cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Critical charges on strange quark nuggets and other extended objects

We investigate the behavior of the critical charge for spontaneous pair production, Z{sub C}, defined as the charge at which the total energy of a K-shell electron is E=-m{sub e}, as a function of the radius R of the charge distribution. Our approach is to solve the Dirac equation for a potential V(r) consisting of a spherically symmetrical charge distribution of radius R and a Coulomb tail. For a spherical shell distribution of the type usually associated with color-flavor locked strange quark nuggets, we confirm the relation Z{sub C}=0.71R (fm) for sufficiently large R obtained by Madsen, who used an approach based on the Thomas-Fermi model. We also present results for a uniformly charged sphere and again find that Z{sub C}{approx}R for large enough R. Also discussed is the behavior of Z{sub C} when simple ad hoc modifications are made to the potential for 0{<=}r<R.
Lattice design for the High Energy Ring of the SLAC B-Factory (PEP-II)

The design of the lattice for the High Energy Ring (HER) of the SLAC B-Factory has several special features, notably provision for octupole compensation of amplitude dependent tune shift effects and a beta-beat scheme for semi-local chromaticity correction. In the arcs adjacent to the interaction point (IP) the beta functions are enhanced to allow the use of non-interlaced sextupoles to compensate the chromaticity of the interaction region. A closed bump of beta "mismatch" is generated by two vertically focusing quadrupoles spaced 2 betatron wavelengths apart. The beta-beat has two advantages: it enhances the ratio between the horizontal and vertical beta functions at the sextupoles and, because of the locally higher beta function, allows weaker sextupoles to be used. The standard design uses a 60 degree/cell lattice but a 90 degree/cell lattice may also be used if lower emittances and momentum compaction factor are desired.
Daptomycin-Induced Eosinophilic Pneumonia Treated With Intravenous Corticosteroids

Objective:To describe 2 cases of drug-induced eosinophilic pneumonia in patients with variable exposure to daptomycin.Report:In our first case, a 77-year-old male was transferred to our facility fo...
Electrical conduction along endothelial cell tubes from mouse feed arteries: confounding actions of glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives

+ channels; cell-to-cell coupling; endothelium; gap junction channels; hyperpolarization; microcirculation; resistance arteries
Learning under supervision: an experimental study

In many market environments, for example in investment banking, salesforce management and others, workers and supervisors work closely as a team. Workers are paid a fixed salary and supervisors determine any raises, which are typically dependent on how well the organization does. In such scenarios, a supervisor who constantly offers suggestions can create a problem—typically a worker cannot ignore his supervisor’s advice, yet if such advice is wrong and is followed, it will only decrease firm profits. We conduct a laboratory experiment to address a question critical for such settings—does the relationship between advisor and worker interfere with the learning abilities of the worker? The answer is a resounding no. In fact, subjects who have a supervisor advising them and whose advice is costly to ignore actually learn better than those with an advisor whose advice can be ignored. An even more striking result is that advisees as well as advisors in both these conditions learn better than subjects with no advisors. Our result can be attributed to the presence of advice and has direct relevance to learning in many environments.
Long-term Results of Multimodal Therapy for Chronic Prostatitis/chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome

ABSTRACTPurpose: Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome is a prevalent and multifactorial condition. Many patients have the condition for years despite conventional therapies. We assess the outcomes of multimodal therapy in patients with long-standing chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.Materials and Methods: A total of 53 patients with chronic prostatitis treated at our clinic with a minimum followup of 6 months were assessed by the National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index and by a global assessment score. Treatments included antibiotics, prostatic massage, anti-inflammatory phytotherapy, α-blockers and neuromuscular agents.Results: Mean age patient was 45 years and median symptom history was 3.5 years. Based on localizing cultures, and microscopy of urine and prostatic fluid 13% of the cases were category II, 41% were category IIIa and 46% were category IIIb. Mean followup from the last visit was 417 days (range 185 to 1,247). Mean changes ± SE from the init...
Randoms simulation for dual head coincidence imaging

The high count rates in Dual Head Coincidence Imaging (DHCI) produce significant randoms fractions in the acquired data. The authors simulated random coincidence data from uniform cylinders in a DHCI system with 51 cm/spl times/37 cm detectors spaced 63 cm apart. The randoms were normalized as if they were true events and reconstructed using 3D reprojection. The simulated data are relatively independent of cylinder size and attenuation medium. The reconstructed random coincidences are broadly distributed throughout the field of view (FOV) but have some transaxial structure. They have a zero offset at the transaxial FOV edge, peak toward the center in the outer two-thirds of the FOV, and dip in the central third of the FOV. A 25% randoms fraction in a 20 cm diameter cylinder contributes an offset of less than 5% of the image intensity in a true+scatter image with 12 million counts and no attenuation correction. Attenuation correction without randoms subtraction produces significant errors in the reconstructed image. Attenuation correction applied to randoms-subtracted cylinder does not significantly enhance the image noise.
Inclusion of Diverse Older Populations in Volunteering: The Importance of Institutional Facilitation

As older adults volunteer in greater numbers, concerns are being expressed about the exclusion of older adults who have historically been marginalized from volunteering. This study identifies the importance of institutional facilitation of older adults in volunteer programs, especially for those of lower socioeconomic status. A questionnaire assessing the importance of institutional facilitation in volunteering was completed by 374 volunteers aged 60 years and older from a national sample. Institutional facilitation was measured by multidimensional items capturing role flexibility, compensation, recognition, and accommodation. Flexibility—especially, choice of activities and ability to set own schedule— was perceived as most important to volunteers. Low-income and non-White volunteers gave more importance to institutional facilitators of engagement. This study suggests that voluntary organizations can facilitate the inclusion of older adults from diverse backgrounds through increasing flexibility, compens...
High power, high efficiency millimeter wavelength traveling wave tubes for high rate communications from deep space

The high-power transmitters needed for high data rate communications from deep space will require a new class of compact, high efficiency traveling wave tubes (TWT's). Many of the recent TWT developments in the microwave frequency range are generically applicable to mm wave devices, in particular much of the technology of computer aided design, cathodes, and multistage depressed collectors. However, because TWT dimensions scale approximately with wavelength, mm wave devices will be physically much smaller with inherently more stringent fabrication tolerances and sensitivity to thermal dissipation.
INVESTIGATING THE IMPACT OF ADVECTIVE AND DIFFUSIVE CONTROLS IN SOLUTE TRANSPORT ON GEOELECTRICAL DATA

Abstract Multiple types of physical heterogeneity have been suggested to explain anomalous solute transport behavior, yet determining exactly what controls transport at a given site is difficult from concentration histories alone. Differences in timing between co-located fluid and bulk apparent electrical conductivity data have previously been used to estimate solute mass transfer rates between mobile and less-mobile domains; here, we consider if this behavior can arise from other types of heterogeneity. Numerical models are used to investigate the electrical signatures associated with large-scale hydraulic conductivity heterogeneity and small-scale dual-domain mass transfer, and address issues regarding the scale of the geophysical measurement. We examine the transport behavior of solutes with and without dual-domain mass transfer, in: 1) a homogeneous medium, 2) a discretely fractured medium, and 3) a hydraulic conductivity field generated with sequential Gaussian simulation. We use the finite-element code COMSOL Multiphysics to construct two-dimensional cross-sectional models and solve the coupled flow, transport, and electrical conduction equations. Our results show that both large-scale heterogeneity and subscale heterogeneity described by dual-domain mass transfer produce a measurable hysteresis between fluid and bulk apparent electrical conductivity, indicating a lag between electrical conductivity changes in the mobile and less-mobile domains of an aquifer, or mass transfer processes, at some scale. The shape and magnitude of the observed hysteresis is controlled by the spatial distribution of hydraulic heterogeneity, mass transfer rate between domains, and the ratio of mobile to immobile porosity. Because the rate of mass transfer is related to the inverse square of a diffusion length scale, our results suggest that the shape of the hysteresis curve is indicative of the length scale over which mass transfer is occurring. We also demonstrate that the difference in sampling scale between fluid conductivity and geophysical measurements is not responsible for the observed hysteresis. We suggest that there is a continuum of hysteresis behavior between fluid and bulk electrical conductivity caused by mass transfer over a range of scales from small-scale heterogeneity to macroscopic heterogeneity.
The existence and extent of spatial working memory ability in honeybees

Honeybees foraged from six locations, each of which was baited with sugar solution prior to each experimental trial. Under a variety of conditions, bees exhibited a small but reliable tendency to avoid revisits to locations that they had visited earlier during the experimental trial. These results replicate those of Brown and Demas (1994), who concluded that bees use working memory to discriminate previously visited locations from those not yet visited. The present experiments included procedures that allowed alternatives to this explanation to be more completely ruled out. The extent of spatial working memory performance exhibited by honeybees in these experiments appears to be limited by a process other than working memory capacity, perhaps the ability of bees to discriminate among several locations in close proximity to one another.
A Retrograde Neuronal Survival Response: Target-Derived Neurotrophins Regulate MEF2D and bcl-w

Survival and maturation of dorsal root ganglia sensory neurons during development depend on target-derived neurotrophins. These target-derived signals must be transmitted across long distances to alter gene expression. Here, we address the possibility that long-range retrograde signals initiated by target-derived neurotrophins activate a specialized transcriptional program. The transcription factor MEF2D is expressed in sensory neurons; we show that expression of this factor is induced in response to target-derived neurotrophins that stimulate the distal axons. We demonstrate that MEF2D regulates expression of an anti-apoptotic bcl-2 family member, bcl-w. Expression of mef2d and bcl-w is stimulated in response to activation of a Trk-dependent ERK5/MEF2 pathway, and our data indicate that this pathway promotes sensory neuron survival. We find that mef2d and bcl-w are members of a larger set of retrograde response genes, which are preferentially induced by neurotrophin stimulation of distal axons. Thus, activation of an ERK5/MEF2D transcriptional program establishes and maintains the cellular constituents of functional sensory circuits.
Pharmacogenomics of lung cancer: with a view to address EGFR-targeted therapies

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted therapies have demonstrated variable success in treating individuals with non-small-cell lung cancer. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of response and resistance to this class of treatment has led to patient selection strategies that may improve outcomes. The second generation of EGFR-targeted therapies is now under clinical evaluation and may prove to be successful at circumventing a portion of primary or acquired resistance to first-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors. These principles are generally applicable to the field of targeted therapy and predictive pharmacogenomics.
Three-Dimensional (3D) Cell Culture Conditions, Present and Future Improvements

Context: Early development of many organs shows many morphological and molecular similarities (teeth, lung, hair, kidney and etc.). Fundamental questions in organogenesis are related to the identification of a simplified model which is able to mimic the molecular mechanisms involved in pattern organization and cell fate determination as well. Evidence Acquisition: It is widely accepted that cells behave more natively if cultured in three-dimensional conditions. Advances in 3D non-destructive, non-invasive analysis methods and improvements in the multi-scale techniques and bioreactors to obtain test and culture 3D cell aggregates have been made. On the other hand, even if 3D aggregate culture methods are able to recapitulate in vitro the cell-extracellular matrix interactions properly observed in vivo, and the synthetic/natural matrix and scaffolds have biochemical and mechanical properties, in order to mimic the native extracellular matrix, both of these systems possesses some limitations and some methodological improvements are needed. Results: The processes by which re-aggregated adult single cell types or adult and embryonic explanted tissues are able to recapitulate embryogenesis in vitro, when cultured in adhesion or embedded in 3D gels, is not surprising and is clearly under the control of a reminiscent cellular memory which recapitulates early developmental stages. Conclusions: Our underlying hypothesis is that recapitulating the three-dimensional early embryonic structure, in order to reproduce better in vitro the three-dimensional morphogenetic-like re-arrangements, would improve cells differentiation, when in vivo transplanted; moreover, it could be used as a simplified cancer disease model and reliable drug evaluation method as well.
H 2 analysis and synthesis of networked dynamic systems

This work provides a general framework for the analysis and synthesis of a class of linear networked dynamic systems (NDS). We focus our attention on NDS where the underlying connection topology couples the agents at their outputs. A distinction is made between NDS with homogeneous agent dynamics and NDS with heterogeneous agent dynamics. In the homogeneous setting, the H 2 norm expression reduces to the Frobenius norm of the underlying connection topology incidence matrix, E(G), scaled by the H 2 norm of the agents comprising the NDS. In the heterogeneous case, the H 2 norm becomes the weighted Frobenius norm of the incidence matrix, where the weights appear on the nodes of the graph. The H 2 norm characterization is then used to synthesize NDS with certain H 2 performance. Specifically, a semi-definite programming solution is presented to design a local controller for each agent when the underlying topology is fixed. A solution using Kruskal's algorithm for finding a minimum weight spanning tree is used to design the optimal NDS topology given fixed agent dynamics.
Green-tree retention : consequences for timber production in forests of the western Cascades, Oregon

National Forest management in the Pacific Northwest is adopting ecosystem management, in which the entire forest ecosystem is considered, as well as commodity production. Silvicultural prescriptions in ecosystem management often include retention of some live trees following timber harvest (green-tree retention) with the primary goal of maintaining biodiversity. How green-tree retention will affect growth and tree species composition of future forests is an important question. We took a retrospective approach to this question by using past disturbance as an analogue to green-tree retention following timber harvest. We used United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service timber inventory plot data from the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and southwest Wash- ington (western hemlock zone). We selected 132 unmanaged stands with a tree cohort of 70-110 yr old (regeneration) or a tree cohort of 70-110 yr old with an overstory of large trees 200+ yr old (remnants), representing clearcuts and stands harvested with green-tree retention, respectively. Regeneration basal area (BA) across species and for Pseudotsuga menziesii tended to decline with increasing remnant density (R 2 = 0.51 and 0.60, respec- tively). but only after remnant densities reached 15 trees/ha; the relationships were roughly sigmoidal. Part of the effect of remnants on regeneration results from remnants' occupation of space, making it unavailable to the regeneration. After adjusting regeneration BA to account for remnants' space occupation, the relationship between regeneration BA and remnant density weakened by about half, implying that remnant effects resulted from both space occupancy and other factors associated with remnants. Total-stand BA was relatively constant across remnant densities. Remnant density was not related to tree-species diversity in the regeneration.
A 220 MC parametric amplifier requiring low pump power

This paper describes the design and performance of a 220 mc negative-resistance parametric amplifier which enables the design of a low-noise, all solid-state UHF receiver. The parametric amplifiers previously described in the literature required considerable pump power, which generally precluded the use of transistorized pump sources. This amplifier, which uses less than 0.1 milliwatt of pump power thereby permitting a crystal-controlled transistorized pump, has a noise figure between 1 and 2 db and a reasonably stable gain of 13 db without using a circulator or isolator.
Effects of an Augmented Postoperative Fluid Protocol on Wound Healing in Cardiac Surgery Patients

• BACKGROUND Cardiac surgery patients are vulnerable to hypoperfusion postoperatively and often have subcutaneous tissue oxygen tension less than 50 mm Hg. Hypovolemia most likely contributes to this hypoperfusion and may lead to impaired wound healing. • OBJECTIVES To determine if a modified postoperative fluid replacement protocol would result in improved tissue oxygen tension, blood flow, and healing in cardiothoracic surgery patients. • METHODS A total of 166 cardiac surgery patients, 18 to 90 years old, participated in a randomized, 2-group, repeated-measures study. The experimental group received fluid augmentation during the first 36 hours after surgery; the control group received standard postoperative replacement fluids. Subcutaneous tissue oxygen tension and temperature were measured 8, 18, and 36 hours after surgery. Tissue cellularity and accumulation of hydroxyproline were evaluated in tissue obtained from subcutaneous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene tubes. Wound complications were evaluated by using the ASEPSIS Wound Scoring System. • RESULTS Tissue oxygen levels, tissue cellularity, and accumulation of hydroxyproline were similar in the 2 groups. A negative correlation (P = .01) existed between higher tissue oxygen values and lower (better) ASEPSIS leg wound scores. More than 80% of the patients had tissue oxygen levels of 50 mm Hg or less at each time of measure. Many values were 30 to 40 mm Hg less than the ideal for control of bacteria and healing. • CONCLUSIONS The frequency of low oxygen levels is consistent with data from earlier studies. Determination of other interventions to improve subcutaneous tissue perfusion in cardiac surgery patients is needed. (American Journal of Critical Care. 2002;11:554-566)
Novel Drugs for Underactive Bladder

Underactive bladder (UAB) is a voiding dysfunction usually seen in patients with complaints of urine retention or elevated post-void residual (PVR). It is highly prevalent within the general population and a source of major distress to patients in terms of their psychosocial and physical functioning. Currently there is dearth of effective pharmacological agents to manage UAB symptoms apart from nonselective muscarinic receptor agonist (bethanechol). Although bethanechol is the current standard of care, its use is limited by severe adverse effects, which makes it unsuitable for a large number of patients. The development of new drugs with novel mechanisms of action for effective management of UAB is therefore essential. In this chapter, we will cover emerging therapies that may contribute in the near future to the management of UAB. Table 7.1 outlines the approaches that may be taken to pharmacologically treat the underactive bladder.
Determining synaptic parameters using high-frequency activation.

Abstract Background The specific properties of a synapse determine how neuronal activity evokes neurotransmitter release. Evaluating changes in synaptic properties during sustained activity is essential to understanding how genetic manipulations and neuromodulators regulate neurotransmitter release. Analyses of postsynaptic responses to high-frequency stimulation have provided estimates of the size of the readily-releasable pool (RRP) of vesicles (N0) and the probability of vesicular release (p) at multiple synapses. New method Here, we introduce a model-based approach at the calyx of Held synapse in which depletion and the rate of replenishment (R) determine the number of available vesicles, and facilitation leads to a use-dependent increase in p when initial p is low. Results When p is high and R is low, we find excellent agreement between estimates based on all three methods and the model. However, when p is low or when significant replenishment occurs between stimuli, estimates of different methods diverge, and model estimates are between the extreme estimates provided by the other approaches. Comparison with other methods We compare our model-based approach to three other approaches that rely on different simplifying assumptions. Our findings suggest that our model provides a better estimate of N0 and p than previously-established methods, likely due to inaccurate assumptions about replenishment. More generally, our findings suggest that approaches commonly used to estimate N0 and p at other synapses are often applied under experimental conditions that yield inaccurate estimates. Conclusions Careful application of appropriate methods can greatly improve estimates of synaptic parameters.
Point Defect Detector Studies of Ge + Implanted Silicon upon Oxidation

Previous results [1] have shown that type II (end-of-range) dislocation loops can be used as point defect detectors and are efficient in measuring oxidation induced point defects. This study investigates the interaction between oxidation-induced point defects and dislocation loops when Ge+ implantation was used to form the type II dislocation loops. The type II dislocation loops were introduced via Ge+ implants into Si wafers at 100 keV to at doses ranging from 2x1015 to 1x1016/cm2. The subsequent furnace annealing at 900 °C was done for times between 30 min and 4 hr in either a dry oxygen or nitrogen ambient. The change in atom concentration bound by dislocation loops as a result of oxidation was measured by plan-view transmission electron microscopy (PTEM). The results show that the oxidation rate for Ge+ implanted Si is similar to Si+ implanted Si. Upon oxidation a decrease in the interstitial injection was observed for the Ge+ implanted samples relative to the Si+ implanted samples. With increasing Ge+ dose the trapped atom concentration bound by the loops actually decreases upon oxidation relative to the inert ambient implying oxidation of Ge+ implanted silicon can result itl either vacancy injection or the formation of an interstitial sink.
c-Maf Transcription Factor Regulates ADAMTS-12 Expression in Human Chondrogenic Cells:

Objective:ADAMTS (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type-1 motif) zinc metalloproteinases are important during the synthesis and breakdown of cartilage extracellular matrix. ADAMTS-12 is up-regulated during in vitro chondrogenesis and embryonic limb development; however, the regulation of ADAMTS-12 expression in cartilage remains unknown. The transcription factor c-Maf is a member of Maf family of basic ZIP (bZIP) transcription factors. Expression of c-Maf is highest in hypertrophic chondrocytes during embryonic development and postnatal growth. We hypothesize that c-Maf and ADAMTS-12 are co-expressed during chondrocyte differentiation and that c-Maf regulates ADAMTS-12 expression during chondrogenesis.Design:Promoter analysis and species alignments identified potential c-Maf binding sites in the ADAMTS-12 promoter. c-Maf and ADAMTS-12 co-expression was monitored during chondrogenesis of stem cell pellet cultures. Luciferase expression driven by ADAMTS-12 promoter segments was measur...
Measurement of complement fixation in small volumes.

SummaryThe equipment and the procedures have been devised for quantitative complement fixation in volumes of 12 mm3. The technic, reduced to a routine basis, is illustrated in the results obtained in the titration of complement and in the estimation of complement fixed by pneumococcus polysaccharide type VIII and its specific antiserum induced in the rabbit. With the procedures described the reaction can be carried out with antigen and antiserum in amounts of the order of 100-fold less than those required for the volumes usually employed, greatly extending the range for the study of material available only in small quantities.
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy and its Effect on Renal Function

AbstractExtracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy has become a major treatment modality for symptomatic upper tract renal stone disease. Although proved to be effective in disintegrating stones the short-term and long-term effects on renal function are not yet known.We evaluated several basic physiological parameters, namely creatinine clearance, fractional sodium excretion, protein excretion and urine osmolality before and after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in 26 consecutive patients in an attempt to quantitate changes in renal function. In addition, a 3 to 6-month followup study of patients showing excessive protein excretion with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy also is reported.Our data suggest that with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy transient nephrotic range proteinuria occurs immediately after treatment, returning to normal values within 3 to 6 months after treatment without a change in the glomerular filtration rate. The glomerular filtration rate increases after successful extrac...
Buy Before You Die

The exploitation of the human body: fecal matter, sores, morbid obesity, forced consumption of food. Hoarders, and the compulsion to endlessly consume goods without regard to their usefulness. The commodification of popular culture by the media; retro-racism and the return to the past. Comfort food in times of social uncertainty. The dangers of nostalgia. Patriotism and gluttony. The body as site of self-destruction. The television series My 600–1b Life; the film La Grande Bouffe as examples of self-destruction through excess.
Comparing student performance on paper- and computer-based math curriculum-based measures

As the number of computerized curriculum-based measurement (CBM) tools increases, it is necessary to examine whether or not student performance can generalize across a variety of test administration modes (i.e., paper or computer). The purpose of this study is to compare math fact fluency on paper versus computer for 197 upper elementary students. Students completed identical sets of probes on paper and on the computer, which were then scored for digits correct, problems correct, and accuracy. Results showed a significant difference in performance between the two sets of probes, with higher fluency rates on the paper probes. Because decisions about levels of student support and interventions often rely on measures such as these, more research in this area is needed to examine the potential differences in student performance between paper-based and computer-based CBMs.
CARTOPHILIA: Maps and the Search for Identity in the French‐German Borderland

CARTOPHILIA: Maps and the Search for Identity in the French‐German Borderland. By Catherine T. Dunlop. vii and 257 pp.; maps, ills., bibliog., index. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2015. $45...
Static frequency divider circuit using 0.15 [micro sign]m gate length Si0.2Ge0.8/Si0.7Ge0.3 p-MODFETs

The first demonstration of an integrated circuit using high mobility p-channel modulation doped field effect transistors (MODFETs) is reported. A static frequency divider was fabricated on Si/sub 0.7/Ge/sub 0.3//Si/sub 0.2/Ge/sub 0.8//Si/sub 0.7/Ge/sub 0.3/ strained heterostructures grown epitaxially on Si using ultra-high vacuum chemical vapour deposition; divide-by-two operation was achieved for clock frequencies of up to 2.9 GHz.
A Critical Study of the Multiuse Polyethylene Plastic Milk Container System

The absorption of 11 of 16 common chemical substances by multiuse polyethylene plastic milk containers was not detected by the required contaminant detection device. The inability of the detector to respond to significant levels of several potentially hazardous chemical substances suggests that this multiuse milk container system may present a public health problem. Milk stored in five of the 11 “detector-accepted” bottles contained either pesticide residues in excess of legal tolerance limits or had objectionable off-flavors. The contaminant detector will detect volatile hydrocarbons and may not respond to absorbed toxic contaminants which may gain entrance to polyethylene milk containers through misuse by the consumer.
X-Linked Idiopathic Infantile Nystagmus (XLIIN): Case Report and Review of Literature

Infantile nystagmus syndrome (INS) is one of the most common forms of nystagmus. It can occur in isolation or with other ocular anomalies. While nystagmus is usually sporadic, familial cases exist and are most commonly X-linked with incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity. There are over 45 mutations reported in the FRMD7 gene. This review describes the possible underlying mechanisms of infantile nystagmus syndrome, clinical characterization, and principles of management including behavioral, refractive, pharmacological, and surgical options as well as determines the genetic basis of INS in one large Caucasian family with a novel mutation in FRMD7. Newer generation optical coherence tomography (OCT) allows for accurate phenotypical characterization of genetic subtypes of INS. Further studies into identifying unknown genetic mutations involved in infantile nystagmus syndrome will allow for development of cellular and animal models to help classify INS and guide future therapies.
Parent–Child Affection and Helicopter Parenting: Exploring the Concept of Excessive Affection

Affection Exchange Theory predicts that affectionate communication above an individual’s threshold for tolerance will be harmful. The current study examined that postulate by assessing the predicte...
Inputs versus Outputs as Criteria of Competence

However it is approached, the nature and measurement of professional competence continue to be a major preoccupation among social workers
Separating the Heat from the Gap

Increasing the conversion efficiency of incident solar energy to electricity is a key goal in the solar R&D community. In this issue of Joule , a conceptual hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) receiver design is reported by the research groups of Evelyn Wang and Gang Chen. High exergetic efficiency is achieved by absorbing below-bandgap and excessively high-energy photons as thermal energy, while allowing photons at the PV's bandgap to pass through to the underlying cell.
Neodymium:YAG and Argon Laser Iridotomy: Long-term Follow-up in a Prospective, Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract Neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) and argon laser iridotomies were compared in a prospective, randomized clinical trial of 43 patients with bilateral chronic pupillary-block glaucoma. All patients had one eye randomly assigned to argon and the fellow eye assigned to Nd:YAG laser treatment. Follow-up ranged from 20 to 42 months. Iridotomy closure was not observed in Nd:YAG-treated eyes, but nine (21 %) argon iridotomies required retreatment. Visual loss due to progression of laser-induced lens or corneal damage was not observed in any eye. Nine (21 %) argon-treated eyes and eight (19%) Nd:YAG-treated eyes required laser trabeculoplasty for further intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering after iridotomy. Five (12%) argon-treated and two (5%) Nd:YAG-treated eyes required intraocular filtration surgery for long-term IOP control, but this difference was not statistically significant. There were no significant long-term differences between these treatment modalities.
What Have Studies of Genomic Disorders Taught Us About Our Genome

The elucidation of genomic disorders began with molecular technologies that enabled detection of genomic changes which were (a) smaller than those resolved by traditional cytogenetics (less than 5 Mb) and (b) larger than what could be determined by conventional gel electrophoresis. Methods such as pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) could resolve such changes but were limited to locus-specific studies. The study of genomic disorders has rapidly advanced with the development of array-based techniques. These enabled examination of the entire human genome at a higher level of resolution, thus allowing elucidation of the basis of many new disorders, mechanisms that result in genomic changes that can result in copy number variation (CNV), and most importantly, a deeper understanding of the characteristics, features, and plasticity of our genome. In this chapter, we focus on the structural and architectural features of the genome, which can potentially result in genomic instability, delineate how mechanisms, such as NAHR, NHEJ, and FoSTeS/MMBIR lead to disease-causing rearrangements, and briefly describe the relationship between the leading methods presently used in studying genomic disorders. We end with a discussion on our new understanding about our genome including: the contribution of new mutation CNV to disease, the abundance of mosaicism, the extent of subtelomeric rearrangements, the frequency of de novo rearrangements associated with sporadic birth defects, the occurrence of balanced and unbalanced translocations, the increasing discovery of insertional translocations, the exploration of complex rearrangements and exonic CNVs. In the postgenomic era, our understanding of the genome has advanced very rapidly as the level of technical resolution has become higher. This leads to a greater understanding of the effects of rearrangements present both in healthy subjects and individuals with clinically relevant phenotypes.
Euthanasia, ethics and public policy : an argument against legalisation

Part I. Definitions: 1. Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide 2. Intended v. foreseen life-shortening Part II. The Ethical Debate: Human Life, Autonomy, Legal Hypocrisy, and the 'Slippery Slope' 3. The value of human life 4. The value of autonomy 5. Legal hypocrisy? 6. The slippery slope arguments Part III. The Dutch Experience: 7. The guidelines 8. The first survey: the incidence of 'euthanasia' 9. Breach of the guidelines 10. The slide towards NVAE 11. The second survey 12. The Dutch in denial? 13. The Euthanasia Act and the Code of Practice 14. Effective control since 2002? 15. Continuing concerns 16. A right to physician-assisted suicide by stopping eating and drinking? 17. Assisted suicide for the elderly with 'completed lives' Part IV. Belgium: 18. The Belgian Legislation 19. The lack of effective control Part V. Australia: 20. The Northern Territory: ROTTI Part VI. The United States: 21. The United States: Oregon and six other jurisdictions 22. The US Supreme Court: Glucksberg and Vacco Part VII. Canada: 23. The Supreme Court of Canada: the Carter case 24. Canada's euthanasia legislation 25. Conclusion.
Exploring the association between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and diabetes among adults in the United States

Abstract Objective To explore the association between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and diabetes and to determine whether effects are heterogeneous when examined by body mass index (BMI). Methods Cross-sectional data from 8664 participants were analyzed from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for years 2005–2014. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore the association between urinary biomarkers of PAHs and diabetes. All models were adjusted for age, sex, race, poverty-income ratio, and serum cotinine. Results When compared with the lowest quintiles of exposure, the highest quintiles of exposure to 2-hydroxynaphthalene, 2-hydroxyfluorene, 9-hydroxyfluorene, 2-hydroxyphenanthrene, and a summed variable of all low molecular weight PAHs (aOR = 1.73; 95% CI: 1.17–2.55) showed a positive association with diabetes. Stratified analyses by BMI indicated that the positive association between PAHs and diabetes was found among both normal weight and obese participants. Conclusions High levels of exposure to PAHs are positively associated with diabetes in the U.S. general population and these effects are modified by BMI. These findings suggest the importance of strong environmental regulation of PAHs to protect population health.
Clinical, Radiologic, and Prognostic Features of Myelitis Associated With Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Autoantibody

Importance Recognizing the characteristics of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein autoantibody (MOG-IgG) myelitis is essential for early accurate diagnosis and treatment. Objective To evaluate the clinical, radiologic, and prognostic features of MOG-IgG myelitis and compare with myelitis with aquaporin-4–IgG (AQP4-IgG) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Design, Setting, and Participants We retrospectively identified 199 MOG-IgG–positive Mayo Clinic patients from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2017, through our neuroimmunology laboratory. Fifty-four patients met inclusion criteria of (1) clinical myelitis; (2) MOG-IgG positivity; and (3) medical records available. We excluded 145 patients without documented myelitis. Myelitis of AQP4-IgG (n = 46) and MS (n = 26) were used for comparison. Main Outcomes and Measures Outcome variables included modified Rankin score and need for gait aid. A neuroradiologist analyzed spine magnetic resonance imaging of patients with MOG-IgG and control patients blinded to diagnosis. Results Of 54 included patients with MOG-IgG myelitis, the median age was 25 years (range, 3-73 years) and 24 were women (44%). Isolated transverse myelitis was the initial manifestation in 29 patients (54%), and 10 (19%) were initially diagnosed as having viral/postviral acute flaccid myelitis. Cerebrospinal fluid–elevated oligoclonal bands occurred in 1 of 38 (3%). At final follow-up (median, 24 months; range, 2-120 months), 32 patients (59%) had developed 1 or more relapses of optic neuritis (n = 31); transverse myelitis (n = 7); or acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (n = 1). Clinical features favoring MOG-IgG myelitis vs AQP4-IgG or MS myelitis included prodromal symptoms and concurrent acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. Magnetic resonance imaging features favoring MOG-IgG over AQP4-IgG or MS myelitis were T2-signal abnormality confined to gray matter (sagittal line and axial H sign) and lack of enhancement. Longitudinally extensive T2 lesions were of similar frequency in MOG-IgG and AQP4-IgG myelitis (37 of 47 [79%] vs 28 of 34 [82%];P = .52) but not found in MS. Multiple spinal cord lesions and conus involvement were more frequent with MOG-IgG than AQP4-IgG but not different from MS. Wheelchair dependence at myelitis nadir occurred in one-third of patients with MOG-IgG and AQP4-IgG but never with MS, although patients with MOG-IgG myelitis recovered better than those with AQP4-IgG. Conclusions and Relevance Myelitis is an early manifestation of MOG-IgG–related disease and may have a clinical phenotype of acute flaccid myelitis. We identified a variety of clinical and magnetic resonance imaging features that may help clinicians identify those at risk in whom MOG-IgG should be tested.
Anti‐chlamydia IgG and IgA are insufficient to prevent endometrial chlamydia infection in women, and increased anti‐chlamydia IgG is associated with enhanced risk for incident infection

Problem Chlamydia infections in women can ascend to the upper genital tract, and repeated infections are common, placing women at risk for sequelae. The protective role of anti-chlamydia antibodies to surface exposed antigens in ascending and incident infection is unclear. Method of study A whole-bacterial ELISA was used to quantify chlamydia-specific IgG and IgA in serum and cervical secretions of 151 high-risk women followed longitudinally. Correlations were determined between antibody and cervical burden, and causal mediation analysis investigated the effect of antibody on ascension. We examined the relationship of antibody to incident infection using the marginal Cox model. Results Serum and cervical anti-chlamydia IgG and cervical IgA levels correlated inversely with cervical burden. While lower burden was associated with reduced ascension, causal mediation analysis revealed that the indirect effects of antibody mediated through reductions in bacterial burden were insufficient to prevent ascension. Analysis of women uninfected at enrollment revealed that serum and cervical anti-chlamydia IgG were associated with increased risk of incident infection; hazard ratio increased 3.6-fold (95% CI, 1.3-10.3), and 22.6-fold (95% CI, 3.1-165.2) with each unit of serum and cervical IgG, respectively. Conclusion Although anti-chlamydia IgG and IgA correlated with reduced cervical chlamydia burden, they failed to prevent ascension and increased levels of anti-chlamydia IgG were associated with increased risk for incident infection.
Student Biases about the Middle East: Lessons from an Experiment.

Previous research has discussed the difficulty of teaching topics related to the Middle East. In our experience, one reason for this difficulty is that students are strongly biased with respect to ...
Performance of direct root-zone deficit irrigation on Vitis vinifera L. cv. Cabernet Sauvignon production and water use efficiency in semi-arid southcentral Washington

Abstract The direct root-zone irrigation system is a new technique to deliver water directly to the root zone of grapevines at specific irrigation rates and delivery depths. The response of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Cabernet Sauvignon to direct root-zone deficit irrigation was investigated in a commercial vineyard with loamy sand soil in the semi-arid lower Columbia Basin of southcentral Washington State, USA. Three irrigation rates and three delivery depths were compared for effects on grape yield and crop water use efficiency during three consecutive growing seasons. Furthermore, we investigated the influence of irrigation rate on grape quality, and used an in situ root imaging system for root phenotyping under different delivery depths for two years. Results showed that delivery depth had no significant effect on grape yield and crop water use efficiency; however, increases in delivery depth from 30 cm to 90 cm resulted in 60–70% decreased root number and 46–59% decreased root length in the upper soil profile (0–60 cm). Moderate irrigation rates (35% less water use on average) improved crop water use efficiency by 14–23% and only reducing grape yield 15–18% per individual grapevine, without sacrificing grape quality or inducing early defoliation for the first two years. Surprisingly, no significant reduction of grape yield was found in the third year, which can be attributed to cooler and wetter weather and potentially vine acclimation to the direct root-zone irrigation strategy. We conclude that direct root-zone deficit irrigation could be a convenient and efficient subsurface irrigation method to improve crop water use efficiency without reducing grape quality under seasonal drought. Future studies should compare the economic and environmental returns of direct root-zone deficit irrigation with other traditional irrigation strategies under different environmental conditions to optimize the direct root-zone deficit irrigation method.
Yoga-Veganism: Correlation Mining of Twitter Health Data.

Nowadays social media is a huge platform of data. People usually share their interest, thoughts via discussions, tweets, status. It is not possible to go through all the data manually. We need to mine the data to explore hidden patterns or unknown correlations, find out the dominant topic in data and understand people's interest through the discussions. In this work, we explore Twitter data related to health. We extract the popular topics under different categories (e.g. diet, exercise) discussed in Twitter via topic modeling, observe model behavior on new tweets, discover interesting correlation (i.e. Yoga-Veganism). We evaluate accuracy by comparing with ground truth using manual annotation both for train and test data.
2899 Validation of Simulated Diagnostic Hysteroscopy Curriculum

Study Objective This purpose of this study is to test the face and construct validity of a low-fidelity simulation model for hysteroscopy training Design This is a prospective observational study. Setting This study took place within an obstetrics and Gynecology residency program at major academic medical center Patients or Participants Incoming first year residents of obstetrics and gynecology Interventions We have created a mock uterus using a clear plastic bottle and placed targets within the bottle to serve as goals for navigation. The curriculum, which includes instructional videos, pre-test and post-test surveys as well as the simulation task. In 2017 and 2018 expert faculty administered an objective structured assembly of technical skills (OSATS) and recorded times required to assemble the hysteroscope and perform the simulation. Residents were then given 6 weeks for independent practice with the model after which the OSATS and performance times were collected again. Measurements and Main Results 36 first year residents (33 female and 3 male) and 4 faculty experts completed the simulation. 69% of residents had no hands-on training in hysteroscopy prior to the study. Following independent practice, resident OSAT scores improved by 11 points (SD ± 8, out of 39 potential total points) on assembly of hysteroscope and 9 points (SD ± 3.5, out of 15 potential points) on simulation tasks. Resident OSATS scores improved significantly (p Conclusion Our study supports the use of our reusable, low-fidelity hysteroscopic training model as a way to improve resident performance in a simulation environment.