cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Design and Redesign of the Health Systems' Futures

Publisher Summary The current system of delivery is dysfunctional. Similar concerns for redesign exist in education, transportation, and international affairs. This chapter provides integrated systems-oriented approach to the redesign of organizations. The synthesized procedure for design/redesign is applicable to all health care organizations. The roots of this procedural synthesis are in teaching and learning, organization change and development, and evaluation and assessment. This system approach is based on five assumptions: redesign is a socio-technical systems task, future building is both intended/rational and emergent/intuitive, redesign procedures are “rough guidance” not a mechanical blueprint, procedural adaptation is required for each unique setting, and models will continue to evolve. Redesign implies and/or requires the addition of new resources or the redistribution of existing ones. Each redesign effort must identify the resource requirements in terms of the factors: production process, personnel, facility, equipment and supplies, and finances. To successfully implement the new design, production process needs such as training must be identified, as well as staff requirements, space, equipment, and an overall budget.
Unverricht-Lundborg Disease

The progression of clinical and neurophysiological findings in a Swedish family with 4 siblings with Unverricht-Lundborg disease is reported from the Departments of Pediatrics and Clinical Neurophysiology, University of Gothenburgh, Sweden and Department of Pediatrics, University of Bergen, Norway.
Fast and Efficient Stored Matrix Techniques for Optical Tomography

A barrier to the use of optical tomography in practical applications is the high computational cost of iterative image reconstruction. This paper introduces a novel method for direct reconstruction of the image from a pre-computed and stored inverse matrix. Since the inverse matrix for optical tomography is generally quite large and not sparse, it is necessary to store the inverse matrix using lossy source coding techniques. A key innovation is the method used for matrix representation and the technique used for computing the required matrix-vector product. This representation is based on transforms of the image and sensor spaces which are designed to minimize reconstructed image distortion. Simulations indicate that the technique can dramatically reduce the storage and computation requirements by exploiting redundancy in the transformed matrix.
Abstract 3657: Preclinical evaluation of water-soluble pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidines as single agents with tubulin and multiple receptor tyrosine kinase inhibition and as antitumor agents

Proceedings: AACR 106th Annual Meeting 2015; April 18-22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA Multiple classes of microtubule targeting agents have been identified and these include the Vinca alkaloids and colchicine (microtubule-destabilizers) and taxanes (microtubule-stabilizers). Although tubulin targeting agents are some of the most successful drugs used in the treatment of a wide range of malignancies, multidrug resistance due to overexpression of P-glycoprotein (Pgp) and/or βIII-tubulin can severely limit their clinical efficacy. Antitubulin agents like paclitaxel and other taxanes, due to poor water solubility, are formulated with polyethoxylated castor oil which can cause hypersensitivity reactions and require prolonged administration time. Recently, we reported water-soluble pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine analogs acting as antitubulin agents that circumvent these drawbacks. These analogs also exhibit potency comparable to erlotinib in cancer cell lines overexpressing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and to that of sunitinib in cancer cell lines overexpressing vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2) and platelet derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFRβ), in addition to inhibiting tubulin. Promising evidence for the clinical success of combination chemotherapy using multiple RTK inhibitors with antitubulin agents suggests that these dual acting compounds would serve as a single entity with both these activities. To explore the activity of these dual RTK/tubulin inhibitors, compound AG165 was evaluated in in vitro and in vivo xenograft models. In vitro AG165 inhibited the growth of MDA-MB-435 cells with an IC50 of 8.8 nM, comparable to paclitaxel. The compound is also active in paclitaxel resistant cancer cells overexpressing βIII-tubulin or Pgp, thus overcoming two important mechanisms associated with clinical resistance to paclitaxel. Compound AG165 (subcutaneous doses of 75 mg/kg x 7, cumulative dose 525 mg) showed significant (p<0.001) inhibition of tumor growth 15 days after treatment initiation. AG165 caused recoverable weight loss without any evidence of adverse effects. In this study, we have identified a water-soluble, dual acting RTK/ tubulin inhibitory agent that address some critical limitations of existing therapies and demonstrates in vivo antitumor effects with an acceptable toxicity profile. Citation Format: Khushbu Shah, Aleem Gangjee, Roheeth Pavana, Dybdal-Hargreaves F. Nicholas, Susuan Mooberry. Preclinical evaluation of water-soluble pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidines as single agents with tubulin and multiple receptor tyrosine kinase inhibition and as antitumor agents. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 3657. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-3657
Droplets in turbulence: a new perspective

Stirring olive oil and vinegar to make salad dressing creates an emulsion of vinegar droplets in oil. More vigorous stirring gives smaller droplets, while if left to sit the droplets will begin to coalesce and the two fluids will separate. In this vein, Dodd & Ferrante (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 806, 2016, pp. 356–412) present a new analysis of how homogeneous turbulence in a carrier fluid interacts with a suspension of droplets of an immiscible liquid. Based on a set of direct numerical simulations, the authors provide new insights on how turbulence affects the motion of the droplets, their shape and size; then in turn how the droplets alter the flow including effects of interfacial surface energy on the kinetic energy of the flow.
Thermal and Acoustic Performance of Al2O3, MgO–ZrO2, and SiC Porous Media in a Flow-Stabilized Heterogeneous Combustor

A comparative analysis of performance of three different porous ceramic materials used as a flame-contained media within a flow-stabilized combustor is presented within this work. The experiments were performed at a constant air flow rate and variable methane flow rates. α-Al2O3, MgO–ZrO2, and SiC highly porous ceramics were used as the porous media. All three porous media used in the study had equal dimensions and porosity and were located in the same fixed position within the combustion chamber. Characterization of the structure of porous media before experimentation was performed using multiple methods. During combustor operation, temperature profiles were collected along with optical and acoustic emissions and correlated with the composition of the gaseous methane/air mixtures. It was found that, while SiC enables the highest temperatures within the combustion chamber at higher equivalence ratios, the ionically conducting MgO–ZrO2 porous media greatly expands the lean limit of combustor operation and ...
Ocean acidification leads to altered micromechanical properties of the mineralized cuticle in juvenile red and blue king crabs

Abstract Ocean acidification (OA) adversely affects a broad range of marine calcifying organisms. Crustaceans, however, exhibit mixed responses to OA, with growth or survival negatively affected in some species, but unaffected or positively affected in others. In crustaceans, the mineralized cuticle resists mechanical loads, provides protection from the environment, and enables mobility, but little is known about how OA or interactions between OA and temperature affect its structure or function. Here, the effects of OA on the mechanics, structure, and composition of the cuticle in two Alaska king crab species was assessed. Juvenile blue king crabs ( Paralithodes platypus ) were exposed for a year to three pH levels, 8.1 (ambient), 7.8 and 7.5. Juvenile red king crabs (Paralithodes camtschaticus) were exposed for ~ 6 months to two pH levels, 8.0 and 7.8, at three temperatures: ambient, ambient + 2 °C, and ambient + 4 °C. Cuticle microhardness (a measure of resistance to permanent or plastic mechanical deformation), thickness, ultrastructure , and elemental composition were assessed in two body regions, the carapace and the crushing chela (claw). In both species tested, OA reduced endocuticle microhardness in the chela, but not in the carapace. There was no effect of pH or temperature on total procuticle thickness of the chela or carapace in either species. Reductions in microhardness were not driven by reduced calcium content of the shell. In fact, calcium content was significantly elevated in the carapace of blue king crabs and in the chela of red king crabs exposed to lower than ambient pH at ambient temperature, suggesting that calcium content alone is not a sufficient proxy for mechanical properties. Reduced chela microhardness, indicative of more compliant material, could compromise the utility of crushing chelae in feeding and defense.
Quantitative assessment of gene expression variation and allele imbalance by real-time PCR with multi-gene standard

A32 Real-time quantitative PCR on reverse transcribed mRNA (QRT-PCR) or DNA (Q-PCR) can sensitively and reliably detect its difference in quantity among different biological samples compared to control. A select number of gene expression variables quantified by QRT-PCR assures both the quality of the data and satisfying the statistical requirements needed to produce a meaningful analysis. The comparability of data from real-time PCR remains to be challenged by lack of a standard form of calibration in order to compare data generated from different platforms. In common practice, a reference gene has been used to normalize target genes; both quantities in general rely either on PCR efficiency based methods or standard curve of serially diluted cloned DNA product of individual genes or normal DNA, thus giving rise to relative quantification. Relative quantification may not be a concern in laboratory research where a control sample is available, but is one of the hurdles in the interface of clinical oncology and research. It is important to use biomarkers in which quantification can be standardized, and the idea on use of the absolute expression ratio between a marker gene and an internal control gene may be a resolution. Our data showed that absolute ratio of mRNA quantity of target gene to reference gene in unknown samples can be achieved by referring each gene’s quantity to amplification curves of external recombinant DNA containing each gene’s amplicons - multi-gene standard. Using this method, absolute ratio of DNA quantity of target gene to reference gene can also be obtained to assess the degree of DNA copy number alteration in unbalanced loci of cancer genome. Using a standard curve to refer quantification, the quantities of mRNA or DNA in unknown sample is dependent on the input quantities of the unknown sample as well as the standard. With multi-gene standard, the ratio of two genes, however, is independent of either. In conclusion, the variation of target gene expression or allele imbalance can be sensitively and reliability quantified from calculation of the absolute ratio of target gene to reference gene using multi-gene standard in real-time PCR.
Regional myocardial flow heterogeneity explained with fractal networks

There is marked heterogeneity in regional myocardial blood flow. To explain how the distribution of flow broadens with an increase in the spatial resolution of the measurement, we developed fractal...
A Treatise of Conic Sections by George Salmon, Hodges and Smith, Dublin, 1848. Reprint of sixth edition, American Mathematical Society, Providence, RI, 2005. xv + 399 pp., ISBN 978-0-8218-3777-1, $54.00 (hardback).

Editor’s note: We begin here an occasional feature, reviewing classic books (that are still available) rather than new ones. These books may not be widely known but, we feel, still have much to off...
Orbital, eyelid, and nasopharyngeal silicone oil granuloma presenting as ptosis & pseudo-xanthelasma.

Abstract Purpose To highlight the presentation and management of a patient with eyelid, orbital and nasopharyngeal silicone oil migration through a glaucoma drainage implant presenting as pseudo-xanthelasma and ptosis. Observations A 68-year male presented with unilateral ptosis and presumed xanthelasma. He had a history of glaucoma drainage implant surgery, pseudophakia, and multiple retinal detachment repairs with silicone oil. During ptosis repair it was discovered that his presumed xanthelasma was in fact an eyelid silicone granuloma. Additional work up revealed silicone infiltration of the eyelids, orbits, and nasopharynx, resulting from emulsified silicone oil leakage through his glaucoma valve implant. Conclusions and Importance Silicone oil may emulsify with time, with potential egress via a glaucoma filtration device. Clinicians should be alert for eyelid, orbital and sinonasal findings that may indicate occult migration.
Notes on Reaganomics

President Reagan is not an economist and has never claimed to be one, although he had a course in the subject as an undergraduate at Eureka College (Eureka, IL) and has made authoritative pronouncement on economic matters. It should therefore surprise no one to find, as I think I have found, that his economics is a mixture or hash of ideas from several sources imperfectly compatible with each other. The professionals are by no means free from this weakness, if it is one; many if not most amateurs and autodidacts suffer from more severe cases of the malady.
Hippocampal neuropeptide Y protein expression following controlled cortical impact and posttraumatic epilepsy.

Abstract This study assessed neuropeptide Y (NPY) expression in the hippocampus after long-term survival following traumatic brain injury (TBI) induced by controlled cortical impact (CCI) with or without the development of posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE). We hypothesized that following long-term survival after CCI, the severity of tissue injury and the development of PTE would correlate with the degree of hippocampal neurodegeneration as reflected by NPY + and neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN)+ cell loss. Adult Sprague–Dawley rats of 2–3 months of age were lesioned in the right parietal cortex and monitored for seizure activity by video and/or video-EEG. Neuropeptide Y and NeuN immunoreactivities (IRs) were quantified by light microscopy and semiautomatic image analysis approaches for unbiased quantification. Severely injured animals, marked by extensive tissue loss in the ipsilateral neocortex and adjacent hippocampus, resulted in significantly lower NeuN + hilar cell density and NPY + cell loss in the contralateral Cornu Ammonis (CA)-3 and dentate hilus (DH). The degree of NPY + cell loss was more severe in CCI-injured animals with PTE than those animals that did not develop PTE. Mildly injured animals demonstrated no significant change of NPY expression compared with control animals. Our findings of long-term alterations of NPY expression in the hippocampus of severely brain-injured animals can provide important insights into the cellular and molecular consequences of severe TBI and posttraumatic epileptogenesis.
Typical Test Scheme and Application of Security and Stability Control System for UHVDC Project

The experimental research on the security and stability control system (referred to as SSCS) of UHVDC transmission project mainly involves the functional verification on information interaction between SSCS and UHVDC control and protection system, the fault criterion of DC converters, the calculation of DC power loss, and the coordinated control strategies such as generators/loads tripping or DC transmission power modulation after failures in DC system or N-2 faults in AC system, and other aspects. This paper analyzed the existing test methods for SSCS, then proposed a modular modeling method. This modeling method transformed the external system of the AC/DC hybrid network into REI nodes, and performed coherency-based dynamic equivalence on the sending-end generator groups. The modular design reduces the granularity of simulation calculations, improves the speedup ratio of parallel computing, and improves the efficiency of processors usage to meet demands for large-scale closed-loop testing on UHVDC system-level protection technologies including DC co-control and precisely machines tripping. Based on this modelling design, the function of DC control and protection system was simulated, the interface between RTDS and SSCS was realized, and the simulation and test platform for UHVDC SSCS was built on RTDS. The stability control strategies and the system function verification of Zhalute-Qingzhou ±800 kV UHVDC SSCS were carried out on the platform. The simulation and test results verified the effectiveness of the typical test scheme..
Patient-Centered Care, Yes; Patients As Consumers, No.

There are numerous calls for building health care delivery systems that are more patient centered. The focus on patient-centered care has increasingly begun to rely upon, and even merge with, the c...
Evaluation of Cronobacter sakazakii inactivation and physicochemical property changes of non-fat dry milk powder by cold atmospheric plasma.

Abstract Cronobacter sakazakii can cause life-threatening infections in neonates. Exposure to contaminated powdered food, especially milk powder, is a major route for C. sakazakii infection. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is well known as a non-thermal method for inactivating microbial pathogens. This study evaluates the effectiveness of CAP on C. sakazakii in non-fat dry milk (NFDM) powder using a fluidized reaction system. The CAP treatments for 20–120 s led to 1.17–3.27 log10 reductions of C. sakazakii. C. sakazakii inactivation increased with increasing flow rate from 8 to 20 L/min. In terms of quality attributes of NFDM after the CAP treatments, no noticeable color changes (ΔE
Properties of a magnetic concrete core transformer for application in wireless power transfer systems

Abstract A combination of ferrimagnetic and ferromagnetic inclusions were blended within a diamagnetic Portland cement matrix to increase bulk relative permeability for possible application in wireless power transfer. The objective of this study is to quantify the interactive flux exchange coupling between ferritic inclusions of different composition, shape, size, volume fraction, core geometry, and coil winding configuration. Cores made of cement mortar and various combinations of ferrimagnetic and ferromagnetic inclusions were cast and the permeability was quantified. A total of 21 different mix combinations were considered. ANOVA was used to assess the level of significance of each individual inclusion and their interaction with each other with respect to relative magnetic permeability. X-Ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and mechanical compression tests were also completed. The results suggest that powder and fibrous ferritic inclusions at a volume fraction greater than 10% can reduce flux leakage, reduce hysteresis core loss, and significantly increase relative permeability. A steel reinforced magnetic concrete CI core can achieve a peak flux of 100 mT and relative permeability of 28 when the cement matrix contains 20% volume fraction of ferritic fiber and powder inclusions.
Exploring the Psychiatrist-Industry Financial Relationship: Insight from the Open Payment Data of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

The Physician Payments Sunshine Act (PPSA) requires reporting of financial payments by pharmaceutical and medical device companies to teaching hospitals and individual physicians in the US. Industry payments made to psychiatrists were quantified. Using the 2016–2017 Sunshine Act Open Payments database, general payments made to psychiatrists were descriptively analyzed. The number of psychiatrists who received payments, and median number, value (in US dollar), and nature of payments to psychiatrists were quantified. Top 10 manufacturers who paid the most to psychiatrists were also reported. Over half of active psychiatrists (55.7%) received some form of payments from pharmaceutical manufacturers. Of these, top 2.8% of psychiatrists received 82.6% of the payments. Pharmaceutical manufacturers provided 812,877 payments worth $110,512,607.18 to 26,422 psychiatrists in the US. Compensation for services (e.g., speaker’s bureaus) and consulting fees altogether constituted 71.4% of the total payment, with a median value of $1725.00 and $700, respectively. Among all psychiatrists who received payments, manufacturers that paid the most included Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, Alkermes, and Sunovion Pharmaceuticals. The PPSA was created to foster transparent disclosure of any financial relationship between physicians and industry. Findings highlight that many active psychiatrists receive payments from pharmaceutical industry and payment forms were varied (e.g., food/beverage, educational materials, and compensation for services).
Prevalence, Persistence, and Diversity of Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria Species in Produce Packinghouses in Three U.S. States.

Listeria monocytogenes has emerged as a food safety concern for several produce commodities. Although L. monocytogenes contamination can occur throughout the supply chain, contamination from the packinghouse environment represents a particular challenge and has been linked to outbreaks and recalls. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, persistence, and diversity of L. monocytogenes and other species of Listeria in produce packinghouses. A longitudinal study was performed in 11 packinghouses (whose commodities included microgreen, peach, apple, tomato, broccoli, cauliflower, and cucumber) in three U.S. states. In each packinghouse, 34 to 47 sites representing zones 2 to 4 were selected and swabbed. Packinghouses were visited four times over the packing season, and samples were tested for Listeria by following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Bacteriological Analytical Manual methods. Presumptive Listeria-positive isolates were confirmed by PCR. Species and allelic type (AT) were identified by sigB sequencing for up to eight isolates per sample. Among 1,588 samples tested, 50 (3.2%), 42 (2.7%), and 10 (0.6%) samples were positive for L. monocytogenes only, Listeria spp. (excluding L. monocytogenes) only, and both L. monocytogenes and Listeria spp., respectively. Five species of Listeria (L. monocytogenes, L. innocua, L. seeligeri, L. welshimeri, and L. marthii) were identified, and L. monocytogenes was the most prevalent species. The 102 Listeria-positive samples yielded 128 representative isolates (i.e., defined as isolates from a given sample with a different AT). Approximately 21% (21 of 102) of the Listeria-positive samples contained two or more ATs. A high AT diversity (0.95 Simpson's diversity index) was observed among Listeria isolates. There were three cases of L. monocytogenes or Listeria spp. repeated isolation (site testing positive at least twice) based on AT data. Data from this study also support the importance of drain and moisture management, because Listeria were most prevalent in samples collected from drain, cold storage, and wet nonfood contact surface sites.
Controlling Their Own Destiny: Latin American Agency in the Context of US Hegemony

This essay reviews the following works: Contemporary U.S.-Latin American Relations: Cooperation or Conflict in the 21st Century? Edited by Jorge I. Dominguez and Rafael Fernandez de Castro. 2nd revised edition. New York: Routledge, 2016. Pp. xiv + 309. $49.95 paperback. ISBN: 9781138786325. Beyond the Eagle’s Shadow: New Histories of Latin America’s Cold War. Edited by Virginia Garrard-Burnett, Mark Atwood Lawrence, and Julio E. Moreno. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2013. Pp. viii + 341. $55.00 hardcover. ISBN: 9780826353689. The Third Century: U.S.-Latin American Relations since 1889. By Mark T. Gilderhus, David C. LaFevor, and Michael J. LaRosa. 2nd revised edition. Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield, 2017. Pp. xiii + 303. $39.95 paperback. ISBN: 9781442257160. Latin America Confronts the United States: Asymmetry and Influence. By Tom Long. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2015. Pp. xi + 260. $29.99 paperback. ISBN: 9781107547056. Cooperation and Hegemony in US-Latin American Relations: Revisiting the Western Hemisphere Idea. Edited by Juan Pablo Scarfi and Andrew R. Tillman. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2016. Pp. ix + 260. $119.99 hardcover. ISBN: 9781137510730. Latin America in International Politics: Challenging US Hegemony. By Joseph S. Tulchin. Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner, 2016. Pp. vii + 235. $65.00 hardcover. ISBN: 9781626374485.
SEPIOLITE AND CLINOPTILOLITE FROM THE MIDATLANTIC RIDGE.

Abstract : Sepiolite has been found in samples dredged from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The mineral is intimately associated with laminated clay and coccolith ooze, both containing clinoptilolite; one sample contained chert. Serpentine was recovered in the same dredge, but the sepiolite seems to have formed by the reaction of Mg in solution with SiO2 liberated during alteration of silicic volcanic ash, rather than by direct alteration of the serpentine. (Author)
How Does Intersectionality Impact Work Attitudes? The Effect of Layered Group Memberships in a Field Sample

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of identifying with multiple minority statuses on workplace experiences. Specifically, we sought to determine how holding multiple minority statuses affects job attitudes, depending on how many and which minority statuses one holds. Using an archival dataset of nearly 6,000,000 employees from multiple organizations, we examined a subset of diverse respondents’ perceptions of supervisor effectiveness, organizational effectiveness, satisfaction with pay, satisfaction with growth opportunities, and perceptions of diversity climate. Results suggest that multiple minority statuses generally do not have a straightforward additive effect (i.e., having a greater number of minority statuses does not necessarily relate to a decrease in job attitudes). Instead, the results suggest a multiplicative approach in that minority statuses intersect to impact job attitudes, and some intersecting group memberships exert stronger effects than others. Findings from this study contribute to our understanding of the effects of different combinations of minority statuses on job attitudes, as well as a stronger understanding of the impact of intersectionality in the workplace in general.
Presidential Progress on Climate Change: Will the Courts Interfere With What Needs to Be Done to Save Our Planet?

The Biden Administration is undertaking numerous actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition away from fossil fuels as part of the fight against climate change. Many of these actions are likely to be challenged in court. This paper describes the various legal theories that are likely to be used in these challenges, assesses their prospects of success given the current composition of the Supreme Court, and suggests ways to minimize the risks.
Productivity, conversion ability, and biochemical composition of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae fed with sweet potato, spent coffee or dough

Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae (BSFL) is a sustainable protein and lipid source in the diets of terrestrial and aquatic animals. This is largely due to their ability to thrive on various waste products, but the food type greatly influences their productivity and nutritional value. In this study, BSFL (initial mean weight = 0.11 g) were fed sweet potato, spent coffee or dough for two weeks and the survival, growth, feed efficiency, and biochemical composition were assessed. The best bioconversion/material reduction was from dough. The dough also produced significantly larger/heavier BSF, but a significantly lower percentage of pre-pupae. Crude protein was significantly higher in BSFL fed spent coffee than either dough or sweet potato. Among the essential amino acids, leucine and valine in BSFL were significantly higher in the spent coffee or sweet potato compared to those fed dough. BSFL fed sweet potato had the highest percentage of lauric acid (C12), while both sweet potato and spent coffee elevated eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3), which is beneficial to terrestrial and aquatic animals. Although each substrate was high in carbohydrates, these produced BSFL with a high-quality protein content comparable or even superior than some plant-based proteins. Overall, sweet potato produced BSFL with the best nutritional profile while supporting their growth.
Exploring what stock markets tell us about GDP in theory and practice

Abstract This paper explores the stock market-GDP relationship from basic theory to simple empirics to better understand what stock market movements tell us about underlying GDP in real time. We present a simple theoretical model to make key relationships clear, then explore US GDP and US stock market (S&P 500) performance through a range of analytical tools from visual inspection to correlations, regressions, counting and extreme value calculations to a few illustrative narrative investigations. We find that the S&P 500 is weakly correlated with real GDP as well as with vintage GDP releases contemporaneous, but more strongly and statistically significantly with one lag as theory predicts. We also find that the S&P 500 is more closely related both contemporaneously and with a lag to final, revised GDP numbers - only known months later - than to vintage GDP estimates, suggesting that stock market trends are informative about true GDP.
The therapeutic potential of Physalis longifolia against various carcinomas

Abstract Our research highlights the nutraceutical potential of the fruits of Physalis longifolia Nutt. (Solanaceae) in antitumor therapy. Recently we reported the isolation of withaferin A, along with 22 other withanolides from the aerial parts of P. longifolia . Herein, we present our biological, ethnobotanical, and phytochemical investigations on the edible fruit (known as “wild tomatillo” or “long leaf groundcherry”) of the species. Specifically, dried fruit extract was examined for its chemical composition and biological activity. Explorative chromatography analysis of the fruit extract indicated the presence of withaferin A, which was further confirmed by subsequent HPLC analysis. The therapeutic potential of orally administered fruit extract was also investigated, where gavage treatment induced a 60% volume reduction in triple negative breast carcinomas (MDA-MB-468LN) in an experimental mouse model. This encouraging data indicate the potential of P. longifolia fruits as a dietary supplement, while also supporting the previously reported pharmaceutical potency of semi-synthetic withalongolide derivatives as promising chemotherapeutic candidates for antitumor therapies.
The Detritus of Troxel

This essay addresses the aftermath of the United States Supreme Court's decision in Troxel v. Granville,1 which the Court decided some six years ago as of this writing. It will be recalled that Troxel addressed the constitutionality of the grandparent visitation statute of the State of Washington.2 The Court in Troxel affirmed the decision of the Washington Supreme Court and held that the state statute, as applied, unconstitutionally infringed on "the fundamental right of parents to make decisions concerning the care, custody, and control of their children."3 A fresh look at Troxel certainly has a place in a symposium such as this, which examines legal issues that arise with respect to the rights of third par ties in their relationships with children in several contexts. Accordingly, Part II of this essay sets out and discusses briefly the facts and several opinions in the case. Part III examines state statutes relating to grandpar ent visitation that were in effect long before the decision in Troxel and ways in which state courts reacted to those statutes. Then, in Part IV, the essay evaluates the impact of Troxel on the law of grandparent visitation.
The rune-stone Ã–g 31 and an â€œelegiacâ€ trope in Sonatorrek

The two interpretations of the poetic coda on the rune-stone A–stergotlands runinskrifter 31 are criticized and a compromise using elements of both is offered. Parallels for all readings are sought among runic inscriptions and traditional literature. Sonatorrek 4 supports the new interpretation with an elegiac topos. As a whole the newÂ interpretation and its parallels contribute to a literary understanding of memorial stones.
Insights from telecom port conducted emission measurements

This paper discusses both the practice of measuring conducted emissions on telecommunication ports, and the insights that can be gained when making such measurements.
Cyclic polar codes

Arikan introduced polar codes in 2009 and proved that they achieve the symmetric capacity, under low-complexity successive cancellation decoding, of any binary-input discrete memoryless channel. Arikan's construction is based on the Kronecker product of 2-by-2 matrices and it was extended to larger matrices by Sasoglu et al. in 2010. In this paper, we construct cyclic polar codes based on a mixed-radix Cooley-Tukey decomposition of the Galois field Fourier transform. Ignoring the twiddle factors between stages, the derived fast Fourier transform is essentially a Kronecker product of small Fourier transform matrices. Thus, one can define a successive cancellation decoder and observe that the coordinate channels polarize. Choosing the locations of the frozen symbols in the resulting polar code is identical to choosing the locations of zeros in the Fourier transform of the codewords and, thus, the code is cyclic.
Surface Evolution of Venus

This chapter contains short descriptions of material units and structures observed on the surface of Venus as well as an abbreviated history of discoveries, that led to the current knowledge of this planet's geology. It is shown that observed units and structures are broadly similar and commonly exhibit similar age sequences in different regions of the planet, although there is debate as to what degree these sequences can be integrated into any single global stratigraphic model. There is a broad consensus concerning the recent general geodynamic style of Venus (no plate tectonics), on the dominating role of basaltic volcanism in the observed crust-forming processes, and on the significant roles of both compressional and extensional tectonic deformation. Also not under debate is that we see the morphologic record of only the last ∼1 b.y. (or less) of the history of this planet and that during this time period the role of exogenic resurfacing was very minor. Several important unresolved questions of Venus geology are formulated and suggestions for future missions, that could lead to resolving them are given.
Asia as Part of Japan

Phil Hanson explores how Japanese manufacturers are embracing the capabilities of the fast-growing newly industrialised Asian countries.
Rabbit uterine contractile activity in the presence of an intrauterine device.

Abstract Rabbit uterine contractile activity patterns in the presence of an intrauterine device (IUD) were monitored with extraluminal contractile force transducers. These patterns were recorded daily during estrus, immediately following coitus, and through the first 16 days postcoitus. The IUD induced local fetal degeneration. Extraluminal contractile force transducers influenced neither nidation nor normal fetal development. Smaller decreases in uterine motility were recorded from the IUD containing horn during the first 6 days and subsequent 10 days postcoitus.
A sample-path approach to stochastic games

Two-person zero-sum stochastic games with finite state and action spaces are considered. The expected average payoff criterion is used for multichain structures. In the special case in which only one player controls the transitions, it is shown that the optimal stationary policies and the value of the game can be obtained from the optimal solutions to a pair of dual linear programs. A decomposition algorithm which produces such optimal stationary policies for both players is given. In the case in which both players control the transitions, a generalized game is obtained, the solution of which gives the optimal policies. >
Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease Produces Chronic Hip Synovitis and Elevation of Interleukin-6 in the Synovial Fluid

Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (LCPD) is a childhood hip disorder of ischemic osteonecrosis of the femoral head. Hip joint synovitis is a common feature of LCPD, but the nature and pathophysiology of the synovitis remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the chronicity of the synovitis and the inflammatory cytokines present in the synovial fluid at an active stage of LCPD. Serial MRI was performed on 28 patients. T2-weighted and gadolinium-enhanced MR images were used to assess synovial effusion and synovial enhancement (hyperemia) over time. A multiple-cytokine assay was used to determine the levels of 27 inflammatory cytokines and related factors present in the synovial fluid from 13 patients. MRI analysis showed fold increases of 5.0 ± 3.3 and 3.1 ± 2.1 in the synovial fluid volume in the affected hip compared to the unaffected hip at the initial and the last follow-up MRI, respectively. The mean duration between the initial and the last MRI was 17.7 ± 8.3 months. The volume of enhanced synovium on the contrast MRI was increased 16.5 ± 8.5 fold and 6.3 ± 5.6 fold in the affected hip compared to the unaffected hip at the initial MRI and the last follow-up MRI, respectively. In the synovial fluid of the affected hips, IL-6 protein levels were significantly increased (LCPD: 509 ± 519 pg/mL, non-LCPD: 19 ± 22 pg/mL; p = 0.0005) on the multi-cytokine assay. Interestingly, IL-1β and TNF-α levels were not elevated. In the active stage of LCPD, chronic hip synovitis and significant elevation of IL-6 are produced in the synovial fluid. Further studies are warranted to investigate the role of IL-6 on the pathophysiology of synovitis in LCPD and how it affects bone healing. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Prenatal Iron Supplements Impair Zinc Absorption in Pregnant Peruvian Women

Prenatal iron supplements may adversely influence zinc absorption during pregnancy. To examine the impact of prenatal iron supplements on supplemental zinc absorption, fractional zinc absorption was measured in 47 pregnant Peruvian women during the third trimester of pregnancy (33 +/- 1 wk gestation). Of these 47 women, 30 received daily prenatal supplements from wk 10-24 of pregnancy until delivery. Supplements contained 60 mg of Fe and 250 microg of folate without [iron group (Fe), n = 16] or with [iron and zinc supplemented group (Fe + Zn), n = 14] 15 mg of Zn. The remaining 17 women [unsupplemented control group (C)] received no prenatal supplementation. Zinc concentrations were measured in plasma, urine and cord blood and percentage zinc absorption was determined following dosing with oral ((67)Zn) and intravenous ((70)Zn) stable zinc isotopes. Percentage zinc absorption was significantly lower than controls in fasting women receiving iron- containing prenatal supplements (20.5 +/- 6.4 vs. 20.2 +/- 4.6 vs. 47.0 +/- 12.6%, Fe, Fe + Zn and C groups, respectively, P: < 0.0001, n = 40). Plasma zinc concentrations were also significantly lower in the Fe group compared to the C group (8.2 +/- 2.2 vs. 9.2 +/- 2.2 vs. 10.9 +/- 1. 8 micromol/L, Fe, Fe + Zn and C groups, respectively, P: = 0.002), and cord zinc concentrations were significantly related to maternal plasma Zn levels (y = 6.383 + 0.555x, r = 0.486, P: = 0.002). The inclusion of zinc in prenatal supplements may reduce the potential for iron supplements to adversely influence zinc status in populations at risk for deficiency of both these nutrients.
68.1: Invited Paper: Transparent Electronics — Display Applications?

Transparent thin-film transistors (TTFTs) and transparent circuits are a very recent development. Will they prove useful for display applications? The intent of this contribution is to first provide an brief introductory overview of transparent electronics, and to then discuss several different display applications.
Glia: much more than the neuron's side-kick

Collectively, these examples suggest that any brain function, traditionally considered to be regulated solely by neuron–neuron communication, could involve glial cells. The inclusion of this new dimension to neural circuitry is gradually shifting long-standing neurocentric perspectives on how the brain works. With the growing realization that glial cells are active participants in nervous system function, a new area of neuroscience has emerged, in which there is much to explore and re-explore.
Steinway: A Case of ‘Reputation by Design’

Some innovations gain attention overnight. They seem to embody that which is new and functional, efficient and effective, and currently ‘in’. There is often a question, however, as to how long these sorts of innovations will actually endure. Moreover, if they do, it is also often unclear as to what it is about them that enables them to establish a reputation that extends beyond the short term. Yet somehow and for some products, a fine reputation not only emerges but becomes institutionalized. What are the elements of this reputation-generating process? How does it occur? We use the Steinway & Sons case to explore this issue.
Comparison of fentanyl and morphine in laser surgery for retinopathy of prematurity

Purpose To compare complication rates of the analgesics fentanyl and morphine in preterm infants undergoing laser therapy for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Methods In this observational study, the medical records of consecutive preterm neonates undergoing laser treatment of ROP from June 2007 through September 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Because a fentanyl-based infusion protocol was initiated in November 2009, there was approximately the same number of treatment sessions with morphine and with fentanyl. In both groups, midazolam was used additionally on a case-by-case basis. Analgesia type, complications, and vital signs were documented at 5-minute intervals for all surgeries. The primary outcome was change in ventilation status. Secondary complications included change in temperature and incidence of apneic, bradycardic, and desaturation events. Results A total of 35 patients were included, with 17 in the morphine group (mean gestational age, 24.8 weeks; mean birth weight, 661 g) and 18 in the fentanyl group (mean gestational age, 24.4 weeks; mean birth weight, 681 g). Overall worsening of ventilation status was noted in 29% of patients in the morphine group and 6% of patients in the fentanyl group ( P = 0.08; 95% confidence interval, −2% to 48%). Temperature instability (outside of 36.5° to 37.4°C range) was noted in 6% of patients in the morphine group and no patients in the fentanyl group. Apneic events were 3.2 times more common and bradycardic events 1.5 times more common in the morphine group. Conclusions We found no difference in safety parameters for fentanyl infusion or morphine for analgesia in preterm infants undergoing ROP laser therapy in the neonatal intensive care unit setting. Although estimates of complication rates suggest that fentanyl may be safer, further study is needed to confirm this premise.
Oxygen uptake model for uncoated and coated peanuts

Mechanistic models for oxygen consumption due to lipid oxidation of peanuts with and without whey protein coatings were developed. An apparent zero/first order kinetics model was found to best describe the oxygen uptake of uncoated peanuts in a closed system. Apparent oxygen permeability of the coatings on the nut meat was found to be higher than oxygen permeability of cast films. Differences in film forming conditions between cast films and coatings were thought to be responsible for the apparent increase in oxygen permeability.
Aspergillus allergy and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in cystic fibrosis

We have found allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in 8.6% of 105 children with cystic fibrosis (CF). Its development was significantly associated with colonisation of the respiratory tract by Pseudomonas aeroginosa but not necessarily by the use of nebulised antibiotics. At the same time, 30% of the 105 CF children had A. fumigatus growing in their sputum, 30% had positive prick skin tests to A. fumigatus, 23% had a positive IgE antibody to A. fumigatus and 19% positive A. fumigatus precipitins (IgG antibodies). All of these features were significantly associated with the use of nebulised antibiotics but more strongly associated with Pseudomonas colonisation. It is possible that the Pseudomonas facilitates sensitisation to A. fumigatus or, alternatively, that A. fumigatus facilitates colonisation by Pseudomonas. Both hypotheses require investigation.
FRECUENCIA DE INFECCIÓN POR TRICHOMONAS VAGINALIS EN ATENCIÓN PRIMARIA DE SALUD

RESUMENLa tricomoniasis es transmitida sexualmente y favorecida por la promiscuidad. Para conocer la frecuen-cia de infeccion por Trichomonas vaginalis en atencion primaria, se realizo un analisis descriptivo retros-pectivo de los resultados de flujos vaginales (1994-1995, 1998-2004). El 6,8% de las consultantes resultopositiva, la mayor frecuencia se presento en los rangos de edad: 21-30 anos (30,4%) y 11-20 anos (24,6%).El 2,9% de los flujos vaginales positivos correspondio a menores de edad (0-10 anos). Enero y Julio sonlos meses de mayor frecuencia de infeccion. El motivo de consulta mas frecuente fue leucorrea (29,9%)y la etiologia tricomoniasica se presento en 7,8% de ellas. Se observa un descenso progresivo de latricomoniasis a diferencia del aumento general de las enfermedades de transmision sexual en Chile.PALABRAS CLAVES: Trichomonas vaginalis, enfermedades de transmision sexual,atencion primariaSUMMARYThe trichomoniasis is transmitted sexually and favored by promiscuity. To know the infection frequencyfor Trichomonas vaginalis in primary attention, was carried out a retrospective descriptive analysis of theresults of vaginal flows (1994-1995, 1998-2004). 6.8% of the consultants was positive, the biggest frequencywas presented in the age ranges 21-30 years old (30.4%) and 11-20 years old (24.6%). 2.9% of the positivevaginal flows corresponded to infants lower than 10 years old. January and July are the months of moreinfection frequency. The reason for more frequent consultation was leucorrhea (29.9%) and thetrichomoniasis etiology was presented in 7.8% of them. A progressive descent of the trichomoniasis isobserved contrary to the general increase of the sexually transmitted diseases in Chile.KEY WORDS: Trichomonas vaginalis, sexually transmitted diseases, primary attention
Chemical Etiology of Nucleic Acid Structure: Comparing Pentopyranosyl-(2'→4') Oligonucleotides with RNA

All four members of the family of pentopyranosyl-(2′→4′) oligonucleotide systems that contain β-ribo-, β-xylo-, α-lyxo-, or α-arabinopyranosyl units as repeating sugar building blocks are found to be much stronger Watson-Crick base-pairing systems than RNA. The α-arabinopyranosyl system is the strongest of all and in fact belongs to the strongest oligonucleotide base-pairing systems known. Whatever the chemical determinants by which nature selected RNA as a genetic system, maximization of base-pairing strengths within the domain of pentose-derived oligonucleotide systems was not the critical selection criterion.