cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Second-line Glucose-Lowering Therapy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

There is consensus that metformin should be the first-line pharmacological therapy for type 2 diabetes. Although new evidence on effective treatments for type 2 diabetes is rapidly evolving, there is uncertainty regarding the optimal choice of second-line therapy. Our aim was to review the current major guidelines for second-line therapy in type 2 diabetes, along with findings from the recent cardiovascular outcome trials, focusing on two particularly promising classes of glucose-lowering drugs, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP1 RAs). In the recent randomized controlled trials, two SGLT2 inhibitors (i.e., empagliflozin and canagliflozin) and two GLP1 RAs (i.e., liraglutide and albiglutide) reduced cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes, of whom most had established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Some clinical guidelines have changed their recommendations for second-line therapy based on these findings. The first choice for a second-line therapy by the new American Diabetes Association/European Association for the Study of Diabetes (ADA/EASD) guidelines is SGLT2 inhibitors or GLP1 RAs for patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease. For patients without these conditions, the ADA/EASD lists five options of noninsulin second-line therapy without a suggested hierarchy of use. On the other hand, the 2019 consensus statement from the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists/American College of Endocrinology lists nine hierarchical options, with GLP1 RAs as the first recommended therapy, followed by SGLT2 inhibitors and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitors, and sulfonylurea as the last option. The American College of Physicians recommends four oral treatment options, which do not include GLP1 RAs. The International Diabetes Federation recommends sulfonylureas, DPP4 inhibitors, or SGLT2 inhibitors as preferred second-line drugs with GLP1 RAs as an alternative in obese patients. The World Health Organization strongly recommends sulfonylureas in low-resource settings. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in the UK recommends DPP4 inhibitors, thiazolidinediones, or sulfonylureas, with use of SGLT2 inhibitors only under special circumstances. Clinical guidelines for the choice of second-line therapy in type 2 diabetes are inconsistent. A comprehensive assessment of the risks and benefits of second-line therapy is needed to address knowledge gaps that underlie core clinical practice.
Semigroup expansions for non-selfadjoint Schrödinger operators

Abstract A large time expansion for the propagator associated to a semiclassical non-selfadjoint magnetic Schrodinger operator is established, in terms of the low lying eigenvalues of the operator.
Insight Medicine Lacks - The Continuing Relevance of Henrietta Lacks.

Insight Medicine Lacks The story of Henrietta Lacks’s treatment by the medical system remains relevant today. Black American patients still express greater concern than white ones about the likelih...
Influence of exposure measurement errors on results from epidemiologic studies of different designs.

In epidemiologic studies of health effects of air pollution, measurements or models are used to estimate exposure. Exposure estimates have errors that propagate to effect estimates in exposure-response models. We critically evaluate how types of exposure measurement error influenced bias and precision of effect estimates to understand conditions affecting interpretation of exposure-response models for epidemiologic studies of exposure to PM2.5, NO2, and SO2. We reviewed available literature on exposure measurement error for time-series and long-term exposure epidemiology studies. For time-series studies, time–activity error (daily exposure concentration did not account for variation in exposure due to time–activity during a day) and nonambient (indoor) sources negatively biased the effect estimates and increased standard error, so uncertainty grew with increasing bias while underestimating the true health effect in these studies. Spatial error (deviation between true exposure concentration at an individual’s location and concentration at a receptor) was ascribed to negatively biased effect estimates in most cases. Positive bias occurred for spatially variable pollutants when the variance of error correlated with the exposure estimate. For long-term exposure studies, most spatial errors did not bias the effect estimate. For both time-series and long-term exposure studies reviewed, large uncertainties were observed when exposure concentration was modeled with low spatial and temporal resolution for a spatially variable pollutant.
Bound and mobile soil water isotope ratios are affected by soil texture and mineralogy, whereas extraction method influences their measurement

Questions persist about interpreting isotope ratios of bound and mobile soil water pools, particularly relative to clay content and extraction conditions. Interactions between pools and resulting extracted water isotope composition are presumably related to soil texture, yet few studies have manipulated the bound pool to understand its influence on soil water processes. Using a series of drying and spiking experiments, we effectively labelled bound and mobile water pools in soils with varying clay content. Soils were first vacuum dried to remove residual water, which was then replaced with heavy isotope‐enriched water prior to oven drying and spiking with heavy isotope‐depleted water. Water was extracted via centrifugation or cryogenic vacuum distillation (at four temperatures) and analysed for oxygen and hydrogen isotope ratios via isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Water from centrifuged samples fell along a mixing line between the two added waters but was more enriched in heavy isotopes than the depleted label, demonstrating that despite oven drying, a residual pool remains and mixes with the mobile water. Soils with higher clay + silt content appeared to have a larger bound pool. Water from vacuum distillation samples have a significant temperature effect, with high temperature extractions yielding progressively more heavy isotope‐enriched values, suggesting that Rayleigh fractionation occurred at low temperatures in the vacuum line. By distinctly labelling bound and mobile soil water pools, we detected interactions between the two that were dependent on soil texture. Although neither extraction method appeared to completely extract the combined bound and mobile (total water) pool, centrifugation and high temperature cryogenic vacuum distillations were comparable for both δ²H and δ¹⁸O of soil water isotope ratios.
The Anatomy of the Key Codices and the Ontogeny of Prosvetitel

The textual development of Iosif Volotskii’s influential Book against the Novgorod Heretics or Prosvetitel’ remains in dispute. Aleksei Alekseev (2010/2012) has recently challenged Iakov Lur’e’s scheme (1955/1960): from Iosif’s discourses and epistles, to Brief with 11 discourses, to more discourses and epistles, to Extended with 16 discourses. Alekseev proposes instead: Extended with 13 discourses, to both Prosv -11 (this essay’s shorthand) and Prosv -16, and from these to all of Iosif’s relevant, cognate discourses and epistles. Differences in applying literary, textual, editorial, and historical criticism may be unresolvable. But evidence from the structural hints within the texts and the actual physical anatomy – the quires and individually glued pieces of paper, whose analysis Andrei Pliguzov pursued to special advantage (1986/1992–1993) – indicate a progression from a Brief Prosv -11, or maybe Prosv -10 at first, to an imaginable Prosv -12 or -13, to Prosv -16, as well as other earlier and intermediary possibilities.
Applying the Functional Luminal Imaging Probe to Esophageal Disorders

The functional luminal imaging probe (FLIP) uses high-resolution planimetry to provide a three-dimensional image of the esophageal lumen by measuring diameter, volume, and pressure changes. The goal of this review is to summarize the most recent advances in applying the (FLIP) to esophageal disorders. The FLIP has been studied in esophageal disease states including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), achalasia, and eosinophilic esophagitis. It has also been used in the investigation of dysphagia. The FLIP is a valuable tool for the diagnosis of esophageal diseases as well as guiding treatments and predicting treatment response. As further research is done, the FLIP may become the initial test for the patient with undifferentiated dysphagia at the time of their index endoscopy.
Understanding the Sources of Risk Underlying the Cross-Section of Commodity Returns

We show that a model featuring an average commodity factor, a carry factor, and a momentum factor is capable of describing the cross-sectional variation of commodity returns. More parsimonious one- and two-factor models that feature only the average and/or carry factors are rejected. To provide an economic interpretation, we show that innovations in equity volatility can price portfolios formed on carry with a negative risk premium, while innovations in our measure of speculative activity can price portfolios formed on momentum with a positive risk premium. Furthermore, we characterize the relation of the factors with the investment opportunity set.
Prognostic and predictive factors associated with ipilimumab-related adverse events: a retrospective analysis of 11 NCI-sponsored phase I clinical trials

// Aman Chauhan 1 , Tanvir Kabir 2 , Jianrong Wu 3 , Jing Wei 4 , Mary Cook 1 and Charles A. Kunos 5 1 Division of Medical Oncology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA 2 College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA 3 Markey Cancer Center, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Shared Resource Facility, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA 4 Department of Statistics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA 5 Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA Correspondence to: Aman Chauhan, email: Aman.Chauhan@uky.edu Keywords: immunotherapy; toxicity; co-administered agents; metastatic melanoma; immune checkpoint inhibitors Received: December 16, 2019 Accepted: March 14, 2020 Published: April 21, 2020 ABSTRACT Background: We review factors impacting ipilimumab-associated adverse events through the experience from National Cancer Institute (NCI)-sponsored phase I immunotherapy clinical trials. Materials and Methods: Attributable ipilimumab-related adverse events from NCI-sponsored phase I immunotherapy clinical trials were queried retrospectively by anonymized patient experience reports for observed adverse events like decreased hematological cell counts, blood electrolytes or proteins, or reduced patient performance status. The prevalence of ipilimumab-related toxicity was associated by patient to the duration of ipilimumab exposure, radiographic responses, progression-free survival, and overall survival. Results: 373 patients from 11 phase 1 ipilimumab clinical trials were analyzed. Patients experiencing at least one grade 3 or 4 adverse event associated with observed radiographic response were included. The average number of grade 3/4 adverse events in responders was 1.167 versus 0.645 in non-responders ( p = 0.001). Patient performance status did not significantly impact observed toxicity grade. Pretherapy lymphocyte count or chemistries were not associated with ipilimumab-associated toxicity. The number of agents combined with ipilimumab on trial was associated with average number of grade 3/4 toxicities–ipilimumab monotherapy (0.631) versus ipilimumab + 1 agent (0.877) versus ipilimumab + 2 agents (1.408) ( p = 0.014). Number of low grade (grade 1/2) toxicities was associated with duration of treatment, Pearson correlation coefficient r = 0.456 ( p < 0.0001); whereas the number of high grade (grade 3/4) toxicities was not, r = 0.032 ( p = 0.546). Conclusions: Ipilimumab-attributed grade 3/4 toxicity was associated with therapeutic response. The number of co-administered agents added to ipilimumab significantly raised the likelihood of toxicity. Extended duration of treatment increased the incidence of low but not high-grade toxicity.
A New Pattern of Automatic Docking Scheme between Shore Power and Ship

With the introduction of ‘port electricity layout plan’ by the ministry of transport of China and the enhancement of people's awareness of environmental protection, the technology of ship shore power has been gradually popularized to major ports in recent years, but its efficiency in practical application is not high. In this paper, we describe a new framework of shore power automatic docking, which completes from recognition to ship docking. The proposed method combines various technologies, i.e., image segmentation, contour recognition, target tracking, visual recognition to realize the automation and efficiency of the system in port operations. The new pattern has practical significance to reduce the cost of docking operation, improve the efficiency, enhance the automation degree of docking system and promote the popularization of shore power technology.
PD-L1 Expression Level of Primary Tumor as a Predictor of Local Control and Symptomatic Radiation Necrosis in Patients With Brain Metastases Undergoing SRS/fSRT With Concurrent Immunotherapy.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) PD-L1 is often overexpressed in the tumor microenvironment to dampen host immune response and allow tumor proliferation. Radiation works partially through the immune system, but the correlation between PD-L1 expression in primary tumors and oncologic outcomes for metastatic lesions treated with SRS with concurrent immunotherapy (ICI) is unknown. We seek to evaluate the association of PD-L1 expression level of the primary tumor in patients undergoing SRS/fSRT with local control and symptomatic radiation necrosis. MATERIALS/METHODS A total of 282 patients with 616 metastatic brain lesions which were treated with SRS or fSRT from 2014-2020 were retrospectively reviewed at a single institution. PD-L1 expression level in the primary tumor was available for 43 patients with 147 metastatic brain lesions, of whom 33 patients with 103 lesions received concurrent ICI. Concurrent ICI was defined as having received ICI within 3 months before, during, or after SRS. PD-L1 expression was categorized as negative (PDn) ( 15 lesions were treated. The lesion level endpoint of local failure (LF) and symptomatic radiation necrosis (RN) were analyzed using Kaplan Meyer method with salvage WBRT used as a censoring event. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed with competing risk adjustment. RESULTS One-hundred and four lesions (range 1-10) from 33 unique patients were included in the analysis. Ten patients with PDn primary tumors with 31 lesions and 23 patients with PDp primary tumors with 73 lesions were analyzed. After competing risk adjustment, the LF rate at 12 months were rare for both patient cohorts: PDn vs PDp was 3.5% and 1.5% (P = 0.99), respectively. For RN, the event rate at 12 months for PDn vs PDp was 4% vs 14% (HR 0.648; 95% CI 0.05-9.03; P = 0.747). On MVA for local control, factors such as metastasis size (< 2cm vs ≥2 cm; P = 0.181), histology (NSCLC vs other; P = 0.997), or lesion location (supratentorial vs other; P = 0.392) were not found to have a statistically significant association. On MVA for RN, only metastasis size reached statistical significance (HR 32.8; 95% CI 3.56-301.81; P < 0.002). CONCLUSION Patients receiving concurrent ICI and SRS for management of brain metastases have an excellent local control, irrespective of PD-L1 status. PD-L1 positive patients may be at an increased risk for RN. These findings require further evaluation in a larger patient cohort. AUTHOR DISCLOSURE G.S. Alexander: None. B.Savla: None. L.J. Berg: None. K. Sun: None. J.S.Remick: None. E.S. Kowalski: None. S. Chen: None. N.Lamichhane: None. W.F. Regine: None. M.V. Mishra: Employee; Orthofix. Research Grant; ASTRO, Keep Punching. Advisory Board; Patient Centers Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI. Travel Expenses; Patient Centers Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI.
Chapter 32. Stereochemistry of Drug-Nucleic Acid Interactions and its Biological Implications

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses primarily on the stereochemical studies of the interaction of drugs with double-stranded nucleic acids. A variety of techniques have been used to study the binding of drugs to nucleic acids and to provide information concerning the precise nature of drug-nucleic acid interactions. The two main modes of binding drugs to nucleic acids have been suggested in this chapter. The primary and generally stronger mode of binding has been interpreted as intercalation, where a planar part of the bound drug molecule slides between the adjacent base-pairs in the DNA helix. The second and generally weaker mode of binding is thought to be an electrostatic interaction between the phosphate groups in the double-stranded nucleic acids and the drug molecules. Three classes of intercalative drugs or agents may be distinguished by their directional entrance in the DNA helix. The first class intercalates exclusive from the minor groove. Drugs in this class may include Actinomycin D and Ethidium. The second class may intercalate exclusively from the major groove. Examples of drugs in this class may be Daunomycin, Proflavine, and Acridine orange. Finally, there may be a third class of intercalative drugs that can intercalate from either the major or the minor grooves. Drugs in this class may include 9-aminoacridine and Ellipticine.
Understanding Brands, Module Note

For many firms, the brands associated with their products and/or services are their most valuable assets, and, hence, much management attention is given to designing, communicating, nurturing, and protecting them. This note is designed to provide an understanding of brand management strategies firms use to build, sustain, and leverage their brands.
Metric Strand Spaces for Locale Authentication Protocols

Location-dependent services are services that adapt their behavior based on the locations of mobile devices. For many applications, it is critical that location-dependent services use trustworthy device locations, namely locations that are both accurate and recent. These properties are captured by a security goal called locale authentication whereby an entity can authenticate the physical location of a device, even in the presence of malicious adversaries. In this paper, we present a systematic technique for verifying that location discovery protocols satisfy this security goal. We base our work on the strand space theory which provides a framework for determining which security goals a cryptographic protocol achieves. We extend this theory with a metric that captures the geometric properties of time and space. We use the extended theory to prove that several prominent location discovery protocols including GPS do not satisfy the locale authentication goal. We also analyze a location discovery protocol that does satisfy the goal under some reasonable assumptions.
Loop Current, Rings and Related Circulation in the Gulf of Mexico: A Review of Numerical Models and Future Challenges

Progress in numerical models of the Loop Current, rings, and related circulation during the past three decades is critically reviewed with emphasis on physical phenomena and processes.
β-Glucan synthesis in the cotton fiber: II. Regulation and kinetic properties of β-glucan synthases

The regulation and kinetic properties of cellulose synthase as well as [beta]-1,3-glucan synthase have been studied. The cellulose was detected using acetic/nitric acid insolubility as an indicator of cellulose (this product contained only [beta]-1,4-linked glucans; K. Okuda, L. Li, K. Kudlicka, S. Kuga, R.M. Brown, Jr. [1993] Plant Physiol 101: 1131–1142). These studies reveal that (a) [beta]-1,3-glucan synthesis is enhanced up to 31-fold by cellobiose with a Ka of 1.16 mM; (b) cellulose synthesis is increased 12-fold by a combination of cellobiose (Ka = 3.26 mM) and cyclic-3[prime]:5[prime]-GMP (Ka = 100 [mu]M); (c) the common components in the reaction mixture required by both enzymes are cellobiose, calcium, and digitonin; (d) cellulose synthase has an essential requirement for magnesium (Ka = 0.89 mM); (e) cellulose synthase also requires a low concentration of calcium (Ka = 90 [mu]M); (f) the optimal pH for cellulose synthase (7.6–8.0) is slightly higher than that for [beta]-1,3-glucan synthase (7.2–7.6); (g) the Km for UGP-Glc for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) cellulose synthase is 0.40 mM; (h) the Km for UDP-Glc for for [beta]-1,3-glucan synthase is 0.43 mM.
An Experimental Evaluation of Heider's Balance Theory with Respect to Situational and Predispositional Variables

(1967). An Experimental Evaluation of Heider's Balance Theory with Respect to Situational and Predispositional Variables. The Journal of Social Psychology: Vol. 73, No. 2, pp. 177-189.
Truncal body contouring surgery in the massive weight loss patient

Body contouring of massive weight loss patients is the latest frontier in plastic surgery. It is important to become familiar with the presentation of these patients and with the delineation and effective treatment of their deformities. Because they usually present with circumferential excess, circumferential belt lipectomy treats their truncal contour as a unit. This article details the preoperative work-up, intraoperative technique, and postoperative course for the belt-lipectomy patient. Results and how to predict them are discussed. Complications are enumerated and suggestions offered for avoiding them.
Electromagnetic interference with pacemakers caused by portable media players.

Background Electromagnetic fields generated by electrical devices may cause interference with permanent pacemakers. Media players are becoming a common mode of portable entertainment. The most common media players used worldwide are iPods. These devices are often carried in a shirt chest pocket, which may place the devices close to an implanted pacemaker. Objective The purpose of this study was to determine if iPods cause interference with pacemakers. Method In this prospective, single-blinded study, 100 patients who had cardiac pacemakers were tested with four types of iPods to assess for interference. Patients were monitored by a single-channel ECG monitor as well as the respective pacemaker programmer via the telemetry wand. iPods were tested by placing them 2 inches anterior to the pacemaker and wand for up to 10 seconds. To simulate actual use, standard-issue headphones were plugged into the iPods. To maintain consistency, the volume was turned up maximally, and the equalizer was turned off. A subset of 25 patients underwent testing on 2 separate days to assess for reproducibility of interference. Pacemaker interference was categorized as type I or type II telemetry interference. Type I interference was associated with atrial and/or ventricular high rates on rate histograms. Type II interference did not affect pacemaker rate counters. Electromagnetic emissions from the four iPods also were evaluated in a Faraday cage to determine the mechanism of the observed interference. Results One hundred patients (63 men and 37 women; mean age 77.1 ± 7.6 years) with 11 single-chamber pacemakers and 89 dual-chamber pacemakers underwent 800 tests. The incidence of any type of interference was 51% of patients and 20% of tests. Type I interference was seen in 19% of patients and type II in 32% of patients. Reproducibility testing confirmed that interference occurred regardless of pacing configuration (unipolar or bipolar), pacing mode (AAI, VVI, or DDD), and from one day to the next. Electromagnetic emissions testing from the iPods demonstrated maximum emissions in the pacemaker carrier frequency range when the iPod was turned "on" with the headphones attached. Conclusion iPods placed within 2 inches of implanted pacemakers monitored via the telemetry wand can cause interference with pacemakers.
Penning-trap technique for studying electron-atom collisions at low energy

In a new technique for studying electron collisions, the electrons are confined by electromagnetic fields and exposed to a known low density of atoms or molecules. Collisions rates are measured by electron diffusion in the trap. The use of spin-oriented atoms allows triplet and singlet contributions to be separated. Results of such studies are reported for room-temperature collisions of electrons with potassium atoms and with nitrogen molecules.
Perceived Parental Sexual Conservatism, Religiosity, and Premarital Sexual Behavior*

Abstract The assumption that parental influence in the sexual socialization process is likely to affect premarital sexual behavior is challenged in this article. The hypothesis that individuals brought up in sexually conservative homes will have less premarital heterosexual involvement than those from liberal home environments is tested in a secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey interview data from a national probability sample of 1177 American college students. Correlational and contingency table analysis using indices to measure perceived Parental Sexual Conservatism and Premarital Socio-sexual Involvement suggests that parents may be less influential in the sexual socialization process than has been generally assumed. Previous findings demonstrating the relationship between religiosity and premarital sexual permissiveness are examined in light of the study's results.
NMR study of the potential composition of Titan's lakes

Abstract A large number of hydrocarbon lakes have been discovered in Titan׳s surface. However, the chemical composition and physical properties of these lakes are not fully understood. We investigate the potential composition of Titan׳s lakes by NMR. Based upon NMR data, the 1 H and 13 C NMR spectra of the hydrocarbons in Titan׳s lakes are simulated on a 1 T spectrometer [being developed at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for future in situ characterization of Titan׳s lakes]. The study indicates that the dominant composition (all components>1% of the lake composition by mole fraction) in Titan׳s lakes can be determined and the major soluble organics quantitatively identified from either quantitative 1 H or 13 C spectra on a 1 T NMR spectrometer. The proton T 1 relaxation times are determined for a number of candidate organics in hydrocarbon solution, a necessary determinant for quantitative NMR. The gas solubility of these organics is also investigated to understand the equilibrium of composition between Titan׳s lakes and atmosphere and the precipitation rates of the molecules at Titan׳s ground level. Our results are significant for the ongoing discussion regarding the development of in situ, low bias analysis methods and instruments for Titan missions and other outer planet exploration.
Langage et Société. Papiers de Travail

La "laborpaperoj" kiuj aperas kvaronjare kovras ciujn aspektojn de la rilato inter la lingvajb kaj la ne-lingvaj soci-kulturaj strukturoj. Ili estas tre diverskvalitaj - iuj tuj eldonindaj, aliaj studentecaj kaj neklaraj. Kaj ili estas egale diverstemaj. En la unuaj tri numeroj, la artikoloj rilataj al la lingvopolitiko estas malmultaj. Ni rigardu du el ili.En "Formado kaj/au apartigo per esprimo en la lernejo," G. Pithon analizas la influon de la cirkauajo en la alproprigo de la unua lingvo, kaj la sistemo de valorigo de diversaj esprimformoj flanke de la regantaj sociaj grupoj. La lsrneja, kaj poste ekonomia, sukceso de la socie favorita infano, do, estas dank'al la fakto, ke tiu infano restas en la cirkauajo de sia socia deveno, ne rompante kun gi. Maie, la malsukceso de la nefavoritaj infanoj estas pro kvazaua kultura soko surbaze de lingva variajb. La artikolo estas cefe pedagogia, sed la simileco de sociaj tensioj "interne de" lingvo kaj socia streciteco inter diversaj lingvo] estas evidenta. En lando tiel centrita, kiel la franca stato, la instruistoj frontas moralan decidon : eu liberigi la memesprimon de socie minoritataj grupoj, au daurigi la laboron de socia apartigo, sub la lega kovrilo de rajto al edukado en "la reganta burga lingvajb".La artikolo de L. Aracil sercas komunan celon de la diversaj fakoj, respegulitaj en la recenzata bulteno. Li klopodas identigi "generalan socilingvistikon". La naskiganta fako ne estos nura kromfako; maie, gi fine enombrigos la generalan lingvistikon. Sed la artikolo estas malbone tradukita el la angla, kaj igas jargonajo, terminologia ekzerco, anstatau serioza kontribuo al la scienco. La autoro mem, en posta numero de la revuo, provis klarigi siajn verajn pensojn. Sed ec tio ne suficas. Arcil devos represi la artikolon en la originala lingvo, au traduki gin mem.Krome, la bulteno entenas amason da eraroj kaj da pardonpetoj pro antauaj eraroj.Langage et Societe estas tro juna, ke ni povu antaiidiri gian estonton. Eble, gi igos serioza organo de esploro, au eble la plej bonaj esploristoj forlasos gin, heredigante gin al universitatanoj, kiuj ciupreze volas eldoni ion.
How the Structure and Focus of Teachers' Collaborative Activities Facilitate and Constrain Teacher Learning.

Abstract What kinds of teacher collaboration are most likely to improve what teachers—and, ultimately, students—learn during their time in school? This study looks within and across different collaborative activities that occurred among one teacher team. Observational data analyzed through a sociocultural theoretical framework suggest how the structure and intended focus of collaborative activity can influence (1) how often and how concretely teachers discuss their teaching with colleagues; (2) which aspects of schooling collaboration will address; and (3) what opportunities for teacher learning are afforded and constrained. Intentionally focusing and structuring teachers' collaborative activity can improve its impact on schooling.
Child sex tourism: exploring the issues

Child sex tourism (CST) refers to a particular kind of tourism organized to satisfy the need among certain customer segments for establishing commercial sexual relationships with children. It is an expression of contemporary slavery and a major human rights challenge facing our generation. In this paper, the trauma experienced by child victims of commercial sexual abuse in the touristic setting is discussed. An overview of treatment modalities for the victims such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing are presented. The efforts of outstanding movements around the world in eradicating CST are highlighted. The paper also considers the complex web of relationships that constitutes the CST distribution system.
Facial and ocular injuries associated with methamphetamine production accidents.

Purpose To evaluate the relative contribution of methamphetamine production-related accidents to facial and ocular injuries admitted to a regional burn unit. Design Retrospective observational case series. Methods Chart review of all patients admitted to the Burn Unit at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC) over a 16-month interval. Results Methamphetamine related accidents were responsible for thirteen (9.8%) of 132 patients admitted with facial burns to UIHC during the study period. All victims were male. In addition to facial burns, eight patients (14 eyes) suffered chemical or thermal burns of the ocular surface of Hughes grade I or worse. One patient required full-thickness skins grafts for cicatricial ectropion of all four eyelids. Conclusion In endemic areas such as Iowa, methamphetamine production accidents contribute to as many as 10% of admissions to burn care units for facial and ocular injuries.
Frugality: A cross‐national moderator of the price‐quality relationship

Despite numerous studies of the effect of price information on perceived quality, the existence of a generalized price-quality relationship is still uncertain. Methodological differences among studies make comparisons difficult. Additionally, individual difference variables have been largely ignored in the extant research. The current study investigated and found a significant mediating effect of a personal value—frugality—on the price-perceived quality relationship, as well as on the relationship between price cues and purchasing estimates. The nature of the moderating role of frugality on imputed quality was found to be similar for consumers of two nationalities. Thus, the usefulness of employing frugality as a cross-national segmentation variable is suggested.
Estimation of canopy parameters for inhomogeneous vegetation canopies from reflectance data. I: Two-dimensional row canopy

A canopy-reflectance (CR) model for row-planted vegetation is presented. Its use of an estimation of important biophysical variables like leaf-area index (LAI) and average leaf angle (ALA) from bidirectional CR data is discussed. Using field-measured CR data for a partially covered soybean canopy, it is shown that one can accurately estimate LAI, ALA and extent of percentage of ground cover from CR data.
What can we learn from physicians' online biographies to help in choosing a doctor? Not much. A content analysis of primary care physician biographies

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether the qualities and characteristics potential patients would like to know about doctors before making a choice about who to visit are present in their online biographies.MethodsMore than 1400 randomly selected family practice physician biographies were coded from 152 health systems in the United States. Biographies were coded for the presence of 24 pieces of information (e.g. was a photo present, was the doctor's medical schooling listed, and were personal hobbies/interests noted).ResultsThe most popular pieces of information provided are the doctor's gender, the doctor's clinic address, where the doctor went to medical school and performed residency, the doctor's board certification, and the doctor's photograph. Information, as indicated from prior studies, that patients think is important to know when choosing a new family physician (e.g. communication skills, interests outside of medicine) are rarely able to be determined from biographies.ConclusionHealthcare systems...
Statistical interactions and Bayes estimation of log odds in case-control studies

This paper is concerned with the estimation of the logarithm of disease odds (log odds) when evaluating two risk factors, whether or not interactions are present. Statisticians define interaction a...
Could renin inhibition be the next step forward in the treatment of diabetic kidney disease

Could renin inhibition be the next step forward in the treatment of diabetic kidney disease?
Development of a multiblock pressure‐based algorithm using mixed interpolation for turbulent flows

A new multiblock pressure-based finite element algorithm has been developed. This methodology implements a novel quadratic interpolation for the elemental pressure while using a bilinear interpolation for the velocity. Details of the algorithm and its multiblock foundation are provided along with a complete description of the implementation of the RNG-based k-e model. The results presented clearly demonstrate the validity and accuracy of this new approach for complex flow problems such as diffusers.
Modeling the Active Site of Cytochrome Oxidase: Synthesis and Characterization of a Cross-Linked Histidine−Phenol

A cross-linked histidine−phenol compound was synthesized as a chemical analogue of the active site of cytochrome c oxidase. The structure of the cross-linked compound (compound 1) was verified by IR, 1H and 13C NMR, mass spectrometry, and single-crystal X-ray analysis. Spectrophotometric titrations indicated that the pKa of the phenolic proton on compound 1 (8.34) was lower than the pKa of tyrosine (10.1) or of p-cresol (10.2). This decrease in pKa is consistent with the hypothesis that a cross-linked histidine−tyrosine may facilitate proton delivery to the binuclear site in cytochrome c oxidase. Time-resolved optical absorption spectra of compound 1 at room temperature, generated by excitation at 266 nm in the presence and absence of dioxygen, indicated a species with absorption maxima at ∼330 and ∼500 nm, which we assign to the phenoxyl radical of compound 1. The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of compound 1, obtained after UV photolysis, confirmed the generation of a paramagnetic species ...
Finding your way in a multi-dimensional semantic space with luminoso

In AI, we often need to make sense of data that can be measured in many different dimensions -- thousands of dimensions or more -- especially when this data represents natural language semantics. Dimensionality reduction techniques can make this kind of data more understandable and more powerful, by projecting the data into a space of many fewer dimensions, which are suggested by the computer. Still, frequently, these results require more dimensions than the human mind can grasp at once to represent all the meaningful distinctions in the data. We present Luminoso, a tool that helps researchers to visualize and understand a multi-dimensional semantic space by exploring it interactively. It also streamlines the process of creating such a space, by inputting text documents and optionally including common-sense background information. This interface is based on the fundamental operation of "grabbing" a point, which simultaneously allows a user to rotate their view using that data point, view associated text and statistics, and compare it to other data points. This also highlights the point's neighborhood of semantically-associated points, providing clues for reasons as to why the points were classified along the dimensions they were. We show how this interface can be used to discover trends in a text corpus, such as free-text responses to a survey.
Early versus Late Onset Alcoholism in Older Persons: Preliminary Findings

Systematic data comparing early onset (EO) versus late onset (LO) subgroups of older alcoholics is presented in this preliminary clinical report. Thirty-six older active problem drinkers, ages 53 to 76 years at the time of entry into a special outpatient treatment program, were assessed on selected demographic, psychological, alcohol history, and alcohol treatment compliance variables. There were 14 EOs (first alcohol problem prior to age 40 years) and 22 LOs (first problem after age 40). Compared to EOs, LOs reported less family alcoholism and greater current psychological stability. Treatment compliance in both groups was similarly high, compared to overall clinic norms.
Do hunger and exposure to food affect scores on a measure of hedonic hunger? An experimental study

Research suggests that visceral bodily states, such as hunger, can affect participants' responses on self-report measures of eating behavior. The present study evaluated the influence of hunger and exposure to palatable food on self-reported hedonic appetite, measured using the Power of Food Scale (PFS). A secondary aim was to evaluate the effects of these manipulations on self-reported external eating and disinhibition. Participants (N=67) ate a standardized meal followed by a 4-h fast. Participants were randomized to one of four groups (Fasted/Food Absence, Fasted/Food Exposure, Fed/Food Absence, or Fed/Food Exposure). In Phase I of the experiment (Hunger Manipulation), participants randomized to the "Fed" group drank a protein shake, while those in the "Fasted" group did not receive a shake. In Phase II (Palatable Food Exposure), participants in the "Food Exposure" group were visually exposed to palatable food items, while "Food Absence" participants were not. All participants completed the PFS, Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire External Eating subscale, and the Disinhibition subscale from the Eating Inventory during Phase II. Results showed no significant main or interactive effects of Hunger condition or Food Exposure condition on PFS, External Eating, or Disinhibition scores (all p's<.33). All effect sizes were small (partial etas squared ⩽.015). Manipulation checks confirmed that the intended hunger and exposure interventions were successful. Results suggest that relatively short fasting periods (e.g., 4h) analogous to typical breaks between meals are not associated with changes in scores on the PFS, External Eating, or Disinhibition scales. Hedonic hunger, at least as measured by the PFS, may represent a relatively stable construct that is not substantially affected by daily variations in hunger. In addition, individual differences in exposure to food in the immediate environment are unlikely to confound research using these measures.
The use of franchising as a growth strategy by US restaurant franchisors

The paper summarizes predictions about the use of franchising as an expansion strategy and examines them through an empirical investigation of a sample of restaurant franchisors. The restaurant industry is an appropriate field for such an investigation as franchising is extensively used in this sector. The subject of growth is also important from the consumer’s perspective because of the increased desire for convenience and uniformity. The results suggest that franchising is an effective strategy for store expansion. However, larger chains have a lower need to use franchising as a growth strategy, apparently because they have their own resources. The paper also shows that the chain’s mix of company owned and franchised outlets is likely to be influenced by its past growth pattern. The results indicate that a significant increase in the proportion of franchised outlets is unlikely for chains that already have a relatively high percentage of franchised outlets. This is ostensibly because synergistic benefits are achieved through having both company owned and franchised stores.
Glacial variability over the last two million years: an extended depth-derived agemodel, continuous obliquity pacing, and the Pleistocene progression

Abstract An agemodel not relying upon orbital assumptions is estimated over the last 2 Ma using depth in marine sediment cores as a proxy for time. Agemodel uncertainty averages ± 10 Ka in the early Pleistocene ( ∼ 2 –1 Ma) and ± 7 Ka in the late Pleistocene ( ∼ 1 Ma to the present). Twelve benthic and five planktic δ 18 O records are pinned to the agemodel and averaged together to provide a record of glacial variability. Major deglaciation features are identified over the last 2 Ma and a remarkable 33 out of 36 occur when Earth's obliquity is anomalously large. During the early Pleistocene deglaciations occur nearly every obliquity cycle giving a 40 Ka timescale, while late Pleistocene deglaciations more often skip one or two obliquity beats, corresponding to 80 or 120 Ka glacial cycles which, on average, give the ∼ 100 Ka variability. This continuous obliquity pacing indicates that the glacial theory can be simplified. An explanation for the ∼ 100 Ka glacial cycles only requires a change in the likelihood of skipping an obliquity cycle, rather than new sources of long-period variability. Furthermore, changes in glacial variability are not marked by any single transition so much as they exhibit a steady progression over the entire Pleistocene. The mean, variance, skewness, and timescale associated with the glacial cycles all exhibit an approximately linear trend over the last 2 Ma. A simple model having an obliquity modulated threshold and only three adjustable parameters is shown to reproduce the trends, timing, and spectral evolution associated with the Pleistocene glacial variability.
La cafeína en la enfermedad de Parkinson

1. Esta produce los mismos efectos conductuales que los psicoestimulantes clasicos, es decir, activacion motriz, despertar (arousal) y efectos reforzadores 2-4 . Ademas, produce en el ser humano efectos subjetivos que son cualitativamente similares a los de los psicoestimulantes clasicos 3 . De hecho, en experimentos de diferenciacion de farmacos en animales de experimentacion (experimentos que proporcionan modelos fiables para el estudio de los efectos interoceptivos de los farmacos de accion central 5 ), la cafeina puede sustituir a los psicoestimulantes clasicos y viceversa 6-8 . Aunque esta bien aceptado que la cafeina tiene efectos en la motricidad y el despertar, ha habido bastante resistencia en la literatura medica a aceptar que tambien tiene efectos reforzadores; todo ello a pesar de que su gran consumo en todo el mundo constituye una clara evidencia circunstancial. Actualmente hay suficiente evidencia experimental para asegurar que funciona como reforzador en el animal de laboratorio y en el humano en determinadas condiciones experimentales 3,9
Histochemical observations on Actinomyces bovis granules

The “clubs“, found at the perifery of the “sulfur granules” in Actinomyces infection, are composed chiefly of a highly polymerized basic protein rich in guanidyl, indole, and phenolic groups; sulfhydryl groups are absent. The clubs appear to be made of a material actively secreted by the filaments. It is hypothesized that some product or products of animal protein decomposition which are metabolized by the actinomycete trigger and maintain club formation in vivo, and that the club prevents phagocytosis or enzymatic digestion of the filaments on the one hand but proscribes further growth of the filaments on the other. New growth of the parasite takes place by extension of non-clubbed filaments at the perifery of the granule or by deposition of coccoid elements phagocytized by leucocytes.
What defines a distracting injury in cervical spine assessment

Background: The National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study defined five criteria for obtaining cervical spine radiographic investigations in blunt trauma patients. Distracting injury was given as the indication for more than 30% of all x-ray studies ordered. The hypothesis of this study was that upper and lower torso injuries would have different effects on clinical cervical spine assessment. Methods: This is a single-center, prospective, observational study of admitted, alert, adult blunt-trauma patients. All patients underwent cervical spine plain-film radiography. Data were collected on all injuries, physical examination findings, narcotic administration, and radiograph results. Patients with upper and lower torso injuries were compared in their ability complain of pain or midline tenderness relative to a cervical spine fracture. Results: In all, 406 patients participated. All patients received narcotic analgesics before examination. Forty patients (9.9%) had cervical spine fractures, of whom seven had a nontender neck examination. All seven patients with a nontender cervical spine and a neck fracture had at least one upper torso injury. None of the 99 patients with injuries isolated to the lower torso and a nontender neck had a cervical spine fracture (p < 0.05). The frequency of cervical spine fracture among patients with cervical spine tenderness was 19.8% (n = 33). Conclusions: The National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study definition of a distracting injury may be narrowed. Upper torso injuries may be sufficiently painful to distract from a reliable cervical spine examination. Patients may detect spine tenderness in the presence of isolated painful lower torso injuries. Patients with spine tenderness warrant imaging.
Frequency and scan angle limitations in UWB phased array

In phased array, mutual coupling from adjacent elements produces scattering and absorption effects during low-angle beam steering. The scattering effect comprises of structure-mode scattering and antenna-mode scattering. The absorption effect occurs when the coupled energy received by an adjacent element is dissipated into the system. Constructive and destructive combinations of structure scattering from periodic array structures such as array elements or feeding structures produce undesired lattice scattering modes which limit the frequency upper bound and maximum scan angles.