cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Two‐dimensional discrete Fourier transform analysis of karst and coral reef morphologies

Fourier transforms have been used in the analysis of landscapes that exhibit the influence of cyclic structures or other morphogenetic controls. Two-dimensional Fourier transforms have been most successful when modeling features with a high frequency over the sample space. This research focuses on applications of 2D discrete Fourier transforms for karst and spur and groove coral reefs, using ArcGIS geoprocessing tools extended with Python NumPy numerical methods. Ten-meter digital elevation data from Puerto Rico and Kentucky holokarst landscapes and five-meter bathymetry from more unidirectional spur and groove coral reefs at Midway Atoll were analyzed. Our method identifies the dominant contributing waves in frequency space, and analyzed power contributions by 5° and 15° azimuth bins. A limiting factor in this analysis is the spatial extent of consistent morphology in the landscape. In contrast to time-domain Fourier analysis, dominant landform frequencies can thus be of low magnitude, creating an imprecise estimate of wave morphometry and direction since this is derived from the combination of inverted x and y frequency values, and the limited frequency grain inherent in the discrete model degrades precision in the solution. Simulated karst and spur & groove landscapes were used to evaluate the grain of waveform orientation solutions.
Cancer-Related Pain: Assessment and Management With Putting Evidence Into Practice Interventions .

Many evidence-based pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic strategies exist to manage acute, chronic, refractory, and breakthrough cancer pain. This supplement includes an overview of cancer pain assessment, which is the foundation of pain management. Following the overview are four systematic reviews covering 462 studies on cancer pain management. The Oncology Nursing Society Putting Evidence Into Practice (PEP) expert panel summarized the evidence and provided recommendations for practice based on PEP guidelines.
The evolving definition of essential tremor: What are we dealing with?

Background Although essential tremor (ET) is commonly encountered in clinical practice, historically, there has been considerable disagreement as how to best define it, and now with a growing sense of its clinical complexity, how to best encapsulate it. Here, I draw attention to five issues of current uncertainty.
Quality of Vegetables Based on Total Phenolic Concentration Is Lower in More Rural Consumer Food Environments in a Rural American State

While daily consumption of fruits and vegetables (FVs) is widely recognized to be associated with supporting nutrition and health, disparities exist in consumer food environments regarding access to high-quality produce based on location. The purpose of this study was to evaluate FV quality using total phenolic (TP) scores (a phytochemical measure for health-promoting attributes, flavor, appearance, and shelf-life) in consumer food environments along a rural to urban continuum in the rural state of Montana, United States. Significant differences were found in the means of the FV TP scores (p < 0.0001) and vegetable TP scores (p < 0.0001) on the basis of rurality, while no significant difference was found for fruit TP scores by rurality (p < 0.2158). Specifically, FV TP scores and vegetable TP scores were highest for the least rural stores and lowest for the most rural stores. Results indicate an access gap to high-quality vegetables in more rural and more health-disparate consumer food environments of Montana compared to urban food environments. Findings highlight that food and nutrition interventions should aim to increase vegetable quality in rural consumer food environments in the state of Montana towards enhancing dietary quality and food choices. Future studies are called for that examine TP scores of a wide range of FVs in diverse food environments globally. Studies are further needed that examine linkages between FV quality, food choices, diets, and health outcomes towards enhancing food environments for public health.
Experimental and clinical studies on the prevention of aspirin-induced gastric damage by “cytoprotective” drugs

Experimental studies initiated by Robert and co-workers1,2 have demonstrated that a number of prostaglandins (PGs) given exogenously or released endogenously by “mild irritant” in the stomach3, prevent gross mucosal lesions caused by various necrotizing substances.
Later Life Impacts of Social Participation on Parents of Adult Offspring With and Without Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Abstract Social participation is an important resource for parents in old age, and may be particularly important for parents living with adult offspring with intellectual and developmental disabili...
Abstract 8783: Methylation of FOXP3 In Regulatory T Cells is Related to the Severity of Coronary Atherosclerosis

Objective: Regulatory T (Treg) cells play a protective role in experimental atherosclerosis. However, the role of Treg in the development of human coronary artery disease (CAD) is inconsistent. Dem...
Individualized survival prediction for patients with oropharyngeal cancer in the human papillomavirus era

Background Accurate, individualized prognostication in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is vital for patient counseling and treatment decision making. With the emergence of human papillomavirus (HPV) as an important biomarker in OPSCC, calculators incorporating this variable have been developed. However, it is critical to characterize their accuracy prior to implementation. Methods Four OPSCC calculators were identified that integrate HPV into their estimation of 5-year overall survival. Treatment outcomes for 856 patients with OPSCC who were evaluated at a single institution from 2003 through 2016 were analyzed. Predicted survival probabilities were generated for each patient using each calculator. Calculator performance was assessed and compared using Kaplan-Meier plots, receiver operating characteristic curves, concordance statistics, and calibration plots. Results Correlation between pairs of calculators varied, with coefficients ranging from 0.63 to 0.90. Only 3 of 6 pairs of calculators yielded predictions within 10% of each other for at least 50% of patients. Kaplan-Meier curves of calculator-defined risk groups demonstrated reasonable stratification. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve ranged from 0.74 to 0.80, and concordance statistics ranged from 0.71 to 0.78. Each calculator demonstrated superior discriminatory ability compared with clinical staging according to the seventh and eighth editions of the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging manual. Among models, the Denmark calculator was found to be best calibrated to observed outcomes. Conclusions Existing calculators exhibited reasonable estimation of survival in patients with OPSCC, but there was considerable variability in predictions for individual patients, which limits the clinical usefulness of these calculators. Given the increasing role of personalized treatment in patients with OPSCC, further work is needed to improve accuracy and precision, possibly through the identification and incorporation of additional biomarkers.
High-Energy Charge-Separated States by Reductive Electron Transfer Followed by Electron Shift in the Tetraphenylethylene–Aluminum(III) Porphyrin–Fullerene Triad

A high-potential supramolecular triad (TPE-AlPor ← Im-C60) composed of aluminum(III) porphyrin (AlPor), fullerene (C60), and tetraphenylethylene (TPE) has been constructed. The fullerene and tetraphenylethylene units are bound axially to opposite faces of the porphyrin plane via coordination and covalent bonds, respectively. The ground and excited-state properties of the triad and reference dyads are studied using steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopic techniques. The transient data show that photoexcitation results in charge separation from tetraphenylethylene to the excited singlet state of the porphyrin (1AlPor*), generating a high-energy (2.14 eV) charge-separated state, (TPE)•+-(AlPor)•–, in toluene. A subsequent electron migration from the AlPor–• to fullerene generates a second high-energy (1.78 eV) charge-separated state (TPE)•+-AlPor ← Im-(C60)•–. The lifetime of the charge separation is about 25 ns. The high energy stored in the form of charge-separated states along with their reasonable l...
METABOLOMIC INVESTIGATION OF LONG-TERM RISK OF MAJOR ADVERSE CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS IN A COMMUNITY-BASED COHORT (HEART SCORE) STUDY

The field of cardiovascular metabolomics is rapidly evolving and has the potential to identify novel risk factors to improve early detection and prognosis of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Consequently, we leveraged a non-targeted discovery metabolomic approach to identify metabolites associated with
Critical issues in hemoglobinopathy detection and serology testing for HIV and hepatitis infections

Abstract Clinicians depend on clinical laboratories for obtaining accurate results in immunology and serology testing and inaccurate results may have tremendous impact not only on the diagnosis but also on a patient. For example, a false positive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) test result may have a devastating psychological impact on the patient. Various methods are used in immunology and serology testing including electrophoresis, immunoassays and various other analytical techniques. Even for a single analyte, multiple technologies may be available. As expected no method is free from analytical errors. In this chapter various sources of errors in immunology and serology testing are addressed. The emphasis is how to minimize errors as well as eliminating errors when possible. In this chapter, the discussion will be primarily be focused on challenges in interpretation of various tests performed in Immunology especially hemoglobinopathy detection, hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) serology. Sources of errors in testing for these analytes will be discussed with an emphasis on minimizing or eliminating interferences.
Ethical Practice Under Accountable Care

Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) are a key mechanism of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). ACOs will influence incentives for providers, who must understand these changes to make well-considered treatment decisions. Our paper defines an ethical framework for physician decisions and action within ACOs. Emerging ethical pressures providers will face as members of an ACO were classified under major headings representing three of the four principles of bioethics: autonomy, beneficence, and justice (no novel conflicts with non-maleficence were identified). Conflicts include a bias against transient populations, a motive to undertreat conditions lacking performance measures, and the mandate to improve population health incentivizing life intrusions. After introducing and explaining each conflict, recommendations are offered for how providers ought to precede in the face of novel ethical choices. Our description of novel ethical choices will help providers know what to expect and our recommendations can guide providers in choosing well.
Roman Diet and Meat Consumption: Reassessing Elite Access to Meat in 1 Corinthians 8 and 10:

A persistent exegetical tradition exists linking the Pauline controversy over the consumption of idol meat in the Corinthian correspondence to social and economic assumptions about the Roman world....
Prevalence and Severity of Alcohol and Cannabis Use Across the Urban-Rural Continuum in the Michigan National Guard.

Purpose The National Guard provides critical support both domestically and abroad with soldiers dispersed throughout America and spanning the urban-rural continuum. To determine if location-specific interventions may be needed, we compared the prevalence and severity of cannabis and alcohol use among National Guard members across localities. Methods Michigan National Guard members were enrolled (N = 2,746) during drill weekends as part of a larger randomized behavioral trial. Cannabis (ASSIST; prevalence = 5%) and alcohol use (AUDIT; prevalence = 82%) were compared using hurdle regression models across locality status after adjusting for covariates. Findings Prevalence of cannabis and alcohol use was predicted by locality (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.913, 95% CI: 0.838-0.986, P = .029; AOR = 0.963, 95% CI: 0.929-0.998, P = .038, respectively), with more use in urban localities. Neither severity of cannabis nor alcohol use was predicted by locality status. Conclusions Prevalence of cannabis and alcohol use in the National Guard is differentially elevated across localities with higher prevalence in more central, densely populated areas. Findings may inform future work considering accessibility and utilization of prevention and treatment services for Guard members across the urban-rural continuum.
A Slinky’s Elastic Potential Energy

Aprevious journal article established that a hanging Slinky’s restoring force is due only to the coils between the support and the Slinky’s center of mass (hereafter COM). Correspondingly, it is expected the Slinky’s elastic potential energy (hereafter EPE) is associated with only those coils; however, there is no confirming experimental evidence. The experimental setup, the discussion, and the analysis here provide the confirming experimental evidence. The experimental setup is simple and the analysis is straightforward. Both may be understood by physics and engineering majors who have some familiarity of the COM concept, the EPE of springs, and the ability to calculate the work done by gravitational forces.
Impact of Mandated Public Reporting in California on 30-Day readmission following CABG surgery: A Health policy analysis

The 30-day all-cause readmission rate following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is considered an important outcome measure for patients because higher rates can be an indicator of low quality and unnecessary health care costs. Our research uses rigorous methods to explore the impact of mandatory public reporting of all-cause readmission rates following CABG surgery in California. We used a hierarchical logistic regression model on 173, 823 CABG patient records. This model standardised outcomes across 10 U.S. states that were not previously comparable due to different CABG definitions and metrics. Additionally, in order to account for the differences in medical practice across different states, we applied a differencein-difference method to estimate the impact of public reporting. Finally, a recycled prediction method was used to estimate the number of averted readmissions following public reporting initiation in California.
Nrf2-ARE Pathway: Defense Against Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress occurs when the production of reactive chemical intermediates during bioactivation exceeds the ability of metabolic detoxification enzymes and endogenous antioxidants to neutralize them. To maintain the balance between bioactivation and detoxification, living cells maintain an inducible antioxidant response pathway, which activity is largely regulated by nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Nrf2 governs the expression of many detoxification enzymes and antioxidants and acts as a sensor of oxidative stress. Nrf2 complex binds to antioxidant response elements (ARE). Nrf2-Keap1-ARE pathways in the absence and presence of oxidative stress are presented. Cytoprotection and induction of Nrf2-ARE pathway are also discussed.
Current Applications of Growth Factors for Knee Cartilage Repair and Osteoarthritis Treatment

The decreased contact area, edge loading, and increased stress in the adjacent area cartilage resulting from chondral defects are believed to predispose this tissue to degenerative changes that have significant economic implications, especially when considering its progression to osteoarthritis of the knee. Growth factors are considered therapeutic possibilities to enhance healing of chondral injuries and modify the progression to degenerative arthritis. Thus, the purposes of this review are to first to summarize important points for defect preparation and recent advances in techniques for marrow stimulation and second, and to identify specific growth factors and cytokines that have the capacity to advance cartilage regeneration and the treatment of osteoarthritis in light of recent laboratory and clinical studies. TGF-β, BMP-2, BMP-7, IGF-1, as IL-1 receptor antagonist, and recombinant human FGF-18 are some of the promising growth factor/cytokine treatments with pioneering and evolving clinical developments. The bulk of the review describes and discusses these developments in light of fundamental basic science. It is crucial to also understand the other underlying advances made in the surgical management of cartilage defects prior to onset of OA. These advances are in techniques for defect preparation and marrow stimulation, a common cartilage repair procedure used in combination with growth factor/cytokine augmentation. Multiple growth factor/cytokine modulation therapies are currently undergoing clinical trial investigation including Invossa (currently in phase III study), Kineret (currently in phase I study), and Sprifermin (currently in phase II study) for the treatment of symptomatic osteoarthritis.
Novel Interdisciplinary Approach to GERD: Concomitant Laparoscopic Hiatal Hernia Repair with Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication

Background Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) is an endoscopic alternative for the treatment of GERD. However, TIF does not address the hiatal hernia (HH). We present a novel approach with a laparoscopic HH repair followed by same-session TIF, coined concomitant transoral incisionless fundoplication (cTIF). The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy, safety, and feasibility of cTIF in a collaborative approach between Gastroenterology and surgery. Study Design Patients with confirmed GERD and >2 cm HH who underwent cTIF between 2018 and 2020 were included. Symptoms were assessed using the Reflux Disease Questionnaire, GERD Health-Related Quality of Life Index, and the Reflux Symptom Index pre and post cTIF. One-way ANOVA and paired samples t-test were used for statistical analysis. Results Sixty patients underwent cTIF (53% were men, mean age was 59.3 years) with 100% technical success. Mean ± SD HH measurement on endoscopy was 2.9 ± 1.5 cm. Scores on Reflux Disease Questionnaire for symptom frequency and symptom severity improved significantly from before to 6 months after cTIF (17.4 to 4.72; p Conclusions We present a novel multidisciplinary approach to GERD using a combined endoscopic and surgical approach with close collaboration between Gastroenterology and surgery. Our results suggest that cTIF is safe and effective in reducing reflux symptoms in a large spectrum of GERD patients.
Optimal deductibility: theory, and evidence from a bunching decomposition

I define a new tax instrument, the ‘deductibility rate’, which specifies the proportion of eligible expenses a taxpayer may deduct when preparing her taxes. If the utilities of gross income and deductions are separable, then the deduction elasticity reflects the revenue leakage caused by greater deductibility. To identify this elasticity, I develop the first method to decompose bunching in taxable income into its constituent parts, exploiting the removal of a notch in the tax schedule. This setting also generates an observed counterfactual density, obviating the parametric assumptions routinely made in bunching studies. Applying this method to new administrative tax data from Australia, I find that while deductions account for just 5% of taxable income, they account for 35% of the response of taxable income to the tax rate. Based on an elasticity of taxable income of 0.06, the deduction elasticity is -0.45, and the gross-income elasticity is 0.04. Consistent with standard optimal-tax logic, the sensitivity of deductions to the tax rate suggests that restricting deductions could raise welfare.
Gestational gut microbial remodeling is impaired in a rat model of preeclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension.

Preeclampsia is a progressive hypertensive disorder of pregnancy affecting 2%–8% of pregnancies globally. Preexisting chronic hypertension is a major risk factor associated with developing preeclam...
Preconception leukocyte telomere length and pregnancy outcomes among women with demonstrated fecundity.

STUDY QUESTION Is preconception leukocyte telomere length associated with fecundability, pregnancy loss and live birth among women attempting natural conception with a history of 1-2 prior pregnancy losses? SUMMARY ANSWER Preconception leukocyte telomere length is not associated with fecundability, pregnancy loss or live birth. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY As women increasingly delay childbearing, accessible preconception biomarkers to predict pregnancy outcomes among women seeking natural conception could improve preconception counseling. Findings of small case-control or cross-sectional studies suggest that telomere attrition is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes among women undergoing fertility treatment, but prospective studies in non-clinical populations are lacking. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Participants included 1228 women aged 18-40 years with a history of 1-2 prior pregnancy losses who were recruited at four university medical centers (2006-2012). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Preconception leukocyte telomere length was measured at baseline using PCR and reported as a ratio (T/S) in relation to population-specific standard reference DNA. Women were followed for up to six cycles while attempting to conceive. Associations of telomere length with fecundability, live birth and pregnancy loss were estimated using discrete Cox proportional hazards models and log-binomial models. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE After adjustment for age, BMI, smoking and other factors, preconception telomere length was not associated with fecundability (Q4 vs Q1 FOR = 1.00; 95% CI = 0.79, 1.27), live birth (Q4 vs Q1 RR = 1.00; 95% CI = 0.85, 1.19), or pregnancy loss (Q4 vs Q1 RR = 1.12; 95% CI = 0.78, 1.62). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Telomere length was measured in leukocytes, which is an accessible tissue in women attempting natural conception but may not reflect telomere length in oocytes. Most women were younger than 35 years, limiting our ability to evaluate associations among older women. Participants had a history of 1-2 prior pregnancy losses; therefore, our findings may not be widely generalizable. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Despite prior research suggesting that telomere length may be associated with pregnancy outcomes among women seeking fertility treatment, our findings suggest that leukocyte telomere length is not a suitable biomarker of pregnancy establishment or maintenance among women attempting natural conception. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This research was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA; contract numbers HHSN267200603423, HHSN267200603424 and HHSN267200603426). The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00467363.
Outcomes of Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty Following Septic Arthritis of the Native Knee: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND Septic arthritis of the native knee often results in irreversible joint damage leading to the need for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of the present study was to examine the intermediate-term risk of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), aseptic revision, and reoperation following primary TKA in patients with a history of septic arthritis of the native knee as compared with primary TKA performed for the treatment of osteoarthritis. METHODS We retrospectively identified 215 primary TKAs performed from 1971 to 2016 at a single institution in patients with a history of septic arthritis of the native knee. Each case was matched 1:1 based on age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and surgical year to a TKA for osteoarthritis. The mean age and BMI were 63 years and 30 kg/m2, respectively. The mean duration of follow-up was 9 years. RESULTS Survivorships free of PJI at 10 years were 90% and 99% for the septic arthritis and osteoarthritis groups, respectively (hazard ratio [HR] = 6.1; p < 0.01). Ten-year survivorships free of any aseptic revisions were 83% and 93% (HR = 2.5; p < 0.01), and survivorships free of any reoperation were 61% and 84% (HR = 2.9; p < 0.01) for the septic arthritis and osteoarthritis groups, respectively. In addition, as time from the diagnosis of native knee septic arthritis to TKA increased, the relative risk of subsequent infection decreased. Preoperative and 2-year postoperative Knee Society scores were similar between the groups (p = 0.16 and p = 0.19, respectively). CONCLUSIONS There was a 6.1-fold increased risk of PJI in patients undergoing TKA with a history of native knee septic arthritis when compared with controls undergoing TKA for the treatment of osteoarthritis, with a cumulative incidence of 9% at 10 years. Subgroup analysis of the septic arthritis cohort revealed a higher risk of any infection in patients who underwent TKA within the first 5 to 7 years after the diagnosis of septic arthritis as compared with those with a greater duration. Moreover, the 10-year rates of survival free of aseptic revision, any revision, and any reoperation were significantly worse in the native knee septic arthritis cohort. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Leveraging communities’ network strengths to support climate change adaptation information-sharing: a study with coffee farmers in Risaralda, Colombia

The success of climate change adaptation measures is influenced by social factors that are context specific. An important social factor influencing outcomes is communication or the way information spreads through groups of people who need adaptation support. A community’s unique information-sharing potential can be understood through social network analysis. A social network perspective views humans as actors in a system of interconnected relationships. This approach is useful for mapping information flows or how adaptation strategies can spread within a community. Through a study with coffee farmers in Risaralda, Colombia, we demonstrate how a community’s network strengths can be identified in order to develop tailored climate change adaptation communication strategies. To do this, we measure ego networks, which are social relations stemming from one “unit of interest,” or coffee farmers, around climate change. From there, we identify the information attributes or the preferred ways farmers receive and send information on climate change. Lastly, we analyze this data against the broader stakeholder system to provide a macro level context. Together, this provides a clear vision of how climate change adaptation strategies may be spread through a community’s information network. For coffee farmers in Risaralda, Colombia, key institutions and their agents do not currently acknowledge long-term climate change. The farmers interact the most on this subject with their self-organizing associations. Therefore, targeting information campaigns to local associations offers the most potential for effective climate change adaptation information-sharing, and these same associations also offer the in-person communication these farmers indicate they prefer.
Point-of-care human milk testing for maternal secretor status

We present an electrochemical impedimetric-based biosensor for monitoring the variation in human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) composition. 2′-Fucosyllactose (2’FL) is an HMO associated with infant growth, cognitive development, and protection from infectious diarrhea, one of the major causes of infant death worldwide. Due to genetic variation, the milk of some women (non-secretors) contains no or very little 2′FL with potential implications for infant health and development. However, there is currently no technology to analyze the presence and concentration of HMOs in human milk at the point-of-care (POC). The lack of such technology represents a major impediment to advancing human milk research and improving maternal-infant health. Towards this unmet need, we report an impedimetric assay for HMOs with an α-1,2 linkage, the most abundant of which is 2′FL. The sensor uses a lectin for affinity, specifically Ulex europaeus ﻿agglutinin I (UEA), with electrochemical readout. In spiked studies, the sensor exhibited a high degree of linearity (R2 = 0.991) over 0.5 to 3.0 μM with a 330-nM detection limit. The sensor performance was clinically validated using banked human milk samples and correctly identified all secretor vs. non-secretor samples. Furthermore, despite the short 35-min assay time and low sample volume (25 μL), the assay was highly correlated with HPLC measurements. This bedside human milk testing assay enables POC, “sample-to-answer” quantitative HMO measurement, and will be a valuable tool to assess milk composition.
Analysis of Dispersive Waves Using the Wavelet Transform

Lamb waves have long been recognized to be a valuable tool in the nondestructive testing of plates and shells. The patterns of dispersion which characterize the propagation of Lamb waves through a material may be used to determine the thickness of a plate, the elastic properties of materials, as well as the condition and integrity of the sample. Unfortunately, the analysis of Lamb wave signals is complicated by the existence of at least two modes at any given frequency [1]. To efficiently determine the dispersive characteristics of a plate, it is therefore necessary to have a technique for analyzing broadband multimode signals. Methods for the time-frequency analysis of signals are especially useful in determining dispersion curves, since they reveal the time variation of each frequency component of the signal.
Clear cell carcinoma of cervix and vagina in progeny of women who received diethylstilbestrol: three cases with scanning and transmission electron microscopy.

Abstract Three cases of clear cell carcinoma of the cervix and vagina in progeny of women administered diethylstilbestrol (DES) were studied ultrastructurally. The patients were young and had a positive history of maternal ingestion of DES during pregnancy. Similar ultrastructural features were observed in all cases. The neoplastic cells were arranged in solid nests or glands. Ultrastructural findings in these cases were similar to those of previously reported clear cell carcinomas of the ovary and endometrium, which seems to indicate a common Mullerian origin 11, 16 as opposed to a mesonephric origin. 10 A transition between vaginal adenosis and the neoplasm was not observed.
Medicinal relationships: caring conversation

Context Good social relationships are crucial to well-being and to health in particular. The perception of having supportive social relationships has effects on reducing morbidity and mortality comparable with those of a good diet, regular exercise and cessation of moderate smoking. This suggests that supportive, trusting relationships with doctors could have a substantial direct biomedical effect on patients’ health. Methods A critical review of the patient–doctor relationship (PDR) literature is presented, along with a review of relevant interactional studies that examine doctor–patient interactions from the perspective of conversation analysis (CA). This literature shows how patients respond to doctors’ verbal and non-verbal behaviours in systematic ways that affect how they disclose and how they relate to doctors. Results Findings from the CA literature suggest that clinicians might consider several important interactional features to improve the PDR and perhaps also patient health outcomes: (i) the use of open-ended questions (e.g. ‘What brought you in today?’) and positive polarity items (e.g. ‘Is there something else you wanted to talk about today?’) elicits patient concerns and addresses unmet concerns more effectively than the use of closed questions and negative polarity items, respectively; (ii) eye gaze suggests availability and an attending recipient, and patients indicate that doctor attentiveness at crucial parts of their problem presentation is important, and (iii) verbal dysfluencies are one practice speakers employ to gain the attention of a non-attending recipient. Doctors may want to pay attention to patients’ dysfluencies to better understand when their attention is valued. Conclusions Constructing supportive relationships with patients often does not require a great investment of time, but it does require commitment to ‘being there for patients’. This review suggests that when doctors attune to language and social practices during medical consultations, the relationships they develop with patients may substantially improve patients’ health and be intrinsically rewarding for both doctors and patients.
Cultural production, media, and meaning: hillbilly music and the southern textile mills

Abstract This article examines the formation and popularity of hillbilly music in the US South of the 1930s, drawing from perspectives on social change and within the sociology of culture. Archival accounts, first-hand interviews, geographical data on radio station foundings, and historical literature are used to explore production and reception perspectives on cultural formation—specifically the interplay among musicians, audiences, and station personnel. Technological innovation during the Depression era was crucial in affording performance opportunities and in changing how musicians from textile mill villages played and sang. In the process of finding stable employment as musicians rather than mill workers and through a geographic cluster of radio stations, musicians interacted with one another and with their audiences in a manner that fundamentally shaped the content and character of what they created.
Usability of mobile computing technologies to assist cancer patients

Medical researchers are constantly looking for new methods for early detection and treatment of incurable diseases. Cancer can severely hinder the lives of patients if they are not constantly attended to. Cancer patients can be assisted with the aid of constant monitoring by a support group and a continual sense of self-awareness through monitoring, which can be enabled through pervasive technologies. As human life expectancy rises, incidents of cancer also increase, which most often affects the elderly. Cancer patients need continuous follow-up because of the state of their disease and the intensity of treatment. Patients have often restricted mobility, thus it is helpful to provide them access to their health status without the need to travel. There has been much effort towards wireless and internet based health care services, but they are not widely accepted due to the lack of reliability and usability. In this paper, we present a software called Wellness Monitor (WM). The purpose of WM is to utilize the portability and ubiquity of small handheld devices such as PDAs, cell phones, and wrist watches to ensure secured data availability, customized representation, and privacy of the data collected through small wearable sensors. WM explores how the social and psychological contexts that encompass the patients could be enhanced by utilizing the same technology, an aspect which is mostly unexplored. A further goal was to provide continuous psychological assistance.
DNA mismatch repair (MMR)-dependent 5-fluorouracil cytotoxicity and the potential for new therapeutic targets.

The metabolism and efficacy of 5-fluorouracil (FUra) and other fluorinated pyrimidine (FP) derivatives have been intensively investigated for over fifty years. FUra and its antimetabolites can be incorporated at RNA- and DNA-levels, with RNA level incorporation provoking toxic responses in human normal tissue, and DNA-level antimetabolite formation and incorporation believed primarily responsible for tumour-selective responses. Attempts to direct FUra into DNA-level antimetabolites, based on mechanism-of-action studies, have led to gradual improvements in tumour therapy. These include the use of leukovorin to stabilize the inhibitory thymidylate synthase-5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine 5′ monophoshate (FdUMP)-5,10-methylene tetrahydrofolate (5,10-CH2FH4) trimeric complex. FUra incorporated into DNA also contributes to antitumour activity in preclinical and clinical studies. This review examines our current state of knowledge regarding the mechanistic aspects of FUra:Gua lesion detection by DNA mismatch repair (MMR) machinery that ultimately results in lethality. MMR-dependent direct cell death signalling or futile cycle responses will be discussed. As 10–30% of sporadic colon and endometrial tumours display MMR defects as a result of human MutL homologue-1 (hMLH1) promoter hypermethylation, we discuss the use and manipulation of the hypomethylating agent, 5-fluorodeoxycytidine (FdCyd), and our ability to manipulate its metabolism using the cytidine or deoxycytidylate (dCMP) deaminase inhibitors, tetrahydrouridine or deoxytetrahydrouridine, respectively, as a method for re-expression of hMLH1 and re-sensitization of tumours to FP therapy.
Effects of internal exchange fields on magnetization steps in diluted magnetic semiconductors

We present a new model of the high-field magnetization in dilute (x\ensuremath{\le}0.05) ${A}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}x}^{\mathrm{II}}$${\mathrm{Mn}}_{\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{B}}^{\mathrm{VI}}$ alloys (${A}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Pi}}}$=Zn, Cd, Hg; ${B}^{\mathrm{VI}}$=S, Se, Te) which includes the effects of internal effective fields due to distant-neighbor exchange interactions. The model represents an extension of a nearest-neighbor-only cluster model used previously for these materials to explain the observation of ``magnetization steps'' associated with Mn nearest-neighbor pairs. The presence of internal fields causes a broadening and shift of these steps, in agreement with experiment. The distributions of such fields for fcc and hcp magnetic sublattices are modeled by considering exchange interactions out to third and fourth neighbors, respectively. Published data for ${\mathrm{Cd}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Mn}}_{\mathrm{x}}$Te and ${\mathrm{Cd}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Mn}}_{\mathrm{x}}$Se are reinterpreted using this approach to provide a more accurate determination of nearest-neighbor exchange constants as well as approximate values of more-distant interactions. All are found to be antiferromagnetic. The internal-field corrections reduce the magnitude of the nearest-neighbor exchange constant by 18% in the telluride and 9% in the selenide. The more-distant exchange is found to be larger than previously assumed but consistent with other known magnetic properties.
Atmospheric circulation influences on seasonal precipitation patterns in Alaska during the latter 20th century

[1] A set of long, nearly complete daily precipitation series for Alaska spanning the latter half of the 20th century has been analyzed for seasonal relationships between variations in mean, heavy, and extreme precipitation and large-scale atmospheric circulation variations at interannual, decadal, and secular timescales. Relationships with four candidate predictors (the Pacific North American (PNA), Arctic Oscillation (AO), Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), and Nino3 indices) are used for insights into possible large-scale climate forcing. Winter precipitation (mean and extreme) variability and trends along the south coast and interior of Alaska appear to be closely related to variations in the PNA pattern over this timeframe, while El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) influences, through the Nino3 index, appear to be significant along the south coast alone. Along the south coast the PNA and ENSO exert opposing influences on extreme (and mean) precipitation. Within interior Alaska the positive PNA pattern tends to suppress precipitation owing to orographic factors. Summer variations appear more closely related to the influence of the AO and PDO. The north slope region of Alaska appears to be too far removed from the influences of any of the examined predictors for any clear relationship to be evident.
Acceleration of biomimetic mineralization to apply in bone regeneration

The delivery of growth factors and therapeutic drugs into bone defects is a major clinical challenge. Biomimetically prepared bone-like mineral (BLM) containing a carbonated apatite layer can be used to deliver growth factors and drugs in a controlled manner. In the conventional biomimetic process, BLM can be deposited on the biodegradable polymer surfaces by soaking them in simulated body fluid (SBF) for 16 days or more. The aim of this study was to accelerate the biomimetic process of depositing BML in the polymer surfaces. We accelerated the deposition of mineral on 3D poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) porous scaffolds to 36–48 h by modifying the biomimetic process parameters and applying surface treatments to PLGA scaffolds. The BLM was coated on scaffolds after surface treatments followed by incubation at 37 °C in 15 ml of 5× SBF. We characterized the BLM created using the accelerated biomineralization process with wide angle x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The FTIR and XRD analyses of mineralized scaffolds show similarities between biomimetically prepared BLM, and bone bioapatite and carbonated apatite. We also found that the BLM layer on the surface of scaffolds was stable even after 21 days immersed in Tris buffered saline and cell culture media. This study suggests that BLM was stable for at least 3 weeks in both media, and therefore, BLM has a potential for use as a carrier for biological molecules for localized release applications as well as bone tissue engineering applications.
How do radiologists evaluate osteonecrosis

Management of patients with osteonecrosis of the hip remains controversial and challenging. Because the prognosis and treatment are determined in large part by the stage and extent of the disease, it is important to use a reliable and efficient method for evaluation and staging. The objective of this study was to determine how musculoskeletal (MSK) radiologists evaluate osteonecrosis and whether this evaluation is adequate. A 12-part questionnaire was designed to determine how MSK radiologists evaluate patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). This was sent to 888 members of the Society of Skeletal Radiology. One hundred and twenty-one members responded to essentially all questions. Patients were evaluated using plain radiographs and MRI. All agreed that it is clinically important to determine the extent of necrosis and joint involvement, and 115 (95 %) stated that this should be part of the radiologists’ evaluation. However, only 55 (46 %) said that in practice they used a specific system of classification, and most of these used the Ficat and Arlet classification, which does not indicate the extent of involvement. One hundred and seven (88 %) respondents included a simple visual estimate of the extent of involvement, and a small number added a specific measurement of lesion size. The majority indicated that they were infrequently consulted about which imaging studies should be obtained. Although radiologists recognize the clinical importance of determining the extent of necrosis and joint involvement in patients with ONFH, in practice the methods used to evaluate these patients often do not accomplish this satisfactorily. The use of an effective classification, which includes both stage and extent of involvement, should be stressed, as it will lead to improved treatment of patients with ON. Physicians who order imaging studies for patients with ON should be encouraged to consult routinely with their radiology colleagues regarding which studies to request, as well as on the interpretation of these studies.
Immunological characterization of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase mutants of mouse L cells: evidence for mutations at different loci in the HGPRT gene.

A large collection (105) of mouse L cell mutants lacking hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase activity (HGPRT; E. C. 2.4.2.8) were analyzed for the presence of serologically cross reacting material (CRM). Antibody directed against highly purified mouse liver HGPRT was used for detecting DRM activity by two methods: (1) the standard precipitation-inhibition assay; and (2) a radioimmune-precipitation assay. The latter assay proved to have far greater sensitivity for the detection of altered forms of HGPRT. Approximately 40% of the HGPRT- cell lines contain CRM activity (i.e., were CRM+). This indicates that a minimum of 40% of the HGPRT- clones arose as a result of mutations in the HGPRT structural gene. The CRM+ cell lines were shown to contain different levels of CRM activity. Measurements of the heat sensitivity of CRM in the different HGPRT- cell lines showed a broad spectrum of CRM heat inactivation kinetics. These latter two observations provide strong evidence that the mutations giving rise to the HGPRT-CRM+ phenotype occurred at different sites in the HGPRT structural gene.
The crystal structure of di-ortho-tolylmercury

The structure of di- ortho -tolylmercury has been determined by single crystal X-ray methods from counter data. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C 2/ c with unit cell dimensions a 10.970(2), b 10.448(3), c 11.409(3) A; β 115.48(2)°, V 1180.5(5) A 3 , ϱ calc 2.158 g/cm 3 and Z = 4. The structure was solved with conventional heavy atom techniques. The crystal consists of individual molecular units with the mercury atom located on the crystallographic 2-fold axis of symmetry. The CHgC fragment is nearly linear with an angle of 178.0(4)°. The methyl groups lie on the same side of the molecule and the rings are twisted with respect to one another by 58.9°. The HgC bond distance is 2.09(1) A.
Mitochondrial dynamics: cell-type and hippocampal region specific changes following global cerebral ischemia

Mitochondria are organelles that undergo continuous cycles of fission and fusion. This dynamic nature of mitochondria is important for cell physiology. Transgenic mouse models that express mitochondria targeted fluorescence protein, in either neurons or astrocytes, were used to examine the role of alterations in mitochondrial morphology in mechanisms of ischemic brain injury. The animals were subjected to global cerebral ischemia and allowed to recover before their brains were perfusion fixed and processed for histology and confocal microscopy. After capturing z-stack images from different hippocampal sub-regions, mitochondrial organelles were 3D reconstructed using volocity software and then their morphological parameters were calculated. The data shows cell-type specific alterations in mitochondrial dynamics following ischemia. Fission is activated in all hippocampal areas at 2 h recovery with mitochondria in CA1 becoming progressively more fragmented during the 24 h recovery period. Mitochondria in CA3 and dentate gyrus neurons started to re-fuse after 24 h of recirculation; this was even more pronounced 3 days after ischemia. Astrocytic mitochondria underwent transient fission 2 h after ischemic insult and regained their normal shape at 24 h recovery. Surprisingly, no positive correlation was found between increased nitrotyrosine levels and mitochondrial fission, particularly in ischemia resistant CA3 and dentate gyrus neurons. Our data suggest that ischemia resistant neurons are able to shift their mitochondrial dynamics toward fusion after extensive fragmentation. The re-fusion ability of fragmented mitochondria is most likely a vital feature for cell survival.
James Ross Basin workshop

The rocks of the James Ross Basin consist of a 6 km-thick, relatively complete sequence of Early Cretaceous-Eocene marine sediments, which are remarkably well exposed over Seymour, Vega, James Ross, and Snow Hill islands. Throughout most of the sequence, macrofossils and microfossils are extremely abundant and diverse.