cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sonography before, during, and after TIPS

Before transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS), sonography is used to identify patients with unsuitable hepatic and portal venous anatomy and to plan the procedure for those with suitable anatomy. Specifically, sonography is used to assess the size and morphology of the liver parenchyma, to detect hepatic masses, cysts, or biliary ductal dilatation, and to evaluate the hepatic vasculature for patency and direction of flow. A survey of the abdomen also will show the amount of ascites and the location of the liver relative to external landmarks. During TIPS, sonography may be used to facilitate atraumatic entry into the internal jugular vein or to guide puncture of the portal vein. After TIPS, routine sonography is used to detect shunt dysfunction. We routinely image patients at 24 hours, 3 months, 6 months, and every 6 months thereafter. Three findings most suggestive of shunt malfunction that prompt further investigation by shunt venography are (1) absent Doppler flow within the shunt, (2) peak flow velocity in the midshunt of 50 cm/sec or less, (3) reversal of flow direction in the intrahepatic portal vein branches from hepatofugal to hepatopetal.
Regulation of the Escherichia coli HipBA toxin-antitoxin system by proteolysis.

Bacterial populations produce antibiotic-tolerant persister cells. A number of recent studies point to the involvement of toxin/antitoxin (TA) modules in persister formation. hipBA is a type II TA module that codes for the HipB antitoxin and the HipA toxin. HipA is an EF-Tu kinase, which causes protein synthesis inhibition and dormancy upon phosphorylation of its substrate. Antitoxins are labile proteins that are degraded by one of the cytosolic ATP-dependent proteases. We followed the rate of HipB degradation in different protease deficient strains and found that HipB was stabilized in a lon- background. These findings were confirmed in an in vitro degradation assay, showing that Lon is the main protease responsible for HipB proteolysis. Moreover, we demonstrated that degradation of HipB is dependent on the presence of an unstructured carboxy-terminal stretch of HipB that encompasses the last 16 amino acid residues. Further, substitution of the conserved carboxy-terminal tryptophan of HipB to alanine or even the complete removal of this 16 residue fragment did not alter the affinity of HipB for hipBA operator DNA or for HipA indicating that the major role of this region of HipB is to control HipB degradation and hence HipA-mediated persistence.
Broiler skin color as affected by organic acids: influence of concentration and method of application

Color of broiler skin was evaluated after exposure to organic acids under various concentrations and simulated potential plant application conditions. Breast skin from chilled broiler carcasses was treated with acetic (AA), citric (CA), lactic (LA), malic (ML), mandelic (MN), propionic (PA), or tartaric (TA) acids at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 6% concentrations. Each acid and concentration was applied in simulated dip (23 C for 15 s), scalder (50 C for 2 min), and immersion chiller (1 C for 60 min) conditions. A tap water control was included with each application method. Objective color values of L* (lightness), a* (redness), and b* (yellowness) were measured before and after the treatments to calculate color differentials under a factorial arrangement of organic acids and concentrations. Skin lightness increased (P < 0.01) in simulated chiller as compared to dip and scalder applications. Skin redness was reduced significantly in scalder, and yellowness in dip and scalder applications, respectively. In simulated dip application, with the exception of PA, all acids decreased lightness and increased redness and yellowness values. Propionic acid had little affect on lightness and redness values, but decreased yellowness values. In simulated scalder application, with the exception of PA, all acids decreased lightness with increasing concentration. The redness values changed little in scalder application. However, yellowness values were increased with all acids, except for PA, which decreased yellowness values. In simulated chiller conditions, all acids, except for PA, decreased lightness and redness and increased yellowness values. Propionic acid increased lightness and decreased yellowness values significantly in chiller conditions. Alterations in skin color should be taken into account in the selection and application of organic acids as carcass disinfectants.
Tubular banded gastric bypass for the treatment of extreme obesity (triple obesity)

LGB. Some BMI investigators raised the limit to BMI 70 and reported feasibility of BMI laparoscopic approach in patients with lesser BMI. Methods: LGB was performed with 5 ports and Nathanson retractor technique. Length of the Roux limb was based on BMI 50 (50 cm) and 50 (150 cm). Retrocolic, retrogastric gastrojejunostomy was constructed with articulating Endo-GIA 45/3.5 stapler and 2.0 Surgidac Endostitch with outer layer being handsewn. Intraoperative endoscopy was routinely used to verify patency and integrity of anastomosis. Results: Of 599 patients, 78 (13%) had a BMI of 60–100.3 (average BMI 66.9; weight 185.6 kg) and were included in the study group. Remaining 521 patients with BMI 36–59.9 (average BMI 48.5; weight 138.1 kg) constituted control group. There were no significant differences in age, gender and comorbidities distribution between groups. Conversion rate was 5.1% and 1.3%, respectively. Reason for conversion in the study group were: stiff abdominal wall (2) and malrotation (1). Average surgery time was 143 minutes and 100 minutes, EBL 145 cc and 119 cc, respectively. Morbidity appeared to be higher in the study group (12.8% vs. 5.7%; p 0.05). Major morbidity occurred with similar frequency (5.1% and 4.6%). Anastomotic leak rates were 0 and 0.76%. Reoperations were required in 1.28% and 0.76%. Mortality in the study group was 1.3% (1 patient, pneumonia). For control group it was 0.38% (PE and MI, one patient each; p 0.05). Conclusions: LGB in patients with BMI 60 can be performed with acceptable results that favorably compare to national statistics. Morbidity and mortality appear to be higher than in patients with BMI 60. PII: S1550-7289(05)00199-1
The evolution of the structure and performance of the London Stock Exchange in the first global financial market, 1812–1914

By 1914, the London Stock Exchange listed and traded one-third of the public capital available to investors anywhere in the world. No other exchange could match it in terms of scale and scope of securities on offer, or in terms of the number of stockbrokers available to potential customers. The reason, we argue, is that the microstructure of the London Stock Exchange was also unique. The owners of the exchange (Proprietors) left governance of the exchange to the users of the exchange (Members). Because the owners of the exchange could only increase revenue by increasing the number of users, newer members constantly sought new sources of revenue through financial innovations. The evolution of the London Stock Exchange's microstructure was path-dependent – the initial conditions for membership set the separate incentives for the owners and operators of the exchange, and these determined how they responded to successive shocks over time. Path dependency, unfortunately, eventually led to decreasing effectiveness and innovation by the members over time.
Ultra wide-band communications with blind channel estimation based on first-order statistics

Ultra wideband (UWB) communication holds great potential for significantly improved data rate in future wireless systems. Accurate channel estimation and synchronization are critical for successful operation of a UWB system. We propose in this paper a completely blind channel estimation and synchronization algorithm for UWB systems that employ pulse-position modulation. The algorithm exploits the first-order cyclostationarity in the received signal and performs certain circular deconvolution. The complexity is extremely low - only some "overlap-add" operations and FFT operations are needed. The algorithm is capable of simultaneously estimating multiple (say, more than 60) channel taps and there is no ambiguity in either the amplitude or the phase of the estimated channel. It is shown that using the estimated channel from 500 information symbols, the performance can approach that with the known channel within 2 dB in signal to noise ratio for bit error rate less than 0.01.
Does academic achievement during childhood and adolescence benefit later health

Purpose Educational disparities in health persist after adjustment for income and occupation, suggesting that other purely cognitive and psychosocial mechanisms may be involved. Unlike occupation- or income-mediated effects, effects of cognitive and psychosocial gains—as reflected in academic achievement—may be apparent even before schooling is completed.
The intermediate variables, social structure, and fertility change: A critique

There are three models for the comparative analysis of fertility behavior. First, the Davis and Blake model focuses upon institutional mechanisms in society and the “intermediate variables” that link these mechanisms to fertility. Second, Hill, Stycos, and Back use the nuclear family as a planning and decision-making association to develop the interactional frame of reference in studying family planning in Puerto Rico. And, third, Freedman proposes a “normative” model using elements from both institutional and interactional models. In the comparative analysis of fertility, the choice among the institutional, interactional, and normative models must involve an assessment of the merits and possible limitations of each. This paper is a start in the critical assessment of the existing models. Through an appraisal of the approach taken in the Davis and Blake Institional model, this paper suggests that ways in which fertility change may be initiated or quickened lie in areas other than institutional change as such, and that it is the demographic, technological, institutional, and information variables that are of substantive consequence in the comparative sociology of fertility.
Permanent pacing: new indications

Over the past 40 years, permanent pacemakers have become standard treatment for patients with symptomatic sinus node disease and documented, or suspected, high grade atrioventricular (AV) block. Permanent pacemakers were first developed for the treatment of heart block, often in young patients following surgical repair of congenital heart defects. These early pacemakers were primitive devices, allowing only for fixed rate asynchronous pacing in the ventricle (that is, VOO mode). Subsequently, sensing circuits were developed to permit inhibited modes of pacing (that is, VVI mode). Permanent pacemakers were designed primarily to prevent mortality, which was inevitable and often occurred early in patients with complete heart block. The development of dual chamber pacing and rate responsiveness allowed pacemaker therapy to progress from simply maintaining a minimal heart rate to allowing for restoration of physiologic chronotropy and normal atrioventricular activation. This led to the expansion of this technology from immediate life saving treatment to use aimed at improving haemodynamic function and quality of life, and reducing morbidity. While it is clear that modern dual chamber pacemakers can increase exercise capacity in subjects with chronotropic incompetence and prevent pacemaker syndrome caused by ventricular pacing, the effects on other end points including mortality and arrhythmia prevention remain controversial. With the development of more physiologic pacing, attempts have been made to apply pacemaker technology to the treatment of problems other than symptomatic bradycardia. These problems include pacing to prevent atrial arrhythmias, to improve haemodynamic function and symptoms in patients with hypertrophic or dilated cardiomyopathy, and to prevent neurocardiogenic syncope. Thus, much of the interest in modern pacemakers is for indications other than primary bradycardia. It is these new indications that are the subject of this review. Atrial arrhythmias, and in particular atrial fibrillation, are common in patients with sinus node dysfunction. This tachy-brady variant of sick …
A direct method of constructing H/sub 2/ suboptimal controllers-continuous-time systems

An algorithm called the 'H/sub 2/ suboptimal state feedback gain sequence' (H/sub 2/ SOSFGS) algorithm is developed. Rather than utilizing a 'perturbation method' which is numerically stiff and computationally prohibitive, the H/sub 2/ SOSFGS algorithm utilizes a direct eigenvalue assignment method to come up with a sequence of H/sub 2/ suboptimal state feedback gains. Also, although the sequence of H/sub 2/ suboptimal state feedback gains constructed by the H/sub 2/ SOSFGS algorithm depends on a parameter /spl epsi/, the construction procedure itself does not require explicitly the value of the parameter /spl epsi/. For a given H/sub 2/ suboptimal state feedback gain, a sequence of observer gains for either a full or a reduced order observer can be constructed by merely dualizing the H/sub 2/ SOSFGS algorithm.
Specific marking of HIV-1 positive cells using a Rev-dependent lentiviral vector expressing the green fluorescent protein.

Most of HIV-responsive expression vectors are based on the HIV promoter, the long terminal repeat (LTR). While responsive to an early HIV protein, Tat, the LTR is also responsive to cellular activation states and to the local chromatin activity where the integration has occurred. This can result in high HIV-independent activity, and has restricted the usefulness of LTR-based reporter to mark HIV positive cells 1,2,3. Here, we constructed an expression lentiviral vector that possesses, in addition to the Tat-responsive LTR, numerous HIV DNA sequences that include the Rev-response element and HIV splicing sites 4,5,6. The vector was incorporated into a lentiviral reporter virus, permitting highly specific detection of replicating HIV in living cell populations. The activity of the vector was measured by expression of the green fluorescence protein (GFP). The application of this vector as reported here offers a novel alternative approach to existing methods, such as in situ PCR or HIV antigen staining, to identify HIV-positive cells. The vector can also express therapeutic genes for basic or clinical experimentation to target HIV-positive cells.
Validation of EncephalApp, Smartphone-Based Stroop Test, for the Diagnosis of Covert Hepatic Encephalopathy

Patients with cirrhosis (n [ 167; 38% with overt HE [OHE]; mean age, 55 years; mean Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, 12) and controls (n [ 114) were each given a paper and pencil cognitive battery (standard) along with EncephalApp. EncephalApp has Off and On states; results measured were OffTime, OnTime, OffTimeDOnTime, and number of runs required to complete 5 off and on runs. Thirty-six patients with cirrhosis underwent driving simulation tests, and EncephalApp results were correlated with results. Test-retest reliability was analyzed in a subgroup of patients. The test was performed before and after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt placement, and before and after correction for hyponatremia, to determine external validity. RESULTS: All patients with cirrhosis performed worse on paper and pencil and EncephalApp tests than controls. Patients with cirrhosis and OHE performed worse than those without OHE. Age-dependent EncephalApp cutoffs (younger or older than 45 years) were set. An OffTimeDOnTime value of >190 seconds identified all patients with CHE with an area under the receiver operator characteristic value of 0.91; the area under the receiver operator characteristic value was 0.88 for diagnosis of CHE in those without OHE. EncephalApp times correlated with crashes and illegal turns in driving simulation tests. Test-retest reliability was high (intraclass coefficient, 0.83) among 30 patients retested 1–3 months apart. OffTimeDOnTime increased significantly (206 vs 255 seconds, P [ .007) among 10 patients retested 33 – 7 days after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt placement. OffTimeDOnTime decreased significantly (242 vs 225 seconds, P [ .03) in 7 patients tested before and after correction for hyponatremia (126 – 3 to 132 – 4 meq/L, P [ .01) 10 – 5d ays apart. CONCLUSIONS: A smartphone app called EncephalApp has good face validity, test-retest reliability, and external validity for the diagnosis of CHE.
Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer: surgery, surveillance and unanswered questions

Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC) is an inherited cancer-susceptibility syndrome characterized by autosomal dominance and high penetrance. In 30-50% of cases, a causative germline mutation in CDH1, the E-cadherin gene, may be identified. Female carriers of CDH1 mutations also have an increased (20-40%) risk of lobular breast cancer. Endoscopic surveillance of patients with CDH1 mutations is ineffective because early foci of HDGC are typically small and underlie normal mucosa. CDH1 mutation carriers are therefore offered the option of prophylactic gastrectomy, which commonly reveals early foci of invasive signet-ring cell cancer. We review recommendations for genetic testing, surveillance and prophylactic surgery in HDGC. Areas for future research are discussed, including development of new screening modalities, optimal timing of prophylactic gastrectomy, identification of additional causative mutations in HDGC, management of patients with CDH1 missense mutations and prevention/early detection of lobular breast cancer in CDH1 mutation carriers.
Exploring Concept Selection Strategies for Interactive Video Search

Ranked shot lists from 39 automated LSCOM-Lite concept classifiers are investigated with respect to 24 TRECVID 2006 topics. Selecting the best fitting concept or pair of concepts produces the shot set with greatest utility, rather than drawing fewer shots from a larger set of concepts. Mean average precision measures show concept-based shot sets have great utility for topics when perfectly traversed by a user. Using empirical data, however, shows that realistic ability to separate relevant shots from irrelevant ones and recall all the relevant ones is topic-dependent and far from perfect. Concept-based strategies including user-driven selection strategies not using idealized oracle prioritization are also discussed, with implications for query-by-concept in interactive video retrieval as concept spaces grow from tens to thousands.
Towards an information type lexicon for privacy policies

Privacy policies serve to inform consumers about a company's data practices, and to protect the company from legal risk due to undisclosed uses of consumer data. In addition, US and EU regulators require companies to accurately describe their practices in these policies, and some laws prescribe how companies should write these policies. Despite these aims, privacy policies are frequently criticized for being vague and uninformative. To support and improve the analysis of privacy policies, we report results from constructing an information type lexicon from manual, human annotations and an entity extractor based on part-of-speech tagging. The lexicon was constructed from 3,850 annotations obtained from crowd workers analyzing 15 privacy policies. An entity extractor was designed to extract entities from these annotations. The extractor succeeds at finding entities in 92% of annotations and the lexicon consists of 725 unique entities. Finally, we measured the terminological reuse across all 15 policies and observed the lexicon has a 31-78% chance of containing a word from any previously seen policy.
BCR-ABL alternative splicing as a common mechanism for imatinib resistance: evidence from molecular dynamics simulations

Rare cases of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) express high levels of alternatively spliced BCR-ABL mRNA with a 35-bp insertion (35INS) between ABL kinase domain exons 8 and 9. This insertion results in a frameshift leading to the addition of 10 residues and truncation of 653 residues due to early termination. Sensitive PCR-based testing showed that 32 of 52 (62%) imatinib-resistant CML patients in chronic phase and 8 of 38 (21%) in accelerated or blast crisis expressed varying levels of the alternatively spliced BCR-ABL mRNA. A three-dimensional structural model of the 35INS ABL kinase domain complexed with imatinib was built using homology modeling, followed by molecular dynamics simulations. Simulation results showed that the new residues cause a significant global conformational change, altering imatinib binding in a way similar to that of the T315Imutation and, therefore, providing resistance to imatinib that depends on the level of expression. [Mol Cancer Ther 2008;7(12):3834 – 41]
Board Certification in Counseling Psychology

Although specialty board certification by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) has been a valued standard for decades, the vast majority of counseling psychologists do not pursue board certification in the specialty. The present article provides a brief history of board certification in general and some historical information about the history of board certification in counseling psychology specifically. In addition, information about the examination process and some of the advantages of board certification for individuals as well as for the field of counseling psychology are provided. It is the authors’ hope that the information provided will invite counseling psychologists across settings to (re)consider becoming board certified.
Behavior-based humanoid robotics

Building humanoid robots that can interact with people in the same way as people interact with people provides a new set of challenges for robotics and artificial intelligence. We report here on extending the behavior-based approach to building a human behavior level humanoid robot.
Marital status in television drama: A case of reduced options

Married and single male and female prime‐time televison characters are presented very stereotypically and traditionally while formerly married female characters are presented less traditionally but somewhat more negatively.
A polarization shift-keying system for underwater optical communications

A compact and simple setup for testing polarization modulation in the underwater channel is demonstrated. The results from this system compare favorably to a non-polarization modulation system utilizing on-off keying modulation. This system will allow future work to explore using polarization in optical communication systems underwater. The advantages of such systems include ability to monitor the water quality of the channel during transmission and reduction of receiver shot noise.
The Inquiry-Based Science Pedagogy Debate

Press Here for Sound) The science curriculum reform by Quebec's Ministere de l'Education, du Loisir et du Sport (MELS) mandates the use and evaluates the performance of students in activi- ties that would be defined as inquiry-based. This article discusses the importance of using inquiry-based laboratory experiments and assesses the challenges that teach- ers face when using this type of pedagogy.
FastLSU: a more practical approach for the Benjamini-Hochberg FDR controlling procedure for huge-scale testing problems.

Motivation We address a common problem in large-scale data analysis, and especially the field of genetics, the huge-scale testing problem, where millions to billions of hypotheses are tested together creating a computational challenge to control the inflation of the false discovery rate. As a solution we propose an alternative algorithm for the famous Linear Step Up procedure of Benjamini and Hochberg. Results Our algorithm requires linear time and does not require any P-value ordering. It permits separating huge-scale testing problems arbitrarily into computationally feasible sets or chunks Results from the chunks are combined by our algorithm to produce the same results as the controlling procedure on the entire set of tests, thus controlling the global false discovery rate even when P-values are arbitrarily divided. The practical memory usage may also be determined arbitrarily by the size of available memory. Availability and implementation R code is provided in the supplementary material. Contact sbatista@cs.princeton.edu Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Inequity as Violence: Race, Health and Human Rights in the United States

By every conventional index, the United States is the most violent society among industrialized nations. Consequently, violence and its effects have become a national preoccupation, the repetitive staple of the media, the subject of a broad spectrum of concern (ranging from sociological conferences to electoral politics), and a key factor in the ongoing American divisions of race and class. Yet paradoxically, in every venue from public discourse to congressional debate, our definitions and discussions of violence are strikingly restrictive, diverting attention from injuries more massive than those conventionally defined. With few exceptions, our concerns refer only to violence as the use of physical force by individuals to cause injuryand so we talk of guns and gangs, and domestic battering, rape and murder, militias and bombs. Of course these phenomena are serious and deserve our urgent attention. But there are other kinds of violence-actions and policies which, by intent or omission, result in predictable harm to the physical and mental health of large populations and, further, are a major stimulus to conventionally defined violence. There is, for example, what has been called constructive violence: to overcome or prevent resistance by threat or (more pertinently in the United States) by systematic deprivation. There is violence by failure to observe established restraints: in Mississippi at this moment, for example, a district attorney is seeking the death penalty for a 13-year-old child marginally involved in a car-jacking.
Pain and human immunodeficiency virus infection in children.

There are remarkably few studies of the clinical presentation of pain syndromes and pain management in children infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In a report that should serve as a clarion wake-up call to all physicians who treat HIV-infected children, Hirschfeld et al1 report in this issue of Pediatrics that the prevalence of pain in HIV-infected children approaches 60%. As physicians, we have a fundamental obligation to manage pain and relieve patient suffering as a crucial element of our professional commitment to patient care.2,3 These are not merely lofty ideals; effective pain management produces myriad patient benefits, including reduced morbidity and mortality, early mobilization, and shortened hospital stays.4
Effect of carbohydrates on aspartic acid deaminase activity of bacteria.

Summary1. The reduction in aspartic acid deaminase activity in cells harvested from a medium containing glucose has been shown not to be specific to this sugar, but rather is shared by other fermentable carbohydrates. 2. The effect of the carbohydrate varies among the several strains studied, and is not associated with the increase in hydrogen ion concentration due to the production of fermentation acids.
A wearable epidural catheter infusion system for patients with intractable spontaneous intracranial hypotension.

Background and Objectives Spontaneous intracranial hypotension is an important cause of secondary headaches, and most patients respond well to epidural blood patching or direct repair of the underlying spinal cerebrospinal fluid leak. However, options are limited for those patients who have exhausted these traditional treatments, especially when spinal imaging is normal. We describe a wearable epidural catheter infusion system for patients with intractable spontaneous intracranial hypotension. Methods Six patients with intractable spontaneous intracranial hypotension (4 women and 2 men; mean age, 53 years; mean duration of symptoms, 50 months) underwent placement of a permanent indwelling spinal epidural catheter attached to an external infusion pump. The Migraine Disability Assessment questionnaire was used to assess the severity of the symptoms, before and during treatment. Results The infusion resulted in complete or near-complete symptom relief in 5 of 6 patients (Migraine Disability Assessment score decreased from grade IV to grade I or II). However, the epidural catheter infusion system was removed in 2 patients because of infection, in 1 patient because of delayed failure to provide adequate symptom control, and in 1 patient because of minimal symptom relief. Two patients reported excellent and sustained symptom relief over 27 and 36 months of follow-up. Conclusions This wearable epidural catheter infusion system showed promising efficacy results but the high rate of complications limits its use to a very select group of patients.
Russian Academy of Sciences in Past and Present

It is unavoidable to pay attention to Russian Academy of Sciences in researching on the Russian and Soviet science.The Russian Academy of Sciences was set up in 1725.In 1925,it was renamed the Academy of Sciences of the USSR and restored the Russian Academy of Sciences in 1991.Throughout its history,the Academy's activity has contributed greatly to Russian science and the world science.Since the disintegration of the Soviet Union,it has overcome difficulties in transition.Now its status has remained in the world science because of its huge lineup.
Improvement of RULA

RULA(rapid upper limb assessment) was a survey method of upper limb disorder associated with work.It haven't included detailed evaluations of work by fingers because of complexity.However,disorder of fingers couldn't be ignored in detailed evaluation of fingers ergonomics.Six representative fingers task:typing with computer,clicking with mouse,playing guitar,cutting out,seal cutting and so on were researched and experimented,Criterions of assessment on fingers work were established preliminarily,Evaluation Table of RULA was modified.Experimental validation was progressed finally,results indicated:Improved RULA was more valid than primary in evaluation of work ergonomics.
The possible involvement of 15-lipoxygenase/leukocyte type 12-lipoxygenase in colorectal carcinogenesis.

The initial genetic alteration in colorectal carcinoma is mutation of the APC gene. As a result, the expected rate of apoptosis in colorectal cells is attenuated leading to the expansion of the progeny of the APC mutant cells and hence tumor formation1. The up-regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) occurs at this early stage of colorectal carcinoma and high expression is observed in multiple intestinal neoplasm (Min) mice, the model of familiar adenomatous polyposis2,3, and in 85% of human colorectal carcinomas4. The over-expression of Cox-2 inhibits apoptosis in rat intestinal cells5 and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as sulindac sulfide, indomethacin and aspirin promote apoptosis in colorectal carcinoma cells. NSAIDs serve in chemoprevention of colorectal cancer in experimental animal models indicating Cox as a target for preventing colorectal tumors in man6,7. However, the functional role of the mutated APC, the overexpression Cox-2 and the inhibition of apoptosis is not clearly understood.
Obamacare’s Skyrocketing Premiums? Why the Sky Isn’t Falling

Predictions of major increases in premiums for health insurance plans offered on the exchanges are overblown. Given the rate review, competition, and tax credits built into the ACA, consumers are not likely to be paying vastly more for their coverage in 2017.
HUNGER CONTRACTIONS AND THE PAIN OF ULCER

This chapter focuses on hunger contractions and the pain of ulcer. During an operation under local anesthesia, Dragstedt and Palmer made the interesting observation that rubbing, pinching, massaging, or pulling on a scar of an ulcer on the anterior wall of the duodenum caused typical and severe pain. Curiously, while the pain was being produced in this way, the injection of a solution of sodium bicarbonate into the duodenum brought relief and the subsequent injection of dilute hydrochloric acid caused the pain to return. Much injury to an ulcer must be done at night when the acid probably irritates for an hour or more before the pain is severe enough to wake the patient. To avoid this, some patients might do well to set the alarm and wake themselves at midnight to take a glass of milk. Several types of stimuli can produce pain in stomach and duodenum and the most usual one is probably prolonged irritation by the hydrochloric acid of the gastric juice.
Heterogeneity and its Influence on the Properties of Difunctional Poly(ethylene glycol) Hydrogels: Structure and Mechanics

Difunctional polymer hydrogels, such as those prepared from poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) macromers, are widely used for a number of potential applications in biotechnology and advanced materials due to their low cost, mild cross-linking conditions, and biocompatibility. The microstructure of such hydrogels is known to be heterogeneous, yet little is known about the specific structure itself, how it is impacted by the molecular parameters of the macromer, or its impact on macroscopic gel properties. Here, we determine the structure of PEGDA hydrogels using small-angle neutron scattering over a significant range of macromer molecular weights and volume fractions. From this, we propose a structural model for PEGDA hydrogels based on self-excluded, highly branched star polymers arranged into a fractal network. The primary implication of this structure is that heterogeneity arises not from defects in the cross-linking network, as is commonly assumed, but rather from a heterogeneous distribution of ...
Rock crevice morphology and forest contexts drive microhabitat preferences in the Green Salamander (Aneides aeneus)

Little is known about how vertical rock habitats are selected by organisms in forest ecosystems. Multiple lungless salamanders use rock outcrops in the Appalachian Mountains of eastern North America, with Green Salamanders (Aneides aeneus (Cope and Packard, 1881)) showing the strongest associations as an outcrop specialist. Although previous work has identified environmental correlates of rock face and arboreal habitat use in this species, it remains to be known if and how Green Salamanders select crevice refugia as a function of both outcrop morphology and the context of outcrops within the surrounding forest. We performed an intensive survey of an abundant Green Salamander population on Virginia’s Appalachian Plateau to examine which features of vertical habitats are associated with salamander occupancy. Occupancy was highest in deeper rock crevices closer to surrounding trees, a likely consequence of arboreal behavior and the ability for crevice refugia to modulate the surrounding microclimate. Althoug...
Ecology and pathology of Phytophthora ITS clade 3 species in forests in western Oregon, USA.

ABSTRACTPhytophthora species are widespread and diverse in forest ecosystems, but little is known about their ecology. We explore ecological attributes of the closely related clade 3 species that occur sympatrically in western North American forests. We address the population structure, pathology, and epidemiology of P. ilicis, P. nemorosa, P. pluvialis, P. pseudosyringae, and P. psychrophila. Phytophthora species were isolated from plant tissues, rainwater falling through the forest canopy, streams, and soils in forests in western Oregon. Species identifications were based on morphology in culture with molecular confirmation using COX spacer and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. All five clade 3 Phytophthora species are present in western Oregon forests, although P. ilicis (only 1 forest isolate) and P. psychrophila (only 12 isolates) are apparently rare. P. ilicis is known only from holly in horticultural situations and once from a naturalized seedling in an urban forest. The known distributi...
Effects of matsutake mushroom scent compounds on tyrosinase and murine B16-F10 melanoma cells.

Tyrosinase-catalyzed l-tyrosine oxidation is a key step in melanogenesis, and intense melanin formation is often a problem in chemotherapies or food preservation. Here we report that methyl cinnamate one of the constituents characterized from mycelium and sporocarp of American matsutake mushroom Tricholoma magnivelare inhibits both enzymatic and cellular melanin formation. Methyl cinnamate inhibits mushroom tyrosinase-catalyzed l-tyrosine oxidation while the oxidation of l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (l-DOPA) was not inhibited. In subsequent cellular assays, methyl cinnamate significantly suppressed melanogenesis of murine B16-F10 melanoma cells without affecting cell growth. However, methyl 3-phenylpropionate, a dihydro-derivative of methyl cinnamate, did not possess melanogenesis, indicating that the double bond in the enone moiety is a key Michael reaction acceptor to elicit the activity. In addition, a rather rare chlorinated benzaldehyde derivative, 3,5-dichloro-4-methoxybenzaldehyde isolated from the same source, was found to show potent cytotoxicity, and the chlorine atom reduced a tyrosinase inhibitory activity but enhanced cytotoxicity. Our findings suggest that methyl cinnamate is a novel melanogenesis inhibitor from natural sources.
Postmarket medical device safety: moving beyond voluntary reporting

Assuring public safety after widespread adoption of medical devices is critically important, and has been identified as a priority by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).1 Growing public concern regarding postmarket safety of medical devices stems in part from an increasing recognition that medical device failure, although infrequent, may lead to injury. Regulatory agencies, such as FDA, are faced with the competing pressures of ensuring patient safety while simultaneously improving the efficiency of medical device approval. Unfortunately, premarket medical device approval studies are frequently limited by small sample size, restricted patient and provider populations, and inadequate duration of follow-up.2 3 Therefore, strengthening approaches of postmarket safety evaluation are increasingly important. The FDA strategy for postmarket safety evaluation has relied extensively on reporting of adverse events by physicians, patients and device manufacturers through the Medical Device Reporting system. It has become increasingly apparent that, despite a vested interested in …
The least prime quadratic nonresidue in a prescribed residue class mod 4

Abstract For all primes p ≥ 5 , there is a prime quadratic nonresidue q p with q ≡ 3 ( mod 4 ) . For all primes p ≥ 13 , there is a prime quadratic nonresidue q p with q ≡ 1 ( mod 4 ) .
Cystoscopy, Urethroscopy and Dynamic Cystourethroscopy

Urethroscopy, cystoscopy and dynamic cystourethroscopy are valuable diagnostic and therapeutic tools which are essential to the practice of urogynecology.
The Biology and Clinical Consequence of Infection with the Human Polyomavirus JCV

This chapter gives an overview over the biology and the clinical consequences of infection with the human polyomavirus JCV. Current data as well as those aspects that are not yet fully understood are explained.
Consideration for a Price: Using the Contract Price to Interpret Ambiguous Contract Terms

Most contract cases involve disputes about the interpretation of the contracts. There is a voluminous law and economics literature on contract interpretation, but ironically, it does not address whether and how the contract term that is usually of most interest to economists – the contract price – might be used to interpret other ambiguous contract terms. This is no doubt in part because there are legal authorities that discourage courts from considering the adequacy of the contract price in deciding whether other clauses are contractually enforceable. However, these authorities are much more persuasive for some contracts than for others. Indeed, in some contracts for the sale of goods between sophisticated business parties the contract price provides costless information that may be highly relevant to interpreting parties’ intended bargains. From an economic perspective, therefore, courts would be remiss in such cases if they ignored it. Indeed, it is not clear that the drafters of the UCC intended to preclude courts from considering the contract price in interpreting sales contracts; the Official Comments to the UCC actually appear to prescribe that in at least some contexts courts should evaluate the contract price in interpreting parties’ intended bargains. It should not be surprising therefore that many courts have in fact considered the adequacy of the contract price in interpreting parties’ intended bargains under UCC contracts. But to the extent that they have, they have done so without any guidance from economic theory. This article presents an economic analysis of bargains and uses it to provide some guidelines to courts about how to use the contract price to interpret whether disputed terms are an intended part of parties’ bargains. It then illustrates how the guidelines might have been applied in some recent sales cases. The hope is that the use of some basic economic analysis might help to improve the resolution of at least some contractual disputes.
Toward development of a cohesive model of workload

Abstract Mental workload is, generally, considered to be a multidimensional construct. A preliminary, cohesive and multidimensional model incorporating factors affecting operators' mental workload is proposed. The model consists of two major sections – Causal Factors and Effect Factors – each with two primary component groups: Task and Environmental Variables and Operators's Characteristics and Moderating Variables, and Difficulty, Response and Performance Measures and Mental Workload Meaures, respectively. This model attempts to demonstrate the relationship and interaction of intrinsic task variables, operator's cognitive processes and information processing behaivor on the mental workload construct.
Proximal alternating penalty algorithms for nonsmooth constrained convex optimization

We develop two new proximal alternating penalty algorithms to solve a wide range class of constrained convex optimization problems. Our approach mainly relies on a novel combination of the classical quadratic penalty, alternating minimization, Nesterov’s acceleration, adaptive strategy for parameters. The first algorithm is designed to solve generic and possibly nonsmooth constrained convex problems without requiring any Lipschitz gradient continuity or strong convexity, while achieving the best-known $$\mathcal {O}\left( \frac{1}{k}\right) $$ -convergence rate in a non-ergodic sense, where k is the iteration counter. The second algorithm is also designed to solve non-strongly convex, but semi-strongly convex problems. This algorithm can achieve the best-known $$\mathcal {O}\left( \frac{1}{k^2}\right) $$ -convergence rate on the primal constrained problem. Such a rate is obtained in two cases: (1) averaging only on the iterate sequence of the strongly convex term, or (2) using two proximal operators of this term without averaging. In both algorithms, we allow one to linearize the second subproblem to use the proximal operator of the corresponding objective term. Then, we customize our methods to solve different convex problems, and lead to new variants. As a byproduct, these algorithms preserve the same convergence guarantees as in our main algorithms. We verify our theoretical development via different numerical examples and compare our methods with some existing state-of-the-art algorithms.
Standardized Patient Simulation Experiences Improves Mental Health Assessment and Communication

Abstract Background Although simulation experiences are receiving increasing attention in nursing education, evidence is inconclusive regarding their effect on enhancing students' competency conducting mental health assessments and communicating effectively. Sample This study examined whether engaging standardized patients (SPs) in a simulated home environment enhanced Bachelor of Science in Nursing students' competency (N = 32) in assessment and communication with patients with mental health conditions. Method The intervention group completed six SP scenarios (two hours), followed by debriefing. The control group received traditional education alone. Students completed pre–post tests, satisfaction surveys, and behavioral checklists. Results The greatest knowledge deficits were in the assessment of clients with bipolar disease, symptoms of lithium toxicity, posttraumatic stress disorder, and stages of dementia. On average, intervention students significantly improved their posttest scores by 12.4 ± 16.8 points (p = .01). Conclusion Simulation with an SP improved posttest knowledge but not longer term outcomes; students reported high satisfaction with the experience.
Durability of Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) and Reinforced ECC (R/ECC) Structural Members

The durability of Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) stems from the intrinsically tight crack width even when strained to hundreds of times the strain capacity of normal concrete. The less than 100 μm crack width is autogenously controlled by the composite and does not depend on steel reinforcement. It is also independent of specimen size and thickness. As a result, transport properties such as permeation and chloride diffusion of ECC can be significantly lower than similarly strained concrete, even when steel reinforcement is used.
Can men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTs) predict voided volumes

To determine if patients can accurately estimate volumes voided in a bladder diary, and to determine the patient characteristics that are most predictive of accuracy in volume estimation in the workup of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTs). We prospectively collected data on 180 consecutive patients undergoing a workup for LUTs at a tertiary care facility. Data collected include American Urological Association Symptom Scores (AUASS), flow time and rate, and one time measurement of voided volume into a blinded uroflow. Baseline characteristics and demographics were recorded. Descriptive statistics and linear regression analysis were performed to examine predictors of estimated voiding volume (mL) in SAS Version 9.4 (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Median age and BMI were 64 years (SD = 15.4) and 26.9 kg/m2 (SD = 4.6), respectively. The median estimated voided volume and actual voided volume were 120 mL (range 1–480) and 101.5 mL (range 6.5–622.0), respectively. On linear regression analysis, 47.1% of patients estimated volume voided with a 20% margin of error, and 63.2% of patients estimated with a 30% margin of error. Each 1-year increase in age correlated with a 2% decrease in the odds of estimating voided volume within 20% of actual volume (p < 0.05). For each 1 unit increase in flow rate, there was an 8% (p < 0.005) increase in the odds of estimating voided volume within 20% of actual volume. Just under half of patients can accurately estimate volume voided with a margin of error of 20%.