagate the crack, to obtain the local stress intensity values, and to gain an understanding of the local stress state. Predictions from these analyses were in agreement with experimental observations of crack growth in Al–SiC systems.
Fifty years of advancement in American hospital pharmacy

The Mirror to Hospital Pharmacy not only served an important role in assessing the state of pharmacy practice in hospitals 50 years ago but more importantly offered recommendations that contained great vision and direction for practice.[1][1] The Mirror served as a final report of the Audit of
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: An Unmet Medical Need

Triple-negative breast cancer, characterized by tumors that do not express estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), or HER-2 genes, represents an important clinical challenge because these cancers do not respond to endocrine therapy or other available targeted agents. The metastatic potential in triple-negative breast cancer is similar to that of other breast cancer subtypes, but these tumors are associated with a shorter median time to relapse and death. One important goal is therefore the identification of prognostic factors and markers to reliably select high and low risk subsets of patients with triple-negative disease for different treatment approaches of subtypes with differential responsiveness to specific agents. However, a reliable prognostic marker has been elusive, and markers have been inconsistently useful. For example, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been studied, but there is still a lack of agreement on a standard assay or cutoff for EGFR expression levels with respect to prognosis. Similarly, because triple-negative status is sometimes used as a surrogate for basal-like breast cancer, specific basal markers have been explored. Indeed, trials designed to accrue patients with basal-like breast cancer using ER/PR and HER-2 negativity may provide only an approximation of the triple-negative population and are sometimes reanalyzed using more specific indicators like CK 5/6, EGFR status, and others, again marred by discordances. Chemotherapy remains the mainstay of treatment of triple-negative breast cancer, but important limitations still need to be overcome in the next few years if any significant clinical strides are to be made. Current treatment strategies for triple-negative disease include anthracyclines, taxanes, ixabepilone, platinum agents, and biologic agents. More recently, EGFR inhibition has been proposed as a therapeutic mechanism in triple-negative breast cancer, again with mixed results. Agents that target poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and androgen receptors have also been proposed in these patients or subsets of them, and ongoing trials should result in definitive guidance with respect to the value of these agents in triple-negative disease. Triple-negative breast cancer is clearly a distinct clinical subtype, from the perspective of both ER and HER-2 expression, but further subclassification is needed. At present, there is not a clear, proven effective single agent that targets a defining vulnerability in triple-negative breast cancer. This article will review the clinical problem of triple-negative disease, potential prognostic factors, demonstrated efficacy of currently available therapeutic options, and new potential therapies.
High-throughput mutagenesis reveals functional determinants for DNA targeting by activation-induced deaminase

Antibody maturation is a critical immune process governed by the enzyme activation-induced deaminase (AID), a member of the AID/APOBEC DNA deaminase family. AID/APOBEC deaminases preferentially target cytosine within distinct preferred sequence motifs in DNA, with specificity largely conferred by a small 9-11 residue protein loop that differs among family members. Here, we aimed to determine the key functional characteristics of this protein loop in AID and to thereby inform our understanding of the mode of DNA engagement. To this end, we developed a methodology (Sat-Sel-Seq) that couples saturation mutagenesis at each position across the targeting loop, with iterative functional selection and next-generation sequencing. This high-throughput mutational analysis revealed dominant characteristics for residues within the loop and additionally yielded enzymatic variants that enhance deaminase activity. To rationalize these functional requirements, we performed molecular dynamics simulations that suggest that AID and its hyperactive variants can engage DNA in multiple specific modes. These findings align with AID's competing requirements for specificity and flexibility to efficiently drive antibody maturation. Beyond insights into the AID-DNA interface, our Sat-Sel-Seq approach also serves to further expand the repertoire of techniques for deep positional scanning and may find general utility for high-throughput analysis of protein function.
Role of tardigrades in the suppressive service of a soil food web

In a previous study, soil suppressiveness to populations of the plant-parasitic nematode Meloidogyne incognita was correlated with abundance of omnivore and predatory nematodes. In the current study, performance of the regulatory function switched from nematodes to tardigrades when predatory nematodes disappeared due to predation pressure and/or unfavorable environmental conditions. Two tardigrade species, Macrobiotus richtersi and M. harmsworthi effectively suppressed nematode populations. While there were significant changes in the soil food web over time, the regulatory function was maintained. Under experimental conditions, M. richtersi consumed 61 nematodes per day, indicating that tardigrades may significantly reduce nematode biomass. The impact of tardigrades on soil food web dynamics and their relationships with nematodes are discussed.
Bimaterial interfacial crack growth with strain gradient theory

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of material heterogeneity on damage evolution and subsequent crack propagation in bimaterial systems. Strain gradient theory analysis reveals that a higher stress triaxiality always occurs on the softer material side due to the material mismatch in yield capacity and the corresponding strain gradient along the interface. High stress triaxiality is a major condition which promotes ductile damage and facilitates crack growth. To investigate this link, numerical simulations of ductile interface crack growth are performed using a damage based constitutive model. Both the numerical and experimental results show that a crack may grow along the interface or deviate into the softer material, but never turn into the harder material. The theoretical and numerical analysis reveal three factors which strongly affect the direction of crack growth and the resistance capacity of the bimaterial system against fracture. These are the boundary conditions which determine the global kinematically admissible displacement field, the stress/strain gradient near the interface due to the material mismatch, and the distance from the crack tip to the interface.
A general Martingale approach to discrete-time stochastic control and estimation

A general method of constructing system models for the solution of discrete time stochastic control and estimation problems is presented. The method involves the application of modern martingale theory and entails the judicious choice of certain sigma-algebras and martingales. General estimation equations are derived for observations taking values in a countable space, and previously obtained estimation equations are exhibited as special cases. Finally, an example of the application of these methods to a stochastic control problem is analyzed.
Exotic shrub invasion in an undisturbed wetland has little community-level effect over a 15-year period

In this long-term study, we examined the invasion by the exotic shrub glossy buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula L.) and the response of co-occurring plants in a large, undisturbed wetland. We first sampled the vegetation in 1991 and repeated the sample 15 years later using the same, permanently located sample units (n = 165). Despite dramatic increases in the abundance of buckthorn, the invasion elicited little apparent response by the resident plant community. Species richness and cover in the herbaceous plant stratum had no apparent relationship with change in buckthorn cover. The number of shrub species other than buckthorn showed no relationship with change in buckthorn cover, but the cover of other shrubs decreased as buckthorn cover increased. Species composition changed independently of changes in buckthorn cover. These results show that dramatic increases in the abundance of an invasive species do not necessarily cause large changes in the native plant community and suggest disturbance history influences community response to invasion.
A Primer on Disseminating Applied Quantitative Research

Transparency and replication are essential features of scientific inquiry, yet scientific communications of applied quantitative research are often lacking in much-needed procedural information. In an effort to promote researchers dissemination of their quantitative studies in a cohesive, detailed, and informative manner, the authors delineate information concerning writing for publication in applied research journals. Specifically, they present 10 basic recommendations, ranging from how to construct well-written abstracts through outlining what to include in discussions. They emphasize information needed for the Method and Results sections, given that those two sections are where transparency and procedural and analytic details—considered necessary to replicate studies—are traditionally provided.
Observations on elicited language imitation with the severely retarded.

Word, phrase, and sentence imitation responses by 42 institutionalized, severely retarded adolescents were examined with a view to validity of imitation in language assessment with the retarded, and for developmental characteristics of language processing by retarded speakers. High response consistency in imitation, and semantic and syntactic substitutions were interpreted as evidence of internalized control of grammar by these speakers. A mental-age but not chronological-age correlation with imitation ability was found. One third of the speakers did not produce good imitations for three-word, Subject-Verb-Object phrases; speakers who did produce good imitations of such phrases could also imitate longer phrases and sentences. Evidence of metalinguistic awareness was presented, and results and teaching implications were discussed in terms of speakers' ability to process basic semantic relationships.
The SECCA procedure: a new therapy for treatment of fecal incontinence.

Abstract The SECCA (Curon Medical, Freemont, CA USA) device delivers temperature-controlled radiofrequency (RF) energy to the anorectal junction to treat fecal incontinence. The procedure is performed as an outpatient either in the endoscopy suite or ambulatory surgery center. After appropriate local block, the SECCA device is then inserted into the anal canal and submucosal RF energy is delivered circumferentially to the anorectal junction. A pilot trial in Mexico on 10 patients demonstrated a significant improvement in Cleveland Clinic Florida Fecal Incontinence Scores (CCF-FIS) from a pre-treatment score of 13.5 to 12-month post-treatment score of 3.8. These patients continued to have significantly improved continence with an average CCF-FIS of 7.3 at 24-month follow up. A multi-center, institutional review board-approved, open label, prospective trial that evaluates the efficacy and safety of the SECCA procedure has been completed in the United States (U.S.). Five centers prospectively enrolled 50 patients with greater than or equal to 3 months of weekly fecal incontinence who also had failed either medical or surgical interventions. Patients underwent anoscopy, anorectal manometry (ARM), endoanal ultrasound (EAUS), and pudendal nerve terminal motor latency (PNTML) at 0 and 6 months. The CCF-FIS scale, fecal incontinence-related quality of life score (FIQL), and SF-36 were administered at 0, 3, and 6 months. After conscious sedation and local perianal block, RF energy was delivered by way of the SECCA device. At 6 months, the mean CCF-FI score improved significantly (14.5 to 11.1, p<0.0001). All FIQL parameters improved: lifestyle (2.5 to 3.1, p=0.0001), coping (1.9 to 2.3, p=0.005), depression (2.8 to 3.1, p=0.0008), embarrassment (1.9 to 2.5, p<0.0001). Sixty-percent (n=30) of the patients improved after therapy, with 70% resolution of their symptoms. The SF-36 mental composite score (45.3 to 48.3, p=0.06) and social function sub-score (64.0 to 77.3, p=0.003) improved. No changes occurred in ARM, EAUS, or PNTML. Two major complications included two mucosal ulcerations. From these data, the authors concluded that RF energy delivered for treatment of FI safely improves CCF-FIS, FIQL, and quality of life.
Experiencing war: a challenge for international relations

Still preoccupied with inter- and intrastate wars, IR [International Relations] wants to know why wars happen and how they end. It is the period between these two moments that IR war studies has no...
Models for Pattern Recognition

Section 1 (S1) describes specifically the problems to be discussed in succeeding chapters. In S2 a short analysis of the modeling process suggests that information and uncertainty will be key concepts in the development of new mathematical structures for pattern recognition. Fuzzy sets are introduced in the third section as a natural and tractable way to model physical situations which seem to require something more than is offered by deterministic or stochastic representations.
On the Co-Evolution of Information Technology and Information Systems Personnel

This essay addresses changes in information systems (IS) personnel and information technology over the past seven decades (1950s-2010s). A co-evolutionary perspective guides the discussion and emphasizes the mutual influence of changes in technology and IS personnel. The review considers (1) major eras of technical innovation and the steady expansion of the boundary that includes IS personnel; (2) the cyclical nature of a surge of needed technical skills with each technical innovation, a growing "shielding" of end users from the details of operationalizing the technology, and growth of end user domain application skills; and (3) implications for the education of IS personnel.
The sexual revolution: myth or fact?

Is there a sexual revolution? If so, how does it manifest itself among today’s youth? The authors suggest that attitudes toward premarital sex have evolved to the point where they are just now catching up with behavior that changed half a century ago. Other changes in sexual attitudes and behavior appear to be occurring among today’s teenagers, as well.
Herpetic Whitlow as Part of Genital Virus Infection

Lesions on fingers or hands caused by Herpesvirus hominis have in the past been attributed to inoculation with virus-containing oropharyngeal secretions. Often these "herpetic whitlows" were caused by H. hominis type 1 and occurred in medical personnel. A recent series of 13 recurrent "herpetic whitlows" yielded 11 isolates of H. hominis type 2 and only two of H. hominis type 1. None of the subjects was engaged in patient care, and none had oral or facial herpetic lesions. Nine of the 11 infections due to H. hominis type 2 were in females, and more than half were associated with genital herpetic lesions. Herpetic finger or hand lesions in adults appear to be a common part of genital virus infections caused by H. hominis type 2 and are not associated with infections acquired in hospitals or during primary gingivostomatitis.
Using Statistical Methods to Select Indicators for Health Record

Objective: To select indicators for health record using quantitative methods.Methods: Multi-method has was used,mainly including CV methods,correlation matrix methods,and factorial analysis.Results: A set of indicators were selected.Conclusion: The use of mathematic statistical methods can be taken to make up for the deficiency of qualitative methods and thus to make the selected indicators more scientific and reasonable.
Word-phrase-entity language models: getting more mileage out of n-grams.

We present a modification of the traditional n-gram language modeling approach that departs from the word-level data representation and seeks to re-express the training text in terms of tokens that could be either words, common phrases or instances of one or several classes. Our iterative optimization algorithm considers alternative parses of the corpus in terms of these tokens, re-estimates token n-gram probabilities and also updates within-class distributions. In this paper, we focus on the cold start approach that only assumes availability of the word-level training corpus, as well as a number of generic class definitions. Applied to the calendar scenario in the personal assistant domain, our approach reduces word error rates by more than 13% relative to the word-only n-gram language models. Only a small fraction of these improvements can be ascribed to a larger vocabulary.
The profile drag of biconvex wing sections at supersonic speeds

The method detailed in a previous paper1 for calculating the profile drag of a wing section at supersonic speeds has been applied to a flat plate and two biconvex wing sections of thickness chord ratio 0.05 and 0.10 with zero heat transfer. Ranges of Mach number from 1.5 to 5.0, Reynolds number from 106 to 108 and transition position from the leading edge to the trailing edge have been covered, and the results are here presented in tabular and graphical form. It is found that with increase in Mach number, increase in thickness chord ratio and decrease in Reynolds number the effect of rearward movement of transition on skin friction and profile drag progressively decreases. The reasons for this are briefly discussed.
Upscaling Surface Runoff Routing Processes in Large-Scale Hydrologic Models: Application to the Ohio River Basin

AbstractThe objective of this research is to reduce scale effects on surface runoff routing processes in coarse-resolution hydrologic models to produce event hydrograph characteristics (peak and ti...
Effects of a Change in Hospital Affiliation on an Academic Medical Center Library

ABSTRACTThis article reports the story of a school of medicine separating from its university-owned hospital, and partnering with a biomedical research foundation to manage the onsite teaching hospital served by the school’s academic library. The tale is not a pretty one, and the Library was definitely affected in ways both large and small by the transition. The saga is not yet over, and it remains to be seen whether or not the ending is a happy one. In the meantime, the Library continues to provide services and vital resources to constituents of the university and the medical center.
Radiofrequency ablation with concomitant stab phlebectomy increases risk of endovenous heat-induced thrombosis.

Abstract Objective Endovenous heat-induced thrombosis (EHIT) is a well-documented phenomenon that follows endovenous ablation, but the treatment, surveillance, and risk factors for EHIT have yet to be comprehensively elucidated. We sought to identify characteristics that may put patients at higher risk for development of EHIT after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of symptomatic superficial venous insufficiency. Methods A retrospective review was performed of all consecutive patients undergoing treatment with RFA to the great saphenous vein by a single surgeon from July 2013 through October 2015. On postprocedural day 2, a surveillance venous duplex ultrasound examination was obtained and the presence of EHIT was recorded. Demographics of the patients, venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk factors, and procedural details were compared between patients with EHIT and those with no EHIT using multivariable logistic regression for risk adjustment. As a sensitivity analysis, propensity score matching on the basis of 18 demographic and perioperative variables was then used to confirm significant findings. Results There were 299 patients who underwent RFA for symptomatic chronic venous insufficiency (median age, 55 years; 65% female; 46% right lower extremity). Concomitant stab phlebectomy was performed in 71%. EHIT occurred in 12% (n = 35) of patients (class 1, 5%; class 2, 4%; class 3, 1%; class 4, 2%). The incidence of EHIT was significantly higher after RFA with concomitant stab phlebectomy vs RFA alone (14% vs 6%; P = .04). There were also nonsignificant trends toward a higher incidence of EHIT in patients with a history of VTE (20% vs 10%; P = .06), worsening venous disease (Clinical, Etiology, Anatomy, Pathophysiology [CEAP] class >2, 37% vs 26%; P = .13), and history of tobacco use (43% vs 31%; P = .18). On multivariable analysis, RFA with concomitant stab phlebectomy (odds ratio, 3.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.36-10.8) and history of VTE (odds ratio, 3.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.22-9.25) were independently associated with EHIT ( P ≤ .02). After propensity matching of 60 pairs of similar patients, RFA with concomitant stab phlebectomy had a persistently higher incidence of EHIT compared with RFA alone (23% vs 7%; relative risk, 3.48; P = .01). Conclusions Concomitant stab phlebectomy and the patient's history of VTE are independent risk factors for EHIT after endovenous ablation with RFA. History of tobacco use and advanced stages of venous disease may also play a role. For patients with these high-risk features, care should be taken to prevent, identify, and treat EHIT early.
Development of a statin risk communication tool for use in cancer survivors: A pilot.

87Background: There are currently over a million survivors of childhood, adolescent, and young adult (CAYA) cancer in the US, many of whom were treated with radiation therapy. Chest radiation with fields including the coronary arteries is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Of note, survivors are often unaware of this increased CVD risk or, if they are aware, do not know how to mitigate the risk. Visual aids and communicating risk in terms of absolute risk reductions are shown to improve patients’ understanding. The Institute of Medicine recommends use of decision aids to optimize patient discussions of benefits and harms of therapies. Our goal is to develop and pilot test a statin therapy risk communication tool for use in high-risk cancer survivors to improve shared decision making and patient knowledge of coronary artery disease risk. Methods: The Statin Risk Communication Tool, modeled after the validated Statin Choice decision aid, presents a pictorial representation of absolute risk of c...
Microfluidic Devices for Angiogenesis

Cell culture has played a central role in developing our understanding of angiogenesis, and a wide variety of culture systems have been adapted for this purpose. Despite the value of this approach, many of the systems employed have suffered from a lack of precise control over culture conditions, an inability to visualize the process of angiogenesis in real time, and limitations in the ability to replicate the in vivo situation in which multiple cell types interact over distances of 100s of microns. With the advent of microfluidics, many of these obstacles can be overcome, and in vitro experiments can be produced with closer relevance to the in vivo situation. In this chapter, we describe the evolution of these microfluidic devices in the context of angiogenesis and describe current capabilities.
Outcomes of matched sibling donor bone marrow transplantation in children using single-agent calcineurin inhibitors as prophylaxis for graft versus host disease.

Background Optimal graft versus host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis prevents severe manifestations without excess immunosuppression. Standard prophylaxis includes a calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) with low-dose methotrexate. However, single-agent CNI may be sufficient prophylaxis for a defined group of patients. Single-agent CNI has been used for GVHD prophylaxis for human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched sibling donor (MSD) bone marrow transplants (BMTs) in young patients at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for over 20 years. Here, we describe outcomes using this prophylactic strategy in a recent cohort. Procedure We performed a single-institution chart review and retrospective analysis of consecutive children undergoing MSD BMT who received single-agent CNI for GVHD prophylaxis between January 2002 and December 2014. Results Fifty-two children with a median age of 6.1 years (interquartile range [IQR] 2.5–8.3) and donor age of 6 years (IQR 3–10), with malignant and nonmalignant diseases (n = 35 and 17, respectively) were evaluated. Forty-three (82.6%) received oral prophylaxis with single-agent tacrolimus after initial intravenous therapy. Rates of GVHD were consistent with reported rates on dual prophylaxis: the overall incidence of grades 2–4 acute GVHD was 25.5%, grades 3–4 GVHD 9.8%, and chronic GVHD 10.4%. The cumulative incidence of relapse among children with malignancy was 20% at a median of 237 days (IQR 194–318) post-transplant. Two-year overall survival was 82.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 69.4–90.6%) and event-free survival was 78.9% (95% CI: 65.1–87.7%). No patient experienced graft failure. Conclusions Single-agent CNI is a safe, effective approach to GVHD prophylaxis in young patients undergoing HLA-identical sibling BMT. Additionally, single-agent oral tacrolimus is a reasonable alternative to cyclosporine in this population.
Impact of Blood Pressure, Lesion Level, and Physical Activity on Aortic Augmentation Index in Persons with Spinal Cord Injury.

Abstract Individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) are at a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) resulting from autonomic nervous system dysfunction, physical inactivity, and inc...
US regional: The US Policing Crisis and Urban Redevelopment: Tracing the Links in New York

Raw video footage of police aggression circulating online has ignited debates in the US about race and policing with intensity levels not seen in half a century. Digital videos of racialized confrontations in Cincinnati, Prairie View and McKinney, Texas, Baltimore, North Charleston, South Carolina, Cleveland, Ferguson, Missouri, and Staten Island, New York City have prompted mass demonstrations across the country, and widespread demands for reform in police departments. But while critics shed light on the role race plays in police violence, the role of political economy is often neglected. Consequently, many underlying structures of racialized police brutality remain unexamined in public discussions, and demands for reform only scratch the surface of a problem much deeper and complex than video images suggest.
The convergence and divergence of impulsivity facets in daily life

Objective Impulsivity appears to be best conceptualized as a multidimensional construct. For example, the UPPS-P model posits that there are five underlying facets of impulsivity. The present study examined the expression of the UPPS-P facets in daily life using experience sampling methodology. A specific goal of the study was to examine positive urgency, a facet added to the original UPPS model, and its convergence and divergence from the negative urgency facet. Method A large nonclinical sample of young adults (n = 294) completed the UPPS-P scale and was signaled to complete questionnaires assessing daily affect, cognitions, sense of self, and impulsive behaviors eight times a day for 7 days. Results Results indicated that the UPPS-P facets are associated with disruptions in affect, cognitions, and behavior in daily life. Furthermore, all of the UPPS-P facets were associated with impulsivity in daily life. Contrary to expectation, positive urgency was associated with negative affect rather than positive affect and had a profile indistinguishable from negative urgency. Conclusions These results generally support a four-factor model of multidimensional impulsivity with a general overall urgency factor instead of separate positive and negative urgency facets.
Outpatient Total Knee Arthroplasty Is Associated with Higher Risk of Perioperative Complications.

BACKGROUND As concerns regarding health-care expenditure in the U.S. remain at the national forefront, outpatient arthroplasty is an appealing option for carefully selected patient populations. The purpose of this study was to determine the nationwide trends and complication rates associated with outpatient total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in comparison with standard inpatient TKA. METHODS We performed a retrospective review of the Humana subset of the PearlDiver Patient Record Database to identify patients who had undergone TKA (Current Procedural Terminology [CPT] code 27447) as either outpatients or inpatients from 2007 to 2015. The incidence of perioperative medical and surgical complications was determined by querying for relevant International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) and CPT codes. Multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) of complications among outpatients relative to inpatients treated with TKA. RESULTS Cohorts of 4,391 patients who underwent outpatient TKA and 128,951 patients who underwent inpatient TKA were identified. The median age was in the 70 to 74-year age group in both cohorts. The incidence of outpatient TKA increased across the study period (R = 0.60, p = 0.015). After adjustment for age, sex, and CCI, outpatient TKAs were found to more likely be followed by tibial and/or femoral component revision due to a noninfectious cause (OR = 1.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01 to 1.47; p = 0.039), explantation of the prosthesis (OR = 1.35, CI = 1.07 to 1.72; p = 0.013), irrigation and debridement (OR = 1.50, CI = 1.28 to 1.77; p < 0.001), and stiffness requiring manipulation under anesthesia (OR = 1.28, CI = 1.17 to 1.40; p < 0.001) within 1 year. Outpatient TKA was also more frequently associated with postoperative deep vein thrombosis (OR = 1.42, CI = 1.25 to 1.63; p < 0.001) and acute renal failure (OR = 1.13, CI = 1.01 to 1.25; p = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS With the potential to minimize arthroplasty costs among healthy patients, outpatient TKA is an increasingly popular option. Nationwide data from a private insurance database demonstrated a higher risk of perioperative surgical and medical complications including component failure, surgical site infection, knee stiffness, and deep vein thrombosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
The Use of 3D Printed Tooth Preparation to Assist in Teaching and Learning in Preclinical Fixed Prosthodontics Courses

Tooth preparation for fixed dental prostheses is not an easy procedure to understand spatially, especially for first-year dental students. This technical report describes an innovative technique for assisting learning in preclinical fixed prosthodontics courses. Ideal full-contour tooth preparations are digitally scanned and 3D printed to the exact specifications of the ideal preparation. Students and faculty use these printed tooth preparations as teaching and learning tools to facilitate in 3D visualization for fixed prosthodontics courses.
Neuropathology of the Werner Syndrome

In his original report, Werner (1) described four siblings who had in common shortness of stature, senile appearance, early graying of the hair and appearance of cataracts, skin changes and early cessation of menstruation. Subsequent authors added premature balding, tendency to diabetes mellitus and calcification of blood vessels to this picture. Although patients with this syndrome appear to exhibit premature aging, evidence for this is difficult to document (2), and this is particularly true with regard to the central nervous system.
Population-based study of heart rate variability and prevalent myocardial infarction: The atherosclerosis risk in communities study

Clinically based studies have indicated that patients who have suffered myocardial infarction (MI) exhibit lower heart rate variability (HRV). Such associations have not been reported at the population level. To investigate whether MI is related to lower HRV in the general population, the authors examined a stratified random sample of 2,243 men and women aged 45-64 years, of whom 260 had had MI and 1,983 were free of any coronary heart disease manifestations. All were part of the biracial cohort of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study sampled from four United States communities. Resting, 2-minute supine heart rate data were analyzed using spectral analysis to estimate high-frequency (0.16-0.35 Hz) and low-frequency (0.025-0.15 Hz) spectral powers as conventional indices of HRV. The mean levels of high-frequency powers were 1.02 and 1.23 (beats/min)2 for MI and non-MI groups, respectively (P < .05), and the low-frequency means were 2.46 and 3.11 (beats/min)2 for MI and non-MI groups, respectively (P < .01). Age, race, and sex-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of lower high-frequency and low-frequency powers contrasting MI to non-MI individuals were 1.52 (range, 1.09-2.10) and 1.54 (range, 1.12-2.10), respectively. After adjustment for use of beta-blocker medication, the odds ratios (95% confidence interval) were 1.26 (range, 0.88-1.81) and 1.22 (range, 0.87-1.69) for lower high-frequency and low-frequency powers, respectively. The findings from this first population-based study of prevalent MI and HRV provide support for an inverse association between MI and lower HRV. However, adjusting for beta-blocker use eliminates the statistical association. These findings confirm that impaired HRV is found in individuals with prevalent MI, even when drawn as a sample of community-dwelling individuals. This impaired HRV may contribute to the increased risk of subsequent cardiovascular events previously observed in survivors of acute MI. The cross-sectional data also suggest that use of beta-blockers diminishes the odds of lower HRV associated with MI.
Polarized EPR Spectra of Unstable Biradicals

Laser flash photolysis of α,α′-methylated cyclic ketones produces acyl-alkyl biradicals via Norrish type I cleavage. Subsequent thermo-activated decarbonylation yields dialkyl biradicals. EPR signals are obtained by direct detection with a boxcar averager. The spectra show strong polarization of a type different from conventional CIDEP spectra. The spectra have been analyzed and simulated by computing the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the appropriate biradical spin Hamiltonian containing Zeeman, exchange and hyperfine interactions. The kinetics model is based on the assumption that product formation is proportional to the singlet character of the individual hyperfine states. It also incorporates spin relaxation. Both acyl-alkyl and alkyl-alkyl types biradicals with chain lengths from 7 through 18 carbon atoms have been observed and their spectra simulated. The magnitude of the exchange interaction is analyzed with the help of Monte Carlo calculations on a rotational isomeric state model. Attempts to fit the chain length dependence of the exchange interaction with a through-space model were unsuccessful. A satisfactory model does include through-bond interaction for the shorter chains.
Real-Time Trail-Braking Maneuver Generation for Off-Road Vehicle Racing

Trail braking is a high-speed cornering technique that can, typically, be performed only by an expert driver. In this paper, we first learn a primitive high-speed cornering maneuver using a series of demonstrations obtained by solving the minimum-time cornering problem subject to different initial conditions. This primitive trajectory indicates that a typical trail-braking maneuver can be approximated by three segments, namely, entry corner guiding, steady-state sliding, and straight-line exiting. Based on this result, we divide a trail-braking maneuver into three stages. The middle sliding stage includes a segment of steady-state cornering that can be utilized to generate such trajectories for a variety of corner geometries. A flatness-based tracking controller is designed to generate the entry corner trajectory, and a feedback control stabilizes the vehicle at the exit.
Safe Motherhood Initiative: Early Impact of Severe Hypertension in Pregnancy Bundle Implementation.

Objective To describe the implementation and early results of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists District II Safe Motherhood Initiative's Severe Hypertension in Pregnancy bundle on the timely treatment of severe hypertension in New York State obstetric hospitals. Methods This is a retrospective comparative study of two time periods during voluntary implementation of the Severe Hypertension in Pregnancy bundle in New York State's obstetric hospitals. The main outcome measure was the administration of an appropriate antihypertensive agent within 1 hour of the second elevated value for all pregnant or postpartum patients with severe hypertension. Results Of the 117 obstetric hospitals participating in the Safe Motherhood Initiative, 111 (94.9%) submitted data included in this analysis. During the study period, 80 of the 111 (72.0%) hospitals reported implementing the hypertension bundle. Overall, 2.4% of pregnant women were diagnosed with severe hypertension, and 60 to 65% of patients were treated within an hour of the second elevated value. Although not statistically significant, a greater numbers of patients were treated within an hour of the second elevated value in the second time period compared with the first in most obstetric hospitals (overall 64.8 vs. 60.8%; p = 0.33). Conclusion There were increasing numbers of patients receiving timely treatment of severe hypertension during early implementation of a Severe Hypertension in Pregnancy bundle in New York State obstetric hospitals. However, bundle implementation requires significant financial and human resources and the long-term impact on maternal morbidity and mortality in our state remains uncertain. Precis There was a tendency toward more timely treatment of severe hypertension following implementation of a Severe Hypertension in Pregnancy bundle in New York obstetric hospitals.