cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A rapid and reproducible assay for quantitative estimation of proteins using bromophenol blue.

Abstract A method for the quantitation of proteins in solution which involves the binding of bromophenol blue to proteins under acidic conditions has been developed. The binding of the dye to proteins is accompanied by the appearance of a strong absorbance at 610 nm, which is almost linear over the range of 10 to 80 μg for the seven proteins studied. The absorbance at 610 nm can be measured immediately after the mixing of the protein and dye solutions and is stable over a period of 8 hr. The method has very few interferences, most of which can be corrected for by the use of proper controls. Phenol, sodium dodecyl sulfate, and Triton X-100 (the last with some error) may be used with this assay at concentrations that produce strong interferences with similar methods using Coomassie brilliant blue G-250.
Patterns of larval release in the Florida stone crab, Menippe mercenaria

Abstract Larval release patterns in brachyuran crabs are often synchronized with environmental cycles. While previous studies have focused extensively on supratidal and intertidal taxa, there have been relatively few investigations of subtidal species. This study examined patterns of larval release by the Florida stone crab, Menippe mercenaria , from three different tidal regimes. Ovigerous stone crabs were collected from Sebastian Inlet on the east coast of Florida, Tampa Bay on the west coast of Florida, and the Florida Keys. Patterns of larval release were monitored in the laboratory in relation to local tidal and diel cycles. Results showed a significant diel pattern in initiation of hatching by crabs from each of three study areas. Larval release consistently occurred during the diurnal phase despite the maintenance of females in constant laboratory conditions for up to 96 h prior to hatching. This implies that release may be controlled by a circadian clock. Patterns of release by stone crabs in relation to tidal cycle were more variable. Larval release by females from populations near Tampa Bay and Sebastian Inlet were not synchronized with the tides, whereas females collected from the Florida Keys exhibited a pattern that was strongly related to tidal cycle. These results may be explained by differences in tidal amplitude at the three sampling locations.
Nonnutritive sweetener consumption in humans: effects on appetite and food intake and their putative mechanisms

Nonnutritive sweeteners (NNS) are ecologically novel chemosensory signaling compounds that influence ingestive processes and behavior. Only about 15% of the US population aged >2 y ingest NNS, but the incidence is increasing. These sweeteners have the potential to moderate sugar and energy intakes while maintaining diet palatability, but their use has increased in concert with BMI in the population. This association may be coincidental or causal, and either mode of directionality is plausible. A critical review of the literature suggests that the addition of NNS to non-energy-yielding products may heighten appetite, but this is not observed under the more common condition in which NNS is ingested in conjunction with other energy sources. Substitution of NNS for a nutritive sweetener generally elicits incomplete energy compensation, but evidence of long-term efficacy for weight management is not available. The addition of NNS to diets poses no benefit for weight loss or reduced weight gain without energy restriction. There are long-standing and recent concerns that inclusion of NNS in the diet promotes energy intake and contributes to obesity. Most of the purported mechanisms by which this occurs are not supported by the available evidence, although some warrant further consideration. Resolution of this important issue will require long-term randomized controlled trials.
Chronic ethanol ingestion alters parameters of mid-latency auditory evoked potentials in male rats

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of chronic ethanol ingestion on components of mid-latency auditory evoked potentials (MAEPs). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were administered 10% ethanol in drinking water for 10 months. MAEPs were obtained and compared to age-matched controls provided tap water. Data were obtained for varying frequencies (4, 8, 16, 24, and 32 kHz) and intensities (65, 75, and 85 dB sound pressure level). Ethanol treatment was associated with increased latencies, as well as decreased amplitudes of Na and Pa. The effects were most prominent for MAEP component Pa, but also appear for component Na. We suggest that chronic alcohol consumption induces structural and/or neurochemical alterations in substrates for cortical information processing.
Simple Binomial Processes as Diffusion Approximations in Financial Models

A binomial approximation to a diffusion is defined as " computationally simple" if the number of nodes grows at most linearly in the number of time intervals. It is shown how to construct computationally simple binomial processes that converge weakly to commonly employed diffusions in financial models. The convergence of the sequence of bond and European option prices from these processes to the corresponding values in the diffusion limit is also demonstrated. Numerical examples from the constant elasticity of variance stock price and the Cox, Ingersoll, and Ross (1985) discount bond price are provided. Article published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Financial Studies in its journal, The Review of Financial Studies.
The Federalism Debate in the Transformation of Federal Habeas Corpus Law

Over the last several decades, the law governing access tofederal habeas corpus review has undergone a fundamental transformation, moving from a Warren Court approach that focused on individual rights to a Rehnquist Court approach that emphasizes deference to state courts. The enduring constitutional debate about thefederal system and the appropriate role of thefederal courts in that system has been at the heart of this transformation. This essay examines the leadership role of the U.S. Supreme Court and the influence of other institutional actors, such as the Congress, the executive, and the states, in the shaping of United States "constitutional dialogue" on this issue.
The political process of institutionalizing educational policy and its impact on life choices of an indigenous people: the case of Native Hawaiians, 1890‐1900

This article focuses on a ten‐year period of political turbulence in Hawaii to best understand the deeper meanings of schooling for Native Hawaiians. Because the outcomes of education are best reflected in what people can do with their lives, I look at how educational policies affected Native Hawaiians’ life choices. I argue here that schooling proved to be an effective means of subjugating the Native Hawaiian to a politicized set of moral standards that made it acceptable to dispossess the natives of their land, to eliminate the mother tongue, to dash a rich Hawaiian oral history and culture from memory, and to overthrow a sovereign government.
Investigations on a novel modified archimedean spiral antenna

A conventional planar two-arm balanced-mode Archimedean spiral antenna has an impedance close to 170 Ω (theoretically 188 Ω) and needs a balun to be fed with a 50 Ω line. The proposed novel modified Archimedean spiral antenna achieves a simple feed without balun by maintaining the antenna input impedance close to 50 Ω over 10∶1 frequency band. It shows excellent impedance matching, higher peak gain and acceptable axial ratio over the operating frequencies compared to the conventional Archimedean spiral with the same aperture area.
Peer violence perpetration among urban adolescents: Dispelling the myth of the violent immigrant

Researchers have found an inverse relationship between immigrant status and violence perpetration. Most studies have examined Mexican immigrants, and few have assessed immigration factors other than nativity. Additionally, the majority have focused on the most serious forms of violence despite the fact that moderate violence is more common. Using data from the 2008 Boston Youth Survey, we generated prevalence estimates of peer violence perpetration across immigration related factors, examined whether risk factors for peer violence differed by these variables, and explored the contribution of risk factors to peer violence perpetration. Recent immigrants had a significantly lower prevalence of peer violence compared to each other generations/time in U.S. group. Known risk factors for violence perpetration varied by generation/time in U.S.: compared to other groups, recent immigrants were less likely to have used substances, and were more likely earn A's and B's in school. Recent immigrants had a significantly lower risk of violence perpetration relative to U.S.-born (RR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.19, 0.62). Adjusting for known risk factors did not attenuate differences in risk. While immigrant youth had a lower risk of peer violence, the protective effect was diminished among immigrants who had resided in the U.S. for >4 years. This pattern demonstrates that negative assimilation occurs within the first generation, not just across generations. Results suggest that perpetration of violence worsens with increased time in the U.S. Research is needed to identify factors that contribute to the acquisition of behaviors such as violence among recently arrived immigrant youth.
A Hydrophobic Stretch of 12 Amino Acid Residues in the Middle of α-Synuclein Is Essential for Filament Assembly

Neuronal and oligodendrocytic aggregates of fibrillar α-synuclein define several diseases of the nervous system. It is likely that these inclusions impair vital metabolic processes and compromise vialibity of affected cells. Here, we report that a 12-amino acid stretch (71VTGVTAVAQKTV82) in the middle of the hydrophobic domain of human α-synuclein is necessary and sufficient for its fibrillization based on the following observations: 1) human β-synuclein is highly homologous to α-synuclein but lacks these 12 residues, and it does not assemble into filaments in vitro; 2) the rate of α-synuclein polymerization in vitro decreases after the introduction of a single charged amino acid within these 12 residues, and a deletion within this region abrogates assembly; 3) this stretch of 12 amino acids appears to form the core of α-synuclein filaments, because it is resistant to proteolytic digestion in α-synuclein filaments; and 4) synthetic peptides corresponding to this 12-amino acid stretch self-polymerize to form filaments, and these peptides promote fibrillization of full-length human α-synuclein in vitro. Thus, we have identified key sequence elements necessary for the assembly of human α-synuclein into filaments, and these elements may be exploited as targets for the design of drugs that inhibit α-synuclein fibrillization and might arrest disease progression.
VARIATION IN MITOCHONDRIAL DNA AND MICROSATELLITE DNA IN CARIBOU (RANGIFER TARANDUS) IN NORTH AMERICA

Genetic variation of caribou (Rangifer tarandus) at 18 microsatellite DNA loci and the cytochrome-b gene of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was quantified in 11 herds of 3 North American subspecies: Alaskan barren ground caribou (R. t. granti), Canadian barren ground caribou (R. t. groenlandicus), and woodland caribou (R. t. caribou). Phylogenetic analysis of 1,194 nucleotides of cytochrome-b sequence resulted in a clade of 52 genotypes in R. t. granti, R. t. groenlandicus, and in 1 herd of R. t. caribou, and a clade of 7 genotypes in R. t. caribou. mtDNA sequence divergence is approximately 1% between these clades and 0.3‐0.6% within these clades. The subspecies do not have monophyletic mtDNA, but do have different frequencies of mtDNA genotypes. Microsatellite allele frequencies also are differentiated between the woodland (R. t. caribou) and barren ground (R. t. granti and R. t. groenlandicus) subspecies. An exception is the George River herd in Labrador, which is classified as R. t. caribou but has mtDNA and microsatellite allele frequencies intermediate between the other herds of R. t. caribou and R. t. groenlandicus. Within subspecies, there is relatively low differentiation of microsatellite allele frequencies and mtDNA genotypes among herds of R. t. granti and R. t. groenlandicus, and relatively high differentiation of microsatellite alleles and mtDNA genotypes among herds of R. t. caribou in 4 geographically separate areas in Canada. The extent of differentiation of mtDNA genotype frequencies and microsatellite allele frequencies within and among each subspecies reflects past and present gene flow among herds. Issues related to subspecies, populations, ecotypes, and herds are discussed.
Osteoactivin Promotes Migration of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinomas.

Nearly 50% of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) die of metastases or locoregional recurrence. Metastasis is mediated by cancer cell adhesion, migration, and invasion. Osteoactivin (OA) overexpression plays a role in metastases in several malignancies. The aims were to determine how integrin interactions modulate OA-induced OSCC cell migration; and to investigate OA effects on cell survival and proliferation. We confirmed OA mRNA and protein overexpression in OSCC cell lines. We assessed OA's interactions with integrins using adhesion inhibition assays, fluorescent immunocytochemistry and co-immunoprecipitation. We investigated OA-mediated activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and cell survival. Integrin inhibition effects on OA-mediated cell migration were determined. We assessed effects of OA knock-down on cell migration and proliferation. OA is overexpressed in OSCC cell lines, and serves as a migration-promoting adhesion molecule. OA co-localized with integrin subunits, and co-immunoprecipitated with the subunits. Integrin blocking antibodies, especially those directed against the β1 subunit, inhibited cell adhesion (P = 0.03 for SCC15 cells). Adhesion to OA activated MAPKs in UMSCC14a cells and OA treatment promoted survival of SCC15 cells. Integrin-neutralizing antibodies enhanced cell migration with OA in the extracellular matrix. OA knock-down resulted in decreased proliferation of SCC15 and SCC25 cells, but did not inhibit cell migration. OA in the extracellular matrix promotes OSCC cell adhesion and migration, and may be a novel target in the prevention of HNSCC spread. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 1761-1770, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
History: 1841 – 1960

William J. West (1793–1848), a physician from Tunbridge, England, approximately 22 miles southeast of London, undoubtedly did not suspect that his name would eventually be linked with a devastating childhood neurological disorder. While his practice did involve children, he was best known for his pioneering work in the surgical management of ovarian cysts (West, 1837; Lux, 2001). His letter to the journal Lancet in early 1841, titled ‘On a peculiar form of infantile convulsions’ (West, 1841) was, thus, written not so much as a scientific work as it was a plea for help from the medical profession: “As the only case I have witnessed is in my own child, I shall be very grateful to any member of the profession who can give me any information...”. His one year old son, James, the subject of the letter, had developed an unusual convulsive disorder at 4 months of age, characterized by “...slight bobbings of the head forward...” which over time “...increased in frequency, and at length became so frequent and powerful, as to cause a complete heaving of the head forward towards his knees, and then immediately relaxing into the upright position, something similar to the attacks of emprosthotonus: these bowings and relaxings would be repeated alternately at intervals of a few seconds, and repeated from ten to twenty or more times at each attack, which attack would not continue more than two or three minutes; he sometimes has two, three, or more attacks in the day...”.
A NEW VARIETY OF POTENTILLA GRACILIS (ROSACEAE) AND RE-EVALUATION OF THE POTENTILLA DRUMMONDII COMPLEX

ABSTRACT Field studies and herbarium analyses of populations of Potentilla L. sect. Graciles (Rydb.) A. Nels. with atypical petiole vestiture result in the description of Potentilla gracilis Douglas ex Hook. var. owyheensis as a new variety, differing from var. elmeri and var. flabelliformis in having cottony-tomentose vestiture on the petioles instead of appressed to spreading straight hairs. The new variety grows in mid-montane meadows from the Owyhee Mountains in southwestern Idaho to the Ochoco Mountains in northeastern Oregon. It is conceivably of hybrid origin, with Potentilla breweri S. Watson providing the petiole vestiture that is otherwise unknown in Potentilla sect. Graciles. The study also resulted in the improved understanding of Potentilla bruceae Rydb. as a relatively coherent taxon centered in meadows around Lake Tahoe, California. As a result, Potentilla bruceae, Potentilla drummondii Lehm., and Potentilla breweri are recognized as distinct species, with Potentilla subvillosa Rydb. and Po...
The GAAP Lock-Out Effect and the Investment Behavior of Multinational Firms

This paper looks into the investment behavior of multinational firms with respect to their locked-out foreign earnings. The focus is on multinational firms subject to credit and deferral home-country taxation such as that of the United States. “Locked-out earnings” refers to the earnings of a foreign subsidiary that are reinvested abroad against the firm’s own real income (present value) interest to avoid the repatriation tax and the associated GAAP “penalty” or for any other reason. The paper extends the existing theoretical models beyond the optimal repatriation-versus-retention point to argue that from a real income perspective the primary choice of investment for locked-out earnings is no longer a function of the investment’s profitability, but of the type of the investment (active or passive) and the stage of its maturity as proxies for whether the returns on the investment would be repatriated. One example is that investing locked-out earnings in passive assets generally generates greater present value to the firm than does investing such earnings in the tax- and GAAP-advantaged, even if higher-returning, active assets. This in turn magnifies the conflict between real and book income considerations and can lead firms to act against their own real income interest also when reinvesting locked-out earnings, thereby generating efficiency costs not yet identified, both to the firms and to the economy in general. Identifying such distortions also reveals the misconception in downplaying the social efficiency costs associated with the lock-out effect.
Abstract 26: Thirty Day And Six Month All-cause Mortality After Stroke In Patients With And Without Dysphagia Screening.

Background: Dysphagia is common after stroke and is associated with an increased risk for pulmonary complications and mortality. Current standards mandate screening for dysphagia before oral intake in all acute stroke patients. We aimed to show if this early screening affects long-term outcomes after stroke. Methods: We included all UCSD Medical Center discharges with diagnosis AIS, ICH and SAH between July 1 2008 and June 30 2011; and evaluated baseline demographics, admission diagnosis (AIS, ICH, SAH), admission source (ED or transfer) length of hospital stay (LOS), ICU-LOS, aspiration pneumonia, in-hospital, 30-day and 6-month mortality by public death records for all patients. Patients were grouped as: 1) no dysphagia screening performed, 2) Nil per os (NPO) until discharge, 3) dysphagia screening performed. Adjustments for stroke severity and CMI were not possible. Statistical comparisons were done with the Kruskal-Wallis test (continuous variables) or Fisher-Freeman-Halton test (categorical variables). For pairwise comparisons we used the Wilcoxon tests (continuous variables) or Fisher’s Exact test (categorical variables), with Holm’s adjusted p-values. Results: A total of 476 patients were included, Group 1: 47, Group 2: 119, Group 3: 310. There was no significant difference in age, gender, race/ethnicity, and diagnosis of HTN, DM, afib, prior stroke and admission source. More patients with SAH and ICH were in Group 2. Overall, LOS and ICU LOS, aspiration pneumonia, in-hospital, 30-day and 6-month mortality were found to be different among groups (p Conclusion: We found no difference in outcomes between patients who received dysphagia screening versus not (Group 1 vs 3). Excluding patients who were left NPO and are more likely to suffer from ICH, SAH with increased morbidity and mortality, it remains uncertain if a targeted early dysphagia screening can reduce morbidity and mortality after stroke. Further studies are needed to find the appropriate population that most benefits from dysphagia screening.
Predicting Singlet-Triplet Energy Splittings with Projected Hartree-Fock Methods

Hartree-Fock (HF) and density functional theory (DFT) methods are known for having problems in predicting singlet-triplet energy splittings when the system displays significant diradical character. Multireference methods are traditionally advocated to deal with the spin-contamination problem inherent in broken-symmetry mean-field methods. In the present work, spin-contamination is rigorously eliminated by means of a symmetry projection approach, carried out in a variation-after-projection fashion, recently implemented in our research group. We here explore the performance of a variety of projected Hartree-Fock (PHF) approaches (SUHF, KSUHF, SGHF, and KSGHF) in predicting singlet-triplet energy gaps in a broad set of diradical systems: small diatomic molecules, carbenes and silenes, and a few larger molecules (trimethylenemethane and benzyne isomers). For most of these systems, accurate experimental data is available in the literature. Additionally, we assess the quality of the geometrical parameters obtained in SUHF-based optimizations for some of the systems considered. Our results indicate that PHF methods yield high-quality multireference wave functions, providing a good description of the ground state potential surface as well as an accurate singlet-triplet splitting gap, all within a modest mean-field computational cost.
The association between interdelivery interval and adverse perinatal outcomes in a diverse US population.

The association between interdelivery interval and adverse perinatal outcomes in a diverse US population
Potential Nonadiabatic Reactions: Ring-Opening 4,6-Dimethylidenebicyclo[3.1.0]hex-2-ene Derivatives to Aromatic Reactive Intermediates

Potential singlet–triplet surface crossings for the ring opening of 4,6-dimethylidenebicyclo[3.1.0]hex-2-ene derivatives were explored using density functional theory (DFT) and complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) methods. Since these ring openings involve relatively high energy species that lead to relatively stable aromatic species, a good scenario for potential nonadiabatic events, we posited that the reaction paths of these ring openings might come close to or cross excited state surfaces. At the DFT level of theory, all reaction paths exhibited characteristics suggestive of singlet–triplet intersections along their paths. 6-Methylidenebicyclo[3.1.0]hex-3-en-2-one and a closely related derivative (4-methylidenebicyclo[3.1.0]hex-2-en-6-one) were explored at the CASSCF level of theory; CASSCF results were qualitatively similar to DFT results and yielded spin–orbit couplings of 1.1–1.4 cm–1 at the singlet–triplet crossing points.
Mechanism and control of platelet-platelet interactions

Abstract With the technique of shadow-casting of whole platelets, it has been possible to observe both the very early events produced on the platelet surface by aggregating agents and what appears to be the entire process of platelet aggregation. It has been shown that a variety of aggregating agents and conditions such as ADP, thrombin, collagen, polylysine, glass and cold induce a common sequence of reactions leading to aggregation. The data presented here show that the platelet membrane does not directly participate in the early events preceding and leading to platelet aggregation. It is extruded platelet cytoplasm (cytogel) that appears to interact to form inter-platelet attachment. Subsequent platelet membrane interactions appear to follow the contraction of the interacted cytogels which brings the platelets into close contact. The action of several inhibitors of aggregation have been localized to specific steps in the sequence of events observed.
Cannibalistic Oophagy in Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Laboratory Colonies

Abstract Halyomorpha halys (Stal), commonly known as the brown marmorated stink bug, is an invasive and economically damaging insect pest in U.S. agriculture. To date, H. halys has been found in 42 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. The stink bug feeds on more than 300 plant species, many of which are important agricultural crops including apples, peaches, persimmons, blackberries, sweet corn, field corn, and soybeans. As a species that has the potential to cause significant economic damage, having H. halys colonies maintained in a laboratory setting for research purposes is critical. While cannibalism occurs in both predatory and phytophagous insects, only two phytophagous pentatomids have been reported to be cannibalistic. After observing cannibalistic oophagy within our H. halys colony, we sought to identify the effects of this behavior on the hatch rate of eggs. Laboratory-reared H. halys egg masses were exposed to either second- or fourth-instar H. halys nymphs for varying lengths of time, afte...
Clinical Study on Treatment of the Pulmonary Hypertension in Infants with Congenital Heart Disease by Different Dosages of Sildenafil After Surgery

Objective To evaluate the safety and therapeutic efficacy of different dosages of sildenafil for treating the pulmonary hypertension in infants with congenital heart disease after surgery,and to work out best therapeutic regimen.Methods 128 Infants with congenital heart disease combinating the pulmonary hypertension undergoing cardiac surgery were divided into four groups (n=32),0.3mg/kg(group A),0.6 mg/kg(group B),1.2 mg/kg(group C) and 1.8 mg/kg(group D) respectively.The clinical symptoms were observed,side effects were recorded accordingly.The levels of pulmonary artery pressure,oxygen saturation of arterial blood and the Oxygenation index were measured before treatment,3day,7 day and 14 day after treatment .The levels of pulmonary artery pressure was counterchecked a month after treatment.Results ①Subsection of high dose patient appear light adverse reactions,adverse reaction was eliminated after adjusting dosage.②Comparison of the levels of pulmonary artery pressure,oxygen saturation of arterial blood and the oxygenation index: difference among within group: the differences for any group were significant between after and before using the drug;Comparison between any two groups: a.there were not statistical significance 3 day after treatment(P0.05),between the group A and the group B,between the group C and the group D;However,the Differences were significant (P0.05) between the group A and the group C,between the group A and the group D,between the group B and the group C,between the group B and the group D.b.7 day and14 day after using the drug: the comparison in any two groups were not signi?cant(P0.05).③The comparison of body arterial pressure in any two groups were not significant (P0.05).④A month after using the drug,the comparison of pulmonary artery pressure counterchecked were not significant (P0.05) in any two groups.Conclusions Adverse reactions of sildenafil is light for Infants in reasonable dose;compare low dose,the curative effect of high dose is more obvious in short-term,but the curative effect of high dose is the same with low dose in long-term,low dose(0.3mg/ kg)should be used in infants ,dosing interval lengthen by experience.
Physician Payments from Industry Are Associated with Greater Medicare Part D Prescribing Costs

Background The U.S. Physician Payments Sunshine Act mandates the reporting of payments or items of value received by physicians from drug, medical device, and biological agent manufacturers. The impact of these payments on physician prescribing has not been examined at large scale. Methods We linked public Medicare Part D prescribing data and Sunshine Act data for 2013. Physician payments were examined descriptively within specialties, and then for association with prescribing costs and patterns using regression models. Models were adjusted for potential physician-level confounding features, including sex, geographic region, and practice size. Results Among 725,169 individuals with Medicare prescribing data, 341,644 had documented payments in the OPP data (47.1%). Among all physicians receiving funds, mean payment was $1750 (SD $28336); median was $138 (IQR $48-$394). Across the 12 specialties examined, a dose-response relationship was observed in which greater payments were associated with greater prescribing costs per patient. In adjusted regression models, being in the top quintile of payment receipt was associated with incremental prescribing cost per patient ranging from $27 (general surgery) to $2931 (neurology). Similar associations were observed with proportion of branded prescriptions written. Conclusions While distribution and amount of payments differed widely across medical specialties, for each of the 12 specialties examined the receipt of payments was associated with greater prescribing costs per patient, and greater proportion of branded medication prescribing. We cannot infer a causal relationship, but interventions aimed at those physicians receiving the most payments may present an opportunity to address prescribing costs in the US.
The Limited Role of Imaging Techniques in Managing Children with Undescended Testes

AbstractWe studied the usefulness of radiography for localization of cryptorchid testes. A total of 23 radiographic studies ordered by referring physicians was done for testis localization in 18 boys. Two patients had retractile testes and were followed expectantly. Ultrasonography failed to detect palpable testes in both cases. A total of 16 boys (19 undescended testes) underwent operative exploration and the findings were compared. Ultrasonography correlated with the operative findings in 7 of 12 cryptorchid testes (58%), while computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging correlated in only 4 of 12 (33%) and 0 of 1 (0%), respectively. The overall accuracy of radiological testing was 44%. Physical examination was 53% accurate when performed by the referring physician and 84% accurate when done by the attending pediatric urologist. In no case did radiographic assessment influence the decision to operate, the surgical approach or the viability/salvageability of the involved testes. Preoperative r...
Development of Atopy in Children

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on development of allergic disease in childhood and the proposed environmental and genetic factors that likely play an important role in this process. Atopy generally refers to development of a specific immune response to non-self antigens characterized by the production of antigen specific IgE. This process is associated with the production of a number of cytokines by T-lymphocytes, generally referred to as “Th2” cytokines, which promote the production of antigen specific-IgE and support growth and differentiation of cells such as eosinophils and mast cells. These cytokines include IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13. There are a number of possible risk factors associated with development of atopy, including family history of atopy, increased IgE in early life, decreased monocyte production of γ -interferon, no (or short duration of) breast feeding, early allergen exposure, and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.Development of atopy is significantly influenced by the action of cytokines produced by monocytes, T-lymphocytes, and other cells. Certain cytokines promote a "Th1" non-allergic immune response to specific antigens (characterized by antigen specific IgG and neutrophilic inflammation), whereas others promote a "Th2" allergic response. Season of birth has been reported to be an important event in development of atopy, with relationships between early exposure to seasonal airborne allergens and development of TH2 responses to those allergens at an early age being observed. Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) may act to enhance atopy by a number of mechanisms such as increased airway mucosal permeability or a direct effect on immune function.
Nonlinear electroelastic deformations of dielectric elastomer composites: II — Non-Gaussian elastic dielectrics

Abstract This paper presents an analytical framework to construct approximate homogenization solutions for the macroscopic elastic dielectric response — under finite deformations and finite electric fields — of dielectric elastomer composites with two-phase isotropic particulate microstructures. The central idea consists in employing the homogenization solution derived in Part I of this work for ideal elastic dielectric composites within the context of a nonlinear comparison medium method — this is derived as an extension of the comparison medium method of Lopez-Pamies et al. (2013) in nonlinear elastostatics to the coupled realm of nonlinear electroelastostatics — to generate in turn a corresponding solution for composite materials with non-ideal elastic dielectric constituents. Complementary to this analytical framework, a hybrid finite-element formulation to construct homogenization solutions numerically (in three dimensions) is also presented. The proposed analytical framework is utilized to work out a general approximate homogenization solution for non-Gaussian dielectric elastomers filled with nonlinear elastic dielectric particles that may exhibit polarization saturation. The solution applies to arbitrary (non-percolative) isotropic distributions of filler particles. By construction, it is exact in the limit of small deformations and moderate electric fields. For finite deformations and finite electric fields, its accuracy is demonstrated by means of direct comparisons with finite-element solutions. Aimed at gaining physical insight into the extreme enhancement in electrostriction properties displayed by emerging dielectric elastomer composites, various cases wherein the filler particles are of poly- and mono-disperse sizes and exhibit different types of elastic dielectric behavior are discussed in detail. Contrary to an initial conjecture in the literature, it is found (inter alia) that the isotropic addition of a small volume fraction of stiff (semi-)conducting/high-permittivity particles to dielectric elastomers does not lead to the extreme electrostriction enhancements observed in experiments. It is posited that such extreme enhancements are the manifestation of interphasial phenomena.
Sir Joshua Reynolds, Discourses on Art, Edited by Robert R. WarkSan Marino

(1960). Sir Joshua Reynolds, Discourses on Art, Edited by Robert R. WarkSan Marino. The Art Bulletin: Vol. 42, No. 2, pp. 164-166.
Obesity and breast cancer: Analysis of Breast Cancer Collaborative Registry (BCCR) data in a rural community cancer center.

e13103Background: Developed by NCI-designated Eppley Cancer Institute in Omaha Nebraska, BCCR is a web-based multisite regional/national breast cancer data registry system enabling rapid/uniform cl...
Optical interconnection using photorefraction

This paper surveys various approaches that have been proposed or demonstrated for optical interconnections using photorefractive holograms. Some material issues, technical challenges, and competing technologies are discussed.
Personality and the Marital Context

Clearly, the marital relationship is an important source of social support. Three out of four married people name their spouse as their best friend, and four out of five married people say they would marry the same person again (Greely, 1991). Marital partners often are named as the persons most likely turned to for support in times of need (Berg-Cross, 1974; Dakof & Taylor, 1990), and marital partners are more effective than others at providing many aspects of this support (Cutrona, 1986). In addition, spouses are most likely to be named as confidants and as primary sources of social support and companionship (Beach, Martin, Blum, & Roman, 1993).
Are the estrogenic hormonal effects of environmental toxins affecting small intestinal bacterial and microfilaria overgrowth

Abstract The important role of microfilaria (worms) in human and animal disease remains an area of key disagreement between the naturopathic and allopathic physicians. While microfilaria infections are rampart in undeveloped countries, they rarely rise to identification as a cause of disease in Western countries. New research studies in the diagnosis and treatment of SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) and (IBD) Inflammatory Bowel Diseases of ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s Disease and microcytic colitis may make both sides equally correct. A study of rifaximin failures in SIBO positive individuals finds biomarkers of decreased Free Androgen Index (FAI), high incidence of autoimmune disease and elevated Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG). The author hypothesizes that the underlying pathophysiology is increased exposure to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) which hormonally act as xeno-estrogens. These xeno-estrogens increase the host production of SHBG, reduce pituitary stimulation of androgen product and result in a shift to estrogen dominance. Estrogen dominance is associated with autoimmune diseases and catabolic states. Treatment with a mixture of anabolic steroids that raises the FAI and lowers SHBG results in dramatic improvement in the signs and symptoms and recovery of the vast percentage of severe SIBO sufferers the author has treated. Similar results have been seen in severe pre-surgical cases of IBD whom fail all pharmaceutical interventions. Based on the recent recognition of the biological importance of Wolbachia in the occurrence of major diseases in the underdeveloped countries such as onchocerciasis, and the sexual nature of Wolbachia’s role in helminths reproduction, the author hypothesizes that the EDCs are shifting the host’s hormonal milieu in a more estrogenic direction and increasing reproduction of helminths changing the gastrointestinal microbiota. Present allopathic treatment of onchocerciasis utilizes albendazole and avermectin as therapy against the microfilaria larvae and doxycycline as bactericidal for Wolbachia. The allopathic treatments are unacceptable for pregnancy and children. Both naturopathic and allopathic treatments share a common focus on the suppression of the underlying bacterium Wolbachia infestation. The author hypothesizes that treatment of these two very different gastrointestinal diseases involves first establishing a normal, anabolic hormonal milieu and concurrently controlling an underlying yet unrecognized microfilaria overgrowth through naturopathic and allopathic treatments prescribed to the host. A case report of one such critically ill individual is noted. A thorough case controlled observation of symptoms matched with biological culture colony count and concentration of microfilaria in disease before and after the aforementioned anabolic treatment may answer the hypothesis.
Recommendations for professional development necessary for iPad integration

AbstractWith the recent adoptions of 1:1 technology initiatives, such as the iPads in schools, it is urgent to provide appropriate professional development opportunities for teachers to maximize st...
Epidemiology of Diseases of the Groin

The epidemiology of diseases of the groin varies rather markedly by the type of disease. Patients with melanoma tend to be younger than patients with nonmelanoma skin cancers and than those with squamous cell carcinomas of the penis and vulva. UV exposure predisposes to melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers, while HPV infection and tobacco use are associated with squamous cell carcinomas of the vulva and penis. Management of cancers that affect the groin depends on the type of cancer, but surgery remains the best chance for cure in almost cases, with anal squamous cell carcinoma being the exception. This chapter introduces the comparative epidemiology of diseases of the groin in an effort to provide context for treatment algorithms for each of the specific disease processes.
Q Waves at Presentation in Patients With ST-Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction: An Underappreciated Marker of Risk

The degree of myocardial salvageability and the management of patients with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is time sensitive; thus, clinicians must use readily available data to glean prognostic information and to guide clinical decisions. ECGs, the backbone of STEMI diagnosis, are rapidly obtained and contain a wealth of prognostic data. Data from clinical trial databases of patients with STEMI have shown that the presence of Q waves is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes, including higher mortality.1–3 Moreover, the prognostic significance of Q waves has been shown to exceed that of time since symptom onset, the variable most often used to assess the suitability of reperfusion therapy related to the time course of infarction.2 However, this relationship between Q waves on baseline ECG for STEMI patients and adverse cardiovascular outcomes has not been described in unselected patient populations treated in routine clinical practice. See Article by Zheng et al In this issue of Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions , Zheng et al4 sought to quantify this relationship in a registry of consecutive STEMI patients admitted to 5 hospitals in Edmonton, Canada. There were 3593 STEMI patients admitted from 2006 to 2011; after exclusions, …
When Pizza Doesn’t Sound as Good as Usual: Restrained Versus Unrestrained Eaters’ Responses to Gluten-Free Menu Items:

Increasing demand for gluten-free foods is driving restaurants to add gluten-free menu items. However, it remains unclear how gluten-free labels affect food consumption and overall evaluations of a...
Association of obesity phenotypes with electrocardiographic subclinical myocardial injury in the general population.

BACKGROUND As the debate continues about whether obesity in metabolically healthy individuals is associated with poor outcomes or not, investigating the association between the obesity phenotypes and markers of subclinical myocardial injury will help identify those at risk for future cardiovascular events (cardiovascular disease [CVD]). HYPOTHESIS We hypothesize that obesity phenotypes including metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) is associated with subclinical myocardial injury (SC-MI). METHODS This analysis included 3423 participants (57.85 ± 13.06 years, 53.3% women) without known CVD from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the cross-sectional association between four obesity phenotypes (metabolically healthy nonobese (MHNO) [reference], metabolically unhealthy nonobese (MUNO), MHO, and metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO) with SC-MI. SC-MI was defined from the 12-lead electrocardiogram as cardiac infarction/injury score ≥ 10 units. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation consensus definition. Obesity was defined as body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 . RESULTS MUO was associated with higher odds of SC-MI compared with MHNO (odds ratio [OR], 1.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22-1.92, P = 0.0005). This association was stronger in men vs women (OR [95% CI]: 2.20 [1.58-2.07] vs 1.08 [0.79-1.48]), respectively; interaction P-value = 0.002) but was consistent in subgroups stratified by age and race. There was no significant association of MHO or MUNO with SC-MI compared with MHNO, but there was a trend toward higher odds of SC-MI in the MUNO group (P-value for trend across MHNO, MUNO, and MUO = 0.0002). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that a combination of obesity and MetS confers worse prognosis and early preventive strategies aimed at weight loss and management of MetS components may decrease the risk of future poor outcomes.
Negative payoffs of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in patients admitted under observation status.

BACKGROUND More than 70 million Americans (23% of the USA population) have non-cardiac chest pain at least once in their lifetime with gastroesophageal reflux disease being the leading cause (37-66%). Current guidelines support the use of a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) prior to invasive or noninvasive testing as a diagnostic, therapeutic and cost-effective method as a part of High Value Care recommendations. METHODS We performed a chart review of 126 patients admitted to the hospital under observation status who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopies in the hospital at 3 different urban community hospitals. This was compared with 260 patients admitted who did not have this procedure done. We calculated the healthcare burden including length of stay, reimbursement and complications from the procedures/extra stay in the hospital. RESULTS The direct cost per case was almost two times in the group that underwent the procedure as compared to the group that did not. The mean length of stay was higher in the group that underwent the endoscopies. There were no complications and there was no difference in mortality. CONCLUSIONS Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in patients with atypical chest pain of gastrointestinal origin as an initial step is a significant healthcare burden and contradicts the currently recommended High Value Care recommendations. Our study delineates this large negative financial impact when performing upper endoscopies under observation status. Such patients should be started on an empirical trial of PPI, and endoscopy should be reserved for patients whose symptoms are unresponsive to PPIs or have alarm features.
Imaging an Outbreak - Ultrasound in an Ebola Treatment Unit.

Imaging an Outbreak Facing varied, often baffling, manifestations of Ebola virus disease and lacking on-site diagnostic capacity, the author began using point-of-care ultrasonography. Its benefits ...
Event-Driven Trajectory Optimization for Data Harvesting in Multiagent Systems

We propose a new event-driven method for online trajectory optimization to solve the data harvesting problem: in a 2-D mission space, $N$ mobile agents are tasked with the collection of data generated at $M$ stationary sources and delivery to a base with the goal of minimizing expected collection and delivery delays. We define a new performance measure that addresses the event excitation problem in event-driven controllers and formulate an optimal control problem. The solution of this problem provides some insight on its structure, but it is computationally intractable, especially in the case where the data generating processes are stochastic. We propose an agent trajectory parameterization in terms of general function families, which can be subsequently optimized online through the use of infinitesimal perturbation analysis. Properties of the solutions are identified, including robustness with respect to the stochastic data generation process and scalability in the size of the event set characterizing the underlying hybrid dynamical system. Explicit results are provided for the case of elliptical and Fourier series trajectories, and comparisons with a state-of-the-art graph-based algorithm are given.