cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of milk fat globule membrane and its various components on neurologic development in a postnatal growth restriction rat model.

Abstract Background Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) is a component of breast milk that consists of glycosylated membrane-bound proteins, polar lipids and carbohydrates originating from the mammary gland plasma membrane. A commercially available bovine MFGM added to infant formula has been shown to improve cognitive development in infants at 12 months of age. Objective Considering that MFGM is a complex mixture, our aim was to determine which component(s) may be leading to these cognitive outcomes. Methods Growth-restricted rat pups were supplemented with one of five treatments: (a) bovine MFGM, (b) bovine phospholipid concentrate (PL), (c) sialic acid (SIA) at 200 mg/kg body weight (bw) SIA100, (d) SIA at 2 mg/kg bw and (e) nonfat milk as control. Pups were randomized, cross-fostered into litters of 17 pups per dam and supplemented from postnatal day (PD) 2 to PD 21. The following behavioral tests were performed at adulthood: T-Maze Spontaneous Alternation, Novel Object Recognition and Morris Water Maze. Hippocampus was isolated at PD14 and PD21. Expression of four genes were measured including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), dopamine receptor 1, (Drd1), glutamate receptor (GluR-1) and ST8 alpha-N-acetyl-neuraminide alpha-2,8-sialytransferase 4 (St8Sia4). Following behavioral testing, brains were collected for nonbiased stereology. Results Increased expression of genes due to supplementation was most pronounced at the PD14 time point. The MFGM group exhibited higher T-Maze scores compared to the SIA group (P=.01), whereas the SIA100 group visited the novel object more frequently than the MFGM group in the Novel Object test (P=.02). No differences due to supplementation were found in the Morris Water Maze or nonbiased stereology, Conclusions In this trial, MFGM, compared to its individual components, had the largest impact on neurodevelopment in rat pups through up-regulation of genes and improved T-Maze scores compared to the SIA group.
Fraïssé limits in functional analysis

We provide a unified approach to Fraisse limits in functional analysis, including the Gurarij space, the Poulsen simplex, and their noncommutative analogs. We obtain in this general framework many known and new results about the Gurarij space and the Poulsen simplex, and at the same time establish their noncommutative analogs. Particularly, we construct noncommutative analogs of universal operators in the sense of Rota.
Republished: Treatment of wide-necked basilar tip aneurysm not amenable to Y-stenting using the PulseRider device

Endovascular treatment of broad-necked bifurcation aneurysms remains challenging. Stent-assisted coiling has been successful but requires catheterization of the branches off the parent vessel. We present the case of a patient who failed primary and stent-assisted coiling of a large basilar tip aneurysm because the morphology of the aneurysm precluded successful distal catheterization of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) branches. Using the PulseRider device, which does not require catheterization of bifurcation branches, we were able to treat the aneurysm successfully.
Acellular mineralized allogenic block bone graft does not remodel during the 10 weeks following concurrent implant placement in a rabbit femoral model.

Objectives Due to bone loss, endosseous implants often require addition of a bone graft to support adequate primary fixation, bone regeneration, and osseointegration. The aim of this study was to compare effectiveness of autogenic and allogenic bone grafts when used during simultaneous insertion of the implant. Materials and methods 4-mm-diameter rabbit diaphyseal bone autografts or allografts (n = 16/group) with a 3.2-mm pre-drilled hole in the center were placed into a 4 mm defect in the proximal femur of 3.5 kg male New Zealand White rabbits. Machined 3.2 × 10 mm grit-blasted, acid-etched titanium-aluminum-vanadium (Ti6Al4V) implants were placed. Control implants were placed into progressively drilled 3.2-mm holes in the contralateral limbs. Post-insertion day 70, samples were analyzed by micro-CT and calcified histology, or by mechanical torque and push-out testing followed by decalcified histology. Results Both grafts were integrated with the native bone. Micro-CT showed less bone volume (BV) and bone volume/total volume (BV/TV) in the allograft group, but histology showed no differences in BV or BV/TV between groups. Allograft lacked living cells, whereas autograft was cellularized. No difference was found in maximum removal torque between groups. Compressive loading at the graft-to-bone interface was significantly lower in allograft compared with autograft groups. Conclusions There was less bone in contact with the implant and significantly less maximum compressive load in the allograft group compared with autograft. The allograft remained acellular as demonstrated by empty lacunae. Taken together, block allograft implanted simultaneously with an implant produces a poorer quality bone compared with autograft.
Slow Down the Flow Talk: An Ethnography of the Transversality of Life-with-oil in Esmeraldas, Ecuador

Building on Deleuze and Guattari’s theorising of transversality, this paper offers an ethnography of life-with-oil in the city of Esmeraldas, home to Ecuador’s largest oil refinery complex and a ch...
Home-field advantage: native gecko exhibits improved exertion capacity and locomotor ability in structurally complex environments relative to its invasive counterpart.

Invasive species are of substantial concern because they may threaten ecosystem stability and biodiversity worldwide. Not surprisingly, studies examining the drivers of biological invasion have increased in number over the past few decades in an effort to curtail invasive species success by way of informing management decisions. The common house gecko, Hemidactylus frenatus, has successfully invaded the Pacific islands where it appears to thrive in and dominate non-natural habitats offering high food availability (i.e., well-lit human dwellings) compared to native geckos. Previous work demonstrated that H. frenatus can outperform the native gecko, Lepidodactylus lugubris, in terms of maximal sprint speed on relatively simple planar surfaces (e.g., building walls). Lepidodactylus lugubris and other native geckos, however, may have superior locomotor performance in three-dimensional, structurally complex habitats. Here we compared the locomotor behaviour and exertion capacity of the native gecko, Gehyra oceanica, and the invasive gecko, Hemidactylus frenatus, on the island of Mo’orea, French Polynesia, on fabricated structures simulating structurally complex substrates. We found that the native gecko exhibits improved locomotor performance compared to the invasive gecko on structurally complex substrates. We also completed encounter surveys to document free-ranging habitat use and behaviour of these two species. We discovered that H. frenatus were more common in natural habitats than previously observed and used similar substrates as G. oceanica, although G. oceanica appeared to use substrates with greater perch heights (i.e., trees). Our findings revealed that locomotor performance in complex environments may contribute to the previously observed habitat segregation between native and invasive Pacific island geckos. Furthermore, our locomotor and habitat use data are consistent with the hypothesis that G. oceanica may be resistant to invasion of H. frenatus in natural environments. Our study calls for more detailed ecophysiological and ecomorphological studies of both native and invasive Pacific gecko species.
Incorporation of Hydroxamate Siderophore and Associated Fe Into Marine Particles in Natural Seawater

Microorganisms produce soluble low-molecular-weight (LMW, <1 kDa) siderophores, one of the strongest Fe-binding agents, to respond to the scarcity of Fe in the ocean. The presence of siderophores in marine particles/colloids is mostly not considered. Here, experimental evidence is provided to suggest the possibility of siderophore incorporation into marine particles. An incubation experiment with a 59Fe-complexed desferrioxamine (DFO, siderophore-model compound) was conducted using natural seawater (<3µm) at dark condition to examine the size re-distribution of DFO and its associated Fe during microbial growth. 59Fe and DFO in suspended particles/aggregates, colloids and dissolved phase were quantified after the incubation. Our results showed that ~55% of the 59Fe, originally in the form of LMW DFO-Fe, was incorporated in the suspended particles/aggregates. Noticeably, a minor amount (0.395±0.020%) of the DFO was incorporated into the particulate phase. This finding is novel in that while the DFO facilitating Fe incorporation into microbial biomass was released back into the dissolved phase, still a minor fraction of the siderophores could be ‘retained’ in particles. This could have become cumulatively more important in more complex natural systems that involves the interplay between minerals, bacteria, phytoplankton and zooplankton. Furthermore, our results indirectly suggest a balance of the two different mechanisms during the Fe-siderophore transport. Our results are in favor of the processes occurring outside of the cells (Fe dissociation from the Fe-siderophore complex followed by the microbial Fe uptake) but the second mechanism can also exist (uptake of intact Fe-siderophore complex into the microbial intracellular fractions), albeit to a lesser extent.
Do pooled estimates from meta-analyses of observational epidemiology studies contribute to causal inference?

The purpose of meta-analyses that generate pooled risk estimates is generally to inform causal inference, compiling evidence to address an aetiological question. Logically, drawing on information from all relevant studies is likely to be superior to relying on any single study. Meta-analysis applies an objective, quantitative method to integrate evidence across studies. Objectivity in identifying studies, evaluating their relevance, assessing the quality of the methods and extracting results has clear benefits over informal, subjective approaches. It guards against arbitrary selection of studies and allows for replication of at least parts of the review protocol (eg, literature identification). Clearly, meta-analysis has great appeal in the research community. A cursory examination of PubMed searching on ‘epidemiology’ and ‘meta-analysis’ yielded the expected pattern of proliferation—fewer than 100 publications per year prior to 1990, around 400 per year in 2000, 800 per year in 2005, 2000 per year in 2010, 5600 in 2015 and over 6000 per year starting in 2019. In the 1990s, there was intense debate over the merits and demerits of meta-analysis in observational epidemiology, with some arguing for abandoning this approach entirely1 2 and others expressing reservations based largely on the heterogeneity of study methods.3–6 The role of meta-analysis in causal inference specifically also has been considered.7 8 Interestingly, the debate appeared to end over 20 years ago without a clear resolution, yet meta-analysis became the default approach to summarising and evaluating evidence. We suggest that the debate should be reopened and make the case that the negative features of this approach often outweigh its benefits. The primary competitor to generating pooled estimates through meta-analysis is some variant of expert review. Obviously, pooled estimates through meta-analysis and expert reviews may be divergent, deviating in either direction—seemingly clear evidence for an effect based on meta-analysis that is not …
Propensity score synthetic augmentation matching using generative adversarial networks (PSSAM-GAN).

Abstract Understanding causality is of crucial importance in biomedical sciences, where developing prediction models is insufficient because the models need to be actionable. However, data sources, such as electronic health records, are observational and often plagued with various types of biases, e.g. confounding. Although randomized controlled trials are the gold standard to estimate the causal effects of treatment interventions on health outcomes, they are not always possible. Propensity score matching (PSM) is a popular statistical technique for observational data that aims at balancing the characteristics of the population assigned either to a treatment or to a control group, making treatment assignment and outcome independent upon these characteristics. However, matching subjects can reduce the sample size. Inverse probability weighting (IPW) maintains the sample size, but extreme values can lead to instability. While PSM and IPW have been historically used in conjunction with linear regression, machine learning methods –including deep learning with propensity dropout– have been proposed to account for nonlinear treatment assignments. In this work, we propose a novel deep learning approach –the Propensity Score Synthetic Augmentation Matching using Generative Adversarial Networks (PSSAM-GAN)– that aims at keeping the sample size, without IPW, by generating synthetic matches. PSSAM-GAN can be used in conjunction with any other prediction method to estimate treatment effects. Experiments performed on both semi-synthetic (perinatal interventions) and real-world observational data (antibiotic treatments, and job interventions) show that the PSSAM-GAN approach effectively creates balanced datasets, relaxing the weighting/dropout needs for downstream methods, and providing competitive performance in effects estimation as compared to simple GAN and in conjunction with other deep counterfactual learning architectures, e.g. TARNet.
Violence as a Public Health Problem

Rather than approaching pervasive community violence (PCV) as a criminal justice problem requiring responses from police, judiciaries, and corrections, this article describes violence as a public health problem requiring responses from a variety of health and public policy perspectives. Here, we posit that community violence represents a toxin to the social ecology of communities that has radiating negative effects analogous to other environmental toxins. Drawing from local and global examples, we argue that assessing exposure to the toxic effects of PCV is a necessary first step in planning for interventions that mitigate negative impacts on individuals and communities. Notably, we argue that the burden of disease is highly varied and unpredictable, ranging from the most extreme internalizing outcomes (e.g., suicide) to extreme externalizing disorders (e.g., homicide). We propose a few approaches for measurement of the various fear circuitry disorders that may result as individual responses to PCV, as well as the use of community-based participatory research methods to develop evidence-based interventions to address PCV from a social justice and public policy perspective. The article concludes with a brief discussion of vulnerability and adaptation in communities exposed to pervasive violence, as well as factors related to resiliency and health-related quality of life.
An area-efficient standard-cell floating-point unit design for a processing-in-memory system

The data-intensive architecture (DIVA) system incorporates processing-in-memory (PIM) chips as smart-memory coprocessors to a microprocessor. This architecture exploits inherent memory bandwidth both on chip and across the system to target several classes of bandwidth-limited applications. One of the key capabilities of this architecture is wideword floating-point computation, which enables aggregate floating-point operations. Each PIM chip includes eight basic instructions and IEEE-754 compliant rounding and exceptions. Through pipeline scheduling and a hardware-efficient division algorithm, the resulting FPU is well-balanced between area and performance. This paper details the design and implementation of this FPU based on standard cell methodology in 0.18/spl mu/m CMOS technology. Area, power dissipation and performance are also discussed.
Green tea component epigallocatechin-3-gallate decreases expression of osteopontin via a decrease in mRNA half-life in cell lines of metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma.

Introduction Osteopontin (OPN) mediates metastasis and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), found in green tea, suppresses HCC tumor growth in vitro. We sought to investigate the role of EGCG in modulating OPN in cell lines of metastatic HCC. Methods Experimental HCC cell lines included HepG2 and MHCC-97H HCC cells, which express high levels of OPN, and the Hep3B cells, which express lesser levels of OPN. Cells were treated with EGCG (0.02–20 μg/mL) before measurement of OPN with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Scratch assay measured cell migration. Binding of the OPN promoter to RNA pol II was evaluated by the use of Chromatin-IP assay after EGCG treatment. Transcriptional regulation of OPN was investigated with luciferase reporter plasmids containing various deletion fragments of the human OPN promoter. Measurement of the half-life of OPN mRNA was conducted using actinomycin D. Results Treatment of MHCC-97H and HepG2 cells with 2 μg/mL and 20 μg/mL EGCG caused a ∼6-fold and ∼90-fold decrease in secreted protein levels of OPN (All P Conclusion We provide evidence that EGCG decreases OPN mRNA and secreted OPN protein levels by decreasing the half-life of OPN mRNA in MHCC-97H cells. The translatability of EGCG for patients with HCC is promising, because EGCG is an inexpensive, easily accessible chemical with an extensive history of safety.
Pecan supplementation modulates plasma paraoxonase activity in apolipoprotein E knockout mice fed high-fat and high-cholesterol diets (831.9)

Pecans are a rich source of polyphenols and contain favorable lipid profiles which may improve cardiovascular disease risk. Apolipoprotein E knockout mice were fed high-fat and high cholesterol diets or the same diet supplemented with 3.5% pecan or 7% pecan. At 4 wk, total cholesterol and triglycerides were not significantly different between supplemented and non-supplemented groups. Mice supplemented with 7% pecans had 1-fold greater liver isoprostanes than the 3.5% pecan and control groups determined by ELISA (P = 0.0156 by one-way ANOVA). Both plasma and liver superoxide dismutase activities were not significantly different between groups. Plasma paraoxonase organophosphatase activity was increased by 42% and 97% from the control group in 3.5% and 7% pecan supplemented mice, respectively (P = 0.0101). In contrast, plasma and liver phenylacetate arylesterase and dihydrocoumarin lactonase activities, measures of paraoxonase-1 and paraoxonase-2 activities respectively, were not significantly different bet...
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance in the Analysis of Foodstuffs and Plant Materials

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is an experimental technique based on the interaction between an applied magnetic field and nuclear magnetic moments in a sample. NMR provides information on material composition, molecular structure, physical structure, physical properties and dynamics of phase changes. NMR is a noncontacting and noninvasive measurement. NMR has been used for the routine analysis of foodstuffs and plant materials. NMR is used in the analysis of foods to detect moisture content, solid/liquid ratio in fats, adulteration of juices and characterization of texture. Applications of NMR to plant materials include observation and characterization of metabolites and ions, determination of pH and following changes of these over time. NMR is also used to determine structures of natural products isolated from plants. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used in both foodstuffs and plant materials to study morphology and also water transport, diffusion and variations of these under different conditions. The response of NMR is linear from the detection limits of approximately 10 ppb to 100%. The accuracy of the technique depends upon the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N), which is a function of the sample size, applied magnetic field strength, the radiofrequency (RF) coil, the spectrometer hardware and experimental parameters. Typical accuracy is 0.5% for composition and 1–5% for viscosity.
Changes in Intake of Fruits and Vegetables and Weight Change in United States Men and Women Followed for Up to 24 Years: Analysis from Three Prospective Cohort Studies.

Background Current dietary guidelines recommend eating a variety of fruits and vegetables. However, based on nutrient composition, some particular fruits and vegetables may be more or less beneficial for maintaining or achieving a healthy weight. We hypothesized that greater consumption of fruits and vegetables with a higher fiber content or lower glycemic load would be more strongly associated with a healthy weight. Methods and Findings We examined the association between change in intake of specific fruits and vegetables and change in weight in three large, prospective cohorts of 133,468 United States men and women. From 1986 to 2010, these associations were examined within multiple 4-y time intervals, adjusting for simultaneous changes in other lifestyle factors, including other aspects of diet, smoking status, and physical activity. Results were combined using a random effects meta-analysis. Increased intake of fruits was inversely associated with 4-y weight change: total fruits -0.53 lb per daily serving (95% CI -0.61, -0.44), berries -1.11 lb (95% CI -1.45, -0.78), and apples/pears -1.24 lb (95% CI -1.62, -0.86). Increased intake of several vegetables was also inversely associated with weight change: total vegetables -0.25 lb per daily serving (95% CI -0.35, -0.14), tofu/soy -2.47 lb (95% CI, -3.09 to -1.85 lb) and cauliflower -1.37 lb (95% CI -2.27, -0.47). On the other hand, increased intake of starchy vegetables, including corn, peas, and potatoes, was associated with weight gain. Vegetables having both higher fiber and lower glycemic load were more strongly inversely associated with weight change compared with lower-fiber, higher-glycemic-load vegetables (p < 0.0001). Despite the measurement of key confounders in our analyses, the potential for residual confounding cannot be ruled out, and although our food frequency questionnaire specified portion size, the assessment of diet using any method will have measurement error. Conclusions Increased consumption of fruits and non-starchy vegetables is inversely associated with weight change, with important differences by type suggesting that other characteristics of these foods influence the magnitude of their association with weight change.
A NONLINEAR DYNAMICS PERSPECTIVE OF WOLFRAM'S NEW KIND OF SCIENCE PART XIV: MORE BERNOULLI στ-SHIFT RULES

Over the past eight years, we have studied one of the simplest, yet extremely interesting, dynamical systems; namely, the one-dimensional binary Cellular Automata. The most remarkable results have been presented in a series of papers which is concluded by the present article. The final stop of our odyssey is devoted to the analysis of the second half of the 30 Bernoulli στ-shift rules, which constitute the largest among the six groups in which we classified the 256 local rules. For all these 15 rules, we present the basin-tree diagrams obtained by using each bit string with L ≤ 8 as initial state, a summary of the characteristics of their ω-limit orbits, and the space-time patterns generated from the superstring. Also, in the last section we summarize the main results we obtained by means of our "nonlinear dynamics perspective".
Examination of some pigments, grounds and media from Egyptian cartonnage fragments in the Petrie Museum, University College London

A number of cartonnage fragments from the collections of the Petrie Museum, UCL, were examined to identify pigments, media and grounds. The different types of cartonnage made in ancient Egypt are reviewed. Special attention was paid to green pigments, which were shown to be of green earth, or a mixture of Egyptian blue and a yellow, usually goethite or orpiment. Green earth was found in one artefact, dated to the 9th century BC: all other examples were from the Graeco-Roman period. No copper-organometallic greens were present in the examples studied, or Egyptian green, or malachite. Binding media was identified both by ELISA and by GC/MS. A pink colourant was identified as madder, while lead white was used as a white in one example, showing the influence of Roman and Greek pigments on Egyptian art in these later periods. Plant gum, egg, and animal glue were found in different fragments, with mixed media in a few cases. Moganite was found associated with quartz in some preparatory layers by X-ray diffraction, which has not been reported previously as a constituent of ground layers in Egyptian artefacts.
Allocating resources among AIDS research strategies

One of the central questions facing policy-makers is how to allocate limited federal funds among alternative AIDS research strategies. A rational answer requires judgments about both the prospects of scientific progress and the societal value of research outcomes. Using a decision-analytic approach, this paper examines the marginal returns from additional funding of basic biology, epidemiology and mathematical modeling, vaccine development and testing, treatment development and testing, and behavioral and social science. A survey of a recent Institute of Medicine Committee on AIDS was conducted to elicit scientific judgments on the prospects for scientific progress in each of the five areas. The scientists were quite capable of transcending their disciplinary orientation as reflected in the dominant sentiment in favor of more behavioral and social science research. A comparison of the actual FY 1987 AIDS research budget with the budgets recommended by the scientific experts also suggests that basic biological research deserves greater emphasis.
1189 A NEW DEFECT OF β-OXIDATION: SHORT CHAIN ACYL-COA DEHYDROGENASE (SCADH) DEFICIENCY

Fibroblasts from neonate I with metabolic acidosis and ethylmalonate excretion oxidized [1-14C] butyrate, -octanoate and -palmitate at 35% (p<0.05), 60% and 63% of control; succinate oxidation was normal. Fibroblasts incorporated 14C from [1-14C]-butyrate, -octanoate and -succinate into TCA insoluble material at 38% (p<0.05), 57% and 73% of controls. SCADH activity in fibroblast mitochondrial supernatants (MS) of neonate I was 39%, while medium chain (MCADH) and long chain (LCADH) acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (ADH) activities were 56% and 75% of control. Acetoacetyl-CoA, a SCADH inhibitor, inhibited control MS SCADH activity by 47%, while no inhibition was detected in neonate I. MS electron-transferring flavoprotein activity was 70% of control (p=0.36). Fibroblast sonicate (CS) SCADH and MCADH activities were 47% and 72% of control. Neonate II presented with severe metabolic acidosis, hyperammonemia, death and ethyl-malonate, butyrate, adipate and lactate excretion. Dr. Vivian Shih found that this patient's fibroblasts oxidized 14C-octanoate and -leucine normally, and [1-14C]butyrate at 56% of control. CS SCADH and MCADH activities in neonate II were 58% and 97% of control by a dye reduction method and 53% and 95% of control using the tritium release assay. Neonate I may be a double heterozygote for both SCADH and MCADH deficiencies or possess a mutant MCADH with reduced activity toward octanoyl-CoA and no activity towards butyryl-CoA; neonate II has an isolated SCADH deficiency.
Hatching behavior of the chick (Callus domesticus): Plasticity of the rotatory component

The plasticity of the rotatory component of hatching behavior was tested by taping down the shell cap in order to prevent hatching. It was found that embryos with taped shells rotate farther than do untaped controls. The adaptive and comparative significance of this finding is discussed.
Source diversity for transport of intensity phase imaging

We demonstrate phase retrieval using incoherent sources that combines transport of intensity (TIE) imaging with deconvolution. To reduce artifacts due both to the physics of TIE and to deconvolution, a diversity of sources was employed.
Relationship between documentation method and quality of chronic disease visit notes

Objective: To assses the relationship between methods of documenting visit notes and note quality for primary care providers (PCPs) and specialists, and to determine the factors that contribute to higher quality notes for two chronic diseases. Methods: Retrospective chart review of visit notes at two academic medical centers. Two physicians rated the subjective quality of content areas of the note (vital signs, medications, lifestyle, labs, symptoms, assessment & plan), overall quality, and completed the 9 item Physician Documentation Quality Instrument (PDQI-9). We evaluated quality ratings in relation to the primary method of documentation (templates, free-form or dictation) for both PCPs and specialists. A one factor analysis of variance test was used to examine differences in mean quality scores among the methods. Results: A total of 112 physicians, 71 primary care physicians (PCP) and 41 specialists, wrote 240 notes. For specialists, templated notes had the highest overall quality scores (p≤0.001) while for PCPs, there was no statistically significant difference in overall quality score. For PCPs, free form received higher quality ratings on vital signs (p = 0.01), labs (p = 0.002), and lifestyle (p = 0.002) than other methods; templated notes had a higher rating on medications (p≤0.001). For specialists, templated notes received higher ratings on vital signs, labs, lifestyle and medications (p = 0.001). Discussion: There was no significant difference in subjective quality of visit notes written using free-form documentation, dictation or templates for PCPs. The subjective quality rating of templated notes was higher than that of dictated notes for specialists. Conclusion: As there is wide variation in physician documentation methods, and no significant difference in note quality between methods, recommending one approach for all physicians may not deliver optimal results.
Radiologic-Pathologic Conference of Children's Hospital Boston: Pineal region mass in a neonate

Prenatal ultrasound examination of a fetus revealed a pineal region mass. Shortly after birth the baby was evaluated with MRI and ultrasound of the brain. The clinical history and the MRI, operative, and histological findings are presented and discussed.
The limitations on stress parameterization imposed by intermittency in turbulent flow

The indirect dissipation technique is used to estimate 1-min averages of friction velocity u *in the surface layer over the tropical ocean. These estimates are compared to estimates of u *obtained using a drag coefficient and the relative difference between the two is examined in relation to stability and averaging time. Plumes and downdrafts are found to be responsible for an anomalous behavior of the drag coefficient estimates. Certain factors relating to plume properties, derived using conditional sampling as described in Khalsa (1980), are shown to be related to the variance between the two estimates of friction velocity. An investigation into the effects of increasing the averaging time reveals that plume spacing, which is dependent on stability, and the mean wind speed determine the minimum time for smoothing the influence of plumes and downdrafts.
Role of information technology in managing chronic illnesses

We applied information and Internet technologies to help people living with congestive heart failure (CHF) and diabetes. We provided home monitoring technologies to older patients living with CHF and supported them with case managers who had access to their daily vital signs. For diabetes, we provided diabetic patients a web site where they could visualize their daily readings, communicate with their healthcare provider, and gain educational materials approved by their provider. Individuals with diabetes can electronically transfer their blood glucose readings from their meter to the Internet based diabetes management system, MyCareTeam, developed at Georgetown University. Both patients and their health care providers use MyCareTeam to review the readings and the automated analysis of them, to maintain logs of exercise, laboratory results and blood pressure readings, to make medication adjustments and to message each other. Patients learn about diabetes from their own blood sugar values as well as from the interactions with their providers and the educational material. MindMyHeart provided a blood pressure monitor, scale, and electronic question device to CHF patients to use daily to record their vital signs and answer questions about their basic health (fatigue, and shortness of breath). These values were automatically transferred to a centralized database where they were reviewed by a nurse case manager and acted on as appropriate. In studies with MyCareTeam, statistically significant improvements in blood sugar control was seen in as short as six-months. With MindmyHeart, a decrease in hospitalizations and emergency visits was observed. The information technology is becoming an essential tool for managing chronic illnesses, but it alone is not sufficient to achieve the improved clinical outcome.
Channel flow driven by a stationary thermal source.

It is shown by analytic means that it is possible to produce mean horizontal flows in a channel from a periodic distribution of stationary heat sources which are placed upon a varying topographic structure. Past analyses and experiments of channel flows are reviewed. The conditions necessary for production of mean horizontal flows are derived using a number of boundary conditions. The heat balance and momentum balance of this fluid system are discussed. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1974.tb01643.x
The granaries of vumba: Structural interpretation of a khami period commoner site

Abstract The Vumba site, an early Khami period commoner settlement, is interpreted using the K -means clustering procedure and analogy with the historically related Shona culture. Analysis concentrated on the 108 granary platforms. Two levels of clustering are interpreted to represent subdivisions in the settlement, corresponding to compounds of polygamous family units and smaller subdivisions, each a set of granaries owned by one adult. It is found that the elements of the Southern Bantu Cattle Complex are arranged so that the location of the various features symbolizes the oppositions between men and women, seniors and juniors, and the central role of cattle in society. In contrast, the spatial organization of elite sites of the Khami period reflects the power of the Mambo and reinforces class distinctions within the state organization.
Emphysema and Mechanical Stress-Induced Lung Remodeling

Transpulmonary pressure and the mechanical stresses of breathing modulate many essential cell functions in the lung via mechanotransduction. We review how mechanical factors could influence the pathogenesis of emphysema. Although the progression of emphysema has been linked to mechanical rupture, little is known about how these stresses alter lung remodeling. We present possible new directions and an integrated multiscale view that may prove useful in finding solutions for this disease.
Theoretical study of optical excitations of linear C4

Abstract Photoelectron vertical excitations of the C 4 − linear cluster are determined using the first-order correlation orbital method and the coupled cluster method. Excitation energies for the calculated states of C 4 − are, respectively: 1.24 eV ( 2 Σ g + ), 1.63 eV ( 2 Σ u + ), 2.91 eV ( 2 Π u ), 3.45 eV ( 4 Π u ), 3.78 eV ((2) 2 Π u ) and 5.16 eV ( 2 Φ u ). The first four excitations are below the electron ejection threshold of 3.75 eV, the fifth lies at the threshold, and the sixth is a metastable state.
An inverse free parallel spectral divide and conquer algorithm for nonsymmetric eigenproblems

We discuss an inverse-free, highly parallel, spectral divide and conquer algorithm. It can compute either an invariant subspace of a nonsymmetric matrix \(A\), or a pair of left and right deflating subspaces of a regular matrix pencil \(A - \lambda B\). This algorithm is based on earlier ones of Bulgakov, Godunov and Malyshev, but improves on them in several ways. This algorithm only uses easily parallelizable linear algebra building blocks: matrix multiplication and QR decomposition, but not matrix inversion. Similar parallel algorithms for the nonsymmetric eigenproblem use the matrix sign function, which requires matrix inversion and is faster but can be less stable than the new algorithm.
Excavating Culture: Summary of Results

This is a companion paper to the seven articles also published in this special issue of Applied Developmental Science This paper summarizes and discusses the results from common analyses that were conducted on different datasets. The common analyses were designed to disentangle contextual and ethnic influences on parenting. Initial ethnic group differences were found in many of the datasets with multiple ethnic groups. Although certain ethnic group differences were explained by contextual influences, some ethnic group differences remained after contextual influences were controlled. Follow-up analyses with datasets containing cultural variables reveal within group differences in the degree to which ethnic differences in parenting may be accounted for by contextual factors versus culturally-specific processes. Methodological and theoretical implications are discussed and future directions are offered.
Pilot evaluation of gabapentin for treating hot flashes.

Objective To obtain pilot prospective data regarding the efficacy and tolerability of gabapentin for alleviating hot flashes. Patients and Methods This prospective single-arm clinical trial was conducted between July 26, 2001, and November 30, 2001. Patients underwent a baseline week and then 4 weeks of gabapentin treatment, with increasing doses during the first 3 weeks, from 300 to 600 to 900 mg/d. Data were obtained primarily from patient-completed questionnaires. Results Data from 20 evaluable women (of 24 entered in the trial) were available. Four patients discontinued use of gabapentin for perceived drug-related untoward symptoms, primarily related to light-headedness and dizziness. The 16 patients who completed this clinical trial had a mean reduction in hot flash frequency, in the fourth treatment week compared to the baseline week, of 66%. Their corresponding hot flash score (frequency times average severity) reduction was 70%. Additionally, patients who completed the 4 treatment weeks had a strong tendency to report an improvement in several other symptoms. Conclusion Although a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial should be conducted to better elucidate the efficacy and toxicity of gabapentin in patients with hot flashes, the available data suggest that gabapentin is a reasonable treatment to consider in patients with hot flashes if they do not wish to use hormonal therapy.
Basal textures of the two grain size distributions in rolled ingot source beryllium with a duplex microstructure

A selective recrystallization model is proposed to explain the origin of the stronger basal texture in rolled powder source beryllium compared to rolled ingot source beryllium. In addition, the model predicts that the large grains in the duplex microstructure of rolled ingot source beryllium will have a stronger basal texture than the small grains. The orientations of the large and small grains in rolled ingot beryllium have been measured with polarized light. The average concentration of basal poles lying within 20 deg of the sheet normal was 3.8 times random for the large grains and 2.1 times random for the small grains.
Descartes on the Dubitability of the Existence of Self

In a number a passages Descartes appears to insist that “I am, I exist” and its variants are wholly indubitable. These passages present an intractable problem of interpretation in the face of passages in which Descartes allows that any result is dubitable, “I am, I exist” included. Here I pull together a number of elements of Descartes’ system to show how all of these passages hang together. If my analysis is correct, it tells us something about the perspective that Descartes himself thinks we should take in reading the Meditations.
Polo-like kinase 1 activated by the hepatitis B virus X protein attenuates both the DNA damage checkpoint and DNA repair resulting in partial polyploidy.

Hepatitis B virus X protein (pX), implicated in hepatocarcinogenesis, induces DNA damage because of re-replication and allows propagation of damaged DNA, resulting in partial polyploidy and oncogenic transformation. The mechanism by which pX allows cells with DNA damage to continue proliferating is unknown. Herein, we show pX activates Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) in the G2 phase, thereby attenuating the DNA damage checkpoint. Specifically, in the G2 phase of pX-expressing cells, the checkpoint kinase Chk1 was inactive despite DNA damage, and protein levels of claspin, an adaptor of ataxia telangiectasia-mutated and Rad3-related protein-mediated Chk1 phosphorylation, were reduced. Pharmacologic inhibition or knockdown of Plk1 restored claspin protein levels, Chk1 activation, and p53 stabilization. Also, protein levels of DNA repair protein Mre11 were decreased in the G2 phase of pX-expressing cells but not with Plk1 knockdown. Interestingly, in pX-expressing cells, Mre11 co-immunoprecipitated with transfected Plk1 Polo-box domain, and inhibition of Plk1 increased Mre11 stability in cycloheximide-treated cells. These results suggest that pX-activated Plk1 by down-regulating Mre11 attenuates DNA repair. Importantly, concurrent inhibition of Plk1, p53, and Mre11 increased the number of pX-expressing cells with DNA damage entering mitosis, relative to Plk1 inhibition alone. By contrast, inhibition or knockdown of Plk1 reduced pX-induced polyploidy while increasing apoptosis. We conclude Plk1, activated by pX, allows propagation of DNA damage by concurrently attenuating the DNA damage checkpoint and DNA repair, resulting in polyploidy. We propose this novel Plk1 mechanism initiates pX-mediated hepatocyte transformation.
p75NTR-dependent modulation of cellular handling of reactive oxygen species.

Our previous studies demonstrated that p75NTR confers protection against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis upon PC12 cells; however, the mechanisms responsible for this effect are not known. The present studies reveal decreased mitochondrion membrane potential and increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in p75NTR-deficient PC12 cells as well as diminution of ROS generation after transfection of a full-length p75NTR construct into these cells. They also show that p75NTR deficiency attenuates activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase → phospho-Akt/protein kinase B pathway in PC12 cells by oxidative stress or neurotrophic ligands and inhibition of Akt phosphorylation decreases the glutathione (GSH) content in PC12 cells. In addition, decreased de novo GSH synthesis and increased GSH consumption are observed in p75NTR-deficient cells. These findings indicate that p75NTR regulates cellular handling of ROS to effect a survival response to oxidative stress.
A Partial Cylindrical Thermo-Time Domain Reflectometry Sensor

Thermo-time domain reflectometry (T-TDR) sensors can be used to measure soil thermal properties and water content, and to obtain indirect estimates of bulk density and air-filled porosity; however, the small size and sensitivity to needle deflection of the conventional T-TDR sensor limit its accuracy, precision, and durability. The objective of this study is to change the size and geometry of this sensor to improve accuracy and precision and to better withstand the stress of field use. The new partial cylindrical design features opposing curved heaters with a central temperature-sensing needle and is more than double the size of conventional T-TDR sensors. The partial cylindrical design virtually eliminates sensitivity to needle deflection. Laboratory testing indicated that the new sensor was capable of accurately measuring soil water content and thermal properties. Comparison with literature values showed that this sensor performed as well as, or better than, conventional sensors in all areas except volumetric heat capacity estimates. Qualitative assessment indicated that this type of sensor should be less prone to distortion during field use.
Real-time two-color variable-resolution video moire and error map moire using a Mach-Zehnder interferometer

A variable resolution two color video moire system has been built which uses a dual laser illuminated Mach-Zehnder interferometer as the fringe projector. One input of the interferometer is illuminated by a He-Ne laser and the other by an Argon-Ion laser, allowing simultaneous projection of red and green fringes with difference spatial frequencies. The dual interferometer outputs are also used, allowing illumination of both the target and reference surfaces. Video cameras view the two surfaces and by mixing the video signals with a chroma-key mix in a video special effects generator, real time moire can be observed. A piezo- electrically driven mirror can be used to continuously shift the fringes while taking a video average, which eliminates the fringes in the final image and improves the signal-to- noise of the moire contours. If the reference surface is a plane, the moire contours seen are equal depth contours with higher than normal resolution due to the two fringe systems. Because the moire contours or the distorted fringes in each color can be independently recovered, improved shape recovery other discontinuities is possible. By a different configuration of the projection optics following the interferometer, it is possible to spatially separate the red and green projected fringes and simultaneously illuminate two different shaped reference surfaces. When operated in this mode with flat plate and perfect object reference surfaces, both conventional equal depth moire and error map moire can be seen, one in each color. Applications and limitations of the system will be discussed.
Correlates of Unrecognized Acute Myocardial Infarction Detected Via Perfusion Imaging

Research using the electrocardiogram (ECG) indicates that about 1/3 of acute myocardial infarctions (AMIs) are unrecognized. To date, no studies of unrecognized AMIs have employed perfusion imaging, although it is more sensitive than the ECG and provides more information about infarct characteristics, such as size and location. In this study, 82 of 258 consecutive patients (31.8%) undergoing exercise testing with technetium-99m sestamibi perfusion imaging had fixed, nonartifactual perfusion defects, suggesting AMI. These patients were interviewed regarding their recognition of AMI; 27 patients (32.9%) had unrecognized AMI. Unrecognized AMI was significantly associated with (1) smaller infarcts, (2) infarcts not in the apical or septal regions, (3) diabetes mellitus, (4) lack of angina, (5) a negative family history for cardiac disease, and (6) being African-American. Many of these variables were significantly intercorrelated, and in multivariate analysis, unrecognized AMI remained significantly predicted by a smaller infarct and lack of angina. This study suggests that the incidence of unrecognized AMI detected via perfusion imaging on a clinic population is similar to that detected via electrocardiographic studies on community samples. This study also replicates prior findings of the medical history and demographic correlates of unrecognized AMI, and indicates that infarct size and location are also associated with unrecognized AMI.