cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immigration, Welfare Policy and Welfare State in Twenty OECD Countries, 1970-2008

This paper examines how welfare policy and the size of the welfare state are changed by recent trends of immigration in developed countries. It provides three mechanisms through which immigration might influence the welfare state: an immigrant threat mechanism, a race/ethnicity erosion mechanism, and an institutional mediating mechanism. Based on the three mechanisms, I hypothesize that (1) countries with more immigrants are more likely to restrain immigrant access to domestic welfare programs; (2) welfare provisions tend to decrease in countries with more immigrants; (3) domestic politics mediates the relationship between immigration and changes in welfare policy/welfare spending. Stronger left party, Christian Democratic Party, union and wage coordination power, and more veto points could weaken the effect of immigration on changes in the welfare state. I utilize data from 20 OECD countries from 1970-2008 to test the three hypotheses in pooled time series and cross sectional data analyses. The findings show that immigration does have a negative effect on the overall size of redistribution, but it has different effects on different types of welfare programs. More immigrants lead to more spending on sickness benefits, and the magnitude of the effect is dependent upon left seat and veto points. Immigration has a mixed effect on pension expenditure, and the relationship is mediated by left seat, Christian Democratic seat, and veto points. Immigration also has a mixed effect on unemployment benefits, and the effect is conditional on the left seat.
Adolescent Sexual Orientation and Developmental Transition in Emerging Adulthood: Disparities in School, Work, Residence, and Transportation.

Abstract Purpose To examine associations between adolescent sexual minority status and developmental transitions in school, work, residence, and transportation 5 years later. Method We analyzed data from Waves 2 (Mean age = 17.2) and 7 (Mean age = 22.6) of the NEXT Generation Health Study (n = 2,000). Relative risks were estimated using Poisson regressions. Results Relative to heterosexual females, sexual minority females were more likely to report not attending school (relative risk [RR] = 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02, 1.59), not anticipating college completion (RR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.27, 2.01), and not having a driver's license (RR = 2.64, 95% CI 1.38, 5.05) at Wave 7. Relative to heterosexual males, sexual minority males were more likely to report living in three or more places in the past year (RR = 2.98, 95% CI = 1.31, 6.76). Conclusions Adolescent sexual minority status predicted worse educational outcomes among females and more unstable living environment among males.
Randomized Phase III Oncology Trials: A Survey and Empirical Bayes Inference

Mandatory registration of eligible clinical trials at clinicaltrials.gov provides an unprecedented opportunity to survey existing trials that is immune to potential publication bias. Phase III oncology clinical trials represent the gold-standard evaluation on new therapeutic interventions to fight one of the most deadly diseases. Yet, the collective performance of these trials is not well understood. Through clinicaltrials.gov, we identified 130 eligible randomized phase III oncology trials in 2008–2012 and extracted results from 122 using clinicaltrials.gov and other sources. We estimated the distribution of the effect size of randomized phase III oncology trials through a new Bayesian deconvolution method, which allows the calculation of several performance measures. We found that about 22% of the interventions for cancer treatment that reach phase III have null or negative efficacy, and another 30% with strong positive efficacy. For the rest interventions, the majority have modest efficacy, which leads to insufficient power. The false positive rate is low at 0.13%, whereas as high as 33.5% of the trials could be false negatives. The distribution of the effect sizes also provide a tangible prior for Bayesian inference of future trials.
Biometric Identification Through ECG Signal Using a Hybridized Approach

Automatic identification of individuals using biometric features is an area that has gained high importance nowadays. The paper presents a novel approach for biometric identification through ECG signal using hybridization of different features and Radial Basis Function Neural Network (RBF-NN). Three different features namely ARIMA, Wavelet Entropy, and Sample Entropy are extracted from an ECG dataset. The features are then fed to an RBF-NN to identify different individuals. In the past, these features were used individually for person identification. This paper presents an approach for person identification by hybridization of the above mentioned features. The proposed approach shows promising results with an accuracy of 99.50% to identify 55 individuals correctly.
State adverse health incident reporting systems in the United States : An introduction and contextual discussion

In the United States, the multiple overlapping adverse event reporting systems for patient safety reflect the country’s fragmented, inefficient, and inequitable health care finance and delivery system. This Chapter provides a brief description of the United States' health care environment and its impact on the frequency of adverse events. It includes an overview and the progress in state-by-state adverse event reporting systems and a discussion of the role of the Joint Commission's "Speak Up" initiative. The Author concludes that, in spite of the system's gaps and failings, the efforts of many physicians, health care institutions, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders deserve both recognition for their roles in improving its safety and substantially more governmental and budgetary support going forward.
Abstract WMP22: Multiparametric CT Perfusion to Determine the Collaterals Status in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke: A New Perfusion Index

Introduction: Good collateral flow is an independent predictor of reperfusion that can be used to extend the treatment window in the new era of endovascular therapies for patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Using a multiparametric approach, we aimed to identify perfusion parameter/s that can represent the extent of collaterals in comparison to CTA. Methods: AIS patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion who had baseline CTA and CT perfusion were included. CT perfusion data were processed by Bayesian method to generate arterial tissue delay (ATD) maps at thresholds of 2 & 6 seconds. The volume of mild delayed perfusion (Vol-ATD >2sec ), moderate delayed (Vol-ATD 2-6sec ) and critical delayed perfusion (Vol-ATD >6sec ) in addition to corresponding rCBV and rCBF were calculated. Baseline CTA collaterals were scored using an established scoring scale1 and dichotomized to poor or good. The association of perfusion parameters and status of collaterals was assessed by repeated measure of analyses and receiver operating characteristic (ROC). Results: In 28 patients included, 16 had good collaterals on CTA. After controlling for age, sex, baseline NIHSS and type of treatment, multivariate logistic regression analysis identified rCBV (p<0.001) and ATD 2-6sec (p=0.003), but not rCBF, Vol-ATD > 2sec or Vol-ATD >6sec , as independent predictors of good collaterals. ROC analysis showed AUC of 0.88 (sensitivity/specificity: 75%/100%) for rCBV and AUC of 0.84 (sensitivity/specificity: 93%/67%) for Vol-ATD 2-6sec . We defined a perfusion collateral index (PCI) calculated from Vol-ATD 2-6sec x its rCBV, that remained an independent predictor of good collaterals with improved diagnostic accuracy over each measure alone resulting in nominal AUC of 1 (sensitivity/specificity: 100%/100%). Conclusions: Multiparametric CT perfusion can be used to assess the status of collaterals in patients with AIS. Perfusion collateral index (PCI) defined as Vol-ATD 2-6sec x rCBV is a new perfusion index with a nominal diagnostic accuracy of 100% compared to baseline CTA to predict status of collaterals in our small cohort. Our results need to be validated in a larger prospective cohort.
Permittivity Characterization of Dielectric Surfaces Using Nanofabricated In-Plane Capacitors

Understanding the effective polarizability of dielectric and semiconducting interfaces has numerous applications in the development of sensors, computational elements, and energy storage devices. The complexity of the molecular and bonding topology makes it difficult to characterize the average polarizability that is needed for device modeling and optimization. Therefore, this article introduces a new technique to characterize and extract the volumetric average of the surface dipole polarizability. To accomplish this goal the aim of this research is to couple the experimental characterization of high density, in-plane capacitors with a finite element method (FEM) simulation model to investigate possible anomalous interfacial polarizability at abrupt dielectric interfaces. Specifically, the behavior at the interface between SiO2/air, Si3N4/air, and Al2O3/air are studied to identify the average surface permittivity values over a specified volume. Using electrical measurements from a high density in-plane interdigitated electrode (IDE) structure and quasi-electrostatic FEM simulation models, an average relative permittivity within a 1-nm interfacial region at 1 kHz is measured to be kSiO2/Air ~ 323, kSi3N4/Air ~ 58, and kAl2O3/Air ~ 160. In general, the new methodology presented in this article can be used to extract effective dielectric parameters that can be used to predict the electrical operation of devices that have a heterogeneous dielectric composition.
Polypharmacy prevalence in older adults seen in United States physician offices from 2009 to 2016.

Background/objectives With an aging population suffering from increased prevalence of chronic conditions in the United States (U.S.), a large portion of these patients are on multiple medications. High-risk medications can increase the risk for drug-drug interactions and medication nonadherence. This study aims to describe the prevalence of polypharmacy and high-risk medication prescribing in U.S. physician offices. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey from 2009 to 2016. All patients over 65 years old were included. Polypharmacy was categorized as no polypharmacy ( 5 medications). Medications were further categorized into high-risk medication categories (anticholinergics, cardiovascular agents, central nervous system (CNS) medications, pain medications, and other). Comparisons between the degrees of polypharmacy were performed utilizing chi-square or Wilcoxon rank-sum tests with JMP Pro 14® (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). Results Over 2 billion patient visits were included. Overall, Polypharmacy was common (65.1%): minor polypharmacy (16.2%), moderate polypharmacy (12.1%), and major polypharmacy (36.8%). Patients with major polypharmacy were older compared to those with moderate or minor polypharmacy (75 vs. 73 years, respectively) and were most frequently prescribed pain medications (477.3 per 1,000 total visits). NSAIDs were the most frequently prescribed, with 232.4 per 1,000 total visits resulting in one high-risk NSAID prescription, while 21.9 per 1,000 total visits resulted in two or more high-risk NSAIDs. Conclusion Most patients over 65 years experienced some degree of polypharmacy, with many experiencing major polypharmacy. This indicates an increased need for expanded pharmacist roles through medication therapy management and safety monitoring in this patient population.
Predictors of Undergoing Surgical Resection after Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy for Borderline Resectable and Resectable Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) serves to downstage and increase the rate of surgical resection for borderline resectable and resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma ((B)RPC). Although conventional staging provides prognostic information, it remains a challenge to predict which patients will proceed with resection. We hypothesize that the severity of vessel involvement and the trajectory of CA19-9 levels after neoadjuvant treatment would associate with proceeding to resection. MATERIALS/METHODS Medical records were retrospectively reviewed at a single center for patients diagnosed with (B)RPC and treated with neoadjuvant CRT between 1/2005 and 12/2020. Progress notes were evaluated to determine if a patient proceeded to surgery and the trajectory of CA 19-9 levels in response to treatment. Radiologist notes were evaluated to determine the extent of mesenteric vessel (superior mesenteric artery, celiac axis, portal vein, hepatic artery, and superior mesenteric vein) involvement. A vessel involvement score was calculated as the sum of all vessels in contact with tumor: 1 point for each vessel, with partial (< 180 degrees) encasement of artery counting as 2 points. Odds ratios (OR) of proceeding to resection were computed with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for CA19-9 response to treatment. Ordinal logistic regression models were fit to estimate the impact of greater vessel involvement on the odds of NOT proceeding with surgery. RESULTS Forty-two (n = 42) patients were included in the analysis. The median age was 65 years (IQR: 61 to 71). 73% of patients were treated with 3600 cGy in 15 fractions (fx), 24% of patients were treated with 4500-5040 cGy in 25-28 fx, and 3% of patients were treated with 3300 cGy in 5 fx. 55% of patients were treated with neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX and 45% of patients were treated with other regimens. 88% of patients were considered borderline resectable and 12% were resectable at the time of diagnosis. Patients with any decrease in CA19-9 levels after CRT had higher odds of proceeding with resection (OR = 21.0, 95% CI: 3.2 to 139.2). However, decrease in CA19-9 levels after upfront chemotherapy was not significantly associated with proceeding with resection (P = 0.91). The odds of NOT proceeding with resection after neoadjuvant CRT were 1.81 times higher (95% CI: 0.97 to 3.39) for each increase in vessel involvement score, however these findings were not statistically significant (P = 0.062). CONCLUSION Patients diagnosed with (B)RPC proceeding with CRT have different odds of proceeding to surgery based on their response to CRT and extent of vessel involvement. Post-CRT CA19-9 can help predict which patients may proceed to resection. Future investigations will develop nomograms for estimating odds of proceeding to surgery in larger datasets to help aid in patient counseling and multidisciplinary discussion.
Cell-Intrinsic Functions and Regulation of TOR Signaling in Drosophila

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses cell-intrinsic functions and regulation of target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling in Drosophila. The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has been a valuable animal model system for a multitude of experimental questions, and has proven to be amenable to studies of signaling pathways. The full repertoire of technical approaches available in this system have been applied to the study of TOR signaling, including innovative genetic screens, high-throughput expression profiling, detailed cell biological analyses, and sensitive genetic interaction studies. Results from these diverse lines of study have provided the field with new information and insights into the TOR pathway—from identification of novel signaling factors to elucidation of regulatory mechanisms and physiologically relevant targets. The chapter highlights the progress in understanding the regulation and cellular functions of TOR stemming from work in the Drosophila system. The chapter also emphasizes on a variety of genetics-based approaches that have been used to dissect different aspects of this pathway.
Organization of hospital-based acute pain management programs.

BACKGROUND The management of acute pain is an aspect of hospital-based practice that has been neglected. Control of pain is important for ethical reasons, for compliance with new guidelines and standards, and for optimizing patient satisfaction and outcomes. METHODS Be review the rationale for establishing priority to the control of acute pain, the importance of an institutional approach to improve pain management, and specific steps in the establishment and conduct of an acute pain program. RESULTS Improvement in pain control depends on an institutional approach to facilitate changes in attitude and prioritization. Pain management programs should provide for patient and staff education, adequate documentation of care, institutional standards for pain control, quality assurance/continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities, and periodic review of practice and policy. CONCLUSIONS Effective pain management can set the stage for a rehabilitational approach to postoperative care, which should lead to earlier recovery and improved outcomes.
Miller-Perrin, C. L. & Perrin, R. D. (2007). Child maltreatment: An introduction, 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. 475 pp., $ 49.95-pb, ISBN-1-4129-2668-8

It is the authors' stated goal that the second edition of Child Maltreatment: An Introduction, will “serve us all in our ongoing attempt to ‘discover’ and understand child maltreatment” (p. xv). Th...
Health Care Educators: New Directions in Leadership Development

Fortune 500 companies have a competitive advantage in leadership development, whereas health care has lagged far behind. Physician leadership development, in particular, is a game changer for a closed staff, group practice that relies on a pipeline of physician leaders—such as the Cleveland Clinic. To address this leadership development gap in health care, the Cleveland Clinic Academy (CCA) was established in 2006. The academy is predicated on developing health care leaders with specific emphasis on physician leadership education using a competency-based curriculum with value-added components, including continuing medical education (CME) and master's of business administration (MBA) transfer credits. In the pioneering spirit of Dr. F. Mason Sones, the novel curriculum includes didactic learning, experiential immersion, and executive coaching, designed to promote physician career development, leadership potential, productivity and job satisfaction, and business acumen. The unique programs—54 stand-alone courses, and customized programs such as Leading in Health Care, Staff Leadership Rotation, Samson Global Leadership Academy, Healthcare Finance and Accounting, and others—have affected individuals and patient care by reaching over 6,000 health care providers, including physicians from Cleveland Clinic, Bulgaria, France, Ireland, Japan, Qatar, UAE, India, Belgium, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Turkey, Dominican Republic, and throughout the United States. CCA provides a new direction in leadership development with an integrated competency-based curriculum for physicians, nurses, and administrators.
A revenue management model for products with two capacity dimensions

Abstract Many perishable products and services have multiple capacity attributes. Shipping capacity of container liners, for example, is measured by both volume and weight. Containers with different size consume various capacities in the two dimensions. Restaurant revenue management aims to maximize the revenue per available seat-hour that captures both the number of dining tables and service manpower. Similar issues arise in the air cargo, trucking and health care industries. We study the revenue management problem with two capacity features and formulate the problem as a continuous-time stochastic control model. Unlike heuristic approaches, we derive the optimal solution in an analytical form. Computation of the optimal solution is fairly efficient. With certain conditions we explore the structural properties of the optimal solution. We show that if the revenue rate is concave in the capacity usage, the expected value of marginal capacity is monotone. As a result, the control policy is featured by a sequence of thresholds which displays a significant difference when the remaining capacity-mix varies. Numerical examples are provided.
Clostridium difficile Infection: New Insights Into Management

Clostridium difficile was first described as a cause of diarrhea in 1978 and is now among the leading 3 hospital-acquired infections in the United States, along with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant enterococci. In the past 2 decades, there has been an increase in the incidence, severity, and recurrence rates of C difficile infection, all of which are associated with poor outcomes. In addition, several novel risk factors and newer treatment methods are emerging, including fidaxomicin therapy, treatment using monoclonal antibodies, and fecal microbiota transplantation, that have shown promise for the treatment of C difficile infection. This review focuses on the changing epidemiology, risk factors, and newer methods for treatment of C difficile infection.
Stability and change in rural youths' educational outcomes through the middle and high school years.

There is a dearth of literature that examines rural youths’ school transition and adaptation over the middle and high school years. Given rural education challenges, this study examines rural youths’ developmental trajectories of self-reported grades and affective and behavioral educational outcomes (i.e., school belonging, value of education, school misbehavior, and extracurricular activity participation). The cohort-sequential study consisted of 3,312 African American and White youth (50% female) who were surveyed over three and a half years, including the transition to high school. The results reveal significant changes in the outcomes from sixth to twelfth grade. For example, on average, school misbehavior increased over time while perceived school belonging decreased over time. Gender and race differences emerged; African American youth reported placing higher importance on education and less participation in school activities than White youth. The discussion focuses on the importance of examining rural adolescents’ educational pathways during the high school transition.
The potential relevance of studies of ancient Egyptian populations for the microevolutionary study of modern populations

Abstract Studies of series of mummies and skeletons can contribute to the solution of some general problems in human population biology. Because the mode of life in Egypt changed only gradually from Pre-dynastic times through the Roman Empire, changes over long intervals of time in length of long bones, dental caries and the influence of inbreeding, for instance, can contribute to the understanding of these in modern man.
Effects of Chronic Ethanol Treatment on the β‐Adrenergic Receptor‐Coupled Adenylate Cyclase System of Mouse Cerebral Cortex

Chronic ingestion of ethanol, which produced tolerance and physical dependence, resulted in altered function of the cerebral cortical beta-adrenergic receptor-coupled adenylate cyclase system in mice. Although there was no change in basal adenylate cyclase activity, or in the activity of the digitonin-solubilized catalytic unit, stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity by the nonhydrolyzable guanine nucleotide analog guanylylimidodiphosphate [Gpp(NH)p] was reduced in brains of ethanol-fed animals. Ethanol added in vitro increased adenylate cyclase activity, and this enhancement, in the presence of Gpp(NH)p, was also reduced in cortical membranes of ethanol-fed mice. Furthermore, the maximal response to isoproterenol was decreased, and the EC50 for isoproterenol stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity was increased in ethanol-fed animals. The results are consistent with a qualitative or quantitative defect in the function of the stimulatory guanine nucleotide-binding protein (Ns), as well as in the beta-adrenergic receptor, after chronic ethanol exposure. In part, these changes appear to be similar to those that occur during heterologous desensitization of various receptor systems, and may be associated with dependence on or tolerance to ethanol.
Empirical and formal language design applied to a unified control construct for interactive computing

This paper reports the results of the application of both empirical and formal methods to the design of a proposed unified control construct for interactive computing. The empirical method is based on the use of controlled experiments on programming behavior to investigate alternative language constructs. The formal method requires the precise specification of language constructs in order to expose strengths, weakness, and inconsistencies. Insights gained, that were not obvious from mere observation and introspection, are reported and supporting data for design decisions is presented.
The Blind Zone in Seismic Ground‐Water Exploration

Seismic refraction methods can often indicate the saturated thickness of an aquifer. However, if an impermeable blind zone layer is present, it will not show up in the refraction profile. As a result, saturated thickness and transmissivity values indicated by the profile will be too high. It is thus important in many cases to look for a blind zone layer, and resistivity data combined with geological considerations are two possible ways of inferring its presence.
PERCEPTION OF SLANTED SURFACES: Monograph Supplement 2

A satisfactory theory of the perception of surfaces is essential to an understanding of space perception. In particular, without considering the property of a surface called slant, we cannot deal fully with such important issues as perceived shape, distance along a surface, or even perceived size. Moreover, the study of slant perception provides an elegant illustration of the general nature of visual processes: as the present research suggests, a single impression of a slanted surface can only be accounted for by analysis of the entire pattern of retinal excitation. Hochberg and Smith (5) have made an interesting analysis of certain parts of this problem. In his experiments with the Gmzfeld, Metzger (9) drew attention to the importance of texture in the perception of surfaces. More recently, Gibson (3) has advanced a theory of space perception in which the perception of extended surfaces plays a fundamental role. Specifically, he suggests that a retinal gradient of texture density is the stimulus for slant, and his experimental results support this hypothesis (4). The purposes of the present paper are to examine the concept of gradients of texture density in more detail and to explore the influence of two other variables of stimulation which are inevitably associated with the presence of gradients of texture density. Let us consider some of the purely geometrical properties of the retinal image produced by a uniformly textured surface, as in Fig. 1. 1. For every orientation of a uniformly textured surface, SSP, there is not one retinal gradient of texture density but a uniqae pattern of gradients. The gradient at any point, p', in the retinal image is a function of the angle, VPS, formed by the stimulus surface and the optic radius to the corresponding point, P, on the surface. That angle, in turn, is a function of the particular optic radius chosen and of the angle, FSP, between the frontal-parallel plane and the stimulus surface. We will refer to the angle, FSP, as physical slant. 2. The pattern of retinal arousal has other variables, distinct from the pattern of gradients of texture density. For example, the same gradients can be prolThe research here reported formed pan of an M. A. thesis, Monocular Perception of Stnted Surfaces, by W. Crawford Clark, submitted to the Department of Psychology at Queen's University in 1953. Grateful acknowledgement is due Dr. A. H. Smith for his supervision of Mr. Clark's thesis and for his help in bringing the present paper to publication. Experiment I was reported by the present authors at the meeting of the American Psychological Association in 1952. The research for this paper was done under DRB Grant No. 370, Project No. D77-94-01-03.
Analysis of poly(ethylene glycol)‐diacrylate macromer polymerization within a multicomponent semi‐interpenetrating polymer network system

Semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (semi-IPNs) containing poly(ethylene glycol)-diacrylate (PEGdA) and modified gelatin were prepared with 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone (DMPA) as a photoinitiator. The effect of (i) initiator and PEGdA concentration, and (ii) weight ratio and type of modified gelatin on the conversion of PEGdA functional end groups was monitored in situ using attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR). Reaction induction time was dependent on DMPA concentration and increased with decreasing DMPA concentration. Relative reaction rate was strongly dependent on both DMPA and PEGdA concentrations. Gelatin weight ratio and modification did not significantly affect reaction induction time, relative reaction rate, or reaction end time. Swelling/degradation kinetics at various aqueous conditions sought to establish relationships between diacrylate conversion and the resulting semi-IPN physical properties. Semi-IPN swelling weight ratio was strongly dependent on solvent conditions and semi-IPN exposure to gamma-irradiation. Gelatin backbone modification and UV exposure time exhibited no effect on semi-IPN swelling weight ratio. In conclusion, ATR-FTIR presents a viable means of monitoring the conversion of PEGdA functional end groups within a complex mixture. UV exposure >10 s did not significantly affect the weight swelling ratio, and supports our ATR-FTIR results that network formation reached completion before 3 min of UV exposure.
Dynamic Characteristics and Effective Stiffness Properties of Honeycomb Composite Sandwich Structures for Highway Bridge Applications

In this paper, a combined analytical and experimental study of dynamic characteristics of honeycomb composite sandwich structures in bridge systems is presented, and a relatively simple and reliable dynamic experimental procedure to estimate the beam bending and transverse shear stiffness is proposed. This procedure is especially practicable for estimating the beam transverse shear stiffness, which is primarily contributed by the core and is usually difficult to measure. The composite sandwich beams are made of E-glass fiber and polyester resins, and the core consists of the corrugated cells in a sinusoidal configuration. Based on the modeling of equivalent properties for the face laminates and core elements, analytical predictions of effective flexural and transverse shear stiffness properties of sandwich beams along the longitudinal and transverse to the sinusoidal core wave directions are first obtained. Using piezoelectric sensors, the dynamic response data are collected, and the dynamic characteristics of the sandwich structures are analyzed, from which the flexural and transverse shear stiffness properties are reduced. The experimental stiffness results are then compared to the analytical stiffness properties, and relatively good correlations are obtained. The proposed dynamic tests using piezoelectric sensors can be used effectively to evaluate the dynamic characteristics and stiffness properties of large sandwich structures suitable for highway bridge applications.
Analysis of linkage disequilibrium between polymorphisms in the KCNJ9 gene with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Pima Indians.

Abstract The KCNJ9 gene encodes a G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium channel and is located within a region on human chromosome 1 that has been linked with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Pima Indians and Caucasians. To assess the potential contribution of genetic alterations within KCNJ9 to diabetes susceptibility in the Pimas, we have genotyped 11 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 50 Pimas with diabetes and 50 Pimas over the age of 45 without diabetes and in 51 sib pairs, discordant for the disease, who were characterized by decreased allele sharing at the chromosomal location of the maximum LOD score. We detected three SNP clusters exhibiting distinct linkage disequilibria. Polymorphisms in intron 2, exon 3, and the 3′-UTR were in statistically significant linkage disequilibrium with diabetes in the case-control group ( P = 0.006), but not the sibling pairs ( P = 0.097). A weak association with diabetes was also found in the original linkage set comprising 1150 Pimas (odds ratio = 0.64/ P = 0.079 for a dominant model and OR = 0.67/ P = 0.005 for a recessive model). However, no effect on linkage was detected following adjustment for one of the most strongly associated SNPs in the entire original linkage set. Our results indicate that variants in KCNJ9 are associated with diabetes in Pimas but do not account for the linkage of 1q with diabetes in this population.
Ideology, Social Ethos, and the Financial Crisis

The crisis of 2008–2009 has been viewed primarily as a financial one, which has spilled over into the economy more generally. I want to argue that there is a much deeper crisis, of which the present one is a result. The deeper crisis is political: more specifically, it is a crisis in the ideology and social ethos of the American people. I refer to what has happened to the thinking of United States citizens since the Second World War, and the dangers that that transformation entails for world peace and cooperation—let alone the creation of an economic regime in which deep financial crises do not occur. Short of a change in the ideology of a many of its citizens, I do not believe the United States can succeed in preventing a repeat performance, perhaps many encores, which become increasingly severe.
Abstract 633: Inhibition of TGFβ as a strategy to convert the irradiated tumor into in situ individualized vaccine

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Accumulating data support the concept that ionizing radiation therapy (RT) has the potential to convert the tumor into an in situ, individualized vaccine; however this potential is rarely realized by RT alone. Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) is an immunosuppressive cytokine that is activated by RT and inhibits the antigen-presenting function of dendritic cells and the differentiation of effector CD8+ T cells. Here we tested the hypothesis that TGFβ hinders the ability of RT to promote anti-tumor immunity. Development of tumor-specific immunity was examined in two pre-clinical models of metastatic breast cancer and analyzed in patients with metastatic breast cancer treated with local radiotherapy and the TGFβ-neutralizing antibody Fresolimumab. Mice bearing established 4T1 and TSA mouse mammary carcinomas treated with pan-isoform specific TGFβ neutralizing antibody, 1D11, showed significantly improved control of the irradiated tumor and non-irradiated metastases, but no effect in the absence of RT. Notably, whole tumor transcriptional analysis demonstrated the selective upregulation of genes associated with immune-mediated rejection only in tumors of mice treated with RT+TGFβ blockade. Mice treated with RT+TGFβ blockade exhibited cross-priming of CD8+ T cells producing IFNγ in response to three tumor-specific antigens in tumor-draining lymph nodes, which was not evident for single modality treatment. Likewise, HLA-A2.1+ metastatic breast cancer patients (n=8) enrolled in [NCT01401062][1] trial of local RT and fresolimumab were examined for CD8+ T cells specific for the tumor antigen survivin by tetramer staining. Three patients developed increased frequencies of survivin-specific CD8+ T cells in the blood during treatment, while two patients negative at baseline became positive. Analysis of the immune infiltrate in mouse tumors showed a significant increase in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells only in mice treated with the combination of RT+TGFβ blockade. Depletion of CD4+ or CD8+ T cells abrogated the therapeutic benefit of RT+TGFβ blockade. These data identify TGFβ as a master inhibitor of the ability of RT to generate an in situ tumor vaccine, which supports testing inhibition of TGFβ during radiotherapy to promote therapeutically effective anti-tumor immunity. Supported by DOD BCRP Multi-Team Award BC100481. Citation Format: Claire I. Vanpouille-Box, Julie M. Diamond, Jiri Zavadil, James Babb, Dorthe Schaue, Mary Helen Barcellos-Hoff, William H. McBride, Silvia C. Formenti, Sandra Demaria. Inhibition of TGFβ as a strategy to convert the irradiated tumor into in situ individualized vaccine. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 633. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-633 [1]: /lookup/external-ref?link_type=CLINTRIALGOV&access_num=NCT01401062&atom=%2Fcanres%2F74%2F19_Supplement%2F633.atom
Beam Propagation Through A Refracting Surface

A method for numerically propagating a beam in the vicinity of an index discontinuity has been developed. Current methods of numerical beam propagation handle propagation up to the interface and beyond it, but not in the region where part of the beam is in one medium and the rest in the other. The new method allows an accurate modelling of the aberrations introduced by optics, e.g. steeply curved lens surfaces, where aberrations are introduced over a finite distance. The basic idea behind the method is to separately propagate the light which is in each of the refracting media.
Fabrication of novel cellular-like aluminophosphate materials

The crystalline microlamellar aluminophosphates (LAP) with cellular frameworks has been fabricated through the reaction of phosphoric acid/surfactant/pseudo-boehmite in a matrix of triethylene glycol and water; biomineralization reactions occurred in the interconnecting water droplet channels; and resulting materials represented replicas of the microemulsion architecture.
Life history response of Daphnia galeata to heterogeneous conditions within a reservoir as determined in a cross-designed laboratory experiment

Growth and reproduction were studied in the laboratory in a cross-designed experimental set-up in four Daphnia galeata subpopulations collected from different locations (with respect to water characteristics) in a reservoir (epilimnion, metalimnion and hypolimnion in the deepest part of the reservoir near the dam and epilimnion of the upstream part of the reservoir) and in a laboratory clone of the same species. The results of two-way ANOVA revealed significant effects of the two parameters manipulated – source of water used for cultures and Daphnia subpopulation – on the life history characteristics of growth and reproduction. The water from the upstream part of the reservoir was the most favourable culture medium for all characteristics of the Daphnia groups studied (the largest primiparae, clutches and eggs, the shortest postembryonic development time and filtering setae). The poorest performances were recorded in the downstream, epilimnetic and metalimnetic waters. The primiparae in the hypolimnetic water were smaller but had relatively larger clutches of smaller eggs and slightly longer postembryonic development times. The Daphnia subpopulation originating from the hypolimnion had the smallest primiparae, the largest clutches, the smallest eggs and the shortest postembryonic development, whereas the opposite was found in animals from the epilmnion. These differences in ecologically relevant traits were supported by analysis of the quasi-neutral genetic markers that indicated significant site-dependent differences in clonal structure between the subpopulations. There was no consistent trend to higher within-group variance in the life history traits in the genetically heterogeneous subpopulations from the reservoir compared to the laboratory clone.
Obesity reduces left ventricular strains, torsion and synchrony in mouse models: a cine DENSE MRI study

Left ventricular sub-epicardial strain was significantly lower in the obese mice with a 40% reduction in circumferential strain (p<0.001), a 19% reduction in longitudinal strain (p=0.03), and a 53% reduction in radial strain (p=0.06). By contrast, left ventricular sub-endocardial strain was modestly reduced in the obese mice in the circumferential direction by 12% (p=0.01), and not significantly different in the radial (p=0.63) or longitudinal (p=0.44) directions. Peak left ventricular torsion was reduced by 34% in the obese mice (p=0.06). Finally, the radial uniformity of strain index showed a reduction in the synchrony of contraction in the left ventricle (p=0.01) with a time delay in the septal to free wall direction.
Multifunctional nanoparticles as biocompatible targeted probes for human cancer diagnosis and therapy

The use of nanoparticles in biological applications has been rapidly advancing toward practical applications in human cancer diagnosis and therapy. Upon linking the nanoparticles with biomolecules, they can be used to locate cancerous areas as well as for traceable drug delivery with high affinity and specificity. In this feature article, we discuss the engineering of multifunctional nanoparticle probes and their use in bioimaging and nanomedicine.
Serum α‐fetoprotein level in Fanconi's anemia: Evaluation of 33 Turkish patients

Recently, measurement of serum alpha-fetoprotein (sAFP) was introduced as a preliminary test for diagnosis of Fanconi's anemia (FA). In the present study, sAFP levels were measured in order to determine its sensitivity and specificity in 33 Turkish FA patients (17 males and 16 females) with a mean age of 11.6 +/- 7.7 (1.0-28.0) (median 10.0). Complementation groups were available in 12 patients. Nineteen age-matched healthy children, 17 patients with bone marrow failure syndromes, 37 FA heterozygotes, and 37 children with acute leukemia served as negative control groups. The sAFP was measured by particle immunoassay. The level of sAFP was found to be higher than the cut-off value, 8 IU/mL in 46% and was within normal limits in 54% of the FA patients. The AFP values were within normal limits in all of the subjects belonging to the control groups. This method provided 46% sensitivity and 100% specificity in the diagnosis of FA. The sAFP values were high in 4 of 17 (24%) FA patients who did not receive any androgen therapy, while the sAFP level was high in 7 of 9 (78%) patients who received such a therapy. The statistical analysis of incidence of a high sAFP level between these two groups indicated a significant difference (P = 0.014), suggesting that androgen therapy might be a contributing factor for elevation of sAFP. The comparison of several clinical and laboratory parameters between FA patients with high and normal levels of AFP revealed no statistically significant differences. The level of sAFP was elevated in only 5 of the 11 patients with complementation group A; in addition, variable levels of sAFP were noted among the affected members in 4 families, indicating that complementation groups, type of mutation, or familial factors were not responsible for elevation of sAFP.
Relative Effects of Bordeaux Mixture And Of Hydrated Lime On Arsenical Sprays in the Control Of the Pecan Leaf Case-Bearer

Bordeaux mixture and hydrated lime were tested to determine their relative effectiveness as correctives for arsenical injury to pecan foliage. Bordeaux mixture proved to be effective in preventing arsenical injury whereas hydrated lime did not, when the latter was used at the same strength as in the fungicide. When acid lead arsenate and Paris green were used separately in combination with Bordeaux mixture and at strengths at which they contained approximately the same quantity of metallic arsenic, the Paris green-Bordeaux mixture was the more effective against the pecan leaf case-bearer. Commercial calcium arsenate in combination with Bordeaux mixture, when the arsenical was used at a strength at which it contained more metallic arsenic than did either the acid lead arsenate or the Paris green as used in combination with Bordeaux mixture, gave insecticidal results nearly comparable to those of the Paris green-Bordeaux mixture combination. Commercial calcium arsenate in combination with Bordeaux mixture appeared much more effective in the control of the pecan leaf case-bearer than was acid lead arsenate in combination with Bordeaux mixture, when the same poundage of each arsenical was used. Furthermore, the cost of the calcium arsenate in the Bordeaux mixture was only about one-half that of the acid lead arsenate.
Crystallization of fusion cast ceramics and glass-ceramics

The most important single factor responsible for the largely different microstructure and properties of glass-ceramics as compared with fusion cast ceramics is the viscosity conditions during crystallization. Whereas cast ceramics crystallize from liquids almost always in a very fluid condition, i.e., viscosity less than a 103 poise, the controlled nucleation and crystallization of glass normally takes place at viscosities greater than 108 poise, usually between 109 and 1012 poise. Crystallization of ceramic materials from a melt is a time-temperature-pressure dependent process. Factors such as high volume expansion, crystal orientation, solid solution and exsolution control the resulting microstructure and properties of these brittle materials. Non-equilibrium conditions play a major role in affecting the microstructure. The importance of additions of one or more components to each of the following basic ceramic systems will be discussed: (1) ZrO2-Al2O3-SiO2, (2) Al2O3, (3) MgO, (4) carbides, and (5) borides. Glass ceramics are crystalline materials formed through controlled devitrification of glass. The sequence of nucleation, crystal growth, and phase transformation occurring during the thermal treatment of such glasses can be controlled to produce unique microstructures and properties. This is reviewed for several basic composition areas: (1) SiO2-Al2O3-Li2O (spodumene), (2) SiO2-Al2O3-MgO (cordierite), (3) SiO2-Al2O3-MgO-K2O-F (mica), and (4) SiO2-Al2O3-CaO-MgO-Fe2O3 (basalt).
Migration studies of 3-chloro-1,2-propanediol (3-MCPD) in polyethylene extrusion-coated paperboard food packaging

The manufacturing process of paperboard food packaging can produce small quantities of 3-chloro-1,2-propanediol (3-MCPD or 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol) when wet-strength resins containing epichlorohydrin are used. 3-MCPD is from the same family as 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol (1,3-DCP), which is known to cause cancer in animals. 3-MCPD has been found in acid hydrolyzed vegetable protein, Asian sauces and paperboard for food contact. In this investigation, we conducted extraction studies to measure 3-MCPD migration into food simulant solvents from the food contact side of polyethylene extrusion-coated paperboard beverage cartons and aqueous extractions of cut pieces from the entire paperboard. We demonstrate that 3-MCPD confirmed present at concentrations up to 9.9 mg kg(-1) within the paperboard matrix does not migrate through the polyethylene-coated food contact surface. The aqueous extraction of the entire paperboard and food contact side extractions with aqueous/acidic food simulants were performed using US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Commission (EU) migration testing protocols. We also show that no significant amount of 3-MCPD migrates through the unskived edges on the inside seam of the paperboard structure. The methodology for the aqueous and migration cell extractions using GC-MS analyses was validated with a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.009 mg kg(-1) and a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.005 mg kg(-1).
The hypocrealean fungi (Ascomycetes, Hypocreales).

A brief review of the taxonomic history of the order Hypocreales (Fungi, Ascomycetes) is presented. A modified characterization of the Hypocreales with one family, Hypocreaceae, and the acceptance ...