cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
DRGs and reimbursement for inpatient psychiatry

Abstract The reimbursement methodology outlined in the DRG (diagnosis-related groups) system is in many ways inappropriate for mental disorders. Some of the potential difficulties in the use of this system are reviewed. These are partly due to the methods used to develop the DRG system and partly a result of the use of such system to measure resource consumption in psychiatry. Prognosis, rather than diagnosis, should determine prospective reimbursement for psychiatry. It is suggested that PRGs (prognosis-related groups) be developed for classes of treatment facilities in the same manner as the current DRGs were developed.
Mycelial growth rate and toxin production in the seed pathogen Pyrenophora semeniperda: resource trade‐offs and temporally varying selection

Pyrenophora semeniperda, an important pathogen in Bromus tectorum seed banks in semi-arid western North America, exhibits >4-fold variation in mycelial growth rate. Host seeds exhibit seasonal changes in dormancy that affect the risk of pathogen-caused mortality. The hypothesis tested is that contrasting seed dormancy phenotypes select for contrasting strategies for increasing pathogen fitness, and that increased fitness on nondormant seeds involves a resource trade-off between toxin production and growth. The strategy for successfully attacking rapidly germinating nondormant seeds at high inoculum loads in autumn involves increased post-infection aggressiveness to prevent seed escape through germination. An earlier study demonstrated that slow-growing strains caused higher mortality than faster-growing strains on nondormant host seeds at high inoculum loads. In this study, production of the toxin cytochalasin B was significantly higher in slower-growing strains, and was induced only in seeds or in seed-constituent-containing media. Its production was reduced in vivo by Bromus tectorum seeds, suggesting direct involvement in pathogenesis on seeds. Fast-growing strains caused significantly higher mortality than slow-growing strains at low inoculum loads on dormant seeds, which apparently have resistance that is overcome at high loads or through rapid mycelial proliferation. In a co-inoculation study, the fast-growing isolate produced 3 9 more stromata than the slow-growing isolate on dormant seeds, whereas the slow-growing isolate was twice as successful on nondormant seeds. These results provide evidence that mycelial growth rate variation and associated variation in cytochalasin B production represent a trade-off maintained through temporally varying selection resulting from seasonal variation in host seed dormancy status.
The effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition and angiotensin II receptor antagonism on obstructed rat bladder

AbstractPurpose: Others have demonstrated that inhibition of angiotensin II production partially ameliorates obstructive changes in the neonatal rabbit bladder. We examined the effect of angiotensin II converting enzyme inhibition and receptor antagonism on the obstructed rat bladder.Materials and Methods: Three groups of animals were investigated. Partial bladder neck obstruction was created in 23 rats by placing a 2-zero silk ligature around the vesicourethral junction. Eight rats were given untreated tap water, 9 were given water supplemented with 50 mg./kg. of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril and 6 were given water with 30 mg./kg. of the angiotensin II subtype AT1 receptor antagonist losartan potassium. Eight unobstructed rats served as controls. After 2 weeks of partial outlet obstruction the animals were sacrificed and bladders were harvested. Routine histological evaluation and assays for total protein, deoxyribonucleic acid and collagen content were performed.Results: Histolog...
The effects of DRIE operational parameters on vertically aligned micropillar arrays

Vertically aligned silicon micropillar arrays have been created by deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) and used for a number of microfabricated devices including microfluidic devices, micropreconcentrators and photovoltaic cells. This paper delineates an experimental design performed on the Bosch process of DRIE of micropillar arrays. The arrays are fabricated with direct-write optical lithography without photomask, and the effects of DRIE process parameters, including etch cycle time, passivation cycle time, platen power and coil power on profile angle, scallop depth and scallop peak-to-peak distance are studied by statistical design of experiments. Scanning electron microscope images are used for measuring the resultant profile angles and characterizing the scalloping effect on the pillar sidewalls. The experimental results indicate the effects of the determining factors, etch cycle time, passivation cycle time and platen power, on the micropillar profile angles and scallop depths. An optimized DRIE process recipe for creating nearly 90° and smooth surface (invisible scalloping) has been obtained as a result of the statistical design of experiments.
Pathologic Prostate Cancer Characteristics in Patients Eligible for Active Surveillance: A Head-to-Head Comparison of Contemporary Protocols

Abstract Background Although the rationale for active surveillance (AS) in patients with low-risk prostate cancer is well established, eligibility criteria vary significantly across different programs. Objective To compare the ability of contemporary AS criteria to identify patients with certain pathologic tumor features based on the results of an extended transrectal prostate biopsy. Design, settings, and participants The study cohort included 391 radical prostatectomy patients who had prostate cancer with Gleason scores ≤6 on transrectal biopsy with ≥10 cores. Intervention Radical prostatectomy without neoadjuvant treatment. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis We identified patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria of five AS protocols including those of Epstein, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Prostate Cancer Research International: Active Surveillance (PRIAS), University of California, San Francisco, and University of Miami (UM). We evaluated the ability of these criteria to predict three pathologic end points: insignificant disease defined using a classical and updated formulation, and organ-confined Gleason ≤6 prostate cancer. Measures of diagnostic accuracy and areas under the receiver operating curve were calculated for each protocol and compared. Results and limitations A total of 75% of the patients met the inclusion criteria of at least one protocol; 23% were eligible for AS by all studied criteria. The PRIAS and UM criteria had the best balance between sensitivity and specificity for both definitions of insignificant prostate cancer and a higher discriminative ability for the end points than any criteria including patients with two or more positive cores. The Epstein criteria demonstrated high specificity but low sensitivity for all pathologic end points, and therefore the discriminative ability was not superior to those of other protocols. Conclusions Significant variations exist in the ability of contemporary AS criteria to predict pathologically insignificant prostate cancer at radical prostatectomy. These differences should be taken into account when making treatment choices in patients with low-risk prostate cancer.
Old English Words for Relics of the Saints

torians of the earlier Middle Ages. The Microfiche Concordance assisted Sarah Foot, for example, as she has traced how shifts in the Old English terms mynster “monastery, minster” and nunne “nun, vowess” expose fault-lines in Anglo-Saxon religious life that hardly show in Latin terminology of the period.1 Using the more recent, electronic versions of the DOE and its searchable Corpus, I seek in this paper to explain some patterns of vocabulary in another ecclesiastical sphere, the cult of saints. This vocabulary has received little attention, despite the acknowledged importance of relic-cults in the Anglo-Saxon Church and the large quantity of relevant material in Old English.2 Both Latin and vernacular terms for saints’ relics repay scrutiny. They are often less
Testing for linearity

Abstract A nonparametric large sample test is proposed for testing the linearity of a regression model with independent and identically distributed errors satisfying only a very mild tail condition. The statistic is based on the functional least squares estimator of the slope vector. The test is applied to the stack loss data.
Analysis: Glucose Monitoring by Reverse Iontophoresis

209 THE DIABETES CONTROL AND COMPLICATIONS TRIAL of 1992 demonstrated that the rigorous control of blood glucose levels through a combination of frequent glucose measurements and insulin injections can reduce the occurrence of long-term complications in type 1 diabetes. However, patient compliance with this intensive treatment is low, one of the primary reasons being that current methods of blood glucose self-testing are expensive, painful, cumbersome, aesthetically unpleasant, and inconvenient. In addition, patients have the fear of increased frequency of hypoglycemic episodes, which increase with intensive therapy. As a result, intensive research and commercial activity has focused on the development of simple painless techniques of monitoring glucose with increased frequency. Techniques under investigation can be categorized as noninvasive, minimally invasive, and invasive (i.e., implantable sensors). Noninvasive and so-call minimally invasive monitoring methods have been areas of intense research for nearly the past decade. The techniques fall into two general categories: transdermal spectroscopy and interstitial fluid sampling. The latter is the subject of the article by Tierney and colleagues from Cygnus, Inc. The primary technique for interstitial fluid sampling researched thus far has been reverse iontophoresis as personified by the Cygnus GlucoWatch, an integrated iontophoresis extraction system and glucose sensor that recently received a panel recommendation for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. In brief, when an electric field is applied between two electrodes placed on the skin, anions in the skin will move to the anode and cations move toward the cathode. This results in an electro-osmotic flow of interstitial fluid toward these electrodes. Because the majority of ions transported are Na 1 , the primary glucose flux is to the cathode. The interstitial fluid is collected in and diluted by the electrolyte that electrically couples the electrodes to the skin. Glucose can then be measured using a glucose sensor in contact with the electrolyte. A significant advantage of this method over transdermal spectroscopy is that a physiologically relevant fluid sample is collected. Interstitial fluid has been shown in a number of studies to have a glucose concentration identical to or closely correlated to that in plasma, though there are significant variation from study to study as a result of differing collection methods. The volume of interstitial fluid collected using reverse iontophoresis is small, primarily because the fluid is transported through hair follicles and sweat ducts. The extracted interstitial fluid sample is diluted in the hydrogel electrolyte used to couple the electrode to the skin. As a result, glucose concentrations in the receiver are low which makes electrochemical glucose sensing a challenge. Subject to these constraints, Cygnus has developed a glucose oxidase based electrochemical sensor to measure glucose in the extracted fluid. The main
A new MP HW architecture for technical and commercial environments

In the computer business, most new product designs are driven by the need to reduce the price and/or increase the performance of a customer valued set of functionality. By creating such products, vendors remain competitive and profitable. In a product line, like the HP 3000 or HP 9000, products at the low end will be designed with an emphasis on low cost, while products at the high end will emphasize performance. This paper describes a new, hardware architecture for both high end clients and midrange servers where managing cost and achieving high performance contend with each other and must be balanced in order to create the desired products. The system architecture described takes into account the technology trend of using microprocessors with superscaler and/or speculative execution pipelines in a symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) system. The characteristics of this trend demand that all other system components provide enough parallelism so that the entire system will perform well. However, providing parallel paths naturally works against managing cost. What follows are the results of an effort to create a high performance, cost effective SMP architecture which provides both technical and commercial users with an attractive set of products.
MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION CARCINOGENESIS

UV radiation is a potent DNA damaging agent and a known inducer of skin cancer in experimental animals. There is excellent scientific evidence to indicate that most non-melanoma human skin cancers are induced by repeated exposure to sunlight. UV radiation is unique in that it induces DNA damage that differs from the lesions induced by any other carcinogen. The prevalence of skin cancer on sun-exposed body sites in individuals with the inherited disorder XP suggests that defective repair of UV-induced DNA damage can lead to cancer induction. Carcinogenesis in the skin, as elsewhere, is a multistep process in which a series of genetic and epigenetic events leads to the emergence of a clone of cells that have escaped normal growth control mechanisms. The principal candidates that are involved in these events are oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Oncogenes display a positive effect on transformation, whereas tumor suppressor genes have an essentially negative effect, blocking transformation. Activated ras oncogenes have been identified in human skin cancers. In most cases, the mutations in the ras oncogenes have been localized to pyrimidine-rich sequences, which indicates that these sites are probably the targets for UV-induced DNA damage and subsequent mutation and transformation. The finding that activation of ras oncogenes in benign and self-regressing keratoacanthomas in both humans and in animals indicates that they play a role in the early stages of carcinogenesis (Corominas et al., 1989; Kumar et al., 1990). Since cancers do not arise immediately after exposure to physical or chemical carcinogens, ras oncogenes must remain latent for long periods of time. Tumor growth and progression into the more malignant stages may require additional events involving activation of other oncogenes or deletion of growth suppressor genes. In addition, amplification of proto-oncogenes or other genes may also be involved in tumor induction or progression. In contrast to the few studies that implicate the involvement of oncogenes in UV carcinogenesis, the role of tumor suppressor genes in UV carcinogenesis is unknown. Since cancer-prone individuals, particularly XP patients, lack one or more repair pathways, one can speculate that DNA repair enzymes would confer susceptibility to both spontaneous and environmentally induced cancers. Another potential candidate that can function as a tumor suppressor gene is the normal c-Ha-ras gene. Spandidos and Wilkie (1988) have shown that the normal c-Ha-ras gene can suppress transformation induced by the mutated ras gene.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Effects of supplementation and stage of lactation on performance of grazing dairy ewes.

Abstract The majority of dairy sheep in the world are fed pasture and supplemental grain during lactation; however, no trials have reported the effects of supplementation of dairy ewes grazing improved pastures in North America. In trial 1, 56 three-year-old grazing dairy ewes in early [21 ± 10 d in milk (DIM)] or late (136 ± 9 DIM) lactation were fed 0 or 0.82 kg of dry matter/d per ewe of supplement (16.5% crude protein mixture of corn and a soybean meal-based high-protein pellet) in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. There were no significant interactions between stage of lactation and supplementation treatments. Average test-day milk production was higher in early-lactation ewes than in late-lactation ewes (1.74 vs. 1.21 kg/d, respectively). Although test-day milk protein percentage was higher in late-lactation ewes than in early-lactation ewes (5.02 vs. 4.86%, respectively), there was no difference in milk fat percentage between stages of lactation. Supplemented ewes had higher milk production (1.59 vs. 1.36 kg/d, respectively), lower milk fat percentage (5.75 vs. 6.00%, respectively), and lower milk protein percentage (4.84 vs. 5.04%, respectively) than unsupplemented ewes. Milk urea N levels were similar between the 2 stages of lactation and between the 2 supplementation treatments and were above recommended levels for dairy sheep, indicating an excess intake or inefficient utilization of protein for both supplementation treatments. In trial 2, 96 two-, three-, and four-year-old grazing dairy ewes in midlactation (112 ± 21 DIM) were randomly assigned to 4 treatments of 0, 0.41, 0.82, or 1.24 kg of dry matter/d per ewe of whole corn. Average test-day milk production increased linearly and milk fat percentage decreased quadratically with increasing amounts of corn supplementation. Milk protein yield increased linearly, and milk urea N levels decreased quadratically with increasing amounts of corn supplementation, suggesting an improvement in the utilization of pasture protein with increasing dietary energy intake.
The identification of shipwreck sites: a Bayesian approach

Abstract Archaeology of the historic era offers the promise of linking people and events to archaeological materials. Yet such identifications have an ‘all or nothing’ quality and, once made, often take on a reality all their own that does not convey the underlying degree of certainty or data quality on which the identification was based. This is a common problem in archaeology, where both the data, as well as the conclusions, are inherently probabilistic. This paper focuses on the analysis of archaeological shipwrecks, and develops a system to assess and quantify the level of confidence that can be attached to the association of a historical vessel with a scattered wreck site. The linking of a historic vessel with the wreck site is treated as a probabilistic process, and Bayesian methods are employed to estimate the confidence with which a particular vessel is linked to a wreck site and to update this confidence as new evidence is introduced. The approach is demonstrated on a series of wreck sites from the Great Lakes region.
Extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue with amyloid deposition: a clinicopathologic case series.

Extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosaassociated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is a mature B-cell neoplasm that typically follows an indolent clinical course. Amyloid deposition associated with MALT lymphoma is uncommon. We describe the clinical and pathologic features of 20 cases of MALT lymphoma and associated amyloid deposition across diverse primary sites. Frozen section immunofluorescence performed on 4 cases suggests that these deposits are a localized form of AL amyloid. Clinical follow-up was available for 15 patients. Amyloid deposits distant from the initial site occurred in 5 cases, always at sites also involved by the underlying lymphoma. No definitive evidence of systemic amyloidosis affecting the heart, kidneys, or liver was present in any patient. Given the generally indolent clinical behavior of MALT lymphomas with associated amyloid, we do not recommend extensive follow-up testing for systemic amyloidosis or more aggressive therapy than would be indicated for other MALT lymphomas of similar clinical stage.
Rupture Process of the 1999 Mw 7.1 Duzce Earthquake from Joint Analysis of SPOT, GPS, InSAR, Strong-Motion, and Teleseismic Data: A Supershear Rupture with Variable Rupture Velocity

We analyze the rupture process of the 1999 M_w 7.1 Duzce earthquake using seismological, remote sensing, and geodetic data. Ground deformation measured from the subpixel cross correlation of Satellite Pour l'Observation de la Terre (SPOT) images reveals a 55 km long fault trace and smooth surface-slip distribution peaking at 3.5–4 m. The westernmost segment overlaps for over 10 km with ruptures from the M_w 7.4 Izmit earthquake. The 15 km long easternmost segment, which cuts across mountainous topography, had not been reported previously. We determine a well-constrained source model using a four-segment fault geometry using constraints on surface fault slip and inverting Global Positioning System and Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar data along with strong-motion records. Our results show that some variability of the rupture velocity and an eastward supershear velocity are required to fit the strong-motion data. The rise time, up to 6 sec, correlates with cumulative slip, suggesting a sliding velocity of about 1 m/sec. The source model predicts teleseismic waveforms well, although early by 2 sec. This time shift is probably due to the weak beginning of the earthquake that is not observable at teleseismic distances. Strong-motion records are relatively well predicted from a source model derived from the teleseismic data using the fault geometry derived from the satellite images. This study demonstrates the benefit of using accurate fault geometries to determine finite-fault source models.
Action and Contingency Postulates in Organization-Environment Relations

Two models of organization-environment relations are examined. One postulates organizational structure or behavior as contingent on environments; organizations are viewed as adapting to environmental changes. Conversely, the second model postulates environments as dependent upon organizations; organizations are viewed as actively manipulating environments. The two alternative models are empirically assessed and compared on a heterogeneous sample of 27 business corporations. In the contingency model, environmental manipulation is used to predict different dimensions of organizational technology. In the action model, the causal order is reversed; technology is used to predict environmental manipulation. Organizational assets are controlled in both models to eliminate the possible bias of differential resources. We find similar predictive power for both models. Explained variance was about equal, and standardized regression coefficients were similar across the models as well. It is thus concluded that a full...
Cytogenetic damage measured in human sperm following cancer chemotherapy

Abstract Germ-line cytogenetic damage is well documented in laboratory animals exposed to anti-cancer agents, but has been harder to verify in the human. This paper reviews published studies demonstrating cytogenetic damage in human sperm following exposure to anti-cancer chemicals, as measured by the human-sperm/hamster-egg cytogenetic technique and fluorescence in situ hybridization. These two assays have provided important information on one step in the pathway leading to induced, transmissible germ line damage in the human. By way of introduction, a short review of the traditional human endpoints used to address the question of induced, transmissible genetic damage in human germ cells (mutation epidemiology) related to anti-cancer chemicals is presented.
Linkage Mapping in Experimental Crosses: The Robustness of Single-Gene Models

The robustness of parametric linkage mapping against model misspecification is considered in experimental breeding designs, with a focus on localization of the gene. By examining the expected LOD across the genome, it is shown that single-gene models are quite robust, even for polygenic traits. However, when the marker map is of low resolution, linked polygenes can give rise to an apparent ``ghost'' gene, mapped to an incorrect interval. The results apply equally well to quantitative traits or qualitative (categorical) traits. The results are derived for backcross populations, with a discussion of extensions to intercross populations and relative-pair mapping in humans.
Optical and Electrical Modeling of Polymer Thin-film Photovoltaics

By coupling optical and electronic device simulation, we explore the optimization of organic photovoltaic devices. We use optical simulation via FDTD and transmission matrix solution of Maxwell’s equations in order to calculate distribution of light intensity, including the reflectivity and transmissivity of transparent anode layers. We derive simple formulas for the conductivity requirements as function of pattern structure of potential replacements for ITO as transparent anode material, and explore the optimization of thickness of active layer and its relationship with the peaks of optical generation inside the active layer.
Decomposing permutations via cost-constrained transpositions

We consider the problem of finding the minimum cost transposition decomposition of a permutation. In this framework, arbitrary non-negative costs are assigned to individual transpositions and the task at hand is to devise polynomial-time, constant-approximation decomposition algorithms. We describe a polynomial-time algorithm based on specialized search strategies that constructs the optimal decomposition of individual transpositions. The analysis of the optimality of decompositions of single transpositions uses graphical models and Menger's theorem. We also present a dynamic programing algorithms that finds the minimum cost, minimum length decomposition of a cycle and show that this decomposition represents a 4-approximation of the optimal solution. The results presented for individual cycles extend to general permutations.
Integrating INS Sensors With GPS Measurements for Continuous Estimation of Vehicle Sideslip, Roll, and Tire Cornering Stiffness

This paper details a unique method for estimating key vehicle states-body sideslip angle, tire sideslip angle, and vehicle attitude-using Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements in conjunction with other sensors. A method is presented for integrating Inertial Navigation System sensors with GPS measurements to provide higher update rate estimates of the vehicle states. The influence of road side-slope and vehicle roll on estimating vehicle sideslip is investigated. A method using one GPS antenna that estimates accelerometer errors occurring from vehicle roll and sensor drift is first developed. A second method is then presented utilizing a two-antenna GPS system to provide direct measurements of vehicle roll and heading, resulting in improved sideslip estimation. Additionally, it is shown that the tire sideslip estimates can be used to estimate the tire cornering stiffnesses. The experimental results for the GPS-based sideslip angle measurement and cornering stiffness estimates compare favorably to theoretical predictions, suggesting that this technique has merit for future implementation in vehicle safety systems
A conceptual framework to energy estimation in buildings using agent based modeling

Actual energy consumption in buildings is typically different from predictions during the design phase. While differences in occupant energy usage characteristics play an important role in this variation, actual energy estimation software do not account for this factor. This paper proposes a new approach for energy estimation in buildings using a combination of traditional energy calculation software along with agent-based simulation modeling. First, the difference in energy consumption levels for different types of occupancy energy usage characteristics is identified by building energy models adapted for each type of behavior. Then, an agent-based simulation model simulates the influence that people with different behaviors have on each other, resulting in potential changes in energy usage characteristics over time. By combining these two methods, more customized energy studies can be performed resulting in more accurate energy consumption estimates.
Re-operation for bleeding after thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy.

Background This study was undertaken to determine the frequency and timing of re-operation for bleeding following thyroidectomy (THY) and parathyroidectomy (PARA) as well as the implications of this concerning the safety of ambulatory surgery. Methods Patients requiring re-operation after THY and PARA were identified from a computerized database of patients undergoing surgery between 3/l/95 and 12/31/99. The medical records of these patients were reviewed in detail. Results Six of 918 THY (0.7%) and 4 of 350 PARA (1.1%) required re-operation for bleeding. In two cases the wounds were opened emergently at the bedside due to worsening airway obstruction. One patient required an emergency tracheostomy. There were no deaths. Excluding one patient who bled five days post-operatively, the time interval from the completion of surgery to the identification of postoperative hematoma ranged from 2 to 48 hours, the median being 16 hours. Conclusions Postoperative bleeding is an uncommon but unavoidable complication of THY and PARA. If treated promptly, serious consequences can be avoided. The relatively long interval between the initial operation and the development of the hematoma needs to be considered when recommending the performance of these procedures on an ambulatory basis. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 23: 544–546, 2001.
Reexamining the Dynamic Model of Divided Partisan Government

We reexamine the dynamic model of divided partisan government in the American states developed by Alt and Lowry(2000), a model that purports to provide strong evidence that patterns of partisan control of state government institutions have a substantial impact on state revenues. Given the complexity of the model, however, many of its key implications are not as obvious as they might be. Further, several of these nonobvious implications are, if not implausible, at least inconsistent in light of the larger theory Alt and Lowry explore. We argue, therefore, that the specification of the model is as yet incomplete and both needs and merits further work.
The performance of high‐efficiency electrostatic precipitators

A preliminary regression equation has been obtained in which the efficiency of a modern cold-side precipitator operating on low sulfur coals may be estimated for a known set of resistivity and (SCA) values. The correlation has been developed for base case conditions of voltage gradient (power supplied), water concentration in flue gas, and temperature, typical of industrial applications. Equations to estimate efficiency at modified conditions have been given also. The negative sign of resistivity of the exponent (-0.1234) in the modified Deutsch equation is directionally consistent with the electrostatic precipitation principle that efficiency decreases when resistivity increases. It is intended in future work to incorporate reentrainment effects to extend the range of the results. 21 references, 8 figures.
Gaps in Glaucoma care: A systematic review of monoscopic disc photos to screen for glaucoma.

One important gap in glaucoma care is the lack of an optimized screening protocol for detecting glaucoma on a population level. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of monoscopic disc photos as a screening tool for detecting glaucoma. Six studies met inclusion and exclusion criteria out of 221 possible titles. The specificity of monoscopic photos to detect glaucoma compared to clinical exam was excellent (93.6–100%), while the sensitivity was much lower (50–67.4%). Monoscopic disc photos are highly specific in identifying glaucoma, though additional testing, such as perimetry, may be needed to improve their sensitivity. Further research is needed to evaluate whether monoscopic disc photos are a cost–effective way to screen for glaucoma in a primary care setting utilizing new technological advances in ophthalmic imaging such as portable non-mydriatic fundus cameras.
Human and Bovine Viruses and Bacteria at Three Great Lakes Beaches: Environmental Variable Associations and Health Risk.

Waterborne pathogens were measured at three beaches in Lake Michigan, environmental factors for predicting pathogen concentrations were identified, and the risk of swimmer infection and illness was estimated. Waterborne pathogens were detected in 96% of samples collected at three Lake Michigan beaches in summer, 2010. Samples were quantified for 22 pathogens in four microbial categories (human viruses, bovine viruses, protozoa, and pathogenic bacteria). All beaches had detections of human and bovine viruses and pathogenic bacteria indicating influence of multiple contamination sources at these beaches. Occurrence ranged from 40 to 87% for human viruses, 65–87% for pathogenic bacteria, and 13–35% for bovine viruses. Enterovirus, adenovirus A, Salmonella spp., Campylobacter jejuni, bovine polyomavirus, and bovine rotavirus A were present most frequently. Variables selected in multiple regression models used to explore environmental factors that influence pathogens included wave direction, cloud cover, curre...
The Refractive Index and Other Properties of Doped ZnO films

Ordinary and extraordinary indices of refraction, film thickness and waveguide mode information of zinc oxide, zinc oxide doped with nitrogen and zinc oxide doped with tellurium were measured by using a prism coupling waveguide technique. The films were grown on c-axis sapphire substrates by pulsed laser deposition (PLD). High accuracy waveguide measurements show that the ordinary and extraordinary indices of refraction of ZnO samples change with the introduction of nitrogen or tellurium. The densification of films with annealing could also be tracked with precision refractive index measurement. The crystal structure and the optical properties of the films were also characterized by using x-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and cathodoluminescence (CL).
Unfolded protein response-induced dysregulation of calcium homeostasis promotes retinal degeneration in rat models of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa

The molecular mechanism of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (ADRP) in rats is closely associated with a persistently activated unfolded protein response (UPR). If unchecked, the UPR might trigger apoptosis, leading to photoreceptor death. One of the UPR-activated cellular signaling culminating in apoptotic photoreceptor cell death is linked to an increase in intracellular Ca2+. Therefore, we validated whether ADRP retinas experience a cytosolic Ca2+ overload, and whether sustained UPR in the wild-type retina could promote retinal degeneration through Ca2+-mediated calpain activation. We performed an ex vivo experiment to measure intracellular Ca2+ in ADRP retinas as well as to detect the expression levels of proteins that act as Ca2+ sensors. In separate experiments with the subretinal injection of tunicamycin (UPR inducer) and a mixture of calcium ionophore (A231278) and thapsigargin (SERCA2b inhibitor) we assessed the consequences of a sustained UPR activation and increased intracellular Ca2+ in the wild-type retina, respectively, by performing scotopic ERG, histological, and western blot analyses. Results of the study revealed that induced UPR in the retina activates calpain-mediated signaling, and increased intracellular Ca2+ is capable of promoting retinal degeneration. A significant decline in ERG amplitudes at 6 weeks post treatment was associated with photoreceptor cell loss that occurred through calpain-activated CDK5-pJNK-Csp3/7 pathway. Similar calpain activation was found in ADRP rat retinas. A twofold increase in intracellular Ca2+ and up- and downregulations of ER membrane-associated Ca2+-regulated IP3R channels and SERCA2b transporters were detected. Therefore, sustained UPR activation in the ADRP rat retinas could promote retinal degeneration through increased intracellular Ca2+ and calpain-mediated apoptosis.
The Mountain Movers: Asian American Women's Movement in Los Angeles

(1989). The Mountain Movers: Asian American Women's Movement in Los Angeles. Amerasia Journal: Vol. 15, No. 1, pp. 51-67.
Acute necrotising soft-tissue infection

A patient with diabetes presented with redness, pain and swelling in the right leg, which had worsened over 2 months, as well as with recent vomiting and malaise. A physical examination revealed tachycardia and …
Men on the Move–Nashville: Feasibility and Acceptability of a Technology-Enhanced Physical Activity Pilot Intervention for Overweight and Obese Middle and Older Age African American Men:

Men on the Move-Nashville was a quasi-experimental, 10-week pilot physical activity intervention. A total of 40 overweight or obese African American men ages 30 to 70 (mean age = 47) enrolled in the intervention. Participants attended 8 weekly, 90-minute small group sessions with a certified personal trainer. Each session consisted of discussions aimed to educate and motivate men to be more physically active, and an exercise component aimed to increase endurance, strength, and flexibility. Throughout each week, men used wearable activity trackers to promote self-monitoring and received informational and motivational SMS text messages. Of the 40 enrolled men, 85% completed the intervention, and 80% attended four or more small group sessions. Additionally, 70% of participants successfully used the activity tracker, but only 30% of men utilized their gym memberships. Participants benefited from both the small group discussions and activities through increasing social connection and guidance from their trainer and group members. These African American men reported being motivated to engage in physical activity through each of these technologies. Men reported that the activity trackers provided an important extension to their social network of physically active people. The intervention resulted in significant increases in men's self-reported levels of light, moderate, vigorous, and sports-related physical activities, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and significant decreases in weight and body fat percentage with small, moderate and large effects shown. Including technology and didactic components in small group-based interventions holds promise in motivating African American men to increase their physical activity.
Further Validation of the Conner's Adult Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Rating Scale Infrequency Index (CII) for Detection of Non-Credible Report of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms

Objective Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be easily presented in a non-credible manner, through non-credible report of ADHD symptoms and/or by non-credible performance on neuropsychological tests. While most studies have focused on detection of non-credible performance using performance validity tests, there are few studies examining the ability to detect non-credible report of ADHD symptoms. We provide further validation data for a recently developed measure of non-credible ADHD symptom report, the Conner's Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS) Infrequency Index (CII). Method Using archival data from 86 adults referred for concerns about ADHD, we examined the accuracy of the CII in detecting extreme scores on the CAARS and invalid reporting on validity indices of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Restructured Format (MMPI-2-RF). We also examined the accuracy of the CII in detecting non-credible performance on standalone and embedded performance validity tests. Results The CII was 52% sensitive to extreme scores on CAARS DSM symptom subscales (with 97% specificity) and 20%-36% sensitive to invalid responding on MMPI-2-RF validity scales (with near 90% specificity), providing further evidence for the interpretation of the CII as an indicator of non-credible ADHD symptom report. However, the CII detected only 18% of individuals who failed a standalone performance validity test (Word Memory Test), with 87.8% specificity, and was not accurate in detecting non-credible performance using embedded digit span cutoffs. Conclusions Future studies should continue to examine how best to assess for non-credible symptom report in ADHD referrals.
Design of Mine-used Multi-parameter Sensor Based on MSP430F149

In order to solve problems of disorderly wiring and inconvenient install and maintenance of sensors caused by single-parameter measurement of exsiting sensors used in safety monitoring and control system of coal(mine,) a design scheme of(mine-used multi-parameter) sensor was(proposed.) The(multi-)parameter sensor is designed by use of MSP430F149 single-chip microcomputer.It can transmit collected signals of gas concentration,CO concentration,O_2 concentration and temperature to LED for displaying after data processing and output alarming signal.Some testing results showed that the multi-parameter sensor has high precision,good stability,and strong anti-interference ability.
Medical Staff's Capability of Treating Dog-bitten Out-patients in Rabies Clinics in Chengdu

Objective To investigate medical staff's capability of treating dog-bitten patients in rabies prevention and control department in Chengdu,and to provide reference for standardizing the medical treatment.Methods Onsite observation was carried out to the medical personnel from the 21 rabies clinics of Chengdu.The investigator served as an intern for a week in every selected spot.The observation included diagnosis and treatment processes of dog injury,wound cleaning and disinfection,vaccine and serum injections,re-immunization for injury and before injury etc.Database was established with Epidata3.02 and was analyzed by SPSS13.0.Results No statistical difference was found(P0.05) among three levels of clinics(municipal,district level and community level) concerning the following variables: wound cleaning,vaccine and serum injections,re-treatment for injury among the medical staff;the rate of correct operation was above 80%.Significant differences were found on variables as: treatment or description before dog injury,diagnosis and treatment processes(P0.05);the lowest correct operation rate was among medical staff in community-level(with a correct rate of 70.73% and 58.33%,respectively).Conclusion The medical staff's capability to treat dog injury in Chengdu needs further improvement,calling for more targeted and standardized technical training.
Noninvasive assessment of the effects of aorta-coronary bypass grafting on ventricular function during rest and exercise

Ventricular function was measured by radionuclide angiocardiography during rest and exercise in patients before and approximately 4 months after aorta-coronary bypass grafting. The first group of seven patients continued to have symptomatic chest pain after operation. The second group of 13 patients were asymptomatic after operation but, since they had been studied before operation, consented to postoperative study. Before operation, both patient groups demonstrated similar degrees of myocardial ischemia during exercise as documented by a decrease in ejection fraction, by large increases in end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes, and by exercise-induced wall motion abnormalities. After aorta-coronary bypass grafting, ventricular function in the symptomatic patients was unchanged during rest and exercise. In contrast, ventricular function during rest and exercise in the asymptomatic patients was markedly improved. With exercise, the ejection fraction increased and the exercise-induced wall motion abnormalities seen before operation were abolished. Therefore, aorta-coronary bypass grafting can effectively reverse exercise-induced left ventricular dysfunction in patients with coronary disease. Moreover, the changes in left ventricular function demonstrated by radionuclide angiocardiography correlated with the clinical status of the patient groups.
Missing Data Imputation Through Machine Learning Algorithms

How to address missing data is an issue most researchers face. Computerized algorithms have been developed to ingest rectangular data sets, where the rows represent observations and the columns represent variables. These data matrices contain elements whose values are real numbers. In many data sets, some of the elements of the matrix are not observed. Quite often, missing observations arise from instrument failures, values that have not passed quality control criteria, etc. That leads to a quandary for the analyst using techniques that require a full data matrix. The first decision an analyst must make is whether the actual underlying values would have been observed if there was not an instrument failure, an extreme value, or some unknown reason. Since many programs expect complete data and the most economical way to achieve this is by deleting the observations with missing data, most often the analysis is performed on a subset of available data. This situation can become extreme in cases where a substantial portion of the data are missing or, worse, in cases where many variables exist with a seemingly small percentage of missing data. In such cases, large amounts of available data are discarded by deleting observations with one or more pieces of missing data. The importance of this problem arises
Intended and Unanticipated Consequences

The process of innovation through adaption and use is impacted by multiple turns in the road, many of which result in unseen and unintended consequences. While this is important to civilian applications, it is especially important when these consequences are experienced by military organizations which are tasked with the immediate responsibility to project violence on behalf of the state. Traditional constraints within military culture include the law of war, the warrior ethic, and the relationships which have traditionally been forged between soldiers and their leaders. Emerging technologies challenge these constraints and threaten traditional military efficacy itself. Part one: What does it mean to be a warrior? Part two: What does it mean to be a civilian? Part three: Consensual risk? Soldiers, uncertain technology, and informed consent Part four: The intersection of military and civilian professional standards of care Part five: Dependence on cyber technology
Predicting removal of trace organic compounds by biofilms

Dans le cadre de l'epuration tertiaire des eaux usees, etude de la validite de l'utilisation des films bacteriens pour l'elimination de composes organiques a l'etat de trace
Exploring the pH Sensitivity of E. Coli MscS

The mechanosensitive channel of small conductance (MscS) from Escherichia coli (E. coli) gates in response to mechanical tension that is generated from hypo-osmotic shock. The gating mechanism of E. coli MscS, in response to mechanical tension, is similar to that of a Jack-in-the-Box, the channel springs into the open state when the applied extrinsic tension overcomes the intrinsic lateral tension of the membrane. E. coli MscS is the founding member of the MscS superfamily, a superfamily of 15 subfamilies that all contain significant homology to the pore lining helix of E. coli MscS. In the early identification of MscS a rapid desensitization of MscS when pressure is applied at low pH is observed, however when patched at physiological pH E. coli MscS does not desensitize. To identify the region of the channel that evokes pH sensitivity we will use asymmetric and symmetric pH patch buffer. A recent study explored how significant alterations to the most conserved residues impacted E. coli MscS function, one residue F127 showed significant alteration to the gating phenotype when mutated to different residues. The results of the previous study show that the rapid desensitization classically observed in low pH are observed in a F127 mutations. This suggests that F127 is involved in a long-range interaction, potentially a cation-π with K60. Based on the location of this interaction in multiple crystal structures, the cation-π is potentially involved in the desensitized state of the channel. Through patch clamp electrophysiology we will understand the role of a pH sensitive region in the gating cycle of E. coli MscS.