cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Demographic and Clinical Correlates of Mucosal Disaccharidase Deficiencies in Children With Functional Dyspepsia.

BACKGROUND A subset of children with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), which includes functional dyspepsia, may have duodenal disaccharidase deficiencies. OBJECTIVES To determine the frequency, demographics, and clinical characteristics associated with duodenal disaccharidase deficiencies in children with functional dyspepsia. METHODS Children ages 4 to 18 years undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) evaluation for dyspepsia were enrolled in either a retrospective (study 1) or prospective (study 2) evaluation. Those with histologic abnormalities were excluded. Duodenal biopsies were obtained for disaccharidase enzyme analysis. In the retrospective study, both demographic and clinical characteristics were obtained via chart review. In the prospective study, parents completed the Rome II Questionnaire on Gastrointestinal Symptoms before the EGD. RESULTS One hundred and twenty-nine children (n = 101, study 1; n = 28, study 2) were included. Mean age was 11.2 ± 3.8 (SD) years in study 1 and 10.6 ± 3.2 years in study 2. Forty-eight (47.5%) of subjects in study 1 and 13 (46.4%) of subjects in study 2 had at least 1 disaccharidase deficiency identified. All of those with a disaccharidase deficiency in both studies had lactase deficiency with 8 (7.9%) and 5 (17.9%) of those in studies 1 and 2, respectively, having an additional disaccharidase deficiency. The second most common disaccharidase deficiency pattern was that of pan-disaccharidase deficiency (PDD) in both studies. In study 1 (where both race and ethnicity were captured), self-identified Hispanic (vs non-Hispanic, P < 0.05) and non-white (vs white, P < 0.01) children were more likely to have lactase deficiency. Age, sex, and type of gastrointestinal symptom were not associated with presence or absence of a disaccharidase deficiency. CONCLUSIONS Approximately half of children with functional dyspepsia undergoing EGD were identified as having a disaccharidase deficiency (predominantly lactase deficiency). Race/ethnicity may be associated with the likelihood of identifying a disaccharidase deficiency. Other clinical characteristics were not able to distinguish those with versus without a disaccharidase deficiency.
Towards Plausibility in Theories of Language Acquisition

A number of recent articles (e.g. Braine 1971, Baker 1979) have taken up the question of how a child can learn a language without reliance on large amounts of negative grammaticality data, i.e. data of the form ‘X is not grammatical as a sentence of language L’. The authors note that the most obvious source of negative grammaticality data, namely corrections of the child’s speech by adults and older children, in fact plays only a small role in language acquisition. Baker also notes that in the case of the most commonly attested corrections, namely those relating to morphological irregularities (“Don’t say dood, say did”), the positive aspect of the correction provides all the data that the child needs: since specific rules (as Panini, Kiparsky, and Koutsoudas et al. tell us) take precedence over general rules, when the child learns that the past tense of do is did, he will automatically stop saying dood regardless of whether he ever learned that dood is unacceptable. The child is thus in an important respect not a little linguist: negative data provide much of the factual basis for argumentation by big linguists, but little of the data that the child has available for use in learning a grammar.
Effects of Mood and Arousal on Industrial Buyer Evaluation of Salespersons, Sales Presentations, and Vendors

This article reports the results of an experiment which was conducted in a field setting to test the effects of mood state and arousal level on industrial buyers’ evaluations of salespersons, sales presentations, and vendors. Both multivariate and univariate procedures were used to analyze data from the experiment which employed a repeated measures design and industrial buyers as subjects. Results support the conclusion that the extent to which mood influences evaluations is dependent upon arousal level. Implications of these results for practitioners and researchers are discussed.
Acute Lower Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage

Acute lower gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage is a potentially life-threatening event, which requires efficient work-up and effective management. Interventional radiology has an indispensable role in treatment of this serious condition. We review the major causes of acute lower GI bleeding in adults, available diagnostic modalities, and endovascular interventions.
Commentary on and Corrections to the First Four Volumes

An excellent survey article on the Rogers–Ramanujan continued fraction, especially from the viewpoint of modular forms, has been written by W. Duke [128].
Observation of stethoscope sanitation practices in an emergency department setting.

Background Stethoscopes harbor pathogens that can be transferred to patients when proper sanitary measures are not taken. Our aim was to assess medical provider stethoscope cleaning and hand hygiene in an emergency department setting. Methods The frequency and methods of stethoscope cleaning during and after provider-patient encounters were observed anonymously in an emergency department of the VA San Diego Healthcare System. Results Among the total of 426 encounters, 115 (26.9%) involved the use of a personal stethoscope. In 15 of these 115 encounters (13.0%), the provider placed a glove over the stethoscope before patient contact. In 13 of these 115 encounters (11.3%), the provider cleaned the stethoscope with an alcohol swab after patient interaction. Stethoscope hygiene with water and a hand towel before patient interaction was observed in 5 of these 115 encounters (4.3%). Hand sanitizer use or handwashing was observed in 213 of the 426 encounters (50.0%) before patient interaction. Gloves were used before patient interaction in 206 of these 426 encounters (48.4%). Hand sanitizer or handwashing was used in 332 of the 426 encounters (77.9%) after patient interaction. Conclusions Rates of stethoscope and hand hygiene performance were lower than expected. Further investigation of stethoscope contamination and the associated risk of nosocomial infection are needed. Perhaps clearer guidelines on proper stethoscope cleaning would reduce this risk.
Protozoological approaches to the cellular basis of mammalian stress repair

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses water-soluble low-molecular-weight metabolites; enzymes and informational macromolecules only figure as they govern functions of related low-molecular-weight metabolites. Protozoology has a part to play here. For instance, tetrahydrobiopterin, a cofactor for the syntheses of catecholamines and indoleamines, is a growth factor for trypanosomatid flagellates. A nonpathogenic trypanosomatid, Crithidia fasciculata , is a widely used analytical reagent for the biopterin series. The chapter tries to coordinate clues about spare parts, regulatory metabolities, enzyme cofactors, cellular mediators, growth factors, etc. that may be derived from studies of our unicellular fellow animals: protozoa. The inspection of the panorama of protozoa will suffice to show how small the sampling of protozoa is pressed into biomedical research services. The protozoal panel might later include the colorless marine dinoflagellate Crypthecodinium cohnii : hardy, fast-growing, and marine. Some isolates grow well in simple defined media; some have marked phagotrophic proclivities. The protozoa singled out in this chapter are, as practically taken for granted (sterility-test results favorable), gnotobiotic and, hence, free of the perturbations in ordinary rodent laboratory models contributed by fluctuations in intestinal syntheses of vitamins or other substances influencing growth.
Dissolution and Thermal Spallation of Barre Granite Using Pure Water Hydrothermal Jets

Spallation induced by rapid hydrothermal heating was investigated as a possible method of drilling rock. In this study, an electrically-heated hydrothermal jet was impinged on the surface of cylindrical Barre Granite specimens (basement rock) contained in an autoclave reactor to induce localized thermal stress. Comminution of the rock surfaces was achieved at supercritical water conditions, temperatures from 535 to 580 °C and pressures of 22.5–27 MPa. These conditions simulate those encountered in drilling deep, water-filled wells at depths greater than about 2300 m. Preferential removal of quartz grains from the rock matrix was observed. This comminution cannot be attributed to erosion by either the jet’s momentum, or by differential pressure forces. Additionally, silica removal (primarily from quartz grains) was observed at rates greater than those that could be attributed to dissolution of quartz alone. This implied a secondary comminution mechanism associated with spallation caused by the local thermal stresses from the impinging hydrothermal jet. The experimentally determined heat flux and surface temperature measurements indicated that hydrothermal drilling occurred below the empirically determined minima for the onset of continuous thermal spallation reported in earlier studies for low-density, high-velocity and high-temperature flame jet drilling at temperatures in excess of 1000 °C jets impinging on rock surfaces at near-atmospheric pressures.
Complexity of Center of Pressure in Postural Control for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders Was Partially Compromised.

The purpose of this study was to compare the complexity of postural control between children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and typical developing children during altered visual and somatosens...
Impact of clinical pharmacy specialists on glycemic control in veterans with type 2 diabetes.

Purpose The results of a study to determine the impact that Patient Aligned Care Team clinical pharmacy specialists (CPSs) have in improving glycemic control among veterans with type 2 diabetes are reported. Methods Reductions in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values in diabetic patients are associated with improved outcomes related to vascular complications. Current diabetes management strategies at the Cincinnati Veteran Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) involve a multidisciplinary approach that includes visits with a CPS by veterans referred by a primary care provider. A retrospective chart review-based study of veterans who received CPS care for diabetes management was conducted. The primary outcome was HbA1c reduction after up to 18 months of CPS care; subgroup analyses by type of clinic visit (face-to-face versus telephone), age group, Care Assessment Need (CAN) Score, and number of visits within an 18-month time frame were performed. Results There was a 2.2% absolute reduction in the mean HbA1c value among veterans receiving CPS care for up to 18 months. There was no statistically significant difference in absolute HbA1c reduction by type of clinic visit. The greatest absolute HbA1c reduction was observed in the following subgroups: 60- to 69-year-old veterans, veterans with a CAN score of ≥90, and veterans who had 5 or more CPS visits. Conclusion CPSs at the Cincinnati VAMC significantly reduced the HbA1c of uncontrolled, complex diabetic veterans. The reduction in HbA1c was greatest in patients who had more than 5 encounters with a CPS over the 18-month data collection period.
Non-Classic Signs of Sézary Syndrome: A Review.

The majority of patients with Sezary syndrome (SS) present with classic symptoms of erythroderma, lymphadenopathy, and pruritus. However, there have been numerous reports of patients with SS who have non-classic signs. In this review, we report the less common clinical presentations of SS and discuss their relevant treatments. Our search included all literature on SS since 2008, the year the World Health Organization (WHO) incorporated the diagnostic criteria for SS into the WHO Classification of Tumours of Haematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues. We reviewed 896 articles and identified 505 patients with non-classic presentations of SS. Of these 505 patients, the most common non-classic signs of SS were keratoderma, onychodystrophy, alopecia, leonine facies, and ectropion. Given the aggressive and highly symptomatic nature of SS, it is imperative that clinicians recognize the less common signs of the disease to prevent delays in diagnosis and treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first review of the clinical variations of SS with a focus on non-classic signs and symptoms.
α-Arylation of Silyl Enol Ethers via Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed C–H Functionalization

Carbon–hydrogen (C–H) bond functionalization streamlines synthesis by increasing step- and atom-economies. This approach, catalyzed by Rh(III), is combined with the α-arylation of ketone-derived si...
Targeted anti-IL-1β platelet microparticles for cardiac detoxing and repair.

An acute myocardial infarction (AMI) induces a sterile inflammatory response that facilitates further heart injury and promotes adverse cardiac remodeling. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) plays a central role in the sterile inflammatory response that results from AMI. Thus, IL-1β blockage is a promising strategy for treatment of AMI. However, conventional IL-1β blockers lack targeting specificity. This increases the risk of serious side effects. To address this problem herein, we fabricated platelet microparticles (PMs) armed with anti–IL-1β antibodies to neutralize IL-1β after AMI and to prevent adverse cardiac remodeling. Our results indicate that the infarct-targeting PMs could bind to the injured heart, increasing the number of anti–IL-1β antibodies therein. The anti–IL-1β platelet PMs (IL1-PMs) protect the cardiomyocytes from apoptosis by neutralizing IL-1β and decreasing IL-1β–driven caspase-3 activity. Our findings indicate that IL1-PM is a promising cardiac detoxification agent that removes cytotoxic IL-1β during AMI and induces therapeutic cardiac repair.
The road to equity for women in academic rheumatology.

Gender disparities persist in many aspects of working life for women in academic rheumatology. To move forward, we must find ways to address the gender gap in rheumatology with the goal of creating a workforce as diverse as the patient population it serves.
Respectful disagreement: the covid-19 shielding list.

Salisbury acknowledges the challenges GPs have had regarding “respectful disagreement” with covid-19 policy and guidance.1 An important example is shielding. GPs are expected to assist government in identifying those who should shield, in line with guidelines produced in mid-March 2020. Neither “vulnerability” nor “extreme vulnerability” were ever defined on the basis of evidence of a specific threshold of risk. Emerging evidence does not support many conditions listed as warranting shielding.23 Thus, the largest group …
Urine metabolomic biomarkers for prediction of isolated fetal congenital heart defect.

To identify maternal second and third trimester urine metabolomic biomarkers for the detection of fetal congenital heart defects (CHDs).This was a prospective study. Metabolomic analysis of randoml...
Incidence of adjacent-segment surgery following stand-alone lateral lumbar interbody fusion.

OBJECTIVE: Adjacent-segment disease (ASD) requiring operative intervention is a relatively common long-term consequence of lumbar fusion surgery. Although the incidence of ASD requiring reoperation is well described for traditional posterior lumbar approaches (2.5%-3.9% per year), it remains poorly characterized for stand-alone lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF). In this study, the authors report their institutional experience with ASD requiring reoperation after LLIF over an extended follow-up period of 4 years. METHODS: Medical records were reviewed for 276 consecutive patients who underwent stand-alone LLIF by a single surgeon for degenerative spinal disorders. Inclusion criteria (single-stage, stand-alone LLIF without posterior supplementation, with no prior lumbar instrumentation, and a minimum of 4 years of follow-up) were met by 182 patients, who were analyzed for operative ASD incidence (per-year rate), demographics, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score. Operative ASD was strictly defined as new-onset pathology following index surgery at directly adjacent levels to the prior construct. Operative, rather than symptomatic or radiographic, ASD was analyzed to provide a consistent and impactful endpoint while avoiding retrospective diagnosis. RESULTS: The study cohort of 182 patients had an operative ASD rate of 3.3% (n = 6 procedures) over 4 years of follow-up, for an incidence on Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of 0.88% (95% CI 0.67%-1.09%) per year. In comparing patients with operative ASD with those without, there were no significant differences in mean age (53.7 vs 56.2 years), male sex (33.3% vs 44.9%), smoking status (16.7% vs 25.0%), or number of levels fused (mean 1.33 vs 1.46). The operative ASD cohort had a greater mean BMI (37.3 vs 30.2, p < 0.01). Operative ASD patients had lower baseline ODI scores (33.8 vs 48.3, p = 0.02); however, no difference was observed in ODI at 6 weeks (34.0 vs 39.0) or 3 months (16.0 vs 32.8) postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of ASD in LLIF for degenerative lumbar etiologies in this cohort was 0.88% (95% CI 0.67%-1.09%) per year. Meanwhile, the reported reoperation rates for ASD in posterior spinal approaches was 2.5% to 3.9% per year, which implies that LLIF may be preferable for well-selected patients.
Winter Conditions and Land Cover Structure the Subnivium, A Seasonal Refuge beneath the Snow.

In seasonally snow-covered environments, many organisms endure winter by using the subnivium, a below-snow thermally stable seasonal refugium. Because the insulation of snow is dependent on snow depth and density, the stability of temperatures within the subnivium varies across land cover types. Additionally, across much of the Northern Hemisphere snow extent, depth and duration are generally decreasing while snow density is increasing due to climate change. These changes are likely to destabilize the thermal profile of the subnivium, although they have not yet been quantified. To explore the effects of land cover and climate change on the subnivium, we measured snow pack characteristics (depth and density), and ambient and subnivium temperatures from three different land cover types (prairie, deciduous forest, and coniferous forest) and within a micro-greenhouse (2.5 x 2.5 x 2 m) that maintained a temperature of 5°C warmer than outdoor ambient temperatures, and automatically opened during snow events throughout the winter of 2013/14. We found that the mean daily subnivium temperature was significantly colder in the deciduous cover type than the prairie cover type, and that prairie had higher maximum subnivium temperatures than both of the other cover types. Our climate change simulation revealed that, although ambient temperatures within the micro-greenhouse were 5°C warmer than outside the greenhouse, the daily minimum subnivium temperature was significantly lower inside the greenhouse. Our findings suggest that climate change could have considerable effects on the refuge quality of the subnivium, and that some cover types appear to be more susceptible to these effects than others.
Vaccinating an Immunocompromised Child

Any illness associated with possible immune dysfunction during childhood requires a decision on the start and/or continuation of ongoing vaccination program according to national guidelines, as well as the decision on possible booster vaccination and vaccination with additional, registered vaccines. It is widely accepted that if a child with presumed or proven immune disorder might benefit from vaccination, this should not be delayed if its application is safe. Children with immune disorders vary in the degree of immunosuppression, susceptibility to infections and immune reactions after vaccination. Besides these, there are certain groups of children with diseases that increase their risk of infectious diseases even in the absence of specific immune disorders. In this article, we discuss the basic principles that should guide decisions for immunization of children with suspected or proven immune system disorder (primary or secondary).
Sources in the Development of Mathematics: Integration of Rational Functions

Preliminary Remarks The integrals of rational functions form the simplest class of integrals; they are included in a first course in calculus. Yet some problems associated with the integration of rational function have connections with the deeper aspects of algebra and of analysis. Examples are the factorization of polynomials and the evaluation of beta integrals. These problems have challenged mathematical minds as great as Newton, Johann Bernoulli, de Moivre, Euler, Gauss, and Hermite; indeed, they have their puzzles for us even today. For example, can a rational function be integrated without factorizing the denominator of the function? Newton was the first mathematician to explicitly define and systematically attack the problem of integrating rational and algebraic functions. Of course, mathematicians before Newton had integrated some specific rational functions, necessary for their work. The Kerala mathematicians found the series for arctangent; N. Mercator and Hudde worked out the series for the logarithm. But Newton's work was made possible by his discovery, sometime in mid-1665, of the inverse relation between the derivative and the integral. At that time, he constructed tables, extending to some pages, of functions that could be integrated because they were derivatives of functions already explicitly or implicitly defined. He extended his tables by means of substitution or, equivalently, by use of the chain rule for derivatives. He further developed the tables by an application of the product rule for derivatives, or integration by parts, in his October 1666 tract on fluxions.
The Pressure-Viscosity Coefficient at Hertz Pressure And Its Relation To Concentrated Contact Traction

Direct measurements to 1.4 GPa of the pressure-viscosity behavior of liquids used in traction studies are presented. These measurements are compared with typical assumptions from the literature. It is demonstrated that the local pressure-viscosity coefficient evaluated at the highest pressure of contact has profound influence upon the logarithmic traction gradient.
Efficient screening of climate model sensitivity to a large number of perturbed input parameters

[1] Modern climate models contain numerous input parameters, each with a range of possible values. Since the volume of parameter space increases exponentially with the number of parameters N, it is generally impossible to directly evaluate a model throughout this space even if just 2–3 values are chosen for each parameter. Sensitivity screening algorithms, however, can identify input parameters having relatively little effect on a variety of output fields, either individually or in nonlinear combination. This can aid both model development and the uncertainty quantification (UQ) process. Here we report results from a parameter sensitivity screening algorithm hitherto untested in climate modeling, the Morris one-at-a-time (MOAT) method. This algorithm drastically reduces the computational cost of estimating sensitivities in a high dimensional parameter space because the sample size grows linearly rather than exponentially with N. It nevertheless samples over much of the N-dimensional volume and allows assessment of parameter interactions, unlike traditional elementary one-at-a-time (EOAT) parameter variation. We applied both EOAT and MOAT to the Community Atmosphere Model (CAM), assessing CAM's behavior as a function of 27 uncertain input parameters related to the boundary layer, clouds, and other subgrid scale processes. For radiation balance at the top of the atmosphere, EOAT and MOAT rank most input parameters similarly, but MOAT identifies a sensitivity that EOAT underplays for two convection parameters that operate nonlinearly in the model. MOAT's ranking of input parameters is robust to modest algorithmic variations, and it is qualitatively consistent with model development experience.
What Do the Studies of Judicial Review of Agency Actions Mean

In this essay, I discuss the meaning of ten empirical studies of judicial review of agency actions that have been published over the last twenty years. The most robust findings are: a court’s choice among the six deference doctrines courts now use has no effect on the outcome of cases; the ideological preferences of judges and Justices explain about 30% of their votes; members of politically mixed panels indulge their ideological preferences about half as often as do members of politically homogenous panels; and, the D.C. Circuit is consistently less deferential than other circuits. I conclude by endorsing David Zaring’s proposal to simplify review doctrine by replacing the present six doctrines with a single doctrine - a reviewing court should uphold any reasonable agency decision. A court can implement that doctrine by asking three simple questions: Is the action consistent with applicable statutes? Is the action consistent with the available evidence? Has the agency adequately explained the action?
Creating order from chaos: part II: tactical planning for mass casualty and disaster response at definitive care facilities.

ABSTRACT Current events highlight the need for disaster preparedness. We have seen tsunamis, hurricanes, terrorism, and combat in the news every night. There are many variables in a disaster, such as damage to facilities, loss of critical staff members, and overwhelming numbers of casualties. Each medical treatment facility should have a plan for everything from caring for staff members to getting the laundry done and providing enhanced security or mortuary services. Communication and agreements with local, regional, and federal agencies are vital. Then we must train and drill to shape the tools to impose order on chaos and to provide the most care to the greatest number.
Pyrosequencing: applicability for studying DNA damage-induced mutagenesis.

Site-specifically modified DNAs are routinely used in the study of DNA damage-induced mutagenesis. These analyses involve the creation of DNA vectors containing a lesion at a pre-determined position, DNA replication, and detection of mutations at the target site. The final step has previously required the isolation of individual DNA clones, hybridization with radioactively labeled probes, and verification of mutations by Sanger sequencing. In the search for an alternative procedure that would allow direct quantification of sequence variants in a mixed population of DNA molecules, we evaluated the applicability of pyrosequencing to site-specific mutagenesis assays. The progeny DNAs were analyzed that originated from replication of N6-(deoxy-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-2,6-diamino-3,4-dihydro-4-oxo-5-N-methylformamidopyrimidine (MeFapy-dG)-containing vectors in primate cells, with the lesion being positioned in the 5′-GCNGG-3′ sequence context. Pyrosequencing detected ∼8% G to T transversions and ∼3.5% G to A transitions, a result that was in excellent agreement with frequencies previously measured by the standard procedure (Earley LF et al. [2013]: Chem Res Toxicol 26:1108–1114). However, ∼3.5% G to C transversions and ∼2.0% deletions could not be detected by pyrosequencing. Consistent with these observations, the sensitivity of pyrosequencing for measuring the single deoxynucleotide variants differed depending on the deoxynucleotide identity, and in the given sequence contexts, was determined to be ∼1–2% for A and T and ∼5% for C. Pyrosequencing of other DNA isolates that were obtained following replication of MeFapy-dG-containing vectors in primate cells or Escherichia coli, identified several additional limitations. Collectively, our data demonstrated that pyrosequencing can be used for studying DNA damage-induced mutagenesis as an effective complementary experimental approach to current protocols. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 55:601–608, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Responding to the Mystery of Human Existence: David Walsh and Some Contemporaries for and Against Modernity

Abstract An analysis of David Walsh's critique of modern liberalism based primarily on two of his works, The Growth of the Liberal Soul (1997) and The Third Millennium: Reflections on Faith and Reason (1999). Walsh's assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of modernity are discussed, and comparisons are drawn to the analyses of Eric Voegelin, Pierre Manent, Charles Taylor, and Michael Oakeshott.
Trace analysis for aromatic hydrocarbons in natural waters

Abstract A method for trace analysis of volatile aromatic hydrocarbons in natural water is described. The method is based on sparging water samples with nitrogen, adsorption of hydrocarbons on activated charcoal, followed by desorption into carbon disulfide and gas chromatographic analysis. The sensitivity of the method reaches into the 0.1 to 0.2 μg/L concentration range for individual aromatic hydrocarbons. The accuracy and reliability of the method was validated. The method was used in three field studies: dispersion of aromatic hydrocarbons discharged from the Trans-Alaska Pipeline southern terminal throughout Port Valdez; survey of the Atigun River Watershed after oil spill on June 10, 1979; and chemical characterization of treated effluents from offshore oil extraction platforms in the Gulf of Mexico.
Outcomes and patterns of care in adult skull base chordomas from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database

Abstract This study aims to demonstrate survival rates and treatment patterns among patients with chordomas of the skull base using a large population database. Patients with cranial chordomas between 1973 and 2009 were identified from the USA Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) public use database. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to examine the effect of surgery and radiation on overall survival. We identified 394 patients with histologically-confirmed cranial chordomas. Median survival was 151 months. Most patients (89.09%) underwent surgery. Less than half (44.92%) received radiation after diagnosis. Patients who underwent surgical resection survived significantly longer than those who did not undergo resection, regardless of other treatments (151 versus 81 months, p versus 61.4%, p = 0.66). Surgery predicted better overall survival by univariate analysis (hazard ratio [HR] 0.603, p = 0.0293); younger age at diagnosis (HR 1.028, p p = 0.0027) were prognostic of improved survival in a multivariate model. In subgroup analysis of patients with documented tumor size, smaller tumor size (HR 1.021, p = 0.0067), younger age (HR 1.031, p = 0.001), and treatment within a higher volume registry (HR 0.490, p = 0.0129) predicted improved survival. Surgical intervention offers survival benefit for cranial chordomas. Findings of decreased survival in patients receiving radiation may be associated with selection. Studies examining surgical extent of resection data and radiation details are needed to determine the impact of radiotherapy.
Geometry of formal Kuranishi theory

Abstract The principle “ambient cohomology of a Kaehler manifold annihilates obstructions” has been known and exploited since pioneering work of Kodaira. This paper unifies and modestly extends known results in the context of abstract deformations of compact Kaehler manifolds and submanifolds.
Inhibitors of advanced glycation end-products prevent loss of enteric neuronal nitric oxide synthase in diabetic rats

Abstract Gastrointestinal dysfunction is common in diabetes, and several studies indicate that loss of neuronal nitrergic inhibition may play an important role in its pathogenesis. However, the mechanisms responsible for this effect remain largely unknown. We have previously shown that advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) formed by non-enzymatic glycation dependent processes, can inhibit the expression of intestinal neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in vitro acting via their receptor, receptor for AGEs. We now hypothesized that this effect may also be important in experimental diabetes in vivo. We aimed to evaluate the role of AGEs on duodenal nNOS expression and the effects of aminoguanidine (a drug that prevents AGE formation) and ALT-711 (AGE cross-link breaker) in experimental diabetes. Streptozotocin induced diabetic rats were randomized to no treatment, treatment with aminoguanidine (1 g L−1 daily through drinking water) at the induction of diabetes, or treatment with ALT-711 (3 mg kg−1 intraperitoneally), beginning at week 6. A fourth group was used as healthy controls. We performed real time polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry to detect nNOS expression. AGE levels were analysed using sandwich ELISA. Diabetes enhanced accumulation of AGEs in serum, an effect that was prevented by treatment with aminoguanidine and ALT-711. Further, diabetic rats showed a significant reduction in duodenal nNOS expression by mRNA, protein and immunocytochemistry, an effect that was prevented by aminoguanidine. ALT-711 had similar effects on nNOS protein and immunohistochemistry (but not on mRNA levels). The generation of AGEs in diabetes results in loss of intestinal nNOS expression and may be responsible for enteric dysfunction in this condition. This study suggests that treatment directed against AGEs may be useful for the treatment of gastrointestinal complications of diabetes.
A characterization of the multivariate normal distribution and some remarks on linear estimators

Abstract A characterization of the multivariate normal distribution is given. The characterization is essentially based on spherical symmetry and linearity of the posterior mean of a translation parameter vector. In addition some remarks concerning admissibility of linear estimators are made.
Coping with Crises: An Examination of the Impact of Traumatic Events on Religious Beliefs

The impact of traumatic events on empirical and metaphysical assumptions was examined, by comparing assumptions of a group of 25 persons who had recently experienced a major stressor with assumptions of a group of 25 persons who had not had such an experience. Each group was composed of 22 women and 3 men, with a mean age of 20 years. Participants completed written measures assessing level of adjustment, empirical world assumptions, religious motivation, and religious and spiritual experiences. Naturalistic interviews were conducted with the trauma group. The trauma group obtained significantly higher scores on symptoms of psychological distress but did not differ in evaluations of the empirical world as predictable, safe, or controllable. Interviews suggested that the metaphysical assumptions were not challenged by trauma; rather, they provided a framework for understanding and coping with trauma.
Stigma Management in Normal-Stigmatized Interactions: Test of the Disclosure Hypothesis and a Model of Stigma Acceptance.

This study explored the efficacy of disclosure as a stigma management strategy in normal-stigmatized interactions. A laboratory experiment was conducted using confederates to simulate three classes of stigmas. As predicted, reactions of normals (nonstigmatized subjects) were uniform across stigmas. While there is some indication that disclosure may reduce uncertainty in normal-stigmatized interactions, no support obtained for the hypothesis that disclosure about a stigma increases acceptance of the bearer. Path analysis of the data indicated a process leading from uncertainty, tension, and attraction to acceptance/rejection, as expected. Findings are discussed in terms of stigma attributions and relational development.
Water and nitrogen outflow from lodgepole pine forest after two levels of tree mortality

Abstract Water and nitrogen outflow beyond the rooting zone were estimated in three adjacent forest plots dominate by lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta ssp. latifolia [Engelm. ex Wats.] Critchfield) in the Medicine Bow Mountains, southeastern Wyoming, USA. One of the plots was clearcut, one was thinned by tree girdling and fungal infection, and the third was monitored as a control. Water outflow was estimated using a stand-level simulation model, and N outflow was calculated as the product of N concentration in the soil-water and the volume of soil-water outflow. Tree thinning reduced stand leaf area by 43% and led to a 92% increase in water outflow; clearcutting the stand increased water outflow by 277%. The thinning treatment, which killed 60% of the trees, had an insignificant effect on nitrate and total N outflow 2 years later. However, clearcutting increased nitrate concentrations by 10–40 times and total N outflow by about 37 times. The marked differences in N outflow from the thinned and clearcut stands suggest that surviving trees in the thinned stand are important for nutrient immobilization. Nitrogen outflow is compared with N inputs, N losses via tree harvesting, and N outflow after disturbances in other forests.
OpenMP extension to SMP clusters

This article discusses the approaches to apply the OpenMP programming model to symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) clusters using software distributed shared memory (SDSM). The major focus of this article is on the challenges that the prior studies faced and on their solution techniques. Exploiting message-passing primitives explicitly for the openMP synchronization and work-sharing directives enables light interprocess synchronizations. The studies on loop scheduling for SMP clusters will promise significant improvement in system performance. Finally, OpenMP is considered as promising programming model
Theoretical analyses of hydrogen abstraction by aldehyde triplet excited states

Abstract The fully optimized transition states for hydrogen abstraction from methane by formaldehyde and acetaldehyde have been computed using UMP2/6-31G(d)//6-31G(d) calculations. The geometry of the formaldehyde/methane transition state matches well with the geometry obtained previously using the 3-21G basis set, but the energy is lowered somewhat (18.7 versus 22 kcal/mol, respectively). Approach of the methane trans-periplanar (i.e. anti) to the acetaldehyde methyl group leads to a transition state similar to that for formaldehyde (saddle point at 17.9 kcal/mol). Approach syn to the methyl group leads to a modest variation in both the saddle point geometry and energy (19.1 kcal/mol), both attributed to unfavorable steric interactions in this trajectory.
Physical and chemical controls of preferred path flow through a forested hillslope

Abstract Investigations of the physical and chemical characteristics of macropores and mesopores at two forested sites established for subsurface transport research are summarized. The hydrologically active macroporosity (pores larger than 1 mm diameter) is a very small fraction of the total soil porosity but is sufficient to conduct a large proportion of ponded infiltration. Mesopores (pores less than 1 mm diameter that are generally drained at field capacity) are sufficient to conduct total infiltration during the majority of rain events and have a much higher surface area than macropores. The cation adsorption coefficient of macropore walls was similar to bulk soil for mineral coatings but was higher for organic linings derived from roots. The subsurface outflow from a 0.46 ha subwatershed generated by two precipitation events displayed two contrasting patterns of chemical concentration. At the time of peak discharge, the concentration of Na, K, Mg, Ca and S was close to maximum (high supply); and for Al, Fe and Mn, chemical concentration was highest prior to peak discharge (low supply). A pathlength-supply hypothesis is proposed, based on (1) changing proportions of mesopore flow path lengths with stage of the subsurface hydrograph and (2) the ability of mesopore surfaces and adjacent micropores to continue supplying chemicals to percolating soil water. Macropores are viewed as being important physical conduits in convergent flow zones of watersheds but as having little influence on water quality.
FOAMING OF SURFACTANT COMBINATIONS: SODIUM DODECYL SULFATE AND IGEPAL CO 210

ABSTRACT The stability was investigated of foams formed from water plus combinations of a hydrophobic, nonionic surfactant and an ionic, water-soluble one. When the total concentration of the two surfactants was kept constant, the foam stability was strongly increased for a certain ratio of them. Phase equilibria revealed this enhanced stability to be due to the presence of a lamellar liquid crystalline phase. In the region of two liquid phases, (aqueous solution and solution rich in Igepal CO 210) the stability depended on the volume ratio between the two solutions in a more complex manner.
Body sensor networks for baseball swing training: Coordination analysis of human movements using motion transcripts

Becoming proficient in a sport requires significant investment in training. Wearable sensor devices can improve training due to the high level of mobility, ubiquity and intelligent feedback offered. In this paper, we present a wearable platform that provides baseball players with corrective feedback based on multidimensional physiological data collected from a body sensor network. We attempt to generate motion transcripts, which simplify interpretation of complex movements. We then use transcripts to measure coordination among limb segments and joints of the body. The starting times of key events are found in the transcripts, and the coordination between these times is analyzed.
A Source of Contention or Nutrition: An Assessment of Removing Flavored Milk from School Lunchrooms

Objective: To determine how removing flavored milk from cafeterias in a school district affects participation in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the uptake of white milk. Design, Data, and Analysis: Schools in a district in Oregon provided enrollment, NSLP participation, and milk sales data for September and October of the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 school years. At the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year, all schools in the participating district removed flavored milk from their cafeterias. Ordinary least squares regression was used to estimate how enrolment in the NSLP and sales of white milk were affected after flavored milk was removed. Results: Between the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 school years, average daily participation in the National School Lunch Program dropped by 6.8% (p < 0.01), potentially driven by elimination of flavored milk. Daily milk sales decreased by nearly 11% (p < 0.01) such that a daily average of approximately 15 fewer students took milk. Conclusions and Implications: While removing flavored milk from school cafeterias does eliminate a source of added sugar, it also removes a good source of important nutrients-calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin D. Students who no longer take milk must compensate for lost nutrients by eating other foods. Whether they choose healthy or unhealthy items at school, or at home, is a subject for future research. Andrew S. Hanks, 17 Warren Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-7801. Tel: 607-339-6942. E-mail: ah748@cornell.edu. David R. Just, 16 Warren Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-7801. Tel: 607-255-5024. E-mail: drj3@cornell.edu. Brian Wansink, 15 Warren Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-7801. Tel: 607-254-6302. E-mail: wansink@cornell.edu. The authors recognize the U.S. Department of Agriculture ERS/FNS for their support. Accepted for presentation at the annual meeting for the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior
Acute leukemia and mongolism

Summary Clinical information is reported ontwo children in whom acute leukemia and mongolism occurred simultaneously.
From Votes to Seats: The Operation of the U.K. Electoral System since 1945

Ron Johnston, Charles Pattie, Danny Dorling, and David Rossiter. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2001. xxi and 241 pp., maps, diags., tables, apps., and index. $74.95 cloth (ISBN 0-7190-58...
Next-generation sequencing for cancer drug development: the present and visions for the future

NGS for Cancer Drug Development 24-26 September 2013, Boston, MA, USA Many of us who, prior to the -omics revolution, staunchly pursued the molecular basis of disease causation recognized the fundamental importance that biomarkers held for the eventuality of personalized medicine, more accurate diagnostics and targeted drug discovery. With slab sequencing apparatuses now mere memories relegated to the dusty reaches of old laboratory cabinets, we are fervently unraveling the complexities of many diseases through newer, more powerful innovative technologies. Quicker than ever before, we are achieving a deeper understanding of causative genetic lesions, perturbed pathways and the functions of altered networks. This has opened the door to a golden age of data generation that shows promise as a vital key to the successful treatment of human diseases. Hanson Wade recently organized a series of three related symposia that highlighted advances in industry and academic research in the areas of drug development, companion diagnostics and disease profiling: 'NGS for Cancer Drug Development' conference in Boston on 24-26 September 2013, the 'NGS Data Analysis' conference in San Francisco on 15-17 October 2013 and the 'World CDx' conference in Boston on 12-15 November 2013. These meetings provided forums for leaders to present advancements in personalized medicine, strategies for drug development, and innovations in diagnostics and other important areas. Their highly interactive nature also provided opportunities for industry and academic attendees to identify common hurdles that stand in the way of progress, (e.g., biomarker validation, analytical software limitations, data sharing, sample handling, regulatory and reimbursement restrictions), and to propose strategies for independent and community approaches toward overcoming such hurdles. In the interest of space, this review will be limited to the first in this series, the NGS for Cancer Drug Development conference, and its six major areas of focus.
Improving Inquiry-Driven Modeling in Science Education through Interaction with Intelligent Tutoring Agents

This paper presents the design and evaluation of a set of intelligent tutoring agents constructed to teach teams of students an authentic process of inquiry-driven modeling. The paper first presents the theoretical grounding for inquiry-driven modeling as both a teaching strategy and a learning goal, and then presents the need for guided instruction to improve learning of this skill. However, guided instruction is difficulty to provide in a one-to-many classroom environment, and thus, this paper makes the case that interaction with a metacognitive tutoring system can help students acquire the skill. The paper then describes the design of an exploratory learning environment, the Modeling and Inquiry Learning Application (MILA), and an accompanying set of metacognitive tutors (MILA--T). These tools were used in a controlled experiment with 84 teams (237 total students) in which some teams received and interacted with the tutoring system while other teams did not. The effect of this experiment on teams' demonstration of inquiry-driven modeling are presented.
Demonstration of biological activity of prolactin molecular weight variants in human sera.

Three immunoreactive forms of PRL, separated by Sephadex G-100 column chromatography, were identified in serum samples from 10 normal subjects and 7 patients with PRL-secreting pituitary tumors. Fractions eluted from the column were assayed for bioactivity by using a sensitive bioassay with the Nb2 cell line. Three molecular weight variants of PRL were identified in normal subjects. In samples from 9 of the 10 normal subjects, 80.1 ± 3.6% (mean ± SEM) of the total bioactivity eluted in a peak corresponding to a PRL monomer (peak III) with a mol wt of approximately 24,000, 18.3 ± 3.7% eluted in a peak with a mol wt of approximately 56,000 (peak II), and 1.6 ± 1.1% of the biological activity was in the void volume (peak I). In the 10th normal sample, 65% of the total bioactivity was in the void volume (peak I), 31% was in peak III, and 4% was in peak II. Samples from the patients had 3.6 ± 0.7% of the total bioactivity in peak I, 9.3 ± 1.0% in peak II, and 87.0 ± 1.1% in peak III, percentages not significan...