cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Persistent Reactive Thrombocytosis May Increase the Risk of Coronary Artery Disease Among Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients.

IBD patients are at increased risk of coronary artery disease in the absence of traditional risk factors. However, the disease-related risk factors remain poorly understood although increased inflammation seems to increase cardiovascular disease risk in IBD. Thrombocytes are involved in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease, and a subset of IBD patients have reactive thrombocytosis. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of persistent reactive thrombocytosis on the development of coronary artery disease in IBD. We evaluated a retrospective cohort of 2525 IBD patients who were evaluated at the Henry Ford hospital from 2000 to 2004. We performed a case–control study comparing patients with persistent thrombocytosis and patients without persistent thrombocytosis. Cases (n = 36) and controls (n = 72) were matched for age and gender. Coronary artery disease incidence was compared between the two groups. Cases (n = 36) and controls (n = 72) were matched for age and gender. Cases and controls were similar in age at onset of IBD (41.5 vs. 35.5, p value 0.11) and smoking status (33.3 vs. 27.8 %, p value 0.66). Persistent thrombocytosis was less common among Caucasian patients (44.44 vs. 62.5 %, p value 0.09) and more common in patients who had exposure to steroids during the study follow-up period. Coronary artery disease occurred in 13 (36.1 %) patients with persistent thrombocytosis compared to only seven (9.7 %) patients in the control group. Persistent reactive thrombocytosis among IBD patients is associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease. Further studies should characterize the clinical and molecular associations of this phenomenon and determine appropriate therapeutic measures.
Publishing Conversion Rates and Trends in Abstracts Presented at the American Association for Hand Surgery Annual Meeting: A Five-Year Review.

Background: Abstract presentation at scientific meetings grants attendees early access to innovation within the field, and ultimate journal publication serves as marker of research quality. This st...
The time for talk is over

It isn't enough to call climate change an emergency. We need to take emergency action as well, says Adam Vaughan
Semi-automated speckle-tracking for quantitative right ventricular assessment in children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND Assessment of right ventricular size and function is an important part of the clinical cardiac evaluation; however, these quantitative measures are challenging by echocardiography. Automated software could be useful in place of manual measurements and qualitative assessment. This study evaluates a semi-automated software by comparing automated to manual measures in normal children. METHODS Neonates to adolescents with normal echocardiograms were prospectively enrolled. Measurements were performed using manual techniques and semi-automated software (EchoInsight®, Epsilon Imaging, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America). Right ventricular measurements included end-diastolic and end-systolic area, fractional area change, chamber dimensions, and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion. Agreement between manual and semi-automated measures was compared. RESULTS Echocardiograms for 233 patients were included in the analysis. Intra- and inter-observer reliabilities for semi-automated measures were good with intraclass correlation coefficients all over 0.9 and 0.85, respectively. There was very strong correlation between manual and semi-automated methods for areas and dimensions (r = 0.93-0.99) and low bias (1.4-10.8%). For functional measures, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion measures correlated well (r = 0.84), but fractional area change did not (r = 0.50). Both demonstrated significant bias (33.5-43.0%). The semi-automated method consistently underestimated fractional area change with a mean of 26.6% versus a manual mean of 36.1%. CONCLUSIONS The semi-automated software is capable of generating quantitative right ventricular measures in children with good reliability. The software demonstrates very good correlation and low bias when compared to manual methods for right ventricular areas and dimensions. There is a significant difference between manual and semi-automated techniques for the functional measures.
Controversies Regarding the Interpretation of Follicular Thyroid Nodules.

Context.— Follicular nodules are the most common source of diagnostic difficulties in the practice of surgical pathology of the thyroid. This is due to a variety of factors, the most salient of whi...
Cytology of Kidney Tumors

Evaluation of kidney tumors by cytology and core needle biopsy is increasingly utilized in the evaluation of kidney tumors. An understanding of the morphologic characteristics as well as the limitations of cytologic assessment is important, especially in the context of newly described entities and ancillary testing. The cytologic characteristics of the most commonly encountered kidney tumors are described herein, with inclusion of the differential diagnosis, suggested ancillary tests, and immunoperoxidase studies.
The CLOUD Act: Creating Executive Branch Monopoly Over Cross-Border Data Access

This Note analyzes the Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data (CLOUD) Act, passed in March 2018. The CLOUD Act was designed to mitigate existing problems with cross-border data demands made by U.S. and foreign law enforcement. However, the Note argues that in doing so, the law gives the executive branch significant control over extraterritorial data access, which can lead to problems of due process and conflicts of values.
Peripheral Blood Flow Changes to Cutaneous and Muscular Beds in Response to Acute Hookah Smoking.

Hookah (waterpipe) smoking is a growing tobacco epidemic. Though perceived as a safer tobacco alternative, hookah smoke contains, in addition to tobacco combustion products, large amounts of charcoal combustion products—implicated in cardiovascular disease—from the burning charcoal used to heat the flavored tobacco. To date, little is known on the vascular effects of hookah smoking. The aim of this study was to characterize the peripheral circulatory response to acute hookah smoking in cutaneous and muscular beds. In 21 healthy young adult habitual hookah smokers who did not smoke cigarettes (age 24 ± 1 years, mean ± SE), we measured plasma nicotine, exhaled carbon monoxide, skin blood flow (laser Doppler velocimetry) and calf muscle blood flow (strain-gauge plethysmography) before and for up to 60 minutes after ad lib hookah smoking. In nine subjects, nonsmoking time-control studies were performed. Hookah smoking, which increased plasma nicotine by 5.8 ng/ml (from 0.6 ± 0.1 to 6.4 ± 1.3, p
4.14 – Esterases

Human plasma contains two esterases: butyrylcholinesterase and paraoxonase. In contrast to rodents, human plasma contains no carboxylesterase. Human red blood cells contain glycolipid-anchored acetylcholinesterase outside and esterase D inside the cells. The esterase activity of albumin is a half-reaction in which lysines are acylated by esters without turnover. Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is part of the high-density lipoprotein complex. Liver, lung, intestine, and other tissues contain a total of 31 esterases including four carboxylesterases, two paraoxonases, fourteen thioesterases, six lipases, two cholinesterases, one methylesterase, one platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase, and one sialate O-acetylesterase. Esterases detoxicate cocaine, organophosphorus pesticides, pyrethroid insecticides, nerve agents, succinylcholine, mivacurium, ritalin, aspirin, esmolol, and demerol. The prodrugs irinotecan, bambuterol, Tamiflu, trandolapril, imidapril, temocapril, and ciclesonide are converted into active drugs by esterases. Genetic variants of human butyrylcholinesterase, carboxylesterase, paraoxonase, and esterase D affect the metabolism of ester drugs. A mutation in human acetylcholinesterase that changes His322 to Asn has no effect on catalytic activity but does provide an epitope for antibody reactivity, making red blood cell acetylcholinesterase the YT2 blood group. Butyrylcholinesterase, acetylcholinesterase, carboxylesterase, and esterase D are characterized by a catalytic triad Ser-His-Glu (or Asp). Organophosphorus esters make a stable covalent bond with the active site serine, resulting in inhibition. The acute toxicity of organophosphorus pesticides and nerve agents is due to inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. The serine esterases have similar three-dimensional (3-D) alpha/beta hydrolase fold protein structures. Paraoxonase has a six-bladed beta propeller structure with two calcium ions in the active site cavity.
Automated Detection of Configured SDN Security Policies for ICS Networks

The deployment of a security on a network infrastructure requires the specification and enforcement of security policies that specify the allowed communication between devices on that network. However, there is a distinction between security policies and the technologies that implement those policies. There is also often a distinction between intended policy and deployed or configured policy. Therefore there is a need to confirm compliance between policy and reality in a network. This is especially true in industrial control systems where there is a lot of network infrastructure and special purpose devices which can not be scanned or analyzed using traditional cybersecurity tools. This work discusses the first steps of a project that automatically detects the security policy as implemented in the control rules of an SDN switch, deployed in an industrial control system network.
Intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions of 1,2,4-triazines. Synthesis of 3-alkylpyridines via Raney nickel desulfurization of thieno[2,3-b]pyridines

Abstract 2-Aryl-2,3-dihydrothieno[2,3-b]pyridines have been prepared via intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions of suitably 3-substituted 1,2,4-triazine intermediates, followed by their reductive desulfurization with Raney Nickel to form 3-substituted pyridines. A one-pot synthesis of 2-aryl-2,3-dihydrothieno[2,3-b]-pyridines from thiosemicarbazide is described as well.
A Hedonic Model with Rationing by Waiting

We propose a new class of hedonic models with sticky prices and queues. Time replaces money as the invisible hand in the market. Unlike money, time is non-transferable to the trading partner. We prove the existence and uniqueness of the equilibrium, and we compare our model with the standard hedonic model with free-market prices. Our model can be used to study the market equilibrium and welfare implications when the prices are regulated, which is beyond the scope of the classical hedonic analysis.
A homogenized large deformation constitutive model for high temperature oxidation in fiber-reinforced polymer composites

Abstract In the present work we develop a thermodynamically consistent, large deformation homogenized constitutive model to predict high-temperature oxidation in fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites (FRPMCs). The presence of fibers introduces anisotropy in the diffusion and the chemical reactions prevailing oxidation for these composite materials, resulting in heterogeneous shrinkage and stress distribution within the representative material volume. To model such behavior, we develop a homogenized approach considering a unidirectional composite RVE as a mixture of fibers and matrix, represented by the fiber volume fractions and their respective orientations. In what follows, we develop a coupled chemo-mechanical model to predict the oxidation response of this highly anisotropic composite material, based on an earlier developed multiphysics theory of bulk polymer’s oxidation. We numerically implement the proposed model in finite elements by writing a user element subroutine (UEL) in ABAQUS/Standard and perform various simulations in 2-D and 3-D composites RVE. The results demonstrate that the proposed model is capable of predicting several important characteristics of oxidation in fiber-reinforced composites, such as, preferential growth of oxide layer, heterogeneous distribution of residual stress, and the effect of fiber volume fraction on the oxidation process.
Airway exposure to polyethyleneimine nanoparticles induces type 2 immunity by a mechanism involving oxidative stress and atp release

Polyethyleneimine (PEI) induced immune responses were investigated in human bronchial epithelial (hBE) cells and mice. PEI rapidly induced ATP release from hBE cells and pretreatment with glutathione (GSH) blocked the response. PEI activated two conductive pathways, VDAC-1 and pannexin 1, which completely accounted for ATP efflux across the plasma membrane. Moreover, PEI increased intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), which was reduced by the pannexin 1 inhibitor, 10Panx (50 μM), the VDAC-1 inhibitor, DIDS (100 μM), and was nearly abolished by pretreatment with GSH (5 mM). The increase in [Ca2+]i involved Ca2+ uptake through two pathways, one blocked by oxidized ATP (oATP, 300 μM) and another that was blocked by the TRPV-1 antagonist A784168 (100 nM). PEI stimulation also increased IL-33 mRNA expression and protein secretion. In vivo experiments showed that acute (4.5 h) PEI exposure stimulated secretion of Th2 cytokines (IL-5 and IL-13) into bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. Conjugation of PEI with ovalbumin also induced eosinophil recruitment and secretion of IL-5 and IL-13 into BAL fluid, which was inhibited in IL-33 receptor (ST2) deficient mice. In conclusion, PEI-induced oxidative stress stimulated type 2 immune responses by activating ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake leading to IL-33 secretion, similar to allergens derived from Alternaria.
Book Review- Just Queer Folks: Gender and Sexuality in Rural America by Colin R. Johnson

This is a book review of Colin Johnson's Just Queer Folks: Gender and Sexuality in Rural America.
Uncooled lasers for datacom and telecom applications

Optical communication systems- operating at 10 Gbit/s require transceivers of low cost, size and power consumption, driving a "hot" source solution. Direct modulated uncooled DFB lasers and high temperature EAM sources are the requested sources.
Effects of pretreatment, reaction, and promoter on microphase structure and Fischer-Tropsch activity of precipitated iron catalysts

Abstract Effects of pretreatment in CO and reaction in CO/H2 at different pressures and of silica addition on the microphase structure and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis activity of precipitated iron catalysts were studied. During pretreatment in CO and reaction in CO/H2 precipitated iron undergoes a series transformation of Fe2O3 to Fe3O4 to Fe5C2 (χ-carbide). During reaction at high conversions some of the iron carbide (Fe5C2) is oxidized back to Fe3O4. Following 24-h pretreatment in CO (24 h) or pretreatment in CO and reaction in H2/CO (24 h each) Fe5C2 is the only iron carbide observed. The extent of reduction of Fe2O3 to Fe3O4 and of Fe3O4 to Fe5C2 is greater during pretreatment at a higher CO partial pressure, while the rate of oxidation of Fe5C2 to Fe3O4 increases with increasing partial pressures of CO2 and H2O. Increasing temperature favors oxidation of Fe5C2 to Fe3O4, while addition of silica lowers the tendency to oxidize. Higher catalyst activity is linked to higher surface area, higher potassium content and resistance to carbide oxidation.
Abstract 12228: Transfemoral Aortic Implantation of Repositionable and Retrievable Foldavalve: A Proof of Concept in Animals

Introduction: Transcatheter therapies for severe aortic stenosis have progressed rapidly over the past several years. However, as the indications for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) expand, technological challenges still exist. One major challenge is to minimize the size of the delivery catheters to reduce vascular trauma, while maintaining features such as repositionability and retrievability. Here we describe the proof of concept study for totally repositionable and retrievable valve with a 14Fr delivery system expandable to 25mm, FOLDAVALVE (Figure 1). Methods: FOLDAVALVE was successfully implanted in a short term ovine model at Institut Mutualiste Montsouris in Paris. Results: Successful implantation was achieved in 3 sheep from a femoral approach. Implantation was preceded by repositioning and retrieval into the delivery system. Figure 2 illustrates the smooth transition of the valve over the aortic arch followed by seamless delivery into the native ovine aortic position. After full valve deployment and imaging, the animals were sacrificed and gross inspections revealed good anatomic positioning. Conclusions: Here we report the successful implantation of FOLDAVALVE in the aortic position of an ovine model. Reducing the size of transcatheter valve delivery sheaths while maintaining optimal features, such as repositionability and retrievability, is critical for the continued development and expansion of indications of TAVR. FOLDAVALVE is a new promising technology that spares the leaflet from being crunched during delivery and has been shown to be feasible in preclinical studies for transfemoral aortic valve implantation.
Inhibition of glycolysis of mammalian cells by misonidazole and other radiosensitizing drugs: Prevention by thiols

Abstract Prolonged anaerobic incubation of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells and Chinese hamster V79–379A cells with misonidazole, desmethylmisonidazole, or niridazole led to inhibition of both glucose consumption and lactate formation. This effect was measured in cells washed free of the nitro compounds and resuspended in fresh buffer or medium. The degree of inhibition of glucose utilization was related to drug concentration, and to the rate of metabolic reduction, as measured under aerobic conditions by KCN-insensitive oxygen consumption. Misonidazole-induced inhibition of glycolysis developed concurrently with depletion of intracellular non-protein thiol (NPSH) and was protected against by the presence of cysteamine, cysteine and, to some extent, GSH in the cell incubate. These findings suggest reaction of reduced drug intermediates with thiol-containing enzymes. The glutathione-reactive agent diethyl maleate was used to deplete 90% of the endogenous NPSH, but this depletion did not alter the effects of misonidazole on glycolysis.
Transforming growth factor β—at the centre of systemic sclerosis

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), a key component in altered vascular and connective tissue homeostasis, is often linked with the pathogenesis of fibrotic diseases such as systemic sclerosis (SSc). In this Review, Lafyatis highlights the known mechanisms of in situ TGF-β activation and summarizes the evidence that place TGF-β at the centre of SSc pathogenesis.
Performance Analysis of Packet Encapsulation and Aggregation

In an attempt to increase data throughput, many modern data transmission protocols provide capabilities for aggregating transmitted data fragments into larger packets at the time of encapsulation in a particular OSI layer. The decision and ability to aggregate packets into a single frame can have significant impact on the performance of the communication system. The impact can be even more substantial when the system operates under a heavy load. In this paper, we present a queuing model which describes a packet encapsulation and aggregation process. We assume Poisson arrivals and phase-type service time distributions for the transmitted packets. Using the proposed queuing model, we provide analysis of the end-to-end delay of a packet transmitted by the system. We verify analytical results with a simulation model of the system. Based on results of experiments with the analytical model, we provide the maximum number of packets in a single frame for which packet aggregation minimizes the average total delay of a packet for various system loads and sizes of the packet header. It is numerically shown that when the load is high, the higher the variability of the packet service time, the higher the maximum allowed number of packets in the frame should be to achieve the minimum average total packet delay. On the other hand, the impact of the variability of the packet service time is insignificant when the system load is moderate or low.
The Five Stages of Law Review Submission

"The Five Stages of Law Review Submissions," is a humorous look at the law review submissions process from the author's perspective. My colleague Miriam Cherry and I suggest that the process of submitting to law reviews tracks Elisabeth Kubler-Ross's "five stages of grief."
Managed Coastal Retreat: A Legal Handbook on Shifting Development Away from Vulnerable Areas

Climate change will change the way we live. No longer will the environment be a static condition, a certainty upon which other variables depend. Rather, it will be a variable itself, and it will make us plan for the future like never before. Already we are beginning to see the effects of change along our coasts. Rising seas and more frequent hurricanes present a dynamic environment that threatens infrastructure long thought to be safe. Our cities are ill-prepared for the dangers of the next century. Fiscally, we are spending more and more to repair the damage. Long-term planning that accounts for climate change is needed to ensure that money spent today will reduce our future risk.We have the opportunity to not only build resilience today but also prepare for the future, to build the infrastructure that will be the foundation for our cities in the next century. This will require innovation and new technologies. It will also require tough decisions. Some areas will be too vulnerable, despite our best efforts to hold back the sea. Infrastructure and homes will need to be moved away from the threat and the shore opened up to the public. The political obstacles to this strategy will be severe in many places, but consideration of them should begin now.Numerous legal tools already exist to assist federal, state, and local governments in conducting managed retreat away from the most vulnerable coasts. Scattered publications, toolkits, and websites describe a broad range of legal, policy, and regulatory tools. These tools have, with little fanfare, been used by communities around the United States to implement managed retreat. This Handbook collects examples, case studies, and lessons learned from some of these early innovators in the hope that their lessons can inform future efforts to limit the exposure of our communities to coastal threats. The key legal issues raised by these examples are also discussed.The Handbook is organized into five sections. Each describes a potential tool, provides examples and information, and then present the lessons learned for that tool. The tools described herein are not the only tools that can or should be used. In fact, significant innovation will likely be needed to address the novel challenges posed by climate change. The tools presented here are simply a selection of those that have been implemented and that can inform future actions.
Function of a Heterologous Muscarinic Receptor in T Cell Antigen Receptor Signal Transduction Mutants

Previously we have described a system of somatic cell genetics (J.CaM1 and J.CaM2) for analyzing signal transduction via the T cell antigen receptor complex (CD3/Ti). Here we describe a third mutant, J.CaM3, which also expresses high levels of receptors that are functionally impaired. Like J.CaM1, J.CaM3 demonstrates partial signal transduction via CD3/Ti to only certain stimuli. J.CaM1, J.CaM2, and J.CaM3 define three non-Ti complementation groups involved in receptor function. To evaluate the mutations further we have introduced a heterologous receptor, the human muscarinic receptor 1 (HM1), into the parental Jurkat and mutant cell lines. This receptor demonstrates signal transduction competence in all these hosts, indicating that 1) T cells express the necessary apparatus for the coupling of HM1 to second messenger generation and 2) the mutations in the J. CaM family all affect molecules that are specific to CD3/Ti, and not HM1, function. Finally, the HM1 receptor exhibits partial sensitivity to cholera toxin in Jurkat cells, in contrast to the virtually complete sensitivity of CD3/Ti to cholera toxin.
Charge transfer in spinel Co3O4 at high pressures.

Charge transfer in cobalt oxide Co3O4 in the spinel structure is evidenced by experimental results using x-ray diffraction (XRD), x-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy, and Raman scattering at high pressures up to 42.1, 24.6 and 35.1 GPa, respectively. While the cubic structure was found to persist under pressure up to 42.1 GPa based on the XRD and Raman results, the mode Gruneisen parameter was calculated according to our Raman measurements. Our structural data refinement revealed a structural transition from the normal spinel structure at low pressures to a partially inverse spinel structure at pressures above 17.7 GPa. This transition may be caused by the interaction of charges between tetrahedral and octahedral sites via a charge transfer process. Evidence for the charge transfer process is further supported by changes of the pre-edge features in the XANES data.
Elevation of serum urea nitrogen in hypothyroidism.

Four of 20 patients with hypothyroidism had elevated SUN or NPN values and three of these four were less than 2 years of age. Nine of the patients had elevated cholesterol values and eight of these nine were older than 2 years of age. Only two of the patients had both values elevated. SUN or NPN values at the upper limit of normal were found in four additional patients and were associated with an elevated cholesterol value in two. All of the patients with elevated SUN or NPN values and seven of the nine patients with elevated cholesterol values had corrected T4 values of 0.9 µg/100 ml or less.
The autistic brain in the context of normal neurodevelopment.

The etiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is complex and largely unclear. Among various lines of inquiry, many have suggested convergence onto disruptions in both neural circuitry and immune regulation/glial cell function pathways. However, the interpretation of the relationship between these two putative mechanisms has largely focused on the role of exogenous factors and insults, such as maternal infection, in generating activating immune pathways that in turn result in neural network abnormalities. Yet, given recent insights in our understanding of human neurodevelopment, and in particular the critical role of glia and the immune system in normal brain development, it is important to consider these putative pathological processes in their appropriate normal neurodevelopmental context. In this review, we explore the hypothesis that the autistic brain cellular phenotype likely represents intrinsic abnormalities of glial/immune processes constitutively operant in normal brain development that result in the observed neural network dysfunction. We review recent studies demonstrating the intercalated role of neural circuit development, the immune system, and glial cells in the normal developing brain, an integrate them with studies demonstrating pathological alterations in these processes in autism. By discussing known abnormalities in the autistic brain in the context of normal brain development, we explore the hypothesis that the glial/immune component of ASD may instead be related to intrinsic exaggerated/abnormal constitutive neurodevelopmental processes such as network pruning. Moreover, this hypothesis may be relevant to other neurodevelopmental disorders that share genetic, pathologic, and clinical features with autism.
Dose-dependent effects of the D3-preferring agonist 7-OH-DPAT on motor behaviors and place conditioning

Dose-dependent effects of 7-OH-DPAT on several behaviors, including place preference, were assessed. Three 2-day conditioning trials were conducted. On 1 day, animals received an injection of one of eight doses of 7-OH-DPAT (0–5 mg/kg) and were placed into a distinct compartment for 40 min. On the other day, animals received an injection of saline and were placed into a different compartment for 40 min. Locomotion, sniffing, and yawning were measured following the first and last injection of 7-OH-DPAT. Place conditioning was assessed on the day following the last trial. 7-OH-DPAT produced a U-shaped dose-dependent change in locomotion and sniffing, and an inverted U-shaped dose-dependent change in yawning. Additionally, repeated administration of 0.1 mg/kg sensitized yawning, whereas 5 mg/kg sensitized locomotion. None of the doses of 7-OH-DPAT produced conditioned place preference, however, there was a trend for conditioned place aversion at 0.03 mg/kg. By contrast, LiCl (127 mg/kg) produced conditioned place aversion and amphetamine (1 mg/kg) produced conditioned place preference using the same conditioning parameters. A subsequent experiment in which the number of animals and conditioning trials were increased demonstrated that the 0.03 mg/kg dose of 7-OH-DPAT produced conditioned place aversion. 7-OH-DPAT has a higher affinity for D3 receptors relative to D2 receptors. Therefore, it is suggested that intermediate doses (0.01–0.1 mg/kg) that increase yawning, and decrease locomotion and sniffing, may preferentially occupy D3 receptors. Furthermore, the results suggest that these putative D3-preferring doses have weak aversive effects.
An alternative to social learning theory: Discussion of papers by Whitehurst, Zimmerman, and Brody

Abstract Social learning theory, in explaining cognitive development, fails to account for rule invariance in the face of capricious and informationally impoverished experience, offers no explanatory mechanism for the process by which systems of abstract rules are acquired, and offers less flexibility than alternative explanations based on operations and reflective abstraction.
Acute increase in responsiveness of luteinizing hormone (LH)-releasing hormone nerve terminals to neuropeptide-Y stimulation before the preovulatory LH surge

Neuropeptide-Y (NPY) neurons regulate LH secretion in part through facilitation of LHRH release. We tested the hypothesis that responsiveness of LHRH neurons to NPY's facilitatory actions is physiologically regulated during the estrous cycle, and specifically, that it may be increased as a component of the gonadotropin surge-generating process. A dynamic superfusion paradigm was used to examine the role of cycle stage and time of day on LHRH responsiveness to NPY stimulation, using median eminence tissue from animals killed at 0900, 1400, and 1800 h on metestrus and proestrus. Tissue obtained at 0900 and 1800 h on metestrus did not exhibit significant LHRH responses to 10(-7) M NPY, and only moderate responses were seen at 1400 h on metestrus and 0900 h on proestrus. At 1400 h on proestrus, however, median eminence responsiveness to the same concentration of NPY was significantly increased, with LHRH responses to NPY being 2- to 5-fold greater than those at 0900 (P < 0.01), 1400 (P < 0.05), and 1800 h on ...
Machine recognition of handwritten words: A project report

Abstract A project beginning with publication of the author's book Recognition in 1965 has resulted in a cursive script recognition program which has correctly identified 79 per cent of a test sample of 84 words. This program makes no use of information about sequence of stroke inscription, and segments the cursive line as part of the recognition procedure. It thus compares favorably in performance level with previously reported programs appropriately “normalized”, while not requiring input pertaining to stroke sequence and stroke segmentation that is essential to these other programs.
Lymphatic vessel density as prognostic marker in esophageal adenocarcinoma.

We studied tumor lymphatic vascular density (LVD) as a predictive marker for the risk of lymph node (LN) metastasis and its relationship to other prognostic parameters and survival in 75 patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma. Samples were immunostained for D2-40, CD31, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Microvessels were counted in densely vascular/lymphatic foci (hot spots) at ×400 field (0.17 mm2). Intensity of staining for VEGF was scored on a 2-tiered scale. CD31 microvessel counts showed significant correlation with tumor stage and patient survival ( P < .01). D2-40 LVD demonstrated a significant correlation with LN metastases, lymphovascular invasion, and tumor stage ( r = 0.45, r = 0.47, and r = 0.37, respectively) and with shorter disease-free survival. D2-40 detected lymphovascular invasion in 29 of 75 cases, more than with CD31 (23/75) and H&E (18/75). VEGF was expressed in 48 (64%) of 75 cases and was significantly correlated with lymphovascular invasion, LN metastases, and overall survival. Our study showed that angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis have important roles in the progression of esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Pineal Cyst: A Review of Clinical and Radiological Features

Pineal cysts (PCs) are benign and often asymptomatic lesions of the pineal region that are typically small and do not change in size over time. PCs appear as small, well circumscribed, unilocular masses that either reside within or completely replace the pineal gland. This article reviews and discusses the characteristic features of PCs-clinical, histological, and identifiable by various imaging modalities-which assist clinicians in narrowing the differential diagnosis for pineal lesions.
The classification and assessment of pain

One of the most challenging and perplexing issues facing researchers and practitioners who study and treat pain are the basic ones of how best to define, evaluate, measure, and classify it. Many instruments for assessing and classifying pain have been propagated. Unfortunately, for many years, the dualistic approach that pain is primarily either owing to physical or psychological factors has influenced how pain is conceptualized as a medical entity. Newer classification systems including that developed by the International Association for the Study of Pain and diagnoses (e.g. Pain Disorder in DSM-IV) recognize the complex nature of pain.
TRAUMATIC URETERAL INJURIES: A SINGLE INSTITUTION EXPERIENCE VALIDATING THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE SURGERY OF TRAUMA-ORGAN INJURY SCALE GRADING SCALE

ABSTRACT Purpose: Ureteral injuries are uncommon and challenging. In this study we report our institutional experience with ureteral injuries. We evaluated the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma-Organ Injury Scale (AAST-OIS) for ureteral injuries as a predictor of outcomes for complexity of repair, morbidity, mortality and associated injuries. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective, 120-month study (January 1992 to December 2002) at an urban, level I trauma center. Results: In the 57 patients mean hospital Admission blood pressure ± SD was 115 ± 25 mm Hg, mean Revised Trauma Score was 7.38 ± 0.84 and mean Injury Severity Score was 15 ± 1.15. The mechanism of injury was penetrating in 55 cases (96.5%), including gunshot wound in 52 (54.5%) and stab wound in 2 (5.5%), and in blunt 2 of motor vehicle accidents (3.5%). The anatomical location was the left side in 33 cases (58%), right side in 23 (40%) and bilateral in 1 (2%). The distribution of injuries was proximal in 15 cases (26%), mid in 21 (37%) and distal in 21 (37%). Associated injuries were present in 56 patients (98%). An intraoperative diagnosis was made in 44 cases (77%). Of the patients 50 (88%) required complex repairs or an adjunct procedure, including a double pigtail stent in 33 (58%), ureteroureterostomy in 20 (35%), ureteroneocystostomy with a psoas hitch in 10 (18%), external diversion in 9 (16%), suprapubic cystostomy in 8 (14%), nephrostomy in 2 (3.5%), nephrectomy in 2 (3.5%) and ligation in 2 (3.5%). Injury grade was I to V in 5 (8%), 8 (13%), 13 (22.8%), 18 (31.6%) and 13 (22.8%) cases, respectively. Overall 51 patients (89%) survived. No deaths were related to ureteral injury. Renal salvage was achieved in 49 of the 51 surviving patients (96%). Conclusions: Ureteral injuries are uncommon. The complexity of repair and number of associated injuries increase with AAST-OIS injury grade. Mortality increases with AAST-OIS injury grade but it is not related to the ureteral injury. Excellent results can be achieved with complex techniques of primary repair, leading to renal salvage.
Orthopaedic management improves the rate of early osteoporosis treatment after hip fracture. A randomized clinical trial.

ABSTRACTBackground:Although osteoporosis is strongly associated with hip fractures, the initiation of osteoporosis treatment following hip fractures occurs at surprisingly low rates of between 5% and 30%. Currently, most patients receiving treatment have been referred back to their primary care phys
On time optimal solutions of the firing squad synchronization problem for two-dimensional paths

The firing squad synchronization problem for two-dimensional paths (2-Path FSSP, for short) is a variation of the firing squad synchronization problem where finite automata are placed along a path in the two-dimensional array space. Whether 2-Path FSSP has a time optimal solution or not is an open problem. We introduce a combinatorial problem which we call the two-dimensional path extension problem (2-PEP, for short), and show that if 2-Path FSSP has a time optimal solution then 2-PEP has a polynomial time algorithm. The computational complexity of 2-PEP is not well understood and the exhaustive search requiring exponential time is the only algorithm we know for it at present.
Light Cone wavefunction approach to open heavy flavor dynamics in the QGP

Abstract We elucidate the role of time scales that determine heavy quark dynamics in the QGP. Quark-antiquark potentials extracted from the lattice are used to demonstrate the existence of open heavy flavor bound-state solutions in the vicinity of the critical temperature, and their light cone wavefunctions are obtained. We use these wavefunctions to calculate the in-medium modification of the heavy quark distribution and decay probabilities. For the case of high p T D or B mesons traversing the QGP, we combine the new meson formation and dissociation mechanism with the traditional parton-level charm and beauty quark quenching to obtain predictions for the heavy meson and non-photonic electron suppression in Cu+Cu and Pb+Pb collisions at RHIC and the LHC, respectively.
Scientists Outline Volcanic Ash Risks to Aviation

[1] The ash clouds that belched out of Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano last spring and dispersed over much of Europe, temporarily paralyzing aviation, were vast smoke signal warnings about the hazard that volcanic ash poses for air traffic around the world. At a 15 December news briefing at the AGU Fall Meeting in San Francisco, two experts with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) presented an overview of the damage airplanes can sustain from rock fragment– and mineral fragment–laden ash, an update on efforts to mitigate the hazard of ash, and an outline of further measures that are needed to address the problem. Between 1953 and 2009, there were 129 reported encounters of aircraft with volcanic ash clouds, according to a newly released USGS document cited at the briefing. The report, “Encounters of aircraft with volcanic ash clouds: A compilation of known incidents, 1953–2009,” by Marianne Guffanti, Thomas Casadevall, and Karin Budding, indicates that 26 encounters involved significant damage to the airplanes; nine of those incidents resulted in engine shutdown during flight. The report, which does not focus on the effects on airplanes of cumulative exposure to dilute ash and does not include data since 2009, indicates that “ash clouds continue to pose substantial risks to safe and efficient air travel globally.”
Self-Assembled Monolayer Films from Liquid and Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

We report the formation of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold substrates by exposure to n-alkanethiols [CH3(CH2)n-1SH; n = 8, 10, 12, 16, and 18] in liquid and supercritical carbon dioxide. The results of this novel study show that an environmentally friendly solvent can be used to form highly crystalline SAMs with few gauche defects and that pressure as well as exposure time can be used to affect the structural and barrier properties of the monolayer film. Reflectance infrared spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and wetting measurements were used to characterize the SAMs. The effects of pressure (76−300 bar) and adsorption time (3−90 min) on the formation of the SAMs were explored. The overall chain density of these SAMs was greater than that for SAMs formed in common organic solvents such as ethanol. The properties of the SAMs were slightly affected by the pressure during formation. At 35 °C, as the carbon dioxide pressure increased (from 76 to about 140 bar), the packing density...
Material corrosion in a reactor containment sump following a loss-of-coolant accident

Abstract The present study conducts a critical review of relevant research that pertains to Generic Safety Issue 191 (GSI-191) and the chemistry and corrosion behavior of the various materials present in the containment sump of a pressurized water reactor (PWR). Thermodynamic simulations, integrated tests, and benchtop tests have determined the structure of the potential precipitates that may clog the sump strainer and cause a failure of the emergency core cooling system (ECCS). Based on this research, it was determined that the available research has been insufficient in terms of simulating the transient temperature behavior in the containment sump in the post loss-of-coolant environment. Research gaps are identified, and recommendations for future research are presented.
Effect of Exhaustive Ejaculation on Composition of Bovine Semen

Summary To obtain information on the nature of sperm and of the glandular fluids produced through exhaustive ejaculation, normal, infertile, or bilaterally vasoligated bulls of various breeds were subjected to exhaustive semen collection by artificial vagina (AV) service, electroejaculation, or a combination of these. Electric stimulation was applied at approximately 3-min intervals. Collections were made during periods of less than 3 hr, and quantities of seminal fluid between 85 and 225 ml were obtained. Fructose, nitrogen, and sperm concentration in the ejaculates were correlated, whereas pH was inversely related to these components. Free amino acid and protein patterns were normal in intact and infertile bulls during early ejaculates, but became distinctly abnormal as exhaustion was approached. In an infertile bull, abnormal sperm of the secondary type decreased as primary abnormalities increased. The percentage of sperm showing no affinity for nigrosin-eosin vital stain (presumably live sperm) increased during exhaustive ejaculation.
LAND DEVELOPMENT, REGULATION THEORY, AND THE REGIONAL ECONOMY IN SOUTH CHINA

Abstract Based on trends in land development and real estate speculation in coastal south China, this paper assesses the contradictions in China's evolving land use regime from the perspective of regulation theory. During 1987–1997, from the first sale of land use rights to the national moratorium on arable land conversion, land use transformations exceeded state guidelines and were of ten implemented informally. Regulation theory, in its emphasis on the social embeddedness of economic activity, informs the contradictions between plan and practice by focusing analysis on local and regional characteristics of the evolving land use regime. The paper treats large-scale land use transformations as ‘spatial surfaces of regulatory regimes’ to ground the theoretical analysis.
Abnormal Findings on Routine Upper GI Series following Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

The use of postoperative upper GI series (UGIS) after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP) varies among bariatric surgeons. The authors describe the findings and impact of UGIS after LRYGBP. From July 2003 to January 2006, 487 patients undergoing primary LRYGBP at a single academic institution had a single-contrast Gastrografin® UGIS performed on the first postoperative day, without complication. Patient and operative demographics were: mean age 43 years, mean BMI 47 kg/m2, female 84%, and laparoscopic 100%. Of the 487 patients, the UGIS revealed 14 (2.9%) major and 88 (15.2%) minor abnormalities. Among the majorUGIS abnormalities, 6 (1.2%) demonstrated a gastrojejunal anastomotic (GJA) leak, 8 (1.4%) confirmed complete obstruction at the GJA, and 1 (0.2%) disclosed a communication with the bypassed stomach. For the minor UGIS abnormalities, 45 (9.2%) displayed significant delay in contrast passage through the GJA, 23 (5.0%) had evidence of dilated loops of small and/or large bowel, and 6 (1.2%) verified miscellaneous abnormal findings (malrotation, lower esophageal dysmotility, jejunal clots). Patients with UGIS abnormalities necessitated additional procedures, delayed oral intake and/or longer length of stay (LOS). UGIS on postoperative day 1 is a useful means of evaluating postoperative LRYGBP anatomy and influenced postoperative care.
Historical tide gauge data and sediment cores put Hurricane Sandy in context

Historical tide gauge data and sediment cores put Hurricane Sandy in context Several studies that put the recent devastating Hurricane Sandy in context were reported on 5 November at the annual meeting of the Geological Society of America in Charlotte, N. C. Stefan Talke of Portland State University explained that old tide gauge data that he and colleagues have been digitizing show that Sandy was the largest hurricane to hit New York in more than 100 years. Compared to the 1893 storm that was the largest in their records, “Hurricane Sandy was much larger, probably about twice as large, in terms of storm surge,” he said. Their study is part of an effort to determine whether sea level rise is accelerating.
The effect of localized gastric hypothermia on gastric secretion in dogs.

The effect of localized hypothermia on gastric secretion was studied in dogs with gastrostomies and vagally innervated and denervated pouches.
Polite plurals and adjective agreement

When an agreement controller such as a subject NP is a hybrid of contrasting syntactic and semantic features, the choice of syntactic versus semantic agreement depends on both the type of agreement target and the type of agreement controller. Two types of controller are contrasted: hybrid pronouns such as polite uses of the second person plural to refer to one addressee; and hybrid common nouns such as plurale tante. In some languages the pronoun type triggers singular on a predicate adjective and plural on the verb, while the common noun type triggers plural on both adjectives and verbs. The former pattern is explained in terms of underspecification of the pronoun: it is unspecified for the Concord number feature, to which adjectives are sensitive; but it carries a number feature on its referential Index, to which finite verbs are sensitive. An Agreement Marking Principle is proposed, according to which an agreement target checks the trigger for a syntactic phi feature, assigning that feature’s semantic interpretation to the trigger denotation if no syntactic feature is found.
The identity of the fossil ducks described from Australia by C.W. De Vis

The type material of the nine species of fossil ducks described from Australia by C. W. De Vis was restudied and lectotypes designated for all species based on series. No valid extinct species were represented. Nyroca robusta is a synonym of Anas superciliosa. Nyroca reclusa and Anas elapsa are synonyms of Aythya australis. Nyroca effodiata is a synonym of 'Leucosarcia proevisa' De Vis and is not a duck at all. Anus strenua, Anas gracilipes and Nettapus eyrensis are synonyms of Anas castanea, which species evidently had a wider range in the late Pleistocene than at present. Dendrocygna validipinnis and Biziura exhumata are synonyms of Biziura lobata, although the Plio-Pleistocene form may have been slightly smaller, in which case it would be known as Biziura lobata validipinnis.