cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Citizens versus the State: Household, Community, and Urban Politics

In September of 1585, Augsburg citizen Daniel Mader caused a stir at the city gate on his way back into town after enjoying a drink at the shooting grounds. According to witnesses, Mader, a member of Augsburg’s prestigious Merchant’s Drinking Room Society, confronted the guards at the gate and demanded to know “who had ordered them there, and if they were guarding the Honorable council, or the common citizenry.”1 Not surprisingly, the implication that the citizen guards could have interests in conflict with the council did not sit well with local magistrates. Although Mader claimed to have been too drunk to have any memory of what he actually said to the guards, the questions posed by his interrogators provide evidence of their expectation of respect for civic hierarchy and harmony, as well as their concerns about disloyal guards. “Do the citizens then have a separate guard in the city? Does [Mader] not know that it is the business of the council, in the interest of calm and peace, to assign the guard at their pleasure? Does he also not know that it is in no way the place of the subjects here to impose bounds or order on the authorities?” Because “one tends to tell the truth in wine,” the council also expressed concern that Mader’s attack on the guards was related to an anti-government conspiracy, possibly centered in the Merchant Society.2 “One could well infer from [Mader’s] own words that there is a plan to disband the watch, therefore he should explain what pact he has made with others in this matter, and what kind of plot they have hatched with one another.”3 In fact, although Mader clung to the drunkenness defense in respect to his behavior at the gate, he did admit to signing a petition that was circulating among members of the Society expressing concern over the current state of religious politics in bi-confessional Augsburg.4
Modeling the President's Security Agenda

Why does the president attend to some security issues but not others? This study examines presidential attention to foreign conflicts from October 1986 to November 1996 by devising a measure of attention based on the president's public speeches. Hypotheses on the determinants of the security agenda are drawn from the literature on agenda setting and foreign policy behavior. Results show the president's attention is limited and inertia brought by previous attention to an issue makes it less likely the president will address other issues. New issues are also less likely to receive attention when the president is running for re-election and, perhaps, when he has extensive foreign policy experience. The major forces for change are significant events abroad and extensive news coverage of a conflict. Of lesser significance is the extent of trade with parties to the conflict. No support is found for hypotheses relating attention to domestic economic circumstances.
Aging and the Resting State: Cognition is not Obsolete.

We were pleased to see that our opinion paper generated so many thoughtful comments, and while there was some disagreement as to the role resting state data should play going forward, there was als...
Invisible nation: homeless families in America

Invisible Nation is the culmination of over 10 years of interviews with homeless families and support professionals in five American cities. Richard Schweid introduces the topic by recalling his su...
Effect of Food Deprivation or Short-term Western Diet Feeding on BDNF Protein Expression in the Hypothalamic Arcuate, Paraventricular, and Ventromedial Nuclei

Mutations in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene are associated with human obesity, and BDNF has potent inhibitory effects on eating and body weight. Little is known about the effects of energy balance manipulations on BDNF protein in the hypothalamus, though this brain region is critical for regulation of feeding and body weight and has high levels of BDNF. Here we investigated the effects of negative and positive energy status on BDNF protein levels in the arcuate (ARC), paraventricular, and ventromedial (VMH) hypothalamic nuclei and the ectorhinal cortex. To achieve this, mice were food deprived for 48 h or fed a Western diet (WD), a restricted amount of WD, or chow for 6 h, 48 h, 1 wk, or 3 wk. BDNF protein levels were estimated as the number of neurons in each brain region that exhibited BDNF-like immunoreactivity. Food deprivation decreased BDNF protein (and mRNA) expression in the ARC compared with fed mice (32%). In contrast, 1 wk of WD consumption increased BDNF protein expression in the VMH compared with chow or restricted WD feeding (40%) and, unexpectedly, increased BDNF protein in the ectorhinal cortex (20%). Furthermore, of the diet conditions and durations tested, only 1 wk of WD consumption was associated with both hyperphagia and excess weight, suggesting that effects of one or both contributed to the changes in BDNF levels. The decrease in ARC BDNF may support increased feeding in food-deprived mice, whereas the increase in the VMH may moderate overeating in WD-fed mice.
Transdisciplinary Trans-Sector Integration in Education: Convergence

This paper examines A-STEM-H (Art & Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Humanities) Transdisciplinary Domain – teaches students new skills aimed at creativity, innovation, and working across knowledge fields; offers an approach that synthesizes methodologies from multiple fields; teaches the ability to collaborate across multiple spheres of knowledge and practice; prepares students to design, develop, and deliver a system that qualifies a student to be workforce ready. This paper also proposes a unique transdisciplinary Ph.D. program and curriculum representing eight main sector activities selected from primary, secondary and tertiary (service) sectors in the United States which impacts the global economy.
An Initial Investigation of the Kit for Kids Peer Educational Program

A large number of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) receive instruction in general education classrooms; therefore, students with ASD and typically-developing peers are likely to interact throughout the school day. Although research indicates that typically-developing peers play a critical role in supporting successful inclusive experiences for students with ASD, research suggests that elementary and middle school students report limited knowledge and awareness of ASD. Peer education programs have been used to promote and support acceptance of students with ASD in general education settings; however, research on these programs is still emerging. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the Kit for Kids (KfK) program, which is a peer educational program designed by the Organization of Autism Research. Using Grounded Theory methodology, researchers conducted an evaluation of students’ initial impressions of the KfK program as well as suggestions for improving peer education efforts on behalf of students with ASD.
How Do We Make Models That Are Useful in Understanding Partial Epilepsies

The goals of constructing epilepsy models are (1) to develop approaches to prophylaxis of epileptogenesis following cortical injury; (2) to devise selective treatments for established epilepsies based on underlying pathophysiological mechanisms; and (3) use of a disease (epilepsy) model to explore brain molecular, cellular and circuit properties. Modeling a particular epilepsy syndrome requires detailed knowledge of key clinical phenomenology and results of human experiments that can be addressed in critically designed laboratory protocols. Contributions to understanding mechanisms and treatment of neurological disorders has often come from research not focused on a specific disease-relevant issue. Much of the foundation for current research in epilepsy falls into this category. Too strict a definition of the relevance of an experimental model to progress in preventing or curing epilepsy may, in the long run, slow progress. Inadequate exploration of the experimental target and basic laboratory results in a given model can lead to a failed effort and false negative or positive results. Models should be chosen based on the specific issues to be addressed rather than on convenience of use. Multiple variables including maturational age, species and strain, lesion type, severity and location, latency from injury to experiment and genetic background will affect results. A number of key issues in clinical and basic research in partial epilepsies remain to be addressed including the mechanisms active during the latent period following injury, susceptibility factors that predispose to epileptogenesis, injury – induced adaptive versus maladaptive changes, mechanisms of pharmaco-resistance and strategies to deal with multiple pathophysiological processes occurring in parallel.
What is the Natural History of Patellar Dislocation in Skeletally Immature Patients

Objectives:Patellar dislocation can occur in isolation or be associated with chronicinstability. The goals of this study are to describe the rate and factors associated with additional patellar ins...
Laser metrology for ultra-stable space-based coronagraphs

Sensing starlight rejected from a coronagraph is essential in stabilizing the telescope pointing and wavefront drift, but performance is degraded for dim stars. Laser Metrology (MET) provides a different, complementary sensing method, one that can be used to measure changes in the alignment of the optics at high bandwidth, independent of the magnitude of the host star. Laser metrology measures changes in the separation of optical fiducial pairs, which can be separated by many meters. The principle of operations is similar to the laser metrology system used in LISA-Pathfinder to measure the in-orbit displacement between two test masses to a precision of ~10 picometers. In closed loop with actuators, MET actively maintains rigid body alignment of the front-end optics, thereby eliminating the dominant source of wavefront drift. Because MET is not photon starved, it can operate at high bandwidth and feed-forward secondary-mirror jitter to a fast-steering mirror, correcting line-of-sight errors. In the case of a segmented, active primary mirror, MET provides six degrees of freedom sensing, replacing edge sensors. MET maintains wavefront control even during attitude maneuvers, such as slews between target stars, thereby avoiding the need to repeat time-consuming speckle suppression. These features can significantly improve the performance and observational efficiency of future large-aperture space telescopes equipped with internal coronagraphs. We evaluate MET trusses for various proposed monolithic and segmented spacebased coronagraphs and present the performance requirements necessary to maintain contrast drift below 10 -11 .
Integration of simulation components enhances team training in cardiac surgery

Abstract Objectives Simulation in resident medical education has traditionally focused on isolated components of a surgical procedure. We hypothesized that incorporating an interdisciplinary team into a high-fidelity simulation laboratory would enhance the modeling of real-world challenges during cardiac surgery. Methods Simulation exercises were performed with staffing by surgeons, anesthesiologists, perfusionists, surgical assistants, and operating room technicians. Twelve accredited cardiothoracic surgical residents were divided into 3 teams. Each team competed in the stations coronary artery bypass grafting, aortic valve replacement, and mitral valve repair. Evaluations were performed on each resident according to the resident's role in the exercise (primary surgeon, first assistant, perfusionist, or anesthesiologist). The relation between scores and years of experience was assessed with the Pearson correlation, and the comparison of scores across the 3 stations was evaluated through analysis of variance. Results Individual scores varied considerably on the basis of simulation role and years of experience. Mean surgical scores were significantly greater for the mitral repair station (score, 4.4) than aortic valve replacement (3.6) and coronary artery bypass grafting (3.6) stations (overall difference, P = .049) and were highly correlated with years of experience. Two thirds of the residents completed the anesthesia portion of the exercise without prompting and demonstrated competence in the perfusion skill sets. Conclusions This simulation strategy integrates components from each discipline involved in successful completion of a cardiac surgical procedure. Our findings highlight the importance of team training as a valuable component in the residency curriculum.
Polyphony: Vernacularized Feminisms and the Urban Network of Communication

The love affair provides a lens to examine the rise of an urban network of communication that featured both newspaper and non-newspaper media in the late 1920s. In this period, a new trend of journalism set in—namely, the concentration of capital and cut-throat competition among high-budget daily newspapers. In order to survive and thrive, second-tier newspapers resorted to high-profile social news, such as the Huang–Lu affair, to both reap profits and impart behavioral codes. Beyond the newspaper media, a concerted effort by dramatists, publishers, pop singers, folklorists, street artists, and gramophone record companies to represent the case testifies to the flowering of web of communication that linked consumers of various social and economic backgrounds. In this network, consumers, especially low-brow ones, vernacularized May-Fourth feminist and sexological notions to arrive at their understandings of the elopement and to show their worthiness as members of modern society.
Complications of Male Incontinence Procedures: Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Management

Urinary incontinence (UI), the complaint of any involuntary leakage of urine, may be the result of congenital anomalies, injury, genitourinary surgery, and other conditions. The most common etiology of UI in men is radical prostatectomy (RP), with the primary mechanism being failure to store urine secondary to inadequate function of the outlet-sphincter. Despite improvements in surgical technique that have reduced the rate of post-prostatectomy UI, the burden of disease in the United States remains high and is expected to rise because of increasing numbers of RP performed annually. UI significantly compromises heath-related quality of life in men and can be improved by surgical treatment using transurethral bulking agents, bulbar urethral slings, and the artificial urinary sphincter. Although bulking agents have been used in the past as a first-line treatment for male UI, the severity of incontinence and postsurgical scarring in the vesicourethral region after prostatectomy have made surgical correction the first-line treatment for the majority of cases.
Victims, Villains, and the Virtuous

This chapter returns to the importance of recognizing human trafficking as a social construct. It emphasizes that one of the reasons debates surrounding human trafficking are so contentious is to the recognition—often implicit—that the manner in which trafficking and its subjects are represented has real repercussions at the level of policy and service delivery. The chapter further elaborates on the argument that attempts to deny or ignore the social construction of human trafficking, and its inextricably political nature are themselves political acts that serve to shut down debate and delegitimate opposing viewpoints. The chapter then turns to the feminist, critical constructive theoretical perspective offered in the book, and the need for empathetic listening. Finally, the chapter concludes with a meditation on potential ways in which debates surrounding human trafficking might be reconfigured.
Prevalence of quality of life(QoL) outcomes and association with survival in cancer clinical trials.

6573Background: QoL outcomes provide essential information for patients and physicians in oncology care, but these data are not always reported in pivotal trials of new therapies. We investigated t...
Treatment of pediatric alopecia areata with anthralin: A retrospective study of 37 patients.

Background/objectives Data on treatment options in pediatric alopecia areata are limited. Topical anthralin has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment option in adults and has minimal systemic toxicity. Prior results on its efficacy in children with alopecia areata have been mixed. Methods Medical records of 37 patients with alopecia areata who were started on topical anthralin before age 17 were reviewed for efficacy and safety data. Scalp regrowth was quantified by serial photography if available or by medical record documentation if photographs were unavailable. Mean duration of clinical follow-up was 2.5 years. Results Most patients were started on anthralin while continued on prior therapies, including topical corticosteroids, minoxidil, and/or intralesional corticosteroids. Twelve patients (32%) experienced complete scalp regrowth, while 25 patients (68%) experienced at least 50% maximal scalp regrowth with using anthralin. Of the patients with at least 50% scalp regrowth, mean time to first clinically observed response was 3.4 months. Mean time to maximal response was 15 months. Four patients stopped anthralin due to skin irritation. Relapses affected 64% of those with at least 50% maximal scalp regrowth. Conclusions Topical anthralin provides children with alopecia areata an additional option that offers potential for significant scalp regrowth with minimal systemic effects. Treatment course may need to be continued for at least 1 year in order to achieve maximal efficacy. The efficacy of anthralin may be limited by high rate of recurrence and local adverse effects.
Uterine structural abnormality and intrauterine device malposition: analysis of ultrasonographic and demographic variables of 517 patients.

Background Intrauterine devices are currently one of the leading forms of reversible contraception in the world. However, in approximately 10−25% of women, intrauterine devices can become malpositioned, leading to consequences including pain, bleeding, as well as possible decreased contraceptive efficacy. Objective We sought to determine whether certain reproductive and uterine characteristics are associated with an increased risk of intrauterine device malposition. We hypothesized that anatomical characteristics such as the presence of any uterine anomalies, particularly congenital anomalies and fibroids that may lead to cavitary distortion, would be associated with a higher incidence of intrauterine device malposition. Materials and Methods We conducted a retrospective case-control study in an academic medical center. All patients presenting for scheduled ultrasound appointments for gynecologic indication between June 2004 and February 2016 were included (1,253 ultrasound reports identified). Of these, 236 demonstrated malpositioned intrauterine devices. With a control group of 281 patients with normal intrauterine device location, a total of 517 patients were included in the study. Transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasounds were performed followed by 3-dimensional rendering (as per our institution’s protocol for patients with intrauterine devices) using Voluson 730 and Voluson E8 ultrasound machines. Demographic and reproductive characteristics, indication for ultrasound, intrauterine device, and uterine characteristics were all extrapolated from the electronic medical record. χ2 Tests were performed for categorical variables. Generalized linear models for Poisson distributed variables, and multiple logistic regression were used to ascertain significant independent predictors of IUD malposition. Ninety-five percent confidence intervals and effect sizes were calculated, and P Results In this study, we found a cumulative IUD malposition rate of 19%. In patients with malpositioned intrauterine devices, there was increased incidence of retroflexed uterine positions (7.6% vs 1.8%, P = .001), and all uterine anomalies (this includes septate and bicornuate uteri and fibroids, 31.9% vs 23.5%, P = .02) compared with controls. The anterior midline uterine position was more commonly noted in controls (28.5% vs 11%, P Conclusion Retroflexed uterine positions and all uterine malformations are associated with higher incidence of malpositioned intrauterine devices. Presence of increased number of fibroids and specifically submucosal fibroids showed a positive association with intrauterine device malposition, as did symptoms of bleeding, pain, and missing IUD strings at time of presentation. These findings pertain to women presenting for gynecologic ultrasound evaluation and may not be generalizable to all women with IUDs.
A New Tail-Based Correlation Measure and Its Application in Global Equity Markets

The co-dependence between assets tends to increase when the market declines. This paper develops a correlation measure focusing on market declines using the expected shortfall (ES), referred to as the ES-implied correlation, to improve the existing value at risk (VaR)-implied correlation. Simulations which define period-by-period true correlations show that the ES-implied correlation is much closer to true correlations than is the VaR-implied correlation with respect to average bias and root-mean-square error. More importantly, this paper develops a series of test statistics to measure and test correlation asymmetries, as well as to evaluate the impact of weights on the VaR-implied correlation and the ES-implied correlation. The test statistics indicate that the linear correlation significantly underestimates correlations between the US and the other G7 countries during market downturns, and the choice of weights does not have significant impact on the VaR-implied correlation or the ES-implied correlation.
Research Notes: Social Work Education Responds to the Shortage of Persons with Both a Doctorate and a Professional Social Work Degree

JSWE's Research Notes column reports on research findings from narrowly focused studies relevant to social work education. In this article the authors discuss program staffing mandates of the Council on Social Work Education's (2001a) Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards and present survey results indicating national efforts to increase the number of social work faculty who hold both a doctor ate and a professional social work degree.
Risk and Mortgage Backed Securities in a Time of Transition

The residential mortgage backed securities (MBS) market expanded and collapsed as securitizers packaged increasingly toxic loans into private label MBS. Underwriting of the ability to repay was replaced with new affordability products and expectation of continuously rising home prices. The risk of default was misrepresented by securitizers and credit rating agencies. As a result of the financial crisis of 2007-2008, 90 percent of loan originations are now insured or guaranteed by taxpayers. Public and private investors are seeking compensation through litigation. The Dodd-Frank Act has produced a rigorous ability to repay qualifying standard as well as liability for non-compliance. A lender “skin in the game” or borrower down payment requirement might also be forthcoming. The new rules could substantially reduce the risk of default while excluding many borrowers and first-time homeowners from the mortgage market. An inclusive private label MBS market has not yet emerged.
Three dimensional unassisted sit-to-stand prediction for virtual healthy young and elderly individuals

Sit-to-stand (STS) motion is one of the most important tasks in daily life and is one of the key determinants of functional independence, especially for the senior people. The STS motion has been extensively studied in the literature, mostly through experiments. Compared to numerous experimental studies, there are limited simulations with mostly assuming bilateral symmetry for STS tasks. However, it is not true even for healthy individuals to perform STS tasks with a perfect bilateral symmetry. In this study, predictive dynamics is utilized for STS prediction. The problem can be constructed as a nonlinear optimization formulation. The digital human model has 21 degrees of freedom (DOFs) for the unassisted STS tasks. The quartic B-spline interpolation is implemented for representing joint angle profiles. The recursive Lagrangian dynamics approach and the Denavit–Hartenberg method are implemented for the equations of motion. This study is to develop a generic three-dimensional unassisted STS motion prediction method for healthy young and elderly individuals. Results show that trunk joint angle peak values are similar between the two virtual-groups in the sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes. Lower-limbs’ joint angle and velocity profiles and their peak values between the right and left side for both virtual groups are also similar. The normalized peak joint torques are slight differences in each active DOF between the two virtual groups and the peak values are similar. The proposed method has been indirectly validated through the literature experimental results. The developed method has various potential applications in the design of exoskeleton, microelectromechanical system for fall detection, and assistive devices in rehabilitation.
Abstract 110: Role of Beclin1 in Regulating Parkin-mediated Mitophagy

Autophagy is a cellular quality control mechanism involved in the selective elimination of damaged organelles and cytotoxic protein aggregates. Beclin1 is a component of the PI3 kinase complex that...
Aztreonam, Ceftazidime/Avibactam, and Colistin Combination for the Management of Carbapenemase-Producing Klebsiella Pneumoniae Bacteremia: A Case Report:

Purpose:A case of a patient with sepsis from a urinary source due to carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae treated with a novel combination of aztreonam, ceftazidime/avibactam, and colistin...
Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries Can Be Safely Managed without Neurosurgical Consultation: The End of a Neurosurgical "Nonsult".

In 2010, 2.5 million people sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI), with an estimated 75 per cent being mild TBI. Mild TBI is defined as a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 13 to 15. Based on recent da...
Regulatory roles of 5' UTR and ORF-internal RNAs detected by 3' end mapping

Many bacterial genes are regulated by RNA elements in their 59 untranslated regions (UTRs). However, the full complement of these elements is not known even in the model bacterium Escherichia coli. Using complementary RNA-sequencing approaches, we detected large numbers of 39 ends in 59 UTRs and open reading frames (ORFs), suggesting extensive regulation by premature transcription termination. We documented regulation for multiple transcripts, including spermidine induction involving Rho and translation of an upstream ORF for an mRNA encoding a spermidine efflux pump. In addition to discovering novel sites of regulation, we detected short, stable RNA fragments derived from 59 UTRs and sequences internal to ORFs. Characterization of three of these transcripts, including an RNA internal to an essential cell division gene, revealed that they have independent functions as sRNA sponges. Thus, these data uncover an abundance of cis- and trans-acting RNA regulators in bacterial 59 UTRs and internal to ORFs.
Application of a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry derived 4-compartment body composition model: Non-discriminatory against leanness and sex.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Body composition assessment has large variability. A dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) derived four compartment (4C) method has been developed as an accurate and reliable method for assessing body composition in overweight/obese adults. This investigation was aimed at understanding the validity of the DXA-derived 4C equation for use in normal weight individuals, stratified by sex, and with varied levels of lean mass. Values were also compared against DXA alone. METHODS 78 men and women (68% female; Mean ± SD; Age: 19.2 ± 1.2 yrs; Ht: 168.8 ± 9.1 cm; Wt: 62.8 ± kg) completed a traditional 4C body composition reference assessment. Body composition was also assessed using a DXA-4C model. Validity was evaluated from total error (TE), constant error, and standard error of the estimate (SEE). Proportional bias was identified with Bland Altman plots. RESULTS Although significantly different (p < 0.05) the DXA-4C model produced ideal TE and SEE compared to the 4C criterion for all body composition outcomes of fat mass (TE: 2.1 kg; SEE: 1.9 kg), lean mass (TE: 2.1 kg; SEE: 1.8 kg), and percent body fat (TE: 3.6%; SEE: 3.4%). Validity results did not differ for men vs. women. DXA-4C estimates were slightly better in individuals with higher lean mass. DXA alone resulted in significantly greater error than DXA-4C (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Body composition assessed from DXA-4C is an accurate approach, particularly in those with high levels of lean mass. This model appears to be more accurate than DXA alone.
Longer Exposure to Left-to-Right Shunts Is a Risk Factor for Pulmonary Vein Stenosis in Patients with Trisomy 21.

We conducted a study to determine whether patients born with Trisomy 21 and left-to-right shunts who develop pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) have a longer exposure to shunt physiology compared to those who do not develop PVS. We included patients seen at Boston Children’s Hospital between 15 August 2006 and 31 August 2017 born with Trisomy 21 and left-to-right shunts who developed PVS within 24 months of age. We conducted a retrospective 3:1 matched case–control study. The primary predictor was length of exposure to shunt as defined as date of birth to the first echocardiogram showing mild or no shunt. Case patients with PVS were more likely to have a longer exposure to shunt than patients in the control group (6 vs. 3 months, p-value 0.002). Additionally, PVS patients were also more likely to have their initial repair ≥ 4 months of age (81% vs. 42%, p-value 0.003) and have a gestational age ≤ 35 weeks (48% vs. 13%, p-value 0.003). Time exposed to shunts may be an important modifiable risk factor for PVS in patients with Trisomy 21.
In Favor of the 2019 Equality Act: A Comment on Burt:

There are three reason why I disagree with the author’s premise that 2019 Equality Act disadvantages women by blurring the distinction between sex and gender identity. First, it ignores current leg...
Currins and Zirrins, Two New Classes of Corrin Analogues

Abstract Two descobaltocorrins prepared from growing cultures of Chromatium (ATCC 17899) have been identified as phenylhydrogenobamide and hydrogenobyric acid. The structure of phenylhydrogenobamide was established by insertion of cobalt under neutral conditions and conversion of the obtained corrinoid into cobamide and phenol by acid hydrolysis. The identification of hydrogenobyric acid consisted of its conversion into cobyric acid. Methods for the preparation of the corresponding copper and zinc analogues are described. The structures of the synthesized currins and zirrins are confirmed by their spectral and electrophoretic properties.
Pathways to employment: A national survey of adults with intellectual disabilities

BACKGROUND: The federal government has invested billions of dollars to promote employment for adults with intellectual disabilities. Despite this investment, the employment rate within this population has remained stable during the recent decades. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to identify characteristics of adults with intellectual disabilities who are employed, and to understand the paths towards employment for these individuals. METHODS: Respondents included a nationally representative sample of 1,055 parents/guardians of adult children (21 years of age or older) with an intellectual disability surveyed by Gallup. These parents/guardians were selected from approximately 341,000 households screened by Gallup. This methodology allowed for the inclusion of a sample of adults with ID who had never been in the labor force or even sought employment. RESULTS: Several characteristics are associated with greater likelihood of employment, including younger age, early work experience, higher levels of adaptive behavior, and absence of emotional and behavioral problems. These characteristics are especially predictive of employment in a competitive setting, and relatively less predictive of sheltered employment. There is very little movement between the two types of employment settings: very few people currently in competitive employment ever worked in a sheltered setting. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this study have clear implications for policies and programs. Young adults with intellectual disabilities need early opportunities to work in community settings. These community-based experiences must provide them with the opportunity to develop necessary adaptive, behavioral, and emotional skills. Finally, policy makers must recognize that sheltered employment is not a stepping-stone to employment in a competitive setting.
Science of continuous media application design in wireless networks of mobile devices

Display of continuous media using self-organizing ad hoc networks of wireless communication systems are potentially used in a variety of applications. Example deployments might include disaster relief missions, conferences, and university campuses to name a few. Challenges of these environments include their mobility, and unpredictable network bandwidth and loss characteristics. This paper explores a three step science of design for applications that manipulate continuous media. This science strives to satisfy the requirements of an application. It consists of a number of principles that impact the design of algorithms. These principles guide a system designer towards parameterized algorithms that treat network bandwidth and storage as one.
Edge detection for optical image metrology using unsupervised neural network learning

Several unsupervised neural network learning methods are explored and applied to edge detection of microlithography optical images. Lack of a priori knowledge about correct state assignments for learning procedure in optical microlithography environment makes the metrology problem a suitable area for applying unsupervised learning strategies. The methods studied include a self-organizing competitive learner, a bootstrapped linear threshold classifier, and a constrained maximization algorithm. The results of the neural network classifiers were compared to the results obtained by a standard straight edge detector based on the Radon transform and good consistency was observed in the results together with superiority in speed for the neural network classifiers. Experimental results are presented and compared with measurements obtained via scanning electron microscopy. >
Effective Impedance of Bolt Loads on Narrow Slot Apertures Having Depth

Unintentional slot apertures formed at the joints in the outer shell of a system are typically terminated by bolts or rivets. When the slot is narrow (length and wavelength much larger than the slot cross section) the question arises: How can these loads be incorporated into the antenna model for the slot? Impedance loads for the antenna model are derived by considering the difference between the Hallen filamentary feed representation and the true bolt geometry. Simple formulas are derived for the inductance of such loads. The leading order formulas are derived by means of conformal mapping considering only the interior of the slot. A correction resulting from the exterior of the slot is also given. These formulas show (in the case where the bolt or rivet makes contact with the conductors on each side of the width of the slot) that the bolt or rivet may be treated approximately as a short circuit. This follows because the condition that the slot be narrow, required to treat it by means of an antenna model...
Inflammatory cytokines trigger SR/ER stress in human airway smooth muscle (1174.3)

Airway inflammation is a key feature of asthma, with inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNFα and IL-13) triggering hyperreactivity (enhance contractile state) and proliferation and remodeling (enhanced ...
Ethyl acrylate-induced gastric toxicity: I. Effect of single and repetitive dosing

Abstract Ethyl acrylate (EtAc) is widely used in the production of polymers and copolymers for use in the preparation of latex paints, textiles, paper coatings, and specialty plastics. EtAc caused squamous cell carcinomas and papillomas in the forestomach (nonglandular portion of the stomach) of both sexes of F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice when administered chronically by gavage. The current studies were undertaken to investigate and characterize the nature of the acute gastric toxicity caused by EtAc. Gavage administration of a single dose of 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg EtAc (in corn oil) to F344 male rats caused dose- and time-dependent mucosal and submucosal edema and vacuolization of the tunica muscularis in the forestomach and mild submucosal edema in the glandular stomach. Equivalent sc or ip doses did not produce similar gastric lesions. Treatment of rats with two or four consecutive oral daily doses (200 mg/kg each) of EtAc caused mucosal edema associated with vesicle formation, mucosal hyperplasia, submucosal edema and inflammation, and vacuolization of the tunica muscularis of the forestomach. Submucosal edema and inflammation were also observed in the glandular stomach and mucosal erosions or ulcers were observed in both portions of the stomach after repeated oral exposure to EtAc. The absence of systemic toxicity plus the dependency of gastric lesions on the gavage route of administration suggest that the EtAc-induced gastric lesions may be a consequence of localized hemodynamic changes, specifically those characteristic of a classical immediate inflammatory response to an injurious agent at the site of administration.
Robust passification via optimal sensor blending and control allocation

Robust passification is considered for uncertain linear, time invariant systems having redundant actuators and sensors. The approach is to obtain optimal sensor blending and control allocation matrices that maximize the region in the parameter space in which the system remains passive. The approach results in a generalized eigenvalue problem consisting of a number of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Reduction of the number of LMIs is investigated, and a numerical example is given for demonstrating the approach.
Mapping submersible observations of deepwater snappers on 3-D multibeam images of a bottomfish habitat in Hawaii

Two species of deepwater snappers in the bottomfish fishery in Hawaii have been depleted in the main Hawaiian Islands. The depth at which these fish live has impeded the collection of data necessary to design effective management strategies to restore their populations. However, multibeam surveys in Hawaii combined with in situ submersible and ROV observations and GIS provide a means to obtain that data. This paper presents the application of this method on a bottomfish habitat site and the types of information that can be acquired.
An Evaluation of Coalition Building Training for Aging and Developmental Disability Service Providers.

Older people with developmental disabilities are experiencing longer life expectancy rates than previously. Service issues now include bridging the disparate networks of aging and disability service systems to provide a more comprehensive array of options for this group of older adults. This article reports on an evaluation of coalition building forums around the state of Georgia, which brought together aging and disability service providers. After attending these forums, service providers reported increased awareness of the needs of this older population, an appreciation of resources available, and increased networking with other service providers. More lasting coalition building activities, however, were not reported. Although the coalition building forums seemed to increase cooperation between personnel in different service systems, additional efforts are needed to sustain and expand these collaborative ventures. The design and conduct of this project, and preparation of this article, was facilitated b...
Plant Species Mediate Changes in Soil Microbial N in Response to Elevated CO2

The effect of elevated CO2 on plant-microbial interactions and nitrogen (N) cycling is critical to predicting plant growth responses to elevated CO2, because plant growth is often N-limited. We investigated whether the effects of elevated CO2 on plant-microbial N dynamics differed among six annual plant species: three European grasses that have invaded California grasslands, and one grass and two forbs native to California serpentine grassland. Elevated CO2 altered plant N pools and '5NH4+ uptake, but the direction and magnitude of the changes were species dependent. The introduced grasses showed increased plant N pools and '5NH4+ uptake, whereas the native species showed smaller increases or even decreases in plant N pools and '5NH4+ uptake. Under nutrient enrichment, soil microbial N and '5NH4+ uptake differed among soils with different plant species, but they were not affected by elevated CO2. At low nutrients, elevated CO2 altered soil microbial N and '5NH4+ uptake, but the direction and magnitude of the changes were species dependent. The changes in soil microbial N were positively correlated with changes in the plant N pool, suggesting that there was no trade-off in N uptake between plants and microbes. These results also suggest that plant species composition will partly determine the direction of changes in soil N cycling in response to elevated CO2.
The influence of dose rate on the lethal and mutagenic effects of X-rays in proliferating L5178Y cells differing in radiation sensitivity.

SummaryThe lethal and mutagenic effects of ionizing radiation delivered at high (53 Gy/h) and low (0·02 Gy/h) dose rates were measured in two closely related strains of mouse lymphoma L5178Y cells differing in radiation sensitivity (LY-R and LY-S). Strain LY-R was more resistant to the lethal effects of radiation than strain LY-S when exposed at either the high or low dose rate. The survival of strain LY-R was markedly enhanced by the reduction in dose rate. The dose-rate dependence of the survival of strain LY-S was less clear, because of the biphasic nature of its survival curve following low dose-rate radiation. However, if the initial slope of the low dose-rate survival curve is compared to the slope of the high dose-rate survival curve for strain LY-S, only a slight increase in survival at the low dose rate is apparent. Although more sensitive to the lethal effects of radiation, strain LY-S was less mutable at the hypoxanthine/guanine phosphoribosyl transferase locus by both low dose-rate and high do...
Effect of blood pressure on hemorrhage volume and survival in a near-fatal hemorrhage model incorporating a vascular injury.

Study hypothesis: In a model of near-fatal hemorrhage that incorporates a vascular injury, stepwise increases in blood pressure associated with aggressive crystalloid resuscitation will result in increased hemorrhage volume and mortality. Design: This study used a swine model of potentially lethal hemorrhage in the presence of a vascular lesion to compare the effects of resuscitation with mean arterial pressures of 40, 60, and 80 mm Hg. Twenty-seven fully instrumented immature swine (14.8 to 20 kg), each with a surgical-steel aortotomy wire in place, were bled continuously from a femoral artery catheter to a mean arterial pressure of 30 mm Hg. At that point the aortotomy wire was pulled, producing a 4-mm aortic tear and uncontrolled intraperitoneal hemorrhage. When the animal's pulse pressure reached 5 mm Hg, the femoral artery hemorrhage was discontinued and resuscitation was begun. Interventions: Saline infusion was begun at 6 mL/kg/min and continued as needed to maintain the following desired endpoints: group 1 (nine) to a mean arterial pressure of 40 mm Hg, group 2 (nine) to a mean arterial pressure of 60 mm Hg, and group 3 (nine) to a mean arterial pressure of 80 mm Hg. After 30 minutes or a total saline infusion of 90 mL/kg, the resuscitation fluid was changed to shed blood infused at 2 mL/kg/min as needed to maintain the desired mean arterial pressure or to a maximum volume of 24 mL/kg. Animals were observed for 60 minutes or until death. Measurements and main results: Data were compared using repeated-measures analysis of variance with a post hoc Tukey-Kramer, Fisher's exact test, and Kruskal-Wallis. Mortality was significantly greater in group 3 (78%) compared with either group 1 (11%; P = .008) or group 2 (22%; P = .028). Mean survival times were significantly shorter in group 3 (44 ± 12 minutes) compared with either group 1 (58 ± 6 minutes; P = .007) or group 2 (59 ± 3 minutes; P = .006). The average intraperitoneal hemorrhage volumes were 13 ± 14 mL/kg, 20 ± 25 mL/kg, and 46 ± 11 mL/kg for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (group 1 versus 2, P = .425; group 1 versus 3, P P = .014). Group 2 animals demonstrated significantly greater oxygen deliveries compared with groups 1 and 3. Conclusion: In a model of near-fatal hemorrhage with a vascular injury, attempts to restore blood pressure with crystalloid result in increased hemorrhage volume and markedly higher mortality.
Mechanics of the right whale mandible : full scale testing and finite element analysis

In an effort to better understand the mechanics of ship-whale collision and to reduce the associated mortality of the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale, a comprehensive biomechanical study has been conducted by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the University of New Hampshire. The goal of the study is to develop a numerical modeling tool to predict the forces and stresses during impact and thereby the resulting mortality risk to whales from ship strikes. Based on post-mortem examinations, jaw fracture was chosen as a fatal endpoint for the whales hit by a vessel. In this paper we investigate the overall mechanical behavior of a right whale mandible under transverse loading and develop a finite element analysis model of the bone. The equivalent elastic modulus of the cortical component of right whale mandible is found by comparing full-scale bending tests with the results of numerical modeling. The finite element model of the mandible can be used in conjunction with a vessel-whale collision event model to predict bone fracture for various ship strike scenarios.
The Impact of Fish and Shellfish Consumption on Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Purpose To determine the relationship between fish and shellfish consumption and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) status in the Salisbury Eye Evaluation (SEE) Study participants. Design A cross-sectional study of dietary and ophthalmologic data. Participants A random sample of 2520 Salisbury, Maryland, residents aged 65 to 84 years. Methods A food frequency questionnaire was used to estimate weekly fish/shellfish consumption for each participant. Age-related macular degeneration status was determined from fundus photographs obtained at baseline and graded by 2 masked readers for drusen size, retinal pigment epithelium abnormalities, geographic atrophy (GA), and choroidal neovascularization (CNV). The association between weekly fish/shellfish intake and risk of AMD was investigated using logistic regression while adjusting for risk factors and correlation between eyes. Main Outcome Measures Status of AMD. Results The distribution of weekly fish/shellfish consumption was not different between specific AMD categories compared with controls ( P = 0.6, 0.7, and 0.7 for large drusen, pigment abnormalities, and advanced AMD compared with controls, respectively). Those with advanced AMD (CNV or GA) were significantly less likely to consume fish/shellfish high in omega-3 fatty acids (odds ratio 0.4; confidence interval, 0.2–0.8). There was no relationship of AMD with intake of crab and oysters combined, each of which has high levels of zinc. Conclusions These data support a protective effect of fish/shellfish intake against advanced AMD. Financial Disclosure(s) Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.