cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ultrasonography of the lower genitourinary tract.

SUMMARY As techniques and equipment become even more sophisticated, the use of diagnostic ultrasound should expand. More accurate diagnoses, simplification of invasive techniques, and increased benefit of therapeutic techniques can be expected.
Use of Reflective Practice to Increase Diagnostic Accuracy An Integrative Review

Diagnostic error accounts for up to 17 percent of all adverse patient outcomes. Cognitive errors, in particular faulty information synthesis, accounts for the majority of these diagnostic errors. R...
The U.S. South as an Under-Developed Region

Economic development (whether national or regional) is a longrun historical process which cannot appropriately be examined without reference to the past. For this reason, the present paper takes 1930 as the historical turningpoint between the U.S. South’s long period of economic lag and the more recent period in which it has closed much of the gap in material well-being between itself and the rest of the United States. We shall therefore begin by examining the relative status of the Southern economy in 1930, followed by a discussion of the historical, social and political factors which help to account for the South’s lag behind the national economy. We shall then turn to a statistical documentation of the substantial spurt in the South’s rate of economic development during 1930–60, concluding with a discussion of the job that remains if the South is finally to achieve full economic parity with the other regions of the United States.
On deterministic online scheduling: Major considerations, paradoxes and remedies

Abstract Despite research in the area, the relationship between the (open-loop) optimization problem and the quality of the (closed-loop) implemented schedule is poorly understood. Accordingly, we first show that open-loop and closed-loop scheduling are two different problems, even in the deterministic case. Thereafter, we investigate attributes of the open-loop problem and the rescheduling algorithm that affect closed-loop schedule quality. We find that it is important to reschedule periodically even when there are no “trigger” events. We show that solving the open-loop problem suboptimally does not lead to poor closed-loop solutions; instead, suboptimal solutions are corrected through feedback. We also observe that there exist thresholds for rescheduling frequency and moving horizon length, operating outside of which leads to substantial performance deterioration. Fourth, we show that the design attributes work in conjunction, hence, studying them simultaneously is important. Finally, we explore objective function modifications and constraint addition as methods to improve performance.
Looking at Vehicles in the Night: Detection and Dynamics of Rear Lights

Existing nighttime vehicle detection methods use color as the primary cue for detecting vehicles. However, complex road and ambient lighting conditions, and camera configurations can influence the effectiveness of such explicit rule and threshold-based methods. In this paper, there are three main contributions. First, we present a novel method to detect vehicles during nighttime involving both learned classifiers and explicit rules, which can operate in the presence of varying ambient lighting conditions. The proposed method that is titled as Vehicle Detection using Active-learning during Nighttime (VeDANt) employs a modified form of active learning for training Adaboost classifiers with Haar-like features using gray-level input images. The hypothesis windows are then further verified using the proposed techniques involving perspective geometries and color information of the taillights. Second, VeDANt is extended to analyze the dynamics of the vehicles during nighttime by detecting three taillight activities—braking, turning left, and turning right. Third, we release three new and fully annotated Laboratory for Intelligent and Safe Automobiles-Night data sets with over 5000 frames for evaluation and benchmarking, which capture a variety of complex traffic and lighting conditions. Such comprehensively annotated and complex public data sets are a first in the area of nighttime vehicle detection. We show that VeDANt is able to detect vehicles during nighttime with over 98% accuracy and less than 1% false detections.
Factors associated with prolonged ventilation and reintubation in adult spinal deformity surgery

Prolonged ventilation or reintubation are severe complications after scoliosis surgery, but there is limited data regarding their incidence and risk factors. The purpose of this study is to investigate the incidence and risk factors for prolonged ventilation and reintubation in adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery. The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database (2007-2013) was reviewed. Inclusion criteria were adult patients over 21years of age who underwent spinal fusion for ASD. The association between patient/operative characteristics and prolonged ventilation/reintubation was investigated via multivariate analysis. Results are presented as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). There were 1250 patients who underwent ASD surgery and met our inclusion criteria. Among these, there were 34 patients who required prolonged ventilation (2.7%) and 22 patients who underwent reintubation (1.8%). Factors associated with prolonged ventilation after multivariate analysis were history of bleeding disorder (OR 5.67; 95% CI, 1.01-31.83) and operative time over 6h (OR 3.72; 95% CI, 1.17-11.80). For reintubation, these included older age (OR 1.06; 95% CI, 1.01-1.12), history of bleeding disorder (OR 12.21; 95% CI, 2.03-73.42), and fusion of 13 or more spinal levels (OR 9.14; 95% CI, 1.53-54.63). In conclusion, prolonged ventilation and reintubation in ASD surgery are uncommon events. Older patients, patients with bleeding disorders, and those undergoing long operations and fusion of 13 more spinal segments may be at an increased risk for these occurrences.
Response by de Lemos et al to Letter Regarding Article "factors Associated with Left Atrial Remodeling in the General Population"

We appreciate the interest in our article from Dr Rossi, who raises the important issue of valvular heart disease as a potential contributor to left atrial remodeling that was not considered in our study. Among the 796 participants in our study with paired left atrial size measurements,1 only 14 self-reported a history of valvular heart disease on our survey, and no additional information is available regarding the location or severity of the possible …
Roles of Protein Kinase C Isozymes in Cellular Regulation

The importance of protein kinase C (PKC) in the regulation of cellular function was fully recognized after the discovery of diacylglycerol (DG) as an activator of PKC and that the tumor-promoting phorbol esters elicit their pleiotropic responses through binding to PKC as a phorbol ester receptor (for review see 1, 2). Both DG and phorbol ester stimulate PKC activity by increasing the affinity of the enzyme for Ca2+ and phospholipid so that the enzyme becomes active under the physiological conditions. This hypothetical scheme appears to provide a satisfactory explanation for the activation of PKC inside the cells.
Spatial inequality and dynamics of foreign hypermarket retailers in China

The globalisation of retailing has intensified since the mid-1990s with the rise of a group of international retailers. Foreign retailers have greatly impacted the Chinese retail market since the opening up of the retail sector in 1992. This study aims to examine spatial inequality and dynamics of foreign hypermarket retailers at different geographic scales in China. Although the relative gaps in foreign hypermarkets among Chinese regions are narrowing, the absolute gaps are widening. Logistic regression models are used to identify locational determinants of foreign retailers Carrefour, Wal-Mart, and RT-Mart at the intercity level. Carrefour prefers cities with larger urban district populations, longer time of being open to international retailers, and more foreign investment. While urban district populations are significant to Wal-Mart and RT-Mart as well, they favour cities where people have higher annual salaries and aim to achieve internal economies of scale at the provincial level. The three leading foreign retailers also have different first-city and city size preferences in their provincial expansions.
Applications of photorefractive materials for optical interconnects and storage

Photorefractive materials are useful for optical interconnection and data storage in optoelectronic computing systems because of their unique properties (e.g., writelreadlerase capability, real time wave mixing, and high storage capacity). In this paper we will review the recent advances in these two application areas that make use of these properties and the techniques for improving their real-time and storage performance.
Amplitude preservation for offset continuation: Confirmation for Kirchhoff data

Offset continuation (OC) is the operator that transforms common-offset seismic reflection data from one offset to another. Earlier papers by the first author presented a partial differential equation in midpoint and offset to achieve this transformation. The equation was derived from the kinematics of the continuation process. This derivation is equivalent to proposing the wave equation from knowledge of the eikonal equation. While such a method will produce a PDE with the correct traveltimes, it does not guarantee that the amplitude will be correctly propagated by the resulting second-order partial differential equation. The second author (with J. K. Cohen) proposed a dip moveout (DMO) operator for which a verification of amplitude preservation was proven for Kirchhoff data. It was observed that the solution of the OC partial differential equation produced the same DMO solution when specialized to continue data to zero offset. Synthesizing these two approaches, we present here a proof that the solution of the OC partial differential equation does propagate amplitude properly at all offsets, at least to the same order of accuracy as the Kirchhoff approximation. That is, the OC equation provides a solution with the correct traveltime and correct leading-order amplitude. “Correct amplitude” in this case means that the transformed amplitude exhibits the right geometrical spreading and reflection-surface-curvature effects for the new offset. The reflection coefficient of the original offset is preserved in this transformation. This result is more general than the earlier results in that it does not rely on the two-and-one-half dimensional assumption.
De la fidelidad a la revolución: el proceso de la independencia de la antigua provincia de Guayaquil, 1809-1820

Este articulo analiza las transformaciones politicas e ideologicas que tuvieron lugar en Guayaquil entre 1809 y 1820, periodo en el que la ciudad transito de un marcado fidelismo hacia la autonomia e independencia. Se estudian las disputas entre los grupos de poder local y las reacciones del cabildo a las sucesivas coyunturas peninsulares y regionales. El ensayo muestra la relacion entre las tensiones sociales internas y la dinamica, hasta ahora desconocida, de las diferentes elecciones ocurridas entre 1809 y 1813, asi como el impacto local de la vigencia y posterior supresion de la constitucion gatidatana. El estudio concluye con una reconsideracion de la independencia guayaquilena de 1820.
Neutron and gamma-ray physics in fast reactor blankets

The main results of several years of research on neutron and gamma-ray physics in the Purdue Fast Breeder Blanket Facility (FBBF) are summarized. Presented are neutron capture rates in /sup 238/U, /sup 232/Th, gold, tungsten, and manganese, and fission rates in /sup 235/U and /sup 239/Pu. Neutron spectra are determined from proton recoil energies over the range from 2 keV to 2 MeV. The energy deposition of the gamma-ray field is measured with thermoluminescent detectors. Since the FBBF is a source-driven facility, all results are obtained on an absolute basis and are compared with corresponding calculations. Most of the results are presented as calculated/ experimental trajectories except for the neutron spectra. The absolute and complete experimental results will be presented in separate papers. The comprehensive and coherent interpretation of deviations between calculated and experimental results is explored. Three major deviations are identified; they concern the ''bulk'' of the neutron population, the low-energy wing of the spectrum, and the space dependency of resonance absorption.
Dielectrophoretic properties distinguish responses to estrogen and fulvestrant in breast cancer cells

Abstract The majority of breast tumors express estrogen receptors (ER), and are treated with endocrine therapy (ET) drugs to target ERs and estrogen (E2) biosynthesis in the management of early and metastatic ER + breast cancer. However, ∼50% of patients receiving an ET exhibit either intrinsic (de novo) resistance or acquire resistance to these treatments despite persistent expression of ER in the tumors. Thus, an assay to better predict the drug responsiveness of ER targeting ET drugs, such as fulvestrant (Ful) would be beneficial for clinical treatments. Here, we compared two genetically related cell lines isolated from ER+ MCF-7 human breast cells: the LCC1 (Ful-sensitive (s)) and LCC9 Ful-resistant (r)). Using passivated-electrode insulator-based dielectrophoresis ( π DEP), the DEP profile of LCC1 and LCC9 Ful-response were compared. Ful-s LCC1 cells responded with a gradual crossover frequency (f0) shift from 700 kHz to 300 kHz over 72 h. The Ful-r LCC9 cells showed a gradual f0 shift from 100 kHz to 700 kHz over this time period. In response to E2, LCC1 cells showed a small f0 shift from 700 kHz to 600 kHz while LCC9 showed a large f0 change from 100 kHz to 800 kHz. There are no significant differences in gene pathway-specific mRNA expression between the LCC1 and LCC9 cells. Nevertheless, several mRNAs identified in an unbiased screen are differentially expressed in LCC1 and LCC9 cells including PALLD, ADAP1, SLC12A2, and TM4SF1. Investigation of these genes could begin to clarify how responses to ET translate into changes in cellular bioelectric properties and contribute to validation of DEP ET response biomarkers.
The Shear Response of Beryllium as a Function of Temperature and Strain Rate

A new specimen design has been developed to measure the shear response of materials. This compact forced-simple-shear specimen (CFSS) has been utilized to measure the shear stress/shear strain response of other materials [1, 2]. Earlier, unpublished work on the shear response of beryllium using a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) with the shear compression specimen (SCS) [3] had limited success at higher strain rates due to compressive deformation in the web leading to tensile failure in the samples. The CFSS geometry was engineered to produce essentially “pure” simple shear, mode II in-plane shear, in a compact-sample geometry that eliminates the multi-mode loading of other sample geometries and produces direct measurements of shear deformation. The use of digital image correlation (DIC) to capture and calculate shear stress and shear strain when paired with this test geometry will be described. There are two competing mechanisms for the deformation in beryllium were observed, a brittle to ductile response due to increased temperature and a transition of the deformation mechanism from dislocation dominated slip to twin deformation as the strain rate is increased. The advantages of this specimen geometry and test results as a function of temperature and strain rate are discussed for high purity beryllium.
How does evaluator empathy impact a forensic interview

We used an experimental design to test the key concern that expressive empathy from evaluators during forensic interviews leads to more disclosure of misbehavior (e.g., stealing, breaking the law, manipulating others) from evaluees. In the context of a psychopathy assessment interview, evaluees (N = 94, 100% male, 57.4% Caucasian) interviewed by an evaluator using expressive empathy techniques were no more likely than those interviewed by an evaluator avoiding expressive empathy techniques to admit to past instances of misbehavior (d = .17, 95% CI [-.24, .57]). Instead, the use of expressive empathy techniques seemed to influence evaluator perceptions of the evaluees. Evaluators using expressive empathy rated evaluees as less psychopathic (d = -.52, 95% CI [-.93, -.11]), more conscientious (d = .72, 95% CI [.30, 1.13]), and as having engaged in less impression management (d = -.54, 95% CI [-.95, -.13]) than evaluators avoiding the use of expressive empathy. Put simply, when evaluators expressed empathy, it influenced the evaluator, not the evaluee. These findings suggest the need to expand professional discourse and research on empathy in forensic evaluations to better understand the possible effects of evaluator empathy on both evaluators and evaluees. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
Planning for diversity: The inclusion of diversity goals in postsecondary statewide strategic plan

Contextualizing the recent Fisher v. University of Texas ruling and how state institutions address diversity and affirmative action, the authors sought to determine how explicit institutions are being with regards to diversity strategic planning. The findings from a qualitative policy analysis determined that while 70% of State Higher Education Executive Offices explicitly mentioned diversity in their strategic plan, most did not reference the difference that differences make, or the equity of diversity on campus.
Land surface-atmosphere interactions for climate modeling: observations, models and analysis

I Observations and Observational Needs.- 1. Insight from Large-Scale Observational Studies of Land/Atmosphere Interactions.- 2. Some Aspects of the HAPEX-MOBILHY Programme: The Data Base and the Modelling Strategy.- 3. Passive Microwave Remote Sensing Contribution to Hydrological Variables.- 4. Modeling and Observing Land-Surface-Atmosphere Interactions on Large Scales.- 5. Land Surface Hydrology in a General Circulation Model - Global and Regional Fields Needed for Validation.- 6. Simulation of Daily Precipitation in the Pacific Northwest Using a Weather Classification Scheme.- II Modeling and Analysis.- 7. A Refinement of the Combination Equations for Evaporation.- 8. A Statistical-Dynamical Approach to Parameterize Subgrid-Scale Land-Surface Heterogeneity in Climate Models.- 9. Evapotranspiration and Runoff from Large Land Areas: Land Surface Hydrology for Atmospheric General Circulation Models.- 10. Climate and the Equilibrium State of Land Surface Hydrology Parameterizations.- 11. Partial Analysis Applied to Scale Problems in Surface Moisture Fluxes.- 12. Distributed Parameterization of Complex Terrain.- 13. Modeling Basin-Scale Hydrology in Support of Physical Climate and Global Biogeochemical Studies: An Example Using the Zambezi River.- List of Authors.
Causes and Effects of Gender Occupational Segregation: Overlooked Obstacles to Gender Equality

In this chapter, an extremely uneven distribution of professional occupations that women enter is revealed and the problems associated with these biases are elucidated. Professions are classified into two types: Type 1 professions, which include three representative human service professions of high socioeconomic status—namely, medical doctors, dentists, college professors—and all professions that are not human service professions; and Type 2 professions, which include human-service professions other than medical doctors, dentists, and college professors. Both the United States and Japan have a large number of women employed in Type 2 professions and clerical jobs; however, Japan has a markedly lower proportion of women in Type 1 professions and managerial positions than the United States. Moreover, an examination of the gender wage gap by occupation shows that the differences between men and women are relatively small within Type 1 professions and managerial positions, and women’s average wages in Type 2 professions and clerical occupations are much lower than those of men within the same occupations and are significantly lower than men’s average wages in blue-collar occupations. Thus, women are subject to a two-fold wage disadvantage. On the one hand, the proportion of women is miniscule in occupations with relatively high wage and smaller gender wage gaps (Type 1 professions and managerial positions). On the other hand, the proportion of women is large in white-collar occupations exhibiting the largest wage gaps by gender (Type 2 professions and clerical occupations). Further, in this chapter, whether gender occupational segregation can be explained by gender disparities in human capital is analyzed. The results, although paradoxical, indicate that the gender equalization of human capital intensifies occupational gender segregation between men and women. This segregation occurs because the increases of women in female-dominated Type 2 professions and the decreases of women in non-service manual occupations in which women are already underrepresented—as a result of more human capital—outpace the increases of women in underrepresented Type 1 professions and managerial positions. In this chapter, theories on gender occupational segregation are also reviewed and their consistency with the empirical results is examined.
On the formulation of the kinematics and thermodynamics for polycrystalline materials undergoing phase transformation

Abstract Commonly implemented material processing routines not limited to quenching, welding or heat treatment requires exposure of a part to complex thermal and mechanical loading histories that manifest as residual stress and distortion. Of interest to material designers and fabricators is modeling and simulating the evolutionary process a part undergoes for the sake of capturing this observable residual stress states and geometric distortion accumulated after processing. To move toward an overall consistent modeling approach, we premise this investigation with a consistent thermodynamic framework for a generalized multiphase material. Following this, we extend the single phase Evolving Microstructural Model of Inelasticity (EMMI) internal state variable model to multiphase affirming that the interaction between phases is through an interfacial stress. We then use a self-consistent polycrystalline model to partition each individual phase's strain field ensuring a hybrid between compatibility and equilibrium. With a synthesis of the aforementioned ideas, the additional transformation plasticity (TRIP) is accounted for by changing each phase's flow rule to accommodate an interfacial stress. Following this, we couple the mechanical multiphase model equations with a previously developed non-diffusional phase transformation kinetics model. Contrary to the classical modeling approach, our material model is based on mixture theory wherein we track the behavior of each individual phase. A numerical evaluation of the coupled model is performed and applied to a simplified quenching boundary value problem.
Multi-axis heterodyne interferometry at MHz frequencies: a short-arm measurement demonstration for LISA with off-the-shelf hardware.

We report the design, construction, and operation of a multi-axis heterodyne interferometry (MAHI) system operating at MHz heterodyne frequencies, which provides a testbed for technologies to be used in the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) space-based gravitational wave mission. The system was calibrated for measurement of the piston, pitch, and yaw of a three-axis piezo-actuated mirror, giving measured calibration values that closely match those predicted by a simulation based on Gaussian beam tracing. The piston sensitivity of the MAHI system in the LISA band was measured to be below 10 pm Hz−1/2 for frequencies above 4 mHz and below 1 pm Hz−1/2 for frequencies above 35 mHz. The sensitivity is limited above 2 Hz by the mechanical vibrations of the apparatus and below 1 mHz by dimensional changes caused by temperature fluctuations. Evidence points towards scattered light as the limiting noise source at intermediate frequencies. The angular sensitivity of the MAHI system was measured to be close to or below 10 nrad Hz−1/2 for frequencies above 4 mHz and below 1 nrad Hz−1/2 for frequencies above 100 mHz. Noise budgets for both length and angle were determined, indicating the areas in which improvements must be made in order to reach increased sensitivity. The current operating sensitivity already provides a useful testbed for LISA technologies and a potential blueprint for future ground segment equipment.
aPKC in neuronal differentiation, maturation and function

The atypical Protein Kinase Cs (aPKCs)-PRKCI, PRKCZ and PKMζ-form a subfamily within the Protein Kinase C (PKC) family. These kinases are expressed in the nervous system, including during its development and in adulthood. One of the aPKCs, PKMζ, appears to be restricted to the nervous system. aPKCs are known to play a role in a variety of cellular responses such as proliferation, differentiation, polarity, migration, survival and key metabolic functions such as glucose uptake, that are critical for nervous system development and function. Therefore, these kinases have garnered a lot of interest in terms of their functional role in the nervous system. Here we review the expression and function of aPKCs in neural development and in neuronal maturation and function. Despite seemingly paradoxical findings with genetic deletion versus gene silencing approaches, we posit that aPKCs are likely candidates for regulating many important neurodevelopmental and neuronal functions, and may be associated with a number of human neuropsychiatric diseases.
Search-and-replace genome editing without double-strand breaks or donor DNA

Most genetic variants that contribute to disease1 are challenging to correct efficiently and without excess byproducts2-5. Here we describe prime editing, a versatile and precise genome editing method that directly writes new genetic information into a specified DNA site using a catalytically impaired Cas9 endonuclease fused to an engineered reverse transcriptase, programmed with a prime editing guide RNA (pegRNA) that both specifies the target site and encodes the desired edit. We performed more than 175 edits in human cells, including targeted insertions, deletions, and all 12 types of point mutation, without requiring double-strand breaks or donor DNA templates. We used prime editing in human cells to correct, efficiently and with few byproducts, the primary genetic causes of sickle cell disease (requiring a transversion in HBB) and Tay-Sachs disease (requiring a deletion in HEXA); to install a protective transversion in PRNP; and to insert various tags and epitopes precisely into target loci. Four human cell lines and primary post-mitotic mouse cortical neurons support prime editing with varying efficiencies. Prime editing shows higher or similar efficiency and fewer byproducts than homology-directed repair, has complementary strengths and weaknesses compared to base editing, and induces much lower off-target editing than Cas9 nuclease at known Cas9 off-target sites. Prime editing substantially expands the scope and capabilities of genome editing, and in principle could correct up to 89% of known genetic variants associated with human diseases.
Combination Immunotherapy with CAR T Cells and Checkpoint Blockade for the Treatment of Solid Tumors.

Checkpoint blockade (CPB) therapy can elicit durable clinical responses by reactivating an exhausted immune response. However, response rates remain limited, likely secondary to a lack of a tumor-reactive immune infiltrate. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells may provide the necessary tumor-targeting immune infiltrate and a highly specific antitumor immune response. This can be further amplified by the addition of CPB agents, which serve to counteract the immune inhibitory environment undermining optimal CAR T cell efficacy. Herein, we review preclinical and clinical combination therapy with CAR T cells and CPB agents, with a focus on solid tumor malignancies.
Multimodality screening and prevention of cervical cancer in sub-Saharan Africa: a collaborative model.

Purpose of review Although cervical cancer continues to decrease in incidence throughout the developed world because of rigorous screening and vaccination campaigns, the disease remains a major cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality in resource-limited regions including sub-Saharan Africa. This review summarizes current efforts to implement cost-effective and widespread cervical cancer education, screening, and community-based interventions in Africa and the challenges faced by local healthcare workers. Recent findings Effective screening with cytology (with or without high-risk human papillomavirus [HPV] DNA testing) as well as HPV self-sampling remains problematic in African countries because of a paucity of cytopathologists and resources. Accordingly, visual inspection of the cervix with acetic acid (VIA) with cryotherapy triage has gained traction in mass-screening campaigns because of low-cost supplies. Summary Public education to facilitate screening is essential. VIA remains a strong community-based approach. The involvement of technology in teaching local providers, advertising screenings to the community, and helping improve follow-up may also improve screening efforts. Ultimately, the best form of prevention is through HPV vaccination, which also requires implementation of ongoing public education programs.
Transition of Patients to and from Insulin Degludec: A Clinical Challenge

With appearance of new insulins on the market, new clinical challenges, much like unintended consequences, came into light in our daily practice. One of the most pressing issues has become an issue of switching patients to and from newer insulins in various clinical situations. A proper switch from 1 medication to another requires understanding of pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of both drugs. Unfortunately, there is no research in this area and, as a result, there are no guidelines nor is there even a consensus. We present 5 clinical scenarios in which the patients were transitioned to or from insulin degludec. Because there are no data and no current consensus, we have polled 200 diabetes care providers soliciting their opinion as to how they would handle these clinical situations. Our poll of endocrinologists revealed multiple approaches as well as elements of confusion among providers. Even though all answers, summarized following each case, might be reasonable, and there might not be a single correct answer, we wish to express our opinion that is based on PK and PD of these insulins. Because there is more than 1 correct way of implementing these transitions, we urge our colleagues to institute a very close follow-up of these patients with frequent adjustments of insulin dose to avoid stacking with potential hypoglycemia.
Antenatal diagnosis of renal anomalies with ultrasound. I: Obstructive uropathy

During a 5-year period, a diagnosis of obstructive uropathy was made in 25 fetuses. Eight of them had unilateral obstruction and 17 were affected bilaterally. The most common condition encountered was urethral obstruction by posterior valves. The site and nature of the obstruction were correctly identified in 22 of the 25 fetuses. Among the 17 who had bilateral obstruction, only three survived. In contrast, only one infant with unilateral obstruction died (of unrelated causes). Oligohydramnios in low-level (urethral) obstruction was a uniformly lethal finding. Relief of urethral obstruction in two fetuses after 20 weeks of gestation did not result in survival of the infant, whereas shunting prior to 20 weeks in one fetus seemed to have a beneficial effect. On the basis of this experience, we suggest that unilateral obstruction would be treated best by conservative management, while in bilateral obstruction invasive treatment may be effective if initiated early in gestation, before significant oligohydramnios occurs.
Could a middle level be the most fundamental

Debates over what is fundamental assume that what is most fundamental must be either a “top” level (roughly, the biggest or highest-level thing), or a “bottom” level (roughly, the smallest or lowest-level things). Here I sketch an alternative to top-ism and bottom-ism, the view that a middle level could be the most fundamental, and argue for its plausibility. I then suggest that this view satisfies the desiderata of asymmetry, irreflexivity, transitivity, and well-foundedness of fundamentality, that the view has explanatory power on par with that of top-ism and bottom-ism, and that it has a unique connection to the Principle of Sufficient Reason.
Going Beyond the Data: Using Testimonies to Humanize Pedagogy on Black Health.

When health professions learners’ primary pedagogical experience of Black people and how they become patients is through statistics, it becomes very easy for learners to think of Black people as data points rather than as individuals whose health is often at the mercy of racist institutions. When the human dimension of Black people’s health is ignored, specifically the ways that poor health affects individual wellbeing, one of the barriers to proper health for Black patients is how to be seen and considered as a part of a larger problem of systemic racism and institutional injustices as well as individuals whose personal lives are affected by such larger problems. I propose an approach to health professions pedagogy—the experiential race testimonies (ERT) approach—that can change the way health professions learners understand and treat Black patients, thus changing the future of Black health. The ERT approach pairs population data analysis with analysis of personal testimonies and the experiences they convey.
Hacking Girl Power: GoldieBlox Play Sets and Material Rhetoric

Since the 1990s, girl power discourse has heralded young girls as smart, capable, and feminine. However, today, overwhelming numbers of girls still lack confidence in their skills and remain underrepresented in leadership positions. In response to this confidence gap, two trends have emerged. First, a brand of all-inclusive girl power that features young girls has become more prevalent in advertising than ever before. Second, countless new girl-geared objects and spaces have emerged, all of which are committed to improving the lives of girls across the United States under the banner of girl power. Nowhere has this been more evident than in initiatives that seek to increase girls’ involvement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). GoldieBlox, a toy ecosystem that aims to encourage girls to learn engineering concepts through play, is one such initiative. Leveraging material rhetoric and Barthes’ analysis of play, I examine how GoldieBlox acts both on and with those who play with it, as well as its impact on girl power rhetoric. I argue that GoldieBlox’s form enables a style of play that pushes back on girl power by emphasizing agency over femininity and a productive “apprentice” role over consumption as a means to empowerment.
In-and-Out: How Fashion Journalists Write About Black NBA Dandies

The National Basketball Association (NBA), now flush with lucrative television contracts from its broadcast partners and an owner-friendly collective bargaining agreement, is as popular as ever. Besides athleticism only reserved for a small portion of humans and basketball plays that can only be made by not even most elite college players, what also keeps fans on the edge of their seats are the outfits worn by Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Lebron James and the many other fashionable players. Using what Bourdieu’s (1984) termed cultural intermediary in Distinction as a conceptual framework, this study will examine how 12 fashion journalists write about Black NBA dandies. According to Bourdieu (1984), cultural intermediaries are involved in the presentation and representation of cultural and symbolic goods and services, some of whom are salespeople, advertising executives, and interior designers. Cultural intermediaries serve as the link between production and consumption, giving the end consumer access to legitimate culture. As fashion journalists, these participants educate their readers on the latest in bespoke wear, haute couture clothing and Black style. The Black NBA body provides a medium for fashion journalists to highlight the exclusivity and democratic ideals of fashion because of the ways in which they peel off the layers of celebrity, position Black NBA dandies within a network of images, and create a dialectic tension between Black culture and a generic White culture.
Are there lane advantages in track and field

Sprint distance events in track and field are replete with folk tales about which lane assignments on the track are advantageous. Estimating the causal effect of lane assignments on race times is a difficult task as lane assignments are typically non-random. To estimate these effects I exploit a random assignment rule for the first round of races in sprint distance events. Using twenty years of data from the IAAF world athletic championships and U20 world championships I find no evidence of lane advantages in the 100m. Contrary to popular belief, I find evidence that outside lanes in the 200m produce faster race times. However, I find no robust evidence of lane effects in the 400m. Finally, in the 800m, which is unique in having a lane break, I find some evidence that outside lanes producer slower race times, possibly reflecting the advantage of inside lanes having an established position on the inside of the track at the lane break.
On a simple adaptive tracking filter

Abstract : This paper presents a simplified adaptive tracking filter for a maneuvering target. The filter is very simple and easy to implement. No prior knowledge of the maneuvering characteristics is needed; the tracking errors are quite small when the target maneuvers. While the target does not maneuver, the tracking errors are a bit larger than others, but are still much smaller than measurement errors. This method can be used either with linear measurements or nonlinear measurements. Simulation results for various target maneuvers are presented. (Author)
Viral exploitation of actin: force-generation and scaffolding functions in viral infection

As a fundamental component of the host cellular cytoskeleton, actin is routinely engaged by infecting viruses. Furthermore, viruses from diverse groups, and infecting diverse hosts, have convergently evolved an array of mechanisms for manipulating the actin cytoskeleton for efficacious infection. An ongoing chorus of research now indicates that the actin cytoskeleton is critical for viral replication at many stages of the viral life cycle, including binding, entry, nuclear localization, genomic transcription and reverse transcription, assembly, and egress/dissemination. Specifically, viruses subvert the force-generating and macromolecular scaffolding properties of the actin cytoskeleton to propel viral surfing, internalization, and migration within the cell. Additionally, viruses utilize the actin cytoskeleton to support and organize assembly sites, and eject budding virions for cell-to-cell transmission. It is the purpose of this review to provide an overview of current research, focusing on the various mechanisms and themes of virus-mediated actin modulation described therein.
Adaptive mutagenesis: a process that generates almost exclusively beneficial mutations

Adaptive mutations are spontaneous mutations that occur in microorganisms during periods of prolonged stress in non-dividing or very slowly dividing populations and that are specific to the environmental challenge that causes that stress. This article reviews the literature on adaptive mutagenesis since 1993. The evidence that adaptive mutagenesis is both real and general is considered. The most widely used system for studying adaptive mutagenesis, reversion of an F′-borne lacI33 allele, is shown to be a special case that reflects more about F-plasmid biology than about adaptive mutagenesis in general. New evidence demonstrating that adaptive mutagenesis is, indeed, specific is discussed. A variety of genes whose products affect adaptive mutagenesis are discussed. A model to explain that specificity and new evidence in support of that model are considered, as are potential roles of adaptive mutagenesis in evolution and practical aspects of adaptive mutagenesis.
Atypical Jobs: Stepping Stones or Dead Ends? Evidence from the NLSY79

Atypical work arrangements have long been criticized as offering more precarious and lower paid work than regular open-ended employment. An important British paper by Booth et al. (Economic Journal, Vol. 112 (2002), No. 480, pp. F189–F213) was among the first to recognize such jobs also functioned as a stepping stone to permanent work. This conclusion proved prescient, receiving increased support in Europe. Here, we provide a broadly parallel analysis for the USA, where research has been less targeted on this issue. We report similar findings for temporary workers in the USA as found for fixed-term contract workers in Britain.
Reversion of RNOA and its Components

Prior research documents the reversion to a mean value over time of returns on assets and equity and increasing rates of reversion for firms that are farther from the mean and for poorly performing firms. Researchers have also begun to explore factors that may have predictive ability for expected reversion, such as changes in the profit margin and asset turnover, in an effort to increase forecasting accuracy. My study adds to this line of research and provides a comprehensive investigation of the reversion characteristics of the components of both the numerator and the denominator of the returns ratio. I find that the observed reversion of returns is associated with reversions of both its numerator and its denominator. I also find that components of earnings in the numerator and net assets in the denominator exhibit differing rates of reversion and that these differences in the rates of reversion of the income statement and balance sheet components can be exploited to improve forecasts of the return ratio.
Fuzzy and possibilistic clustering algorithms based on generalized reformulation

This paper presents a new approach to fuzzy and possibilistic clustering based on reformulation. The reformulation of fuzzy c-means (FCM) algorithms provides the basis for reformulating entropy constrained fuzzy clustering (ECFC) algorithms. This paper also proposes a generalized reformulation function and interprets both FCM and ECFC algorithms as special cases of the broad family of fuzzy and possibilistic clustering algorithms resulting from this approach. New clustering algorithms are also developed and compared experimentally with FCM and ECFC algorithms.
Public Revenue from Land Rent

Rent, the return on land, can be taxed without creating an excess burden. The geographical benefits of a location, especially its civic services and public works, become capitalized into higher land value, while the taxation of the rent is capitalized into lower prices for purchasing land. The taxation of site rentals thus returns to the government the rentals generated by its services. In principle, the optimal expenditure for a public good impacting territory is where the induced marginal rent equals the marginal cost of the good. This chapter provides an analysis of the ethics, economics, and politics of basing public revenue on land rent, its consequences for an economy and the public well being, and a public-choice analysis of why governments have not widely adopted this type of revenue.
Early Natural Menopause and the Duration of Postmenopausal Life

Menopause marks the beginning of a stage of life characterized by an increased susceptibility to diseases such as coronary heart disease and osteoporosis. It was therefore hypothesized that early age at natural menopause would lengthen the duration of the postmenopausal stage of life and thereby result in an earlier age at death. This study investigated the relations between age at natural menopause, duration of postmenopausal life (ie, life expectancy at menopause), and age at death (ie, age at menopause plus life expectancy at menopause). Data were derived from a study of 5,287 naturally postmenopausal Seventh-day Adventists observed during 1976-1982. Life expectancy was estimated by a mathematical model that used mortality ratios from the study and mortality rates from the US general population. For natural menopause before the age of 47 years, each one-year decrease in age at menopause was associated with a 0.53-year increase in postmenopausal life (P = .04) and a 0.47-year decrease in the age at death (P = .04). For natural menopause at the age of 47 years and older, however, each one-year decrease in age at menopause was associated with a 0.99-year increase in postmenopausal life (P = .03) and only a 0.01-year decrease in the age at death (P = .85). Overall, these findings argue against the possibility that the association between age at menopause and age at death in this study was due to the relation of age at menopause to the duration of postmenopausal life.
Regulation of Embryonic Stem Cell Self-Renewal and Pluripotency by Foxd3

The Foxd3 forkhead transcription factor is required for maintaining pluripotent cells in the early mouse embryo and for the establishment of murine embryonic stem cell (ESC) lines. To begin to understand the role of Foxd3 in ESC maintenance, we derived ESC lines from blastocysts that carried two conditional Foxd3 alleles and a tamoxifen-inducible Cre transgene. Tamoxifen treatment produced a rapid and near complete loss of Foxd3 mRNA and protein. Foxd3-deficient ESCs maintained a normal proliferation rate but displayed increased apoptosis, and clonally dispersed ESCs showed a decreased ability to self-renew. Under either self-renewal or differentiation-promoting culture conditions we observed a strong, precocious differentiation of Foxd3 mutant ESCs along multiple lineages, including trophectoderm, endoderm, and mesendoderm. This profound alteration in biological behavior occurred in the face of continued expression of factors known to induce pluripotency, including Oct4, Sox2, and Nanog. We present a model for the role of Foxd3 in repressing differentiation, promoting self-renewal, and maintaining survival of mouse ESCs. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Stabilization of proteins encapsulated in injectable poly (lactide-co-glycolide)

Controlled release from biodegradable polymers is a novel approach to replace daily painful injections of protein drugs. A major obstacle to development of these polymers is the need to retain the structure and biological activity of encapsulated proteins during months of incubation under physiological conditions. We encapsulated bovine serum albumin (BSA) in injectable poly(DL-lactide- co-glycolide) (PLGA) 50/50 cylindrical implants and determined the mechanism of BSA instability. Simulations of the polymer microclimate revealed that moisture and acidic pH (<3) triggered unfolding of encapsulated BSA, resulting in peptide bond hydrolysis and noncovalent aggregation. To neutralize the acids liberated by the biodegradable lactic/glycolic acid-based polyester, we coincorporated into the polymer an antacid, Mg(OH)2, which increased microclimate pH and prevented BSA structural losses and aggregation for over one month. We successfully applied this stabilization approach in both cylinder- and microsphere-injectable configurations and for delivery of angiogenic basic fibroblast growth factor and bone-regenerating bone morphogenetic protein-2.