cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Qualitative Analysis of General Emergency Medicine Providers' Perceptions on Pediatric Emergency Telemedicine.

Objective Most children in the United States are evaluated in general emergency departments (ED), which are staffed by practitioners who care for both adults and children and may have limited pediatric resources. The application of telemedicine in pediatrics is growing and has been shown to be effective in outpatient as well as critical care settings. Telemedicine has the potential to address disparities in access to pediatric emergency care. The objective of this study was to explore experiences of general ED providers with telemedicine and their perception about a potential video telemedicine program with pediatric ED providers. Methods Using qualitative methods, a purposeful sample of general ED providers (attending physicians and physician assistants) in 3 Connecticut hospitals participated in audio-recorded semistructured interviews. In line with grounded theory, 3 researchers independently coded transcripts, collectively refined codes, and created themes. Data collection and analysis continued in an iterative manner, past the point of theoretical saturation. Results Eighteen general ED providers were interviewed. Three themes were identified: (a) familiarity with use in adult stroke patients but limited practical experience with telemedicine; (b) potential uses for pediatric telemedicine (guiding pediatric differential diagnosis and management, visual diagnosis, alleviating provider fears, low-frequency high-stakes events, determining disposition, assessing level of illness, and access to subspecialty consultation); and (c) limitations of telemedicine (infrequent need and implementation barriers). Conclusions General ED providers identified 7 specific potential uses of pediatric emergency video telemedicine. However, they also identified several limitations of telemedicine in caring for pediatric emergency patients. Further studies after implementation of telemedicine program and comparing provider perceptions with actual practice may be helpful. Furthermore, studies on telemedicine's effect on patient-related outcomes and studies on cost-effectiveness might be necessary before the widespread implementation of a telemedicine program.
Effect of milk protein concentrate (MPC80) quality on susceptibility to fouling during thermal processing

Abstract This study aims to understand the effect of milk protein concentrate (MPC80) solubility on its susceptibility to initiate fouling on stainless steel (SS) surfaces during thermal processing. In order to generate powders with different dissolution characteristics, a part of powder was stored at 25 °C (well-soluble powder) and the remaining part was stored at 40 °C (poor-soluble powder) for 2 weeks. Fouling characteristics of reconstituted MPC80 powder with 80 g protein per 100 g powder were studied using a custom-built benchtop plate heat exchanger. Exposing the MPC80 powder to a higher temperature during storage (40 °C) significantly decreased the solubility and increased the amount of foulant on SS coupons (P
Patterns of fractionation for patients with T2N0M0 glottic larynx cancer undergoing definitive radiotherapy in the United States

Abstract Objectives Among patients with T2N0M0 glottic larynx cancer undergoing definitive radiotherapy, recent retrospective and prospective data have suggested improved outcomes with altered fractionation over conventional fractionation (CFxn). We sought to characterize national fractionation patterns and to compare outcomes among them. Materials and Methods We queried the National Cancer Database for T2N0M0 squamous cell carcinomas of the glottis diagnosed from 2004–2014 and managed with definitive radiotherapy. Dose-per-fraction and duration of radiotherapy were used to define cohorts undergoing CFxn, hypofractionation (HypoFxn), and hyperfractionation (HyperFxn). Logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of receiving altered fractionation. Cox regression and propensity-score matching (PSM) analyses were used to compare survival between schedules. Results We abstracted 2 006 CFxn patients, 1 166 HypoFxn patients, and 161 HyperFxn patients. Fractionation patterns changed significantly from 2004 to 2014, with use of HyperFxn decreasing from 6.3% to 1.8% and use of HypoFxn increasing from 23.9% to 54.1% (p Conclusion Increasing utilization of HypoFxn for T2N0M0 glottic cancer is driving national practice patterns away from CFxn. Our findings support the use of altered fractionation, particularly HypoFxn, for patients undergoing definitive radiotherapy, although HyperFxn remains understudied in a prospective fashion.
HLA Haploidentical Stem Cell Transplant with Pretransplant Immunosuppression for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease

Abstract Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (HCT) is curative in patients with severe sickle cell disease (SCD), but a significant number of patients lack an HLA-identical sibling or matched unrelated donor. Mismatched related (haploidentical) HCT with post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCY) allows expansion of the donor pool but is complicated by high rates of graft failure. In this report we describe a favorable haploidentical HCT approach in a limited cohort of SCD patients with significant comorbidities. To reduce the risk of graft failure we administered the conditioning regimen of rabbit antithymocyte globulin, busulfan, and fludarabine preceded with 2 courses of pretransplant immunosuppressive therapy (PTIS) with fludarabine and dexamethasone. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis consisted of PTCY on days +3 and +4 followed by tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil starting on day +5. Four patients (ages 13, 19, 19, and 23 years) received T cell–replete haploidentical stem cell infusion. All patients engrafted with 99.9% to 100% donor chimerism, and all patients continued with stable engraftment at the last follow-up (5 to 11 months post-transplant). Time to neutrophil engraftment was 14 to 26 days. Two patients had high levels of donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies, which required the implementation of an antibody management protocol. This facilitated neutrophil engraftment on day +16 and day +26, respectively. One patient developed grade I acute GVHD, which resolved. Three patients developed mild, limited skin GVHD that responded to conventional immunosuppressive therapy. Human herpesvirus-6 viremia was detected in 3 patients but resolved without treatment. One patient developed asymptomatic cytomegalovirus viremia that responded appropriately to standard therapy with ganciclovir. The prompt, stable engraftment and low toxicity in the post-transplant period makes PTIS with haploidentical transplant a promising option for patients with SCD.
A Mixture Theory with Interactive Body Forces for Composite Interphases

The 2-constituent theory of Hall and Rajagopal (2011) is revisited in the N-constituent reacting solid context to include relative displacement-based interaction energies between constituents, leading to relative displacement-based interactive body forces with associated stiffnesses and densities. A brief discussion of potential couple stresses follows.
Evaluation of statistical breast phantoms with higher resolution

In previous work, we generated computational breast phantoms by using a principal component analysis (PCA) or "Eigenbreast" technique. For this study, we sought to address resolution limitations in the previous synthesized breast phantoms by analyzing new human subject data set with higher resolution. We utilize PCA to sample input breast cases, then by using weighted sums along the different eigenvectors or "eigenbreasts," a number of new cases can be generated. While breasts can vary in structure and form, we used a series of compressed breasts derived from human subject breast CT volumes to create the eigenbreasts. We used an initial set of thirty-five phantoms from a new CT patient population with 155x155x155 μm3 voxel size. The training set and synthetized phantoms were evaluated by power law exponent β and changes in volumetric breast density as a result of the PCA process. The synthetic phantoms were found to have similar β and fibroglandular density distributions to the training dataset. Individual synthetic phantoms appeared to capture glandular features present in the training phantoms but had visually different texture features. This work shows that earlier work on the eigenbreast technique can be extended to newer datasets with higher resolution and produce synthetic phantoms that retain the quantitative properties of training data.
The Phylogenetic Structure of the Coryneform Group of Bacteria

Summary The ribosomal 16S RNA of 22 representative organisms of the genera Arthrobacter, Brevibacterium, Cellulomonas, Corynebacterium, Micrococcus and Microbacterium were characterized by oligonucleotide cataloging. Comparative analysis of the data show these genera to be closely related. Genealogically the coryneforms — including the micrococci — can be regarded as members of one broad family, that includes Actinomycetales as well. A separation of this coherent group into distinct families is justified only from a taxonomic point of view.
Identity in informal game-based learning environments

In the learning sciences some scholarship investigating game-based learning environments has focused on studying large-scale identity transformations rather than describing the 'everyday' social processes. This paper investigates the specifics of the latter, arguing that relational identity resources may have be increasingly important for understanding identity formation and learning with games.
INTERACTIONS BETWEEN CORTICAL AND SUBCORTICAL STRUCTURES IN VISION AND EYE MOVEMENT

Publisher Summary The superior colliculus has undergone significant changes in the course of evolution. In lower vertebrates, such as fish and amphibia, it is the main center for visual information processing. In higher vertebrates, a second system, represented by the geniculo-striate pathway, becomes prominent. Thus, it appears that in mammals, two major pathways emerge from the retina, one going to the superior colliculus and the other to the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN). In both the LGN and the superior colliculus, the visual field is represented in an orderly, topographic fashion. From the LGN, the cortical projection is exclusively to striate cortex in the monkey. In the rhesus monkey, the superior colliculus has been shown to be involved in the control of eye movements. The superficial layers of this structure process visual information, while the deeper layers send out motor commands. In the deeper layers, the eye-movement cells predominate that discharge prior to saccadic eye movements. The cortico-tectal pathway is crucial for the normal functioning of the superior colliculus. When the cortico-tectal pathway is interrupted by cooling or cortical ablation, the cells in the superior colliculus, except for the dorsal-most region, can no longer be driven by visual stimuli.
Future 2000 for Nurses

The rigors and the advantages of the nursing profession are presently of great interest to the public which is more aware than ever of the many roles that nurses play in the American health care delivery system. Furthermore, a possible nursing shortage and the economic recession made possible to induce greater numbers of women and men to consider nursing as a career. All who choose nursing and practice in the context of the fact and fiction about the profession face the future together.
Role of the Mre11 Complex in Preserving Genome Integrity

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are hazardous lesions that threaten genome integrity and cell survival. The DNA damage response (DDR) safeguards the genome by sensing DSBs, halting cell cycle progression and promoting repair through either non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) or homologous recombination (HR). The Mre11-Rad50-Xrs2/Nbs1 (MRX/N) complex is central to the DDR through its structural, enzymatic, and signaling roles. The complex tethers DNA ends, activates the Tel1/ATM kinase, resolves protein-bound or hairpin-capped DNA ends, and maintains telomere homeostasis. In addition to its role at DSBs, MRX/N associates with unperturbed replication forks, as well as stalled replication forks, to ensure complete DNA synthesis and to prevent chromosome rearrangements. Here, we summarize the significant progress made in characterizing the MRX/N complex and its various activities in chromosome metabolism.
A Historical, Detailed Toolmark Examination from 1916.

Marc Bischoff received his PhD from the University of Lausanne, Institute of Police Science and Criminology, and later became the head of the Institute. His final examination paper for his doctorate degree constitutes a toolmark analysis and comparison between a suspected axe and questioned cuttings of wood trunks. Bischoff uses the scientific method to test the hypothesis he formulated. Dated 1916, this report includes his notes, measurements, photomicrographs of the questioned toolmarks and the test impressions, detailed sketches, technical discussion, results, and conclusions. Recognizing the historical value of Bischoff’ s work, it seemed important to get it translated. Photocopies of Bischoff’ s original work were obtained. The case report, translated from French, is presented here along with a brief history of the Firearm and Toolmark Identification field and Bischoff’ srole in the beginning of this field. Bischoff’ s work stands as testimony to the long tradition of the field of forensic toolmark analysis.
Pembrolizumab in advanced gastric cancer: pioneering or prosaic?

Gastric and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancers are a significant health problem worldwide with an estimated annual incidence of more than 950,000 (1). Despite newer chemotherapy regimens, the median overall survival (OS) of advanced gastric or GEJ cancer in patients treated with first-line systemic chemotherapy is typically 9–11 months (2), with a slightly better OS in the Her-2 positive subgroup when treated with Her-2 directed therapy (3). Second-line treatment usually consists of taxane or irinotecan-based cytotoxic chemotherapy and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) antibody, ramucirumab, either alone or in combination with a taxane. Once patients progress after two lines of systemic treatment, it is unknown whether there is any clinically meaningful benefit from subsequent systemic chemotherapy. Therefore, this is an area of unmet need.
Inmigrantes latinoamericanos en ciudades globales: aproximaciones interdisciplinarias en el análisis de las prácticas comunicativas, mediáticas y culturales

The study of communication, media and cultural practices in diasporic contexts gives rise to a series of theoretical and methodological challenges. The current article examines these challenges and argues how interdisciplinary approaches constitute an enriching assembly which enables us to analyze and understand the process of arrival and settlement of Latin American immigrants in global cities. The compared study of Latin American diasporas and the media in urban environments also enables the identification of present trends. Migration and media studies function as a starting point towards identifying the critical analysis of the transnational condition among Latin Americans who reside in cities outside their region. We analyze how the genesis and consolidation of transnational and translocal audiences have been recognized by both the advertising market and private industries. Despite this, public administrations from countries of origin and destination still neglect their study.
Social Differences Between Monolingual English and Bilingual English-Spanish Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Abstract Objective Bilingualism is increasingly prevalent; however, research in bilingual children with autism is sparse. The purpose of this study was to compare social skills and autistic features in monolingual English and bilingual English-Spanish children with autism spectrum disorder. Methods We conducted a review of the multidisciplinary evaluations done in all children aged one to six years diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in an inner city, university-affiliated clinic from 2003 to 2013. Collected information included demographics, developmental testing, and autistic characteristics. Results We identified 462 children; 165 were bilingual English-Spanish and 297 were monolingual English. Parents of bilingual children reported stereotyped or repetitive use of language more often (66% vs 48% P = 0.002) than monolinguals. Significant differences were not found in social interaction, use of nonverbal behaviors, peer relationships, sharing or social or emotional reciprocity, mannerisms, or autism severity. Conclusions Bilingualism does not seem to confer an extra vulnerability on children with autism spectrum disorder; however, differences in qualitative use of language were observed.
Changes in Trunk and Pelvis Motion Among Persons With Unilateral Lower Limb Loss During the First Year of Ambulation

Abstract Objective To retrospectively investigate trunk-pelvis kinematic outcomes among persons with unilateral transtibial and transfemoral limb loss with time from initial independent ambulation with a prosthesis, while secondarily describing self-reported presence and intensity of low back pain. Over time, increasing trunk-pelvis range of motion and decreasing trunk-pelvis coordination with increasing presence and/or intensity of low back pain were hypothesized. Additionally, less trunk-pelvis range of motion and more trunk-pelvis coordination for persons with more distal limb loss was hypothesized. Design Inception cohort with up to 5 repeated evaluations, including both biomechanical and subjective outcomes, during a 1-year period (0, 2, 4, 6, 12 months) after initial ambulation with a prosthesis. Setting Biomechanics laboratory within military treatment facility. Participants Twenty-two men with unilateral transtibial limb loss and 10 men with unilateral transfemoral limb loss (N=32). Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Triplanar trunk-pelvis range of motion and intersegmental coordination (continuous relative phase) obtained at self-selected (∼1.30m/s) and controlled (∼1.20m/s) walking velocities. Self-reported presence and intensity of low back pain. Results An interaction effect between time and group existed for sagittal (P=.039) and transverse (P=.009) continuous relative phase at self-selected walking velocity and transverse trunk range of motion (P=.013) and sagittal continuous relative phase (P=.005) at controlled walking velocity. Trunk range of motion generally decreased, and trunk-pelvis coordination generally increased with increasing time after initial ambulation. Sagittal trunk and pelvis range of motion were always less and frontal trunk-pelvis coordination was always greater for persons with more distal limb loss. Low back pain increased for persons with transtibial limb loss and decreased for persons with transfemoral limb loss following the 4-month time point. Conclusions Temporal changes (or lack thereof) in features of trunk-pelvis motions within the first year of ambulation help elucidate relationships between (biomechanical) risk factors for low back pain after limb loss.
Toward Artificial Tissues That Are Both Soft and Firm

New polymer architectures enable materials that reproduce the mechanical behavior of biological tissues.
The Capturing Science Contest: An Open-Ended Approach to Promoting STEM Communication

Hosted by the University of Georgia Science Library since 2017, the Capturing Science Contest invites students to explain a STEM concept using any format, media, or genre of their choice, an open-ended approach meant to inspire the widest range of skills, knowledge, and creativity. This article discusses contest rules, promotion, judging, and results. For libraries interested in trying this kind of contest, the article provides recommendations, such as providing judges’ commentaries for winning entries and adopting a broad interpretation of what counts as STEM communication during the judging process. The article mentions some upcoming changes to the contest guidelines and administration, and it concludes with a brief argument for why the contest aligns with the mission of libraries.
Treatment efficacy of dupilumab in a hyper-immunoglobulin E syndrome patient with severe atopic dermatitis.

Hyper-immunoglobulin E syndrome (HIES) is a rare immunodeficiency characterized by a high serum IgE level, atopic dermatitis, and recurrent skin and lung infections. The exact prevalence of HIES is unknown, but the overall incidence rate of primary immunodeficiency was reported to be 4.6 per 100,000 person-years.1,2 Genetic variants in STAT3, DOCK8, and PGM3 have been associated with increased HIES risk. Traditionally, the main treatments include long-term prophylactic antibiotics, topical anti-inflammatory agents, and supportive care.3 Recently, biologics have emerged as an additional option for treating HIES with treatment-refractory atopic dermatitis. Dupilumab, a human monoclonal antibody that blocks the shared receptor subunit of IL-4 and IL-13, mitigates the signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis.4,5 Previously, 2 case reports have demonstrated the substantial improvements of atopic dermatitis following the injection of dupilumab.6,7 Here, we report a rare HIES case whose atopic dermatitis was successfully controlled with a lower dose of dupilumab.
Promiscuous Pseudomonas: Uptake of Non-Endogenous Ligands for Iron Acquisition.

Abstract Iron is an essential nutrient to nearly all living beings. However, its acquisition poses a significant challenge to many organisms, including most bacteria. One of the main iron uptake strategies employed by bacteria is the uptake of siderophores, small molecules that chelate extracellular iron. The pathogenic species Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces two different siderophores, pyochelin and pyoverdine. P. aeruginosa senses the amount of bioavailable extracellular iron in order to regulate the production levels of each of these two siderophores. In previous work, we found that a series of pyochelin biosynthetic shunt products enhanced the growth of P. aeruginosa in iron- depleted conditions when prechelated with iron. Thus, on the basis of these results, we investigated the physiochemical and biological properties of a series of non-native oxygen counterparts to these metabolites in the current study.
Grid Stability Enhancement by a High Voltage SiC MOSFET-Based Asynchronous Microgrid Power Conditioning System

Asynchronous microgrid (ASMG) is a microgrid concept where the ac microgrid is connected to a utility grid through a power conditioning system (PCS). The development of high voltage (HV, >3.3 kV) silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFET technology promotes the implementation of ASMG PCS converters. However, the system-level benefits from SiC MOSFETs have not been well studied for this application. This paper discusses ASMG system stability enhancement resulting from HV SiC MOSFET-based PCS converters. HV SiC MOSFET-based PCS converters can achieve high control frequency, which can benefit the potential harmonic instability caused by the digital control delay. A detailed theoretical analysis is provided, and experimental results for the stability enhancement capability are demonstrated on a converter-based hardware testbed (HTB).
Nighttime pedestrian fatalities: A comprehensive examination of infrastructure, user, vehicle, and situational factors

Abstract Introduction: Pedestrian fatalities in the United States increased 45.5% between 2009 and 2017. More than 85% of those additional pedestrian fatalities occurred at night. Method: We examine Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data for fatal pedestrian crashes that occurred in the dark between 2002 and 2017. Within-variable and before/after examinations of crashes in terms of infrastructure, user, vehicle, and situational characteristics are performed with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and two-sample t -tests. We model changes in crash characteristic proportions between 2002–2009 and 2010–2017 using linear regressions and test for autocorrelation with Breusch-Godfrey tests. Results: The increase in fatal nighttime pedestrian crashes is most strongly correlated with infrastructure factors: non-intersection unmarked locations (saw 80.8% of additional fatalities); 40–45 mph roads (54.6%); five-lane roads (40.7%); urban (99.7%); and arterials (81.1%). In addition, SUVs were involved in 39.7% of additional fatalities, overrepresenting their share of the fleet. Increased pedestrian alcohol and drug involvement warrant further investigation. The age of pedestrians killed increased more (18.1%) than the national average (3.2%). Conclusions: By identifying factors related to the increase in nighttime pedestrian fatalities, this work constitutes a vital first step in making our streets safer for pedestrians. Practical Applications: More research is needed to understand the efficacy of different solutions, but this paper provides guidance for such future research. Engineering solutions such as road diets or traffic calming may be used to improve identified infrastructure issues by reducing vehicle speeds and road widths. Rethinking vehicle design, especially high front profiles, may improve vehicle issues. However, the problems giving rise to these pedestrian fatalities are likely a result of not only engineering issues but also interrelated social and political factors. Solutions may be correspondingly comprehensive, employing non-linear, systems-based approaches such as Safe Systems.
Illness representations and psychological outcomes in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

OBJECTIVES Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is a lifelong cancer with subtle symptoms. Treatment is not curative and often involves repeated relapses and retreatments. Illness perceptions - cognitive and emotional representations of illness stimuli - were studied in CLL patients to: 1) identify illness perception 'profiles' prior to treatment; and 2) test whether profile membership predicts psychological responses 12 months later as treatment continued. DESIGN CLL patients (N = 259), randomized to one of four cancer treatment trials testing targeted therapy, were assessed before starting treatment and at 12 months. METHODS The Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ) assessed perceived consequences, timeline, personal/treatment control, identity, comprehension, concern, and emotions toward CLL. Psychological outcomes were depressive symptoms (PHQ-9/BDI-II), negative mood (POMS), and cancer stress (IES-R). Latent profile analysis (LPA) determined number of profiles and differential BIPQ items for each profile. Multilevel models tested profiles as predictors of 12-month psychological outcomes. RESULTS LPA selected the three-profile model, with profiles revealing Low (n = 150; 57.9%), Moderate (n = 21; 8.1%), and High-impact (n = 88; 34.0%) illness representations. Profiles were defined by differences in consequences, identity, concern, and emotions. Profile membership predicted all psychological outcomes (ps<.038). Low-impact profile patients endorsed minimal psychological symptoms; High-impact profile patients reported substantial symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Results of the first CLL illness representation study provide directions for future clinical efforts. By identifying differences among patients' perceptions of CLL consequences, symptom burden, concerns, and emotional responses, an at-risk patient group might receive tailored psychological treatment. Treatments may address negative perceptions, to reduce psychological risk associated with chronic cancer.
Use of a novel diagonal pump in an in vitro neonatal pulsatile extracorporeal life support circuit.

One approach with the potential to improve morbidity and mortality rates following extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is the use of pulsatile perfusion. Currently, no ECLS pumps used in the United States can produce pulsatile flow. The objective of this experiment is to evaluate a novel diagonal pump used in Europe to determine whether it provides physiological pulsatility in a neonatal model. The ECLS circuit consisted of a Medos Deltastream DP3 diagonal pump, a Hilite 800LT polymethylpentene diffusion membrane oxygenator, and arterial/venous tubing. A 300-mL pseudopatient was connected to the circuit using an 8Fr arterial cannula and a 10Fr venous cannula. A clamp maintained constant pressure entering the pseudopatient. Trials (64 total) were conducted in nonpulsatile and pulsatile modes at flow rates of 200 mL/min to 800 mL/min. Flow and pressure data were collected using a custom-based data acquisition system. The Deltastream DP3 pump was capable of producing an adequate quality of pulsatility. Pulsatile flow produced increased mean arterial pressure, energy equivalent pressure (EEP), and surplus hemodynamic energy (SHE) at all flow rates compared to nonpulsatile flow. Pressure drop across the cannula accounted for the majority of pressure loss in the circuit. The greatest loss of SHE and total hemodynamic energy occurred across the arterial cannula due to its small diameter. The Deltastream DP3 pump produced physiological pulsatile flow without backflow while providing EEP and SHE to our neonatal pseudopatient. Further experiments are necessary to determine the impact of this pulsatile pump in an in vivo model prior to clinical use.
The present status of electrokymography: A review

Abstract The development of the electrokymograph has made it possible to record heart border motion, as well as changes in cardiac density, with accuracy and comparative ease. The instrument possesses dual potentialities as both a diagnostic clinical aid and a physiologic tool. Thus, it has provided additional diagnostic help in patients with myocardial infarction, valvular lesions, and pericarditis. In the field of physiologic research it has yielded valuable data concerncerning the timing and duration of the various phases of the cardiac cycle, the occurrence of asynchronism of cardiac chambers, as well as the effect of posture, hemorrhage, and digitalis, on the cardiac cycle. It has also been useful in studying variations in cardiac activity in the presence of congestive failure, and has provided another means of measuring cardiac output. It therefore has a wide field of application in clinical cardiology and physiology. Future experience with the electrokymograph will probably add further information concerning its usefulness as well as its limitations.
A population based assessment of the use of orthopedic surgery in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of orthopedic surgery, including joint replacement surgery, in a well defined population based cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to identify characteristics that predict such use. METHODS: A retrospective medical record review was performed of cases of RA incident in Rochester, MN, during the years 1955-85. Patients were followed until 1998. All joint surgeries were recorded, including joint reconstructive surgeries, total joint arthroplasty (TJA), and other joint reconstructive procedures (JRP) such as tendon transfers and resections, joint fusions, and surgeries for fractures and infections involving joints. RESULTS: Of the total 424 RA incident cases, 148 (34.9%) patients underwent one or more (maximum of 20/patient) surgical procedures involving joints during their followup (median 14.8 yrs, range 0.2-42.8 yrs). Overall, this RA cohort had 9.7 surgeries per 100 person-yrs of followup. The estimated cumulative incidence of surgical procedures for RA at 30 yrs was 52.7% +/- SE 4.2. Surgeries for arthritis related joint disease of RA included: primary TJA 76 patients (31.3 +/- 4.1); JRP joint fusion 78 patients (29.4 +/- 3.5); JRP soft tissue 92 patients (29.8 +/- 3.3); and cervical spine fusion one patient. Non-RA (trauma and other) joint surgeries included TJA 26 patients (13.5 +/- 3.4) and arthrotomy for septic arthritis 8 patients (2.4 +/- 0.9). Based on Cox proportional hazards regression, the risk of having a disease related joint surgery for RA is increased in patients who are younger (p < 0.001), have positive rheumatoid factor (p = 0.01), and those with rheumatoid nodules (p < 0.001). There was a borderline significant increase in the risk of first joint surgery in women (p = 0.09). Women also had significantly more joint surgeries (11.5/100 person-yrs) than men (4.9/100 person-yrs; p < 0.001). Survival of patients who had surgery for RA related joint disease was similar to those who did not. CONCLUSION: This is the first population based assessment of joint surgeries performed in patients with RA. Reconstructive surgeries were common, and women had significantly more surgeries than men. Survivorship among patients with RA undergoing surgeries was similar to that of the RA patient population at large.
Attitudes of Marketing Students With Regard to Communications Skills

The purpose of this study was to determine marketing student attitudes toward communication skills, and how marketing classes (and assignments) are rated in terms of helping to improve communication skills. The results indicate that students attach a significant level of importance to communication skills and that marketing classes are rated high in terms of helping students improve such skills, but that more communication instruction is desired.
Estimating picker blocking in wide-aisle order picking systems

In designing an Order Picking System (OPS) with multiple pickers, the designing (or selection) of several parameters (e.g., width of aisles, storage system and picking strategy) is dependent on the blocking that occurs between pickers. In this paper analytical models to estimate blocking in an OPS that has picking aisles wide enough to allow pickers to pass other pickers in the aisle are developed. In such OPSs, pickers can experience blocking at a pick face when two or more pickers need to pick at the same pick face. The developed models are compared with simulation, with results indicating that the proposed models are sufficiently accurate. Test results suggest that when pickers pick one SKU at a pick face, blocking is less in a wide-aisle OPS compared to that in a narrow-aisle OPS. However, when pickers pick more than one SKU at a pick face, blocking increases monotonically with an increase in the number of SKUs picked. The last result is significant since it highlights the importance of the proposed m...
Abstract A227: Positron emission tomographic (PET) imaging of activated matriptase, a marker for cancer progression

The serine protease matriptase has been implicated in epithelial cancers, has been found in ∼45% of node‐negative breast cancers at high levels, and is indicated as a biomarker for survival independent of HER‐2/neu. While in vitro methods are invaluable, few breast cancer cell‐lines express matriptase, though 83% of breast cancer patients are positive for matriptase—this suggests that imaging the in vivo behavior of matriptase may aid in understanding its role in the context of the tumor system. Specifically, activated matriptase is associated with cancer progression. We have developed radiotracers against activated matriptase for in vivo imaging using PET. M69, an antibody against activated matriptase, was functionalized to capture [64Cu]copper or [89Zr]zirconium: 64Cu‐TETA‐M69 and 89Zr‐DF‐M69 were evaluated in a mouse model of human breast cancer. A dox‐regulable pair of PyVmT cell‐lines was bilaterally introduced into nude female mice to generate matriptase‐positive and control tumors. Mice were fed dox chow ad libitum, administered radiotracer, imaged using microPET at 1–4d p.i.; and through 336h for 89Zr; corresponding biodistribution was performed. PET images indicated specific tumor retention. Biodistribution at 4d revealed both 64Cu‐TETA‐M69 and 89Zr‐DF‐M69 retained two‐fold uptake ratios for the positive tumor over control; this was also observed at 336h for 89Zr‐DF‐M69. Immunohistochemistry on FFPE tissues confirmed human matriptase expression in the positive tumor. In summary, we have developed two novel radiotracers and performed the first in vivo imaging of activated matriptase. This approach has the potential for imaging metastasis, the primary cause of mortality in breast cancer patients. Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8(12 Suppl):A227.
A ternary programmable dispersion matrix for receive/transmit optical beamforming

We present a new architecture for a programmable disperions matrix for optical beamforming. A 2-channel prototype is constructed to demonstrate beam steering for angles of ±70° in the receive/transmit mode in RF0.1-1 GHz frequency range.
Ultrashort Laser Pulse Ablation of Hard Tissue

Precision high efficiency ablation of dental and middle ear hard tissue with minimal noise, pain and collateral damage is demonstrated using infrared laser pulses less than 10 ps in duration.
Somatosensory evoked potentials during reversible spinal cord ischemia in man.

Abstract Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) from peroneal nerve were recorded continuously on 13 patients undergoing extensive aortic replacement of thoracic, abdominal, or thoracico-abdominal aneurysms. During this surgical procedure, the descending aorta is completely occluded, and circulation to the spinal cord may thus be compromised, causing a risk of postoperative paraplegia. This risk may be minimized if changes in the SEP seen during intraoperative monitoring prove to correlate well with clinical outcome. Changes in the SEP observed during complete occlusion of the aorta and subsequent restoration of blood flow included: (1) progressive latency prolongation within the first 10 min of occlusion, (2) coincident and progressive amplitude depression, (3) eventual loss of the SEP, (4) rapid reversal of these changes with restoration of circulation, and (5) preservation of the lumbar response when the cephalic response became abnormal. The degree of prolongation of latency after restoration of blood flow appeared related to the duration of aortic occlusion and to the duration of SEP absence. These findings indicate that conduction through the spinal pathways that mediate the SEP is sensitive to ischemia produced by aortic occlusion. Intraoperative monitoring of SEPs as a means of reducing the neurological morbidity of extensive aortic replacement is discussed.
Designing microfluidic channel that separates elastic particles upon stiffness

Using three-dimensional computer simulations, we model the movement of soft, elastic particles in microfluidic channels with periodic constrictions formed by diagonal solid ridges. Our simulations reveal that when the gap between ridges is smaller than the particle diameter, particles with dissimilar compliance follow distinct paths and segregate to opposite sides of the microchannel. This simple microfluidic method can be useful for continuous stiffness-based sorting and separation of biological cells and synthetic microcapsules.
Existence of high-order superlattices in orientationally ordered C60.

We correlate the presence or absence of high-order modulated structures in solid ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ with the differential scanning calorimetry signature of the orientational ordering transition and other diagnostic data. We have searched for, but not observed, the 2a face-centered cubic structure recently observed in low-temperature electron and single-crystal x-ray diffraction. We conclude that the intrinsic ground state is the previously reported simple cubic structure [space group Pa3\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}, a(14 K)=14.06 \AA{}], and that other structures may be stabilized by defects or impurities.
The cytomegalovirus homolog of interleukin-10 requires phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity for inhibition of cytokine synthesis in monocytes.

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) has evolved numerous strategies for evading host immune defenses, including piracy of cellular cytokines. A viral homolog of interleukin-10, designated cmvIL-10, binds to the cellular IL-10 receptor and effects potent immune suppression. The signaling pathways employed by cmvIL-10 were investigated, and the classic IL-10R/JAK1/Stat3 pathway was found to be activated in monocytes. However, inhibition of JAK1 had little effect on cmvIL-10-mediated suppression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production. Inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway had a more significant impact on TNF-α levels but did not completely relieve the immune suppression, demonstrating that cmvIL-10 stimulates multiple signaling pathways to modulate cell function.
Experimental Investigation on Principal Stress Rotation in Kaolin Clay

A combined axial–torsional testing system was developed to investigate the effect of rotation of principal stresses on the three-dimensional mechanical behavior of Kaolin clay. Uniform and reproducible cohesive specimens having a specimen shape of a hollow cylinder were obtained using a two-stage slurry consolidation technique. Precise stress paths (triaxial compression to pure torsional shear to triaxial extension), corresponding to a fixed rotation of the major principal stress axis, were achieved by using the proportional-integral-derivative (PID) feedback control technique. Kaolin clay specimens were tested under a variety of stress paths associated with a constant principal stress rotation angle (β) under undrained conditions. Typical test results, such as effective friction angle, undrained shear strength, stress–strain relationship, pore pressure evolution, and stress paths are presented as a function of β . During shearing, the procedure to use advanced servo-hydraulic control (using PID algorithm...
Electrodeposition of eutectic Sn96.5Ag3.5 films from iodide–pyrophosphate solution

Abstract Electrodeposition of SnAg alloy films and the effect of additives like PEG-600 and hydrazine hydrochloride on the same were studied in KI–K 4 P 2 O 7 solutions. PEG-600 was found to adsorb on the electrode surface, resulting in strong reduction inhibition of tin pyrophosphate complex ions, but it does not affect the reduction of silver iodide complex. It was found that hydrazine hydrochloride acted as a reducing agent for Sn 4+ species and greatly improved surface morphology and roughness of the films by preventing the formation of Sn dendrites during electrodeposition. Eutectic Sn 96.5 Ag 3.5 was obtained from a plating solution that contained both PEG-600 and hydrazine hydrochloride as additives, at the deposition current density of 40 mA cm −2 . Stress measurements of the SnAg films showed that it was tensile. X-ray analysis of the deposit showed the presence of β-Sn and ɛ-Ag 3 Sn phases in the eutectic SnAg film. The DSC profile of SnAg film gave the melting point as 222 °C.
Base-Catalyzed Rate and Arrhenius Activation Energy for t-Butyl Isothiocyanate Hydrolysis in Dioxane-H2O and Ethanol-H2O Mixtures by Gas Chromatography

Abstract N-bonded tertiary-butyl isothiocyanate hydrolyzes via a mechanism that differs from the normal, or S-bonded linkage isomer. The diminutive amount of published kinetic data for the former compound prompted a redetermination of the base-catalyzed rate of hydrolysis of the isothiocyanate in 2% dioxane, ethanol water mixtures at several temperatures using gas-liquid chromatography.
Antagonistic Effects of Alpha and Beta-adrenergically Coded Hypothalamic Neurones on Consummatory Behaviour in the Rat

IN the past 5 years, we have demonstrated the diametrically opposite effects of alpha-adrenergic and beta-adrenergic amines on water balance in the albino rat. Isoproterenol, a beta-adrenergic agonist, when injected subcutaneously in single doses of 0.05–5.25 mg/kg body weight, produced in animals sated with water a copious drinking and simultaneous inhibition of the urine flow lasting about 3 h. In contrast with this paradoxical phenomenon, the administration of metaraminol, an alpha-adrenergic agonist, induced a water depleting reaction. Rats subcutaneously injected with 0.63–10.0 mg/kg body weight of metaraminol excreted large volumes of dilute urine but made no immediate efforts towards recouping this massive water loss by drinking. Both the water depleting and water sparing response could be obviated readily by treating the rats with equimolecular quantities of either alpha or beta-adrenergic blocking agents before administration of the respective agonist. These findings seemed to be consistent with the existence of central nervous system circuits of water regulation which are chemically coded to respond in antagonistic fashion to selective alpha or beta-adrenergic stimulation1.
Impact of the Metabolic Syndrome on Long-Term Outcomes in Simultaneous Kidney-Pancreas Transplantation

The metabolic syndrome (MS) has been implicated as an important nonimmunologic risk factor for chronic renal transplant dysfunction. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the MS on outcomes in simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplantation (SKPT). Data were available on 241 patients enrolled in a prospective, multicenter randomized study of daclizumab compared with no antibody induction in SKPT. Presence of MS before and after SKPT was defined using NCEP-ATP III (National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III) criteria. Body mass index (BMI) was used as a surrogate for waist circumference. MS was present in 59% of patients pretransplantation but only in 19% of patients 1 year after SKPT (P < .0001). Demographic and transplant characteristics were well matched for those with MS (MS+) and without MS (MS-) at 1 year. Presence of MS at 1 year was associated with the following changes at 3 years: increased serum creatinine level (1.65 mg/dL MS- vs 2.05 mg/dL MS+; P = .13); decreased modification of diet in renal disease calculated glomerular filtration rate (GFR; 58 mL/min MS- vs 48 mL/min MS+; P = .02); increased HgbA1C level (5.6% MS- vs 6.6% MS+; P < .001); and lower pancreas graft (PG) survival rate (88% MS- vs 71% MS+; P = .01). Linear regression analysis identified MS+ and the subgroup of MS+ without functioning PG at 1 year as independent risk factors for renal dysfunction, whereas MS+ with functioning PG at 1 year was not a risk factor for renal dysfunction. Presence of MS at 1 year is associated with long-term renal dysfunction after SKPT. Efforts to decrease early PG failure may help mitigate against MS-associated renal dysfunction.
What do we learn from Blanchard and Quah decompositions of output if aggregate demand may not be long-run neutral?

Abstract This paper structurally interprets empirical results obtained from Blanchard and Quah (1989) decompositions of output into permanent and transitory shocks. This is done based on assumptions about the qualitative responses of variables to structural shocks that are consistent with many different economic theories. Impulse responses of output to a permanent shock typically behave in a particular way before World War I that is unusual compared to post-World War II responses. Also, permanent shocks typically explain a larger share of output variance in that earlier period. We show these two empirical results support the hypothesis that a positive (negative) aggregate demand shock had a permanent positive (negative) effect on output in the pre-World War I period. Thus further support is obtained for that hypothesis based on more robust empirical findings and less restrictive structural assumptions. Another empirical result is that impulse responses from the data for post-World War II developed economies are typically qualitatively consistent with the effects of structural shocks from a standard textbook macro model. We show that Blanchard and Quah’s statistical model will obtain impulse responses that appear consistent with simple textbook theories as the parameter measuring aggregate demand’s long-run output effect is varied over a specific range. This analysis provides a range of non-neutralities for which results from Blanchard and Quah decompositions of output could be mistaken as structural.