cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A comparison of disabled adults' perceived quality of life in nursing facility and home settings

In an attempt to prevent premature institutionalization of disabled adults, some states have developed services funded under a Medicaid waiver to maintain these clients in their homes. Evaluation reports of these programs have emphasized cost analysis and have described various approaches to case management. No studies have reported on the quality of life of the clients receiving the services. In this exploratory study, the quality of life of 20 clients in a community long-term care program was compared with that of 20 persons requiring comparable levels of care but residing in a nursing home. Mean scores on the quality of life measure were virtually equal for the two groups, but the distribution of scores by group was very different. Demographically the groups differed. Community residents were younger than nursing home residents and included a larger percentage of blacks. Part of one's judgment of quality of life may stem from a comparison of oneself with one's peers. Verbal, oriented nursing home residents may rate themselves more favorably in comparison to peers with dementia, while community residents compare themselves with healthy adults and rate their quality of life as lower.
Expertise, Evaluative Motivation, and the Structure of Citizens’ Ideological Commitments

Political psychologists have typically argued that ideological commitments are structured in a bipolar fashion, where a positive evaluation of conservative objects implies a negative evaluation of liberal objects (and vice versa). Individual differences in conformity to this pattern are usually attributed to an ability-related variable, i.e., political expertise. Departing from this strict focus on ability, this study examines the hypotheses that an important motivational variable—the need to evaluate, or the desire to form opinions of objects as “good” or “bad”—would (1) predict deviations from ideological bipolarity, even controlling for expertise; and (2) moderate the relationship between expertise and deviations from bipolarity. Data from two national surveys provided evidence for these hypotheses and indicated that the results extended to deviations from bipolarity in evaluations of presidential candidates and political parties.
Explaining to young children about an upcoming separation from their mother: When do i tell them?☆

Abstract This study investigated the effects of some popularly recommended techniques to prepare two-year-olds for brief separations from their mother. Some mothers discussed on upcoming separation with their child for three days beforehand, whereas others gave no advance preparation. In addition, immediately before they left the child alone with a stranger in an unfamiliar playroom, the mothers used one of three procedures to ready the child. They either provided a brief amount of information about the departure, lingered for 60 seconds after providing the brief preparation, or left in their customary “natural” manner. Regardless of the technique used immediately before the separation, children receiving no preparation at home remained with the stranger longer and played more than children given advance preparation. Furthermore, among those children prepared naturally directly before the separation, the less the mother lingered before leaving, the longer the child remained in the room and played. These results are consistent with previous findings that slight variations in maternal preparatory and departure behaviors can dramatically alter the effectiveness of the preparation.
Current bias testing of differential circuits

It is noted that differential circuits are prone to a class of faults that reduce the signal between the two outputs without causing a stuck fault or delay. The authors examine the addition of test bias circuits to aid testing of these faults. In particular, the application of current biasing to memory circuits is considered. It is shown that the main benefit of biasing application is the detection of defects that reduce noise margin. Other substantial benefits are transforming some delay defects into stuck-at faults, greatly increasing the product quality, and reducing the need for an expensive high-performance test. >
Optimized link state routing for quality-of-service provisioning: implementation, measurement, and performance evaluation

This paper provides a measurement-based performance evaluation of the Optimized Link State Routing (OLSR) protocol. Two versions of OLSR, OLSR-ETX and OLSR-ETT, are implemented and evaluated on a mesh network that we built from off-the-shelf commercial components and deployed within our department building. OLSR-ETX uses the Expected Transmission Count (ETX) metric, whereas OLSR-ETT uses the Expected Transmission Time (ETT) metric as a means of assessing link quality. The paper describes our implementation process of the ETT metric using the plug-in feature of OLSRd, and our calculation method of link bandwidth using the packet-pair technique. A series of measurements are conducted in our testbed to analyze and compare the performance of ETX and ETT metrics deemed useful for quality of service. Our measurements show that OLSR-ETT outperforms OLSR-ETX significantly in terms of packet loss, end-to-end delay, jitter, route changes, bandwidth, and overall stability, yielding much more robust, reliable, and efficient routing. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two-dimensional bismuth-rich nanosheets through the evaporative thinning of Se-doped Bi2Te3

Abstract High bulk conductance obscures the behavior of surface states in the prototypical topological insulators Bi 2 Te 3 and Bi 2 Se 3 . However, ternary phases of Bi 2 Te 3− y Se y with balanced donor and acceptor levels may lead to large bulk resistivity, allowing for the observation of the surface states. Additionally, the contribution of the bulk conductance may be further suppressed by nanostructuring, increasing the surface-to-volume ratio. Herein we report the synthesis of a ternary tetradymite newly confined to two dimensions. Ultra-thin large-area stable nanosheets were fabricated via evaporative thinning of a Bi 2 Te 2.9 Se 0.1 original phase. Owing to vapor pressure differences, a compositional shift to a final Bi-rich phase is observed. The Se/Te ratio of the nanosheet increases tenfold, due to the higher stability of the Bi–Se bonds. Hexagonal crystal symmetry is maintained despite dramatic changes in thickness and stoichiometry. Given that small variations in stoichiometry of this ternary system can incur large changes in carrier concentration and switch majority carrier type, the large compositional shifts found in this case imply that compositional analysis of similar CVD and PVD grown materials is critical to correctly interpret topological insulator performance. Further, the characterization techniques deployed, including STEM-EDS and ToF-SIMS, serve as a case study in determining such compositional shifts in two-dimensional form.
Detecting Single Gold Nanoparticles (1.8 nm) with Ultrahigh-Q Air-Mode Photonic Crystal Nanobeam Cavities

The growing applications of nanoparticles in energy and healthcare demand new metrology techniques with improved sensitivity, lower sample concentration, and affordable instrument cost. Here we demonstrate the first air-mode photonic crystal nanobeam cavity with ultrahigh Q-factor (Q = 2.5 × 105) and ultrasmall mode volume (V = 0.01λ3) at telecom wavelength. The air-mode cavity has strong field localization outside of its high-index material, thus significantly improving the sensitivity to detect nanoparticles. The strong field gradient attracts the nanoparticles to its field maximum, improving the detection efficiency. Combining these advantages, we report detecting and sizing single gold nanoparticles down to 1.8 nm in diameter (equivalently single polystyrene nanoparticle of 3 nm in diameter) with significantly reduced sample concentration (∼fM) than traditional optical techniques. In addition, the air-mode ultrahigh Q, ultrasmall V photonic crystal nanobeam cavity will be a useful platform to study st...
Developmental morphology, biomass yield and compositional differences among upland and lowland switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) ecotypes grown as a bioenergy feedstock crop

Sustainable and successful development of the bioenergy industry strongly depends upon the amount and quality of bioenergy feedstock produced. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) has been identified as a model lignocellulosic bioenergy crop in the U.S. Information regarding its growth and development is considered critical for making management decisions, production of high quality feedstock and to support simulation model calibration and subsequent analysis. In the first study (Chapter 2), we evaluated upland (‘Cave-in-Rock’, ‘Trailblazer’ and ‘Blackwell’) and lowland (‘Kanlow’ and ‘Alamo’) ecotypes of switchgrass for harvest management, morphological (phenology and leaf area index) and biomass yield differences. A field study was conducted near Ames, IA during 2012 and 2013. The experiment design was a randomized complete block design. Six in-season destructive biomass harvests were collected at approximately 2-week intervals each year. In both years, delaying harvest to later maturity increased biomass yield in all cultivars. Averaged over years lowland cultivars ‘Kanlow’ and ‘Alamo’ produced higher dry matter yield (6.31 and 5.98 tons ha, respectively) than upland ecotypes ‘Cave-in-Rock’, ‘Trailblazer’ and ‘Blackwell’ (5.89, 4.78 and 4.53 tons ha, respectively). Lowland cultivars had delayed reproductive development compared with upland ecotypes. The widely recommended cultivar in Iowa ‘Cave-in-Rock’ had the highest mean stage count and leaf area index at the end of both growing seasons, but did not produce the greatest biomass. There was a nonlinear relationship between MSC and biomass yield. However, the magnitude and form of the response was different between cultivars and from year to year.
Cutaneous Wegener's granulomatosis. Report of a case and review of the literature.

A 32-year-old man with documented Wegener’s granulomatosis had papules and pustules on his elbows, hands, and feet and petechiae on his palms and soles. Skin biopsy showed chronic vasculitis and epidermal necrosis. The patient’s condition improved markedly after chemotherapy with nitrogen mustard, prednisone, and cyclophosphamide. This case illustrates characteristic clinical and histopathologic findings of cutaneous Wegener’s granulomatosis based on a current literature review. Although no one skin change is pathognomonic of Wegener’s granulomatosis, certain cutaneous findings are suggestive of the disease. Clinicians should be aware of these skin changes to aid early diagnosis and treatment of a rapidly fatal but potentially treatable disease.
Using Cognitive Testing to Develop Items for Surveying Asian American Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers as a Pathway to Culturally Competent Care

We report the results from cognitive interviews with Asian American patients and their caregivers. We interviewed seven caregivers and six patients who were all bilingual Asian Americans. The main goal of the cognitive interviews was to test a survey instrument developed for a study about perspectives of Asian American patients with advanced cancer who are facing decisions around end-of-life care. We were particularly interested to see whether items commonly used in White and Black populations are culturally meaningful and equivalent in Asian populations, primarily those of Chinese and Vietnamese ethnicity. Our exploration shows that understanding respondents' language proficiency, degree of acculturation, and cultural context of receiving, processing, and communicating information about medical care can help design questions that are appropriate for Asian American patients and caregivers, and therefore can help researchers obtain quality data about the care Asian American cancer patients receive.
Mechanics and Countermeasures of Drilling Slump Based on Arching Effect

Drilling slump is frequent in reconnaissance,it is analyzed through two factors of ground stress and ground water penetrability.Drilling breaks down the balance of ground stress,and the drilling hole is surrounded by the maximum principal stress vector when new equilibrium of ground stress is adjusted.The relationship among arching region,drilling hole radius and coefficient of horizontal press is deduced.It is considered that the ground stress is the main reason of drilling hole shrinkage.The arching effect theory is examined through numerical analysis by 5 group parameters.Ground water penetrability is the main reason of drilling slump in boulder bed.Three methods of drilling slump prevention and treatment are analyzed.Finally,a drilling engineering is taken as an example.
Surgical management of middle cerebral artery aneurysms.

OBJECTIVES Treatment of middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms remains controversial because of their morphological characteristics. The aim of our study was to analyze the morbidity, mortality, and outcome of patients who underwent clipping of MCA aneurysms and compare with that of endovascular therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patient and aneurysm characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients treated by the senior author from 1992 through 2012 were analyzed. Various factors associated with good outcome were analyzed. RESULTS One hundred twenty-five patients with 132 aneurysms were included in the study. Seven patients had bilateral MCA bifurcation aneurysms, and 11 were giant aneurysms. Ninety-two point four percent aneurysms were located at MCA bifurcation, others being at pre- or post-bifurcation segments of M1. Intraoperative rupture was encountered in 4.8%. The overall perioperative morbidity and mortality was 8% and 0.8%, respectively. At a mean follow-up of 19.3 months, 83.8% patients had good outcome (mRS 0 and 1). The angiographic obliteration rate at one-year follow-up was 98%. Good preoperative Hunt and Hess grade and unruptured aneurysm were significantly associated with good outcome, whereas presence of hematoma was associated with poor outcome following surgery (P less than 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The results of clipping of MCA aneurysms are superior to that of published endovascular therapy. Surgical clipping remains the standard of care for MCA aneurysms with good clinical and angiographic outcome.
Radiation therapy for sinus malignancies.

Radiation therapy, either alone or in combination with surgery, is commonly used in the treatment of malignant tumors of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. If the lesion is resectable, most often resection is undertaken first, followed by postoperative irradiation. Irradiation alone is generally reserved for other advanced, unre-sectable presentations or in patients who refuse or cannot undergo operation for medical reasons. The morbidity of high-dose irradiation alone is thought to exceed the morbidity of combined treatment with a lesser dose of irradiation, primarily because of the increased risk for ocular or optic nerve complications when high-dose irradiation alone is used.
The oligosaccharide of human thrombin: investigations of functional significance

Functional properties of the carbohydrate chain of human thrombin were examined by quantitating the activity of the enzyme before and after partial removal of its oligosaccharide by exoglycosidases. The following activities were studied: fibrinogen clotting, factor VIII coagulant (VIII:C) activation, inhibition by defibrinated plasma (anti- thrombin-III and alpha 2-macroglobulin), binding to polymerized fibrin, and stimulation of platelet release and aggregation. In general, the published information about the activity of native thrombin in these interactions was confirmed, though differences were observed in the association constants describing thrombin binding to fibrin. Partial deglycosylation had no apparent effect on any of these activities. It is concluded, therefore, that the oligosaccharide of human thrombin is located outside the major protein and platelet-binding regions of the molecule.
Self-Compassion: A Mentorship Framework for Counselor Educator Mothers.

Counselor educators experience high levels of stress. Mothers in academia face an additional set of emotional stressors. The authors offer a self-compassion framework for mentors to increase emotional resilience of mothers in counselor education.
Effects of climate on the radial growth of white ash infested with emerald ash borer

Abstract Emerald ash borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire), is a non-native beetle responsible for widespread mortality of several North American ash species (Fraxinus sp.). The objective of this study was to examine the effects of climate on the radial growth of white ash (Fraxinus americana) infested with emerald ash borer. Sites with infested white ash from different land-use categories (i.e., natural forests vs. high-use recreational areas) were selected along a latitudinal gradient in the eastern Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Infested trees were selectively sampled based on predetermined crown condition (vigor) classes and categorized into two levels of EAB infestation severity (i.e., low vs. high). Sampling of 3 control regions in the northern Lower Peninsula, and western Upper Peninsula were based on measuring trees that were visually healthy (no major crown mortality or visible signs and symptoms of EAB). Dendroclimatic analyzes indicated that radial growth of white ash in the three northern control regions were the only groups to have a negative response to winter snowfall, indicating a latitudinal sensitivity. Dendroclimatic analyzes also indicated that white ash in Michigan across the control regions and EAB impacted latitudinal regions, land-use categories, and EAB infestation levels, was shown to have a strong negative relationship with precipitation and available moisture in the summer of the previous year. A negative response in the current year’s radial growth due to the climate moisture index at the end of the growing season for trees with higher severity EAB infestation levels was also observed. The negative relationship with summer precipitation and moisture index suggested that crown canopies may be damaged by strong winds associated with storm events characteristic of Michigan summers. Increased risk of branch failure due to EAB infestation may further increase ash susceptibility to wind damage. Since moisture levels have also been shown to be important for EAB larval development, it is possible that the negative responses of radial growth to precipitation at the end of the growing season may benefit EAB larval development, thereby reducing radial growth of white ash.
Diffractive Orbital Angular Momentum Demultiplexing Elements for Underwater Optical Communications

Diffractive elements based on coordinate transformations have been realized at 450 nm for demultiplexing orbital angular momentum states and can be applied to an underwater communications link. System efficiency of ~80% was obtained experimentally.
Parameters For Point Defect Diffusion And Recombination

Point-defect kinetics is important for understanding and modeling dopant diffusion in silicon. The author describes models for point-defect transport and recombination used in SUPREM-IV, and does extensive fitting for the model parameters. The experimental data used are from experiments on oxidation-enhanced diffusion. Interstitial traps are shown to be critical for consistent agreement with experiment data. Point-defect parameters in lightly doped regions are extracted and fit to Arrhenius expressions. >
Predictable Shared Cache Management for Multi-Core Real-Time Virtualization

Real-time virtualization has gained much attention for the consolidation of multiple real-time systems onto a single hardware platform while ensuring timing predictability. However, a shared last-level cache (LLC) on modern multi-core platforms can easily hamper the timing predictability of real-time virtualization due to the resulting temporal interference among consolidated workloads. Since such interference caused by the LLC is highly variable and may have not even existed in legacy systems to be consolidated, it poses a significant challenge for real-time virtualization. In this article, we propose a predictable shared cache management framework for multi-core real-time virtualization. Our framework introduces two hypervisor-level techniques, vLLC and vColoring, that enable the cache allocation of individual tasks running in a virtual machine (VM), which is not achievable by the current state of the art. Our framework also provides a cache management scheme that determines cache allocation to tasks, designs VMs in a cache-aware manner, and minimizes the aggregated utilization of VMs to be consolidated. As a proof of concept, we implemented vLLC and vColoring in the KVM hypervisor running on x86 and ARM multi-core platforms. Experimental results with three different guest OSs (i.e., Linux/RK, vanilla Linux, and MS Windows Embedded) show that our techniques can effectively control the cache allocation of tasks in VMs. Our cache management scheme yields a significant utilization benefit compared to other approaches while satisfying timing constraints.
The Role of Metaphors in International Relations Theory

The narratives of IR theory constitute the language of the discipline’s ontological scope. Attentiveness to metaphors and other discursive elements of IR theory is part of an interpretive move, which demands that attention be paid to how theoretical endeavors are constructed. This chapter reflects on the lessons of the book and argues that future of research in IR requires being aware of the role of metaphors in creating concepts, interrogating these metaphors to determine their conceptual utility, acknowledging the empirical categories that are suggested by conceptual metaphors, deciding which categories correspond to observed facts, and collecting empirical data in ways that further a better understanding of world affairs so as not simply to reinforce existing metaphorical frames.
Using different levels of glycerine, glucose, or sucrose in broiler starter diets to overcome negative effects of delayed feed access on growth performance

Two trials were conducted to evaluate the inclusion of glycerine, glucose, or sucrose in broiler starter diets to overcome negative effects of delayed feed access. In trial 1, 2160 newly hatched chicks (mixed sexed) were randomly assigned to two feeding programs (immediate vs. 36 h delayed feed access). Nine starter diets prepared with crude glycerine, glucose, or sucrose fed at 0%, 4%, or 8% levels were fed during the first 14 d post hatch (PH). In trial 2, 720 male and 720 female newly hatched chicks were randomly assigned to two feeding programs (immediate vs. 48 h delayed feed access). Starter diets fed during the first 14 d of feed access, consisted of a control, 8% glycerine, or 8% glucose. In both trials, a common grower and finisher diet were fed during days 14–24 and 25–35, respectively. Body weight and feed consumed were measured on 7, 14, 24, and 35 d. In trial 1, all 8% diet-fed birds were heavier compared with the control on day 35 PH (2259 vs. 2198 g, P < 0.01). Birds fed glycerine starter d...
Evaluation of Quizalofop-Resistant Rice for Arkansas Rice Production Systems

Due to the ongoing evolution of herbicide-resistant weeds, new technologies are needed to maintain effective levels of control. A new rice variety that will be resistant to quizalofop, an acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase- (ACCase-) inhibiting herbicide, is currently under development. With the anticipated launch of this technology in 2018, multiple experiments were conducted to determine effectiveness of the quizalofop-resistant rice system for common grass weed species found in Arkansas rice production. One hundred and twenty-six barnyardgrass populations were collected across Arkansas and treated with quizalofop at 80 g ai ha−1 to determine a baseline of response. All populations evaluated were effectively controlled (≥92%) by quizalofop, with only 13 populations resulting in lower than 98% control. A greenhouse and field trial were conducted to compare efficacy of quizalofop to currently labeled rice graminicides for control of common rice grass weeds. Results from the greenhouse experiment showed that quizalofop treatments resulted in greater efficacy of common grass weeds compared to cyhalofop or fenoxaprop. This was especially apparent at the larger grass growth stages. A field experiment conducted compared season-long weed control programs of quizalofop to fenoxaprop and cyhalofop. The quizalofop-containing treatments were no better than fenoxaprop and cyhalofop for barnyardgrass and broadleaf signalgrass control. Barnyardgrass and broadleaf signalgrass control were greater than 96% for all herbicide treatments. An additional field experiment was conducted to determine the best rate structure for sequential applications of quizalofop in rice. Sequential applications of quizalofop at 120 g ha−1 followed by 120 g ha−1 two weeks later resulted in the highest barnyardgrass and broadleaf signalgrass control. Likewise, applying the full seasonal use rate of 240 g ha−1 of quizalofop resulted in greater control compared to 200 and 160 g ha−1. Results from this research indicate a strong benefit from quizalofop use in rice.
High-Risk Stage II Colon Cancer: Not All Risks Are Created Equal.

Adjuvant chemotherapy is recommended in patients with stage II colon cancer with high-risk features (HRF). However, there is no quantification of the amount of risk conferred by each HRF or the overall survival (OS) benefit gained by chemotherapy based on the risk factor. To assess survival benefits associated with adjuvant chemotherapy among stage II colon cancer patients having one or more HRF [T4 tumors, less than 12 lymph nodes examined (< 12LN), positive margins, high-grade tumor, perineural invasion (PNI), and lymphovascular invasion (LVI)]. Patients diagnosed with stage II colon cancer between 2010 and 2013 were identified from California Cancer Registry. Propensity score weighted all-cause mortality hazard ratios (HR) were calculated for combinations of HRF. A total of 5160 stage II colon cancer patients were identified, of which 2398 had at least one HRF and 510 of 2398 (21%) received adjuvant chemotherapy. Compared with patients with a single HRF, presence of any 2 or ≥ 3 HRF showed increasingly poorer survival [HR 1.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16–1.73 and HR 2.50, 95% CI 1.96–3.20, respectively]. Chemotherapy was associated with improved overall survival only among patients with T4 as the single HRF (HR 0.51, 95% CI 0.34–0.78) or combinations involving T4 as T4/< 12 LN (HR 0.31, 95% CI 0.11–0.90), T4/high grade (HR 0.26, 95% CI 0.11–0.61), and T4/LVI (HR 0.16, 95% CI 0.04–0.61). Not all high-risk features have similar adverse effects on OS. T4 tumors and their combination with other HRF achieve the most survival benefit with adjuvant therapy. Type and number of high-risk features should be taken into consideration when recommending adjuvant chemotherapy in stage II colon cancer.
A possible link between stigmatization of sexual-erotic identities and sexual violence

It is suggested that stigmatization of sexual-erotic identities causes shame that leads to emotions of anger and rage that, in turn, create a fertile basis for violent behavior related to the source of stigmatization. This model is tested comparatively in the U.S. and Germany. A curvilinear regression of evaluation of identities on sexual-eroticism ratings indicates stigmatization of sexualerotic identities in the U.S. but not in Germany. It also leads to the unanticipated finding that Germans tend to stigmatize people with identities that appear extremely non-sexual-erotic. Matching their affective meaning with that of explicit sexual-erotic identities, typical sexual-erotic emotions are empirically identified. In the U.S., emotions of anger are typically associated with sexual-eroticism, compared to emotions of excitement in Germany. The stated consequence of these emotions, the different prevalence of violent sexual behavior, is tested comparing statistics of reported sexual-violent crime in both nations.
On the Regularity of Nonlinear Subelliptic Equations

We prove C⧜ regularity results for Lipschitz solutions of nondegenerate quasilinear subelliptic equations of p-Laplacian type for a class of Hormander vector fields that include certain nonnilpotent structures.
Hemochromatosis genes and other factors contributing to the pathogenesis of porphyria cutanea tarda

Inherited and acquired factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis of porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT), a disorder characterized by a photosensitive dermatosis and hepatic siderosis. This study, comprising 108 patients with PCT, was intended to define the role of hemochromatosis gene (HFE) mutations in the expression of PCT and to determine the contribution of acquired factors including alcohol, hepatitis C virus (HCV), and estrogen. The 2 known HFE mutations, cysteine 282 tyrosine (Cys282Tyr) and histidine 63 asparagine (His63Asp), were detected by polymerase chain reaction, and anti-HCV immunoglobulin G was detected serologically. Liver biopsies were graded for iron content, inflammation, and fibrosis. Estimates of alcohol and estrogen use were based on a questionnaire. Of the PCT patients tested, 19% were homozygous for the Cys282Tyr mutation; controls were equal to 0.5%. The compound heterozygous genotype was detected in 7% of the PCT patients; controls were less than 1%. The transferrin saturation, serum ferritin, and liver iron burden of all PCT patients were higher than those of nonporphyric controls. The highest values were found in PCT patients homozygous for the Cys282Tyr mutation. Of the patients studied, 59% were HCV positive (compared with 1.8% of the population), and 46% consumed more than 70 g of alcohol daily. Of the female patients, 63% were ingesting estrogens. Hepatic damage was most marked in patients with the Cys282Tyr/Cys282Tyr genotype who had HCV and drank heavily. Homozygosity for the Cys282Tyr mutation and HCV are the greatest risk factors for expression of PCT, and in most patients, more than 1 risk factor was identified. It was common for patients with HCV to consume alcohol. Patients with PCT should be screened for HFE mutations and for HCV. (Blood. 2000;95:1565-1571)
Somatoform Disorders and Measurement of Pain and Related Phenomena

This 62-item self-report measure developed by Pilowsky and Spence (1983) assesses seven aspects of abnormal illness behavior: hypochondriasis, disease conviction, psychological versus somatic concerns, affective inhibition, affective disturbance, denial, and irritability. Lloyd (1990) suggested that the scale be used to evaluate clients in whom there is a discrepancy between medical disorder and behavioral response. An earlier version of the seven subscales was derived from a factor analysis of pain patients’ and psychiatric clients’ responses to 52 items asking about attitudes, feelings, and perceptions relating to illness (Pilowsky & Spence, 1975). Also embedded in the questionnaire was a second measure of hypochondriasis, the Whitley Index. Because this scale seems to measure essentially the same phenomena as the general Hypochondriasis subscale of the questionnaire, no more mention will be made of the Whitley Index in this review. The 62-item questionnaire was developed by adding items to the earlier, 52-item version of the questionnaire so that all subscales consist of at least five items (Pilowsky, 1993; Pilowsky & Spence, 1983). Factor analytic studies of the questionnaire (Main & Waddell, 1987; Pilowsky, 1993; Pilowsky & Spence, 1983; Zonderman, Heft & Costa, 1985) have to varying degrees confirmed the separateness of the seven subscales.
Ethnocultural Influences in Cancer

Compelling evidence that ethnicity is associated with serious disparities in cancer morbidity and mortality has been documented in the medical and public health literature. In addition to the role that socioeconomic variables play in affecting cancer outcomes, health professionals are beginning to pay attention to the influence of ethnicity and culture. This paper examines the role that ethnocultural factors contribute to cancer, with particular attention to breast, cervical, prostate, and colorectal cancers. Young and Zane's adaptation of a process oriented model of how culture and ethnicity affect disease is proposed as a useful framework to understand the illness experience. It is suggested that attending to ethnocultural issues will assist health providers and researchers toward developing and implementing strategies to improve cancer outcomes among ethnic populations.
Progesterone-Binding Globulin (PBG)

More than 10 years after the discovery of CBG, we observed in multiple equilibrium dialysis studies on steroid binding to sera of normal and pregnant guinea pigs that the affinities for Cortisol and progesterone did not parallel each other. This was contrary to the well-known binding of these two steroids to one protein, i.e., CBG in human serum. Moreover, the binding activity for progesterone showed an unusually high increase during the latter part of pregnancy. We concluded that the binding of Cortisol and progesterone was to two different molecular entities that are independent of each other; one the CBG known in other species, and the other a progesterone-binding globulin (PBG). These observations have been reviewed in Vol. I, Chapter X.1.
Sonographically-guided metallic marker placement at time of wire localization for intraductal or cystic lesions: a method to verify lesion retrieval.

Rationale and Objectives To propose deploying a metallic marker using sonographic guidance immediately before wire localization for excisional biopsy to identify intraductal or complex cystic lesions at specimen radiography. Materials and Methods Institutional review board approval was obtained for this study and is Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act compliant. The clinical, radiographic, and pathologic records of 21 patients, ages 21–78 years, with 22 intraductal or complex cystic masses who underwent excisional biopsy with wire localization immediately after sonographically-guided marker placement were reviewed. The procedure mammogram, ultrasound, and specimen radiographs were reviewed and evaluated for the presence of a metallic marker, lesion, or both. Pathology of all specimens was recorded and reviewed for concordance. Results Twenty-one (95%) of the markers were visualized on specimen radiographs. No lesions were apparent on specimen radiographs. Mammographic findings in 17 were negative (17/22; 77%); 3 circumscribed or partially obscured masses (3/22; 14%), 1 focal asymmetry (1/22; 5%), and 1 architectural distortion (5%) were also seen. Sonographic findings were 12 intraductal masses (12/22; 55%) and 10 complex cystic masses (10/22; 45%). Median and average size of all lesions were 9 mm (intraductal masses: median, 6 mm, mean, 7; complex cystic masses: median, 10 mm, mean, 11). All lesions were benign and all pathology was concordant with imaging findings. Conclusions Given the high rate of marker retrieval on specimen radiography and pathologic concordance, marker placement at the time of wire localization is an efficient way to confirm retrieval of intraductal or complex cystic lesions.
Review of the fabrication techniques and applications of polymeric electrospun nanofibers for drug delivery systems

Abstract Drug delivery systems (DDSs) are a promising avenue for targeted drug delivery over a given time frame. Different techniques have been devised for drug encapsulation in a delivery system which can carry it to the target site and release it as a function of time. The biochemical properties of encapsulation systems are tailored according to the required release profile for the target tissue. Electrospun fibers have been greatly investigated recently for the development of DDSs. Different applications for specific fiber types have been fabricated and tested in order to determine their clinical significance. This review critically analyzes the potential applications of electrospun fibers in drug delivery system (DDS).
Angioinvasive Fungal Infections

Acute, rapidly evolving, often fatal infections due to vasculotropic invasive mycoses, such as Aspergillus (flavus, fumigatus, niger), Fusarium (solani, oxysporum, verticilioides), and Zygomycetes (Mucor, Rhizopus,, Rhizomucor, and more).
Conjugacies of the Newton maps of rational functions

Newton's method is a well-known iterative method to find roots of a function. The dynamics of the Newton maps of polynomials has long been an object of study, but far less is known about the Newton...
Neuroactive steroid levels and cocaine use chronicity in men and women with cocaine use disorder receiving progesterone or placebo.

Background and objectives Neuroactive steroids (NAS) may play a role in addiction, with observed increases in response to acute stress and drug use, but decreases with chronic substance use, suggesting that NAS neuroadaptations may occur with chronic substance use. However, levels of NAS in addicted individuals have not been systematically examined. Here, we evaluated a panel of NAS in men and women with cocaine use disorder (CUD) who participated in a clinical laboratory study of progesterone. Methods Forty six CUD individuals were enrolled in a randomized placebo-controlled laboratory study to evaluate progesterone effects on levels of various NAS. On day 5 of a 7-day inpatient treatment regimen of 400 mg/day progesterone (15M/8F) or placebo (14M/9F), plasma levels of NAS known to be downstream of progesterone (allopregnanolone, pregnanolone), and NAS not in the progesterone synthesis pathway (androstanediol, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone [DHEA] and the NAS precursor, pregnenolone) were analyzed using highly sensitive gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The relationship between each of the NAS and chronicity of cocaine use was also assessed. Results Progesterone versus placebo significantly increased the GABAergic NAS allopregnanolone and pregnanolone in both CUD men and women. Levels of pregnenolone, testosterone, its GABAergic metabolite androstanediol, and the non-GABAergic DHEA were unaffected by progesterone treatment, and testosterone and androstanediol levels were significantly higher in men than women. Importantly, lower pregnenolone and androstanediol levels were associated with greater years of cocaine use. Scientific significance GABAergic NAS that are upstream from the progesterone synthesis pathway appear susceptible to chronic effects of cocaine use. (Am J Addict 2019;28:16-21).
Real-time measurements of milk fat globule membrane modulation during simulated intestinal digestion using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy

Milk Fat Globules with their unique interfacial structure and membrane composition are a key nutritional source for mammalian infants, however, there is a limited understanding of the dynamics of fat digestion in these structures. Lipid digestion is an interfacial process involving interactions of enzymes and bile salts with the interface of suspended lipid droplets in an aqueous environment. In this study, we have developed an electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy approach to evaluate real time dynamics of milk fat globules interfacial structure during simulated intestinal digestion. To measure these dynamics, natural milk fat globule membrane was labeled with EPR-active probe, partitioning of EPR probes into MFGs membrane was validated using saturation-recovery measurements and calculation of the depth parameter Φ. After validation, the selected spin probe was used to evaluate the membrane's fluidity as a measure of the interface's modulation in the presence of bile salts and pancreatic lipase. Independently, bile salts were found to have a rigidifying effect on the spin probed MFGM, while pancreatic lipase resulted in an increase in membrane fluidity. When combined, the effect of lipase appears to be diminished in the presence of bile salts. These results indicate the efficacy of EPR in providing an insight into small time scale molecular dynamics of phospholipid interfaces in milk fat globules. Understanding interfacial dynamics of naturally occurring complex structures can significantly aid in understanding the role of interfacial composition and structural complexity in delivery of nutrients during digestion.
Analysis of the Effects of Communication Trust and Delay on Consensus of Multi-Agent Systems

This research analyzes the effects of communication delay and trust in multi-agent systems (MAS). Consensus is a key attribute in the analysis of the stability of MAS systems. Communication and cooperation amongst the agents are major factors leading to the consensus of the system. Delay presents issues in the achievement of synchronization between the agents within the system that requires consistent and continuous communication. The effects of disturbances such as data loss and system lagging has to be analyzed properly. This paper presents a method for analysis of the stability of delayed MAS utilizing graph theory and the incorporation of the Laplacian matrix. The Lambert W function-based approach is used to solve the delay differential equations, which has an infinite number of roots caused by the delay operator. The method provides the capability to analytically solve the delay differential equations through computation of the eigenvalues, or characteristic roots, of the system to analyze stability. The convergence speed of the system is then modeled using MATLAB/Simulink. The delay in the system is varied from 0.1 second to 1 second to compare and analyze the stability and rate of convergence with respect to delay. Lastly, an analysis on the effects of communication trust between agents is examined and analyzed to tune out noise.
Evaluation of Anomaly Detection for Wide-Area Protection Using Cyber Federation Testbed

Cyber physical security research for smart grid is currently one of the nation's top RD and the US Army Research Laboratory (ARL); to emulate the regional control center network. Initially, we describe a hardware-in-the loop based experimental setup for implementing data integrity attacks on an IEEE 39 bus system. We then perform network packet analysis focusing on latency and bandwidth as well as evaluate the performance of a decision tree based anomaly detector in measuring its ability to identify different attacks. Our experimental results reveal the computed wide area network latency; bandwidth requirement for minimum packet loss; and successful performance of the anomaly detector. Our studies also highlight the conceptual architecture necessary for developing the federated testbed, inspired by the NASPI network.
Medicaid Access During Economic Distress: Lessons Learned From the Great Recession:

Medicaid enrollment increases during economic downturns which imply households using the public health insurance program during coverage gaps due to job loss. However, we provide new evidence demon...
A model to estimate glucose absorption in peritoneal dialysis: A pilot study

Background Glucose absorption in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) may contribute to adverse metabolic effects. Previous studies on glucose absorption were done on patients on continuous ambulatory PD, with a long dwell time. However, the growing majority of contemporary patients on PD perform automated PD with a short dwell time. Moreover, membrane characteristics and dwell time determine small-solute transport across the peritoneal membrane. Methods In our pilot study, we used data from the peritoneal equilibration test (PET) to develop a model to estimate glucose absorption. In six randomly selected patients on PD, we calculated actual glucose absorption from directly measuring effluent glucose concentration. We then used the R programming language to create a nonlinear, least-squared regression model, inputting PET data, D2/D0, and D4/D0 to generate an exponential decay curve. This model was then used to estimate the fraction of glucose remaining in the dialysate at a particular dwell time t (Dt/D0). Daily glucose absorption was calculated by multiplying 1−Dt/D0 with the amount of glucose the patient was exposed to in 24 hours. Results We observed the mean glucose absorption (89.7±28.8 g/d), as measured from the effluent, very close to our estimate (88.12±28.9 g/d), and the difference between the glucose estimation and actual absorption was not statistically significant (P>0.05), with "W" value of 8. After validating our hypothesis, we randomly selected an independent cohort of 11 patients with ESKD who were on various PD modalities and analyzed their data. We observed that the mean daily glucose absorption of 62.7±24.5 g (27.98–110.35 g), much lower than that reported in the literature, depends on dwell times and membrane characteristics in addition to the amount of glucose absorption in the cohort. Conclusions Our model provides a simple tool for estimating glucose absorption and caloric load in contemporary patients on PD. Hopefully, the accurate estimation of caloric load and the incorporation of it into the daily caloric intake of the individual will help to reduce metabolic consequences of hyperglycemia and weight gain and improve overall outcomes of PD.
The Use of Science in Wildland Fire Management: a Review of Barriers and Facilitators

Science plays a critical role in natural resource management, and the use of science in decision-making is mandated by several policy initiatives. Other disciplines have documented the challenges associated with applying science to management and possible solutions to overcoming challenges, but the evaluation of science use in wildland fire management is relatively immature. In this paper, we reviewed the available literature that evaluates science use in wildland fire management and common barriers and facilitators to science use in decision-making. We developed a conceptual model that describes the possible uses of science in fire management (perception, planning, forecasting, implementation, assessment, communication, and policy), common barriers to science use (lack of science, uncertainty, funding/capacity, conflict), common facilitators to fire science use (collaboration, trust, boundary organizations, co-production), and factors that can act as facilitators or barriers to science use depending on their presence or absence (awareness, accessibility, relevance). In the context of our conceptual model, we reviewed 67 papers that examined fire science use between 1986 and 2019. Most studies were conducted in the USA in the last 10 years and demonstrated that science is commonly used in fire management and that the maturation of organizations devoted to science translation and communication in the last 10 years has likely facilitated the application of fire science. The evaluation of fire science use, however, is still relatively immature, with studies needed on the use of fire science in countries outside the USA, the use of science in the management of wildfires, and in the crafting of policy related to wildland fire management.
Analysis of a Coplanar Parasitically Coupled Patch Antenna Using CMA and CMT

The impedance bandwidth of a microstrip patch antenna may be increased by additional resonances in the antenna structure. This work uses Characteristic Mode Analysis to show that a text-book coplanar parasitically coupled patch design is well described by Coupled Mode Theory. Comparisons to other multimode patch antennas also described by Coupled Mode Theory are made, and some intrinsic properties of the coplanar parasitically coupled patch geometry are noted.
Meet the Future Leaders in the Field of Host-Microbe Interactions.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has dramatically altered our lives in 2020, a vivid reminder that infectious disease continues to threaten society.….