cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rights Knowledge: Values and Tradeoffs

The charge of this Essay, part of a Symposium on knowledge of rights vis-a-vis the police, is to discuss whether it would be better if citizens had better knowledge of their rights - for example, if citizens had greater awareness of their right to remain silent or to refuse to give consent to search. This question is rather more complex than it may initially appear, and the Essay provides an analytical framework for addressing it by raising three subsidiary questions: What is the purpose of the right? What is the individual's role in effectuating the right? What effect would greater "rights knowledge" have? The Essay then considers these questions with regard to the privilege against self-incrimination and the right against unreasonable searches. The Essay concludes that the answer to the ultimate question whether it would be better if citizens had greater knowledge of their rights is "it depends." It depends on the nature of the normative value(s) one believes supports the right in question. It depends on the normative balance one strikes between those values and crime control values. It depends on empirical questions concerning what effect greater knowledge of the right would have, both on the exercise of the right and on criminal enforcement. And it depends on empirical questions regarding what reactions might come from the criminal justice system. Nonetheless, the Essay does reach some tentative conclusions, which closely track the observations one might make about "rights knowledge" in the adjudication context. Autonomy is one important potential value of these rights, and that value provides the best argument for greater rights knowledge. However, because individuals, on their own without an attorney, are poorly equipped to make significant use of their rights in the face of the state's enforcement power, other values that may support these rights, such as those relating to fairness or innocence, are unlikely to be much affected by greater rights knowledge. For this reason, if one wishes to strengthen values apart from autonomy, something beyond rights knowledge (for example provision of counsel, as in the adjudication context) will be necessary. Indeed, because the difficulties an individual faces in exercising rights to protect such other values may be less obvious in the police practices context than in the adjudication context, proponents of rights knowledge should be careful that such knowledge is not given greater significance than it deserves.
Cat's tooth keratitis: human corneal infection with Capnocytophaga canimorsus.

PURPOSE To describe a patient with keratitis caused by Capnocytophaga canimorsus after traumatic injury with a cat's tooth. METHODS Case report and review of the literature. RESULTS Sixteen months after onset of infection, the patient regained 20/30 vision in the affected eye. However, he required 7 months of antibiotic therapy to eliminate the infection. CONCLUSION C. canimorsus keratitis may follow penetrating corneal injury and wound contamination with cat saliva and may be recalcitrant to topical antibiotic therapy.
Tuning the electronic and steric parameters of a redox-active tris(amido) ligand.

A family of tantalum compounds was prepared to probe the electronic effects engendered by the addition of electron-donating or electron-withdrawing groups to the 4/4′ positions of the redox-active ligand derived from bis(2-isopropylamino-4-X-phenyl)amine [X,iPr(NNNcat)H3, X = F, H, Me, tBu]). A general synthetic procedure for the X,iPr(NNNcat)H3 ligand family was developed starting from the 4/4′ disubstituted diphenylamine derivative. A second ligand modification, incorporation of aromatic substituents at the flanking nitrogen moieties, was achieved via palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling to afford bis(2-3,5-dimethylphenylamino-4-methoxy-phenyl)amine OMe,DMP(NNNcat)H3 (DMP = 3,5-C6H3Me2), allowing a comparative study to the less sterically hindered isopropyl derivative. Treatment of the triamines with 1 equiv of TaMe3Cl2 generated the corresponding dichloro complexes X,R(NNNcat)TaCl2(L) (L = empty or Et2O) in high yields. These neutral dichloride derivatives reacted with [NBnEt3][Cl] to produce the anionic...
Multiple Scattering Effects on Particle Sizing in Optical Characterization of Biological Tissues

We examine the validity of the independent-scattering assumption of particle sizing in biophotonics applications via full-wave solutions. We find a complex dependence of biological tissue’s optical properties on its multi-scale organization of intracellular particles.
Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation and Variceal Coil or Plug Embolization Ineffectively Attain Gastric Variceal Decompression or Occlusion: Results of a 26-Patient Retrospective Study.

Abstract Purpose To assess the efficacy of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation with or without variceal coil and/or plug embolization in decompressing or occluding gastric varices (GVs). Materials and Methods In this retrospective study, 78 patients with GV bleeding who underwent TIPS creation with or without embolotherapy with metallic coils and/or plugs from 1999 to 2014 were identified. Individuals who had a bare-metal TIPS and/or lacked post-TIPS imaging or endoscopic follow-up were excluded. The final cohort included 26 patients (16 men; median age, 54 y; median Model for End-stage Liver Disease score, 16). Variceal types, supplying vessels, and postprocedure GV patency on cross-sectional imaging or endoscopy were assessed. The primary study outcome measure was GV patency rate as a surrogate for efficacy of TIPS creation with or without embolization. Results GVs included gastroesophageal varix types 1 (n = 10) and 2 (n = 2), isolated GV types 1 (n = 4) and 2 (n = 2), and unspecified (n = 8). TIPS creation resulted in a median final portosystemic pressure gradient of 7 mm Hg. Multiple GV-supplying vessels (left/posterior/short gastric veins) were present in 65% of patients (n = 17). Embolization was performed in 69% (n = 18). Thirteen, four, and nine patients had imaging, endoscopic, or both imaging/endoscopic follow-up. GV patency rate was 65% (n = 17; 61%/75% with/without embolization) at a median of 128.5 days (range, 1–1,295 d) after TIPS creation. Incidence of recurrent bleeding was 27% (n = 7), and the 90-day mortality rate was 15% (n = 4). Conclusions In this study, most GVs showed persistent patency despite TIPS decompression and variceal embolization, and the incidence of recurrent bleeding was high. The findings suggest suboptimal efficacy for GVs, and indicate a need for study of alternative or adjunctive approaches to GV treatment, such as chemical obliteration.
Effects of encainide, flecainide, imipramine and moricizine on ventricular arrhythmias during the year after acute myocardial infarction: the CAPS.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute initiated the Cardiac Arrhythmia Pilot Study (CAPS) to evaluate the feasibility of suppressing ventricular arrhythmias after acute myocardial infarction. Ten centers enrolled 502 patients younger than 75 years of age with greater than or equal to 10 ventricular premature complexes (VPC) per hour in a 24-hour electrocardiographic recording and a left ventricular ejection fraction greater than 20%. Patients were enrolled 6 to 60 days after acute myocardial infarction and randomized to 1 of 5 treatment tracks with 2 drugs that included encainide, flecainide, imipramine, moricizine or placebo. During a double-blind drug and dose selection phase, investigators were permitted to change drug or dosage to achieve greater than or equal to 70% suppression in VPC frequency and greater than 90% suppression of runs of VPC with the exception of patients assigned to placebo, who continued receiving it. Patients were followed for a year after randomization. Patients in the 5 treatment arms were similar in age, sex, clinical characteristics, VPC frequency, left ventricular ejection fraction and concomitant drug treatment. As first drugs, encainide and flecainide had higher efficacy rates, 79% and 83%, respectively, than imipramine, 52%, moricizine, 66%, or placebo, 37%. Encainide and flecainide also had high efficacy rates, 68% and 69%, in patients who failed imipramine or moricizine. Encainide, flecainide and moricizine were well tolerated. These 3 drugs had intolerable adverse effect rates of 6% or less, i.e., similar to placebo. More than 70T of the patients who started the follow-up phase on encainide, flecainide or moricizine remained on these drugs to the end of the study.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Neonatal Outcomes in Fetuses With a Persistent Intrahepatic Right Umbilical Vein

Objectives A fetal persistent intrahepatic right umbilical vein has been linked to anomalies and genetic disorders but can be a normal variant. We conducted a retrospective review to determine other sonographic findings that can stratify fetuses for further evaluation. Methods A total of 313 fetuses had a persistent intrahepatic right umbilical vein identified on 17- to 24-week sonography. The outcome was any major congenital anomaly or an adverse neonatal outcome, which was defined as aneuploidy, fetal demise, or neonatal death. Results A total of 217 patients (69.3%) had a normal neonatal outcome. Sixty-nine patients (22.0%) were lost to follow-up. Five fetuses (2.1%) had aneuploidy; 4 of the 5 had additional sonographic findings, and 1 had an isolated persistent intrahepatic right umbilical vein. Twenty-four fetuses had a major anomaly in association with the persistent right umbilical vein; 26 additional fetuses had soft sonographic markers associated with karyotypic abnormalities but were chromosomally normal. Of those with adverse neonatal outcomes, 12 had a congenital heart defect (57%). An additional sonographic finding with a persistent intrahepatic right umbilical vein was predictive of a congenital anomaly or an adverse neonatal outcome (P < .001), with a positive predictive value of 44.0% (95% confidence interval, 30.0%–58.7%). An isolated persistent intrahepatic right umbilical vein had a 0.4% risk for a congenital anomaly or an adverse neonatal outcome. Conclusions A persistent intrahepatic right umbilical vein should prompt an extended anatomic survey and a fetal cardiac evaluation. If the survey and cardiac anatomy are reassuring, no further follow-up is needed. If additional findings are identified, genetic counseling and invasive testing should be considered.
The Famine of Forte: Few Search Problems Greatly Favor Your Algorithm

Casting machine learning as a type of search, we demonstrate that the proportion of problems that are favorable for a fixed algorithm is strictly bounded, such that no single algorithm can perform well over a large fraction of them. Our results explain why we must either continue to develop new learning methods year after year or move towards highly parameterized models that are both flexible and sensitive to their hyperparameters. We further give an upper bound on the expected performance for a search algorithm as a function of the mutual information between the target and the information resource (e.g., training dataset), proving the importance of certain types of dependence for machine learning. Lastly, we show that the expected per-query probability of success for an algorithm is mathematically equivalent to a single-query probability of success under a distribution (called a search strategy), and prove that the proportion of favorable strategies is also strictly bounded. Thus, whether one holds fixed the search algorithm and considers all possible problems or one fixes the search problem and looks at all possible search strategies, favorable matches are exceedingly rare. The forte (strength) of any algorithm is quantifiably restricted.
Increasing Positive Health Behaviors in Adolescents with Nutritional Goals and Exercise

Research has documented that low-income urban youth are at risk for obesity and related health problems. Our goal was to develop a brief, developmentally informed intervention to increase positive health behaviors (e.g., diet and exercise) among low-income, minority adolescents. Our study was designed to examine the feasibility and potential impact of our single session intervention that was delivered in a primary care setting. The participants were 100 adolescents from an urban adolescent medicine clinic who were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: a) a 3–5 min goal-only session or b) a 15–20 min motivationally enhanced intervention. Health behaviors and individual characteristics (i.e., autonomous motivation, self-efficacy) were assessed at baseline and re-assessed at follow-up 1 month later with 53 % of the youth completing the follow-up assessment. Those in the enhanced intervention group were more likely to participate in the follow-up as were those who reported higher baseline motivation and self-efficacy. Both groups reported statistically significant health behavior improvements over time and older adolescents reported more improvements. The two conditions did not significantly differ in reported health improvements. Self-efficacy predicted improvements in self-reported fruit and vegetable intake at follow-up. Results support that a brief “chat” with adolescents about their personal goals and values appears to have the potential to increase their positive health behaviors and appears to be useful as a preparatory intervention for weight management efforts for urban teens. The study demonstrates the feasibility and potential efficacy of implementing this 20 min intervention into primary care settings, thereby helping urban youth focus on their individualized goals, values, and motivations for health.
Adaptive critic designs based coupled neurocontrollers for a static compensator

A novel nonlinear optimal neurocontroller for a static compensator (STATCOM) connected to a power system, using artificial neural networks, is presented in this paper. The heuristic dynamic programming (HDP) method, a member of the adaptive critic designs (ACD) family, is used for the design of the STATCOM neurocontroller. The proposed controller is a nonlinear optimal controller that provides coupled control for the line voltage and the dc link voltage regulation loops of the STATCOM. An action dependent approach is used, in which the controller is independent of a model of the network. Moreover, a proportional-integrator approach allows the neurocontroller to deal with the actual signals rather than the deviations. Simulation results are provided to show that the proposed ACD based neurocontroller is more effective in controlling the STATCOM compared to finely tuned conventional PI controllers.
Performance Analysis of Multiple Chips Per Symbol M-ary FSK in Fast, Slow and Partially Correlated Rayleigh Fading

Error rate performance analysis is presented in this paper for the multiple chips per symbol M-ary FSK in the fast, slow and partially correlated Rayleigh fading environments. Exact error rate expressions are given for the three fading situations considered. Numerical results are provided for the 8-FSK waveform. Error performance with forward error control coding is also presented to show the improvement over the uncoded cases. These results have direct application to the design of ionospheric communication systems.
Pollen-mediated gene flow from transgenic perennial creeping bentgrass and hybridization at the landscape level

The planting of 162 ha of transgenic glyphosate-resistant creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) near Madras, OR, USA, allowed a unique opportunity to study gene flow over time from a perennial outcrossing species at the landscape level. While conducting a four year in situ survey, we collected panicles and leaf tissue samples from creeping bentgrass and its sexually compatible species. Seeds from the panicles were planted, and seedlings were tested in the greenhouse for expression of the transgene. Gene flow via pollen was found in all four years, at frequencies of 0.004 to 2.805%. Chloroplast markers, in combination with internal transcribed spacer nuclear sequence analysis, were used to aid in identification of transgenic interspecific and intergeneric hybrid seedlings found during the testing and of established plants that could not be positively identified in the field. Interspecific transgenic hybrids produced on redtop (Agrostis gigantea) plants in situ were identified three of the four years and one intergeneric transgenic creeping bentgrass x rabbitfoot grass (Polypogon monspeliensis) hybrid was identified in 2005. In addition, we confirmed a non-transgenic creeping bentgrass x redtop hybrid in situ, demonstrating that interspecific hybrids have established in the environment outside production fields. Results of this study should be considered for deregulation of transgenic events, studies of population dynamics, and prediction of gene flow in the environment.
Electrolysis-assisted mitigation of reverse solute flux in a three-chamber forward osmosis system.

Abstract Forward osmosis (FO) has been widely studied for desalination or water recovery from wastewater, and one of its key challenges for practical applications is reverse solute flux (RSF). RSF can cause loss of draw solutes, salinity build-up and undesired contamination at the feed side. In this study, in-situ electrolysis was employed to mitigate RSF in a three-chamber FO system (“e-FO”) with Na2SO4 as a draw solute and deionized (DI) water as a feed. Operation parameters including applied voltage, membrane orientation and initial draw concentrations were systematically investigated to optimize the e-FO performance and reduce RSF. Applying a voltage of 1.5 V achieved a RSF of 6.78 ± 0.55 mmol m−2 h−1 and a specific RSF of 0.138 ± 0.011 g L−1 in the FO mode and with 1 M Na2SO4 as the draw, rendering ∼57% reduction of solute leakage compared to the control without the applied voltage. The reduced RSF should be attributed to constrained ion migration induced by the coactions of electric dragging force (≥1.5 V) and high solute rejection of the FO membrane. Reducing the intensity of the solution recirculation from 60 to 10 mL min−1 significantly reduced specific energy consumption of the e-FO system from 0.693 ± 0.127 to 0.022 ± 0.004 kWh m−3 extracted water or from 1.103 ± 0.059 to 0.044 ± 0.002 kWh kg−1 reduced reversed solute. These results have demonstrated that the electrolysis-assisted RSF mitigation could be an energy-efficient method for controlling RSF towards sustainable FO applications.
Clinical Commentary on "Finding a Better Way".

I recognize many aspects of Mary’s journey in the stories of patients I care for every day as a palliative care physician. Mary’s experience traversing the last precious months of her life as a chronically and critically ill patient is unfortunately not unique. A palliative care team could have been an enormous help to Mary, her family, and her healthcare team. The future looks brighter as awareness and understanding of palliative care continues to expand among the general population, in part because of books such as Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande1 and documentaries like Extremis .2 A big part of this is because physicians are gradually learning that palliative care is not synonymous with hospice or end-of-life care but rather is a philosophy of care that aims to improve the quality of life for all patients and their families at any stage of an illness. See Viewpoint by Kane and Meadows Although Mary’s care was extraordinary in some aspects, it was not always adequately patient and family centered. Most of the deficiencies were related to poor communication, which can be challenging even in the best of circumstances. I see 2 gaps that were particularly tough. First, it appeared no one solicited Mary’s values and goals before providing …
Critical roles of protein methyltransferases and demethylases in the regulation of embryonic stem cell fate

Accumulating evidence has recently shown that protein methyltransferases and demethylases are crucial regulators in either maintaining pluripotent states or inducing differentiation of embryonic stem cells. These enzymes control pluripotent signatures by mediating activation or repression of histone marks, or through direct methylation of non-histone proteins. Importantly, chromatin modifiers can influence the fate of many differentiation-related genes by loosening chromatin and allowing for transcriptional activation of lineage-specific genes. Genome-wide studies have unraveled diverse changes in methylation patterns following embryonic stem cell differentiation, with redistribution of heterochromatic and euchromatic marks, underlying the importance of chromatin modifiers in governing the fate of embryonic stemness. Furthermore, the development of small molecule inhibitors targeting these agents may shed light in potential clinical implementation to reprogram embryonic stem cells for biomedical therapeutics. Ever since the pioneering introduction of induced pluripotent stem cells, the challenge for application in regenerative medicine and broader medical therapeutics has commenced.
Phosphate–phosphate oligomerization drives higher order co-assemblies with stacks of cyanostar macrocycles

The importance of phosphate in biology and chemistry has long motivated investigation of its recognition. Despite this interest, phosphate's facile oligomerization is only now being examined following the discovery of complexes of anion–anion dimers of hydroxyanions. Here we address how oligomerization dictates phosphate's recognition properties when engaged with planar cyanostar macrocycles that can also oligomerize by stacking. The crystal structure of cyanostar with phosphate shows an unprecedented tetrameric stack of cyanostar macrocycles threaded by a phosphate trimer, [H2PO4⋯H2PO4⋯H2PO4]3−. The solution behaviour, studied as a function of solvent quality, highlights how dimers and trimers of phosphate drive formation of higher order stacks of cyanostar into dimer, trimer and tetramer co-assemblies. Solution behaviors differ significantly from simpler complexes of bisulfate hydroxyanion dimers. Phosphate oligomerization is: (1) preferred over ion pairing with tetrabutylammonium cations, (2) inhibits disassembly of the complexes upon dilution, and (3) resists interference from competitive anion solvation. The phosphate oligomers also appear critical for stability; complexation of just one phosphate with cyanostars is unfavored. The cyanostar's ability to self-assemble is found to create a tubular, highly electropositive cavity that complements the size and shape of the phosphate oligomers as well as their higher charge. When given the opportunity, phosphate will cooperate with the receptor to form co-assembled architectures.
Imago dei as Foundational to Psychotherapy: Integration versus Segregation:

In the last issue (Vanderploeg, 1981), the concept of the Imago Dei was shown to be central to being human and as establishing human beings as essentially relational, called to relationship with God and with each other. God's election was seen as at the core of the Imago Dei and hence as a universal phenomenon. In the present article, the intrapsychic aspect of personality is also discussed as a third important relational aspect of the Imago Dei. The Imago Dei is seen as foundational to psychotherapy, providing both a ground for therapy and a mandate. The therapeutic relationship is understood as covenantal and as an affirmation of God's election, as it is a relationship in which clients are universally supported in enhancing their relationships, that is, the Imago Dei. The transpersonal, God-person relationship is also discussed, both as to how it manifests itself in therapy and how it can be dealt with therapeutically. Throughout, the focus is on questions which help therapists intergrate their faith wi...
Improvements in functional diffuse optical tomography maps by global motion censoring techniques

Head motion produces artifact that disrupts optical neuroimaging data. Global variance in the temporal derivative (GVTD) across all measurements or voxels time-traces, provides a motion censoring technique that improves the functional connectivity maps.
Redox-Dependent Inflammation in Islet Transplantation Rejection.

Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease that results in the progressive destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic β-cells inside the islets of Langerhans. The loss of this vital population leaves patients with a lifelong dependency on exogenous insulin and puts them at risk for life threatening complications. One method being investigated to help restore insulin independence in these patients is islet cell transplantation. However, challenges associated with transplant rejection and islet viability have prevented long term β-cell function. Redox signaling and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by recipient immune cells and transplanted islets themselves are key players in graft rejection. Therefore, dissipation of ROS generation is a viable intervention that can protect transplanted islets from immune-mediated destruction. Here, we will discuss the newly appreciated role of redox signaling and ROS synthesis during graft rejection as well as new strategies being tested for their efficacy in redox modulation during islet cell transplantation.
Operating Room Supply Cost Awareness: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

AbstractIntroduction:We assessed surgeon knowledge of commonly used instruments and disposable items and described attitudes toward incorporating cost data into daily practice.Methods:An electronic...
Being is Believing: Playing the Psychiatric Patient

A method is described in which students play the role of an emotionally disturbed individual. Other students conduct the interviews. The student who role-plays a diagnosis has to explain what he said and did in terms of the diagnosis. The method has been successful in reducing anxiety and in enabling students to better grasp psychodiagnostic concepts and skills.
Race-, Age-, and Gender-Based Characteristics and Toxicities of Targeted Therapies on Phase I Trials.

Background: The impact of age-, gender-, and race-based differences on safety and efficacy in phase I clinical trials has not been well studied. Methods: We analyzed data from phase I clinical trials evaluating targeted biologic agents in patients with advanced solid malignancies. Race and gender distribution of enrolled patients was compared to the referral population demographics at the city, metro, and state levels. The association between age, gender, and race with type, frequency, and severity of treatment-emergent toxicities and clinical benefit was assessed using univariate and multivariable models. Results: Data from 117 eligible patients – Blacks/Caucasians/Others (27/85/5); male/female (66/51) – were obtained. Blacks were younger than Caucasian patients (median age of 56 vs. 62 years, p = 0.004). Nausea/vomiting was more frequent in female patients (43 vs. 24%, p = 0.03), while hematologic toxicity was more likely in Whites. While median time on treatment was comparable (113 vs. 91; p = 0.840), the median overall survival was significantly shorter for Blacks versus Caucasians (7.4 vs. 11.4 months; p = 0.0227). Black race (HR 2.11; 95% CI 1.24–3.60; p = 0.006) and older age (HR 1.03; 95% CI 1.00–1.06; p = 0.029) were associated with an increased risk of death. Conclusions: Age-, gender-, and race-based disparities were observed with specific toxicity and survival outcomes on phase I clinical trials of anticancer agents.
Novel vaccines: Technology and development

The development and widespread use of vaccines, which are defined by the World Health Organization as "biological preparations that improve immunity to a particular disease," represents one of the most significant strides in medicine. Vaccination was first applied to reduce mortality and morbidity from infectious diseases. The World Health Organization estimates that vaccines prevent 2 to 3 million human deaths annually, and these numbers would increase by at least 6 million if all children received the recommended vaccination schedule. However, the origins of allergen immunotherapy share the same intellectual paradigm, and subsequent innovations in vaccine technology have been applied beyond the prevention of infection, including in the treatment of cancer and allergic diseases. This review will focus on how new and more rational approaches to vaccine development use novel biotechnology, target new mechanisms, and shape the immune system response, with an emphasis on discoveries that have direct translational relevance to the treatment of allergic diseases.
An early Holocene oxygen isotope record from the Olson buried forest bed, southern Lake Michigan

Analysis of a 3.5 m vibracore from the Olson buried forest bed in the southern Lake Michigan basin provides new paleolimnological data for the early Holocene. The core records a rise in lake level from the Chippewa low water phase toward the Nipissing high water phase. Deepening of the water level at the core site is suggested by a trend toward decreasing organic carbon content up core that is interpreted as a response to increasing distance between terrestrial debris sources and the core site.Published data from deep water cores from the southern Lake Michigan basin suggest there had been an inflow of isotopically light water from glacial Lake Agassiz into the southern basin between 10.5-11 ka (A1 event). The data also indicate a second flood of isotopically light water between 8-9 ka (A2 event).Three new 14C dates from the Olson site core suggest that most of the sediment was deposited between 8.45 ka and 8.2 ka, an interval roughly coeval with the second pulse of 18O-depleted water (A2) from Lake Agassiz into the southern basin. Oxygen isotope ratio analysis of shell aragonite from the gastropods Probythinella lacustris and Marstonia deceptashows increasingly negative values up core. This trend inσ18O values suggests that 18O - depleted water entered the southern basin about 8.4 ka. The Olson site core thus provides a chronology of events in the southern Lake Michigan basin associated with the draining of glacial Lake Agassiz.
Mast Cell Adenosine Induced Calcium Mobilization Via Gi3 and Gq Proteins

Adenosine is an important mediator of mast cell secretory responses. Adenosine appears to act through one or more adenosine receptor subtypes to activate several signal transduction pathways; however, the specific mechanisms involved are not clearly defined. We studied the pathways involved in adenosine receptor-mediated calcium fluxes in RBL-2H3 cells, a mucosal mast cell-like line. The role of endogenous heterotrimeric G proteins in adenosine mediated calcium mobilization was investigated by microinjection of inhibitory antibodies that block specific G protein subtype function. The calcium transients associated with adenosine and antigen stimulation were compared in noninjected cells and cells that were microinjected with affinity purified neutralizing antibodies to the α subunits of Gi3, Gq, or Gs. The percentage of cells responding to adenosine was decreased in the presence of antibodies to Gi3 and Gq, but not Gs. Pertussis toxin decreased the percentage of cells responding to adenosine, but not antigen. These studies demonstrated a functional requirement for the pertussis toxin sensitive Gi3 protein and the pertussis toxin insensitive Gq protein in adenosine mediated calcium mobilization in mast cells.
Welfare reform, 1834: Did the New Poor Law in England produce significant economic gains?

The English Old Poor Law, which before 1834 provided welfare to the elderly, children, the improvident, and the unfortunate, was a bete noire of the new discipline of Political Economy. Smith, Bentham, Malthus, and Ricardo all claimed it created significant social costs and increased rather than reduced poverty. The Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834, drafted by Political Economists, cuts payments sharply. Because local rules on eligibility and provision varied greatly before the 1834 reform, we can estimate the social costs of the extensive welfare provision of the Old Poor Law. Surprisingly there is no evidence of any of the alleged social costs that prompted the harsh treatment of the poor after 1834. Political economy, it seems, was born in sin.
Thinking About Data With Grounded Theory

This article examines qualitative data in an era of neoliberalism and focuses on the place of data in grounded theory studies. Neoliberal values of individual responsibility, self-sufficiency, comp...
Compositional structures for streaming applications

This paper describes an ongoing project to develop a Python software package, IoTPy, that helps beginning programmers build modular applications that process streams of data collected from sensors, social media and other sources, and to reason about the correctness of their applications in a compositional fashion. IoTPy helps build streaming applications in four ways: (1) enables the construction of non-terminating applications that continuously process endless streams of data by encapsulating terminating programs; (2) supports computation throughout a network of nodes from sensors at the edges of the network to the cloud and back to actuators at the edge; (3) allows users to separate concerns of the logic of an application from the parallel hardware on which the application runs, and (4) supports proofs and testing of the correct behavior of a composition from the specifications of its components.
Active Transport, Not Device Use, Associates with Self-Reported School Week Physical Activity in Adolescents

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among active transport, electronic device-use, and self-reported school week moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in a sample of adolescents. The sample consisted of 1445 adolescents enrolled in the Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating study. A panel research organization invited panel members balanced to the US population on sex, census division, household income and size, and race/ethnicity. Web-based surveys were administered to each selected adolescent. Adolescents answered questions pertaining to out-of-school electronic device-use and active transport to and from school. Predicted weekly minutes of MVPA were calculated from the Youth Activity Profile. The outcome variable was predicted school week MVPA (in minutes). The predictive utility of device-use and active transport variables on self-reported school week MVPA were examined using weighted multiple linear regression models. After adjusting for age, sex, and BMI, active transport to school (b = 12.32, 95% CI [9.72⁻14.93], p < 0.001) and from school (b = 7.18, 95% CI [4.79⁻5.57], p < 0.001) were significantly associated with self-reported school week MVPA. No device-use variables were significantly associated with school week MVPA. Active transport to and from school may have an impact on school week MVPA in adolescents.
Health Care Use Over 3 Years After Adolescent SBIRT.

BACKGROUND: Most studies on adolescent screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) have examined substance use outcomes. However, it may also impact service use and comorbidity—an understudied topic. We address this gap by examining effects of SBIRT on health care use and comorbidities. METHODS: In a randomized trial sample, we assessed 3 SBIRT care modalities: (1) pediatrician-delivered, (2) behavioral clinician–delivered, and (3) usual. Medical comorbidity and health care use were compared between a brief-intervention group with access to SBIRT for behavioral health (combined pediatrician and behavioral clinician arms) and a group without (usual care) over 1 and 3 years. RESULTS: Among a sample of eligible adolescents (n = 1871), the SBIRT group had fewer psychiatry visits at 1 year (incidence rate ratio [iRR] = 0.76; P = .05) and 3 years (iRR = 0.65; P CONCLUSIONS: Providing SBIRT in pediatric primary care may improve health care use and health, mental health, and substance use outcomes. We recommend further exploring the effects of SBIRT on these outcomes.
Multivariable and Structural Uncertainty Analyses for Cost-Effectiveness Estimates: Back to the Future.

Abstract Background In this commentary, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the journal Value in Health, I present a brief overview and illustration of the evolution over the past 20 years of the methodological literature providing guidelines for multivariable and structural uncertainty analysis for cost-effectiveness estimates. Methods To illustrate the impact of the guidelines for uncertainty analyses, I show how the inclusion of multivariable and structural uncertainty analyses in cost-effectiveness analyses published in Value in Health changed over the past 20 years using publications from 1999/2000, 2007 and 2017. Results The commentary is organized in three sections: past, focusing on the development and use of methods for multivariable uncertainty analysis; present, focusing on the growing awareness of the need for structural uncertainty analysis, suggested frameworks for structural uncertainty analysis and how it is currently implemented; and future, considering different methods for combining multivariable and structural uncertainty analyses over the next decades. Conclusions I conclude by suggesting how the continued evolution of uncertainty analyses in published studies and health technology assessment submissions can best take into account an important goal of cost-effectiveness analyses: to provide useful information to decision makers.
Macronutrient-Mediated Inflammation and Oxidative Stress: Relevance to Insulin Resistance, Obesity, and Atherogenesis

Context The intake of macronutrients as components of a Western dietary pattern leads to oxidative stress and inflammation. Evidence acquisition Data were largely retrieved from our previous and most recent work. PubMed and Google Scholar were searched for recent articles on the effect of macronutrients/dietary intake on inflammation, insulin resistance, obesity, and atherogenesis. The most relevant, high-quality articles were included in our review. Evidence synthesis Our previous work has demonstrated the molecular mechanisms of macronutrient-mediated oxidative stress and inflammation. With the induction of inflammation, proinflammatory molecules potentially interfere with insulin signal transduction, thus causing insulin resistance. In addition, other molecules promote atherogenic inflammation. More recently, our work has also shown that certain foods are noninflammatory or anti-inflammatory and thus, do not interfere with insulin signaling. Finally, as obesity is induced by chronic excessive caloric intake, it is characterized by an increase in the expression of proinflammatory molecules, which are induced acutely by a Western diet. Caloric restriction, including fasting, is associated with a reduction in oxidative and inflammatory stress. Conclusions This review summarizes and attempts to provide an up-to-date profile of the molecular mechanisms involved in macronutrient-mediated oxidative/inflammatory stress and its potential consequences. An understanding of these underlying mechanisms is crucial for making appropriate dietary choices.
Tandem Gait Test-Retest Reliability Among Healthy Child and Adolescent Athletes

Context The tandem gait test is a method for assessing dynamic postural control and part of the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool, versions 3 and 5. However, its reliability among child and adolesce...
Deep Bayesian neural networks for damage quantification in miter gates of navigation locks

Inland navigation infrastructure like locks and dams form a vital part of the global economy. Locks facilitate the transport of hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of goods on a daily basis. A p...
Male Reproductive Physiology

The male reproductive tract is uniquely suited to support the structure and function of male gametes, including sperm production and transport of sperm into the ejaculate. Knowledge of the anatomical relations of the male genital tract is crucial for effective performance of surgical procedures. Male reproductive physiology provides the basis for effective medical care of the male infertility patients. Both anatomy and physiology of the male reproductive tract with references to clinically important factors are presented in this chapter.
Distributed dynamic containment control over a strongly connected and weight-balanced digraph

Abstract This paper proposes a distributed containment control solution for a group of communicating mobile agents that aim to track the convex hull spanned by a group of moving leaders with unknown dynamics. The communication topology of the mobile agents is described by a strongly connected and weight-balanced directed graph. In our problem setting the agents can communicate in discrete-time and also detect the leaders in specific sampling times. Our next contribution in this paper is to show how a group of unicycle robots can use our proposed containment control algorithm to track the convex hull of their jointly monitoring mobile leaders. In our proposed framework, the unicycle robots have continuous-time dynamics but communicate with each other in discrete-time fashion. We demonstrate our results through a numerical example.
Estimated Prevalence of Elder Orphans Using National Health and Aging Trends Study.

Objectives: By 2050, individuals aged 65 years and older will comprise over 20% of the American population. A portion is at risk for becoming elder orphans: older adults living in the community who...
Health behaviours during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: implications for obesity.

OBJECTIVE: Obesity is a risk factor for severe complications and death from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Public health efforts to control the pandemic may alter health behaviors related to weight gain, inflammation, and poor cardiometabolic health, exacerbating the prevalence of obesity, poor immune health, and chronic diseases. DESIGN: We reviewed how the pandemic adversely influences many of these behaviors, specifically physical activity, sedentary behaviors, sleep, and dietary intakes, and provided individual level strategies that may be used to mitigate them. RESULTS: At the community level and higher, public health and health care professionals need to advocate for intervention strategies and policy changes that address these behaviors, such as increasing nutrition assistance programs and creating designated areas for recreation and active transportation, to reduce disparities among vulnerable populations. CONCLUSIONS: The long-lasting impact of the pandemic on health behaviors, and the possibility of a second COVID-19 wave, emphasize the need for creative and evolving, multi-level approaches to assist individuals in adapting their health behaviors to prevent both chronic and infectious diseases.
Public Health Aspects of Periodontitis: Recent Advances and Contributions by Dr. Robert J. Genco

This review provides an overview of the objectives, activities, and accomplishments of the CDC-AAP collaboration on public health aspects of periodontitis focusing mostly on surveillance. Dr. Robert Genco was co-chair of this effort. This initiative developed new standard periodontitis case definitions for surveillance and implemented for the first time a full-mouth periodontal examination protocol for NHANES 2009–2014. Measurements from this survey resulted in a significantly greater estimate of the national prevalence of periodontitis in US adults and improved our understanding of population risk factors associations with periodontitis. Notably, this initiative also developed, and validated by field-testing, a battery of eight questions for multivariable modeling of self-report measures for predicting periodontitis in populations. This initiative resulted in significant improvements of surveillance of periodontitis and produced unique findings with important implications for advancing our understanding of population aspects of periodontitis in US adults at the national, state, and local levels. At long last, the world finally had a set of periodontitis case definitions that applied globally would enable valid comparisons between populations in different geographic settings and at different times.
Disparities in Depression Screening between Adults with versus without Congestive Heart Failure in the United States: A National Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose In chronic heart failure (CHF), depression is often comorbid and leads to worse health outcomes. The purpose of this study is to characterize prevalence and factors related to depression and depression screening. Methods Prevalence of depression and depression screening were analyzed in adult outpatients from the 2006-2016 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. Additionally, data on age, sex, race, insurance, U.S. census region, specialty of doctor, depression, tobacco use, major reason for visit and comorbidities were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to compare prevalence ratios, and weighting factors were applied to improve comparability and reduce bias. Results After adjustment, CHF positive patients were significantly more likely to have depression compared to CHF negative patients [1.1819 p=0.0017]. However, depression screening did not significantly differ [1.0663 p=0.6007]. For all patients, only approximately 3% received depression screening. When looking at only CHF positive patients, those with coronary artery disease, ischemic heart disease, a history of myocardial infarction, and depression were more likely to be screened but only around 41% of those patients are being screened. Those also seen by a primary care provider were less likely to be screened. When looking at major reasons for the visit, rates of depression screening did not differ among pre-surgery, post-surgery, and preventative care. Current tobacco use, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, obesity, and race are other potential modifying factors. Conclusion CHF positive patients experience higher rates of depression compared to their CHF negative counterparts, but do not have higher rates of depression screening by US providers. While primary care providers see the majority of CHF positive patients, they are less likely to provide depression screening. Patients with past depression or a history of other cardiovascular diseases are more likely to receive depression screening, but rates are still low. Other factors may be responsible for the disproportionate rates of depression screening among patients with CHF. These disparities among patient-centered care must be addressed to reduce comorbidities and improve health outcomes.