cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Epidemiological Analysis of Gonorrhea in Shanshui District of Foshan City from 2003 to 2008

[Objectives]To study the epidemic trend of gonorrhea in Shanshui district of Foshan city,provide scientific evidence for making strategy of prevention and control of gonorrhea.[Methods]Epidemic data of gonorrhea in Shanshui district from 2003 to 2008 was analyzed.[Results]From 2003 to 2008,the annual incidence of gonorrhea was 45.44/100 000,55.46/100 000,47.52/100 000,62.55/100 000,43.25/100 000 and 36.87/100 000,respectively,the highest incidence occurred in 2006,followed by 2004,and showed a decline tendency since 2007.Area distribution showed that most of cases emerged in southwest town.There was no seasonal peak,and peak age was 20~44 years old.The male morbidity was significantly higher than female morbidity.Occupational distribution showed that occupations were workers,farmers and laborer in 2003 and 2004,and laborer was majority during 2005—2008,followed by workers and farmers,most of them had low-education background.Most gonorrhea patients were married,and main sources of infection was non-marital sexual contact,accounted for 69.82%.[Conclusion]Gonorrhea is still the dominant disease of STD in this district,and the effective measures should be adopted to control the transmission and spread of gonorrhea.
Solution Processed Titanyl Phthalocyanines as Donors in Solar Cells: Photoresponse to 1000 nm

We report a route to thin-film polymorphs of soluble TiOPc derivatives that exhibit similar near-IR absorptivities as vapor deposited thin-films of the parent TiOPc chromophore (phase-I and phase-II polymorphs) and demonstrate that solution-processed planar and bulk heterojunction solar cells fabricated with one of these derivatives exhibited photoactivity throughout the same near-IR wavelength range without compromising VOC. Solution-processed thin-films of soluble octakis(alkylthio)-substituted TiOPc derivatives 1–3 exhibit absorption extending to 1000 nm. When incorporated into OPV devices, the contributions from the lowest CT excitonic state (QB band) of 1 to device performance were evident in both PHJ and BHJ architectures, indicating sufficient driving force for PIET. This contribution was improved via intimate mixing of donor and acceptor molecules in a BHJ architecture, albeit with a decrease in efficiency. IPCE of the best performing BHJ device revealed a contribution from 1 exceeding that of acc...
Error budgets for quality management--practical tools for planning and assuring the analytical quality of laboratory testing processes.

Analytical quality is often assumed, rather than being assured or guaranteed. Given that it is still essential that laboratories produce reliable test results, managers must continue to improve their skills in analytical quality management. This paper shows managers how to use error budgets and charts of operating specifications (?OPSpecs? charts) to select appropriate control rules and numbers of control measurements, taking into account the analytical or clinical quality required for a test and the imprecision and inaccuracy observed for a method. With currently available tools and a little practice, quality control (QC) procedures can be selected quickly and easily, in just 1 minute or less. Future technology is expected to automate the QC selection process and provide dynamic quality control.
Asymmetry Effects of Exchange Rate Changes on Domestic Production: Evidence from Nonlinear ARDL Approach†

Currency depreciation is said to have positive or negative effects on domestic production. Previous studies that tried to address this issue using Australian data have been inconclusive at best but mostly showed no effects. One common feature of all studies is that they have assumed that the effects of exchange rate changes are symmetric. In this paper, we use the concept of partial sum and separate appreciations from depreciations to test whether the effects are symmetric or asymmetric. Application of the nonlinear ARDL approach of Shin et al. (2014) reveals that indeed the effects of changes in the real effective exchange rate of the Australian dollar are asymmetric in the short run as well as in the long run. While in the short run both appreciations and depreciations affect Australian domestic production, only effects of appreciation last into the long run, a unique finding.
Polar bear management in a digital Arctic: Inuit perspectives across the web

Many geographers have recently shifted their attention to critical explorations of the politics enabled by emerging forms of digital technologies. Unfortunately, analyses of how indigenous peoples are engaging these technologies have been largely absent from the new research agenda. This paper argues that digital politics offer both opportunities for empowerment and dangers of assimilation for indigenous peoples. The contradictory potential for engaging with the internet is therefore not dissimilar from the outcomes of indigenous engagements with other Western tools and institutions. The paper builds this argument through a critical discourse analysis of Inuit and non-Inuit discussions of polar bear management in the Canadian Arctic across five different websites. Based on this analysis the paper argues that more research is needed on indigenous engagements with the web, to better understand how indigenous peoples are developing digital tactics to take advantage of the benefits, and minimize the dangers, of its political potential. La gestion de l'ours polaire dans l'Arctique a l'ere numerique : regards des Inuits sur l'internet De nombreux geographes realisent aujourd'hui des analyses critiques portant sur les options politiques qui decoulent des nouvelles formes de technologies numeriques. Pourtant, la maniere dont les populations autochtones utilisent ces technologies fait rarement l'objet des programmes de recherche recents. Cet article defend l'idee que les options politiques numeriques contribuent a l'autonomisation des populations autochtones, mais les exposent aussi a un risque d'assimilation. Le recours a internet fait apparaitre des contradictions qui rappellent celles que suscite l'usage par des personnes autochtones des outils et institutions propres a l'Occident. Cet argument que fait valoir l'article repose sur une analyse critique du discours inherent aux discussions qu'entretiennent les Inuits et les non-Inuits sur cinq sites Web differents au sujet de la gestion canadienne de l'ours polaire dans l'Arctique. Il ressort de cette analyse qu'on devrait poursuivre des recherches complementaires sur le recours par des personnes autochtones a internet en vue d'eclairer la maniere dont les populations autochtones deploient des tactiques numeriques pour profiter des avantages de son potentiel politique tout en evitant les ecueils.
Regulation of Immune Responses by CD38 and cADPR

CD38 was identified more than 20 years ago as a cell surface protein expressed on leukocyte subsets [1, 2]. Over the last decade, antibodies to human CD38 have been used to classify tumors from Multiple Myeloma [3, 4] and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia patients [5, 6], to identify which HIV+ patients will develop AIDS [7] and to subset a variety of leukocyte populations including hematopoietic progenitors [8, 9], germinal center B cells [10, 11] and regulatory T cells [12, 13]. However, despite the clear utility of using anti-CD38 antibodies as diagnostic and prognostic tools, it was unclear whether CD38 itself played an important functional role on normal lymphocytes. Since CD38 is expressed on the plasma membrane, it was postulated that CD38 was involved in leukocyte signaling or adhesion [14-16]. Although numerous experiments demonstrated that antibody mediated crosslinking of CD38 activated a variety of different signaling pathways in lymphocytes (reviewed in ref. [17, 18]), it was unclear how CD38 initiated signal transduction since the cytoplasmic tail of CD38 does not contain any known signaling motifs [2, 19].
Using Time-Resolved Resonance Raman Spectroscopy to Map the Reaction Pathway for Enzyme-Substrate Transients

Because of its ability to relate structural and dynamical details for short-lived species, time-resolved resonance Raman spectroscopy can help solve one of the major problems in modern biochemistry — the way in which enzymes work. One strategy in the use of the RR approach is to create a unique chromophore at the time and place of catalysis — as the enzyme and substrate come together in the active site. This allows us to focus on the critical region of a large molecular complex at the critical time.
Metrics from in-home sensor data to assess gait change due to weighted vest therapy☆

Abstract A set of metrics and a methodology were developed to characterize a subject's ability to ambulate. These metrics use the movement of the subject's centroid as detected by an inexpensive depth camera system. The centroid is chosen as it is less sensitive to cluttered environments typically found in a person's home. Three classes of metrics focusing on three major categories of motion were developed. The first class measures fundamental characteristics of movement in three directions. The second class focuses on measuring the walk's entropy. The third class uses periodicity in the subject's motion to deduce temporal gait parameters including stride length. Metrics are validated and compared to existing Fall Risk Assessments (FRA's). While results show strong correlation to many FRA's, not every subject has the same relationships between metrics and FRA's suggesting a unique “fingerprint” of metrics associated with a subject and/or their condition. The methodology was tested using a group of subjects undergoing Balance Wear Therapy targeting sensory inputs to improve balance control. The ability of the metrics to detect changes in the subject's ambulation when the vest is either put on, or taken off was also explored. Results show sufficient sensitivity to detect changes when the vest is donned and doffed. Many effects are not seen immediately, but over 2–4 h following donning or doffing the vest. Results also demonstrate the ability, using the size of the analysis window, to focus on the time required for the effects of each metric to change.
Lipidomic dysregulation within the lung parenchyma following whole-thorax lung irradiation: Markers of injury, inflammation and fibrosis detected by MALDI-MSI.

Radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) is a delayed effect of acute radiation exposure that can limit curative cancer treatment therapies and cause lethality following high-dose whole-thorax lung irradiation (WTLI). To date, the exact mechanisms of injury development following insult remain ill-defined and there are no FDA approved pharmaceutical agents or medical countermeasures. Traditionally, RILI development is considered as three phases, the clinically latent period, the intermediate acute pneumonitis phase and the later fibrotic stage. Utilizing matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry imaging, we identified a number of lipids that were reflective of disease state or injury. Lipids play central roles in metabolism and cell signaling, and thus reflect the phenotype of the tissue environment, making these molecules pivotal biomarkers in many disease processes. We detected decreases in specific surfactant lipids irrespective of the different pathologies that presented within each sample at 180 days post whole-thorax lung irradiation. We also detected regional increases in ether-linked phospholipids that are the precursors of PAF, and global decreases in lipids that were reflective of severe fibrosis. Taken together our results provide panels of lipids that can differentiate between naive and irradiated samples, as well as providing potential markers of inflammation and fibrosis.
Automated Macromodelling for Simulation of Signals and Noise in Mixed-Signal/RF Systems

During the design of electronic circuits and systems, particularly those for RF communications, the need to abstract a subsystem from a greater level of detail to one at a lower level of detail arises frequently. One important application is to generate simple, yet accurate, system-level macromodels that capture circuit-level non-idealities such as distortion. In recent years, computational (“algorithmic”) techniques have been developed that are capable of automating this abstraction process for broad classes of differential-equationbased systems (including nonlinear ones). In this paper, we review the main ideas and techniques behind such algorithmic macromodelling methods.
Road to High-Performance 3D ICs: Performance Optimization Methodologies for Monolithic 3D ICs

As we approach the limits of 2D device scaling, monolithic 3D IC (M3D) has emerged as a potential solution offering performance and power benefits. Although various studies have been done to increase power savings of M3D designs, efforts to improve their performance are rarely made. In this paper, we, for the first time, perform in-depth analysis of the factors that affect the performance of M3D, and present methodologies to improve the performance. Our methodologies outperform the state-of-the-art M3D design flow by offering 15.6% performance improvement and 16.2% energy-delay product (EDP) benefit over 2D designs.
Glaucoma Monitoring Using Manifold Learning and Unsupervised Clustering

We developed an artificial-intelligence-enabled software for monitoring eyes with glaucoma using manifold learning and unsupervised clustering. A total of 31,591 visual fields (VF) measurements from 8,077 subjects were acquired using the Humphrey Field Analyzers instrument. The two locations closest to the blind spot were excluded from each VF. The number of remaining VFs were 13,231 with 52 VF test locations (features). We first applied principal component analysis (PCA) to linearly reduce the number of dimensions from 52 to four significant principal components. We then developed a manifold learning algorithm to identify VFs with similar patterns of VF loss. Manifold learning preserved the local characteristics of the input principal components and nonlinearly reduced the dimensions further. Finally, we developed an unsupervised density-based clustering to identify clusters at different stages of glaucoma as well as different patterns of VF loss. We evaluated the quality of learning using both subjective visualization of clusters and objective validation using global VF parameters including mean deviation (MD) and pattern standard deviation (PSD). The proposed tool could be highly useful in clinical practice and glaucoma research for monitoring and staging glaucoma.
MO‐A‐110‐01: CR/DR Image Noise ‐ Part 1

Image noise in radiographs has been classically appreciated as the visual appearance of quantum mottle. Simple statistical models suggest that low contrast target features are visible when their size and contrast exceeds the noise fluctuations of background regions. The various contrast‐detail phantoms used to demonstrate this will be reviewed. However, quantitative measures of performance based on alternative choice observations from test patterns have lacked sensitivity as quality measures and are time consuming. In comparison, the Noise Power Spectrum (NPS) is easy to measure and provides useful information on low frequency noise as well as the noise texture. The framework for computing NPS will be summarized as background for the second part of this course. Learning Objectives: 1. Review the contrast‐detail test patterns that have been used to measureradiographic quality and understand their limitations, 2. Learn why first order measures of image noise, the spatial standard deviation, are NOT appropriate as a quality measure, and 3. Understand the computation framework for computing the NPS.
Efficient Uncertainty Quantification of Reservoir Properties for Parameter Estimation and Production Forecasting

Three levels of uncertainty and their impact on reservoir estimation and forecasting are examined: (1) definition of reservoir facies geometry derived from uncertain geologic and geophysical information; (2) non-uniqueness of identifying the permeability distribution through inverse parameter estimation using injection and production data; and (3) unknown, fine-scale spatial variation in the heterogeneous rock properties. Inverse parameter estimation with pilot points and kriging is used to create accurate estimates of the permeability field. Efficient sampling of the uncertainty space surrounding these estimates through both probability-field (p-field) simulation and sequential Gaussian simulation (sGs) is demonstrated using a test case reservoir with permeability dominated by a sand-shale, facies distribution. A geologic conceptual model, measured permeabilities at the wells and 2100 days of injection and production data are used to estimate the permeability distribution and create empirical prediction intervals for future production. Diversity of the estimated and sampled fields across all three levels of uncertainty is examined through multi-dimensional scaling. Sampled permeability fields provide precise and accurate parameter estimation from injection and production data. The sGs fields create a wider prediction interval and underestimate the true production rates relative to the p-field samples. For a given estimated variogram model, the p-field samples result in shorter ranges and lower nugget values relative to the sGs fields. Conditional sampling through p-field and sGs simulation provides greater diversity in the solution space than the parameter estimation alone for a fraction of the computational expense.
The Mother-Infant Interaction as a Regulator of Infant Physiology and Behavior

Parents and young are held together by some aspects of their interaction and tend to be in conflict over others. Resources are exchanged, shared, exploited, and given with apparent pleasure by one to the other. In addition, there is mounting evidence that this symbiosis involves an unexpected modification of the homeostatic organization of the infant, so that the regulation of the infant’s mileu interieur is partially delegated to processes within the relationship with its mother. In this way, the individual homeostatic organization of the infant is partially subordinated to the organization of the symbiosis during early postnatal development. We are familiar with such a state of affairs during the intrauterine period of mammals in the form of the placental circulation, but we do not ordinarily think of the parent-young interaction serving such purposes.
Iridium-Catalyzed Silylation of Five-Membered Heteroarenes: High Sterically Derived Selectivity from a Pyridyl-Imidazoline Ligand

The steric effects of substituents on five-membered rings are less pronounced than those on six-membered rings because of the difference in bond angles. Thus, the regioselectivities of reactions of five-membered heteroarenes that occur with selectivities dictated by steric effects, such as the borylation of C-H bonds, have been poor in many cases. We report that the silylation of five-membered-ring heteroarenes occurs with high sterically derived regioselectivity when catalyzed by the combination of [Ir(cod)(OMe)]2 (cod=1,5-cyclooctadiene) and a phenanthroline ligand or a new pyridyl-imidazoline ligand that further increases the regioselectivity. The silylation reactions with these catalysts produce high yields of heteroarylsilanes from functionalization at the most sterically accessible C-H bonds of these rings under conditions that the borylation of C-H bonds with previously reported catalysts formed mixtures of products or products that are unstable. The heteroarylsilane products undergo cross-coupling reactions and substitution reactions with ipso selectivity to generate heteroarenes that bear halogen, aryl, and perfluoroalkyl substituents.
Compartment Syndrome of the Hand Induced by Peripherally Extravasated Phenylephrine

Background: Compartment syndrome of the hand is a rare and devastating complication of peripheral intravenous extravasation. With changes in critical care research, vasoactive medications are now more frequently administered through peripheral lines in the acute setting. Methods: We present the case of a patient diagnosed with compartment syndrome of the hand secondary to phenylephrine extravasation in the setting of hypovolemic shock. Results: The use of fasciotomy compartment release and intraoperative phentolamine resulted in significant improvement in tissue perfusion postoperatively. Conclusion: With incraesed incidence of peripherally administered vasoactive medications, the hand surgeon should be aware of potential complications and treatment of compartment syndrome with urgent fasciotomy and phentolamine administration.
Effects of dietary components on intestinal permeability in health and disease

Altered intestinal permeability plays a role in many pathological conditions. Intestinal permeability is a component of the intestinal barrier. This barrier is a dynamic interface between the body and the food and pathogens that enter the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, dietary components can directly affect this interface, and many metabolites produced by the host enzymes or the gut microbiota can act as signaling molecules or exert direct effects on this barrier. Our aim was to examine the effects of diet components on the intestinal barrier in health and disease states. Herein, we conducted an in-depth PubMed search based on specific key words (diet, permeability, barrier, health, disease, and disorder), as well as cross references from those articles. The normal intestinal barrier consists of multiple components in the lumen, epithelial cell layer and the lamina propria. Diverse methods are available to measure intestinal permeability. We focus predominantly on human in vivo studies, and the literature is reviewed to identify dietary factors that decrease (e.g., emulsifiers, surfactants, and alcohol) or increase (e.g., fiber, short-chain fatty acids, glutamine, and vitamin D) barrier integrity. Effects of these dietary items in disease states, such as metabolic syndrome, liver disease, or colitis are documented as examples of barrier dysfunction in the multifactorial diseases. Effects of diet on intestinal barrier function are associated with precise mechanisms in some instances; further research of those mechanisms has potential to clarify the role of dietary interventions in treating diverse pathologic states.
The Effect of the SEC's Order Handling Rules on NASDAQ

We study the effect of the implementation of new Securities Exchange Commission Order Handling Rules--the Limit Order Display Rule, the Quote Rule, and the Actual Size Rule--on NASDAQ's (National Association of Security Dealers Automated Quotation) quoting and trading behavior. We find that the number of reported quotes increases and the bid-ask spread decreases following the implementation of the new rules. The decreased quoted depth associated with placement of individual investors' limit orders--the Limit Order Display Rule--outweighs the increased quoted depth associated with displaying institutional quotes--the Quote Rule. Further, the number of trade executions increases while the average trade size decreases. The volatility of trade-to-trade and midpoint returns decreases for the initial group of stocks subject to the rules, but not for the two subsequent groups.
A Phase II Study of Omacetaxine Mepesuccinate for Patients with Higher-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia after Failure of Hypomethylating Agents

Background: The outcome of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) after failure of hypomethylating agents (HMAs) failure is poor with a median overall survival (OS) of only 4-6 months. Omacetaxine mepesuccinate (OM) is safe and effective in myeloid malignancies but has not been studied in MDS with HMA failure. Methods: We conducted a phase II study of OM in patients with MDS or chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) who had previously failed or been intolerant to HMAs. Patients received OM at a dose of 1.25 mg/m2 subcutaneously every 12 hours for 3 consecutive days on a 4-7 week schedule. The primary endpoints were the overall response rate (ORR) and OS. Findings: Forty-two patients were enrolled with a median age of 76 years. The ORR was 33%. Patients with diploid cytogenetics were more likely to respond to OM than were those with cytogenetic abnormalities (58% versus 23%, respectively; P=0.03). Overall, the median OS was 7.5 months and 1-year OS rate was 25%. Patients with diploid cytogenetics had superior OS to those with cytogenetic abnormalities (median OS 14.8 versus 6.8 months, respectively; P=0.01). Two patients had ongoing response to OM of 2 years or longer (both MDS with diploid cytogenetics and RUNX1 mutation). The most common grade â‰¥3 adverse events were infections in 11 patients (26%), febrile neutropenia in 4 (10%), and hemorrhage in 3 (7%). Interpretation: Overall, OM was safe and active in patients with MDS or CMML who experienced HMA failure. These results support the further development of OM in this setting. Clinical Trial Registry: The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with the identifier NCT02159872. Funding: This trial was funded by the MD Anderson Cancer Center Support Grant CA016672. Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest: The authors report no relevant conflicts of interest. Ethics Approval Statement: This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Hybrid machining and finishing processes

Abstract This chapter discusses different kinds of hybrid machining and finishing processes that are being developed to meet the continuous upcoming challenges as regards to shape, size, and special application requirements of products. Hybrid machining processes have been broadly classified into assisted, simultaneous, or mixed, and sequential processes of two or more physical processes and/or phenomena. Both conventional (i.e., drilling, milling) and nonconventional (i.e., laser abrasion, electrical discharge machining) machining processes can be combined for hybridization. Various hybrid and sequential machining processes, both conventional and nonconventional, have been discussed with the working principle, specific advantages and disadvantages over a single process, and applications in the manufacturing field. The chapter discusses the requirements and steps that need to be taken into consideration to pull up hybrid machining system and the existing obstacles on the way of doing so. The chapter also recommends future research directions in the areas of hybrid machining and finishing as well as the future significance of hybrid machining in research and industrial fields.
Selection, experience, and disadvantage: Examining sources of health inequalities among naturalized US citizens.

Abstract Objectives We integrated major theories in immigrant health and assimilation into a single analytical framework to quantify the degrees to which demographic composition, pathways to citizenship, and socioeconomic assimilation account for physical and mental health disparities between naturalized immigrants by region of origin. Methods Using the restricted data from the 2015–2016 California Health Interview Survey, we decomposed differences in physical and mental health into demographic factors, path to citizenship, and socioeconomic characteristics by region of origin using the Karlson, Holm, and Breen (KHB) method. Results Differences in socioeconomic status mediated most of the disparity in physical health between naturalized immigrants from different regions. Factors associated with major immigrant health theories—demographic composition, pathways to citizenship, and socioeconomic assimilation—did not mediate disparities in mental health. Conclusion This article argues that the study of health disparities among immigrants must simultaneously account for differences in demographic composition, immigration experience, and socioeconomic disadvantage. The findings also underscore the need for theory development that can better explain mental health disparities among immigrants.
Do drains help reduce the risk of complications after thoracoplasties in posterior spinal fusions for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

PURPOSE In adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), the rib prominence is a major cosmetic concern which can be improved using thoracoplasties. We sought to determine if the use of deep drains helps minimize the development of pleural effusions after thoracoplasties. METHODS Retrospective study of 45 patients with AIS undergoing posterior spinal fusion (PSF) and thoracoplasties. RESULTS Thirty six out of 45 patients (80.0%) required placement of a deep surgical drain, and 16 out of 45 (35.6%) developed pleural effusions after PSF with concomitant thoracoplasty. Of the 16 patients who developed pleural effusion, 12 of 36 (33.3%) required a placement of a deep drain (p > 0.05). Of the total 45 patients in this cohort, 3 patients (6.7%) required chest tubes, and 4 patients (8.9%) developed surgical site infections (SSIs). We found that deep drains were associated with a lower incidence of SSI (2.8% vs 33.3%; p = 0.021). Patients who had a pleural effusion had longer ICU stays (p = 0.037) and longer requirements of nasal oxygen (p = 0.025). DISCUSSION The presence of a pleural effusion in patients with AIS undergoing PSF with thoracoplasty was associated with longer oxygen requirements and length of hospital ICU admission. Thirty six percent of patients with thoracoplasties developed pleural effusions, but deep subfascial drains did not significantly decrease the incidence of pleural effusions.
Identifying Risk-Adjusted Indifference Rents for Alternative Operating Leases

For some time real estate operating leases have been available to lessees and lessors which have alternative schemes for allocating the purchasing power risk embedded in the rent and operating expe...
Gram‐type Positive Bacteria

Gram-type positive bacteria, composed of the two phyla Firmicutes and Actinobacteria, are characterized by the presence of a thick peptidoglycan layer and the absence of lipopolysaccharide and an outer membrane. Though closely related phylogenetically, these bacteria are diverse in habitat, metabolism and medical and industrial importance. Although not observed for all, the Firmicutes (low G+C mol% group) represent endospore-formers while the Actinobacteria (high G+C mol% group) taxa form actinospores (Actinoplanes), conidiospores (Streptomyces) or hyphae-fragmentation into short cells without formation of conidia (Nocardia). Keywords: Gram-type; bacteria; clostridia; bacilli
Shakespeare and Animal Studies

This article examines the evolution of criticism that focuses on the representation of animals in Shakespeare. While animals have always been a topic of interest to Shakespeare critics, recent decades have seen the emergence of a coherent body of theoretically informed work that investigates the cultural, material, and ideological work that animals perform. Shakespeare's plays and poems have become the ground from which challenges to the human-animal divide, Cartesian mind-body dualism, and other powerful manifestations of “the anthropological machine” can be successfully mounted. The article considers debates within the field and takes account of new directions in the scholarship, arguing that continued and reciprocal engagement between Shakespeare criticism and animal studies enlivens both.
Changing Trends in, and Characteristics Associated with, Not Undergoing Cardiac Catheterization in Elderly Adults Hospitalized with ST-Segment Elevation Acute Myocardial Infarction

Objectives To describe decade- long trends (1999–2009) in the rates of not undergoing cardiac catheterization and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in individuals aged 65 and older presenting with an ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) and factors associated with not undergoing these procedures. Design Observational population-based study. Setting Worcester, Massachusetts, metropolitan area. Participants Individuals aged 65 and older hospitalized for an STEMI in six biennial periods between 1999 and 2009 at 11 central Massachusetts medical centers (N = 960). Measurements Analyses were conducted to examine the characteristics of people who did not undergo cardiac catheterization overall and stratified into two age strata (65–74, ≥75). Results Between 1999 and 2009, dramatic declines (from 59.4% to 7.5%) were observed in the proportion of older adults who did not undergo cardiac catheterization at all greater Worcester hospitals. These declines were observed in individuals aged 65 to 74 (58.4–6.7%) and in those aged 75 and older (69.4–13.5%). The proportion of individuals not undergoing PCI after undergoing cardiac catheterization decreased from 36.6% in 1999 to 6.5% in 2009. Women, individuals with a prior MI, those with do-not-resuscitate orders, and those with various comorbidities were less likely to have undergone these procedures than comparison groups. Conclusion Older adults who develop an STEMI are increasingly likely to undergo cardiac catheterization and PCI, but several high-risk groups remain less likely to undergo these procedures.
Advancing matrix computations with randomized preprocessing

The known algorithms for linear systems of equations perform significantly slower where the input matrix is ill conditioned, that is lies near a matrix of a smaller rank. The known methods counter this problem only for some important but special input classes, but our novel randomized augmentation techniques serve as a remedy for a typical ill conditioned input and similarly facilitates computations with rank deficient input matrices. The resulting acceleration is dramatic, both in terms of the proved bit-operation cost bounds and the actual CPU time observed in our tests. Our methods can be effectively applied to various other fundamental matrix and polynomial computations as well.
Formation and change in lay evaluations of criminal sentencing: Misperception and discontent.

In public opinion polls, a substantial proportion of lay respondents report that judges are too lenient. We examine the factors that contribute to this perceived judicial leniency. The majority of lay respondents in our study said that judges are “too lenient” in their sentencing of burglary offenders; yet, their own sentencing preferences were more lenient than the required minimum sentence for residential burglary. Our survey and experimental data suggest that citizens' opinions are formed by their inaccurate impressions of the seriousness of actual criminal cases as well as actual judicial sentencing practices. Our experimental research indicates that opinions of judicial leniency can be changed by providing respondents with an example of the typical case that comes before the court. Directions for future research are discussed.
pH-Conditional, Ammonia Assimilation-Deficient Mutants of Hydrogenomonas eutropha: Isolation and Growth Characteristics

Two mutants of the facultative autotroph Hydrogenomonas eutropha were isolated by using a modified penicillin selection method. The mutation involved was unusual in that its effect on cellular growth was conditional with regard to extracellular pH and the type of substrate employed. Growth of both mutants was abnormal under autotrophic conditions and during heterotrophic cultivation in the presence of organic substrates which lacked an amino group. Abnormal growth was characterized by linear growth rates which were low at pH 6.0 and moderate at pH 7.2. In contrast, growth of the mutants was normal on most amino acids. Those substrates yielding abnormal growth were oxidized at normal rates by the mutants, indicating the mutation did not impair their uptake or metabolism. The data suggest that the mutants are defective in their ability to assimilate inorganic nitrogen into organic forms, and this defect is strongly influenced by pH.
Perioperative Laboratory Abnormalities in Gynecologic Oncology Surgical Patients.

Abstract Background: Laboratory blood testing incurs financial costs and the blood draws can increase discomfort, yet minimal data exists regarding routine testing in gynecologic oncology surgical patients. Additionally, an increasing number of gynecologic oncology surgeries are performed via a laparoscopic approach. Thus, further investigation into perioperative laboratory testing for gynecologic oncology patients is warranted. An increasing number of gynecologic oncology surgeries are performed via a laparoscopic approach. Thus, further investigation into perioperative laboratory testing for gynecologic oncology patients is warranted. Objective: The aims of this study were (1) to evaluate the frequency and etiology of perioperative laboratory test abnormalities in patients undergoing laparoscopic and laparotomy surgery in a gynecologic oncology service, and (2) to establish an evidence-based algorithm to reduce unnecessary laboratory testing. Materials and Methods: A single-institution retrospective stu...
Quantifying socio-economic indicators in developing countries from mobile phone communication data: applications to Côte d’Ivoire

The widespread adoption of mobile devices that record the communications, social relations, and movements of billions of individuals in great detail presents unique opportunities for the study of social structures and human dynamics at very large scales. This is particularly the case for developing countries where social and economic data can be hard to obtain and is often too sparse for real-time analytics. Here we leverage mobile call log data from Cote d’Ivoire to analyze the relations between its nation-wide communications network and the socio-economic dynamics of its regional economies. We introduce the CallRank indicator to quantify the relative importance of an area on the basis of call records, and show that a region’s ratio of in- and out-going calls can predict its income level. We detect a communication divide between rich and poor regions of Cote d’Ivoire, which corresponds to existing socio-economic data. Our results demonstrate the potential of mobile communication data to monitor the economic development and social dynamics of low-income developing countries in the absence of extensive econometric and social data. Our work may support efforts to stimulate sustainable economic development and to reduce poverty and inequality.
Evaluating products of nonlinear functions by indirect bipartite table lookup

Many function approximation procedures can obtain enhanced accuracy by an efficient table lookup of a product z=f(x)g(y). Both x and y are represented by indices of i leading bits (typically 7<i<16) for arguments normalized to [0, 1] or [1, 2]. Direct bipartite lookup employs 1/2 bits each of x and y yielding roughly an 1/2 bit result which can lose 2 to 3 bits of accuracy when f and g are nonlinear. Indirect bipartite lookup first generates i/2 bit interval index values for f(x) and g(y) using separate j-bits-in 1/2bits-out tables for f(x) and g(y) where i/2<j<i and is chosen large enough to substantially reduce the effect of nonlinearity in f(x) and g(y). The separate tables readily compensate for the high nonlinearity in f and/or g and generate interval index values representing intervals that can be tailored to minimize the maximum error of the product z=f(x)g(y) determined by an interval product table with the concatenated interval indices as the i bit input. We describe several variations in interval index generation methodology and in the design of the interval product table lookup architecture so as to obtain accuracy of 1/2 bits (or better) in output in 2-3 cycles of table lookup latency.
Preliminary clinical observations after extended Bragg peak helium ion irradiation.

Laboratory studies of single cell survival after irradiation with extended Bragg peak helium ions suggest a relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of 1.4 for oxygenated cells. A clinical radiobiological investigation has been initiated using patients with mycosis fungoides. One patient received standard total body electron beam irradiation according to the Memorial Hospital technique, which consists of six weekly doses of 400 rads. Small selected areas were shielded and received single, graduated doses of electron and helium ion extended Bragg peak therapy. Two additional comparable regions received six weekly doses of the two therapeutic beams. Changes in the severity of lesions according to a semi-quantative severity score (SS) were observed following treatment. Values for maximum reduction in the SS observed for the two therapy beams after treatment were consonant with a RBE of 1.4. Recurrence patterns after therapy with the two beams also differed. Lesions treated with the heavy particles remained under control longer than those treated with doses of electrons yielding comparable initial effects. These data suggest that, in addition to processes involved in the increased RBE for helium ions, other factors may be operating to produce a more sustained benefit from extended helium ion Bragg peak irradiation.
The role of Müllerian inhibiting substance in the evaluation of phenotypic female patients with mild degrees of virilization.

Mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS) is a sexually dimorphic gonadal hormone with proven efficacy in the evaluation of boys with cryptorchidism and children with intersex conditions. We examined the role of MIS determination in the evaluation of 65 phenotypic females with mild virilization. Among the 28 subjects with MIS values elevated above the normal female range, all had abnormal gonadal tissue: ovotestes in 11, testes in 7, dysgenetic gonads in 7, and MIS-secreting ovarian tumors in 3. Among the 37 children with serum MIS in the normal female range, 19 had detectable MIS and 18 had unmeasurable MIS. In the former group with measurable but normal female MIS values, 16 subjects had ovaries, 1 had an ovotestis, and 1 had dysgenetic gonads containing testicular elements. Of 18 children with undetectable MIS values, 16 had ovaries and 2 had ovarian dysgenesis. In this study, elevation of serum MIS above the normal female range was consistently associated with the presence of testicular tissue or MIS- secreting tumors, mandating additional evaluation and surgical exploration. A value within the normal female range in a virilized patient did not exclude dysgenetic testicular tissue or ovotestis, whereas undetectable values were consistent with the absence of testicular tissue.
A micro-scale method for measuring the hardness of heat-induced protein gels

A micro-scale penetrometry method for testing the hardness of heat-induced whey protein gels was developed. The hardness of gels could be determined quantitatively on sample volumes as small as 20 μl. A needle with an outside diameter of 1.06 mm (18 gauge) weighted with a water reservoir was used to measure the force which was necessary to penetrate a gel contained within a capillary tube. In parallel, the Instron was used for compression testing of protein gels. There was a high correlation between the values obtained using an Instron (70% compression) and those obtained using a micro-penetrometer for bovine β-lactoglobulin gels prepared at concentrations over a range of 10-13%. Similarly, there was a high degree of correlation for hardness measurements between both methods for gels made from either whey protein isolate or bovine serum albumin. Based upon standard curves of Instron force versus penetration force, the penetration force of whey protein gels as measured by micro-scale penetrometry could be converted into relative Instron force units.
Smoking expectancies for flavored and non-flavored cigarettes among college students

Abstract Several tobacco companies have introduced specially flavored cigarettes, yet little is known about their appeal among college student nonsmokers, regular smokers, and those susceptible to smoking. Undergraduates (N = 424) rated 12 brands of cigarettes on multiple attributes based on manufacturer advertisements. This paper focused on two brands with flavored and non-flavored versions (Camel and Salem). Despite brand, regular smokers and those susceptible to smoking initiation had higher positive expectancies and lower negative expectancies about smoking than nonsmokers. Flavored cigarettes elicited higher positive expectancies than non-flavored counterparts across all groups, including nonsmokers. Indeed, the degree to which flavored Camels had higher positive expectancies than Camel Lights was at least as large in a group of susceptible nonsmokers and experimenters (susceptible/experimenters). Despite being present in nonsmokers and susceptible/experimenters, negative expectancies were significantly lower for flavored versus non-flavored brands. Logistic regressions revealed that positive expectancies predicted “intention to try” each brand for regular smokers and susceptible/experimenters. These findings suggest that targeting the marketing of positive attributes may be useful in preventing smoking behavior.
Antibiotic Treatment of Adults With Infective Endocarditis Due to Streptococci, Enterococci, Staphylococci, and HACEK Microorganisms

Consensus Process. The recommendations were formulated during meetings of the working group and were prepared by a writing committee after the group had agreed on the specific therapeutic regimens. The consensus statement was subsequently reviewed by standing committees of the American Heart Association and by a group of experts not affiliated with the working group. Conclusions. Sufficient evidence has been published that recommendations regarding treatment of the most common microbiological causes of endocarditis (viridans streptococci, enterococci, Streptococcus bovis, staphylococci, and the HACEK organisms) are justified. There are insufficient published data to make a strong statement regarding the efficacy of specific therapeutic regimens for cases of endocarditis due to microorganisms that uncommonly cause endocarditis. As a useful aid to the practicing clinician, the writing group developed a consensus opinion regarding management of endocarditis caused by the most commonly encountered microorganisms and regarding those cases due to infrequent causes of endocarditis.
Temporal coupling among luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, β-endorphin and cortisol pulse episodes in vivo

We have applied explicit probability equations to assess possible non-random associations among four distinct hormone series consisting of episodic luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, beta-endorphin, and/or cortisol pulses observed under physiological conditions in normal men. Closed-form likelihood functions permitted us to demonstrate significantly coordinated patterns of multiple hormone release. A specific quadruple co-pulsatility pattern was observed, in which the two gonadotropic hormones (luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone) were co-secreted and coupled by a 10-20 min lag to the later release of beta-endorphin. In turn, beta-endorphin release episodes were followed within 0-30 min by cortisol bursts. Conditional probability analysis allowed us to reject with high statistical confidence the null hypothesis that this unique temporally specified pattern of quadruple hormone release was due to purely random associations among the four pulsatile series. We conclude that discrete hormone release episodes associated with four hormones within the gonadotropic and corticotropic axes in man exhibit significantly lagged non-random temporal coupling in vivo.
HOW COMMUNITY COLLEGE ADMINISTRATORS CAN IMPROVE TEACHING EFFECTIVENESS

The issue of teaching effectiveness dominates the argument in most college campuses. The questions often asked are “what is good teaching?” “Can teaching effectiveness be improved?” The purpose of this article is to examine teaching effectiveness and the role(s) college deans and chairpersons play in providing a supportive environment for teaching. The article discusses various strategies that could be used to improve teaching effectiveness; indirect and direct methods of evaluation were also discussed.
Assessing Interpersonal Behavior in Group Therapy

The manual describes a procedure developed to identify interpersonal behavior and the context in which the patient displays this behavior in therapy groups. The purpose of this procedure was to develop a method of assessing change during group psychotherapy.