cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Congenital muscular dystrophy with primary laminin α2 (Merosin) deficiency presenting as inflammatory myopathy

Ten laminin alpha2-deficient patients were identified by both immunofluorescence and immunoblotting (30% of congenital muscular dystrophy patients tested). Three of the laminin alpha2-deficient patients were carrying a diagnosis of infantile polymyositis prior to immunostaining studies. The clinical features in the 10 merosin-deficient patients were homogeneous, with severe floppiness at birth, delay in achievement of motor milestones, and magnetic resonance imaging findings of white matter changes with normal intelligence. The 10-kb laminin alpha2-coding sequence was screened for causative mutations by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction/single-stranded conformational polymorphism analysis in muscle biopsy specimens from 5 patients, followed by automatic sequencing of aberrant conformers. Clear loss-of-function deletion mutations were identified in both alleles of 1 patient. Muscle histopathology in this patient showed a striking inflammatory infiltrate of T cells and B cells. Reexamination of biopsy specimens from other laminin alpha2-deficient patients showed minor signs of inflammation in each. Based on these findings and the histological and clinical picture suggesting failure of muscle regeneration, a pathogenesis model for this major subset of congenital muscular dystrophy is proposed. Our data show that muscle histopathology showing a neonatal inflammatory process should be considered consistent with congenital muscular dystrophy.
Chromium Grain-Boundary Segregation and Effect of Ion Beam Cleaning on Ni-Fe-Cr Alloys

The grain boundaries play important role to control the mechanical strength of ternary alloys. From spacecrafts to naval vessels to nuclear reactors, stress corrosion cracking, brittleness, oxidation mostly originates at the grain boundaries and cause long term structural stability problems in most of the metallic structures [1]. Fe-Ni-Cr based ternary metal alloys have been widely studied for more than fifty years [2, 3]. Despite of vast amount of research, chromium diffusion in stainless steel or other Ni-Fe-Cr based ternary alloys is still an open scientific problem with challenges in structural stability and corrosion resistance [4]. Particularly, austenite Fe-Ni-Cr is looked upon favorably in space and jet engine industry for their improved resistance to stress corrosion cracking [5]. In solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), Ni-alloys are frequently used as interconnects and seals [6]. In this communication, simultaneous energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) mapping is utilized to study chemical and structural aspects of chromium segregation in Fe-Ni-Cr alloy. A focused Ga-ion beam is also utilized to study the effect of ion beam cleaning on EBSD image quality (IQ) and inverse pole figure (IPF) maps of Fe-Ni-Cr alloy.
Current needs for the characterization of the refractive properties of transmissive-optical materials

The use of transmissive optics in directed-energy systems require the knowledge of (1) the real and complex index of refraction, (2) the index and the temperature coefficient of index over the wavelength and temperature ranges for which a system is being designed, and (3) the effect of high-energy optical and nuclear radiation on both the real and complex index of refraction. This paper addresses the current needs for the characterization of transmissive-optical materials and discusses the problems and possible solution involved with meeting these needs.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Further investigation of a rapid restraint analysis

Research related to the use of mechanical restraint devices (e.g., arm splints) has been limited despite the frequency with which they are used in the clinical treatment of severe and dangerous self-injurious behavior (SIB). Wallace, Iwata, Zhou, and Goff () used a rapid restraint analysis (RRA) to evaluate the effects of different levels of arm-splint flexion on rates of hand-to-head SIB and adaptive behavior. The goal of the current study was 3-fold: (a) to extend previous research on RRA by reporting RRA results for 10 participants and investigating post-RRA outcomes, (b) to investigate whether the RRA might have the potential to eliminate the need for restraint fading altogether for some individuals, and (c) to investigate whether the RRA might help to identify a starting point for restraint fading for individuals for whom fading is necessary. Results suggested that the RRA helped to eliminate the need for restraint fading for 6 participants. With respect to the identification of a starting point for restraint fading, results were mixed. Overall, 8 of the 10 participants were discharged from the inpatient unit at a less restrictive level of flexion or at the same level of flexion identified by the RRA. Implications for adoption of the RRA are discussed.
Autonomía e identidad práctica: Pilares de la conducta ética de los médicos

Three frequent problems of daily medical practice are analyzed: (1) a physician's perceived obligation to provide medical services regardless of whether one's health care institution provides monetary compensation for the medical act, (2) increasing pressures to obtain informed consent in a national context where paternalistic physician-patient interactions have been customary, and (3) a physician's professional responsibility to offer internationally recognized standard of care even if this means allocating expensive tertiary healthcare resources to a small number of patients in spite of one's knowledge that national governments are unable to provide primary care to millions of their citizens. These problems are discussed from the point of view of the ethical principle of respect for patient autonomy. Potential limiting factors (cultural, financial, religious or disease-related influences) on autonomy of patients and doctors are identified. The functions of patient autonomy in the framework of four different patient-doctor interaction models (paternalist, informative, interpretative and deliberatibe) are described. Physician leaders, health care institutions, and professional organizations are responsible for creating an environment in which doctors can discuss ethical issues as comfortably and as frequently as they discuss biological matters. Health care providers should do their best to recover the human side of medical practice which, undoubtedly, would create a greater likelihood that appropriate decisions will be made when facing complex ethical dilemmas.
Focus on locus: Evolution of medicare's local coverage policy

Medicare relies on a highly decentralized local-contractor structure that emerged as a political compromise in 1965. Decisions regarding Medicare’s coverage of new procedures and technologies are an important part of the program. A national coverage process exists, but Medicare’s local contractors develop most coverage policies. Although an intense debate surrounds Medicare’s local coverage process, there is little analysis to inform the discussion. To expand knowledge of local coverage policy, this paper traces its origins and evolution. I conclude that the focus on locus, framing the debate in terms of local versus national, obscures fundamental policy issues of access, equity, and quality in Medicare.
Imaging bacterial 3D motion using digital in-line holographic microscopy and correlation-based de-noising algorithm.

Abstract: Better understanding of bacteria environment interactions in the context of biofilm formation requires accurate 3-dimentional measurements of bacteria motility. Digital Holographic Microscopy (DHM) has demonstrated its capability in resolving 3D distribution and mobility of particulates in a dense suspension. Due to their low scattering efficiency, bacteria are substantially difficult to be imaged by DHM. In this paper, we introduce a novel correlation-based de-noising algorithm to remove the background noise and enhance the quality of the hologram. Implemented in conjunction with DHM, we demonstrate that the method allows DHM to resolve 3-D E. coli bacteria locations of a dense suspension (>107 cells/ml) with submicron resolutions (<0.5 µm) over substantial depth and to obtain thousands of 3D cell trajectories.
Clinical Judgment : an Overview:

The process of clinical judgment and decision making in assessment is a poorly understood phenomenon, perhaps because it has been largely ignored in the speech-language pathology literature. In contrast, the fields of medicine and psychology have provided a substantial body of research investigating clinical judgment and decision making in clinical practice. The authors provide an overview of this literature, emphasizing the need for clinical judgment to be systematically studied and taught within our own field.
Lease delay rights: Market valued permits and offshore leasing☆

Abstract Sealed bid auctions for offshore federal mineral holdings are a source of substantial litigation brought by environmental groups and the states against the US government. A basic utility maximizing model and explanations based on externalities and wealth seeking behaviour are used to predict a willingness to pay by interest groups to delay a lease on specific tracts. A method is developed that incorporates bids for delay into the auction process. Estimates of the minimum payment to delay a lease, based on data from two lease sales, are compared to the budget of selected environmental groups, states and local governments.
Regulation of the Mineralocorticoid Hormones in Adrenocortical Disorders with Adrenocorticotropin Excess

Chronic stimulation by adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) of the adrenal cortex produces different plasma mineralocorticoid hormone (MCH) patterns, depending on the amount of glucocorticoid hormones (cortisol) concurrently generated and the degree of activation of the renin angiotensin system (RAS). Patients with Cushing's disease or the ectopic ACTH-excess syndrome have normal or low production of the MCHs, aldosterone and 18-hydroxycorticosterone (18-OHB), by the zona glomerulosa (ZG), elevated cortisol and deoxycorticosterone (DOC) levels, and high-normal to elevated production of the MCHs corticosterone (B) and 18-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone (18-OHDOC) by the zona fasciculata (ZF). Prolonged administration of superphysiologic doses of ACTH to normal subjects yields similar patterns. Patients with simple virilizing 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD) have impaired ZF production of B and 18-OHDOC and elevated DOC, 18-OHB, and aldosterone secretion secondary to the superimposed RAS stimulation of the ZG. Patients with 17 alpha-hydroxylase deficiency (17 alpha-OHD) have elevated levels of the ZF MCHs DOC, B, 18-OHDOC, and 18-OHB and a functionally suppressed ZG. Patients with 11 beta-hydroxylase deficiency (11 beta-OHD) have only elevated production of DOC by the ZF and suppressed RAS and aldosterone. A significant negative correlation between cortisol and aldosterone concentrations suggests that cortisol is involved in the ACTH-mediated inhibition of aldosterone formation.
Modeling kanban processes in systems engineering

Systems engineering processes using pull scheduling methods (kanban) are being evaluated with hybrid modeling and simulation. We are assessing integrated systems and software engineering at the enterprise level, where rapid response software development projects incrementally evolve capabilities of existing systems and/or systems of systems. A kanban-based scheduling system was defined and implemented with connected discrete, continuous and agent-based models. We are simulating the process performance vs. traditional methods of sharing systems engineering services across projects, and whether the overall value of the systems of systems over time is increased.
Embryonic sympathoblasts transiently express TrkB in vivo and proliferate in response to brain-derived neurotrophic factor in vitro

Nerve growth factor and neurotrophin-3 are involved in the development of sympathetic neurons; however, whether brain derived neurotrophic factor also plays a role is not known. The purpose of this study was to determine whether BDNF and its receptor, TrkB, are expressed during the development of paravertebral sympathetic ganglia in vivo and to determine the effect of BDNF in vitro. As neural crest cells coalesce to form sympathetic ganglia, TrkB-positive cells are seen in both chicken and mouse embryos. In chicken embryos, TrkB-expressing cells first appear at Hamburger-Hamilton Stage (St) 27 and they co-express HNK-1, confirming that they are migrating neural crest cells. The TrkB-positive cells lack neural markers at this stage; however, they migrate with other neurally differentiating cells that are TrkA and TrkC-positive. By St. 29/30, TrkB-positive cells begin to express the neural specific markers Hu C/D and Islet-1; eventually, all TrkB positive cells commence neural differentiation. By St. 34, TrkB and TrkC staining are lost. BDNF transcript expression parallels that of TrkB. In the mouse, TrkB-positive cells surround newly formed sympathetic ganglia and a small number of TrkB positive cells that co-express tyrosine hydroxylase are seen within ganglia between E13.5-15. In cell culture, many cells from St. 29–30 chicken lumbar sympathetic ganglia express neural markers and are dividing, indicating that they are sympathoblasts. Sympathoblasts and neurons require both nerve growth factor and neurotrophin-3 for survival. BDNF increases the number of cells expressing neural markers in culture by increasing number of cells that incorporate bromodeoxyuridine. In contrast, most TrkB-positive sympathetic cells in vivo are not actively proliferating between E6–E8. Developing paravertebral sympathetic ganglia in avian and murine embryos contain a subpopulation of sympathoblasts that transiently express TrkB and ultimately commence neuronal differentiation. These TrkB expressing sympathoblasts are not actively dividing in vivo; yet, when placed in vitro, will divide in response to BDNF. This suggests that the availability of BDNF in vivo fails to reach a threshold necessary to induce proliferation. We suggest that excess TrkB stimulation of sympathoblasts in vivo may lead to the genesis of neuroblastoma.
Synthesis of a Specified, Silica Molecular Sieve by Using Computationally Predicted Organic Structure‐Directing Agents

Crystalline molecular sieves are used in numerous applications, where the properties exploited for each technology are the direct consequence of structural features. New materials are typically discovered by trial and error, and in many cases, organic structure-directing agents (OSDAs) are used to direct their formation. Here, we report the first successful synthesis of a specified molecular sieve through the use of an OSDA that was predicted from a recently developed computational method that constructs chemically synthesizable OSDAs. Pentamethylimidazolium is computationally predicted to have the largest stabilization energy in the STW framework, and is experimentally shown to strongly direct the synthesis of pure-silica STW. Other OSDAs with lower stabilization energies did not form STW. The general method demonstrated here to create STW may lead to new, simpler OSDAs for existing frameworks and provide a way to predict OSDAs for desired, theoretical frameworks.
Outcomes of Prognostic Disclosure: Associations With Prognostic Understanding, Distress, and Relationship With Physician Among Patients With Advanced Cancer

Purpose To determine how prognostic conversations influence perceptions of life expectancy (LE), distress, and the patient-physician relationship among patients with advanced cancer. Patients and M...
Double Standards, Racial Equality and the Right Reference Class

There is a popular way of appealing to consistency of judgment or principle whose result is to rule out relevant information. To avoid the danger of judging similar cases differently, relevantly different cases are treated alike. So the information distinguishing them is lost. I try to formulate, defend and apply a requirement upon determining whether situations are similar with respect to a principle. Adherence to the requirement is a way to prevent the loss of information through illicit appeals to consistency. Part II examines a difficulty for the requirement proposed. The difficulty concerns determinateness: given the requirement's broad scope, it cannot yield judgments on specific cases without prejudging substantive issues. Without reaching any solution to the difficulty, I point out that parallel difficulties arise for similar requirements in diverse areas, and that the problem can be mitigated to varying degrees in actual applications of these requirements.
A technique for the precise measurement of small fluid velocities

A technique for the quantitative measurement of fluid velocities in the range 0–5 cm/sec is described. The technique uses a pH indicator, is applicable in aqueous solutions and permits visualization and measurement of three-dimensional flow fields.
Formation of protease nexin‐thrombin complexes on the platelet surface

We have recently described a platelet factor that is similar to the fibroblast thrombin inhibitor protease nexin I (PNI). The present manuscript shows that this platelet form of PN (PNp) does not complex [125I]-thrombin that has been blocked at its active site, consistent with the conclusion that it is a thrombin inhibitor. When platelets are incubated with [125I]-thrombin, PNp-[125I]-thrombin complexers accumulate both in the medium and on the platelet surface. In the case of fibroblasts, PNI-[125I]-thrombin complexes that form in solution bind to the cells as a consequence of a receptor-mediated clearance process [Low et al, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 78:2340, 1981]. We show here that the PNp-[125I]-thrombin complexes that accumulate in platelet-binding incubation medium do not bind to platelets. Thus, the platelet-associated complexes must form by [125I]-thrombin binding to PNp that is associated with the platelet surface. Pretreatment of platelets with heparin markedly increases the number of PNp-[125I]-thrombin complexes that form on platelets. The basis for this increase is unclear. This effect seems incompatible with a heparinlike factor acting as the surface binding site for PNp.
Alternative Configurations of Conservation Reserves for Paraguayan Bats: Considerations of Spatial Scale

: The application of systematic and quantitative approaches to conservation planning is increasing, but the quality and quantity of data available to planners remains inadequate. We used two databases on bat species distributions at 25 sites in Paraguay to illustrate some of the effects of the spatial scale of sampling and data quality on decisions about reserve siting. We used a simulated annealing algorithm to identify alternative scenarios for comprehensive representation of the nation's bat fauna within a system of reserves and to evaluate the contribution of existing protected areas in Paraguay to this conservation goal. The location, efficiency, and level of protection (i.e., the number of populations of each species protected) were affected by both spatial scale and source of data. Our results suggest that systematic and intensive biodiversity surveys are an important element of efficient conservation planning for biodiversity conservation. Resumen: La aplicacion de estrategias sistematicas y cuantitativas para la planeacion de la conservacion se esta incrementando; sin embargo, la calidad y cantidad de datos disponibles para los planeadores es aun inadecuado. Usamos dos bases de datos de distribuciones de especies de murcielagos en 25 sitios en Paraguay para ilustrar algunas de las consecuencias de la escala espacial del muestreo y la calidad de los datos sobre las decisiones respecto a la ubicacion de las reservas. Empleamos un algoritmo de templado simulado para identificar escenarios alternativos para la representacion comprensiva de la fauna de murcielagos de la nacion dentro de un sistema de reservas y evaluar la contribucion de areas protegidas existentes en el Paraguay para alcanzar esta meta. La ubicacion, la eficiencia y el nivel de proteccion ( por ejemplo, el numero de poblaciones de cada una de las especies protegidas) fueron afectados tanto por la escala espacial como por la fuente de datos. Nuestros resultados sugieren que la sistematica y los monitoreos intensivos de la biodiversidad son elementos importantes de una planeacion eficiente de la conservacion para la conservacion de la biodiversidad.
Electronic Medical Record Use and Maternal and Child Care and Health.

Objectives To evaluate effects of EHR adoption and use during pregnancy on maternal and child health care utilization and health among pregnant mothers and their infants. Methods The study population was comprised of all Medicaid-insured pregnant women who delivered a singleton birth in Michigan between 1/1/2009 and 12/31/2012 and their infants (N = 226,558). Linked data included birth records, maternal and infant medical claims, and EHR adoption, implementation, upgrading and meaningful use data. Pre-post comparisons with a control group (difference-in-difference) took advantage of a natural experiment of EHR adoption and use among providers in Michigan. Women and infants who received care from providers who adopted and used EHR were compared with those who received care from other providers, in a quasi-experimental framework. Results Over 34 % of all women in the analytic sample received perinatal care from providers who adopted and used EHR. Multivariate regressions indicate that women who received prenatal care mainly from a provider who adopted and used EHR were more likely to have any well-child visits (0.05, p = 0.04), and the appropriate number of well-child visits during the first year of life (0.03, p < 0.01). Conclusions The findings of this study are consistent with EHR adoption and use supporting improved child health care utilization. The findings have the potential to provide Medicaid and other healthcare program officials with evidence of the potential gains to be derived from EHRs for vulnerable low-income women and infants.
Power to the Powerless? Adopting District Representation in Detroit

In November 2009, voters in the City of Detroit, Michigan, passed Proposal D by a nearly 3 to 1 margin. This initiative changed the structure of representation in the city from a nine-member city council elected at-large to a hybrid system with seven districts and two at-large. Although one could certainly argue that the city had bigger issues to deal with, this new form of representation indicated a break from 100 years of stability in governmental structure. Thus it is worthwhile to examine why this proposal made it on the ballot and why it passed so easily. In this paper, we focus on the latter question, examining the factors that led to the successful election outcome. We find that passage of this proposal was in some sense inevitable – there were many factors that pointed in the direction of a move to district representation. This finding runs somewhat contrary to the conventional wisdom, which argues that success came from a well-run campaign that reached out to the various constituencies of the city. This suggests that the process of getting on the ballot is more important than the actual campaign and election – that, in cities like Detroit, it is the agenda-setting that drives the process.
Past year non-medical opioid use and abuse and PTSD diagnosis: interactions with sex and associations with symptom clusters

Abstract Introduction Few studies have examined the associations between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and non-medical opioid use (NMOU), particularly in general U.S. samples. Methods We analyzed data from wave 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), a nationally representative sample of non-institutionalized adults, to examine (1) the relationship between PTSD diagnosis with NMOU, Opioid Use Disorder diagnosis, and average monthly frequency of NMOU; and (2) the relationship between PTSD symptom clusters with NMOU, Opioid Use Disorder diagnosis, and average monthly frequency of NMOU. We also explored sex differences among these associations. Results In the adjusted model, a past year PTSD diagnosis was associated with higher odds of past year NMOU for women and men, but the association was stronger for women. In addition, PTSD was associated with higher odds of an Opioid Use Disorder diagnosis for women, but not for men. With regard to the relationship between specific symptom clusters among those with a past year PTSD diagnosis, important sex differences emerged. For women, the avoidance symptom cluster was associated with higher odds of NMOU, an Opioid Use Disorder diagnosis, and higher rate of average monthly frequency of NMOU, while for men the arousal/reactivity cluster was associated with higher odds of NMOU, an Opioid Use Disorder diagnosis, and a higher rate of average monthly frequency of NMOU. In addition, for men, the avoidance symptom cluster was associated with higher odds of an Opioid Use Disorder diagnosis, but a lower rate of average monthly frequency of NMOU. Conclusions Results add to the literature showing an association between PTSD and NMOU and suggest that PTSD is more strongly associated with substance use for women than men. Further, results based on individual symptom clusters suggest that men and women with PTSD may be motivated to use substances for different reasons.
On the Use of Security and Privacy Technology as a Plot Device

We believe that the handling of information security in fiction is, in general, neither technically realistic nor dramatically interesting. Furthermore, we believe that technically realistic treatment of information security could be an effective plot device. We provide examples and one counterexample from well regarded television shows to support our beliefs. We conclude with a short fictional work of our own creation that attempts to use information security in a technically realistic and dramatically interesting manner.
Effects of host-plant nitrogen on the preference and performance of laboratory populations of Carneocephala floridana (Homoptera : Cicadellidae)

Cameocephala floridana Ball is an oligophagous leafhopper that switches host plants seasonally and feeds primarily on the salt-marsh cord grass, Spartina alterniflora Loiseleur-Deslongchamps, during the winter. In the laboratory, we examined how variation in foliar nitrogen of S. altemiflora influenced the choice of cord-grass culms by C. floridana as feeding and oviposition sites. We also examined the effects of host-plant nitrogen on leafhopper oviposition rate, body size, and fecundity. Given a choice among cord-grass culms grown under four fertilization regimes, groups of adult female leafhoppers preferentially fed on culms that were higher in foliar nitrogen. Although the total number of eggs laid was highest on plants of superior quality (as measured by nitrogen content), the rate of oviposition did not differ among plants of different nitrogen levels. Leafhoppers reared from first instar to adult on highly fertilized plants were significantly larger (had higher dry body weight) than those reared on unfertilized or minimally fertilized plants. A significant relationship between body weight and maternal sibship was also found for males, but not for females. Larger body size is advantageous because larger adult females have higher daily oviposition rates than smaller ones. We suggest that C. floridana that choose plants with higher nitrogen content under natural conditions enjoy a selective advantage and that choice within a host-plant species (and perhaps among species) is correlated with host-plant nitrogen content.
Propranolol for infantile haemangiomas: review of report of a consensus conference

Infantile haemangiomas (IHs) are common benign vascular tumours of infancy, most of which do not require treatment. Complications for which treatment is indicated include impairment of vital function by ocular or airway involvement, potential to cause significant disfigurement, and ulceration. Case reports, case series and anecdotal experience since 2008 have established that propranolol is a rapidly effective and generally well-tolerated treatment for IHs in comparison with previously available therapies such as corticosteroids, vincristine and interferon.1–4 Recently published recommendations provide a provisional set of best practices meant to standardise the approach to the use of propranolol for IHs (see box 1). Box 1 ### Resources Link to full guideline In January 2013, a multispecialty group sponsored by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases published consensus recommendations entitled: ‘Initiation and use of propranolol for infantile hemangioma: Report of a consensus conference.’5 The goal of the conference was ‘to develop a standardised, consensus-derived set of best practices for the use of propranolol in infants with infantile hemangioma.’ In all, 28 participants from five specialties (including paediatrics, dermatology, otolaryngology, cardiology, haematology/oncology) and 12 US institutions participated in the conference. These participants reviewed the available literature on propranolol use for IH and developed consensus protocols. There are no previous guidelines …
Life style interventions study on the effects of impaired glucose regulations in Shanghai urban communities

OBJECTIVE: To access the effects of life style interventions on impaired glucose regulation (IGR) in Shanghai urban communities, China. METHOD: Two communities were randomly cluster-sampled to be carried out epidemiological intervention trial. Totally, 232 subjects with IGR were randomly allocated into 4 groups: control group,sports intervention group, diet intervention group, and sports and diet intervention group with the physical examinations in the baseline and end of this study respectively. Tests for fasting blood glucose, OGTT, HbA1c, total cholesterol,etc. were done. Data statistical analysis was occupied in SPSS 16.0. RESULTS: Compared to subjects of control group,fasting blood glucose, OGTT, HbAlc,total cholesterol,BMI,waist hip ratio and blood pressures were significantly decreased among subjects with three interventions (P < 0.05). Triglyceride were significantly decreased among subjects with sports intervention and sports and diet intervention (P < 0.05). High density lipids was significantly increased among subjects with sports and diet intervention (P < 0.05). There was a significant difference in 6 months cumulative incidence of diabetes mellitus between control group and interventions groups (8.6% vs. 0, Fisher' s exact P = 0.002), and the rate of transferring into normal blood glucose levels (fasting blood glucose < 5.6 mmol/L and 2 hours OGTT < 7.8 mmol/L) in control group was lower than those in three interventions group (3.4% vs. 8.6%, 14.0% and 16.9%, respectively) but only significant difference was observed between control group and sports and diet intervention group (OR = 5.74, 95% CI 1. 19-27. 64, P = 0.029). CONCLUSION: The life style interventions could decrease the risk of diabetes mellitus, help their transferring into normal blood glucose, and improve diabetic measures for the IGR population in Shanghai urban communities.
Delirium in hospitalized elderly patients: off track.

Delirium in the hospitalized elderly patient is highly prevalent and has severe consequences. Critically ill elderly individuals are at particular risk for delirium because of impaired physical and mental defense mechanisms. More research in terms of etiology, detection, treatment, and especially prevention, needs to be done. Although nursing care and nursing research have contributed much to our current knowledge of this complex condition, more will be contributed toward its understanding and management during the next decade. It is imperative that nurses attempt to keep abreast of this progress to provide the quality and cost-effective care that can keep older patients "on track."
Thymolipoma in a patient with Graves’ disease: Case report and review of the literature

Summary The occurrence of a thymolipoma and Graves’ disease in a 27-year-old woman is reported. The clinical features of the 24 reported thymolipomas are analyzed and the tumor’s pathogenesis is discussed. The coincidence of thymolipoma and Graves’ disease is curious but, at present, the significance of this is not understood. The authors appreciate the generous assistance given by Benjamin Felson, M.D., Professor of Radiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine; Richard I. Gabuniya, M.Sc. (Medicine), Institute of Medical Radiology, Moscow, USSR; Edward Gall, M.D., Professor of Pathology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine; and Evelyn V. Hess, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.
Transplantation of iPSC-derived TM cells rescues glaucoma phenotypes in vivo

Glaucoma is a common cause of vision loss or blindness and reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) has been proven beneficial in a large fraction of glaucoma patients. The IOP is maintained by the trabecular meshwork (TM) and the elevation of IOP in open-angle glaucoma is associated with dysfunction and loss of the postmitotic cells residing within this tissue. To determine if IOP control can be maintained by replacing lost TM cells, we transplanted TM-like cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells into the anterior chamber of a transgenic mouse model of glaucoma. Transplantation led to significantly reduced IOP and improved aqueous humor outflow facility, which was sustained for at least 9 wk. The ability to maintain normal IOP engendered survival of retinal ganglion cells, whose loss is ultimately the cause for reduced vision in glaucoma. In vivo and in vitro analyses demonstrated higher TM cellularity in treated mice compared with littermate controls and indicated that this increase is primarily because of a proliferative response of endogenous TM cells. Thus, our study provides in vivo demonstration that regeneration of the glaucomatous TM is possible and points toward novel approaches in the treatment of this disease.
Immunolocalization of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger in rabbit kidney

We recently isolated a cDNA encoding a Na+/Ca2+ exchanger from rabbit kidney that was highly similar to the canine cardiac sarcolemmal Na+/Ca2+ exchanger. In the present study, we used two different antibodies to the exchanger to identify the protein and establish its cellular and subcellular localization in the kidney. The first antibody was prepared against a fusion protein consisting of 190 amino acids of the large, presumably intracellular loop of the rabbit renal exchanger fused to the maltose-binding protein. The second was a monoclonal antibody generated against the isolated purified canine cardiac sarcolemmal exchanger. To identify the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger protein, we performed immunoblot analysis against a membrane vesicle preparation from rabbit kidney cortex. Both antibodies immunoblotted proteins of 120 and 70 kDa that are known to be associated with the exchanger. Indirect immunofluorescence revealed that both antisera labeled the basolateral surface of the majority of cells in the connecting tubule (CNT). Since the phase-dense (intercalated) cells in the CNT were not stained, this suggested that the labeled cells were CNT cells. No labeling was detected in other nephron segments with the exception of occasional faint staining of the majority cell population of the cortical collecting duct. The fact that we did not detect labeling in other nephron segments is consistent with either 1) the absence of expression of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger in these segments, 2) the expression of the exchanger in levels below the threshold of detection of the two antibodies used in this study, or 3) the exchanger in these segments is represented by a different isoform.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A Bibliography of William Wordsworth 1787–1930: The 1869 Printing of the Moxon Double-Column Edition of The Poems of William Wordsworth

The 1869 printing of the Moxon collective volume The Poems of William Wordsworth (A78.II. d ) was the eighth and largest printing from plates first used in 1845 (A78.I. a ), producing a total of 3,500 copies, of which 500 were for a 12s 6d “Authorized Edition” issue and 3,000 for a 9s “Only Complete Popular Edition” issue. The publisher's estimate of demand for the volume was badly miscalculated with regard both to total quantity and to quantities of the respective issues. The estimate for the total was over-optimistic, and copies of the book remained on hand for two decades; yet would-be purchasers of the more expensive issue were far more numerous than the 500 anticipated. The publisher's expedients for disposing of the surplus of 9s copies produced bibliographically confusing variants in the book's sheets and insets; and the marketing history is further obscured by inconsistencies in terminology of advertisements and house accounts. The 12s 6d issue, first titled “Authorized Edition,” the original sheets of which bulk an imposing 4.8 cm, is in advertisements called the “Imperial 8vo Edition,” while in most accounts (those for years other than 1882–1885) it is called the “Royal” edition. The 9s “Popular Edition,” on sheets that bulk only 3.4 cm, is called in advertisements the “Royal 8vo” Edition, yet in most accounts (those for years other than 1882–1885) is called the “Imperial” edition. In the 1882–1885 accounts terminology is temporarily coincident with that of advertisements (if not with title pages), and the 12s 6d issue is temporarily called the “Imperial” edition and the 9s issue called the “Royal” edition.
Scaling Batch Reactors

This chapter discusses various methods for scaling batch reactors. It also discusses heat transfer into and from batch reactors.
Force-Amplifying N-robot Transport System Force-ANTS for cooperative planar manipulation without communication

We propose the concept of a Force-Amplifying N-robot Transport System Force-ANTS to coordinate the manipulation forces from a group of robots in order to transport a heavy object in a planar environment. Our approach requires no explicit communication among robots. Instead, we prove that robots can use local measurements of the object's motion at their attachment points as implicit information for force coordination. A leader either a robot or human can guide the whole group towards the destination by applying a relatively small force, whose effect is amplified by the follower robots as they align their forces with the leader's. Two Force-ANTS implementations are introduced and analyzed, accounting for two different classes of object dynamics: small objects where kinetic friction dominates, and large objects where inertia and viscous friction dominate. Our approach can be used as a modular system for transporting heavy objects of various sizes in many real-life applications. Simulations with up to 1000 robots and experiments using four custom-built robots are conducted to validate our approach. We also conduct human-robot cooperation experiments where the human force is amplified by three follower robots.
Guilty as perceived: How opinions about states influence opinions about NGOs

Why do some people believe that NGOs have a bad influence on their country? Building on the world polity literature, I hypothesize that opinions about Western actors affect opinions about the influence of NGOs because NGOs can act as vehicles for the diffusion of Western culture. Using Pew Research survey data, I find that the more unfavorable respondents’ opinions are of the United States, the European Union, and the United Nations, the more likely they are to believe that NGOs have a bad influence on their country. While previous research finds evidence that a mechanism of “guilt by association” exists between opinions about states and opinions about IGOs (Johnson, The Review of International Organizations, 6, 57–84, 2011), this manuscript expands on these findings by investigating the relationship between opinions about states and opinions about NGOs. This research has important implications for NGO effectiveness because opinions about NGOs can affect the willingness of local populations to work with such organizations.
Philia and phagia : Thinking with Stimmungswechsel through the refugee crisis in Greece

Comment on Borneman, John, and Parvis Ghassem-Fachandi. 2017. “The concept of Stimmung: From indifference to xenophobia in Germany’s refugee crisis.” Hau: Journal of Ethnographic Theory 7 (3): 105–135.
To reduce routine computed tomographic angiography for thoracic aortic injury assessment in level II blunt trauma patients using three mediastinal signs on the initial chest radiograph: a preliminary report

CTA is routinely ordered on level II blunt thoraco-abdominally injured patients for assessment of injury to the thoracic aorta. The vast majority of such assessments are negative. The question being asked is, Does the accurate interpretation of the three mediastinal signs permit reliable determination of which patients need CTA for aortic assessment? The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the role of three specifically selected mediastinal anatomic signs on the initial supine chest radiograph (CXR) of adult level II blunt thoraco-abdominally injured patients for the presence or absence of a mediastinal hematoma. The presence of a mediastinal hematoma is typically used as an indicator for computed tomographic angiography (CTA). The three mediastinal signs are the right para-tracheal stripe (RPTS), left para-spinal line (LPSL), and the left apical extra-pleural area (LAPA). The patient triage designation (level II trauma) was made by the attending physician at the time of admission. The initial CXR image and the CTA report of the 197 adult blunt level II thoraco-abdominally injured patients obtained on the day of admission were compared. The CXR of each of the 197 patients was independently assessed by each of four observers specifically for the status of the three mediastinal signs. Each observer was blinded to the CTA report until after the status of the three mediastinal sign evaluation had been determined. Two or three of the mediastinal signs being positive were required to determine that the CXR was positive for a mediastinal hematoma. Two or three of the selected mediastinal signs were normal in 192 (97.5%) patients. None of these patients had either a mediastinal hematoma or a major aortic injury on CTA. In each of the remaining five (2.5%) patients, two or three of the mediastinal signs were abnormal. Each of these patients had a mediastinal hematoma and a major thoracic aortic injury on CTA. This preliminary study suggests that the accurate interpretation of the three specifically selected mediastinal signs on the initial supine CXR of adult level II blunt thoraco-abdominally injured patients could reduce the need for routine CTA for thoracic aortic injury assessment, and requires verification by an additional study.
Large Parotid Gland Lipoblastoma in a Teenager.

Background: Lipoblastomas are rare benign neoplasms that arise from fetal white fat cells. They are typically found in children under the age of 3 and have been reported in the mediastinum, extremities, and infrequently in the head and neck. We present a rare case of a lipoblastoma arising from the parotid gland and the first known report of a parotid lipoblastoma in a teenager. Case Presentation: A 15-year-old male presented with a painless, slowly enlarging parotid mass and left facial swelling. A fine needle aspiration was non-diagnostic and initial MRI showed a 3.8 x 5.0 x 4.0 cm fatty lesion involving the superficial and deep lobes of the left parotid gland and masticator space with widening of the stylo-mandibular tunnel and thinning of the adjacent mandibular condyle. The patient was taken to the operating room, and the mass was excised under general anesthesia via a transcervical parotid approach with facial nerve monitoring. The most superficial aspect of the parotid bed was spared and with upper and lower divisions of the facial nerve preserved. The tumor, which primarily involved the deep lobe of the parotid, was entirely excised. Final pathology revealed a 5.2 cm lipoblastoma. The patient did well post-operatively with full function of the facial nerve and 20 months of follow up without evidence of recurrence. Conclusion: This is the first reported case of a lipoblastoma of the parotid gland in a teenager. Although a rare tumor, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a parotid mass in this population.
The impact of a patient-centered surgical home implementation on preoperative processes in outpatient surgery

Purpose: To report results of a pilot study quantifying the impact of a Patient-Centered Surgical Home (PCSH) implementation on preoperative processes in outpatient surgery at University Health Sys...
Aspects of clinic monitoring in large-scale multiclinic trials.

Monitaring the implementation of large-scale studies and the adherence of clinical centers to a common protocol should be an integral part of the study design and a primary responsibility of the coordinating center for the study. There are four basic concepts in external clinic monitoring: (1) the maintenance of open lines of communication between alt study facilities, (2) “responsibility and accountability” for study implementation and for the integrity of the data, (3) evaluation of clinic operations, and (4) analysis of data quality. A monitoring scheme consisting of regular telephone calts to the screening centers, periodic visits to the screening centers, and continuing review of the data coltected can be effectively used by the coordinating center.
Generation-Z Enters the Advertising Workplace: Expectations Through a Gendered Lens:

Generation-Z (Gen-Z) is entering the workforce with differing personal and professional expectations from previous generations. Further, those expectations tend to vary by gender. At the same time,...
A cohort comparison of trends in first cohabitation duration in the United States.

OBJECTIVE This study investigates U.S. first cohabitation duration between young adults born in the 1950s and young adults born in the 1980s, and how socioeconomic resources contribute to cohabitation duration by cohort. METHODS Using data from the National Longitudinal Surveys of Youth 1979 and 1997 (NLSY79 and NLSY97), I employ life table estimates and competing-risks Cox proportional hazard models to study how cohabitation duration and transitions out of cohabitation have changed over time. RESULTS Young adult cohabitations are short-lived, regardless of cohort; however, NLSY97 cohabiting youth were slower to marry or dissolve than NLSY79 cohabitors. Socioeconomically advantaged NLSY79 youth experienced short-term cohabitation followed by marriage. In the NLSY97 cohort, results provide support for the delinking of marriage and cohabitation, regardless of socioeconomic status. CONTRIBUTION This study is the first longitudinal cohort study to explore young adult cohabitation duration in the United States. Additionally this study empirically tests how socioeconomic resources contribute to remaining in cohabitation.
Mass Balance Studies on Mccall Glacier Brooks Range, Alaska*: A Contribution to the International Hydrological Decade

Mass balance results are given for the 1968/69 and 1969/70 hydrological years. The year was arbitrarily divided into “winter” (October 1 to April 30) and “summer” (May 1 to September 30). Balances ...