cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect on Health Care Expenditures During Nationwide Implementation of the Diabetes Prevention Program as a Health Insurance Benefit.

OBJECTIVE Lifestyle interventions slow development of type 2 diabetes by half, but the impact of health payer reimbursement for delivery of intervention programs is not well known. We evaluated net commercial health payer expenditures when offering reimbursement for access to YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program (YDPP) in 42 states. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We used a nonequivalent comparison group design to evaluate net health care expenditures for adults with prediabetes who attended one or more YDPP visit between 1 July 2009 and 31 May 2013 (“YDPP users”). Rolling, 1:1 nearest neighbor propensity score (PS) matching was used to identify a comparison group of nonusers. Administrative data provided measures of YDPP attendance, body weight at YDPP visits, and health care expenditures. Random effects, difference-in-difference regression was used to estimate quarterly health care expenditures before and after participants’ first visit to YDPP. RESULTS Worksite screening identified 9.7% of the target population; 39.1% of those identified (19,933 participants through June 2015) became YDPP users. Mean weight loss for YDPP users enrolled before June 2013 (n = 1,725) was 7.5 lb (3.4%); 29% achieved ≥5% weight loss. Inclusive of added costs to offer YDPP, there were no statistically significant differences in mean per-person net health care expenditures between YDPP users and PS-matched nonusers over 2 years ($0.2 lower [95% CI $56 lower to $56 higher]). Mean reimbursement to the YMCA was $212 per YDPP user, with 92.8% of all expenditures made for those who attended at a high rate (≥9 completed YDPP visits). CONCLUSIONS Worksite screening was inefficient for identifying the population with prediabetes, but those identified achieved modest YDPP attendance and clinically meaningful weight loss. Over 2 years, added costs to offer the intervention were modest, with neutral effects on net health care costs.
Latent topic ensemble learning for hospital readmission cost optimization

Abstract Unplanned hospital readmission is a costly problem in the United States, and in 2013 the U.S. federal government began to reduce payments to hospitals with preventable patient readmissions. Predictive modeling using machine learning and data analytics can be a useful decision support tool to help identify patients most likely to be readmitted. However, current systems have several shortcomings, such as difficulties in utilizing unstructured data and combining data from multiple hospitals. In this paper, we propose Latent Topic Ensemble Learning, which uses an ensemble of topic specific models to leverage data from multiple hospitals, as key data analytic algorithm for predicting hospital readmission. Models are built and evaluated incorporating federal financial penalties and tested using dataset containing data collected from 16 regional hospitals. It is found that LTEL significantly outperforms the best performing baseline method for readmission cost optimization.
The Effect of Electronic Cigarette User Modifications and E-liquid Adulteration on the Particle Size Profile of an Aerosolized Product

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are an alternate nicotine delivery system that generate a condensation aerosol to be inhaled by the user. The size of the droplets formed in the aerosol can vary and contributes to drug deposition and ultimate bioavailability in the lung. The growing popularity of e-cigarette products has caused an increase in internet sources promoting the use of drugs other than nicotine (DOTNs) in e-cigarettes. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of various e-cigarette and e-liquid modifications, such as coil resistance, battery voltage, and glycol and drug formulation, on the aerosol particle size. E-liquids containing 12 mg/mL nicotine prepared in glycol compositions of 100% propylene glycol (PG), 100% vegetable glycerin (VG), or 50:50 PG:VG were aerosolized at three voltages and three coil resistances. Methamphetamine and methadone e-liquids were prepared at 60 mg/mL in 50:50 PG:VG and all e-liquids were aerosolized onto a 10 stage Micro-Orifice Uniform Deposit Impactor. Glycol deposition correlated with drug deposition, and the majority of particles centered between 0.172–0.5 μm in diameter, representing pulmonary deposition. The 100% PG e-liquid produced the largest aerosol particles and the 100% VG and 50:50 PG:VG e-liquids produced ultra-fine particles <0.3 μm. The presence of ultrafine particles indicates that drugs can be aerosolized and reach the pulmonary alveolar regions, highlighting a potential for abuse and risk of overdose with DOTNs aerosolized in an e-cigarette system.
Detonation Synthesis of Silicon Carbide Nanoparticles

Abstract Detonation of explosives was used to synthesize silicon carbide nanoparticles. Polycarbosilane was added to a mixture of 1,3,5-Trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, which was subsequently detonated in an enclosed chamber backfilled with inert gas. X-ray diffraction analysis of the detonation soot was consistent with the presence of crystalline silicon with a diamond cubic structure and cubic silicon carbide, along with amorphous material. Further analysis by transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of crystalline angular particles. High resolution imaging showed that the particles contained numerous stacking faults along the [111] direction and had an interplanar spacing of 2.5 A, both of which are characteristic of beta (cubic) silicon carbide. This is the first report of the detonation synthesis of silicon carbide by dissolving a silicon-containing precursor into an explosive composition.
Introduction to the Special Issue: Sometimes You Have to Bend Your Knees

Hard conversations are needed to move our country from the racially polarized position we currently find ourselves in. This Special edition of Social Work and Christianity is the result of the courage, tenacity and faith of a group of Christian Social Work professionals who engaged in the process of difficult conversations. As you read through the introduction and the articles presented in this edition, we are sure you will be intrigued and hopefully prompted to critically think about the need to engage in your own challenging conversations as a way to begin bridging the racial divide in our country. As co-editors of this special edition, we were challenged to deeply reflect on our indiviual life experiences, recognizing our differences as well as the things we had in common. We each struggled with our beliefs as they pertained to the level of racial division within our communities, churches and professions. We were honored to review the number of articles submitted, and contemplated how we would introduce this edition. Racial Reconciliation from a Christian perspective is a process we as Christian Social Workers must be engaged in to meet the command of our Christian faith "A new command I give you:Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another". John 13:34
III. Denial and Infantilization: Two Pitfalls in the Choice of Setting:

It was our intention to present here a few of the observations which we have made in our intensive work with blind young children and their parents. These observations have been amplified and verif...
Advantages of Outpatient Treatment with Long-Acting Lipoglycopeptides for Serious Gram-Positive Infections: A Review

Treatment of serious gram-positive infections presents multiple challenges. Treatment often results in prolonged hospitalization for administration of intravenous antimicrobials and presents an inefficient use of hospital resources. Prolonged hospitalization is typically also unfavorable to patient preferences and potentially subjects patients to additional health care-associated complications. Current strategies of transition to outpatient settings-outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy and use of oral antibiotics-often do not adequately serve vulnerable populations for whom there is often no alternative to inpatient therapy. Specifically, people who use drugs, those who cannot reliably adhere to unsupervised treatment (poor mental or physical health), people with complicating life circumstances (e.g., homelessness, incarceration, rural location), and those with inadequate health insurance remain hospitalized for weeks longer than persons without such conditions. We suspected that long-acting lipoglycopeptides (laLGP), such as dalbavancin and oritavancin, may be useful in patient transitions to outpatient settings. Thus, we conducted a search of the peer-reviewed literature using the PubMed, Google Scholar, and MEDLINE databases. Based on accumulating literature, it appears that laLGPs offer a reliable alternative therapeutic strategy that addresses many of the personal and systemic barriers to the traditional transitioning approaches. Current evidence also suggests that these agents may be cost-effective from patient, payer, and hospital perspectives. Barriers to broader use of laLGPs include, among others, a relative lack of prospective data regarding efficacy in serious infections, a narrow United States Food and Drug Administration-approved indication restricted to only acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections, and lack of reimbursement infrastructure for inpatient settings.
Dollar debt and equity returns

This article examines the relationship between US dollar-denominated debt and the correlations between the equity markets of 31 countries from 2007 to 2016. Our results indicate that the balance sh...
2019 Tabletop Exercise for Laboratory Diagnosis and Analyses of Unknown Disease Outbreaks by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Objectives The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published "A Guideline for Unknown Disease Outbreaks (UDO)." The aim of this report was to introduce tabletop exercises (TTX) to prepare for UDO in the future. Methods The UDO Laboratory Analyses Task Force in Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in April 2018, assigned unknown diseases into 5 syndromes, designed an algorithm for diagnosis, and made a panel list for diagnosis by exclusion. Using the guidelines and laboratory analyses for UDO, TTX were introduced. Results Since September 9th, 2018, the UDO Laboratory Analyses Task Force has been preparing TTX based on a scenario of an outbreak caused by a novel coronavirus. In December 2019, through TTX, individual missions, epidemiological investigations, sample treatments, diagnosis by exclusions, and next generation sequencing analysis were discussed, and a novel coronavirus was identified as the causal pathogen. Conclusion Guideline and laboratory analyses for UDO successfully applied in TTX. Conclusions drawn from TTX could be applied effectively in the analyses for the initial response to COVID-19, an ongoing epidemic of 2019 - 2020. Therefore, TTX should continuously be conducted for the response and preparation against UDO.
Driver Head Motion Monitoring Using a mm-Wave FMCW Radar

A driver’s head and torso movements are measured using a millimeter-wave FMCW radar mounted in the dashboard of a car. The micro-doppler signatures are converted into a spectrogram image format for analysis and classification purposes. The eight different head motions exhibit unique time-frequency profiles, which are individually examined and discussed.
A rare gynecologic presentation of proteus syndrome: A case report

Abstract Proteus syndrome is a genetic condition with an estimated incidence of less than one in a million. This condition is sporadic and presents as progressive, mosaic overgrowth of different tissues. Clinical manifestations are diverse, with the reported involvement of lungs, skin, blood cells, the nervous system and bones. Gynecologic manifestations have rarely been reported in the literature. This case is the first to be reported in the literature of a woman with Proteus syndrome diagnosed in her prepubertal years and presenting at 34 years old with a cervical mass protruding from the vagina. The patient sought medical intervention only after the prolapse was advanced and symptomatic. Management of this case was surgical and consisted of vaginal hysterectomy, with vaginal suspension.
Trigonometric tables: explicating their construction principles in China

The trigonometric table and its construction principles were introduced to China as part of calendar reform, spear-headed by Xu Guangqi (1562–1633) in the late 1620s to early 1630s. Chinese scholars attempted and succeeded in uncovering how the construction principles were established in the seventeenth century and then in the eighteenth century expanded to include more algorithms to compute the values of trigonometric lines. Successful as they were in discoursing the construction principles, most Chinese scholars did not actually construct trigonometric tables anew. In the early nineteenth century, a revolutionary approach was developed, which resembles computing a finite sum of power series to trigonometric functions of an arbitrary arc less than a one-half circle. Though hailed by many modern historians as Chinese achievements in developing “infinite series” of trigonometric functions, this approach was viewed by the actors at the time as a quick means to construct trigonometric tables. Interestingly, even with these “quick” methods, no trigonometric table was constructed. Besides the fact that constructing a trigonometric table afresh is a time-consuming business, the classification of the trigonometric table and their construction principles into different genres of knowledge by scholars offers an additional explanation of drastically uneven treatment of trigonometric tables and their construction principles.
The tuftsin antagonist peptide TKPPR selectively binds to neuropilin-1 on cells and can displace VEGF165 pre-bound to endothelial cells

248 We previously reported that particles coated with the tuftsin antagonist peptide TKPPR, or synthetic TKPPR multimers bind to cells expressing neuropilin-1 (NP-1), a dual receptor for VEGF and class 3 semaphorins with multiple functions in the neural, vascular, and immune systems. The TKPPR multimers were also able to block VEGF165 from binding to neuropilin-1-expressing but not VEGFR-2-expressing cells. To firmly establish that the TKPPR sequence binds selectively to neuropilin-1, neuropilin-1-negative A293H cells were transfected with a neuropilin-1 expression vector. Binding assays with TKPPR-conjugated particles (e.g. lipid microbubbles) demonstrated that neuropilin-1-expression was necessary and sufficient for the particles to bind these cells. Homogenous fluorescence polarization assays with recombinant extracellular receptor domains confirmed that a synthetic tetrameric TKPPR bound with nanomolar affinity to NP-1, but had much lower or no affinity for VEGF, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, or NP-2 (NP-1, VEGFR-2, and NP-2 polarization data reported previously). After noting that 125I-VEGF165 prebound to HUVEC could only be partially displaced with even 100 nM unlabeled VEGF, selective peptide competitors of VEGF binding to VEGFR-2 and NP-1 were tested on HUVEC with 125I-VEGF165 prebound. The VEGFR-2-binding peptide was only able to block a fraction of the labeled VEGF binding, and only when administered simultaneously with the ligand. There was no displacement of 125I-VEGF165 prebound to HUVEC. When tetrameric TKPPR was used as an NP-1 antagonist, it was able to block or displace the same fraction of labeled VEGF regardless of whether the 125I-VEGF was prebound or added simultaneously. This fraction was essentially the same as that which cold VEGF could displace from 125I-VEGF165 prebound to HUVEC, suggesting that, once bound, VEGF165 on endothelial cells can be displaced from NP-1 but not VEGFR-2.
LBL resistivity studies at Cerro Prieto

Abstract In a joint venture, the LBL and CFE have undertaken a series of de resistivity studies at the Cerro Prieto geothermal field. In the present study dipole-dipole resistivity data have been collected and two-dimensional modeling studies have been performed using these and existing Schlumberger data taken by the CFE. The goals of the present research are: (1) to determine whether the reservoir region or controlling geologic structure can be delineated by careful de resistivity measurements and proper interpretation; (2) to establish permanent electrode stations so that measurements may be repeated at regular intervals to determine whether temporal changes in resistivity occur within the reservoir region; and (3) to perform the first set of replicate measurements. During 1978, two long dipole-dipole resistivity lines were surveyed, each with dipole lengths of 1 and 2 km, N = 1 to N = 5. The northern line D-D′ is 18 km long and extends eastward from the Cucapa Mountains into the Mexicali Valley passing just south of the Cerro Prieto volcano. This line follows CFE Schlumberger resistivity line 1. Line E-E′ is 16 km long and was measured several kilometers to the south of D-D′. This line trends subparallel to D-D′ and crosses the central portion of the present production zone. Data were collected with the LBL 25-kW motor-generator and signal-averaging receivers. The error in these measurements has been calculated to be between 5 and 15% at all stations. Two-dimensional modeling studies on both Schlumberger and dipole-dipole data sets yield a compatible model, consistent with known geological features. Several important observations are made from the models. (1) The reservoir region within the production zone is not clearly delineated with de resistivity measurements. This is an expected result, however, since the background resistivity is very low, between 1 and 2 ohm-m. (2) The Imperial and Cerro Prieto faults are clearly delineated in the resistivity models; each fault is characterized by a change in the bulk-section resistivity suggesting that they act as aquacludes.
The Role of Insulators in Genome Organization and Gene Expression

Transcription of eukaryotic genomes is regulated by enhancer and silencer input at a gene promoter. These regulatory elements act over large distances and demonstrate limited target specificity, suggesting that constraints exist to increase specificity. Insulators are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) elements that limit enhancer and silencer action, establishing independent transcriptional domains. Eukaryotic genomes contain a variety of widely distributed insulators. The best characterized are the Drosophila Su(Hw)-dependent insulators and the vertebrate CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF)-dependent insulators. Emerging evidence suggests that insulators are not impassable barriers, but are active players in many nuclear functions. Insulator action depends on the organization and properties of local enhancers, promoters and insulators. Two models describing insulator action include (1) formation of independent structural domains that have a global impact on transcription and (2) direct participation in transcriptional regulation that confers specificity to regulatory interactions. Further studies of insulators will provide a richer understanding of transcriptional regulation in eukaryotes. Keywords: insulators; suppressor of hairy-wing; CTCF; transcription regulation; genome organization
Under western eyes: the fate of Bosnia

The prospect of a tolerable political order in Bosnia-Herzegovina depends in no small measure on the capacity of the predominantly Muslim Bosnians to find a place for themselves at the crossroads of Islam, Europe and Pax Americana. The ideal of a multi-ethnic Bosnia was nearly overwhelmed in the calamity of the 'Greater Serbia' and 'Greater Croatia' projects of the early 1990s. Yet Bosnians should hold onto the secularism that is dominant in their identity and history. This secular tradition still represents their best hope to survive as a state and to maintain international and especially American support. In the best of all worlds, Bosnia's future will continue to be full of perils.
The Veterans Health Administration: Quality, Value, Accountability, and Information as Transforming Strategies

The HealthePeople initiative builds upon earlier efforts within the largest integrated health system in the United States, the Veterans Health Administration (VA). Suffering, deservedly or not, during the 1980s and early 1990s from a tarnished reputation of bureaucracy, inefficiency, and mediocre care, VA sought to reinvent itself as a model system characterized by patient-centered, quality care of high value. This reinvention mandated structural and organizational changes, rationalization of resource allocation, measurement and active management of quality and value (and clear accountability for quality and value), and an information infrastructure that would increasingly support the needs of patients, clinicians, and administrators. While predating the recent recommendations by the Institute of Medicine (Institute of Medicine 2001) for a more ideal health system, VA’s improvement using remarkably similar strategies provides increasing evidence of the utility of those recommendations for closing the quality chasm. These strategies have allowed VA to emerge as an increasingly recognized leader in healthcare quality and value. Table 17.1 maps VA’s value domains to the aims identified by the IOM.
Probable causes of the abnormal ridge accompanying the 2013–2014 California drought: ENSO precursor and anthropogenic warming footprint

The 2013–2014 California drought was initiated by an anomalous high-amplitude ridge system. The anomalous ridge was investigated using reanalysis data and the Community Earth System Model (CESM). It was found that the ridge emerged from continual sources of Rossby wave energy in the western North Pacific starting in late summer and subsequently intensified into winter. The ridge generated a surge of wave energy downwind and deepened further the trough over the northeast U.S., forming a dipole. The dipole and associated circulation pattern is not linked directly with either El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) or Pacific Decadal Oscillation; instead, it is correlated with a type of ENSO precursor. The connection between the dipole and ENSO precursor has become stronger since the 1970s, and this is attributed to increased greenhouse gas loading as simulated by the CESM. Therefore, there is a traceable anthropogenic warming footprint in the enormous intensity of the anomalous ridge during winter 2013–2014 and the associated drought.
Chemical Ecology of Vertebrates: Signaling pheromones II: sex and alarm pheromones and evolutionary considerations

And all your courtly civet cats can vent, Perfume to you, to me is excrement. pope , Epilogue to the Satires , Dial. 2, 1, 183 Chapter 6 discussed signaling pheromones that allow discrimination, recognition, and broadcasting dominance and territorial status. This chapter explores the role of pheromones and other odors in reproduction, alarm, trail following, and in connection with food. Some evolutionary considerations conclude the discussion of signaling pheromones. Sex pheromones: attracting and stimulating Chemical cues are important to advertise one's sex and to attract the opposite sex as the first step in sexual behavior. Other functions of sexual signals are to signal current sexual status and to alter the behavior of the potential partner(s) via courtship or scent marking to facilitate mating. Typically, the odor of the opposite sex is attractive, at least in the breeding season. (Priming pheromones are covered separately in Chapter 8.) Jawless fish (Agnatha) Traditionally, French fishermen have used the male sex attractant of the sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus . They bait a trap with an adult male and catch numerous females at night. Land-locked sea lamprey such as those in the Great Lakes of North America spawn in streams. Males arrive before the females and build nests. In laboratory choice experiments, ovulating females selected water from spermiating males and increased their searching behavior there. In a natural stream, females responded to male odors from as far as 65m. The active compound has been identified as a bile acid, specifically 7α, 12α, 24-trihydroxy- 5α-cholan-3-one 24-sulfate.
Multilevel tree analysis of pulmonary artery/vein trees in noncontrast CT images

Diseases like pulmonary embolism and pulmonary hypertension are associated with vascular dystrophy. Identifying such pulmonary artery/vein (A/V) tree dystrophy in terms of quantitative measures via CT imaging significantly facilitates early detection of disease or a treatment monitoring process. A tree structure, consisting of nodes and connected arcs, linked to the volumetric representation allows multi-level geometric and volumetric analysis of A/V trees. Here, a new theory and method is presented to generate multi-level A/V tree representation of volumetric data and to compute quantitative measures of A/V tree geometry and topology at various tree hierarchies. The new method is primarily designed on arc skeleton computation followed by a tree construction based topologic and geometric analysis of the skeleton. The method starts with a volumetric A/V representation as input and generates its topologic and multi-level volumetric tree representations long with different multi-level morphometric measures. A new recursive merging and pruning algorithms are introduced to detect bad junctions and noisy branches often associated with digital geometric and topologic analysis. Also, a new notion of shortest axial path is introduced to improve the skeletal arc joining two junctions. The accuracy of the multi-level tree analysis algorithm has been evaluated using computer generated phantoms and pulmonary CT images of a pig vessel cast phantom while the reproducibility of method is evaluated using multi-user A/V separation of in vivo contrast-enhanced CT images of a pig lung at different respiratory volumes.
Understanding self-organization of ecosystems under disturbance using a microcosm study

Abstract It is a key to success of ecological engineering to understand self-organization of a target ecosystem. Self-organizing patterns of ecosystems, however, become complicated due to a wide range of disturbance regimes in nature. We investigated how disturbances influence self-organization of ecosystems from energetic perspectives using 14 freshwater aquatic microcosms transplanted from lakes in Florida. We observed five different disturbance–productivity relationships from the microcosm tests and these variable relationships were attributed to the different initial states of the microcosms under the same input sequence of test plans and disturbance regimes. Through processes of self-organization, as the microcosms matured with time, resistance increased and resilience decreased. The microcosm study provided insights regarding restoration and management of ecosystems including the insight that initial seeds for restoration of an ecosystem should be carefully selected in consideration of typical disturbance regimes of the region. It is also suggested that consideration or manipulation of disturbance regimes in each successional stage is sometimes needed for maximum productivity or a designated goal of a restoration project because self-organizing patterns that result under disturbances vary depending on a system's maturity.
PHENYLKETONURIA OCCURRING IN AN AMERICAN NEGRO.

Phenylketonuria was detected at the age of 7 weeks in this patient, and her motor and intellectual development has remained normal while on a low phenylalanine diet. Information concerning 7 additional Negro patients with phenylketonuria is reviewed. The nonspecificity of the positive urine ferric chloride test is discussed. This disorder may not be as rare in the Negro as formerly considered. Evidence for low gene frequency and incomplete detection in this ethnic group is presented.
Understanding average Brownian exit time

Abstract Let W denote Brownian motion starting from the origin. The idea of this paper is give a computation of the expected exit time Eτ [ a , b ] from an interval [ a , b ], where a b , without the aid of Wald's Identity. Instead, the Strong Markov Property and other fundamental properties of Brownian motion are used directly to show that Eτ [ a , b ] is linear in both a and b , and then a limiting result about Brownian motion is used to compute the constant of linearity. As a part of the proof of the linearity of the expected exit time, we compute the distribution of W τ [ a , b ] .
Laparoscopic Burch colposuspension for recurrent stress urinary incontinence.

Abstract Study Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of laparoscopic Burch colposuspension in the treatment of recurrent stress urinary incontinence in women with previous vaginal or abdominal retropubic continence surgery Design Retrospective analysis over 36 months (Canadian Task Force classification III). Setting Community hospital. Patients Thirty-three consecutive patients. Intervention Laparoscopic Burch colposuspension Measurements and Main Results Data were obtained by retrospective chart review, telephone interviews, and follow-up physical examinations. Of the 33 patients, 17 (52%) had undergone open retropubic procedures (Burch or Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz), 11 (33%) had had vaginal retropubic needle suspension, and 5 (15%) pubovaginal sling operation. Additional laparoscopic and/or vaginal reconstructive surgery was completed in 32 women (97%) at time of laparoscopic Burch. Average overall operating time was 165 minutes (range 60–287 min), mean estimated blood loss was 178 ml (range 50–600 ml), and hospital stay was 1.1 days. Three intraoperative complications occurred, two cystotomies and one serosal bowel injury. Postoperative objective evaluation over average follow-up of 18.6 months revealed a 90% stress urinary incontinence cure rate. Conclusion Laparoscopic Burch colposuspension is safe and effective treatment of recurrent stress urinary incontinence in women who have undergone previous procedures for retropubic continence.
Analysis of familial aggregation in the presence of varying family sizes

Summary. Family studies are frequently undertaken as the first step in the search for genetic and/or environmental determinants of disease. Significant familial aggregation of disease is suggestive of a genetic aetiology for the disease and may lead to more focused genetic analysis. Of course, it may also be due to shared environmental factors. Many methods have been proposed in the literature for the analysis of family studies. One model that is appealing for the simplicity of its computation and the conditional interpretation of its parameters is the quadratic exponential model. However, a limiting factor in its application is that it is not reproducible, meaning that all families must be of the same size. To increase the applicability of this model, we propose a hybrid approach in which analysis is based on the assumption of the quadratic exponential model for a selected family size and combines a missing data approach for smaller families with a marginalization approach for larger families. We apply our approach to a family study of colorectal cancer that was sponsored by the Cancer Genetics Network of the National Institutes of Health. We investigate the properties of our approach in simulation studies. Our approach applies more generally to clustered binary data.
Radar Pulse Compression Repair

This correspondence presents an adaptive approach for range sidelobe mitigation for use by future radar systems as well as in-service radar systems in which the precompressed received signal may not be readily available or it may not be feasible to replace the current pulse compression system. The approach, denoted as pulse compression repair (PCR), utilizes a previously developed adaptive technique to operate on the match filtered output treating the resulting waveform autocorrelation as if it were the transmitted waveform thus "repairing" the effects of range-sidelobe masking that are induced by matched filtering. Illustrative results are presented comparing PCR with the matched filter and the CLEAN algorithm which demonstrate significant performance advantages for PCR as well as robustness to Doppler mismatch and system errors.
Dielectric function of a model insulator.

We have calculated a dielectric response function \ensuremath{\epsilon}(q,\ensuremath{\omega}) using the random-phase approximation for a model insulator originally proposed by Fry [Phys. Rev. 179, 892 (1969)]. We treat narrow and wide band-gap insulators for the purpose of using results in the simulation of secondary-electron emission from insulators. Therefore, it is important to take into account the contribution of the first and second conduction bands. For the real part of the dielectric function we perform a numerical principal value integration over the first and second Brillouin zone. For the imaginary part we perform a numerical integration involving the \ensuremath{\delta} function that results from the conservation of energy. In order to check the validity of our numerical integration methods we perform a Kramers-Kronig transform of the real part and compare it with the directly calculated imaginary part and vice versa. We discuss fitting the model to the static dielectric constant and the f-sum rule. Then we display the wave number and frequency dependence for solid argon, KCl, and model Si.
PTEN down-regulation by unsaturated fatty acids triggers hepatic steatosis via an NF-κBp65/mTOR-dependent mechanism

Background & Aims: Phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) is a tumor suppressor and a regulator of insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues. In the liver, PTEN deletion increases insulin sensitivity, but induces steatosis, steatohepatitis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Here, we investigated the pathophysiologic mechanisms regulating PTEN expression in the liver and the development of steatosis. Methods: PTEN expression was evaluated in the liver of rats and human beings having metabolic syndrome. Signaling pathways regulating PTEN expression and lipid accumulation in hepatocytes were examined in vitro. Results: PTEN expression is down-regulated in the liver of rats having steatosis and high plasma levels of fatty acids, as well as in steatotic human livers. Unsaturated fatty acids inhibited PTEN expression in HepG2 cells via activation of a signaling complex formed by the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Down-regulation of PTEN expression induced steatosis by affecting import, esterification, and extracellular release of fatty acids. Conclusions: Hepatic steatosis can be mediated by alterations of PTEN expression in hepatocytes exposed to high levels of unsaturated fatty acids. Furthermore, our data revealed interaction between mTOR and NF-κB, suggesting cross-talk between these 2 pathways.
An Evaluation of Molecular Diagnostic Tools for the Detection and Differentiation of Human-Pathogenic Cryptosporidium spp

The performance of 10 commonly used genotyping tools in the detection and differentiation of 7 human-pathogenic Cryptosporidium spp. (C. hominis, C. parvum, C. meleagridis, C. felis, C. canis, C. muris and Cryptosporidium pig genotype I) was evaluated. All 3 SU rRNA gene-based tools could amplify the DNA of 7 Cryptosporidium spp. efficiently. However, the tools based on the antigens TRAP-C1, TRAP-C2 and COWP genes, the housekeeping genes HSP70 and DHFR, or a genomic sequence, failed to detect the DNA of C. felis, C. canis, Cryptosporidium pig genotype I, and C. muris. With the exception of 1 tool based on the TRAP-C2 gene, the PCR-RFLP or the PCR sequencing tools evaluated in this study could differentiate C. hominis, C. parvum and C. meleagridis from each other, and 2 SSU rRNA gene-based tools could differentiate all 7 Cryptosporidium spp. Thus, a thorough understanding of the strength and weakness of each technique is needed when using molecular diagnostic tool in epidemiological investigations of human cryptosporidiosis.
The total thigh and rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap for closure of extensive hemipelvectomy defects

Hemipelvectomy is a lifesaving procedure when used appropriately and yields a 35%, five-year survival in the cancer patient. However, the standard posterior flap for closure is not always available. Two flaps, the thigh flap and the rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap, are described in which any soft tissue defect resulting from hemipelvectomy can be safely closed primarily when the posterior flap is not available. The total rectus abdominis flap is previously undescribed and unique in its application. These techniques significantly contribute to the surgeon's armamentarium for decreasing morbidity and mortality and resectability of unusual pelvic and thigh tumors.
Survival of young and old rats in a cold environment

Young (3–4 months) and old (25 months) rats were housed in 5°C continuously for 3 weeks. Controls of similar ages were maintained at 23°C. Old rats in 5°C had a survival rate of 36%, while old rats in 23°C and young rats in 5°C and 23°C had 100% survival during the same period.
MECHANISMS OF REPLICATION-DEFICIENT VACCINIA VIRUS/T7 RNA POLYMERASE HYBRID EXPRESSION : EFFECT OF T7 RNA POLYMERASE LEVELS AND ALPHA -AMANITIN

Components of the eukaryotic vaccinia virus/T7 RNA polymerase hybrid expression system were assessed using recombinant and nonrecombinant forms of modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA), a replication-deficient vaccinia virus strain. Recombinant MVA virus expressing T7 RNA polymerase (Wyatt, L. S., Moss, B., and Rozenblatt, S. (1995). Virology 210, 202-205) stimulated high levels of expression from a T7 promoter-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter. Most, but not all, of the virally induced expression was T7 RNA polymerase and T7 promoter dependent, with no viral enhancement of translation of T7 transcripts. The efficacy of supplying T7 RNA polymerase expression from nonviral sources was evaluated using a self-amplifying T7 RNA polymerase autogene or an inducible T7 RNA polymerase expression vector. The latter modes yielded CAT activity dependent on T7 RNA polymerase expression; however, expression required viral factors independent of T7 RNA polymerase and did not reach that attained using the recombinant virus. In further experiments, MVA-induced T7 RNA polymerase expression was upregulated by alpha-amanitin, an inhibitor of eukaryotic polymerases. This indicates that MVA/T7 RNA polymerase hybrid expression may be rendered still more efficient by ameliorating transcriptional interference due to an alpha-amanitin-sensitive eukaryotic factor(s).
A new diterpenoid from Ericameria laricifolia

Abstract An acid fraction of the methylene chloride extract of Ericameria laricifolia gave, in addition to four known grindelanes, a new diterpenoid acid possessing an ent -labdane skeleton. Its structure, based on the spectral properties of its methyl ester derivative, has been determined as 15-succinyloxy- ent -labd-13 E -en-8β-ol.
The Role of Sex-specific Plasticity in Shaping Sexual Dimorphism in a Long-lived Vertebrate, the Snapping Turtle Chelydra serpentina

Sex-specific plasticity, the differential response that the genome of males and females may have to different environments, is a mechanism that can affect the degree of sexual dimorphism. Two adaptive hypotheses have been proposed to explain how sex-specific plasticity affects the evolution of sexual size dimorphism. The adaptive canalization hypothesis states that the larger sex exhibits lesser plasticity compared to the smaller sex due to strong directional selection for a large body size, which penalizes individuals attaining sub-optimal body sizes. The condition-dependence hypothesis states that the larger sex exhibits greater plasticity than the smaller sex due to strong directional selection for a large body size favoring a greater sensitivity as an opportunistic mechanism for growth enhancement under favorable conditions. While the relationship between sex-specific plasticity and sexual dimorphism has been studied mainly in invertebrates, its role in long-lived vertebrates has received little attention. In this study we tested the predictions derived from these two hypotheses by comparing the plastic responses of body size and shape of males and females of the snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) raised under common garden conditions. Body size was plastic, sexually dimorphic, and the plasticity was also sex-specific, with males exhibiting greater body size plasticity relative to females. Because snapping turtle males are larger than females, sexual size dimorphism in this species appears to be driven by an increased plasticity of the larger sex over the smaller sex as predicted by the condition-dependent hypothesis. However, male body size was enhanced under relatively limited resources, in contrast to expectations from this model. Body shape was also plastic and sexually dimorphic, however no sex by environment interaction was found in this case. Instead, plasticity of sexual shape dimorphism seems to evolve in parallel for males and females as both sexes responded similarly to different environments.
Pentecostalism, Human Nature, and Aesthetics: Twenty-First Century Engagement

Classical Pentecostals have not intentionally made art, aesthetics, or beauty central to their endeavors or worldview; this lacuna owes, primarily, to specific spiritual emphases. Using theological loci and then exploring some a-rational dimensions of human nature, this paper will answer the pragmatic question, ‘Why should Pentecostals embrace aesthetics?’ Finally, elements central to the Pentecostal way of being will be offered as bridges to engage aesthetes, and to produce beauty and aesthetics. Pentecostals need to avail themselves more intentionally to aesthetics as a constituent part of Christian mission.
Open Doorway to Truth: Legacy of the Minnesota Tobacco Trial

More than a decade has passed since the conclusion of the Minnesota tobacco trial and the signing of the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) by 46 US State Attorneys General and the US tobacco industry. The Minnesota settlement exposed the tobacco industry's long history of deceptive marketing, advertising, and research and ultimately forced the industry to change its business practices. The provisions for public document disclosure that were included in the Minnesota settlement and the MSA have resulted in the release of approximately 70 million pages of documents and nearly 20,000 other media materials. No comparable dynamic, voluminous, and contemporaneous document archive exists. Only a few single events in the history of public health have had as dramatic an effect on tobacco control as the public release of the tobacco industry's previously secret internal documents. This review highlights the genesis of the release of these documents, the history of the document depositories created by the Minnesota settlement, the scientific and policy output based on the documents, and the use of the documents in furthering global public health strategies.
Dynamic variations in resistance of coronary arterial narrowings in angina pectoris at rest

The coronary hemodynamic events in 4 patients with frequent episodes of spontaneous rest angina were investigated. The basal coronary transstenotic pressure gradients showed more severe stenosis than that seen on coronary arteriography, suggesting that angiography in this setting may underestimate the true extent of coronary atherosclerosis. Episodes of angina were triggered by marked, sudden increases in the transstenotic coronary pressure gradient and a decrease in coronary blood flow without alterations in systemic arterial pressure or heart rate. These changes in coronary hemodynamics were promptly reversed by the intracoronary administration of nitroglycerin. No such spontaneous variations in transstenotic coronary pressure gradients were observed in 37 patients with a history of classic exertional angina but no rest angina. These unique data represent direct hemodynamic evidence that an increase in resistance at the site of a coronary stenosis, most likely the result of an increase in arterial tone, can be a cause of transient myocardial ischemia in patients with angina at rest.
Agenda-setting in minor league hockey: a strategic justification and practical guide

Maintaining a favourable image is important at all levels of sport, but it is especially key at the minor league level where budgets and resources are often limited. The symbiotic relationship between sport and the media provides a unique opportunity for minor league franchises to play an active role in influencing public perception through agenda-setting. Minor league franchises must be particularly strategic in the manner in which they interact with the media and with members of their respective communities. This study examined media coverage, demographics and fan perception relative to the franchise's role within the community, team performance and support for the team. A strategic justification and practical guide was provided for minor league hockey teams to use as a guide in agenda-building and in interactions with the media.
Lacustrine evidence for moisture changes in the Nebraska Sand Hills during Marine Isotope Stage 3

In the central Great Plains of North America, loess stratigraphy suggests that climate during the late Pleistocene was cold and dry. However, this record is discontinuous, and there are few other records of late-Pleistocene conditions. Cobb Basin, located on the northern edge of the Nebraska Sand Hills, contains lacustrine sediments deposited during Marine Isotope Stage 3, beginning approximately 45,000 cal yr BP and continuing for at least 10,000 yr. The lake was formed by a dune dam blockage on the ancient Niobrara River, and its deposits contain a diatom record that indicates changes through time in lake depth driven by changes in effective moisture. During the earliest stages of lake formation, the climate was arid enough to mobilize dunes and emplace dune sand into a blocking position within the Niobrara streambed. Diatom assemblages suggest that lake-level was shallow at formation, increased substantially during a wet interval, and then became shallow again, as arid conditions resumed. By about 27,000 cal yr BP the lake was filled, and a shallow ephemeral river occupied the basin.
Play and family therapy as core skills for child psychiatry: some implications of Piaget's theory for integrations in training and practice.

Training determines the quality and content for long-range professional integrations. Core experiences with play therapy and family therapy enable child psychiatrists to apply the entire spectrum of modern treatment modalities in ways that are developmentally and socially appropriate. Piaget's genetic system of psychology provides guidelines for integrating disparate skills toward meaningful practice.
Visualizing the transfer-messenger RNA as the ribosome resumes translation

Bacterial ribosomes stalled by truncated mRNAs are rescued by transfer-messenger RNA (tmRNA), a dual-function molecule that contains a tRNA-like domain (TLD) and an internal open reading frame (ORF). Occupying the empty A site with its TLD, the tmRNA enters the ribosome with the help of elongation factor Tu and a protein factor called small protein B (SmpB), and switches the translation to its own ORF. In this study, using cryo-electron microscopy, we obtained the first structure of an in vivo-formed complex containing ribosome and the tmRNA at the point where the TLD is accommodated into the ribosomal P site. We show that tmRNA maintains a stable 'arc and fork' structure on the ribosome when its TLD moves to the ribosomal P site and translation resumes on its ORF. Based on the density map, we built an atomic model, which suggests that SmpB interacts with the five nucleotides immediately upstream of the resume codon, thereby determining the correct selection of the reading frame on the ORF of tmRNA.