cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inositol is a required nutrient for keratinocyte growth

Bovine hypothalamus is known to contain a growth-promoting activity for human epidermal keratinocytes. By sequential purification, the substance was isolated and found to be myo-inositol. The identity of the substance as myo-inositol was confirmed by ion modified partition, gas liquid, thin layer chromatography, by mass spectrometry, and quantitative bioassay. The inositol content of the crude hypothalamic extract and of an active acetone precipitate (the first step in the purification) was determined to be sufficient to account for their observed bioactivity. At an optimal concentration of 55 microM (10 micrograms/ml), myo-inositol approximately tripled keratinocyte yield compared to paired cultures in basal medium containing 0.3 microM, although this yield was only half that produced by a crude saline extract of hypothalamus, suggesting that there are additional growth-promoting activities in the tissue extract. No other skin-derived cell type tested was stimulated by supplemental inositol. These results establish that the inositol requirement for cultured human keratinocytes is markedly higher than for any other normal or malignant cell type investigated to date, and expand the list of brain-derived phospholipid precursors known to stimulate epithelial proliferation in vitro. These data suggest that inositol may subserve quantitatively or qualitatively different functions in the keratinocyte than in other cell types.
Small RNAs with Imperfect Match to Endogenous mRNA Repress Translation IMPLICATIONS FOR OFF-TARGET ACTIVITY OF SMALL INHIBITORY RNA IN MAMMALIAN CELLS

A 21-base pair RNA duplex that perfectly matches an endogenous target mRNA selectively degrades the mRNA and suppresses gene expression in mammalian tissue culture cells. A single base mismatch with the target is believed to protect the mRNA from degradation, making this type of interference highly specific to the targeted gene. A short RNA with mismatches to a target sequence present in multiple copies in the 3′-untranslated region of an exogenously expressed gene can, however, silence it by translational repression. Here we report that a mismatched RNA, targeted to a single site in the coding sequence of an endogenous gene, can efficiently silence gene expression by repressing translation. The antisense strand of such a mismatched RNA requires a 5′-phosphate but not a 3′-hydroxyl group. G·U wobble base pairing is tolerated as a match for both RNA degradation and translation repression. Together, these findings suggest that a small inhibitory RNA duplex can suppress expression of off-target cellular proteins by RNA degradation or translation repression. Proper design of experimental small inhibitory RNAs or a search for targets of endogenous micro-RNAs must therefore take into account that these short RNAs can affect expression of cellular genes with as many as 3–4 base mismatches and additional G·U mismatches.
Effect of collector current exponential decay on power efficiency for class E tuned power amplifier

The power efficiency of the class E tuned power amplifier was investigated. The present analysis examines the effect of collector current exponential decay during the switching-off transient on the power efficiency of the class E power amplifier. Sensitivity of the collector fall time on the collector-emitter voltage and the collector current waveform as a function of time is demonstrated. >
2.1.2 Systems Engineering Provides Successful High Temperature Steam Electrolysis Project

This paper describes two Systems Engineering Studies completed at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to support development of the High Temperature Stream Electrolysis (HTSE) process. HTSE produces hydrogen from water using nuclear power and was selected by the Department of Energy (DOE) for integration with the Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP). The first study was a reliability, availability and maintainability (RAM) analysis to identify critical areas for technology development based on available information regarding expected component performance. An HTSE process baseline flowsheet at commercial scale was used as a basis. The NGNP project also established a process and capability to perform future RAM analyses. The analysis identified which components had the greatest impact on HTSE process availability and indicated that the HTSE process could achieve over 90% availability. The second study developed a series of life-cycle cost estimates for the various scale-ups required to demonstrate the HTSE process. Both studies were useful in identifying near- and long-term efforts necessary for successful HTSE process deployment. The size of demonstrations to support scale-up was refined, which is essential to estimate near- and long-term cost and schedule. The life-cycle funding profile, with high-level allocations, was identified as the program transitions from experiment scale R&D to engineering scale demonstration.
Phenyl Vinyl Sulfide

[1822-73-7] C8H8S (MW 136.23) InChI = 1S/C8H8S/c1-2-9-8-6-4-3-5-7-8/h2-7H,1H2 InChIKey = GMPDOIGGGXSAPL-UHFFFAOYSA-N (deprotonation gives 1-phenylthiovinyllithium,1 an acyl anion equivalent which reacts with electrophiles; utilized as a probe in [4 + 2],2, 3 [3 + 2],4 and [2 + 5]5 cycloaddition reactions; serves as a Diels–Alder dienophile synthetic equivalent of ethylene, acetylene, and ketene) Physical Data: bp 94–95 °C/25 mmHg; d 1.042 g cm−3. Form Supplied in: liquid; widely available. Preparative Methods: recent preparative methods include: the reaction of Ethylene with Thiophenol and N-Chlorosuccinimide to give the β-chloroethyl sulfide followed by dehydrohalogenation with 1,8-Diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene;6 reaction of acetaldehyde diphenyl dithioacetal with Copper(I) Trifluoromethanesulfonate;7 reaction of Phenylmagnesium Bromide with 2-chloroethyl thiocyanate followed by dehydrohalogenation with Potassium tert-Butoxide;8 phenylthiolate addition to 1,2-Dibromoethane followed by dehydrohalogenation with Potassium Hydroxide under phase transfer catalysis;9 reaction of acetaldehyde diphenyl dithioacetal with Benzenesulfenyl Chloride followed by dehydrohalogenation with Diisopropylethylamine;10 and as a recoverable byproduct of the reaction of 1,3-oxathiolanes with benzyne.11 Handling, Storage, and Precautions: stench; it is imperative that phenyl vinyl sulfide be used in a well-ventilated fume hood.
Prediction of the Ωbbb mass from lattice QCD

The mass of the triply-heavy baryon Ω bbb is calculated in lattice QCD with 2 + 1 flavors of light sea quarks. The b quark is implemented with improved lattice nonrelativistic QCD. Gauge field ensembles from both the RBC/UKQCD and MILC collaborations with lattice spacings in the range from 0.08 fm to 0.12 fm are used. The final result for the Ω bbb mass, which includes an electrostatic correction, is 14.371 ± 0.004 stat ± 0.011 syst ± 0.001 exp GeV. The hyperfine splitting between the physical J = 3/2 state and a fictitious J = 1/2 state is also calculated.
Fabrication of GaSb-based DFB lasers for gas sensing

Regrowth-free gain-coupled GaSb-based DFB lasers suitable for gas sensing were fabricated. Threshold currents for 2.4µm emission of 400µm-long DFB devices were 45mA with a total output power of nearly 11mW in CW operation at 20°C.
Top five flashpoints in the assessment of teaching effectiveness.

Background: Despite thousands of publications over the past 90 years on the assessment of teaching effectiveness, there is still confusion, misunderstanding, and hand-to-hand combat on several topics that seem to pop up over and over again on listservs, blogs, articles, books, and medical education/teaching conference programs. If you are measuring teaching performance in face-to-face, blended/hybrid, or online courses, then you are probably struggling with one or more of these topics or flashpoints.Aim: To decrease the popping and struggling by providing a state-of-the-art update of research and practices and a “consumer's guide to trouble-shooting these flashpoints.”Methods: Five flashpoints are defined, the salient issues and research described, and, finally, specific, concrete recommendations for moving forward are proffered. Those flashpoints are: (1) student ratings vs. multiple sources of evidence; (2) sources of evidence vs. decisions: which come first?’ (3) quality of “home-grown” rating scales v...
Breast-Cancer Patients’ Participation Behavior and Coping During Presurgical Consultations: A Pilot Study

In the context of breast-cancer care, there is extremely little research on the association between observed (i.e., taped and coded) communication behaviors and patients' health outcomes, especially those other than satisfaction. In the context of presurgical consultations between female breast cancer patients and a surgeon, the aim of this exploratory study was to test the association between communication-based participation behaviors and pre-post consultation changes in aspects of patients' mental adjustment to cancer (i.e., coping). Participants included 51 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer and a surgical oncologist from a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer center in the northeastern United States. Outcomes were changes in patients' fighting spirit, helplessness/hopelessness, anxious preoccupation, cognitive avoidance, and fatalism (measured immediately before and after consultations via survey), and the main predictors were three communication-based participation behaviors coded from videotapes of consultations: patient question asking, patient assertion of treatment preferences, and surgeon solicitation of patient question/concern/opinion. Patients who more frequently asserted their treatment preferences experienced increases in their fighting spirit (p = .01) and decreases in their anxious preoccupation (p = .02). When companions (e.g., sister, spouse) asked more questions, patients experienced decreases in their anxious preoccupation (p = .05). These findings suggest that, in the present context, there may be specific, trainable communication behaviors, such as patients asserting their treatment preferences and companions asking questions, that may improve patients' psychosocial health outcomes.
EFFECT OF WATER POTENTIAL ON A MICROCOLEUS (CYANOPHYCEAE) FROM A DESERT CRUST1

SUMMARY The effect of water potential, on the growth and photosynthesis of a species of Microcoleus forming a desert crust was determined, using both osmotic and matric variations in water potential. The alga was quite sensitive to moisture stress, partial inhibition of growth being observed at -7 bars, and complete inhibition at -18 bars. Photosynthesis was markedly inhibited at -18 bars, and virtually completely at, -28 bars (water potential of seawater) and lower. The alga was more sensitive to matric reduction in water potential than osmotic. By comparisons of these results with those obtained with other algae, it is concluded that this desert crust alga is not especially adapted to grow and photosynthesize at low water potentials, although it shows considerable ability to survive severe drought conditions.
Parallel image sequence coding on multiprocessor systems

The authors introduce dictionary-based image sequence coding (DISC) as a new approach to the problem of compression of image sequence data. The DISC algorithm is an adaptation of textual data compression techniques for image sequence data. The algorithm is extremely well suited for parallel implementation on standard configurations such as the rectangular mesh and the hypercube. For N*N images, the authors present SIMD (single-instruction multiple-data) algorithms of time complexities approximately theta (DN) for the mesh and theta (D log N+log/sup 2/ N) for the hypercube (D is proportional to dictionary size). The DISC approach has the additional advantage of involving essentially only simple data movement and lookup operations. Simulation results indicate that moderate to high compression ratios can be achieved along with good visual fidelity and quality of reconstruction. >
Invited Commentary: Considering Bias in the Assessment of Respiratory Symptoms among Residents of Lower Manhattan following the Events of September 11, 2001

The report by Lin et al. (1) in this issue of the Journal presents data on past-year and past-month respiratory symptoms among residents of Lower Manhattan after the September 11, 2001, attack on and collapse of the World Trade Center, as compared with residents of Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Residents of both areas were surveyed 8–16 months after the attack. The recorded frequency of symptoms after September 11 was higher in the exposed area than in the unexposed (or less exposed) area. The pervasiveness of the smoke, dust, and debris that permeated parts of Lower Manhattan for months after the September 11 attacks makes the respiratory tract irritation and symptoms reported by the residents in this study entirely plausible. While respiratory irritation and symptoms have been described in firefighters who were heavily exposed during these events (2), this study is noteworthy and laudable for its attempt to focus on the general population. However, this study in some ways raises more questions than it answers. In particular, key questions about potential bias, assessment of exposure and health outcomes, and potential unmeasured confounding pose considerable challenges to the interpretation of the results documented here.
Effective Field Theory for a Three-Brane Universe

A general effective field theory formalism is presented which describes the low-energy dynamics of a 3-brane universe. In this scenario an arbitrary four-dimensional particle theory, such as the standard model, is constrained to live on the world volume of a (3+1)-dimensional hypersurface, or {open_quotes}3-brane,{close_quotes} which in turn fluctuates in a higher-dimensional, gravitating spacetime. The inclusion of chiral fermions on the 3-brane is given careful treatment. The power counting needed to renormalize quantum amplitudes of the effective theory is also discussed. The effective theory has a finite domain of validity, restricting it to processes at low enough energies that the internal structure of the 3-brane cannot be resolved. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}
Transportation safety risk for source recovery versus consequence of leaving radioactive sources in place and vulnerable due to limited transport options or denial of shipment

Abstract Potential risks associated with transportation safety of recovered radioactive sources in normal commerce are rhetorically compared to the latent risk of not recovering disused radioactive sources due to limited transport options or outright denial of shipment. It is essential, during each phase of the recovery process, to ensure secure, timely, cost effective and reliable means to return vulnerable radioactive sources to safe and protected locations by land, sea and/or air transport. In some cases, only limited transport options exist or denials of shipment may occur that impede the recovery process. Risks associated with normal transportation of recovered sources are considered less significant than the risks related to leaving disused radioactive sources at their original location.
Reduced diaphyseal strength associated with high intracortical vascular porosity within long bones of children with osteogenesis imperfecta

Osteogenesis imperfecta is a genetic disorder resulting in bone fragility. The mechanisms behind this fragility are not well understood. In addition to characteristic bone mass deficiencies, research suggests that bone material properties are compromised in individuals with this disorder. However, little data exists regarding bone properties beyond the microstructural scale in individuals with this disorder. Specimens were obtained from long bone diaphyses of nine children with osteogenesis imperfecta during routine osteotomy procedures. Small rectangular beams, oriented longitudinally and transversely to the diaphyseal axis, were machined from these specimens and elastic modulus, yield strength, and maximum strength were measured in three-point bending. Intracortical vascular porosity, bone volume fraction, osteocyte lacuna density, and volumetric tissue mineral density were determined by synchrotron micro-computed tomography, and relationships among these mechanical properties and structural parameters were explored. Modulus and strength were on average 64-68% lower in the transverse vs. longitudinal beams (P<0.001, linear mixed model). Vascular porosity ranged between 3 and 42% of total bone volume. Longitudinal properties were associated negatively with porosity (P≤0.006, linear regressions). Mechanical properties, however, were not associated with osteocyte lacuna density or volumetric tissue mineral density (P≥0.167). Bone properties and structural parameters were not associated significantly with donor age (P≥0.225, linear mixed models). This study presents novel data regarding bone material strength in children with osteogenesis imperfecta. Results confirm that these properties are anisotropic. Elevated vascular porosity was observed in most specimens, and this parameter was associated with reduced bone material strength. These results offer insight toward understanding bone fragility and the role of intracortical porosity on the strength of bone tissue in children with osteogenesis imperfecta.
Ethanol Locks in the Prevention and Treatment of Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections

Objective: To evaluate the evidence regarding the use of ethanol lock therapy (ELT) for catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) prophylaxis and treatment. Data Sources: A literature search was conducted using PubMed (August 2003-January 2013) with search terms: ethanol lock, ethanol locks, ethanol lock therapy, prophylaxis, prevention, catheter-related bloodstream infection, and catheter-related infection. Additional sources were identified through a subsequent review of relevant articles. Study Selection and Data Extraction: All English-language studies with >1 patient and a primary outcome of rates of infection, clinical cure, catheter removal or line salvage were evaluated. Studies where ELT was not used for CRBSI prophylaxis or treatment, review articles, and in vitro studies were excluded. Data were abstracted through an independent review of all articles by 2 authors. Discrepancies were discussed and resolved. Data Synthesis: 13 prophylaxis studies evaluated 617 patients; all studies reported...
How We Got Here

Review of Bob Gluck's You'll Know When You Get There: Herbie Hancock and the Mwandishi Band .
I Keep my Problems to Myself: Negative Social Network Orientation, Social Resources, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Cancer Survivors

Background Cancer survivors treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplant rely on their social network for successful recovery. However, some survivors have negative attitudes about using social resources (negative social network orientation) that are critical for their recovery.
Sedimentation counting of particles via electron microscopy

Electron microscope counts of virus particles have usually required highly concentrated, purified, preparations with a minimum of extraneous material (2, 4, 6). Isaacs has thoroughly reviewed these results recently (5). But, the virologist frequently does not require such purity. He generally deals with crude tissue extracts, plasmas, chorioallantoic fluids, etc., in which virus activity may be 106 to 109 ID50 per ml. It is rarely greater than 1010. This paper will describe electron microscope counting of two viruses in just such crude form.
The Great Recession’s Impact on Credible Commitment: An Analysis of Private Investment in Tax Increment Financing Districts

This study explores the Great Recession’s effect on the commitment by the city of Dallas, Texas, to its private partners in seventeen tax increment financing (TIF) districts. What effect did the recession have on private investment in public–private partnerships? Did the recession cause a loss of credibility in the city’s commitment, resulting in lower levels of private investment? Was there a lasting structural change in the determinants of private participation stemming from the recession? Results from a random effects Tobit model show that the city’s proposed budget for each TIF district was a significant determinant of the level of private investment. However, during the recession, the actual amount of investment by the city was essential to reassuring private investors of the city’s commitment.
Genetic engineering of an ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria bicolor for use as a biological control agent

We are developing genetically engineered ectomycorrhizal fungi for use as biological control agents. Using the gold particle bombardment tech- nique, we transformed Laccaria bicolor, an ectomy- corrhizal fungus capable of forming ectomycorrhizae on a wide range of plant hosts. Structural gene se- quences of the hygromycin B phosphotransferase (hph) gene (hygromycin resistance for selection of transformants), r3-glucuronidase (GUS) gene (re- porter gene for tracking transformants) and Bacillus thuringiensis 8-endotoxin (BtCryIIIA) gene (Coleop- teran specific insecticidal gene from Bacillus thurin- giensis var tenebrionis) were introduced into L. bicolor simultaneously. Southern and western blot analyses showed that the introduced sequences were inserted into the fungal genome and transcribed and trans- lated. One of the transformants produced the insec- ticidal toxin; however, the levels were not sufficient to perform toxicity assays. The technique developed can be employed to generate superior strains of L. bicolor suitable for use as biological control agents in various soil and plant conditions.
Repurposing an orally available drug for the treatment of geographic atrophy.

Purpose Chronic oxidative stress and subacute inflammation have been implicated as causes of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In this study, we tested whether an orally available 5-OH-tryptamine (5HT) 1a receptor agonist, xaliproden, could protect against retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell damage in culture and in a mouse model of geographic atrophy.
Scanning tunneling microscopy study of the dynamic scaling properties of rough vapor-deposited silver films

We investigated the scaling behaviour of vapor-deposited silver films at room temperature by means of scanning tunneling Microscopy. The film-thickness range was ≈ 10 – 1000 nm. The roughness exponent H is observed to be H = 0.82 ± 0.05. The growth and dynamic scaling exponents are respectively observed to be β = 0.29 ± 0.06, and z = 2.53 ±0.50.
A Comparison of First-Order Aerodynamic Analysis Methods for Floating Wind Turbines

The aerodynamic environment in which an o shore oating wind turbine operates is considerably more complex than observed for onshore or xed o shore wind turbines. Platform motions result in transient ow conditions which most industry aerodynamic analysis codes are not designed to model. An analysis has been carried out on the motions of a oating horizontal axis wind turbine and selected rst-order aerodynamic analysis tools were used to predict loads and performance values. Results indicate that current methods for predicting the aerodynamic loads acting on an o shore oating wind turbine are lacking, though free vortex methods may provide a framework that accurately captures the physics of the ow eld.
The Social Transmission of Information Concerning Aversively Conditioned Liquids

Two experiments designed to determine if one rat (a demonstrator) can socially transmit a conditioned taste aversion to a second rat (an observer). In Experiment 1 observers simultaneously interacted with two demonstrators (ill vs. non-ill) that had consumed novel solutions of differing flavors. Suggesting the possible transmission of a taste aversion, a subsequent preference test indicated that the observers preferred the fluid consumed by the non-ill demonstrators. Experiment 2 also used two demonstrators, but employed sequential observer-demonstrator interactions. The results of this experiment indicated that the observers preferred the fluid consumed by the final demonstrator to be interacted with, regardless of whether it was ill or not. These data suggest that the results of Experiment 1 were due to the observers interacting with the more active, non-ill demonstrator prior to the preference test not the social transmission of a taste aversion.
No Bone? No Problem! Is Bone-Grafting at the Time of Revision to a Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty a Reasonable Option? Commentary on an article by Eric Wagner, MD, et al.: "Glenoid Bone-Grafting in Revision to a Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty".

The treatment of a failed shoulder replacement is one of the most challenging problems facing a shoulder surgeon. Revision arthroplasty is technically complex, requiring osteotomies for implant removal, surgical dissection through abnormal tissue planes, and reconstruction of soft tissue and osseous defects. Glenoid defects are extremely common either because of erosion from failed hemiarthroplasty components or glenoid component loosening from a failed total shoulder replacement. Bone-grafting in the setting of an unconstrained arthroplasty has variable results with high rates of revision. Bone-grafting at the time of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty has the potential for improved results with lower reoperation rates. The rigid initial baseplate fixation of a reverse shoulder arthroplasty allows improved initial implant stability even in the setting of a bone graft. Relatively few authors have reported the results of bone-grafting in revision to a reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. Neyton et al. were the first, to my knowledge, to report on bone-grafting in the setting of revision to a reverse shoulder arthroplasty1. They described the cases of six patients in whom all grafts healed, although they had overall relatively modest functional results. Melis et al. reported on twenty-nine patients requiring bone-grafting during revision from anatomical shoulder arthroplasty to reverse total shoulder arthroplasty2. Complication and reoperation rates in that series were 30% and 22%, respectively. Infection (7%), instability (10%), and baseplate loosening (10%) were the common complications. The grafts were incorporated into the glenoid in 76% of the twenty-nine shoulders that had bone grafts. The average Constant score was 55 points, and the average anterior elevation was 121°. The graft …
Using lesson study as a means to support teachers in learning to teach mathematics for social justice

A growing number of researchers argue that teaching mathematics for social justice can support the ongoing struggle for equity in mathematics education (Frankenstein, 1995; Gutstein, 2006). One way to support mathematics teachers in developing mathematics pedagogies for social justice may be to use lesson study, a powerful form of professional development in Japan that is increasingly used in the United States (Lewis & Tsuchida, 1998), to engage them in goal-oriented, reflective practice. To date, no published studies exist suggesting lesson study has been used in the context of supporting teachers in developing pedagogies for social justice. Moreover, little research exists that examines mathematics teachers learning to teach for social justice. This chapter reports on a study of eight secondary mathematics teachers who participated in a graduate course that engaged them in a version of lesson study to create, implement, observe, revise, and reteach math lessons that incorporated social justice goals. The research reported examines the challenges teachers faced in learning to teach mathematics for social justice and the ways the use of lesson study may have supported or constrained teachers’ negotiations of these challenges.
Regional convergence in Kazakhstan

AbstractThis article studies sigma- and beta-convergence across the regions of Kazakhstan over the period of 1993–2014. The results of the article show that incomes across the regions of Kazakhstan diverged over the whole period of 1993–2014 and the period of 1993–2006, and converged during the period of 2006–2014. However, after controlling for the rate of investment and population growth it is evident that regional convergence occurred over the whole period of 1993–2014. This would suggest that since private investment in Kazakhstan is heavily influenced by the availability of natural resources in the regions, regional policy in Kazakhstan should be directed towards shifting away from a resource-based growth model to an alternative growth model.
Guillotine Cut in Approximation Algorithms

The guillotine cut is one of main techniques to design polynomial-time approximation schemes for geometric optimization problems. This article is a short survey on its history and current developments.
Treatment Outcomes in Pediatric Patients with Pulmonary Embolism Using Low Dose Tissue Plasminogen Activator Therapy

Introduction: Pulmonary Embolism (PE) is relatively rare in children but is associated with significant morbidity and many acute and chronic complications. Currently, based on ACCP guidelines, unfractionated heparin or low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) remains standard therapy for children with PE and systemic thrombolysis is reserved for life threatening thrombosis due to concerns with bleeding. Thrombolytic therapy has been shown to be more efficacious than anticoagulation alone in adults with PE but similar data in pediatric population is lacking. Specific guidelines for use of tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) in children with PE were created at Children9s Hospital of New Orleans (CHNOLA) in 2008. We have used low dose systemic TPA (0.03 mg/kg/hr initially, increased to 0.05 mg/kg/hr if less than optimal response is seen within 24 hrs) together with unfractionated heparin (5 units/kg/hr) to achieve a goal PTT of 40-60 seconds. Thrombolytic therapy is continued until clot resolution is achieved, but not for a period longer than 72 hrs, at which point patients are transitioned to LMWH. The aim of our study was to determine the effectiveness of systemic low dose TPA therapy in treatment of PE in the pediatric population and also to determine if there are increased bleeding complications. Methods: After IRB approval, a retrospective chart review of patient incidences (PI) with PE and treated with systemic TPA at CHNOLA between June 2008 and June 2014 was performed. Underlying risk factors for thrombophilia were noted. Responses were classified as complete resolution of thrombus (CR), improvement but no complete resolution (PR) or no change in thrombus (NR) based on imaging at the end of TPA treatment. Data were analyzed to determine the efficacy of low dose TPA in treatment of PE. Results: During the specified time, 16 PI were identified for which low dose systemic TPA therapy was used in children with PE. Median age was 13 years. Mean duration of TPA treatment was 51 hrs (range 17-72 hrs). All patients received simultaneous therapy with unfractionated heparin. Seven PI needed an increase in the dose of TPA infusion to 0.05 mg/kg/hr after 24 hrs due to partial or no response to therapy. Nine (56%) PI had complete response, six (38%) were partial responders and one (6%) was classified as a non-responder. All PI were switched to LMWH at the end of systemic TPA. Duration of therapy with TPA did not affect response to treatment (p = 0.16) . There were no major bleeding problems. Furthermore, there were no complications that required TPA to be stopped. Table shows all the 16 PI, risk factors, duration/response to treatment and complications. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first clinical study of low dose TPA use for PE in pediatric patients. Our results show that low dose TPA therapy is effective and relatively safe in treatment of PE in children. Further large-scale prospective trials are needed to validate the results of our study. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Special Issue: Role of Gender in Global Marketing

The special issue titled, “Role of Gender in Global Marketing” was guest edited by Vanessa Ratten, La Trobe University, Australia, Joao J. Ferreira, University of Beira, Portugal, Leo-Paul Dana, Mo...
Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhagic outcomes in children with bleeding disorders at a single institution.

Abstract Objective To report on the post-tonsillectomy bleeding outcomes and factors associated with hemorrhage among children with pre- or post-operatively diagnosed bleeding disorders treated with an institutional protocol. Methods Retrospective cohort study of patients with hematologic disorders who underwent tonsillectomy between 2003 and 2016 and were treated with perioperative desmopressin or factor replacement and/or aminocaproic acid. Postoperative outcomes were compared to controls matched for age, sex, and indication for surgery. Analysis of factors associated with hemorrhage was performed in patients with bleeding disorders using Mann-Whitney U or chi-squared tests. Results 45 patients with hematologic disorders met inclusion criteria. Platelet dysfunction, including von Willebrand Disease (vWD), was the most common diagnosis (77.8%). Most patients had a preoperative diagnosis of a bleeding disorder and received perioperative hematologic medications (86.7%). Compared to matched controls, patients with hematologic disorders experienced more postoperative bleeding (15.5%; 12 bleeds, 7 patients vs. 1.7%; 1 bleed, 1 patient, p = 0.05) and had longer postoperative stays (1.3 days vs. 0.4 days, p Conclusions This study suggests a clinically important magnitude of increased bleeding risk in patients with hematologic disease. This risk appears to decrease with the use of an institutional protocol consisting of desmopressin or factor replacement and an antifibrinolytic agent extending through postoperative day 10.
Fingolimod induces neuronal-specific gene expression with potential neuroprotective outcomes in maturing neuronal progenitor cells exposed to HIV

Fingolimod (FTY720), a structural analogue of sphingosine, targets sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor signaling and is currently an immunomodulatory therapy for multiple sclerosis. Fingolimod accesses the central nervous system (CNS) where its active metabolite, fingolimod phosphate (FTY720-P), has pleotropic neuroprotective effects in an inflammatory microenvironment. To investigate potential neuronal-specific mechanisms of fingolimod neuroprotection, we cultured the human neuronal progenitor cell line, hNP1, in differentiation medium supplemented with HIV- or Mock-infected supernatants, with or without FTY720-P. Gene expression was investigated using microarray and functional genomics. FTY720-P treatment increased differentially expressed (DE) neuronal genes by 33% in HIV-exposed and 40% in Mock-exposed cultures. FTY720-P treatment broadened the functional profile of DE genes in HIV-exposed versus Mock-exposed neurons, including not only immune responses but also transcriptional regulation and cell differentiation, among others. FTY720-P treatment downregulated the gene for follistatin, the antagonist of activin signaling, in all culture conditions. FTY720-P treatment differentially affected both glycolysis-related and immune response genes in Mock- or HIV-exposed cultures, significantly upregulating 11 glycolysis-related genes in HIV-exposed neurons. FTY720-P treatment also differentially upregulated genes related to innate immune responses and antigen presentation in Mock-exposed and more so in HIV-exposed neurons. However, in HIV-exposed neurons, FTY720-P depressed the magnitude of differential expression in almost half the genes, suggesting an anti-inflammatory potential. Moreover, in HIV-exposed neurons, FTY720-P reduced expression of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene, resulting in reduced expression of the APP protein. This study provides new evidence that fingolimod alters neuronal gene expression in inflammatory, viral-infected microenvironments, with the potential for neuroprotective effects.
Modeling radical edge-site reactions of biochar in CO2/water solution under ultrasonic treatment

Abstract We report results of theoretical evaluation of the mechanisms of possible radical reactions on the edge-site of biochar with CO 2 · - , OH , and H in irradiated aqueous solution. The computational studies were performed for model poly aromatic systems. Obtained mechanisms reflect one of the routes of the oxygen loss accompanied by increase of hydrogen content, as observed in photochemical experiment. The reaction of CO 2 · - with the edge site of biochar mainly leads to reduced rather than oxidized products. The mechanism of CO2 capturing is mapped by different routes of one-electron reduction and radical addition to the aromatic ring.
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Although hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is more common in the setting of cirrhosis, there is increasing evidence that it can develop in the setting of noncirrhotic nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and that steatosis alone can promote carcinogenesis. In addition, obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome are recognized risks for the development of HCC. A better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the development of NAFLD/NASH-related HCC will allow the discovery of new targets for therapeutic and preventive intervention. The surveillance for HCC in the setting of noncirrhotic NAFLD/NASH, obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome remains an area of uncertainty.
Initial Microstructure Evaluation of a U 3 Si 2 + W Fuel Pin Fabricated Via Arc Melt Gravity Drop Casting

Injection casting has historically been used to fabricate metallic nuclear fuel on a large scale. Casting of intermetallic fuel forms, such as U3Si2, may be an alternative pathway for fabrication of fuel pins to powder metallurgy. To investigate casting on a small scale, arc melt gravity drop casting was employed to cast a one-off pin of U3Si2 for evaluation as a fabrication method for U3Si2 as a light water reactor fuel. The pin was sectioned and examined via optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Image analysis was used to estimate the volume fraction of phase impurities as well as porosity. The primary phase determined by EDS was U3Si2 with U-O and U-Si-W phase impurities. Unusually high levels of tungsten were observed because of accidental tungsten introduction during arc melting. No significant changes in microstructure were observed after annealing a section of the pin at 800°C for 72 h. The average density of the sectioned specimens was 12.4 g/cm3 measured via Archimedes principle immersion density and He gas displacement.
Implementation of a virtual vascular clinic with point-of-care ultrasound in an integrated health care system

Abstract Objective Using secured videoconferencing technologies, telemedicine may replace traditional clinic visits, save patients' time and travel, and improve use of limited surgeon and facility resources. We report our initial experience of the remote clinical encounter (RCE) by evaluating vascular surgery patients. Methods In this proof-of-concept pilot study, we conducted telemedicine evaluations of vascular patients at a tertiary care institution from October 2015 to August 2016. Patients were offered synchronous virtual visits from a surgical provider in lieu of an in-person visit. We used Skype for Business (Microsoft, Redmond, Wash) over secured networks for patient-provider interaction, clinical data entry in the Epic electronic medical record (Epic Systems Corporation, Verona, Wisc) for documentation, and established satellite facilities with existing vascular laboratories for imaging and laboratory testing. We evaluated feasibility, demographics, encounter type, and satisfaction of the patient through web-based questionnaires. Results During a 10-month period, 41 women and 14 men with an average age of 57 years (range, 29-79 years) underwent 82 RCEs. There were 43 white (78.1%), 9 black (16.3%), 1 Asian (1.8%), and 2 Middle Eastern (3.6%) patients. Diagnoses included both arterial (aneurysm, carotid, and occlusive disease) and venous (deep venous thrombosis and varicose vein) disease. Among the 82 RCEs, visit types included 15 new patients, 30 postoperative visits, and 37 follow-up visits. Ultrasound imaging was performed in conjunction with the RCE in 74 patients (90.2%). Most patients (57%) had multiple RCEs during the study period. All 55 patients responded to the satisfaction questionnaire; 91% stated that they would highly recommend a virtual physician encounter to a friend or colleague, and all of the respondents found their encounter more convenient than having a traditional office visit. All patients thought that they were able to communicate clearly with the provider, and overall quality responses were overwhelmingly positive. Conclusions Secured virtual visits can be conducted using commercially available hardware and software solutions. Synchronous telemedicine with point-of-care ultrasound is effective in evaluating common vascular conditions. Virtual care may be used for management of patients with chronic vascular disease.
Insolvency in English professional football: Irrational Exuberance or Negative Shocks?

Insolvency is an endemic problem in the world of European football. This paper uses a unique database of financial accounts for English football clubs between 1974 and 2010 to examine the causes of insolvency. Two alternative hypotheses are considered- “irrational exuberance”, meaning that owners attempt to achieve a significant improvement in league position which is not affordable, leading to financial crisis. This view seems widely espoused and seems to lie behind initiatives such as UEFA’s Financial Fair Play. An alternative is that club finances are subject to negative shocks – either to productivity or to demand- and that a series of such shocks can lead to insolvency. The empirical model provides evidence in support of this alternative hypothesis.
Classemes: A Compact Image Descriptor for Efficient Novel-Class Recognition and Search

In this chapter we review the problem of object class recognition in large image collections.We focus specifically on scenarios where the classes to be recognized are not known in advance. The motivating application is “object-class search by example” where a user provides at query time a small set of training images defining an arbitrary novel category and the system must retrieve images belonging to this class from a large database. This setting poses challenging requirements on the system design: the object classifier must be learned efficiently at query time from few examples; recognition must have low computational cost with respect to the database size; finally, compact image descriptors must be used to allow storage of large collections in memory. We review a method that addresses these requirements by learning a compact image descriptor - classemes - yielding good categorization accuracy even with efficient linear classifiers. We also study how data structures and methods from text-retrieval can be adapted to enable efficient search of an object-class in collections of several million images.
Percutaneous Vertebral Augmentation: Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty

Vertebroplasty and balloon kyphoplasty are two percuta-neous surgical options for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCF) that have become increasingly utilized since their development in the mid 1980s. These well-described techniques can also address VCF caused by metastatic lesions, multiple myeloma, and hemangiomas. Physicians from several disciplines including neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, and radiology now perform vertebroplasty and balloon kyphoplasty as a routine part of their practice. The surgical goals of vertebroplasty are to stabilize the fractured vertebral body and provide relief from pain. Pain is thought to be alleviated from bonding and strengthening the fractured vertebral body, as well as from the thermal reaction that occurs during the curing of the polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cement. Balloon kyphoplasty has similar goals, but also aims at partially correcting the deformity by restoring the vertebral body height. However, controversy does exist over whether the pain is relieved from fracture stabilization, the PMMA thermal reaction, or from the restoration of vertebral height. Recent developments have included using an arc osteotome, which is placed through a percutaneous transpedicular approach, for cavity creation prior to filling the defect with PMMA cement. This chapter summarizes the indications, techniques, and complications for both the vertebroplasty with and without cavity creation.
Dietary Patterns, Bone Lead and Incident Coronary Heart Disease among Middle-aged to Elderly Men

Abstract Background Most absorbed lead ends up in the bone, where it can be measured as a biomarker of cumulative exposure, elevations of which have been shown to predict a higher risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Knowledge about the role of dietary patterns is critical to the development of effective interventions for the cardiovascular toxicity of cumulative lead exposure. Methods 594 men, free of CHD at baseline, were followed from August 1991 to June 2011 in the Normative Aging Study. Bone lead concentrations were measured by K-shell-X-ray fluorescence. Dietary patterns were identified using principal components analysis. Two dietary patterns were identified: a ‘prudent’ pattern characterized by high intake of fruit, vegetables, legumes, tomatoes, poultry, and seafood; and a ‘Western’ pattern, with high intake of red meat, processed meat, refined grains, high-fat dairy products, high-energy drinks, fries, butter and eggs. Cox proportional hazard models were used to compute hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for incident CHD. Effect modification on the multiplicative scale was examined through cross-product interaction terms. Results 137 men developed incident CHD events during 5071 person-years of follow-up. After adjusting for age, body mass index, total energy intake, smoking status, total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein ratio, education and occupation, an HR of incident CHD was 1.64 (95% CI: 1.27–2.11) with each doubling in patella lead concentration in the low prudent diet group ( Conclusions Prudent diet may reduce the risk of development of CHD in relation to patella lead. However, these findings need to be interpreted with caution, given the modest sample size.
Fast-forwarding disgust conditioning: US pre-exposure facilitates the acquisition of oculomotor avoidance

During human development, disgust is acquired to a broad range of stimuli, from rotting food to moral transgressions. Disgust’s expansion surely involves associative learning, yet little is known about Pavlovian disgust conditioning. The present study examined conditioned disgust responding as revealed by oculomotor avoidance, the tendency to look away from offensive stimuli. In two experiments, oculomotor avoidance was acquired to a neutral image associated with a disgusting image. However, to our surprise, participants initially dwelled on disgusting images, avoiding them only after multiple exposures. In Experiment 1, this “rubbernecking” response delayed oculomotor avoidance of the associated neutral image. In Experiment 2, we exhausted rubbernecking prior to conditioning by repeatedly exposing participants to the disgusting images. This procedure elicited earlier oculomotor avoidance of the associated neutral stimulus, essentially fast-forwarding conditioning. These findings reveal competing motivational tendencies elicited by disgust stimuli that complicate associative disgust learning.