cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Walter Kohn. 9 March 1923—19 April 2016

Walter Kohn, a giant of theoretical physics, died at his home in Santa Barbara, California, on 19 April 2016, at the age of 93. Walter9s life epitomized both the hardships and the wondrous achievements of physicists in the twentieth century. He escaped from Nazi-occupied Austria on one of the last children9s rescue trains (the Kindertransport ) and during World War II spent 18 months confined in internment camps in England and Canada. He learned only after the War that both of his parents had perished in Auschwitz. After earning physics degrees at the University of Toronto and at Harvard University, he rapidly emerged as a leader in bringing quantum theory to bear on problems in the electron theory of solids. Walter9s devotion to basic scientific principles led to the density functional theory of electrons in solids and in chemical molecules in the 1960s. Thirty years later, once the vast importance of this theory had become clear, he was awarded a Nobel Prize in Chemistry for this discovery. In his later years Walter turned much of his attention to institution building and public affairs. He was the founding director of the Institute for Theoretical Physics at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He was deeply committed to the control of nuclear weapons, the development of renewable clean energy and the free exchange of knowledge among scientists throughout the world.
Automatic generation of object-oriented programs using genetic programming

This research addresses the application of genetic programming to the generation of object-oriented programs. An extended chromosome data structure is presented where the set of methods associated with an object is stored as an array of program trees. Modified genetic operators are defined to manipulate this structure. Indexed memory is used to allow the programs generated by the system to access and modify object memory. These extensions to the standard genetic programming environment result in a system that can simultaneously generate all of the methods associated with an object. Experiments were performed to compare sequential generation of individual object methods with two variants of simultaneous generation. The first variant used information about both method return values and object internal memory state in its fitness function. The second variant used information about method return values only. It was found that simultaneous generation of methods is possible in the domain of simple collection objects both with and without the availability of internal memory state in the fitness function. It was also found that this technique when successful is several orders of magnitude more computationally expensive in terms of number of individuals generated in the search than the sequential generation of individual methods.
Homogeneous Random Measures

For the first part of this section we do not suppose that condition (6.2) holds. Thus X is an arbitrary right process as in §1. In the following definition ℝ++:=]0, ∞[ and B++ denotes the σ-algebra of Borel subsets of ℝ++.
The pseudoguaianolide isoconfertiflorin

The sesquiterpene lactone isoconfertiflorin, C17H22O5, 1, crystallizes in trigonal space group P31 with a = 10.4498(5), c = 12.7516(8) A, V = 1205.9(2) A3, and Z = 3. It differs from confertiflorin in having an endocyclic C=C bond in the lactone ring, which carries an exocyclic methyl group. The seven-membered ring adopts an approximate twist-chair conformation with C10 lying in the local two-fold axis, and asymmetry parameter ΔC2 = 5.8°. The cyclopentanone ring has the half-chair conformation with C4 on the local two-fold axis, and ΔC2 = 0.9°. The lactone ring is almost planar with maximum deviation 0.014(2) A. Both methyl groups on the 7-membered ring are β–oriented. The acetyl group at C8 has an α orientation.
Gender and Health-Care Utilization

There are three compelling reasons to understand the utilization of health care. First, understanding the full range of factors that shape the utilization of health care is important for determining the health-care needs of individuals, for developing health resources and the training of care providers, as well as for planning programs aimed at the prevention, promotion, or protection of health. Second, access to care, the availability of care, and the quality and efficacy of care are essential components of social justice. Disparities in care associated with gender, ethnicity, age, education, or income are alarming and erode the fundamental trust in fairness on which democracy is based. Third, both the structure and the utilization of health care have a massive impact on the economic stability of nations. For example, data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) indicate that the United States spends about 15.3% of its gross domestic product on health care, whereas European countries with esteemed health-care systems spend far less: Spain 8.1%, United Kingdom 8.1%, Sweden 9.1%, Germany 10.6%, Switzerland 11.6% (National Center for Health Statistics, 2007).
Integration of Information System Based on Supply Chain Management (SCM) for Pharmaceutical Warehouse in Mamasa Regency

This research applied information system by using Supply Chain Management (SCM) in the pharmaceutical warehouse in Mamasa Regency. The scope of the research was maximized on pharmaceutical warehouse operations and drug distribution to clinics. This research did not focus on cost, profit, lead time, and procurement costs. This system was built using PHP programming language and MySQL database. System development process used waterfall method. It consisted of requirement analysis, system analysis, design, development, and testing. The test system used the xampp 6.2 servers with a black box testing method that involved the pharmaceutical warehouse staff as the end user. The results demonstrate technologies that can be used by physicians to submit drug requests faster and report on real-time drug use (LPLPO). For pharmaceutical warehouses, this system is useful for drug availability, drug management, and response information. This technology can help the health department to perform its role as a supervisory or controlling function (internal controls) of the drugs. This research also gives a recommendation for the pharmaceutical warehouse management in providing benefits for the institutions/companies involved. This research has an insight for the management to realize the importance of Information Technology (IT) to support daily operational activities.
An Overview of Safety Issues on Use of Insulin Pumps and Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems in the Hospital

Summarize safety issues related to patients using insulin pump therapy and continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGMS) in the outpatient setting when they are hospitalized and to review steps that can be taken to mitigate risk associated with use or discontinuation of these devices. Two recent consensus conferences were held on the topics of inpatient use of insulin pumps and CGMS devices. In addition to commonly known safety issues (e.g., device malfunction, infection), cybersecurity and the vulnerability of contemporary technology to hacking have emerged. CGMS capabilities offer the promise of advancing the goal for development of glucometry (centralized monitoring of real-time glucose data). Strategies to assuring safe use of insulin pumps and CGMS in the hospital include collaboration between the patient and staff, proper patient selection, and clear policies and procedures outlining safe use. Available data indicates few adverse events associated with these devices in the hospital. Current data suggests, with proper patient selection and a clear process in place for glycemic management, that adverse events are rare, and consensus favors allowing use of the technology in the hospital. The topic of insulin pump and CGMS in the hospital would greatly benefit from more institutions reporting on their experiences and prospective clinical trials.
Soil sedimentation and quality within the roadside ditches of an agricultural watershed.

Abstract Roadside ditches are an integral component to the >6.3 million km of roadsides in the U.S. and act as drainageways for millions of hectares of watershed runoff. Our study of six roadside ditches in Lime Creek watershed characterized soil nutrients and heavy metal patterns as well as quantified the physical and hydrological properties of ditch soils. At all ditch sites, we identified significant sedimentation of silt-sized particles, total nitrogen, and soil carbon in shallow roadside ditch soils. A post-settlement surface soil horizon significantly higher in silt content was observed compared to the underlying subsoil and parent material. Although accumulation of several heavy metals was measured in ditch soils, significant variability was not observed within the ditch environment. Most of the heavy metal concentrations were found to be either similar to or lower than state-wide averages. Higher levels of calcium near the roads were likely due to annual use of road deicers. Overall, we estimated that 42 Mg/ha of total carbon and 5 Mg/ha of total nitrogen are being stored in agricultural ditch soils, which is similar to that of surrounding agricultural land in terms of total carbon storage, but much higher than estimates of total nitrogen storage. Our study of six roadside ditches in an eastern Iowa watershed documented the soil chemistry, morphology, and sediment accumulation that occurred since ditch construction. Further research is needed to develop a better understanding of how the soil and water conditions in the ditches related to the watershed areas that feed them.
A computer code for modeling optical properties of materials II

A 1989 SPIE proceedings paper described the first version of an optical properties computer code developed at the Applied Physics Laboratory. The emphasis was on durable infrared window materials. In the thirty years since the beginning of this code development a lot of progress has been made concerning the physics based models used to represent the complex index of refraction and the number of materials characterized. A key feature is providing the frequency and temperature dependence of optical properties. Room temperature data is available for a wide range of materials, but temperature dependent data is much harder to find. The status of the code development along with example outputs will be reported.
6-Chloro­nicotinic acid

The title compound, C6H4ClNO2, forms centrosymmetric dimers via inter­molecular hydrogen bonds between carboxylic groups. Weak Cl⋯Cl inter­actions further bridge these dimers, leading to infinite chains. In contrast, acid-to-pyridine hydrogen-bonded catemer motifs are observed in both nicotinic acid and 2-chloro­nicotinic acid. Only intra­molecular halogen-bonded S(5) loops exist in 2-chloro­nicotinic acid.
Comprehensive Report of the Caseload of Donkeys and Mules Presented to a Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital over a Ten-Year Period

Comprehensive reports of the caseload of donkeys and mules in veterinary hospitals in the United States are lacking. We compiled the information of the caseload of donkeys and mules at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at the University of California, Davis for a ten-year period, from 2008 to 2017. The overall equid caseload was 94,147, of which 996 (1.06%) were donkeys and mules. Most of the neonates seen were mules. Most miniature donkeys were between 2 and 10 years of age, and standard donkeys and mules were 10 to 20 years old. The body condition scores were predominantly high, especially in donkeys. Most miniature and standard donkeys resided in sanctuary and rescue farms and their use was not stated. Most mules were used for riding, packing or driving. Medical complaints represented 62% of the total visits and wellness visits represented 38% of total visits. The donkeys and mules in the case population described here received a good standard of veterinary care with regular vaccinations, deworming, routine dental care, and treatment of ailments. Our study is the first report of the life expectancy, use, body condition, preventative health and veterinary medical care of a population of donkeys and mules in the western United States.
Perceptions of Domestic Robots' Normative Behavior Across Cultures

As domestic service robots become more common and widespread, they must be programmed to efficiently accomplish tasks while aligning their actions with relevant norms. The first step to equip domestic robots with normative reasoning competence is understanding the norms that people apply to the behavior of robots in specific social contexts. To that end, we conducted an online survey of Chinese and United States participants in which we asked them to select the preferred normative action a domestic service robot should take in a number of scenarios. The paper makes multiple contributions. Our extensive survey is the first to: (a) collect data on attitudes of people on normative behavior of domestic robots, (b) across cultures and (c) study relative priorities among norms for this domain. We present our findings and discuss their implications for building computational models for robot normative reasoning.
Walking endurance in multiple sclerosis: Meta-analysis of six-minute walk test performance

Abstract Background The 6-minute walk (6 MW) is the most commonly applied measure of endurance walking capacity in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS); however, we are not aware of a quantitative synthesis of 6 MW performance in MS. Research question We undertook a meta-analysis quantifying the overall magnitude of difference in 6 MW performance between MS and healthy controls (HCs), and then within MS as a function of disability status. We further examined possible moderator variables of 6 MW performance. Methods The systematic search was conducted for articles that included the 6 MW in persons with MS and involved comparison groups (i.e., HCs or MS disability subgroups (i.e., mild vs moderate-to-severe disability status)). The mean and standard deviation of the distance traveled during the 6 MW as well as sample sizes were entered into Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software and we estimated the overall effect size (Cohen’s d) using a random effects model and examined categorical variables as possible moderators (e.g., instruction protocol, provision of encouragement, method of distance measurement, and course description). Results Thirty-four studies met inclusion criteria with a total sample size of 3204 persons (MS: 2683; HC: 521) yielding 42 total comparisons. Persons with MS walked a shorter distance than HCs (mean difference = –177.2 ± 19.1 m) with a large effect size (d = – 1.87). Persons with mild disability walked further than those with moderate-to-severe disability (mean difference = 185.19 ± 9.2 m) with a large effect (d = 1.83). The categorical variables of provision of encouragement and course layout moderated the effect of MS and course layout moderated the effect of disability status on 6 MW performance. Significance This meta-analysis of 6 MW performance defines mean difference in 6 MW performance in MS compared with HCs and provides an estimate of the disease-related effect of MS on endurance walking capacity for application within clinical research and practice.
Chondroblastomas presenting in adulthood: a study of 39 patients with emphasis on histological features and skeletal distribution.

Aims Chondroblastomas (CB) are rare bone tumours that typically arise in the epiphysis/apophysis of long bones in skeletally immature patients. We explore the clinicopathological features of CB presenting in adults. Methods and results CB in patients ≥20 years of age were retrieved from our institutional archives. Thirty-nine CB were identified (29 male/10 female; aged 20-54 years). Twenty (51%) cases occurred in long tubular bones, 10 (26%) in small bones of the feet, five (13%) in flat bones and four (10%) in the patella. All cases showed classic cytological features of CB, and chondroid matrix was universally present. Calcification was identified in 10 cases (26%), including various combinations of serpiginous (n = 7), punctate (n = 6), classic chicken-wire (n = 4) and psammomatous (n = 2) patterns. Haemosiderin (n = 19), woven bone (n = 13), secondary aneurysmal bone cyst formation (n = 8), foamy macrophages (n = 4), hyalinised vascular spaces (n = 2) and cholesterol clefts (n = 2) were noted. Follow-up information (n = 32, 1-452 months) revealed local recurrence in three patients, all >40 years of age with flat bone origin, one of which developed pulmonary metastases 132 months after initial diagnosis. Conclusions CB in patients >20 years of age more frequently involves the short bones of the hands/feet and flat bones compared to those arising in their younger counterparts. A subset may harbour extensive serpiginous or psammomatous calcification rather than the classic chicken-wire pattern. Although the overall local recurrence rate in adulthood is approximately 10%, all three patients with recurrent disease had tumours involving flat bones, suggesting that tumours arising in these sites may behave more aggressively.
Modeling Network Intrusion Detection System Using Feed-Forward Neural Network Using UNSW-NB15 Dataset

Ordinary machine learning algorithms are not very efficient in solving the classification problem of Network Intrusion because of the huge amount of data. Deep Learning is proven to be more effective in this scenario. Deep Learning can effectively classify with high dimensionality and complex features. In this paper, a deep learning IDS is proposed using state of the art UNSW-NB15 dataset. An experiment conducted to select the optimal activation function and features and then testing on unseen data demonstrates high accuracy and lower false alarm rate. The evaluation results show that proposed classifier outperforms other machine learning models, thus opening new dimensions in research in Network Intrusion Detection.
Patient Satisfaction, Patient-Reported Outcomes, and Quality

Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) can capture outcomes patients care about most including satisfaction, improved physical and emotional function, and quality of life. Traditionally, surgical outcomes have focused on complication and morbidity rates, with the surgeon assuming patients will infer rates of desirable outcomes from inverse calculations. Metabolic and bariatric surgery has now become so safe that focusing on the risk of morbidity and mortality is not inclusive enough in the discussion surrounding the risks and benefits of bariatric surgery. In this chapter, we will give an overview of PROs and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and describe several of the validated metrics available to assess different domains of quality that are relevant to metabolic and bariatric surgical patients. We will assess available metrics for patient experience, recovery, and quality of life that is both general and disease-specific as it pertains to patients with obesity. We will also briefly present a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute funded project that includes nationwide implementation of PROMS in the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) data collection program.
Predictive value of the shock index (SI) compared to the age-adjusted pediatric shock index (SIPA) for identifying children that needed the highest-level trauma activation based on the presence of consensus criteria.

Abstract Objectives In previous studies, SIPA was shown to be better than the SI in identifying children who have an elevated ISS, required transfusion, or were at a high risk of death. No comparison has been made to the consensus-based criteria that identify patients requiring the highest-level trauma activation. The objective of this study was to determine if the SIPA was more accurate than the SI in identifying children with increased need for trauma team activation as defined by the criterion standard definition, and secondly the sensitivity and specificity of the SI and SIPA. Methods Retrospective review of prospectively collected trauma based data. Children aged 1–17 years admitted to a pediatric level 1 trauma center between 1/1/16 and 12/31/17 and met the prehospital criteria for level 1 or 2 trauma activation were included. We evaluated the ability of SI > 0.9 at ED presentation and elevated SIPA to predict need for trauma activation based on consensus criteria. SIPA cutoffs were > 1.22 (age 4–6), > 1.0 (age 7–12), and > 0.9 (age 13–17). Results Among 3378 children, 1486 (44%) had an elevated SI and 590 (18%) had an elevated SIPA. There were 160 (5%) patients who met at least one consensus criterion. Broadly, sensitivity and specificity analyses reveal poor sensitivity for both SI and SIPA (59.4% versus 43.1% respectively) measures but a moderate specificity for SIPA (83.8%). Both SI and SIPA have a poor PPV (6.4% versus 11.7%) but high NPV (96.6% versus 96.7%). Overall, SIPA has higher accuracy than SI in predicting consensus criteria 82% versus 57%). Conclusion SIPA is more accurate than the SI in identifying children who meet a consensus criterion defining the need for highest-level trauma activation. The low PPV and sensitivity suggest that SIPA alone, while somewhat less likely to lead to overtriage than SI is not ideal for ruling in the need for level one resources as defined by the consensus criteria. Prognosis study, retrospective. Level of Evidence Level II.
Japanese encephalitis vaccine-specific envelope protein E138K mutation does not attenuate virulence of West Nile virus.

West Nile (WNV) and Japanese encephalitis viruses (JEV) are closely related, mosquito-borne neurotropic flaviviruses. Although there are no licensed human vaccines for WNV, JEV has multiple human vaccines, including the live, attenuated vaccine SA14-14-2. Investigations into determinants of attenuation of JE SA14-14-2 demonstrated that envelope (E) protein mutation E138K was crucial to the attenuation of mouse virulence. As WNV is closely related to JEV, we investigated whether or not the E-E138K mutation would be beneficial to be included in a candidate live attenuated WNV vaccine. Rather than conferring a mouse attenuated phenotype, the WNV E-E138K mutant reverted and retained a wild-type mouse virulence phenotype. Next-generation sequencing analysis demonstrated that, although the consensus sequence of the mutant had the E-E138K mutation, there was increased variation in the E protein, including a single-nucleotide variant (SNV) revertant to the wild-type glutamic acid residue. Modeling of the E protein and analysis of SNVs showed that reversion was likely due to the inability of critical E-protein residues to be compatible electrostatically. Therefore, this mutation may not be reliable for inclusion in candidate live attenuated vaccines in related flaviviruses, such as WNV, and care must be taken in translation of attenuating mutations from one virus to another virus, even if they are closely related. Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and West Nile virus (WNV) are closely related neurotropic viruses—a live attenuated vaccine exists for JEV but not for WNV. A team led by Alan D.T. Barrett at the University of Texas investigated whether a key E-protein mutation (E138K) in the live attenuated JEV vaccine can also attenuate a candidate live WNV vaccine. The mutant WNV vaccine shows essentially identical behavior to the virulent parental strain in vitro but unexpectedly also has unimpaired lethality and neurotropism when mice are challenged intraperitoneally. Sequencing of the mutant WNV vaccine demonstrated increased frequencies of single-nucleotide variants clustered around residue 138—including reversion to the parental strain glutamic acid. E138K mutation is therefore unlikely to be a reliable means to attenuate candidate WNV vaccines.
Abstract A108: Identification of distinct fibroblast populations with unique roles in PDAC progression and tumor immunity

The desmoplastic reaction in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC) involves a significant accumulation of immune cells and fibroblasts. Although carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have been associated with immune suppression and immunotherapy resistance in PDAC mouse models, some studies have shown immune-promoting and tumor-suppressing roles of CAFs. The functional diversity of carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) remains largely unknown, and identification of immune-regulating subsets would have a substantial impact in augmentation of immunotherapy efficacy. Employing histology, FACs, multiplex immunohistochemistry, single-cell RNA sequencing (sc-RNA-seq), and genetically engineered mouse models, we demonstrate that SMA+ cells are a dominant CAF population in PDAC with tumor-restraining properties (TS-CAFs), as opposed those of the FAP+ CAFs, which demonstrate tumor-promoting activity (TP-CAFs). Analysis of bulk tumor depleted of either TS-CAFs or TP-CAFs showed that TS-CAFs predominantly modulate extracellular matrix (ECM) production, facilitate cell-ECM adhesion, and regulate adaptive immunity, while TP-CAFs exhibit a lineage that is skewed towards a proinflammatory, chemokine-secreting phenotype. Further, scRNA-Seq analyses demonstrate that CAFs share distinct gene expression profiles characteristic of lymphocytic and myeloid lineages. Together our data distinguish two populations of CAFs, one that is tumor suppressing with roles in ECM remodeling and another that is tumor promoting with roles in cytokine production, both with immune-modulating capabilities. Collectively, our study identifies a complex network of functionally heterogeneous fibroblasts during PDAC progression with significant immunotherapeutic implication. Citation Format: J. Kebbeh Darpolor, Xiaofeng Zheng, Sujuan Yang, Kathleen M. McAndrews, Julienne L. Carstens, Patricia E. Phillips, Hikaru Sugimoto, Pedro Correa De Sampaio, Chia-Chin Wu, Valerie S. LeBleu, Raghu Kalluri. Identification of distinct fibroblast populations with unique roles in PDAC progression and tumor immunity [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2019 Nov 17-20; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2020;8(3 Suppl):Abstract nr A108.
Implementation of an aortic dissection CT protocol with clinical decision support aimed at decreasing radiation exposure by reducing routine abdominopelvic imaging.

Abstract Patients suspected of having an acute aortic syndrome in the ED typically undergo CT of the chest/abdomen/pelvis. However, the overwhelming majority of these exams are negative. With the help of clinical decision support, we implemented a new radiologist monitored ‘aortic dissection screening protocol’ that forgoes routine abdominopelvic imaging in order to reduce radiation dose without compromising diagnostic accuracy. The purpose of the present study is to assess the performance of this protocol. A retrospective analysis was performed to study the effect of the dissection screening protocol on the diagnostic yield, radiation and contrast dose on a total of 835 ED patients who underwent CT scans for suspected aortic dissection over a 48-week study period immediately before and after implementation of the protocol. 3.4% (28/835) of examinations were positive for an acute aortic syndrome over the 48-week study period with no difference in positivity before and after implementation of the ‘aortic dissection screening’ protocol, 3.0% vs. 3.7%, respectively (p = 0.57). There was a 14.6% reduction in median radiation dose and a 16% decrease in contrast volume utilization for the total ED population who underwent CT for aortic dissection using any protocol in the period after implementation of the ‘aortic dissection screening’ protocol. Aortic dissection CT in the ED is negative in the overwhelming majority of cases. A monitored ‘aortic dissection screening’ protocol that initially images the chest only significantly reduced contrast and radiation dose without reducing diagnostic accuracy for ED patients who underwent CT for aortic dissection.
Interfering too soon: Type I interferons can dampen antiviral immunity

Short-term blockade of type I interferons at the time of viral infection or vaccine administration enhances immunological memory.
Management and Treatment of Myocarditis in Athletes

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the myocardium that can often be associated with cardiac dysfunction and arrhythmias, and is even one of the leading causes for sudden cardiac death (SCD) in athletes. This review aims to summarize the current evidence and treatment guidelines for the management of myocarditis in the active population. Physical exertion is likely a trigger for dangerous arrythmias and further propagates myocardial damage in athletes with myocarditis. For this reason, abstinence from sports is a critical facet of management in the initial inflammatory period. The use of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, specifically late gadolinium enhancement, to guide return to play decisions is becoming more common in clinical practice. Establishing a stepwise approach for proper diagnosis and risk stratification, with an emphasis on contemporary cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging techniques, in myocarditis is critical. After a diagnosis of myocarditis is made, it is imperative for any athlete or highly active individual to refrain from physical exercise. Additionally, therapy for heart failure should be applied in cases of myocarditis with cardiac dysfunction. Undoubtedly, COVID 19, and its potential to cause myocarditis, is sure to change the landscape of management of this disease.
The Short and Long Run Effects of Debt Reduction: Evidence From Debt Relief Under the Enhanced HIPC and MDR Initiatives

High levels of government debt depress productive investment in a number of ways. High outstanding debt keeps market interest rates high crowding out private investment. Risk of default reduces incentives to invest or creates adverse selection in the mix of investments. Government revenue must service debt at the expense of investment in infrastructure and education. `Debt overhang' exists when the level of debt is so high that it discourages additional investments to be undertaken. This paper estimates benefits to debt reduction by using the natural experiment provided by the debt relief programs: the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative launched by the IMF and World Bank in 1996 and the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI) extension in 2005. We apply a time-shifted difference-in-differences strategy to evaluate the effects of this intervention. We found that debt relief increased capital investment as much as 1.63% in the short run and 5.79% in the long run. However, there was no effect on foreign direct investment. Output and school enrollment increased both in the short and long run.
The poetics aesthetics of testimonios. Subverting “I” for social “I/We.” Una lengua que desquicia la academia

I/We are immigrants in the United States, passionately engaged in a decolonizing project, working with testimonios encargados. I/We respectfully chose to share them as POC epistemologies to correct...
Septum submucosal glands exhibit aberrant morphology and reduced mucin production in chronic rhinosinusitis.

BACKGROUND Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is characterized by significant accumulation and thickening of mucus in the sinonasal cavities. One contributor of aberrant mucus production and impaired mucociliary clearance (MCC) is altered function of the sinonasal submucosal glands (SMGs), yet contributions of SMGs to upper airway disease initiation and progression remain unknown. The objective of this study was to characterize the morphology and secretory cell identities of the nasal septum SMGs in both healthy and CRS adults. METHODS Biopsies from adult participants with CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP, n = 4), CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP, n = 8), and non-CRS controls (n = 14) were collected from the posterior septum. Glandular morphology and mucus markers were investigated using histological techniques and high-resolution confocal microscopy. RESULTS Analysis revealed a significant decrease in gland density in the posterior septum of CRSsNP (28% ± 6.15%) and CRSwNP (23% ± 3.09%) compared to control participants (53% ± 1.59%, p < 0.0001). Further analysis of the CRS SMG secretory function revealed an overall decrease in Mucin 5B+ gland mucus being produced. Dilated and cystic ductal structures filled with inspissated mucus were also common to CRS glands. CONCLUSION Here, we describe a significant alteration in SMG structure and function in the adult CRS posterior septum suggesting reduced gland contribution to MCC. The SMGs of both the nose and sinuses may represent targets for future therapeutic approaches.
Trade Blocs: Economics and Politics

1. Introduction and overview: 1.1 Research objectives 1.2 Outline 2. The economics of preferential trade areas: 2.1 Trade creation and trade diversion 2.2 Revenue transfer effects 3. Necessarily welfare improving preferential trade areas: 3.1 Customs unions 3.2 Non-economic objectives 3.3 Free trade areas 3.4 Implementation 4. Geography and natural trading partners: 4.1 Modeling preferential trade liberalization: theory 4.2 Modeling preferential trade liberalization: econometrics 4.3 Data and estimation results 5. Preferential trade agreements and multilateralism.
System linearization with guaranteed stability using norm-bounded neural networks

A new method for linearizing nonlinear plants with neural networks resulting in robustly stable closed-loop systems is presented. The class of plants considered constitutes a set of unknown but invertible nonlinear systems. In this method, neural network outputs are treated as parametric uncertainty and are combined with other plant uncertainties so that a robust controller can be designed. An algorithm for confining the network's output to be less than a given bound is presented. We demonstrate the effectiveness of using a linear inner loop feedback to reduce the size of a neural network for robust control purposes. The method was successfully applied to the inverted pendulum problem and simulation results indicate that our approach performed very well. >
Development of Bacteriophage Alpha II. Dependence on the Host Ribonucleic Acid Polymerase

Abstract Measurements of ribonucleic acid (RNA) synthesis using 14C-uracil uptake in rifampin-sensitive and rifampin-resistant strains of Bacillus megatherium were carried out after infection of the bacteria with bacteriophage α. Phage development was inhibited in the former but not the latter strain, showing that α phage development is dependent on the bacterial host RNA polymerase. This dependence exists at all times during eclipse. RNA polymerase extracts showed the same in vitro rifampin sensitivity as the corresponding bacterial strains.
PREMATURITY, SUBSEQUENT ASTHMA AND LUNG FUNCTION AT THE AGE OF 9–11

Top of pageAbstract Little is known about longterm sequelae of prematurity in non selected population based studies. We investigated cross-sectionally all fourth grade schoolchildren in Munich (n=7445) and n=195S schoolchildren in Southern Bavaria (born 1978-80) with a parental questionnaire (Q) and lung function test (L) (Pneumoskop, Fa.Jager) prior to and after cold air challenge (CACH) (RHES device, Fa. Jager). Results. Response rates were 87% for Q and 77.5% for L. In the 5647 german children with complete lung function results parents of 298 (5,3%) children reported prematurity (P) (gestational age <37wks) and birth weight <2500gr. The prevalence of asthma was: 12.0% for P boys (m) vs 9.6% for term boys, 12.2% for P girls (f) vs 6.0% for term girls (p<0.02). The prevalence of asthma increased only slightly (p=0.4) when P children had been ventilated (30.7% of P) as compared to non ventilated P. The prevalence of abnormal L parameters in % prior to CACH is: There was no difference for the change in FEV1 after CACH between P and Term. Conclusion: The prevalence of asthma was significantly higher in preterm born children. P girls showed significantly lower L (MEF75, MEF50, MEF25) compared to term born girls. We found no difference in bronchial hyperreactivity to cold air between groups.
Compromised Salt Dependence of ENaC Activity Upon Deletion of AT1 Receptors

ENaC-mediated sodium reabsorption in the collecting duct (CD) is an essential determinant of blood pressure in humans. Cumulative evidence suggests direct action of Angiotensin II (Ang II) on ENaC ...
First-Order Transitions, Symmetry, and the epsilon Expansion

The first-order nature of the antiferromagnetic transitions in Cr, Eu, U${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$, and MnO can be explained by noting that the corresponding Landau-Ginzburg-Wilson Hamiltonians possess no stable fixed points in $4\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ dimensions. We predict that all fcc type-I ($\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{m}}\ensuremath{\perp}\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}$), type-II, and type-III ($\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{m}}\ensuremath{\perp}[100]$, $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}=[\frac{1}{2}01]$) antiferromagnetic transitions are first order.
Social facilitation of the rat’s responding in extinction

The extinction performances of rats were compared in several experiments which provided either individual or paired conditions during operant acquisition and/or extinction. Enhanced resistance to extinction was observed when Ss were trained alone and, subsequently, extinguished in pairs. All other combinations of conditions yielded lower and nondifferential levels of responding during testing. This pattern of results did not appear specific to condition-dependent changes in the nature of stimuli associated with reinforcement. It was considered that the results could be attributed to a limited-term arousal effect of social pairing.
A reappraisal of fast ion conduction in Ta, Ga, and Al-substituted Aurivillius phases

Abstract Oxygen ion conduction in the Aurivillius phases Bi 2 Sr 2 (Nb or Ta) 2 (Ga or Al)O 11.5 has been evaluated in detail. High-temperature X-ray diffraction studies, coupled with differential scanning calorimetry, electron microscopy, and conductivity measurements were used to clearly demonstrate that Bi 2 Sr 2 (Nb x Ta 1− x ) 2 (Ga y Al 1− y )O 11.5 with x = 0, 1 and y = 0, 0.5, and 1 form only multiphase specimens. The origin of the previously observed fast ion conduction is a result of interconnected Bi 2 O 3 grains that undergo a high-temperature phase transformation to the δ-Bi 2 O 3 polymorph. The Aurivillius phase component of the multiphase specimens does not demonstrate any type of order–disorder transformation, however, the phase transformations of the Bi 2 O 3 are clearly observed using high-temperature diffraction and calorimetry.
Site-directed mutagenesis of the conserved tyrosine 151 of human placental NAD+-dependent 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase yields a catalytically inactive enzyme

NAD(+)-dependent 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) is a key enzyme involved in the biological inactivation of the prostaglandins. The cDNA for human placental 15-PGDH has been expressed in Escherichia coli. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to convert a highly conserved tyrosine at position 151 in 15-PGDH to an alanine. The DNA coding for this alanine mutant 15-PGDH was expressed in E. coli. Western blot analysis indicated that this mutant protein was expressed in amounts comparable to the wild type enzyme in bacteria, however no 15-PGDH activity could be detected. This result indicates that tyrosine 151 in 15-PGDH is essential for activity.
Balance Training and Center-of-Pressure Location in Participants With Chronic Ankle Instability

Context: Chronic ankle instability (CAI) occurs in some people after a lateral ankle sprain and often results in residual feelings of instability and episodes of the ankle's giving way. Compared with healthy people, patients with CAI demonstrated poor postural control and used a more anteriorly and laterally positioned center of pressure (COP) during a single-limb static-balance task on a force plate. Balance training is an effective means of altering traditional COP measures; however, whether the overall location of the COP distribution under the foot also changes is unknown. Objective: To determine if the spatial locations of COP data points in participants with CAI change after a 4-week balance-training program. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: Laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Thirty-one persons with self-reported CAI. Intervention(s): Participants were randomly assigned to a 4-week balance-training program or no balance training. Main Outcome Measure(s): We collected a total of...
Drosophila as a tool for personalized medicine: a primer

The goal of personalized medicine is to treat each patient with the best drug: optimal therapeutic benefit with minimal side effects. The genomic revolution is rapidly identifying the genetic contribution to the diseased state as well as its contribution to drug efficacy and toxicity. The ability to perform genome-wide studies has led to an overwhelming number of candidate genes and/or their associated variants; however, understanding which are of therapeutic importance is becoming the greatest unmet need in the personalized medicine field. A related issue is the need to improve our methods of identifying and characterizing therapeutic drugs in the context of the complex genomic landscape of the intact body. Drosophila have proven to be a powerful tool for understanding the basic biological mechanisms of human development. This article will review Drosophila as a whole animal tool for gene and drug discovery. We will examine how Drosophila can be used to both sort through the myriad of hits coming from human genome-wide scans and to dramatically improve the early steps in pharmaceutical drug development.
Whats and Whys With Neonatal CT

* Abbreviation: CT — : computed tomography What and why? As health care professionals, we must address both of these questions in scientific inquiry as well as in clinical practice. Most times, facts (the “what”) are relatively easy to come by. The reasons (the “why”) behind these events are usually more difficult to discover and understand. Let us look at the example of head computed tomography (CT) in a group of neonates. There are 2 facts here. First, in an investigation of 4107 term infants diagnosed with encephalopathy by Barnette et al1 in this issue of Pediatrics , CT examinations were performed in 22.7%, with 2.4% of this population having >1 CT examination. Second, the investigators remind us that MRI is better than CT at prognostic evaluation in this scenario. From these facts, the investigators concluded that a preferred imaging strategy would be ultrasonography followed by MRI, without a CT examination. There are a few other relevant facts we know. First, a CT scan is easier … Address correspondence to Donald P. Frush, MD, FACR, FAAP, Department of Radiology, 1905 McGovern-Davison Children’s Health Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710. E-mail: donald.frush{at}duke.edu
ARE BANK CAPITAL RATIOS TOO HIGH OR TOO LOW? INCOMPLETE MARKETS AND OPTIMAL CAPITAL STRUCTURE

We study the effect of relative risk aversion on optimal capital structure in a general-equilibrium model of intermediation with incomplete markets. (JEL: D5, G2)
How Chinese Perceive Social Presence: An Examination of Interaction in Online Learning Environment

Chinese students utilize more social context cues to communicate with others. They are accustomed to processing information from either a physical context or an internalized appreciation of the person. Current literature documents that computermediated communication (CMC) is unable to deliver social context cues. Because of the burgeoning importance of computers in education it becomes important to determine how Chinese students perceive CMC. An ethnographic approach with a dramaturgy strategy was used in this study to examine the Chinese student's interactions and perceptions of social presence in online learning environments. The results indicated that three dimensions of social presence, social context, online communication and interactivity affected Chinese students' perceptions of CMC. The feeling of private/public was identified as an important factor related to the level of social presence. When integrating CMC into an online learning environment, it is necessary to consider the student's local cul...
Plasma cortisol during normal glucose tolerance.

Abstract Oral glucose tolerance tests, employing 100 g glucose, were administered to ten healthy subjects. Concentrations of plasma glucose, immunoreactive insulin, and immunoreactive growth hormone responded in their customary fashions. Plasma cortisol, when related to the basal value for each subject, was found to rise significantly during the first hour of the test. Since a known time-lag must occur before glucocorticoids exert a contrainsulin effect, it is suggested that the changes of cortisol observed early during the glucose tolerance test may play an important role during the posthyperglycemic recovery phase of the test.
Control of three-phase cascaded voltage source inverter for grid-connected photovoltaic systems

A three-phase cascaded voltage source inverter (VSI) for a grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system is proposed in this paper. The topology consists of three traditional two-level six-switch VSIs interconnected through inductors. Each VSI unit is fed by a string of PV panels. To realize the central control of the proposed system, the equivalent model and average model of the three-phase cascaded VSI are established. To harvest more solar energy, a control scheme with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control is proposed. Phase-shifted discontinuous PWM (PS-DPWM) is applied to control the switching devices of each VSI unit. Simulation and experimental results are presented to validate the proposed ideas.
Error management for robot programming

Reliability is a serious problem in computer controlled robot systems. Although robots serve successfully in relatively simple applications such as painting and spot welding, their potential in areas such as automated assembly is hampered by the complexity of programming. A program for assembling parts may be logically correct, execute correctly on a simulator, and even execute correctly on a robot most of the time, yet still fail unexpectedly in the face of real world uncertainties. Recovery from such errors is far more complicated than recovery from simple controller errors, since even expected errors can manifest themselves in unexpected ways. In this paper we present a novel approach for improving robot reliability. Instead of anticipating errors, we use knowledge-based programming techniques so that the robot can autonomously exploit knowledge about its task and environment to detect and recover from failures. We describe a system that we have designed and constructed in our robotics laboratory.
Dual Studies on a Hydrogen–Deuterium Exchange of Resorcinol and the Subsequent Kinetic Isotope Effect

An efficient laboratory experiment has been developed for undergraduate students to conduct hydrogen–deuterium (H–D) exchange of resorcinol by electrophilic aromatic substitution using D2O and a catalytic amount of H2SO4. The resulting labeled product is characterized by 1H NMR. Students also visualize a significant kinetic isotope effect (kH/kD ≈ 3 to 4) by adding iodine tincture to solutions of unlabeled resorcinol and the H–D exchange product. This method is highly adaptable to fit a target audience and has been successfully implemented in a pedagogical capacity with second-year introductory organic chemistry students as part of their laboratory curriculum. It was also adapted for students at the advanced high school level.