cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Histopathology and vascular endothelial growth factor in untreated and diode laser-treated retinopathy of prematurity.

Abstract Objectives: We had the unique opportunity to compare the eyes of a premature infant with stage 3 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in both eyes after the condition was treated by diode laser photocoagulation in one eye only. After the infant's death, we investigated the extent of structural damage incurred with the diode laser and examined the effect of treatment on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. Methods: The eyes were fixed and embedded in paraffin. Adjacent 6 μm sections were either stained for histopathologic analysis or used for in situ hybridization. VEGF messenger RNA (mRNA) was detected by using radiolabeled antisense riboprobes. Results: In the treated eye, histopathologic results demonstrated the clinically evident dose-response effect, with sparing of inner retinal elements with mild laser burns and full-thickness retinal cell disruption with severe burns. Scleral and ciliary nerve effects were absent. VEGF mRNA was localized primarily in the ganglion cell layer but was also found in the inner nuclear layer. In the untreated eye, an increase in VEGF mRNA was detected at the peripheral edge of the vascularized retina anterior to the ridge. In the laser-treated eye, VEGF mRNA expression was dramatically upregulated in the ganglion cell layer in areas adjacent to laser burns. Conclusions: VEGF mRNA was found to be elevated in the peripheral, avascular retina of the untreated eye, consistent with the hypothesis that retinal hypoxia stimulates VEGF expression. In the treated eye with recurrent ROP, VEGF mRNA was not detected in the photocoagulated areas of retina but was increased between laser scars. This finding confirms the results of prior animal studies and validates the use of these models.
The Battle of Keren - Medical support in a complex environment

Rapid developments of capability seen in the contemporary operating environment are a constant during any period of conflict. The Second World War is littered with numerous examples of adapting systems developed following the First World War and making them more suitable for a more mobile, modern form of warfare. The East African campaign during 1941 saw a number of developments to an accepted field medical system. Established as a neat, linear structure from point of wounding through to hospital care, it was adapted to support a battle waged in a complex environment. The Battle of Keren, in Eritrea, was the decisive battle of the East African campaign, and is a remarkable example of rapidly exploiting success, with Commonwealth forces taking full advantage of Italian reluctance to become decisively engaged. To maximize success, support to the fighting echelon had to be, at least, as agile and able to adapt to circumstances presented resulting in the first significant land success of the war. It provided a vehicle for the Army Medical Services and Indian Army Medical Corps to develop a system of treatment and evacuation in an extremely challenging situation, a system that continues to have relevance today.
Cystectomy and ureteroileostomy for carcinoma of the bladder

Summary Thirty-seven patients with carcinoma of the urinary bladder underwent cystectomy and ureteroileostomy between 1957 and 1968. Thirty-one patients recovered and were followed up postoperatively. Seven of sixteen patients (44 per cent) operated upon more than five years ago have survived. The chance for survival appeared related to the invasiveness of the tumor. In the absence of recurrent tumor, ureteroileal conduits have functioned well. The results obtained are comparable to those reported by institutions specializing in the treatment of cancer and add support to the performance of total cystectomy and ureteroileostomy earlier in the management of invasive vesical carcinoma, before lesions become more deeply infiltrating and the chance of cure is diminished.
Energetics of aluminum-lithium clusters

Energetics and structures of small aluminum-lithium clusters were investigated using structure-minimization and dynamic simulated annealing on the Born-Oppenheimer surface, calculated via local-spin-density functional method. A transition from atomic-based characteristics forn≤5 to a perturbed delocalized electronic cluster-shell behavior forn≥6, containing an AiLi5 “core”, is suggested.
AN INCREASE IN DEATH RATE OF ANOPHELES STEPHENSI FED ON RABBITS IMMUNIZED WITH MOSQUITO ANTIGEN

Five 3- to 4-month-old New Zealand rabbits were injected with Freund’s complete adjuvant and (1) supernatant of whole ground mosquitoes, (2) unwashed pellet from whole ground mosquitoes, (3) ground mosquito midgut. Successive injections were given at 7- to 15-day intervals. Anopheles stephensi Liston were fed on the New Zealand rabbits, on normal control rabbits, and on which fed on rabbits injected with midgut antigen were higher than the death rate of mosquitoes which fed on the control rabbits or those injected with whole mosquito antigens. Suggested mechanisms to explain this phenomenon are presented. Serological data cannot be quantitatively correlated with the death rates as yet.
An Evaluation of Tympanometric Estimates of Ear Canal Volume

The accuracy of tympanometric estimates of ear canal volume was evaluated by testing the following two assumptions on which the procedure is based: (a) ear canal volume does not change when ear can...
Clathrin Light Chains LCA and LCB Are Similar, Polymorphic, and Share Repeated Heptad Motifs

The clathrin light chains fall into two major classes, LCA and LCB. In an intact clathrin triskelion, one light chain, of either class, is bound to the proximal segment of a heavy chain leg. Analysis of rat brain and liver complementary DNA clones for LCA and LCB shows that the two light chain classes are closely related. There appear to be several members of each class having deletions of varying length aligned at the same position. A set of ten heptad elements, characteristic of alpha-helical coiled coils, is a striking feature of the central part of each derived amino acid sequence. These observations suggest a model in which the alpha-helical segment mediates binding to clathrin heavy chains and the amino- and carboxyl-terminal segments mediate interactions with other proteins. They also suggest an explanation for the observed tissue-dependent size variation for members of each class.
Decision Power and Solutions of LP Discriminant Models: Rejoinder

A major problem of LP discriminant analysis is the validity of the solution. This note shows that to comprehend the effectiveness of the solution, conditions for unacceptable solutions need to be tightly characterized.
THE HISTOPATHOLOGY OF IATROGENIC CRYPTORCHID TESTIS: AN INSIGHT INTO ETIOLOGY

Purpose: Iatrogenic undescended testis may develop after inguinal hernia repair, presumably as a result of mechanical tethering of the testis or cord in scar tissue. Because some true cryptorchid testes appear to be completely descended at birth and later ascend during childhood, some iatrogenic undescended testes may be low lying undescended testes. To determine whether iatrogenic undescended testes may be unrecognized cryptorchid testes at herniorrhaphy we examined biopsies of iatrogenic undescended testes and the corresponding contralateral descended testis.Materials and Methods: Between 1985 and 1999 bilateral testis biopsies were obtained at orchiopexy in 37 boys 1.5 to 11.8 years old who previously underwent inguinal hernia correction. Histomorphometric analysis of germ cell counts was performed on the undescended and contralateral descended testes, and compared to the count in bilateral biopsies of 37 age and position matched patients with true unilateral cryptorchidism.Results: There were no signi...
Safety of Low Gossypol Cottonseed Kernels

The safety of low gossypol raw, cooked, or roasted cottonseed kernels ground into flour was determined. Growing females utilized cooked or roasted cottonseed more efficiently than raw cottonseed or control diet. The percentages of pups alive at birth surviving to 4 days were significantly higher for rats fed raw or cooked cottonseed than roasted cottonseed. There were no significant differences observed in average body weight at parturition, at weaning time of dams or weight of offspring due to diet. No detrimental effects due to feeding cottonsed at 20% of the diet were observed.
Design Problems and Ethics

The intellectual core of engineering is the solution to design problems. Those solutions are embodied in artifacts – software, a bridge, elevators, and so on. An engineer who so designed artifacts as to maximize the harm they bring into the world would be unethical. Ethical considerations are internal to engineering because the introduction of each engineering artifact will produce more or less harm, no matter what the solution may be.
A Pattern Matching Method for Finding Noun and Proper Noun Translations from Noisy Parallel Corpora

We present a pattern matching method for compiling a bilingual lexicon of nouns and proper nouns from unaligned, noisy parallel texts of Asian/Indo-European language pairs. Tagging information of one language is used. Word frequency and position information for high and low frequency words are represented in two different vector forms for pattern matching. New anchor point finding and noise elimination techniques are introduced. We obtained a 73.1% precision. We also show how the results can be used in the compilation of domain-specific noun phrases.
Beyond Microskills: Toward a Model of Counseling Competence

Heeding the call to the profession, the authors present both a definition and model of counseling competence. Undergirding the model are 15 foundational principles. The authors conceptualize counseling competence as more complex and nuanced than do traditional microskills models and include cognitive, affective, and behavioral components. The model consists of 4 superordinate competencies—determining therapeutic outcomes, facilitating therapeutic outcomes, evaluating therapeutic outcomes, and sustaining therapeutic outcomes—and 12 subordinate competencies: self-appraisal/self-evaluating, structuring the therapy, building a therapeutic alliance, applying a conceptual map of therapeutic change, using therapeutic techniques, self-correcting, surmounting obstacles, leveraging opportunities, managing special situations, working with other systems of care, consulting other sources, and terminating therapy. Integral to the model is the integrated deep structure, which consists of 5 metacognitions: purposefulness...
Chlamydomonas IFT88 and Its Mouse Homologue, Polycystic Kidney Disease Gene Tg737, Are Required for Assembly of Cilia and Flagella

Intraflagellar transport (IFT) is a rapid movement of multi-subunit protein particles along flagellar microtubules and is required for assembly and maintenance of eukaryotic flagella. We cloned and sequenced a Chlamydomonas cDNA encoding the IFT88 subunit of the IFT particle and identified a Chlamydomonas insertional mutant that is missing this gene. The phenotype of this mutant is normal except for the complete absence of flagella. IFT88 is homologous to mouse and human genes called Tg737. Mice with defects in Tg737 die shortly after birth from polycystic kidney disease. We show that the primary cilia in the kidney of Tg737 mutant mice are shorter than normal. This indicates that IFT is important for primary cilia assembly in mammals. It is likely that primary cilia have an important function in the kidney and that defects in their assembly can lead to polycystic kidney disease.
Mating Season Aggression and Fecal Testosterone Levels in Male Ring-Tailed Lemurs (Lemur catta)

The challenge hypothesis (J. C. Wingfield, R. E. Hegner, B. G. Ball, and A. M. Duffy, 1990, Am. Nat. 136, 829-846) proposes that in birds, reptiles, and fish, "the frequency or intensity of reproductive aggression as an effect of T[estosterone] is strongest in situations of social instability, such as during the formation of dominance relationships, the establishment of territorial boundaries, or challenges by a conspecific male for a territory or access to mates" (p. 833). To determine the extension of this hypothesis to mammalian species, we tested predictions of the hypothesis in a nonpaternal, seasonal breeding, prosimian primate (ring-tailed lemurs, Lemur catta). Semi-free-ranging males were studied during periods of social stability (premating period) and instability (mating period). The annual mating season consists of several days during which males fight for access to promiscuous group females as each individually becomes sexually receptive for 1 day. Male rates of aggression were compared to fecal testosterone levels within premating and mating periods. In the premating period male rate of aggression was not significantly correlated with testosterone level. By contrast, during the mating season testosterone and aggression levels were positively and significantly correlated. However, on days just preceding estrus, male rate of aggression was not significantly correlated with testosterone, but on days of estrus, when aggressive challenges peaked sharply, testosterone and aggression were highly positively correlated. These results suggest that the challenge hypothesis applies to mammals as well as to birds, reptiles, and fish. In addition, elevations in testosterone were tightly circumscribed around days of estrus, suggesting a compromise between costs and benefits of elevated testosterone levels.
How I treat patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

The disease we now call diffuse large B-cell lymphoma has gone by many names in the past. These have included reticulum cell sarcoma,[1][1] diffuse histiocytic lymphoma,[2][2] and, more recently, diffuse mixed lymphoma, diffuse large cell lymphoma, or immunoblastic lymphoma—terms from the Working
Uncertainty in Computational Aerodynamics

An approach is presented to treat computational aerodynamics as a process, subject to the fundamental quality assurance principles of process control and process improvement. We consider several aspects affecting uncertainty for the computational aerodynamic process and present a set of stages to determine the level of management required to meet risk assumptions desired by the customer of the predictions.
Caveolin-3 promotes nicotinic acetylcholine receptor clustering and regulates neuromuscular junction activity.

The molecular mechanisms that regulate the organization and activity of the neuromuscular junction remain to be fully identified. Caveolae are invaginations of the plasma membrane. Caveolin-3 is the structural protein component of caveolae in muscle cells. We show that caveolin-3 is expressed at the neuromuscular junction, that it associates with the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), and that a lack of caveolin-3 inhibits clustering of the nAChR in myotubes. At the molecular level, we demonstrate that caveolin-3 is a novel muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) binding protein and that altered nAChR clustering in caveolin-3–lacking myotubes results from inhibition of agrin-induced phosphorylation/activation of MuSK and activation of Rac-1. Functional studies in caveolin-3 null mice show abnormal neuromuscular junction activity that is consistent with altered nAChR localization at the sarcolemma. Together, these data identify caveolin-3 as a critical component of the signaling machinery that drives nicotinic acetylcholine receptor clustering and controls neuromuscular junction function.
Fluid damping in resonant flexural plate wave device

Fluid damping models are developed for resonant (standing wave) flexural plate wave (FPW) devices, which are rectangular plates or diaphragms with structural layers, a piezoelectric layer, and interdigitated conducting combs for driving and sensing. This configuration is often used in micromechanical chemical, biological, or nonvolatile residue sensors. Where much of the previous work on fluid effects in FPW devices focused on delay lines, this effort investigates resonant devices both analytically and experimentally. The fluid model is based on closed-form solution of a wide beam vibrating into a semi-infinite fluid volume and is mated directly into the beam equation. While the fluid's pressure versus wave motion solution has been reported previously, the application to the resonant FPW is mathematically rigorous and leads to a greater understanding of the FPW damping regimes. Frequency responses of FPW devices constructed from silicon with deposited piezoelectric aluminum nitride and operating in water and alcohol compared well with analytic results with some discrepancies noted.
Formation of stable dopant interstitials during ion implantation of silicon

High concentrations of self-interstitials are trapped by dopant atoms during ion implantation into Si. For group V dopants, these complexes are sufficiently stable to survive solid-phase-epitaxial (SPE) growth but break up on subsequent thermal processing and cause a transientenhanced diffusion. Dopant diffusion coefficients are enhanced by up to five orders of magnitude over tracer values and are characterized by an activation energy of approximately one half of the tracer values. In the case of group III dopants, any complexes formed during implantation do not survive SPE growth but a second source of self-interstitials becomes significant and leads to similar transient effects. This is the damaged layer underlying the original amorphous/crystalline interface. These observations provide direct evidence for longrange self-interstitial migration in Si, and we believe these are the first observations of the interstitialcy diffusion mechanism with no vacancy contribution. We propose that the complexes are simply interstitial dopant atoms (in a split interstitialcy configuration) that are particularly stable in the case of group V dopants. As they decay self-interstitials are released and cause the transient-enhanced diffusion.
Social Development Quartet: Emotion Socialization in the Context of Psychopathology and Risk

An introduction is provided to this Social Development Quartet in which the articles focus on parent emotion socialization in the context of psychopathology and risk. In two articles, the samples of children and/or adolescents have a psychiatric diagnosis [oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) or depressive disorder]. The other two articles feature samples in which children and families have experienced serious risks [exposure to inter-parental violence (IPV) or maternal incarceration]. The articles in this Social Development Quartet extend our knowledge of the impact of parental emotion socialization practices to contexts in which children and parents experience higher than normative risks. The work reported in these articles builds upon research on emotion socialization in normative contexts, illustrating the buffering effects of supportive parenting as well as its limits.
Bragg Scattering by Pile-Supported Structures

A hydrodynamic analogy of Bragg's Law is introduced, which indicates that regularly spaced piling in a large pile supported structure can reflect, or scatter, water waves in a coherent manner. An experiment is described which illustrates the principle.
Analysis of the MIRIAD Data Shows Sex Differences in Hippocampal Atrophy Progression

BACKGROUND Hippocampus (HC) atrophy is a hallmark of early Alzheimer's disease (AD). Atrophy rates can be measured by high-resolution structural MRI. Longitudinal studies have previously shown sex differences in the progression of functional and cognitive deficits and rates of brain atrophy in early AD dementia. It is important to corroborate these findings on independent datasets. OBJECTIVE To study temporal rates of HC atrophy over a one-year period in probable AD patients and cognitively normal (CN) subjects by longitudinal MRI scans obtained from the Minimal Interval Resonance Imaging in AD (MIRIAD) database. METHODS We used a novel algorithm to compute an index of hippocampal (volumetric) integrity (HI) at baseline and one-year follow-up in 43 mild-moderate probable AD patients and 22 CN subjects in MIRIAD. The diagnostic power of longitudinal HI measurement was assessed using a support vector machines (SVM) classifier. RESULTS The HI was significantly reduced in the AD group (p < 10(-20)). In addition, the annualized percentage rate of reduction in HI was significantly greater in the AD group (p < 10(-13)). Within the AD group, the annual reduction of HI in women was significantly greater than in men (p = 0.008). The accuracy of SVM classification between AD and CN subjects was estimated to be 97% by 10-fold cross-validation. CONCLUSION In the MIRIAD patients with probable AD, the HC atrophies at a significantly faster rate in women as compared to men. Female sex is a risk factor for faster descent into AD. The HI measure has potential for AD diagnosis, as a biomarker of AD progression and a therapeutic target in clinical trials.
Highly Directional Steerable Antennas: High-Gain Antennas Supporting User Mobility or Beam Switching for Reconfigurable Backhauling

Modern millimeter-wave (mmWave) communication systems for large indoor areas and most outdoor scenarios require high-gain antennas with beam-steering ability to support user mobility or beam switching for reconfigurable backhauling. In this article, two new concepts for the development of highly directional steerable mmWave antennas are proposed and analyzed. The first one is modular antenna array (MAA) technology, which allows the creation of large-aperture, high-gain adaptive antenna arrays in a cost-effective and scalable manner. Two MAA configurations based on the existing phased subarray module are considered and analyzed for mmWave small-cell access and backhauling. The second prospective technology that fulfills the required antenna parameters for mmWave smallcell flexible backhauling is the lens-array antenna (LAA). The combination of the dielectric lens for aperture increasing with only one subarray module with beam-steering capabilities may provide 25?30-dBi total antenna gain with azimuth sector sweeping !45?.
Use of Exercise Gated Blood Pool Scans for Evaluation of Ventricular Function in Aortic Valvular Disease

Sequential rest-exercise gated blood pool scans were performed to evaluate left ventricular function in seven patients with aortic regurgitation (four males and three females, mean age 38±16), to evaluate the use of this test to provide information helpful in determination of therapy. Exercise was performed with a bicycle ergometer to symptom-limited maximum. Ejection fraction (EF), regurgitant fraction, and pulmonary blood volume were determined on two occasions for each patient (4–16 months apart). Mean rest and exercise EF did not change significantly with time. Group mean regurgitant fraction did not change significantly, whereas pulmonary blood volume increased significantly. However, three patients had a decrease in rest EF on study two, diminished left ventricular reserve function determined by a decrease in EF on exercise, and an increase in pulmonary blood volume on study two without a significant change in exercise regurgitant fraction on the second gated blood pool study, and were recommended to have a cardiac catheterization even though they were relatively asymptomatic. These patients were found to have significant aortic regurtitation and had subsequent aortic valve replacement. In conclusion, patients with aortic valvular disease can be followed with routine rest and exercise gated blood pool scans to determine pathophysiological changes that result from the volume overload; these parameters can be used as a guide to type of therapeutic intervention.
Pattern Driven Stress Localization in Thin Diblock Copolymer Films

When an elastic plate is fixed to a soft substrate and compressed, it accommodates applied strain by buckling and forming a sinusoidally wrinkled topography. At large strains, the regular wrinkled ...
Characterization of Epitaxial CoSi2 Films Grown on Si

X-ray rocking curves and backscattering spectrometry with channeling have been employed to investigate epitaxial CoSi2 films grown on Si substrates. Several preparation techniques were used: sputter cleaning, chemical cleaning, chemical cleaning with subsequent high temperature annealing, and e-gun evaporation on a cold or hot Si substrate, in situ annealing between 550–750°C for 30 min. Best results were obtained with chemical cleaning and pre-annealing at 925°C for 10 min, Co and Si codeposition on a 580’C hot substrate. For such samples, a typical x-ray perpendicular strain is −2.08%, and parallel strain is −0.11%. This parallel strain implies that the growth has been accommodated by dislocations with a spacing of, ∼ 2000 A. The values of strain are consistent with the published lattice constants of Si and CoSi2 and Poisson’s ratio of 0.28. The minimum yield in the channeling spectra of these films is. ∼ 3.6%, which is only slightly higher than that of virgin Si.
Combined extraction chromatography and scintillation detection for off-line and on-line monitoring of strontium in aqueous solutions

This paper presents the application of a new sensor materials, whichcombine extraction chromatography and scintillation detection. The resultantsensor embodies the simultaneous dual functionality of selective extractionand radiation detection, which has been applied towards off-line and on-linemonitoring of radiostrontium in aqueous solutions. The sensor materials are(1) a mixture of commercially available Sr-selective extraction chromatographicresin and granular scintillator, (2) bis-4,4'(5')-tert-butylcyclohexano-18-crown-6(DtBuCH18C6) in 1-octanol coated on the surface of a scintillating glass and(3) inert chromatographic resin impregnated with the organic fluors, 2,5 diphenyloxazole,(PPO) and 1-4 bis(4- methyl-5-phenyloxazol-2-yl) benzene, (DM-POPOP) and eitherDtBuCH18C6 in 1-octanol or a proprietary extractant. For off-line measurements,the sensor materials are used in the same manner as the commercially availableextraction chromatographic resin, but rather than eluting the activity fromthe column, the scintillating extraction column is placed in a scintillationvial and counted without the introduction of liquid scintillation cocktail.For on-line measurements, the sensor materials are used in conjunction witha flow-cell scintillation detection system to assess the activity retainedby the extractant in real-time. Characterization of the detection efficiencyand regeneration capability of the extractive scintillator materials is evaluated.
Result analysis of iodine nutrition status of rural children aged 8～10 in Tongren city during 2004～2007

Objective: To investigate the level of urinary iodine of the rural children aged 8~10 in Tongren city,Guizhou Province.Methods:The urinary iodine was determined in 804 pupils aged 8~10 from two primary schools from Tongren city.Results:Urinary iodine was 304.3,251.4,301.7,368.2 μg/L.The rate of goiter was 5.0%,2.5%,3.0%,2.0%,iodized salt up to standurd≥ 95%,coverage of iodized salt 99%.Conclusion:The iodine nutrition status is in good condition.
Log, Stock and Two Simple Lotteries

This work studies the problem of decision-making under risk by agents whose information processing abilities may be limited. The constructed theoretical framework grounds on findings from economic laboratory experiments, incorporates existing neuroscience knowledge, and is implemented using information-theoretic formalism. Activation of the above information-processing constraints distorts the subjective perception of the objective stochastic environment the agent operates in, and the constrained-optimal decision-making requires appropriate adjustments. In the selected application, a general equilibrium macro-finance model, such biases of subjective perspective as overconfidence, pessimism and categorization thus emerge endogenously. The theoretical implications receive empirical support in a mutually consistent way: according to (cross-checked) calibrations, they allow us to reverse-engineer and rationalize the phenomena known as the equity premium/risk-free rate puzzles; as well as contribute to the understanding of such regularities as the portfolio underdiversification puzzle, style investing and the non-monotone pricing kernel puzzle. On the other hand, these results also help rationalize, by formulating certain optimizing foundations behind, the experimental evidence that underlies the Allais paradox and that is systematized in, e.g., the (cumulative) prospect theory.
Ambulatory patients with spina bifida are 50% more likely to be fecally continent than non-ambulatory patients, particularly after a MACE procedure

Summary Introduction While fecal incontinence (FI) affects many patients with spina bifida (SB), it is unclear if it is associated with ambulatory status. Objective To determine if ambulatory status is associated with FI, and a potential confounding variable, in patients with and without a Malone antegrade continence enema (MACE). Study design This study retrospectively reviewed of patients aged ≥8 years with SB who were enrolled in an international quality of life study at outpatient visits (January 2013 to September 2015). Patients reported FI over the last 4 weeks (strict criteria: any FI/accidents vs no FI). Patients unable to self-report FI due to developmental delay were excluded. Those who were ambulating outdoors with/without braces/crutches were considered community ambulators. Non-parametric tests and logistic regression were used for analysis. Results A total of 115 patients with a MACE and 57 without a MACE were similar in gender (P = 0.99), ventriculoperitoneal status (P = 0.15) and age (16.0 vs 15.4 years, P = 0.11). Median ages at MACE procedure and follow-up were 7.0 and 8.2 years, respectively, and all used the MACE ≥3x/week. They were less likely to be ambulators (54.8 vs 71.9%, P = 0.03). In patients with a MACE, 64 (55.7%) had total fecal continence, compared with 29 (50.9%) without a MACE (P = 0.62). In the MACE group, ambulators were more likely to be continent compared with non-ambulatory patients (65.1 vs 44.2%, P = 0.04) (Table). Although not statistically significant, a similar difference was observed in the non-MACE group (56.1 vs 37.5%, P = 0.25). In the MACE group, continent and incontinent patients, regardless of ambulatory status, had similar rates of MACE use, additive use and time for MACE completion (P ≥ 0.43). MACE ambulators were more likely to be continent than MACE non-ambulators on multivariate analysis (OR 3.26, P = 0.01). Discussion This study reported higher than typical FI rates since: (1) it used a stringent definition of total fecal continence; (2) patients without FI were perhaps less likely to participate; and (3) it relied on patient-reported rather than clinician-reported outcomes. This cross-sectional study should not be interpreted as “MACE procedure is ineffective;” this would require a longitudinal study. The present findings may not apply to young children or those with significant developmental delay (patients excluded from the study). Conclusions Ambulatory patients with SB are 50% more likely to have total fecal continence on long-term follow-up, particularly after a MACE procedure. Ambulatory status is a significant confounder of FI and should be considered in future analyses. Summary table . Predictors of fecal continence after MACE procedure. Patient characteristic No MACE (n = 57) MACE (n = 115) Non-ambulatory 6/16 (37.5%) 23/52 (44.2%) Ambulatory 23/41 (56.1%) 41/63 (65.1%) P-value 0.25 0.04 MACE, Malone antegrade continence enema.
Protein adsorption and materials biocompatibility: A tutorial review and suggested hypotheses

A comprehensive review of protein adsorption at solid-liquid interfaces is presented, including a brief review of protein structure and the principles of protein adsorption. Adsorption-based biocompatibility hypotheses and correlations are discussed, including surface charge, interface energetics, passivation, protein-resistant surfaces, and the role of adsorbed immunoglobulins and complement. New methods for the study of protein adsorption are discussed, including total internal reflection techniques (absorbance, fluorescence, and Raman) and ellipsometry. Qualitative “rules of thumb” of protein adsorption are also presented.
Financing mental health reform in kansas

This paper examines the impact of the Kansas Mental Health Reform Act of 1990 on the mental health care system, on the budget of the state, and on the budgets of the Community Mental Health Centers. Both the successes and the failures of Mental Health Reform suggest that coordination of institutional and financial arrangements are needed to improve the outcomes of care. From a budgetary perspective, Mental Health Reform demonstrates the central role of Medicare and Medicaid in financing services for vulnerable populations. The reform also demonstrates that shifting costs to Medicare and Medicaid is a component of prudent financial management by the states.
Abstract 384: Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha Antagonism Attenuates Hypertension and Renal Injury Induced by Chronic Blockade of Nitric Oxide and High Salt Intake in Mice

Earlier, we demonstrated that systemic blockade of nitric oxide (NO) generation by acute infusion of nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) in mice increases plasma and renal levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). In the present study, we examined the role of TNF-α in mediating hypertension and renal injury responses to chronic NO blockade by evaluating the responses to chronic administration of L-NAME (0.05 μg/g/min; by osmotic mini-pump) for 3 wks in mice (C57BL6) treated with or without TNF-α receptor antagonist, etanercept (ETN; 5 mg, ip, every alternate day). These mice were given either normal (NS; 0.03% NaCl) or high salt (HS; 4% NaCl) containing diets. Systemic blood pressure (BP) was measured by tail-cuff plethysmography. At the end of the experimental period, mice were sacrificed to collect plasma and renal tissue samples to measure TNF-α level by ELISA and to determine the extent of tissue injury such as glomerulosclerosis (GS; PAS staining) and renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF; Trichrome staining). L-NAME treatment caused increase in BP which was greater in HS (104±3 to 139±3 mmHg; n=6) than in NS group (96±6 to 124±6 mmHg; n=6). ETN treatment significantly attenuated this increase in BP in both L-NAME+HS (119±11 mmHg; n=6) and in L-NAME+NS (115±8 mmHg, n=6) groups. Renal tissue level of TNF-α was higher in L-NAME+NS (664±100 vs 325±73 pg/mg protein) and in L-NAME+HS (391±38 vs 114±17 pg/mg protein) groups compared to the levels in groups given NS (n=5) or HS (n=5) diet alone. However, the changes in plasma level of TNF-α due to chronic L-NAME treatment were minimal. ETN treatment lowered renal TNF-α level in L-NAME+NS (356±60 pg/mg protein) and in L-NAME+HS (259±65 pg/mg protein) groups. L-NAME treatment significantly increased GS (7.1±1.0 vs 17.9±2.3 % sclerosis area) and RIF, (1.5±0.1 vs 5.8±0.6 % fibrotic area) in HS group. However, these changes were minimal in NS group (GS, 10.3±1.0 vs 13.2±1.5 % and RIF, 1.3±0.1 vs 2.4±0.3 %). ETN treatment markedly attenuated the GS (11.8±0.4% and 11.9±0.6 %) and RIF (2.6±0.3% and 1.9±0.3%) both in L-NAME+HS and in L-NAME+NS groups. These data demonstrate that an enhancement in TNF-α activity is involved in mediating hypertension and renal injury responses to chronic NO blockade and HS intake.
Numerically phase-stabilized phase-sensitive swept-source optical coherence tomography for highly-sensitive optical microangiography (Conference Presentation)

Swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) is gradually out-performing spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT) in many aspects including sensitivity, speed, and ranging distance. However, its phase-stability is generally more difficult to achieve, compared to SD-OCT, which limited the functional imaging applications of phase-sensitive SSOCT. In this study, a novel phase stabilization technique is demonstrated with significant improvement in the phase stability of an SS-OCT system that is based on micro-electromechanical (MEMS) vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL). Without any requirements of hardware modifications, this numerical phase stabilization technique features high tolerance to acquisition jitter, and significantly reduced budget in computational effort. We demonstrate that when measured with biological tissue, this technique enables a phase sensitivity of 89 mrad in highly scattering tissue, with image ranging distance of up to 12.5 mm at A-line scan rate of 100.3 kHz. We further compare the performances delivered by the phase-stabilization approach with conventional numerical approach for accuracy and computational efficiency. Imaging result of complex signal-based optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and Doppler OCTA indicate that the proposed phase stabilization technique is robust, and efficient in improving the image contrast-to-noise ratio and extending OCTA depth range. The proposed technique can be universally applied to improve phase-stability in generic SS-OCT with different scale of scan rates without special hardware or extra imaging operations.
Membrane cholesterol mediates the cellular effects of monolayer graphene substrates

Graphene possesses extraordinary properties that promise great potential in biomedicine. However, fully leveraging these properties requires close contact with the cell surface, raising the concern of unexpected biological consequences. Computational models have demonstrated that graphene preferentially interacts with cholesterol, a multifunctional lipid unique to eukaryotic membranes. Here we demonstrate an interaction between graphene and cholesterol. We find that graphene increases cell membrane cholesterol and potentiates neurotransmission, which is mediated by increases in the number, release probability, and recycling rate of synaptic vesicles. In fibroblasts grown on graphene, we also find an increase in cholesterol, which promotes the activation of P2Y receptors, a family of receptor regulated by cholesterol. In both cases, direct manipulation of cholesterol levels elucidates that a graphene-induced cholesterol increase underlies the observed potentiation of each cell signaling pathway. These findings identify cholesterol as a mediator of graphene’s cellular effects, providing insight into the biological impact of graphene. Understanding the biological role of graphene in eukaryotic cells is essential for future biomedicine applications. Here, the authors investigate the interaction of neurons and fibroblasts with graphene substrates, which increase cell membrane cholesterol and potentiate neurotransmitter release and receptor signaling.
Marriage Markets and Intermarriage: Exchange in First Marriages and Remarriages

Drawing on data from the American Community Survey, we compare patterns of assortative mating in first marriages, remarriages, and mixed-order marriages. We identify a number of ascribed and achieved characteristics that are viewed as resources available for exchange, both as complements and substitutes. We apply conditional logit models to show how patterns of assortative mating among never-married and previously married persons are subject to local marriage market opportunities and constraints. The results reveal that previously married individuals "cast a wider net": spousal pairings are more heterogamous among remarriages than among first marriages. Marital heterogamy, however, is reflected in systematic evidence of trade-offs showing that marriage order (i.e., status of being never-married) is a valued trait for exchange. Never-married persons are better positioned than previously married persons to marry more attractive marital partners, variously measured (e.g., highly educated partners). Previously married persons-especially women-are disadvantaged in the marriage market, facing demographic shortages of potential partners to marry. Marriage market constraints take demographic expression in low remarriage rates and in heterogamous patterns of mate selection in which previously married partners often substitute other valued characteristics in marriage with never-married persons.
Active deep learning: Improved training efficiency of convolutional neural networks for tissue classification in oral cavity cancer

Deep learning has yielded impressive performance on a variety of difficult machine learning tasks due to large, widely available annotated datasets. Unfortunately, acquiring such datasets is difficult in medical imaging. In particular, labels for computational pathology are tedious to create and require expert pathologists. In this work, we explore methods for efficiently training convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for tissue classification using Active Learning (AL) instead of the more common Random Learning (RL). Our dataset consists of 143 digitized images of hematoxylin and eosin-stained whole oral cavity cancer sections. We compare both AL and RL training in the task of using a CNN to identify seven tissue classes (stroma, lymphocytes, tumor, mucosa, keratin pearls, blood, and background / adipose). We find that the AL strategy provides an average 3.26% greater performance than RL for a given training set size.
Computational Methods for Analyzing Functional and Effective Brain Network Connectivity Using fMRI

Brain connectivity investigation using fMRI time series have begun since the mid-1990s and provided a new world for researchers, especially neuroscientists, to survey the human brain network with high precision. The present study seeks to provide an overview of the computational methods available for brain connectivity, which are divided into two general categories: functional connectivity and effective connectivity. The former examines the temporal correlation between spatially remote brain areas, and the latter is about the effects of brain regions on each other. Based on these two categories of connectivity, the computational methods presented in the literature along with their strengths and weaknesses are discussed.
Risks of high-dose stimulants in the treatment of disorders of excessive somnolence: a case-control study.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To ascertain complications associated with high-dose stimulant therapy in patients with narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia. DESIGN Case-control, retrospective chart review. SETTING Sleep center in an academic hospital. PATIENTS 116 patients with narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia were individually matched by sex, diagnosis, age of onset, and duration of follow-up from both onset and diagnosis. Members of the high-dose group (n = 58) had received at least 1 stimulant at a dosage > or = 120% of the maximum recommended by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Standards of Practice Committee. The standard-dose control group (n = 58) had received stimulants at a dosage < or = 100% of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine guidelines. INTERVENTIONS N/A. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS The prevalence of psychosis (odds ratio = 12.0 [1.6-92.0]), alcohol or polysubstance misuse (odds ratio = 4.3 [1.2-15.2]), and psychiatric hospitalization (odds ratio = 3.2 [1.1-10.0]) was significantly increased in the high-dose group. More high-dose patients also experienced tachyarrhythmias (odds ratio = 3.3 [0.92-12.1] and anorexia or weight loss (odds ratio = 11.0 [1.4-85.2]). The frequency of physician-diagnosed depression, drug-seeking and suicide-related behaviors, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease did not differ significantly between the groups. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated a significantly higher occurrence of psychosis, substance misuse, and psychiatric hospitalizations in patients using high-dose stimulants compared to those using standard doses. Tachyarrhythmias and anorexia or weight loss were also more common in this group as compared with controls. Clinicians should be very cautious in prescribing dosages that exceed maximum guidelines.
Vasoactive neurochemicals in the omentum: Implications for CNS injury

This paper concerns the intriguing possibility that omental tissue either manufactures or concentrates neurochemicals which, when delivered to the brain following omental transposition, may serve as neurologically active neurotransmitters and thereby facilitate cerebral function. It has been recently demonstrated that placing the omentum directly upon both the non-primate and primate brain results in the rapid development of omental-cerebral vascular connections at the interface separating these two structures (1–4). These early experimental observations led to the clinical application of the omentum to the brain of patients who had previously sustained an injury to the central nervous system months to years prior to omental placement (5–12). Since the work of Goldsmith and Catsimpoolas (13) had demonstrated that a lipid angiogenic factor is present within omental tissue, we wondered whether other vasoactive neurochemicals might also be contained within the omentum. We hypothesized that if neurotransmitters were present in the omental tissue, their presence might account for some of the neurological changes that have been observed following omental placement in the central nervous system. The present set of pilot studies was designed to test this hypothesis by measuring the concentration of vasoactive biogenic amine neurotransmitters (epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine) and the endogenous opioid peptide β-endorphin in plasma obtained from isolated omental venous drainage and in intact omental tissue itself.
Technetium and Rhenium Schiff Base Compounds for Nuclear Medicine: Syntheses of Rhenium Analogues to 99mTc-Furifosmin.

Rhenium, the third-row congener of technetium, is often used to develop the macroscopic chemistry of potential 99mTc diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals. The rhenium analogues to 99mTc-furifosmin are being developed for potential radiotherapy of multidrug-resistant tumors. Complexes of the form trans-[MIII(PR3)2(N2O2-Schiff base)]+ are of interest for the potential imaging and treatment of multidrug-resistant tumors. Reaction of the tetradentate Schiff ligand 4,4′-[(1E,1′E)-[ethane-1,2-diylbis(azanylylidene)]bis(methanylylidene)]bis(2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-2,5-dihydrofuran-3-ol) (tmf2enH2) with the M(V) starting materials (nBu4N)[TcOCl4] and (nBu4N)[ReOCl4] gave the monomeric products trans-[TcOCl(tmf2en)] and trans-[ReOCl(tmf2en)], respectively. Reduction of in situ formed trans-[ReOCl(tmf2en)] by various tertiary phosphines yielded disubstitued Re(III) products of the general type trans-[ReIII(PR3)2(tmf2en)]+. The rhenium(III) compounds were found to be water-soluble and stable in aqueous solution. Reversible R...
Perspective-taking and pretend-play: Precursors to figurative language use in young children

Abstract At what point do children move from literal uses of language to figurative ones, making use of metonymy and metaphor, for example? In this paper, I explore the contributions of perspective-taking and pretend-play as precursors to the emergence of figurative language in children. Speakers mark conceptual perspective with lexical choices to indicate kind and level of categorization (for example, Siberian tiger vs. tiger vs. animal), membership in orthogonal domains (bear vs. mailman, in a Richard Scarry book), and re-categorization (waste-basket vs. hat). In pretend-play speakers assign roles and make use of props (e.g., I'm the daddy and this is my baby [holding teddy-bear]; Fill up my cup [holding out a block]; This is my sword [waving paper roll]). In short, pretend play typically involves re-categorization – viewing participants and objects in new roles. This in turn requires that children extend their uses of conventional terms in talk. Perspective-taking emerges in the second year, along with early pretend-play: these abilities, I suggest, provide a foundation for figurative uses of language in children.