cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Engendering threat in the guise of protection: Orientalism and Sikh vulnerability

ABSTRACTOn August 5, 2012, self-avowed white supremacist Wade Michael Page gunned down six Sikh worshipers at a Gurudwara in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, before turning the gun on himself. The coverage of the shooting in select media outlets mostly blamed Wade’s obsession with white supremacist hate music and his troubled childhood for the fatal shooting spree. Alternately, I argue that other, neglected factors also converged to produce the conditions that resulted in the Oak Creek massacre. These include the violent interventions of the US into the Muslim world pre- and post-9/11 and the long history of American Orientalism as an ideological force that rationalizes such interventions and racializes Muslim, Arab, and turbaned bodies as threats to American security; Page’s radicalization in the military, including his intense exposure to orientalist discourse as a PSYOP specialist; and his involvement with the organized white supremacist movement. I end with a call for scholars to center Orientalism in their stud...
Adaptive Mesh Refinement for 2-D Numerical Analysis of Semiconductor Devices

A new mesh refinement criterion is proposed based on the inter-mesh approximation residual (IMAR). IMAR provides an accurate and reliable mesh refinement criterion for the numerical analysis of PDE regardless of its decretization and solution methods. The numerical examples are presented along with the computational algorithm of IMAR and practical scheme of adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) which is implemented on 2D device simulator TSAR.
Do non-inferiority trials of reduced intensity therapies show reduced effects? A descriptive analysis.

Objectives To identify non-inferiority trials within a cohort where the experimental therapy is the same as the active control comparator but at a reduced intensity and determine if these non-inferiority trials of reduced intensity therapies have less favourable results than other non-inferiority trials in the cohort. Such a finding would provide suggestive evidence of biocreep in these trials. Design This metaresearch study used a cohort of non-inferiority trials published in the five highest impact general medical journals during a 5-year period. Data relating to the characteristics and results of the trials were abstracted. Primary outcome measures Proportions of trials with a declaration of superiority, non-inferiority and point estimates favouring the experimental therapy and mean absolute risk differences for trials with outcomes expressed as a proportion. Results Our search yielded 163 trials reporting 182 non-inferiority comparisons; 36 comparisons from 31 trials were between the same therapy at reduced and full intensity. Compared with trials not evaluating reduced intensity therapies, fewer comparisons of reduced intensity therapies demonstrated a favourable result (non-inferiority or superiority) (58.3%vs82.2%; P=0.002) and fewer demonstrated superiority (2.8%vs18.5%; P=0.019). Likewise, point estimates for reduced intensity therapies more often favoured active control than those for other trials (77.8%vs39.7%; P Conclusions Non-inferiority trials comparing a therapy at reduced intensity to the same therapy at full intensity showed reduced effects compared with other non-inferiority trials. This suggests these trials may have a high rate of type 1 errors and biocreep, with significant implications for the design and interpretation of future non-inferiority trials.
Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy in patients with myotonic dystrophy, Type 1

Purpose RNA toxicity from CTG trinucleotide repeat (TNR) expansion within noncoding DNA of the transcription factor 4 (TCF4) and DM1 protein kinase (DMPK) genes has been described in Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) and myotonic dystrophy, type 1 (DM1), respectively. We prospectively evaluated DM1 patients and their families for phenotypic FECD and report the analysis of CTG expansion in the TCF4 gene and DMPK expression in corneal endothelium. Methods FECD grade was evaluated by slit lamp biomicroscopy in 26 participants from 14 families with DM1. CTG TNR length in TCF4 and DMPK was determined by a combination of Gene Scan and Southern blotting of peripheral blood leukocyte DNA. Results FECD grade was 2 or higher in 5 (36%) of 14 probands, significantly greater than the general population (5%) (P < 0.001). FECD segregated with DM1; six of eight members of the largest family had both FECD and DM1, while the other two family members had neither disease. All DNA samples from 24 subjects, including four FECD-affected probands, were bi-allelic for nonexpanded TNR length in TCF4 (<40 repeats). Considering a 75% prevalence of TCF4 TNR expansion in FECD, the probability of four FECD probands lacking TNR expansion was 0.4%. Neither severity of DM1 nor DMPK TNR length predicted the presence of FECD in DM1 patients. Conclusions FECD was common in DM1 families, and the diseases cosegregated. TCF4 TNR expansion was lacking in DM1 families. These findings support a hypothesis that DMPK TNR expansion contributes to clinical FECD.
Pancreatojejunostomy: leakage is a preventable complication of the Whipple resection.

Background Leakage of the pancreaticojejunal anastomosis has been a major complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple operation), frequently reported in an incidence of 5 percent to 15 percent. The most widely used techniques of anastomosis have been variations of end-to-end pancreaticojejunostomy. Complicating 152 end-to-end anastomoses, done by me (including 98 for carcinoma of the pancreas or ampulla), were 5 pancreatic anastomotic leaks; the fifth patient died of this complication. Study design The death resulting from a pancreatic anastomotic fistula led me to change my technique to an end of the pancreas to side of the jejunum, mucosa-to-mucosa, pancreaticojejunostomy (intubated), a modification of the technique described by Cattell and used since 1985 by me in 56 consecutive patients. Patients were monitored for clinical evidence of a pancreatic fistula, including evaluation of amylase content in serum and, in most, in peritoneal drainage. Pancreatography through the exteriorized pancreatic catheter was possible if deemed advisable. Results No pancreatic duct was too small or pancreas too soft to permit effective anastomosis. No clinical evidence developed of a pancreatic fistula, "sentinel bleed," or acute pancreatitis, and no patient was recognized to have a high amylase content in the peripancreatic peritoneal drainage. Results of the pancreatogram were negative in three patients with peripancreatic infections and in one with severe cholestasis. Conclusions Although consensus among surgeons does not exist as to technique of pancreatic anastomosis, the end-to-side, mucosa-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy, intubated, has proved safer in my experience than end-to-end pancreaticojejunostomy. The experience has led me to believe that the technique may reduce the incidence of this fistula and contribute to making pancreaticojejunal leakage a preventable complication.
The Luminosity of Variable Stars

Henrietta Leavitt (1888–1921) was born in Lancaster, Massachusetts. After attending Oberlin College and graduating from Radcliff College, she took a position at the Harvard College Observatory. There, she worked under Edward Pickering analyzing the brightness of stars appearing on the observatory’s photographic plates. In so doing, she discovered the relationship between the luminosity and the period of oscillation of Cepheid variables located in the Magellanic Clouds. The reading that follows, which describes Leavitt’s observations, was published in the 1912 Harvard College Observatory Circular.
Influence of Immunological Maturity on Respiratory Syncytial Virus-Induced Morbidity in Young Children.

Abstract Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a very frequent viral respiratory pathogen of the young (<5 years old) with a significant portion of young toddlers having been infected before 2 years...
Indirect connectivity estimates of amphibian breeding wetlands from spatially explicit occupancy models

In conservation science, metapopulation models are frequently used to explore the spatial dynamics of organisms, and ultimately guide management decisions for threatened and endangered species. Pond‐breeding amphibians are often touted as a classic example of metapopulation structure. However, empirical assessment of this assumption is lacking for many species owing to the prohibitively high costs of movement studies. Our aim was to use spatially explicit occupancy models to evaluate metapopulation dynamics in an endangered amphibian. First, dynamic, spatially explicit occupancy‐based metapopulation models were fitted to 8 years of presence–absence data for the endangered reticulated flatwoods salamander, Ambystoma bishopi. Models were constructed to evaluate the spatial distribution of salamanders across the landscape, rate of patch turnover, and connectivity between patches. Second, the same data were analysed adopting an eigenvector mapping approach and spatial correlograms to investigate habitat characteristics associated with occupancy state. The second approach also yields an independent measure of patch connectivity to corroborate findings from the dynamic model. Both models predicted a steep drop‐off in connectivity with increasing isolation, and no evidence was found of interactions between wetlands separated by distances greater than 1.5 km. The best predictor of salamander occupancy status was the amount of understorey vegetation in wetland basins. Taken together, the two modelling approaches provide complementary information regarding the key determinants of occupancy in the focal species. Furthermore, several results directly translate to management recommendations. Connectivity between distant sites is low, and thus management units should be demarcated accordingly. Understorey vegetation represents egg‐laying habitat and refugia for larvae, and hence should be targeted in future restoration efforts. The methodologies employed in this paper have broad applicability to studies of pond‐breeding amphibians, particularly in situations where direct measures of dispersal are unobtainable.
Modern Non-Surgical Treatment Strategies for Peyronie’s Disease

While surgery remains the gold standard for the treatment of penile deformity associated with Peyronie’s disease, various non-surgical options including oral and topical agents, penile traction, and intralesional injections are available with varying levels of evidence and treatment efficacy seen in the literature. Herein we review various non-surgical managements for Peyronie’s disease and describe our techniques for intralesional injections with verapamil and Collagenase Clostridium histolyticum.
Impact of Weaving Segment Configuration Designs on Drivers’ Acute Driving Stress: A Case Study on Houston Freeway Weaving Segments

Weaving turbulence on freeways significantly increases the demand for complex driving maneuvers, leading to high driver stress. This study explored the impact of freeway weaving segment configuration designs on drivers’ stress attributed to complex vehicle maneuvers in dynamic traffic. An on-road driving test was conducted to measure healthy, young drivers’ heart rate variability, a biomarker of driving stress, while they performed various freeway weaving maneuvers under different traffic conditions. Statistical analyses were conducted to identify specific weaving maneuvers that triggered high- and medium-level driver stress. The probability distributions of the heart rate variability were estimated and the probabilities of high- and medium driving-stress were determined. Results indicate that intense demand of vehicle maneuvers significantly increases drivers’ stress, especially in the driving scenarios, where two-lane changes were required and the base length of weaving segments were shorter than 400 m or longer than 700 m under medium traffic, or the non-weaving segments were under medium traffic. The baseline driver stress probability is 3.34%. This grew dramatically to more than 60% under the driving scenarios. The results of the study concluded that two-sided weaving segment type, the shorter base length of weaving segments, and medium traffic, are the determinants for a higher likelihood of the driving stress.
Differentiating Autism from ADHD in Children and Adolescents Using BASC-3

Comorbidity and symptom overlap are common among psychiatric disorders of childhood. Consequently, differential diagnosis is often a challenge. This study addresses the diagnostic utility of the BASC-3 in differential diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) versus ADHD using demographically similar samples of children who had undergone comprehensive diagnostic studies prior to the BASC-3 being administered. Results indicated that the BASC-3 Parent and Teacher rating scales, primarily the Atypicality, Withdrawal, Developmental Social Disorders, and Autism Probability Index scores, were both sensitive and accurate to ASD and differentiated this disorder with strong accuracy from ADHD and did so as well and in some instances better than longer assessments. The Hyperactivity and Attention Problems scales did not add to this differentiation, also pointing out the need for comprehensive assessment using omnibus scales such as BASC-3 in differential diagnosis.
Semi–Fluorinated Arylene Vinylene Ether (FAVE) Telechelic Polymers from Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Bisphenols and Trifluorovinyl Aryl Ethers

Abstract Semi-fluorinated arylene vinylene ether (FAVE) telechelomers and their chain extended PFCB polymers were synthesized via base catalyzed step-growth polymerization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) bisphenols and commercially available 4,4ꞌ-bis(4-trifluorovinyloxy)biphenyl (TFVE-BP) monomer. Soluble polymers were obtained in good yield, gave transparent free-standing films, and were characterized by 19F NMR, TGA, DSC, GPC, water contact angle and AFM. Thermal analysis by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed Tg values ranging from 150 to 168 °C. The new polycyclic aromatic FAVE polymers possess intact trifluorovinyl ether (TFVE) end groups susceptible to thermal chain extension leading to perfluorocyclobutyl (PFCB) aryl ether polymers with Tg ranging from 149 to 174 °C. Semi-fluorinated telechelic polymers with controlled terminal and enchained unsaturation with latent crosslinking ability may find use in specialty applications such as photonics or gas separation technologies.
Chronic Conditions, Lung Disease, Cancer, the Palliative Care Settings, and the Dying Patient

Patients with permanent disability, patients with chronic diseases such as obstructive lung disease, and the terminal patients all have in common the fact that their medical condition cannot usually be reversed. Such patients often engender a feeling of helplessness in the physician. Demoralization is characterized by hopelessness, loss of meaning, and existential distress. It is associated with chronic medical illness, disability, bodily disfigurement, fear of loss of dignity, social isolation, feelings of dependency on others, and the fear of being a burden. Psychiatric issues and their management associated with chronic lung disease and cance as well as with the dying patient, palliative care, and care of the care-givers are discussed.
Elevated pediatric age-adjusted shock-index (SIPA) in blunt solid organ injuries.

Abstract Background/Purpose Shock index-pediatric age-adjusted (SIPA) is a proven tool to predict outcomes in blunt pediatric trauma. We hypothesized that an elevated SIPA in either the pre-hospital or in the emergency department (ED) would identify children with blunt liver or spleen injury (BLSI) needing a blood transfusion and those at risk for failure of non-operative management (NOM). Methods Pediatric patients (1–18 years) in the ACS pediatric-TQIP database (2014–2016) with a BLSI were included. Patients were stratified by the need for a blood transfusion and/or abdominal operation. Results A total of 3561 patients had BLSI, of which 4% received a blood transfusion, and 4% underwent an abdominal operation. Patients who received blood had higher ISS scores (27.0 vs. 5.0, p Conclusions Hemodynamic instability, represented by an elevated pre-hospital or ED SIPA, accurately identifies children with BLSI who may need blood products or an operative intervention. Type of Study Retrospective Comparative Study. Level of Evidence Level III.
Sex differences in ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus glucoregulatory transmitter biomarker protein during recurring insulin-induced hypoglycemia

Recurring insulin-induced hypoglycemia (RIIH) in males correlates with maladaptive glucose counter-regulatory collapse and acclimated expression of ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMN) nitric oxide (NO) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) metabolic transmitter biomarkers, e.g., neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and glutamate decarboxylase65/67 (GAD). Hindbrain noradrenergic neurons innervate the VMN, where norepinephrine regulates nNOS and GAD expression. Current research investigated the hypothesis that antecedent hypoglycemia (AH) exposure causes sex-dimorphic habituation of VMN glucoregulatory biomarker proteins between and/or during serial hypoglycemic bouts, and that hindbrain catecholaminergic (CA) signaling may control sex-specific adaptation of one or more of these proteins. Data show that upon recovery from AH, females exhibit CA-mediated reductions in baseline VMN nNOS, GAD, steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BNDF) expression compared to euglycemic profiles. In males, however, AH caused 6-OHDA-insensitive suppression of only basal SF-1 levels in the VMN. VMN transmitter protein acclimation to RIIH was sex-contingent, as differential nNOS, GAD, SF-1, and BDNF responses to a single vs final bout of hypoglycemia occur in males, whereas females show acclimated reactivity of GAD and SF-1 only to renewed hypoglycemia. CA-mediated and -independent habituation of distinctive VMN protein profiles occurred in each sex. Further research is necessary to evaluate, in each sex, effects of altered baseline VMN metabolic neurotransmitter signals on glucose homeostasis as well as non-metabolic functions under the control of those neurochemicals. It would also be insightful to learn if and how sex-contingent habituation of VMN transmitter responses to hypoglycemia contribute to sex-dimorphic patterns of glucose counter-regulation during RIIH.
Exposure to the earned income tax credit in early childhood and family wealth

Using the Panel Study of Income Dynamics and a cohort of individuals born between 2000 and 2011, we examine whether exposure to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) in early childhood (birth to age five) affects family wealth in middle childhood (ages six through eleven). Results suggest that a $1,000 increase in EITC exposure in early childhood increases overall family wealth in middle childhood by around 4 percent. We also observe an increase in credit card debt (3 to 4 percent) and evidence that the EITC increases low-income families’ position in the wealth distribution. Effects are concentrated among white families; we find little evidence of a significant effect of the EITC on the wealth held by black families. Together, these results imply that although the EITC does appear to increase family wealth in childhood, it may not do much to reduce the substantial wealth gap between black and white families.
Data Note: COVID-19, social distancing, and pipeline vandalism in Nigeria

We present a dataset of the monthly cases of pipeline vandalism in Nigeria from January 2015 to January 2021. Data used in this study were collated from the Monthly Financial and Operations Reports (MFOR) of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Each MFOR provides cases of pipeline vandalism during a 12-month span from five key locations; Mosimi, Kaduna, Port Harcourt, Warri, and Gombe. Recorded incidences of pipeline vandalism from these locations were summed and assembled into five groups; namely: historical data, prior-COVID-19, COVID-19 lockdown, and post-COVID-19 lockdown. The data were grouped based on dates. These dates were January 2015 to July 2019, August 2019 to January 2020, February 2020 to July 2020, and August 2020 to January 2021 respectively. The historical data were further sub-divided into four sub-groups based on the deployment (May 2016) of sophisticated weapons, satellite imagery, and geographical information system into the security apparatus to checkmate pipeline vandalism. The four sub-groups are sub-group A (one-year before deployment), sub-group B (the year of deployment), sub-group C (one-year after deployment), and sub-group D (two-years after deployment). The dates span for each sub-group is May 2015-April 2016, May 2016-April 2017, May 2017-April 2018, and May 2018-April 2019 respectively. After the deployment of GIS devices in May 2016, the accumulated national number of pipeline vandalism cases declined from 400 cases in January 2016 to 293 in February 2016, and 259 cases in March 2016 as opposed to 60, 49, and 94 cases in the same months in 2017; but over the years, 2017 to 2021 these methods have proved less effective, and cases of pipeline vandalism have risen once more. Similar changes in the number of cases and patterns were observed during the COVID-19 movement restrictions. From the dataset, it can be seen that COVID-19 influenced incidences of pipeline vandalism.
Parallel Accelerator and Molecular Mass Spectrometry Measurement of Carbon-14-Labeled Analytes.

Parallel accelerator and molecular mass spectrometry (PAMMS) is a powerful analytical technique capable of simultaneous quantitation of carbon-14 tracer and structural characterization of 14C-labeled biomolecules. Here we describe the use of PAMMS for the analysis of biological molecules separated by high-performance liquid chromatography. This protocol is intended to serve as a guide for researchers who need to perform PAMMS experiments using instrumentation available at resource centers such as the National User Resource for Biological Accelerator Mass Spectrometry at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
Decision Methodology for Product Quality in Flow Lines

The need to compete in a global market, where only products of low cost and high quality can capture their share of sales, has stimulated renewed interest in quality control. Since the birth, in the 1940’s, of what is known today as statistical quality control, research in this area has focused mainly on the development of standards, charts for process control, acceptance sampling plans, and inspection strategies, see Abdel-Malek and Benes (1991), Banks (1989), and Kennedy, et.al. (1987). As computer control of manufacturing permeated industry in the decade 1970–1980, the possibilities and advantages of sequential on-line quality control have become evident. Taguchi (1986) is credited with pioneering this philosophy which has led to improved performance for several manufacturers. Motivated by the current emphasis we develop in this study quality control policies and inspection strategies for one of the most frequently encountered means of production; that is flow lines.
Effect of Electrostatic Charge on the Contamination of Plastic Food Containers by Airborne Bacterial Spores

Electrostatic charge of approximately -10 kv was produced by friction on polystyrene food container samples. This charge quickly decayed to a lower, more stable, level. Exposure of samples to positively charged red and negatively charged green fluorescent particles resulted in a particle-distribution pattern on the plastic surface. The dynamic attraction of fluorescent particles was illustrated by time-lapse photography. Similar distribution patterns of airborne bacterial spores were shown to develop. In controlled bacterial aerosol exposure tests, an increase in surface contamination of the plastic samples was found to be quantitatively related to an increase in negative electrostatic charge on the plastic. Static charge was found to accumulate on plastic food containers during their manufacture, and to remain indefinitely on many of the finished products. This charge was of the intensity and polarity to attract positively charged bacterial cells if such particles were present in the air.
Physiology of Circadian Rhythms in Micro-Organisms

Publisher Summary This chapter provides information to the physiology of circadian rhythms in microorganisms. Circadian rhythmicities, having a period of about one day, are documented throughout the plant and animal kingdoms at every level of eukaryotic organization. It is almost self-evident that the spatial organization and the functioning of living forms are inextricably intertwined. There is a selective premium for temporal adaptation, especially to solar periodicities, and that the adaptive features have been attained by organisms through some sort of timing mechanism: in particular, an endogenous, autonomously oscillatory biological clock that is responsive to, and which can be reset and otherwise modulated by, those environmental periodicities that the organism has encountered throughout its evolutionary history. The free-running period (τ) is remarkably well compensated for changes in the ambient temperature within the physiological range, as might be expected of an accurately functioning clock. The chapter discusses the circadian organization in microorganisms. Circadian rhythms in protozoa, unicellular algae, and fungi are illustrated.
Escape Mechanisms from Antiangiogenic Therapy: An Immune Cell’s Perspective

Neovascularization, the formation of new blood vessels, has become a well-established hallmark of cancer. Its functional importance for the manifestation and progression of tumors has been validated further by the beneficial therapeutic effects of angiogenesis inhibitors, most notably those targeting vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathways. However, with the transient and short-lived nature of patient response, it has become evident that tumors have the ability to adapt to the pressures of vascular growth restriction. Observations made both in the clinic and at the bench suggest the existence of several escape mechanisms that either reestablish neovascularization in tumors or change tumor behavior to enable propagation and progression without obligate neovascularization. Some of these bypass mechanisms are regulated by low oxygen conditions (hypoxia) caused by therapy-induced vessel regression. Induction of hypoxia and hypoxia-inducible factors regulate a wide range of tumor-promoting pathways, including those of neovascularization, that can upregulate additional proangiogenic factors and drive the recruitment of various bone marrow–derived cells that have the capacity to express proangiogenic factors or directly contribute to neovasculature.
Incorporating the effect of DEM resolution and accuracy for improved flood inundation mapping

Summary Topography plays a major role in determining the accuracy of flood inundation areas. However, many areas in the United States and around the world do not have access to high quality topographic data in the form of Digital Elevation Models (DEM). For such areas, an improved understanding of the effects of DEM properties such as horizontal resolution and vertical accuracy on flood inundation maps may eventually lead to improved flood inundation modeling and mapping. This study attempts to relate the errors arising from DEM properties such as spatial resolution and vertical accuracy to flood inundation maps, and then use this relationship to create improved flood inundation maps from coarser resolution DEMs with low accuracy. The results from the five stream reaches used in this study show that water surface elevations (WSE) along the stream and the flood inundation area have a linear relationship with both DEM resolution and accuracy. This linear relationship is then used to extrapolate the water surface elevations from coarser resolution DEMs to get water surface elevations corresponding to a finer resolution DEM. Application of this approach show that improved results can be obtained from flood modeling by using coarser and less accurate DEMs, including public domain datasets such as the National Elevation Dataset and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) DEMs. The improvement in the WSE and its application to obtain better flood inundation maps is dependent on the study reach characteristics such as land use, valley shape, reach length and width. Application of the approach presented in this study on more reaches may lead to development of guidelines for flood inundation mapping using coarser resolution and less accurate topographic datasets.
The Unbefriended Patient: An Exercise in Ethical Clinical Reasoning.

Exercises in Clinical Reasoning The Unbefriended Patient: An Exercise in Ethical Clinical Reasoning Denise M. Connor, MD, G. David Elkin, MD, Kewchang Lee, MD, Vanessa Thompson, MD, and Heather Whelan, MD Division of HospitalMedicine, San FranciscoVAHealthCare System, San Francisco, CA, USA; Department ofMedicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Mental Health Service, San Francisco VAHealth Care System, San Francisco, CA, USA; Psychiatry Service, San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Division of General Internal Medicine, San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Gnathostomiasis: An Emerging Infection of Raw Fish Consumers in Gnathostoma Nematode-Endemic and Nonendemic Countries.

Background Gnathostomiasis, a helminthic infection commonly reported in Southeast Asia and Latin America, may follow consumption of raw seafood infected with muscle-encysted larvae of Gnathostoma species nematodes. As a result of increasingly exotic tastes for local ethnic dishes, including raw seafood, some regions outside of gnathostome-endemic areas import live species for raw consumption. This may facilitate imported human gnathostomiasis or potentially the establishment of this zoonosis in formerly nonendemic regions. Traveling to a gnathostome-endemic area is no longer a criterion for diagnosis. The objectives of this review are to enhance clinician awareness of this infection by describing the behavioral risk factors for its acquisition, life-cycle, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, management, and prevention. Methods Internet search engines were queried with the key medical subject heading words. Case reports, case series, epidemiological investigations, and laboratory studies were reviewed; high risk behaviors for gnathostomiasis were identified; and human cases were stratified as cutaneous gnathostomiasis, visceral gnathostomiasis, neurognathostomiasis, and ocular gnathostomiasis. Results The greatest risk factors for gnathostomiasis included the consumption of raw freshwater seafood dishes in endemic regions and the consumption of raw imported or domestic seafood dishes in households and ethnic restaurants in many nonendemic regions. Conclusions Gnathostomiasis is no longer a disease of returning travelers, and autochthonous cases may be anticipated to increase as a result of the importation of live Gnathostoma-infected species and the potential establishment of regional zoonoses of Gnathostoma-infected wild species. Since the eradication of gnathostomiasis is unlikely given the global distribution of Gnathostoma nematodes, the only effective preventive strategy is to educate persons in endemic and nonendemic areas that fish, eels, frogs, snakes, and birds must be cooked thoroughly first before eating and not eaten raw or marinated. The onset of migratory subcutaneous swellings with hyper-eosinophilia weeks to months after consuming raw seafood should provoke suspicion of gnathostomiasis.
Crosslinking of α2‐Antiplasmin to Fibrin

Human alpha 2-antiplasmin (alpha 2AP) is the primary inhibitor of plasmin-mediated fibrinolysis and is an efficient substrate of activated factor XIII (FXIIIa). Among 452 amino acid residues in alpha 2AP, Gln2 is believed to be the sole FXIIIa-reactive site that participates in crosslinking alpha 2AP to fibrin. We studied the effect of mutating Gln2 on the ability of FXIIIa to catalyze crosslinking of alpha 2AP to fibrin. By FXIIIa catalysis, [14C]methylamine was incorporated into a Q2A-alpha 2AP mutant in which Gln2 (Q) was replaced by Ala (A), thereby indicating that wildtype alpha 2AP has more than one FXIIIa-reactive site. To identify the FXIIIa-reactive sites in alpha 2AP, wildtype alpha 2AP and Q2A-alpha 2AP were labeled with 5-(biotinamido)pentylamine by FXIIIa. Each labeled alpha 2AP was digested with trypsin and applied to an avidin affinity column to capture labeled peptides. Edman sequencing and mass analysis of each labeled peptide showed that out of 35 Gln residues in wildtype alpha 2AP, four were labeled with the following order of efficiency: Gln2 > Gln21 > Gln419 > Gln447. Q2A-alpha 2AP was also labeled at the three minor sites, Gln21 > Gln419 > Gln447. Q2A-alpha 2AP became crosslinked to fibirin(ogen) by FXIIIa catalysis at approximately one-tenth the rate of wt-alpha 2AP. These results demonstrate that alpha 2AP has one primary (Gln2) and three minor substrate sites for FXIIIa and that the three minor sites identified in this study can also participate in crosslink formation between alpha 2AP and fibrin, but at a much lower efficiency than the Gln2 site.
Conscious Sedation for Upper Endoscopy in the Gastric Bypass Patient: Prevalence of Cardiopulmonary Adverse Events and Predictors of Sedation Requirement

Background Safety of conscious sedation for performing esophagoduodenoscopy (EGD) in obese and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) patients remains controversial. Additionally, it has been suggested that patients with higher body mass index (BMI) require higher sedation doses, imparting greater risk.
Objective accommodation measurements in prepresbyopic eyes using an autorefractor and an aberrometer

Purpose To test the repeatability of the iTrace wavefront aberrometer (Tracey Technologies, Inc.) and the WR-5100K autorefractor (Grand Seiko Co., Ltd.) and to measure accomodation in young and phakic prepresbyopic subjects. Setting University of Houston, College of Optometry, Houston, Texas, USA. Methods This study comprised 30 young adults and 15 prepresbyopic subjects. Accommodation was stimulated with near charts presented at various distances. Measurements were repeated 3 times for each target distance with both instruments. For test–retest reliability, the entire protocol was repeated on 3 additional days in 3 prepresbyopic subjects as well as twice on the same day in the young adults. Results The mean age was 25.5 years ± 3.25 (SD) (range 21 to 31 years old) in the young adult group and 41.2 ± 2.98 years (range 38 to 49 years) in the prepresbyopic group. Bland-Altman analysis of repeated measures of the young subjects had limits of agreements (LoA) of 1.58 diopters (D) or less for each instrument and when compared between instruments. Normalized mean stimulus response functions in the prepresbyopic group were similar for the 2 instruments. Bland-Altman analysis of the accommodation measurements between the 2 instruments showed a mean difference of 0.07 D and an LoA of 0.70 D. Repeated measures of 3 prepresbyopic subjects had a range of standard deviations from 0.07 to 0.51 D. Conclusion The accommodative responses measured with the 2 instruments were not significantly different, and testing showed both instruments to be suitable for objective measurement of accommodation in a phakic prepresbyopic population with low accommodative amplitudes.
Radionuclides in domestic and imported foods in the United States, 1987-1992.

Findings from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration`s Radionuclides in Foods program are summarized for foods collected between October 1, 1986, and September 30, 1992. Concentrations of radionuclide activity in the Total Diet Study and reactor-survey foods were in Range I or low in Range II of the surveillance and control recommendations of the Federal Radiation Council; no control actions were suggested. Dietary intake of {sup 90}Sr continued the general decline observed since 1961. Approximately 2600 test portions of imported foods were analyzed for contamination associated with the Chernobyl nuclear accident. Concentrations of radionuclide activity were below limits of detection for the vast majority of the imported food test portions but were above the levels of concern for 23 portions. Since 1986, the fraction of imported food test portions having measurable amounts of contamination has steadily declined, as have the average concentrations of radionuclide activity; however, contamination is still occasionally found. Continued monitoring of both domestic and imported foods is planned. 17 refs., 2 figs., 2 tabs.
Relationship between the deformed harmonic oscillator and clustering in light nuclei

Abstract Harmonic-oscillator wavefunctions have been used to study the link between stable nuclear configurations found in alpha cluster model and Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations. Densities of harmonic-oscillator wavefunctions corresponding to the stable configurations in the Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations for 24Mg have been calculated, these reveal the same structure found in the cluster-model calculations.
Injury to the Glenohumeral Capsule During Anterior Dislocation Leads to Higher Joint Contact Forces During Simulated Clinical Exams

Glenohumeral joint stability is maintained by a combination of active and passive soft tissue structures and osteoarticular contact. Anatomical structures that contribute to each of these categories include the rotator cuff muscles, the glenohumeral capsule, and the contact between the articular surfaces of the humeral head and glenoid of the scapula, respectively. Dislocation may result in injury to one or more of these stabilizing components requiring the other structures to account for the deficit. For example, previous research has shown that a torn supraspinatus tendon results in increased bony contact forces during glenohumeral abduction. [1] Another common injury resulting from dislocation is permanent deformation of the glenohumeral capsule as the capsule is the primary static restraint to anterior translation in positions of external rotation. [2] Increased joint translations and rotations usually occur following permanent deformation [3] indicating a loss in joint stability provided by the capsule. These changes in joint kinematics following dislocation imply that differences in the contact forces between the humerus and scapula may exist as well. Irregular contact between two articular surfaces can lead to abnormal wear and an increased risk of osteoarthritis when left untreated. Therefore, the objective of this work was to assess the affect of anterior dislocation on glenohumeral joint stability by determining the in situ force in the glenohumeral capsule and the bony contact forces between the humerus and scapula during a simulated clinical exam at three joint positions in the intact and injured joint.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Estrogen Decrease in Tight Junctional Resistance Involves Matrix-Metalloproteinase-7-Mediated Remodeling of Occludin

Estrogen modulates tight junctional resistance through estrogen receptor-α-mediated remodeling of occludin. The objective of the study was to understand the mechanisms involved. Experiments using human normal vaginal-cervical epithelial cells showed that human normal vaginal-cervical epithelial cells secrete constitutively matrix-metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) into the luminal solution and that MMP-7 is necessary and sufficient to produce estrogen decrease of tight junctional resistance and remodeling of occludin. Treatment with estrogen stimulated activation of the pro-MMP-7 intracellularly and augmented secretion of the activated MMP-7 form. Steady-state levels of MMP-7 mRNA and protein were not affected by estrogen. Estrogen modulated phosphorylation of the MMP-7, but the changes were most likely secondary to changes in cellular MMP-7 mass. Estrogen increased coimmunoreactivity of MMP-7 with the Golgi protein GPP130. Tunicamycin and brefeldin-A had no effect on cellular MMP-7 but monensin (inhibitor of Go...
Ulipristal Acetate: Review of the Efficacy and Safety of a Newly Approved Agent for Emergency Contraception

Abstract Background Emergency contraception (EC) is used to prevent unintended pregnancies. The current gold standard for oral EC is levonorgestrel (LNG) administered as a single 1.5-mg dose or in 2 doses of 0.75 mg separated by 12 hours. LNG has shown to be effective up to 72 hours after coitus. Ulipristal acetate (UPA) is a selective progesterone receptor modulator approved for EC use in the United States in August 2010. UPA is administered as a one-time, 30-mg dose within 120 hours of intercourse. Objective The goal of this review was to provide a summary of the available literature on the use of UPA for EC. Methods PubMed, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov , International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, EBSCO, and Iowa Drug Information Service were searched from February 2011 through September 2011 to identify relevant articles. Search terms included ulipristal acetate, CDB-2914, VA 2914 , and emergency contraception . Results In an open-label study, UPA was effective in preventing pregnancy in 1241 women who presented for EC up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected intercourse, with an observed pregnancy rate of 2.1% (95% CI, 1.4%–3.1%) versus 5.5% (ie, the expected pregnancy rate without EC). The efficacy of UPA did not decrease significantly ( P = 0.44) over time, with pregnancy rates at intervals between >48 and 72 hours at 2.3% (95% CI, 1.4%–3.8%), >72 and 96 hours at 2.1% (95% CI, 1.0%–4.1%), and >96 and 120 hours at 1.3% (95% CI, 0.1%–4.8%). In a single-blind, comparative noninferiority study of 1696 women, UPA was at least as effective as LNG when used within 72 hours for EC, with 15 pregnancies in the UPA group and 22 pregnancies in the LNG group (odds ratio = 0.68 [95% CI, 0.35–1.31]). In addition, UPA prevented significantly ( P = 0.037) more pregnancies than LNG when used between 72 and 120 hours after unprotected intercourse, with 0 pregnancies in the UPA group and 3 pregnancies in the LNG group. In a meta-analysis, UPA prevented a greater percentage of pregnancies than LNG at intervals up to 24 hours (0.9% UPA vs 2.5% LNG; P = 0.035), up to 72 hours (1.4% UPA vs 2.2% LNG; P = 0.046), and up to 120 hours (1.3% UPA vs 2.2% LNG; P = 0.025). The most commonly (>10%) reported adverse events included headache, nausea, and abdominal pain. In addition, UPA delayed onset of menstruation by a mean of 2.1 to 2.8 days. Conclusions Based on clinical trials, UPA seems to be a reasonably tolerable and effective method of EC when used within 120 hours of intercourse. UPA is at least as effective as LNG when used within the first 72 hours after unprotected intercourse. However, UPA may be more effective than LNG when used between 72 to 120 hours after unprotected intercourse, extending the window of opportunity for EC. UPA may provide a new option for women who require EC up to 5 days after unprotected intercourse.
Quantized systems with randomly corrugated walls and interfaces

Effect of scattering by random surface inhomogeneities on transport along the walls and localization in ultrathin systems is analyzed. A simple universal surface collision operator is derived outside of the quantum resonance domain. This operator contains all relevant information on statistical and geometrical characteristics of weak roughness and can be used as a general boundary condition on the corrugated surfaces. In effect, the boundary problem for the three-dimensional ~3D! transport equation is replaced by the explicit matrix collision operator coupling a set of 2D transport equations. This operator is applied to a variety of systems including ultrathin films and channels with rough walls, particles adsorbed on or bound to rough substrates, multilayer systems with randomly corrugated interfaces, etc. The main emphasis is on quantization of motion between the walls, though the quasiclassical limit is considered as well. The diffusion and mobility coefficients, localization length, and other parameters are expressed analytically or semianalytically via the intrawall and interwall correlation functions of surface corrugation. @S0163-1829~99!00935-2# Recent progress in micro- and nanofabrication, multilayer systems, pure materials, vacuum technology, etc., made the study of particle and wave interaction with system boundaries vital for almost all branches of physics. Below, we concentrate on some universal features of wall and interface scattering. More precisely, we consider effects of scattering by random surface corrugation without energy accommodation. Scattering of particles by random surface inhomogeneities contributes to the randomization of momentum, formation of the mean-free path, quantum interference, and, often, localization. Though this effect of surface scattering looks transparent, it is not easy to express it in terms of geometrical and statistical properties of surface inhomogeneities, especially for quantized systems ~see Refs. 1‐5 and, for recent references, our preceding publication 6 !. At first glance, the effects of scattering by random surface inhomogeneities should not be qualitatively different from scattering by bulk impurities. However, while the basic effects of impurity scattering are described in textbooks, a similar simple account of surface scattering is missing. One of the reasons is technical: the range of impurity interaction is usually short while the corresponding parameter for surface scattering, namely the correlation radius of surface inhomogeneities, can be large. The second reason is more fundamental. It is intuitively clear that the role of surface scattering is higher in ultraquantum small-size systems of longwave particles. In such quantized systems even the impurity scattering is not well understood and is much more complicated than in standard quasiclassical problems. If one disregards quantum interference and localization, the effect of impurity scattering on quasiclassical threedimensional ~3D! transport can be described by the transport equation dn~ p! dt 52pNimp E W~ p2p8!@n~ p8!2n~ p!# 3d~e p2e p8 ! d 3 p8 ~ 2p! 3 , ~1!
Sex and the renin angiotensin system: implications for gender differences in the progression of kidney disease

Two recognized risk factors implicated in the pathogenesis of progressive renal disease are overactivation of the renin angiotensin system and male gender. The peptide hormone, angiotensin II, produced by the renin angiotensin system cascade, plays a crucial role in maintaining blood pressure and electrolyte homeostasis. Medications that block the action of angiotensin II by either inhibiting its synthesis or by blocking its ability to bind its receptor are in wide clinical use because of their ability to significantly retard the progression of kidney disease. Analysis of data from national end-stage renal disease registries, clinical trials, and experimental animal models suggest that the progression of chronic kidney disease from several etiologies is more rapid in men than in women. In this review, we examine the data supporting the hypothesis that modulation of the activity of the renin angiotensin system by sex steroids markedly contributes to the gender differences observed in the pathophysiology of progressive kidney disease.