cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Re-engineering shared decision-making

Shared decision-making is widely accepted as the gold standard of clinical care. Numerous obstacles to achieving shared decision-making have been identified, including patient factors, physician factors and systemic factors. Until now, the paradigm is seldom successfully implemented in clinical practice, raising questions about the practicality of the process recommended for its use. A re-engineered model is proposed in which physicians elicit and prioritise patients' goals of care and then help translate those goals into treatment options, after clarifying the patient's underlying health status. Preliminary evidence suggests that each step of this revised process is feasible and that patients and physicians are comfortable with this strategy. Adoption of this model, after further testing, would allow the goal of shared decision-making to be realised.
Simple prenylated hydroquinone derivatives from the marine urochordate aplidium californicum. Natural anticancer and antimutagenic agents.

Abstract The structures and syntheses of prenylhydroquinone ( 1 ), 6-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylchromeme ( 2 ), and prenylquinone ( 3 ), which are natural products isolated from the marine colonial tunicate Aplidium californicum , are described. Prenylhydroquinone shows in vivo activity against P388 lymphocytic leukemia (T/C=138). Both 1 and 2 significantly inhibit the mutagenic effects of benzo(a)pyrene, aflatoxin B1 and ultraviolet light on Salmonella typhimurium , and may be cancer protective agents.
The Expanding Role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Inhibitors in Ophthalmology

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role in both physiologic and pathologic angiogenesis and contributes to increased permeability across both the blood-retinal and blood-brain barriers. After 2 decades of extensive research into the VEGF families and receptors, specific molecules have been targeted for drug development, and several medications have received US Food and Drug Administration approval. Bevacizumab, a full-length antibody against VEGF approved for the intravenous treatment of advanced carcinomas, has been used extensively in ophthalmology for exudative age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusions, retinopathy of prematurity, and other chorioretinal vascular disorders. Pegaptanib and ranibizumab have been developed specifically for intraocular use, whereas the soon-to-be-introduced aflibercept (VEGF Trap-Eye) is moving through clinical trials for both intraocular and systemic use. Although these drugs exhibit excellent safety profiles, ocular and systemic complications, particularly thromboembolic events, remain a concern in patients receiving therapy. Patients experiencing adverse events that may be related to VEGF suppression should be carefully evaluated by both the ophthalmologist and the medical physician to reassess the need for intraocular therapy and explore the feasibility of changing medications. For this review a search of PubMed from January 1, 1985 through April 15, 2011, was performed using the following terms (or combination of terms): vascular endothelial growth factors, VEGF, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retina vein occlusions, retinopathy of prematurity, intravitreal injections, bevacizumab, ranibizumab, and VEGF Trap. Studies were limited to those published in English. Other articles were identified from bibliographies of retrieved articles and archives of the author.
A General Framework for Constructing Control Charts

A general framework for the construction of control charts is presented. The method is based on using the density of the sample subgroup statistic as a measure of how unusual newly observed subgroups are. This methodology includes, as special cases, many common control chart techniques. The method is also easily applied to multivariate and multimodal situations. A non-parametric control chart is implemented by estimating the density of the sample subgroup statistic using a kernel estimator of the bootstrap distribution of the observed subgroup statistics. Several examples of the method are presented in the parametric and non-parametric situations. The potential performance of the non-parametric version of the method is demonstrated through an empirical study of average run length properties. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel Three Dimensional Human Endocervix Cultures Respond to 28-Day Hormone Treatment

The endocervix has both anatomical and biological functions that participate in the delicate balance between tolerance necessary for conception and protection from pathogens. Our goal was to develop a robust 3-dimensional (3D) endocervix model that was a reliable representation of the in vivo tissues and to identify the physiological responses to changing levels of steroid hormones during a 28-day time period. Human endocervical cells were grown on polystyrene scaffolds, and the morphologic and hormonal responses of cultured cells were assessed in response to fluctuating levels of estradiol (E2) or progesterone (P4). Morphologically, the 3D cultures were composed of a mixed population of cells, including epithelial and stromal cells. Treatment with E2 and P4 (d 28) increased cell growth and proliferation as compared with no treatment control. Cells expressed estrogen receptor and P4 receptor and produced both neutral and acidic mucins, including Mucin 16. In addition, a 45-plex Luminex assay identified nu...
On the probability of error of antenna-subset selection with space-time block codes

Orthogonal space-time block codes (OSTBCs) can obtain full diversity advantage with a simple, but optimal, receiver. Unfortunately, OSTBCs lack in array gain compared with beamforming techniques and suffer a rate loss for more than two transmit antennas. One simple method for improving the array gain and adapting OSTBCs to any number of transmit antennas is antenna-subset selection, where the OSTBC is transmitted on a subset of the transmit antennas. In this letter, we analyze the symbol-error rate performance of antenna-subset selection combined with OSTBCs.
Compound narcolepsy: development of biochemical imbalance.

In a review of existing literature, compound narcolepsy is shown to involve not only problems of sleep regulation, but also autonomic, hormonal, emotional, and possibly motor and cognitive dysfunctions, strongly implicating the hypothalamus, limbic system, and possibly the striatum and cortex in the disorder. Neurochemical studies and the pattern of narcoleptic symptoms support the idea of a dynamic imbalance between dopamine and acetylcholine in the etiology of the disorder. What is known about the natural history of compound narcolepsy suggests a developmental course beginning with fluctuations in dopamine release, followed by supersensitivity of dopamine autoreceptors, and later followed by a pattern of intrinsic oscillations and reciprocal “overshoots” in release of dopamine and acetylcholine to account for the typical sequence of appearance of narcoleptic symptoms.
The Action of Thiouracil upon the Thyroid Gland in Graves' Disease1

THE demonstration by the Mackenzies (1) and by Astwood and his collaborators (2, 3) that thiourea and related compounds affect the thyroid gland in a striking and peculiar manner placed in the hands of thyroidologists both a new tool for studying thyroid physiology and a therapeutic agent of interesting potentialities. Prior to the reports of the investigators just mentioned, our interest in goitrogenous agents had been aroused by the finding of patients made goiterous by the use of thiocyanate for the treatment of hypertension (4). When the thioureas appeared on the scene, therefore, we decided at once to obtain personal experience in the use of such an agent in cases of Graves' disease. We selected thiouracil, the member of this group advocated by Astwood (5) as most suitable for this purpose. Three questions particularly interested us. First, what is the action of thiouracil upon the thyroid gland in Graves' disease? Second, what is its value as a preparation for thyroidectomy in Graves' disease? And t...
The Systems Research Laboratory's Air Defense Experiments

The “off-the-top” findings of the air-defense experiments conducted in RAND's Systems Research Laboratory between 1952 and 1954 were the training principles that are the basis of the system training program being implemented by the System Development Corporation. There are, however, other theoretical and methodological implications. The desired performance of complex systems can be realized only through designing and managing them for operational flexibility. This can be done by harnessing the learning ability of men in organizations. Conditions for encouraging men to adapt system's resources to most efficient use follow from the organism analogy---a key notion for explaining the behavior of the four crews studied. In addition, the simulation techniques developed in the course of the research provide a means for continued “head-on” attacks on a crucial problem of the present day---that of better understanding the adaptation process in organizations, so that it can be used and controlled. The paper is in the form of a report of a scientific search. The story of experimental mistakes, modifications in method, and successive insights is presented to convey the essence of an ambitious investigation at the frontier of knowledge where the terrain is not well-mapped and the research tools are being developed as needed.
Ten-year experience using a plastic, disposable curette for the diagnosis of primary ciliary dyskinesia.

Background Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) results in impaired mucociliary clearance. Patients with this disorder develop chronic sinopulmonary disease with recurrent sinusitis, otitis media, nasal polyposis, pneumonia, and, ultimately, bronchiectasis. Other associated findings of dysfunctional ciliary activity include situs inversus, dextrocardia, and infertility. Objective To describe our 10-year experience using a small, plastic, disposable curette to perform a screening procedure for cilia function and to collect samples for electron microscopy. Methods In the past 10 years, we screened infants and children with severe chronic sinusitis and other chronic recurrent upper respiratory tract problems for PCD by using a plastic, disposable curette to collect tissue samples from the nasal mucosa. Samples were placed in sterile saline and examined under light microscopy for the presence of cilia. Failure to note ciliary movement prompted another examination 1 month later. If no functional cilia were noted at the followup examination, a specimen was obtained and sent for electron microscopy. Results We identified 7 patients with PCD; 2 had situs inversus totalis. Average age at diagnosis was 3 years. The most common symptom at presentation was frequent upper respiratory tract infections with severe otitis media (7 patients) and sinusitis (5 patients). Recurrent pneumonia was present in 6 patients. Dynein arm deficiency was the most common electron microscopic diagnosis. Conclusions Evaluating children for PCD by using a plastic, disposable curette is a relatively simple procedure that could be used by allergists in practice. Primary ciliary dyskinesia occurs frequently enough that physicians should consider it as part of the differential diagnosis in evaluating children with recurrent, severe sinopulmonary infections.
Local Media, Public Opinion, and State Legislative Policies Agenda Setting at the State Level

This study aims to explore first-level agenda setting at the state level. In particular, it examines the relationships among media coverage of local newspapers, state-level public opinion, and stat...
Assessing Explanations for Sex Differences in Emotional Support A Test of the Different Cultures and Skill Specialization Accounts

Research documents sex differences in interpersonal behaviors, such as comforting and emotional support, with women consistently being more likely than men to engage in comforting behavior, to produce sophisticated comforting messages, to value comforting skills, and to select friends based on comforting skills. Explanations for these gender differences include the “different cultures account” and the “skill specialization account.” This research was designed to test these explanations by assessing contrasting predictions derived from each account. Participants completed questionnaires assessing the types of comforting messages perceived as most sensitive and effective, preferences for the sex of comfort providers, and priorities assigned to affective and instrumental goals in comforting contexts. The results indicated that men and women evaluated comforting messages similarly, preferred receiving emotional support from female providers, and had similar priorities in comforting contexts. These results are most consistent with the skill specialization account and provide virtually no support for the different cultures account.
MR of Cranial and Spinal Meningeal Carcinomatosis: Comparison with CT and Myelography

Thirty-nine patients with histologically proved primary neoplasms, focal neurologic deficits, and positive CSF cytology were evaluated by enhanced cranial CT and MR, or complete myelography and MR of the spine. Intracranial abnormalities were noted on CT in 56% of cases and included abnormal enhancement of subarachnoid space and ventricular walls, ventricular dilatation, obliteration of cortical sulci, and enhancing nodules within the subarachnoid cisterns and lumen of the lateral ventricles. Although the degree of ventricular enlargement and intraventricular tumor deposits were equally well seen on CT and MR, involvement of ventricular walls, tentorium, subarachnoid cisterns, or subarachnoid space interpreted as abnormal enhancement on CT was not readily appreciated on routine T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo sequences. Forty-four percent of CT and 65% of MR studies were interpreted as normal. There was high correlation of myelographic findings with clinical diagnosis, and no false-negative myelograms. Nodu...
DONOR PRETREATMENT WITH Flt-3 LIGAND AUGMENTS ANTIDONOR CYTOTOXIC T LYMPHOCYTE, NATURAL KILLER, AND LYMPHOKINE-ACTIVATED KILLER CELL ACTIVITIES WITHIN LIVER ALLOGRAFTS AND ALTERS THE PATTERN OF INTRAGRAFT APOPTOTIC ACTIVITY

BACKGROUND: Liver allografts are accepted across major histocompatibility complex (MHC) barriers in mice and induce donor-specific tolerance without requirement for immunosuppressive therapy. There is evidence that passenger leukocytes may play a key role in tolerance induction. Flt-3 ligand (FL) is a recently cloned hematopoietic cytokine that strikingly augments functional dendritic cells (DCs) within lymphoid and nonlymphoid tissue. METHODS: The expression of costimulatory molecules and MHC class II antigen on DCs isolated from livers of FL-treated B10 (H2b) mice (10 microg/day; 10 days) was examined by flow cytometric analysis, and their allostimulatory activity assessed in primary mixed leukocyte cultures. B10 livers from FL-treated donors were transplanted orthotopically into naive C3H (H2k) recipients. Donor cells (MHC class II+) in recipient spleens were identified by immunohistochemistry. Antidonor cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity, and both natural killer and lymphokine-activated killer cell activities of graft nonparenchymal cells and host splenocytes were determined using isotope release assays. Apoptotic activity within liver grafts was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling. RESULTS: DCs isolated from livers of FL-treated donor mice exhibited increased cell surface expression of CD40, CD80, CD86, and IAb, and augmented T cell allostimulatory activity compared with controls. Within 24 hr of organ transplantation, the numbers of donor IAb+ cells within recipient spleens was augmented substantially compared with normal liver recipients. Livers from FL-treated donors were rejected acutely (median survival time, 5 days), whereas control B10 liver allografts survived >100 days. Nonparenchymal cells from rejecting grafts 4 days after transplantation exhibited increased antidonor cytotoxic T lymphocyte, natural killer, and lymphokine-activated killer cell activities compared with cells from spontaneously accepted grafts. This augmented cytotoxic reactivity was associated with histologic evidence of injury to bile duct epithelium and vascular endothelium that was not readily evident in controls. CONCLUSION: Thus, although normal livers provide allostimulatory signals sufficient to elicit an antidonor immune response, regulatory mechanisms that may include apoptosis of graft-infiltrating T cells, and that are overcome by augmenting the number of functional donor DCs, may account for inherent liver tolerogenicity.
Stress and the Workload of Professional Women in Sweden

This article discusses research that examined job stress and workloads among professional women in Sweden. The author points to research that has shown that women who have challenging or supportive jobs actually experience a greater quality of life despite being responsible for a large workload. The research suggests that these women gain an increased sense of self-worth and social connectedness and promote positive health benefits. The author notes that the findings of one study found that there were no immediate health impairments found among the women and it was suggested that this may be the result of their multiple roles as spouse, employee and mother may serve as a buffer against work related stress.
Central Role of Glutamate Metabolism in the Maintenance of Nitrogen Homeostasis in Normal and Hyperammonemic Brain

Glutamate is present in the brain at an average concentration—typically 10–12 mM—far in excess of those of other amino acids. In glutamate-containing vesicles in the brain, the concentration of glutamate may even exceed 100 mM. Yet because glutamate is a major excitatory neurotransmitter, the concentration of this amino acid in the cerebral extracellular fluid must be kept low—typically µM. The remarkable gradient of glutamate in the different cerebral compartments: vesicles > cytosol/mitochondria > extracellular fluid attests to the extraordinary effectiveness of glutamate transporters and the strict control of enzymes of glutamate catabolism and synthesis in well-defined cellular and subcellular compartments in the brain. A major route for glutamate and ammonia removal is via the glutamine synthetase (glutamate ammonia ligase) reaction. Glutamate is also removed by conversion to the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyrate (GABA) via the action of glutamate decarboxylase. On the other hand, cerebral glutamate levels are maintained by the action of glutaminase and by various α-ketoglutarate-linked aminotransferases (especially aspartate aminotransferase and the mitochondrial and cytosolic forms of the branched-chain aminotransferases). Although the glutamate dehydrogenase reaction is freely reversible, owing to rapid removal of ammonia as glutamine amide, the direction of the glutamate dehydrogenase reaction in the brain in vivo is mainly toward glutamate catabolism rather than toward the net synthesis of glutamate, even under hyperammonemia conditions. During hyperammonemia, there is a large increase in cerebral glutamine content, but only small changes in the levels of glutamate and α-ketoglutarate. Thus, the channeling of glutamate toward glutamine during hyperammonemia results in the net synthesis of 5-carbon units. This increase in 5-carbon units is accomplished in part by the ammonia-induced stimulation of the anaplerotic enzyme pyruvate carboxylase. Here, we suggest that glutamate may constitute a buffer or bulwark against changes in cerebral amine and ammonia nitrogen. Although the glutamate transporters are briefly discussed, the major emphasis of the present review is on the enzymology contributing to the maintenance of glutamate levels under normal and hyperammonemic conditions. Emphasis will also be placed on the central role of glutamate in the glutamine-glutamate and glutamine-GABA neurotransmitter cycles between neurons and astrocytes. Finally, we provide a brief and selective discussion of neuropathology associated with altered cerebral glutamate levels.
4564 Endoscopic ultrasound in idiopathic acute pancreatitis.

Background: EUS is a sensitive method of diagnosing biliary microlithiasis and chronic pancreatitis. The aim of this study was to determine how often EUS establishes an etiology for unexplained acute pancreatitis, and whether ERCP is subsequently needed. Methods: Thirty-one patients who underwent EUS for assessment of idiopathic acute pancreatitis were identified from an EUS database. Follow-up data were collected from inpatient and outpatient records, and subjects were contacted for a telephone interview. Idiopathic pancreatitis was defined as a greater than 2 fold elevation of amylase or lipase with a compatible clinical picture and no identified cause on imaging and biochemical studies. Bile was obtained for microscopy at the conclusion of EUS when appropriate. ERCP was subsequently performed only when symptoms recurred or if requested pre-operatively. Results: Of the 31 subjects (mean age 49 years), seventeen had had recurrent bouts whereas 14 were referred after one attack of pancreatitis. Twenty-nine patients had undergone transabdominal ultrasonography and 30 had undergone CT scanning prior to referral. Twelve ERCP's had been attempted at other institutions with successful completion in only 4 patients. Twenty-three patients had a history of occasional or habitual alcohol use. EUS revealed previously undiagnosed microlithiasis in 5 (16%) patients. Chronic pancreatitis (CP) based on 3 or more sonographic features was found in 14 (45%) patients, one of whom also had an EUS diagnosis of pancreas divisum. Twelve of the 14 patients with CP had a history of alcohol use. In the remaining 12 patients, EUS diagnosed one T1 pancreatic cancer, one additional pancreas divisum, and was not diagnostic in 10 (32%) cases. During a mean follow-up of 16 months, 12 of the 31 patients subsequently underwent ERCP, 3 pre-operatively and 9 for evaluation of recurrent symptoms, including 5 with EUS diagnosis of CP and 4 with non-diagnostic EUS. ERCP changed final diagnosis in 4 patients, detecting one additional case of pancreas divisum, one previously unidentified pancreatic duct stone, one intraductal polyp, and one case of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. Conclusion: EUS, a less invasive test than ERCP, demonstrated a potential etiology in two-thirds of patients with idiopathic acute pancreatitis. Most patients did not require ERCP during the followup period. EUS is an attractive alternative to ERCP in patients with unexplained acute pancreatitis.
Drift comparisons between aerial and ground orchard application

Applications of carbaryl, captan, or both were made by fixed-wing aircraft and by low-volume ground air blast sprayer to the same orchard site. Over the course of 2 years, a total of eight applications was made, four by air and four by ground equipment. The effect of two climatic parameters was evaluated. The first was under relatively calm conditions with a temperature inversion present and the second without a temperature inversion and with wind movement up to 12.9 km/h. Regardless of wind or atmosphere stability, carbaryl deposits from aerial application were found at the furthest sampling distance (500 m downwind). Ground applications under similar conditions left deposits at 150 m during a temperature inversion but provided no detectable levels at 50 m or further in the absence of an inversion. Differences between captan drift were not as clearly defined; generally, captan did not appear to drift as readily as carbaryl.
Determiation of Mercury in Dry Matsutake

[Objective]To establish a fast,accurate and sensitive method for determination of mercury in dry matsutake by microwave digestion-atomic fluorescence spectrometry.[Methods]Nitric acid microwave digestion system was used for samples pretreatment,hydride-atomic fluorescence spectrometry was applied for mercury determination,optimizing the working conditions of the instrument.[Results]Under the selected conditions,reductant potassium borohydride(KBH4) concentration was 10 μg/L,lamp current was 20 mA;the carrier flow was 400 ml/min,acid medium for 2% of hydrochloric acid,mercury concentrations ranged from 0.300~10.00 μg/L,with good linear relationship.Correlation coefficient r=0.999 4,detection limit was 0.025 μg/L.The recovery was 91.3%~97.1%,relative standard deviation(RSD) =1.34%~2.89%.[Conclusion]This method is sensitive and accurate,with less time-consuming,and suitable for mercury determination in dry matsutake.
Design of Intelligent Turbine Flowmeter Display Meter

In the intelligent flow measurement system,turbine flowmeter was chosen as the kernel,the intelligent flow measurement display meter and car power were adopted.The design of the intelligent flow measurement display meter was illustrated.AT89C2051 was used in the instrument.MCS-51 was used to design the software.It can switch to display cumulative flux,instantaneous flux and some distance flux of volume.It provides reliable data for driver and corporation manager.
Intent prediction and trajectory forecasting via predictive inverse linear-quadratic regulation

To facilitate interaction with people, robots must not only recognize current actions, but also infer a person's intentions and future behavior. Recent advances in depth camera technology have significantly improved human motion tracking. However, the inherent high dimensionality of interacting with the physical world makes efficiently forecasting human intention and future behavior a challenging task. Predictive methods that estimate uncertainty are therefore critical for supporting appropriate robotic responses to the many ambiguities posed within the human-robot interaction setting. We address these two challenges, high dimensionality and uncertainty, by employing predictive inverse optimal control methods to estimate a probabilistic model of human motion trajectories. Our inverse optimal control formulation estimates quadratic cost functions that best rationalize observed trajectories framed as solutions to linear-quadratic regularization problems. The formulation calibrates its uncertainty from observed motion trajectories, and is efficient in high-dimensional state spaces with linear dynamics. We demonstrate its effectiveness on a task of anticipating the future trajectories, target locations and activity intentions of hand motions.
Adjacent Codons Act in Concert to Modulate Translation Efficiency in Yeast

Translation elongation efficiency is largely thought of as the sum of decoding efficiencies for individual codons. Here, we find that adjacent codon pairs modulate translation efficiency. Deploying an approach in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that scored the expression of over 35,000 GFP variants in which three adjacent codons were randomized, we have identified 17 pairs of adjacent codons associated with reduced expression. For many pairs, codon order is obligatory for inhibition, implying a more complex interaction than a simple additive effect. Inhibition mediated by adjacent codons occurs during translation itself as GFP expression is restored by increased tRNA levels or by non-native tRNAs with exact-matching anticodons. Inhibition operates in endogenous genes, based on analysis of ribosome profiling data. Our findings suggest translation efficiency is modulated by an interplay between tRNAs at adjacent sites in the ribosome and that this concerted effect needs to be considered in predicting the functional consequences of codon choice.
Abstract 2577: A comparison of parent and provider verified HPV vaccination initiation and completion in US adolescents: findings from the National Immunization Survey - Teen, 2014

Introduction: Several studies have examined predictors of HPV vaccine initiation and completion. Two common methods to measure HPV vaccine initiation and completion are parental recall and provider verified vaccine history. Some studies use parental recall because it is cost-effective and time-consuming. Others argue that the provider report should be used because it is the gold standard, although it is more costly and time-consuming. Yet, few studies compare the accuracy of parental report versus provider report for HPV vaccine initiation and completion. Objective: To compare the accuracy of parental reported and provider reported data on HPV vaccine initiation and completion among a national sample of adolescents in the United States. Methods: Data from the 2014 National Immunization Survey-Teen (NIS-Teen) were analyzed for 38,703 adolescents. HPV vaccine initiation and completion were assessed using parental recall (shot cards) and provider verified (medical records) vaccine history. Adjusted, weighted multivariable logistic regression compared the accuracy of parental and provider reported data on HPV vaccine initiation and completion. Results: HPV vaccine initiation (a) and completion (b), by subgroup analysis, is similar for parental recall and provider report. However, subgroup analyses for parental report were slightly lower than provider report, although not statistically significant (Table 1). Conclusion: This study showed that parental report is comparable to provider report when measuring HPV vaccine initiation and completion among adolescents in the US. For more cost-effective and timely assessment of vaccine uptake, an accurate and practical method of measuring HPV vaccine initiation and completion is paramount. Utilizing parental report may be a more cost-effective and timely alternative to provider report for clinical evaluation of vaccine uptake. Citation Format: Eric Adjei Boakye, Nosayaba Osazuwa-Peters, Kahee A. Mohammed, Christian J. Geneus, Betelihem B. Tobo. A comparison of parent and provider verified HPV vaccination initiation and completion in US adolescents: findings from the National Immunization Survey - Teen, 2014. [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 2577.
A Note on Strict Commutativity of a Monoidal Product

It is well known that a monoidal category is (monoidally) equivalent to a strict monoidal category that is a monoidal category with a strictly associative product. In this article, we discuss strict commutativity and prove a necessary and sufficient condition for a symmetric monoidal category to be equivalent to another symmetric monoidal category with a strictly commutative monoidal product.
Private Dollars for Public Litigation: An Introduction

This article extends previous work done by the author on litigation investment. Litigation investment, also known as “alternative litigation finance” is a new and important development in civil litigation in the United States as well as many common law and civilian legal systems. The market has been, up to now, focused on civil litigation brought by private parties. This article argues that public litigation can be funded by litigation investment by adopting the same legal principles that have been developed for the market in investment in private litigation.
Monitoring Inter-Annual Variability Reveals Sources Of Mercury Contamination In Clear Lake, California

Mercury (Hg) in the aquatic ecosystem of Clear Lake has been documented since the 1970s when fishes were found to have elevated levels of toxic methyl mercury (meHg). Mining practices at the Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine (active intermittently from 1872—1957) along the shoreline of Clear Lake included the bulldozing of waste rock and overburden ore into the shallow nearshore regions of the lake and the creation of steeply sloped piles of waste rock at the water’s edge. This process, plus erosion of the waste rock piles, resulted in the accumulation of an estimated 100 metric tons of Hg in Clear Lake. A monitoring program to assess Hg in Clear Lake was established in 1992, and conducted continuously from 1994. Drought conditions in California had persisted for ca. 6 yrs prior to 1992, when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) remediated the steeply sloped eroding waste rock piles, which appeared to reduce sediment Hg concentrations significantly. In April 1995, a white flocculent material was observed in Clear Lake adjacent to the mine and has been observed every year since, leading to the discovery of ongoing acid mine drainage (AMD), low pH fluids high in Hg and extremely high in sulfate. AMD is now believed to be the most likely cause of elevated meHg in Clear Lake. The discovery of this source of meHg production in Clear Lake, which will significantly influence remedial options, was only made possible by implementation of a diligent monitoring program.
Consistency of Structural Color across Molts: The Effects of Environmental Conditions and Stress on Feather Ultraviolet Reflectance

Plumage ornamentation is often considered a signal of fitness, condition, sex, or social status. This theory holds for species with structural UV color, which is influenced by a variety of factors such as environmental pressures during molt or heritability. However, little is known about the consistency of ornamentation and signaling across time in individuals with structural color. We compared juvenile and adult feathers in free-living Florida Scrub-Jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens) to measure UV color change within individuals across molts and to assess possible sources of change. We used multiple imputation to estimate missing data and a combination of pooled estimates and model averaging to infer which parameters explain observed variation in UV color. We also tested whether adult color or relative color change from juvenile to adult plumage predicted acquisition of breeding space. UV color was not consistent across annual molts, as adult feathers reflected significantly less light but greater proportions of UV light than juvenile feathers. Juvenile color was most affected by quality of natal environment and maternal effects whereas adult color was influenced by condition and juvenile color. Adults dosed with corticosterone produced feathers with less UV ornamentation compared to control adults. Feather color did not predict acquisition of breeding space in adults, but females that experienced reductions in UV color across molts were more likely to obtain breeding space, which may reflect sex-specific differences in reproductive strategies in Florida Scrub-Jays. Our evidence suggests that structural color acts as a signal of sex, age, and condition; but ornamentation is only weakly related to acquisition of breeding space and thus unlikely to be under strong sexual selection. Ornamentation may just be one factor among many, such as personality, social dominance, or position in social networks, that determine how jays interact and compete for breeding space.
Abstract P295: Performance Management and Improvement: One Way to “ImPact” Outcomes

Background: Continuous quality improvement (CQI) in health care systems necessitates an approach to review care delivery processes, systems, group and individual performances, incidents and outcomes. A robust process should 1) be multidisciplinary, 2) occur in “real-time”, 3) provide detailed review and discussion of care processes, performance and outcomes and 4) generate actionable rapid cycle improvement opportunities. Aim: To craft a sustainable management process for CQI for all clinical operational units of the Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute (VHVI). Methods: We convened a standing multidisciplinary biweekly managerial forum (termed ImPact - “Improving Patient Care Together”) of quality medical directors, key clinical physicians and nurses, nursing unit managers, hospital administrators, and quality consultants. ImPact follows a standing structured agenda: 1) all mortalities since last meeting, 2) morbidity including “major misses” and major adverse events, 3) rapid response team calls, 4) out of ICU “codes”, 5) events reported by staff in our hospital9s anonymous reporting system, 6) events brought forward by any clinician or unit manager, 7) interval progress on ongoing rapid cycle improvement projects. Results: The topics for rapid cycle improvement that have surfaced to date are listed in the Table. In addition to facilitating and prioritizing rapid cycle quality improvement and patient safety efforts, ImPact provides a link to our regular morbidity and mortality (M&M) conferences in cardiology and cardiac surgery. We have been able to identify common issues that extend beyond individual clinical care areas, allowing better understanding of vulnerabilities in systems of care Conclusions: A multidisciplinary, structured, regularly scheduled meeting of physician and nursing clinical and quality leaders, unit managers and administrators is a critical component of performance management and improvement.
The Goal Setting Process within Small Businesses1

Current theories of organizational goals are shown to have significant shortcomings. A process theory is utilized to overcome the methodological and empirical difficulties of descriptive theories, ...
Playing Chopin, Playing Barthes: Bringing Musical Practice to Reading

How might the musical practices of interpretation and performance inform the practices of reading and writing? Using a phenomenological approach, this chapter follows a pianist as she learns the opening of Chopin’s Ballade in F Minor and then transfers the same musical tools to read Barthes’s “Death of the Author.” Examples include shaping ideas in sound and in words; developing instrumental technique and writing mechanics; and honing one’s voice within intertextual communities of sound and the written word. The final section explores this interdisciplinary connection between sound and word using Merleau-Ponty’s concept of body motility and Barthes’s ideas about play.
Chemotherapy-related cognitive dysfunction and effects on quality of life in gynecologic cancer patients

Introduction: chemotherapy-related cognitive dysfunction (CRCD) is a growing problem due to rising cancer rates and increasing numbers of cancer survivors. upwards of 70% of ovarian cancer patients...
Impotence Due To the Pelvic Steal Syndrome: Treatment by Iliac Transluminal Angioplasty

AbstractWe report on a patient with the pelvic steal syndrome who was treated successfully by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. We have found only 1 such case reported previously.
Self-Injurious Behaviors in Adolescents with Borderline Personality Disorder

Adolescence marks a period of high-risk for the onset of self-injurious behaviors (SIB), including both deliberate self-harm (DSH) and suicidal behaviors. Adolescents with BPD constitute a particularly vulnerable population for SIB, with research revealing robust associations between SIB and BPD pathology in adolescents. Further, developmental theories suggest that SIB may be an early indicator of BPD in adolescents, reflecting a key step for some youth in the developmental trajectory toward BPD. According to Crowell and colleagues’ (2008; 2009) developmental model of SIB and BPD, trait impulsivity and emotion dysregulation are the key features underlying the development of both BPD and SIB. A review of the research literature supports this theory, revealing significant associations between SIB and both self-reported and biological indices of emotion dysregulation and, with a few exceptions, trait impulsivity among adolescents in general (as well as adolescents with BPD in particular). As such, both theoretical and empirical literature support the role of impulsivity and emotion dysregulation as key mechanisms contributing to SIB among adolescents with BPD. Clinical implications of this research are discussed, as are needed future directions in this line of inquiry.
Immune Function in Obese, Diabetic, Hyperinsulinemic C57BL/KsJ-db+/db+ and C57BL/6J-ob/ob Mice

The mutant C57BL/KsJ-db+/db+ (db/db) mouse was first described by Hummel and co-workers of the Jackson Laboratory (Hummel et al., 1966). The mutant diabetes (db) gene is inherited as an autosomal recessive with full penetrance. In the homozygous state, the db gene is associated with a metabolic disturbance closely resembling adultoneset, insulin-independent diabetes mellitus. The diabetic syndrome in db/db mice is characterized by obesity, hyperphagia, polydypsia, polyuria, and marked hyperglycemia (Hummel et al., 1966; Coleman and Hummel, 1967, 1969; Herberg and Coleman, 1977; Coleman 1978, 1982). Adult db/db mice weigh up to 70 g, while age- and sex-matched littermates only weight up to 30 g. On an ad libitum diet, the average daily food intake of mice is approximately twice normal. Blood sugars run between 350 and 650 mg/dl (normal 100–200 mg/dl). During the first 4–6 months of age plasma insulin concentrations are markedly elevated in the range of 300–600 μU/ml. After approximately 6 months of age, plasma insulin concentrations fall to within the normal range of 10–100 µU/ml. Early in the course of the disease, during the period of hyperinsulinemia, the islets of Langerhans are characterized by β cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia with β cell degranulation (Like and Chick 1970). The mice are insulin-resistant and have a decrease in the number of insulin receptors on insulin-sensitive target tissues (Kahn et al., 1973, Chang et al., 1975, Raizada et al., 1980). Later in the disease, concomitant with the drop in plasma insulin concentration, progressive atrophy of islet cells occurs (Like and Chick, 1970).
Speech Error Correction: The Story of the Alternates List

Error correction with speech recognition products is extraordinarily difficult for users. Users spend much more time correcting errors than they spend dictating new text. In order to find ways to improve users' error correction experience, we examined the use of four different error correction mechanisms. The two error correction methods that users were most successful with were redictation and selection of a list of alternatives (“the alternates list”). Users rated the latter as the more satisfying method. User satisfaction with the alternates list was surprising as it was not a terribly accurate error correction method. On the Tablet PC we made several interface enhancements to facilitate the use of the alternates which included the use of (1) strong modes, (2) a push-to-talk model for microphone control, (3) a lighter weight alternates list which was easier to open and dismiss. Users performed transcription tasks with this new interface and we examined which error correction methods people preferred. Users of the new interface no longer compounded error upon error and were far more likely to use the alternates list than was the case for users of pre-existing interfaces. Users were very likely to switch modes from the alternates list to redictation when the alternates list did not contain the target word.
Algebraic Number Fields

Let us consider the diophantine equation $$x^2 - dy^2 = 1$$ (4.1) , erroneously called Pell’s equation. (For its history, see Ref. 9.) Here d ≠ 0 is a square-free integer. We seek the integer solutions of (4.1). If d 1, it is a nontrivial fact that (4.1) has infinitely many solutions in integers. If we let G denote the set of these solutions, then G has a group structure (cf. Exercise 2.4). Moreover, up to multiplication by −1 [i.e., −(x, y) = (−x, −y)], G is an infinite cyclic group. A generator is a solution with the smallest |y 1| (and hence the smallest |x 1|) > 0.
Die digitale Transformation

Der Handlungsbedarf bei der Umsetzung von Compliance-Anforderungen wachst unaufhaltsam, nicht zuletzt getrieben durch die fortschreitende Verlagerung von Geschaftsprozessen und Workflows in die digitale Welt. Die digitale Transformation und der damit einhergehende verstarkte Einsatz von Cloud-Losungen hat nicht nur Auswirkungen auf Geschaftsprozesse, die Einbindung von Mitarbeitern oder das Verhaltnis zu Kunden, sondern bringt eine Dynamik ins Spiel, die die Erfullung von Compliance-Anforderungen vor neue Herausforderungen stellt.
Bike Lane Obstructions in Manhattan, New York City: Implications for Bicyclist Safety

Over the past 5 years, the number of regular cyclists in New York City (NYC) increased by ~ 140,000 to over 800,000 regular riders. Aiming to promote safe cycling, NYC has developed over 1000 miles of planned commuting and recreational bike paths across its five boroughs. Bike lane obstructions pose a safety risk to cyclists but the extent of such obstructions is unknown. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to document the frequency and rate of obstructions in protected bike lanes throughout Manhattan, NYC. During the fall of 2018, bicycle obstructions were observed in ten zones of Manhattan, NYC. Three kinds of obstructions within the bicycle lanes were coded: object, pedestrian, and vehicle. A total of 233 obstructions in the protected bike lanes were observed in this study. Obstructions per zone ranged from 11 to 39. The most common type of obstruction was objects, which accounted for 53.2% (n = 124) of obstructions and ranged through zones from 2 to 22. People were the second most common obstruction, which accounted for 28.3% (n = 66) of the obstructions, with a range of 1–22. Vehicles accounted for the remaining 18.5% (n = 43) of the obstructions with a range of 1–9 throughout zones. Findings of this study indicate that, even in “protected” lanes, bikers may be forced into traffic or to approach parked cars, increasing the risk of being “doored.”
1007 ABSENCE OF KERNICTERUS IN LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT INFANTS 1971–1976: COMPARISON WITH 1966–1967

A review of all autopsied infants weighing less than 2251 grams (34 cases) who expired on the third to seventh days of life during the six year period from 1971 to 1976 failed to reveal any cases of kernicterus. This contrasts with an incidence of 64% (9 of 14) in low-birth-weight infants from the same neonatal intensive care unit during the period 1966-67 (Pediatrics 45:906, 1970). The infants in the two series were not significantly different with regard to their birth weights, Apgar scores, perinatal complications, or non-neurologic postmortem findings. The only significant difference between these two groups of infants was a lower mean peak serum bilirubin concentration in the 1971-76 series (11.1±4.0 mg/dl vs. 8.7±3.4 mg/dl), resulting from the use since 1970 of lower serum bilirubin concentrations as criteria for exchange transfusion and the use of phototherapy since 1974. The prevention of excessive hyper-bilirubinemia as well as the development of more sophisticated intensive care of the neonate in recent years may be responsible for the elimination of kernicterus in the 1971-76 series of infants weighing less than 2251 grams.
Teaching High Value Care to Pediatric Residents Using an Online, Interactive, Case-based Module: Does It Translate to Change?

Despite rising health-care costs, physicians undergo minimal training in high value medical decision-making. We developed an online, interactive, case-based module that 1) increases awareness of physicians’ role in rising health-care costs; 2) introduces the concept of High Value Care (HVC); and 3) equips physicians with HVC practice tools. We describe the short-term …