cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Defective Apoptosis Signaling in Cancer

Apoptosis is critically important during development, facilitating the sculpting and molding of tissues, and in the adult, acting to maintain homeostasis of cell numbers. Apoptosis also plays a key role in immune-mediated elimination of infected or transformed target cells. In addition, apoptosis drives cellular suicide following damage to DNA or other cell components, including damage resulting from treatment with chemotherapy or radiation. In view of the fundamental importance of apoptotic cell death, it is, perhaps, not surprising that defects in apoptosis signaling are involved in a number of human diseases, including the development and progression of human malignancies. Efforts to promote therapeutic elimination of cancer cells via induction of apoptosis will benefit from more complete understanding of normal apoptosis signaling and the defects in apoptosis which frequently occur in human tumors. This chapter will describe the elucidation of the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis signaling pathways and focus on the defects in these pathways that have commonly been observed in cancers.
Interocular Differences in Macular Pigment Density

Interocular differences in the optical density of macular pigment were examined. Foveal and parafoveal sensitivities to lights of 460 and 530 nm were measured by heterochromatic flicker photometry for both eyes of ten subjects. These two wavelengths represent the maximum and minimum absorbance for macular pigment. Taking the difference in log sensitivity to the 460 nm light for the fovea and parafovea, after normalizing with respect to 530 nm, yields a measurement of the optical density of the macular pigment. Consistent interocular differences in macular pigment density were found for only two subjects, and these differences were less than 0.1. Other subjects frequently showed significant interocular differences on a given day but showed no consistent differences over the course of many days. In general, the amount of macular pigment measured for one eye was found to be essentially the same as that for the other eye. When measurements were averaged for the two eyes of each subject, significant differences in macular pigment density among subjects were found.
Evaluation of gross and microscopic hematuria.

SUMMARY In summary, hematuria, either gross or microscopic and with or without any accompanying symptoms, should always alert the clinician to the possibility of serious urologic disease and should virtually always trigger a thorough urologic investigation. This can be done by immediate referral to the urologist, or it can be done by the primary care physician initiating the diagnostic work-up in children by obtaining studies for acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis and in adults by obtaining excretory urograms with physiologic voiding films and also by urine cytologic studies and urine cultures. Appropriate referral to a urologist can then be made for additional studies that might be indicated, such as cystoscopy and cystourethroscopy and for meticulous follow-up of any abnormal findings. The physician who delays or defers a careful investigation into the cause of a given patient's hematuria (gross or microscopic) does the patient a disservice at best and, at worst, may inadvertently permit a significant disease process to become more extensive.
Expression of the MDR1 Gene in Normal Human Tissues

As described in detail in Chapter 4, the human MDR1 gene has been cloned and its product, P-glycoprotein (PI70), has been shown to be responsible for multidrug resistance (MDR) in cultured cells. The availability of cloned MDR1 cDNA probes has made it possible to examine the expression of the human MDR1 gene in a variety of drug-sensitive and drug-resistant cells as well as normal tissues and tumors. In addition, several monoclonal antibodies (MAb) to P-glycoprotein, C219, MRK16, JSB-1, HYB211, and HYB612, have been isolated and studied (Kartner et al., 1985; Hamada and Tsuruo, 1986; Scheper et al., 1988; Cordon-Cardo et al., 1989). We have used MAb C219 and MRK16 in our studies. The MAb prepared against hamster P-glycoprotein (MAb C219) recognizes a conserved carboxy-terminal cytoplasmic epitope near the ATP-binding domain in both rodent and human P-glycoprotein (Kartner et al., 1985). MAb MRK16 is human specific and recognizes an epitope on the external surface of human cells (Hamada and Tsuruo, 1986; Willingham et al., 1987). Both of these reagents are powerful tools for the detection of P-glycoprotein in normal tissues and tumors.
A survey on applications and analysis methods of functional magnetic resonance imaging for Alzheimer's disease

Abstract Background Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is an MRI-based neuroimaging technique that measures brain activity on the basis of blood oxygenation level. This study reviews the main fMRI methods reported in the literature and their related applications in clinical and preclinical studies, focusing on relating functional brain networks in the prodromal stages of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with a focus on the transition phases from cognitively normal (CN) to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and from MCI to AD. New method The purpose of this study is to present and compare different approaches of supervised and unsupervised fMRI analyses and to highlight the different applications of fMRI in the diagnosis of MCI and AD. Results Survey article asserts that brain network disruptions of a given dysfunction or in relation to disease prone areas of the brain in neurodegenerative dementias could be extremely useful in ascertaining the extent of cognitive deficits at the different stages of the disease. Identifying the earliest changes in these activity patterns is essential for the early planning of treatment and therapeutic protocols. Comparison with existing methods Analysis methods such as independent component analysis (ICA) and graph theory-based approaches are strong analytical techniques most suitable for functional connectivity investigations. However, graph theory-based approaches have received more attention due to the higher performance they achieve in both functional and effective connectivity studies. Conclusion This article shows that the disruption of brain connectivity patterns of MCI and AD could be associated with cognitive decline, an interesting finding that could augment the prospects for early diagnosis. More importantly, results reveal that changes in functional connectivity as obtained through fMRI precede detection of cortical thinning in structural MRI and amyloid deposition in positron emission tomography (PET). However, a major challenge in using fMRI as a single imaging modality, like all other imaging modalities used in isolation, is in relating a particular disruption in functional connectivity in relation to a specific disease. This is a challenge that requires more thorough investigation, and one that could perhaps be overcome through multimodal neuroimaging by consolidating the strengths of these individual imaging modalities.
The Year in Review Anesthesia for Congenital Heart Disease 2013

Congenital cardiac anesthesiology is a young and rapidly growing subspecialty. It embraces a large spectrum of congenital and acquired heart diseases, which now affect the entire life span of patients from "cradle to grave." One of the challenges faced by congenital cardiac anesthesiologists is reading the large amount of relevant literature from the fields of cardiology, cardiac surgery, intensive care medicine, and anesthesiology. This review highlights some of the current themes in the literature during the past year.
Effects of wind power intermittency on generation and emissions

Abstract Wind power depends on environmental conditions that vary and are imperfectly forecastable. This intermittency could increase the desired flexibility of fossil fuel generation, impacting emissions. This paper finds that various types of wind generation intermittency are associated with a shift towards natural gas generation and decreasing CO2 emissions. The environmental effects of wind intermittency should be considered when determining the overall impact of intermittency-related activities such as expanded grid storage or turbine siting decisions.
Association of Post Implant Thromboelastogram and Left Ventricular Assist Device Thrombosis

Purpose Pump thrombosis is a significant barrier to long term success with continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Thromboelastography (TEG) assesses the efficiency of coagulation in whole blood, providing an assessment of clot strength and platelet function. We sought to determine if TEG maximum amplitude (MA), arachidonic acid (AA) inhibition, or ADP inhibition measured at 1 month and 3 months post LVAD implant predicted the subsequent development of pump thrombosis. Methods Data on each patient with suspected or confirmed pump thrombosis was collected from January 2016 to June 2018 and matched to a control subject based on sex, age, and similar duration of follow up. TEG data was collected on all patients at 1 and 3 months post implant per our institution's protocol. A Pearson correlation was used to determine if TEG MA, AA inhibition, or ADP inhibition correlated with development of thrombosis. Results Thirty-six patients at our center experienced suspected or confirmed pump thrombosis during the specified interval. Mean age was 55 ± 12 years, average BMI was 32.1, and the majority were male (67%) with ischemic etiology (58%). The average time to development of first episode of thrombosis was 670 days post initial implant (range 3-1743 days). There was no association between TEG MA at 1 or 3 months and thrombosis. TEG MA hypercoagulability (MA ≥ 70) occurred in 83% of the case group versus 74% of the control group at 1 month and in 45% of the case group versus 65% of the control group at 3 months. There was a statistically significant but very weak association between AA inhibition at 1 month and thrombosis. There was no association with AA inhibition and thrombosis at 3 months. There was no association between ADP inhibition and thrombosis at 1 or 3 months. Conclusion Neither TEG MA nor ADP inhibition at 1 month and 3 months post implant correlated with subsequent development of suspected or confirmed pump thrombosis. AA inhibition may correlate with development of pump thrombosis, but more study is needed.
The impact of degenerative disc disease on regional volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) measured by quantitative computed tomography

Abstract BACKGROUND CONTEXT It has been reported that degenerative disc disease (DDD) is associated with higher spinal bone mineral density (BMD) based on previous studies that used dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). However, DDD is often associated with proliferative bone changes and can lead to an overestimation of BMD measured with DXA. Trabecular volumetric BMD (vBMD) in the vertebral body measured with quantitative computed tomography (QCT) is less affected by those changes and can be a favorable alternative to DXA for patients with degenerative spinal changes. PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of DDD on regional trabecular vBMDs in the vertebral body measured by QCT. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Cross-sectional observational study at a single academic institution. PATIENTS SAMPLE Consecutive patients undergoing posterior lumbar spinal fusion between 2014 and 2017 who had a routine preoperative CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) within a 90-day interval. OUTCOME MEASURES Regional trabecular vBMDs in the vertebral body by QCT. METHODS QCT measurements were conducted in L1–S1 vertebral trabecular bone. Any apparent sclerotic lesions that might affect vBMD values were excluded from the region of interest. The vBMDs of each level were defined as the average vBMD of the upper and lower vertebrae. To evaluate DDD, Pfirrmann grade, Modic grade, total end plate score, and vacuum phenomenon were documented. Univariate regression analysis and multivariate analyses with a linear mixed model adjusted with individual variability of segmental vBMDs were conducted with vBMD as the response variable. RESULTS Of 143 patients and 715 disc levels, 125 patients and 596 discs met our inclusion criteria. Mean vBMD (±standard deviation [SD]) of all levels was 119.0±39.6 mg/cm3. After adjusting for all covariates, Pfirrmann grade was not an independent contributor to vBMD, but the presence of any Modic change (type 1, β=6.8, p≤.001; type 2, β=6.7, p CONCLUSIONS Our results showed that the presence of certain end plate lesions (Modic changes and high TEPS) on MRI was significantly associated with increased regional QCT-vBMDs in the vertebral body, but no significant association was observed with disc nucleus pathology, unless it was associated with a vacuum phenomenon. When end plate lesions with Modic changes and high TEPS are present at the measuring level, care must be taken to interpret vBMD values, which might be overestimations even if the trabecular area appears normal.
Brief Report: Aging Attenuates the Association Between Coronary Artery Calcification and Bone Loss Among HIV-Infected Persons.

INTRODUCTION Studies among HIV-uninfected persons (mostly in their sixth decade of life) show that detectable coronary artery calcium (CAC) is independently associated with low bone mineral density (BMD), suggesting a possible common pathogenic mechanism. AIM We assessed the relationship between CAC and BMD, which has not been well described among younger to middle-aged HIV-infected persons. METHODS We studied participants with baseline CAC and BMD measures from a prospective cohort of HIV-infected persons enrolled in the Study to Understand the Natural History of HIV/AIDS in the Era of Effective Therapy (SUN) during 2004-2006. We used logistic regression to assess the association between detectable CAC (>0 Agatston score) and BMD (g/cm, T-score), and adjusted for known traditional and HIV-related risk factors. RESULTS Among 472 participants (76% male, 30% non-Hispanic black, median age 41 years, and 71% with HIV RNA < 400 copies/mL), the majority had no detectable CAC (82%), but had baseline osteopenia (53%) or osteoporosis (10%). In univariate analysis, participants with detectable CAC had lower femoral neck/total hip T-scores, lower femoral neck/total hip/lumbar spine BMD, and higher rates of osteopenia/osteoporosis. After adjustment for age, all associations were no longer significant; adjustment for traditional risk factors excluding age and HIV-related variables failed to attenuate these associations. CONCLUSIONS We found aging attenuates the association between detectable CAC and BMD in this cohort. Aging remains an important contributor to non-AIDS-defining illnesses. These data reinforce the importance of developing screening and prevention strategies for aging HIV-infected persons given their excess risk across a wide spectrum of end-organ complications.
Mixture of factor analyzers models of appearance manifolds for resolved SAR targets

We study the problem of target identification from Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery. Target classification using SAR imagery is a challenging problem due to large variations of target signature as the target aspect angle changes. Previous work on modeling wide angle SAR imagery has shown that point features, extracted from scattering center locations, result in a high dimensional feature vector that lies on a low dimensional manifold. In this paper we use rich probabilistic models for these target manifolds to analyze classification performance as a function of Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and Bandwidth. We employ Mixture of Factor Analyzers (MoFA) models to approximate the target manifold locally, and use error bounds for the estimation and analysis of classification error performance. We compare our performance predictions with the empirical performance of practical classifiers using simulated wideband SAR signatures of civilian vehicles.
Pain and Multimorbidity in Late Life

To characterize pain prevalence in older adults, particularly high-impact chronic pain, and examine the presence of multimorbidity and its relationship with and impact on chronic pain. This review found that chronic pain is highly prevalent in older adults; however, high-impact pain appears to be less prevalent based on recent studies. In addition, it was found that risk factors for multimorbidity and chronic pain experiences include causal factors (e.g., lifestyle, injury, medications and treatments, and/or surgery) and contributing factors (e.g., biological, psychological, and environmental). The consequences of both multimorbidity and chronic pain experiences include functional impairment, psychological distress, symptom severity and burden, medication use, decreased quality of life, and sleep disturbance. This article addressed pain prevalence in older adults and the relationship between pain and multimorbidity. Risk factors and consequences of pain and multimorbidity were identified and recommendations for future research were provided.
Potential Impacts of Assimilating All-Sky Satellite Infrared Radiances on Convection-Permitting Analysis and Prediction of Tropical Convection

AbstractGeostationary infrared satellite observations are spatially dense [< 1/(20 km)2] and temporally frequent (<1/hour). These suggest the possibility of using these observations to constrain su...
Prior authorization process improvement for pain medications in an oncology unit: Timely initiation of test claim request form.

7050Background: Oncology patients with extensive metastatic disease and advanced-stage cancer frequently require controlled medications for pain managements. Insurers require Prior Authorization (P...
Open Block Characterization and Read Voltage Calibration of 3D QLC NAND Flash

3D QLC NAND has recently entered the SSD market offering capacity increase and cost reduction compared to 3D TLC NAND. However, the endurance of QLC NAND is limited. Moreover, due to reduction of the available margin between the programmed threshold voltage distributions, QLC NAND is more susceptible to bit errors. Read voltage calibration is a key element of modern NAND flash memory controllers to improve the overall bit-error rate and maintain enterprise level reliability. To reduce the calibration overhead associated with the increased number of pages and read voltages in QLC NAND, page grouping is an effective approach. This paper presents open block characterization and read voltage calibration results of state-of-the-art 3D QLC NAND. We present experimental measurements of the bit-error characteristics and threshold voltage distributions based on closed and open block test patterns. We discuss the reliability issues with open blocks in preserving uniform characteristics within a page group at the boundary programmed layer and analyze the performance of different calibration algorithms.
Survival Trends After Surgery for Spinal Metastatic Tumors: 20-Year Cancer Center Experience.

Background Over the last 2 decades, advances in systemic therapy have increased the expected overall survival for patients with cancer. It is unclear whether the same survival benefit has been conferred to patients requiring surgery for metastatic spinal disease. Objective To examine trends in postoperative survival over a 20-yr period for patients surgically treated for spinal metastatic disease. Methods Data were obtained for 1515 patients who underwent surgery for metastatic epidural spinal cord compression or tumor-related mechanical instability. Postoperative overall survival was calculated for all included patients using Kaplan-Meier methodology from date of surgery until death or last follow-up for those who were censored. Trends were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards modeling. Results Patients with renal, breast, lung, and colon cancers experienced a statistically significant improvement in survival over time based on the year of surgery (40%-100% improvement over the study period), whereas the overall survival trend for the entire cohort did not reach statistical significance (P = .12, median survival 0.71 yr, 95% CI 0.63-0.78). Patients presenting with synchronous metastatic disease had better survival compared to those presenting with metachronous disease (median overall survival: 0.94 vs 0.63 yr, respectively; log-rank P-value = .00001). Conclusion The postoperative survival among patients with spinal metastases has improved over the past 20 yr, particularly in patients with kidney, breast, lung, and colon tumors metastatic to the spine. The observed survival improvement emphasizes the need for long-term outcome consideration in treatment decisions for patients undergoing surgery for spinal metastatic tumors.
My Disruptive Innovation: Introduction

The term disruptive innovation was coined by Harvard Business School Professor Clayton Christensen in his seminal and path-breaking works to refer to “to “a process by which a product or service takes root in simple applications at the bottom of the market and then relentlessly moves up market, eventually displacing established competitors”. Due to diffusing from low end upward to high-end (also known as low-end encroachment) and because disruption is a process that takes time, incumbents often overlook disrupters (Glen & Cheryl, 2008). Forbes 2015 list of the 25 most disruptive brands also include Airbnb, Facebook, Red Bull, Snapchat, Alibaba, Netflix, Under Amour, Uber, Apple, Instagram, CVS, Taylor Swift, Google, Warby Parker, Chipotle, 72and Sunn,y, SoulCycle, Rent the Runway, Houzz, Waze, DraftKings, Coke, Eataly, Birchbox and Virgin America. Some characteristics to differentiate disruptors from innovators include: All disruptors are innovators but not all innovators are disruptors; innovators are rational whereas disruptors are irrational but still require organization in order to be a success.
Engineering in Crisis – Critical Reflection Writing Prompt

Writing Prompt sent to the International Engineering, Social Justice, and Peace community and other engineering education sub-communitiess (primarily in North America: Our objective is to capture your thoughts, experiences, and responses to intersecting crises of COVID-19, white supremacy, anti-blackness, police violence, late capitalism, technologies and engineerings, power formations, state violence, academia, and engineering education over the past year. We wish to break the mould and create a space for the entire engineering community - students, educators, and professionals to share varied perspectives. Being oral history, this project is free from the usual academic barriers or gatekeeping. No citations needed if you do not wish to do so. While we aim to keep editorial interference at a minimum, we do not intend to include entries that (in our aesthetic and axiological judgement) can cause significant structural, cultural, or emotional harm to marginalised communities. We recognise that such filtering is hard to fully specify. The "objectives" statement above could be a guide for providing you a sense for what we are looking for. Entries should align with IJESJP's focus on engendering dialog on engineering practices that enhance gender, racial, class, and cultural equity and are democratic, non-oppressive, and non-violent. We acknowledge that even this filter limits the expression of particular forms of knowing and being. Our commitments are available here: http://esjp.org/about-esjp/our-commitments We are inspired by the way stories are told and archived through oral history, and feel the need to capture these stories before they become lost in the flux of our ongoing crises. Such history can be a story, anger and frustrations through rant, back of the envelope ideas and theories, poems, prose, fiction, critiques. This history is anything and everything you wish to document in time. Instructions: Please provide the following information by August 15th, 2021. Entry. Title, optional File upload, optional. Name, gender pronouns, and affiliations of authors Do you want your submission anonymous?
Molecular mechanisms involved in oligodendrocyte development

The immunomodulator FTY720 has promising therapeutic effects in multiple sclerosis (MS), a degenerative disease in which demyelination of the central nervous system (CNS) is accompanied by death of oligodendrocytes (OLGs), the myelin producing cells. In vivo phosphorylation of FTY720 generates an agonist for G protein-coupled receptors for sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a lipid mediator that plays a crucial role in the stimulation of OLG survival by neurotrophin-3 (NT-3). The mechanisms underlying the action of FTY720 in MS are not clearly understood, although the effects of this drug in autoimmune diseases are thought to stem from its ability to reduce lymphocyte infiltration and inflammation. Interestingly, we now found that FTY720 also has a direct effect on OLG progenitors. Treatment of these cells with FTY720 causes activation of ERK1/2 and Akt, accompanied by protection from apoptosis. However, FTY720 also arrested OLG differentiation. Importantly, this effect was counteracted by NT-3 which not only enhanced the survival of OLG progenitors induced by FTY720 but also stimulated their maturation. Altogether, these observations suggest that in addition to its immunosuppressive functions, 55 FTY720 could also have a beneficial effect in MS by direct action on OLG progenitors. However, the finding that FTY720 blocks the differentiation of these cells raises the question of whether MS therapies with FTY720 should include the use of differentiationenhancing factors like NT-3. This approach would ensure both protection of existing OLG progenitor pools against immune-mediated insults as well as stimulation of remyelination by enhancing the maturation of these cells.
The Role of Methylmercury Toxicity in Mental Retardation

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the evidence that supports the presumption that a high intake of methylmercury in fish may be a major public health hazard. The organic form of methylmercury is especially toxic to the nervous system and causes severe mental retardation and motor delays. Experimentally, methylmercury can cause more subtle abnormalities in the nervous system, but the milder forms of methylmercury toxicity are rarely recognized in humans. The wide distribution of methylmercury in freshwater and oceanic fish and its rapid and total absorption through biological membranes can lead to elevated levels of methylmercury in people who eat fish. The developing fetal nervous system is particularly sensitive to methylmercury, which readily passes from the maternal to the fetal circulation. Consequently, the fetus may be seriously damaged, while the mother remains asymptomatic.
Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection in siblings. Report on three families.

. Three pairs of siblings with total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) are reported. The types of the anomalous venous return (supra- or infracardial connections) varied within the families indicating that genetic regulation deals with the left atrial connection to the intrapulmonary veins. Having failed to establish this connection the intrapulmonary veins can attach themselves to any adjacent venous structure; hence the variety of connections at birth. Our observations also indicate the possibility that specific genetic mechanisms operate in at least some families. Since signs, such as murmurs and cardiomegaly typical of a cardiac anomaly, are not always present in TAPVC, special attention should be paid to any neonatal abnormality in siblings of known cases with TAPVC.
System Health Awareness in Total-Ionizing Dose Environments

Understanding the relationship between the impact of radiation at the component and system levels is challenging. This paper discusses a hierarchical approach, based on Bayesian theory, to establish a mechanism for determining system health based on the status of, and interactions between, the radiation response of component parts. When the Bayesian network is trained with a combination of experimental data, data from similar parts, simulations, and expert estimates, a quantitative estimate of the Total-Ionizing Dose (TID) response of a system can be obtained. Bayesian networks enable inference about system-level functional performance, the dose exposure, and the sensitivity of different components to TID, thus providing a framework for TID awareness in design and operation of systems. A case study of a robotic system consisting of commercial components is presented.
Experimental and theoretical dynamics of isoelectric focusing. II: Elucidation of the impact of the electrode assembly

Abstract The effects of several different electrode assemblies on the establishment of pH gradients in isoelectric focusing (IEF) in free fluids were investigated. The term “assembly” refers to the nature and relative volume of the electrolytes and the types of membranes used to isolate those electrolytes from the separation space. Experiments were performed in capillary systems. Dialysis membranes, ion-exchange membranes and thin palladium foils were employed with electrolytes consisting of strong acids and bases, or ampholytes, in varying concentrations and volumes. The progress of focusing was monitored by recording the temporal behavior of the current, at constant voltage, or the voltage gradient profile across the capillary at constant current. Mixtures of simple ampholytes, as well as commercial carrier ampholytes were investigated. Computer simulation data were used to aid the interpretation of some of the experimental results. It was found that the different assemblies do not have an impact on the separation mechanism, but do affect separation speed, resolution, and the stability of the pH gradient. Specifically, palladium electrodes and ion-exchange membranes provide the greatest gradient stability and eliminate any impact of electrode solution concentration and volume. If dialysis membranes are used, small electrode volumes and high buffer concentrations constitute the best focusing conditions. In contrast, large electrolyte volumes of low concentration destabilize the separative pattern continuously and rapidly by an isotachophoretic mechanism. This destabilization can take the form of a cathodic, anodic or symmetrical drift. The arrangements discussed illustrate the similarities and differences of IEF and isotachophoresis and are relevant to free fluid and gel IEF.
A sign pattern that allows oppositely signed orthogonal matrices

We provide the first example of a sign pattern S for which there exist orthogonal matrices Q1 and Q2 with sign pattern S such that detQ1 = 1 and detQ2 = 1. The existence of such matrices is raised by C. Waters in “Sign Pattern Matrices That Allow Orthogonality”, Linear Algebra and Its Applications, 235:1–13 (1996).
Enterococci in orthopedic infections: who is at risk?

Orthopedic and trauma surgery is most frequently a clean surgery, unless injury-related or in the presence of spontaneous soft tissue infection. International guidelines recommend 1st and 2nd generation cephalosporins for perioperative prophylaxis; the later do not cover enterococci.
Power efficiency in IEEE 802.11a WLAN with cross-layer adaptation

Power consumption is one of the most stringent bottlenecks in mobile devices. In this paper, we investigate the joint effect of MAC and PHY layers on power efficiency in IEEE 802.11a WLAN. Specifically, we study the link adaptation for a power efficient transmission by selecting a proper transmission mode and power level with the aid of our derived power efficiency model. This study addresses the fundamental impact of the CSMA MAC protocol on the power efficiency of IEEE 802.11a WLANs. Some implications for system design are also discussed. In particular, we show that the non-radio-transmission power plays an important role in the power optimization of IEEE 802.11a WLAN.
Determination of Quantitative Structure–Property Relationships of Solvent Resistance of Polycarbonate Copolymers Using a Resonant Multisensor System

In sensor and microfluidic applications, the need is to have an adequate solvent resistance of polymers to prevent degradation of the substrate surface upon deposition of sensor formilations, to prevent contamination of the solvent-containing sensor formulations or contamination of organic liquid reactions in microfluidic channels. Unfortunately, no comprehensive quantitative reference solubility data of unstressed copolymers is available to date. In this study, we evaluate solvent-resistance of several polycarbonate copolymers prepared from the reaction of hydroquinone (HQ), resorcinol (RS), and bisphenol A (BPA). Our high-throughput polymer evaluation approach permitted the construction of detailed solvent-resistance maps, the development of quantitative structure–property relationships for BPA-HQ-RS copolymers and provided new knowledge for the further development of the polymeric sensor and microfluidic components.
Chapter 14 Health and nutrition

Publisher Summary Health and nutrition are important as ends in themselves and often are emphasized as critical components of basic needs in developing countries. Cross-country comparisons of standard data suggest that on the average health and nutrition in the developing world falls considerably short of that in the developed world. The chapter presents a review on a number of issues regarding health and nutrition in developing countries and available studies on the determinants of health and nutrition and on their impact on productivity in developing countries. First, the chapter presents a theoretical framework and some issues pertaining to the empirical representation of health and nutrition. The chapter then presents a survey on existing studies of both health and nutrition determinants and on their productivity influence and conclude with some discussion of policy issues and directions for future research. A theoretical framework for the determinants of health and nutrition and their possible productivity impacts is essential to analyze these variables in an organized manner and to be able to interpret empirical studies. The chapter discusses micro production function and demand considerations. The chapter then discusses in brief the supply side and macro relations. Finally, several major econometric problems are reviewed, stating that they are ubiquitous in empirical studies attempting to relate health, nutrition, and socioeconomic variables. Two broad categories of studies of health determinants are of particular interest: those attempting to estimate the reduced-form demand for health outcomes and health-care goods, and those attempting to estimate the underlying health production function.
Abstract 2071: The utility of FDG uptake as a surrogate biomarker to monitor tumor cell metabolism in response to anticancer therapy

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA [18F]FDG-PET imaging has been emerging as a powerful clinical tool for tumor diagnosis, staging and monitoring anticancer therapy. Due to some physiologic variants and technical artifacts, one of the limitations for [18F]FDG-PET imaging is the potential to show negative scans despite the presence of malignant tumors. In this report, we aimed to gain insights into the FDG tracer biology in different tumor models and subsequently to validate the use of FDG tracer uptake for monitoring targeted therapy. To measure the FDG tracer uptake in tumor cells, a LC/MS method was established to monitor the FDG monophosphate; these results were compared with the outcome of [18F]FDG-PET imaging. In a subset tumor models including patient derived xenografts, not all growing tumors showed high FDG tracer avidity. RT-PCR and IHC assays were performed to understand the potential physiological factors that could impact the FDG tracer avidity including the intrinsic glucose level, the exposure and distribution of FDG, as well as the expressions of glucose transporters and hexokinase. The results indicated that LC/MS analysis of FDG monophosphate served as a cost-effective tool to provide a surrogate measure of [18F]FDG-PET imaging. By using FDG tracer avid tumor models, several anticancer agents including the PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitor PF-04691502, crizotinib and the γ-Secretase inhibitor PF-03084014 demonstrated suppression in FDG tracer uptake after treatment, which predicted their antitumor efficacies in the corresponding models. This work provides insights into the FDG tracer biology and the utility of [18F]FDG-PET imaging as a non-invasive biomarker for anticancer drug discovery. Citation Format: Nanni Huser, Wenlin Li, Maruja Lira, Patrick Lappin, Erick Kindt, Valeria Fantin, Gary Li, Cathy C. Zhang. The utility of FDG uptake as a surrogate biomarker to monitor tumor cell metabolism in response to anticancer therapy. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2071. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2071
Chinese Stocks during 2000–2013: Bubbles and Busts or Fundamentals?

Although the Chinese economy has weathered the recent global financial crisis well, Chinese financial markets performed poorly from late 2007 through the end of our sample period in 2013. This apparent disconnect between measured economic fundamentals and stock market performance has attracted considerable attention. However, it is important also to investigate whether this disconnect is only short-term with macroeconomic variables continuing to have important equilibrium relationships over the longer term. This article uses a multivariate cointegration and vector error correction model to test whether domestic macroeconomic fundamentals are important forces in explaining Chinese stock fluctuations. Test results show that economic factors in China have a long-term equilibrium relationship with stock market performance. Stock prices responded consistently negatively to changes in the real exchange rate during 2000–2013. After the Chinese stock market crashed in 2007, stock variations became more responsive...
Time course of encoding of patterns varying in array size and symmetry

The superior reproducibility of good, symmetrical patterns (the pattern goodness effect) is well documented. In the present experiment, the temporal course of the phenomenon was explored. Subjects attempted to recall 64 dot patterns having Array Sizes 4−7 and four levels of symmetry, following backward-masked exposure. It was found that all patterns were processed at the same rate, as is shown by a constant slope for all array size × symmetry × exposure time functions. An empirical index of pattern nameability was quite strongly correlated with symmetry and goodness. For Array Size 7 patterns, inclusion of the nameability index significantly raised the predictability of pattern recall above that observed with goodness value alone. These results suggest that when the immediate memory span is exceeded, the visual code may be supplemented by a verbal one.
Vector backscattered signal analysis of piggyback modulation for passive UHF RFID Tags

We describe a “piggyback modulation” technique to integrate sensing functions with existing standard passive UHF RFID tags through electromagnetic coupling. Instead of focusing on the scalar backscattered power that is proportional to the radar cross section (RCS), we present vector analysis and measurement for backscattered signals with piggyback modulation. Measuring both amplitude and phase of the backscattered wave makes advanced demodulations possible. Quasi-4-QAM demodulation is proposed to reduce the interferences between two independent data streams and improve the bit error rate. The measurement setup, experimental results, and demodulation analysis for the conventional ASK and quasi-4-QAM are presented.
Laboratory Tests of Erosion Dependence on Properties of Soils and Rainfall

: One hundred and sixty-two rainfall-induced soil erosion tests were conducted to assist in predicting soil loss and subsequent increase in total suspended solids leaving a highway construction site during a rainfall event. A rainfall simulator and a water flume were constructed for the tests. Soil shear strength, compressive strength, rainfall intensity, and soil bed slope were treated as variables during the experiments. The soil with a higher shear strength resisted soil erosion better than lower strength soils. Soil loss was nearly independent of shear strength at low rainfall intensity but at high intensities, the shear strength was more important in resisting soil loss. Lower soil loss can be expected for cohesive soils if the compressive strength is high.
Epoxy acid in seed oils ofMalvaceae and preparation of (+)threo‐12,13‐Dihydroxyoleic acid

Seed oils of six species ofMalvaceae, representing four genera, were found to containcis-12,13-epoxyoleic acid in amounts estimated at 1,5–7% of the total fatty acids. Acetolysis of the oils gave the corresponding dihydroxyoleic acid, which was shown to be predominantly adextro-rotatory form ofthreo-12,13-dihydroxyoleic acid. It was obtained optically pure, and its structure was confirmed by orthodox methods. The hydrogenation product, (+)-threo-12,13-dihydroxystearic acid, was also obtained optically pure and characterized. The best yield of dihydroxyoleic acid was obtained from the seed oil ofMalope trifida.
The developmental–ecological approach of Japanese child welfare professionals to supporting children's social and emotional well-being: The practice of mimamori

Abstract This paper illustrates a cultural–developmental approach to the study of child welfare. It describes in cultural context everyday socialization beliefs and practices through which Japanese child welfare workers attempt to support the well-being of maltreated children. Through repeated individual and focus group interviews, naturalistic observations, and an intervention, three interrelated concepts emerged: Ibasho (a place necessary to psychological well-being where one feels peace, security, acceptance and belonging), anshin-kan (a sense of security), and mimamori (the practice of watching over others carefully as a protective figure) as significant to adults in their practice with maltreated children. Adults emphasized the importance of children's feeling of anshin in creating their Ibasho within the institution. Adults' mimamori of children was commonly described by participants and documented during participant observation. Mimamori as an everyday socialization practice is fundamentally developmental and ecological. It creates a socially and emotionally supportive context which provides children with developmental opportunities including to find their Ibasho. Deep emotional commitment to children and accepting relationships were viewed as necessary to successful mimamori, and were prioritized over direct interventions to support children's well-being. Implications for U.S. child welfare research and practice are discussed including the opportunity to step outside of that which we take for granted to strengthen developmental and ecological considerations in child welfare within our own pluralistic society.
Secular change in magnetic declination as deduced from polarized varve‐sediments

The method reported at the annual meeting in 1938 of the Section of Terrestrial Magnetism and Electricity for measuring the weak polarization of sedimentary deposits has been applied in an investigation of the polarization of the varved Pleistocene clays left at the retreat of the last glaciation in New England. The chronology of these varves has been investigated by Antevs so that several thousands of years of dated deposits are available. The actual chronology is not yet connected with our own chronology, but begins at an arbitrary varve selected by Antevs. Using Antevs' dating it has been possible in a preliminary investigation to follow the changes in the direction of polarization in varves deposited at West Hartford, Connecticut, for about 500 consecutive years, and for an additional 200 years in varves of another series at New Haven, Connecticut.
The analytical and approximate solutions of ϵy″ = yy′

Abstract The analytical and approximate soluions of ϵy ″ = yy ′ are developed and compared, and the analytical solution is evaluated numerically. The analytical soluion has several interesting properties: (i) it possesses three different types of solutions, constant, exponential, and tangent; (ii) for a two-point boundary value problem it has an undecidability aspect relative to which solution type holds; (iii) for the tangent solution type an infinite number of solutions exist, both continuous and discontinuous; (iv) even with the analytical solution known, its numerical evaluation can still be difficult to generate.
Diffusion coefficients of redox probes encapsulated within sol-gel derived silica monoliths measured with ultramicroelectrodes

The diffusional mobilities of potassium ferricyanide (Fe(CN)63-) and ferrocene methanol (FcCH2OH) encapsulated within silica monoliths have been investigated using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry at an ultramicroelectrode. In this work, a 13-μm-radius Pt microdisk working electrode and a silver chloride coated silver wire (r = 0.5 mm) reference electrode were inserted into doped silica sols prepared by the sol−gel process. The resultant gels were aged and slowly dried under a relative humidity atmosphere of 60−70% to minimize gel cracking. Fast-scan voltammetry (up to 100 V/s) confirmed that the gel−electrode interface remained intact throughout the duration of the drying period (typically 20−50 days). During this time frame, an ca. 30% loss in mass and ca. 50% reduction in volume of the gels were observed. The diffusion coefficients of gel-encapsulated Fe(CN)63- and FcCH2OH were measured without prior knowledge of dopant concentration via normalization of the chronoamperometric response with the...
Efficient k-nearest neighbor searching in nonordered discrete data spaces

Numerous techniques have been proposed in the past for supporting efficient k-nearest neighbor (k-NN) queries in continuous data spaces. Limited work has been reported in the literature for k-NN queries in a nonordered discrete data space (NDDS). Performing k-NN queries in an NDDS raises new challenges. The Hamming distance is usually used to measure the distance between two vectors (objects) in an NDDS. Due to the coarse granularity of the Hamming distance, a k-NN query in an NDDS may lead to a high degree of nondeterminism for the query result. We propose a new distance measure, called Granularity-Enhanced Hamming (GEH) distance, which effectively reduces the number of candidate solutions for a query. We have also implemented k-NN queries using multidimensional database indexing in NDDSs. Further, we use the properties of our multidimensional NDDS index to derive the probability of encountering valid neighbors within specific regions of the index. This probability is used to develop a new search ordering heuristic. Our experiments on synthetic and genomic data sets demonstrate that our index-based k-NN algorithm is efficient in finding k-NNs in both uniform and nonuniform data sets in NDDSs and that our heuristics are effective in improving the performance of such queries.
DSH-MAC: Medium Access Control based on Decoupled and Suppressed Handshaking for long-delay Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks

Efficient underwater networking is still a challenging issue due to its physical limitations, like long propagation delay. In this paper, we focus on medium access control (MAC) for underwater acoustic sensor networks (UW-ASNs). Considering that the handshaking process in traditional contention-based MACs is the main hurdle for improving the network channel utilization, we propose a novel MAC protocol with Decoupled and Suppressed Handshaking (DSH-MAC) in order to reduce the time overhead, and therefore achieve more efficient channel utilization. In DSH-MAC the conventional two-way handshaking is decoupled, and hence relevant nodes are able to perform other transmissions while control packets are propagating in water. DSH-MAC also suppresses unnecessary control packets with traffic prediction, further improving the channel utilization and throughput. Our proposed protocol has been proven to be channel-efficient with both theoretical analysis and intensive simulations.