cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Umbrella Review as an Emerging Approach of Evidence Synthesis in Health Sciences: A Bibliometric Analysis

Background: In the era of a growing need for evidence-based decision-making in healthcare, umbrella reviews offer one of the highest possible quality of evidence synthesized from existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses. This bibliometric evaluation aimed to inform the development of this newer method within the landscape of evidence-based health sciences. Methods: In this study, global literature on umbrella review topic published until 2019 were included and analyzed to evaluate the characteristics of published studies including top journals, authors, institutions, and countries alongside an evaluation of how collaborative research has been conducted in this field. Results: A total of 299 documents from 180 scholarly sources were included, which were authored by 1279 authors with a collaboration index of 4.43. The number of documents markedly increased since 2015. Most prolific journals and authors in the field of umbrella review were identified. Most articles were affiliated with institutions from high-income countries. Moreover, an assessment of the evolution of knowledge areas identified key terms related to review methodologies, prevalence and risk factors of different diseases, prevention of noncommunicable diseases, and health promotion. Conclusion: This bibliometric study found a rapid development of umbrella reviews in health sciences literature since 2015 in diverse knowledge domains predominantly in epidemiological studies. Future research using the umbrella review method should focus on healthcare interventions. Also, it is essential to strengthening the institutional capacities for evidence synthesis in low and middle-income countries to ensure equitable global collaboration in the development of evidence-based health sciences.
Virtually a measurement

Simulations are as much a part of science as hypothesis and experiment. But can their outcomes be considered observations? Wendy S. Parker investigates.
Structures Virtual Review Sessions in a Large-Group, Interactive Format: a creative solution born from COVID-19 restrictions

Purpose First-year medical students (M1s) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai begin their year with Structures course, which opens their medical education, covering gross anatomy, embryology, and histology. Second-year medical students (M2s) serve as teaching assistants (TAs) for this course and their responsibilities include leading comprehensive review sessions prior to each set of exams. Historically, such reviews have taken place in small-group classrooms, with groups of 10-18 M1s rotating through a series of rooms, each hosting a rapid-fire review of a specific topic, conducted by several TAs. In 2020, the virtual setting imposed by COVID-19 restrictions demanded creativity to rethink the format of these review sessions, leading to the implementation of a large-group, interactive format, with all M1s in the same remote video session, covering material at a slower pace. We here examine the effectiveness of this large-group, interactive format. Methods: The first two review sessions of Structures 2020 mimicked the traditional style, with groups of M1s rotating through a series of 20-minute Zoom sessions led by M2s TAs. For the last two review sessions, all students remained in one 3-hour Zoom session, and TAs covered certain material at certain times, with more or less time allotted depending on the difficulty and amount of material. TAs also incorporated more interactivity with real time quizzes on high-yield topics and direct practical questions through the review. We surveyed M1s regarding which format they preferred and also solicited qualitative feedback from M1s and TAs throughout Structures. Results: 55% of M1s preferred the large-group format, with 23% preferring the traditional format and 23% expressing no preference. Many TAs also expressed preferences for the large-group format. Qualitative feedback from M1s indicated that they appreciated the interactivity with quizzes and practical questions. Conclusion: In the remote environment, most students preferred a large-group, interactive format over the small-group rotation format. Main advantages observed were: 1) time flexibility: complex components of the session addressing challenging topics were covered more extensively and in-depth;2) In the large group, all M1s experience the session equally, including the answers to all questions from their classmates. Such interactivity is not compatible with the small group format and can be challenging in its compressed timeframe. 3) optimization of M2 TAs workforce: in the large session TAs are assigned with a section of the review and lead the review of their only once, for a short period of time, while in the small group format, TAs are required to repeat the review of their topic multiple times. The effectiveness of this format may have implications once in-person instruction resumes;for example, review sessions could be conducted in a lecture hall, in an in-person setting, or virtually, in a hybrid learning system, to facilitate the advantages of the large-group interactive format.
Civil Society and Land Property Rights: Evidence from Nicaragua

This paper explores the hypothesis of a positive relationship between economic and political development that has been found in some developed countries. I argue that this relationship is debatable when talking about countries with significant levels of poverty and in which democratic institutions have not been sufficiently established. I use household level data to study the effect that land ownership and formal housing has on the enrollment in civil society groups. Also, by focusing on housing formality status, I extend to urban households the argument of the disengagement of rural individuals from the political life of their community once they become landowners. The focus of the analysis is the case of post-Sandinista Nicaragua in the midst of a long period of land and counter land reform processes and accompanying titling programs. The main result of the paper is the finding of a negative effect of formal housing on participation in civil society: households receiving formal property rights of their dwellings are less likely to join civil society groups. This relationship implies important dilemmas for democratic governments trying to solve the major economic problems of the population and it also evidences the low level of development of the democratic institutions in poor countries in the sense that once a household has satisfied its basic needs, it has incentives to disengage from civil society groups.
Mathematical Modeling of Quantum Wires in Periodic Heterojunction Structures

The confinement of electrons in quantum wires in the corners of a periodic sawtooth potential well of microscopic size is modeled numerically. The potential well is created in a semiconductor nanostructure consisting of alternating sawtooth layers of differently doped GaAs and AlGaAs. The mathematical model is two dimensional and consists of an eigenvalue problem for Schrodinger’s equation coupled with Poisson’s equation for the electrostatic potential ∅. This system is solved by an algorithm that employs an underrelaxed fixed point iteration to generate an approximation which is reasonably close to the solution. Subsequently, this approximate solution is employed as an initial guess for a Jacobian-free implementation of an approximate Newton method.
Comparison of security algorithms in cloud computing

The need for simple security mechanisms for cloud computing systems that are being used by non-technical users is increasing in importance as cloud systems are becoming more widely accepted by these users. With cloud computing, data is stored on and delivered across the Internet infrastructure. The owner of the data has no knowledge of the where this data exists on the network nor geographically. The owner, therefore, does not have control or even know where their data is being stored. Additionally, in a multi-tenant environment, it may be very difficult for a cloud service provider to provide the level of isolation and associated guarantees that are possible with an environment dedicated to a single customer. Unfortunately, to develop a security algorithm that outlines and maps out the enforcement of a security policy and procedure can be a daunting task. A good security algorithm presents a strategy to counter the vulnerabilities in a Cloud system. This paper introduces a new security mechanism that will enforce cloud computing services against breaches and intrusions. Existing techniques for securing servers used for cloud computing and storage of data will be surveyed. In addition to these techniques, a newly developed technique for security in cloud-based servers (MIST) will be described in detail. Due to the relevance of cloud systems in gathering sensitive information in aerospace platforms, the techniques will also need to prevent common attacks through weak password recovery, retrieval, authentication and hardening systems, otherwise hackers will be able to compromise even the protected systems. In the case of security breaches, it would be advantageous to include the capabilities of the MIST algorithm (Alkadi). The MIST algorithm is named after the condensation from clouds that forms a layer before entering the cloud.
Branching vs. linear time: semantical perspective

The discussion in the computer-science literature of the relative merits of linear- versus branching-time frameworks goes back to early 1980s. One of the beliefs dominating this discussion has been that the linear-time framework is not expressive enough semantically, making linear-time logics lacking in expressiveness. In this work we examine the branching-linear issue from the perspective of process equivalence, which is one of the most fundamental notions in concurrency theory, as defining a notion of process equivalence essentially amounts to defining semantics for processes. Over the last three decades numerous notions of process equivalence have been proposed. Researchers in this area do not anymore try to identify the "right" notion of equivalence. Rather, focus has shifted to providing taxonomic frameworks, such as "the linear-branching spectrum", for the many proposed notions and trying to determine suitability for different applications. We revisit here this issue from a fresh perspective. We postulate three principles that we view as fundamental to any discussion of process equivalence. First, we borrow from research in denotational semantics and take observational equivalence as the primary notion of equivalence. This eliminates many testing scenarios as either too strong or too weea. Second, we require the description of a process to fully specify all relevant behavioral aspects of the process. Finally, we require observable process behavior to be reflected in its input/output behavior. Under these postulates the distinctions between the linear and branching semantics tend to evaporate. As an example, we apply these principles to the framework of transducers, a classical notion of state-based processes that dates back to the 1950s and is well suited to hardware modeling. We show that our postulates result in a unique notion of process equivalence, which is trace based, rather than tree based.
Neurogenic Bladder Dysfunction Presenting as Urinary Retention in Neuronopathic Gaucher Disease

Neuronopathic Gaucher disease can present as a continuum of clinical findings, including somatic symptoms of anemia, thrombocytopenia, hepatosplenomegaly, and bone disease as well as neurologic sequelae. There is a spectrum of neurologic symptoms ranging from oculomotor apraxia to severe convulsions. The heterozygosity of phenotypes makes it difficult to predict the disease course. We describe an 8-year-old male with neuronopathic type III Gaucher disease who developed bladder dysfunction and was unable to completely void. He also presented with hypertension and acute renal insufficiency, most likely secondary to urinary retention. A complete evaluation was done for causes of urinary retention and bladder dysfunction. A renal bladder ultrasound demonstrated marked hydroureteronephrosis. There was no clinical evidence of infection and cystoscopy revealed no anatomic obstruction. In addition, MRI showed no spinal abnormalities. His bladder dysfunction was managed operatively by creating a catheterizable stoma, using his appendix, to empty his bladder, and surgical findings were consistent with neurogenic bladder. He continues to be managed for his Gaucher disease and neurogenic bladder by genetics, nephrology and urology. This is the first clinical report of neurogenic bladder dysfunction in neuronopathic Gaucher disease.
New technologies for genetic manipulation of animal models: Forum introduction

The 21st century has emerged as the genetic era. Mapped human and mouse genetic codes are now integral parts of everyday research attempting to understand the mechanisms of disease processes. Improved technologies have made full genome sequencing for other mammalian species feasible in the not-so-distant future. Functional genomics and proteomics approaches are now attempting to translate massive libraries of genome sequences into a comprehensible functional context. In this regard, animal models are playing an increasingly important role in dissecting how complex biological systems integrate numerous genes to carry out functional programs and disease processes in intact organisms.
Lumen-to-surface pH gradients in opossum and rabbit esophagi: role of submucosal glands.

The opossum esophagus, like that of humans, contains a network of submucosal glands with the capacity to secrete bicarbonate ions into the esophageal lumen. To evaluate the role of these glands in ...
Spanish-Language Home Visitation to Disadvantaged Latino Preschoolers: A Means of Promoting Language Development and English School Readiness

This study reports five years of a school readiness intervention called “HABLA” (Home Based Activities Building Language Acquisition), designed to increase and enrich speech and literacy activities in the homes of economically and educationally disadvantaged Latino families with children between the age of 2 and 4. A team of trained home visitors provided two years of a 23-week program of visitation in which they met with parent(s) and child twice weekly. Both years presented a Spanish language adaptation of the parent-child home program model; home visitors provide intensive modeling and coaching of non-directive Spanish language use, conversation, and literacy activities. Administration of the PLS-3 in Spanish at the onset and culmination of each year of the program indicates significant increases in receptive and expressive language for each year of visitation (7.8 standard points for the first year, 4.4 for the second) with effect size r ranging from .24 to 42. Participants had significantly improved their levels of oral Spanish skill and scored much higher than a comparison group of non-treated. A subset of graduates of the two-year program was tested as kindergarteners; they showed a continued advantage over a comparison group of 18 peers who had not received the intervention. For the graduates, both their Spanish PLS-3 scores and English PLS-4 scores were significantly higher, and their parents reported a continued effort to provide literacy experiences at home. The HABLA participants also showed a clear advantage for an English language test of phonological awareness, one of the strongest predictors of school success.
Moving Full-Speed Ahead in the Wrong Direction? A Critical Examination of US Sex-Offender Policy from a Positive Sexuality Model

Despite an extensive research literature on sexual offending, much of current sexual offender policy within the United States runs counter to such literature, and instead, is based on common, pervasive myths about sexual offenders. Not surprisingly, recent studies on sex offender policy effectiveness suggest that current approaches are both costly and largely ineffective. In this paper, we suggest that a longstanding socio-cultural climate of sex-negativity fuels common fears and misconceptions about sexual offending and about policy related to treatment and supervision. We present a positive sexuality model and consider how the effectiveness of dealing with sexual offending issues could be improved through using a positive sexuality approach to guide policy.
Labeling Spain With Stanford

We present an end-to-end framework for outdoor scene region decomposition, learned on a small set of randomly selected images that generalizes well to multiple data sets containing images from around the world. We discuss the different aspects of the framework especially a generalized variational inference method with better approximations to the true marginals of a graphical model. Experimentally, we explain why the framework is robust and performs competitively on many diverse scene data sets, including several unseen scene types. We have obtained high pixel-level accuracies ( ≈ 80%) in three of the four data sets, which include a benchmark data set known as the Stanford background data set. Our model obtained over 70% accuracy on the fourth data set, which contained a number of indoor and close-up images that are significantly different from our training examples.
A Controllably Anisotropic Conductivity or Diffusion Phantom Constructed from Isotropic Layers

Phantoms with controllable and well-defined anisotropy are needed to test methods for imaging electrical anisotropy. We developed and tested a phantom that had properties similar to a homogeneous anisotropic conductive medium. The phantom was constructed with alternate slices of isotropic gel having different conductivities. The degree of anisotropy in the phantom could be varied easily by changing the relative conductivity of the two gels. We tested the stability of several phantoms and found their properties were maintained for approximately 8 h following construction. The phantom has application to electrical impedance tomography, magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography, EEG and ECG source imaging and diffusion tensor imaging.
Polymer properties associated with chemical permeation performance of disposable nitrile rubber gloves

Unlike other chemical protective clothing and devices, disposable gloves are not reliably certified to exceed chemical permeation performance standards. In light of generalized chemical compatibility charts, significant variability in performance exists between similar products on the market. This study evaluates whether nitrile rubber composition and uniformity are better associated with the observed product variability in chemical resistance than the available mechanical testing (e.g., tensile strength) done on these products. The independent variables evaluated include two physical, three mechanical, and four compositional parameters. Based on correlation and multiple regression analyses, the factors associated with variation in permeation of ethanol are area density, acrylonitrile content, carboxylation of the base polymer, the amount of extractable oils and oily plasticizers, and polymer uniformity. Increases in area density, acrylonitrile content, and carboxylation improve chemical resistance. Decreases in extractable oils and polymer variability (uniformity) also improve chemical resistance. On average, these combined factors accounted for about 53–67% of the observed variability in permeation, which were moderate but not strong associations. In contrast, tensile strength accounted for about 1% of the observed variability, a negligible effect. These results support the notion that standardized tests and certification criteria need to address polymer composition and uniformity to reduce gaps in performance. However, in light of the lack of strong correlations, further evaluation with tighter control over chemical composition is warranted. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41449.
Tolerance to morphine-induced antinociception is decreased by chronic sucrose or polycose intake.

Abstract D’ANCI, K. E. Tolerance to morphine-induced antinociception is decreased by chronic sucrose or Polycose intake. PHARMACOL BIOCHEM BEHAV 63 (1) 1–11, 1999.—Chronic intake of palatable fluids alters morphine-induced antinociception. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate how long-term access to palatable fluids alters the development of tolerance to morphine-induced antinociception. In Experiment 1, 40 adult male Long–Evans rats were used. In addition to ad lib chow and water, 10 rats were given a 0.15% saccharin solution, 10 were given a 32% sucrose solution, and 10 were given a 32% Polycose solution to drink for 3 weeks. Ten rats were given chow and water alone, and served as dietary controls. Morphine-induced antinociception was assessed using the radiant-heat tail-flick method (TF). Half of the animals in each dietary condition were given preexposure to 7.5 mg/kg morphine; the other half received saline. All rats were given a TF 30-min postinjection. To determine whether tolerance developed, a cumulative dose paradigm (0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 mg/kg) was employed 1 week after initial morphine injections, and was repeated at weekly intervals for 3 weeks. Antinociception was significantly lower in rats preexposed to morphine relative to rats preexposed to saline. Although all rats displayed decreased antinociception relative to the first morphine injection, rats that drank saccharin showed greater reductions in morphine-induced antinociception relative to rats that drank sucrose or Polycose. Experiment 2 was conducted to determine whether initial pairing of the TF with morphine preexposure produced differences in the development of opioid tolerance. All conditions and procedures were identical to Experiment 1, except that the initial morphine and saline injections were not followed by TF. As in Experiment 1, rats that drank saccharin showed less antinociception than rats that drank sucrose or Polycose. The present results suggest that long-term intake of palatable nutritive solutions curbs tolerance to morphine-induced antinociception, whereas long-term intake of a nonnutritive, sweet saccharin solution does not.
Piston Pump Noise Attenuation Through Modification of Piston Travel Trajectory

Piston pumps are widely used in industrial and mobile applications to transmit power. These pumps emit loud and objectionable noise when operated at high pressure and high speeds. It is generally accepted that large amplitude of flow ripple causes pumps to produce unacceptable noise level. The flow ripple could be thought of composed of two components — a kinematic component resulting out of periodic nature of flow and a dynamic component resulting due to compression and decompression of fluid. There has been considerable research activity to reduce the noise induced by the dynamic component however very little is done to attenuate the noise generated due to the periodic nature of flow. This research investigated one method to reduce noise associated with kinematic component for axial and radial type piston pumps. A theoretical analysis is presented deriving the equations defining the motion of pistons on their regular trajectory as well as their modified trajectory. It is shown here that by altering the trajectory of the piston travel the amplitude of the kinematic flow component could be reduced by up to 85% in some conditions. While effectiveness of the techniques aimed at reducing the dynamic flow component are speed and pressure dependent, the techniques presented here work with same effectiveness throughout the entire spectrum of speed and pressure towards reducing the noise.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Changes in Self‐Efficacy Following Obesity Treatment

Self-efficacy is an important component in the treatment of obesity. However, there is limited research examining changes in self-efficacy following obesity treatment. In this quasi-experimental study, 26 obese subjects demonstrated significant improvement on the Weight Efficacy Life-Style Questionnaire (WEL) following participation in a 26-week multidisciplinary VLCD program. Subjects demonstrated significant improvement from pre- to post-treatment on total WEL scores and on all five of the situational factors: Negative Emotions, Availability, Social Pressure, Physical Discomfort and Positive Activities. These results provide further construct validity for the WEL and offer guidelines for the amount of change that subjects may demonstrate on the WEL following obesity treatment.
The Elastic Limits of Colon Tissues for Different Radii of a Tool Tip End Using a Simple Modeling

Mechanical properties of colon tissues are very important to prevent trauma and perforation during colonoscopy procedure. Most of forces are generated by the shaft of a colonoscope and a distal tip. A shaft of a colonoscope causes mechanical trauma at various locations. A distal tip of a colonoscope can cause not only for mechanical trauma but also serious perforation. In this study, elastic limits of forces were predicted for different sizes of a simplified shape of a tool tip end with a simple characteristic modeling. Published data on the various parts of a colon were used for the reference and a simple way of modeling was applied to estimate the quantity of forces with assumptions. Stress on Descending colon was used and a true stress-strain curve was generated. Descending colon has a wide range of a force limit for two different directions (longitudinal and lateral). A simple characteristic modeling was applied for a spherical shape of tool tip. Even though different parts of a colon and directions will generate diverse results, the model should be insensitive within a limited length and boundary conditions of a colon. The different radii of a tool tip end represent various tool ends from dull to sharp needle-type tool ends in several grades. The results show the elastic limit of force for different radii of tool tip end. The range of tool tip radius is between 0.1 and 10 mm. For the smallest radius of a tool tip, a colon wall will be perforated for a small force (less than 0.05N) and big forces were needed to damage the colon tissue when a tool tip diameter is more than 20 mm with the assumption that the boundary condition of a tool tip test should match up with the simple modeling statement. As the radius of a tool tip end is larger, the contact area between the interface area between a tool tip and a colon wall is wide enough to sustain applied forces. The structure of a human colon was briefly reviewed and determined the elastic limits of forces for different radii of tool ends.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Another flame retardant, tris-(1, 3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate, and its expected metabolites are mutagens

A flame retardant used in children's sleepwear, tris-(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate (Fyrol FR2) is a mutagen in the Salmonella-mammalian tissue homogenate test after it has been activated by mouse or rat liver homogenate. The expected enzymatic hydrolysis product, 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol, is similarly a mutagen after activation by liver homogenate. A proposed metabolite of the flame retardant, 1,3-dichloro-2-propanone, is a potent mutagen in the absence of such activation. A flame retardant with similar structure, tris-(2,3-dibromopropyl)phosphate (tris-BP), was shown previously to be a mutagen, to cause sterility in animals, to be a carcinogen, and to be absorbed through human skin. These and other flame retardants have characteristic nuclear magnetic resonance spectra that can be used to determine which flame retardant is present in commercially purchased sleepwear. Sleepwear treated with tris-BP, Fyrol FR2, and other chemical additives was being sold in late 1977.
Amoraic Interpretation and Halakhic Development: the Case of the Prohibited Basilica

Dans le texte talmudique etudie dans le present article, les sages babyloniens reinterpretent la Miśna en limitant les interdictions concernant la construction d'edifices non juifs. L'A. montre que cette reinterpretation ne resulte pas d'une pretendue tendance babylonienne a la clemence mais plutot de l'ambiguite du terme grec designant la basilique
Dynamic computed tomographic quantitation of hepatic perfusion in dogs with and without portal vascular anomalies.

Objective—To compare hepatic, pancreatic, and gastric perfusion on dynamic computed tomography (CT) scans of clinically normal dogs with those of dogs with portal vascular anomalies. Sample Population—Dynamic computed tomography (CT) scans of 10 clinically normal dogs and 21 dogs with portal vascular anomalies. Procedures—Retrospective analysis of dynamic CT scans. Hepatic arterial perfusion, hepatic portal perfusion, total hepatic perfusion, hepatic perfusion index, gastric perfusion, and pancreatic perfusion were calculated from time attenuation curves. Results—Mean ± hepatic arterial perfusion was significantly higher in affected dogs (0.57 ± 0.27 mL/min•mL−1) than in clinically normal dogs (0.23 ± 0.11 mL/min•mL−1), and hepatic portal perfusion was significantly lower in affected dogs (0.52 ± 0.47 mL/min•mL−1) than in clinically normal dogs (1.08 ± 0.45 mL/min•mL−1). This was reflected in the hepatic perfusion index, which was significantly higher in affected dogs (0.59 ± 0.34), compared with clinical...
Increased vascular response to adrenergic stimulation in rats exposed to cadmium

Adult female rats were injected ip with a low total dose (1–2.25 mg/kg) or a high total dose (7.5 mg/kg) of cadmium, as cadmium chloride with cysteine, given in divided doses spaced over 1–3 wk. At 1–4 wk after administration of high doses of cadmium, anesthetized rats were less responsive to the pressor effect of norepinephrine (1.0–10.0 μg/kg, iv) than were controls. This type of effect has been described previously by other investigators and was not explored further in this study. In contrast to the results in high‐cadmium animals, anesthetized rats of the low‐cadmium group, tested 1–4 wk after exposure, were more sensitive to the pressor effects of norepinephrine (0.1–10.0 μg/kg, iv) than were controls. This increase in sensitivity was no longer apparent in animals tested 16–26 wk later. Neither basal blood pressure in anesthetized animals nor systolic pressure in conscious animals of the low‐cadmium series was different from the corresponding value in controls. Aortic rings isolated from low‐cadmium ...
Endoscopic ultrasound and computed tomography in restaging and predicting prognosis after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer

BACKGROUND. The objective of the current study was to assess the staging accuracy and prognostic role of preoperative endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and computed tomography (CT) in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS. Presurgical LAGC patients underwent EUS and CT before and after 3 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Chemotherapy was comprised of docetaxel (at a dose of 36 mg/m2) and cisplatin (at a dose of 40 mg/m2) on Days 1 and 8 of a 3-week cycle. RESULTS. Forty patients were enrolled in the study. After chemotherapy, the accuracy of EUS and CT was found to be 47% and 57%, respectively for T classification (P = .22) and 39% and 37%, respectively for N classification (P > .99). The 3-year overall survival (OS) rate for patients downstaged with EUS for T and/or N classification was greater than that for nondownstaged patients (69% vs 41%; P = .05). The 2-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rate was also better for the EUS-downstaged patients than for the nondownstaged patients (77% vs 47%; P = .04). On multivariate analysis, EUS downstaging was found to be correlated with OS (hazards ratio [HR] of 0.12; P = .04), and was correlated with RFS with borderline statistical significance (HR of 0.27; P = .07). The differences in OS and RFS between the patients downstaged with CT and those not downstaged were not found to be statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS. Restaging by EUS and CT after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with LAGC was found to be inaccurate. However, T and/or N downstaging by EUS was found to be correlated with better OS and RFS. Thus, downstaging by EUS may be a useful clinical parameter with which to predict a better outcome for LAGC patients. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Selenium Speciation of Marine Shales, Alluvial Soils, and Evaporation Basin Soils of California

The surface exposed shales of the Moreno and Kreyenhagen Formations are considered to be the sources of selenium (Se) that have enriched soils of the west-central San Joaquin Valley of California. Although the total Se content for the source shales and the resulting alluvial, seleniferous soils has been reported, the distribution of Se oxidation states has not been determined in these materials. This study investigates the Se speciation trends in the seleniferous source shales, the adjacent alluvial soils, the San Luis Drain sediment to the Kesterson evaporation pond soils. The surface-exposed Moreno shales (5.21 mg total Se kg -1 ) had half of the Se content of the less exposed Kreyenhagen shale (10.94 mg total Se kg -1 ). The elemental Se (Se 0 ) concentration was similar in the two shales, but the selenate (Se + VI), selenite (Se + IV), and selenide (Se-II) concentrations were lower in the Moreno shale as compared with the Kreyenhagen shale. The Se in the San Luis Drain sediment (83.8 mg total Se kg -1 ) was enriched in the Se 0 and the Se-II fractions (91.4% of Se inventory). The soils of the Kesterson evaporation pond 4 (47.8 mg total Se kg -1 ), 7 (6.7 mg total Se kg -1 ), and 11 (5.4 mg total Se kg -1 ) were also enriched in Se with 86, 76, and 48% of the Se inventory present in the Se 0 and Se-II fractions, respectively. The organic C content also decreased in the sequence, San Luis Drain, Kesterson pond 4, 7, and 11, from 33.3, 26.7, and 19.3 g C, to 15.1 g C kg -1 soil material, respectively, suggesting a relationship between Se concentrations and organic C levels. A linear relationship between the sum of (Se-II and Se 0 )-Se and organic C levels (R 2 = 0.96*; significant at the 0.05 level) was noted for the analyzed San Luis Drain sediment and the Kesterson soils. For the nine soil materials, an exponential relationship (R 2 = 0.96) was determined for the sum of (Se-II and Se 0 )-Se and organic C contents, suggesting that the Se in the materials tested was highly associated with the soil organic matter fraction. An additional 12 Se analyses and organic C contents from Se contaminated semiarid and irrigation drainage water evaporation basin soils obtained from the literature closely fit the exponential function established for the nine soil materials. The results suggest that an initial release of organic-associated Se would be expected with increased C oxidation, along with a slower, long-term release of the refractory Se, due to the reversion of the former Kesterson wetland evaporation pond ecosystem back to a native semiarid grassland.
Refinement of an 'alternate' method for measuring heating rates in hypersonic wind tunnels

Recently obtained hypersonic wind tunnel results are presented which resolve the principal uncertainty associated with the use of thin film gages on substrates of the glass ceramic substance designated MACOR.THe uncertainty is with respect to both MACOR's thermal properties and the variation of these properties with temperature. The relatively large influence of shock strength on stagnation point heating at low Reynolds numbers is illustrated.
Laboratory instruction in histology at the University at Buffalo: recent replacement of microscope exercises with computer applications.

Histology is a morphologic science in which the structure of the cells, tissues, and organs of the body are examined with a microscope. In the laboratory courses in histology at the School of Medicine of the University at Buffalo, histologic specimens had been used since the late 19th century to teach the principles of cell, tissue, and organ structure. Students also had to learn how to analyze or “read” slides with a microscope. Learning histology in this way, i.e., by direct examination of actual specimens, is time consuming and viewed by some as unnecessary. As a result of recent curricular reform at the School of Medicine that reduced contact time in histology, half of all laboratory exercises that would have been performed with a microscope were performed instead with interactive computer applications. By replacing some microscope exercises with more efficient computer applications, the histology course accommodated curricular change by both reducing contact time and continuing to offer valuable microscope laboratories for most of the organ systems of the body. To provide a basis for comparing traditional microscope exercises with computer-assisted instruction in histology, the nature of the laboratory experience between 1846 and 1998 is briefly reviewed. The instructional strategy behind the use of computers is presented, along with the nature of the computer applications and the means by which the computer applications were incorporated into the school's laboratory course in histology. Anat Rec (New Anat) 265:212–221, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Synthesis and Evaluation of Novel Biodegradable Hydrogels Based on Poly(ethylene glycol) and Sebacic Acid as Tissue Engineering Scaffolds

Novel biodegradable poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) based hydrogels, namely, PEG sebacate diacrylate (PEGSDA) were synthesized, and their properties were evaluated. Chemical structures of these polymers were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy. After photopolymerization, the dynamic shear modulus of the hydrogels was up to 0.2 MPa for 50% PEGSDA hydrogel, significantly higher than conventional hydrogels such as PEG diacrylate (PEGDA). The swelling ratios of these macromers were significantly lower than PEGDA. The in vitro degradation study demonstrated that these hydrogels were biodegradable with weight losses about 66% and 32% for 25% and 50% PEGSDA after 8 weeks of incubation in phosphate-buffered saline at 37 °C. In vitro biocompatibility was assessed using cultured rat bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) in the presence of unreacted monomers or degradation products. Unlike conventional PEGDA hydrogels, PEGSDA hydrogel without RGD peptide modific...
Decentralized adaptive disturbance rejection for relative-degree-one local subsystems

We present a strictly decentralized adaptive controller for single-input single-output linear time-invariant subsystems that are minimum phase and relative degree one. This decentralized adaptive controller requires only local output measurement and no information is shared between the local controllers. The controller is effective for stabilization and disturbance rejection, where the disturbance is unmeasured but generated from an unknown Lyapunov-stable linear system.
Nonparametric Estimation of Distribution Functions of Nonstandard Mixtures

ABSTRACT Nonstandard mixtures are those that result from a mixture of a discrete and a continuous random variable. They arise in practice, for example, in medical studies of exposure. Here, a random variable that models exposure might have a discrete mass point at no exposure, but otherwise may be continuous. In this article we explore estimating the distribution function associated with such a random variable from a nonparametric viewpoint. We assume that the locations of the discrete mass points are known so that we will be able to apply a classical nonparametric smoothing approach to the problem. The proposed estimator is a mixture of an empirical distribution function and a kernel estimate of a distribution function. A simple theoretical argument reveals that existing bandwidth selection algorithms can be applied to the smooth component of this estimator as well. The proposed approach is applied to two example sets of data.
Follow up of pregnant teens at a hospital based clinic

Purpose: Our study investigates the factors associated with length of time to referral appointments for pregnant teens diagnosed in a hospital-based adolescent clinic. Methods: Ninety-six pregnancies diagnosed during a six-month period at a hospital-based adolescent clinic were followed prospectively. Demographic data, plans for pregnancy, last menstrual period (LMP), and who accompanied patient to the appointment were recorded by providers. Appointment at referral site was confirmed by the patients' primary provider, contact with the patient, and/or referral site. The time from first positive pregnancy test to kept referral appointment was determined. Results: Of the 96 diagnosed pregnancies, data were available for 94 patients. The mean age was 17.6 ± 2.0 years. The average gestation was 7.4 ± 4.2 weeks (range 4–27 weeks) at initial visit and 11.7 ± 4.9 weeks (5–30 weeks) at referral site. The time to referral appointment was significantly shorter for patients who planned to terminate compared with those who planned to continue with the pregnancy (22.4 ± 16.6 vs. 35.7 ± 24.5 days, P = 0.0042). However, the final decision to continue vs. terminate the pregnancy was a stronger predictor of the interval to kept referral appointment ( R 2 = 0.177) than the initial plan. Those who planned to tell more people about their pregnancy had a significantly higher rate of continuing the pregnancy than those terminating. Conclusion: Pregnant teens may need multiple follow-up appointments to facilitate connection to referral care. Close follow-up and communication with referral sites needed to optimize care of pregnant teens because of the delay until teens access pregnancy services.
Germanium Channel P-Mosfet with TiO2/Al2O3 Bilayer High-K Gate Stacks and Solutions for Metal/TiO2 Interface Stability

Germanium MOSFETs have been regarded as an alternative for future CMOS devices due to the high electron and hole mobilities of germanium and its compatibility for integration in Si technology [1]. TiO2/Al2O3 bilayer high-k gate stacks on Ge are promising because they provides low gate leakage current densities at small capacitance equivalent thickness (CET) due to the high k value of TiO2 , permitting a physically thicker oxide stack, while including the large bandgap and thermal stability of the Al2O3 interfacial layer. In this paper, we successfully fabricated the first Ge-pMOSFET with TiO2/Al2O3 gate stacks, and investigated two possible solutions to the observed reaction between the metal gate and the TiO2 layer during device fabrication.
Plasmonic tweezers for opto fluidics

We have demonstrated a new plasmonic tweezers utilizing localized surface plasmonic resonance from self-assembled Au nanoparticles to achieve high energy conversion efficiency. In this paper, we describe their operations for (1) trapping of micro-particles and cells, (2) long-range trapping and rotation of nanorods, (3) micro-mixers, and (4) micro-concentrators in opto-fluidics.
Distributed robust economic dispatch in power systems: A consensus + innovations approach

The paper presents a fully distributed approach for economic dispatch in power systems. The approach is based on the consensus + innovations framework, in which each network agent participates in a collaborative process of neighborhood message exchange and local computation. The distributed approach is shown to converge to the optimal dispatch under rather weak assumptions on the agent communication network connectivity. Intuitively, the proposed approach includes a consensus term which achieves convergence to a common incremental cost value and an innovation term which ensures that the total generation is equal to the load to be supplied. Further, in the proposed approach each network bus only needs to be aware of its local cost parameters and the local predicted load and the neighborhood communication involves exchanging only the locally determined marginal energy price with a few neighbors. Robustness of the proposed approach and techniques for convergence rate improvement are discussed. Finally, simulation studies on the benchmark IEEE 14 bus system demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach.
Long-term stability of spontaneous otoacoustic emissions

Spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SOAEs) were measured longitudinally for durations up to 19.5 years. Initial ages of the subjects ranged from 6 to 41 years. The most compelling finding was a decrease in frequency of all emissions in all subjects, which was approximately linear in %/year and averaged 0.25%/year. SOAE levels also tended to decrease with age, a trend that was significant, but not consistent across emissions, either within or across subjects. Levels of individual SOAEs might decrease, increase, or remain relatively constant with age. Several types of frequency/level instabilities were noted in which some SOAEs within an ear interacted such that their levels were negatively correlated. These instabilities often persisted for many years. SOAEs were also measured in two females over the course of their pregnancies. No changes in SOAE levels or frequencies were seen, that were larger than have been reported in females over a menstrual cycle, suggesting that levels of female gonadal hormones do not have a significant direct effect on SOAE frequencies or levels.
Comparing and contrasting the effects of strontium ranelate and other osteoporosis drugs on microarchitecture

Altered bone microstructure is a major component of osteoporosis and bone fragility. Whilst an important standard by which to diagnose and make treatment decisions for osteoporosis, the evaluation of bone mineral mass by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at spine or hip is not sufficient for understanding the complex nature of bone microstructure nor to evaluate specific treatment effects on cancellous and cortical bone. Various alternatives to DXA have been developed, enabling the measurement of bone geometry and/or microarchitecture and/or bone strength including hip strength analysis, peripheral and central QCT, 3D analyses of iliac crest bone biopsies, and more recently HR-pQCT, which allows longitudinal assessment of bone microstructure at the distal radius and tibia. The efficacy of treatments for osteoporosis can be evaluated using these techniques. A true improvement of bone microstructure above baseline has not been demonstrated with anti-resorptive treatments; however, they may prevent the decay of cancellous bone and, potentially, cortical thinning. Anabolic agents such as parathyroid hormone (PTH) increase cancellous bone volume and cortical thickness; however, the improvement of cortical bone strength by PTH may be limited by an increase in cortical porosity. Strontium ranelate has been shown to improve not only the trabecular network but also cortical thickness, contributing to its anti-fracture efficacy at vertebral, non-vertebral, and hip sites.
Protein kinase CK2 is required for dorsal axis formation in Xenopus embryos.

Abstract Dorsal axis formation in Xenopus embryos is dependent upon asymmetrical localization of β-catenin, a transducer of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. Recent biochemical experiments have implicated protein kinase CK2 as a regulator of members of the Wnt pathway including β-catenin. Here, we have examined the role of CK2 in dorsal axis formation. CK2 was present in the developing embryo at an appropriate time and place to participate in dorsal axis formation. Overexpression of mRNA encoding CK2 in ventral blastomeres was sufficient to induce a complete ectopic axis, mimicking Wnt signaling. A kinase-inactive mutant of CK2α was able to block ectopic axis formation induced by XWnt8 and β-catenin and was capable of suppressing endogenous axis formation when overexpressed dorsally. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that CK2 is a bona fide member of the Wnt pathway and has a critical role in the establishment of the dorsal embryonic axis.