cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Dangers of Hymenotomy for Imperforate Hymen: A Case of Iatrogenic Pelvic Inflammatory Disease with Pyosalpinx

Abstract Background Complications associated with imperforate hymen include cyclical abdominal pain, acute urinary retention, endometriosis, and even iatrogenic infections. Case A 14-year-old young woman was diagnosed with an imperforate hymen, hematocolpos, and right hematosalpinx. A hymenotomy was performed, followed by a hymenectomy 3 days later. On postoperative day 7, she was admitted for pelvic inflammatory disease with a right pyosalpinx. The infection was refractory to intravenous gentamicin, ampicillin, and clindamycin so the patient underwent computed tomography-guided drainage of the pyosalpinx. Two days later, she was discharged home in good condition. Summary and Conclusion Small incisions and punctures into imperforate hymens without immediate definitive management should be avoided because inoculation of the newly introduced bacteria can ascend the gynecologic tract and lead to serious infections.
Impact of human disturbance on the thermoregulatory behaviour of the endangered ringed sawback turtle (Graptemys oculifera)

Human recreational disturbance of riverine environments may be contributing to population declines of aquatic organisms worldwide. Aquatic turtles that are heavily dependent on basking in sunlight to maintain an optimal body temperature may abandon basking perches because they perceive humans as potential predators. The impact of boat traffic, the availability of basking structures, and various environmental factors on the basking behaviour of the ringed sawback turtle (Graptemys oculifera) was assessed at two sites on the Pearl River, Mississippi, USA. This information was used to model the likely effects of human disturbance on the body temperature of large female turtles. Both the duration of basking and the percentage of turtles in a basking group that abandoned their basking perch were influenced by the availability of alternative basking sites, frequency of boat traffic, boat speed enforcement zones (‘wake’ or ‘no wake’), boat type, air temperature, weather conditions, and Julian day. A simulation model of anthropogenically disturbed and undisturbed adult female ringed sawbacks showed that disturbance probably decreases the mean daily body temperature, especially at higher disturbance probabilities and in May, when the air temperature is low. Management recommendations are provided that minimize the adverse effects of unintentional human disturbance of the ringed sawback to enable more effective conservation of this endangered, endemic species. Such methods are likely to be useful elsewhere as recreational disturbance becomes a greater conservation issue worldwide.
Additive Manufacturing of 3D-Architected Multifunctional Metal Oxides.

Additive manufacturing (AM) of complex three-dimensional (3D) metal oxides at the micro- and nanoscales has attracted considerable attention in recent years. State-of-the-art techniques that use slurry-based or organic-inorganic photoresins are often hampered by challenges in resin preparation and synthesis, and/or by the limited resolution of patterned features. A facile process for fabricating 3D-architected metal oxides via the use of an aqueous metal-ion-containing photoresin is presented. The efficacy of this process, which is termed photopolymer complex synthesis, is demonstrated by creating nanoarchitected zinc oxide (ZnO) architectures with feature sizes of 250 nm, by first patterning a zinc-ion-containing aqueous photoresin using two-photon lithography and subsequently calcining them at 500 oC. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis reveals their microstructure to be nanocrystalline ZnO with grain sizes of 5.1 ± 1.6 nm. In situ compression experiments conducted in a scanning electron microscope show an emergent electromechanical response: a 200 nm mechanical compression of an architected ZnO structure results in a voltage drop of 0.52 mV. This photopolymer complex synthesis provides a pathway to easily create arbitrarily shaped 3D metal oxides that could enable previously impossible devices and smart materials.
High Levels of Interleukin-12 Are Associated with Reduced Incidence of Relapse and Death without Increasing Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease (AGVHD) after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation (SCT).

We recently found that a low number of circulating dendritic cells (DC) is predictive of increased relapse, acute GVHD, and poor survival following allogeneic SCT (Reddy V et al, Blood2004;103(11):4330–5). Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is an immunostimulatory cytokine involved in the activation of naive T cells by DC (Rissoan et al. Science1999;283(5405):1183–6). We hypothesized that patients with high levels of circulating IL-12 in the post transplant period have improved relapse free survival. We studied 134 patients, 120 of whom were evaluable and transplanted during the period of July 1999 to April 2004. Seventy-two patients had transplants from related and 48 from unrelated donors, for predominantly high risk (88%) hematologic malignancies. Median follow up was 1158 days (range 70–1792). Blood samples were collected as baseline prior to conditioning, on day 0 prior to stem cell infusion and during the first week (day 4 and/or 7) after transplant. Plasma IL-12 levels were measured by ELISA. To determine the independent effect of post-transplant IL-12 levels and clinical outcomes, a cluster analysis was performed on the logarithmically transformed mean IL-12 concentration at days 4 and 7 post-transplant. The analysis generated a low, medium and high IL-12 group. Forty-six patients had low levels of IL-12 (median=2 pg/ml, range 0–6.5), 49 patients had medium (median=20.5 pg/ml, range 7–75.5) and 25 patients had high levels (median=181 pg/ml, range 84–623). There was a significant association between IL-12 level and onset of relapse. Using a multivariate Cox model with the low group level as reference, the high IL-12 group level had an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 0.27 (95% C.I. 0.09–0.79) and the medium group level a HR of 0.65 (95% C.I. 0.31–1.36). Incidence of relapse at 500 days by Kaplan-Meier analysis by IL-12 group were 23.0% (high group), 40.3% (medium group), and 48.8% (low group). Covariates in the multivariate models were gender match, disease risk, graft source, patient age, donor relation. There was a significant relationship between IL-12 levels and composite death and relapse, the high IL-12 group had a HR of 0.37 (95%C.I.=0.17–0.80) and the medium group a HR of 0.85 (95%.C.I. 0.50–1.45). There was no association between IL-12 levels and risk of AGVHD (p-value=0.51). In addition to IL-12, disease risk was a significant risk factor for the composite endpoint of relapse or death (HR=5.4, p-value=0.0052). The model generated for the outcome of relapse only did not have any additional significant risk factors. In conclusion, high post-transplant levels of IL-12 are associated with less relapse and improved relapse free survival after transplantation. This data suggests that IL-12 administration should be considered as a possible component in studies addressing treatment of relapse after transplantation.
Alternative modes of O2 activation in P450 and NOS enzymes are clarified by DFT modeling and resonance Raman spectroscopy.

Abstract The functions of heme proteins are modulated by hydrogen bonds (H-bonds) directed at the heme-bound ligands by protein residues. When the gaseous ligands CO, NO, or O2 are bound, their activity is strongly influenced by H-bonds to their atoms. These H-bonds produce characteristic changes in the vibrational frequencies of the heme adduct, which can be monitored by resonance Raman spectroscopy and interpreted with density functional theory (DFT) computations. When the protein employs a cysteinate proximal ligand, bound O2 becomes particularly reactive, the course of the reaction being controlled by H-bonding and proton delivery. In this work, DFT modeling is used to examine the effects of H-bonding to either the terminal (Ot) or proximate (Op) atom of methylthiolate-Fe(II)porphine-O2, as well as to the thiolate S atom. H-bonds to Op produce a positive linear correlation between ν(Fe – O) and ν(O – O), because they increase the sp2 character of Op, weakening both the Fe – O and O – O bonds. H-bonds to Ot produce a negative correlation, because they increase Fe backbonding, strengthening the Fe – O but weakening the O – O bond. Available experimental data accommodate well to the computed pattern. In particular, this correspondence supports the interpretation of cytochrome P450 data by Kincaid and Sligar [M. Gregory, P.J. Mak, S.G. Sligar, J.R. Kincaid, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 125 (2013) 5450–5453], involving steering between hydroxylation and lyase reaction channels by differential H-bonds. Similar channeling between the first and second steps of the nitric oxide synthase reaction is likely.
Chapter Four – Confidentiality

Confidentiality is a status given to information that is sensitive, in need of protection, and only disclosed in the context of a trusting relationship. The confidentiality of health information is typically protected under the law, for example by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States. Confidentiality is an important standard of professionalism. It is challenged by digital technology because online and electronic content is inherently not confidential and can easily be replicated and disseminated without permission, including by hackers. Healthcare professionals may also violate confidentiality by posting patient-identifying content online. Potential consequences of such confidentiality breaches include loss of employment and/or license.
The Microscopic Transsphenoidal Approach for Craniopharyngiomas

Craniopharyngiomas are one of the most heterogeneous and challenging pathologies faced by the neurosurgeon. Complete surgical removal improves outcome, overall survival, and decreases recurrence risk, across both pediatric and adult populations. However, controversy remains regarding the safest and most efficacious surgical approach, which should be tailored to the specific characteristics of each tumor and patient. Given that the origin and epicenter of craniopharyngiomas are often related to the pituitary stalk, they pose excellent candidates for the transsphenoidal approach because the axis of the tumor lies along the axis of the plane of visualization. Microscopic inspection and bimanual maneuverability also abets thorough dissection of the craniopharyngioma capsule and preservation of the vascular supply to the hypophyseal, hypothalamic, and optic chiasm regions. Further endoscopic assistance and extended transsphenoidal exposures can be combined with the microscopic transsphenoidal approach to fully utilize the rapidly developing arsenal against complex skull base lesions.
Perceived Weight Status, Disease Risk and Weight Loss Among Young Adults.

Introduction Accurate perception of overweight status can influence weight management practices and may contribute to perceived risk of weight-related diseases. Understanding how weight perception impacts weight management and perceived risks in young adults is important, as it is during this time that individuals are forming lifestyle behaviors and likely not burdened by chronic disease. Methods Cross-sectional data from 86 young adults (18-25 years) were analyzed. Height, weight and information about perceived weight status, weight management behaviors and perceptions of weight-related disease seriousness and risk were collected. Chi-square analyses and logistic regression were used to determine relationships among variables. Results Accurate weight perception differed by gender and body mass index (BMI) category. No obese individuals accurately perceived their weight status. Factors influencing accurate weight perception included perceived weight status, perceived risk of high cholesterol or diabetes, and perceiving high blood pressure as serious. Weight loss desires and behaviors differed by gender and BMI category. Perceived disease seriousness differed among some BMI categories. Generally, those who perceived a disease to be serious or perceived risk for a given disease were more likely to perceive another disease as serious or perceive risk for another disease. Among the overweight/obese, perceived risk of disease given current weight ranged from 3.4 percent for high blood pressure or heart disease to 17.2 percent for high cholesterol. Conclusion There is perceived weight-related disease risk among the overweight/obese despite inaccurate weight perception. Research is needed to elucidate factors that impact risk perception and develop interventions that impact behavior and promote disease prevention.
Adverse Events Reported to the United States Food and Drug Administration Related to Caffeine-Containing Products.

Abstract Objective To examine differences in the frequency and severity of federally reported adverse events between caffeine-containing and non–caffeine-containing products while also identifying the category of caffeine-containing products associated with the highest frequency and severity of adverse events. Patients and Methods All adverse event reports that met specified eligibility criteria and were submitted to the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Adverse Event Reporting System between January 1, 2014, and June 29, 2018, were extracted. In this retrospective observational study, the most severe adverse event experienced, an ordinal variable, was categorized into death, life-threatening, hospitalization/disability, and emergency department visit. A nonproportional odds model was used to compare the odds of caffeine-containing products being associated with more severe adverse events relative to a noncaffeine group. The analysis is of data only from those reporting adverse events and may or may not be representative of the entire population exposed to these products, which is not known from the examined data. Results Energy and preworkout products saw a significant increase in the odds of the adverse event experienced being death rather than the other less severe outcomes relative to the noncaffeinated group. Those products, along with weight loss products, had greater odds of the adverse event being death or life-threatening vs the less severe outcomes relative to the noncaffeinated group. Conclusion Caffeine-containing products have a greater association with severe adverse events compared with non–caffeine-containing products. Exposure to preworkout and weight loss products had greater odds of being associated with a more serious adverse event relative to noncaffeinated products. Health care practitioners should use these outcomes to better inform and educate patients about the many factors related to caffeine intake and adverse outcomes.
Virtual Interviews During COVID-19: Perspectives of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Program Directors.

Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery (FPMRS) fellowship program directors' opinions regarding the effectiveness of virtual interviews for selecting fellows and their future interview mode preferences. Methods This was a cross-sectional online survey of all FPMRS program directors in the United States conducted from April 29, 2020, to May 30, 2020. At the time of this study, there were 73 program directors and 69 obstetrics and gynecology and urology-accredited FPMRS programs nationwide. The primary outcome was to subjectively assess the effectiveness of virtual interviews as compared with in-person interviews for evaluating applicants. Results Fifty seven (82.6%) of the program directors completed the survey. A total of 80.7% (46/57) of the respondents had participated in interviews for the active match cycle. Of the programs that participated in the interview process, almost all conducted interviews using virtual platforms (97.8%, 45/46). Program directors who conducted interviews virtually found them effective in evaluating applicants (88.9%, 40/45) and were satisfied with the virtual interview process (86.7%, 39/45). A total of 31.1% of respondents (14/45) preferred a virtual platform to an in-person setting for future interviews, and 60% (27/45) reported that they will likely perform future interviews virtually. Conclusions Although the pandemic resulted in a sudden reformatting of FPMRS fellowship interviews, most program directors nationally were satisfied with the process and found virtual interviews effective for assessing applicants. More than 50% of FPMRS program directors are likely to consider the virtual format for future interviews.
Intradialytic hypotension: is timing everything?

Intradialytic hypotension (IDH) is a major complication of hemodialysis, leading to myocardial stunning, cerebral hypoperfusion, gut ischemia, loss of residual kidney function, high symptom burden, and death. This study by Keane et al. provides new data on the incidence of IDH over well-defined time intervals during the hemodialysis treatment session, clinical parameters associated with the timing of IDH onset, and whether timing of IDH impacts survival in a nationally representative hemodialysis cohort.
The Accuracy of a Wireless Axillary Thermometer for Core Temperature Monitoring in Pediatric Patients Having Noncardiac Surgery: An Observational Study.

Abstract Purpose A wireless and wearable axillary thermometer (iThermonitor) has been validated for perioperative core temperature monitoring in adults. The purpose of this study was to evaluate its accuracy in pediatrics having non–cardiac surgery. Design Prospective observational study. Methods From January 2019 to December 2019, 70 children aged younger than 14 years undergoing surgery in a tertiary hospital were selected. Pairs of esophageal temperatures (TEso), rectal temperatures (TRec), and axillary temperatures monitored by the iThermonitor (TiTh) were collected every 5 min during surgery. Taking TEso as reference, the bias between TEso and TiTh and the proportion of bias within ±0.5°C were calculated. Bland-Altman method was used to analyze the 95% of limits of agreement (LOA) between TiTh and TEso. The same analyses were done for TRec. Findings A total of 2232 pairs of temperatures were collected. The bias (mean ± SD) between TiTh and TEso was -0.07 °C ± 0.25°C, and 95% LOA was -0.07°C ± 0.50°C. The proportion of bias within ±0.5°C accounted for 96% (95% Confidence Interval [CI], 92-98%). Higher bias and 95% LOA, and lower proportion of bias within ± 0.5°C were found between TRec and TEso than those between TiTh and TEso. Conclusion During pediatric non–cardiac surgery, axillary temperature derived from iThermonitor is in good agreement with esophageal temperature and can be used as an alternative to core temperature.
Existence of a Phase Transition in Harmonic Activation and Transport

Harmonic activation and transport (HAT) is the Markov chain with the following dynamics. Given the current state, a finite set $U \subseteq \mathbb{Z}^d$ with at least two elements, HAT transitions to $U \cup \{y\} {\setminus}\{x\}$ by selecting $x$ according to the harmonic measure of $U$, and $y$ according to the probability that random walk, conditioned to hit $U{\setminus}\{x\}$, leaves from $y$ when it first hits $U{\setminus}\{x\}$. In particular, HAT conserves the number of elements in $U$. We are interested in the classification of HAT as recurrent or transient, as the dimension $d$ and number of elements $n$ in the initial state vary. It is known that the stationary distribution of HAT (on certain equivalence classes of states) exists when $d = 2$, for every number of elements $n \geq 2$. We prove that HAT exhibits a phase transition in both $d$ and $n$, in the sense that HAT is transient for every $d \geq 5$ and $n \geq 4$. Remarkably, transience occurs in only one "way": The initial state fragments into clusters of two or three elements--but no other number--which then grow indefinitely separated. We call these clusters dimers and trimers. Underlying this characterization of transience is the fact that, from any state, HAT reaches a state consisting exclusively of dimers and trimers, in a number of steps and with at least a probability which depend on $d$ and $n$ only.
Mutants of a Temperature-Sensitive Two-P Domain Potassium Channel

Within the Caenorhabditis elegans genome there exist at least 42 genes encoding TWK (two-P domain K + ) channels, potassium channel subunits that contain two pore regions and four transmembrane domains. We now report the first functional characterization of a TWK channel from C. elegans . Although potassium channels have been reported to be activated by a variety of factors, TWK-18 currents increase dramatically with increases in temperature. Two mutant alleles of the twk-18 gene confer uncoordinated movement and paralysis in C. elegans . Expression of wild-type and mutant TWK-18 channels in Xenopus oocytes showed that mutant channels express much larger potassium currents than wild-type channels. Promoter–green fluorescent protein fusion experiments indicate that TWK-18 is expressed in body wall muscle. Our genetic and physiological data suggest that the movement defects observed in mutant twk-18 animals may be explained by an increased activity of the mutant TWK-18 channels.
A Review, an Integration, and a Critique of Cross-Disciplinary Research on Performance Appraisals, Evaluations, and Feedback: 1990-2000

Performance related pay and the performance appraisal system continue to have a strong presence in corporate America. The presence of the performance appraisal system ranges from more traditional paper-and-pen systems to the emergence of eAppraisal, a web-based software designed by Halogen to facilitate the appraisal process. The current study investigates trends in this area. Ninety-eight empirical studies on performance appraisals, published between 1990 and 2000, in business, communication, and psychology journals, were reviewed and integrated. This review examined published empirical studies in four categories: performance appraisal systems and practices, rating instruments, raters, and ratees. Results of this synthesis revealed the following: (a) Effective performance appraisal systems feature opportunities for employee “voice”; (b) PRP systems are being implemented with increasing frequency internationally; (c) BOS are superior to BARS and GRS in terms of goal specificity; (d) all types of appraisal systems are subject to rating distortion; (e) multirater, SAM, and peer review feedback programs should be used most frequently for developmental purposes and performance improvement; (f) perceived accuracy of performance feedback is an important component of the evaluation process; (g) acceptance of subordinate feedback is related to subordinate awareness of the supervisor’s job; (h) supervisors tend to rate more favorably subordinates from the same nationality or race; (i) organizations should consider culture in terms of human resource development; and (j) variables that affect perceptions of ratees include age, power, pregnancy, and smoking habits. These findings reflected the following five trends: (a) quantitative studies that investigated counterrational dimensions in the performance appraisal process, (b) quantitative studies that investigated interaction effects between rater and ratee characteristics, (c) quantitative studies that investigated preferences of raters and ratees, (d) quantitative studies that investigated communication transactions, and (e) quantitative studies that investigated international applications. The researcher recommends continued research in the areas of counterrational dimensions, interaction effects, participant preferences, communication transactions, and international applications of the performance appraisal process.
Interleukin 3, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and transfected erythropoietin receptors mediate tyrosine phosphorylation of a common cytosolic protein (pp100) in FDC-ER cells.

Receptors for the hematopoietic growth factors erythropoietin, interleukin 3 (IL-3), and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) are members of a structurally related receptor superfamily. Interestingly, while none of these receptors encode tyrosine kinase activities, induced tyrosine phosphorylation has been observed in various responsive cells stimulated with each factor. Toward defining possible common transduction pathways which are activated by these three cytokines, we have studied induced protein phosphorylation in murine myeloid FDC-P1 cells stably transfected with an erythropoietin receptor cDNA (FDC-ER cells). FDC-ER cells proliferate in response to erythropoietin (Quelle, D. E., and Wojchowski, D. M. (1991) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 88, 4801-4805), and presently are shown to rapidly phosphorylate a M(r) 100,000 cytosolic protein (pp100) at tyrosine residues in response to this factor. Phosphorylation of pp100 also is induced in FDC-P1 and FDC-ER cells in response to IL-3 or GM-CSF. Importantly, quantitative analyses showed identical concentration dependencies for factor-induced pp100 phosphorylation and induced cell proliferation. Moreover, a selective loss of proliferative responsiveness to GM-CSF in FDC-ER cells was associated with a reduced capacity of GM-CSF to induce pp100 phosphorylation. Finally, limited differences in tryptic phosphopeptide maps of pp100 as isolated following exposure to erythropoietin, IL-3, or GM-CSF were observed, suggesting that these factors also may preferentially induce phosphorylation of pp100 at distinct sites. These findings are consistent with a role for pp100 as a common cytosolic transducer in the apparently convergent pathways of erythropoietin-, IL-3-, and GM-CSF-induced proliferation of myeloid progenitor cells.
Decision-Making Under Social Pressure: The Political Economy of Debating Socially Sensitive Issues

Policy-makers often rely on public opinion polls to decide which political projects to pursue. We study how the use of opinion polls influences policy outcomes if respondents feel pressured to offer "socially desirable" views when answering the pollster's questions. Our results indicate that this type of social pressure leads to second-best policy outcomes even if politicians are aware of the bias. The context for the empirical part of our study is the siting of a radioactive waste repository in Pennsylvania. We model the local politicians' decision to support this facility as guided by economic concerns and by social pressure. We find that social pressure is critical for an explanation of local policy-making.
Pharmacological Treatment of Mood Disturbances, Aggression, and Self-Injury in Persons with Pervasive Developmental Disorders.

Aggression, self-injury, and mood disturbances in persons with autistic disorders, while not uncommon, do not constitute core features of autism. Moreover, these problems can occur for a variety of reasons, which need to be assessed in order to plan appropriate and frequently combined (behavioral-pharmacological) treatments. Drugs acting primarily in the dopaminergic, serotonergic, adrenergic, opioidergic, and glutamatergic systems all have been explored in the treatment of aggression and self-injury. While no single drug or class of medication has yet emerged as consistently effective, a number of drugs appear promising. Advances in the assessment of aggressive behaviors, the identification of predictors of drug response, and additional controlled clinical drug trials specifically aimed at these target behaviors are essential in improving the approach to these problematic behaviors in the context of autistic disorder.
The role of toxicoproteomics in assessing organ specific toxicity

Aims of this chapter on the role of toxicoproteomics in assessing organ-specific toxicity are to define the field of toxicoproteomics, describe its development among global technologies, and show potential uses in experimental toxicological research, preclinical testing and mechanistic biological research. Disciplines within proteomics deployed in preclinical research are described as Tier I analysis, involving global protein mapping and protein profiling for differential expression, and Tier II proteomic analysis, including global methods for description of function, structure, interactions and post-translational modification of proteins. Proteomic platforms used in toxicoproteomics research are briefly reviewed. Preclinical toxicoproteomic studies with model liver and kidney toxicants are critically assessed for their contributions toward understanding pathophysiology and in biomarker discovery. Toxicoproteomics research conducted in other organs and tissues are briefly discussed as well. The final section suggests several key developments involving new approaches and research focus areas for the field of toxicoproteomics as a new tool for toxicological pathology.
Suggestions for future CoOP research sought

The Coastal Ocean Processes (CoOP) Program works to improve the understanding of continental shelf dynamics and the physical, biological, chemical, and geological processes mediating material transport across shelf systems [Brink et al., 990, 1992; Roman, 1998]. Since the pilot project in 1992 (Table l), CoOP has grown steadily and currently supports 90 principal investigators. While the overall CoOP research strategy has categorized the different research programs by the physical processes influencing transport, CoOP is a fully integrated, interdisciplinary program (Figure 1). The CoOP Program is based on the central hypothesis that there exists a small set of fundamental processes that control transport on continental shelves, and that shelf systems are thereby distinguished by the relative importance of these processes. The overall strategy of CoOP has been to focus multidisciplinary process-oriented research efforts at locations where individual factors such as tides, windforcing, freshwater inflow, and boundary currents impact transport processes and the biogeochemical and ecological characteristics of the study regions to different extents.
Medical Stone Management: 35 Years of Advances

Purpose: The urological community has had a vital role in the author's 35 years of research on the medical management of urolithiasis. The goal of this article is to review the progress made from the perspective of collaborating urologists and urological journals in which the findings were reported.Materials and Methods: The author's work appeared in 94 articles in urological journals, including 63 in The Journal of Urology®, and in 28 other journals with collaborating urologists. Progress on various aspects of medical management of stone disease was reviewed based on these articles.Results: Pathophysiological exploration was performed by elucidating metabolic-dietary etiologies of hypocitraturia, separating hypercalciuria into 3 types, and linking gouty diathesis (uric acid stones) with obesity and insulin resistance. Physicochemical consequences of hypocitraturia were delineated and semi-empirical methods were developed to assess calcium salt saturation. Potassium-rich fruit juices differed from potassi...
Chemical structures of fuel-rich flames of trans-C2H2Cl2/CH4/Ar/O2 mixtures

Abstract Temperature and species concentration profiles were obtained for atmospheric-pressure, premixed, laminar, flat flames of trans-C 2 H 2 Cl 2 /CH 4 mixtures under fuel-rich conditions at several Cl H ratios. Samples withdrawn from within the flames using a heated micro-probe followed by gas analysis via on-line capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry ( GC MS ). Mole fraction profiles were determined for the reactants and for CO, CO 2 , HCl, H 2 O, H 2 , CH 3 Cl, CH 2 Cl 2 , CHCl 3 , CCl 4 , C 2 HCl, C 2 H 3 Cl, C 3 H 5 Cl, C 2 H 2 , C 2 H 4 , C 2 H 6 , C 4 H 4 , C 4 H 2 , C 6 H 6 , and C 10 H 8 . The role of these species in view of our current understanding of the mechanism of combustion of trans-C 2 H 2 Cl 2 and CH 4 , are discussed.
The P Wave and P-R Interval Effects of the Site of Origin of Atrial Depolarization

The atria of 37 patients were paced from selected sites during cardiac surgery. When the atria were paced from endocardial sites low in the right atrium, the P waves in ECG leads II, III, and aVF were shown to be either negative, biphasic, or positive, depending on the site paced. When the endocardial sites were paced, the P-R intervals were, almost without exception, less than 0.12 sec. When those endocardial sites closest to the A-V junction were paced, the P-R intervals were always less than 0.12 sec. When the atria were paced, from the epicardial sites, the P-R intervals were always greater than 0.12 sec. Negative P waves in ECG leads II, III, and aVF were recorded when the atria were paced from the postero-inferior left atrium and the caudal right atrium. The P-R interval did not always reflect the initial period of atrial activation because an isoelectric interval, generally of 0.01 to 0.025 sec, was frequently present between the onset of atrial stimulation and the first clear evidence of the P wave in the ECG. The implications of these results are discussed.
Spironolactone use and higher hospital readmission for Medicare beneficiaries with heart failure, left ventricular ejection fraction <45%, and estimated glomerular filtration rate <45 ml/min/1.73 m(2.).

Although randomized controlled trials have demonstrated benefits of aldosterone antagonists for patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), they excluded patients with serum creatinine >2.5 mg/dl, and their use is contraindicated in those with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). In the present analysis, we examined the association of spironolactone use with readmission in hospitalized Medicare beneficiaries with HFrEF and advanced CKD. Of the 1,140 patients with HFrEF (EF 2 ), 207 received discharge prescriptions for spironolactone. Using propensity scores (PSs) for the receipt of discharge prescriptions for spironolactone, we estimated PS-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for spironolactone-associated outcomes. Patients (mean age 76 years, 49% women, 25% African-American) had mean EF 28%, mean eGFR 31 ml/min/1.73 m 2 , and mean potassium 4.5 mEq/L. Spironolactone use had significant PS-adjusted association with higher risk of 30-day (HR 1.41, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.90) and 1-year (HR 1.36, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.63) all-cause readmissions. The risk of 1-year all-cause readmission was higher among 106 patients with eGFR 2 (HR 4.75, 95% CI 1.84 to 12.28) than among those with eGFR 15 to 45 ml/min/1.73 m 2 (HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.61, p for interaction 0.003). Spironolactone use had no association with HF readmission and all-cause mortality. In conclusion, among hospitalized patients with HFrEF and advanced CKD, spironolactone use was associated with higher all-cause readmission but had no association with all-cause mortality or HF readmission.
Energy efficiency of an intracavity coupled, laser-driven linear accelerator pumped by an external laser

We calculate the optimum energy efficiency of a laser-driven linear accelerator by adopting a simple linear model. In the case of single bunch operation, the energy efficiency can be enhanced by incorporating the accelerator into a cavity that is pumped by an external laser. In the case of multiple bunch operation, the intracavity configuration is less advantageous because the strong wakefield generated by the electron beam is also recycled. Finally, the calculation indicates that the luminosity of a linear collider based on such a structure is comparably small if high efficiency is desired.
Sensitivity of bacterioplankton nitrogen metabolism to eutrophication in sub-tropical coastal waters of Key West, Florida.

Abstract Expression of intracellular ammonium assimilation enzymes were used to assess the response of nitrogen (N) metabolism in bacterioplankton to N-loading of sub-tropical coastal waters of Key West, Florida. Specific activities of glutamine synthetase (GS) and total glutamate dehydrogenase (GDHT) were measured on the bacterial size fraction (
Lipid Modulation of a Dual Function TMEM16 Channel/Scramblase

The TMEM16 family of Ca2+ activated ion channels plays key roles in human physiology. Surprisingly, recent evidence suggested that some family members are not (only) ion channels but that some are phospholipid scramblases, proteins that mediate the bi-directional movement of lipids between leaflets of the membrane. For example, TMEM16F has been reported to be an ion channel and/or a lipid scramblase. Recently, our group identified a novel fungal TMEM16 homologue, afTMEM16, which is both a Ca2+-gated ion channel and a Ca2+-dependent phospholipid scramblase. We found that membrane composition is a key regulator of ion channel gating but not of phospholipid scrambling activity, as we were able to suppress channel activity without altering scrambling activity by changing the lipid composition of the membranes. This suggested that afTMEM16 forms separate transmembrane pathways for ions and lipids. Here we investigate the differential modulation by lipids of the ion channel and lipid scrambling functions of afTMEM16. Preliminary experiments suggest that the presence of 10 mole percent or more phosphatidylcholine (PC) or cardiolipin is required for channel activity. In contrast, lipid scrambling occurs with similar properties in all membrane compositions tested. Currently we are systematically investigating the effect of lipid headgroup charge, chain length and stiffness on both functions. Our results suggest that modulation by lipids might be a regulatory mechanism for cells to control both functions, for example by compartmentalizing these proteins in membrane domains with different lipid compositions where only one pathway is active.
Orientational and Translational Dynamics of Polyether/Water Solutions

Optical heterodyne-detected optical Kerr effect (OHD-OKE) experiments and pulsed field-gradient spin-echo NMR (PFGSE-NMR) experiments were performed to measure the rotational and translational diffusion constants of a polyether, tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether (TEGDE), in binary mixtures with water over concentrations ranging from pure TEGDE to approaching infinite dilution. In addition, hydrodynamic calculations of the rotational and translational diffusion constants for several rigid TEGDE conformations in the neat liquid and in the infinitely dilute solution were performed to supplement the experimental data. The rotational relaxation data follow the Debye-Stokes-Einstein (DSE) equation within experimental error over the entire water concentration range. The agreement with the DSE equation indicates that there is no significant structural change of the polyether as the water content is changed. In contrast to the rotational dynamics, the translational diffusion data show a distinct deviation from Stokes-Einstein (SE) behavior. As the water content of the mixture is reduced, the translational diffusion rate decreases less rapidly than the increase in viscosity alone predicts until the water/TEGDE mole ratio of 7:1 is reached. Upon further reduction of water content, the translational diffusion tracks the viscosity. Comparison of the translational data with the rotational data and the hydrodynamic computations shows that the translational dynamics cannot be explained by a molecular shape change and that the low water fraction solutions are the ones that deviate from hydrodynamic behavior. A conjecture is presented as a possible explanation for the different behaviors of the rotational and translational dynamics.
SMART mobile agent facility

Abstract With ever growing use of Internet for electronic commerce and data mining type applications there seems to be a need for new network computing paradigms that can overcome the barriers posed by network congestion and unreliability. Mobile agent programming is a paradigm that enables the programs to move from one host to another, do the processing locally and return results asynchronously. In this paper, we present the design and development of a mobile agent system that will provide a platform for developing mobile applications that are Mobile Agent Facility (MAF) specification compliant. We start by exploring mobile agent technology and establish its merits with respect to the client–server technology. Next, we introduce a concept called dynamic aggregation to improve the performance of mobile agent applications. We, then focus on the design and implementation issues of our system, Scalable, Mobile and Reliable Technology (SMART), which is based on the MAF specification.
DNA electrochemical biosensor for the detection of short DNA sequences related to the human immunodeficiency virus.

An electrochemical biosensor for the detection of short DNA sequences related to the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is described. The sensor relies on the immobilization and hybridization of the 21- or 42-mer single-stranded oligonucleotide from the HIV-1 U5 long terminal repeat (LTR) sequence at carbon paste or strip electrodes. The extent of hybridization between the complementary sequences is determined by the enhancement of the chronopotentiometric peak of the Co(phen)33+ indicator. Numerous factors affecting the probe immobilization, target hybridization, and indicator binding reactions are optimized to maximize the sensitivity and speed the assay time. A detection limit of 4 × 10-9 M HIV-1 U5 LTR segment is reported following a 30 min hybridization. The hybridization biosensor format obviates the use of radioisotopes common in radioactive methods for the detection of HIV-1 DNA. We also report on the direct adsorptive chronopotentiometric stripping measurements of trace levels of various...
Management and routing protocols for military networks

Net-Centric Warfare, in all of its forms, revolves around the Internet Protocol suite, using it as the foundation for data transfers. We briefly examine the origins of the Internet Protocol and its design philosophies, as well as the problems this design causes military tactical data systems and radio links. The DARPA Control Plane program's goal was to solve some of these problems; the program's work is covered in sections two and three. An important lesson from the Control Plane program is the ability to maintain much more knowledge, or "state," about networks than was previously thought possible. Given the new ability to maintain more state about both the network and the connections within the network, it is possible to manage military networks in a more controlled fashion than we have in the past. The last two sections of the paper explore a possible approach for more controlled and manageable networks, as well as some of the potential benefits.
The Hippocampal Slice: A System for Studying the Pharmacology of Seizures and for Screening Anticonvulsant Drugs

Interictal spikes with a configuration similar to that occurring in grand mal epilepsy were generated by the application of penicillin to a hippocampal slice preparation. This slice preparation has potential value for screening anticonvulsant drugs and for studying epileptic activity. The effect of anticonvulsant drugs on seizure activity was tested at concentrations comparable to reported clinical serum concentrations. Phenytoin and diazepam were maximally effective at concentrations of 20 microgram/ml and 3-4 microgram/ml, respectively, in good agreement with their effective concentrations in clinical practice. Phenobarbital was more potent (5 microgram/ml) and mesuximide (50% potent at 80 microgram/ml) was least effective.
A Comparative Study of Basic German Vocabulary Lists

dard German dictionaries (the Brockhaus-Wahrig) contains 220,000 entries with approximately 550,000 meanings, it becomes immediately evident that a rigorous selection of the vocabulary for beginners of German is necessary. But such a selection may not be arbitrary; it must represent a functional segment of the total amount of the vocabulary of a native speaker. By "functional" we mean that it must enable the learner
Simple Lagrangian for a superspace affine theory

Arguments are advanced for considering a particular Lagrangian in superspace. It is constructed solely from the connection associated with the graded group of real, general linear transformations, and is especially simple in form. The resulting equations of motion and the spontaneous-symmetry-breaking solutions, which maintain global supersymmetric invariance, are examined.
Shyness and popularity: Children's views

Previous research has indicated adults with certain psychological and behavioral problems have a childhood history of rejection by their peers. Research also has indicated that quiet adults are perceived less positively than their more talkative peers. The present research sought to determine whether there is an association between quietness in children and rejection of those children by their peers. This study of 1,529 children in grades 3–12 indicates a strong tendency on the part of children to reject shy or quiet peers. Programs to help children overcome the causes of quietness are recommended as a high priority for communication educators.
Canine ocular onchocerciasis in the United States: two new cases and a review of the literature

Since 1991, 53 cases of canine ocular onchocerciasis have been reported in the literature worldwide, 43 of these were from Greece, five from Hungary, and five from the western United States. Information on the histopathologic features of canine ocular onchocerciasis is limited. We describe the histopathologic features of canine ocular onchocerciasis in two dogs from California that presented clinically with firm episcleral nodules and uveitis unilaterally. Pertinent literature and pathogenesis are reviewed; recognizable clinical features and treatment are discussed. The cases presented were diagnosed via histopathology of the enucleated globes and episcleral granulomas at the Comparative Ocular Pathology Laboratory of Wisconsin (COPLOW). Positive identification of adult Onchocerca within episcleral granulomas was made based on light-microscopy features. Histopathologic examination of both globes revealed episcleral parasites surrounded by granulomas containing few to moderate numbers of eosinophils. Other sequelae, in both cases, included lymphoplasmacytic uveitis, preiridal fibrovascular membranes, peripheral anterior synechiae, retinal degeneration, and optic nerve head cupping. Both male and female worms were present, as were in utero microfilariae in both cases. Worms in both cases were tentatively identified as Onchocerca lienalis. Ocular onchocerciasis should be a differential consideration in cases of canine conjunctival nodules or periorbital swelling, particularly in dogs from the western United States.
PULSATION PERIODS OF ROTATING WHITE DWARF MODELS.

The recent discovery1,2 of rapidly pulsating Tadio sources has renewed interest in the adiabatic oscillations of white dwarfs. While we believe that, for various reasons3,4, the pulsars are not connected with pulsating white dwarfs, there is a certain intrinsic interest in the minimum oscillation period for an ordinary star, and in this work we will discuss the effect of rotation on the lowest modes of pulsation.