cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prothrombin Complex Concentrate Versus Standard Therapies for INR Reversal in Trauma Patients Receiving Warfarin

Background:Prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) is recommended as a therapy to be considered for the reversal of warfarin's effects. Few published data are available on the use of PCC for this indication in traumatically injured patients.Objective:To determine whether the addition of PCC to standard approaches to warfarin reversal more rapidly corrects the international normalized ratio (INR) in injured patients.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed in trauma patients who were on warfarin preinjury from January 2007 to September 2009 at North Memorial Medical Center. Data were collected from medical records and the trauma registry. Patients were separated based on whether or not they received PCC. The groups were compared on the basis of demographics, units of fresh frozen plasma (FFP), vitamin K use, units of PCC, number of patients achieving an INR of 1.5 or less, time to an INR of 1.5 or less, mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay, and the incidence of thromboemboli...
Representation and computation of the spatial environment for indoor navigation

We introduce a spatial representation, s-map, for an indoor navigation robot. The s-map represents the locations of obstacles in a planar domain, where obstacles are defined as any objects that can block movement of the robot. In building the s-map, the viewing triangle constraint and the stability constraint are introduced for efficient verification of vertical surfaces. These verified vertical surfaces and 3-D segments of obstacles smaller than a robot, are mapped to the s-map by simply dropping height information. Thus, the s-map is made directly from 3-D segments with simple verification, and represents obstacles in a planar domain so that it becomes a navigable map for the robot without further processing. In addition to efficient map building, the s-map represents the environment more realistically and completely. Furthermore, the s-map converts many navigation problems in 3-D, such as map fusion and path planning, into 2-D ones. We present the analysis of the s-map in terms of complexity and reliability, and discuss its pros and cons. Moreover, we show the results of the s-maps for indoor environments. >
Posttraumatic Cervical Nerve Root Avulsion with Epidural Hematoma

Background Cervical nerve root avulsion after trauma is a well-known occurrence. It is associated with traction injuries to the brachial plexus, commonly after high-speed motor vehicle collisions. Traumatic nerve root avulsion occurs when traction forces pull the nerve root sleeve into the intervertebral foramen with associated tearing of the meninges. The proximal nerve root retracts, and the neural foramen fills with cerebrospinal fluid and eventually forms a pseudomeningocele. Although imaging characteristics often include nerve root edema and pseudomeningoceles, there has only been one description of associated epidural hematoma in the literature. Case Description A 3-year-old girl restrained in a passenger-side rear car seat presented to the emergency department after a high-speed motor vehicle collision. The patient was found lying unconscious on the floor of the front passenger side. On arrival, she was flaccid with absent sensation in her left upper extremity, 3/5 strength in her right upper extremity, and full strength in her lower extremities. Computed tomography of the cervical spine was negative for acute fractures. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical spine demonstrated a noncompressive epidural hematoma from C5-T10 and MRI brachial plexus demonstrated diffuse left cervical nerve root edema and C5-T1 nerve root avulsion with pseudomeningoceles, which were not seen on the MRI cervical spine. The patient was managed conservatively for her brachial plexus injury. Conclusions Although pseudomeningocele formation after cervical nerve root avulsion is commonly cited, associated epidural hematomas are not well described. It is important to consider this etiology in patients with asymmetric examinations and epidural hematomas before surgical evacuation.
Formation and pharmacokinetics of the active drug candoxatrilat in mouse, rat, rabbit, dog and man following administration of the prodrug candoxatril

1. Candoxatrilat, an active neutral endopeptidase inhibitor, was released rapidly from the inactive prodrug candoxatril in vivo in mouse, rat, rabbit, dog and man. 2. Oral doses of [14C]-candoxatril were cleared rapidly, mostly by ester hydrolysis to candoxatrilat, in mouse, dog and man. A complementary intravenous study in man with [14C]-candoxatrilat showed that the active drug was virtually completely renally cleared. Neither candoxatril nor candoxatrilat underwent chiral inversion in man. 3. Systemic availability of candoxatrilat from the oral prodrug was estimated to be 88, 53, 42, 17 and 32% in mouse, rat, rabbit, dog and man respectively. Plasma clearance of candoxatril was too rapid to enable pharmacokinetic parameter calculation in mouse and rabbit; for man, the apparent oral clearance was 57.9 ml/min/kg and the elimination half-life was 0.46 h. 4. For intravenous candoxatrilat, total plasma clearance values were 32, 15, 5.5, 5.8 and 1.9 ml/min/kg for mouse, rat, rabbit, dog and man respectively. Renal clearance values were 8.7, 7.2, 2.9 and 1.7 ml/min/kg for mouse, rat, dog and man and these approximate to the respective glomerular filtration rates. Allometric scaling with respect to bodyweight across the species allowed reasonable prediction of the above two clearance parameters in man.
DOES LOVE OR DIFFERENTIAL REINFORCEMENT OPEN DOORS

There is a story about Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, which, although charming, has not been verified as historical fact (Strachey, 1921). Whether true or not, the story illustrates the use of differential reinforcement. As the story goes, shortly after their marriage, Prince Albert and Queen Victoria had a quarrel. Albert walked (or stomped, depending on the telling) out of the room and locked himself in his study. Victoria ran after him and pounded on the door. “Who's there?” called Albert. “The Queen of England, and she demands to be admitted.” Albert did not respond. Victoria pounded again. One version of the story has it that Victoria shouted, “I am the Queen of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, the Empress of India and of the entire British Commonwealth, I am the Commander-in-Chief of all the British armed forces, and I order you hereby to open this door!!!” Albert still did not respond. More furious knocking was followed by a pause. Then there was a gentle tap. “Who's there?” Albert asked. “Your wife, Albert,” the Queen replied. The prince immediately opened the door. This story is told on various Internet sites to extol the virtues of love or to make the point that it is more important to resolve conflict through nonviolent than violent means. But for behavior analysts, it is a fairly simple example of Prince Albert using good old-fashioned differential reinforcement (of alternative behavior) on the Queen's behavior, although we must assume her calmer, more solicitous behavior actually occurred more often under similar circumstances. Moreover, the immediate increase in the magnitude of her behavior (i.e., the extinction burst) suggests that such behavior had been reinforced in the past, either by Albert, or, more likely, by others. And what about the effect of her capitulation on his behavior? When they quarreled in the future, was he more likely to storm out of the room and hole himself up in his study? We don't know, but we might predict so.
Predictors of quitting among african american light smokers enrolled in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To examine the predictors of quitting among African American (AA) light smokers (<10 cigarettes per day) enrolled in a smoking cessation trial. METHODS: Baseline variables were analyzed as potential predictors from a 2 × 2 cessation trial in which participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups: nicotine gum plus health education (HE) counseling, nicotine gum plus motivational interviewing (MI) counseling, placebo gum plus HE counseling, or placebo gum plus MI counseling. Chi-square tests, 2 sample t-tests, and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictors of cotinine (COT) verified abstinence at month 6. RESULTS: In the final regression model, HE rather than MI counseling (odds ratio [OR]=2.26%, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.36 to 3.74), older age (OR=1.03%, 95% CI=1.01 to 1.06), and higher body mass index (OR=1.04%, 95% CI=1.01 to 1.07) significantly increased the likelihood of quitting, while female gender (OR=0.46%, 95% CI=0.28 to 0.76), ≤$1,800/month income (OR=0.60%, 95% CI=0.37 to 0.97), higher baseline COT (OR=0.948%, 95% CI=0.946 to 0.950), and not completing all counseling sessions (OR=0.48%, 95% CI=0.27 to 0.84) reduced the odds of quitting. CONCLUSIONS: Individual characteristics may decrease the likelihood of quitting; however, the provision of directive, advice-oriented counseling focused on the addictive nature of nicotine, health consequences of smoking, benefits of quitting, and development of a concrete quit plan may be an important and effective facilitator of quitting among AA light smokers.
A pilot study of two-day cognitive-behavioral therapy for panic disorder

The present study investigated the short-term efficacy of brief, intensive cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for panic disorder (PD). The treatment involved 9 h of therapist contact over two consecutive days and was developed for the purpose of delivering CBT for PD to a largely rural patient population that must travel long distances to find a treatment provider. Ten patients who elected to participate in brief, intensive CBT instead of weekly CBT were recruited from routine clinical practice in a hospital-based anxiety disorders clinic. Patients were not excluded based on the presence of agoraphobia, diagnostic comorbidity, concurrent use of PRN benzodiazepine medications, or previous nonresponse to psychotherapy for PD. Assessments conducted at pre-treatment and 1-month follow-up revealed large, clinically significant reductions in PD symptoms, anxiety sensitivity, body vigilance, and anxiety and depressive symptoms. Most patients (60%) were panic-free after treatment and evidenced normative levels of symptomatology at follow-up. The present study suggests that brief, intensive treatment may be an effective means of delivering CBT for PD.
Expression of the Ceruloplasmin Gene in the Human Retina and Brain: Implications for a Pathogenic Model in Aceruloplasminemia

Aceruloplasminemia is an autosomal recessive disorder of iron metabolism characterized by progressive neurodegeneration of the retina and basal ganglia in association with inherited mutations of the ceruloplasmin gene. To begin to elucidate the pathogenesis of this disease, ceruloplasmin gene expression was examined in human brain and retinal tissue. RNA blot analysis and RNAse protection studies demonstrate ceruloplasmin-specific transcripts in multiple regions of the human brain, and biosynthetic studies reveal ceruloplasmin synthesis and secretion in these same regions. Consistent with these observations, in situ hybridization of central nervous system tissue utilizing ceruloplasmin cRNA probes reveals abundant ceruloplasmin gene expression in specific populations of glial cells associated with the brain microvasculature, surrounding dopaminergic melanized neurons in the substantia nigra and within the inner nuclear layer of the retina. Taken in the context of the clinical and pathological features observed in patients with aceruloplasminemia, these data reveal that glial cell-specific ceruloplasmin gene expression is essential for iron homeostasis and neuronal survival in the human central nervous system.
Asynchronous Callback in Web Services

Web service technology is a component-oriented and SOAP-based interoperable technology widely adopted in enterprise Application to Application (A2A), Business to Business (B2B), and Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) applications. Web Service component composite and connection models are the key issues to make Web service successful in the future. Web service standard and specification does not support event-based asynchronous callback which is very important for transaction or delayed business application. This paper presents a Callback Web services enable proxy approaches to implement callback in Web services without modifying existing Web services providers. In addition, a universal Callback reusable proxy design pattern is also proposed, which provides a platform, language, proprietary and technology independent service middleware for multiple clients to share and get services from multiple service providers in an asynchronous event-based implicit invocation communication mode .
Wnt signaling as a therapeutic target for bone diseases

Background: There is a need to develop new bone anabolic agents because current bone regeneration regimens have limitations. The Wingless-type MMTV integration site (Wnt) pathway has emerged as a regulator of bone formation and regeneration. Objective: To review the molecular basis for Wnt pathway modulation and discuss strategies that target it and improve bone mass. Methods: Data in peer-reviewed reports and meeting abstracts are discussed. Results/conclusions: Neutralizing inhibitors of Wnt signaling have emerged as promising strategies. Small-molecule inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase 3β increase bone mass, lower adiposity and reduce fracture risk. Neutralizing antibodies to Dickkopf 1, secreted Frizzled-related protein 1 and sclerostin produce similar outcomes in animal models. These drugs are exciting breakthroughs but are not without risks. The challenges include tissue-specific targeting and consequently, long-term safety.
Aspiration pneumonia following surgically placed feeding tubes

Abstract Background: The enteral route is preferred in surgical patients requiring nutritional support; however, controversy surrounds the choice of location of feeding tube placement. Although jejunostomy has been commonly accepted as superior to gastrostomy for long-term nutritional support because of an assumed lower risk of aspiration pneumonia, recent studies suggest that reevaluation of common practices of surgical tube placement is warranted. Patients and methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of gastrostomy and jejunostomy procedures from 1986 to 1993. Demographic information and complications related to the procedure were reviewed. Aspiration pneumonia was defined as respiratory symptoms, leukocytosis, and infiltrate on chest radiograph. Results: Sixty-nine gastrostomies and 86 jejunostomies were performed during the study period. Six patients were diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia; 2 cases of which occurred with jejunostomy and 4 cases occurred with gastrostomy ( P = not significant). Conclusions: There was no difference in rates of pulmonary aspiration or other complications between gastrostomy and jejunostomy. We suggest that when a surgically placed feeding tube is required, the determination of appropriate procedure be based on clinical factors such as the technical difficulty of the operation or long-term feeding goals.
Morning increase in platelet aggregability. Association with assumption of the upright posture.

The frequencies of onset of myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death are increased between 6 AM and 12 noon. Platelet aggregability, which may play a role in the cause of these disorders, has been observed to increase after the normal morning activities of awakening, arising, and ambulating. To determine which morning activity or activities are responsible for this aggregability increase, we measured platelet aggregation in 16 normal subjects on a control day of delayed arising (i.e., subjects remained supine until 12:30 PM) and on a day in which normal morning activities were divided into three isolated components of awakening (8 AM), assumption of upright posture (9:30 AM), and ambulating (11 AM). Blood samples to assess platelet aggregability were drawn at 8 AM before activity and 90 minutes after the initiation of each activity (i.e., at 9:30 AM, 11 AM, and 12:30 PM). For the group, in vitro platelet responsiveness to adenosine diphosphate and epinephrine increased only after assumption of the u...
The economics and timing of preoperative antibiotics for orthopaedic procedures

Summary Background The efficacy of antibiotics in preventing surgical site infections (SSIs) depends on the timing of administration relative to the start of surgery. However, currently, both the timing of and recommendations for administration vary substantially. Aim To determine how the economic value from the hospital perspective of preoperative antibiotics varies with the timing of administration for orthopaedic procedures. Methods Computational decision and operational models were developed from the hospital perspective. Baseline analyses looked at current timing of administration, while additional analyses varied the timing of administration, compliance with recommended guidelines, and the goal time-interval. Findings Beginning antibiotic administration within 0–30min prior to surgery resulted in the lowest costs and SSIs. Operationally, linking to a pre-surgical activity, administering antibiotics prior to incision but after anaesthesia-ready time was optimal, as 92.1% of the time, antibiotics were administered in the optimal time-interval (0–30min prior to incision). Improving administration compliance from 80% to 90% for this pre-surgical activity results in cost savings of $447 per year for a hospital performing 100 orthopaedic operations a year. Conclusion This study quantifies the potential cost-savings when antibiotic administration timing is improved, which in turn can guide the amount hospitals should invest to address this issue.
Construct Validity of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is widely recognized as an important measure of normal or non-pathological variations in personality. However, the construct validity of the measure has not b...
Fatal hemolytic anemia associated with metformin: A case report

Introduction: Metformin is a widely prescribed biguanide antidiabetic drug that has been implicated as a cause of hemolytic anemia in three previous case reports. We report a case of rapidly fatal hemolysis that was temporally associated with the initiation of metformin treatment for diabetes. Clinicians need to be aware of this rare but potentially serious side effect of metformin. Case presentation: A 56-year-old Caucasian man with type 2 diabetes mellitus was started on metformin to improve glycemic control. Shortly afterwards, he developed progressive fatigue, exertional dyspnea, cranberry-colored urine and jaundice. Laboratory studies showed severe hemolysis, with a drop in hemoglobin from 14.7 to 6.6 g/dl over 4 days, markedly elevated lactate dehydrogenase, bilirubin and reticulocyte counts, and a low haptoglobin level. A peripheral blood smear showed no schistocytes, and a direct Coombs test was positive for anti-IgG and negative for anti-C3. Despite corticosteroid treatment and transfusion of packed red blood cells, the patient developed increasing dyspnea, hypotension, further decline in hemoglobin to 3.3 g/dl, and fatal cardiorespiratory arrest 12 hours after admission. Conclusion: The serologic findings in this case suggest an autoimmune hemolytic anemia, caused either by a drug-induced autoantibody or a warm autoantibody. Based on the temporal association with metformin and the lack of other clear precipitating causes, we propose that metformininduced hemolysis with a drug-induced autoantibody is a strong possibility. This mechanism differs from a previously described case with a possible antibody to the erythrocyte-drug complex. It has been shown, however, that hemolysis may occur via multiple mechanisms from the same drug. Clinicians should consider the possibility of metformin-associated immune hemolytic anemia in patients with otherwise unexplained hemolysis.
The Incidence of Dwarf Mistletoe in Minnesota Black Spruce Stands Detected by Operational Inventories

We surveyed black spruce stands within 0.5 miles of US Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) plots and compared dwarf mistletoe status with that of the FIA and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) forest inventories. Our results differed from FIA results in 3 of 16 stands with FIA plots, with FIA most often not recording dwarf mistletoe in infested stands. The infestation status of 140 of 202 surrounding stands was the same as recorded for the nearby FIA plot. Minnesota DNR forest inventory identified dwarf mistletoe in only 26 of 112 infested stands. Using only the most recent FIA plot data, 8% of FIA plots were recorded as infested. Considering an FIA plot to be infested if it was infested at any time in its history raises the percentage of infested FIA plots to 11%. Of the stands we surveyed, 112 of 202 (55%) were infested, but spatial autocorrelation may bias our sample. For the infested stands, dwarf mistletoe is projected to infest 20% of the stand area and reduce timber volume by at least 14% in the current rotation.
DLL4/Notch1 and BMP9 Interdependent Signaling Induces Human Endothelial Cell Quiescence via P27KIP1 and Thrombospondin-1

Objective— Bone morphogenetic protein-9 (BMP9)/activin-like kinase-1 and delta-like 4 (DLL4)/Notch promote endothelial quiescence, and we aim to understand mechanistic interactions between the 2 pathways. We identify new targets that contribute to endothelial quiescence and test whether loss of Dll4 +/ − in adult vasculature alters BMP signaling. Approach and Results— Human endothelial cells respond synergistically to BMP9 and DLL4 stimulation, showing complete quiescence and induction of HEY1 and HEY2 . Canonical BMP9 signaling via activin-like kinase-1-Smad1/5/9 was disrupted by inhibition of Notch signaling, even in the absence of exogenous DLL4. Similarly, DLL4 activity was suppressed when the basal activin-like kinase-1-Smad1/5/9 pathway was inhibited, showing that these pathways are interdependent. BMP9/DLL4 required induction of P27 KIP1 for quiescence, although multiple factors are involved. To understand these mechanisms, we used proteomics data to identify upregulation of thrombospondin-1, which contributes to the quiescence phenotype. To test whether Dll4 regulates BMP/Smad pathways and endothelial cell phenotype in vivo, we characterized the vasculature of Dll4 +/ − mice, analyzing endothelial cells in the lung, heart, and aorta. Together with changes in endothelial structure and vascular morphogenesis, we found that loss of Dll4 was associated with a significant upregulation of pSmad1/5/9 signaling in lung endothelial cells. Because steady-state endothelial cell proliferation rates were not different in the Dll4 +/ − mice, we propose that the upregulation of pSmad1/5/9 signaling compensates to maintain endothelial cell quiescence in these mice. Conclusions— DLL4/Notch and BMP9/activin-like kinase-1 signaling rely on each other’s pathways for full activity. This represents an important mechanism of cross talk that enhances endothelial quiescence and sensitively coordinates cellular responsiveness to soluble and cell-tethered ligands.
Inclusion of Substance Abuse Training in Cacrep-Accredited Programs

Professional counselors and counselors-in-training continue to serve clients who have substance abuse issues, yet systematic training in substance abuse counseling is not available to many counselors. The authors investigated the extent to which students in programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP; 2001) are exposed to clients presenting with substance abuse issues and the relationship between state licensure or certification in substance abuse and the resulting perception of the need for the inclusion of substance abuse training in these programs. Three methods are presented for possibly including substance abuse training in CACREP standards.
Pathogenesis of Alcoholic Liver Disease: An Overview

To carry out my assignment of giving an overview of the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver injury, I shall summarize some of the progress made over the last 20 years, and I shall also attempt to indicate current approaches and trends for the future. Until 20 years ago it was generally believed that liver disease of the alcoholic was due exclusively to malnutrition and not to direct toxic effects of alcohol itself; characteristically cirrhosis of the alcoholic was not called “alcoholic cirrhosis” but “fatty nutritional cirrhosis”. At first this concept of an exclusively nutritional origin appeared attractive because alcoholics do undoubtedly suffer from malnutrition for a variety of reasons. First of all alcohol represents a large caloric load but these are so-called “empty” calories since alcoholic beverages are usually devoid of minerals, vitamins and proteins. Because it fulfills the caloric needs of the alcoholic, alcohol decreases the intake of other nutrients and therefore alcoholics commonly suffer from primary malnutrition. In addition, in view of the intestinal pathology associated with alcoholism, maldigestion and malabsorption may contribute to secondary malnutrition. In turn, malnutrition is known to adversely affect the liver. Therefore it was natural to postulate that malnutrition is the mechanism whereby alcoholics develop liver disease. This concept had direct impact on the management of the alcoholic. When reluctant to give up his habit, the alcoholic was told by his physician that he could preserve normal liver function despite continuation of the alcohol intake provided that he maintained a normal diet.
Future risk of record-breaking summer temperatures and its mitigation

The probability that summer temperatures in the future will exceed the hottest on record during 1920–2014 is projected to increase at all land locations with global warming. Within the BRACE project framework we investigate the sensitivity of this projected change in probability to the choice of emissions scenario using two large ensembles of simulations with the Community Earth System Model. The large ensemble size allows for a robust assessment of the probability of record-breaking temperatures. Globally, the probability that any summer during the period 2061–2081 will be warmer than the hottest on record is 80 % for RCP 8.5 and 41 % for RCP 4.5. Hence, mitigation can reduce the risk of record-breaking temperatures by 39 %. The potential for risk reduction is greatest for some of the most populated regions of the globe. In Europe, for example, a potential risk reduction of over 50 % is projected. Model biases and future changes in temperature variance have only minor effects on the results, as their contribution stays well below 10 % for almost all locations.
Penile prosthesis implantation surgery: a statewide population based analysis of 2354 patients

Aims of the study: Minimally invasive therapy for erectile dysfunction (ED) has changed the frequency of penile prosthesis surgery. The purpose of this study is to describe the changes in frequency, hospital stay, hospital charges and penile prosthesis type in North Carolina. Materials and Methods: The data source was a statewide hospital discharge database which includes data on hospitalized patients for all 151 hospitals in North Carolina. Results: From 1988–1993, 2354 patients underwent implantation of penile prostheses. The total number of penile prostheses implanted has declined over this six year period. Similarly, hospital stay has declined from an average of 4.03–2.96 d with a 46.6% decrease in total hospital days. Despite this change in hospital stay, hospital charges rose significantly from an average of $7252.48 to $12 842.18 driving total charges from $2 973 516.80 to $3 826 969.60 (1993) representing a 28.7% increase. Conclusions: Minimally invasive therapy and changes in reimbursement have had a major impact on the number of patients undergoing penile prosthesis implantation for ED. This downward trend may continue as more treatment options develop from the marked increase in research in this field. However, this may result in an increase of patients seeking treatment overall.
Longevity of apple maggot (Diptera: Tephritidae) lures under laboratory and field conditions in Utah

The longevities of five commercial lures and one experimental lure for apple maggot were determined in laboratory and field tests in Utah. The Pherocon AM panel exhibited a reduced fly capture efficiency when aged for 9 d before use, which correlated well with the 5-d longevity observed in laboratory tests. The apple volatile lures made by Consep Membranes and Great Lakes IPM lasted at least 40 d in laboratory and field tests. However, the Ladd Industries rubber septum was found to last only about 4 d in the same tests. The implications of lure longevity on the present confusion over trap choice for monitoring apple maggot are discussed.
An intensive outpatient lifestyle modification programme improves measures of glycaemia in obese youth

Commentary on: Savoye M, Caprio S, Dziura J, et al. Reversal of early abnormalities in glucose metabolism in obese youth: results of an intensive lifestyle randomised controlled trial. Diabetes Care 2014;37:317–24.[OpenUrl][1][Abstract/FREE Full Text][2] The worldwide epidemic in paediatric obesity has caused an increase in metabolic abnormalities, including type -2 diabetes (T2DM). Precursors of T2DM include insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction, resulting in hyperglycaemia and insufficient insulin response. The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) has been the gold standard for diagnosing diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). While lifestyle interventions have delayed or prevented the progression from IGT to T2DM in adults, the data in children are limited and demonstrate varying efficacy.1 Furthermore, intensive lifestyle interventions in children are practically difficult. The study describes a 6-month, randomised controlled trial of the impact of the Bright Bodies Healthy … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DDiabetes%2BCare%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.2337%252Fdc13-1571%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F24062325%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/ijlink?linkType=ABST&journalCode=diacare&resid=37/2/317&atom=%2Febmed%2F19%2F4%2F146.atom
Surface Temperature as a Factor in Selection of Ovipositional Sites by Three Strains of the Screwworm

A test chamber with a controlled heat gradient was used to determine surface temperature effects on selection of ovipositional sites by the Florida (Fla), Mexican (Mex), and Cotaxtla (CTX) strains of Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel). The Fla and Mex strains, which have been colonized in the laboratory for several years, oviposited, with 2 exceptions, at 30.6°C–36.7°C the CTX strain oviposited at 31.7°C–34.4°C. The greatest number of female (all strains) oviposited at 33.3°C±3°C, and the preferred range was 33.3°C±1°C. Females from the Fla and Mex strains oviposited readily (465 and 328 ♀, respectively); the 66 ♀ of the CTX strain oviposited sporadically.
Real-time detection of intradialytic hypotension using a novel polyvinylidene fluoride based sensor

This paper presents a novel sensor in the form of a ring to monitor vascular tone continuously and non-invasively. The signal that is generated by this sensor would allow for accurate detection and analysis of reflection waves that can be used to identify or predict several medical conditions including intradialytic hypotension (IDH). The sensor is accompanied by signal analytics that would detect the changes in the morphology of the signal which are associated with IDH and would notify the dialysis physicians and nurses. The data that was collected from nine dialysis patients indicated that the proposed ring and the signal processing and machine learning approaches that are used can predict IDH up to one hour before the incidence of IDH.
Sealing Oil System Transformation and Effect Analysis for 300MW Units of Shajiao A Power Plant

Aiming at dealing with inaccurate control of oil level,filter plugging,unreasonable structure as well as low adjustment accuracy of both differential vacuum valve and balance valve in sealing oil system of 300 MW units in Shajiao A Power Plant,a transformation scheme for the sealing oil system was proposed: one YKF-1 and one YKF-2 oil-feeding/exhausting float valves were selected and installed on either side of the sealing oil tank respectively;the sealing oil filters on air side and hydrogen side were respectively transformed into independent,highly accurate stainless-steel double-layer filters with three-way valves,capable of mutual standby and on-line splitting for cleaning;MYF-2 externally adjusted overflow differential vacuum valve with automatic sealing oil control was chosen as main differential vacuum valve;the balance valves at turbine and exciter ends were converted to vertically installed YPF-1 counterweight balance valves.Transformation effect was fine according to test verification,effectively solving the problems of the original system.
Aznar, Hanotin, and May (eds.), À la place du roi. Vice-rois, gouverneurs et ambassadeurs dans les monarchies française et espanole (Casa de Velázquez, 2014)

The French and Spanish courts were two of the most powerful cultural and political institutions in seventeenth-century Europe. Both rivals and allies, the French and Spanish crowns were bound by disputes and diplomacy. This anthology examines the Gallic and Iberian court systems from a comparative approach, filling an important lacuna in early modern political studies and diplomatic history. It is based on the proceedings of a seminar held at the Casa de Velazquez, Madrid in June 2010. Edited by Daniel Aznar, Guillaume Hanotin and Niels F. May, A la place du roi. Vice-rois, gouverneurs et ambassadeurs dans les monarchies francaise et espanole (XVIe-XVIIIe siecles) unites ten essays by leading scholars of seventeenth-century French and Spanish history.
An unusual presentation of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis: psoas abscess with reno-colic fistula

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is a rare histological subset of pyelonephritis characterized by being a chronic destructive granulomatous inflammation of the renal parenchyma. XGP is classified according to the extent of disease into two entities: within the renal cortex (focal or segmental XGP) or diffuse spread with pelvic communication (diffuse XGP). Although rare, XGP can have fatal complications including perinephric, psoas abscess, nephro-cutaneous fistula and reno-colic fistula. Only few studies have reported XGP complicated with psaos abcess and reno-colic fistula. Our aim is to add to the literature and share our experience with a case of extensive XGP eroding into the psoas muscle and ascending colon leading to severe sepsis that was successfully managed. We report a 56-year-old woman who was found to have XGP complicated by psoas abscess and reno-colic fistula managed by antibiotics, nephrostomy, and subsequent nephrectomy and partial colectomy.
In Situ Volumetric Muscle Repair

Volumetric muscle loss (VML) due to traumatic injury, congenital defects, or tumor ablations is a clinically challenging complication. The treatment options of reconstructive procedures to repair VML involve the use of autologous muscle flaps; however, the lack of available grafts and donor site morbidity limits their use. While conventional muscle tissue engineering that is based on cell culture techniques for fabrication of engineered muscle constructs has been demonstrated both preclinically and clinically, the cell-based approach requires donor tissue biopsy and in vitro cell manipulation. Therefore a novel approach is needed that eliminates the lengthy in vitro step. In situ tissue regeneration utilizes the body's own regenerating capacity by mobilizing host cells to the injury site for treatment of tissue injury. This chapter describes basic components of in situ muscle regeneration as well as a summary of current approaches and therapies for treatment of volumetric muscle injury.
“You Don’t Get Respect if You Give No Respect”: How Black and Latino Youth Make Sense of Encounters with Police

ABSTRACTThe study documents opinions about the police among black and Latino youth and explores how these assessments reflect differences in lived experiences and frames of interpretation of police encounters across gender and race/ethnicity. This specification is important to better understand how youth navigate interactions with law enforcement and how discrete experiences are interpreted in the context of other contacts of racial and gender inequality. We draw on interviews with 43 black and Latino youth, ages 13–21, compiled as part of a project on police stops in New York City. Although our findings indicate that youth tend to see the police negatively, we note considerable heterogeneity, with Latinos/as conveying more mixed views of law enforcement and females signaling more negative perceptions. We tie these differences to variation in the type, volume, and quality of encounters with the police, as well as the saliency of direct and indirect experiences.
Deep Learning to Predict the Formation of Quinone Species in Drug Metabolism

Many adverse drug reactions are thought to be caused by electrophilically reactive drug metabolites that conjugate to nucleophilic sites within DNA and proteins, causing cancer or toxic immune responses. Quinone species, including quinone-imines, quinone-methides, and imine-methides, are electrophilic Michael acceptors that are often highly reactive and comprise over 40% of all known reactive metabolites. Quinone metabolites are created by cytochromes P450 and peroxidases. For example, cytochromes P450 oxidize acetaminophen to N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine, which is electrophilically reactive and covalently binds to nucleophilic sites within proteins. This reactive quinone metabolite elicits a toxic immune response when acetaminophen exceeds a safe dose. Using a deep learning approach, this study reports the first published method for predicting quinone formation: the formation of a quinone species by metabolic oxidation. We model both one- and two-step quinone formation, enabling accurate quinone formati...
Endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticogastrostomy and antegrade clearance of biliary lithiasis in patients with surgically-altered anatomy.

Background and study aims Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) in patients with complex surgically-altered anatomy (SAA) is technically demanding and has limitations. Developments in EUS-guided procedures allow alternative approaches for patients with altered gastrointestinal anatomy and biliary lithiasis. Patients and methods Single-center, retrospective review of prospectively entered patients with SAA who underwent EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy (HGS) followed by an interval antegrade endoscopic clearance of biliary lithiasis. Results 9 patients with Roux-en-Y anatomy underwent HGS to allow clearance of biliary lithiasis after a mean of 2.5 procedures. Technical success was achieved in 100 % of patients utilizing subsequent antegrade endoscopic techniques after HGS including: balloon sweep (9), transpapillary balloon dilation (8), cholangioscopy with electrohydraulic lithotripsy (4), and mechanical lithotripsy (1). HGS stents were removed in all patients. 1 adverse event (cholangitis) occurred after cholangioscopy and prolonged intraductal electrohydraulic lithotripsy. Conclusion EUS-guided antegrade therapy for the management of biliary lithiasis in patients with altered gastrointestinal anatomy appears efficacious with a low risk of adverse events. These preliminary results suggest this approach should be considered at centers with available expertise.
The importance of, and pitfalls in, measuring globalization

In recent years, globalization has been the subject of an increasingly intense public dialog, as international trade and investment have grown and as patterns of trade and investment have evolved and assumed new forms. Economic statisticians are charged with compiling information on globalization that is relevant, timely, and accurate. This paper discusses issues that may be encountered in carrying out this mandate with respect to two major ways in which globalization manifests itself in real terms - cross-border trade in goods and services and foreign direct investment and the resulting international activities of multinational companies. The paper assesses the importance of measurement and examines some of the pitfalls that may be encountered in constructing indicators of globalization and in using those indicators to quantify and describe the phenomenon and gauge its economic impact. The discussion is informed by the experiences of the United States in developing this information.
Sex-specific Outcomes in a Substance Use Intervention Program

Abstract Purpose We performed an emergency department (ED)–based substance use screening, motivational interview–based intervention, and treatment referral program with the goal of determining sex-specific outcomes. Specifically, in this quality improvement project, we aimed to determine whether there was a difference among sexes in the type of substances used; the frequency of positive screening results for substance use disorder; agreeing to an intervention; the type of follow-up evaluation, participation, and referral; and attempts to change substance use after intervention. Methods We prospectively studied a convenience sample of patients at 3 hospitals in Northeastern Pennsylvania from May 2017 through February 2018. Inclusion criteria for participation in this study were age ≥18 years; ability to answer survey questions; willingness and ability (not being too ill) to participate in intervention(s); and when screened, admitting to use of alcohol, tobacco, potentially addictive prescription drugs, or street drugs. Practitioners in the ED screened patients. For those with unhealthy substance use, a brief motivational interview was performed. Participants were each given referrals and information in accordance with the particular substance used and their assessed readiness to change. Individuals who completed the intervention were contacted by telephone for follow-up. Self-reported outcomes and the frequency of successful warm hand-off referrals were assessed. Findings Of the 2209 individuals screened, 976 (44.2%) were male. Overall, 547 patients screened positive for at least 1 of the unhealthy substances for a prevalence of 24.8% (95% confidence interval, 22.9%–26.6%). In this population, a greater proportion of men screened positive than women (30.5% vs 20.2%, P = 0.01). Although the finding was not statistically significant, men (106 [35.6%]) were more likely than women (81 [32.5%]) to agree to an ED intervention. At telephone follow-up, men were more likely to report participating in a treatment or support program than women (32.9% vs 18.2%, P = 0.035). Frequencies of warm hand-off referrals were 11 of 106 (10.4%) for men and 2 of 81 (2.5%) for women. Implications Our small study found that unhealthy substance use rates were greater overall in men than women. Overall participation differences between men and women who agreed to take part in substance intervention and accepted a referral for follow-up treatment were not statistically significant. At telephone follow-up, more men reported participating in a treatment program than women. Direct referral (warm hand-off) rates to treatment programs were small in both sexes but greater in men than women.
Structure and properties of ultrasonically extruded SBR/BR blends and prepared compounds and vulcanizates with various fillers:

The ultrasonic treatment of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR)/butadiene rubber (BR) 50/50 blend in single screw extruder was carried out at amplitudes up to 10 μm. The untreated and treated SBR/BR ble...
The Nebraska Mesonet: Technical Overview of an Automated State Weather Network

AbstractThe Nebraska Mesonet was established in 1981 as one of the nation’s first automated state weather networks. “Automated” is defined by the nature of the observations being made and recorded ...
Gasoline Particulate Filters—a Review

To improve ambient air quality, several countries have adopted regulations setting stringent limits on vehicular tailpipe emissions of particulates. The issue of high particulate emissions has been mostly addressed for diesel vehicles with the widespread adoption of diesel particulate filters (DPFs). Attention is now turned to gasoline direct injection (GDI) technology, which provides improved fuel economy and performance, but also increased particulate emissions, as compared to the port fuel injection (PFI) engines. Europe has set a particle number (PN) limit on emissions from GDI vehicles, while China has expanded that to include all gasoline vehicles. In the USA, these are regulated through particle mass (PM) limits. To meet these regulations, it is anticipated that gasoline particulate filters (GPFs) will be widely applied to gasoline exhaust after-treatment. GPF technology has rapidly advanced, and already a wide range of pore size distribution and cell geometries are being offered to minimize back pressure and offer high ash storage capacity, high filtration efficiency, and, in the case of filters combined with three-way catalytic functionality, high conversion of gas-phase criteria pollutants. This review summarizes representative studies on particulate emissions from gasoline engines, the nature of the particulates, and the advances in GPF technology.
A profile in FIRE: resolving the radial distributions of satellite galaxies in the Local Group with simulations

Author(s): Samuel, J; Wetzel, A; Tollerud, E; Garrison-Kimmel, S; Loebman, S; El-Badry, K; Hopkins, PF; Boylan-Kolchin, M; Faucher-Giguere, CA; Bullock, JS; Benincasa, S; Bailin, J | Abstract: While many tensions between Local Group (LG) satellite galaxies and ⋀ cold dark matter cosmology have been alleviated through recent cosmological simulations, the spatial distribution of satellites remains an important test of physical models and physical versus numerical disruption in simulations. Using the FIRE-2 cosmological zoom-in baryonic simulations, we examine the radial distributions of satellites with M∗ g 105 M☉ around eight isolated Milky Way (MW) mass host galaxies and four hosts in LG-like pairs. We demonstrate that these simulations resolve the survival and physical destruction of satellites with M∗ ≲ 105 M☉. The simulations broadly agree with LG observations, spanning the radial profiles around the MW and M31. This agreement does not depend strongly on satellite mass, even at distances ≾100 kpc. Host-to-host variation dominates the scatter in satellite counts within 300 kpc of the hosts, while time variation dominates scatter within 50 kpc. More massive host galaxies within our sample have fewer satellites at small distances, likely because of enhanced tidal destruction of satellites via the baryonic discs of host galaxies. Furthermore, we quantify and provide fits to the tidal depletion of subhaloes in baryonic relative to dark matter-only simulations as a function of distance. Our simulated profiles imply observational incompleteness in the LG even at M∗ ≳ 105 M☉: we predict 2-10 such satellites to be discovered around the MW and possibly 6-9 around M31. To provide cosmological context, we compare our results with the radial profiles of satellites around MW analogues in the SAGA survey, finding that our simulations are broadly consistent with most SAGA systems.