cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Position-based relaying with hybrid-ARQ for efficient ad hoc networking

This paper presents and analyzes an integrated, cross-layer protocol for wireless ad hoc networking that utilizes position location (e.g., through an onboard GPS receiver) and jointly performs the operations of network-layer relaying and link-layer ARQ-based error control. The protocol is a modified version of the hybrid-ARQ-based intra-cluster geographically-informed relaying (HARBINGER) protocol (2005) and unifies the concepts of geographic random forwarding (GeRaF) (2003), point-to-point hybrid-ARQ (2001), and cooperative diversity (2004). The modification makes the protocol especially suitable for sensor networks whose nodes cycle in and out of sleep states and permits a closed-form analysis. Performance bounds and simulations indicate the potential for a dramatic improvement in the tradeoff between active node density and end-to-end message delay as compared with the GeRaF protocol and are used to motivate further study of practical implementation issues.
Facilitated Tucking: A Nonpharmacologic Comfort Measure for Pain in Preterm Neonates

Objective: To identify the effectiveness of “facilitated tucking,” a nonpharmacologic nursing intervention, as a comfort measure in modulating preterm neonates' physiologic and behavioral responses to minor pain. Design: Prospective, repeated measure, random sequencing, and experimental. Setting: Level III neonatal intensive-care unit of a tertiary care university pediatric hospital. Participants: Thirty preterm neonates, 25-35 weeks gestation. Interventions: Heart rate, oxygen saturation, and sleep state were recorded 12 minutes before, during, and 15 minutes after two heelsticks, one with and one without facilitated tucking. Hypothesis: Premature neonates will have less variation in heart rate and hemoglobin oxygen saturation, shorter crying and sleep disruption times, and less fluctuation in sleep states in response to the painful stimulus of a heelstick with facilitated tucking than without. Results: Neonates demonstrated a lower mean heart rate 6–10 minutes post-stick (p < 0.04), shorter mean crying time (p < 0.001), shorter mean sleep disruption time (p < 0.001), and fewer sleep-state changes (p = 0.003) after heelstick with facilitated tucking than without. Conclusion: Facilitated tucking is an effective comfort measure in attenuating premature neonates' psychologic and behavioral responses to minor pain.
Pheromonal Interactions Among Cordate Gametophytes of the Lady Fern, Athyrium filix-femina

Abstract Pheromonal interactions between cordate gametophytes of the lady fern, A. filix-femina, were assayed using a protocol typically used for detecting water-soluble pheromones such as antheridiogen. Three week-old, cordate gametophytes were transferred from multispore cultures grown on nutrient agar to agar containing extracts from a previous generation of gametophytes (treatment) and to fresh nutrient agar (control). Three weeks after transfer, fifty gametophytes were examined from treatment and control plates. Each gametophyte was measured for size (area) and shape (circularity) and scored for number of antheridia and archegonia. Treatment gametophytes were significantly smaller, less circular, had fewer archegonia, and possessed antheridia more often than control gametophytes, a pattern consistent with known antheridiogen effects on gametophytes of transitional morphology and sensitivity. The experiment was repeated using gametophytes that were six weeks old at time of transfer to treatment and co...
Esophageal diverticula are associated with propagating peristalsis: a study utilizing high-resolution manometry.

Background Esophageal diverticula have been associated with esophageal motility disorders, most commonly achalasia. We aimed to evaluate high-resolution manometry (HRM) motility diagnoses and pressurization patterns in patients with esophageal diverticula. Methods Patients were retrospectively identified for distal esophageal diverticula and previously completed HRM. High-resolution manometries were analyzed according to the Chicago Classification, and the pressure slope of the compartmentalization phase (time between upper esophageal sphincter closure and the transition zone) of esophageal bolus transit was measured. Pressure slopes were also measured in 10 asymptomatic volunteers (controls) for comparison. Key Results Nineteen patients (ages 31–83) were included. Eight (42%) patients had normal motility, five (26%) had esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction, and two (11%) had jackhammer esophagus; four patients had other motility diagnoses including only one patient with achalasia. A total of six patients (32%) had at least one hypercontractile swallow. Greater compartmentalization phase pressure slopes were observed in patients at the mid-esophageal body in both supine (median [interquartile range]: 1.9 mmHg/s [0.9, 3.6]) and upright (1.1 [0.1, 3.1]) positions than in controls (supine: −1.3 [−2.4, −0.11], p = 0.001; upright; −0.71 [−2.1, −0.02], p = 0.005). Conclusions & Inferences Propagating peristalsis, often with hypercontractility, was commonly seen in our cohort of patients with esophageal diverticula. Abnormal compartmentalization phase pressurization may indicate a relationship of abnormal esophageal wall mechanics and/or compliance with diverticula; however whether these findings are causal or reactionary remains unclear.
Study of floor acceleration demands in moment frame structures

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a paper that describes a study on floor acceleration demands of the moment frame buildings subjected to earthquake ground motion. Recently, a method developed by the authors to estimate the floor acceleration demands on buildings with linear elastic behavior when subjected to earthquake ground motions. Most of the studies on accelerations have been carried out in relation to nuclear power plants. The model of a multistorey building is subjected to ground motions with increasing the level of intensity. The peak values of absolute and relative floor accelerations can be presented as a function of ground motion intensity. This paper explains the saturation of acceleration and the correlation between ground motion and relative floor accelerations. It evaluates the correlation between nonlinear and linear response for a wide range of ground intensities. There is a need to develop simplified methods to estimate floor acceleration demands when the structures behave nonlinearly. This paper addresses some aspects of nonlinear floor accelerations, which provide useful information for those methods to be developed.
Primary culture of capillary endothelial cells from the spiral ligament and stria vascularis of bovine inner ear. Retention of several endothelial cell properties in vitro.

Methods for isolation and culture of microvascular endothelial cells of the inner ear were devised to provide an in-vitro system for studying endothelial functions in this tissue. Capillaries from the stria vascularis and spiral ligament were treated enzymatically to free them from surrounding tissue. Contamination by extraneous tissue was minimized by banding capillary segments in Percoll gradients and culture in plasma-derived serum on a fibronectin-coated substrate. Although only small amounts of inner ear tissue were available, tritiated thymidine autoradiography demonstrated that considerable growth in culture was possible. Addition of heparin and endothelial cell growth supplement to the medium enhanced proliferation. The endothelial origin of the cultured cells was confirmed by immunofluorescent demonstration of the presence of Factor VIII-related antigen and angiotensin-converting enzyme. In addition, tight junctions between cells were observed in both thin sections and platinum replicas obtained by freezefracture techniques. Endothelial cells from neither the stria vascularis nor the spiral ligament allowed passage of horseradish peroxidase across the monolayer during a 5-min period. However, endothelial cells from the stria vascularis exhibited a greater amount of pinocytotic activity than those of the spiral ligament, a difference that is also observed in vivo. Methods for expanding a small population of endothelial cells with retention of specialized properties into one of sufficient size for morphologic and biochemical studies have been demonstrated for the inner ear.
AMBULATORY BLOOD PRESSURE AND LEFT VENTRICULAR DIASTOLIC DYSFUNCTION: A COMMUNITY-BASED STUDY IN AN ELDERLY COHORT

Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is frequent in the elderly, and is an independent predictor of mortality, cardiovascular events, and heart failure development. Ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) is a better predictor of target organ damage and cardiovascular events than office BP. We
Pricing of Defaultable Claims in a Semimartingale Setting

This paper studies pricing and valuation of defaultable claims in a semimartingale setting.
Long-Term Followup in Patients with an Inflatable Penile Prosthesis

AbstractAn inflatable penile prosthesis was implanted in 95 patients between 1977 and 1983. The patients were divided into 3 groups with roughly equal numbers studied during 2-year intervals. Of the prostheses 48 per cent have been revised or removed, or have failed during followup. The complication rate increased with the duration of followup.
The Selective Use of Cytochemistry and Surface Markers for the Diagnosis of Leukemias and Lymphomas— A Practical Approach

Cytochemical and surface marker techniques have rapidly become practical tools for the diagnosis and classification of leukemias and lymphomas. The clinical correlations with these markers in acute leukemias are especially rewarding. For the classification of leukemias, stains for myeloperoxidase, chloroacetate esterase and alpha-naphthyl butyrate esterase are recommended. E rosette formation by T cells and surface immunoglobulin study of B cells are still the essential and most reliable surface marker tests available for clinical laboratories. Cytocentrifuge preparation is an important adjunct to the surface marker studies, since it provides a morphologic correlation with the marker studies. A monoclonal surface immunoglobulin pattern and the markers for immature cells, such as terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) and mouse erythrocyte rosettes, are usually associated with malignant neoplasms. A positive TdT denotes lymphoblast crisis in chronic myelocytic leukemia and is a very useful guide for the treatment of patients in blast crisis. The usefulness of other markers is also briefly discussed.
Calorespirometry in Plant Biology

Calorespirometry is a means for understanding how plants adapt and acclimate metabolically to their environment. Analysis of the energetics of respiration shows that measurements of metabolic heat and CO2 rates by calorespirometry, combined with estimates of substrate and biomass composition, are sufficient to calculate substrate carbon-conversion efficiencies, anabolic rates or rates of growth and development, and relative activities of metabolic paths. Calorespirometric measurements can thus be used to rapidly investigate the responses of plant growth and metabolism to varying conditions and to compare the responses of species and genotypes. Calorespirometric and calorimetric methods have been used to determine the temperature dependence of growth rate, temperature limits for growth, the kinetics of both chilling- and high-temperature responses, and the effects of toxins and nutrient deficiencies.
P185 Characteristics of safety in a national sample of small businesses

Background Small enterprises represent a significant portion of the United States economy. Nearly 98% of the 4.9 million U.S. businesses have fewer than 100 employees; those account for 36% of all employment. These manufacturing businesses often lack important safety programs. Many reasons have been set forth on why this has remained a persistent problem. Methods The National Machine Guarding Program (NMGP) was a nationwide intervention conducted in partnership with two workers’ compensation insurers. Insurance safety consultants collected baseline data in 221 business using a 33-question safety management audit. Audits were completed during an interview with the business owner or manager. Four scores were computed for each business: an overall safety management audit score, safety leadership, job hazard analysis, machine maintenance, and lockout and tagout (LOTO). Results Most measures of safety management improved with an increasing number of employees. This trend was particularly strong for lockout/tagout. Establishments with a safety committee scored higher (55% v 36%) on the safety management audit compared with those lacking a committee (p Conclusions Critical safety management programs were frequently absent. A safety committee appears to be a more important factor than business size in accounting for differences in outcome measures.
Factors explaining the low and variable profitability of fertilizer application to maize in Zambia

It is widely recognized that an “African green revolution” will require greater use of inorganic fertilizers. Often-made comparisons note that fertilizer use rates in Africa are just 10–20% of those in Asia, Europe and the Americas. Most attempts to explain relatively low-adoption of fertilizer assume yield responses to inorganic fertilization warrant higher application rates and hypothesize that observed use rates are limited by market-based factors. Another explanation may be that application rates are low because African yields are less responsive to inorganic fertilizer than yields in other regions, and less responsive than analysts perceive. Examining the case of Zambia, we evaluate whether yield response to fertilizers could explain adoption and application rates. A model of yield response is constructed and a combination of estimators is employed to mitigate potential biases related to correlation between fertilizer use and unobserved heterogeneity as well as stochastic shocks. Results indicate higher fertilization rates would be marginally profitable or unprofitable in many cases given commercial fertilizer and maize prices. Phosphoric fertilizer is particularly unprofitable on acidic soils, which are common in Zambia and other areas of sub-Saharan Africa. We propose feasible recommendations for diversifying the current government strategy to enhance crop productivity.
In situ spectroscopic characterization of a solution-phase X-type ligand exchange at colloidal lead sulphide quantum dot surfaces

We employed quantitative NMR spectroscopy and spectrophotometric absorbance titration to study a quantum dot X-type ligand exchange reaction. We find that the exchange is highly cooperative, where at low extents of exchange the change in free energy of the reaction, ΔGXC, is ∼11 kJ mol−1 while at higher extents of exchange ΔGXC saturates to ∼−4 kJ mol−1. A modified Fowler binding isotherm is developed to describe the reaction.
How structuralism matters

How does structuralism matter? How does it still matter well past its heyday in anthropology and the other so-called “sciences of man?” In this lecture, which is one part intellectual memoir, one part lay of the land, with some autoethnography involving my disabled daughter thrown in at the end, I suggest that certain premises associated with structuralism are at the heart of anthropology’s most interesting new work.
Anatomy and Physiology of the Colon and Rectum

The colon is divided into sections that include the cecum, ascending colon, hepatic flexure, transverse colon, splenic flexure, descending colon, sigmoid, and rectum. While there is universal agreement about the major sections of the colon, the nomenclature of the lower portion of the large bowel has been a subject of some disagreement. Gilchrist’s designation will be used in this book. He divides the rectum into two portions. The lowermost is the extraperitoneal rectum that lies entirely below the peritoneal floor and averages about 8 cm in length. The upper portion of the rectum is the intraperitoneal rectum; it is also about 8 cm in length and extends upward to the sigmoid, which is marked by the transition to a definite mesentery. In this method of nomenclature the old designation “recto-sigmoid” is eliminated and replaced by the term “intraperitoneal rectum.”
A lasting sting: Examining the short-term and long-term effects of real-life group rejection:

Although many studies have examined the short-term effects of rejection in laboratory settings, few have investigated the impact of rejection over time or in real-world contexts. The university sor...
A study of anomaly detection performance as a function of relative spectral abundances for graph- and statistics-based detection algorithms

We investigate an anomaly detection framework that leverages manifold learning techniques to learn a background model. A manifold is learned from a small, uniformly sampled subset under the assumption that any anomalous samples will have little effect on the learned model. The remaining data are then projected into the manifold space and their projection errors used as detection statistics. We study detection performance as a function of the interplay between sub-sampling percentage and the abundance of anomalous spectra relative to background class abundances using synthetic data derived from field collects. Results are compared against both graph-based and traditional statistical models.
IBPoet: an interactive & biosensitive poetry composition device

Through a digital interface and biosignal feedback, the IBPoet makes explicit the embodied and cognitive processes at play in everyday language interactions. A Reader reads a pre-selected poem to a Readee in front of an Audience. The Readee, who sits comfortably and listens to the poem, is instrumented with two primary biosensors: an OpenBCI Electroencephalogram (EEG) and an electromyogram (EMG) sensor. The Reader receives direct sensory feedback from these sensors in the form of a vibration band and heat gloves. Projected behind the Reader and Readee is the text being read, with keywords replaced by empty boxes. New words will appear that are selected according to the Readee's emotional state -thanks to an algorithm that interprets her/his biosignals. With the contrast and similarities between the spoken and projected poems, the Audience senses the emotional connection between the Reader and Readee as it shifts through states of resonance and dissonance, calm and stress.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation: A Plunge to Irrelevance

What was the role for the FDIC as the financial industry began to collapse in 2008? One must remember that when it was created as part of the Banking Act of 1933, the prime directive of the FDIC was policing banking activities to prevent reckless and speculative activities with the money entrusted to banks by depositors. With the passage of the Graham-Leach-Bliley Act in 1999, the FDIC became an insurer of gambling losses. It was still responsible to depositors when gambling losses occurred; but it had very little control over the gambling activities themselves. Considering the magnitude of the 2008-2009 collapse, common sense should have dictated that if financial institutions had become too big to fail, then they had also become too big to regulate. As part of the bailout process, one would think that the federal government should have taken a page out of Teddy Roosevelt’s playbook and set out on a mission to bust these trusts rather than further contributing to their unbridled growth. If the collapse and taxpayer bailout was precipitated by reckless behavior among institutions that were too big to fail, the sensible response by the U.S. government would seem to have been a passage of legislation disallowing future corporate mergers that create such institutions. However in its feckless state during the recent banking crises, the FDIC not only facilitated more growth, it worked at cross-purposes to its original mandate. In the 21st century, it has instead become the quintessential facilitator of the moral hazards that continue to permeate the U.S. banking industry today. With the FDIC insuring these hazards, the American taxpayer will most certainly be called upon once again to foot the bill for reckless behavior by the big banks. It’s just a matter of time.
The contemporary appendectomy for acute uncomplicated appendicitis in children

Background Epidemiologic data related to the surgical management of appendicitis are out of date. As we contemplate the role of nonoperative therapy in uncomplicated appendicitis, a contemporary profile of the risks and benefits of operative appendectomy is needed. Methods This study merged the 2016 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program essential and appendectomy-targeted participant use files. The appendectomy-targeted file provides procedure-specific variables related to imaging, approach, and outcomes. Epidemiologic data were generated across five domains for adults with uncomplicated appendicitis: patient characteristics/severity, imaging patterns, operative characteristics, pathologic outcomes, and postoperative morbidity/mortality. Results The merged data file contained 12,376 adult appendectomies from 115 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program sites. After exclusions, 7,778 cases were analyzed. Almost all patients (96.1%) received preoperative imaging, with most (79.2%) receiving a computed tomography scan only. Only 2.6% of appendectomies were performed open, and the laparoscopic to open conversion rate was 0.5%. Most patients (87.3%) were discharged the day of or the day after their operation. The rate of finding an incidental tumor was 1.1%, with greater rates in the elderly (2.7% among patients aged ≥65 years). The overall rate of a negative appendectomy (NA) was 3.8%; the negative appendectomy rate was 1.7% for patients with any positive imaging study and 19.4% for patients with no imaging. The 30-day mortality was 0.04%; 30-day rates of any complication and serious complications were 3.0% and 2.2%, respectively. Conclusion Preoperative imaging, a laparoscopic approach, and excellent clinical outcomes have become the norm for the surgical management of uncomplicated appendicitis. As surgeons contemplate the role of nonoperative therapy for uncomplicated appendicitis, the data presented here should be used to inform the ongoing debate.
Survey of the Nepal Private Equity and Venture Capital Environment

This paper discusses the landscape for private equity and venture capital financing in Nepal. It provides an overview of the nascent private equity and venture capital market in the country, describing key players, including funds, fund managers, investors, and public sector entities. The paper provides an analysis of key market drivers and impediments, as well as legal/regulatory/taxation drivers and impediments that affect Nepal’s private equity and venture capital industry.
A network approach to the production of geographic context using exponential random graph models

The notion of context continues to be both an enduring rationale and empirical problem for addressing human agency for geographers. Despite its centrality to geographic scholarship, context has lar...
A large subtype of squamous cell carcinoma enriched for TrkB-T1 mRNA.

e14751Background: A large subtype of squamous cell carcinoma enriched for TrkB-T1 mRNA. Background The NTRK2 genetic locus encodes neurotrophin membrane receptors that play an important role in nor...
Patient-Reported Outcomes

While we rely heavily on clinician evaluation of the mouth to define the course of mucositis, patient-reported outcomes (PROs) provide an important component to the overall assessment of the condition. PROs are especially significant because there is often a disconnect between how clinicians and patients view the severity of mucositis.
Barriers to Treatment Adherence Among College Students with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

Objective The current study sought to obtain a longitudinal perspective of and quantitatively assess barriers to medication adherence experienced by college students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Thus, we examined semester-long trends in barriers to adherence in addition to the relationships between barriers and medication adherence and barriers and quality of life. Methods Participants were college students diagnosed with ADHD. Throughout a Fall semester, participants completed 4 sets of online questionnaires and attended 4 in-person visits, which included pill counts and written questionnaires. Participants completed measures assessing barriers to adherence and health-related quality of life, and adherence was measured via pill counts. Mean values of barriers, adherence rate, and quality of life were used for all analyses. Results Of the 45 students surveyed, mean adherence rate was 56.70%, and 84.45% of participants reported at least 1 barrier. Across the semester, participants reported experiencing an average of 3.07 barriers, and a consistent barrier reported was not realizing when pills run out. Although reported barriers were unrelated to adherence, the results showed that barriers were associated with lowered quality of life, specifically lower overall quality of life in addition to lower emotional functioning, psychosocial health, school functioning, and physical functioning. Conclusion Barriers to adherence appear to be common in college students with ADHD, and certain barriers are consistent with the planning difficulties observed in individuals with ADHD. Because students experiencing more barriers had lower quality of life, interventions are needed to improve students' overall illness management experience.
Infiltration of the thyroid gland by non-thyroid malignancy: A literature review reveals this to be an unusual cause of hyperthyroidism.

Abstract Background Non-thyroid malignancies that metastasize to the thyroid gland are relatively rare. At one end of the spectrum they may only be identified at the time of autopsy. At the other extreme, they may be identified during the evaluation of a progressive malignancy. Most patients who are identified as having metastases to their thyroid gland are euthyroid, but some patients may have associated hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. This review examines cases of hyperthyroidism associated with metastases affecting the thyroid gland. Results Twenty four articles describing 26 cases of malignancy-associated hyperthyroidism were identified, with the cases presenting with features suggestive of a thyroiditis and with goiter. The solid malignancies (19 cases) were mostly breast and lung cancer. Hematologic malignancies (7 cases) were also reported with a similar thyroiditis-like presentation. Patients underwent the traditional work-up for a thyroiditis, but frequently underwent other radiographic studies, in addition to radioactive iodine imaging, and frequently also underwent thyroid biopsy. The course in most patients (22/26 cases) was progression from hyperthyroidism to hypothyroidism, as the underlying malignancy progressed or thyroidectomy was performed, or the patient succumbed to their malignancy. Some patients (4 cases) became euthyroid with successful treatment of their malignancy. A subset of patients (5 cases) initially presented with severe thyrotoxicosis. Many affected patients succumbed to their underlying malignancy. Conclusion Malignancy-associated hyperthyroidism has a similar underlying mechanism to subacute thyroiditis, in so much as there is damage or destruction of thyroid tissue. In cases of subacute thyroiditis this damage is self-limited, and there is recovery of thyroid function. In some cases of thyroiditis associated with malignancy there may be thyroid gland recovery as the underlying malignancy is treated and controlled. However, if the malignancy progresses, eventual hypothyroidism is likely to ensue.
Inhibition of the Activity of Cyclophilin A Impedes Prolactin Receptor-Mediated Signaling, Mammary Tumorigenesis, and Metastases.

Summary Prolactin (PRL) and its receptor (PRLr) play important roles in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Cyclophilin A (CypA) is a cis-trans peptidyl-prolyl isomerase (PPI) that is constitutively associated with the PRLr and facilitates the activation of the tyrosine kinase Jak2. Treatment with the non-immunosuppressive prolyl isomerase inhibitor NIM811 or CypA short hairpin RNA inhibited PRL-stimulated signaling, breast cancer cell growth, and migration. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that NIM811 inhibited two-thirds of the top 50 PRL-induced genes and a reduction in gene pathways associated with cancer cell signaling. In vivo treatment of NIM811 in a TNBC xenograft lessened primary tumor growth and induced central tumor necrosis. Deletion of CypA in the MMTV-PyMT mouse model demonstrated inhibition of tumorigenesis with significant reduction in lung and lymph node metastasis. The regulation of PRLr/Jak2-mediated biology by NIM811 demonstrates that a non-immunosuppressive prolyl isomerase inhibitor can function as a potential breast cancer therapeutic.
Predictors of the age at which natural menopause occurs in women with type 1 diabetes: the Pittsburgh Epidemiology of Diabetes Complications (EDC) study.

OBJECTIVE Women with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are thought to experience menopause earlier than women without diabetes, although not all studies agree. We assessed metabolic predictors of the age at which natural menopause occurs among women with T1D participating in the Epidemiology of Diabetes Complications study. METHODS Women with childhood-onset (<17 y) of T1D who underwent natural menopause without use of hormone therapy during their menopausal transition were included in the analysis (n = 105; mean baseline age, 29.5 and diabetes duration, 20.2 y). Self-reported reproductive history and the Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation hormonal algorithms were used to determine menopause status. Linear regression was used to ascertain whether time-weighted metabolic factors (eg, BMI, lipids, HbA1c, insulin dose, albumin excretion rate [AER]) were associated with age at natural menopause. RESULTS Univariately, only insulin dose (β = -4.87, P = 0.04) and log (AER) (β = -0.62, P = 0.02) were associated (negatively) with age at natural menopause. Adjusting for BMI, smoking status, lipids, HbA1c, number of pregnancies, and oral contraceptive use, each 0.1 unit increase in the daily dose of insulin per kilogram body weight was associated with 0.64 years younger age at natural menopause (P = 0.01), while for every 30% increase in AER, age at natural menopause decreased by 0.18 years (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION Higher average levels of insulin dose and AER over time were significantly associated with a younger age at which natural menopause occurred among women with T1D. The biologic mechanisms underlying the observed associations between exogenous insulin dose and AER on reproductive health should be investigated among women with T1D.
Professional Identity of Midwives as a Starting Point for Curriculum Development

Care of childbearing women in Germany is provided by several healthcare professions. Interprofessional collaboration in the clinical setting is associated with the professional identity of midwives. The identity of midwives is characterised by several part identities, but not all correspond with the legal framework of the profession. Focusing on professional identity and the influence of the clinical setting supports curriculum development.
Rigid Motions as Functions

The final two chapters of this book are devoted to more precisely defining rigid motions, first as functions (in this chapter) and then as matrices (in the next chapter). This new viewpoint is the right starting point, not only for finally going back and proving some of the important theorems in this book, but also for exploring whole new vistas in higher mathematics. Along the way, you’ll encounter a visual proof of the Pythagorean Theorem.
General Surgery Residents can Be a Reliable Resource in the Evaluation of Residency Applications

Objective Surgical residents’ ability to screen general surgery (GS) applicants has not been previously investigated. The objective of this study was to compare surgical residents’ evaluation of Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) applicants to that of faculty using a standardized assessment instrument. Design A prospective analysis of ERAS applications using a standardized assessment tool. Setting A university-affiliated, academic, county GS residency program. Participants Before the interview day, 51 ERAS (2013-2014) applications were reviewed by 10 different assessors (6 GS faculty, including the program director, and 4 GS residents), who evaluated applicants on 10 characteristics (subjective and objective) using a 5-point Likert scale, a total score, and a Global Rating Scale that ranked candidates into deciles. Results There were a total of 510 assessments. In 8 of 10 individual domains the interrater reliability (IRR) between residents and faculty was good. The IRRs of the total score and global score were excellent. The Spearman ρ between the total score and final rank list were similar for faculty (−0.558) and residents (−0.592). Conclusions The excellent IRR score between the total and global scores of faculty and residents demonstrates the reliability of GS residents in evaluating ERAS applications. The low correlations between the total score and final rank are consistent with those in previous studies, in which the interview has been demonstrated to be the most important factor in determining final selection.
Lipoprotein oxidation products and arteriosclerosis: theory and methods with applicability to the clinical chemistry laboratory.

Publisher Summary Although it is not yet conclusively proven that oxidation is the cause of arteriosclerosis in humans. Animal experiments in the form of transgenic and knockout mice models support this hypothesis. If this relationship can be conclusively demonstrated, it is likely there will be a need to measure lipoprotein oxidation products in the clinical laboratory for risk assessment. Native low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are heterogeneous and contain huge numbers of oxidation sensitive components from which a vast number of oxidation products can be produced. Thus, largely for research purposes, but also to develop approaches for risk assessment, many methods have been developed for measuring oxidation products. Although some of the measurement techniques have application for research laboratories only, others are appropriate for use in clinical laboratories and some appear to have adaptability for automation. The oxidation on products reflecting molecular modifications within the lipids and proteins of LDL, breakdown products of the lipids and proteins, and measurement of whole LDL modified by oxidation are also discussed in this chapter. To date, the failure of randomized trials with antioxidant nutrients to retard arteriosclerosis has made it clear that demonstrating a definite relationship in humans may be more difficult than expected. Many of these methods are straightforward enough to be adapted for routine clinical laboratory use should the need arise at a later time and should they prove effective. Alternatively, ELISA for OxLDL may be valuable for risk assessment, but because of the complexity of OxLDL, applied research is needed to determine how best to use monoclonal antibodies to measure OxLDL and how best to standardize the assays.
OXYGEN TENSION IN THE INTERVILLOUS SPACE.

Abstract 1. 1. The oxygen tension in the maternal intervillous space blood of 64 outpatients has been measured with the polarographic electrode. 2. 2. The mean value is 42.0 mm. Hg. 3. 3. When blood with a high oxygen tension (arterialized) was obtained during different phases of a uterine contraction there was a decrease in the oxygen tension at the apex of the contraction. 4. 4. The location of the needle tip when drawing blood from the uterus has been discussed.
Stress across the Life Course

Discussions of social stress cannot be easily distinguished from discussions of the life course. Stressors that can contribute to negative health outcomes, whether in the form of major life events and transitions, chronic strains, or daily hassles, are different depending on where an individual currently resides along the life course and on the historical context of his or her experiences. The effect of stress on health can also be mediated or moderated by resources that change over time, such as coping ability, mastery, and social support. The stress process and the life course perspective are thus intertwined in that they inform one another, and understanding how stress affects human development and how aging affects the experience of stress can contribute to social scientists’ understanding of the relationship between stress and physical/mental health. Keywords: age; life course; sociology; stress
Hamilton's Passionate Rationalism

Alexander Hamilton’s first Federalist Paper endorses ratification of the proposed constitution. His unifying point is that the use of reason—in the form of the people’s "reflection and choice"—will lead to the truth, whereas their use of passion will lead to ruin. Hamilton attempts to persuade his readers to make the correct decision by reminding them of the sheer importance of the matter. He suggests that "good men" will want to make the correct choice in light of their "true interests" (33), while the adversaries of the Constitution will be ruled by passions, deceit, and even weak minds. He frankly warns his readers against "any impressions other than those which may result from the evidence of truth" (35); he offers them a chance to join him on the right side of the issue, which he implies he has arrived at by knowledgeable deliberation. Finally, Hamilton courts his audience by implying that they will use reason to reach the truth. This article is available in Res Publica Journal of Undergraduate Research: http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/respublica/vol2/iss1/8
Multivalent feedback inhibition of aspartokinase in Bacillus polymyxa. I. Effect of nonpolar L-amino acids.

Abstract Several nonpolar amino acids protect aspartokinase from inactivation by the cationic detergent trimethyloctadecylammonium chloride and by heat. The active agents are l-leucine, l-phenylalanine, l-methionine, l-tryptophan, l-alanine, glycine, l-valine, and l-isoleucine. d-Amino acids and other l-amino acids are inactive. The same nonpolar l-amino acids also reverse the inhibition of aspartokinase caused by the feedback inhibitors, l-threonine and l-lysine. They differ in their specificity toward the feedback inhibitors. Amino acids of Group I (l-tryptophan, l-methionine, and l-norleucine) counteract the inhibition by l-lysine only, amino acids of Group II (l-leucine, l-valine, l-isoleucine, and l-norvaline) counteract the inhibition by l-threonine only, and those of Group III (l-phenylalanine, l-alanine, glycine, and allylglycine) counteract the inhibition by both l-lysine and l-threonine. Cooperativity is not observed between amino acids belonging to different groups in overcoming the inhibition by combinations of the feedback inhibitors or in protecting the enzyme from inactivation by trimethyloctadecylammonium chloride. Group I amino acids antagonize the ability of those of Groups II and III for overcoming the inhibition by l-threonine. Similarly, Group II amino acids counteract those of Groups I and III in overcoming the inhibition by l-lysine. Group I amino acids act cooperatively with l-threonine to inhibit aspartokinase, and those of Group II act cooperatively with l-lysine. There is no correlation between the ability of an amino acid to overcome feedback inhibition and its ability to antagonize the effects of amino acids belonging to other groups. These results can be accounted for by a model that assumes a single binding site for all nonpolar l-amino acids and different patterns of nonexclusive binding of these amino acids to the site in four allosteric states of the enzyme. Some biological implications of the effect of nonpolar l-amino acids on the feedback inhibition of aspartokinase are discussed.
Two-center effects in ion-atom collisions

In this paper, certain aspects of ion-atom collisions at intermediate energies (E ≈ 50 – 1000 keV/u) which involve so called two-center effects will be discussed. In particular, work on the fundamental system H+ + He will be emphasized, because of the availability of experimental data and the tractability of theoretical calculations using a variety of methods. Furthermore, this review will concentrate on features of the doubly differential cross section for ionization in such ion-atom collisions because they dramatically reflect the importance of the interactions of the ejected electrons with both the projectile and target ionic centers. Comparisons are made with the results of single-center treatments such as the first-order Born approximation in order to underscore the significance of two-center effects. Works considering antiproton-impact and the interchange of electrons between ionic centers in multiply-charged ion — manyelectron atom collisions will also be discussed. Finally, the failure of the Born picture in predicting the role of projectile nuclear charge screening in collisions involving partially stripped ions is described in terms of its relationship to observed anomalies in the binary peak magnitude.
Texture-based segmentation of natural images using neural networks

The authors describe an image segmentation method based on scalar texture measures. A neural net approach for image segmentation based on scalar texture measures is discussed. The generalization of the network approach to subsequent images in the sequence is examined. It is shown that a cascade of neural networks, where each neural network is trained on a single scalar texture measure, can be used for image segmentation. Experimentation has been used to demonstrate the feasibility of this technique. >
Environmental drivers of spatial variation in whole‐tree transpiration in an aspen‐dominated upland‐to‐wetland forest gradient

[1] Assumed representative center-of-stand measurements are typical inputs to models that scale forest transpiration to stand and regional extents. These inputs do not consider gradients in transpiration at stand boundaries or along moisture gradients and therefore potentially bias the large-scale estimates. We measured half-hourly sap flux (JS) for 173 trees in a spatially explicit cyclic sampling design across a topographically controlled gradient between a forested wetland and upland forest in northern Wisconsin. Our analyses focused on three dominant species in the site: quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx), speckled alder (Alnus incana (DuRoi) Spreng), and white cedar (Thuja occidentalis L.). Sapwood area (AS) was used to scale JS to whole tree transpiration (EC). Because spatial patterns imply underlying processes, geostatistical analyses were employed to quantify patterns of spatial autocorrelation across the site. A simple Jarvis type model parameterized using a Monte Carlo sampling approach was used to simulate EC (EC−SIM). EC−SIM was compared with observed EC(EC−OBS) and found to reproduce both the temporal trends and spatial variance of canopy transpiration. EC−SIM was then used to examine spatial autocorrelation as a function of environmental drivers. We found no spatial autocorrelation in JS across the gradient from forested wetland to forested upland. EC was spatially autocorrelated and this was attributed to spatial variation in AS which suggests species spatial patterns are important for understanding spatial estimates of transpiration. However, the range of autocorrelation in EC−SIM decreased linearly with increasing vapor pressure deficit, implying that consideration of spatial variation in the sensitivity of canopy stomatal conductance to D is also key to accurately scaling up transpiration in space.
CHOP plus alemtuzumab can induce metabolic response by FDG-PET but has minimal long-term benefits: a case report and literature review.

Introduction Enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL) is a rare subtype of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma characterized by an aggressive phenotype and poor outcome in the vast majority of cases. Substantial portions of patients either have no prior diagnosis of celiac disease or have a subacute course of celiac disease followed by EATL diagnosis.
Optimal synthesis and scheduling of hybrid dynamic/steady-state property integration networks

Abstract This paper introduces a new problem in the emerging area of property integration. The problem involves synthesizing a network of property-modifying units and scheduling operating schemes. Data and constraints for the process sources, sinks, and interceptors are given in terms of properties. Sources are process streams to be allocated. Sinks are process units that can accept the sources. Interceptors are new units to be added to the process to intercept the sources and adjust their properties to meet the sink requirements. The interceptors may be steady-state or dynamic units whose performance is expressed in terms of input–output relations for designated properties. In addition to flowrate bounds, the constraints on acceptable feeds to the sinks are described as lower and upper bounds on designated properties. A conceptual framework is first developed to serve as the basis for a mathematical program coordinating the synthesis of the interception and allocation networks as well as the operational scheduling of the system. A source–interception–sink representation is developed to embed structural configurations of interest. The time domain is decomposed into repeating episodes. Within each episode, the interceptors are allowed to modify properties of sources, remain idle, or undergo regeneration. The regeneration process restores the interceptor to its initial condition. A mixed-integer nonlinear programming formulation is developed to minimize the total annualized cost of the system, synthesize the network, and determine its optimal operating schedule. A case study is solved to demonstrate the new problem and the devised solution algorithm.
Iterative image reconstruction for PROPELLER-MRI using the nonuniform fast fourier transform.

Purpose: To investigate an iterative image reconstruction algorithm using the nonuniform fast Fourier transform (NUFFT) for PROPELLER (Periodically Rotated Overlapping ParallEL Lines with Enhanced Reconstruction) MRI. Materials and Methods: Numerical simulations, as well as experiments on a phantom and a healthy human subject were used to evaluate the performance of the iterative image reconstruction algorithm for PROPELLER, and compare it with that of conventional gridding. The trade-off between spatial resolution, signal to noise ratio, and image artifacts, was investigated for different values of the regularization parameter. The performance of the iterative image reconstruction algorithm in the presence of motion was also evaluated. Results: It was demonstrated that, for a certain range of values of the regularization parameter, iterative reconstruction produced images with significantly increased signal to noise ratio, reduced artifacts, for similar spatial resolution, compared with gridding. Furthermore, the ability to reduce the effects of motion in PROPELLER-MRI was maintained when using the iterative reconstruction approach. Conclusion: An iterative image reconstruction technique based on the NUFFT was investigated for PROPELLER MRI. For a certain range of values of the regularization parameter, the new reconstruction technique may provide PROPELLER images with improved image quality compared with conventional gridding. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2010;32:211–217. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.