cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Time Trends in Rates of Hodgkin Lymphoma Histologic Subtypes: True Incidence Changes or Evolving Diagnostic Practice?

Background: Histologic subtypes of classical Hodgkin lymphoma [cHL; e.g., nodular sclerosis, mixed cellularity, not otherwise specified (NOS)] are epidemiologically and prognostically distinctive. Therefore, unexplained, ongoing incidence rate declines for mixed cellularity and increases for NOS require examination. Methods: We analyzed detailed histology-specific Hodgkin lymphoma incidence rates in 1992 through 2011 U.S. SEER data ( n = 21,372) and reviewed a regional subset of 2007 through 2011 NOS pathology reports for insight into diagnostic practices. Results: cHL rates were stable until 2007, then decreased for whites [annual percent change (APC) and 95% confidence interval (CI), −3.6% (−5.6% to −1.5%)]. Nodular sclerosis rates declined after 2007 by 5.9% annually, with variation by gender, age, and race/ethnicity. In 1992 through 2011, mixed cellularity rates declined [APC −4.0% (−4.7% to −3.3%)], whereas NOS rates rose [5.3% (4.5%–6.2%)] overall and in most patient groups. The 2007–2011 NOS age-specific rates were more similar to mixed cellularity rates for 1992–1996 than 2007–2011. Trends in combined rates were minimal, supporting increasing misclassification of mixed cellularity, lymphocyte depletion, and specific nodular sclerosis subtypes as NOS. Eighty-eight of 165 reviewed NOS pathology reports addressed classification choice. Twenty (12.1%) justified the classification, 21 (12.7%) described insufficient biopsy material, and coders missed specific subtype information for 27 (16.4%). Conclusion: Recent nodular sclerosis rate declines largely represent true incidence changes. Long-term rate decreases for mixed cellularity and other less common subtypes, and increases for NOS (comprising ∼30% of cHL cases in 2011), likely reflect changes in diagnostic and/or classification practice. Impact: Diminishing histologic subtyping undermines future surveillance and epidemiologic study of Hodgkin lymphoma. Guideline-based use of excisional biopsies and more coding quality control are warranted. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(10); 1474–88. ©2015 AACR .
Dominance of interplanted American chestnut (Castanea dentata) in southwestern Wisconsin, USA

American chestnut (Castanea dentata (Marsh.) Borkh.) once dominated the eastern deciduous forests of the USA before nearly all trees throughout the range were annihilated by the introduced pathogen Cryphonectria parasitica (Murr.) Barr. It is anticipated that a blight-resistant hybrid form of American chestnut will be available for reintroduction in the near future, and many reintroduction programs will likely involve mixed interplantings with other hardwood species. Little is known, however, about plantation performance of American chestnut relative to other species. This study assessed early plantation development (seven or eight growing seasons following direct seeding) of American chestnut relative to black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) and northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) on a site with no evidence of blight in southwestern Wisconsin (43854 0 N, 90853 0 W). American chestnut exhibited greater height (47 and 77% more) and diameter at breast height (DBH) (50 and 140% more) growth than black walnut and northern red oak, respectively. Mean total height of American chestnut was 6.4 m (0.84 m per year), while mean total DBH was 6.4 cm (0.83 cm per year). American chestnut also had better stem form, measured as deviation in stem straightness for the first 2 m, than the other two species. This data reaffirms historical observations of pre-blight growth rates for American chestnut. The reintroduced hybrid chestnut tree will be predominately American chestnut, and is expected to exhibit similar silvical characteristics to the tree tested here. Thus, on suitable sites, American chestnut reintroduction may provide a valuable new resource for plantation forestry. # 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Clinical characteristics of 304 kindreds evaluated for familial dilated cardiomyopathy.

Abstract Background Familial dilated cardiomyopathy (FDC) is dilated cardiomyopathy of unknown cause occurring in 2 or more closely related family members. Methods and Results Members of 304 families suspected to have FDC were evaluated by family history (FH) and medical record review and were categorized as affected with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC), unaffected, unknown, or no data. Pedigrees were categorized with confirmed FDC, probable FDC, possible FDC or IDC based on strength of evidence. Of the 304 pedigrees, 125 were categorized as confirmed FDC, 48 were probable FDC, 72 were possible FDC, and 59 had sporadic, nonfamilial IDC. Numbers of living first- and second-degree family members, and median number of relatives available for FH was greatest with confirmed FDC, and diminished for probable and possible FDC, and IDC categories. LV dimensions increased and LV function worsened in index patients along the spectrum from confirmed FDC, probable FDC, possible FDC and IDC, and a greater proportion of IDC patients underwent heart transplant. However, the age of onset, duration of disease, the time to death or heart transplant, and most other findings were similar among the 4 categories. Conclusion Clinical characteristics of IDC and FDC are similar, precluding an FDC diagnosis from clinical features only.
Dispersal forcing of southern California river plumes, based on field and remote sensing observations

River plumes are important pathways of ter- restrial materials entering the sea. In southern Califor- nia, rivers are known to be the dominant source of littoral, shelf and basin sediment and coastal pollution, although a basic understanding of the dynamics of these river inputs does not exist. Here we evaluate forcing parameters of a southern California river plume using ship-based hydrographic surveys and satellite remote sensing measurements to provide the first insights of river dispersal dynamics in southern California. Our results suggest that plumes of the Santa Clara River are strongly influenced by river inertia, producing jet-like structures � 10 km offshore during annual recurrence (� two-year) flood events and � 30 km during excep- tional (� 10-year recurrence) floods. Upwelling-favor- able winds may be strong following stormwater events and can alter dispersal pathways of these plumes. Due to similar runoff relationships and other reported satellite observations, we hypothesize that interia-dominated dispersal may be an important characteristic of the small, mountainous rivers throughout southern California.
Comparative Efficacy Evaluation of Dicationic Carbazole Compounds, Nitazoxanide, and Paromomycin against Cryptosporidium parvum Infections in a Neonatal Mouse Model

The efficacies of dicationic carbazole compounds, nitazoxanide (NTZ), and paromomycin were evaluated against the AUCp1 isolate of Cryptosporidium parvum by using a neonatal mouse model. Compounds were solubilized or suspended in deionized water and administered orally by gavage to neonatal mice at a constant dose rate on days 0 to 5 (treatment started on day 0). Dose rates varied for individual carbazole compounds but ranged from 0.65 to 20 mg/kg of body weight. NTZ was tested at 100 and 150 mg/kg, and paromomycin was tested at 50 mg/kg. Efficacies were determined by comparing numbers of oocysts present in treated versus control mice at necropsy examination on day 6. Demonstrable efficacy was observed for several carbazole compounds, based on significant reductions in the numbers of oocysts recovered from treated mice versus control mice. Compounds 1, 7, and 10 (19.0 mg/kg) reduced oocyst passage in treated mice to less than 5% of that in control mice. Treatment with compounds 6, 8, and 9 (17.0 mg/kg) resulted in reductions of oocyst output to less than 10% of that in controls. Although they were not comparable in efficacy to compounds 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, treatment with other carbazole compounds resulted in statistically significant reductions in oocyst output in treated versus control mice. Compound 1 retained efficacy resulted in reduction of oocyst output to approximately 6% of that in controls when the dose was reduced to 5 mg/kg. Further reductions in the dose rate resulted in considerable reductions in anticryposporidial activity. Likewise, the efficacies of compounds 9 and 10 were reduced substantially when the doses were lowered to one-half the screening dose. Paromomycin yielded excellent activity (reduction of oocyst output to <2% of that in controls) at a dose of 50 mg/kg. NTZ yielded moderate efficacy as powder and injectable formulations administered at 100 mg/kg orally (reduction of oocyst output to 42 and 26% of that in controls, respectively). Oral administration of the injectable formulation of NTZ at a dose of 150 mg/kg resulted in improved efficacy (oocyst output, <5% of that in controls).
Roles of omega 3 fatty acids and chronic ethanol in the regulation of plasma and liver lipids and plasma apoproteins A1 and E in rats.

Relative effects of feeding ethanol and/or omega 3 fatty acid-rich fish oil for 6 wk on body lipids and lipoproteins were investigated. Ethanol increased plasma cholesterol (P less than 0.06) and triglycerides (P less than 0.0005), whereas fish oil decreased plasma cholesterol (P less than 0.005) and triglycerides (P less than 0.02). Liver cholesterol and triglycerides were increased by ethanol (P less than 0.0001) while fish oil decreased liver cholesterol (P less than 0.01) but not triglycerides. Based on Scheffe contrasts (P less than 0.05), fish oil blocked the increases in liver cholesterol and triglycerides caused by ethanol. Substitution of normal dietary fat with omega 3 fatty acid-rich fat in ethanol-fed animals lowered plasma cholesterol by 29% (P less than 0.001) and triglycerides by 30% (P less than 0.05) within 2 wk. Plasma apo A1 was increased by ethanol (P less than 0.001) and decreased by fish oil (P less than 0.002). Plasma total apo E was unaffected by either ethanol or fish oil. However, HDL apo E was decreased by ethanol (P less than 0.04) and increased by fish oil (P less than 0.02). Scheffe contrasts (P less than 0.05) also showed that plasma apo A was increased by ethanol regardless of whether the animals were consuming regular fat (1.72-fold) or fish oil fat (1.49-fold). Thus, omega 3 fatty acids can not only prevent but also reverse many of the lipid and lipoprotein abnormalities caused by alcohol abuse in the rat.
Characterization of agricultural nonpoint pollution: Nutrient loss and erosion in a West Tennessee watershed

Research was conducted on an 18-ha, bermed, single-field watershed in west Tennessee to characterize soil and nutrient losses during storm events over a 12-month period. Total soil loss was approximately 104 metric tons, which is high for the nation but typical for west Tennessee. Minimums of 2% of applied phosphorus and 6% of applied nitrogen were lost from the field through storm water runoff. First-flush analysis indicated that total suspended solids, orthophosphate, ammonia, and total Kjeldahl nitrogen migrated from the field faster than if proportional to the flow. In general, orthophosphate came off the field early in the runoff event, whereas other forms of phosphorus came off late in the event.
A needs assessment for development and provision of medication therapy management services in New York City.

Objectives: To (1) assess the current extent of medication therapy management (MTM) provision in NYC; (2) investigate New York City pharmacists' attitudes, efforts, interest, and challenges in prov...
Forecasting long-term gas production from shale

Oil and natural gas from deep shale formations are transforming the United States economy and its energy outlook. Back in 2005, the US Energy Information Administration published projections of United States natural gas supply that stressed the need to develop an import infrastructure (1): by 2025, imports would account for almost one-third of United States consumption. When we compare those forecasts with the current ones to 2040 (Fig. 1) (2), it is inevitable to feel that a disruptive technology has emerged since. Natural gas consumption is expected to increase significantly over the next three decades, with strong demand growth from the electricity generation and industrial sectors. However, the United States will probably become a net exporter of gas before 2020, increasing domestic production by 44% over the projection period.
Geriatrics attitudes and knowledge among surgical and medical subspecialty house officers.

OBJECTIVES: To examine geriatrics knowledge and attitudes of non-primary care house officers (HOs) before and after a multidisciplinary faculty development program. DESIGN: Serial cross-sectional surveys. PARTICIPANTS: HOs. SETTING: A large midwestern academic medical center. INTERVENTION: Faculty from seven surgical and six medical subspecialties participated in weekly seminars for 9 months and implemented geriatrics curricula in their HO programs. MEASUREMENTS: HO geriatrics attitudes and knowledge were measured using the University of California at Los Angeles Geriatrics Attitudes Scale (GAS; 14 items), two scales of the Maxwell Sullivan test (Therapeutic Potential and Time/Energy; six items each; lower scores denote more-favorable attitudes), and the Geriatrics Clinical Knowledge Assessment (20 multiple choice items; range 0–100%). Repeat surveys were administered in seven disciplines after geriatrics curriculum implementation. RESULTS: Baseline (n=175) geriatrics attitudes were favorable (e.g., 3.7 for GAS; 2.1 for Time/Energy), with more-favorable attitudes among medical subspecialty than surgical HOs (e.g., mean GAS 3.8 and 3.6, respectively; P=.001), and with advanced training. Mean baseline knowledge scores were 65.1% among all HOs. No differences in attitudes or knowledge were observed between the first (n=100) and second (n=90) cohorts in the seven disciplines that administered subsequent tests. CONCLUSION: Geriatrics attitudes of non-primary care HOs are positive, and knowledge is moderate, suggesting need for and potential effect of geriatrics curricula. Demonstrating effects on learner outcomes of faculty development programs may require more than one faculty member per discipline and measures that are curriculum-specific and detailed rather than general and brief.
Wavelength division multiple access channel hypercube processor interconnection

A hypercube-based structure in which optical multiple access channels span the dimensional axes is introduced. This severely reduces the required degree, since only one I/O port is required per dimension. However, good performance is maintained through the high-capacity characteristics of optical communication. The reduction in degree is shown to have significant system complexity implications. Four star-coupled configurations are studied as the basis for the optical multiple access channels, three of which exhibit the optical self-routing characteristic. A performance analysis shows that through the integration of agile sources or receivers, and wavelength division multiple access, systems can be developed with significant increases in performance yet at a reduction in communication subsystem complexity. >
Thickness of the blood-gas barrier in premature and 1-day-old newborn rabbit lungs.

The pulmonary capillaries of neonatal lungs are potentially vulnerable to stress failure because of the complex changes in the pulmonary circulation that occur at birth. We studied the ultrastructu...
UV Resistant Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) Thin Films: Layer-by-Layer Assembly with Absorbing Nanoparticles

Layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly is used to create thin films by alternately exposing a substrate to positively- and negatively-charged molecules or particles in water. In recent years, LbL assemblies containing poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) have been heavily studied, but little work has focused on improving the environmental stability of these thin films. Most intrinsically conductive polymers suffer from increasing resistance with exposure to ultraviolet light. Films made by alternately depositing poly(styrene sulfonate)-doped PEDOT and polyethylenimine (PEI) show an order of magnitude increase in sheet resistance after just 28 hours of exposure to 365 nm light, but this degradation is significantly diminished when TiO2 nanoparticles are included in the PEI layers.
Robust inference policies: preliminary report

Reasoning under uncertainty often involves a great deal of judgmental imprecision. The subjective (or database-retrieved) uncertainty estimates that serve as the ingredients of an uncertainty calculus are often perceived as arbitrary, imprecise, or uncertain. One consequence of this judgmental imprecision is that many decision makers (and researchers) avoid using an explicit uncertainty calculus for fear of being subject to a garbage-in garbage-out problem. A series of Monte Carlo studies were performed to assess the extent to which different inference procedures robustly output reasonable belief values in the context of increasing levels of judgmental imprecision. It was found that, when compared with an equal-weights linear model, the Bayesian procedures are more likely to deduce strong support for a hypothesis. But the Bayesian procedures are also more likely to strongly support the wrong hypothesis. Bayesian techniques are mote powerful, but also more error prone. >
Game-theoretic optimal portfolios

We show, for a wide variety of payoff functions, that the expected log optimal portfolio is also game theoretically optimal in a single play or in multiple plays of the stock market. Thus there is no essential conflict between good short-term and long-run performance. Both are achieved by maximizing the conditional expected log return.
MAC protocols for ultra-wide-band (UWB) wireless networks: impact of channel acquisition time

The upcoming Ultra-wide-band (UWB) radio technology holds great promise for revolutionizing wireless communications. UWB radios transmit using precise, very short (e.g. picosecond) impulses spread over a very large bandwidth (up to a few Ghz). The significant advantages of this technology are low-power operation, mitigated multi-path fading effects, high bit-rates and unique precise position/timing location ability. However, one of the drawbacks of this technology, in its current state, is the high channel acquisition time, i.e. the time for a transmitter and receiver to achieve bit synchronization. This tends to be quite high, of the order of a few milli-seconds. Hence, it is important for current medium access control (MAC) protocol design to consider the impact of acquisition time. In this paper, we study the performance of two standard MAC protocols - the distributed CSMA/CA protocol and the centralized TDM protocol in the context of UWB wireless local area networks. We study effects of varying packet frame sizes and packet arrival rates and present a quantification of the impact of acquisition time on overall performance.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Perennial plant mortality in the Sonoran and Mojave deserts in response to severe, multi-year drought

Recent drought caused considerable shrub mortality in parts of the Sonoran and Mojave deserts (USA). The most severe impacts occurred in southern parts of the Mojave Desert and the adjacent Lower Colorado section of the Sonoran Desert in southernmost California and southwestern Arizona. In that region, mortality of the small, drought-deciduous shrubs Ambrosia deltoidea and Ambrosia dumosa was 100% or nearly so. The larger, drought-enduring evergreen Larrea tridentata fared much better, although nearly two-thirds of all L. tridentata plants succumbed at one location. Data on 21 additional perennial species showed that other species of small, drought-deciduous shrubs also sustained considerably higher mortality. The best predictor of plant responses was the Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) calculated for a 60-month time frame ending in March 2003, indicating the importance of the cumulative effect of successive drought years. Deficits of cool-season precipitation were more extreme than warm-season deficits and were probably the greatest contributor to plant mortality. Soil conditions, including differences in parent materials and texture, also influenced plant responses. Episodes of drought-induced, perennial plant mortality represent extensive, region-wide ecological disturbances and may be one of the most important processes affecting plant populations and community composition in deserts.
Comparison of test characteristics of urine dipstick and urinalysis at various test cutoff points

Abstract Study Objective: We compare the test characteristics of urine dipstick and urinalysis at various test cutoff points in women presenting to emergency departments and an intermediate care center with symptoms of urinary tract infection. Methods: This was a prospective, observational study of adult women presenting to 1 of 2 community hospital EDs or an intermediate care center with dysuria, urgency, or urinary frequency on history, or suprapubic or costovertebral angle tenderness on examination. Patients who had taken antibiotics in the past 72 hours, had indwelling Foley catheters, symptomatic vaginal discharge, diabetes mellitus, immunodeficiency disorders, or were unable to provide a reliable history were excluded. The patient's clean-catch or catheterized urine specimen was tested immediately by a nurse using a Multistix 9 SG reagent strip. A second aliquot was sent within 1 hour of collection to the hospital laboratory, where a semiautomated microscopic urinalysis and a urine culture were performed. A positive urine culture was defined as more than 100,000 colonies of 1 or 2 uropathogenic bacteria per mL of urine at 48 hours. Dipstick and urinalysis data were compared with urine culture results. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were calculated at various definitions of a positive test, or "test cutoff points," for combinations of leukocyte esterase, nitrite, and blood on dipstick and for RBCs and WBCs on urinalyses. The probability of an erroneous decision to withhold treatment on the basis of a negative test result was defined as "undertreatment," or 1 minus the negative predictive value. "Overtreatment" was defined as 1 minus the positive predictive value. Results: Three hundred forty-three patients were enrolled in this study. Twelve patients were withdrawn because of missing laboratory results. Forty-six percent (152/331) of patients had positive urine cultures. If urine dipstick results are defined as positive when leukocyte esterase or nitrite is positive or blood is more than trace, the overtreatment rate is 47% (156/331) and the undertreatment rate is 13% (43/331). If urinalysis results are defined as positive when WBCs are more than 3 per high-power field or RBCs are more than 5 per high-power field, the overtreatment rate is 44% (146/331) and the undertreatment rate is 11% (36/331). Matched pairs of test characteristics were identified when the analysis was repeated using more than 10,000 colonies per mL as a positive culture. Conclusion: In this patient population, similar overtreatment and undertreatment rates were identified for various test cutoff points for urine dipstick tests and urinalysis. Although a urine dipstick may be equivalent to a urinalysis for the diagnosis of urinary tract infection, the limitations in the diagnostic accuracy of both tests should be incorporated into medical decisionmaking. [Lammers RL, Gibson S, Kovacs D, Sears W, Strachan G. Comparison of test characteristics of urine dipstick and urinalysis at various test cutoff points. Ann Emerg Med. November 2001;38:505-512.]
Medicare's Mental Health Benefits: Coverage, Use, and Expenditures

Estimates of the proportion of persons aged 65 and older with diagnosable mental disorders, residing both in the community and in institutions, range from 13.5% to 22%. Mental health services, both inpatient and outpatient, short and long term, are necessary for the well-being of these older Americans. Mental health benefits are covered under Medicare. However, less than 3% of the $90.5 billion Medicare budget in 1988 was spent on mental health services. Of that 3%, $2.2 billion was used for Part A(hospital insurance) and $300 million for Part B (medical insurance). In contrast, in the same year, payments for mental health services represented 20% to 30% of total health expenditures made by private insurers. Differences in payments abound when comparing freestanding psychiatric facilities with both exempt and nonexempt psychiatric units in general hospitals. This article describes these differences and how they influence the use of mental health services by Medicare beneficiaries.
Expression of murine Unc93b1 is up-regulated by interferon and estrogen signaling: implications for sex bias in the development of autoimmunity

The endoplasmic reticulum transmembrane protein, Unc93b1, is essential for trafficking of endosomal TLRs from the endoplasmic reticulum to endosomes. A genetic defect in the human UNC93B1 gene is associated with immunodeficiency. However, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients express increased levels of the UNC93B1 protein in B cells. Because SLE in patients and certain mouse models exhibits a sex bias and increased serum levels of type I interferons in patients are associated with the disease activity, we investigated whether the female sex hormone estrogen (E2) or type I interferon signaling could up-regulate the expression of the murine Unc93b1 gene. We found that steady-state levels of Unc93b1 mRNA and protein were measurably higher in immune cells (CD3 + , B220 + , CD11b + and CD11c + ) isolated from C57BL/6 (B6) females than agematched males. Moreover, treatment of CD11b + and B220 + cells with E2 or interferons (IFN-α, IFN-β or IFN-γ) significantly increased the levels of Unc93b1 mRNA and protein. Accordingly, a deficiency of estrogen receptor-α or STAT1 expression in immune cells decreased the expression levels of the Unc93b1 protein. Interestingly, levels of Unc93b1 protein were appreciably higher in B6.Nba2 lupusprone female mice compared with age-matched B6 females. Furthermore, increased expression of the interferon- and E2-inducible p202 protein in a murine macrophage cell line (RAW264.7) increased the levels of the Unc93b1 protein, whereas knockdown of p202 expression reduced the levels. To our knowledge, our observations demonstrate for the first time that activation of interferon and estrogen signaling in immune cells up-regulates the expression of murine Unc93b1.
[Mn3O(O2CPh)6(py)2]2(4,4′-bpy) and [Mn9O7(O2CC6H4-p-OMe)13 (4,4′-bpy)]2: new multinuclear manganese complexes

Abstract The synthesis, X-ray crystal structures and magnetic properties of two new types of dimers of multinuclear manganese aggregates are described. [Mn 3 O(O 2 CPh) 6 (py) 2 ] 2 (4,4′-bpy) is prepared from the reaction of the trinuclear starting material [Mn 3 O(O 2 CPh) 6 (py) 2 (H 2 O)] with 4,4′-bipyridine. This compound can be described as a dimer of trinuclear units and has been characterized crystallographically as part of a unit cell which also contains a monomeric, trinuclear species. Dimers of enneanuclear manganese complexes linked by two bifunctional units (4,4′-bipyridine or trans -1,2-bis(4-pyridylethene)) may be prepared from the tetranuclear starting material, (su0)Bu 4 N)[Mn 4 O 2 -(O 2 CR) 9 (H 2 O)], where R = Ph or C 6 H 4 - p -OMe. The new octadecanuclear complex [Mn 9 O 7 (O 2 CC 6 H 4 - p -OMe) 13 (4,4′-bpy)] 2 has been structurally characterized. This complex shows magnetic behavior which can be fit by considering only magnetic interactions within the individual Mn 9 O 7 units.
Career Stage Theory and Turnover Intent Among Correctional Officers

Prior research on correctional staff turnover intent and turnover generally assumes that staff are impacted by the workplace in a similar manner regardless of career stage. This study examined whether correctional officers (N = 2,621) with a Southwestern correctional agency differed in their level of turnover intent across different career stages, and whether the impact of work environment variables on turnover intent varied across career stages. Results indicated that turnover intent was lowest among staff with less than 1 year into their careers, and that the effects of work environment variables on turnover intent varied greatly across the 4 career stages. Commitment to the organization was the only work environment variable to be a significant predictor of intent to leave among four career stages, with a negative association in each of the four career groups.
Interaction bounds in multivariable control systems

Abstract Time-domain limitations due to right-half plane zeros and poles in linear multivariable control systems are studied. Lower bounds on the interaction are derived. They show not only how the location of zeros and poles are critical in multivariable systems, but also how the zero and pole directions influence the performance. The results are illustrated on the Quadruple-Tank Process, which is a new multivariable laboratory process.
Effect of the US National HIV/AIDS Strategy targets for improved HIV care engagement: a modelling study.

Summary Background The recently updated White House National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) includes specific progress indicators to improve the HIV care continuum in the USA, but the economic and epidemiological effect of achieving those indicators remains unclear. We aimed to project the impact of achieving NHAS goals on HIV incidence, prevalence, mortality, and costs among adults in the USA over 10 years. Methods We constructed a dynamic transmission model of HIV progression and care engagement based on literature sources and the most recent published US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. We specifically considered achievement of the 2020 targets set forth in NHAS progress indicator 1 (90% awareness of serostatus), indicator 4 (85% linkage within 1 month), and indicator 5 (90% of diagnosed individuals in care). Findings At current rates of engagement in the HIV care continuum, we project 524 000 (95% uncertainty range 442 000–712 000) new HIV infections and 375 000 deaths (364 000–578 000) between 2016 and 2025. Achievement of NHAS progress indicators 1 and 4 has modest epidemiological effect (new infections reduced by 2·0% and 3·9%, respectively). By contrast, increasing the proportion of diagnosed individuals in care (NHAS indicator 5) averts 52% (95% UR 47–56) of new infections. Achievement of all NHAS targets resulted in a 58% reduction (95% UR 52–61) in new infections and 128 000 lives saved (106 000–223 000) at an incremental health system cost of US$105 billion. Interpretation Achievement of NHAS progress indicators for screening, linkage, and particularly improving retention in care, can substantially reduce the burden of HIV in the USA, but continued and increased financial investment will be required. Funding The National Institutes of Health, the B Frank and Kathleen Polk Assistant Professorship in Epidemiology, Emory University CFAR, Johns Hopkins University CFAR, and CDC/NCHHSTP Epidemiological and Economic Modeling Agreement (5U38PS004646).
Philanthropy in Invisible Man

Although critics usually agree that Invisible Man is a major American novel, they have disagreed about how to characterize it, labeling it variously as a Negro novel (Reilly), an existential novel (Klein), a picaresque novel (Baumbach), and a bildungsroman (McSweeney). Critics have examined the role of imagination in the novel (Bone), its links both to folklore and jazz (O'Meally; Horowitz; Kent), and its allusions to such writers in the American canon as Emerson, Elliot, Joyce, Twain, and Melville (Nadal; Parr and Savery). They have explored the racial, sociopolitical, sexual, and rite-of-passage themes in the work. No one, however, has focused on the theme of philanthropy in the novel, though analyses of the college episode frequently address philanthropy in regard to Mr. Norton, the northern white philanthropist who arrives on the black college campus each year for the Founder's Day celebration. McSweeney, for example, notes that Norton's philanthropy is "contaminated not only by selfishness but also a kind of voyeurism" (48) because of the incest theme introduced in the Trueblood episode, and he goes on to describe Norton as superficial, paternalistic, smug, and self-satisfied (47-49)-a portrayal that fits the negative image of a stereotypical philanthropist. The Norton episode, however, is only one of many incidents in Invisible Man where an understanding of philanthropy shapes one's interpretation of the novel. Following this philanthropic thread through other episodes suggests new perspectives about the novel as a whole, and at the same time, invites the reader to new insights about the nature of philanthropy and philanthropists. These insights offset the commonly accepted negative stereotype exemplified by Norton and help broaden the notion of philanthropy generally. Some readers will not question the validity of a negative characterization of the philanthropist, having encountered it before in wellknown English novels such as Dickens's Bleak House and Eliot's Middlemarch, as well as numerous American works, from essays by Thoreau ("If I knew for a certainty that a man was coming to my
The Storage of Abundant Clean Energy

The storage of energy is not of much concern in our present fossil-fuel energy system. But remember that energy is stored in the fuels we use: coal, oil, and natural gas. As we have pointed out before, energy of the fossil fuels is stored solar energy.
Consumer Logistics: The Communication Subsystem

This paper provides a conceptual treatment of the process by which consumers engage in marketing-related communication. Taking a different approach from previous conceptualizations of this process, this treatment considers communication from the standpoint of consumer logistics. Consumer logistics concerns the participation of consumers in the process of distribution in a manner complementary to the performance of the business logistics system. Considering marketing-related communication from the viewpoint of the Communication subsystem of the consumer logistics system provides new insights into the consumer communication process.
307 MUCOSAL AMPLITUDE RATIO OF TEMPORARY ELECTROGASTROGRAPHY PREDICTS OUTCOME OF RESPONSE TO GASTRIC ELECTRICAL STIMULATION.

Introduction Gastric electrical stimulation (GES) is an accepted therapy for gastroparesis (GP) with chronic nausea and vomiting. Temporary GES is a new approach applying GES endoscopically via the gastric mucosa. We previously reported that the ratio of frequency to amplitude of the serosal EGG at the time of placement might correlate with outcome of permanent GES. We now investigated the hypothesis that the ratio of frequency to amplitude of the mucosal EGG (mEGG) at the time of temporary GES placement might predict outcome to therapy. Patients 149 patients (118 F, 31 M, mean age of 44 years) with the symptoms of GP and diagnosis: 82 idiopathic, 41 diabetic, and 26 postsurgical, underwent temporary GES (TempGES) as previously described (GIE, 2005). Methods Patients were assessed at baseline and after 3 days of TempGES in terms of symptoms of vomiting (V), nausea (N), and GI total symptom score (TSS). The average frequency (F), amplitude (A), frequency to amplitude ratio (MART), and subclasses of F/A (by low/high for each) were calculated and compared with the outcome by % V symptom change and by V change category as none, minimal, or marked; were compared by t-tests, correlation, and chi-square and reported as mean ± SE. Results After 3 days of TempGES, V score changed from 2.3 ± 0.1 to 0.5 ± 0.1, N score changed from 3.3 ± 0.1 to 1.2 ± 0.1, and TSS changed from 14.3 ± 0.3 to 5.3 ± 0.4 (all p Conclusions We conclude that mucosal recordings of EGG frequency and amplitude at the time of endoscopic electrode placement correlate with symptom outcomes of temporary GES.
The surgical repair of positional anomalies of the conotruncus.

A wide range of conotruncal anomalies exists. Three methods are currently employed for the repair of these defects: (1) Mustard operation, whether or not closure of the ventricular septal defect or relief of pulmonary stenosis is required, (2) Rastelli operation, and (3) intraventricular repair alone. The anatomic prerequisites for each of the three methods of repair vary.
Un-Civil Media and The Social War

Within days of the assassination of Senator Clementa Pinckney and the murder of his fellow church members, elected Republican Governor of South Carolina, Nikki Haley initiated an act to remove the Confederate battle flag from the South Carolina statehouse. Elected representatives of the State of South Carolina supported this proposal.
Discrete-time Signals and Systems

Although the theory of discrete- and continuous-time signals and systems are similar there are significant differences. Letting the discrete-time signals be functions of an integer variable unifies the treatment of signals obtained from analog signals by sampling and those that are naturally discrete. The discrete frequency is circular, and depends on the sampling period used whenever the discrete-time signal results from sampling. Conceptually, periodicity coincides for both types of signals, but discrete-time periodic signals must have integer periods which imposes restrictions not present in continuous-time periodic signals. Energy, power, and symmetry of continuous-time signals are conceptually the same for discrete-time signals. One can define basic signals just like those for continuous-time signals, but without their mathematical complications. Extending the concept of linear time-invariance to discrete-time systems, we obtain a convolution sum to represent them. A significant difference over continuous-time systems is that the solution of difference equations can be recursively obtained, and that the convolution sum provides a class of non-recursive systems without counterpart in the analog domain. Causality and BIBO stability are conceptually the same for both types of systems. Simulations using MATLAB clarify the theoretical concepts.
Similarity, Complementarity, and Agency in HRI Theoretical Issues in Shifting the Perception of Robots from Tools to Teammates

Robotic teammates are becoming prevalent in increasingly complex and dynamic operational and social settings. For this reason, the perception of robots operating in such environments has transitioned from the perception of robots as tools, extending human capabilities, to the perception of robots as teammates, collaborating with humans and displaying complex social cognitive processes. The goal of this paper is to introduce a discussion on an integrated set of robotic design elements, as well as provide support for the idea that human-robot interaction requires a clearer understanding of social cognitive constructs to optimize human-robot collaboration. We develop a set of research questions addressing these constructs with the goal of improving the engineering of artificial cognitive systems reliant on natural human-robot interaction.
Modele Biznesowe a Kapitał Intelektualny Przedsiębiorstwa (Business Models and Intellectual Capital of a Company)

Polish Abstract: Rozwoj koncepcji modelu biznesowego oraz kapitalu intelektualnego przedsiebiorstwa datuje sie na lata 90. ubieglego stulecia. Zaskakujący pozostaje fakt, ze w ostatnich dwoch dekadach pojawilo sie niewiele publikacji omawiających wplyw kapitalu intelektualnego na tworzenie, funkcjonowanie czy innowacyjnośc modeli biznesowych, a koncepcja modelu biznesowego nie znajduje szerszego odzwierciedlenia w literaturze z zakresu arządzania i pomiaru kapitalu intelektualnego przedsiebiorstwa. Tymczasem w ramach tych dwoch koncepcji istnieje wiele obszarow analiz, ktore sie pokrywają, a do ktorych bez wątpienia nalezą: tworzenie wartości, wartośc dodana, przewaga konkurencyjna, umiejetności, kompetencje, czy zasoby niematerialne.Celem artykulu jest wskazanie wspolnych elementow tych koncepcji, zarysowanie kierunkow dalszych badan, szczegolnie jeśli chodzi o pomiar i operacjonalizacje modelu biznesowego. W podjeciu tych teoretycznych rozwazan wykorzystano biezącą i wyselekcjonowaną literature przedmiotu.English Abstract: The development of the concept of a business model and the intellectual capital of a company dates back to the nineties of the last century. Surprising is the fact that over the last two decades, there have been very few publications discussing the impact of intellectual capital on value creation, functioning and business models innovation, nor the concept of a business model reflected in the broader literature on management and intellectual capital measurement. However, within these two concepts, there are many elements that overlap, and which no doubt include: the creation of value, value added, competitive advantage, skills, and intangible resources. The purpose of this article is to identify the common elements of these concepts, outline directions for further research, especially when it comes to measurement and operationalization of the business model. Taking these theoretical considerations into account current and selected literature were used.
Section Introduction: How Nation-States Respond to the Impacts of Migration, Immigration and Ethnic Diversity in the Context of Globalization in India, China, Japan, Korea and Singapore

The vast population movements within and between Asian nations caused by globalization and industrialization have created new opportunities for and tensions in educational expansion in these rapidly urbanizing nations. In this book, the section “Urban Education in Asia” features seven chapters which identify the challenges to equal access to high-quality education for migrant children in India and China and immigrant children in Japan, Korea, and Singapore. The introduction summarizes the questions explored in these papers: How have migration and immigration diversified the student populations in Asian urban areas over recent decades? How have population changes accelerated changes in educational institutions? How have government officials, policymakers, and educators responded? To what degree and why are these policies and their implementation effective at fulfilling their purposes and intentions?To help readers better understand the similarities and differences of these five Asian countries, the introduction lays out their backgrounds, highlighting their diverse social, political, demographic, and historical contexts and explaining how various internal and external forces have reshaped the balance between quality, equality, and equity in educational access, outputs, and outcomes in them. The introduction also describes two theoretical frameworks (the political economy of education and pluralism/multiculturalism) for policy and institutional analysis. Finally, the editor shares her reading of how each chapter illustrates the impacts of the interactions and intersections among historical contexts (colonial, neocolonial, and postcolonial), cultural issues (philosophies, ideologies, beliefs, values, and traditions), and structure matters (economic system, power, policies and laws, organization and operations) on the development, implementation, and reform of educational policies and institutional changes in the five selected nations.
Drugs that act on the immune system: Immunosuppressive and immunostimulatory drugs

Abstract The Side Effects of Drugs Annuals is a series of volumes in which the adverse effects of drugs and adverse reactions to them are surveyed. The series supplements the contents of Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs: the International Encyclopedia of Adverse Drug Reactions and Interactions . This review of the January 2012 to June 2013 publications on immunosuppressive and immunostimulatory or immunoenhancing drugs covers ciclosporin, cyclophosphamide, everolimus (SDZ-RAD), fingolimod, glatiramer, leflunomide, mycophenolate mofetil, pimecrolimus, sirolimus (rapamycin), tacrolimus, temsirolimus, voclosporin, thiopurines and the immunoenhancing drug picibanil.
β-Lactone formation during product release from a nonribosomal peptide synthetase

Nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) are multidomain modular biosynthetic assembly lines that polymerize amino acids into a myriad of biologically active nonribosomal peptides (NRPs). NRPS thioesterase (TE) domains employ diverse release strategies for off-loading thioester-tethered polymeric peptides from termination modules typically via hydrolysis, aminolysis, or cyclization to provide mature antibiotics as carboxylic acids/esters, amides, and lactams/lactones, respectively. Here we report the enzyme-catalyzed formation of a highly strained β-lactone ring during TE-mediated cyclization of a β-hydroxythioester to release the antibiotic obafluorin (Obi) from an NRPS assembly line. The Obi NRPS (ObiF) contains a type I TE domain with a rare catalytic cysteine residue that plays a direct role in β-lactone ring formation. We present a detailed genetic and biochemical characterization of the entire Obi biosynthetic gene cluster in plant-associated Pseudomonas fluorescens ATCC 39502 that establishes a general strategy for β-lactone biogenesis.
HCN2 channels in the ventral tegmental area regulate behavioral responses to chronic stress

Dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) are powerful regulators of depression-related behavior. Dopamine neuron activity is altered in chronic stress-based models of depression, but the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Here, we show that mice subject to chronic mild unpredictable stress (CMS) exhibit anxiety- and depressive-like behavior, which was associated with decreased VTA dopamine neuron firing in vivo and ex vivo. Dopamine neuron firing is governed by voltage-gated ion channels, in particular hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels. Following CMS, HCN-mediated currents were decreased in nucleus accumbens-projecting VTA dopamine neurons. Furthermore, shRNA-mediated HCN2 knockdown in the VTA was sufficient to recapitulate CMS-induced depressive- and anxiety-like behavior in stress-naive mice, whereas VTA HCN2 overexpression largely prevented CMS-induced behavioral deficits. Together, these results reveal a critical role for HCN2 in regulating VTA dopamine neuronal activity and depressive-related behaviors.