cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Potential impact of subject-based risk factor control on periodontitis

Aims: To assess the potential impact of the control of subject-based modifiable risk factors on periodontitis. Background: Cross-sectional and longitudinal data from epidemiological research indicate that risk factors can be identified and, if modified, may improve both periodontal conditions and the outcome of treatment. Material and Methods: A search was conducted to identify factors involved in the etiology and pathogenesis of periodontal diseases. The factors identified were separated into modifiable and non-modifiable, and control of the subject-based modifiable risk factors were further analyzed. Results: The analysis was limited to the influence of the control of the remaining modifiable subject-based risk factors. It was observed that most of the subject related risk factors were hitherto not validated in controlled intervention studies. Therefore, the evidence for the efficacy of risk factor control had to be based on results from cohort studies. While the control of most of the modifiable risk factors for periodontitis was not tested, some evidence suggested that smoking cessation may retard the progression of periodontitis. Conclusions: Although only limited evidence was available, it appeared reasonable to suggest that second to the removal of the bacterial biofilm, smoking cessation was the most important measure in the management of periodontitis.
An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Internet Miscreants

This paper studies an active underground economy which specializes in the commoditization of activities such as credit car d fraud, identity theft, spamming, phishing, online credential the ft, and the sale of compromised hosts. Using a seven month trace of logs collected from an active underground market operating on public Internet chat networks, we measure how the shift from “hacking for fun” to “hacking for profit” has given birth to a societal subs trate mature enough to steal wealth into the millions of dollars in less than one year.
A randomized, blinded comparison of chloral hydrate and midazolam sedation in children undergoing echocardiography.

The objective of this prospective, randomized, and blinded study was to compare the use of chloral hydrate versus oral midazolam sedation in children undergoing echocardiography. No adverse effects (nausea, vomiting, paradoxical agitation, or significant deviations from baseline vital signs) were noted with either medication. No differences were noted in onset of sedation between the 2 groups, however, the time to complete recovery was significantly shorter with midazolam than with chloral hydrate. The children in the chloral hydrate group had a significantly deeper level of sedation and were more likely to receive a more nearly comprehensive echocardiographic evaluation.
Enablers and Inhibitors of Expediting Systems Engineering

Abstract Rapid fielding or expedited systems development plays a major role in developing systems to provide a quick response to the organization. Instead of polishing and perfecting all requirements with possible delivery delays, these urgent needs programs must adapt themselves to have a life cycle that is driven by a “Faster, Faster and Faster” concept. Surprisingly, schedule has become more important than cost. Organizations have to fight with the “time to market”, “respond to competitor's threats”, and “urgent needs”. On one hand, project managers will not only have to find a way to make things work through the expedited lane, but also have to understand what factors are the accelerators and what are hindrances to the system development schedules. On the other hand, they have to ensure that these expedited processes will not lead to technical debt, especially in the areas of future flexibility, degradation of existing capabilities, or rework. This paper will report about the enablers and inhibitors and their estimated impact levels of three types of the expedited systems and software development a) New Single System b) Existing Single System and c) System of Systems.
Constellation shaping for communication channels with quantized outputs

This paper considers a technique to maximize the mutual information between the channel input and channel output of an AWGN channel when the input is chosen from a fixed signal constellation and the output is quantized by a uniform scalar quantizer. The goal is to jointly optimize the input distribution and the quantizer spacing. These parameters have previously been optimized individually, by Le Goff et. al, who optimize the input distribution, and by Singh et. al, who optimize the quantizer spacing. The contribution of our paper is the joint optimization. We consider 16-PAM modulation and investigate the performance of the system with a quantizer resolution of between 4 and 8 bits. Shaping gains in excess of 0.6 dB are observed, even when the output is quantized, when the data is transmitted at rates between 2.5 and 3.2 bits per channel use.
Subspecific relationships and genetic structure in the spotted owl

Hierarchical genetic structure was examined in the three geographically-defined subspecies of spotted owl (Strix occidentalis) to define relationships among subspecies and quantify variation within and among regional and local populations. Sequences (522 bp) from domains I and II of the mitochondrial control region were analyzed for 213 individuals from 30 local breeding areas. Results confirmed significant differences between northern spotted owls and the other traditional geographically defined subspecies but did not provide support for subspecific level differences between California and Mexican spotted owls. Divergence times among subspecies estimated with a 936 bp portion of the cytochrome b gene dated Northern and California/Mexican spotted owl divergence time to 115,000–125,000 years ago, whereas California/Mexican spotted owl divergence was estimated at 15,000 years ago. Nested clade analyses indicated an association between California spotted owl and Mexican spotted owl haplotypes, implying historical contact between the two groups. Results also identified a number of individuals geographically classified as northern spotted owls (S. o. caurina) that contained haplotypes identified as California spotted owls (S. o. caurina). Among all northern spotted owls sampled (n=131), 12.9% contained California spotted owl haplotypes. In the Klamath region, which is the contact zone between the two subspecies, 20.3% (n=59) of owls were classified as California spotted owls. The Klamath region is a zone of hybridization and speciation for many other taxa as well. Analyses of population structure indicated gene flow among regions within geographically defined subspecies although there was significant differentiation among northern and southern regions of Mexican spotted owls. Among all areas examined, genetic diversity was not significantly reduced except in California spotted owls where the southern region consists of one haplotype. Our results indicate a stable contact zone between northern and California spotted owls, maintaining distinct subspecific haplotypes within their traditional ranges. This supports recovery efforts based on the traditional subspecies designation for the northern spotted owl. Further, although little variation was found between California and Mexican spotted owls, we suggest they should be managed separately because of current isolation between groups.
Pronounced reproductive skew in a natural population of green swordtails, Xiphophorus helleri.

For many species in nature, a sire’s progeny may be distributed among a few or many dams. This poses logistical challenges — typically much greater across males than across females — for assessing means and variances in mating success (number of mates) and reproductive success (number of progeny). Here we overcome these difficulties by exhaustively analyzing a population of green swordtail fish (Xiphophorus helleri) for genetic paternity (and maternity) using a suite of highly polymorphic microsatellite loci. Genetic analyses of 1476 progeny from 69 pregnant females and 158 candidate sires revealed pronounced skews in male reproductive success both within and among broods. These skews were statistically significant, greater than in females, and correlated in males but not in females with mating success. We also compare the standardized variances in swordtail reproductive success to the few such available estimates for other taxa, notably several mammal species with varied mating systems and degrees of sexual dimorphism. The comparison showed that the opportunity for selection on male X. helleri is among the highest yet reported in fishes, and it is intermediate compared to estimates available for mammals. This study is one of a few exhaustive genetic assessments of joint-sex parentage in a natural fish population, and results are relevant to the operation of sexual selection in this sexually dimorphic, high-fecundity species.
Lessons learned about ageing and gerontological nursing in South Africa.

Background: The unprecedented global growth in older adults merits high-quality gerontological nursing care. As gerontological nursing grows in visibility in developed and developing countries, nurses must possess a broader worldview of ageing with knowledge of physiological, psychosocial, and cultural issues. Purpose: The purpose of this article is to: (1) highlight lessons learned on differences and similarities in ageing and care of older adults in the United States of America (USA) and South Africa (SA); and (2) provide recommendations on how to advance gerontological nursingeducation in SA. Methods: A two-week international service-learning project was undertaken by visiting SA and learning about their nursing system and care of older adults. Service-learning is an innovative teaching-learning-service method that provided reflective and hands-on experience of gerontological nursing. This article provides a personal reflection of lessons learned about ageing and gerontological nursing during the service-learning project. Findings: Care of older adults in SA is in many ways different from and similar to that in the USA. Consequently global nurses should recognise those differences and provide culturally appropriate care. This service-learning experience also demonstrated the need for gerontological nursing education in SA. Based on this, recommendations on how to infuse and advance gerontological nursing education in SA are provided. Conclusion: Caring for older adults in a global context requires knowledge and understanding of cultures and their values and practices. With a growing population of diverse older adults, there is a need for incorporation
Compositional Semantics for Linguistic Formalisms

In what sense is a grammar the union of its rules? This paper adapts the notion of composition, well developed in the context of programming languages, to the domain of linguistic formalisms. We study alternative definitions for the semantics of such formalisms, suggesting a denotational semantics that we show to be compositional and fully-abstract. This facilitates a clear, mathematically sound way for defining grammar modularity.
Solution techniques for the fully discretized equations in computation of fluid–structure interactions with the space–time formulations

We provide an overview of the solution techniques we have developed for the fully discretized equations encountered at every time step in computation of fluid–structure interactions with the space–time techniques. These coupled, nonlinear equations are generated from the finite element discretization of the governing equations for the fluid mechanics, structural mechanics and the motion of the fluid mechanics mesh. The fluid mechanics equations are discretized with the deforming-spatial-domain/stabilized space–time formulation. The mesh motion is governed by the equations of elasticity, with the smaller elements stiffened in the finite element formulation. The coupled, fully discretized equations are solved with the block-iterative, quasi-direct and direct coupling methods. We present numerical examples with incompressible flows and membrane and cable structures. � 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Source of new infections in generalised HIV epidemics

In their Article on HIV transmission in married and cohabiting couples in urban Zambia and Rwanda1 Kristin Dunkle and colleagues estimate that 55-93% of newly hetero sexually acquired HIV infections in these populations "occurred within serodiscordant marital or cohabiting relationships". These estimates are too high since logically a maximum of 50% of new infections can be within couples because in any stable couple at least one partner had to acquire the initial infection outside the relationship. (In actual populations the proportion will be less than 50% because of heterosexual transmission between individuals who are not in stable couples.) We cannot assess whether Dunkle and colleagues anomalous finding results from violations of the model assumptions or problems with the Demographic and Health Survey data used. (full-text)
The role of invertases in plant compensatory responses to simulated herbivory.

The ability of a plant to overcome animal-induced damage is referred to as compensation or tolerance and ranges from undercompensation (decreased fitness when damaged) to overcompensation (increased fitness when damaged). Although it is clear that genetic variation for compensation exists among plants, little is known about the specific genetic underpinnings leading to enhanced fitness. Our previous study identified the enzyme GLUCOSE-6-PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE 1 (G6PD1) as a key regulator contributing to the phenomenon of overcompensation via its role in the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway (OPPP). Apart from G6PD1 we also identified an invertase gene which was up-regulated following damage and that potentially integrates with the OPPP. The invertase family of enzymes hydrolyze sucrose to glucose and fructose, whereby the glucose produced is shunted into the OPPP and presumably supports plant regrowth, development, and ultimately compensation. In the current study, we measured the relative expression of 12 invertase genes over the course of plant development in the Arabidopsis thaliana genotypes Columbia-4 and Landsberg erecta, which typically overcompensate and undercompensate, respectively, when damaged. We also compared the compensatory performances of a set of invertase knockout mutants to the Columbia-4 wild type. We report that Columbia-4 significantly up-regulated 9 of 12 invertase genes when damaged relative to when undamaged, and ultimately overcompensated for fruit production. Landsberg erecta, in contrast, down-regulated two invertase genes following damage and suffered reduced fitness. Knockout mutants of two invertase genes both exhibited significant undercompensation for fruit production, exhibiting a complete reversal of the wild type Col-4’s overcompensation. Collectively, these results confirm that invertases are essential for not only normal plant growth and development, but also plants’ abilities to regrow and ultimately compensate for fitness following apical damage.
Surviving Katrina: the experiences of low-income African American women

Surviving Katrina explores how low-income black women in New Orleans navigated the natural and social disaster associated with Hurricane Katrina. Pardee uses qualitative accounts to provide ‘low-in...
Silicon isotope compositions of euhedral authigenic quartz crystals: Implications for abiotic fractionation at surface temperatures

Abstract Silicon (Si) isotopes have been demonstrated as proxies for the paleoenvironmental conditions of various silica deposits. In an effort to investigate the petrogenesis and paleoenvironments of Phanerozoic silica deposits, a suite of euhedral megaquartz crystals in the Cretaceous Edwards Formation from central Texas was petrographically analyzed and their Si isotopic compositions analyzed by bulk and in situ techniques. Petrographic analysis shows a close relationship between megaquartz and evaporite minerals. The lithologic association of silica with evaporite-bearing dolomitized carbonate strata suggests that the silicification probably developed in a back-reef tidal-flat environment in which quartz crystals formed after the primary calcite cementation and partial dissolution of evaporites. Silicon isotopic mapping across the megaquartz crystals show that δ30Si(NBS28) values range from − 2.90 to + 2.94 ‰. These values span the majority of published silicon isotopic values observed in nature and indicate complex growth histories. The negative δ30Si values are attributed to the dissolution of sponge spicules, which likely act as the primary source of the authigenic megaquartz. The observed range of δ30Si values in megaquartz crystals is interpreted using a two stage model in which amorphous silica from sponge spicules is dissolved and re-precipitated as megaquartz in a closed system during diagenesis. This Rayleigh-type fractionation model also adds a new level of insight into the abiotic fractionation factor between dissolved and precipitated silica. Based on temperature estimates of 20 to 50 °C for megaquartz precipitation, the fractionation factor was determined to be between − 1.8 and − 2.1 ‰. The estimated average δ30Si value of Early Cretaceous seawater is + 2.7 to + 3.0 ‰, significantly higher than modern seawater.
Catholic/protestant trends on abortion : Convergence and polarity

Using data from the 1972-1996 General Social Surveys, no difference greater than sampling variation is found between Protestants and Catholics in the most recent 5-year period (1992-1996) in the proportion holding either a pro-life or a pro-choice position on abortion. Sociological factors underlying this convergence are found to be: a steep decline in church attendance over the period among Catholics, but not Protestants; increasing variance from church teaching even among the highly committed; and strong polarixation in opinion by age. A loglinear model fitting contrasting linear trends for Protestants and Catholics in successive 5-year categories of age, cohort and period provides an extremely close fit to the data. However, younger, highly committed Protestants (even liberal Protestants) are growing much more restrictive and while younger, highly committed Catholics are growing much more permissive on abortion. This combination of within-group polarization and between-group convergence provides qualified support for the thesis of religious restructuring advanced by Wuthnow and Hunter, but more detailed analysis reveals complex countercurrents of opinion that defy theoretical systematization. It is argued that the future behavior of the opposing trends - whether they continue, producing a new divergence, or diminish, producing continued equivalence - will adjudicate between theoretical strategies for future research.
Cyclic AMP stimulation of macromolecular synthesis in reaggregates of embryonic organs.

SummaryThe effect of DBcAMP on reaggregates of dispersed spinal and sympathetic ganglia, kidney, and liver cells is examined in order to define the nature of the growth acceleration that occurs when nerve is cultured with parenchymal tissue. Single cell suspensions prepared from chick embryo tissue are permitted to reaggregate on a rotary shaker. Measurement of the incorporation of labeled precursors into DNA and protein is used to monitor the effect of DBcAMP on the cultured reaggregates. The stimulatory effect of nerve on the growth and proliferation of kidney and liver reaggregates is mimicked by low concentrations of DBcAMP, suggesting a possible role for cyclic nucleotides in the growth processes of embryonic parenchymal organs.
Studies of Clonal Isolates of Erysiphe Cichoracearum on Leaf Disk Culture

Leaf disks maintained on distilled water or with the addition of 0.4 ppm of kinetin have proved effective for the culture of Erysiphe cichoracearum. Thirty-six clonal isolates of E. cichoracearum f...
Relation of Pressure to Rate and Quality of Milk Secreted.

SummaryData have been presented to show the pressures built up in the mammary gland due to accumulation of the milk secreted and the effect of such pressures on the rate of secretion. The effect of...
The Cost of a Poker-Face: Consequences of Self-Regulation on Emotion Recognition

This paper examines how emotion suppression and emotion reappraisal may differentially affect people’s ability to recognize emotions in others. We hypothesized that the cost of suppressing one's ow...
Mechanism for cotolerance in nonlethally conditioned mixed chimeras: negative selection of the Vbeta T-cell receptor repertoire by both host and donor bone marrow-derived cells.

Bone marrow (BM) chimeras prepared by complete recipient ablation (A-->B) exhibit donor-specific tolerance, yet survival is often limited by graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Negative selection of potentially donor-reactive T cells, as assessed by relative T-cell receptor (TCR)- Vbeta expression, is dependent on donor BM-derived deleting ligands. Mixed chimerism and tolerance for both donor and host antigens can be achieved using partial recipient myeloablation with 500 cGy total-body irradiation (TBI) before transplantation followed by cyclophosphamide (CyP) on day +2. To examine the influence of residual host elements on negative selection, the peripheral TCR-Vbeta repertoire was analyzed in partially ablated C57BL/10SnJ (B10) recipients reconstituted with BM from major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-disparate B10.BR/SgSnJ or MHC, Hh-1 and Mls-disparate BALB/cByJ donors, which delete Vbeta5+ and 11+ or Vbeta3+, 5+, and 11+ TCR subsets, respectively. As in myeloblated recipients, donor-reactive subfamilies were deleted in B10.BR-->B10 and BALB/c-->B10 chimeras, suggesting that donor I-E and minor lymphocyte-stimulating (Mls) antigens contribute to the deleting ligands in the nonmyeloablated host. In striking contrast to completely ablated B10-->B10.BR chimeras, partially ablated recipients showed intramedullary I-E expression in the thymus and deleted host-reactive Vbeta5+ and Vbeta11+ subfamilies. These data demonstrate that efficient clonal deletion occurs after partial myeloablation and that both donor and host ligands contribute to TCR repertoire selection.
Histologic alterations in small cell carcinoma of the lung after two cycles of intensive chemotherapy

In patients treated nonsurgically for "limited" small cell carcinoma of the lung, the most frequent site of relapse is within the chest. We have treated patients with clinical Stage III M0 disease (T3 and/or N2, M0) by two cycles of chemotherapy, surgical resection of the primary site and mediastinal nodes, and continued chemotherapy thereafter. Since May, 1979, the regimen has consisted of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and etoposide on a 3 week cycle. The first 12 patients so treated had partial or complete remission after two cycles. Resection was technically not possible in two. Residual small cell carcinoma was not identifiable in the specimens from two of the 10 patients undergoing resection. Microscopic tumor extended to a resection line in two of the eight with residual tumor. Malignant tissue appearing to have the structure of papillary adenocarcinoma was found in hilar and paratracheal nodes in one patient, but nowhere in the resected lung; some residual small cell carcinoma remained in the lung. Nuclear ballooning and eosinophilic inclusions were noted in cells still identifiable as small cell carcinoma in one case. Marked fibrotic scarring was noted in eight cases, acute and organizing bronchopneumonia in three, and multiple small parenchymal abscesses in one case. Long disease-free survival occurred in one patient, in whom residual tumor could not be found in the specimen; in at least one more in whom residual tumor was present; and even in one patient in whom tumor was present at the bronchial resection line.
Let's Not Call the Whole Thing Off Just Yet: A Response to Samuel Issacharoff's Suggestion to Scuttle Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act

In a recent essay, Professor Issacharoff argued that Section 5 should be ended, not mended. He arrived at this conclusion by focusing on statewide, post-2000 Census redistrictings undertaken in Georgia and New Jersey to make a couple of core points about Section 5: first, that there appears to be no compelling reason for the law to treat minority voters in New Jersey, a state not covered by Section 5, differently from minority voters in Georgia, a state that is covered by Section 5; second, that the Supreme Court's decision in Georgia v. Ashcroft leaves Section 5 with an unadministrable substantive standard that allows Section 5 to more easily be used as a tool for partisan manipulation. In response, I argue that Professor Issacharoff places too much emphasis on Section 5's relevance to congressional and statewide redistricting while neglecting the impact of Section 5 on local government. I then argue that there are reasons to treat Georgia differently from New Jersey, because of the long and sorry history of discrimination in the former jurisdiction. Finally, I contend that despite the potential for partisan decision-making in the administration of Section 5, there are currently adequate legal and political safeguards to prevent all but the most marginal of partisan decision-making.
Reconciliar dos naturalezas en el mismo cuerpo

While participating in a congress with other critical pedagogues, the author became aware of her two Selves: the US English-speaking Self and the Mexican Spanish-speaking Self. With startling clarity, she realized why people had been telling her that she exhibits totally different personalities based on the language she is speaking. More surprisingly, she realized that her epistemologies and ontologies were diametrically opposed depending on the dominant Self. Using the lens of autoethnography, she examines how power and privilege determine her actions and her words depending on whether she is thinking in English or in Spanish
Severe Molecular Defects Exhibited by the R179H Mutation in Human Vascular Smooth Muscle α-Actin.

Mutations in vascular smooth muscle α-actin (SM α-actin), encoded by ACTA2, are the most common cause of familial thoracic aortic aneurysms that lead to dissection (TAAD). The R179H mutation has a poor patient prognosis and is unique in causing multisystemic smooth muscle dysfunction (Milewicz, D. M., Ostergaard, J. R., Ala-Kokko, L. M., Khan, N., Grange, D. K., Mendoza-Londono, R., Bradley, T. J., Olney, A. H., Ades, L., Maher, J. F., Guo, D., Buja, L. M., Kim, D., Hyland, J. C., and Regalado, E. S. (2010) Am. J. Med. Genet. A 152A, 2437–2443). Here, we characterize this mutation in expressed human SM α-actin. R179H actin shows severe polymerization defects, with a 40-fold higher critical concentration for assembly than WT SM α-actin, driven by a high disassembly rate. The mutant filaments are more readily severed by cofilin. Both defects are attenuated by copolymerization with WT. The R179H monomer binds more tightly to profilin, and formin binding suppresses nucleation and slows polymerization rates. Linear filaments will thus not be readily formed, and cells expressing R179H actin will likely have increased levels of monomeric G-actin. The cotranscription factor myocardin-related transcription factor-A, which affects cellular phenotype, binds R179H actin with less cooperativity than WT actin. Smooth muscle myosin moves R179H filaments more slowly than WT, even when copolymerized with equimolar amounts of WT. The marked decrease in the ability to form filaments may contribute to the poor patient prognosis and explain why R179H disrupts even visceral smooth muscle cell function where the SM α-actin isoform is present in low amounts. The R179H mutation has the potential to affect actin structure and function in both the contractile domain of the cell and the more dynamic cytoskeletal pool of actin, both of which are required for contraction.
Epidemiology of Muay Thai fight-related injuries

Muay Thai is a combat sport of Thailand that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. Currently, little is known about the injuries and risk factors for injuries among Muay Thai fighters. Gaining more insight into the nature and frequency of injury in this sport provides part of the overall sports injury picture, within the larger burden of injury as a public health issue. Generating this information is a critical first step toward the broader goal of improving the health and safety of Muay Thai fighters engaged in competition. This study is based upon a survey of 195 Muay Thai fighters. Participants were asked to complete a retrospective web survey on fight-related injuries. Regression analyses were conducted to determine whether injuries during sanctioned fights were related to factors such as fight experience, use of protective equipment, and injury history. Participants were aged 18 to 47 years old (median 26), predominantly male (85.9%), and white (72.3%). Respondents were professional (n = 96, 49.2%) and amateur (n = 99, 50.8%). Fighters reported a mean fight experience of 15.8 fights. Of the 195 respondents, 108 (55.4%) reported sustaining an injury during the most recent fight. The primary body region injured was the extremities (58%) versus the head, with a lower amount of self-reported concussions (5.4%). Nearly 2/3 (66.7%) of all injured fighters reported that the injury did not interfere with the bout outcome. Nearly 25% reported they missed no training time as a result of the injury. Injuries were related to professional fighter status (OR = 2.5, 95% CI = 1.4–4.5), fight experience (OR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.5–4.9), weight class (OR = 0.923 heavy versus light, 95% CI = .86–.99), age (OR = 0.90 > 26 versus ≤26, 95% CI = .85–.95), use of protective equipment (OR = .46, 95% CI = .26–.82) and previous injury (OR = 1.81, 95% CI = .98–3.3). Lighter, younger, and more experienced fighters were at increased odds for injury within this sample. We identified a preliminary fight-related injury rate and identified fighter characteristics (experience level, protection level, and previous injury) associated with increased odds for fight-related injury outcome. While rigorous research into causality is required, these data provide plausible information that may be used to reduce injury outcomes among fighters.
Is Broader Better

In their article “A Broader Understanding of Moral Distress,” Campbell, Ulrich, and Grady (2016) correctly assert that moral distress is well established in the nursing literature and is gaining at...
Associations between urinary biomarkers of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure and reproductive function during menstrual cycles in women

Essentially all women are exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), formed during incomplete combustion of organic materials, including fossil fuels, wood, foods, and tobacco. PAHs are ovarian toxicants in rodents, and cigarette smoking is associated with reproductive abnormalities in women. Biomonitoring of hydroxylated PAH (OH-PAH) metabolites in urine provides an integrated measure of exposure to PAHs via multiple routes and has been used to characterize exposure to PAHs in humans. We hypothesized that concentrations of OH-PAHs in urine are associated with reproductive function in women. We recruited women 18-44years old, living in Orange County, California to conduct daily measurement of urinary luteinizing hormone (LH) and estrone 3-glucuronide (E13G) using a microelectronic fertility monitor for multiple menstrual cycles; these data were used to calculate endocrine endpoints. Participants also collected urine samples on cycle day 10 for measurement of nine OH-PAHs. Models were constructed for eight endpoints using a Bayesian mixed modeling approach with subject-specific random effects allowing each participant to act as a baseline for her set of measurements. We observed associations between individual OH-PAH concentrations and follicular phase length, follicular phase LH and E13G concentrations, preovulatory LH surge concentrations, and periovulatory E13G slope and concentration. We have demonstrated the feasibility of using urinary reproductive hormone data obtained via fertility monitors to calculate endocrine endpoints for epidemiological studies of ovarian function during multiple menstrual cycles. The results show that environmental exposure to PAHs is associated with changes in endocrine markers of ovarian function in women in a PAH-specific manner.
Patient-centered care in obstructive sleep apnea: A vision for the future.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common condition, with multiple potential neurocognitive, cardiovascular, and metabolic consequences. Efficacious treatment is available, but patient engagement is typically required for treatment to be effective. Patients with sleep apnea are phenotypically diverse and have individual needs, preferences, and values that impact treatment decisions. There has been a shift in obstructive sleep apnea management from diagnosis to chronic care management. Making treatment decisions that incorporate an individual patient's values and preferences and are personalized for that patient's biology has the potential to improve patient outcomes. A patient-centered care approach in obstructive sleep apnea is reviewed including 1) determining patient-specific needs to guide treatment decisions, 2) understanding patient values, preferences, and other factors impacting treatment decisions and using shared decision-making, 3) enhancing patient education and support to improve treatment adherence, 4) promoting patient engagement, 5) optimizing care coordination, continuity of care, and access to care, and 6) determining and assessing patient-centered outcomes.
Automated Performance Tracking for Heat Exchangers in HVAC

Performance tracking, consisting of system state identification, fault detection, and propagation prediction, is critical to system operation optimization and maintenance scheduling. It is typical that dynamic systems degrade in a nonlinear manner, often times accompanied by abrupt fault occurrences, before and after which the degradation rate varies. Commonly used state estimation techniques for uncertainty evaluation, such as extended or unscented Kalman filter and particle filter (PF), are suited for nonlinear system state tracking without abrupt transient phenomena. To address this challenge, an integrated performance tracking technique is developed. It consists of a local search PF, which can dynamically adjust its resampling operation to avoid sample impoverishment as is commonly seen in conventional PFs, and a total variation filter, which can detect transient changes in the system states due to abrupt fault occurrence. The developed technique is evaluated for fault detection and performance tracking of a heat exchanger, which is a key component in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. The performance of the developed technique is first evaluated using a finite element model of a heat exchanger, under both normal and faulty conditions. Subsequently, evaluation using experimental data provided by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and AC Engineering was performed. The results have confirmed the accuracy and reliability of the developed technique in fault detection and performance degradation tracking involving complex fault propagation scenarios.
After occupy: Economic democracy for the 21st century

The title of Tom Malleson’s book alludes to the Occupy Movement of 2011, which witnessed mass protests against inequities in economic decision-making and distribution of economic benefits in democr...
Predicting memory page stability and its application to memory deduplication and live migration

There are various applications and operations in virtualized environments that rely on memory page stability to achieve satisfactory performance. These applications include VM live migration and memory deduplication. Unfortunately, there is a large gap between existing prediction mechanisms and actual behavior. This is the gap we hope to narrow.
Peripheral Inflammation, Apolipoprotein E4, and Amyloid-β Interact to Induce Cognitive and Cerebrovascular Dysfunction.

Cerebrovascular dysfunction is rapidly reemerging as a major process of Alzheimer's disease (AD). It is, therefore, crucial to delineate the roles of AD risk factors in cerebrovascular dysfunction. While apolipoprotein E4 ( APOE4), Amyloid-β (Aβ), and peripheral inflammation independently induce cerebrovascular damage, their collective effects remain to be elucidated. The goal of this study was to determine the interactive effect of APOE4, Aβ, and chronic repeated peripheral inflammation on cerebrovascular and cognitive dysfunction in vivo. EFAD mice are a well-characterized mouse model that express human APOE3 (E3FAD) or APOE4 (E4FAD) and overproduce human Aβ42 via expression of 5 Familial Alzheimer's disease (5xFAD) mutations. Here, we utilized EFAD carriers [5xFAD+/-/ APOE+/+ (EFAD+)] and noncarriers [5xFAD-/-/ APOE+/+ (EFAD-)] to compare the effects of peripheral inflammation in the presence or absence of human Aβ overproduction. Low-level, chronic repeated peripheral inflammation was induced in EFAD mice via systemic administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 0.5 mg/kg/wk i.p.) from 4 to 6 months of age. In E4FAD+ mice, peripheral inflammation caused cognitive deficits and lowered post-synaptic protein levels. Importantly, cerebrovascular deficits were observed in LPS-challenged E4FAD+ mice, including cerebrovascular leakiness, lower vessel coverage, and cerebral amyloid angiopathy-like Aβ deposition. Thus, APOE4, Aβ, and peripheral inflammation interact to induce cerebrovascular damage and cognitive deficits.
Maximizing ozone signals among chemical, meteorological, and climatological variability

Abstract. The detection of meteorological, chemical, or other signals in modeled or observed air quality data – such as an estimate of a temporal trend in surface ozone data, or an estimate of the mean ozone of a particular region during a particular season – is a critical component of modern atmospheric chemistry. However, the magnitude of a surface air quality signal is generally small compared to the magnitude of the underlying chemical, meteorological, and climatological variabilities (and their interactions) that exist both in space and in time, and which include variability in emissions and surface processes. This can present difficulties for both policymakers and researchers as they attempt to identify the influence or signal of climate trends (e.g., any pauses in warming trends), the impact of enacted emission reductions policies (e.g., United States NOx State Implementation Plans), or an estimate of the mean state of highly variable data (e.g., summertime ozone over the northeastern United States). Here we examine the scale dependence of the variability of simulated and observed surface ozone data within the United States and the likelihood that a particular choice of temporal or spatial averaging scales produce a misleading estimate of a particular ozone signal. Our main objective is to develop strategies that reduce the likelihood of overconfidence in simulated ozone estimates. We find that while increasing the extent of both temporal and spatial averaging can enhance signal detection capabilities by reducing the noise from variability, a strategic combination of particular temporal and spatial averaging scales can maximize signal detection capabilities over much of the continental US. For signals that are large compared to the meteorological variability (e.g., strong emissions reductions), shorter averaging periods and smaller spatial averaging regions may be sufficient, but for many signals that are smaller than or comparable in magnitude to the underlying meteorological variability, we recommend temporal averaging of 10–15 years combined with some level of spatial averaging (up to several hundred kilometers). If this level of averaging is not practical (e.g., the signal being examined is at a local scale), we recommend some exploration of the spatial and temporal variability to provide context and confidence in the robustness of the result. These results are consistent between simulated and observed data, as well as within a single model with different sets of parameters. The strategies selected in this study are not limited to surface ozone data and could potentially maximize signal detection capabilities within a broad array of climate and chemical observations or model output.
Cardiovascular Effects of Hookah Smoking: Potential Implications for Cardiovascular Risk

INTRODUCTION Smoking is a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide. Hookah (ie, waterpipe) smoking is a centuries-old revived yet understudied global epidemic of tobacco use. Because of the traditional set-up of a hookah-pipe, in addition to inhaling tobacco-combustion products, smokers are also exposed to large amounts of charcoal combustion products from the burning charcoal briquettes used to heat the hookah flavored tobacco. Despite being heavily advertised and actively glamorized in the mass media as a healthier tobacco alternative, the toxicological constituents of hookah smoke-including nicotine, carbon monoxide, particulates, oxidants, heavy metals, phenols and flavorants-indicate the potential to cause adverse cardiovascular events. METHODS Herein, we review evidence on hookah smoke toxicological constituents, cardiovascular effects and potential mechanisms by which hookah smoke aerosol could cause cardiovascular disease. RESULTS The evidence reviewed here indicates that contrary to the widespread popular belief that hookah is a healthier tobacco alternative, the constituents of hookah smoke aerosol contains similar chemicals compared to cigarette smoke, many of which are known to be harmful to cardiovascular health and mediated by similar pathophysiologic processes. Because the burning charcoal briquettes are a unique source of toxicant emissions specific to hookah smoking, some constituents differ in their quantities from cigarettes with some of their cardiovascular effects unknown. CONCLUSIONS To date, much more is known about the constituents and their toxicology than about the effects of hookah smoking on human cardiovascular health. Further research on long-term consequences of hookah use is needed. IMPLICATIONS This review provides an overview on the potential impact of hookah smoking on cardiovascular health. Readers will gain an insight into evidence on its toxicological constituents, human health effects, and pathophysiological mechanisms by which hookah smoking might cause cardiovascular disease. The review also highlights current research gaps regarding the cardiovascular consequences of hookah smoking, specifically the long-term consequences in the United States and Europe among flavored-hookah tobacco users.
Can Social Support Overcome the Individual and Structural Challenges of Being a Sex Offender? Assessing the Social Support-Recidivism Link:

Social support is important for individual's successful reentry; however, little is known about how it operates or is influenced by individual and structural factors. Understanding how social support matters for individuals convicted of a sex offense is especially important as they may have a different reentry experience due to the nature of their crime and post-conviction restrictions. This study examines the nature and effects of instrumental and expressive social support from family, friends, intimate partners, and parole officers on recidivism for a sample of men convicted of sex offenses using mixed methods. Results show that family, friend, and intimate partner support had no effects on recidivism, however participants reporting a positive relationship with their parole officer were more likely to return to prison. Qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews sheds light on how the nature of these relationships might explain the social support-recidivism link in a high stakes population.
Accuracy of Axillary Lymph Node Staging in Breast Cancer Patients: An Observer-Performance Study Comparison of MRI and Ultrasound

Purpose To compare magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound (US) for axillary lymph node (LN) staging in breast cancer patients in an observer-performance study. Materials and Methods An observer-performance study was conducted with five breast radiologists reviewing 50 consecutive patients of newly diagnosed invasive breast cancer with the use of ipsilateral axillary MRI and US. LN status was pathologically proved in all patients. Each observer reviewed the images in two separate sessions: one for MRI and the other for US. Observers were asked to indicate their confidence of the presence of at least one ipsilateral metastatic LN on a quasi-continuous rating scale and whether they recommend percutaneous biopsy preoperatively. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and area under the ROC curve were used to characterize diagnostic performance. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated from whether observers recommended biopsy. Results There were no statistically significant differences in each observer's performance between MRI and US, or in the performance of all observers as a group, in terms of ROC analysis. There were no statistically significant differences in sensitivity, specificity, PPV, or NPV between MRI and US, but there were statistically significant improvements in specificity and PPV from either MRI or US alone to MRI and US combined. Conclusions Observer performance on MRI and US are comparable for axillary LN staging. When US and MRI are concordant for positive findings, higher specificity and PPV can be obtained.
Comparative Metabolism and Biochemistry of Selenium and Sulfur

The chemical and physical characteristics of selenium and sulfur are similar (Table 4-1). Selenium and sulfur have similar configurations of electrons in their outermost valence shells, even though the third shell of selenium is completely filled. The bond energies, ionization potentials, the sizes of the atoms whether they are in the covalent or ionic state, the electronegativities, and the polarizabilities are essentially identical.
Coronary Heart Disease and Sudden Death

At this time in history it is important to recognize that the capricious link between coronary atherosclerosis and clinical events has created a considerable degree of controversy for valid clinical researchers as well as basic science investigators concerning the underlying pathophysiology of myocardial infarction and sudden death. With regard to myocardial infarction, it is perplexing to discover that in one study 37% of coroners’ cases of individuals who had never experienced coronary heart disease and died of other unrelated causes manifested one or major coronary arterial occlusions at autopsy (Baroldi, Falzi, and Mariani, 1979). Thus, a pool of individuals is to be found within society who live out normal life expectancies devoid of subjective or objective clinical evidence of ischemic heart disease yet possess one or more major coronary occlusions.
Tracking Ignorance: Examining Changes in Immigrant Population Innumeracy in the United States from 2005 to 2013

Citizens’ tendency to overestimate the size of immigrant populations has been the subject of several studies over the past three decades. While we have learned a great deal about the extent, causes, and potential consequences of this population innumeracy, our understanding remains static. The current letter offers the first longitudinal consideration of immigrant population size misperceptions with an analysis across a nine-year span in the U.S. This study considers: 1) whether misperceptions have changed over time; 2) how these changes compare to the growth of the actual foreign-born population size; and 3) whether these changes are related to demographic and ideological factors. Results indicate that misperceptions have grown rapidly in the U.S, far outpacing the modest, actual increases across the period. Pooled cross-sectional analyses indicate that demographic factors do not explain the growth in misperceptions. However, the overestimates of politically conservative Americans have grown increasingly extreme over time.