cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of Appropriate Use on the Estimated Radiation Risk to Men and Women Undergoing Radionuclide Myocardial Perfusion Imaging

Background: The impact of appropriate use criteria (AUC) for myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with single-photon emission computed tomography on the estimated lifetime attributable risk (LAR) of cancer is unknown. Methods: A cohort of 1,511 consecutive patients who underwent clinically-indicated 99mTc-setamibi MPI were categorized into appropriate/uncertain (n = 823) vs. inappropriate (n = 688) use groups according to the 2009 AUC, and were prospectively followed for 27±10 months. Logistic regression models were used to determine the annualized probability of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) of cardiac death or myocardial infarction and the probability of revascularization within 6 months of MPI, accounting for significant predictors. We determined LAR for each subject on the basis of accepted risk-estimates. We calculated MPI’s benefit-to-risk ratios, defined by the annualized predicted MACE-to-LAR ratio and the predicted 6-month revascularization-to-LAR ratio. Results: During follow-up, there were 22 MACE and 29 six-month revascularizations. The administered radioactivity and effective radiation doses absorbed were similar between the study groups. Patients with inappropriate MPI had significantly higher LAR (median 0.08% vs. 0.06%,P<0.001), lower predicted MACE-to-LAR ratio (median 1.5 vs. 4.3,P< 0.001), and lower predicted 6-month revascularization-to-LAR ratio (median 5.4 vs. 15.5,P<0.001). Women had higher LAR (median 0.08% vs. 0.07%,P<0.001) and lower predicted MACE-to-LAR ratio (median 1.9 vs. 3.3,P<0.001) and 6-month revascularization-to-LAR ratio (median 4.4 vs. 17.5,P<0.001). However, appropriate/uncertain use negated the difference between men and women in LAR (P = 0.94) and the predicted MACE-to-LAR ratio (P = 0.97). Conclusion: Inappropriate MPI use is associated with excess cancer risk and lower MPI’s benefit-to-risk ratio. Appropriate/uncertain use neutralizes the gender gap in LAR with MPI.
Study on serum microelements and macroelements in 6 681 children in Chongqing city

Objective To investigate the serological level of zinc,iron,copper,calcium and magnesium in Chongqing children.Methods Serum zinc,iron,copper,calcium,magnesium contents and characters of gender and age were detected and evaluated by using Hitachi-50 atomic absorption spectrophotometer from 6 681 children(0-14 years) examined in this hospital recent two years.Results The contents of serum zinc,iron,copper,calcium,magnesium were(15.3±4.5)μmol/L,(19.2±6.3)μmol/L,(18.4±4.4)μmol/L,(2 255.4±177.0)μmol/L and(836±109.7)μmol/L respectively in 6681 children.The contents in boys were higher than those in girls,which was a significant deviation.Girls were prone to be short of zinc,iron and calcium.The serum zinc in 0-3 years old was higher than that in above 3 years.The serum iron and calcium were lower in the more than 1 years old group than that in the less than 1years old group.The possibilities of Zn,Fe and Ca deficiency were associated with the age of children.Except for serum copper,which were not different between girls and boys,excess trace elements were seen seldom.The incident of excess copper was higher in the older than 1 years group than that in the younger than 1 years group,but it did not increase following the increasing age.Conclusion To prevent from developing the deficiency or excess of trace elements and macroelements,it is necessary for children that they are supplied with those elements reasonably,according to different age and different gender.
Predictors of physical activity in persons with mental illness: Testing a social cognitive model.

OBJECTIVE This study examined whether the social cognitive theory (SCT) model can be used to explain the variance in physical exercise among persons with serious mental illnesses. METHOD A cross-sectional, correlational design was employed. Participants from community mental health centers and supported housing programs (N = 120) completed 9 measures on exercise, social support, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, barriers, and goal-setting. RESULTS Hierarchical regression tested the relationship between self-report physical activity and SCT determinants while controlling for personal characteristics. The model explained 25% of the variance in exercise. Personal characteristics explained 18% of the variance in physical activity, SCT variables of social support, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, barriers, and goals were entered simultaneously, and they added an r2 change value of .07. Gender (β = -.316, p = .001) and Brief Symptom Inventory Depression subscale (β = -2.08, p < .040) contributed significantly to the prediction of exercise. In a separate stepwise multiple regression, we entered only SCT variables as potential predictors of exercise. Goal-setting was the single significant predictor, F(1, 118) = 13.59, p < .01), r2 = .10. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE SCT shows promise as an explanatory model of exercise in persons with mental illnesses. Goal-setting practices, self-efficacy, outcome expectations and social support from friends for exercise should be encouraged by psychiatric rehabilitation practitioners. People with more depressive symptoms and women exercise less. More work is needed on theoretical exploration of predictors of exercise. (PsycINFO Database Record
The significance of functional receptor heterogeneity in the biological responses of the rabbit neutrophil to stimulation by chemotactic formyl peptides.

The characteristics of binding to the chemotactic receptors on rabbit peritoneal neutrophils were examined for seven formyl peptide analogues. These receptor-binding characteristics were compared with the abilities of the analogues to induce the biological responses of degranulation and chemotaxis. Five of the analogues showed distinct functional heterogeneity in their receptor-binding patterns, whereas the two most potent compounds displayed homogeneous binding patterns. The relative potencies of the formyl peptide analogues for stimulation of degranulation correlated well with their relative potencies for high-affinity, but not low-affinity, binding. The biphasic patterns for stimulation of chemotactic migration were similar for the less potent analogues, and their potencies paralleled those for both degranulation and receptor binding. In contrast, the most potent analogues induced a greater maximal extent of chemotactic migration than the other compounds, but displayed a lower than expected potency (i.e. they required higher than expected concentrations). These anomalies in the patterns of the chemotactic response cannot be reconciled with a simple receptor model comprising two independent classes of receptors. Instead, a model comprising interconvertible states of different affinities is proposed. The state of higher affinity appears to play a central role in initiation of both degranulation and chemotaxis. The more potent formyl peptide analogues are thought to stabilize an activated, higher-affinity, state of the receptor; this can explain their greater efficacy in stimulating chemotaxis. The proposed model may also be applicable to other receptors that are coupled by a guanine-nucleotide-binding regulatory protein to their associated effector.
Angiogenic Response following Radioembolization: Results from a Randomized Pilot Study of Yttrium-90 with or without Sorafenib

Abstract Purpose To compare the regulation of serum angiogenic factors in patients with unresectable early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with yttrium-90 ( 90 Y) radioembolization alone vs with sorafenib. Materials and Methods In a single-center pilot study, 23 patients with unresectable HCC awaiting orthotopic liver transplantation were prospectively randomized to receive radioembolization alone (n = 12) or radioembolization with sorafenib (n = 11). Serum angiogenic markers (angiopoietin-2 [Ang-2], hepatocyte growth factor, interleukin [IL]-6, IL-8, c-reactive protein, platelet-derived growth factor [PDGF], and vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]) were assayed at baseline and at 2 and 4 weeks after radioembolization ( 90 Y alone, n=6; 90 Y plus sorafenib, n=7). Results In the 90 Y-alone group, all growth factors were elevated above baseline levels at 2 and 4 weeks: VEGF increased 36% vs baseline at 2 weeks and 22% at 4 weeks, and PDGF increased 24% at 2 weeks and 3% at 4 weeks. In the 90 Y/sorafenib arm, Ang-2 and PDGF decreased at 2 weeks and the remainder increased. By 4 weeks, only PDGF remained below baseline levels. VEGF increased 49% at 2 weeks and 28% at 4 weeks, and PDGF decreased 31% at 2 weeks and 39% at 4 weeks. Differences were statistically significant for hepatocyte growth factor ( P = .03) and PDGF ( P = .02) at 2 weeks and for IL-6 ( P = .05) at 4 weeks. Conclusions Radioembolization is associated with a mild increase in angiogenic markers. The addition of sorafenib blunts PDGF response; other factors such as VEGF remain unaffected. The predominant effect of sorafenib may be through downregulation of PDGF and not VEGF.
Chapter 12 – Innate Immune Responses to in Vivo Adenovirus Infection

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the data regarding the interaction between adenovirus and host innate immune mechanisms and discusses the implications for use of recombinant adenoviral vectors for in vivo gene transfer. The discussion is focused on pulmonary innate immune responses. Recent progresses in understanding of the significance of innate immune responses to adenovirus infection in vivo have important implications for strategies of in vivo gene therapy using adenovirus. First, the phagocyte based immune system is present and active prior to vector administration in contrast to adaptive immune responses. Second, clearance of adenovirus by macrophages results in potent inflammatory signals which profoundly influence both molecular and cellular inflammation and likely determine the extent of tissue damage and systemic effects due to adenoviral infection of the lung. Third innate immunity also has a major influence on the duration of transgene expression. Thus, immunosuppressive strategies should be aimed at both innate and adaptive clearance mechanisms and their regulation cytokines. Finally, innate immune barriers to infection of epithelial cells must be overcome to achieve adequate initial levels of adenoviral vector-mediated gene transfer.
An experimental comparison of the signal from laminar and disturbed blood flow

In order to determine the limiting velocity resolution that can be achieved using ultrasound, we have completed an experimental evaluation of the statistics of the received signal from laminar flow and disturbed flow following the transmission of a train of short pulses. Experimental rf M-mode images are presented using a high volume concentration of scatterers in a blood mimicking solution. For laminar flow, when a significant range of velocity components is present within the sample volume, this range is the limiting factor in the length of the correlated signal interval. In addition, we have studied the disturbed flow that occurs distal to a 50% stenosis. Particularly for the low velocities that would be associated with diastole, the duration of the signal correlation increases in a spatial region that is distal to the stenosis and near the vessel walls, rather than the expected decrease
Alignment and Charge Transport of One-Dimensional Conjugated Polymer Nanowires in Insulating Polymer Blends

Self-assembled and well-aligned nanowires (NWs) of poly(3-hexylthiophenes) (P3HT) embedded within insulating polystyrene (PS) matrix were found to have a high field-effect carrier mobility. We demonstrate that solution shear coating of P3HT-NWs/PS nanocomposites is an effective strategy in aligning P3HT NWs in the presence of PS and has a significant impact on the molecular order, morphology, and consequently charge transport. Shear-coated P3HT-NWs/PS nanocomposites consistently exhibited higher carrier mobilities compared to P3HT NWs or pristine P3HT/PS films by up to 10.2-fold. P3HT-NWs/PS nanocomposites containing only 3 wt % P3HT exhibit a mobility of ∼0.053 cm2 V–1 s–1, which is comparable to that of the 30 wt % P3HT (∼0.064 cm2 V–1 s–1) and even higher than that of 100 wt % P3HT (∼0.024 cm2 V–1 s–1).
Assessing pesticide wet deposition risk within a small agricultural watershed in the Southeastern Coastal Plain (USA)

Abstract Pesticide volatilization and deposition with precipitation is widely documented and has been connected to adverse ecological impact. Here we describe a 3-yr study of current use and legacy pesticides in event-based rain samples within a 123-ha agricultural watershed. Crops in farm fields were documented quarterly with data used to estimate target compound use. The median number of pesticide detections in samples was 6. The fungicide, chlorothalonil which was used most intensively was detected in nearly all samples. It had the highest mean and peak concentrations with total deposition ≈ 0.1% of the estimated amount applied. The insecticide endosulfan also had relatively high use with behavior mirroring chlorothalonil. There was strong seasonal variation in concentration and depositional dynamics with the highest values measured during growing seasons. Similar behavior was observed with other compounds detected in rain samples with a general decrease in deposition and mean concentrations as use decreased. Comparison of measured concentrations to values associated with toxic impact on aquatic organisms indicated that chlorothalonil, endosulfan, chlorpyrifos, malathion and atrazine may contribute to adverse impact. The number of samples exceeding risk endpoints ranged from 1 to 77%. The highest value was for endosulfan; however its on-going phase-out is expected to reduce risks. Another finding was that the wet deposition of the herbicide, metolachlor exceeded measured runoff rates in the watershed by 5-fold. The study has demonstrated that localized pesticide wet deposition may present ecological risks and that volatilization and wet deposition is an important pesticide transport pathway at the local scale. Findings point to the need to include wet deposition in assessments of pesticide ecological risk and environmental fate.
Preventing permeability transition pore opening increases mitochondrial maturation, myocyte differentiation and cardiac function in the neonatal mouse heart

In embryonic myocytes, closure of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (PTP) drives mitochondrial maturation and cardiac myocyte differentiation. Since neonatal cardiac myocytes remain relatively immature, we hypothesized that inducing PTP closure at this age, by inhibiting the PTP regulator, cyclophilin D (CyPD), genetically or with Cyclosporin A (CsA) and NIM811, would increase cardiac function by increasing mitochondrial maturation and myocyte differentiation. Cultured neonatal myocytes or neonatal mice were treated for 5 d with vehicle, CsA or NIM811. Mitochondrial function and structure were measured in vitro. Myocyte differentiation was assessed by immunolabeling for contractile proteins. Cardiac function was determined using echocardiography. The probability of PTP opening was high in WT neonatal myocytes. Treatment with CsA or NIM811 in vitro increased mitochondrial structural complexity and membrane potential, decreased reactive oxygen species levels, and increased myocyte differentiation. WT mice treated with either CsA or NIM811 in vivo for the first 5 d of life had higher ejection fractions. Deleting CyPD had similar effects as CsA and NIM811 on all parameters. It may be feasible to inhibit the PTP using available drugs to increase mitochondrial maturation, myocyte differentiation, and cardiac function in neonates.
Toward the Development of a Glucose Dehydrogenase-Based Saliva Glucose Sensor Without the Need for Sample Preparation:

Background:Strict glycemic control is known to be a vital key in the management of diabetes mellitus (DM). However, traditional methods face limitations in their efficacy due to the pain and invasiveness of needle pricking which often discourages DM patients from performing the required number of tests per day. Saliva glucose (SG) sensing has long been considered a noninvasive alternative to blood glucose monitoring for diabetes management, however the sample preparation and sensor detection limit have been deemed as challenges to overcome. Herein, we describe a preliminary clinical validation of a disposable SG sensor without any requirement for sample preparation.Methods:The sensor utilizes glucose dehydrogenase flavine-adenine dinucleotide (GDH-FAD) in conjunction with disposable screen printed electrodes to measure glucose levels in saliva collected directly from 9 healthy subjects. Cyclic voltammetry and amperometric-time (Amp-it) assays were used to develop calibration curves and test subjects. Sens...
Adam Usk’s secret

A number of academic titles in recent memory bear a secret – D.A. Miller’s Jane Austen: Or the Secret of Style, Anne-Lise Francois’s Open Secrets, and Andrea Pitzer’s The Secret History of Vladimir...
Brain Stem-Hypothalamic Systems Influencing Hippocampal Activity and Behavior

The role of the hippocampus with respect to psychological processes and behavior has become the focus of considerable interest in recent years. A variety of functions have been attributed to the hippocampus. Among these are emotional, motivational, arousal, attentional, perceptual, decisional, learning, and memory processes, as well as the control of voluntary and automatic motor behavior.
Trends in breast imaging: an analysis of 21 years of formal scientific abstracts at the Radiological Society of North America

Abstract Purpose To capture shifts in breast imaging through 21years of scientific meeting abstracts. Materials and methods RSNA meeting programs (1995–2015) were searched to identify breast imaging scientific oral abstracts. Abstract year, author gender and degree, country, state, study design, modality, topic, funding and disclosures were recorded. Spearman correlation was performed. Results There was an increase in %women first authors (r s =0.81, p s =−0.64, p=0.0002) and in industry funding (r s =0.766, p Conclusion %Women first author presenters and %international presence and %industry support increased over time. These areas of flux may be useful for continued tracking.
Design Issues in Prostate Cancer Chemoprevention Trials

The study of potential chemopreventive interventions has increased substantially over the past few years. While there has been a proliferation of reports from epidemiologic observational studies, preclinical studies, and biomarker-based trials, the number of Phase III (randomized, placebo-controlled) trials has remained relatively small because of the large number of subjects required, the long duration of study, and the high cost of these studies.
Hepatic Osteodystrophy in Primary Biliary Cirrhosis: Effects of Medical Treatment

OBJECTIVES Osteoporosis is a frequent extrahepatic complication of primary biliary cirrhosis. Although histologically similar to the osteoporosis commonly seen in postmenopausal females, the pathogenesis and management of bone disease in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis is poorly understood. The experience with a subgroup of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis treated with vitamin D, calcium, and estrogen supplementation was reviewed to determine the effects of medical treatment on hepatic osteodystrophy. METHODS The records of 203 women with the diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis were reviewed retrospectively for lumbar spine bone mineral density, menopausal status, and supplementation with vitamin D, calcium, and estrogen. RESULTS The 16 postmenopausal patients treated with estrogen replacement had a statistically significant increase in the lumbar spine bone mineral density at 1 yr (+0.014 +/- 0.049 vs. -0.03 +/- 0.046 g/cm2, p < 0.038), without a significant change in the serum bilirubin or alkaline phosphatase. In treated patients, vitamin D and calcium supplementation did not lead to significant improvement in lumbar spine bone mineral density. CONCLUSIONS Calcium and vitamin D supplementation, even in the presence of vitamin D deficiency, do not improve lumbar spine bone mineral density in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. Estrogen replacement in postmenopausal patients, however, does appear to improve lumbar spine bone mineral density without increasing clinical or biochemical cholestasis, a potential complication reported in animal studies. This study should serve as an impetus for a controlled trial of estrogen replacement in postmenopausal patients with primary biliary cirrhosis.
Leishmania donovani (Ross 1903)

Visceral leishmaniasis, also known as kala-azar, has a wide distribution; no accurate estimate of its prevalence is currently available. The protozoan species that causes visceral leishmaniasis varies according to geographic regions; each has its own unique sandfly vectors and resevoir hosts.1 In India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and China the infection is caused by Leishmania donovani and is spread by sandfly vectors of the genus Phlebotomus; there are no known reservoir hosts. In central Asia, Africa and the Mediterranean region (including southern Europe), visceral leishmaniasis is caused by L. infantum and is spread by Phlebotomus sp.; wild and domesticated dogs serve as reservoir hosts. In Latin America, L. chagasi is the etiologic agent and is spread by the vector Lutzomyia longipalpis; dogs are also the major reservoir hosts.
Developmental Regulation of Sterol and Pentacyclic Triterpene Biosynthesis and Composition: A Correlation with Sorghum Floral Initiation

Sterol and pentacyclic triterpene (PT) composition have been examined in vegetative1–4 and reproductive tissues3,5 of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench in various stages of development. Evidence for the developmental regulation of the amounts and biosynthesis of these polycyclic isopentenoids and its correlation with floral initiation have been obtained in this and our previous studies.1–4 Sterol and PT composition of individual fully mature leaf blades was determined at various stages in the life cycle of S. bicolor (L.) Moench cv. G499 GBR (Figure 1). Free sterol content increased in the leaf blades logarithmically during the vegetative phase of the life cycle (day 7–34); this increase continued during the transition (Figure 2) of the vegetative to floral meristem (day 34–38), and then decreased during panicle development (day 48–104) (Figure 1). The relative ratio of the bulk sterols remained constant throughout the plant’s development not only in the leaf blade but in other tissues, such as the spikelets (data not shown). Early in the plant’s development the leaf blade free PT content was negligible. Following floral induction, free PT content increased to a level greater than the sterols as flowering progressed. The relative ratio for the individual free PT, unlike that of the sterols, did not remain constant.
Concept Mapping a Teaching Sequence and Lesson Plan for “Derivatives”

The chapter presents a student teacher’s work from a study, which investigated secondary preservice teachers’ use of concept maps and vee diagrams as pedagogical tools to (i) guide the critical analysis of the content of a mathematics syllabus, and (ii) develop their skills in designing activities that promote working mathematically. Through in-class presentations and critiques of concept maps, student teachers engaged in the processes of reasoning, justifying, verifying, and validating to ensure that visually displayed interconnections effectively reflected their intended meanings. Bobby’s concept maps presented here, illustrate the conceptual structure underpinning a teaching sequence, a lesson and an assessment plan as part of a required course assignment, to communicate his perceptions of what it means to developmentally and conceptually teach “Derivatives” in contrast to simply compiling a sequential list of sub-topics. Main insights from the findings suggested that constructing concept maps (a) prompted Bobby to reflect more deeply about his own mathematics knowledge beyond the assignment topic and (b) challenged him to strategically organize his conceptual analysis results into hierarchical displays of concept networks to parsimoniously and meaningfully illustrate the interconnectedness between key and subsidiary concepts as his pedagogical planning progresses from a 2-year curriculum and topic syllabus notes to a teaching sequence, lessons and an assessment plan.
Non-motorized Travel as a Sustainable Travel Option

In many developed countries walking and bicycling are not extensively used as a means of transportation. Further, the share of these non-motorized travel modes (as a percentage of all trips) has been reducing over time. The increasingly low use of walk and bicycle modes of transportation, and the concomitant increasing use of motorized vehicles for transportation, may be associated with several factors, including land use and development patterns, traffic safety and personal security concerns, and perceptions of and attitudes towards non-motorized transport. These factors manifest themselves differently in developing and developed countries, but throughout the world the increasing reliance on motorized transport contributes to serious traffic congestion problems, air quality degradation, and greenhouse gas emission increases. In addition to transportation professionals, health agencies are also paying increased attention to non-motorized modes, or “active transport” as a route to improve public health. We discuss the many benefits of non-motorized travel, identify its facilitators and impediments, analyze its utilization in select developed and developing countries, review previous studies of the effectiveness of strategies to promote it, and recommend possible pathways to promote non-motorized travel as a sustainable travel option.
Use of transvaginal ultrasound in diagnosing the etiology of menometrorrhagia

Forty-five women with a chief complaint of abnormal vaginal bleeding from a few days' duration (spotting) to three to six months of bleeding (average, 4.5 months) were evaluated using a standard clinical approach followed by transvaginal ultrasound (US). Serum estradiol (E2), progesterone and/or endometrial biopsy was used to further clarify the etiology of the bleeding and confirm the clinical or ultrasound diagnosis. Anatomic findings were present in 31% of patients by US examination as compared to only 9% by clinical evaluation. An additional 9% of patients had polycystic ovary disease. Of the 16% of study patients on oral contraceptives with a clinical diagnosis of breakthrough bleeding, 33% had anatomic findings associated with the bleeding on US. The ultrasound image of the endometrium predicted the endometrial biopsy findings in all three patients with postmenopausal bleeding. In the remaining patients with a diagnosis of dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) (a diagnosis usually made clinically by excluding other etiologies), US was helpful in excluding many patients with anatomic findings not detected by physical examination and in evaluating the endometrium, helping differentiate anovulatory from ovulatory DUB. US was helpful in predicting the hormonal and histologic endometrial status of the patients. Patients with more severe and prolonged DUB had low serum E2 with US findings of a single-line endometrium (consistent with low serum E2 and anovulation). US can be a valuable aid in evaluating women presenting with a complaint of abnormal vaginal bleeding by demonstrating anatomic findings frequently not discernible on pelvic examination, such as small cysts and leiomyomas and even endometrial carcinoma, and in evaluating the endometrium in terms of its thickness and, indirectly, the endometrial histology and the ovulatory and hormonal status of the patient. US can also be of value in confirming some diagnoses that are generally made clinically by exclusion, such as breakthrough bleeding from oral contraceptive use and DUB.
How Association Matters for Distributive Justice

Under which conditions does the relation between the levels of benefit and burden held by distinct individuals become a concern of justice? Associativists argue that principles of comparative distributive justice apply only among those persons who share some (special) form of association; humanists argue that some such principles apply among all human persons qua human persons. According to the “weak associativist” account that I defend, humanism is wrong, but so are current versions of associativism. Association is necessary if talk of comparative distributive justice is to be apt, but no special form of it is required. Whether or not principles of comparative distributive justice do in fact apply to an association will depend on whether or not the conditions for legitimate enforcement of the resulting duties are satisfied, and we can expect these conditions to be satisfied by a wide range of associative forms.
Some Remarks on the Concept of State

Consider a system which is subject to a succession of T inputs u1,u2,…,uT where ut belongs to a given set Ut, for each t. Outputs yt in given sets Yt are generated for t = 1,…,T. The input-output description of the system is given by functions St as follows.
Rural dentists: does growing up in a small community matter?

ABSTRACT Background The aging of the dental work-force has implications for both patients and dentists, especially those in rural and underserved areas. Anecdotal information regarding dental workforce trends indicates that students from rural communities are more likely to practice in rural communities than are students from urban areas. Although the medical literature supports this premise relative to physicians, there are no data to verify this statement relative to dentistry. Therefore, the authors decided to study whether this premise applies to dentistry. Methods The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of dental student records from a Midwestern dental school for the years 1980 through 2010 to determine if there was a statistical correlation between the size of a dental student's town of origin and the size of the community where he or she practiced after graduation. They also examined what role, if any, the student's sex played. Results Dentists from rural areas were approximately six times more likely to practice in a rural area than were dentists from urban areas. Female dentists were only slightly less likely to practice in a rural community than were male dentists. Conclusion Dentists from rural communities were more likely to practice in rural communities than were dental students from urban areas. Practice Implications To ensure future access to care in rural communities, rural dentists may want to recruit actively or work closely with dental students from rural areas when hiring associates or seeking purchasers for their dental practices.
Numerical Simulation of Reversed Cherenkov Radiation Using a Time-Domain DG Method

It is well-known that charged particles moving faster than light in a medium generate forward Cherenkov radiation. When the particles move in metamaterials, due to the negative refraction, the radiation flips backward, i.e., it generates the so-called reversed Cherenkov radiation (RCR). Though some numerical results have been presented by other researchers, most of them are done by commercial packages which limit the applications. Here we use our own developed time-domain discontinuous Galerkin method to reproduce these interesting phenomena. These numerical tools will help researchers understand RCR better and design more efficient Cherenkov detectors.
Control of ovulation time with steroid and nonsteroid compounds.

Abstract Steroid and nonteroid compounds were utilized in 352 patients in an attempt to regulate the time of ovulation in patients desiring to practice the thermosymptomatic method of family planning. The most effective hormonal agents were conjugated estrogens, ∗ ∗Clomiphene citrate as Clomid was supplied by the Wm. S. Merrell Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. 0.1 mg., and clomiphene citrate, † †Premarin, 0.1 mg., was supplied by Ayerst Labs., New York, New York. 50 mg., in regimens explained. Ovulation control within 3 days was attained in 96.4 and 98.3 per cent, respectively, and unexpected premature or late ovulations were eliminated. The side reactions to conjugated estrogens, 0.1 mg., were virtually absent while those of clomiphene citrate were mild and transient. The concept of utilizing hormonal agents in perfecting the thermosymptomatic method of family planning is as valid as the use of steroid agents for contraceptive family planning.
Sex Differences in Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiomyopathy: TRPC6 Novel Therapeutic Target

Introduction Doxorubicin is an anthracycline used as a chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of a wide range of adult and pediatric cancers. Doxorubicin use is limited do to its association with an increased risk of cardiomyopathy and heart failure. It is estimated that up to 10% of patients treated with doxorubicin will develop cardiac complications. The cardiotoxic effect of doxorubicin is dose-dependent with an increased percentage of patients developing heart failure at cumulative doses higher than 300-400mg/m2. A GWAS conducted of 1,191 patients from the N9831 clinical trial identified that cardiac gene expression and genetic variants of TRPC6 were associated with a decline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (p=0.005 and p=1.6 × 10−6, respectively). TRPC6 is a non-selective cation channel expressed in heart and vascular tissue. TRPC6 participates in the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy as a pathological response to chronic mechanical stress. Chronic activation has been found to promote cardiac fibrosis leading to heart failure. Overall these data suggest that TRPC6 variants could be associated with increased risk of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. Hypothesis Tests to determine which patients may progress to cardiomyopathy and heart failure are currently lacking and there are no targeted treatments to prevent cardiomyopathy in these patients. Methods In preliminary in vivo data, B6.129 wild-type mice (10 females, 10 males) were treated with either 6x intraperitoneal saline or 4mg/kg doxorubicin injections (cumulative dose of 24mg/kg). Results Our in vitro preliminary data show that inhibition of TRPC6 using the TRPC6 inhibitor GsMTx-4 in human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes significantly reduced doxorubicin-induced apoptosis (p Conclusions Our results suggest that TRPC6 could be a novel therapeutic target in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Genetic mapping of TRCP6 functional variants may provide a new screening tool to determine which cancer patients are at increased risk of developing heart failure and may benefit from increased cardiac monitoring and TRPC6-specific therapies.
Comparing the strength of modular signal, and evaluating alternative modular hypotheses, using covariance ratio effect sizes with morphometric data

The study of modularity is paramount for understanding trends of phenotypic evolution, and for determining the extent to which covariation patterns are conserved across taxa and levels of biological organization. However, biologists currently lack quantitative methods for statistically comparing the strength of modular signal across datasets, and a robust approach for evaluating alternative modular hypotheses for the same dataset. As a solution to these challenges, we propose an effect size measure ( ZCR ) derived from the covariance ratio, and develop hypothesis-testing procedures for their comparison. Computer simulations demonstrate that ZCR displays appropriate statistical properties and low levels of mis-specification, implying that it correctly identifies modular signal, when present. By contrast, alternative methods based on likelihood (EMMLi) and goodness of fit (MINT) suffer from high false positive rates and high model mis-specification rates. An empirical example in sigmodontine rodent mandibles is provided to illustrate the utility of ZCR for comparing modular hypotheses. Overall, we find that covariance ratio effect sizes are useful for comparing patterns of modular signal across datasets or for evaluating alternative modular hypotheses for the same dataset. Finally, the statistical philosophy for pairwise model comparisons using effect sizes should accommodate any future analytical developments for characterizing modular signal.
FlyBrainLab: Accelerating the Discovery of the Functional Logic of the Drosophila Brain in the Connectomic/Synaptomic Era

Abstract In recent years, a wealth of Drosophila neuroscience data have become available. These include cell type, connectome and synaptome datasets for both the larva and adult fly. To facilitate integration across data modalities and to accelerate the understanding of the functional logic of the fly brain, we developed an interactive computing environment called FlyBrainLab. FlyBrainLab is uniquely positioned to accelerate the discovery of the functional logic of the Drosophila brain. Its interactive open source architecture seamlessly integrates and brings together computational models with neuroanatomical, neurogenetic and electrophysiological data, changing the organization of neuroscientific fly brain data from a group of seemingly disparate databases, arrays and tables, to a well structured data and executable circuit repository. The FlyBrainLab User Interface supports a highly intuitive and automated work-flow that streamlines the 3D exploration and visualization of fly brain circuits, and the interactive exploration of the functional logic of executable circuits created directly from the explored and visualized fly brain data. Furthermore, efficient comparisons of circuit models are supported, across models developed by different researchers, across different developmental stages of the fruit fly and across different datasets. The FlyBrainLab Utility Libraries help untangle the graph structure of neural circuits from raw connectome and synaptome data. The Circuit Libraries facilitate the exploration of neural circuits of the neuropils of the central complex and, the development and implementation of models of the adult and larva fruit fly early olfactory systems. Seeking to transcend the limitations of the connectome, FlyBrainLab provides additional libraries for molecular transduction arising in sensory coding in vision and olfaction. Together with sensory neuron activity data, these libraries serve as entry points for discovering circuit function in the sensory systems of the fruit fly brain. They also enable the biological validation of developed executable circuits within the same platform.
BLACK-BODY PHOTON CLUSTERING BY SEMICLASSICAL MEANS

If stimulated emission could be turned off, then only uncorrelated photons would be emitted from black bodies and the photon counting statistics would be Poissonian. Through the process of stimulated emission, some fraction of the photons emitted from a black body are correlated and thus emitted in clusters. This photon clustering can be calculated by semiclassical means. The corresponding results are in agreement with quantum theory.
Predictors of Mitral Regurgitation Severity Improvement in Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Background: Mitral regurgitation (MR) is frequently associated with severe aortic stenosis (AS). Significant MR is associated with less favorable prognosis after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), including higher early and late mortality rate. The severity of MR is improved in about half of patients undergoing TAVI. However, the predictors of MR improvement after TAVI are unknown. We sought to investigate whether several demographic, clinical, echocardiographic and laboratory parameters and procedure characteristics are predictive of MR severity improvement after TAVI procedure. Methods: A total of 309 consecutive patients with severe symptomatic AS underwent TAVI procedure in our center from July 1, 2015 till December 31, 2019. The 85 patients had concomitant significant (grade 2 or 3) MR. We performed logistic regression analysis of age, sex, atrial fibrillation, left ventricular ejection fraction, end diastolic diameter, end systolic diameter, left atrial diameter, left atrial area, MR etiology (functional vs. degenerative), CHA2DS2-VASc score, pre-procedure B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels and type of TAVI bioprosthesis as possible predictors of post-TAVI improvement of severity of MR. Results: The 35 patients have at least one grade reduction in the severity of MR in follow-up echo. None of the analyzed parameters were predicting of the MR severity improvement. Conclusions: In this small single-center cohort study, we were unable to find any feasible demographic, clinical, echocardiographic or laboratory predictors of MR improvement after TAVI. There was no correlation between etiology of MR or type of TAVI bioprosthesis used and MR improvement. Cardiol Res. 2021;12(1):25-28 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/cr1174
Virtual Orthopaedic Examination of the Lower Extremity: The Know-How of an Emerging Skill.

» Telemedicine has become an emerging necessity in the practice of orthopaedic surgery following the paradigm shift that was brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. » Physical examination is an integral component of orthopaedic care and plays a crucial role in diagnosis. » Based on our experience and expert opinion in the literature, we recommend the following infrastructure for a virtual orthopaedic physical examination: a computing device with a functioning camera and high-definition input/output audio, a 720p (high-definition) display, a processing speed of 3.4 GHz, an internet connection speed range from 1 to 25 Mbps, adequate lighting, a steady camera that is positioned 3 to 6 ft (0.9 to 1.8 m) from the patient, a quiet environment for the examination, and clothing that exposes the area to be examined. » When performing a virtual examination of the lower extremity, inspection, range of motion, and gait analysis can be easily translated by verbally instructing the patient to position his or her body or perform the relevant motion. Self-palpation accompanied by visual observation can be used to assess points of tenderness. Strength testing can be performed against gravity or by using household objects with known weights. Many special tests (e.g., the Thessaly test with knee flexion at 20° for meniscal tears) can also be translated to a virtual setting by verbally guiding patients through relevant positioning and motions. » Postoperative wound assessment can be performed in the virtual setting by instructing the patient to place a ruler next to the wound for measuring the dimensions and using white gauze for color control. The wound can be visually assessed when the patient's camera or smartphone is positioned 6 to 18 in (15 to 46 cm) away and is held at a 45° angle to the incision.
Ruler and Compass Constructions

One remarkable application of abstract algebra arises in connection with four classical questions, originating with mathematicians of ancient Greece, about geometric constructions.
Dissociation of multiple memory systems by posttraining intracerebral injections of glutamate

The role of glutamatergic transmission in the memory functions of the hippocampus and the caudate-putamen was examined using posttraining intracerebral injections of glutamate. Rats received an eight-trial (30-sec intertriai interval) training session on a hidden or visible platform task in a water maze. In the hidden platform task, a submerged escape platform was located in the same quadrant of the maze on all trials. In the visible platform task, a visible escape platform was located in a different quadrant of the maze on each trial. Following Trial 8 in either task, rats received a posttraining intrahippocampal or intracaudate injection of glutamate or saline. On a two-trial retention test session 24 h later, latency to mount the escape platform was used as a measure of memory. In the hidden platform task, the retention test escape latencies of rats receiving intrahippocampal injection of glutamate (2 µg) were significantly lower than those of vehicle-treated rats, indicating an enhancement of memory. Intracaudate injection (2, 5, or 10 µg) of glutamate had no effect on memory in the hidden platform task. In contrast, intracaudate injection of glutamate (5 µg) enhanced memory in the visible platform task, whereas intrahippocampal injection (1, 2, or 5 µg) had no effect. In both tasks and brain structures, intracerebral injections of glutamate had no effect on memory when delayed 2 h posttraining, indicating a time-dependent effect of glutamate on memory storage processes. The findings indicate a double dissociation of the roles of the hippocampus and the caudate-putamen in memory and suggest that glutamate modulates the distinct forms of memory mediated by these two brain structures.
Thyroid Cancer and the Skin

“Doctor, is this lump anything important?” This is a question that dermatologists face on a daily basis. Most frequently, lesions are usually benign cysts, nevi, or adnexal tumors. On occasion, however, they may be cutaneous metastases. Although such lesions usually occur in patients with a known history of malignancy, they may be the initial presentation of a cancer. Thyroid cancers may metastasize to the skin; when routine histology is equivocal, immunohistochemical stains may allow for a precise diagnosis. Although the presentation of cutaneous metastases is associated with advanced disease, the dermatologist, has the unique opportunity to recognize rare syndromes associated with thyroid malignancies before they develop. By diagnosing these entities, notably multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, the Carney complex, and Cowden syndrome, clinicians may be able to prevent thyroid tumors from developing in these patients and their kin. This chapter details the spectrum of thyroid cancers, their propensity to metastasize, the association with fine-needle aspiration, and the genetic syndromes associated with thyroid tumors.
An Introduction To Game-theoretic Modelling

Noncooperative games Evolutionary stability and other selection criteria Cooperative games in strategic form Characteristic function games Cooperation and the prisoner's dilemma More population games Appraisal The tracing procedure Solutions to selected exercises Bibliography Index.
Family and Kin

This chapter discusses family structure and family factors that contribute to well-being or the lack of among African American boys. Research on the impact of father absence is equivocal with some research suggesting that boys raised in father-absent households do as well as those in father-present households while other research suggests this is not the case. Parental monitoring reduces juvenile delinquency, drug use, risky sexual activity, and improves academic performance and is especially needed when boys live in distressed and low resource communities. Racial socialization, the practice African American parents use to socialize their children about their cultural group and about mainstream society, is a protective factor against neighborhood disadvantage and discrimination for African American boys. African American adolescent males are more likely to be adolescent fathers than males in other racial and cultural groups and the majority embrace the fatherhood role.