cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Insured Veterans' Use of VA and Non-VA Health Care in a Rural State.

Purpose To understand how working-age VA-enrolled veterans with commercial insurance use both VA and non-VA outpatient care, and how rural residence affects dual use, for common diagnoses and procedures. Methods We analyzed VA and non-VA outpatient treatment records for any months during 2005-2010 that New Hampshire veterans ages <65 were simultaneously enrolled in VA health care and commercial insurance (per NH's mandatory claims database). Controlling for covariates, we used analysis of variance to compare urban and rural VA users, non-VA users, and dual users on travel burden, diagnosis counts, duration in outpatient care, and visit frequencies, and logistic regressions to assess whether rural veterans were as likely to be seen for common conditions and procedures. Findings More than half of patients were non-VA users and another third were dual users; rural residents were slightly more likely than urban residents to be dual users. For nearly any common diagnosis or procedure, dual users were more likely to have it at some time during treatment than other patients in either VA or non-VA care, but they seldom had it listed in both care systems. Dual users also were seen most often overall, although within either care system they were seen less often than other patients, particularly if they were rural residents living far from care. Rural residence reduced chances of treatment for a wide variety of conditions, though it also was associated with more musculoskeletal and connective tissue diagnoses. It also reduced chances that patients had some diagnostic and treatment procedures but increased the odds of others that may require fewer visits. Conclusions Dual users living in rural areas may have less continuity in their health care. Ensuring that rural dual users are identified in primary care should improve access and care coordination.
Phase 1 study of sirolimus in combination with oral cyclophosphamide and topotecan in children and young adults with relapsed and refractory solid tumors.

// Kieuhoa T. Vo 1 , Erin E. Karski 1 , Nicole M. Nasholm 1 , Shelly Allen 1 , Fabienne Hollinger 1 , W. Clay Gustafson 1 , Janel R. Long-Boyle 2 , Stephen Shiboski 3 , Katherine K. Matthay 1 and Steven G. DuBois 1 1 Department of Pediatrics, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA 2 Department of Clinical Pharmacy, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA 3 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA Correspondence to: Kieuhoa T. Vo, email: // Keywords : phase 1, mTOR, sirolimus, topotecan, cyclophosphamide Received : August 23, 2016 Accepted : October 13, 2016 Published : October 25, 2016 Abstract Purpose: To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), toxicities, and pharmacodynamics effects of sirolimus combined with oral metronomic topotecan and cyclophosphamide in a pediatric population. Materials and Methods: Patients who were 1 to 30 years of age with relapsed/refractory solid tumors (including CNS) were eligible. Patients received daily oral sirolimus and cyclophosphamide (25-50 mg/m 2 /dose) on days 1-21 and oral topotecan (0.8 mg/m 2 /dose) on days 1-14 in 28-day cycles. Sirolimus steady-state plasma trough concentrations of 3-7.9 ng/mL and 8-12.0 ng/mL were evaluated, with dose escalation based on a 3+3 phase 1 design. Biomarkers of angiogenesis were also evaluated. Results: Twenty-one patients were treated (median age 18 years; range 9-30). Dose-limiting toxicities included myelosuppression, ALT elevation, stomatitis, and hypertriglyceridemia. The MTD was sirolimus with trough goal of 8-12.0 ng/mL; cyclophosphamide 25 mg/m 2 /dose; and topotecan 0.8 mg/m 2 /dose. No objective responses were observed. Four patients had prolonged stable disease > 4 cycles (range 4-12). Correlative biomarker analyses demonstrated reductions in thrombospondin-1 ( p =0.043) and soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 plasma concentrations at 21 days compared to baseline. Conclusions: The combination of oral sirolimus, topotecan, and cyclophosphamide was well tolerated and biomarker studies demonstrated modulation of angiogenic pathways with this regimen.
Novel Approach to Study SERCA Function In Situ

Previously used techniques to measure the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase (SERCA) function either are cell destructive or lack sensitivity. We designed a new approach that allows studying SERCA function in the cellular environment under well-controlled conditions. We used the genetically encoded Ca sensor CEPIA-1er to directly measure ER [Ca] ([Ca]ER) in HEK293 cells expressing SERCA2a. These cells were also expressing ryanodine receptor (RyR2) for pharmacological control of ER Ca content. The plasma membrane was permeabilized with saponin to control cytosolic [Ca] and energy supply. HEK293 cells expressing wt-SERCA2a manifested periodic [Ca]ER depletions (Ca waves) due to spontaneous activation of RyR2. Ca waves were rarely seen in cells expressing only RyR2, because endogenous SERCA was unable to increase [Ca]ER to a critical level that triggers spontaneous Ca-induced Ca release (CICR). Application of 10 mM caffeine completely depleted [Ca]ER. Once caffeine was removed, RyR2 inhibitors were applied to measure the rate of [Ca]ER recovery. Thus, ER Ca uptake can be analyzed throughout the whole physiological range of [Ca]ER. ER Ca uptake was progressively decreased with increasing cytosolic [ADP] and can be blocked by thapsigargin. At the end of each experiment, the CEPIA-1er signal was calibrated with ionomycin. Using this approach, we characterized properties of wt- and AAA-SERCA2a (partial loss-of-function SERCA2a mutant). ER Ca uptake as a function of [Ca]ER was analyzed to estimate maximum ER Ca uptake rate and maximum ER Ca load generated by wt and the SERCA mutant. We found that AAA-SERCA2a had slower Ca uptake rate than wt-SERCA2a, as a result HEK293 cells expressing AAA-SERCA2a were not effective to increase ER Ca load to the level that triggers Ca waves. Thus, this new approach can be used as a sensitive screening tool to study different drugs and mutations that affect SERCA function.
Minority Serving Institutions: Incubators for Teachers of Color

ABSTRACTThis article explores the role of Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) in producing teachers of color. Specifically, it looks at larger national trends and highlights individual MSIs that have experienced success in the area of teacher education and the production of teachers of color. Recommendations are made to assist colleges and universities across the nation.
Multi-ball and one-ball geolocation and location verification

We present analysis methods that may be used to geolocate emitters using one or more moving receivers. While some of the methods we present may apply to a broader class of signals, our primary interest is locating and tracking ships from short pulsed transmissions, such as the maritime Automatic Identification System (AIS.) The AIS signal is difficult to process and track since the pulse duration is only 25 milliseconds, and the pulses may only be transmitted every six to ten seconds. Several fundamental problems are addressed, including demodulation of AIS/GMSK signals, verification of the emitter location, accurate frequency and delay estimation and identification of pulse trains from the same emitter. In particular, we present several new correlation methods, including cross-cross correlation that greatly improves correlation accuracy over conventional methods and cross- TDOA and cross-FDOA functions that make it possible to estimate time and frequency delay without the need of computing a two dimensional cross-ambiguity surface. By isolating pulses from the same emitter and accurately tracking the received signal frequency, we are able to accurately estimate the emitter location from the received Doppler characteristics.
Effect of cycle to cycle task variations in mixed-model assembly lines on workers’ upper body and lower back exertions and recovery time: A simulated assembly study

Abstract Differences in cycle-to-cycle work content in mixed-model assembly lines (MMAL) may increase exposure to risk factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD). This study investigated the effect of conveyor type and product mix/sequence in MMALs on joint loads and recovery time. An assembly task was simulated using 9 conveyor (continuous moving, synchronous indexing, and asynchronous indexing) and product mix/sequence (single product, 3 products with fixed sequence, and 3 products with random sequence) configurations. Results show the self-paced conveyor resulted in the least frequency of reaching. However, subjects did not use the available time for recovery and worked at a faster pace than in the continuous and synchronous indexing conveyors. In conclusion, an asynchronous indexing conveyor provided workers the flexibility they needed to complete their job correctly without reaching but recovery time was not sufficient. Practitioner summary Cycle-to-cycle task variations in MMAL may increase workers’ risk of developing WMSDs. An asynchronous indexing conveyor, with a minimum work time built in, may allow workers to complete their job with less reaching outside the reach envelope while providing sufficient recovery time.
Dynamic Rationality: Propensity, Probability, and Credence

Since the time of Bishop Butler we have known that probability is the very guide of life — at least it should be if we are to behave rationally. The trouble is that we have had an extraordinarily difficult time trying to figure out what kind of thing — or things — probability is. I shall argue that causality is a key piece in the puzzle, and consequently, an indispensable aspect of rationality.
Current status of renal angiography.

SUMMARY It is apparent that while indications for renal angiography remain, they have significantly decreased and changed over the years, with angiography having largely been replaced by other imaging modalities. It is perhaps indicative of the current role of renal angiography that at the 1985 courses and meetings of both the Society of Cardiovascular Radiology and the Society of Uroradiology there was virtually no discussion of this modality except as applied to the study and therapy of renovascular hypertension. Angiography is no longer the only and frequently not the best method of establishing the need for renal tumor surgery; however, it may prove indispensable in planning that surgery. It is no longer felt to be productive to use angiography in the differential diagnosis of chronic renal disease and renal failure or in the investigation of renal transplant rejection other than that related to anastomotic problems, despite the fact that the angiographic findings in these conditions have been well described. 20 Magnetic resonance imaging shows early promise in this area of diagnosis. When angiography is performed, it is more often than not as a preliminary to an interventional, catheter-mediated procedure, rather than for a purely diagnostic purpose. As the efficient utilization of medical resources becomes of greater concern, the selection of the procedure most likely to be definitive from among the many imaging possibilities available in the genitourinary tract becomes a major responsibility of the treating physician and the radiologist in consultation. Both must be willing to adopt new and more efficient techniques as they become established, retaining older modalities in those situations in which the latter maintain superiority, at all times avoiding needless multiplicity of examinations.
The Grammar of Neoliberalism: What Textbooks Reveal About the Education of Spanish Speakers in Mexico, Colombia, and the United States

Emergent to Advanced Bilingual Students (EABs), also known as English Language Learner Students (ELLs), are both the fastest growing group in the United States and the ones with lower academic performance. Spanish speakers account for around 78–80% of all EABs. All too often, EABs who are fortunate to receive quality bilingual education receive instruction based on mirror texts; that is, texts that are direct translation from its English counterparts (Ramirez et al, 2016). In this chapter, we present a brief analysis of the textbook market in the USA, Colombia and Mexico, complemented with a linguistic analysis of the patterns dominant in three 3rd grade science curricular units written in Spanish on the same topic in the three countries. Two of these units were written for regular educational curriculum programs in Colombia and Mexico. The third one is a text used in dual language English/Spanish bilingual programs in the USA that is directly translated from the English textbook version. The macroanalysis reveals a strong market-based neoliberal influence on the textbook used in the USA. At the micro level, the comparative systemic functional linguistic analysis of these three texts reveals the distinct linguistic organization of the mirror text in relation to the other two. Key implications for teacher’s role in the classroom, for teacher preparation programs, and for the education of Spanish speakers in these three countries with special attention to bilingual students in the USA are addressed.
Use of in-situ TEM to characterize the deformation-induced martensitic transformation in 304 stainless steel at cryogenic temperature

Abstract Tensile tests are conducted in-situ in a TEM at cryogenic temperatures (from − 100 °C to 0 °C) using a cooling TEM straining-stage with the goal of capturing the growth of the martensitic phase as it develops under stress in the material. The in-situ technique is used to explore the mechanism of deformation induced martensitic transformation in 304 and 304L austenitic stainless steels. The formation of stacking faults is captured, as well as the subsequent formation of e-martensite, confirming the role played by Stacking faults (SFs) as intermediate step during the transformation from γ-austenite to e-martensite. In addition, direct transformation from γ-austenite to α′-martensite is captured (i) upon straining at a fixed temperature and (ii) upon cooling after pulling on the sample, indicating how straining and temperature are both effective on the transformation.
Applications of Synchrotron X-rays to Chemical Crystallography

Synchrotron radiation generated by relativistic charged particles gives copious X-ray fluxes in wavelength regions suitable to crystallographic research. The radiation is tunable, highly collimated and 3–4 orders of magnitude more intense than existing conventional sources of X-ray radiation. The properties of the synchrotron radiation particularly useful in chemical crystallography are discussed and illustrated by examples from recent research on microcrystals, dynamical scattering, electric field experiments and anomalous dispersion.
Genetic and Environmental Control of B-Cell Idiotype Expression

Since the earliest demonstrations that the immune system of an individual has the capacity to recognize its own antibody variable regions, the potential role of such anti-idiotypic recognition in the regulation of immune responses has gained considerable attention(1,2)Studies which have utilized the passive transfer of anti-idiotypic antibodies have defined several levels at which anti-idiotypic recognition can affect immune responsiveness.(3–12) These include the inhibition of antigenic stimulation of idiotype-positive cells,(3–5)the direct stimulation of idiotype-positive cells,(5–8) the elimination of B cells of the appropriate idiotype from within the mature B-cell repertoire(9,10) and the enhancement of the expression of idiotype-positive cells(11,12) Finally, the physiological relevance of idiotypic recognition has been demonstrated by the finding that such recognition becomes a predominant feature of the immune system subsequent to immunization.(13)
VLBA Imaging of a Large Sample of Blazars

As part of our continuing study of parsec-scale magnetic fields in active galactic nuclei we have obtained deep polarization-sensitive images of the blazar 1055+018 with the VLBA at 5 GHz. These dramatic images reveal a magnetized layer of material on the outer surfaces of the jet, distinct from the bulk of the jet. This morphology suggests interaction of the jet with the surrounding medium, the resulting shear stretching the magnetic field lines in the direction of the flow. Further multi-frequency polarization-sensitive observations of 1055+018 offer the opportunity to study radio jet-ambient medium interactions in detail.
Scleral Fixation of Posterior Chamber Intraocular Lenses Using Gore-Tex Suture: Clinical Outcomes From a Single Institution:

Purpose:The purpose of this article is to examine the clinical outcomes of scleral fixation of intraocular lenses (IOLs) using Gore-Tex suture at our institution.Methods:A retrospective chart revie...
Air Pollution and Children’s Health: Living in Urban Areas in Developing Countries

Outdoor air pollution is an increasing risk to children, who are physiologically vulnerable to air pollution. According to a new report from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), an estimated 2 billion children around the world live in areas where outdoor pollution exceeds minimum air-quality guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Among them, 300 million children are exposed to toxic levels of outdoor air pollution, and those living in low- and middle-income countries are most at risk. Outdoor air pollution is linked not only with mortality in children, but also with an array of adverse health outcomes, including the respiratory health-related conditions such as pneumonia, asthma, and bronchitis, as well as with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and metabolic diseases. In this chapter, the adverse effects of outdoor air pollution exposure in children in terms of different health outcomes is discussed, especially in the context of urban areas in developing countries. As evidence is lacking from those areas, more air quality monitoring and more research on air pollution are essential to protect the children.
Contemporary characteristics and outcomes of adults with familial dilated cardiomyopathy listed for heart transplantation.

Contemporary characteristics and outcomes of adults with familial dilated cardiomyopathy listed for heart transplantation
The origin of NMDA receptor hypofunction in schizophrenia

N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction plays a key role in pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Since NMDAR hypofunction has also been reported in autism, Alzheimer's disease and cognitive dementia, it is crucial to identify the location, timing, and mechanism of NMDAR hypofunction for schizophrenia for better understanding of disease etiology and for novel therapeutic intervention. In this review, we first discuss the shared underlying mechanisms of NMDAR hypofunction in NMDAR antagonist models and the anti-NMDAR autoantibody model of schizophrenia and suggest that NMDAR hypofunction could occur in GABAergic neurons in both models. Preclinical models using transgenic mice have shown that NMDAR hypofunction in cortical GABAergic neurons, in particular parvalbumin-positive fast-spiking interneurons, in the early postnatal period confers schizophrenia-related phenotypes. Recent studies suggest that NMDAR hypofunction can also occur in PV-positive GABAergic neurons with alterations of NMDAR-associated proteins, such as neuregulin/ErbB4, α7nAChR, and serine racemase. Furthermore, several environmental factors, such as oxidative stress, kynurenic acid and hypoxia, may also potentially elicit NMDAR hypofunction in GABAergic neurons in early postnatal period. Altogether, the studies discussed here support a central role for GABAergic abnormalities in the context of NMDAR hypofunction. We conclude by suggesting potential therapeutic strategies to improve the function of fast-spiking neurons.
Leveraging Google Earth Engine (GEE) and machine learning algorithms to incorporate in situ measurement from different times for rangelands monitoring

Abstract Mapping and monitoring of indicators of soil cover, vegetation structure, and various native and non-native species is a critical aspect of rangeland management. With the advancement in satellite imagery as well as cloud storage and computing, the capability now exists to conduct planetary-scale analysis, including mapping of rangeland indicators. Combined with recent investments in the collection of large amounts of in situ data in the western U.S., new approaches using machine learning can enable prediction of surface conditions at times and places when no in situ data are available. However, little analysis has yet been done on how the temporal relevancy of training data influences model performance. Here, we have leveraged the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform and a machine learning algorithm (Random Forest, after comparison with other candidates) to identify the potential impact of different sampling times (across months and years) on estimation of rangeland indicators from the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) and Landscape Monitoring Framework (LMF) programs. Our results indicate that temporally relevant training data improves predictions, though the training data need not be from the exact same month and year for a prediction to be temporally relevant. Moreover, inclusion of training data from the time when predictions are desired leads to lower prediction error but the addition of training data from other times does not contribute to overall model error. Using all of the available training data can lead to biases, toward the mean, for times when indicator values are especially high or low. However, for mapping purposes, limiting training data to just the time when predictions are desired can lead to poor predictions of values outside the spatial range of the training data for that period. We conclude that the best Random Forest prediction maps will use training data from all possible times with the understanding that estimates at the extremes will be biased.
Superior Capsule Reconstruction With Subacromial Allograft Spacer: Biomechanical Cadaveric Study of Subacromial Contact Pressure and Superior Humeral Head Translation.

Purpose To investigate the biomechanical effects of superior capsule reconstruction with subacromial allograft spacer on superior humeral head translation and subacromial contact pressure. Methods Eight cadaveric shoulder specimens were tested in 4 conditions: (1) intact rotator cuff, (2) supraspinatus tear and superior capsule excision, (3) superior capsule reconstruction with human dermal allograft, and (4) superior capsule reconstruction with subacromial resurfacing using human dermal allograft. In each condition, specimens were tested at 0, 30, 60, and 90° of shoulder abduction in balanced and unbalanced loaded states for subacromial contact pressure and superior humeral head translation. Statistical comparisons were made using a repeated-measures analysis of variance test, followed by a Tukey post hoc test for pairwise comparisons. A P value Results Superior humeral head translation and subacromial contact pressure were increased after irreparable rotator cuff tear (P = .001). There was no significant difference between superior capsule reconstruction and intact cuff in regard to superior humeral head translation and subacromial contact pressure at all abduction angles. Superior capsule reconstruction with subacromial resurfacing decreased superior humeral head translation relative to intact (0°, P = .004; 30°, P = .02; 60°, P = .08; 90°, P = .01), superior capsule reconstruction (0°, P = .001; 30°, P = .003; 60°, P = .019; 90°, P = .001), and cuff-deficient states (P = .001). Superior capsule reconstruction with subacromial resurfacing resulted in nonsignificant increases in subacromial contact pressure relative to intact cuff at 0 to 90° abduction angles. Conclusions Superior capsule reconstruction with subacromial resurfacing using human dermal allograft results in decreased superior humeral head translation relative to superior capsule reconstruction with human dermal allograft only, while increasing subacromial contact pressure. Clinical Relevance Superior capsule reconstruction with subacromial resurfacing using human dermal allograft reduces superior humeral head translation while increasing subacromial contact pressure in a cadaveric model.
Electrocardiogram analysis of 130 cases of chronic Keshan disease in Inner Mongolia

Objective To observe and analyze the electrocardiogram (ECG) characteristics of patients with chronic Keshan disease and explore the influence of health management on ECG of chronic Keshan disease. Methods ECG data of 130 patients with chronic Keshan disease who were involved in the health management program for Keshan Disease from 2012 to 2014 in the area of Inner Mongolia were analyzed retrospectively (57 were males and 73 were females, aged 51.2 ± 11.5). The survey indexes include general condition, ECG examination before and after implementing the health management program. Results There were abnormal ECG in 130 patients with chronic Keshan disease before implementing the health management program. Among them, 87 cases (66.9%) had arrhythmia, 74 cases (56.9%) had widening of QRS wave group, 56 cases (43.1%) had ST-T changes, 51 cases (39.2%) had atrioventricular hypertrophy, 9 cases (6.9%) had abnormal Q wave and 5 cases (3.8%) had prolonged Q-T interval. After implementing the health management program, there were 64 cases (49.2%) of arrhythmia in abnormal ECG, 48 cases (36.9%) with widening of QRS wave group, 40 cases (30.8%) with ST-T changes and 31 cases (23.8%) with atrioventricular hypertrophy, which were significantly lower than those before implementing the health management program (χ2= 8.36, 10.44, 4.23, 7.13, P < 0.05). Conclusions The ECG of patients with chronic Keshan disease is varied, among which arrhythmia, QRS wave group prolongs, ST-T changes, atrioventricular hypertrophy are the most common. Health management of patients can make the detection rate of common abnormal changes of ECG decrease obviously. Key words: Keshan disease; Electrocardiogram; Health management
Randomized Incremental Convex Hull is Highly Parallel

The randomized incremental convex hull algorithm is one of the most practical and important geometric algorithms in the literature. Due to its simplicity, and the fact that many points or facets can be added independently, it is also widely used in parallel convex hull implementations. However, to date there have been no non-trivial theoretical bounds on the parallelism available in these implementations. In this paper, we provide a strong theoretical analysis showing that the standard incremental algorithm is inherently parallel. In particular, we show that for n points in any constant dimension, the algorithm has O(log n) dependence depth with high probability. This leads to a simple work-optimal parallel algorithm with polylogarithmic span with high probability. Our key technical contribution is a new definition and analysis of the configuration dependence graph extending the traditional configuration space, which allows for asynchrony in adding configurations. To capture the "true" dependence between configurations, we define the support set of configuration c to be the set of already added configurations that it depends on. We show that for problems where the size of the support set can be bounded by a constant, the depth of the configuration dependence graph is shallow (O(log n) with high probability for input size n). In addition to convex hull, our approach also extends to several related problems, including half-space intersection and finding the intersection of a set of unit circles. We believe that the configuration dependence graph and its analysis is a general idea that could potentially be applied to more problems.
Characteristics of adults with overweight and obesity who have not attempted weight loss in the prior 12 months.

Abstract Objective To determine weight-related characteristics of adults with overweight or obesity who had not attempted weight loss in the prior 12 months. Methods Adults from the obesity cohort of the PORTAL clinical data research network were randomly selected to complete a survey in 2015. It included topics of experiences with health care providers, weight history, and health-promoting behaviors. Results A total of 2811 adults completed the survey, of whom 24% reported not attempting weight loss in the previous 12 months. Controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and body mass index, respondents who reported that their health care provider never talked about weight were more likely to not attempt weight loss in the previous 12 months compared with respondents who reported providers frequently brought up weight (OR: 0.45; 95% CI: 0.24, 0.66). Respondents who perceived themselves as normal weight or underweight were 4.22 times more likely (95% CI: 3.53, 5.05) to not attempt weight loss compared with respondents who perceived themselves as overweight. Respondents who reported that they never tried to lose at least 10 lbs, ate 0−2 servings of fruits and vegetables daily, or engaged in 0−29 min of physical activity weekly were less likely to attempt weight loss. Conclusions Receiving advice on weight loss from health care providers to improve awareness of overweight and obesity status may be important factors for a person’s weight management. Provider discussions about weight may be a strategy to motivate weight loss attempts.
Compact computational spectrometer using a solid wedged low finesse etalon

A novel, to the best of our knowledge, two-layer hybrid solid wedged etalon was fabricated and combined with a traditional imager to make a compact computational spectrometer. The hybrid wedge, comprised of ${{\rm Nb}_2}{{\rm O}_5}$ and Infrasil 302, was designed to operate from 0.4–2.4 µm. Initial demonstrations, however, used a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) imager and demonstrated operation from 0.4–0.9 µm with spectral resolutions ${\lt}\;{30}\;{{\rm cm}^{- 1}}$ from single snapshots. The computational spectrometer itself operates similarly to a spatial Fourier transform spectrometer (FTIR), but rather than use conventional Fourier-based methods or assumptions, the spectral reconstruction used a non-negative least-squares fitting algorithm based on analytically computed wavelength response vectors determined from extracted physical thicknesses across the entire two-dimensional wedge. This new computational technique resulted in performance and spectral resolutions exceeding those that could be achieved from Fourier processing techniques applied to this wedge etalon. With an additional imaging lens and translational scanning, the system can be converted into a hyperspectral imager.
Protein kinase Cδ as a neuronal mechanism for headache in a chronic intermittent nitroglycerin model of migraine in mice.

ABSTRACT Migraine is one of the most common neurological disorders characterized by recurrent attacks of typically throbbing and unilateral headaches, affecting up to 20% of the population worldwide. Despite the high prevalence and severity of this primary headache disorder, it remains to be a challenge to fully understand and treat migraine headaches. By characterizing and validating a mouse migraine model, this study aimed to investigate the functional contribution of protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms in migraine. In this study, we identified the presence of migraine-like ongoing pain in mice after chronic intermittent treatment with nitroglycerin (NTG). The peptide antagonist of calcitonin gene-related peptide α-CGRP (8-37), but not topiramate nor sumatriptan, effectively blocked ongoing pain and elicited pain relief-induced conditioned place preference in NTG-treated mice. Prominent activation of PKCδ was observed in chronic NTG-treated mice. Functional inhibition of PKCδ significantly attenuated ongoing spontaneous pain in chronic NTG-treated mice. Furthermore, we recapitulated the NTG-triggered migraine behavior in wild-type mice, but not in PKCδ-null mice. In response to repeated administration of NTG, ongoing spontaneous pain was not developed in mice lacking the specific PKC isoform. This study identified the presence of ongoing pain in mice treated with NTG, a known human migraine trigger that closely resembles the common manifestation of spontaneous migraine attacks in humans. These findings demonstrated a critical regulatory role of PKCδ in migraine pathophysiology, which may offer new pharmacological targets for antimigraine treatment.
Advances in Ultrasound Therapeutics

High mechanical index impulses from a diagnostic transducer are utilized in myocardial perfusion imaging, but can also be utilized therapeutically in three cardiovascular applications: (a) thrombus dissolution (sonothrombolysis), (b) improving microvascular flow in ischemic territories (sonoperfusion), and (c) targeted drug and nucleic acid delivery. The targeted therapeutic effect appears to be based on acoustic cavitation of the intravascular microbubbles which results in endothelial shear and pore formation, as well as mechanical destruction of thrombi. Within the last 5 years, clinical trials have been performed in acute myocardial infarction demonstrating successful reductions in myocardial infarct size with sonothrombolysis added to current guideline-based treatment. In patients with severe peripheral arterial disease, brief improvements in calf microvascular blood flow have been observed for 1 h after 10 min of sonoperfusion therapy. Targeted ultrasound therapies are developing for prevention of microvascular obstruction in acute coronary syndromes and peripheral vascular disease.
Anti-Evasion Doctrines in Constitutional Law

Recent constitutional scholarship has focused on how courts — the Supreme Court in particular — “implements” constitutional meaning through the use of doctrinal constructs that enable judges to decide cases. Judges first fix constitutional meaning, what Mitchell Berman terms the “constitutional operative proposition,” but must then design “decision rules” that render the operative proposition suitable to use in the third step, the resolution of the case before the court. These decision rules produce the familiar apparatus of constitutional decision making — strict scrutiny, rational basis review, and the like. For the most part, writers have adopted a binary view of doctrine. Doctrinal tests can defer or not to other actors; implementing doctrines can be fashioned as rules or standards; doctrines can over-enforce or under-enforce constitutional commands. In this essay, though, we unsettle this dialectical view of doctrinal design by identifying and describing anti-evasion doctrines (AEDs) in constitutional law: doctrines developed by courts — usually designed as standards, as opposed to rules — that supplement other doctrines (designed as rules) to implement particular constitutional principles.AEDs touch all areas of constitutional law. In addition to being ubiquitous, AEDs have a long pedigree. Early examples appear in famous Marshall Court opinions; thus, they are not some modern innovation. In addition to naming AEDs, describing the forms they take, and the characteristics the forms share, this essay also seeks to describe the benefits and payoffs in constitutional law resulting from AEDs. On the plus side, AEDs are designed to help optimize enforcement of constitutional principles — by addressing “problems with rules,” for example. This gap-filling function comes at a cost, however. Not only does the addition of AEDs tend to increase doctrinal complexity, that complexity can increase decision costs for courts, and dilute the benefits of using rules in the first place. The tradeoffs are almost mirror images of the benefits.We also discuss the implications of AEDs for constitutional doctrine generally. That they seem to be everywhere in constitutional law suggests that doctrinal complexity should be seen as a feature of our system, and not a bug, because it attempts to ensure form will not trump constitutional substance. If a certain amount of complexity is inevitable, then that suggests one should be skeptical about claims that constitutional law could be rationalized by the abandonment of the “formulaic Constitution,” in favor of simple, predictable, and easy to apply rules. In fact, the presence of AEDs furnishes strong evidence for Frederick Schauer’s “convergence hypothesis,” which holds that “when authorized to act in accordance with rules, rule-subjects will tend to convert rules into standards by employing a battery of rule-avoiding devices that serve to soften the hard edges of rules,” and vice-versa. Finally, highlighting the role AEDs play in constitutional doctrine, for good or ill, is another reason to take doctrine, its formation, and application by courts, seriously.
Trends and variation in benzodiazepine use in nursing homes in the USA.

PURPOSE Because of toxicities, benzodiazepines are not usually recommended in older adults. We therefore sought to describe the trends in benzodiazepine use in long-term care and examine the variation in benzodiazepine use among nursing homes. METHODS In this retrospective repeated cross-sectional analysis of Medicare Parts A, B, and D claims data linked to the Minimum Data Set from 2013 to 2018, we included long-term residents who stayed in a nursing home for at least one entire quarter of a calendar year in 2013-2018. The outcome was whether residents were prescribed a benzodiazepine drug for at least 30 days during each quarter stay. We use mixed effects logistic regression models to assess the variation in benzodiazepine use among nursing homes, adjusting for patient and nursing home characteristics. RESULTS The cohort for the time trend analysis included 270,566 unique residents and 1,843,580 quarter stays for 2013-2018. Prescribing rates for short-acting benzodiazepines were stable over 2013-2016, then declined from 12.1% in 2016 to 10.6% in 2018. The rate of long-acting benzodiazepine use remained relatively steady at around 4% over 2013-2018. During 2017-2018, the variation among nursing homes in benzodiazepine use was 7.2% for short-acting vs. 9.3% for long-acting benzodiazepines, after controlling for resident characteristics. CONCLUSION Prescribing for short-acting benzodiazepines in long-term care declined after 2016, while long-acting benzodiazepine use did not change. The variation in benzodiazepine use among nursing homes is substantial. Identifying factors that explain this variation may help in developing strategies for deprescribing benzodiazepines in nursing home residents.
Immigrant Women Tell Their Stories

* Foreword * Preface: How and Why This Book was Born * Part I: Understanding and Studying Women's Migration * Chapter 1. Immigration: The Process and Its Aftermath * Introduction * Developmental Aspect of Immigration * Effects of Immigration * Women and Immigration * Chapter 2. Methodology: How the Research for This Book Was Done * Types of Immigration Research * Assumptions and Principles of Qualitative Research * Interviewing in Qualitative Research * Understanding Women Perspectives * Conducting the Interviews * The Sample * National Immigration Policies * Analysis of the Interviews * Limitations * Part II: Stories of Immigrant Women * Chapter 3. My Story: An Immigrant Daughter of an Immigrant Mother * Chapter 4. Immigrants to the United States * Sonia: From Beirut to New York * Maria: I Left My Heart in Havana * Nadra: The "Desert" Generation * Klara: A Lifelong Tale of Relocations * Tara: I Will Show Them * Sarah: The Quiet Fighter * Chapter 5. Immigrants to Israel * Genevieve: Immigration As a Never-Ending Process * Parastu: A Minority Within a Minority * Ana: Women Are Like Cats--Throw Them and They Jump Back on Their Feet * Mare: A Long-Distance Runner * Svetlana: Always Mining the Good * Teresina: A Spring of Optimism * Chapter 6. Immigrants to Australia and New Zealand * Rosa: An Asian in a White County * Natasha: In Australia, Become an Australian * Sabin: To Immigrate As a Lesbian * Matijia: The Lemonade Maker * Hang: A Salute to Immigrant Mothers * Dunja: The Percussionist * Part III: Conclusions and Implications * Chapter 7. Major Themes in Women's Narratives * Resilience of Immigrant Women: Flexible Strength * The Double Life of Immigrant Women: Coping with Duality * Gains and Losses * Summary: Main Findings * Chapter 8. Implications for Service Development and Delivery * Advantages and Disadvantages of Specialized Services for Immigrant Women * Direct Services to Individuals and Families * Community Programs * Policy Development * A Multiservice Center for Immigrant Women: A Viable Solution * Epilogue * Resources * References * Index
Neural Stimulation for Control of Voiding Dysfunction: A Preliminary Report in 22 Patients with Serious Neuropathic Voiding Disorders

AbstractOur experience with electrode implantation has demonstrated that the most successful combination to achieve continence and promote bladder evacuation is implantation on the ventral component of S3 or S4 and extensive dorsal rhizotomy with selective peripheral neurotomy. Of 22 patients with serious neuropathic voiding disorders treated during the last 6 years results were available for evaluation in 19 (2 were lost to followup and 1 was withdrawn from the protocol because of an infection at the receiver site).In 8 patients (42 per cent) complete success was achieved. These patients have regained reservoir function, are completely dry and void with electrical stimulation. The voiding is synchronous, with low voiding pressure and low residual urine volumes. Ten patients qualify as having partial success. They have regained reservoir function and are dry. One patient voids partially with stimulation, 5 depend on intermittent self-catheterization, 1 regained reservoir function and received an artificia...
A Longitudinal Look at Attitudes and Perceptions Related to the Integration of Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education.

The purpose of this study is to provide an in-depth analysis of attitudes and perceptions related to the integration of mathematics, science, and technology education of preservice teachers preparing to teach STEM disciplines. Longitudinal data by individual cohort and across 7 years of the Integrated Mathematics, Science, and Technology (MSAT) Program are reported, analyzed, and interpreted to help design and improve preservice teacher education programs and improve teaching and learning in STEM classrooms. Results of quantitative analyses indicate that there was generally no change in preservice teacher attitudes and perceptions related to the value of the integration of mathematics, science, and technology education—they clearly valued integration at the onset and at the completion of the program. However, there was a significant change in preservice teacher attitudes and perceptions related to integration feasibility in terms of inefficiency and difficulty. Implications for teacher education programs include: (a) more exposure to concepts, processes, and skills in STEM that are similar, analogous, complementary, or synergistic; (b) familiarity with instructional strategies and access to resources; (c) deeper understanding of content across STEM; and (d) strategies for collaboration and team work to make integrated instruction time more efficient and less difficult to manage.
Protecting peer-to-peer network with roaming agents

Peer-to-peer networks are continuously becoming more popular for sharing data and resources. However, a major drawback of this type of network is its ability to maintain security, since there is no centralized server to oversee the network. One way to remedy this problem is through the use of intelligent mobile agents. These agents will act as guards, which will essentially roam the network and periodically check on each node to ensure that it is not under attack. In our previous research, we have proposed algorithms for initial placement of agents in a given peer-to-peer network. As the agents are mobile, the next issue with agent-based security is how the agents should roam around the network to detect attacks. We want the agents to scan the entire network as quickly as possible which will minimize the detection time of attacks. If we run too many agents simultaneously to scan the network, they will consume system resources which will slow down the performance of applications running on the peer-to-peer network. In this paper we have proposed three roaming algorithms for agents. The first algorithm Heavy Scan Algorithm scans the network with minimum time by sacrificing the performance of the application. The second algorithm Light Scan Algorithm takes the maximum time to complete the scan of the entire network with less degradation of the performance of the application. The third algorithm Medium Scan Algorithm balances time to complete the scan with performance of the application. We have illustrated the proposed algorithms with an example. We have also analyzed the complexity of the proposed algorithms.
MR-intracranial compliance and pressure: A method for noninvasive measurement of important neurophysiologic parameters

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based method to study cerebral physiology through dynamic measurements of blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow. The MRI-based method provides measurements of the physiologic parameters, such as total cerebral blood flow, intracranial compliance, and intracranial pressure (ICP). In addition to the overall compliance of the intracranial compartment, the method provides information on the biomechanical state of sub-compartments of the intracranial space, such as the cerebral vasculature. The MRI-based method integrates human neurophysiology and fluid dynamics principles with dynamic MRI techniques to measure intracranial elastance and ICP. The MR–ICP method provides a measure of elastance from the ratio of pressure and volume changes that occurs naturally with each cardiac cycle. The change in ICP during the cardiac cycle is derived from the change in the CSF pressure gradient. The CSF pressure gradient waveform is calculated from the velocity-enclosed MRI images of the CSF pulsatile flow. The inertia component of the pressure gradient is approximated by the first-order central difference templates of the time series images.
Theory of X-ray edges

The current status of the theory of X-ray edges is reviewed, including the predictions of threshold exponents by means of sum rules and the recent exact solutions of the Nozieres-de Dominicis model.
Drug-drug interactions in pharmacologic management of gastroparesis.

Background Gastroparesis is a disorder characterized by delayed gastric emptying due to chronic abnormal gastric motility. The treatment of the disease often entails the co-administration of several classes of pharmacological agents. These agents may be metabolized via the same pathway. Inhibition or induction of a shared metabolic pathway leads to change in the systemic levels of prescribed drugs, possibly leading to undesired clinical outcomes. Purpose This review discusses different pharmacological treatment for gastroparesis patients and describes the potential for drug-drug interactions (DDIs) in some of the combinations that are currently used. Prokinetic agents such as metoclopramide and domperidone are the cornerstone in treatment of gastroparesis. Antiemetic agents such as promethazine and ondansetron are frequently administered to gastroparesis patients to reduce nausea and vomiting. Gastroparesis is prevalent in diabetic patients and therefore antidiabetic agents are also prescribed. Many of these co-administered drugs are metabolized via common drug metabolizing enzymes and this can trigger potential DDIs. The scientific literature was reviewed from the years 1975–2014 for original research articles and reviews that evaluated DDIs in gastroparesis. Many commonly prescribed combinations were predicted to cause potential DDIs in gastroparesis patients. This review will help inform about potential hazardous combinations. This information will hopefully lead to less adverse effects and more successful gastroparesis management.