cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interventional radiologic treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma-a cost analysis from the payer perspective.

Abstract Purpose To determine whether there is a cost advantage for one of the three commonly performed interventional radiology (IR) procedures (chemoembolization, selective internal radiation therapy [SIRT], radiofrequency ablation [RFA]) in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods A cost analysis from the payer perspective was performed. Primary data were collected from a university hospital, and sensitivity testing was done by comparing coding information obtained at two other tertiary care medical facilities. Medicare allowable reimbursements were used to estimate costs. Decision analytic models using decision tree analysis and Monte Carlo simulations were used to compare alternatives. Simulations were performed comparing all three procedures, followed by a two-way comparison of chemoembolization and SIRT. Results Simple decision tree analyses showed that RFA was less expensive compared with chemoembolization and SIRT. Monte Carlo simulations showed average reimbursements for each of the three procedures that was largely dependent on the number of repeat procedures required ($9,362 vs $30,107 vs $35,629 for RFA, chemoembolization, and SIRT; P Conclusions RFA was the least costly of the three IR strategies in nearly all scenarios studied in these models. Although chemoembolization was less expensive than SIRT in most instances, Monte Carlo simulation showed a preference for SIRT in more than one-third of all scenarios. Sensitivity analyses showed that the most important variables assessed were the need for repeat procedures.
A first-order system least-squares finite element method for the Poisson-Boltzmann equation.

The Poisson-Boltzmann equation is an important tool in modeling solvent in biomolecular systems. In this article, we focus on numerical approximations to the electrostatic potential expressed in the regularized linear Poisson-Boltzmann equation. We expose the flux directly through a first-order system form of the equation. Using this formulation, we propose a system that yields a tractable least-squares finite element formulation and establish theory to support this approach. The least-squares finite element approximation naturally provides an a posteriori error estimator and we present numerical evidence in support of the method. The computational results highlight optimality in the case of adaptive mesh refinement for a variety of molecular configurations. In particular, we show promising performance for the Born ion, Fasciculin 1, methanol, and a dipole, which highlights robustness of our approach. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010
Law, society, and capital punishment in Asia

Students of capital punishment need to study Asia, the site of at least 85 percent and as many as 95 percent of the world's executions. This article explores the varieties of Asian capital punishment in two complementary ways. Cross-sectionally, the impression of uniformity that comes from classifying 95 percent of the population of Asia as living in executing states breaks down when closer attention is paid to the character of capital punishment policy within retentionist nations. Temporally, the general trajectory of capital punishment in the Asian region seems downward (though generalizations about patterns in this part of the world are undermined by significant data problems). Asia is also a useful territory for testing the generality of theories of capital punishment based on European experience. Looking forward, Japan and South Korea, two developed nations in Asia that still retain the death penalty, may indicate what other Asian nations are likely to do as they develop. Ultimately, Asia either will...
Optimizing non-local means for denoising low dose CT

Due to the rapid increase in use of CT imaging and the recently-heightened awareness of radiation-induced cancer, improving the diagnostic quality of low dose CT has become increasingly important. One potential method is to increase the signal-to-noise ratio of low dose images through denoising. Non-local means is a promising approach; however, it has many potentially adjustable parameters and application-specific areas of improvement. The filter uses a weighted average of similar regions to denoise each image pixel. Though the classic formulation uses only patches from the image being filtered, these patches can, in principle, be drawn from other images. In CT images, patches can be drawn from neighboring slices. We used that potential to increase the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) by over 4 dB when denoising low dose phantom CT images, and quantitatively demonstrated the filter's sensitivity to adjustment of each of its parameters.
Anatomy, Embryology, and Comparative Anatomy

The ovaries are solid, slightly nodular, pink-gray bodies with the approximate proportions of unshelled almonds. They are situated on either side of the uterus, behind and below the uterine tubes. The human ovary undergoes marked changes in size, shape, and position during its lifetime in addition to the histologic changes brought about by various endocrine stimuli. It is important to appreciate the changes in size, shape, and consistency of the ovary that occur at different ages as well as during any given menstrual cycle. The ovaries are usually not symmetric, with the right ovary often larger than the left.
Low Level Pro-inflammatory Cytokines Decrease Connexin36 Gap Junction Coupling in Mouse and Human Islets through Nitric Oxide-mediated Protein Kinase Cδ

Pro-inflammatory cytokines contribute to the decline in islet function during the development of diabetes. Cytokines can disrupt insulin secretion and calcium dynamics; however, the mechanisms underlying this are poorly understood. Connexin36 gap junctions coordinate glucose-induced calcium oscillations and pulsatile insulin secretion across the islet. Loss of gap junction coupling disrupts these dynamics, similar to that observed during the development of diabetes. This study investigates the mechanisms by which pro-inflammatory cytokines mediate gap junction coupling. Specifically, as cytokine-induced NO can activate PKCδ, we aimed to understand the role of PKCδ in modulating cytokine-induced changes in gap junction coupling. Isolated mouse and human islets were treated with varying levels of a cytokine mixture containing TNF-α, IL-1β, and IFN-γ. Islet dysfunction was measured by insulin secretion, calcium dynamics, and gap junction coupling. Modulators of PKCδ and NO were applied to determine their respective roles in modulating gap junction coupling. High levels of cytokines caused cell death and decreased insulin secretion. Low levels of cytokine treatment disrupted calcium dynamics and decreased gap junction coupling, in the absence of disruptions to insulin secretion. Decreases in gap junction coupling were dependent on NO-regulated PKCδ, and altered membrane organization of connexin36. This study defines several mechanisms underlying the disruption to gap junction coupling under conditions associated with the development of diabetes. These mechanisms will allow for greater understanding of islet dysfunction and suggest ways to ameliorate this dysfunction during the development of diabetes.
Breast cancer screening practices among Cambodian women in Houston, Texas.

Abstract Background. Faced with Western medicine and a health care system that is unfamiliar, Cambodian women experience barriers to breast cancer prevention activities and thus are seldom reached through current breast cancer education and prevention activities. This study examined the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of breast cancer screening among Cambodian women in Houston, Texas. Methods. Two hundred sixteen Cambodian women aged 18 years or older were surveyed by telephone. Results. Logistic regression analysis identified five variables as significant predictors of ever having had a clinical breast examination: perceived barriers to clinical breast examination, income, written‐language acculturation, knowledge about clinical breast examination recommendations, and education in the United States. Education and knowledge of mammography were found to be important predicton of mammography. Language acculturation variables were not associated with ever having had mammography. Conclusions. The rate of ...
The safety of incretin based drug treatments for type 2 diabetes.

Latest data are reassuring about pancreatic cancer, less so about heart failure The incretin based drugs (dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) are one of several options for glucose lowering in people with type 2 diabetes who are already taking (or unable to take) metformin.1 As with other antidiabetic drugs, the long term safety of these drugs remains unclear. Studies by Azoulay and colleagues (doi:10.1136/bmj.i581) and Li and colleagues (doi:10.1136/bmj.i610) in this issue provide updated evidence about incretin based treatments and the risk of pancreatic cancer and heart failure.2 3 In 2013 the Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency undertook investigations of the possible link between incretin based treatments and pancreatic cancer owing to post-marketing reports suggesting higher rates of pancreatic cancer with these drugs,4 and a study suggesting abnormal pancreatic histology among users of incretin drugs versus non-users.5 These investigations revealed no clear causal role …
A qualitative study of collaboration between guardians ad litem and caseworkers in the child welfare system

Abstract Various agencies and professionals in the child welfare system work together to prevent and treat child maltreatment. Prior research suggests their ability to collaborate is related to outcomes for children and families and agencies often implement strategies to improve collaboration. However, a review of the literature indicated a lack of research on collaboration between Guardians ad litem (GALs) and child protective services caseworkers. Examination of this relationship is warranted considering federal law mandates GALs be appointed for children in all court-involved child protection cases. This qualitative study begins to address this gap by exploring the GAL perspective on factors that promote or inhibit collaboration between themselves and caseworkers. Interviews were conducted with 12 GALs in a mountain region state. Participants emphasized five individual-level factors that impact the frequency and quality of collaboration with caseworkers. These include frequent and open communication, mutual respect, understanding the other's role and responsibilities, having an open mind, and valuing collaboration. Participants described in detail how these factors facilitate collaboration despite the organizational and systemic obstacles to working together. The findings may help explain why collaboration does not necessarily occur in frontline practice despite the presence of organizational policies and procedures intending to improve collaboration. These findings have several implications for improving GAL–caseworker collaboration in order to better serve children and families in the child welfare system.
Effects of Co‐stocking Smallmouth Buffalo, Ictiobus bubalus, with Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus

Proliferative gill disease (PGD) in catfish is caused by the myxozoan Henneguya ictaluri. The complex life cycle requires Dero digitata as the oligochaete host. Efforts to control PGD by eradicating D. digitata have been unsuccessful. Smallmouth buffalo, Ictiobus bubalus, (SMB) are opportunistic bottom feeders and a putative option for controlling D. digitata. In 2011, 15 ponds (0.4 ha) were stocked with 5000 channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus; 7 of these 15 ponds were also stocked with 300 SMB fingerlings. There were no differences in benthic invertebrate numbers or water quality variables between ponds with or without SMB. At harvest, there were no differences in percent survival, total weight, or catfish feed conversion ratio. In the second year, 18 ponds (0.4 ha) were stocked with 6000 channel catfish. Half the ponds were also stocked with 300 SMB. Sentinel fish were used to estimate disease severity, and pond water was collected for molecular estimation of H. ictaluri actinospore concentrations. Similar to the first year, there were no differences between treatments in any variable tested, including PGD severity in sentinel fish and parasite concentrations in pond water. Under these study conditions, presence of SMB did not have a measureable effect on PGD incidence, parasite density, or overall catfish production.
Predicting growth trajectories in early academic learning: Evidence from growth curve modeling with Head Start children

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between children's academic and social-emotional skill levels at entry into Head Start (HS) and their subsequent academic growth through HS and into kindergarten. We first examined HS children's growth trajectories in math, reading, and receptive vocabulary skills over a period of 2.5 years (i.e., between HS entry and kindergarten). Then, we examined whether children's capabilities in academic and social-emotional skills at HS entry were associated with their academic growth trajectories. The study was guided by two competing theories on the effectiveness of early care and education (ECE) programs, the “skills-beget-skills hypothesis” and the “compensatory hypothesis.” A sample from the Head Start Family and Child Experiences Survey 2006 Cohort (FACES 2006) was analyzed using three-level growth curve modeling. Children who had lower receptive vocabulary skills at HS entry showed faster growth in receptive vocabulary skills. This result supports the compensatory hypothesis, which suggests that quality ECE programs have larger program effects for more disadvantaged children. For math and reading skills, no association between children's entry-level skills and their growth rate was found. Social-emotional skills at HS entry were positively associated with either concurrent baseline academic skills or their growth rate over time, partially supporting the skills-beget-skills hypothesis, which posits that the skills children possess before an intervention allow them to better acquire program benefits.
Effect of abomasal carbohydrates and live yeast on measures of postruminal fermentation

Two studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of abomasal carbohydrate infusion on nutrient digestibility and fecal measures. In Exp. 1, 5 Holstein steers were assigned to a Latin square with 1-wk periods and were abomasally infused on a single day at the end of each period with water alone, a single pulse dose of water with 1 g/kg BW oligofructose or cornstarch, or 4 pulse doses of water with 0.25 g/kg BW oligofructose or cornstarch administered every 6 h. Total tract nutrient digestibility was not affected by treatment except for a tendency for a decrease in starch digestibility in response to the 1 g/kg BW dose of cornstarch ( < 0.10). Compared with the control, both oligofructose and starch infusions caused similar decreases in fecal pH ( < 0.05) and increases in fecal short-chain fatty acids ( ≤ 0.01) measured 12 h after the first infusion, with the single 1 g/kg BW infusions causing a greater magnitude of pH change compared with the four 0.25-g/kg BW infusions ( < 0.01). All treatments increased concentration of fecal lipopolysaccharide compared with the control for at least 1 time point following the infusion ( < 0.05), with a greater increase observed for the 0.25 g/kg BW infusions of oligofructose compared with the other treatments ( < 0.05). Results of Exp. 1 indicate that both oligofructose and cornstarch infusions increased carbohydrate fermentation in the intestines and can be used as a method to evaluate the impact of excessive intestinal fermentation on intestinal health. In Exp. 2, 6 Holstein steers received abomasal pulse doses of 0 (control) or 10 g/d live var. (SB) according to a crossover design with 18-d periods. Abomasal infusions of 4 pulse doses of 0.25 g/kg BW oligofructose administered every 6 h were conducted on d 16 of each period. During the baseline period prior to the oligofructose challenge, there were no effects of SB on fecal measures except for an increase in apparent total tract NDF digestibility ( < 0.05), suggesting that SB increased intestinal fiber fermentation. During the oligofructose challenge, SB increased fecal score ( = 0.03) and tended to reduce fecal short-chain fatty acids ( = 0.10). Results of Exp. 2 suggest that abomasal SB modestly stabilized the intestinal environment during increased carbohydrate fermentation.
Laboratory Performance Specifications for a Bacterial (Bacillus thuringiensis) and a Viral (Baculovirus heliothis) Insecticide

A spinning disc, droplet generator produced mean droplet sizes which were within 4% of the attempted sizes. The largest droplet size CV was 16.2% and all other CV’s were less than 10%. Cabbage loopers, Trichoplusia ni (Hubner). and bollworms. Heliothis zea (Boddie), were used to evaluate performance specifications for conventional formulations of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner var. kurstaki and Baculovirus heliothis , respectively. Correlation coefficients between mortality and application rate (amount technical material/ha), droplet size, density (no. droplets/cm2) or concentration indicated that application rate was more important than droplet size, density, or concentration. Analysis of the residual mortality means indicated that several combinations of droplet size, density, and concentration provided effective control.
Epitaxial ZnO Piezoelectric Films for RF Filters

ZnO has high piezoelectric coupling coefficient and acoustic velocity; therefore, it is an attractive material candidate for high frequency and low loss filters. Piezoelectric ZnO thin film based RF devices offer the advantages such as low power consumption, circuit miniaturization and cost reduction through integration with main stream MMIC technology. We report CVD growth of epitaxial ZnO thin films on R-sapphire substrates. X-ray diffraction techniques have been used to study the crystallinity and orientation of the films, as well as the epitaxial relationship between the films and the substrate. High-resolution cross-sectional TEM reveals the atomically sharp interface structure. As grown ZnO films exhibit dominant n-type conductivity due to the oxygen vacancies. Excellent piezoelectricity has been achieved through a multi-step Li diffusion under oxygen ambient. Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) filters with 10-micron wavelength have been fabricated. Low insertion loss and high piezoelectric coupling coefficient have been observed.
DECREASED FLUOROSCOPY TIME AND CONTRAST USE WHEN UTILIZING OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY (OCT) GUIDED SUPERFICIAL FEMORAL ARTERY CHRONIC TOTAL OCCLUSION INTERVENTION

Superficial femoral artery (SFA) chronic total occlusion (CTO) peripheral vascular intervention (PVI) is a challenging procedure given the longer procedure times, larger amount of radiation dose and decreased procedural success. The aim is to determine the safety, efficacy and feasibility of the
Transcriptional Profiling of Human Endocervical Tissues Reveals Distinct Gene Expression in the Follicular and Luteal Phases of the Menstrual Cycle

The endocervix plays an important role in providing appropriate protective mechanisms of the upper female reproductive tract (FRT) while at the same time providing the appropriate milieu for sperm transport. Hormone fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle contribute to changes in the mucosal environment that render the FRT vulnerable to infectious diseases. The objective of this study was to identify genes in human endocervix tissues that were differentially expressed in the follicular versus the luteal phases of the menstrual cycle using gene expression profiling. A microarray using the IIlumina platform was performed with eight endocervix tissues from follicular and four tissues from luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Data analysis revealed significant differential expression of 110 genes between the two phases, with a P value <0.05 and a fold change cutoff of 1.5. Categorization of these genes, using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis, MetaCore from Thomson Reuters, and DAVID, revealed genes associated with extracellular matrix remodeling and cell-matrix interactions, amino acid metabolism, and lipid metabolism, as well as immune regulation in the follicular phase tissues. In luteal phase tissues, genes associated with chromatin remodeling, inflammation, angiogenesis, oxidative stress, and immune cell regulation were predominately expressed. Using samples from additional patients' tissues, select genes were confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR; immunohistochemical staining was also done to examine protein levels. This is the first microarray analysis comparing gene expression in endocervix tissues in cycling women. This study identified key genes and molecular pathways that were differentially regulated during the menstrual cycle.
Mediation of Platelet and Coagulation Events by Blood Flow: Basic Mechanisms of Thrombosis in Cerebral Ischemia

Atherosclerosis is the principal underlying disease process in myocardial and cerebral infarction and is the major cause of death in the United States and Western Europe [22]. Recent studies have delineated the importance of thrombosis in the latter stages of atherosclerotic disease [1, 10, 11]. While there is limited evidence that thrombotic events contribute to the progression of atherosclerotic narrowing of the vessel lumen [18, 44], there is little doubt that in a majority of cases, final vascular occlusion is associated with thrombotic deposits [11]. The mechanisms by which thrombi form in the vicinity of a stenotic lesion are not fully understood, but clearly involve the local blood flow conditions, the composition of the underlying vascular material, and the participation of certain blood factors [14, 35, 36]. While considerable effort has been expended in uncovering the biochemical mechanisms in the blood and vascular wall which lead progressively to atherosclerotic disease, little emphasis has been focused on the fluid dynamic factors which modulate the disease process. It has long been known that initiation and progression of vascular lesions occur at sites which are distinguished primarily by the local fluid dynamic conditions; that is, lesions are characterized by their focal, rather than ubiquitous nature [19, 21]. Both high and low shear stresses have been implicated in the pathogenesis of arterial disease [12, 15, 18, 45, 46], and early fluid dynamic studies were primarily directed at a delineation of local flow disturbances at vascular bifurcations and sinuses or in geometrical models of atherosclerotic lesions.
Label-Free Measurements of Tenofovir Diffusion Coefficients in a Microbicide Gel Using Raman Spectroscopy.

Confocal Raman spectroscopy was implemented in a new label-free technique to quantify molecular diffusion coefficients within gels. A leading anti-HIV drug, tenofovir, was analyzed in a clinical microbicide gel. The gel was tested undiluted, and in 10%-50% wt/wt dilutions with vaginal fluid simulant to capture the range of conditions likely occurring in vivo. The concentration distributions of tenofovir in gel over time and space were measured and input to a mathematical diffusion model to deduce diffusion coefficients. These were 3.16 ± 0.11 × 10-6 cm2/s in undiluted gel, and increased by 11%-46% depending on the extent of dilution. Results were interpreted with respect to traditional release rate measurements in devices such as Franz cells. This comparison highlighted an advantage of our assay in that it characterizes the diffusive barrier within the gel material itself; in contrast, release rate in the traditional assay is affected by external conditions, such as drug partitioning at the gel/liquid sink interface. This new assay is relevant to diffusion in polymeric hydrogels over pharmacologically relevant length scales, for example, those characteristic of topical drug delivery. Resulting transport parameters are salient measures of drug delivery potential, and serve as inputs to computational models of drug delivery performance.
Ambient air quality measurements from a continuously moving mobile platform: Estimation of area-wide, fuel-based, mobile source emission factors using absolute principal component scores

We have applied the absolute principal component scores (APCS) receptor model to on-road, background-adjusted measurements of NOx, CO, CO2, black carbon (BC), and particle number (PN) obtained from a continuously moving platform deployed over nine afternoon sampling periods in Seattle, WA. Two Varimax-rotated principal component features described 75% of the overall variance of the observations. A heavy-duty vehicle feature was correlated with black carbon and particle number, whereas a light-duty feature was correlated with CO and CO2. NOx had moderate correlation with both features. The bootstrapped APCS model predictions were used to estimate area-wide, average fuel-based emission factors and their respective 95% confidence limits. The average emission factors for NOx, CO, BC and PN (14.8, 18.9, 0.40 g/kg, and 4.3×1015 particles/kg for heavy duty vehicles, and 3.2, 22.4, 0.016 g/kg, and 0.19×1015 particles/kg for light-duty vehicles, respectively) are consistent with previous estimates based on remote sensing, vehicle chase studies, and recent dynamometer tests. Information on the spatial distribution of the concentrations contributed by these two vehicle categories relative to background during the sampling period was also obtained.
GaAs Schottky diodes for mixing applications beyond 1THz

GaAs Schottky barrier mixer diodes have been successfully used in heterodyne receivers throughout the millimeter and submillimeter wavelength ranges [1,2]. These receivers combine excellent spectral resolution (∆ν/νe10 -6 ) and exceptional sensitivity, and have given scientists an important tool for use in such fields as radio astronomy [3], atmospheric studies [4], chemical spectroscopy [5] and plasma diagnostics [6]. Although superconducting devices (SIS junctions) have recently achieved better performance at millimeter wavelengths [7], it is not certain when, or if, SIS technology will be extended to terahertz frequencies. Since there are a great many scientific programs which rely on submillimeter wavelength heterodyne technology, including studies of ozone depletion [8] and space based astronomy [9], it is critical that the Schottky technology be pushed to its fundamental limits.
Vitamin B 6

The biological functions of the three naturally occurring forms of vitamin B6 – pyridoxal, pyridoxine (pyridoxol), and pyridoxamine – depend on the metabolism of each to a common coenzyme form, pyridoxal phosphate. That coenzyme plays critical roles in several aspects of metabolism, giving the vitamin importance in such diverse areas as growth, cognitive development, depression, immune function, fatigue, and steroid hormone activity. Vitamin B6 is widespread in foods of both plant and animal origin, occurring in greatest concentrations in meats, whole-grain products, vegetables and nuts. Therefore, problems of primary deficiency are not prevalent. However, vitamin B6 status can be antagonized by alcohol and other factors that displace the coenzyme from its various enzymes to increase the rate of its metabolic degradation.
The impact of VDR expression and regulation in vivo

The vitamin D receptor (VDR) mediates the pleiotropic biological actions of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3). These actions include orchestration of mineral homeostasis which is coordinated by the kidney, intestine, bone and parathyroid gland wherein the VDR transcriptionally regulates expression of the genes involved in this complex process. Mutations in human VDR (hVDR) cause hereditary vitamin D resistant rickets, a genetic syndrome characterized by hypocalcemia, hyperparathyroidism and rickets resulting from dysregulation of mineral homeostasis. Expression of the VDR is regulated by external stimuli in a tissue-specific manner. However, the mechanisms of this tissue-specificity remain unclear. Studies also suggest that phosphorylation of hVDR at serine 208 impacts the receptor's transcriptional activity. These experiments were conducted in vitro, however, and therefore limited in their conclusions. In this report, we summarize (1) our most recently updated ChIP-seq data from mouse tissues to identify regulatory regions responsible for the tissues-specific regulation of the VDR and (2) our studies to understand the mechanism of hormonal regulation of Vdr expression in bone and kidney in vivo using transgenic mouse strains generated by mouse mini-genes that contain comprehensive genetic information capable of recapitulating endogenous Vdr gene regulation and expression. We also defined the functional human VDR gene locus in vivo by using a human mini-gene comparable to that in the mouse to generate a humanized VDR mouse strain in which the receptor is expressed at normal levels (normal expressor). The present report also shows that a humanized mouse model in which the VDR is expressed at levels about 10-fold lower than the normal expressor mouse rescued the VDR-null phenotype despite its reduced transcriptional activity relative to wildtype expression. We also generated an additional humanized mouse model expressing hVDR bearing a mutation converting serine 208 to alanine (hVDR-S208A). In spite of the mutation, target gene expression induced by the ligand was unchanged relative to a mouse strain expressing comparable levels of wildtype hVDR. Further characterization also showed that serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels were normal and alopecia was not observed in this hVDR-S208A mouse strain as well. Taken together, our in vivo studies using ChIP-seq analyses and the mini-gene transgenic mice improve our understanding of the tissue-specific regulatory mechanisms of controlling VDR expression and the mechanisms of action of the VDR.
Joint Characterization of Two Single Photon Detectors with a Fiber-based Source of Entangled Photon Pairs

By simultaneously measuring individual and coincidence counts of two single photon detectors connected to an entangled photon pair source, we extract the detector efficiencies, the average number of generated pairs, and the Raman noise floor.
Lumbar Sympathetic Block and Neurolysis

Lumbar sympathetic block is a commonly utilized modality for the modulation of hyperactivity of the lumbar sympathetic chain. Indications include varied conditions such as occlusive vascular disease, cancer pain, chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS) I and II, phantom limb pain, and early stages of postherpetic neuralgia. The lumbar sympathetic ganglia usually contain four interconnected ganglia and run in the extraperitoneal connective tissue anterior to the vertebral column and along the medial margin of the psoas major. Approaches to the lumbar sympathetic block include the paramedian (classic Mandl’s) approach, the lateral (Reid’s) approach, and transdiscal and the paradiscal extraforaminal (Datta’s and Pai’s) techniques. The lumbar artery is located in the middle of the vertebral artery, and the sympathetic ganglia are located in a paradiscal position, so techniques avoiding the middle of the vertebral body are advocated. Neurolysis can be performed by either chemical agents or radiofrequency. Complications include backache and genitofemoral neuralgia. The evidence for sympathectomy is somewhat effective. Evidence for neurolytic sympatholysis is limited.
Chapter 7 Fibrinogen, fibrin and factor XIII

Publisher Summary This chapter highlights fibrinogen, fibrin, and factor XIII. Fibrinogen is a blood plasma protein, which induced by the action of the enzyme thrombin is converted into an insoluble gel or clot, called “fibrin.” Fibrinogen exists in free form in the blood, but thrombin is normally present as its inactive precursor prothrombin. Blood plasma fibrinogen is synthesized in the parenchymal cells of the liver. Fibrinogen occurs, however, also in the platelets, and this form of the protein seems to be synthesized in the megakaryocytes of the bone marrow. The most important biological function of fibrinogen is to clot and thereby form a barrier against blood leakage through a damaged blood vessel wall, the fibrin clot acting as a network retaining blood cells and certain plasma proteins. The fibrin framework is also believed to support fibroblast proliferation during wound healing. The fibrinogen assay methods are in most cases based upon one of the determination principles—namely, coagulation time or velocity, and amount of coagulable protein or specifically precipitable protein or specifically immunoreactive protein.
Household Incarceration and Salient Emerging Adult Role Transitions: Findings From an Urban Sample of Hispanic Youth:

In California, Hispanic children are 2.5 times as likely to have a family member in prison than their non-Hispanic White peers. Despite these ethnic disparities, few studies have examined the longi...
Derivatization in Liquid Chromatography

Derivatization employs various microchemical reactions to alter the structure of the analyte to facilitate its isolation, separation or detection. Reactions are commonly performed either off-line and prior to the separation or on-line and after the separation and prior to detection. Reagents and reaction conditions are suggested for improved uv-visible detection, fluorescence and chemiluminescence detection, electrochemical detection, mass spectrometric detection, separation of enatiomers, formation of cyclic derivatives, and solid-phase analytical derivatization. The design of reactors for post-column reactions are described for continuous detection in an automated mode.
Left Atrial Size: Physiologic Determinants and Clinical Applications

Left atrial (LA) enlargement has been proposed as a barometer of diastolic burden and a predictor of common cardiovascular outcomes such as atrial fibrillation, stroke, congestive heart failure, and cardiovascular death. It has been shown that advancing age alone does not independently contribute to LA enlargement, and the impact of gender on LA volume can largely be accounted for by the differences in body surface area between men and women. Therefore, enlargement of the left atrium reflects remodeling associated with pathophysiologic processes. In this review, we discuss the normal size and phasic function of the left atrium. Further, we outline the clinically important aspects and pitfalls of evaluating LA size, and the methods for assessing LA function using echocardiography. Finally, we review the determinants of LA size and remodeling, and we describe the evidence regarding the prognostic value of LA size. The use of LA volume for risk stratification is an evolving science. More data are required with respect to the natural history of LA remodeling in disease, the degree of LA modifiability with therapy, and whether regression of LA size translates into improved cardiovascular outcomes.
Formulierung einer stationären Darstellung des Streuquerschnitts für eine ebene Welle, deren elektrisches Feld parallel zur Achse des beugenden Kreiszylinders liegt

Wir stellen uns, wie im vorangehenden Abschnitt angekundigt, die Aufgabe, einen analytischen Ausdruck fur den Streuquerschnitt zu finden, der in guter Annaherung eine numerische Berechnung von a fur beliebige Werte von ka = 2π α/λ erlaubt. Wir formen zunachst den Ausdruck (3.14) fur σ etwas um. Im Nenner machen wir Gebrauch davon, das E i senkrecht auf H i steht und das |E i |=Z0|H i | ist, wobei $$ {Z_0} = \sqrt {\frac{\mu }{\varepsilon }\frac{{{\mu _0}}}{{{\varepsilon _0}}}} $$ (4.1) den „Feldwellenwiderstand”der eben Welle bezeichnet. Damit folgt $$ {\left| {{E^i} \times {H^{i*}}} \right|_n} = E_z^i \cdot \frac{{E_z^{i*}}}{{{Z_0}}} = \frac{1}{{{Z_0}}} $$ (4.2) Wenn wir die Amplitude des einfallenden elektrischen Feldes zu Eins normieren [s. Gl. (3.2)].
PRESSURE FIELD AROUND A MARINE PROPELLER OPERATING IN A WAKE

Abstract : An investigation was made on the effect of nonu iform inflo conditions on the vibra ory pressure generated by a marin prop ll r I a aly ing he pres ure signals which are associated with propeller thrust and torque, general xpressions are developed in terms of the harmonic constituents of the non-uniform inflow fi l . The analysis indicates that all possible combinatio of propeller-loading blade harmonics with those of the field-point function contribute to the pr ssure sign l. The effect of the nonuniformity of the inflow conditions persi t in the field and is felt at greater distances from the propeller plane han is e c e for uniform flow. At a distance of one prop ller radius the pressure a socia ed with th non-uniform conditions is almost 60% of the total. Two mat atical models were studied In both, the thrustproducing forces are assumed to be genera ed from a circular sector projection in the propeller plan , whereas th torque-producing forces are assu ed o be generated in t e first from a rectangul r pro ec io , i the s cond from a riangular projection, in t plan through t e propeller i an e line of mid-chord points. The study of both models indicates that the pres ure a sociated with torque is local in effect, being limited to the neighborhood of t prop ll r (Author
What is the diagnostic performance of 18-FDG-PET/MR compared to PET/CT for the N- and M- staging of breast cancer?

To compare the diagnostic performance of 18-FDG-PET/MR and PET/CT for the N- and M- staging of breast cancer. Two independent readers blinded to clinical/follow-up data reviewed PET/MR and PET/CT examinations performed for initial or recurrent breast cancer staging in 80 consecutive patients (mean age = 48 ± 12.9 years). The diagnostic confidence for lesions in the contralateral breast, axillary/internal mammary nodes, bones and other distant sites were recorded. Sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) were calculated. The standard of reference included pathology and/or follow-up > 12 months. Nine of 80 patients had bone metastases; 13/80 had other distant metastases, 44/80 had axillary, 9/80 had internal mammary and 3/80 had contralateral breast tumours. Inter-reader agreement for lesions was excellent (weighted kappa = 0.833 for PET/CT and 0.823 for PET/MR) with similar reader confidence for the two tests (ICC = 0.875). In the patient-per-patient analysis, sensitivity and specificity of PET/MRI and PET/CT were similar (p > 0.05). In the lesion-per-lesion analysis, the sensitivity of PET/MR and PET/CT for bone metastases, other metastases, axillary and internal mammary nodes, contralateral tumours and all lesions together was 0.924 and 0.6923 (p = 0.0034), 0.923 and 0.923 (p = 1), 0.854 and 0.812 (p = 0.157), 0.9 and 0.9 (p = 1), 1 and 0.25 (p = 0.083), and 0.89 and 0.77 (p = 0.0013) respectively. The corresponding specificity was 0.953 and 1 (p = 0.0081), 1 and 1 (p = 1), 0.893 and 0.92 (p = 0.257), 1 and 1 (p = 1), 0.987 and 0.99 (p = 1) and 0.96 and 0.98 (p = 0.0075) respectively. Reader confidence, inter-reader agreement and diagnostic performance per patient were similar with PET/MR and PET/CT. However, for all lesions together, PET/MR had a superior sensitivity and lower specificity in the lesion-per-lesion analysis. • N and M breast cancer staging performance of PET/MR and PET/CT is similar per patient. • In a lesion-per-lesion analysis PET/MR is more sensitive than PET/CT especially for bone metastasis. • Readers’ diagnostic confidence is similar for both tests.
Status of legal firearm possession and violent deaths: methods and protocol for a retrospective case-control study.

Background and objective This project links population data to the Wisconsin Violent Death Reporting System (WVDRS) to determine the extent to which firearm possession criteria are being followed as well as the potential impact of the adoption of proposed possession criteria. Design and study population Criminal justice data for WVDRS homicide suspects and victims and suicide decedents 2008–2011 and a sample of matched control group of driver’s license holders (to characterise the state population) will be abstracted. Methods Individual legal possession statuses (prohibited/not prohibited) under each current and expanded criterion will be determined. Proportions of interest will be calculated from two-way contingency tables, and tests between groups with categorical variables (eg, criterion is met or not) will be performed with Fisher’s exact or binomial proportion tests. Tests between groups with continuous variables (eg, number of misdemeanours) will be performed by zero inflated negative binomial regression. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve will be used to quantify the prediction accuracy of specific univariate or multivariate logistic model for prediction. Inverse probability weighting will be used for analyses that extend from matched controls to the general state population of license holders. Discussion Linked data sets and partnerships are challenging, but necessary for comprehensive public health research. Results of this study will contribute knowledge on the proportion of prohibited suspects and suicide decedents that used firearms in violent deaths and, if applying expanded criteria would have increased prohibited persons. This study will also investigate risk and protective factors for being a victim of homicide.
Electrostatic Control of Macrocyclization Reactions within Nanospaces

The intrinsic structural complexity of proteins makes it hard to identify the contributions of each noncovalent interaction behind the remarkable rate accelerations of enzymes. Coulombic forces are evidently primary, but despite developments in artificial nanoreactor design, a picture of the extent to which these can contribute has not been forthcoming. Here we report on two supramolecular capsules that possess structurally identical inner-spaces that differ in the electrostatic potential (EP) field that envelops them: one positive and one negative. This architecture means that only changes in the EP field influence the chemical properties of encapsulated species. We quantify these influences via acidity and rates of cyclization measurements for encapsulated guests, and we confirm the primary role of Coulombic forces with a simple mathematical model approximating the capsules as Born spheres within a continuum dielectric. These results reveal the reaction rate accelerations possible under Coulombic control and highlight important design criteria for nanoreactors.
Brief Novel Therapies for PTSD: Written Exposure Therapy

Written exposure therapy (WET) is a five-session exposure-based intervention for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). WET was developed through a series of systematic evaluations of the expressive writing procedure. It is an efficient intervention, requiring limited patient and therapist time, and no between-session assignments. The treatment results in statistically and clinically significant symptom change among individuals, including veterans, with PTSD. WET has been shown to be non-inferior to cognitive processing therapy (CPT), a more intensive form of PTSD treatment. Additionally, WET resulted in substantially lower rates of treatment dropout compared with CPT (6% versus 39%). Moderator analyses of the rate of symptom change during treatment indicated that WET performed equally well for participants regardless of age, gender, comorbid depression, or estimated full scale IQ. WET represents a viable option for the efficacious, brief treatment of PTSD and may have significant strengths compared with other manualized psychotherapeutic approaches.
Interkingdom competition for Fe(III) revealed by a synthetic lethal interaction between Caenorhabditis elegans mitochondrial electron transport and Escherichia coli siderophore iron release mutations

C. elegans consumes bacteria which can supply essential vitamins and cofactors especially for mitochondrial functions ancestrally related to bacteria. Therefore, we screened the Keio E. coli knockout library for mutations that induce a C. elegans mitochondrial damage response gene. We identified 45 E. coli mutations that induce a the C. elegans hsp-6::gfp response gene. Surprisingly, four of these E. coli mutations that disrupt the import or removal of iron from the bacterial siderophore enterobactin were lethal in combination with C. elegans mutations that disrupt particular iron-sulfur proteins of the electron transport chain. Bacterial mutations that fail to synthesize enterobactin are not synthetic lethal with these C. elegans mitochondrial mutants; it is the enterobactin-iron complex that is lethal in combination with the C. elegans mitochondrial mutations. Antioxidants suppress this inviability, suggesting that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced by the mutant mitochondria in combination with the bacterial enterobactin-iron complex.
Vote Them Out: Detecting and Eliminating Byzantine Peers

Byzantine Fault Tolerant (BFT) protocols are designed to ensure correctness and eventual progress in the face of misbehaving nodes [1]. However, this does not prevent negative effects an adversary may have on performance: a faulty node may significantly affect the latency and throughput of the system without being detected. This is especially true in speculative protocols optimized for the best-case where a single leader can force the protocol into the worst case [3]. Systems like Aardvark [2] that are designed to maximize worst-case performance tolerate byzantine behavior without necessarily detecting who the perpetrator is. By forcing regular view changes, for example, they mitigate the effects of leaders who deliberately delay dissemination of messages, even if this behavior would be difficult to prove to a third party. Byzantine faults, by definition, can be difficult to detect. An error of 'commission', such as a message with a mismatching digest, can be proven. Errors of 'omission', such as delaying or failing to relay a message, as a rule cannot be proven, and the node responsible for these types of omission faults may not appear faulty to all observers. Nevertheless, we observe that they can reliably be detected. Designing protocols that detect and eject nodes is challenging for two reasons. First, some behaviors are observed by a subset of honest nodes and cannot be objectively proven to a third party. Second, any mechanism capable of ejecting nodes could be subverted by Byzantine nodes to eject honest nodes. This paper presents the Protocol for Ejecting All Corrupted Hosts (Peach, a mechanism for detecting and ejecting faulty nodes in Byzantine fault tolerant (BFT) protocols. Nodes submit votes to a trusted configuration manager that replaces faulty nodes once a threshold of votes are received. We implement Peach for two BFT protocol variants, a traditional pbft-style three-phase protocol and a speculative protocol, and evaluate its ability to respond to Byzantine behavior. This work makes the following contributions: (1) We present and prove a necessary and sufficient constraint on cluster membership guaranteeing that any nodes causing performance degradation via acts of omission will be detected. (2) We present an agreement protocol, PEACHes, in which replicas pass votes about their subjective local observations of possible omissions to a TTP. (3) We show how the separation of detection and effectuation allows fine-grained detection of malicious behavior that is compatible and easily integrated with existing systems. (4) We present DecentBFT, an extension of BFT-Smart to which we added a speculative fast path (similar to Zyzzva) and integrated PEACHes. (5) We show DecentBFT rapidly detects and mitigates a variety of performance attacks that would have gone undetected by the state of the art.