cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Treatment of Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria: a Focused Update in Omalizumab

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a common disease in the general population that causes significant effects on quality of life and a financial burden on the health care system. Guidelines are essential to assure patients are being managed appropriately, although given the rigor to develop these reviews they are not as up to date as cutting-edge scientific evidence. This review details the most recent phase II, III, and IV clinical trials that have been published since the development of the US practice parameters. Phase II, III, and IV clinical trials, ASTERIA I, POLARIS, X-ACT, MoA, and CTEND-CIU, demonstrate safety, long-term efficacy, and improvement in patient’s quality of life by decreasing disease-burdened days and severity of disease in comparison with placebo, as well as transcriptional level changes in gene expression with omalizumab use. Data is emerging regarding efficacy in inducible urticarias, predictors of response, and optimal methods for discontinuation of omalizumab. Optimal treatment of CSU should be based on recent practice parameters and guidelines. Recent evidence supports the use of omalizumab in antihistamine refractory urticaria patients, but the mechanism for its effect, identification of biomarkers to predict response to therapy, optimal duration, and adjustments in dosing all require additional investigation.
NurOwn, phase 2, randomized, clinical trial in patients with ALS: Safety, clinical, and biomarker results

Objective To determine the safety and efficacy of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-neurotrophic factor (NTF) cells (NurOwn®, autologous bone marrow-derived MSCs, induced to secrete NTFs) delivered by combined intrathecal and intramuscular administration to participants with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in a phase 2 randomized controlled trial. Methods The study enrolled 48 participants randomized 3:1 (treatment: placebo). After a 3-month pretransplant period, participants received 1 dose of MSC-NTF cells (n = 36) or placebo (n = 12) and were followed for 6 months. CSF was collected before and 2 weeks after transplantation. Results The study met its primary safety endpoint. The rate of disease progression (Revised ALS Functional Rating Scale [ALSFRS-R] slope change) in the overall study population was similar in treated and placebo participants. In a prespecified rapid progressor subgroup (n = 21), rate of disease progression was improved at early time points (p Conclusion A single-dose transplantation of MSC-NTF cells is safe and demonstrated early promising signs of efficacy. This establishes a clear path forward for a multidose randomized clinical trial of intrathecal autologous MSC-NTF cell transplantation in ALS. Classification of evidence This phase II study provides Class I evidence.
Optimal defaults as a strategy to improve selections from children's menus in full-service theme park dining.

Abstract An “optimal default” refers to a pre-selected default option that promotes an outcome intended to be favorable to the individual and/or society at large. Optimal defaults preserve the decision-maker's ability to opt-out of the default and choose an alternative option. This behavioral economics strategy has been shown to nudge both child and adult consumers toward healthier food selections. Full-service restaurants with children's menus are key settings for implementing this approach. The current field study manipulated children's menus at two theme park restaurants, testing the effects of three different item presentations (i.e., lower-energy-dense default, standard fare default, and free array menus). Each menu was presented to consumers for 1 week at a time, in random order. Full choice was preserved with all menu options appearing across conditions, with non-default items listed as available upon request. The restaurants tracked food orders during each of the three weeks. Results showed that positioning lower-energy-dense foods as default menu choices increased the likelihood of lower-energy-dense menu selections and decreased the likelihood that customers would “opt-out” for standard fare. There were also significant differences in total caloric value of food ordered across conditions, with the optimal default menu condition promoting the lowest potential energy intake. This study further supports the effectiveness of optimal defaults to increase healthy food choices for children.
Menger and Bohm Bawerk and Their Discontents

This chapter explores the seminal contributions of Carl Menger and Eugen von Bohm-Bawerk to economics, as well as their limitations. First, Menger’s theory of marginal utility will be reviewed as the subjectivist basis for the theory of production and distribution, alongside John Bates Clark’s similar theory. The difference between Menger’s causal-realist and Walras and Jevons’ mathematical treatment of marginal utility will be explored, alongside the far-reaching implications of these differences for economic theory. Menger’s concept of imputation is presented as a germ of a mature theory of distribution, which was left incomplete in his work. The chapter examines Bohm Bawerk’s theories of capital and interest, especially his critique of productivity theories of interest, the concepts of capital, time preference and waiting, but also his withdrawal into the old theories of productivity as the source of interest. Also, his conception of the ultimate standard of value will be sketched out and described how it effectively undermined the Austrian approach and embraced Marshall’s. Another aspect of Bohm’s and Menger’s theories that left much to be desired is the rent theory that neither of them successfully developed and regarding which both authors remained within the horizon of classical economics.
Comparing hyperlordotic and standard lordotic cages for achieving segmental lumbar lordosis during transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion in adult spinal deformity surgery

Background Few studies directly compare the effect of interbody cages with different degrees of lordosis in producing segmental lumbar lordosis (SLL) in the transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) procedure. Thus, we aimed to investigate changes in SLL in hyperlordotic cages compared to standard lordotic cages in open TLIF procedures. Methods Thirty-eight consecutive patients who received open TLIF procedures performed by a single surgeon between 2017 and 2018 were reviewed. Twenty patients had "hyperlordotic cages" (20° lordosis), while 18 patients had "standard lordotic cages" (6° lordosis). Twenty-three patients had one-level TLIF procedures and 15 had two-level TLIF. Standard radiographic measurements, including SLL were assessed preoperatively, postoperatively, and at 1-year follow-up. SLL was measured from the superior endplate of the cephalad vertebra to the inferior endplate of the caudal vertebra. Changes in SLL were compared using Student's and paired t-tests. Results In one- and two-level open TLIF, both hyperlordotic and standard lordotic cages produced significant improvement in SLL. Among those receiving a one-level TLIF, SLL increased 7.8° (P=0.024) in those with standard lordotic cages; it increased 8.2° (P=0.020) in those with hyperlordotic cages. Among those receiving a two-level TLIF, SLL increased 13.9° (P=0.032) in those with standard lordotic cages; it increased 8.8° (P=0.023) in those with hyperlordotic cages. However, the improvement in SLL was not significantly different between the two cage types in either one or two-level TLIF procedures (P=0.917, P=0.389). At 1-year follow-up, there was no significant change in SLL, among standard lordotic and hyperlordotic cages (P=0.501, P=0.781). Conclusions Although it is theorized that hyperlordotic cages would increase SLL during open TLIF procedures more than standard lordotic cages, our data failed to demonstrate that. As our study examined cases performed by a single surgeon immediately before and after adoption of these lordotic cages, it is likely that surgical technique is of equal or greater importance in improving SLL than the amount of lordosis designed into interbody cages.
Model of vacancy diffusion-assisted intergranular corrosion in low-alloy steel

Abstract A model is presented for intergranular corrosion (IGC) of nonsensitized low-carbon pipeline steels, in which enhanced grain boundary (GB) oxidation is enhanced by vacancies produced by oxidation of reactive Si atoms. Evidence for vacancy injection at corroding GBs had been provided by recent nanoindentation measurements. Model calculations of IGC evolution controlled by lattice vacancy diffusion are compared to experimental measurements. Realistic dihedral angles of corroded GB grooves are predicted based on a vacancy diffusivity within the range of values expected for bcc iron. The calculations rationalize observations of sharpening of GB grooves with time during corrosion exposures, and show that vacancy diffusion quantitatively accounts for enhancement of IGC by reactive solute atoms, without invoking solute segregation or precipitation at GBs.
Physical activity during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is linked to better mood and emotion.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic may negatively impact mood and emotion. Physical activity may protect against mood disturbance and promote positive affect. This study asked if physical activity before, during, or the change in physical activity with the pandemic, impacted affect and mood during the pandemic. US adult residents (18-74 years; N = 338) were surveyed from 29 April to 3 June 2020. Physical activity before and during the pandemic was assessed with the Physical Activity Rating survey. The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule measured affect and the Profile of Moods Questionnaire assessed mood. Comparisons between physically inactive and active participants by Analysis of Covariance found greater vigour in participants classed as physically active before the pandemic. Positive affect, vigour and esteem-related affect were greater in participants physically active during the pandemic. Multiple linear regression revealed relationships between the change in physical activity and mood. Change in physical activity positively associated with positive affect (b = 1.06), esteem-related affect (b = 0.33) and vigour (b = 0.53), and negatively associated with negative affect (b = -0.47), total mood disturbance (b = -2.60), tension (b = -0.31), anger (b = -0.24), fatigue (b = -0.54), depression (b = -0.50) and confusion (b = -0.23). These data demonstrate that physical activity during the pandemic, and increased physical activity relative to before the pandemic, related to better mood.
Counter machines and the safety and disjointness problems for database queries with linear constraints

We give a brief review of some known decidability results concerning multi-counter machines. Using these results we show that safety and disjointness of database queries with linear integer constraints are decidable.
Congestion-distortion optimized scheduling of video over a bottleneck link

Recent research on multimedia scheduling has focused on minimizing the rate-distortion cost of transmission policies. This tradeoff only partially reflects the network congestion a media stream may generate on bandwidth-limited channels. We introduce the concept of congestion-distortion optimized streaming and propose a scheduler which attempts to minimize the Lagrangian cost of end-to-end delay and media distortion. Experiments for video on a simulated network illustrate the performance of the scheduler. Compared to a state-of-the-art scheduler, the proposed algorithm reduces end-to-end delay by approximately 50% while improving the video quality by up to 3 dB.
EventShop: recognizing situations in web data streams

Web Observatories must address fundamental societal challenges using enormous volumes of data being created due to the significant progress in technology. The proliferation of heterogeneous data streams generated by social media, sensor networks, internet of things, and digitalization of transactions in all aspect of humans? life presents an opportunity to establish a new era of networks called Social Life Networks (SLN). The main goal of SLN is to connect People to Resources effectively, efficiently, and promptly in given Situations. Towards this goal, we present a computing framework, called EventShop, to recognize evolving situations from massive web streams in real-time. These web streams can be fundamentally considered as spatio-temporal-thematic streams and can be combined using a set of generic spatio-temporal analysis operators to recognize evolving situations. Based on the detected situations, the relevant information and alerts can be provided to both individuals and organizations. Several examples from the real world problems have been developed to test the efficacy of EventShop framework.
Standards of Best Practice: Simulation Standard VIII: Simulation-Enhanced Interprofessional Education (Sim-IPE)

The complex health care needs of today's society require health care professionals to work as a collaborative team. Safe, quality health care depends on the ability of the health care team to cooperate, communicate, and share skills and knowledge appropriately. Interprofessional education provides a collaborative approach for the development and mastery of these competencies. Simulation-based experiential learning is recognized as an effective way to promote interprofessional education teamwork.
Environmental Stress and Methyl Jasmonate-mediated Changes in Flavonoid Concentrations and Antioxidant Activity in Broccoli Florets and Kale Leaf Tissues

Aqueous solutions of 250 mM methyl jasmonate (MeJA) were sprayed on aerial plant surfaces 4 days before harvest at commercial maturity of five commercial broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) hybrids, 'Pirate', 'Expo', 'Imperial', 'Gypsy', and 'Green Magic', and two kale cultivars, Red Winter (Brassica napus ssp. pabularia) and DwarfBlueCurledVates(BrassicaoleraceaL.var.acephalaDC.)inreplicatedfieldtrials over 2 years. While having no effect on broccoli floret concentrations, MeJA treatments significantly increased total phenolics in kale cultivars over two seasons by 27% and extract antioxidant activity by 31% using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Partitioning experiment-wide trait variances indicated that the variability in broccoli floret concentrations of total phenolics (74%), quercetin (24%), kaempferol (34%), and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) (66%) and DPPH (62%) antioxidant activity was largely influenced by year- associated environmental factors. In broccoli, the differential accumulation of solar radiationamongcultivarsresultingfromthevariationindaystomaturitywassignificantly correlated with total phenolics, ABTS, and DPPH antioxidant activity. Broccoli floret and kale total phenolic, quercetin, and kaempferol concentrations significantly corre- lated with DPPH and ABTS antioxidant activity. To summarize, total phenolic and flavonoid concentrations and their associated antioxidant activity in broccoli florets were unaffected by MeJA but varied significantly among cultivars and over growing seasons. Apical, compared with basal, leaves in kale were more responsive to MeJA-mediated increases in total phenolics and ABTS and DPPH antioxidant activity.
Living Criminologically with Naked Emperors

The author reviews the course of his criminological research, which began with the study of how police decide whether to record offenses. His research on crime measurement has ultimately led him to give up trying to measure trends in crime and criminality. In its place, he proposes a paradigm in which criminologists study how to democratize participation in social life, arguing that this is a more valid way to measure progress toward control of crime and personal violence.
Of hemorrhagic shock, spherical cows and Aloe vera

The central question explored in this commentary is whether the beneficial effects of an Aloe vera derived drag-reducing polymer during hemorrhagic shock is due to its O2 radical scavenging properties or to changes in blood rheology.
Nuclear data sheets for A=115

Abstract Nuclear structure information pertaining to A = 115 has been reviewed. The level properties obtained from decay and reaction experiments are shown in the drawings. Experimental methods, references, and comments are given in the text.
Professional Nursing Education in the Future: Changes and Challenges

Trends in health care suggest changes in nursing practice and implications for nursing education. Changing demographics, emphasis on health promotion, health care costs, movement toward community‐based care, and expanding technology are factors that shape the health care system of the future and educational preparation of nurses. This article examines these trends and implications for nursing education. Faculty are faced with preparing students for future practice that will be more complex and specialized than it now is; will be provided in multiple settings; and will require extensive knowledge, critical thinking and other cognitive skills, technologic and psychomotor skills, and a value system for making ethnical decisions. Other outcomes of nursing education program include learning to learn, handling ambiguity, thinking like a professional, and accepting responsibility for decisions made in practice. For nursing to assume a central role in the health care system of tomorrow, reform in nursing education is needed today.
Self‐formed bedrock channels

[1] An effective physics-based rule for the evolution of bedrock channel cross sections is required for quantitative modeling of the roles of climate, tectonics, and sediment supply in setting bedrock longitudinal profiles and landscape form. Here we propose a modeling strategy in which the spatial pattern of erosion rates in a channel cross section is calculated, allowing exploration of the origin of the channel cross-sectional profile, and of the dependence of channel width on flow discharge and channel slope. Our approach reproduces many of the scaling relationships observed in natural systems, including power-law width-discharge (W∼Q0.4) and width-slope (W∼S−0.2) relationships. Models of channel cross-sections linked in series and subject to varying rock uplift (baselevel lowering) rates produce concave-up longitudinal profiles with power-law slope-uplift (S∼B1.31) and width-uplift (W∼B−0.24) relationships. Our modeling strategy can easily be adapted to handle i) better representations of erosional processes, ii) better approximations of the flow structure, and iii) the role of non-uniform sediment mantling of the bed.
Mobile Social Closeness and Communication Patterns

As mobile networks expand rapidly to facilitate the rising number of mobile phone population, more mobile social services are being developed and offered. To create an efficient social functionality, characteristics of mobile social network must be studied. Social closeness is one of the basic fundamentals of any kind of social networking. In this paper, closeness in mobile social network is the subject of the study, from which social grouping scheme is proposed and validated against the feedbacks of human subjects. Based on the proposed grouping scheme, a study of the impact of the mobile social closeness to the similarity in calling patterns and reciprocity is presented.
A Survey of Deans: Trends, Challenges, and Mentoring in Prosthodontics. Part 2

Purpose: This study consists of two parts. Part 1, a survey of program directors, was conducted to examine current trends in advanced education in prosthodontics in the United States. Part 2 reports on the findings of a survey distributed to the deans of US dental schools to evaluate their observations of trends in prosthodontic education. Materials and Methods: A national, electronic survey of 55 dental school deans was distributed by e-mail to evaluate an interest in specialty training, an interest in specialization in prosthodontics, faculty shortages, programs to address faculty shortages, predoctoral curriculum in prosthodontics, opinions regarding dental specialties, and the administrative position of prosthodontics within the schools. Results: Of the 55 deans, 44 deans responded, an 80% response rate. Only five deans reported a decrease in the number of students seeking specialty training after dental school. The remaining 39 deans reported a large increase, slight increase, or no change in those seeking specialty training. In 29.6% of the deans' responses, an increased interest in prosthodontics was reported, whereas 16 deans reported no change in the level of interest. One or more open faculty positions in prosthodontics existed at 29 dental schools, and 28 schools offered at least one incentive or a variety of incentives to recruit faculty. The respondents to the deans' survey revealed predoctoral student exposure to prosthodontists was high, and exposure to postgraduate prosthodontics students was low. A survey of internal school programs that might have an impact on an increased interest in prosthodontics revealed the presence of a predoctoral mentoring program for prosthodontics in 80% of the institutions. The clinical curriculum included treatment of a variety of cases, including complex cases as defined by a diagnostic classification system. The response to whether dental specialties should be combined or remain individual provided some interesting data. Only 40.9% of the deans responded that prosthodontics was a separate department. Conclusion: Dental school deans reported an increased interest in specialty training. Predoctoral student exposure to prosthodontics was high due to the nature of their clinical experience and due to the exposure to full-time prosthodontics faculty. Many dental schools have programs, such as mentoring and new technology, which might have an impact on predoctoral students' increased interest in prosthodontics.
Imaging the Hot Intracluster Medium

Clusters of galaxies contain large amounts of hot, diffuse x—ray emitting gas. Observations of this gas can be used to measure the gas mass, the cluster virial mass, and the cluster morphology. From these measurements. a lower limit to the baryonic mass in clusters, the formation efficiency of galaxies in different environments, and the presence and scale of cluster substructure can be determined.
Benzodiazepine inhibition of [3H]flunitrazepam binding and caffeine-induced seizures in mice.

The median inhibitory and anticonvulsant potencies of seven benzodiazepine (BDZ) agonists and one BDZ antagonist (Ro15-1788) were established by two tests: inhibition of [3H]flunitrazepam receptor binding and prevention of caffeine-induced seizures in mice. The effect of Ro15-1788 on the anticonvulsant potency of diazepam against caffeine-induced seizures was also investigated. The [3H]flunitrazepam receptor binding inhibitory potencies (IC50s) of the BDZ agonists correlate well with their anticonvulsant potencies (ED50s) against caffeine-induced seizures (r = 0.831; P > 0.01 and < 0.05). Ro15-1788 and clonazepam are the most potent inhibitors (IC50s: 1.72 and 1.75 nM, respectively), but differ markedly in their ability to obtund caffeine-induced seizures (ED50s: 43.2 and 0.226 mg/kg, respectively). Although both Ro15-1788 and diazepam are effective against caffeine-induced seizures, when used in combination Ro15-1788 antagonizes the anti-caffeine effect of diazepam. These data indicate that Ro15-1788 is a BDZ partial agonist with low efficacy as well as a potent antagonist.
Macroeconomic Effects and Policy Challenges of Population Aging

This paper simulates the macroeconomic effects of population aging in a dynamic overlapping generations model of a small open economy. The model is calibrated to data for the Czech Republic, where population aging is proceeding at a pace comparable to that in other advanced countries in Europe. Simulations show that population aging is likely to slow economic growth and improvements in living standards. Although reforms to raise labor force participation and productivity growth can mitigate these adverse effects, they are unlikely to eliminate the need for fiscal reforms. The budget will come under pressure from rising age-related expenditures, and consolidation will be needed to preserve debt sustainability.
A comparison of gastric acid back-diffusion in control and alcoholic patients.

The chronic alcoholics admitted after recent heavy ethanol intake were studied by acid infusion to test gastric mucosal integrity. Results were compared to a group of control patients. In addition, gastroscopic examinations were done on all of the alcoholic group. Results indicate that 24 to 72 hours after ethanol ingestion, the response of the mucosal barrier to acid instillation in chronic alcoholics is similar to that in the control group. There is no evidence of increased back-diffusion. Gastroscopy revealed only minor mucosal changes in 4 of the 10 patients.
The effector roles of kringle 1 and kringle 2 in the enzymatic properties of recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator as revealed by generation of recombinant molecules containing each kringle linked to the protease domain.

Recombinant DNA technology has been employed to construct and express in human kidney 293 cells cDNAs encoding deletion-mutant recombinant (r) tissue-type plasminogen activators (tPA) retaining only the kringle 1 ([K1tPA]) and serine protease (P) functional domains (r-[K1tPA]P), and the kringle 2 ([K2tPA]) and P domains (r-[K2tPA]P), along with a variant of r-tPA containing a W253S mutation (r-tPA/W253S). Of these mutants, only r-[K2tPA]P retained its ability to interact with ω-amino acid effector molecules. The Km for single-chain wild-type (wt) r-tPA toward the synthetic substrate H-D-Ile-LPro-L-Arg-p-nitroanilide (S2288) was decreased by approximately 3-fold in the presence of a saturating concentration of human fibrinogen (Fg), along with a small (1.14-fold) increase in the kcat for this same reaction. The kinetic activation (dissociation) constant (KA) for Fg was 2.4 μM. Fg did not influence the steady-state amidolytic properties of two-chain wtr-tPA. Similar effects of Fg on the Km for hydrolysis of 52288 were displayed for single-chain forms of r-[K1tPA]P, r-[K2tpA]P, and r-tPA/W253S, with additional small effects of Fg on the kcat of this reaction. The KA for Fg toward these proteins ranged from 2.4 μM for wtr-tPA to 5.2 μM for r-[K1tPA]P. The amidolytic properties of the two-chain forms of these variants were also unaffected by Fg. The activation rate of [Glu1]-plasminogen ([Glu1]Pg) by wtr-tPA was stimulated approximately 7-fold by Fg and approximately 139-fold by the same concentration (in Fg equivalents) of human fibrin (Fn) (Fn/Fg stimulatory ratio = 19.9). The Fn/Fg ratio was 10.6,20.9, and 18.0 for r-[K1tPA]P, r-[K2tPA]P, and r-tPA/W253S, respectively. Quantitative [Glu1]Pg-enriched clot lysis assays revealed that r-[K1tPA]P, r-[K2tPA]P, and r-tPA/W253S were approximately 18, 72, and 54%, respectively, as effective as wtr-tPA in catalyzing the plasminogen activation event leading to lysis. The antifibrinolytic agent ϵ-aminocaproic acid, inhibited clot lysis with approximately equal effectiveness in [Glu1]Pg-enriched clots when wtr-tPA, r-[K1tPA]P, r-[K2tPA]P, or r-tPA/W253S were employed as the activators. These studies demonstrated that Fg- and Fa-based stimulatory effects on the enzymatic properties of r-tPA and its variants were generally not proportional to the macroscopic binding abilities of these proteins with ω-amino acids or with Fg and Fn. This suggests that these effector molecules exert their effects with tPA via kinetically relevant sites and mechanisms not entirely reflected by their macroscopic binding properties to tPA.
Modern Airfoil ice accretions

This report presents results from the first icing tests performed in the Modem Airfoils program. Two airfoils have been subjected to icing tests in the NASA Lewis Icing Research Tunnel (IRT). Both airfoils were two dimensional airfoils; one was representative of a commercial transport airfoil while the other was representative of a business jet airfoil. The icing test conditions were selected from the FAR Appendix C envelopes. Effects on aerodynamic performance are presented including the effects of varying amounts of glaze ice as well as the effects of approximately the same amounts of glaze, mixed, and rime ice. Actual ice shapes obtained in these tests are also presented for these cases. In addition, comparisons are shown between ice shapes from the tests and ice shapes predicted by the computer code, LEWICE for similar conditions. Significant results from the tests are that relatively small amounts of ice can have nearly as much effect on airfoil lift coefficient as much greater amounts of ice and that glaze ice usually has a more detrimental effect than either rime or mixed ice. LEWICE predictions of ice shapes, in general, compared reasonably well with ice shapes obtained in the IRT, although differences in details of the ice shapes were observed.
Why fast-growing pollen tubes give rise to vigorous progeny: the test of a new mechanism

A positive correlation between the speed of pollen tube growth and the quality of the resulting progeny in several species of flowering plants has traditionally been explained as being caused by an overlap in gene expression between gametophytes and sporophytes. We experimentally manipulated the pollen tube growth rates of pollen donors, such that the genotype controlling the rate was uncoupled from the phenotype, to test the alternative hypothesis that the correlation arises because ovules fertilized early are better provisioned by the maternal plant than later–fertilized ovules. Crosses using Silene vulgaris individuals bearing distinctive genetic markers revealed a correlation between the order of fertilization by pollen grains and vigour of the resulting sporophytes, which was independent of the speed of growth of the pollen tubes. Seeds sired by donors with relatively fast–growing pollen germinated earlier and grew larger than those sired by slow–growing pollen when pollen from the two donors was applied simultaneously. Reversing the order of arrival in the ovary by placing slow–growing pollen on the styles earlier and closer to the ovary led to reverse results. These results suggest that differential provisioning by the maternal plant can lead to differences in progeny vigour following pollen competition.
Distribution network electricity market clearing: Parallelized PMP algorithms with minimal coordination

The socially optimal power market clearing problem with diverse, complex-utility-structure participants at the distribution level, poses computational challenges that are exacerbated by the associated non-convex load flow constraints. We investigate variations and extensions of Proximal Message Passing algorithms proposed in the literature and implemented on similar, though simpler, social welfare function instantiations. Numerical results demonstrate that (i) in comparison to solving a computationally demanding, yet exact, centralized market clearing problem, significant computational improvements are possible with the proposed PMP algorithm extensions, (ii) comparison to the benchmark results obtained by solving the centralized formulation reveals that excellent accuracy is attainable by the PMP algorithms and (iii) in comparison to the PMP algorithms existing in the literature, the proposed extension reduces significantly the communication requirements for sub-problem coordination and convergence verification and enables faster converging asynchronous sub-problem iterations.
Studies of incubation and broody behaviour in the pheasant (Phasianus colchicus

Abstract Evidence is presented which indicates that hen pheasants show responses other than incubation as incubation progresses. Some types of behaviour are observed only by hens in the advanced stages of incubation. Other responses may be detected throughout incubation. The development of this behaviour in the first half of incubation coincides with the rapid rise in the content of prolactin in the pituitary. Experimental reduction and prolongation of the incubation period yield data which suggest that prolactin has a conditioning effect on the brooding hen. Prior to this conditioning, a premature hatching stimulus does not elicit brooding behaviour in hens with no previous breeding experience. Delay of the hatching stimulus does not appear to affect chick acceptance. The typical behaviour of the pheasant cock to the incubating hen and the chicks is described. The few cocks which incubated eggs showed the same development of behaviour and broody activity which was observed in hens.
DIETHYLDITHIOCARBAMATE TREATMENT UP REGULATES MANGANESE SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE GENE EXPRESSION IN RAT LIVER

In vivo experiments demonstrate that rat liver manganese-containing superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is up-regulated at the transcriptional level following the inactivation of copper–zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD). CuZnSOD activity was inhibited by the administration of the copper chelating agent diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC). This CuZnSOD inactivation is likely associated with an intracellular oxidative stress. Indeed the antioxidant N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) completely prevents the MnSOD mRNA up-regulation observed after DDC administration. Evidence is also provided that an approximately 50% diminution of the total iron content in the tissue, which follows the in vivo administration of the iron chelator desferrioxamine (DESF), reduces the amount of MnSOD induction achieved by DDC treatment. Both NAC and DESF significantly down-regulate MnSOD gene expression also in normal untreated rat liver. While the observed inhibitory effect of NAC in MnSOD mRNA up-regulation can be ascribed mainly to its antioxidant property, iron chelation could act with an antioxidant effect and/or affecting some iron-dependent factor(s) possibly involved in MnSOD gene regulation. It is proposed that this metal could have a role among factors that sense and/or trigger transcription of the MnSOD gene.
Phase II Trial of Hydroxyurea, Dacarbazine (DTIC), and Etoposide (VP-16) in Mixed Mesodermal Tumors of the Uterus: A Gynecologic Oncology Group Study

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of this three-drug regimen—hydroxyurea, dacarbazine (DTIC), and etoposide (VP-16)—in patients with advanced or recurrent mixed mesodermal tumors (MMT) of the uterus who had not undergone previous chemotherapy. The study was performed as a groupwide phase II study of the Gynecologic Oncology Group. Study Design: Thirty-three evaluable patients received hydroxyurea 2 g in divided doses on Day 1, 700 mg/m 2 DTIC and 100 mg/m 2 VP-16 on Day 2, and VP-16 100 mg/m 2 on Days 3 and 4. Thirty-two patients were evaluable for response. Twenty-six patients had previously undergone abdominal hysterectomy and 11 had received prior radiation therapy, for whom one dose level reduction of the first course was required. Results: Two patients exhibited complete response and three patients showed partial responses for an overall response rate of 15.7% (95% confidence interval: 5.3–32.8%). Seventeen of 32 patients had stable disease on therapy. Toxicity was acceptable and there were no treatment-related deaths. Conclusion: This regimen reveals moderate activity in patients with advanced or recurrent MMT.
Performance evaluation of multiscale vessel enhancement filtering

In this paper we present and evaluate the Multiscale Vessel Enhancement Filtering algorithm that has previously been reported in the literature. The criteria we use include 2D and 3D images, where sensitivity to rotation and scale are measured. We demonstrate our implementation of the algorithm on simulated and real Computed Tomography data of the liver. We find that the algorithm is relatively insensitive to vessel orientation and scale, when the tube is isolated on a dark background. Specifically, our implementation correctly detected the scale and orientation of simulated tubes. We found that many artifacts were created when the algorithm was applied to a segmented liver that contained contrast enhanced vessels.
Discussion: Comparison of slope instability screening tools following a large storm event and application to forest management and policy

Abstract The purpose of this discussion paper is to identify major technical errors made by Whittaker and McShane (2012) regarding the development and use of SLPSTAB ( Shaw and Vaugeois, 1999 , Vaugeois, 2000 ). SLPSTAB is a GIS-based data layer currently utilized as a regulatory tool for preliminarily screening slope stability potential on nonfederal, commercial timberlands in Washington State.
Effects of feeding a polybrominated biphenyl flame retardant (fire Master BP-6) to male rats.

Effects of Feeding a Polybrominated Biphenyl Flame Retardant (fireMaster BP-6) to Maie Rats Susan J. Harris 1, Helene C. Cecil 2, and Joel Bitman 1 lu.s. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal Physiology and Genetics Institute, Beltsville, Md. 20705, 2Send correspondence to" U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, APGI, Avian Physiology Laboratory, Building 262, Beltsville, Md. 20705
Calcifying aponeurotic fibroma of the knee: A case report with radiological findings

Calcifying aponeurotic fibroma is a rare type of benign tumor that occurs most commonly in the distal extremities of young children. Due to its infiltrative growth, it has a high tendency of recurrence. Although the clinicopathological features of over 100 cases of this rare disease have been reported, its clinical and radiological features have yet to be described in detail. We present a case of calcifying aponeurotic fibroma of the knee from birth with radiological images, that demonstrate the peculiar features of this uncommon benign tumor and discuss its clinicopathological features based on computed tomography and magnetic resonance images.
Rotor-wing Transport of Patients with a Biventricular Assist Device: Challenging Transport Frontiers

Acknowledgment: The figures in this article were provided by ABIOMED Cardiovascular, Inc. Introduction Centralized tertiary care has increased the need for patient transfer from local hospitals to regional centers of excellence. Interhospital transport of critically ill patients long has been the mission of many helicopter programs, including MedSTAR Transport of Washington Hospital Center. The movement of patients with ventricular assist devices (VADs) by ambulance, fixed-wing aircraft, and helicopter is becoming more widespread.‘,2 We pre sent the first case in the literature of a rotor-wing transport of a patient with an open chest and a biventricular assist de vice, the ABIOMED BVS 5000 biventricular support system (ABIOMED Cardiovascular, Inc., Danvers, Mass.). Through preflight planning, intlight adap tation, and postflight debriefing, we have developed innovative strategies to facilitate the transport of highly complex cardiac patients. Key considerations include the equipment, helicopter, and crew composition and training. The purpose of this case report is to share our experience and provide a template for future complex transports.
Glycoproteins and human cancer: II. Correlation between circulating level and disease status

Many cancer patients have elevated serum protein and sialic acid (N-acetyl neuraminic acid, NANA) levels. Serial determinations were performed, using serum treated with perchloric acid from 34 patients with widespread metastatic disease. Six of six patients who underwent debulking surgery had a drop in their serum NANA value to normal levels following a transient rise in the immediate postoperative period. Twenty-eight patients received chemotherapy and had serial NANA determinations over periods ranging from 4 to 12 months. Eleven of 28 patients demonstrated tumor regression or stable disease. Ten of the 11 in this group had a drop in their serum NANA level. The remaining 17 patients showed tumor progression, and serum NANA rose in 11 of 12 patients with widespread progression of metastatic disease. This elevation preceded clinical relapse in 8 of the 11 patients. Elevation did not occur in four of five patients with a local site relapse of disease (two chest wall, one lung mass, one brain metastases). Serial serum glycoprotein titers deserve further consideration as a monitor of response to chemotherapy of metastatic disease.
Pathology of Cystoid Macular Edema

In order to define the pathology of cystoid macular edema (CME), 35 human cases with histopathologic features of CME were reviewed. The macular cysts appeared in different layers of the retina in eyes after cataract extraction, retinal vein occlusion, trauma, diabetes mellitus, and accelerated hypertension. The pathologic process varied from transudation, exudation to liquefaction necrosis. The experimental models of lens extraction and talc retinopathy in rhesus monkeys were examined. Disruption of the blood-retinal barrier at the retinal vasculature and retinal pigment epithelium were noted after lens extraction. Cystoid degeneration of the macula was seen in monkeys with talc retinopathy. The possibility that disruption of the blood-retinal barrier and microinfarction play important roles in the formation of the macular cysts is proposed.
Impact of school district sugar-sweetened beverage policies on student beverage exposure and consumption in middle schools.

Abstract Purpose To determine the associations between 1) exposure to sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) in middle schools and student consumption of SSB during the school day; and 2) school district policies about SSB and exposure to SSB in schools. Methods The strength of school district SSB policies was scored on three SSB policy indicators. Student SSB consumption at school was assessed by a self-administered Beverage and Snack Questionnaire. Exposure to SSB at school was defined as the number of vending slots and SSB venues as determined on-site at each school. Multivariate analysis considered the multilevel nature of the data. Results Data from 9151 students in 64 middle schools in 28 districts were used in the analysis. With schools as the unit of analysis, the proportion of students who consumed any SSB at school ranged from 19.2% to 79.8%. SSB exposure was a significant predictor of SSB consumption (β=.157, p p Conclusions School district SSB policies and exposure to SSB in middle schools are associated with student SSB consumption. Interventions to improve policies and their implementation may offer opportunities to improve the diets of adolescents.
The application of the linear system theory of visual acuity to visibility reduction by aerosols.

Abstract The basic ideas and limitations of the linear system theory of visual acuity are presented. It is shown that under most conditions the visual range of contrast detail, such as trees on a distant hillside, can be predicted by linear system theory. An example of the method is given. One result is that the visual range of contrast detail is not in general inversely proportional to the extinction coefficient of the atmosphere, as the classical theory predicts. This effect is due to the nonlinear response of the eye to the changing visual angle presented by the target as its distance increases. The implications to studies relating nephelometer readings and visual range are discussed. It is also shown that significant, noticeable degradation of visibility in clean air areas can occur with only a very small absolute increase in the attenuation coefficient due to pollution.
The coordination of visual and tactual input in infants

Traditionally it has been taught that “touch teaches vision” in ontogeny. Recent experiments have shown that in judgment situations vision dominates touch, a finding that has been taken to weaken the traditional argument. The force of the finding is vitiated to some extent by the functional dominance of touch. Developmental experiments show that initially in ontogeny vision is functionally dominant, strengthening the case against the traditional argument.
Formation of nascent soot and other condensed-phase materials in flames

Abstract Over the last two decades, our understanding of soot formation has evolved from an empirical, phenomenological description to an age of quantitative modeling for at least small fuel compounds. In this paper, we review the current state of knowledge of the fundamental sooting processes, including the chemistry of soot precursors, particle nucleation and mass/size growth. The discussion shows that though much progress has been made, critical gaps remain in many areas of our knowledge. We propose the roles of certain aromatic radicals resulting from localized π electron structures in particle nucleation and subsequent mass growth. The existence of these free radicals provides a rational explanation for the strong binding forces needed for forming initial clusters of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. They may also explain a range of currently unexplained sooting phenomena, including the large amount of aliphatics observed in nascent soot formed in laminar premixed flames and the mass growth of soot in the absence of gas-phase H atoms. While the above suggestions are inspired, to an extent, by recent theoretical findings from the materials research community, this paper also demonstrates that the knowledge garnered through our longstanding interest in soot formation may well be carried over to flame synthesis of functional nanomaterials for clean and renewable energy applications. In particular, work on flame-synthesized thin films of nanocrystalline titania illustrates how our combustion knowledge might be useful for developing advanced yet inexpensive thin-film solar cells and chemical sensors for detecting gaseous air pollutants.
Steklov Eigenproblems and the Representation of Solutions of Elliptic Boundary Value Problems

Abstract This paper describes some properties and applications of Steklov eigenproblems for prototypical second-order elliptic operators on bounded regions in ℝ n . Results are described for Schroedinger and weighted harmonic equations. A variational description of the least eigenvalue leads to optimal L 2-trace inequalities. It is shown that the eigenfunctions provide complete orthonormal bases of certain closed subspaces of H 1(Ω) and also of L 2(∂Ω, dσ). This allows the description, and representation, of solution operators for homogeneous elliptic equations subject to inhomogeneous Dirichlet, Neumann or Robin boundary data. They are also used to describe Robin to Dirichlet and Neumann to Dirichlet operators for these equations, and to describe the spectrum of these operators. The allowable regions are quite general; in particular classes of bounded regions with a finite number of disjoint Lipschitz components for the boundary are allowed.
19. Decreasing incidence of adenocarcinoma of the anal canal

Background: Although the dramatic increase in the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (SCCA) has been reported in recent publications, changes in the incidence and demographic patterns of adenocarcinoma of the anal canal (AAC) are unknown. Methods: The 1973–2009 SEER public use dataset was analysed to determine incidence trends for and demographic factors characterising AAC. Joinpoint analysis identified time points when the incidence rates changed. Results: Joinpoint analyses identified 1989 as the single inflection point among 1791 AAC cases at which the slope of incidence rates significantly decreased. Annual per cent change (APC) decreased from 3.5% to –1.4% overall. Analysis of demographic factors did not identify specific variables that accounted for the decrease in incidence over time. Conclusions: The incidence of AAC has declined since 1989. No demographic or clinical factor was identified that may account for change in incidence. We postulate that increasing sophistication in diagnostic studies differentiating low rectal cancers from AAC may contribute to the decrease in incidence.