cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evolving circuits in seconds: experiments with a stand-alone board-level evolvable system

The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to illustrate a stand-alone board-level evolvable system (SABLES) and its performance, and second to illustrate some problems that occur during evolution with real hardware in the loop, or when the intention of the user is not completely reflected in the fitness function. SABLES is part of an effort to achieve integrated evolvable systems. SABLES provides autonomous, fast (tens to hundreds of seconds), on-chip evolution involving about 100,000 circuit evaluations. Its main components are a JPL Field Programmable Transistor Array (FPTA) chip used as transistor-level reconfigurable hardware, and a TI DSP that implements the evolutionary algorithm controlling the FPTA reconfiguration. The paper details an example of evolution on SABLES and points out to certain transient and memory effects that affect the stability of solutions obtained reusing the same piece of hardware for rapid testing of individuals during evolution. It also illustrates how specifications not completely reflected in the fitness function, such as the time scales of response for logical circuits, may lead to overall unsatisfactory solutions. Both such situations can be handled with appropriate modification of fitness function and additional testing.
The effect of Medicare Part D on health care utilization for non-elderly Medicare recipients with disabilities

Abstract Background The effect of Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage on non-elderly beneficiaries, most of whom have disabilities, has not been fully explored. Objective The objective of this study was to estimate the impact of Medicare Part D on expenditures and utilization of prescription drugs, hospitalizations, physician office visits and emergency department visits in non-elderly Medicare beneficiaries with disabilities. Methods Using Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data from 2005 to 2006, we assembled a cohort of non-elderly Medicare beneficiaries and controls using propensity score matching. We used zero-inflated negative binomial regressions and generalized linear models to examine the effect of Medicare Part D on health care utilization and expenditures, respectively. We controlled for demographic characteristics, census region of residence, and self-reported health status. Results We were able to match 299 Medicare non-recipients to 299 Medicare recipients. The mean (SD) age was 49.8 (10.7) years for the Medicare non-recipients and 49.9 (10.0) years for Medicare recipients. While the introduction of Medicare Part D was not associated with a significant change in the number of prescriptions consumed by this group of individuals, there was a significant decrease in out-of-pocket prescription drug expenses as well as expenses paid for by Medicaid and private insurance. Conclusions Our study is the first to examine the impact of Medicare Part D on non-elderly Medicare beneficiaries. We find that the introduction of Medicare Part D did not lead to changes in prescription drug consumption, only in the method of payment.
Basic expressions and approximations in small-signal parameter extraction for HBT's

Basic expressions and approximations used to extract small-signal parameters for heterojunction bipolar transistors or bipolar junction transistors are developed in this paper. A T-type small-signal equivalent circuit after deembedding the pad capacitances is used for the derivation. The relative magnitudes of /spl omega/R/sub bc/C/sub be/, /spl omega/R/sub bi/C/sub bc/, and /spl omega/r/sub c/C/sub bell/ were used to evaluate the frequency ranges. Fully numerical or partially numerical approaches can be developed by these approximations. An element parameter-extraction procedure is also given in this paper. Two special cases ("cold" bias and degrading equivalent circuits) are also discussed.
Phosphorus cycling in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre using cosmogenic 32P and 33P

The North Pacific Subtropical Gyre (NPSG) has been hypothesized to be in transition from a nitrogen (N)-limited system to one predominantly limited by phosphorus (P) as a result of a two-decade-long selection for N2-fixing organisms. In this study, the naturally occurring cosmogenic radioisotopes, 32 P (half-life 5 14.3 d) and 33 P (halflife 5 25.3 d), were measured and 33 P/ 32 P activity ratios were used to estimate radioactive P residence times at Sta. ALOHA (228459N, 1588009W) in the NPSG from February 1999 to July 2000. The 33 P/ 32 P activity ratio in the total dissolved P pool varied considerably but systematically; high ratios correlated with periods of enhanced primary production ( 14 C incorporation). Marine particulate 33 P/ 32 P activity ratios were similar to those found in the source (i.e., rain). Smaller size classes had longer apparent residence times. The observation that the activity ratio of 33 P/ 32 P closely follows primary production suggests that atmospherically derived 32 P and 33 P atoms track the most ‘‘bioavailable’’ pool of P within the NPSG ecosystem. These preferred substrates were removed from the dissolved phase via plankton uptake during periods of high productivity. Our results suggest that the soluble nonreactive P pool, which is substantially larger than the soluble reactive P pool, is a potentially important source of P to organisms and that its utilization can vary significantly on scales of weeks to months.
Stem cell labeling for noninvasive delivery and tracking in cardiovascular regenerative therapy

Clinical and basic scientific studies of stem cell-based therapies have shown promising results for cardiovascular diseases. Despite a rapid transition from animal studies to clinical trials, the mechanisms by which stem cells improve heart function are yet to be fully elucidated. To optimize cell therapies in patients will require a noninvasive means to evaluate cell survival, biodistribution and fate in the same subject over time. Cell labeling offers the ability to image distinct cell lineages in vivo and investigate the efficacy of these therapies using standard noninvasive imaging techniques. In this article, we will discuss the most promising cell labeling techniques for translation to clinical cardiovascular applications.
Prediction of Come‐Up Time Correction Factors for Batch‐Type Agitating and Still Retorts and the Influence on Thermal Process Calculations

A come-up time correction factor of 42% has been traditionally accepted for thermal processing, and was found to be applicable for model foods heated in cans in a Steritort and a still retort when the retorts were heated to processing temperature with a constant rate of temperature rise. Correction factors were larger when both retorts were heated with an initial rate of temperature rise faster than linear heating. A 77% correction factor was measured during Orbitort processing, and was more conservative for predicting processing time than assuming 42%. Product initial temperatures of 70 and 160°F resulted in correction factors of 70 and 45% when the still retort was heated linearly, and reached 83 and 69% with normal venting. The experimental procedure for predicting the come-up factor does not require instantaneous retort heating as a baseline for comparison.
The Initialization Response of Linear Fractional-Order Systems With Ramp History Functions

In this paper, the distinction between an operator’s historical initial condition function, the consequential initialization function of the operator, and the resulting initialization response of an entire system, is discussed. The paper then presents the initialization responses for fractional-order systems that have specifically had arbitrarily-long constant displacements in negative time.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Nr-CAM Promotes Neurite Outgrowth from Peripheral Ganglia by a Mechanism Involving Axonin-1 as a Neuronal Receptor

Nr-CAM is a neuronal cell adhesion molecule (CAM) belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily that has been implicated as a ligand for another CAM, axonin-1, in guidance of commissural axons across the floor plate in the spinal cord. Nr-CAM also serves as a neuronal receptor for several other cell surface molecules, but its role as a ligand in neurite outgrowth is poorly understood. We studied this problem using a chimeric Fc-fusion protein of the extracellular region of Nr-CAM (Nr-Fc) and investigated potential neuronal receptors in the developing peripheral nervous system. A recombinant Nr-CAM-Fc fusion protein, containing all six Ig domains and the first two fibronectin type III repeats of the extracellular region of Nr-CAM, retains cellular and molecular binding activities of the native protein. Injection of Nr-Fc into the central canal of the developing chick spinal cord in ovo resulted in guidance errors for commissural axons in the vicinity of the floor plate. This effect is similar to that resulting from treatment with antibodies against axonin-1, confirming that axonin-1/ Nr-CAM interactions are important for guidance of commissural axons through a spatially and temporally restricted Nr-CAM positive domain in the ventral spinal cord. When tested as a substrate, Nr-Fc induced robust neurite outgrowth from dorsal root ganglion and sympathetic ganglion neurons, but it was not effective for tectal and forebrain neurons. The peripheral but not the central neurons expressed high levels of axonin-1 both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, antibodies against axonin-1 inhibited Nr-Fc-induced neurite outgrowth, indicating that axonin-1 is a neuronal receptor for Nr-CAM on these peripheral ganglion neurons. The results demonstrate a role for Nr-CAM as a ligand in axon growth by a mechanism involving axonin-1 as a neuronal receptor and suggest that dynamic changes in Nr-CAM expression can modulate axonal growth and guidance during development. © 1999 Academic Press
Background to crack cocaine addiction and HIV high-risk behavior: the next epidemic.

Background: Increasing rates of sexually transmitted diseases among users of noninjection drugs prompt speculation that crack cocaine users who do not inject are at particularly high risk of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection. Methods: A street recruitment technique was employed to enroll 331 primarily African-American men aged 18–29 in an area of San Francisco where crack cocaine is sold openly. One-half were regular crack users, and the other half had never used the drug. Few reported injection drug use or male-to-male sex. In a face-to-face interview, participants reported on their drug use, knowledge of HIV, sexual practice, condom use, and demographic characteristics. Following counseling, each was tested for HIV and syphilis. Results: Comparisons showed that demographically similar, crack users reported more sexual partners in the last 12 months, more sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in their lifetime, and greater frequencies of paying for sex, exchanging sex for drugs, and having sex ...
Public Involvement in the Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project

The Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project was initiated in 1998 to locate and investigate an eighteenth-century French mission, garrison, and trading post. Public education and outreach have been essential to the success of the project from the start. Various stakeholders are recognizing the potential benefits and consequences of site investigation, heritage tourism, and a partnership with a large state university. The future of public involvement in the project and the lessons to be learned are dependent upon our ability to identify common ground in which archaeology serves as a metaphor for the discovery and recovery of our collective past.
PET Imaging of Prostate Cancer Using 11C-Acetate

11C-acetate can be used to image prostate cancer and in particular recurrent disease. Limitations include its low sensitivity for disease detection at low serum PSA levels. The routine use of PET/CT imaging will further improve the diagnostic accuracy of this approach. Importantly, novel therapeutic approaches targeting tumor lipid metabolism are under development 45. It is conceivable that imaging of tumor lipid metabolism with 11C/18F-acetate could provide a valuable readout for assessing drug effects on the lipogenic phenotype in vivo.
Maltreatment and disabilities: a population-based epidemiological study.

Abstract Objectives: To assess the prevalence of abuse and neglect among a population of children identified as a function of an existing disability, relate specific types of disabilities to specific types of abuse, and to determine the effect of abuse and neglect on academic achievement and attendance rates for children with and without disabilities. Method: An electronic merger of school records with Central Registry, Foster Care Review Board, and police databases was followed by a detailed record review of the circumstances of maltreatment. Results: Analyses of the circumstances of maltreatment and the presence of disabilities established a 9% prevalence rate of maltreatment for nondisabled children and a 31% prevalence rate for the disabled children. Thus, the study established a significant association between the presence of an educationally relevant disability and maltreatment. Conclusions: Children with disabilities are 3.4 times more likely to be maltreated than nondisabled peers. School professionals need to be cognizant of the high base rate of maltreatment among the children they serve. Disability status needs to be considered in national incidence studies of maltreatment.
The Andromeda Galaxy into the Twenty-First Century and Beyond

The story of the Andromeda Galaxy tells the tale of the history and transformation of astronomy from myth to the science of astrophysics. Whereas the ancients and early modern astronomers saw M31 as a spot within a finite universe, the introduction of new technologies such as the telescope and spectroscopic analysis transformed our understanding of it from a nebula situated within the Milky Way into a distant island-universe. The study of the Andromeda Galaxy was at the apex of new theories in the twentieth century demonstrating that the universe was not a finite world composed on a single Milky Way Galaxy. Instead, through the works of Henrietta Leavitt, Edwin Hubble, Albert Einstein, Vera Rubin, Georges Lemaitre, and others, the study of Andromeda was critical to the creation of an infinite universe of countless galaxies and vast distances, displacing humanity from its center into merely one point in its vastness.
Dependent Development: The Alliance of Multinational, State, and Local Capital in Brazil

In order to analyze Brazil's recent accumulation of capital in the light of its continued dependence, Peter Evans focuses on the relationships among multinational corporations, local private entrepreneurs, and state-owned enterprises that have developed in Brazil over the last decade. He argues that while relations among the three kinds of capital continue to be contradictory, a triple alliance has been formed that provides the social structural basis for the pattern of local industrialization that has emerged. The author begins with a review of the theories of imperialism and dependency in the third world. Placing the Brazilian experience of the last twenty years in its historical context, he traces the country's evolution from the period of "classic dependence" at the turn of the century to the current stage of "dependent development." In conclusion, Professor Evans discusses the implications of the Brazilian model for other third world countries. Examining the nature of the triple alliance as it is manifested in such industries as pharmaceuticals, textiles, and petrochemicals, the author reveals the complex differentiation of the groups' roles in industrialization and lays bare the grounds for their collaboration and their conflict. He consequently shows how the differing interests, power, and capabilities of the three groups have combined to produce a system promoting industrialization that benefits the elite partnership but excludes the larger population from the rewards of growth.
Synthesis of Nanostructured Tungsten Oxide (WO2.9) Fibers and Discs

Evaporation of WO3.0 powder during transmission electron microscopy resulted in the formation of nanofibers of WO2.9, which deposited on adjacent cooler regions of the carbon substrate. Controlled experiments using the inert gas condensation method were performed to investigate the formation mechanism of the nanofibers. Depending on the growth conditions, different morphologies of WO2.9 phase were observed. Structural characterization was carried out using analytical electron microscopy techniques. On the basis of these observations, a qualitative growth model is proposed.
On the formation of niacin (vitamin B3) and pyridine carboxylic acids in interstellar model ices

Abstract The formation of pyridine carboxylic acids in interstellar ice grains was simulated by electron exposures of binary pyridine (C5H5N)-carbon dioxide (CO2) ice mixtures at 10 K under contamination-free ultrahigh vacuum conditions. Chemical processing of the pristine ice and subsequent warm-up phase was monitored on line and in situ via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to probe for the formation of new radiation induced species. In the infrared spectra of the irradiated ice, bands assigned to nicotinic acid (niacin; vitamin B3; m-C5H4NCOOH) along with 2,3-, 2,5-, 3,4-, and 3,5-pyridine dicarboxylic acid (C5H3N(COOH)2) were unambiguously identified along with the hydroxycarbonyl (HOCO) radical. Our study suggests that the reactive pathway responsible for pyridine carboxylic acids formation involves a HOCO intermediate, which forms through the reaction of suprathermal hydrogen ejected from pyridine with carbon dioxide. The newly formed pyridinyl radical may then undergo radical–radical recombination with a hydroxycarbonyl radical to form a pyridine carboxylic acid.
Relation of vitamin B (B1) intake to neurological changes in the alcohol addict.

ConclusionsThe Cowgill formula predicting the vitamin B requirement of man has been applied to the diets of alcohol addicts in order to estimate the adequacy of the vitamin B intake. Sixteen subjects showing peripheral neuritis had for at least 22 days an inadequate Vit/Cal ratio. Four subjects who consumed large amounts of liquor, but with an adequate Vit/Cal ratio, showed no abnormal neurological signs. Four subjects having an inadequate ratio for 18 days or less showed no significant neurological changes. These findings support the theory that peripheral neuritis in the alcohol addict is the result of vitamin B deficiency.
Persistence of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner Insecticidal Activity on Cotton Foliage

The persistence of insecticidal activity of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (variety kurstaki , HD-1 strain) on cotton leaves in the field was determined in 1976 and 1977 by using two techniques and two insect species. In both years the insecticidal activity half-life was between 1.5 and 2 days.
Testing specificity among parents’ depressive symptoms, parenting, and child internalizing and externalizing symptoms.

The present study examined the specificity in relations between observed withdrawn and intrusive parenting behaviors and children's internalizing and externalizing symptoms in an at-risk sample of children (ages 9 to 15 years old) of parents with a history of depression (N = 180). Given past findings that parental depression and parenting behaviors may differentially impact boys and girls, gender was examined as a moderator of the relations between these factors and child adjustment. Correlation and linear regression analyses showed that parental depressive symptoms were significantly related to withdrawn parenting for parents of boys and girls and to intrusive parenting for parents of boys only. When controlling for intrusive parenting, preliminary analyses demonstrated that parental depressive symptoms were significantly related to withdrawn parenting for parents of boys, and this association approached significance for parents of girls. Specificity analyses yielded that, when controlling for the other type of problem (i.e., internalizing or externalizing), withdrawn parenting specifically predicted externalizing problems but not internalizing problems in girls. No evidence of specificity was found for boys in this sample, suggesting that impaired parenting behaviors are diffusely related to both internalizing and externalizing symptoms for boys. Overall, results highlight the importance of accounting for child gender and suggest that targeting improvement in parenting behaviors and the reduction of depressive symptoms in interventions with parents with a history of depression may have potential to reduce internalizing and externalizing problems in this high-risk population.
Proteinuria and glomerular injury associated with the anti-angiogenesis drug Vargatef™

The authors of this paper have found that some of the data they reported was incorrect and wish to withdraw the paper from publication. There was a mistake in the clinical information transmitted about the case. The paper was originally published online in NDTPlus Advance Access on 01 06 2011. The authors hereby retract this paper and discourage citations.
Cap carbonate platform facies model, Noonday Formation, SE California

The Neoproterozoic outcrop belt of the Death Valley region, California, preserves an oblique cross section of the Noonday Formation, a mixed carbonate-siliciclastic platform that hosts distinctive basal Ediacaran cap carbonate−affiliated sedimentary structures, stromatolite textures, and δ^(13)C_(carb) values. The Noonday platform encompasses two depositional sequences that reveal two cycles of relative sea-level change within strata conventionally considered to record a single, rapid, postglacial sea-level rise. In updip localities, facies of the first depositional sequence record the transition from a carbonate ramp to a stromatolite-bearing, “tubestone”-textured, reef-rimmed platform; downdip, localities seaward of the reefal escarpment variably preserve a thin and condensed onlapping foreslope wedge. Base-level fall exposed the reef crest to karstic dissolution and propagated submarine incised valleys into the seaward margin of the reef. Overlying strata record the backfilling of a submarine incised valley and reestablishment of a back-stepping, carbonate-dominated ramp prior to a second subaerial exposure event that defines the contact between the Noonday and Johnnie formations. We address the relative contributions of syndepositional tectonism and recovery from low-latitude deglaciation in dictating Noonday platform architecture and the intra−Noonday Formation sequence boundary. Noonday Formation deposition coincided with extension of the Laurentian margin during disaggregation of the Rodinian supercontinent. Within this framework, previous work has suggested that the intra−Noonday Formation sequence boundary records growth faulting that reinforced differential topography, uplifting reef-rimmed horsts—exposing the reef crest to karstic dissolution—and downdropping grabens. However, we trace the intra−Noonday Formation sequence boundary seaward of the reef crest and demonstrate that, for a time, wave base was situated downdip of the reef escarpment on putatively downdropped fault blocks. Thus, if the Noonday margin were undergoing extension, then the creation of the intra−Noonday Formation sequence boundary required a concomitant decrease in accommodation due, perhaps, to postglacial isostatic uplift attendant with low-latitude deglaciation. We speculate that Noonday Formation sequence architecture records (1) immediate deglacial flooding, (2) shoaling and exposure due to isostatic rebound induced by either a hiatus in meltwater flux or rapid ice-sheet collapse against a background of global deglaciation, and (3) resumed flooding following complete deglaciation. As rift-related tectonism could amplify or counter glacial isostasy, inferences of the amplitude of local postglacial sea-level change will require robust estimates of syndepositional extension across the Noonday margin.
An abnormal post-procedure chest radiograph.

A 55 year old man with lymphoma was admitted to the intensive care unit with severe sepsis and hypoxic respiratory failure as a result of healthcare associated pneumonia. At admission he had altered mental status and soon afterwards developed an episode of unstable bradycardia when his mean arterial pressure dropped to 26 mm Hg, and oxygen saturation dropped to 62% on 6 L oxygen through a nasal cannula. He underwent emergent endotracheal intubation, ultrasound guided right internal jugular central venous catheter (CVC) and left radial …
Power system low frequency oscillation dominant pattern recognition based on FFT and neural network algorithm

In order to improve noise immunity of power system low frequency oscillation dominant pattern recognition,a new algorithm based on FFT and neural network is proposed in this paper.Firstly,the frequency and energy weight of the dominant mode can be calculated by using the windowed and interpolated FFT algorithm.Secondly,the neural network method is used to analyze low-frequency oscillation signal,and the damping factor can be calculated based on the variation of amplitude.Finally,the amplitude and phase of low-frequency oscillation can be figured out.Simulation results show that this algorithm can identify the dominant mode reliably and accurately,which has better noise immunity compared with the Prony algorithm.
Efficacy of 2% acetaniprid gel bait against Blattella germanica

Objective To observe the efficacy of 2% acetaniprid gel bait against Blattella germanica.Methods Carrying on with the method of GB13917.7-92 and GB13917.8-92.Results In the room the LT_(50) was 2.89 days.It took 16 days for Blttella germanica to be dead completely.In mimic field,the LT_(50) of Blattella germanica was 3 days and needed 17 days for being dead completely.Conclusion The function of 2% acetaniprid was slow,being used as the hygienic insecticide was still not actually ideal at present.
Branch graft patency after open repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.

Abstract Objectives The long-term function of branch grafts to the visceral and renal arteries during open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair is unknown. We assessed the patency of single and multiple branch grafts with postoperative imaging studies in patients followed for up to 13 years. Methods A total of 99 of 130 patients undergoing open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair who received a total of 298 branch grafts to the celiac, superior mesenteric, and renal arteries were evaluated with serial imaging studies at 6- to 12-month intervals. The mean duration of angiographic follow-up was 40.4 months and extended to 159 months. Thirty-three patients receiving 74 grafts were followed for more than 5 years, and 7 patents receiving 22 grafts were followed for more than 10 years. Eighty-four grafts were grafted to the celiac artery, 73 grafts were grafted to the superior mesenteric artery, 71 grafts were grafted to the left renal artery, and 70 grafts were grafted to the right renal artery. Results Nine graft occlusions occurred in 6 patients. One of these patients died of intestinal ischemia after occlusion of the celiac and superior mesenteric artery grafts, and 1 patient developed occlusion of both renal artery grafts and remains on dialysis. Five graft occlusions in the other 4 patients were asymptomatic, and no interventions were required. One additional patient developed significant stenosis of the celiac, superior mesenteric, and right renal arteries and underwent successful percutaneous angioplasty. No other patient required intervention. Freedom from occlusion of the 298 grafts at 1, 5, and 10 years is 98%, 97%, and 93%, respectively. Conclusions This represents the largest series of patients with branch grafts for open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair with extended angiographic follow-up. The favorable long-term graft patency rates represent a benchmark against which methods for establishing flow to the visceral and renal arteries using alternative techniques can be compared.
P010 Complex constellation of HLA antibodies contributes to decreasing trend of kidney transplant rate in candidates with 100% CPRA

Aim The key component of the new kidney allocation system is increased priority for sensitized candidates. While transplants (tx) have increased 6 fold for recipients with a CPRA of ⩾99%, the trend in tx for these patients began to decrease over the 1st year. To determine if HLA antibody composition contributes to the decreasing tx rate, we compared the distribution of Cross-REactive Groups (CREG) in our waitlist candidates with different CPRA ranges. Method Kidney waitlist candidates (n = 5281) were tested for HLA antibodies using One Lambda single antigen beads on DTT-treated sera. CPRA values were determined based on unacceptable antigens (UA), and were clustered into 100%, 99%, 98%, 80–97% and 20–79% CPRA groups. Results The number of UA differs significantly between CPRA groups (Table). The 100%-CPRA group display 18–107 UA (98% of this group display >25 UA and 72% display ⩾50 UA). The 99%-CPRA group display 13–61 UA (78% display ⩾25 UA) while the 98%-CPRA group display 8–60 UA (66% display ⩾25 UA). The incidence of CREG HLA antibodies differs significantly among CPRA groups. Most candidates with 100% CPRA display 2–3 fold increase in the number of CREGs compared to candidates with 99% or 98% CPRA. More than 3 CREGs were observed in 63.8% of the 100%-CPRA group, but only in 21.3% of the 99%-CPRA group, in 2% of the 98%-CPRA group and in 1.4% of the 80–97%-CPRA group. Candidates with CPRA Conclusions These results suggest that the majority of the candidates in the100%-CPRA group are very broadly sensitized and are hard to find a compatible kidney, and thus need an alternative approach such as desensitization and living-donor kidney exchange. These data support the importance of HLA matching at least at the level of CREG.
Are countries becoming equally unequal

Literature on convergence in inequality is sparse and has almost entirely focused on the notion of testing beta convergence in the Gini indices. In this paper, for the first time, we test for sigma convergence in decile income shares across countries. We compile panel data on decile income shares for more than 60 countries over the last 25 years. Regardless of the level of development, within-country inequality increased; income shares of the poorest deciles declined and those of the top decile increased significantly. Importantly, the decile income shares exhibited a statistically significant decline in dispersion between 1985 and 2011, providing strong evidence of sigma convergence in inequality. Convergence was more prominent among developing countries and less so among developed countries. The findings are robust to an array of sensitivity tests. Our analysis suggests that cross-country income distributions became more unequal but noticeably similar over time.
Delayed cardiac tamponade: A rare but life-threatening complication of catheter ablation

Delayed cardiac tamponade (DCT) is a rare and life-threatening complication of catheter ablation performed as a treatment of atrial fibrillation, with few cases described in the medical literature. We present the case of a 57year-old man presenting with DCT 61days following a catheter ablation procedure. To the best of our knowledge, this is the most delayed case of cardiac tamponade (CT) following catheter ablation described in the literature. We also discuss the importance of point of care ultrasound (POCUS) in the diagnosis and treatment of CT. Emergency physicians must maintain a high index of suspicion in making the diagnosis of CT as patients may present with vague symptoms such as neck or back pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, or altered mental status, often without chest pain. Common risk factors for CT include cancer, renal failure, pericarditis, cardiac surgery, myocardial rupture, trauma, and retrograde aortic dissection. In addition, although rare, both catheter ablation and use of anticoagulation carry risks of developing CT. A worldwide survey of medical centers performing catheter ablation found CT as a complication in less than 2% of cases [1]. Some proposed mechanisms of DCT include small pericardial hemorrhages following post-procedural anticoagulation or rupture of the sealed ablation-induced left atrial wall [2]. Clinical examination and electrocardiography may be helpful. However, the criterion standard for diagnosing CT is echocardiography [3].
Anger and intertemporal choice: The behavioral approach system and the interactive effects of trait and state anger

Abstract This study investigated the effects of anger on intertemporal choice from three dimensions: state anger, trait anger, and the behavioral approach motivation system (BAS). Also, the study tested whether a delayed larger (LL) reward is risky compared to an immediate smaller (SS) reward. Participants (N = 160) were randomly assigned to either the anger or the neutral condition. Results showed that people with higher BAS scores tended to prefer a SS reward over a LL reward when they were in a temporarily angry mood. Furthermore, results presented an interactive effect between trait and state anger on choice preference for SS rewards in the anger condition. In addition, a negative relationship was shown between the individuals' preference for SS rewards and the individuals' preference for risky gains in decisions under uncertainty, which indicated that a future reward in intertemporal choice is risky. Both the effect of the BAS and the interactive effect between trait and state anger were explained from the perspective of risk preferences. These results suggest that both situational and biological-based affective information shape decisions and that the perspective of risk preference is the underlying mechanism for the impacts of emotions on decision-making.
Mechanistic materials modeling for nuclear fuel performance

Abstract Fuel performance codes are critical tools for the design, certification, and safety analysis of nuclear reactors. However, their ability to predict fuel behavior under abnormal conditions is severely limited by their considerable reliance on empirical materials models correlated to burn-up (a measure of the number of fission events that have occurred, but not a unique measure of the history of the material). Here, we propose a different paradigm for fuel performance codes to employ mechanistic materials models that are based on the current state of the evolving microstructure rather than burn-up. In this approach, a series of state variables are stored at material points and define the current state of the microstructure. The evolution of these state variables is defined by mechanistic models that are functions of fuel conditions and other state variables. The material properties of the fuel and cladding are determined from microstructure/property relationships that are functions of the state variables and the current fuel conditions. Multiscale modeling and simulation is being used in conjunction with experimental data to inform the development of these models. This mechanistic, microstructure-based approach has the potential to provide a more predictive fuel performance capability, but will require a team of researchers to complete the required development and to validate the approach.
Association of Number of Dissected Lymph Nodes With Survival in Clinically Node-Negative Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients Undergoing Primary Surgery: A Population-Based Analysis.

This population-based study examines the association of of lymph node dissection count with survival in patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma using the National Cancer Database.
Characteristics and outcomes of breast cancer patients enrolled in the National Cancer Institute Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program sponsored phase I clinical trials

Breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death among women. Given the availability of approved therapies and abundance of phase II and III clinical trials, historically few BC patients have been referred for consideration of participation on a phase I trial. We were interested in determining whether clinical benefit rates differed in patients with BC from other patients enrolled in phase I trials. We performed a retrospective analysis of all Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP) sponsored phase I trials from 1993 to 2012. We report an analysis of demographic variables, rates of response to treatment, grade 4 toxicities, and treatment-related deaths. De-identified data from 8087 patients were analyzed, with 1,376 having a diagnosis of BC. The median time from initial cancer diagnosis to enrollment in a CTEP-sponsored phase I clinical trial was 614 days for all patients. Breast cancer patients were enrolled on average 790 days after initial diagnosis, while non-BC patients had a median enrollment time of 582 days (p < 0.001). Breast cancer patients had more clinical responses than non-BC patients (18.3% vs. 4.3%, respectively). Along with the higher rate of response, BC patients remained on phase I trials longer than non-BC patients with a median of 70 days while the latter were on trial for a median of 57 days. The overall rate of death related to the treatment drugs was 0.47%. Our data confirm our hypothesis that when compared to a general population of patients with cancer enrolled on phase I clinical trials, BC patients tend to derive clinical benefit from these therapies with similar toxicity profile. This evidence further supports enrollment of BC patients on phase I trials.
Type of iconicity influences children's comprehension of gesture.

Abstract Children produce iconic gestures conveying action information earlier than the ones conveying attribute information (Ozcaliskan, Gentner, & Goldin-Meadow, 2014). In this study, we ask whether children’s comprehension of iconic gestures follows a similar pattern, also with earlier comprehension of iconic gestures conveying action. Children, ages 2–4 years, were presented with 12 minimally-informative speech + iconic gesture combinations, conveying either an action (e.g., open palm flapping as if bird flying) or an attribute (e.g., fingers spread as if bird’s wings) associated with a referent. They were asked to choose the correct match for each gesture in a forced-choice task. Our results showed that children could identify the referent of an iconic gesture conveying characteristic action earlier (age 2) than the referent of an iconic gesture conveying characteristic attribute (age 3). Overall, our study identifies ages 2–3 as important in the development of comprehension of iconic co-speech gestures, and indicates that the comprehension of iconic gestures with action meanings is easier than, and may even precede, the comprehension of iconic gestures with attribute meanings.
Demography of the Baby Boomers

It is appropriate that this book on the Baby Boomers at midlife includes a chapter on demographic characteristics, given that, at root, the Baby Boom was, and remains, a singular demographic event. Simply put, the Baby Boom was a fifteen-year splurge of births that emerged in the aftermath of World War II. It was a splurge because it represented a big reversal from long-term trends in fertility. A change, we might add, that was completely unexpected by those whose job it was to know these things (demographers). Ironically, despite this mistaken call, the Baby Boom phenomenon has probably done more than anything else to popularize demographic perspectives and approaches to understanding social change.
Thermal conductivity and rectification in asymmetric archaeal lipid membranes

Nature employs lipids to construct nanostructured membranes that self-assemble in an aqueous environment to separate the cell interior from the exterior environment. Membrane composition changes among species and according to environmental conditions, which allows organisms to occupy a wide variety of different habitats. Lipid bilayers are phase-change materials that exhibit strong thermotropic and lyotropic phase behavior in an aqueous environment, which may also cause thermal rectification. Among different types of lipids, archaeal lipids are of great interest due to their ability to withstand extreme conditions. In this paper, nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations were employed to study the nanostructures and thermal properties of different archaeols and to investigate thermal rectification effects in asymmetric archaeal membranes. In particular, we are interested in understanding the role of bridged phytanyl chains and cyclopentane groups in controlling the phase transition temperature and heat flow across the membrane. Our results indicate that the bridged phytanyl chains decrease the molecular packing of lipids, whereas the existence of cyclopentane rings on the tail groups increases the molecular packing by enhancing the interactions between isoprenoid chains. We found that macrocyclic archaeols have the highest thermal conductivity, whereas macrocyclic archaeols with two cyclopentane rings have the lowest. The effect of the temperature on the variation of thermal conductivity was found to be progressive. Our results further indicate that small thermal rectification effects occur in asymmetric archaeol bilayer membranes at around 25 K temperature gradient. The calculated thermal rectification factor was around 0.09 which is in the range of rectification factor obtained experimentally for nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes (0.07). Such phenomena may be of biological significance and could also be optimized for use in various engineering applications.
Rangeland health attributes and indicators for qualitative assessment.

Panels of experts from the Society for Range Management and the National Research Council proposed that status of rangeland ecosystems could be ascertained by evaluating an ecological site's potential to conserve soil resources and by a series of indicators for ecosystem processes and site stability. Using these recommendations as a starting point, we developed a rapid, qualitative method for assessing a moment-in-time status of rangelands. Evaluators rate 17 indicators to assess 3 ecosystem attributes (soil and site stability, hydrologic function, and biotic integrity) for a given location. Indicators include rills, water flow patterns, pedestals and terracettes, bare ground, gullies, wind scour and depositional areas, litter movement, soil resistance to erosion, soil surface loss or degradation, plant composition relative to infiltration, soil compaction, plant functional/structural groups, plant mortality, litter amount, annual production, invasive plants, and reproductive capability. In this paper, we detail the development and evolution of the technique and introduce a modified ecological reference worksheet that documents the expected presence and amount of each indicator on the ecological site. In addition, we review the intended applications for this technique and clarify the differences between assessment and monitoring that lead us to recommend this technique be used for moment-in-time assessments and not be used for temporal monitoring of rangeland status. Lastly, we propose a mechanism for adapting and modifying this technique to reflect improvements in understanding of ecosystem processes. We support the need for quantitative measures for monitoring rangeland health and propose some measures that we believe may address some of the 17 indicators. DOI:10.2458/azu_jrm_v55i6_pyke
Stress intensity in viscoelastic contacts

Dynamic mechanical contacts with nanometer-to-micrometer dimensions are important in scanned probe microscopy, ultra-low load indentation, microelectromechanical systems, compact discs, etc. The response of these contacts is poorly understood if they involve adhesive viscoelastic materials, such as polymers and self-assembled monolayers. We have studied dynamic contacts to styrene–butadiene latex films. Plots of load vs. displacement show substantial adhesion hysteresis between the loading and unloading portions. The hysteresis is at least partially due to creep, as indicated by the continued increase in penetration after the start of unloading. Thermodynamic works of adhesion were estimated from fits to the loading–unloading data obtained at small loading and unloading rates. Theoretical models that include adhesion but neglect long-range creep effects could not fit the data at all loading rates. Creep tests were carried out under constant load. A model due to Hui, Baney, and Kramer (HBK), which predicts the response of an adhesive viscoelastic contact under increasing load, was used to extract a mode I stress-intensity functional from the data. When this functional is normalized by the square root of the displacement rate, it is shown empirically, to have a simple, nearly universal time-dependence. Variations of this universal form due to load, range of interaction potential, glass transition temperature, and probe shape are weak. This result supports the suggestion of HBK that the stress-intensity functional provides a useful way to characterize adhesive contacts to viscoelastic materials.
First Ladies and American Women: In Politics and at Home. By Jill Abraham Hummer. (Lawrence, KS: University of Kansas Press, 2017. Pp. 258. $29.95.)

The author of this new book explores the evolution of the role of the modern first lady. Of course, familiar names such as Hillary Clinton and Eleanor Roosevelt play key roles in the narrative, but...
Accrual anomaly and mandatory adoption of IFRS: Evidence from Germany

Abstract This study examines the effect of mandatory adoption of IFRS on the accrual anomaly in Germany. Using the setting in Germany between 2002 and 2008, we find that the accrual anomaly occurs between 2002 and 2004 (pre-IFRS period) but disappears between 2006 and 2008 (post-IFRS period). Results are consistent after extending the test period to 2010 and controlling for analysts' cash forecasts. We also find that German firms with more significant improvements in analysts following, forecast accuracy, forecast dispersion, and earnings management following mandatory adoption of IFRS in 2005 have greater decline of the accrual anomaly between 2006 and 2008. Overall, our findings suggest that IFRS adoption together with improved reporting enforcement significantly reduces the accrual anomaly in Germany.
Two Somali Fathers’ Views of Science: What Should My Children Learn in Science?:

This exploratory qualitative study examines the views of two Somali fathers on science, nature, and content of science that Somali students should be taught, and how science intersects with Somali ...
The pharmacotherapeutic management of postoperative delirium: an expert update.

Postoperative delirium is a common sequela in older adults in the peri-operative period leading to poor outcomes with a complex pathophysiology which has led to a variety of different pharmacologic...