cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Probabilistic Causality and Its Applications to Risk Analysis

Causal notions play an integral role in almost every facet of the risk analysis profession. In particular, risk analysts are typically interested in two types of causal relations. In the first type, the objective is to determine the tendency of one event to cause another. In the second type, the objective is to determine which cause, among a set of potential causes, is the most dominant contributor to an observed effect. This paper examines various theories of probabilistic causation, with particular emphasis on Patrick Suppes’ theory. The potential relevance of probabilistic causality to various risk analysis applications is then considered.
Higher-moment buffered probability

In stochastic optimization, probabilities naturally arise as cost functionals and chance constraints. Unfortunately, these functions are difficult to handle both theoretically and computationally. The buffered probability of failure and its subsequent extensions were developed as numerically tractable, conservative surrogates for probabilistic computations. In this manuscript, we introduce the higher-moment buffered probability. Whereas the buffered probability is defined using the conditional value-at-risk, the higher-moment buffered probability is defined using higher-moment coherent risk measures. In this way, the higher-moment buffered probability encodes information about the magnitude of tail moments, not simply the tail average. We prove that the higher-moment buffered probability is closed, monotonic, quasi-convex and can be computed by solving a smooth one-dimensional convex optimization problem. These properties enable smooth reformulations of both higher-moment buffered probability cost functionals and constraints.
Engineered Fibrous Networks To Investigate the Influence of Fiber Mechanics on Myofibroblast Differentiation

Tissue fibrosis is a leading cause of mortality and is characterized by excessive protein deposition and altered tissue mechanical properties. In pathological fibrosis, as well as cancer related fibrosis, tissue pericytes and fibroblasts transition from a quiescent to a myofibroblastic phenotype. In vitro models are needed to better understand how these cells are influenced by their local microenvironment. Here, we developed a fibrous network platform to mimic the structure of the extracellular matrix, where fibers consist of cross-linked hyaluronic acid hydrogels with controlled cross-link density and mechanical properties. As a model myofibroblast precursor, primary hepatic stellate cells were seeded onto fibers with either low (soft) or high (stiff) cross-link density, either directly after isolation (quiescent) or following preculture on tissue culture plates (activated). In general, both quiescent and activated cells showed an increase in spreading, alpha smooth muscle actin expression, and the forma...
Abstract P318: Prevalence and Trends of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Prediabetes Among Community-Dwelling Heart Failure Patients in the U.S. 2005-2016: A National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) Analysis

Introduction: Recent scientific statements highlight the importance of understanding the effects of the coexistence of heart failure (HF) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on disease management d...
Lower bounds in multiple testing: A framework based on derandomized proxies

The large bulk of work in multiple testing has focused on specifying procedures that control the false discovery rate (FDR), with relatively less attention being paid to the corresponding Type II error known as the false non-discovery rate (FNR). A line of more recent work in multiple testing has begun to investigate the tradeoffs between the FDR and FNR and to provide lower bounds on the performance of procedures that depend on the model structure. Lacking thus far, however, has been a general approach to obtaining lower bounds for a broad class of models. This paper introduces an analysis strategy based on derandomization, illustrated by applications to various concrete models. Our main result is meta-theorem that gives a general recipe for obtaining lower bounds on the combination of FDR and FNR. We illustrate this meta-theorem by deriving explicit bounds for several models, including instances with dependence, scale-transformed alternatives, and non-Gaussian-like distributions. We provide numerical simulations of some of these lower bounds, and show a close relation to the actual performance of the Benjamini-Hochberg (BH) algorithm.
Overcoming Informational Barriers to International Resource Allocation: Prices and Ties*

Author(s): Rauch, J E; Casella, Alessandra | Abstract: Incomplete information in the international market creates difficulty in matching agents with productive opportunities and interferes with the ability of prices to allocate scarce resources across countries. Ties through international information-sharing networks or parent-subsidiary relationships overcome this matching friciton. When the difference between country factor-endowment ratios is small relative to the share of agents that is tied, efficient arbitrage and the standard properties of neoclassical trade models prevail. When the difference between factor-endowment ratios is sufficiently large, this equilibrium breaks down and countries become partially insulated from each other in the sense that the price (wage) of each country's immobile resource is more sensitive to changes in domestic than foreign supply and trade liberalization causes less convergence in relative resource prices. The model is applied to the debate over the impact of international trade on domestic wages, and extended to address whether ties can reduce world welfare through trade diversion and to compare the effect of ties on trade in differentiated versus homogenous products.
Nonlinear PCB Compensation Based on Intel® HD graphics for Manufacturing Processing

Printed Circuit Board (PCB) has the situation of expansion or shrinkage in the manufacturing processing. Moreover, the circuit is more complicated and the line width/spacing is more precise, so that the circuit file becomes very large. Traditionally, four-point registration holes and sub- block are used for the bilinear compensation. Although the traditional methods can be quickly compensated, it cannot enhance the precision. In contrast, using the polynomial compensation can have good precision but time consuming. Moreover, considering the IPC (Industrial Personal Computer) heat dissipation and cost issues, GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) card is rarely used at the factory. In present, Intel CPU contains the Intel® HD graphics which is implemented the bilinear technology by OpenGL texture mapping. Therefore, this paper proposed the polynomial texture mapping algorithm by OpenGL, which calculated the nonlinear straight trace according to the registration holes. The non-uniform interpolation control points are generated by using the slope relationship of the registration holes. Finally, using Intel® HD graphics on multiple IPCs, multi-thread division processing and pipeline processing which can improve the precision of PCB compensation and save the computing time. The experimental results show the proposed method has the smallest XOR (Exclusive-OR) value at the 2.5um resolution and 1um resolution. Meanwhile, the computing time can still maintain 1.749 seconds at the 2.5um resolution and 9.588 seconds at the 1um resolution. In addition, the offset less than 1 pixel of the polynomial texture mapping algorithm accounts for about 65 percent at the 2.5um resolution, and the offset less than 2 pixels of the polynomial texture mapping algorithm accounts for about 57 percent at the 1um resolution. Finally, simulate two IPCs computing time in the image size 510mm x 610mm (resolution is 25400dpi) through the proposed method in this paper, we obtain the 20.618s on IPC1 and 20.30s on IPC2 which is better than [8]. The proposed method in this paper can not only quickly compensate PCB substrate but also solve the problem of low precision.
On Opioids and ERISA: The Urgent Case for a Federal Ban on Discretionary Clauses

The American opioid epidemic cuts across all social divisions, touching the employed and unemployed. Those with private health insurance are one of the fastest-growing affected groups, but this group struggles most to get care. Despite their insured status, the privately-insured received treatment at half the rate of those with Medicaid and at even lower rates than the uninsured. This article focuses on a significant barrier to treatment for those in employer-sponsored benefit plans: the discretionary clause. A discretionary clause grants the decision-maker broad latitude and ensures that any federal court review is deferential. Claims processing in such a legal climate is stingy; recent investigations show that mental health and addiction claims are treated worst of all. Twenty-five states recently banned discretionary clauses in insurance products, but the bans do not reach most ERISA plans. This article posits that ERISA should be amended to ban discretionary clauses. The article explains ERISA and discretionary clauses; it then shows the effect of discretionary clauses on actual cases and claims processing, focusing on mental health and substance abuse. The article then explains the recent movement away from discretionary clauses and shows why the arguments against discretionary clauses apply with even greater force to ERISA-governed plans.
Altered sacral neural crest development in Pax3 spina bifida mutants underlies deficits of bladder innervation and function

Mouse models of Spina bifida (SB) have been instrumental for identifying genes, developmental processes, and environmental factors that influence neurulation and neural tube closure. Beyond the prominent neural tube defects, other aspects of the nervous system can be affected in SB with significant changes in essential bodily functions such as urination. SB patients frequently experience bladder dysfunction and SB fetuses exhibit reduced density of bladder nerves and smooth muscle although the developmental origins of these deficits have not been determined. The Pax3 Splotch-delayed (Pax3Sp-d) mouse model of SB is one of a very few mouse SB models that survives to late stages of gestation. Through analysis of Pax3Sp-d mutants we sought to define how altered bladder innervation in SB might arise by tracing sacral neural crest (NC) development, pelvic ganglia neuronal differentiation, and assessing bladder nerve fiber density. In Pax3Sp-d/Sp-d fetal mice we observed delayed migration of Sox10+ NC-derived progenitors (NCPs), deficient pelvic ganglia neurogenesis, and reduced density of bladder wall innervation. We further combined NC-specific deletion of Pax3 with the constitutive Pax3Sp-d allele in an effort to generate viable Pax3 mutants to examine later stages of bladder innervation and postnatal bladder function. Neural crest specific deletion of a Pax3 flox allele, using a Sox10-cre driver, in combination with a constitutive Pax3Sp-d mutation produced postnatal viable offspring that exhibited altered bladder function as well as reduced bladder wall innervation and altered connectivity between accessory ganglia at the bladder neck. Combined, the results show that Pax3 plays critical roles within sacral NC that are essential for initiation of neurogenesis and differentiation of autonomic neurons within pelvic ganglia.
Influence of subscapularis stiffness with glenosphere lateralization on physiological external rotation limits after reverse shoulder arthroplasty.

Background Repair of the subscapularis following reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) remains a controversial topic among surgeons. Poor rotator cuff muscle quality is associated with increased musculotendinous stiffness, and the subsequent effect of compromised tissue repair on RSA functional outcomes remains unclear. The objective was to investigate the influence of subscapularis stiffness together with glenoid component lateralization on pre- and postimpingement joint mechanics during external rotation after RSA. Methods A validated finite element model incorporating the Zimmer Trabecular Metal reverse system was used. The deltoid and subscapularis tendon were tensioned and wrapped around the joint prior to controlled shoulder external rotation. Baseline subscapularis stiffness, determined from cadaveric testing, was varied to 80%, 120% and 140% of baseline, to simulate a range of pliability associated with fatty infiltration and fibrosis. We evaluated the effects of varying subscapularis stiffness and the corresponding variation in joint tension with varying glenosphere lateralization (2, 4, and 10 mm) on the torque required to externally rotate the shoulder and the impingement/subluxation risk. Results Prior to any impingement, the torques required to externally rotate the shoulder ranged from 22-47 Nm across the range of parameters studied, with the greatest torques required for the 10-mm glenosphere lateralization. The impact of increasing subscapularis stiffness on torque requirements was most pronounced at the 10-mm lateralization, as well. A 20% increase in subscapularis stiffness necessitated a 7%-14% increase in preimpingement torque, whereas a 40% stiffness increase was associated with a 12%-27% increase in torque. Torque was proportional to lateralization. When lateralization was increased from 2 to 4 mm, the preimpingement torque increased by 10%-13%, whereas a 10-mm lateralization necessitated a 35%-62% torque increase relative to 2 mm of lateralization. Increased subscapularis stiffness did not limit impingement-free range of motion or substantially decrease postimpingement subluxation in this model. Discussion Mechanical gains achieved through lateralization may be hindered by increased torque demands, especially when a stiffer subscapularis is repaired. As lateralization increases subscapularis tension, greater torque is required to externally rotate the shoulder. The torque required for external rotation has been reported between 15-50 Nm. Subscapularis repair with the simulated increases in stiffness requires relative increases in torque that the reconstructed shoulder may not be able to physically produce to rotate the glenohumeral joint, particularly at 10-mm lateralization. These results suggest that subscapularis repair may not be indicated in cases where a lateralized glenoid component is used and the subscapularis is compromised.
Metrics for Intercomparison of Remapping Algorithms (MIRA) applied to Earth System Models

Abstract. Strongly coupled nonlinear phenomena such as those described by Earth System Models (ESM) are composed of multiple component models with independent mesh topologies and scalable numerical solvers. A common operation in ESM is to remap or interpolate results from one component's computational mesh to another, e.g., from the atmosphere to the ocean, during the temporal integration of the coupled system. Several remapping schemes are currently in use or available for ESM. However, a unified approach to compare the properties of these different schemes has not been attempted previously. We present a rigorous methodology for the evaluation and intercomparison of remapping methods through an independently implemented suite of metrics that measure the ability of a method to adhere to constraints such as grid independence, monotonicity, global conservation, and local extrema or feature preservation. A comprehensive set of numerical evaluations are conducted based on a progression of scalar fields from idealized and smooth to more general climate data with strong discontinuities and strict bounds. We examine four remapping algorithms with distinct design approaches, namely ESMF Regrid, TempestRemap, Generalized Moving-Least-Squares (GMLS) with post-processing filters, and Weighted-Least-Squares Essentially Non-oscillatory Remap (WLS-ENOR) method. By repeated iterative application of the high-order remapping methods to the test fields, we verify the accuracy of each scheme in terms of their observed convergence order for smooth data and determine the bounded error propagation using the challenging, realistic field data on both uniform and regionally refined mesh cases. In addition to retaining high-order accuracy under idealized conditions, the methods also demonstrate robust remapping performance when dealing with non-smooth data. There is a failure to maintain monotonicity in the traditional L2-minimization approaches used in ESMF and TempestRemap, in contrast to stable recovery through nonlinear filters used in both meshless (GMLS) and hybrid mesh-based (WLS-ENOR) schemes. Local feature preservation analysis indicates that high-order methods perform better than low-order dissipative schemes for all test cases. The behavior of these remappers remains consistent when applied on regionally refined meshes, indicating mesh invariant implementations. The MIRA intercomparison protocol proposed in this paper and the detailed comparison of the four algorithms demonstrate that the new schemes, namely GMLS and WLS-ENOR, are competitive compared to standard conservative minimization methods requiring computation of mesh intersections. The work presented in this paper provides a foundation that can be extended to include complex field definitions, realistic mesh topologies, and spectral element discretizations thereby allowing for a more complete analysis of production-ready remapping packages.
Deep Learning Models for Multi-Source Corona Discharge Classification Under DC Voltage

DC voltage has been targeted for electric transportation where failures can impact the safety of passengers or may jeopardize the success of a mission and thus are unacceptable. Because electrical insulation determines the life of an electrical system, monitoring the aging of insulation systems is essential. In this regard, partial discharge (PD) activity can be used as a primary indicator in monitoring the weakness of insulation materials. In the power corridor of electric transportation, there are many electrical generation, distribution, and storage apparatuses that each are a PD source and the input PD signal measured is a mixture of all PD sources. Separating and recognizing multiple PD sources has become a hot and, of course, challenging research topic in the dielectrics and electrical insulation area; deep learning (DL) is being considered as a promising technique to deal with it.
Dynamic High-Temperature Tensile Characterization of an Iridium Alloy with Kolsky Tension Bar Techniques

Conventional Kolsky tension bar techniques were modified to characterize an iridium alloy in tension at elevated strain rates and temperatures. The specimen was heated to elevated temperatures with an induction coil heater before dynamic loading; whereas, a cooling system was applied to keep the bars at room temperature during heating. A preload system was developed to generate a small pretension load in the bar system during heating in order to compensate for the effect of thermal expansion generated in the high-temperature tensile specimen. A laser system was applied to directly measure the displacements at both ends of the tensile specimen in order to calculate the strain in the specimen. A pair of high-sensitivity semiconductor strain gages was used to measure the weak transmitted force due to the low flow stress in the thin specimen at elevated temperatures. The dynamic high-temperature tensile stress–strain curves of a DOP-26 iridium alloy were experimentally obtained at two different strain rates (~1000 and 3000 s−1) and temperatures (~750 and 1030 °C). The effects of strain rate and temperature on the tensile stress–strain response of the iridium alloy were determined. The iridium alloy exhibited high ductility in stress–strain response that strongly depended on strain-rate and temperature.
McCarthy's Idea

In 1958, John McCarthy invented the concept of the “advicetaker”, a machine that could be programmed by description. This idea lies at the heart of AI. It is the basis for such technologies as logic programming and knowledge engineering, though neither of these technologies is true to the ideal. In this paper, we re-examine the ideal itself, from today's perspective. We review the current state of the art; we discuss the merits of advice-taking systems; and we describe some applications.
Interplanetary Shock Phenomena Beyond 1 AU

Attention is given to spatial dependences exhibited by spacecraft measurements obtained between 1 and 30 AU, together with temporal variations occurring between solar activity cycle maxima and minima. At 1-3 AU radial distances, shocks develop in association with the corotating solar wind streams characterizing solar minimum and accelerate solar wind evolution with distance while heating the solar wind and generating waves and turbulence. At solar maximum, shocks are observed more frequently at 1 AU but still in association with transient solar events; acceleration leading to energetic storm particles is observed both within and beyond 1 AU. The superimposed effect of large numbers of intense shocks may be responsible for the solar cycle modulation of galactic cosmic rays.
Growth Curve Analysis

This article is reproduced from the previous edition, volume 9, pp. 6439–6445, © 2001, Elsevier Ltd., with revisions made by the Editor.
Spectral Analysis of Lactoperoxidase: EVIDENCE FOR A COMMON HEME IN MAMMALIAN PEROXIDASES (∗)

The identity of the non-extractable heme of mammalian lactoperoxidase (LPO) has remained unsolved for over 40 years. Accepted possibilities include a constrained heme b or an 8-thiomethylene-modified heme b. Recent studies of myeloperoxidase (MPO) (Fenna, R., Zeng, J., and Davey, C. (1995) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 316, 653-656; Taylor, K. L., Strobel, F., Yue, K. T., Ram, P., Pohl, J., Woods, A. S., and Kinkade, J. M., Jr. (1995) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 316, 635-642) suggest possible prosthetic group similarities between MPO and LPO. To address heme identity for LPO, we used comparative magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopy of LPO versus myoglobin (Mb), horseradish peroxidase (HRP), and MPO. MCD spectra of native Fe3+-LPO and Fe3+-CN--LPO are approximately 10 nm red shifted from analogous forms of Mb and HRP, including the formate-Mb adduct. MCD spectra of native LPO and MPO are opposite in sign, and MCD spectra of their cyanoadducts also differ. These data indicate the LPO heme is distinct from heme b of Mb and HRP as well as from "heme m" of MPO. From this work and literature analysis, we suggest that the non-extractable "heme l" of LPO has the two vinyl groups of heme b but lacks the 2-sulfonium-vinyl linkage of heme m. The observed red shifts in LPO spectra may derive from ester linkages to protein as for MPO. Strong spectral analogies between LPO and mammalian peroxidases (e.g. from saliva, eosinophils, thyroid, intestine) indicate similar prosthetic heme moieties.
The Distaff Gospels: A First Modern English Edition of Les Évangiles Des Quenouilles

Reviewed Medium: book Translators: Madeleine Jeay, Kathleen Garay Year: 2006 Pages: 325 Publisher: Broadview Press ISBN: 1-55111-560-3 (soft cover). Prices: $15.95 USD(soft cover).
The Economic Crisis and Public Health

The current global economic crisis seriously threatens the health of the public. Challenges include increases in malnutrition; homelessness and inadequate housing; unemployment; substance abuse, depression, and other mental health problems; mortality; child health problems; violence; environmental and occupational health problems; and social injustice and violation of human rights; as well as decreased availability, accessibility, and affordability of quality medical and dental care. Health professionals can respond by promoting surveillance and documentation of human needs, reassessing public health priorities, educating the public and policymakers about health problems worsened by the economic crisis, advocating for sound policies and programs to address these problems, and directly providing necessary programs and services.
Enteric adenovirus infection and childhood diarrhea: an epidemiologic study in three clinical settings.

During a 2-year prospective study of gastroenteritis in children less than 2 years of age, the role of enteric adenovirus as a cause of infantile diarrhea was examined in three clinical settings in a case-control fashion. Using a monoclonal antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with specificity for adenovirus serotypes 40 and 41, enteric adenovirus was identified in 10 of 246 episodes of diarrhea in outpatients (4.1%), 13 of 211 children admitted to the hospital with diarrhea (6.2%), and 5 of 81 children in whom nosocomial diarrhea developed (6.2%), making this agent the third most commonly identified etiologic agent of diarrheal disease. Asymptomatic infections were uncommon (5 of 372 control subjects, or 1.3%) and were seen most frequently in the nosocomial setting. Cases occurred in every calendar month except March and April of each year. A syndrome of watery diarrhea of longer duration compared with other patients with diarrhea (mean 5.4 vs 3.8 days, P = .01), associated with vomiting and dehydration, was present in most cases. Compared with patients with rotavirus, patients were as likely to experience fever and dehydration and more likely to vomit. Household contact with gastroenteritis, often with a child 2 to 5 years of age, was a predisposing factor. It was concluded that enteric adenovirus is an important cause of infantile diarrhea in Baltimore children. Although far less common than rotavirus, this agent was associated with diarrheal illnesses that were at least as severe as those seen with rotavirus.
Analytical Fault Tolerance Assessment and Metrics for TSV-Based 3D Network-on-Chip

Reliability is one of the most challenging problems in the context of three-dimensional network-on-chip (3D NoC) systems. Reliability analysis is prominent for early stages of the manufacturing process in order to prevent costly redesigns of a target system. This article classifies the potential physical faults of a baseline TSV-based 3D NoC architecture by targeting two-dimensional (2D) NoC components and their inter-die connections. In this paper, through-silicon via (TSV) issues, thermal concerns, and single event effect (SEE) are investigated and categorized, in order to propose evaluation metrics for inspecting the resiliency of 3D NoC designs. A reliability analysis for major source of faults is reported in this article separately based on their mean time to failure (MTTF). TSV failure probability induced by inductive and capacitive coupling is also discussed. Finally, the paper provides a formal reliability analysis on the aggregated faults that affect TSV. This formal analysis is critical for estimating the resiliency of different components in order to mitigate the redundancy cost of fault-tolerant design or to examine the efficiency of any proposed fault-tolerant methods for 3D NoC architectures.
Weekly docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5‐fluorouracil as initial therapy for patients with advanced gastric and esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND: Docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-flurouracil (DCF) administered every 3 weeks produces a high rate of treatment-related adverse events. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a weekly formulation of DCF. METHODS: Data from 117 patients treated at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center from 2002 to 2006 with a weekly formulation of DCF were retrospectively collected. A total of 95 patients received front-line therapy with 20 mg/m2 of cisplatin, 350 mg/m2 of 5-fluorouracil, and 20 mg/m2 of docetaxel administered once weekly for 6 consecutive weeks followed by a 2-week break. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients (median age, 62 years [range, 33 to 87 years], with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 1 or 2 in 67%) received a median of 10 weeks of DCF treatment (range, 3-41 weeks). Grade 3 or 4 hematologic toxicity (assessed according to National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria [version 3.0]) included granulocytopenia (4 patients) and anemia (9 patients). None of the patients developed a febrile neutropenic infection, but grade 3 or 4 non-neutropenic infections occurred in 8 patients. Eighty patients had measurable disease with an objective response rate determined by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria of 34% (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 24-45%). The median follow-up was 9 months, with a median time to disease progression of 4.1 months (95% CI, 3.6-5.7 months) and a median overall survival of 8.9 months (95% CI, 7.7-10.8 months). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with advanced gastric and esophageal cancer who were not candidates for every-3-week DCF, a weekly formulation of DCF demonstrated modest activity with minimal hematologic toxicity, suggesting that weekly DCF is a reasonable treatment option for such patients. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
An intense neutron source based upon the deuteron-stripping reaction

Abstract The need for an intense neutron source to be used in the development of radiation-resistant materials for fusion reactors has stimulated proposals for new source designs. This paper describes one such source based upon the deuteron-stripping reaction. Details of the reaction are given and it is shown that an intense forward-directed beam of neutrons is emitted when deuterons bombard a low- Z target such as Li or Be. The design of a 35 MeV high-current deuteron LINAC is discussed, and a molten Li target configuration capable of absorbing a high power density is described. The outlined of a intense neutron source facility based upon these principles are given in the final sections of this paper.
The inguinal approach to extravesical ureteral reimplantation is safe, effective, and efficient.

Abstract Introduction Minimally invasive surgery implies a percutaneous or endoscopic approach rather than an incision, regardless of size. However, open approaches to various procedures using a mini-incision should assume the same appellation. We report our experience with extravesical ureteral reimplant (EVR) performed through an inguinal mini-incision. Materials and methods Patient characteristics of age, gender, and reflux grade were obtained, and outcomes of recurrent urinary tract infection, time of surgery, time of hospitalization and radiographic resolution were assessed. The technique involved a 2 cm incision made in the lowest inguinal skin crease, standard hernia exposure, opening of the floor of the inguinal canal to isolate the ureter, detrussorhaphy. Results 30 girls and 15 boys with a mean age of 64 months (range 20–180), and mean followup of 18 months (range 3–36) underwent unilateral inguinal mini-incision EVR. Reflux grades represented were 7, 13, 18, 5, and 2 for Grades I through V respectively. Common sheath reimplantations were performed in twelve duplicated systems, and tapering performed in three patients. The average time of surgery was 75 min. All but 2 patients were discharged within 24 h; postoperative imaging was normal in all cases. Three patients had febrile UTIs following discontinuation of prophylactic antibiotics. Conclusion The inguinal approach to EVR is safe, effective, efficient, and well-tolerated. Through several maneuvers learned as the experience with EVR grew, we present a realizable approach to minimally invasive ureteral reimplantation with application in most pediatric urologic practice.
Computing optimal outcomes under an expressive representation of settings with externalities

When a decision must be made based on the preferences of multiple agents, and the space of possible outcomes is combinatorial in nature, it becomes necessary to think about how preferences should be represented, and how this affects the complexity of finding an optimal (or at least a good) outcome. We study settings with externalities, where each agent controls one or more variables, and how these variables are set affects not only the agent herself, but also potentially the other agents. For example, one agent may decide to reduce her pollution, which will come at a cost to herself, but will result in a benefit for all other agents. We formalize how to represent such domains and show that in a number of key special cases, it is NP-complete to determine whether there exists a nontrivial feasible solution (and therefore the maximum social welfare is completely inapproximable). However, for one important special case, we give an algorithm that converges to the solution with the maximal concession by each agent (in a linear number of rounds for utility functions that additively decompose into piecewise constant functions). Maximizing social welfare, however, remains NP-hard even in this setting. We also demonstrate a special case that can be solved in polynomial time using linear programming.
In vitro aldose reductase inhibitory activity of substituted N-benzenesulfonylglycine derivatives.

A number of N-benzenesulfonylglycines (4, alanines 5 and 6), sarcosine (7), and prolines (8), which contain the minimum pharmacophore moieties necessary for aldose reductase inhibitory activity, were prepared and tested in the rat lens assay. In this assay, the benzenesulfonylglycines are considerably more potent than the corresponding alanine and sarcosine derivatives which, in turn, are more active than the proline analogues. Of the monosubstituted benzenesulfonylglycines, the 2-nitro (4a), and 4-amino (4b), derivatives were most active with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 13 and 16 μM, respectively. The most potent derivatives evaluated were the β- and α-naphthylenesulfonylglycines (4i and 4j), with IC50 values of 0.4 and 1.3 μM, respectively. The structure-activity data obtained from evaluation of the benzenesulfonylamino acids suggests that the aromatic ring and ring substituents, as well as the sulfonamide group and carboxylate moiety, all contribute to the inhibitory potency through direct interaction with complimentary binding sites present on aldose reductase.
Plant diversity increases herbivore movement and vulnerability to predation

Understanding how changes in plant diversity affect agroecosystem functioning remains a key challenge. We examined how intercropping alfalfa, Medicago sativa, with orchardgrass, Dactylis glomerata, affects the potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae, its host plant (alfalfa), and the efficiency of a leafhopper predator, Nabis americoferus. In a field experiment, intercropping reduced the reproductive efficiency of the leafhopper. Nabis was more effective at reducing leafhopper abundance, and protecting alfalfa from hopperburn, in the polyculture than in the monoculture of alfalfa. In a series of laboratory experiments, we investigated mechanisms by which intercropping could enhance the efficiency of Nabis. Intercropping resulted in changes in vegetation structure and the spatial distribution of leafhoppers, but there was little evidence that these factors influenced the efficiency of Nabis. Instead, orchardgrass, a nonhost for leafhoppers, increased leafhopper movement, and Nabis captured leafhoppers more efficiently when the herbivores were more mobile. These results indicate that intercropping with nonhost plants promotes leafhopper movement and vulnerability to predation, and reveal a novel mechanism by which plant diversity can reduce herbivory.
Chronic, Progressive, Bibasilar Infiltrates in a Woman with Constipation

(Chest 1992; 102:263-65) A routine posteroanterior chest radiograph obtamed in a 70-year-old woman showed bibasilar patchy opacities (Fig 1). These infiltrates, which had been noted on a chest radiograph one year earlier, showed slight interval worsening. The patient had never had pulmonary complaints or symptoms. She complained only ofchronic constipation, for which she self-administered mineral oil, and insomnia, for which she took large doses of diazepam each night. The findings from a physical examination, with particular attention to the lungs, were unremarkable. Laboratory data were also unremarkable. Pulmonary function tests were not performed. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest was performed.
USE OF LYSOLECITHIN-PERMEABILIZED INFECTED-CELL EXTRACTS TO INVESTIGATE THE IN VITRO BIOCHEMICAL PHENOTYPES OF POXVIRUS TS MUTATIONS ALTERED IN VIRAL TRANSCRIPTION ACTIVITY

Lysolecithin permeabilization of vaccinia virus-infected cells was employed to prepare extracts that support faithful transcription initiationin vitroon plasmids possessing early, intermediate, and late viral gene promoters. Conditions which optimize transcription from each promoter were defined. Thein vitrosystem was used to investigate the multifunctional viral mRNA capping enzyme, which also functions as the viral early gene transcription termination factor (VTF) and a viral intermediate gene transcription initiation factor. A low level of signal-dependent termination of early gene transcription was observedin vitrowhich could be elevated by the addition of pure mRNA capping enzyme. VTF-dependent transcription termination was found to be restricted to templates that possessed an early promoter. This restriction mimics that observedin vivoand demonstrates that transcription termination is limited to RNA polymerase molecules that recognize early rather than intermediate or late gene promoters. Extracts prepared from cells infected at the nonpermissive temperature with a virus containing a ts mutation in gene D12L, which encodes the small subunit of VTF, are incapable of supporting both early gene transcription termination and intermediate gene transcription initiation. Both activities are restored upon addition of the purified wild-type mRNA capping enzyme.
Association between eczema and stature in 9 US population-based studies.

Importance Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that is associated with other chronic diseases (eg, asthma), major quality-of-life impairment, sleep disturbance, and the use of potent topical and sometimes systemic corticosteroids, all of which might affect growth in childhood and adolescence. However, previous smaller-scale studies found conflicting results. Objective To determine whether eczema is associated with short stature. Design, Setting, and Participants We used data from 9 US population-based studies, including the National Survey of Children’s Health (2003-2004 and 2007-2008), National Health Interview Survey (children’s health, 2008-2012; adult health, 2010 and 2012), and National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2003-2004 and 2005-2006). Participants included 264 326 children and adolescents and 83 511 adults. Exposure History of eczema. Main Outcomes and Measures Percentiles of height for age and sex in children and height in adults. We constructed multivariate survey linear or logistic regression models for individual studies with Box-Cox transformed or dichotomized height, respectively. Pooled analyses used generalized linear mixed models. Results Overall, eczema was not associated with significant differences of height (continuous or P = .003) but not at other ages ( P > .08 for all). Conclusions and Relevance Eczema is not associated with short stature overall. However, a small subset of children and adolescents with severe eczema accompanied by prominent insufficient sleep may have potentially reversible vertical growth impairment.
New regulatory factors for melanogenesis: Developmental changes in neonatal mice of various genotypes

The biosynthesis of melanin occurs through sequential steps known as the Mason-Raper pathway. The initial steps are the conversion of tyrosine to dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa) and of dopa to dopaquinone by the enzyme tyrosinase (EC 1.10.3.1). Until recently it was assumed that once these first two conversions were completed, the subsequent reactions occurred spontaneously. However, studies with mouse melanoma cells in culture revealed that subsequent steps in the pathway are also regulated. In this report, we demonstrate that these steps are also regulated in skins of fetal and newborn mice. The specific activities of the regulatory factors change during the first week after birth and differ in mice of different genotypes. The findings provide new insights into genetic and developmental regulation of the pigmentary system in mammals.
Hypertension, Insulin Resistance, and Aldosterone: Sex-Specific Relationships

African Americans, particularly men, have the highest morbidity and mortality rates from hypertension in the United States. The authors studied 527 African Americans in a general clinical research center to determine whether there are sex differences in the relationships between hypertension with insulin resistance (IR) and aldosterone, which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Measurements included ambulatory blood pressure (BP), anthropometric measures, plasma renin activity, plasma aldosterone (PA) concentration, and fasting serum lipids, glucose, and insulin. IR was estimated using the Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) model. BP correlated with aldosterone in both sexes. However, both BP and PA correlated with IR in men, but not in women. Compared with men in the lower tertile of HOMA-IR, men in the upper tertile had higher mean systolic BP, a higher odds ratio of having hypertension, and higher levels of PA. The association of IR with both hypertension and PA in men, but not in women, may contribute to the high prevalence of cardiovascular disease in African American men.
Mechanisms of protein damage induced by cysteine thiyl radical formation.

This perspective covers the reactions and underlying kinetics of peptide and protein thiyl radicals specifically with respect to reversible hydrogen atom transfer processes, which may ultimately lead to the oxidation and/or epimerization of amino acids adjacent to the thiyl radicals.
Differential treatment in New Zealand: Reflections on research in minority education

Abstract Differential treatment is one name for the unequal participation of children in classroom lessons. Existing New Zealand research documents the differential treatment of Maori children in the first year of school. An inservice intervention with New Zealand Junior Class teachers was carried out during 1987, involving changes in the setting events in which teachers and students interact around beginning literacy tasks. On a follow-up visit nearly two years later, the suggestions made in that intervention do not seem to have been picked up by local educators. With brief reference to two positive school models, the complex issues in research on minority education are discussed.
Explaining Recent Declines in Afdc Participation

Since 1978, the proportion of all single-parent families receiving benefits from the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program has been falling, reversing an earlier two-decade trend. In this article, data from the 1979, 1982, and 1984 MarchlApril Current Population Survey (CPS) match files are used to investigate the reasons for this decline. Analysis of the CPS data reveals thatfrom 1978 to 1981, the decline in the AFDC participation rate can be attributed to an erosion in real AFDC guarantee levels caused by high rates of inflation and to changes in demographic conditions, while from 1981 to 1983 the decline can be attributed entirely to the provision of the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1981 (OBRA), which raised effective AFDC benefit-reduction rates. The analysis also reveals that a sizable reduction in labor supply occurred in response to OBRA, in contrast to earher studies of this issue. If work effort had not been reduced, the results suggest that OBRA would have caused a much larger ...
The cutting edge of mitochondrial fusion

Mitochondrial membrane fusion contributes to the shape and distribution of mitochondria in the eukaryotic cytoplasm. Recent work shows that a key component of the fusion reaction, Mgm1p, is activated by a novel mitochondrial protease related to the Drosophila melanogaster signalling protein Rhomboid.
Neuro-ophthalmology and psychiatry

Neuro-ophthalmology and psychiatry interact over several issues. The neuro-ophthalmologist can confirm the suspicion of nonorganic visual dysfunction by demonstrating the functional integrity of the visual system and the nonphysiologic nature of the visual complaints. He or she may recognize evidence of organic dysfunction in the patient with a presumed psychiatric diagnosis. In some cases, the pathology may be related to the use of certain psychiatric medications. Specialized examination techniques within the realm of neuro-ophthalmology may provide subtle information about the functional integrity of the central nervous system in patients with psychiatric disease. Clinical and investigational collaboration between the neuro-ophthalmologist and the psychiatrist will provide the most appropriate patient management and may further our understanding of the biological basis of psychiatry.
A monoclonal antibody to the ϵ-aminocaproic acid binding site on the kringle 4 region of human plasminogen that accelerates the activation of Glu1-plasminogen by urokinase

A monoclonal antibody, 10-F-1, previously shown [V. A. Ploplis, H. S. Cummings, and F. J. Castellino (1982) Biochemistry 21, 5891-5897] to interact with a particular epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA)3 binding site on the kringle 4 (K4) region of human Glu1-plasminogen (Glu1-Pg), has been employed to assess the contribution of this particular EACA site toward the enhancement, by EACA and its analogs, of the urokinase (UK)-catalyzed activation of Glu1-Pg. As is the case with EACA-like compounds, the presence of antibody 10-F-1 accelerates the activation of Glu1-Pg by UK, but does not enhance the similar activation of Lys77-plasminogen. In the presence of concentrations of antibody 10-F-1 which saturate its binding site on Glu1-Pg, the Km of Glu1-Pg activation by UK is raised from 1.4 +/- 0.2 microM, a value obtained in the absence of antibody, to 17.0 +/- 2.0 microM. On the other hand, the kcat for this activation, 0.038 +/- 0.005 s-1, is elevated to 2.45 +/- 0.2 s-1 at saturating concentrations of antibody 10-F-1. The kcat/Km for activation under these conditions is 0.027 s-1 microM-1 in the absence of antibody, and 0.144 s-1 microM-1 in the presence of saturating levels of antibody 10-F-1. This demonstrates that the interaction of this antibody with its epitope results in a fivefold stimulation of the activation rate of Glu1-Pg by UK. The availability of antibody 10-F-1 allows for a specific means of probing the function of one of the four to five thermodynamically equivalent weak EACA sites on human plasminogen. From this particular study, it is concluded that the weak binding site for EACA on the K4 domain of Glu1-Pg is either in-part or in-whole responsible for the enhancing effect of EACA on human Glu1-Pg activation by UK.
Primary multicentric anaplastic pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma with atypical features

Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) is a rare tumor with good prognosis after surgery. Few cases of anaplastic PXA (either de novo or secondary to transformation of a recurrent low grade PXA) have been reported. Moreover, primary anaplastic PXA with dissemination at diagnosis has been described only in two patients, to our knowledge. We report the first case of primary multicentric anaplastic PXA and discuss its atypical features and the pertinent literature.