cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nomogram to predict prostate cancer diagnosis on primary transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy in a contemporary series.

Objective: Transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy (TRUSB) remains the mainstay for prostate cancer (CaP) diagnosis. Numerous variables have shown associations with development of CaP. We present a nomogram that predicts the probability of detecting CaP on TRUSB. Methods: After obtaining institutional review board approval, all patients undergoing primary TRUSB for CaP detection at a single center at our institution between 2/2000 and 9/2007 were reviewed. Patients undergoing repeat biopsies were excluded, and only the first biopsy was included in the analysis. Variables included age at biopsy, race, clinical stage, prostate specific antigen (PSA), number of cores removed, TRUS prostate volume (TRUSPV), body mass index, family history of CaP, and pathology results. S-PLUS 2000 statistical software was utilized with p Results: A total of 1,542 consecutive patients underwent primary TRUSB with a median age of 64.2 years (range 34.9–89.2 years), PSA of 5.7 ng/ml (range 0.3–3,900 ng/ml), number of cores removed of 8.0 (range 1– 22) and TRUSPV of 36.4 cm3 (range 9.6–212.0 cm3). CaP was diagnosed in 561 (36.4%) patients. A nomogram was constructed incorporating age at biopsy, race, PSA, body mass index, clinical stage, TRUSPV, number of cores removed, and family history of CaP. The concordance index when validated internally was 0.802. Conclusions: We have developed and internally validated a model predicting cancer detection in men undergoing TRUSB in a contemporary series. This model may assist clinicians in risk-stratifying potential candidates for TRUSB, potentially avoiding unnecessary or low-probability TRUSB.
Measurement of an electrical potential induced by normal stress applied to the interface of an ionic material at elevated temperatures

The measurement of a potential difference between two surfaces of zirconia is reported, when a normal stress is applied to one surface, leaving the other surface stress free. The potential difference is proportional to the applied stress over a wide range. The proportionality constant represents a new thermodynamic measurement of the interfacial state because the measurement is reversible and independent of temperature. In zirconia, the proportionality constant is related to the volume and the charge on the oxygen ion by considering thermodynamic equilibrium among the electrochemical potentials of the oxygen ion at the stressed and unstressed interfaces. The agreement with theory is within 10% for specimens made of polycrystalline zirconia, or single crystal cubic zirconia of (100) orientation. The proportionality constant changes by up to 20% for other orientations of the single crystal; this change is attributed to differences in the effective charge on the oxygen ion on different surface orientations. The kinetics of the voltage response was also investigated in detail; it is consistent with the diffusion of the oxygen ion along the interface formed between the metal electrode and the zirconia surface. The present measurements provide the first experimental confirmation of the fundamental relationship between the chemical potential, the normal traction, and the atomic volume of species at interfaces of crystalline materials. The measurement has implications in further understanding of diffusional creep, creep cavitation and sintering in ionic (or partially ionic) solids.
Menstrual cycle length during methadone maintenance.

Aims While the menstrual disruption of heroin has been demonstrated, there are few published data concerning methadone maintenance and menstrual function. This study was conducted to evaluate whether cycle length was more regular during methadone maintenance. Settings An out-patient research treatment program in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Participants A total of 191 heroin and cocaine-using women from two clinical trials, lasting 25–29 weeks; each woman was maintained on 70–100 mg of methadone. Measurements Start/end dates of each menses were collected. Design Menstrual patterns were classified as regular, irregular, transient amenorrhea, persistent amenorrhea or cycle restart. Repeated-measures regression modeling determined correlates of cycle length and predictors of long cycles (> 40 days) and short cycles (< 20 days). Bleeding episodes were defined as 1 or more bleeding days, bound by at least 2 non-bleeding days. Correlates/predictors examined were body mass index, drug use, methadone dose and race. Findings In the 133 women for whom menstrual patterns could be determined, cycle-length irregularity was common: irregular, 62 (46.7%); regular, 37 (27.8%); cycle restart, 16 (12%); persistent amenorrhea, 11 (8.3%); transient amenorrhea, seven (5.3%). Each additional week on methadone maintenance was associated with decreased risk of long (OR = 0.96, P < 0.01 and short (OR = 0.92, P < 0.01) cycles. Of 27 women with secondary amenorrhea pre-study, 16 (59%) restarted menses. Positivity for opioids or cocaine was not significantly associated with short or long cycles. Conclusions Cycle length begins to normalize during methadone maintenance. Menses resumption may occur. Methadone maintenance, despite interfering with menstrual function in an absolute sense, may interfere less than illicit heroin abuse.
Reversal of asymmetries of allocation mechanisms under manipulation

Abstract Consider a two-person economy in which resources are allocated so as to maximize agent 1's utility subject to the condition that agent 2 remains at least as well off as he was initially. We show that agent 1, who is explicitly favored by the mechanism, gains nothing by manipulation, while agent 2 can reverse the asymmetry of the mechanism in his favor. We give two other examples of mechanisms for which an analogous reversal of asymmetries takes place.
Transcriptional regulation of the lysozyme gene in airway gland serous cells

Lysozyme is expressed in serous, but not mucous, cells of the tracheobronchial glands and thereby constitutes a marker of the serous cell lineage in these glands. To identify DNA regulatory elements and transcription factors mediating the commitment of progenitor cells to the serous cell lineage, we have characterized the regulatory activity and DNA-protein interactions of the 5'-flanking region of the bovine lysozyme gene lys 5a. Results obtained from these studies indicate that although approximately 94 bp of 5'flanking DNA are necessary for high level expression in transient transfection assays, an evolutionarily conserved promoter within 66 bp of the transcription start site is sufficient to confer serous cell-specific expression. Farther upstream, within 6.1 kb of the 5' flanking region, are 4 silencers. Analysis of the serous cell-specific lysozyme promoter by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) revealed the presence of binding sites for 3 serous cell nuclear proteins, designated LSF1, LSF2 and LSF3. Binding of LSF2 and LSF3 was localized to a 20-mer subdomain (-50/-30) of the cell-specific promoter using binding competition assays. More accurate identification of the protein binding site(s) was achieved through the use of mutagenesis, which implicated the motif 5' AAGGAAT 3' (-46/-40) in both protein binding and serous cell-specific transcriptional activity. This motif has previously been identified as a binding site for ets protein transcription factors, suggesting that serous cell-specific regulation of lys 5a transcription is partly controlled by the binding of ets-like protein(s) to the motif 5'AGGAAGT3'.
The demand for accounting information: young NASDAQ listings versus S&P 500 NYSE listings

The main purpose of this paper is to examine accounting information which can be of poor quality for some industries because uniform regulation applies to all. However, there is a strong demand for reliable accounting data even when the quality of the data is poor. Consistent with this premise, I show that among young NASDAQ listings the valuation coefficient on BVE is higher and that on earnings is not lower for intangible-intensive ventures than for other firms. I also show that GAAP OCF provides additional information that enhances the quality of earning information. This results in a shift in valuation weight from BVE to earnings for intangible-intensive young NASDAQ listings. However, these phenomena do not appear for intangible-intensive S&P 500 firms listed on NYSE. My results suggest that variations in the demand for reliable financial data affect the valuation coefficients on earnings and BVE.
Decision theoretic requirements prioritization: a two-step approach for sliding towards value realization

Budget and schedule constraints limit the number of requirements that can be worked on for a software system and is thus necessary to select the most valuable requirements for implementation. However, selecting from a large number of requirements is a decision problem that requires negotiating with multiple stakeholders and satisficing their value propositions. In this paper I present a two-step value-based requirements prioritization approach based on TOPSIS, a decision analysis framework that tightly integrates decision theory with the process of requirements prioritization. In this two-step approach the software system is initially decomposed into high-level Minimal Marketable Features (MMFs) which the business stakeholders prioritize against business goals. Each individual MMF is further decomposed into low-level requirements/features that are primarily prioritized by the technical stakeholders. The priorities of the low-level requirements are influenced by the MMFs they belong to. This approach has been integrated into Winbook, a social-networking influenced collaborative requirements management framework and deployed for use by 10 real-client project teams for the Software Engineering project course at the University of Southern California in Fall 2012. This model allowed the clients and project teams to effectively gauge the importance of each MMF and low-level requirement and perform various sensitivity analyses and take value-informed decisions when selecting requirements for implementation.
A triangular six-node shell element

We present a triangular six-node shell element that represents an important improvement over a recently published element [1]. The shell element is formulated, like the original element, using the MITC procedure. The element has the attributes to be spatially isotropic, to pass the membrane and bending patch tests, to contain no spurious zero energy mode, and is formulated without an artificial constant. In particular, the improved element does not show the instability sometimes observed with the earlier published element. We give the convergence behavior of the element in discriminating membrane- and bending-dominated benchmark problems. These tests show the effectiveness of the element.
Chirality-selected phase behaviour in ionic polypeptide complexes

Complexes that form between oppositely charged polyelectrolytes may be solid or liquid. Here, Perry et al. show that chirality in polypeptides can determine the state of those complexes based on a propensity for hydrogen-bond formation.
The potential for ecosystem management in Mexico's forest ejidos

There is a worldwide concern for managing natural resources in ways that are economically viable and ecologically and socially responsible. Ecosystem management is a recent approach that has been conceptualized to address these concerns. Mexico is stressing the application of this framework for managing its forest lands. A significant portion of Mexico's forests are situated on communally-owned lands called ejidos. Adopting ecosystem management on ejido properties requires special attention to the many unique political, social, cultural and economic aspects of the ownership arrangement. Successful implementation of ecosystem management will require efforts to initiate economic diversification, planning and education programs and administrative and organizational changes. These efforts necessitate significant cooperation and communication between newly-formed government agencies, the ejidos, and technical assistance organizations. Ecosystem management shows promise for adoption if proper attention is given to the unique circumstances concerning Mexico's ejido system.
Decision making for chemotherapy administration in patients with low risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia

The thrust in the management of low risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) has been to find the most effective agent with the least toxicity that causes the least disruption of the patient9s activities. We have studied biweekly actinomycin-D 1.25 mg M-2 (pulsed act-D, 18 evaluable patients) to determine whether it has the same primary efficacy rate as the 5-day course of actinomycin-D 12 mcg kg-1 (5-day act-D, 43 evaluable patients) in low risk GTN. The primary cure rate was 88.4% for the 5-day act-D group and 77.8% for the pulsed act-D group. The data appear to show a therapeutic advantage for the use of the 5-day regimen. However, the difference between 22.2% failure for pulsed act-D and 11.6% failure for the 5-day act-D is not statistically significant; P=0.45(Fisher9s exact test, two tails). Many studies, both of act-D and of methotrexate, may be invalid because the criteria for diagnosing GTN are not sufficiently stringent, yet all our current practice is based on the reported literature. The data from the present study illustrates the difficulties of drawing valid conclusions from the information available in the literature. Before assuming that less drug for less time is the best procedure a prospective randomized study embodying stringent diagnostic criteria and uniform patient attributes appears to be indicated.
Review of capecitabine as oral treatment of gastric, gastroesophageal, and esophageal cancers

Capecitabine is a novel, orally administered fluoropyrimidine carbamate that has been approved for adjuvant treatment in patients with Stage III colon cancer, first-line metastatic colorectal cancer, and metastatic breast cancer, both as a single agent (for patients who are resistant to paclitaxel and anthracyclines) and in combination with docetaxel (after failure on anthracycline-based therapy). Capecitabine is being investigated in Phase I and II trials for the treatment of gastric, gastroesophageal, and esophageal cancers, primarily in the first-line metastatic setting but also in the adjuvant setting. The MEDLINE data base was searched for English-language clinical trials that were published from 1996 through October 2005 along with relevant abstracts that were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology and at meetings of the European Cancer Conference and the European Society of Medical Oncology. The most frequently investigated combinations were capecitabine with docetaxel, paclitaxel, cisplatin, or oxaliplatin, and capecitabine also has been combined with irinotecan. These therapies have yielded efficacy data that compare favorably with data from Phase III trials of parenteral 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in the first-line metastatic setting, and they mostly are well tolerated. Capecitabine, when combined in doses <1250 mg/m(2) twice daily, consistently resulted in a lower frequency of Grade 3 or 4 toxic effects. Capecitabine, as a representative of oral fluoropymidine, is a promising agent in gastroesophageal cancers. Although some Phase III trials are completed, additional Phase III trials of capecitabine-based combinations that compare its efficacy and safety with parenteral 5-FU-based combinations, in both first-line metastatic and adjuvant settings, would be important.
The toxicity of oils and petroleum hydrocarbons to estuarine crustaceans

Abstract Bioassay experiments with various life stages of three estuarine shrimp and soluble petroleum hydrocarbons (PH) revealed residual Bunker C oil and refined No. 2 fuel oil to be more toxic than two crude oils tested. Larvae of Palaemonetes pugio were slightly more sensitive to the PH than adults, while young penaeid shrimp were shown to be more resistant than older, larger individuals. Shrimp exposed to PH in conjunction with temperature and salinity changes were more susceptible to the PH. Some common aromatic and diaromatic PH, including three naphthalene compounds, were utilized in bioassays. Naphthalenes were highly toxic. The toxicity of petroleum products is closely related to aromatic hydrocarbon content, especially the naphthalenes and related hydrocarbons.
Spin-free quantum chemistry. XIII. Spin waves†

We have obtained the Bloch spin wave dispersion formula using the methods of spin-free quantum chemistry. The spin-free eigenvectors are waves in spin-free space. This development makes the point that Bloch spin waves are dynamically spin-free. The neutron diffraction transition moment for spin waves is calculated employing the antisymmetrized projections of vector products of spin-free eigenkets and spin kets and is found to be agreement with results of Moorhouse.
9-Amino acridine pharmacokinetics, brain distribution, and in vitro/in vivo efficacy against malignant glioma.

Purpose The delivery of drugs to the brain is a major obstacle in the design and development of useful treatments for malignant glioma. Previous studies by our laboratory have identified a series of 9-amino acridine compounds that block the catalytic cycle of topoisomerase II resulting in apoptosis and cell death in a variety of cancer cell lines.
Is ‘Chloe liked Olivia’ a lesbian plot?

Abstract Despite Virginia Woolf's lesbian vision of love and friendship between Chloe and Olivia in A Room of One's Own , the literary and critical text often serves to shut lesbians into a closet of prose. Among the debilitating myths used by writers are the ‘Phaon myth’ (that authentic lesbian experience must be terminated by an inauthentic heterosexual rescue), the vampire myth, and the myth of masculinity. The latter in particular has served to divide heterosexual women from their lesbian sisters, so that much feminist literary criticism displays a pervasive heterosexual bias by ignoring or distorting lesbian texts and subtexts. This paper suggests ways in which the word and concept ‘lesbian’ is being reclaimed by lesbian writers and critics. It calls for all women to destroy patriarchal myths about lesbians; reread literary texts for their lesbian subtexts; recover the works of lesbians, particularly lesbians of color; and, finally, proclaim the word ‘lesbian’ forcefully despite the threats posed by a misogynistic academy and society.
“Clockwise” and “Counterclockwise” Bundle Branch Reentry as a Mechanism for Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia Masquerading as Supraventricular Tachycardia

A 35-year-old man presented with a regular tachycardia having a typical right bundle branch block morphology. Electrophysiological testing revealed inducible tachycardia exhibiting counterclockwise as well as clockwise bundle branch reentry, leading to left and right bundle branch block morpbologies. The disappearance of spontaneous episodes of these tachycardias following resolution of right bundle branch block in the resting electrocardiogram suggested that slow conduction in the right bundle branch played an essential role in the tachycardia circuit.
Nonlinear optical properties of metal-organic complexes with phosphorous-donor ligands

Nonlinear optical materials with large intensity-induced changes in refractive index and absorption, which can be characterized by their effective third order susceptibility, are needed for numerous optical device applications. We have reported that Mo(CO)(Ph2PX) complexes exhibit strong, non-resonantly enhanced optical nonlinearities. However, the relationship between the structure of these complexes and their nonlinear optical properties is poorly understood. We have now synthesized Pd(II) and Pt(II) phosphine complexes similar to the Mo(O) complexes and have studied their nonlinear optical properties using Z-scan experiments. The Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes have a low linear absorption at the working wavelength of 532 nm and exhibit both nonlinear optical refraction and nonlinear optical absorption effects. Our measurements indicate that the nonlinear optical properties of these complexes depend both on the nature of the phosphine ligand and on the nature of the metal center and its coordination geometry. However, this dependence is not as pronounced as we have previously observed in the Mo(CO)(Ph2PX) complexes.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Quantitative Proteomics Reveals a Dynamic Interactome and Phase-Specific Phosphorylation in the Neurospora Circadian Clock

Circadian systems are comprised of multiple proteins functioning together to produce feedback loops driving robust, approximately 24 hr rhythms. In all circadian systems, proteins in these loops are regulated through myriad physically and temporally distinct posttranslational modifications (PTMs). To better understand how PTMs impact a circadian oscillator, we implemented a proteomics-based approach by combining purification of endogenous FREQUENCY (FRQ) and its interacting partners with quantitative mass spectrometry (MS). We identify and quantify time-of-day-specific protein-protein interactions in the clock and show how these provide a platform for temporal and physical separation between the dual roles of FRQ. Additionally, by unambiguously identifying over 75 phosphorylated residues, following their quantitative change over a circadian cycle, and examining the phenotypes of strains that have lost these sites, we demonstrate how spatially and temporally regulated phosphorylation has opposing effects directly on overt circadian rhythms and FRQ stability.
Airway irritation and cough evoked by acid: from human to ion channel

Inhalation or aspiration of acid solution evokes airway defense responses such as cough and reflex bronchoconstriction, resulting from activation of vagal bronchopulmonary C-fibers and Aδ afferents. The stimulatory effect of hydrogen ion on these sensory nerves is generated by activation of two major types of ion channels expressed in these neurons: a rapidly activating and inactivating current mediated through ASICs, and a slow sustaining current via activation of TRPV1. Recent studies have shown that these acid-evoked responses are elevated during airway inflammatory reaction, revealing the potential convergence of a wide array of inflammatory signaling on these ion channels. Since pH in the airway fluid drops substantially in patients with inflammatory airway diseases, these heightened stimulatory effects of acid on airway sensory nerves may play a part in the manifestation of airway irritation and excessive cough under those pathophysiological conditions.
Bnip3 Mediates the Hypoxia-induced Inhibition on Mammalian Target of Rapamycin by Interacting with Rheb

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a central controller of cell growth, and it regulates translation, cell size, cell viability, and cell morphology. mTOR integrates a wide range of extracellular and intracellular signals, including growth factors, nutrients, energy levels, and stress conditions. Rheb, a Ras-related small GTPase, is a key upstream activator of mTOR. In this study, we found that Bnip3, a hypoxia-inducible Bcl-2 homology 3 domain-containing protein, directly binds Rheb and inhibits the mTOR pathway. Bnip3 decreases Rheb GTP levels in a manner depending on the binding to Rheb and the presence of the N-terminal domain. Both knockdown and overexpression experiments show that Bnip3 plays an important role in mTOR inactivation in response to hypoxia. Moreover, Bnip3 inhibits cell growth in vivo by suppressing the mTOR pathway. These observations demonstrate that Bnip3 mediates the inhibition of the mTOR pathway in response to hypoxia.
Endoscopic Realignment of Prostatomembranous Urethral Disruptions

Prior to discussing the endoscopic approach to realignment of prostatomembranous urethral disruptions, some discussion of the general approach to management of prostatomembranous urethral disruptions is appropriate. There have been advocates of both immediate and delayed repair of prostatomembranous urethral disruptions. Proponents of delayed repair of these injuries have suggested that immediate repair results in further damage to the delicate neurovascular structures in the urogenital diaphragm which have been injured. They have suggested that it is better to allow these acute injuries to subside prior to urethral reconstruction. However, advocates of immediate repair of these injuries have argued that impotence and incontinence in these patients are the result of the injury itself and not the method of management. Furthermore, they believe that urethral realignment over a urethral catheter is no more traumatic or less anatomic than a delayed urethroplasty through the fibrotic urogenital bed that results from the injury. The controversy between early versus delayed repair of prostatomembranous urethral disruptions originated in 1972 when Morehouse reported that early repair of these injuries resulted in excess incontinence and impotence compared with initial suprapubic tube placement alone followed by a delayed ~rethrop1asty.l~ In a follow-up study published in 1980, they reported on 58 consecutive patients treated with complete prostatomembranous urethral disruptions managed by initial suprapubic tube placement alone and delayed urethral reconstr~ction.'~ They reported remarkably good results, including a 0% incidence of stricture, a 2% incidence of mild stress incontinence, and only 10% impotence. They compared these results with those of another group of patients who were referred to their medical center after unsuccessful attempts at immediate repair. Not unexpectedly, the patients who underwent unsuccessful attempts at immediate repair had worse results. This report has been appropriately criticized because, in essence, they are comparing those patients who underwent successful management with initial suprapubic tube placement followed by delayed urethroplasty with those patients who were failures of immediate realignment.
Raja-dharma in 19th century south India: land, litigation and largess in Ramnad Zamindari:

Les composantes ideologiques de l'organisation economique, sociale et politique de l'Inde du Sud rurale au XIX siecle. Etude de cas centree sur les magnats ruraux, le concept de raja-dharma et le systeme zamindari, dans l'Etat de Madras.
A cell-based method for the detection of nanomolar concentrations of bioactive amyloid.

A cell-based method for the detection of nanomolar concentrations of bioactive amyloid peptide is described. The method is based upon the observation that fibrillogenic amyloid peptides specifically and dramatically enhance the exocytosis of the intracellular vesicles that are involved in transporting the reduced tetrazolium dye 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT formazan), with the formation of unique formazan crystals on the cell surface. It is found that the ability of amyloid peptides to induce MTT formazan exocytosis is closely associated with both their neurotoxicity and their ability to activate glia cells, two biological activities of amyloid peptides that are believed to cause neurodegeneration. This simple assay for bioactive amyloid species can be of great value in the screening of anti-amyloid drugs and in the study of amyloid fibrillogenesis with a cell-based model.
The three-body force, off-shell πN scattering and binding energies in nuclear matter

Abstract We re-examine the off-shell π N amplitude occurring in the two-pion exchange three-body force, subject to all of the constraints of current algebra. This amplitude is not dominated by the Δ(1231) isobar; instead, if the σ-term is known, it can be determined from on-shell scattering. The resulting contribution to the binding energy of nuclear matter is small but attractive, varying from 0.2 MeV to 1.5 MeV, corresponding to π N σ-terms of 70 MeV to 40 MeV.
Category Theory-Based Synthesis of a Higher-Level Fusion Algorithm: An Example

Higher-level fusion (e.g., Level 2 that deals with derivation of relations among objects) often involves symbolic processing of information obtained from lower levels (e.g., Level 1, which deals with object detection, identification and tracking) which is based upon quantitative algorithms. The quantitative algorithms pass only some information to higher levels; some of the information is abstracted away in this process. However, this information might be needed by some of the rules at a higher level. Should in such a case the whole system be re-coded? In this paper we present an attempt to overcome the need for re-coding the Level 1 software. Instead, we propose to replace the activity of manually developing a fusion algorithm with an automated synthesis of the specification of the algorithm followed by automatic code generation. While solving such a problem in its entirety is a rather distant goal, in this paper we propose a solution to a more modest sub-problem. Rather than attempting to solve arbitrary information fusion problems, we assume that there exists a library of templates that specify information fusion objectives. The templates are formal specifications represented in a formal language. Since they are declarative, a variety of algorithms can satisfy their requirements. This paper presents an example of using a formal, category theory-based approach to the problem of synthesizing algorithms that satisfy templates for information fusion.
Gender differences in academic and social behavior of elementary school transfer students

This study describes a tutoring program designed to help children in grades 3 through 5 who underwent an unscheduled school transfer. We examined gender differences in self-concepts, academic performance, teacher evaluations, and peer ratings. Gender differences were found in several measures, although gender did not substantially interact with the intervention. As expected, female transfer students reported lower self-concepts than males; teachers reported that boys were more popular; peers also rated boys as more aggressive and girls as more likable. Findings suggest that preventive interventions for transfer students need to account for effects of gender.
Use of Abdominal and Pelvic Ultrasound in The Evaluation of Chronic Abdominal Pain

The value of sonography in assessing chronic abdominal pain (CAP) in children, the characteristics of CAP, and the local pediatrician's practice in evaluating CAP are reported. Fifty-seven patients with CAP had abdominal and/or pelvic sonography; 56 were normal. One sonogram showed an ovarian cyst on the side opposite the CAP; the cyst later resolved. Pain was usually localized in the periumbilical area (56%). Follow-up data were obtained from referring physicians and patients' medical records. No serious diagnosis related to CAP was missed. After six months, CAP had resolved in 43% of patients. Of the responding physicians, 61% indicated they would have used more and costlier contrast studies if ultrasonography had been unavailable.
Cardiac arrest and jogging

Cardiac arrest related to jogging usually occurs in the setting of a structural cardiac abnormality. The patients often have no prodromal symptoms. Certain aspects of these cases, such as delayed entrance into the medical care system and exercise-induced lactic acidosis, make successful resuscitation difficult. We describe three such patients under the age of 36 who died after running.
Incidental categorization of spectrally complex non-invariant auditory stimuli in a computer game task

This study examined perceptual learning of spectrally complex nonspeech auditory categories in an interactive multi-modal training paradigm. Participants played a computer game in which they navigated through a three-dimensional space while responding to animated characters encountered along the way. Characters’ appearances in the game correlated with distinctive sound category distributions, exemplars of which repeated each time the characters were encountered. As the game progressed, the speed and difficulty of required tasks increased and characters became harder to identify visually, so quick identification of approaching characters by sound patterns was, although never required or encouraged, of gradually increasing benefit. After 30 min of play, participants performed a categorization task, matching sounds to characters. Despite not being informed of audio-visual correlations, participants exhibited reliable learning of these patterns at posttest. Categorization accuracy was related to several measu...
Zinc Deficiency With Dermatitis in a Parenteral Nutrition–Dependent Patient Due to National Shortage of Trace Minerals

The shortages of intravenous drugs remains critical, with sterile injectables accounting for 80% of the approximately 300 shortages. The impact is being felt in patients dependent on parenteral nutrition (PN), and severe deficiencies are becoming more commonplace. We report here a man who developed severe zinc deficiency, manifesting as a painful desquamative rash, due to an inability to obtain multi–trace element additives for his PN.
Critical Notes on Political Liberalization in Africa

This article warns observers not to "pop up the champagne" yet, in celebration of the renaissance of democracy in Africa, for the excitement of democratic opening in the continent could be shortlived. This is so because of the power of the anti-democratic forces that seek to further their group interest at the expense of liberalization.
Therapy of secondary hyperparathyroidism with 19-nor-1alpha,25- dihydroxyvitamin D2

Secondary hyperparathyroidism contributes to significant morbidity in patients with chronic renal failure. The treatment of this disorder with vitamin D compounds, such as calcitriol, although effective at suppressing parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion, may promote the development of hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia, thus increasing the risk for metastatic calcification. A new vitamin D analogue, 19-nor-1alpha,25-(OH)2D2 (paricalcitol; Zemplar, Abbott Laboratories, Inc, Chicago, IL) has recently been developed for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism, and, in experimental animals, it was found to be less calcemic and phosphatemic than calcitriol. In double-blind clinical trials, paricalcitol effectively decreased the levels of PTH by 60%, yet the mean serum calcium values remained within the normal range. The few episodes of hypercalcemia that occurred in the paricalcitol-treated patients (8 of 400 determinations > or =11.0 mg/dL in 7 patients) were associated with marked decreases in PTH levels (87% +/- 2% less than baseline) and absolute values of PTH less than 100 pg/mL in four of the seven patients. PTH values less than 100 pg/mL, however, occurred in 15 patients, but were not invariably associated with frank hypercalcemia, although serum calcium levels increased to 10.63 +/- 0.3 mg/dL, slightly greater than the upper limits of normal. Additional studies to evaluate the conversion from calcitriol to paricalcitol therapy showed that a dose ratio of 1:4 (calcitriol:paricalcitol) could maintain control of high levels of PTH without significant alterations in serum calcium and phosphorus levels. These studies indicate that effective control of hyperparathyroidism can be achieved with paricalcitol therapy with minimal perturbation of serum calcium and phosphorus levels, and may have a therapeutic advantage over current treatment strategies.
Anti-AIDS agents. 30. Anti-HIV activity of oleanolic acid, pomolic acid, and structurally related triterpenoids.

Oleanolic acid (1) was identified as an anti-HIV principle from several plants, including Rosa woodsii (leaves), Prosopis glandulosa (leaves and twigs), Phoradendron juniperinum (whole plant), Syzygium claviflorum (leaves), Hyptis capitata (whole plant), and Ternstromia gymnanthera (aerial part). It inhibited HIV-1 replication in acutely infected H9 cells with an EC50 value of 1.7 μg/mL, and inhibited H9 cell growth with an IC50 value of 21.8 μg/mL [therapeutic index (T. I.) 12.8]. Pomolic acid, isolated from R. woodsii and H. capitata, was also identified as an anti-HIV agent (EC50 1.4 μg/mL, T. I. 16.6). Although ursolic acid did show anti-HIV activity (EC50 2.0 μg/mL), it was slightly toxic (IC50 6.5 μg/mL, T. I. 3.3). A new triterpene (11) was also isolated from the CHCl3-soluble fraction of R. woodsii, though it showed no anti-HIV activity. The structure of 11 was determined to be 1β-hydroxy-2-oxopomolic acid by spectral examination. Based on these results, we examined the anti-HIV activity of oleano...
Developing interactive advertising strategies on the internet as a function of consumer knowledge, ability, and involvement

As the internet has developed and gained wider usage, investment in and the application of interactive advertising (IA) has grown. The effectiveness of IA has significant financial and marketing implications for many firms. This study reviews the different forms of IA and suggests that firms design their IA programmes based on a number of important factors. We make managerial recommendations for the appropriate selection of IA and the appropriate content of IA based on product, firm, and target consumer characteristics. Based on the consumer behaviour information search model, we suggest that the consumer-related characteristics of knowledge, ability, and involvement are critical factors to consider when implementing IA strategies.
Neuroanatomical localization of memory disruption: relationship between brain structure and learning task.

Abstract Single-pulse stimulation of the caudate nucleus or the ventral hippocampus was used to study retroactive impairment of recently formed memory in mice. Both a single-trial shock avoidance task and a single-trial appetitive task were used. Bilateral single-pulse stimulation of the caudate nucleus disrupted labile memory for both tasks, whereas bilateral single-pulse stimulation of the ventral hippocampus disrupted labile memory for the appetitive task but not the aversive task. The data suggest possible differential neuroanatomical involvement in memory processing.
Infrastructure and Public Works Education: One Size Does Not Fit All

Public awareness of infrastructure issues and a body of well-educated infrastructure professionals are critical to the efficient provision of public services such as water, wastewater, transportati...
Glut1 deficiency syndrome and erythrocyte glucose uptake assay.

Objective: The Glut1 deficiency syndrome (Glut1 DS) phenotype has expanded dramatically since first described in 1991. Hypoglycorrhachia and decreased erythrocyte 3-OMG uptake are confirmatory laboratory biomarkers. The objective is to expand previous observations regarding the diagnostic value of the uptake assay. Methods: One hundred and nine suspected cases of Glut-1 DS were studied. All cases had a consistent clinical picture and hypoglycorrhachia. The uptake assay was decreased in 74 cases (group 1) and normal in 35 cases (group 2). We identified disease-causing mutations in 70 group 1 patients (95%) and one group 2 patient (3%). Results: The cut-off for an abnormally low uptake value was increased from 60% to 74% with a corresponding sensitivity of 99% and specificity of 100%. The correlation between the uptake values for the time-curve and the kinetic concentration curve were strongly positive (R2 = 0.85). Significant group differences were found in CSF glucose and lactate values, tone abnormalities, and degree of microcephaly. Group 2 patients were less affected in all domains. We also noted a significant correlation between the mean erythrocyte 3-OMG uptake and clinical severity (R2 = 0.94). Interpretation: These findings validate the erythrocyte glucose uptake assay as a confirmatory functional test for Glut1 DS and as a surrogate marker for GLUT1 haploinsufficiency. ANN NEUROL 2011;70:996–1005
Student protest and sex-role attitude change, 1967–1971: A log-linear analysis of longitudinal data

Longitudinal relationships between protest participation and attitude toward the female role are examined in data from a 1967–1971 national panel of college students using Goodman's log-linear techniques for the analysis of two-attribute turnover tables. Contrary to earlier evidence, 1967 protest participation does not predict 1971 sex-role “modernism” for either females or males. Sex-role modernism in 1967 does predict protest participation by 1971. No evidence is found for expected three-variable interactions involving gender, sex-role attitude, and protest participation. These findings suggest a need for reinterpretation of earlier work relating student protest to the sex-role attitudes of college women.
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders-- implications for child neurology, part 1: prenatal exposure and dosimetry.

In the United States, approximately 80 000 women consume ethanol through all 3 trimesters of pregnancy each year. In this article, we review prevalence rates of prenatal alcohol exposure in the United States and discuss the mechanisms of prenatal alcohol exposure and placental-umbilical effects. Cigarette smoking and delayed prenatal care are often associated with prenatal alcohol exposure. In addition, increased risk for postnatal adversity is common, including maternal depression, foster care placement, and developmental delay. In part 2, we review prevalence rates and the diagnostic criteria for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and the implications for child neurologists. We discuss management strategies and the importance of a long-term management plan and anticipatory management to prevent the development of secondary disabilities in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Child neurologists play a key role in diagnosis and the development of appropriate intervention programs for affected children and their...
Comparison of commercially available thin-layer chromatography plates with mixtures of dyes, analgesics and phenols

Abstract A series of five commercially available thin-layer chromatography plates has been compared using three different mixtures. The plates examined were Analtech, Baker, Merck, Whatman and Eastman Kodak silica gel plates. The first four are layers on glass while the last is a layer on a polyester sheet. All have a F254 fluorescent indicator. The Kodak plate is not strictly comparable to the others but was included since it is quite widely used. Some very significant differences were noted in RF values as well as in the relative order in which the components were eluted. The highest RF values on glass plates were generally obtained either using Analtech or Whatman plates depending on the solvent. The lowest RF values were nearly always obtained using Merck plates. Screening of chromatographic plates is particularly important when analyzing unknown mixtures.
The coagulopathy of childhood leukemia. Thrombin activation or primary fibrinolysis

Little information is available on the prevalence and etiology of the coagulopathy present in some children with acute leukemia at disease presentation. We studied 102 children with newly diagnosed acute leukemia (50 retrospective: Group A; and 52 prospective: Group B) with prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), thrombin time (TT), fibrinogen (FIB), and fibrin degradation products (FDP). All patients in Group B also had assessment of thrombin activation by measurement of the crosslinked fibrin fragment, D-dimer, and of primary fibrinolysis with the B beta 1-42 peptide. Additionally, ten patients from Group B had Factors II, V, VII, and X measured, and eight of these patients had measurement of tissue factor from sonicated bone marrow cells. Thirty-two percent of Group A and 40% of Group B had totally normal coagulation studies, whereas 20% of Group A and 10% of Group B had a severe coagulopathy on disease presentation. A high percentage of both groups had elevated PT (Group A, 52%; Group B, 27%) and increased FDP (Group A, 39%; Group B, 25%). In Group B, 38% of the patients had a positive D-dimer, whereas only 4% of this prospective group had an elevated B beta 1-42 peptide (P less than 0.00001). Nine of ten patients with a positive D-dimer had low levels of one or more of the extrinsic pathway factors. Three of four patients with the highest tissue factor levels were of monocytoid leukemia cell type. These data indicate that the coagulopathy associated with acute leukemia of childhood is usually mediated by thrombin activation.
On the cohomology of Bernoulli actions

We prove that if $G$ is a countable, discrete group having infinite normal subgroups with the relative property (T) of Kazhdan?Margulis, then the Bernoulli shift action of $G$ on $\prod_{g \in G} (X_0, \mu_0)_g$, for $(X_{0},\mu_{0})$ an arbitrary non-trivial probability space, has first cohomology group isomorphic to the character group of $G$.
An inverted and stacked PMOS transistor by silicon epitaxial lateral overgrowth

Abstract A novel inverted and stacked PMOS transistor was fabricated using selective epitaxial lateral overgrowth (ELO) of silicon over pre-existing oxidized poly gates. The transistor was designed for use in three-dimensional CMOS structures utilizing shared-gate vertical integration. Typical performance for the 2.2. μm channel device included average channel mobilities of 125 cm 2 /V−s, source-to-drain leakage currents of around — 100 pA, and inverse subthreshold slopes of about 200 mV/decade. The ELO silicon was grown in an LPCVD reactor using dichlorosilane (DCS), HCl and H 2 at 900°C and 150 Torr.
In search of vertebrate telomeric proteins

Abstract Indirect evidence suggests that vertebrate chromosome ends carry a protective nucleoprotein cap that contains specific telomeric proteins. Telomeric proteins could explain the stringent sequence requirements for de novo telomere formation, aspects of telomere length regulation, the unusual chromatin structure detectable in some vertebrate telomeres, and the attachment of telomeric DNA to the nuclear matrix. Although telomeric proteins have been identified in unicellular organisms, vertebrate telomeric proteins are not well characterized. The search for these factors is discussed in this review.
Chemical reactions and adherence at glass/metal interfaces: an analysis

Abstract A review of wetting, spreading and reactions of sodium discilicate glass on metals is presented. The selected metals represent a wide range of reactivity. Most of them are either principal constituents of dental alloys or are present as alloying additions. Conditions for the occurrence of the differe types of redox reactions at glass/metal interfaces are analyzed. All of the reactions have an effect in some way, both chemically and physically, on the bonding of glass to metal.
Efficient route to 4H-1,3-oxazines through ring expansion of isoxazoles by rhodium carbenoids

Studies related to the total synthesis of elisabethin C led to the discovery of a rhodium-catalyzed cascade sequence involving isoxazole ring expansion and a [4 + 3] cycloaddition. The scope of the isoxazole ring expansion was explored, resulting in the synthesis of a range of 4H-1,3-oxazines in 47-96% yield.
Heteropolymer sequence design and preferential solvation of hydrophilic monomers: Application of random energy model

We study the role of the surface of the globule and the role of interactions with the solvent for designed-sequence heteropolymers using the random energy model. We investigate the ground-state energy and surface-monomer composition distribution. By comparing the freezing transition in random and designed-sequence heteropolymers, we discuss the effects of design. Based on our results, we are able to show under which conditions the solvation effect improves the quality of the sequence design. Finally, we study sequence-space entropy and discuss the number of available sequences as a function of the imposed requirements for design quality.