cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-reliability emergency response teams in the hospital: improving quality and safety using in situ simulation training

Introduction In situ simulation training is a team-based training technique conducted on actual patient care units using equipment and resources from that unit, and involving actual members of the healthcare team. We describe our experience with in situ simulation training in a major children's medical centre. Materials and methods In situ simulations were conducted using standardised scenarios approximately twice per month on inpatient hospital units on a rotating basis. Simulations were scheduled so that each unit participated in at least two in situ simulations per year. Simulations were conducted on a revolving schedule alternating on the day and night shifts and were unannounced. Scenarios were preselected to maximise the educational experience, and frequently involved clinical deterioration to cardiopulmonary arrest. Results We performed 64 of the scheduled 112 (57%) in situ simulations on all shifts and all units over 21 months. We identified 134 latent safety threats and knowledge gaps during these in situ simulations, which we categorised as medication, equipment, and/or resource/system threats. Identification of these errors resulted in modification of systems to reduce the risk of error. In situ simulations also provided a method to reinforce teamwork behaviours, such as the use of assertive statements, role clarity, performance of frequent updating, development of a shared mental model, performance of independent double checks of high-risk medicines, and overcoming authority gradients between team members. Participants stated that the training programme was effective and did not disrupt patient care. Conclusions In situ simulations can identify latent safety threats, identify knowledge gaps, and reinforce teamwork behaviours when used as part of an organisation-wide safety programme.
An evaluation of a commercial CC-NUMA architecture-the CONVEX Exemplar SPP1200

Studies done with academic CC-NUMA machines and simulators indicate a good potential for application performance. Our goal therefore, is to investigate whether the CONVEX Exemplar a commercial distributed shared memory machine, lives up to the expected potential of CC-NUMA machines. If not, we would like to understand what architectural or implementation decisions make it less efficient. On evaluating the delivered performance on the Exemplar we find that, while a moderate-scale Exemplar machine works well for several applications, it does not for some important classes. Further performance was affected by four fundamental characteristics of the machine, all of which are due to basic implementation and design choices made on the Exemplar. These are: the effect of processor clustering together with limited node-to-network bandwidth, the effect of tertiary caches, the limited user control over data placement, the sequential memory consistency model together with a cache-based cache coherence protocol, and lastly, longer remote latencies.
On Resolving the Dilemma of Rent Control

This research examines the motivations for adopting rent control and discusses a policy alternative designed to respond to the political appeal of rent control while minimising the investment distortion, capricious redistribution and administrative complexity of most controls. The policy involves limiting regulation to those rents paid by households in the tenant population that are deemed unable to afford adequate housing. All rental units in a jurisdiction register their rents with the relevant authority and are assigned a controlled rent. Landlords must charge the controlled rent only for eligible households but receive the difference between that rent and the market rent from the government. The analysis considers the design of such a policy, its behavioural incentives and some administrative implications. There is also consideration of the appeal of this policy relative to both conventional controls and policies more popular in the literature, such as a housing allowance.
Signals for minimal supergravity at the CERN Large Hadron Collider: Multijet plus missing energy channel.

We use isajet to perform a detailed study of the missing transverse energy E${\mathrm{/}}_{\mathit{T}}$ plus multijet signal expected from superparticle production at the CERN LHC. Our analysis is performed within the framework of the minimal supergravity model with gauge coupling unification and radiative electroweak symmetry breaking. We delineate the region of parameter space where the E${\mathrm{/}}_{\mathit{T}}$ supersymmetry signal should be observable at the LHC and compare it to the regions explorable via searches for sleptons and for chargino or neutralino production. We confirm that, given a data sample of 10 ${\mathrm{fb}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$,${\mathit{m}}_{\mathit{g}}$\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}\ensuremath{\sim}1300 GeV can be explored if ${\mathit{m}}_{\mathit{q}}$\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}\ensuremath{\gg}${\mathit{m}}_{\mathit{g}}$\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}, while ${\mathit{m}}_{\mathit{g}}$\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}\ensuremath{\sim}2000 GeV can be probed if ${\mathit{m}}_{\mathit{q}}$\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}\ensuremath{\simeq}${\mathit{m}}_{\mathit{g}}$\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}. We further examine what information can be gleaned from scrutinizing this event sample. For instance the multijet multiplicity yields information on whether squark production makes a significant contribution to the observed E${\mathrm{/}}_{\mathit{T}}$ sample. Furthermore reconstructing hemispheric masses may yield a measure of ${\mathit{m}}_{\mathit{g}}$\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{} to \ensuremath{\sim}15\char21{}25 % if gluinos are lighter than 700\char21{}800 GeV. Finally, for favorable ranges of parameters, by reconstructing masses of tagged b b\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{} jet pairs, it may be possible to detect Higgs bosons produced via sparticle cascade decay chains.
DCMA: A Label Switching MAC for Efficient Packet Forwarding in Multihop Wireless Networks

This paper addresses the problem of efficient packet forwarding in a multihop, wireless "mesh" network. We present an efficient interface contained forwarding (ICF) architecture for a "wireless router," i.e., a forwarding node with a single wireless network interface card (NIC) in a multihop wireless network that allows a packet to be forwarded entirely within the NIC of the forwarding node without requiring per-packet intervention by the node's CPU. To effectively forward packets in a pipelined fashion without incurring the 802.11-related overheads of multiple independent channel accesses, we specify a slightly modified version of the 802.11 MAC, called data driven cut-through multiple access (DCMA) that uses multiprotocol label switching (MPLS)-like labels in the control packets, in conjunction with a combined ACK/RTS packet, to reduce 802.11 channel access latencies. Our proposed technique can be used in combination with "frame bursting" as specified by the IEEE 802.11e standard to provide an end-to-end cut-through channel access. Using extensive simulations, we compare the performance of DCMA with 802.11 DCF MAC with respect to throughput and latency and suggest a suitable operating region to get maximum benefits using our mechanism as compared to 802.11
Quality as a latent variable in recreation access analysis.

The paper concludes with a summary and some Recreation trends indicating an increasing demand suggestions for further research exploring the imporfor quality recreation experiences suggest the need tance of latent variables, perceptions, and quality in for special consideration of quality in analysis off fee-based recreation access research. access recreation. By viewing quality as a subjective QUALITY AND RECREATION latent variable, this paper uses a simultaneous equaEXPERIENCES tion framework to consider the use of subjective versus objective appraisals of quality in fee-based Attributes of consumer goods, including recrearecreation access analysis. tion-based experiences, have long been shown to influence both quantities demanded as well as prices
Adsorption of viruses to soil: impact of anaerobic treatment.

The adsorption of viruses in untreated flushed dairy manure wastewater (FDMW), anaerobically digested flushed dairy manure wastewater (ADFDMW) and groundwater to sandy soil was investigated. Batch adsorption studies showed differential adsorption of viruses in groundwater to soil. Less than 75% of PRD1 and MS2 added to groundwater adsorbed after 1 h, but greater than 95% of ΦX174 and poliovirus 1 adsorbed to the soil. Adsorption differences in groundwater were related to the isoelectric points of the viruses. Suspending phages in untreated and treated wastewater reduced adsorption compared with groundwater. For MS2, more phages were adsorbed using ADFDMW than with FDMW. Adsorption of poliovirus 1 was not affected by FDMW and ADFDMW. Small column studies (6×2.5 cm) produced a similar trend in that adsorption was observed with groundwater and both FDMW and ADFDMW reduced virus adsorption. Groundwater, FDMW or ADFDMW did not affect the adsorption of poliovirus 1 in column studies. The major difference between FDMW and ADFDMW was in mobilisation of adsorbed viruses. The application of FDMW to soil columns with adsorbed viruses caused significantly more viruses to be mobilised than did the application of rainwater or ADFDMW. These results showed that treating FDMW by anaerobic digestion increased the adsorption of viruses to soil and decreased detachment of adsorbed viruses. As the potential for new zoonotic pathogens becomes known, the treatment of animal wastes may become mandatory. The assessment and management of viruses in manure for addressing possible risk to animal and human health is of interest.
Reply to 'Comment on "Maxwell equations and the redundant gauge degree of freedom"'

The author replies to a comment made on a previous paper (Wong 2009 Eur. J. Phys. 30 1401).
Development of a linear alternator-engine for hybrid electric vehicle applications

This paper examines the design and operation of a generation system that utilizes a linear crankless internal combustion engine in conjunction with a linear alternator. This system directly utilizes the linear motion of the piston to drive the alternator rather than first converting to rotary motion. The result is a more compact, reliable, and efficient unit as the system has only one moving part, making the system ideal for use in series hybrid electric vehicles. This paper describes the overall system design as well as the subsystems including the engine and alternator. A dynamic simulation is then presented which utilizes the model developed to determine the output characteristics of the system. The prototype system was successfully tested, and experimental results are also included.
Chronic intrathecal baclofen administration for the treatment of severe generalized tetanus via a synchromed infusion pump

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) data indicate that the incidence of tetanus in the United States is highest among the elderly. Conventional therapies for the control of accompanying generalized muscle spasms include large doses of oral or intravenous GABA agonists as antispasticity agents. We describe a case of an elderly patient with severe symptoms of tetanus who developed a prolonged encephalopathy and ventilatory insufficiency with oral baclofen and benzodiazepine therapy. Intrathecal baclofen adequately controlled her severe extensor spasms, facilitated her ventilatory management, and did not compromise her mental status during her extended convalescence. Accordingly, we report the first placement of a permanent implanted infusion pump for this disease. This modality offers advantage for continuous long-term titration of medication for spasms or rigidity control without the systemic sedative effects of conventional therapy.
Neuroprotective Strategies after Neonatal Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

Neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a devastating disease that primarily causes neuronal and white matter injury and is among the leading cause of death among infants. Currently there are no well-established treatments; thus, it is important to understand the pathophysiology of the disease and elucidate complications that are creating a gap between basic science and clinical translation. In the development of neuroprotective strategies and translation of experimental results in HIE, there are many limitations and challenges to master based on an appropriate study design, drug delivery properties, dosage, and use in neonates. We will identify understudied targets after HIE, as well as neuroprotective molecules that bring hope to future treatments such as melatonin, topiramate, xenon, interferon-beta, stem cell transplantation. This review will also discuss some of the most recent trials being conducted in the clinical setting and evaluate what directions are needed in the future.
Applying Evidence in Practice: What We Can Learn from Healthcare

Applying research findings to practice is the foundation of evidence based practice. In healthcare, evidence-based practice depends upon the development, promulgation and application of clinical guidelines. While EBM has been enthusiastically embraced by many, gaps persist, and transmission from research to practice remains slow and uneven. The perception that EBM threatens professional autonomy accounts for some resistance but, even among practitioners who support EBM in concept, uptake of guidelines has encountered numerous barriers. A recent study of guideline implementation by residents in a tertiary care medical center provides insight into the barriers to guideline adoption, and draws parallels between the uptake of EBM in the healthcare sector and the uptake of EBLIP in the library and information field. Through increased understanding of the diffusion of evidence-based practice in one field, LIS practitioners can position themselves to avoid similar impediments.
Endocrine Complications of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Advances in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) have resulted in broader indications for this therapeutic modality in both malignant diseases and nonmalignant conditions. This article focuses on the late endocrine abnormalities that are most commonly observed following successful HSCT, with a special emphasis on pediatric HSCT recipients, for whom long-term follow-up data are increasingly available.
Career Development and Adjustment: The Relation Between Concerns and Stress

The use of the Occupational Stress Inventory and the Adult Career Concerns Inventory in the career counseling of adults is discussed. Descriptive statistics of inventory scores for adult career counseling clients (N = 110) are provided and a case study is discussed.
Morphological color quantization

Color histograms are a central feature in many image retrieval systems. Indeed they are part of the MPEG-7 standard. But histograms suffer from the "curse of dimensionality " in which the number of bins increases exponentially with the number of dimensions. There is therefore an imperative for methods for simplifying histograms. This paper presents a new method for simplifying histograms based on a cascade of increasing-scale graph morphology filters. The system we choose preserves scale space causality and so preserves the modes of the histogram. The method is quick to compute so is therefore a practically useful feature. We present results using the MPEG-7 Common Color Dataset that show that these new compressed features have a retrieval performance that is equivalent to full histograms.
Finding multiple lanes in urban road networks with vision and lidar

This paper describes a system for detecting and estimating the properties of multiple travel lanes in an urban road network from calibrated video imagery and laser range data acquired by a moving vehicle. The system operates in real-time in several stages on multiple processors, fusing detected road markings, obstacles, and curbs into a stable non-parametric estimate of nearby travel lanes. The system incorporates elements of a provided piecewise-linear road network as a weak prior. Our method is notable in several respects: it detects and estimates multiple travel lanes; it fuses asynchronous, heterogeneous sensor streams; it handles high-curvature roads; and it makes no assumption about the position or orientation of the vehicle with respect to the road. We analyze the system's performance in the context of the 2007 DARPA Urban Challenge. With five cameras and thirteen lidars, our method was incorporated into a closed-loop controller to successfully guide an autonomous vehicle through a 90 km urban course at speeds up to 40 km/h amidst moving traffic.
Influence of acetabular coverage on hip survival after free vascularized fibular grafting for femoral head osteonecrosis.

Background: Osteonecrosis of the femoral head frequently results in collapse of the head and subsequent arthrosis of the joint. Surgical treatment has been based entirely on the evaluation of the femoral side of the hip joint, with little consideration given to the possible influence on outcome of the orientation of the acetabulum. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of 200 hips in 160 patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head who had undergone free vascularized fibular grafting between 1997 and 1998. The mean duration of clinical follow-up was 7.5 years. Ninety-one hips in seventy-one patients were evaluated radiographically for evidence of progression of femoral head collapse at a minimum of two years, and a mean of three years, postoperatively. We defined conversion to a total hip arthroplasty and progression of femoral head collapse as the failure end points, and we analyzed the association of the acetabular center-edge angle of Wiberg, the area and laterality of the lesion, the amount of preoperative collapse of the femoral head, and the etiology of the osteonecrosis with the likelihood of failure. Results: Forty-eight (24%) of the 200 hips had undergone conversion to a total hip arthroplasty at the time of the final clinical follow-up. In addition, 15% (fourteen) of the ninety-one hips with sufficient radiographic follow-up demonstrated progression of femoral head collapse at the time of the final radiographic examination. Of the hips with a center-edge angle of ≤30°, 55% (of those with sufficient radiographic follow-up) demonstrated progressive collapse and 45% were converted to a total hip arthroplasty. In contrast, of the hips with a center-edge angle of >30°, 10% had progressive collapse (p = 0.002) and 6% were converted to a total hip arthroplasty (p < 0.001). Neither the etiology nor the size of the lesion was significantly correlated with progression of collapse or conversion to a total hip arthroplasty. Conclusions: Patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head and a suboptimal center-edge angle of the hip are at substantial risk for progression of femoral head collapse and conversion to a total hip arthroplasty following free vascularized fibular grafting. An estimation of the degree of hip dysplasia should be included in the preoperative assessment of patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head for prognostic and possibly surgical planning purposes. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Research on nursing unit layouts: an integrative review

Purpose – This paper aims to present an integrative review of the research studies on nursing unit layouts. Design/methodology/approach – Studies selected for review were published between 1956 and 2014. For the purpose of this review, a framework for integrative review was developed using research orientations. The three primary dimensions – technical, psychological and social – of the designed environment and various combinations of these dimensions were used to define the research orientations of these studies. Findings – Of all the publications reviewed for the paper, 21 presented technical orientations, 16 psychological orientations, 3 social orientations, 20 psychotechnical orientations, 10 sociotechnical orientations, 2 psychosocial orientations and 13 presented psychosociotechnical orientations. With only a few exceptions, several issues related to nursing unit layouts were investigated no more than one time in any one category of research orientations. Several other seemingly important issues inc...
Activated carbons for medical applications. In vitro microparticle characterization and solute adsorption

Activated carbon is a high surface area adsorbent. Its ability to adsorb nitrogenous metabolic wastes and exogenous poisons from blood has been well documented. Polymeric coatings on activated carbon enhance its biotolerability and make it feasible for use in hemoperfusion devices. The only drawback seems to be the presence of microparticles on the carbon surface. These particles may become emboli during hemoperfusion. This paper describes a series of in vitro tests used to evaluate many commercially available granular and pelletized activated carbons. The tests were as follows: 1) creatinine adsorption capacity and kinetics, 2) initial cleanliness, 3) washability, 4) attrition resistance, and 5) carbon particle surface morphologymone grade of activated carbon has been chosen for hemoperfusion studies on the basis of the above evaluations; The nature of the microparticles and the approach used to remove them from this carbon is described.
RELATIVELY CONGRUENCE MODULAR QUASIVARIETIES OF MODULES

We show that the quasiequational theory of a relatively congruence modular quasivariety of left R-modules is determined by a two-sided ideal in R together with a filter of left ideals. The two-sided ideal encodes the identities that hold in the quasivariety, while the filter of left ideals encodes the quasiidentities. The filter of left ideals defines a generalized notion of torsion.
Mechanisms of Passivation of Copper in CMP Slurries Containing Peroxide and Glycine

Copper has been observed to passivate in CMP slurries containing glycine, when hydrogen peroxide is used as an oxidant, even under acidic conditions where no solid oxidized phases appear on the potential-pH diagram. This passivation behavior is highly desirable for effective CMP. In contrast, passivation is not seen in slurries of similar pH and complexing agent concentration, where the potential is increased electrochemically. In order to model the effects of chemistry on CMP rates, we are endeavoring to better understand the mechanisms responsible for passivation in slurries containing hydrogen peroxide. Here we report tests that characterize the development and degree of passivation seen in slurries with a reasonably wide range of compositions.
Feedback Control Design Using the Distributed Model with Diffusion

This chapter presents the feedback control design of an isolated ramp metering problem where we use the distributed model of the ramp system that also includes the diffusion term. Essentially, we are designing a feedback control law for the system whose model is the Burgers equation. We show the stability properties of the closed-loop system that is obtained by the application of the feedback control law on the ramp system. We verify the effectiveness of the feedback control law by running some simulation experiments using the designed feedback control law on the isolated ramp system.
Rapid Prescreening for Antiviral Agents against HIV-1 Based on Their Inhibitory Activity in Site-Directed Immunoassays. II. Porphyrins Reacting with the V3 Loop of gp120

Recent observations that haernin inhibited the replication of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) and the reaction between the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120 and antibodies specific for the V3 hypervariable loop of this glycoprotein were an enticement to determine whether or not additional porphyrins had similar activities. Several porphyrin derivatives, particularly meso-tetra (4-carboxyphenyl) porphine, were more potent inhibitors of HIV-1 replication than haernin. They blocked the binding of homologous antibodies to synthetic peptides corresponding to V3 hypervariable loops of 21 distinct HIV-1 isolates, and inhibited the replication in lymphocytic (MT-2) and promonocyte (U937) cell lines of several HIV-1 isolates, tested (IIIB, RF, SF-2, and MN). Compounds with inhibitory activity had a tetrapyrrole ring and, carboxyl or sulphonate groups. However, antiviral activity depended on minor structural difference's between distinct derivatives endowed with these two features. Metalloporphyrins had a ...
The Histocompatibility Complex and Rheumatic Diseases

Histocompatibility typing has assumed an increasingly important role as a clinical and research tool in rheumatic diseases. The HLA antigens which are serologically defined (A and B series) are being used most extensively for clinical work, but the role of other immunologic determinants in the HLA complex is being evaluated. These include D-locus (MLC) determinants, several complement components, and immune response genes which have been well characterized in the mouse, but not in man. The products of the major histocompatibility complex are inherited in a simple Mendelian fashion as a series of co-dominant alleles. Large population studies have characterized the frequencies of various alleles, and family studies have allowed tentative mapping of the various loci within the complex on the sixth chromosome in man. A number of diseases which are considered to be autoimmune in nature are now known to be associated with specific HLA antigens. Of these disease associations, the strongest and best studied are the seronegative spondyloarthropathies which are highly associated with the B27 antigen. Included in this group are ankylosing spondylitis, Reiter's syndrome, psoriatic arthropathy, colitic arthropathy, Yersinia arthritis and a small group of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis patients with features of ankylosing spondylitis. The clinical application of tissue typing or B27 testing is most helpful in regard to difficult diagnostic problems in patients with early or atypical seronegative spondyloarthropathy. Its value as an indicator of prognosis, and its value in counselling family members is not well established. There are many interesting hypotheses regarding pathogenetic mechanisms of these rheumatic diseases based on susceptibility factors related to the major histocompatibility complex. An abnormal immune response gene within the complex is probably a key feature of the mechanism, but the exact details are little more than speculative at this point.
A locus on chromosome 2 influences the development of acute graft-versus-host disease in a murine model.

A locus on chromosome 2 influences the development of acute graft-versus-host disease in a murine model
Regulation of ATP-sensitive K(+) channels by protein kinase C in murine colonic myocytes.

We investigated the regulation of ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) currents in murine colonic myocytes with patch-clamp techniques. Pinacidil (10−5 M) activated inward currents in the presence of high exter...
Surviving Poverty in a Post-Welfare Reform America

This review of $2.00 a Day: Living on Almost Nothing in America, by Kathryn J. Edin and H. Luke Shaefer discusses their research and findings regarding the poorest of the poor in post-welfare reform America. This thoroughly researched work presents a stark picture of modern poverty - today, more than 1.5 million families, including more than 3 million children subsist on less than $2 per person per day. Their policy prescriptions would help raise many of the poorest from hopelessness inflicted by welfare reform in the 1990s. Tax reforms including incentives for job training could be a significant piece of the puzzle to lifting those living in almost unimaginable poverty to a more acceptable standard of living.
‘Crisis’ in the French Labour Movement Reconsidered

This study has sought to explain CGT and CFDT behaviour at the grassroots level, that is within the individual firm. I have focused on the local level primarily because of dissatisfaction with the dominant scholarly approach to the French labour movement, which has emphasised national-level organisation. This approach has many virtues, especially the identification of general confederation strategies — how they are perceived and translated into concrete action by militants and constituent unions. In so doing, this approach has tended to slight important recent trends in French industrial relations at the firm level: the growth of organised labour’s institutional foothold (if not enhanced power) in terms of union rights and plant committee participation, and new management strategies to ‘contain’ unions, to name just two. Finally, the dominant approach has little to say about union organisational life beyond national headquarters, thus providing a highly static view of unions as complex organisations.
Current era of revascularization surgery.

The current era of revascularization surgery began with the introduction of selective coronary arteriography, which, when combined with ventriculography, offers a practical means of assessing the needs of the individual with ischemic heart disease. The three basic approaches to the problem are direct coronary artery surgery, indirect revascularization surgery, and reconstructive surgery for the damaged left ventricle.
Abstract 715: Adipose tissues derived exosomal microRNAs and their variants in ovarian cancer progression

Most ovarian cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage when the tumor is widely metastatic. The 5-year survival drops to 50% for the cancer cases that spread beyond the pelvis to the omentum. However, the mechanisms underlying the effect of omental adipose tissue on ovarian cancer progression are poorly understood. Recent studies showed that exosomes also contain non-coding RNAs such as microRNAs (miRNAs). Thus, we hypothesize that the transfer of microRNAs and their variants from ovarian cancer-associated omental adipose tissues to ovarian cancer cells via exosomes may contribute to the nearby microenvironment for ovarian cancer metastasis and cancer progression. Ion Torrent next generation sequencing was performed on miRNAs isolated and enriched from exosomes and cell lysates of ovarian cancer cell lines (OVCA), the epithelial component of microdissected omental ovarian cancer tissues (CT), normal omental adipose tissues (OMN) and ovarian cancer-associated omental adipose tissues (OMT). By integrating the miRNA expression profiles, 65 miRNAs were expressed at significant higher levels in OMT-derived exosomes compared with those in OMN-derived exosomes and OVCA-derived exosomes. A set of miRNAs (miR-32a, miR-221 and miR320a), which had been implicated in controlling cell growth and chemoresistance, was identified. Also, the Ion Torrent results were validated and exosomal transfer of OMT-derived miRNAs was confirmed in vitro. The exosomal communication between adipose tissues and ovarian cancer cells in the omental tumor microenvironment is verified. The transferable miRNAs and their variants may remain functional in the recipient ovarian cancer cells and confer more aggressive phenotypes in these cells. Citation Format: Chi Lam Au Yeung, Tetsushi Tsuruga, Ngai Na Co, Tsz-Lun Yeung, Cecilia S. Leung, Kwong K. Wong, Samuel C. Mok. Adipose tissues derived exosomal microRNAs and their variants in ovarian cancer progression. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 715.
Multiterminal rate-distortion theory revisited

The problem of determining the region of achievable rates and distortions for multiterminal lossy source coding remains unsolved. We revisit the case in which two discrete-alphabet sources are to be separately encoded and communicated to a common decoder. Inner and outer bounds to the admissible rate region for this problem, which were obtained over thirty years ago by Berger and Tung and by Omura and Housewright and of late have come to be widely referred to as BTinner and BTouter. BTinner has yet to be improved upon and has been conjectured to be tight in some works. Although it is widely believed that the inner and outer bound do not coincide in most problems in which the two sources are not statistically independent, even this has been established only in limited families of special cases. We provide some fresh insights into the nature of optimum encoders and especially of optimum decoders for multitermainal lossy source coding. Also, we describe computations in progress for the special case of correlated symmetric binary sources and Hamming distortion measures aimed at generating a counterexample to the tightness of BTinner.
Examining the impact of a gender-specific drug court on recidivism

AbstractResearch into the effects of drug courts on recidivism has generally demonstrated positive results. These results have led to the expansion of the drug court model which focuses on causes or problems for specific populations, such as drunk drivers, mental health/dual diagnosis individuals, veterans, and others. While research has examined various adaptations to the drug court model, very few examinations have evaluated adaptations of the drug court model on female offenders. Characteristics of female offenders and their drug use have led some scholars to suggest that drug courts would be an appropriate intervention for this population. While past research has examined the role of gender in drug courts, this research occurs using samples from coed courts. The current study expands and adds to the literature on drug courts by evaluating a drug court designed just for female offenders. Female drug court participants are matched to a sample of probationers on multiple variables. Results indicate that ...
Provision-After-Wait with Common Preferences

In this article, we study the Provision-after-Wait problem in healthcare (Braverman, Chen, and Kannan, 2016). In this setting, patients seek a medical procedure that can be performed by different hospitals of different costs. Each patient has a value for each hospital and a budget-constrained government/planner pays for the expenses of the patients. Patients are free to choose hospitals, but the planner controls how much money each hospital gets paid and thus how many patients each hospital can serve (in one budget period, say, one month or one year). Waiting times are used in order to balance the patients’ demand, and the planner’s goal is to find a stable assignment that maximizes the social welfare while keeping the expenses within the budget. It has been shown that the optimal stable assignment is NP-hard to compute, and, beyond this, little is known about the complexity of the Provision-after-Wait problem.We start by showing that this problem is in fact strongly NP-hard, and thus does not have a Fully Polynomial-Time Approximation Scheme (FPTAS). We then focus on the common preference setting, where the patients have the same ranking over the hospitals. Even when the patients perceive the hospitals’ values to them based on the same quality measurement—referred to as proportional preferences, which has been widely studied in resource allocation—the problem is still NP-hard. However, in a more general setting where the patients are ordered according to the differences of their values between consecutive hospitals, we construct an FPTAS for it. To develop our results, we characterize the structure of optimal stable assignments and their social welfare, and we consider a new combinatorial optimization problem that may be of independent interest, the ordered Knapsack problem.Optimal stable assignments are deterministic and ex-post individually rational for patients. The downside is that waiting times are dead-loss to patients and may burn a lot of social welfare. If randomness is allowed, then the planner can use lotteries as a rationing tool: The hope is that they reduce the patients’ waiting times, although they are interim individually rational instead of ex-post. Previous study has only considered lotteries for two hospitals. In our setting, for arbitrary number of hospitals, we characterize the structure of the optimal lottery scheme and conditions under which using lotteries generates better (expected) social welfare than using waiting times.
Response of Embedded Foundations: A Hybrid Approach

A hybrid approach to study the dynamic through-the-soil coupling between adjacent foundations embedded in a uniform soil model when subjected to harmonic external forces and seismic excitation is presented. The hybrid approach is based on the use of the Green's functions for a uniform half-space combined with a finite element model of the finite volume of soil removed for the foundations. Applications of an iterative scheme to obtain the coupling between foundations and of a reciprocity theorem to obtain the response of the foundations to seismic waves are presented. The use of the hybrid approach is illustrated by numerical results for a two-dimensional antiplane shear model involving two identical foundations.
The Present Unwrapped: Change and Challenge in the Field of Behavioral Disorders:

This article examines the present state of affairs in the field of behavioral disorders. The case is made that the field's target population has changed dramatically for the worse over the past 25 ...
Bringing Meaning to Work through an Integrated Faith

While various organizational practices may enhance meaning in and at work, many people also seek to bring meaning to their work because they perceive work as the primary vehicle through which they express their innermost essence. An individual’s quest for meaning in work is also impacted by their personal faith and/or spiritual orientation. Employees may bring a sense of meaning to their work through a sense of calling which is informed by their personal faith. In this chapter, we explore the role of faith integration as an antecedent to meaningful work. We explored the relationship between integrated faith and the experience of meaningfulness in each of our field studies. The results of those investigations are reported in this chapter.
Paricalcitol and cinacalcet have disparate actions on parathyroid oxyphil cell content in patients with chronic kidney disease

The parathyroid oxyphil cell content increases in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and even more in patients treated with the calcimimetic cinacalcet and/or calcitriol for hyperparathyroidism. Oxyphil cells have significantly more calcium-sensing receptors than chief cells, suggesting that the calcium-sensing receptor and calcimimetics are involved in the transdifferentiation of a chief cell to an oxyphil cell type. Here, we compared the effect of the vitamin D analog paricalcitol (a less calcemic analog of calcitriol) and/or cinacalcet on the oxyphil cell content in patients with CKD to further investigate the genesis of these cells. Parathyroid tissue from four normal individuals and 27 patients with CKD who underwent parathyroidectomy for secondary hyperparathyroidism were analyzed. Prior to parathyroidectomy, patients had received the following treatment: seven with no treatment, seven with cinacalcet only, eight with paricalcitol only, or cinacalcet plus paricalcitol in five. Oxyphilic areas of parathyroid tissue, reported as the mean percent of total tissue area per patient, were normal, 1.03; no treatment, 5.3; cinacalcet, 26.7 (significant vs. no treatment); paricalcitol, 6.9 (significant vs. cinacalcet; not significant vs. no treatment); and cinacalcet plus paricalcitol, 12.7. Cinacalcet treatment leads to a significant increase in parathyroid oxyphil cell content but paricalcitol does not, reinforcing a role for the calcium-sensing receptor activation in the transdifferentiation of chief-to-oxyphil cell type. Thus, two conventional treatments for hyperparathyroidism have disparate effects on parathyroid composition, and perhaps function. This finding is provocative and may be useful when evaluating future drugs for hyperparathyroidism.
On Being Transnational and Transgender: Human Rights and Public Health Considerations

The article discusses the human rights of transgender people in relation to an issue article on transgender women asylum seekers from Mexico in the U.S. Topics include violence against transgender women, the impact of previous experiences on the use of medical services by transgender women immigrants in the U.S., and the necessity of a public health approach to the needs of transgender immigrants.
Analysis of a First Professional Year Student Wellness Program

Objective: To identify wellness-related needs and assess the impact of wellness-related offerings among first professional year pharmacy students. Innovation: A survey tool was developed and offered to P1 students at the beginning and end of their fall and spring semesters. Additional biometric data was also collected to help identify wellness needs. Data from the first academic year (AY1) was used to develop targeted wellness interventions offered to P1 students during the subsequent academic year (AY2). Assessment strategies from AY1 were repeated with minor modifications in AY2 to identify changes in baseline needs and changes in markers across the academic year. Critical Analysis: AY1 survey response rates varied from 20.1% to 47.4% across the semester. Frequent dissatisfaction was reported with diet, weight, and exercise. AY2 survey response rates varied from 15.8% to 58.3% across the semester. The AY2 cohort demonstrated similar dissatisfaction data; however, also demonstrated lower baseline stress scores as compared to the AY1 cohort, higher baseline BMI, and higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Individual interventions offered to AY2 students were attended by as many as 16.5% of the academic cohort. Nutrition classes exhibited stronger attendance than fitness classes. Next Steps: The process used in this study was easily implemented and provided understanding of wellness gaps, which helped to identify interventions that were implemented and assessed. The process also demonstrated that wellness needs can vary from one population to another, reinforcing the value of periodic assessment to identify changing needs. Type: Note
Combined carotid endarterectomy and transcatheter aortic valve replacement: Technique and outcomes.

Background Stroke and transient ischemic attack after transcatheter aortic valve replacement results in significantly higher morbidity and mortality. Severe carotid artery disease may be a contributing factor to this increased risk. We report our technique and outcomes of combined carotid endarterectomy (CEA) with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Methods From March 2013 to November 2017 a total of 753 TAVRs were performed at our institution for symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. Of this group, 16 patients underwent concomitant TAVR and CEA. A retrospective review was performed to assess risk, outcomes, and short-term survival. Results Sixteen patients underwent concomitant CEA/TAVR procedures for severe carotid and severe aortic stenosis. The mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Risk Score was 7.0 ± 4.7. All patients had severe carotid artery stenosis and aortic stenosis. Nine patients had a transfemoral TAVR approach and eight patients had a transapical TAVR approach. The mean length of stay was 6.4 ± 3.7 days. At 30 days there were no cerebrovascular events and no mortalities. Conclusions The use of concomitant CEA and TAVR in patients with severe aortic stenosis and severe carotid stenosis can be done safely without increased risk of complications. This approach may reduce the risk of stroke associated with TAVR in appropriately selected patients.
Nanoparticle Architectures Templated by SiO2/Fe2O3 Nanocomposites

Reverse microemulsion techniques combined with templating strategies have led to the synthesis of four types of nanoparticles. First, homogeneous SiO2-coated Fe2O3 (SiO2/Fe2O3) nanoparticles with controlled SiO2 shell thickness (1.8−30 nm) were synthesized by reverse microemulsion. These nanocomposite particles were used as templates for the deposition of a mesoporous silica shell. The iron oxide core in SiO2/Fe2O3 could be partially and completely etched to produce rattle-type SiO2/Fe2O3 nanoballs and hollow SiO2 nanoballs, respectively. These facile synthetic methods led to the formation of different nanoparticle architectures with tailored silica shell thickness and porosity.
Totality and Alterity

Chapter 2, on Totality and Alterity, defines these two major categories of Enrique Dussel’s ontology and metaphysics. It examines Dussel’s critical adoption of Martin Heidegger’s early existential ontology to explain the concept of totality of sense. It also discusses Dussel’s interpretation of Emmanuel Levinas and Dussel’s critical adoption of the phenomenology of the face-to-face encounter as the occasion for the possible movement of naive consciousness to critical ethical consciousness. This chapter also discusses the interface between totality and alterity and the concrete expression of this interface in the relationship between modernity (totality) and subalternized peoples (alterity), peoples who neverthess exist for themselves as autonomous beings.
Improper integrals as a puzzle for creeping flow around an ellipsoid

The general ellipsoid immersed in the quadratic ambient velocity field Hijkxjxk with the origin at the ellipsoid center will exhibit an additional Faxen law contribution to the hydrodynamic drag because of the ambient pressure gradient. Here we reexamine the solution of S. Kim and P. Arunachalam [“The general solution for an ellipsoid in low-Reynolds-number flow,” J. Fluid Mech. 178, 535–547 (1987)] for Stokes flow by focusing more carefully on the system of equations and boundary condition on the disturbance velocity field. All of the unknown coefficients (quadrupole moments) in the disturbance velocity were determined by Kim and Arunachalam from a linear system of equations that arise from matching the quadratic terms in the disturbance and ambient fields. Note that when matching the boundary conditions, they interpreted the constant terms in the disturbance velocity field as a complicated but formal expression for the drag on the ellipsoid. Kim and Arunachalam did not explore this further and instead opted for the simpler expression for the drag from a direct application of the Faxen law to the quadratic ambient field. Years later, we provide the resolution of the “mystery” of two seemingly different expressions for the hydrodynamic drag on the ellipsoid by proving their equivalence. One interesting consequence is the emergence of rather formidable integrals that are identically zero. Uniqueness theorems and related properties for Stokes flow provide a guarantee that the two expressions for the drag are equivalent, but we also provide a direct proof via the properties of elliptic integrals and thus provide formal closure to the problem of the ellipsoid in a quadratic ambient field.The general ellipsoid immersed in the quadratic ambient velocity field Hijkxjxk with the origin at the ellipsoid center will exhibit an additional Faxen law contribution to the hydrodynamic drag because of the ambient pressure gradient. Here we reexamine the solution of S. Kim and P. Arunachalam [“The general solution for an ellipsoid in low-Reynolds-number flow,” J. Fluid Mech. 178, 535–547 (1987)] for Stokes flow by focusing more carefully on the system of equations and boundary condition on the disturbance velocity field. All of the unknown coefficients (quadrupole moments) in the disturbance velocity were determined by Kim and Arunachalam from a linear system of equations that arise from matching the quadratic terms in the disturbance and ambient fields. Note that when matching the boundary conditions, they interpreted the constant terms in the disturbance velocity field as a complicated b...