cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sildenafil for pediatric orbital lymphangioma.

Importance Orbital lymphangiomas, congenital hamartomas of the lymphovascular tissue, are often associated with significant ocular complications and can be challenging to treat. To date, therapeutic approaches have demonstrated variable results and have significant ocular and systemic risks. We present 2 cases of pediatric orbital lymphangioma that responded to treatment with oral sildenafil. Observations This is a report of a series of 2 patients at the University of California–Davis Medical Center treated between March 2011 and October 2012. The first patient was a 12-month-old male infant whose extensive orbital and facial lymphangioma responded to sildenafil after repeated sclerosing and drainage procedures failed to achieve remission. The second patient was a 12-year-old boy whose orbital lymphangioma and associated ocular pain improved with sildenafil, making enucleation unnecessary. Conclusions and Relevance These reported cases demonstrate promise for sildenafil as a noninvasive therapy for pediatric lymphangioma. Larger clinical trials are needed to clarify the optimal length of treatment, use as monotherapy, and long-term adverse effects.
Multiphase equilibrium flash with salt precipitation in systems with multiple salts

Abstract A new methodology for determining simultaneous chemical and phase equilibrium of mixtures of light gases and aqueous electrolyte solutions with the potential for multiple salt deposition is proposed. The novel aspects of this new approach include, but are not limited to (1) a novel tearing algorithm for determining equilibrium ion solubility limits, (2) rigorous proof that the proposed tearing algorithm generates a Cauchy sequence and is therefore guaranteed to converge to the correct equilibrium ion solubility limits (3) and a unique formulation of the combined chemical and multi-phase equilibrium flash problem that accounts for salt deposition but decouples the chemical and phase equilibrium aspects of the flash. Examples from real EOR and CO2 sequestration applications are presented. Results clearly show that the proposed numerical approach is reliable, robust, and efficient and can be used to determine salt deposition in multi-phase flash problems. Several geometric illustrations and numerical details are used to elucidate key points of the proposed approach.
INFLUENCE OF THE CHEMICAL SHIFT ARTIFACT ON MEASUREMENTS OF COMPACT BONE THICKNESS IN EQUINE DISTAL LIMB MR IMAGES

The effect of the chemical shift artifact, resulting from misregistration or phase cancellation at the interface between compact and trabecular bone, on apparent bone thickness was quantified in six isolated equine limbs. Sagittal T1-weighted spin echo (SE) and in-phase three-dimensional spoiled gradient echo (SPGR) images were acquired twice with a 1.5 T magnetic resonance (MR) unit, switching the frequency encoding direction between acquisitions. Out-of-phase SPGR images were also obtained. MR images with different frequency encoding directions were compared with each other and to radiographs made from corresponding 3-mm-bone sections. Compact bone thickness was significantly different when comparing images acquired with different frequency encoding directions for both SE and SPGR sequences. Significant differences were identified in the frequency but not the phase encoding direction when measurements of compact bone in MR images were compared with measurements obtained from thin section radiographs for the majority of surfaces studied (P 0.05). Measurements of compact bone from out-of-phase SPGR sequences were significantly different than from in-phase sequences (P < 0.001) with out-of-phase measurements greater than in-phase measurements by an average of 0.38mm. These results indicate that the chemical shift artifact results in errors in MR evaluation of compact bone thickness when measurements are performed in the frequency encoding direction or in out-of-phase images. For better accuracy, measurements should be performed parallel to the phase encoding direction and avoiding out-of-phase gradient echo sequences.
Do patients with absence epilepsy respond to ketogenic diets

Dietary therapies are established as beneficial for symptomatic generalized epilepsies such as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome; however, the outcome for idiopathic generalized epilepsy has never been specifically reported. The efficacy of the ketogenic and modified Atkins diet for childhood and juvenile absence epilepsy was evaluated from both historical literature review and patients treated at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Upon review of 17 published studies in which absence epilepsy was included as a patient subpopulation, approximately 69% of 133 with clear outcomes patients who received the ketogenic diet had a >50% seizure reduction, and 34% of these patients became seizure free. At Johns Hopkins Hospital, the ketogenic diet (n = 8) and modified Atkins diet (n = 13) led to similar outcomes, with 18 (82%) having a >50% seizure reduction, of which 10 (48%) had a >90% seizure reduction and 4 (19%) were seizure free. Neither age at diet onset, number of anticonvulsants used previously, particular diet used, nor gender correlated with success.
Quality of Mental Health Care for Depressed Adolescents

Understanding the quality of routine care for adolescent depression constitutes the initial step in designing and implementing improvement strategies. This study assessed depression detection and type and duration of services for adolescents in mental health care settings. Medical record diagnosis and standardized research interview results were compared for youth seeking mental health treatment. The majority of depressed adolescents received care consistent with guidelines and evidence. However, only 51% received appropriate medication; fewer than half received at least 8 sessions of outpatient care or follow-up after hospitalization. Males received significantly fewer components of quality care compared with females. Depression diagnoses in routine care may be facilitated by using structured interviews or questionnaires. Quality monitoring and improvement initiatives may also increase rates of care components that are consistent with guidelines and evidence. Methods tested in this study may facilitate the evaluation of quality improvement initiatives for adolescent depression or other mental health disorders. Language: en
Aging and lymphokine production by T cell subsets

From sexual maturity to old age, the mammalian immune system undergoes progressive changes, some of which may predispose individuals to infectious, neoplastic and degenerative diseases. These age-associated changes are prominent in the T lymphocyte compartment and encompass both the CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subpopulations. In this review, we focus on the mouse model system and summarize current information on the existence of functionally distinct subsets within each of the CD4+ and CD8+ cell subpopulations. We describe how the representation of these subsets is altered during the aging process, with consequent changes in the lymphokine production repertoires and other functional attributes of the T cell pool. Lastly, we present evidence showing that similar changes occur in aging humans and discuss the potential impact of these changes on immune responsiveness in late life.
The impact of ice layers on gas transport through firn at the North Greenland Eemian Ice Drilling (NEEM) site, Greenland

Typically, gas transport through firn is modeled in the context of an idealized firn column. However, in nat- ural firn, imperfections are present, which can alter trans- port dynamics and therefore reduce the accuracy of recon- structed climate records. For example, ice layers have been found in several firn cores collected in the polar regions. Here, we examined the effects of two ice layers found in a NEEM, Greenland firn core on gas transport through the firn. These ice layers were found to have permeability val- ues of 3.0 and 4.0◊ 10 10 m 2 , and are therefore not imper- meable layers. However, the shallower ice layer was found to be significantly less permeable than the surrounding firn, and can therefore retard gas transport. Large closed bubbles were found in the deeper ice layer, which will have an al- tered gas composition than that expected because they were closed near the surface after the water phase was present. The bubbles in this layer represent 12 % of the expected closed porosity of this firn layer after the firn-ice transition depth is reached, and will therefore bias the future ice core gas record. The permeability and thickness of the ice layers at the North Greenland Eemian Ice Drilling (NEEM) site sug- gest that they do not disrupt the firn-air concentration profiles and that they do not need to be accounted for in gas transport models at NEEM.
Oral Antidiabetic Drugs and Regression from Prediabetes to Normoglycemia: A Meta-Analysis

Background:Impaired glucose tolerance, impaired fasting glucose, and elevated hemoglobin A1c are intermediate stages, considered prediabetes, a precursor to overt type 2 diabetes mellitus. Prediabetes is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease, independent of diabetes development. Data have shown that various oral antidiabetic drugs can help people regress from prediabetes to normoglycemia.Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of oral antidiabetic drugs in promoting regression from prediabetes to normoglycemia.Methods:MEDLINE (1950–November 2011), EMBASE (1990–November 2011), and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (indexed September 2011) were systematically searched. A manual search of references from reports of clinical trials and review articles was performed to identify additional relevant studies. Randomized controlled trials 12 weeks or more in duration evaluating any of the oral antidiabetic drugs and studying regression from prediabetes to normoglycemia were included. A ...
The time dimension for scene analysis

A fundamental issue in neural computation is the binding problem, which refers to how sensory elements in a scene organize into perceived objects, or percepts. The issue of binding is hotly debated in recent years in neuroscience and related communities. Much of the debate, however, gives little attention to computational considerations. This review intends to elucidate the computational issues that bear directly on the binding issue. The review starts with two problems considered by Rosenblatt to be the most challenging to the development of perceptron theory more than 40 years ago, and argues that the main challenge is the figure-ground separation problem, which is intrinsically related to the binding problem. The theme of the review is that the time dimension is essential for systematically attacking Rosenblatt's challenge. The temporal correlation theory as well as its special form-oscillatory correlation theory-is discussed as an adequate representation theory to address the binding problem. Recent advances in understanding oscillatory dynamics are reviewed, and these advances have overcome key computational obstacles for the development of the oscillatory correlation theory. We survey a variety of studies that address the scene analysis problem. The results of these studies have substantially advanced the capability of neural networks for figure-ground separation. A number of issues regarding oscillatory correlation are considered and clarified. Finally, the time dimension is argued to be necessary for versatile computing.
Modeling Survival Rates of Hibernating Mammals with Individual-Based Models of Energy Expenditure

Estimating survival rates of naturally hibernating mammals is important for ecological and conservation reasons, but empirical estimates are logistically difficult to obtain. Individual-based models can estimate survival under circumstances that would be impossible or unethical to test experimentally. Here, we present an individual-based model based on energy expenditure to estimate survival rates of hibernating little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus). Initial simulations assumed only thermal energetics of individuals were important to energy expenditure; subsequent simulations assumed bats also use a behavioral mechanism (clustering) to reduce energy expenditure during euthermy. Our model suggests that survival rates are high (.0.96) for populations that cluster during hibernation and experience no human disturbance, regardless of winter length (between 90 and 200 d). Survival rates are much lower, especially at long winter lengths (0.73 6 0.01 SD at 200 d), if bats do not cluster. Human disturbances strongly affect survival rates, but the relationship is not linear. Survival rates are not lowered substantially by a limited number of disturbances because those arousals would have occurred naturally, but as disturbances reach a frequency threshold (dependent on winter length and disturbance pattern) they become very detrimental to survival. Thus, our model has implications for understanding the effect of environmental variability, social thermoregulation, and human disturbance on mammals hibernating under natural conditions.
Mobile element based differentiated message delivery in wireless sensor networks

In recent years, mobile elements (MEs) have been proposed as mechanical carriers of data to prolong the lifetime of sensor networks and to overcome network partitioning problem. A scheduling approach is proposed in Y. Gu et al., (2005) for MEs to collect periodically generated data, also called regular messages (RMs), from nearby sensor nodes with no buffer overflow. However, increased delay in message delivery with ME-based communication compared to multi-hop communication may not be tolerated in some cases. Some messages can be more urgent than others due to critical values of the sensed data. Such messages maybe required to be delivered to the ME within a specified deadline. In this paper, this new problem of differentiated message delivery (DMD) considering both regular and urgent message collection is addressed. The proposed solution incorporates multi-hop communication into the ME scheduling problem. The investigated performance metrics are the minimum required ME speed to prevent data loss and guarantee the maximum tolerated urgent message delay, as well as urgent and regular message loss rates for a given ME speed. The proposed solution is shown to perform well in terms of these metrics in various network scenarios. Furthermore, comparisons with existing ME scheduling algorithms show that the proposed solution meets the urgent message delivery requirement with a reasonable increase in ME speed.
Recombination and ligation of transfected DNA in CHO mutant EM9, which has high levels of sister chromatid exchange.

Abstract Transformation frequencies were measured in CHO mutant EM9 after transfection with intact or modified plasmid pSV2-gpt. The mutant and wild-type strain behaved similarly under all conditions except when homologous recombination was required to produce an intact plasmid. Therefore, the defect of the mutant which renders it slow in DNA strand break rejoining and high in sister chromatid exchange induction reduces its ability to recombine foreign DNA molecules.
Foramen ovale electrodes in the evaluation of epilepsy surgery: Conventional and unconventional uses

Foramen ovale (FO) electrodes have been used in the evaluation of epilepsy surgery for more than 25 years. Their traditional application was in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Due in part to advances in neuroimaging, their use has declined. We describe our cumulative experience with FO electrodes and use examples to illustrate a range of indications for FO recordings that extend beyond their conventional utility for mesial temporal lobe cases. We also summarize the pros and cons of FO electrodes implantation and attempt to reestablish their utility in presurgical evaluation.
Giant Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia Managed with Interferon Alpha-2b as Immunotherapy or Immunoreduction

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of interferon alpha-2b (IFNα2b) for extensive ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN). Design Retrospective, interventional case series. Participants Eighteen eyes in 18 patients. Methods Each patient with giant OSSN (a single tumor ≥15 mm basal diameter or ≥6 limbal clock-hours) was managed with topical IFNα2b (1 million IU/ml) 4 times daily or with injection IFNα2b (a portion of 10 million IU/ml vial) with follow-up every 1 to 3 months. Main Outcome Measures Tumor response, recurrence, and treatment complications were evaluated. Results Eighteen patients with giant OSSN (median diameter [MD], 20 mm; median clock-hours [MCH], 6) were treated with topical IFNα2b (n = 12), injection IFNα2b (n = 3), or both (n = 3). The IFNα2b achieved complete tumor control (immunotherapy) in 13 eyes and partial tumor control with reduction in size (immunoreduction) in 5 eyes. Topical IFNα2b alone (n = 12) provided complete immunotherapy in 7 eyes (MD, 12 mm; MCH, 9) over a median period of 5 months and immunoreduction by 74% in 5 eyes (MD, 20 mm; MCH, 3), allowing for subsequent surgical excision (n = 3), photodynamic therapy (n = 1), or cryotherapy (n = 1) for tumor control. Injection IFNα2b alone (n = 3; median, 1 injection) provided complete control of giant tarsal conjunctival OSSN (MD, 20 mm) over a 1-month period. A combination of topical and injection IFNα2b (n = 3; median, 3 injections) completely resolved larger tumors (MD, 30 mm; MCH, 6) over a 6-month period. Complications of IFNα2b included transient flu-like symptoms (n = 3), corneal epithelial defect (n = 2), and conjunctival hyperemia (n = 1). During a median follow-up of 11 months, there were no tumor recurrences, but 2 new tumors appeared at a remote site from the original tumor, requiring operative intervention. Conclusions In 72% of giant OSSNs IFNα2b achieved complete control (immunotherapy); there was a reduction in size (immunoreduction) in 28% of giant OSSNs. Financial Disclosure(s) The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any of the materials discussed in this article.
Pharmaceutical Applications of Cell Culture: An Overview

A major challenge confronting the pharmaceutical scientist in the future will be the selective and efficient delivery of the next generation of drugs. Many of these drugs will be discovered by synthetic chemists through rational drug design or by molecular biologists through recombinant DNA technology. In rational drug design, drug candidates are developed with molecular characteristics that permit optimal interaction with the specific macromolecules (e.g., receptor, enzyme) which mediates the desirable therapeutic effect.1 However, rational drug design does not necessarily mean rational drug delivery, which strives to incorporate into a molecule the molecular properties necessary for the optimal delivery between the point of administration and the final target site in the body.2
O olho perdido de Camões

Reviewed book:NOBREGA, Luiza. No Reino da agua o Rei do Vinho. Submersao Dio­nisiaca e Transfiguracao Tragico-Lirica d’Os Luisiadas. Natal: EDUFRN/ANRL, 2013.
On the Existence of (O2)2- in YBa2Cu3-yMyO7+x, M=Co and Fe

The limiting substitution of Co or Fe for Cu in the orthorhombic superconducting phase YBa2Cu3O7−x yields the tetragonal, semiconducting compositions YBa2Cu2CoO7.25 and YBa2Cu2.5Fe0.5O7.19 after annealing at 400°C and slow-cooling in O2. Single-crystal x-ray structural analyses, conductivity and magnetic-susceptibility measurements, and TGA data provide evidence for Co or Fe substitution at the Cu(1) position and intercalation of peroxide ions (O2)2-. The two compositions decompose for disintercala-tion of oxygen beyond O6.7 for M=Co and O6.4 for M=Fe when heated in N2. The Cu(2) atoms of tetragonal YBa2Cu3O6 appear to be antiferromagnetic below a TN = 240 K, which is similar to comparable Cu-O planar nets in stoichiometric La2LnO4.
Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome

Investigators at University of Milan, Italy, report a 6-year-old boy who presented with left-sided weakness followed by status epilepticus, left-sided tonic-clonic seizures with secondary generalization, without fever.
A case of neurosarcoidosis secondary to treatment of etanercept and review of the literature

There are only three cases in the literature that describe development of neurosarcoidosis in a patient who is on tumour necrosis factor α inhibitors. We describe a case of a 33-year-old woman with a history of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and refractory uveitis (with previous treatment trials of adalimumab, infliximab, mycophenolate, methotrexate) who had been stable for 2 years on etanercept. She was diagnosed with biopsy-proven systemic sarcoidosis with meningeal and parenchymal neurosarcoidosis. She was switched to infliximab and methotrexate, with clinical and imaging improvements. This is a case that demonstrates the difficulty of choosing tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) inhibitors when treating patients with multiple clinical autoimmune entities. It is also a case where a change in the mechanism of TNF-α inhibition pathway can still be used to treat refractory sarcoidoisis and rheumatoid arthritis. It is still unclear what the exact difference between the TNF-α blockers and their neurological complications is, and who the patients at risk of developing neurological complications are.
Spatial and temporal expression of the 5A11/HT7 antigen in the chick embryo : Association with morphogenetic events and tissue maturation.

The 5AII/HT7 antigen is the avian homologue of a 45-50X103Mr plasma membrane glycoprotein of the immunoglobulin super-gene family also identified in mammalian species (basigin, mouse gp42, MRC OX-47 antigen, M6 antigen). We had previously demonstrated that antibodies to this antigen interfere with heterotypic cell-to-cell interaction-dependent glial cell maturation in vitro. In this report, we sought to gain insight into its developmental role through an analysis of its distribution at various stages of avian embryogenesis. The primary mode of expression progresses from generalized staining of the undifferentiated tissue to intense labelling of specific cell types coincident with biochemical or morphological differentiation. In the retina, expression progresses from the generalized staining of the neural ectoderm, then, during neurogenesis, becomes restricted to Muller cells, photoreceptor cell bodies, the retina pigmented epithelium, the pigmented cells of the ciliary membrane and endothelia of the pecten. Similarly, the uniform staining of undifferentiated skin ectoderm progressively becomes confined to the germinative cells of the epidermis during biochemical differentiation of scutate and reticulate scales and formation of the feather follicle. During mesonephric and metanephric tubule development, labeling appears on those cells induced to form epithelia from the unlabeled mesenchyme and persists on the basal-lateral membranes of the convoluted tubules. Western blot analysis of NP-40 solubilized proteins from hatchling chicken identifies an immunoreactive polypeptide of 45-50X103 Mr in tissues stained immunohistochemically and an additional band of 69X103Mr in the neural retina and pineal gland. The localization of the 5A11 antigen at boundaries typically associated with inductive interactions between cells and tissues suggests broad involvement in cell-to-cell interactions associated with cellular maturation.
Connective tissue V. Comparison of synthesis and turnover of collagen and elastin in tissues of rat at several ages.

Summary1. Synthesis and turnover of collagen and elastin was studied in rats of 5 weeks, 8 months and 2 years of age, respectively, by observing incorporation and removal of uniformly labeled C14-lysine. 2. Synthesis of collagen and elastin was more rapid in the tissues of young rats (5 weeks) than in those of older animals. In tendon, no detectable synthesis of IC was found at 2 years of age. 3. The uterus was the only organ examined, which showed appreciable synthesis and turnover of collagen in older animals. 4. The turnover rate of collagen in relation to other proteins was low in all animals even in those 5 weeks old. No turnover was observed in the insoluble collagen of tendon and skin at 8 months and 2 years of age, respectively.
Mineralization during the molt cycle inLirceus brachyurus (Isopoda: Crustacea)

During the unusual molt sequence of the fresh-water isopod,Lirceus brachyrus (Harger), the posterior half of the exoskeleton is shed 24 hours before the anterior half. At the half-molt stage, occurs in the posterior part while the anterior portion is in a pre-molt condition. The percentage difference in calcium in the two halves at half-molt and full-molt is22 (p<0.01) and33 (p<0.01) respectively, an indication that calcium is sequestered during The rapidity of remineralization is illustrated by the fact that the total mineral content doubles in the posterior part between half and full molt and in the anterior half between the end of molt and one day after ecdysis. Calcium carbonate in the calcite cystalline form was demonstrated by electron diffraction of thin sections of the integument.
84 DOSE OCCURRENCE OF CHEST PAIN IN THE CARDIOLOGY CLINIC PREDICT FUTURE CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS? WHITE COAT ANGINA TRIAL.

Back ground/Objective Whether the occurrence of chest pain in cardiology clinic represents a variant of “white-coat hypertension” is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence, natural history, and prognostic implications of chest pain observed in a general cardiology clinic. Methods From February 2005 to November 2005, 612 patients, mean age 64 ± 10 years (range 42-87 years), 99% male, were prospectively evaluated in the cardiology clinic. Chest pain was defined as pain occurring while waiting to be seen or in the presence of the clinic physician. Chest pain was defined as typical angina, atypical angina, or noncardiac pain. Cardiac events at follow-up were acute myocardial infarction (AMI), revascularization, hospitalization for cardiac reasons, and cardiac death. Cardiac event rates were compared between the chest pain group and the non-chest pain group by the Fisher exact test. Results Of the 612 patients, 28 (4.6%) had chest pain, of which 10 patients (1.6%) had typical angina. One-way analysis of variance did not show any significant difference in age, gender, heart rate, blood pressure recorded in clinic, and underlying heart disease between the chest pain group and the non-chest pain group. At follow-up, 6 ± 2 months (range 3-10 months), 2 events (7%) occurred in the chest pain group compared with 141 events (24%) in the non-chest pain group (two-sided p value = .09). Conclusion In male patients, the occurrence of chest pain or typical angina is low during cardiology clinic visit (4.6% and 1.6%, respectively). The occurrence of chest pain (typical, atypical, or noncardiac) during clinic visits is independent of clinic blood pressure and heart rate. Occurrence of chest pain in the clinic may represent a variant of white coat hypertension and is not associated with increased risk of cardiac events at short-term follow-up.
Pentose cycle activity of the isolated perfused rat lung

Pentose cycle activity was estimated in isolated rat lungs under varying conditions of glucose oxidation. Lungs were perfused for 100-120 min with a Krebs-Ringer-bicarbonate buffer, pH 7.4, containing 1-14C- or 6-14C-labeled glucose and ventilated with 95% O2:5% CO2. Based on 14C specific yields in either 14CO2 or perfusate lactate plus pyruvate, pentose cycle flux in control lungs was 5.3 mumol of glucose per hour per gram dry weight (11-12% of glucose utilization). Pentose cycle activity was unaltered by perfusion with 0.8 mM 2,4-dinitrophenol. Perfusion with phenazine methosulfate, an artificial hydrogen acceptor, resulations of the pentose cycle based on 14C yields in tissue lipids (both the fatty acid and deacylated fractions) gave values 2-3 times higher than measurements based on 14CO2. This study indicates that pentose cycle activity in the lung accounts for a significant fraction of glucose utilization and this pathway readily responds to metabolic perturbation.
Size Effects in Abrasive Processes

Size effects in abrasive processes are considered in terms of both the size of the abrasive grain and the size of the undeformed chip. On the basis of experimental results with grinding wheels and coated abrasives, it is shown that variations in specific cutting energy with abrasive grainsize and undeformed chip thickness can be attributed to the relative contributions of sliding, ploughing and chip formation energies. Experimental results are presented too for single-point cutting which show the effect of undeformed chip thickness on the extent of ploughing and on the fraction of cut material actually removed as a chip.
Neutrophil activation subsequent to cardiopulmonary bypass: a sensitive method for determining neutrophil activation by quantification of lactoferrin concentrations

Neutrophils have been implicated as contributors to the pathogenesis of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). We report a method to quantify the extent of neutrophil activation during CPB through measuring the serum concentrations of lactoferrin. We developed a modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the quantification of lactoferrin that is sensitive to 1 ng/ml. The preliminary data acquired to support this method confirm that there is a time-dependent increase in neutrophil activity during CPB. This was determined by measuring lactoferrin serum concentrations, and the lactoferrin concentrations appear to be higher in the pediatric patient compared to the adult patient
Mental Health Impact of Hosting Disaster Refugees: Analyses from a Random Sample Survey Among Haitians Living in Miami.

OBJECTIVES: Studies on the mental health of families hosting disaster refugees are lacking. This study compares participants in households that hosted 2010 Haitian earthquake disaster refugees with their nonhost counterparts. METHODS: A random sample survey was conducted from October 2011 through December 2012 in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Haitian participants were assessed regarding their 2010 earthquake exposure and impact on family and friends and whether they hosted earthquake refugees. Using standardized scores and thresholds, they were evaluated for symptoms of three common mental disorders (CMDs): posttraumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder (MDD). RESULTS: Participants who hosted refugees (n = 51) had significantly higher percentages of scores beyond thresholds for MDD than those who did not host refugees (n = 365) and for at least one CMD, after adjusting for participants' earthquake exposures and effects on family and friends. CONCLUSIONS: Hosting refugees from a natural disaster appears to elevate the risk for MDD and possibly other CMDs, independent of risks posed by exposure to the disaster itself. Families hosting refugees deserve special attention. Language: en
Rethinking Randomness: An interview with Jeff Buzen, Part II

For more than 40 years, Jeffrey Buzen has been a leader in performance prediction of computer systems and networks. His first major contribution was an algorithm, known now as Buzen's Algorithm, that calculated the throughput and response time of any practical network of servers in a few seconds. Prior algorithms were useless because they would have taken months or years for the same calculations. Buzen's breakthrough opened a new industry of companies providing performance evaluation services, and laid scientific foundations for designing systems that meet performance objectives. Along the way, he became troubled by the fact that the real systems he was evaluating seriously violated his model's assumptions, and yet the faulty models predicted throughput to within 5 percent of the true value and response time to within 25 percent. He began puzzling over this anomaly and invented a new framework for building computer performance models, which he called operational analysis. Operational analysis produced the same formulas, but with assumptions that hold in most systems. As he continued to understand this puzzle, he formulated a more complete theory of randomness, which he calls observational stochastics, and he wrote a book Rethinking Randomness laying out his new theory. We talked with Jeff Buzen about his work. Peter J. DenningEditor in Chief
Network connectivity assessment and improvement through relay node deployment

In wireless ad hoc networks, maintaining network connectivity is very important as high level network functions all depend on it. However, how to measure network connectivity remains a fundamental challenge. For example, a network can have good overall k-connectivity and yet still have a communication bottleneck. In this paper, we address how to locate bottlenecks and relieve them. A new connectivity measure based on the Cheeger's Constant is used for bottleneck discovery, and a partition algorithm that divides the network at the bottleneck is developed. After the network is partitioned, we consider deploying a relay node to increase the conductance of the network across the partition. The relay node deployment problem is formulated as an integer linear program to maximize the number of connections between the two sides of the cut, and then a convex optimization algorithm is used to find the precise location of the relay node, which is within the convex hull defined by the radio transmission ranges of all the nodes that can connect to the relay node. We show that the relay node significantly relieves the bottleneck and improves network connectivity, which is manifested by several network connectivity metrics. The partition and relay node deployment algorithms are then extended to the case where multiple relay nodes are available. Multiway partition and multiple relay node deployment algorithms are presented. Simulation results show this approach effectively enhances network connectivity with a small number of relay nodes.
Prevention of thrombosis in hypercoagulable patients undergoing microsurgery: A novel anticoagulation protocol.

Summary Background Hypercoagulable conditions are often considered relative contraindications to free flap reconstruction. This paper presents and critically examines a novel anticoagulation regimen developed to address this disease state. Methods Hypercoagulable patients who underwent free tissue transfer between 2007 and 2015 were identified. From 2011, all such patients were subjected to a novel anticoagulation protocol involving an intravenous bolus of 2000 U of unfractionated heparin prior to microvascular pedicle anastomosis, followed by a heparin infusion at 500 U/h, which was postoperatively increased to therapeutic levels. Patients were discharged on full anticoagulation for 1 month. Patients prior to 2011 received only subcutaneous heparin. Outcomes in patients receiving this novel anticoagulation protocol were compared to those of patients receiving standard therapy (postoperative subcutaneous heparin). Results Twenty-three hypercoagulable patients underwent reconstruction with 32 flaps. Eleven patients were administered the novel protocol. No thromboses were noted in the novel protocol cohort, while three thrombotic events occurred in the control cohort (0% vs. 17.6%, p = 0.23). No flaps were salvaged after thrombosis. All losses occurred in the control cohort (0% vs. 17.6%, p = 0.23). The novel protocol cohort was more likely to have postoperative red blood cell transfusions (72.6% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.007), hematomas (26.7% vs. 0%, p = 0.04), and lower mean hemoglobin nadirs [6.9 (1.0) vs. 8.9 ± 1.8 g/dL, p = 0.01]. Conclusion The key approach to hypercoagulable patients is likely prevention over treatment. Patients who received prophylactic heparin infusions had clinically lower rates of thrombotic events and flap loss. However, this encouraging finding must be balanced with the increased risk for postoperative bleeding complications.
Localization Microscopy Theory and Practice for Data Analysis on Sparsely Labeled Samples

In the last several years, the development of myriad localization-based fluorescence microscopy techniques has enabled the study of cellular structures at spatial resolutions up to an order of magnitude better than previous optical techniques allowed. These localization microscopy techniques work by acquiring the positions of single fluorophore molecules with diverse methods of varying complexity, but they all share the requirement that in order to create quality images, the cellular structures being studied they must be labeled at quite high densities. Such dense labeling is not always experimentally achievable nor desirable, most especially for live cell imaging studies. However, it is still possible to learn much about the underlying structures in more sparsely labeled samples using correlative analysis. In this study, we use an information theory framework to represent the process of building a localization microscopy image and develop a “completeness index” for the resulting images that aids in image quality assessment. We develop a test with human observers to identify the baseline range of completeness index values required for identification of features commonly found in fluorescence images of cellular structures. We then use simulated and real localization microscopy datasets to determine how to maximize the information gained from correlation analysis of datasets with low completeness and determine guidelines to avoid introducing data processing artifacts into the data. We also confirm the application of bootstrapping methods to estimate the uncertainty of the measurements taken from correlations with these sparsely labeled datasets. Finally, we apply the analysis an example of TIRF-based localization imaging; the distribution of actin-modifying proteins around the site of HIV-entry into a T-cell.
Transforming nursing education in a 140-character world: The efficacy of becoming social

A generational gap exists across educational settings today. The potential and actual mismatch of learning styles and curriculum delivery suggests that the current educational models are in need of change. The advent of social media has transformed students from passive recipients of information to co-creators and engaged members of a global and information rich community. Responding proactively with social media integration through a responsive curriculum delivery system would serve to enhance student engagement and improve collaborative learning opportunities. Future implications for social media use in research and education will allow for rapid and efficient research to practice dissemination.
Causes and consequences of decreasing atmospheric organic aerosol in the United States

Exposure to atmospheric particulate matter (PM) exacerbates respiratory and cardiovascular conditions and is a leading source of premature mortality globally. Organic aerosol contributes a significant fraction of PM in the United States. Here, using surface observations between 1990 and 2012, we show that organic carbon has declined dramatically across the entire United States by 25–50%; accounting for more than 30% of the US-wide decline in PM. The decline is in contrast with the increasing organic aerosol due to wildfires and no clear trend in biogenic emissions. By developing a carbonaceous emissions database for the United States, we show that at least two-thirds of the decline in organic aerosol can be explained by changes in anthropogenic emissions, primarily from vehicle emissions and residential fuel burning. We estimate that the decrease in anthropogenic organic aerosol is responsible for averting 180,000 (117,000–389,000) premature deaths between 1990 and 2012. The unexpected decrease in organic aerosol, likely a consequence of the implementation of Clean Air Act Amendments, results in 84,000 (30,000–164,000) more lives saved than anticipated by the EPA between 2000 and 2010.
Associations of County-level Radiologist and Mammography Facility Supply With Screening Mammography Rates in the United States

Rationale and Objectives The present study aims to assess associations of Medicare beneficiary screening mammography rates with local mammography facility and radiologist availability. Materials and Methods Mammography screening rates for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries were obtained for US counties using the County Health Rankings data set. County-level certified mammography facility counts were obtained from the United States Food and Drug Administration. County-level mammogram-interpreting radiologist and breast imaging subspecialist counts were determined using Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services fee-for-service claims files. Spearman correlations and multivariable linear regressions were performed using counties' facility and radiologist counts, as well as counts normalized to counties' Medicare fee-for-service beneficiary volume and land area. Results Across 3035 included counties, average screening mammography rates were 60.5% ± 8.2% (range 26%–88%). Correlations between county-level screening rates and total mammography facilities, facilities per 100,000 square mile county area, total mammography-interpreting radiologists, and mammography-interpreting radiologists per 100,000 county-level Medicare beneficiaries were all weak (r = 0.22–0.26). Correlations between county-level screening rates and mammography rates per 100,000 Medicare beneficiaries, total breast imaging subspecialist radiologists, and breast imaging subspecialist radiologists per 100,000 Medicare beneficiaries were all minimal (r = 0.06–0.16). Multivariable analyses overall demonstrated radiologist supply to have a stronger independent effect than facility supply, although effect sizes remained weak for both. Conclusion Mammography facility and radiologist supply-side factors are only weakly associated with county-level Medicare beneficiary screening mammography rates, and as such, screening mammography may differ from many other health-care services. Although efforts to enhance facility and radiologist supply may be helpful, initiatives to improve screening mammography rates should focus more on demand-side factors, such as patient education and primary care physician education and access.
Characterizing virus-induced gene silencing at the cellular level with in situ multimodal imaging

Reverse genetic strategies, such as virus-induced gene silencing, are powerful techniques to study gene function. Currently, there are few tools to study the spatial dependence of the consequences of gene silencing at the cellular level. We report the use of multimodal Raman and mass spectrometry imaging to study the cellular-level biochemical changes that occur from silencing the phytoene desaturase (pds) gene using a Foxtail mosaic virus (FoMV) vector in maize leaves. The multimodal imaging method allows the localized carotenoid distribution to be measured and reveals differences lost in the spatial average when analyzing a carotenoid extraction of the whole leaf. The nature of the Raman and mass spectrometry signals are complementary: silencing pds reduces the downstream carotenoid Raman signal and increases the phytoene mass spectrometry signal. Both Raman and mass spectrometry imaging show that the biochemical changes from FoMV-pds silencing occur with a mosaic spatial pattern at the cellular level, and the Raman images show carotenoid expression was reduced at discrete locations but not eliminated. The data indicate the multimodal imaging method has great utility to study the biochemical changes that result from gene silencing at the cellular spatial level of expression in many plant tissues including the stem and leaf. Our demonstrated method is the first to spatially characterize the biochemical changes as a result of VIGS at the cellular level using commonly available instrumentation.
MRI of Acute Conditions of the Gastrointestinal Tract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has often been considered a second-line, alternative imaging modality for the evaluation of patients with suspected acute gastrointestinal tract pathology because of its limited availability, cost, and relatively long imaging times. The multiplanar capability and excellent soft-tissue contrast of MRI, combined with the advent of ultrafast MRI techniques, however, have increased the utilization of MRI in more recent years for the imaging assessment of acute conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. Furthermore, because of its lack of ionizing radiation, MRI not only plays an especially critical role in the imaging evaluation of pregnant patients presenting with acute abdominal symptoms, but also is evolving to become a principal imaging modality for the evaluation of young patients with inflammatory bowel disease. This chapter presents the general principles regarding the imaging protocols for the evaluation of appendicitis in pregnant and nonpregnant patients, and discusses the MRI appearances of a variety of common and uncommon acute conditions of the gastrointestinal tract.
Reciprocating Link Hierarchical Clustering

A new clustering algorithm, called reciprocating link hierarchical clustering, is proposed which considers the neighborhood of the points in the data set in term of their reciprocating affinity, while accommodating the agglomerative hierarchical clustering paradigm. In comparison to six conventional clustering methods, the proposed method has been shown to achieve better results with cases of clusters of different sizes and varying densities. It successfully replicates the results of the mutual k-nearest neighbor method, and extends the capability to agglomerative hierarchical clustering.
Importin α Partitioning to the Plasma Membrane Regulates Intracellular Scaling

Early embryogenesis is accompanied by reductive cell divisions requiring that subcellular structures adapt to a range of cell sizes. The interphase nucleus and mitotic spindle scale with cell size through both physical and biochemical mechanisms, but control systems that coordinately scale intracellular structures are unknown. We show that the nuclear transport receptor importin α is modified by palmitoylation, which targets it to the plasma membrane and modulates its binding to nuclear localization signal (NLS)-containing proteins that regulate nuclear and spindle size in Xenopus egg extracts. Reconstitution of importin α targeting to the outer boundary of extract droplets mimicking cell-like compartments recapitulated scaling relationships observed during embryogenesis, which were altered by inhibitors that shift levels of importin α palmitoylation. Modulation of importin α palmitoylation in human cells similarly affected nuclear and spindle size. These experiments identify importin α as a conserved surface area-to-volume sensor that scales intracellular structures to cell size.
Evidence of Diverse Identities in a Large National Sample of Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents.

Adolescence is a time of identity exploration, and preliminary evidence indicates the ways adolescents are describing their sexual and gender identities (SOGI) are changing. A nuanced understanding of SOGI is necessary for valid assessment in developmental research. Current measures do not capture the diversity of emerging identities among young people. Our study analyzed a national sample of 17,112 sexual and gender minority adolescents (13-17 years) to better understand how identity labels are reported across sexual, gender, and ethnoracial minorities. Adolescents reported 26 distinct SOGI categories; 24% of adolescents utilized nontraditional SOGI labels, such as pansexual and nonbinary. These identifications varied significantly as a function of ethnoracial identity. Results have implications for how scholars conceptualize and measure SOGI among adolescents.