cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Endoscopic therapy for Barrett's high grade dysplasia and intramucosal esophageal cancer is effective in community clinical practice by advanced endoscopists following multidisciplinary approach.

Barrett's esophagus with high-grade dysplasia (BEHGD) and intramucosal esophageal adenocarcinoma (IMC) can be treated by radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). Efficacy of RFA and EMR in academic medical centers has been demonstrated in previous studies. However, the clinical effectiveness of this approach in community clinical practice is not fully established.All patients with biopsy-proven BEHGD and IMC (T1a), who were treated endoscopically between 2007 and 2014, were prospectively enrolled. Treatment algorithms were determined by consensus opinion after presentation at gastrointestinal tumor board. Patients underwent EMR and/or RFA until eradication-of-dysplasia and complete remission of intestinal metaplasia (CRIM) was achieved. Patients were then enrolled in an endoscopic surveillance program.A total of 60 patients underwent endoscopic therapy for BEHGD (32) or IMC (28). Median length BE was 4 cm. Forty-six patients had EMR. Median treatment interval was nine months. Median follow-up was 33 months (Interquartile range: 16-50). Fifty-five (92%) patients achieved eradication-of-dysplasia and 52(87%) CRIM. One patient with BEHGD did not achieve any benefit six months into treatment. Nine (15%) patients relapsed after CRIM with nondysplastic-BE (6), BE with low-grade dysplasia (1), and BEHGD (2). After retreatment, eradication-of-intestinal metaplasia was achieved in five patients. BE length was a negative predictor for achieving CRIM (OR 0.81; P = 0.04). There were no procedure-related severe complications. Eleven patients with prior EMR developed symptomatic strictures, which were all successfully dilated.Endoscopic management of BEHGD and IMC can be safely and effectively performed in a community clinical practice similarly to high-volume academic medical centers when performed by advanced endoscopists following multidisciplinary approach.
Extracting User-Reported Mobile Application Defects from Online Reviews

User-generated mobile application reviews have become a gold mine for timely identifying functional defects in this type of software artifacts. In this work, we develop a hidden structural SVM model for extracting detailed defect descriptions from user reviews at the sentence level. Structured features and constraints are introduced to reduce the demand of exhaustive manual annotation at the sentence level and enable the use of partially annotated review data for model training. Extensive empirical evaluations on a large collection of mobile application reviews collected from Apple App Store demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed solution in recognizing the user-reported implementation defects from review content, especially when only partial annotation is available.
Verbal Memory Performance and Reduced Cortical Thickness of Brain Regions Along the Uncinate Fasciculus in Young Adult Cannabis Users

Introduction: Memory impairment is one of the most commonly reported effects of cannabis use, especially among those who initiate use earlier, perhaps due to the effects of delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol on cannabinoid (CB1) receptors in the brain. Studies have increasingly investigated whether cannabis use is associated with impairments in verbal memory, and with alterations in brain structures underlying verbal memory. The uncinate fasciculus (UF), a long-range white matter tract, connects regions with densely localized CB1 receptors that are important in verbal memory. This study investigated the impact of cannabis use on UF structures and its association with memory performance in young adult cannabis users (CU) and non-using controls (CON). Materials and Methods: Nineteen CU and 22 CON completed a verbal memory task and a neuroimaging protocol, in which diffusion tensor imaging and structural scans were collected. We compared memory performance, diffusion and tractography measures of the UF, and cortical thickness of regions connected by the UF, between CU and CON. In regions showing a significant group effect, we also examined associations between verbal memory performance, cortical thickness, and age of onset of cannabis use. Results: Compared to non-users, CU had worse memory performance, decreased fiber bundle length in the UF, and decreased cortical thickness of brain regions along the UF such as the entorhinal cortex and fusiform gyrus. Verbal memory performance was significantly associated with age of onset of cannabis use, indicating that those who initiated cannabis use at an earlier age performed worse. Cortical thickness of the entorhinal cortex was significantly correlated with age of first use and memory performance. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that cannabis use, especially when initiated at a young age, may be associated with worse verbal memory and altered neural development along the UF. Reductions in cortical thickness in regions implicated in memory processes may underlie weaknesses in verbal memory performance.
Sexuality in Infancy and Preschool-Aged Children

This article presents an historical review and a synopsis of current views of psychosexual development from birth through the third year of life. Theoretic positions and clinical data from infant observational research pertaining to oral, anal, urinary, and early genital erotism are described. Behavioral illustrations are used to clarify the theoretic propositions and clinical conclusions.
Linear Equations and Matrices

This chapter provides an overview of linear equations and matrices. It discusses linear systems that can be solved by the method of elimination and presents some examples. The method of elimination is adequate for the solution of linear systems when m and n are small. However, more sophisticated methods are required if m and n are large and for theoretical investigations. The chapter explains theory of matrices and defines the product of matrices. Every linear system has an augmented matrix, and, conversely, any matrix with more than one column is the augmented matrix of a linear system. The advantage of the augmented matrix is its brevity. The chapter considers matrix operations that provide efficient methods for the solution of linear systems and are also of interest in other applications. It discusses matrix multiplications, matrices in row echelon and reduced row echelon form, the inverse of a matrix, and elementary matrices, which can be used to find the inverse of an arbitrary nonsingular matrix. The chapter describes the properties of determinants of arbitrary order and discusses permutations with examples.
Potential impact of deliberately introduced ozone on indoor air quality.

Population subsets whose behavior leads to unusually large exposures to toxicants are of interest to exposure assessors. Despite U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) restriction since 1974, ozone generating devices continue to be marketed in the U.S. for indoor use. Promotional materials cite a host of alleged benefits to indoor environmental quality. Generation rates cited in sales literature are used here to estimate indoor air ozone concentrations that could result from use of such equipment. Predictions exceed relevant air quality standards, in some cases by a substantial margin. Limited available experimental measurements support this finding.
PARASITOID POLYDNAVIRUSES AND INSECT IMMUNITY

The polydnaviruses (PDVs) associated with braconid and ichneumonid parasitoid wasps are unique viruses with very large segmented genomes (>200 kb) that are integrated within the wasp's chromosomal DNA, representing genetic symbionts of the parasitoid. In the first phase of their life cycle, they replicate in the female wasp's ovarian calyx cells. They are released into the lumen of the calyx, and abundant numbers of virions are transferred to the parasitoid's host together with wasp eggs in calyx fluid during oviposition. In the second phase of their life cycle, PDV gene expression occurs in the parasitized lepidopteran host in the absence of viral replication. A primary function of braco- and ichnoviral gene expression in the host is to cause its immunosuppression by targeting host hemocyte function either transiently, by inhibiting hemocyte adhesion behavior, or permanently, by inducing host hemocyte apoptosis, so that encapsulation of the parasitoid egg is prevented. While the PDV does not replicate in the host caterpillar, PDV gene expression is essential for host immunosuppression and successful parasitism. This chapter reviews the mechanisms whereby PDV gene products interface with the host insect immune system and exert potent effects on its cellular and humoral functions. PDV genomic analysis for braco- and ichnoviruses has demonstrated major differences in these two taxonomic groups and offers exciting potential for development of new insect pest control technologies based upon PDV gene action on host immunity, as well as on host endocrine function and development.
The prognosis of mid-range ejection fraction heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Aims Mid-range ejection fraction is a new entity of heart failure (HF) with undetermined prognosis till now. In our systematic review and meta-analysis, we assess the mortality and hospitalization rates in mid-range ejection fraction HF (HFmrEF) and compare them with those of reduced ejection fraction heart failure (HFrEF) and preserved ejection fraction HF (HFpEF). Methods and results We conducted our search in March 2018 in the following databases for relevant articles: PubMed, CENTRAL, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, NYAM, SIEGLE, GHL, VHL, and POPLINE. Our primary endpoint was assessing all-cause mortality and all-cause hospital re-admission rates in HFmrEF in comparison with HFrEF and HFpEF. Secondary endpoints were the possible causes of death and hospital re-admission. Twenty-five articles were included in our meta-analysis with a total of 606 762 adult cardiac patients. Our meta-analysis showed that HFmrEF had a lower rate of all-cause death than had HFrEF [relative risk (RR), 0.9; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.85-0.94]. HFpEF showed a higher rate of cardiac mortality than did HFmrEF (RR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.02-1.16). Also, HFrEF had a higher rate of non-cardiac mortality than had HFmrEF (RR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.22-1.41). Conclusions We detected a significant difference between HFrEF and HFmrEF regarding all-cause death, and non-cardiac death, while HFpEF differed significantly from HFmrEF regarding cardiac death.
An Axisymmetric Interface Element for Soil-Structure Interaction Problems

ABSTRACT An axisymmetric interface element is used to model interfaces between dissimilar materials. A parametric study is made to identify the variables affecting the rate of convergence. Two boundary value problems are analyzed using an axisymmetric finite element procedure developed by the author. Results are presented for different interface conditions and for various values of aspect ratios and stiffness ratios. It is found that the element used herein can adequately model the slip and nonslip shearing modes of interfaces.
Genetically engineering future generations' compressed morbidity

Summary Suggestions that our Homo sapiens germ line can benefit from a bit of genetic engineering immediately raises spectres of eugenic programs gone horribly awry. It might be the case, however, that some genetic engineering on humans is morally permissible, and in a few instances, obligatory, especially for parents and societies who must pursue future generations’ best interests. Based on normally uncontentious premises – no harm, enabling thriving, and promoting social utility – there a strong argument can be made to support a duty to genetically engineer future generations’ lives and deaths.
Chapter 24 – Leukotrienes

Publisher Summary Leukotrienes are the molecules derived by the lipoxygenation of arachidonic acid. Among the several molecules of leukotrienes, cysteinyl leukotrienes in particular—namely, LTC4, LTD4, and LTE4—play a significant role in initiating and maintaining an asthmatic response. Cysteinyl leukotrienes are synthesized and exported into the microenvironment by constitutive and infiltrating cells, such as mast cells and eosinophils. These two cell types are critical in the asthmatic lesion. Once produced at these cells, cysteinyl leukotrienes act at leukotriene receptors on airway smooth muscle and the bronchial vasculature, thereby mediating airway obstruction and microvascular leak. The profound biochemical and physiological effects of leukotrienes that characterize asthmatic responses include the induction of airway obstruction, tissue edema, and expression of bronchial mucus from submucosal glands. LTC4 and LTD4 act as potent bronchoconstrictor agonists whereas LTE4 is a potent bronchoactive agonist.
Quality of day-neutral strawberries grown in a high tunnel system

Abstract Spring-planted, day-neutral strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) production within a high tunnel system could provide growers with season extension and enhanced postharvest quality. This study identified which spring-planted, day-neutral strawberry cultivars are successful in a plasticulture, high tunnel system, while investigating the utility of an evaporative cooling system (EC), with regard to quality at harvest and throughout storage. The trial was conducted at Kansas State University Olathe Horticulture Research and Extension Center (OHREC) during the 2014 and 2015 growing seasons. Six commercially-available cultivars were evaluated, ‘Albion’, ‘Evie 2’, ‘Monterey’, ‘Portola’, ‘San Andreas’, and ‘Seascape’. Mature fruit (90–100 % red) were harvested twice weekly and three harvests were evaluated for the quality. Respiration rate, moisture content, and overall visual quality, using a scale from 5 (excellent) to 1 (poor), were monitored every 24 h. Flesh firmness, color, soluble solids content (SSC), and titratable acidity (TA) were evaluated at harvest and every other day throughout storage. Nutritional quality (total phenolic and antioxidant capacity) was evaluated at harvest. ‘Monterey’, ‘Seascape’, and ‘Albion’ had the highest SSC (P
Tau and Amyloid Relationships with Resting-state Functional Connectivity in Atypical Alzheimer's Disease

The mechanisms through which tau and amyloid-beta (Aβ) accumulate in the brain of Alzheimer's disease patients may differ but both are related to neuronal networks. We examined such mechanisms on neuroimaging in 58 participants with atypical Alzheimer's disease (posterior cortical atrophy or logopenic progressive aphasia). Participants underwent Aβ-PET, longitudinal tau-PET, structural MRI and resting-state functional MRI, which was analyzed with graph theory. Regions with high levels of Aβ were more likely to be functional hubs, with a high number of functional connections important for resilience to cascading network failures. Regions with high levels of tau were more likely to have low clustering coefficients and degrees, suggesting a lack of trophic support or vulnerability to local network failures. Regions strongly functionally connected to the disease epicenters were more likely to have higher levels of tau and, less strongly, of Aβ. The regional rate of tau accumulation was associated with tau levels in functionally connected regions, in support of tau accumulation in a functional network. This study elucidates the relations of tau and Aβ to functional connectivity metrics in atypical Alzheimer's disease, strengthening the hypothesis that the spread of the 2 proteins is driven by different biological mechanisms related to functional networks.
Repeated electromagnetic field stimulation lowers amyloid-β peptide levels in primary human mixed brain tissue cultures.

Late Onset Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common cause of dementia, characterized by extracellular deposition of plaques primarily of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide and tangles primarily of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. We present data to suggest a noninvasive strategy to decrease potentially toxic Aβ levels, using repeated electromagnetic field stimulation (REMFS) in primary human brain (PHB) cultures. We examined effects of REMFS on Aβ levels (Aβ40 and Aβ42, that are 40 or 42 amino acid residues in length, respectively) in PHB cultures at different frequencies, powers, and specific absorption rates (SAR). PHB cultures at day in vitro 7 (DIV7) treated with 64 MHz, and 1 hour daily for 14 days (DIV 21) had significantly reduced levels of secreted Aβ40 (p = 001) and Aβ42 (p = 0.029) peptides, compared to untreated cultures. PHB cultures (DIV7) treated at 64 MHz, for 1 or 2 hour during 14 days also produced significantly lower Aβ levels. PHB cultures (DIV28) treated with 64 MHz 1 hour/day during 4 or 8 days produced a similar significant reduction in Aβ40 levels. 0.4 W/kg was the minimum SAR required to produce a biological effect. Exposure did not result in cellular toxicity nor significant changes in secreted Aβ precursor protein-α (sAPPα) levels, suggesting the decrease in Aβ did not likely result from redirection toward the α-secretase pathway. EMF frequency and power used in our work is utilized in human magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, thus suggesting REMFS can be further developed in clinical settings to modulate Aβ deposition.
General, Divergent Platform for Diastereoselective Synthesis of trans‐Cyclooctenes with High Reactivity and Favorable Physiochemical Properties

trans -Cyclooctenes (TCOs) are essential partners for the fastest known bioorthogonal reactions, but current synthetic methods are limited by poor diastereoselectivity. Especially hard to access are hydrophilic TCOs with favorable physicochemical properties for live cell or in vivo experiments. Described is a new class of TCOs, 'a-TCOs', that is prepared in high yield via stereocontrolled 1,2-additions of nucleophiles to trans-cyclooct-4-enone, which itself was prepared on large scale in two steps from 1,5-cyclooctadiene. Computational transition state models rationalize the diastereoselectivity of 1,2-additions to deliver a-TCO products, which were also shown to be more reactive than standard TCOs and less hydrophobic than even a trans -oxocene analog. Illustrating the favorable physicochemical properties of a-TCOs, a fluorescent TAMRA derivative in live HeLa cells was shown to be cell-permeable through intracellular Diels-Alder chemistry and to washout more rapidly than other TCOs.
Views on ethical issues in research labs: A university-wide survey.

In this article, we summarize the key findings of an exploratory study in which students and faculty completed a survey that sought to identify the most important ethical issues in STEM fields, how...
God in Gotham? Really?

The generous, warm-hearted comments about God in Gotham from Wallace Best, Deborah Dash Moore, and Thomas Tweed, plus John McGreevy's introduction, do, indeed, please its author. I am relieved that no one said I should have remained a colonialist or that the book merely replicates what others have said. But the writing of history never ends, and their comments open fascinating avenues for deeper explorations of religion in the seemingly inhospitable atmosphere of modern urban life. If God in Gotham is succeeded by multiple new books and articles that turn its arguments and conclusions in different and even opposite directions, hallelujah! History moves on. Our books are just markers along the way.
Treatment of Delirium During Critical Illness.

Delirium, an acute disturbance in mental status due to another medical condition, is common and morbid in the intensive care unit. Despite its clear association with multiple common risk factors and important outcomes, including mortality and long-term cognitive impairment, both the ultimate causes of and ideal treatments for delirium remain unclear. Studies suggest that neuroinflammation, hypoxia, alterations in energy metabolism, and imbalances in multiple neurotransmitter pathways contribute to delirium, but commonly used treatments (e.g., antipsychotic medications) target only one or a few of these potential mechanisms and are not supported by evidence of efficacy. At this time, the optimal treatment for delirium during critical illness remains avoidance of risk factors, though ongoing trials may expand on the promise shown by agents such as melatonin and dexmedetomidine. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Medicine, Volume 73 is January 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
Structural Determination of Oxygen Chemisorption-Site Geometry on W(211) by Low-Energy He + ISS

The bonding-site geometry of oxygen chemisorbed on W (211) has been determined by angle-resolved, low-energy He+ ion-scattering spectroscopy (ISS) combined with LEEDIAuger analysis. The corrugated W(211) surface consists of close-packed W atoms that form the ridges of {110} microfacet sides of wide channels. From this highly unsymmetrical, open surface there is a pronounced angular dependence on the scattering amplitude of He+ with a searchlight effect in the He+/O(ads) signal. Polar and azimuthal angular dependence combined with energy and angle-resolved ISS data are consistent with the W (211) geometry and with an upper symmetrical {110} open trough-site location for O (ads).
A global geochemical model for the evolution of the mantle

It is proposed that the upper mantle transition region, 220 to 670 km, is composed of eclogite which has been derived from primitive mantle by about 20 percent partial melting and that this is the source and sink of oceanic crust. The remainder of the upper mantle is garnet peridotite which is the source of continental basalts and hotspot magmas. This region is enriched in incompatible elements by hydrous and CO2 rich metasomatic fluids which have depleted the underlying layers in the L.I.L. elements and L.R.E.E. The volatiles make this a low-velocity, high attenuation, low viscosity region. The eclogite layer is internally heated and its controls the convection pattern in the upper mantle. Plate tectonics is intermittent. The continental thermal anomaly at a depth of 150-220 km triggers kimberlite and carbonatite activity, alkali and flood basalt volcanism, vertical tectonics and continental breakup. Hot spots remain active after the continents leave and build the oceanic islands. Mantle plumes rise from a depth of about 220 km. Midocean ridge basalts rise from the depleted layer below this depth. Material from this layer can also be displaced upwards by subducted oceanic lithosphere to form back-arc basins.
Modeling transition patterns between events for temporal human action segmentation and classification

We propose a temporal segmentation and classification method that accounts for transition patterns between events of interest. We apply this method to automatically detect salient human action events from videos. A discriminative classifier (e.g., Support Vector Machine) is used to recognize human action events and an efficient dynamic programming algorithm is used to jointly determine the starting and ending temporal segments of recognized human actions. The key difference from previous work is that we introduce the modeling of two kinds of event transition information, namely event transition segments, which capture the occurrence patterns between two consecutive events of interest, and event transition probabilities, which model the transition probability between the two events. Experimental results show that our approach significantly improves the segmentation and recognition performance for the two datasets we tested, in which distinctive transition patterns between events exist.
Spectrum of central nervous system abnormalities in neurocutaneous melanocytosis.

Aim Neurocutaneous melanocytosis is a rare neurocutaneous syndrome defined by the presence of large and/or multiple congenital cutaneous nevi and melanocytic deposits in the central nervous system. We sought to define the spectrum of central nervous system abnormalities in children with neurocutaneous melanocytosis. Method We retrospectively reviewed cases of neurocutaneous melanocytosis referred to the pediatric neuro-oncology service at our center from 2003 to 2010. Results Of 14 patients (11 males, 3 females) identified, eight were living. Median age of survivors was 31 months (range 12mo–6y 10mo) while median age of death was 81 months (19mo–28y). Of the six patients who died, all had diffuse leptomeningeal melanocytic deposits and four had leptomeningeal melanoma. All patients had neuroimaging: six had findings suggestive of diffuse leptomeningeal melanocytosis; seven had multifocal melanocytic deposits; and one patient had normal neuroimaging but focal seizures. Spinal abnormalities were common: three patients had extensive dorsal spinal arachnoid cysts and one had a benign cervical spindle cell tumor. Seven patients had epilepsy. Three patients had profound developmental delay; the other 11 patients had no or mild delay. Interpretation Children with neurocutaneous melanocytosis exhibit a wide range of intracranial and intraspinal abnormalities and variable clinical outcomes.
Partial Document Ranking by Heuristic Methods

In this paper, we study three methods for implementing the tf × idf ranking strategy with inverted files, where tf stands for term frequency and idf stands for inverse document frequency. The first one sorts the postings lists of the query terms by increasing length. It is the traditional sorting method used in the upperbound search algorithm. The second one sorts query terms based upon two parameters, namely the maximum tf of the postings list and the list length. The third one first requires each postings list to be sorted by decreasing tf value. It sorts disk pages, rather than postings lists, based upon three parameters, the maximum tf of the disk page, the length of the postings list and the number of document identifiers in the disk page. We show that the second and third methods are able to identify a large portion of top documents without using a large amount of disk page accesses. They outperform the first method by a large margin. The performance of these methods is demonstrated by experimental runs on four test collections made available with the SMART system.
System theoretic analysis of electroencephalogram data for the early identification of epileptic seizures

This paper describes a new method of seizure detection that identifies seizures before their onset with sufficient time to warn the individual or execute actions to abort the seizure formation. Clinically classified segments of intracranial EEG data obtained from epileptic patients were separated into training and testing sets. After the powers in various frequency bands were calculated as the state-discriminating features for each EEG segment, a system theoretic model - the fuzzy measure theoretic quantum approximation of an abstract system (FMQAS) - was employed to develop a classifier from only the training set data. For this problem, FMQAS relied on defining a bipartite network. An iterative procedure combined with a fuzzy intersection attributed weights, or system measures, to the arcs connecting nodes in the two sets. The system measures were then used to identify a subset of features associated with each EEG state. Lastly, an FMQAS-based classifier was developed to individually analyze the features from short time segments of EEG. When applied to EEG segments in the testing set, the FMQAS-based classifier shows evidence of seizure activity in advance of visual EEG manifestation and also functions well as a seizure detector. Further, the classifier does not indicate signs of seizure activity during interictal periods greater than ten minutes before a seizure onset.
Autonomic innervation of canine urinary bladder cholinergic and adrenergic contributions and interaction of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems in bladder function

Abstract On the basis of histochemical and pharmacologic studies, the dog urinary bladder is more appropriately divided between its body and base than between its trigone and detrusor muscles. The bladder's base has a rich cholinergic innervation while its body has a modest cholinergic innervation. The smooth muscle cells of the bladder are not individually innervated but do have an abundance of membrane acetylcholinesterase. Cholinergic stimulation produces a contraction throughout the bladder. The adrenergic innervation is also regional. The base is richly innervated, and the body has a scant but definite innervation. Adrenergic stimulation by norepinephrine produces a beta inhibition of the body and an alpha contraction of the base. The functional significance of these direct effects of cholinergic and adrenergic stimulation are discussed in light of recent findings that support an interaction between the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems in bladder function.
Brownian coagulation of aerosols in the transition regime

Abstract Earlier experimental studies of Brownian coagulation of aerosols have been extended into the transition regime, i.e., Knudsen number values 0.8–1.6. This was done by working with the same range of particle size as earlier, but at reduced pressure. A number of modifications were made in the experimental technique including the use of diethylhexylsebacate instead of dibutylphthalate in order to avoid the possibility of loss to the walls by evaporation. The rate of coagulation at Kn = 0.2 agreed closely with that predicted by Smoluchowski's coagulation constant for the continuum regime, as modified by the Stokes-Cunningham correction, with a coalescence efficiency of unity. The rate at higher Knudsen numbers (Kn = 0.8-1.6) was somewhat lower (about 20%) than predicted by Fuchs' formula for interpolation between the continuum and free-molecule regimes.
The excess of transitions among nucleotide substitutions: new methods of estimating transition bias underscore its significance

Estimates of transition bias provide insight into the process of nucleotide substitution, and are required in some commonly used phylogenetic methods. Transitions are favored over transversions among spontaneous mutations, and the direction and strength of selection on proteins and RNA appears to depend on mutation type. As the complexity of the nucleotide-substitution process has become apparent, problems with classical methods of estimating transition bias have been recognized. These problems arise because there Is a fundamental difference between ratios of numbers of differences among sequences and ratios of rates, and because classical methods are not easily generalized. Several new methods are now available.
Evaluation of New Anti-Infective Drugs for the Treatment of Acute Hematogenous Osteomyelitis in Children

Most children with acute hematogenous osteomyelitis have no preceding illness. Their early symptoms are pain and fever. A bacterial etiology is established in approximately 75% of cases by needle aspiration of the affected site or blood culture. Clinical trials should be limited to cases of bacterial origin. The antimicrobial agents studied should be active against Staphylococcus aureus and streptococci. If children < 5 years of age are included, the drug should also be active against beta-lactamase-negative and -positive strains of Haemophilus influenzae. Randomized, prospective, double-blind comparative studies are preferable to open, evaluator-blinded trials. Clinical outcome is appraised by physical signs and symptoms. A successful microbiological outcome consists of presumptive eradication. The final assessment should be made 1 year after completion of therapy.
ADHERENCE TO AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE POLICY AND RESEARCH GUIDELINES FOR BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA

ABSTRACTPurpose: We determined adherence rates to guideline recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia published and distributed by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research in 1994.Materials and Methods: Measures of care were developed based upon Agency for Health Care Policy and Research guideline recommendations approved by the Health Care Financing Administration and the American Urological Association (AUA). A random 4-state sample of 2,000 inpatient records with a principal diagnosis of hyperplasia of the prostate (ICD-9-CM code 600) and principal procedure code of 60.2 was selected by the Health Care Financing Administration and abstractions were performed. We assessed reliability and validity and determined results for each of the following measures of care: 1) documentation of indications for a transurethral resection of the prostate; 2) documentation of appropriate preoperative assessment; 3) documentation of indications for an inpatient excretory urogra...
Synthesis, Characterization and Evaluation of Zinc-Amides as Potential Dopant Sources for ZnSe OMVPE

Compounds of the general forms Zn[N(R)2]2, Zn(N(R)(R’)2] and Zn{[N(R)2][N(R’)2]} have been prepared, these new compositions have been characterized by multinuclear NMR, GC/MS, FTIR, elemental analysis and single crystal x-ray diffraction, and they have been evaluated for their potentialto serve as “designer dopants” in the epitaxial growth of p-type ZnSe. Retention of the Zn-N bond during deposition should insure selective location of the nitrogen atom on the native selenium lattice site. Precursor vapor pressures, vapor phase decomposition mechanisms, and thin film properties are presented. Results from materials characterization by XRD, SIMS, PL, Raman and SEM are presented in the context of evaluating dopantlevel.
A Liouville theorem for certain nonstationary maps

Soit u:(M,g)→(N,h) une application entre des varietes de Riemann. On montre que si l'energie L p de u croit suffisamment lentement et si sa premiere r-variation satisfait une certaine inegalite integrale, alors u est constante presque partout quand M est R n ou H n , n≥p≥2
The role of humoral agents in volume expanded hypertension.

It has long been known that increased salt intake or decreased salt excretion leads to elevated blood pressure and increased extracellular salt and volume. The blood pressure rises slowly and for this reason and others cannot be explained by the increased salt or volume per se. Rather it appears that pressure rises as a result of some indirect effect of the increased volume. Autoregulation has been implicated, but reasons are presented which make this an unlikely possibility. Recent evidence suggests that some humoral agent or agents, operating through the Na+−K+ pump in cardiovascular muscle, participate in the genesis of the volume expanded hypertensions.
Abnormalities of the fetal heart rate in preterm deliveries are associated with acute intra-amniotic infection

OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns obtained in nonstress testing within 24 hours of delivery in patients with preterm delivery were associated with histologic acute infection, and if so, whether the associations are with maternal as opposed to fetal acute inflammation (acute amnionitis versus acute umbilical vasculitis). METHODS The data set included 351 consecutive patients delivering from 22 to 32 weeks' gestation (excluding cases of preeclampsia; nonhypertensive abruption; stillbirth; fetal structural and karyotypic anomalies; Rh isoimmunization and hydrops fetalis; and maternal diabetes and hypertension). Severe variable decelerations were defined as FHR 60 seconds, and decreased fetal heart variability included both reduced beat-to-beat variability and long-term heart rate cyclicity. Amniotic fluid volume was graded sonographically as part of a fetal biophysical profile. Acute inflammation of amnion (indicative of maternal inflammation) and umbilical cord (fetal inflammation) were scored by a single pathologist blinded to clinical data. RESULTS Severe FHR variable decelerations were directly related to acute amnionitis (P = .012) and acute umbilical vasculitis (P = .0013). In preterm labor, decreased FHR variability was related to acute amnionitis (P = .005). All observations were independent of amniotic fluid volume or use of tocolytic agents. CONCLUSIONS Severe variable decelerations and decreased FHR variability at < 32 weeks' gestation are related to histologic evidence of acute inflammation.
Indirect effects of fish on macrophytes in Bays Mountain Lake: evidence for a littoral trophic cascade.

We began this experiment to test specific hypotheses regarding direct and indirect effects of fish predation on the littoral macroinvertebrate community of Bays Mountain Lake, Tennessee. We used 24 m2 enclosures in which we manipulated the presence and absence of large redear sunfish (Lepomis microlophus>150 mm SL), and small sunfish (L. macrochirus and L. microlophus 10×). Midway through the second summer of the experiment, we noted apparent differences in the abundance of periphyton between enclosures containing fish and those that did not. We also noted differences in the macrophyte distribution among enclosures. To document these responses, we estimated periphyton cover, biovolume and cell size frequencies as well as macrophyte distributions among enclosures at the end of the experiment. When fish were absent, periphyton percent cover was significantly reduced compared to when fish were present. Periphyton cell-size distributions in enclosures without fish were skewed toward small cells (only 12% were greater than 200 m3), which is consistent with intense snail grazing. The macrophyte Najas flexilis had more than 60 x higher biomass in the fish-free enclosures than in enclosures containing fish; Potamogeton diversifolius was found only in fish-free enclosures. These results suggest a chain of strong interactions (i.e. from fish to snails to periphyton to macrophytes) that may be important in lake littoral systems. This contrasts sharply with earlier predictions based on cascading trophic interactions that propose that fish predation on snails would enhance macrophyte biomass.
Improving the Safety Profile of Warfarin

Since warfarin remains the predominate drug administered for long-term anticoagulation, optimizing therapy for maximum antithrombotic effect with minimal bleeding risk continues to challenge clinicians. Genetic differences exist that affect an individual's response to warfarin. The clinician can use genetic information in the future, along with current approaches to improved monitoring and dose schedules, to maintain even more successfully the appropriate therapeutic range for anticoagulation. The international normalized ratio (INR) is a good indicator of warfarin effect and addressing a high INR result often prevents bleeding complications. However, even with a therapeutic INR, patients are still at risk for bleeding. This review will discuss optimizing warfarin dosing, reducing an elevated INR, and managing the anticoagulated patient who has a bleeding event.
Overtures to Takotsubo's Cardiomyopathy

A cohort of 12 cases of reported TCM andCR was identiﬁed and compared to a group without rup-ture selected by random sampling. Rupture was conﬁrmedon autopsy in 5 patients, suspected by catheterization in2 patients,andsuggestedbyechocardiographyin5patients.MorepatientswithCRhadSTelevationinleadIIandwereallolder females (76±9 years). Also, systolic blood pressure,double product, and peak creatine kinase were signiﬁcantlyhigher in the CR group compared to controls. However,the difference in troponin I was not statistically signiﬁcant.Furthermore, the use of β-blockers was less frequent in theCR group. These features of rupture in TCM are similarto those known to occur with rupture following myocardialinfarction (MI).TCM tends to have a clinical presentation similar toan acute MI, with substernal chest pain and dyspnea andmild elevation of markers of myocardial necrosis. The diag-nosis will ultimately depend on demonstrating the lackof occlusive coronary lesions with matching wall motionabnormalities.
Topographical constraints and urban land supply indexes

Abstract This paper develops and applies a method for measuring the extent to which large bodies of water restrict urban land supply. The amount of land available for urban use is the sum of weighted annular areas, net of water, around the urban center. The weights exponentially decrease toward zero with distance from the center at a rate determined by the population density gradient. The method of measurement and the weights are derived from the theory of a monocentric city with a perfectly competitive land market. The method is applied to calculate land supply indexes for the 40 most populous U.S. urban areas in 1980, and indexes over time for two land-filled urban areas. Such indexes can be constructed to account for restrictions imposed by mountains and by zoning. They are useful in empirical studies of land, housing, transportation, and population density.
Development of a continuous flow thermal gradient diffusion chamber for ice nucleation studies

A supercooled continuous flow, thermal gradient diffusion chamber has been developed to study the ice nucleating properties of natural or artificial aerosols. The chamber has concentric cylinder geometry with the cylinder axis alignment and airflow vertically downward. Sample airflow is 1 l min−1 and occupies the central 10% of the annular lamina; it is separated from the ice-covered walls by filtered sheath air. The wall temperatures are independently controlled over the range from about −4°C to −25°C, so that the vapor concentration at the location of the sample lamina can be set to a well defined value between ice saturation and a few percent water supersaturation. There is a range of temperature and supersaturation values across the sample region; for lamina center conditions of −15°C and +1% with respect to water, the range is −14.6 to −15.4°C and +0.53 to +1.31%. Errors in temperature control produce variations estimated as ±0.1°C and ±0.23%. Typical sample residence time is about 10 s. Ice crystals which form on active nuclei are detected optically at the outlet end of the chamber. To enhance the size difference between ice crystals and cloud droplets, the downstream 25% of the warm ice wall is covered with a thermally insulating vapor barrier which reduces the vapor concentration to ice saturation at the cold wall temperature, so cloud droplets evaporate. A mathematical model was developed to describe the temperature and vapor fields and to calculate the growth, evaporation, and sedimentation of water and ice particles. At 1% water supersaturation, the model predicts that ice particles will grow to about 5 μm diameter, and cloud droplets will achieve about 1 μm before they reach the evaporation section of the chamber. A different model was developed to describe the steady state airflow profile and location of the sample lamina. Experimental tests of the chamber were performed to characterize the airflow, to assess the ability of the technique to detect silver iodide ice nucleating aerosols and to distinguish ice crystals from water droplets.
Self-propagating reaction induced by ball milling in a mixture of Cu2O and Al powders

The mechanochemical reduction of Cu2O with Al was induced via ball milling. A self-propagating reaction took place in two distinctly different ways. If the mass of the reactant powder mixture was large enough, ignition happened within a few seconds after starting the mill. Neither the activation of the reactants nor the formation of a powder layer covering the surfaces of the milling tools were necessary. If the mass of the charge is smaller than a critical value, the self-propagating reaction is ignited only after several minutes of mechanical activation. A slight excess of Al promoted an immediate reaction. The mechanism of the process is determined by the balance of the reaction heat, the heat transfer within the powder, and the heat loss to the environment. Local melting plays an important role, especially by promoting the formation of partially molten aggregates from free particles.
A storage-CRT interactive display for nuclear physics computer systems

Abstract An interactive display system utilizing a storage-type CRT has been develop. It is found to be economical, easy to interface and program, and to provide several advantages over conventional systems.
Flow simulations and validation for the first cohort of patients undergoing the Y-graft Fontan procedure.

Objectives In this study, with the use of computational fluid dynamics, we evaluate the postoperative hemodynamic performance of the first cohort of patients undergoing a handcrafted Y-graft Fontan procedure and validate simulation predictions of hepatic blood flow distribution against in vivo clinical data. Methods An 18-12 × 2–mm handcrafted Y-graft modification of the Fontan procedure was performed in 6 patients. Early (at the time of discharge) and 6-month postoperative 3-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging data were collected. Patient-specific models were constructed for flow simulations. Results Hepatic blood flow distribution varied among patients. Lung perfusion data (n = 3) showed good agreement with simulations. Postoperative asymmetry in hepatic blood flow distribution was reduced 6 months postoperatively. In 1 patient, low wall shear stress was found in the left limb of the Y-graft, corresponding to the location of subsequent thrombosis in the patient. Conclusions The credibility and accuracy of simulation-based predictions of postoperative hepatic flow distribution for the Fontan surgery have been validated by in vivo lung perfusion data. The performance of the Y-graft design is highly patient-specific. The anastomosis location is likely the most important factor influencing hepatic blood flow distribution. Although the development of thrombosis is multifactorial, the occurrence in 1 patient suggests that simulations should not solely consider the hepatic blood flow distribution but also aim to avoid low wall shear stress in the limbs.
Response to medical or surgical therapy in chronic rhinosinusitis: A one year prospective analysis.

Abstract Introduction Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is treated with both surgical and medication options. However, long term data on patient outcomes is rare. In a real world clinical environment, our objective was to identify CRS patients, gather patient characteristics, and follow symptoms over one year. Patients and methods This observational study enrolled patients with CRS. Primary clinical markers included atopy testing, serum IgE, and complete blood counts. A sinus computerized tomography (CT) scan was performed serially. Patients were enrolled into medical treatment Arm A and into surgical treatment Arm B. Symptom scores were calculated using the chronic sinusitis survey (CSS). Results Atopy testing was positive in 67%. IgE levels or atopy did not correlate with CSS scores. A 23% decrease in total CSS scores was noted in Arm A at one year (P=.01). Arm B demonstrated a 38% reduction in total CSS scores at 3 months (P=.02) only. CT evidence of CRS was found in 74% of patients. However, CT scores did not change significantly over 12 months. Conclusions No correlation was found between serum IgE levels or atopy versus CSS scores. CT scan scores did not change significantly over 12 months in either treatment group. A reduction of CSS scores was seen in both treatment groups; however a rebound effect was suggested in the surgical arm. Our study demonstrates the disconnection between clinical markers, radiographic evidence and response to therapy in CRS in a common clinical setting. It exemplifies the need for controlled studies with years of chronic rhinosinusitis outcome analysis.
Les moyens de Framatome

Depuis l'accident de Three Mile Island en mars 1979, une organisation nationale de crise a ete progressivement mise en place en France pour faire face a d'eventuels accidents. Framatome en fait partie en tant que concepteur et constructeur de chaudiere nucleaire afin d'apporter son assistance. Pour ce faire, Framatome a developpe sa propre organisation de crise. Les connaissances techniques du constructeur et ses capacites d'analyse s'averent etre un atout important et complementaire a celles de l'exploitant dans une situation de crise. La description de l'ensemble des moyens de Framatome mis a disposition de l'exploitant francais EDF est aussi valable a l'etranger, notamment dans le cadre d'un contrat d'assistance technique de crise avec l'exploitant ESKOM pour la centrale de Koeberg en Afrique du Sud.