cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinical assessment, radiographic imaging, and patient self-report for abdominal wall hernias.

Abstract Background Increasingly, abdominal wall hernias are being diagnosed incidentally through radiographic imaging. Such hernias are referred to as occult. However, the clinical significance of occult hernias is unknown. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of occult hernias and to assess the abdominal wall quality of life (AW-QOL) among patients with occult hernias. Materials and methods A blinded, observational, cross-sectional study, October-December 2016, of patients presenting to single academic institution's general surgery clinics was performed. Inclusion criteria included all patients with a computed tomography scan of the abdomen or pelvis within the last year with no intervening abdominal or pelvic surgery. Patients were administered a validated AW-QOL survey and underwent a standardized clinical examination. Computed tomography scans were reviewed. Primary outcomes were prevalence and AW-QOL measured by the modified Activities Assessment Scale. AW-QOL of patients with no hernias was compared to that of those with occult hernias and clinically apparent hernias using Mann–Whitney U test. Results A total of 250 patients were enrolled of whom 97 (38.8%) had a hernia noted on clinical examination and 132 (52.8%) had a hernia noted on radiographic imaging. The prevalence of occult hernias was 38 (15.2%). Patients with no hernia had a median (interquartile range) AW-QOL of 82.5 (55.0-95.3), patients with clinically apparent hernias had AW-QOL of 47.7 (31.2-81.6; P Conclusions Both clinically apparent and occult hernias are prevalent. However, only patients with clinically apparent hernias had differences in AW-QOL when compared to patients with no hernias. Prospective trials are needed to assess the outcomes of patients with occult hernias managed with and without surgical repair.
Effects of Different Dietary Interventions on Calcitriol, Parathyroid Hormone, Calcium, and Phosphorus: Results from the DASH Trial.

The “Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension” (DASH) diet, rich in fiber and low-fat dairy, effectively lowers blood pressure. DASH’s effect on calcitriol and other markers of bone-mineral metabolism is unknown. This secondary analysis of the DASH trial aimed to determine the effect of dietary patterns on blood concentrations of calcitriol, parathyroid hormone (PTH), ionized calcium, and urinary excretion of calcium and phosphorus. Outcomes were available in 334 participants in the trial. After a 3-week run-in on the control diet, participants were randomized to control, fruits and vegetables (F&V), or DASH diets. Outcomes were assessed at the end of run-in, and during the last week of the intervention period. Mean age of participants was 45.7 ± 10.7 years, 46% female, and 57% African-American. Mean ± Standard Deviation(SD) baseline serum concentrations of calcitriol, PTH, and ionized calcium were 37.8 ± 9.2 pg/mL, 46.1 ± 18.5 pg/mL and 5.2 ± 0.23 mg/dL, respectively. Mean (±SD) urinary calcium and phosphorus excretions were 150.1 ± 77.8 and 708.0 ± 251.8 mg/24 h, respectively. Compared with control, DASH reduced calcitriol −3.32 pg/mL (p = 0.004). Otherwise, there was no significant effect on other biomarkers. DASH lowered serum calcitriol perhaps more among African-Americans. These results raise important questions about the interpretation and clinical significance of low calcitriol concentrations in the setting of recommended diets.
Comparison of Human Milk Immunoglobulin Survival during Gastric Digestion between Preterm and Term Infants.

Human milk provides immunoglobulins (Igs) that supplement the passive immune system of neonates; however, the extent of survival of these Igs during gastric digestion and whether this differs between preterm and term infants remains unknown. Human milk, and infant gastric samples at 2 h post-ingestion were collected from 15 preterm (23–32 week gestational age (GA)) mother-infant pairs and from 8 term (38–40 week of GA) mother-infant pairs within 7–98 days postnatal age. Samples were analyzed via ELISA for concentration of total IgA (secretory IgA (SIgA)/IgA), total secretory component (SC/SIgA/SIgM), total IgM (SIgM/IgM), and IgG as well as peptidomics. Total IgA concentration decreased by 60% from human milk to the preterm infant stomach and decreased by 48% in the term infant stomach. Total IgM and IgG concentrations decreased by 33% and 77%, respectively, from human milk to the term infant stomach but were stable in the preterm infant stomach. Release of peptides from all Ig isotypes in the term infant stomach was higher than in the preterm stomach. Overall, the stability of human milk Igs during gastric digestion is higher in preterm infant than in term infants, which could be beneficial for assisting the preterm infants’ immature immune system.
Theory as Story: A Postmodern Tale

After locating postmodernism in its historical and epistemological contexts, this article takes the postmodern position that the behavioral theories that have informed clinical social work practice over the last century are stories with texts written by authors whose place in historical time, life experience, and personal proclivities shaped both the plots of the stories and the manner in which they were told. A review of the most influential theory-stories lays the groundwork for addressing two questions: What can postmodernism do for clinical social work? And what can clinical social work do for postmodernism?
A new format for the medical record

Over the centuries, the medical record has become stereotyped. Reconsidering the purpose and organization of this document leads me to propose a four-part format consisting of administrative data, a patient synopsis, a chronological medical record, and a detailed medical record. The patient would be identified only in the administrative data section, leaving the rest of the record available for management, outcome, and cost studies, and protecting the patient's privacy. Adoption of this four-part format would make it easier to locate information in the medical record and would facilitate computerization. If the phraseology could be standardized, the new format would also allow easier data flow from one medical record to another and permit the construction of standardized disease profiles. Data on individual patients could then be compared with standardized profiles to identify deficiencies and redundancies in patient care.
Mechanical Forces in the Biological World

Within the cell dissipative dynamics apply, inertia is negligible, force is proportional to velocity and Brownian fluctuations are large. In such a world, the generation of mechanical forces is essential. The cytoskeleton, responsible for the cell shape, deformation and motion, is the main actor. In this chapter we address three instances of mechanical force generation, two which derive directly from the cytoskeleton and one which serves as a model.
The X-Ray/Gamma-Ray Spectrometer on the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous Mission

An X-ray/gamma-ray spectrometer has been developed as part of a rendezvous mission with the near-Earth asteroid, 433 Eros, in an effort to answer fundamental questions about the nature and origin of asteroids and comets. During about 10 months of orbital operations commencing in early 1999, the X-ray/Gamma-ray Spectrometer will develop global maps of the elemental composition of the surface of Eros. The instrument remotely senses characteristic X-ray and gamma-ray emissions to determine composition. Solar excited X-ray fluorescence in the 1 to 10 keV range will be used to measure the surface abundances of Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Ti, and Fe with spatial resolutions down to 2 km. Gamma-ray emissions in the 0.1 to 10 MeV range will be used to measure cosmic-ray excited elements O, Si, Fe, H and naturally radioactive elements K, Th, U to surface depths on the order of 10 cm. The X-ray spectrometer consists of three gas-filled proportional counters with a collimated field of view of 5° and an energy resolution of 850 eV @ 5.9 keV. Two sunward looking X-ray detectors monitor the incident solar flux, one of which is the first flight of a new, miniature solid-state detector which achieves 600 cV resolution @ 5.9 keV. The gamma-ray spectrometer consists of a Nal(Tl) scintiilator situated within a Bismuth Germanate (BGO) cup, which provides both active and passive shielding to confine the field of view and eliminate the need for a massive and costly boom. New coincidence techniques enable recovery of single and double escape events in the central detector. The Nal(Tl) and BGO detectors achieve energy resolutions of 8.7% and 14%, respectively @ 0.662 MeV. A data processing unit based on an RTX2010 microprocessor provides the spacecraft interface and produces 256-channel spectra for X-ray detectors and 1024-channel spectra for the raw, coincident, and anti-coincident gamma-ray modes. This paper presents a detailed overview of the X-ray/Gamma-ray Spectrometer and describes the science objectives, measurement objectives, instrument design, and shows some results from early in-flight data.
Noncontact specular microscopy of human lens epithelium.

PURPOSE. To obtain in vivo specular images of human lens epithelial cells (LECs) from persons with or without age-related cataract (ARC); to identify features that describe individual aspects of these complex images; to develop feature scales to quantify the severity of each feature; and to study the association of these features with LEC count, age, Lens Opacity Classification System III (LOCS III) classifications and microscopic features of lens epithelium in ARC. METHODS. One hundred fifty-two individuals underwent ophthalmic examinations and LOCS III cataract classifications. Specular images of lenses were captured using a modified noncontact corneal specular microscope (SML-2; Konan, Hyogo, Japan). Enhanced images were graded in a masked fashion, and the presence or absence and severity of each of four features in the specular image (“columnar organization,” “linear furrows,” “puffy clouds,” and “black holes”) was graded on a four-step scale. The generalized linear model with intraclass correlation was used to ascertain the statistical significance of associations between age, sex, LOCS III grade, cell count, and feature grade. Capsulorrhexis specimens from 29 patients were studied with correlative light and electron microscopy. RESULTS. LEC density declined with age and was inversely correlated with the scalar grade for puffy clouds and for the size and number of black holes. The scalar grade for columnar organization was inversely associated with the severity of posterior subcapsular and nuclear cataracts, which was the only feature associated with the LOCS III grade of ARC. No statistically significant associations were found between average cell count and LOCS III grade. CONCLUSIONS. With the use of the corneal specular microscope excellent in vivo specular images of the LECs were obtained, the features in these images that correlated well with microscopic findings were classified, and cell density in vivo was estimated. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2000;41: 474 ‐ 481)
Nonglycemic Outcomes of Antidiabetic Medications

IN BRIEF The number of medications used to treat diabetes has increased dramatically in the past 15 years. With so many options that have shown significant A1C improvement, it is important to consider side effects, precautions, and additional benefits these agents may offer. This article is a review of some of the most compelling literature available on the nonglycemic benefits of sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones, biguanides, glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists, dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors, and sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors. Other classes of antihyperglycemic agents, such as dopamine agonists, meglitinides, and amylin agonists, are not discussed in this article.
Weekend versus Weekday Admission in Spinal Cord Injury and Its Effect on Timing of Surgical Intervention.

Objective We sought to compare timing of intervention for patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) requiring surgical procedures during weekend versus weekday admissions. Methods The National Inpatient Sample database from 2012 to 2014 was queried to identify patients with SCI who underwent surgical treatment (decompression with or without stabilization) as an emergent/urgent procedure. Timing of intervention, inpatient morbidity, and inpatient mortality were compared between patients admitted during the weekend versus a weekday. Multiple logistic regression analyses were also performed. Results A total of 9390 patients were identified (mean age 55 years, 73.2% male) from the database, with 34.1% admitted during the weekend and 65.9% during a weekday. The average day of intervention for the entire cohort was 2.8 (SD 3.9, interquartile range 1–4); day 2.7 (standard deviation [SD] 4.0) versus day 2.8 ([SD] 3.9) for patients admitted in a weekend versus weekday (P = 0.418). After controlling for patient age, sex, and injury severity score on multiple logistic regression analysis, weekend admission was not significantly associated with early intervention (odds ratio [OR] 0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.82–1.21; P = 0.993), complication occurrence (OR 1.09; 95% CI, 0.86–1.38; P = 0.476), or inpatient mortality (OR 0.83; 95% CI, 0.44–1.56; P = 0.563). Patients with complete/American Spinal Injury Association A injuries were more likely to undergo early intervention (OR 2.09; 95% CI, 1.31–3.31; P = 0.002). Conclusion In this national study, patients with SCI who were admitted during the weekend received surgical intervention as early as patients admitted during a weekday. Furthermore, no differences in complication or mortality rates between groups were found.
Research Issues of Outlier Detection in Trajectory Streams Using GPUs

The widespread availability of sensors like GPS and traffic cameras has made it possible to collect large amounts of spatio-temporal data. One such type of data are trajectories, each of which consists of a time-ordered sequence of positions that a moving object occupies in space as time goes by. Trajectories can be streamed in real time from sensors, and because of this, they capture the current state of moving objects. For this reason, trajectories can be used in applications such as the real-time detection of senior citizens who have just fallen or who have just gotten lost outdoors, the real-time detection of drunk drivers, and the real-time detection of enemy forces in the battlefield. These applications involve the identification of trajectories with anomalous behaviors, and require fast processing in order to take immediate preventive action. However, outlier detection poses challenges stemming from both the complexity of the data and of the task. One way to address this is through parallel architectures like GPUs. In this paper, we present the problem of outlier detection in trajectory streams, and discuss the research issues that should be addressed by new outlier detection techniques for trajectory streams on GPUs.
Beyond state-centrism? Space, territoriality, and geographical scale in globalization studies

Since the early 1970s, debates have raged throughout the social sciences concerning the process of ‘‘globalization’’ ^ an essentially contested term whose meaning is as much a source of controversy today as it was over two decades ago, when systematic research ¢rst began on the topic. Contemporary globalization research encompasses an immensely broad range of themes, from the new international division of labor, changing forms of industrial organization, and processes of urbanregional restructuring to transformations in the nature of state power, civil society, citizenship, democracy, public spheres, nationalism, politico-cultural identities, localities, and architectural forms, among many others. 2 Yet despite this proliferation of globalization research, little theoretical consensus has been established in the social sciences concerning the interpretation of even the most rudimentary elements of the globalization process ^ e.g., its historical periodization, its causal determinants, and its socio-political implications. 3 Nevertheless, within this whirlwind of opposing perspectives, a remarkably broad range of studies of globalization have devoted detailed attention to the problematic of space, its social production, and its historical transformation. Major strands of contemporary globalization research have been permeated by geographical concepts ^ e.g., ‘‘space-time compression,’’ ‘‘space of £ows,’’ ‘‘space of places,’’ ‘‘deterritorialization,’’ ‘‘glocalization,’’ the ‘‘global-local nexus,’’ ‘‘supra
An Empirical Study of the Effect of Brand Proliferation on Private Label -National Brand Pricing Behavior

This paper investigates the competitive pricing interaction between national brand and private label food products, focusing on the effect of brand proliferation. IRI scanner data from 1991 and 1992 for 135 food product categories and 59 geographic markets are used. Empirical findings are grouped into three categories: i) price, promotion and competitive effects, ii) brand proliferation and entry deterrence, and iii) local market effects. Results indicate that both private label and national brand reaction functions are positively sloped and asymmetric. Successful private label penetration, as measured by total private label share, lowers the average price of national brands. The paper's central finding is that the impact of brand proliferation on market pricing behavior is multi-dimensional. First, an increase in the number of brands increases the ability of national brand manufacturers to raise price. Second, the effectiveness of a brand proliferation strategy depends upon the distribution of market share. The more concentrated the brand structure, the lower the market price of national brands. Thus, the net effect of brand proliferation strategies is dependent upon not only the number of brands, but upon the actual distribution of brand shares. Finally, local market conditions play only a small role in the competitive interaction between private labels and national brands.
Active learning exercises for use in introductory programming courses

This session will demonstrate how to actively engage students in introductory programming courses. Successful adaptation of active learning requires more than just handing out materials and telling the students to talk, especially with freshmen students. Attendees will participate in a variety of activities to demonstrate how to effectively conduct activities, manage students, and synthesize active learning with lectures. The NSF has funded the presenter's work based on his initial success at increasing student satisfaction and academic success. Simple, discipline specific, and easy-to-use activities will be presented to allow the participants to start incorporating and creating active learning into their classroom.
Priority and privilege in scientific discovery

The priority rule in science has been interpreted as a behavior regulator for the scientific community, which benefits society by adequately structuring the distribution of intellectual labor across pre-existing research programs. Further, it has been lauded as part of society's "grand reward scheme" because it fairly rewards people for the benefits they produce. But considerations about how news of scientific developments spreads throughout a scientific community at large suggest that the priority rule is something else entirely, which can disadvantage historically underrepresented or otherwise marginalized social groups.
Dispositif d'éclatement commandé des diaphragmes associé à un tube à ondes de choc pour générateur magnétohydrodynamique

In the experimental device, the MHD generator receives the current from a gas in the shock tube. This gas, argon, heated beforehand to 1200°C and seeded with alkaline metal (potassium), is brought to the pseudoplasma state under the influence of a shock wave. This wave is obtained by means of a membrane and a driving gas (helium). The use of a pulsed magnetic field at the level of the MHD generator makes a time delay necessary between the beginning of the discharge of the condensers, the source of energy which has to create the pulsed magnetic field, and the rupture of the membrane producing the shock wave (the rise time of the magnetic field is longer than the travelling time of the shock wave from the membrane to the entrance of the generator).
An Ursine Foot Note

Winnie-the-Pooh has an extra forebear, and their relationship is a reminder of the fuzzy relationship between judicial intention, causation, and precedent.
Inpatient mortality of patients with multiple myeloma and renal impairment undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation.

OBJECTIVES Further data are needed on the safety of high-dose melphalan and autologous stem cell transplant (HDM-ASCT) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and renal impairment. The objective of our study was to use the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) to determine inpatient mortality for patients with MM and renal impairment undergoing HDM-ASCT, as well as trends over time. METHODS Using the NIS, we tracked hospital admissions for MM patients from 2002 to 2014 who underwent HDM-ASCT, using ICD 9 coding. RESULTS The total weighted estimate of inpatient admissions for HDM-ASCT among MM patients was 47,253 from 2002 to 2014. A weighted total of 45 and 1709 patients with MM received peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD) during HDM-ASCT for MM, respectively. There was a markedly increased risk of inpatient mortality in patients on dialysis undergoing transplant (20.5% for PD patients, 13.8% for HD patients), even after accounting for other comorbidities (odds ratio of inpatient mortality of 6.193 [CI 3.585-10.701]). A significant decrease was noted in inpatient mortality for patients with ESRD undergoing HDM-ASCT over time from 15.6% in 2009 to 5% in 2014 (P < .001). CONCLUSION Patients with MM on dialysis undergoing HDM-ASCT are at significantly increased risk of inpatient mortality.
Molecular Basis for ADP-ribose Binding to the Macro-X Domain of SARS-CoV-2 Nsp3

The virus that causes COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, has a large RNA genome that encodes numerous pro-teins that might be targets for antiviral drugs. Some of these proteins, such as the RNA-dependent RNA polymers, helicase and main protease, are well con-served between SARS-CoV-2 and the original SARS virus, but several others are not. This study examines one of the proteins encoded by SARS-CoV-2 that is most different, a macrodomain of nonstructural protein 3 (nsp3). Although 26% of the amino acids in this SARS-CoV-2 macrodomain differ from those seen in other coronaviruses, bio-chemical and structural data reveal that the protein retains the ability to bind ADP-ribose, which is an important characteristic of beta coronaviruses, and potential therapeutic target.
Residential proximity to tree canopy and preterm birth in Black women.

BACKGROUND: There are marked racial disparities in obstetrical outcomes, with the incidence of preterm birth being the highest among non-Hispanic Black women. The presence of green space, such as forests and parks, is now widely viewed as a health-promoting characteristic of residential environments. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the association between the proximity of tree canopies to a prenatal residential address and the rates of preterm birth among non-Hispanic Black women in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective, case-control study utilizing hospital pregnancy records of self-identified non-Hispanic Black women. The addresses of the women, who delivered from 2011 to 2019, were geocoded to characterize the percentage of tree canopy surrounding the prenatal address using the National Land Cover Database. Circular residential buffers of 100, 150, 250, and 500 m were used to assess the exposure to tree canopy coverage in proximity to a prenatal address. Univariable and multivariable analyses were conducted to determine whether tree canopy percentage at 4 different proximity buffers, examined both in means and quartiles, was associated with preterm birth (birth at RESULTS: Of the 2771 non-Hispanic Black women included in the study, 333 (12.0%) experienced preterm births. Less tree canopy coverage was significantly (P CONCLUSION: A higher percentage of tree canopy coverage in close proximity to the prenatal residential address is associated with lower odds of preterm birth among non-Hispanic Black women. These findings suggest that access to neighborhood green space is an important factor associated with preterm birth.
The landscape of lysogeny across microbial community density, diversity and energetics

Lysogens are common at high bacterial densities, an observation that contrasts with the prevailing view of lysogeny as a low-density refugium strategy. Here, we review the mechanisms regulating lysogeny in complex communities and show that the additive effects of coinfections, diversity and host energic status yield a bimodal distribution of lysogeny as a function of microbial densities. At high cell densities (above 106 cells ml-1 or g-1 ) and low diversity, coinfections by two or more phages are frequent and excess energy availability stimulates inefficient metabolism. Both mechanisms favour phage integration and characterize the Piggyback-the-Winner dynamic. At low densities (below 105 cells ml-1 or g-1 ), starvation represses lytic genes and extends the time window for lysogenic commitment, resulting in a higher frequency of coinfections that cause integration. This pattern follows the predictions of the refugium hypothesis. At intermediary densities (between 105 and 106 cells ml-1 or g-1 ), encounter rates and efficient energy metabolism favour lysis. This may involve Kill-the-Winner lytic dynamics and induction. Based on these three regimes, we propose a framework wherein phage integration occurs more frequently at both ends of the host density gradient, with distinct underlying molecular mechanisms (coinfections and host metabolism) dominating at each extreme.
Surgeon education through a surgical cost feedback system reduces supply cost in endoscopic skull base surgery.

OBJECTIVE A large proportion of healthcare expense is operating room (OR) costs. As a means of cost mitigation, several institutions have implemented surgeon education programs to bring awareness about supply costs. This study evaluates the impact of a surgical cost feedback system (surgical receipt) on the supply costs of endoscopic skull base surgery (ESBS) procedures. METHODS The supply costs of each ESBS surgical case were prospectively collected and analyzed before and after the implementation of a nonincentivized, automated, and itemized weekly surgical receipt system between January 2017 and December 2019. Supply cost data collected 15 months prior to intervention were compared with cost data 21 months after implementation of the surgical receipt system. Demographics, surgical details, and OR time were collected retrospectively. RESULTS Of 105 ESBS procedures analyzed, 36 preceded and 69 followed implementation of cost feedback. There were no significant differences in patient age (p = 0.064), sex (p = 0.489), surgical indication (p = 0.389), or OR anesthesia time (p = 0.51) for patients treated before and after implementation. The mean surgical supply cost decreased from $3824.41 to $3010.35 (p = 0.002) after implementation of receipt feedback. Usage of dural sealants (p = 0.043), microfibrillar collagen hemostat (p = 0.007), and oxidized regenerated cellulose hemostat (p < 0.0001) and reconstructive technique (p = 0.031) significantly affected cost. Mediation analysis confirmed that the overall cost reduction was predominantly driven by reduced use of dural sealant; this cost saving exceeded the incremental cost of greater use of packing materials such as microfibrillar collagen hemostat. CONCLUSIONS Education of surgeons regarding surgical supply costs by a surgical receipt feedback system can reduce the supply cost per case of ESBS operations.
Local Metabolism of Ethanol to Acetic Acid/Acetate in the Central Nucleus of Amygdala Elicits Sympathoexcitatory Responses through Activation of NMDAR in Sprague Dawley Rats

Aim: Binge alcohol consumption elicits robust sympathoexcitation and excitatory neuronal output. However, the central mechanism that mediates these effects remains elusive. We investigated the effects of ethanol metabolism within the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) on sympathoexcitation, and elucidated the role of acetate in these excitatory responses. Methods: In vivo arterial blood pressure, heart rate and sympathetic nerve activity responses to CeA microinjected ethanol or acetate with appropriate inhibitors/antagonists were tracked. In vitro whole-cell electrophysiology recording responses to acetate in CeA neurons with axon projecting to the rostral ventrolateral medulla (CeA-RVLM) were investigated, and cytosolic calcium responses in primary neuronal cultures were quantified. Results: We demonstrate that in Sprague Dawley rats, local brain metabolism of ethanol in the CeA to acetic acid/acetate elicits sympathoexcitatory responses in vivo through activation of NMDAR. Aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibition using cyanamide and NMDAR antagonism using AP5 or memantine blunted these effects. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in brain slices containing autonomic CeA-RVLM neurons revealed a dose-dependent increase in neuronal excitability in response to acetate. The NMDAR antagonists AP5 and memantine suppressed the acetate-induced increase in CeA-RVLM neuronal excitability, as well as the direct activation of NMDAR-mediated inward currents by acetate in brain slices. We observed that acetate increased cytosolic Ca2+ in a time-dependent manner in primary neuronal cell cultures. The acetate enhancement of calcium signaling was abolished by memantine. Conclusion: These findings suggest that within the CeA, ethanol is sympathoexcitatory through local brain metabolism, which generates acetic acid/acetate leading to activation of NMDAR.
The "early life" origins of obesity-related health disorders: new discoveries regarding the intergenerational transmission of developmentally programmed traits in the global cardiometabolic health crisis.

Popular media reports concerning the causes of the current global obesity pandemic and its related sequelae—the cardiometabolic syndrome—are often couched in terms of dramatic changes in diet and lifestyle around the world; namely, drastically increasing dietary intakes of high energy foods and plummeting levels of daily physical activity—the hallmarks of the so called “nutrition transition.” Far less attention is generally drawn to the important role phenotypic plasticity during early life (i.e., “developmental programming”) plays in the cardiometabolic health crisis. Recently, however, researchers working within the field of the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) and epigenetics have extended our understanding of the role played by these developmental processes and capacities in health and disease even further by investigating the transmissible nature of developmentally programmed cardiometabolic traits to subsequent generations. In this review, after briefly revisiting the fundamental discoveries of first-generation DOHaD research, I consider how recent discoveries regarding the transmissibility of developmentally acquired traits are providing new insights into the current global cardiometabolic pandemic, and how a better understanding of developmental programming—including transmissibility—are essential for the conceptualization and implementation of public health initiatives aimed at stemming this global health crisis. Am J Phys Anthropol 57:79–93, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On the Dating of a Recently Published Einstein Manuscript: Could These Be the Calculations that Gave Einstein “Heart Palpitations”?

In a recent article in this journal a hitherto unknown two-page Einstein autograph manuscript was presented, and it was suggested that this manuscript dates from November 1915. We argue that the manuscript cannot predate early 1918. We also offer a speculative positive identification of the manuscript. These two pages may be lecture notes for a course on general relativity held in Zurich in 1919.
Simultaneous Measurement of Temperature and Velocity Using µPIV

In μPIV, for a uniform velocity field the displacement of the cross-correlation function gives the velocity of the fluid and the broadening of the peak-width represents the amount of Brownian motion present. In the presence of a linear or a parabolic shear, the shape of the cross-correlation function would have both the Brownian motion information as well as the velocity distribution information. In the present work, the broadening of the cross-correlation function caused by the velocity gradient was subtracted from the total peak broadening in order to isolate the Brownian motion information and thus infer temperature. To the authors' knowledge, this technique has not been applied to measure the temperature of a moving fluid. The experiments were conducted in a gravity driven flow through a tube surrounded by a constant temperature water bath.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Modification of professional antigen-presenting cells with small interfering RNA in vivo to enhance cancer vaccine potency.

RNA interference using small interfering RNA (siRNA) is an effective means of silencing gene expression in cells. Intradermal administration of nucleic acids via gene gun represents an efficient method for delivering nucleic acids to professional antigen-presenting cells in vivo . In this study, we show that the coadministration of DNA vaccines encoding human papillomavirus type 16 E7 with siRNA targeting key proapoptotic proteins Bak and Bax prolongs the lives of antigen-expressing dendritic cells in the draining lymph nodes, enhances antigen-specific CD8+ T-cell responses, and elicits potent antitumor effects against an E7-expressing tumor model in vaccinated mice. Our data indicate that intradermal administration of siRNA to manipulate gene expression represents a plausible strategy for modification of the properties of professional antigen-presenting cells in vivo to enhance cancer vaccine potency.
The education of black health professionals.

Of the 357,000 practicing physicians in the country today, only 6840, or 2.2%, are black, although the nation’s 25 million blacks represent 12% of the total population. Nationally, there is one white physician for every 528 white persons, whereas the ratio of black physicians to the black population is 1 to 4100. Furthermore, at the present rate of entry of minority students into medical school, the optimal physician ratio will not be reached for another 20 years or more.1
Kidney Dysfunction and Left Ventricular Assist Device Support: A Comprehensive Perioperative Review

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are used increasingly as a bridge to transplantation or as destination therapy in end-stage heart failure patients who do not respond to optimal medical therapy. Many of these patients have end-organ dysfunction, including advanced kidney dysfunction, before and after LVAD implantation. Kidney dysfunction is a marker of adverse outcomes, such as increased morbidity and mortality. This review discusses kidney dysfunction and associated management strategies during the dynamic perioperative time period of LVAD implantation. Furthermore, we suggest potential future research directions to better understand the complex relationship between renal pathophysiology and mechanical circulatory support.
The Interstellar Medium Interactions of a Runaway Luminous Blue Variable Nebula in the Large Magellanic Cloud

New observations of the Magellanic Cloud luminous blue variable candidate S119 (HD 269687) show the relationship of the star to its environs. Echelle spectroscopy and high-resolution Hubble Space Telescope imagery reveal an expanding bubble centered on the star. This bubble appears in both Hα and [N II] and is noticeably brighter on the near (blueshifted) side. The systemic velocity of both the expanding bubble and the star itself (as seen by the very broad Hα emission feature in the stellar spectrum) is Vhel ~ 160 km s-1, whereas the velocity of the superposed LMC interstellar medium (ISM) is 250-300 km s-1. ISM absorption features seen in Far-Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer spectra reveal components at both stellar and LMC velocities. Thus, we conclude that S119 is located within the LMC ISM and that the bubble is interacting strongly with the ISM in a bow shock.
Effects of Climate Change on Fishery Species in Florida

Recreational and commercial fishery species in Florida and elsewhere are under serious stress from overfishing and many types of habitat and water quality degradation. Climate change may add to that stress by affecting an array of biological processes, although the range of some subtropical and tropical species may expand northward in the state. It is expected to trigger sea level rise and changes in hurricanes and precipitation levels in Florida and elsewhere. Perhaps the most significant impacts of climate change on fishery species will also associated with changes in seagrasses and mangroves that function as Essential Nursery Habitats. Seagrasses in estuarine and coastal areas are limited by water depth and light penetration. Increases in sea level and in precipitation‐induced turbidity may restrict the extent of seagrass habitats and their role in fishery production. Expanded efforts to reduce nutrient and sediment loading into seagrass habitats may help minimize the potential loss of a valuable fish nursery habitat. Mangroves have also been affected by human activities, and are the subject of restoration efforts in many areas. Potential sea level rise may cause an expansion of mangrove habitats in the Everglades, at the expense of freshwater habitats. This potential tradeoff of habitats should be considered by the water flow and habitat restoration programs in the Everglades.
Current status and future of photorefractive polymers for photonic applications

Photorefractive polymer are emerging as promising photonic materials for a variety of applications including holographic storage, real-time optical processing, imaging, non-destructive testing, and phase conjugation. These materials combine the low cost and ease of processing of polymers with the highly sensitive optical encoding mechanism of photorefractive materials in general. This paper will introduce the basic concepts of photorefractivity, organic nonlinear optical and amorphous organic photoconductors. Then we will review the physics and the chemistry of photorefractive polymers and give a survey of different classes of materials that have been proposed during the relatively short history of organic photorefractive materials. Finally, we will discuss some of the potential and future challenges of these materials in the context of photonic applications.
The Earth's Gravitational Field and Its Exploitation

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the ways in which gravitational attraction is utilized. It also summarizes the fundamental facts concerning the Earth's gravity field. Any measured value of gravity is a composite of many mass effects that includes the shape and size of the earth as a whole, the rotation of the earth, changes in elevation, horizontal mass discontinuities, and changes in topographic configuration. The largest and most easily measured changes in gravity are related to the change in shape of the earth. Therefore, these gravity measurements are an integral part of the geodetic program. Other geologic uses of gravity data include earth crystal studies, geological exploration, and gravity studies of the strength of the earth. With regard to national gravity base values, the principal difficulty in using gravity work, particularly for the study of the geoid, lies in getting all data on absolute datum. To eliminate confusion about the absolute gravity datum, the value determined at the Geodetic Institute at Potsdam is adopted by international agreement as a base value and all values are referred to it.
Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn'S Disease of the Colon—A Comparison of the Long Term Postoperative Courses

Patients with colitis and ileocolitis of unknown etiology from two previously reported series have been combined and the follow-up studies have been extended to compare the long term postoperative courses of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease of the colon (CDC). The combined and updated series of 176 patients, 99% of whom could be traced, provided a mean postoperative follow-up period for UC of 14 years (5 to 31) and CDC of 13.1 years (5 to 36). There were highly significant associations between generally accepted clinical and distributional features of UC and CDC and microscopic findings generally regarded as reliable for each. However, because of spectrum of features was found in each entity, neither clinical and distributional nor microscopic features alone are sufficient for diagnosis in every case. There were no differences in gross or disease-related mortality in UC and CDC whatever the method of diagnosis. After anastomotic procedures in CDC a recurrence rate of 73% was found. After proctocolectomy the ileostomy revision rate (considering all types of those which required further excision of ileum) was higher in CDC than UC whether the diagnoses were based on microscopic, clinical, or combined criteria, but the differences reached statistical significance only in the comparison of "clinical UC", with "clinical CDC". Moreover, after the first 2 postoperative years, the risk of having an ileostomy revision in UC and CDC (combined criteria) per patient year follow-up was virtually identical and there were no cases of short bowel syndrome. Differences in the clinical courses of UC and CDC after colectomy and ileostomy are of degree and do not reflect the ultimate course or potential for rehabilitation. Decisions regarding surgical therapy should be made independent of the diagnosis of UC or CDC.
Immune-mediated statin myopathy

Statin-induced necrotizing autoimmune myopathy (SINAM) is associated with a unique clinical 5 phenotype of severe proximal muscle weakness during or after exposure to statins in patients with high creatine kinase (CK) levels. Electromyography (EMG) and muscle biopsy reveal features of a necrotizing myopathy and the anti-HMGCR autoantibody is frequently detected. Treatment requires a combination of statin discontinuation as well as immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive therapy. HLA typing (HLADRB1*1101) is strongly associated with anti-10 HMGCR autoantibody positivity in statin-exposed patients. It is well documented that statin triggers autoimmune disease in those with a genetic susceptibility. With the commercial availability of an accurate ELISA test, the natural history of the disease and its phenotypic features are becoming increasingly understood.
Sibling self management: Programming for generalization to improve interactions between typical siblings and children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

The present study taught typically developing (TD) siblings of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) social-communicative and self-management skills. The authors’ hypothesized that the acqu...
Regulation of a family of inwardly rectifying potassium channels (Kir2) by the m1 muscarinic receptor and the small GTPase Rho

Inwardly rectifying potassium channels Kir2.1–Kir2.3 are important regulators of membrane potential and, thus, control cellular excitability. However, little is known about the regulation of these channels. Therefore, we studied the mechanisms mediating the regulation of Kir2.1–Kir2.3 by the G-protein-coupled m1 muscarinic receptor using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique and recombinant expression in the tsA201 mammalian cell line. Stimulation of the m1 muscarinic receptor inhibited all subtypes of inward rectifier tested, Kir2.1–Kir2.3. The inhibition of each channel subtype was reversible and was attenuated by the muscarinic receptor antagonist, atropine. The protein kinase C activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) mimicked the effects of m1 receptor activation by inhibiting Kir2.1 currents. However, PMA had no effect on Kir2.2 or Kir2.3. Inclusion of 200-μM guanosine 5′-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (GDPβS) in the patch pipette solution prevented the effects of m1 muscarinic receptor stimulation on all three of the channel subtypes tested, confirming the mediation of the responses by G-proteins. Cotransfection with the activated mutant of the small GTPase Rho reduced current density, while C3 exoenzyme, a selective inhibitor of Rho, attenuated the m1 muscarinic receptor-induced inhibition of Kir2.1–Kir2.3. Also, buffering the intracellular calcium concentration with a high concentration of EGTA abolished the m1 receptor-induced inhibition of Kir2.1–Kir2.3, implicating a role for calcium in these responses. These results indicate that all three of the Kir2 channels are similarly inhibited by m1 muscarinic receptor stimulation through calcium-dependent activation of the small GTPase Rho.
VALUES EXPRESSED IN JUDGMENTS OF THE BEHAVIOR OF OTHERS

Three hundred students at each of four levels (grades, 4, 7, 10, 13) were asked to “tell about something a person did that made you like him better,” and about “something a person did that made you like him less.” The values expressed in these incidents were finally classified under six major headings, positive and negative, and each incident was assigned to one of these headings. The percentage of times each value was expressed was then tabulated by grade level, location (type of environment), sex, educational level of father, occupation of father, several measures of social adjustment and acceptance, frequency of church attendance, liking for church attendance, and verbal ability. The dominant impression left by these tables is that relatively few of these background variables made any significant difference. Out of 156 possibilities, 18 differences were found that were significant at the .01 level, 7 at the .02, and 6 at the .05; and of the 31 significant differences, 17 could be interpreted as artifacts of one sort or another, leaving only 14 that had any independent significance, all related to either grade in school (probably chronological age) or to sex. While the apparent uniformity as to types of values expressed was due in part to the coarseness of grouping of these values, the grouping was as fine as could be made reliably in two independent sortings of the same incidents, and without reducing the incidents in each cell to numbers too small to detect significance. Other differences were probably lost by the crudity of measurement of some of the background variables. Still, within the limitations of the present study, the dominant picture that emerges is that children of widely different background, social class, social acceptance, religious background, and the like judge the behavior of their peers by a remarkably uniform set of values.
Analysis of dielectric resonator cavities using the finite integration technique

Resonant modes in shielded dielectric resonators are studied by a numerical technique which yields the resonant frequencies, modal field distribution, and Q-factors of various resonant modes, including the hybrid modes. The technique uses field discretization by virtue of dual electric and magnetic grids and allows for a direct numerical solution of the integral form of Maxwell's equation for specified boundary conditions. The details of the matrix formulation are explained on an example of the cavity subdivided into a grid consisting of 3*3 electric cells. A modal field plot exhibiting a spiraling behavior has been observed. >