cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ongoing measles and rubella transmission in Georgia, 2004–05: implications for the national and regional elimination efforts

Background In 2004-05, Georgia experienced large-scale concurrent measles and rubella outbreaks. We analysed measles and rubella epidemiology in Georgia to describe disease trends, determine the cause of the outbreaks, identify challenges to achieving disease elimination goals and propose interventions to overcome them. Methods We reviewed national measles and rubella surveillance and vaccination coverage data, focusing on the 2004-05 outbreaks, and conducted a measles vaccine effectiveness (VE) study using data from a 2004 school-based outbreak. Results Before 2004, the last large measles outbreak after measles vaccination was introduced (in 1966) in Georgia, was in 1988 (incidence rate, 36/ 100 000); the highest year for rubella was 1985 (110/100 000). During 2004-05, 8391 measles cases and 5151 rubella cases were reported (most of them diagnosed clinically). Of 358 suspected measles cases tested, 181 (51%) were positive for measles-IgM antibody; of 240 suspected rubella cases tested, 50 (21%) were positive for rubella-IgM antibody. Over 90% of measles cases were in persons born after 1979; 90% of rubella cases were in persons born after 1987. Approximately 41% of measles cases and 88% of rubella cases were unvaccinated. Estimated measles VE (≥ 1 vs 0 doses) was 86% (95% CI, 58-96%). Conclusions The outbreak likely resulted from failure to vaccinate rather than vaccine failure. Susceptible persons likely accumulated due to the long absence of large outbreaks and decreased coverage after the collapse of Soviet Union. To interrupt measles and rubella transmission in Georgia and achieve disease elimination goals by 2010, supplementary immunization activities should target children and young adults.
Contrasting fine-root production, survival and soil CO 2 efflux in pine and poplar plantations

Tree root activity, including fine-root production, turnover and metabolic activity are significant components of forest productivity and nutrient cycling. Differences in root activity among forest types are not well known. A 3-year study was undertaken in red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) and hybrid poplar (Populus tristis X P. balsamifera cv `Tristis no. 1') plantations to compare belowground root dynamics. We measured fine-root production, mortality and standing crop, as well as soil CO2 efflux. Pine fine-root production was only 2.9% of that of poplar during three years; 85 pine roots were observed in minirhizotron tubes compared with 4088 poplar roots. Live-root density oscillated seasonally for both species with late winter minimum and autumn maximum. Poplar reached constant maximum live-root length within the first growing season, but pine continued to increase observed fine-root length for three growing seasons. Within the first 100 days following initial appearance, 22% of the pine roots disappeared and 38% of the poplar roots disappeared. Median fine-root longevity of pine was 291 days compared with 149 days for poplar roots. Fine-root longevity increased with depth in the soil, and was greater for roots with initial diameter >0.5 mm. The probability of poplar root death from late February to May was more than three times that in any other season, regardless of root age. Despite the greater poplar root production and live-root length, fine-root biomass and soil CO2 efflux was greater in pine. Greater metabolic activity in the pine stand may be due to greater fine-root biomass or greater heterotrophic respiration.
Polymerase δ-Interacting Protein 2 Promotes Postischemic Neovascularization of the Mouse Hindlimb

Objective— Collateral vessel formation can functionally compensate for obstructive vascular lesions in patients with atherosclerosis. Neovascularization processes are triggered by fluid shear stress, hypoxia, growth factors, chemokines, proteases, and inflammation, as well as reactive oxygen species, in response to ischemia. Polymerase δ-interacting protein 2 (Poldip2) is a multifunctional protein that regulates focal adhesion turnover and vascular smooth muscle cell migration and modifies extracellular matrix composition. We, therefore, tested the hypothesis that loss of Poldip2 impairs collateral formation. Approach and Results— The mouse hindlimb ischemia model has been used to understand mechanisms involved in postnatal blood vessel formation. Poldip2 +/− mice were subjected to femoral artery excision, and functional and morphological analysis of blood vessel formation was performed after injury. Heterozygous deletion of Poldip2 decreased the blood flow recovery and spontaneous running activity at 21 days after injury. H 2 O 2 production, as well as the activity of matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9, was reduced in these animals compared with Poldip2 +/+ mice. Infiltration of macrophages in the peri-injury muscle was also decreased; however, macrophage phenotype was similar between genotypes. In addition, the formation of capillaries and arterioles was impaired, as was angiogenesis, in agreement with a decrease in proliferation observed in endothelial cells treated with small interfering RNA against Poldip2. Finally, regression of newly formed vessels and apoptosis was more pronounced in Poldip2 +/− mice. Conclusions— Together, these results suggest that Poldip2 promotes ischemia-induced collateral vessel formation via multiple mechanisms that likely involve reactive oxygen species–dependent activation of matrix metalloproteinase activity, as well as enhanced vascular cell growth and survival.
Observations of Large-Scale Depth Perturbations of the Main Thermocline

Abstract Three trans-oceanic XBT sections (∼5000 km in length) and a shorter one (∼2500 km in length) were taken in the central North Atlantic in 1974 to study the distribution of the horizontal scales and amplitudes of mesoscale variability. Few features of the MODE scale (∼400 km wavelength) were observed; the most dominant features had space scales of 1000–2000 km and amplitudes of 50–100 m.
Variations in the Cellular Distribution of Acid Phosphatase in Canine Gastric Mucosa With a Comparison of the Lead Sulfide and Azo Dye Methods

Summary Direct vision biopsies of the gastric corpus mucosa of the unanesthetized dog were studied histochemically with 2 methods for acid phosphatase. Experience derived from 50 biopsy specimens taken under standard conditions from 12 dogs is summarized. Staining variations with the PbS method were demonstrated from dog to dog, from gland to gland, from cell type to cell type, and within a given cell type, from cell to cell. In the azo dye method, variation was also seen from dog to dog, but, within a given section, the pattern of activity was more uniform than in the PbS method. Evidence is presented that suggests that there are 2 different acid phosphatases in some dog stomachs. Because of the staining variability described, only substantial changes in enzyme activity would be acceptable for the demonstration of physiologic alterations.
Determination of pulmonary microvascular reflection coefficient in sheep by venous occlusion

We devised a technique that permitted elevation of pulmonary pressures in unanesthetized sheep by occluding their pulmonary veins. Using this technique, we raised pulmonary capillary pressure from a baseline of 13.2 +/- 2.2 to 35.3 +/- 5.1 mmHg. This increased lung lymph flow (from 8.8 +/- 2.7 to 53.1 +/- 13.9 ml/h). We estimated the pulmonary microvascular oncotic reflection coefficient and found it to be 0.82 +/- 0.05 (SD). The filtration coefficient was 0.019 +/- 0.005 ml.mmHg-1.min-1. During the period of increased pressure, the animals had stable arterial pressures and cardiac outputs. None of the animals developed blood coagulation problems. These data illustrate the usefulness of pulmonary venous occlusion to elevate pulmonary microvascular pressure to obtain plasma-to-lymph protein concentration ratios independent of flow, allowing for the calculation of the oncotic reflection coefficient.
Statistical innovations in the medical device world sparked by the FDA

The world of medical devices while highly diverse is extremely innovative, and this facilitates the adoption of innovative statistical techniques. Statisticians in the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have provided leadership in implementing statistical innovations. The innovations discussed include: the incorporation of Bayesian methods in clinical trials, adaptive designs, the use and development of propensity score methodology in the design and analysis of non-randomized observational studies, the use of tipping-point analysis for missing data, techniques for diagnostic test evaluation, bridging studies for companion diagnostic tests, quantitative benefit-risk decisions, and patient preference studies.
Orbital Decompression in the Endoscopic Age: The Modified Inferomedial Orbital Strut.

Objective Postoperative diplopia occurs in up to 45% of patients following orbital decompression for exophthalmos associated with Graves' orbitopathy. We sought to describe outcomes of our balanced orbital decompression strategy that includes the preservation of a modified inferomedial orbital strut (mIOS). Study design Case series with chart review. Setting Academic medical center. Subjects and methods A total of 115 consecutive orbital decompressions were performed on 73 patients (42 bilateral) with Graves' orbitopathy. All patients underwent (1) a balanced decompression technique incorporating an endoscopic medial and external lateral decompression and (2) a mIOS technique with preservation of the anterior half of the inferomedial orbital strut. A periorbital periosteal (orbital) sling was utilized in patients (n = 54) without threatened vision loss, proptosis >28 mm, or periorbital disruption to prevent prolapse of the medial rectus muscle. Results Utilization of the mIOS technique with or without a sling did not adversely affect the reduction in proptosis (5.1 mm with sling vs 5.0 mm without sling; P = .85).The incidence of new-onset postoperative diplopia was 17% (n = 6). The sling was not associated with postoperative diplopia (odds ratio = 0.54, 95% confidence interval: 0.08-3.40, P = .51), while it was associated with resolution of preexisting diplopia (odds ratio = 6.67, 95% confidence interval: 1.06-42.06, P = .04). No intraoperative complications occurred, and no patients suffered a decrement in visual acuity. Conclusion Balanced orbital decompression utilizing a mIOS in patients with Graves' orbitopathy provides a safe and effective reduction in proptosis with a low rate of new-onset diplopia as compared with historical values. Utilization of an orbital sling may be beneficial in reducing postoperative diplopia in select patients.
Effect of continuous positive airway pressure ventilation on nerve injury factor in elderly OSAHS patients

Objective To study the effect of continuous positive airway pressure(CPAP) on serum S100β and NSE in elderly OSAHS patients.Methods Ninety polysomnography-confirmed OSAHS patients served an OSAHS group and 90 persons undergoing physical examination served as a control group in this study.The LSaO_2,MSaO_2,AHI,and serum S100β and NSE levels were measured by polysomnography and ELISA respectively before and after 3 and 6 months of treatment.Results The LSaO_2,MSaO_2,and AHI were significantly higher in OSAHS group after 3and 6 months of treatment than before treatment(92.69%+ 2.12%vs 62.43%± 6.56%,93.42%±3.36%vs 62.43%±6.56%,P0.05).The serum S100β and NSE levels were significantly higher in OSAHS group before and after 3 and 6 months of treatment than in control group(P0.05) and were significantly lower in OSAHS group after 6 months of treatment than after 3months of treatment(P0.05).Conclusion CPAP can reduce nervous system damage in elderly severe OSAHS patients.Its therapeutic effect is related with its treatment time and can be assessed by monitoring serum S100β and NSE levels.
Comparative Study of Values of Childbearing between Chinese and Japanese Women since the 1980s

Based on empirical research, the article examines the changing attitudes of Beijing and Tokyo women toward marriage and childbearing during the past twenty years. A comparative study indicates the differences and similarities of these attitudes between Chinese and Japanese women, and the determinants of the differences in terms of political systems, levels of economic development and views concerning the position of women in society.
Candicidin in treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy.

AbstractIn a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter study, candicidin (a polyene macrolide) was investigated in the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy. Seventy-six patients were included in the study—34 in the candicidin group and 42 in the placebo group. Patients treated with 270mg. of candicidin daily for 6 months had a significant decrease in residual urine, voided volume and bladder volume. No significant increases were found in flow rates. Symptoms improved significantly in both the candicidin and the placebo group, but no differences in improvement were found between the groups. The results of candicidin treatment are less satisfactory than those following surgery.
The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

The institutional animal care and use committee (IACUC) is a federally mandated committee established in institutions that receive federal funding for research, testing, or teaching using live animals. The IACUC represents its institution's animal care and use program to the federal government, assures compliance with federal regulations governing animal use, and helps to assure the welfare of research animals. The regulations followed by the IACUC emanate from the Animal Welfare Act and the Health Research Extension Act of 1985. The IACUC must approve animal use procedures before a study begins or before a change is made to an already approved study. Noncompliance with regulatory requirements can occur from a lack of adequate training, unrealistic expectations placed on investigators or educators, cultural misunderstandings, inadequate study monitoring, or from an institutional culture that does not support compliance. Compliance can be strengthened by adequate training of all animal users, adequately monitoring ongoing studies, establishing clear and simple guidelines for compliance (such as no research or teaching that uses live animals can be performed without prior IACUC approval), and promoting an organizational culture supporting compliance. The IACUC has the authority to investigate allegations of noncompliance and, if necessary, the committee can suspend an ongoing animal activity.
Probabilities of Large Deviations of Sample Quantiles

Let Yn denote a suitably defined p-th (0 < p < 1) quantile computed from nk observations of which an equal number n of observations belong to each of a fui.ite number k of populations. Then, if p is a correspondingly defined p-th population quantile, a is a positive number and l ⩾ 1 is any integer, it is shown that there exist ρn (ρn→ρ as n→∞,0<ρ<1) and mn(0<mn<∞) such that P(Yn−ξp⩽a) can be expressed as the product of pnnmn/(2πn)12 and a polynomial of degree l in n-1 with a remainder term which is of order smaller than n-l.
Modification of Anemia Parameters after Blood Transfusion.

Abstract Background: Optimally the necessary laboratory evaluation for the diagnosis of the underlying causes for anemia is done before blood transfusion. However, clinical and logistical demands often mandate the transfusion of packed red blood cells before all the necessary parameters are obtained. It is poorly defined which impact transfusion has on the parameters necessary for the diagnosis of the underlying anemia cause. We conducted a prospective study to investigate the effect of the transfusion of two units packed red blood cells on lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), ferritin, transferrin, haptoglobin, total iron binding capacity(TIBC), folate, cyanocobalamine(B12), hemoglobin, MCV and hematocrit by measuring those tests before and at 6, 12, 24 and 48 hrs after transfusion. Patients and Methods: We included nineteen normovolemic, not actively bleeding consecutive patients; six of whom were diagnosed with anemia of chronic disease, one MDS and twelve iron deficiency anemias. Acutely bleeding patients, patients not able to give informed consent, prisoners under hospitalization and patients younger than 18 years old were excluded. All patients received transfusion of two units of packed red blood cells. The statistical analysis was performed using a repeated measurement ANOVA algorithm. Results: The transfusion of two units of packed red blood cells did not result in a significant change of ferritin, transferrin, haptoglobin, cyanocobalamin and lactate dehydrogenase throughout the observation period. Hemoglobin, MCV and hematocrit demonstrated an early change and equilibration without significant change after the first six hours post transfusion. Serum iron levels were transiently elevated in the severely iron deficient population, but returned back to baseline after 24hrs. Folate experienced a statistically significant, persistent change in the posttransfusion period. For the first 48 hrs post transfusion the following conclusions were made: First, the diagnosis of iron deficiency or chronic disease anemia is not confounded by blood transfusion, particularly when using ferritin as the predominant diagnostic parameter. Second, the diagnosis of hemolytic anemias, using haptoglobin and LDH is not interfered by transfusion of two units of packed red blood cells. Third, vitamin B12 deficiency can be diagnosed after transfusion, whilst folate deficiency on the base of red blood cell folate cannot.
Review: Precise Poetry: Lina Bo Bardi's Architecture, directed by Belinda Rukschcio

Belinda Rukschcio, director Precise Poetry: Lina Bo Bardi's Architecture Bundesministerium fur Unterricht und Kunst, Austria, 2014, 53 min. The opening shot of this documentary film shows a huge crowd at an outdoor concert. The crowd spills over the plaza onto Avenida Paulista, the busy urban thoroughfare in the center of the city of Sao Paulo. As this image fades to black, the sound of cheering goes on for a full twenty seconds. Our imagination animates the scene until it appears again with text overlaid: “Live concert by Olodum, MASP, 1992.” It is the year Lina Bo Bardi died. The unmistakable red columns of Bo Bardi's iconic Museum of Art of Sao Paulo (1957–68) frame Olodum, a Brazilian black carnival band from the city of Salvador in northeast Bahia. Bo Bardi (1914–92) renovated the building in which the Olodum organization had been established just four years earlier. “The museum used to do shows at lunchtime,” recalls Ivani di Grazia Costa, librarian at the museum, “such a big show in that space isn't allowed anymore. The structure of the museum couldn't bear it.” In its first minute, Belinda Rukschcio's film lives up to the rigor and beauty of its title, Precise Poetry: Lina Bo Bardi's Architecture . In another sequence, a close-up of an emblematic stone fragment, a dislodged paver, depicts the nearly empty quiet plaza. Immediately, I think of the first lines of Bo Bardi's self-published 1957 book Contribuicao propedeutica ao ensino da teoria da arquitetura (Propaedeutic contribution to the teaching of the theory of architecture): “There is not a single piece of stone laid down by man at the center of any of our cities, that does not express an idea, that does not represent a letter in the alphabet of our civilization.”1 Bo Bardi quoted this statement from the Brazilian intellectual and education reformer Manuel Araujo Porto-Alegre for two reasons, she explains in her text: first, …
Structural and optical characterization of highly anisotropic low loss Al:ZnO/ZnO multilayered metamaterial with hyperbolic dispersion grown by pulsed layer deposition

Transparent conductive oxide materials have shown unique optical properties, such as negative refraction, hyperbolic dispersion, and epsilon-near-zero dispersion. In particular, aluminum-doped zinc oxide (Al:ZnO) has shown the most promising results over traditionally used noble metals. Pulsed layer deposition is a popular technique due to its fast and controlled growth rate, as well as the stoichiometric target-to-substrate material transfer. But, since it uses large and inhomogeneous kinetic energy, samples could be prone to macro- and microscopic defects. In this work, we investigate multilayered samples of Al:ZnO/ZnO grown by pulsed laser deposition with the goal of developing a low-loss metamaterial with hyperbolic dispersion. Different fabrication conditions, such as Al:ZnO/ZnO ratio, the thickness of an individual layer, different substrates, and deposition temperatures, were investigated. Results of the ellipsometry analysis, based on fitting spectroscopy data using the Berreman formalism, show that the hyperbolic dispersion transition (Re e ∥ >0, Re e ⊥ c =1868 nm wavelength (Im (e ⊥ )~0.03) for samples with 1:4 Al:ZnO/ZnO deposition ratio. The fitted dielectric functions for samples with various parameters show that a lower deposition temperature leads to a shorter transition wavelength.
Constructing interpretive inferences about literary text: The role of domain-specific knowledge

Abstract Student readers struggle to construct the interpretive inferences necessary for successful literary comprehension. Expert think-alouds were conducted to identify the kinds of domain-specific knowledge that were drawn upon when reading the short story The Elephant. These data were used to construct three reading instructions provided to student (novice) literary readers. These instructions informed the student about two types of literary conventions (Rules of Notice, Rules of Signification, Combined). Analysis of the students’ essays indicated having both types of domain-specific knowledge yielded the most interpretive inferences. Attention to language mediated the effect suggesting a means for domain-specific knowledge to be used to leverage student engagement in literary interpretation.
Psychosocial Screening Among Youth Seeking Weight Management Treatment

The objectives of this study were to identify rates of, and factors associated with, "at-risk" scores on a brief psychosocial screener among overweight/obese youth seeking weight management treatment, as well as concordance between youth and caregiver reports. A retrospective chart review of 1443 consecutive patients ages 4 to 18 years and their caregivers was conducted. Almost 1 in 4 youth with overweight/obesity presented with psychosocial symptoms in the at-risk range for significant mental health issues based on caregiver report on the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC) and 1 in 6 based on youth self-report on the Youth Pediatric Symptom Checklist (Y-PSC). Concordance between caregiver and youth was fair (agreement 24% to 40%). Higher scores were associated with male sex and older age on the PSC and with indication of depressive disorder in the electronic medical record on the Y-PSC. Conducting a brief psychosocial screen in comprehensive weight management programs is feasible and clinically indicated.
Near Infrared Optical Monitoring of Cat Skeletal Muscle during Hypercapnia

Circulatory effects of CO2 have been previously examined in a variety of tissues,1,2,3,4 however, prior efforts to evaluate oxygen transport to skeletal muscle during hypercapnia using non-specific or invasive methods have reported sometimes contrasting conclusions.4,5,6 The recent development of near infrared (NIR), multiple wavelength, differential spectrophotometry has allowed non-invasive assessment of oxygen sufficiency in intact tissues including skeletal muscle7,8 by allowing continuous in situ monitoring of the reduction-oxidation (redox) state of the terminal member of the mitochondrial “respiratory chain”, cytochrome a,a 3. Oxidized cytochrome a,a 3 has an absorption band in the NIR region which is not present when the molecule is reduced. NIR multiple wavelength spectrophotometry allows ongoing assessment of the redox state of a population of cytochrome a,a 3 molecules in a tissue being monitored, with absorption of NIR light increasing as the concentration of oxidized cytochrome a,a 3 increases and absorption decreasing as more molecules in the population become reduced. Furthermore, changes in regional blood volume and saturation can be monitored simultaneously to provide ancillary information useful for interpreting changes in the redox signal. The present study examines the effect of hypercapnia on the steady state of reduction-oxidation of cytochrome a,a 3 and also on the blood volume (t-BV) and hemoglobin plus myoglobin (Hb + Mb and HbO2 + MbO2) saturation responses in intact hindlimb muscles of the cat.
Drug Sensitization, Substance Abuse, and Chemical Sensitivity:

Substance abuse, involving drugs such as cocaine, heroin, alcohol, marijuana, nicotine, barbiturates, etc., is by far by the most prevalent psychiatric disorder. Much has been learned about the abu...
Oxygen in Chemiluminescence. A Competitive Pathway of Dioxetane Decomposition Catalyzed by Electron Donors

It is striking and well known that most of the familiar cases of chemiluminescence in solution involve oxygen, bioluminescence being the foremost example (1). Yet it is clear that not one particular state of the oxygen molecule, nor one single mechanism can be given credit for this prevalence. Ground state triplet oxygen is involved in the many free-radical autoxidation processes which emit low yield luminescence. The step responsible here for the generation of electronically excited products is probably the disproportionation of two peroxy radicals, in what may be a concerted Russell chain termination (2). Singlet oxygen is itself directly the origin of the remarkable red chemiluminescence attending the heterolytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. Here the light emitting step is a unique energy pooling process combining the energies of two O2(l∆g) into one double-size quantum (3). Examples of such a pooling process followed by energy transfer to a fluorescer have been observed, but it is evident that such processes will have low quantum yields and can hardly be a general mechanism of chemiluminescence, as envisioned by Khan and Kasha (4). However, singlet oxygen is efficient at forming peroxides (3c,d), which are potential sources of luminescence. The superoxide ion is the likely intermediate in another class of peroxidation and in the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by some metal ions or by peroxidases (5). The dismutation of O2 may generate singlet oxygen (6), but here again such a step would give only very low yields of luminescence.
Evaluation of micromilling/conventional isotope ratio mass spectrometry and secondary ion mass spectrometry of δ18O values in fish otoliths for sclerochronology

Rationale Stable oxygen isotope ratios (δ18 O values) measured in fish otoliths can provide valuable detailed information on fish life history, fish age determination, and ocean thermography. Traditionally, otoliths are sampled by micromilling followed by isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS), but direct analysis by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) is becoming more common. However, these two methods have not been compared to determine which, if either, is better for fish age validation studies. Hence, the goals were to: (1) determine if the δ18 O signatures from the two different methods are similar, (2) determine which method is better for fish age validation studies, and (3) examine biogeographic and migration history. Methods Both analytical techniques, micromilling/IRMS and SIMS, were used to measure δ18 O values in six Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) otoliths. A series of measurements was made from the center of each otolith to its edge to develop a life-history δ18 O signature for each fish. Results The sampling resolution of SIMS analyses was 2-3 times greater than that obtained by micromilling/IRMS. We found an offset between SIMS and micromilling/IRMS δ18 O values, about 0.5‰ on average, with SIMS yielding lower values. However, the δ18 O patterns from both methods (i.e., the number of δ18 O maxima) correspond to the estimated age determined by otolith growth-zone counts, validating fish age determination methods. Conclusions Both techniques resolved δ18 O life-history signatures and showed patterns consistent with seasonal variation in temperatures and changes due to fish migration. When otoliths are large, micromilling/IRMS can provide adequate resolution for fish age validation. However, SIMS is the better option if greater sampling resolution is required, such as when otoliths are small or specimens are longer lived and have compact growth zones.
Theories of Tax Justice: Ruminations on the Benefit, Partnership, and Ability-to-Pay Principles

This essay considers the benefit, partnership, and ability to pay principles of tax justice with respect to their foundations and how they bear (if at all) on such issues as the role and size of government, the choice of the tax base, and the structure of rates and exemptions. The method of examination is primarily by way of critique of what I call the new benefit principle, or NBP, which has recently been invoked by some commentators. The broad thesis of this essay is that the NBP - as well as its sibling, the partnership theory of (income) taxation - is little more than a rhetorical counter to street Libertarian talk that assumes one's entitlement to market outcomes. The NBP and the partnership theory do not withstand analysis at the level of entitlement theory, and they do not prescribe a politically liberal taxing and spending role for government. Specifically, the NBP and, to a lesser extent, the partnership theory, tell us very little about what the tax system should look like, and they certainly do not favor a Schanz-Haig-Simons income tax base, or, for that matter, any personal tax base with progressive features. Neither can be implemented as a substantive tax fairness principle. In contrast, an objective ability-to-pay principle is compatible with leading social justice theories and clearly favors a realization income tax base. I also argue, contrary to Murphy & Nagel and Kaplow & Shavell, that the ability-to-pay principle, as a norm of tax fairness, has a legitimate (if not pre-emptive) role in tax theory.
The nature of performance deficity under secobarbital and chlorpromazine in the monkey. A behavioral and EEG study.

The effects of secobarbital and chlorpromazine were studied in monkeys trained on a continuous, rapidly presented successive discrimination task. The subjects were implanted with epidural electrodes to monitor EEG during drug-induced impairment of performance. The analysis was focussed on the phase of drug effect during which both drugs induced intermittent lapses of responding.
Simulating Diffusion with Conflicting Knowledge

Abstract : A simulation model is developed and used to better understand the diffusion of conflicting knowledge in a social network. Within the simulation, correct and incorrect knowledge diffuse simultaneously, however, simulation agents are not explicitly made aware that contradictory information exists. Instead, they may become aware of this by obtaining both correct and incorrect knowledge of the same piece of information. The agent must then determine what knowledge to accept. We implement various models of how people react to conflicting knowledge, which we refer to as intrapersonal conflict resolution strategies (ICRS). We analyze these ICRS with respect to the speed and breadth of correct and incorrect knowledge spread and how often agents find themselves holding conflicting knowledge. We also consider the effect of varying the odds of incorrect knowledge existing in the system, the network structure and the differentials in trust between agents. We find evidence that our model is consistent with many real-world notions of diffusion. Consequently, we make tentative conclusions about the effect of our various experimental conditions on the spread of conflicting knowledge in a social network. We note that conflicting knowledge spreads more slowly and persists longer than knowledge which cannot be conflicted.
Intraoperative assessment of esophageal motility using FLIP during myotomy for achalasia.

The functional luminal imaging probe (FLIP) can evaluate esophagogastric junction (EGJ) distensibility and esophageal peristalsis in real time. FLIP measurements performed during diagnostic endoscopy can accurately discriminate between healthy controls and patients with achalasia based on EGJ-distensibility and distinct motility patterns termed repetitive antegrade contractions (RACs) and repetitive retrograde contractions (RRCs). We sought to evaluate real-time motility changes in patients undergoing surgical myotomy for achalasia. FLIP measurements using a stepwise volumetric distention protocol were performed at three time points during assessment and performance of laparoscopic Heller myotomy and POEM: (1) During preoperative outpatient endoscopy, (2) Intraoperatively following induction of anesthesia, and (3) Intraoperatively after myotomy completion. EGJ-distensibility, contractility, RACs, and RRCs were measured. FLIP measurements were performed in 32 patients. The EGJ-distensibility index was similar between the preoperative and initial operative measurements (1.1 vs 1.4 mm2/mmHg, p = NS). There was a significant increase in distensibility following surgical myotomy (1.4 to 4.7 mm2/mmHg, p < 0.01). Intraoperative contractile patterns varied between achalasia subtypes. Contractility was seen in < 20% of assessments in patients with types I and II achalasia. Type III patients demonstrated contractility in 100% of assessments, with 70% exhibiting RRCs and 60% RACs. There was a reduction in the frequency of RRC presence (70% to 20%), and contractile vigor (80% to 0% of patients with lumen occluding contractions) in type III patients following surgical myotomy. This first report of real-time intraoperative measurement of esophageal motility using FLIP demonstrates the feasibility of such assessments during surgical myotomy for achalasia. Patients with type I and II achalasia exhibited rare intraoperative contractility, while the presence of motility was the norm in those with type III. Patients with type III achalasia demonstrated an immediate reduction in repetitive contraction motility patterns and contractile vigor following myotomy.
Structuring Semisolid Foods

The microstructure of semisolid foods can have great impact on their texture, functional properties, and rheological properties. Semisolid food microstructures can be modified during their manufacturing process by either altering processing parameters or adding functional ingredients. Functional ingredients for creating and altering food microstructures include proteins, polysaccharides, and lipids are introduced; key food structural features include protein and polysaccharide networks, emulsions, and foams. Processing strategies that can influence these food microstructures include homogenization, heat treatment, and acidification. Illustration of how formulation and processing can impact semisolid food microstructures can be found in yogurt, whipped cream, and ice cream: adding functional ingredients, such as dietary fibers, gums, calcium, and whey protein isolates, as well as altering their processing parameters, can dramatically change their microstructural features.
Mindful Adaptations for Young Patients and Adults with Mild Cognitive Disabilities

Young patients often encounter behavioral and communication challenges when interacting with adults. Adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) experience similar difficulties. There is a need to d...
Cyber-physical Support of Daily Activities: A Robot/Smart Home Partnership

This article introduces RAS, a cyber-physical system that supports individuals with memory limitations to perform daily activities in their own homes. RAS represents a partnership between a smart home, a robot, and software agents. When smart home residents perform activities, RAS senses their movement in the space and identifies the current activity. RAS tracks activity steps to detect omission errors. When an error is detected, the RAS robot finds and approaches the human with an offer of assistance. Assistance consists of playing a video recording of the entire activity, showing the omitted activity step, or guiding the resident to the object that is required for the current step. We evaluated RAS performance for 54 participants performing three scripted activities in a smart home testbed and for 2 participants using the system over multiple days in their own homes. In the testbed experiment, activity errors were detected with a sensitivity of 0.955 and specificity of 0.992. RAS assistance was performed successfully with a rate of 0.600. In the in-home experiments, activity errors were detected with a combined sensitivity of 0.905 and a combined specificity of 0.988. RAS assistance was performed successfully for the in-home experiments with a rate of 0.830.
Khayyam, a tunable, cyclical spatial heterodyne spectrometer on Mt. Hamilton

We describe the design considerations, installation, and technical challenges of coupling a cyclical spatial heterodyne spectrometer (SHS) with the Cassegrain telescope at the Lick Observatory on Mt. Hamilton, California. The SHS instrument (named Khayyam after the mathematician) is mounted to a fixed focal plane shared by the 0.6-m Cassegrain Coude Auxiliary Telescope (CAT) and has the field-of-view of ∼4 arc min, on the sky, spectral resolving power (R) of 48,000 and a tunable wavelength bandpass range over ΔλB ∼ 150 Å. This instrument–telescope pairing is optimal for temporal observations of extended astronomical targets, e.g., cometary coma, when significant observing time is available since it provides high-resolution spectra from small input apertures. Khayyam’s approach contrasts with traditional high spectral resolution spectrometers that need to be coupled to large aperture telescopes to compensate for their low throughput. Based on our reference lamp results, we were able to formulate the undesirable impact of the spider pattern on the SHS data that prohibited us from acquiring spectra from our sky targets. However, more analysis is needed to investigate if we can create a framework to systematically eliminate the diffracted spider pattern shadow from the fringe pattern without compromising the integrity and quality of the data.
Concurrent Ventral Hernia Repair Is Effective in Patients Undergoing Abdominally Based Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction.

Background The abdomen remains the most preferable donor site for autologous breast reconstruction. Many patients in this population will have had prior abdominal surgery, which is the chief risk factor for having a ventral hernia. While prior studies have examined the impact of prior abdominal surgery on breast reconstruction, limited data exist on the management of patients with a preexisting ventral hernia. The objective of this study was to investigate outcomes of performing ventral hernia repair concurrent with abdominally based microsurgical breast reconstruction. Methods A 5-year retrospective review of patients undergoing abdominally based microsurgical breast reconstruction was performed. The experimental group consisted of patients with a preexisting ventral hernia that was repaired at the time of breast reconstruction, and was compared with a historical cohort of patients without preexisting hernias. Results There were a total of 18 and 225 patients in the experimental and control groups, respectively. There was a higher incidence of prior abdominal surgery in the experimental group (p = 0.0008), but no other differences. Mean follow-up was 20.5 ± 5.2 months. There were no instances of recurrent hernia or flap loss in the experimental group. No significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups in the incidence of donor-site complications (27.8 vs. 20.9%, respectively; p = 0.55), recipient site complications (27.8 vs. 24.0%, respectively; p = 0.78), operative time (623 ± 114 vs. 598 ± 100 minutes, respectively; p = 0.80), or length of stay (3.4 ± 0.5 vs. 3.1 ± 0.4 days, respectively; p = 0.98). Conclusion Concurrent ventral hernia repair at the time of abdominally based microsurgical breast reconstruction appears to be safe and effective. Larger studies are needed to further define this relationship.
A Retrospective Review of Differences in Complication Rates between Dorsal Percutaneous and Mini-Open Surgical Fixation of Scaphoid Fractures.

Objective We retrospectively reviewed the complications of 80 cases of scaphoid screw fixation in acute fractures and early nonunions comparing dorsal percutaneous and mini-open approaches. Methods We performed a chart review of all patients who underwent surgical fixation of a scaphoid fracture or a nascent nonunion using a dorsal percutaneous or dorsal mini-open technique by a single surgeon. We collected data on patient demographics, including age and smoking status, time to surgery, fracture type, union, and the major and minor complications that occurred in each group. Fisher's exact tests were used to compare the complication rates between the groups. Results We identified 80 patients who underwent surgical fixation. Of these, 44 underwent percutaneous fixation and 36 underwent mini-open fixation. All fractures went on to heal. There was a total of five complications identified. There were no major complications in the percutaneous group, but one major complication in the mini-open group (a delayed union that eventually healed at 6 months). There were two minor complications in each group. There was no statistically significant difference in total, major, or minor complication rates between the groups. Conclusions This study suggests that a dorsal percutaneous surgical technique for scaphoid fracture repair does not affect the complication rate despite prior literature to the contrary. Both techniques analyzed produce excellent rates of union with very low complication rates. Surgeon-specific technique rather than operative approach or exposure may be responsible for previously reported complication rates in the fixation of scaphoid fractures. Level of Evidence This is a level III, therapeutic study.
Forming the Simmons Catheter for Cerebral Angiography and Neurointerventions via the Transradial Approach-Techniques and Operative Videos.

Objective Transradial access has been used increasingly for diagnostic cerebral angiography and neurointerventions. This requires development of a new skillset. Forming the Simmons catheter to catheterize the cerebral vessels is the most fundamental. Patient anatomy can complicate the formation of the Simmons catheter and the success of the procedure. The aim of this paper is to identify and describe the techniques that can be used transradially to facilitate the formation of the Simmons catheter for catheterization of the cerebral vessels. Methods We reviewed our series of 85 cerebral angiograms performed via a transradial approach at our institution between 2018 and 2019. We identified the techniques employed to form the Simmons catheter and compiled operative videos demonstrating each technique and its nuances. Results We have identified 7 techniques used to form the Simmons catheter from a right radial approach: in the ascending aorta, in the descending aorta, in the aortic arch, by deflecting the catheter off of the aortic valve with the glidewire in the common carotid artery, by deflecting the catheter off of the aortic valve with the glidewire in the descending aorta, and directly in the right or left common carotid arteries. We have identified that formation of the Simmons catheter from a left radial approach is most easily done in the descending aorta. Conclusions Transradial artery access has become increasingly common in cerebral angiography and neurointerventions. We describe techniques used for the formation of the Simmons catheter, a fundamental skill necessary for transradial cerebral angiogram or neurointervention.
A Feasible Schema Design Strategy for Amazon DynamoDB: A Nested Normal Form Approach

Amazon DynamoDB is a next-gen NoSQL (Not only SQL), key-value and document database that delivers single-digit millisecond performance at any scale. As more complex web-based applications adopt DynamoDB, it is imperative to develop sound design strategies for DynamoDB schemas. Large-scale web-based applications often exhibit conflicting requirements. Hence, the research problem is to design the DynamoDB schemas of a given application with conflicting requirements such that the database must satisfy certain predetermined performance goals. In the era of relational databases, normal forms were developed to guide the schema design process. Past knowledge and experiences, we believe, are also applicable to DynamoDB schema design. Specifically, based upon Nested Normal Form and XML databases, this paper demonstrates the feasibility of a design strategy on DynamoDB schemas, particularly with the access patterns of the data in mind. Simulation further substantiates the feasibility of our approach.
Ultrafast nano-imaging of polaron dynamics in lead halide perovskites

To investigate the spatio-temporal heterogeneity in the ultrafast soft-lattice and polaron dynamics of lead halide perovskites, we develop ultrafast heterodyne-detected infrared nano-imaging resolving nanoscale disorder in polaron formation, coupling, and dynamics.
New Features Free of Charge? Using Price to Sort Consumers among Legacy Software Versions

In many durable good contexts, firms price discriminate by charging higher prices for the latest functionality. By contrast, the software market sees little such price discrimination, despite new versions being introduced over time. I propose that the software firm’s ability to price discriminate is restricted by (1) the extent to which consumers value the innovation and (2) the cost associated with legacy software maintenance. To analyze this question, I use a unique dataset of subscriptions to a Fortune 500 firm’s software products. In my data, consumers frequently choose to forgo the free upgrade, electing to renew legacy versions of the product instead. To distinguish among the different factors driving this pattern, I develop a dynamic model of consumer choice of product versions, renewal opportunities and upgrades. The model estimates reveal that although the majority of consumers value new versions, the high value, price insensitive consumers do not, causing it to be unprofitable for the firm to price latest functionality at a premium. Even so, I find that this preference heterogeneity favors a shift to a product with automatic upgrades to the latest functionality, thus providing both a cost and a demand justification for this observed industry trend.
IMPACTS OF REMITTANCES ON EXCHANGE RATES AND NET EXPORT

This study investigates the impacts of workers’ remittances on real exchange rates and net export by using data for 101 developing countries from 1990 to 2015. One challenge in addressing the impac...