cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Risk of age-related fractures in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism

Background.— Bone mass is reduced, but the influence of primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) on fracture risk is controversial. We addressed this issue in a population-based retrospective cohort study. Methods.— Ninety residents of Rochester, Minn, were first diagnosed with HPT in 1965 through 1976 and an equal number of age- and sex-matched control subjects from the community were identified. Fractures were assessed through review of each subject's complete (inpatient and outpatient) medical records in the community. Results.— Prior to the date of diagnosis, Rochester residents with HPT were more likely to have a history of fractures than were matched control subjects from the same population (30% vs 18%). Subsequently, 36% of cases and 31% of control subjects experienced one or more new fractures during 1072 person-years of follow-up; survival free of a new fracture was almost the same in the two groups. Women had more fractures than men, and fracture rates increased with age. Fractures appeared to be somewhat more frequent in those with baseline serum calcium levels of 2.74 mmol/L or more, in those with comorbid conditions possibly due to HPT and in those who did not undergo parathyroidectomy, but these differences were not statistically significant. In a multivariate analysis, only age at diagnosis was an independent predictor of fracture risk, with a 36% increase in risk per 10-year increase in age. Conclusions.— Overall fracture risk was increased prior to diagnosis of HPT but not afterward. Because the numbers involved were small, however, we cannot exclude an increased likelihood of fractures in certain subgroups of HPT patients. (Arch Intern Med. 1992;152:2269-2273)
Adder merged DRAM architecture

A 4-level sensing scheme utilizing base-4 operation addition and subtraction executable DRAM array has been developed. Neither DRAM functions, performance, nor silicon area will be sacrificed by implementing the circuit. Addition/subtraction will be executed using the massively parallel SIMD, resulting in a high degree of concurrency. Performance of around 50GOPS performance can be achieved in the case where the adder is implemented into 64 Mb DRAM array.
The Analysis of Product/Operations Management: A Review of Best Selling Production/Operations Management Texts

The article reviews several books on management, including “Production and Operations Management Concepts, Models and Behavior,” by E. E. Adam and R. J. Ebert, “Modern Production/Operations Management,” by E. S. Buffa, and “Production and Operations Management: A Life Cycle Approach,” by R. B. Chase and N. J. Aquilano.
When Is Self-Organization Used in Biological Systems?

Self-organization, or decentralized control, is widespread in biological systems, including cells, organisms, and groups. It is not, however, the universal means of organization. I argue that a biological system will be self-organized when it possesses a large number of subunits, and these subunits lack either the communicational abilities or the computational abilities, or both, that are needed to implement centralized control. Such control requires a well informed and highly intelligent supervisor. I stress that the subunits in a self-organized system do not necessarily have low cognitive abilities. A lack of preadaptations for evolving a system-wide communication network can prevent the evolution of centralized control. Hence, sometimes even systems whose subunits possess high cognitive abilities will be self-organized.
Effect of catalyst preparation on catalytic activity: VII. The Chemical Structures on Nickel/Alumina Catalysts: Their Impact on the Formation of Metal—Support Interactions

Abstract In situ electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) experiments and microreactor studies have been used to examine the apparent occurrence of metal-support interaction on Ni/Al2O3 catalysts; suppression of hydrogen chemisorption does occur subsequent to hydrogen temperature-programmed desorption. The strong metal—support interaction type behavior can be reversed by exposure of the catalyst to oxygen or carbon monoxide. It is demonstrated that the catalyst in the SMSI type state is denuded of surface NiAl2O4 but surface nickel is detectable by ESCA; this nickel does not adsorb hydrogen. Depth profiling reveals an increase in the nickel/aluminum intensity ratio and the partial reappearance of NiAl2O4. A model is proposed to account for the suppression of hydrogen adsorption on nickel. The partial covering of the active center by [AlxOy]n aggregates formed during the thermal disproportionation of NiAl2O4 forms the basis of this model.
Design of an optimal grid for finite element methods in incompressible fluid flow problems

Finite element solutions of improved quality are obtained by optimizing the location of nodes of the finite element grid, while keeping the number of degrees of freedom fixed. The formulation of the grid optimization problem is based on the reduction of error associated with interpolation of the exact solution, using functions from the finite element space. Element sizes are selected as design variables: length in R and area in R. Approximate optimal conditions are introduced to obtain a set of operationally useful equations that can be used as guidelines for construction of improved grids. Example problems are given for illustrations.
Dose and developmental responses of Anopheles merus larvae to salinity

Saltwater tolerance is a trait that carries both ecological and epidemiological significance for Anopheles mosquitoes that transmit human malaria, as it plays a key role in determining their habitat use and ecological distribution, and thus their local contribution to malaria transmission. Here, we lay the groundwork for genetic dissection of this trait by quantifying saltwater tolerance in three closely related cryptic species and malaria vectors from the Afrotropical Anopheles gambiae complex that are known to differ starkly in their tolerance to salinity: the obligate freshwater species A. gambiae and A. coluzzii, and the saltwater-tolerant species A. merus. We performed detailed comparisons of survivorship under varying salinities, using multiple strains of A. gambiae, A. coluzzii and A. merus, as well as F1 progeny from reciprocal crosses of A. merus and A. coluzzii. Additionally, using immunohistochemistry, we compared the location of three ion regulatory proteins (Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase, carbonic anhydrase and Na(+)/H(+)-antiporter) in the recta of A. coluzzii and A. merus reared in freshwater or saline water. As expected, we found that A. merus survives exposure to high salinities better than A. gambiae and A. coluzzii. Further, we found that exposure to a salinity level of 15.85 g NaCl l(-1) is a discriminating dose that kills all A. gambiae, A. coluzzii and A. coluzzii-A. merus F1 larvae, but does not negatively impact the survival of A. merus. Importantly, phenotypic expression of saltwater tolerance by A. merus is highly dependent upon the developmental time of exposure, and based on immunohistochemistry, salt tolerance appears to involve a major shift in Na(+)/K+-ATPase localization in the rectum, as observed previously for the distantly related saline-tolerant species A. albimanus.
Evaluation of the Genisys4, a Bench-Top Preclinical PET Scanner

The Genisys4 is a small bench-top preclinical PET scanner designed to enable imaging in biology, biochemistry, and pharmacology laboratories and imaging centers. Here, we compare its performance with that of a well-established preclinical PET scanner. Methods: Subcutaneous and lung tumor xenografts were used to compare lesion detectability and treatment responses to chemotherapy (gemcitabine) using 18F-FDG PET. The size of subcutaneous xenografts (L1210 and L1210-10K leukemia cells) and lung metastases (B-16 melanoma cells) was measured on small-animal CT images. Tumor 18F-FDG uptake was expressed as percentage injected dose per gram. Using list-mode data, serial images of the left ventricular blood pool were used to generate time–activity curves. Results: Subcutaneous xenografts (range, 4–12 mm; mean ± SD, 6.1 ± 1.7 mm) and lung metastases (range, 1–5 mm; mean, 2.1 ± 1.2 mm) were detected equally well with both scanners. Tumor 18F-FDG uptake measured with both scanners was highly correlated for subcutaneous xenografts (r2 = 0.93) and lung metastases (r2 = 0.83). The new Genisys4 scanner and the established scanner provided comparable treatment response information (r2 = 0.93). Dynamic imaging sequences permitted the generation of left ventricular blood-pool time–activity curves with both scanners. Conclusion: Using subcutaneous and lung xenografts, a novel and an established preclinical PET scanner provided equivalent information with regard to lesion detection, tumor 18F-FDG uptake, tumor response to treatment, and generation of time–activity curves. Thus, the Genisys4 provides a small, efficient bench-top preclinical PET alternative for quantitatively studying murine tumor models in biology, biochemistry, and pharmacology laboratories and preclinical imaging centers.
Thermodynamics of oligomer formation: implications for secondary organic aerosol formation and reactivity

Dimers and higher order oligomers, whether in the gas or particle phase, can affect important atmospheric processes such as new particle formation, and gas-particle partitioning. In this study, the thermodynamics of dimer formation from various oxidation products of α-pinene ozonolysis are investigated using a combination of Monte Carlo configuration sampling, semi-empirical and density functional theory (DFT) quantum mechanics, and continuum solvent modeling. Favorable dimer formation pathways are found to exist in both gas and condensed phases. The free energies of dimer formation are used to calculate equilibrium constants and expected dimer concentrations under a variety of conditions. In the gas phase, favorable pathways studied include formation of non-covalent dimers of terpenylic acid and/or cis-pinic acid and a covalently-bound peroxyhemiacetal. Under atmospherically relevant conditions, only terpenylic acid forms a dimer in sufficient quantities to contribute to new particle formation. Under conditions typically used in laboratory experiments, several dimer formation pathways may contribute to particle formation. In the condensed phase, non-covalent dimers of terpenylic acid and/or cis-pinic acid and covalently-bound dimers representing a peroxyhemiacetal and a hydrated aldol are favorably formed. Dimer formation is both solution and temperature dependent. A water-like solution appears to promote dimer formation over methanol- or acetonitrile-like solutions. Heating from 298 K to 373 K causes extensive decomposition back to monomers. Dimers that are not favorably formed in either the gas or condensed phase include hemi-acetal, ester, anhydride, and the di(α-hydroxy) ether.
ENDOCRINOLOGY AND ADOLESCENCE: Osteoporosis in children: diagnosis and management

Osteoporosis in children can be primary or secondary due to chronic disease. Awareness among paediatricians is vital to identify patients at risk of developing osteoporosis. Previous fractures and backaches are clinical predictors, and low cortical thickness and low bone density are radiological predictors of fractures. Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) is a rare disease and should be managed in tertiary paediatric units with the necessary multidisciplinary expertise. Modern OI management focuses on functional outcomes rather than just improving bone mineral density. While therapy for OI has improved tremendously over the last few decades, this chronic genetic condition has some unpreventable, poorly treatable and disabling complications. In children at risk of secondary osteoporosis, a high degree of suspicion needs to be exercised. In affected children, further weakening of bone should be avoided by minimising exposure to osteotoxic medication and optimising nutrition including calcium and vitamin D. Early intervention is paramount. However, it is important to identify patient groups in whom spontaneous vertebral reshaping and resolution of symptoms occur to avoid unnecessary treatment. Bisphosphonate therapy remains the pharmacological treatment of choice in both primary and secondary osteoporosis in children, despite limited evidence for its use in the latter. The duration and intensity of treatment remain a concern for long-term safety. Various new potent antiresorptive agents are being studied, but more urgently required are studies using anabolic medications that stimulate bone formation. More research is required to bridge the gaps in the evidence for management of paediatric osteoporosis.
Chemoprevention of prostate carcinogenesis by α-difluoromethylornithine in TRAMP mice

Development of effective chemopreventive agents for human consumption requires conclusive evidence of their efficacy in animal models that have relevance to human diseases. Transgenic adenocarcinoma mouse prostate (TRAMP) is an excellent model of prostate cancer that mimics progressive forms of human disease inasmuch as 100% of males develop histological PIN by 8-12 weeks of age that progress to adenocarcinoma with distant site metastases by 24-28 weeks of age. In these animals, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity (>3-fold) as well as protein expression (>4-fold) was found to be markedly higher in the dorsolateral prostate as compared with the nontransgenic littermates, suggesting their suitability to determine the chemopreventive effect of alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an enzyme-activated irreversible inhibitor of ODC, against prostate cancer. Using male TRAMP mice, we studied the effect of oral consumption of DFMO on development of prostate carcinogenesis and surrogate end point biomarkers related to prostate cancer progression. In two independent experiments, each consisting of 8 animals on test, the cumulative incidence of prostatic cancer development at 28 weeks of age in 16 untreated TRAMP mice was 100% (16 of 16), whereas 94% (15 of 16) and 69% (11 of 16) of the animals exhibited distant site metastases to lymph nodes and lungs, respectively. Oral consumption of 1% DFMO (w/v) in the drinking water to TRAMP mice from 8 to 28 weeks of age resulted in a significant decrease in (a) weight (59%) and volume (66%) of prostate, (b) genitourinary weight (63%), and (c) ODC enzyme activity (52%) in the dorsolateral prostate. Importantly, in none of the DFMO-fed TRAMP mice were any distant metastases to lymph node and lungs observed. Furthermore, DFMO treatment resulted in the marked reduction in the protein expression of proliferation cell nuclear antigen, ODC, and probasin in the dorsolateral prostate. The protein expression of antimetastases markers, i.e., E-cadherin and alpha- and beta-catenin, was found to be restored in DFMO-fed animals as compared with the non-DFMO-fed mice. These chemopreventive effects of DFMO were further confirmed by immunohistochemical analysis of the dorsolateral prostate. Histological analysis of the dorsolateral prostate of DFMO-fed animals displayed marginal epithelial stratification, a small number of cribriform structures, elongated hyperchromatic epithelial nuclei, and a significant increase in apoptotic index. Non-DFMO-fed animals, on the other hand, displayed extensive epithelial stratification with profound cribriform structures accompanied with marked thickening, remodeling, and hypercellularity of the fibromuscular stroma. In nontransgenic littermates fed with DFMO, no significant alterations in the above parameters were evident. These data demonstrate that ODC represents a promising and rational target for chemoprevention of human prostate cancer and that TRAMP mice are excellent models for screening of novel drugs and chemopreventive regimens for potential human use.
Left atrial function assessed by real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography is related to right ventricular systolic pressure in chronic mitral regurgitation

Background Left atrial (LA) volume is a prognostic index in chronic mitral regurgitation (MR). However, little is known about LA function in this setting. We hypothesized that LA dysfunction is related to pulmonary hypertension in chronic MR. Methods Seventy-one patients with organic chronic MR who underwent real-time 3-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (RT3DE) were studied. Left atrial volumes and peak passive and active LA emptying rates were obtained. Total LA emptying fraction was calculated as follows: [(maximum − minimum LA volume)/maximum LA volume] × 100. Similarly, active and passive LA emptying fractions were calculated. From transmitral flow, the peak early (E) and late (A) diastolic filling velocities and E/A ratio were obtained. The early (E′) and late (A′) diastolic myocardial velocities were obtained by tissue Doppler interrogation of mitral annulus. Results Effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA) was 0.57 ± 0.29 cm2. Right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) was measured in 57 patients and averaged 37 ± 13 mm Hg. Patients with MR and high RVSP displayed higher minimum LA volume, E/A ratio, E/E′ ratio, EROA, and MR volume, and lower A′ velocity, peak active LA emptying rate, active LA emptying fraction, and total LA emptying fraction than patients with MR and normal RVSP. Multiple regression analysis revealed that EROA (r = 0.51, P = .01) active LA emptying fraction (r = −0.53, P = .02), E/E′ ratio (r = 0.50; P = .04), and the lateral A′ velocity (r = −0.46; P = .003) were independently correlated with RVSP. Conclusions Left atrial function determined by RT3DE had significant correlation with RVSP in chronic MR, irrespective of MR severity. Thus, pulmonary hypertension in chronic MR may depend not only on MR severity but also on LA function.
SELECTED SCALE INSECT GROUPS (HEMIPTERA: COCCOIDEA) IN THE SOUTHERN REGION OF THE UNITED STATES

This publication includes general discussions on the Conchaspididae, Diaspididae, Eriococcidae, Ortheziidae, Pseudococcidae, and Putoidae. Keys are presented for genera in the families Eriococcidae, Ortheziidae, and Pseudococcidae. Material for each family include introduction, field appearance, diagnosis, life history, important references, illustration of a slide-mounted adult female, and a checklist of the species occurring in the Southern Region of the United States and their distribution by state.
Recruitment of Fusconaia ebena (Bivalvia: Unionidae) in Relation to Discharge of the Lower Ohio River

Abstract Demographically complete sampling of a large population of Fusconaia ebena (Lea) in a mainstream shoal in the lower Ohio River (LOR) from 1983 through 1998 revealed two extremely successful recruitment years—1981 and 1990. Dominance of the 1981 and 1990 cohorts allowed length-to-age relationships to be estimated directly from length-frequency histograms. Two linear relationships adequately described growth rates from age 2 through 17 y. The first model applied to ages 2 through 10 y when annual growth averaged 6.1mm. The second model applied to ages 10 through 17 y when annual growth averaged only 1.1 mm. A survivorship curve was based on density of the 1981 cohort from age 2 through 17 y. During that period a constant proportion (17%) of the cohort died each year. Only 9% of the 1981 cohort alive in 1983 were still alive in 1998. In both 1981 and 1990 rapid and large spring rises in LOR discharge were immediately followed by rapid and large declines. These rises coincided with the expected spawn...
The optimal polarization formalism and partial waves

In contrast to the usual partial-wave analysis ofobservables, in this paper the amplitude analysis of observables is combined with a partial-wave analysis ofamplitudes. Three optimal frames (helicity, transversity and the planar-transverse frame) are explored for the reaction 1/2+1/2→1/2+1/2, first the Lorentz invariance alone, and then, step by step, for the addition of parity conservation, time reversal invariance, and identical particles. The helicity system yields somewhat simpler results than the other two. It is shown that if polarization experiments allow an amplitude analysis, the number of angles (ort-values) at which data need to be collected in order to obtain partial waves up to a given fixed angular momentum is reduced by at least a factor of two. Results are also presented in the special case of the low-energy limit in which the number of amplitudes of significant size decreases. The way this occurs helps in selecting the most informative observables to measure at low energies.
Death-Defining Acts Historical and Cultural Observations on the End of Life

For the past two decades, physicians, philosophers, attorneys, legislators, and the public at large have been forced to confront a number of controversies engendered by the Harvard Ad Hoc Committee to Examine the Definition of Brain Death (hereinafter called the Ad Hoc Committee). The voluminous literature that has arisen has concentrated on three areas: the meanings of death and the implications of redefining death in terms of cerebral function, the development of satisfactory criteria for diagnosing brain death, and the establishment of uniform codes for the declaration of death. Despite intensive efforts on the part of many segments of the professional, academic, and policy-making communities, the controversies have not been resolved, nor has the public become reconciled to all aspects of accepted practice.
Renal vascular response to amino acids: effect of pancreatectomy.

We ascertained the importance of glucagon in modulating the renal hemodynamic response to amino acid (AA) infusion in anesthetized dogs. In controls (n = 6), AAs (L-serine, alanine, and proline; 0.051 mmol.kg-1.min-1 iv) elevated renal blood flow (RBF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by 35 and 34%, respectively, while elevating arterial plasma glucagon-like immunoreactivity (AGLI) by 96 pmol/l. In control pancreatectomized (PX) dogs (n = 6), all parameters remained at control values over 2 h. In PX dogs, AAs (n = 6) failed to reproduce the renal hemodynamic and AGLI responses elicited by AAs in controls. In PX dogs infused with AAs, replacement of AGLI (n = 6) to an incremental plasma level of 111 pmol/l, a level no different than that produced by AAs in controls, elevated RBF and GFR by 25 and 26.5%, respectively. These hemodynamic responses were 71 and 78%, respectively, of the total responses elicited by AAs in controls. In PX dogs infused with glucagon alone (0.86 pmol.kg-1.min-1; n = 6), an incremental change in AGLI of 112 pmol/l was accompanied by only small increases in RBF and GFR (9%). These data suggest the importance of glucagon in modulating the renal hyperemia and hyperfiltration ascribed to AA infusion in anesthetized dogs.
Metabolic alkalosis decreases bone calcium efflux by suppressing osteoclasts and stimulating osteoblasts

In vivo and in vitro evidence indicates that metabolic acidosis, which may occur prior to complete excretion of end products of metabolism, increases urinary calcium excretion. The additional urinary calcium is almost certainly derived from bone mineral. Neutralization of this daily acid load, through the provision of base, decreases calcium excretion, suggesting that alkali may influence bone calcium accretion. To determine whether metabolic alkalosis alters net calcium efflux (JCa+) from bone and bone cell function, we cultured neonatal mouse calvariae for 48 h in either control medium (pH approximately equal to 7.4, [HCO3-] approximately equal to 24), medium simulating mild alkalosis (pH approximately equal to 7.5, [HCO3-] approximately equal to 31), or severe alkalosis (pH approximately equal to 7.6, [HCO3-] approximately equal to 39) and measured JCa+ and the release of osteoclastic beta-glucuronidase and osteoblastic collagen synthesis. Compared with control, metabolic alkalosis caused a progressive decrease in JCa+, which was correlated inversely with initial medium pH (pHi). Alkalosis caused a decrease in osteoclastic beta-glucuronidase release, which was correlated inversely with pHi and directly with JCa+. Alkalosis also caused an increase in osteoblastic collagen synthesis, which was correlated directly with pHi and inversely with JCa+. There was a strong inverse correlation between the effects alkalosis on osteoclastic beta-glucuronidase release and osteoblastic collagen synthesis. Thus metabolic alkalosis decreases JCa+ from bone, at least in part, by decreasing osteoclastic resorption and increasing osteoblastic formation. These results suggest that the provision of base to neutralize endogenous acid production may improve bone mineral accretion.
The Delicacy of the Oceanic Thermohaline Circulation

The essential dynamical problem for the earth’s climate is the maintenance of discrepancies from local radiative equilibrium in the atmosphere. The latter would imply extraordinarily warm tropical regions, where the solar heating is greatest, and cold polar regions, where it is least. It is the fluid transports of thermal energy between the topics and poles that maintain the more moderate temperatures that do in fact occur. These transports are comparably shared between the atmosphere and ocean. Furthermore, they are shared between the sensible form of thermal energy and its latent forms in all three states of water: vapor, liquid, and ice.
Clinical Application of Microbial Ecosystem Agents in Pediatrics

OBJECTIVE: To probe into the application status of the microbial ecosystem agents in our hospital.METHODS: By a retrospective method,the application of the microbial ecosystem agents in our hospital from 2007 to 2008 was analyzed statistically.RESULTS: 14.32% of the outpatients used microbial ecosystem agents,and the consumption sum of which accounted for 4.16% of total.The rational use rate was 81.26%.CONCLUSION: The use of microbial ecosystem agents in our hospital was rational on the whole;however,measures should be taken to tighten control on the rational use of which to prevent beyond-range use so as to reduce medical expenses for children patients.
Hepatitis B Infection of Pre-School Children

Objective To find out the Yunfu city pre-school children hepatitis B virus infection situation.Method 0～6 year-old pre-school children were investigated for HBV infection from 2004 to 2007 in Yunfu city.2 603 serum samples were tested for HBsAg and anti-HBS.Result The positive rates of HBsAg and the anti-HBS were 1.92 and 62.7,respectively.Conclusion Yunfu city pre-school children hepatitis B virus infection rate is low,and rate of anti-HBS is high.
ADHD and Depression Symptoms in Parent Couples Predict Response to Child ADHD and ODD Behavior

Parents of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) often have elevated ADHD and depressive symptoms, both of which increase the risk of ineffective parenting and interparental discord. However, little is known about whether child ADHD/ODD behavior and parent ADHD or depressive symptoms uniquely or synergistically predict the quality of parenting and interparental communication during triadic (mother-father-child) interactions. Ninety parent couples, including 51 who have children diagnosed with ADHD, were randomly assigned to interact with a 9–12 year-old confederate child (84 % male) exhibiting either ADHD/ODD-like behavior or typical behavior. Parents reported their own ADHD and depressive symptoms, and parents and observers rated the quality of parenting and interparental communication during the interaction. Actor-partner interdependence modeling indicated that child ADHD/ODD behavior predicted less positive and more negative parenting and communication, independent of adult ADHD and depressive symptoms. Parent couples including two parents with elevated ADHD communicated more positively while managing children exhibiting ADHD/ODD behavior than couples managing children behaving typically or couples with only one parent with elevated ADHD symptoms. Couples including one parent with, and one parent without, elevated ADHD or depressive symptoms parented less positively and more negatively, and communicated more negatively, when managing children exhibiting ADHD/ODD behavior than when managing children behaving typically. Taken together, depending on the similarity of ADHD and depressive symptom levels in parent couples, adults managing children exhibiting ADHD/ODD behavior may parent or communicate positively or negatively. Findings highlight the need to consider the psychopathology of both parents when treating children with ADHD in two-parent homes.
No clinical benefit from routine histologic examination of stapler doughnuts at low anterior resection for rectal cancer

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical utility and cost-effectiveness of routine histologic examination of the doughnuts from stapled anastomoses in patients undergoing a low anterior resection for rectal cancer. Methods We performed a retrospective review of 486 patients who underwent a low anterior resection with stapled anastomosis for rectal cancer between 2002 and 2015 at 3 institutions. Pathologic findings in the doughnuts and their impact on patient management were recorded. Tumor characteristics that may influence how often doughnuts were included in the pathology report were analyzed. An approximate cost of histologic examination of doughnuts was also calculated. Results A total of 412 patients (85%) had doughnuts included in their pathology reports. Two patients had cancer cells in their doughnuts, and both patients had a positive distal margin in their primary tumor specimen; 33 patients had benign findings in their doughnuts. Pathologic examination of the doughnut did not change clinical management in any patient. Patients with rectosigmoid tumors were less likely to have their doughnuts included in the pathology report compared to patients with low tumors ( P = .003). Doughnuts were not bundled with the primary tumor specimen in 374 (77%) of our patients; in these patients, pathologic analysis of the doughnut added an additional cost of approximately $643 per specimen. Conclusion This study demonstrates no clinical benefit in sending anastomotic doughnuts for histopathologic evaluation after performing a low anterior resection with a stapled anastomosis for rectal cancer. Overall cost may be decreased if doughnuts are not analyzed or if they are bundled with the primary tumor specimen.
Accuracy and Reliability of the Klales et al. (2012) Morphoscopic Pelvic Sexing Method.

Klales et al. (2012) devised an ordinal scoring system for the morphoscopic pelvic traits described by Phenice (1969) and used for sex estimation of skeletal remains. The aim of this study was to test the accuracy and reliability of the Klales method using a large sample from the Hamann-Todd collection (n = 279). Two observers were blinded to sex, ancestry, and age and used the Klales et al. method to estimate the sex of each individual. Sex was correctly estimated for females with over 95% accuracy; however, the male allocation accuracy was approximately 50%. Weighted Cohen's kappa and intraclass correlation coefficient analysis for evaluating intra- and interobserver error showed moderate to substantial agreement for all traits. Although each trait can be reliably scored using the Klales method, low accuracy rates and high sex bias indicate better trait descriptions and visual guides are necessary to more accurately reflect the range of morphological variation.
The Interpersonal Risk Awareness Survey: Understanding the Risk of Self-Disclosure

The authors investigated perceptions of comfort related to self-disclosure through an instrument development process. The Interpersonal Risk Awareness Survey was developed using classical and modern test theory. Results of the study support its use for facilitating the therapeutic relationship and helping beginning humanistic counselors pursue therapeutic goal attainment.
Subphthalocyanine-based porous organic polymers

Subphthalocyanines (SubPcs) are bowl-shaped chromophores that possess optical properties desirable for organic electronics. Herein, we present the synthesis and characterization of two SubPc-based porous organic polymers (POPs). The SubPc-POPs exhibit respectable surface areas, and Q-bands that are significantly red-shifted in the solid-state.
Tides of Celadon: Glaze Color Chronology from the Edgefield Pottery District, South Carolina

ABSTRACTLarge alkaline-glazed stoneware vessels from the Edgefield District of South Carolina have long been studied by ceramic historians and collectors. Manufactured by enslaved laborers in the antebellum period, these vessels were sold throughout the South. Based on extant vessels from collections, scholars have proposed that a lighter green glaze, often called celadon, was manufactured earlier than a darker green-brown glaze. This assertion has not been tested systematically using archaeological evidence. Understanding how glaze color changes over time at one kiln site allows us to better understand antebellum aesthetic and economic systems. Establishing that there is change over time is the first step toward asking why this may be the case. Was it purely an aesthetic choice, an economic one, or due to experimentation with glazes by enslaved laborers? Excavations in 2011 and 2013 at the Pottersville site (38ED11) uncovered thousands of alkaline-glazed stoneware sherds that can illuminate this topic.
Synthesis and Characterization of Structurally Diverse Alkaline-Earth Salen Compounds for Subterranean Fluid Flow Tracking

A family of magnesium and calcium salen-derivatives was synthesized and characterized for use as subterranean fluid flow monitors. For the Mg complexes, di-n-butyl magnesium ([Mg(Bun)2]) was reacted with N,N′-ethylene bis(salicylideneimine) (H2-salen), N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-1,2-phenylenediamine (H2-saloPh), N,N′-bis(3,5-di-t-butylsalicylidene)-ethylenediamine (H2-salo-But), or N,N′-bis(3,5-di-t-butylsalicylidene)-1,2-phenylenediamine (H2-saloPh-But), and the products were identified by single-crystal X-ray diffraction as [(κ3-(O,N,N′),μ-(O′)saloPh)(μ-(O),(κ2-(N,N′),μ-(O′)saloPh)2(μ-(O),κ3-(N,N′,O′)saloPh′)Mg4]·2tol (1·2tol; saloPh′ = an alkyl-modified saloPh derivative generated in situ), [(κ4-(O,N,N′,O′)saloPh)Mg(py)2]·py (2·py), [(κ4-(O,N,N′,O′)salo-But)Mg(py)2] (3), [(κ4-(O,N,N′,O′)saloPh-But)Mg(py)2]·tol (4·tol), and [(κ3-(O,N,N′),μ-(O′)saloPh-But)Mg]2 (5), where tol = toluene; py = pyridine. For the Ca species, a calcium amide was independently reacted with H2-salo-But and H2-saloPh-But to generate ...
High Pressure NMR: Hydrogen at Low Temperatures

We report NMR of solid hydrogen in a diamond anvil cell at temperatures 1.85 to 100 Kelvin. We examine the pressure dependence of the orientational ordering phase transition temperature.
First Record of Cephalobellus brevicaudatus (Leidy, 1851) Christie, 1933 (Nematoda: Oxyurida: Thelastomatoidea), from Cranefly Larvae (Diptera: Tipulidae) in Ohio, U.S.A.

Specimens of the tipulid (cranefly) larvae Tipula (Pterelachisas) sp. Rondani (n = 118) were recovered from rotting logs in 2 forests of central Ohio from 2011 to 2016. Examination of the posterior intestine revealed the presence of the thelastomatid nematode Cephalobellus brevicaudatus (Leidy, 1851) Christie, 1933. This finding constitutes the first North American record for the parasite in a dipteran larva and the first Nearctic report of this species since 1851. First morphological data for the males from North America are provided, and voucher ribosomal DNA sequences for C. brevicaudatus and for the hosts were compiled.
Do Weak Institutions Affect Recording of Terror Incidents? Evidence from the United States

Recording of crimes as terror incidents often falls in an unclear/fuzzy area due to overlaps with other crimes such as hate crimes, drug or mental health-related crimes, etc. This paper addresses the recording of crimes as terror crimes across US states, alternately considering both the prevalence and intensity of such crimes. Placing the explanatory variables under institutional, economic, social, political and enforcement categories, results show that weak institutions, ceteris paribus, undermine the recording of terror crimes. In other significant influences, states with greater ethnic homogeneity were less likely to have recorded terror crimes and more populous states had greater incidence (but not greater intensity) of recorded terror activity. Some implications for policy are discussed.
Mortality and the 1974 fuel crisis

THE paper by Waller and Lawther1 commenting on our report of a decrease in mortality during the 1974 fuel crisis2 raises some interesting and important points. We chose two separate countries to examine the possible effects on mortality of the fuel crisis for the purposes of testing consistency. Although both Alameda and San Francisco Counties are in the San Francisco Bay Area, they vary somewhat in age and racial composition, in density of population, in occupational structure, and in weather conditions. Yet both counties showed a drop in mortality during the first quarter of 1974.
Identification of a FGF18-expressing alveolar myofibroblast that is developmentally cleared during alveologenesis

Alveologenesis is an essential developmental process that increases the surface area of the lung through the formation of septal ridges. In the mouse, septation occurs postnatally and is thought to require the alveolar myofibroblast (AMF). Though abundant during alveologenesis, markers for AMFs are minimally detected in the adult. After septation, the alveolar walls thin to allow efficient gas exchange. Both loss of AMFs or retention and differentiation into another cell type during septal thinning have been proposed. Using a novel Fgf18:CreERT2 allele to lineage trace AMFs, we demonstrate that most AMFs are developmentally cleared during alveologenesis. Lung mesenchyme also contains other poorly described cell types, including alveolar lipofibroblasts (ALF). We show that Gli1:CreERT2 marks both AMFs as well as ALFs, and lineage tracing shows that ALFs are retained in adult alveoli while AMFs are lost. We further show that multiple immune cell populations contain lineage-labeled particles, suggesting a phagocytic role in the clearance of AMFs. The demonstration that the AMF lineage is depleted during septal thinning through a phagocytic process provides a mechanism for the clearance of a transient developmental cell population.
Identification of injury and shock driven effects on ex vivo platelet aggregometry: A cautionary tale of phenotyping.

Background Platelet behavior in trauma-induced coagulopathy is poorly understood. Injured patients have impaired platelet aggregation (dysfunction) in ex vivo agonist-stimulated platelet aggregometry (PA). However, PA assumes that platelets are inactivated before ex vivo stimulated aggregation, which may be altered by injury. We hypothesized that following trauma, platelet aggregation (area under the curve) is decreased regardless of injury burden, but that (1) minor injury is associated with an increased baseline electrical impedance, characteristic of a functional platelet phenotype (platelets that activate in response to injury), and that (2) severe injury is not associated with an increased baseline electrical impedance, characteristic of a dysfunctional phenotype (platelets that do not activate well in response to injury) compared with healthy controls. Methods Blood from 458 trauma patients and 30 healthy donors was collected for PA. Baseline electrical impedance (Ω); platelet aggregation stimulated by adenosine diphosphate, collagen, thrombin, and arachidonic acid; and rotational thromboelastometry were measured. Multivariate regression was performed to identify associations of PA measures with blood transfusion. Results Compared with healthy controls, injured patients had impaired platelet aggregation in response to ex vivo stimulation, regardless of injury burden. However, minorly injured patients had increased endogenous platelet activation (baseline electrical impedance, Ω: with shock, p = 0.012; without shock, p = 0.084), but severely injured patients did not have significant increases in endogenous platelet activation (baseline electrical impedance, Ω: with shock, p = 0.86; without shock, p = 0.37). For every 10 Ω increase in baseline electrical impedance, there was an 8% decrease in units of blood transfused in the first 24 h (-0.08; confidence interval, -0.14 to -0.02; p = 0.015). Conclusion Injury and shock confer differential patterns of platelet aggregation in PA. Minor injury overestimates the presence of platelet dysfunction, while severe injury induces a truly dysfunctional phenotype-platelets that do not activate nor aggregate appropriately after injury. This is consequential in improving accurate phenotyping of postinjury platelet behavior for platelet-based therapeutics. Level of evidence Prognostic, level IV.
Chapter 103 – Forensic Entomology

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses forensic entomology, which includes any situation in which insects or their actions become evidence within the legal system. Medicocriminal entomology involves insects as evidence in a criminal case, most frequently homicide, and this is the area that has been most closely associated with the term “forensic entomology” by the general public and most entomologists. The use of insects and other arthropods as evidence in criminal investigations dates from 12th century China. The use of insects to estimate the postmortem interval requires an understanding of the insect's life cycle, the relationship of the insect to the remains, and the relationship of the remains to the habitat in which they are discovered. Insects pass through a number of distinct stages during their life cycle. Using a blowfly in the family Calliphoridae as an example, the female fly arrives at the body and deposits eggs in body openings associated with the head, anus, and genitals, or in wounds. After hatching, larvae or maggots feed on the decomposing tissues. There are three larval stages, with a molt in between each stage. Once the maggot is fully developed, it ceases to feed and moves away from the remains before pupariation. The puparium is an inactive stage during which the larval tissues are reorganized to produce the adult fly.
Iatrogenic humeral anatomic neck fracture after intraosseous vascular access

Intraosseous infusion has become a key tool in the resuscitation of critically ill or injured patients, both in pre-hospital settings and in emergency departments. Intraosseous access is obtained through the percutaneous placement of a needle into the medullary space of a bone, thereby allowing access into the systemic venous circulation via the medullary space, which is essential to treat patients in shock, cardiac arrest, airway compromise, or major trauma. This becomes critically important when obtaining conventional intravenous access is difficult or impossible. Few cases of iatrogenic fracture have been reported for intraosseous access in the tibia and no case to-date has been reported of iatrogenic fracture secondary to humeral access. We report a case of a 55-year-old patient being resuscitated emergently with proximal humeral intraosseous infusion for cardiac and respiratory arrest secondary to status epilepticus. After successful resuscitation and removal of the intraosseous cannula, the patient noted new-onset shoulder pain. The patient was ultimately diagnosed with an iatrogenic fracture of the anatomic neck of the humerus through the intraosseous needle tract when the appropriate history was obtained in conjunction with cross-sectional imaging. As the use of intraosseous access expands, such fractures may well be seen more frequently. Intraosseous access is limited to the period of resuscitation and the cannula is often not present at the time of imaging. It is important for radiologists to recognize the findings related to intraosseous access as well as this complication with its characteristic locations and morphology.
Automated Design For Yield Through Defect Tolerance

We advocate defect tolerant design to improve timing yield. A metric of defect tolerance is proposed, and an approach based on using defect tolerance metrics, derived for each cell in a library, to bias logic synthesis and automated placement and routing (APR) to achieve netlist-level defect tolerance is explored. We compare our proposed approach, in which the delays of cells are penalized in accordance with their defect vulnerability to two alternative approaches: 1) an approach in which the most defect vulnerable cells are removed from consideration during automated design, and 2) another that gains yield by frequency-push over-design. We measure timing yield based on modeling defects as cell delay increments and using static timing analysis to evaluate the various approaches. Simulation results show promising timing yield improvements, with one case showing about 9.5% timing yield increase with under 3% area and 2% power costs.
Quantification of Microtubule Stutters: Dynamic Instability Behaviors that are Strongly Associated with Catastrophe

ABSTRACT Microtubules (MTs) are cytoskeletal fibers that undergo dynamic instability (DI), a remarkable process involving phases of growth and shortening separated by stochastic transitions called catastrophe and rescue. Dissecting dynamic instability mechanism(s) requires first characterizing and quantifying these dynamics, a subjective process that often ignores complexity in MT behavior. We present a Statistical Tool for Automated Dynamic Instability Analysis (STADIA), which identifies and quantifies not only growth and shortening, but also a category of intermediate behaviors that we term ‘stutters.’ During stutters, the rate of MT length change tends to be smaller in magnitude than during typical growth or shortening phases. Quantifying stutters and other behaviors with STADIA demonstrates that stutters precede most catastrophes in our dimer-scale MT simulations and in vitro experiments, suggesting that stutters are mechanistically involved in catastrophes. Related to this idea, we show that the anti-catastrophe factor CLASP2γ works by promoting the return of stuttering MTs to growth. STADIA enables more comprehensive and data-driven analysis of MT dynamics compared to previous methods. The treatment of stutters as distinct and quantifiable DI behaviors provides new opportunities for analyzing mechanisms of MT dynamics and their regulation by binding proteins.