cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nutritional Supplements and Nutrient Intake of Low-Income Pregnant and Breast-Feeding Women

Abstract Poor nutritional status during pregnancy and lactation is associated with poor health outcomes for both mothers and infants. Many studies show that low income pregnant and breast-feeding women consume inadequate amounts of important nutrients. Nutritional supplementation is recommended for these women and paid for by public health programs like Medicaid. Little is known about the contribution of supplements to total nutrient intake. Dietary intake data based on 24 hour recall interviews from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) were examined in low income pregnant and breast-feeding women participating in the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). Mean total nutrient intake from both diet and supplements were measured and compared to Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA's) for iron, calcium, vitamins A, C, and B6, folic acid, zinc, and magnesium. On average, pregnant women failed to meet 100% of the RDA for six of the eight nutrients through diet alone: iron (58% of the RDA), calcium (72%), folic acid (69%), zinc (72%), vitamin B6 (87%) and magnesium (90%). Including supplementation, these women met the RDAs for all but calcium (80%) and magnesium (94%). Breast-feeding women failed to meet 100% of the RDA for only zinc at 81%. Including supplementation, these women met 100% of the RDAs for all eight nutrients. Nutritional supplements improve the nutrient status of low income pregnant and breast-feeding women who have inadequate dietary intake of nutrients studied. Supplement use should be considered when assessing the diet of low-income pregnant and breast-feeding women.
Hepatic Portal Venous Gas: An Unusual Complication Following Upper Endoscopy and Dilation

Hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG), a rare condition in which gas accumulates in the portal venous circulation, is often associated with a significant underlying pathology, such as intestinal ischemia, sepsis, and trauma. HPVG after endoscopy or dilation is an unusual complication. We report a case of HPVG following upper endoscopy and dilation for an esophageal stricture in a 34-year-old patient with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). The patient was treated conservatively, and his symptoms resolved. Follow-up computed tomography (CT) scan showed resolution of HPVG. This case highlights a rare and potentially ominous complication of upper endoscopy and dilation and underscores the role of conservative management.
In Treatment with George Eliot

While the psychoanalytic concept of transference is often the analytic crux of the interactions of the consulting-room, its structure also illuminates what transpires for readers and viewers of serial narratives. In Scenes of Clerical Life, Middlemarch, and In Treatment, the serial form prompts the back-and-forthness of transference and countertransference, much like our own fluctuating engagements between world and fiction. Ultimately this essay argues that the power of Victorian realism lies in its capacity to generate transference.
Human Cytomegalovirus Modulates Monocyte-Mediated Innate Immune Responses during Short-Term Experimental Latency In Vitro

The ability of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) to establish lifelong persistence and reactivate from latency is critical to its success as a pathogen. Here we describe a short-term in vitro model representing the events surrounding HCMV latency and reactivation in circulating peripheral blood monocytes that was developed in order to study the immunological consequence of latent virus carriage. Infection of human CD14+ monocytes by HCMV resulted in the immediate establishment of latency, as evidenced by the absence of particular lytic gene expression, the transcription of latency-associated mRNAs, and the maintenance of viral genomes. Latent HCMV induced cellular differentiation to a macrophage lineage, causing production of selective proinflammatory cytokines and myeloid-cell chemoattractants that most likely play a role in virus dissemination in the host. Analysis of global cellular gene expression revealed activation of innate immune responses and the modulation of protein and lipid synthesis to accommodate latent HCMV infection. Remarkably, monocytes harboring latent virus exhibited selective responses to secondary stimuli known to induce an antiviral state. Furthermore, when challenged with type I and II interferon, latently infected cells demonstrated a blockade of signaling at the level of STAT1 phosphorylation. The data demonstrate that HCMV reprograms specific cellular pathways in monocytes, most notably innate immune responses, which may play a role in the establishment of, maintenance of, and reactivation from latency. The modulation of innate immune responses is likely a viral evasion strategy contributing to viral dissemination and pathogenesis in the host. IMPORTANCE HCMV has the ability to establish a lifelong infection within the host, a phenomenon termed latency. We have established a short-term model system in human peripheral blood monocytes to study the immunological relevance of latent virus carriage. Infection of CD14+ monocytes by HCMV results in the generation of latency-specific transcripts, maintenance of viral genomes, and the capacity to reenter the lytic cycle. During short-term latency in monocytes the virus initiates a program of differentiation to inflammatory macrophages that coincides with the modulation of cytokine secretion and specific cellular processes. HCMV-infected monocytes are hindered in their capacity to exert normal immunoprotective mechanisms. Additionally, latent virus disrupts type I and II interferon signaling at the level of STAT1 phosphorylation. This in vitro model system can significantly contribute to our understanding of the molecular and inflammatory factors that initiate HCMV reactivation in the host and allow the development of strategies to eradicate virus persistence.
A large scale molecular dynamics simulation code using the fast multipole algorithm (FMD): performance and application.

Abstract We present the performance of the fast classical molecular dynamics (MD) code, fast molecular dynamics (FMD), designed for efficient, object-oriented, and scalable large scale simulations, and summarize its application to a liquid crystalline cluster. FMD uses an implementation of the three-dimensional fast multipole method, developed in our group. The fast multipole method offers an efficient way (order O(N)) to handle long range electrostatic interactions, thus, enabling more realistic simulations of large molecular systems. Performance testing was carried out on IBM SP2, SGI Origin 2000, and CRAY T3E massively parallel systems using the MPI massage passing library. The electrostatic forces were tested on models of up to 100,000 randomly placed charges, and on protein and liquid crystalline molecular systems of over 99,000 atoms. Tests on the stability of the method are presented, along with comparisons with direct calculations, the namd 2 code, and the physical multipole-based cell-multipole method.
Histamine as an intermediate growth factor in genesis of gastric ECLomas associated with hypergastrinemia in mastomys.

Profound and sustained inhibition of gastric acid secretion has been associated with development of carcinoid tumors of the fundic enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells in rodents. While ECL cell hyperplasia has been recognized in humans, the development of carcinoid tumors is rare and often confined to patients under treatment for gastrinoma related to the multiple endocrine neoplasia type I (MEN1) syndrome. The Mastomys was utilized as a model for the rapid induction of ECLomas by insurmountable acid secretory blockade induced by the pharmacologically irreversible H2-receptor antagonist, loxtidine. Loxtidine-induced ECL cell hyperplasia and neoplasia were compared in the absence of presence of cyproheptadine (0.5 mg/kg), an H1-receptor antagonist. Loxtidine administration resulted in a significant increase in ECL cell hyperplasia and neoplasia as well as an increase in ECL cell number, mucosal thickness, plasma gastrin levels, and stomach weight. Cyproheptadine ameliorated loxtidine-induced ECL cell hyperplasia and neoplasia and significantly decreased loxtidine-stimulated increases in ECL cell number. Nevertheless, cyproheptadine failed to alter the loxtid-ineinduced increase in plasma gastrin, stomach weight or mucosal height. The results indicate that cyproheptadine, an H1-receptor antagonist, inhibits loxtidine-induced ECL cell hyperplasia independent of any effects on serum gastrin.
Uranium reduction on magnetite: Probing for pentavalent uranium using electrochemical methods

Abstract Pentavalent uranium is generally treated as an unstable intermediate when uranyl, U(VI)O22+, is reduced to U4+. However, mineral surfaces have been shown to stabilize pentavalent uranium, thus hindering further reduction (Ilton et al., 2005, 2010). The subject of this study is to identify the kinetic pathways that lead to U(V)O2+ being a metastable species. Electrochemical methods provide an in situ approach for the investigation of the intermediate reaction of U(V)O2+ on the surfaces of magnetite. Redox reactions of uranyl ions on particulate (∼3 μm) and bulk magnetite surfaces were investigated using cyclic voltammetry and potential step chronoamperometry using cavity microelectrodes and bulk (planar) mineral electrodes. The estimated redox potentials are consistent with the standard redox potential of UO22+/UO2+, indicating UO22+ is first reduced to UO2+ on the surfaces of both powder and bulk magnetite. The one-electron reduction of UO22+ to UO2+ was further confirmed by directly measuring the number of electrons transferred during the reduction process on the bulk magnetite electrode. Based on the charge conservation analysis and the positive correlation between the pH and the peak current for the UO2+ transformation to UO22+, the peak corresponding to the oxidation of U4+ to UO22+ was assigned in the voltammograms of particulate magnetite. The presence of U4+ indicates that the disproportionation of UO2+ (2U(V) ↔ U(IV) + U(VI)) is occurring on the surface of particulate magnetite within the timeframe of the experiment. The lack of a peak for U4+ in voltammograms for bulk magnetite suggests that the rate of the UO2+ disproportionation reaction is slower on bulk magnetite than that on particulate magnetite. The catalytic property of particulate magnetite surfaces on the disproportionation reaction is explained by its ability to adsorb and desorb protons, which could facilitate the proton-coupled disproportionation reaction of UO2+. This increased catalytic activity and related adsorption and desorption kinetics of protons may be related to the increased number of under-coordinated surface sites near step edges on the magnetite powder.
Risk of early-onset neonatal infection with maternal infection or colonization: a global systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background Neonatal infections cause a significant proportion of deaths in the first week of life, yet little is known about risk factors and pathways of transmission for early-onset neonatal sepsis globally. We aimed to estimate the risk of neonatal infection (excluding sexually transmitted diseases [STDs] or congenital infections) in the first seven days of life among newborns of mothers with bacterial infection or colonization during the intrapartum period.
Influence of body mass index on the efficacy of revascularization in patients with coronary artery disease.

Objective We examined the effect of body mass index on the association between revascularization strategy and survival in patients with coronary artery disease. Methods Using the Duke Database for Cardiovascular Disease, we selected 22,877 patients who underwent cardiac catheterization from January 1986 to August 2004 and were found to have significant coronary artery disease. Patients were categorized into three coronary disease management groups: no revascularization, percutaneous coronary intervention, and coronary artery bypass surgery. Propensity scoring was used to control for coronary artery revascularization strategy. The relationship between body mass index, coronary disease treatment, and survival was assessed via Cox multivariable models adjusting for baseline demographic, clinical, and angiographic characteristics. Results The median body mass index was 27.2 kg/m 2 (24.4–30.4) in the overall cohort, 27.1 kg/m 2 (24.1–30.3) in the no revacularization group, 27.4 kg/m 2 (24.8–30.9) in the percutaneous intervention group, and 26.9 kg/m 2 (24.4–30.1) in the coronary bypass group. Body mass index was a significant, but weak, predictor of revascularization, with higher indexes predicting lower rates of coronary bypass. Thirty-day survival did not differ across body mass indexes among treatment groups, but survival curves appeared to separate over longer-term follow-up. An inverted U-shaped survival function was noted across all time points after 30 days, with the lowest risk of death at a body mass index of approximately 26 kg/m 2 (independent of revascularization strategy). Coronary bypass was associated with the highest survival at all later time points, whereas no revascularization was associated with the lowest. Conclusions Extremes of body mass index are associated with lower long-term survival in patients with significant coronary disease. Revascularization, particularly with coronary bypass, is consistently associated with the best survival across the spectrum of body mass indexes.
College Influences on Graduates' Income Levels.

The current income levels of college graduates are examined in the context of a causal model that incorporates measures commonly included in previous investigations by educational researchers, economists, and sociologists. The results show that the income levels of graduates are a function of a complex series of events that encompass student attributes at the time of college entry, the kinds of colleges and universities attended, performance and experiences in those institutions, the nature of the organizations in which they are employed, and the characteristics of their jobs. While the findings clearly demonstrate that where one goes to college and one's experiences in college have strong influences on graduates' current income levels, the relative influence of these measures is different for graduates employed in private firms and public agencies. The findings also demonstrate that the kinds of colleges and universities attended and students' experiences in those institutions are important intervening variables though which the indirect influences of sex and race are manifested. The research and policy implications of these findings are discussed.
Initial experience with intraoperative PTH determinations in the surgical management of 130 consecutive cases of primary hyperparathyroidism.

Background: Successful surgical management of primary hyperparathyroidism (1o HPT) historically has required bilateral neck exploration. The intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IO-PTH) assay allows a more limited procedure by confirming complete removal of hypersecreting tissue. Methods: Plasma samples were obtained from 130 consecutive patients both before (preincision and pre-excision baselines) and at approximately 5 and 10 minutes (and additional times) after removal of abnormal parathyroid tissue. Samples were assayed for IO-PTH by a rapid, two-site immunochemiluminescent assay (ICMA) with a 7-minute incubation at 45°C. Results: Plasma IO-PTH decreased by at least 50% in 126 of 130 cases; however, three of these cases were false positives. The four cases in which IO-PTH fell <50% were classified as two true negatives and two false negatives. A single adenoma was removed in 125 cases, and two or three hyperplastic glands were removed in five cases. Conclusions: IO-PTH predicted the postoperative outcome in 125 of 130 cases (96.2%), including two of five cases in which multiple hyperplastic glands were removed, and 1o HPT was successfully treated in 97.7% (127/130) of the cases. The IO-PTH procedure can provide valuable confirmation to the endocrine surgeon; however, other sources of information must also be used to ensure that all hyperplastic glands are identified. (Surgery 1999;126:1132-8.)
Stimuli linked to ethanol availability activate hypothalamic CART and orexin neurons in a reinstatement model of relapse.

Background There has been a recent upsurge of interest in the role of hypothalamic feeding peptides, in particular, orexin (hypocretin), in drug-seeking behavior. However, the potential role of other hypothalamic feeding peptides, such as cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART), in conditioned reinstatement has yet to be explored. Methods Animals were exposed to environmental stimuli previously associated with ethanol availability (EtOH S + ), and sections from the hypothalamus and paraventricular thalamus (PVT), a recipient of CART and orexin innervation, were dual labeled for Fos-protein and either CART or orexin. Results Significantly larger numbers of Fos-positive arcuate nucleus CART and hypothalamic orexin neurons were seen in animals exposed to the EtOH S + compared with nonreward S − animals. Presentation of the EtOH S + also increased numbers of Fos-positive PVT neurons. Fos-positive PVT neurons were observed to be closely associated with orexin and CART terminal fields. Conclusions Taken together, these findings suggest that activation of hypothalamic neuropeptide systems may be a common mechanism underlying drug-seeking behavior.
Interactive Optimization of Multispan Plate Girders

An efficient and robust optimization algorithm is presented for minimum weight design of continuous multispan steel plate girders using the general geometric programming technique. The loading on the girder can consist of any number of concentrated and uniformly distributed loads. The nonlinear programming problem is formulated on the basis of th last edition of the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) specification. The design variables are the flange width and thickness, the web depth and thickness, and the dimensions and spacings of the transverese stiffeners for stiffened plate girders. In the optimization algorithm, the nonlinear primal problem is transformed to an equivalent standard linear programming problem via double condensation. The algorithm is quite general and can be applied to stiffened or unstiffened, homogeneous or hybrid plate girders. The girder may be fully restrained against lateral supports only at selected locations along the length of the girder. The algorithm is implelmented in FORTRAN 7 in an interactive computing environment with graphic capabilites. The program can display the plate girder elevation, various cross sections, and loading on the girder. Three examples are presented, a two-span homogeneous, a three-span hybrid, and a five-span homogeneous plate girder.
Dynamical symmetry breakdown in the supersymmetric nonlinear sigma model

The supersymmetric nonlinear sigma model is studied to leading order in 1/N. The spontaneous breakdown of a discrete chiral symmetry leads to mass generation, and the appearance of a supersymmetric pair of bound states.
FORMATION OF LOBSTER-BEARING CONCRETIONS IN THE LATE CRETACEOUS BEARPAW SHALE, MONTANA, UNITED STATES, IN A COMPLEX GEOCHEMICAL ENVIRONMENT

Abstract Eleven concretions containing the nephropid lobster, Palaeonephrops browni (Whitfield, 1907), from the Upper Cretaceous (Campanian), Bearpaw Formation in northeastern Montana, were examined using visual and geochemical methods. The concretions were zoned, with an axial, phosphate-rich core also containing calcium surrounding the lobster remains and an outer, calcium-rich zone lacking phosphate. The overall composition documents these as carbonate concretions, not phosphatic concretions. Where visible, the inner zone is sheathed in a thin layer dominated by framboidal pyrite, suggesting formation by a microbial film. The different geochemical settings in the inner versus outer zones suggest reduced pH conditions during formation of the inner core and normal pH conditions resulting in formation of the outer zone. The pattern is suggestive of extremely rapid preservation of the lobster remains within a microbial sheath in which a calcium phosphate mineral, probably francolite, delicately replaced th...
Applying feature selective validation (FSV) as an objective function for data optimization

Feature Select Validation (FSV) is a widely used validation method for data comparison. FSV provides a quantitative standard to describe the similarity between two sets of data. In this paper, the application of the FSV technique is extended to data optimization. The raw data obtained from simulations or measurements are often non-ideal for further processing. Several techniques, such as data perturbation, can be used to improve the data quality in certain aspects. However, after modifications the new data could be very different to the original one. Using FSV as an objective function for the optimization process is discussed in this paper, in an example of causality enforcement, to ensure the enforced casual data has the minimum deviations from the original data. The results demonstrate that the proposed approach in this paper is effective for data modification and optimization.
COMMUNITY IMPACTS OF A TUSSOCK SEDGE: IS ECOSYSTEM ENGINEERING IMPORTANT IN BENIGN HABITATS?

Ecosystem engineers impact other organisms through environmentally mediated indirect interactions, but the potential for the mechanisms and importance of engineering to vary predictably across environmental gradients has not been investigated. Previously, we investigated how hummock formation by Triglochin maritimum in physically stressful salt marsh pannes influences the plant community that grows only on hummock tops and found that species diversity was dependent on indirect positive effects of T. maritimum engineering. Here we examined how Carex stricta, the tussock sedge, drives superficially similar spatial patterning of plants in relatively benign tidal freshwater marshes at the opposite extreme of an estuarine salinity gradient. In C. stricta marshes, the entire vegetative community is located almost exclusively on top of tussocks while inter-tussock spaces are bare mud buried in C. stricta wrack. We manipulated tussock height, belowground substrate, and aboveground competition for light to investigate the mechanisms by which C. stricta influences the wetland plant community. We also conducted wrack-removal experiments and phytometer assays to examine the importance of wrack deposition in this community and to investigate the spatial distribution of herbivore pressure, respectively. Transplants of four common species performed well in all treatments, except natural inter-tussock spaces buried in wrack. Removal of wrack from inter-tussock spaces enabled substantial seedling emergence and vegetative cover within one growing season. C. stricta therefore drives plant distribution primarily through indirect negative impacts of wrack accumulation in inter-tussock spaces. Once tussocks are established, plants obtain a secondary benefit when growing on tussocks, as the inter-tussock spaces become runways for small mammalian herbivores that concentrate feeding in low protected areas. These results differ dramatically from nearby salt marshes where T. maritimum facilitates community diversity by alleviating physical stresses. The mechanisms and outcomes of hummock-forming engineers may thus vary predictably across estuarine salinity gradients where hummock formation has facilitative and important impacts in physically stressful environments, but negative and less essential impacts in physically benign environments.
Tocotrienols: Vitamin E Beyond Tocopherols

In nature, eight substances have been found to have vitamin E activity: α-, β-, γ- and δ-tocopherol; and α-, β-, γ- and δ-tocotrienol. Yet, of all papers on vitamin E listed in PubMed less than 1% relate to tocotrienols. The abundance of α-tocopherol in the human body and the comparable efficiency of all vitamin E molecules as antioxidants, led biologists to neglect the non-tocopherol vitamin E molecules as topics for basic and clinical research. Recent developments warrant a serious reconsideration of this conventional wisdom. Tocotrienols possess powerful neuroprotective, anti-cancer and cholesterol lowering properties that are often not exhibited by tocopherols. Current developments in vitamin E research clearly indicate that members of the vitamin E family are not redundant with respect to their biological functions. α-Tocotrienol, γ-tocopherol, and δ-tocotrienol have emerged as vitamin E molecules with functions in health and disease that are clearly distinct from that of α-tocopherol. At nanomolar concentration, α-tocotrienol, not α-tocopherol, prevents neurodegeneration. On a concentration basis, this finding represents the most potent of all biological functions exhibited by any natural vitamin E molecule. An expanding body of evidence support that members of the vitamin E family are functionally unique. In recognition of this fact, title claims in manuscripts should be limited to the specific form of vitamin E studied. For example, evidence for toxicity of a specific form of tocopherol in excess may not be used to conclude that high-dosage “vitamin E” supplementation may increase all-cause mortality. Such conclusion incorrectly implies that tocotrienols are toxic as well under conditions where tocotrienols were not even considered. The current state of knowledge warrants strategic investment into the lesser known forms of vitamin E. This will enable prudent selection of the appropriate vitamin E molecule for studies addressing a specific need.
Meta-analysis using linear mixed models.

Psychologists often use special computer programs to perform meta-analysis. Until recently, this had been necessary because standard statistical packages did not provide procedures for such analysis. This paper introduces linear mixed models as a framework for meta-analysis in psychological research, using a popular general purpose statisticalpackage, SAS. The approach is illustrated with three examples, usingsas peoc mixed.
Two‐bond deuterium isotope effects on 13C chemical shifts. A measure of carbon ? carbon bond lengths

Two-bond deuterium-induced isotope effects (2Δ) have been studied in several neutral π-systems (6,6-dimethylfulvene, cyclohexene and cyclohexa-1,3-diene). Isotope effects on the 13C shifts of adjacent carbons are invariably to higher field, and vary from −84 to −139 ppb. In combination with literature data for a number of aromatic systems, these results establish that, for fragments of the type DC(sp2)13C(sp2) in five- or six-membered rings, 2Δ correlates linearly with carboncarbon bond length, the average deviation between calculated and experimental bond lengths being 0.01 A. The correlation embraces bridgehead and non-bridgehead carbons in both five- and six-membered rings. As a test of the utility of this empirical relationship, 2Δ in ferrocene-d was determined to be −91 ppb, corresponding to a carboncarbon bond length of 1.42 A, in good agreement with the experimental value of 1.43 A.
Shadow hybrid Monte Carlo: an efficient propagator in phase space of macromolecules

Shadow hybrid Monte Carlo (SHMC) is a new method for sampling the phase space of large molecules, particularly biological molecules. It improves sampling of hybrid Monte Carlo (HMC) by allowing larger time steps and system sizes in the molecular dynamics (MD) step. The acceptance rate of HMC decreases exponentially with increasing system size N or time step δt. This is due to discretization errors introduced by the numerical integrator. SHMC achieves an asymptotic O(N1/4) speedup over HMC by sampling from all of phase space using high order approximations to a shadow or modified Hamiltonian exactly integrated by a symplectic MD integrator. SHMC satisfies microscopic reversibility and is a rigorous sampling method. SHMC requires extra storage, modest computational overhead, and a reweighting step to obtain averages from the canonical ensemble. This is validated by numerical experiments that compute observables for different molecules, ranging from a small n-alkane butane with four united atoms to a larger solvated protein with 14,281 atoms. In these experiments, SHMC achieves an order magnitude speedup in sampling efficiency for medium sized proteins. Sampling efficiency is measured by monitoring the rate at which different conformations of the molecules' dihedral angles are visited, and by computing ergodic measures of some observables.
A data structure for analyzing collisions of moving objects

Computer systems that simulate dynamic systems of bodies require the detection and analysis of collisions between moving bodies. For a restricted class of parameterized objects, collision detection is relatively simple. However, when a simulation system uses a solid modeler data with arbitrarily complex topology, detecting collisions efficiently between two moving objects becomes difficult. The author presents a new data structure for analyzing the spatial relationship of two objects. Given the objects as boundary representations (B-reps), a spatial index is constructed for the B-reps which allows fast edge and vertex classifications to be performed. He also presents ways of analyzing the collisions points and resolving ambiguities. >
Do childhood anxiety measures measure anxiety

The Fear Survey Schedule for Children-Revised (FSSC-R), Revised-Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS), and the Modified State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC-M) are three widely used self-report measures of childhood anxiety. While previous studies have established the reliability of these measures, their validity in discriminating anxious from non-anxious youngsters remains to be established. The present study examines the discriminant validity of the three measures by comparing clinic referred samples of boys with an anxiety disorder (n = 105) or ADHD (n = 59) with a community sample of never-psychiatrically-ill boys (n = 49). Results indicated that the two patient groups differed significantly from the never-psychiatrically-ill group on the RCMAS and STAIC-M, but the anxious and ADHD groups did not differ from each other. None of the three groups differed on the FSSC-R. The implications of these findings for the assessment of childhood anxiety disorders are discussed.
Epicardial and pleural lead ICD systems in children and adolescents maintain functionality over 5 years

AIMS: The optimal implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) system implant technique has not yet been defined in young patients and those with congenital heart disease (CHD). We describe our 5-year experience with epicardial pacing/sensing leads secured on the left cardiac chambers and a pleural defibrillation lead insertion along the third intercostal space. METHODS AND RESULTS: Implantable cardioverter defibrillator systems were implanted in 15 children and adolescents (age: 2.9-20.0 years) for primary (n = 11) or secondary (n = 4) prevention. Underlying CHD were hypertrophic (n = 10) or dilative cardiomyopathies (n = 2), primary electrical diseases (n = 2), and transposition of the great arteries (n = 1). Devices were placed in the rectus sheath (n = 5), or within the diaphragm (n = 10). Median defibrillation threshold at implant was 15 J (range: 10-25). During 5 years of follow-up (median: 22 months), nine appropriate and two inappropriate ICD discharges occurred. Four system revisions were required due to device recall, pleural lead dislodgement, epicardial lead fracture, and insulation break. Twelve months after the implantation, defibrillation threshold testing demonstrated stable thresholds of <or=20 J in five patients. CONCLUSION: Our 5-year experience demonstrates the efficacy of epicardial and pleural lead ICD systems. Inappropriate shocks and lead failures are observed as in other ICD systems. It represents an alternative implant technique for young and active patients and those without venous access.
Respiration-related discharge of hyoglossus muscle motor units in the rat

Although respiratory muscle motor units have been studied during natural breathing, simultaneous measures of muscle force have never been obtained. Tongue retractor muscles, such as the hyoglossus ...
ALIAS environment: A design tool for application specific arrays

We present a methodology for synthesis of application specific arrays for matrix computations. The system, called ALIAS (algorithms into arrays synthesizer), is an interactive design environment facilitating automated mapping between matrix algorithms and hardware implementations. Our method, which incorporates and integrates ideas from past studies and new transformational notations, provides a basis for the efficient design of useful arrays. ALIAS consists of three main modules: MAP (matrix algorithm parser), DIP (display interface program), and DM (descriptor manipulator). MAP takes inputs which are the single-assignment equivalents of matrix algorithms and produces descriptors for the dependency graphs. DIP displays the MMG (multi-mesh graph) structure to the interactive user. DER module then applies drivers which are essentially a set of transformation functions to the descriptors in an attempt to derive the hardware implementations of the algorithm. >
Neurologic complications of spinal anesthesia

Perioperative nerve injuries have long been recognized as a potential complication of spinal anesthesia. Fortunately, severe or disabling neurologic complications rarely occur. Risk factors contributing to neurologic deficit after spinal anesthesia include spinal cord ischemia (hypothesized to be related to the use of vasoconstrictors or prolonged hypotension), traumatic injury to the spinal cord or nerve roots during needle or catheter placement, pressure applied to the spinal cord due to hemorrhagic or infectious complications, and choice of local anesthetic solution. Practice guidelines for the safe conduct of spinal anesthesia are influenced by knowledge of the previously published large patient surveys as well as individual case reports of neurologic deficits following central neural blockade. Prevention of complications, as well as early diagnosis and treatment are important factors in the management of regional anesthetic risks.
Pulmonary AV Malformations After Superior Cavopulmonary Connection: Resolution After Inclusion of Hepatic Veins in the Pulmonary Circulation

Abstract Background . A high incidence of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) has been reported in patients who have polysplenia and congenital heart disease after superior cavopulmonary anastomosis. Interruption of hepatic venous return to the pulmonary circulation is believed to potentiate the development of PAVMs. Surgical inclusion of hepatic flow in the pulmonary circulation may result in their resolution. Methods . We reviewed 3 patients with congenital heart disease and polysplenia in whom PAVMs developed and who had subsequent hepatic vein inclusion in the pulmonary circulation. Results . Patients underwent superior cavopulmonary connection at a median age of 8 months. The PAVMs were diagnosed at a median duration of 8 months after operation (arterial saturation 90% in room air). Conclusions . Surgical inclusion of hepatic venous blood in the pulmonary circulation results in the resolution of PAVMs. Electively associating the hepatic veins with the pulmonary vasculature may prevent the development of PAVMs in patients who are at risk. (Ann Thorac Surg 1997;63:960–3)
Biophysical properties of the extra-cellular domain of the calcium-sensing receptor.

Abstract The Calcium-Sensing Receptor (CaSR) is a G-protein-coupled receptor that regulates calcium homeostasis by altering parathyroid hormone release, and which binds divalent and trivalent cations, amino acids, polyamines, and polycationic ligands. To obtain information about the structural properties of the CaSR, we expressed milligram quantities of a pure, homogeneous, and functional fragment of the human CaSR extracellular domain (residues 20–535). The expressed and purified protein is folded and binds both neomycin and calcium. It forms dimers in the absence of reducing agents such as β-mercaptoethanol. Thermal denaturation studies show it has enthalpy and entropy values of unfolding equal to ΔH = −178 ± 4 kJ/mol and ΔS = −535 ± 13 J/mol/K. The protein has significant secondary structure with α-helical, β-sheet, β-turns, and disordered content of 36.6 ± 6.7%, 13.3 ± 5.3%, 20.2 ± 3.3%, and 29.4 ± 4.0%, respectively. The described method for the expression and purification of CaSR should prove useful for further structural studies of this physiologically important protein.
Evolution of neuroblast identity: seven-up and prospero expression reveal homologous and divergent neuroblast fates in Drosophila and Schistocerca

In the Drosophila CNS, early neuroblast formation and fate are controlled by the pair-rule class of segmentation genes. The distantly related Schistocerca (grasshopper) embryo has a similar arrangement of neuroblasts, despite lack of known pair-rule gene function. Does divergent pair-rule gene function lead to different neuroblast identities, or can different patterning mechanisms produce homologous neuroblasts? We use four molecular markers to compare Drosophila and Schistocerca neuroblast identity: seven-up, prospero, engrailed, and fushi-tarazu/Dax. In both insects some early-forming neuroblasts share key features of neuroblast identity (position, time of formation, and temporally accurate gene expression); thus, different patterning mechanisms can generate similar neuroblast fates. In contrast, several later-forming neuroblasts show species-specific differences in position and/or gene expression; these neuroblast identities seem to have diverged, suggesting that evolution of the insect central nervous system can occur through changes in embryonic neuroblast identity.
DLPC decreases TGF-β1-induced collagen mRNA by inhibiting p38 MAPK in hepatic stellate cells

Dilinoleoylphosphatidylcholine (DLPC), the active component of polyenylphosphatidylcholine extracted from soybeans, decreases collagen accumulation induced by TGF-β1 in cultured hepatic stellate ce...
Stem Cell Therapy for Heart Failure

During the past decade, studies in animals and humans have suggested that cell therapy has positive effects for the treatment of heart failure. This clinical effect may be mediated by angiogenesis and reduction in fibrosis rather than by regeneration of myocytes. Increased microvasculature and decreased scar also likely lead to improved cardiac function in the failing heart. The effects of cell therapy are not limited to one type of cell or delivery technique. Well-designed, large-scale, randomized clinical trials with objective end points will help to fully realize the therapeutic potential of cell-based therapy for treating heart failure.
Early active database efforts: a capsule summary

Over the past few years, the topic of active databases has become an important area of research. A number of efforts-both research prototypes and commercial database management systems (DBMSs)-have addressed support for event-condition-action (ECA) rules in databases. This paper examines the motivations for providing this capability, identifies features that form the basis for supporting active functionality, and provides a capsule summary of active database features of early commercial systems as well as research prototypes. Three broad categories-rule expressiveness, execution semantics and efficiency-are used for the capsule summary.
Multi-Agent-Based Simulation of a Complex Ecosystem of Mental Health Care

This paper discusses the creation of an Agent-Based Simulation that modeled the introduction of care coordination capabilities into a complex system of care for patients with Serious and Persistent Mental Illness. The model describes the engagement between patients and the medical, social and criminal justice services they interact with in a complex ecosystem of care. We outline the challenges involved in developing the model, including process mapping and the collection and synthesis of data to support parametric estimates, and describe the controls built into the model to support analysis of potential changes to the system. We also describe the approach taken to calibrate the model to an observable level of system performance. Preliminary results from application of the simulation are provided to demonstrate how it can provide insights into potential improvements deriving from introduction of care coordination technology.
First records of Zaprionus indianus (Diptera: Drosophilidae), a pest species on commercial fruits from Panama and the United States of America.

Zaprionus indianus Gupta 1970 (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is native to Africa, the Middle East, and southern Eurasia (Chassagnard & Kraaijeveld 1991; Baichli 1999-2005). It was first found in the Americas in 1999, when it was reported from Sao Paulo, Brazil (Vilela 1999). Since then, it has spread rapidly through Brazil (Santos et al. 2003; Tidon et al. 2003; Ledo & Tidon 2004; da Silva et al. 2005) and Uruguay (Goni et al. 2001, 2002) and has been predicted to reach the USA in the near future (David et al. 2006). Here we report the first records of Z. indianus from Panama and the USA. On 6 and 7 Oct 2003, DH collected several individuals of Z. indianus on Isla Contadora, Panama. KH reared several individuals of Zaprionus (Steck 2005) from fruits of longan, Dimocarpus longan Lour., and Barbados cherry, Malpighia emarginata Sess6 & Moc. ex DC., collected on 26 Jul 2005 in St. Lucie Co., Florida. Dr. C. Ribeiro Vilela confirmed the identification as Z. indianus.
Association of Fitness in Young Adulthood With Survival and Cardiovascular Risk: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study

Importance Although cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is prognostic in older adults, the effect of CRF during early adulthood on long-term cardiovascular structure, function, and prognosis is less clear. Objective To examine whether CRF in young adults is associated with long-term clinical outcome and subclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD). Design, Setting, and Participants Prospective study of 4872 US adults aged 18 to 30 years who underwent treadmill exercise testing at a baseline study visit from March 25, 1985, to June 7, 1986, and 2472 individuals who underwent a second treadmill test 7 years later. Median follow-up was 26.9 years, with assessment of obesity, left ventricular mass and strain, coronary artery calcification (CAC), and vital status and incident CVD. Follow-up was complete on August 31, 2011, and data were analyzed from recruitment through the end of follow-up. Main Outcomes and Measures The presence of CAC was assessed by computed tomography at years 15 (2000-2001), 20 (2005-2006), and 25 (2010-2011), and left ventricular mass was assessed at years 5 (1990-1991) and 25 (with global longitudinal strain). Incident CVD and all-cause mortality were adjudicated. Results Of the 4872 individuals, 273 (5.6%) died and 193 (4.0%) experienced CVD events during follow-up. After comprehensive adjustment, each additional minute of baseline exercise test duration was associated with a 15% lower hazard of death (hazard ratio [HR], 0.85; 95% CI, 0.80-0.91; P P = .002). Higher levels of baseline CRF were associated with significantly lower left ventricular mass index (β = −0.24; 95% CI, −0.45 to −0.03; P = .02) and significantly better lobal longitudinal strain (β = −0.09; 95% CI, −0.14 to −0.05; P P = .002) and CVD (HR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.06-1.37; P = .006), respectively, along with a more impaired strain (β = 0.15; 95% CI, 0.08-0.23; P Conclusions and Relevance Higher levels of fitness at baseline and improvement in fitness early in adulthood are favorably associated with lower risks for CVD and mortality. Fitness and changes in fitness are associated with myocardial hypertrophy and dysfunction but not CAC. Regular efforts to ascertain and improve CRF in young adulthood may play a critical role in promoting cardiovascular health and interrupting early CVD pathogenesis.
Quality Control ProtocolsResponse From the Editor-in-Chief

In the Q&A section of the January 2010 issue of Lab Medicine , Dr. David Rhoads asked how a lab should act following a quality control (QC) failure.1 He posed the following 3 specific questions: (1) Does the recall decision depend on the nature of the problem? (2) If so, and the problem is serious, which results would be recalled? and (3) If the problem were minor would any results be recalled? In Dr. Rhoads’ scenario the laboratory performed QC on a high volume test at 8:00 am and passed. The lab then analyzed 500 specimens before running QC a second time at 4:00 pm and failed. Dr. Wians’ reply to the first question about the nature of the QC failure could have been more specific as to the nature of the failure. Did the QC analysis indicate that the failure was consistent with a bias problem, a precision problem, or both? In the case of imprecision, all patient samples should be retested (after resolving the cause for imprecision). If the precision problem cannot be resolved, perhaps going forward testing may need to be performed in duplicate, and the average reported (to reduce the variation in the results by the square root of 2). The response to the second question provided a detailed description of how to determine, retrospectively, when and to what degree the process failed during the 8-hour shift. The results of this retrospective analysis would determine which specimens required reanalysis and which …
Violation of the Leggett-Garg Inequality in Neutrino Oscillations

An experiment similar to the Bell inequality test confirms that neutrino oscillation is a quantum physics effect that is incompatible with alternative classical models.
Teledermatology as a means to improve access to inpatient dermatology care.

Many hospitals have limited inpatient dermatology consultation access. Most dermatologists are outpatient-based and may find the distance and time to complete inpatient consultations prohibitive. Teledermatology may improve access to inpatient dermatology care by reducing barriers of distance and time. We conducted a prospective two-phase pilot study at two academic hospitals comparing time needed to complete inpatient consultations after resident dermatologists initially evaluated patients, called average handling time (AHT), and time needed to respond to the primary team, called time to response (TTR), with and without teledermatology with surveys to capture changes in dermatologist opinion on teledermatology. Teledermatology was only used in the study phase, and patients were seen in-person in both study phases. Teledermatology alone sufficiently answered consultations in 10 of 25 study consultations. The mean AHT in the study phase (sAHT) was 26.9 min compared to the baseline phase (bAHT) of 43.5 min, a 16.6 min reduction (p = 0.004). The 10 study cases where teledermatology alone was sufficient had mean study TTR (sTTR) of 273.3 min compared to a baseline TTR (bTTR) of 405.7 min, a 132.4 min reduction (p = 0.032). Teledermatology reduces the time required for an attending dermatologist to respond and the time required for a primary team to receive a response for an inpatient dermatology consultation in a subset of cases. These findings suggest teledermatology can be used as a tool to improve access to inpatient dermatology care.
From the Founding Publisher of Amerasia Journal

Editor's Note: This tribute by Don T. Nakanishi was delivered at an event celebrating the career of Russell C. Leong as the editor of Amerasia Journal, held in October 2010.I am really sorry I cannot be with you today. I am in Japan and cannot join you in paying special tribute to my long-time colleague and friend, Russell Leong, with whom I have worked for over thirty years.