cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A novel lexicalized HMM-based learning framework for web opinion mining

NOTE FROM ACM: A Joint ACM Conference Committee has determined that the authors of this article violated ACM's publication policy on simultaneous submissions. Therefore ACM has shut off access to this paper.
Bedside fasciotomy under local anesthesia for acute compartment syndrome: a feasible and reliable procedure in selected cases

Background Fasciotomy for compartment syndrome is an emergent procedure that is usually done in the operating theater under general anesthesia. Delay in performing the procedure can lead to worse outcome. Various reasons can cause delay in performing the surgery. Bedside fasciotomy under local anesthesia can be done in these cases to avoid delay in compartment release.
Interval methods in knowledge representation

Please send your abstracts (or copies of papers that you want to see reviewed here) to vladik@utep.edu, or by regular mail to Vladik Kreinovich, Department of Computer Science, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA.
Facelift: Hiding and slowing down aging in multicores

Processors progressively age during their service life due to normal workload activity. Such aging results in gradually slower circuits. Anticipating this fact, designers add timing guardbands to processors, so that processors last for a number of years. As a result, aging has important design and cost implications. To address this problem, this paper shows how to hide the effects of aging and how to slow it down. Our framework is called Facelift. It hides aging through aging-driven application scheduling. It slows down aging by applying voltage changes at key times - it uses a non-linear optimization algorithm to carefully balance the impact of voltage changes on the aging rate and on the critical path delays. Moreover, Facelift can gainfully configure the chip for a short service life. Simulation results indicate that Facelift leads to more cost-effective multicores. We can take a multicore designed for a 7-year service life and, by hiding and slowing down aging, enable it to run, on average, at a 14-15% higher frequency during its whole service life. Alternatively, we can design the multicore for a 5 to 7-month service life and still use it for 7 years.
Statistics of bicoherence

Numerical simulations are used to investigate statistics of biocoherence for the special case of a linear random process. Smoothed bicoherence statistics are shown to be independent of both the normalization used to form the bicoherence and of whether statistical stability is obtained by ensemble-averaging short records, or frequency merging within a long record. >
Zinc transporters and the cellular trafficking of zinc

Zinc is an essential nutrient for all organisms because this metal serves as a catalytic or structural cofactor for many different proteins. Zinc-dependent proteins are found in the cytoplasm and within many organelles of the eukaryotic cell including the nucleus, the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi, secretory vesicles, and mitochondria. Thus, cells require zinc transport mechanisms to allow cells to efficiently accumulate the metal ion and distribute it within the cell. Our current knowledge of these transport systems in eukaryotes is the focus of this review.
The Branding Potential And Japanese Popular Culture Overseas

There has been a surge in the interest in Japanese popular culture worldwide. The objective of this paper was to explore the extent to which products, images, and activities associated with Japanese popular culture are achieving the status of recognizable and sustainable consumer brands overseas. A specially designed survey was used to examine the levels of awareness, interest, and participation in Japanese popular cultural activities of individuals from different national backgrounds. Regression analysis and other statistical techniques were used to evaluate the empirical findings. The results strongly supported the view that Japanese popular culture products and services have tremendous branding potential overseas. By breaking down popular culture into recognizable components, it was possible to explore the underlying branding potential trends and gain insights into areas for further market development. This approach can be generally applied to the study of the development and marketing of popular culture products & services.
Immune response of patients with rheumatoid arthritis during cyclophosphamide treatment

The immune response was studied in 21 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Eleven had been randomly assigned to receive cyclophosphamide, 50 to 75 mg/day, and 10 to receive a placebo. Immunologic responsiveness was assessed by delayed hypersensitivity skin testing, immunoglobulin levels, in vitro lymphocyte blastogenesis and the primary immune response. All patients had elevated levels of IgG, normal or low IgA and IgM. Delayed hypersensitivity and in vitro lymphocyte blastogenic responses after immunization with the primary antigens Keyhole limpet hemocyanin and the amino acid copolymer (GLAT) were normal. Keyhole limpet hemocyanin and GLAT hemagglutinin titers were lower than normal due to decreased IgG and IgM formation. Treatment for 8 weeks with cyclophosphamide, 50 to 75 mg/day, did not alter the clinical status of the patients and had no detectable effect on their immune reactivity.
Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: Role of Extrahepatic Biliary Resection

Background Most centers advocate orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and cirrhosis. Management of PSC patients without cirrhosis remains controversial. We examined the results of extrahepatic biliary resection (EHBR) for PSC. Study Design Between 1981 and 2006, 126 patients with PSC underwent EHBR (n = 77) or OLT (n = 49). Data on biliary drainage procedures, perioperative morbidity, and longterm survival were collected and analyzed. Results Of 77 patients undergoing EHBR, mean preoperative bilirubin level was 5.6 mg/dL. Nine (11.7%) patients had cirrhosis. Most patients had preoperative biliary drainage (ERCP, 61.0%; PTC, 67.5%). At operation, 73 (94.8%) patients underwent EHBR, including hepatic duct bifurcation. Most patients also had insertion of bilateral transhepatic silicone elastomer biliary stents; 4 (5.2%) underwent EHBR with stent insertion plus hepatectomy. For EHBR patients, perioperative complication rate was 38.7% and 30-day mortality was 3.9%. Bilirubin levels significantly decreased postoperatively (mean drop 3.8 mg/dL; p Conclusions Noncirrhotic patients with PSC can be successfully managed with EHBR. EHBR for noncirrhotic patients is associated with low perioperative morbidity, few readmissions, no new cholangiocarcinomas, and 10-year survival > 60%. OLT should be reserved for patients with PSC and associated hepatic cirrhosis.
MMP20 Modulates Cadherin Expression in Ameloblasts as Enamel Develops

Matrix metalloproteinase-20 (enamelysin, MMP20) is essential for dental enamel development. Seven different MMP20 mutations in humans cause non-syndromic enamel malformations, termed amelogenesis imperfecta, and ablation of Mmp20 in mice results in thin brittle enamel with a dysplastic rod pattern. Healthy enamel formation requires the sliding movement of ameloblasts in rows during the secretory stage of development. This is essential for formation of the characteristic decussating enamel rod pattern observed in rodents, and this is also when MMP20 is secreted into the enamel matrix. Therefore, we propose that MMP20 facilitates ameloblast movement by cleaving ameloblast cell-cell contacts. Here we show that MMP20 cleaves the extracellular domains of the E- and N-cadherin adherens junction proteins, that both E- and N-cadherin transcripts are expressed at significantly higher levels in Mmp20 null vs. wild-type (WT) mice, and that in Mmp20 ablated mice, high-level ameloblast N-cadherin expression persists during the maturation stage of development. Furthermore, we show that E-cadherin gene expression is down-regulated from the pre-secretory to the secretory stage, while N-cadherin levels are up-regulated. This E- to N-cadherin switch supports epithelial migration in other tissues and may be an important event necessary for the ameloblasts to start moving in rows that slide by one another.
Medical students can learn the basic application, analytic, evaluative, and psychomotor skills of critical care medicine.

Objective:To determine whether fourth-year medical students can learn the basic analytic, evaluative, and psychomotor skills needed to initially manage a critically ill patient.Design:Student learning was evaluated using a performance examination, the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE)
Evidence for Cytokine Mediation of Disease Expression in Adults Experimentally Infected with Influenza A Virus

The roles of interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL-8 in mediating the symptoms and signs of influenza A infection were examined. Adults were intranasally inoculated with a rimantadine-sensitive strain of influenza A HlNl virus and treated with rimantadine or placebo. Viral shedding, secretion weights, symptom scores, and concentrations of IL-6 and IL-8 in nasal lavage fluids were compared between treatment groups. Viral shedding was associated with increases in local and systemic symptoms, in expelled secretion weights, and in levels of IL-6 and IL-8. Compared with placebo, rimantadine treatment reduced viral shedding, systemic symptoms, and levels of IL-8. Days of viral shedding and IL-6 but not IL-8 concentrations were significantly correlated with the other measures of symptoms and signs. These data support a causal relationship between viral replication, cytokine production, and symptom expression, and they suggest that IL-6 may have a role in mediating symptom and sign expression during influenza A infection. Viral upper respiratory tract infections (URIs) are extremely common in children and adults [1]. The mechanisms underlying the expression of the local and systemic symptoms and the development of secondary complications are not well understood. Early research implicated roles for cytopathology, cellular infiltration, and inflammatory mediators (histamine, bradykinin) in disease pathogenesis, but these factors are now recognized as late events with specific and limited contributions to disease expression [2‐8]. More recently, it was shown that respiratory epithelial cells and different leukocyte populations elaborate biologically active cytokines, including interleukin (IL)‐1, tumor necrosis factor‐a, IL-6, and IL-8, when exposed to or infected with rhinovirus, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, measles virus, or influenza virus [9‐18]. These cytokines were also detected in the blood or secretions (or both) of patients infected with those viruses [8, 19‐25] and were shown to provoke symptoms and signs consistent with those of a viral URI when administered systemically or locally [26‐28]. For these reasons, it is tempting to suggest that the similarities in symptom presentation for
Cognitive Effects of Neonatal Hippocampal Lesions in a Rat Model of Schizophrenia

Lesioning the ventral hippocampus of neonatal rats has been proposed as an experimental model of schizophrenia. This lesion causes a syndrome of hyperresponsivity to the stimulant effects of amphetamine, impaired grooming and disrupted social interactions, effects that emerge during adolescence, much like schizophrenia. Persisting cognitive effects of neonatal ventral hippocampal lesions were assessed in the current study, because the hippocampus is critically important for a variety of cognitive functions and cognitive impairment and because it is an important feature of schizophrenia. Spatial learning and working memory were assessed in the radial-arm maze, which is sensitive to the adverse effects of hippocampal lesions made in adults. Lesioned rats showed pronounced deficits in radial-arm maze choice accuracy that persisted throughout training. Deficits were seen during the prepubertal period as well as in adulthood. Even though the lesioned rats performed more poorly, they were significantly less sensitive to the amnestic effects of the nicotinic antagonist mecamylamine and the muscarinic antagonist scopolamine. No significant effects of nicotine or amphetamine were seen in either the lesioned or control groups. The long-lasting deficits in spatial learning and working memory resulting from neonatal ventral hippocampal lesions show that, unlike frontal cortical lesions during the same age, the effects of hippocampal lesions are not overcome during development. The resistance to the amnestic effects of nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine (ACh) antagonists suggests that the hippocampus is a critical site for the action of these drugs. Neonatal hippocampal lesions may provide a good model of the cognitive impairments of schizophrenia and may be useful to assess novel drug effects to counteract the cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.
A comprehensive analysis of oxidative stress in the ozone-induced lung inflammation mouse model

Ozone is an oxidizing environmental pollutant that contributes significantly to respiratory health. Exposure to increased levels of ozone has been associated with worsening of symptoms of patients with asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). In the present study, we investigated the acute and chronic effects of ozone exposure-induced oxidative stress-related inflammation mechanics in mouse lung. In particular, we investigated the oxidative stress-induced effects on HDAC2 (histone deacetylase 2) modification and activation of the Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid-related factor 2) and HIF-1α (hypoxia-inducible factor-1α) signalling pathways. Male C57BL/6 mice were exposed to ozone (3 p.p.m.) for 3 h a day, twice a week for a period of 1, 3 or 6 weeks. Control mice were exposed to normal air. After the last exposure, mice were killed for BAL (bronchoalveolar lavage) fluid and lung tissue collection. BAL total cell counts were elevated at all of the time points studied. This was associated with increased levels of chemokines and cytokines in all ozone-exposed groups, indicating the presence of a persistent inflammatory environment in the lung. Increased inflammation and L m (mean linear intercept) scores were observed in chronic exposed mice, indicating emphysematous changes were present in lungs of chronic exposed mice. The antioxidative stress response was active (indicated by increased Nrf2 activity and protein) after 1 week of ozone exposure, but this ability was lost after 3 and 6 weeks of ozone exposure. The transcription factor HIF-1α was elevated in 3- and 6-week ozone-exposed mice and this was associated with increased gene expression levels of several HIF-1α target genes including Hdac2 (histone deacetylase 2), Vegf (vascular endothelial growth factor), Keap1 (kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1) and Mif (macrophage migration inhibitory factor). HDAC2 protein was found to be phosphorylated and carbonylated in nuclear and cytoplasm fractions, respectively, and was associated with a decrease in DNA-binding activity and protein expression of HDAC2. Decreased HDAC2 activity, most likely a direct result of protein modification, in combination with the loss of the antioxidative stress response and activation of the HIF-1α pathway, contribute to the inflammatory response and emphysema observed in ozone-exposed mice.
Alterations in gastrointestinal contents induced by elemental diets

The effects of elemental diets on selected aspects of the rat colon were studied. Forty young male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 diet groups of 10 rats each: Purina Rat Chow (control); Flexical; Precision L-R; and Vivonex. All diets were fed ad lib to rats housed in pairs in wire-bottom cages. Two weeks after weight stabilization had been achieved all rats were killed and colon contents were collected for culture and short-chain fatty acid analysis on the Perkins-Elsoner 3920 gas chromatograph. Colon fecal butyric/acetic acid ratios of the rats in the 4 groups were: Rat Chow, 2.56; Flexical, 0.28; Precision L-R, 0.16; and Vivonex, 0.26. Bacterial cultures showed increased coliform and enterococcal species in the rats consuming elemental diets.
Patch clamp: non-traditional techniques

Femtofarad changes in cell capacitance associated with exo- and endocytosis have been recorded. These measurements have generally confirmed electron-microscopic evidence of exocytotic vesicle size and have provided direct evidence for the intracellular fusion of secretory granules and a dynamic measurement of membrane trafficking. Since the giga-seal used in the nontraditional technique provides a mechanical seal as well as an electrical and chemical seal, it has been possible to measure the mechanical properties of the cell membrane using as outputs the activation of mechanotransducing ion channels, the stress-induced increase in patch capacitance, and the membrane strain. >
Reduced Pyrazinamidase Activity and the Natural Resistance of Mycobacterium kansasii to the Antituberculosis Drug Pyrazinamide

Pyrazinamide (PZA), an analog of nicotinamide, is a prodrug that requires conversion to the bactericidal compound pyrazinoic acid (POA) by the bacterial pyrazinamidase (PZase) activity of nicotinamidase to show activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Mutations leading to a loss of PZase activity cause PZA resistance in M. tuberculosis. M. kansasii is naturally resistant to PZA and has reduced PZase activity along with an apparently detectable nicotinamidase activity. The role of the reduction in PZase activity in the natural PZA resistance of M. kansasii is unknown. The MICs of PZA and POA for M. kansasii were determined to be 500 and 125 micrograms/ml, respectively. Using [14C]PZA and [14C]nicotinamide, we found that M. kansasii had about 5-fold-less PZase activity and about 25-fold-less nicotinamidase activity than M. tuberculosis. The M. kansasii pncA gene was cloned on a 1.8-kb BamHI DNA fragment, using M. avium pncA probe. Sequence analysis showed that the M. kansasii pncA gene encoded a protein with homology to its counterparts from M. tuberculosis (69.9%), M. avium (65.6%), and Escherichia coli (28.5%). Transformation of naturally PZA-resistant M. bovis BCG with M. kansasii pncA conferred partial PZA susceptibility. Transformation of M. kansasii with M. avium pncA caused functional expression of PZase and high-level susceptibility to PZA, indicating that the natural PZA resistance in M. kansasii results from a reduced PZase activity. Like M. tuberculosis, M. kansasii accumulated POA in the cells at an acidic pH; however, due to its highly active POA efflux pump, the naturally PZA-resistant species M. smegmatis did not. These findings suggest the existence of a weak POA efflux mechanism in M. kansasii.
The Case for Judicial Protection of Civil Liberties

IN RECENT YEARS it has become commonplace for Constitutional schSolars to point out that the Supreme Court is handicapped in its attempts to protect civil liberties against national or state legislation by the fact that it has seemingly given up its review powers in economic and social matters. Many writers could be cited for this point of view; a recent and cogent statement is that of Professor Earl Latham:
SELF-CONJUGATE VECTOR PARTITIONS AND THE PARITY OF THE SPT-FUNCTION

Let spt(n) denote the total number of appearances of the smallest parts in all the partitions of n. Recently, we found new combinatorial interpretations of congruences for the spt-function modulo 5 and 7. These interpretations were in terms of a restricted set of weighted vector partitions which we call S-partitions. We prove that the number of self-conjugate S-partitions, counted with a certain weight, is related to the coecients of a certain mock theta function studied by the rst author, Dyson and Hickerson. As a result we obtain an elementary q-series proof of Ono and Folsom's results for the parity of spt(n). A number of related generating function identities are also obtained.
Autophagy and Immunity

Autophagy is a highly conserved and regulated process in eukaryotic cells by which components of the cytoplasm, such as damaged organelles and foreign pathogens, become enveloped into double-membrane autophagosome vesicles that fuse with the lysosome for degradation. Autophagy has recently been implicated in modulation of both host innate and adaptive immune systems in response to infection. This chapter discusses how the autophagy pathway becomes activated upon bacterial or viral infection, the role of autophagy proteins in regulating innate immune signaling pathways, and the importance of autophagy in antigen presentation. Specifically, this chapter examines how pathogen-encoded virulence factors evade degradation by blocking the induction, nucleation, elongation, or maturation steps in the autophagy pathway. We also discuss how certain pathogens enhance autophagy induction or usurp autophagic machinery for their own replication. A comprehensive understanding of autophagic response to foreign pathogens may enable the discovery of novel antibiotic and antiviral drug targets.
Fibrolytic Bacteria Isolated from the Rumen of North American Moose (Alces alces) and Their Use as a Probiotic in Neonatal Lambs

Fibrolytic bacteria were isolated from the rumen of North American moose (Alces alces), which eat a high-fiber diet of woody browse. It was hypothesized that fibrolytic bacteria isolated from the moose rumen could be used as probiotics to improve fiber degradation and animal production. Thirty-one isolates (Bacillus, n = 26; Paenibacillus, n = 1; and Staphylococcus, n = 4) were cultured from moose rumen digesta samples collected in Vermont. Using Sanger sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, culturing techniques, and optical densities, isolates were identified and screened for biochemical properties important to plant carbohydrate degradation. Five isolates were selected as candidates for use as a probiotic, which was administered daily to neonate lambs for 9 weeks. It was hypothesized that regular administration of a probiotic to improve fibrolysis to neonate animals through weaning would increase the developing rumen bacterial diversity, increase animal production, and allow for long-term colonization of the probiotic species. Neither weight gain nor wool quality was improved in lambs given a probiotic, however, dietary efficiency was increased as evidenced by the reduced feed intake (and rearing costs) without a loss to weight gain. Experimental lambs had a lower acetate to propionate ratio than control lambs, which was previously shown to indicate increased dietary efficiency. Fibrolytic bacteria made up the majority of sequences, mainly Prevotella, Butyrivibrio, and Ruminococcus. While protozoal densities increased over time and were stable, methanogen densities varied greatly in the first six months of life for lambs. This is likely due to the changing diet and bacterial populations in the developing rumen.
PCDH19-related epilepsy in two mosaic male patients

PCDH19 gene mutations have been recently associated with an epileptic syndrome characterized by focal and generalized seizures. The PCDH19 gene (Xq22.1) has an unusual X-linked inheritance with a selective involvement for female subjects. A cellular interference mechanism has been hypothesized and male patients can manifest epilepsy only in the case of a mosaicism. So far about 100 female patients, and only one symptomatic male have been described. Using targeted next generation sequencing (NGS) approach we found a PCDH19 point mutation in two male patients with a clinical picture suggestive of PCDH19-related epilepsy. The system allowed us to verify that the two c.1352 C>T; p.(Pro451Leu) and c.918C>G; p.(Tyr306*) variants occurred in mosaic status. Mutations were confirmed by Sanger sequencing and quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Up to now, the traditional molecular screening for PCDH19-related epilepsy has been targeted to all females with early onset epilepsy with or without cognitive impairment. Male patients were generally excluded. We describe for the first time two mosaic PCDH19 point mutations in two male patients with a clinical picture suggestive of PCDH19-related epilepsy. This finding opens new opportunities for the molecular diagnoses in patients with a peculiar type of epilepsy that remains undiagnosed in male patients.
Leiomyosarcoma of the Inferior Vena Cava: A Case Series and Review of the Literature

Background Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava (IVC) is an exceedingly rare smooth muscle sarcoma. Approximately 300 cases have been described in the literature, and further research is needed to understand the disease and guide its management. Surgery remains the only potential curative measure. Methods A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent surgical resection of IVC leiomyosarcoma at our institution over the past 3 years was performed. The patients were identified using a prospectively maintained database. Results Three patients with leiomyosarcoma of the infrahepatic IVC underwent radical resection carried out by a team of surgical oncologists and vascular surgeons. There were 2 males (66.7%) and 1 female (33.3%). Mean age at diagnosis was 60.3 years (range 43–78). Mean tumor size was 12.2 cm (range 5.6–22). The mean operative time was 320 min (range 180–421), mean estimated blood loss was 1,300 mL (100–2,000) mL, and average length of stay 8.67 days (6–12). All patients achieved grossly negative margins (R1 or R0 resections) and are alive with a mean overall survival of 21 months (range 12–30). Patient 1 was a 60-year-old man who presented with metachronous skin leiomyosarcomas at 2 different sites. He underwent PET/CT scan that revealed an IVC mass. Resection of the middle segment of the IVC and right kidney was performed with reconstruction with polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) graft. Patient 2 was a 78-year-old man with an incidentally found a 9-cm IVC tumor. Resection of the tumor was performed, and no reconstruction was needed since the tumor had a completely extraluminal growth pattern. Patient 3 was a 43-year-old woman who presented with abdominal pain. Her work-up showed a 15-cm IVC mass. She underwent resection of the middle segment of the IVC, right nephrectomy, and cholecystectomy with reconstruction of the IVC with PTFE graft. Conclusions Surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment in patients with leiomyosarcoma of the IVC. A collaborative approach involving surgical oncologists and vascular surgeons ensures adequate resection with functional reconstruction to achieve the best patient outcomes.
Abstract P295: Exercise Capacity and Rate of Progression to Chronic Kidney Disease

Introduction: Increased exercise capacity is associated with better health outcomes. It is not known if increased fitness can attenuate the progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Hypothesis: We assessed the hypothesis that increased exercise capacity is associated inversely with the rate of progression to CKD. Methods: A routine exercise stress was performed on 6,452 veterans (mean age: 58±12) with normal kidney function at VA Medical Centers in Washington DC. We used Cox proportional hazards model with spline function of MET to define the MET level associated with no increase in rate of progression to CKD (hazard ratio (HR)=1.0). We used this MET level to guide the formation of the following four fitness categories based on intervals of 2 METs achieved above and below this threshold: Least-Fit ( 9.5 METs; n=714). We then performed Cox proportional hazards analysis adjusted for age, BMI, cardiac risk factors, sleep apnea, alcohol dependence and medications. We used the Least-fit category as the reference group. Results: The MET threshold for the entire cohort was defined at 7.5 METs. During the follow-up period (median 8.8 years; 50,371 person-years of follow-up), 925 individuals developed CKD based on an estimated glomerular filtration rate 2 . Cox proportional hazards analysis revealed that exercise capacity was inversely associated with the rate of progression to CKD. More specifically, the rate of progression was lower by 25% (HR=0.75; CI: 0.64-0.87; p Conclusions: Exercise capacity is inversely associated with the rate of progression to CKD.
Manprint (Manpower and Personnel Integration)

The MANPRINT (Manpower and Personnel Integration) Program is a comprehensive program designed to enhance human performance and reliability during weapon system development with the overall goal – of optimizing total system performance. Total system performance is a function of equipment performance and human performance as they are affected under varying environmental conditions which includes physical, social and operational conditions. The challenge the U.S. Army has today is to ensure these issues are addressed early in and continuously throughout the design process.
Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for CVD: implications for evidence-based patient care and scientific inquiry

A recent meta-analysis has shown that loneliness and social isolation are risk factors for coronary heart disease and stroke.1 These latest findings, specific to cardiovascular outcomes, are consistent with substantial research indicating broad health risks (eg, immune functioning, cardiovascular functioning, cognitive decline) associated with the quantity and quality of social relationships—including several meta-analyses documenting mortality risk.2 ,3 In the most comprehensive of these,3 the overall odds for mortality was 1.50, similar to the risk from light smoking and exceeding the risks conferred by hypertension and obesity. Thus, the epidemiological data suggest that having more and better quality social relationships is linked to decreased health risks and having fewer and poorer quality relationships increased risk.2 ,3 Research has also documented the influence of social connections (including measures specific to loneliness and isolation) on multiple pathways involved in both the development and progression of coronary heart disease and stroke. As depicted in figure 1, these include lifestyle (eg, nutrition, physical activity, sleep),4 treatment adherence and cooperation,5 and direct effects on surrogate biological markers.6 ,7 Recent longitudinal data from four nationally representative US samples revealed a dose–response effect of social integration on several surrogate biomarkers of cardiovascular disease including hypertension, body mass index, waist circumference and inflammation (hs-CRP).6 Moreover, most epidemiological studies control for lifestyle factors (eg, smoking, physical activity), documenting an independent influence of social relationships on mortality. Taken together, these latest findings specific to loneliness and isolation1 bolster the already robust evidence documenting that social connections significantly predict morbidity and mortality, supporting the case for inclusion as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Figure 1 Simplified model of possible direct and indirect pathways by which social connections influence disease morbidity and mortality. How should these data inform clinical practice? …
Correcting Exercise Form Using Body Tracking

In the past twenty years, there have been little to no advances in technology used for free weight exercises. However, with the advances of computer vision and the availability of technology such as the XBox Kinect, having computer assisted exercises are a definite possibility for gym experiences. In this paper we examine the possibility of using a real-time correcting tool for a user's form while performing a free weight exercise. The squat exercise was chosen because it is easily track-able due to its rigid and specific set of form specifications that allow it to be easily corrected. Through our pilot study we showed that a user could learn how to correctly perform an exercise and correct their form by using the feedback provided by our software.
Correlation Analysis on Hypertension and Multiple Risk Factors

[Objective]To investigate the relationship between hypertension and some risk factors including body mass index(BMI),waist hip ratio(WHR),blood lipid,blood glucose(GLU),age,smoking and drinking.[Methods]2 counties were selected randomly in Pinggu District,among which 1 life community and 2 functional communities were selected randomly,in each community,a cluster of 80 people were sampled as respondent,sampling by the first letter of name,taking the proportion of age group and gender into account.The respondent were inquired,blood pressure and related indicators were measured.[Results]A total of 471 people were investigated,the prevalence of hypertension was 40.76%;among which 227(48.2%)were male,the prevalence was 48.02%;244(51.8%)were female,the prevalence was 34.02%;the differences of age,education level,obesity(BMI and WHR),drinking,blood lipids(serum total cholesterol,blood triglycerides,low density lipoprotein),and GLU were significant between hypertensive patients and people with normal blood pressure;the differences of smoking and high-density lipoprotein were not significant.[Conclusion]Hypertension correlates with multiple risk factors of cardiovascular disease,bodyweight control can effectively control blood pressure.
CMOS gate drive IC with embedded cross talk suppression circuitry for SiC devices

This paper presents a gate driver integrated circuit (IC) for Silicon Carbide (SiC) devices to fully utilize their high switching speed capabilities in a phase-leg configuration. Based upon the intrinsic properties prevalent in SiC devices, gate assist circuitry is integrated into a gate driver IC to control the gate voltages seen by both devices in a phase-leg during different switching transients. Compared to a traditional gate driver IC, the proposed circuit has the potential of suppressing the cross talk seen by both devices thus increasing the overall switching speed of the phase-leg. The replacement of the conventional gate driver with an IC effectively lowers the gate impedance loop by reducing the number of on-board traces and moving essential traces to inside the chip. Therefore, larger transient currents and higher slew rates can be achieved with an IC compared to nominal commercially available gate driver devices. Meanwhile, the added functionality of cross talk suppression, not normally available in other gate drive IC designs, minimizes the spurious gate voltages from cross talk to within the required operating ranges of SiC devices.
Cost containment and mental health outcomes: experiences from US studies.

Background. Cost containment mechanisms, such as prepayment, are being considered or implemented in the US and elsewhere, but there have been few studies of the effects of such mechanisms on quality or outcomes of care for individuals with serious psychiatric disorders. Method. Key results from US studies on cost containment and their implications are reviewed. Results. Cost savings in out-patient mental health care can be achieved through increasing the share of costs paid by the covered individual or through prepayment, but individuals with the greatest psychological distress or poor people may achieve worse outcomes under greater cost containment. Quality of care may be poorer under some forms of prepayment than under fee-for-service care, yet a national prospective payment mechanism for depressed elderly in-patients was not associated with a marked drop in quality or outcomes of care among those admitted. Conclusions. Prepayment, relative to fee-for-service is not always associated with lower outcomes or quality of care for affective disorders. Under cost containment, quality and outcomes of care, especially for the sick poor, should be monitored to identify adverse consequences.
Economic Problems of Science Policy

With the Russian success in launching in 1957 the Sputnik space satellite, which led — as mentioned in the previous chapter — to far-reaching changes in educational and technology-stimulating policies, a strong impetus was given to the development of integrated science policies at national level in a number of the major industrialised countries. “Science policy” has involved the collaboration of government departments and representatives of the academic and research communities of science, including government-sponsored research establishments, in determining the allocation among fields and research organisations of the funds made available by governments to support science.
Recent Advances in Diffraction Analysis of Reflector Antennas

Reflector antenna configurations have evolved considerably in the last decade. For example, a reflector antenna configuration envisioned for future satellite communications is shown in Fig. 1. This antenna system utilizes a dual offet reflector antenna with the following characteristics: (a) the main reflector is mesh deployable, (b) the subreflector is made of multi-layered frequency selective surfaces (FSS), (c) a deployable mast is shown to support the subreflector, (d) there are complex conformai array feeds operating at different frequency bands, and (e) adaptive beam forming networks (BFN) with reconfigurable functionality are used. This antenna system architecture is envisioned to fulfill the demanding requirements imposed upon the future - generation antenna systems. Some of the key design aspects of these future-generation antenna systems are high gain, low sidelobes, low cross polarization, multi-frequency operation and scanning beam capabilities. Clearly, sophisticated and advanced analytical/numerical and measurement techniques are required to accurately and properly assess the performance characteristics of this type of an antenna configuration.
Measuring Molecular Vibronic Couplings and Dynamics with Two-Dimensional Vibrational-Electronic Spectroscopy

2D vibrational-electronic spectroscopy is a novel third-order technique that provides a direct probe of vibronic couplings in solution. We report on the coupling of specific high frequency vibrations to charge-transfer transitions in small molecules.
A family of cis-macrocyclic diphosphines: modular, stereoselective synthesis and application in catalytic CO2/ethylene coupling

A family of cis-macrocyclic diphosphines was prepared in just three steps from white phosphorus and commercial materials using a modular synthetic approach. Alkylation of bicyclic diphosphane 3,4,8,9-tetramethyl-1,6-diphosphabicyclo(4.4.0)deca-3,8-diene, or P2(dmb)2, produced phosphino-phosphonium salts [R-P2(dmb)2]X, where R is methyl, benzyl and isobutyl, in yields of 90–96%. Treatment of these salts with organolithium or Grignard reagents yielded symmetric and unsymmetric macrocyclic diphosphines of the form cis-1-R-6-R′-3,4,8,9-tetramethyl-2,5,7,10-tetrahydro-1,6-DiPhospheCine, or R,R′-DPC, in which R′ is methyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl or mesityl, in yields of 46–94%. Alternatively, symmetric diphosphine Cy2-DPC was synthesized in 74% yield from the dichlorodiphosphine Cl2P2(dmb)2. As a first application, these cis-macrocyclic diphosphines were used as ligands in the nickel-catalyzed synthesis of acrylate from CO2 and ethylene, for which they showed promising catalytic activity.
Quality and clarity in systematic review abstracts: an empirical study

Background Systematic review (SR) abstracts are important for disseminating evidence syntheses to inform medical decision making. We assess reporting quality in SR abstracts using PRISMA for Abstracts (PRISMA-A), Cochrane Handbook, and Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality guidance. Methods We evaluated a random sample of 200 SR abstracts (from 2014) comparing interventions in the general medical literature. We assessed adherence to PRISMA-A criteria, problematic wording in conclusions, and whether “positive” studies described clinical significance. Results On average, abstracts reported 60% of PRISMA-A checklist items (mean 8.9 ± 1.7, range 4 to 12). Eighty percent of meta-analyses reported quantitative measures with a confidence interval. Only 49% described effects in terms meaningful to patients and clinicians (e.g., absolute measures), and only 43% mentioned strengths/limitations of the evidence base. Average abstract word count was 274 (SD 89). Word count explained only 13% of score variability. PRISMA-A scores did not differ between Cochrane and non-Cochrane abstracts (mean difference 0.08, 95% confidence interval −1.16 to 1.00). Of 275 primary outcomes, 48% were statistically significant, 32% were not statistically significant, and 19% did not report significance or results. Only one abstract described clinical significance for positive findings. For “negative” outcomes, we identified problematic simple restatements (20%), vague “no evidence of effect” wording (9%), and wishful wording (8%). Conclusions Improved SR abstract reporting is needed, particularly reporting of quantitative measures (for meta-analysis), easily interpretable units, strengths/limitations of evidence, clinical significance, and clarifying whether negative results reflect true equivalence between treatments. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Etching of sub-0.5 [micro sign]m W/WSix bilayer gates

Using electron-beam lithography, 0.3-2.0 /spl mu/m W/WSi/sub x/ gates were fabricated in a reactive ion etch (RIE) system using a SF/sub 6//Ar plasma. W/WSi/sub x/ gate sidewall profiles and etch rates were evaluated against plasma chemistry, RF-power, and pressure.
User authentication and identification from user interface interactions on touch-enabled devices

We investigate if a mobile application running on a touch-enabled device can continuously and unobtrusively authenticate and identify its users based only on their interactions with the user interface of the application. A unique advantage that this modality provides over other implicit modalities on mobile devices is that every user who uses the mobile application is automatically enrolled into the classification system via the touch-based interface, thereby guaranteeing that an attacker cannot avoid the classification system. Using different types of input controls available on the Android platform, we collected interactions from 42 users in five sessions. We created base classifiers from each type of input control and combined them into an ensemble classifier to authenticate and identify users. We found that a Support Vector Machine-based ensemble classifier achieves a mean equal error rate of 7% for user authentication and a median accuracy of 93% for user identification. We found that Support Vector Machine-based ensemble classifiers outperform other techniques in both cases. While the ensemble classifier performance for authentication and identification is not found to be sufficient for it to replace current primary authentication mechanisms used in mobile applications, its truly continuous nature provides motivation for it to be used in conjunction with primary authentication mechanisms. UI interaction-based authentication and identification is independent of swipe gesture-based and keystroke-based authentication, allowing it to be combined with those modalities, while remaining resilient to attacks against those modalities.
Total recall: system support for automated availability management

Availability is a storage system property that is both highly desired and yet minimally engineered. While many systems provide mechanisms to improve availability - such as redundancy and failure recovery - how to best configure these mechanisms is typically left to the system manager. Unfortunately, few individuals have the skills to properly manage the trade-offs involved, let alone the time to adapt these decisions to changing conditions. Instead, most systems are configured statically and with only a cursory understanding of how the configuration will impact overall performance or availability. While this issue can be problematic even for individual storage arrays, it becomes increasingly important as systems are distributed - and absolutely critical for the wide-area peer-to-peer storage infrastructures being explored. This paper describes the motivation, architecture and implementation for a new peer-to-peer storage system, called TotalRecall, that automates the task of availability management. In particular, the TotalRecall system automatically measures and estimates the availability of its constituent host components, predicts their future availability based on past behavior, calculates the appropriate redundancy mechanisms and repair policies, and delivers user-specified availability while maximizing efficiency.
Performance of preconditioned iterative solvers in MFiX–Trilinos for fluidized beds

MFiX, a general-purpose Fortran-based suite, simulates the complex flow in fluidized bed applications via BiCGStab and GMRES methods along with plane relaxation preconditioners. Trilinos, an object-oriented framework, contains various first- and second-generation Krylov subspace solvers and preconditioners. We developed a framework to integrate MFiX with Trilinos as MFiX does not possess advanced linear methods. The framework allows MFiX to access advanced linear solvers and preconditioners in Trilinos. The integrated solver is called MFiX–Trilinos, here after. In the present work, we study the performance of variants of GMRES and CGS methods in MFiX–Trilinos and BiCGStab and GMRES solvers in MFiX for a 3D gas–solid fluidized bed problem. Two right preconditioners employed along with various solvers in MFiX–Trilinos are Jacobi and smoothed aggregation. The flow from MFiX–Trilinos is validated against the same from MFiX for BiCGStab and GMRES methods. And, the effect of the preconditioning on the iterative solvers in MFiX–Trilinos is also analyzed. In addition, the effect of left and right smoothed aggregation preconditioning on the solvers is studied. The performance of the first- and second-generation solver stacks in MFiX–Trilinos is studied as well for two different problem sizes.
Stress as a Moderator of the Effects of Coping Motives on Alcohol and Marijuana Use in Young Adulthood

Higher levels of coping motives are associated with higher frequency and quantity of alcohol and marijuana use, and higher levels of stress may exacerbate this association. In this study, we examined whether perceived level of stress moderated the association between coping motives and alcohol and marijuana use in a sample of young adult men. Data came from men who were interviewed at mean age 26 (N = 425) and again at mean age 29 (N = 400). Past year frequency and quantity of drinking and past year frequency of marijuana use were assessed as outcomes. Enhancement motives and race were controlled in the analyses. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that stronger alcohol coping motives were significantly related to greater frequency and quantity of alcohol use at ages 26 and 29 and stronger marijuana coping motives were significantly related to greater frequency of marijuana use at age 26 but not 29. Coping motives at age 26 were not predictive of alcohol or marijuana use at age 29. Enhancement motives attenuated the effects of coping motives concurrently and were significantly related to all substance-specific outcomes at the same wave. Crossover effects from alcohol coping motives to marijuana use and from marijuana coping motives to alcohol use were not significant at ages 26 or 29. Stress did not moderate the effects of coping on any outcome. Although coping motives were significant substance-specific predictors of alcohol and marijuana use in young adulthood, most of these associations were no longer significant once enhancement motives were controlled. Interventions to challenge both enhancement and coping motives are needed for young men throughout young adulthood. DOI: 10.26828/cannabis.2018.01.001
Looking Inside and Affecting the Outside: Corrections-Based Interventions for STD Prevention

s of the 40th meeting of the Infectious Disease Society of America. Chicago, IL: IDSA; October 2002. 64. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. High-risk sexual behavior by HIVpositive men who have sex with men: 16 sites, United States, 2000-2002. MMWR.