cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
News Media Analysis of the United States Preventive Services Task Force and American Urological Association Prostate Cancer Screening Guidelines

Abstract Introduction Rates of prostate specific antigen screening and prostate cancer diagnoses have declined following controversial changes to prostate cancer screening guidelines by the USPSTF (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force) in 2011 and 2012 advising against all prostate specific antigen screening. To understand whether uneven media coverage of the guidelines may have influenced shifts in clinical decision making, this study analyzes news reports about the USPSTF and AUA (American Urological Association) prostate cancer screening guidelines. Methods Two national databases were queried for news articles published within 30 days of the release of each guideline. Media analysis included consequences of screening, accuracy of guideline descriptions, discussion of primary evidence and neutrality of headlines. Thematic changes between the preliminary and final USPSTF guidelines were compared. Results Of the 45 news articles in the sample 24 were about the preliminary USPSTF guidelines, 17 about the final USPSTF guidelines and 4 about the revised AUA guidelines. More than 80% of the articles discussed adverse consequences of prostate specific antigen screening while a minority accurately summarized the recommendations or discussed limitations of the evidence. Significantly more articles about the final vs preliminary USPSTF guidelines had headlines opposing screening or suggested urologists’ financial gains from prostate specific antigen tests (p Conclusions The USPSTF guidelines were more extensively reported in the news than the AUA guidelines. Articles frequently emphasized the negative aspects of screening and did not discuss limitations of the evidence. These findings may have influenced patients’ decisions underlying declines in prostate specific antigen screening since 2011.
Response shift - The experience of disease progression in Parkinson disease.

Abstract Objective To investigate response shift, the recalibration of perceived quality of life (QoL) relative to symptomatic changes in Parkinson disease (PD). Background Health-related QoL in PD is influenced by improvement vs. decline in disease severity. However, it is unclear how disease course changes internal standards of QoL over time. Methods 124 PD patients were subdivided based on Total UPDRS change over 1 year (stable, improved, declined). The EuroQol Visual Analog Scale assessed QoL at baseline (T1) and 1 year later (T2). At T2, patients rated current QoL (T2-current) and reappraised their T1 QoL (T2-retrospective). Recalibration response shifts were represented by the difference between T1 and T2-retrospective QoL ratings. Results At follow-up (T2), the total patient sample reported no difference between current (T2 current mean (M) = 76.3) and retrospective (T2-R M = 77.8) QoL ratings. While there was no significant difference between T1 (M = 79.2) and T2-R ratings 1 year later (M = 77.8) for the total sample, there was a change by group interaction (p Conclusions When PD patients consider their health status one year ago, decliners recalibrate and downgrade last year's health assessment, while improvers upgrade last year's assessment. Changes in internal calibrations cushion periods of decline or improvement in PD such that patients tend to “stabilize” their general disease course when recalling symptom trajectory, providing insight into the process of adaptation to the effects of disease progression and treatment over time.
An IT-LSCD Model For IT Deprivation Among Low-Income Urban High School Students

This study observed the Information Technology and Life Skills Career Development (IT-LSCD) model. IT-LSCD addressed three dilemmas urban high school students faced: 1) The digital divide, 2) Functional electronic illiteracy, and 3) Youth unemployment among underrepresented groups in a thriving technological society. The Information Technology 2000 Computer Training (IT 2000) Project utilized IT-LSCD to integrate technology literacy…
Rapid throughput analysis of GABAA receptor subtype modulators and blockers using DiSBAC1(3) membrane potential red dye

Fluorometric imaging plate reader membrane potential dye (FMP-Red-Dye) is a proprietary tool for basic discovery and high-throughput drug screening for G-protein-coupled receptors and ion channels. We optimized and validated this potentiometric probe to assay functional modulators of heterologous expressed GABAA receptor (GABAAR) isoforms (synaptic α1β3γ2, extrasynaptic α4β3δ, and β3 homopentomers). High-resolution mass spectrometry identified FMP-Red-Dye as 5,5'-(1-propen-1-yl-3-ylidene)bis[1,3-dimethyl-2-thio-barbituric acid]. GABAAR-expressing cells equilibrated with FMP-Red-Dye exhibited depolarized equilibrium membrane potentials compared with GABAAR-null cells. The channel blockers picrotoxin, fipronil, and tetramethylenedisulfotetramine, and the competitive antagonist bicuculline reduced fluorescence near the levels in GABAAR-null cells indicating that FMR-Red-Dye, a barbiturate derivative, activates GABAAR-mediated outward Cl- current in the absence of GABA. GABA caused concentration-dependent increases in fluorescence with rank order of potencies among GABAAR isoforms consistent with results from voltage-clamp experiments (EC50 values for α4β3δ, α1β3γ2, and β3 homopentamers were 6 ± 1, 40 ± 11, and >18 mM, respectively), whereas GABAAR-null cells were unresponsive. Neuroactive steroids (NAS) increased fluorescence of GABAAR expressing cells in the absence of GABA and demonstrated positive allosteric modulation in the presence of GABA, whereas benzodiazepines only exhibited positive allosteric modulator (PAM) activity. Of 20 NAS tested, allopregnanolone, (3α,5α,20E)-3-hydroxy-13,24-cyclo-18-norcholan-20-ene-21-carbonitrile, eltanolone, 5β-pregnan-3α,21-diol-20-one, and ganaxolone showed the highest potency. The FMP-Red-Dye-based assay described here provides a sensitive and quantitative method of assessing the activity of GABAAR agonists, antagonists, and PAMs on diverse GABAAR isoforms. The assay has a wide range of applications, including screening for antiseizure agents and identifying channel blockers of interest to insecticide discovery or biosecurity.
Brassinosteroid Mediated Cell Wall Remodeling in Grasses under Abiotic Stress

Unlike animals, plants, being sessile, cannot escape from exposure to severe abiotic stresses such as extreme temperature and water deficit. The dynamic structure of plant cell wall enables them to undergo compensatory changes, as well as maintain physical strength, with changing environments. Plant hormones known as brassinosteroids (BRs) play a key role in determining cell wall expansion during stress responses. Cell wall deposition differs between grasses (Poaceae) and dicots. Grass species include many important food, fiber and biofuel crops. In this article, we focus on recent advances in BR-regulated cell wall biosynthesis and remodeling in response to stresses, comparing our understanding of the mechanisms in grass species with those in the more studied dicots. A more comprehensive understanding of BR-mediated changes in cell wall integrity in grass species will benefit the development of genetic tools to improve crop productivity, fiber quality and plant biomass recalcitrance.
Autophagy modulation: a potential therapeutic approach in cardiac hypertrophy

Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved process used by the cell to degrade cytoplasmic contents for quality control, survival for temporal energy crisis, and catabolism and recycling. Rapidly inc...
β-Hydroxybutyrate improves β-cell mitochondrial function and survival

Pharmacological interventions aimed at improving outcomes in type 2 diabetes and achieving normoglycaemia, including insulin therapy, are increasingly common, despite the potential for substantial side effects. Carbohydrate-restricted diets that result in increased ketogenesis have effectively been used to improve insulin resistance, a fundamental feature of type 2 diabetes. In addition, limited evidence suggests that states of ketogenesis may also improve β-cell function in type 2 diabetics. Considering how little is known regarding the effects of ketones on β-cell function, we sought to determine the specific effects of β-Hydroxybutyrate (βHB) on pancreatic β-cell physiology and mitochondrial function. βHB treatment increased β-cell survival and proliferation, while also increasing mitochondrial mass, respiration and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. Despite these improvements, were unable to detect an increase in β-cell or islet insulin production and secretion. Collectively, these findings have two implications. Firstly, they indicate that β-cells have improved survival and proliferation in the midst of βHB, the circulating form of ketones. Secondly, insulin secretion does not appear to be directly related to apparent improvements in mitochondrial function and cellular proliferation.
Quality of local school wellness policies for physical activity and resultant implementation in Pennsylvania schools

Background In 2006, United States public schools participating in federal school meal programs were required to adopt school wellness policies. The effect of these policies on school nutrition environments is well documented; however, evaluation of physical activity policies has received less investigation. We aimed to evaluate how district wellness policies aligned to practice for physical activity implementation in 40 schools with high obesity rates (>24%). Methods Wellness policies were evaluated using the validated Wellness School Assessment Tool (WellSAT). Concurrently, schools completed the validated Alliance for a Healthier Generation's Healthy Schools Program (HSP) self-assessment to evaluate physical activity practices. Overall, 13 of 20 physical activity measures from WellSAT and 12 of 13 physical activity measures from HSP were aligned to match policy with practice. Results Most policy items scored 0 or 1, indicating either 'no mention in the policy' or 'containing weak or vague language'. Corresponding HSP results indicated that school physical activity practices are 'not in place' or 'under development'. A strong, positive, correlation (r = 0.92, P < 0.001) indicated that a significant relationship exists between policy and implementation. Conclusions Results indicate that most districts currently have weak policies regarding physical activity, limiting the potential to positively influence school-based physical activity.
Advanced computational fluid dynamics modeling of direct injection engines

Abstract: Multi-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is an effective and well-accepted method in engine research, design and development. The focus of this chapter is on engine CFD modeling of incylinder phenomena. This chapter reviews various engine CFD models and their application to the research and development of direct injection (DI) engines. These models include turbulence, spray, combustion, emission and other related models and their sub-models.
Enemies of the State: Mass Incidents and Subversion in China

According to press reports, the Chinese Communist Party faces a rising tide of resistance and subversion. Since 1993 the number of protests, demonstrations, strikes, and riots – or what the Chinese Ministry of Public Security calls “mass incidents” – has reportedly jumped nearly fifteen fold, hitting upwards of 127,000 a year in 2008 – the equivalent of 348 a day. Since the early 1990s, the government has arrested an average of 580 individual for counterrevolutionary crimes or endangering state security. In 2008, following rioting in Lhasa and unrest in Tibetan regions the number of such arrests reportedly rose to 1,600 and it seems safe to assume that in the wake of the July 2009 Urumqi riot that the number for 2009 will not be less than in 2007. In this paper, I use two datasets to analyze the rising tide of mass incidents, the nature of subversion, and the connection between mass incidents and organized subversion. The data show that mass incidents are generally rooted in work-related grievances and seek address of immediate demands rather than seeking broad political changes. The data also suggest that most “subversive” groups are either traditional sectarian groups or religious sects and that many of these are not necessarily engaged in subversion – defined herein as political activity designed to bring about the violent overthrow of a regime – or sedition – defined herein as political activity designed to discredit and undermine governmental authority. Finally, the data suggest that the rising tide of mass unrest remains disorganized and largely unconnected to organized subversion.
Stochastic Learning Paths — Estimation and Simulation

The focus of this paper is a stochastic theory (due to Falmagne, in press) capable of describing in detail the progress of students learning a particular field. This theory provides explicit predictions for the joint probabilities of observing, at times t 1 < t 2 < … < t n , the successive response patterns R 1, R 2,…, R n . The main concern of this paper is the feasibility of parameter estimation. The difficulties are that the number of parameters is large (the data to be explained are rich and intricate), and also that no closed form or approximation is currently available for a particular form of an “n-dimensional” beta integral playing a central role in the predictions. It is nevertheless shown, through simulated data, that very accurate estimates of the parameters can be obtained in exemplary, representative cases. The estimation procedure uses a combination of standard approximations and numerical integration. These results indicate that the model is applicable in realistic situations.
Dear Mr. Kozol. . . . Four African American Women Scholars and the Re-Authoring of Savage Inequalities.

BackgroundIn 1991, Savage Inequalities quickly became the most riveting assessment of the inequalities in U.S. public schools. When Kozol visited East St. Louis for his book, the authors of this pa...
Chapter 2 Evolution

Summary Morphological correlates of human reach and grasp movements emerged with the origin of our earliest primate ancestors. Pentadactyl hands with a divergent thumb, and with nails supporting friction pads, allowed foraging among slender branches for fruits and insects. Binocular vision evolved concurrently. The reaching aspect of this adaptation became exaggerated in our more recent ape-like ancestors, whose long, mobile arms and fingers allowed them to hang by one hand on stable branches while the other hand reached to the periphery of trees for fruits. Effective thumb/fingertip grips were sacrificed with elongation of the fingers, but were compensated for by elaboration of independent, controlled movements by the index finger and opposable thumb. With the evolution of bipedality, human reach to grasp movements were applied increasingly to the use of tools. Fossil bones and prehistoric tools reveal stages in the evolution of distinctively human grips and manipulative behavior.
The Logic of Sample Selection: Who Represents What?.

This article focuses on sampling problems related to the use of system-identified subjects in special education research. Differences in school district criteria and procedures for selection of pup...
Two-Year Observational Study of Deferiprone in Superficial Siderosis (P2.299)

Objective: To determine if deferiprone, a lipid-soluble iron chelator, is effective in the treatment of superficial siderosis. Background: Superficial siderosis is a rare, neurodegenerative disease caused by a toxic accumulation of hemosiderin on the surface of the brain and the spinal cord, most commonly acquired due to chronic subarachnoid hemorrhage. Design/Methods: This is a 2-year longitudinal observational study of 38 subjects with superficial siderosis taking deferiprone at a starting dose 1000 mg twice daily ×5 days per week. All subjects obtained pre- and post-treatment brain MRIs, and weekly laboratory test results were collected. Osirix software was used to develop a new method of quantifying hemosiderin deposition. Three dimensional whole brain images of gradient echo images were rendered and compared by dividing the mean T2 hyperintensity to the maximal cerebrospinal fluid signal. Results: The average age was 64 years (range 37 – 86), 47% were female, 94% were white. There were no cases of agranulocytosis, and declines of white blood cells counts and neutrophils averaged Conclusions: This is the first long term prospective study of superficial siderosis using the iron chelator, deferiprone. MRI quantification of hemosiderin appears to demonstrate a measurable reduction in 25% in select responder patients. Further studies are needed to determine if a longer period of deferiprone administration is required until the other 75% see a response by MRI, and if improvements on MRI translate to a clinical benefit. Study Supported by: Apopharma Disclosure: Dr. Kessler has nothing to disclose. Dr. Schwartz has nothing to disclose. Dr. Li has nothing to disclose. Dr. Mealy has received personal compensation for activities with Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers as a speaker. Dr. Levy has received personal compensation from Alexion, Guidepoint Global, Genzyme and Acorda.
Aggregate dispersions to enhance the intrachain order in surfactant-stabilized aqueous colloids of poly(3-hexylthiophene)

Abstract Aqueous colloids of conjugated polymers (CP), such as poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT), are an attractive alternative for processing CP-based materials because (1) the microstructure of the conjugated polymers can be optimized during the formation of the colloid and (2) this method can significantly reduce the amount of hazardous organic solvents used during manufacturing. This investigation addresses the optimization of the polymer structure by studying the intrachain order of P3HT aggregates pre-assembled in mixtures of chloroform (CF) with dichloromethane (DCM) and subsequently dispersed in aqueous solutions of the surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) using a mini-emulsion method. Compared to an amorphous solution of P3HT, the observed intrachain order of P3HT in the colloids is much higher when using aggregate dispersions pre-assembled in the CF:DCM mixtures. Similar results are observed for aggregate dispersions of a benchmark organic photovoltaic system composed of P3HT and the fullerene derivative phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), but in this case the intrachain order of P3HT in the P3HT:PCBM colloids is anomalously higher than the pure P3HT colloids. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging reveals changes in the dominant structural motifs and morphology of the colloidal P3HT films, but not in a way that correlates with films processed from the aggregate dispersions.
Michael Oakeshott and the Cambridge School on the History of Political Thought

This book is a critique of Cambridge School Historical Contextualism as the currently dominant mode of history of political thought, drawing upon Michael Oakeshott’s analysis of the logic of historical enquiry. While acknowledging that the early Cambridge School work represented a considerable advance towards genuinely historical histories of political thought, this work identifies two major historiographical problems that have become increasingly acute. The first is general: an insufficiently rigorous understanding of the key concept of "pastness" necessarily presupposed in historical enquiry of all kinds. The second is specific to histories of political thought: a failure to do justice to the varieties of past political thinking, especially differences between ideology and philosophy. In addressing these problems, the author offers a comprehensive account of the history of political thought that establishes the parameters not just of histories of ideological thinking but also of the much disputed character of histories of political philosophy. Since rethinking history of political thought in Oakeshottian terms requires resisting current pressures to turn history into the servant of currently felt needs, the book offers a sustained defence of the cultural value of modernist historical enquiry against its opponents. An important work for political theorists, historians of political thought and those researching intellectual history, the philosophy of history and proposed new directions in contemporary historical studies.
Abstract 5289: Gain-of-function mutant p53 predisposes head and neck keratinocytes and squamous cell carcinoma cells to replicative stress and genomic instability through minichromosome maintenance complex component 5

As the guardian of genome, p53 plays important roles in maintaining the genome integrity, and TP53 mutations thereby often lead to genomic instability in cancers. In addition to the loss-of-function, many TP53 mutations can lead to the gain-of-functions (GOF) that often promote tumor development and tumor progression. As an effort to identify the mechanisms involved in mutant p53 GOF activities in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), we performed an unbiased proteomic screen to identify the mutant p53 G245D interactome in HNSCC cells by immunoprecipitation, and quantitative proteomics using stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture and liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Our results identified that MCM5, a member of replication licensing heterohexameric origin recognition complex minichromosome maintenance 2-7 (MCM2-7), interacts with mutant p53s, which suggests a possible role of mutant p53 in regulation of DNA replication. Consistent with this, we show that overexpression of mutant p53 in p53-depelted oral keratinocytes and HNSCC cells predisposes cells susceptibility to replication stress by inhibiting the dormant origin firing, leading to increased chromosomal instability (CIN) under replication stress. Moreover, by overexpressing and downregulating MCM5, we demonstrate that MCM5 modulates GOF mutant p53-mediated susceptibility to replication stress and CIN. Given the importance of MCM2-7 in replication licensing, initiation, and elongation, our discovery of the relationship between mutant p53 and MCM5 suggests that the MCM2-7 complex is one of the key downstream effectors, through which GOF mutant p53s regulate DNA replication and genomic instability in HNSCC. Citation Format: Mei Zhao, Tianxiao Wang, Chen Zhen, Jing Wang, Curtis R. Pickering, Junjie Chen, Jeffrey N. Myers, Ge Zhou. Gain-of-function mutant p53 predisposes head and neck keratinocytes and squamous cell carcinoma cells to replicative stress and genomic instability through minichromosome maintenance complex component 5 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5289.
Metaphorical Use of Alchemy’s Retort, Prima Materia, and the Philosopher’s Stone in Psychotherapy

This essay shares my experience of the usefulness of alchemical understandings of the retort, the prima materia (first matter), and the philosopher’s stone in the practice of therapy. I discovered that these suppositions offer practical insights into how to be an effective clinician. The retort correlates with the therapist, the process of therapy, and eventually the client as container; the prima materia correlates with the unconscious material that the client brings to therapy; and the philosopher’s stone correlates with the healing function of the psyche. The quality of the therapist’s presence is likened to the qualities the alchemists aspired to live up to in themselves. I also found parallels between psychological transformation and the alchemical understandings of the structure of the retort as exemplified in the axiom “like cures like.” * Author
Teacher Preparation for the Middle Grades. ERIC/EECE.

Clearinghouse on Teaching and Teacher Education, American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE), One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 610, Washington, DC 20036-1186. (Phone 800 822-9229 or Internet ericsp@inet.ed.gov). Available at no cost from the clearinghouse are two ERIC Digests on this topic: Model Programs for Middle School Teacher Preparation (Order Number 89/5, November 1991) and Preparation of Middle School Teachers (Order Number 90/1, September 1991). Both digests can be ordered by telephone, by mail, or on the Internet.
Short-term Experiences in Global Health: What is the Cost of Cultural Competence?

Students in a wide variety of health professions are increasingly interested in volunteering on a short-term experience in global health (STEGH). The literature suggests that STEGHs pose a variety of potential risks and benefits, and may carry a significant cost to plan and provide. One potential mitigating factor for any risks and costs is that student participation on a STEGH may enhance their cultural competence. Since monies spent on STEGHs are fungible, and there may be other opportunities to improve students’ cultural competence, the objectives of this study were to determine if participation on a STEGH increased students’ cultural competence and if so, what the cost for any such increase was. In this study, 20 students who participated on a 1-week STEGH to the Dominican Republic completed the Inventory for Assessing the Process of Cultural Competence Among Health Care Professionals – Student Version (IAPCC-SV) before and after the STEGH. The costs for all students and 7 supervising health professionals to volunteer for the STEGH were calculated, and the size of any increase in cultural competence was determined. The cost was divided by the change in cultural competence to ascertain the cost of the change. Students showed a measureable increase on the IAPCC-SV overall and on the subscales of knowledge and skill. The cost of a 1% overall increase in students’ cultural competence ranged from $287 to $401. These results may allow schools offering STEGHs to determine if their offerings are cost-effective or not.
Therapeutic Potential of SARS-CoV-2-Specific Monoclonal Antibody CR3022

The spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), coupled with a lack of therapeutics or vaccines, has paralyzed the globe While
Rare prostate cancer mimic on multiparametric MRI: Cowper's gland hyperplasia

Multiparametric MRI and targeted biopsies of the prostate have been increasingly utilized in men with elevated PSA. It is important to recognize potential mimics of prostate cancer on MRI and on biopsy specimens. Familiarity with the location, imaging and histological appearance of Cowper's glands will prevent misdiagnosis and help avoid unnecessary biopsies. We present a case of Cowper's gland hyperplasia with a review of its imaging and histopathologic characteristics.
Sequential Encryption for Multiple Implantable Medical Devices

Wireless communication became an essential tool for modern Implantable Medical Devices (IMDs) for information exchange. In spite of the many advantages wireless technology has, it puts the patients health in serious danger if no proper security mechanism is deployed. We aim to secure these devices while taking into consideration the limitations these small devices suffer from. IMDs have resources that are relatively simple and sometimes require surgery to be altered. Consequently, common security mechanisms cannot be simply implemented in fear of consuming all the resources dedicated to healthcare needs. A certain balance between security and efficiency must be sought in each IMD architecture. In this work, we propose a sequential and secure encrypted communication scheme for patients with multiple IMDs. We present a model that delivers the information generated by all IMDs in one packet to the final receiver. This information will be encrypted sequentially going from one IMD to the next. This scheme eliminates the need for single IMD authentications with the receiver. Instead of each IMD communicating independently with the same receiver, each device will send its information to a different IMD in a single communication action. Performing this way, the scheme would exploit the inherent properties of the entropy of the physiological signals to randomize the exchanged messages. The scheme succeeded in NIST tests with high rates around 95%. This relieves the IMDs from the need for the encryption in addition to a recovery rate of 100% for the proposed architecture. At the end, the final message will be attack- resistant with length < 1Kb in short handling time in order of 100 ms.
When heroes moonlight as graduate students: Accommodating those called into public service after the Hurricane Harvey disaster:

This study evaluates faculty efforts to accommodate graduate students in the Tarleton State University Masters of Public Administration and Masters of Criminal Justice programs called away from cla...
Understanding why young urban trees die can improve future success

Abstract The first several years after planting a tree, referred to as the establishment period, are recognized to have the highest annual mortality rates; determining those factors that influence survival of young trees should be considered paramount. This research examined several factors that influence young urban tree mortality: nursery production type (i.e. bare root, gravel bed bare root, container, or balled and burlapped), tree taxa, planting location type, and “planted by” (i.e. “who” planted the tree). The results from this study supported several relationships between project variables and young tree mortality, most notably that trees planted as containerized or balled-and-burlapped rootstock types in boulevards and parks had significantly higher survival rates than bare-root trees. Nursery production type, tree planting location, and tree taxa all had statistically significant impacts on young tree mortality, but “planted by” was not significant. The highest mortality rates were experienced by all trees planted in park/public spaces. The conclusions of this research will help to fill gaps and build upon the existing body of literature that practitioners may draw from to make informed planting and care decisions.
What’s new in pathophysiology of peritonitis?

Background: The pathophysiological mechanisms and pathways of “abdominal sepsis” — at all levels — starting from the cell itself, through the patient’s hemodynamics, to his gross clinical appearance, are inherently chaotic. To make sense of the chaos we need to simplify and that is what we attempt to bring here: a simplified pathophysiological scenario to help you — the clinician — approach what you call “abdominal sepsis” in a practical way. Methods: This manuscript reviews issues concerned with the terminology of the continuum of contamination — infection — sepsis, its microbiology and biology, including mechanical, cellular and molecular mechanisms. It emphasizes the interaction between elevated intra-abdominal pressure and the inflammatory-infective process. The concepts of sterile local inflammatory response syndrome (LIRS) and initial compartmentalization peritonitis are underlined. Results: The issues above are briefly discussed and simplified. Conclusions: Our role as surgeons can be summarized under two headings: source control and damage control. Source control implies the surgical eradication of the contaminating-infecting source. Damage control encompasses “all the rest” — the support of local mechanical, cellular and molecular hosts defenses. Understanding of the pathophysiology is crucial for effective current management and for planning future therapies.
Prevalence of the “double-line” sign when performing focused assessment with sonography in trauma (FAST) examinations

The double-line sign (DLS) is a wedge-shaped hypoechoic area in Morison's pouch bounded on both sides by echogenic lines. It represents a false-positive finding for free intraperitoneal fluid when performing focused assessment with sonography in trauma examinations. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of DLS. Secondarily, the study will further investigate the relationship between the presence of a DLS and body mass index (BMI). This was a prospective study that enrolled patients over a 7-month period. Inclusion criteria were patients ≥ 18 years of age presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) requiring a FAST examination as part of the patient's standard medical care. Each examination was performed by one of six experienced ultrasonographers. Presence or absence of the DLS was established in real time and gender, height, weight, and BMI were recorded for each patient. The overall prevalence rate of DLS and the corresponding 95 % confidence interval were calculated, as well as the prevalence rates broken down by BMI characterized as underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese; and age category (18-29, 30-64, and 65+). The Chi-square test and a Fisher's exact test for BMI category were used to compare the prevalence rates of positive DLS among the different demographic groups. 100 patients were enrolled in the study; the overall prevalence was 27 %. There was no statistical significance among the different demographic groups or BMI. The DLS is a prevalent finding. We believe this sign has become more apparent due to improved imaging technology and resolution.
The effects of oral contraceptives on the results of laboratory tests

Abstract The literature on the effects of oral contraceptives on the results of clinical laboratory tests has been reviewed critically. One hundred tests are affected significantly. These have been tabulated and, for each, an estimate has been made as to whether the effect is slight, moderate, or severe.
German Expressionist Theatre: The poetics of Expressionist performance: contemporary models and sources

Expressionism, like any of the artistic movements of the early twentieth century, did not develop or progress in the orderly fashion of a moving army, as a term such as “avant-garde” implies. Rather, in John Willett's words, it was “more like a current in the sea. Shapeless, it is at the same time continually changing shape; it has no outlines, just marginal areas where nobody can say which way it is going or if it is moving at all.” So the Expressionist era must have seemed to those artists caught up in it. Nonetheless, Expressionism ultimately assumed the coherence of a movement; and it did so in painting and literature earlier and more clearly than in the theatre. This was largely due to the formation of artists' groups such as “Die Brucke” and “Der Blaue Reiter” and literary circles like “Sturm” and “Aktion” which found an identity in the exhibitions and periodicals they sponsored. For Expressionist theatre the only such group of any importance – within the context of commercial theatre – was the Berlin association, Das junge Deutschland; and it too was essentially a literary and theoretical vehicle. Aside from the Sturm-Buhne coterie, the actors of Expressionist drama themselves were not significantly associated with such societies, but rather found stimulation and support in the practical setting of the theatres to which they were contracted.
Optimal H/sup infinity / control of hybrid multirate systems

The problem of using a synchronous multirate digital controller for a continuous-time plant is considered. The performance objective considered is the H/sup infinity / norm of the periodically time-varying continuous-time input-output behavior of the closed-loop system. A continuous-time lifting technique is used to solve this hybrid sampled-data problem. This approach yields an equivalent purely discrete-time problem while preserving the multirate causality of the system. The latter problem can then be solved using known techniques. >
Measuring the Deployment Hiccups of DNSSEC

On May 5, 2010 the last step of the DNSSEC deployment on the 13 root servers was completed. DNSSEC is a set of security extensions on the traditional DNS protocol, that aim in preventing attacks based on the authenticity and integrity of the messages. Although the transition was completed without major faults, it is not clear whether problems of smaller scale occurred. In this paper we try to quantify the effects of that transition, using as many vantage points as possible. In order to achieve that, we deployed a distributed DNS monitoring infrastructure over the PlanetLab and gathered periodic DNS lookups, performed from each of the roughly 300 nodes, during the DNSSEC deployment on the last root name server. In addition, in order to broaden our view, we also collected data using the Tor anonymity network. After analyzing all the gathered data, we observed that around 4% of the monitored networks had an interesting DNS query failure pattern, which, to the best of our knowledge, was due to the transition.
Synchrotron radiation study of second phase particles and alloying elements in zirconium alloys.

We have conducted a study of second phase particles and matrix alloying element concentrations in zirconium alloys using synchrotron radiation from the Advanced Photon Source (APS) at Argonne National Laboratory. The high flux of synchrotron radiation delivered at the 2BM beamline, compared to conventional X-ray generators, enables the detection of very small precipitate volume fractions. We detected the standard C14 hcp Zr(Cr, Fe) 2 precipitates (the stable second phase in Zircaloy-4) in the bulk material at a cumulative annealing parameter as low as l0 -2~ h, and we followed the kinetics of precipitation and growth as a function of the cumulative annealing parameter (CAP) in the range 10 -22 (quench) to l0 ~6 h. In addition, the unique combination of spatial resolution and elemental sensitivity of the 2IDD/E microbeam line at the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne (APS) allows study of the alloying element concentrations at ppm levels in an area as small as 0.2 • 0.3 ~m. We used X-ray fluorescence induced by this sub-micron X-ray beam to determine the concentration of these alloying elements in the matrix as a function of alloy type and thermal history. We discuss these results and the potential of synchrotron radiation-based techniques for studying zirconium alloys.
Reevaluating the Role of Companion Animals in the Era of the Aging Boomer

The Census Bureau reports that the number of Americans sixty-five years and older is expected to double to 88.5 million by 2050 and represent 19% of the population by 2030. The aging population itself is getting older. The growth of the aging population and the "oldest old" will have a significant impact on societal resources and health care costs. As the percentage of the aging population increases, it is crucial to consider factors that will contribute to their well-being and health. One of these factors is the role that companion animals have in their lives. For some older adults, companion animals are a vital part of their daily existence. This Article is divided into four substantive parts. The first part considers the role of pets in the United States and the impact of companion animals on the lives of seniors. The second part analyzes issues that the elderly may face in keeping or interacting with companion animals in their residences. The third part analyzes federal laws that ensure that older persons with disabilities using service and assistance animals will have access to public accommodations and housing. The fourth part considers the risks of having animals in the lives of the elderly.
Lending a helping hand to hearing: Another motor theory of speech perception

© Cambridge University Press 2006. … any comprehensive account of how speech is perceived should encompass audiovisual speech perception. The ability to see as well as hear has to be integral to the design, not merely a retro-fitted after-thought. Summerfield (1987) The “lack of invariance problem” and multisensory speech perception In speech there is a many-to-many mapping between acoustic patterns and phonetic categories. That is, similar acoustic properties can be assigned to different phonetic categories or quite distinct acoustic properties can be assigned to the same linguistic category. Attempting to solve this “lack of invariance problem” has framed much of the theoretical debate in speech research over the years. Indeed, most theories may be characterized as to how they deal with this “problem.” Nonetheless, there is little evidence for even a single invariant acoustic property that uniquely identifies phonetic features and that is used by listeners (though see Blumstein and Stevens, 1981; Stevens and Blumstein, 1981). Phonetic constancy can be achieved in spite of this lack of invariance by viewing speech perception as an active process (Nusbaum and Magnuson, 1997). Active processing models like the one to be described here derive from Helmholtz who described visual perception as a process of “unconscious inference” (see Hatfield, 2002). That is, visual perception is the result of forming and testing hypotheses about the inherently ambiguous information available to the retina.
A Case of Duane Syndrome, Developmental Venous Anomalies, Hydrocephalus, and Multiple Sclerosis: Possible Link or Just a Co-Incidence? (P4.075)

OBJECTIVE:To describe a tetrad of Duane retraction syndrome (DRS), developmental venous anomalies (DVAs), hydrocephalus and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) BACKGROUND: DRS is a rare congenital disorder characterized by specific abnormalities in eye movements. DRS has been reported in association with DVAs. The latter have been found to be associated with brain parenchymal changes including white matter disease and cortical atrophy. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a condition characterized by demyelination and progressive degeneration of the CNS. Blood brain barrier (BBB) disruption is thought to be a key player in disease pathogenesis DESIGN/METHODS:Patient chart, imaging, laboratory findings were reviewed from the time of MS diagnosis until last MS clinic follow up. RESULTS:41 year old white female born with DRS, presented to the MS clinic for follow up. Her main complaints were severe weakness/spasticity of the left lower extremity and severe urinary retention (daily catheterization). She was diagnosed with PPMS at the age of 27 based upon clinical features, MRI findings and cerebrospinal fluid analysis. Her initial MRI and all subsequent ones showed asymmetric right hydrocephalus and right sided DVAs (in cerebellum and brain stem). CONCLUSIONS:The co-existence of DRS and DVAs in our patient (both proposed to be manifestations of in-utero vascular ischemic insult) together with hydrocephalus and white matter demyelination led us to propose that the observed constellation of pathologies may not be a simple co-incidence. It is possible that hydrocephalus and white matter demyelination are secondary to impaired localized BBB disruption secondary to impaired venous drainage. To our knowledge, this is the first described tetrad of PPMS, DRS, DVAs and hydrocephalus. Further studies are needed to establish the actual prevalence of DVAs in MS patients compared to general population. Disclosure: Dr. Obeidat has nothing to disclose. Dr. Zabeti has nothing to disclose.
An Integrative Review of Adolescent Depression Screening Instruments: Applicability for Use by School Nurses

BACKGROUND: Major depression is a significant yet underdiagnosed problem of adolescence. The consequences of undiagnosed and untreated depression in this vulnerable population can have detrimental effects. School nurses are in a prime position to perform early screening and referral. However, the school environment requires special consideration as the setting for screening of adolescent depression. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper is to identify instruments that can be utilized by the school nurse to perform easily administered, rapid adolescent depression screenings that are valid, reliable, and economical. METHODS: An integrative review of current depression instruments used in adolescents was conducted. RESULTS: Of the seven most commonly used instruments, only four of those fit the criteria listed for conducting screening in the school setting by the school nurse. The four instruments include the Beck Depression Inventory-Youth (BDI-Y), the Children's Depression Inventory, the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale for Children, and the Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale. CONCLUSION: Although all four of the identified instruments provide reliability and validity in the school setting, it is the other criteria: affordability, ease of administration, and the ability of the instrument to be rapidly scored, that placed the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale for Children and the BDI-Y as the reasonable choice of instruments for use by the school nurse.
Spermiogenesis in the Marine Shrimp, Sicyonia ingentis

Spermiogenesis in the marine prawn Sicyonia ingentis was examined using transmission electron microscopy. The acrosomal vesicle, derived from the fusion of pro-acrosomal vesicles blebbed from the nuclear envelope, contains the membrane pouches, anterior granule and a spike. The anterior granule is formed from the coalescence of granular aggregates within the proacrosomal vesicles. Primordia underlying the apical acrosomal vesicle membrane polymerize to form a spike approximately 6 μm long. The convoluted pouch membranes arise from the posterior acrosomal vesicle membrane. Lateral and apical portions of the acrosomal vesicle are surrounded by a pentalaminar membrane comprised of the spermatid plasma membrane and the acrosomal vesicle membrane. Subacrosomal structures include the dense saucer plate, granular core and crystalline lattice. These components condense just posterior to the acrosomal vesicle and are separated from the chromatin by a nuclear plate. The spermatid nucleus becomes surrounded by rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and membranous lamellar bodies. RER gives rise to smooth endoplasmic reticulum. These membrane systems degenerate, forming a band of reticular elements around the lateral and posterior portions of the nucleus. The nucleus undergoes condensation followed by decondensation with concomitant breakdown of the nuclear envelope. The resultant chromatin is fibrillar in appearance.
Intrinsic transport properties of electrons and holes in monolayer transition-metal dichalcogenides

Intrinsic electron- and hole-phonon interactions are investigated in monolayer transition-metal dichalcogenides $M{X}_{2}$ (M=Mo, W; X=S, Se) based on a density functional theory formalism. Due to their structural similarities, all four materials exhibit qualitatively comparable scattering characteristics with the acoustic phonons playing a dominant role near the conduction and valence band extrema at the K point. However, substantial differences are observed quantitatively leading to disparate results in the transport properties. Of those considered, ${\mathrm{WS}}_{2}$ provides the best performance for both electrons and holes with high mobilities and saturation velocities in the full-band Monte Carlo analysis of the Boltzmann transport equation. It is also found that monolayer $M{X}_{2}$ crystals with an exception of ${\mathrm{MoSe}}_{2}$ generally show hole mobilities comparable to or even larger than the value for bulk silicon at room temperature, suggesting a potential opportunity in p-type devices. The analysis is extended to estimate the effective deformation potential constants for a simplified treatment as well.