cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
16S ribosomal DNA analysis of the faecal lactobacilli composition of human subjects consuming a probiotic strain Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM

Aims: The aims of this study were to evaluate the ability of exogenous Lactobacillus acidophilus strain NCFMto survive through the human gastro-intestinal (GI) tract, and to evaluate the selectivity of Rogosa SL medium for faecal lactobacilli. Methods and Results: The composition of the faecal lactobacilli of 10 healthy subjects was monitored for two weeks prior to, two weeks during and two weeks after the administration of the Lact. acidophilus strain NCFMconsumed with skim milk (daily dose 10 10 viable cells). Fresh faecal samples were collected, processed and cultured on Rogosa SL selective medium for lactobacilli enumeration. Colonies demonstrating various morphologies were identified and purified for 16S ribosomal DNA sequence analysis for speciation of colonial genotype. The species composition of cultivable faecal lactobacilli changed considerably during consumption of the strain NCFM � . Conclusions: The probiotic Lact. acidophilus strain NCFMcan survive through the human GI tract, but cannot colonize itself during the two-week consumption. Rogosa SL medium is selective for faecal lactobacilli. However, genetic analysis is required for colony speciation. Significance and Impact of the Study: It is demonstrated that continuous consumption is necessary to maintain a high population of the probiotic strain, and that the Rogosa SL medium is reliable.
Universal Erasure Entropy Estimation

Erasure entropy rate (introduced recently by Verdu and Weissman) differs from Shannon's entropy rate in that the conditioning occurs with respect to both the past and the future, as opposed to only the past (or the future). In this paper, universal algorithms for estimating erasure entropy rate are proposed based on the basic and extended context-tree weighting (CTW) algorithms. Consistency results are shown for those CTW based algorithms. Simulation results for those algorithms applied to Markov sources, tree sources and English texts are compared to those obtained by fixed-order plug-in estimators with different orders. An estimate of the erasure entropy of English texts based on the proposed algorithms is about 0.22 bits per letter, which can be compared to an estimate of about 1.3 bits per letter for the entropy rate of English texts by a similar CTW based algorithm.
Mask verification on the Connection Machine

Parallel mask verification algorithms have been developed for the Connection Machine, a massively parallel processor with up to 64K processors. A discussion is presented of the design and implementation of algorithms for several essential primitives: generation of completely intersected mask data, mask-to-mask Boolean operations, labeling of connected regions, and identification of width and spacing violations. Performance results from experiments on a 16K-processor machine are presented. Speedups between 40 and 240 over a VAX 11/785 have been measured. >
Correlation and polarization effects in the thermochemical properties of small boron hydrides

Abstract The dissociation energy of B 2 H 6 into 2BH 3 has been calculated as 40 kcal/mole at the 6-311G**/MBPT(3) level, and the dependence of this value on various levels of approximation is exhibited. In B 3 H 7 the 2102 C s isomer is only 3.5 kcal/mole below the 1103ST C 2V model, which is in turn only 4.2 kcal/mole below the B 2 H 5 BH 2 model (2011 C s ) in predicted stability at the 6-31G*/MBPT(3) level. Reaction energies for the formation of B 3 H 9 are also reported. In all of these studies the approximation of additive energies for extension of a Hartree-Fock energy by polarization and by configuration interaction is within ≈5 kcal/mole, and often less, as compared with the exact energy of the mush larger full calculation in which both effets are included.
The Scope of Selection

We have estimated the maximal size for an RNA motif recoverable from selection-amplification for new RNA activities, under conditions that span those in present laboratory use. The number of sequence pieces from which an active site is folded (the modularity) is a crucial variable. Routine laboratory experiments might isolate RNAs of modularity 4 containing ≤33 specified nudeotides. The probability of recovering shorter motifs increases rapidly, but the likely maximal motif size declines 1.66 nudeotides per 10-fold decrease in experimental scale. In such experiments, randomized tracts of 80–120 nucleotides extract most of the benefit of longer initially randomized pools. The same methods also permit extrapolation to conditions more plausible during the initiation of an RNA world. Under these conditions, active RNAs were likely highly modular, even more so than in modern experiments. Strikingly, several lines of evidence converge on the conclusion that 15 to 35-mer active sites would be the working material for an early RNA world. If initiation of an RNA world is synonymous with emergence of active structures from randomized sequences (the Axiom of Origin), populations containing only zeptomoles of RNA (hundreds to hundreds of thousands of molecules) might yield RNAs at the lower end of this size range. This makes the RNA world much more accessible than previously suspected.
The metallic nickel inserted p/sup -//p/sup +/ Si substrate used for RF crosstalk reduction in mixed signal ICs

A novel approach for 3-dimensional substrate impedance engineering of p/sup -//p/sup +/ Si substrate was studied for mixed-signal integrated circuit applications. For enhanced radio frequency (RF) crosstalk isolation, a highly conductive region analogous to a moat was inserted in the substrate between the noise producing and noise sensitive circuits to serve as grounded shields. Electroless plating was used to metallize the macroporous silicon moat etched beforehand within the p/sup -//p/sup +/ substrate to isolate electromagnetic interference and provide "true ground" contacts. The electroless plating was conducted in a concentrated aqueous solution containing Ni/sup 2+/ and NH/sup 4/F. Metallic Ni was rapidly deposited without using a reducing agent or any activation treatment at a slightly elevated temperature. After certain immersion duration, the initially single crystalline Si sidewall of the pores was completely modified by the polycrystalline metallic Ni while the original one-dimensional straight pore structure was still maintained. Thus a highly conductive porous structure was obtained in the substrate and RF crosstalk was reduced to the level limited by that across the air gap between the measurement probes. This technique offers further improvement with regard to RF crosstalk via substrate on the isolation effect achieved by high impedance through-the-wafer porous Si.
Is lidocaine infiltration during femoral sheath removal really necessary

Abstract OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness of intravenous morphine sulfate to intravenous morphine sulfate plus 1 % lidocaine infiltration in pain management associated with femoral sheath removal, and to evaluate pain intensity and associated complications during femoral sheath removal in patients with heart disease receiving interventional treatment. DESIGN: Descriptive, correlational, case-control study. SETTING: Mid-metropolitan, university-affiliated, tertiary care medical center. SAMPLE: Fifty patients with heart disease, who had no known allergies to morphine or lidocaine and who had not had an acute myocardial infarction, admitted to the cardiovascular intervention unit. MEASURES: Vertical visual analogue scale, short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire, and demographic tool for complications. RESULTS: No significant differences in pain intensity, sensation, affect, and total scores were found between the analgesic regimens. Six (12%) patients had vasovagal reactions develop, but no statistical differences were found between pain intensity scores and associated complications. CONCLUSION: Morphine sulfate does appear effective in controlling pain associated with femoral sheath removal. The benefit of lidocaine infiltration during this procedure is questionable.
Delayed Life-Threatening Reaction to Anthrax Vaccine

Background: Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Due to the current world threat of unpredictable biological terrorism, the Department of Defense has mandated the systematic vaccination of all US military personnel against this warfare agent. Many may experience a mild flu-like illness and soreness at the injection site, but systemic reactions are rare. Case Report: We report a delayed and potentially serious life-threatening adverse reaction to anthrax vaccine. A previously healthy 34-year-old male was transported to the emergency department with dyspnea, diaphoresis, pallor, and urticarial wheals on his face, arms, and torso after the administration of the third dose of anthrax vaccine. All symptoms resolved after pharmacological intervention and the patient was discharged. Pharmaco-epidemiological data indicate that 30% of anthrax vaccine recipients experience mild local reactions. With large numbers of military personnel being vaccinated, emergency physicians may encounter more vaccine-related adverse reactions.
Downstream and soaring interfaces and vortices in 2-D stratified wakes and their impact on transport of contaminants

The flow of continuously stratified fluids past obstacles was studied analytically, numerically, and experimentally. The obstacles discussed here include a flat strip, aligned with the flow, inclined or transverse to the flow and a horizontal cylinder. In the flow pattern, transient and attached (lee) internal waves, downstream wakes with submerged interfaces and vortices, soaring singular interfaces, soaring vortices and vortex systems are distinguished. New components of laminar flow past a horizontally towed strip are presented. Fine transverse streaky structures on the strip in the downstream wake were visualized. Soaring isolated interfaces, which are internal boundary layers forming inside the downstream attached wave field past bluff bodies were observed. With increasing of the body velocity a vortex pair was formed directly at the leading edge of this interface.
Determination of hardness from nanoscratch experiments: Corrections for interfacial shear stress and elastic recovery

A frequent application of the nanoscratch technique is to estimate hardness of ultrathin films when substrate effects are encountered with the nanoindentation technique. A model based on the work of Goddard and Wilman, which assumes a rigid-plastic behavior of the deformed surfaces, is commonly used for the determination of hardness from scratch tests, yet it overestimates the hardness of materials by as much as a factor of three at very shallow indentation depths on the order of 1–10 nm. The Goddard and Wilman model was extended in this paper to include the effects of the component of the shear stress tangential to the meridianal plane and the elastic recovery of the plastically deformed surfaces assuming elastic-perfectly-plastic material behavior. The proposed model was subsequently verified by performing nanoscratch experiments on fused quartz, which is homogeneous and isotropic with no known surface layers and with known hardness. The hardness was calculated using both the model based on the work of Goddard and Wilman and the extended model. The hardness calculated using the extended model was in very close agreement with the accepted value of bulk hardness of fused quartz over the range of scratch depths tested, showing the importance of the effects of elastic recovery and interfacial shear stress. The model was further verified for the case of a pure aluminum sample and the native thin film coating of alumina that forms on the surface upon air exposure.
SOME UNUSUAL PARASELLOIDEA (ISOPODA, ASELLOTA) FROM THE DEEP BENTHOS OF THE ATLANTIC

It is nearly a truism that in the deep-sea benthos supraspecific taxa tend to be cosmopolitan. As a result, additional sampling only rarely yields radically new morphological types, even in poorly studied parts of the ocean. As an unusual exception to this rule, two adjacent stations in the equatorial Atlantic, made on "Atlantis II" cruise no. 31, were found to be populated by two species of paraselloid isopods which are quite aberrant in their general body and limb form. The unusual morphologies exhibited by these species clearly require the definition of new genera, Abyssaranea and Thylakogaster, to contain them. These genera have restricted distributions despite the fairly extensive sampling in the Atlantic that has taken place in the past decade. Thylakogaster has appeared in only three different areas, and only once on the extensively sampled Gay HeadBermuda transect (Sanders et al., 1965; Hessler & Sanders, 1967). Abyssaranea at present is known only from the Equatorial Atlantic, and Munella was known prior to this paper, which records it from Bermuda, from the Bay of Biscay and the Mediterranean Sea (Bonnier, 1896; Lo Bianco, 1930). This patchy geographic distribution probably cannot be explained by some unusual geographic isolating factor since the stations listed in this paper yielded other Paraselloidea more com­ mon to the deep-sea fauna. One can only speculate on possible ecological factors that may be affecting the distributions of these genera. Thylakogaster tends to be badly fragmented during collection so that there may have been potential past records which were not reported due to the unrecognizable condition of the maiterial. It is probable that more careful sampling in other areas will bring to light more populations and species of the genera described herein, though they might not prove to be cosmopolitan as are many deep-sea isopod genera. These species do belong to a confusing cluster grouped within the families Munnidae and Dendrotionidae. Our inability to satisfactoril y include the genera of this paper in any of these families, as presently defined, documents the great need for a general revision. However, such an effort is beyond the scope of the present study and will be attempted in a future paper. Methods for collection and for preparing the taxonomic descriptions can be
Polymerization of Ureidopyrimidinone-Functionalized Olefins by Using Late-Transition Metal Ziegler-Natta Catalysts: Synthesis of Thermoplastic Elastomeric Polyolefins.

Mimicking nature: The central mechanisms of living organisms depend on the formation of specific hydrogen bonds. Advances in the areas of catalysis and supramolecular chemistry have been applied here for the synthesis of a novel class of elastomeric polyolefins with properties dependent upon strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding.
Fidgeting to the point of no return

Summary form only given. In previous work, we introduced the alternative pasts algorithm that delays the assignment of values to variables until their usage. Whenever a variable is used, the algorithm chooses one of its past values that is consistent with some possible execution. The alternative pasts algorithm can be seen as belonging to a class of algorithms that shadow the execution and choose at any point to modify the values of some of the variables. We build on this work and extend it in two directions. First we show a more powerful shadowing algorithm that can delay not only writes but also reads and other kinds of instructions, at most until a relevant control decision is taken, which is the longest possible delay for algorithms of this class. We prove that this algorithm inherits the ability of the alternative pasts algorithm to generate significantly different interleavings, which are guaranteed to execute differently. In addition, we show a new use for the two algorithms, namely alternative replay. Unlike regular replay, where the execution of the program is reproduced, alternative replay is an execution that did not happen before but could have happened. For example, if a bug did not materialize, alternative replay can be used to show the user alternative execution in which the impact of the bug can be observed.
The Impact of High School Leadership on Subsequent Educational Attainment

Objectives: Universities increasingly emphasize the importance of leadership skills, but budget shortfalls in public high schools threaten the availability of leadership opportunities for many youths. Few studies, however, have examined the impact of high school leadership experience on key economic outcomes. This study narrows this gap by estimating the causal impact of leadership in high school on educational attainment measured several years later. Methods: The paper uses data from the National Education Longitudinal Study. To address selection bias, the effect of high school leadership is estimated using ordinary least squares, propensity score matching and instrumental variables models. Results: Every estimation method and model specification examined implies that high school leadership has a large, positive impact on post-secondary educational attainment. Conclusions: This paper indicates the impact of high school leadership is, at a minimum, non-trivial. This result implies decisions regarding financial cutbacks for extracurricular activities should not be taken lightly.
Emerging links between surface nanotechnology and endocytosis: impact on nonviral gene delivery

Significant effort continues to be exerted toward the improvement of transfection mediated by nonviral vectors. These endeavors are often focused on the design of particulate carriers with properties that encourage efficient accumulation at the membrane surface, particle uptake, and endosomal escape. Despite its demonstrated importance in successful nonviral transfection, relatively little investigation has been done to understand the pressures driving internalized vectors into favorable nondegradative endocytic pathways. Improvements in transfection efficiency have been noted for complexes delivered with a substrate-mediated approach, but the reasons behind such enhancements remain unclear. The phenotypic changes exhibited by cells interacting with nano- and micro-featured substrates offer hints that may explain these effects. This review describes nanoscale particulate and substrate parameters that influence both the uptake of nonviral gene carriers and the endocytic phenotype of interacting cells, and explores the molecular links that may mediate these interactions. Substrate-mediated control of endocytosis represents an exciting new design parameter that will guide the creation of efficient transgene carriers.
Diversity and Community Structure of Littoral Zone Macroinvertebrates in Southern Illinois Reclaimed Surface Mine Lakes

Abstract Surface mine lakes are common in parts of the Midwest, but little is known about the communities that inhabit them or the factors shaping them. Our objectives were to: (1) characterize littoral zone macroinvertebrate communities in surface mine lakes; (2) identify factors that influence macroinvertebrate diversity and community structure; and (3) examine the utility of some commonly used bioassessment metrics to assess habitat quality based on macroinvertebrates. Fourteen lakes on a 1133 ha parcel in southern Illinois were sampled in spring 2003 using a dip net that was swept over two (small lakes) or three (large lakes) littoral zone transects. Three hundred macroinvertebrates were randomly removed from each sample and identified. Stepwise multiple regressions were used to examine relationships between several physicochemical and biological variables and macroinvertebrates. Oligochaetes were typically the most abundant taxon, followed by Hyalella, Chironomidae, Physella and Caenis. Seventy perce...
The zinc finger protein REF-2 functions with the Hox genes to inhibit cell fusion in the ventral epidermis of C. elegans.

During larval development in C. elegans, some of the cells of the ventral epidermis, the Pn.p cells, fuse with the growing epidermal syncytium hyp7. The pattern of these cell fusions is regulated in a complex, sexually dimorphic manner. It is essential that some Pn.p cells remain unfused in order for some sex-specific mating structures to be generated. The pattern of Pn.p cell fusion is regulated combinatorially by two genes of the C. elegans Hox gene cluster: lin-39 and mab-5. Some of the complexity in the Pn.p cell fusion pattern arises because these two Hox proteins can regulate each other's activities. We describe a zinc-finger transcription factor, REF-2, that is required for the Pn.p cells to be generated and to remain unfused. REF-2 functions with the Hox proteins to prevent Pn.p cell fusion. ref-2 may also be a transcriptional target of the Hox proteins.
The effects of prior exercise on myocardial glycogenesis during a fast.

SummaryThe enhanced myocardial glycogenesis observed in trained rats can no longer be attributed to the training process but appears to be due merely to the last bout of exercise in the training program.The pattern of changes in cardiac glycogen during and following exercise involves more than simply depletion and recovery. It involves an additional period of relatively long duration during which the glycogen is significantly greater than control levels.
Differences in Use of Glucose Rate of Change (ROC) Arrows to Adjust Insulin Therapy Among Individuals With Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Who Use Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)

Objective:To understand differences between individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) in utilization of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data to adjust insulin therapy, either continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) or multiple daily insulin injections (MDI).Methods:We surveyed 300 individuals who regularly used real-time CGM, using 70 questions to obtain information about general CGM use and response to glucose rate of change (ROC) arrows.Results:The survey was completed by 222 T1D and 78 T2D respondents treated with intensive insulin therapy. T1D respondents included CSII (n = 166) and MDI (n = 56) users. T2D respondents were more balanced: 34 (44%) versus 44 (56%), respectively. A larger percentage of T1D then T2D respondents reported a constant use of CGM (85% vs 61%, P 3 mg/dL/min; 2 arrows up): +140% versus +136%, P = .4534. Howev...
Studies on the serotypes,thermostable direct hemolysin and drug resistance of Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Objective To analyze the serotypes,thermostable direct hemolysin and drug resistance of Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolated in Jianggan. Methods Serotypes of Vibrio parahaemolyticus were determined by serum agglutination test.Real-time PCR was used for the detection of thermostable direct hemolysin,and drug resistance test for 11 antibiotics was performed by disc diffusion method.Chi-square test was applied for data statistical analysis. Results Serotype 03 and 04were found to be dominant among strains isolated from samples of food poisoning and gastrointestinal outpatient,while there was no dominant serotype found in aquatic products.The detection rates of thermostable direct hemolysin from samples of food poisoning and other gastrointestinal outpatient were all over 90% without statistical difference(χ2=0.03,ν=1,P=0.86).No thermostable direct hemolysin was detected in bacteria strains isolated from aquatic products.62 strains were 100%sensitive to chloramphenicol,tetracycline and SMZ-TMP. Conclusions Serotypes and thermostable direct hemolysin are different among Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains isolated from food poisoning,other gastrointestinal outpatients and aquatic products.Ideal antibiotics for treatment of vibrio parahaemolyticus are chloramphenicol,tetracycline and SMZ-TMP.
A estrutura do conhecimento nas universidades ocidentalizadas: racismo/sexismo epistêmico e os quatro genocídios/epistemicídios do longo século XVI

This article discusses the epistemic structures of the modern world in relation to four genocides/epistemicides of the long 16th century (1450-1650). It argues that the epistemic privilege of Western Man was build upon the genocide/epistemicide against colonial subjects. The article relates the racist/sexist epistemic structure of Westernized Universities and the modern world to the genocide/epistemicide against Muslims and Jews in the conquest of Al-Andalus, against indigenous peoples in the conquest of the Americas, against African people in the conquest of Africa and their enslavement in the Americas and against European women burned alive accused of being witches. These four genocide/epistemicides are foundational to modern/colonial epistemic structures and to Westernized Universities. The main thesis of the article is that the condition of possibility of the 1640s cartesian idolatric God-eye view of the "I think, therefore I exist" is the "I exterminate, therefore I exist".
Vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation: basic investigations and new therapeutic approaches.

Our investigations are based upon the hypothesis that synthesis and release of numerous mitogens allow interaction with a correspondingly large set of specific receptors to initiate a variety of secondary messages which eventually lead to SMC proliferation and migration (34-41). Unifornately, the experimental tools available for studying these critical biologic systems under in vivo conditions are quite limited
Complete Genome Sequences of Four Strains from the 2015-2016 Elizabethkingia anophelis Outbreak.

ABSTRACT The complete circularized genome sequences of selected specimens from the largest known Elizabethkingia anophelis outbreak to date are described here. Genomic rearrangements observed among the outbreak strains are discussed.
Development of proxy relationships: a case study of the Lebanese Civil War

AbstractProxy warfare is a consistent element in international warfare. However, it is unclear why proxy relationships form in cases where states have multiple options of groups to support. Existing research identifies the presence of transnational constituencies, shared interstate rivalries, and moderate relative strength of militant groups as highly influential on the development of a proxy relationship. This study examines the presence of these variables within the context of the Lebanese Civil War. The results of this demonstrate that each state places greater importance on some variables and ignores others when choosing a proxy. Additionally, this study further demonstrates the presence of new variables that are key to the development of proxy relationships.
Sexual Consent Capacity Among Older Adults in Long Term Care: An Approach to Assessment

Long-term care providers often face the challenging task of balancing an older resident’s rights to autonomy and privacy regarding participation in sexual activity with their duty to protect all residents. When an older adult has some degree of cognitive impairment, the assessment of sexual consent capacity becomes even more challenging. In response, a comprehensive, objective, and interdisciplinary approach to assessment, that includes knowledge, reasoning, and voluntariness, is recommended. An understanding of individual state’s case laws is also important. Some unique aspects of sexual consent capacity, aside from medical and financial consent capacity, are also identified.
A comparison of breast lesion imaging capability of a whole-body PET camera and a brain/breast PET camera

PET scanners have been used for the diagnosis, staging, and management of a variety of malignancies, including breast cancer. However, despite the powerful molecular imaging nature of PET, the resolution and sensitivity of current PET cameras practically limit the detection of breast lesions to relatively large lesion (≫7 mm) and high tracer uptakes. Improvements in spatial resolution and sensitivity of PET cameras are essential for early detection of small breast lesions (≪5 mm) which is critical to the early detection and successful treatment of breast cancer. Recently, we have completed the construction of a high-resolution and high-sensitivity PET camera (HOTPET). HOTPET has spatial resolution of better than 3 mm and can operate in the whole-body mode or breast/brain mode. In the whole-body mode HOTPET has transverse field-of-view (FOV) of 60 cm and axial FOV of 13 cm. In the breast/brain mode it has transverse FOV of 39 cm and axial FOV of 21 cm. We have performed a detailed phantom study of the breast lesion detection capability of HOTPET in both modes using a breast phantom with lesion insert. The breast phantom was attached to a torso phantom with lung, liver, spine and cardiac inserts. We scanned 2 small lesions with diameter of 4.95 and 7.86 mm for several lesion activity contrasts. The standard uptake value (SUV) of lesion was in range of 1 to 10. The SUV of the breast, torso and heart were 0.8, 1, and 4, respectively. Visual inspection of the images showed that the small 4.95-mm lesion with SUV of 2.5 or higher was observable in HOTPET breast mode data and with SUV of 5.5 or higher in the whole-body mode data. The 7.86 mm lesion was observable with SUV of 1.75 in breast mode and SUV of 2.5 in whole-body mode.
Pharmacological management of anticancer agent extravasation: A single institutional guideline

Although the risk of extravasation of a chemotherapy (anticancer) medication is low, the complications associated with these events can have a significant impact on morbidity and health care costs. Institutions that administer anticancer agents should ideally have a current guideline on the proper management of the inadvertent administration of these toxic medications into tissues surrounding blood vessels. It is imperative that the health care team involved in administering drugs used to treat cancer be educated on the risk factors, preventative strategies and treatment of anticancer extravasations, as well as practice safe and proper administration techniques. Anticancer agents are generally divided into classes based on their ability to cause tissue damage. The review of current published guidelines and available literature reveals a lack of consensus on how these medications should be classified. In addition, many recently approved drugs for the treatment of cancer may lack data to support their classification and management of extravasation events. The treatment of the majority of extravasations of anticancer agents involves nonpharmacological measures, potentially in the ambulatory care setting. Antidotes are available for the extravasation of a minority of vesicant agents in order to mitigate tissue damage. Due to the limited data and lack of consensus in published guidelines, a working group was established to put forth an institutional guideline on the management of anticancer extravasations.
Creatine Supplementation and Doxorubicin-Induced Skeletal Muscle Dysfunction: An Ex Vivo Investigation

Supplementing the diet with creatine (Cr) to manage chemotherapy-induced skeletal muscle weakness and fatigue has potential, but little has been done exploring it as an intervention. This study examined the effects of Cr on skeletal muscle dysfunction induced by the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin (Dox). Soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) from male Sprague-Dawley rats maintained in an organ bath were incubated in Krebs-Henseleit (KH) buffer with or without creatine monohydrate (25 mM) for 30 min. Skeletal muscle was then incubated in KH buffer with or without Dox (24 μM) for an additional 30 min. Baths were then refreshed with KH buffer, and a 100-s fatigue protocol was administered. At baseline (0 s time point), no significant differences in force production were observed in the slow, type I soleus, but the Dox-treated soleus fatigued quicker than the non-Dox-treated soleus; however, pretreatment with Cr extended the time to fatigue in the Dox-treated soleus. In the fast, type II EDL, Dox treatment decreased force production at baseline and increased fatigue, and Cr treatment prior to Dox attenuated this dysfunction. Creatine pretreatment mitigated Dox-induced skeletal muscle dysfunction ex vivo suggesting that Cr may play a role in managing Dox-induced skeletal muscle side effects.
Theory to predict particle migration and margination in the pressure-driven channel flow of blood

A coarse-grained theory quickly and accurately estimates the cross-flow transport of red blood cells and platelets in pressure-driven channel flow. The deformability-induced cell migration and shear-induced diffusion are the keys to understanding blood suspensions at low Reynolds number.
A finite deformation, finite strain nonclassical internal polar continuum theory for solids

ABSTRACTA nonclassical internal polar continuum theory for finite deformation and finite strain for isotropic, homogeneous compressible and incompressible solids is presented in this paper. Since t...
Long-term Effectiveness of Trabectome (Ab-interno Trabeculectomy) Surgery.

Aim To evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of ab-interno trabeculectomy with trabectome for the treatment of glaucoma. Materials and methods Data collected for 339 eyes which included demographics, intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements using Goldmann applanation tonometry, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), visual field results, optic nerve status, gonioscopic findings, prior glaucoma procedures, number of glaucoma medications and pain level. The main data points of interest were preoperative IOP vs. postoperative IOP and BCVA, medication use, pain status, and complications. Results Of the 339 eyes that underwent trabectome, we found a statistically significant reduction in IOP (p < 0.01) at final follow-up (average = 18.35 months) of nearly 23%, with a complication rate of 5.86%. Furthermore, this reduction was maintained up to 8 years post procedure. LogMAR visual acuity was significantly improved in 69% of eyes at the final visit (p < 0.05), while only 1.77% of cases saw a significant reduction. Based on these findings, we determined a success rate of around 80% to 100 months following trabectome. Conclusion Trabectome is a safe and effective long term for most forms and severities of glaucoma. How to cite this article Bendel RE, Patterson MT. Long-term Effectiveness of Trabectome (Ab-interno Trabeculectomy) Surgery. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2018;12(3):119-124.
To explore or race? Examining endurance athletes’ destination event choices:

Destinations often seek to attract big sporting events with the assumption these event participants will engage in additional tourism opportunities. Potential destination attributes were explored w...
Carfilzomib-Associated Cardiovascular Adverse Events: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Importance Cardiovascular adverse events (CVAE) with carfilzomib in patients with multiple myeloma can be potentially life-threatening and remain incompletely characterized. We performed the first systematic review and meta-analysis of carfilzomib-associated CVAE. Objective To determine the incidence of carfilzomib-associated CVAE and to compare the rates of carfilzomib CVAE among different doses and companion therapies. Data Sources PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and clinicaltrials.gov were queried for the keywords “carfilzomib,” “Kyprolis,” and “PX-171” through January 1, 2017. Study Selection Phase 1 to 3 prospective clinical trials of carfilzomib in patients with multiple myeloma with evaluable toxic effects data were eligible for meta-analysis. Data Extraction and Synthesis Data were independently extracted by 2 reviewers following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Pooled incidence rates and relative risks (for randomized trials) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using a random effects model. Subgroup analyses were performed to assess study-level characteristics associated with CVAE. Main Outcomes and Measures Cardiovascular adverse events were defined as heart failure, hypertension, ischemia, and arrhythmia. All-grade and grades 3 or higher AEs and study characteristics were recorded. Results A total of 514 studies were assessed for eligibility. Of those, 24 studies were eligible, including a total of 2594 patients with multiple myeloma. All-grade and grades 3 and higher CVAE were seen in 617 (18.1%) and 274 (8.2%), respectively. Phase 2 or 3 studies and carfilzomib doses of 45 mg/m2or higher were associated with high-grade CVAE. Median age older than 65 years, prior myeloma therapies, and concurrent myeloma therapies were not associated with CVAE. For the 3 randomized clinical trials, the summary relative risk of all-grade and grade 3 or higher CVAE for patients receiving carfilzomib compared with noncarfilzomib-receiving control patients were 1.8 and 2.2, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance Carfilzomib was associated with a significant incidence of CVAE, with higher rates seen with higher doses of carfilzomib. Phase 1 studies may be underdetecting CVAE. Future studies are needed to identify patients at high risk for CVAE, develop optimal monitoring strategies, and explore strategies to mitigate these risks.
College Students’ Intent to Intervene when a Peer is Engaging in Nonmedical Use of Prescription Stimulants: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior

Background: This study examined college students’ communication surrounding nonmedical use of prescription stimulants (NPS). Objective: Using a hypothetical scenario, the researchers employed the T...
The Meanings and Historical Background of Central Bank Independence

Early central banks were established to serve governments, although the relations between the two bodies have always been politically sensitive. An English national bank was opposed by those who feared the concentration of financial power and/or circumvention of Parliament's control of the purse, but the Bank of England was adopted in 1694 as necessary to war finance. Legal limits on the government's power over the Bank were ineffective until the coming of peace after 1815. The freedom from government finance that was given to the Bank of England in 1832, when it was no longer needed, resembled the central bank freedoms from government policies in recent years. The adoption and end of the second Bank of the U.S. also corresponded with the rise and fall of government financial requirements. Struggles over central bank independence have been common, although the solutions of the 1830s and 1980s stand out. It seems that the actions of central banks have less to do with their structures than government needs.
Management of giant embryonic vein in Klippel-Trénaunay syndrome

Abstract Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome is a rare mixed malformation characterized by congenital varicose veins, low-flow venous and lymphatic malformations, hypertrophy of soft tissue and bone, and capillary malformations. A 35-year-old man with a diagnosis of Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome presented to the clinic with significant pain and swelling in the left leg. Initial conservative management with compression therapy failed. He was then managed surgically with preoperative placement of an inferior vena cava filter (because of a history of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism), followed by resection of the lateral embryonic vein, ligation of large perforators, and excision of smaller varicosities. He is doing well at 18 months of follow-up.
El concepto de sujeto en Hegel y Deleuze

A pesar de los diferentes intentos, tanto de Hegel como de G. Deleuze, por separar la categoria de sujeto consideramos que ambas nociones guardan una estrecha relacion, en cuanto a su dinamismo estructural y su contenido reflexivamente dialectico. En las siguientes paginas intentara mostrar que tanto Deleuze como Hegel proceden de postulados muy diferentes sobre la naturaleza del pensamiento y la conceptualizacion, sin embargo, los dos modelos de subjetividad son a la vez autotrascendentes y descentrados, para esto se analizaran las diferencias y relaciones que tienen dichos autores en la concepcion de sujeto.
The effect varied scanning electron microscopy desiccation techniques has on demineralized dentin.

The study objective was to assess (a) the effect of a rubbing-application of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or citric acid (CA) has on the ultrastructure of surface dentin and (b) the effect of two scanning electron microscopy (SEM) desiccation preparation techniques have on the collagen surface produced. Treatment regions on proximal root surfaces of extracted human teeth were root planned to expose dentin. Cotton pellets soaked in either 30% CA or 24% EDTA solution were rubbed on the treatment region then processed for SEM using one of two desiccation techniques, that is, (a) critically point dried from liquid CO2 (control) or (b) air-dried from tetramethylsilane (experimental). Specimens were coated with gold/palladium and viewed/photographed with an SEM. Specimens of the control groups displayed tufted fibrils (CA > EDTA) with many dentin tubules being partially obscured by overhanging fibrils. Air-dried specimens of both treatment groups displayed a flat intact monolayer devoid of a matted meshwork of fibrous collagen. Discrete fibril "sprigs," emanating from the surface monolayer, were characteristic of the EDTA group only. The rubbing-application of EDTA on dentin produces a tufted fibril surface somewhat similar to that produced by CA. Air-drying desiccation of both resulted in marked distortion with fibril collapse/coalescence of the tufted collagen matrix.
Sibship, physical activity, and sedentary behavior: a longitudinal, observational study among Mexican-heritage sibling dyads

Shared genetic and environmental factors suggest that family relationships are important predictors of obesity-related behaviors, yet little is known about how siblings influence physical activity and sedentary behaviors. This study examined physical activity and sedentary behavior between sibling dyads across summer and fall time points and determined if birth order and gender modify the relationship between sibling behaviors. Mexican-heritage families residing in colonias along the United States-Mexico border were recruited using promotoras de salud to participate in summer and school year surveys. Eighty-seven sibling dyads had complete data for the physical activity sub-study: 21 older brother-younger brother, 21 older brother-younger sister, 23 older sister-younger brother, and 22 older sister-younger sister dyads. Physical activity and sedentary behavior were measured using a validated 7-day recall instrument to create summary measures of weekly active, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) metabolic equivalents (MET), sitting, and screen time minutes. We used linear regression analyses to examine changes over time and the association between older and younger sibling behavior. During summer, older siblings (mean age = 11.2 years) reported 1069 active minutes and 1244 sitting minutes per week; younger siblings (mean age = 8.3 years) reported 1201 active minutes and 1368 sitting minutes per week. Younger brothers reported fewer active minutes (mean = − 459.6; p = 0.01) and fewer MVPA MET-minutes (mean = − 2261.7; p = 0.02) of physical activity during the fall. Within all 87 dyads, older sibling physical activity was significantly associated with younger sibling active minutes (B = 0.45;p = 0.004) and MET-minutes (B = 0.45;p = 0.003) during summer but not fall; older sibling sedentary behavior was significantly associated with younger sibling sitting (B = 0.23;p = 0.01) and screen time minutes (B = 0.23;p = 0.004) during fall but not summer. After stratifying by gender dyad groups, younger brother behavior was strongly associated with older brother behavior at both time points. Younger siblings appear to emulate the physical activity behaviors of their older siblings during non-school summer months and sedentary behaviors of older siblings during school-time fall months, especially older brother-younger brother dyads. Family-based interventions to increase physical activity and decrease sedentary behavior are growing in popularity, but more work is needed to understand the role of sibling influences.
Construction of a Slide Rule with Compass and Straightedge.

1. Use two strips of cardboard, each 1 X 10 inches. 2. Locate a starting point near the left end of one strip. Mark off 20 equidis tant points along the edge of the strip. 3. Label the first point, P, as "1," the fourth point as "2," the seventh point as "4," the eighth point as "5," the tenth point as "8," and the eleventh point as "1." See figure 1. 4. Find the midpoints between the ninth and tenth points and between the tenth and eleventh points. Label these mid points "7" and "9," respectively. 5. Bisect the distance between 1 and 9; label the midpoint "3." 6. Set the compass for the distance from 1 to 3. Strike an arc with the point of the compass on 2. Label the arc point as "6." See figure 2. 7. Extend the scale into the second half by repeating the steps above. See figure 3. 8. Next, copy the scale onto the second strip of cardboard, as shown in figure 4.
Ascribing practical knowledge

Stanley and Williamson (J Philos 98(8):411–444, 2001) (hereafter S&W) argue for intellectualism—the thesis that knowing how is a type of knowing that—in part by defending a thesis about the semantics of English ascriptions of knowing how. But ascriptions of practical knowledge seem to exhibit significant crosslinguistic variation. This observation has been invoked to argue that S&W’s analysis reflects a quirk of English rather than a general feature of the concept of knowledge. I argue that the type of argument employed by both S&W and their critics presupposes that the categories of denotational semantics correspond to those of the theory of mental content. But the relation between the semantic theory and the theory of content is more complex than this. Specifically, a closer look at ascriptions of practical knowledge and other obligatory control constructions in various languages shows (i) that semantic theory needs distinctions that are redundant from the perspective of the theory of content, and (ii) that important distinctions in the theory of content may fail to correspond to any distinctions in semantic theory. It follows that we may not be able to read off as much about mental states as S&W and their critics try to from the structure of their ascriptions.
Comparing non-destructive 3D X-ray computed tomography with destructive optical microscopy for microstructural characterization of fiber reinforced composites

Abstract Due to their lightweight, relatively high stiffness properties, and formability into complex shapes, discontinuous fiber composites are advantageous for producing small and medium size components. Improved characterization techniques and post-processing methodologies are required for more reliable quantification of the microstructure and defect distributions in these materials, in order to employ model-based approaches to assess their structural integrity. This work compares a non-destructive X-ray approach with a destructive optical microscopy approach for characterizing the microstructural attributes, specifically the fiber volume fraction, porosity volume fraction, fiber orientation distribution, and fiber length distribution of discontinuous glass fibers in a polypropylene matrix. Additionally, a method for destructively determining the ambiguous components of the orientation tensor (related to the sign ambiguity of the out-of-plane angle in a destructive cross-sectional cut of a fiber) over a large surface area is included. It was found that fiber volume fraction and average fiber aspect ratio matched well, while fiber orientation and porosity detection had small but notable differences. The differences in the detection capabilities of each technique are quantified and discussed shedding light on the specific advantages and disadvantages of each approach, and enabling engineers to quantify uncertainty in their microstructural characterization measurements especially as they relate to model based structural integrity activities.
Exploring mod 2 n-queens games

We introduce a two player game on an n × n chessboard where queens are placed by alternating turns on a chessboard square whose availability is determined by the number of queens already on the board which can attack that square modulo two. The game is explored along with some variations and its complexity.