cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Transforming the Dependent Variable on Predictive Validity in OLS Conjoint Estimation Procedure

This paper presents an empirical study which examines the effect of transforming respondent-generated integer rank order preferences in the metric OLS conjoint estimation procedure on predictive validity of the derived part-worths.
Fears, Frustrations and Economic Setbacks: Leadership Concerns for an Accurate 2010 Census

The article looks at the daunting challenges that lie ahead for the Census Bureau in its task to count a population that will top 305 million; an increase of 20 million since the 2000 Census. The Constitution mandates a count of every person living in the United States – people of all races and ethnic groups – every ten years in order to determine the population of each state. It is crucial that the census be as accurate as possible. These numbers are used to allocate seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and for the purpose of drawing boundaries for congressional, state, and local legislative districts. It also impacts the distribution of federal financial assistance to each state based on their counted population. Census inaccuracies would not only mean a loss of federal financial assistance to a state, but the loss of congressional representation. The Census Bureau faces a difficult task. The 2010 Census has been projected to cost upward of $14 billion; the most expensive census in history and it faces a concerned nation struggling to deal with a sluggish economy. The article will discuss the frustrations of tens of thousands of victims still displaced from Hurricane’s Katrina and Ike, and a myriad of families left homeless or in temporary housing due to the foreclosure crisis. Complicating the task is widespread suspicion about the government: the fear of identity theft and personal data landing in the wrong hands; immigrant fears of arrest and deportation; and Arab-American fears of profiling and spying due to the U.S. government’s increased surveillance power.
Abstract 127: The Influence of Neighborhood on Emergency Medical Services Use for Acute Stroke - A Population Based Cross Sectional Study

Introduction: The identification of neighborhood level factors that are associated with use of EMS for acute stroke could identify novel targets for interventions to improve EMS activation and access to stroke treatment. Objective: To investigate the association between neighborhood level factors and use of EMS for acute stroke. Methods: We identified 2905 neurologist-adjudicated cases of ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage that presented to the emergency department in the bi-ethnic Brain Attack Surveillance in Corpus Christi stroke surveillance project (2000-2008). Cases were geocoded by home address and assigned to census tracts (proxies for neighborhoods). Clinical information and use of EMS were abstracted from medical records. Census tract data were obtained from the 2000 US Census and the Corpus Christi Police Department. The association of census tract level factors (frequencies of age over 65 years, violent crime, Hispanic ethnicity, and household income) with EMS use was estimated using hierarchical logistic regression after accounting for known patient-level predictors of EMS use for stroke. Results: 49% of stroke cases arrived by EMS. The proportion arriving by EMS ranged from 10% to 86% across census tracts (figure); however, in the fully adjusted model, only 0.3% (95% CI 0-1.1%) of the variance in use of EMS was explained by census tract. Violent crime level within census tract and all patient-level factors (except history of stroke/TIA) were associated with greater EMS use (table). Higher median income and older average age of census tract residents were associated with lower EMS use. Conclusions: While some neighborhood-level factors were associated with EMS use, nearly all variability in EMS use for stroke was explained by patient-level factors. In this community, attempts to increase EMS use should target individuals that are less likely to use EMS, such as younger adults, women, and Mexican Americans, rather than entire neighborhoods.
Challenging the (Un)Constitutionality of Governmental GPS Surveillance

Police departments across the country are relying upon Global Positioning System (GPS) devices to initiate or further criminal investigations. GPS-enabled surveillance allows law enforcement agents to collect continuous, detailed, and real-time location information, without incurring the commensurate costs in dedicated employee resources. With increasing frequency, federal, state, and municipal law enforcement agencies are attaching GPS devices to vehicles, often without a warrant, to obtain evidence.Unsurprisingly, challenges to the practice are increasing as well, with challengers arguing that the government’s installation of GPS devices on motorists’ vehicles and subsequent around-the-clock monitoring -- often for weeks or months -- violates individual privacy rights under federal and state law. Motions to suppress GPS-enabled surveillance data in criminal prosecutions unanimously invoke the individual’s first line of defense in privacy protection: the U.S. Constitution’s Fourth Amendment prohibition against unreasonable governmental searches; some also invoke the amendment’s prohibition against unreasonable seizures. This article proceeds step-by-step through the Fourth Amendment analysis of a GPS case and the issues of interpretation at each step. The U.S. Supreme Court has yet to speak on this issue and, thus far, federal circuits are split and state courts are divided based on their interpretations of the Fourth Amendment as well as their own precedent and state constitutional provisions.
Density functional calculation of activation energies for lattice and grain boundary diffusion in alumina

To acquire knowledge on the lattice and grain boundary diffusion processes in alumina, we have determined the activation energies of elementary O and Al diffusive jumps in the bulk crystal, \ensuremath{\Sigma}3(0001) grain boundaries, and \ensuremath{\Sigma}3($10\overline{1}0$) grain boundaries of \ensuremath{\alpha}-Al${}_{2}$O${}_{3}$ using the first-principles density functional theory method. Specifically, we calculated the activation energies for four elementary jumps of both O and Al lattice diffusion in alumina. It was predicted that the activation energy of O lattice diffusion varied from 3.58 to 5.03 eV, while the activation energy of Al lattice diffusion ranged from 1.80 to 3.17 eV. As compared with experimental measurements, the theoretical predictions of the activation energy for lattice diffusion were lower and thus implied that there might be other high-energy diffusive jumps in the experimental alumina samples. Moreover, our results suggested that the Al lattice diffusion was faster than the O lattice diffusion in alumina, in agreement with experiment observations. Furthermore, it was found from our calculations for \ensuremath{\alpha}-Al${}_{2}$O${}_{3}$ that the activation energies of O and Al grain boundary diffusion in the high-energy \ensuremath{\Sigma}3(0001) grain boundaries were significantly lower than those of the lattice diffusion. In contrast, the activation energies of O and Al grain boundary diffusion in the low-energy \ensuremath{\Sigma}3($10\overline{1}0$) grain boundaries could be even higher than those of the lattice diffusion.
Funding the future

Earlier this year, 3 days before the vernal equinox, my classmates and I gathered at the ballroom of the Michigan State University Club to learn about our placement in the 2013 Match (National Residency Matching Program a program which annually assigns medical school graduates to residency positions). When the clock struck noon, we tore into white envelopes revealing the destination of the next 35 years of our lives. The room was abuzz with excitement, cheers, and tears as we shared this life-changing moment with one another. We had all matched, most of us to our top programs. Now we could finally breathe a sigh of relief as the anxious uncertainty about whether we would continue on our medical journeys melted away. Unfortunately, this was not the case for every graduate in the United States this year. In fact, 2,076 of this year’s graduating US seniors failed to match and entered the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP a secondary residency assignment program for those that fail to find a spot in the primary Match). After the SOAP, 528 US seniors remained completely unmatched, more than twice the number in that position in 2012. 1 SOAP was introduced in 2012, so no comparable data are available on the number of unmatched seniors prior to 2012. What is known is that this March, hundreds of US medical students found themselves with an average debt of $170,000, with no residency position to help them. This is a problem that is expected to get worse, not better. The number of graduates is increasing every year, while the number of residency slots is not keeping pace. The reasons for this are multifactorial. To better understand why, it would be helpful to look back at the history of medical education policy.
Are there oxygen-deficient regions in resting skeletal muscle?

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are local regions in resting skeletal muscle in which the oxygen delivery is insufficient to support oxidative metabolism. This hypothesis w...
Effects of local anesthetic agents on the uterine vasculatures and myometrium

Intravascular procaine, lidocaine, mepivacaine, and bupivacaine decrease blood flow to the placental and nonplacental vascular beds of gravid ewes by stimulating vasoconstriction and myometrial contractility. These effects appear to be direct ones since they are not affected by alpha-adrenergic blockade. Dose-response curves determined in nonpregnant ewes indicate that significant decreases in blood flow may occur at arterial blood concentrations encountered clinically. It is proposed that reduced placental blood flow is the cause of fetal bradycardia following paracervical block anesthesia. The implications of these findings in obstetric anesthesia are discussed.
The Long Cycle of World Leadership

The long cycle of global politics refers to the process of fluctuations in the concentration of global reach capabilities which provide one foundation for world leadership. Given the basic geographical nature of the world — great masses of land separated by large bodies of water — and the technological history of the modern, post-1500 era, a primary capability for global reach has been and continues to be seapower. Previous chapters have discussed why we believe this to be the case, how we propose to measure seapower, and what principles have guided the data collection of the predominantly capital-ship index of naval power. The subsequently collected information is reported in some detail in Chapters 7–9. With this information, guided by the insights of long cycle theory and the measurement rules reviewed earlier, we are now in a position to answer two questions. First, which states qualify as global and world powers and when do they qualify? Second, is there a long cycle of fluctuations in the extent to which naval power is concentrated that follows essentially a sequential pattern of global war, relatively high concentration, deconcentration, and then a return to global war?
Association of Cognitive Performance with Time at Altitude, Sleep Quality, and Acute Mountain Sickness Symptoms

Objective It is well documented that cognitive performance may be altered with ascent to altitude, but the association of various cognitive performance tests with symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS) is not well understood. Our objective was to assess and compare cognitive performance during a high-altitude expedition using several tests and to report the association of each test with AMS, headache, and quality of sleep. Methods During an expedition to Mount Everest, 3 cognitive tests (Stroop, Trail Making, and the real-time cognitive assessment tool, an in-house developed motor accuracy test) were used along with a questionnaire to assess health and AMS. Eight team members were assessed pre-expedition, postexpedition, and at several time points during the expedition. Results There were no significant differences (P >.05) found among scores taken at 3 time points at base camp and the postexpedition scores for all 3 tests. Changes in the Stroop test scores were significantly associated with the odds of AMS (P Conclusions No significant changes were found in overall cognitive performance at altitude, but a significant relationship was found between symptoms of AMS and performance in certain cognitive tests. This research shows the need for more investigation of objective physiologic assessments to associate with self-perceived metrics of AMS to gauge effect on cognitive performance.
FMCW radars at 95 and 183 GHz for planetary and earth science remote sensing

We are developing two prototype millimeter-wave radars at 95 and 183 GHz with a frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) architecture. The 95 GHz radar is intended to measure distributions and velocities of small particles in space, such as those ejected in cometary jets. The 183 GHz radar is to operate across the atmospheric water absorption line to perform humidity sounding inside clouds. Here we discuss the choice of frequency and critical components for the two radars and show some early performance results.
The Miracle of Microfinance? A 2016 Ethical Assessment

This entry focuses upon the current state of microlending activity, and particularly for-profit activity, with ethical analysis of such lending, particularly as it pertains to prospects for poverty alleviation and development for the global poor. Several specific events have lately altered the characteristics of microlending and the general assessments of its prospects: most notably the collapse of the for-profit microfinance market in Andhra Pradesh late in 2010 and research previously pursued within the same state of India that would greatly reduce our estimation of the promise of microcredit for poverty alleviation. This brief piece of writing indicates, but can hardly serve to argue fully, two conclusions. First, that current views of microlending, for better or worse, will tend to promote economic exclusion of the poorest. Second, because the advantages and disadvantages of microlending for poverty alleviation and for women's empowerment have a great deal to do with the specific circumstances of lending, unpromising results found in some circumstances may be taken with a grain of salt.
Simulating Soil Organic Carbon in a Wheat–Fallow System Using the Daycent Model

Crop management practices that contribute to soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration can improve productivity and long-term sustainability. A simulation study was conducted using the DAYCENT model over an 80-yr period. The objectives of the study were to assess model performance and forecast SOC changes in conventional tillage and no-tillage management in a dryland winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–summer fallow (WW–SF) system. The treatments studied included fall burning of crop residue (FB0), no burning of crop residue with 0 (NB0), 45 (NB45) and 90 (NB90) kg N ha–¹, pea vines (PV), and cattle manure (MN) addition. The model was accurate with R² values of 0.93 (p < 0.01), 0.95 (p < 0.01), and 0.99 (p < 0.01) for the mean of observed and modeled grain yield, residue yield, and SOC, respectively. The strong positive correlation (r = 0.71–0.91) in different treatments between observed and modeled SOC indicated that model closely simulated the observed values. DAYCENT projected that conventionally tilled WW–SF systems, except MN, lost 866 to 2192 g C m–² SOC from 1931 to 2080. The MN gained 496 g C m–² SOC in the same period. The conversion to no-tillage from 2011 onward, however, minimized SOC loss by 17 to 47% under different WW–SF systems. No-tillage conversion in MN resulted in SOC gain by more than 300%. This study suggested that adoption of a no-tillage system and the addition of organic amendments can improve the long-term sustainability of dryland WW–SF systems.
ARE 36+ MM DIAMETER HXLPE BEARINGS AT RISK OF INCREASED WEAR FROM MODULAR TAPER CORROSION WITH CERAMIC AND COCR HEADS?

Introduction: Degradation of modular head-neck tapers was raised as a concern in the 1990s (Gilbert 1993). The incidence of fretting and corrosion among modern, metal-on-polyethylene and ceramic-on-polyethylene THA systems with 36+ mm femoral heads remains poorly understood. Additionally, it is unknown whether metal debris from modular tapers could increase wear rates of highly crosslinked PE (HXLPE) liners. The purpose of this study was to characterize the severity of fretting and corrosion at head-neck modular interfaces in retrieved conventional and HXLPE THA systems and its effect on penetration rates. Patients & Methods: 386 CoCr alloy heads from 5 manufacturers were analyzed along with 166 stems (38 with ceramic femoral heads). Metal and ceramic components were cleaned and examined at the head taper and stem taper by two investigators. Scores ranging from 1 (mild) to 4 (severe) were assigned in accordance with the semi-quantitative method adapted from a previously published technique. Linear penetration of liners was measured using a calibrated digital micrometer (accuracy: 0.001 mm). Devices implanted less than 1 year were excluded from this analysis because in the short-term, creep dominates penetration of the head into the liner. Results: The majority of the components were revised for instability, infection, and loosening. Mild to severe taper damage (score ≥2) was found in 77% of head tapers and 52% of stem tapers. The extent of damage was correlated to implantation time at the head taper (p = 0.0004) and at the stem taper (p = 0.0004). Damage scores were statistically elevated on CoCr heads than the matched stems (mean score difference = 0.5; p Discussion: The results of this study do not support the hypothesis that 36+ mm ceramic or CoCr femoral heads articulating on HXLPE liners are associated with increased risk of corrosion among HXLPE liners when compared with smaller diameter heads. A limitation of this study is the semi-quantitative scoring technique, heterogeneity of the retrieval collection and short implantation time of the larger diameter heads. Because corrosion may increase over time in vivo, longer-term follow-up, coupled with quantitative taper wear measurement, will better assess the natural progression of taper degradation in modern THA bearings.
Identifying Novel Blood Proteins and Protein Isoforms Using Tandem Mass Spectra.

Blood is a complex fluid that samples all tissues in the human body. Despite complete sequence determination of the human genome, defining genes and gene products remains a challenge. Here, we apply tandem mass spectroscopy as new source of unbiased data to interrogate genomic sequence and identify novel protein coding sequences. A six-frame translation of the Human genome was used as the query database to search for novel blood proteins in the data from the HUPO PPP. Significance is assessed using a Poisson statistical model incorporating the length of the matching sequence and the frequency of spectrum matches observed in searching the database [Nat Biotech 2006 24(3):333–8]. Matches are binned by X!Tandem hyperscore, and statistics for each score class are considered independently. The overall probability that the matches to an ORF occurred at random is calculated as the product of the probability that the matches in each score category occurred at random. The expected number of random matches, E, is calculated as the product of the probability that an ORF match occurred at random multiplied by the number of ORFs searched. The confidence in an ORF identification is 1/(1+E). An open reading frame is considered significant if confidence is greater than 95%. Expanding recently published work [Genome Biol2006; 7(4):R35], we have identified 837 significant open reading frames coding for 18852 peptides falling within 914 exons of 413 genes. Out of 8856 candidate ORFs outside the boundaries of known genes, 3246 of them achieved a confidence >= 0.95. We also required the XG ORFs to be supported by at least 3 distinct ESTs. Twenty four of the XG ORFs were found to have a significant alignment to the mouse genome. Of these, 13 of the alignments encompassed a coding region for one of the diagnostic peptides associated with the ORF. Gene models for the XG ORFS were derived from the GENSCAN prediction made for their coding regions. This analysis suggests that alternative splicing of blood protein genes is common and that much remains to be learned about the protein constituents of blood.
The consonant inventory of proto-Eastern Cushitic

Previous work on the Eastern branch of Cushitic, most notably the work of Hans-Ju?rgen Sasse, established a solid initial reconstruction of the proto- Eastern Cushitic (PEC) consonants. This initial system had about 20 to 23 consonants. Further work by Linda Arvanites indicated the existence of several additional consonants. The current work rounds out the PEC consonant system and shows it to consist of 30 consonants in all. These form a moderately well-balanced system of voiced stops, voiced implosives in four different positions of articulation, and voiceless stops and ejective stops in three different positions of articuation. PEC also had five non-laryngeal fricatives, the full array of laryngeals that one has come to expect from Afroasiatic languages, 1, r, w, y, and most interestingly, four different nasals, inc1udingp and I), this latter distinction not widely recognized as a feature of Afroasiatic. A side effect of this reconstruction is a first provisional history of the reflexes in Eastern Cushitic languages of PEC geminates. Along with this history, an explanation is proposed for the derivation of the Yaaku 7-vowel system from the PEC system of 5 vowels, long and short.
The Impact of Ecological Niche on Adaptive Flexibility of Sensory Circuitry.

Evolution and development are interdependent, particularly with regard to the construction of the nervous system and its position as the machine that produces behavior. On the one hand, the processes directing development and plasticity of the brain provide avenues through which natural selection can sculpt neural cell fate and connectivity, and on the other hand, they are themselves subject to selection pressure. For example, mutations that produce heritable perturbations in neuronal birth and death rates, transcription factor expression, or availability of axon guidance factors within sensory pathways can markedly affect the development of form and thus the function of stimulus decoding circuitry. This evolvability of flexible circuits makes them more adaptable to environmental variation. Although there is general agreement on this point, whether the sensitivity of circuits to environmental influence and the mechanisms underlying development and plasticity of sensory pathways are similar across species from different ecological niches has received almost no attention. Neural circuits are generally more sensitive to environmental influences during an early critical period, but not all niches afford the same access to stimuli in early life. Furthermore, depending on predictability of the habitat and ecological niche, sensory coding circuits might be more susceptible to sensory experience in some species than in others. Despite decades of work on understanding the mechanisms underlying critical period plasticity, the importance of ecological niche in visual pathway development has received little attention. Here I will explore the relationship between critical period plasticity and ecological niche in mammalian sensory pathways.
Direct oral anticoagulant medications in calciphylaxis.

Background Recent studies suggest that calciphylaxis is a thrombotic condition in which arteriolar thrombosis leads to painful skin infarcts and consequent morbidity and mortality. Paradoxically, warfarin is implicated as a risk factor for calciphylaxis. Our objective is to report the use of oral direct thrombin and factor Xa inhibitors (termed direct oral anticoagulants [DOACs]) in patients with calciphylaxis. Methods We retrospectively reviewed records of 16 patients with calciphylaxis who received concomitant administration of novel anticoagulants. Patient data, including demographics, comorbidities, other treatments, and adverse events, were abstracted from the health records. Results Eleven patients (69%) had chronic kidney disease (stage ≥3A), and eight (50%) received dialysis. Apixaban was the most frequently used agent (n = 11 [69%]). Dabigatran (n = 4 [25%]) and rivaroxaban (n = 2 [13%]) were reserved for patients with mild renal impairment (stage ≤2). One clinically relevant but nonmajor bleeding event occurred. There were no major bleeding events. Nine patients (56%) were alive at last follow-up, and five (31%) had complete resolution of their calciphylaxis (mean follow-up, 523 days; range, 26–1884 days). Conclusion DOACs were safe and well tolerated in patients with calciphylaxis, in this initial experience. Several patients had improvement or resolution of calciphylaxis in response to therapy that included DOACs. The degree of renal impairment should guide DOAC choice. Randomized trials are required to determine treatment efficacy.
Adiabatic elimination of inertia of the stochastic microswimmer driven by α-stable noise.

We consider a microswimmer that moves in two dimensions at a constant speed and changes the direction of its motion due to a torque consisting of a constant and a fluctuating component. The latter will be modeled by a symmetric Levy-stable (α-stable) noise. The purpose is to develop a kinetic approach to eliminate the angular component of the dynamics to find a coarse-grained description in the coordinate space. By defining the joint probability density function of the position and of the orientation of the particle through the Fokker-Planck equation, we derive transport equations for the position-dependent marginal density, the particle's mean velocity, and the velocity's variance. At time scales larger than the relaxation time of the torque τ_{ϕ}, the two higher moments follow the marginal density and can be adiabatically eliminated. As a result, a closed equation for the marginal density follows. This equation, which gives a coarse-grained description of the microswimmer's positions at time scales t≫τ_{ϕ}, is a diffusion equation with a constant diffusion coefficient depending on the properties of the noise. Hence, the long-time dynamics of a microswimmer can be described as a normal, diffusive, Brownian motion with Gaussian increments.
Preterm Birth and Future Childbearing: More Questions Than Answers

Preterm birth, both from a medical and economic perspective, constitutes one of the greatest burdens in obstetrics.1 Alenius et al2 provide us with a unique analysis in which they seek to ascertain whether preterm birth is associated with additional, heretofore unappreciated social consequences: specifically, is there a relationship between the birth of a preterm infant and subsequent childbearing? In their analysis of data from Finland, they demonstrate that a lower gestational age at birth in 1 pregnancy was associated with a lower likelihood of having more children. The exception to this relationship was observed when a preterm infant died; in that case, a higher percentage of women had another child. Alenius et al2 ultimately conclude that because of the connection between preterm delivery and future childbearing, 1220 subsequent children (denoted as “missing siblings”) would not be born per 100 000 livebirths. The study and the authors’ ultimate conclusions are striking for a variety of reasons. First, the use of certain phrases (eg, “preterm birth has substantial consequences on the further reproductive behavior … Address correspondence to Ashish Premkumar, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Prentice Women’s Hospital, 250 E Superior St, Chicago, IL 60611. E-mail: ashish.premkumar{at}northwestern.edu
Variation of ground-state α-particle strengths for sd- and fp-shell nuclei

It is shown that when ($^{6}\mathrm{Li}$, $d$) experimental results are reduced via a distorted-wave Born approximation procedure taking into account the finite size of $^{6}\mathrm{Li}$, the systematic variation in $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-particle transfer strengths in the $A=20$ to $A=68$ region agrees with recent theoretical strength predictions based on shell-model wave functions.
Dynamics and Synchronization of Semiconductor Lasers for Chaotic Optical Communications

The objective of this chapter is to provide a complete picture of the nonlinear dynamics and chaos synchronization of single-mode semiconductor lasers for chaotic optical communications. Basic concepts and theoretical framework are reviewed. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate the fundamental concepts. Numerical computations are employed for mapping the dynamical states and for illustrating certain detailed characteristics of the chaotic states. Three different semiconductor laser systems, namely, the optical injection system, the optical feedback system, and the optoelectronic feedback system, that are of most interest for high-bit-rate chaotic optical communications are considered. The optical injection system is a nonautonomous system that follows a period-doubling route to chaos. The optical feedback system is a phase-sensitive delayed-feedback autonomous system for which all three known routes, namely, period-doubling, quasiperiodicity, and intermittency, to chaos can be found. The optical feedback system is a phase-insensitive delayed-feedback autonomous system that follows a quasiperiodicity route to chaotic pulsing. Identical synchronization in unidirectionally coupled configurations is the focus of discussions for chaotic communications. For optical injection and optical feedback systems, the frequency, phase, and amplitude of the optical fields of both transmitter and receiver lasers are all locked in synchronism when complete synchronization is accomplished. For the optoelectronic feedback system, chaos synchronization involves neither the locking of the optical frequency nor the synchronization of the optical phase. For both optical feedback and optoelectronic feedback systems, where the transmitter is configured with a delayed feedback loop, anticipated and retarded synchronization can be observed as the difference between the feedback delay time and the propagation time from the transmitter laser to the receiver laser is varied. For a synchronized chaotic communication system, the message encoding process can have a significant impact on the quality of synchronization and thus on the message recoverability at the receiver end. It is shown that high-quality synchronization can be maintained when a proper encoding scheme that maintains the symmetry between the transmitter and the receiver is employed.
FROM MEDICAL PRACTICE TO SELF-SERVICES FOR HEALTH MAINTENANCE: THE IMPACT OF SYSTEMS THINKING

ABSTRACT Is a reversal of priorities in medical services desirable and likely? Now, they primarily provide care for the sick by professional healers supported by great advances in biomedical science and technology. Only secondarily do they stress health maintenance and illness prevention. That remains the responsibility of each individual to be met by self-help. We show, with the help of analytic models and arguments, that a shift toward emphasis on self-help to maintain health is likely and will increase the average number of disability-free years of life in a community. We discuss the implications of this trend for new products, services and systems, such as the emergence of computer communications networks for mutual support and aid in health maintenance.
Mortality and Kidney Transplantation Outcomes Among Hepatitis C Virus–Seropositive Maintenance Dialysis Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Rationale & Objective Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is common among maintenance dialysis patients. Few studies have examined both dialysis survival and transplantation outcomes for HCV-seropositive patients because registry data sets lack information for HCV serostatus. Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting & Participants Adult long-term dialysis patients treated by a US national dialysis provider between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2014. Exposure HCV antibody serostatus obtained as part of clinical data from a national dialysis provider. Outcomes Mortality on dialysis therapy, entry onto the kidney transplant waiting list, kidney transplantation, and estimated survival benefit from kidney transplantation versus remaining on the waitlist. Analytical Approach After linking clinical data with data from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, Cox and cause-specific hazards regression were implemented to estimate the associations between HCV seropositivity and mortality, as well as entry onto the kidney transplant waitlist. Cox regression was also used to estimate the survival benefit from transplantation versus dialysis among HCV-seropositive individuals. Results Among 442,171 dialysis patients, 31,624 (7.2%) were HCV seropositive. HCV seropositivity was associated with a small elevation in the rate of death (adjusted HR [aHR], 1.09; 95% CI, 1.07-1.11) and a substantially lower rate of entry onto the kidney transplant waitlist (subdistribution HR [sHR], 0.67; 95% CI, 0.61-0.74). Once wait-listed, the kidney transplantation rate was not different for HCV-seropositive (sHR 1.10; 95% CI, 0.96-1.27) versus HCV-seronegative patients. HCV-seropositive patients lived longer with transplantation (aHR at 3 years, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.27-0.63). Receiving an HCV-seropositive donor kidney provided a survival advantage at the 2-year posttransplantation time point compared to remaining on dialysis therapy waiting for an HCV-negative kidney. Limitations No data for HCV viral load or liver biopsy. Conclusions HCV-seropositive patients experience reduced access to the kidney transplantation waitlist despite deriving a substantial survival benefit from transplantation. HCV-seropositive patients should consider foregoing HCV treatment while accepting kidneys from HCV-infected donors to facilitate transplantation and prolong survival.
Design and aeromechanics investigation of compound helicopters

Abstract This paper reviews lessons learned from the compound helicopter studies performed by NASA and the US Army Aviation Development Directorate to support the NASA Heavy Lift Rotorcraft Systems Investigation and the US Army's Joint Heavy Lift (JHL), Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator (JMR-TD), and Future Vertical Lift (FVL) programs. These studies explored performance potential of advanced rotorcraft and investigated the impact of key modern-technologies in performance, weight, and aerodynamics on rotorcraft. The compound helicopter configurations considered in this paper represent a wide range of sizes, gross weight, rotor systems, and operating conditions. A brief description of design and aeromechanics analysis tools and methodologies is provided. Rotor performance correlation results at high advance ratio, which are critical for the accurate design and analysis of high-speed rotorcraft, are shown. Detailed aeromechanics analysis results, such as the effects of various compounding methods, lift share between rotor and wing, rotor rotational speed, blade twist, aircraft drag, and rotor/wing interference on aircraft performance, are presented.
163 Bacterial biofilm product Curli/eDNA induces NETs and serum anti- Curli/eDNA levels correlate with bacteriuria and lupus activity

Background Infections are a major contributor to lupus disease. We have previously demonstrated that bacterial amyloid curli, produced by E.coli, can accelerate disease in mouse models of lupus. Interestingly curli incorporates extracellular DNA, which in turn can be both adjuvant and a self-antigen in lupus. Finally, uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) is responsible for the majority of urinary tract infections in SLE. Methods Based on our previous results, we hypothesize that exposure to UPEC triggers anti- curli/eDNA antibodies and curli/eDNA complexes can trigger the innate immune system. We investigated 98 lupus patients who met at least 4 SLICC criteria. Results were compared to 54 age, sex and race matched healthy controls. We tested the production of anti-curli/DNA complex for both IgG and IgA subclasses. We also correlated the levels of anti-curli/DNA antibodies with clinical parameters. Finally, we treated human neutrophils with curli/eDNA complexes. Results We found that curli/eDNA induces neutrophil extracellular traps in a ROS manner. Anti-curli/eDNA IgG levels were detected in lupus and controls plasma and the levels correlated with persistent bacteriuria (p Conclusions We conclude curli/eDNA complexes can activate the innate and adaptive immune system and could be a mechanism to sustaining disease in lupus. Funding Source(s): NIH/NIAMS and Lupus Research Alliance
Exposure to di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate transgenerationally alters anxiety-like behavior and amygdala gene expression in adult male and female mice

Abstract Phthalates are industrial plasticizers and stabilizers commonly found in polyvinyl chloride plastic and consumer products, including food packaging, cosmetics, medical devices, and children's toys. Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), one of the most commonly used phthalates, exhibits endocrine-disrupting characteristics and direct exposure leads to reproductive deficits and abnormalities in anxiety-related behaviors. Importantly, increasing evidence indicates that the impacts of DEHP exposure on reproduction and social behavior persist across multiple generations. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that transgenerational DEHP exposure alters anxiety-like behavior and neural gene expression in both male and female mice. Pregnant CD-1 mice were orally dosed daily with either tocopherol-stripped corn oil or DEHP (20 or 200 μg/kg/day; 500 or 750 mg/kg/day) from gestational day 10.5 until birth to produce the F1 generation. Females from each generation were bred with untreated, unrelated CD-1 males to produce subsequent generations. Behavior and gene expression assays were performed with adult, intact F3 males and females. Transgenerational DEHP exposure increased time spent in the open arm in the elevated plus maze for adult females (750 mg/kg/day lineage), but not males. In adult females, we observed a down-regulation of mRNA expression of estrogen receptor 1 in the 200 μg/kg/day and 500 mg/kg/day treatment lineages, mineralocorticoid receptor in the 200 μg/kg/day lineage, and dopamine receptor 2 in the 20 μg/kg/day and 750 mg/kg/day lineages. In adult males, we found an up-regulation of estrogen receptor 2 in the 20 and 200 μg/kg/day lineages, and dopamine receptor 1 in the 20 μg/kg/day and 750 mg/kg/day lineages. No hippocampal gene expression modifications were observed in response to treatment. These results implicate dose-specific transgenerational effects on behavior and neural gene expression in adult male and female mice.
A metabolic pathway for glucosinolate activation by the human gut symbiont Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron

ABSTRACT Diet is the largest source of plant-derived metabolites that influence human health. The gut microbiota can metabolize these molecules, altering their biological function. However, little is known about the gut bacterial pathways that process plant-derived molecules. Glucosinolates are well-known metabolites in brassica vegetables and metabolic precursors to cancer-preventive isothiocyanates. Here, we identify a genetic and biochemical basis for isothiocyanate formation by Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, a prominent gut commensal species. Using a genome-wide transposon insertion screen, we identified an operon required for glucosinolate metabolism in B. thetaiotaomicron. Expression of BT2159-BT2156 in a non-metabolizing relative, Bacteroides fragilis, resulted in gain of glucosinolate metabolism. We show that isothiocyanate formation requires the action of BT2158 and either BT2156 or BT2157 in vitro. Monocolonization of mice with mutant BtΔ2157 showed reduced isothiocyanate production in the gastrointestinal tract. These data provide insight into the mechanisms by which a common gut bacterium processes an important dietary nutrient.
Food industry needs assessment survey: A case study

The study reported here assessed the needs of the food processing industry in South Carolina in order to develop strategic plans for effective assistance. Results of the online survey indicated that developing new products and markets, solving technical problems, and the training of employees were important needs. Due to the fundamental similarities of food processing establishments, it can be assumed that food businesses in other states may have similar needs. Future plans include contacting land-grant universities in the U.S. to explore the use of the online survey in other states. The U.S. Food Processing Industry and the Land-Grant Universities Land-grant universities in the U.S. have been supported by the federal government and states with the purpose of improving the lives of American citizens, mainly by serving agriculture-related businesses. The food processing industry is typically assisted by food scientists out of food science departments in each university. The assistance may range from food product development and establishment of food safety plans to training of employees and assistance on marketing issues. The state of the food industry and land-grant universities changes with time, making it necessary to re-evaluate methods to assist the industry. Improvements include, but are not limited to, increased processing efficiency when shortage of food science specialists occurs. Needs Assessment Tools and the Food Processing Industry Assessment surveys are good tools to determine the needs of industry in order to develop effective strategies and to provide technical assistance by land grant universities. Industry needs can be assessed in various ways, including surveying the industry directly, surveying Extension specialists who know the local industry, and surveying the public to provide perception on the state of the local food industry. Needs may vary according to geographical location and time of the survey. For example, according to a public survey in the state of Wisconsin in 1994 (Gilmore, Meehan-Strub, & Mormann), the three most important food safety concerns Food Industry Needs Assessment Survey: A Case Study 06/29/09 08:41:26
High-resolution tip-enhanced Raman scattering probes sub-molecular density changes.

Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) exhibits new selection rule and sub-nanometer spatial resolution, which is attributed to the plasmonic near-field confinement. Despite recent advances in simulations of TERS spectra under highly confined fields, a simply physical mechanism has remained elusive. In this work we show that single-molecule TERS images can be explained by local sub-molecular density changes induced by the confined near-field during the Raman process. The local sub-molecular density changes determine the spatial resolution in TERS and the gradient-based selection rule. Using this approach we find that the four-fold symmetry of meso-tetrakis(3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)porphyrin (H2TBPP) TERS images observed in experiments arises from the combination of degenerate normal modes localized in the functional side groups rather than the porphyrin ring as previously considered. As an illustration of the potential of the method, we demonstrate how this new theory can be applied to microscopic structure characterization. Despite recent advances in simulations of tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) under highly confined fields, a simply physical mechanism has remained elusive. Here, the authors show that single molecule TERS images can be explained by local sub-molecular density changes induced by the confined near-field during the Raman process.
Your hardware is all wired up!: attacking network-on-chips via crosstalk channel

Adjacent parallel wires appearing in the fabrication of 2D and 3D stacked integrated chips can be leveraged as a major source of crosstalk noise. A crosstalk may induce either erroneous data transmission, delayed, or speed-up signal transitions on such wires. In this paper, we show how corsstalk noise may be used by adversaries to attack both 2D and 3D Network-On-Chips (NoCs). The attack exploits the electrical couplings of adjacent wires in NoC links and intentionally disrupts control bits in the headers of packets. The proposed denial of service attack can create a notable number of packet loss and congested area over network if the network is not well-secured against crosstalk. Our joint evaluations using HSPICE along with Access Noxim simulator show that even crosstalk-prevention coding techniques cannot fully protect the system. The attack outcomes may range from packet loss, data error in packets, packet misroute, performance loss to global deadlock in the network that in which no packet is forwarded.
Response of a raft of particles to a local indentation.

Interfaces that are coated with a layer of adsorbed particles (particle “rafts”) are common in natural and industrial settings. Particle-coated interfaces may be useful in part because the particulate structure can endow the fluid interface with physical properties distinct from molecular surfactants. We study the mechanics of particulate assemblies by measuring the raft's response to indentation in the vertical direction by a flat, circular disc. We measured force (f) vs. indentation depth (δ) and found two linear regions with different slopes. The first linear region started at δ = 0 and persisted over a range of δ much less than the capillary length. In the second linear region, the raft had the same stiffness (df/dδ) as a liquid interface with no particles. Further, we show that, as long as the indenter was larger than a single particle, the azimuthal compression imposed by the interface deformation relaxed through in-plane rearrangement of particles rather than by the radial wrinkles that are characteristic of thin elastic sheets at fluid interfaces. We show how the force–displacement curves and stiffnesses depended on fluid mass densities, interfacial tensions, and indenter radius. For all cases studied, the particle-raft coated interfaces had a stiffness equal to or smaller than that of a bare fluid interface. Although the interfacial particle raft behaved like a pure fluid interface under a wide range of displacements, we show that the raft could nonetheless withstand substantially greater applied force (up to 2×) and greater indentation depth (up to 2.6×), so that the range of reversible behavior was greatly extended. These results improve our understanding of the mechanics of particulate assemblies at interfaces.