cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A cross-sectional review of the prevalence of integrative medicine in pediatric pain clinics across the United States

Abstract Purpose This project assesses the prevalence of integrative medicine (IM) in pediatric pain clinics (PPCs) across the United States. Methods PPCs were identified through the American Pain Society and cross referenced through the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP). A cross-sectional review using each PPC’s website was then utilized for further information. We collected data regarding each program’s target population, non-profit status (where non-profits were designated as hospitals that do not operate for-profit purpose, and private as institutions receiving private funding), location, services provided and participating providers. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Results Of the 53 PPCs identified, 43 (81%) were part of a non-profit healthcare organization, and 10 (19%) were within a private hospital; 85% were located in urban settings, 15% in rural settings; 83% were located in free-standing children’s hospitals. Thirty-two (60%) PPCs utilized IM, including acupuncture (38%), mind-body (21%), massage (21%), aromatherapy (19%), nutrition counseling (17%) and/or art/music therapy (11%). The most prevalent providers within PPCs offering IM were yoga instructors (84%), nutritionists (56%) and mind-body specialists (44%). IM was offered in 63% of programs in non-profit organizations and 50% in private hospitals; 58% of urban sites and 75% of rural sites. Within each region, 91% (n = 10) of PPCs in the West offer IM, 53% of PPCs in the Midwest (n = 10) and Northeast (n = 8) offer IM and 50% (n = 4) of PPCs in the South offer IM compared to PPCs who do not. Conclusions Of 53 current identified PPCs, over half offer IM services. While children in the US are more likely to find a PPC offering IM services, access to do so is more limited in rural and southern regions.
Sex Differences in the Genetic and Environmental Influences on Self-Reported Non-aggressive and Aggressive Conduct Disorder Symptoms in Early and Middle Adolescence.

Decades of research into the etiology of conduct disorder (CD) has yet to yield a consensus on the existence of sex differences in underlying genetic and environmental influences. This may be partly due to the failure of many previous studies to make a distinction between non-aggressive and aggressive CD symptoms or test for potential developmental changes in sex differences in the etiology of conduct problems. To address these gaps, we fit a series of univariate and bivariate biometric sex-difference models to self-reported non-aggressive and aggressive CD symptoms in a community-based sample of twins (N = 1548, ages 9–17 year), grouped into ages 9–13 and 14–17 years. Relative model fit was evaluated using the Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC), which favors parsimony, and by Chi square difference tests. The univariate sex-scalar model provided the best fit to the data for both non-aggressive and aggressive CD symptoms at ages 9–13 and 14–17 years. Thus, the same genetic and environmental factors influenced CD symptoms in both sexes, but the total variability was lower in females than males. At both ages, the heritability of non-aggressive CD symptoms was lower than heritability of aggressive CD symptoms, and shared environmental effects were only observed for non-aggressive CD symptoms. However, estimates for genetic and environmental factors could be not be constrained to be equal across age groups for either CD subtype, suggesting substantive developmental changes in the relative influence of genetic and environmental factors on individual differences in CD symptoms. For both subtypes, the heritability was larger, and shared environmental effect smaller, in the older age group than the younger age group. A bivariate quantitative sex differences model provided the best fit to the data at ages 9–13 years. Covariation between non-aggressive and aggressive CD symptoms was due to overlapping shared and non-shared environmental factors in males and females but the overall covariation was greater in males than females. In contrast, at ages 14–17 years, the sex-scalar bivariate model provided the best fit to the data, and covariation between non-aggressive and aggressive CD symptoms was due to overlapping genetic and non-shared environmental factors. Thus, the etiology of self-reported conduct disorder varied substantially by symptom type and age. However, quantitative sex differences were only apparent when the covariation between the two subtypes was considered.
Blood and the Red Blood Cells

Clinical psychophysiology requires competence in many therapeutic skills, including assessment of physical, mental, affective, and emotional states; biofeedback; and psychotherapy, which we may perform as strict behaviorists, cognitivists, or both. If we are physiologists, we tend to see the mind embedded in brain neurons; if mentalists, we believe a somatic disorder is due to faulty thinking, or the emotional outcropping of symbolic conflict jutting out of a quagmire of illicit urges; if behaviorists, it doesn’t matter—everything yields to “modification” if you do it right. Given a hammer, we tend to treat everything as though it were a nail.
Theoretical study of the O(3P) + allene reaction

Ab initio complete active space SCF calculations have been performed to determine the structures and energetics of the electrophilic addition of O({sup 3}P) to allene (propadiene). The long-established channel for this reaction has been O-atom attack of the central carbon atom (CCA). However, recent experimental studies have suggested that terminal carbon attack (TCA) is a significant process. In this study the classical barrier height for the CCA channel was found to be only 1.8 kcal/mol lower than that for the TCA channel. In addition, the triplet diradical species and the experimentally observed product of the TCA channel, allenyloxy radical, are characterized. Allenyloxy radical is predicted to have low-lying near-IR and UV transitions to electronic excited states 0.525 and 3.70 eV above the ground state. Similar transitions for the analogous vinoxy radical have previously been predicted theoretically and confirmed experimentally.
Advances in civic engagement research: issues of civic measures and civic context

Civic engagement has gained prominence over the past two decades as an important topic in developmental science. Much has been learned about what civic engagement means, how it is measured, and how young people develop civic engagement. In this chapter, we discuss emerging areas of research for civic engagement and core questions that we believe need to be explored. In particular, we focus on a broader conceptualization of civic engagement beyond behavioral measures, consider the relevance of cultural and political contexts on the development of civic engagement among under-served populations, and discuss the implications of advancing the civic engagement field on the civic participation of youth in the United States and throughout the world.
Usability evaluation of the progress note construction set.

Abstract OVERVIEW: The Veterans Administration (VA) Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) is a nationally deployed software product that integrates provider order entry, progress notes, vitals, consults, discharge summaries, problem lists, medications, labs, radiology, transcribed documents, study reports, and clinical reminders. Users rapidly adopted the graphical user interface for data retrieval, but demanded options to typing for data entry. We programmed "point and click" forms that integrate with CPRS individually, but were soon overwhelmed by requests. Subsequently, we developed the Progress Note Construction Set (PNCS); a tool suite that permits subject matter experts without programming skills to create reusable "point and click" forms. In this study, we evaluate the usability of these user-constructed forms. METHODS: An untrained, non-VA subject matter expert used the PNCS to create a graphical form for "skin tear" documentation. Ten VA nurses used the skin tear form to document findings for 7 standardized clinical scenarios. Following each scenario the subjects answered usability questions about the form. RESULTS: The subject matter expert created the skin tear form in 78 minutes. Users found the form to facilitate their data entry (p 0.0265), and to be at least as fast (p 0.0029) and as easy to use as expected (p 0.0166). Average note entry time was 3.4 minutes. CONCLUSION: The PNCS allowed a non-programmer to quickly create a usable, CPRS-integrated point and click form. Users found the subject matter expert s form fast and easy to use. The tool suite is a more scaleable form creation method because capacity is no longer limited by programmer availability.
Psychological Reactions and Cultural Competence

In the field of applied psychology, there have been a recent emphasis and even a requirement to employ what has become known as “culturally sensitive” or “culturally competent” practices in all professional services (e.g., Betancourt et al, Public Health Rep, 2016; Griner and Smith, Culturally adapted mental health intervention: a meta-analytic review. Psychother Theory Res Pract Train 43(4):531–548, 2006). A purported claim for the necessity of cultural sensitivity and cultural practice is that clients who experience culturally insensitive behavior report a variety of adverse psychological reactions (e.g., feelings of being insulted, disconnectedness, uncomfortableness, even trauma). This chapter will examine some of the assumptions and assertions of the cultural competence movement in relation to clients’ reported experience of negative psychological reactions and explain the problems with these. These problems include issues with reliability and validity of self-reports, lack of clarity of concepts related to key psychological reactions such as “uncomfortableness,” lack of discernment between levels of adverse experiences/impairment, whether the effects of the listener are always relevant, utilization of cultural competence to combat egregious behaviors/values, pseudo−/problematic attempts at relating to culturally diverse clients, whether cultural competence results in positive psychological reactions, and the lack of empirical support for the causal pathways that are assumed.
Evaluating Immediate Feedback via Bug-in-Ear as an Evidence-Based Practice for Professional Development:

Observation and performance feedback to support traditional training methods are central tools for preservice practitioner preparation and in-service practitioner professional development. Research...
Chapter 15 – Lateral Approaches

Select chordomas and chondrosarcomas have extensions to the posterior cavernous sinus and to the petrous apex. These lesions may be best approached by an anterior transpetrosal approach, either alone or in combination with an anterolateral or a posterolateral technique. The anterior transpetrosal technique may be performed either via an intradural or an extradural technique. These techniques are described in detail for a lateral approach to resect these lesions from the posterior cavernous sinus, the medial cerebellopontine angle, and the petroclival regions.
Securitization and Accounting Restatements

This study investigates whether accounting misstatements are more or less likely to happen during the period when securitization is heavily conducted. Prior studies on securitization reporting have expressed concern that securitization can be used for earnings management, however, have not yet distinguished whether the earnings management is from the discretion on when and which assets to securitize or from the discretion in securitization measurements. Using a sample of bank holding companies from 2001 to 2012, I consistently find a positive and significant association between banks’ engagement in securitization and the likelihood of having an accounting restatement. Moreover, this positive association is most pronounced in the pre-financial crisis period, or in banks which securitize low quality loans. I provide various robustness tests and suggest that my results are not driven by the non-securitization-related earnings management, the unintentional reporting error, or endogeneity of securitization decision. Overall, the consistent explanation for my findings is that managers intentional misuse accounting estimates of securitization for earnings management. This is one of the very first papers which document the evidence of accrual earnings management through securitization reporting.
CT imaging of oligodendroglioma

Abstract While magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is superior to computed tomography (CT) in the evaluation of brain neoplasms, it remains important for physicians to be aware that CT, being the typical initial imaging modality for patients with neurologic complaints, can often delineate findings that suggest and potentially characterize a neoplastic process. In patients with oligodendroglioma, CT may allow physicians to suspect this specific neoplasm, even prior to obtaining an MRI examination. For example, striking calcifications within a suspected neoplastic lesion are a dominant feature of oligodendroglioma, more so than with other neoplastic lesions in the brain. This chapter reviews how CT can be a useful tool in patients with this type of brain tumor, whether the setting is CT imaging upon initial presentation, or in patients for whom MRI is contraindicated.
Intra-retrosplenial cortical grafts of cholinergic neurons: Functional incorporation and restoration of high affinity choline uptake

Fetal septal neurons transplanted into the deafferented retrosplenial cortex (RSC) of rats have been shown to reinnervate the host brain and ameliorate spatial memory deficits. In the present study we examined the effects of implanting cholinergic neurons on high affinity choline uptake (HACU) in the denervated RSC and the correlational relationship between this cholinergic parameter and the level of behavioral recovery. Three groups of animals were used: 1) normal control rats (NC), 2) rats with lesions of the fornix and cingulate pathways (FX), and 3) lesioned rats with fetal septal grafts in the RSC (RSCsep-TPL). We found that intra-RSC septal grafts produced significant increases in HACU, and that recovery of HACU was significantly correlated with the improvements in the performance of spatial reference memory, spatial navigation, and spatial working memory tasks. We have also investigated the ability of the host brain to modulate the activity of the implanted neurons. In particular we evaluated the effect of the animals' performance in a 6-arm radial maze task on high affinity choline uptake (HACU). Animals in each of the NC, FX, and RSCsep-TPL groups were randomly assigned one of the following subgroups: 1) rats that performed the maze task before the determination of HACU (BEH), or 2) rats that did not perform the maze task before the determination of HACU (NON-BEH). Significant increases were observed in the NC and RSCsep-TPL groups, but not in the FX animals, indicating that fetal septal grafts in the RSC can become functionally incorporated with the host neural circuitry, and that the activity of the implanted cholinergic neurons can be modulated by the host brain.
Correlation between medication regimen complexity and quality of life in patients with heart failure.

Abstract Purpose To determine if a correlation exists between the medication regimen complexity index (MRCI) and quality of life (QoL) in patients with heart failure (HF) assessed using the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ). Methods Retrospective chart review from July 2012 through June 2018 identified patients for inclusion who completed an MLHFQ. Baseline and, if available, follow-up MLHFQ scores were collected. The medication list documented on the date of the MLHFQ was used to calculate the MRCI. Results Patients with a documented MLHFQ score were included (n = 72) in the primary analysis. No correlation existed between baseline MRCI and MLHFQ (r = 0.07; p = 0.55). A secondary analysis of correlation between change in MRCI and MLHFQ was conducted for patients (n = 30) with a follow-up MLHFQ score. A moderate, negative correlation (r = −0.47; p = 0.009) existed between change in MRCI and MLHFQ from baseline to follow-up. Conclusion No significant correlation between MRCI and MLHFQ scores were found at baseline. Patients with follow-up MLHFQ scores demonstrated improvements in QoL, despite increasingly complex medication regimens. Medication regimen complexity alone is likely an insufficient marker for predicting QoL in patients with HF.
Correction to: Clinical Characteristics and Multisystem Imaging Findings of COVID-19: An Overview for Orthopedic Surgeons.

The published article listed an incorrect credential for Jose Rodriguez, MD. It is corrected here.
Decreased bioavailability of hydrogen sulfide links vascular endothelium and atrial remodeling in atrial fibrillation.

Abstract Oxidative stress drives the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common arrhythmia. In the cardiovascular system, cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) serves as the primary enzyme producing hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a mammalian gasotransmitter that reduces oxidative stress. Using a case control study design in patients with and without AF and a mouse model of CSE knockout (CSE-KO), we evaluated the role of H2S in the etiology of AF. Patients with AF (n = 51) had significantly reduced plasma acid labile sulfide levels compared to patients without AF (n = 65). In addition, patients with persistent AF (n = 25) showed lower plasma free sulfide levels compared to patients with paroxysmal AF (n = 26). Consistent with an important role for H2S in AF, CSE-KO mice had decreased atrial sulfide levels, increased atrial superoxide levels, and enhanced propensity for induced persistent AF compared to wild type (WT) mice. Rescuing H2S signaling in CSE-KO mice by Diallyl trisulfide (DATS) supplementation or reconstitution with endothelial cell specific CSE over-expression significantly reduced atrial superoxide, increased sulfide levels, and lowered AF inducibility. Lastly, low H2S levels in CSE KO mice was associated with atrial electrical remodeling including longer effective refractory periods, slower conduction velocity, increased myocyte calcium sparks, and increased myocyte action potential duration that were reversed by DATS supplementation or endothelial CSE overexpression. Our findings demonstrate an important role of CSE and H2S bioavailability in regulating electrical remodeling and susceptibility to AF.
Food Insecurity in an Urban Pregnancy Cohort.

Objective Food insecurity is a prominent problem and has been implicated in adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. This study aims to describe the food insecure population in an urban academic health center perinatal cohort. Study Design We enrolled 451 postpartum inpatients at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center who completed a questionnaire and were then categorized as food insecure based on U.S. Department of Agriculture standardized survey questions. Generalized linear models estimated the relative influence of maternal characteristics on food insecurity. Results Among the study population (n = 426), 18.6% (95% confidence interval: 15.2–22.4%) were classified as food insecure. Factors with increased adjusted relative risk on food insecurity include annual household income Conclusion We recommend the use of a validated screening tool on all pregnant women with the associated psychosocial stressors and social determinants of health. Key Points
Proteomic Analysis of Non-human Primate Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells During Burkholderia mallei Infection Reveals a Role of Ezrin in Glanders Pathogenesis.

Burkholderia mallei, the causative agent of glanders, is a gram-negative intracellular bacterium. Depending on different routes of infection, the disease is manifested by pneumonia, septicemia, and chronic infections of the skin. B. mallei poses a serious biological threat due to its ability to infect via aerosol route, resistance to multiple antibiotics and to date there are no US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved vaccines available. Induction of innate immunity, inflammatory cytokines and chemokines following B. mallei infection, have been observed in in vitro and small rodent models; however, a global characterization of host responses has never been systematically investigated using a non-human primate (NHP) model. Here, using a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) approach, we identified alterations in expression levels of host proteins in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) originating from naive rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), African green monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus), and cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) exposed to aerosolized B. mallei. Gene ontology (GO) analysis identified several statistically significant overrepresented biological annotations including complement and coagulation cascade, nucleoside metabolic process, vesicle-mediated transport, intracellular signal transduction and cytoskeletal protein binding. By integrating an LC-MS/MS derived proteomics dataset with a previously published B. mallei host-pathogen interaction dataset, a statistically significant predictive protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed. Pharmacological perturbation of one component of the PPI network, specifically ezrin, reduced B. mallei mediated interleukin-1β (IL-1β). On the contrary, the expression of IL-1β receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) was upregulated upon pretreatment with the ezrin inhibitor. Taken together, inflammasome activation as demonstrated by IL-1β production and the homeostasis of inflammatory response is critical during the pathogenesis of glanders. Furthermore, the topology of the network reflects the underlying molecular mechanism of B. mallei infections in the NHP model.
Pulmonary Function Testing Pre-heart Transplant Predicts Posttransplant Survival.

Although pulmonary function testing (PFT) is typically performed for heart transplant evaluation, the prognostic utility of PFTs after transplantation is unknown. We evaluated whether PFT parameters were correlated with outcomes following heart transplantation. Methods International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation Thoracic Organ Transplant Registry data were utilized. Survival was assessed using Kaplan-Meier method and compared via log-rank test. Cox proportional hazard modeling was used to evaluate univariate and multivariate predictors of survival. Results Eight hundred two patients pretransplant PFT data were available for evaluation. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) 80%. FEV1/FVC < 0.7 was not associated with increased mortality. FEV1 and FVC below 50% both predicted longer lengths of stay (P = 0.028 for FEV1 and P = 0.0075 for FVC). After adjusting for male gender, age, body mass index, smoking history, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, creatinine, albumin, and total bilirubin, FEV1 < 50% (hazard ratio, 4.91; P < 0.0001; 95% confidence interval, 2.69-8.94) and FVC < 50% (hazard ratio, 2.75; P = 0.003; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-5.4) both remained independent predictors of mortality. Conclusions Abnormal pulmonary function (FEV1 or FVC below 50% of predicted) pre-heart transplantation is associated with increased mortality and longer lengths of stay posttransplant.
Osteoporosis in the Elderly

Osteoporosis in the elderly population presents unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Assessment of fracture risk goes beyond measurement of bone density to include evaluation for sarcopenia, frailty, and falls. In addition, investigating comorbid conditions and risk factors provides significant insights into the musculoskeletal consequences of aging. Therefore, the management plan to reduce the risk of future fractures should include practical recommendations and achievable goals that fit with the individual patient’s preferences and overall health span.
Multiuser detection with particle filtering

In this paper, we apply particle ltering to multiuser detection (MUD) in synchronous CDMA systems with perfect channel state information (CSI). To apply particle ltering to MUD, rst we nd a factored representation of the posterior distribution. We show that the whitened matched lter (WMF) output allows such representation. No system approximations are made and the method is \soft" in nature. As a result, a near optimum performance is observed in simulations both in the equal power case and the near-far case. Since the computational complexity of the method is not exponential with the number of users, the method may have potential for industrial application.
Rationale for the design of monitoring well screens and filter packs

Well screens and filter packs are used extensively in the water well industry. Water supply wells are designed with large diameters to accommodate high-capacity pumps for municipal, industrial, and irrigation uses. Monitoring wells serve a different purpose, and therefore have some different design requirements. Monitoring wells are used to collect ground-water samples for chemical evaluation and are typically smaller in diameter and have shorter screened intervals. Monitoring well design, particularly for well screens and filter packs, must meet specific requirements. Unlike water wells, monitoring wells usually have an artificial filter pack between the formation and the well screen and often a secondary filter above the filter pack. The designs of well screens and filter packs are more critical for monitoring wells than for water wells, because monitoring wells serve as sampling ports in an aquifer and must minimize disturbance of the water chemistry and hydrology. At present, screen and filter pack requirements for monitoring wells have been only partially addressed by the technical community. Specific technical requirements should include filter pack parameters (i.e., uniformity coefficient, effective size, kurtosis, skewness, roundness, sphericity, and mineralogy). The method of filter pack placement, which involves particle settling through borehole fluids, is also important, particularly in relation to the nature of the geologic materials, the slot type and size of the screen, and the water level in the well.
Student-generated animations: supporting middle school students' visualization, interpretation and reasoning of chemical phenomena

The study explores the roles of instructional animation to support middle school students' learning of chemistry concepts. We discuss two roles of animations: a constructivist tool to support visualization and interpretation of chemical processes, and a problem-solving tool to support reasoning about chemical phenomena. We developed Chemation, a handheld-based chemistry animation tool, to address the roles. We conducted an initial evaluation study to assess the impact of Chemation for supporting students' visualization, interpretation, and reasoning of chemical phenomena. Two teachers and 73 seventh grade students participated in the study. The results of pre- and posttests indicated a positive gross effect of the learning environment including all aspects such as teacher and tool supports. Close examination through classroom observations, student interviews, and student artifacts revealed the relationships between student learning and tool supports. The results inform the design of interactive learning environments that incorporate animation as a learning support.
The Joy of SAX.

Most current XQuery implementations require that all XML data reside in memory in one form or another before they start processing the data. This is unacceptable for large XML documents. The only event-based techniques that do not require the materialization of all data in memory are based on transducers. Transducers use SAX events to evaluate XPath queries using finite state machines. SAX allows parsing and processing of XML documents in a stream fashion, but is hard to use even for simple tasks since it leaves the burden to the programmer to maintain and propagate the state between events. As is well known to people who have written non-trivial SAX event handlers, SAX can be used eectively under a disciplined use of pipes made out of SAX event handlers, where a producer object sends SAX events to a consumer object, which in turn becomes the producer for the next consumer, etc, thus forming a pipe. In this paper, I present an event-based XQuery interpreter, called XStreamQuery, based entirely on SAX pipelines. These pipelines consist of pipes that not only push SAX events from producers to consumers but also return feedback to the producers that allows them to cut the pipes short. This immediate feedback is dicult to achieve with transducers. Even though XStreamQuery is still a prototype system, I expect that, for simple XPath queries, it will have the same low memory overhead as transducers, although with a bit more computational overhead. But I also expect XStreamQuery to beat transducers for complex XQueries, especially for XPaths that contain predicates with embedded XQueries and for deeply-nested XQueries. More importantly, XStreamQuery allows the compositional generation of query plans, eg, one XPath step at a time, rather than requiring to look at the entire path to generate code. This makes the query plan generation very easy. It also allows path pipelines to be seamlessly integrated with the rest of XQuery. In fact, for a substantial subset of XQuery (without optimization), the plan generation code is less than 200 lines of Java while the entire XQuery processor is less than 2000 lines of Java code.
Direction-Adaptive Discrete Wavelet Transform via Directional Lifting and Bandeletization

We propose an adaptive lifted discrete wavelet transform to locally adapt the filtering direction to the geometric flow in the image. The proposed approach refines previous directional lifting approaches to achieve superior compression performance with less demand for computation. Additionally, a bandeletization procedure is combined with directional lifting in a unified framework to further remove the correlation in the wavelet coefficients. Up to 2.8 dB improvement in PSNR over the conventional 2-D CDF 9/7 wavelet transform for natural images is reported. Significant improvement in subjective quality is also observed.
Risks and benefits of asthma therapies.

ABSTRACT Maintenance use of short-acting adrenergic agents can cause tachyphylaxis, increased non-specific bronchial hyperreactivity, poorer clinical control, a worsened late allergic reaction and possibly an increased risk of death; therefore, 'as needed' use is preferable. The choice of a first line anti-inflammatory drug, between inhaled corticosteroids and non-steroidal drugs (cromolyn sodium or nedocromil sodium), has to be made considering their risk–benefit ratio. Although in severe patients the efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids is clearly superior to that of cromolyn, in mild-to-moderate patients the efficacy is comparable. In terms of safety, non-steroidal drugs have a better safety profile than inhaled corticosteroids, which can cause growth suppression even at regular doses, especially in mild-to-moderate patients. Although some investigators have raised the possibility of irreversible airway obstruction if treatment with inhaled corticosteroids is delayed, studies by my group and others, using non-steroidal drugs as first line, have not confirmed that suspicion. In conclusion, a step-wise approach in children is still justified, starting with non-steroidal drugs (cromolyn sodium or nedocromil sodium) in mild persistent asthma and using inhaled corticosteroids only in patients poorly controlled by the non-steroidal drugs.
Association of Reflux With Otitis Media in Children

Objectives To confirm the finding of pepsin/pepsinogen in middle ear fluid of children with chronic or recurrent otitis media (OME or ROM), and to ask parents about symptoms associated with gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Methods Middle ear fluid was collected from children undergoing tympanostomy tube placement. We tested this fluid for pepsin/pepsinogen using a proteolytic enzyme assay and an ELISA. Parents completed questionnaires about symptoms of GER in their children. Results We collected 36 samples from 22 children; 16 of 22 children (73%) were positive with the proteolytic assay; 17 (77%) were positive with ELISA. Questionnaires did not show increased GER symptoms. Conclusions We replicated the finding of pepsin/pepsinogen in middle ear fluid of children with OME or ROM, but did not find any increase in GER symptoms. Further research is needed to establish a causative link between GER and OM.
Effect of synthesis variables on tack in urea-formaldehyde resin

Abstract The degree of tack-the ability of resin to adhere to another surface under light pressure and over short time-in urea-formaldehyde resin varies throughout the particleboard manufacturing process and affects mill maintenance and board quality. A three-part study was conducted to evaluate the effects of certain synthesis variables-molar formaldehyde:urea ratio, ingredient concentration, reaction pH, and reaction catalyst-on tack of urea-formaldehyde resin in particleboard manufacturing. Southern pine particleboard mats were formed and prepressed in the laboratory, and tack was evaluated with the push-off method. Reaction pH significantly affected tack and viscosity, which were highly related. On the average, reducing formaldehyde:urea ratio and ingredient concentration increased tack; these two variables may be significant to tack development and resin morphology. Reaction catalyst did not affect tack or other resin morphology. Reaction catalyst did not affect tack or other resin characteristics, b...
The fluid–structure interaction between a tensioned elastica and a flotation guide

Abstract Fluid–structure interaction between a flotation-guide and a tensioned elastic beam was investigated theoretically and experimentally. The work is inspired by manufacturing of thin flexible materials such as paper, foils and tape, collectively known as web. The mechanics of the web was modeled as an elastica beam, and solved in a Eulerian reference system by using the finite element method. The fluid mechanics in the beam/flotation-guide interface was modeled with two different fluid mechanics approaches with and without height averaging of the flow variables. The fluid models were solved with a finite volume approach. A stacked, iterative coupling algorithm was used to obtain coupled solutions. Experiments were performed to verify the two FSI models. The experiments showed that the supply pressure inside the flotation-guide must be at least equal to the belt-wrap pressure of the web for flotation to occur, as expected. The effects of large web deformations and using the height-averaged fluid model were analyzed by varying design parameters such as web wrap angle, flotation-guide radius, supply pressure, and the distribution of the pressure supply holes. This work showed that the height-averaged fluid mechanics model fails to predict the two-dimensional flow near the exit regions, which develops for cases where the web-reverser clearance tends to have large diverging variations. It was also shown that in order to keep the applied web tension at a constant level, the arc length of the web between the supports must change.
The Glucagonoma Syndrome: A Review of its Features and Discussion of New Perspectives

Glucagonoma syndrome is a paraneoplastic phenomenon characterized by an islet alpha-cell pancreatic tumor, necrolytic migratory erythema, diabetes mellitus, weight loss, anemia, stomatitis, thromboembolism, and gastrointestinal and neuropsychiatric disturbances. These clinical findings in association with hyperglucagonemia and demonstrable pancreatic tumor establish the diagnosis. Glucagon itself is responsible for most of the observed signs and symptoms, and its induction of hypoaminoacidemia is thought to lead to necrolytic migratory erythema. Liver disease and fatty acid and zinc deficiency states may also contribute to the pathogenesis of the eruption in some cases. Most patients are diagnosed too late in the clinical course for cure, but successful palliation of symptomatology can usually be achieved with surgical and medical intervention. This paper reviews the glucagonoma syndrome, paying particular attention to its cutaneous features, and provides new perspectives in our current understanding of this phenomenon.
Variability of Expert Opinion in Treatment of Early-onset Scoliosis

Background In contrast with treatment recommendations for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, there are no clear algorithms for treating patients with early-onset scoliosis. There has been rapid expansion of treatment options for children with early-onset scoliosis, including casting, growth rods, the vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib, and anterior vertebral stapling.
Latina/Chicana feminist postcolonialities: un/tracking educational actors’ interventions

To imagine, theorize and participate in educational and community‐building practices in diverse societies is part and parcel of the de‐colonial project of un/tracking the movements of educational a...
Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita: A clinical investigation

Twenty-six patients with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita were studied. All had muscle wasting and congenital joint contractures in at least 2 body areas; none had evidence of progressive neurologic disease. Almost all patients examined had neuropathic electromyographic patterns. A significantly high birth order, elevated paternal age, and suggested high incidence of fetal wastage in other pregnancies of the mothers were also observed. Limited improvement of upper extremity function in these patients was generally possible by nonoperative methods. In the lower extremities, an aggressive approach, using a variety of surgical procedures, was usually successful in producing alignment and stability satisfactory for independent ambulation.
The relationship between the hyperplastic pancreatic islet and insulin insensitivity in obesity.

In summary, the present review provides evidence in support of the proposition that pancreatic islet cell hyperplasia precedes the development of insulin insensitivity in the obese mouse and, it is likely, that similar events occur in obese humans. Moreover, the hyperplastic pancreatic islet appears to be responsible for the development of insulin insensitivity, since suppression of the hyperplastic islet, by either alloxan or streptozotocin administration to the obese mouse, results in amelioration of insulin insensitivity in vivo. Since no change occurred in the degree of obesity or in adipocyte cell size or number, it is evident that insulin sensitivity is independent of obesity per se. Hence, although obesity and insulin insensitivity frequently co-exist, insulin insensitivity is independent of obesity and is due rather to the presence of pancreatic islet cell hyperplasia. Light and electron microscopy of the hyperplastic pancreatic islets of the obese mouse reveal increased numbers of A- B- and D-cells Islet suppression with ailoxan or streptozotocin results in the selective reduction of B-cells with preservation of A- and D-cells. Therefore, restoration of insulin sensitivity in the obese mouse fol/owing pancreatic islet cell suppression appears to be directly related to suppression of B-cell hypersecretion. Biochemical studies of muscle and adipose tissues from the obese mouse reveal profound insulin unresponsiveness without clear cut improvement in vitro following pancreatic islet cell suppression and restoration of insulin sensitivity in vivo. These data are consistent with a relatively modest reduction in the number of available insulin receptors upon these tissues in relation to the marked insulin resistance and imply an impairment of insulin action beyond the insulin receptor interaction [either transport or intracellular action(s)] as the major site(s) of insulin resistance in the muscle and adipose tissues of obese mice. Conversely, a reduction of insulin receptors upon hepatocytes of obese mice and their improvement following a reduction of B-cell hypersecretion support the proposition that the number of available insulin receptors may be the major site for the regulation of insulin action upon that tissue. Finally, evidence is presented which suggests that an inability of insulin to limit hepatic gluconeogenesis may be the predominant cause of insulin insensitivity in the obese mouse.
A survey of growth hormone secretion and action.

Abstract The many stimuli of HGH secretion have been considered, and the major aspects of HGH's actions briefly reviewed. We have advanced our reasons for believing that some actions attributed to HGH are basically pharmacologic. This applies, in particular, to the so-called “insulinlike” effects. A detailed examination of specific effects of HGH has been made in the light of this assumption. We have indicated that SF may mediate many of GH's effects, in particular, the effects of HGH on protein, collagen, and polysaccharide synthesis in cartilage, and possibly, HGH's anabolic effects in skeletal muscle. Clearly, one of the major problems confronting investigators is to delineate clearly which effects of HGH are direct, and which are mediated by a second factor. An allied and no less important problem is to determine which of these effects are physiologic and where in the human these effects occur. A basic understanding of the complex secretory mechanism for HGH seems much more advanced than progress in solving the latter problems.
Growth response of Anacystis nidulans to sodium and phosphate availability

The growth response of Anacystis nidulans to sodium and phosphate was studied in batch culture under controlled laboratory conditions. Sodium (range=0–10 mg/l) significantly enhanced growth, most notably, after sodium and phosphate starvation. The magnitude of the increase in growth was dependent on the initial cell density, external concentrations of phosphate, sodium, and potassium, and the nutritional status of the algal inoculum. The increase in ambient sodium levels in many lakes may provide a competitive advantage to some blue-green algae.
Micromechanics of films, fibrils and interfaces—an overview☆

Abstract Micromechanics may be defined as the structure-mechanical property relationship on the scale of micrometers. We review the present state of our understanding and especially new techniques that provide quantitative information concerning localized strain distributions and plastic deformation mechanisms. The mechanical strains that are produced in a film during growth are a result of the microstructure as well as of thermal expansion. Elastic stress distributions may be calculated but are incomplete without knowledge of the plastic flow. Strain profiles near film edges have been experimentally confirmed by X-ray topography and optical birefringence. Long-term mechanical stability will be governed by control of the stresses produced during growth and subsequent stabilization of the microstructure. Low temperature grain boundary transport is important. At higher temperatures bulk diffusion may be important with the various interfaces acting as sources and sinks. Changes in surface morphology after annealing have been identified. Recent developments in high strength films, the prevention of grain growth by modulating the structure, and the production of a specific microstructure for a desired optical property show that progress is possible. Only recently have tensile properties been accessible on a scale of micrometers. The stretching of thin film polymers produces microfibrils about 10 nm in diameter that determine the “hard elastic” properties in polyethylene and the craze phenomena in polystyrene. Stress-strain data with fibril counting from transmission electron microscopy indicate that the flow stress for polystyrene is about 15 MPa and the fibril elastic modulus is about 0.2 GPa.
A topological insulator surface under strong Coulomb, magnetic and disorder perturbations

Topological insulators embody a state of bulk matter characterized by spin-momentum-locked surface states that span the bulk bandgap. This highly unusual surface spin environment provides a rich ground for uncovering new phenomena. Understanding the response of a topological surface to strong Coulomb perturbations represents a frontier in discovering the interacting and emergent many-body physics of topological surfaces. Here we present the first controlled study of topological insulator surfaces under Coulomb and magnetic perturbations. We have used time-resolved deposition of iron, with a large Coulomb charge and significant magnetic moment, to systematically modify the topological spin structure of the Bi_2Se_3 surface. We observe that such perturbation leads to the creation of odd multiples of Dirac fermions and that magnetic interactions break time-reversal symmetry in the presence of band hybridizations. We present a theoretical model to account for the observed electron dynamics of the topological surface. Taken collectively, these results are a critical guide in controlling electron mobility and quantum behaviour of topological surfaces, not only for device applications but also in setting the stage for creating exotic particles such as axions or imaging monopoles on the surface.
Multimodal location estimation on Flickr videos

The following article describes an approach to determine the geo-coordinates of the recording place of Flickr videos based on both textual metadata and visual cues. The system is tested on the MediaEval 2010 Placing Task evaluation data, which consists of 5091 unfiltered test videos. The system presented in this article is less complex, uses less training data, and is at the same time more accurate than the best system presented in the evaluation in August 2010. The performance peaks at being able to classify 14% of the videos with less than 10m accuracy. The article describes the realization of the system, analyses of the different uses of multimodal cues and gazetteer information.
Differential sensitivity of reticulocytes to nicked and unnicked diphtheria toxin.

Abstract The effects of diphtheria toxin (DT) on rabbit reticulocytes were studied. Protein synthesis of the cells was inhibited at relatively high DT concentrations. Several drugs including metabolic inhibitors, nucleotides and amines blocked DT-induced toxicity in reticulocytes in a manner comparable to their known protective effects in other cell lines. This suggested that receptor-mediated binding and internalization of DT occurred in reticulocytes. Highly purified unnicked DT did not inhibit protein synthesis, while nicked toxin was effective. Treatment of the unnicked toxin with trypsin converted it into a potent form. It is hypothesized that reticulocytes lack the required toxin-activating (nicking) enzyme or that the putative enzyme is not located on or in the cell in a manner where it can interact with the toxin.
Material selection in product design subject to environmental taxation and environmentally conscious consumer buying behaviour

As society is increasingly aware of environmental pollutions generated from products, the impact of toxic waste to human and the ecosystem has also received attention. However, the focus on preventing such toxic pollutions from the very source of material selection in product design has yet to gain sufficient research effort. To meet this critical need, this paper studies decision-making in material selection concerning not only traditional cost and quality, but also the potential toxic impact throughout the product's life cycle. This research presents a novel approach to integrate concerns on product cost, quality and toxic impact in material selection process.