cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lycopene and prostate cancer risk. Methodological considerations in the epidemiologic literature

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in U.S. males. Among potentially ben- eficial natural compounds is lycopene, which is derived largely from tomato-based products. Recent epidemiologic studies have suggested a potential benefit of this carotenoid against risk of prostate cancer, but not all of the studies have been supportive. The largest prospec- tive dietary study, the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS), had found that 2-4 servings of tomato sauce per week were associated with about a 35 % risk reduction of total prostate cancer and a 50 % reduction of advanced prostate cancer in follow-up from 1986 to 1992. Tomato sauce was by far the strongest predictor of plasma lycopene levels in this study. In the largest plasma-based study, high lycopene levels were associated with similar risk reductions for total and advanced prostate cancer. Results from other studies, mostly dietary case-control studies, have been mixed. The reasons for these inconsistencies are unclear. Because lycopene may come from a number of sources, and the bioavailability of lycopene may vary profoundly across these sources, dietary questionnaires are likely to vary markedly in their utility to estimate true variation in body lycopene stores across individuals. With fur- ther follow-up in the HPFS, we addressed some possibilities for apparently conflicting results. We confirmed our initial findings with the independent 1992-1998 follow-up period. Our results also indicated various factors may contribute to some of the inconsistencies, including insufficient sample size, low intake of lycopene, failure to account for bioavail- ability, reliance on a single dietary assessment, and heterogeneity of prostate cancer.
FAST VARIABILITY AND MILLIMETER/IR FLARES IN GRMHD MODELS OF Sgr A* FROM STRONG-FIELD GRAVITATIONAL LENSING

We explore the variability properties of long, high cadence GRMHD simulations across the electromagnetic spectrum using an efficient, GPU-based radiative transfer algorithm. We focus on both disk- and jet-dominated simulations with parameters that successfully reproduce the time-averaged spectral properties of Sgr A ∗ and the size of its image at 1.3mm. We find that the disk-dominated models produce short timescale variability with amplitudes and power spectra that closely resemble those inferred observationally. In contrast, jet-dominated models generate only slow variability, at lower flux levels. Neither set of models show any X-ray flares, which most likely indicate that additional physics, such as particle acceleration mechanisms, need to be incorporated into the GRMHD simulations to account for them. The disk-dominated models show strong, short-lived mm/IR flares, with short (. 1hr) time lags between the mm and IR wavelengths, that arise from strong-field gravitational lensing of magnetic flux tubes near the horizon. Such events provide a natural explanation for the observed IR flares with no X-ray counterparts. Subject headings: accretion, accretion disks — black hole physics — Galaxy: center — radiative transfer
Video kids: augmenting close friendships with asynchronous video conversations in videopal

Consumer-based synchronous video communication is on the rise and is viewed as a valuable medium to support long distance relationships. We were interested in the potential of asynchronous video to augment children's close friendships and what types of activities they would engage in using video. We explored both of these concepts through a 9-week field study with a group of six 9-10 year old girls. We see children as potential media trendsetters when it comes to video communication given their comfort with video and desire for rich social interactions. The results from this study were striking. Despite having frequent face-to-face interactions, the girls used our asynchronous video communication tool extensively to augment their existing relationships. Not only were they able to have rich conversations using asynchronous video, they also demonstrated a strong desire to share more than just a "talking head". The results from this work point to the need for video mediated communication to move beyond conversations, to the sharing of rich experiences.
Efficiency points: total score versus subject area score--is there an association?

The success of candidates who write the Medical Record Administration Registration Examination is based on a pass/fail system based on a cut-off score established by the American Medical Record Association. Previous studies were conducted to determine the efficiency of the registration examination. Because the test scores are reported by subject area, a second important question arises—is there an association between the efficiency points for each subject area test and that for the total test? Previous studies are summarized and the issue of associations among subject area and total score efficiency points addressed.
Construction of recombination-deficient strains of Streptococcus gordonii by disruption of the recA gene.

Abstract Degenerate oligonucleotide primers were used in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify a region of the recA sequence of Streptococcus gordonii Challis. The resulting PCR fragment was cloned into the suicide vector pAM6199 and introduced into strain Challis, giving rise to recombination-deficient strains in which the recA gene was specifically inactivated.
Calculated rate constants for the reaction ClO + O → Cl + O2 between 220 and 1000 k

Classical trajectory calculations are presented for the reaction ClO + O yields Cl + O2, a reaction which is an important step in the chlorine-catalyzed destruction of ozone which is thought to occur in the 220 and 1000 K. The calculated rate constant is 4.36 x 10 to the minus 11th power exp (-191/T)cu cm molecule (-1)s(-1) and its value at 300 K is 2.3 plus or minus 10 to the 11th power cu cm molecule (-1)s(-1), about a factor of 2 lower than recent experimental data. The empirical potential energy surface used in the calculations was constructed to fit experimental data for ClO, O2 and ClOO molecules. Other important features of this potential surface, such as the barrier to reaction, were varied systematically and calculations were performed for a range of conditions to determine the best theoretical rate constants. Results demonstrate the utility of classical trajectory methods for determining activation energies and other kinetic data for important atmospheric reactions.
Quaternary hyperplane branching with internally generated cutting planes for solving integer programmes

Branch and bound (BB) is typically used to solve an integer programme, max subject to This paper introduces a modified version of BB called the quaternary hyperplane branching algorithm (QHBA). QHBA employs a quaternary branching scheme, utilises hyperplane branching constraints and generates internal cutting planes to increase the efficiency of BB. This paper shows that QHBA provides stronger theoretical advancements, quadratically more integer extreme points and the elimination of more continuous relaxation space, than traditional BB. Furthermore, a short computational study shows that QHBA decreases the solution time by 25% when compared to CPLEX.
Adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) supplementation improves low peak muscle torque and torque fatigue during repeated high intensity exercise sets

Background: Intracellular concentrations of adenosine-5’-triphosphate (ATP) are many times greater than extracellular concentrations (1–10 mM versus 10–100 nM, respectively) and cellular release of ATP is tightly controlled. Transient rises in extracellular ATP and its metabolite adenosine have important signaling roles; and acting through purinergic receptors, can increase blood flow and oxygenation of tissues; and act as neurotransmitters. Increased blood flow not only increases substrate availability but may also aid in recovery through removal of metabolic waste products allowing muscles to accomplish more work with less fatigue. The objective of the present study was to determine if supplemental ATP would improve muscle torque, power, work, or fatigue during repeated bouts of high intensity resistance exercise. Methods: Sixteen participants (8 male and 8 female; ages: 21–34 years) were enrolled in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled study using a crossover design. The participants received either supplemental ATP (400 mg/d divided into 2 daily doses) or placebo for 15 d. After an overnight fast, participants underwent strength and fatigue testing, consisting of 3 sets of 50 maximal knee extensions performed on a Biodex® leg dynamometer. Results: No differences were detected in high peak torque, power, or total work with ATP supplementation; however, low peak torque in set 2 was significantly improved (p < 0.01). Additionally, in set 3, a trend was detected for less torque fatigue with ATP supplementation (p < 0.10). Conclusions: Supplementation with 400 mg ATP/d for 15 days tended to reduce muscle fatigue and improved a participant’s ability to maintain a higher force output at the end of an exhaustive exercise bout.
The Discovery of Novel Experimental Therapies for Inflammatory Arthritis

Conventional and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs have revolutionized the medical therapy of inflammatory arthritis. However, it remains unclear as to what can be done to treat immune-mediated chronic inflammation after patients become refractory to these therapies or develop serious side-effects and/or infections forcing drug withdrawal. Because of these concerns it is imperative that novel targets be continuously identified and experimental strategies designed to test potential arthritis interventions in vitro, but more importantly, in well-validated animal models of inflammatory arthritis. Over the past few years, sphingosine-1-phosphate, interleukin-7 receptor, spleen tyrosine kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, mitogen-activated protein kinase 5/p38 kinase regulated/activated protein kinase, micro-RNAs, tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand and the polyubiquitin-proteasome pathway were identified as promising novel targets for potential antiarthritis drug development. Indeed several experimental compounds alter the biological activity of these targets and have shown clinical efficacy in animal models of arthritis. A few of them have even entered the first phase of human clinical trials.
A Stability Analysis of a Modified Version of the Chi-Square Ratio Statistic: Implications for Equivalence Testing of Aerodynamic Particle Size Distribution

Demonstration of equivalence in aerodynamic particle size distribution (APSD; e.g., by comparing cascade impactor (CI) profiles) constitutes one of key in vitro tests for supporting bioequivalence between test (T) and reference (R) orally inhaled drug products (OIDPs). A chi-square ratio statistic (CSRS) was previously proposed for equivalence testing of CI profiles. However, it was reported that the CSRS could not consistently discriminate between equivalent and inequivalent CI profiles. The objective of the overall project was to develop a robust and sensitive methodology for assessing equivalence of APSD profiles of T and R OIDPs. We propose here a modified version of the CSRS (mCSRS) and evaluated systematically its behavior when T and R CI profiles were identical. Different scenarios comprising CI profiles with different number of deposition sites and shapes were generated by Monte-Carlo simulation. For each scenario, the mCSRS was applied to 20,000 independent sets of 30 T and 30 R CI profiles that were identical. Different metrics (including mean and median) of the distribution of 900 mCSRSs (30 T × 30 R) were then evaluated for their suitability as a test statistic (i.e., independent of the number of sites and shape of the CI profile) for APSD equivalence testing. The median of the distribution of 900 mCSRSs (MmCSRS) was one regardless of the number of sites and shape of the CI profile. Hence, the MmCSRS is a robust metric for CI profile equivalence testing when T and R CI profiles are identical and potentially useful for APSD equivalence testing.
Ranking Sports Teams: A Customizable Quadratic Assignment Approach

Ranking sports teams in the absence of full round-robin tournaments is big business, especially for NCAA Division I-A college football. The Bowl Championship Series awards millions of dollars each year to the conferences whose teams are awarded bids. We formulated the sports-team-ranking problem as a customizable quadratic-assignment problem. Decision makers can tailor our model to suit their personal definitions of the degree of victory for each game played and the relative distance between ranking positions. We developed a parameter-section procedure for determining these customized values and executed it using the 2004 college football season. Because the problem size is so large, we developed a heuristic solution procedure based on a genetic algorithm and local search techniques. This heuristic performs well on a special problem instance in which we can easily identify the optimal ranking. To examine the behavior of our approach, we implemented the heuristic for the 1999 through 2004 college football seasons. We concluded that our approach works best when the margin of victory of individual games is not considered, the location of games is considered, and the date of games is considered. Finally, we evaluated how our approach would have weighed in on several recent controversies in NCAA Division I-A college football and found that our approach generally agrees with traditional schools of thought regarding these controversies.
Genetic differentiation in Philippine bats of the genera Cynopterus and Haplonycteris

Genetic variation and differentiation in six island populations of two species (Cynopterus brachyotis Muller and Haplonycteris fischeri Lawrence) of Philippine fruit bats (Chiroptera, Pteropodidae) were analysed using allozyme electrophoresis. Cynopterus is eurytopic and widespread in southeast Asia; Haplonycteris is stenotopic and endemic to the Philippines. Genetic variability within populations is consistently higher in Cynopterus, but differentiation between populations is much more pronounced in Haplonycteris. Genetic variation is not significantly correlated with island size in either species, but a positive trend is present in both. Levels of gene flow are sufficiently low to allow differentiation by genetic drift alone in Haplonycteris (Nm = 0.05), but not in Cynopterus (Nm = 7.5). There is no significant association between genetic distance and distance between sampling sites; however, between-population differentiation is positively related to degree of geographic isolation during Pleistocene periods of low sea level and to vagility and consequent levels of gene flow among populations. Significant effects of population size on genetic differentiation were not found. Genetic distance matrices for the two species share a common structure that is similar to patterns of mammalian faunal similarity for the Philippines as a whole, suggesting similar effects of geographic and/or environmental factors.
Compositional Determinations of Oxide-Nitride-Oxide Stacked Dielectric

Electron holography, and high spatial resolution (17A) computer controlled Parallel Electron Energy Loss Spectrometry (PEELS) were used to probe the structure of and chemical profile across a thin silicon Oxide-Nitride-Oxide (ONO) layered structure of nominal width 10A-50A-10A. We found that the layer widths are on the average 13A-28A-18A, the first oxide layer was discontinuous, and the second oxide layer contained nitrogen. The nitride layer had a silicon to nitrogen concentration ratio of 1.0 ± 0.1. These results show, for the first time, the power of holography in characterizing thin, light element, amorphous layers and the importance of computer controlled parallel energy loss line scans for obtaining analytical information at the highest spatial resolution with minimum dose.
Computer in 2008

There are numerous opportunities to volunteer for, participate in, and contribute to the development of Computer.
Lipid composition of teat canal keratin collected before and after milking from Holstein and Jersey cows.

Abstract In three experiments, keratin was collected from individual teats of 40 Holstein and 20 Jersey cows immediately before and after milking. In Experiments 1 and 2, keratin collected from teats of 20 Holstein cows before milking was compared with keratin collected after milking. In Experiment 3, keratin was collected from two teats of 20 Jersey and 20 Holstein cows before milking and compared to the other two teats of the same cows after milking. All three experiments yielded similar results. In Holsteins, keratin weight before milking was 1.6 times greater than keratin weight after milking (3.1 vs. 1.9 mg). In Jerseys, only small amounts of keratin were removed during milking (3.5 mg before vs. 3.1 mg after). In Holsteins and Jerseys, neutral lipid concentration was 1.6 times greater after milking than before, suggesting that when keratin was removed during milking, only moderate amounts of lipid were removed. In Holsteins, total lipid collected per teat was similar before or after milking (59.2 vs. 48.5 μg). Results demonstrate that keratin collected after milking had a different lipid composition than keratin collected before milking.
Evaluation of ACC vehicles in mixed traffic: lane change effects and sensitivity analysis

Almost every automobile company is producing vehicles with adaptive cruise control (ACC) system onboard that enables a vehicle to do automatic vehicle following in the longitudinal direction. The ACC system is designed for driver's comfort and safety and to operate with manually driven vehicles. These characteristics of ACC were found to have beneficial effects on the environment and traffic flow characteristics by acting as filters of a wide class of traffic disturbances. It has been argued that the smooth response of ACC vehicles to high-acceleration disturbances or large position errors creates large gaps between the ACC vehicle and the vehicle ahead inviting cut-ins and therefore generating additional disturbances that would not have been created if all vehicles had been manually driven. In this paper, we examine the effect of lane changes on the benefits suggested by Bose and Ioannou as well as the sensitivity of these benefits with respect to various variables such as the penetration of the ACC vehicles, level of traffic disturbances etc. We demonstrate, using theory, simulations, and experiments, that during lane changes, the smoothness of the ACC vehicle response attenuates the disturbances introduced by a cut-in or an exiting vehicle in a way that is beneficial to the environment when compared with similar situations where all vehicles are manually driven. We concluded that a higher number of possible cut-ins that may occur due to the larger gaps created during high-acceleration maneuvers by the vehicle in front of the ACC vehicle, will not annul the benefits obtained in the absence of such cut-ins when compared with the situation of similar maneuvers but with no cut-ins in the case of 100% manually driven vehicles.
Confocal microendoscope for use in a clinical setting

A mobile confocal microendoscope for use in a clinical setting has been developed. This system employs an endoscope consisting of a custom designed objective lens with a fiber optic imaging bundle to collect in-vivo images of patients. Some highlights and features of this mobile system include frame rates of up to 30 frames per second, an automated focus mechanism, automated dye delivery, clinician control, and the ability to be used in an area where there is a single 110V outlet. All optics are self-contained and the entire enclosure and catheter can be moved between surgical suites, sterilized and brought online in under 15 minutes. At this time, all data have been collected with a 488 nm laser, but the system is able to have a second laser line added to provide additional imaging capability. Preliminary in vivo results of images from the ovaries using topical fluorescein as a contrast agent are shown. Future plans for the system include use of acridine orange (AO) or SYTO-16 as a nucleic acid stain.
LASTING BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF EARLY ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES VIII. EFFECTS OF NEONATAL INFECTION, PERINATAL MALNUTRITION, AND CROWDING ON CATECHOLAMINE METABOLISM OF BRAIN

The effects of neonatal infection, perinatal malnutrition, and crowding on the metabolism of brain catecholamine were studied in specific pathogen-free mice. Metabolic turnover of catecholamine was determined by measuring the incorporation of precursor tyrosine-14C into brain tissue, catabolic activity of norepinephrine-3H at various times after intracisternal injection, and tissue levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. The rate of tyrosine incorporation was decreased by neonatal infection but was increased by perinatal malnutrition and crowding. There was no difference in catabolic activity of norepinephrine between infected, crowded, and control groups. In the malnourished group, however, the total radioactivity from norepinephrine was significantly higher than in the control group ½ and 2 hr after injection. The brain contents of dopamine and norepinephrine were depressed in the malnourished group. There was no significant difference in catecholamine levels between infected, crowded, and control groups. In the malnourished group, treatment of the mothers with growth hormone prevented almost completely weight loss during lactation, and also resulted in higher fetal weight. Hormone treatment restored to normal the levels of brain catecholamine and the enzymatic activity of brain tyrosine hydroxylase in progeny of malnourished mothers.
Multi-layer miniaturized-element frequency selective surfaces

The miniaturized-element frequency selective surface (a single-band-pass FSS) has been studied as building blocks of multi-band FSSpsilas. By appropriately stacking a few number of miniaturized-element FSS surfaces with dielectric spacers in between, a maximally-flat or dual-band band-pass response can be achieved. Despite their simple architecture, these multi-band FSSpsilas are quite thick (0.037rdquo in a dual-band arrangement). To remedy this short-coming, a design process has been initiated with the idea of reducing the number of the metal layers of the original single-band FSS.
The editor's roundtable: Acute decompensated heart failure.

r. Friedewald has no relevant financial relationships to isclose. Dr. Gheorghiade has received honoraria for speakng from Otsuka, Rockville, Maryland; Medtronic, Minnepolis, Minnesota; and GlaxoSmithKline, Research Trianle Park, North Carolina. Dr. Roberts has received onoraria for speaking from AstraZeneca, Wilmington, elaware; Merck, North Wales, Pennsylvania; Scherng Plough, Kenilworth, New Jersey; Pfizer, New York, ew York; and Novartis, East Hanover, New Jersey. Dr. ancy has received honoraria for speaking from laxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, North Caroina; Novartis, East Hanover, New Jersey; consulting fees nd grant/research support from AstraZeneca, Wilmingon, Delaware; GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle ark, North Carolina; Scios, Fremont, California; Niromed, Lexington, Massachusetts; and Medtronic, Mineapolis, Minnesota. Dr. Young has received grant/reearch support from Abbott, Abbott Park, Illinois; mgen, Thousand Oaks, California; AstraZeneca, Wilington, Delaware; GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle ark, North Carolina; Guidant, St Paul, Minnesota; edtronic, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Vasogen, Missisauga, Ontario, Canada; and has been a Consultant for bbott, Abbott Park, Illinois; Acorn Cardiovascular, St. aul, Minnesota; Amgen, Thousand Oaks, California; straZeneca, Wilmington, Delaware; Artesian Therapeuics, Gaithersburg, Maryland; Boehringer Ingelheim, Inelheim, Germany; GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle ark, North Carolina; Guidant, St. Paul, Minnesota; edtronic, Minneapolis, Minneapolis; Protemix, San Di-
Visually evoked cortical potentials from different cortical regions in humans

Visually evoked cortical potentials were recorded simultaneously from occipital, parietal, temporal and frontal electrode placements utilizing surface scalp-electrodes. Amplitude measures indicated that the largest response occurred at the occipital electrode site. However, the occipital response had the longest average latency.
Error-resilient LZW data compression

Lossless data compression systems are typically regarded as very brittle to transmission errors. This limits their applicability to domains like noisy tetherless channels or file systems that can possibly get corrupted. Here we show how a popular lossless data compression scheme used in file formats GIF, PDF, and TIFF, among others, can be made error-resilient in such a way that the compression performance is minimally affected. The new scheme is designed to be backward-compatible, that is, a file compressed with our error-resilient algorithm can be still decompressed by the original decoder. In this preliminary report, we present our scheme, collect some experimental data supporting our claims, and provide some theoretical justifications.
Prestin-Dependence of Outer Hair Cell Survival and Partial Rescue of Outer Hair Cell Loss in PrestinV499G/Y501H Knockin Mice

A knockin (KI) mouse expressing mutated prestinV499G/Y501H (499 prestin) was created to study cochlear amplification. Recordings from isolated outer hair cells (OHC) in this mutant showed vastly reduced electromotility and, as a consequence, reduced hearing sensitivity. Although 499 prestin OHCs were normal in stiffness and longer than OHCs lacking prestin, accelerated OHC death was unexpectedly observed relative to that documented in prestin knockout (KO) mice. These observations imply an additional role of prestin in OHC maintenance besides its known requirement for mammalian cochlear amplification. In order to gain mechanistic insights into prestin-associated OHC loss, we implemented several interventions to improve survival. First, 499 prestin KI’s were backcrossed to Bak KO mice, which lack the mitochondrial pro-apoptotic gene Bak. Because oxidative stress is implicated in OHC death, another group of 499 prestin KI mice was fed the antioxidant diet, Protandim. 499 KI mice were also backcrossed onto the FVB murine strain, which retains excellent high-frequency hearing well into adulthood, to reduce the compounding effect of age-related hearing loss associated with the original 499 prestin KIs. Finally, a compound heterozygous (chet) mouse expressing one copy of 499 prestin and one copy of KO prestin was also created to reduce quantities of 499 prestin protein. Results show reduction in OHC death in chets, and in 499 prestin KIs on the FVB background, but only a slight improvement in OHC survival for mice receiving Protandim. We also report that improved OHC survival in 499 prestin KIs had little effect on hearing phenotype, reaffirming the original contention about the essential role of prestin’s motor function in cochlear amplification.
AIDS, Ethical Issues in Health Care

As a communicable disease, AIDS raises questions about whether clinicians have a duty to treat people with an infectious disease, but the significance of this question can be reduced through barrier protections. AIDS also raises questions about how to conduct clinical trials, including access to study data. Paradoxically, vaccine trials cannot be effective if people do not expose themselves to risks of infection, but as a matter of ethics, researchers must counsel against that exposure. AIDS also intensifies the questions of whether there is a right to health care and how to apportion research funds between competing demands for treatment and vaccines.
Hospital resources are associated with value-based surgical performance

Abstract Background We have previously shown that inferior outcomes at safety-net hospitals are largely dependent on hospital factors. We hypothesized that hospitals providing “high value” care (low cost and better outcomes) would have advantages in human and financial resources. Methods The University HealthSystems Consortium Clinical Database and the American Hospital Association Annual Survey were used to examine hospitals performing eight complex surgical procedures from 2009 to 2013. Hospitals in the lowest quartiles of both mortality rate and cost were characterized as high value ( n = 45), whereas those in the highest quartiles of both cost and mortality were low value ( n = 45). Hospital size, staffing, and financial characteristics were compared between these two groups. Results On average, high-value hospitals had lower proportions of Medicaid patient days (17% versus 30%; P versus 53%; P versus $62,434; P versus 0.04 per bed; P versus 1.25 per bed; P versus 6.79 per bed; all P versus 38; P versus 5.77; P versus 12.6; all P Conclusions Hospitals that invest in more human resources and demonstrate increased throughput perform complex surgery at higher “value” (i.e., lower costs and mortality). Value-based purchasing initiatives that link hospital reimbursement to unadjusted surgical outcomes may exacerbate, rather than improve, disparities in surgical care that currently exist.
Safety of hormonal contraceptives among women with migraine: A systematic review

Abstract Background Migraine is common among women of reproductive age and is associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke. Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) are also associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke. Use of hormonal contraception among women with migraine might further elevate the risk of stroke among women of reproductive age. Objective To identify evidence regarding the risk of arterial thromboembolism (stroke or myocardial infarction) among women with migraine who use hormonal contraceptives. Methods We searched the PubMed database for all articles published from database inception through January 2016. We included studies that examined women with migraine overall or separated by subtype (with or without aura). Hormonal contraceptives of interest included combined hormonal methods (COCs, patch and ring) and progestin-only methods (progestin-only pills, injectables, implants and progestin intrauterine devices). Results Seven articles met inclusion criteria. All were case–control studies of fair to poor quality reporting on use of COCs or oral contraceptives (OCs) not further described and all reported stroke outcomes. Four studies demonstrated that, among women with migraine (not separated by subtype), COC use was associated with approximately two to four times the risk of stroke compared with nonuse. The only study to examine specific migraine subtypes found an elevated risk of stroke among women with migraine with aura, and this risk was similar regardless of OC use, although these odds ratios were not reported. Two studies did not report risks among women with migraine and COC use combined, but both found increased risks of stroke with migraine and COC use independently. No evidence was found on other hormonal contraceptives or on risk of myocardial infarction. Conclusion Limited evidence suggests a two- to fourfold increased risk of stroke among women with migraine who use COCs compared with nonuse. Additional study is needed on the risks of hormonal contraceptives, including combined and progestin-only methods, among women with different migraine subtypes.
Monitor and seasonal fluctuation of flies density in Henan Province in 2008-2011

Objective To grasp the population distribution,ecological behaviour and seasonal fluctuation of flies,and provide scientific basis for controlling flies'breeding and reproduce in Henan Province.Methods Cage traps with sugar and vinegar baits were used to capture flies.Results In 2008-2011,totally 128 623 flies were captured.The top 3 dominant species were Chrysomyia megacephala,Lucilia sericata and Musca domestica,the percentages were 40.28%,24.59% and 12.74% respectively.In these 4 years,the average fly density was 54.04 flies per cage.The annual data from 2008 to 2011 were 55.57,129.48,22.77 and 19.44 flies per cage respectively.The overall seasonal prevalence in last four years was a single-peak curve,the highest peak appeared in August.Conclusion The dominant fly species in Henan Province are C.megacephala,L.sericata and M.domestica.From 2010,flies density presented the obvious drop.Flies appeared from April to October every year,the highest density appeared in August.This result may have relationship with local climate in Henan.This research analyses recent monitor results of flies in Henan,provides the scientific basis for future fly prevention and control.
The Application of Strata Slicing in Recognition Deep Sublacustrine Fan-as an Example of Qingshankou First Section of Yingtaidaan Area in the North of Songliao Basin

With application of strata slice technology of seismic sedimentology combined with drilling data to identify deep-water sublacustrine fan on Qingshankou first section of Yingtaidaan area.The approach is for more complex attitude of stratum,but also compared to the traditional time slice and horizontal section,more reasonable and closer to the isochronal sediment interface.The results show that sublacustrine fan is sensitive to seismic response,in the section it appears as a strong reflected wave,in the plan on seismic plan attributes,also showed strong amplitude characteristics.
Chronic diarrhea: newly appreciated syndromes.

(1989). Chronic Diarrhea Newly Appreciated Syndromes. Hospital Practice: Vol. 24, No. 1, pp. 117-135.
Contemporary approach to ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Abstract Pulmonary veins have been shown to play an important role in the initiation and maintenance of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Seg-mental ostial isolation of the pulmonary veins results in cure in about 2/3 of the patients. This approach does not address non-pulmonary venous triggers of atrial fibrillation or the importance of the left atrium itself. Left atrial circumferential ablation has also been shown to be efficacious in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. This approach seems to address not only the various triggers of atrial fibrillation but also the left atrial substrate. Recently, a randomized study compared the 2 strategies and showed that left atrial ablation is superior to segmental ostial isolation. This review will highlight the anatomy and electrophysiology of the pulmonary veins, and the possible mechanisms by which they initiate and maintain paroxysms of atrial fibrillation. Segmental ostial isolation of the pulmonary veins and left atrial ablation will be compared as well.
Acute Kidney Injury Following Cardiac Surgery in Neonates and Young Infants: Experience of a Single Center Using Novel Perioperative Strategies.

Objective:Acute kidney injury (AKI) following cardiac surgery is a serious complication with a reported incidence of 30% to 50%. This study sought to determine the prevalence and risk factors for A...
Maternal Work and Children

Family patterns have changed considerably in the past 20 years. The increase in divorce, single-parent families, reconstituted families, and fathers receiving custody of children, as well as the enormous increase of women in the labor force, has made the conventionally structured family into a minority. In fact, in the past decade, families headed by women have grown in number 10 times as rapidly as two-parent families.1 Many questions have arisen about the effects of these changes on families, and particularly on children.
Association mapping utilizing diverse barley lines reveals net form net blotch seedling resistance/susceptibility loci

A diverse collection of barley lines was phenotyped with three North American Pyrenophora teres f. teres isolates and association analyses detected 78 significant marker-trait associations at 16 genomic loci. Pyrenophora teres f. teres is a necrotrophic fungal pathogen and the causal agent of the economically important foliar disease net form net blotch (NFNB) of barley. The deployment of effective and durable resistance against P. teres f. teres has been hindered by the complexity of quantitative resistance and susceptibility. Several bi-parental mapping populations have been used to identify QTL associated with NFNB disease on all seven barley chromosomes. Here, we report the first genome-wide association study (GWAS) to detect marker-trait associations for resistance or susceptibility to P. teres f. teres. Geographically diverse barley genotypes from a world barley core collection (957) were genotyped with the Illumina barley iSelect chip and phenotyped with three P. teres f. teres isolates collected in two geographical regions of the USA (15A, 6A and LDNH04Ptt19). The best of nine regression models tested were identified for each isolate and used for association analysis resulting in the identification of 78 significant marker-trait associations (MTA; −log10p value >3.0). The MTA identified corresponded to 16 unique genomic loci as determined by analysis of local linkage disequilibrium between markers that did not meet a correlation threshold of R 2 ≥ 0.1, indicating that the markers represented distinct loci. Five loci identified represent novel QTL and were designated QRptts-3HL, QRptts-4HS, QRptts-5HL.1, QRptts-5HL.2, and QRptts-7HL.1. In addition, 55 of the barley lines examined exhibited a high level of resistance to all three isolates and the SNP markers identified will provide useful genetic resources for barley breeding programs.
Abstract 22: Ablation of Leptin Receptors in the Brain Subfornical Organ Attenuates Leptin-induced Increases in Renal Sympathetic Nerve Activity (RSNA) But Spares Its Effect on Food Intake and Body Weight

The adipocyte-derived hormone leptin acts within the central nervous system to decrease food intake and body weight and to increase sympathetic nerve activity to the kidney. Although most studies have focused on hypothalamic brain regions, recent findings have identified the long form of the leptin receptor (ObR) in the circumventricular subfornical organ (SFO), a forebrain region devoid of a blood-brain barrier. Here we tested the hypothesis that ObR receptors in the SFO are functionally involved in the decreases in food intake and body weight and increases in RSNA due to leptin. To delete ObR receptors selectively in the SFO, an adenovirus encoding Cre-recombinase (Cre; n=4) was targeted to this brain region in ObR flox mice. LacZ served as a control (n=4). After 7 days, systemic leptin (i.p. 30μg bi-daily) was administered over 3 days. Leptin caused a significant decrease in body weight and food intake in control animals. Interestingly, ablation of the ObR receptor in the SFO did not attenuate the leptin-induced decreases in either body weight (peak decrease: Δ-2.2±0.1 vs. Δ-2.4±0.2 g; LacZ vs. Cre, p>0.05) or food intake. Similar findings were obtained with daily intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of leptin. To examine a role for SFO-ObR in cardiovascular-sympathetic regulation, ObR flox mice underwent SFO-targeted adenoviral delivery of Cre or LacZ as above. Following recovery, mice were instrumented for anesthetized recordings of RSNA and leptin was administered systemically (i.v. 120μg) or ICV (2μg). Both systemic and centrally administered leptin caused robust increases in RSNA over 4 hours in control mice. This response was completely abolished in mice with SFO-targeted deletion of ObR (e.g., i.v. leptin % RSNA 4hr: 116±16 vs. -20±9 v*s/min; LacZ vs. Cre, p HL063887, HL084207
Commentary: Forced thinking about hypercognitive seizures

• “Hypercognitive seizures” has been proposed as a new term for the rare seizure semiology known as “forced thinking.”
Investigation of Failures

The problems associated with determining what actually happended after an unexpected instability has occurred are illustrated by case records. Examples are taken from failures of cut slopes in, and embankments on, soft clays and from the failure of a large pile foundation during proof loading. It is then shown how more information can be gleaned from post-failure investigations than has generally been the case up to now, and the important lessons learned are highlighted. It is proposed that a National Center for Investigating Civil Engineering Failures can be created to build up concentrated expertise and to develop rewarding methodologies for investigation of failures, to make the lessons learned cumulative and accessible to the profession, and to provide focal points for rewarding research to reduce significantly the frequency of unexpected failures.
Functional Convergence at the Retinogeniculate Synapse

Precise connectivity between retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and thalamocortical (TC) relay neurons is thought to be essential for the transmission of visual information. Consistent with this view, electrophysiological measurements have previously estimated that 1-3 RGCs converge onto a mouse geniculate TC neuron. Recent advances in connectomics and rabies tracing have yielded much higher estimates of retinogeniculate convergence, although not all identified contacts may be functional. Here we use optogenetics and a computational simulation to determine the number of functionally relevant retinogeniculate inputs onto TC neurons in mice. We find an average of ten RGCs converging onto a mature TC neuron, in contrast to >30 inputs before developmental refinement. However, only 30% of retinogeniculate inputs exceed the threshold for dominating postsynaptic activity. These results signify a greater role for the thalamus in visual processing and provide a functional perspective of anatomical connectivity data.
On the Characteristics of Linear-Phase Roll Vortices under a Moving Hurricane Boundary Layer

AbstractPrevious theoretical and numerical studies only focused on the formation of roll vortices (rolls) under a stationary and axisymmetric hurricane. The effect of the asymmetric wind structure ...
Improving intermediate temperature performance of Ni-YSZ cermet anodes for solid oxide fuel cells by liquid infiltration of nickel nanoparticles

Abstract Liquid infiltration of NiO followed by reduction to form Ni nanoparticle catalysts in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) can produce a high density of electrochemical reaction sites. In recent years, electrode architectures utilizing porous oxide substrates with ionic conductivity or mixed ionic-electronic conductivity and connected networks of nickel produced by liquid infiltration have become a popular approach to improve SOFC anode catalytic performance, especially for operating temperatures less than 800 °C. However, infiltrated nickel structures suffer from poor durability, demonstrating significant loss in performance during the first 100 h of use. In contrast, traditional Ni-yttria stabilized zirconia (Ni-YSZ) cermet SOFC anodes exhibit long-term performance stability. However, Ni-YSZ cermet anodes have micron sized structures, and consequently have a significantly lower density of electrochemical reaction site density than infiltrated nickel structures, which have dimensions of around 100 nm. In this study, the performance impact of liquid phase infiltration of nickel nanoparticles into Ni-YSZ cermet anode supported SOFCs is studied by measuring the electrochemical behavior of infiltrated cells at 800 °C, 700 °C, and 600 °C, and comparing them to the performance of an uninfiltrated cell. Durability of the nanoparticles after electrochemical testing is also assessed using a method for quantifying particle statistics from fracture cross sections.
Gene Therapy for Fibroproliferative Phase Ards

Following an acute injury to the lung, restoration of the normal alveolar architecture and function is the ideal outcome. Unfortunately, following a myriad of endovascular or inhaled toxins, a series of temporally and spatially overlapping injury and repair events all too often result in a dysfunctional fibrotic lung. The fibroproliferative phase of acute lung injury is characterized by progressive accumulation of interstitial and alveolar myofibroblasts and matrix leading to impaired gas exchange and severely reduced lung compliance. The critical feature of this late stage (1–4 weeks after injury) of the injury/repair continuum is the disruption of normal alveolar architecture. For normal lung function to return, both the liquid and protein barrier function and the diffusion properties of the alveolar-capillary structures must be restored. The requisite temporal and spatial coordination of alveolar proteolysis, cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, matrix synthesis and epithelial cell re-population provide ample and complementary biological pathways for targeting gene therapy (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). This chapter will review the alveolar architectural and biochemical abnormalities that occur within the first few weeks of a severe lung injury and discuss potential targets, successes and delivery modes for gene therapy designed to reduce the fibroproliferative response.
INTERACTIONS BETWEEN ANTIPSYCHOTIC DRUGS AND CENTRAL NORADRENERGIC PATHWAYS

Fluphenazine (FPZ) and related antipsychotic drugs are shown to be potent, specific antagonists of noradrenergic effects on rat cerebellar Purkinje (P) neuron discharge. Since norepinephrine (NE) enhances the responsiveness of P neurons to classical cerebellar afferent pathways, it is proposed that interference with this enhancement by neuroleptic drugs may account for some of their therapeutic properties.
A Markov-Type Inequality for Multivariate Polynomials on a Convex Body

A Markov-type inequality for the k-homogeneous part of a multivariate polynomial on a convex centrally symmetric body is given and an extremal polynomial is found. This generalizes and extends some estimates for univariate and multivariate polynomials obtained by Markov, Bernstein, Visser, Reimer, and Rack.
Resisting erasure: Transgender, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary issues in curriculum studies

We are currently witnessing a gender revolution, as evidenced by the increased discussion of gender, gender nonbinary (enby), and intersex issues in the media, television, pop culture, and politics...
Not restricted to selection research: Accounting for indirect range restriction in organizational research

Range restriction is a common problem in organizational research and is an important statistical artifact to correct for in meta-analysis. Historically, researchers have had to rely on range-restri...
InP-based Coherent PICs for 100 Gbaud Operation

We present our progress in developing InP-based coherent Transmitter (Tx) and Receiver (Rx) Photonic Integrated Circuits (PIC) for 100 Gbaud transmission, enabling future multi-Tb/s optical engines.
The Effect of Sexual Literacy on Adolescent Pregnancy in Colombia.

Abstract Study Objective In the present study we investigated the association between receiving information on sexual literacy topics and likelihood of experiencing adolescent pregnancy. Design Cross-sectional analysis. Setting Colombia. Participants Female Adolescents, 13-19 years old (N = 8525). Main Outcome Measures Our primary outcome of interest was adolescent pregnancy. Results We created a gradation of public health impact variable that ranged from grade 1 (least impactful) to grade 4 (most impactful) to determine which sexuality-related topics were most strongly associated with teenage pregnancy. We found that not receiving information on grade 4 topics had the strongest association with adolescent pregnancy. These topics were: changes related to puberty (prevalence ratio [PR], 2.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.40-3.30), how sex organs work (PR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.37-2.66), and sexual orientation (PR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.38-2.44). In fact, teenagers who did not receive information on any sexuality-related topic were approximately 75% more likely (PR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.09-2.74) to experience pregnancy during adolescence. Conclusion The gradation levels of this study could guide sexual education programs in Colombia to prioritize sexuality-related themes, especially when resources are limited.