cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Perceived parental and peer disapproval toward substances: influences on adolescent decision-making.

This study investigated the relative influence of perceived parent and peer disapproval for using drugs on youth intentions to use drugs. In a cross-sectional design, sixth and eighth grade students (N = 1,649) completed surveys that included measures of parent disapproval, peer disapproval, and intentions to use drugs in the future. Parent influences were more salient for sixth graders, whereas peer influences were predominant for eighth graders. Peer disapproval was significantly evident in the sixth grade sample, as was parent disapproval in the eighth grade sample. Additionally, girls’ drug use intentions were higher than were boys’. These findings suggest that parents can have a robust protective role over and above peer influences and that girls’ intentions to use substances deserve increased attention. Editors’ Strategic Implications: These findings, if replicated, should help practitioners develop developmentally appropriate strategies and programs for substance use prevention.
The rate at which a simple market converges to efficiency as the number of traders increases: An asymptotic result for optimal trading mechanisms

Private information in an independent, private-values market provides incentives to traders to manipulate equilibrium prices strategically. This strategic behavior precludes ex post efficient market performance. Increasing the number of traders improves the efficiency of some trading mechanisms by enabling them to better utilize the private information traders' bids and offers reveal. This paper shows that the expected inefficiency of optimally designed mechanisms, relative to ex post efficient allocations, decreases almost quadratically as the number of traders increases.
Obligation and Consent—I

One might suppose that if political theorists are by now clear about anything at all, they should be clear about the problem of political obligation and the solution to it most commonly offered, the doctrine of consent. The greatest modern political theorists took up this problem and formulated this answer. The resulting theories are deeply imbedded in our American political tradition; as a consequence we are already taught a sort of rudimentary consent theory in high school. And yet I want to suggest that we are not even now clear on what “the problem of political obligation” is, what sorts of “answers” are appropriate to it, what the consent answer really says, or whether it is a satisfactory answer. This essay is designed to point up the extent of our confusion, to explore some of the ground anew as best it can, and to invite further effort by others. That such effort is worthwhile, that such political theory is still worth considering and that it can be made genuinely relevant to our world, are the assumptions on which this essay rests and the larger message it is meant to convey.
Contrast-Enhanced Transcranial Color-Coded Duplexsonography in Stroke Patients with Limited Bone Windows

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Thickening of the temporal bone in stroke-age patients may obviate sonographic evaluation of the circle of Willis in 20% to 30% of patients. We assessed the diagnostic efficacy of contrast-enhanced transcranial color-coded duplexsonography (TCCD) for noninvasive evaluation of the circle of Willis in stroke patients with limited bone windows. METHODS: Of 171 consecutive patients who presented with ischemic symptoms in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory, 49 patients (32 female, 17 male; age range, 70.5 ± 10.6 years) had no detectable colorflow signals from the circle of Willis by TCCD because of limited acoustic windows. These 49 patients received an IV injection of a sonographic contrast-enhancing agent, Levovist (Schering; Berlin, Germany), and were re-examined. Correlative imaging studies of the circle of Willis were obtained in 42 of 49 of these patients. RESULTS: In 38 of 49 patients, contrast-enhanced TCCD enabled full visualization of the circle of Willis bilaterally; in an additional five patients, contrast-enhanced TCCD revealed only the portion of the circle of Willis ipsilateral to the probe through one temporal bone. In six of these 43 patients, contrast-enhanced TCCD showed MCA stenosis and MCA occlusion in three; three of the six cases of MCA stenosis and all three cases of the MCA occlusion were found on the symptomatic side. In six of 49 patients, no colorflow signals were obtained after contrast enhancement. All contrast-enhanced TCCD findings were confirmed by CT angiography, transfemoral digital substraction angiogaphy, MR angiography, or a combination of all three correlative studies. Levovist produced no serious adverse events. CONCLUSION: In stroke-age patients with limited acoustic windows, contrast-enhancement with Levovist can markedly increase the sensitivity of TCCD and increase the detection of clinically relevant intracranial arterial disease.
Subjective Evaluation of Teat Canal Anatomy

Abstract Since radiographic techniques have shown that streak canals with larger diameters tend to milk-out faster and are more susceptible to new intramammary infections, a practical visual test was sought to provide easier determination of cows with either extremely narrow (slow milking) or extra wide (susceptible to new infections) streak canals. A subjective teat classification scheme was developed to describe five different teat-end shapes in 159 Holstein and Brown Swiss cows in the University of Nebraska dairy herd. Approximately one-fourth of the cattle had pointed or round teat ends, one-half had flat or near flat, and one-fourth were either disk or cone-shaped at the distal end. The correlation coefficient of repeated observations varied between .67 and .84, generally increasing as the time span between observations shortened. About 40% of variation in future classification scores is unaccounted for by past classification scores and may be the result of human error. I conclude, however, that this teat classification scheme has sufficient repeatability as an aid to selection, especially in springer heifers close to freshening.
Setting up social experiments: the good, the bad, and the ugly

It is widely agreed that randomized controlled trials – social experiments – are the gold standard for evaluating social programs. There are, however, many important issues that cannot be tested using social experiments, and often things go wrong when conducting social experiments. This paper explores these issues and offers suggestions on ways to deal with commonly encountered problems. Social experiments are preferred because random assignment assures that any differences between the treatment and control groups are due to the intervention and not some other factor; also, the results of social experiments are more easily explained and accepted by policy officials. Experimental evaluations often lack external validity and cannot control for entry effects, scale and general equilibrium effects, and aspects of the intervention that were not randomly assigned. Experiments can also lead to biased impact estimates if the control group changes its behavior or if changing the number selected changes the impact. Other problems with conducting social experiments include increased time and cost, and legal and ethical issues related to excluding people from the treatment. Things that sometimes go wrong in social experiments include programs cheating on random assignment, and participants and/or staff not understanding the intervention rules. The random assignment evaluation of the Job Training Partnership Act in the United States is used as a case study to illustrate the issues.
The Home Care Crisis of the Nineties

The supply of acceptable quality, paid custodial home care is threatened by the increasingly precarious financial condition of providers. Examined were the trends of the publicly-owned, for-profit providers. Restrictive public payments and the lack of private insurance coverage have contributed to the financial woes. Changes are urgently needed which address the financing of home care.
ProOmpA contains secondary and tertiary structure prior to translocation and is shielded from aggregation by association with SecB protein

Escherichia coli protein export involves cytosolic components termed molecular chaperones which function to stabilize precursors for membrane translocation. It has been suggested that chaperones maintain precursor proteins in a loosely folded state. We now demonstrate that purified proOmpA in its translocation component conformation contains both secondary and tertiary structure as analyzed by circular dichroism and intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence. Association with one molecular chaperone, SecB, subtly modulates the conformation of proOmpA and stabilizes it by inhibiting aggregation, permitting its translocation across inverted E.coli inner membrane vesicles. These results suggest that translocation competence does not simply result from the maintenance of an unfolded state and that molecular chaperones can stabilize precursor proteins by inhibiting their oligomerization.
Hepatocellular carcinoma metastatic to the bladder after liver transplantation

Urological involvement of hepatocellular carcinoma (hepatoma) is rare. Autopsy studies of patients with hepatoma revealed renal metastases in less than 5%1 but to date only 1 with bladder spread has been reported to our knowledge. We report another case of hepatocellular carcinoma metastatic to the bladder, and discuss the presentation, management and followup of this unusual neoplasm.
Binaural Auditory Beats Affect Vigilance Performance and Mood

LANE, J. D., S. J. KASIAN, J. E. OWENS AND G. R. MARSH.Binaural auditory beats affect vigilance performance and mood. PHYSIOL BEHAV63(2) 249 ‐252, 1998.—When two tones of slightly different frequency are presented separately to the left and right ears the listener perceives a single tone that varies in amplitude at a frequency equal to the frequency difference between the two tones, a perceptual phenomenon known as the binaural auditory beat. Anecdotal reports suggest that binaural auditory beats within the electroencephalograph frequency range can entrain EEG activity and may affect states of consciousness, although few scientific studies have been published. This study compared the effects of binaural auditory beats in the EEG beta and EEG theta/delta frequency ranges on mood and on performance of a vigilance task to investigate their effects on subjective and objective measures of arousal. Participants (n 5 29) performed a 30-min visual vigilance task on three different days while listening to pink noise containing simple tones or binaural beats either in the beta range (16 and 24 Hz) or the theta/delta range (1.5 and 4 Hz). However, participants were kept blind to the presence of binaural beats to control expectation effects. Presentation of beta-frequency binaural beats yielded more correct target detections and fewer false alarms than presentation of theta/delta frequency binaural beats. In addition, the beta-frequency beats were associated with less negative mood. Results suggest that the presentation of binaural auditory beats can affect psychomotor performance and mood. This technology may have applications for the control of attention and arousal and the enhancement of human performance. © 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.
Gauge fields on coset spaces

Classical gauge theories are constructed on a class of associated bundlesS(M, G; G/A), with structure groupG, the fibre being isomorphic to a coset space ofG. An appropriate connection is found on such bundles. The connection supports a projective realization of the structure group. The connection coefficients may be identified as gauge potentials. This construction provides an example of gauge theories in which the number of independent gauge fields is smaller than the dimension of the local symmetry group.
Home gardens as a springboard for agroforestry development in Amazonia.

SUMMARY Home gardens are an often overlooked resource for agricultural development. In both upland and floodplain areas of the Brazilian Amazon, home gardens contain a wealth of promising material that could be planted on a wider scale for income generation and restoring degraded habitats. Over seventy perennial species are cultivated in dooryard gardens in Amazonia, and new domesticated plants are being constantly recruited for the surrounding forest; forest conservation and agro- forestry development are thus linked.
Classification of Lymphomas

Malignant lymphomas are neoplasms of cells of the lymphoreticular or immune system. Classification of these neoplasms has long been controversial and confusing. In recent years, considerable progress has been made in establishing useful and prognostically significant classifications of lymphomas. Currently, lymphomas may be divided into two main groups: Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. The Rye classification of Hodgkin's disease is now widely accepted and used throughout most of the world. In contrast, considerable conflict exists about the schemes of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. The traditional classifications of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas currently used by most pathologists are based purely on morphologic grounds, and, despite the fact that they may be conceptually incorrect, they have often been shown to be useful for clinicopathologic studies. New or modern but yet untested schemes based not only on morphologic criteria, but also on recent immunologic techniques, have been proposed. This work will review the classifications of Hodgkin's disease and the non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, emphasizing the currently used schemes, describe the major modern classifications of lymphomas, and discuss and illustrate the subclasses of lymphomas and the differential diagnoses of the various types of lymphomas from nonlymphomatous proliferations which may mimic them.
Hair Dryer Electrocutions – Can they be Prevented?:

Electrocution cases with hand-held hair dryers typically involve children under 10 years of age who either knock a plugged-in hair dryer into the bathtub or take it in with them. This paper looks a...
Age structure and survivorship of Culicoides variipennis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in central New York State, USA.

Studies were conducted adjacent to a farm pond in central New York, USA, over 2 seasons to determine survivorship and to assess the vector potential of female Culicoides variipennis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). Many nullipars and some pars attacked man during the day near the habitat. Most adults collected nocturnally or at dawn by CO2-baited light trap were parous and had oviposited within the previous 12 h. Seasonal parity fluctuations were unreliable indicators of voltinism, since nullipars apparently were poorly represented in crepuscular and nocturnal trap collections. Parity rates and numbers collected varied with time of collection and animal access to the area. Some females lived to complete 4 gonotrophic cycles and were estimated to be a minimum of 19 days old. Stage survivorship decreased with age and was calculated at 0.327, 0.148, and 0.167 for unipars, bipars, and tripars, respectively. Mean parous rates (nulliparous stage survivorship) were 0.61–0.65 but were probably exaggerated owing to the undersampling of nullipars. Theoretically, survivorship was apparently sufficient to allow bluetongue virus transmission at this site, providing other factors (e.g., biting intensity on ruminants and transmission rates in vector populations) were favorable.
The Geographic Distribution of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in Tajikistan and Central Asia

ABSTRACTCrimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a fatal tick-borne pathogen found in thirty countries across Europe, Africa, and Asia. The virus is seen sporadically across a large geographic ran...
Fractal Inequality: A Social Network Analysis of Global and Regional International Student Mobility.

Literature on global international student mobility (ISM) highlights the uneven nature of student flows – from the developing to the developed world – however, studies have yet to address whether this pattern is replicated within expanding regional networks. Utilizing social network analysis, UNESCO ISM data, and World Bank income classifications, this paper examines economic inequality in ISM from 2008–2012 globally and within the Southern African Development Community, the European Higher Education Area, the Union of South American Nations, and University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific. Findings reaffirm previous global analyses which indicate that higher-income countries play a preeminent role as receivers; whereas, lower-income countries function primarily as source nations. This study demonstrates that this pattern is replicated fractally within the four regional networks as well. Globally and regionally, economically developed countries comprise the core of the world-system in tertiary education w...
Recovery of natural killer cell counts after one course of CHOP chemotherapy is diminished in patients older than 60 compared to patients younger than 60.

2199 Melatonin (MEL) is a hormone made in the pineal gland that regulates sleep and influences a number of other hormonal body functions. Studies by Lissoni, et al. (Supportive Care in Cancer, 5: 126, 1997) also suggest a myeloprotective effect when administered with chemotherapy. T-lymphocytes have melatonin receptors and thus may be stimulated by melatonin. We conducted a randomized trial in adult patients with favorable prognosis aggressive B-cell lymphomas. Patients were treated with CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) every three weeks and were randomized to take or not to take 20 mg of oral melatonin daily. Complete blood counts with differential and lymphocyte markers were assayed: in 79 patients prior to treatment; in 53 patients after the first cycle of chemotherapy; and in 41 patients both prior to treatment and after the first cycle. Analysis of lymphocyte counts was performed based on patient age and assigned treatment group. Shown below are the median CD4, CD8, and Natural Killer (NK) absolute cell counts before and after treatment along with the percentage change after one cycle of treatment.* P-values are for the Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test. In conclusion, there is no effect of melatonin on recovery of CD4, CD8, or NK cells. However, these data suggest that despite a similar baseline NK cell count, patients older than 60 years old have impaired recovery and reconstitution of NK cell counts after a single cycle of CHOP chemotherapy.
What is a degenerate view

In this paper, we attempt to quantify what is meant by the terms "degenerate view", and its relatives, "characteristic view", "visual event", and "general viewing position". We propose that the definition of degeneracy is itself degenerate, taking on differing meanings at different times. We claim (at least for the case of polyhedra) that one can only speak of a two-dimensional stimulus as being degenerate with respect to a given heuristic for inverting the image function. Additionally, we show that given the finite viewing resolution of a two-dimensional retina, in practice the concept of a characteristic view is often not characteristic of real imagery. Even precisely defined general viewing positions are sensitive to camera acuity: any viewpoint ceases to be characteristic at some resolution, and non-characteristic views are not vanishingly improbable. We provide initial quantitative estimates on these probabilities for some simple cases, and relate them to a minimal disambiguation distance. It follows that an aspect graph is less a discrete graph, and more properly a partitioning of the surface of the viewing sphere into "fuzzy" regions of non-zero area: an aspect map. This viewpoint is more in keeping with recent and proposed work on optimal viewing strategies.
Directional channel modelling for millimetre wave communications in urban areas

Integrating Kirchhoff approximation (KA) and a ray-tracing (RT) algorithm, this study develops a new directional three-dimensional channel model for urban millimetre-wave small cells. The authors study the path loss, spatial correlation, coverage distance, and coherence length for line-of-sight (LOS), obstructed LOS, and non-LOS (NLOS) scenarios in urban areas. Exploiting physical optics and geometric optics solutions, closed-form expressions for spatial correlation are derived. It is deduced that LOS availability, frequency, and surface roughness scale highly impact spatial diversity. In addition, using antenna arrays of moderate gain at both sides of the link, even under NLOS conditions, a typical urban cell size of 200 m is achievable.
Individual Variation in Acquisition/Allocation Reaction Norms

Fisheries impose upon populations selective forces that are probably proportional to fishing mortality, even when that is not size-selective. Whether there is an evolutionarily response in a population depends upon the amount of genetic variation in traits associated in particular with allocations to growth and reproduction. Genetic change in such traits is obscured and confused by the purely phenotypic changes in acquisition/allocation schedules resulting from fishery-induced changes in density. Such linked reaction norms of allocation in iteroparous species may be described in terms of allometry. Individual variation in allocation reaction norm in the North Sea sole (Solea soled) was reported by de Veen (1976). In responding to changes in food availability the faster-growing females displayed a steeper reaction-norm allometry between ovarian and somatic weight. Reaction norms to temperature also show allometric differences. Relative gonad size in smaller northern anchovies (Engraulis mordax) is more sensitive to temperature, even to the point of negative allometry during an El Nino year. We may reasonably summarize such variation in a bipartite growth function expressing the relationship of surplus, growth, and reproductive energies as power functions of size (Ware 1980). Both the evolutionary response to selection and its detection depend upon the sources of individual variation in the joint reaction norms of these quantities to changes in food supply, density, and temperature. Only when these joint reaction norms have been identified can their evolutionary change be detected.
Effects of monensin and amicloral on rumen fermentation.

Fermentative adjustments produced by monensin and amicloral and by combinations of monensin plus amicloral were investigated in vitro. Monensin increased (P < .05) production of propionate, usually decreased production of acetate and butyrate and partially reduced methanogenesis, but no accumulation of gaseous hydrogen was observed. Amicloral not only increased production of propionate (P < .05), but also usually increased butyrate production, decreased (P < .05) acetate production and almost completely inhibited (P < .05) methanogenesis, and substantial quantities (P < .05) of hydrogen accumulated in the gas phase. Both chemical agents were effective (P < .05) in decreasing utilization of an exogenous amino acid load. Monensin plus amicloral produced fermentative adjustments comparable to those predicted from cultures medicated with monensin or amicloral alone; thus, effects mediated by the combined agents were additive and no consistent positive or negative synergestic activities were noted. Characteristic adjustments in rumen fermentation caused by monensin, by amicloral and by additivity of these adjustments are reflections of the two chemical agents manipulating ruminal reactions by different mechanisms.
The Influence of the Molecular Context of T Cell Determinants and the non-MHC Genetic Context of the H-2b Genes on the Immunogenicity of Lysozyme

Immune responsiveness in mice to a foreign protein, such as chicken eggwhite lysozyme (HEL) is determined by both MHC and non-MHC genes. Immune response (Ir) gene control of this response mapped within the MHC was first reported in 1975 (1) for the H-2b mouse. In that paper, it was apparent that the response depended upon a single amino acid difference between non-immunogenic and immunogenic avian lysozymes. These data presented some of the first evidence in support of the idea that the failure to respond might reflect a regulatory balance in which the strength of antigen-induced suppression mullified the breadth of activation of T helper cells. A later, more extensive genetic analysis (2) showed that in order to obtain an antibody response, it was only necessary to have a single “positive” Class II allele, either in I-A or I-E.
Ring cavity surface emitting quantum cascade laser with a near Gaussian beam profile

We propose a vertical spiral phase corrector for ring cavity surface emitting (RCSE) quantum cascade lasers (QCLs), which will allow achievement of near-Gaussian generated beam profile. A problem with RCSE QCLs is their donutshaped intensity distribution with a node along the symmetry axis of the ring. This arises because of the π phase difference for the azimuthally polarized rays emitted from opposite elements of the ring. We theoretically demonstrate that near-Gaussian beams can be achieved with a spiral phase shifter that adds one wavelength of additional optical path in going once around the ring. Various three dimensional lithographic techniques for fabricating such a phase shifter, including a grey scale mask, electron-beam resist dose dependency, and two photon induced photopolymerization, are considered. Ring cavity QCLs with the proposed phase corrector will feature better beam quality, larger power, and better resistance to radiative damage in comparison with traditional edge-emitting QCLs.
Reflections on My Father

For as long as I can remember, people from all walks of life have had nice things to say about my dad. From the time I was a little girl, people told me how smart he was, how kind he was, and how much they appreciated knowing him. Now, half a century later—and since 2006 when he passed away at the age of 86—I hear people reminisce about him with an eternal deep respect and fondness. I enjoy hearing people’s reflections now as much as I did when he was alive.
INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM FOR GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS IN RURAL MISSISSIPPI

Introduction Every eight seconds a Baby Boomer turns 60 (Rao, Praveena, & Rao, 2010). The number of people over age 65 in the United States with a mental illness is expected increase to 15 million persons in 2030 (McGovern, Lee, Johnson, & Morton, 2008). Mental health services in the U.S. are insufficient due to lack of providers and limited options. The scenario worsens when you add factors such as rural and geriatric populations. Mendenhall, MS is indicative of this phenomena. There are few mental health services in Simpson County and even fewer options for geriatric patients. The county has two hospitals with Simpson General Hospital (SGH) in Mendenhall housing a ten bed geriatric psychiatric unit but the need is much greater. Mendenhall's census is 2,509 residents with 17.7% being over age 64. Simpson county has a census of 27, 463 residents with 15.6% being over age 65 (United States Census Bureau, 2015). The hospital is plagued by a revolving door syndrome with multiple readmissions in the midst of congress’ mandate that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) penalize hospitals with 30-day readmission rates. An Intensive Outpatient Program was implemented in Mendenhall, MS in conjunction with SGH. The program provided outpatient mental health treatment for 12 geriatric patients with multiple 30 day readmissions throughout the previous year. Methods The subjects for this study were patients with 3 to 6 readmissions within 30 days within one year from the geriatric psychiatric unit. Twelve patients participated and were part of a convenience sample. The study was conducted by use of comparison of readmission rates in 30 days between the intervention(implementation of outpatient program) and pre-intervention archival data that showed readmission rates monthly for one year prior to readmission rates. Data during intervention were collected via daily sign in sheets and hospital daily census records. Results Prior to the intervention, the number of admissions per month ranged from 11 to 16 per month, and readmissions ranged from 4 to 8. The average pre-intervention readmission rate was 43.6%. During the month of the intervention program, only one readmission occurred relative to the 18 total admissions, which resulted in a clinically substantial reduced rate of only 5.6%. A Fisher's exact test was conducted to compare the average pre-intervention readmission rate to the intervention rate, and showed a statistically significant reduction in the 30-day readmission rate (p = 0.012). Conclusions Offering programs such as Intensive Outpatient Mental Health Services can reduce costly readmission rates and penalties while increasing available services to geriatric patients in rural Mendenhall, MS. This research was funded by Funding was supplied from host hospital, Simpson General Hospital in Mendenhall, MS. Participation in the program was paid through Medicare reimbursement. Monthly hospital readmission rates.
Resistance to soybean aphid biotype 4 in plant introductions of Glycine soja

Soybean aphid (Aphis glycines Matsumura) is a pest of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr] in the Midwestern U.S. and southern Canada. Host plant resistance provides an alternative to insecticides for soybean aphid management. Soybean with Rag1 + Rag2 aphid resistance is available commercially but does not protect against soybean aphid biotype 4 colonization. To find sources of resistance to soybean aphid biotype 4, we turned to soybean’s progenitor Glycine soja (Sieb. and Zucc.). Twenty soja plant introductions (PIs) with previously identified resistance to avirulent soybean aphid biotype 1 were assessed in free-choice tests against biotype 4, followed by a no-choice test for promising PIs. Experiments were repeated using three soybean aphid biotype 4 colonies, collected from separate site-years (Lomira, WI 2013; Volga, SD 2015, 2016). Free-choice tests identified six, three, and eight soja PIs with putative resistance to Lomira13, Volga15, and Volga16 aphid colonies, respectively. No-choice tests identified six, two, and six soja PIs that continued to suppress Lomira13, Volga15, and Volga16 aphids, respectively. PI 65549 and PI 101404A were resistant to each of the three colonies of soybean aphid biotype 4 and may contribute to durable resistance against soybean aphid.
Limb blood flow and muscle oxygenation responses during handgrip exercise above vs. below critical force

Abstract This study compared the brachial artery blood flow (QBA) and microvascular oxygen delivery responses during handgrip exercise above vs. below critical force (CF; the isometric analog of critical power). QBA and microvascular oxygen delivery are important determinants of oxygen utilization and metabolite accumulation during exercise, both of which increase progressively during exercise above CF. However the QBA and microvascular oxygen delivery responses above vs. below CF remain unknown. We hypothesized that QBA, deoxygenated-heme (deoxy-[heme]; an estimate of microvascular fractional oxygen extraction), and total-heme concentrations (total-[heme]; an estimate of changes in microvascular hematocrit) would demonstrate physiological maximums above CF despite increases in exercise intensity. Seven men and six women performed 1) a 5-min rhythmic isometric-handgrip maximal-effort test (MET) to determine CF and 2) two constant target-force tests above (severe-intensity; S1 and S2) and two constant target-force tests below (heavy-intensity; H1 and H2) CF. CF was 189.3 ± 16.7 N (29.7 ± 1.6%MVC). At end-exercise, QBA was greater for tests above CF (S1: 418 ± 147 mL/min; S2: 403 ± 137 mL/min) compared to tests below CF (H1: 287 ± 97 mL/min; H2: 340 ± 116 mL/min; all p
Utility of Bronchoalveolar Lavage and Transbronchial Biopsy in Patients with Interstitial Lung Disease

Bronchoalveolar lavage and transbronchial biopsy can be a useful tool in the evaluation of interstitial lung disease (ILD), but patient selection for this procedure remains poorly defined. Determining clinical characteristics that help with patient selection for bronchoscopy may improve confidence of ILD classification while limiting potential adverse outcomes associated with surgical lung biopsy. The purpose of this study is to identify factors that were associated with change in multidisciplinary ILD diagnosis (MDD) before and after incorporation of BAL and TBBx data. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of ILD patients at a single center who underwent bronchoscopy in the diagnostic workup of ILD. We performed sequential MDD both pre- and post-bronchoscopy to calculate the frequency of change in diagnosis after incorporating information from BAL and TBBx and identify features associated with change in diagnosis. 245 patients were included in the study. Bronchoscopy led to a change in diagnosis in 58 patients (23.7%). The addition of TBBx to BAL increased diagnostic yield from 21.8 to 34.1% (p = 0.027). Identification of antigen, HRCT scan inconsistent with UIP, and absence of a pre-bronchoscopy diagnosis of CTD-ILD or IPAF were associated with a change in diagnosis after bronchoscopy. Our study suggests clinical features that may assist with patient selection for bronchoscopy. We suggest bronchoscopy in patients with identified antigen or an HRCT that is consistent with a non-IPF diagnosis. Appropriate patient selection for bronchoscopy may improve ILD diagnostic confidence and avoid potential complications from more invasive and higher risk procedures.
SAT0154 Bisphosphonates and upper gi problems – what is the evidence?

Background Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) tract mucosal irritation has been reported for a variety of bisphosphonates, including pamidronate, etidronate, clodronate, alendronate (ALN), tiludronate, and risedronate (RIS). Objectives To use evidence-based medicine to rate and summarise the evidence regarding bisphosphonates and UGI problems. Methods Review and interpretation of published studies. Results Although the clinical relevance of short-term, transient endoscopic findings is uncertain, one endoscopic study reported a higher incidence of gastric lesions for ALN vs RIS, and others reported no difference for ALN vs RIS or placebo.1–4 These endoscopic studies differed in regard to blinding, duration, and control. Endoscopy trials that were appropriately blinded and of longer duration (4–10 wks) found no difference between ALN and RIS or placebo, even at the higher doses used for once-weekly dosing4 or to treat Paget’s disease.3Randomised, blinded, controlled trials (RCTs) with clinically relevant GI endpoints represent the highest level of evidence, and tens of thousands of patients have participated in RCTs of ALN and RIS for up to 7 years. UGI complaints were common in these studies (~30% in the first year), and were comparable to placebo. In particular, the incidence of more worrisome UGI events (including esophageal events, and gastroduodenal perforations, ulcers, and bleeds) was low and comparable to the placebo group, even in high risk subgroups, among 6459 women randomised to ALN or placebo for up to 4.5 years in the Fracture Intervention Trial.5 Furthermore, two independent RCTs of patients who had previously reported intolerance to bisphosphonate reported that the large majority (~85%) were able to continue ALN or RIS when treatment was resumed, and the permanent discontinuation rates were no different from the placebo group.6,7 Conclusion Based on extensive data from large RCTs, we conclude that any increase above placebo in clinically relevant UGI problems related to bisphosphonate use is very low – too low to detect in trials involving thousands of participants during several years of follow-up. References Lowe C, et al. Am J Gastroenterol. 2000;95:634–40 Lanza F, et al. Gastroenterology 2000;119:631–8 Lanza F, et al. Am J Gastroenterol. 2000;95:3112–17 Lanza F, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2000;43(Suppl 9):S198 Bauer DC, et al. Arch Intern Med. 2000;160:517–25 Miller PD, et al. Clin Ther. 2000;22(12):1433–42 Adachi JD, et al. Arthritis Rheum 2000;43(Suppl 9):S202
Endoplasmic reticulum stress signals in the tumour and its microenvironment

Protein handling, modification and folding in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are tightly regulated processes that determine cell function, fate and survival. In several tumour types, diverse oncogenic, transcriptional and metabolic abnormalities cooperate to generate hostile microenvironments that disrupt ER homeostasis in malignant and stromal cells, as well as infiltrating leukocytes. These changes provoke a state of persistent ER stress that has been demonstrated to govern multiple pro-tumoural attributes in the cancer cell while dynamically reprogramming the function of innate and adaptive immune cells. Aberrant activation of ER stress sensors and their downstream signalling pathways have therefore emerged as key regulators of tumour growth and metastasis as well as response to chemotherapy, targeted therapies and immunotherapy. In this Review, we discuss the physiological inducers of ER stress in the tumour milieu, the interplay between oncogenic signalling and ER stress response pathways in the cancer cell and the profound immunomodulatory effects of sustained ER stress responses in tumours.
Toward Modeling of Complimentary Metamaterial Elements using Higher-order Moments for Metasurface Antenna Design

We study the model of a complementary metamaterial element embedded in a waveguide wall as a collection of dipole and quadrupole moments. The metamaterial element is a resonant, electrically-small aperture designed to leak energy from the guided mode into free space and is an essential building block—as a radiator—for waveguide-fed metasurface antennas. In the analytic model of a metasurface, the elements are often characterized as electric and magnetic point dipoles, with their higher-order moments ignored. However, the dipolar approximation is often not sufficient to accurately predict the field scattered by the element—especially the field in close proximity to the element—and thus results in errors when the analytic description of the element is applied. In this study, we present the retrieval of the quadrupole moments of a metamaterial element etched into the top wall of a parallel-plate waveguide. We also demonstrate that considering the quadrupole moments of the element, in addition to its dipole moments, can improve the accuracy of the analytic model of a metamaterial element. The proposed method can be used to improve the accuracy of the analytic model of metasurface antennas for various applications.
Restoring Vision to Consumers and Competition to the Marketplace: Analyzing the Effects of Required Prescription Release

Occupational licensing laws can allow professionals to extract rents in the marketplace. In the case of vision services, optometrists have the authority to write prescriptions for contact lenses. Optometrists may choose to conceal this information and force patients to purchase lenses from the professional writing the prescription—resulting in vendor lock-in. In this paper, we investigate the possible effect of the 2004 Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act (FCLCA) on the market for vision services by examining state differences in prescription release mandates before 2004. We find that requiring professionals to release prescription information to patients resulted in a 10 to 11 percent reduction in the wages of optometrists. Our results provide some evidence that the FCLCA may have increased consumer welfare by reducing the prices of contact lenses or increasing access to contact lenses.
Independent of physical activity, volumetric muscle loss injury in a murine model impairs whole-body metabolism

Volumetric muscle loss (VML) injuries result in a non-recoverable loss of muscle tissue and function due to trauma or surgery. Reductions in physical activity increase the risk of metabolic comorbidities over time, and it is likely that VML may reduce whole-body activity. However, these aspects remain uncharacterized following injury. Our goal was to characterize the impact of VML on whole-body physical activity and metabolism, and to further investigate possible muscle-specific metabolic changes. Adult male C57Bl/6J (n = 28) mice underwent a standardized VML injury to the posterior compartment of the hind limb, or served as injury naive controls. Mice underwent longitudinal evaluation of whole-body physical activity and metabolism in specialized cages up to three times over the course of 8 weeks. At terminal time points of 4- and 8-weeks post-VML in vivo muscle function of the posterior compartment was evaluated. Additionally, the gastrocnemius muscle was collected to understand histological and biochemical changes in the muscle remaining after VML. The VML injury did not alter the physical activity of mice. However, there was a noted reduction in whole-body metabolism and diurnal fluctuations between lipid and carbohydrate oxidation were also reduced, largely driven by lower carbohydrate utilization during active hours. Following VML, muscle-specific changes indicate a decreased proportion of fast (i.e., type IIb and IIx) and a greater proportion of slow (i.e., type I and IIa) fibers. However, there were minimal changes in the capillarity and metabolic biochemical activity properties of the gastrocnemius muscle, suggesting a miss-match in capacity to support the physiologic needs of the fibers. These novel findings indicate that following VML, independent of changes in physical activity, there is whole-body diurnal metabolic inflexibility. Supporting future investigations into the chronic and overlooked co-morbidities of VML injury.
Personality change profiles and changes in cognition among middle-aged and older adults

Abstract Research on the relationship between personality traits and cognitive abilities has primarily used cross-sectional designs and considered personality traits individually in relation to cognitive dimensions. This study (N = 2652) examined the relationship between Big Five personality change profiles and change in cognitive factors, episodic memory and executive functioning. Latent profile analysis was used to capture patterns of change across the Big Five traits. Three profiles of personality change were defined: Decreasers, Maintainers, and Increasers. The Decreasers declined more in episodic memory compared to the Increasers and Maintainers. Also, the Decreasers declined more in executive functioning compared to the Increasers, but not the Maintainers. The findings advance our understanding of the links between patterns of personality change and cognitive aging.
Efficient encoding of cycle codes: a graphical approach

The paper presents a low-complexity encoding algorithm for cycle codes-low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes with column weight j = 2. For a cycle code of block length n, the encoding complexity of the algorithm is O(n) whereas the conventional encoding method has a complexity of O(n/sup 2/). We achieve the linear-complexity encoder through graph analysis. First, we introduce particular Tanner graphs named pseudo-trees and prove that any pseudo-tree can be encoded in linear time. Second, we show that any cycle code can be represented by the union of pseudo-trees. We show that by combining these two ideas, cycle codes are linear-time encodable.
To Share or to Compete: Managing Revenue Streams for Innovations in Markets with Network Effects

Firms in many technology intensive industries increasingly license innovations to potential competitors besides using them in their own products. Licensing not only creates an additional profit stream, but could also enhance the value of the innovator's own product in a market with network effects. However, it also makes the licensee a potential competitor in the product market. In this paper, we develop a model to understand if, when and how a firm should share its innovation with a rival. Prior models of licensing in such markets have failed to accommodate the impact of the licensor's and licensee's product development capabilities, and the effect of subsequent competition in the product market. We consider vertically differentiated markets with network effects where the performance levels of a firm's product depends both on whether or not it has access to the innovation and its development capability. We show that a firm should license its innovation to a competitor only if the product development capabilities of the two firms are significantly different. Further, the attractiveness of licensing increases with the strength of the network effects. Finally, the optimal form of licensing - royalty, fixed-fee, or two-part tariff - depends on both the network effects and the relative capabilities of the firm. In general, the royalty-based contracts are preferable over fixed-payment contracts when the differentiation between firms is lower and network effects are weaker. Our conclusions lead to a nuanced understanding of royalties as a lever for controlling competition in product markets for firms which are vendors in the technology market as well.
Diagnosis of condition systems using causal structure

In a system composed of multiple subsystems, each subsystem imposes constraints on the behavior of the system through its interactions with other subsystems and with the external environment. A failure occurs when the subsystem no longer imposes its constraints, thus permitting unexpected observed behaviors from the system. In this paper, we consider systems composed of interacting condition systems, a form of Petri net with input and output signals defining its interactions with other subsystems. We present a method of transforming the system model into a causal model defining which subsystems can potentially affect other subsystems. When observed system outputs are not consistent with expected behaviors, then the causal model is analyzed to present a set of diagnostic hypotheses. It is shown that this set of hypotheses is a superset of the subsystems which could account for the failure.
Chapter 10 Computer Aided Search for Optimal Self-Assembly Systems

Abstract DNA self-assembly is a promising paradigm for nanotechnology. In this chapter we study the problem of finding tile systems of minimum size that assemble a given shape in the Tile Assembly Model, defined by Rothemund and Winfree [Paul W.K. Rothemund, Erik Winfree, The program-size complexity of self-assembled squares (extended abstract), in: Proceedings of the Thirty-Second Annual ACM Symposium on Theory of Computing , ACM Press, 2000, pp. 459–468]. We present a tile system that assembles an N × ⌈ log 2 N ⌉ rectangle in asymptotically optimal Θ ( N ) time. This tile system has only 7 tiles. Earlier constructions need at least 8 tiles [A. Goel, H. Chen, Q. Cheng, P. Moisset de Espanes, Invadable self-assembly, combining robustness with efficiency, in: Proceedings of Symposium on Discrete Algorithms , ACM Press, 2004]. We managed to reduce the number of tiles without increasing the assembly time. The new tile system works at temperature 3. The new construction was found by the combination of exhaustive computerized search of the design space and manual adjustment of the search output. The search algorithms are of independent interest. We generalize the search techniques to look for tile systems that assemble non-rectangular shapes as well. In addition to the precise definition of the new counter, this chapter describes the design process, including the fortunate accidents that lead to its discovery.
Computing Environments for Flexible Teams

Flexible teams are a new type of organizational entity that will become even more prevalent in the future. We define the concept of a flexible team, present selected attributes of such teams (composite membership and roles, diverse disciplines and skills, rapid communication alignment, and rapid process alignment), address the impact of these attributes on different categories of tools, and discuss implications for the design of computing environments to support flexible teams.