cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Productivity research and healthcare delivery innovation.

If a healthcare delivery system is to achieve quality and efficiency, participants must be able to measure quality and efficiency. Yet no healthcare system in the world — and certainly not the current US system, our main focus — measures, reports and acts on such a measure of productivity. This article describes the conventional methodology for measuring healthcare productivity and the more recent focus on episodes of illness and priority conditions. Specific clinical examples of productivity improvement and the many uses of such research — for private industry as well as public policy — illustrate why productivity research could be considered the ‘genome’ of healthcare delivery innovation.
Some remarks on protecting weak keys and poorly-chosen secrets from guessing attacks

Authentication and key distribution protocols that utilize weak secrets (such as passwords and personal identification numbers) are traditionally susceptible to guessing attacks whereby an adversary iterates through a relatively small key space and verifies the correct guess. Such attacks can be defeated by the use of public key encryption and careful protocol construction. T. Lomas et al. (Proc. of ACM Symp. on Operating Syst. Principles, 1989) investigated this topic and developed a methodology for avoiding guessing attacks while incurring only moderate overhead. Several issues concerning the proposed solution are discussed here, and modifications that remove some of the constraints (such as synchronized time and state retention by the server) and result in simpler and more efficient protocols are suggested. >
Optimal Mortgage Refinancing with Stochastic Interest Rates

The purpose of this paper is to develop a dynamic model of mortgage refinancing in a contingent claim framework that simultaneously solves for the borrower's optimal mortgage refinancing strategy, the value of the refinancing call option, the value of the mortgage liability to the borrower, and the market (lender) value of the fixed-rate contract. We also calculate the minimum differential between the contract rate on the existing mortgage and the current interest rate that is required to trigger an optimal mortgage refinancing.
Operon Prediction for Sequenced Bacterial Genomes without Experimental Information

Various computational approaches have been proposed for operon prediction, but most algorithms rely on experimental or functional data that are only available for a small subset of sequenced genomes. In this study, we explored the possibility of using phylogenetic information to aid in operon prediction, and we constructed a Bayesian hidden Markov model that incorporates comparative genomic data with traditional predictors, such as intergenic distances. The prediction algorithm performs as well as the best previously reported method, with several significant advantages. It uses fewer data sources and so it is easier to implement, and the method is more broadly applicable than previous methods—it can be applied to essentially every gene in any sequenced bacterial genome. Furthermore, we show that near-optimal performance is easily reached with a generic set of comparative genomes and does not depend on a specific relationship between the subject genome and the comparative set. We applied the algorithm to the Bacillus anthracis genome and found that it successfully predicted all previously verified B. anthracis operons. To further test its performance, we chose a predicted operon (BA1489-92) containing several genes with little apparent functional relatedness and tested their cotranscriptional nature. Experimental evidence shows that these genes are cotranscribed, and the data have interesting implications for B. anthracis biology. Overall, our findings show that this algorithm is capable of highly sensitive and accurate operon prediction in a wide range of bacterial genomes and that these predictions can lead to the rapid discovery of new functional relationships among genes.
The Impact of Density: The Importance of Nonlinearity and Selection on Flight and Fight Responses

Unlike commonsense notions and the findings from animal research, the literature concerning the effects of density on human social behavior is paralyzed by contradictory findings. This article examines empirically two fundamental issues which could account for this and which are central to the density-crowding debate: (1) whether observed crowding effects are the result of causation or selection and (2) whether individuals are negatively affected by both low and high levels of density. Data from the Toronto Mental Health and Stress study are analyzed using structural equation modeling to investigate these questions. The results support the notion that the effects of density on aggressive and withdrawn behavior are nonlinear in nature. The findings further reveal a self-selection of respondents into particular forms of housing. The implications of these findings for future research on crowding are discussed.
Superhydrophobic Carbon Nanotube Forests

The present study demonstrates the creation of a stable, superhydrophobic surface using the nanoscale roughness inherent in a vertically aligned carbon nanotube forest together with a thin, conformal hydrophobic poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) coating on the surface of the nanotubes. Superhydrophobicity is achieved down to the microscopic level where essentially spherical, micrometer-sized water droplets can be suspended on top of the nanotube forest.
Patterns of parasite community dissimilarity: the significant role of land use and lack of distance‐decay in a bat–helminth system

Increasing community dissimilarity across geographic distance has been described for a wide variety of organisms and understanding its underlying causes is key to understanding mechanisms driving patterns of biodiversity. Both niche-based and neutral processes may produce a distance decay relationship; however, disentangling their relative influence requires simultaneous examination of multiple potential drivers. Parasites represent a unique opportunity in which to study distance decay because community dissimilarity may depend on environmental requirements and dispersal capability of parasites as well also those of their hosts. We used big brown bats Eptesicus fuscus and their intestinal helminths to investigate: 1) independent contributions of geographic and environmental distances on dissimilarity of intestinal helminth component communities between populations of big brown bats; 2) which environmental variables best explained variation in community dissimilarity; and 3) whether similar patterns of decay with geographic or environmental distance were observed for within-host population and within-individual host parasite communities. We used compositional measures of community dissimilarity to examine how parasite communities may change with geographic distance and varying environmental conditions. Non-spatial variables strongly influenced compositional parasite community dissimilarity over multiple community scales, and we observed little evidence for spatial processes such as distance decay. Environment surrounding roost sites better predicted helminth community dissimilarity than any other class of variables and landcover classes representing anthropogenic modification consistently explained variation in community structure. Our results indicate that human disturbance drives significant patterns of parasite community dissimilarity, most likely by changing the presence or abundance of intermediate hosts in an area.
Hyalinization of the Seminiferous Tubules Associated with Normal or Failing Leydig-Cell Function. Discussion of Relationship to Eunuchoidism, Gynecomastia, Elevated Gonadotrophins, Depressed 17-Ketosteroids and Estrogens1,2

HYPOGONADISM in males may be due to a primary defect of the testis or of its constituent parts; it may likewise be secondary to failure of one or more hormones of the anterior pituitary. Therefore the determination of the primary factor in testicular failure (and the determination of the secondary effect upon the other endocrine glands) becomes of utmost importance in the selection of a rational therapeutic approach. To this end we have attempted to categorize instances of male hypogonadism: first, by separating those cases in which failure occurred during adulthood, for example, the male climacteric (1), from those in which failure occurred at or before-puberty; second, by subdividing the prepuberal-failure group into their constituent sub-groups or syndromes. We have already described a syndrome in which both the hormonal and gametogenic functions of the testis have failed, i.e., functional prepuberal castration in males (2).
How Frames Can Undermine Support for Scientific Adaptations: Politicization and the Status-Quo Bias

The politicization of science is a phenomenon that has sparked a great deal of attention in recent years. Nonetheless, few studies directly explore how frames that highlight politicization affect public support for scientific adaptations. We study how frames that highlight politicization affect support for using nuclear power, and test our hypotheses with two experiments. We find, in one study, that politicizing science reduces support for nuclear power and renders arguments about the environmental benefits of nuclear energy invalid, regardless of whether there is a reference to consensus scientific evidence. We find, in a second study, that reference to the potential health risks associated with using nuclear power also decreases support in the presence of additional frames that highlight either science�s progress or its politicization. In the end, our findings suggest that a status-quo bias prevails that, under some circumstances, can serve as a significant impediment to generating public support for scientific innovations.
Isozymes of the Isoetes riparia Complex, I. Genetic Variation and Relatedness of Diploid Species

Abstract Isozymes were examined in the six aquatic (including amphibious) diploid species of Isoetes of eastern North America in order to quantify their levels and patterns of genetic variation, to determine their genetic distinctness, and to evaluate the utility of allozymes in addressing ancestry in the I. riparia complex. Twenty-six populations representing diploid species, I. echinospora, I. engelmannii, I. flaccida, I. mattaponi, I. prototypus, and I. valida were compared for eleven enzymes coded by 16 interpretable loci. Levels of genetic variation in populations tended to be low ranging from none (means: P = 0.0, A = 1.0, H = 0.0) in I. echinospora to moderate (means: P = 22.9, A = 1.4, H = 0.093) in I. flaccida. Genetic variation in polymorphic species tended to be distributed more among than within populations, as indicated by high Fst values (Fst > 0.607 in all polymorphic species except I.mattaponi, for which Fst = 0.272). The genetic identities of conspecific populations were high, with mean v...
One Step Forward and Two Back: Missed Opportunities in Refining the United States Minimum Contacts Test and the European Union Brussels I Regulation

In 2011, the U.S. Supreme Court decided two cases regarding the scope of the "minimum contacts" test for permissible exercises of personal jurisdiction. In one case, relying on ill-defined notions of sovereignty, a plurality of the Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a worker injured by an industrial machine marketed to the United States court not obtain jurisdiction over the machine's foreign manufacturer because there was no showing that the machine has been specifically marketed in the worker's home state. There was, however, no majority opinion. In another case, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously and relatively uncontroversially that unrelated sales of products in the plaintiffs' home state did not suffice for jurisdiction in a case involving a foreign accident, but the boundaries of the Court's newly announced "essentially at home" test for determining when jurisdiction will lie in cases involving unrelated activities is unclear. On the other side of the Atlantic, the "Recast" Brussels I Regulation, which regulates jurisdiction and judgments in the E.U., made some minor improvements, but the E.U. specifically rejected a proposal to eliminate the discriminatory feature of the Regulation, which is that it requires enforcement throughout the E.U. of judgments based on exorbitant bases of jurisdiction to be enforced throughout the E.U. As a consequence, these two important jurisdictional regimes are less rational and harmonized than they were before.
Context matters: The impact of neighborhood crime and paranoid symptoms on psychosis risk assessment

Psychosis risk assessment measures probe for paranoid thinking, persecutory ideas of reference, and suspiciousness as part of a psychosis risk construct. However, in some cases, these symptoms may reflect a normative, realistic, and even adaptive response to environmental stressors rather than psychopathology. Neighborhood characteristics, dangerousness for instance, are linked to levels of fear and suspiciousness that can be theoretically unrelated to psychosis. Despite this potential confound, psychosis-risk assessments do not explicitly evaluate neighborhood factors that might (adaptively) increase suspiciousness. In such cases, interviewers run the risk of misinterpreting adaptive suspiciousness as a psychosis-risk symptom. Ultimately, the degree to which neighborhood factors contribute to psychosis-risk assessment remains unclear. The current study examined the relation between neighborhood crime and suspiciousness as measured by the SIPS among predominantly African American help-seeking adolescents (N=57) living in various neighborhoods in Baltimore City. Uniform Crime Reports, including violent and property crime for Baltimore City, were used to calculate a proxy of neighborhood crime. This crime index correlated with SIPS suspiciousness (r(55)=.32, p=.02). Multiple regression analyses demonstrated that increased neighborhood crime significantly predicted suspiciousness over and above the influence of the other SIPS positive symptoms in predicting suspiciousness. FINDINGS suggest that neighborhood crime may in some cases account for suspiciousness ascertained as part of a psychosis risk assessment, and therefore sensitivity to contextual factors is important when evaluating risk for psychosis. Language: en
Atypical Presentations/Comorbidities of BCECTS

The frequency of atypical features among 196 patients (118 male and 78 female; mean age at diagnosis 7.64 years, range 1.5-14) with benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BCECTS) was determined by a retrospective chart study in four pediatric neurology outpatient clinics in Israel between the years 1991 and 2008.
Turbulence Prediction in Open Channel Flow

An analytical model for predicting turbulent intensities of velocity for the streamwise and cross-streamwise directions in open channel flow was derived. Due to the random nature of turbulence, a probabilistic approach to the problem is required. A Gaussian distribution was assumed to describe the turbulent fluctuating velocities. From this basic condition, a three-parameter model was derived to predict the root-mean-square (rms) values of turbulence for the vertical and longitudinal directions. Values calculated from the mathematical model were compared to experimentally obtained data using hot-film anemometry techniques, and excellent agreement existed for both components of rms.
LONG-TERM SURVIVAL AND REVERSAL OF IRON OVERLOAD AFTER MARROW TRANSPLANTATION IN DOGS WITH CONGENITAL HEMOLYTIC ANEMIA

Severe hemolytic in Basenji dogs secondary to pyruvate kinase deficiency was corrected by marrow transplantation from hematologically normal littermates. These dogs have now been followed for more than 5.5 yr. Essentially normal hematopoiesis has persisted, and the dogs remain in good health without cirrhosis or osteosclerosis. Furthermore, hepatic iron overload present before transplantation has gradually decreased. These results in dogs suggest that marrow transplantation could prevent the morbidity and mortality of severe hemolytic anemia and associated iron overload in man.
Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Scaffolds Promote Stem Cell Differentiation into Bone Forming Cells

The use of carbon nanotubes for tissue engineering has become one of the most fascinating applications. The exquisite electronic and mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes may provide a three-dimensional (3D) microenvironment that closely mimics in vivo situation for facilitating the use of stem cells in the tissue regeneration. Therefore, it is important to know whether carbon nanotubes enhance the adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of stem cells. Here, we hypothesized that the carbon nanotubes promote the differentiation of osteoblast progenitors into mature osteoblasts. To test this hypothesis, we quantified the differentiation of murine osteoblast progenitors, with and without pro-differentiating growth factor Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 (BMP-2), cultured on the 3D scaffolds made by single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). Three types of SWNT samples, chitosan functionalized SWNTs, acid-oxidized SWNTs, and surfactant-free pristine SWNTs were used for the construction of these 3D microarchitectures. Osteoblast progenitors were harvested from calvariae from 3∼5-day-old mice, and cultured on the 3D scaffolds made by carbon nanotubes until ∼ 80% confluent. Then the cells were treated with BMP-2 (100 ng/ml) for 5 days. It was found that osteoblast progenitors cultured on the SWNTs dramatically increased the level of mature osteoblastic marker osteocalcin in either the absence or the presence of BMP-2, as compared to the cells cultured on the regulate tissue culture plastic plates. The results suggested that SWNTs highly promote osteoblast progenitor differentiation into mature osteoblasts. The finding indicates that SWNTs may provide an ideal scaffold for facilitating the differentiation of osteoblast progenitors in the repair of bone defects.
VHF-induced thermoacoustic imaging of fresh human prostates using a clinical ultrasound transducer array

The purpose of this work was to demonstrate that a clinical ultrasound transducer array can practically detect thermoacoustic pulses induced by irradiation by very high frequency (VHF) electromagnetic energy. This is an important step because thermoacoustic signal strength is directly proportional to the specific absorption rate (SAR), which is lower in the VHF regime than in microwave or optical regimes. A 96-channel transducer array (P4-1) providing 3 cm coverage was incorporated into a benchtop thermoacoustic imaging system for imaging fresh surgical specimens. Thermoacoustic signal was generated by 700 ns irradiation pulses with 11 kV/m electric field strength and 108 MHz carrier frequency. To improve SNR 1024 pulses were averaged at a 250 Hz repetition rate. Two sets of sinograms were acquired, separated by a 2 cm translation along the tomographic axis and reconstructed over a 6 x 6 x 5 cm3 volume. Contrast and in-plane resolution were measured by imaging a homogeneous cylindrical phantom and an 80- micron wire designed to highlight E-field polarization effects. FWHM of the in-plane point spread function varied from 250 microns to 1.1 mm, depending upon transducer used and phantom orientation relative to the electric field. Several fresh human prostates were imaged immediately after surgery. Rudimentary comparison to histology was performed and volumetric reconstruction of the multi-channel P4-1 data visualizes anatomic features that are rarely seen in ultrasound, CT, or MRI. The single element transducer provided superior image contrast, but with inferior resolution.
Autoinflammatory Diseases in the Neonate: Mimickers of Neonatal Infections

Autoinflammatory diseases encompass a growing list of disorders that lead to systemic and organ-specific inflammation. Such diseases can present in the fetal and neonatal periods, mimicking bacterial infections, congenital viral infections, and genetic syndromes. The concept of autoinflammatory diseases was proposed only 10 years ago with the identification of genes underlying periodic fever syndromes. Unlike autoimmune diseases that primarily involve the adaptive immune response, autoinflammatory disorders are caused by excessive activation of the innate immune system. Clinical features of autoinflammatory diseases may include fevers, rash, conjunctivitis, hepatosplenomegaly, peritonitis, osteomyelitis, arthritis, and meningitis. Therefore, affected patients often are misdiagnosed with neonatal infections. Some of the autoinflammatory diseases present with distinct morphologic features that may be mistaken for various genetic syndromes. Many are characterized by recurrent episodes of fevers throughout life, leading to inappropriate use of antibiotics. A new understanding of the innate immune system has allowed for the development of “biologics” or medications that can target dysregulated cytokine production. Early diagnosis of autoinflmmatory diseases allows appropriate management of fevers and other manifestations. In some cases, initiation of anticytokine therapy can significantly alter devastating manifestations, including failure to thrive and neurologic deterioration. This review focuses on autoinflammatory disorders that commonly present in the neonatal period.
Thermodynamic Factors in the Extension of Solid Solubility in Al-Based Alloys

Stable and metastable equilibrium diagrams and To curves are calculated for the Al-based binary systems Al-Ga, Al-Ge, Al-Fe, Al-Mg, and Al-Si. Extended solid solubilities and metastable phases have been produced by rapid solidification for each of these systems, and the calculations are compared to experimental observations.
THE TERATOGENICITY OF CONGO RED IN RATS.

SummaryThe teratogenicity of Congo red was investigated in the Wistar Albino rat. Female rats received a single intraperi-toneal injection of a 2% aqueous solution of Congo red on the 8th day of pregnancy. Dosages used were either 14 mg/100 g, 30 mg/100 g or 40 mg/100 g maternal body weight. A dose of 20 mg/100 g was found to be teratogenic, 15.4% of the survivors being malformed. A dose of 40 mg/100 g was lethal, all pregnant rats dying within 5 days after injection. The malformations produced were hydrocephalus, hydronephrosis and ocular defects. Multiple malformations were rare. The teratogenic dose of Congo red did not produce any alteration in maternal serum protein components during the expected period of teratogenic activity. This is contrasted to the situation found following treatment with trypan blue.
Seasonal Changes in Body Fat, Water and Basic Weight in Citellus Lateralis, Eutamias Speciosus and E. Amoenus

Citellus lateralis in the Sierra Nevada of California has an annual change of total body fat, characterized by a threefold increase from August to September, just prior to hibernation. Eutamias speciosus and E. amoenus have less body fat than C. lateralis , and the predormancy increase occurs in October. These 2 species of Eutamias enter dormancy during October. Just prior to winter dormancy, there is a slight drop in basic weight (fat-free, water-free body weight) and body water.
Design and Construction of Hybrid Concrete-Masonry Structures Informed by Cyclic Tests

Reinforced concrete buildings with masonry infill are vulnerable in earthquakes primarily because the masonry walls often fail due to out-of-plane forces and can trigger soft-story collapses. In or...
Segmentation based denoising of PET images: an iterative approach via regional means and affinity propagation.

Delineation and noise removal play a significant role in clinical quantification of PET images. Conventionally, these two tasks are considered independent, however, denoising can improve the performance of boundary delineation by enhancing SNR while preserving the structural continuity of local regions. On the other hand, we postulate that segmentation can help denoising process by constraining the smoothing criteria locally. Herein, we present a novel iterative approach for simultaneous PET image denoising and segmentation. The proposed algorithm uses generalized Anscombe transformation priori to non-local means based noise removal scheme and affinity propagation based delineation. For non-local means denoising, we propose a new regional means approach where we automatically and efficiently extract the appropriate subset of the image voxels by incorporating the class information from affinity propagation based segmentation. PET images after denoising are further utilized for refinement of the segmentation in an iterative manner. Qualitative and quantitative results demonstrate that the proposed framework successfully removes the noise from PET images while preserving the structures, and improves the segmentation accuracy.
Scheduled WiFi using distributed contention in WLANs: algorithms, experiments, and case-studies

The ubiquitous adoption of WiFi introduces large diversity in types of application requirements and topological characteristics. Consequently, considerable attention is being devoted to making WiFi networks controllable without compromising their scalability. However, the main MAC protocol of WiFi, distributed coordination function (DCF), is a contention-based protocol using random backoff. Thus, operating under DCF, the access of channel is hard to control and nonpredictable. In order to provide controllability of channel access in WiFi, we propose Rhythm, a MAC protocol that achieves scheduled WiFi efficiently using distributed contention. By achieving scheduled WiFi, channel access can be controlled by manipulating the schedule decision. We evaluate the performance of Rhythm through analysis, experiments, and case-studies.
Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis and Multiple Sclerosis Compared

Clinical characteristics at presentation and follow-up of a cohort of 13 cases (age range 5-67, median 43 years) of perivenous demyelination were compared with a cohort of 91 cases (age range 10-69, median 39 years) of confluent demyelination (76 [84%] cases of confirmed multiple sclerosis) in a study at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
Abemaciclib for the treatment of brain metastases (BM) secondary to hormone receptor positive (HR+), HER2 negative breast cancer.

1019Background: Abemaciclib is an oral selective CDK4 and CDK6 inhibitor administered on a continuous dosing schedule, which has demonstrated clinical activity and an acceptable safety profile in patients (pts) with heavily pre-treated HR+ metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Abemaciclib has been shown preclinically to cross the blood-brain barrier, providing rationale for testing this agent in pts with BM. Furthermore, as previously presented, levels of abemaciclib similar to plasma were detected in resected BM in a subset of pts with HR+, HER2- MBC in this study. Methods: Study I3Y-MC-JPBO is an open-label, Phase 2, Simon 2-Stage trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of abemaciclib 200 mg BID in pts with new or progressive BM secondary to HR+ MBC, NSCLC, or melanoma. Eligible pts in Part B (the focus of this presentation) include pts with HR+, HER2- MBC who have ≥1 measurable brain lesion. The primary objective was objective intracranial (IC) response rate as defined by Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncolo...
Trends in school library programs 2007–2012: Analysis of AASL’s School Libraries Count! data sets

This study used the AASL School Libraries Count! data sets to examine school library program trends within the 2009–2012 time frame, and identify possible relationships between contributing factors...
Neuroticism and Emotion Regulation Predict Attention Performance during Positive Affect

Most studies of personality and attention have focused on negative affect and psychopathology. We predicted that to the extent that personality characteristics involve the ability to control emotion and attention, the same principles would apply whether the circumstances involved negative or positive affect. Participants completed a dual-task attention experiment under conditions of positive affect, involving both low and high arousal. It was found that self-reported poorer attentional control, higher levels of neuroticism, and more difficulties in emotion regulation predicted greater differences in performance between low and high arousal conditions. Rumination styles did not predict differences in performance among these conditions. The demonstration of disruptions in attention by arousal during positive affect raises important questions about the interactions among individual differences, arousal, and mechanisms of attention.
Radiotherapy Utilization and Fractionation Patterns During the First Course of Cancer Treatment in the United States From 2004 to 2014.

Abstract Background The changing use of radiation as a first-line cancer therapy in the United States is poorly characterized. This study aims to report radiotherapy utilization and fractionation patterns during the first course of cancer treatment. Methods We extracted all solid tumor cases from 2004 to 2014 in the National Cancer Data Base, which captures only the first course of treatment. Patients were subcategorized by disease site: breast, central nervous system (CNS), gastrointestinal, genitourinary, gynecologic, head and neck (HN), musculoskeletal, skin, or thoracic. Receipt of therapy was identified (systemic, surgical, or radiation therapy). Radiotherapy was subcategorized as external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) (conventional and stereotactic), brachytherapy, and radio-isotopes. Radiotherapy was also characterized by intent (palliative or definitive). The percent of patients receiving therapy and in those receiving radiotherapy, the mean number of radiation treatments, or fractions, delivered over time were reported. Results The utilization of radiotherapy among all cases declined from 33.9% to 31.2% ( P P P = .79), respectively. Radiotherapy utilization decreased most in genitourinary, HN, and CNS cases with relative declines of −42.5% (−12.4% absolute decrease, P P P = .001), respectively. Radiotherapy utilization increased in gastrointestinal (+0.6% absolute increase, P P = .002), skin (+0.7%, P = .002), and thoracic (+0.1%, P = .46) malignancies. In patients receiving EBRT, the mean number of fractions delivered per patient declined from 28.7 to 25.2 ( P Conclusion We found a steady decrease in the percent of patients receiving radiotherapy in their first course of treatment, and a global decline in the mean number of fractions delivered per patient receiving EBRT, compared with an increase in systemic therapy and stable surgery utilization. These results illustrate the changing use of radiotherapy and fractionation during first-line therapy in contemporary US cancer care.
Epidemiology in North America

Publisher Summary The severity of the wheat stem rust problem in North America over-shadowed the effects of wheat leaf rust caused by Puccinia recondita in the early part of the 20th century. However, a major regional epidemic in 1938 throughout much of central United States on winter wheat emphasized its importance. Leaf rust primarily affects the leaf blades, whereas stem rust attacks the stem; thus, there is less time for a leaf rust epidemic development during the grain-filling period. Yield losses are usually less from leaf rust than from stem and stripe rust. Oat stem rust, like wheat stem rust, has been the most severe in the north central states and adjacent Canada. Crown rust is the most serious rust disease of oats in North America. Epidemics are common in the southern states, where the disease overwinters, and again on late seeded oats in Minnesota, the eastern Dakotas, and Manitoba. Crown rust is common in Mexico. Stem rust epidemics on barley develop more slowly than on wheat for a number of reasons that vary in importance with year and location.
Le dieci fasi della gestione dello stress traumatico acuto

Negli anni, sono stati elaborati numerosi modelli relativi alla pratica dell’intervento sulla crisi (per esempio, Collins e Collins, 2005; Greekstone e Leviton, 2002; Jones, 1968; Roberts e Grau, 1970); ad ogni modo, ne esiste uno che si basa e si espande a partire dal pensiero pionieristico dei fondatori della ”teoria della crisi“ (Caplan, 1964; Golan, 1978; Lindemann, 1944): il modello di intervento sulla crisi in sette fasi di Roberts (R-SSCIM) (Roberts, 1991, 1995, 1998, 2005a). Esso rappresenta un esempio pratico di un modello nato per rispondere alla crisi un passo alla volta e che puo essere applicato attraverso un ampio spettro di situazioni di crisi.
Prostaglandin Synthesis in Atherosclerotic Human Carotid Artery

Atheromatous arterial plaques have been reported to differ from normal arterial tissue in that lower levels of prostacyclin (PGI2) are produced and thromboxane A2 (TxA2) is formed. Both PGI2 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) inhibit platelet adherence and aggregation, whereas TxA2 promotes these activities; thus, reported alterations in prostaglandin (PG) metabolism could contribute to arterial throm-bogenicity. It is unclear whether such changes in PG formation in patients with atherosclerosis are localized to atheromatous plaques or can also be found in adjacent arterial tissue. The biochemical basis of these alterations is not completely defined but has clinical relevance, because embolization of platelet aggregates and thrombi from carotid plaques is thought to be an important factor in the etiology of stroke.
Getting the envisionment right

The central component of commonsense reasoning about causality is the envisionment: a description of the behavior of a physical system that is derived from its structural description by qualitative simulation. Two problems with creating the envisionment are the qualitative representation of quantity and the detection of previously-unsuspected points of qualitative change. The representation presented here has the expressive power of differential equations, and the qualitative envisionment strategy needed for commonsense knowledge. A detailed example shows how it is able to detect a previously unsuspected point at which the system is in stable equilibrium.
Ethical dimensions of quantification

The ethical dimensions of quantification are seldom analysed. We examine three ethical features that are characteristic of quantification – its capacity to express or mediate power, focus attention...
The contributions and mechanisms of changes in excitability during simple forms of learning in Aplysia

Learning and memory have long been thought to involve changes in synaptic connections between neurons. However, in many cases learning-related plasticity also involves changes in the excitability of neurons. These findings have raised questions about the relative importance of these two types of mechanisms to behavioral learning, and also about the extent to which they involve shared or unique molecular mechanisms. We have taken a reductionist approach to these questions by addressing them in a simple model organism, Aplysia californica. Studies of a semi-intact Aplysia siphon withdrawal preparation suggest that classical conditioning involves an increase in the evoked firing of sensory neurons (SNs) as well as facilitation of the monosynaptic PSP to motor neurons (MNs). Furthermore, these two mechanisms may act cooperatively at the cellular level: increased SN firing produces more PSPs, each of which is facilitated, leading to a multiplicative increase in depolarization of the MN and siphon withdrawal. The changes in SN firing and the monosynaptic PSP also share several mechanisms at the molecular level, suggesting that they may both be due in part to a decrease in K+ current that causes an increase in SN excitability as well as an increase in SN spike width and thus increased transmitter release. However, changes in the monosynaptic PSP also involve additional mechanisms that are not shared and may affect different aspects of synaptic transmission as well. Studies of operant conditioning of feeding suggest that it involves similar mechanisms as classical conditioning of siphon withdrawal. In particular, for both types of associative learning adenylyl cyclase appears to serve as a molecular coincidence detector that leads to increased activation of PKA and changes in excitability of key neurons in the neural circuit. Furthermore, in both cases those changes in excitability make an important contribution to the behavioral learning.
A Novel Pneumatic Soft Snake Robot Using Traveling-Wave Locomotion in Constrained Environments

In this paper we propose a novel pneumatic soft snake robot which exploits traveling-wave motion to move in complex, constrained environments such as a pipeline. The robot is modular, with a unique pneumatic system design that requires the use of only four air channels regardless of the number of modules. The robot is 3D-printed, and thus low-cost and easy to build. Finite element modeling of the bending behavior of each module is conducted in ANSYS. The dynamic behavior of the robot, consisting of six modules, is further modeled in SOFA. In particular, it is found that the locomotion speed of the robot increases with the actuation pressure and decreases with the friction coefficient. Extensive experimental results on a snake robot prototype show good agreements with model predictions. The robot also demonstrates the capability of moving in constrained pipeline environments, including travelling in pipes of different diameters and challenging geometry such as a sharp elbow.
Applications of the transfibular approach to the hindfoot: A systematic review and description of a preferred technique

Abstract Background The indications and technique for the transfibular approach to the tibiotalar joint have evolved since its initial popularization in 1942. The purpose of this systematic review is to assess the indications, techniques, and postoperative outcomes among procedures performed with the transfibular approach. Methods A comprehensive search of PubMed, Medline, and Embase databases from 1942 to 2018 was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. After an initial broad search of transfibular approach indications, articles were stratified into 4 major surgical categories for assessment: (1) tibiotalar arthrodesis (2) tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis (3) total ankle replacement and (4) distal tibial tumor excision. Data was analyzed according to these 4 categories. Results A total of 32 studies (874 ankles) were included. Fibular non-union rates were 0.7 % (5 of 672) across all studies, 0.6% (2 of 329) for tibiotalar arthrodesis, 0.0% (0 of 12) for tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis, 1.0 % (3 of 296) for total ankle arthroplasty and 0.0% (0 of 15) for other procedures. Rates of deep infection were 2.5% (23 of 903) across all studies, 3.2% (15 of 466) for tibiotalar arthrodesis, 3.7% (4 of 106) for tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis, 1.3% (4 of 296) for total ankle arthroplasty, and 0.0% (0 of 15) for other procedures. Conclusions The transfibular approach is useful for cases requiring extensile exposure of the tibiotalar joint. This study provides evidence that the transfibular approach yields satisfactory results, with low complication and infection rates. Level of evidence IV
Inhibiting Airway Smooth Muscle Contraction Using Pitavastatin: A Role for the Mevalonate Pathway in Regulating Cytoskeletal Proteins

Despite maximal use of currently available therapies, a significant number of asthma patients continue to experience severe, and sometimes life-threatening bronchoconstriction. To fill this therapeutic gap, we examined a potential role for the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) inhibitor, pitavastatin. Using human airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells and murine precision-cut lung slices, we discovered that pitavastatin significantly inhibited basal-, histamine-, and methacholine (MCh)-induced ASM contraction. This occurred via reduction of myosin light chain 2 (MLC2) phosphorylation, and F-actin stress fiber density and distribution, in a mevalonate (MA)- and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP)-dependent manner. Pitavastatin also potentiated the ASM relaxing effect of a simulated deep breath, a beneficial effect that is notably absent with the β2-agonist, isoproterenol. Finally, pitavastatin attenuated ASM pro-inflammatory cytokine production in a GGPP-dependent manner. By targeting all three hallmark features of ASM dysfunction in asthma-contraction, failure to adequately relax in response to a deep breath, and inflammation-pitavastatin may represent a unique asthma therapeutic.
High-Performance Computing for Earth System Modeling

High-performance computing (HPC) plays an important role during the development of Earth system models. This chapter reviews HPC efforts related to Earth system models, including community Earth system models and energy exascale Earth system models. Specifically, this chapter evaluates computational and software design issues, analyzes several current HPC-related model developments, and provides an outlook for some promising areas within Earth system modeling in the era of exascale computing.
China's International Integration and the Effects on the One Child Policy

During the 1990s, the global approach toward demographic policy underwent an enormous transformation. Through a series of conferences in the early–mid 1990s, most notably the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development held in Cairo, a new global population frame emerged. This “Cairo Consensus” situated population issues within the broader context of sustainable development and argued that a lack of women’s empowerment is the root cause of demographic unsustainability. It proposed policy measures to empower women by advancing reproductive rights and health. The new consensus replaced older notions of a crisis of overpopulation that must be met with efforts to limit population growth. Despite its infamous planned birth policy, Chinese policymakers seemed, to a certain degree, to accept this new framing. Nevertheless, the premise that the government had the right to determine family size remained firmly in place.In this paper, I explore the following question: Does Chinese policymakers’ use of the Cairo population frame to discuss their domestic policy result from an instrumental cooptation of internationally acceptable language or from at least partial internalization of the components of this framework? I find that China’s adoption of the Cairo Consensus was incomplete during the 1990s. On the one hand, Chinese policymakers embraced the value of “sustainable development” and perceived the general population “problem” as one of demographic unsustainability. Yet, they did not conceptualize a lack of women’s empowerment as the root cause of demographic unsustainability. Consequently, their discussion of reproductive health and reproductive rights takes on an instrumentalist cast.
Localization of membrane-associated proteins in vesicular stomatitis virus by use of hydrophobic membrane probes and cross-linking reagents.

Abstract The location of membrane-associated proteins of vesicular stomatitis virus was investigated by using two monofunctional and three bifunctional probes that differ in the degree to which they partition into membranes and in their specific group reactivity. Two hydrophobic aryl azide probes, [125I]5-iodonaphthyl-1-azide and [3H]pyrenesulfonylazide, readily partitioned into virion membrane and, when activated to nitrenes by UV irradiation, formed stable covalent adducts to membrane constituents. Both of these monofunctional probes labeled the glyco-protein G and matrix M proteins, but [125I]5-iodonaphthyl-1-azide also labeled the nucleocapsid N protein and an unidentified low-molecular-weight component. Protein labeling of intact virions was unaffected by the presence of cytochrome c or glutathione, but disruption of membrane by sodium dodecyl sulfate greatly enhanced the labeling of all viral proteins except G. Labeling of G protein was essentially restricted to the membrane-embedded, thermolysin-resistant tail fragment. Three bifunctional reagents, tartryl diazide, dimethylsuberimidate, and 4,4′-dithiobisphenylazide, were tested for their capacity to cross-link proteins to membrane phospholipids of virions grown in the presence of [3H]palmitate. Only G and M proteins of intact virions were labeled with 3H-phospholipid by these cross-linkers; the reactions were not affected by cytochrome c but were abolished by disruption of virus with sodium dodecyl sulfate. Dimethylsuberimidate, which reacts with free amino groups, cross-linked 3H-phospholipid to both G and M protein. In contrast, the hydrophilic tartryl diazide cross-linked phospholipid primarily to the M protein, whereas the hydrophobic 4,4′-dithiobisphenylazide cross-linked phospholipid primarily to the intrinsic G protein. These data support the hypothesis that the G protein traverses the virion membrane and that the M protein is membrane associated but does not penetrate very deeply, if at all.
Exchange Rate Adjustment in Partially Liberalized Economy

This paper develops a model of exchange rate determination in partially liberalized post-socialist economy that operates under soft budget constraints in nontradable sectors. The model captures the factors that determine the evolution of a country's external balance during the initial phase of economic liberalization. Three types of disturbances are the center of analysis: liberalization of trade and foreign exchange regime, devaluation, and price liberalization. We show that the real exchange rate appreciation may either improve or worsen the trade balance depending on the sources of this appreciation. Thus, we argue that the real exchange rate cannot reflect true country's competitiveness unless all sectors are equally exposed to hard budget constraints. The model implications are further analyzed through the empirical evidence on the relationship between the real exchange rate and trade balance in three selected East European countries.
Lattice Boltzmann Models for Nonlinear Diffusion Filtering

The lattice Boltzmann method has attracted more and more attention as an alternative numerical scheme to traditional numerical methods for solving partial Differential equations and modeling physical systems. The idea of the lattice Boltzmann method is to construct a simplified discrete microscopic dynamics to simulate the macroscopic model described by the partial Differential equations. In this paper, we present the lattice Boltzmann models for nonlinear diffusion filtering. We show that image feature selective smoothing can be achieved by making the relaxation parameter in the lattice Boltzmann equation be image feature and direction dependent. The models naturally lead to the numerical algorithms that are easy to implement. Experimental results on both synthetic and real images are described.
Surgical anatomy of upper arm: what is needed for AVF planning

The majority of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have anatomy suitable for arteriovenous fistula creation. Clinical examination supplemented with duplex Doppler vessel mapping plays a c...
Berberine Modulates Epigenetics via Inhibition of Hypoxia-Induced Histone Lysine Demethylases Expression

Preclinical Research Pathological neovascularization during ischemic retinopathies is the major cause of blindness. The underlying cause of neovascularization is activation of the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) pathway leading to expression of pro-angiogenic factors. Recent studies have established that histone lysine demethylases (KDMs) play an important role in the HIF-mediated expression of pro-angiogenic factors under hypoxic conditions. Thus, inhibitors of the HIF pathway can be used for the treatment of these debilitating diseases. Here, we show that berberine, a plant alkaloid with a long history of medicinal use, is a potent inhibitor of the HIF pathway and hypoxia-induced expression of KDMs in a number of retinal pigment epithelial and cancer cell lines. Treating these cells with berberine leads to inhibition of KDMs-mediated induction of pro-angiogenic genes (adrenomedullin and growth differentiation factor 15) under hypoxic conditions. Because berberine has been used in eyedrops to treat trachoma, our results suggest that its proper delivery to the back of the eye may treat retinal and choroidal neovascularization during ischemic retinopathies.