cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trends of Elevated Blood Pressure Among Children and Adolescents: Data From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1988–2006

BACKGROUND Elevated blood pressure (EBP) in children and adolescents increases future risk of cardiovascular disease. Among children and adolescents, increased weight is associated with EBP. METHODS National cross-sectional data for children and adolescents aged 8-17 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANESs): 1988-1994,1999-2002, and 2003-2006. The main outcome measures were EBP and pre-EBP estimates. RESULTS Overweight boys (odds ratio (OR) 1.54, confidence interval (Cl) 1.11 -2.13) and both obese boys and girls were significantly more likely to be classified as pre-EBP (boys, OR 2.81, Cl 2.13-3.71; girls, OR 2.55, CI 1.75-3.73) and having EBP (boys aged 8-12 years, OR 6.06, Cl 2.73-13.44, boys aged 13-17, OR 9.62 Cl 4.86-19.06; girls, OR 2.33, CI 1.31-4.13) when compared to the reference weight and controlling for all other covariates. During 2003-2006, 13.6% (s.e. = 1.2) of boys aged 8-17 years and 5.7% (s.e. = 0.7) of the girls aged 8-17 years were classified as pre-EBP and 2.6% (s.e. = 0.5) of the boys aged 8-17 and 3.4% (s.e. = 0.7) of the girls aged 8-17 were having EBP. After controlling for age, race/ ethnicity, and body mass index (BMI), girls only were significantly more likely to have EBP during 2003-2006 than during 1988-1994 (OR 2.17, Cl 1.05-4.49). In contrast, adolescent boys aged 13-17 years were significantly less likely to be having EBP during 2003-2006 than during 1988-1994 (OR 0.32, Cl 0.13-0.81). CONCLUSIONS Obesity is strongly, positively, and independently associated with EBP and pre-EBP among youths. However, controlling for all covariates including BMI, EBP has increased among girls but decreased among adolescent boys aged 13-17, during 2003-2006 when compared with 1988-1994.
C16 ceramide accumulates following androgen ablation in LNCaP prostate cancer cells

Background Adenocarcinoma of the prostate is the most frequently diagnosed non-cutaneous cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in the United States. The most successful therapies to date for this tumor have involved some form of androgen ablation. However, these therapies become ineffective as the tumor evolves to an androgen-insensitive state. Ceramide is a lipid second messenger that has been shown to mediate growth arrest or cell death when added exogenously to prostate cancer cells. As a first step toward understanding the events that lead to the transition of prostate cancer cells to an androgen-independent state, we considered investigating the effect of androgen ablation on endogenous ceramide levels in androgen-sensitive and androgen-insensitive prostate cancer cells. Methods To investigate the mechanisms of growth arrest/apoptosis in androgen-sensitive (LNCaP) and insensitive (DU-145, PC–3) cells, we used various methods including nonyl acridine orange (NAO) staining, propidium iodide (PI) staining/cell-cycle analysis, lipid analysis, and Western blotting assays. Results In this study, we demonstrate that androgen ablation drives G0/G1-phase cell-cycle arrest followed by progressive apoptosis in vitro, in LNCaP cells. Lipid analysis indicated an increase in C16 ceramide, which was generated via the de novo pathway as revealed by blockade of ceramide synthase by fumonisin B1. The addition of 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) or fumonisin B1 rescued LNCaP cells from apoptosis induced by androgen ablation, and decreased levels of intracellular C16 ceramide. Neither apoptosis nor an increase in C16 ceramide was observed in androgen-independent cell lines following androgen ablation. Prostate 57: 66–79, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Benzodiazepines and development of Swiss-Webster mice.

Summary Dietary administration of 6 different benzodiazepine tranquilizers (chlordiazepoxide, diazepam, oxazepam, prazepam, flurazepam, and nitrazepam) at subneurotoxic doses to breeding pairs of Swiss-Webster mice led to reduced postnatal survival of offspring. Pups from females on drug-treated diets, weaned to either control or the respective drug-treated diet, showed significantly decreased body weights from weaning to 6 weeks of age. Offspring from females on drug-treated diet cross-fostered at birth to females on control diet also exhibited decreased postnatal survival. However, body weight deficits present at birth among fostered pups were regained at weaning. At higher dose levels of each benzodiazepine (3 or 5 times greater) very few offspring, including the fostered litter mates, survived to weaning.
Estimation of Velocity Error for Doppler Lidar Measurements

Abstract Various methods of estimating the magnitude of the random error of Doppler lidar velocity measurements are compared for typical operating conditions using computer simulations of lidar data. Under certain conditions, the magnitude of the random estimation error can be determined from data without the need for in situ measurements for both ground-based and space-based wind measurement.
The Evolution of Social and Economic Networks

We examine the dynamic formation and stochastic evolution of networks connecting individuals whose payoffs from an economic or social activity depends on the network structure in place. Over time, individuals form and sever links connecting themselves to other individuals based on the improvement the resulting network offers them relative to the current network. Such a process creates a sequence of networks that we call an ‘improving path’. The changes made along an improving path make the individuals, who added or deleted the relevant link(s) at each date, better off. Such sequences of networks can cycle, and we study conditions on underlying allocation rules that characterize cycles. Building on an understanding of improving paths, we consider a stochastic evolutionary process where in addition to intended changes in the network there is a small probability of unintended changes or errors. Predictions can be made regarding the relative likelihood that the stochastic evolutionary process will lead to any given network at some time. The evolutionary process selects from among the statically stable networks and cycles. We show that in some cases, the evolutionary process selects inefficient networks even though efficient ones are statically stable. We apply these results to the matching literature to show that there are contexts in which the evolutionarily stable networks coincide with the core stable networks, and thus achieve efficiency.
What are the roles that children’s drawings play in inquiry of science concepts?

This study was designed to identify the roles that drawing played in the process of children’s acquisition of science concepts. Seventy pre-service teachers through four semesters from a Midwest University in the USA developed lesson plans on science concepts and then taught them to 70 young children ages 4–7, respectively. This experience was completely new to all the participants. Their first-hand experiences were transcribed and children’s drawings were collected. The participants were also asked to report on perceptions, before and after the project, of the roles that drawings play in children’s inquiry in science. The researcher coded and categorised the reflections to identify the roles. It was found that drawings played roles in assessment, teaching, learning, communication, boosting confidence for adults and children, integrating curriculum, building a relaxed learning atmosphere, and facilitating the learning of children with special needs. This paper ends with educational implications and future...
A scheme for the numerical solution of hyperbolic systems of conservation laws

Abstract A method is described for the numerical solution of hyperbolic systems of conservation laws in one space dimension. The basis of the scheme is to use finite differences where the solution is smooth and the method of characteristics where the solution is not smooth. The method can accurately represent shocks. Results are presented for the solution of the equations of gas dynamics. The examples illustrate the accuracy of the method when discontinuities are present and the code's performance on difficult problems of interacting shocks and shock formation.
Some Neglected Aspects of Gresham's Law

Gresham's public services, 480. — His letter of 1558 to Queen Elizabeth, 482. — Recoinage of 1560 and Gresham's relation to it, 483. — Origin of term Gresham's law, 486. — Macleod's discussion, 000. — Jevons' discussion, 490. — Adoption of term in America, 491. — Interpretations of "bad money drives out good money," 492. — Gresham's law and currency depreciation, 494.
The kinetics of incorporation of111In into m-tetraphenylporphine

An improved method is described for rapidly incorporating “carrier-free”111In into m-tetraphenylporphine to produce a lipid soluble complex of potential clinical usefulness. The reaction in glacial acetic acid is temperature dependent and markedly sensitive to the nature of the anion present. Halide ions completely inhibit incorporation of the111In. An unusual destruction of the porphyrin ring by nitrate in glacial acetic acid is reported.
Discontinuity of homology of Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium DNA in the lac region.

Partial homology of Salmonella typhimurium DNA to Escherichia coli DNA was demonstrated by Southern hybridization blots to exist on either side of the lac operon of E. coli but no homology was detected between S. typhimurium DNA and about 12 kb of E. coli DNA including the lac genes as well as about 5 kb of E. coli DNA between lac and proC. Thus portions of DNA seem to have been either added to the E. coli genome or deleted from the S. typhimurium genome since their divergence from a common ancestor. Although an IS1 element was located near the lac operon of E. coli, the insertional element was shown not to be near any of the junctures of discontinuity of E. coli - S. typhimurium homology near lac.
Engineering experts critics for cooperative systems

Knowledge collection systems often assume they are cooperating with an unbiased expert. They have few functions for checking and fixing the realism of the expertise transferred to the knowledge base, plan, document or other product of the interaction. The same problem arises when human knowledge engineers interview experts. The knowledge engineer may suffer from the same biases as the domain expert. Such biases remain in the knowledge base and cause difficulties for years to come. To prevent such difficulties, this paper introduces the reader to “critic engineering”, a methodology that is useful when it is necessary to doubt, trap and repair expert judgment during a knowledge collection process. With the use of this method, the human expert and knowledge-based critic form a cooperative system. Neither agent alone can complete the task as well as the two together. The methodology suggested here offers a number of extensions to traditional knowledge engineering techniques. Traditional knowledge engineering often answers the questions delineated in generic task (GT) theory, yet GT theory fails to provide four additional sets of questions that one must answer to engineer a knowledge base, plan, design or diagnosis when the expert is prone to error. This extended methodology is called “critic engineering”.
Estimation of the accuracy of dynamic flight-determined coefficients

This paper discusses means of assessing the accuracy of maximum likelihood parameter estimates obtained from dynamic flight data. The commonly used analytical predictors of accuracy are compared from both statistical and simplified geometric standpoints. Emphasizing practical considerations, such as modeling error, the accuracy predictions are evaluated with real and simulated data. Improved computations of the Cramer-Rao bound to correct large discrepancies caused by colored noise and modeling error are presented. This corrected Cramer-Rao bound is the best available analytical predictor of accuracy. Engineering judgement, aided by such analytical tools, is the final arbiter of accuracy estimation.
United States Naval Power in a Changing World

Basic Considerations Part I: The Early Years Naval Power and Winning Independence Consequences of Neglect Part II: The Transitional Period Coming of Age Advancing Technology The Role of Naval Power in Preserving the Union Inland Waters Concluding of Warfare between the States Developments in Iron-clad Ships and Torpedoes Continuing Riverine War in the West The Postwar Period Part III: The New Navy Beginnings of the New Navy Warfare Against a European Power Prelude to Another War Part IV: Two World Wars The Great War America Enters the War Between Wars Another Global War The Crucial War at Sea A Two-Ocean War Turning the Tide World War II: The Final Phases Part V: The Nuclear Age The Cold War Erosion Limited War The New Look Naval Influence Flexible Response The Shifting Balance of Sea Power Part VI: The Future The Past Is Prologue Requisites
Urothelial sonic hedgehog signaling plays an important role in bladder smooth muscle formation

Abstract During bladder development, primitive mesenchyme differentiates into smooth muscle (SM) under the influence of urothelium. The gene(s) responsible for this process have not been elucidated. We propose that the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway is critical in bladder SM formation. Herein, we examine the role of the Shh-signaling pathway during SM differentiation in the embryonic mouse bladder. Genes in the Shh pathway and SM expression in mouse embryonic (E) bladders (E12.5, 13.5, and 14.5) were examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC), in situ hybridization, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). To examine the effects of disrupting Shh signaling, bladder tissues were isolated at E12.5 and E14.5, that is, before and after bladder SM induction. The embryonic bladders were cultured on membranes floating on medium with and without 10 μM of cyclopamine, an Shh inhibitor. After 3 days, SM expression was examined by assessing the following: SM α-actin (SMAA), SM γ-actin (SMGA), SM-myosin heavy chain (SM-MHC), Patched, GLI1, bone morphogenic protein 4 (BMP4), and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) by IHC and RT-PCR. SM-related genes and proteins were not expressed in E12.5 mouse embryonic bladder before SM differentiation, but were expressed by E13.5 when SM differentiation was initiated. Shh was expressed in the urothelium in E12.5 bladders. Shh-related gene expression at E12.5 was significantly higher than at E14.5. In cyclopamine-exposed cultures of E12.5 tissue, SMAA, SMGA, GLI1, and BMP4 gene expression was significantly decreased compared with controls, but PCNA gene expression did not change. In cyclopamine-exposed E14.5 cultures, SMGA and SM-MHC gene expression did not change compared with controls. Using an in vitro embryonic bladder culture model, we were able to define the kinetics of SM- and Shh-related gene expression. Cyclopamine inhibited detrusor SM actin induction, but did not inhibit SM-MHC induction. SMAA and SMGA genes appear to be induced by Shh-signaling pathways, but the SM-MHC gene is not. Based on Shh expression by urothelium and the effects of Shh inhibition on bladder SM induction, we hypothesize that urothelial-derived Shh orchestrates induction of SM in the fetal mouse bladder.
Human Herpesvirus Type 8 DNA Sequences in Cell-Free Plasma and Mononuclear Cells of Kaposi's Sarcoma Patients

Human herpesvirus (HHV) type 8 has been detected in both classical and AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma, body-cavity lymphomas, and other types of tumors. HHV-8 has also been detected in DNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of some Kaposi's sarcoma patients and more readily in B cell fractions derived from panned cell subpopulations. Two patients were followed using several methods : in situ hybridization, solution-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and in situ PCR. HHV-8 was intermittently detected in plasma, and detection correlated with detection in PBMC. In situ PCR demonstrated HHV-8 sequences in both peripheral blood B lymphocytes and, to a lesser extent, T lymphocytes. HHV-8 may undergo periods of viremia while at other times it is undetectable and infects circulating B cells and some T cells.
A Possible Basis for Major Histocompatibility Complex-Restricted T-Cell Recognition

Four distinct T-cell antigen-receptor gene loci have now been identified and partly characterized: ɑ, β, y and δ. All of these loci can rearrange in an immunoglobulin- like fashion and express polypeptides that contribute to either ɑ:β or y:δ T-cell receptor-CD3 complexes. Surprisingly, the T-cell receptor (TCR) δ coding regions are located entirely, or almost entirely, within the TCR ɑ locus and share at least some of the V region gene segments, thus at least partly linking the two different types of receptor heterodimers. Analysis of potential T-cell receptor diversity, particularly that of the δ chain, indicates a striking concentration of somatic polymorphism in the V-J junctional region of the two heterodimers, four to six orders of magnitude higher than similar calculations for immunoglobulin light- and heavy-chain combinations. In contrast, the number of possible V region combinations in T-cell receptors is one hundredth to one thousandth that of immunoglobulins. TCR ɑ:β heterodimers are known to recognize many possible fragments of antigens embedded in the peptide- binding clefts of a relatively small number of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. Thus it is attractive to speculate that the V-J junctional portions of both types of T-cell receptor contact peptide antigens, whereas the remaining diversity regions contact the MHC. This contention is supported by molecular modelling studies and has interesting implications for the evolution of antigen-receptor genes.
Interactions of airflow oscillation, tracheal inclination, and mucus elasticity significantly improve simulated cough clearance.

Background Viscoelastic properties of simulated mucus, angle of tracheal inclination (θ), and high-frequency airflow oscillations on median displacement of simulated mucus during simulated cough were investigated in this study. Methods Mucus simulants with viscoelastic properties similar to healthy individuals and patients with COPD were prepared using locust bean gum (LBG)-water solution (0.38 g LBG in 100 mL water) cross-linked with 3-mL and 12-mL borax-water solution (0.02 M), respectively. Aliquots of 0.3 mL of simulants were placed on a dry Plexiglas insert inside a d-shaped clear Plexiglas tracheal model. Movement of aliquots of mucus simulants was measured during cough of 0.3 s duration. Cough velocities studied (5-30 m/s) are typical of patients with weak expiratory muscles and airway obstruction. Studies were conducted with tracheal model placed horizontally (0°) and at increasing θ (15°, 30°, and 45°), with and without superimposed airflow oscillations during coughs. Effects of different parameters and their interactions on displacements of aliquots were compared using analysis of covariance (n = 849). Results Significant positive nonlinear associations existed between displacement and cough velocity for both 3-mL and 12-mL simulants ( P P Conclusions Results support the use of airflow oscillations and sitting upright to facilitate mucus displacement during cough, particularly with thick, elastic mucus found in patients with COPD ( P
The impact of anxiety on conversion from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's disease.

SUMMARY Objective—To compare state and trait anxiety in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients and matched control subjects, and to assess the impact of these variables in predicting conversion to Alzheimer’s disease. Methods—One hundred and forty-eight patients with MCI, broadly defined, were assessed and followed systematically. Baseline predictors for follow-up conversion to AD (entire sample: 39/148 converted to Alzheimer’s disease (AD)) included the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results—At baseline evaluation, MCI patients had higher levels of state and trait anxiety than controls, with no differences between future AD converters (n = 39) and non-converters. In agestratified Cox proportional hazards model analyses, STAI State was not a significant predictor of conversion to AD (STAI State ≤30 vs. > 30 risk ratio, 1.68; 95% CI, 0.75, 3.77; p = 0.21), but higher Trait scores indicated a lower risk of conversion when STAI State, education, the Folstein MiniMental State Examination and HAM-D (depression score) were also included in the model (STAI Trait ≤30 vs. > 30 risk ratio, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.16, 0.82; p = 0.015). Conclusions—In contrast to two other recent studies that showed anxiety predicted cognitive decline or conversion to AD, in this clinic-based sample, state anxiety was not a significant predictor. However, higher Trait anxiety predicted a lower risk of future conversion to AD. Further research with systematic long-term follow-up in larger samples is needed to clarify the role of state and trait anxiety in predicting MCI conversion to AD.
Some Measurements on Dynamic Stall

Details of a flow oscillation device and of force and moment measurements on a 2 ft chord twodimensional NACA 0012-64 airfoil in the oscillating flow and oscillated in pitch in a steady flow through stall are presented. Results indicate that both methods give essentially the same description of the dynamic stall process. It is apparent from peaks in the pressure distributions and in the pitching moment traces that more than one vortex is shed from the leading edge during the stall process. This, coupled with the very rapid changes that occur during stall, requires very close scrutiny of force and moment data that has not been recorded continuously. Understanding of dynamic stall overshoot will not be complete until detailed measurements are obtained in the region of the laminar separation bubble near the nose.
The Concept of Homology in the Development of Handedness

The construct of homology in the development of behavior is examined using human handedness. Research on the development of hand-use preferences in infants provides some evidence that it may be homologous with adult handedness. Nevertheless, I propose that the construct of homology may not be relevant to the study of human behavioral development. However, other constructs from developmental biology may prove useful in improving developmental psychological research.
Safety Evaluation of Horizontal Curves on Rural Undivided Roads

The objective of this research was to develop prediction models for total crashes and fatal or injury crashes for rural horizontal curves on undivided roads, with a focus on three distinct aspects. The first was an emphasis on assembling a large, high-quality data set. Crash prediction models were developed by using a data set of 11,427 rural horizontal curves on Wisconsin state trunk network roads with more than 13 parameters and four distinct types of crash data sets. The second focus area was to use regression tree analysis in creating a simple model of horizontal curve safety aimed at practitioners of systemic road safety management and creating subsets of data that warranted further analysis. Regression tree results identified the curve radius of approximately 2,500 ft as a significant point below which there is a marked increase in crashes on horizontal curves. The third focus area was to research the effect on horizontal curve crash prediction models of different selection criteria to assemble the crash data set. Models (total and fatal or injury) based on a crash data set with and without crashes in the proximity of intersections were compared. The results show that when crashes on horizontal curves are selected where crash report forms indicate the presence of a horizontal curve, crashes that occur in the proximity of intersections do not affect model results significantly; therefore, the inclusion of such crashes would increase the size of the data set and benefit model development.
Multi-flip chip on lead frame overmolded IC package: a novel packaging design to achieve high performance and cost effective module package

Miniaturization reduces package size, cost and board space. System on Chip (SoC) integrates a system on a common silicon substrate, however there are some shortcomings with this approach such as high manufacturing cost. Handling of different levels of voltage and current on a common silicon substrate with controller IC operating in the range of several volts and milliamps, while power MosFETs at over hundreds of volts and more dozens of amps can also pose as an issue. Nevertheless, module packages having controller IC and power MosFET co-packaged are new. Fairchild semiconductor's advancement in packaging has eliminated these drawbacks with the introduction of multi-flip chip on lead frame over-molded IC package. This new package has a novel packaging concept that uses multi-flip chip technology on the power devices combined with controller IC employing wire bonding technique on one copper lead frame based substrate. The gate and source in power MosFETs are bumped and attached to the copper lead frame by flip chip bonding technology and are routed out of package by solder balls while the drain exposed at the bottom of the package is soldered directly to the board. This is a BGA package with exposed die back for drain. The paper describes the construction of multi-flip chip on lead frame over molded package in Fairchild Semiconductor, its cost effective package designs and manufacturing challenges.
The determination of implicit polynomial canonical curves

A new method is presented for identifying and comparing closed, bounded, free-form curves that are defined by even implicit polynomial (IP) equations in the X-Y Cartesian coordinates. The method provides a new expression for an IP involving a product of conic factors with unique conic factor centers. The critical points for an IP curve are also defined. The conic factor centers and the critical points are shown to be useful related points that directly map to one another under affine transformations. In particular, the explicit determination of such points implies both a canonical form for the curves and the transformation matrix which relates affine equivalent curves.
Self-Deception and Choice ⁄

We model agents who use self-deception to rationalize and justify actions that can eventually lead them into temptation. Formally, we extend Gul and Pesendorfer’s (2001) framework to three time periods and obtain a special functional form for the temptation utility at the interim stage. Our representation portrays an agent who is tempted (i) to relax her normative attitude towards future indulgence and (ii) to turn a blind eye to any possibility of temptation altogether. Welfare implications of self-deception are discussed.
The SCAN domain of ZNF174 is a dimer.

Abstract The SCAN domain is a conserved region of 84 residues found predominantly in zinc finger DNA-binding proteins in vertebrates. The SCAN domain appears to control the association of SCAN domain containing proteins into noncovalent complexes and may be the primary mechanism underlying partner choice in the oligomerization of these transcription factors. Here we have overexpressed, purified, and characterized the isolated SCAN domain (amino acids 37–132) from ZNF174. Both size exclusion chromatography and equilibrium sedimentation analysis demonstrate that the ZNF174 SCAN domain forms a homodimer. Circular dichroism shows that the isolated SCAN domain dimer has ∼42% α-helix. Thermal denaturation experiments indicate that the SCAN domain undergoes a single reversible unfolding transition with a T m of over 70 °C. The midpoint of the equilibrium unfolding transition increases with increasing protein concentration, consistent with a two-state unfolding transition in which folded dimer is in equilibrium with unfolded monomer. These findings demonstrate that the isolated SCAN domain forms a stable dimer and support a model in which the SCAN domain is capable of mediating the selective dimerization of a large family of vertebrate-specific, zinc finger-containing transcription factors.
Single incision pediatric endosurgery (SIPES) appendectomy—is obesity a contraindication? ☆ ☆☆

Abstract Introduction Single-incision pediatric endosurgery (SIPES) is gaining popularity and has been reported to be safe in acute (non-perforated) and perforated appendicitis. The feasibility of SIPES appendectomy in obese children is uncertain. Materials and methods After IRB approval, data were collected from a prospectively maintained SIPES appendectomy database for cases performed between April 2009 and March 2012. Patients were divided into obese and non-obese groups based on Center for Disease Control criteria. The surgical techniques, operative times, complications, conversion rates, and outcomes were recorded. Chi-square test and t-test were used for statistical analysis. Results SIPES appendectomy was attempted in 500 children. There were 21% obese, and 37% were female with median age of 10.9±3.8years. Mean operative time, blood loss, requirement of additional trocars, and intraoperative complications in non-obese and obese children were not significantly different. Mean hospital stay (2.3days in each group), post operative wound infections (3.3% vs. 4.8%, p=0.55, non-obese vs. obese), and intraabdominal abscesses (4.3% vs. 2.9%, p=0.77, non-obese vs. obese) were not significantly different. Conclusion SIPES appendectomy may be accomplished successfully and safely in obese children. Obesity did not appear to be associated with increased risk of complications and was not a contraindication for SIPES appendectomy.
Analyzing Adjuvant Radiotherapy Suggests a Non Monotonic Radio-Sensitivity Over Tumor Volumes

Adjuvant Radiotherapy (RT) after surgical removal of tumors proved beneficial in long-term tumor control and treatment planning. For many years, it has been well concluded that radio-sensitivities of tumors upon radiotherapy decrease according to the sizes of tumors and RT models based on Poisson statistics have been used extensively to validate clinical data. We found that Poisson statistics on RT is actually derived from bacterial cells despite of many validations from clinical data. However cancerous cells do have abnormal cellular communications and use chemical messengers to signal both surrounding normal and cancerous cells to develop new blood vessels and to invade, to metastasis and to overcome intercellular spatial confinements in general. We therefore investigated the cell killing effects on adjuvant RT and found that radio-sensitivity is actually not a monotonic function of volume as it was believed before. We present detailed analysis and explanation to justify above statement. Based on EUD, we present an equivalent radio-sensitivity model. We conclude that radio sensitivity is a sophisticated function over tumor volumes, since tumor responses upon radio therapy also depend on cellular communications.
Assessment of alveolar bone levels from intraoral radiographs in subjects between ages 15 and 94 years seeking dental care

Studies have shown that <20% of the US population has periodontal disease. Studies of radiographs have shown that alveolar bone loss increases with age. Bone loss assessed from intraoral radiographs describing 10,282 teeth from 416 subjects seeking dental care during a 3 month period at the University of Washington were studied. The mean age of the subjects was 47.2 years (SD+/-15.2). The youngest subjects (15-24) had on average 29.6 teeth (SD+/-2.2) and the oldest subjects (75-94) 19.3 teeth (SD+/-6.6). This difference was statistically significant (F=16.57, p<0.001). No association was found between alveolar bone loss (CEJ-ABC), and TMD symptoms. Smoking was significantly associated with both general bone loss (CEJ-ABC) (chi(2)=114.9, p<0.0001), and vertical bone defects (angular) (chi(2)=101.8, p<0.0001). In this study population (15-94 years), alveolar bone loss progressed as defined by the slope (beta=0.29) between age 15-44, but was almost flat from age 50 years (beta=0.04). The data suggested an overall rate of alveolar bone loss of 0.02 mm per year. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that smoking was the primary factor in bone loss (t= 7.7, p<0.0001), followed by age (t=7.0, p<0.001) and gender (t=3.0, p<0.01). TMD symptoms could not explain the presence and severity of horizontal or vertical defects. If the CEJ-ABC distance above the mean plus 2x the SD was used as the cutoff value to define abnormal bone levels, 10.9% of the younger (15-45 years), and 10.7% of the older subjects (50-94) had significant alveolar bone loss. 73.9% of the younger and 100% of the older subjects with such extent of alveolar bone loss were smokers.
Carbon Addition as a Technique for Controlling Exotic Species in Pacific Northwest Prairies

Abstract Competition for soil resources is a driving force in plant community ecology. Therefore, amendments that alter soil resources should affect vegetation dynamics and are potential tools for controlling exotic species. We tested the effects of two types of carbon addition, sugar and activated carbon (AC), on an exotic-dominated grassland plant community. Sugar stimulates the microbial community and temporarily reduces plant available nitrogen (N), while AC adsorbs plant available N. Six experimental plots and three carbon treatments were used: sugar (1000 g m-2; 42% C), AC (420 g m-2; 100% C), and control. Treatments were applied in a split-plot design in spring 2008. Aboveground biomass, plant cover, species richness, and plant basal area were tracked for two growing seasons. Although total biomass was not affected by C addition, the distribution of biomass among life forms was affected: carbon addition reduced forb biomass but had no effect on grasses or legumes. Total cover was lower in sugar-tre...
Botfly infestation (Dermatobia hominis).

A woman noted pruritic lesions on her back, proximal right thigh, and in her left supraclavicular area about 2 weeks after returning from a 10-day vacation in Belize, which included 4 days of snorkeling in the ocean (no freshwater exposure) and 6 days of jungle hiking. She was well during the trip, taking mefloquine for malaria prophylaxis, applying diethyltoluamide, and wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants while in the jungle, although she would change to shorts at night while indoors. She could not recall mosquito, tick, or fly bites. Three weeks later, the ‘‘bites’’ had enlarged to 10 cm in diameter and were raised, warm, and red. She noted that the lesions were often draining clear liquid or blood, although she made an effort not to scratch them. At times, she described a hole forming in them ‘‘like a clam under the sand,’’ which would then disappear, but she did not describe a sensation of any movement within the lesions. Of note, several companions who were also on the trip had similar lesions. The lesions were drained, and she was given antibiotics for 5 days. With continued drainage and pruritis, she was referred for surgical excision. Other than biting and acting as vectors of disease, flies may affect humans by causing myiasis, infestation of the skin or a body orifice with fly larvae of Diptera species, which include the human botfly (Dermatobia hominis). These flies are acquired during travel to an endemic area. The female botfly attaches her eggs to the abdomen of a biting arthropod as a mechanical vector. The eggs hatch, and the first-stage larvae burrow into the skin through the insect bite, a hair follicle, or other wound. The larva does not migrate, but spends between 4 and 14 weeks in the skin developing into a third-stage larva or instar, which can measure 2 cm or more in length (see Figures 1 through 3). The larva then emerges to pupate in the soil. Lesions may resemble insect bites, allergic reactions, herpes virus infection, molluscum contagiosum lesions, or bites of the mite Sarcoptes scabiei. As the lesions enlarge, they may resemble a cellulitis, pyogenic furuncle, or an infected sebaceous cyst. Before removal, pork fat or bacon classically has been used to encourage migration of the larvae out of the infected site, but petroleum jelly may be applied over the skin opening, causing the larvae to migrate to the surface seeking air. Diagnosis depends on examination of the larvae, which is facilitated by a dissecting microscope (Figure 1, the actual length of this larvae is 1.5 cm). The anterior end possesses 2 curved oral hooks, which extend and retract, grasping and tearing host tissues on which the botfly larva feeds (Figure 2). Larvae anchor themselves in the skin using a number of parallel concentric rows of posteriorly pointing spines on their body, as well as by having a wider anterior end than posterior end (Figure 3).
X-FEM in isogeometric analysis for linear fracture mechanics

The extended finite element method (X-FEM) has proven to be an accurate, robust method for solving problems in fracture mechanics. X-FEM has typically been used with elements using linear basis functions, although some work has been performed using quadratics. In the current work, the X-FEM formulation is incorporated into isogeometric analysis to obtain solutions with higher order convergence rates for problems in linear fracture mechanics. In comparison with X-FEM with conventional finite elements of equal degree, the NURBS-based isogeometric analysis gives equal asymptotic convergence rates and equal accuracy with fewer degrees of freedom (DOF). Results for linear through quartic NURBS basis functions are presented for a multiplicity of one or a multiplicity equal the degree.
Drinking Blood at a Kosher Eucharist? The Sound of Scholarly Silence:

The element of drinking blood in the Eucharistic rite is at once a religious and a theological problem. How does one account for the practice, particularly given the alleged institution by a Jew in...
Discussing Serious News Teaching Communication Skills Through Role Play With Bereaved Parents

Aim:The ability to communicate serious news to patients and families in a caring and compassionate way is a critical skill for physicians. This study explores the impact of a novel communication skills workshop that included bereaved parents in role play on pediatric residents’ confidence to communicate serious news.Methods:Following the workshop, pediatric residents were surveyed to assess their perceived efficacy of the educational intervention. The survey included anchored response and open-ended questions to yield qualitative and quantitative results.Results:After completing the workshop, residents’ confidence in discussing goals, managing emotions, and expressing empathy all increased significantly. Residents reported that the inclusion of bereaved parents was beneficial since it made the experience more realistic. In addition, they believed their ability to communicate with patients and families had improved.Conclusions:Including bereaved parents in this communication skills workshop improved the re...
Inactivation of health-related microorganisms in water by disinfection processes

The recent literature on disinfection of health-related microorganisms in water and wastewater is reviewed. There is now considerable evidence that traditional microbial indicators of water and wastewater quality, such as total and fecal coliform bacteria, are inadequate to predict the presence or disinfection responses of several important, newly recognized bacterial, viral and protozoan pathogens. This review emphasizes the response to disinfection of waterborne microbial pathogens and potential indicators of recent recognition and public health concern. These organisms include heterotrophic plate count (HPC) bacteria, frank and opportunistic bacterial pathogens, such as Campylobacter jejuni, Yersinia enterocolytica, non-tubercular mycobacteria, Legionella spp. and pseudomonads; coliphage indicators and enteric viral pathogens, such as hepatitis A virus, rotaviruses and Norwalk virus; and protozoan pathogens, such as Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium, and the free-living amoeba (e.g., Acanthamoeba spp. and Negleria spp.). The responses of these organisms to widely used, traditional disinfectants, such as free and combined chlorine, and to disinfectants of more recent interest, such as ozone, chlorine dioxide and ultraviolet light, are reviewed. This review also attempts to identify the variety of factors influencing disinfection efficiency, especially those that interfere with disinfection. It is apparent that traditional microbial indicators, such as total and fecal coliforms, are more sensitive to disinfection than such pathogens of recent concern as mycobacteria, enteric viruses and protozoan cysts. Therefore, efforts must be continued to find more reliable indicators of disinfection efficiency and microbial water quality and improved methods for water and wastewater disinfection.
Weak sufficient statistics for team decision problems

The team sufficient statistics defined by Wu and Lall are known to be sufficient for optimality in team decision problems. In this paper we give a new mathematical characterization of these statistics, as well as a new intuitive interpretation in terms of the ability to simulate measurements. Then, we define a new class of statistics, which we call weak team sufficient statistics, and show that these statistics are not only sufficient for optimality, but also necessary for simultaneous optimality with respect to all cost functions.
Spin Maximization: Switching of the Usual S = 11 State of MnII4MnIII3 Disklike Complexes to the Maximum S = 16

The S = 11 ground states of the Mn7 family of mixed-valence complexes with a metal-centered hexagonal topology have been found by density functional theory calculations to arise by spin frustration involving small differences in the magnitudes of the two weakest interactions controlling the alignment of the central spin. Targeted structural perturbation has allowed a complex with the central spin flipped to be discovered, which thus possesses the maximum S = 16 ground state.
Steroid Resistance in the Squirrel Monkey: An Old Subject Revisited

I t has been more than 30 yr since Brown et al. (1968) reported at the 52nd Annual FASEB Meeting in Atlantic City that squirrel monkeys have high circulating levels of the adrenal steroid cortisol compared with humans. This work was subsequently published in full (Brown et al. 1970) and confirmed by other laboratories (for example, Chrousos et al. 1982; Coe et al. 1978; Klosterman et al. 1986; Manogue et al. 1975). In the meantime, it was recognized that other steroid hormones, including progesterone, 17|3-estradiol, and testosterone, are also elevated in squirrel monkeys (Mendoza et al. 1978; Wilson et al. 1978; Wolf et al. 1977). Since these discoveries, a number of reports have contributed to our understanding of these phenomena, although not until recently have we begun to appreciate the molecular changes that led to these elevated hormone levels. The goal of this article is not to review our current knowledge of secretion and metabolism of each of these steroids in the squirrel monkey. Such review has been expertly achieved in chapters published in a volume of Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology dedicated to the late Dr. Mortimer Lipsett (Chrousos et al. 1986a,b; Siiteri 1986). Rather, this article details recent findings that have provided insight into the molecular events that led to hypercortisolemia, briefly describing their relevance to the secretion of other steroid hormones in squirrel monkeys. The issue of elevated steroid hormone levels is important to laboratory animal science for several reasons. First, it should be appreciated that high circulating levels of some steroid hormones are a normal finding in captive squirrel monkeys. Second, it is generally agreed that this phenomenon has occurred as a normal physiological response to a state of hormone insensitivity or resistance in responsive tissues, including tissues such as the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, which mediate the feedback response. As a consequence, hormone levels are high to compensate for endorgan resistance, and squirrel monkeys enjoy a relatively normal pituitary-adrenal physiology albeit at a higher hormonal set-point. Thus, cortisol secretion in squirrel monkeys is appropriately stimulated by chair restraint (Brown et al. 1970) and social and environmental perturbations (Coe et
Wind Tunnel Testing of Wings in Spin

Experimental wind tunnel tests were conducted in the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign lowspeed low-turbulence wind tunnel to study the aerodynamics of stalled spinning wings. Wings with airfoils of t=c 10% and aspect ratios between 1 and 10 were tested at pitch angles of 30, 60, and 90 deg. In addition, the effects of airfoil shape were investigated by testing wings with symmetric, flat-bottom, and flat-plate airfoils. Results for Reynolds numbers between 3,000 and 25,000 show that the normal force coefficient CN increases both with higher aspect ratio and higher nondimensional spin rate (w =Wb=2V ). The effect of wing aspect ratio was observed to decrease as the wing pitch angle was increased within the stall regime to 90 deg. No Reynolds number effects were observed over the range of Reynolds numbers tested. The normal force coefficientCN was observed to follow the square of w within the range of spin parameter values that may be experienced by an aircraft in a stall/spin situation. For high spin parameter values, a change in concavity was observed, indicating the existence of a CN plateau. A CN plateau value, which increases with the aspect ratio, was measured for A = 1 and A = 2 wings. Flat-bottom airfoils exhibited larger CN values than symmetric airfoils, but no significant difference was observed between flat-plate and flat-bottom airfoils.
Equilibrium Wall Model for Large Eddy Simulations of Jets for Aeroacoustics

Accurate predictions of jet noise produced by realistic nozzles with complicated geometries (e.g. chevrons) require the inclusion of walls in large eddy simulations (LES). However, the additional cost of resolving the near-wall turbulence at realistic Reynolds numbers is prohibitively expensive. To make such simulations more economical, a wall model based on the logarithmic velocity profile is described in detail and implemented in a high-order finite difference LES application using generalized curvilinear coordinates. Simulations of a high Reynolds number (Reθ = 13, 000) nearly incompressible zero pressure gradient flat plate boundary layer are completed for validation and justification of the proposed methodology. The subgrid scale (SGS) model choice is also examined. Implicit LES using a low-pass spatial filter and the dynamic Smagorinsky model are evaluated on an a posteriori basis. Lastly, a series of comparatively coarse grids are tested to more critically evaluate the methodology’s ability to reduce simulation costs. This is essential as jet noise simulations can remain prohibitively expensive even with a suitable wall modeling approach. Overall, the numerical results show reasonable agreement for the flow in the outer portions of the boundary layer when compared to experimental data and theoretical estimates.
Calorie restriction regulates circadian clock gene expression through BMAL1 dependent and independent mechanisms

Feeding behavior, metabolism and circadian clocks are interlinked. Calorie restriction (CR) is a feeding paradigm known to extend longevity. We found that CR significantly affected the rhythms in the expression of circadian clock genes in mice on the mRNA and protein levels, suggesting that CR reprograms the clocks both transcriptionally and post-transcriptionally. The effect of CR on gene expression was distinct from the effects of time-restricted feeding or fasting. Furthermore, CR affected the circadian output through up- or down-regulation of the expression of several clock-controlled transcriptional factors and the longevity candidate genes. CR-dependent effects on some clock gene expression were impaired in the liver of mice deficient for BMAL1, suggesting importance of this transcriptional factor for the transcriptional reprogramming of the clock, however, BMAL1- independent mechanisms also exist. We propose that CR recruits biological clocks as a natural mechanism of metabolic optimization under conditions of limited energy resources.