cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ultrastructure of the human mammary gland. II. Postpartum lactogenesis.

The histology and fine structure of 7 human mammary glands were studied in the postpartum. Widespread hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the mammary acini were observed accompanied by dilatation and engorgement of the lumen by milk. Loose strands of connective tissue surrounding the mammary lobules and ductules contained dilated, engorged vascular channels. The lactogenic epithelial cells displayed rich cytoplasm containing prominent layering stacks of rough endoplasmic reticulum closely related to the enlarged oval mitochondria, on occasion surrounding their entire circumference. Also noted were numerous ribosomes and polyribosomes. The markedly hypertrophied Golgi apparatus revealed cisternae containing particulate electron dense material and vesicles with dense granules. The latter were frequently seen being discharged in the lumen devoid of limiting membrane. Abundant fat droplets were present in the basal and apical regions and “pinched off” into the lumen, apparently surrounded by a limiting membrane. T...
Images of mathematics in Togo, West Africa

On a stroll down a neighbourhood street in Togo, one is likely to see: little boys playing with homemade toys that roll and can be pushed with a stick or pulled on a string; girls helping their mother around the house and tending younger siblings; men sitting chatting with friends, smoking and playing dice games or zipping by on a variety of two-wheelers; women waiting at the pump for their turn to fill their basins before 2 p.m. when the pump is locked for the day and girls doing errands or selling small items.
Employment Testing and Incentives To Learn.

Abstract Employment tests predict job performance because they measure or are correlated with a large set of malleable developed abilities which are causally related to productivity. Our economy currently underrewards the achievements that are measured by these tests. Consequently, economic incentives to study hard in high school are minimal and this absence of incentives has contributed to the low levels of achievement in math and science. The paper concludes with a discussion of ways in which employment tests can strengthen incentives to learn.
Enhancing the performance of non-scanning Fourier transform spectrometer by compensating manufacturing defects inherent to a Wollaston prism array

In this paper, a method is presented for compensating of manufacturing defects in a Wollaston prism array (WPA) via post data processing. The manufactured WPA usually suffers from unequal internal wedge angles from sub-prism to sub-prism and the formation of tilted interference fringes within each sub-prism. After compensation, the spectral error induced by defects in the Wollaston prism array is significantly reduced so that the performance of a non-scanning Fourier transform spectrometer can be substantially enhanced. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate the method of compensation.
The role of agency in sociocultural evolution Institutional entrepreneurship as a force of structural and cultural change

Inspired by Weber’s charismatic carrier groups, Eisenstadt coined the term institutional entrepreneur to capture the rare but epochal collective capable of reorienting a group’s value-orientations and transferring charisma, while making them an evolutionary force of structural and cultural change. As a corrective to Parsons’ abstract, ‘top-down’ theory of change, Eisenstadt’s theory provided historical context and agency to moments in which societies experienced qualitative transformation. The concept has become central to new institutionalism, neo-functionalism, and evolutionary-institutionalism. Drawing from the former two, a more robust theory of institutional entrepreneurship from an evolutionary-institutionalist’s perspective is posited. In essence, entrepreneurs formulate institutional projects with dual logic: a collective side focused on innovation where efforts are directed towards organizational symbolic mechanisms of integration and a self-interested side directed towards resource independence,...
Interaction of Cyclazocine and the Sympathetic Nervous System

Cyclazocine, a benzomorphan derivative narcotic agonist-antagonist, reduced the uptake of tritiated norepinephrine and reduced the recovery of [3H]3,4-dihydroxymandelic acid, but did not significantly alter the recovery of [3H]normetanephrine in the rat heart in vivo. Cyclazocine also reduced endogenous levels of norepinephrine in the rat heart. Comparatively, desipramine reduced the uptake of [3H]norepinephrine, the recovery of [3H]3,4-dihydroxymandelic acid, and the recovery of [3H]normetanephrine in the rat heart in vivo. Further, cyclazocine added to the perfusion medium or administered systemically reduced the uptake of radiolabeled norepinephrine by the isolated rat heart. The cyclazocine-induced decrease in the accumulation of [3H]norepinephrine in the rat heart in vivo and in vitro presumably is due to an alteration of sympathetic function through the inhibition of neuronal uptake. It is further suggested that cyclazocine has other actions on the sympathetic nervous system, such as promoting neurotransmitter release.
The histone deacetylase inhibitor valproic acid sensitizes human and canine osteosarcoma to doxorubicin

Purpose Osteosarcoma (OS) remains an incurable and ultimately fatal disease in many patients, and novel forms of therapy are needed. Improved models of OS that more closely mimic human disease would provide more robust information regarding the utility of novel therapies. Spontaneous OS in dogs may provide such a model. Pharmacologic inhibition of histone deacetylase (HDAC) enzymes has a variety of anti-tumor effects but may demonstrate the most utility when utilized in combination with standard cytotoxic therapies. We sought to determine the in vitro and in vivo effects of the HDAC inhibitor valproic acid (VPA) on doxorubicin (DOX) sensitivity in canine and human OS.
Use of overlap studies to evaluate method changes in water chemistry protocols

Long-term monitoring projects are usually plagued with method changes that occur in the midst of the monitoring record. Such changes can affect the data, resulting in observations of long-term trends that reflect the change in methods rather than the monitored system. This article describes two statistical approaches to evaluate the effect of method changes, illustrated by several examples from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Long-Term Monitoring Project, a study of the effects of acidic deposition on surface water chemistry. Structural regression models or paired t-tests were applied to various overlapping datasets to determine whether statistically significant differences existed between methods. Statistically significant differences between method changes were seen for each of the following: different filter types, a change in anion analysis from colorimetric to ion Chromatographic techniques, and a change in sample collection method from an integrated hose sampler to a Kemmerer sampler. The characteristics under which each statistical approach was applied are discussed, as are considerations regarding calibration of the older portions of the data.
A sidestream approach using a small processor as a tool for managing communication systems

The term management implies the achievement of objectives through effective use of resources. Management style relates to the various approaches used in pursuit of those same objectives. There can be various management tools contributing to an effective management solution. In this article we will be discussing one such tool. This management tool rejects an approach to communication systems management in which the management functions are physically separated from the host computers driving a communications network. These management functions are packaged on a small IBM processor base (i.e., sidestream processor) and designed for use in a centralized network management center environment. The management functions included in this sidestream processor tool relate to problem management, change management, project scheduling and tracking, network control, and network configuration.
Wet chemical synthesis of silver nanorods and nanowiresof controllable aspect ratio

Using a seed-mediated growth approach in a rodlike micellar media, silver nanorods of varied aspect ratio were prepared from nearly spherical 4 nm silver nanoparticles.
Insect and Arachnid Hypersensitivity

Insect hypersensitivities are associated with the bite, sting, inhalation, ingestion, or percutaneous absorption of insect-associated allergens. The diverse routes of exposure and diverse numbers of allergens result in a wide range of clinical presentations that develop as a result of insect hypersensitivity reactions. This article discusses the types of immunological reactions associated with insect exposure in dogs and cats. Diagnostic criteria and treatment options for each type of insect hypersensitivity are included.
On the number of arcs in primitive digraphs with large exponents

A digraph G is called primitive if for some positive integer k, there is a walk of length exactly k from each vertex u to each vertex v (possibly u again). If G is primitive, the smallest such k is called the exponent of G, denoted by exp(G). For any real number r, 0<r<1, let f(n,r) be the maximum number of arcs in a primitive digraph with n vertices having exponent greater than or equal to r2n2. We show that f(n,r)/n2 is asymptotically (1−r)2/3 whenever r⩾2/2.
Ligand based structural studies of the CB1 cannabinoid receptor

: The structural characterization of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) is quite important as these proteins represent a vast number of therapeutic targets involved in drug discovery. However, solving the three-dimensional structure of GPCR has been a significant obstacle in structural biology. A variety of reasons, including their large molecular weight, intricate interhelical packing, as well as their membrane-associated topology, has hindered efforts aimed at their purification. In the absence of pure protein, available in the native conformation, classical methods of structural analysis such as X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy cannot be utilized successfully. Alternative methods must therefore be explored to facilitate the structural features involved in drug–receptor interactions. The methods described herein detail the use of covalent probes, or affinity labels, capable of binding covalently to a target GPCR at its binding site(s). Our approach involves the incorporation of a number of reactive moieties in different regions of the ligand molecule each of which is expected to react with different amino acid residues. Information obtained from such work coupled with computer modeling and validated by the use of site-directed mutagenesis of GPCRs allows for three-dimensional mapping of the receptor binding site. It also sheds light on the different possible binding motifs for the various classes of agonists and antagonists and identifies amino acid residues involved with GPCR activation or inactivation.
Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair to Facilitate Access for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Transcatheter aortic valve insertion is an accepted treatment for select patients at high-risk for standard aortic valve insertion. Constraints imposed by the Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the PARTNER Trial Executive Committee require a transfemoral approach in certain patients. The presence of aortoiliac aneurysms, occlusive disease, and excessive vessel tortuosity may create difficulties for safe transfemoral access. We report a case in which the limitation of severe iliac artery occlusive disease was overcome by placement of an abdominal aortic endovascular graft that subsequently allowed successful transfemoral access and transcatheter aortic valve implantation.
The findings of surgical lung biopsy in HIV patients in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Background. Surgical lung biopsy (SLB) is rarely necessary in the evaluation of pulmonary infiltrates in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The aim of this study is to describe the findings of SLB in a recent cohort of HIV-infected patients with unexplained pulmonary infiltrates, and determine the impact of this procedure on management and outcome of these patients. Methods. We used a retrospective review of medical records for this study. Results. Twenty-six patients who underwent SLB where evaluated. The procedure was performed either by video-assisted thoracoscopy, in 42% of the cases, or by thoracotomy in 58%. Eleven patients (42%) had focal infiltrates, and 15 (58%) had diffuse infiltrates. There were 31 diagnoses in the 26 patients; 26 (84%) were specific and 5(16%) were nonspecific. The most common specific diagnoses were infection (58%), malignancy (16%), and inflammatory conditions (10%). Pneumocystis carinii, alone or in combination with other conditions, was the most common diagnosis of all biopsies (34%). Surgical lung biopsy led to a change in management in 17 patients (65%), and was associated with complications in 4 patients (15%). The in-hospital mortality rate was 27%. Conclusions. Surgical lung biopsy is a relatively safe procedure, and provides a specific diagnosis in the majority of patients with HIV infection and unexplained pulmonary infiltrates. Pneumocystis carinii alone or in combination with other conditions is the most common finding.
Structure and Emergence of Specific Olfactory Glomeruli in the Mouse

Olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) expressing a given odorant receptor (OR) gene project their axons to a few specific glomeruli that reside at recognizable locations in the olfactory bulb. Connecting ∼1000 populations of OSNs to the ∼1800 glomeruli of the mouse bulb poses a formidable wiring problem. Additional progress in understanding the mechanisms of neuronal connectivity is dependent on knowing how these axonal pathways are organized and how they form during development. Here we have applied a genetic approach to this problem. We have constructed by gene targeting novel strains of mice in which either all OSNs or those that express a specific OR gene, M72 or M71, also produce green fluorescent protein (GFP) or a fusion of tau with GFP. We visualized OSNs and their axons in whole mounts with two-photon laser scanning microscopy. The main conclusion we draw from the three-dimensional reconstructions is the high degree of morphological variability of mature glomeruli receiving axonal input from OR-expressing OSNs and of the pathways taken by the axons to those glomeruli. We also observe that axons of OR-expressing OSNs do not innervate nearby glomeruli in mature mice. Postnatally, a tangle of axons from M72-expressing OSNs occupies a large surface area of the bulb and coalesces abruptly into a protoglomerulus at a reproducible stage of development. These results differ in several aspects from those reported for the development of glomeruli receiving input from OSNs expressing the P2 OR, suggesting the need for a more systematic examination of OR-specific glomeruli.
Observations on the role of family therapy in child psychiatry training.

Over the past six yea rs we have been atte mpt ing to com bine th e well-known highly valued aspe cts of traditional child psychiatry training with training in family th erapy in our training program at the U nivers ity o f Pennsylvania (Ph iladelphia Ch ild Gu idance Clin ic). As an ana lyst-ch ild psychi atrist-family th erapist, I find thi s training goa l natural and highly desirable. My on going clini cal ex perience demonstrates the value of each area for ch ild psychiatry trainees . Psych oan alysis as a body of knowledge and a tool o f inves tiga tion and learning provid es many of our deepest insights into personality development and func tioning. Child psychiatry, gro unded in developmental kn owledge and comm unity serv ice and com m itted to prevention, provides extensive expe r ience in interdisciplinary professional/nonprofessional collabo ra tio n. Family therapy foc us ing on transactional process brings insights into the psych osocial aspects of development, symptom formation , and emotiona l and behavioral disturban ce. Further, it o ffe rs an effective clini cal me an s of using systems theory, group d ynamic principles, and behavioral modification conce pts. No t o nly do I not experience th ese a reas as incompatible , I find that they have a fascin ating and enormously productive interrelationship . Whil e I feel co mfo r ta ble with thi s combination in clini cal work and trainin g , th ere arc stro ng pressures against it which ema na te fro m the polari zed position of professional gro u ps com mitted to only one of th ese areas. Most an alysts and ch ild psychi atrists oppose family th e rapy, and the majority of famil y the rapi sts reject analytically
Response space construction for neural error correction

A physiological neuron model that incorporates the recognized prototype of an inhibitory synapse was analyzed in terms of the effects of isolated inhibitory post-synaptic potentials on its ongoing behavior. The nonstationary, transient activity resulting from these perturbations cannot be analyzed in terms of motion on some attractor (because of long-duration aftereffects) nor linearized (as the perturbations are large). Instead, results suggest that changes in the value of either of the system's slow state variables may be used to construct a global response space, within which all attractors and nonstationary behaviors exist.
Biomechanical and Anatomical Assessment After Knee Hyperextension Injury

BackgroundKnee hyperextension can be a serious and disabling injury in both the athletic and general patient population. Understanding the pathoanatomy and pathomechanics is critical for accurate surgical soft tissue reconstructions.PurposeTo quantify the effects of knee hyperextension injury on knee laxity in a human cadaveric model and to qualitatively assess the anatomical injury pattern through surgical dissection.Study DesignDescriptive laboratory study.MethodsSix fresh-frozen cadaveric knees were rigidly mounted on a custom knee testing system that simulates clinical laxity tests. The knee laxity measurements consisted of anterior-posterior laxity, internal-external rotational laxity, and varus-valgus laxity using a custom testing setup and a Microscribe 3DLX system. The laxity data were collected at both 30° and 90° of knee flexion for the intact specimens and then after 15° and 30° hyperextension injury. After biomechanical assessment a detailed dissection was performed to document the injured str...
Thermally reversible covalently bonded linear polymers prepared from a dihalide monomer and a salt of dicyclopentadiene dicarboxylic acid

Alkali and earth-alkali salts of dicyclopentadiene dicarboxylic acid (DCP-DCA) were prepared and employed as monomers in the polyesterification with an α,ω-dihalide monomer, such as 1,4-dichlorobutane (DCB), 1,4-dibromobutane (DBB), α,α'-dichloro-p-xylene (DCX), and α,α'-dibromo-p-xylene (DBX). Novel linear polymers that possessed repeating moieties of dicyclopentadiene (-DCPD-) in the backbone were thus prepared. The IR and NMR spectra indicated that poly(tetramethylene dicyclopentadiene dicarboxylate) (PTMDD) with a number-average molecular weight (M n ) of about 1× 10 4 and poly(p-xylene dicyclopentadiene dicarboxylate) (PXDD) with a M n of 4-6 x 10 3 were obtained with an yield of about 80% via the polyesterification of the alkali salts with DBB and DCX, respectively. The reaction was carried out in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst, such as BzMe 3 NBr or poly(ethylene glycol), in DMF at 100 °C for 4 h. Oligomers with a lower M n (1-2 × 10 3 ) were obtained when the earth-alkali salts were employed as salt monomers. Compared to the irreversible linear polymers, poly(p-xylene terephthalate) (PXTP) and poly(p-xylene maleate) (PXM), prepared through the reaction between DCX and the potassium salts of terephthalic and maleic acid, respectively, the specific viscosities (η sp ) of the new linear polymers increased abnormally with the decrease of the temperature from 200 °C to 100 °C. This occurred due to the thermally reversible dedimerization/redimerization of -DCPD-moieties of the backbone of the polymers via the catalyst-free Diels-Alder/retro Diels-Alder cycloadditive reactions. The ratio of the η sp at 100 °C and 200 °C of the reversible polymers was found to be much higher than that of PXTP and PXM, even when the heating/cooling cycle was carried out several times under a N 2 atmosphere. The obtained results indicated that thermally reversible covalently bonded linear polymer can be obtained by introducing the -DCPD- structure into the backbone of the polymer through the polymerization of a monomer containing the -DCPD- moiety. The reversible natures of the polymers and oligomers might be useful in preparing easily processable and recyclable polymers and thermosensor materials.
The covering problem and /spl mu/-dependent adaptive algorithms

The paper presents a family of techniques, called adaptive covering algorithms, which solve a particular covering problem-how to best cover a target shape using a set of simply parameterized elements. The algorithms, inspired by adaptive filtering techniques, provide a computationally simple, robust, and efficient alternative to more traditional methods such as Bayesian approaches, convex hulls, and multi-layer perceptrons. The paper develops a theoretical understanding of the adaptive covering algorithms by relating their behavior via weak convergence techniques to the evolution of a deterministic ordinary differential equation (ODE). In the process, the authors give new convergence results for a class of step size-dependent recursive algorithms. Stability and instability of the ODE can be interpreted in terms of the local stability/instability of the algorithm. In terms of the covering problem, candidate coverings tend to improve as more data is gathered whenever the ODE is stable. Several examples are given which demonstrate the ideas and which verify that the analysis accurately predicts the true behavior of the algorithms. >
An efficient algorithm for estimating the signal-to-interference ratio in TDMA cellular systems

A new algorithm is proposed for estimating the signal-to-interference plus noise ratio S/(I+N) in time-division multiple-access (TDMA) cellular systems. The S/(I+N) estimator is evaluated for use in the IS-54/136 system and a GSM-like system, and compared with existing techniques. The algorithm has a mean square prediction error that is comparable to the best known S/(I+N) estimation schemes, but with a significantly reduced computational complexity.
CTLA-4 Blockade following Relapse of Malignancy after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation Is Associated with T Cell Activation But Not with Increased Levels of T Regulatory Cells

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte–associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) is a key negative regulator of T cell activation and proliferation. Ipilimumab is a human monoclonal antibody that specifically blocks the binding of CTLA-4 to its ligand. To test the hypothesis that blockade of CTLA-4 by ipilimumab could augment graft-versus-malignancy (GVM) effects without a significant impact on graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), we conducted a phase I clinical trial of ipilimumab infusion in patients with relapsed malignancy following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Here, we report the analysis of peripheral blood T lymphocyte reconstitution, T regulatory cell (Treg) expression, and T cell activation markers after a single dose of ipilimumab in 29 patients. Peripheral blood samples were collected from all patients before and after ipilimumab infusion. Lymphocyte immunophenotyes, including levels of CD4 + CD25 high cells and T cell activation markers, were analyzed in all cases. Levels of CD4 + CD25 high Foxp3 + cells and intracellular CTLA-4 in CD4 + T cells also were evaluated in the last 11 cases. We found lower baseline levels of CD4 + and CD45RO + T cells in patients compared with normal controls. More than 50% of the patients had abnormally low lymphocyte counts (CD4 or/and CD8 T cells), and some had no circulating B lymphocytes. The percentages of both CD4 + CD25 high and CD4 + CD25 high Foxp3 + T cells were significantly higher in patients before ipilimumab infusion than in healthy donors. Twenty of 29 patients exhibited an elevated level of CD4 + CD25 low activated T cells at baseline, compared with only 3 of 26 healthy donors. Both CD4 + and CD8 + T lymphocyte counts were significantly increased after ipilimumab infusion. There was no consistent change in absolute lymphocyte count or in the number of T cells expressing the activation marker CD69. However, increases in CD4 + CD25 low T cells were seen in 20 of 29 patients and increases in CD4 + HLA-DR + T cells were seen in the last 10 patients in the first 60 days after ipilimumab infusion. Although the percentages of both CD4 + CD25 high and CD4 + CD25 high Foxp3 + T cells decreased significantly during the observation period, the absolute cell counts did not change. Intracellular CTLA-4 expression in CD4 + CD25 lo/- T cells increased significantly after ipilimumab infusion. We conclude that CTLA-4 blockade by a single infusion of ipilimumab increased CD4 + and CD4 + HLA-DR + T lymphocyte counts and intracellular CTLA-4 expression at the highest dose level. There was no significant change in Treg cell numbers after ipilimumab infusion. These data demonstrate that significant changes in T cell populations occur on exposure to a single dose of ipilimumab. Further studies with multiple doses are needed to explore this phenomenon further and to correlate changes in lymphocyte subpopulations with clinical events.
Hydrated Transition Metal Oxide Films for Reversible Switching in Near IR Region

Electro-optical properties of thin films of hydrated transition metal oxides, WO3 2(H2O) and WO3 1/3(H2O), have been investigated in situ using photoelectrochemical methods. These films can reversibly change their light absorption in the near IR region due to the double charge injection upon the applied electric field in electrolyte media. Taking into account the high stability and fast switching time, these hydrated tungsten oxide films can be utilized for efficient light modulation in the near infrared region of the spectrum.
A course on computer modeling for second or third year engineering undergraduates

A course on computer modeling for sophomores and juniors at Harvey Mudd College is described. The rationale for such a course is three fold: it teaches students the role of computation in engineering problem solving; fills the present hiatus between the freshman year, where programming is taught, and the senior year, where attempts are made, after many students have forgotten the programming they learned, to use those skills in coursework; and provides a means of introducing the student to the design cycle of testing through analysis and changing designs, until performance criteria are met. >
An osteoclastic protein‐tyrosine phosphatase is a potential positive regulator of the c‐Src protein‐tyrosine kinase activity: A mediator of osteoclast activity

This study tested the hypothesis that an osteoclastic protein-tyrosine phosphatase, PTP-oc, enhances osteoclast activity through c-Src activation. The effects of several resorption activators and inhibitors on PTP-oc expression, resorption activity, and c-Src activation were determined in rabbit osteoclasts. PTP-oc expression was assayed with immunoblots and semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Osteoclastic activity was determined by the resorption pit assay; and c-Src activation was monitored by P-tyr527 (PY527) dephosphorylation, and in vitro kinase assay. Treatment of osteoclasts with PTH, PGE2, 1,25(OH)2D3, IL-1, but not RANKL or IL-6, significantly stimulated resorption activity, increased PTP-oc mRNA and protein levels, and reduced c-Src PY527 level with corresponding activation of c-Src protein-tyrosine kinase activity. The PTP-oc antisense phosphorothioated oligo treatment blocked the basal and IL-1α-mediated, but not RANKL-mediated, resorption activity of isolated osteoclasts. The antisense oligo treatment also significantly reduced the average depth of resorption pits created by rabbit osteoclasts under basal conditions. Calcitonin and alendondrate, significantly reduced resorption activity and PTP-oc expression, and increased c-Src PY527 with corresponding reduction in its PTK activity. The cellular PTP-oc protein level correlated with the resorption activity. Among the various signaling proteins co-immunoprecipitated with PTP-oc, the resorption effectors caused corresponding changes in the tyrosyl phosphorylation level of only c-Src. The GST–PTP-oc fusion protein dephosphorylated PY-527-containing c-Src peptide in time- and dose-dependent manner in vitro. In summary, (1) PTP-oc is regulated in part at transcriptional level, (2) upregulation of PTP-oc in osteoclasts led to c-Src activation, and (3) PY527 of c-Src may be a cellular substrate of PTP-oc. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that PTP-oc is a positive regulator of c-Src in osteoclasts. J. Cell. Biochem. 97: 940–955, 2006. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Trends and determinants of costs associated with the inpatient care of diabetic foot ulcers

Objective The cost of care for diabetic foot ulcers is estimated to be more than $1.5 billion annually. The aim of this study was to analyze inpatient diabetic foot ulcer cost changes over time and to identify factors associated with these costs. Methods The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2005-2010) was queried using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes for a primary diagnosis of foot ulceration. The primary outcomes were changes in adjusted total hospital charges and costs over time. Multivariable analysis was performed to assess relative increases (RIs) in hospital charges per patient in 2005 vs 2010 adjusting for demographic characteristics, income, comorbidities (Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥3), insurance type, hospital characteristics, diagnostic imaging, revascularization, amputation, and length of stay. Results Overall, 336,641 patients were admitted with a primary diagnosis of diabetic foot ulceration (mean age, 62.9 ± 0.1 years, 59% male, 61% white race). The annual cumulative cost for inpatient treatment of diabetic foot ulcers increased significantly from 2005 to 2010 ($578,364,261 vs $790,017,704; P P P P = .32) and there were no differences in mean hospital length of stay (7.0 ± 0.1 days vs 6.8 ± 0.1 days; P = .22). Minor (17.9% vs 20.6%; P P = .27) increased over time. Based on multivariable analysis, the main factors contributing to the escalating cost per patient hospitalization included increased patient comorbidities (unadjusted mean difference 2005 vs 2010 $3303 [RI, 1.08] vs adjusted $15,220 [RI, 1.35]), open revascularization (unadjusted $15,145 [RI, 1.25] vs adjusted $30,759 [RI, 1.37]), endovascular revascularization (unadjusted $17,662 [RI, 1.29] vs adjusted $28.937 [RI, 1.38]), and minor amputations (unadjusted $9918 [RI, 1.24] vs adjusted $18,084 [RI, 1.33]) ( P Conclusions Hospital charges and costs related to diabetic foot ulcers have increased significantly over time despite stable hospital length of stay and proportion of emergency admissions. Risk-adjusted analyses suggest that this change might be reflective of increasing charges associated with a progressively sicker patient population and attempts at limb salvage. Despite this, the overall incidence of major amputations remained stable.
Elevated osteoprotegerin is associated with abnormal ankle brachial indices in patients infected with HIV: a cross-sectional study

Patients infected with HIV have an increased risk for accelerated atherosclerosis. Elevated levels of osteoprotegerin, an inflammatory cytokine receptor, have been associated with a high incidence of cardiovascular disease (including peripheral arterial disease, or PAD), acute coronary syndrome, and cardiovascular mortality. The objective of this study was to determine whether PAD is prevalent in an HIV-infected population, and to identify an association with HIV-specific and traditional cardiovascular risk factors, as well as levels of osteoprotegerin.
Updating the Welfare State: Marriage, the Income Tax, and Social Security in the Age of Individualism

Marriage is no longer what it once was. Since the 1970s, and accelerating in recent decades, the link between formal marriage and family life has weakened dramatically. Nearly half of American adults are now unmarried at any given time, and two of five children are born to unmarried parents. At the same time, delayed marriage, divorce and remarriage, and changing gender roles have transformed the content of marriage itself. Despite these changes, the federal income tax and the Social Security system continue to define “family” based on formal marriage, and our casebooks teach students that the economic vulnerability of the married woman is the central problem of gender in welfare-state design. In this article, I argue that the growing gap between legal fiction and social reality undermines the ability of the tax and transfer systems to achieve any of a range of objectives -- whether fostering individual freedom, aiding the poor, or shoring up the traditional family. Joint filing, for example, is no longer well-tailored to serve important social objectives, and this point holds whether one endorses the new individualism or, like many social conservatives, wishes to combat it. Similarly, the spousal benefit in Social Security no longer protects the most vulnerable citizens, or even the most vulnerable women, once we look past current retirees to future cohorts. Changes in gender roles within marriage and class patterns of marriage have shifted the burdens of gender inequality toward single mothers.
Are Agrofuels a conservation threat or opportunity for grassland birds in the United States

In the United States, government-mandated growth in the production of crops dedicated to biofuel (agrofuels) is predicted to increase the demands on existing agricultural lands, potentially threatening the per- sistence of populations of grassland birds they support. We review recently published literature and datasets to (1) examine the ability of alternative agrofuel crops and their management regimes to provide habitat for grass- land birds, (2) determine how crop placement in agricultural landscapes and agrofuel-related land-use change will affect grassland birds, and (3) identify critical research and policy-development needs associated with agro- fuel production. We find that native perennial plants proposed as feedstock for agrofuel (switchgrass, Panicum virgatum, and mixed grass-forb prairie) have considerable potential to provide new habitat to a wide range of grassland birds, including rare and threatened species. However, industrialization of agrofuel production that maximizes biomass, homogenizes vegetation structure, and results in the cultivation of small fields within largely forested landscapes is likely to reduce species richness and/or abundance of grassland-dependent birds. Realiz- ing the potential benefits of agrofuel production for grassland birds' conservation will require the development of new policies that encourage agricultural practices specifically targeting the needs of grassland specialists. The broad array of grower-incentive programs in existence may deliver new agrofuel policies effectively but will re- quire coordination at a spatial scale broader than currently practiced, preferably within an adaptive-management framework.
An adaptive modulation scheme for bandwidth-limited meteor-burst channels

The author investigates the performance of an adaptive information rate technique that is particularly well suited to the bandwidth-limited meteor burst channel. This technique uses the quadrature amplitude signal sets common to digital radio and is called adaptive QAM. Improvements in throughput that are possible with the proposed approach are examined. The results are pertinent to the use of meteor-burst channels for military applications. >
A general area theorem for the same—different paradigm

According to a well-known theorem in psychophysics (Green & Swets, 1966), the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) for the yes-no paradigm equals the proportion of correct responses of an unbiased observer in the two-interval, two-alternative, forced choice paradigm (2I2AFC). Here, we demonstrate a similar relationship between the ROC area in the two-interval same-different (AX or 2IAX) paradigm, and the proportion correct in the four-interval same-different (4IAX, also known as dual-pair comparison) paradigm. The theorem demonstrated here is general, in the sense that it does not require that the sensory observations have a specific distribution (e.g., Gaussian), or that they be statistically independent.
A low observed-to-expected postoperative mortality ratio in a Swiss high-standard peri-operative care environment - an observational study.

Questions under study/principles The objective was to assess observed-to-expected in-hospital postoperative 30-day mortality and to identify associated risks. Methods A single centre, retrospective study was performed in Geneva University Hospitals, Switzerland. Hospitalised adult surgical patients who received anaesthesia and stayed in the Post Anaesthesia Care Unit - Intermediate Care Unit (PACU-IMC) between July 2008 and June 2011 were included. Outcome measure was in-hospital 30-day mortality. Expected probabilities of in-hospital death were estimated with the surgical mortality probability model (S-MPM). Descriptive statistics were calculated. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions (odds ratio [OR] with 95% confidence interval [95% CI]) were used to identify risk factors of mortality. Results Overall in-hospital mortality was 0.8% (176/24 160 patients). Observed 30-day in-hospital mortality was 0.7%; expected mortality from the S-MPM was 1.2%. Independent risk factors were age (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03-1.06), American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status score (ASA PS 3-5 vs ASA PS 1-2: OR 5.48, 95% CI 3.12-9.63), nonelective surgery (vs elective surgery) (OR 3.15, 95% CI 2.04-4.86), head surgery (OR 2.83, 95% CI 1.41-5.67) and duration of PACU-IMC stay (OR 1.00, 95% CI 1.00-1.00). A protective factor was a high body mass index (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.89-0.96). The procedural risk, type and time of anaesthesia and day of intervention were not independent risk factors of mortality. Conclusion The postoperative observed-to-expected mortality ratio was favourable. Independent postoperative risk factors for mortality were well-established factors such as age, ASA PS, non elective surgery but also duration of PACU-IMC stay which was considered as a surrogate of postoperative complications.
PCR, Real-Time PCR, Digital PCR, and Isothermal Amplification

The field of molecular biology was revolutionized with the development of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This chapter defines PCR, reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR), real-time PCR, digital PCR and isothermal amplification. Within each subject a brief overview of the process is given along with the required reagents or components and highlighted applications. RT-PCR allows detection and characterization of RNA with options for one-step and two-step RT-PCR procedures with different advantages and disadvantages. Real-time PCR is typically coupled with a fluorescent-based reporter system such as an intercalating dye or a sequence specific probe. Unlike conventional PCR, real-time PCR can be used to quantity the amount of nucleic acid in a given sample where absolute quantification requires the use of known standards to calculate the concentration for a sample, while relative quantification uses a "calibrant" to determine the fold change in a sample. Real-time PCR can be used for direct measurement of DNA targets or it can be coupled with RT-PCR to quantify RNA targets. Digital PCR has only recently become widely available and provides a means to quantify targets in a sample based on direct estimation rather than by making estimates from standard curves. Many isothermal amplification methods have been developed to amplify nucleic acid targets without the need for thermalcycler technologies.
Parkinson's Disease: “Don't Become Your Disease!”

Abstract Parkinson's disease is a common idiopathic neurodegenerative disease affecting an increasing number of elderly people. The disease usually manifests with a classical triad of symptoms (tremor, rigidity, and akinesia) and is considered to be the result of dopamine deficiency in the brain. Among the theories to explain the ethiopathogenecity of Parkinson's disease are some endogenous mechanisms, such as mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, action of excitotoxins, deficient neurotrophic factors, and dysimmunity, and some environmental factors, such as undesirable nutritional status. The cornerstone of Parkinson's disease therapy is the exogenous supplementation of levodopa, the amino acid precursor of dopamine. For most patients, however, this treatment fails over time and other alternative therapies are pursued. The purpose of this paper is to explore the lines of evidence suggesting the roles for Mind–Body medicine, nutrition, and vitamin and herbal supplements in the integrative approach to the medical care of patients with Parkinson's disease. It is proposed that many parkinsonian symptoms can be treated, controlled, and even reversed by adopting such an integrative and comprehensive approach.
Complication rate and implant survival for reverse shoulder arthroplasty versus total shoulder arthroplasty: results during the initial 2 years.

Background The use of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) has significantly increased in recent years. However, there is large variance in reported complication rates and sparse data on implant survival. This study used a statewide patient database to investigate complication rates and implant survival for RTSA. Methods All patients undergoing RTSA or total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) from 2011 to 2013 were identified within a statewide database. The complication and revision rates at 30 days, 90 days, 1 year, and 2 years postoperatively were determined. Potential risk factors for complications were analyzed with logistic regression, and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to compare implant failure. Results During the 3-year period, 10,844 procedures (6,658 TSA; 4,186 RTSA) were found within the database. The all-cause complication rate at 90 days and 2 years postoperatively was significantly higher for RTSA ( P P P P Conclusion RTSA patients had significantly higher complication rates compared with TSA patients, with identifiable risk factors for all-cause complications postoperatively and equivalent accepted implant failure at 2 years. Level of evidence Level III; Cross Sectional Design; Large Database Analysis
Building Home Plate: Field of Dreams or Reality?

(1996). Building Home Plate: Field of Dreams or Reality? Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 69, No. 1, pp. 44-45.
Prevalence of Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella on Commercial Dairies Utilizing a Single Heifer Raising Facility

The objectives of the current research were twofold: (i) to determine the prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella in the various classes of dairy cattle and (ii) to determine if comingling of calves from multiple farms at a heifer feedlot serves as a transmission vector for Salmonella back to the dairy farm. Four large commercial dairies in the southwestern United States were sampled in October 2005 and again in March 2006. Fecal samples were collected from hutch calves, 12-and 24-month-old heifers, lactating cows, dry cows, and cattle in the sick-fresh pen and cultured with brilliant green agar supplemented with novobiocin (BGAnov) to estimate the overall Salmonella prevalence, or with tetracycline (BGAtet) to estimate MDR Salmonella. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted with the National Antibiotic Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) testing panel, and a portion of the isolates were serotyped. Salmonella prevalence among groups ranged from 0 to 96% positive, with the highest in...
Caring for older patients who have significant hearing loss.

This scenario illustrates issues related to end-of-life care and placement in a long-term care facility for older individuals with significant hearing loss. An analysis of data from the 1999 to 2006 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and statistics from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, indicate that 26.7 percent of persons 50 years and older (including 30 percent of persons 65 to 74 years of age, and 47 percent of persons 75 years and older) struggle with hearing loss.
Heparin--an introduction.

Seventy-five years after its discovery (1,2), heparin remains an important tool in medicine. Among its established uses are the prevention of postoperative thrombosis, the treatment of acute venous thrombosis, and the prevention of clot formation in the heart-lung machine (3). Little was known about the structure of heparin when the first clinical trials began in the mid-1930s, and it is only during the 1980s that the detailed structural basis of heparin action has been elucidated through the characterization of a specific, antithrombin-binding pentasaccharide segment in the polysaccharide molecule. In the following, we shall retrace some of the steps that have led to this goal.
Schedulers as enforces in synchronization processes

A formal model of the process concept is presented. This model can represent many sets of processes such as PV and its many generalizations. In this model the concepts of process and scheduler are separated. This separation allows one to make explicit many statements that otherwise would be implicit. In particular, this separation is used to study how schedulers enforce “fairness”, i.e., how schedulers can force certain actions to execute infinitely often.
Building Motivation and Self-Efficacy

Some patients still struggle with taking their medications even after a good physician-patient relationship has been established, an appropriate medication has been chosen, and steps have been taken to minimize forgetfulness. These patients may still not be motivated to take the medication, or may lack the belief in their own ability to achieve the desired adherence behaviors or clinical outcomes. The information-motivation-behavioral skills model [1] suggests that both motivation and self-efficacy have a crucial influence on behavioral skills, which then produce better adherence behavior. This chapter will explore motivational interviewing for building motivation, some techniques for improving self-efficacy, and an example of a practical technology-based intervention that illustrates many of the principles presented.
The Cancer Stem Cell Hypothesis and Its Impact on the Design of New Cancer Therapies

During the past decade, the cancer stem cell hypothesis has been the subject of considerable debate. The cancer stem cell hypothesis posits that many tumors possess only a small fraction of “stem” cells endowed with an unlimited capacity to proliferate. According to the hypothesis, it is these cells, and not the remaining cells in the tumor, that are responsible for continued growth of the tumor and, ultimately, the death of the patient. The seminal studies of Kleinsmith and Pierce nearly 50 years ago, together with more the recent studies of leukemia and solid tumors, have provided compelling evidence that many tumors possess only a minor population of tumor-initiating cells. However, concerns have been raised about the methods used to estimate the number of tumor-initiating cells present in a tumor. These, and other concerns, have led many to question whether tumors actually contain only a minor fraction of tumor-initiating cells. This chapter reviews some of the evidence for, and the challenges to, the cancer stem cell hypothesis. It also discusses three questions related to the biology of cancer stem cells that should be considered when designing new cancer therapies.