cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evolving knowledge and the precautionary principle

Abstract Existing formulations of the Precautionary Principle tend to be too weak or too strong. They are too weak if they limit themselves to rejecting, for policy purposes, the bias in scientific research toward minimization of Type I error. This position is already embodied in classical decision theory. They are too strong if they demand proof of safety on the part of producers of potentially hazardous products and processes; this would eliminate too many beneficial activities. An intermediate position is proposed: the function of precaution is to take into account what we do not know as well as what we do about the consequences of human activity. This leads to a meta-rule: decision-making is precautionary if unpredictable revisions in knowledge lead equally to unpredictable revisions in regulation. In the context of evolving knowledge about the ecological impacts of human activities, this implies a shift toward significantly greater protection.
Seasonal carbon and nitrogen accumulation in relation to net carbon dioxide exchange in a carbon dioxide-enriched soybean canopy

This study was initiated to validate this relationship experimentally by monitoring CE during a whole-season CO 2 -enrichment study on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. Forrest]. Dry weights of soybean grown in sunlit plant growth chambers in CO 2 concentrations ([CO 2 ]) of 330, 450, 600, or 800 μL L −1 were sampled at 25 d after emergence (DAE) and after physiological maturity. Photosynthetic rates (P) and respiration rates were calculated from CE rates measured at 0.25-h intervals, day and night, throughtout an entire season. The accuracy of CE measurements was tested by plotting gross P against [CO 2 ] at 28, 54, and 80 DAE (days when light flux density was at least 1300 μmol photons m −2 s −1 )
Remicade as TNF suppressor in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes.

Remicade, a chimeric human-murine monoclonal antibody capable of neutralizing tumor necrosis factor alpha was given to 37 low-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients in two cohorts; 5 and 10 mg/kg intravenously every 4 weeks for 4 cycles. Median age was 68 years, 33 had primary MDS, 14 had refractory anemia (RA), 14 RA with ringed sideroblasts, 9 RA with excess blasts. Nine patients stopped therapy prior to completing 4 cycles, 3 from cohort 1 and 6 from cohort 2 and response was evaluated using the International Working Group criteria in 28 patients who completed the 4 cycles. Six patients showed disease progression, 14 had stable disease and 8 showed hematologic responses, 3/15 (20%) in cohort 1 and 5/13 (38%) in cohort 2. Two patients had multi-lineage responses, 2 had > 100% increase in absolute neutrophils, I had > 1 gm/dl increase in hemoglobin, I had reduction in blasts from 7% to 1%, and 2 had minor cytogenetic responses ( > 50% reduction in + 8 and 20q-metaphases respectively). We conclude that Remicade may have a variety of activities in low risk MDS patients, is well tolerated with a high patient compliance, and may be considered for combination therapy in the future.
Heart Rate Variability analysis in normal infants and infants with single ventricle anatomy using power spectral density

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a measure of the magnitude of autonomic cardiac tone produced by sympathetic and parasympathetic innervations. Power spectral density estimates in adults use traditional low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) bands to assess HRV as an indicator of increased risk of cardiac mortality. Studies of altered HRV in infants suggest that classic methods need modification for application in the pediatric population. 24-hour ECG data was collected for 27 normal infants (Group I) and 26 infants with congenital heart defects (Group II) and analyzed in five-minute segments using the Lomb periodogram. Traditional adult frequency ranges were modified for expansion of the HF range and a significant difference was found in Group I and Group II infants. Congenital differences in sympathetic tone remain post-procedure and normal development of parasympathetic tone was not seen in infants with the single ventricle anatomy.
Improvement in borderline personality disorder in relationship to age

Objective It is commonly believed that some features of borderline personality disorder improve as individuals reach their late 30s and 40s. The current study examined age-related change in borderline criteria and functional impairment, testing the hypothesis that older age would be associated with relatively more improvement than younger age.
Cognitive approach to a human adaptive robot development

A robotic-aid system could be more effective if the system were intelligent enough to understand human needs and adapt its behaviors accordingly. This paper presents our efforts to realize such a robot that we call a cognitive robot through a multiagent-based cognitive robot architecture with three distinctive memory systems. Several applications illustrate how the system interacts with humans.
Ethical Considerations in Cancer Immunotherapy

Recent reports have clearly indicated a potential major role for immunotherapy in the management of malignant disease. However, the success of this novel approach raises a number of ethical concerns, including the unique toxicity associated with immunotherapeutic manipulations, difficulties associated with documenting efficacy in both the research and nonresearch settings, and the ethical justification for treating individual patients outside the confines of a clinical trial. This chapter briefly discusses the need to consider these questions in future deliberations regarding the role of immunotherapy in cancer management.
An expert decision support system for auditor 'going concern' evaluations

A prototype expert system which emulates the process of combining a series of objective and subjective assessments to reach a likelihood of failure of nonfailure of a business entity is reported. Rules are based on official auditing standards and on interviews with auditing experts. Case studies were used to validate the model. >
Cohort Analysis of Online Travel Information Search Behavior: 1995-2000:

The objective of this study was to distinguish changes in online travel information search behavior among generational (baby boomer and Generation X) cohorts between 1995 and 2000. Although significant increases in travel information search behavior were found across all cohorts between the two periods, the study also found that older baby boomer cohorts reported greater increases in the likelihood of travel information search behavior than Generation Xers at large. This empirically validates the notion that boomers adopted the Internet earlier than traditionally assumed. The study provides explanatory detail using a synthesis of literature across the areas of technology adoption theory, e-commerce, and sociology. The findings provide an evolutionary perspective of online travel information search behavior among and within generational cohorts. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Perspectives for computational modeling of cell replacement for neurological disorders

Mathematical modeling of anatomically-constrained neural networks has provided significant insights regarding the response of networks to neurological disorders or injury. A logical extension of these models is to incorporate treatment regimens to investigate network responses to intervention. The addition of nascent neurons from stem cell precursors into damaged or diseased tissue has been used as a successful therapeutic tool in recent decades. Interestingly, models have been developed to examine the incorporation of new neurons into intact adult structures, particularly the dentate granule neurons of the hippocampus. These studies suggest that the unique properties of maturing neurons, can impact circuit behavior in unanticipated ways. In this perspective, we review the current status of models used to examine damaged CNS structures with particular focus on cortical damage due to stroke. Secondly, we suggest that computational modeling of cell replacement therapies can be made feasible by implementing approaches taken by current models of adult neurogenesis. The development of these models is critical for generating hypotheses regarding transplant therapies and improving outcomes by tailoring transplants to desired effects.
A new high performance designer of optimal defibrillation experiments

The Bayesian method of designing minimum root-mean-square (RMS) error defibrillation experiments to estimate the ED95 was implemented in a high performance program. The ED95 is the shock energy which will fibrillate 95% of the time. This program was organized and optimized to minimize computer time. The program was then used to determine the sensitivity of the Bayesian method to the size of retrospective sample data sets, which are used to determine the distribution of the ED95s in the population. Maximum likelihood techniques were used to obtain prior knowledge about the distribution of ED95s in the human population from defibrillation shock data. From the resulting designs for each patient sample size, it was determined that three patients form a sufficiently large retrospective sample data set to design minimum RMS error defibrillation experiments for estimating the ED95. >
Is Expected Utility Theory Normative for Medical Decision Making

Expected utility theory is felt by its proponents to be a normative theory of decision making under uncertainty. The theory starts with some simple axioms that are held to be rules that any rational person would follow. It can be shown that if one adheres to these axioms, a numerical quantity, generally referred to as utility, can be assigned to each possible outcome, with the preferred course of action being that which has the highest expected utility. One of these axioms, the independence principle, is controversial, and is frequently violated in experimental situations. Proponents of the theory hold that these violations are irrational. The independence principle is simply an axiom dictating consistency among preferences, in that it dictates that a rational agent should hold a specified preference given another stated preference. When applied to preferences between lotteries, the independence principle can be demonstrated to be a rule that is followed only when preferences are formed in a particular way. The logic of expected utility theory is that this demonstration proves that preferences should be formed in this way. An alternative interpretation is that this demonstrates that the independence principle is not a valid general rule of consistency, but in particular, is a rule that must be followed if one is to consistently apply the decision rule "choose the lottery that has the highest expected utility." This decision rule must be justified on its own terms as a valid rule of rationality by demonstration that violation would lead to decisions that conflict with the decision maker's goals. This rule does not appear to be suitable for medical decisions because often these are one-time decisions in which expectation, a long-run property of a random variable, would not seem to be applicable. This is particularly true for those decisions involving a non-trivial risk of death.
To extract or not to extract: a diagnostic decision, not a marketing decision.

ry Evidence-based treatment is certainly the dir tion that modern orthodontics should be taki But unfortunately much orthodontic resear evidence is being ignored because of profit consi ations, ease of treatment, and marketing efforts. frequently, we allow the orthodontic companies their spokespeople to dictate our appliances, treatm plans, and biomechanics. It is bad enough when s ments such as “full dentition yields a full smile, a profile and, for most people, better midface supp appear in advertising claims. It is worse when the published without supporting evidence beyond selec case reports, and it completely undermines evidenc based orthodontics. Is this supposed to mean that no traction treatment is always better than extractions, more stable, and healthier for the periodontal tissues, improves the profile and facial appearance? Let’s amine those claims from an evidence-based persp tive. Facial appearance is always a consideration w planning orthodontic treatment. Many factors affect including genetic makeup, environmental influence and cultural background. 2 How extractions vs arc expansion affects facial appearance is a major con for orthodontists. Does extraction therapy result in p facial appearance? Does nonextraction treatment res in a prettier face? Recently, Is iksal et al 3 compared smile esthetics o extraction and nonextraction patients and a con group. This research is timely because some pract ners believe that extractions result in large bu corridors that are detrimental to the smile. In that s the smiles were evaluated by 10 orthodontists, plastic surgeons, 10 general dentists, 10 artists, and patients. They concluded that there was no differenc
Spatial Control of Condensate Droplets on Superhydrophobic Surfaces

Super-bi-philic surfaces have been fabricated and characterized using environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) to demonstrate spatial control of microscale droplets during condensation. The surfaces are composed of biotemplated nickel nanostructures based on the self assembly and metalization of the Tobacco mosaic virus. They are then functionalized using vapor-phase deposition of trichlorosilane, and lithographically patterned to create engineered nucleation sites. The resulting surfaces are primarily superhydrophobic (θ ≈ 170°) with arrays of superhydrophilic islands (θ ≈ 0°) with diameters of 3 μm and center-to-center pitches varying from 10 – 50 μm. During condensation the superhydrophilic islands promote nucleation resulting in spatial control of the condensate, which forms into ordered rectangular arrays (a,b). This spatial control has been shown to produce efficient jumping-mode condensation for pitches greater than 15 μm, as well as promote multi-droplet events (c). Additionally, super-bi-philic surfaces have been shown to delay the transition to a flooded state at high supersaturations, as compared to superhydrophobic designs.
Feminist Dilemmas In Fieldwork

Feminist Dilemmas In Fieldwork. DIANE L. WOLF, ed. Albany, NY and Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1996. xiv + 226 pp., notes, references, contributors.
Prejudice and Racism, Year 2008—Still Going Strong: Research on Reducing Prejudice With Recommended Methodological Advances

This article addresses the origins, mechanisms, and expressions of prejudice. A selective review of research finds strong support for the validity of G. W. Allport's (1954) contact hypothesis conditions in reducing prejudice. Methodological advances in the study of prejudice are reviewed, and implications of research findings for counselors are explored.
Rheology of Silicon Carbide/Vinyl Ester Nanocomposites

Silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles with no surface treatment raise the viscosity of a vinyl ester resin much more intensely than micrometer-size SiC particles. An effective dispersant generally causes a reduction in the resin viscosity attributed to its surface-active properties and thereby increases the maximum fraction of particles that can be introduced. This article assesses the rheological behavior of SiC-nanoparticle-filled vinyl ester resin systems with the Bingham, power-law, Herschel–Bulkley, and Casson models. The maximum particle loading corresponding to infinite viscosity has been determined to be a 0.1 volume fraction with the (1 − η r −1/2)–ϕ dependence (where η r is the relative viscosity and ϕ is the particle volume fraction). The optimum fractional weight percentage of the dispersants (wt % dispersant/wt % SiC) is around 40% for 30-nm SiC nanoparticles, which is much higher than 1–3% for micrometer-size particles. SiC nanoparticles at a concentration of 9.2 wt % (0.03 volume fraction) cause a fourfold increase in the resin viscosity. The addition of a dispersant at the optimum dosage lowers the viscosity of SiC/vinyl ester suspensions by 50%. The reduction in the viscosity is substantial to improve the processability of SiC/vinyl ester nanocomposites.
UNDERSTANDING TEST‐TYPE ASSIGNMENT: WHY DO SPECIAL EDUCATORS MAKE UNEXPECTED TEST‐TYPE ASSIGNMENTS?

We interviewed special educators (a) whose students with disabilities (SWDs) were proficient on the 2008 general education assessment but were assigned to the 2009 alternate assessment based on modified achievement standards (AA-MAS), and (b) whose students with mild disabilities took the 2008 alternate assessment based on alternate achievement standards (AA-AAS) and then the 2009 AA-MAS. We explored teachers’ rationales for test-type assignment, student characteristics, and quality of instruction to determine the test-type decisions’ appropriateness. All teachers based their decisions on combinations of factors in the guidelines plus subjective and noninstructional factors. Findings raised concerns about the subjectivity of the assessment assignment system and the inappropriate grade-level instruction for SWDs. Future research, implications of these findings, and limitations are discussed.
Long-term alteration of calcium homeostatic mechanisms in the pilocarpine model of temporal lobe epilepsy

The pilocarpine model of temporal lobe epilepsy is an animal model that shares many of the clinical and pathophysiological characteristics of temporal lobe or limbic epilepsy in humans. This model of acquired epilepsy produces spontaneous recurrent seizure discharges following an initial brain injury produced by pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus. Understanding the molecular mechanisms mediating these long lasting changes in neuronal excitability would provide an important insight into developing new strategies for the treatment and possible prevention of this condition. Our laboratory has been studying the role of alterations in calcium and calcium-dependent systems in mediating some of the long-term neuroplasticity changes associated with epileptogenesis. In this study, [Ca(2+)](i) imaging fluorescence microscopy was performed on CA1 hippocampal neurons acutely isolated from control and chronically epileptic animals at 1 year after the induction of epileptogenesis with two different fluorescent dyes (Fura-2 and Fura-FF) having high and low affinities for [Ca(2+)](i). The high affinity Ca(2+) indicator Fura-2 was utilized to evaluate [Ca(2+)](i) levels up to 900 nM and the low affinity indicator Fura-FF was employed for evaluating [Ca(2+)](i) levels above this range. Baseline [Ca(2+)](i) levels and the ability to restore resting [Ca(2+)](i) levels after a brief exposure to several glutamate concentrations in control and epileptic neurons were evaluated. Epileptic neurons demonstrated a statistically significantly higher baseline [Ca(2+)](i) level in comparison to age-matched control animals. This alteration in basal [Ca(2+)](i) levels persisted up to 1 year after the induction of epileptogenesis. In addition, the epileptic neurons were unable to rapidly restore [Ca(2+)](i) levels to baseline following the glutamate-induced [Ca(2+)](i) loads. These changes in Ca(2+) regulation were not produced by a single seizure and were not normalized by controlling the seizures in the epileptic animals with anticonvulsant treatment. Peak [Ca(2+)](i) levels in response to different concentrations of glutamate were the same in both epileptic and control neurons. Thus, glutamate produced the same initial [Ca(2+)](i) load in both epileptic and control neurons. Characterization of the viability of acutely isolated neurons from control and epileptic animals utilizing standard techniques to identify apoptotic or necrotic neurons demonstrated that epileptic neurons had no statistically significant difference in viability compared to age-matched controls. These results provide the first direct measurement of [Ca(2+)](i) levels in an intact model of epilepsy and indicate that epileptogenesis in this model produced long-lasting alterations in [Ca(2+)](i) homeostatic mechanisms that persist for up to 1 year after induction of epileptogenesis. These observations suggest that altered [Ca(2+)](i) homeostatic mechanisms may underlie some aspects of the epileptic phenotype and contribute to the persistent neuroplasticity changes associated with epilepsy.
THE SYSTEMATICS AND ONTOGENY OF PYRGOPOSTIBULLA BELLI, A NEW EDRIOASTEROID (ECHINODERMATA) FROM THE LOWER DEVONIAN OF NEW YORK

Postibullinid edrioasteroids are a small clade of discoidal edrioasteroids that are locally common members of Devonian to Pennsylvanian, shallow marine, hard substrate faunas in North America and Europe. A small discoidal theca, narrow, highly elevated ambulacral cover plates, a highly elevated anal pyramid, and in many forms a posterior oral protuberance characterize this clade (Bell, 1976b; Sumrall et al., 2000). Here we describe the oldest known postibullinid, Pyrgopostibulla belli n. gen. and sp., a species that differs from other postibullinids by having a well-developed pedunculate zone and a complex, five-plate pattern of ambulacral cover plates. A dense population of these edrioasteroids preserved at a single stratigraphic horizon provides a census sample of individuals that were killed as a part of a final and abrupt burial pulse on this Lower Devonian hardground (Cornell et al., 2003). As such, this case study provides insight into the ontogeny and colonization strategies of isorophinid edrioasteroids. #### Stratigraphy and geological setting The hardground bearing Pyrgopostibulla belli occurs in the lower submember of the Thacher Member of the Manlius Formation. The Thacher Member comprises the lowest unit of the Lower Devonian Helderberg Group (Fig. 1). While there has been some controversy concerning the exact age of the Thacher Member (see Matteson et al., 1996), most workers accept this unit is of Earliest Devonian (Lochkovian) age based on conodonts (Rickard, 1975). The Thacher Member represents the initial portion of a marine transgression, superimposed on the final phases of the Tippecanoe (Tutelo Phase) Megasequence (Sloss, 1963). In eastern New York State, the Thacher Member is composed mainly of shallow water “ribbon” limestones (dark blue-gray, fine-grained calcisiltite); a number of hardgrounds occur on the upper surfaces of these beds. The edrioasteroid-bearing hardground occurs near the top of a small-scale shallowing-upward cycle, near the top of the lower division of the Thacher Member (Fig. …
The Management of Invasive Plants in the United States: Are Scientists Providing What Managers Need?1

Abstract The link between science and management of invasive plants in natural areas appears to be the strongest at the “field crew” level, with historically high levels of research on control materials and methods, survey techniques, and monitoring strategies, and with a high rate of incorporation of science into field practices. Less scientific support is given to higher level managers, for example, those managing a whole ecosystem while attempting to determine invasive weed priorities. Although whole-ecosystem management concepts (e.g., adaptive management, integrated pest management) may be supported individually by a great deal of field research and careful thought, scientists have not conducted the experimental studies necessary to compare outcomes and provide practical means of implementation. In other words, the “science of management” in readily implementable form has not reached the upper levels of resource managers. The link between science and management may be the weakest where decisions are ...
Central noradrenergic system modulates plasma interleukin-6 production by peripheral interleukin-1

The role of the central noradrenergic system in systemic interleukin-6 (IL-6) production induced by intravenously administered recombinant human interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) was examined in rats. Pretreatment of rats intracerebroventricularly with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA, 100 or 200 micrograms/rat) significantly attenuated the increase in plasma IL-6 levels caused by IL-1 beta (2 micrograms/kg i.v.). A modest inhibition of the IL-1 beta-induced plasma IL-6 production was observed following pretreatment with prazosin (20 micrograms/rat i.c.v.) but not after administration of idazoxan or propranolol. There were no significant increases in the IL-6 content in the hypothalamus, medulla oblongata, and cortex of the brain after intravenous IL-1 beta. Adrenalectomy produced an augmented plasma IL-6 response to intravenous IL-1 beta, whereas chemical sympathectomy with intraperitoneal injection of 6-OHDA (50 or 100 mg/kg) decreased the IL-1 beta-induced plasma IL-6 levels. Nor-epinephrine (NE), in the dose range 10(-6)-10(-4) M, significantly increased the IL-6 levels in the rat spleen lymphocyte culture media. At doses of 10(-9)-10(-7) M, NE enhanced the effect of IL-1 beta on the IL-6 release by spleen lymphocytes in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that the plasma IL-6 response to intravenous IL-1 beta is partially mediated through the activation of the central noradrenergic system and a consequent increase in the sympathetic outflow to the peripheral tissues and that the NE released from the sympathetic terminals may function as a mediator and/or modulator to facilitate the synthesis/release of IL-6 in the sympathetic nerve-innervated organs.
Maltreatment and developmental disabilities in children.

The purpose of this review is to explore the interactive influences of maltreatment and disabilities on children's development, and to provide practical suggestions about what may be done to optimize developmental outcomes. The review briefly describes maltreatment in the general population, noting incidence, proportions of children experiencing different types of maltreatment, and special risk for very young children. The disproportionate vulnerability of children with developmental disabilities is discussed, with emphasis on risk factors for maltreatment. The high incidence of developmental disabilities in maltreated children and reasons for it are described. Studies documenting the developmental consequences of abuse and neglect are reviewed. Specific recommendations, based on review of maltreatment and disability literature, include recognizing subtle forms of maltreatment; routinely screening for developmental problems; referring children for comprehensive multidisciplinary evaluation; identifying caregiver competency; gaining familiarity with intervention resources; and monitoring children's progress with directive guidance.
Heidegger’s Breakdown: Health and Healing Under the Care of Dr. V.E. von Gebsattel

In 1946 Heidegger suffered a mental breakdown and received treatment by Dr. Viktor Emil Freiherr von Gebsattel. I explore the themes of health and help in Heidegger’s work before and after his treatment. I begin with Heidegger’s views on health while Rector in 1933–34 (1) and his abandonment of these views by war’s end (2). A short while later, Heidegger’s breakdown occurs and the treatment under Gebsattel begins (3). Soon after his treatment, Heidegger lauds what he terms a “broken-down” thinking, and I examine his contribution to a 1958 Festschrift for Gebsattel to better articulate such a thinking (4). Lastly, I take up Heidegger’s remarks on the role of the medical profession in a technological age from a 1962 speech (5). In presenting this material, I hope to shed new light on a little known aspect of Heidegger’s career and biography and to situate philosophically his relationship with Dr. Gebsattel.
Practicing Motherhood When the Definition of “Family” Is Ambiguous

Even in a city where exemplars of maternal virtue were abundant, Anna Colonna Barberini (1601–58) stands apart from her peers.1 Her heroic attention to dynastic interests and her devotion to her husband and her children were intertwined with her enthusiasms for Catholic Reformation piety, a tangle of commitments that she reinvented throughout her life. As the wife of Taddeo Barberini (1603–47), nephew of Pope Urban VIII (Maffeo Barberini, r.1623–44), her experiences incorporated all the intense demands that could be brought to bear upon a mother of her stature (Figures 1.1 and 1.2). She served brilliantly as the nexus between the Colonna and Barberini dynasties, expanding the connections between them for the benefit of both. Since she was the wife of the pope’s nephew, she played an important public role in Rome, receiving dignitaries on behalf of the pontiff, writing letters, and reciprocating visits to other aristocratic families.2 From the late 1620s through the 1640s, she also faced the burdens of childbearing and the rearing of her four children who survived the perils of infancy. Mothering consumed her days, caused her anxiety and simultaneously inspired her affections. When the Barberini fell under intense scrutiny after the death of Urban VIII in 1644, Anna remained in Rome as the beleaguered family’s staunch defender while the Barberini men sought safety by fleeing to Paris. She was the mater litigans par excellence, left to save what the men of the Barberini dynasty were in no position to defend.
A Generalized Mixture Framework for Multi-label Classification.

We develop a novel probabilistic ensemble framework for multi-label classification that is based on the mixtures-of-experts architecture. In this framework, we combine multi-label classification models in the classifier chains family that decompose the class posterior distribution P(Y1, …, Yd |X) using a product of posterior distributions over components of the output space. Our approach captures different input-output and output-output relations that tend to change across data. As a result, we can recover a rich set of dependency relations among inputs and outputs that a single multi-label classification model cannot capture due to its modeling simplifications. We develop and present algorithms for learning the mixtures-of-experts models from data and for performing multi-label predictions on unseen data instances. Experiments on multiple benchmark datasets demonstrate that our approach achieves highly competitive results and outperforms the existing state-of-the-art multi-label classification methods.
The Subtemporal Approach to Retroinfundibular Craniopharyngiomas: A New Look at an Old Approach.

Background Retrochiasmatic, retroinfundibular craniopharyngiomas are surgically challenging tumors. Anterolateral, posterolateral, and endoscopic endonasal approaches represent the most commonly used techniques to access these tumors, but all require an extensive exposure time, and each has its own risks and limitations. The subtemporal approach is a well-known neurosurgical approach that is rarely described for craniopharyngiomas. Objective To assess the feasibility, advantages, and disadvantages of a subtemporal approach for craniopharyngiomas. Methods Five patients with retrochiasmatic craniopharyngiomas where the majority of the tumor extended behind the dorsal clival line underwent a subtemporal approach for resection. Extent of resection, degree of temporal lobe injury, visual and endocrine outcomes, and time to recurrence were analyzed. Results Average tumor volume was 6.4 cm3. Near-total resection was achieved in 80% (4/5) and subtotal in 20% (1/5). All patients had stable or improved vision. There was 1 new permanent endocrine deficiency. Minimal temporal lobe edema was observed in 80% (4/5) of patients. Three patients required postoperative radiation. Conclusion The subtemporal approach represents a feasible approach for retrochiasmatic, retroinfundibular craniopharyngiomas when gross total resection is not mandatory. It provides rapid access to the tumor and a caudal-to-cranial visualization that promotes minimal manipulation of critical neurovascular structures, particularly the optic apparatus.
Bariatric surgery for obesity-associated decline in kidney function: filling the knowledge gap?

Chang et al. (2016) report a significantly lower risk of decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate among obese adults who underwent bariatric surgery compared with a matched nonsurgical cohort. In this propensity-matched analysis, data on confounding variables such as albuminuria, psychosocial, and medical conditions that precluded surgery in the comparator arm and health insurance are lacking. Furthermore, creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate is not an accurate measure of kidney function after intentional weight loss. Although the study is interesting, physicians need to carefully weigh the risks versus benefits of bariatric surgery among obese adults at risk of kidney disease.
Normal Language: The Necessary Reference

The objective of this chapter is to reanalyze the language factors considered in previous stuttering research, bringing into focus: (1) interrelationships among the several variables; (2) consideration of matters overlooked in previous research; and (3) appropriate attention to the two variables that have been largely disregarded—word-initial position and word stress. Developing this analysis will require, as the necessary reference, relevant data from research in the structure of normal language use; a reference that has been routinely neglected.
Effect of Head Position on Intraocular Pressure During Lumbar Spine Fusion: A Randomized, Prospective Study.

Background: Ischemic optic neuropathy resulting in visual loss is a rare but devastating complication of spine surgery. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) results in decreased perfusion and possibly ischemic optic neuropathy. We performed a randomized, prospective trial to evaluate the effect of head positioning on IOP during lumbar spine fusion. Methods: The study included fifty-two patients treated at one institution. Inclusion criteria were a lumbar spine fusion and an age of eighteen to eighty years. Exclusion criteria were a diagnosis of tumor, infection, or traumatic injury or a history of eye disease, ocular surgery, cervical spine surgery, chronic neck pain, or cervical stenosis. The control group underwent the surgery with the head in neutral and the face parallel to the level operating room table whereas, in the experimental group, the neck was extended so that the face had a 10° angle of inclination in relation to the table. IOP measurements were recorded along with the corresponding blood pressure and PCO2 values at the same time points. The primary outcome measure was the change in intraocular pressure (ΔIOP, defined as the maximum IOP minus the initial IOP). Results: Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used for categorical risk factors, and regression analysis was used for continuous risk factors. The mean ΔIOP, corrected for duration of surgery, was significantly (p = 0.0074) lower in the group treated with the head elevated than it was in the group treated with the head in neutral (difference between the two groups, 4.53 mm Hg [95% confidence interval, 1.29 to 7.79 mm Hg]). No patient sustained visual loss or any cervical-spine-related complications. Conclusions: Head elevation for adult lumbar spine fusion performed with the patient prone resulted in significantly lower IOP measurements than those seen when the operation was done with the patient’s head in neutral. As lower IOP correlates with increased optic nerve perfusion, this intervention could mitigate the risk of perioperative blindness after spine surgery done with the patient prone. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Children Discover Addition More Easily and Faster than Deletion

Kindergarten and second grade children discovered items added to pictures more often and faster than items deleted from pictures. In Experiments 1a and 1b children experienced either four addition problems then four deletion problems, or four deletion problems then four addition problems. The problems were presented with pairs of pictures containing animals, children, adults, and things. Addition problems had an item added to the second picture; deletion problems had an item deleted from the second picture. In Experiment 2, children in one condition were instructed to name the important objects in the first picture of each problem. In another condition children were given a list of the important objects in the first picture of each problem by the experimenter. Control groups were not asked to create a list, nor given a list of the important objects. Children in the condition in which they named the objects performed superiorly to the children in the other conditions.
Spoken word recognition in children with autism spectrum disorder: The role of visual disengagement

Deficits in visual disengagement are one of the earliest emerging differences in infants who are later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Although researchers have speculated that deficits in visual disengagement could have negative effects on the development of children with autism spectrum disorder, we do not know which skills are disrupted or how this disruption takes place. As a first step in understanding this issue, this study investigated the relationship between visual disengagement and a critical skill in early language development: spoken word recognition. Participants were 18 children with autism spectrum disorder (aged 4-7 years). Consistent with our predictions, children with poorer visual disengagement were slower and less accurate to process familiar words; disengagement explained over half of the variance in spoken word recognition. Visual disengagement remained uniquely associated with spoken word recognition after accounting for children's vocabulary size and age. These findings align with a recently proposed developmental model in which poor visual disengagement decreases the speed and accuracy of real-time spoken word recognition in children with autism spectrum disorder-which, in turn, may negatively affect their language development.
Numerical Considerations for Lagrangian Stochastic Dispersion Models: Eliminating Rogue Trajectories, and the Importance of Numerical Accuracy

When Lagrangian stochastic models for turbulent dispersion are applied to complex atmospheric flows, some type of ad hoc intervention is almost always necessary to eliminate unphysical behaviour in the numerical solution. Here we discuss numerical strategies for solving the non-linear Langevin-based particle velocity evolution equation that eliminate such unphysical behaviour in both Reynolds-averaged and large-eddy simulation applications. Extremely large or ‘rogue’ particle velocities are caused when the numerical integration scheme becomes unstable. Such instabilities can be eliminated by using a sufficiently small integration timestep, or in cases where the required timestep is unrealistically small, an unconditionally stable implicit integration scheme can be used. When the generalized anisotropic turbulence model is used, it is critical that the input velocity covariance tensor be realizable, otherwise unphysical behaviour can become problematic regardless of the integration scheme or size of the timestep. A method is presented to ensure realizability, and thus eliminate such behaviour. It was also found that the numerical accuracy of the integration scheme determined the degree to which the second law of thermodynamics or ‘well-mixed condition’ was satisfied. Perhaps more importantly, it also determined the degree to which modelled Eulerian particle velocity statistics matched the specified Eulerian distributions (which is the ultimate goal of the numerical solution). It is recommended that future models be verified by not only checking the well-mixed condition, but perhaps more importantly by checking that computed Eulerian statistics match the Eulerian statistics specified as inputs.
Pediatric asthma management.

In the September 2011 issue of Respiratory Care, Myers and Tomasio provide an excellent review of current asthma management and pathophysiology in their article titled “Asthma: 2015 and Beyond.”[1][1] In the section regarding emergency department (ED) treatment the authors assert that it's
The Role of Retinal Carotenoids and Age on Neuroelectric Indices of Attentional Control among Early to Middle-Aged Adults.

One apparent consequence of aging appears to be loss of some aspects of cognitive control. This loss is measurable as early as mid-adulthood. Since, like many aspects of cognition, there is wide variance among individuals, it is possible that behavior, such as one’s diet, could drive some of these differences. For instance, past data on older humans and non-human primates have suggested that dietary carotenoids could slow cognitive decline. In this study, we tested how early such protection might manifest by examining a sample (n = 60) of 25-45 year olds. Carotenoid status was assessed by directly measuring macular pigment optical density (MPOD) which has shown to be highly correlated with the primary carotenoid in brain, lutein. Cognitive control was measured using event-related potentials during the performance of cognitive control tasks designed to tap into different aspects of attentional (i.e., selective attention, attentional inhibition, and response inhibition) control. Our results showed that, across participants, MPOD was related to both age and the P3 component of participants’ neuroelectric profile (P3 amplitude) for attentional, but not response, inhibition. Although younger adults exhibited larger P3 amplitudes than their older adult counterparts, older subjects with higher MPOD levels displayed P3 indices similar to their younger adult counterparts in amplitude. Furthermore, hierarchical regression analyses showed that age was no longer a significant predictor of P3 amplitude when MPOD was included as a predictor in the model, suggesting that MPOD may partially contribute to the relationship between age and P3 amplitude. In addition, age and MPOD were shown to have independent associations with intraindividual variability of attentional control, such that younger individuals and individuals with higher MPOD showed less intraindividual variability. These results show a relationship between retinal carotenoids and neuroelectric indices underlying cognitive control. The protective role of carotenoids within the CNS may be evident during early and middle adulthood, decades prior to the onset of older age.
Duration of Tonic Immobility In Lizards (Anolis Carolinensis) as a Function of Repeated Immobilization, Frequent Handling, and Laboratory Maintenance

Research has shown that chickens given repeated elicitations of the tonic immobility reaction, an habituation procedure, show larger decrements in duration of tonic immobility on a subsequent test trial than do either birds given simple handling or naive animals. The present study attempted to replicate this finding with another animal commonly used in studies of tonic immobility, the anole lizard (Anolis carolinensis). Experiment 1 employed the between-groups design used in previous studies and failed to detect differences among the three treatments (habituated, handled, and naive) in duration of immobility. A second experiment used a within-subjects measure of immobility duration to demonstrate that the habituation procedure and simple handling produce similar decrements in duration of immobility. The final experiment demonstrated that anoles maintained in a group-living situation, with some daily exposure to humans, also show reliable decrements in duration of immobility. These results are congruent with those obtained by Boice and Williams (1971) with frogs (Rana pipiens).
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-induced toxic leukoencephalopathy: a case report

In recent years, ecstasy has become a very popular recreational drug. To date, very little data is available regarding its toxic side effects. Specifically, reports relating ecstasy use to the clin...
Friction stir lap welding of stainless steel and plain carbon steel to enhance corrosion properties

Abstract Friction stir lap welding-a precursor to the friction stir cladding- stainless steel on plain carbon steel was attempted. Refined microstructure with fully recrystallized austenitic grains with ∼3 μm grain size and intermixing with base steel sample resulted in defect free lap weld. The pin affected region of the base carbon steel resulted in grain refinement from initial grain size of 8 μm to 2 μm. The microhardness values across the joint line showed stable values of ∼250 HV on the stainless steel side and ∼200 HV on the carbon steel side. Lap shear tests showed consistent load bearing capacity of ∼7 kN for the stainless steel-carbon steel joint. The weld between stainless steel and carbon steel showed 100% joint efficiency with similar yield strength of ∼440 MPa as the base steel sample and with an increase in ultimate tensile strength to ∼600 MPa as compared to ∼500 MPa for the base steel sample. The failure of clad tensile samples occurred in the base steel plate. Corrosion characterization of the clad surface was conducted in 3.5 wt.% sodium chloride solution. The potentiodynamic polarization showed positive corrosion potentials with a large passive range of ∼500 mV for the clad surface and a decrease in corrosion rates by more than an order as compared to the base steel sample. The friction stir lap welded stainless showed similar electrochemical properties as of the base stainless steel sheet.
Borromean Entanglement of the GHZ State

In this paper, I will point out some curious connections between entangled quantum states and classical knot configurations. In particular, I will show that the entanglement of the particles in a Greenberger-Horne-Zeilingerl (GHZ) state is modelled by a set of interlinked rings known as the Borromean rings. It is widely acknowledged that the non-local properties of multiparticle quantum states (such as the GHZ state) derive from their entanglement. By the entanglement of a multiparticle state, I mean simply that the wave function of the state cannot be written as a product of wave functions of the individual particles. Now one of the images conjured up by the term “entanglement” is that of a tangled collection of strings. This led me to enquire whether there might be any similarities between the entanglement of quantum particles and the entanglement of loops of string, or whether the expectation of such a connection is completely far-fetched.
The Politics of Exclusion: Explaining Anti-Immigration Attitudes in Africa

Does political competition shape attitudes toward immigration? We examine the political conditions under which individuals are more likely to oppose immigration. Using multilevel regression analysis with survey data from African countries, we find evidence that opposition to immigration is more likely among individuals in African countries that are more democratic, that have dominant party systems, and when the survey is conducted close to a national election. These results provide empirical support for the notion that attitudes toward immigration are shaped in part by political competition. Our analysis also shows that the African experience contradicts previous research from other regions. Specifically, opposition to immigration is more likely in African countries with higher levels of economic development and higher levels of ethnic diversity. In the end, these findings suggest a need to re-think broader comparative theories about immigration attitudes and to give greater attention to political factors.
Prolonged use of intravenous isoniazid and rifampin.

We present a case of a 55-year-old woman requiring prolonged therapy with intravenous isoniazid and rifampin secondary to extensive bowel disease. We believe that this is the first U.S. report of a patient receiving both medications by the iv route. After months of therapy the patient has not experienced side effects secondary to this route of administration. We believe that iv isoniazid and rifampin provides a safe alternative method of delivery when clinical situations dictate this route.