cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clarifying conditions and decision points for mediational type inferences in Organizational Behavior

Although mediational designs and analyses are quite popular in Organizational Behavior research, there is much confusion surrounding the basis of causal inferences. We review theoretical, research design, and construct validity issues that are important for drawing inferences from mediational analyses. We then distinguish between indirect effects, and partial and full mediational hypotheses and outline decision points for drawing inferences of each type. An empirical illustration is provided using structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques, and we discuss extensions and directions for future research. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dissociation between the antiatherosclerotic effect of trandolapril and suppression of serum and aortic angiotensin-converting enzyme activity in the Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbit.

Abstract This study was undertaken to determine whether low doses of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor trandolapril affected atherosclerosis in the Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbit. Trandolapril (10 μg/kg body weight per 48 hours) was begun at 3 months of age and continued for 9 months. The selected dose reduced serum ACE activity but did not influence blood pressure. Both serum and aortic ACE activity were reduced by more than 80% in the trandolapril-treated compared with control WHHL rabbits, similar to the suppression achieved with the 25-fold-higher dose that in our previous studies induced marked inhibition of aortic atherosclerotic lesions in the WHHL rabbit. In contrast to these prior findings, low-dose trandolapril had no effect on aortic surface involvement by atherosclerosis, aortic cholesterol content, or aortic morphology. The data suggest that the antiatherosclerotic action of ACE inhibitors in the WHHL rabbit may not be related directly to arterial enzyme inhibition.
Structural stability of WS2 under high pressure

Structural behavior of bulk WS2 under high pressure was investigated using synchrotron X-ray diffraction and diamond anvil cell up to 52 GPa along with high temperature X-ray diffraction and high pressure Raman spectroscopy analysis. The high pressure results obtained from X-ray diffraction and Raman analysis did not show any pressure induced structural phase transformations up to 52 GPa. The high temperature results show that the WS2 crystal structure is stable upon heating up to 600°C. Furthermore, the powder X-ray diffraction obtained on shock subjected WS2 to high pressures up to 10 GPa also did not reveal any structural changes. Our results suggest that even though WS2 is less compressible than the isostructural MoS2, its crystal structure is stable under static and dynamic compressions up to the experimental limit.
On Certain Blindnesses in Human Beings Psychology and World Overpopulation

Global overpopulation represents a common cause in all the man-made threats that face our planet. Reducing the geometric rate of growth in the human population will buy us extra time in dealing with all ecological threats. The various roles that counseling psychologists might play in advocating reproductive responsibility by humans are delineated.
Cosmological multi-black-hole solutions.

We present simple, analytic solutions to the Einstein-Maxwell equation, which describe an arbitrary number of charged black holes in a spacetime with a positive cosmological constant $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$. In the limit $\ensuremath{\Lambda}=0$, these solutions reduce to the well-known Majumdar-Papapetrou (MP) solutions. Like the MP solutions, each black hole in a $\ensuremath{\Lambda}g0$ solution has charge $Q$ equal to its mass $M$, up to a possible overall sign. Unlike the $\ensuremath{\Lambda}=0$ limit, however, solutions with $\ensuremath{\Lambda}g0$ are highly dynamical. The black holes move with respect to one another, following natural trajectories in the background de Sitter spacetime. Black holes moving apart eventually go out of causal contact. Black holes on approaching trajectories ultimately merge. To our knowledge, these solutions give the first analytic description of coalescing black holes. Likewise, the thermodynamics of the $\ensuremath{\Lambda}g0$ solutions is quite interesting. Taken individually, a $|Q|=M$ black hole is in thermal equilibrium with the background de Sitter Hawking radiation. With more than one black hole, because the solutions are not static, no global equilibrium temperature can be defined. In appropriate limits, however, when the black holes are either close together or far apart, approximate equilibrium states are established.
Latent Origins of Liberalism-Conservatism and Party Identification: A Research Note

The accepted explanation for the origin of political party identification is that it derives from socialization in the childhood home and from socio-economic-status position in society. Campbell et. al. show, for example, that approximately 75% of the national electorate have the same party identification as their parents (when both parents identified with the same party). The identification was stronger and the correlation was higher in homes where one or both parents were politically active than in homes where neither parent was active.' The tendency for low SES persons in the United States to lean Democratic and for high SES persons to lean Republican is too well known to need documentation here. The same SRC data also show that about 25% of the electorate grew up in homes where the parents displayed no consistent partisanship. Yet, nearly 70%o of these persons had also developed a party identification, although the identification generally was weaker and there were more independents in this group than among those growing up in homes where parental identification was clear cut.2 How do children growing up in homes where they do not get consistent socialization toward one party develop a party identification of their own? Conformity pressures within a status role may account for some of these cases. Rational ideological thinking may bring a few others into identification with a party.3 But, do these factors account for all of the variance in party identification? The writer happened upon some evidence suggesting that at least one additional factor might be included in an explanation for the origins of party identification.
Beyond digital naturalism

The success of Artificial Life (ALife) depends on whether it will help solve the conceptual problems of biology. Biology may be viewed as the science of the transformation of organizations. Yet biology lacks a theory of organization. We use this as an example of the challenge that ALife must meet.
IDENTIFICATION OF VASCULAR BLOCKAGES IN RACHIDES OF CUT MAIDENHAIR (ADIANTUM RADDIANUM) FRONDS

Fujino, D.W., Reid, M.S. and VanderMolen, G.E., 1983. Identification of vascular blockages in rachides of cut Maidenhair (Adiantum raddianum) fronds. Scientia Hortic., 21 : 381--388. Segments were excised from the base of rachides of Maidenhair fern that had been held in either deionized water (control) or 25 p.p.m. AgNO 3 for 2 days, and from freshly harvested fronds. Observation of transverse and longitudinal sections by light and electron microscopy indicated the presence of numerous vascular occlusions in the xylem of control fronds. These occlusions were not present in the xylem either of freshly cut fronds ol of fronds that had been maintained in a vase solution containing Ag +. The occluding material stained positively with ruthenium red, indicating a pectinaceous origin.
Radioembolization for Primary and Metastatic Liver Cancer

The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma is increasing. Most patients present beyond potentially curative options and are usually affected by underlying cirrhosis. In this scenario, transarterial therapies, such as radioembolization, are rapidly gaining acceptance as a potential therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma and liver metastases. Radioembolization is a catheter-based liver-directed therapy that involves the injection of micron-sized embolic particles loaded with a radioisotope by use of percutaneous transarterial techniques. Cancer cells are preferentially supplied by arterial blood and normal hepatocytes by portal venous blood; therefore, radioembolization specifically targets tumor cells with a high dose of lethal radiation and spares healthy hepatocytes. The antitumor effect mostly comes from radiation rather than embolization. The most commonly used radioisotope is yttrium-90. The commercially available devices are TheraSphere (glass based; MDS Nordion, Ottawa, Canada) and SIR-Sphere (resin based; Sirtex, Lane Cove, Australia). The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis. The incidence of complications is comparatively less than other locoregional therapies and may include nausea, fatigue, abdominal pain, hepatic dysfunction, biliary injury, fibrosis, radiation pneumonitis, gastrointestinal ulcers, and vascular injury. However, these complications can be avoided by meticulous pretreatment assessment, careful patient selection, and adequate dosimetry. This article focuses on both the technical and clinical aspects of radioembolization with emphasis on patient selection, uses and complications.
Elections and Community Power

F EW MEMBERS OF AMERICAN popular assemblies would be likely Zto emulate Edmund Burke, who once visited his Parliamentary constituency for the first time after his election to the House of Commons. Such boldness is unlikely today, even in Great Britain, where the adoption of nonresident prospective candidates is still a common practice.' In the United States, the opposite is the case. Not only are members of the lower house of Congress constitutionally required to be inhabitants of the state from which they seek election, but a seldom-avoided unwritten rule also requires that a candidate be a resident of the district involved.2 Longtime association with one's constituency may thus be considered to be an important feature of American national politics. The same is largely true of the state level.3 In local politics, the principle is important, but not so universally applicable. It is difficult for a person not born and bred in the constituency to be elected to office in the South,4 in upstate New York and in New England.5 In other places, such as Los Angeles
Tolerance of an albino fish to ultraviolet-B radiation.

We exposed albino and pigmented medakaOryzias latipes to simulated solar ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation to determine if albino medaka were less tolerant of UVB radiation than medaka pigmented with melanin. There was no difference in the number of albino and pigmented medaka that died during the exposure period. Spectrophotometric analyses of the outer dorsal skin layers from albino and pigmented medaka indicated that, prior to exposure, both groups of fish had similar amounts of an apparent colorless non-melanin photoprotective substance that appears to protect other fish species from UVB radiation. Our results indicate that albino medaka were as tolerant of UVB radiation as pigmented medaka because they had similar amounts of this photoprotective substance in the outer layers of the skin.
Molecular ruler lithography processes using multilayer sacrificial host structures

Molecular ruler nanolithography is a unique process capable of extending the achievable resolution of conventional lithography techniques. This is accomplished by patterning functional host structures whose dimensions can be tailored by systematically assembling engineered organic molecules of precise length on their surface, creating a template for producing features with reduced dimensions. We introduce a novel method for implementing molecular ruler lithography using a new sacrificial multilayer host structure. In particular, we demonstrate, using contact lithography, that host structures incorporating an underlying sacrificial resist can be used in conjunction with chemical solution phase self-assembly of a multilayer molecular ruler film, consisting of alternating layers of mercaptodecanoic acid molecules linked with copper ions. This new approach provides several advantages, including the potential for high yield processing, simplified removal of the parent host material, isolation of the host material from the substrate surface, and the capability to pattern daughter features whose thickness exceeds the thickness of the assembled molecular film. This new process can be implemented to create a wide variety of nanoscale structures and devices.
Understanding how the projection of availability state impacts the reception incoming communication

Many communication systems infer and project information about a user's availability, making it possible for others to decide whether and how to contact that user. Presumably when the system infers people are busy, they are less open to interruption. But analysis of 103,962 phone calls made using a popular enterprise communications tool reveals that people are actually significantly more likely to answer the phone when the system projects that they are busy than at other times. A follow-up survey of 569 users of the system suggests that this seemingly counter-intuitive fact may arise because people care a lot about the recipient's availability when initiating phone communications and are unlikely to attempt to call someone who appears to be busy unless the communication is important. Recipients thus perceive incoming calls as more important when they are busy than at other times, making them more likely to answer.
Diphoton decays of stoponium at the CERN Large Hadron Collider

If the lighter top squark has no kinematically allowed two-body decays that conserve flavor, then it will form hadronic bound states. This is required in models that are motivated by the supersymmetric little hierarchy problem and obtain the correct thermal relic abundance of dark matter by top-squark-mediated neutralino annihilations, or by top-squark-neutralino coannihilations. It is also found in models that can accommodate electroweak-scale baryogenesis within minimal supersymmetry. I study the prospects for detecting scalar stoponium from its diphoton decay mode at the Large Hadron Collider, updating and correcting previous work. Under favorable circumstances, this signal will be observable over background, enabling a uniquely precise measurement of the superpartner masses through a narrow peak in the diphoton invariant mass spectrum, limited by statistics and electromagnetic calorimeter resolutions.
Comorbid Cannabis Misuse in Psychotic Disorders: Treatment Strategies

Marijuana abuse can lead to transient psychosis, but can it cause or worsen psychotic disorders like schizophrenia? This article reviews the evidence from key research reports, leading to the conclusion that marijuana use, especially in early adolescence, can lead to psychotic disorders in adulthood, such as schizophrenia. There is a want of treatment approaches for marijuana use in individuals with schizophrenia, or for emerging psychosis in patients dependent on marijuana. Second-generation antipsychotics, especially clozapine, appear to be the best approach to treatment for psychosis cooccurring with—and often secondary to—marijuana abuse. More research is needed to develop appropriate and effective treatments for marijuana dependence, both alone as well as in conjunction with psychosis and psychotic disorders.
ATDC (Ataxia Telangiectasia Group D Complementing) Promotes Radioresistance through an Interaction with the RNF8 Ubiquitin Ligase

Induction of DNA damage by ionizing radiation (IR) and/or cytotoxic chemotherapy is an essential component of cancer therapy. The ataxia telangiectasia group D complementing gene (ATDC, also called TRIM29) is highly expressed in many malignancies. It participates in the DNA damage response downstream of ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) and p38/MK2 and promotes cell survival after IR. To elucidate the downstream mechanisms of ATDC-induced IR protection, we performed a mass spectrometry screen to identify ATDC binding partners. We identified a direct physical interaction between ATDC and the E3 ubiquitin ligase and DNA damage response protein, RNF8, which is required for ATDC-induced radioresistance. This interaction was refined to the C-terminal portion (amino acids 348-588) of ATDC and the RING domain of RNF8 and was disrupted by mutation of ATDC Ser-550 to alanine. Mutations disrupting this interaction abrogated ATDC-induced radioresistance. The interaction between RNF8 and ATDC, which was increased by IR, also promoted downstream DNA damage responses such as IR-induced γ-H2AX ubiquitination, 53BP1 phosphorylation, and subsequent resolution of the DNA damage foci. These studies define a novel function for ATDC in the RNF8-mediated DNA damage response and implicate RNF8 binding as a key determinant of the radioprotective function of ATDC.
Crafting Critical Stories: Toward Pedagogies and Methodologies of Collaboration, Inclusion, and Voice, by Judith Flores Carmona and Kristen V. Luschen

As the title of this edited volume, Crafting Critical Stories: Toward Pedagogies and Methodologies of Collaboration, Inclusion, and Voice, captures well, Judith Flores Carmona and Kristen V. Lusche...
Critical poetics: A meditation on alternative critical vernaculars

This essay offers several new models for a critical poetics, that is, a way of reading experimental poetry as criticism. In doing so, the essay shows how these models – playful, parasitic, piratic and metabolic – apply equally well to medieval poetry (including the Canterbury Tales) and contemporary poetry (the works of Juliana Spahr, Lisa Robertson and Alice Notley.) Thinking of poetry as critical, or thinking of poetry as an engine of literary criticism unto itself, can open up new ways of engaging with medieval poetry, putting it into conversation with contemporary works, rather than sequestering medieval poetry in a distant and tantalizing past.
Contralateral Weakness Following Botulinum Toxin for Post-Stroke Spasticity (P04.091)

Objective: We present two patients receiving Botulinum Toxin-A for post-stroke spasticity who developed isolated contralateral limb weakness. Background Botulinum toxin (BoNT) is considered safe and effective in the treatment of post-stroke spasticity. Randomized controlled trials have shown that BoNT is effective in reducing muscle tone and improving disability in the areas of pain, personal hygiene, dressing, and limb position. Adverse effects have generally been mild, including weakness of injected and neighboring muscles. These two cases illustrate an unusual adverse effect of BoNT with its pathophysiology supported by electrodiagnostic testing. Design/Methods: Two patients received high doses of botulinum toxin-Type A (OnabotulinumtoxinA) with large dilution volumes and injection of proximal upper extremity muscles. Both patients developed isolated weakness of the contralateral limb. Following this adverse event both patients underwent electrodiagnostic testing of the affected limb, including repetitive nerve stimulation and EMG. Results: Repetitive nerve stimulation testing of motor nerves in the limb contralateral to the injections demonstrated a decrement of 23% and 16%, respectively. EMG revealed spontaneous activity and small polyphasic units with reduced recruitment in affected muscles. These findings are consistent with severe blockade of the neuromuscular junction. Both patients subsequently improved. Conclusions: This adverse effect of botulinum toxin, with weakness involving only the contralateral upper extremity, suggests diffusion of toxin through tissue planes from proximal upper extremity muscles, across the midline, to contralateral muscles. High doses of botulinum toxin, high volume dilutions, and injection of proximal upper extremity muscles appear to be risk factors for this important adverse effect. Disclosure: Dr. Thomas has nothing to disclose. Dr. Simpson has received personal compensation for activities with NeurogesX, Eli Lilly, Astra Zeneca, Newron, Allergan, Pfizer, Endo, Covidien, Astellas, Ipsen, Gilead, Merz and GlaxoSmithKline. Dr. Simpson has received research support from NeurogesX, Pfizer, Eli Lilly, and Allergan.
Erythropoietin in stem cell transplantation

Anemia is universal after allogeneic and autologous stem cell transplantation, with both increased red cell utilization and decreased production playing a role. This anemia sometimes is associated with a relative erythropoietin deficiency. In allogeneic stem cell transplantation, randomized trials have demonstrated improved erythropoiesis and a decrease in red cell transfusions in recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO)-treated patients. Studies of rHuEPO in patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplants, however, have not shown a benefit. The role of rHuEPO in stem cell mobilization and treatment of delayed erythropoiesis has yet to be defined and further studies are needed.
Sa1655 Factors Affecting Recurrence Rate of Colonic Polyps After Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR)

vessels were observed in 3/210 cases (1.4%) of HGD, 7/35 cases (20.0%) of SM-s, 47/ 94 cases (50.0%) of SM-m, and 34/37 cases (91.9%) of MP. All lesions with abnormal vessels were depressed, except 2 cases, which are SM-m and MP with 0-Is. Conclusion: Abnormal blood vessels in the tumor periphery indicate that there is a correlation with invasion depth in depressed lesions. In invasion depth diagnosis, even in cases where observation of the pit pattern of the lesion is difficult, if abnormal blood vessels are seen in the tumor periphery, then it is important to suspect invasion at the SM-massive or deeper.
5-membered heterocyclic compounds: a new class of hypocalcemic agents.

SummaryFive thiophene derivatives and 2-pyrrolecarboxylic acid have marked hypocalcemic activity in rats. In nephrectomized rats, 2-TCA has a greater effect on serum calcium than it has on serum phosphorus. In a tissue culture system, 2-TCA inhibits directly PTH-stimulated transfer of calcium and phosphorus from bone. These effects of 2-TCA are rapid, reversible, and dose-related.
43 ASSESSMENT OF MYOCARDIAL ABNORMALITY IN PATIENTS WITH VENTRICULAR NONCOMPACTION USING THREE-DIMENSIONAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY.

Purpose of Study Ventricular noncompaction (VN) is a cardiomyopathy thought to result from an arrest of myocardial development at an early embryonic stage. When VN is associated with congenital heart disease, abnormal coronary arteries or defects that compromise myocardial perfusion through the coronary arteries may be seen. While the most apparent phenotypic features in the heart are the prominent trabeculations and deep intertrabecular recesses in the left ventricular apex, presumably, the primary abnormality affecting ventricular function is in the ventricular myocardium. We used three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) to test the hypothesis that VN is a phenotypic finding that is present when myocardial perfusion from the coronary arteries is absent or diminished. If so, an increased endocardial surface area as seen in VN would favor perfusion of the myocardium from the ventricular cavity. Methods Used We studied the hearts of patients with clinical VN or patients with a family history of VN as well as the classic echocardiographic features of VN. These hearts were compared with hearts from age-matched "normal " patients. We used 3DE to orient the heart in a standard 4-chamber view and to allow the study of the entire left ventricle using serial planar sections through the chamber. We used a Phillips ie33 3DE machine to perform the echocardiograms and measured the left ventricular size, mass, volumes, and ejection fraction using the Q-lab software package. We subsequently analyzed serial sections of the left ventricle using standard morphometric techniques to measure the endocardial surface area and surface to volume ratio in the left ventricle. Summary of Results/Conclusions 3DE can be used to characterize and analyze the morphology of the left ventricular myocardium in patients with VN. Measurements of surface area and surface to volume ratio in the affected myocardium may prove to be useful in studying the correlation between diminished coronary flow and the myocardial abnormalities observed in VN. These data may be useful in ultimately predicting the clinical course and following the progression of VN.
A Spatially and Temporally Scalable Approach for Long-Term Lakeshore Monitoring

This paper provides an image processing framework to assist in the inspection and, more generally, the data association of a natural environment, which we demonstrate in a long-term lakeshore monitoring task with an autonomous surface vessel. Our domain consists of 55 surveys of a 1 km lakeshore collected over a year and a half. Our previous work introduced a framework in which images of the same scene from different surveys are aligned using visual SLAM and SIFT Flow. This paper: (1) minimizes the number of expensive image alignments between two surveys using a covering set of poses, rather than all the poses in a sequence; (2) improves alignment quality using a local search around each pose and an alignment bias derived from the 3D information from visual SLAM; and (3) provides exhaustive results of image alignment quality. Our improved framework finds significantly more precise alignments despite performing image registration over an order of magnitude fewer times. We show changes a human spotted between surveys that would have otherwise gone unnoticed. We also show cases where our approach was robust to ‘extreme’ variation in appearance.
Prevention of Perioperative Anastomotic Healing Complications: Anastomotic Stricture and Anastomotic Leak.

The anastomotic healing complications of postoperative leak and stricture continue to plague surgeons despite many broadly targeted interventions. Evaluation of preventive measure efficacy is difficult due to inconsistent definitions and reporting of these complications. Few interventions have been shown to impact rates of leakage or stricture. However, new evidence is emerging that the intestinal microbiota can play an important role in the development of anastomotic complications. A more holistic approach to understanding the mechanisms of anastomotic complications is needed in order to develop tailored interventions to reduce their frequency. Such an approach may require a more complete definition of the role of the microbiota in anastomotic healing.
Body Measurements and Proportions of Preterm and Full-Term Infants in the First Six Years — Results of a Longitudinal Study

For more than two thousand years artists and physicians have been preoccupied by the proportions of the human body. A classical example is Polycletus of Argos, who lived in Greece 400 years before Christ and whose celebrated Doryphoros the — javelin thrower — is based on the “ideal” body proportions.
Human tear-production rate from closed-eye Schirmer-strip capillary dynamics

A Schirmer tear test (STT) is commonly used to gauge human tear production, especially when dry-eye symptoms present. In an STT, the rounded tip of a standardized paper strip is inserted into the lower fornix of the eye, and the wetted length extending out from the lower lid is recorded after 5 min of eye closure. Longer wetted lengths suggest higher tear production rates. To date, however, there is no methodology to transform STT transient wetting lengths into basal tear- production rates. We develop a physical model to elucidate wetting kinetics in a Schirmer strip. Tear evaporation from the exposed portion of the strip and gravity are accounted for. Careful consideration of the initial depletion of tear in the closed-eye tear prism reveals an initial fast increase in wetted length followed by slower growth. Excellent agreement of the proposed model is achieved with experimental observation. When evaporation is negligible, the slow-growth regime exhibits a linear increase of wetted length in time. The linear-length-growth time regime permits simple calculation of quantitative tear-production rates. We suggest measuring several dynamic wetting lengths along a sheathed Schirmer strip and near the 5-min insertion duration followed by fitting to a straight line. The slope of the length-versus-time data gives the basal lacrimal-supply rate.
Is BMI an Independent Risk Factor for Unfavorable Outcomes Following Total Hip Arthroplasty? Commentary on an article by Eric R. Wagner, MD, et al.: "Effect of Body Mass Index on Complications and Reoperations After Total Hip Arthroplasty".

High body mass index (BMI) has been shown to have a strong association with unfavorable outcomes following total hip arthroplasty1. An increasing proportion of patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty have a high BMI value2. The article by Wagner et al. is a single institution’s retrospective review of prospectively collected data regarding 21,361 primary total hip arthroplasties performed between 1985 and 2012. The relationship between BMI, as an independent variable, and outcomes were reported as hazard ratios, and survival estimates were made by the Kaplan-Meier method. The findings are largely consistent with those of the current literature; however, the treatment of BMI as a continuous variable is unique and represents an advance in …
High glucose suppresses embryonic stem cell differentiation into cardiomyocytes

Babies born to mothers with pregestational diabetes have a high risk for congenital heart defects (CHD). Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are excellent in vitro models for studying the effect of high glucose on cardiac lineage specification because ESCs can be differentiated into cardiomyocytes. ESC maintenance and differentiation are currently performed under high glucose conditions, whose adverse effects have never been clarified. We investigated the effect of high glucose on cardiomyocyte differentiation from a well-characterized ESC line, E14, derived from mouse blastocysts. E14 cells maintained under high glucose (25 mM) failed to generate any beating cardiomyocytes using the hanging-drop embryonic body method. We created a glucose-responsive E14 cell line (GR-E14) through a graduated low glucose adaptation. The expression of stem cell markers was similar in the parent E14 cells and the GR-E14 cells. Glucose transporter 2 gene was increased in GR-E14 cells. When GR-E14 cells were differentiated into cardiomyocytes under low (5 mM) or high (25 mM) glucose conditions, high glucose significantly delayed the appearance and reduced the number of TNNT2 (Troponin T Type 2)-positive contracting cardiomyocytes. High glucose suppressed the expression of precardiac mesoderm markers, cardiac transcription factors, mature cardiomyocyte markers, and potassium channel proteins. High glucose impaired the functionality of ESC-derived cardiomyocytes by suppressing the frequencies of Ca2+ wave and contraction. Our findings suggest that high glucose inhibits ESC cardiogenesis by suppressing key developmental genes essential for the cardiac program.
Severe Neutropenia at the Time of Implantable Subcutaneous Chest Port Insertion Is Not a Risk Factor for Port Removal at a Tertiary Pediatric Center

Abstract Purpose To determine if severe neutropenia at the time of chest port insertion is a risk factor for port removal and central catheter–associated bloodstream infection (CCABSI) in pediatric patients. Materials and Methods From May 2007 to June 2015, 183 consecutive patients (mean age, 9.9 y; range, 0.75–21 y) had a port inserted at a single tertiary pediatric center. Seventy-two had severe neutropenia at the time of port insertion (absolute neutrophil count [ANC] range, 0–500/mm 3 ; mean, 185/mm 3 ). Follow-up until port removal or death and CCABSI events were recorded. Results Within the first 30 days, similar incidences of CCABSI (12.5% of patients with severe neutropenia [n = 9] vs 4.5% of patients without [n = 5]), port removal for infection (2.8% [n = 2] vs 2.7% [n = 3]), and local port infection (2.8% [n = 2] vs 0.9% [n = 1]) were observed in both groups ( P > .05), but the rate of CCABSI per 1,000 catheter-days was higher for patients with severe neutropenia ( P = .045). Overall, similar incidences of CCABSI (18.1% [n = 13] vs 16.2% [n = 18]), port removal for infection (2.8% [n = 2] vs 7.2% [n = 8]), local port infection (2.8% [n = 2] vs 2.7% [n = 3]), and CCABSIs per 1,000 catheter-days (0.332 vs 0.400) were observed in both groups ( P > .05). Conclusions Port placement in patients with severe neutropenia can be performed without an increased incidence of port removal for infection. The majority of CCABSIs were successfully treated without port removal.
Recintos de fosos del III milenio AC en la Meseta peninsular

This article examines contextual data from three Copper Age ditched enclosures excavated between 1997 and 2001 in the middle Tagus basin. Calibrated radiocarbon dates suggest that they were all constructed and backfilled during the first half of the third millennium BC. Key characteristics are their heterogeneous topographic position, variable visibility, small size and high density of features and domestic refuse. All evidence supports their interpretation as small occupation sites. Finally, we discuss the role of ditched enclosures in their contemporary regional and Iberian context. We suggest that their variability is a result of diverse aggregation and fission dynamics characterisitic of segmentary societies.
Dental Applications of Bioglass® Implants

ABSTRACT Nearly twenty years of development and testing have led to two dental applications of a bioactive glass, 45S5 Bioglass®, in the form of implanted cones for the maintenance of the alveolar ridge of denture wearers and bioactive powders for repair of periodontal defects. In this paper four year clinical data for the bioactive glass cone implants are presented with 90% retention and only 7% dehiscence. These results are generally superior, in terms of both retention of cones and incidence of dehiscence compared with dense synthetic hydroxyapatite implants over equivalent time periods. Mechanistic reasons for the improved performance include: differences in interfacial bonding rates, greater thickness of interfacial bonding zones, lower elastic modulus mismatch between implant and tissues, presence of soft tissue as well as bone bonding and improved implant fit by use of special burs that match the cone implants. Histological analysis of endosseous ridge maintenance implants (ERMI) in dogs, combined with previous results from implantations in baboons, indicate that differences in interfacial reaction layers can explain the differing clinical behavior of bioactive dental implants.
Early indicators of later English reading comprehension outcomes among children from Spanish-speaking homes.

ABSTRACTIn this longitudinal study, we examined the relationship between primary grade (K–2) Spanish and English language- and word-based skills and later English reading comprehension (RC) outcomes (Grades 5 and 8) among children (n = 148) from immigrant, Spanish-speaking, low-income homes in English instructional contexts since kindergarten entry. As expected, early skills, especially those in English, contributed to later RC outcomes. Most uniquely, we identified a developmental shift in the contribution of language- and word-based skills on students’ RC outcomes. Specifically, word-based skills were consistently predictive of Grade 5 RC outcomes, whereas the contribution of language-based skills emerged for Grade 8 RC outcomes. Finally, we also found that the relationship between early skills and later RC outcomes varied depending on students’ RC levels. These results underscore the increasingly important role that early language-based skills play for later English reading comprehension outcomes, and ...
Poorly controlled postoperative pain: prevalence, consequences, and prevention

This review provides an overview of the clinical issue of poorly controlled postoperative pain and therapeutic approaches that may help to address this common unresolved health-care challenge. Postoperative pain is not adequately managed in greater than 80% of patients in the US, although rates vary depending on such factors as type of surgery performed, analgesic/anesthetic intervention used, and time elapsed after surgery. Poorly controlled acute postoperative pain is associated with increased morbidity, functional and quality-of-life impairment, delayed recovery time, prolonged duration of opioid use, and higher health-care costs. In addition, the presence and intensity of acute pain during or after surgery is predictive of the development of chronic pain. More effective analgesic/anesthetic measures in the perioperative period are needed to prevent the progression to persistent pain. Although clinical findings are inconsistent, some studies of local anesthetics and nonopioid analgesics have suggested potential benefits as preventive interventions. Conventional opioids remain the standard of care for the management of acute postoperative pain; however, the risk of opioid-related adverse events can limit optimal dosing for analgesia, leading to poorly controlled acute postoperative pain. Several new opioids have been developed that modulate μ-receptor activity by selectively engaging intracellular pathways associated with analgesia and not those associated with adverse events, creating a wider therapeutic window than unselective conventional opioids. In clinical studies, oliceridine (TRV130), a novel μ-receptor G-protein pathway-selective modulator, produced rapid postoperative analgesia with reduced prevalence of adverse events versus morphine.
Justification Awareness Models

Justification Awareness Models, JAMs, incorporate two principal ideas: (i) justifications are prime objects of the model: knowledge and belief are defined evidence-based concepts; (ii) awareness restrictions are applied to justifications rather than to propositions, which allows for the maintaining of desirable closure properties. JAMs naturally include major justification models, Kripke models and, in addition, represent situations with multiple possibly fallible justifications. As an example, we build a JAM for Russell’s well-known Prime Minister scenario which, in full generality, was previously off the scope of rigorous epistemic modeling.
Off and on Equilibrium Duopoly Model Analysis in Terms of Reaction Gap and Adjustment Weights.

For a duopoly model having a regular upward sloping inverse supply, this paper derives all the off equilibrium formulae of interest in terms of reaction gap and adjustment weights. It derives all the equilibrium formulae adjusting the reaction gap and they are in terms of adjustment weights only. This paper derives a formula for the absolute point price elasticity of demand at the duopoly equilibrium price in terms of adjustment weights which has a lower bound of one-half.
Climate Change, Climate Models and Geoengineering the Earth

Changes in the Earth’s orbit around the Sun, volcanic eruptions and variations in emission of solar radiation are the primary natural causes climate change on all but the longest time scales. Since the start of the Industrial Revolution, human activity has increased atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. These greenhouse gases are efficient absorbers of terrestrial radiation and are primarily responsible for the observed increase in temperature during the past 150 years. Mitigation efforts to reduce the release of greenhouse gases have been unsuccessful so far. Geoengineering proposals to counteract the enhanced greenhouse effect include ideas to reduce the solar radiation absorbed at the surface and to increase the amount of terrestrial radiation that is lost to space. These proposals face questions about their effectiveness, cost and feasibility. Climate models, which have already been used to examine the impact of anthropogenic climate change, provide a way to test the effectiveness of the geoengineering proposals. Those models also are a means to determine if the proposals might result in other undesirable climate changes. This chapter examines the potential effectiveness and feasibility of some of the most well known geoengineering proposals.
Distinct Lymphoid and Myeloid Progenitors Seed the Thymus and Give Rise to all Thymic Lineages (138.7)

It is unclear whether myeloid lineages develop within the thymus, or whether their presence relies on trafficking of mature cells from the blood. Recent studies suggested that a multi-potent thymus-homing progenitor gives rise to both lymphoid and myeloid lineages. This conclusion is inconsistent with models of hematopoiesis that include a common lymphoid progenitor (CLP) - a cell that has no myeloid potential but gives rise to all lymphoid populations, including B, T, and NK cells. We have addressed this issue and find that the earliest cells within thymus (commonly referred to as DN1) are lymphoid committed when transplanted in vivo, but when put into certain in vitro conditions, these cells make macrophages and neutrophils. Similarly, CLP, which in vivo are lymphoid committed, when put into these same in vitro conditions, also make myeloid cells at high clonal efficiency. These results bring into question conclusions about the myeloid potential of thymic progenitors that were determined in vitro. To address the source of myeloid populations within the thymus, we asked whether they developed from an intermediate that expressed the RAG recombinase using RAG reporter mice (SVEX). We found that 20% of neutrophils, but very few or no macrophages or dendritic cells within the thymus come from a RAG expressing progenitor. This suggests that a fraction of RAG-expressing progenitors retain neutrophil potential. However, neutrophils make up approximately 0.0001% of the thymus, suggesting that this potential is very limited. Furthermore, we show that separate myeloid committed and lymphoid committed progenitors home to the thymus, suggesting that the myeloid and lymphoid cells within the thymus are mostly, if not entirely derived from separate seeding cells.
Radiologic Assessment of Mesothelioma

Imaging plays an essential role in the diagnosis, staging, and clinical management of patients with mesothelioma. X-ray imaging techniques [chest radiography and computed tomography (CT)], magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) have all been used to evaluate this disease, although the relative importance of these imaging modalities has changed over time. Our understanding of mesothelioma has been advanced through radiologic examination, and nearly every mesothelioma patient makes numerous trips to the radiology department during the course of treatment. Imaging studies define the morphology and extent of mesothelioma, tumor perfusion, tumor physiology, the presence of mediastinal or chest wall involvement, and the presence of concomitant disease. The image acquisition device (i.e., the hardware) is only one component of the radiologic examination; software tools for the subsequent visualization and postprocessing of the acquired image data are required to extract useful information from the image pixels and to fully exploit the wealth of information contained within the image. This chapter describes the imaging modalities that have been employed for the evaluation of mesothelioma and emphasizes the role of CT in the important task of tumor thickness measurement for the assessment of tumor progression or response to therapy.
Second life as a platform for creating intelligent virtual agents

Intelligent virtual agents (IVAs) are animated characters that interact with humans and with each other using natural modalities such as speech and gestures. Creation of successful IVA applications is challenging since development requires integration of a broad range of specialized tools and skills. We present a discussion of the advantages and technical challenges of using the Second Life programming environment as an accessible platform for undergraduates to develop an Intelligent Virtual Agent and the environment that the IVA inhibits.
High sustained +Gz acceleration: physiological adaptation to high-G tolerance.

Since the early 1940s, a significant volume of research has been conducted in an effort to describe the impact of acute exposures to high-G acceleration on cardiovascular mechanisms responsible to maintaining cerebral perfusion and conscious in high performance aircraft pilots during aerial combat maneuvers. The value of understanding hemodynamic characteristics that underlie G-induced loss of consciousness has been instrumental in the evolution of optimal technology development (e.g., G-suits, positive pressure breathing, COMBAT EDGE, etc.) and pilot training (e.g., anti-G straining maneuvers). Although the emphasis of research has been placed on the development of protection against acute high +Gz acceleration effects, recent observations suggest that adaptation of cardiovascular mechanism associated with blood pressure regulation may contribute to a protective 'G-training' effect. Regular training at high G enhances G tolerance in humans, rats, guinea pigs, and dogs while prolonged layoff from exposure in high G profiles (G-layoff) can result in reduced G endurance. It seems probable that adaptations in physiological functions following chronically-repeated high G exposure (G training) or G-layoff could have significant impacts on performance during sustained high-G acceleration since protective technology such as G-suits and anit-G straining maneuvers are applied consistently during these periods of training. The purpose of this paper is to present a review of new data from three experiments that support the notion that repeated exposure on a regular basis to high sustained +Gz acceleration induces significant physiological adaptations which are associated with improved blood pressure regulation and subsequent protection of cerebral perfusion during orthostatic challenges.
Fatigue Life Estimation of ITER Conduits at 4 K

ITER superconducting magnets are designed to operate at 4 K under cyclic loading. The conduits of the magnets (e.g., central solenoid) are designed to support all the cyclic loads during operation. It is expected that fatigue fracture is the major failure mechanism for the conduits. In the present study, the fatigue life of the conduits for ITER and the model coil has been estimated by applying numerical integration of the Paris equation to a surface crack. The fatigue crack growth behavior of a 3D crack is analyzed. Discussion is given to three key factors of a 3D crack: crack type, crack aspect ratio, and the eccentricity of an embedded crack. It is found that the estimated fatigue life of the conduits for ITER or the model coil is acceptable based on the current ITER design criteria. In a thin plate, there is a linear-log relationship between the fatigue life and applied stress at given initial crack size. Either a surface or corner crack shows a shorter life than most embedded cracks. The fatigue life decreases as the crack eccentricity increases.
Law and Risk

This article is a revision of the previous edition article by A. Bora, volume 12, pp. 8470–8474, © 2001, Elsevier Ltd.
Hereditary cancer screening: Case reports and review of literature on ten Ashkenazi Jewish founder mutations.

BACKGROUND Historically, three founder mutations in the BRCA1/2 (OMIM 113705; OMIM 600185) genes have been the focus of cancer risks within the Ashkenazi Jewish (AJ) population. However, there are several additional mutations associated with increased susceptibility to cancer in individuals of AJ ancestry. METHODS We report three patients who exemplify the need to keep these additional founder mutations in mind when pursuing hereditary cancer genetic testing of individuals in this population. All gene sequences in this paper were aligned to reference sequences based on human genome build GRCh37/UCSC hg19. RESULTS review of the literature discusses that the combined risk is 12.36%-20.83% forhaving 1 of the 10 hereditary cancer AJ founder mutations in the BRCA1, BRCA2, CHEK2 (OMIM 604373), APC (OMIM 611731), MSH2 (OMIM 609309), MSH6 (OMIM 600678), and GREM1 (OMIM 603054) genes for individuals of AJ ancestry. CONCLUSION We recommend testing for all 10 of these AJ founder cancer susceptibility mutations for individuals within this population as standard screening in order to ensure appropriate cancer risk management and cascade testing.