cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Disclosure of New Type 2 Diabetes Diagnoses to Younger Adults: a Qualitative Study.

Adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at a younger age are at increased risk for poor outcomes. Yet, little is known about the early experiences of these individuals, starting with communication of the diagnosis. Addressing this knowledge gap is important as this initial interaction may shape subsequent disease-related perceptions and self-management. We examined diagnosis disclosure experiences and initial reactions among younger adults with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. Purposive sample of adult members of Kaiser Permanente Northern California, an integrated healthcare delivery system, diagnosed with type 2 diabetes before age 45 years. We conducted six focus groups between November 2017 and May 2018. Transcribed audio recordings were coded by two coders using thematic analysis. Participants (n = 41) were 38.4 (± 5.8) years of age; 10 self-identified as Latinx, 12 as Black, 12 as White, and 7 as multiple or other races. We identified variation in diagnosis disclosure experiences, centered on four key domains: (1) participants’ sense of preparedness for diagnosis (ranging from expectant to surprised); (2) disclosure setting (including in-person, via phone, via secure message, or via review of results online); (3) perceived provider tone (from nonchalant, to overly fear-centered, to supportive); and (4) participants’ emotional reactions to receiving the diagnosis (including acceptance, denial, guilt, and/or fear, rooted in personal and family experience). For younger adults, the experience of receiving a diabetes diagnosis varies greatly. Given the long-term consequences of inadequately managed diabetes and the need for early disease control, effective initial disclosure represents an opportunity to optimize initial care. Our results suggest several opportunities to improve the type 2 diabetes disclosure experience: (1) providing pre-test counseling, (2) identifying patient-preferred settings for receiving the news, and (3) developing initial care strategies that acknowledge and address the emotional distress triggered by this life-altering, chronic disease diagnosis.
Fully developed forced convection analysis of magneto-hydrodynamic nano fluid through annular sector duct:

During this study, we have investigated the effect of magnetic field on heat transfer flow of an electrically conducting magneto-hydrodynamic, (MHD) nano fluid through annular sector duct. The prob...
Population Geneticists Discover Bacteria and Their Genetic/Molecular Epidemiology

In this chapter, the author considers the origins and early history of the enterprise: population genetics, genetic epidemiology, evolutionary genetics, molecular epidemiology, molecular evolution, molecular phylogeny, or molecular forensics, to which Tom Whittam made his awesome contributions. Tom was one of the first to apply population genetics procedures and theory to the genetic epidemiology of bacteria from clinical and other natural sources. From a population genetics perspective, the result of our E. coli enzyme variation study and its interpretation had sufficient “man bites dog” appeal to appear in Science. On the other hand, neither the considerable variability nor the clonal population genetic structure would have been surprising to microbiologists studying the epidemiology of bacteria from clinical and natural sources. Similar observations were made for a number of different species of bacteria with serological as well as other phenotypic markers, like phage resistance patterns (phage typing), repertoires of fermentation capabilities (biotyping), and the distribution of plasmids carried (plasmid typing). By the early 1980s investigators studying the genetic epidemiology of bacteria were also beginning to use various kinds of restriction endonuclease cutting procedures for these epidemiological studies. The author believes that the single most important consequence of early- 1980s studies of genetic variation in E. coli was not direct genetic evidence for the clonal structure of E. coli, which the enzyme data provided, but rather the introduction of population genetics theory and approaches to the genetic epidemiology of bacteria.
Cyclic Variations in Ultrasonographic Evaluation of the Female Pelvis

The clinical value of gynecologic ultrasound evaluation has been well established for many types of pelvic pathology. Standard measurements for the size of the uterus and ovaries have generally been obtained by averaging single examinations for a number of patients. The question of reproducibility of results for the individual patient was not addressed. This question is heightened by the occasional discrepancy observed between ovarian sizes recorded on scans separated by a short time interval or by a discrepancy between ultrasonographic measurement and actual surgical observation. In an attempt to resolve this question, daily gynecologic ultrasound examinations were performed on three healthy patient volunteers for a full menstrual cycle. All patients were in the reproductive age range. One patient was wearing a Lippes Loop intrauterine contraceptive device, one was taking an oral contraceptive agent (Ortho-Novum 1/50), and the third used no contraception and was menstruating regularly.
Multimedia research challenges for industry

The popularity of digital media (images, video, audio) is growing in all segments of the market including consumer, media enterprise, traditional enterprise and Web. Its tremendous growth is a result of the convergence of many factors, including the pervasive increase in bandwidth to users, general affordability of multimedia-ready devices throughout the digital media value chain (creation, management, and distribution), growing ease and affordability of creating digital media content, and growing expectation of the value of digital media in enhancing traditional unstructured and structured information. However, while digital media content is being created and distributed at far greater amounts than ever before, significant technical challenges remain for realizing its full business potential. This paper examines some of the research challenges for industry towards harnessing the full value of digital media.
Advances in Software Science

Publisher Summary The chapter presents the overview of the present status of software science. Software science is an intellectually exciting discipline currently undergoing rapid development. Software science can be treated as a proper basis or foundation for the field of software engineering, but not as synonymous with it. This is not unlike other branches, in that the engineering usually preceded and indeed stimulated the development of the underlying science. It is interesting to note, however, that it is only after the development of thermodynamics for power engineering, electrodynamics for electrical engineering, or statics, dynamics, and strength-of-materials for mechanical engineering that those branches could be considered quasi complete, highly competent, and dependable engineering disciplines. Such a goal for software engineering clearly motivates much of the work in software science. Despite the fact that there are no theorems, and perhaps never can be any, in the field of software science, one basic attribute shared by the equations in this field has become quite noticeable. This is the total and complete lack of arbitrary constants or unknown coefficients among the basic equations. It cannot yet be predicted what impact this discipline may be expected to have on the field of software engineering, or of computer programming in general in the future, but perhaps its greatest impact may result from one conclusion that seems inescapable. This conclusion is that natural laws govern language and the mental activity of using it far more strictly than previously recognized.
The Relationship Between Dividend Yields and Common Equity Returns for Hotel and Lodging Firms in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Japan: Some Empirical Evidence

Dividend policies of hotel and lodging firms are often constrained by various restrictive debt covenants. Such restrictions are imposed by institutional lenders as protective measures, especially when the financial and operating leverage trends in a specific industry group are very high. Given such restrictions and constrained dividend payouts, the question of “dividend relevance” has special importance for firms in the hotel and lodging industry. This research is a cross-sectional analysis of the dividend/return relationship for hotel and lodging firms in three major G7 markets, namely, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Japan. Although empirical findings suggest a positive nonlinear dividend/return relationship for hotel and lodging firms in these countries, they also reveal the presence of distinct country-specific effects in the above relationship. As such, the nature of the relationship between dividend yields and common equity returns for hotel and lodging firms is better understood from a g...
The Sweeping Operation

Throughout this chapter D is a Greenian subset of ℝ N , coupled with a boundary •D provided by a metric compactification when a boundary is relevant, and the boundary of a subset of ℝ N is that relative to the compactification. In most of the discussion the nature of the boundary is irrelevant, and •D can be taken, for example, as the Euclidean boundary or one-point boundary of D.
Prenatal care utilization among non-Hispanic Whites, African Americans, and Mexican Americans.

Objectives: The general objective of this study is to explain differentials in prenatal care (PNC) utilization in a nationally representative sample of non-Hispanic White (Anglo), African American, and Mexican American women. Method: The analysis is based on the National Maternal and Infant Health Survey. Multivariate, multinomial logistic regression models were employed to adjust for demographic, socioeconomic, medical risk, and program participation factors, as well as for perceived barriers. Both race/ethnic-specific models and models with race/ethnicity as a covariate were estimated. Results: Inadequate PNC use was much less common among Anglos (10.4%) as compared to African Americans and Mexican Americans (22.1% and 25.0%, respectively). In fully adjusted models, the odds ratio (OR) of African Americans receiving inadequate PNC was 1.46, while the risk for Mexican Americans was greater (OR = 1.93). Perception of obstacles to PNC access doubled the odds of receiving inadequate care, but this psychosocial variable had little impact on race/ethnic differentials. Race/ethnic-specific models uncovered potentially important racial/ethnic variations associated with perception of barriers, marital status, and program participation. Conclusions: Although the same risk factors sometimes have different effects across race/ethnic groups, and while certain findings indicate a beneficial impact of health outreach efforts and program participation, our findings support the conclusion that PNC utilization continues to be stratified along race/ethnic lines.
Characterization of terminal impedance and radiation properties of a horizontal VLF antenna over Antarctic ice

[1] Measurements of the input impedance of two very low frequency (VLF) transmitters in Antarctica are used to validate existing dielectric models for the ice substrate at these frequencies. Using a finite difference time domain approach, Maxwell's equations are solved in the presence of dispersive media, representing the layers of ice which form the Antarctic ice sheet as a single-pole Debye material. This model provides simulated input impedance values in good agreement with measured data for both the South Pole beacon and the former Siple Station VLF transmitters. Using the validated simulation tool, the radiation characteristics of the South Pole beacon VLF transmitter are characterized. Results for the radiation resistance, efficiency, and far-field pattern are provided for the current South Pole transmitter. The power pattern for a two-element array is also determined.
Scheduling Transmissions of Coexisting Wireless Body Area Networks Using Minimum Weight Match

Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN) is extensively being used for ubiquitous health care monitoring. Coexisting multiple WBANs could possibly suffer from high interference and thus an appropriate scheduling scheme is desirable to improve network throughput for interfering nodes. The received Signal to Interference and Noise Ratio (SINR) from the sensors in the overlapped region of two or more WBANs which use the same transmitting frequency drops. This decrease is an indicator of inter-WBAN interference. Hence, we propose a scheduling algorithm which assigns the node with minimum SINR to first available transmission slot and so on. Thus, the nodes which suffer maximum interference are given higher priority to transmit in the revised Time division multiple access (TDMA) schedules. The local coordinator of each WBAN exchange messages with the interfering WBAN’s coordinator and then tries to suppress interference by creating a new TDMA schedule for interfering nodes. Results obtained using simulations are encouraging as they indicate that minimum weight match scheduling can improve the packet drop rate and thus enhance the network performance.
The consequences of not having eosinophils

Several lines of evidence suggest that deficiency of eosinophils is not associated with any characteristic abnormality. Patients lacking eosinophils, in the setting of immunodeficiency or as a consequence of IgG-mediated eosinophil precursor destruction, do not display any distinguishing abnormalities related to eosinophil reduction. The observation that eosinophil-deficient mice do not display any distinctive syndrome or failure of their health is evidence that, under ordinary laboratory conditions, the eosinophil does not play a critical role in the well-being of mammals. Observations that monoclonal antibodies to interleukin-5 (IL-5) are well tolerated appear unsurprising in light of these findings. For example, patients with the hypereosinophilic syndrome have received mepolizumab, an anti-IL-5 monoclonal antibody, for as long as 6 years and have not developed any characteristic set of adverse events. Safety data for reslizumab, another anti-IL-5 monoclonal antibody, and benralizumab, a monoclonal antibody to the IL-5 receptor α-chain, are comparatively limited, especially for benralizumab, although reports of administration of these antibodies to humans suggest that they are well tolerated. Thus, data to the present suggest that reduction of eosinophils appears to have no characteristic ill effects on normal health, and monoclonal antibodies that deplete eosinophils have the potential to be widely employed in the treatment of eosinophil-associated diseases.
Dynamic Analysis and Parameter Identification of a Single Mass Elastomeric Isolation System Using a Maxwell-Voigt Model

Dynamic analysis and parameter identification of a single mass elastomeric isolation system represented by a Maxwell-Voigt model is examined. Influences that the stiffness and damping values of the Maxwell element have on natural frequency, damping ratio, and frequency response are uncovered and three unique categories of Maxwell-type elements are defined. It is also shown that Voigt and Maxwell-Voigt models with equivalent natural frequencies and damping ratios can have considerably different frequency response spectra. Lastly, a parameter identification method is developed for identifying Maxwell-Voigt models from frequency response spectra. The method is based on constant natural frequency and damping ratio curves generated from modal analysis of potential Maxweil-Voigt models.
Physical/chemical separations in the break-up of highly charged droplets from electrosprays

Highly-charged droplets, as formed by an electrospray process, are known to undergo asymmetric fission to form smaller droplets. We have observed a chemical and physical separation phenomenon that occurs in the droplet break-up process and is related to a compound’s surface activity in solution. Two experimental approaches demonstrated that the smaller satellite droplets and the progeny droplets generated by the spray formation and asymmetric fission processes to be surfactant-enriched. These smaller droplets were also effectively separated from the larger primary and residual droplets because of their smaller inertia and high surface charge density, and a region attributed to the initially formed smaller satellite droplets was found to be strikingly confined in a narrow periphery region of the electrospray. The phenomenon may have utility for chemical separations and have significant implications for the sensitivity and selectivity of electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry.
The visual pulvinar in tree shrews II. Projections of four nuclei to areas of visual cortex

Patterns of thalamocortical connections were related to architectonically defined subdivisions of the pulvinar complex and the dorsolateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) in tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri). Tree shrews are of special interest because they are considered close relatives of primates, and they have a highly developed visual system. Several distinguishable tracers were injected within and across cortical visual areas in individual tree shrews in order to reveal retinotopic patterns and cortical targets of subdivisions of the pulvinar. The results indicate that each of the three architectonic regions of the pulvinar has a distinctive pattern of cortical connections and that one of these divisions is further divided into two regions with different patterns of connections. Two of the pulvinar nuclei have similar retinotopic patterns of projections to caudal visual cortex. The large central nucleus of the pulvinar (Pc) projects to the first and second visual areas, V1 and V2, and an adjoining temporal dorsal area (TD) in retinotopic patterns indicating that the upper visual quadrant is represented dorsal to the lower quadrant in Pc. The smaller ventral nucleus (Pv) which stains darkly for the Cat-301 antigen, projects to these same cortical areas, with a retinotopic pattern. Pv also projects to a temporal anterior area, TA. The dorsal nucleus (Pd), which densely expresses AChE, projects to posterior and ventral areas of temporal extrastriate cortex, areas TP and TPI. A posterior nucleus, Pp, projects to anterior areas TAL and TI, of the temporal lobe, as well as TPI. Injections in different cortical areas as much as 6 mm apart labeled overlapping zones in Pp and double-labeled some cells. These results indicate that the visual pulvinar of tree shrews contains at least four functionally distinct subdivisions, or nuclei. In addition, the cortical injections revealed that the LGN projects topographically and densely to V1 and that a significant number of LGN neurons project to V2 and TD.
Dermal Transforming Growth Factor-β Responsiveness Mediates Wound Contraction and Epithelial Closure

Stromal-epithelial interactions are important during wound healing. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling at the wound site has been implicated in re-epithelization, inflammatory infiltration, wound contraction, and extracellular matrix deposition and remodeling. Ultimately, TGF-β is central to dermal scarring. Because scarless embryonic wounds are associated with the lack of dermal TGF-β signaling, we studied the role of TGF-β signaling specifically in dermal fibroblasts through the development of a novel, inducible, conditional, and fibroblastic TGF-β type II receptor knockout (Tgfbr2dermalKO) mouse model. Full thickness excisional wounds were studied in control and Tgfbr2dermalKO back skin. The Tgfbr2dermalKO wounds had accelerated re-epithelization and closure compared with controls, resurfacing within 4 days of healing. The loss of TGF-β signaling in the dermis resulted in reduced collagen deposition and remodeling associated with a reduced extent of wound contraction and elevated macrophage infiltration. Tgfbr2dermalKO and control skin had similar numbers of myofibroblastic cells, suggesting that myofibroblastic differentiation was not responsible for reduced wound contraction. However, several mediators of cell-matrix interaction were reduced in the Tgfbr2dermalKO fibroblasts, including α1, α2, and β1 integrins, and collagen gel contraction was diminished. There were associated deficiencies in actin cytoskeletal organization of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein-containing lamellipodia. This study indicated that paracrine and autocrine TGF-β dermal signaling mechanisms mediate macrophage recruitment, re-epithelization, and wound contraction.
Blast-Resistant Glazing Design

When blasts occur in urban areas, many injuries and sometimes deaths result when glass shards fly from windows fractured by airblast pressure. The use of blast-resistant glazing can mitigate the number and severity of glass-related injuries if blasts occur. In this paper, the writers present two methods to facilitate blast-resistant glazing design. One of these methods is primarily restricted to government facilities while the other exists in a consensus document for public use. Both of these methods rely on laminated glass as the blast-resistant glazing material. Both methods address all facets of blast-resistant glazing design, including attachment of the glazing to the framing members and an estimate of the forces necessary for designing framing members and connections.
The precise self-assembly of individual carbon nanotubes using magnetic capturing and fluidic alignment

A new method for the self-assembly of a carbon nanotube (CNT) using magnetic capturing and fluidic alignment has been developed and characterized in this work. In this new method, the residual iron (Fe) catalyst positioned at one end of the CNT was utilized as a self-assembly driver to attract and position the CNT, while the assembled CNT was aligned by the shear force induced from the fluid flow through the assembly channel. The self-assembly procedures were successfully developed and the electrical properties of the assembled multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) and single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) were fully characterized. The new assembly method developed in this work shows its feasibility for the precise self-assembly of parallel CNTs for electronic devices and nanobiosensors.
Role of Zinc Finger Domains of the Transcription Factor Neuron-restrictive Silencer Factor/Repressor Element-1 Silencing Transcription Factor in DNA Binding and Nuclear Localization

The transcription factor neuron-restrictive silencer factor/repressor element-1 (RE-1) silencing transcription factor (NRSF/REST) contains nine zinc finger domains and binds to the DNA element, neuron-restrictive silencer element/repressor element-1. REST4, a C-terminally truncated form of NRSF/REST, contains the five N-terminal zinc fingers and binds weakly to DNA yet is transported into the nucleus. To study the contribution of zinc fingers 6–8 to DNA binding, each was mutated. A mutation in zinc finger 6 or 8 had little effect; however, mutation of zinc finger 7 diminished DNA binding. Mutations in any two of these zinc fingers eliminated DNA binding. The contribution of zinc fingers 2–5 to nuclear targeting was studied. Deletion of zinc finger 5 prevented nuclear targeting. Mutations in zinc finger 2, 4, or 5 did not abolish nuclear targeting. However, a zinc finger 3 mutation together with a zinc finger 2 mutation localized to the nuclear envelope. A zinc finger 3 mutation alone or in combination with a zinc finger 4 or 5 mutation produced a punctate nuclear distribution. These results suggest the presence of signals for nuclear targeting, for nuclear entry, and for release from the translocation machinery within zinc fingers 2–5 of REST4.
In response to "Lipomatosis of the sciatic nerve secondary to compression by a desmoid tumor".

Dear Editor, We read with great interest the case report entitled “Lipomatosis of the sciatic nerve secondary to compression by a desmoid tumor.”We respectfully disagree with the authors’ interpretation of the imaging and their conclusions. Our group has had a particular interest in the clinical and radiological features of patients with lipomatosis of nerve (LN) and neuromuscular choristoma (NMC).The images provided in this report are strikingly similar to those published in our recent publication “Neuromuscular choristoma: characteristic magnetic resonance imaging findings and association with postbiopsy fibromatosis” [1], which included only biopsy-proven examples of NMC and fibromatosis (desmoid tumor). While the authors believe that the radiological features in their case are pathognomonic for LN, including the “coaxial cable sign” [2, 3], we feel that the imaging characteristics of the abnormal sciatic nerve in this report, namely, the non-enhancing fusiform enlargement of a large proximal peripheral nerve, and a <50 % fatty component, are more diagnostic of NMC than LN. Indeed, the sciatic nerve is the most common site for NMC, a rare one for LN, and this case overall is an excellent appearance of NMC complicated by aggressive fibromatosis. The postulated new association of LN and a desmoid tumor described in this case report is presumptive. While excellent radiological–pathological correlation between the enhancing mass component and the desmoid tumor is noted on biopsy, there is no tissue diagnosis of the sciatic nerve lesion itself. Nor would we have recommended a biopsy of it, owing to the potential exacerbation of the desmoid following surgery or biopsy of NMC [1, 4, 5]. Instead, we would try to support the diagnosis of the different clinical phenotypes of NMC and LN (NMC is associated with nerve territory undergrowth and LN with nerve territory overgrowth) [1]. We believe that the presented case offers additional evidence for the curious and unexplained association of NMC with desmoid development.
Relativistic random phase approximation applied to atoms of the He isoelectronic sequence

A relativistic version of the random phase approximation (RPA) is used to study allowed and forbidden radiative transitions in atoms. The theory is applied to the He isoelectronic sequence to test its utility. Precise numerical solutions to the relativistic RPA equations are obtained describing the transitions $1^{1}S_{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2^{3}S_{1} (M1)$, $1^{1}S_{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2^{1,3}P_{1} (E1)$, and $1^{1}S_{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2^{3}P_{2} (M2)$. The resulting excitation energies and transition probabilities are in good agreement with accurate nonrelativistic calculations for low-$Z$ elements. For intermediate- and high-$Z$ elements where relativistic effects are more important, the results are expected to be very accurate also. Extensive comparison shows good agreement of the calculated forbidden transition rates with available beamfoil measurements and the calculated transition energies with several lines from solar corona for high-$Z$ ($Z\ensuremath{\sim}25$) elements.
FLOER HOMOLOGY AND INVARIANTS OF HOMOLOGY COBORDISM

By using surgery techniques, we compute Floer homology for certain classes of integral homology 3-spheres homology cobordant to zero. We prove that Floer homology is two-periodic for all these manifolds. Based on this fact, we introduce a new integer valued invariant of integral homology 3-spheres. Our computations suggest its homology cobordism invariance.
FETAL VARICELLA SYNDROME

A great deal of controversy has existed concerning the effects of maternal varicella infection on the fetus. The purpose of this study was to establish a firm association between congenital anomalies of infants and maternal varicella infection (VI) in pregnancy. To date, prospective studies have failed to establish this association due to the rarity of index cases. The infant population in the present study is derived from a retrospective analysis of cases reported in the English language literature, as well as a personal case. The criteria used for the fetal Varicella Syndrome (FVS) were: 1. evidence of maternal VI during pregnancy, 2. presence of congenital skin dermatome lesions characteristic of VI and 3. immunologic proof of in-utero VI of the infants. Eighteen children who fulfilled the above criteria constituted the patient population identified as having fetal varicella syndrome (FVS). These children had a characteristic spectrum of anomalies which included: maternal VI at ≤ 20 weeks' gestation (8-20), all had skin lesions corresponding to dermatomes, 81% were female, 50% small for dates, 47% preterms, 89% had neurologic anomalies, 78% had eye anomalies, 72% had skeletal hypoplasia, 28% had gastrointestinal anomalies and 28% had urologic anomalies. Thus, it is apparent that maternal and subsequent fetal varicella infection during early pregnancy can result in a characteristic spectrum of anomalies which can be referred to as the “fetal varicella syndrome.”
Discussion: Statistical Cluster Detection, Epidemiologic Interpretation, and Public Health Policy

We briefly review five articles exploring spatiotemporal clustering of pediatric cancer cases in the state of Florida for the years 2000–2010. We review the general motivating question of interest (Are there clusters in the data?) and compare approaches with specific attention to the statistical quantification of this question, the epidemiologic insight gained about disease patterns, and potential policy responses to the collective results.
Comparing the top and the bottom income earners: Distribution of income and taxes in the United States

Abstract Tax reform is again at the center stage as Congress grapples with ideas to reduce the US budget deficit and the country readies itself for another election year. Given this unusually charged tax reform season, populist and party rhetoric appears to the general population to have largely replaced reasoned debate as politicians, economists and pundits “cherry pick” facts to justify their claims. Our contribution to the current debate on tax equity is that this is one of the very few studies that jointly consider the impact of payroll and income taxes. Most tax equity studies focus only on the federal income tax and as such issue misleading implications. It is important to jointly consider payroll and income taxes because (a) for taxpayers in lower income ranges, the payroll tax burden outweighs the income tax burden, while (b) for higher income taxpayers income from wages above $106,800 ($110,000 in 2012) are payroll-tax free, and (c) other sources of income, namely dividends and capital gains, are not subject to payroll taxes at all. Thus, we provide a more comprehensive picture of the overall progressivity (or lack thereof) exhibited by the current tax laws. In addition, we also consider how some often-raised tax proposals would prospectively affect income inequality and tax progressivity.
Delayed complications following pacemaker implantation

Acute complications resulting from permanent pacemaker implantation are well known and include perforation of the right atrium or right ventricle. Recently, several reports have described the occurrence of perforation and pericarditis as late complications following pacemaker implantation. These complications may occur days to weeks following uncomplicated pacemaker implantation and may lead to death if they are not recognized early. Five patients with late complications caused by active-fixation leads are reported and the clinical features of their presentation and management are reviewed. Late perforation of the right atrium or right ventricle is an uncommon complication after pacemaker implantation but should be suspected by the general cardiologist in a patient who has a device implanted within a week to several months prior to the development of chest pain.
Leakage aware dynamic voltage scaling for real-time embedded systems

A five-fold increase in leakage current is predicted with each technology generation. While Dynamic Voltage Scaling (DVS) is known to reduce dynamic power consumption, it also causes increased leakage energy drain by lengthening the interval over which a computation is carried out. Therefore, for minimization of the total energy, one needs to determine an operating point, called the critical speed. We compute processor slowdown factors based on the critical speed for energy minimization. Procrastination scheduling attempts to maximize the duration of idle intervals by keeping the processor in a sleep/shutdown state even if there are pending tasks, within the constraints imposed by performance requirements. Our simulation experiments show that the critical speed slowdown results in up to 5% energy gains over a leakage oblivious dynamic voltage scaling. Procrastination scheduling scheme extends the sleep intervals to up to 5 times, resulting in up to an additional 18% energy gains, while meeting all timing requirements.
11-Deoxycortisol: A Glucocorticoid Antagonist in Vivo

Previous studies have demonstrated that 11-deoxycortisol (pregn-4-ene-17α,21-diol-3,20-dione) competes with glucocorticoids for binding to the glucocorticoid receptor and is a competitive antagonist of glucocorticoid action in vitro. 11-Deoxycortisol, however, has been reported to be ineffective as a glucocorticoid antagonist in vivo. The present study was undertaken to examine this discrepancy between the in vivo and in vitro antiglucocorticoid activities of 11-deoxycortisol. In adrenalectomized rats, 11-deoxycortisol antagonized dexamethasone (9a-fluoro-16a-methyl-pregna-l,4-diene-llβ-17α,21-triol-3,20-dione)-induced liver glycogen accumulation and growth suppression at plasma levels comparable to those at which antiglucocorticoid activity has been reported in vitro and was itself devoid of agonist activity. In intact rats, on the other hand, 11-deoxycortisol showed agonist activity in growth suppression and adrenal suppression assays, and failed to antagonize dexamethasone activity. Plasma cortisol, me...
The Bull Market in Corrections

America has experienced a tremendous bull market in corrections, as evidenced by tremendous growth in offender populations. Demand remains at an all-time high, and consumers stand ready to buy any ...
Effect of aging on the transverse toughness of human cortical bone: evaluation by R-curves

The age-related deterioration in the quality (e.g., strength and fracture resistance) and quantity (e.g., bone-mineral density) of human bone, together with increased life expectancy, is responsible for increasing incidence of bone fracture in the elderly. The present study describes ex vivo fracture experiments to quantitatively assess the effect of aging on the fracture toughness properties of human cortical bone specifically in the transverse (breaking) orientation. Because bone exhibits rising crack-growth resistance with crack extension, the aging-related transverse toughness is evaluated in terms of resistance-curve (R-curve) behavior, measured for bone taken from a wide range of age groups (25-74 years). Using this approach, both the ex vivo crack-initiation and crack-growth toughness are determined and are found to deteriorate with age; however, the effect is far smaller than that reported for the longitudinal toughness of cortical bone. Whereas the longitudinal crack-growth toughness has been reported to be reduced by almost an order of magnitude for human cortical bone over this age range, the corresponding age-related decrease in transverse toughness is merely ~14%. Similar to that reported for X-ray irradiated bone, with aging cracks in the transverse direction are subjected to an increasing incidence of crack deflection, principally along the cement lines, but the deflections are smaller and result in a generally less tortuous crack path.
The role of CD45RO in antithymocyte globulin's stimulation of primitive haemopoietic cells

Summary. We have found that antithymocyte globulin (ATG), an equine antibody with proven efficacy in aplastic anaemia (AA), has a direct stimulatory effect on primitive haemopoietic cells from normal donors. This growth stimulation may be mediated via anti-CD45RO activity present in the ATG preparation. Addition of unabsorbed ATG enhanced colony growth at 21 d in the blast colony forming cell (Bl-CFC) assay. Prior absorption of ATG by incubation with the CD45RO+ MOLT-4 cell line resulted in the loss of enhancement. Absorption by MOLT-4 cells preincubated with anti-CD45RO mAb, UCHL-1, restored ATG's stimulatory effect. The Bl-CFC could also be stimulated to grow by the addition of UCHL-1 directly. Incubation of the primitive haemopoietic cells for 4 h with ATG was associated with a decline in the antigenic density of CD45RO, a tyrosine phosphatase. This down-regulation may upset the balance between growth factor-induced tyrosine kinase activation and tyrosine phosphate dephosphorylation resulting in increased growth of primitive cells. a possible factor in the sustained recovery of haemopoiesis seen in AA patients after ATG treatment.
Uniform estimates for oscillatory integral operators

Abstract In this paper we prove the uniform L p boundedness of oscillatory singular integral operators with smooth phase functions which satisfy a certain finite-type condition. These phase functions include the class of real-analytic functions. The uniform boundedness does not hold if the finite-type condition is removed. We also obtained estimates for related operators, including an optimal L 2 estimate for operators (with singular kernels) whose phase functions have non-singular Hessians.
Progress resulting from clinical trials. Solid tumors in childhood cancer.

Solid tumors account for approximately 70% of malignant neoplasms in children younger than 15 years of age. The 5-year survival of children with solid tumors increased from 27% to 70% between 1960 and 1990. The slope of the curve that describes the change in survival over this period is remarkably constant, reflecting the nature of progress made through clinical trials. In addition to providing data important for the refinement of treatment for specific tumors, clinical trials have made numerous important, global contributions for the practice of oncology. The development of uniform response criteria, for example, was necessitated by clinical trials. The identification of histologic subtypes and the recognition of prognostic variables have permitted refinements in diagnosis and staging. By exploring novel strategies for the integration of different therapeutic modalities, clinical trials have identified indications for the use of presurgical chemotherapy, preradiation chemotherapy, and second-look and delayed primary surgeries. Refinements in the utilization of chemotherapy have been made possible by the evaluation of new agents, the study of dose intensity, and the use of the “window of opportunity” to identify active agents for tumors for which there is no effective treatment. Clinical trials have been instrumental in defining the late effects of treatment, investigating the causes of childhood cancer through epidemiologic studies, and supporting cancer biology research. The close collaboration of basic and clinical investigators offers the best opportunity for realizing the rewards of transitional research.
Visibility of trabecular structures in oral radiographs.

Abstract Objectives To determine whether alveolar trabecular bone is visible and quantifiable in projection radiographs. Radiographic changes in oral trabecular bone have been studied as possible indications of bone loss, but in some previous studies, observed structures have been attributed entirely to the endosteal surface. Methods Computed radiography (CR) images of human mandibles in molar and pre-molar regions were compared with simulations calculated from high-resolution computed-tomography (CT) and micro-CT volumes. By digitally editing the CT volumes, the simulations were separated into trabecular and cortical components. High-pass-filtered CR images revealed structural details of cortical and trabecular bone. Results Trabecular bone constitutes as much as 38% of the total alveolar bone, and accounts for most of the observed alveolar fine structure. Several morphological types of fine structure can be distinguished. The noise in filtered images appears to be a meaningful measure of trabecular bone. Conclusion Trabecular bone is highly visible in intraoral radiographs.
Metabolic, Behavioral, and Reproductive Effects of Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy in an Obese Rat Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy affecting women of reproductive age. Its clinical expression is diverse, including metabolic, behavioral, and reproductive effects, with many affected by obesity and decreased quality of life. Women with PCOS who have undergone surgically induced weight loss have reported tremendous benefit, not only with weight loss, but also improvement of hyperandrogenism and menstrual cyclicity. In a rat model of PCOS achieved via chronic administration of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) exposure, we investigated the ability of bariatric surgery, specifically vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG), to ameliorate the metabolic, behavioral, and reproductive abnormalities invoked by this PCOS model. We found that DHT treatment combined with exposure to a high-fat diet resulted in increased body weight and body fat, impaired fasting glucose, hirsutism, anxiety, and irregular cycles. VSG resulted in reduced food intake, body weight, and adiposity with improved fasting glucose and triglycerides. VSG induced lower basal corticosterone levels and attenuated stress responsivity. Once the DHT levels decreased to normal, regular estrous cyclicity was also restored. VSG, therefore, improved PCOS manifestations in a comprehensive manner and may represent a potential therapeutic approach for specific aspects of PCOS.
The Development of Poultry Research

Abstract At the Capitol in Harrisburg there is a painting showing a female veiled figure with forked lightning in one hand and in the other the owl and the serpent, the symbols of mystery. The painting is entitled, “Wisdom, or the Spirit of Science,” and beneath is this inscription— “I am what is, what hath been and what shall be. My veil has been disclosed by none. What I have brought forth is this: The Sun is Born.” Science exists in order to illuminate man’s path through life and to lighten his understanding. The scientist’s conception of education is somewhat as follows: to learn how to extract knowledge from the past and the present and how to use such knowledge; to learn to weigh evidence in order to enable us to evaluate the conclusions of others and to deal with facts ; to gain an understanding of the fundamental laws of . . .
An informatics perspective on computational thinking

In this paper, we examine computational thinking and its connections to critical thinking from the perspective of in- formatics. We developed an introductory course for students in our College of Informatics, which includes majors rang- ing from journalism to computer science. The course cov- ered a set of principles of informatics, using both lectures and active learning sessions designed to develop informat- ics and computational thinking skills. The set of principles was drawn from a wide set of sources, and included broad principles like those of Denning and Loidl, as well as more limited principles related to topics like universal computa- tion and undecidability. We evaluated the change in both computational and critical thinking skills over the course of the semester, using a well-known validated critical thinking test and a computational thinking test of our own devising.
Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy: a comparison of natural orifice versus transabdominal specimen extraction

Background Conventional laparoscopic right hemicolectomy (LRH) involves making an abdominal incision to remove the specimen and perform the anastomosis. Totally laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with natural orifice specimen extraction (NOSE) may lead to better outcomes compared to LRH.
Blind deconvolution via cumulant extrema

Classical deconvolution is concerned with the task of recovering an excitation signal, given the response of a known time-invariant linear operator to that excitation. Deconvolution is discussed along with its more challenging counterpart, blind deconvolution, where no knowledge of the linear operator is assumed. This discussion focuses on a class of deconvolution algorithms based on higher-order statistics, and more particularly, cumulants. These algorithms offer the potential of superior performance in both the noise free and noisy data cases relative to that achieved by other deconvolution techniques. This article provides a tutorial description as well as presenting new results on many of the fundamental higher-order concepts used in deconvolution, with the emphasis on maximizing the deconvolved signal's normalized cumulant.
Acoustic monitoring of one-lung ventilation with vibration response imaging

Inadvertent endobronchial intubation and one-lung ventilation (OLV) with a standard endotracheal tube may lead to serious complications, such as a nonventilated lung, pneumothorax and hypoxemia. Auscultation of breath sounds was found to be inaccurate for the detection of OLV with a high margin, up to 60% error [1]. Vibration response imaging (VRI) is a novel technology that measures vibration energy from the lungs and displays regional intensity in both visual and graphic format. The time from the start of the procedure to display takes less than 1.5 minutes. We investigated the effectiveness of VRI to detect OLV using a double-lumen endotracheal tube in lung surgery patients.
Complex flow phenomena in vertical MOCVD reactors: Effects on deposition uniformity and interface abruptness

Abstract The structure of axisymmetric flow patterns in vertical MOCVD reactors is studied with emphasis on their effect on deposition rate uniformity and interface abruptness. Flow visualizations by illuminating TiO 2 seed particles in a sheet of laser light are used to illustrate forced and mixed convection flows. Excellent agreement between experimental observations and model predictions is demonstrated. Simulations show that the film thickness uniformity is affected by susceptor edge, reactor wall and buoyancy effects. Furthermore, nonlinear interactions between transport processes lead to multiple steady flows for typical operating conditions. The deposition of GaAs and AlAs from Ga(CH 3 ) 3 , Al(CH 3 ) 3 and AsH 3 are used as case studies. Simulations of solid and gas phase concentration transients in the growth of AlAs/GaAs interfaces illustrate the effects flow structures have on interface abruptness.
Exendin-4 Stimulation of Cyclin A2 in β-Cell Proliferation

OBJECTIVE—β-Cell proliferation is an important mechanism underlying β-cell mass adaptation to metabolic demands. We have examined effects, in particular those mediated through intracellular cAMP signaling, of the incretin hormone analog exendin-4 on cell cycle regulation in β-cells. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Changes in islet protein levels of cyclins and of two critical cell cycle regulators cyclin kinase inhibitor p27 and S-phase kinase–associated protein 2 (Skp2) were assessed in mice treated with exendin-4 and in a mouse model with specific upregulation of nuclear cAMP signaling exhibiting increased β-cell proliferation (CBP-S436A mouse). Because cyclin A2 was stimulated by cAMP, we assessed the role of cylcin A2 in cell cycle progression in Min6 and isolated islet β-cells. RESULTS—Mice treated with exendin-4 showed increased β-cell proliferation, elevated islet protein levels of cyclin A2 with unchanged D-type cyclins, elevated PDX-1 and Skp2 levels, and reduced p27 levels. Exendin-4 stimulated cyclin A2 promoter activity via the cAMP–cAMP response element binding protein pathway. CBP-S436A islets exhibited elevated cyclin A2, reduced p27, and no changes in D-type cyclins, PDX-1, or Skp2. In cultured islets, exendin-4 increased cyclin A2 and Skp2 and reduced p27. Cyclin A2 overexpression in primary islets increased proliferation and reduced p27. In Min6 cells, cyclin A2 knockdown prevented exendin-4–stimulated proliferation. PDX-1 knockdown reduced exendin-4–stimulated cAMP synthesis and cyclin A2 transcription. CONCLUSIONS—Cyclin A2 is required for β-cell proliferation, exendin-4 stimulates cyclin A2 expression via the cAMP pathway, and exendin-4 stimulation of cAMP requires PDX-1.