Comparison of Urologist- vs Gastroenterologist-Directed Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy for Pancreaticolithiasis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for pancreaticolithiasis is most commonly performed by urologists. We investigated the effects of transitioning from urologist- to gastroenterologist-directed ESWL on case complexity, process measures, and duct clearance. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of patients who underwent ESWL for pancreaticolithiasis from 2014 through 2019 at a single center. We collected demographic, clinical, radiographic, and procedural data in duplicate and compared case complexity and process measures between the periods the procedure was performed by urologists (January 2014 through February 2017; 18 patients, 0.47 patients/month) vs gastroenterologists (March 2017 through December 2019; 61 patients; 1.79 patients/month). We also compared data on pancreatic duct stone characteristics and technical success (duct clearance, determined by imaging analysis). RESULTS: There were no differences in patient demographics, comorbidities, pancreatic stone morphology, or time from referral to ESWL during the period the procedure was performed by urologists vs gastroenterologists. Patients received a higher mean number of ESWL shocks per session during the gastroenterology period (4341) than during the urology period (3117) (P < .001). A higher proportion of patients underwent same-session endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography during the gastroenterology time period (66%) than the urology time period (6%) (P < .001). A higher proportion of patients had partial or complete duct clearance during the gastroenterology period (71%) than during the urology period (44%) (P = .04). During the urology period, a higher proportion of patients were hospitalized following ESWL, although there was no difference in captured adverse events between the periods. CONCLUSIONS: Transition from urologist- to gastroenterologist-directed ESWL did not affect case complexity or wait times for ESWL. However, the transition did result in increased procedure volume, more shocks per ESWL session, and improved duct clearance.

Key to the Ophiodes (Squamata: Sauria: Diploglossidae) of Paraguay with the description of a new species.

Ophiodes is a South American genus of legless diploglossid lizards. Four species have been formally described: O. intermedius, O. vertebralis, O. striatus, and O. fragilis; three additional species were described but not officially named in an unpublished dissertation. These species are referred to as Ophiodes sp. "1", Ophiodes sp. "2", and Ophiodes sp. "3". We recognize five species of Ophiodes in Paraguay, one widespread (O. intermedius) and four known from only one or two localities (O. fragilis, O. striatus, O. sp. "3", and an undescribed species, described herein). The new species described represents the fifth Paraguayan species and the eighth member of the genus. It is distinguished by a combination of the following characters: a high number of middorsal scales between occipital and cloacal opening (>165), 29 scale rows around midbody, the posterior limbs 4 scales long, and vertical black bars on the face absent.

In-situ micro-CT scanning and compressive strength assessment of diammonium hydrogen phosphate (DAP) treated chalk.

The occurrence of wellbore mechanical failure is a consequence of the interaction among factors such as in situ stress, rock strength, and engineering procedures. The process of hydrocarbons production, causing reduction of pore pressure, alters the effective stresses in the vicinity of a borehole, leading to borehole instability issues. Estimating the rocks' elastic modulus and compressive strength is essential to comprehend the rock matrix's mechanical response during drilling and production operations. This study aimed to assess the practicality of Diammonium Hydrogen Phosphate (DAP) application as a chemical for strengthening chalk in hydrocarbon reservoirs, to make it resistant to high stresses and failure during drilling and production. The mechanical and physical properties of Austin chalk rock samples treated with DAP under mimicked reservoir conditions were studied. The results showed that DAP is a highly effective carbonate rock consolidating agent that improves the mechanical strength of the chalk. Compressive test measurements conducted on rocks treated at two different temperatures (ambient and 50 °C) showed that DAP effectively strengthened the rock matrix, resulting in an increase in its compressive strength (22-24%) and elastic modulus (up to 115%) compared to the untreated sample. The favorable outcomes of this research suggest that the DAP solution holds promise as a consolidation agent in hydrocarbon reservoirs. This contributes to the advancement of knowledge regarding effective strategies for mitigating mechanical failures of the wellbore during drilling and production.

Eating disorder behaviors and depression: a minimal relationship beyond social comparison, self-esteem, and body dissatisfaction.

Existing literature fails to comprehensively identify factors contributing to the comorbid relationship between eating disorder (ED) behaviors and unipolar depression. Maladaptive social comparison, body dissatisfaction, and low self-esteem are disruptive psychological patterns common to both constructs. It is unclear whether a unique relationship exists between depression and eating disorder behaviors beyond the effects exerted by this negative cognitive triad. The purpose of the present study is to examine whether a unique relationship exists between depression and ED behaviors after controlling for maladaptive social comparison, body dissatisfaction, and low self-esteem. We predict minimal unique variance in ED behaviors will be explained by depression after controlling for this negative cognitive triad.

Nanotechnology Applications and Implications of Agrochemicals toward Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems.

The First International Conference on Nanotechnology Applications and Implications of Agrochemicals toward Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems was held in Beijing, China, on November 17-18, 2016 to address and exchange the latest knowledge and developments in nanotechnology of agrochemicals toward sustainable agriculture and food systems. World-leading scientists gathered to discuss a wide range of relevant topics. The purposes of this symposium introduction are to provide an introduction to the international conference, summarize in brief the contributions of papers that follow within this special issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, provide a synthesis of conference outcomes, and suggest future directions, including an important role of converging science and technologies to advance sustainable agriculture, food, and natural resource systems.

Incidence and predictors of total knee arthroplasty following knee arthroscopy.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of knee arthroscopy (KA) in patients with symptomatic meniscal tears or mechanical symptoms and OA, by using conversion to TKA as a final outcome measure. METHODS: Retrospective review of all patients with OA who underwent KA in our practice. RESULTS: 1215 KAs were reviewed; 3.9% underwent conversion to TKA at an average of 3.2 years. CONCLUSION: KA plays a role in delaying TKA in knees with meniscal tears and mechanical symptoms with concurrent OA.

Population trends of the mantled howler groups of La Pacifica, Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

A complete survey of La Pacifica in Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica was conducted in July 1984 in order to determine whether the howler (Alouatta palliata) population had declined since 1972 as a result of deforestation. During the 6-day survey, 257 howlers were located, representing 16 different social groupings and nine solitary animals. The total number of howlers, the number and location of groups, and the age-sex composition were very similar to a 1972-1976 survey of the same population. Age-sex composition of La Pacifica howler groups was similar to those of another population of mantled howlers in Costa Rica and of populations in Mexico and in Panama, although La Pacifica had a higher mean number of adult females per group. There was no evidence to support the hypothesis that the La Pacifica howler population has declined in recent times.

Conventional mesophilic vs. thermophilic anaerobic digestion: a trade-off between performance and stability?

A long-term comparative study using continuously-stirred anaerobic digesters (CSADs) operated at mesophilic and thermophilic temperatures was conducted to evaluate the influence of the organic loading rate (OLR) and chemical composition on process performance and stability. Cow manure was co-digested with dog food, a model substrate to simulate a generic, multi-component food-like waste and to produce non-substrate specific, composition-based results. Cow manure and dog food were mixed at a lower - and an upper co-digestion ratio to produce a low-fiber, high-strength substrate, and a more recalcitrant, lower-strength substrate, respectively. Three increasing OLRs were evaluated by decreasing the CSADs hydraulic retention time (HRT) from 20 to 10 days. At longer HRTs and lower manure-to-dog food ratio, the thermophilic CSAD was not stable and eventually failed as a result of long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) accumulation/degradation, which was triggered by the compounded effects of temperature on reaction rates, mixing intensity, and physical state of LCFAs. At shorter HRTs and upper manure-to-dog food ratio, the thermophilic CSAD marginally outperformed the biomethane production rates and substrate stabilization of the mesophilic CSAD. The increased fiber content relative to lipids at upper manure-to-dog food ratios improved the stability and performance of the thermophilic process by decreasing the concentration of LCFAs in solution, likely adsorbed onto the manure fibers. Overall, results of this study show that stability of the thermophilic co-digestion process is highly dependent on the influent substrate composition, and particularly for this study, on the proportion of manure to lipids in the influent stream. In contrast, mesophilic co-digestion provided a more robust and stable process regardless of the influent composition, only with marginally lower biomethane production rates (i.e., 7%) for HRTs as short as 10 days (OLR = 3 g VS/L-d).

Individualistic population responses of five frog species in two changing tropical environments over time.

Roughly 40% of amphibian species are in decline with habitat loss, disease, and climate change being the most cited threats. Heterogeneity of extrinsic (e.g. climate) and intrinsic (e.g. local adaptations) factors across a species' range should influence population response to climate change and other threats. Here we examine relative detectability changes for five direct-developing leaf litter frogs between 42-year sampling periods at one Lowland Tropical Forest site (51 m.a.s.l.) and one Premontane Wet Forest site (1100 m.a.s.l.) in southwest Costa Rica. We identify individualistic changes in relative detectability among populations between sampling periods at different elevations. Both common and rare species showed site-specific declines, and no species exhibited significant declines at both sites. Detection changes are correlated with changes in temperature, dry season rainfall, and leaf litter depth since 1969. Our study species share Least Concern conservation status, life history traits, and close phylogenetic relationship, yet their populations changed individualistically both within and among species. These results counter current views of the uniformity or predictability of amphibian decline response and suggest additional complexity for conservation decisions.

Biochemical methane potential and biodegradability of complex organic substrates.

The biomethane potential and biodegradability of an array of substrates with highly heterogeneous characteristics, including mono- and co-digestion samples with dairy manure, was determined using the biochemical methane potential (BMP) assay. In addition, the ability of two theoretical methods to estimate the biomethane potential of substrates and the influence of biodegradability was evaluated. The results of about 175 individual BMP assays indicate that substrates rich in lipids and easily-degradable carbohydrates yield the highest methane potential, while more recalcitrant substrates with a high lignocellulosic fraction have the lowest. Co-digestion of dairy manure with easily-degradable substrates increases the specific methane yields when compared to manure-only digestion. Additionally, biomethane potential of some co-digestion mixtures suggested synergistic activity. Evaluated theoretical methods consistently over-estimated experimentally-obtained methane yields when substrate biodegradability was not accounted. Upon correcting the results of theoretical methods with observed biodegradability data, an agreement greater than 90% was achieved.

Life cycle assessment of biochar systems: estimating the energetic, economic, and climate change potential.

Biomass pyrolysis with biochar returned to soil is a possible strategy for climate change mitigation and reducing fossil fuel consumption. Pyrolysis with biochar applied to soils results in four coproducts: long-term carbon (C) sequestration from stable C in the biochar, renewable energy generation, biochar as a soil amendment, and biomass waste management. Life cycle assessment was used to estimate the energy and climate change impacts and the economics of biochar systems. The feedstocks analyzed represent agricultural residues (corn stover), yard waste, and switchgrass energy crops. The net energy of the system is greatest with switchgrass (4899 MJ t(-1) dry feedstock). The net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for both stover and yard waste are negative, at -864 and -885 kg CO(2) equivalent (CO(2)e) emissions reductions per tonne dry feedstock, respectively. Of these total reductions, 62-66% are realized from C sequestration in the biochar. The switchgrass biochar-pyrolysis system can be a net GHG emitter (+36 kg CO(2)e t(-1) dry feedstock), depending on the accounting method for indirect land-use change impacts. The economic viability of the pyrolysis-biochar system is largely dependent on the costs of feedstock production, pyrolysis, and the value of C offsets. Biomass sources that have a need for waste management such as yard waste have the highest potential for economic profitability (+$69 t(-1) dry feedstock when CO(2)e emission reductions are valued at $80 t(-1) CO(2)e). The transportation distance for feedstock creates a significant hurdle to the economic profitability of biochar-pyrolysis systems. Biochar may at present only deliver climate change mitigation benefits and be financially viable as a distributed system using waste biomass.

Feminist identity as a predictor of eating disorder diagnostic status.

Passive Acceptance (PA) and Active Commitment (AC) subscales of the Feminist Identity Development Scale (FIDS) were examined as predictors of eating disorder diagnostic status as assessed by the Questionnaire for Eating Disorder Diagnoses (Q-EDD). Results of a hierarchical regression analysis revealed PA and AC scores were not statistically significant predictors of ED diagnostic status after controlling for diagnostic subtype. Results of a multiple regression analysis revealed FIDS as a statistically significant predictor of ED diagnostic status when failing to control for ED diagnostic subtype. Discrepancies suggest ED diagnostic subtype may serve as a moderator variable in the relationship between ED diagnostic status and FIDS.

Relational-Interdependent self-construal as a function of bulimic symptomatology.

The present study compares differences in the levels of relational-interdependent self-construal among asymptomatic, symptomatic, and bulimic participants in a natural groups' design. Asymptomatic (n = 169), symptomatic (n = 73), and bulimic (n = 21) participants completed the Questionnaire for Eating Disorder Diagnoses (Q-EDD). Contrast tests were conducted to examine group differences in relational-interdependent self-construal as a function of bulimic symptomatology. Findings indicate significantly lower levels of relational-interdependent self-construal among bulimic participants. Results imply disruptions in the interpersonal relationships of bulimic individuals are reflected at the level of the relational self. The present study compares differences in the levels of relational-interdependent self-construal among asymptomatic, symptomatic, and bulimic participants in a natural groups' design. Asymptomatic (n = 169), symptomatic (n = 73), and bulimic (n = 21) participants completed the Questionnaire for Eating Disorder Diagnoses (Q-EDD) and the Relational-Interdependent Self-Construal Scale (RISC). Contrast tests were conducted to examine group differences in relational-interdependent self-construal as a function of bulimic symptomatology. Findings indicate significantly lower levels of relational-interdependent self-construal among bulimic participants. Results imply disruptions in the interpersonal relationships of bulimic individuals are reflected at the level of the relational self.

Eating disorder prevention: an experimental comparison of high level dissonance, low level dissonance, and no-treatment control.

The purpose of this experiment was to provide an empirical comparison of two dissonance-based eating disorder prevention paradigms and a no-treatment control condition. Asymptomatic and symptomatic participants (N = 155) were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions: high level dissonance, low level dissonance, or no-treatment control. Group x symptomatic status interactions, main effects, and pairwise comparisons were examined to assess differences in eating disorder attitudes and behaviors at postintervention and 4-week follow-up. Participants in the high level condition displayed fewer eating disorder attitudes and behaviors compared to participants in the low level condition at postintervention. Eating disorder attitudes and behaviors were not significantly lower among participants in either intervention condition compared to no-treatment control participants.