cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diabetes diagnosis and nutrition facts label use among US adults, 2005-2010.

Objective To assess the role of diabetes diagnosis as a potential teachable moment in nutrition facts label use among US adults. Design Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between diabetes diagnosis status (diagnosed diabetes, undiagnosed diabetes, diagnosed prediabetes, undiagnosed prediabetes, no diabetes or prediabetes) and self-reported nutrition facts label use, adjusted by individual characteristics and survey design. Setting Study sample came from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2010 waves. Subjects A total of 5110 US adults aged 20 years and older were included in the analyses. Diabetes/prediabetes was identified by fasting plasma glucose and glycated Hb testing. Results People with diagnosed diabetes/prediabetes were substantially more likely to report nutrition facts label use when making daily food purchase decisions compared with those with undiagnosed diabetes/prediabetes, whereas the prevalence of nutrition facts label use was similar between people with undiagnosed diabetes/prediabetes and those without diabetes/prediabetes. The adjusted prevalence (95 % CI) of any and regular nutrition facts label use was 85·93 (82·91, 88·95) % and 55·60 (50·04, 61·16) % among those with diagnosed diabetes, respectively, in comparison to 71·50 (59·64, 83·37) % and 32·88 (19·11, 46·65) % among those with undiagnosed diabetes. Analogously, the adjusted prevalence (95 % CI) of any and regular nutrition facts label use was 81·16 (75·27, 87·06) % and 45·28 (37·28, 53·29) % among those with diagnosed prediabetes, respectively, in comparison to 72·83 (68·06, 77·59) % and 39·95 (34·02, 45·89) % among those with undiagnosed prediabetes. Conclusions As a potential teachable moment, diabetes diagnosis may positively impact nutrition facts label use and motivate diabetic patients to manage their condition through making healthier food choices.
Electrochemical Passivation of (100) Silicon in Alkyl Grignard Solutions

Surface modification of (100) silicon with methyl groups is analyzed using electrografting and thermal hydrosilation. The surface chemistry is investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), voltammetry and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Surfaces anodically electrografted in methyl Grignard solutions show a smooth topology and improved passivation relative to passivation via hydrosilation. Functionalized surfaces are stable and hinder the formation of oxides up to 45 days after the electrografting as shown in the XPS results.
Inactivation of hemagglutinating capacity of type A influenza virus by trypsin treatment.

SummaryThe effect of trypsin on hemagglutinating capacity of 6 type A strains of influenza virus of human origin has been determined under different experimental conditions. With both virus and enzyme in tris-Cl buffer and incubation at 37°C the hemagglutinating capacity of all strains was rapidly inactivated. Minimum concentration of enzyme and minimum time required for inactivation was not the same for all strains. However, with all strains, lowering the incubation temperature or adding sodium or calcium chloride to the trypsin-virus mixtures either reduced the rate of the reaction or completely inhibited it. These changes in test conditions did not in all instances affect all strains to the same extent. With 5 of the 6 strains the effect of added salt appeared to be more closely associated with the concentration than the type of ion present, whereas with the sixth strain the type of ion was a significant factor. The findings illustrate the importance of both the strain examined and the experimental con...
Effect of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on bovine plasma thyroxine levels at 18.5 and 35 C.

SummarySix mature nonlactating Hol-stein cows were subjected to a test procedure of a sham period (saline injection) of 10 days that preceded and followed each 14 day TRH treatment period at 18.5 and 35°.The objective of this study was to determine the effect of intramuscular injection of TRH (400 μg daily) on bovine plasma thyroxine levels at 18.5 and 35°. The results indicate that im administration of TRH is effective in elevating plasma thyroxine levels at botn 18.5 and 35°, but the response is diminished after 7 days at 18.5° and ineffective in sustaining or elevating plasma thyroxine levels in cattle after 6 days of TRH administration at 35°.
Blindness following retrobulbar anesthesia for astigmatic keratotomy.

Abstract Retrobulbar anesthesia has become the most common form of anesthesia used in ophthalmic surgery. Acute blindness is a rare but known complication of retrobulbar anesthesia given for intraocular surgery. I report a case of acute, permanent blindness caused by direct trauma to the optic nerve when retrobulbar anesthesia was used for an astigmatism correction procedure. Complications, sometimes probably too incidental or insignificant to be noticed, probably occur far more frequently than a review of the literature would indicate. Using dull shorter needles, proper eye positioning, and injection technique will minimize risk of injury to the optic nerve. Another alternative under review is the use of peribulbar anesthesia. Perhaps the best way to prevent a complication from a retrobulbar injection, however, is to carefully and judiciously consider whether any injection at all is needed.
1.1: Of Generational Clash and Sympathy for the Renegade (‘Il Clan dei Savastano’, Stefano Sollima)

The first episode of Gomorra: la serie opens and closes on a mix of comedy and drama, pitting old and new generations and styles against one another. As this essay demonstrates, the theme of genera...
Precision prostate cancer chemoprevention with gamma-tocotrienol.

e13043Background: A goal of precision chemoprevention is to prevent or delay cancer progression by using minimally toxic agents guided by knowledge of alterations in oncogenic molecular pathways and signaling cascades. Indolent prostate cancer can benefit from chemopreventive agents by delaying growth. Vitamin E is not a single compound and refers to four tocopherols and four tocotrienols. The use of all-racemic-alpha tocopheryl acetate in preventing cancer was studied in the SELECT clinical trial. This trial found it was not chemopreventive and could promote prostate cancer. We compared the abilities of RRR-alpha-tocopherol (AT), RRR-gamma-tocopherol (GT), and gamma-tocotrienol (GT3) in preventing growth of two prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP and PC-3) and a control prostate cell line (RWPE-1) by quantifying their effects on two signaling pathways known to be pivotal in prostate carcinogenesis, AKT and MAP Kinase (pERK). Methods: LNCaP, PC-3, and RWPE-1 cell lines were treated with increasing concent...
Worksite Health Promotion for Low-Wage Workers: A Scoping Literature Review:

Objective:To determine: (1) What research has been done on health promotion interventions for low-wage workers and (2) what factors are associated with effective low-wage workers’ health promotion ...
A Genetic Algorithm for Community Detection in Attributed Graphs

A genetic algorithm for detecting a community structure in attributed graphs is proposed. The method optimizes a fitness function that combines node similarity and structural connectivity. The communities obtained by the method are composed by nodes having both similar attributes and high link density. Experiments on synthetic networks and a comparison with five state-of-the-art methods show that the genetic approach is very competitive and obtains network divisions more accurate than those obtained by the considered methods.
RAPID VENTRICULAR PACING DURING TRANSCATHETER VALVE PROCEDURES USING AN INTERNAL DEVICE AND PROGRAMMER: A DEMONSTRATION OF FEASIBILITY

Placement of a passive fixation, temporary pacemaker wire is considered routine during most transcatheter valve procedures to facilitate rapid ventricular pacing and reduce cardiac contractility at the time of balloon expansion or valve deployment. Many patients presenting to such procedures have a
Physiological and anatomical trait variability of dominant C4 grasses

Abstract Climate variability is a key driver of physiological responses in common grass species in grasslands of North America. Differences in microanatomical traits among coexisting species may influence physiological responses to climate variability over large geographic scales. The goal of this research was to determine leaf-level physiological and microanatomical trait variability among four dominant C4 grass species across a natural precipitation gradient. Physiological traits were observed to vary significantly across the gradient with greater variability than microanatomical traits. Microanatomical traits were shown to predict physiological responses in A. gerardii and P. virgatum, but the nature of the relationships varied between species. These results illustrate that microanatomical and physiological traits vary across a precipitation gradient, there are clear linkages between microanatomy and physiology in grass species, and this evidence underscores the need for further investigation using phylogenetically diverse assemblages.
Pathologic nodal clearance and complete response following neoadjuvant chemoradiation for clinical N2 non-small cell lung cancer: Predictors and long-term outcomes

Abstract Purpose From prospective studies, pathologic nodal clearance (PNC, ypN0) and pathologic complete response (pCR, ypT0N0) correlate with overall survival (OS) following neoadjuvant chemoradiation for cN2 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Contemporary cooperative group trials attempt to increase radiation doses to achieve nodal clearance and/or pCR. However, long-term comparative outcomes of dose-escalated neoadjuvant chemoradiation are lacking. The goal of this study was to evaluate rates of PNC and pCR in a large population of cN2 NSCLC, predictors thereof, and long-term outcomes thereafter. Methods The National Cancer Database was queried (2004–2015) for histologically-confirmed cT1-4N2M0 NSCLC undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by lobectomy. Statistics included multivariable logistic regression, Kaplan-Meier OS analysis before and following propensity matching, Cox proportional hazards modeling, and sensitivity analysis when varying neoadjuvant radiation dose. Results Of 1750 patients, the pCR and PNC rates were 17% and 37%, respectively. Radiation dose >54 Gy independently predicted for pCR. Patients achieving pCR experienced significantly higher OS than non-pCR cases (p 59.4 Gy, 30-day mortality rates in the respective groups were 2.9%, 1.8%, 1.2%, and 3.4%. Conclusions Although neoadjuvant dose-escalation increases pCR rates, there is no OS benefit with dose-escalation, and high dose-escalation (i.e., >59.4 Gy) was associated with numerically higher mortality rates, indicating the importance of careful multidisciplinary discussion.
An Electronically Steerable Parasitic Array Radiator (ESPAR) Using Cavity-Backed Slot Antennas

The electronically steerable parasitic array radiator (ESPAR) is an inexpensive way to achieve beam steering. Planar ESPARs usually exhibit narrow fractional bandwidth (FBW) in terms of both impedance matching and beam squinting. Herein, an E -plane three-element ESPAR using cavity-backed slot antennas is presented to demonstrate a wider FBW, i.e., 4%, by investigating not only S 11 but also beam squinting. It is found that a tunable load which uses a fixed inductor, a varactor, and a delay line can provide a much larger impedance tuning range compared to that without the inductor. This tunable load is critical to enhance the FBW by considering beam squinting. This ESPAR is able to scan from −26° to 20° in the E -plane, operating around 5.15 GHz. The measured peak gain is between 5.52 and 6.05 dBi at all scan angles. The radiation patterns are measured at different scan angles in the E -plane. In addition, they are measured at different frequencies to demonstrate the beam squinting performance.
Detection of adsorbates on emissive MOF surfaces with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

Luminescent metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been explored extensively as potential probes for nitroaromatic molecules, which are common constituents of explosive devices. Guest encapsulation within MOF pores is often cited as the prerequisite for emission changes, but the evidence for this signal transduction mechanism is often inadequate. Using the unique bipyridyl ligand AzoAEpP (2,2′-bis[N,N′-(4-pyridyl)ethyl]diaminoazobenzene), we constructed two luminescent pillared paddle-wheel Zn2+ MOFs using aryl dicarboxylate ligands 1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid (ABMOF-1) and benzene 1,4-dicarboxylic acid (ABMOF-2). While both MOFs exhibit luminescence, 2,4-dinitrophenol only extinguishes ABMOF-1 emission. Since the size of the pores in ABMOF-1 precludes guest inclusion, we used X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to confirm the surface interaction and obtain insight into the nature of the quenching process. XPS experiments utilized a fluorinated nitroaromatic molecule, 4-trifluoromethyl-2,6-dinitrophenol, that extinguishes ABMOF-1 emission, and verified surface adsorption through a series of angle-resolved (ARXPS) and argon-ion sputter depth profile experiments. By further developing these techniques, we hope to develop a general approach for distinguishing between the various intermolecular interactions between MOFs and analytes that lead to changes in luminescence.
New Decoupled Control Technique for a Doubly-Fed Induction Generator Deployed in Offshore Wind Farms

This paper presents a new decoupled control technique for offshore wind farms utilized by doubly-fed induction generators (DFIGs) to improve the durability and reliability of the entire energy conversion system. The proposed method is developed to customize the grid and rotor side converters to adjust the voltage and power output individually. Since those converters are connected through a DC capacitor, the key feature of the proposed technique is to maintain the DC voltage across the capacitor regardless of the system conditions. Additionally, this method can be easily implemented into the conventional proportional-integral (PI) units to upgrade the existing controllers accordingly. The simulation results show the superiority of the proposed method compared to the conventional ones.
School and program related factors influencing disclosure among children participating in a school-based childhood physical and sexual abuse prevention program.

Abstract Background School-based child abuse prevention programs were created to provide knowledge so that children can recognize abuse, teach skills that decrease children’s risk for abuse, normalize the disclosure process, and provide a pathway for children who may be experiencing abuse to report the abuse. Objective The purpose of this study was to explore school and program factors that trainers in a school-based prevention program believed were associated with disclosure among youth from kindergarten through 12th grade. Participants and setting This study is based on eighteen trainers and administrators who work with the Play it Safe!® school-based program in Dallas-Fort Worth area. Methods Using the qualitative case study method, in-depth interviews were conducted. Results Data analysis revealed three factors that influenced disclosure: school, school personnel, and program features. The school-related factor was time allotted to the training. The school personnel-related factors were disengagement, ambiguity concerning abuse, prior history with children, and professionals’ personal history of abuse. Finally, the program-related factors were the core messages of the training, providing specific examples, and repetition of the program. To date, there is a dearth of studies that explore the role that schools and school personnel play in the disclosure process. Conclusion Child abuse has devastating effects on children’s physical, social, emotional, and psychological well-being. Understanding more about schools, personnel, and program-related factors that lead to disclosure, which are more amenable to change, is critical to ensuring the safety of children.
Lithium Metal Anode Materials Design: Interphase and Host

Li metal is the ultimate anode choice due to its highest theoretical capacity and lowest electrode potential, but it is far from practical applications with its poor cycle lifetime. Recent research progresses show that materials designs of interphase and host structures for Li metal are two effective ways addressing the key issues of Li metal anodes. Despite the exciting improvement on Li metal cycling capability, problems still exist with these methodologies, such as the deficient long-time cycling stability of interphase materials and the accelerated Li corrosion for high surface area three-dimensional composite Li anodes. As a result, Coulombic efficiency of Li metal is still not sufficient for full-cell cycling. In the near future, an interphase protected three-dimensional composite Li metal anode, combined with high performance novel electrolytes might be the ultimate solution. Besides, nanoscale characterization technologies are also vital for guiding future Li metal anode designs.
Impacts of consumers’ beliefs, desires and emotions on their impulse buying behavior: application of an integrated model of belief-desire theory of emotion

This study investigates consumers’ perceptions (site trust and normative evaluation) and consumers’ desires (hedonic and utilitarian desires) in their impulse buying behaviors in relation to restau...
Deep learning-based auto-segmentation of targets and organs-at-risk for magnetic resonance imaging only planning of prostate radiotherapy.

Abstract Background and purpose Magnetic resonance (MR) only radiation therapy for prostate treatment provides superior contrast for defining targets and organs-at-risk (OARs). This study aims to develop a deep learning model to leverage this advantage to automate the contouring process. Materials and methods Six structures (bladder, rectum, urethra, penile bulb, rectal spacer, prostate and seminal vesicles) were contoured and reviewed by a radiation oncologist on axial T2-weighted MR image sets from 50 patients, which constituted expert delineations. The data was split into a 40/10 training and validation set to train a two-dimensional fully convolutional neural network, DeepLabV3+, using transfer learning. The T2-weighted image sets were pre-processed to 2D false color images to leverage pre-trained (from natural images) convolutional layers’ weights. Independent testing was performed on an additional 50 patient’s MR scans. Performance comparison was done against a U-Net deep learning method. Algorithms were evaluated using volumetric Dice similarity coefficient (VDSC) and surface Dice similarity coefficient (SDSC). Results When comparing VDSC, DeepLabV3+ significantly outperformed U-Net for all structures except urethra (P Conclusion A deep learning-based model produced contours that show promise to streamline an MR-only planning workflow in treating prostate cancer.
Effect of instrumental support on distress among family caregivers: Findings from a nationally representative study.

Background and Objective A priority focus on palliative and supportive care is helping the 43.5 million caregivers who care for individuals with serious illness. Lacking support may lead to caregiver distress and poorer care delivery to patients with serious illness. We examined the potential of instrumental support (assistance with material and task performance) to mitigate distress among caregivers. Method We analyzed data from the nationally representative Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS V2, 2018). Informal/family caregivers were identified in HINTS V2 if they indicated they were caring for or making healthcare decisions for another adult with a health problem. We used the PROMIS® instrumental support four-item short-form T-scores and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4) for distress. We examined multivariable linear regression models for associations between distress and instrumental support, adjusted for sampling weights, socio-demographics, and caregiving variables (care recipient health condition(s), years caregiving (≥2), relationship to care recipient, and caregiver burden). We examined interactions between burden and instrumental support on caregiver distress level. Results Our analyses included 311 caregivers (64.8% female, 64.9% non-Hispanic White). The unweighted mean instrumental support T-score was 50.4 (SD = 10.6, range = 29.3–63.3); weighted mean was 51.2 (SE = 1.00). Lower instrumental support (p < 0.01), younger caregiver age (p < 0.04), higher caregiving duration (p = 0.008), and caregiver unemployment (p = 0.006) were significantly associated with higher caregiver distress. Mean instrumental support scores by distress levels were 52.3 (within normal limits), 49.4 (mild), 48.9 (moderate), and 39.7 (severe). The association between instrumental support and distress did not differ by caregiver burden level. Conclusions Poor instrumental support is associated with high distress among caregivers, suggesting the need for palliative and supportive care interventions to help caregivers leverage instrumental support.
Factors Associated With Avoiding Health Care Among Community-Dwelling Medicare Beneficiaries With Type 2 Diabetes.

INTRODUCTION Health care avoidance by Medicare beneficiaries with chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes can result in adverse health and economic outcomes. The objective of this study was to describe factors associated with choices to avoid health care among Medicare beneficiaries with type 2 diabetes. METHODS We used a survey-weighted logistic model and the nationally representative 2016 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey to analyze data on 1,782 Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥65 with type 2 diabetes, to examine associations between Medicare beneficiaries' decisions to avoid health care and multiple factors (eg, dissatisfaction with information given by providers, health problems that should have been discussed with providers but were not, worry about health more than other people their age). RESULTS Of our study sample, 26.1% reported they avoid health care. Five factors were associated with avoiding health care: delaying care (vs not) because of costs (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.06; P = .005); having health problems that should have been discussed with providers but were not (vs having discussions) (aOR = 1.50; P = .04); worrying (vs not) about health more than other people their age (aOR = 2.13; P < .001); self-reporting "other" minority race (vs non-Hispanic White) (aOR = 2.01; P = .006); and education levels. Participants with less than a high school diploma (aOR = 1.95; P = .001) and participants with a high school diploma only (aOR = 1.49; P = .049) were more likely than participants with an education beyond high school to report avoiding health care. CONCLUSION Approximately 1 in 4 Medicare beneficiaries with type 2 diabetes avoid health care. We found inequities in care-seeking behavior by race/ethnicity and education level. Health care perceptions and lack of appropriate discussion of health care concerns with health care providers are also associated with this behavior. Clinical interventions (eg, improved patient-provider communication) and educational outreach are needed to decrease the numbers of Medicare beneficiaries who avoid health care.
Thoracic Aortic Endografts: Past, Present, and Future.

Introduction Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has become first-line therapy for a wide range of thoracic aortic pathologies including traumatic thoracic aortic injury, type B aortic dissection, intramural thoracic aortic hematoma, and penetrating aortic ulcers. This study aims to analyze the progress made of thoracic stent graft devices, review the current Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved devices, and discuss the future technological advances. Materials and methods In this paper, we will review the history of TEVAR and the development of the first iteration of devices. We will discuss the four currently available TEVAR devices, the GORE® TAG® (W. L. Gore and Associates, Flagstaff, Arizona), Medtronic Navion™ (Medtronic plc, Santa Rosa, California), Bolton RELAY® (Terumo Aortic, Sunrise, Florida), and the Zenith® Alpha™ Thoracic and the Zenith® Dissection Stent Graft (Cook Medical, Bloomington, Indiana), and the features and applications of each. Finally, future advancements in TEVAR technology and grafts currently under trial will be reviewed. Results The first generation of TEVAR grafts had several limitations including large delivery systems, the need for rapid pacing for accurate deployment, wind socking during deployment, and graft migration. The current available TEVAR grafts have novel features to address these prior pitfalls. The GORE® TAG® is initially deployed 50% with subsequent room for adjustment to increase accuracy; the Medtronic Navion™ and Bolton RELAY® are available in low-profile delivery systems; and the Cook Zenith® Alpha™ now has an open cell petticoat specific for use in dissections extending to the visceral abdominal aorta. The current generation of TEVAR devices have broadened the application of TEVAR and reduced the anatomic limitations previously encountered. Conclusion TEVAR has evolved to overcome technical challenges and offer expanded applicability to different types of thoracic aortic pathologies and enhanced accuracy of deployment.
The role of algal chemical defenses in the feeding preferences of the long-spined sea urchin Diadema antillarum

The 1983 die-off of the long-spined sea urchin Diadema antillarum was linked to dramatic increases in macroalgal biomass and abundance on Caribbean coral reefs. D. antillarum densities have only recently begun to recover, and on some reefs this has led to a decrease in algae and an increase in coral recruits. Given the historic importance of this herbivore and the patchiness of its distribution on modern Caribbean reefs, a better understanding of its feeding preferences for different macroalgae is fundamental to reef ecology and management. This study investigated the feeding preferences of D. antillarum for different macroalgae and benthic cyanobacteria that were most common at our study sites on reefs of the U.S. Virgin Islands, although most of these algae occur throughout the Caribbean. Many of these algae are chemically rich, and some are known to be chemically defended against generalist grazers. Previous studies have suggested that D. antillarum has a greater capacity than herbivorous fishes and other herbivores to consume chemically defended algae. However, in this series of experiments, D. antillarum was more selective than expected in its food choices and avoided eating some macroalgae and cyanobacteria commonly found on shallow reefs of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Types of algae and their chemical extracts that deterred feeding include common brown algae (Dictyota and Lobophora spp.) and cyanobacteria (Dichothrix sp.). These feeding preferences have implications for coral reef ecosystems because some macroalgae and cyanobacteria can have negative effects on the survival of other organisms on reefs, including corals.
‘Holy union?’ The Sectoral Social Partners and the Covid‑19 Crisis in Europe

The economic and social crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic in Europe and around the world is without precedent since World War II if not before. With more than 40 million known cases in Europe in one year, and over 900 000 deaths (March 2020 to March 2021), governments have stepped up their emergency measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus: locking down their populations, closing non-essential businesses, closing offices, factories, schools and places of worship; cancelling cultural events, suspending sports contests and festivals; restricting people’s movements, closing or monitoring borders, grounding airlines and more. Since March 2020, measures such as these have brought economic activity to a standstill. The interdependence of various economic sectors through supply chains, materials and transport for example, together with the fact that the shock hit supply and demand at the same time, mean that the crisis can be described as systemic. No sector has been spared: the entire economic system has taken a hit. The gross domestic product of the European Union shrank by 6.2% in 2020 (6.6% in the euro area), leading to soaring unemployment and temporary unemployment. The key question this paper attempts to answer is as follows: has European social dialogue played any useful part in this wholly exceptional economic and social situation?
Impact of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on systemic lupus erythematosus patients: Results from a multi-center prospective cohort.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).MethodsPatients with SLE participating in a multi-c...
Exploring an Interface Model for CKA

Concurrent Kleene Algebras (CKAs) serve to describe general concurrent systems in a unified way at an abstract algebraic level. Recently, a graph-based model for CKA has been defined in which the incoming and outgoing edges of a graph define its input/output interface. The present paper provides a simplification and a significant extension of the original model to cover notions of states, predicates and assertions in the vein of algebraic treatments using modal semirings. Moreover, it uses the extension to set up a variant of the temporal logic \(\mathsf {CTL}^*\) for the interface model.
On the Independent Set Numbers of a Finite Matroid

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the independent set numbers of a finite matroid. In a finite matroid of rank r , W k and I k denote the number of closed sets and the number of independent sets of rank k , where 0 ≤ k ≤ r. There are a number of interesting conjectures about these sequences. Rota conjectured that the sequence ( W k ) of Whitney numbers is unimodal, and there is evidence to support the stronger conjecture that it is logarithmically concave. Another conjecture is that W k ≤ W r – k when k ≤ r – k . Analogous conjectures have been made for the sequence ( I k ) of independent set numbers. The chapter discusses different type of strengthening of logarithmic concavity conjecture of Mason.
Evidence of an Impaired Neuroimmune Pathway in Autoimmune-Associated Hypertension

The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) is a novel neuroimmune mechanism that suppresses splenic cytokine release upon stimulation. An impaired CAP would promote chronic inflammation and th...
Observation of Ion Bombardment Damage in a Ni(100) Crystal by Helium Ion Injection

Earlier papers (1) (2) have demonstrated that the entrapment of helium in tungsten is strongly dependent on the presence of lattice damage. It was concluded (2) that the entrapment proceeds via the interstitial diffusion of injected helium at room temperature, and that any helium atoms not encountering a defect during their diffusion escape through the surface. Considerations of helium ion penetration depths suggested that a trap concentration as low as ~10-9 should have been detectable when the bombardment area was about 0.1 cm2.
Race, Labor Market Disadvantage, and Survivalist Entrepreneurship: Black Women in the Urban North During the Great Depression

The resource constraint version of the disadvantage theory of entrepreneurship holds that members of destitute ethnic groups often respond to labor market exclusion by becoming “survivalist entrepreneurs,” that is, persons who start marginal businesses in response to a need to become self-employed. Applying this theory, I analyze survivalist entrepreneurship among Black women in the urban North during the Great Depression, when many Black women had to find an independent means of livelihood. I hypothesize that (1) the participation of Black women in entrepreneurial occupations, i.e., occupations that lend themselves to self-employment, was positively associated with the disadvantage of these women in the labor market and (2) Black women would be inclined to participate in those entrepreneurial occupations with low barriers to entry, namely, boarding and lodging house keeping and hairdressing and beauty culture. These occupations, according to a review of historical studies, provided northern Black women with their best opportunities for survivalist entrepreneurship. The analyses of census data support my hypotheses and suggest that the resource constraint version of the disadvantage theory of entrepreneurship is relevant to the economic adjustment strategies of northern Black women during the nation's worst employment crisis.
Associative user modeling: A neural network approach

Abstract This paper presents and discusses an approach of user modeling. A set of neural networks is utilized to store, maintain and infer users' task-related characteristics. Such networks function as associative memories that can capture the causal relationships among users' characteristics for the system adaptation. It is suggested that this approach can be expected to overcome some inherent problems of the conventional stereotyping approaches in terms of pattern recognition and classification. It can also avoid the complexity of truth maintenance in default reasoning that is required in previously known stereotyping approaches.
Irrigation Scheduling Considering Soil Variability and Climatic Uncertainty: Simulation and Field Studies

The effects of uncertainty, stemming from spatial variability of soil properties, uncertain climate, and nonuniform water application, on irrigation management and the resulting crop yields have received much attention in recent years. Zaslavsky and Buras (1967) studied crop yield response to nonuniform application of irrigation water. Warrick and Gardner (1983) and Russo (1986) have studied the effects of spatially variable soil-water conditions on crop yield. Rhenals and Bras (1981) considered the effects of uncertain potential evapotranspiration (ETp) on irrigation scheduling. English (1981) used historical yield and climate data to inter future irrigation practices based upon a farmer’s attitude toward risk. Bresler and Dagan (1988) developed a methodology for incorporating various sources of uncertainty into crop yield analyses.
Differential expression of miRNAs in the visceral adipose tissue of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010; 32: 487–497 Summary Background Progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can be facilitated by soluble molecules secreted by visceral adipose tissue (VAT). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are likely to regulate some of these molecular pathways involved in pathogenesis of NAFLD. Aim To profile miRNA expression in the visceral adipose tissue of patients with NAFLD. Methods Visceral adipose tissue samples were collected from NAFLD patients and frozen. Patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD were divided into non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) (n = 12) and non-NASH (n = 12) cohorts controlled for clinical and demographic characteristics. Extracted total RNA was profiled using TaqMan Human MicroRNA arrays. Univariate Mann–Whitney comparisons and multivariate regression analysis were performed to compare miRNA profiles. Results A total of 113 miRNA differentially expressed between NASH patients and non-NASH patients (P < 0.05). Of these, seven remained significant after multiple test correction (hsa-miR-132, hsa-miR-150, hsa-miR-433, hsa-miR-28-3p, hsa-miR-511, hsa-miR-517a, hsa-miR-671). Predicted target genes for these miRNAs include insulin receptor pathway components (IGF1, IGFR13), cytokines (CCL3, IL6), ghrelin/obestatin gene, and inflammation-related genes (NFKB1, RELB, FAS). In addition, two miRNA species, hsa-miR-197 and hsa-miR-99, were significantly associated with pericellular fibrosis in NASH patients (P < 0.05). Levels of IL-6 in the serum negatively correlated with the expression levels of all seven miRNAs capable of down regulating IL-6 encoding gene. Conclusions miRNA expression from VAT may contribute to the pathogenesis of NAFLD – a finding which may distinguish relatively simple steatosis from NASH. This could help identify potential targets for pharmacological treatment regimens and candidate biomarkers for NASH.
The action of Ω(G) on surgery for G cyclic: Part I: Dold manifolds of dimension zero modulo 4

Abstract In [C1] the author proved that the surgery obstruction of a product 1 p × φ : P × M → P × N depends on the surgery obstruction of φ and a certain “almost symmetric form” associated to P. In the paper this form is determined for some of the generators of the bordism group φ ( Z − ).
Abstract W P259: Selective Intra-arterial Administration of Verapamil is Neuroprotective in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Despite the urgent need for better stroke therapies, experimental stroke treatments have largely failed to translate to stroke patients. In an effort to bridge this translational gap, we have concentrated our efforts on drugs that are already FDA approved and associated with treating stroke-associated pathophysiology, such as cerebral artery vasospasm, with the goal of repurposing them to protect brain tissue from ischemic injury. Verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, is one such drug that is often infused intra-arterially by neurosurgeons treating vasospasm that results in ischemia. In demonstrating a reliable and reproducible stroke mouse model ( transient middle cerebral artery occlusion, MCAo) with the addition of a retro-engineered IA drug delivery model mimicking the human condition, we were able to optimize the injection volume and flow rate for pharmacotherapy administration of verapamil. Through this direct route of administration we have shown a significant decrease (P
Experimental evidence for the role of the πCO∗ orbital in electron transfer to gas phase acetic acid CH3CO2H: Effects of molecular orientation

Electron transfer from K atoms to oriented acetic acid molecules produces acetate ions (and K+) when the CO2H end of the molecule is attacked. The electron enters the πCO∗ orbital and the donor atom distorts the molecule to allow migration to the σOH∗ orbital, thereby breaking the bond.
Amniotic fluid creatinine.

Abstract Creatinine concentration in the amniotic fluid during the latter half of pregnancy was investigated by single determinations in 120 patients and serial determinations in 10 patients. Concentration of creatinine remained constant or increased very gradually up to approximately 34 weeks, at which point a more abrupt increase apparently took place so that after 37 weeks the level was 2 mg. per cent or greater in 94 per cent of patients. Physiologically, these data lend support to the commonly held theory of fetal urine as an additive source of amniotic fluid. Clinically, they suggest that assay of creatinine (or some similar constituent of the amniotic fluid) might prove useful in estimation of fetal maturity.
The 'Security Risk' as a Security Risk: Notes on the Classification Practices of the Israeli Security Services

In an effort to contribute to expanding research on the sociology of surveillance and security in legal contexts, the author compares the classification and categorization practices of Palestinian residents of the West bank for purposes of regulating movement, to the classification of Palestinian security prisoners in Israeli jails. It demonstrates the way categorization of suspect population is created through the epistemological lens of security, by the secret services and intelligence, but also through definitions of nationalism and criminalization of national allegiances. The author argues that while these classification practices are justified for the purposes of security, these methods of classification, that classify populations as dangerous or suspect populations, create administrative uncertainty and confusion as to who is a security threat.
Climate Change and Human Evolution

What can we learn about cause and effect relationships between climate and human evolution from the late Cenozoic?
Perspectives on the College Readiness and Outcome Achievement of Former Intensive English Language Program (IELP) Students

Program evaluation (PE) is important for ESL programs but also difficult. As the scope of PE has grown, student voices have increasingly been included. Alumni provide unique perspectives, but Portland State University’s (PSU) Intensive English Language Program (IELP) currently has no exit survey. Furthermore, little research uses alumni data, so this constructivist, mixed-methods study used data triangulation to compare the perceptions of former IELP students with those of three other stakeholder groups—the topic: IELP student preparedness for PSU. Both online surveys and interviews were conducted, and participants included 63 former and 33 current IELP students, 27 IELP faculty members, and 29 PSU faculty members. Overall, respondents often praised the program with regard to how it prepares international students for mainstream classes. However, many also expressed that students were less ready for reading, in comparison to other language skills. Additionally, there was agreement regarding emotional challenges, limited faculty supportiveness, vocabulary, and speaking to and in front of native speakers, among other topics. While there are implications for the IELP, perhaps more importantly, there are implications for PSU.
Sexual Thoughts: A Sociological Investigation of Developmental Center Staff Attitudes Towards the Sexuality of People with Developmental Disabilities

People who live at developmental centers have sexual desires just like anyone else. Nevertheless, staff attitudes, and the institutional context, profoundly affect how sexuality is expressed. Staff act as gatekeepers to many social and recreational activities; clients are therefore unavoidably affected by staff attitudes and behaviors. This research offers an investigation of these attitudes. Sociological research on cognitive disabilities is very limited, and the study of sexuality and developmental disability is virtually nonexistent. Moreover, there have been no substantial investigations of sociological issues associated with the sexuality of people with more severe developmental disabilities. Social scientists who have investigated sexuality, focus exclusively on individuals with mild mental retardation. This paper bridges that gap by investigating the attitudes of 318 staff at California Developmental Centers towards the sexual behavior of people with developmental disabilities. The proportion of people at these centers who have disabilities that are significant is higher than at other types of care facilities. Many of the individuals also require medical supports and services. Staff provide training and assistance with activities of daily living including feeding, personal hygiene, transportation, recreation, job training, psychosocial support, and medical intervention. Due to the nature of the disabilities, a client’s life at the developmental center involves high levels of personal intervention. Privacy is limited. This paper provides an overview of the developmental system and the institutional context; investigates the historical aspect of attitudes towards sexuality; discusses why this population presents a unique challenge to sociology; evaluates previous sexual attitude research; and presents results of a new attitudinal study. Policy implications are also discussed.
Tracing hydrologic flow paths in a small forested watershed using variations in 87Sr/86Sr, [Ca]/[Sr], [Ba]/[Sr] and δ18O

[1] Natural variations in 87Sr/86Sr, [Ca]/[Sr], [Ba]/[Sr], and δ18O were used to investigate changing hydrologic flow paths during storm events in an 11.8 ha first-order watershed of the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest. Throughfall, soil water, and stream water were sampled during several storm events and a single snowmelt event. Throughfall had 87Sr/86Sr, [Ca]/[Sr], and δ18O values that were distinct from other water types. Soil water was highly variable in composition but could be separated into three distinct elevation zones in the watershed with 87Sr/86Sr and [Ba]/[Sr] both increasing with elevation in the watershed. Changes in 87Sr/86Sr, [Ba]/[Sr], and δ18O of stream water during storm events yielded complementary information about watershed hydrologic flow paths. Traditional hydrograph separation using δ18O values indicated that new water was only a small component of storm flow (9–18%), whereas 87Sr/86Sr and [Ba]/[Sr] ratios indicated that shallow subsurface flow (soil water) contributed significantly to storm flow in amounts up to 40%, depending on soil moisture conditions.
Systemic Barriers to Effective Assistance of Counsel in Plea Bargaining

In a trio of recent cases, Padilla v. Kentucky, Missouri v. Frye, and Lafler v. Cooper, the U.S. Supreme Court has focused its attention on defense counsel's pivotal role during the plea bargaining process . At the same time that the Court has signaled its willingness to consider ineffective assistance of counsel claims at the plea stage, prosecutors are increasingly requiring defendants to sign waivers that include waiving all constitutional and procedural errors, even unknown ineffective assistance of counsel claims such as those that proved successful in Padilla and Frye. Had Jose Padilla and Galin Frye been forced to sign a waiver of any ineffective assistance of counsel claim as a condition of entering their pleas, and if the Supreme Court approved of such waivers, then neither Padilla nor Frye would have secured the relief the Court held that they deserved. Waivers of ineffective assistance of counsel claims pose both legal and ethical issues. Legally, the waivers serve to undermine a defendant’s due process rights — recognized by the Court in Gideon v. Wainwright — by requiring the defendant not only to waive what is unknown to them at the time of waiver, but to do so even when based upon bad advice of ineffective counsel. Ethically, a defense lawyer counseling a defendant to waive ineffective assistance of counsel claims has a personal conflict of interest with the client, because the lawyer has reputational and other interests in not having the lawyer’s representation of the client determined to be ineffective.Whether the Supreme Court would approve a waiver of an ineffective assistance claim that would negate the due process right to effective assistance of counsel is not yet resolved. Such a decision, however, would immunize much incompetent lawyering from any judicial scrutiny altogether.This article begins by examining the systemic barriers defense counsel face to provide meaningful advice to criminal defendants contemplating a guilty plea These barriers include the underfunding of defense services in many jurisdictions and the coerciveness of the plea bargaining process. Next, the article analyzes the law and ethics of waivers of ineffective assistance of counsel claims and whether such waivers should be permissible. We contend that such waivers should not be enforceable for both legal and ethical reasons. Permitting waivers of ineffective assistance of counsel claims not only constitutes judicial acceptance of a prosecutorial veto of the Court’s recent decisions regarding plea bargaining, but also ensures that more defendants never receive the effective assistance of counsel during plea bargaining.
The New England execution sermon, 1639–1800

(1968). The New England execution sermon, 1639–1800. Speech Monographs: Vol. 35, No. 1, pp. 77-89.
Determination of Ao for Axially Symmetric Molecules Part III . CH3I

Abstract A procedure is outlined for obtaining the molecular parameter A 0 for axially symmetric molecules by means of a simultaneous analysis of two or more suitably chosen vibration-rotation bands, using the method of least squares. Tables are given listing the Amat-Nielsen generalized frequency expression through fourth order in energy, and a frequency expression specialized to a simultaneous least squares fit of ν 4 and 2 ν 4 of methyl halide-like molecules. Some of the reasons for preferring such a simultaneous analysis to a number of single-band analyses are presented.