cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cardiac abnormalities associated with pheochromocytoma and other adrenal tumors.

Objective: To study the specific cardiac abnormalities associated with pheochromocytoma and to suggest a strategy for evaluating cardiac function in patients with pheochromocytoma.Methods: In this case-control study, we reviewed pathology records of patients seen at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center between 1997 and 2007; patients with adrenal or extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma and those with nonfunctioning benign or malignant adrenal tumors were identified. Patients with functioning adrenal adenomas that secreted cortisol or aldosterone were excluded. Clinical history, imaging, pathology, biochemical test results, electrocardiographic findings, and echocardiographic findings were compared between patients with pheochromocytoma and patients with nonfunctioning adrenal tumors.Results: The charts of 22 patients with pheochromocytoma and 35 patients with nonfunctioning adrenal tumors were included. No perioperative mortality was observed. The average age of patients with pheochromocytoma was similar to that of cont...
Can the 'photon interferes only with itself' hypothesis be reconciled with superposition of light from multiple beams or sources?

Any superposition effect as measured (SEM) by us is the summation of simultaneous stimulations experienced by a detector due to the presence of multiple copies of a detectee each carrying different values of the same parameter. We discus the cases with light beams carrying same frequency for both diffraction and multiple beam Fabry-Perot interferometer and also a case where the two superposed light beams carry different frequencies. Our key argument is that if light really consists of indivisible elementary particle, photon, then it cannot by itself create superposition effect since the state vector of an elementary particle cannot carry more than one values of any parameter at the same time. Fortunately, semiclassical model explains all light induced interactions using quantized atoms and classical EM wave packet. Classical physics, with its deeper commitment to Reality Ontology, was better prepared to nurture the emergence of Quantum Mechanics and still can provide guidance to explore nature deeper if we pay careful attention to successful classical formulations like Huygens-Fresnel diffraction integral.
A note on publication and citation rates of female academics in earthquake engineering

Publication and citation rates of female engineering faculty (FEF) who work in earthquake engineering are analyzed and compared with a group of leading male engineering faculty (MEF) in the same field. After correcting for the effects of rank and gender, it is found that the future performance of FEF, given the opportunity, can rank as high as the recognized leaders in the field.
Effects of o,p'-DDT on the adrenal gland and hepatic microsomal enzyme system in the beagle dog.

Abstract Four male beagle dogs received o,p′-DDT (50 mg/kg/day) in corn oil, administered in gelatin capsules, for 32 days. Four dogs used as controls received only corn oil. The treated dogs maintained body weights comparable to the controls and there were no overt signs of toxicity. The treated dogs showed a decreased eosinopenic response to ACTH after day 16. There was no significant difference in the plasma sodium and potassium concentrations or in the hematocrit before or after ACTH, nor in the 17-hydroxycorticosteroid (17-OHCS) response to ACTH between the treated and control dogs on any of the test days. The activity of the following hepatic microsomal enzyme systems showed a significant increase: oxidative hydrolysis of EPN, epoxidase, oxidative desulfuration and detoxification of parathion, glucuronyltransferase, and azo-reductase. The O-demethylation of p-nitroanisole showed no change. The treated dogs had significantly larger livers and exhibited higher total protein, microsomal protein and cytochrome P-450 content. There was no significant difference in the adrenal 17-OHCS concentrations between the treated and control dogs. The treated dogs had significantly larger adrenals. Histologic studies showed cells in the fasciculata of the treated dogs to be larger, more vacuolated, and devoid of acidophilic cytoplasm with hyperchromatic nuclei which frequently occupied a peripheral position in the cell. The zona glomerulosa, zona reticularis, and medulla showed no pathologic alterations. A study of tissue distribution suggested that o,p′-DDT was rapidly converted to o,p′-DDD in the liver; however, the o,p′-DDD did not accumulate in the other tissues to the same extent as the o,p′-DDT. These results suggest that o,p′-DDT does not block the synthesis or release of corticosteroids by the adrenal cortex but does stimulate the activity of the hepatic microsomal enzyme systems which are responsible for drug metabolism and the hydroxylation of steroid hormones in the beagle.
Hydrogen sorption in functionalized metal-organic frameworks.

Five porous metal−organic frameworks based on linking zinc oxide clusters with benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate, naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylate, 4,5,9,10-tetrahydropyrene-2,7-dicarboxylate, 2,3,5,6-tetramethylbenzene-1,4-dicarboxylate, or benzene-1,3,5-tris(4-benzoate) were synthesized in gram-scale quantities to measure their hydrogen uptake properties. Hydrogen adsorption isotherms measured at 77 K show a distinct dependence of uptake on the nature of the link. At 1 atm, the materials sorb between 4.2 and 9.3 molecules of H2 per formula unit. The results imply a trend in hydrogen uptake with the number of rings in the organic moiety.
Carbon solution and partitioning between metallic and silicate melts in a shallow magma ocean: Implications for the origin and distribution of terrestrial carbon

Abstract The origin of bulk silicate Earth carbon inventory is unknown and the fate of carbon during the early Earth differentiation and core formation is a missing link in the evolution of the terrestrial carbon cycle. Here we present high pressure (P)–temperature (T) experiments that offer new constraints upon the partitioning of carbon between metallic and silicate melt in a shallow magma ocean. Experiments were performed at 1–5 GPa, 1600–2100 °C on mixtures of synthetic or natural silicates (tholeiitic basalt/alkali basalt/komatiite/fertile peridotite) and Fe–Ni–C ± Co ± S contained in graphite or MgO capsules. All the experiments produced immiscible Fe-rich metallic and silicate melts at oxygen fugacity (fO2) between ∼IW-1.5 and IW-1.9. Carbon and hydrogen concentrations of basaltic glasses and non-glassy quenched silicate melts were determined using secondary ionization mass spectrometry (SIMS) and speciation of dissolved C–O–H volatiles in silicate glasses was studied using Raman spectroscopy. Carbon contents of metallic melts were determined using both electron microprobe and SIMS. Our experiments indicate that at core-forming, reduced conditions, carbon in deep mafic–ultramafic magmas may dissolve primarily as various hydrogenated species but the total carbon storage capacity, although is significantly higher than solubility of CO2 under similar conditions, remains low ( D C metal / silicate varies between ∼4750 and ⩾150 and increases with increasing pressure and decreases with increasing temperature and melt NBO/T. Our data suggest that if only a trace amount of carbon (∼730 ppm C) was available during early Earth differentiation, most of it was partitioned to the core (with 0.20–0.25 wt.% C) and no more than ∼10–30% of the present-day mantle carbon budget (50–200 ppm CO2) could be derived from a magma ocean residual to core formation. With equilibrium core formation removing most of the carbon initially retained in the terrestrial magma ocean, explanation of the modern bulk silicate Earth carbon inventory requires a later replenishment mechanism. Partial entrapment of metal melt in solid silicate matrix, carbon ingassing by magma ocean–atmosphere interaction, and carbon outgassing from the core aided by reaction of core metal and deeply subducted water are some of the viable mechanisms.
Congenital cytomegalovirus infection. Information for educational personnel.

Should a 3-year-old child with congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) be allowed to attend a classroom program for preschoolers? Can an 18-month-old infant who was excreting CMV in his urine six months ago be taken into a swimming pool? Is it safe for a pregnant physical therapist to provide hands-on services to a 7-month-old infant with congenital CMV? With increased public awareness of disorders such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and herpes simplex virus infections, questions such as these are now frequently posed to neurologists, developmental pediatricians, and primary care physicians by educators and others who provide services to handicapped children. Awareness of CMV has only recently emerged among the general public, particularly among those who work in special education settings, where children with developmental disabilities due to cytomegalic inclusion disease (CID) are referred for developmental intervention. School administrators, faced with increased concerns about CMV, turn to physicians for guidance but often receive
Improving written communication through minimal feedback

We propose that writers must form accurate representations of how their readers will interpret their texts to convey their ideas successfully. In two experiments, we investigated whether getting feedback from their readers helps writers form better representations of how their texts are interpreted. In our first experiment, one group of subjects (writers) wrote descriptions of a set of geometric figures; another group of subjects (readers) read those descriptions and used them to select the figures from sets of similar looking distractor figures. Half the writers received feedback on how well their readers selected the figures, and half the writers did not receive this feedback. Those writers who received feedback improved their descriptions more than those writers who did not receive feedback. In our second experiment, half the writers received two treatments of feedback on their descriptions of one set of figures, whereas the other half of the writers did not receive feedback. Then, all the writers described a new set of figures. Those writers who had previously received feedback wrote better new descriptions than did those writers who had never received feedback. We concluded that feedback - even this minimal form of feedback - helps writers to envision how readers interpret their texts.
A compact 5kV battery-capacitor seed source with rapid capacitor charger

Many pulsed power applications have demanding system requirements. Power systems for these applications are expected to provide high energy, high pulsed power and long standby times without recharge, all in a very compact package. The different properties of batteries and capacitors make them most suitable for different uses. When selecting a prime power source for compact pulsed power systems a hybrid system often provides the optimal solution, utilizing a battery for prime energy storage during standby and a capacitor for intermediate energy storage before and between operations. This system takes advantage of the best characteristics of both sources to fulfill the system requirements. The design and testing of such a compact system is discussed. The system utilizes a solid-state converter to charge a 50 µF polypropylene capacitor to 5 kV in under 500 ms from lithium-ion polymer (LiPo) batteries. Battery selection and testing is also covered. The battery and charger assembly occupies 1.25 L while the capacitor occupies an additional 1.4 L.
A genomic predictor of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Objectives/Hypothesis: The objective was to identify a genomic profile that predicts the likelihood of oral squamous cell carcinoma compared with normal oral mucosa in unknown tissue samples. Study Design: Using a training set of tissue samples that were histologically classified as oral squamous cell carcinoma or normal mucosa, the authors used principal component analysis to develop a genomic predictor for oral squamous cell carcinoma. On a separate test set of unclassified samples, the authors used the predictor to classify the samples, then evaluated the performance of the predictor using histological diagnosis. Methods: The authors used a data set consisting of messenger RNA extracted from 29 oral squamous cell carcinoma and 19 normal oral mucosa tissue samples and hybridized to Affymetrix oligonucleotide microarrays containing probe sets for 7070 genes and expressed sequence tags. The samples were divided into a training set of 15 oral squamous cell carcinoma and 10 normal samples and a test set consisting of the remaining samples. Using principal component analysis on the training set, the authors found a composite gene expression vector (principal component vector), which they used to compute likelihood ratios for oral squamous cell carcinoma on the test set. By calculating the contribution of each gene to the principal component vector, the authors identified genes with the greatest predictive value. Results: Using the likelihood ratio, the authors correctly classified all 23 samples in the test set as either oral squamous cell carcinoma or normal. The authors found that many of the most predictive genes are known to be markers of squamous cell carcinoma or normal mucosa. Conclusion: Principal component analysis can be used with genomic microarray data to correctly predict the presence of oral squamous cell carcinoma in unknown tissue samples.
Evaluating the health risk from secondary sulfates in eastern North American regional ambient air particulate matter.

Epidemiological studies of particulate matter (PM) using central area monitors have associated total PM mass, as well as certain individual components of PM, including sulfate, with adverse human health effects. However, some recent studies that used concentrated ambient particles (CAPs) or analyzed the effects of air pollution from different sources or geographic areas suggest that while some particles may be harmful, other particulate species including secondary sulfates may have negligible health effects. Toxicology studies to date also suggest that secondary sulfates pose little health risk. While studies using central-area monitors implicitly assume that all residents of the area are exposed to the same levels of pollution, newer studies find substantial health effects for those in close proximity to major roads. These latter studies recognize that although population exposure to widespread pollutants, such as total PM mass and sulfates, may be relatively uniform over a wide area, exposure to pollutants from local sources is not. While there is an emerging literature associating several adverse health effects with proximity to local pollution sources, the current database provides limited information that allows identification of specific particulate species that may cause little to no harm. In this article, we suggest that ambient secondary sulfates, and eastern North American regional air masses generally, appear to have little adverse impact on public health. This suggestion is based on evidence gleaned from eight avenues of investigation: (1) recent non-central-area monitor studies, including exposure gradient or proximity studies; (2) CAPs studies; (3) studies that examine effects related to different geographic areas or sources; (4) toxicology studies; (5) the limited number of studies that analyze existing central-area monitor data to explicitly examine the health impacts of sulfate and acidity versus PM mass; (6) “modern” area monitor studies with additional capabilities to distinguish among sources of pollution; (7) partial reinterpretation of two pivotal cohort studies; and (8) studies separating effects of secondary sulfates from those of primary metal sulfates. However, uncertainties remain regarding the role that secondary sulfates may play in ambient PM chemistry pathways leading to potentially harmful products, such as the possible effects of secondary organic aerosols that may be the product of acid catalysis of sulfur dioxide. Thus, more targeted study is needed, and some research suggestions are made in this regard.
Realization of Bilinear Stochastic Systems

This paper considers the problem of realization of bilinear stochastic systems. First an explicit statement for the BLSR problem is presented. Next a realization algorithm is developed. In this algorithm the state vector is picked as a basis in the subspace obtained by projecting an appropriately defined past vector onto an appropriately defined future vector. Also the realization algorithm involves solving a matrix nonlinear equation which is akin to the algebraic Riccati equation except for one additional term.
Testing vacancy chain predictions in Pagurus longicarpus hermit crabs: Does ecological gain and behavioral motivation match environmental context?

abstract Article history:Received 2 April 2012Received in revised form 19 June 2012Accepted 20 June 2012Available online xxxxKeywords:Ecological dependencyResource-use behaviorSocial contextVacancy chains Both ecological and social contexts are recognized as key variables in hermit crab shell switching behavior,but the impact of site variability on social shell choice has not yet been explored. Pagurus longicarpus marinehermit crabs are common inhabitants of highly variable intertidal habitats where they compete for gastropodshell resources. The goal of this study is two-fold: (1) to assess natural resource (shell) quality and use in theﬁeld; (2) to determine how differences in resource quality and ecological context affect social behavioraldecisions in the lab. We used vacancy chain theory to analyze the impacts, beneﬁts and consequences ofshell choice on the population. Speciﬁcally, we quantiﬁed movement of shells through a group and describedhermit crab shell decision patterns from two different intertidal populations: Beverly (rocky shore) andNahant, MA (mudﬂat). Shell damage and shell ﬁt are both known to negatively impact hermit crab ﬁtnessand survival; we found that Nahant crabs inhabited poorer quality shells compared to Beverly crabs. Similar-ly, Nahant crabs were more crowded and spent more time investigating shells. Despite the clear motivationaland behavioral differences in populations, vacancy chain lengths were extremely similar between Nahantand Beverly populations, and chains always terminated when the vacant shell was highly damaged,suggesting that chain length is mediated most by shell quality. These results suggest that relative (ratherthan absolute) differences in resource quality may dictate the dynamics of social vacancy chain outcomesin this species.© 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Daptomycin use in infants: report of two cases with peak and trough drug concentrations

We report two infants treated with daptomycin for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection and describe peak and trough blood concentrations measured during therapy. The peak concentrations were 41.7 mcg/ml and 36.7 mcg/ml, and the 12-hour trough concentrations were 12.7 mcg/ml and 16.3 mcg/ml, respectively. Even though the infants received higher doses than adults, their drug concentrations were comparable to those observed in adults treated with regular dosing of daptomycin.
Complexity of points-to analysis of Java in the presence of exceptions

At each program point, points-to analysis for statically typed object oriented programming languages (e.g., Java, C++) determines those objects to which a reference may refer (or a pointer may point) during execution. Points-to analysis is necessary for any semantics based software tools for object oriented systems. Our new complexity results for points-to analysis distinguish the difficulty of intraprocedural and interprocedural points-to analyses for languages with combinations of single-level types (i.e., types with data members only of primitive type), exceptions with or without subtyping, and dynamic dispatch. Our results include: 1) the first polynomial-time algorithm for points-to analysis in the presence of exceptions that handles a robust subset of Java without threads and can be applied to C++; 2) proof that the above algorithm is safe, in general, and provably precise on programs with single-level types and exceptions without subtyping, but not dynamic dispatch, thus, this case is in P; 3) proof that an interprocedural points-to analysis problem with single-level types and exceptions with subtyping, but without dynamic dispatch, is PSPACE-hard, while the intraprocedural problem is PSPACE-complete. Other complexity characterizations of points-to analysis in programs without exceptions are presented, including an algorithm with worst-case bound of O(n/sup 5/), which improves over the O(n/sup 7/) worst-case bound achievable from previous approaches of T. Reps et al. (1995) and W.A. Landi and B.G. Ryder (1991).
Oral surgery in patients undergoing chemoradiation therapy

Oral health care in patients undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy can be complex. Care delivered by a multidisciplinary approach is timely and streamlines the allocation of resources to provide prompt care and to attain favorable outcomes. A hospital dentist, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, and a maxillofacial prosthodontist must be involved early to prevent avoidable oral complications. Prevention and thorough preparation are vital before the start of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Oral complications must be addressed immediately and, even with the best management, can cause delays and interruption in treatment, with serious consequences for the outcome and prognosis.
Estrogen modulation of eNOS activity and its association with caveolin-3 and calmodulin in rat hearts

Previous studies have shown that estrogen modulation of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS) may confer protection against heart disease. Here, we demonstrate an association between reduct...
An assessment of the Hazards of lead in food

Exposure to lead (Pb) continues to be a source of concern for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other federal regulatory agencies. Blood lead levels as low as 10 micrograms Pb/dl have been associated with impaired neurobehavioral development in children and infants. Because of exposure to the fetus, blood lead levels of 10 micrograms Pb/dl are also of concern in pregnant women. Blood lead levels of 30 micrograms Pb/dl have been associated with elevated blood pressure and other adverse effects in adults. The dietary exposure that results in these blood levels of concern were estimated to be 60 micrograms Pb/day for children age 6 years or younger, 150 micrograms Pb/day for children age 7 years or older, 250 micrograms Pb/day for pregnant women, and 750 micrograms Pb/day for adults. A provisional tolerable total dietary intake was derived by applying a factor of 10 to obtain an exposure level that would include some margin of safety.
A Single Case of Rosai–Dorfman Disease Marked by Pathologic Fractures, Kidney Failure, and Liver Cirrhosis Treated with Single-Agent Cladribine

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is a proliferative histiocytic disorder of unknown etiology which is characterized by sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy. In most cases, RDD has a benign course and treatment is not necessary. However, severe cases of RDD require treatment, and the treatment strategy is determined on the basis of the severity of the disease or the extranodal involvement of vital organs. We report a single case of RDD with atypical presentation of persistent constitutional symptoms, progressing pathologic fractures, and end-organ dysfunction, including acute kidney failure and liver cirrhosis with esophageal varices.
Searching for the Classification Concept in WCO

Aiming at the Web information heterogeneous problems, we use the structure and the semantic characteristics of ontology, on the basis of the Web information classification glossary, to construct the Web classification ontology (WCO) suitable for the Web applications, provide the searching algorithms for the concept node of the Web information classification in WCO, and supply the experimental result, in order to research on the standardization and combination of the Web information classification architecture (CA).
Two New Species of Burmeistera (Campanulaceae: Lobelioideae) from the Cordillera de Talamanca of Costa Rica and Panama, with a Key to the Central American Species

Abstract Two new species of Burmeistera (Campanulaceae: Lobelioideae) from the Cordillera de Talamanca are described, illustrated, and discussed with reference to similar species. One species, B. serratifolia, is endemic to Panama, while the second, B. monroi, is known from both Panama and Costa Rica. Additionally, these species are included in a dichotomous key to all Central American species of Burmeistera.
A redox trap to augment the intein toolbox.

The unregulated activity of inteins during expression and consequent side reactions during work-up limits their widespread use in biotechnology and chemical biology. Therefore, we exploited a mechanism-based approach to regulate intein autocatalysis for biotechnological application. The system, inspired by our previous structural studies, is based on reversible trapping of the intein's catalytic cysteine residue through a disulfide bond. Using standard mutagenesis, the disulfide trap can be implemented to impart redox control over different inteins and for a variety of applications both in vitro and in Escherichia coli. Thereby, we first enhanced the output for bioconjugation in intein-mediated protein ligation, also referred to as expressed protein ligation, where precursor recovery and product yield were augmented fourfold to sixfold. Second, in bioseparation experiments, the redox trap boosted precursor recovery and product yield twofold. Finally, the disulfide-trap intein technology stimulated development of a novel bacterial redox sensor. This sensor reliably identified hyperoxic E. coli harboring mutations that disrupt the reductive pathways for thioredoxin and glutathione, against a background of wild-type cells. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 1565–1573. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Status Inconsistency and the Hope Technique, I: The Grounds for a Resurrection

This paper attempts a reassessment of status inconsistency theory, methods, and empirical results. Theory: Two distinct kinds of status inconsistency hypotheses are clarified-linear and nonlinear. Although the literature has explicitly acknowledged only nonlinear hypotheses, no logical preference for either linear or nonlinear hypotheses can be drawn from the original theory without changing or adding to its basic statements. A reappraisal of past empirical findings reveals an implicit preference for linear status inconsistency hypotheses. It is urged that linear hypotheses ought to be explicitly acknowledged as an important part of status inconsistency theory. The possibility of theoretical redundancy between status inconsistency theory and socialization is considered and rejected, since the two explanations of rank effects generate opposing predictions of psychological stress. Methods: The most popular method used by past investigators, interaction analysis, is shown to be capable of measuring only nonlinear hypotheses. The method recently offered by Hope is found to be the best method for analyzing status inconsistency. The Hope technique is not only capable of measuring linear hypotheses, but in addition, it incorporates the older method's ability to measure nonlinear hypotheses. Results: A test between the opposing predictions of status inconsistency and socialization favors status inconsistency by a margin of 5 to 1. A general test of status inconsistency on 104 dependent variables confirms the number of nonlinear results reported by Jackson and Curtis, but reveals that linear findings outnumber nonlinear ones by a ratio of almost 4 to 1. A speculative explanation for the better predictability of status inconsistency is offered, and directions for future research are considered.
TWO ANARCHIST NEWSPAPERS OF 1898

Critics have long avoided any serious consideration of the intellectual atmosphere in Spain during the waning years of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth. The Generation of 1898, essentially an ideological movement, has been studied with no more than passing mention of the social and philosophical currents of the times. Only Luis Granjel has attempted to analyse the period, and his effort is a superficial recounting of political and social history. What remains to be done is a careful study of the newspapers and reviews published at the turn of the century in order to reconstruct the possible cultural environment which determined the literary works of 1898.
Arrhythmias in the Intensive Care Unit

Recognition and management of disorders of cardiac rate and rhythm are key aspects of the care that must be provided to pediatric patients in the intensive care setting. In this chapter we will discuss the use of the 12 lead ECG, rhythm strip, cardiac bedside monitor, and atrial electrograms in the general approach to the diagnosis of arrhythmias. Management of specific arrhythmias will then be reviewed.
Resistance is futile: the assimilation of behavioral finance

Abstract In this paper, we address the conflict between modern finance (the de facto dominant paradigm of financial economics) and what is usually called “behavioral finance” (BF), also occasionally called by its opponents “the anomalies literature” as a way of marginalizing it. Even the supposed proponents of BF, however, are marginalizing themselves by clinging to the underlying tenets, forms, and methods of the dominant paradigm. They have allowed it to set the terms of the debate and made it the benchmark against which all finance is not only judged, but also labeled “finance”. Finance research itself is subject to the same “mistakes” that BF attributes to practitioners, and it is these same “mistakes”, perhaps more than the fierce attacks by the supporters of the ruling doctrine, that are preventing BF from emerging as a new paradigm. In effect, the failure of BF is proof of its veracity and legitimacy.
Intrauterine fetal tachypnea.

Megalocystis has been associated with pulmonary hypoplasia secondary either to extrinsic pressure on the fetal thorax or to the oligohydramnios itself. The compression of the abdomen and thorax was so severe in this case that it was felt to be incompatible with life. Decompression of the bladder apparently was lifesaving, and the presence of the fistulous tract allowed enough continued drainage for the fetus to reach 37 weeks’ gestation without repeat intervention. A recent article described the use of an indwelling suprapubic catheter that was placed into the fetus, which would minimize the need for repeat intervention.’ The inability to determine the L/S ratio is an interesting finding in that it did not reflect the pulmonary status of the baby. There is a strong possibility that the maternal bladder may have been inadvertently tapped. No amniotic fluid was present during labor or delivery to confirm these results. Although vaginal delivery has been advised with the prune-belly syndrome, abdominal dystocia was encountered in this case, where the abdominal girth was proportionately much larger than the fetal head. Most of the reported cases of prune-belly syndrome secondary to megalocystis have had poor outcomes, although some infants have done well after correction of the genitourinary anomalies.’ This baby is presently doing well at 6 months of age. In addition to the lack of abdominal musculature, he has an elevated bilirubin level secondary to biliary atresia and also has a suprapubic cystotomy. Present plans are to readmit him at 1 year of age to correct the genitourinary anomalies. How aggressively one should manage a case such as this is difficult to determine. Our experience demonstrates the feasibility of intrauterine intervention in the second trimester with continuation of the pregnancy until term.
The business of water in a changing world: organizations, connectors and support sector

AbstractAs water resources are used for an array of societal purposes, a core set of institutions manages them through a water sector with connections to other societal sectors such as food, energy and health. A framework of the sector and its connectors is presented to develop definitions and order-of-magnitude estimates of expenditures for infrastructure, equipment and service delivery mechanisms. Examples are provided for the US to represent higher-income countries and for the general case of lower-income countries. Understanding water’s business aspects can identify opportunities to improve water efficiency and lower water footprints across the global range of contextual situations.
Management of Dredged Material Capping Projects: An Example from New England

Capping of contaminated sediments with cleaner sediments is a technique that has been used by the US Army Corps of Engineers, New England Division (NED) since 1979, to avoid or minimize the impacts of contaminated sediments disposed at open water sites. A case study of contaminated sediments from a project on the Thames River, capped at a disposal site offshore of New London, Connecticut, illustrates the application of this technique. Several steps, both regulatory and operational, must be accomplished to ensure proper employment of this technique. First, once it is determined through the permit evaluation process that material to be dredged from a project is not suitable for unconfined open water disposal, the quantity of uncontaminated dredged material needed to achieve a desired cap thickness of 50 to 100 cm must be identified. This quantity may be determined by the use of a computer model - the DAMOS (Disposal Area Monitoring System) Capping Model - which simulates the disposal events and mound formation. Next, the applicant/project proponent must submit a capping plan to NED, which includes provisions for obtaining the necessary quantity of cap material and a schedule for dredging and disposal of both contaminated and cap materials. Upon approval of this plan by NED, the contaminated material may be dredged and disposed at a taut-wire moored buoy located at a specified set of coordinates. The use of such a buoy is critical to the success of capping, since it aids in limiting the distribution of the contaminated material on the seafloor. Post-disposal bathymetric and sediment-profile camera surveys of the contaminated material are conducted to delineate the areal extent of the mound formed during disposal. Several sets of coordinates are then chosen by NED for disposal of the cap material, with the aim of covering all contaminated sediments. The operational success of the capping technique is measured by adequate areal coverage and thickness of the cap over the contaminated material. Thus, following disposal (and sometimes during disposal) of cap material, additional surveys are conducted for this purpose.
Efficacy of electrolyzed water in the inactivation of planktonic and biofilm Listeria monocytogenes in the presence of organic matter.

The ability of electrolyzed (EO) water to inactivate Listeria monocytogenes in suspension and biofilms on stainless steel in the presence of organic matter (sterile filtered chicken serum) was investigated. A five-strain mixture of L. monocytogenes was treated with deionized, alkaline EO, and acidic EO water containing chicken serum (0, 5, and 10 ml/liter) for 1 and 5 min. Coupons containing L. monocytogenes biofilms were also overlaid with chicken serum (0, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 ml/liter) and then treated with deionized water, alkaline EO water, acidic EO water, alkaline EO water followed by acidic EO water, and a sodium hypochlorite solution for 30 and 60 s. Chicken serum decreased the oxidation-reduction potential and chlorine concentration of acidic EO water but did not significantly affect its pH. In the absence of serum, acidic EO water containing chlorine at a concentration of 44 mg/liter produced a >6-log reduction in L. monocytogenes in suspension, but its bactericidal activity decreased with increas...
Trans type genotype alpha thalassemia trait: a case study.

1. Angela B Foley, MS CLS(NCA)[⇑][1] 1. is Associate Professor, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans LA 2. Louann W Lawrence, DrPH CLSpH(NCA) 1. is Professor and Department Head, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans LA 1. Address for correspondence: Angela B Foley, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, School of Allied Health Professions, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1900 Gravier Street, New Orleans LA 70112, (504) 568-4276, (504) 568-6761 (fax), afoley{at}lsuhsc.edu A 22-year-old Caucasian female clinical laboratory science student agreed to donate several anticoagulated tubes of her blood to be used for analysis in the hematology student laboratory. She was in apparent good health and had no known history of a hematological disorder. Since manual white blood cell and platelet counts were being performed that day, her blood was run on an automated instrument so that the students' values could be checked for accuracy against the instrument values. Laboratory results (Table 1) and peripheral blood smear (Figure 1) are shown. This complete blood count (CBC) was done on an instrument which employs impedance and pulse editing technology in measuring the mean corpuscular volume (MCV). This technology has been reported to result in a ‘clamped mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)’ which may not accurately reflect hypochromia. Hypochromic cells are more deformable and therefore present a smaller cross sectional profile as the cells pass through the aperture to be counted and sized. This results in an MCV that is reported as slightly lower than it actually is. Since the hematocrit is calculated by multiplying the MCV by the red blood cell (RBC) count, the hematocrit value will also be falsely decreased and therefore the MCHC will be somewhat overestimated. The net result is a slightly decreased sensitivity of the MCHC to the presence of hypochromia.1 However, a repeat CBC performed on a second instrument which employs pulse editing and hydrodynamic focusing reported a comparable MCHC of 32.4 g/dL. Hydrodynamic focusing has been reported… ABBREVIATIONS: CBC = complete blood count; IDA = iron deficiency anemia; MCHC = mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration; MCV = mean corpuscular volume; RBC = red blood cell; TIBC = total iron binding capacity. [1]: #corresp-1
A synthetic approach to the phorboxazoles—synthesis of the exocyclic fragment

Abstract A strategy for the total synthesis of the phorboxazoles, including the synthesis of the exocyclic fragment corresponding to the C33–C41 portion, is reported. The primary objective was to utilize a chelation-controlled addition to an α-alkoxyaldehyde to install the oxygen atom at the C38 position.
Diagnostic terminology, athlete status, and history of concussion affect return to play expectations and anticipated symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury

ABSTRACT“Mild traumatic brain injury” (mTBI) and “concussion” are terms often used interchangeably. However, “mTBI” is frequently seen as representing a broader injury that encompasses the construct of “concussion,” which often conveys transience or decreased severity. The present study examined the influence of varying diagnostic terminology on acute injury expectations in an undergraduate population (N = 105). Participants were presented with an mTBI vignette and were randomly assigned to one of two conditions in which the term “mTBI” or “concussion” was used to describe the injury. There were no significant differences between the two conditions on anxiety, symptomatology, timeline, or consequence scales. However, participants in the “mTBI” group allocated more days to return to play than participants in the “concussion” group, suggesting that terminology has an effect on perceptions of the severity of the injury. Varsity athletes allocated fewer days to return to play than nonathletes. Individuals wit...
Design of Large Cryogenic Magnet Coils

The previous paper discusses the need for cryogenic coils and briefly discusses the various metals which are considered for electrical conductors. This paper will briefly describe some of the engineering problems of building such coils.
A name alone is not enough

Personalized information has become ubiquitous on the Internet. However, the conclusion on whether such information is always more effective than standardized information looks somewhat confusing in the literature. Some prior studies showed that a personalized message could generate more favorable outcomes than a standardized one, but others did not (sometimes with an almost identical study design). To provide a possible explanation why there existed such conflicting findings and conclusions in the personalization literature, the current study tested the influence of involvement on personalization in an advertising context. Through an experiment, it was found that the superiority of a personalized message over a standardized message was more salient when the message recipient was highly involved with the focal subject of the message than lowly involved. How involvement might affect the personalization effect was tested in this study.The effectiveness of personalization was examined in an online shopping context.Personalized messages generated more favorable effects when involvement was high.A simple personalization cue might not be sufficient to generate favorable effects.
Hollow Ecology: Ecological Modernization Theory and the Death of Nature

The last few decades have seen the rise of ‘ecological modernization theory’ (EMT) as a “green capitalist” tradition extending modernization theory into environmental sociology. This article uses a synthesis of political economy, world-systems theory, and political, economic, and environmental sociology to demonstrate that the EMT presumption of growth and profit as economic priorities (alongside its neglect of core-periphery relations) produces many feedback loops which fatally undermine the viability of EMT’s own political, technological, and social prescriptions, alongside creating problems for the fundamental EMT concept of ‘ecological rationality.’ Furthermore, this article attempts to explain why “green capitalist” approaches to environmental analysis have influence within policy and social science circles despite their inadequacies within environmental sociology. Finally, this article argues that in order to address the ecological challenges of our era, environmental sociology needs to reject “green capitalist” traditions like ‘ecological modernization theory’ which presuppose the desirability and maintenance of profit and growth as economic priorities (and predominantly fail to critique power imbalances between core and non-core nations), and instead return to the development of traditions willing to critique the fundamental traits of the capitalist world-system.
Contingencies to Prevent Catastrophe: Behavioral Psychology and the Anti-Nuclear Arms Movement

An active public strong l y opposed to the nuclear arms race may offer the best hope to prevent weapons escalation and thereby decreases the risk of nuclear war. In spite of Marxist interpretations to the con t rary , this paper argues that the peace movement is necessary and potentially powerful in creating social change. Some possible applications of behavioral psychology to the peace movement are examined . Knowledge about response allocation, self-control, and the promotion of novelty in responding may bolste r the effectiveness of public involvement. At the same time, efforts to create social change provide a proving ground for behavioral principles.
Languages in Drier Climates Use Fewer Vowels.

This study offers evidence for an environmental effect on languages while relying on continuous linguistic and continuous ecological variables. Evidence is presented for a positive association between the typical ambient humidity of a language’s native locale and that language’s degree of reliance on vowels. The vowel-usage rates of over 4000 language varieties were obtained, and several methods were employed to test whether these usage rates are associated with ambient humidity. The results of these methods are generally consistent with the notion that reduced ambient humidity eventually yields a reduced reliance of languages on vowels, when compared to consonants. The analysis controls simultaneously for linguistic phylogeny and contact between languages. The results dovetail with previous work, based on binned data, suggesting that consonantal phonemes are more common in some ecologies. In addition to being based on continuous data and a larger data sample, however, these findings are tied to experimental research suggesting that dry air affects the behavior of the larynx by yielding increased phonatory effort. The results of this study are also consistent with previous work suggesting an interaction of aridity and tonality. The data presented here suggest that languages may evolve, like the communication systems of other species, in ways that are influenced subtly by ecological factors. It is stressed that more work is required, however, to explore this association and to establish a causal relationship between ambient air characteristics and the development of languages.
Acute Pesticide-Related Illness Among Farmworkers: Barriers to Reporting to Public Health Authorities

ABSTRACTFarmworkers are at high risk of acute occupational pesticide-related illness (AOPI) and AOPI surveillance is vital to preventing these illnesses. Data on such illnesses are collected and analyzed to identify high-risk groups, high-risk pesticides, and root causes. Interventions to address these risks and root causes include farmworker outreach, education, and regulation. Unfortunately, it is well known that AOPI is underreported, meaning that the true burden of this condition remains unknown. This article reviews the barriers to reporting of farmworker AOPI to public health authorities and provides some practical solutions. Information is presented using the social-ecological model spheres of influence. Factors that contribute to farmworker AOPI underreporting include fear of job loss or deportation, limited English proficiency (LEP), limited access to health care, lack of clinician recognition of AOPI, farmworker ineligibility for workers’ compensation (WC) benefits in many states, insufficient r...
The significance of L1CAM expression in clear cell carcinoma of the endometrium.

Clear cell carcinoma is an uncommon histotype of endometrial carcinoma, representing less than 1% of cases (1). Although clear cell carcinoma is generally considered to be a clinically aggressive, “high risk” cancer (2), reported patient outcomes have been markedly variable at every stage of disease (3-8), possibly reflecting an underlying biologic heterogeneity that is inherent to the histotype (9). Indeed, somatic mutation profiling of cases classified as clear cell carcinoma have shown them to be markedly heterogeneous at the molecular level, with subsets resembling serous carcinomas, endometrioid carcinoma, neither, or both (10-12). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Chapter 2 – Fundamental Subfunctions of Locomotion

Abstract Legged locomotion is a complex hybrid, nonlinear and highly dynamic problem. Animals have solved this complex problem as they are able to generate energy efficient and robust locomotion resulted from million years of evolution. However, different aspects of locomotion in biological legged systems such as mechanical design, actuation and control are still not fully understood. Splitting such a complicated problem to simpler subproblems may facilitate understanding and control of legged locomotion. Inspired from template models explaining biological locomotory systems and legged robots, we define three basic locomotor subfunctions: stance leg function, leg swinging and balancing. Combinations of these three subfunctions can generate different gaits with diverse properties. Basic analysis on human locomotion using conceptual models can result in developing new methods in design and control of legged systems like humanoid robots and assistive devices.