cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of testicular germ cell tumor therapy on renal function.

Objective To assess the pre- and post-therapy glomerular filtration rate in patients with testicular germ cell tumors to determine its effect on the natural history of renal function. Methods We reviewed an institutional database of patients with testicular germ cell tumor, with pre- and post-therapy serum creatinine levels available. The renal function was estimated using a calculated glomerular filtration rate. We compared the patients treated without chemotherapy (orchiectomy with or without radiotherapy or retroperitoneal lymph node dissection) with those who received systemic chemotherapy. We analyzed the data for the outcome of new-onset chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3 between these groups. Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed and compared using a log-rank test. Results A total of 144 patients were reviewed. The testicular germ cell tumor stage distribution was stage I in 78 (54.2%), stage II in 28 (19.4%), and stage III in 38 (26.4%). Overall, the median creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate at diagnosis was 0.9 mg/dL (range 0.5-1.5) and 104.0 mL/min/1.73 m2 (range 58.7-235), respectively. Of the 144 patients, 102 (70.8%) had CKD stage 0-1, 41 (28.5%) stage 2, and 1 (0.7%) stage 3. The median creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate at the last follow-up visit was 1.0 mg/dL (range 0.6-2.6) and 95.5 mL/min/1.73 m2 (range 31.5-167.6), respectively. This difference between the pre- and post-therapy estimated glomerular filtration rate was significant (P Conclusion Patients with testicular germ cell tumor receiving chemotherapy experienced a significant decrease in the estimated glomerular filtration rate and had a significantly increased risk of developing CKD stage 3 compared with those treated without chemotherapy. These findings offer insight into the long-term risks of testicular germ cell tumor survivorship and will be useful in counseling patients.
Performance Comparison of RSS and TOA Indoor Geolocation Based on UWB Measurement of Channel Characteristics

Recently, variety of algorithms using received signal strength (RSS) or time of arrival (TOA) has been examined for precise indoor localization. The performance of the TOA based systems is sensitive to bandwidth and occurrence of undetected direct path (UDP) conditions, which degrade the localization performance significantly. The performance of the RSS based systems is less sensitive to the bandwidth and occurrence of UDP conditions. This paper uses UWB measurements in a repeatable framework representing a typical office building to compare the performance of four different algorithms and analyze the effect of the system bandwidth. Two of the algorithms are assisted with the ray tracing (RT) simulated channel behaviour. These algorithms are the newly introduced RT assisted TOA closest neighbor (RT-TOA-CN) and RT assisted RSS closest neighbor (RT-RSS-CN). The other two algorithms are traditional least square TOA (LS-TOA) and closest neighbor with TOA grid (CN-TOAG), previously introduced in the literature. We show that under certain radio propagation conditions and bandwidth requirements the localization performance of a simple to implement RSS based algorithm can be close to the more sophisticated TOA based technique.
Scheduling of input shaping and transient vibration absorbers for high-rise elevators

This paper presents techniques for the reduction of vibration in high-rise elevator passenger cabs. Reduction in cab vibration improves ride comfort and enables the use of more aggressive motion profiles to shorten travel times. Vibration reduction is accomplished by input shapers in a scheduling algorithm based on elevator position. To deal with transient disturbances, a vibration absorber is used to complement the input-shaping control scheme.
A Bayesian Analysis of Dynamics in Free Recall

We develop a probabilistic model of human memory performance in free recall experiments. In these experiments, a subject first studies a list of words and then tries to recall them. To model these data, we draw on both previous psychological research and statistical topic models of text documents. We assume that memories are formed by assimilating the semantic meaning of studied words (represented as a distribution over topics) into a slowly changing latent context (represented in the same space). During recall, this context is reinstated and used as a cue for retrieving studied words. By conceptualizing memory retrieval as a dynamic latent variable model, we are able to use Bayesian inference to represent uncertainty and reason about the cognitive processes underlying memory. We present a particle filter algorithm for performing approximate posterior inference, and evaluate our model on the prediction of recalled words in experimental data. By specifying the model hierarchically, we are also able to capture inter-subject variability.
Convex set theoretic image recovery via chaotic iterations of approximate projections

Solving a convex set theoretic image recovery problem amounts to finding a point in the intersection of closed and convex sets in a Hilbert space. Methods employing projections onto the individual sets to build a sequence converging to a point in their intersection have proven most useful to obtain set theoretic solutions. They are nonetheless sometimes difficult to implement because of the theoretical or numerical tedium associated with the computation of projections at each iteration. We propose a general parallel iterative method which processes chaotically approximate projections instead of exact ones. Weak and strong convergence results are presented and subgradient projection methods are discussed as a particular case. >
Simulation of semiconductor devices using a Galerkin/spherical harmonic expansion approach to solving the coupled Poisson-Boltzmann system

This paper describes a Galerkin/spherical harmonics approach for solving the coupled Poisson-Boltzmann system of equations for the electron distribution function and the electric potential, which can then be used to calculate other parameters of interest such as current flow and electron temperature. The Galerkin approach described here has some pragmatic advantages in space-dependent problems over more commonly used term-matching techniques for arbitrary order spherical harmonic expansions in momentum space, but the method requires a careful treatment of the boundary conditions and upwinded discretization methods. Results are presented for nonuniformly doped one-dimensional devices using up to third order spherical harmonics to show the importance of including higher order harmonics to accurately calculate the distribution function in high field regions.
Geomagnetic activity and human melatonin metabolite excretion

Elevated geomagnetic activity has been linked with human psychological, neurological and cardiovascular outcomes, and altered melatonin production has been implicated as an underlying mechanism to explain these effects. The relationship between geomagnetic activity and overnight excretion of the melatonin metabolite, 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate (6-OHMS), was evaluated in a population of 153 male electric utility workers. The effect of geomagnetic activity combined with either 60Hz magnetic field or ambient light exposures was also evaluated. Elevated equivalent amplitudes (USGS, Boulder, CO) were associated with lower adjusted mean nocturnal 6-OHMS/cr concentrations and reduced total overnight 6-OHMS excretion, consistent with a previous study. Time intervals in which geomagnetic activity predicted the largest differences in mean 6-OHMS excretion generally occurred between 15- and 33-h prior to urine sample collection. These times coincide with key periods of melatonin regulation and production, respectively, suggesting that geomagnetic activity may play a role in the entrainment of human melatonin rhythms.
Cutting Edge: IFN-γR Signaling in Non–T Cell Targets Regulates T Cell–Mediated Intestinal Inflammation through Multiple Mechanisms

Naive CD4 T cells transferred into lymphopenic mice undergo spontaneous proliferation and induce chronic inflammation in the intestine. Cellular mechanisms regulating the proliferative and inflammatory processes are not fully understood. In this study, we report that IFN-γ signaling in host cells plays a major role in limiting both T cell expansion and T cell–induced intestinal inflammation. However, the role of IFN-γ appears to differ depending on the target cells. IFN-γ signaling in dendritic cells controls T cell expansion, whereas IFN-γ signaling in neutrophils seems to regulate both T cell expansion and inflammation. IFN-γ signaling in nonhematopoietic cells may control inflammation. Therefore, our results suggest novel immunoregulatory functions for IFN-γ to orchestrate colitogenic T cell responses through its distinct action on different non–T cell target cells.
Human Intelligence: Implications for Counseling

Sternberg, R.J. (Ed.) (1982). Handbook of Human Intelligence. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press.
Integrating the portable APPN protocol stack into a multiprotocol router

Advanced Peer-to-Peer Networking (APPN), including High Performance Routing (HPR) and Dependent LU Requester (DLUR), has been implemented as a portable code base. This paper provides an overview of APPN functionality, and then examines the five interfaces that must be met to integrate the portable APPN code into a multiprotocol router: operating system, configuration, data link control (DLC), HPR's network control layer (NCL), and network management. Operating system portability is achieved through a system services interface layer. Node configuration is managed by a layer that interfaces between platform-specific configuration mechanisms and a verb-based API at the top of the portable stack. The DLC and NCL interfaces are supported by lagers at the bottom of the portable APPN stack; the DLC layer provides a common interface to system-dependent data link control implementations for intermediate session routing, while NCL serves a similar purpose, encompassing priority-based forwarding, for High Performance Routing. Network management interfaces are available for SNA management services and SNMP. Each of interfaces to the portable APPN protocol stack and the associated design issues are described in the context of a multiprotocol router implementation.
PREEXPOSURE OF A REDUNDANT STIMULUS IN A DIFFERENT CONTEXT ATTENUATES BLOCKING

Summary.-Using an extension of the blocking paradigm, the question of whether operations that reduce the associability of a stimulus (preexposure, redundancy) exert their effects independently of the context in which they are experienced was examined. Prior to conditioning two of the four groups received 20 presentations (4/day for 5 days) of a visual stimulus prior to its use as a redundant element in the blocking paradigm. Preexposure occurred in the same context as the training situation for one of the groups; the other group experienced the stimulus in an altered auditory, visual and olfactory environment. The other groups served as controls: one received the blocking regimen; the other served as an overshadowing control. An altered context during preexposure enhanced the associability of the redundant cue evidenced by an attenuation of blocking. This finding suggests that one indirect effect of context is the specification of a conditional relationship between stimulus and response such that operations wtuch alter the associability of a stimulus are dependent upon the context in which they occur.
Structure of HAP1-PC7 bound to DNA: implications for DNA recognition and allosteric effects of DNA-binding on transcriptional activation

HAP1 is a transcription factor in yeast whose DNA-binding domain has been implicated in directly affecting transcriptional activation. Two separate mutations in the DNA-binding domain, S63G (HAP1-PC7) and S63R (HAP1-18), retain wild-type binding affinity. However, HAP1-PC7 is transcriptionally silent while HAP1-18 shows highly elevated levels of transcription. We have determined the X-ray crystal structure of the DNA-binding domain of HAP1-PC7 bound to its DNA target, UAS(CYC7), and compared it to the previously solved HAP1-wt and HAP1-18 complexes to UAS(CYC7). Additionally, we have quantitatively compared the DNA-binding affinity and specificity of the HAP1-PC7, HAP1-18 and HAP1-wt DNA-binding domains. We show that, although the DNA-binding domains of these three proteins bind UAS(CYC7) with comparable affinity and specificity, the protein-DNA interactions are dramatically different between the three complexes. Conserved protein-DNA interactions are largely restricted to an internal DNA sequence that excludes one of the two conserved DNA half-sites of UAS(CYC7) suggesting a mode of recognition distinct from other HAP1 family members. Alternative protein-DNA interactions result in divergent DNA configurations between the three complexes. These results suggest that the differential transcriptional activities of the HAP1, HAP1-18 and HAP1-PC7 proteins are due, at least in part, to alternative protein-DNA contacts, and implies that HAP1-DNA interactions have direct allosteric effects on transcriptional activation.
Packing two copies of a sparse graph into a graph with restrained maximum degree

We show that if a tree T is not a star, then there is an embedding σ of T in the complement of T such that the maximum degree of T∪σ(T) is at most Δ(T)+2. We also show that if G is a graph of order n with n-1 edges, then with several exceptions, there exists an embedding σ of G in the complement of G such that the maximum degree of G∪σ(G) is at most Δ(G)+3. Both results are sharp in the sense that neither of Δ(T)+2 and Δ(G)+3 can be reduced. From these two results, we deduce two corollaries on packings of three graphs. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 62: 178–187, 2009
Vacuum-assisted closure therapy in the management of head and neck wounds.

Objectives: The wound vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) has been used in many areas of surgery to promote healing and facilitate secondary reconstruction. Until recently, this treatment modality was overlooked in the otolaryngology literature, and the authors propose that its use should be routine in the treatment of complex head and neck wounds. Study Design: An unbiased cohort study without conflict of interest at two tertiary care centers. Materials and Methods: All patients treated by the authors presented with complex head and neck wounds from 2005 to 2007 and were subjected to wound VAC therapy. The wound VAC dressing was changed every 72 hours, and the wound etiology, wound site, history of chemotherapy and radiation, hospital duration, gender, outcome, and ancillary procedures were recorded. Results: Nineteen patients with 33 wounds were treated using VAC therapy. Eighty-four percent of these patients healed completely without the need for further surgical intervention. The mean age of this cohort was 63.2 years, with a range of 48–75 years. Males far outnumbered females in this study (17:2). Outpatient therapy commenced at discharge after an average of 11.4 days following a hospital stay ranging between 5 and 28 days. Adjunctive procedures performed during and after VAC therapy included hyperbaric oxygen treatment, dermal grafts, salivary diversion, and regional flap reconstruction. Conclusions: This study shows the applicability and versatility of vacuum-assisted wound closure in the head and neck. Based on our results the authors feel that this mode of therapy should be a routine part of the Otolaryngologist's armamentarium for the treatment of complex and refractory head and neck wounds. Laryngoscope, 119:54–61, 2009
Oral contraceptives and polyp regression in familial adenomatous polyposis

Epidemiologic and experimental reports suggest that female hormones protect against the development of colorectal cancer, but studies are limited. We describe a patient in the placebo arm of a 4-year primary chemoprevention trial who developed adenomatous polyps and then had eradication of polyps after the administration of oral contraceptives. No change in the prostaglandin levels in the colonic mucosa was noted after polyp elimination, making nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug ingestion unlikely as a cause. This report represents the regression of colorectal adenomas with the use of estrogen/progesterone compounds.
Concurrent Design of Vibration Absorbers and Input Shapers

Systems with flexible dynamics often vibrate due to external disturbances, as well as from changes in the reference command. Feedback control is an obvious choice to deal with these vibrations, but in many cases, it is insufficient or difficult to implement. A technique that does not rely on high performance feedback control is presented here. It utilizes a combination of vibration absorbers and input shapers. Vibration absorbers have been used extensively to reduce vibration from sinusoidal disturbances, but they can also be implemented to reduce the response from transient functions. Input shaping has proven beneficial for reducing vibration that is caused by changes in the reference command. However, input shaping does not deal with vibration excited by external disturbances. In this paper, vibration absorbers and input shapers are designed sequentially and concurrently to reduce vibration from both the reference command and from external disturbances. The usefulness of this approach is demonstrated through computer simulations and experimental results.
The 3D Facial Norms Database: Part 1. A Web-Based Craniofacial Anthropometric and Image Repository for the Clinical and Research Community

With the current widespread use of three-dimensional (3D) facial surface imaging in clinical and research environments, there is a growing demand for high-quality craniofacial norms based on 3D imaging technology. The principal goal of the 3D Facial Norms (3DFN) project was to create an interactive, Web-based repository of 3D facial images and measurements. Unlike other repositories, users can gain access to both summary-level statistics and individual-level data, including 3D facial landmark coordinates, 3D-derived anthropometric measurements, 3D facial surface images, and genotypes from every individual in the dataset. The 3DFN database currently consists of 2454 male and female participants ranging in age from 3 to 40 years. The subjects were recruited at four US sites and screened for a history of craniofacial conditions. The goal of this article is to introduce readers to the 3DFN repository by providing a general overview of the project, explaining the rationale behind the creation of the database, and describing the methods used to collect the data. Sex- and age-specific summary statistics (means and standard deviations) and growth curves for every anthropometric measurement in the 3DFN dataset are provided as a supplement available online. These summary statistics and growth curves can aid clinicians in the assessment of craniofacial dysmorphology.
Electromagnetic scattering from a chiral cylinder of arbitrary cross section

A simple moment solution is presented to the problem of electromagnetic scattering from a homogeneous chiral cylinder of arbitrary cross-section. The cylinder is assumed to be illuminated by either a TE or a TM wave. The surface equivalence principle is used to replace the cylinder by equivalent and magnetic-surface currents. These currents radiating in unbounded external medium produce the correct scattered field outside. When radiating in an unbounded chiral medium, they produce the correct total internal field. By enforcing the continuity of the tangential components of the total electric field on the surface of the cylinder, a set of coupled integral equations is obtained for the equivalent surface currents. Unlike a regular dielectric, the chiral scatterer produces both copolarized and cross-polarized scattered fields. Hence, both the electric and magnetic current each have a longitudinal and a circumferential component. These four components of the currents are obtained by using the method of moments (MoM) to solve the coupled set of integral equations. Pulses are used as expansion functions and point matching is used. The Green's dyads are used to develop explicit expressions for the electric field produced by two-dimensional surface currents radiating in an unbounded chiral medium. Some of the advantages and limitations of the method are discussed. The computed results include the internal field and the bistatic and monostatic echo widths. The results for a circular cylinder are in very good agreement with the exact eigenfunction solution.
Invasive Silver Carp movement patterns in the predominantly free-flowing Wabash River (Indiana, USA)

Many organisms must move among habitats to fulfill life history requirements. Fish movements have been widely studied and tend to be either fine-scale (i.e., routine) and governed by factors such as food availability and cover, or broad-scale and associated with spawning migrations. However, movements of invasive fishes in non-native ecosystems are comparatively poorly understood despite the often critical importance of fish movement and dispersal for invasion success. We examined invasive Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) movements using acoustic telemetry to monitor the timing, distance, and direction of fish movements and assessed movements in relation to seasonal, annual, environmental, and individual factors in the Wabash River (Indiana, USA), a largely unregulated Midwestern river. Silver Carp exhibited highly variable movements that could be rapid and large in magnitude; however, tagged individuals remained stationary most of the time. Despite high variability, several trends emerged, indicating the importance of backwater habitats, avoidance of small tributaries, and tendencies of tagged fish to exhibit directed spring and fall broad-scale movements. Summer movements were smaller in magnitude, characterized by lower movement rates, and evenly split between upstream and downstream directions, although tagged Silver Carp moved more frequently during summer months. Our results indicate that specific seasons (i.e., spring and early fall) and locations (i.e., backwaters) are likely targets for Silver Carp control in the Wabash River and should also be useful targets for early detection and control in other largely unconstrained rivers over a broad geographic range (e.g., Great Lakes tributaries and upper Mississippi River mainstem and tributaries).
Acetaminophen overdose associated with double serum concentration peaks.

Acetaminophen is the most commonly used analgesic–antipyretic medication in the United States. Acetaminophen overdose, a frequent cause of drug toxicity, has been recognized as the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal hepatic necrosis. N -Acetylcysteine is the recommended antidote for acetaminophen poisoning. Despite evidence on the efficacy of N -acetylcysteine for prevention of hepatic injury, controversy persists about the optimal duration of the therapy. Here, we describe the case of a 65-year-old male with acetaminophen overdose and opioid co-ingestion who developed a second peak in acetaminophen serum levels after completing the recommended 21-hour intravenous N -acetylcysteine protocol and when the standard criteria for monitoring drug levels was achieved. Prolongation of N -acetylcysteine infusion beyond the standard protocol, despite a significant gap in treatment, was critical for successful avoidance of hepatotoxicity. Delay in acetaminophen absorption may be associated with a second peak in serum concentration following an initial declining trend, especially in cases of concomitant ingestion of opioids. In patients with acetaminophen toxicity who co-ingest other medications that may potentially delay gastric emptying or in those with risk factors for delayed absorption of acetaminophen, we recommend close monitoring of aminotransferase enzyme levels, as well as trending acetaminophen concentrations until undetectable before discontinuing the antidote therapy. Keywords: acetaminophen toxicity; acetaminophen level; N-acetylcysteine (Published: 11 December 2015) Citation: Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives 2015, 5 : 29589 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/jchimp.v5.29589
Hydrological Aspects of Arsenic Contamination of Groundwater in Eastern India

Abstract Arsenic in the Bengal Delta has been the topic of discussion for more than a decade since 73% of the population (more than 140 million people) are under deep stress for locating arsenic-free drinking water. Most of this arsenic is geogenic, having its source from the Himalayan metamorphic facies, and is carried down by major river systems and thereby accumulating on the fluvio-deltaic plains to the southeast. All the states on this path are to some extent have depicted the presence of arsenic in the subsurface groundwaters. Currently, there are two major pathways for ingesting arsenic: (1) by the drinking water; and (2) by the food chain. Various scales of health effects from skin lesions to major cancer outbreaks have been located distinctively and pathologically in about 43% of the affected population. Irrigation practices have exacerbated the lateral extent of high arsenic in this region. Secondary natural minerals Fe and Mn oxyhydroxides seem to adsorb both the valences of arsenic and, in the presence of labile organic carbon as in dissolved organic matter, help in releasing the arsenic into the groundwaters. Shallow to intermediate depth-reducing aquifers within the Holocene floodplains are the most contaminated and range from −1 . The Bengal Basin, within a few meters of sea level, has repercussions from infiltrating saline seawater, and the impacts of climate change makes the problem worse in this region. Switching groundwater wells, harvesting rainwater, and household small-scale filtration systems, are the three most effective remediation mechanisms known to the people of the Bengal Delta.
Creating Within and Across Life Spaces: The Role of a Computer Clubhouse in a Child’s Learning Ecology

The clubhouse environment described above has its origins in concerns about equitable access to tools, people, and ideas that support the development of technological fluency—defined generally as the capacity to express oneself using a broad range of computing tools (Resnick & Rusk, 1996) and to adapt technology to advance one’s own goals. Digital technologies offer children and adolescents rich opportunities to design and create artwork, movies, games, animations, interactive robots, and other artifacts. Online communities that reflect “cultures of participation” (Jenkins, 2006, 2009) allow creators to share their work, receive feedback, and expand their social networks. Informal collaborative relationships develop as learners share knowledge and codevelop interests. It has been suggested that participation in these informal collectives nurtures important twenty-first-century capacities such as collaboration, knowledge of how to build social networks, manage information, direct one’s own learning, engage in design, and capitalize on opportunities for distributed cognition and the building of collective intelligence. Design activities, including information gathering, creative thinking, prototyping, improvisation, and tinkering, are thought to provide potential pathways to these crucial twenty-first-century capacities (Balsamo, 2010).
Nebramycin: separation of the complex and identification of factors 4, 5, and 5'.

By the use of improved isolation and separation methods, it has been shown that the major components of the nebramycin complex produced by Streptomyces tenebrarius are factor 2 (apramycin), factor 4 (6"-O-carbamoylkanamycin B), and factor 5' (6"-O-carbamoyltobramycin). Factor 5, which is identical to kanamycin B, and tobramycin are not produced by Streptomyces tenebrarius but arise from the acid or base catalyzed hydrolysis of 6"-O-carbamoylkanamycin B and 6"-O-carbamoyltobramycin respectively.
The implementation of outpatient atomization center information management program

[Objective]To reduce redundant links during aerosol care and provide high- efficient and secure service to patients. [Method] With information management system, we improved working process, simplified procedures of patient' s medical treatment, made"One card" service reality.[ Result]All patient's information including remedy, payment, medicine taking were recorded in medical card.[ Conclusion]Both patients and hospital will achieve the win- win results after practicing information management.
Carcinome canalaire in situ (CCIS) chez les femmes de moins de 40 ans : une prise en charge particulière ?

Ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast (DCIS) is rare in younger women, accounting for about 4% of all cases of DCIS in France, and tends to be diagnosed by clinical findings or casually, after plastic surgery. After breast conserving treatment, young age ( less than 40) is a predictive factor of relapses in patients with DCIS. Age may serve as one more parameter that should be considered in the complex decision-making process necessary to create a treatment plan for a woman with DCIS. Breast conservative treatment (BCT) could be used if: margins are free and more than 10 mm; if DCIS size is less than 11 mm and DCIS is free of necrosis and comedocarcinoma. Mastectomy ought to be proposed in case of: multifocal DCIS, or DCIS size more than 30 mm; invaded margins after re-excision; radiotherapy contraindicated; small breasts and patient choice. Immediate breast reconstruction should be proposed for patients with all the poor predictive factors. In other cases, treatment procedure will be explained to the patient and the treatment will be chosen by the patient in consultation with the medical team (radiologist, surgeon, pathologist and oncologist). Radiotherapy with boost or hormonotherapy with tamoxifen should not be used routinely but may be proposed individually.
Subspace in signal processing and communications

Among the most powerful and applied mathematical tools, subspace has had a wide impact in signal processing and communications, and it continuously has a magic power for solving future problems. In this talk, I will present some of the triumphant examples of subspace that I have encountered in the past 25 years. These examples range from high-resolution processing of radar signals to blind system identification for communications and to smart relays for next generation of wireless networks.
With the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System, Pay for Performance Is Now National Policy

Mendelson and colleagues examined 69 recent studies that evaluated pay-for-performance initiatives. The editorialist discusses new policies that require the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services...
Stability of MOSFET-Based Electronic Components in Wearable and Implantable Systems

Wearable and implantable electronic (WIE) devices are enabling a new generation of customized real-time health monitoring systems. Some of the highest performance systems involve MOSFET-based sensors as well as MOSFET-based digital and analog circuits. Protecting these transistors in a harsh fluidic environment is difficult because the requirement of wearability/flexibility demands ultrathin encapsulation. The charged ions (such as Na+) from body-fluids can diffuse rapidly through the thin encapsulation layer and destabilize the transistors, and render the component nonfunctional. In this paper, we develop an analytical framework and scaling theory for Na+ penetration into the encapsulation layer of WIE devices. Coupled with the physics of MOSFET degradation, the ion penetration model predicts lifetime of MOSFET-based electronics encapsulated by various types of encapsulating materials. The model is easily generalized to include multiple design parameters, such as stacks of encapsulation layers, encapsulation layer thicknesses, temperature/field dependent ion drift, and rate of dissolution of the encapsulation layer. Our simulations and experiments show that: 1) a multilayer encapsulation is essential to achieve multiobjective passivation, and 2) the encapsulation thickness must be optimized by accounting for charged ion penetration and dissolution of the encapsulation layer.
Age Group Differences in Perceived Age Discrimination: Associations With Self-Perceptions of Aging.

Background and objectives From midlife onwards, age stereotypes increasingly underlie social judgments and contribute to age-based discrimination. Whereas many studies compare differences between young and older adults in reports of age discrimination or sensitivity to age stereotypes, few consider age group differences among adults over 50. We form subgroups corresponding to social age group membership (early midlife, late midlife, young old, oldest old) and examine differences in reported experiences of everyday age discrimination and associations with self-perceptions of aging. Research design and method Using cross-sectional and longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS: N = 15,071; M Age = 68, range 50-101), multivariate logistic regression was used to examine experiences of everyday discrimination attributed to age, and associations between age discrimination and self-perceptions of aging, in four age groups: early midlife, late midlife, young old, oldest old. Results People in the early midlife group (aged 50-59) reported more experiences of unfair treatment than the older age groups but were less likely to attribute their experiences to age discrimination. After controlling for covariates, individuals in all age groups who perceived their own aging positively were less likely to report experiences of age discrimination. The magnitude of this effect, however, was greatest in the early midlife group. Discussion and implications Findings support proposals that midlife is a pivotal life period when individuals adjust to life events and social role transitions. Future longitudinal studies will provide further insight into whether positive self-perceptions of aging are especially important in this phase of the life course.
Candida meningitis after transsphenoidal surgery: a single-institution case series and literature review.

Candida meningitis after neurosurgical procedures is a rare but potentially devastating complication. The presentation of meningitis can be insidious in immunosuppressed patients and thus can be easily overlooked. Cerebrospinal fluid studies often resemble bacterial profiles, and cultures can be falsely negative. Candida albicans is the most common species identified in postsurgical Candida meningitis, and delay in diagnosis and treatment can be devastating. The standard induction therapy for Candida meningitis has been amphotericin B combined with flucytosine. A high index of suspicion is needed in any patient with risk factors such as abdominal surgery, bowel perforation, recent broad spectrum antibiotic therapy, intravenous drug use, extremes of age, indwelling catheters, and immunosuppression such as AIDS, malignancy, antineoplastic therapy, and steroid use. Here, we describe 3 case presentations of patients with giant skull base tumors who developed postsurgical Candida meningitis, each with vastly different clinical courses and outcomes, ranging from benign to catastrophic. We performed a literature review with special focus on common risk factors, Candida species, diagnostic criteria, and treatment.
Multivariate and some other extensions of sampling Theory for Signal Processing a historic perspective

The well known Shannon sampling theory is mainly for one variable signals. For its various aspects, to date, we have many excellent overview treatments, as tutorials and reference books. However, for the multivariate sampling theory and some other basic extensions, we do have a good number of research papers, but an overview is mainly limited to only a couple of chapters in several books on sampling theory. The present talk centers on a tutorial review of the various aspects of the multivariate sampling for the past sixty years, since it was suggested by Parzen in 1956. This is in addition to few other basic extensions. We emphasize that this talk represents only an outline summary of the detailed review paper to be submitted to our SampTA journal: Sampling Theory in Signal and Image Processing - An International Journal (stsip.org).
The Voices for Healthy Kids and State Legislation to Prevent Childhood Obesity: An Update.

Introduction The purpose of this study is to examine general time trends in childhood obesity legislative activity in all 50 states (overall and by health equity focus) and whether the Voices for Healthy Kids Campaign (Voices) was associated with increased legislative activity. Methods LexisNexis State Capital was used to identify bills related to childhood obesity from 2012 to 2016. Linear and linear probability models were used to assess general time trends and regression-based difference-in-difference models to assess whether time trends differed for states that received a Voices grant. The data were analyzed in 2017. Results A total of 989 bills were introduced (Year 1=304, Year 2=364; Year 3=321), and a total of 93 bills were enacted (Year 1=34, Year 2=24, Year 3=35) after baseline. The mean number of bills introduced (baseline=4.3, Year 1=6.6, Year 2=7.3, Year 3=7.0, p=0.007), and the average state enactment rate (baseline=11%, Year 1=16%, Year 2=8%, Year 3=27%, p-trend=0.02) increased significantly. States with Voices grantees introduced 2.1 more bills than non-grantee states (p=0.04). The estimated difference over time in bill enactment and health equity focus did not differ by Voices grantee status. Conclusions Childhood obesity bill introduction and enactment increased between 2013 and 2016. The evidence-based advocacy supported by Voices appears to be significantly associated with greater increases in state-level bill introduction, but not enactment of legislation to address childhood obesity.
Reduced red blood cell destruction by antibody fragments.

Alloantibodies and autoantibodies to blood group antigens can cause immune RBC destruction, resulting in transfusion reactions and autoimmune hemolytic diseases.1 Antibodies to human glycophorin A (GPA)–associated antigens can cause hemolytic transfusion reactions and HDN.2 Ter-119, a rat IgG2b monoclonal antibody, is a mouse erythroid-specific antibody that recognizes GPA3 and causes autoimmune hemolytic anemia after injection into mice.4 This indicates that the Ter-119 antibody pathogenicity is analogous to that of human GPA antibodies. Because the Fc portion of the antibody molecule mediates its effector functions, including binding to Fc receptors and complement components,5 we hypothesized that blood group–specific antibodies would be rendered nonpathogenic by removal of their Fc domains. We chose to use the F(ab′)2 fragment as compared with the monovalent Fab fragment because of its higher binding affinity (avidity) for the target antigens. Although the use of antibody fragments directed against a variety of antigens has been described, there have been only two published studies that addressed their in vivo application for antibodies directed against RBC antigens. Specifically, in two previous reports, the in vivo effects of F(ab′)2 prepared from anti-D were compared to whole IgG but conflicting results had been obtained.6,7 In one report, the antibody fragment preparation resulted in complete clearance of D+ RBCs,7 whereas in the other report, only about one-third of the RBCs were destroyed.6 The explanation given for these unexpected results was that the antibody fragment preparations used for the studies had different degrees of contamination with intact IgG molecules, which were responsible for RBC destruction. In this study, we compared the in vivo effects of intact Ter-119 antibody with those of a highly purified preparation of its F(ab′)2 fragment. We found that direct injection of Ter-119 antibody into mice resulted in a more severe anemia compared with that observed in mice injected with the F(ab′)2 fragment. In addition, mouse RBCs sensitized in vitro with the Ter-119 F(ab′)2 fragment exhibited prolonged survival in vivo as compared with RBCs coated with the whole IgG molecule.
Dealing with Asset Bubbles

Asset Bubbles have always been a debatable issue in the field of Economics and Finance. Till now we have witnessed quite a handful of them but we are yet to develop a concrete strategy to tackle the same. This paper provides an insight into the various mathematical know how’s of an asset bubble and is quite pertinent concerning the Buyer Seller model which armours us with an appropriate model to detect asset bubbles. Significant amount of expertise is called for the implementation of this model which ranges from determination of important coefficients to the final execution. In fact one of the reasons for the yet unresolved problem of bubbles is the human psychological factor involved in it. This paper touches upon the field of Behavioural Finance to provide an insight into the same. A slew of measures exist in the current literature which throw light on the factors contributing to bubbles and how they can be curtailed. These are discussed under literature review. This paper tries to move a step further and discusses the feasibility of the well known concept of Non-profit Organization (NPO) as a vigilant in this era of ever changing dynamics. It will provide an analytical insight into the various indicators which when implemented in the monetary and other policies will help an economy steer its ship without colliding with this fatal iceberg known as “bubble”. History has witnessed that the Titanics which carry the investors caught up in bubbles have much larger capacity, much higher glamour but sink deep and leave yet another grave mark in history.
The Path to US Immigration Reform

Comprehensive immigration reform is the exception, not the rule, in American politics. Major changes in immigration policy generally require years of preparation and negotiation. Even the imprimatur of blue ribbon panels helps but does not ensure quick passage of new approaches. Today, there appears to be considerable consensus as to the contours of immigration reform enforcement against unauthorized migration, measures to address the large population of undocumented migrants already in the country, and new admissions policies to enable the immigration system to respond to future demand for workers. Differences abound, however, when the discussion shifts to the details. Whether comprehensive immigration reform will pass Congress remains an open question.
Explicit Controller Parametrizations for Linear Parameter-Varying Affine Systems Using Linear Matrix Inequalities

In this chapter, we derive explicit controller parametrizations for the design of output feedback controllers for affine Linear Parametrically Varying (LPV) systems in the form of Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMIs). The main feature is that variables related to the LPV controller parameters are retained in the design inequalities, a fact that can be used to impose a simpler structure to the resulting controller as well as to develop applications in a number of control problems, such as mixed objective control problems and delay systems. We develop formulas using two approaches: one based on polytopes and another based on norm-bounded uncertainty models. We provide a comparison between these two approaches and their relation to existing results in the literature.
Variations in Genes Related to Sleep Patterns in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Background:Sleep disturbance is a frequent comorbidity in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), affecting an estimated 40–80% of cases. Previous reports have shown relationships between sev...
Seebeck and Figure of Merit Enhancement by Rare Earth Doping in Yb14-xRExZnSb11 (x = 0.5)

Yb14ZnSb11 has been of interest for its intermediate valency and possible Kondo designation. It is one of the few transition metal compounds of the Ca14AlSb11 structure type that show metallic behavior. While the solid solution of Yb14Mn1-xZnxSb11 shows an improvement in the high temperature figure of merit of about 10% over Yb14MnSb11, there has been no investigation of optimization of the Zn containing phase. In an effort to expand the possible high temperature p-type thermoelectric materials with this structure type, the rare earth (RE) containing solid solution Yb14-xRExZnSb11 (RE = Y, La) was investigated. The substitution of a small amount of 3+ rare earth (RE) for Yb2+ was employed as a means of optimizing Yb14MnSb11 for use as a thermoelectric material. Yb14ZnSb11 is considered an intermediate valence Kondo system where some percentage of the Yb is formally 3+ and undergoes a reduction to 2+ at ~85 K. The substitution of a 3+ RE element could either replace the Yb3+ or add to the total amount of 3+ RE and provides changes to the electronic states. RE = Y, La were chosen as they represent the two extremes in size as substitutions for Yb: a similar and much larger size RE, respectively, compared with Yb3+. The composition x = 0.5 was chosen as that is the typical amount of RE element that can be substituted into Yb14MnSb11. These two new RE containing compositions show a significant improvement in Seebeck while decreasing thermal conductivity. The addition of RE increases the melting point of Yb14ZnSb11 so that the transport data from 300 K to 1275 K can be collected. The figure of merit is increased five times over that of Yb14ZnSb11 and provides a zT ~0.7 at 1275 K.
Efficacy of Budesonide vs Fluticasone for Initial Treatment of Eosinophilic Esophagitis in a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background and Aims Topical steroid treatments for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) include swallowed fluticasone from a multi-dose inhaler (MDI) or oral viscous budesonide (OVB) slurry, but the 2 have never been compared. We assessed whether OVB was more effective than MDI for initial treatment of patients with EoE. Methods In a double-blind, double-dummy trial, patients with a new diagnosis of EoE were randomly assigned to groups given 8 weeks of either OVB (1 mg/4 mL) twice daily plus a placebo inhaler (n = 56) or fluticasone MDI (880 μg) twice daily plus a placebo slurry (n = 55). Primary outcomes were post-treatment maximum eosinophil counts per high-power field (eos/hpf) and a validated dysphagia score (dysphagia symptom questionnaire [DSQ]) at week 8. Secondary outcomes included endoscopic severity (validated EoE endoscopic reference score), histologic response ( Results In a modified intention-to-treat analysis, the subjects had baseline peak eosinophil counts of 73 and 77 eos/hpf in the OVB and MDI groups, respectively, and DSQ scores of 11 and 8. Post-treatment eosinophil counts were 15 and 21 in the OVB and MDI groups, respectively (P = .31), with 71% and 64% achieving histologic response (P = .38). DSQ scores were 5 and 4 in the OVB and MDI groups (P = .70). Similar trends were noted for post-treatment total EoE endoscopic reference scores (2 vs 3; P = .06). Esophageal candidiasis developed in 12% of patients receiving OVB and 16% receiving MDI; oral thrush was observed in 3% and 2%, respectively. Conclusions In a randomized clinical trial, initial treatment of EoE with either OVB or fluticasone MDI produced a significant decrease in esophageal eosinophil counts and improved dysphagia and endoscopic features. However, OVB was not superior to MDI, so either is an acceptable treatment for EoE. ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT02019758.