cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Integral inequalities via generalized quasiconvexity with applications

Two classes of functions are hereby considered; namely, η-quasiconvex, and strongly η-quasiconvex functions. For the former, we establish some novel integral inequalities of the trapezoid kind for functions with second derivatives, while, for the latter, we obtain some new estimates of the integral $\int _{\mathfrak {\alpha }}^{\beta }(\mathfrak {r}-\mathfrak {\alpha })^{p}(\beta -\mathfrak {r})^{q}\mathcal {K}(\mathfrak {r}) \,d\mathfrak {r}$ when $|\mathcal {K}(\mathfrak {r})|$ , to some powers, is strongly η-quasiconvex. Results obtained herein contribute to the development of these new classes of functions by providing broader generalizations to some well-known results in the literature. Furthermore, we employ our results to deduce some estimates for the perturbed version of the trapezoidal formula. Finally, applications to some special means are also presented.
Substrate for Ventricular Arrhythmia: To See Is to Know?

![Figure][1] ![Figure][1] Health systems seek to optimize outcomes for those served within constraints imposed by available resources. Investment in advanced cardiac imaging is subject to particular scrutiny; modalities such as cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging incur distinct
Method to determine tissue optical properties in anal canal during photodynamic therapy

Determination of in-vivo tissue optical properties for anal photodynamic therapy (PDT) is challenging due to the light integrating-sphere effect in an enclosed cylindrical cavity. We developed a model for optical properties determination for anal PDT from measurements of light fluence rate inside a cylindrical cavity submerged in tissue-mimicking liquid phantoms. Measurements are performed in a set of phantoms with known optical properties (μa = 0.1-0.9 cm-1) and (μs’ = 6.65-19.95 cm-1) and the primary and scatter light fluence rates are determined. We developed an analytical expression to relate scatter light fluence rate measured in an enclosed cylindrical geometry to the surrounding tissue optical properties in tissue-simulating liquid phantoms. In addition, the accuracy of determining tissue optical properties using the model was evaluated by comparing the recovered optical properties to the known optical properties of a series of independent test phantoms.
Chapter 4 – Spacetime Geometry

Pictures are worth a thousand words. That's why geometry can be extremely useful when algebra becomes tedious. The geometry of two-dimensional spacetime is introduced in Chapter 4 and applied to many examples such as Doppler effect, re-derivation of Lorentz transformations, and the well-known “train and tunnel” paradox. The notion of a worldline as the collection of an infinite number of events makes its appearance in this chapter. Two events are categorized as spacelike, timelike, and lightlike based on their spacetime distance. The related notion of a light cone is also introduced. The impossibility of time travel is proved, using the rules of spacetime geometry developed in this chapter. The spacetime triangle inequality—the fact that the sum of the lengths of two sides of a triangle is less than the length of the third side—is derived in this chapter and used to show that a straight line in spacetime geometry is the longest distance between two events. This idea is then applied to trivially resolve the twin paradox.
Developmental exposure to 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate impairs adult delayed reinforcement and reversal learning in male and female rats.

Women with a history of unexplained miscarriage are frequently prescribed the synthetic progestin, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17-OHPC) during the middle trimester of pregnancy. However, little is known about the long-term behavioural effects of 17-OHPC. Work in rodents suggests that the developing brain is sensitive to progestins. Neonatal 17-OHPC impairs adult performance in set-shifting and delay discounting. The present study tested the effects of 17-OHPC (0.5 mg kg-1 ) or vehicle administration from postnatal days 1-14 on cognitive function in adulthood in rats. Cognitive function was assessed in males and females (n = 8-10 per group) by operant responding for sugar pellets, measuring delayed reinforcement or reversal learning. For delayed reinforcement, the rat must wait 15 seconds for pellets after responding on a lever. Delay is signalled by a light or is unsignalled. For reversal learning, the rat must respond on the lever under a stimulus light, and then learn to respond on the unlit lever. For delayed reinforcement, rats earned more pellets under signalled vs unsignalled conditions. Likewise, males made more responses and earned more pellets compared to females. Under signalled conditions, 17-OHPC-treated rats earned fewer pellets than controls. For reversal learning, the results were similar. Females required more trials than males to respond correctly for the new rule, and 17-OHPC-treated rats required more trials than controls. This suggests that 17-OHPC exposure during development may impair cognitive function. Considering that questions have been raised as to the efficacy of 17-OHPC to prevent miscarriage, it may be necessary to rethink the use of progestin therapy during pregnancy.
Inferior Vena Cava Filter Placement: Anatomical Evaluation and Approach to Variant Anatomy

Knowledge of inferior vena cava (IVC) and renal vein anatomy is critical to successful placement of IVC filters. This chapter begins with a detailed review of IVC embryology, with special attention to factors that affect IVC filter deployment. We discuss appropriate IVC filter positioning in a patient with conventional IVC/renal vein anatomy. Then we describe the IVC/renal vein variants commonly encountered in clinical practice, focusing on renal vein variants, duplicated/left IVC, and mega vena cava. Lastly, we review indications and outcomes for suprarenal IVC filter placement.
Can Cryptocurrencies Become a Commonly Accepted Means of Exchange

This chapter studies the challenges a cryptocurrency faces to become a common means of exchange. In particular, the paper discusses the scalability constraint that limits the number of transactions a cryptocurrency may be able to verity per unit of time, the network effect in goods that function as money that increases the cost of new currencies to gain market share, and the implications of the fixed monetary rule present in most cryptocurrencies that departs from an elastic optimal monetary policy. Potential solutions for each case are also discussed.
The Maijuna: Fighting for Survival in the Peruvian Amazon

In 2015, following decades of illegal exploitation, the Maijuna indigenous group of the Peruvian Amazon and their allies successfully pushed the Peruvian Government to establish a protected area consisting of 391,039 hectares of Maijuna ancestral territory. However, this is imperiled by a government plan to build a road and development corridor through the reserve. Protecting indigenous ways of life is a matter of social justice for affected communities. It also is a matter of global health because of the vital role played by intact rainforests in stabilizing the climate and driving carbon, oxygen, and hydrological cycles—not just locally but globally.
USP13 interacts with cohesin and regulates its ubiquitination in human cells.

Cohesin is a multiprotein ring complex that regulates 3D genome organization, sister chromatid cohesion, gene expression, and DNA repair. Cohesin is known to be ubiquitinated, although the mechanism, regulation, and effects of cohesin ubiquitination remain poorly defined. We previously used gene editing to introduce a dual epitope tag into the endogenous allele of each of 11 known components of cohesin in human HCT116 cells. Here we report that mass spectrometry analysis of dual-affinity purifications identified the USP13 deubiquitinase as a novel cohesin-interacting protein. Subsequent immunoprecipitation/Western blots confirmed the endogenous interaction in HCT116, 293T, HeLa, and RPE-hTERT cells; demonstrated that the interaction occurs specifically in the soluble nuclear fraction (not in the chromatin); requires the ubiquitin-binding domains (UBA1/2) of USP13; and occurs preferentially during DNA replication. Reciprocal dual-affinity purification of endogenous USP13 followed by mass spectrometry demonstrated that cohesin is its primary interactor in the nucleus. Ectopic expression and CRISPR knockout of USP13 showed that USP13 is paradoxically required for both deubiquitination and ubiquitination of cohesin subunits in human cells. USP13 was dispensable for sister chromatid cohesion in HCT116 and HeLa cells, whereas it was required for the dissociation of cohesin from chromatin as cells transit through mitosis. Together these results identify USP13 as a new cohesin-interacting protein that regulates the ubiquitination of cohesin and its cell cycle regulated interaction with chromatin.
Protein-based molecular recognition tools for detecting and profiling RNA modifications

RNA undergoes extensive biochemical modification following transcription. In addition to RNA splicing, transcripts are processed by a suite of enzymes that alter the chemical structure of different nucleobases. Broadly termed as 'RNA editing,' these modifications impart significant functional changes to translation, localization, and stability of individual transcripts within the cell. These changes are dynamic and required for a number of critical cellular processes, and dysregulation of these pathways is responsible for several disease states. Accurately detecting, measuring, and mapping different RNA modifications across the transcriptome is vital to understanding their broader functions as well as leveraging these events as diagnostic biomarkers. Here, we review recent advances in profiling several types of RNA modifications, with particular emphasis on adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) and N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA editing. We especially highlight approaches that utilize proteins to detect or enrich modified RNA transcripts before sequencing, and we summarize recent insights yielded from these techniques.
Right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction with a polytetrafluoroethylene monocusp valve: A twelve-year experience

Objective Transannular patching of the right ventricular outflow tract results in pulmonary insufficiency. Biologic monocusp valves prevent early pulmonary insufficiency but usually become nonfunctional in less than 1 year. Polytetrafluoroethylene monocusp leaflets demonstrated favorable characteristics in our animal studies and have been applied to a variety of right ventricular outflow tract reconstructions at our institution. Methods From 1994 through 2006, 192 patients (mean age, 3.3 ± 5.0 years) underwent right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction with a polytetrafluoroethylene monocusp valve (192 patients; 202 implants). Intraoperative, early postoperative, and late follow-up echocardiographic data (mean interval, 4.9 ± 3.1 years; range, 6 months to 12 years) were retrospectively obtained to compare clinical outcomes among three preoperative diagnostic groups: patients undergoing initial repair of tetralogy of Fallot or pulmonary atresia/ventricular septal defect (group I), patients undergoing redo right ventricular outflow tract procedures (group II), and patients undergoing complex initial repairs (group III). Results There were 4 early and 5 late deaths (9/192; 5%). The difference between the preoperative and postoperative peak right ventricular outflow tract gradients was significant (71.2 vs 23.1; P P = .01) and from group III (90%; P = .02), but there was no difference between groups I and III. Conclusions Use of a polytetrafluoroethylene monocusp valve prevents early and significantly reduces midterm pulmonary insufficiency. It is relatively inexpensive, easy to construct, and remains free from significant stenosis in the majority of patients. We have not witnessed significant calcification or pulmonary embolization, and the only antithrombic agent used has been low-dose aspirin.
COVID-19-Related Food Insecurity among Households with Dietary Restrictions: A National Survey.

Background Food insecurity dramatically increased because of the COVID-19 pandemic; however, little is known about pandemic-related food insecurity in households with dietary restrictions. Objective To examine pre-pandemic rates of and pandemic-related change in food insecurity among households with and without dietary restrictions. Methods A cross-sectional, panel-based survey of 3200 U.S. women was conducted in April 2020. Pre-pandemic food insecurity and early pandemic-related change in food insecurity were assessed using the adapted Hunger Vital Sign. Weighted, multivariate logistic regression was used to model the odds of pre-pandemic food insecurity and the odds of incident or worsening pandemic-related food insecurity among households with and without dietary restrictions. In models predicting pandemic-related outcomes, interaction effects between race/ethnicity and dietary restrictions were examined. Results Before the COVID-19 pandemic, households with self-reported food allergy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.5, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2-1.9), celiac disease (aOR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.4-3.5), or both (aOR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.2-3.6) were significantly more likely to be food insecure than households without restrictions. Households with dietary restrictions were also significantly more likely to experience incident or worsening food insecurity during the early pandemic (food allergy: aOR: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.3-2.1) (celiac disease: aOR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.5-3.5) (both: aOR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.2-3.4). Race/ethnicity was not a significant moderator of the relationship between dietary restrictions and pandemic-related food insecurity. Conclusion Households with dietary restrictions were more likely to experience both pre-pandemic and pandemic-related incident or worsening food insecurity than households without restrictions. Clinical care for patients with dietary restrictions requires attention to food insecurity.
Mitochondrial energetics with transmembrane electrostatically localized protons: do we have a thermotrophic feature?

Transmembrane electrostatically localized protons (TELP) theory has been recently recognized as an important addition over the classic Mitchell’s chemiosmosis; thus, the proton motive force (pmf) is largely contributed from TELP near the membrane. As an extension to this theory, a novel phenomenon of mitochondrial thermotrophic function is now characterized by biophysical analyses of pmf in relation to the TELP concentrations at the liquid-membrane interface. This leads to the conclusion that the oxidative phosphorylation also utilizes environmental heat energy associated with the thermal kinetic energy (kBT) of TELP in mitochondria. The local pmf is now calculated to be in a range from 300 to 340 mV while the classic pmf (which underestimates the total pmf) is in a range from 60 to 210 mV in relation to a range of membrane potentials from 50 to 200 mV. Depending on TELP concentrations in mitochondria, this thermotrophic function raises pmf significantly by a factor of 2.6 to sixfold over the classic pmf. Therefore, mitochondria are capable of effectively utilizing the environmental heat energy with TELP for the synthesis of ATP, i.e., it can lock heat energy into the chemical form of energy for cellular functions.
Coronary Heart Disease and Hypertension

Chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system, including coronary heart disease (CHD) and hypertension, are leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States and other Western countries. Many physiological, environmental, and behavioral variables interact in the development of these disorders. This chapter reviews recent epidemiological findings in the field, including a description of standard risk factors, and evidence for the effects and impact of psychosocial and demographic risk factors, including race, sex, and stress. In addition, we examine the role of individual characteristics such as Type A behavior, anger/hostility, and depression in the development of CHD. Issues such as personality, salt intake, and obesity all impact the development of hypertension. The benefits of conventional treatments, including medical and surgical options, cardiac rehabilitation, and weight loss/dietary restrictions, are described, as are newer and less conventional treatments such as major lifestyle changes, increased social support, and cognitive-behavioral approaches. This chapter highlights the need for additional research in the areas of CHD/hypertension prevention and treatment by medical professionals and health psychologists alike. Keywords: behavior; coronary heart disease; hypertension; prevention; stress; treatments
Enhancement of the low temperature response of thin film gas sensors by UV irradiation

In this work we present recent results regarding the activation of sensors with high power density light with energy in the range of the energy gap of the semiconductor. We report the measurements registered for tin oxide RGTO deposited layers using CO as a target gas. The influence of the doping on the activated gas sensing properties has been investigated. We have found the value of the incident power corresponding to the best gas sensing performances (response enhancement and kinetics). The comparison between dark and irradiation condition is presented for the different kinds of layers tested.
A Scalable Architecture for Proof-Carrying Code

Proof-Carrying Code (PCC) is a general mechanism for verifying that a code fragment can be executed safely on a host system. The key technical detail that makes PCC simple yet very powerful is that the code fragment is required to be accompanied by a detailed and precise explanation of how it satisfies the safety policy. This leaves the code receiver with the simple task of verifying that the explanation is correct and that it matches the code in question. Previous implementations of PCC used safety explanations in the form of explicit formal proofs of code safety, thus gaining leverage from a substantial amount of previous research in the area of proof representation and checking, but at the expense of poor scalability due to large proof sizes. In this paper we describe a series of changes that are necessary to achieve a truly scalable architecture for PCC. These include a new proof representation form along with a better integration of the various components of a PCC checker. We also present experimental results that show this architecture to be effective for checking the type safety of even very large programs expressed as machine code.
Subunit Structure of Myosin III. A PROPOSED MODEL FOR RABBIT SKELETAL MYOSIN

Abstract High speed sedimentation equilibrium experiments indicate a molecular weight of 468,000 (±10,000) for rabbit skeletal myosin in 0.4 m KCl-0.05 m phosphate, pH 6.5. Weight average molecular weight values of 520,000 or above, which are presumably due to aggregation, are obtained in ultracentrifugal experiments on the same preparations of myosin. At pH 11, in 2 m guanidine, and on heat treatment, myosin is dissociated into a core of molecular weight 420,000 weight and light subunits of average molecular weight 20,200. The core may be dissociated by 5 m guanidine into two heavy subunits, of molecular weight 212,000 (±5,000), having no evident COOH-terminal group on digestion with carboxypeptidase A. The light alkali component comprises 11.7% (± 1%) of the protein, or 2.7 (±0.3) light subunits per myosin molecule, for unchromatographed myosin and myosin chromatographed once on diethylaminoethyl cellulose or cellulose phosphate; the molar ratio is reduced to 2.0 (±0.3) in a small fraction of the original myosin that is recovered after three chromatographic cycles on cellulose phosphate. Myosin may be reconstituted after subunit dissociation at alkaline pH or in guanidine solution; however, the reassociation of light subunits is diminished after prolonged denaturation. The removal of light subunits is accompanied by aggregation of the heavy chain core to low n-mers. In general, those denaturing conditions which lead to light subunit dissociation also result in the irreversible inactivation of adenosine triphosphatase and, on heat denaturation, values of ΔH‡ and ΔS‡ are comparable for both processes. The ATPase activity of myosin may be partially protected on alkaline treatment in 2 m KCl-0.01 m ATP; enzymic activity is lost in identically treated but fractionated heavy chain core and in augmented in the presence of excess light subunits.
Factor V deficiency: a concise review

Summary. Factor V (FV; proaccelerin or labile factor) is the plasma cofactor for the prothrombinase complex that activates prothrombin to thrombin. FV deficiency can be caused by mutations in the FV gene or in genes encoding components of a putative cargo receptor that transports FV (and factor VIII) from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi. Because FV is present in platelet α-granules as well as in plasma, low FV levels are also seen in disorders of platelet granules. Additionally, acquired FV deficiencies can occur in the setting of rheumatologic disorders, malignancies, and antibiotic use and, most frequently, with the use of topical bovine thrombin. FV levels have limited correlation with the risk of bleeding, but overall, FV-deficient patients appear to have a less severe phenotype than patients with haemophilia A or B. The most commonly reported symptoms are bleeding from mucosal surfaces and postoperative haemorrhage. However, haemarthroses and intramuscular and intracranial haemorrhages can also occur. Because no FV-specific concentrate is available, fresh frozen plasma remains the mainstay of treatment. Antifibrinolytics can also provide benefit, especially for mucosal bleeding. In refractory cases, or for patients with inhibitors, prothrombin complex concentrates, recombinant activated FVIIa, and platelet transfusions have been successfully used. Some patients with inhibitors may also require immunosuppression.
THE STABILITY PATTERN OF SHEEPSKIN EFFECTS AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE HUMAN CAPITAL THEORY- SCREENING HYPOTHESIS DEBATE

the human capital theory, and the screening hypothesis. The human capital theory concludes that the skills learned in school directly enhance job-related productivity; this in turn results in higher earnings. The screening hypothesis posits that schooling is simply used as a screening device which allows employers to assess quickly and cheaply the productivity levels of potential employees. According to this hypothesis, those with more schooling are typically more productive to begin with, indicating that the skills acquired in school may not contribute much (if at all) to subsequent job-related productivity. Consequently, the observed positive relationship between schooling and earnings is explained by the role of schooling as a screening device. A thorough examination of which school of thought better explains the schoolingearnings relationship is especially important due to, among other reasons, the farreaching implications for traditional educational policy if the screening hypothesis in an extreme form holds true. In this situation, Ehrenberg and Smith [(1982) (1985) 1991] conclude that schools would be very ineffective in improving one's socioeconomic status. Many studies have addressed the human capital theory-screening hypothesis debate using a variety of innovative approaches. One underutilized method for empirically testing for the validity of the screening hypothesis is developed by Wiles [1974], and applied in Miller and Volker [1984] and Arabsheibani [1989]. This test determines whether or not individuals realize a ceteris paribus earnings premium when the skills they acquire in school are directly relevant to their occupations, as opposed to the situation where they are not. The presence of such an earnings premium supports human capital theory while its absence supports the screening hypothesis.
Adaptive learning of decision-theoretic search control knowledge

ABSTRACT An important feature of autonomous agents with bounded rationality, especially in a context of time pressure, is the ability to exercise rational control over their own reasoning processes. In previous work (Russell and Wefald, 1988, 1989; Wefald and Russell, 1989a, 1989b), we have shown how it is possible to control heuristic search in many domains by explicitly estimating the expected value of possible computations. The expected value calculation employs stored numerical estimates of the probability distribution of the error in the heuristic evaluation function for various classes of situations, which can often be learned empirically at design time by random sampling of the state space. However, in some domains, such as robot navigation on Mars, such sampling may be expensive, even at design time. Moreover, because the use of decision-theoretic control leads to an improvement in system performance, this very change in behavior can make the error distributions incorrect, because they no longer model the behavior of the improved system. A solution to both concerns is to learn the error distributions incrementally, based on the system's own problem-solving experience. As the system gradually adapts its problem-solving behavior to take account of the new knowledge, which is then updated to reflect the new behavior, a classical feedback loop comes into play. Such an agent should be able to adaptively converge on a state in which it would have correct knowledge about its own problem-solving behavior, thus allowing it to exercise rational control over its problem-solving searches. The learning obtained in this way is very inexpensive and simple to implement.
Weighted Regressions on Time, Discharge, and Season (WRTDS), with an Application to Chesapeake Bay River Inputs

A new approach to the analysis of long-term surface water-quality data is proposed and implemented. The goal of this approach is to increase the amount of information that is extracted from the types of rich water-quality datasets that now exist. The method is formulated to allow for maximum flexibility in representations of the long-term trend, seasonal components, and discharge-related components of the behavior of the water-quality variable of interest. It is designed to provide internally consistent estimates of the actual history of concentrations and fluxes as well as histories that eliminate the influence of year-to-year variations in streamflow. The method employs the use of weighted regressions of concentrations on time, discharge, and season. Finally, the method is designed to be useful as a diagnostic tool regarding the kinds of changes that are taking place in the watershed related to point sources, groundwater sources, and surface-water nonpoint sources. The method is applied to datasets for the nine large tributaries of Chesapeake Bay from 1978 to 2008. The results show a wide range of patterns of change in total phosphorus and in dissolved nitrate plus nitrite. These results should prove useful in further examination of the causes of changes, or lack of changes, and may help inform decisions about future actions to reduce nutrient enrichment in the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed.Hirsch, Robert M., Douglas L. Moyer, and Stacey A. Archfield, 2010. Weighted Regressions on Time, Discharge, and Season (WRTDS), With an Application to Chesapeake Bay River Inputs. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 46(5):857-880. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2010.00482.x.
A proposition for resilient graph-based record linkage using parallel processing on distributed networks

Industrial and governmental organizations have accrued vast amounts of data contained in many databases. Many of these databases are developed by different organizations for different purposes, may contain millions of unique entities and may lack a dependable global unique identifier to link an individual’s records across multiple databases. Record Linkage (RL) is a process that connects records that are related to the identical or sufficiently similar entity from multiple heterogeneous databases [1]. Whether the RL system uses a deterministic or probabilistic [2] methodology, it is necessary to compare the data within each pair of candidate records, field-by-field. Demographic and other data is used for pattern matches to determine if two records belong to the same entity. RL is a data and compute intensive mission critical process for many organizations. The process must be efficient enough to process big data, effective enough to provide accurate matches and resilient enough to ensure reliable operation.
The Role of 18F Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography Scanning in the Diagnosis and Management of Systemic Vasculitis

Primary systemic vasculitis is a group of heterogeneous disorders, characterized by inflammation of blood vessels causing end organ damage from ischemia, aneurysm formation or dissection. Delay in the early diagnosis owing to non-specific symptoms, lack of definitive serological tests, limited availability of biopsy and standard imaging tests pose significant challenge in the management of these diseases. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) scanning is being increasingly used in the management of systemic vasculitis, especially the large vessel vasculitides: giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu arteritis (TAK). FDG-PET involves detection of positron rays emitted by FDG, a fluorinated glucose analogue which is avidly taken up by metabolically active inflammatory cells in the walls of involved blood vessels. 18F-FDG-PET scan, especially when combined with computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can give information about active inflammation as well as structural damage associated with vasculitis. In patients with GCA, FDG-PET has acceptable sensitivity and specificity for the early diagnosis in non-cranial GCA, cranial GCA with negative biopsy, assessment of immediate response to treatment, predicting prognosis, but has limited value in serial follow-up and prediction of relapses. In TAK, FDG-PET can be useful for early diagnosis and probably for serial assessment of disease activity. FDG-PET has a limited role in medium and small vessel vasculitis.
CT-guided radiofrequency ablation of pediatric Wilms tumor in a solitary kidney

Although recent results of percutaneous imaging-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of various tumors in adults are promising, RFA of tumors in children has been performed in only a small number of cases. We describe the treatment of Wilms tumor in a solitary kidney in a 5-year-old girl using percutaneous CT-guided RFA. The procedure provided short-term palliation in this child for whom partial or total nephrectomy carried high risk and low likelihood of success. Although it might only be useful ultimately as a temporizing measure, oncologists and surgeons might wish to consider RFA in children who would otherwise require dialysis and renal transplantation or who are poor surgical candidates. Various specific technical issues differentiate pediatric from adult tumor ablation, including the amount of intra-abdominal fat, need for smaller grounding pads, and potential systemic effects of tissue heating.
Serotonin turnover in discrete hypothalamic nuclei and mesencephalic raphe nuclei of young and adult spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Abstract Serotonin levels and turnover were analyzed in discrete forebrain and mesenphalic nuclei of young (4-week-old) and adult (14-week-old) spontaneously hypertensive rats and age-matched normotensive control Wistar Kyoto rats. Most changes observed were age-dependent, and occured only in young, early hypertensive rats. Both serotonin levels and the accumulation rate of 5-hydroxytryptophan after l -aminoacid decar☐ylase inhibition were higher in the nuclei periventricularis and paraventricularis of the hypothalamus of young hypertensive rats than in controls. In addition, 4-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats showed higher 5-hydroxytryptophan accumulation rates in the nuclei supraopticus and dorsomedialis of the hypothalamus than controls. The only difference in serotonin metabolism found in adult hypertensive rats was high serotonin concentration in the median eminence of the hypertensive animals. Our results suggest the presence of anatomically specific, age-dependent alterations in serotonin metabolism, localized to selected hypothalamic nuclei in young hypertensive rats. These data support a role for the hypothalamic serotonin in the development of the spontaneous (genetic) hypertension in the rat.
Design and validation of a system to simulate coronary flexure dynamics on arterial segments perfused ex vivo.

Cyclic flexure of the coronary arteries can lead to spatially varying fluid and solid stress patterns. These patterns may explain the heterogenous distribution of atherosclerotic lesions. Here we describe the design and validation of an experimental system to simulate coronary-like flexure dynamics on intact arterial segments ex vivo. Our previously described ex vivo perfusion system was modified with a polymer flexure membrane controlled by a custom data acquisition/motion control system. The system was validated by perfusing arterial segments with pulsatile hemodynamics with or without cyclic flexure. Digital images were obtained to quantify dynamic vessel curvature and arc length. Tissue integrity was assessed by histology. The device generated physiologic curvatures (0–1.8 cm−1) at 1 Hz with a physiologic phase relationship with the pressure waveform. Additionally, the in vivo longitudinal extension ratio (40%) was maintained within 2.3% during the flexure cycle. Twelve hours of cyclic contact with the membrane did not compromise arterial segment integrity. This device provides a novel method to examine how the local biomechanical milieu could impact atherosclerotic lesion localization.
Distribution and characterization of anionic sites in trophoblast and capillary basal laminas of human placental villi

The distribution of anionic sites was studied in the trophoblastic and fetal capillary basal laminas of developing human placental villi with the cationic stain ruthenium red. At 7-12 weeks of gestation the trophoblastic basal lamina (TBL) contained ruthenium red-positive granules in a quasi-regular array throughout the lamina densa or sometimes concentrated at the interstitial surface of the lamina densa. The capillary basal lamina (CBL) (and anionic sites) were not present at this age. Anionic sites were also associated with collagen or reticular fibrils. At term, the TBL was largely devoid of anionic sites except for some distributed along its interstitial surface. The CBL was present in later gestation and sometimes had arrays of anionic sites. In order to characterize the anionic sites, minced pieces of villi were incubated in the presence or absence of either chondroitinase ABC, heparitinase, neuraminidase, or Streptomyces hyaluronidase in appropriate buffer systems. Incubation of early villi with heparitinase resulted in the disappearance of the TBL-associated sites. Chondroitinase ABC appeared to reduce staining of collagen-associated sites. In term villi, heparitinase removed those few sites still associated with the TBL but did not affect sites associated with the CBL or collagen. Chondroitinase ABC resulted in the disappearance of all anionic sites. In later gestation, a number of developmentally important macromolecules are transported across the trophoblast and enter the fetal capillaries. We conclude that the absence of an array of polyanionic sites from the term placenta TBL and the reduction in the amount of extracellular matrix intervening between the trophoblast and capillaries are adaptations to enhance the exchange of macromolecules across the placenta.
First-Principles Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Atmospherically Relevant Anion Solvation in Supercooled Water Droplet

We present a comprehensive first-principles Born–Oppenheimer molecular dynamics (BOMD) simulation study of halide anion solvation in a deeply supercooled water droplet (with diameter ∼1.8 nm). We show that larger halide anions Br– and I– show “outer-layer surface preference”, whereas F– exhibits bulk preference. Contrary to behavior of other halide anions, Cl– in the water droplet appears to exhibit no strong tendency of surface or bulk preference at either the supercooled or ambient condition, a phenomenon not previously reported in the literature. BOMD simulation indicates that fully hydrated complex of F– is mainly five-fold coordinated (showing square pyramid structure), whereas Cl–, Br– and I– hydrated complexes are either five- or six-fold coordinated (showing sandwich-like structure). Among Cl–, Br– and I– anions, BOMD simulation indicates that I– exhibits the largest diffusion coefficient despite its largest size. However, computed resident time of the four halide ions suggests that Br– can approa...
Constructing cubature formulae by the method of reproducing kernel

We examine the method of reproducing kernel for constructing cubature formulae on the unit ball and on the triangle in light of the compact formulae of the reproducing kernels that are discovered recently. Several new cubature formulae are derived.
Investigation of the properties and potential medical applications of natural silk fibers produced by Eupackardia calleta

Silk has been considered biocompatible and used for medical applications for centuries. However, most of the silk currently used is produced by the domesticated silkworm, Bombyx mori. Recently, it has been demonstrated that silk produced by saturniidae insects such as Antheraea mylitta, Phylisomia ricini, and Antheraea pernyi had unique properties and suitable for medical applications. Therefore, efforts are being made to identify and study the structure and properties of silks produced by wild insects (non B. mori), spiders, and ants to understand their suitability for various medical applications. Eupackardia calleta belongs to the Saturniidae family of insects, but the structure, properties, and potential medical uses of silk fibers produced by E. calleta are not known. In this research, we have characterized the properties of silk fibers produced by E. calleta and the ability of the fibers to support the attachment and proliferation of mouse fibroblast cells. Silk produced by E. calleta had considerab...
Wetting state of a crystal-fluid system of hard spheres.

We report on a molecular-dynamics study of the wetting state of a system of hard spheres near a planar hard wall. A direct simulation at the melting point of a two-phase system between two walls develops all the way from complete wetting by fluid via a partial wetting state to a final arrangement of complete wetting by crystal. This implies that a hard-sphere fluid closely approaching coexistence from below should spontaneously crystallize at a smooth hard wall, contrary to existing beliefs.
An approach to the inventory of forested wetlands for timber-harvesting impact assessment.

Abstract A methodology for assessment of timber-harvesting impacts in a tidal freshwater Nyssa-aquatica/ Taxodium-distichum palustrine wetland in southwestern Alabama, U.S.A. was developed. The inventory objective was to provide data based upon relevant biophysical and socio-economic parameters to assist wetland regulatory and policy-making agencies. In addition to estimating stand timber stocks, the approach assessed the degree of disruption of ecosystem functions and processes. Specifically, indices were chosen to detect changes in net primary productivity, plant nutrient assimilative capacity, soil nutrient retention and transformation, decomposition, sedimentation rate, hydrology, and provision of wildlife habitat. Methods were chosen for data collection efficiency, interpretive simplicity, and ability to provide a relative index of the integrity and recovery rates of a disturbed ecosystem. This assessment enables wetland managers to determine which parameters are sensitive to functional changes, as well as the relative effects of various harvesting methods for use in promoting best forest-management practices.
Restricted, anisotropic diffusion and anisotropic nuclear spin relaxation of protons in hydrated vermiculite crystals

Abstract The diffusion of water protons in hydrated vermiculite crystals has been studied by the pulsed magnetic-field gradient, spin-echo technique. Li+ and n-butylammonium ion-exchanged vermiculites have been swollen with water to basal spacings between the parallel silicate layers from 100 to 1030 A. In this state, self-diffusion has been studied as a function of sample orientation and diffusion time (from 3 to 11 msec). Diffusion is seen to be anisotropic with the behavior perpendicular to the layers differing from that parallel to the layers. Parallel to the layers, the protons move freely as if in liquid water except for a small fraction affected by buckled layers. Perpendicular to the layers, as many as half the protons behave as if in liquid water; presumably they are moving in large cracks in the lattice. The remainder of the protons are interpreted as confined to “pores” of average sizes ranging from 200 to 1800 A (relative to the unswollen lattice). Our estimates of the “pore” size are consistent with electron microscope studies by other workers. Because of the restrictions afforded by these “pores”, it is necessary to interpret the data in terms of a model which does not follow Fick's law. There is evidence of morphological changes attending swelling. It is determined that for the systems studied, Young River, West Australia vermiculite had the least water in “pores,” whereas Libby, Montana hydrobiotite contained the most buckles. Kenya vermiculite was also studied. Detailed studies of T1 and T2 indidicate single relaxation times which are anisotropic. The longer times are always observed with the vermiculite layers parallel to the magnetic field; increasing the basal spacing also increases the relaxation times. The relaxation anisotropy is attributed to anisotropic paramagnetism of the iron-filled vermiculite layers.
Engineering Libraries Division (ELD) of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Annual Meeting

Purpose – To capture conference content and presentation.Design/methodology/approach – A conference report that spans the disciplines of engineering and technology education and engineering librarianship.Findings – Technology plays an important role in nearly all applications performed by an engineering librarian.Originality/value – A report of interest to library and information professionals.
A comparative evaluation of outcomes of endoscopic versus percutaneous drainage for symptomatic pancreatic pseudocysts.

Background Endoscopic drainage (ED) and percutaneous drainage (PD) have largely replaced surgical drainage as the initial approach for symptomatic pseudocysts. However, there are few studies comparing ED and PD. Objective To compare the outcomes of ED and PD for symptomatic pseudocysts. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Academic center. Patients Adult patients with symptomatic pseudocysts within ≤1 cm of the gastric or duodenal wall who underwent ED or PD between 1993 and 2011. Patients with walled-off pancreatic necrosis were excluded. Intervention ED or PD. Main Outcome Measurements Rates of technical success, procedural adverse events, clinical success, reinterventions, and failure. Other outcomes included the length of hospital stay and number of follow-up abdominal imaging studies. Results There were 81 patients, 41 who underwent ED and 40 who underwent PD, with no differences in age, sex, and comorbidity between the 2 groups. There were no differences in the rates of technical success (90.2% vs 97.5%; P = .36), adverse events (14.6% vs 15%; P = .96), and clinical success (70.7% vs 72.5%; P = .86) between ED and PD, respectively. Patients who underwent PD had higher rates of reintervention (42.5% vs 9.8%; P = .001), longer length of hospital stay (14.8 ± 14.4 vs 6.5 ± 6.7 days; P = .001), and median number [quartiles] of follow-up abdominal imaging studies (6 [3.25, 10] vs 4 [2.5, 6]; P = .02) compared with patients who underwent ED. Limitations Single center, retrospective study. Conclusion ED and PD have similar clinical success rates for symptomatic pseudocysts. However, PD is associated with significantly higher rates of reintervention, longer length of hospital stay, and increased number of follow-up abdominal imaging studies.
Photooxidation of Anthracene on Atmospheric Particulate Matter

Anthracene that has been dispersed into atmospheric particulate matter is photooxidized to an array of products reminiscent of oxidation by singlet oxygen in the solution phase. Photooxidation is a more important degradative pathway under ambient conditions than ozonation. Significant disappearance of anthracene also occurs by pathways not involving oxygenation.
Cervical spine injuries in children.

While cervical spine injuries are unusual in children, when they occur they frequently cause death or life-long disability. The primary care practitioner should be familiar with the signs and symptoms of cervical spine injuries, know the proper techniques of initial management, and engage in anticipatory guidance to prevent these injuries. Language: en
PPAR transcriptional activator complex polymorphisms and the promise of individualized therapy for heart failure

The PPAR gene pathway consists of interrelated genes that encode transcription factors, enzymes, and downstream targets which coordinately act to regulate cellular processes central to glucose and lipid metabolism. The pathway includes the PPAR genes themselves, other class II nuclear hormone receptor transcription factors within the PPAR family, PPAR co-activators, PPAR co-repressors, and downstream metabolic gene targets. This review focuses on the transcription factors that comprise the PPAR transcriptional activator complex—the PPARs (PPARα, PPARβ, or PPARγ), PPAR heterodimeric partners, such as RXRα, and PPAR co-activators, such as PPARγ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) and the estrogen-related receptors (ERRα, ERRβ, and ERRγ). These transcription factors have been implicated in the development of myocardial hypertrophy and dilated cardiomyopathy as well as response to myocardial ischemia/infarction and, by association, ischemic cardiomyopathy. Human expression studies and animal data are presented as the background for a discussion of the emerging field of pharmacogenetics as it applies to these genes and the consequent implications for the individualization of therapy for patients with heart failure.