cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The diagnostic utility of computed tomography for preoperative localization in surgery for hyperparathyroidism.

Objectives/Hypothesis: Successful unilateral or minimal-access parathyroid exploration and reoperative surgery of the parathyroid glands requires accurate preoperative localization of parathyroid disease. Although ultrasound and nuclear imaging techniques have an established role in this regard, the use of computed tomography (CT) for parathyroid exploration is not well understood. The purpose of the present study was to better define the diagnostic utility of CT in preoperative localization of the abnormal gland in surgery for hyperparathyroidism. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: All parathyroid explorations performed at Oregon Health and Science University (Portland, OR) between 2000 and 2002 were reviewed. The study group was limited to patients with hyperparathyroidism in whom localization failed preoperatively using ultrasound and/or sestamibi scanning and subsequent investigation using CT imaging was performed. Operative, pathological, and imaging reports were then analyzed to assess the accuracy of CT imaging for localizing parathyroid disease. Results: Twenty-two patients with hyperparathyroidism were investigated preoperatively using CT imaging. Parathyroid exploration was successful in all but one patient, leaving 21 patients in all in the cohort. The majority of cases (67%) were reoperative, and all patients had previously undergone inconclusive ultrasound and/or sestamibi scanning. Computed tomography correctly localized parathyroid disease in 18 (86%) of the 21 patients who underwent successful extirpation of parathyroid disease and was able to identify abnormal glands with equal utility in the neck and the chest. Conclusion: When ultrasound or sestamibi are unsuccessful, CT imaging can provide valuable preoperative localizing information before surgery for hyperparathyroidism, particularly in patients with recurrent or persistent disease.
Evaluation of Male Bluegill X Female Green Sunfish Hybrids for Stocking Mississippi Farm Ponds

Abstract Supplemental feeding and the presence of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) had a positive influence on the size of male bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) x female green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) hybrids in 12 Mississippi ponds during the first 24 months after stocking young-of-the-year hybrids. After 24 months, the size of hybrids that had supplemental feeding and were stocked without largemouth bass was similar to that of hybrids stocked with largemouth bass but without supplemental feeding. Nonfed hybrids stocked without largemouth bass were the smallest of the four group combinations; fed hybrids with largemouth bass were the largest. Largemouth bass predation reduced recruitment of F 2 hybrids by 98% relative to F1 hybrid populations without bass. Growth of these hybrids exceeded that reported for the same hybrid in Illinois ponds and was superior to that which can be expected from bluegills under typical pond conditions in Mississippi. Catchability experiments in two of the ponds confir...
The Effect of Sympathectomy for Essential Hypertension on the Hallucal Circulation

The effects of sympathectomy on the hallucal circulation were studied in patients with essential hypertension. Return of sympathetic nerve function of variable degree could be demonstrated in every patient. An increase in non-neurogenic or intrinsic resistance was also found to be attributable to the sympathectomy. This could not be reversed by benzodioxane and was therefore probably not produced by circulating epinephrine. The possible mechanisms of this phenomenon are discussed.
From Parenteral to Enteral Nutrition A Nutrition-Based Approach for Evaluating Postnatal Growth Failure in Preterm Infants

Background: Nutrition practices for preterm infants include phases of parenteral nutrition (PN), full enteral nutrition (EN), and the transitional phase in between. Our aim was to identify the nutrition phases during which infants are most likely to exhibit poor growth that would affect risk for growth failure (GF) at discharge and to examine factors associated with GF. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on infants born <32 weeks’ gestation. The neonatal intensive care unit stay was divided into 3 nutrition phases: (1) full PN, (2) transitional PN + EN, and (3) full EN. Weekly growth rates were calculated, and for each growth velocity <10 g/kg/d, the coinciding phase was recorded. GF was defined as a discharge weight below the 10th percentile. The nutrition phases during which growth inadequacy predicted GF at discharge were determined, correcting for other clinical factors associated with GF. Results: In total, 156 eligible infants were identified. Seventy-six infants (49%) were discharg...
Phosphorus Recycle and Chlorophyll in the Great Lakes

Abstract The recycle rate of unavailable to available phosphorus for the Great Lakes is related to the chlorophyll concentration of the basin. Two types of evidence are presented: the observed decline in the ratio of unavailable to total phosphorus with increasing chlorophyll concentration together with an analysis of these data based on simplified steady state kinetic equations; and, second, the results of seasonal phytoplankton calculations for Lake Huron, Saginaw Bay, and Lake Ontario. Consistent agreement is achieved with the same phytoplankton and recycle kinetic constants if the recycle rate is assumed to be a saturating function of chlorophyll. Unlike the behavior of models with constant recycle rate coefficients, the calculated effect of percentage increases in phosphorus mass discharges are greater than a proportional percentage increases in chlorophyll concentration for the lower range of chlorophyll concentrations. This positive feedback mechanism is of practical importance with regard to lake management decisions. Computed results for Lake Huron are a dramatic illustration: a two-fold increase in phosphorus discharge results in an almost four-fold increase in algal chlorophyll.
Determinants of Jamaican government revenue shares

This paper attempts to identify the determinants of the Jamaican government's revenue share of gross national product. Statistical analyses presented in the paper indicate that, in the Jamaican case, the level of development is a more important determinant of the government's revenue share than is the size of the foreign trade sector.
On a new approach for enhancing the fault coverage of conformance testing of protocols

Proposes a new approach for enhancing the fault coverage of protocol testing using unique input/output (UIO) sequences. UIO sequences can be efficiently employed in checking the conformance specifications of protocols by transition testing and an optimization process based on the rural Chinese postman tour algorithm. The proposed approach is based on a new set of conditions for UIO sequence generation, namely singularity, i.e. uniqueness between UIO sequences in the traversal of the FSM and their ability to avoid masking and undetection of faults. >
Outage Probability of Secrecy Capacity over Correlated Log-Normal Fading Channels

The information-theoretic secrecy of correlated log-normal fading channels is investigated. A closed-form expression is derived for the asymptotic outage probability of secrecy capacity in the high SNR regime. It is revealed that the increased correlation may reduce the outage probability under certain condition.
Side Effects: A Dose of Competition and Access to Care

The Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice 2004 report Improving Health Care: A Dose of Competition argues in favor of increasing competition among health care providers. Several of the proposals within the report, however, may pose risks for access to care. The report urges that the current system of implicit cross-subsidies for indigent care be replaced with insurance expansions that provide coverage to individuals. Such a substitution would certainly enhance access, but would be very costly and likely require considerable government intervention in the health care system. In the absence of a substantial expansion in coverage, reductions in cross-subsidies could limit access to care through the existing safety net. The report argues that insurance mandates limit access to care by driving up cost and reducing choice. In some cases, such as mental health and substance abuse, however, the unregulated market may not cover a benefit at all, leaving people with less coverage and less choice. Finally, the report stresses the importance of linking costs to quality. Such a linkage is likely to lead to a health care system in which poor people obtain poor-quality care at low prices--a result that many would find disturbing.
A Second-Order ΔΣ ADC Using Noise-Shaped Two-Step Integrating Quantizer

In this paper, a new second-order discrete-time ΔΣ ADC using a noise-shaped two-step integrating quantizer is presented. The first quantization step (coarse) is utilized with a flash ADC. The second quantization step (fine) is implemented using a noise-shaped integrating quantizer. As a result, both high resolution and first-order noise shaping is achieved. High quantization resolution enhances the modulator stability whereas the extra order of noise-shaping improves the overall performance. The proposed ΔΣ ADC incorporating the noise-shaped two-step integrating quantizer manifests a second-order noise-shaping with a first-order loop filter. To accommodate the large number of quantization levels of the feedback-DAC, a new feedback topology is presented which uses both analog and digital signals. The prototype ADC is implemented in 0.13 μm CMOS and demonstrates peak SNDR of 70.7 dB while consuming 8.1 mW under a 1.2 V supply, with an OSR of 8 at 80 MHz sampling frequency.
An annotation language for optimizing software libraries

This paper introduces an annotation language and a compiler that together can customize a library implementation for specific application needs. Our approach is distinguished by its ability to exploit high level, domain-specific information in the customization process. In particular, the annotations provide semantic information that enables our compiler to analyze and optimize library operations as if they were primitives of a domain-specific language. Thus, our approach yields many of the performance benefits of domain-specific languages, without the effort of developing a new compiler for each domain.This paper presents the annotation language, describes its role in optimization, and illustrates the benefits of the overall approach. Using a partially implemented compiler, we show how our system can significantly improve the performance of two applications written using the PLAPACK parallel linear algebra library.
PERSPECTIVES OF REGISTERED NURSE CULTURAL COMPETENCE IN A RURAL STATE - PART II

The article is the second in a two-article series. The first article in the series provided the reader a conceptual definition of cultural competence, a literature review and a description of the relevance of culturally competent care in a rural state. In this article, the author described the outcomes of a self-assessment survey completed by registered nurses in a homogenous rural state. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between cultural competence and educational preparation. It was hypothesized that the North Dakota nurses who reported participation in cultural competency educational programs would rank themselves higher on the IAPCC-R than those who had not reported participation in such programs. A voluntary sample of registered nurses from urban and rural hospitals in the state of North Dakota were surveyed using the Inventory for Assessing the Process of Cultural Competence –Revised version (IAPCC-R) and a demographic survey tool. The data analysis was accomplished through correlational statistics. Results of this research indicate that a majority (>80%) of the participants did not consider themselves culturally competent. While higher self rating scores did correlate to participation in educational activities, the quality and frequency of those activities varies. The author offered suggestions for improved rate and quality of cultural competence education as well as suggestions for further research.
Relating Aggressive and Victimization Behaviors to Children's Sociometric Status and Friendships

The present study examined peer nominations of pupils in Grades 3-6 (9-12-year-olds) for aggressive and victimization behaviors in relation to peer group sociometric status (popular, average, rejected) and number of mutual friends (reciprocal nominations). Rejected children, relative to other children, were perceived as higher both in aggression and in being victimized (both physically and verbally) and had the smallest number of mutual friends. In addition, the mutual friends of rejected status boys were perceived as higher in being victimized than were the friends of other children. Neither level of aggression nor level of victimization predicted number of mutual friendships. However, significant positive correlations for both aggressive and victimization behaviors were revealed between popular and average status children and their mutual friends, and these congruences were not found between rejected status children and their mutual friends. This research highlights the complexity and importance of eval...
VARIABILITY OF LAKES ON THE LANDSCAPE: ROLES OF PHOSPHORUS, FOOD WEBS, AND DISSOLVED ORGANIC CARBON

In northern temperate lakes, algal abundance or chlorophyll levels are af- fected by phosphorus loading (P), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and food web effects from trophic cascades induced by anglers. To investigate how changes in land use and climate might affect future chlorophyll conditions in these lakes, we created a nonlinear model for lake chlorophyll that considers the effects of these factors. Parameters were estimated for northern Wisconsin lakes. We show that resilience of the clear-water state in a single lake is maximized when P inputs are low, DOC is high, and angler pressure is low. We simulated a population of lakes to understand the current distribution of chlorophyll and resilience across lakes in the landscape. Under current conditions of land and lake use in the area, the model indicates that most lakes in the region are resilient clear-water lakes. Low chlorophyll levels, however, do not guarantee resiliency. Resilience shows a bimodal distribution suggesting that, with stochastic shocks or changing conditions, more lakes could shift to a high chlorophyll state that is costly to remediate. We also simulated a limnological comparative study to determine what conclusions would be drawn from a common research method if lacustrine ecosystem dynamics are indeed faithfully generated by our model. We show that phosphorus input will most often appear to be the most significant driver of lake chlorophyll levels, despite the fact that all mechanisms (including DOC and grazing) drive the dynamics. This finding suggests that long-standing debates in limnology about the primary drivers of algal abundance are explainable by differences in research approaches. This work brings together community and ecosystem ecology and shows how their processes can interact to drive higher-order feedbacks.
Supply chain risks analysis by using jump-diffusion model

This paper investigates the effects of demand risk on the performance of supply chain in continuous time setting. The inventory level has been modeled as a jump-diffusion process and the two-number inventory policy has been implemented in the supply chain system. The simulated annealing algorithm has been used to search the optimal critical values of the two-number policy. The jump magnitude has been considered in two cases: constant and Laplace distribution which has favorable property, i.e. leptokurtic. Numerical studies have been conducted for various scenarios to provide insights of effects of demand disruption on the performance of the supply chain.
Self‐renewal of factor‐dependent hemopoietic progenitor cell‐lines derived from long‐term bone marrow cultures demonstrates significant mouse strain genotypic variation

Long-term bone marrow cultures established from C57Ks/J mice have been shown to spontaneously release endogenous ecotropic RNA type-C virus (retrovirus). C57Ks/J marrow cultures produced granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells (GM-CFUc) and immature and mature granulocytes for over 45 weeks. In contrast, NIH Swiss mouse marrow cultures failed to release detectable ecotropic virus and generated GM-CFUc and granulocytes for 25-35 weeks and established WEHI-3 conditioned medium (CM) dependent cell lines in vitro and did not establish permanent cell lines. To determine whether viral and/or cellular genes regulated the longevity of C57Ks/J marrow cultures, groups of cultures were established from the marrow of (NIH-Swiss X C47Ks/J) F1 hybrid, F2 hybrid, and (NIH Swiss X C47Ks/J) X NIH Swiss backcross generations. Release of endogenous ecotropic virus was measured weekly in each culture as was the duration of production of immature granulocytic cells and GM-CFUc over a 58-week period. The results demonstrated a complex pattern of inheritance of longevity of long-term in vitro hemopoiesis. Increased longevity did not absolutely correlate with detectable replication of the C57Ks/J N-tropic virus.
Reliable screening for neuropsychological impairment in multiple sclerosis.

In an earlier study, we developed the Multiple Sclerosis Neuropsychological Screening Questionnaire (MSNQ) to assist in the screening for neuropsychological (NP) impairments. Self-report MSNQ score...
Perceptions of Stressors by High School Students

A 26-item questionnaire was administered to 1,301 students in a midwestern, suburban high school to identify potential stressors as perceived by the students. Factor analysis revealed four dimensio...
Hydrogen Isotope Investigation of Amphibole and Glass in Dacite Magmas Erupted in 1980^1986 and 2005 at Mount St. Helens, Washington

In active, shallow, sub-volcanic magma conduits the extent of the dehydrogenation^oxidation reaction in amphibole phenocrysts is controlled by energetic processes that cause crystal lattice damage or conditions that increase hydrogen diffusivity in magmatic phases. Amphibole phenocrysts separated from dacitic volcanic rocks erupted from 1980 to 1986 and in 2005 at Mount St. Helens (MSH) were analyzed for dD, water content and Fe3þ/Fe2þ, and fragments of glassy groundmass were analyzed for dD and water content. Changes in amphibole dD values through time are evaluated within the context of carefully observed volcanic eruption behavior and published petrological and geochemical investigations. Driving forces for amphibole dehydrogenation include increase in magma oxygen fugacity, decrease in amphibole hydrogen fugacity, or both. The phenocryst amphibole (dD value c. ^57o and 2 wt % H2O) in the white fallout pumice of the May 18, 1980 plinian eruptive phase is probably little modified during rapid magma ascent up an 7 km conduit. Younger volcanic rocks incorporate some shallowly degassed dacitic magma from earlier pulses, based on amphibole phenocryst populations that exhibit varying degrees of dehydrogenation. Pyroclastic rocks from explosive eruptions in June^October 1980 have elevated abundances of mottled amphibole phenocrysts (peaking in some pyroclastic rocks erupted on July 22, 1980), and extensive amphibole dehydrogenation is linked to crystal damage from vesiculation and pyroclastic fountain collapse that increased effective hydrogen diffusion in amphibole. Multiple amphibole dD populations in many 1980 pyroclastic rocks combined with their groundmass characteristics (e.g. mixed pumice textures) support models of shallow mixing prior to, or during, eruption as new, volatile-rich magma pulses blended with more oxidized, degassed magma. Amphibole dehydrogenation is quenched at the top surface of MSH dacite lava lobes, but the diversity in the dDamph populations in original fresh lava flow surfaces may occur from blending magma domains with different ascent histories in the sub-volcanic environment immediately before eruption. Multi-stage open-system magma degassing operated in each parcel of magma rising toward the surface, whereas the magma below 7 km was a relatively closed system, at least to the October 1986 eruption based on the large population of minimally dehydrogenated, rim-free amphibole in the lavas. Magma degassing and possibly H isotope exchange with low-dD fluids around the roof zone may have accompanied the 1·5 km upward migration of the 1980 magma body. The low-dDamph (c. ^188 to ^122o) oxy-amphibole phenocrysts in lava spines extruded in May 2005 reflect dehydrogenation as ascending viscous magma degassed and crystallized, and fractures that admitted oxygen into the hot solidified lava spine interior facilitated additional iron oxidation.
Geometric analysis of filtered-X LMS algorithms

In this paper, we present a geometric based analysis of the "filtered" LMS algorithms such as the filtered-x LMS algorithm and the adjoint LMS algorithm. Using this method, the maximum step size, the effects of the secondary path estimation error and the relationship between the adjoint, secondary path equalization and FXLMS LMS algorithms can be easily obtained. Furthermore, our introduced method yields these conditions with some geometrical meaning and intuitive explanation. Based on our introduced method, we also discuss the convergence speed of the filtered-x LMS algorithm for the first time
Processing of Refractory Ores in a Microwave Induced “Cold” Plasma

A Microwave Induced Plasma has been used to investigate the processing of metallurgically significant refractory oxides in a non-equilibrium or “cold” plasma. The main emphasis of this work has centered on the reduction of TiO2 in a hydrogen plasma. The plasma was maintained using microwave energy (2.45 GHz) in a single mode resonant cavity. The reaction was monitored for volatile species with a quadrupole mass spectrometer, while the extent of reaction was determined by an external standard X-Ray diffraction technique. The effect of process variables (absorbed power by the plasma, chamber pressure, and time) on the extent of reaction was investigated. Hydrogen reduction in a plasma has produced up to 60% conversion of TiO2 to Ti2O3 in 11 minutes with the sample on a grounded support rod, while only an 8% conversion is observed for a sample on an insulated support rod. Sample temperatures were below 735 K for most plasma conditions, based upon thermodynamic considerations.
Magnetostriction of TbDy single crystals under compressive stress

Linear magnetostriction, magnetization, and Young's modulus were measured in a b-axis single-crystal rod of Tb/sub 0.5/Dy/sub 0.5/. Huge magnetostrictions reaching 0.5-0.6% in fields of 2000 Oe were observed at 77 K. Three magnetization regions can be distinguished: (1) a low field region where the magnetization process is dominated by moment rotation; (2) a region where the magnetization jumps from one easy direction (a-axis) to another closer to the applied field direction; and (3) a slow approach to saturation as the applied field pulls the magnetization into the hard b-axis direction. The crossover from one region to another is determined by the applied stress and the demagnetization factor. A simple theory explaining each process is presented. >
The generation of high Sr/Y plutons following Late Jurassic arc-arc collision, Blue Mountains province, NE Oregon

Abstract High Sr/Y plutons (Sr/Y > 40) occupy large areas in ancient and modern orogenic belts, yet considerable controversy exists regarding mechanisms of their generation, the tectonic settings in which they form, and their relationship to contractional deformation through time. In the Blue Mountains province (NE Oregon), a suite of Late Jurassic (148–145 Ma), high Sr/Y plutons intrude Middle Jurassic (162–157 Ma), low Sr/Y ( 600 ppm) and Sr/Y values (> 40), and positive initial epsilon Hf values (+ 10.5 to + 7.8: 2σ weighted average). These geochemical and isotopic results are consistent with geochemical models suggesting derivation from partial melting of island arc crust in the presence of a plagioclase-poor to absent, clinopyroxene + hornblende + garnet-bearing source (depths > 35–40 km). We propose that the transition from low Sr/Y to high Sr/Y magmatism resulted from orogenic thickening of island arc crust in the Dixie Butte area during Late Jurassic arc–arc collision between the Olds Ferry and Wallowa island arcs at 159–154 Ma. This fundamental change in crustal structure influenced post-orogenic magmatism and resulted in a relatively brief (~ 3 myr: 148–145 Ma) episode of high Sr/Y magmatism. Other high Sr/Y plutons occur throughout the US sector of the western North American Cordillera (e.g., Salmon River suture zone, Klamath Mountains, Peninsular Ranges) and closely follow major contractional events involving arc–arc and arc–continent collisions.
Production of collagen by cells isolated from a retrocorneal fibrous membrane rabbit model

The morphological and biosynthetic characteristics of cells from an experimentally induced rabbit retrocorneal fibrous membrane (RCFM) model were investigated. By transmission electron microscopy the cells within the RCFM demonstrated overlapping cytoplasmic processes and intercellular junctions, neither of which are fibroblast-like characteristics. The extracellular matrix within the RCFM had a fibrillar and amorphous component. Collagenous biosynthetic products of primary cultures of RCFM cells were compared to normal corneal endothelial cells, which produce mainly type IV collagen and a small amount of type V collagen, and fibroblasts, which produce types I, III and V collagens. The collagenous components produced by the RCFM cells were a combination of types I, V and low molecular weight fragments of type IV collagen. Therefore, these morphological and biochemical data suggest that RCFM cells are a type of modified corneal endothelial cell that produce collagens distinctly different from normal corneal endothelial cells.
A randomized controlled trial comparing treatment with oral agents and basal insulin in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes in long-term care facilities.

Background: Managing hyperglycemia and diabetes is challenging in geriatric patients admitted to long-term care (LTC) facilities. Methods: This randomized control trial enrolled patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) with blood glucose (BG) >180 mg/dL or glycated hemoglobin >7.5% to receive low-dose basal insulin (glargine, starting dose 0.1 U/kg/day) or oral antidiabetic drug (OAD) therapy as per primary care provider discretion for 26 weeks. Both groups received supplemental rapid-acting insulin before meals for BG >200 mg/dL. Primary end point was difference in glycemic control as measured by fasting and mean daily glucose concentration between groups. Results: A total of 150 patients (age: 79±8 years, body mass index: 30.1±6.5 kg/m 2 , duration of diabetes mellitus: 8.2±5.1 years, randomization BG: 194±97 mg/ dL) were randomized to basal insulin (n=75) and OAD therapy (n=75). There were no differences in the mean fasting BG (131±27 mg/dL vs 123±23 mg/dL, p=0.06) between insulin and OAD groups, but patients treated with insulin had greater mean daily BG (163±39 mg/dL vs 138±27 mg/dL, p<0.001) compared to those treated with OADs. There were no differences in the rate of hypoglycemia (<70 mg/dL) between insulin (27%) and OAD (31%) groups, p=0.58. In addition, there were no differences in the number of hospital complications, emergency room visits, and mortality between treatment groups. Conclusions: The results of this randomized study indicate that elderly patients with T2D in LTC facilities exhibited similar glycemic control, hypoglycemic events and complications when treated with either basal insulin or with oral antidiabetic drugs. Trial registration number: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01131052.
Staying Afloat: Vietnamese Water Puppetry as Intangible Cultural Heritage

This article is based on data gathered for a research project titled “Digital Repatriation in Vietnam: Towards an (Alter)Native Media Tradition” that was funded by a 2010 ASIANetwork Freeman Student Faculty Award. The research team consisted of Sam Pack, the faculty advisor, and five undergraduate students from Kenyon College (Michael Eblin, Eliza Leavitt, Jean Mougin, Carrie Walther, and Said Zagha) as well as a group of Vietnamese translators (Ly Huong Nguyen, Mai Thu Doang, Le Quyen, and Truong Thanh Nhon). The information for this project was collected through numerous discussions, interviews, focus groups, and observation sessions, primarily taking place in Bao Ha village in northern Vietnam, in addition to the nearby village of Nhan Muc, Hai Phong City, and in the capital city of Hanoi. Informants consisted of individuals from wide ranges of age, backgrounds, occupations, and levels of involvement with tourism and water puppetry. Government officials from different ministries and offices, performers and directors from multiple water puppetry troupes, academic researchers from various Vietnamese universities and institutions, and representatives from Vietnamese tourist agencies likewise contributed their expertise, cooperation, and friendship.
Labor Market Mobility and Cash Compensation: The Moderating Effects of Race and Gender

Building upon the gender-based study conducted by Brett and Stroh (1997), we examined the moderating effects of gender and race on the relationship between changing employers and compensation attai...
Beryllium-Induced Hypersensitivity: Genetic Susceptibility and Neoantigen Generation.

Chronic beryllium (Be) disease is a granulomatous lung disorder that results from Be exposure in a genetically susceptible host. The disease is characterized by the accumulation of Be-responsive CD4 + T cells in the lung, and genetic susceptibility is primarily linked to HLA -DPB1 alleles possessing a glutamic acid at position 69 of the β-chain. Recent structural analysis of a Be-specific TCR interacting with a Be-loaded HLA-DP2–peptide complex revealed that Be is coordinated by amino acid residues derived from the HLA-DP2 β-chain and peptide and showed that the TCR does not directly interact with the Be 2+ cation. Rather, the TCR recognizes a modified HLA-DP2–peptide complex with charge and conformational changes. Collectively, these findings provide a structural basis for the development of this occupational lung disease through the ability of Be to induce posttranslational modifications in preexisting HLA-DP2–peptide complexes, resulting in the creation of neoantigens.
The Securities Exchange Act Is a Material Girl, Living in a Material World: A Response to Bebchuk and Jackson's 'Shining Light on Corporate Political Spending'

This Article responds to a piece by Lucian Bebchuk and Robert Jackson, “Shining Light of Corporate Political Spending,” which argues in favor of a rulemaking petition submitted by the authors to initiate a mandatory rule pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act requiring companies to disclose political expenditures, including contributions to politically active non-profits. This Article explores the economic cost-benefit analysis requirements that constrain SEC rulemaking and argues that when making a mandatory disclosure rule the SEC must demonstrate that the subject of the disclosure is material to investors. It shows how Bebchuk and Jackson have not made a sufficient case that corporate political expenditures meet that materiality threshold, nor that a mandatory disclosure rule would meet the SEC’s cost-benefit analysis requirements. This is true particularly in light of how a mandatory disclosure rule risks inhibiting corporate freedom of speech.
Understanding the impact of taste changes in oncology care

Taste perception is frequently altered in cancer patients. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on advances in understanding of the basic biology and physiology of taste and how taste and flavor may be impacted in cancer and its treatment. A succinct review of the literature on the biology and neurology of taste, taste evaluation, and the impact in oncology is provided. Advances have occurred in the study of the gustatory system. Taste and smell are commonly affected during cancer care, and specific chemosensory complaints may persist in large numbers of cancer survivors. Limited study in oncology patients is available despite the significant impact that taste and smell have on oral intake and general physical and social well-being. Taste and flavor has had limited study in cancer therapy. Impact on taste and flavor can result in changes ranging from elimination of taste to taste distortions that may be associated with taste aversions, nausea, and dietary compromise. New therapeutics and new approaches in oncology may have additional impact upon taste that requires further study. This paper reviews the current understanding of taste function, taste testing, and its potential impact on cancer care, to serve as a guide for directing further research.
Influence of High Fuel Rail Pressure and Urea Selective Catalytic Reduction on PM Formation in an Off-Highway Heavy-Duty Diesel Engine

The influence of fuel rail pressure (FRP) and urea-selective catalytic reduction (SCR) on particulate matter (PM) formation is investigated in this paper along with notes regarding the NOx and other emissions. Increasing FRP was shown to reduce the overall soot and total PM mass for four operating conditions. These conditions included two high speed conditions (2400 rpm at 540 and 270 Nm of torque) and two moderated speed conditions (1400 rpm at 488 and 325 Nm). The concentrations of CO2 and NOx increased with fuel rail pressure and this is attributed to improved fuel-air mixing. Interestingly, the level of unburned hydrocarbons remained constant (or increased slightly) with increased FRP. PM concentration was measured using an AVL smoke meter and scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS); and total PM was collected using standard gravimetric techniques. These results showed that the smoke number and particulate concentrations decrease with increasing FRP. However the decrease becomes more gradual as very high rail pressures. Additionally, the total PM decreased with increasing FRP; however, the soluble organic fraction (SOF) reaches a maximum after which it declines with higher rail pressure. The total PM was collected for the two 1400 rpm conditions downstream of the engine, diesel oxidationmore » catalyst, and a urea-SCR catalyst. The results show that significant PM reduction occurs in the SCR catalyst even during high rates of urea dosage. Analysis of the PM indicates that residual SOF is burned up in the SCR catalyst.« less
Rapid auxin- and fusicoccin-enhanced Rb(+) uptake and malate synthesis in Avena coleoptile sections.

The short-term effects of auxin (indole-3-acetic acid) and fusicoccin (FC) on Rb+ uptake and malate accumulation in Avena sativa L. coleoptile sections have been investigated. FC stimulates 86Rb+ uptake within 1 min while auxin-enhanced uptake begins after a 15–20-min lag period. Auxin has little or no effect on 86Rb+ uptake at external pHs of 6.0 or less, but substantial auxin effects can be observed in the range of pH 6.5 to 7.5. Competition studies indicate that the uptake mechanism is specific for Rb+ and K+. After 3 h of auxin treatment the total amount of malate in the coleoptile sections is doubled compared to control sections. FC causes a doubling of malate levels within 60 min of treatment. Auxin-induced malate accumulation exhibits a sensitivity to inhibitors and pH which is similar to that observed for the H+-extrusion and Rb+-uptake responses. Both auxin- and FC-enhanced malate accumulation are stimulated by monovalent cations but this effect is not specific for K+.
Effects of Carbon Dioxide Anesthesia on the House Cricket, Acheta domesticus (Orthoptera: Gryllidae)

Experiments with the house cricket, Acheta domesticus (L.) showed that serial closes of carbon dioxide for anesthetic purposes are possible without the retardation of growth previously reported by Brooks (1957, J. Insect Physiol. 1: 76) provided the percent of carbon dioxide is at 40% or lower. There is evidence that oxygen is important in preventing retardation at 60% carbon dioxide concentration. Maturation, longevity, heartbeat, and abdominal contractions also were included in the investigation. Possible modes of action of carbon dioxide are discussed.
Evaluating Principal-Preparation Programs Based on Placement Rates: Problems and Prospects for Policymakers.

Recent calls to hold preparation programs accountable for outcomes have led states to develop and adopt preparation program accountability systems. A primary feature of these systems is a focus on ...
Powertrain Design Change for Front Drive Diesel Engine Configured to Front Engine Rear Drive on Wuling Hongguang

On front engine rear drive vehicle model Wuling Hongguang, static clearance requirement for powertrain has been analyzed. Powertrain components design changes are presented for front drive diesel engine configured to front engine rear drive. Components clearance measurements and reliability road test results are also showed. On compact car, this has very good reference value for design changes of front drive diesel engine changed to be front engine rear drive.
Awareness rate of knowledge about hepatitis C prevention and infection status of hepatitis C among employees in Changping District of Beijing

[Objective]To understand the awareness rate of knowledge about hepatitis C prevention and infection status of hepatitis C among employees in food service industry and public places in Changping District of Beijing in 2012.[Methods]An anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted by the self-designed questionnaire,and the data were analyzed.[Results]A total of 1 430 people were investigated,and the awareness rate of knowledge about hepatitis C prevention was low. There were significant differences in awareness rate of hepatitis C knowledge among respondents with different educational level( P 0. 01 or P 0. 05). The positive rate of HCV antibody in males and females was 0. 17% and 0. 12% respectively,and the difference was not statistically significant(χ2= 0. 24,P 0. 05). The main ways of obtaining the hepatitis C knowledge included the traditional media( 51. 40%),including newspapers,magazines,television and radio,medical advertisements( 23. 71%),medical staff( 22. 03%) and internet( 15. 87%).[Conclusion]The awareness rate of knowledge about hepatitis C prevention among employees in Changping District needs to be improved. The serological monitoring of hepatitis C should be regarded as the necessary inspection item of health examination for employees in the national standard,to effectively prevent and control the infection and spread of hepatitis C.
Interactions of psychotropic drugs in the elderly.

The elderly patient, especially if mentally ill, is likely to be taking several medications. When some of the psychotropic drugs are used concomitantly or in combination with other agents (e.g., antihypertensives), therapeutic effects may be nullified or toxicity may result. Cautious prescribing habits and knowledge of the mechanisms of drug interactions are necessary to prevent harmful sequelae.
The safety of intrauterine devices in breastfeeding women: a systematic review

Abstract Objectives To investigate levonorgestrel (LNG)-releasing and copper-bearing (Cu) intrauterine device (IUD) safety among breastfeeding women and, for Cu-IUD use, breastfeeding performance and infant health. Study design Systematic review. Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and clinicaltrials.gov for articles through January 2016. We included studies of Cu-IUD or LNG-IUD users comparing IUD-specific (perforation, expulsion) and other contraceptive-related (infection, removal/cessation due to bleeding/pain and other adverse events) outcomes for breastfeeding vs. non-breastfeeding women. We also included studies of breastfeeding women comparing contraceptive-related outcome for IUD-users vs. other contraceptive-method users. Finally, we included studies comparing breastfeeding outcomes among Cu-IUD users to users of other nonhormonal contraceptives or no contraception. Results Of 548 articles identified, 23 (16 studies) met the inclusion criteria. Two studies suggested that the risk of IUD perforation was 6–10 times higher among breastfeeding vs. non-breastfeeding women. Seven studies suggested that risks for other adverse events were similar or lower among breastfeeding vs. non-breastfeeding women. Three studies among breastfeeding women found no increased risk of adverse events in IUD users vs. nonusers. Breastfeeding performance and infant growth were similar for Cu-IUD users and users of other nonhormonal methods or no contraception. Conclusion Overall, risks for adverse events among IUD users, including expulsion, pain and removals, were similar or lower for breastfeeding women vs. non-breastfeeding women. Uterine perforation with IUDs, while rare, appeared more frequent among breastfeeding women. No evidence indicated that Cu-IUD use in breastfeeding women influences breastfeeding performance or infant growth.
Goodwin, Crauford D. Walter Lippman: Public EconomistCambridge, MA: Harvard University Press 424 pp., $35.00, ISBN 978-0674368132 Publication Date: October 2014

It is difficult to read Craufurd Goodwin's long, dense, but brilliant biography of Walter Lippmann without imagining the well-known author and columnist's acerbic reaction. Beginning with his famou...
Life Course Socioeconomic Position and Subclinical Disease: The Jackson Heart Study.

Objectives: African Americans experience higher rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and lower childhood and adult socioeconomic position (SEP). Research that examines the associations of multiple measures of SEP with subclinical CVD markers among African Americans is limited. Methods: Data from the Jackson Heart Study (JHS) were used to examine cross-sectional associations of childhood SEP and adult SEP with subclinical markers among 4,756 African American participants (mean age 54, 64% female), adjusting for age, health behaviors and CVD risk factors. Subclinical markers included prevalent left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), peripheral artery disease (PAD), coronary artery calcification (CAC), and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). Results: The prevalence of LVH, PAD and CAC was 7%, 6% and 45%, respectively. The mean CIMT was .72 ± .17 mm. In fully-adjusted models, having a college education was inversely associated with PAD (OR, .27; 95% CI .13,.56) and CIMT (β=-29.7, P<.01). Income was inversely associated with LVH after adjustment for health behaviors (OR, .49 95% CI .25,.96), though associations attenuated in the fully-adjusted model. Measures of childhood SEP (material resources and mother’s education) were not consistently associated with subclinical disease measures other than a positive association between material resources and CIMT. Conclusions: Subclinical disease markers were patterned by adult SEP measures among African Americans. Ethn Dis. 2016;26(3);355-362; doi:10.18865/ed.26.3.355
Demographic variation in how the social brain processes news messages

A high capacity for visual perception distinguishes Homo sapiens from other primates. This human ability to detect social cues and retain visual records of social networks has been tested mostly with static facial images in laboratory settings. However, media consumption has become closely entangled with the way social life is navigated. Therefore, the study reported here tested demographic differences (gender and education) in visual information processing of social and nonsocial objects featured in audiovisual news content. Women recognized (accuracy) and recalled (salience) social images better than men. On the other hand, men were more skilled at recognizing, but not recalling, nonsocial images. Participants with lower educational levels recognized and recalled fewer images than individuals with higher educational levels. Interactions between demographic variables and time suggest that memory records for social images are more stable than those for nonsocial images. Memory may have survival-relevant importance, serving navigational functions that vary across environmental demands, resulting in differences across demographic groups.
Vector Processors for Energy-Efficient Embedded Systems

High-performance embedded processors are frequently designed as arrays of small, in-order scalar cores, even when their workloads exhibit high degrees of data-level parallelism (DLP). We show that these multiple instruction, multiple data (MIMD) systems can be made more efficient by instead directly exploiting DLP using a modern vector architecture. In our study, we compare arrays of scalar cores to vector machines of comparable silicon area and power consumption. Since vectors provide greater performance across the board - in some cases even with better programmability - we believe that embedded system designers should increasingly pursue vector architectures for machines at this scale.
Changes in Follicular CD4+ T Helper Cells as a Marker for Evaluating Disease Progression in the Competition between HIV and Host Immunity.

Follicular CD4+ T helper (TFH) cells interact with B cells in follicular germinal centers and play a prominent role in promoting effective humoral immune responses to pathogens, providing help for B cell development, and antibody affinity maturation. Recent studies indicate TFH cells are expanded in HIV/SIV chronic infection, or depleted in terminal stages of disease, yet relatively maintained in elite controllers when compared to uninfected controls. A better understanding of the mechanisms behind these immunologic abnormalities may lead to more effective vaccination and therapeutic strategies. Here we review recent findings of TFH cells in HIV/SIV infection, and discuss the correlation of changes and function of TFH cells with host immunity. Dysregulation or depletion of CD4+ TFH cells likely plays a major role in the inability of HIV infected patients to mount effective immune responses.
VITAL NEED OF THE BODY FOR CERTAIN UNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS: V. REPRODUCTION AND LACTATION UPON DIETS CONTAINING SATURATED FATTY ACIDS AS THEIR SOLE SOURCE OF ENERGY

Reproduction and lactation upon fat-free diets and the role played by the essential unsaturated fatty acids have been reported in detail (1). The role of these essential unsaturated fatty acids in reproduction and lactation with diets whose sole source of energy consists of saturated fatty acids forms the subject of the investigation reported in this paper. Diet 675 used in this study consisted of casein L-XI (l), 40; hydrogenated coconut oil,’ 60; and Salt Mixture 185 (2), 5. The usual vitamin supplements for fatfree diets were furnished by 1 gm. of ether-extracted brewers’ yeast2 daily for vitamins B and G, non-saponifiable matter from 83 mg. of cod liver oil daily for vitamins A and D, non-saponifiable matter from 0.5 gm. of wheat germ oil weekly for vitamin E, and 50 mg. daily of Preparation 48-e (1) for vitamin F (the essential unsaturated fatty acids). The technique and materials used in this study were identical with those described (1) for the fat-free diet. Gestation without Essential Unsaturated Fatty Acids-When hydrogenated coconut oil (free from linoleic acid) served as the source of energy instead of sucrose, the results were markedly simi-