cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Results of ACCORDIAN in ACCORD with lower blood pressure begetting lower mortality in patients with diabetes

Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is a common reason for admission to the hospital, and readmission is frequent. Multiple factors contribute to rehospitalizations, but inadequate assessment of volume status leading to persistent congestion is an important factor. We sought to determine if focused cardiac ultrasound (FCU) of the inferior vena cava (IVC), as a surrogate of volume status, would predict readmission of ADHF patients after index hospitalization. Patients admitted with a primary diagnosis of ADHF were prospectively enrolled. All patients underwent FCU of the IVC on admission and then daily. 82 patients were enrolled. Patients demonstrated improvement in heart failure physical examination findings and symptoms during the hospitalization. There was a reduction in the size of the IVC and a significant increase in patients with small collapsible vena cava. Logistic regression analysis of physical examination, patient symptoms, and IVC parameters at discharge demonstrated IVC collapsibility and patient reported dyspnea improvement as the only significant variables to predict readmission or emergency department visit. FCU assessment of IVC size and collapsibility may be useful in patients with ADHF to predict risk of being readmitted within 30 days of hospital discharge.
Food Insecurity, Food "Deserts," and Glycemic Control in Patients With Diabetes: A Longitudinal Analysis.

OBJECTIVE Both food insecurity (limited food access owing to cost) and living in areas with low physical access to nutritious foods are public health concerns, but their relative contribution to diabetes management is poorly understood. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This was a prospective cohort study. A random sample of patients with diabetes in a primary care network completed food insecurity assessment in 2013. Low physical food access at the census tract level was defined as no supermarket within 1 mile in urban areas and 10 miles in rural areas. HbA1c measurements were obtained from electronic health records through November 2016. The relationship among food insecurity, low physical food access, and glycemic control (as defined by HbA1c) was analyzed using hierarchical linear mixed models. RESULTS Three hundred and ninety-one participants were followed for a mean of 37 months. Twenty percent of respondents reported food insecurity, and 31% resided in an area of low physical food access. In adjusted models, food insecurity was associated with higher HbA1c (difference of 0.6% [6.6 mmol/mol], 95% CI 0.4–0.8 [4.4–8.7], P CONCLUSIONS Food insecurity is associated with higher HbA1c, but living in an area with low physical food access is not. Food insecurity screening and interventions may help improve glycemic control for vulnerable patients.
Access to Aid-in-Dying in the United States: Shifting the Debate From Rights to Justice.

Much of the literature on aid-in-dying (AID) has drawn heavily on rights-based ethical and legal frameworks that emphasize patients’ rights of self-determination in end-of-life decision-making. Less attention has focused on how terminally ill people actually experience such putative rights once they are legally authorized.This analytic essay draws on findings from the Vermont Study on Aid-in-Dying, an ethnographic study of the implementation of AID in Vermont (2015–2017). First, I show that terminally ill people can face a range of barriers to accessing AID in permissive jurisdictions, and that access to AID is mediated by various inequalities endemic to US health care, as well as some that are unique to AID. I then build on these findings to examine the utility of the concept of justice for public health scholarship on AID.By integrating empirical, ethical, and policy analysis, I reframe rights-based frameworks that emphasize the role of individual choice and decision-making at the end of life. In doing ...
Neuromodulatory Inputs to Motoneurons Contribute to the Loss of Independent Joint Control in Chronic Moderate to Severe Hemiparetic Stroke.

In chronic hemiparetic stroke, increased shoulder abductor activity causes involuntary increases in elbow, wrist and finger flexor activation, an abnormal muscle coactivation pattern known as the flexion synergy. Recent evidence suggests that flexion synergy expression may reflect recruitment of contralesional cortico-reticulospinal motor pathways following damage to the ipsilesional corticospinal tract. However, because reticulospinal motor pathways produce relatively weak post-synaptic potentials in motoneurons, it is unknown how preferential use of these pathways could lead to robust muscle activation. Here, we hypothesize that the descending neuromodulatory component of the ponto-medullary reticular formation, which uses the monoaminergic neurotransmitters norepinephrine and serotonin, serves as a gain control mechanism to facilitate motoneuron responses to reticulospinal motor commands. Thus, inhibition of the neuromodulatory component would reduce flexion synergy expression by disfacilitating spinal motoneurons. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a pre-clinical study utilizing two targeted neuropharmacological probes and inert placebo in a cohort of 16 individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke. Test compounds included Tizanidine, a noradrenergic α2 agonist and imidazoline ligand selected for its ability to reduce descending noradrenergic drive, and Isradipine, a dihyropyridine calcium-channel antagonist selected for its ability to post-synaptically mitigate a portion of the excitatory effects of monoamines on motoneurons. We used a previously validated robotic measure to quantify flexion synergy expression. We found that Tizanidine significantly reduced expression of the flexion synergy. A predominantly spinal action for this effect is unlikely because Tizanidine is an agonist acting on a baseline of spinal noradrenergic drive that is likely to be pathologically enhanced post-stroke due to increased reliance on cortico-reticulospinal motor pathways. Although spinal actions of TIZ cannot be excluded, particularly from Group II pathways, our finding is consistent with a supraspinal action of Tizanidine to reduce descending noradrenergic drive and disfacilitate motoneurons. The effects of Isradipine were not different from placebo, likely related to poor central bioavailability. These results support the hypothesis that the descending monoaminergic component of the ponto-medullary reticular formation plays a key role in flexion synergy expression in chronic hemiparetic stroke. These results may provide the basis for new therapeutic strategies to complement physical rehabilitation.
The growth of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is stimulated by immature dendritic cells

In the initial stage of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), proliferating CTCL cells are concentrated in the epidermis in close association with an immature dendritic cell (DC), the Langerhans cell. Because long-term in vitro culture of CTCL cells has proven difficult, the in vivo association with the major antigen-presenting cell (APC) of the epidermis has been postulated to play a role in directly stimulating the clonal T-cell proliferation. We report that CTCL cells can be reproducibly grown in culture for 3 months when cocultured with immature DCs. CTCL cells retain the phenotype and genotype of the initial malignant clone, whereas the APCs are a mixture of immature and mature DCs. CTCL cell and DC survival was dependent on direct membrane contact. Growth was inhibited by antibodies that bound to the T-cell receptor (TCR) or interfered with the interaction of CD40 with its ligand on the CTCL cell. Addition of antibody to CD3 or the clonotypic TCR caused rapid CTCL cell apoptosis followed by engulfment by avidly phagocytic immature DCs and subsequent DC maturation. The opportunity to study CTCL cells and immature DCs for prolonged periods will facilitate studies of tumor cell biology and will allow investigation of the intriguing hypothesis that CTCL cell growth is driven through TCR recognition of class II-presented self-peptides. In addition, the culture of CTCL cells will permit evaluation of therapies in vitro before clinical intervention, thereby improving safety and efficacy.
Defining physiological differences between gilts divergently selected for residual feed intake

xi Chapter 1. Literature Review 1 Importance and quantification of feed efficiency 1 Residual feed intake (RFI) 2 Biological factors that contribute to the variation in feed efficiency 4 Digestibility, amino acids and energy nutrition 5 Body composition 8 Protein turnover 10 Metabolism and oxidative stress 13 Feeding pattern and physical activity 16 Conclusions 17 Literature Cited 18 Chapter 2. Improved nutrient and energy digestibility and retention partially explains feed efficiency gains in pigs selected for low residual feed intake ....... 25 Abstract 25 25 Introduction 26
Life cycle assessment of grocery, perishable, and general merchandise multi-facility distribution center networks

Abstract Buildings consume half the global electricity and generate one third of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Distribution centers (DCs) have an important role in food distribution and sustainability. Omitting food distribution from food life cycle assessments (LCAs) is a data gap that may affect the overall impacts of food. We showed multi-facility state-level environmental impacts of the largest DC network in the United States. Our method included regional resolution of the life cycle inventory (LCI) combined with the regional life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) method. Three types of food DCs in different climate zones were assessed using the LCA method. Primary energy use in grocery and perishable DCs was refrigeration (80%) and in general merchandise were conveyor systems (50%). Building material and lighting became relevant for non-refrigerated spaces and in low-energy impact states. The location-specific provenance of electricity energy sources such as coal affected the process and substance impact contributors and magnitude of the environmental impacts, for example, in the energy, climate, water, and land nexus. Water impact depended on energy sources and local water availability. Land use was dominated by activities in the supply chain and not building construction area. Achieving a low environmental impact supply chain is a major goal of producers, distributors and retailers. Energy efficiency through green building standards and distributed energy may improve sustainability of DCs.
First Report of Robot-Assisted Thoracoscopic Posterior Tracheopexy to Treat Severe Tracheomalacia

Abstract Introduction: We have had increasing success with posterior tracheopexy to address posterior tracheomalacia directly through open and video-assisted thoracoscopic approach. We reported the...
A Case Study of Third Grade Students' Perceptions of the Station Rotation Blended Learning Model in the United States.

The purpose of this case study was to explore the experiences of 31 third graders who experienced learning in a Station Rotation blended learning setting over the period of one semester in the Unit...
Digital Pathways to Positive Health Perceptions: Does Age Moderate the Relationship Between Medical Satisfaction and Positive Health Perceptions Among Middle-Aged and Older Internet Users?

Objectives We explored the influence of e-trust, e-health literacy, e-health information seeking, and e-health information consumerism on medical satisfaction and positive health perceptions. Methods Our sample consisted of 499 randomly selected panel members aged 40-93. We employed hierarchical ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analyses and structural equation modeling (SEM). We examined the moderating role of age on the relationship between medical satisfaction and positive health perceptions. Results A significant interaction was found between age and medical satisfaction in predicting positive health perceptions in the OLS regression models. Medical satisfaction has a stronger association with self-care, health-related quality of life, and health status in the older adult sample as compared with the middle-aged sample. SEM analyses revealed that e-health information seeking has an indirect effect on both medical satisfaction and positive health perceptions through its significant direct effect on e-health information consumerism. Both e-trust and e-health consumerism were significant predictors. The e-health literacy and e-trust measures were significant predictors of the positive health perception index in the OLS regression models. Discussion The results contribute to our understanding of the potential benefits information technologies have for the health and well-being of computer-connected aging adults.
Rural Health Disparities: The Policy Perspective

This chapter describes three frameworks practitioners and students can use to address rural health disparities from a policy perspective. These frameworks can be considered across the policy continuum. Simply put, dependent on where you are on the issue of rural health disparities, you can interweave the role of policy based on the frameworks presented in this chapter. For example, this chapter begins with understanding, first there needs to be a political willingness to solve the issue of rural health disparities. Therefore, this chapter initially gives discourse on political will and describes political theories to establish political willingness for equitable health policies. What follows are evaluative models designed for the policy adoption and policy implementation phases. Finally, this chapter ends with discussions on how to sustain healthy public policies for rural communities to eliminate health disparities.
Start where you are: Building cairns of collaborative memory:

Digital mediums have changed how we collect, store, process, and share memories. The following article considers how social media status updates inform individual and collective memory by envisioni...
Preamble Detection in NB-IoT Random Access with Limited-Capacity Backhaul

We study multi-base station (BS) preamble detection schemes for the narrow-band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) random access by using stochastic geometry analysis. Specifically, we compare the preamble detection performance of two baseline detection schemes: Quantize-and-Forward (QnF) and Detect-and-Forward (DnF). QnF requires the feedback of quantized received power levels while DnF requires 1-bit feedback of local detection result. Our results show that DnF scheme outperforms QnF scheme when the backhaul capacity is limited or when the minimum distance between user and BSs is less than a threshold. Our results also show that the use of multiple collaborative BSs can lead to a significant improvement of the preamble detection performance, as well as reduction of the total power of the preamble transmission.
Using Video Testimonials to Give a Voice to the Poor

Measuring poverty is critical to monitor welfare and to tailor effective policy responses. However, the numbers often mask the reality of the pain and suffering that people face in order to survive. Video testimonials can capture this pain and suffering–which is often gravest in fragile and conflict-affected countries–by giving a voice to the poor. The testimonials can easily be collected as part of a CAPI survey, using tablets innovatively to record voluntary video messages from respondents after the end of a structured interview. Dozens of video testimonials from South Sudan are already available at www.thepulseofsouthsudan.com, powerfully complementing the quantitative survey findings.
Essential Skills for Corporate and Special Librarians

Library science programs must be responsive to the wide variety of workplace needs to ensure that graduating students are prepared with appropriate knowledge and skills regardless of where their ca...
Fano Resonant All-Dielectric Metasurfaces for Polarization-Sensitive Structural Coloration

Herein, for the first time to our knowledge, we experimentally demonstrate Fano resonant all-dielectric metasurfaces comprising of high- and median-index nanopillars (HfO 2 , TiO 2 and ZrO 2 ) with zero loss in visible range for polarization-sensitive structural coloration.
A Hubble Space Telescope Survey of the Disk Cluster Population of M31. I. WFPC2 Pointings

As a follow-up to the automated cluster search carried out by Williams & Hodge, we have examined 39 Hubble Space Telescope Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2) pointings to locate and study a comprehensive collection of disk clusters. The Williams technique was effective in finding young clusters, but not intermediate-age or old clusters. Our searches have shown that M31 has large numbers of these intermediate and older open clusters, most of them undetected by both the Williams survey and other ground-based searches. We present a catalog of 343 clusters detected on the WFPC2 images. Extrapolation from our data indicates that the entire disk of M31 contains approximately 80,000 star clusters. We have carried out integrated multicolor photometry of these clusters to ascertain their properties and to compare their properties with cluster systems of other galaxies. We show the cluster luminosity function, the color-magnitude diagram, the formation function, and the size distribution. Cluster densities and colors show trends with disk position. An age distribution is derived and, although the ages are very uncertain for the fainter clusters, there is evidence for cluster dynamical destruction at about the same rate as in our Galaxy.
Behavior Analytic Skills Training in School Psychology Programs

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) has played an important role in the practice of school psychology. Despite the field’s expectation of school psychologists to effectively address student behavior, little attention has been placed on the development of school psychology graduate students’ training in ABA. An extensive review was undertaken to assess the amount and content of required ABA coursework in school psychology training curricula. Findings, discussed within the context of meeting the training needs of school psychology students, indicated that the majority (77%) of programs offered only one or no course focused on ABA knowledge and skills. Content focus varied between specialist level and doctoral level programs.
The Differential Diagnosis of Sterile Pyuria in Pediatric Patients: A Review.

Sterile pyuria is a common finding in pediatric patients. Literature describing the diagnoses as well as clinical characteristics of children with sterile pyuria is lacking. This review was perform...
Symptom recovery and the relationship between post-injury symptom scores and neurocognitive performance in athletes with sport-related concussion:

IntroductionA multi-domain approach to concussion assessment has been recommended that includes self-reported symptom severity in addition to neurocognitive tests and measures of postural stability...
Generative Models as a Data Source for Multiview Representation Learning

Generative models are now capable of producing highly realistic images that look nearly indistinguishable from the data on which they are trained. This raises the question: if we have good enough generative models, do we still need datasets? We investigate this question in the setting of learning general-purpose visual representations from a black-box generative model rather than directly from data. Given an off-the-shelf image generator without any access to its training data, we train representations from the samples output by this generator. We compare several representation learning methods that can be applied to this setting, using the latent space of the generator to generate multiple "views" of the same semantic content. We show that for contrastive methods, this multiview data can naturally be used to identify positive pairs (nearby in latent space) and negative pairs (far apart in latent space). We find that the resulting representations rival those learned directly from real data, but that good performance requires care in the sampling strategy applied and the training method. Generative models can be viewed as a compressed and organized copy of a dataset, and we envision a future where more and more "model zoos" proliferate while datasets become increasingly unwieldy, missing, or private. This paper suggests several techniques for dealing with visual representation learning in such a future. Code is released on our project page: https://ali-design.github.io/GenRep/
Sex-specific plasma lipid profiles of ME/CFS patients and their association with pain, fatigue, and cognitive symptoms

Background Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex illness which disproportionally affects females. This illness is associated with immune and metabolic perturbations that may be influenced by lipid metabolism. We therefore hypothesized that plasma lipids from ME/CFS patients will provide a unique biomarker signature of disturbances in immune, inflammation and metabolic processes associated with ME/CFS. Methods Lipidomic analyses were performed on plasma from a cohort of 50 ME/CFS patients and 50 controls (50% males and similar age and ethnicity per group). Analyses were conducted with nano-flow liquid chromatography (nLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems coupled with a high mass accuracy ORBITRAP mass spectrometer, allowing detection of plasma lipid concentration ranges over three orders of magnitude. We examined plasma phospholipids (PL), neutral lipids (NL) and bioactive lipids in ME/CFS patients and controls and examined the influence of sex on the relationship between lipids and ME/CFS diagnosis. Results Among females, levels of total phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), omega-6 arachidonic acid-containing PE, and total hexosylceramides (HexCer) were significantly decreased in ME/CFS compared to controls. In males, levels of total HexCer, monounsaturated PE, phosphatidylinositol (PI), and saturated triglycerides (TG) were increased in ME/CFS patients compared to controls. Additionally, omega-6 linoleic acid-derived oxylipins were significantly increased in male ME/CFS patients versus male controls. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified three major components containing mostly PC and a few PE, PI and SM species-all of which were negatively associated with headache and fatigue severity, irrespective of sex. Correlations of oxylipins, ethanolamides and ME/CFS symptom severity showed that lower concentrations of these lipids corresponded with an increase in the severity of headaches, fatigue and cognitive difficulties and that this association was influenced by sex. Conclusion The observed sex-specific pattern of dysregulated PL, NL, HexCer and oxylipins in ME/CFS patients suggests a possible role of these lipids in promoting immune dysfunction and inflammation which may be among the underlying factors driving the clinical presentation of fatigue, chronic pain, and cognitive difficulties in ill patients. Further evaluation of lipid metabolism pathways is warranted to better understand ME/CFS pathogenesis.
Not so Black and White: An Algorithmic Approach to Detecting Colorism in Criminal Sentencing

It is well documented that individuals of different races have disparate experiences in the criminal justice system in the United States. As most studies focus on Black-white interracial differences, intraracial disparities are often overlooked. Analyzing intraracial disparities is further complicated by the fact that it has been historically difficult to accurately and consistently measure skin tone and Afrocentric features. Utilizing convolutional neural networks and photos as data, this study creates a consistent, running measure of perceived race. Using this new measure and data type, new types of analysis are possible. This study will present photographic summary statistics, show the positive relationship between perceived race and sentence length is robust to the inclusion of various controls and, reevaluate traditional Black-white gaps, measuring both inter- and intraracial disparities.
Special Courts, Global China

This Article analyzes China’s turn to specialized courts as a case study on how China’s global ambitions are shaping its domestic law reforms. It argues that the country’s rapid construction of more professional special courts in areas such as cyberspace and global commerce is best understood as a product of certain political benefits associated with judicial specialization. These include several internal-facing benefits oft cited in China law scholarship: reducing agency problems posed by local actors, for example, or minimizing political risk. But they also include newer factors keyed to a number of grand strategic priorities. What the evidence makes clearest, in fact, is that China’s planners see specialized courts as a means of accelerating professional reforms in areas linked to the party-state’s developmental, technological, and geopolitical goals. Far from a precursor to liberalization, professional specialization is now being marshaled in an effort to service China’s global strategies.
Ballantyne and triple edema.

JOHN W. BALLANTYNE, oneofthe great Scottish obstetricians of the twentieth century, graduated M.B.C.M. at Edinburgh in 1883, winning the Buchanan Scholarship in Midwifery and Gynecology. By 1900 he had become assistant physician at the Royal Maternity Hospital where he became chief physician 4 years later. He reached the zenith of his career in 1901 with his plea for a facility for the inpatient care of those women who had obstetric complications but were not yet in labor.3 “The question,” BalIantyne wrote, “may now be fairly asked if we in the twentieth century are going to be content with the knowIedge (or ignorance) of the nineteenth in these matters of the physiology and pathology of pregnancy. . . . The next question is whether . . . any further means can be suggested for the perfection of antenatal diagnosis and its certain concomitant, the improvement of antenatal therapeutics. . . . Herein lies the plea for the pro-maternity hospital . . . it will be for . . . patients who have in past pregnancies suffered from one or the other of the many complications of gestation, or in whose present condition some anomaly of the pregnant state has been diagnosed.” In that same year, in response to
Risk factors for chemotherapy-associated venous thromboembolism in a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND The incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is increased in cancer, but little information is available about risk factors in cancer patients on chemotherapy. METHODS We analyzed data from a prospective, multicenter observational study to determine the frequency and risk factors for VTE in ambulatory cancer patients initiating a new chemotherapy regimen. The association of VTE with clinical variables was characterized using univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS Among 3003 patients treated with at least one cycle of chemotherapy, VTE occurred in 58 (1.93%) over a median follow-up of 2.4 months (0.8%/mo). The incidence varied significantly by site of cancer (P = 0.01) with highest rates in upper gastrointestinal (2.3%/mo) and lung cancer (1.2%/mo), and lymphoma (1.1%/mo). An elevated prechemotherapy platelet count was significantly associated with an increased rate of VTE (P for trend = 0.005). The incidence of VTE was 3.98% (1.66%/mo) for patients with a prechemotherapy platelet count ≥ 350,000, compared with 1.25% (0.52%/mo) for patients with platelet counts of < 200,000 (P for trend=0.0003). In multivariate analysis, a prechemotherapy platelet count of ≥ 350,000/mm3 (adjusted OR 2.81, 95% CI 1.63–4.93, P = 0.0002), site of cancer, hemoglobin < 10g/dL or use of erythropoietin, and use of white cell growth factors in high-risk sites of cancer were significantly associated with VTE. CONCLUSIONS Symptomatic VTE is a frequent complication of chemotherapy. The prechemotherapy platelet count is a unique risk factor and can help identify high-risk patients for future trials of thromboprophylaxis. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Mixed-Income Housing and Neighborhood Integration: Evidence from Inclusionary Zoning Programs

ABSTRACT:Using propensity score matching and regression techniques, together with an original database of approximately 12,000 inclusionary zoning (IZ) units built in Montgomery County, Maryland an...
SAT SCORES AND AMERICAN STATES: SEEKING FOR USEFUL MEANING

Despite difficulties, states frequently seek to compare their test performance with that of other states, or with the published national norms. All states have some students taking the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) exams for college admissions, but because the numbers vary widely, when the state means are made public by the College Boards, there is debate about their interpretation. Here the 50 state SAT means are the criterion in a multivariate model, together with the state variables of percent taking the SATs (very influential), percent of minority in the state, average income, unemployment rate, and per pupil expenditure. Regression is analyzed (without expenditure) to examine the state residuals compared with the “expected” scores. And briefly noted is the difficulty of using alternative tests for such comparisons, as these are currently normed, selected, and used.
Response to renin of unanesthetized normal and nephrectomized rats

Abstract 1. 1. A study has been made of the effect of nephrectomy on the response to renin in unanesthetized rats. 2. 2. Nephrectomized rats have been found to be abnormally sensitive to the pressor effects of renin, both as to degree and duration. 3. 3. The intact kidney, from which the pressor substance, renin, is extracted, appears to possess the property, in vivo, of counteracting, in some manner, the effect of this same substance when it is artificially injected. 4. 4. The method of extracting renin from the kidneys has been modified in a manner which seems to eliminate the initial depressor effect. 5. 5. Unanesthetized rats have proved to be useful subjects for the study of the pressor effects of renin.
Reply to Actis Dato et al. (II)

I appreciate the remarks of Dr Guglielmo et al. [1, 2]. Apparently we have differing opinions; they prefer the Nuss procedure, while I believe that it is inappropriate at any age. This issue cannot be settled in this brief correspondence. As far as their specific remarks are concerned, I certainly agree with them that the Nuss operation is everything but ‘minimally invasive’, but question their statements that the open approach requires blood transfusions (none given in our last 500 cases), that it leaves a larger scar (our ‘open’ procedures are done through a 4–5 cm incisions, which is shorter than the combined length of the 2–6 incisions needed to perform a Nuss), and that the patients after open repair have a longer hospitalization (which, in our present experience, is an average of 32 h) [3–6]. We agree with their conclusion, however, that careful patient selection is mandatory. The Nuss-operation, a procedure that is more expensive, requires the presence of one to three large indwelling metal bars for up to 5 years, and has an unacceptable potential for serious, sometimes deadly complications, should be carefully avoided.
Exact equivalent circuit model for steady-state characterization of semiconductor devices with multiple-energy-level recombination centers

One-dimensional steady-state characteristics of a two-terminal semiconductor device is modeled by an exact transmission-line circuit model, This is generalized to include Shockley-Read-Hall (SRH) recombination centers with an arbitrary number of energy levels. It is then applied to a study of the double-acceptor zinc centers in silicon p-n junction diodes. The exact internal characteristics of the diodes; such as the spatial variation of carrier densities, electric field, net charge density, recombination rate, and current densities; are obtained numerically from the circuit model and studied at different injection levels. The zinc population and the relative importance of recombination at each of the two zinc energy levels is interpreted by the Sah-Shockley theory for multiple-energy-level SRH centers.
Critical-Point Anomalies in the Electron-Paramagnetic-Resonance Linewidth and in the Zero-Field Relaxation Time of Antiferromagnets

A theory is presented for the anomalies in the electron-paramagnetic-resonance (EPR) linewidth and zero-field relaxation time of antiferromagnets. The analysis applies to the paramagnetic state immediately above the N\'eel point in systems where the dominant spin-spin interaction is the isotropic exchange coupling. It is assumed that the dipolar coupling is the principal source of anisotropy. The EPR linewidth and the relaxation rates for fluctuations in the total magnetization are separated into critical and noncritical parts; the latter are approximated by their values in the high-temperature limit. The anomalous increases in the linewidths and the relaxation rates are shown to arise from processes in which a fluctuation in the total magnetization decays into two fluctuations of the staggered magnetization via the dipolar coupling. The predictions of the theory are compared with linewidth measurements in RbMn${\mathrm{F}}_{3}$, Mn${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$, MnO, and MnS.
Agoraphobia: Phenomenological aspects, associated characteristics, and theoretical considerations.

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of what is known about the agoraphobia syndrome. First, the behavioral and phenomenological manifestations of agoraphobics are considered and compared with those of other anxiety disorders. Next, research on the family background and childhood experiences of agoraphobics is discussed. The literature suggests that traumatic events often precede the onset of this disorder. The most frequent appear to be loss of significant others and physical threat. The possibility that a fear of death underlies this syndrome is considered. Agoraphobics, it has often been suggested, are dependent and unassertive, but the literature provides little support for the existence of a consistent “agoraphobic personality.” Some physical impairments have been associated with agoraphobia, including hypoglycemia and mitral valve prolapse syndrome; their role in the etiology and maintenance of the disorder is unclear. Although the agoraphobic syndrome is phenomenologically relatively homogeneous, the absence of associated f actors common to all agoraphobics suggests that several etiological paths may lead to this disorder.
Another handshaking problem: graphs of order pwhose degree sets contain p —1 elements

The solution to the following problem is known: At a party of ncouples, some handshaking took place. Suppose that (1) one member of the group asked each of the others how many hands he/she had shaken and received a different answer from each, and (2) no person shook hands with himself/herself nor with his/her partner. How many hands did the questioner (and his/her partner) shake? In this paper, the ‘couples’ assumption is removed. The problem is modelled by a graph Gof orders whose degree set (set of degrees of the vertices of G)contains p — 1 elements. We prove that, if Gis a graph with> 2 vertices and its degree set has maximal cardinality, then there exist two vertices (i) each of degree [(p ‐1)/2]if Gis connected, and (ii) each of degree (p— 1)/2 if Ghas a vertex of degree 0. We conclude that, when the ‘couples’ assumption is removed for a party attended by p(p>1) people, the questioner shakes [(p – 1)/2] hands if each party‐goer shakes at least one hand and [(p —1)/2] hands, otherwise.
Random Errors in the Magnetic Field Coefficients of Superconducting Magnets

Random errors in the multipole magnetic coefficients of superconducting magnet have been of continuing interest in accelerator research. The Superconducting Super Collider (SSC) with its small magnetic aperture only emphasizes this aspect of magnet design, construction, and measurement. With this in mind, we present a magnet model which mirrors the structure of a typical superconducting magnet. By taking advantage of the basic symmetries of a dipole magnet, we use this model to fit the measured multipole rms widths. The fit parameters allow us then to predict the values of the rms multipole errors expected for the SSC dipole reference design D, SSC-C5. With the aid of first-order perturbation theory, we then give an estimate of the effect of these random errors on the emittance growth of a proton beam stored in an SSC. 10 refs., 6 figs., 2 tabs.
Alterations in pulmonary artery flow patterns and shear stress determined with three-dimensional phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging in fontan patients☆☆☆★★★

Abstract Objective: This study compares in vivo pulmonary blood flow patterns and shear stresses in patients with either the direct atrium–pulmonary artery connection or the bicaval tunnel connection of the Fontan procedure to those in normal volunteers. Comparisons were made with the use of three-dimensional phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging. Methods : Three-dimensional velocities, flows, and pulmonary artery cross-sectional areas were measured in both pulmonary arteries of each subject. Axial, circumferential, and radial shear stresses were calculated with the use of velocities and estimates of viscosity. Results : The axial velocities were not significantly different between subject groups. However, the flows and cross-sectional areas were higher in the normal group than in the two patient groups in both pulmonary arteries. The group with the bicaval connection had circular swirling in the cross section of both pulmonary arteries, causing higher shear stresses than in the controls. The disorder caused by the connection of the atrium to the pulmonary artery caused an increase in some shear stresses over the controls, but not higher than those found in the group having a bicaval tunnel. Conclusions : We found that pulmonary flow was equally reduced compared with normal flow in both patient groups. This reduction in flow can be attributed in part to the reduced size of the pulmonary arteries in both patient groups without change in axial velocity. We also found higher shear stress acting on the wall of the vessels in the patients having a bicaval tunnel, which may alter endothelial function and affect the longevity of the repair. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1998;116:294-304)
Anaerobic iron deposition into horse spleen, recombinant human heavy and light and bacteria ferritins by large oxidants

Abstract Large-molecule oxidants oxidize Fe(II) to form Fe(III) cores in the interior of ferritins at rates comparable to or faster than the iron deposition reaction using O 2 as oxidant. Iron deposition into horse spleen ferritin (HoSF) occurs using ferricyanide ion, 2,6-dichlorophenol-indophenol, and several redox proteins: cytochrome c , stellacyanin, and ceruloplasmin. Cytochrome c also loads iron into recombinant human H-chain (rHF), human L-chain (rLF), and A. vinelandii bacterioferritin (AvBF). The enzymatic activities of ferritins were monitored anaerobically using stopped-flow kinetic spectrophotometry. The reactions exhibit saturation kinetics with respect to the large oxidant concentrations, giving apparent Michaelis constants for cytochrome c as oxidant: K m = 39.6 μM for HoSF and 6.9 μM for AvBF. Comparison of the kinetic parameters with that of iron deposition by O 2 shows that large oxidants load iron into HoSF and AvBF more effectively than O 2 and may use a mechanism different than the ferroxidase center. Large oxidants did not deposit iron as efficiently with rHF and rLF. The results suggest that the heme groups in AvBF and the protein redox centers present in heteropolymers may assist in anaerobic iron deposition by large oxidants. The physiological relevance of iron deposition by large molecules, including protein oxidants is discussed.
Growth of tracheal anastomoses: advantage of absorbable interrupted sutures.

Abstract Growth of the trachea after complete transection and anastomosis was studied in four groups of 1-month-old New Zealand white rabbits. The trachea was transected at the fifth cartilaginous ring and then anastomosed with continuous 6-0 polypropylene (Prolene) (group 1), interrupted 6-0 polypropylene (group 2), continuous 6-0 polydioxanone (PDS) (group 3), or interrupted 6-0 PDS (group 4). The animals were followed up for 90 to 103 days (mean follow-up, 95 days). At the time the animals were killed, body weight had increased 125% (1.2 to 2.7 ± 0.18 kg). Growth of the trachea was assessed at the time of death. Results from this study suggest that growth of a tracheal anastomosis is retarded in a growing animal model. The degree of resultant stenosis was significantly less when an absorbable suture material (PDS) and an interrupted suturing technique were used.
Stocks, Bonds, Bills, Wealth, and Time Diversification

This study examines U.S. capital market history to evaluate the relative investment results of different assets in terms of real values of terminal wealth and downside risk compared to minimum targets. The findings indicate that stocks not only offered better risk-value trade-offs, but also dominated bonds and bills over long holding periods, providing historical support for time diversification.
Effects of Correlated Sub-Samples in Statistical Process Control

Abstract This paper considers the effects of correlated data within subgroups that have been defined for the purposes of statistical process control. Such correlation may arise if the grouping is accomplished because of simplicity in data collection, such as multiple but similar measurements on a single product or multiple station machines. The effect of correlated measurements within the subgroup is shown to increase the Type I error rate for the X chart. Variance charts are shown not to be affected in the same fashion when equality of covariances of the measurements is assumed. Monte Carlo simulation is used to show similarity of the effects on the range chart when the number of measurements in the subgroup exceeds two. Several examples are given.
Synthesis and Cytotoxic Properties of Nitro- and Aminochalcones

Twenty-two nitro- and aminochalcones were synthesized and characterized. Their cytotoxic properties were determined by a 3-day continuous exposure MTT assay with murine melanoma B16 cells. The aminochalcones were generally more cytotoxic than their nitro precursors. Aminochalcone 18, which has an IC50 value of 0.24 μM, was the most potent compound. The results demonstrated that the number and position of methoxy groups in ring A enhanced cytotoxicity of the chalcones. The location of the amino group on ring B also affected cytotoxicity.
Ethnoculturally-sensitive practice and Alzheimer's disease:

Alzheimer's disease (AD) does not respect the boundaries of ethnicity or culture. Diverse ethnocultural groups adapt to the stresses of AD in their own unique fashion. As the attitudes, values, help-seeking and coping behaviors vary from one individual to another, so also does variation exist among the diverse ethnocultural groups. This paper will review current literature regarding several ethnocultural groups, as well as common attitudes, values, helpseeking and coping behaviors. Skills, values, and knowledge for the ethnoculturally-sensitive practitioner are discussed. Finally, case examples are cited.
Demonstration: disaster evacuation support

Evacuation or sheltering of neighborhoods, cities, or regions is a major component of responding to any natural or other disaster. Poorly chosen and uncoordinated destinations can quickly overwhelm shelter capacities. Insufficient knowledge and decision processes may also lead to mismatches between evacuee needs and shelter capabilites, such as advanced medical units. Unfortunately, the intuitive and easy response of moving evacuees to the closest refuges can easily lead to this situation. This work attempts to address this problem by developing tools and techniques to help emergency personnel create a shared and accurate understanding of the situation, make the best decisions for the group, and effectively conduct disaster evacuations.
Three-dimensional airway evaluation in 387 subjects from one university orthodontic clinic using cone beam computed tomography.

Abstract Objective: To determine the linear, volumetric, and cross-sectional area measurements in a large sample of subjects seeking treatment in a university clinic of orthodontics. Materials and Methods: Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans from 387 patients were analyzed retrospectively. All scans were loaded into the 3dMDvultus program (Atlanta, Ga) for airway analysis using automated segmentation. Gender, age, height, weight, airway length, volume, and area of maximum constriction were collected. Results: The rostrocaudal length of the airway increased with age until the age of 15 years in female subjects but continued to increase in male subjects and ranged from 44 to 88 mm over the period of 8 to 18 years of age with the gender data combined. The volume of the airway increased through the entire 11-year age range from 2000 mm3 to 27,000 mm3. The rate of airway volume increased at a slower rate in female than in male subjects. The smallest cross-sectional area increased with age ranging from 2...
Molecular characterization of a gene for aldose reductase (CbXYL1) from Candida boidinii and its expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Candida boidinii produces significant amounts of xylitol from xylose, and assays of crude homogenates for aldose (xylose) reductase (XYL1p) have been reported to show relatively high activity with NADH as a cofactor even though XYL1p purified from this yeast does not have such activity. A gene coding for XYL1p from C. boidinii (CbXYL1) was isolated by amplifying the central region using primers to conserved domains and by genome walking. CbXYL1 has an open reading frame of 966 bp encoding 321 amino acids. The C. boidinii XYL1p is highly similar to other known yeast aldose reductases and is most closely related to the NAD(P)H-linked XYL1p of Kluyveromyces lactis. Cell homogenates from C. boidinii and recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae were tested for XYL1p activity to confirm the previously reported high ratio of NADH:NADPH linked activity. C. boidinii grown under fully aerobic conditions showed an NADH:NADPH activity ratio of 0.76, which was similar to that observed with the XYL1p from Pichia stipitis XYL1, but which is much lower than what was previously reported. Cells grown under low aeration showed an NADH:NADPH activity ratio of 2.13. Recombinant S. cerevisiae expressing CbXYL1 showed only NADH-linked activity in cell homogenates. Southern hybridization did not reveal additional bands. These results imply that a second, unrelated gene for XYL1p is present in C. boidinii.
Optimal wage indexation and monetary policy in an economy with imported raw materials

Abstract An economy's openness from the input side has important effects on the optimal design of its macroeconomic policies. Given the exchange rate regime, the larger the share of imported raw materials in domestic production, the smaller the optimal degree of wage indexation to unanticipated inflation. Alternatively, given the wage indexation parameter, the larger the share of imported raw materials in domestic production, the smaller the optimal degree of foreign exchange intervention by the monetary authority (the more flexible the exchange rate).
The shock therapy model of transition

The aim of this paper is to develop a comprehensive analysis of the shock therapy model of transition. As such the model requires an analysis of what I define as the primary elements: economic analysis, definition of a good society, speed, political structure, ideological structure and initial conditions. Also it is necessary to develop an appropriate mechanism of implementation, what I define as the secondary elements: price liberalisation-stabilisation, privatisation, institutional structure, monetary policy and the financial system, fiscal policy, international trade and foreign aid and social policy. In addition, there was a need for a strategy by which the reform program would be implemented. In the conclusion an assessment of the shock therapy model as a political strategy takes place.