cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The availability, functionality, and quality of mobile applications supporting medication self-management.

Objective To systematically review mobile applications currently available to patients to support outpatient medication self-management. Methods Three online stores were searched in March 2013 using nine distinct search terms. Applications were selected if they supported general outpatient medication self-management for adults; they were excluded if they focused on only one medication or condition, provided only a medication list or reference, only ordered refills, were written in a non-English language, or were for local pharmacy/hospital patients only. A multi-step review process was utilized by two independent reviewers to identify eligible applications. A standardized form was used to abstract data. User reviews were compiled from a subsample of applications and qualitatively coded to identify common criticisms. Results 14 893 applications were initially identified. After the multi-step review process, 424 applications were deemed eligible for inclusion by reviewers (κ=0.85). On average, applications were rated 2.8 stars (out of 5) from 107 reviews. Almost all provided medication reminders (91.0%), half enabled patients to create a medication history or log (51.5%), and 22% could email the log to a third party. Few helped patients organize their regimen (6.2%), check for drug interactions (2.8%), or identify pills (4.0%). User reviews (N=1091) from the subsample of 26 applications revealed common criticisms, including technical malfunctions, poor compatibility with certain medications, and absence of desired features. Conclusions Hundreds of applications exist in the marketplace to support medication self-management. However, their quality, content, and functionality are highly variable. Research is needed to determine optimal capabilities, evaluate utility, and determine clinical benefit.
HUGONIOT MEASUREMENTS ON A SLURRY OF FINELY DIVIDED TUNGSTEN AND PLASTIC

A previous paper reported hugoniot measurements on a two-phase material consisting of a matrix and an embedded material (silica- phenolic) using the LLNL electric gun facility. The results showed a good bit of scatter in the measurements. This was attributed to the grossly heterogeneous nature of the material. Measurements have since been made on a slurry of finely divided tungsten powder in a plastic, greatly reducing the scale of the inhomogeneity. The results show greatly reduced scatter, as expected from the above interpretation. 4 refs., 2 figs.
Quantal ATP release from motor nerve endings and its role in neurally mediated depression.

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the mechanisms of presynaptic neurotransmitter modulation within the framework of a physiologically relevant behavior—namely, the process of neurally mediated prejunctional depression at the skeletal neuromuscular junction. At the frog and mouse neuromuscular junctions, depression appears to be because of the release of endogenous ATP that after degradation to adenosine acts back on the nerve ending to inhibit the subsequent release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. The chapter also presents the evidence that ATP is released synchronously from motor nerve endings within milliseconds of a solitary nerve impulse and in the appropriate concentration range to mediate neuromuscular depression. The data suggest that, in the frog, adenosine mediates the inhibition of both spontaneous and evoked ACh release and by an action at the secretory apparatus and the downstream of calcium entry.
Turbulent Mixing in Non-Reactive and Reactive Flows: A Review

A short review is presented on turbulent mixing of shear flows involving ordinary and chemically reactive fluids. The two aspects of advances in this area are (i) modelling of mixing layers (including statistical continuum theories) and (ii) elucidation of the structure of mixing processes (especially the strong, coherent large scale structure). The occurrence of chemical reaction presents many complications in regard to both of those and it appears correla tions and spectral analysis are insufficient for a detailed understanding of the processes involved. Nevertheless progress is being made both in experimentation and theory. Attention is focussed on some of the current ambiguities and controversies.
Pair programming and pair trading: effects on learning and motivation in a CS2 course

Pair programming is a seemingly powerful addition to the tool kit of educators wishing to enhance learning in software engineering students. This technique, found among professional software development practices associated with extreme programming (Beck), has probably existed informally for some time in various forms of collaborative software development. More recently pair programming has been formalized and used as an intentional pedagogical tool in the classroom. During the Spring semester of 2002, the author implemented a multi-phase project in CS2 similar to the one described by Newhall and Meeden (2002). The author used pair-programming and pair-trading to facilitate the production of high quality code. Qualitative data were collected from the students throughout the project. This paper documents the qualitative study and sheds some light on why pair programming can be successful in educational applications, and also how pair programmers can be assessed.
Symmetries in Evolving Space-Time and Their Connection to High-Frequency Gravitational Wave Production

We claim that the linking of a shrinking prior universe to our own via a wormhole bridge solution of about ten to the minus forty four power seconds permits the formation of a short-term quintessence scalar field. Symmetries allow for creating high-frequency gravitational waves at the onset of inflation, which has consequences in our present cosmological era. This instantaneous energy transfer between prior to present universes permits relic graviton production which we claim is a viable candidate for future propulsion technologies in space craft design. The Big Bang started as the passage of thermal energy from an existing universe into ours resulting in another Big Bang, and helps us understand how a graviton burst can occur in the first place.
The Difference Differentiation Makes: Extending Eisner's Account

In this analysis Jane Blanken-Webb extends Elliot Eisner's account of how learning in the arts contributes to the creation of mind. Drawing on the psychoanalytic theory of D. W. Winnicott, Blanken-Webb argues that the acts of meaning making to which Eisner attends rely on a prior developmental achievement — namely, the establishment of self-in-relation-to-world. This prior development is important to recognize in order to appreciate all that is at stake and at play within acts of meaning making. To demonstrate this, Blanken-Webb points to reverberations of an earlier process of psychological differentiation embedded within such acts that are crucial for aesthetic experience and that carry on a continual process of refinement of self-in-relation-to-world. While Eisner has a great deal to offer regarding the importance of providing students access to multiple forms of representation, this perspective adds that in doing so we are expanding on a foundation of self-in-relation-to-world, thus facilitating an educational unfolding that is much deeper than we typically recognize.
Adenotonsillectomy in patients with desmopressin responsive mild bleeding disorders: a review of the literature.

Summary. Many patients with mild inherited bleeding disorders such as von Willebrand disease (VWD), mild haemophilia A (HA) and platelet function defects (PFD) undergo adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy (AT) procedures each year. Management of bleeding in these patients can be challenging, as little published data exist to guide haemostatic management during these relatively common procedures. Therefore, the literature was reviewed to identify AT procedures in patients with 1-deamino-8-D-argine vasopressin responsive mild bleeding disorders. The review revealed no randomized prospective trials of haemostatic management in this patient population. Case reports and small case series identified 144 patients who had AT procedures. Frequency of desmopressin and antifibrinolytic dosing varied widely. Fifteen percentage of patients experienced postoperative bleeding with nearly half being early ( 24 h) bleeding. Hyponatraemia complicated the procedures in 47% of cases and six hyponatremic seizures were reported. Issues identified by this review that need to be addressed in future clinical trials include type and amount of fluid restriction when utilizing desmopressin, duration of antifibrinolytic therapy and duration and frequency of desmopressin dosing.
The effect of anterior cruciate ligament trauma and bracing on knee proprioception.

We studied the effect that chronic anterior cruciate ligament disruption, functional bracing, and a neoprene sleeve have on knee proprioception by measuring the threshold to detection of passive knee motion in all three conditions. The threshold to detection of passive knee motion was worse in knees with chronic anterior cruciate ligament insufficiency when compared with uninjured knees. This difference was small, on average an additional 0.28° of flexion-extension rotation was required for the anterior cruciate ligament-deficient knee before the subject detected motion, and of questionable significance from a clinical and functional perspective. Wearing a functional brace or neoprene sleeve on the anterior cruciate ligament-deficient knee did not significantly change the threshold to detection of passive motion in comparison with the same knee without a brace, although improvements were observed. There was no relationship between the most common clinical means of characterizing altered bio-mechanics of t...
Trends in celiac disease research

BackgroundTo improve diagnosis and treatment of celiac disease (CD), research efforts are being made in many different areas. However, the focus, trend, and direction of such efforts require clarity, so that future efforts and directions can be appropriately planned. MethodIn this study, MEDLINE was used to search for trends in CD research. The keyword 'celiac disease' and its variants were searched in tandem with keywords commonly associated with CD. This search was done for each year from 1960 to 2013. Year of first instance of the associated keyword, linear regression coefficient, and trend in terms of the slope of the regression line were tabulated. For perspective, the same keywords were searched in tandem with 'inflammatory bowel disease' (IBD). ResultsCD appeared in the medical literature prior to 1960, and IBD first appeared in 1964. However, IBD overtook CD in terms of the number of research papers published per year, beginning in 1988. Keywords with strong positive trends (r2>0.7) in association with CD were: 'diagnosis', 'gluten', 'serology', 'autoimmune', 'treatment', 'gluten-free diet', 'endoscopy', 'villous atrophy', 'wasting', 'inflammation', and 'microbiome'. The keyword 'malabsorption' had the sole strong negative trend in association with CD. Keywords with strong positive trends (r2>0.7) in association with IBD also had strong positive association with CD: 'autoimmune', 'treatment, 'inflammation', and 'microbiome'. ConclusionsThe MEDLINE search approach is helpful to show first instance, association, and trend of keywords that are affiliated with CD in published biomedical research, and to compare CD research trends with those of other diseases. Celiac disease is present in 1% of the population worldwide.Currently there is no cure for celiac disease.To determine celiac disease research focus, a MEDLINE search paradigm was developed.By detecting associations with celiac disease, research trends can be discovered.Certain areas of research are hot topics while others are less researched.Trends in research tend to follow the evolving symptomology of the disease.
A Molecularly Imprinted Polymer (MIP)-Coated Microbeam MEMS Sensor for Chemical Detection

Recently, microcantilever-based technology has emerged as a viable sensing platform due to its many advantages such as small size, high sensitivity, and low cost. However, microcantilevers lack the inherent ability to selectively identify hazardous chemicals (e.g., explosives, chemical warfare agents). The key to overcoming this challenge is to functionalize the top surface of the microcantilever with a receptor material (e.g., a polymer coating) so that selective binding between the cantilever and analyte of interest takes place. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) can be utilized as artificial recognition elements for target chemical analytes of interest. Molecular imprinting involves arranging polymerizable functional monomers around a template molecule followed by polymerization and template removal. The selectivity for the target analyte is based on the spatial orientation of the binding site and covalent or noncovalent interactions between the functional monomer and the analyte. In this work, thin films of sol-gel-derived xerogels molecularly imprinted for TNT and dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), a chemical warfare agent stimulant, have demonstrated selectivity and stability in combination with a fixed-fixed beam microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based gas sensor. The sensor was characterized by parametric bifurcation noise-based tracking.
Role of intravenous immune globulin in streptococcal toxic shock syndrome and Clostridium difficile infection.

Purpose The use of intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) in the management of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) and Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is reviewed. Summary IVIG has a wide range of uses in clinical practice, including STSS and CDI. It is an attractive option for these two infections because both infections are toxin mediated, and IVIG may contain antibodies that neutralize these toxins. For STSS and CDI, IVIG is often considered for use in critically ill patients who are not responding to traditional therapies. Several encouraging case reports and retrospective chart reviews have been published, highlighting the potential benefit of IVIG in such patients. However, its definitive role remains unclear, mainly due to the lack of high-level evidence. Data supporting its use have been extrapolated from retrospective chart reviews and case reports in which profound heterogeneity in patient populations and treatment modalities exist. The use of IVIG must be weighed carefully because it is not a benign product. As with the use of IVIG for STSS, the role of IVIG for CDI is unclear. Nonetheless, IVIG may serve as a useful adjunct therapy for patients suffering from severe complicated CDI (shock, ileus, or megacolon) who do not respond to conventional treatment. Adverse reactions to IVIG are mild and transitory and occur during or immediately after drug infusion. Conclusion Although randomized, controlled trials supporting the use of IVIG for STSS and CDI are lacking, IVIG may be considered a last-line adjunct therapy in those patients for whom the clinical benefit outweighs the potential adverse effects of therapy.
Milacemide therapy for Parkinson's disease

The clinical effects of central glutamatergic stimulation by the glycine prodrug milacemide were studied in six patients with Parkinson's disease under double-blind, placebo-controlled conditions. When administered as monotherapy at a single oral dose of 1,200 mg, the drug increased overall parkinsonian severity transiently, mostly due to an effect on rigidity. Milacemide did not, however, alter levodopa-induced dyskinesias. These results support the view that drugs acting on the glutamatergic system can influence motor function in patients with extrapyramidal movement disorders and that pharmaceutical agents that selectively block certain subtypes of glutamate receptors may ameliorate parkinsonian symptoms.
The generation of sex cells

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the earliest population of germ cells established during embryonic development and constitute the beginning of the totipotent state. A recent study provides a new protocol for the efficient generation of PGC-like cells from human embryonic stem cells, providing an in vitro platform to study human PGC differentiation and specification.
A systematic solution to the problem of sample background correction in DSC curves

The problem of sample background correction in differential scanning calorimetric curves is addressed in this paper. An equation is derived for the heat capacity of the system, which corresponds to the sample background. Thereby, it is assumed that during the thermal event the system is a two-component mixture of the initial substance and the final product. According to this model, the variation in heat capacity of the system is due both to the increase in the partial concentration of the product at the expense of the initial substance and to the physical change in the specific heats of the two components, resulting from the temperature increase. The final result of the derivation is an integral equation which can be solved by means of a numerical technique. The algorithm used is presented in detail. The model is general, and can be applied to diverse exothermic or endothermic processes. The melting of a semi-crystalline polymer and the cure process of a thermoset are given as demonstrative examples. The method improves the reliability and the reproducibility of the data.
Distribution and inducibility of a P450I activity in cellular components of the avian immune system.

The level of expression of the cytochrome P450 system in an immune tissue could influence the sensitivity of that immune tissue to damage by xenobiotics. The capacity of immune organs and their cellular components for P450I-catalyzed metabolism was assayed in the 4-week-old chicken using the P450I-specific ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) assay and the P450I-inducer, 3,4,3′,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl (TCB). After induction by TCB, EROD was detectable in microsomes from whole thymus, bursa and in peritoneal exudate cells (containing primarily macrophages) at levels of 28.3, 7.2 and 1.3 pmol/mg microsomal protein/min, respectively; the level in control liver was 89.9 pmol/mg microsomal protein/min. No activity was detected in these immune tissues without induction. The P450I specific in vitro inhibitor, α-naphthoflavone (NF) inhibited the TCB-induced liver and immune tissue EROD by 50% at concentrations in the range of 0.07–0.1 μM. The cellular distribution of EROD in the bursa and thymus was studied in lymphocytes and supporting tissue cells after their separation by density gradient centrifugation. Much higher TCB-induced EROD was detected in immune tissue supporting cells than in lymphocytes, particularly in the thymus. The P450I in the supporting tissue of the bursa and thymus at 1 week post-hatch was also measured after eradication of the lymphocytes in both immune tissues by in ovo administration of CP. TCB-induced EROD was 12-fold higher in the lymphocyte-depleted thymus than in normal thymus, with a less marked but similar pattern in the bursa. These studies suggest that after exposure to a P450I inducer, levels of P450I are much higher in the supporting cells of immune organs than in the immune cells themselves.
Proton Radiation Therapy for the Treatment of Retinoblastoma

Purpose To investigate long-term disease and toxicity outcomes for pediatric retinoblastoma patients treated with proton radiation therapy (PRT). Methods and Materials This is a retrospective analysis of 49 retinoblastoma patients (60 eyes) treated with PRT between 1986 and 2012. Results The majority (84%) of patients had bilateral disease, and nearly half (45%) had received prior chemotherapy. At a median follow-up of 8 years (range, 1-24 years), no patients died of retinoblastoma or developed metastatic disease. The post-PRT enucleation rate was low (18%), especially in patients with early-stage disease (11% for patients with International Classification for Intraocular Retinoblastoma [ICIR] stage A-B disease vs 23% for patients with ICIR stage C-D disease). Post-PRT ophthalmologic follow-up was available for 61% of the preserved eyes (30 of 49): 14 of 30 eyes (47%) had 20/40 visual acuity or better, 7 of 30 (23%) had moderate visual acuity (20/40-20/600), and 9 of 30 (30%) had little or no useful vision (worse than 20/600). Twelve of 60 treated eyes (20%) experienced a post-PRT event requiring intervention, with cataracts the most common (4 eyes). No patients developed an in-field second malignancy. Conclusions Long-term follow-up of retinoblastoma patients treated with PRT demonstrates that PRT can achieve high local control rates, even in advanced cases, and many patients retain useful vision in the treated eye. Treatment-related ocular side effects were uncommon, and no radiation-associated malignancies were observed.
Transseptal closure of left ventricular pseudoaneurysm post-transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

An 81-year-old woman presented for a scheduled 1-month follow-up after an uneventful valve-in-valve transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TA-TAVR) using a 23-mm Sapien XT prosthesis (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, California). Although the patient remained asymptomatic after discharge,
Decreased calcium-sensing receptor expression in hyperplastic parathyroid glands of uremic rats: Role of dietary phosphate

Decreased calcium-sensing receptor expression in hyperplastic parathyroid glands of uremic rats: Role of dietary phosphate. Background The abnormal control of parathyroid hormone secretion in chronic renal failure is attributed, in part, to down-regulation of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) in hyperplastic parathyroid tissue. The cause of this down-regulation is unknown. Here we examined the roles of uremia and parathyroid hyperplasia on parathyroid gland (PTG) CaR expression in the rat model of renal failure. Methods Rats made uremic by 5/6 nephrectomy were maintained for one month on diets containing 0.2% P (low phosphate), 0.5% P (normal phosphate) or 1.2% P (high phosphate); intact rats (controls) were maintained on the normal-phosphate diet. Results CaR mRNA was reduced only in uremic rats fed the high-phosphate diet (55% less than in controls, P P P Conclusion These results suggest that CaR down-regulation cannot be attributed to uremia per se, but rather, is associated with parathyroid cell proliferation. Furthermore, dietary phosphate restriction prevents both the parathyroid hyperplasia and decreased CaR expression in renal failure.
Rapid, Photoinduced Electron Transfer-Modulated, Turn-on Fluorescent Probe for Detection and Cellular Imaging of Biologically Significant Thiols

There is a very limited number of existing probes whose fluorescence is turned on in the presence of the class of biological thiols made up of glutathione, cysteine, and homocysteine. The extant probes for this class of biological thiols commonly have poor aqueous solubility and long analyte response times, and they demand a very high probe/thiol ratio for decreased time of significant reporter signal generation; knowledge regarding their selectivity with respect to other sulfur-based analytes is unclear. Described here is a previously unreported photoinduced electron-transfer-quenched probe (HMBQ-Nap 1) that offers highly selective and rapid in vitro detection of this class of biologically important thiols at low concentrations and low probe/thiol ratio, and importantly, very rapid imaging of these biological thiols in human cells.
Evidence for Glucocorticoid Target Cells in the Rat Optic Nerve. Physicochemical Characterization of Cytosol Binding Sites

Cytosolic dexamethasone (DEX) binding sites were studied in the Wallerian-degenerating rat optic nerve (ON), a tissue that is rich in neuroglial cells but devoid of neuronal perikarya and processes. For comparison, hippocampal (HI) and anterior pituitary (AP) cytosols were studied in parallel. Binding sites in these three tissues were found to be quite similar in almost all respects. The sites have a high affinity for DEX (Kp = 2.5-3.5 nM), are present at a high concentration (Bmax = 360-365 fmol/mg cytosol protein), and possess a binding specificity typical of glucocorticoid receptors in other organs. Most experiments supported the assumption of single DEX-binding species in each tissue. Saturation analyses consistently yielded linear Scatchard plots over the range of DEX concentrations tested. Density gradient centrifugation in each case revealed a single peak with a sedimentation coefficient of 7-8S at low ionic strength and 4-4.5S in the presence of 0.3 M KCl. Isoelectric focusing similarly localized most of the binding in each cytosol to a single large peak with an isoelectric point of approximately 6.0. Dissociation rate determinations, on the other hand, suggested the possibility or two different binding sites in each tissue. These studies show that glucocorticoid binders present in cells of the ON possess the same characteristics as the cytoplasmic receptors found in HI, AP, and other recognized glucocorticoid target tissues.
ATP-Sensitive K+ Channels Mediate α2D-Adrenergic Receptor Contraction of Arteriolar Smooth Muscle and Reversal of Contraction by Hypoxia

Abstract Evidence in rat skeletal muscle suggests that local metabolic control of blood flow is facilitated by the reliance on α2D-adrenergic receptors (ARs) for constriction of arterioles, together with the strong sensitivity of this constriction to inhibition by hypoxia. The present study examined the role of ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels in the selective interaction between α2D-ARs and hypoxia. Arterioles from rat cremaster muscle that possess both α1D (α1A/D)- and α2D-AR subtypes were microcannulated, pressurized, and isolated in a tissue bath for measurement of changes in lumen diameter. Three studies first examined whether stimulation of α2D- and α1D-ARs involves inhibition of the KATP channel. Concentration-dependent constriction by the KATP antagonists glibenclamide (GLB, 0.01 to 10 μmol/L) and disopyramide (0.001 to 1 mmol/L) were abolished during α2D stimulation but unaffected during α1D stimulation. Activation of the KATP channel by cromakalim inhibited α2D constriction with greater potency than α1D (EC50, 7.0±0.2 versus 6.3±0.1). Finally, GLB (0.5 μmol/L) abolished dose-dependent α2D constriction, whereas α1D was unaffected. These data suggest that α2D but not α1D stimulation is “coupled” with closure of the KATP channel, leading to depolarization and contraction of vascular smooth muscle. In a second series, hypoxic (Po2, 6 mm Hg) inhibition of intrinsic smooth muscle tone was completely reversed by 0.1 μmol/L GLB, concentration-dependent GLB constriction was enhanced during hypoxia, and hypoxia reversed GLB constriction. These data confirm reports by others that hypoxia potentiates the activation of KATP channels, leading to hyperpolarization and relaxation. Finally, GLB constriction, which was abolished by concomitant α2D stimulation, was completely restored by simultaneous activation of KATP channels with hypoxia. These findings suggest that the sensitivity of α2D-AR constriction to inhibition by hypoxia arises through “antagonistic coupling” between these two stimuli, by which the α2D-AR inhibits and hypoxia activates KATP channels.
Fiddler's neck in a child.

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e-approximations with minimum packing constraint violation (extended abstract)

We present efficient new randomized and deterministic methods for transforming optimal solutions for a type of relaxed integer linear program into provably good solutions for the corresponding NP-hard discrete optimization problem. Without any constraint violation, the e-approximation problem for many problems of this type is itself NP-hard. Our methods provide polynomial-time e-approximations while attempting to minimize the packing constraint violation.Our methods lead to the first known approximation algorithms with provable performance guarantees for the s-median problem, the tree prunning problem, and the generalized assignment problem. These important problems have numerous applications to data compression, vector quantization, memory-based learning, computer graphics, image processing, clustering, regression, network location, scheduling, and communication. We provide evidence via reductions that our approximation algorithms are nearly optimal in terms of the packing constraint violation. We also discuss some recent applications of our techniques to scheduling problems.
Effect of ultrasonic attenuation on the feasibility of acoustic tweezers.

Abstract A modified mathematical formulation for the calculation of axial radiation force was developed to incorporate the effect of ultrasonic attenuation. Axial forces, Fresnel coefficients, average internal attenuation factors and effective internal reflection coefficients were calculated. Thermal and mechanical indices were also computed to address the safety issues in the implementation of acoustic tweezers and were found to be negligible. The results show that the overall distribution of axial forces is barely affected by attenuation. Furthermore, it is found that attenuation actually works against the scattering force and may therefore reinforce the axial trapping force. For a particle size of 180 μm, the maximum trapping force increases from 29.8 × 10-11 N to 30.3 × 10-11 N by 1.7% when attenuation is included. In light of these results, it appears that acoustic tweezers may still be feasible beyond the focal point even under the influence of attenuation. (E-mail: jungwool@usc.edu )
A role for ornithine in the regulation of putrescine accumulation and ornithine decarboxylase activity in Reuber H35 hepatoma cells

Abstract We investigated the ability of intracellular ornithine to alter both the biosynthesis of putrescine and the activity of ornithine decarboxylase in Reuber H35 hepatoma cells in culture incubated with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA). In confluent cultures of H35 cells, the addition of TPA (1.6 μM) caused the activity of ornithine decarboxylase to increase by more than 100-fold within 4 h. When exogenous ornithine (0.1–1.0 mM) was added to the culture medium with TPA, a marked dose-dependent increase in the production of putrescine was observed. The activity of ornithine decarboxylase in the same cultures incubated with ornithine decreased in a similar dose-dependent manner. The addition of arginine (0.1–1.0 mM) (but not lysine or histidine) to the H35 cells in culture concomitant with TPA also led to a relative increase in putrescine biosynthesis and a decrease in ornithine decarboxylase activity compared to cultures not receiving the amino acids. A similar response to exogenous ornithine and TPA was observed in a series of less confluent rapidly growing cultures which were in culture for a shorter period of time. The confluent cultures possessed a basal level of arginase (55 units/mg protein) which increased approx. 2-fold upon treatment with TPA. The intracellular concentration of ornithine in the unstimulated cells was in the order of 0.02–0.03 mM. Upon incubation of the cells with exogenous ornithine or arginine, the intracellular pools of these amino acids increased 4- to 8-fold.
Serum Sulfonamide Concentration After Oral Administration: Comparison of Results of Chemical Assay with Two Bioassay Techniques

Abstract Sulfonamide concentrations were studied in 210 serum samples from 10 volunteers after ingestion of sulfacytine, sulfisoxazole, and sulfadiazine. Results obtained by chemical assay were compared with bioassay values determined by two techniques: twofold broth dilution and agar diffusion. Although the correlation for individual samples was rather poor for the twofold broth-dilution method, the agar-diffusion bioassay correlated well with chemical determinations. The agar-diffusion assay tended to “underread” the chemical assay by an amount characteristic of each drug.
Mixed finite element models for plate bending analysis theory

Abstract The theoretical background of mixed finite element models, in general for nonlinear problems, is briefly reexamined. In the first part of the paper, several alternative “mixed” formulations for 3-D continua undergoing large elastic deformations under the action of time dependent external loading are outlined and are examined incisively. It is concluded that mixed finite element formulations, wherein the interpolants for the stress field satisfy only a part of the domain equilibrium equations, are not only consistent from a theoretical standpoint but are also preferable from an implementation point of view. In the second part of the paper, alternative variational bases for the development of thin-plate elements are presented and discussed in detail. In light of this discussion, it is concluded that the “bad press” generated in the past concerning the practical relevance of the so-called assumed stress hybrid finite element model is not justified. Moreover, the advantages of this type of elements as compared with the “assumed displacement” or alternative mixed elements are outlined.
Relationship between hepatitis C and microalbuminuria: Results from the NHANES III

Relationship between hepatitis C and microalbuminuria: Results from the NHANES III. Background Hepatitis C infection is associated with diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance and it is suggested that metabolic syndrome is common in patients with hepatitis C. Microalbuminuria is common in patients with diabetes and metabolic syndrome; however, no studies have examined the relationship between microalbuminuria and hepatitis C infection. Methods We conducted a nested case-control study to examine the relationship between nondiabetic subjects with hepatitis C infection and microalbuminuria by using the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) database. Study cohort consisted of 15,336 adults from the United States who had hepatitis C antibody measured as part of the NHANES III. The prevalence of microalbuminuria and the metabolic syndrome were compared between individuals with positive hepatitis C infection antibody ( N = 362) and matched controls ( N = 995). Additional analyses were conducted to define the association between hepatitis C infection and microalbuminuria. Results Prevalence of microalbuminuria in patients with hepatitis C infection was 12.4% and it was significantly higher than in controls (7.5%) ( P = 0.001). This difference persisted even after excluding diabetics from the analyses (11.4% vs. 6.7%) ( P = 0.001). However, there was no difference in the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome between two groups (19% vs. 19%) ( P = 0.9). After controlling for relevant covariates, hepatitis C infection was independently associated with microalbuminuria in subjects without diabetes (odds ratio 1.99, 95% CI 1.38–2.85) ( P = 0.008). Older age and African Americans were independently associated with microalbuminuria in nondiabetic hepatitis C patients. Conclusion Hepatitis C infection is independently associated with microalbuminuria but not the metabolic syndrome. Older age and African Americans are strongly associated with microalbuminuria in nondiabetic hepatitis C subjects. More research is needed to explore the implications of these observations.
Meatal stenosis: A retrospective analysis of over 4000 patients

Summary Objective The literature on treatment of meatal stenosis is limited to single center series. Controversy exists regarding choice of meatotomy versus meatoplasty and need for general anesthesia. Our objective was to analyze treatment efficacy, current practice patterns and utilization of anesthesia. We hypothesized that meatoplasty would be associated with a lower re-operative rate. Study design We used a hospital consortium database to identify children who were diagnosed with meatal stenosis between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2012. Both univariate and multivariate analyses were completed to evaluate correlations between patient, surgeon and hospital characteristics and type of procedure. The propensity of surgeons to operate with or without general anesthesia was analyzed. Results We identified 4373 male patients with a diagnosis of meatal stenosis treated by 123 surgeons. Fifty-percent of boys had procedural intervention during the 4-year period. Median follow-up was 25 and 22 months after meatotomy and meatoplasty, respectively. There was a re-operative rate of 3.5% and 0.2% for office meatotomy versus meatoplasty with general anesthesia. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that being White and living in the Northeast independently increased odds of intervention. Half of the surgeons treated meatal stenosis exclusively under general anesthesia. Discussion This study is limited by an inability to determine recurrence rates. Only patients having secondary surgery at the same institution within the time period captured by the database (6 months–4 years) could be identified. As such, the true recurrence of meatal stenosis is likely higher. Although the re-operative rate is not equivalent to the recurrence rate, the two are correlated. Likewise, the surgeon's propensity to operate could be biased by their propensity to diagnosis meatal stenosis and this could affect the rates cited. In addition to the cost benefit achieved with avoidance of general anesthesia (estimated to be a 10-fold cost reduction, the 2012 Consensus Statement of the International Anesthesia Research Society has highlighted that there is increasing evidence from research studies suggesting the benefits of general anesthesia should be considered in the context of its possible harmful effects. Although this study and others have highlighted that in-office procedures are a viable alternative to meatoplasty with general anesthesia, there are multiple factors in being able to perform an office meatotomy. Arguably, the two most important are the patient's ability to cooperate and his anatomy. Conclusions The large sample size, over 4000 patients, allowed us to show that the hypothesis, that meatoplasty would be associated with a lower re-operative rate (0.2%), is true. With a low re-operative rate (3.5%), office meatotomy is a reasonable choice of surgical treatment if the child can cooperate and the anatomy is appropriate. On the other hand, if general anesthesia is utilized, formal meatoplasty is associated with a lower re-operative rate.
Pairwise comparisons of dependent groups based on medians

For J>=2 dependent groups, let @q"j be the 0.5 quantile associated with the marginal distribution of the jth group. The paper focuses on two methods for testing H"0:@q"j=@q"k for all j
Do Role Clarity and Job Satisfaction Mediate the Relationship between Telework and Work Effort

The empirical association between telework and work effort, as well as how this relationship is mediated by role clarity and job satisfaction, is lacking in the literature. As a consequence, the direct and indirect impact of telework on work effort in U.S. federal government agencies was examined in the article. Results indicate that telework was inversely related to work effort. Moreover, role clarity and job satisfaction did not mediate the relationship between telework and work effort. The implications these results have for theory and practice are thoroughly discussed in the article.
Rethinking Well-Child Care in the United States: An International Comparison

BACKGROUND. The increasing scope of health supervision recommendations challenges well-child care delivery in the United States. Comparison of the United States with other countries’ delivery systems may highlight different assumptions as well as structural approaches for consideration. OBJECTIVE. Our goal was to describe the process of well-child care delivery in industrialized nations and compare it to the US model of child health care. METHODS. Literature reviews and international experts were used to identify 10 countries with unique features of well-child care delivery for comparison to the United States. Key-informant interviews using a structured protocol were held with child health experts in 10 countries to delineate the structural and practice features of their systems. Site visits produced additional key informant data from 5 countries (Netherlands, England, Australia, Sweden, and France). RESULTS. A primary care framework was adapted to analyze structural and practice features of well-child care in the 10 countries. Although well-child care content is similar, there are marked differences in the definitions of well-child care and the scope of practice of primary care professionals and pediatricians specifically who provide this care across the 10 countries. In contrast to the United States, none of the countries place all well-child care components under the responsibility of a single primary care provider. Well-child care services and care for acute, chronic, and behavioral/developmental problems are often provided by different clinicians and within different service systems. CONCLUSIONS. Despite some similarities, well-child care models from other countries differ from the United States in key structural features on the basis of broad financing differences as well as specific visions for effective well-child care services. Features of these models can inform child health policy makers and providers in rethinking how desired improvements in US well-child care delivery might be sought.
Mice with altered α-actinin-4 expression have distinct morphologic patterns of glomerular disease

Mutations in ACTN4 , encoding the actin-binding protein α-actinin-4, cause a form of familial focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. We had developed two strains of transgenic mice with distinct alterations in the expression of α-actinin-4. One strain carried a human disease-associated mutation in murine Actn4 , whereas the other knockout strain did not express α-actinin-4 protein. Most adult homozygous Actn4 mutant and knockout mice developed collapsing glomerulopathy. Homozygous Actn4 mutant mice also exhibited actin and α-actinin-4-containing electron-dense cytoplasmic structures, that were present but less prominent in heterozygous Actn4 mutant mice and not consistently seen in wild-type or knockout mice. Heterozygous Actn4 mutant mice did not develop glomerulosclerosis, but did exhibit focal glomerular hypertrophy and mild glomerular ultrastructural changes. The ultrastructural abnormalities seen in heterozygous Actn4 mutant mice suggest low-level glomerular damage, which may increase susceptibility to injury caused by genetic or environmental stressors. Our studies show that different genetic defects in the same protein produce a spectrum of glomerular morphologic lesions depending on the specific combination of normal and/or defective alleles.
Note on the Low-Energy Properties of the Nucleon-Nucleon Interaction

A previously proposed model for the nucleon-nucleon interaction consists of the potential yielded by the symmetrical pseudoscalar theory with pseudoscalar coupling, calculated to the fourth order in the coupling constant and cut off by a hard sphere repulsion. Further calculations relating to the low energy properties of this potential have been carried out in which the effect of a variation in the magnitude of the fourth-order term is considered. The computed low-energy constants are found to be insensitive to this variation.
Effects of Winter Feeding on Growth, Body Composition, and Processing Traits of Co-Cultured Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, and Channel Catfish×Blue Catfish Hybrids

Abstract The effects of winter feeding on growth, body composition, and processing yield were compared for co-cultured blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus, channel catfish I. punctatus, and channel catfish×blue catfish hybrids. Fish (∼0.4–0.7 kg) from each genetic group were stocked communally at 5,625 fish/ha in ten 0.04-ha ponds during mid-November. Fish in five ponds were fed at 2% of initial body weight twice per week; fish in the other five ponds were not fed. The study was terminated after 14 weeks, and fish were weighed and processed. Analyzed traits were weight change (%), survival, and yields (%) of carcass, shank fillet, nugget, head, viscera, skin, intraperitoneal fat, liver, and ovary. Among fed fish, hybrids gained the most weight, channel catfish had intermediate weight gain, and blue catfish gained the least weight. Unfed blue catfish lost more weight than unfed channel catfish and hybrids. Survival was not different among genetic groups or between feeding regimes. Interactions among main effec...
Time course of retroactive effects of hippocampal stimulation on learning

Abstract Rats bearing chronically implanted monopolar hippocampal electrodes received conditioned emotional response (CER) training, in which a tone or light (the CS) was paired with foot shock. Different groups of subjects received 30 sec of low-level or 10 sec of higher-level hippocampal stimulation 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, or 120 sec after each CS-foot shock pairing. Subjects were then deprived of water, and strength of the CER was determined in a session in which licking from a spout was permitted and degree of suppression of licking in the presence of the CS was noted. Low-level hippocampal stimulation did not significantly affect CER acquisition. Higher-level stimulation completely blocked acquisition when delivered immediately after each CER trial and produced partial but significant interference at delays of 10–40 sec. Stimulation given 2 min after each trial was ineffective. These results are interpreted as reflecting a brief temporal gradient of retroactive interference with memory consolidation processes, produced by disruption of normal hippocampal electrical activity.
Potential use of optimal polarisations in sensing the canting angle distribution of raindrops

The optimal polarisation of rain backscatter is investigated to determine the Gaussian canting angle distribution of the raindrops. It is found that the COPOL MAX is sensitive to the canting angle distribution. The mean and variance of the canting angle distribution can be obtained from the average COPOL MAX and its spread.