cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ophthalmic Screening Patterns Among Youths With Diabetes Enrolled in a Large US Managed Care Network.

Importance Ophthalmic screening to check for diabetic retinopathy (DR) is important to prevent vision loss in persons with diabetes. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that ophthalmic screening for DR occur beginning at 5 years after initial diabetes diagnosis for youths with type 1 diabetes; the American Diabetes Association recommends screening of youths with type 2 diabetes at the time of initial diagnosis. To our knowledge, it is unknown to what extent youths with diabetes obtain eye examinations in accordance with these guidelines. Objective To assess the rate of obtaining ophthalmic examinations and factors associated with receipt of eye examinations for youths with diabetes. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective, longitudinal cohort study examined youths 21 years or younger with newly diagnosed diabetes enrolled in a US managed care network from January 1, 2001, through December 31, 2014. Main Outcomes and Measures Kaplan-Meier survival curves estimated the time from initial diabetes diagnosis to first eye examination by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models identified factors associated with receiving an ophthalmic examination after initial diabetes diagnosis. Results Among 5453 youths with type 1 diabetes (median age at initial diagnosis, 11 years; interquartile range, 8-15 years; 2972 male [54.5%]; 4505 white [82.6%]) and 7233 youths with type 2 diabetes (median age at initial diagnosis, 19 years; interquartile range, 16-22 years; 1196 male [16.5%]; 5052 white [69.9%]), 64.9% of patients with type 1 diabetes and 42.2% of patients with type 2 diabetes had undergone an eye examination by 6 years after initial diabetes diagnosis. Black youths (1367 [10.8%] of the sample) had an 11% and Latino youths (1450 [11.4%] of the sample) had an 18% decreased hazard of undergoing an eye examination by 6 years compared with white youths (black youths: adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.89; 95% CI, 0.79-0.99; Latino youths: HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.73-0.92). As household net worth increased, youths were increasingly more likely to undergo an eye examination by 6 years after initial diabetes diagnosis (net worth of ≥$500 000 vs Conclusions and Relevance Despite possessing health insurance, many youths with diabetes are not receiving eye examinations by 6 years after initial diagnosis to monitor for DR. These data suggest that adherence to clinical practice guidelines is particularly challenging for racial minorities and youths from less affluent families.
The spaces in between

I was going to walk into the room of a patient I had never met to tell him his cancer had progressed. He was young and had children in college. He was still getting radiation and had completed a course of chemotherapy. Today, he was admitted by his radiation oncologist because his abdominal pain was
Development Policy and Globalization

Ethiopia’s development strategy gives center stage to private capital as the engine of transformation of the manufacturing sector. 1 Thus, the state is actively engaged in removing any obstacles to accommodate the needs of both private capital and direct foreign investment. This policy emanates from a fundamental understanding that contemporary global economies are interdependent and highly competitive at the same time. In a globalized economy, the only option for Ethiopia to get out of its current situation is to transform itself industrially, providing value-added manufactured goods to domestic and international markets and becoming competitive.
Placement, inclusion, law and teachers’ perceptions in Macao’s schools

In Macao, the government has initiated a debate regarding revisions in the Decree Law in order to promote a more inclusive schooling system. In this Special Administrative Region of China, inclusiv...
Information-based guidance of cooperative mobile agents in hazardous environments: In-domain and boundary patrolling

This work considers the effects of hazardous environments on the guidance of mobile sensors that are tasked with obtaining information on a spatiotemporally varying process. The assumption made is that the continued exposure of a sensor in an environment limits its life expectancy. A guidance that is information-sensitive will reposition a mobile sensor to spatial regions of more useful process information, thereby enhancing the convergence of the process state estimator, while at the same time increasing the accumulated exposure to the environment. This would subsequently minimize the life expectancy of the sensor. On the other hand, an information-averse guidance policy will reposition the mobile sensor to spatial regions of less important process information, thereby attenuating the process state estimator performance and, at the same time, prolonging the life expectancy of the sensor. A combination of the above two guidance policies provides a compromise between enhanced estimator convergence and increased life expectancy of the sensor, or more succinctly a trade-off between exploratory/exploitative learning and dynamic safety/reliability. This is undertaken in this work which additionally examines multiple mobile sensors, constrained either on the boundary, or the interior of a spatial domain, and modifies the guidance policies to include collaboration amongst the mobile sensors. A representative example of a 2D PDE is included to highlight the effects of accumulated exposure of hazardous environments on the life expectancy and performance of mobile sensors.
Diagnostic Discordance, Health Information Exchange, and Inter-Hospital Transfer Outcomes: a Population Study.

Studying diagnostic error at the population level requires an understanding of how diagnoses change over time. To use inter-hospital transfers to examine the frequency and impact of changes in diagnosis on patient risk, and whether health information exchange can improve patient safety by enhancing diagnostic accuracy. Diagnosis coding before and after hospital transfer was merged with responses from the American Hospital Association Annual Survey for a cohort of patients transferred between hospitals to identify predictors of mortality. Patients (180,337) 18 years or older transferred between 473 acute care hospitals from NY, FL, IA, UT, and VT from 2011 to 2013. We identified discordant Elixhauser comorbidities before and after transfer to determine the frequency and developed a weighted score of diagnostic discordance to predict mortality. This was included in a multivariate model with inpatient mortality as the dependent variable. We investigated whether health information exchange (HIE) functionality adoption as reported by hospitals improved diagnostic discordance and inpatient mortality. Discordance in diagnoses occurred in 85.5% of all patients. Seventy-three percent of patients gained a new diagnosis following transfer while 47% of patients lost a diagnosis. Diagnostic discordance was associated with increased adjusted inpatient mortality (OR 1.11 95% CI 1.10–1.11, p < 0.001) and allowed for improved mortality prediction. Bilateral hospital HIE participation was associated with reduced diagnostic discordance index (3.69 vs. 1.87%, p < 0.001) and decreased inpatient mortality (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.89–0.99, p < 0.001). Diagnostic discordance commonly occurred during inter-hospital transfers and was associated with increased inpatient mortality. Health information exchange adoption was associated with decreased discordance and improved patient outcomes.
Language: Learning Impairments

This article summarizes what is known about language-learning impairments in a group of children who have language disorders in the absence of any obvious etiology, such as brain injury, hearing impairments, intellectual limitations, or psychosocial impairments. Prevalence of this disorder (referred to as specific language impairment (SLI) in the research literature) is approximately 7% of school-aged children, with a female-to-male ratio of 1:1.1. Both genetic and environmental factors are important etiological variables in SLI. Structural neuroimaging, functional magnetic resonance imaging, single-photon emission computed tomography, and event-related potential studies suggest atypical brain organization and patterns of asymmetry of language cortex and cortical dysplasia in these children and their family members. Auditory event-related potentials also indicate slower processing at higher cognitive levels and abnormalities in later states of auditory processing in SLI. Research to date has focused on determining whether SLI is a primary deficit in an independent grammar module or secondary to impairments in general-purpose cognitive mechanisms. Evidence suggests that general learning mechanisms involved in implicit learning are impaired in children with SLI.
Identifying Addressable Factors That Impact Heart Failure Readmissions: Cognitive Impairment, Anemia And Chronic Kidney Disease

Introduction Heart Failure (HF) is a leading cause of hospitalization, 30 day readmissions and a health care burden. Preventing readmissions is priority. Although immediate management and counseling of patients occurs routinely, several comorbid factors may not receive recognition or be adequately addressed. Hypothesis Non-adherence to diet and medications is well recognized as contributory to readmissions for HF. Many other factors may impact HF readmissions, warranting consideration. As a QI project, we studied the prevalence of the following 4 factors in patients with HF, that were addressable during or after hospitalization. Cognitive impairment: adversely influences adherence to diet, medications, follow-up; Anemia: adversely affects cardiac function and may be treatable; Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): warrants revisions of medication regimens, especially diuretics, ACE inhibitors, etc; Advance directives: presence or absence alters management approaches Methods In August 2017, a team of 9 Internal Medicine Residents were provided individual hands-on sessions in evaluating and counseling HF patients in 2 medicine units. As a QI project, data was gathered on age, gender, comorbidity and basic lab including hemoglobin, serum creatinine. If anemic, a search for etiology was prompted. Residents were taught to evaluate for cognition using the Mini-Cog (3 item recall + clock drawing). In the cognitively impaired, education was offered to the caregiver, if available. CKD was identified. Patients were asked about advance directives with opportunity to implement if interested. Results The trained resident team evaluated 44 patients with HF (Sept - Dec 2017) and addressed the 4 factors stated above. See table. Conclusions Although age is non-modifiable, several addressable factors that impact outcomes, including readmissions, are prevalent in patients with HF. The findings call for targeted approaches: o counsel the caregiver if patient is cognitively impaired; o evaluate etiology of anemia; attempt correction if appropriate; o revise medication regimens in those with CKD; o and address advance directives.
Changes in Timing of Swallow Events in Parkinson's Disease.

Objectives:The prevalence of Parkinson’s disease (PD) increases as the population ages. Dysphagia and subsequent aspiration pneumonia are common causes of morbidity and mortality in those with PD. ...
The Influence of Vertical Advection Discretization in the WRF-ARW Model on Capping Inversion Representation in Warm-Season, Thunderstorm-Supporting Environments

AbstractPrevious studies have suggested that the Advanced Research version of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF-ARW) Model is unable, in its default configuration, to adequately resolve the...
The Remunicipalization of Water Services in the United States

iStock/artzenterTen years ago, the city of Atlanta, Georgia, officially terminated its contract with United Water, ending an almost 20-year-long experiment of privatization of the city's potable wa...
A Survey of Chemoprophylaxis Techniques in Spine Surgery Among American Neurosurgery Training Programs

Background A paucity of randomized trials have compared prophylactic dose of unfractionated heparin (UFH) versus low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) for the prevention of venous thromboembolic events in spinal surgery. Our objective was to determine the most prevalent chemoprophylactic techniques in spine surgery. Methods The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education was queried for all neurosurgical residency programs, which were subsequently sent an electronic survey about prophylactic UFH versus LMWH in spine surgery for (1) degenerative/deformity, (2) traumatic, and (3) neoplastic pathologies. Results Of 69 unique responding residencies, the first dose of chemoprophylaxis for degenerative/deformity spinal disease started most commonly on postoperative day (POD) 1 in 75.3% of neurosurgery programs, followed by POD 2 in 10.1% of programs, POD 0 (same day of surgery) in 8.7% of programs, POD 3 in 1.4% of programs, and morning of surgery in 1.4% of programs. Choice of postoperative chemoprophylaxis did not differ statistically significantly between UFH versus LMWH: 56.5% versus 36.2% in degenerative/deformity pathologies (P = 0.080) and 50.7% versus 43.4% in traumatic pathologies (P = 0.535). Three programs (4.3%) in both the degenerative/deformity and trauma groups documented no chemoprophylaxis. Neoplastic pathologies saw a statistically significantly higher proportion of prophylactic UFH (60.8%) compared with prophylactic LMWH (36.2%) (P = 0.037). One program (1.4%) in the neoplastic group did not utilize chemoprophylaxis. Two institutions (2.8%) in the degenerative/deformity cohort and 1 institution (1.4%) in the trauma and cancer cohorts reported “other”. Conclusions Prophylactic UFH was statistically more common than LMWH in neoplastic spinal surgery, but not in the degenerative/deformity and trauma groups (cohorts). Further trials are warranted.
Protective behavioral strategies and alcohol-related outcomes: The moderating effects of drinking refusal self-efficacy and sex.

Abstract The investigation of drinking refusal self-efficacy and alcohol protective behavioral strategies (PBSA) has revealed inconsistent results. Sex may be one factor that plays a role in these results given the demonstrable differences between the alcohol use behaviors of men and women. The current study examined the moderating effects of drinking refusal self-efficacy and sex on the relationships that PBSA subtypes have with alcohol outcomes for traditional age undergraduate students (18–25 years of age; 81% women; 60% White). Results showed negative associations between manner of drinking PBSA and alcohol consumption for individuals with high levels of drinking refusal self-efficacy but not low levels of drinking refusal self-efficacy. However, manner of drinking PBSA was positively associated with alcohol-related negative consequences for men but not for women. Results also showed negative associations between stopping and limiting drinking PBSA and alcohol related negative consequences for individuals with high levels of drinking refusal self-efficacy but not low levels of drinking refusal self-efficacy. It appears that addressing drinking refusal self-efficacy within the context of PBSA is valuable for traditional college students.
Expression of Tachykinin Peptides in the Mammalian Retina

The tachykinins (TKs) are a family of biologically active peptides which are distributed within the vertebrate nervous system, including the retina (Brecha, 1983; Maggio, 1988). These peptides are structurally related and share a common amidated COOH-terminal sequence, Phe-X-Gly-Leu-Met-NH2, where X is an aromatic or branched aliphatic amino acid (Erspamer, 1981). Although they exhibit similar biological activities in the central and peripheral nervous systems as well as in peripheral tissues, they can be differentiated on the basis of their pharmacological profiles in certain bioassay systems (Henry, 1987). Differences in the NH2-terminal sequence of these peptides confer differential receptor specificities and at least three receptor classes have been proposed (Henry, 1987; Regoli et al., 1987). The distribution of TK receptor binding sites is consistent with this general classification (Mantyh et al., 1988).
A Sensor Fault Isolation Scheme for Co-existence of PMSM Current Sensor and Non-sensor Imbalance Faults

This work proposes a sensor fault isolation scheme for co-existence of permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) current sensor and non-sensor imbalance faults. The proposed method examines DC link battery current residuals to determine the location of machine current sensor and non-sensor imbalance faults. Power conservation evaluation, phase current signals estimation and sensor information recovery are performed in the proposed method to derive DC link battery current residuals which reflect different features of various fault scenarios for fault isolation. The proposed scheme is capable of isolating complicated fault scenario of a machine current sensor fault and a non-sensor imbalance fault co-existence, which is a challenging issue in PMSM and is not well addressed in existing literature. The effectiveness of the proposed scheme is confirmed by simulation results in MATLAB for a PMSM under both phase current sensor fault and non-sensor phase imbalance fault.
The Data from Market Design Solutions for School Choice

Centralized school admissions systems produce data with quasi-experimental variation in student assignment at unprecedent levels. This note emphasizes consequences of such data on evidence-based policy design, and how it can lead to data driven market design and econometric market design for public school choice. In summary, data generated by centralized admissions systems can be used for (i) demand analysis, (ii) market assessment and data driven redesign (iii) enrolment and school portfolio planning, (iv) program evaluation, and (v) econometric market design for school choice.
Emotion Recognition by Point Process Characterization of Heartbeat Dynamics

Recognizing human emotion from heartbeat information alone is a challenging but ongoing research area. Here, we utilize a point process model to characterize heartbeat dynamics and use it to extract instantaneous heart rate variability (HRV) features. These features are then fed into a convolutional neural network (CNN) to characterize different emotional states from small windows. On average, we achieved over 60% classification accuracy and as high as 77% in some subjects. This is comparable to other studies that use a combination of physiological signals as opposed to only HRV measures as done here. Informative features were identified for the different affective states. These findings enable the possibility of augmenting electrocardiogram or photoplethysmogram monitoring wearable devices with automated human emotion recognition capabilities for mental health applications. They also allow for the use of instantaneous estimation of HRV features to be used in combination with models that use other types of physiological signals for instantaneous emotion recognition.
A Power Control Game with Uncertainty On the Type of the Jammer

We consider a single carrier communication system subjected to jamming, and study optimal power control in the framework of game theory. The user’s transmission utility is the signal-to-interference plus noise ratio (SINR), and the user does not know with certainty whether the jammer is smart (i.e., it follows the best response strategy according to a Stackelberg game) or regular (i.e., it maximizes its payoff independent of the user, according to a Nash game). We formulate the problem as a Bayesian game, where the user knows only the probability of each jammer type (smart or regular), and find the equilibrium strategies in closed form. We show that the more probable a smart-type jammer is, the higher the payoffs of both players are. Considering the probability of each jammer type as a control parameter, and based on proportional fairness criteria, we find the optimal trade-off between smart-jamming and regular-jamming attacks.
Global food self-sufficiency in the 21st century under sustainable intensification of agriculture

Meeting the increasing global demand for agricultural products without depleting the limited resources of the planet is a major challenge that humanity is facing. Most studies on global food security do not make projections past the year 2050, just as climate change and increasing demand for food are expected to intensify. Moreover, past studies do not account for the water sustainability limits of irrigation expansion to presently rainfed areas. Here we perform an integrated assessment that considers a range of factors affecting future food production and demand throughout the 21st century. We evaluate the self-sufficiency of 165 countries under sustainability, middle-of-the-road, and business-as-usual scenarios considering changes in diet, population, agricultural intensification, and climate. We find that under both the middle-of-the-road and business-as-usual trajectories global food self-sufficiency is likely to decline despite increased food production through sustainable agricultural intensification since projected food demand exceeds potential production. Contrarily, under a sustainability scenario, we estimate that there will be enough food production to feed the global population. However, most countries in Africa and the Middle East will continue to be heavily reliant on imports throughout the 21st century under all scenarios. These results highlight future hotspots of crop production deficits, reliance on food imports, and vulnerability to food supply shocks.
A systematic evaluation of youtube as an information source for male infertility.

This study evaluates YouTube videos (YTVs) focused on male infertility to assess information quality and identify high-quality content that can reliably facilitate care. Top 50 YTVs based on relevance were identified using the keyword “male infertility.” A checklist, adapted from American Urological Association guidelines addressing male infertility, was developed to assess YTV content. Two investigators extracted YTV features (including duration, likes, views, upload date), classified creators and ranked YTVs based on checklist scores. YTVs were then assigned grades A–D based on checklist scores. Kruskal–Wallis test and ANOVA were employed to draw associations between grades, content creator, and YTV features. Higher grades were associated with shorter video duration (p = 0.0305). Most YTVs (23/42) were created by healthcare-related organizations. Of the 42 YTVs included in the final analysis, 31% (13/42) explicitly defined infertility as an inability to conceive after 12 months of unprotected intercourse. Ninety percent (38/42) discussed male infertility evaluation methods, while 71% (30/42) discussed various interventions. Various content creators have adopted YouTube to discuss male infertility, and healthcare practitioners should be aware of YouTube’s potential influence on patient understanding of male infertility. Knowledge gaps identified in YTVs can help improve patient counseling and enable practitioners to direct patients to reliable content.
Gender and ethnic diversity in academic general surgery department leadership

Abstract Background Diversity in surgery has been shown to improve mentorship and patient care. Diversity has improved among general surgery (GS) trainees but is not the case for departmental leadership. We analyzed the race and gender distributions across leadership positions at academic GS programs. Methods Academic GS programs (n = 118) listed by the Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database Access system were included. Leadership positions were ascertained from department websites. Gender and race were determined through publicly provided data. Results Ninety-two (79.3%) department chairs were white and 99 (85.3%) were men. Additionally, 88 (74.6%) program directors and 34 (77.3%) vice-chairs of education were men. A higher proportion of associate program directors were women (38.5%). Of 787 division-chiefs, 73.4% were white. Only trauma had >10% representation from minority surgeons. Women represented >10% of division chiefs in colorectal, thoracic, pediatric, and plastic/burn surgery. Conclusion Diversity among GS trainees is not yet reflected in departmental leadership. Effort is needed to improve disparities in representation across leadership roles.
Technical compatibility and the mode of foreign entry with network externalities

. We examine the preferences of a foreign firm and a local government over two modes of foreign direct investment: de novo entry and acquisition of the domestic incumbent. Two crucial features of the model are network externalities and partial incompatibility between the domestic and the foreign technology. The relative welfare impact of the two entry modes depends on the degree of market competition and the strength of the network externality. The clash between the foreign firm's choice and the local government's ranking of the two entry modes can motivate limits on the degree of foreign ownership of the local firm. Ce texte examine les preferences d'une firme etrangere et d'un gouvernement du pays hote quant a deux modes d'investissement direct de l'etranger: entree de novo de la firme etrangere versus acquisition d'une firme domestique en place. Deux facteurs pris en compte sont la presence d'externalites de reseau et d'incompatibilite partielle entre la technologie locale et celle introduite par la firme etrangere. L'impact relatif des modes d'entree sur le mieux-etre local depend du degre de concurrence sur le marche et de l'importance des externalites de reseau. Le conflit entre les preferences de l'entreprise etrangere et les preferences du gouvernement local peuvent etre a la source de politiques qui limitent le degre de proprieteetrangere permis.
Are water precautions necessary after tympanostomy tube placement? A cadaver study.

Abstract Objectives To determine whether Armstrong pressure equalization tubes allow passage of water into the middle ear with complete submersion in water up to 76 cm for 2 min. Methods 10 adult cadaver heads were first assessed for the presence of fluid in both middle ears with zero-degree rigid endoscopes, after being submerged for 2 min in a plastic receptacle filled with 76 cm of water. A 25% perforation was then made in the tympanic membrane of one ear. A myringotomy was then made in the tympanic membrane of the contralateral ear, with the placement of a beveled Armstrong pressure equalization tube. The head was then submerged again for 2 min. Both ears were then examined for the presence of fluid in the middle ear using a rigid endoscope and with suction. Results Eight out of ten (80%) of the heads showed the presence of fluid in the middle ear on the perforation side after submersion, whereas none of the heads showed fluid in the middle ear on the side with the pressure equalization tube. Conclusions At depths of 76 cm, total submersion in water for 2 min does not facilitate the passage of water into the middle ear via an Armstrong pressure equalization tube.
Effects of lipopolysaccharide on beta-catenin, aromatase, and estrogen production in bovine granulosa cells in vivo and in vitro.

Abstract Diseases resulting from Gram-negative bacterial infection can induce an immune response by releasing a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxin that may lead to impaired fertility in cows. To evaluate the effects of LPS on follicular dynamics in a subacute inflammatory disease state, 14 Angus heifers (BW = 413 kg±14) were blocked by weight and assigned to vehicle (n = 7) or LPS treated (n = 7) groups. Heifers received subcutaneous injections of saline (CON) or 2.0 μg/kg LPS on d 2, 5, and 8 of a select synch plus controlled internal drug release device (CIDR) follicular wave synchronization protocol. Fifty hours following CIDR withdrawal, ovaries were harvested, and follicular fluid was collected for hormone and LPS analysis. Daily blood samples were collected from d 0 to d 7. Beginning on d 8 blood samples were collected at 0, 16, 24, 32, 40, and 50 h following LPS challenge. Rectal temperatures were recorded prior to treatment and at regular intervals after each LPS challenge. Heifers treated with LPS exhibited mild (+0.5 °C) hyperthermia (P 0.10) was detected in abundance of total beta-catenin protein or beta-catenin phosphorylated isoforms at serine 552 or 675. Based on results from this in vivo experiment, these investigators concluded that low doses of LPS can alter E2 concentrations and this effect may be modulated in part through beta-catenin regulation of aromatase transcription.
Tax accounting research on corporate investment: A discussion of the impact of IP box regimes on the M&A market by Bradley, Ruf, and Robinson (2021)

Abstract In The Impact of IP Box Regimes on the M&A Market, Bradley, Robinson, and Ruf (2021) study whether and to what extent tax incentives for intellectual property affect corporate M&A investment activity. The paper finds that a 1.0 percentage point tax benefit leads to a 1.2% increase in M&A activity in a country after the implementation of an Intellectual Property (IP) Box tax regime. Results vary based on country-specific IP Box requirements, as well as firm-specific characteristics such as patent ownership and acquirer nationality. My discussion offers more cautious interpretations of the empirical results related to statutory country-specific requirements of these regimes and raises concerns about the type and timing of firm responses. More generally, I outline how this paper and other work by tax researchers in Accounting contributes to the broader literature studying the relation between corporate tax policies and investment activity.
Rural-urban residence and emergency contraception use, access, and counseling in the United States, 2006-2017.

Abstract Objective To estimate differences in emergency contraception (EC) use, access, and counseling by rural-urban residence among reproductive age women in the United States. Study design We examined respondent data (2006–2017) from the National Survey of Family Growth for women ages 15-44 (n = 28,448) to estimate EC use, access, and counseling by rural-urban county of residence. Rural-urban prevalence ratios for EC outcome measures were estimated using predicted margins from logistic regression models, which were adjusted for demographic differences and current contraceptive method use. Changes in ever-use of EC over time were estimated for rural and urban respondents, separately, using Chi-square tests and trends were estimated using inverse variance weighted linear regression models. Results During 2006 to 2017, 10% of rural and 19% of urban women who had ever had sex reported ever using EC pills. Among rural women, ever-use increased from 6% in 2006-2008 to 15% in 2015-2017 (Chi-square p Conclusion We observed differences in EC ever-use and receipt of EC counseling by rural-urban residence among US women ages 15 to 44, adding to the evidence that rural-urban residence is an important factor in reproductive health. More research is needed to explore factors contributing to rural-urban differences in EC use. Implications Our key finding that EC use varied by rural-urban county residence offers additional evidence that rural-urban residence should be considered in reproductive health practice and policy. We discuss areas for future research into potential barriers to EC use in rural populations.
Plasticity of external setae during claw transformation in the snapping shrimp, Alpheus angulosus McClure, 2002 (Decapoda, Caridea)

The snapping shrimp, Alpheus angulosusMcClure, 2002, is a small crustacean with bilaterally asymmetric claws that serve distinct behavioural and sensory functions. If the large claw is lost, the organism switches handedness, transforming its small pincer claw into a large snapping claw while simultaneously developing a small claw on the contralateral side. To better understand the mechanisms required to adapt to this radical change in body composition, we examined developmental plasticity by tracing changes in sensory setae distribution on the claws throughout transformation. We observed only two broad types of setae, simple and plumose. Quantitative analysis across molt stages revealed significant alterations in setae composition and numbers that occurred primarily on the edge of the propodus, where the most drastic morphological changes also occur. These results suggest that previous developmental mechanisms are re-engaged to support the proliferation and differentiation of new setae during transformation.
Analysis of the role of 5-HT in the enteric nervous system using anti-idiotopic antibodies to 5-HT receptors

The effects of anti-idiotypic antibodies (alpha-id) that recognize serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)] receptors on myenteric neurons of the guinea pig small intestine were characterized electrophysiologically, and alpha-id binding sites were located immunocytochemically. Initial applications of the alpha-id mimicked each of three actions of 5-HT: a rapid depolarization, associated with a fall in input resistance (Rin), which was inhibited by the 5-HT3 antagonists tropisetron (> or = 1 microM) and renzapride (100 microM); a slow membrane depolarization, associated with increased Rin, that was inhibited by the 5-HT1P antagonist renzapride but was unaffected by a 5-HT4 blocking concentration of tropisetron (10 microM); and a hyperpolarization, associated with decreased Rin, that was antagonized by the 5-HT1A inhibitor NAN-190. Cross-desensitization was observed between responses to 5-HT and the alpha-id. After exposure to the alpha-id, subsequent responses to the alpha-id, 5-HT, and stimulus-evoked slow excitatory postsynaptic potentials were antagonized; however, responses to carbachol and substance P were unaffected. The alpha-id thus specifically inhibits the effects of endogenously released and exogenously applied 5-HT. The alpha-id bound to sites on myenteric and submucosal neurons and a subepithelial nerve plexus. Binding of the alpha-id was blocked by 5-HT1P-, 5-HT3-, and 5-HT4-specific antagonists. We concluded that the alpha-id binds selectively to all known subtypes of 5-HT receptor in the enteric nervous system and is thus useful for investigating the gastrointestinal function of 5-HT.
Influence of vascular comorbidities and race on erectile dysfunction after prostate cancer radiotherapy.

Introduction Vascular comorbidities (VC) (hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia) are known factors related to erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. However, no data are yet available for the effects of VC on ED incidence after prostate cancer radiotherapy (XRT).
Evaluating Tertiary Students’ Perceptions of the English Teaching Assistants’ Role in Teaching and Learning

This chapter describes the development, piloting and validation of an instrument that evaluates students’ perceptions of English Teaching Assistant’s (ETA) role in teaching and learning situations in a teacher-education institution in Hong Kong. The chapter consists of two parts: a pilot study and the validation study of the Student Evaluation of English Teaching Assistant Role Scale (SETARS). Participants in the pilot study were 153 pre-service student-teachers who were asked to rate their agreement to 20 statements related to two ETAs’ role in and out of classroom situations on a 4-point category; from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 4 (Strongly Agree), with an additional category of “Not-Applicable”. The scale fitted the Rasch model well with the exception of two items. These items were removed from the scale for the validation study. The “Not Applicable” category was found to cause high missing values, and hence, removed from the scale. The validation study was carried out on 294 pre-service student-teachers’ perceptions of eight ETAs across courses. Although the overall item and person fit and reliability of the tool was acceptable, the infit and outfit t values for a number of the items were larger than desired (-2.00 <t<+2.00). It was suspected that this anomaly existed because the scale was meant to measure students’ perceptions of one or at the most two ETA(s) in a teaching and learning situation. Accordingly, the individual items spread and reliability improved when data were separately analysed for individual ETAs; with overall item spread reliability ranging from 0.90 to 0.94, and individual item’s mean square ranged between 0.20 to 1.7, and standardised t generally being within the acceptable range. This shows that the SETARS is a valid and reliable unidimensional measure of students’ perceptions of specific English Teaching Assistants’ (ETAs) role in teaching and learning situations in Hong Kong. The chapter concludes with a discussion of how the SETARS can help educators to optimise students’ learning environment by evaluating the perceived teaching and learning assistance given by English Teaching Assistants.
Iron, an essential component of lipoxygenase.

Abstract Soybean lipoxygenase, long an anomaly among oxygenases because it was reputed to possess no prosthetic groups or metals, has now been shown to contain approximately 1 atom of iron per molecule. This relationship has been shown to be true for three pure isoenzymes, lipoxygenases 1, 2, and 3. The iron can be readily removed by a strong Fe2+ chelator, such as o-phenanthroline, but only after the enzyme has been treated with a reducing agent. The appearance of the o-phenanthroline-Fe2+ complex is matched by the loss of enzyme activity. The metal is believed to exist in the ferric state in the enzyme since it is removed by the specific Fe3+ chelator, Tiron (4,5-dihydroxy-m-benzenedisulfonic acid). However, the removal of the metal is slow, unless the enzyme is denatured. All of the isoenzymes exhibit structure-less optical absorption spectra, detectable at 700 nm, and increasing continuously toward the blue.
The Chemical Structure of Tryptophanase from Escherichia coli II. THE STRUCTURE OF TRYPTOPHANASE MONOMER

Abstract Tryptophanase from Escherichia coli B/1t7-A contains four identical subunits of molecular weight 55,000. Quantitative end group determinations and examination of cyanogen bromide cleavage products showed that this subunit contains a single peptide chain (instead of two peptide chains joined through disulfide bonds, as previously reported) with methionine and valine, respectively, as the NH2- and COOH-terminal residues, and one binding site for pyridoxal phosphate. Edman degradations showed the NH2-terminal sequence to be Met-Glu-Asn-Phe-Lys.... Modified procedures which permit growth of E. coli of high specific activity on a large scale and isolation of tryptophanase are described.
Cross-modal influence on oral size perception.

Abstract Objective Evidence suggests people experience an oral size illusion and commonly perceive oral size inaccurately; however, the nature of the illusion remains unclear. The objectives of the present study were to confirm the presence of an oral size illusion, determine the magnitude (amount) and direction (underestimation or overestimation) of the illusion, and determine whether immediately prior cross-modal perceptual experiences affected the magnitude and direction. Design Participants ( N = 27) orally assessed 9 sizes of stainless steel spheres (1/16 in to 1/2 in) categorized as small, medium, or big, and matched them with digital and visual reference sets. Each participant completed 20 matching tasks in 3 assessments. For control assessments, 6 oral spheres were matched with reference sets of same-sized spheres. For primer-control assessments, similar to control, 6 matching tasks were preceded by cross-modal experiences of the same-sized sphere. For experimental assessments, 8 matching tasks were preceded by a cross-modal experience of a differently sized sphere. Results For control assessments, small and medium spheres were consistently underestimated, and big spheres were consistently overestimated. For experimental assessments, magnitude and direction of the oral size illusion varied according to the size of the sphere used in the cross-modal experience. Conclusion Results seemed to confirm an oral size illusion, but direction of the illusion depended on the size of the object. Immediately prior cross-modal experiences influenced magnitude and direction of the illusion, suggesting that aspects of oral perceptual experience are dependent upon factors outside of oral perceptual anatomy and the properties of the oral stimulus.
Comment on ‘Fluorescence sensing of arsenate at nanomolar level in a greener way: naphthalene based probe for living cell imaging’

The naphthalene based probe (NAPSAL) described in the entitled communication is not stable in water, and therefore NAPSAL is unsuitable as an aqueous arsenate sensor.
The Most Massive Distant Clusters: Determining Ω and σ8

The existence of the three most massive clusters of galaxies observed so far at z > 0.5 is used to constrain the mass density parameter of the universe, Ω, and the amplitude of mass fluctuations, σ8. We find Ω=0.2 -->−0.1+0.3 and σ -->8=1.2 -->−0.4+0.5 (95%). We show that the existence of even the single most distant cluster at z = 0.83, MS 1054-03, with its large gravitational lensing mass, high temperature, and large velocity dispersion, is sufficient to establish powerful constraints. High-density, Ω = 1 (σ8 0.5-0.6) Gaussian models are ruled out by these data (10-6 probability); the Ω = 1 models predict only ~10-5 massive clusters at z > 0.65 (~10-3 at z > 0.5) instead of the one (three) clusters observed.
Assessing Ovarian Reserve in Women After Laparoscopic Surgery for Ovarian Endometriosis

Summary Objective A retrospective study to evaluate the ovarian reserve via antral follicle counts and basal hormone changes in infertile patients who had previously undergone laparoscopic surgery for ovarian endometriosis. Materials and Methods Infertile women who had undergone laparoscopy for ovarian endometriosis were enrolled and divided into four groups according to the ovarian surgical procedure, determined by the degree of the invading lesion: bipolar cauterization of the superficial ovarian endometriosis (group A), cystectomy of the endometrioma with a diameter of less than 5 cm (group B) or a diameter of at least 5 cm (group C), or unilateral oophorectomy (group D). Follow-up statistics included basal serum hormone levels and ovarian antral follicle counts, which were determined about 12 months after surgery. Results The study included 233 women. We found a significant difference in remaining antral follicle counts in groups A, B, C, and D: 11.1 ± 3.5, 9.4 ± 3.1, 7.5 ± 2.3, and 4.0 ± 2.0, respectively ( p p Conclusion Ovarian endometrioma cystectomy or oophorectomy damages the ovarian reserve. Damage to the vascular system and the cortex of the ovary during surgery might accelerate depletion of the follicular pool. The FSH level is compromised significantly until the follicular pool is depleted below a certain threshold. This might be because of various components controlling FSH modulation, mainly inhibin but possibly other steroids and peptides influenced by extraovarian mechanisms or the aging of neuroendocrine tissues.
Galanin Antagonists Block Galanin‐induced Feeding in the Hypothalamus and Amygdala of the Rat

Galanin significantly increased food intake when microinjected into the region of the central nucleus of the amygdala as well as into the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. In the amygdala this effect was specific to feeding; no change in grooming, resting, or other behaviour was observed after galanin treatment. These results provide evidence that the amygdala may be an important site in the mediation of galanin-induced feeding. The galanin receptor antagonists, C7 and M40, antagonized galanin-induced feeding, while having no effect alone on food consumption in free-feeding rats. These new galanin receptor antagonists provide useful tools for further investigating the role of endogenous galanin in the regulation of feeding.
Quantitative assessment of beam perturbations caused by silicon diodes used for in vivo dosimetry

Abstract Purpose: To measure the effect of silicon diode detectors used for a in vivo dosimetry on beam characteristics and determine whether this effect is clinically significant. Methods and Materials: The beam characteristics were measured for 6- and 10-MV photon and 6–20 MeV electron energies from a Varian Clinac 1800 medical linear accelerator. Water was used for the medium, and measurements were made for various clinically common field sizes and depths. Results: Beam attenuations along the central axis were 10 and 7.5% for 6- and 10-MV photons respectively. Electron beam dose reductions were between 13 and 25% for 20-6-MeV electrons. Photon beam flatness varied up to 7% at different depths, but the symmetry was not affected much. Electron beam flatness and symmetry were siginificantly changed to as much as 18 and 6%, respectively. Conclusion: Use of diode detectors on central axis of photon and electron beams for in vivo dosimetry causes significant attenuation and alteration of the beam characteristics. The percentage of the volume affected is significant (e.g., 23% of the volume in a 4 × 4 field gets 10% less dose for a 6-MV photon beam), especially if these diodes are used for in vivo dosimetry on the central axis every day for every treatment, as is done in some clinics. Other beam parameters such as penumbra and skin dose are also affected. It is therefore recommended that the diodes be used only as needed.
INFLUENCE OF HELIX CONTENT AND SOLVENT ENVIRONMENT ON THE OPTICAL ROTATORY DISPERSION PARAMETERS OF POLYPEPTIDES.

The Moffitt equation describing the optical rotatory dispersion behavior of polypeptides provides the basis for one of the most promising methods for determination of the helix content of proteins in solution. In the further refinement of the method numerous questions arise regarding the effect of such variables as the environment of the side-chain groups of the peptide chains (tertiary structure effects) and size of the helical segments on the dispersion parameters. In an attempt to throw further light on such questions rotatory dispersion measurements have been carried out on three synthetic polypeptides, namely poly- L -glutamic acid, poly- L -lysine and poly-γ-benzyl- L -glutamate, under various conditions. Best values of the dispersion parameters λ 0 , a 0 and b 0 were evaluated employing a recently proposed statistical method of analysis. For helical poly-γ-benzyl- L -glutamate λ 0 and b 0 are essentially independent of solvent while a 0 is strongly solvent-dependent. For poly- L -lysine λ 0 is independent of helix content over at least the range 50 to 100% helix content. At lower helix content some uncertainty exists in the evaluation of λ 0 but it probably remains essentially constant. Dispersion data cannot be accurately fitted over the entire range from 0 to 100% helix content, either in the case of poly- L -glutamate or poly- L -lysine, employing constant values of a ¯ 0 R and a 0 H / b 0 H . Rather, it appears that two sets of parameters are required to fit the data asymptotically at low and high helix contents. In the intermediate range it is suggested that the behavior is complicated by end-effects due to the presence of partial helices.
MORAL KNOWLEDGE, EPISTEMIC EXTERNALISM, AND INTUITIONISM

This paper explores the generally overlooked relevance of an important contemporary debate in mainstream epistemology to philosophers working within ethics on questions concerning moral knowledge. It is argued that this debate, between internalists and externalists about the accessibility of epistemic justification, has the potential to be both significantly influenced by, and have a significant impact upon, the study of moral knowledge. The moral sphere provides a particular type of strong evidence in favour of externalism, and mainstream epistemologists might benefit from paying attention to this fact. At the same time, the terrain of moral epistemology (approached as a sub-field of metaethics) needs to be reshaped by the realisation that externalists can steal the thunder of intuitionists when it comes to knowledge constituted by seemingly self-evident beliefs. 1