cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of the Palliative Performance Scale to Estimate Survival among Home Hospice Heart Failure Patients

Background Estimating survival is challenging in the terminal phase of advanced heart failure. Patients, families and healthcare organizations would benefit from more reliable prognostic tools. The Palliative Performance Scale Version 2 (PPSv2) has been widely used to estimate survival in patients with cancer, but rarely used in patients with heart failure. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of 1,114 patients with a primary diagnosis of heart failure who were enrolled in the Visiting Nurse Service of New York cardiac home hospice program from January 2013 and May 2017. The primary outcome was survival time. Results The majority of home hospice patients in our analysis were female (56.6%), 85 years or older, and had a primary caregiver (83.8%). All patients lived in New York City and were racially and ethnically diverse (22.4% Hispanic, 17.8% African American and 7.6% Asian). Most patients were insured through Medicare (63.4%) or Managed Medicare (e.g., Medicare Advantage; 29.4%) and were admitted into hospice from the hospital (53.6%). PPSv2 scores on admission independently predict survival time among hospice patients with heart failure. Lower PPSv2 scores on admission were associated with decreased median survival time (PPSv2 10 = 2 (interquartile range (IQR: 4) days; PPSv2 20 = 3 (IQR: 6) days; PPSv2 30 = 13 (IQR: 48) days). Kaplan-Meier survival curves indicate a graded increase in mortality risk from higher to lower PPSv2 scores. The discrimination of the PPSv2 at baseline for predicting death was highest at 7 days (area under the curve (AUC)=0.802), followed by an AUC of 0.774 at 14 days, an AUC of 0.736 at 30 days, and an AUC of 0.705 at 90 days. Conclusions The PPSv2 tool can be used by healthcare providers for prognostication of hospice-enrolled patients with heart failure who are at high risk of near-term death. It has the greatest utility in patients who have the most functional impairment.
Functional Mitral Stenosis: Imposture of Primary Cardiac Intimal Sarcoma

Cardiac intimal sarcomas are extremely rare, remarkably aggressive and least reported type of primary malignant tumors of the heart. Cardiac intimal sarcomas are encountered more commonly in the large arterial blood vessels including pulmonary artery and aorta, and are extremely rare in the heart. The mainstay of treatment is achievement of tumor-free margins with surgical resection, which is associated with improved survival. Here, we report a 66-year-old female with primary cardiac intimal sarcoma presented with functional mitral stenosis and heart failure. This case report emphasizes common presentation of a rare disease, and the significance of early diagnosis and timely intervention.
Computational Periscopy without Time-Resolved Sensing

We demonstrate non-line-of-sight imaging using only a single ordinary digital photograph. A hidden scene partially occluded from a visible surface by an opaque occluding object is recovered from the penumbra of the occluder.
The chemistry of vicinal tricarbonyls

Abstract A synthesis of (±)-slaframine and (±)-6-epi-slaframine is described. The approach makes use of the intramolecular alkylation of an N-substituted 3-hydroxypyrrole-2-carboxylate ester.
Uncovering Los Angeles Tourists' Patterns Using Geospatial Analysis and Supervised Machine Learning with Random Forest Predictors

Consumer behavior analytics is at the epicenter of a Big Data revolution. In this paper we propose to analyze intra-regional spatial patterns mining tourists' behaviors and characteristics based on traveling group size with data collected from Airbnb open source focused on Los Angeles neighborhood in 2016. Random Forest Classification (RF) technique, an ensemble approach, is applied to identify the key drivers according to relevant traveler groups and presented patterns using Hotspot Analysis on Geographic Information System (GIS). Our empirical result highlights driving factors within Airbnb listings, providing valuable insights to better plan, monitor and manage tourism activity.
13 – Market Size and Economics for Biosensors

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the various aspects and steps that may be involved in the market size and economics of biosensors. The major driving force for the commercialization of biosensors has traditionally been the detection of glucose for the effective management of diabetes. The use of biosensors is also expected to expand commercially into other areas, especially for the detection of auto-immune diseases, which are by nature insidious and intractable. Biosensors, are perfectly poised to assist in the detection of precursors for auto-immune diseases such as arthritis, cancer, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and others. In some of these diseases, more than one analyte needs to be detected simultaneously and biosensors, especially microarrays have the capability of detecting these analytes simultaneously. The chapter examines the various biosensor trends and collaborations between companies, universities, and state and governmental organizations; the commercial development of biosensors including the handicaps and hindrances involved; and the various biosensor technologies and techniques that are being developed and which exhibit promise. It also names various small, medium, and large successful biosensor companies and their number of employees and sales; the various factors that could help increase biosensor markets, and the size of grants from different sources required to help develop a biosensor for a particular application.
Potential risk-factors affecting Salmonella sp. and Escherichia coli occurrence and distribution in Midwestern United States swine feed mills

Aim This study aimed to evaluate the patterns and potential risk factors associated with the occurrence of Salmonella sp. and Escherichia coli in selected United States swine feed mills. Methods and results A total of 405 samples were collected during fall 2018, spring and summer 2019 from selected sites including floors, equipment, shoes and feed in six feed mills in the US Midwest region. Each sample was analysed for the presence of Salmonella and E. coli with culture methods and confirmed by PCR. A survey regarding production volumes, hygiene practices and microbial testing capabilities was conducted in each facility All mills had at least one sampling site positive for either Salmonella or E. coli. Of the 405 samples, 4·7, and 14·1% were positive for Salmonella sp., and E. coli respectively. Sites with higher percentages of positive samples were the receiving, manufacturing, and control area floors. The survey responses indicated that the age of the mill might be a risk factor for bacterial contamination: the older the facility, the higher the number of positive samples. Other risk factors evaluated, such as the production capacity, did not appear to relate to bacterial prevalence. Conclusion The data documents the presence of E. coli and Salmonella in selected US swine feed mills, and an association between E. coli occurrence and number of ingredient suppliers to feed mill. Significance and impact of the study This information could be used to understand risk factors affecting the occurrence of Salmonella sp. and E. coli in feed mills and help implement monitoring and mitigation strategies for public health.
Yoshiko Uchida: Loss, Displacement, and Identity

Yoshiko Uchida (1921–1992) was a prolific writer of children’s as well as adult books, a number of them dealing with her experience of internment during World War II. Between 1981 and 1985, she published the Rinko series for middle school readers, chronicling the life of a teenaged Japanese American girl growing up in Depression-era California. This trilogy addresses her heroine’s struggle with racism, her experiences with the local Japanese American community, and her efforts to understand her own identity as both Japanese and American. Uchida’s Rinko series thus provides a valuable corrective to the frequent conflation of “Japanese-American” literature with “internship literature,” offering a sensitive portrait of the complex cultural, economic, and political relationships between the Japanese community and its neighbors, relationships that conditioned the experience of internment and its aftermath.
Statistical Atlas of C. elegans Neurons

Constructing a statistical atlas of neuron positions in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans enables a wide range of applications that require neural identity. These applications include annotating gene expression, extracting calcium activity, and evaluating nervous-system mutations. Large complete sets of neural annotations are necessary to determine canonical neuron positions and their associated confidence regions. Recently, a transgene of C. elegans (“NeuroPAL”) has been introduced to assign correct identities to all neurons in the worm via a deterministic, fluorescent colormap. This strain has enabled efficient and accurate annotation of worm neurons. Using a dataset of 10 worms, we propose a statistical model that captures the latent means and covariances of neuron locations, with efficient optimization strategies to infer model parameters. We demonstrate the utility of this model in two critical applications. First, we use our trained atlas to automatically annotate neuron identities in C. elegans at the state-of-the-art rate. Second, we use our atlas to compute correlations between neuron positions, thereby determining covariance in neuron placement. The code to replicate the statistical atlas is distributed publicly at https://github.com/amin-nejat/StatAtlas.
Meaningful viscoelastic abnormalities in abusive and non-abusivepediatric trauma.

Abstract Background/Purpose There remains a lack of data on the utility of viscoelastic tests in managing abused patients. We hypothesize that abnormalities on admission thrombelastography (TEG) will differ in abused patients compared to those accidentally injured. Methods Pediatric trauma patients (≤ 10 years old) who had an admission TEG at a Level I pediatric trauma center (2010–2020) were included and stratified into two cohorts: abuse versus accidental trauma. TEG abnormalities were based on the institution's normative values and compared between the groups. Results Of 41 children included, 21 sustained abuse. Five abused patients and three accidentally injured patients died. Abused children showed a hypercoagulable pattern on viscoelastic testing with TEG when compared to those accidentally injured, as demonstrated by a short R-time (67% vs. 30%, p = 0.040) and an increased alpha angle (47% vs. 0%, p = 0.001). There was no significant difference in the MA and LY30 values between the two groups. In a multivariable model, only an abnormal alpha angle remained associated with abuse [odds ratio (OR) 0.17 (confidence intervals (CI) 0.02–0.92)]. In a separate multivariable model, only an abnormal MA was associated with mortality [OR 18.97 (CI 1.93–475.47), p = 0.025]. Conclusions Our data suggest that hemostasis is significantly different in abused children relative to those who are accidentally injured. Type of Study Retrospective Comparative Study. Level of Evidence Level III.
Measurement of Intersectional Microaggressions: Conceptual Barriers and Recommendations.

Since Crenshaw coined the term “intersectionality” in 1989, researchers of bias have struggled with how to capture the complexity and intricacies of intersectional identities and microaggressions e...
Does sexting predict sexual behaviors among adolescents? Gender and race effects.

Abstract Introduction Sexting has emerged as a significant public health issue. Sexting is associated with substance use and other sexual behaviors, such as oral and vaginal sex (Houck et al., 2014; Temple & Choi, 2014). Current studies on sexting are often cross-sectional, limiting the ability to determine the temporal order of sexting and sexual behaviors. Additionally, studies focus on samples of young adults (Benotsch et al., 2013). The current study extends the literature by examining sexting and sexual behaviors longitudinally among adolescents and examines race and gender differences that play a role in sexting. Methods The current study utilizes a prospective, 4-year longitudinal study of 1240 adolescents (aged 11–17) living in the Midwestern United States. Overall, the sample was 10% Black males, 11% Black females, 34% White Males, 31% White females, and 15% identified as Other. Analysis includes an autoregressive model with cross-lagged effects in MPlus. Results Sexting (T1) predicted oral and sexual encounters (T4) for Black males, White males, and White females but not for Black females. Oral sex and sexual encounters (T4) did not predict any sexting (T1) for all groups. Therefore, analysis establishes sexting as an antecedent to sexual behaviors for Black males, White males, and White females. Sexting and sexual behaviors did not have a significant association for Black females. Conclusions This study identifies sexting as a precursor to sexual behaviors among adolescents. Therefore, when tailoring programs for safe sex among these populations, focusing on sexting may reduce other sexual risky behaviors.
Pro‐inflammatory chemokine C‐C motif ligand 16 (CCL‐16) dysregulation in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): a pilot study

Background Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a serious health problem that affects an estimated 10–15% of people worldwide and has economic consequences in the United States of over $30 billion annually. In the US, IBS affects all races and both sexes, with more females than males (2 : 1) reporting symptoms consistent with IBS. Although the etiology of this functional gastrointestinal disorder is unknown, literature suggests that a subclinical inflammatory component has a role in the etiologic mechanisms underlying IBS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the gene expression of inflammatory biomarkers in patients with and without IBS and among different IBS phenotypes. Methods Irritable bowel syndrome patients (n = 12) that met Rome III Criteria for IBS longer than 6 months were compared with healthy matched controls (n = 12). Peripheral whole blood from fasting participants was collected and RNA was extracted. The expression of 96 inflammatory genes was then analyzed using a custom quantitative real-time PCR array. Key Results CCL-16 gene expression was upregulated by 7.46-fold in IBS patients when compared with controls. CCL-16 was overexpressed by over 130-fold in IBS-constipation patients when compared with both controls and IBS-diarrhea patients. Conclusions & Inferences These results further suggest a subclinical inflammatory component underlying IBS. To better understand the phenotypic differences in IBS it is important to broaden the study of these inflammatory and other biomarkers.
Boundaries of operationality

Abstract The IMEX algorithm was introduced by the authors to handle explanation-based learning (EBL) in intractable domains. A key concept for the algorithm is the boundary of operationality, which marks the most appropriate level of generalization in an explanation structure. Finding this boundary is therefore the central task in all EBL systems. We give algorithms to solve this task under several different assumptions, showing that it is crucially connected to a property of the operationality conditions that we call locality.
When my mommy was angry, I was speechless: Children's perceptions of maternal emotional expressiveness within the context of economic hardship

SUMMARY This study examined relations among poverty-related risk, mothers' self-report of negative emotional expressiveness, and children's representations of maternal anger and sadness (N = 46). Children's accuracy was lower when identifying negative emotions than when identifying positive emotions. Significant differences between children exposed to high versus low levels of maternal negative expressiveness were found. Children of highly negative mothers were less accurate in identifying maternal anger, used fewer anger-related terms, and described maternal anger as significantly less intense. These children also were significantly more likely to generate punitive solutions to child anger and irrelevant/incomplete solutions to maternal sadness than were children with less emotionally negative mothers. Support was also found for the negative impact of poverty-related risk on emotional processes within the family. These findings are discussed in light of models of emotion socialization, risk, and resilien...
Changes in Astronomical Publications During the 20th Century

Among the major changes in astronomical publication during the 20th century are the virtual demise of observatory publication, the growth of conference proceedings, and the continuing dominance of journal publications. The numbers of research papers were found to depend only on the number of researchers and not upon the speed of new detectors and computers or the availability of large telescopes. Papers have grown in average length by a factor of 5 but their lengths have leveled off because many data are published on-line only. The fraction of papers with authors from two or more countries is currently 40% and growing by 1% per year. After trying various publication methods (microfiche, CD-ROMs, videos), the trend is toward on-line publication. With the growth and complexity of science, it is increasingly important to obtain independent reviews of papers. Current auxiliary tools include search engines, the Science Citation Index, and preprint servers.
Sulphur-33 NMR Spectroscopy

Publisher Summary Sulphur is considered significantly important in chemistry and biochemistry. The advent of pulsed fast Fourier transform (FFT) nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, high-field magnets, and sophisticated pulse sequences have opened the periodic table elements to investigation in a remarkable manner. However, one of the exceptions is the 33S nucleus. This chapter presents the difficulties involved in the observation of the 33S nucleus and suggests some solutions to overcome these difficulties. The chapter also discusses the applications and results of 33S NMR spectroscopy. The combination of low natural abundance, moderate quadrupole moment, and small magnetogyric ratio makes the 33S nucleus intrinsically insensitive in the NMR experiment. The chemical shift and relaxation are considered the most significant parameters for the 33S nucleus. The relaxation dominates 33S NMR spectroscopy as it determines the extent to which an NMR signal can be observed and the accuracy to which the chemical shift of the signal can be measured. The very rapid relaxation of the 33S nucleus in most chemical environments often prevents the direct observation of heteronuclear spin-spin couplings.
Expanding the notion of disease in Huntington's disease.

refle Drs. he term “disease” is generally applied to a constellation of abnormal symptoms and the pathology that underlies them. Both of these features place the emphasis on the ate stage of what can be a long disease process, particularly in ate-onset neurodegenerative disorders. In the most common eurodegenerative disorders, the etiology involves multiple preipitating factors; so this late stage of the disease process then ecomes the necessary focus of research into disease mechaism, because there is no ready way to identify earlier steps midst the noise of etiologic and interpersonal variation. Howver, in a genetic disorder, like Huntington’s disease (HD), the ene defect provides a discrete starting point for investigating the echanism from its earliest stages, before those clinical features hat are thought of as diagnostic of the disorder (1). Ind D, all individuals have the same type of genetic mutation, an xpanded polyglutamine-encoding CAG trinucleotide repeat in he huntingtin gene. This genetic insult is present in the individal from conception, and consequently, the disease process can e thought of as beginning at that time. To define the full extent f the disease process then requires investigation of differences haracteristic of HD mutation carriers that occur at any stage in ife. The two articles in this issue by Duff et al. (2) and by Vass t al. (3) represent examples of this approach applied specif o psychiatric measures. They demonstrate clearly that abnormalties occur in HD mutation carriers compared with non-mutation arriers many years before onset of diagnostic symptoms. In Duff t al., a large sample of prediagnosed HD mutation carriers howed significant evidence of subtle psychiatric symptoms, ncluding depression, anxiety, and obsessive compulsiveness, ompared with non-HD mutation carriers born to an HD parent. assos et al. found a specific increase in extroverted hostility in smaller study of Greek subjects. Both investigations were made ossible by the ability to determine with certainty, with a olecular test, which individuals would later develop HD pahology and diagnostic symptoms. Thus, although the subtle sychiatric differences cannot themselves be considered diagostic of HD, they do reveal that the HD mutation makes a ifference before the appearance of those symptoms that are iagnostic. These articles add to the growing evidence of an active isease process in the brains of HD mutation carriers more than 0 years before diagnosis (4 – 8). The findings might ngoing modulation of neuronal function or connectivity by the D mutation, increasing neuronal dysfunction due to mutant untingtin or the outright loss of particular neurons. In any vent, these articles reinforce the notion that there are differnces between HD mutation carriers and non-HD mutation
Ultrastructural features in galactosamine-induced hepatitis

Abstract Electron microscopic examinations of the livers of rats with the previously described galactosamine-induced hepatitis showed after 1 day extensive hypertrophy of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, glycogen depletion, liposomes and larger fat droplets, mitochondrial irregularities, large cytoplasmic vacuoles containing serum proteins, and decreased numbers of ribosomes with nucleolar changes. It is a model of hepatic injury in which every cell is affected, but focal accentuation of the injury accounts for the light microscopic appearance of spotty necrosis. Despite the light microscopic similarity to human viral hepatits, electron microscopic changes are different in the two conditions. Part of this dissimilarity may reflect species differences and part differences in the pathogenetic mechanism. Although elevations of direct-reaction serum bilrubin are found, electron microscopic evidence of cholestasis is absent.
Serum cystatin C in pregnancies with normal and restricted fetal growth.

The objective of this study was to investigate circulating levels of cystatin C (an important endogenous marker of renal function) in mothers, fetuses, and neonates from intrauterine growth-restricted (IUGR; characterized by impaired nephrogenesis) and appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) pregnancies. Serum cystatin C levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay in 40 parturients and their 20 IUGR ( or= 0.376 and P <or= .045). Cystatin C levels did not correlate with gestational age and did not differ between males and females. Fetal cystatin C serum levels are lower in the IUGR group, significantly decrease after birth, and do not correlate with maternal levels in both groups. In addition, serum cystatin C levels positively correlate with respective creatinine and urea levels in the perinatal period.
A Recent Look at U.S. Prisoners in Mexican Border Prisons

There is little analysis of the impact of the United States on Mexican prisons. This research examines the presence of United States citizens and the “War on Drugs” in Tamaulipas, Mexico, prisons. There has been a marked increase in the number of U.S. citizens, and prisoners, in general, in Tamaulipas prisons in the last three years (90% of these are incarcerated for drug trafficking). This increase is attributed to Mexican President Salinas' active support for the “War on Drugs” and success in capturing narcotics traffickers. This has led to overcrowding in Tamaulipas border prisons, in comparison with Victoria located in the interior. We also interviewed U.S. prisoners located in Reynosa State prison. The majority indicated abuse at the hands of Federal Judicial Police while arrested, and were planning to transfer out of Mexico through the Mexican-U.S. treaty exchange.
Human Betaine-Homocysteine Methyltransferase (BHMT) and BHMT2: Common Gene Sequence Variation and Functional Characterization

Betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) catalyzes the remethylation of homocysteine. BHMT2 encodes a protein 73% identical in amino acid sequence to BHMT, but the function of BHMT2 remains unclear. We set out to identify and functionally characterize common genetic variation in BHMT and BHMT2. Specifically, we sequenced exons, exon-intron splice junctions and the 5'-flanking regions (5'-FRs) of BHMT and BHMT2 using 240 DNA samples from four ethnic groups. Twenty-five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including 4 nonsynonymous SNPs, and 39 SNPs, including 4 nonsynonymous, were observed in BHMT and BHMT2, respectively. BHMT wild type (WT) and variant allozymes were expressed in COS-1 cells. Variant allozymes showed no significant differences from WT in levels of enzyme activity or immunoreactive protein, but there were statistically significant differences in apparent K(m) values. Luciferase reporter gene constructs were created for the three most common BHMT 5'-FR haplotypes, and significant variation was observed in the ability of these constructs to drive transcription. Although BHMT2 mRNA has been observed in human liver and kidney, expression of the protein has not been reported. We were unable to express BHMT2 in mammalian cells, and the protein aggregated after bacterial expression. Furthermore, BHMT2 was rapidly degraded in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate, but it could be stabilized by cotransfection of COS-1 cells with BHMT and, after cotransfection, it coprecipitated with BHMT. These studies have defined common genetic variation in BHMT and BHMT2 and functionally characterized BHMT SNPs. They may also help to explain why BHMT2 has not previously been defined functionally.
Need for theory in studies of augmentative and alternative communication

In this paper, concern is expressed about the ad hoc nature of research into the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) with persons with mental retardation. Some examples are given of how existing psychological theory can be used to guide research into AAC, but it is also emphasized that researchers should be critical of their findings when adopting different theoretical standpoints. The argument that meaningful research can only be carried out within the framework of a coherent psychological theory of mental retardation is then developed. This point is reinforced by a demonstration of how recent advances in cognitive-developmental theory could be used as a basis for further research in AAC.
Corrigendum to “A source apportionment of U.S. fine particulate matter air pollution”[Atmos. Environ. 45/24 (2011) 3924–3936]

Subsequent to this manuscript going to press, we discovered that approximately one-third of the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) data downloaded from the Health Effects Institute (HEI)/Atmospheric and Environmental Research (AER) database for the “nearest neighbor” site (16,641 of 46,478 observations) were actually from sites outside the metropolitan statistical area (MSA) where the Chemical Speciation Network (CSN) site being considered was located. In this Corrigendum, we evaluate what aspects of the reported results were affected, and re-estimate the source impacts and profiles after addressing this NO2 data issue. To evaluate the importance of this NO2 data issue to the initial factor analysis, we repeated the factor analysis: 1) for the entire dataset considering only trace element data (i.e., without the NO2 variable) (n 1⁄4 46,478 observations); and, 2) for the subset of the data having NO2 data fromwithin the same MSA as the CSN site (n 1⁄4 29,837 observations). In the first case, all source-related factors except for Traffic were reproduced with negligible change, producing correlations to the original factors as follows: Crustal/Soil r 1⁄4 1.00, Metals-Related r 1⁄4 0.99, Salt Aerosols r1⁄4 1.00, Residual Oil r1⁄4 0.98, Steel Industry r1⁄4 1.00, Coal-Burning r1⁄4 0.99, and Biomass burning r1⁄4 0.98. However, the Traffic factor without the NO2 variable had a distinctly lower correlation with the original Traffic factor (i.e., r 1⁄4 0.86). As previously noted in the original paper, “Without the inclusion of NO2 to the analysis, it was not possible for the factor analysis to separate a distinct traffic component”. Clearly, the Traffic component was most notably affected by the elimination of NO2 variable because it was the component with the largest NO2 loading in the original analysis. In our follow up factor analysis (for the subset with within-MSA NO2 data, n 1⁄4 29,837 observations), we found that the Traffic component was again resolved, just as in the original analysis (r 1⁄4 0.95 with the original scores for these 29,837 data observations), indicating that the original Traffic component was not an artifact of the non-MSA NO2 data, and that it was a valid representation of the Traffic component, with the exception of the observations for out-of-MSA NO2 values.
Phytochemical constituents and antioxidant capacity of different pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch] cultivars

Six pecan cultivars were analyzed for their antioxidant capacity (AC), total phenolics (TP), condensed tannin (CT), HPLC phenolic profile, tocopherol and fatty acid composition. Kernels which included the outer brown testa or pellicle, and shells which is the hard cover that surrounds the kernel, were evaluated for each cultivar. Strong correlations were found in kernels between AC and TP for both DPPH (r2 = 0.98) and ACORAC (r2 = 0.75) antioxidant assays. ACORAC values ranged from 372 to 817 μmol trolox equivalents/g defatted kernel, corresponding to Desirable and Kanza cultivars, respectively. CT ranged from 23 to 47 mg catechin equivalents/g defatted kernel and TP from 62 to 106 mg of chlorogenic acid equivalents/g defatted kernel. After a consecutive basic-acid hydrolysis, gallic acid, ellagic acid, catechin and epicatechin were identified by HPLC. The TP, AC and CT were 6, 4.5 and 18 times higher, respectively, for shells compared to kernels. The presence of phenolic compounds with high antioxidant capacity in kernels and shells indicates pecans can be considered an important dietary source of antioxidants.
Modification of carbon surfaces in cold plasmas

Various forms of carbon, including carbon black, carbon fibre and pyrolytic graphite, have been surface-modified in a cold-plasma reactor. Plasma fluorination of the carbon surfaces was performed using variable flow rates, treatment times, and types of gas. The plasma-modified carbon surfaces were characterized using electron spectroscopy (ESCA), contact angle measurements, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The surface chemical structure of the plasma-fluorinated carbon blacks appeared to be similar to that of commercial Fluorographite. Nitrogen-containing groups were introduced into the surfaces of carbon blacks and carbon fibres by exposure to glow discharges in mixtures of ammonia and N2-H2. The surface concentration of functional groups containing nitrogen decreased with time. Several mechanisms for this degradation have been proposed. Plasma-modified carbon blacks and carbon fibres have potential for improving the properties of composites by achieving appropriate levels of adhesion between filler and matrix through physical compatibility and/or chemical bonding.
HSP ≠ SHPS for metabelian groups, and related results

For the standard operators on classes of algebras,H (homomorphic images),S (subalgebras) andP (products), and the further operatorP f of finite products, it is shown by counterexamples thatHSP ≠SHPS andHSP f ≠SHP fS for metabelian groups (groups satisfyingG″={e}) and thatHSP f SHPS for solvable groups (in fact, for finite groups satisfying (G′, G″)= {e}). From the first two inequalities and some easier examples, it follows that the partially ordered semigroups of operators on metabelian groups generated by {H, S, P} and by {H, S, P f } are as in the ”standard” 18-element diagram.
Block of ATP-Binding Cassette B19 Ion Channel Activity by 5-Nitro-2-(3-Phenylpropylamino)-Benzoic Acid Impairs Polar Auxin Transport and Root Gravitropism

Polar transport of the hormone auxin through tissues and organs depends on membrane proteins, including some B-subgroup members of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter family. The messenger RNA level of at least one B-subgroup ABCB gene in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), ABCB19, increases upon treatment with the anion channel blocker 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoic acid (NPPB), possibly to compensate for an inhibitory effect of the drug on ABCB19 activity. Consistent with this hypothesis, NPPB blocked ion channel activity associated with ABCB19 expressed in human embryonic kidney cells as measured by patch-clamp electrophysiology. NPPB inhibited polar auxin transport through Arabidopsis seedling roots similarly to abcb19 mutations. NPPB also inhibited shootward auxin transport, which depends on the related ABCB4 protein. NPPB substantially decreased ABCB4 and ABCB19 protein levels when cycloheximide concomitantly inhibited new protein synthesis, indicating that blockage by NPPB enhances the degradation of ABCB transporters. Impairing the principal auxin transport streams in roots with NPPB caused aberrant patterns of auxin signaling reporters in root apices. Formation of the auxin-signaling gradient across the tips of gravity-stimulated roots, and its developmental consequence (gravitropism), were inhibited by micromolar concentrations of NPPB that did not affect growth rate. These results identify ion channel activity of ABCB19 that is blocked by NPPB, a compound that can now be considered an inhibitor of polar auxin transport with a defined molecular target.
A boundary spectral method for elastostatic problems with multiple spherical cavities and inclusions

Abstract The problem of an infinite solid containing an arbitrary number of non-overlapping spherical cavities and inclusions with arbitrary sizes and locations is considered. The infinite solid and the spherical inclusions are made of different isotropic, linearly elastic materials. The spherical cavities are assumed to carry arbitrary tractions, and the spherical inclusions are assumed to be perfectly bonded to the infinite solid. The boundary and interfacial displacements and tractions are represented by truncated series of surface spherical harmonics. The problem involving multiple spherical features is replaced by a sequence of problems involving a single spherical feature via Schwarz's alternating method which accounts for the interactions in the course of an iterative process. Problems involving a single spherical feature are solved by employing the Papkovich–Neuber functions, and the interactions are evaluated by applying a least squares method. A robust scheme is introduced to control the total errors on the spherical boundaries and interfaces and to choose the number of terms in the series expansions. Several numerical examples are given to address the efficiency and the accuracy of the proposed method.
Nature of damage in fused silica induced by high-fluence 3-omega 355-nm laser pulses, a multiscale morphology microstructure, and defect chemistry study

The morphology and microstructure of damage sites in high quality fused silica induced by high power UV (355 nm) laser light have been investigated using a suite of microscopic and spectroscopic tools. These include SEM, TEM, microprobe analysis, XPS, SIMS and x-ray micro-tomography utilizing intense synchrotron radiation. Systematic SEM examinations show that the damage sites consist primarily of a molten core region (thermal explosion), surrounded by a near concentric region of fractured material. The latter arises from propagation of lateral cracks induced by the laser- generated shock waves. The size of the overall crater is dependent of the laser fluence, number of pulses, damage history and environment. In particular, differences in morphology of the damage sites are identified: air vs. vacuum; exit (more severe) surface vs. entrance surface; and regular polish (more severe) vs. super polish surfaces. A compaction layer, approximately 10 microns thick and approximately 20% higher in density has been identified with x-ray tomography. This layer has further been substantiated by micro-Raman spectroscopy. High resolution microprobe analysis shows that there is no variation in the Si/O stoichiometry of silica in the compaction layer to within +/- 1.6%. High resolution TEM indicates the absence of crystalline nano-particles of Si in the compaction layer. Macro- (10-0.1 micrometers ) and micro-cracks (200-20 nm) are found, however, in the bright field images. The Si 2p XPS spectra indicates that there is a lower Si3+ species on at least the top 2-3 nm of the compaction layer. These findings are critical to the design of a knowledge-based mitigation process for laser damage growth.
Pediatric residents' response to ambiguous words about child discipline and behavior.

Abstract Frequently, doctors have been noted to seemingly ignore or brush off patients’ bids to discuss sensitive issues. In some of these cases, however, apparent ignoring could be the result of the doctor mistakenly interpreting the meaning of potentially ambiguous terms used by the patient. This study demonstrates the frequency with which parents use and pediatricians clarify ambiguous terms describing child behavior and physical punishment. Sixty-one (26%) of 234 audiotapes from a systematic cross-sectional sample of non-urgent visits with pediatric residents included at least one episode in which such words were used by a parent. Discussion following each use was classified as: (a) clarifying its meaning, (b) discussing without clarification, (c) ignoring the use of the word, or (d) contradicting the negative attribution. In 61 visits, the parent or child was the first to use the potentially ambiguous term. Physicians clarified 7 (11%) of the terms, ignored 23 (38%), contradicted 7 (11%), and discussed without clarification 24 (39%). Clarifying and contradicting were associated with a shorter doctor–patient relationship than ignoring or discussing without clarification. Doctors who sought clarification were the least dominant. A non-dismissive response to ambiguous words may be a marker for both the stage of the doctor–patient relationship and a doctor’s overall interactive style. Considering clarification may be helpful in understanding doctors’ responses to patients’ cues.
Testing Reciprocal Longitudinal Relations Between Peer Victimization and Depressive Symptoms in Young Adolescents

A 2-wave longitudinal study of young adolescents was used to test whether peer victimization predicts depressive symptoms, depressive symptoms predict peer victimization, or the 2 constructs show reciprocal relations. Participants were 598 youths in Grades 3 through 6, ages 8 to 14 (M = 10.9, SD = 1.2) at Wave 1. The sample was 50.7% female and 90.3% Caucasian. Participants completed self-reports of depressive symptoms, and self-reports and peer nomination measures of physical and relational peer victimization at 2 time points separated by 1 year. The results were as follows: (a) depressive symptoms predicted change in both physical and relational victimization, but neither type of peer victimization predicted change in depressive symptoms; (b) depressive symptoms were more predictive of physical victimization for boys than for girls; and (c) boys experienced more physical victimization, and girls experienced more relational victimization. Expression of some depressive symptoms may represent signs of vuln...
2,2-Difluoro-3-hydroxyesters by reformatskii reaction

Abstract Ethyl bromodifluoroacetate undergoes facile Reformatskii addition to aldehydes and ketones to form 2,2-difluoro-3-hydroxyesters.
Orchiopexy for intra-abdominal testes: factors predicting success.

Purpose: Intra-abdominal testes can be treated with several surgical procedures. We evaluated factors influencing the outcome of orchiopexy for intra-abdominal testis.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 156 consecutive orchiopexies performed for intra-abdominal testis, defined as a nonpalpable testis on examination and located in the abdomen at surgery. All surgical approaches were included in the study. Primary outcome was the overall success rate and secondary outcomes were success based on surgical approach, age and a patent processus vaginalis. Success was considered a testis with normal texture and size compared to the contralateral testis at followup. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine factors predictive of success.Results: The overall success rate of all orchiopexies was 79.5%. Median patient age at orchiopexy was 12 months and mean followup was 16 months. Of the patients 117 had a patent processus vaginalis at surgery. One-stage abdominal orchiopexy was performed in 92...
Hydrogen glucose breath test to detect small intestinal bacterial overgrowth: a prevalence case–control study in irritable bowel syndrome

Summary Background: Studies assessing the prevalence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in irritable bowel syndrome gave contrasting results. Differences in criteria to define irritable bowel syndrome patients and methods to assess small intestinal bacterial overgrowth may explain different results. Moreover, no data exist on small intestinal bacterial overgrowth prevalence in a significant population of healthy non-irritable bowel syndrome subjects. Aim: To assess the prevalence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth by glucose breath test in patients with irritable bowel syndrome symptoms with respect to a consistent control group. Methods: Consecutive patients with irritable bowel syndrome according to Rome II criteria were enrolled. The control population consisted of 102 sex- and age-matched healthy subjects without irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. All subjects underwent glucose breath test. A peak of H2 values >10 p.p.m above the basal value after 50 g of glucose ingestion was considered suggestive of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Results: A total of 65 irritable bowel syndrome patients and 102 healthy controls were enrolled. Positivity to glucose breath test was found in 31% of irritable bowel syndrome patients with respect to 4% in the control group, the difference between groups resulting statistically significant (OR: 2.65; 95% CI: 3.5–33.7, P < 0.00001). Conclusions: The present case–control study showed an epidemiological association between irritable bowel syndrome and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Placebo-controlled small intestinal bacterial overgrowth-eradication studies are necessary to clarify the real impact of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth on irritable bowel syndrome symptoms.
Two siblings with nemaline myopathy presenting with rigid spine syndrome

Two siblings, ages 20 and 19 presented with more than 10 yr history of spinal rigidity and scoliosis. The parents were first cousins. Muscle biopsies were consistent with nemaline myopathy. This has been the first association between a familial rigid spine syndrome and nemaline myopathy.
Closed-loop, estimator-based model of human posture following reduced gravity exposure.

A computational and experimental method is employed to provide an understanding of a critical human space flight problem, posture control following reduced gravity exposure. In the case of an emergency egress, astronauts' postural stability could be life saving. It is hypothesized that muscular gains are lowered during reduced gravity exposure, causing a feeling of heavy legs, or a perceived feeling of muscular weakness, upon return to Earth's 1 g environment. We developed an estimator-bas ed model that is verified by replicating spatial and temporal characteristics of human posture and incorporates an inverted pendulum plant in series with a Hill-type muscle model, two feedback pathways, a central nervous system estimator, and variable gains. Results obtained by lowering the variable muscle gain in the model support the hypothesis. Experimentally, subjects were exposed to partial gravity (| g) simulation on a suspension apparatus, then performed exercises postulated to expedite recovery and alleviate the heavy legs phenomenon. Results show that the rms position of the center of pressure increases significantly after reduced gravity exposure. Closed-loop system behavior is revealed, and posture is divided into a short-term period that exhibits higher stochastic activity and persistent trends and a long-term period that shows relatively low stochastic activity and antipersistent trends. A B B C D D
The molecular genetics of eyelid tumors: recent advances and future directions

Unprecedented recent advances in the molecular genetics of cutaneous malignancies have markedly improved our ability to diagnose, treat, and counsel patients with skin tumors. This review provides an update on molecular genetics of periocular cutaneous basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, sebaceous carcinoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma and describes how the knowledge of molecular genetics is translated into clinical practice. A literature search of peer-reviewed and indexed publications from 1965 to 2012 using the PubMed search engine was performed. Key terms included: molecular genetics, eyelid, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, sebaceous adenoma, sebaceous epithelioma, sebaceoma, sebaceous carcinoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Seminal articles prior to 1965 were selected from primary sources and reviews from the initial search. Articles were chosen based on pertinence to clinical, genetic, and therapeutic topics reviewed in this manuscript. We reviewed the literature regarding the advances in molecular genetics of cutaneous basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, sebaceous neoplasia, Merkel cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma, and possible future directions towards diagnosing and treating cutaneous tumors at the genetic level. Cell culture experiments, animal models, and molecular genetic studies on the patients’ tumor tissues helped to elucidate genetic aberrations in these lesions. Cell culture experiments, animal studies and, ultimately, clinical trials provided means to test and develop novel therapeutic strategies, namely targeted therapy directed at specific molecular genetic defects. While remarkable progress has been made in this process, the complexity of the molecular genetics of skin tumors makes complete elucidation of the genetic mechanisms and the search for ideal therapies challenging. The recent studies focusing on molecular genetics of cutaneous malignancies show promising results, thereby improving our ability to diagnose, treat and counsel patients with these lesions. Future studies will hopefully help unravel further molecular mechanisms involved in cutaneous neoplasia and provide insights into novel preventative and therapeutic modalities.