cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Methods for overcoming barriers in palliative care for ethnic/racial minorities: a systematic review.

ObjectivesEthnic/racial minority groups are less likely to discuss issues involving end-of-life treatment preferences and utilize palliative care or hospice services. Some barriers may be differences in language, religion, lower levels of health literacy, or less access to healthcare services and information. The purpose of this article is to conduct a systematic review on interventional studies that investigated methods to overcome the barriers faced by ethnic/racial minorities when accessing end-of-life services, including completing advanced directives, accepting palliative care, and enrolling in hospice.MethodsLiterature searches using four standard scientific search engines were conducted to retrieve articles detailing original research in an interventional trial design. All studies were conducted in an outpatient setting, including primary care visits, home visits, and dialysis centers. Target populations were those identified from ethnic or racial minorities.ResultsNine articles were selected to be included in the final review. All were full-text English language articles, with target populations including African Americans, Hispanic or Latinos, and Asian or Pacific Islanders. Measured outcomes involved level of comfort in discussing and knowledge of palliative care services, desire for aggressive care at the end-of-life, completion of advance directives, and rate of enrollment in hospice.Significance of ResultsThree main avenues of interventions included methods to enhance patient education, increase access to healthcare, or improve communication to establish better rapport with target population. Studies indicate that traditional delivery of healthcare services may be insufficient to recruit patients from ethnic/racial minorities, and outcomes can be improved by implementing tailored interventions to overcome barriers.
“Who We Are Today”: Latinx Youth Perspectives on the Possibilities of Being Bilingual and Bicultural

This article investigates the perspectives of seven adolescent Latinx students in relation to being bilingual and bicultural, and to their former K-8 elementary school, which offered a variety of c...
Modular and regioselective synthesis of all-carbon tetrasubstituted olefins enabled by an alkenyl Catellani reaction.

All-carbon tetrasubstituted olefins have been found in numerous biologically important compounds and organic materials. However, regio- and stereocontrolled construction of this structural motif still constitutes a significant synthetic challenge. Here, we show that a modular and regioselective synthesis of all-carbon tetrasubstituted olefins can be realized via alkenyl halide- or triflate-mediated palladium/norbornene catalysis, which is enabled by a modified norbornene containing a C2 amide moiety. This new norbornene co-catalyst effectively suppressed undesired cyclopropanation pathways, which have previously been a main obstacle for developing such reactions. Diverse cyclic and acyclic alkenyl bromides or triflates with a wide range of functional groups can be employed as substrates. Various substituents can be introduced at the alkene C1 and C2 positions regioselectively simply by changing the coupling partners. Initial mechanistic studies provide insights on the rate-limiting step as well as the structure of the actual active ligand in this system. All-carbon tetrasubstituted olefins are challenging to prepare in a regio- and stereocontrolled fashion. Now, using an amide-substituted norbornene as a co-catalyst, alkenyl halide- or triflate-mediated palladium/norbornene (Pd/NBE) catalysis has been demonstrated, providing an efficient strategy for modular and regioselective construction of all-carbon tetrasubstituted olefins.
Reseñas. Revisión de artículos de autores chilenos

En esta seccion se revisan articulos publicados por autores nacionales en el area de la ensenanza de las ciencias que aparecieron en las bases Scielo y Scopus durante el 2018
The spectrum and severity of bleeding in adolescents with low von Willebrand factor-associated heavy menstrual bleeding.

Low von Willebrand factor (VWF) in adults is associated with significant bleeding, most notably heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) and postpartum hemorrhage, although this has not been characterized in adolescents. The objectives of this analysis of a multicenter single arm observational cohort study in adolescents with low VWF-associated HMB were to describe the bleeding phenotype, HMB severity, and related complications. Eligibility criteria included postmenarchal females 100) and low VWF (2 values of VWF activity ≥30 and ≤50 IU/dL). Patients diagnosed with other bleeding disorders were ineligible. Clinical phenotype data, including PBAC and Bleeding Assessment Tool (BAT) scores, laboratory data, and HMB management/outcome details, were extracted. Patient demographics and clinical characteristics were summarized as medians with minimum/maximum values or frequencies with percentages. Groups were compared using a Wilcoxon rank-sum test or Fisher's exact test. A total of 113 patients met inclusion criteria, and 2 were excluded. Ninety four percent had a significant bleeding phenotype (BAT score >2), with predominantly mucocutaneous bleeding (32%-44%), postprocedural/surgical bleeding (15%), and severe HMB (BAT HMB domain score ≥2; 90%). Bleeding complications included iron deficiency (60%), anemia (21%), transfusion (12%), and hospitalization (10%). Desmopressin challenge response in subjects tested was good and sustained. Several (48%) required combined therapy for HMB (hormonal/hemostatic), and one third did not show improvement despite therapy. Our results suggest that adolescent females with low VWF have a significant bleeding phenotype and resultant complications warranting a focus on prompt diagnosis, appropriate therapy, and prevention of complications.
Recommendations for Online Teaching

This is a collection of recommendations drawn from a variety of sources, including our colleagues, students, webinars, books, articles, podcasts, and our own experimentation. It is not our expectation that any individual professor would adopt all of these suggestions and indeed no one of us intends to. Instead, we hope that some of these are helpful to you. Some suggestions deal with the nuts and bolts of teaching online while others with how to accomplish broader goals. The general recommendations are broadly applicable to all courses taught online, while the individual class-type recommendations are intended to complement and augment the general recommendations. Additionally, these recommendations will be revised as we continue to learn from our experiences in online instruction.
Comparison of metabolic syndrome elements in White and Asian women with polycystic ovary syndrome: results of a regional, American cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT Objective To examine differences in metabolic dysfunction between Caucasian, East Asian, and South Asian women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) living in the San Francisco Bay Area. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Referral clinic at an academic center. Patient(s) 243 Caucasian, 25 South Asian, and 38 East Asian women with PCOS according to the Rotterdam criteria, aged 14-57, were recruited from May 2006 to 2017. Intervention(s) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) Fasting and two-hour insulin and glucose, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and fasting lipids. Metabolic syndrome and its 5 individual components were defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel guidelines. Result(s) Median baseline body mass index (25.9 vs. 24.8 vs. 24.0 kg/m2) and age (28.3 vs. 25.2 vs. 29.4 years) did not differ between Caucasian, South Asian, and East Asian women. Two-hour insulin levels were elevated in East and South Asian women at > 25-30 and > 30 years, respectively (P=0.03 for both comparisons), compared with Caucasians in the same age groups. Two-hour glucose was also elevated in East Asian women compared with Caucasian women at age > 30 years (P=0.04). No other differences were detected in continuous metabolic markers or in the risk of metabolic syndrome and its components across the three race categories. Conclusion(s) Caucasian, South Asian, and East Asian women with PCOS living in the same geographic region have comparable metabolic profiles to one another, although Asian women have higher two-hour insulin levels and East Asian women in particular have higher two-hour glucose levels.
Visual outcomes after cataract surgery: topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug prophylaxis compared with prednisolone.

Purpose To compare visual outcomes in patients without a history of macula edema following phacoemulsification using combination topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) plus prednisolone with prednisolone alone SETTING:: Kaiser Permanente Northern California, June 1, 2010, through May 31, 2015. Design Retrospective cohort study. Methods Information was obtained from the electronic health record. The first measure of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) recorded during the period 3 weeks to 1 year after phacoemulsification was obtained. Confounding factors and clustering of eyes within patients were adjusted using linear mixed effects regression models for the continuous outcomes of BCVA improvement and general estimating equations for the dichotomous outcome of 20/20 or better versus 20/25 or worse. Results The study included 62,700 health plan members of whom 42% (N=26,334) used topical prednisolone alone while 58% (N=36,366) used combination treatment. The average within-person change in BCVA from the preoperative measurement to the postoperative measurement was the same (-0.43 logMAR) for patients in the two groups. However, the group that received combination treatment was somewhat more likely to achieve BCVA of 20/20 or better (OR 1.24 with 95% CI 1.20-1.28). Conclusions In this large study of cataract surgery patients, a small statistically-significant association of combination treatment compared to prednisolone alone was observed.
Accessibility and Discoverability. A Report on the ALCTS CaMMS Catalog Form and Function Interest Group Meeting

The ALCTS CaMMS Catalog Form and Function Interest Group Meeting was held virtually via Zoom meeting on June 30, 2020, for an hour and a half. The program for the meeting included two presentations...
Density Matrix Quantum Circuit Simulation via the BSP Machine on Modern GPU Clusters

As quantum computers evolve, simulations of quantum programs on classical computers will be essential in validating quantum algorithms, understanding the effect of system noise, and designing applications for future quantum computers. In this paper, we first propose a new multi-GPU programming methodology called MG-BSP which constructs a virtual BSP machine on top of modern multi-GPU platforms, and apply this methodology to build a multi-GPU density matrix quantum simulator called DM-Sim. We propose a new formulation that can significantly reduce communication overhead, and show that this formula transformation can conserve the semantics despite noise being introduced. We build the tool-chain for the simulator to run open standard quantum assembly code, execute synthesized quantum circuits, and perform ultra-deep and largescale simulations. We evaluated DM-Sim on several state-of-theart multi-GPU platforms including NVIDIA’s PascaUVolta DGX1, DGX-2, and ORNL’s Summit supercomputer. In particular, we have demonstrated the simulation of one million general gates in 94 minutes on DGX-2, far deeper circuits than has been demonstrated in prior works. Our simulator is more than 10x faster with respect to the corresponding state-vector quantum simulators on GPUs and other platforms. The DM-Sim simulator is released at: http:llgithub.comlpnnllDM-Sim.
11492 Mapping CTSA hub activities across the EQ-DI framework to discover opportunities for interaction between health equity and dissemination & implementation science; the case of University of Colorado and University of Rochester

ABSTRACT IMPACT: This study provides a framwork to inform and organize health equity efforts and initiatives at CTSA institutes. OBJECTIVES/GOALS: to map the activities of the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program hubs across the EQ-DI framework, to depict opportunities for interaction between health equity and dissemination & implementation (D&I) science. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: The EQ-DI framework demonstrates the dynamic interaction between D&I science and health equity. Health equity could be a lens to sensitize and inform D&I planning (through goal-setting and team development), execution (through ‘adaptation’ and D&I strategies), and evaluation (through incorporating health equity in D&I outcome assessment). On the other hand, D&I models, methods, and study designs can operationalize dissemination and implementation of evidence-based interventions to improve equity. Stakeholder engagement is at the center of the framework to inform and direct the sensitization and operationalization cycles. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: We reviewed the activities of Colorado Clinical & Translational Sciences Institute (CCTSI) and University of Rochester Clinical and Translational Science Institute (UR CTSI) to improve health equity and mapped them across the EQ-DI framework. The sensitizing activities included health equity training, eliciting community priorities, and inclusion of health equity as a critical axis in funding mechanisms. The operationalizing activities included D&I methodological training and consultation, collaborative team science, and funding mechanisms to support implementation of health equity EBIs. Community engagement through studios, community liaisons, and consults was a core priority guiding sensitizing and operationalizing activities. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF FINDINGS: The CTSA Program has been a champion for community engagement and translational collaboration to improve individual and population health. CTSA hubs provide infrastructure and resources to facilitate equity-focused D&I.
Associations Between Occupational and Leisure-Time Physical Activity With Employee Stress, Burnout and Well-Being Among Healthcare Industry Workers:

Purpose:Examine the associations of occupational and leisure-time physical activity with job stress, burnout, and well-being among healthcare industry workers.Design:Quantitative; cross-sectional.S...
Temporal-Logic-Constrained Hybrid Reinforcement Learning to Perform Optimal Aerial Monitoring with Delivery Drones

In this paper, we consider a package delivery drone that is desired to simultaneously perform aerial monitoring as a secondary mission. To integrate this secondary mission, we utilize a reward function representing the value of information gathered via aerial monitoring. We use time window temporal logic (TWTL) specifications to define the pickup and delivery tasks while utilizing reinforcement learning (RL) to maximize the expected sum of rewards. The high-level decision-making of the drone is modeled as a Markov decision process (MDP). In this regard, we extend the previous work where a model-free RL algorithm was used to solve this optimization problem. We propose a modified Dyna-Q algorithm to address the shortage of online samples. We provide extensive simulation results to compare the performance of the model-free and hybrid RL algorithms in this application and investigate the effect of the different system parameters on the overall performance.
Whistler Waves above Lower Hybrid Frequency in the Ionosphere and their Counterpart in the Magnetosphere

Whistler mode waves are a right-hand circularly polarized electromagnetic waves in the very low frequency (VLF) range, which can be excited and propagate in the region through the Earth's atmosphere to the magnetosphere. Typical examples of whistler mode waves include chorus, plasmaspheric hiss, lightning generated whistler (LGW), VLF waves ejected by ground transmitters. The whistler mode wave can interact with energetic electrons and plays an important role in both electron loss and acceleration in the magnetosphere.
15 Seconds to Alpha: Higher frequency risk pricing for commercial real estate securities

This paper introduces a generalizable method to estimate reduced form risk decompositions at daily and intraday frequencies applied to CMBX. We estimate partitions for the risks of default, liquidity, excess liquidity, and interest rate volatility at daily and intraday frequencies. Our new estimation technique combines previously simulated risk partitions with current market data using principal components and OLS methods. We find liquidity and excess liquidity risk partitions are significant in explaining daily effective bid-ask spreads historically, from 11/2007-4/2019, and in 20-day forecasts. During the Covid pandemic, we extend the model from daily to intraday frequency, estimating intraday in 15 second intervals over the period 4/2020-4/2021. During Covid, we find regular patterns of risk partition volatility in the cross-section and exploit those insights in the related, and more frequently traded, REIT sector in automated trading strategies. In our 54 long/short day trading strategies, 96% showed significant alphas, and 63% produced abnormal cumulative returns between 0.73% and 48.74%. These results support pricing risk with risk partitioning at higher frequencies for commercial real estate securities.
Impact of Possibly Oncogenic High-Risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Types in Triage for ASC-US Cervical Cytology Results.

OBJECTIVE Current guidelines recommend including 13 or 14 high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types for triage of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) cervical cytology; however, at least 13 additional types are considered possibly oncogenic. We evaluated the effect of including possibly oncogenic HPV types in the test panel. METHODS Outcomes for all women 30 years or older with ASC-US and positive HPV testing who underwent colposcopic biopsy at University of Washington Medical Center-affiliated clinics between 2010 and 2011 were reviewed. We compared biopsy results between cases that were HPV positive for 1 or more of 13 possibly oncogenic types only (26/53/55/62/64/67/69/71/73/82/83/84/IS39) versus 1 or more of the 14 established high-risk types (16/18/31/33/35/39/45/51/52/56/58/59/66/68). We used the Fisher exact test to compare cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or higher (CIN2+) diagnoses between HPV risk groups. RESULTS Three hundred twenty-six ASC-US HPV-positive cervical cytology results were identified, with 170 that were linked to subsequent cervical biopsy results. Among 51 cases positive for possibly oncogenic types only, 31 (61%) had no neoplasia, 20 (39%) had CIN1, and none had CIN2+. Among 119 controls positive for at least one established high-risk type, 64 (53%) had no neoplasia, 42 (35%) had CIN1, and 13 (11%) had CIN2+ (p = .01 for the comparison of CIN2+ diagnoses between groups). CONCLUSIONS The inclusion of possibly oncogenic types in the HPV test panel led to an additional 51 colposcopy biopsies (33% increase), with no additional cases of CIN 2+. Our results suggest that including possibly oncogenic HPV types increases the number of colposcopy biopsies with minimal improvements in detection of CIN2 +.
Sampling, Interpolation, and Quantization

This chapter deals with the conversion between real (i.e., spatially and temporally continuous) images and their discrete representation. The mathematics of the conversion processes is discussed and is found to be straightforward. The introduction of perceptual considerations makes the subject more complex, but also more rewarding. It is shown that substantial improvements in image quality, for a given amount of digital data, are possible using perceptual, rather than mathematical, criteria, particularly in the choice of presampling filters and postsampling interpolators.Similarly, perceptual considerations can be brought to bear on the design of quantizers. Appropriate placement of quantization levels and the use of randomization techniques can significantly reduce the visibility of quantization noise.
Stabilization of Metals in Subsurface by Biopolymers: Laboratory Drainage Flow Studies

Environmental contamination with heavy metals and radionuclides remains a major problem worldwide. The current clean-up methodologies are based on energy-intensive engineering processes, which are disruptive and costly. A new universal technology targeted for the permanent enclosure and fixation of nuclear and other extreme hazardous metallic wastes in subsurface sites is needed. Such technology will be useful in treating contamination at many sites in the U.S., with specific applications to Department of Energy (DOE) sites. Biopolymers are potential tools for such an innovative technology. Biopolymers have repeated sequences, and therefore provide ample opportunity for chemical reactions with metals, soil particles, and other biopolymers. They also have the additional ability of creating cross-linking interpenetrating networks that can encapsulate the contaminants. Based on this concept, in the present work five biopolymers (xanthan, chitosan, polyhydroxy butyrate, guar gum, polyglutamic acid) were inves...
Bangladesh insulin guideline (premix) for type 2 diabetes

Mymensingh Med J . 2011 Jan;20(1):173-182 The abstract of this article is available on the PubMed website
Oriented filters for vessel contrast enhancement with local directional evidence

Vascular structures occur in abundance within biomedical and biological image processing applications. From detecting retinal blood vessels to analyzing shape and connectivity of neurons, segmentation of vascular structures has received significant attention in the literature. Robust segmentation often demands a preprocessing stage involving enhancement of the tubular objects. We propose a novel method to enhance vascular structures from low contrast images by incorporating evidence of neighboring tubular structures in addition to the local vessel detection. We show that the proposed algorithm, called local directional evidence (LDE), is capable of handling bifurcations, intensity inhomogeneity and complex geometry of the vessels, thus providing a robust preprocessing for segmentation. Experiments on a collection of biological images containing vascular objects suggest efficacy of LDE when used as a precursor to segmentation. We observe that LDE improves the average segmentation performance by 63% on our database over the vessel enhancing filter of [1].
Cocycle Deformations of Algebraic Identities and R-matrices

For an arbitrary identity L = R between compositions of maps L and R on tensors of vector spaces V , a general construction of a 2-cocycle condition is given. These 2-cocycles correspond to those obtained in deformation theories of algebras. The construction is applied to a canceling pairings and copairings, with explicit examples with calculations. Relations to the Kauffman bracket and knot invariants are discussed.
Motivating adherence among adolescents with cystic fibrosis: Youth and parent perspectives

As advances in the care of individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) have resulted in improved survival, therapeutic regimens for treatment of CF have become increasingly complex. This high treatment burden poses challenges to chronic disease self-management, particularly amongst adolescents. The aim of this qualitative study was to understand the barriers and facilitators of adherence to chronic CF therapies as perceived by adolescents with CF and their parents. In a series of structured interviews with 18 youth and their parents, we explored issues related to daily routines, youth and parental roles regarding chronic therapy, and motivators for adherence. All interviews were audio-recorded and coded for themes and patterns. Reported barriers to adherence included time pressures, competing priorities, heightened awareness of disease trajectory, privacy concerns, and lack of perceived consequences from non-adherence. Identified facilitators for adherence included recognizing the importance of therapies, developing strong relationships with care teams, establishing structured routines, and focusing on shifting responsibilities from a parent to their adolescent child. The themes uncovered by these interviews identify areas for intervention and support by clinical programs seeking to improve adherence and self-management strategies for adolescents with CF.
SEGREGATION OF LOW MOLECULAR WEIGHT SYMMETRIC DIBLOCK COPOLYMERS AT THE INTERFACE OF HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT HOMOPOLYMERS

Elastic recoil detection was used to study the segregation of low molecular weight symmetric diblock copolymers of polystyrene (PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) to the interface of PS and PMMA homopolymers. At the concentrations studied, Σ i -1 , the excess number of copolymer chains per unit area at the interface of the homopolymers, varied linearly with, φ c , the volume fraction of copolymer chains in the bulk. The solubility of the copolymer chains was found to be slightly higher in the PMMA phase than in the PS phase. The results are compared with predictions based on modifications of mean field arguments of Leibler
Presidentialism, Electoral Identifiability, and Budget Balances in Democratic Systems

This paper examines the impact of the form of government— –presidential or parliamentary— –on fiscal outcomes in democratic systems. Based on data for democracies in 98 countries between 1970 and 2002, it shows that the gross domestic product ratio of the central government budget balance is higher in presidential than in parliamentary democracies. It also shows that this impact is not due to the fact that presidential systems are not subject to the “costs of coalition” that allegedly afflict parliamentary democracies: the coalition and status of the government are of no consequence for budget balances in either presidential or parliamentary systems. Presidential systems matter for budget balances because they generate relatively high incentives for governments to keep budgets under control. They do so because in presidential systems, unlike in parliamentary systems, voters are by design able to identify and punish those responsible for economic policies. Presidents, however, vary in their capacity to affect budget policies. This paper demonstrates that presidential systems in which presidents are constitutionally able to dominate the budget process or to effectively veto legislation tend to have higher budget balances than those in which the budget process is dominated by the legislature or the president is unable to exercise existing veto powers. oes the form of democratic government matter for economic outcomes? Specifically, does it matter for economic performance whether a country has a presidential or a parliamentary constitution? In this paper I show that it does, at least when it comes to fiscal outcomes: on balance, budget deficits are smaller in presidential than in parliamentary democracies. The reason, I suggest, has to do with the way presidential constitutions define the relationship between the voters and the government; specifically with the fact that electoral identifiability— –the ability of voters to identify and punish those responsible for economic policies— –is by design high in presidential systems, thus generating incentives for the president— –the head of the government— –to keep budgets under control. Moreover, I show that, given their incentives to control budget deficits, presidents vary in their capacity to do so. Most of the comparative studies of presidentialism have focused on the impact that a system in which the executive and the legislature are independent from one another might have on the survival of democracy. There were empirical and theoretical reasons for this concern. A cursory look around the world shows that there is only one long-living democracy that is also presidential— –the United States. At the same time, Latin America, the region of the world where presidential institutions have dominated since the 19th century, is also the region with the highest level of regime instability, understood here as shifts between dictatorship and democracy: whereas the 18 countries that comprise
Characterization of low pressure chemically vapor deposited silicon nitride using experimental design

Abstract During the low pressure chemical vapor deposition of Si3N4, significant interactions occur between the temperature, time, and gas flows, and thus a designed set of experiments has been used to establish the optimum deposition conditions. The conditions employed in this study were dictated by a full factorial matrix of the independent variables over 20 deposition runs. This procedure allowed us to vary the flow rates of NH3 and SiH2Cl2 as well as the temperature and time of deposition. In this way we were able to determine the effects of these variables and their interactions on the electrical, physical, and chemical properties of the Si3N4. Deposition conditions can then be chosen to optimize film properties. Two sets of samples were prepared: Si3N4 was deposited either directly on silicon substrates or on silicon covered with 25 nm of SiO2; the nitride films deposited on SiO2 were subjected to a wet oxidation to simulate the structure in working devices. Following the formation of polysilicon electrodes on both types of samples, capacitance-voltage measurements were performed to obtain data on fixed charge in the insulating layers and on interface state density. The properties investigated were thickness and composition of the Si3N4; profiles of the silicon, nitrogen, oxygen, and chlorine content were obtained by secondary ion mass spectrometry and Rutherford backscattering analysis. We discovered that a significant amount of chlorine was incorporated in the nitride layers during deposition, that this chlorine was able to diffuse through an underlying SiO2 layer and to accumulate at the SiSiO2 interface, and that the chlorine had a strong effect on the amount of fixed charge in the structure. The deposition rate increased with the ratio of SiH2Cl2 to NH3 flow, as did the amount of chlorine in the nitride, while the magnitude of the negative fixed charge in the dielectric layer decreased. Following an induction period that depended on temperature and gas flow rates, the deposition rate was thermally activated and constant.
Hemodynamics of the Developing Cardiovascular System

The development of the heart represents an intriguing, yet poorly understood interrelationship of function and form. Early in development, the heart is a pulsatile musclewrapped tube that transforms through morphogenesis into a four-chambered, fourvalved pump with separate systemic and pulmonary circulations. The cellular processes involved in morphogenesis are an intriguing aspect of cardiac development. The eventual shape and function of the heart is a complex interrelationship of genetics and epigenetics. The biochemical forces generated by the embryonic heart participate in the ultimate shape through modulation of the developmental process. Our research team has spent the last decade studying the interrelationship of function and form in cardiac development. This chapter summarizes our extensive studies of normal hemodynamic function and new work that links work load and heart growth. We have chosen the chick embryo model for several reasons. First, this is a widely accepted model of vertebrate heart development. Second, many laboratories are studying cellular and molecular biology of normal cardiac development. Third, the access to the chick embryo, although complicated, is not as difficult as a mammalian model. Accurate physiologic measurement required the adaptation of a variety of techniques to measure pressure and flow in the embryonic heart. We measured blood flow with a 20 MHz pulse Doppler velocity system and piezoelectric crystals between 0.5 and 0.75 mm in diameter.' Pressure measurements were made with a servo-null micropressure system from 5 micron diameter probes inserted into the various portions of the cardiovascular system.' These techniques have been detailed in our previous publications and are now used by other laboratories in their own studies of cardiovascular de~elopment.~.~ The period of initial heart formation is characterized by morphogenesis of the heart and by rapid growth of the embryo and the extraembryonic vascular bed. The primary function of the cardiovascular system is to meet the metabolic demands of the body, delivering nutrients and removing metabolic waste products from areas of rapid growth. Remarkably, the heart continues these roles during the process of heart formation and adaptation of marked hemodynamic demands. Growth of the embryo and the extraembryonic bed is extremely rapid. From stage 12 to 29,4 there is nearly a 120-fold increase in embryo mass (FIG. 1). During this time, the extraembryonic vascular bed responsible for gas exchange and nutrient delivered from the yolk sac increases only 30-fold. The relative weight of the ventricle
Effects of Cellular Interactions on Calcium Dynamics in Prolactin-Secreting Cells

Signals derived from other pituitary cells can have a dramatic effect on PRL gene expression and secretion by mammotropes. However, the intracellular mechanisms by which these effects are manifested on the target cell remain unexplored. Inasmuch as calcium is a key modulator of both gene expression and hormone export in mammotropes, we evaluated the effects of cell to cell contact vs. specific cellular interactions on calcium dynamics within these cells. This was accomplished by digital-imaging fluorescence microscopy of fura-2 in pituitary cells that were isolated in culture (singles) or adjoining one other cell (doublets). After calcium imaging, we then subjected cells to immunocytochemistry for PRL. Doublets were further categorized into mammotropes attached to another mammotrope (M-M) or to a nonmammotrope (M-nonM). We then calculated and compared Mean[ Ca2+]i values as well as Oscillation Indices (which reflect the oscillatory behavior of cells) in singles and doublets and found that they were not di...
The impact of a state mandated expenditure floor on aggregate property values

Abstract Using a test of allocative efficiency in the local public sector developed by Brueckner [Journal of Public Economics 19 (1982) 311–331], this study empirically examines the impact of a state minimum education expenditure requirement on aggregate property values in Connecticut communities. The empirical results reveal that the typical community in Connecticut spends less on education and municipal services than the level that maximizes aggregate property values. The results further indicate that spending on education falls further below the property maximization level in those communities constrained by the state expenditure floor. It follows from the analysis that some state expenditure floors can raise aggregate property values and promote efficiency.
MO‐E‐AUD‐01: Automated CBCT QA for Image‐Guided Radiation Therapy

Purpose: The use of image‐guided patient positioning requires fast and reliable Quality Assurance (QA) methods to ensure the megavoltage (MV) treatment beam coincides with the integrated kilovoltage (kV) imaging and guidance system. This study describes an automated and comprehensive QA procedure to monitor the coincidence of the mechanical, radiation and imaging isocenters using cone‐beam CT (CBCT) and planar X‐ray imaging.Method and Materials: The On‐Board Imaging (OBI) system consists of a kV x‐ray tube and an amorphous‐silicon flat panel imaging detector which are attached to a medical linear accelerator. A Penta‐Guide phantom (Modus Medical Devices Inc. London, Ontario, Canada) with five internal markers and external markers for isocenter position and field sizes was imaged using the CBCT, kV and MV capabilities. The markers' location and size can be automatically determined using our graphical software system. The accuracy of CBCTimaging is assessed by comparison of the extracted marker positions and sizes against the phantom specifications. The coincidence of the imaging and dosimetric isocenters are tested by a similar analysis of the markers extracted from the kV and MV images. Additional tests are also performed such as isocenter stability with gantry angle, image size, collimator angle and size, and gantry angle. Results: The test was performed on all four IGRT‐enabled machines available in our institution. The coincidence between the mechanical, radiation and imaging isocenter are within 1 mm for all four accelerators. Isocenter stability with gantry angle was also within 1 mm. The acquisition of the images took ∼ 5 min, and the automated software analysis took less than 1 min. Conclusion: Our automated image analysis may be used as a daily QA procedure because it is completely automated and uses a single phantom setup.
A Review of Treatment Adherence Measurement Methods.

Fidelity measurement is critical for testing the effectiveness and implementation in practice of psychosocial interventions. Adherence is a critical component of fidelity. The purposes of this review were to catalogue adherence measurement methods and assess existing evidence for the valid and reliable use of the scores that they generate and the feasibility of their use in routine care settings. A systematic literature search identified articles published between 1980-2008 reporting studies of evidence-based psychosocial treatments for child or adult mental health problems, including mention of adherence or fidelity assessment. Coders abstracted data on the measurement methods and clinical contexts of their use. Three hundred forty-one articles were reviewed, in which 249 unique adherence measurement methods were identified. These methods assessed many treatment models, although more than half (59%) assessed cognitive behavioral treatments. The measurement methods were used in studies with diverse clientele and clinicians. The majority (71.5%) of methods were observational. Information about psychometric properties was reported for 35% of the measurement methods, but adherence-outcomes relationships were reported for only 10%. Approximately 1/3 of the measures were used in community-based settings. Many adherence measurement methods have been used in treatment research; however, little reliability and validity evidence exists for the use of these methods. That some methods were used in routine care settings suggests the feasibility of their use in practice; however, information about the operational details of measurement, scoring, and reporting is sorely needed to inform and evaluate strategies to embed fidelity measurement in implementation support and monitoring systems.
Adopt, adapt, abandon: Understanding why some young adults start, and then stop, using instant messaging

Instant messaging (IM) has become a popular and important mode of staying in touch for teens and young adults. It allows for easy, frequent and lightweight interaction that contributes to building and sustaining friendships, as well as coordinating social activities. Despite the initial appeal of IM, however, some have found it too distracting and have changed their usage or abandoned it. I interviewed 21 former users of IM about their adoption, usage and eventual abandonment of the technology. Results show that participants were initially attracted to features of IM that enabled them to maximize their use of leisure time via easy and frequent interaction with their friends, but that, in a different usage context, these same features became distracting and annoying. Participants adapted their behavior to avoid these drawbacks, but IM did not support these adaptations effectively. In particular, IM did not allow for control over interruptions, which became more important as their contact lists grew and social time became scarce; and they ultimately abandoned the technology. These results point to a need for understanding use beyond adoption, and a theoretical and practical focus on understanding the adaptation and changing utility that accompany long-term usage of technologies.
The relationships between income and price elasticities in studies of housing demand, tenure choice, and household formation

Abstract Three decisions pertaining to the demand for housing are (1) household formation, (2) tenure choice, and (3) how much housing to consume, given the household formation and tenure choice decisions. Income and price elasticities can be estimated that include one, two, or all three of these decisions. The relationships between these elasticities are developed.
Linearized gyro-kinetics

In preceding work on plasma gyro-kinetics magnetic coordinates were introduced prior to making the transformation to the guiding centre variables. It is the transformation from the particle variables to the guiding centre variables which permits finite gyroradius effects to be retained in lowest order. The present treatment avoids the substantial mathematical complications inherent in these prior treatments by introducing the transformation to the guiding centre variables and performing the guiding centre gyrophase average before specifying the magnetic coordinates to be employed. In this way the unperturbed, gyro-averaged Vlasov operator which retains finite gyro-effects is obtained in the most convenient manner for arbitrary unperturbed magnetic fields.
Male homosexuality in contemporary mainland China.

Through a unique circumstance described in the text we have 60 letters (of which 56 were from a gay population) concerning homosexuality in contemporary China. Though the sample is not randomly selected it is the first of its kind. An analysis of these letters shows some interesting results and patterns. Among these are (i) a widespread distribution of gay people in China in terms of their geographic locations, ages, and occupations; (ii) the pain and mental anguish they suffer from being unable to openly and legally seek homosexual partners and the contradiction experienced from living in two worlds; (iii) their wishes and demands for a better and more reasonable treatment, and (iv) their hope that they will be provided a place or some mechanism so that they can converse and interact freely. To better reflect what they think and feel about themselves, their problems, and their hopes we have used quotations from these letters extensively. It is our belief that at this initial exploratory stage of the study on Chinese homosexuality, it is best to let the respondents speak for themselves.
Multiple scattering in the Compton effect. I. Analytic treatment of angular distributions and total scattering probabilities

The probabilities of single and multiple Compton scattering and the angular distributions of scattered photons are analyzed in terms of the effects of sample geometry and details of the photon-electron interaction (form of the single-electron cross section). It is shown that the desired desired quantities may be calculated analytically if Thomson scattering and an appropriate geometry are assumed. Consideration of scattering using an isotropic cross section suggests that in most cases sample geometry is more important than the form of the cross section in determining the probability and angular distribution of single and multiple scattering.
Cancer therapy and oral mucositis : an appraisal of drug prophylaxis

Oral mucositis as a consequence of cytotoxic therapy is a major cause of morbidity in cancer patients. Cancer therapy-induced tissue damage leading to mucositis can occur through either direct or indirect stomatotoxicity. Once mucositis has occurred, treatment consists of measures to palliate symptoms. The prevention of cancer therapy-induced oral mucositis is less standardised. Numerous drugs have been used as prophylactic agents to prevent chemo- and radiotherapy-induced mucositis. Controlled trials have shown some degree of prophylactic efficacy for sucralfate, chlorhexidine and benzydamine. Positive but non-placebo-controlled trials requiring more study have been conducted with dinoprostone (prostaglandin E2), silver nitrate, s-carotene, pentoxifylline and lozenges containing polymixin B, tobramycin and amphotericin B. Current studies have shown a lack of efficacy with allopurinol and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). Nonpharmacological methods such as oral cryotherapy and helium-neon laser treatments have shown some promise. At the present time no agent has been shown to be uniformly efficacious and can be accepted as standard therapy. Additional studies combining several agents or incorporating nonpharmacological manoeuvres for mucositis prevention are needed.
Path integrals and Lyapunov functionals

A method for generating Lyapunov functionals for time-delay systems by means of path integrals in state space is given. The method is derived by making use of a new description of such systems in terms of convolution equations involving distributions with compact support. The important properties of these equations are discussed and it is shown that a suitable state space can be defined. Path integrals in this state space are defined and conditions for path independence are derived. With the aid of some results dealing with the spectral factorization of entire functions of exponential order, it is shown that these path integrals can be used to define Lyapunov functionals for time-delay systems. The method given represents an extension to infinite-dimensional systems of a technique developed by Brockett for systems described by ordinary differential equations. While the present approach differs fundamentally from that used for finite-dimensional systems, the results given here are similar to, and in the special case of finite-dimensional systems reduce to, the results given by Brockett. Hence the method given can be successfully applied even without a deep understanding of either distributions or distributional convolution equations. This is illustrated by a number of examples which show the application of the results to stability analysis as well as to a class of quadratic minimiization problems.
Some aspects of electrocardiography in infants and children with congenital heart disease.

1)Some of the characteristic electrocardiographic patterns in normal infants and in infants and children with operable forms of congenital heart disease are briefly reviewed. 2)One of the precordial lead patterns of right ventricular hypertrophy during early childhood is similar to that of normal infants during the first day of life. This is the pattern of upright T waves in leads from the right and flattened T waves in leads from the left side of the precordium. 3)The prognostic significance of right ventricular hypertrophy in infants with uncomplicated coarctation of the aorta is reviewed. 4)The diagnostic value of the electrocardiogram in patent ductus arteriosus is briefly summarized. 5)A characteristic precordial lead pattern is described in typical cases of tricuspid atresia. This consists of broad P waves, short PR interval or segment, broad QRS, absence of Q waves and late activation in leads from the left side of the precordium.