cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Food Security, Maternal Stressors, and Overweight Among Low-Income US Children: Results From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2002)

OBJECTIVE. A high proportion of children in the United States are overweight, suffer from food insecurity, and live in households facing maternal stressors. The objective of this article was to identify the associations of food insecurity and maternal stressors with childhood overweight among low-income children. We hypothesized that maternal stressors may exacerbate the relationship between food insecurity and child obesity. METHODS. The sample included 841 children (3–17 years old) and their mothers with incomes below 200% of the poverty line from the 1999–2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Food insecurity was based on US Department of Agriculture protocol, maternal stressors were assessed from survey questions, and BMI was used to classify weight status. Probit regression models predicted the probability of a child being overweight or obese. RESULTS. In most specifications, there was no direct association between food insecurity or maternal stressors and overweight for children of any age. Among 3- to 10-year-olds, the interaction of food insecurity and maternal stressors was significantly linked to the probability of being overweight; more specifically, an increase in maternal stressors amplified a food secure child9s probability of being overweight or obese. This result is robust to alternative specifications. However, these results were not found among 11- and 17-year-old youth. CONCLUSIONS. Younger children in food secure, low-income households in the United States who are experiencing higher levels of maternal stressors have a greater probability of being overweight than food insecure children. This finding was contrary to the hypothesis; 3 reasons for this are covered in the article. Those who create policies that address childhood obesity could consider the benefits to low-income children9s well-being resulting from reducing their mothers9 stressors. Because most children in the United States are food secure, these policies could have a profound impact on childhood overweight.
Evaluation of single-pigment shift model of anomalous trichromacy*

The spectral sensitivity of the visual photopigments, the interobserver variability in color judgments, and the spectral locus of unique yellow provide three major problems for accounts of X-chromosomal-linked anomalous trichromacy. According to the single-pigment hypothesis, the primary defect in anomalous trichromacy is a wavelength shift in the peak sensitivity of one of the three visual photopigments. We show that this shift results in reduction of the anomalous trichromat's r-g opponent chromatic channel. The distribution of response variability in Rayleigh equation match widths due to factors other than the spectral characteristics of the photopigments is similar in normal and anomalous trichromats. When normal and anomalous trichromats make hue estimations of sets of stimuli designed to contain similar chromatic information, their judgments show similar variability. Calculation of the r-g opponent chromatic channel can provide correct predictions of the spectral loci for unique yellow for anomalous trichromats.
Genome-Enabled Analysis of Plant-Pathogen Migration

Trade in plant and plant products has profoundly affected the global distribution and diversity of plant pathogens. Identification of migration pathways can be used to monitor or manage pathogen movement for proactive disease management or quarantine measures. Genomics-based genetic marker discovery is allowing unprecedented collection of population genetic data for plant pathogens. These data can be used for detailed analysis of the ancestry of population samples and therefore for analysis of migration. Reconstruction of migration histories has confirmed previous hypotheses based on observational data and led to unexpected new findings on the origins of pathogens and source populations for past and recent migration. The choice of software for analysis depends on the type of migration being studied and the reproductive mode of the pathogen. Biased sampling and complex population structures are potential challenges to accurate inference of migration pathways.
Connecting adaptation and strategy: The role of evolutionary theory in scenario planning

Abstract In this study, evolutionary theory is used to analyze and critique the strategic process of scenario planning. We argue that scenario planning can be strengthened as a theory- and practice-oriented process through the incorporation of evolutionary theory in the scenario narrative process, and in the subsequent implementation phases in response to environmental change. First, this paper addresses scenario planning in relation to theoretical perspectives on strategic planning and forecasting. Then, the concepts of variation, selection, retention, organizational learning and inertia are used to analyze scenario planning as a strategic process. This study argues that because scenario planning mirrors modes of variation and selection at the organizational level, evolutionary theory is a useful approach for assessing the plausibility of scenario narratives and strengthening the theoretical foundation of scenario planning as a process. By utilizing an evolutionary framework throughout the scenario planning process, this method has a better chance of encouraging exploratory strategic thinking without reinforcing non-blind variation or inertial practices. Concepts including inertia can also be used to better address bias and myopia in the scenario planning process. Additionally, evolutionary theory can be used to assess how entities learn from the outcomes of scenario planning as the environment changes over time.
Modeling of a closed loop cable-conduit transmission system

Many surgical robots use cable-conduit pairs in a pull-pull configuration to actuate the instruments and transmit power into the patient's body. Friction between the cable and the conduit makes the system nonlinear and accounts for major losses in tension transmission across the cable. This paper proposes an analytical model for a similar cable-conduit system and formulates the load transmission characteristics. The dynamic model uses discrete elements with friction losses and cable stretch calculated for each of the segments. The simulations predict backlash, cable slacking, and other nonlinear behavior. These results are verified with an experiment using two DC motors coupled with a cable-conduit pair. The drive motor is run in position control mode, while the load motor simulates a passive environment torsional spring. Experimental results are compared with the simulation and various implications are discussed.
Clustering Inside Classes Improves Performance of Linear Classifiers

This work systematically examines a Clustering Inside Classes (CIC) approach to classification. In CIC, each class is partitioned into subclasses based on cluster analysis. We find that CIC, by extracting local structure and producing compact subclasses, can improve performance of linear classifiers such as SVM and logistic regression. It is compared against a global classifier on four benchmark datasets. We empirically analyze effects of the training set size and the number of clusters per class on the results of the CIC approach. We also examine use of an automated method for selecting the number of clusters for each class.
Two left-hemisphere mechanisms in speech perception*

Right-ear advantages of different magnitudes occur systematically in dichotic listening for different phoneme classes and for certain phonemes according to their syllabic position. Such differences cannot be accounted for in terms of a single mechanism unique to the left hemisphere. Instead, at least two mechanisms are needed. One such device appears to be involved in the auditory analysis of transitions and other aspects of the speech signal. This device appears to be engaged for speech and nonspeech sounds alike. The other mechanism, the more accustomed “speech processor”, appears to make all phonetic decisions in identifying the stimulus.
Effect of Dopaminergic Medication on Postural Sway in Advanced Parkinson’s Disease

Background: The effect of dopaminergic therapy on balance in Parkinson’s disease (PD) remains unclear, including previous studies that excluded the effect of dyskinesias or other involuntary movements on postural sway. Additionally, medication’s effects may differ between fallers and non-fallers. In this study, the authors quantify the effect of dopaminergic medication on postural balance (sway) in advanced PD, with and without dyskinesias, and consider the patient’s history of falls. Methods: In 24 patients with advanced idiopathic PD, postural balance was measured using a strain-gauge force platform. Before and after taking dopaminergic medication, the patient’s postural sway was measured at 30-second intervals to determine sway length (SL) and sway area (SA). Data analysis included the presence of dyskinesias during "ON" medication condition and history of previous falls. Results: No significant changes occurred in SL or SA with dopaminergic treatment for fallers without dyskinesias or non-fallers with dyskinesias. However, after dopaminergic treatment, SL and SA were 37.8% and 45% lower, respectively, in non-fallers without dyskinesias (indicating better balance) and were 87.4% and 162.8% higher, respectively, in fallers with dyskinesias (indicating poorer balance). In the ON medication condition, SL and SA were larger in patients with dyskinesias when compared with patients without dyskinesias; SL was larger in fallers than non-fallers in both groups with or without dyskinesias. Conclusions: Dopaminergic medication effects on postural sway could be a predictive factor for fall risk in PD patients with and without dyskinesias: specifically, decreased sway could indicate minimal fall risk whereas no change or increased postural sway could indicate a high risk.
Accurate modeling of Coulombic scattering, and its impact on scaled MOSFETs

The importance of modeling Coulombic scattering in MOS inversion layers is established by demonstrating its impact on critical design parameters such as V/sub T/ and I/sub off/. An accurate model for Coulombic scattering has been developed that, for the first time, properly accounts for 2D confinement and quantum mechanical effects in the inversion layer, thus disproving the viability of 3D classical models. In regimes where 3D models grossly over predict mobility, the new 2D model demonstrates its broad applicability by accurately reproducing experimental results over a wide range of channel dopings, substrate biases, and inversion charge densities.
Intra-Industry Trade Revisited: A Note

This short note revisits the relative importance of intra- and inter-industry trade by using the Grubel-Lloyd formula as a measure of intra-industry trade to the country’s manufacturing trade (sections 5–8 of the SITC) where each industry is the four digit classification. Measures for a country’s total trade, as well as its bilateral trade with specific countries are utilized. The results demonstrate that intra-industry trade dominates trade among the OECD countries, while inter-industry trade dominates North-South and South-South trade.
The falsity of the reconstruction conjecture for tournaments

The conjecture that for all sufficiently large p any tournament of order p is uniquely reconstructable from its point-deleted subtournaments is shown to be false. Counterexamples are presented for all orders of the form 2n + 1 and 2n + 2. The largest previously known counterexamples were of order 8.
The modified decomposition method and Padé approximants for a boundary layer equation in unbounded domain

The modified decomposition method is applied for analytic treatment of nonlinear differential equations that appear on boundary layers in fluid mechanics. The modified method accelerates the rapid convergence of the series solution, dramatically reduces the size of work. The obtained series solution is combined with the diagonal Pade approximants to handle the boundary condition at infinity.
An Atypical Gingivostomatitis: A Report of Four Cases

OCCASIONALLY HUMAN DISORDERS occur which do not seem to be typical of any reported condition. The pur­ pose of this article is to report an unusual disorder, which has been seen in four patients at Emory Univer­ sity School of Dentistry within the past two years. All efforts to establish its etiology have been unrewarding. This unusual oral condition is represented by symptoms forming a triad of gingivitis, cheilitis and glossitis. The symptoms fluctuate in severity, undergoing periods of slight remission and exacerbation, although they never disappear entirely. The gingivitis is atypical in that it is a diffuse, erythe­ matous process involving the entire attached gingiva and bears no resemblance to common marginal gin­ givitis. The surface is velvety and friable. It is always intact and no erosion, desquamation or bullae forma­ tion has been observed. Biopsies of this gingival tissue are incompatible with desquamative gingivitis, pemphi­ goid, erosive lichen planus or lupus erythematosus. The angular cheilitis and glossitis appear to be com­ patible with conditions caused by avitaminosis B, but they are refractory to long term vitamin therapy. Per­ nicious anemia is ruled out by adequate levels of hemaglobin. None of the patients was found to be diabetic nor could any fungal overgrowth be demonstrated. CASE HISTORIES Case 1 The patient, a 26-year-old Negro woman, was seen at Emory University School of Dentistry for "sore gums." Her medical history revealed hay fever and an allergy to penicillin. She bruised easily and stated that she often felt tired and run down. She worried about her health, particu­ larly her oral condition, and considered herself to be nervous. She was not taking any medication. She was menstruating regularly. She had no skin lesions or mucous membrane involvement other than the oral manifestations.
The Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale: To RIPLS or not to RIPLS? That is only part of the question.

We live in two inter-related worlds of interprofessional education and collaborative practice (IPECP) by simultaneously implementing and evaluating the University of Minnesota IPECP program, across...
Limit feeding high-energy, by-product–based diets to late-gestation beef cows in confinement

ABSTRACT Three experiments using late-gestation, multiparous beef cows (total n = 175; BW = 534 kg; BCS = 5.6) were conducted to determine the efficacy of limit feeding (less than 2.0% of BW) diets consisting of by-products from the sugar and ethanol industries and crop residues to maintain gestating beef cows in confinement. In Exp. 1, no differences in BW, BCS, or calf birth weight were determined (P ≥ 0.53) comparing a blend of wet distillers grains and wheat straw (30:70 ratio, DM basis; DG/STW) with alfalfa hay when fed 8.3 and 9.1 kg of DM, respectively. In Exp. 2, wet distillers grains, sugar beet pulp, and wheat straw (20:20:60 ratio DM basis; 20 PLP) were compared with DG/STW and AH. Cows were fed 8.5 kg/d DG/STW and 20 PLP and 7.8 kg/d AH. Cows fed alfalfa hay gained less BW (30 kg) than cows fed DG/STW and 20 PLP (66.8 and 73.6 kg, respectively; P
Myelomonocytic myeloma cell line (LB 84-1).

A human cell line (LB 84–1) has been established from the bone marrow of a patient with Bence-Jones myeloma. Coexpression of plasma cell (Leu\[CD38]) and myelomonocytic antigens (Leu MI[CD15], Leu M5 [CD11c], MY7 [CD13] plus butyrate and chloracetate esterase) proved to be an unusual but sustained feature of this cell line. The plasma cell phenotype with multinuclearity was retained. Shared major chromosomal abnormalities (del [5\] \[p14\], t\[5;?\] \[q35;?\], del \[6\] \[q21\], and del 7[q32]) between the direct and cell line karyotypes affirmed the LB 84- 1 cell as being derived from the original patient myeloma clone. The mechanisms potentially responsible for the aberrant coexpressed phenotype are discussed. This myelomonocytic myeloma cell line will hopefully prove to be a valuable tool for the study of the genotypic and phenotypic evolution of human myeloma.
Nonconfocal unstable resonator for solid state dye lasers using a gradient-reflectivity mirror

The design of a compact high-brightness solid-state dye laser oscillator requires a judicious choice of optimal resonator stability and mirror reflectivity. Confocal unstable resonators (consisting of convex and concave mirrors in a Cassegrain arrangement) are commonly used to increase the mode volume of low-order modes, resulting in a highbrightness laser.
Investigation on Pollutant of Heavy Metals in Aquatic Products in Shenzhen

Objective To investigate the pollutant level of heavy metals in aquatic products,and to provide the evidence for food safety supervision in Shenzhen.Method The heavy metals were determined in 427 aquatic products collected from restaurants,supermarkets,and fairs in Shenzhen Results The over standard rate of heavy metals in aquatic products in Shenzhen was 24.1%;and that in sea water shellfish was the highest,reached 58.8%.The cadmium was the main heavy metal pollution in Shenzhen,with the total over standard rate of 19.0%;the exceeding standard rate of cadmium in sea water shellfish was 53.9%,and the exceeding standard rates of lead and inorganic arsenic in aquatic products were both less than 5%.Conclusions The cadmium is the main heavy metal pollution in Shenzhen,which mainly concentrates in sea water shellfish.
Environmental Interpretation of Quartz Grain Surface Textures

The surface texture or roughness of quartz sand grains has been examined with scanning electron microscopy in the secondary electron mode. Information obtained is used to define sedimentary environments and, to a lesser extent, post-depositional or diagenetic conditions. Sands from modern depositional environments were initially examined, and the features characteristic of specific environments were classified. These features were then reproduced in laboratory experiments to produce textural confirmation of modern environments and to provide new insights into origin mechanisms.
The SIR Model and Identification of Spreaders

In this chapter, we review the classic susceptible-infected-recovered (SIR) model for disease spread as applied to a social network. In particular, we look at the problem of identifying nodes that are “spreaders” which cause a large part of the population to become infected under this model. To do so, we survey a variety of nodal measures based on centrality (degree, betweenness, etc.) and other methods (shell decomposition, nearest neighbor analysis, etc.). We then present a set of experiments that illustrate the relation of these nodal measures to spreading under the SIR model.
Longitudinal Patterns of Thalidomide Neuropathy in Children and Adolescents

Objective To characterize the longitudinal clinical and electrophysiological patterns of thalidomide neuropathy in children and adolescents. Study design Retrospective analysis of clinical records at a tertiary care children's hospital, including serial electrophysiological studies. Results Sixteen patients aged 6-24 years received thalidomide to treat Crohn's disease from 2002 to 2012. Nine subjects had electrophysiological evidence of sensorimotor axonal polyneuropathy, 8 of whom had sensory and/or motor symptoms. The patients with polyneuropathy received thalidomide for 5 weeks to 52 months, with cumulative doses ranging from 1.4 to 207.7 g. All subjects with cumulative doses greater than 60 g developed polyneuropathy, and 4 of the 5 subjects who received thalidomide for more than 20 months developed polyneuropathy. The 7 subjects who had normal neurophysiological studies received therapy for 1 week to 25 months, with cumulative doses ranging from 0.7 to 47 g. In contrast to some previous reports, several patients had sensorimotor polyneuropathies, rather than pure sensory neuropathies. In patients with neuropathy who received therapy for more than 24 months and had 3 or more electromyography studies, the severity of the neuropathy plateaued. Conclusions Factors in addition to the total dose may contribute to the risk profile for thalidomide neuropathy, including pharmacogenetic susceptibilities. The severity of the neuropathy does not worsen relentlessly. Children, adolescents, and young adults receiving thalidomide should undergo regular neurophysiological studies to monitor for neuropathy.
Systems Analysis of In-Space Manufacturing Applications for the International Space Station and the Evolvable Mars Campaign

Maintenance logistics support is a significant challenge for extended human operations in space, especially for missions beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO). For missions to Mars (such as NASA's Evolvable Mars Campaign (EMC)), where timely resupply or abort in the event of emergency will not be possible, maintenance logistics mass is directly linked to the Probability of Loss of Crew (P(LoC)), and the cost of driving down risk is an exponential increase in mass requirements. The logistics support strategies that have maintained human operations in LEO will not be effective for these deep space missions. In-Space Manufacturing (ISM) is a promising technological solution that could reduce logistics requirements, mitigate risks, and augment operational capabilities, enabling Earth- independent human spaceflight. This paper reviews maintenance logistics challenges for spaceflight operations in LEO and beyond, and presents a summary of selected results from a systems analysis of potential ISM applications for the ISS and EMC. A quantitative modeling framework and sample assessment of maintenance logistics and risk reduction potential of this new technology is also presented and discussed.
Fine Structure of the Choroid

Figure 48 shows radial sections of the baboon choroid. It is approximately 95 µm deep in the foveal region, but only 55 µm in the periphery (see also Fig. 6). The basal labyrinth of the pigment epithelium is at the bottom of Figure 48 beneath Bruch’s membrane (B). Two small drusen are seen at D (Fig. 48A). The choroidocapillaris (C) is embedded in a fiber system consisting of Bruch’s membrane, connecting fiber columns (FC), and an external collagen fiber layer (F). This recently discovered fiber system of the choroidocapillaris may be important for the patency of the capillary sinus (Krebs and Krebs 1990). The thickness of the choroidocapillaris decreases from 10 µm in the fovea to 7 µm in the periphery.
Molecular dynamics simulation of the Hugoniot states of boron suboxide

Abstract It has been previously demonstrated in a number of studies that the strength of boron carbide can be significantly reduced via introduction of a site vacancy. The site vacancies result in a discontinuous shock response at high pressure that is driven by bond formation between atoms which neighbor the vacancies. In this work, molecular dynamics simulations of boron suboxide (B 6 O) have been conducted to determine whether an analogous bond formation occurs at high pressure producing discontinuities in the B 6 O Hugoniot. Hugoniot data for ideal boron suboxide, a defect structure of boron suboxide, and a carbon doped structure are provided and the structural response of the oxygen atoms within the B 6 O crystal with increasing shock pressure is presented.
Properties of Carcinoembryonic Antigens

As important as this antigen seems to be, little is known about it. It can be detected by its capacity of inducing resistance against the transplanted tumor. The same antigen is probably responsible for several in-vitro reactions: cytotoxic reaction by serum or immune cells, inhibition of in-vivo growth and in-vitro growth in diffusion chambers, colony inhibition, membrane fluorescence. When the reaction induced by this antigen is compared with reactions induced by other transplantation antigens, the transplantation CEA falls into the category of the so-called weak antigens. It is difficult to say whether this antigen exists in normal cells in some undetectable quantity or form (coated, covered, changed, deep inside the cell) or that it appears only after malignant transformation. It is probably coded for by the cell genome, even in virus-induced tumors which contain this antigen. Otherwise, since the same antigen is detectable during embryogenesis, it would be coded for in the embryonic cell by the same virus. The amount and the time of appearance of this CEA during embryogenesis may be important in determining whether the organism will be able to react against the antigen if it reappears in a tumor in the immunologically mature animal. Most antigens which are expressed during embryogenesis are recognized as self and are immunologically tolerated by the organism. This characteristic, however, may not be true for all antigens. First, the inducibility of tolerance seems to be limited in time.
Correlating pre-operative MRI measurements of metatarsal Osteomyelitis with surgical clean margins reveals the need for a one centimeter resection margin.

Due to the high incidence of forefoot ulcerations with associated osteomyelitis, there has been an increased demand for partial ray amputations. In order to ensure complete removal of infected metatarsal bone, a clean margin amount is chosen based on the surgeon’s intraoperative visual subjective evaluation. The margin is resected and sent to pathology. Currently the literature shows positive proximal margin rates of 35–40%. The purpose of this study was to reduce the rate of positive proximal margins by effectively resecting all infected bone using pre-operative MRI measurements with an added resection margin. Twenty-four osteomyelitis positive metatarsals were included in this exploratory study. The distance of proximal osteomyelitic extension within the metatarsal was measured on MRI in centimeters. Intra-operatively, the partial ray amputation cut was determined by adding an extra 0.5 cm resection margin to the MRI measurement. At the study’s mid-point, bone histopathology revealed an increase in positive proximal margin rates-so the resection margin was increased to 1 cm. Descriptive outcomes included the mean distance of osteomyelitis propagation, proximal margin rates, as well as diagnostic statistics. After removing the specimens with false positive MRI results, the study sample included 21 metatarsals positive for osteomyelitis. A 0.5 cm resection margin proximal to the osteomyelitis resulted in a 50% positive proximal margin rate. After increasing the resection margin to 1 cm, there was found to be an improved positive proximal margin rate of 9%. Based on MRI findings, the mean distance + standard deviation of osteomyelitis propagation along the metatarsal proximally was 1.81 cm + 0.74 cm. The metatarsal specimen was processed by pathology into multiple pieces and compared to MRI, resulting in MRI sensitivity of 67%, specificity of 74%, positive predictive value of 79%, and negative predictive value of 60%. By performing a 1 cm resection margin proximal to the metatarsal osteomyelitis the proximal margin rate was reduced to clinically meaningful levels. These preliminary findings support using a 1 cm resection margin when performing any form of metatarsal amputation, to reduce the risk of residual osteomyelitis post-operatively. St. Luke’s Hospital, IRB National Protocol ID SLHN2015–112. Date:1–13-16.
Correlation of echographic and photographic assessment of optic nerve head cupping in children.

Purpose To determine the diagnostic value of B-scan echography in optic nerve head (ONH) cupping estimation in children. Methods The medical records of pediatric patients who had previously undergone examination under anesthesia and for whom both adequate B-scan echography images and optic nerve head (ONH) photographs and were available were reviewed retrospectively. The cup:disk ratio was estimated with a grading scale of 0-1.0 and rounded to the nearest tenth; degree of cupping was estimated from B-scan echography (small, medium, or large) by 5 masked graders (3 glaucoma specialists and 2 ophthalmic sonographers) on 2 separate occasions. Inter- and intraobserver agreement in echographic and photographic cupping assessment by the masked graders as well as correlation of echographic and photographic cup size estimation was evaluated. Results A total of 36 children were included. Glaucoma specialists reliably assessed cup:disk ratio with moderately good consistency across specialists (average intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] for intraobserver agreement, 0.86; average ICC for interobserver agreement, 0.71). Sonographers were extremely reliable in assessment of cup size when examining echographic images (ICC for both inter- and intrarater variability, 1.0). Echographic estimate of cup size correlated poorly with cup:disk ratio (ICC, 0.34). Conclusions B-scan echography is a reliable and consistent diagnostic tool in estimating the degree of ONH cupping in children and can be very useful in patients in whom direct visualization is not feasible. Failure to account for disk size may have contributed to the poor correlation between echographic cup size and photographic cup:disk ratio.
Earth-Abundant Nontoxic Titanium(IV)-based Vacancy-Ordered Double Perovskite Halides with Tunable 1.0 to 1.8 eV Bandgaps for Photovoltaic Applications

The possibility of lead (Pb) contamination and the volatility of the organic cations in the prevailing Pb-based organic-inorganic perovskite (HP) light absorbers are the two key issues of concern in the emerging perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The majority of the Pb-free HP candidates that are being explored for PSCs either suffer from instability issues and have unfavorable defect properties or have unsuitable bandgaps for PSC applications. We report the prediction of a promising new family of all-inorganic HPs based on the nontoxic, earth-abundant, ultrastable Ti(IV) for use in PSCs. We show that the Ti-based HPs possess a combination of several desirable attributes, including suitable bandgaps, excellent optical absorption, benign defect properties, and high stability. In particular, we show experimentally that representative members of the Ti-based HP family, Cs2TiIxBr6–x, have bandgaps that can be tuned between the ideal values of 1.38 and 1.78 eV for single-junction and tandem photovoltaic applicatio...
Rosa Luxemburg, “The Russian Revolution”

The essay concerns the highly controversial pamphlet of Rosa Luxemburg The Russian Revolution (1918/1922), in which Luxemburg criticizes Lenin’s post-revolutionary policies, in particular his dissolution of the Constituent Assembly, an elected body. The essay reviews the history of the text’s publication and the intense debate, which continues to this day, over whether or not Luxemburg changed her mind on its central critique. At stake in the argument is not only Luxemburg’s evaluation of Lenin’s actions but also the correct weighting to be given to the two components in the central Marxist–Leninist dialectic of revolution: spontaneity and consciousness. In elaborating this point the essay brings in examples from the writings of Lukacs and Stalin, and also discusses the dialectic’s centrality in socialist realism.
Culture Versus Women’s Rights Conflicts and Multicultural Policies

This paper is the first chapter of a book project focusing on the outcomes of multicultural policies. In this first chapter, I theorize a causal framework that explains the positive and negative outcomes of multicultural policies. I begin by explaining positive outcomes. I argue that the types of justice multicultural policies deliver, to what extent, for whom, and why, vary according to a causal chain composed of three factors: social movements, political will, and state capacity. I argue that social movements pressure elite policy makers to implement the policy. When social movements succeed, policymakers then pressure the bureaucracy. That pressure, coupled with state capacity, shapes variations in positive outcomes. I also offer a framework for analyzing several negative outcomes likely to be associated with multicultural policies. I argue that a decline in collective action, increased group reification, state regulatory power, and group inequality will occur when intense collective action is necessary for the passage of a multicultural policy, when the policy targets a specific group, and when it ignores inequalities within the group. If these outcomes are pervasive, increased intergroup tensions and violence against women will also occur. The chapter concludes with an overview of the book project and my preliminary findings.
A pilot study of combined endurance and resistance exercise rehabilitation for verbal memory and functional connectivity improvement in epilepsy.

Abstract Memory impairment is common in persons with epilepsy (PWE), and exercise may be a strategy for its improvement. In this pilot study, we hypothesized that exercise rehabilitation would improve physical fitness and verbal memory and induce changes in brain networks involved in memory processes. We examined the effects of combined endurance and resistance exercise rehabilitation on memory and resting state functional connectivity (rsFC). Participants were randomized to exercise (PWE-E) or control (PWE-noE). The exercise intervention consisted of 18 supervised sessions on nonconsecutive days over 6 weeks. Before and after the intervention period, both groups completed self-report assessments (Short Form-36 (SF-36), Baecke Questionnaire (BQ) of habitual physical activity, and Profile of Mood States (POMS)), cognitive testing (California Verbal Learning Test-II (CVLT-II)), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); PWE-E also completed exercise performance tests. After completing the study, PWE-noE were offered cross-over to the exercise arm. There were no differences in baseline demographic, clinical, or assessment variables between 8 PWE-noE and 9 PWE-E. Persons with epilepsy that participated in exercise intervention increased maximum voluntary strength (all strength tests p
Moxonidine Effect on Microalbuminuria, Thrombomodulin, and Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Levels in Patients with Essential Hypertension

Increased sympathetic activity seems to play an important role in the pathogenesis and development of complications of atherosclerotic origin in patients with essential hypertension (EH). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a new antihypertensive agent, moxonidine (M), on microalbuminuria (urine albumin excretion, UAE), plasma thrombomodulin (TM), and tissue plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) in patients with mild to moderate EH associated with increased UAE. Fifty-eight patients (32 M, 26 F) with EH and microalbuminuria, with a mean age of 56.6 ± 8.2 years and a body mass index (BMI) of 23.8 ± 3.1 kg/m2 who responded to M therapy (0.3–0.4 mg/daily) were studied before and after their blood pressure control. The 24-hour urine albumin excretion (RIA method), as well as TM and PAI-1 plasma levels (ELISA method), were determined before and 6 months after the initiation of treatment under moxonidine therapy. At the end of the 6-month period, all patients remained normotensive. The 24-hour urine albumin excretion had decreased to 24.5 ± 6.4 vs. 32.3 ± 7.2 ug/min before therapy (P < 0.001). The plasma TM levels had decreased to 44.0 ± 7 vs. 51.0 ± 9 ng/mL before therapy (P < 0.01), and PAI-1 levels had also decreased to 11.5 ± 4.5 vs. 15.8 ± 8 IU/mL before therapy (P < 0.05). The results of our study suggest that in hypertensive patients with microalbuminuria, moxonidine, an imidazoline I1-receptor agonist, a new centrally acting antihypertensive agent, significantly reduces urine albumin excretion as well as thrombomodulin and PAI-1 levels. These preliminary findings demonstrate a favorable effect on renal function and endothelial homeostatic mechanisms (maintenance of haemostatic balance).
Augmented Reality for Interactive Robot Control

Robots are widely used to support mission-critical, high-risk and complex operations. Human supervision and remote robot control are often required to operate robots in unpredictable and changing scenarios. Often, robots are controlled remotely by technicians via joystick interfaces which require training and experience to operate. To improve robot usage and practicality, we propose using augmented reality (AR) to create a more intuitive, less training-intensive means of controlling robots than traditional joystick control. AR is a creative platform for developing robot control systems, because AR combines the real world (the environment around the user, the physical robot, etc.) with the digital world (holograms, digital displays, etc.); it can even interpret physical gestures, such as pinching two fingers.
Involvement of the sphingomyelin pathway in autocrine tumor necrosis factor signaling for human immunodeficiency virus production in chronically infected HL-60 cells.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a potent inducer of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) proviral transcription and subsequent mature virus production. Recent investigations have shown that TNF can use a signal transduction pathway in HL-60 cells involving sphingomyelin hydrolysis to ceramide with subsequent stimulation of a ceramide-linked kinase. When sphingomyelinase was added exogenously to activate this cascade in HIV-1-infected HL-60 cells, it mimicked TNF- induced HIV production. Phospholipases A2, C, or D, which do not generate ceramide, had no effect; however, a synthetic ceramide analog added exogenously potently induced HIV production. In addition, anti- TNF antibodies blocked much of the effect of both sphingomyelinase and the synthetic ceramide analog on virus expression, suggesting that, although signaling is initiated through the sphingomyelin pathway, it is sustained by autocrine TNF synthesis. Thus, direct activation of the sphingomyelin pathway recapitulated the effect of TNF on both HIV and TNF production. These studies indicate that the sphingomyelin pathway is involved in TNF signaling for HIV production in chronically infected myeloid cells.
TAVR in Low-Risk Patients: FDA Approval, the New NCD, and Shared Decision-Making

Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common valvular heart disease requiring intervention in the United States, and over the past decade, there has been a profound and rapid evolution in treatment paradigms. Based on an unprecedented clinical trial effort, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)
Laparoscopic Posterior Partial Fundoplication for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common condition that greatly impacts quality of life. Management options include medical and surgical therapies. Nonoperative management typically relie...
THU0214 Effect of triamcinolone diacetate injections in early dupuytren’s contracture and stenosing tenosynovitis of the hand

Background Dupuytren’s contracture and other fibrosing conditions of the hand are generally progressive, causing limitation of function and decreasing grip strength. Long term results of surgical procedures are less than optimal with high recurrence and extension rates. Other non-operative therapies such as slow skeletal traction, radiation, splinting, ultrasound and enzymatic fasciotomy have not proven to be clinically useful. Objectives The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of steroid injections in slowing the progression of fibrosis and contractures in early Dupuytren’s disease and conditions causing stenosing tenosynovitis of the hand. Methods Twenty-three patients were studied. There were 12 men and 11 women with an age range of 35 to 72 years. Of these patients four also had diabetes mellitus and three had rheumatoid arthritis. Eighteen patients had Dupuytrens’ contracture. Fifteen had bilateral contractures and three in one hand only. None of them had contractures in the proximal interphalangeal joints. One had mild flexion contracture at the second, third and fourth metacarpophalangeal joints. Two had bilateral De Quervain’s tenosynovitis and three had isolated fibrous nodules in one flexor tendon in the hand. All patients received one or two triamcinolone diacetate injections in the fibrous nodules, cords and tendon sheaths. Additionally, five patients received oral non-steroidal antiinflammatory agents for one to two weeks. Patients with Dupuytren’s contracture demonstrated softening of the symptomatic chords, improvement of grip strength and partial resolution of nodules. The other patients had complete resolution of their condition. Results Patients were followed for one to seven years and maintained their functional improvement. No patient’s contracture progressed or required surgery or radiotherapy. There were no complications such as hematoma, skin necrosis, infection, granuloma formation, decrease in grip strength, transient paresthesia or flexion deformity of the fingers. Conclusion In conclusion, early Dupuytren’s disease and other fibrosing tenosynovitis of the hands can be safely and effectively treated with injections of triamcinolone diacetate and this appears to prevent progression of these conditions.
Cell blocks in urine cytopathology: do they add value to the diagnosis? A pilot study.

Introduction The utility of cell block (CB) preparation is well established in cytopathology. Despite 23.3% of College of American Pathologists–accredited laboratories using CB with liquid-based preparations on urine cytology (UC) cases, there are very few studies on their performance. To determine their usefulness, we conducted a retrospective review of UC cases that received CB. Materials and methods We identified 27 UC cases with ThinPrep (TP) and CB preparation between 2016 and 2020 at our institution. Clinical history and follow-up data were compiled. A blinded review of TP alone, and TP together with CB, was performed by 2 pathologists and 2 cytotechnologists. Diagnoses were rendered in accordance with The Paris System for Reporting Urine Cytology. Results Blood and acute inflammation were common background elements in cases that received CB preparation. In total, CB upgraded the diagnosis in 7 of 27 cases (26%). The maximum utility of CB preparation was seen in indeterminate cases where 60% (6 of 10) were upgraded, including 71% (5 of 7) of atypical urothelial cells (AUC) and 30% (1 of 3) of suspicious for high-grade urothelial carcinoma (HGUC). One case (1 of 12, 8%) diagnosed as negative for HGUC on TP was diagnosed as low-grade urothelial neoplasia on CB. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that adjunct use of CB preparation aids in a definitive diagnosis on AUC category and may be helpful in cases with cell clusters or tissue fragments, or cases suspicious for HGUC. Further correlation studies are warranted in this area to expand our knowledge about the utility of CBs in urine cytology.
Decentralized Estimation and Control of a Soft Robotic Arm

This chapter uses PDE models to design decentralized estimation and control laws for a segmented octopus arm. The dynamics of the soft robot arm are formulated as a nonlinear PDE, which is then linearized about setpoints to obtain a linear PDE representation similar to the linear Euler–Bernoulli beam equations. We use this linearized PDE model to design infinite-dimensional control and estimation laws. The optimal controllers and observers are then discretized during the implementation phase to perform operations such as shape tracking. We show that the discretized observer or controller can be implemented in a manner that allows decentralized operation in the robot arm.
Children and monkeys overestimate the size of high-contrast stimuli

The letter height superiority effect reveals that human adults judge letters to be taller than identically sized pseudoletters. This effect extends to words, such that words are estimated to be greater in size or lasting longer in duration than pseudowords of the same size or those presented for the same duration. The physical properties of letters and words also impact their perceived size, such that higher contrast between figure–ground stimuli leads to greater size estimates. Specifically, black letters on a white background (high contrast between figure and ground) are judged to be taller than gray letters and gray pseudoletters on a white background (low contrast between figure and ground) for adult humans. In the current study, we assessed whether this effect would extend to nonverbal stimuli (shapes) such that high-contrast shapes would lead to greater size estimates relative to low-contrast shapes for human children and rhesus monkeys in a two-choice discrimination task. We found that children and monkeys tended to overestimate the size of high-contrast shapes relative to low-contrast shapes consistent with results reported among human adults. Implications for perceptual fluency and its impact on subjective size estimates are discussed.
Correcting for Misclassied Binary Regressors Using Instrumental Variables

Estimators that exploit an instrumental variable to correct for misclassification in a binary regressor typically assume that the misclassification rates are invariant across all values of the instrument. We show that this assumption is invalid in routine empirical settings. We derive a new estimator that is consistent when misclassification rates vary across values of the instrumental variable. In cases where identification is weak, our moments can be combined with bounds to provide a confidence set for the parameter of interest. Institutional subscribers to the NBER working paper series, and residents of developing countries may download this paper without additional charge at www.nber.org.
Novel function of GATA-3, revealed by conditional deficient mice

GATA-3 is a zinc finger protein that is preferentially expressed in T cells in adult animals. Previous studies have shown that GATA-3 is essential for the transition from common lymphoid precursors to the most immature thymocytes. In addition, GATA-3 is selectively expressed in Th2 cells. Overexpression of GATA-3 forced developing Th1 cells to produce Th2 cytokines, including IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13. However, it remains unclear whether GATA-3 is also important at the later stages of T-cell development. Nor do we understand whether GATA-3 is essential for the differentiation of Th2 cells or for the maintenance of the Th2 phenotype. The lack of GATA-3-deficient mice or T cells has precluded further studies to address these important questions. We have recently generated conditional GATA-3-deficient mice. Studies on the conditional GATA-3-deficient mice has uncovered several novel roles of GATA-3 in regulating the development and function of T cells.
Abstract 19169: Anakinra - A Promising New Therapy for Idiopathic Recurrent Pericarditis

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic recurrent pericarditis (IRP) is a debilitating condition that can be recalcitrant to conventional therapy. Some patients develop steroid dependency with the attendant risks of systemic side effects and increased future recurrence. Anakinra is a recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist that reduces systemic inflammatory responses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic role of anakinra in IRP. Methods: We retrospectively studied consenting patients with treatment refractory IRP who received anakinra, between January 2009 and November 2013. The primary end points were symptom resolution and steroid discontinuation. Results: Nine patients were followed for a median of 16.8 (IQR 1.3-24) months. Study subjects were predominantly female (7 [78%]) with a median age of 53 (IQR 38 - 58) years. All 9 patients had failed maximum tolerated doses of NSAIDs, colchicine and prednisone (median dose 20 mg [IQR 15 - 22.5]). Primary symptom was chest pain in 9 (100%), with co...