cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
U.S. Health Care Costs: The Untold True Story

Discussions of health care reform in the United States invariably begin with a citation of statistics on the comparative shares of gross national product (GNP) represented by spending for medical services. From Ross Perot to administration spokespeople to the speaker at Kiwanis, everyone quotes these statistics to show that in some important way the U.S. medical care financing and delivery system is not only less effective than those in other countries but also imposes a heavier burden on the U.S. economy and on U.S. manufacturing firms trying to compete in global markets. But do these comparisons of relative spending mean anything? There are some objections, some more than nitpicking, to such data on spending. What is classified as “medical care spending,” despite the oftenheroic efforts of the data compilers at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (which provides the most frequently cited statistics), may vary across countries, and under-the-table payments or tips may often be missed. However, there is a much more serious defect with these numbers, at least with regard to the purposes for which they frequently are used: They do not measure true economic costs. They measure instead the level of spending, which is seriously deficient as a measure of (or even a relative proxy for) the cost the economy bears when medical care rather than other goods and services is produced. Especially in the great debate over health care reform, it is cost that people really ought to compare, and they can be seriously misled if they use spending measures as a substitute. Why do people care about the share of GNP devoted to medical services? Moving the composition of national output from one product to another does not, in any meaningful sense, reduce the total national income or productivity. Japan spends more on seafood relative to GNP than does the United States, but that “excessive” fish consumption does not impoverish the Japanese or advantage the United States. Is medical spending different? Perhaps the concern over the figures on medical care spending reflects in
Imaging Fourier transform spectrometer

Design considerations and experimental measurements from an imaging Fourier transform spectrometer are presented. The system is based on the Bomem MB-series of Fourier transform interferometer and is capable of more than 8 frames/second at 4 cm(superscript -1 apodized spectral resolution. The interferometer features dual output beams, allowing for example, the coverage of two different spectral ranges using a short-wave array and a long- wave array. The present system uses a set of two 8 X 8 InSb detector arrays to cover the 2 to 5.3 micrometers spectral range on two coaligned fields of view of 4 mrad X 4 mrad and 1 mrad X 1 mrad. Predicted noise equivalent spectral radiance as well as instrument lineshape are compared to measurements on the actual system. Particular emphasis is devoted to the behavior of the instrument lineshape with respect to off-axis position in the focal plane.
Identification of genes differentially expressed in the phytopathogenic fungus Cercospora nicotianae between cercosporin toxin-resistant and -susceptible strains

Plant pathogens from the genus Cercospora produce cercosporin, a photoactivated fungal toxin that generates toxic reactive oxygen species. Mechanisms governing toxin auto-resistance in Cercospora spp. are poorly understood. In this work, suppressive subtractive hybridization was used to identify genes differentially expressed between the cercosporin-resistant wild-type (WT) Cercospora nicotianae and a sensitive strain lacking a transcription factor (CRG1) that regulates resistance. Out of 338 sequences recovered, 185 unique expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were obtained and classified into functional categories. The majority of genes showed predicted expression differences, and 38.5% were differentially expressed at least twofold between the WT and mutant strain. ESTs were recovered with homology to genes involved in detoxification of noxious compounds, multidrug membrane transporters and antioxidant and polyketide biosynthetic enzymes as well as to ATPases and ATP synthases. The findings suggest that CRG1 regulates genes involved in pH responses in addition to those involved in toxin resistance and biosynthesis.
CORRELATES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL INFLUENCE: AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL CLIMATE APPROACH TO WORK ENVIRONMENT PERCEPTIONS

Abstract : Correlates of subordinates' perceptions of their psychological influence on supervisors' decisions were examined for 126 subordinates in high technology jobs and 205 subordinates in low technology, production line jobs. Based on the psychological climate perspective of work environment perceptions, it was predicted that perceptions of psychological influence would be related significantly to (a) situational attributes, including supervisor behaviors, (b) individual characteristics, and (c) person by situation interactions. Results supported these assumptions and suggested that a cognitive information processing model assists in explaining environmental perceptions. (Author)
Losses and gains: chronic pain and altered brain morphology

As in many fields of neuroscience, alterations in brain morphology, and specifically gray matter volume and cortical thickness, have been repeatedly linked to chronic pain disorders. Numerous studies have shown changes in cortical and subcortical brain regions suggesting a dynamic process that may be a result of chronic pain or contributing to a more generalized phenomenon in chronic pain including comorbid anxiety and depression. In this review, we provide a perspective of pain as an innate state of pain based on alterations in structure and by inference, brain function. A better neurobiological understanding of gray matter changes will contribute to our understanding of how structural changes contribute to chronic pain (disease driver) and how these changes may be reversed (disease modification or treatment).
Optimal joint routing and scheduling in wireless mesh networks with smart antennas

We present a cross-layer optimization framework for wireless mesh networks; we assume nodes are equipped with smart antenna and techniques such as beam-forming, spatial division multiple access and spatial division multiplexing are considered. These techniques provide interference suppression, capability to communicate with several nodes simultaneously and higher transmission data rates, respectively. By integrating different constraints from MAC and network layers, a mathematical formulation of the problem is presented. It is shown that the resulted directive, multiple access and multiplexing gain combined with optimal link scheduling effectively increase both the spectrum spatial reuse and the capacity of the links and thus, enhance the achievable system throughput. Since the optimization problem is a complex combinatorial one, the optimal LP solution is approached by a Column Generation decomposition method. The numerical results for different network topologies with various node densities, transmission ranges, traffics and number of antennas are provided, in which system activation time is reduced up to 86.9% by employing smart antenna techniques.
Implementing the Neonatal Assessment Nurse Role in the LDR: Improving Neonatal Outcomes While Supporting Family‐Centered Care

Paper Presentation Purpose for the Program Knowing the stabilization and bonding benefits of minimizing the separation of the mother–baby dyad at delivery, a nurse‐driven task force integrated the role of a neonatal assessment nurse (NAN) into the care delivery process. The task force discovered that inconsistent care practices, anecdotally reported by the medical providers, affected the quality of neonatal care and maternal satisfaction. The purpose of this project was to establish an innovative role designed to consistently provide transitional care at the mother's bedside for eligible newborns. Without funding to hire additional nurses into this position, a core group of nurses from all maternal child health units volunteered. Proposed Change Introduction of the NAN, as a dedicated clinical assignment, would positively facilitate the transition of life from fetus to neonate, decrease mother–neonate separation, increase rate of skin‐to‐skin contact, improve nurses’ perspective of neonatal care, decrease neonatal intensive care unit admissions, and improve maternal satisfaction. The NAN provides transitional care at the mother's bedside, thus changing the current practice of separating the infant from the mother to conveniently transfer the infant to where the work can be accomplished. Implementation, Outcomes, and Evaluation Hospital Institutional Review Board approval was obtained. Strategies for NAN success included detailed role description; patient care priorities; expectations when the labor and delivery room (LDR) had no neonatal patients; and a decisive evaluation plan for those infants requiring nonintensive yet supportive care and monitoring. A comprehensive process of didactic education and clinical orientation was individualized based on the nurse's expertise along the spectrum of neonatal care. Simulation scenarios served as teaching adjuncts and reinforced evidence‐based practices. The enthusiasm of the NAN‐identified nurses and creative staffing models developed by the maternal–child health units’ charge nurses ensured coverage for every shift, 7 days a week. The Caring Behaviors Inventory by Wu, Larrabee, and Putman (2006) was used before and after NAN to gain clinical nurses’ perspective about the care delivered to neonates who were less than 4 hours of age. This tool and survey, which focused on maternal perspective, were chosen because both aligned with the hospital's choice of Watson Caring Theory, which is the framework that currently guides our nursing practice. Implications for Nursing Practice The NAN role in the LDR presents an extended benefit of having a dedicated nurse to provide neonatal care in situations when transition time requires pulse oximeter monitoring and/or additional poststabilization assessments. With no literature available on this topic, publication of the positive results of this implementation plan will help others adopt similar roles specific to their settings.
A CRT-RSA Algorithm Secure against Hardware Fault Attacks

Chinese remainder theorem based RSA (CRT-RSA) digital signature has important applications in smart cards. Previous CRT-RSA algorithms such as CRT-2 and BOS are susceptible to practical hardware fault attacks. In this paper, a new CRT-RSA algorithm with countermeasures to hardware fault attacks is proposed. To our knowledge, the proposed algorithm is the first that can resist what we call the single-fault adversarial attacks. The proposed algorithm first computes the signature using CRT in a secret algebraic setting, then a set of fault-detection variables are computed to detect possible faults. Lastly, the signature is mapped from the secret algebraic setting to the intended setting. By using a random number and the fault detection variables, every step of the algorithm is protected from hardware faults. The output of the algorithm will be fully randomized in case of faults. The CRT's speed advantages are also maintained. The proposed algorithm is approximately two times as fast as the direct form RSA for the two-prime case, and about four times as fast for the three-prime case
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or clindamycin for community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) skin infections.

using 2 , Fisher’s exact, and Wilcoxon rank sum tests. Results: A total of 149 patients were included in this study. These patients had a median age of 36 years, 55% were men, 71% were Hispanic, 42% were uninsured, and 60% received an incision and drainage procedure. Patients who did not receive incision and drainage were twice as likely to experience the composite failure endpoint (57% vs 29%; P < .001). Failure rates were 25% for patients who received incision and drainage plus antibiotics compared with 60% for patients who received incision and drainage minus antibiotics (P .03). When patients who did not receive incision and drainage were excluded, there were no significant differences between the TMP-SMX (n 54) and clindamycin (n 20) cohorts with respect to composite failures (26% vs 25%), microbiologic failures (13% vs 15%), additional inpatient interventions (6% vs 5%), or additional outpatient interventions (20% vs 20%). Conclusions: Our findings reinforce the belief that incision and drainage and antibiotics are critical for the management of CA-MRSA skin infections. Patients who receive TMP-SMX or clindamycin for their CAMRSA skin infections experience similar rates of treatment failure. (J Am Board Fam Med 2010;23:714‐719.)
Prospective measures of cerebral atrophy and perfusion among cognitively intact stroke patients.

Cerebral atrophy, tissue densities, and local perfusions were measured prospectively utilizing computed tomography among 19 cognitively intact stroke patients and 24 age-matched cognitively and neurologically normal controls. Mean follow-up intervals were 27.0 months for stroke patients and 31.0 months for controls. Stroke patients were treated by controlling risk factors and antiplatelet drugs. Cognitive testing remained normal among patients and controls. Among stroke patients, annual rates for cerebral atrophic indices were +3.4%, for ventricular enlargement +6.9%, for subarachnoid space enlargement +0.1%, and for cortical atrophy −2.5%. Annual reductions in cerebral perfusion, per 100 g brain/min, for cortex were total, −2.3 ml; frontal −3.8 ml; temporal, −2.4 ml; occipital, 2.0 ml; basal ganglia, −2.3 ml; and thalamus −3.8 ml. Annual decreases in local Hounsfield unit (LHU) densities for cortex were total, −0.6 HU; frontal, −0.8 HU; and temporal, −0.4 HU. Among controls, annual rates for cortical atrophy were −1.0% and for declines in cerebral perfusion were −0.7 ml for total cortex, and −1.4 ml for temporal cortex. Annual decreases in HU densities were total cortex, −0.6 HU; frontal, −0.9 HU; and temporal −0.4 HU. Among cognitively intact stroke patients, annual rates for cerebral atrophy and reductions in cerebral cortical perfusion were accelerated by more than three times those seen among agematched controls but were significantly less than similar measures among stroke patients with dementia.
MRI findings in patients with tibial nerve compression near the knee

The soleus sling has been recently identified as a site of compression of the tibial nerve resulting in tibial neuropathy. Diagnosis of soleal sling syndrome is difficult, and has been based mainly on clinical examination. Advances in MR imaging with high-resolution 3-Tesla scanners have made direct visualization of nerve pathology possible. With the use of high-resolution imaging and fat-suppression protocols, tibial nerve compression at the soleal fascial arch can be demonstrated in a subset of patients presenting with idiopathic tibial neuropathy. The purpose of this paper is to confirm the ability of MR imaging to demonstrate pathologic changes in the tibial nerve in patients presenting with soleal sling syndrome. Additionally, patients presenting with tibial neuropathy and ganglion cysts, both extra- and intraneural, were examined to determine if the site of compression corresponded to the region of the soleus sling. Nine patients were included in the study, two with idiopathic soleus sling syndrome, four with extraneural, and three with intraneural ganglion cysts. In the patients presenting with idiopathic soleus sling syndrome, MR imaging demonstrated a thickened soleus sling with T2 hyperintensity of the tibial nerve at the level of the sling and denervation changes in muscles of the posterior compartment of the leg. In patients with extraneural ganglion cysts, MR imaging demonstrated a “sandwich”-like compression of the tibial nerve between the cyst and the soleus sling with corresponding tibial nerve T2 hyperintensity and denervation change in posterior compartment muscles. No compression of the tibial nerve at the soleus sling was found in the intraneural ganglion population. We conclude that MR imaging is effective in demonstrating pathologic changes in the tibial nerve at the soleus sling. Based on the MRI findings, we also believe that the soleus sling is a component of the compression when patients present with extraneural ganglion cysts and tibial neuropathy near the knee; in these patients, we recommend release of the soleus sling as part of the definitive management.
Nonstandard Arithmetic and Reverse Mathematics

We show that each of the five basic theories of second order arithmetic that play a central role in reverse mathematics has a natural counterpart in the language of nonstandard arithmetic. In the earlier paper [3] we introduced saturation principles in nonstandard arithmetic which are equivalent in strength to strong choice axioms in second order arithmetic. This paper studies principles which are equivalent in strength to weaker theories in second order arithmetic.
Electronic structure studies of CeAgSb2

Abstract The electronic band structure of CeAgSb2 has been calculated using the self-consistent full potential nonorthogonal local orbital minimum basis scheme based on the density functional theory. We investigated the electronic structure with the spin–orbit interaction and on-site Coulomb potential for the Ce-derived 4f orbitals to obtain the correct ground state of CeAgSb2.
Worst case timing jitter and amplitude noise in differential signaling

Differential signaling is widely used in high speed data communications. Inter-symbol interference (ISI) and crosstalk between differential pair, however, heavily affect the integrity of differential signaling as measured by timing jitter and amplitude noise in the eye diagram. To reduce the impact of ISI, a pre-emphasis filter is commonly used, but it increases the crosstalk noise. In this paper, we first propose formula-based jitter and noise models considering the combined effect of ISI, crosstalk, and pre-emphasis filter. With given input patterns, our models achieve within 5% difference compared to SPICE simulation. Moreover, using the formula-based models, we develop mathematical programming algorithms to directly find out the input patterns for worst-case jitter and worstcase amplitude noise. Experiments show our algorithms obtain more reliable worst-case jitter and noise compared to Monte Carlo simulation and reduce runtime by 150×.
An Exploration of Gender-Role Expectations and Conflict among Women Rugby Players.

Gender-role conflict theory has suggested that women athletes will experience role conflict because they are attempting to enact both feminine and masculine gender roles, yet research findings have shown mixed support for this notion. The purpose of this study was to explore how women rugby players negotiate gender-role expectations and conflict as women participating in a traditionally masculine sport. Eleven Caucasian women, noncollege rugby players between the ages of 25 and 38 were interviewed. The results indicated that women rugby players perceived numerous discrepant gender-role expectations. In addition, three different types of gender-role conflict emerged; however, similar to previous findings, participants perceived conflicting expectations for their gender-role behavior more than they seemed to experience conflict about those expectations. Participants actively employed various strategies to resolve or avoid experiencing gender-role conflict. The resiliency displayed by the women athletes in c...
Interrelationships Among Age, Body Weight, and Production Traits During First Lactations of Dairy Cattle

Abstract Objectives of the study were to examine relationships among age, body size, and production in dairy cattle populations and to determine what role, if any, body size should play in breeding programs. Based on 22,767 Holstein, 2,174 Guernsey, and 1,036 Jersey A.I., first-lactation, DHIA records, the estimated intraherd heritabilities of Holstein, Guernsey, and Jersey M.E. milk production were 0.37, 0.28, and 0.00, respectively. The corresponding heritability estimates for age-adjusted taped body weight were 0.16, 0.40, and 0.24. The estimate of the genetic correlation between M.E. milk and age-adjusted weight was 0.45 for the Holsteins and 0.40 for the Guernseys. Estimates of the intraherd phenotypic correlation between these two traits ranged from 0.08 to 0.17. Based on an intraherd multiple regression analysis, body weight was found to be a slightly more important source of the intraherd variation in actual first-lactation Holstein production than was age, but just the opposite was true for the Guernseys and the Jerseys. When milk or milk fat production records are available, use of body weight measurements in selection indices would increase the accuracy of such indices only slightly. Body weight could, however, be used to select for production when no other information is at hand.
Association of Multiple Behavioral Risk Factors with Adolescents’ Willingness to Engage in eHealth Promotion

Objective This study examines adolescents' willingness to use the internet and other forms of technology for health promotion purposes (i.e., "eHealth promotion" willingness) and determines if a relationship exists between adolescents' behavioral risks and their eHealth promotion willingness. Methods A total of 332 adolescents provided data at a routine medical check-up, including assessments of technology access, eHealth promotion willingness, and multiple behavioral risk factors for child- and adult-onset disease (body mass index, physical activity, smoking, sun protection, depression). Results The level of access to technology among the sample was high, with moderate willingness to engage in eHealth promotion. After adjusting for adolescents' access to technology, the presence of multiple behavioral risk factors was positively associated with willingness to use technology for health promotion purposes (beta =.12, p =.03). Conclusions Adolescents with both single and multiple behavioral risk factors are in need of health promotion to prevent the onset of disease later in life. eHealth appears to be an acceptable and promising intervention approach with this population.
A Strategy for Efficient Debt Reduction

F or the past seven years, the U.S. government has managed the debt crisis with the preeminent goal of sustaining the flow of debt servicing payments from the debtor countries to the commercial banks. The focus on the banks, especially in the first years of the crisis (1982–85), is easily explained. Several money-center banks had exposure of nearly 200 percent of bank capital in Latin America alone upon the outbreak of the crisis in 1982. A widespread suspension of debt-service payments could well have sunk several major banks. I have discussed the U.S. government's policy focus on the debt servicing to the commercial banks in Sachs (1986b, 1989c) and Sachs and Huizinga (1987). But today, those policies are being revised. After years of steady decline in the exposure ratios of the most heavily exposed banks, the risk of a U.S. banking crash as the result of the debt crisis is now virtually nonexistent. In addition, the burden of debt payments is contributing to profound economic crises and growing political instability in almost all of the democracies in Latin America. A wide range of analysts now concurs that the debt burden should be reduced, not only for the sake of the debtors, but also for the sake of the creditors, who have an important long-run stake in allowing the developing countries to surmount the current acute crisis. The Brady plan, unveiled by Secretary of Treasury Nicholas Brady in March 1989, is based on the need for a reduction of the debt burden.
Rad and Rem are non‐canonical G‐proteins with respect to the regulatory role of guanine nucleotide binding in CaV1.2 channel regulation

Rad and Rem are Ras-like G-proteins linked to diverse cardiovascular functions and pathophysiology. Understanding how Rad and Rem are regulated is important for deepened insights into their pathophysiological roles. As in other Ras-like G-proteins, Rad and Rem contain a conserved guanine-nucleotide binding domain (G-domain). Canonically, G-domains are key control modules, functioning as nucleotide-regulated switches of G-protein activity. Whether Rad and Rem G-domains conform to this canonical paradigm is ambiguous. Here, we used multiple functional measurements in HEK293 cells and cardiomyocytes (Ca(V)1.2 currents, Ca(2+) transients, Ca(V)β binding) as biosensors to probe the role of the G-domain in regulation of Rad and Rem function. We utilized Rad(S105N) and Rem(T94N), which are the cognate mutants to Ras(S17N), a dominant-negative variant of Ras that displays decreased nucleotide binding affinity. In HEK293 cells, over-expression of either Rad(S105N) or Rem(T94N) strongly inhibited reconstituted Ca(V)1.2 currents to the same extent as their wild-type (wt) counterparts, contrasting with reports that Rad(S105N) is functionally inert in HEK293 cells. Adenovirus-mediated expression of either wt Rad or Rad(S105N) in cardiomyocytes dramatically blocked L-type calcium current (I(Ca,L)) and inhibited Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release, contradicting reports that Rad(S105N) acts as a dominant negative in heart. By contrast, Rem(T94N) was significantly less effective than wt Rem at inhibiting I(Ca,L) and Ca(2+) transients in cardiomyocytes. FRET analyses in cardiomyocytes revealed that both Rad(S105N) and Rem(T94N) had moderately reduced binding affinity for Ca(V)βs relative to their wt counterparts. The results indicate Rad and Rem are non-canonical G-proteins with respect to the regulatory role of their G-domain in Ca(V)1.2 regulation.
Modulation of stoichiometry, morphology and composition of transition metal oxide nanostructures through hot wire chemical vapor deposition

A hot wire chemical vapor deposition technique is described for synthesis of 1D nanostructures of a controlled morphology, stoichiometry, and composition. The synthesis involves the evaporation and condensation of metal oxide vapor through the reaction of oxygen with the hot filaments of respective transition metals. The stoichiometry and morphology of MoO3 and WO3 were modulated by varying the filament temperature and partial pressure of oxygen in the growth chamber. Based on the results under different conditions, a morphological phase diagram, and a growth model based on the extent of gas phase supersaturation were developed to understand the growth mechanism. Further, ternary transition metal oxide, NiMoO4 was synthesized as a proof-of-concept for tuning the composition of deposition through simultaneous evaporation of two metal oxides.
Studies In Reptilian Colour Changes: III. Control Of The Light Phase And Behaviour Of Isolated Skin

1. Melanophore contraction is not effected through a direct nervous agency, nor are the adrenal glands normally necessary to mediate the light state. 2. The concentrated state of melanophore pigment is ordinarily due to the disappearance of the melanophore-dispersing hormone from the circulation. The rapid onset of pallor which follows electrical stimulation may be due to a vasoconstrictor effect. 3. Intact skin in hypophysectomized lizards does not respond directly to light, but isolated skin darkens slightly in bright sunlight and becomes bright green again in diffuse light. 4. Isolated skin responds to hormones, becoming generally dark in solutions of pituitary extract and showing the mottling reaction in solutions of adrenalin.
His Lower GI

Successful management of lower gastrointestinal problems depends on maintaining a high level of suspicion for malignancies of the colon, rectum, and anus and being able to differentiate among multiple benign anorectal conditions that often have subtle differences in presentation. Colorectal cancer is largely preventable, as screening colonoscopy can remove polyps that would otherwise become invasive cancer. Anal cancer is also potentially preventable as screening of high-risk individuals with digital rectal exam and Pap smear may reveal dysplastic lesions, which can be removed before developing into invasive cancer. Benign colorectal diseases such as diverticulitis and inflammatory bowel disease are largely treated with medical therapy, but more complicated or severe cases should be referred for surgical consultation. Most benign anorectal conditions such as fissures, abscesses, hemorrhoids, and pruritus ani can be successfully treated with simple changes in bowel habits and medical therapy. The challenge of these conditions lies in accurate diagnosis, which depends on an astute history and physical examination.
In Search of the Plain and the Philosophical

In this paper, I take up Thompson Clarke’s distinction between “philosophical” and “plain” ways of understanding a question that could be expressed with the words, “how do you know…?” Clarke argues that this distinction has two important implications. First, philosophical skepticism would stand in an “indirect” relation with its “plain” counterparts, so that what the philosopher is examining is not, as it might initially seem, a plain claim to know, but rather what Clarke calls “philosophical common sense.” Second, if philosophical common sense is intelligible then it cannot be defended: philosophical skepticism would be unavoidable. For Clarke philosophical common sense is intelligible, only if our “conceptual human constitution” is of the “standard type,” and our “conceptual human constitution” is of the “standard type” only if the concepts of dreaming and waking do not have a “knowability requirement” built into them. I defend the claim that these concepts have a “knowability requirement” by tracing the “knowability requirement” to the nature of judgment itself: in particular to what I describe as the priority of the first-person point of view in the constitution of states of judgment. If this is right, the only intelligible questions of the form “how do you know…?” are of the plain variety, and any satisfying treatment of skepticism would have to forego a defense of “philosophical common sense.”
Emerging Issues and Future Directions in State Policy Diffusion Research

This article analyzes existing scholarship on the diffusion of public policies among the American states, focusing on recent developments in this line of research and suggesting several potential avenues for future work. The analysis is organized around three fundamental questions. First, why does policy diffusion occur? Answering this question will require scholars to devote more attention to concepts such as imitation, emulation, and competition. Second, which political forces facilitate or impede policy diffusion? Answering this question will require scholars to devote more attention to the causal mechanisms at work when states adopt policies like those of other states. Third, what is being diffused? Answering this question will require scholars to think more carefully about the content of public policy, both as an outcome to be explained and as a factor that itself affects the diffusion process.
Oxygen Dissociation After Transfusion of Blood Stored in ACD or CPD Solution

In 20 patients undergoing open-heart surgery, 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) concentrations, oxygen affinity of hemoglobin (Po2 at half saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen [P50]), hemoglobin concentration, and pH were measured repeatedly. Measurements were made before and at various times after open-heart surgery and replacement of blood loss with blood stored in acid-citrate-dextrose (ACD) or citrate-phosphate-dextrose (CPD) solutions for less than 72 hours (10 cases per group). Infusion of ACD blood caused P50 and 2,3-DPG concentration to decrease significantly after the operation. The infusion of blood stored in CPD did not significantly increase the oxygen affinity. No significant changes in hemoglobin concentration or pH were observed immediately after the operation in either group. To compensate for the increased oxygen affinity, there must be a rise in cardiac output or more likely a decrease in venous Po2. The transfusion of CPD blood, therefore, is more favorable in terms of oxygen supply, particularly in patients who have had cardiac surgery.
Augmentation of pulmonary blood flow after right ventricular bypass.

We have studied pulmonary hemodynamics after right ventricular bypass in dogs. Manipulations of pulmonary vascular resistance and transpulmonary blood pressure difference (ΔPP) made it possible to increase pulmonary blood flow. Decreasing resistance by raising arterial pH from 7.25 to 7.38 increased flow by 24.9%. Infusion of homologous blood to increase right atrial pressure from 10 to 30 mm Hg lowered resistance 41.5% and raised flow 183%. Left ventricular bypass (left atrium to aorta) lowered left atrial pressure, increased arteriovenous pressure gradient by 41.4%, and raised flow 32.8%. These experiments support earlier clinical observations of the importance of low pulmonary vascular resistance and of good left ventricular function both in selection of patients and in postoperative management after right ventricular bypass. Attention to the principles we discuss may permit right ventricular bypass operation in some patients who would not be operable by current criteria.
Density of Gaze Points Within a Fixation and Information Processing Behavior

The use of eye movements to study cognitive effort is becoming increasingly important in HCI research. Eye movements are natural and frequently occurring human behavior. In particular fixations represent attention; people look at something when they want to acquire information from it. Users also tend to cluster their attention on informative regions of a visual stimulus. Thus, fixation duration is often used to measure attention and cognitive processing. Additionally, parameters such as pupil dilation and fixation durations have also been shown to be representative of information processing. In this study we argue that fixation density, defined as the number of gaze points divided by the total area of a fixation event, can serve as a proxy for information processing. As such, fixation density has a significant relationship with pupil data and fixation duration, which have been shown to be representative of cognitive effort and information processing.
Plasticity in Ultra Fine Grained Materials

Understanding the mechanisms of deformation of nanocrystalline (nc) materials is critical to the design of micro and nano devices and to develop materials with superior fracture strength and wear resistance for applications in new energy technologies. In this project we focused on understanding the following plastic deformation processes described in detail in the following sections: 1. Plastic strain recovery (Section 1). 2. Effect of microstructural variability on the yield stress of nc metals (Section 2). 3. The role of partial and extended full dislocations in plastic deformation of nc metals (Section 3).
Time Course and Predictors of Suicidal Ideation During Citalopram Treatment in the STAR*D Trial.

Objective Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are first-line treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD), but their impact on suicidal ideation is equivocal. Our goal is to examine the time course and clinical predictors of citalopram-induced suicidal ideation during phase 1 of the Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) trial. Methods Of the 4,041 subjects with DSM-IV nonpsychotic MDD in the STAR*D trial phase 1 (2001-2006), we included in our analysis 3,577 subjects who reported side-effect data and had received citalopram (20-60 mg/d) for 8-14 weeks. Suicidal ideation was reported on item 12 of the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology, Self-Report. Survival analysis and receiver operating characteristic analysis were used to assess baseline characteristics associated with emergence and worsening of suicidal ideation. Results Suicidal ideation was more likely to occur early in citalopram treatment, with few subjects showing emergence or worsening occurring after 6 weeks of treatment. Clinical variables explained very little of the variance in worsening or emergence of suicidal ideation with citalopram treatment (generalized R² ≤ 2% in survival analysis). Being Hispanic, taking sedative medications, increased depression severity, absence of hypersomnia, and cardiac comorbidity were significantly (P ≤ .04) associated with greater likelihood of emergence of suicidal ideation in patients without suicidal ideation at baseline. Being widowed, better work performance, weight loss at baseline, and the presence of vascular or neurologic comorbidities were associated with a greater likelihood of worsening of suicidal ideation. Conclusions Baseline clinical variables were poor predictors of emergence or worsening of suicidal ideation. As such, increased research focusing on clinical correlates rather than clinical predictors of suicidal ideation may be useful, as intervening events may be crucial in bringing about increased suicidality. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00021528.
An efficient schedulability analysis for optimizing systems with adaptive mixed-criticality scheduling

In the design optimization of real-time systems, the schedulability analysis is used to define the feasibility region within which tasks meet their deadlines, so that optimization algorithms can find the best solution within the region. However, the current analysis techniques for systems with adaptive mixed-criticality (AMC) scheduling are based on response time calculation, which are too complex for optimization purposes. In this paper, we provide a simpler schedulability test based on request bound functions, which allows an efficient definition of the feasibility region for AMC. We prove that the new analysis is safe with bounded pessimism. Experimental results show that our analysis provides much better scalability for optimization procedures, with only small loss of performance (less than 7% in weighted schedulability, and no more than 4% in optimization objectives).
Mastocytose et aliments

Resume L’alimentation est une cause frequente d’activation mastocytaire. Les reactions observees ne sont pas de nature allergique mais peuvent etre graves comme le choc anaphylactique. La regle vis-a-vis de l’alimentation est celle de l’eviction a la carte en fonction des reactions d’intolerance constatees chez un individu donne.
Primary Benign Spinal Tumors

Primary bone tumors are rare, accounting for approx 0.4% of all tumors, and primary spine tumors represent only approx 10% of all bone tumors (1,2). Overall, primary spine tumors are much less common than metastatic lesions to the spine. The nature of a primary bone tumor of the spine depends largely on the location of the lesion and the age of the patient. Lesions located within the vertebral body are far more likely to represent a malignancy, particularly a metastatic lesion, than lesions in the posterior elements. Up to 75% of tumors located within the vertebral body are malignant, compared with only 35% found in the posterior elements (3). Metastatic lesions involve the vertebral body initially in approx 85% of cases, and are seven times more likely to involve the vertebral body than the posterior elements.
General Need for Autonomy and Subjective Well-Being: A Meta-Analysis of Studies in the US and East Asia

Self-determination theory proposes that human beings have universal basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness, which when satisfied lead to well-being. The current meta-analysis synthesized the correlations between the need for autonomy and subjective well-being. More specifically, because some researchers have questioned the role of autonomy in well-being in non-Western cultures, our meta-analysis focused on the results reported from studies conducted in the United States (US, a typical individualist culture) and East Asian countries (typical collectivist cultures). Random-effects analyses using 36 independent samples (22 from the US and 14 from East Asian samples including China and Japan) totaling 12,906 participants showed a moderate correlation (r = .46, p .05). Overall, this study lends support to self-determination theory’s proposition that autonomy is a universal psychological need and provides suggestions for cultural practices and policies.
Connecting the Threads

In this volume, we have covered the core components of transdisciplinary thinking to bring us to a greater understanding of how it functions as a structure of thinking for creativity. We position it as an imperative for the twenty-first century, and contextualize it in examples of transdisciplinary creativity, as implemented for in-service teachers in working with technologies. Yet at the same time it must be clear that while we discuss this construct of transdisciplinarity as being key for twenty-first century thinking and learning, it is also a way of thinking, working, and acting in the world that creative minds have emphasized historically for a long time. Our historical examples shared here describe a range of exemplars of creative thinking across disciplines time periods and contexts, from Pablo Picasso to Elon Musk, from Alexander Fleming to Temple Grandin, from Albert Einstein to DJ Danger Mouse, and many others.
Electrospun Nanofibers: New Concepts, Materials, and Applications

ConspectusElectrospinning is a simple and versatile technique that relies on the electrostatic repulsion between surface charges to continuously draw nanofibers from a viscoelastic fluid. It has been applied to successfully produce nanofibers, with diameters down to tens of nanometers, from a rich variety of materials, including polymers, ceramics, small molecules, and their combinations. In addition to solid nanofibers with a smooth surface, electrospinning has also been adapted to generate nanofibers with a number of secondary structures, including those characterized by a porous, hollow, or core–sheath structure. The surface and/or interior of such nanofibers can be further functionalized with molecular species or nanoparticles during or after an electrospinning process. In addition, electrospun nanofibers can be assembled into ordered arrays or hierarchical structures by manipulation of their alignment, stacking, and/or folding. All of these attributes make electrospun nanofibers well-suited for a bro...
Coded excitation with optimized inverse filter for improving sensitivity in acoustoelectric imaging

Noninvasive imaging of physiologic currents in the body is limited by poor spatial resolution due to the ambiguous conductivity distribution between the current sources and recording electrodes. Acoustoelectric imaging (AEI), based on the interaction between pressure and resistivity, provides higher spatial resolution. Although we have demonstrated AEI of the cardiac activation wave in the live rabbit heart, weak physiologic currents (e.g., in the heart or brain < 1 μV) and ultrasound (US) pulses of balanced shape (zero mean) make detection especially challenging. This study investigates the use of standard US transducers with coded excitation with optimized inverse filter to produce quasi-unipolar pulses that amplify the AE signal.
Nitrogen Loading from Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems in the Greater Narragansett Bay (Rhode Island, USA) Watershed: Magnitude and Reduction Strategies

Onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) are an important part of the water infrastructure in the USA. Advanced OWTS are used instead of conventional OWTS to lower nitrogen (N) inputs to coastal ecosystems and groundwater sources used for drinking. Knowledge of the N load from OWTS helps identify drivers of excess N and develop strategies to lower N inputs. We used wastewater flow and effluent total N (TN) concentration to determine the mass N load from 42 advanced N-removal OWTS technologies (Orenco Advantex AX-20®, BioMicrobics MicroFAST®, SeptiTech D® series) and 5 conventional OWTS within the Rhode Island, USA, part of the Greater Narragansett Bay watershed. The median N load (g N/system/day) followed the order: conventional systems (31.1) > AX-20 (10.8) > FAST (10.1) > SeptiTech (9.6), and was positively correlated with flow. Results of a Monte Carlo simulation estimated the N load from the current distribution of conventional and advanced systems (105,833 systems total; Current scenario) to the watershed at 1,217,539 kg N/year. Compared to the Worse Case scenario (100% conventional OWTS), advanced OWTS currently prevent 53,898 kg N/year from entering the watershed. The per capita N load (kg N/capita/year) from OWTS under the current scenario is 4.68, and 1.47 for a local wastewater treatment plant (WTP) with biological N removal (BNR). Replacing 5150 conventional OWTS yearly with the most effective OWTS technology would result in a per capita N load from OWTS equivalent to that for a WTP with BNR after ~15 years, with a yearly cost of $174.24 per additional kilogram of N removed. Increasing the proportion of advanced OWTS that achieve the final effluent standard of 19 mg TN/L—through monitoring and recursive adjustment—would reduce the time and cost necessary to achieve parity with the WTP. Advanced N-removal OWTS are an important part of the water infrastructure that can lower N load to the Narragansett Bay watershed.
Employee no-shows: managing library absenteeism

Abstract Employee absenteeism is a problem faced by all library administrators. This paper describes the development, implementation, and results of a program to discourage absenteeism at the Moody Medical Library of the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. The important role of library administrators and supervisors in controlling absenteeism is emphasized.
Nebulization of liposomes. II. The effects of size and modeling of solute release profiles.

A series of carboxyfluorescein (CF)-containing multilamellar vesicle (MLV) dispersions was prepared and extruded through polycarbonate membranes ranging in size from 0.2 to 5 µm. Vesicle dispersions were nebulized for 80 min using a Collison nebulizer, and the release of CF was monitored during nebulization. Solute retention was dependent upon the size of the vesicles and leakage ranged from 7.9 ± 0.4% (N = 3) for vesicles extruded through 0.2-µm filters to 76.8 ± 5.9% (N = 3) for liposomes that were not filtered. Solute release profiles obtained over ≥420-min nebulization periods conformed to a two-compartment kinetic model and exhibited a “fast” initial phase (kl = 0.052 ± 0.0043) followed by a “slow” terminal phase (k2 = 0.0034 ± 0.00018). The results show that CF retention can be increased by nebulizing small vesicles and modeling suggests that the rate of CF leakage from the bilayers is faster than from the core of the liposomes.
Death and Dying, Partner Abuse, and Other Subtypes of Trauma

Although every trauma has similar elements, a general understanding of some various subtypes of trauma can be helpful in assuaging survivors’ distress, and assisting them in a return to previous levels of functioning.
Electron Conductance and Lifetimes in a Ballistic Electron Waveguide

Ballistic electron waveguides are open quantum systems that can be formed at very low temperatures at a GaAs/AlGaAs interface. Dissipation due to electron–phonon and electron–electron interactions in these systems is negligible. Although the electrons only interact with the walls of the waveguide, they can have a complicated spectrum including both positive energy bound states and quasibound states which appear as complex energy poles of the scattering S-matrix or energy Green's function. The quasibound states can give rise to zeros in the waveguide conductance as the energy of the electrons is varied. The width of the conduction zeros is determined by the lifetimes of the quasibound states. The “complex energy spectrum” associated with the quasibound states also governs the survival probability of electrons placed in the waveguide cavities.