cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vicissitudes of preventive medicine and a new challenge.

Objectives: Significant changes in mortality patterns are part of the changing population demographics. This paper explores their implications for health evaluation and screening programs. Methods: A review of selected age-adjusted mortality rates from the National Vital Statistics Reports of the USA was undertaken and their change over the last five decades analyzed. Results: The review shows a continued decline in mortality rates from leading causes of death, such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, pneumonia and influenza, and a sharp rise in the death rates from Alzheimer’s disease. Available means for detection of Alzeimer’s disease are summarized. Conclusion: Given the emerging possibilities for the treatment and prevention of the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, tests for early detection of Alzheimer’s should be included in health screening examinations.
Characterizing intestinal inflammation and fibrosis in Crohn's disease by photoacoustic imaging: feasibility study

The pathology of Crohn's disease (CD) is characterized by obstructing intestinal strictures because of inflammation (with high levels of hemoglobin), fibrosis (high levels of collagen), or a combination of both. The accurate characterization of the strictures is critical for the management of CD. This study examines the feasibility of characterizing intestinal strictures by Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) without extrapolation from superficial biopsies. Ex vivo normal rat colon tissue, inflammatory and fibrotic intestinal strictures in rat trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) model were first differentiated by a PA-US parallel imaging system. Surgically removed human intestinal stricture specimens were afterwards imaged by a multiwavelength acoustic resolution PA microscope (ARPAM). The experiment results suggest that PAI is a potential tool for the diagnosis of the diseased conditions in intestinal strictures.
Minutiae + friction ridges = triplet-based features for determining sufficiency in fingerprints

In order to provide statistical and qualitative backing to latent fingerprint evidence, an algorithm is proposed to discover statistically rare features or patterns in fingerprint images. These features would help establish an objective minimum- quality baseline for latent prints as well as aid in the latent examination process in reaching a matching decision. The proposed algorithm uses minutia triplet-based features in a hierarchical fashion, where minutia points are used along with ridge information toestablish relations between minutiae. Preliminary results show that a set of distinctive features can be found that have sufficient discriminatory power to aid in quality assessment. An example set of 10 statistically rare features is presented, resulting from analysis of a set of 93 images. (6 pages)
MANURE HANDLING SYSTEMS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL FOR CONFINED DAIRY HOUSING

There is no single best manure handling system. Odor and appropriate time of disposal are two of the most difficult waste problems facing dairymen. Systems may range from a gutter cleaner and daily...
The Use of Intraoperative Positive End Expiratory Pressure

General anesthesia is associated with impaired gas exchange mainly because of increased shunt due to atelectasis in the dependent regions of the lung. Postoperative atelectasis is associated with adverse clinical outcomes in terms of hypoxic respiratory failure requiring endotracheal intubation and pneumonia secondary to impairment of ciliary and lymphatic functions. Prevention of atelectasis and/or airway closure could be a mechanism by which positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) improves oxygenation. Positive end expiratory pressure has been used intraoperatively as a part of open lung and protective lung ventilation strategies. However, it is unclear at the present time whether the intraoperative use of PEEP is associated with a decrease in mortality or in the incidence of other important clinical surrogates of outcome such as postoperative respiratory failure. The aim of this review is to review the physiologic effects and history of PEEP, to present some of the current uses in specific surgical populations and comment on potential benefits on postoperative mortality and pulmonary complications that may be ascribed to intraoperative PEEP use.
Mechanistic insight into the suppressive effects of stem cell factor during IgE-mediated activation in bone marrow-derived mast cells.

Treatment of bone marrow derived mast cells (BMMCs) with stem cell factor (SCF) is common practice when differentiating mast cells for experimentation. The enhanced growing potential from including SCF during mast cell culture and differentiation allows for easier maintenance and quicker experiments. Recent publications have begun to identify potentially negative effects of treatment with SCF regarding mast cell activation. The mechanism of SCF inhibition on mast cell activation is mostly unknown, but BMMCs derived with the addition of SCF function differently than untreated cells when mast cells are primed and subsequently activated. This study provides insight into the specific targets of SCF treatment and the impact SCF has on the ability of mast cells to activate. Running ELISAs in conjunction with real-time qPCR, we identified differentially expressed proteins involved in FCɛRI signaling and mast cell activation in BMMCs exposed to SCF. We examine the effects of SCF on Fyn, Lyn, Syk and Stat5 protein expression compared to mast cells raised without SCF. These data are also placed in the context of other immunosuppressive mechanism, ( e.g. TGFβ). The presented data allow researchers to better understand the implications that may result from SCF treatment of BMMCs, especially with respect to examining IgE-mediated functions.
Effects of Ionizing Irradiation on Mouse Diaphragmatic Skeletal Muscle.

Undesirable exposure of diaphragm to radiation during thoracic radiation therapy has not been fully considered over the past decades. Our study aims to examine the potential biological effects on diaphragm induced by radiation. One-time ionizing irradiation of 10 Gy was applied either to the diaphragmatic region of mice or to the cultured C2C12 myocytes. Each sample was then assayed for muscle function, oxidative stress, or cell viability on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 after irradiation. Our mouse model shows that radiation significantly reduced muscle function on the 5th and 7th days and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation in the diaphragm tissue from days 3-7. Similarly, the myocytes exhibited markedly decreased viability and elevated oxidative stress from days 5-7 after radiation. These data together suggested that a single dose of 10-Gy radiation is sufficient to cause acute adverse effects on diaphragmatic muscle function, redox balance, and myocyte survival. Furthermore, using the collected data, we developed a physical model to formularize the correlation between diaphragmatic ROS release and time after irradiation, which can be used to predict the biological effects of radiation with a specific dosage. Our findings highlight the importance of developing protective strategies to attenuate oxidative stress and prevent diaphragm injury during radiotherapy.
Goiter in the Elderly: The Role of Iodine

Publisher Summary The term goiter means thyroid enlargement, either diffuse or nodular. The incidence of goiter increases with age. The most common type of goiter in the elderly is multinodular goiter. Graves' disease is very rare in older adults. The most common cause of goiter worldwide is iodine deficiency. It is becoming less of a problem in developed countries, due to the addition of iodine to salt and bread. Goiter commonly presents as neck mass. Although most patients with goiter do not have any symptom other than neck swelling, occasionally patients complain of dysphagia, dysphonia, or pain. Many goiters do not cause any thyroidal hormonal abnormality (euthyroid status). Graves' disease, uncommon in the elderly, usually presents with a diffusely enlarged goiter with a bruit. The common symptoms of heat intolerance, tremor, tachycardia, and so on, may be erroneously attributed to normal aging or commonly present coexisting diseases in the elderly. Goiters associated with hypothyroidism can be regressed with thyroxine replacement therapy. Low doses of thyroxine should be used first and titrated in the elderly to avoid cardiac toxicity. Proper work-up for elderly patients with goiter includes a thorough history, detailed clinical examination, thyroid hormone assays, e.g., TSH, T4, T3, and an ultrasound or CT scan. Most goiters are benign in nature and may not require tissue diagnosis. In some elderly patients, fine needle aspiration and biopsy may be considered to rule out malignancy. Most elderly patients with nodular goiter are treated best by surgical removal, while radioiodine therapy and/or antithyroid drugs are the most effective therapy for non-nodular goiter.
Treatment of human challenge and MDR strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae with LpxC inhibitors.

Objectives Inhibitors of UDP-3-O-(R-3-hydroxymyristoyl)-N-acetylglucosamine deacetylase (LpxC), which catalyses the second step in the biosynthesis of lipid A, have been developed as potential antibiotics for Gram-negative infections. Our objectives were to determine the effect of LpxC inhibition on the in vitro survival and inflammatory potential of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Methods Survival of four human challenge strains was determined after treatment with two LpxC inhibitors for 2 and 4 h. To confirm results from treatment and assess their anti-inflammatory effect, the expression of TNF-α by human THP-1 monocytic cells infected with bacteria in the presence of the LpxC inhibitors was quantified. Cytotoxicity of inhibitors for THP-1 cells was evaluated by release of lactate dehydrogenase. Survival of five MDR strains was determined after 2 h of treatment with an LpxC inhibitor and the effect of co-treatment on MICs of ceftriaxone and azithromycin was examined. Results The inhibitors had bactericidal activity against the four human challenge and five MDR strains with one compound exhibiting complete killing at ≥5 mg/L after either 2 or 4 h of treatment. Treatment of gonococci infecting THP-1 monocytic cells reduced the levels of TNF-α probably owing to reduced numbers of bacteria and a lower level of expression of lipooligosaccharide. Neither inhibitor exhibited cytotoxicity for THP-1 cells. The MIC of azithromycin was slightly lowered by sublethal treatment of two MDR strains with an LpxC inhibitor. Conclusions Our in vitro results demonstrated promising efficacy of LpxC inhibition of N. gonorrhoeae that warrants further investigation particularly owing to the rise in MDR gonorrhoea.
Global estimation of finite mixture and misclassification models with an application to multiple equilibria

We show that the identification results of finite mixture and misclassification models are equivalent in a widely used scenario except for an extra ordering assumption. In the misclassification mod...
What Caused Japan’s Banking Crisis?

The banking and financial crisis that started with the collapse of asset prices in 1990 and 1991 and dominated the 1990s stands in stark contrast to Japan’s previous postwar record of economic growth, financial stability, and progress toward financial liberalization.
Remote Sensing of Atmospheric Water Vapor

Many of the unique features of Earth’s surface environment result from the presence of large amounts of water, mostly in liquid phase. However, key to many feedback processes in the climate system is the fact that some water is also present in both vapor and solid phase: exchanges between the different reservoirs of water in its different forms, mediated by the circulation of the atmosphere, make the behavior of the whole system much more complicated. Current concern with how sensitive the climate is to changes made by humans and how sensitive human societies are to changes in climate motivates interest in water in all its forms; however, the focus of this paper is on the roles played by water vapor in determining the energy content and circulation of the troposphere.
Beyond incremental processing: tracking concept drift

Learning in complex, changing environments requires methods that are able to tolerate noise (less than perfect feedback) and drift (concepts that change over time). These two aspects of complex environments interact with each other: when some particular learned predictor fails to correctly predict the expected outcome (or when the outcome occurs without having been preceded by the learned predictor), a learner must be able to determine whether the situation is an instance of noise or an indication that the concept is beginning to drift. We present a learning method that is able to learn complex Boolean characterizations while tolerating noise and drift. An analysis of the algorithm illustrates why it has these desirable behaviors, and empirical results from an implementation (called STAGGER) are presented to show its ability to track changing concepts over time.
Aging in the Digital Age: Conceptualizing Technology Adoption and Digital Inequalities

In this chapter, we synthesize prior empirical research focused on digital inequalities among older adults. We highlight studies that detail both antecedents and consequences of the digital divide. We also discuss popular theories and models such as the theory of reasoned action, the technology adoption model, and the senior technology adoption model, which have served as the foundation for understanding technology adoption and use among older adults. Despite the prevalence of digital inequalities among older adults, our review points to findings that suggest that when older adults adopt and use information and communication technologies (ICTs) they can experience enhanced quality of life. We conclude this chapter by discussing directions for future research.
PerformanceStat in Child Welfare: Leveraging Performance Management and Safety Culture to Improve Child Welfare Outcomes

ABSTRACTTo improve service provision and outcomes to children and families in the child welfare system, efforts to increase system learning and create a culture that fosters data-driven decision-ma...
Racial Differences in Sepsis Recognition in the Emergency Department.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed racial differences in sepsis recognition in a pediatric emergency department (ED) with an established electronic sepsis alert system. METHODS: Quality-improvement data from June 1, 2016 to May 31, 2017 was used in this retrospective cohort study. All ED visits were included for non-Hispanic black (NHB) and non-Hispanic white (NHW) patients. The sepsis pathway was activated through the alert, 2 stages and a huddle, or outside of the alert using clinician judgment alone. We evaluated racial differences in the frequency of alerts and sepsis pathway activation within and outside of the alert. Multivariable regression adjusted for high-risk condition, sex, age, and insurance. RESULTS: There were 97 338 ED visits: 56 863 (58.4%) and 23 008 (23.6%) from NHBs and NHWs, respectively. NHWs were more likely than NHBs to have a positive second alert (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.1–2.8). NHWs were more likely than NHBs to have the sepsis pathway activated (aOR 1.4; 95% CI 1.02–2.1). Of those treated within the alert, there was no difference in pathway activation (aOR 0.93; 95% CI 0.62–1.4). Of those recognized by clinicians when the alert did not fire, NHWs were more likely than NHBs to be treated (aOR 3.4; 95% CI 1.8–6.4). CONCLUSIONS: NHWs were more likely than NHBs to be treated for sepsis, although this difference was specifically identified in the subset of patients treated for sepsis outside of the alert. This suggests that an electronic alert reduces racial differences compared with clinician judgment alone.
The Protestant Ethic Reexamined: Calvinism and Industrialization:

Can cultural differences affect economic change? Max Weber famously argued that ascetic Protestants’ religious commitments—specifically their work ethic—inspired them to develop capitalist economic...
Machine Learning for Vibrational Spectroscopic Maps

Maps that relate spectroscopic properties of a vibrational mode and collective solvent coordinates have proven useful in theoretical vibrational spectroscopy of condensed-phase systems. It has been...
Sobre la complejidad de los datos en Humanidades, o cómo traducir las ideas a datos

Este articulo explora el concepto de datos informaticos aplicados a las Humanidades a traves de tres perspectivas diferentes: en primer lugar, se analiza el significado del termino desde un punto de vista historico y se situa en el contexto de las Humanidades Digitales prestando atencion a su acepcion mas tecnica. A continuacion, se discute sobre la naturaleza, las tipologias y se abordan algunos debates de los ultimos anos, como es el de su aparente objetividad. Por ultimo, y en conexion con la produccion, gestion y analisis de los datos, se toma en consideracion el fenomeno big data y los desafios de su aplicacion en el terreno de las Humanidades. Se pretende, en definitiva, poner de relieve el papel central de los datos en el quehacer humanistico y como, para el humanista actual, existen competencias digitales basicas ineludibles.
Implementation of an Open-Loop Turn Circle Intercept Controller

We examine the practical implementation of an evolutionary algorithm to solve a pursuit evasion problem. In this problem, an Attacker and a Target move about an infinite plane with constant speeds. The Target moves in a constant circle, whereas the Attacker is free to change its direction with a bounded turn rate. The goal of the Attacker is to capture the Target in minimum time. We used pursuit evasion robots to physically model this problem and implement an evolutionary algorithm to evaluate the controller performance in real-world systems.
Purdue manual dexterity testing: A cohort study of community-dwelling elderly.

Abstract Introduction The Purdue Pegboard Test is a manual dexterity test that requires the manipulation of pegs, washers, and collars. Our population for this research study focused on the geriatric community owing to the lack of recent available normative data. Purpose of the Study The purpose of this study was to provide updated normative data for hand therapists to use in clinical practice to determine if seniors have dexterity deficits. Study Design This is a cohort study. Methods This study was completed through a convenience sample which included 128 participants. Participants were stratified into three age groups (60-69, 70-79, and 80+). Participants were asked to complete the Purdue Pegboard Test. Mean scores were analyzed using an independent-sample t-test and one-way analysis of variance to compare the mean scores of each designated age group. Results A one-way analysis of variance reported statistically significant differences between the 3 age groups (F = 15.03, P Discussion Mean scores for the PPT for community-dwelling seniors were established. Conclusion The findings from this study support that dexterity may decline with age, which can affect occupational performance over time.
Quantifying the impact of scattering on the point spread function using a Modified Full Field Optical Coherence Tomography Setup

We present the preliminary results of our depth-resolved PSF measurement in static scattering phantoms. This forms a basis for correcting the degradation of the point spread function by optical scattering.
Large-Signal Performance of the Basic Gain Stages in Analog ICs

The basic stages of analog integrated circuits are the emitter-coupled pair (ECP) and the emitter follower (EF) for bipolar circuits and the sourcecoupled pair (SCP) and the source follower (SF) for MOS circuits. In the next several chapters, these basic stages are examined from the standpoint of their large-signal performance. Of particular interest is the distortion produced in the output waveforms relative to the inputs. In a later chapter, available power output and efficiency of dc power conversion are considered for output stages.
An Epigenetic Perspective on Lifestyle Medicine for Depression: Implications for Primary Care Practice

Depression is the most common presenting mental health disorder in primary care. It is also a major contributor to somatic complaints, worsening of chronic medical conditions, poor quality of life,...
Application of Noise to Avoid Overfitting in TCAD Augmented Machine Learning

In this paper, we propose and study the use of noise to avoid the overfitting issue in Technology Computer-Aided Design-augmented machine learning (TCAD-ML). TCAD-ML uses TCAD to generate sufficient data to train ML models for defect detection and reverse engineering by taking electrical characteristics such as Current-Voltage, IV, and Capacitance-Voltage, CV, curves as inputs. For example, the model can be used to deduce the epitaxial thicknesses of a p-i-n diode or the ambient temperature of a Schottky diode being measured, based on a givenIV curve. The models developed by TCAD-ML usually have overfitting issues when it is applied to experimental IV curves or IV curves generated with different TCAD setup. To avoid this issue, white Gaussian noise is added to the TCAD generated curves before ML. We show that by choosing the noise level properly, overfitting can be avoided. This is demonstrated successfully by using the TCAD-ML model to predict 1) the epitaxial thicknesses of a set of TCAD silicon diode IV’s generated with different settings (extra doping variations) than the settings in the training data and 2) the ambient temperature of experimental IV’s of Ga2O3 Schottky diode. Moreover, domain expertise is not required in the ML process.
Traynor (Drennan) v. Hand (Baird): Much Ado About (Almost) Nothing

Most Contracts casebooks feature either Baird v. Gimbel or (Drennan v. Star Paving to illustrate the limits on revocability of an offer. In this paper an analysis of the case law yields three major conclusions. First, as is generally known, in the contractor-subcontractor cases Drennan has prevailed. However, both it and its spawn, Restatement 2d 87(2), have had almost no impact outside that narrow area. Moreover, almost all the cases involve public construction projects - private projects account for only about ten percent of the cases. This suggests that private parties have managed to resolve the problem contractually. Public contract law is encrusted with regulations, which courts and contracts scholars have ignored. The result is a peculiar phenomenon - a supposedly general contract doctrine that applies only in a specific context, but which ignores the features of that context.
Heightened immigration enforcement impacts US citizens' birth outcomes: Evidence from early ICE interventions in North Carolina

We examine how increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities impacted newborn health and prenatal care utilization in North Carolina around the time Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act was first being implemented within the state. Focusing on administrative data between 2004 and 2006, we conduct difference-in-differences and triple-difference case-control regression analysis. Pregnancies were classified by levels of potential exposure to immigration enforcement depending on parental nativity and educational attainment. Contrast groups were foreign-born parents residing in nonadopting counties and all US-born non-Hispanic parents. The introduction of the program was estimated to decrease birth weight by 58.54 grams (95% confidence interval [CI], -83.52 to -33.54) with effects likely following from reduced intrauterine growth. These results are shown to coexist with a worsening in the timing of initiation and frequency of prenatal care received. Since birth outcomes influence health, education, and earnings trajectories, our findings suggest that the uptick in ICE activities can have large socioeconomic costs over US-born citizens.
Analysis of Dry Storage Temperature Limits for Zircaloy-Clad Spent Nuclear Fuel

Safe interim dry storage of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) must be maintained for a minimum of twenty years according to the Code of Federal Regulations. The most important variable that must be regulated by dry storage licensees in order to meet current safety standards is the temperature of the SNF. The two currently accepted models to define the maximum allowable initial storage temperature for SNF are based on the diffusion controlled cavity growth (DCCG) failure mechanism proposed by Raj and Ashby. These models may not give conservative temperature limits. Some have suggested using a strain-based failure model to predict the maximum allowable temperatures, but we have shown that this is not applicable to the SNF as long as DCCG is the assumed failure mechanism. Although the two accepted models are based on the same fundamental failure theory (DCCG), the researchers who developed the models made different assumptions, including selection of some of the most critical variables in the DCCG failure equation. These inconsistencies are discussed together with recommended modifications to the failure models based on more recent data.
What moves housing markets: A state-space approach of the price-income ratio

Abstract In this paper, we adopt the present-value model for the housing market to explain the relationship between expected future housing returns and expected future income growth in 21 OECD countries by using quarterly data over the period 1975–2019. By conducting the state-space approach, we use historical information of price-income ratios to predict unobserved components of the future income growth and housing returns. The evidence suggests that both expected income growth and expected housing returns are significant in explaining movements in the price-income ratio, while there is a heterogeneity among all countries. Further, we find a positive correlation between expected income growth and expected housing returns among all countries. The results of the variance decomposition of the present-value of price-income ratios also show that the most variation in the present-value components is explained in the housing return.
Sexual Re-Assault among College Women Differs Based on Sexual Refusal Assertiveness and Assertive Resistance Strategy Intentions:

Sexual assault and sexual re-assault are common problems on college campuses for women, and experiencing an initial assault dramatically increases risk for experiencing sexual re-assault. Low use o...
Galantamine prevents and reverses neuroimmune induction and loss of adult hippocampal neurogenesis following adolescent alcohol exposure.

Background Binge ethanol exposure during adolescence reduces hippocampal neurogenesis, a reduction which persists throughout adulthood despite abstinence. This loss of neurogenesis, indicated by reduced doublecortin+ immunoreactivity (DCX+IR), is paralleled by an increase in hippocampal proinflammatory signaling cascades. As galantamine, a cholinesterase inhibitor, has anti-inflammatory actions, we tested the hypothesis that galantamine would prevent (study 1) or restore (study 2) AIE induction of proinflammatory signals within the hippocampus as well as AIE-induced loss of hippocampal neurogenesis. Methods Galantamine (4 mg/kg) or vehicle (saline) was administered to Wistar rats during adolescent intermittent ethanol (AIE; 5.0 g/kg ethanol, 2 days on/2 days off, postnatal day [P] 25-54) (study 1, prevention) or after AIE during abstinent maturation to adulthood (study 2, restoration). Results Results indicate AIE reduced DCX+IR and induced cleaved caspase3 (Casp3) in DCX-expressing immature neurons. Excitingly, AIE induction of activated Casp3 in DCX-expressing neurons is both prevented and reversed by galantamine treatment, which also resulted in prevention and restoration of neurogenesis (DCX+IR). Similarly, galantamine prevented and/or reversed AIE induction of proinflammatory markers, including the chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein, suggesting that AIE induction of proinflammatory signaling mediates both cell death cascades and hippocampal neurogenesis. Interestingly, galantamine treatment increased Ki67+IR generally as well as increased pan-Trk expression specifically in AIE-treated rats but failed to reverse AIE induction of NADPH-oxidase (gp91phox). Conclusions Collectively, our studies suggest that (1) loss of neurogenesis after AIE is mediated by persistent induction of proinflammatory cascades which drive activation of cell death machinery in immature neurons, and (2) galantamine can prevent and restore AIE disruptions in the hippocampal environmental milieu to then prevent and restore AIE-mediated loss of neurogenesis.
Sexual Violence Survivors’ Experiences with the Police and Willingness to Report Future Victimization

Sexual assault is a highly underreported crime with many survivors feeling dissatisfied regarding their contact with the police. While procedural justice can improve police interactions, it has rec...
Analysis of DLL jitter due to substrate noise

Substrate noise is the major source of performance limitation in mixed-signal integrated circuits. This paper studies substrate noise effects on the performance of delay-locked loops (DLLs). Due to their robust noise performance, the delay-locked-loops are widely used as clock generators of microprocessors. Although exploiting advanced circuit techniques reduces the timing jitter induced by the substrate noise to a large extent, the hostile noisy digital section in a mixed-signal VLSI circuit can still cause a large substrate noise and hence a non-negligible timing jitter in DLL clock generators. In this paper a new stochastic model for the substrate noise is proposed This model is then utilized to derive the phase noise of the voltage-controlled delay line (VCDL) inside the loop. The DLL timing jitter is predicted in response to the VCDL phase not. se. A comparison between the results obtained by our mathematical model and those obtained using HSPICE verifies our proposed model.
New Approaches to Electoral Volatility: Evidence from Postcommunist Countries

The development of a stable party system is considered an essential element of a consolidated democracy. Party system stability has been most frequently been measured in terms of electoral volatility, which attempts to capture the stability of the electorate's preferences across elections. The traditional measure of party stability, Pedersen's Index of Volatility, however, includes both volatility among stable parties and volatility created by party entry and exit without distinguishing between the two. To address these concerns, we separate these different components of volatility into their constituent parts, creating a Type A Volatility measure that captures volatility from party entry and exit and a Type B Volatility measure that captures volatility among stable parties and address the numerous issues that arise in coding these variables. We then apply these measures to 80 pairs of elections from 21 post-communist elections and demonstrate that much of what has previously been labeled electoral volatility in post-communist countries turns out to be Type A Volatility. We also demonstrate that traditional multivariate models of electoral volatility generate very different results if we employ Type A or Type B Volatility as the dependent variable. We conclude the paper with a discussion of future directions for new theoretical and empirical research on electoral volatility that builds on the concepts of Type A and Type B Volatility.
"Fantastic Precision": The Style of Christa Wolfs An Illustration of Childhood

The German title of Christa Wolfs novel Kindheitsmuster indicates that it is the author's intent to tell an exemplary story, one that typifies many, without passing judgment on the circumstances it delineates. In the novel itself, Wolf gives a clue to the title's significance. '"Muster,"' she writes, "is derived from the Latin 'monstrum,' which originally meant 'sample' and can only be right for you [i.e., me, the author]." To create this prototypical tale. Wolf has chosen to adapt material from her own experience. This autobiographical frame of reference not only supports the fictional structure of the novel, but also provides the occasion for supplementing the main narrative with two others which are meant to lend credence to the story itself. In effect, the novel interweaves three narrative strands, each with its own vantage point, each with a particular relationship to the combination of autobiography and fiction which constitutes the basis of Wolfs tale. It is the nature of this arrangement which I wish to explore in order to analyze the goal of writing with "fantastic precision" {phantastische Genauigkeit) which Wolf has set for herself in composing An Illustration of Childhood (see p. 251 f.).
A Pedigree of Multiple Polyposis of the Colon

Summary A kindred is described in which some 16 members are known to have multiple polyposis of the colon, with six additional persons very probably affected. The problems in preventive medicine raised by such families are briefly discussed.
Lachesis: A Job Scheduler for the Cray T3E

This paper presents the design and implementation of Lachesis, a job scheduler for the Cray T3E. Lachesis was developed at the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) in an attempt to correct some problems with the scheduling system Cray provides with the T3E.
Response to Comment on “CCR5 Dictates the Equilibrium of Proinflammatory IL-17+ and Regulatory Foxp3+ T Cells in Fungal Infections”

Joosten and Ottenhoff provide an alternative hypothesis for our findings in which CCL4-producing regulatory T cells (Tregs) influence protective immunity ([1][1]). Their postulate stems from their prior findings in humans that CD8+ Tregs mediate suppression via CCL4. Studies by others have
Automated immunochemical method for determination of urinary protein of plasma origin.

An automated continuous-flow procedure has been developed for the rapid determination of urinary proteins of plasma origin. Antiserum to whole human plasma was used as the reagent, and the antigen—antibody reactions were quantitated by nephelometry. By adding polyethylene glycol (mol wt 6000-7500) to the reaction medium, reaction time was decreased to <3 min; no sample blanks were required; and samples were analyzed at a rate of 70 per hour. Recovery studies yielded an average of 98.5% of the added protein. In-run replicate precision (CV) of the method was 1.45%; day-to-day precision was 2.58%.
Venous thromboembolism after laparoscopic biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch: Analysis of 362 patients

Abstract Background Venous thromboembolism (VTE), which manifests as deep venous thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE), is relatively uncommon after weight loss procedures but has the strong potential to affect patient morbidity and mortality. This type of complication has been studied extensively in more common weight loss procedures, such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). VTE has not been studied after biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS), a bariatric procedure performed mainly for super morbidly obese patients, who are inherently associated with a higher incidence of co-morbidity. The objective of this study was to review VTE prevalence and identify risk factors associated with the postoperative occurrence of VTE in a collected data set of patients after laparoscopic BPD-DS. Methods The database of all patients who underwent laparoscopic BPD-DS between 2006 and 2012 was reviewed. Preoperative clinical information, which included history of VTE, inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement, operative variables, and postoperative course, were reviewed. All VTE related events that occurred within 90 days postoperatively were collected and analyzed. Results Of 362 patients who underwent laparoscopic BPD-DS during the study period, 12 (3.3%) experienced a VTE complication. Eight (2.2%) patients presented with DVT; 4 (1.1%) patients presented with PE. VTE complications were more common in females than males (83.3% versus 16.6%, respectively). Age, body mass index (BMI), and time interval between preoperative and postoperative doses of heparin for DVT prophylaxis did not influence the occurrence of VTE complications. However, operative time ( P = .02) and length of hospital stay ( P = .0005) were identified as risk factors associated with postoperative VTE complications. No related mortality occurred in this study. Conclusion The prevalence of VTE after BPD-DS is relatively low and comparable to other weight loss procedures. Overall risk of postoperative VTE after laparoscopic BPD-DS appears to be associated with the length of operation and hospital stay.
Deregulation of television broadcast in India: Cultural and informational impacts

Satellite broadcasting in India can be seen as a metaphor for an integrated national agenda, but the newly deregulated marketplace appears to be setting new agendas for satellite broadcasting by government‐controlled Doordarshan. This qualitative analysis argues that moving to total free market may lead to too little development communication. On the other hand, controlled information may lead to cultural domination ('internal media imperialism') over either one of, or both, rural and urban societies. Diffusion of information may work for rural areas, while urban audiences can afford to spend more time on mass entertainers. There is a need to redefine ‘modernization’ in a non‐global context, and that definition should lead a government towards developmental media policy goals. Further, media policies should be bifurcated to address different developmental goals.
Metabolism: Drug discovery goes for a swim

Whole-organism screening is emerging as a promising alternative to cell-based assays, particularly for the study of processes that integrate information across cells and tissues. High-throughput screening of zebrafish larvae has enabled the discovery of small molecules that lower blood glucose levels and alleviate pathological symptoms in a mouse model of obesity and diabetes.
Secondary index optimization

A major problem to be considered in the design of a data base is that of index selection. In this paper we present a model of a data base together with a probabilistic model for the transactions conducted with the data base: queries and updates. We obtain characterizations of the optimal solution to the best choice of indices. An algorithm is shown to solve this problem, which, in a number of cases, has a running time of O(m log m), where m is the number of attributes of the file.
Erratum to: Time-dependent wave packet propagation using quantum hydrodynamics

In the original publication, an error occurred in Eqs. (27) and (28) involving the mixed derivative terms (the third term on the right-hand-side (RHS) of Eq. 27 and the second term on the RHS of Eq. 28). This error also affected Eqs. 30, 31, 42, 43, 44, 61, 63, and 65. The corrected versions of these equations are given below. Since the mixed derivative terms are negligible for the example twodimensional application, none of the results or conclusions were affected by this error. The corrected versions of Eqs. (27) and (28) are m otv 1⁄4 oxðV þ QÞ m v oxv m u oxu; ð27Þ m otu 1⁄4 oyðV þ QÞ m v oyv m u oyu: ð28Þ
Polar study of ionospheric ion outflow versus energy input

[1] A statistical study of the ion outflow versus energy input is performed by using multi-instrument data (TIDE, EFI, MFI, HYDRA) from Polar during its perigee auroral passes in the year 2000. Several important physical quantities connected to the ion outflow have been investigated, including the Poynting flux from the perturbation fields (below 1/6 Hz), the electron density, temperature, and the electron energy flux. The perturbation fields used here to calculate the Poynting flux may be associated with the small-scale quasi-static field structures of the field-aligned currents or/and the very low frequency Alfven waves (below 1/6 Hz), which are both proven to be important energy sources for powering the aurora. Our results show that the field-aligned ion outflow flux correlates best with the Earth-directed Poynting flux and the precipitating electron density and also demonstrates almost no correlation with the electron energy flux and temperature. The findings from this Polar study are similar to those from FAST. The general corroboration between the independent data sets of the two spacecraft suggests that the empirical ion outflow scaling laws can be established, which will be beneficial to global simulation efforts. Our results show that at 6000 km altitudes fi = 106.836±0.028S0.535±0.086 and fi = 106.650±0.063ne0.484±0.147, where fi is the total field-aligned ion outflow flux in 1/cm2/s, S is the Poynting flux in ergs/cm2/s, and ne is the electron density in 1/cm3.
Performance of the Illinois Superconducting Linac

The first section of the 1.3 GHz superconducting linac, being constructed for the proposed 600 MeV microtron, was installed into the cryostat and operated as an accelerator for the first time. An electron beam of 270 keV, chopped to a select phase spread of 6 degrees, was injected into the 3?/2 niobium structure and accelerated to 1 MeV with an input of 30 watts of microwave power at 4.2°K. The accelerated beam was 2 mm in diameter 3 meters beyond the accelerating section. The energy spread was less than 1%. The niobium section had not been outgass d at high temperature and had a Q of 1.4 x 108. The energy gain seemed to be limited to about 1 MeV per foot by field emission, as indicated by the rapid rise of the x-ray yield as the microwave power was increased.
A comparison of optical and aerodynamic aerosol sizes: The effects of inhomogeneous particles

Abstract We have performed an intercalibration experiment with two common aerosol size measuring instruments: a single particle optical counter and an aerodynamic dichotomous separator. We present results of two test aerosols: uniform spherical particles of a polyethylene glycol, and irregular non-spherical particles of sodium chloride. The two aerosols display very different apparent sizes on the two instruments, which we attribute both to shape influenced aerodynamic drag and to optical inhomogeneities of the salt particles. We discuss our results with the aid of Mie scattering calculations for radially inhomogeneous particles. For irregular particles, the inference of aerodynamic sizes from optical measurements, or conversely, involves uncertainties of factors of two.
There Are No Children Here: The Case of an Inner-City School Addressing Issues Facing Children and Families Living in Poverty.

This case is based on real-life experiences of community school members within Horner School—an inner-city public school. Specifically, the case explores challenges faced by Cathleen, a 1st-year, W...
Phenytoin Induced Hyperplasia Found in Edentulous Patients

Phenytoin-induced gingival hyperplasia is usually associated with teeth, but it’s described here in two edentulous patients, both with dentures.
Transformations between Extensive and Intensive Versions of Thermodynamic Relationships

Most thermodynamic properties are either extensive (e.g., volume, energy, entropy, amount, etc.) or intensive (e.g., temperature, pressure, chemical potential, mole fraction, etc.). By the same token most of the mathematical relationships in thermodynamics can be written in extensive or intensive form. The basic laws of thermodynamics are usually expressed in extensive form, while the results of experimental studies are generally presented in a way that is independent of system size and are therefore in intensive form. Thus, the ability to transform thermodynamic relationships from one format to the other is of considerable importance. Simple, calculus-based techniques are presented for carrying out these transformations. Euler’s theorem for homogeneous functions is not required, so the process is readily accessible to undergraduate physical chemistry and thermodynamics students. The types of thermodynamic equations considered here are the differential expressions and equations involving partial derivatives that occur frequently in thermodynamics.
Integration of five health behaviour models: Common strengths and unique contributions to understanding condom use

The purpose of this research was to select from the health belief model (HBM), theories of reasoned action (TRA) and planned behaviour (TPB), information–motivation–behavioural skills model (IMB) and social cognitive theory (SCT) the strongest longitudinal predictors of women's condom use and to combine these constructs into a single integrated model of condom use. The integrated model was evaluated for prediction of condom use among young women who had steady versus casual partners. At Time 1, all constructs of the five models and condom use were assessed in an initial and a replication sample (n = 193, n = 161). Condom use reassessed 8 weeks later (Time 2) served as the main outcome. Information from IMB, perceived susceptibility, benefits, and barriers from HBM, self-efficacy and self-evaluative expectancies from SCT, and partner norm and attitudes from TPB served as indirect or direct predictors of condom use. All paths replicated across samples. Direct predictors of behaviour varied with relationship...
Effects of age and physiologic variables on right ventricular filling dynamics in normal subjects.

The reference values for right ventricular (RV) filling of normal persons and the effects of physiologic variables in a large series have not been described. The objective of this study was to characterize superior vena cava, hepatic vein, and RV inflow Doppler measurements in a large normal reference group to reflect the aging process, gender, heart rate, and effects of respiration. We prospectively performed pulsed-wave Doppler echocardiography of the superior vena cava, hepatic vein, and RV inflow during inspiration, expiration, and apnea in 115 healthy volunteers (62 women and 53 men) ranging in age from 21 to 84 years (mean +/- SEM 48 +/- 17). For analysis, the study subjects were classified by age into 2 groups: those or = 50 years of age (group 2; n = 55). Multiregression models were used to assess the influence of age, gender, and heart rate on Doppler variables. There were important differences in superior vena cava and RV inflow between the 2 groups. Group 2 had a greater superior vena cava peak atrial flow velocity (16 +/- 3 vs 13 +/- 3 cm/s), flow integrals (1.5 +/- 0.4 vs 1.1 +/- 0.3 cm), and reverse flow as a percentage of forward flow (17 +/- 6% vs 14 +/- 6%) than group 1. In group 2, peak RV inflow early filling velocity (41 +/- 8 vs 51 +/- 7 cm/s) and ratio of early filling-to-atrial filling (1.3 +/- 0.4 vs 2 +/- 0.5) were lower than that of group 1. Likewise, peak atrial filling velocity was higher (33 +/- 8 vs 27 +/- 8 cm/s) and deceleration time was longer (198 +/- 23 vs 188 +/- 22 ms) in group 2. The superior vena cava and hepatic vein peak forward flow velocities were significantly higher during inspiration than during expiration and apnea. Similarly, RV inflow velocities were significantly higher during inspiration than in expiration and apnea. Multiregression analysis showed that age, gender, and heart rate had important effects on Doppler variables. Thus, this study demonstrates the effects of aging and normal physiologic variable flow velocities in the superior vena cava, hepatic veins, and RV inflow in a large series of normal subjects.
Learning spatio-temporal dependencies for action recognition

In this paper, we propose a spatio-temporal dependencies learning (STDL) method for action recognition. Inspired by self-organizing map, our method can learn implicit spatial-temporal dependencies from sequential action feature sets while preserving the intrinsic topologies characterized in human actions. A further advantage is its ability to project higher dimensional action feature to lower dimensional latent neural distribution, which significantly reduces the computational cost and data redundancy in the learning and recognition process. An ensemble learning strategy using expectation-maximization is adopted to estimate the latent parameters of STDL model. The effectiveness and robustness of the proposed model is verified through extensive experiments on several benchmark datasets.