cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Classification of MPEG-2 Transport Stream packet loss visibility

We classify the visibility of TS (Transport Stream) packet losses for SDTV and HDTV MPEG-2 compressed video streams. TS packet losses can cause various temporal and spatial losses. The visual effect of a TS packet loss depends on many factors, in particular whether the loss causes a whole frame loss or partial frame loss. We develop models for predicting loss visibility for both SDTV and HDTV resolutions for frame loss and partial frame loss cases. We compare the dominant predictive factors and the results for the two resolutions. We achieve more than 85% classification accuracy.
Analyzing the influence of Zeroth Responders on resilience of the Maritime Port Enterprise

Zeroth Responders are defined as the individuals who respond spontaneously prior to a coordinated response group. Their influence in both natural and man-made disaster response has been drawing attention to an increasing number of governmental, private and communities' stakeholders. To effectively evaluate the influence of Zeroth Responder, and to better understand the challenge stated in the 2010 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Quadrennial Homeland Security Review Report (QHSR): “neighbor-to-neighbor assistance, when done safely, decreases the burden on first responders, and individuals should be seen as force multipliers who may also offer specialized knowledge and skills”, this paper develops a quantitative resilience model that can be used to compute resilience figures-of-merit with focus of Zeroth Responders' influence on the Maritime Port Enterprise. An initial Small Vessel Security threat scenario “Use of Waterborne Improvised Explosive Devices (WBIED)” is modeled to quantify the resilience on a port transportation network.
Evaluation of Steinernema glaseri (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) for biological control of Japanese and oriental beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae).

Steinernema glaseri Steiner were applied in autumn field trials against Japanese, Popillia japonica Newman, and oriental beetle, Exomala orientalis (Waterhouse), larvae in 1992, 1993, and 1994. Nematodes were used in conjunction with various irrigation regimes and surfactants. The greatest reduction in larvae occurred where S. glaseri was used at 19.7 x 10 9 /ha and irrigated daily with 3.2 mm of water for 14 d. In 19 of 24 treatments where rates of 1.24-24.7 x 10 9 /ha were used with and without irrigation, S. glaseri reduced larval densities below a threshold of 8/0.09 m 2 . The use of 2 surfactants provided no additional control. Soil temperature data for Rhode Island revealed applications should be made before 1 September to maximize efficacy.
On the correlation and scattering functions of the WSSUS channel for mobile communications

The wide-sense stationary-uncorrelated scattering (WSSUS) channel model is a commonly employed model for the multipath channel experienced in mobile communications. The second order statistics of these channels are described by the delay cross-power density /spl phi//sub h/(/spl tau/;/spl Delta/t) or by its /spl Delta/t-Fourier transform, the scattering function S/sub h/(/spl tau/;/spl lambda/). This paper presents an analysis of the delay cross-power density and scattering functions for mobile communications channels. We assume an arbitrary spatially uncorrelated scattering (US) field with arbitrary propagation-loss factors. Our first result is a general integral expression for /spl phi//sub h/(/spl tau/;/spl Delta/t) that holds with both transmitter and receiver being mobile. We then derive more detailed results for the case of a stationary base station. We derive an infinite Bessel series for /spl phi//sub h/(/spl tau/;/spl Delta/t) and a closed-form expression for S/sub h/(/spl tau/; /spl lambda/). These results generalize the well-known classical approximation for the time-correlation function /spl phi/~/sub h/(/spl Delta/t)=/sup def//spl int//spl phi//sub h/(/spl tau/;/spl Delta/t)d/spl tau//spl ap/ J/sub 0/(2/spl pi//spl lambda//sub m//spl Delta/t), which corresponds to the zeroth term of our Bessel series.
Comments on "A decision feedback recurrent neural equalizer as an infinite impulse response filter"

This correspondence corrects and clarifies some notation inconsistencies and the absence of some definitions in a previous paper by Ong et al. (see ibid., vol. 45, p. 2851-8, Nov. 1997) In addition, we show that the assumptions made in the derivation of the MSE/sup DFRNE/-MSE/sup RNE/ invalidate the final result given in Ong et al. and lead to an unfair comparison between the two equalizers. We present a simulation that best compares the two equalizers.
A Consumer Perspective on Value Creation

I show how company strategies that focus on improving consumer benefits can create value by increasing consumer payments to an entire value system. This “consumer benefit experienced” viewpoint on value creation complements the value capture orientations of the firm positioning, transaction cost, and resource-based approaches. It helps to clarify often-blurred distinctions between value creation and value capture and offers an additional tool for addressing intractable issues in strategic management.
Through-Wall Sensing With Multifrequency Microwave Radiometry: A Proof-of-Concept Demonstration

A proof-of-concept demonstration of through-wall sensing with microwave radiometry is described. A multifrequency microwave radiometer with 37 channels from 2.1 to 17.35 GHz was used in two experiments to observe objects through a cinder block wall of approximately 20-cm thickness. Measured data show the clear ability of the radiometer to detect thermal contrasts on the interior of the wall. A discussion of the basic physical processes involved in the measurement is provided. When compared with active systems, microwave radiometry for through-wall sensing faces significant challenges, including limitations in ranging, horizontal resolution, and corruption by radio-frequency interference, but also provides complementary capabilities, particularly with regard to thermal information. Further consideration of microwave radiometry appears warranted for applications where thermal information is of interest.
Evaluation of Handling Stresses Applied to EFG Silicon Wafer using a Bernoulli Gripper

The Manufacturing Research Center at Georgia Tech is addressing both fundamental and practical issues related to the handling of polycrystalline silicon wafers used in the manufacture of photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules. As Bernoulli grippers are widely used in the PV industry for handling silicon wafers, this paper focuses on the study of such grippers. The objective of this work is to develop an understanding of the influence of gripper variables and silicon wafer characteristics on wafer deformation and stresses in order to prevent wafer breakage and thereby improve yield. A finite element model has been developed to predict handling stresses based on measured wafer deformation profiles.
Advancements in Li/LiCoO/sub 2/ hardware cell performance, safety and reliability

A general review of the Li/LiCoO/sub 2/ electrochemistry is presented along with a summary of the component and design analyses that have supported the development of the hardware cells. The authors cover various details on charging parameters, storage capabilities, cycle life as related to depth-of-discharge, varying discharge profiles, peak power limits, series cell testing. etc. Component variables that were evaluated included cathode densities and thicknesses, separator layers and types, cathode processing techniques, electrolyte molarity and volume, and other construction details. The Li/LiCoO/sub 2/ system has been significantly advanced through recent prototype production lot build and test programs of standard D size rechargeable cells. Performance criteria such as energy density, voltage level, rate capability, and charging efficiency have been demonstrated to be superior in practical hardware to most competing technologies. Storage characteristics and cycling capacity are comparable to many other rechargeables. Methods for increasing cycling efficiency to better achieve expected cycle life at full capacity have also been identified. D cells with 5 Ah capacity for over 50 cycles at a 2 A discharge rate are practical. >
The Influence of Inhibitor Ions on Dissolution Kinetics of Al and Mg Using the Artificial Crevice Technique

This work was supported by the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program under contract no. DACA72-99- C-0002, and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research under contract no. F49620-96-1-0479.
Tissue-selective magnetic resonance subtraction venography

We have developed a procedure to image the major veins of the brain using three dimensional magnetic resonance imaging sequences. This procedure is based on the selective enhancement of blood vessels following intravenous administration of contrast media such as gadolinium. A simple substraction is performed between the post-contrast and pre-contrast MR images after correcting for overall intensity differences. The brain is segmented from the pre-contrast image volume. The resulting segmentation mask is dilated and used to extract the vessels of brain from the subtraction volume. The veins are reconstructed in three dimensions for visualization. The resulting tissue selective magnetic resonance venography is comparable to projection angiography for the larger veins. This procedure has been incorporated into a three dimensional stereotactic neurosurgical planning system.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A Comprehensive Statistical Model for Cell Signaling

Protein signaling networks play a central role in transcriptional regulation and the etiology of many diseases. Statistical methods, particularly Bayesian networks, have been widely used to model cell signaling, mostly for model organisms and with focus on uncovering connectivity rather than inferring aberrations. Extensions to mammalian systems have not yielded compelling results, due likely to greatly increased complexity and limited proteomic measurements in vivo. In this study, we propose a comprehensive statistical model that is anchored to a predefined core topology, has a limited complexity due to parameter sharing and uses micorarray data of mRNA transcripts as the only observable components of signaling. Specifically, we account for cell heterogeneity and a multilevel process, representing signaling as a Bayesian network at the cell level, modeling measurements as ensemble averages at the tissue level, and incorporating patient-to-patient differences at the population level. Motivated by the goal of identifying individual protein abnormalities as potential therapeutical targets, we applied our method to the RAS-RAF network using a breast cancer study with 118 patients. We demonstrated rigorous statistical inference, established reproducibility through simulations and the ability to recover receptor status from available microarray data.
Association of blood lactate with type 2 diabetes: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Carotid MRI Study

Background Accumulating evidence implicates insufficient oxidative capacity in the development of type 2 diabetes. This notion has not been well tested in large, population-based studies. Methods To test this hypothesis, we assessed the cross-sectional association of plasma lactate, an indicator of the gap between oxidative capacity and energy expenditure, with type 2 diabetes in 1709 older adults not taking metformin, who were participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Carotid MRI Study. Results The prevalence of type 2 diabetes rose across lactate quartiles (11, 14, 20 and 30%; P for trend <0.0001). Following adjustment for demographic factors, physical activity, body mass index and waist circumference, the relative odds of type 2 diabetes across lactate quartiles were 0.98 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.59–1.64], 1.64 (95% CI 1.03–2.64) and 2.23 (95% CI 1.38–3.59), respectively. Furthermore, lactate was associated with higher fasting glucose among non-diabetic adults. Conclusions Plasma lactate was strongly associated with type 2 diabetes in older adults. Plasma lactate deserves greater attention in studies of oxidative capacity and diabetes risk.
Rethinking Custody Evaluation in Cases Involving Domestic Violence

This article was prompted by the publication of “Assessing Allegations of Domestic Violence,” by Gould, Martindale and Eidman (2007). It critically reviews the family court response to domestic violence cases, highlighting evidence that most partner abuse consists of coercive control rather than physical assault alone. After outlining what is known about the prevalence and dynamics of domestic violence in the custodial context, I summarize findings from studies of the family court response, contrast this response with public expectations and the response by other courts and institutions, and argue that the failure to provide protective remedies is systemic rather than the result of individual factors or a lack of information. Basic reforms are required in assessment, adjudication, and accountability in these cases if the family court is to retain its legitimacy as an arbiter of family matters in disputed cases.
Medicaid medical directors quality improvement studies: a case study of evolving methods for a research network.

Objective: To describe the evolution of methods and share lessons learned from conducting multi-state studies with Medicaid Medical Directors (MMD) using state administrative data. There was a great need for these studies, but also much to be learned about conducting network-based research and ensuring comparability of results. Methods: This was a network-level case study. The findings were drawn from the experience developing and executing network analyses with the MMDs, as well as from participant feedback on lessons learned. For the latter, nine interviews with MMD project leads, state data analysts, and outside researchers involved with the projects were conducted. Interviews were transcribed, coded and analyzed using NVivo 10.0 analytic software. Findings: MMD study methodology involved many steps: developing research questions, defining data specifications, organizing an aggregated data collection spreadsheet form, assuring quality through review, and analyzing and reporting state data at the national level. State analysts extracted the data from their state Medicaid administrative (claims) databases (and sometimes other datasets). Analysis at the national level aggregated state data overall, by demographics and other sub groups, and displayed descriptive statistics and cross-tabs. Conclusions: Projects in the MMD multi-state network address high-priority clinical issues in Medicaid and impact quality of care through sharing of data and policies among states. Further, these studies contribute not only to high-quality, cost-effective health care for Medicaid beneficiaries, but also add to our knowledge of network-based research. Continuation of these studies requires funding for a permanent research infrastructure nationally, as well as at the state-level to strengthen capacity.
Haptic footstep display

We present a proof-of-concept haptic device designed to provide a seated person with haptic cues to simulate the sensation of walking. By taking advantage of the cyclic nature of walking, the device uses cams to translate rotational motion from a motor to cyclic pressure variations on the bottom of the foot. The cam-follower arrangement actuates a set of plates that move up and down, pressing on the soles of the feet to generate the required pattern of forces. Cam profiles were designed using actual data of walking pressure distributions. An active virtual environment, depicting the user walking, is coupled to the system to display the rolling sensation on the bottom of the feet in tandem with footsteps taken in the virtual environment.
ESTIMATING THE STICKINESS OF INDIVIDUAL ADHESIVE CAPTURE THREADS IN SPIDER ORB WEBS

Sticky threads improve an orb web's ability to retain the insects that strike it, allowing a spider more time to subdue these insects before they can escape from the web. The adhesive capture threads found in most orb webs feature small droplets of aqueous material. Inside each droplet, glycoprotein granules coalesce to impart thread stickiness. An independent contrast analysis of threads produced by the adults of five species (Leucauge venusta, Argiope trifasciata, Micrathena gracilis, Cyclosa conica, Araneus marmoreus) and ontogenetic studies of the threads of two of these species show that the volume of material in a thread's droplets is directly related to its stickiness. Models based on these analyses predict thread stickiness to within an average of 11% of the mean measured values using measurements of droplet diameter and distribution that are easily made with a compound microscope. This approach will facilitate the inclusion of thread stickiness in studies that examine the properties and performance of spider orb-webs.
Poor bone health at the end of puberty in childhood cancer survivors.

Background Although the survival rate following childhood cancer is >80%, late effects are a major concern. We aimed to determine the clinical factors affecting bone health after puberty in childhood cancer survivors at risk for low bone mineral density (BMD). Procedures We performed dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip regions for survivors with the following bone densitometry indications (BDIXs): brain or nasopharyngeal cancer, head or neck area radiotherapy, or corticosteroid treatment (N = 92). Additionally, we evaluated 16 survivors without these BDIXs but with other clinical factors that could affect bone health. We assessed the effects of these factors on BMD using univariate and logistic regression analyses. Moderate BMD deficit was defined as a Z-score of <–1.0 and ≥–2.0, and severe BMD deficit was defined as <–2.0. Results Severe BMD deficits were found in 18 survivors (16.7%) and moderate BMD deficits were in 39 (36.1%) in at least one bone region. BMD deficits tended to increase as the number of BDIXs increased (P < 0.010). There were no severe BMD deficits in survivors without BDIXs. The duration since cancer treatment completion was correlated with higher BMD (P < 0.05). Endocrine dysfunction was a significant risk factor for decreased BMD in univariate and multivariate analyses (P < 0.05 for both). Conclusions Decreased BMD was prevalent in our study cohort. Endocrine dysfunction was found to be a significant risk factor, and it should be managed in survivors to ensure future bone health. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:1838–1843. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of Saharan Dust on the Linear Dynamics of African Easterly Waves

AbstractThe direct radiative effects of Saharan mineral dust aerosols on the linear dynamics of African easterly waves (AEWs) are examined analytically and numerically. The analytical analysis combines the thermodynamic equation with a dust continuity equation to form an expression for the dust-modified generation of eddy available potential energy . The dust-modified is a function of the transmissivity and spatial gradients of the dust, which are modulated by the Doppler-shifted frequency. The expression for predicts that for a fixed dust distribution, the wave response will be largest in regions where the dust gradients are maximized and the Doppler-shifted frequency vanishes. The numerical analysis uses the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model coupled to an online dust model to calculate the linear dynamics of AEWs. Zonally averaged basic states for wind, temperature, and dust are chosen consistent with summertime conditions over North Africa. For the fastest-growing AEW, the dust increases the...
Engaging Patients in the Prevention of Health-Care Associated Infections

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections and Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) are major health care-associated infections (HAIs). Little is known about patients' knowledge of these HAIs. Therefore, we surveyed patients to determine awareness, knowledge, and perceptions of MRSA infections and CDI. DESIGN: An interviewer-administered questionnaire. Setting: A tertiary care academic medical center. Participants: Adult patients who met at least one of the following criteria: at risk of CDI or MRSA infection, current CDI or colonization or current MRSA infection or colonization, or history of CDI or MRSA infection. Methods: Two unique surveys were developed and administered to 100 patients in 2011. Results: Overall, 76% of patients surveyed were aware of MRSA, whereas 44% were aware of C difficile. The strongest predictor of patients' awareness of these infections was having a history of HAI. Patients with a history of HAI were significantly more likely to have heard of both MRSA (odds ratio, 13.29; 95% confidence interval, 2.84-62.14; P = .001) and C difficile (odds ratio, 9.78; 95% confidence interval, 2.66-35.95; P = .001), than those patients without a history of HAI. There was also a significant positive association between having a history of HAI and greater knowledge of the risk factors, health consequences, and prevention techniques relative to CDI and MRSA infections. Conclusions: There are additional opportunities to engage patients about the risks and consequences of MRSA and CDIs, particularly those without a history of HAI.
Some Common Problems and Pitfalls in Intraoperative Monitoring of Evoked Potentials

This chapter reviews and suggests remedies for some of the common problems and pitfalls that may be encountered when sensory evoked potentials are recorded in the operating room to monitor the auditory and somatosensory system, and when electromyographic potentials are recorded intraoperatively for monitoring of cranial motor nerves.
f( alpha ) curves: Experimental results.

We study the transition to chaos at the golden and silver means for forced Rayleigh-B\'enard (RB) convection in mercury. We present f(\ensuremath{\alpha}) curves below, at, and above the transition, and provide comparisons to the curves calculated for the one-dimensional circle map. We find good agreement at both the golden and silver means. This confirms our earlier observation that for low amplitude forcing, forced RB convection is well described by the one-dimensional circle map and indicates that the f(\ensuremath{\alpha}) curve is a good measure of the approach to criticality. For selected subcritical experimental data sets we calculate the degree of subcriticality. We also present both experimental and calculated results for f(\ensuremath{\alpha}) in the presence of a third frequency. Again we obtain agreement: The presence of random noise or a third frequency narrows the right-hand (negative q) side of the f(\ensuremath{\alpha}) curve. Subcriticality results in symmetrically narrowed curves. We can also distinguish these cases by examining the power spectra and Poincar\'e sections of the time series.
Observations on the Ureter after Renal Autotransplantation

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses several observations on the ureter after renal autotransplantation in dogs. In a study described in the chapter, female dogs were divided into two groups according to the method of ureteral reanastomosis. The first group consisted of five dogs that underwent ureteroneocystostomy; the second group included five dogs that had ureteropyelostomy. In the first postoperative week, intravenous urography showed the pelvis of all the transplants to be slightly or moderately dilated. This dilatation reached a maximum by the third or fourth week and gradually receded. After ureteroneocystostomy, the lower ureter remained slightly dilated, possibly as a result of the stenosis at anastomosis or to urinary tract infection. After ureteropyelostomy, the ureter was also slightly dilated in its entire length. All dogs showed urinary tract infection as a result of Pseudomonas or Escherichia coli; three of six recovered by the fourth month. The result shows that periureteral fibrosis must be considered as a factor in all renal and ureteral transplantations.
No Ordinary Lament: Relecture and the Identity of the Distressed in Psalm 22*

One of the most significant shifts in Psalms scholarship in recent years has been the emergence of a new interest in tracing how early religious communities interpreted this religious poetry within the context of an emerging scriptural canon. Whereas the form-critical studies that dominated much of the twentieth century concentrate on recovering the original Sitz im Leben (or “life setting”) of the liturgical compositions collected in the Psalter within Israel's religious cult, the recent scholarly turn emphasizes how these prayers and praises came to be reread in light of narratives and other material found elsewhere in the Bible. In point of fact, the earliest evidence for this practice of canonical relecture is preserved within the Book of Psalms itself, where historical superscriptions correlate a number of psalms with specific events in King David's life. Through the addition of superscriptions, the moving penitential prayer found in Psalm 51 becomes “A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba” (compare 2 Samuel 11-12), the lament of an individual surrounded by threatening enemies found in Psalm 3 becomes “A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son” (compare 2 Samuel 15-18), and so forth.
Influence of Backbone Conformational Rigidity in Temperature-Sensitive Amphiphilic Supramolecular Assemblies

Molecular design features that endow amphiphilic supramolecular assemblies with a unique temperature-sensitive transition have been investigated. We find that conformational rigidity in the backbone is an important feature for eliciting this feature. We also find that intramolecular hydrogen-bonding can induce such rigidity in amphiphile backbone. Guest encapsulation stability of these assemblies was found to be significantly altered within a narrow temperature window, which correlates with the temperature-sensitive size transition of the molecular assembly. Molecular design principles demonstrated here could have broad implications in developing future temperature-responsive systems.
MESOZOIC MAMMALS AND THE POLYPHYLETIC ORIGIN OF MAMMALS

This is, in one way, a poor time to review the iViesozoic mammals and the origin of mammals. Discoveries and studies announced but not yet published fully, if at all, are extraordinarily rich and important. They include: late Cretaceous mammals from Wyoming (McKenna and associates at the University of California) ; Triassic mammals or very advanced mammal-like reptiles from England (Kermack and Mussett; preliminary notes have been published), China (Olson and Patterson) and South Africa (Crompton; the first of a series of studies has been published) ; and tritylodonts from Arizona (Lewis and Colbert). When available these prospective works will throw a flood of new light on the whole subject and will certainly greatly modify any conclusions that can now be reached. On the other hand, this pleasing prospect (complete fulfillment of which may be long delayed) makes it all the more interesting to survey what we do know now and what it may mean, to look at the base for the next advances. There are also several recent publications of major importance that merit review and that suggest reconsideration of various points, especially: Patterson (1956), Peyer (1956), Kiihne (1958), Crompton (1958), and Kermack and Mussett (1958 a, b). This review, centered on the affinities of the known forms, will consider those formis in sequence from later to earlier: Late Cretaceous. Although this situation is due to change rapidly, at present the published data on late Cretaceous mammals have not been really significantly increased in the last thirty years. The known specimens are from Mongolia (Simpson, 1928d, and references there) and North America (especially Silmlpson, 1929b; later studies by me and others so far add little of real importance). All fall into two very clear-cut groups, multituberculates and Theria with tribosphenic molars. The latter include unquestionable marsupials (e.g., Eodelphis) and placentals (e.g., Zalambdalestes). Some of the marsupials are closely similar to living opossuLms in the dentition and lower jaw. In spite of considerable diversity they represent or include very primitive forms from which any or all later marsupials could be structurally derived. The placentals are generally classed as Insectivora. They are, however, such not in the same sense as the later, specialized insectivores, but in the sense that they lack known clear-cut ordinal characters within the Theria and that "Insectivora" has been used as a convenient catch-all for such virtually nonordinal groups. Their degree of diversity and any special relationships to known later groups are yet to be established. Early Ciretaceotus. Endotlerium Shikama, 1947, was described as a placental mammal from the Jurassic of South Manchuria. Kiihne (1958) accepted Shikama's views as to age and affinities. He concluded that placentals arose in the Jurassic from pantotheres, and that marsupials arose in the early Cretaceous from placentals. Patterson (1956),' however, pointed out that Endotherium is probably
Visual Metaphors in Ads: The Inverted-U Effects of Incongruity on Processing Pleasure and Ad Effectiveness

ABSTRACTAds with visual metaphors are commonplace in advertising, but are characterized by varying degrees of incongruity. Across two experiments, this article presents the first empirical evidence that incongruity in a visual metaphor (VM) ad has an inverted-U (nonlinear) effect on attitude toward the ad. We find that a moderate level of incongruity in a VM ad produces maximal processing pleasure, which in turn yields the most positive attitude toward the ad. The findings confirm that processing pleasure mediates the effects of incongruity on ad attitude. Consequently, when creating ads, advertisers should choose advertising elements to obtain moderate levels of incongruity in the visual figures.
A Serological Study on Hepatitis B Among Rural Population in Wuhua County

Objective To understand the status of HBV infection,antibody levels and the serum epidemiological trend in Wuhua county of Guangdong province and provide the scientific basis for control and prevention measures.Methods Totally 665 subjects were sampled with item of venous blood,and were tested with ELISA method by CDC.Results Among the 665 samples,HBsAg,anti HBs and anti HBc positive rates were 18.0%,56.9% and 46.9%,respectively.The HBV prevalence rate was 63.2%.Statistical differences were found among different age groups.Among 1-14 year old children,the HBsAg positive rates were: 8.3% in hepatitis B vaccine inoculated children;17.6% in children with unclear history of inoculation;21.1% in children with no inoculation.The HBsAg positive rate in vaccinated populations was significantly lower than both unvaccinated population and population with unknown inoculation history.Conclusion Hepatitis B infection rate is still at a comparatively high level in rural areas of Wuhua county,and pertinent inoculation work should be strengthened.
Calcitonin gene-related peptide inhibits gallbladder contractility

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a 37-amino acid peptide, is widely distributed in the gastrointestinal tract where it is colocalized with substance P. The effect of CGRP on gallbladder motility is unknown. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of CGRP on cholecystokinin-octapeptide (CCK-8) and substance P-stimulated gallbladder contraction in vivo and in vitro. In in vivo studies intragallbladder pressure was measured in response to bolus administration of CCK-8 (10(-15) to 10(-9) mol/kg) or substance P (10(-12) to 10(-7) mol/kg), either alone or with a continuous infusion of CGRP (10(-9) mol/kg/hr), in anesthetized guinea pigs. In in vitro studies the contractile force of guinea pig gallbladder muscle strips was examined in response to CCK-8 (10(-12) to 10(-7) mol/L) and substance P (10(-9) to 10(-6) mol/L), alone or with CGRP (10(-10) to 10(-6) mol/L). CGRP (10(-9) mol/kg/hr) inhibited in vivo gallbladder contraction that was stimulated by CCK-8, but not by substance P. CGRP alone produced a significant (p less than 0.05) dose-related decrease in the resting tension of gallbladder strips in vitro. CGRP (10(-6) mol/L) inhibited gallbladder muscle tension in vitro, stimulated by both CCK-8 and substance P. These studies show that CGRP can affect gallbladder motor activity by decreasing smooth muscle tone and that CGRP can antagonize the action of CCK and substance P. CGRP may be involved in the physiologic control of gallbladder emptying and refilling.
The incidence of herpes zoster in cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), dermatomyositis (DM), pemphigus vulgaris (PV), and bullous pemphigoid (BP).

Background Herpes zoster is a common condition that causes significant morbidity. Objective This study determined the incidence of zoster in patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), dermatomyositis (DM), pemphigus vulgaris (PV), and bullous pemphigoid (BP). Methods In this retrospective cohort study the electronic medical records of 186 patients with CLE, 103 with DM, 83 with PV, 44 with BP, and 152 healthy control patients were reviewed to confirm positive diagnoses of zoster. Results The incidence of zoster per 1000 person-years was 29.4 in CLE, 55.4 in DM, 18.6 in PV, 10.2 in BP, and 3.9 in healthy control subjects. The mean age (SD) in years was 46.1 (14.9) for CLE, 52.2 (14.5) for DM, 51.8 (13.5) for PV, 71.44 (11.8) for BP, and 48.2 (18.2) for healthy control subjects. The incidence of zoster was significantly higher in the CLE ( P = .0177) and DM ( P = .0070) groups than the healthy control subjects, all of whom were of a similar mean age. Limitations The limitations of this study are the sample size, referral bias, and retrospective nature. Conclusion The incidence of zoster in patients with CLE and, particularly, DM was significantly higher than that of the healthy control subjects.
The Financial Literacy Imperative

This chapter addresses what I call “The Financial Literacy Imperative.” It discusses the financial literacy of college students, their financial situations including student loan debt, credit card debt, and other student financial activities in college. It discusses also the uniqueness and role of state colleges and universities in their communities, the diversity of their students, and why attention must be given to the financial education needs of their students. The chapter discusses broadly the responses of colleges and universities to address the seeming gap in students’ personal financial knowledge. This chapter also provides a literature review on the topic of personal financial education and explains the study methodology for this book.
Collateral and Small Firm Labor

Since small firms are dependent on collateral to access financing, balance sheet shocks can impact employment when revenues are insufficient. Using UK firm level data on real estate holdings and cross-sectional differences in house price growth we find that the average small business extracts $0.20 out of every dollar increase in their real estate value. Due to collateral requirements for even short-term loans, small firms increase not only investment ($0.08) but also employment ($0.03). The decline of the housing sector explains 10% of 2007-2009 unemployment.
in vitro functional studies of conjunctival lymphocytes after ocular Chlamydia trachomatis infection

During ocular chlamydial infection, the conjunctiva becomes inflamed and follicles develop. Using a cynomolgus monkey model of trachoma, we have performed in vitro functional studies demonstrating the chlamydia- specificity of the conjunctival infiltrate. By limiting dilution analysis, we have shown that the frequency of chlamydia-specific cells in conjunctiva is 30–100 times higher than observed in peripheral blood.
A Murine Xenograft Model for Human T Cell Mediated Graft Versus Host Disease.

Murine xenograft models of human T cell (HuT) mediated graft-versus-host-disease (GvHD) are of potential value but limited by poor engraftment and low and variable incidence of clinical GvHD even after injection of >10 8 HuT cells. The NOD SCID β2M null mice (β2 mice) lack macrophage activity, T, B and NK cells and represent an improved target for HuT cell expansion and activation compared to other immunodeficient mouse models. To induce GvHD, sublethally irradiated β2 mice were injected intravenously via the tail vein (iv) or retroorbitally (ro) with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (huPBMC) or purified HuT (98% purity). β2 mice conditioned with 250cGy and injected iv with huPBMC (10 7 T cells;n=4) or HuT (0.5–2x10 7 T cells;n=28) failed to engraft and did not develop GvHD. In contrast, β2 mice conditioned with 250cGy and injected ro with huPBMC (10 7 T cells;n=11) or HuT cells (10 7 ;n=14) exhibited 19% HuT engraftment 2–3 weeks post-infusion and developed weight loss (>20%) consistent with lethal GvHD, with an overall survival of 82% and 21%, respectively, at 5 weeks (p=0.006). Addition of IL-2 (3x10 5 IU IP/TIW) had no effect on T cell expansion or GvHD. FACS analysis demonstrated HuT infiltration in the spleen (46%), liver (60%), lung (49%), kidney (40%), and bone marrow (11%). Histological analysis showed an extensive and diffuse accumulation of immature lymphocytes in the spleen, thymus and lymph nodes, and a perivascular infiltration in the lung, liver, kidney but not in the skin or gut. The immunohistochemestry confirmed that these cells were HuT (human CD45+ and CD3+). Furthermore, we observed a 10–15 fold increase in the expression of T cell activation markers CD25, CD30, and CD69 in both the peripheral blood and tissues, compared with naive T cells or T cells from mice that did not develop GvHD. We also evaluated the levels of various human cytokines in the serum of the β2 mice using a cytometric bead array multiplex assay. On day 10 after the injection of HuT and before the start of any clinical sign of GvHD, mice that went on to develop lethal GvHD had 90 times higher levels of IFNγ in serum (>5000pg/ml) compared to mice that did not develop GVHD ( rd week (1550 versus 22/ul p 6 HuT with clod developed lethal GvHD (3/3) on day 15.7+1.5, with 10 7 HuT (3/3) on day 10.3+5.4 and mice injected with 10 7 HuT without clod on day 13.4+5.4 (8/12)(p 2.5. Conclusion: NOD-SCID-β2M null xenotransplant model is uniquely permissive for human T cell expansion after sublethal radiation and may be used as a preclinical platform to study the impact of ex-vivo manipulation and genetic modification of human T cell as GvHD.
Nuevos Enfoques en la Evaluación de los Aprendizajes

Este articulo estara centrado en la demanda que los nuevos enfoques curriculares hacen a la evaluacion de los aprendizajes. Es asi, como en primer lugar, se abordara la importancia que tiene en las nuevas propuestas curriculares la orientacion constructivista precisando e individualizando las ideas fuerza que rigen este nuevo paradigma. A continuacion, se presentara la relacion entre los metodos tradicionales de evaluacion y las nuevas perspectivas a traves de la construccion de un puente que permita su comparacion y contrastacion, utilizando como criterios los efectos deseados de la evaluacion, los objetivos, el foco caracteristico, el foco temporal, la forma de cognicion, las relaciones asumidas entre cogniciones, el nivel de analisis, el enfasis evaluativo, los tipos de instrumentos, la puntuacion y los criterios de adecuacion. Del mismo modo, se hara una somera revision de los conceptos de validez y confiabilidad de los instrumentos en el contexto constructivista, para finalmente proponer instrumentos de evaluacion adecuados y pertinentes considerando el rol directivo del docente en relacion al enfasis focal del continium entre proceso de construccion del conocimiento y la estructura del mismo.
Give the People What They Want

The literature on constitutionalism outside the courts has expanded and diversified rapidly over the past several years. It has produced normative calls for taking the Constitution away from the courts,1 descriptive studies of how the Constitution is interpreted outside of courts,2 and in many instances work that combines the normative and descriptive, as with Larry Kramer’s The People Themselves.3 It includes constitutional politics “in the streets,”4 at the voting booths,5 and among institutions.6 Kramer’s vision of “popular constitutionalism” offers one valuable perspective on how constitutional meaning is contested and remade in and through politics. Kramer’s book is a particularly rich addition to this literature. In addition to making a provocative challenge to “judicial supremacy” in the form of “popular constitutionalism,” it elegantly tells the story of the foundation and growth of judicial review in the early republic. The normative argument that motivates and concludes the book has perhaps overshadowed the historical account that takes up the bulk of its pages,7 but his tale of the transition from the customary constitutionalism of the British tradition to the text-based constitutionalism of the American tradition can readily stand on its own and is itself an important contribution to the study of American constitutionalism. The historical narrative is primarily concerned with the period from the Revolution through the early Jacksonians. In this narrative, the Federalist flirtation with judicial supremacy was routed by the Jeffersonians in
Monoclonal antibodies as therapeutic tools in vivo.

Antibodies, obtained from human or animal sera have played a small role in therapy for many years. They are used to neutralise venoms, some bacterial toxins and viral antigens. More recently antilymphocyte globulin has been used as an adjunct to the treatment of allograft rejection. Attempts to use antibodies more widely in vivo have been limited by lack of specificity, by inhomogeneity and variability of preparations and by adverse side-effects, especially associated with the early widespread use of horse serum as a source of antibodies.
How Does Traditional Masculinity Relate to Men and Women’s Problematic Pornography Viewing?

Problematic pornography viewing (PPV) is a growing concern. Based on a masculine gender role strain framework, individuals endorsing traditional masculinity ideology (TMI) may be especially drawn to pornography. However, relatively few studies have explored how TMI is related to PPV. Furthermore, no known studies have explored how these connections differ in men and women. To address these gaps, we conducted a large survey of 310 men and 469 women in the United States assessing multiple PPV and TMI dimensions. A bifactor structural equation model was used to regress PPV domains onto global and specific TMI factors. Invariance testing further examined the moderating effects of participants’ gender in the model. Results indicated that global TMI was unrelated to men’s PPV. However, men’s dominance ideologies predicted greater functional problems and excessive pornography use. Men’s restrictive emotionality and heterosexist ideologies predicted control difficulties with pornography use and using pornography to escape negative emotions. Additionally, men’s avoidance of femininity ideology predicted excessive pornography use and control difficulties. For women, only global TMI was associated with functional problems. Invariance testing suggested the observed gender differences were not due to underlying discrepancies in the measurement of TMI or PPV. Clinical interventions for PPV that incorporate gender role themes are recommended.
Microwave Frequency Generation Using a Non-Octave-Spanning Optical Frequency Comb

Self-frequency stabilization of the repetition rate of an optical frequency comb using a short-path-length interferometer can be used to generate ultra-low phase noise microwaves. Moreover, this technique is compatible is photonic integration, indicating a pathway towards a chip-scale low-phase-noise microwave frequency source. Separately, difference-frequency stabilization allows ultra-low phase noise microwave generation without carrier-envelope phase locking. In this work, we evaluate the challenges in implementing a difference-frequency stabilization scheme with a short-path-length-interferometer. We find that the combination of a short-path-length and lower frequency multiplication factor will exacerbate electronic noise contributions, influence the ability of the feedback loop to achieve lock. We also find that dispersion management is essential to generating usable error signals for single-mode fiber delay lines that are longer than approximately 4 m.
Use of Noninvasive Ventilation and Predictors of NIV Failure in Subjects With Sepsis and Acute Respiratory Failure

Background: A dearth of research exists examining NIV use in a general population of sepsis patients (pts) with acute respiratory failure (ARF). NIV studies in ARF have included heterogeneous samples with some sepsis subjects but this group has not been the main focus. This study sought to review the clinical course and failure rates of pts with a diagnosis of sepsis and ARF placed on NIV. Methods: A retrospective analysis (IRB 2018-142) was conducted on all pts with a diagnosis of sepsis placed on NIV from July 2017-Mar 2018 using information from the EMR and other data repositories. Demographic and clinical outcome data were collected and analyzed using the chi-square test for categorical information, and Student t or Wilcoxon rank-sum tests for quantitative data, depending on normality results using Shapiro-Wilk. Uni- and multivariate logistic regression were conducted to determine predictive factors for NIV failure. Results: 165 pts were reviewed with 52 excluded (OSA, extubated to NIV, palliative), leaving 113 ARF subjects with 59 in the NIV Fail group (NIVF; required intubation) and 54 in NIV Success (NIVS; no intubation). There were no statistically significant differences between groups for age (P=. 22), sex (P=.90), Charleson CI (P=. 26), immunosuppression (P=.94), sepsis source (pulmonary, extrapulmonary, mixed; P=. 20), PaCO2 (P=. 75) HCO3 (P=.65) or pH (P=. 18) within the 1st 2 h post NIV, lactate or HR prior to NIV (P=. 11 and P=.66, respectively), or acute on chronic RF (P=. 49). However, the NIVF group had a significantly lower median P/F ratio within the 1st 2 h post NIV (186.7 [106.7-210.6] v 227.5 [168.2-347.1]; P=.02) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) at NIV start (78 [68-93] v 92 [83-108] mm Hg; P Conclusions: MAP, AMS and WOB provided fair to good models, respectively for predicting NIV failure in subjects with sepsis and ARF. There were high NIV failure rates in these subjects.
THERAPEUTIC PLASMA EXCHANGE AS A BRIDGE TO TOTAL THYROIDECTOMY IN PATIENTS WITH SEVERE THYROTOXICOSIS

ABSTRACT Objective: Graves disease is the most common cause of thyrotoxicosis. Medical management is the first-line treatment but may be contraindicated or ineffective. In patients with severe, ref...