cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of implant size and device keel on vertebral compression properties in lumbar total disc replacement

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Vertebral end plate support is necessary for successful lumbar total disc replacement (TDR) surgery. Failure to achieve anterior column support as a result of lumbar TDR device undersizing could lead to implant subsidence and fracture. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to examine the compressive biomechanical behavior of the vertebral end plate with varying sizes of disc replacement implants. STUDY DESIGN: The study design comprises a biomechanical investigation using a human cadaveric lumbar spine model. METHODS: Fifty-six vertebrae with intact posterior elements were prepared from 13 fresh frozen lumbar spines. Peripheral quantitative computed tomography was performed to assess regional bone density. Vertebrae were potted and subjected to nondestructive compression testing with a small, medium, and large custom-made implants with the footplate geometry of the ProDisc-LTDR (Synthes Spine, West Chester, PA, USA) system and having no keel. Failure testing was performed using the ProDisc-L implant with an intact keel. Pressure sensor film was used to assess contact pressure and distribution. RESULTS: Therewasalinearcorrelationbetweenpercentcoverageoftheendplateandimplant-end plate stiffness (p5.0001) and an inverse correlation with displacement (p5.01). The difference in implant-end plate stiffness between small-medium, medium-large, and small-large implants was 10.5% (p5.03), 10.2% (p5.02), and 19.6% (p!.0001), respectively. Failure analysis revealed similartrendsforimplantsizing,butonlybonedensitywasfoundtosignificantlycorrelatewithfailure properties (r50.76, p!.0001).Therewas a significant reduction in implant-end plate stiffness of 18% whenthekeelwasintactcomparedtowithoutthekeel(range6‐27%,p5.0008).Pressurefilmanalysis revealed that the implant was loaded peripherally and did not have central contact during nondestructiveloading.Therewasatrendtowardgreatercontactpressurewiththesmallimplantwhencompared with the medium implant (p5.06) and the large implant (p5.06). CONCLUSIONS: Although larger implants reduce end plate displacement, increase apparent implant-end plate stiffness, increase the implant-end plate contact area, and decrease the peak contact pressures, low bone density reduces failure properties. The keel introduces a reduction in stiffness to the implant-end plate interface, the clinical significance of which is currently
Characteristics of Exfoliated Graphite Nanoplatelets-Polyamide12 Nanocomposites Processed by Extrusion Injection Molding

Melt-mixing processes such as extrusion-injection molding induce shear mechanical forces to enhance the melt blend of nanofiller-polymer and have been considered as time and cost efficient in commercial processing of polymer nanocomposites (PNCs). Extensive research has been conducted so far to investigate the overall performance of melt-processed PNCs. However there is lack of systematic studies on the nanomaterial induced phenomena that dominate the properties of the end-use melt mixing processed parts leading to engineered high quality PNCs. Furthermore, studies for exploration of the structure-property relationships in the melt processed PNCs are also limited. In this work, nanocomposites of Polyamide-12 (PA12) reinforced with exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets (xGnP™) up to 15wt% were fabricated using two different compounding techniques: coating followed by melt mixing and direct melt mixing. Effects of the compounding methods on the reinforcing efficiency of xGnP within the PA12 matrix were investigated. To understand the reinforcing mechanisms contributing to alteration of the mechanical properties, rheological behavior of the PNCs were investigated in the linear viscoelastic region and correlated with the state of nanofiller-matrix interfacial interaction and the nanofiller dispersion. The results suggest that xGnP coating of the PA12 powder resulted in improved flexural strength of the PNCs with respect to that of the pure PA12 and of PNCs made by direct melt mixing. The rheological low-frequency measurements demonstrate that addition of xGnP resulted in a larger increase in the melt dynamic viscosity of the coated-melt mixed PNCs than the direct melt-mixed ones. This suggest stronger xGnP-PA12 interfacial interaction and better dispersion state of the nanofiller in the coated-melt mixed PNCs than the latter PNCs. Addition of xGnP content resulted in improved storage modulus for PNCs made by either compounding method. However, the results support the evidence of post-processing induced re-agglomeration or suppressed dispersing efficiency of the coating process at extreme xGnP content as was elucidated through the shear thinning behavior of the melt and the flexural modulus of the highly reinforced parts.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Interminable treatment: an autobiographical study.

Abstract While the notion of interminable therapy often is seen to revolve around a patient's unfulfilled needs and inability to individuate, there may exist a strong countertransferential need on the part of the psychoanalyst to continue treatment. This countertransferential need deserves to be regarded through the prism of the power inherent in the analyst's role. This article presents aspects of the author's complex personal analysis marked by the analyst's refusal to allow for termination and, notably, the consequent impact on the patient.
Intergenerational family conversations and decision making about eating healthfully.

Abstract Objective To explore how youth, parents, and grandparents discuss issues related to eating healthfully and unhealthfully and to identify intergenerational strategies for educators to improve this communication. Design In three intergenerational focus groups, each with 4-8 families, a trained moderator asked questions about family practices and conversations for eating healthfully and unhealthfully. Setting Three focus group sites, each with Pennsylvania Nutrition Education Program sites (PANEP) programs serving low-income populations and multigenerational clientele, based in geographically and culturally diverse communities in Pennsylvania. Participants Forty-four individuals (21 pre-teens, 16 parents, and 7 grandparents) from 17 families. Phenomenon of Interest How youth, parents, and grandparents discuss and influence each other’s healthful and unhealthful eating practices. Analysis “Strength” of evidence determined by repetition of ideas across focus groups and from the respondents’ quotes providing in-depth information. Results Families demonstrated a wide range of ways that family communication is associated with the adoption of healthful and unhealthful patterns of eating. Parents and grandparents expressed anguish over their struggle and inability to help their children eat more healthfully. All three generations enumerated strategies for dealing with disagreement. Conclusions and Implications Grandparents, parents and children indicate that they need opportunities to learn together and communicate about ways to improve nutrition behaviors.
Value-informed pricing in its organizational context: literature review, conceptual framework, and directions for future research

Purpose – In the face of increased pricing pressure, managerial attention for value‐informed pricing (in which a price is based on the customer's value perception) is on the rise. Although value‐informed pricing in its organizational context received a great deal of attention, the body of literature is fragmented and insights are often not cumulative. It is the aim of this article to review and integrate the empirical literature on pricing practices in order to pave the road for future research.Design/methodology/approach – Empirical studies on pricing practices are collected and reviewed. Building on the resource‐based view of the firm, the findings from these studies are summarized in an integrative framework that includes testable research propositions.Findings – Value‐informed pricing is the result of the deployment of informational resources such as market research, relationships and internal knowledge on customers. Firms should not only develop these information sources, but also secure the process ...
Algorithm 786: multiple-precision complex arithmetic and functions

This article describes a collection of Fortran routines for multiple-precision complex arithmetic and elementary functions. The package provides good exception handling, flexible input and output, trace features, and results that are almost always correctly rounded. For best efficiency on different machines, the user can change the arithmetic type used to represent the multiple-precision numbers.
Evidence of divergent growth rates among populations of the lizard Anolis carolinensis based on experimental manipulations of egg size

Geographic variation in body size is of special interest because it affects nearly all aspects of an organism’s life. I examined whether differences in body size among four populations of the green anole lizard, Anolis carolinensis, were attributable to maternal investment in egg size and/or growth rates of embryos and juveniles. Larger body size and larger egg size relative to female size in the northern part of the range have been documented in this species, and suggested to be adaptive responses to more extreme winters. The current study confirmed the trends in adult size and egg size in the north, but rejected the trend of larger egg size relative to body size in the south. To control for differences in maternal investment in egg size among populations, I performed yolk removals on eggs from two northern populations to produce comparably sized eggs relative to one southern population. This manipulation was designed to minimize the confounding effect of maternal investment in yolk, the primary energy reserves for eggs, so that intrinsic differences in embryonic growth due to metabolism could be investigated. I found that differences in juvenile and, potentially, embryonic growth rates existed among populations of A. carolinensis, both due to and independent of differences in egg size. Juveniles from the northernmost population were bigger not only due to larger egg size, but also due to faster juvenile growth and possibly differences in developmental stage of oviposition or conversion of egg mass to hatchling mass. Larger body size may hold a number of advantages in northern populations of this species, including starvation resistance through winters and better competitive access to food resources and warmer microhabitats.
Percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty for the correction of spinal deformity in painful vertebral body compression fractures

Vertebral body compression fractures can cause chronic pain and may result in progressive kyphosis. Although vertebroplasty has been used to treat pain, it does not attempt to restore vertebral body height and eliminate spinal deformity. Percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty is a novel technique, which involves the introduction of inflatable bone tamps into the fractured vertebral body for elevation of the endplates, prior to fixation of the fracture with bone cement. Our initial experience with this minimally invasive procedure indicates that percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty can be efficacious in the treatment of painful, osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.
A simple three dimensional wide-angle beam propagation method

The development of three dimensional (3-D) waveguide structures for chip scale planar lightwave circuits (PLCs) is hampered by the lack of effective 3-D wide-angle (WA) beam propagation methods (BPMs). We present a simple 3-D wide-angle beam propagation method (WA-BPM) using Hoekstra's scheme along with a new 3-D wave equation splitting method. The applicability, accuracy and effectiveness of our method are demonstrated by applying it to simulations of wide-angle beam propagation and comparing them with analytical solutions.
Determination of surface reflectance and estimates of atmospheric optical depth and single scattering albedo from Landsat Thematic Mapper data

Abstract Ground reflectance data of selected targets for calibration of a Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) image of Wind River Basin, Wyoming, acquired November 21, 1982, were analysed. The calibration lines, one for each band, are derived from linear regression analysis of scatter plots of ground bidirectional spectral reflectance versus the Thematic Mapper (TM) scanner response. The field-measured reflectances were obtained with a portable spectrometer at 10 nm spectral resolution in November 1983. The empirical equations derived were used to predict the ground reflectance of five unknown targets scattered throughout the Wind River and adjacent Bighorn Basins. Subsequently, in July 1984, field measurements were made over these targets with field spectrometers and with a hand-held radiometer with filters matching those of the TM. The agreement between predicted and measured quantities, mostly within the uncertainties of the field observations, was obtained, suggesting that the ground reflectance properties o...
Abilities To Turn Suddenly While Walking: Effects of Age, Gender, and Available Response Time

Background. Falls may occur when an unexpected turn must be made quickly, in order to avoid colliding with an object in the gait path. Little is known about abilities, particularly about abilities of old adults, to turn suddenly. Methods. Twenty young and 20 old (mean age 73.8) healthy and physically active adults, while walking straight ahead, were cued to make approximately a 90° turn without advance knowledge of where the turn was to be made or whether it would be to the right or left. Subjects were given available response times (ART), the times between the cue to turn, and potential crossing of a specified forward limit line, of 375, 450, 600, and 750 ms. The rate of success (RS) in completing the turns as prescribed was determined. Regression analyses were used to estimate the additional ART that would be needed for other groups to achieve the same RS as did the young male subject group. Results. For all ART, old subjects had a lower rate of success in completing the turns as prescribed than the young. At an ART of 375 ms, mean RS was 36% for the young and 6% for the old. The regression analyses suggested that, for RS from 30 to 95%, old adults needed 112 ms longer than young of corresponding gender to succeed as well. Females needed on the order of 50 ms longer ART than males of corresponding age. Conclusions. There are significant age and gender differences among healthy and physically active adults in the available response times they need when walking for successfully making sudden turns. A PPROXIMATELY 90% of hip fractures occur in con•**• nection with a fall (e.g., 1-3). Cumming and Klineberg found in their epidemiological study (3) that a hip fracture was 7.9 times more likely to occur when falling while turning than when falling while walking straight. Falling while turning may occur when an unexpected turn must be made quickly, such as when a gait path obstacle that is too large to be maneuvered around comes suddenly to attention. Little is known about abilities of either young or old adults to turn suddenly at an unknown location and to an unknown side. We undertook the current study to examine performance abilities of healthy adults asked suddenly to turn under these conditions. The effects of available response time, age, gender, and side-of-turn upon rates of success in making those turns were quantified. Chen et al. (4), in their study of abilities to step over obstacles that suddenly appeared in the gait path, found age and gender effects on rates of success to be nonsignificant, but available response time effects to be significant and substantial. Based on the Chen et al. study, and given the similarities between it and the present study regarding time-critical changes in movements of the lower extremities, our null hypotheses were that the present study would produce findings similar to those of Chen and colleagues. METHODS
Monte Carlo Simulations of Adsorbed Solutions in Heterogeneous Porous Materials

We present results of a Monte Carlo simulation study of binary mixtures of ethane and methane in silica gel. The molecular model treats the adsorbent as a matrix of silica microspheres. The adsorption isotherms, adsorption selectivities and isosteric heats of adsorption have been determined for these systems. The results are compared with predictions from the ideal adsorbed solution (IAS) theory and with experiment. The heats of adsorption are accurately described by the IAS theory. The adsorption isotherms are accurately described by the IAS theory at low bulk pressure but the IAS theory overpredicts the density at high bulk pressure. This latter effect is opposite to that observed in bulk mixtures of this type where nonidealities generally lead to a density increase on mixing. The pressure dependence of the selectivity does not exhibit a maximum at low pressure. We discuss this effect in terms of the adsorbent microstructure.
Employing geodesy to study temporal variability at a mid‐ocean ridge

This article is one of a series on the Ridge InterDisciplinary Global Experiments (RIDGE) Program. We outline the geodetic portion of the interdisciplinary studies of ridge crest active processes. The first article provided an overview of the program [Detrick and Humphris, 1994] and the second [Forsyth and Chave, 1994] described a major experiment to be conducted in 1995 and 1996 that will investigate the processes supplying magma for the continuous creation of new ocean floor.
The Personal Sequence Database: a suite of tools to create and maintain web-accessible sequence databases

Background: Large molecular sequence databases are fundamental resources for modern bioscientists. Whether for project-specific purposes or sharing data with colleagues, it is often advantageous to maintain smaller sequence databases. However, this is usually not an easy task for the average bench scientist. Results: We present the Personal Sequence Database (PSD), a suite of tools to create and maintain small- to medium-sized web-accessible sequence databases. All interactions with PSD tools occur via the internet with a web browser. Users may define sequence groups within their database that can be maintained privately or published to the web for public use. A sequence group can be downloaded, browsed, searched by keyword or searched for sequence similarities using BLAST. Publishing a sequence group extends these capabilities to colleagues and collaborators. In addition to being able to manage their own sequence databases, users can enroll sequences in BLASTAgent, a BLAST hit tracking system, to monitor NCBI databases for new entries displaying a specified level of nucleotide or amino acid similarity. Conclusion: The PSD offers a valuable set of resources unavailable elsewhere. In addition to managing sequence data and BLAST search results, it facilitates data sharing with colleagues, collaborators and public users. The PSD is hosted by the authors and is available at http:// bioinfo.cgrb.oregonstate.edu/psd/.
The application of simulated annealing to a map seeking circuit

This paper examines how to apply simulated annealing to a map seeking circuit (MSC) when the circuit is formulated as a gradient ascent optimization problem. This modification is performed on a map seeking circuit solving the three dimensional model correspondence problem. It is shown that when the input image is partially occluded and covered by random edges, then the MSC can converge incorrectly to a local maximum instead of the global maximum. Under these conditions, simulated annealing is shown to improve the performance of the MSC through a series of experiments involving the Hausdorff distance metric.
Learning of leg position by cockroaches in response to light

Abstract Learning by the cockroach Periplaneta americana was studied using an electronic device that turns off a light in response to leg position. Training and testing were modeled on the Horridge procedure, with the position of a leg of one cockroach (P) controlling stimulation of both itself and a yoked control (R) during training, and the legs of P and R controlling stimulation independently during testing. In addition, testing was followed by reversal, in which each cockroach had to avoid the trained position in order to prevent exposure to light. During half-hour training periods, P cockroaches learned to lift a mesothoracic leg to turn off light. This learning was most evident during reversal, when P cockroaches continued to keep the leg lifted and were therefore exposed to appreciably more light than were R cockroaches. Cockroaches were unable to learn to lower the mesothoracic leg to escape light with a similar procedure.
Different evolutionary patterns between young duplicate genes in the human genome

Background: Following gene duplication, two duplicate genes may experience relaxed functional constraints or acquire different mutations, and may also diverge in function. Whether the two copies will evolve in different patterns remains unclear, however, because previous studies have reached conflicting conclusions. In order to resolve this issue, by providing a general picture, we studied 250 independent pairs of young duplicate genes from the whole human genome. Results: We showed that nearly 60% of the young duplicate gene pairs have evolved at the aminoacid level at significantly different rates from each other. More than 25% of these gene pairs also showed significantly different ratios of nonsynonymous to synonymous rates (Ka/Ks ratios). Moreover, duplicate pairs with different rates of amino-acid substitution also tend to differ in the K a /K s ratio, with the fast-evolving copy tending to have a slightly higher K s than the slow-evolving one. Lastly, a substantial portion of fast-evolving copies have accumulated amino-acid substitutions evenly across the protein sequences, whereas most of the slow-evolving copies exhibit uneven substitution patterns. Conclusions: Our results suggest that duplicate genes tend to evolve in different patterns following the duplication event. One copy evolves faster than the other and accumulates aminoacid substitutions evenly across the sequence, whereas the other copy evolves more slowly and accumulates amino-acid substitutions unevenly across the sequence. Such different evolutionary patterns may be largely due to different functional constraints on the two copies.
Whose Talk is Walked? IT Decentralizability, Vendor versus Adopter Discourse, and the Diffusion of Social Media versus Big Data

Discourse plays a central role in organizing vision and computerization movement perspectives on IT innovation diffusion. While we know that different actors within a community contribute to the discourse, we know relatively little about the roles different actors play in diffusing different types of IT innovations. Our study investigates vendor versus adopter roles in social media and big data diffusion. We conceptualize the difference between the two IT innovations in terms of their decentralizability, i.e., extent to which decision rights pertinent to adoption of an organizational innovation can be decentralized. Based on this concept, we hypothesized: (1) adopters would contribute more to discourse about the more decentralizable social media and influence its diffusion more than would vendors; (2) vendors would contribute more to discourse about the less decentralizable big data and influence its diffusion more than would adopters. Empirical evidence largely supported these hypotheses.
Basic Needs, Non-Renewable Resources and Growth in the Context of North-South Relations (Necesidades Basicas, Recursos No Renovables Y Crecimiento En El Contexto De Las Relaciones Norte-Sur) (Spanish)

The international economy experiments today with its most significant change since World War II. This change coincides with a renewed interest in problems created by the issue of natural, non-renewable resources, and the acute inequalities in the worldwide distribution of the wealth. Relationships between these problems are to the extreme complex and subtle, and their dynamics affect strongly the international economy. The adjustments produced have created an increased level of international tension, to the extent that any serious observer should be worried about the possibility of a new world war - a concern which has never appeared so plausible since 1945. It is in this context that a better international understanding of the north/south relationships is urgently necessary. This understanding would be a positive step for everyone, even though its political implications might not seem to favor the most immediate interests.
Increased choroidal mast cells and their degranulation in age-related macular degeneration

Background/aims Inflammation has been implicated in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This study investigates the association of mast cells (MCs), a resident choroidal inflammatory cell, with pathological changes in AMD. Methods Human donor eyes included aged controls (n=10), clinically diagnosed with early AMD (n=8), geographic atrophy (GA, n=4) and exudative AMD (n=11). The choroids were excised and incubated for alkaline phosphatase (APase; blood vessels) and non-specific esterase activities (MCs). Degranulated (DG) and non-degranulated MCs in four areas of posterior choroid (nasal, non-macular, paramacular and submacular) were counted in flat mounts (4–6 fields/area). Choroids were subsequently embedded in JB-4 and sectioned for histological analyses. Results The number of MCs was significantly increased in all choroidal areas in early AMD (p=0.0006) and in paramacular area in exudative AMD (139.44±55.3 cells/mm 2 ; p=0.0091) and GA (199.08±82.0 cells/mm 2 ; p=0.0019) compared with the aged controls. DG MCs were also increased in paramacular (p=0.001) and submacular choroid (p=0.02) in all forms of AMD. Areas with the greatest numbers of DG MCs had loss of choriocapillaris (CC). Sections revealed that the MCs were widely distributed in Sattler9s and Haller9s layer in the choroidal stroma in aged controls, whereas MCs were frequently found in close proximity with CC in GA and exudative AMD and in choroidal neovascularisation (CNV). Conclusion Increased MC numbers and degranulation were observed in all AMD choroids. These results suggest that MC degranulation may contribute to the pathogenesis of AMD: death of CC and retinal pigment epithelial and CNV formation. The proteolytic enzymes released from MC granules may result in thinning of AMD choroid.
Effects of Cell-Based Therapy for Treating Tympanic Membrane Perforations in Mice.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of scaffold-embedded mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a topical treatment for healing tympanic membrane perforations (TMPs) in a mouse model.Study DesignProspective animal study.SettingExperimental.Subjects and MethodsIn vitro: under sterile conditions, porcine-derived (Gelita-Spon [GS]), hyaluronate-derived (EpiDisc [ED]), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) scaffolds were cut into small pieces and cocultured with murine bone marrow–derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) for 72 hours. The cultures were either analyzed by confocal microscopy or used for subsequent in vivo experiments. In vivo: 26 mice were divided into 3 groups (ie, control [n = 9], GS [n = 8], ED [n = 9]). Under general anesthesia, TMPs of equal sizes were performed bilaterally using a sterile 27-gauge needle under a surgical microscope. The BM-MSCs embedded within GS or ED scaffolds were soaked in phosphate-buffered saline and then topically applied on right TMPs, and scaffold...
Intestinaler Serumalbumin-Verlust und Albuminumsatz bei Lebercirrhose und portalem Hochdruck

Die Erkenntnis, das eine Hypalbuminamie auf einem Verlust von Serumalbumin in den Magen-Darmtrakt beruhen kann, geht auf Citrin zuruck, der 1957 erstmalig von einer hochgradigen Albuminexudation in den Magen eines Patienten mit Menetrierscher Erkrankung berichtete. Die zahlreichen seither beschriebenen sog. eiweisverlierenden oder exudativen Gastroenteropathien verschiedenster Genese schliesen eine besondere Gruppe mit ein: Krankheiten mit chronischem Versagen des rechten Herzens und venoser Stauung im grosen Kreislauf wie z. B. Die Pericarditis constrictiva. In diesen Fallen ist die Lymphproduktion in der Darmwand stark erhoht, und gesteigerter Durchtritt von Lymphe in das Darmlumen oder Ruptur sekundar erweiterter intestinaler Lymphgefase wird als Mechanismus des gesteigerten intestinalen Albuminverlustes diskutiert.
MODEL-BASED FRAMEWORK FOR TERNARY ALLOY ELECTRODEPOSITION PROCESSES: MODEL VALIDATIONS AND PARAMETER ESTIMATION

Abstract This paper deals with the use of a model-centric approach towards the definition of optimal electrodeposition schemes in the fabrication of nanometric multilayers materials with tailored properties. A model for such complex systems is used and validated against experimental data. These mathematical deposition models range from single depositions to alloys, and have the characteristic of having large number of parameters not available from literature or experiments. In this work the capabilities of modern modelling, simulation and optimization environments is exploited both for model development and parameter estimation and will be used in further optimization studies for fabrication improvement and control.
Investigation of the effect of a priming stimulus on backward masking

Using the backward masking paradigm of a form followed shortly after exposure by a ring, the effect of a priming stimulus appearing 100, 50, and 10 ms. prior to the form was investigated. Although the backward masking effects were found, no effect of the priming stimulus was obtained.
Aging Effects in Suspensions of Silica Particles

In our study of the aging phenomena in silica suspensions we immersed precipitated silica particles in methyl-terminated PDMS (silicone oil), mineral oil, and glycerol/water and measured their viscoelastic properties as a function of time. We found that the samples based on silicone oil, initially of a pasty consistence, became fluid-like after a period of about three weeks. Aqueous samples aged much faster than the oily samples. Samples containing mineral oil did not exhibit any changes in viscosity and elasticity. In this paper we discuss a possible mechanism for these aging behaviors.
Effect of Feed Regimes on Body Weight of Turkey Hens at 32 Weeks of Age and Subsequent Reproductive Performance

Abstract Large Broad Breasted White turkey hens were fed ad libitum or on a restricted basis to determine the optimum body weight for housing turkey hens at 32 weeks of age. At 32 weeks of age there was no significant difference (P To evaluate the effect of body weight at 32 weeks of age on subsequent performance, pens of hens were classified into three weight groups. Hens weighing less than 7.05 kg. were classified lightweight; above 8.41 kg. were heavy; with those between classified intermediate. There was no significant difference (P
Abstract 151: Advancing pathway analysis using bioluminescent reporters

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL To enable investigation of key cellular signaling pathways, Promega has developed a portfolio of bioluminescent reporter gene assays using Firefly and Renilla luciferases. In combination with best-in-class luciferase detection reagents, these genetic reporter systems enable interrogation of important cellular responses involved in cancer, inflammation, and CNS disease. To address specialized customer needs in our industrial and research markets, Promega has a new custom assay service team dedicated to applying these enabling technologies through strategic external research collaborations. The performance of this technology portfolio is presented, including novel applications of luciferase reporters to interrogation of cytokine, stress, and toxicity pathway responses. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 151. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-151
Spray-atomized and codeposited 6061 Al/SiCp composites

Spray atomization and codeposition processes have received considerable attention for the synthesis of discontinuously reinforced metal-matrix composites. This methodology involves the mixing of reinforcements and matrix under thermal conditions such that the matrix contains both solid and liquid phases. In principle, such an approach avoids the extreme thermal excursions, with concomitant degradation in interfacial properties and extensive macrosegregation, normally associated with casting processes. Furthermore, this approach also eliminates the need to handle fine reactive particulates normally associated with powder metallurgical processes. To investigate the utility of this process for the preparation of metal-matrix composites, several silicon carbide particulate-reinforced 6061 Al composites were prepared. The spray-atomized and codeposited materials exhibited attractive combinations of strength, elastic modulus and elongation, although further work is needed to optimize their properties.
Abstract B32: Serum calcium and serum albumin can discriminate malignant from benign pelvic masses.

Background: Biomarkers that aid in the differential diagnosis of malignant pelvic masses from benign ones prior to surgery are needed in order to triage women with malignant masses to appropriate specialist care. Because high albumin-adjusted serum calcium predicted ovarian cancer among women without evidence of disease, we hypothesized that it might predict cancer among women with pelvic masses that were evident radiographically. Methods: We studied a cohort of 514 women with pelvic masses who underwent resection at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center from July 2009 through June 2013. We divided patients into a “training” set, to identify associations in the data, and a “testing” set, to confirm them. Data were obtained from medical records. A best fit model was selected using the Akaike Information Criterion. Results: Albumin-adjusted serum calcium was significantly higher in women with malignant vs. benign masses (P= 0.0004). High normocalcemia, i.e., an albumin-adjusted serum calcium ≥ 10 mg/dL, occurred in 53% of women with malignant tumors vs. 12% of benign tumors. High normocalcemia was associated with a ~14-fold increased risk of malignancy. The best fit model (Overall) included albumin, calcium, and non-linear terms. Overall achieved an AUC of 0.83 with a sensitivity of 72% and specificity of 83%, a PPV of 71% and a NPV of 85%. Conclusions: A model using serum calcium and serum albumin to predict malignancy in women with pelvic masses has high sensitivity and is economical. Impact: Our model can help triage women with ovarian cancer to appropriate surgical care. Citation Format: Gary G. Schwartz, Michael G. Kelly, Stuart S. Winkler, Samuel S. Lentz, Steve H. Berliner, Melissa F. Swain, Halcyon G. Skinner. Serum calcium and serum albumin can discriminate malignant from benign pelvic masses. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Ovarian Cancer Research: Exploiting Vulnerabilities; Oct 17-20, 2015; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2016;22(2 Suppl):Abstract nr B32.
Lack of 5-methylcytosine in Dictyostelium discoideum DNA.

We find no evidence for the presence of 5-methylcytosine in the DNA of Dictyostelium discoideum. Methylation was absent from CCGG sites in repetitive DNA and in DNA from the actin multigene family. Nor was 5-methylcytosine detected in total DNA when base composition was determined by means of h.p.l.c.
Assessment of promoters and a selectable marker for development of strawberry intragenic vectors

Conventional breeding of the cultivated strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is hindered by a complicated octoploid genome and a paucity of molecular markers. Genetic improvement may be accelerated by direct gene-transfer techniques that could address single-gene deficiencies in otherwise commercially valuable selections. ‘Cisgenic’ or “intragenic” approaches face fewer regulatory hurdles, yet more characterized promoters and selectable markers are needed for the development of such technologies in strawberry. This report tests a number of putative promoters and a potential selectable marker for use in cisgenic vector development. Based on RNAseq data, the 5′-proximal noncoding regions from highly expressed transcripts were tested for activity. These putative promoter sequences were fused to eGFP and GUS reporter genes and transiently expressed in both Nicotiana benthamiana leaves and F. × ananassa strawberry fruits. The promoter sequences of FanAPA1-related and FanUBCE2 present constitutive promoter candidates that are active in all tissues tested. A potential selectable marker from strawberry sequence, the coding region of the strawberry 5-enolpyruvylshikimate 3 phosphatase synthase (EPSPS) gene, was cloned and mutagenized, and then stably transformed into Arabidopsis plants. Overexpression of the non-mutagenized form confers resistance to glyphosate, showing potential utility as a selectable marker. The results of these trials define new tools for the development of intragenic vectors in strawberry.
Development of an Educational Program Integrating Concepts of Genetic Risk and Preventive Strategies for Children with a Family History of Melanoma

Efforts to prevent melanoma, especially for those at elevated risk for the disease, should ideally begin during childhood. However, there are few preventive interventions targeting children who are at higher risk for melanoma due to a family history of the disease. Further, there are no educational interventions that aim to help these at-risk children understand their risk for melanoma and the ways in which preventive behaviors, such as sun protection, can mitigate their risk. The current paper describes a multidisciplinary team's process for creating a developmentally appropriate educational intervention about melanoma risk and prevention for children ages 8-17 years who have a family history of melanoma. Drawing from the fields of dermatology, health behavior change and education, genetic risk communication, science education, and graphic arts, the multimedia intervention created covers key learning points relevant to understanding melanoma, the role of DNA damage in melanoma development, inherited risk factors for melanoma, environmental factors causing DNA damage, and methods for preventing DNA damage, such as sun protective behaviors. Lessons learned during the development of the educational intervention, particularly relevant to multidisciplinary team interactions, are discussed. Implications for future testing and refinement of the novel educational content are also reviewed.
Use of nitrogen isotopes and other geochemical tools to evaluate the source of ammonium in a confined glacial drift aquifer, Ottawa County, Michigan, USA

Abstract This study utilized several isotopic tracers and geochemical parameters to characterize the source and hydrogeochemical setting of elevated ammonium (NH 4 + ) concentrations (>2 mg/L) in a confined glacial drift aquifer in Ottawa County, Michigan. Results from this investigation indicate that NH 4 + is attributed to degrading in situ organic matter and not from surficial anthropogenic sources. Tritium, δ 18 O, and δ 2 H values suggest that primary recharge in the confined aquifer occurred during the middle to late Holocene and before the mid-1900's. Geochemical constituents, including redox parameters and a suite of common ions, demonstrate a compositional difference between the confined and unconfined aquifers in the study area and therefore further support the isolation of the confined aquifer from a significant amount of recent recharge (post 1950's). Insignificant δ 15 N- NH 4 + fractionation (+0.81‰ to +1.38‰) implies that NH 4 + in the confined aquifer originated from degrading in situ organic matter. A complete Rotosonic glacial sediment core, collected to characterize the physical setting of the NH 4 + -rich aquifer, confirmed the presence of in situ organic matter in the confined aquifer. A limited set of δ 15 N-NO 3 and δ 18 O-NO 3 values suggest that the application of manure to row crops may be contributing nitrate (up to 10 mg/L) to nearby shallow residential wells. As implemented in this study, the use of multiple geochemical and isotopic parameters, including δ 15 N-NH 4 , can be applied to evaluate the potential source of NH 4 + in an aquifer.
Neuropsychological Symptoms and Prediction of Seizure Recurrence

Researchers at the Departments of Medicine, Psychiatry, Neurology and Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Australia investigated the predictive value of neuropsychiatric symptomatology in control of seizures in patients with epilepsy newly treated with AEDs.
Conducting a Discrete-Choice Experiment Study Following Recommendations for Good Research Practices: An Application for Eliciting Patient Preferences for Diabetes Treatments

Abstract Objectives To consolidate and illustrate good research practices in health care to the application and reporting of a study measuring patient preferences for type 2 diabetes mellitus medications, given recent methodological advances in stated-preference methods. Methods The International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research good research practices and other recommendations were used to conduct a discrete-choice experiment. Members of a US online panel with type 2 diabetes mellitus completed a Web-enabled, self-administered survey that elicited choices between treatment pairs with six attributes at three possible levels each. A D-efficient experimental design blocked 48 choice tasks into three 16-task surveys. Preference estimates were obtained using mixed logit estimation and were used to calculate choice probabilities. Results A total of 552 participants (51% males) completed the survey. Avoiding 90 minutes of nausea was valued the highest (mean −10.00; 95% confidence interval [CI] −10.53 to −9.47). Participants wanted to avoid low blood glucose during the day and/or night (mean −3.87; 95% CI −4.32 to −3.42) or one pill and one injection per day (mean −7.04; 95% CI −7.63 to −6.45). Participants preferred stable blood glucose 6 d/wk (mean 4.63; 95% CI 4.15 to 5.12) and a 1% decrease in glycated hemoglobin (mean 5.74; 95% CI 5.22 to 6.25). If cost increased by $1, the probability that a treatment profile would be chosen decreased by 1%. Conclusions These results are consistent with the idea that people have strong preferences for immediate consequences of medication. Despite efforts to produce recommendations, ambiguity surrounding good practices remains and various judgments need to be made when conducting stated-preference studies. To ensure transparency, these judgments should be described and justified.
Effects of transportation timing on osmoregulation and survival in yearling hatchery chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

Seasonal timing of transportation and acclimation of juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) between hatcheries may affect osmoregulation and survival. We investigated the duration of ti...
Assessing Guideline-Directed Medication Therapy for Heart Failure in End-Stage Renal Disease

Abstract Background Treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) requires guideline-directed medication therapy (GDMT) consisting of either an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker in combination with an indicated beta-blocker. There is concern that end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients are not being prescribed GDMT. The study aim was to determine whether outcomes differ for patients with HFrEF and ESRD receiving GDMT compared to those not receiving GDMT. Materials and Methods Adult patients with ESRD and HFrEF admitted to a tertiary teaching hospital over a 2-year period were included. Patients were categorized into GDMT or non-GDMT groups based on their home medications. The length of stay (LOS), mortality, and 30-day hospital readmissions were compared between groups. The incidence of hyperkalemia, hypotension and bradycardia were also evaluated. Results A total of 109 patients were included: 88% African-American, 61% males, median age 63 (28-93) years with 25 in the GDMT group and 84 in the non-GDMT group. The LOS did not differ between the GDMT (5 days; 3-14) compared to the non-GDMT group (7 days; 3-28), P = 0.14. Thirty-day hospital readmission and in-hospital mortality were also similar. Hypotension occurred less frequently in the GDMT group compared to the non-GDMT group, 4% versus 27% (P = 0.01). Conclusions Although there were no differences in the primary outcomes, the shorter LOS in the GDMT group may be clinically significant. The fact that most patients with ESRD and HFrEF were not receiving GDMT is a finding that requires further evaluation.
Clinical Evaluation of ACL Tear

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a structure that serves to control both anterior translation of the tibia on the femur and rotation of the knee joint. Tears of the ACL are commonly sustained by a noncontact pivoting movement, while the foot is planted with the knee in slight flexion (Tjoumakaris et al. Am J Orthop, 40:92–7, 2011; McConkey et al. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med 4:37–44, 2011; Mall and Paletta Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med 6:132–40, 2013). Historically it was believed that true midsubstance tears of the ACL were uncommon in pediatric patients and limited to adults, but recent studies have shown increasing numbers of these injuries in young populations (Andrews et al. Am J Sports Med 22:48–54, 1994). This chapter discusses the sentinel exam tests of the clinical evaluation that are important in reaching an accurate diagnosis in a pediatric patient with an ACL tear. Most importantly, all available information including patient history, physical exam, imaging studies, and any available arthrometric measurements should be considered together in order to reach the diagnosis. Understanding the most important factors in clinically evaluating ACL tears in pediatric patients will ultimately help to identify and treat patients with these injuries more efficiently and effectively.
Introducing Bioinformatics Algorithms in Computer Science Courses: (Abstract Only)

The workshop is intended for CS educators who would like to get an overview of some of the major techniques used in bioinformatics and a hands-on experience with some of its most popular algorithms. Attendees will be exposed to topics, examples, and problems that can be added to their repertoire of projects for CS1/CS2, data structures and algorithms, and other CS courses, including bioinformatics. No prior knowledge of biology is needed. Whether in an elective bioinformatics course, or in introductory or data structures and algorithm classes, the attendees will be able to incorporate the topics presented in the workshop. We consider interdisciplinary problems drawn from the field of biology. After formulating them as computational problems, we use traditional algorithmic techniques to solve them. The workshop may also be appropriate for high school teachers who want to use bioinformatics as a domain for their programming assignments. All material, including lecture notes, sample programs, hands-on exercises, and links to visualization packages, will be available to the attendees, before the workshop, through our university/s web page. The hands-on exercises using online publicly available tools will enhance the understanding of the common bioinformatics tasks.
Splitting a default theory

This paper presents mathematical results that can sometimes be used to simplify the task of reasoning about a default theory, by "splitting it into parts." These so-called Splitting Theorems for default logic are related in spirit to "partial evaluation" in logic programming, in which results obtained from one part of a program are used to simplify the remainder of the program. In this paper we focus primarily on the statement and proof of the Splitting Theorems for default logic. We illustrate the usefulness of the results by applying them to an example default theory for commonsense reasoning about action.