cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Wide-band low-loss high-isolation microstrip periodic-stub diplexer for multiple-frequency applications

This paper introduces a three-port microstrip multifrequency diplexer used in a phased-array transceiver system that employs band-stop filters with open-circuited stubs for band selection and separation. The diplexer is designed to take 10, 12, 19, and 21 GHz into port 1 and to separate 10 and 19 GHz to port 2 and 12 and 21 GHz to part 3 with minimal dispersion. The insertion loss for each frequency varies from 0.4 to 3.4 db and the return loss is better than 10 dB. The isolation between channels at the four frequencies is greater than 50 dB. Each passband created between adjacent stopbands has a bandwidth over 1 GHz. The microstrip diplexer is designed using periodic stubs that collectively have the advantages of low insertion loss, high isolation and rejection, wide-band performance on each channel, and easy fabrication. This type of diplexer has many applications in multifrequency transceivers for communication systems.
Practical management of patients with painful diabetic neuropathy.

PurposePainful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) has a significant impact on patients’ quality of life, affecting sleep, mood, mobility, ability to work, interpersonal relationships, overall self-worth, and independence. The purpose of this article is to provide diabetes educators with current and essential tools for PDN assessment and management.MethodsMedline and CINAHL database searches identified publications on the assessment and treatment of PDN. Identified research was evaluated, and information pertinent to diabetes educators was summarized.ResultsRecent advancements in assessment of neuropathic pain include identifying characteristics that distinguish between neuropathic and nonneuropathic pain. In the absence of treatment, research demonstrates that nerve damage may progress while pain diminishes. Many disease-modifying and symptom-management treatment options are available.ConclusionGood glycemic control is the first priority for both prevention and management of PDN. However, even with good glycemic c...
Explanation and Understanding

The study of explanation, while related to intuitive theories, concepts, and mental models, offers important new perspectives on high-level thought. Explanations sort themselves into several distinct types corresponding to patterns of causation, content domains, and explanatory stances, all of which have cognitive consequences. Although explanations are necessarily incomplete—often dramatically so in laypeople—those gaps are difficult to discern. Despite such gaps and the failure to recognize them fully, people do have skeletal explanatory senses, often implicit, of the causal structure of the world. They further leverage those skeletal understandings by knowing how to access additional explanatory knowledge in other minds and by being particularly adept at using situational support to build explanations on the fly in real time. Across development and cultures, there are differences in preferred explanatory schemes, but rarely are any kinds of schemes completely unavailable to a group.
Markov Gap Models for Real Communication Channels

A Markov gap model is proposed for real digital communication channels. Analytic properties of the model are investigated and compared with data from VHF and troposcatter channels. The model is also simulated, and the satistics of the simulated data are compared favorably with those of the real data.
Communication between ClpX and ClpP during substrate processing and degradation

In the ClpXP compartmental protease, ring hexamers of the AAA(+) ClpX ATPase bind, denature and then translocate protein substrates into the degradation chamber of the double-ring ClpP(14) peptidase. A key question is the extent to which functional communication between ClpX and ClpP occurs and is regulated during substrate processing. Here, we show that ClpX-ClpP affinity varies with the protein-processing task of ClpX and with the catalytic engagement of the active sites of ClpP. Functional communication between symmetry-mismatched ClpXP rings depends on the ATPase activity of ClpX and seems to be transmitted through structural changes in its IGF loops, which contact ClpP. A conserved arginine in the sensor II helix of ClpX links the nucleotide state of ClpX to the binding of ClpP and protein substrates. A simple model explains the observed relationships between ATP binding, ATP hydrolysis and functional interactions between ClpX, protein substrates and ClpP.
An institutional perspective on quality initiatives: evidence beyond manufacturing

Organisational quality improvement techniques have been gaining acceptance in industry over the last few decades, although the extent of their utilisation is highly variable. Most of the evidence of their potential has been within the manufacturing sector, and it is unclear whether they have scope or value outside of manufacturing. We examine two quality improvement initiatives, Lean and Six Sigma, to assess adoption from an institutional theory perspective in the healthcare industry. Findings from our survey of 118 organisations suggest that these quality initiatives have higher levels of rhetoric than actual results. From an institutional theory perspective, results suggest that early adopters of these quality techniques will have a different focus or emphasis than late adopters, and that the focus changes overtime from clinical projects to administrative projects. Implications suggest a need for greater emphasis on change management to mitigate the perceived internal sources of resistance.
Acquired lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase deficiency in nephrotic syndrome

Lecithin-cholesterol acetyltransferase (LCAT) is involved in the synthesis of plasma cholesteryl esters and is pivotal in the maturation of plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and conversion of HDL3 to HDL2. In nephrotic syndrome (NS), the ratio of HDL2 to HDL3 is low even though the total concentration of HDL is generally normal. We hypothesize that the reduced HDL2/HDL3 ratio in NS is due to urinary losses of LCAT, leading to plasma LCAT deficiency. To test this hypothesis, Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to NS (given 130 mg puromycin aminonucleoside on day 1 and 60 mg ip on day 14) or control groups and were studied on day 30. To dissect the effect of proteinuria from hypoalbuminemia, a group of Nagase rats with inherited hypoalbuminemia was included. Hepatic LCAT and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) mRNA abundance and plasma and urine LCAT activity were measured. The NS group showed a fourfold rise in serum cholesterol and triglycerides, a fivefold rise in free cholesterol, and a fourfold fall in the HDL-to-total cholesterol ratio. Despite severe hypoalbuminemia, the Nagase rats showed only a mild elevation of serum cholesterol and triglycerides with a normal serum free cholesterol and HDL-to-total cholesterol ratio. The NS group exhibited a normal hepatic LCAT-to-GAPDH mRNA ratio, a marked reduction in plasma LCAT activity, and a significant increase in urinary LCAT excretion. LCAT/GAPDH mRNA and plasma and urine LCAT were normal in Nagase rats. Thus NS led to heavy urinary losses and reduced plasma concentration of LCAT, despite normal hepatic LCAT mRNA abundance. However, hypoalbuminemia, per se, without proteinuria as seen in the Nagase rats had no effect on plasma LCAT or the HDL-to-total cholesterol ratio. Therefore, proteinuria, not hypoalbuminemia, causes LCAT deficiency and a depressed HDL-to-total cholesterol ratio in NS.
Thermodynamic coupling between activation and inactivation gating in potassium channels revealed by free energy molecular dynamics simulations.

The amount of ionic current flowing through K+ channels is determined by the interplay between two separate time-dependent processes: activation and inactivation gating. Activation is concerned with the stimulus-dependent opening of the main intracellular gate, whereas inactivation is a spontaneous conformational transition of the selectivity filter toward a nonconductive state occurring on a variety of timescales. A recent analysis of multiple x-ray structures of open and partially open KcsA channels revealed the mechanism by which movements of the inner activation gate, formed by the inner helices from the four subunits of the pore domain, bias the conformational changes at the selectivity filter toward a nonconductive inactivated state. This analysis highlighted the important role of Phe103, a residue located along the inner helix, near the hinge position associated with the opening of the intracellular gate. In the present study, we use free energy perturbation molecular dynamics simulations (FEP/MD) to quantitatively elucidate the thermodynamic basis for the coupling between the intracellular gate and the selectivity filter. The results of the FEP/MD calculations are in good agreement with experiments, and further analysis of the repulsive, van der Waals dispersive, and electrostatic free energy contributions reveals that the energetic basis underlying the absence of inactivation in the F103A mutation in KcsA is the absence of the unfavorable steric interaction occurring with the large Ile100 side chain in a neighboring subunit when the intracellular gate is open and the selectivity filter is in a conductive conformation. Macroscopic current analysis shows that the I100A mutant indeed relieves inactivation in KcsA, but to a lesser extent than the F103A mutant.
Excessive reduction in peripheral resistance during exercise and risk of orthostatic symptoms with sustained-release nitroglycerin and diltiazem treatment of angina.

Abstract Acute effects of placebo, sustained-release nitroglycerin, diltiazem capsules, and the combination of both drugs were monitored in nine stable angina patients. They were randomized to receive either placebo or 13 mg of slow-release nitroglycerin orally (double-blind). This was followed in 1 hour by 120 mg of diltiazem orally, given to all patients (unblinded). Invasive hemodynamic measurements were made before and after each treatment at supine and sitting rest, two levels of submaximal, and at maximal exercise and twice in recovery. Compared to the control test at maximal exercise, sustained-release nitroglycerin increased aerobic capacity 24%, lowered peripheral resistance −32%, and lowered systemic pressure −23%, while the respective changes with placebo were −3%, 5%, and 2%. When diltiazem was added to placebo compared to the control test, there was a 4% increase in oxygen consumption and −9% and −4% reduction in systemic resistance and systemic pressure, respectively. The addition of diltiazem to nitroglycerin was associated with a 20% increase in oxygen consumption a −42% reduction in systemic resistance and a −32% reduction in systemic pressure. Two patients who received introglycerin plus diltiazem experienced symptomatic hypotension, while one patient who received placebo plus diltiazem experienced hypotension. These side effects caused the study to be terminated prematurely. Thus, although the combination of nitroglycerin and diltiazem had a greater effect on afterload than either drug alone, the combination did not provide greater improvement in cardiac performance.
On the use of on-line approximators for sensor fault diagnosis

This paper describes a sensor fault diagnosis algorithm for a class of nonlinear dynamic systems. The main idea behind this approach is to monitor the closed-loop system for any off-nominal system behavior due to sensor faults utilizing a nonlinear online approximator with adjustable parameters. A nonlinear estimation model and learning algorithm are described so that the online approximator provides an estimate of the sensor fault. The robustness, stability and learning performance properties of the nonlinear sensor fault diagnosis scheme are established.
Novel microsatellite loci for Agave parryi and cross-amplification in Agave palmeri (Agavaceae).

Premise of the study To examine the foraging behavior of nectarivorous bats in southeastern Arizona, we developed microsatellite primers in Agave parryi. These markers were also tested for cross-amplification and applicability to assess patterns of genetic diversity and structure in A. palmeri. Methods and results Utilizing DNA sequence data from 454 shotgun sequencing, we identified seven novel polymorphic microsatellite loci in A. parryi and screened them for cross-amplification in A. palmeri. These markers were characterized in two populations of 30 individuals each for each species. In A. parryi, all primers were polymorphic and amplified between three and 12 alleles per population. In A. palmeri, all primers amplified, six were polymorphic, and allelic diversity ranged from one to 16 alleles per population. Conclusions Our results demonstrate the applicability of these microsatellite primers for population genetics studies in both A. parryi and A. palmeri.
AKT Regulation of Estrogen Receptor β Transcriptional Activity in Breast Cancer

Growth factor activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT pathway has been shown to activate the estrogen receptor (ER) α and to mediate tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer. Here, we investigated the regulation of the transcriptional activity of the newer ERβ by PI3K-AKT signaling. Tissue arrays of breast cancer specimens showed a positive association between the expressions of AKT and ERβ in the clinical setting. Reporter gene assays using pharmacologic and molecular inhibitors of AKT and constitutively active AKT revealed for the first time the ability of AKT to (a) potentiate ERβ activity and (b) target predominantly the activation function-2 (AF2) domain of the receptor, with a requirement for residue K269. Given the importance of coactivators in ER transcriptional activity, we further investigated the possible involvement of steroid receptor coactivator 1 (SRC1) and glucocorticoid receptor-interacting protein 1 (GRIP1) in AKT regulation of ERβ. Mammalian two-hybrid assays revealed that AKT enhanced both SRC1 and GRIP1 recruitment to the ERβ-AF2 domain, and reporter gene analyses revealed that AKT and GRIP1 cooperatively potentiated ERβ-mediated transcription to a level much greater than either factor alone. Investigations into AKT regulation of GRIP with mammalian one-hybrid assays showed that AKT potentiated the activation domains of GRIP1 itself, and in vitro kinase assays revealed that AKT directly phosphorylated GRIP1. The cross-talk between the PI3K-AKT and ERβ pathways, as revealed by the ability of AKT to regulate several components of ERβ-mediated transcription, may represent an important aspect that may influence breast cancer response to endocrine therapy. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(17): 8373-81)
Temperature dependence properties of holographic gratings in phenanthrenquinone doped poly(methyl methacrylate) photopolymers

We examine the temperature dependence of edge-illuminated holographic filters formed in phenanthrenquinone doped poly(methyl methacrylate) (PQ/PMMA) operating at 1550 nm. It was found that the thermally induced change to the refractive index and volume can be used to select the wavelength filtered by the grating. The temperature can be varied over a range of 15 degrees C without introducing noticeable hysteresis effects. The wavelength can be tuned at a rate of 0.03 nm/degrees C over this temperature range. A model for the temperature tuning effect is presented and compared to experimental results.
A novel interprofessional approach to end-of-life care education: A pilot study

Navigating the biomedical, emotional, and logistical complexity of end-of-life (EOL) care requires seamless interprofessional teamwork. Unfortunately, EOL care, interprofessional collaboration, and the role of support services such as hospice are not adequately emphasized in nursing and medical curricula. This article describes a student-run program, entitled the "HeArt of Medicine", which was designed to foster a reflective and collaborative approach to EOL care. The program consists of three workshops with a novel blend of art, science, and practical information, highlighting the need for interprofessional teamwork. Participants were surveyed before and after the workshops on their attitudes toward EOL care. Composite participant scores after workshops demonstrated increased comfort with and knowledge of EOL care topics (p = 0.001). The results show that this program has had a positive impact on participants' knowledge, comfort, and collaboration in EOL settings.
Comparison of acute phase responses induced in rabbits by lipopolysaccharide and double-stranded RNA

Infection of injury results in several systemic and central reactions termed the acute phase response (APR). Substantial evidence suggests that cytokines induced by microbes initiate the APR. We compared the APR induced in rabbits by a model bacterial stimulus, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), to that induced by a model viral stimulus, polyriboinosinic:polyribocytidylic acid (poly I:C). The cytokine mRNA responses in a mouse macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7) to LPS or poly I:C were also determined. Rabbits were injected intravenously or intracerebroventricularly with different doses of LPS or poly I:C. Colonic temperatures (Tco) and blood samples were taken at the time of injection and at 3, 6, and 24 h after injection. Leukocyte numbers, serum antiviral activity, serum ceruloplasmin, and plasma fibrinogen were analyzed. Both intravenously injected LPS and poly I:C increased Tco, decreased leukocytes, and increased ceruloplasmin. Only LPS by the intravenous route increased fibrinogen, whereas only intravenously injected poly I:C induced antiviral activity. Intracerebroventricular injections of LPS and poly I:C also elicited dose-dependent febrile responses but did not change the hematologic APR significantly except for fibrinogen. The primary distinctions between LPS and poly I:C with respect to cytokine induction in the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line were that LPS failed to induce interferon (IFN)-alpha, poly I:C induced interleukin (IL)-6 mRNA minimally and for a shorter time period than did LPS, and LPS induced IL-1 alpha and IFN-beta more rapidly than did poly I:C.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Response to “Body composition analysis via single slice computed tomography analysis — The shortcomings”

We appreciate the opportunity to respond to Drs. Safer and Binay Saferregarding ourrecentstudy which utilizedcomputed tomography (CT) imaging to determine the prevalence of sarcopenia in older adults with colorectal cancer. The authors inquired about the usage of single-slice CT imaging to determine total body muscle mass and our functioning definition of sarcopenia.
"The Judge, He Cast His Robe Aside": Mental Health Courts, Dignity and Due Process

One of the most important developments in the past two decades in the way that criminal defendants with mental disabilities are treated in the criminal process has been the creation and the expansion of mental health courts, one kind of “problem-solving court.” There are now over 300 such courts in operation in the United States, some dealing solely with misdemeanors, some solely with non-violent offenders, and some with no such restrictions. There is a wide range of dispositional alternatives available to judges in these cases, and an even wider range of judicial attitudes. And the entire concept of “mental health courts” is certainly not without controversy.These courts offer a new approach – perhaps a radically new approach – to the problems at hand. They become even more significant because of their articulated focus on dignity, as well as their embrace of therapeutic jurisprudence, their focus on procedural justice, and their use of the principles of restorative justice. It is time to restructure the dialogue about mental health courts and to begin to take seriously the potential ameliorative impact of such courts on the ultimate disposition of all cases involving criminal defendants with mental disabilities.There has been much written about these courts, but little attention has been paid to two issues that must be considered seriously: the quality of counsel available to persons in mental health courts, and the question of whether the individual is competent to engage in mental health court proceedings. These are both discussed extensively in this paper.Much of the recent debate on mental health courts has focused either on empirical studies of recidivism or on theorization. This entire discussion, while important and helpful, bypasses the critical issue that is at the heart of this paper: do such courts provide additional dignity to the criminal justice process or do they detract from that? Until we re-focus our sights on this issue, much of the discourse on this topic remains wholly irrelevant.In Part I of this paper, I first discuss the underpinnings of therapeutic jurisprudence. Next, in Part II, I look at the structure of mental health courts, and then raise the two concerns about such courts that are, I believe, of particular relevance to which I just alluded: questions of adequacy of counsel and the competency of defendants to voluntarily participate in such court proceedings. In Part III, I then consider the role of dignity in this process, and look to ways that therapeutic jurisprudence can promote dignity in this context.
Utilization of Hyperfractionated Radiation in Small-Cell Lung Cancer and Its Impact on Survival

Introduction Twice-daily radiation with concurrent chemotherapy is recognized as the standard of care for the treatment of limited stage small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), but its utilization in this setting is unclear. The objective of this study was to analyze modern patterns of treatment for limited stage SCLC and the impact on survival utilizing the National Cancer Database. Methods Between 1999 and 2012, there were 25,045 patients diagnosed with nonmetastatic SCLC who met the selection criteria, of whom 22,626 had survival data. Those receiving 45 Gy in 1.5 Gy fractions twice-daily (BID) were compared with those receiving 45 to 72 Gy in 1.8 or 2.0 Gy fractions. Overall survival was analyzed via Kaplan–Meier analysis and compared using the log-rank test. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to identify covariates associated with survival. Results The utilization of BID radiation overall was 11.3%. Treatment at an academic center was associated with a higher likelihood of receiving BID treatment (odds ratio: 2.29, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.95–2.69; p p p p = 0.008) were associated with improved survival. Conclusions The adoption of BID radiation remains very limited, but is more commonly utilized in the academic setting. In this hospital-based study, BID fractionation was associated with improved survival over once-daily fractionation, even at doses ≥60 Gy.
Why minimal multiple rules provide a unique window into UG and L2

This article clarifies some ideas presented in this issue’s keynote article (Amaral and Roeper, this issue) and discusses several issues raised by the contributors’ comments on the nature of the Multiple Grammars (MG) theory. One of the key goals of the article is to unequivocally state that MG is not a parametric theory and that its current version follows very explicit minimalist assumptions. We also refine the notion of ‘minimal multiple rules’ to make their theoretical status more precise. Overall, we would like to acknowledge the important contribution of all the articles in this issue to the evolution of the theory.
Gastrointestinal and Liver Issues in Heart Failure

Heart failure affects ≈23 million people worldwide and continues to have a high mortality despite advancements in modern pharmacotherapy and device therapy. HF is a complex clinical syndrome that can result in the impairment of endocrine, hematologic, musculoskeletal, renal, respiratory, peripheral vascular, hepatic, and gastrointestinal systems. Although gastrointestinal involvement and hepatic involvement are common in HF and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, their bidirectional association with HF progression remains poorly fathomed. The current understanding of multiple mechanisms, including proinflammatory cytokine milieu, hormonal imbalance, and anabolic/catabolic imbalance, has been used to explain the relationship between the gut and HF and has been the basis for many novel therapeutic strategies. However, the failure of these novel therapies such as anti-tumor necrosis factor-α has resulted in further complexity. In this review, we describe the involvement of the gastrointestinal and liver systems within the HF syndrome, their pathophysiological mechanisms, and their clinical consequences.
Design of a Drilling Fluid Optimizing System Based on AI Production

Production system is a typical structure of AI Based on this structure, the paper set up a knowledge base of drilling fluid optimizing system But the chief problems of the simple production expert system are the efficiency interfere by combined conflict in rule base and invalid match, as well as the error produced by incomplete and imprecise data Using fuzzy reasoning and pattern identification arithmetic, the paper achieved the organization in expert knowledge and optimization design of drilling fluid
Communication Strategies and New Media Platforms: Exploring the Synergistic Potential of Health and Environmental Communication

Environmental communication and health communication are often intertwined. The complex connections between health and environmental issues can be seen in groundwater pollution, natural resource ex...
Nonlinear dynamics of face-gear transmission system

A nonlinear dynamic model of a face-gear transmission system was presented,which includes bearings,backlash,time-varying meshing stiffness,general transmission error,meshing damping,and external load,etc.The PNF(Poincar-Newton-Floquet) method was used to solve the dynamic differential equations.The calculation results show that the windows of chaotic responses and periodic responses will appear alternately.Four kinds of steady state responses,i.e.harmonic,non-harmonic,sub-harmonic,quasi-periodic and chaotic responses,can be obtained according to different parameters.The amplitudes of dynamic-load coefficients as for different dynamic responses,differ greatly so the system's dynamic responses should be kept in periodic windows by adjusting the system's rotating speed.
Employer-sponsored insurance coverage of smoking cessation treatments.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the costs and benefits of covering smoking cessation interventions from insurers' and employers' perspectives. STUDY DESIGN A Monte Carlo model was used to simulate smoking status and health expenditures in a hypothetical population of employees over a period of 20 years. METHODS Population characteristics were drawn from the 1997-2002 National Health Interview surveys. Multivariate regressions using a number of publicly available datasets from 1996-2002 generated transition probabilities for the simulation. The costs and benefits of scenarios where smoking cessation treatments were covered were compared with a scenario where none were covered. Sensitivity to parameter estimates was evaluated. RESULTS By the final simulation year, insurers had benefit-cost ratios of 0.56 to 1.67 with per member per month costs of -$0.22 to $0.43. The earliest year at which savings were achieved for insurers was year 8. Employers saw benefit-cost ratios of 1.88 to 5.58 by the final simulation year with per member per month costs of -$1.23 to -$0.15. Employers achieved savings as early as year 3 and as late as year 8. Models were sensitive to the rate at which population members were assumed to exit the insurer or employer. CONCLUSION Both insurers and employers may add smoking cessation benefits at minimal burden to their members and with potential savings, particularly where the population of interest is relatively stable.
Effective dietary counseling: helping patients find and follow "the way" to eat.

The leading causes of mortality in the U.S. are well known: cardiovascular disease, cancer and stroke. But, in the field of preventive medicine, the argument is made that these are not the causes of death, but rather the mechanisms of death, in turn the result of true, underlying causes. Of the more than 2 million deaths that occur each year in the U.S., more than 1 million are premature and "preventable" through the modification of lifestyle and environmental exposures. Due to the epidemic of obesity and overweight, a clinical practice that neglects patient nutrition (or physical activity) patterns is neglecting the leading causes of death for patients. On this basis, routine counseling to promote healthful eating is encouraged by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and there is evidence that physician training in nutrition enhances counseling.
The Write-All Problem: Algorithms

DEMONSTRATING the existence of robust algorithms for the Write-All problem given in Definition 1.4.1 is essential for developing the approach to algorithm simulations and transformations we present in Chapter 5. Here we describe and analyze several key algorithms for the Write-All problem using three different algorithmic paradigms. We begin overviewing the paradigms, and the basic algorithmic techniques and data structures used in solving the Write-All problem. In presenting the algorithms we normally give the complexity results in terms of N,the size of the Write-All array, and P,the number of initially available processors.
Recent incarceration and buprenorphine maintenance treatment outcomes among human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients.

ABSTRACTBackground: Opioid use disorder is a common cause of morbidity and mortality among people living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). Buprenorphine maintenance treatment (BMT) is an effective means of therapy, but patients with recent criminal justice involvement may need more support during BMT than other patients. The authors hypothesized that recently incarcerated BMT patients who initiated treatment in primary care would have poorer treatment outcomes than those who were not recently incarcerated. Methods: Investigators analyzed data from a multisite cohort study of BMT integrated into HIV care. Patients were stratified by self-reported incarceration in the 30 days before initiation of BMT. The outcomes of interest were 6- and 12-month treatment retention and self-reported opioid use. Investigators used multivariable logistic regression and hierarchical linear model, respectively, to evaluate the association between recent incarceration and these out...
Agent Reasoning Transparency’s Effect on Operator Workload:

We examined how varying the transparency of agent reasoning affected operator workload in a route selection task, and how the differing measures of workload compared in assessing and understanding ...
Biochemical and Functional Characterization of a Serum-Free rVWF Drug Candidate.

Abstract Recombinant VWF was co-expressed with recombinant FVIII in CHO cells. In order to obtain fully processed, mature rVWF, rVWF was exposed to recombinant CHO-cell-derived furin for VWF pro-peptide removal. Fermentation for both rVWF and furin and downstream processing were performed under serum-free conditions. Mature rVWF was highly purified by a series of conventional chromatography steps to a purity of > 95%. rVWF was formulated in a protein-free buffer. Several large scale batches of rVWF were produced and characterized in comparison to Humate-P, Wilfactin and a highly purified plasma-derived (pd)VWF, an experimental pd VWF product obtained from cryoprecipitate. Residual pro-VWF levels were approximately 2% of total VWF antigen compared with 0.12, 0.05 and 0.13 for the rVWF product, experimental pd VWF, Humate-P and Wilfactin, respectively. VWF pro-peptide levels were approximately 0.5 pmol per unit VWF antigen, compared with 0.6 and 0.9 for Humate-P and Wilfactin, respectively; in the experimental pd VWF pro-peptide was below the limit of detection. Residual FVIII content was approximately 0.02 units (chromogenic assay) per unit VWF antigen, compared with 0.4 units in Humate-P, and 0.04 units in Wilfactin, and ≤ 0.01 in the experimental pd VWF product. Ristocetin cofactor activity was around 0.7 VWF:RCo units per unit antigen for all rVWF and pd VWF products tested. Collagen-binding activity was also similar between rVWF and pd VWF controls (around 0.8 – 0.9 units per unit). FVIII-binding capacity of rVWF was compared by setting the mean pd VWF as 100% and was found to also be ± 100%. The VWF affinity for FVIII was similar in rVWF and pd VWF (Biacore). rVWF showed high molecular weight multimers in low resolution agarose gels, with a pre-dominance in the high molecular weight range. In contrast to pd VWF, rVWF showed homogenous multimer bands without triplet structure formation due to the non-exposure to ADAMTS13 during the manufacturing process. The pharmacokinetic properties of rVWF were compared with pd VWF in VWF knock-out mice. The half-life or rVWF in VWD mice was 4.3 and 3.5 hours for 2 batches investigated, which seems longer than the half-lives obtained for pd VWF, 2.9 hours for Humate-P and 2.2 hours for a highly purified pd VWF control. Both VWF preparations stabilized endogenous murine FVIII which rose over time to the levels observed in normal C57BI/6J mice. Overall, these results showed that the properties of mature, furin-processed rVWF in vitro and in vivo are equivalent to those of plasma-derived VWF.
Safety of Biologic and Nonbiologic Disease-modifying Antirheumatic Drug Therapy in Veterans with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Hepatitis C Virus Infection.

Objective To examine the effect of disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy on hepatotoxicity among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Methods We identified biologic and nonbiologic treatment episodes of patients with RA using the 1997–2011 national data from the US Veterans Health Administration. Eligible episodes had HCV infection (defined by detectable HCV RNA) and subsequently initiated a new biologic or nonbiologic DMARD. Cohort entry required a baseline alanine aminotransferase (ALT) Results RA patients with HCV (n = 748) were identified and contributed 1097 biologic/DMARD treatment episodes. Overall, ALT elevations were uncommon, with 37 (3.4%) hepatotoxicity events occurring within 12 months. Treatment episodes with biologic DMARD demonstrated more frequency of hepatotoxicity than did nonbiologic DMARD (4.8% vs 2.3%, p = 0.03). Among treatment episodes involving hepatotoxicity events, the majority occurred within 6 months of DMARD initiation (29/37, 78%). Conclusion In US veterans with HCV and RA receiving biologic and nonbiologic DMARD, the frequency of hepatotoxicity (ALT ≥ 100 IU/l) was low, with a higher frequency observed in treatment episodes with current biologic use.
Coupling social norms and commitments: Testing the underdetected nature of social influence

Abstract Normative information has shown success in promoting proenvironmental behavior. Research suggests that its influence is largely underdetected, with recipients widely underestimating its impact. Consequently, behavioral changes induced by normative information should be perceived as intrinsically motivated. This hypothesis was tested with a commitment-making procedure, where intrinsically motivated commitments tend to produce relatively long-term behavioral changes and extrinsically motivated commitments tend to produce relatively short-term changes. In a field experiment, 8876 households under drought restrictions were randomly assigned to receive restriction information, a strong warning, or normative information communicating community compliance to restrictions. Subsets of households in the latter two conditions were asked to commit to adhering to water restrictions. Immediate reductions were evidenced for committers that received either a strong warning or normative information, but only committers that received normative information showed longer-term reductions in water use. These findings support the claim that normative influence's underdetected nature promotes intrinsic motivation.
Effects of poverty on interacting biological systems underlying child development.

Summary The developmental sequelae of childhood poverty are well documented. However, it is not poverty per se, but a multitude of risk factors associated with poverty that have a deleterious effect on children's development. Key risks factors that are likely to contribute to the adverse developmental effects of poverty include, for instance, food insecurity, infectious disease, and psychological stress related to the child's rearing environment. In this Review, we highlight synergistic biological pathways through which co-occurring risks related to poverty interact to shape children's neurocognitive development. We focus on pathways related to neural growth, energy metabolism, inflammation, and neuroendocrine responses to stress as key biological axes through which poverty becomes biologically embedded and might have long-term effects on children's neurocognitive development. We also discuss how biomarkers targeting these axes can be used to advance research on the biological processes through which poverty affects children's cognitive outcomes. Although the discussion has global relevance, we focus on low-resource settings where rates of poverty are highest and access to treatment might be limited.
Effect of a push operator in genetic algorithms for multimodal optimization

Genetic Algorithms have been successfully used to solve multi-modal optimization problems, mainly due to their population approach and implicit parallel processing among multiple subpopulations. In order to find and maintain multiple regions, GAs implement a niching principle motivated from nature. The selection procedure of a GA is modified by restricting a comparison among similar solutions to bring about an additional level of diversity in the population. In another recent study, a real-parameter push-operator based on non-uniform coding principle applied to binary-coded GAs was proposed. The push-operator has shown to exhibit better convergence properties on many optimization problems compared to standard GA implementations. In this paper, we extend the push-operator and its implementation with the niching principle to solve multi-modal problems. On a number of constrained and unconstrained multi-modal test problems, we demonstrate its superior convergence to multiple optimal solutions simultaneously. Results are interesting and motivate us to extend the push-operator to multi-objective and other complex optimization tasks.
Chapter 19 – Pulmonary Vessels

Publisher Summary Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the most common obstructive lung diseases worldwide. This chapter focuses on the pulmonary vascular involvement of patients with COPD. COPD, in particular the emphysema variety, has long been recognized for its vascular involvement and for its association with pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary hypertension in COPD in most patients is mild to moderate at rest but can become severe with moderate exercise. Treatment approaches of pulmonary hypertension in COPD patients involve the reduction in pulmonary artery pressure, which is a consequence of long-term oxygen treatment. The therapeutic interventions that directly affect cardiac function and produce pulmonary vasodilation have significant effects on long-term survival in patients with pulmonary hypertension secondary to COPD. Future strategic developments may include the design of drugs that improve ventilation/perfusion mismatch and increase tissue oxygenation and the design of specific agents that decrease vascular wall thickening.
Two-transmitter two-receiver channel with confidential messages

We study the two-transmitter two-receiver channel with confidential messages channel under a secrecy constraint, exploring the effect of a single eavesdropper on the secure communication rate. A general achievable secrecy rate region and an outer bound are derived for the degraded version of this channel. An example is provided in which the inner and outer bound meet. For the general non-degraded channel, another outer bound is derived and a special case is highlighted in which the inner and outer bound meet. Our inner bound recovers the known inner bounds for the multiple-access wiretap channel, broadcast channel with confidential messages, and the compound MAC channel.
Factor structure of a standards-based inventory of competencies in social work with groups.

Purposes: This study extends previous findings on a measure of competencies based on Standards for Social Work Practice with Groups. The Inventory of Competencies in Social Work with Groups (ICSWG)...
Cost implications of PSA screening differ by age.

Multiple guidelines seek to alter rates of prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based prostate cancer screening. The costs borne by payers associated with PSA-based screening for men of different age groups—including the costs of screening and subsequent diagnosis, treatment, and adverse events—remain uncertain. We sought to develop a model of PSA costs that could be used by payers and health care systems to inform cost considerations under a range of different scenarios. We determined the prevalence of PSA screening among men aged 50 and higher using 2013-2014 data from a large, multispecialty group, obtained reimbursed costs associated with screening, diagnosis, and treatment from a commercial health plan, and identified transition probabilities for biopsy, diagnosis, treatment, and complications from the literature to generate a cost model. We estimated annual total costs for groups of men ages 50-54, 55-69, and 70+ years, and varied annual prostate cancer screening prevalence in each group from 5 to 50% and tested hypothetical examples of different test characteristics (e.g., true/false positive rate). Under the baseline screening patterns, costs of the PSA screening represented 10.1% of the total costs; costs of biopsies and associated complications were 23.3% of total costs; and, although only 0.3% of all screen eligible patients were treated, they accounted for 66.7% of total costs. For each 5-percentage point decrease in PSA screening among men aged 70 and older for a single calendar year, total costs associated with prostate cancer screening decreased by 13.8%. For each 5-percentage point decrease in PSA screening among men 50-54 and 55-69 years old, costs were 2.3% and 7.3% lower respectively. With constrained financial resources and with national pressure to decrease use of clinically unnecessary PSA-based prostate cancer screening, there is an opportunity for cost savings, especially by focusing on the downstream costs disproportionately associated with screening men 70 and older.
Preoperative laboratory testing : should any tests be routine before surgery ?

Routine preoperative testing of all patients before elective surgery is unjustified. The frequency of unanticipated abnormalities or abnormalities shown to change patient management is too low to justify a practice pattern of testing all patients. Furthermore, little evidence exists that test result abnormalities are associated with perioperative morbidity. Table 12 lists a compilation of the findings from this article and recommendations regarding routine testing.
Secure and Resilient Time Synchronization in Wireless Sensor Networks

An accurate and synchronized clock time is crucial in many sensor network applications. A number of time synchronization schemes have been proposed for wireless sensor networks recently to address the resource constraints in such networks. However, most of these techniques assume benign environments, thus cannot survive malicious attacks in hostile environments, especially when there are compromised nodes. In this chapter, we present the clock model for time synchronization, and briefly introduce the insecure time synchronization techniques in wireless sensor networks. We then present the challenges and requirements to secure time synchronization and summarize the recent progress on secure time synchronization in wireless sensor networks.
Tissue Staining (Chromoscopy) of the Gastrointestinal Tract

Tissue staining, or chomoscopy, is used as an adjunctive technique during gastrointestinal endoscopy. Chemical agents are applied to the gastrointestinal mucosal surface to identify specific epithelia or to enhance the mucosal surface characteristics of the gastrointestinal epithelium. This aids in the recognition of subtle lesions (ie, polyps) or allows directed targeting of biopsies (ie, sprue or Barrett's esophagus) to increase the yield of endoscopic diagnostic accuracy. The four endoscopic tissue-staining techniques in use are vital staining, contrast staining (chromoscopy), reactive staining and tattooing. Some of the agents used for endoscopic tissue staining and the uses of chromoscopy in identifying pathology of the esophagus, stomach, small bowel and colon during endoscopy are discussed.
Alternative Costing Environments

In this chapter we extend our study of product costing procedures to alternative, more specialized production settings. This extension is important for two reasons. First, the accounting library is always fine-tuned to its environment or setting. This chapter will allow us to demonstrate that theme and to explore particular important settings. Second, whatever the setting, the library building blocks of cost aggregation and linear approximation, interlinked with cost allocation, remain.
Overexpression of nutrient sensor, AMP activated kinase (AMPK), in skeletal muscle enhances muscle stem cell transplantation efficiency

Calorie restriction (CR) is a robust dietary intervention that extends lifespan and delays, prevents, or reduces the severity of age-related pathologies in variety of species. Previously, we have s...
William Frantz Public School: One School, One Century, Many Stories

William Frantz Public School (WFPS) in New Orleans, Louisiana, played a significant role in the story of desegregation in public K-12 education in the United States. This story began in 1960 when first-grader, Ruby Bridges, surrounded by federal marshals, climbed the steps to enroll as the school’s first Black student. Yet many subsequent stories unfolded within WFPS and offer an opportunity to open the discourse regarding systemic questions facing present-day United States public education - racial integration, accountability, and increasing support for charter schools. In this article, these stories are told first in the context of WFPS and then are connected to parallels found in other schools in New Orleans as well as other urban areas in the United States.
Random Forests

Random forests are a combination of tree predictors such that each tree depends on the values of a random vector sampled independently and with the same distribution for all trees in the forest. The generalization error for forests converges a.s. to a limit as the number of trees in the forest becomes large. The generalization error of a forest of tree classifiers depends on the strength of the individual trees in the forest and the correlation between them. Using a random selection of features to split each node yields error rates that compare favorably to Adaboost (Y. Freund & R. Schapire, Machine Learning: Proceedings of the Thirteenth International conference, aaa, 148–156), but are more robust with respect to noise. Internal estimates monitor error, strength, and correlation and these are used to show the response to increasing the number of features used in the splitting. Internal estimates are also used to measure variable importance. These ideas are also applicable to regression.