cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cancer prevention: Environmental, industrial, and occupational factors

The possible contribution of occupational and environmental exposures to cancer has been known for many years and is now a highly mature field of study. By the 1950s, a substantial list of agents of processes had been identified as associated with cancer of one organ or another. In the last several decades a number of additions have been made to the list. No doubt more will be found in the future. The last decade, especially, has brought increased public attention to cancer in the workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 has been a significant contributor to the current increase in attention given to cancer occurrences arising from occupational exposures. These have led to increasingly stringent regulations and control requirements. The nature of the chemical and physical factors in occupational cancer will be noted and the estimates of the contribution of occupational factors to total cancer occurrence will be considered. In addition to the workplace exposures, other ways in which cancer may be associated with technology will be described. Included among these are, community air pollution, water contaminants, dietary additives, and hair dyes.
Flexible parametric estimation of duration and competing risk models

In this paper we specify and estimate a flexible parametric proportional hazards model. The model specification is flexibly parametric in the sense that the baseline hazard is non parametric while the effect of the covariates takes a particular functional form. We also add parametric heterogeneity to the underlying hazard model specification. We specify a flexible parametric proportional competing risks model which permits unrestricted correlation among the risks. Unemployment duration data are then analysed using the flexible parametric duration and competing risks specifications. We find an important effect arising from the exhaustion of unemployment insurance and significantly different hazards for the two types of risks, new jobs and recalls.
Density matters: The semiconservative replication of DNA

The semiconservative mode of DNA replication was originally documented through the classic density labeling experiments of Matthew Meselson and Franklin W. Stahl, as communicated to PNAS by Max Delbruck in May 1958. The ultimate value of their novel approach has extended far beyond the initial implications from that elegant study, through more than four decades of research on DNA replication, recombination, and repair. I provide here a short historical commentary and then an account of some developments in the field of DNA replication, which closely followed the Meselson–Stahl experiment. These developments include the application of density labeling to discover the repair replication of damaged DNA, a “nonconservative” mode of synthesis in which faulty sections of DNA are replaced.
Look-Ahead Digital Control of Single-Input, Single-Output Linear Systems

Look-ahead or preview control is possible where future knowledge of system inputs is available. Designs based on look-ahead control can result in significant improvements in performance In this paper, a systematic development is given for deterministic look-ahead digital control of single-input, single-output linear systems.
The coming mini/micro car crisis: Do we need a new definition?

It appears that with the planned 1984 introduction of the Chevrolet Sprint, United States drivers will have the opportunity to purchase a truly urban car from a domestic manufacturer. Such cars bring with them major safety challenges. The paper discusses some alternatives for registering and licensing these cars, plus a short history of small vehicle regulations in the U.S., the worldwide markets for such vehicles, and closes with a discussion of major urban car safety issues.
Soluble factors in tolerance and contact sensitivity to 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene in mice. IV. Characterization of migration inhibition factor-producing lymphocytes and genetic requirements for activation.

The production of migration inhibition factor (MIF) in vitro by lymph node cells from mice with contact sensitivity to 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) was investigated. MIF activity of cell-free culture supernatants was measured using a micro, indirect "hanging-drop" assay system. We found that DNFB-sensitized lymph node cells are stimulated to produce MIF by co-culture with DNP-labeled spleen cells or splenic adherent cells. The stimulation was quantitatively antigen-specific, as co-culture with TNP-spleen cells or TNP-splenic adherent cells induced only low levels of MIF activity. Pretreating the immune lymph node cells with different antisera plus complement, before addition of DNP-spleen cells, showed that MIF production is dependent on Ia- T cells. Additional experiments showed that in order for the T cells to be stimulated, homology at the I-A subregion of the major histocompatibility complex between the T cells and DNP-spleen cells is required. Collectively, these results correlate with our previous finding that transfer of contact sensitivity is mediated by Ia- T cells and indicate that both tests, i.e., transfer in vivo and MIF production in vitro, are measuring effector functions of the same T cell subset.
A Fortran 77 interpreter for mutation analysis

Mutation analysis is a powerful technique for testing software systems. In the Mothra project, conducted at Georgia Tech's Software Engineering Research Center, mutation analysis is used as a basis for building an integrated software testing environment. Mutation analysis requires the execution of many slightly differing versions of the same program to evaluate the quality of the data used to test the program. In the current version of the Mothra system, a program to be tested is translated to intermediate code, where it and its mutated versions are executed by an interpreter.In this paper, we discuss some of the unique requirements of an interpreter used in a mutation-based testing environment. We then describe how these requirements affected the design and implementation of the Fortran 77 version of the Mothra interpreter. Other topics covered include the architecture of the interpreter and many of the design elements that it incorporates. We also describe the intermediate language used by Mothra and the features of the interpreter that are needed for software testing.
Early formal schooling: Are we promoting achievement or anxiety?

Abstract The resurgence of interest in early childhood education has been accompanied by an active debate about the most developmentally beneficial approach to preschool instruction. Some experts and the major early childhood organizations in this country advocate a child-centered or developmentally appropriate approach, whereas other experts advocate a teacher-directed, didactic approach. Until recently, the empirical evidence available to inform this controversy has been woefully thin. This article reviews the social and theoretical parameters of this debate about preschool instruction, articulates the core dimensions that have been portrayed as distinguishing child- from teacher-directed curricula, and examines the available research that can inform the debate. Our conclusions support those who encourage the adoption of child-centered curricula. Didactic approaches appear to undermine young children's motivation in and enjoyment of school in the short term and to have either neutral or negative ramifications for long-term achievement, despite some evidence of short-term gains.
Characterization of iron uptake by iron‐efficient and iron‐inefficient soybeans in cell suspension culture

Abstract Cell suspension cultures of Fe‐efficient Hawkeye (HA) and Fe‐inefficient Pl‐54619–5–1 (PI) soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] respond differently to Fe‐stress and take up different quantities of Fe, but reflect differences observed at the whole plant level. Short‐term Fe uptake experiments showed that HA‐soybean cells respond to Fe‐stress by increasing their ability for Fe uptake. Pi‐soybean cells have a significantly decreased ability for Fe uptake when Fe‐stressed. Kinetic studies indicated that HA‐soybean cells had greater Km and Vmax values for Fe uptake than PI‐soybean cells. The data indicate that HA‐soybean cells have an inducible Fe transport system that is stimulated under conditions of Fe‐stress. It appears that when Fe‐stressed, HA‐soybean cells may increase the number of Fe reducing and/or Fe transporting sites, thus increasing their ability for Fe uptake. Iron is taken up as the reduced ferrous (Fe2+) form by a system showing a high specificity for Fel as indicated by competing cati...
Life cycle assessment of nano-sized titanium dioxide coating on residential windows

The use of nano-sized titanium dioxide (TiO2) as coating in buildings has received considerable interests in recent years due to its excellent ability to purify the environment by capturing some of the pollutants in the air and by using its inherent photocatalytic properties to its advantage. This study employs Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate the use of nano-sized titanium dioxide coating on residential window glass. To achieve this objective, this study compiled a Life-Cycle Inventory (LCI) for quantifying the energy and emissions of the coating during the manufacturing process and in-service. The Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability (BEES) model was employed to develop the life cycle inventory of titanium dioxide coating on windows. The LCA framework used in this study was based on a life cycle methodology that follows the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14040 standard for life cycle assessment and the ASTM standard for Multi-attribute Decision Analysis. Based on the analysis conducted, it may be concluded that the use of TiO2 coating on window panes carries a positive effect on acidification potential, eutrophication potential, criteria air pollutants and smog formation potential, while it increases environmental loads in global warming, fossil fuel depletion, water intake, human health, and ecological toxicity. However, the overall normalized performance on the environment and air purification is positive.
Antibodies to citrullinated proteins: Pathogenic and diagnostic significance

The recent demonstration of efficacy in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with B-cell-depleting therapy, along with the increasing understanding of the role of anticitrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) have begun to provide new insights into the pathogenesis of this complex disease. This manuscript reviews the current understanding of ACPA with regard to clinical associations and pathogenic mechanisms in preclinical animal models. These data are synthesized into a model of the development of rheumatoid arthritis that refocuses attention on the role of B cells and immune complexes, returning in part to the origins of scientific investigation in this disease, and points to directions of research that are necessary to achieve the full therapeutic, diagnostic, and prognostic potential of the ACPA antigen-antibody system.
The roles of obligation and gratitude in explaining the effect of favors on compliance

Several studies suggest that providing a favor to a target before making a direct request for compliance is more effective than making a direct request alone. The most widely accepted explanation for this effect is that receiving favors causes beneficiaries to feel obligated to repay. Another potential explanation is that beneficiaries comply out of gratitude to the benefactor. Past conceptualizations frequently confound obligation and gratitude and no research tests these alternative explanations. We advance the study of reciprocal behavior by making conceptual distinctions between obligation and gratitude, and testing these two presumed mediating states in two experiments. Results demonstrate that obligation and gratitude can be empirically distinguished, supporting the gratitude explanation, but not the obligation explanation.
Early evaluation of the Cray XT3

Oak Ridge National Laboratory recently received delivery of a 5,294 processor Cray XT3. The XT3 is Cray's third-generation massively parallel processing system. The system builds on a single processor node - built around the AMD Opteron - and uses a custom chip - called SeaStar - to provide interprocess or communication. In addition, the system uses a lightweight operating system on the compute nodes. This paper describes our initial experiences with the system, including micro-benchmark, kernel, and application benchmark results. In particular, we provide performance results for strategic Department of Energy applications areas including climate and fusion. We demonstrate experiments on the installed system, scaling applications up to 4,096 processors.
Baryon-number dissipation at finite temperature in the standard model.

We analyze the phenomenon of baryon-number violation at finite temperature in the standard model, and derive the relaxation rate for the baryon density in the high-temperature electroweak plasma. The relaxation rate {gamma} is given in terms of real-time correlation functions of the operator {bold E}{center dot}{bold B}, and is directly proportional to the sphaleron transition rate {Gamma}: {gamma}{proportional to}{ital n}{sub {ital f}}{Gamma}/{ital T}{sup 3}. Hence it is {ital not} instanton suppressed, as claimed by Cohen, Dugan, and Manohar (CDM). We show explicitly how this result is consistent with the methods of CDM, once it is recognized that a new anomalous commutator is required in their approach.
Pigtailed Macaque Model Refinement: Topical Microbicide Safety in the Presence of Coitus

Background Inclusion of sexual activity in the macaque model for topical microbicide safety evaluation would more closely mimic human use of topical microbicides and provide a more rigorous safety assessment. Methods Initially, male–female partners were monitored in cohousing arrangements to determine whether macaques would copulate ad libitum. The logistics of performing vaginal examinations before and after coital visits were analyzed and optimized. Findings from cervicovaginal examinations conducted before and after sexual activity were compared. Results Coital activity was reliably observed in the majority of cohousing sessions, representing all phases of the menstrual cycle. Female macaques were trained to be restrained while fully alert for pre-coital vaginal sampling. Post-coital examinations occur under general sedation. Post-coital examinations reveal alterations to tissues, microbiology, and pH compared with pre-coital visits. Conclusions This work clearly demonstrates that it is feasible to incorporate sexual activity in the macaque model for topical microbicide safety assessment.
SURVIVAL MODELS FOR WITHIN-TREE POPULATIONS OF DENDROCTONUS FRONTALIS (COLEOPTERA: SCOLYTIDAE)

Within-tree models of Dendroctonus frontalis generation survival from attacking adults to emerging adults and survivorship from eggs to emergence were developed for five regions of the infested tree bole of Pinus taeda L. The generation survival model (GS) describes the number of D . frontalis /attacking adult as a function of time at a specific height. The form of the model is Y GS = 1.0 + C(1–e –20.0X )e A(1.0–X)B + ɛ. The survival model (S) describes the number of D . frontalis /100 eggs as a function of time at a specific height. The form of this model is Y S = Ce A(1.0–X) B + ɛ. The generation survival model indicated that the rate of survival was primarily a function of generation development time, rather than position on the infested tree bole. The rates also varied in different sections of the tree depending on the initial egg/attacking adult population of D . frontalis . The emergence/attack ratios for the tree sections were slightly greater at the top and bottom than in the middle of the infested bole. The survivorship curves, based on an initial cohort of 100 eggs, were similar for the various sections of the tree bole. Again, the rate of population change was primarily a function of developmental time, rather than position on the tree. The curves for the various tree sections were essentially the same. The combined action of the various biotic and abiotic mortality agents acting in the different sections of the tree resulted in essentially uniform survivorship throughout the infested portion of the tree bole.
Vanadate and rapamycin synergistically enhance insulin-stimulated glucose uptake.

Abstract Tyrosine dephosphorylation, serine phosphorylation, and proteasomal degradation of insulin receptor substrates (IRSs) are implicated in the negative regulation of insulin action. Here we show that simultaneous inhibition of IRS-1 tyrosine dephosphorylation and proteasomal degradation synergistically augments insulin-responsive glucose uptake. L6 skeletal muscle cells (L6 cells) were treated with inhibitors of protein-tyrosine phosphatases, proteasomal degradation, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and the effects of insulin on glucose uptake, IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation, phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase activity, and IRS-1 mass were examined. Pretreatment of L6 cells with sodium orthovanadate (Na 3 VO 4 ) plus the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin caused a 5-fold increase in insulin-responsive glucose uptake at 2 hours when compared to insulin alone. Evaluation of IRS-1 associated PI 3-kinase activity, IRS-1-associated p85 mass, and IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation showed that 2 hours after insulin addition they were reduced by 70% from maximal activity. Likewise, IRS-1 mass was reduced by 50%. When L6 cells were pretreated with Na 3 VO 4 plus the proteasome inhibitor MG-132 or the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin prior to insulin addition, IRS-1 mass loss as well as IRS-1/PI-3 kinase complex decay was blocked at 2 hours and PI 3-kinase activity was increased 2.5-fold and 4-fold, respectively, over insulin alone. Finally, treatment of L6 cells with subtherapeutic amounts of vanadyl sulfate and rapamycin induced a synergistic 3-fold increase in insulin-induced glucose uptake at 2 hours. These findings indicate that vanadium and rapamycin synergize to enhance glucose uptake by preventing IRS-1 mass loss and IRS-1/PI 3-kinase complex decay and may offer a new approach to enhance glucose transport in diabetes.
Effective Evaluation of Equine Extension Programs

Abstract Evaluation has become a more significant component of planning and delivering extension programs, as federal partners and granting agencies are requesting information on program and integrated grant outcomes, including participant learning gains, behavior change, and program-generated impacts. Effective evaluation of equine extension programs involves a balance between asking enough well-designed questions to obtain desired information and keeping the evaluation tool brief enough to encourage participant completion. For most faculties, the difficulty with evaluation lies in developing appropriate and useful questions. The objective of this article was to share examples of questions successfully used to evaluate six key equine extension program areas: participant demographics, program logistics, participant behavior change, participant knowledge gain, teaching effectiveness, and program impact. Data generated by postprogram evaluations can be a source of statistically sound information that can be shared with administration, stakeholders, and granting agencies. Extension personnel can use evaluation data to improve planning and delivery of extension programs and to demonstrate teaching ability and program impacts.
Raman and fluorescent scattering by molecules embedded in spheres with radii up to several multiples of the wavelength

When molecules which give rise to Raman and fluorescent light scattering are distributed within a small dielectric particle, the signal is affected by the morphology and optical properties of the particle and by the distribution of active molecules within it. This effect is considered to arise from the influence of the particle boundary both upon the internal field at the incident frequency and upon the emissions at the shifted frequency rather than from any alteration of the molecular transitions. This study presents numerical results over a broad range of refractive indexes and for larger size parameters than heretofore. It includes explicit consideration of components polarized in the same plane as the incident field, H(h) and V(nu), as well as the depolarized components V(h) and H(v). Quantitative estimates of the concentration of active species may be in error if these effects are not considered.
Evolving Role of Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

OBJECTIVE:To review the available literature on the efficacy and safety of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) in the treatment of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in patients treated with fibrinolytic therapy or conservative medical management.DATA SOURCES:A MEDLINE search (1966–March 2004) using the key words myocardial infarction, STEMI, LMWH, enoxaparin, and dalteparin identified pertinent articles. The references of these articles were reviewed for additional pertinent references.STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:All human trials of LMWH in STEMI were evaluated. All pertinent studies were included in the review.DATA SYNTHESIS:LMWH did not show a benefit in STEMI without fibrinolytic therapy. Enoxaparin is similar to intravenous unfractionated heparin (UFH) in combination with nonspecific fibrinolytic therapy with regard to invasive reperfusion markers and 30-day clinical outcomes. Enoxaparin decreases composite endpoints in combination with fibrin-specific fibrinolytic therapy compared wi...
Genetically induced communication network fault tolerance

This article presents the architecture and initial feasibility results of a proto-type communication network that utilizes genetic programming to evolve services and protocols as part of network operation. The network evolves responses to environmental conditions in a manner that could not be pre-programmed within legacy network nodes a priori. A priori in this case means before network operation has begun. Genetic material is exchanged, loaded, and run dynamically within an active network. The transfer and execution of code in support of the evolution of network protocols and services would not be possible without the active network environment. Rapid generation of network service code occurs via a genetic programming paradigm. Complexity and algorithmic information theory play a key role in understanding and guiding code evolution within the network.
Flesh quality and lycopene stability of fresh-cut watermelon

Abstract Red fleshed watermelons are an excellent source of the phytochemical lycopene. However, little is known about the stability of lycopene in cut watermelon. In this study, lycopene stability and other quality factors were evaluated in fresh-cut watermelon. Twenty melons each of a seeded (Summer Flavor 800) and a seedless (Sugar Shack) variety were cut into 5 cm cubes and placed in unvented polystyrene containers, sealed, and stored at 2 °C for 2, 7, or 10 days. At each storage interval, melons were evaluated for juice leakage, changes in carotenoid composition, color, soluble solids content (SSC), and titratable acidity. Headspace carbon dioxide and ethylene were monitored during storage intervals. Juice leakage after 10 days of storage averaged 13 and 11% for the seeded and seedless melons, respectively. Lycopene content decreased 6 and 11% after 7 days of storage for Summer Flavor 800 and Sugar Shack melons, respectively. β-Carotene and cis lycopene contents were 2 and 6 mg kg−1 for Summer Flavor 800 and Sugar Shack, respectively, and did not change with storage. After 10 days of storage, CIE L∗ values increased while chroma values decreased, indicating a lightening in color and loss of color saturation in melon pieces. Symptoms of chilling injury, such as greatly increased juice leakage, or lesions on cubes, were not seen on the fresh-cut cut watermelon after 10 days storage at 2 °C. Puree pH increased and SSC decreased slightly after storage. Carbon dioxide levels increased and oxygen levels decreased linearly during storage, creating a modified atmosphere of 10 kPa each of CO2 and O2 after 10 days. Fresh-cut cut watermelon held for 7 or more days at 2 °C had a slight loss of SSC, color saturation, and lycopene, most likely caused by senescence.
Effect of Acetaminophen on Fetal Activity

Objectives The aim of this study is to determine if maternal administration of acetaminophen affects fetal activity and thereby the interpretation of clinical assessments of fetal well being. Study Design A longitudinal study was performed in 20 women between 30 and 34 weeks' gestation with uncomplicated pregnancies. A 1-hour ultrasound was performed and recorded to document baseline fetal breathing and body movements. All the subjects were then given a 1,000 mg dose of oral acetaminophen. One hour later, a second 1 hour ultrasound was performed to document postacetaminophen fetal breathing and body movements. The number of episodes and total duration of gross body and fetal breathing movements were then assessed by a blinded observer. The pre- and post-acetaminophen values were compared using a repeated measures t -test. Results There was no significant effect of acetaminophen on the number of episodes or time spent in fetal breathing or body movements when each activity parameter was analyzed separately. In addition, there was no effect when fetal breathing and body movements were combined into a single composite activity score. Conclusion Although acetaminophen has been shown to affect fetal activity in animal models, it has little effect on humans. Thus, maternal administration of acetaminophen should not affect assessment of fetal well being.
Public Anthropology and the Academic Labor Movement: Lessons from the 2011 Wisconsin Uprising

Collective bargaining rights for University of Wisconsin (UW) faculty were eliminated as part of budgetary reforms that sparked widespread protests in early 2011 known as the Wisconsin Uprising. Despite losing these rights, faculty at some UW institutions have sought to maintain informal unions. My goal in reflecting on this effort is to examine the role of an engaged or public anthropology in the academic workplace. Over the past few decades, deep budget cuts, corporate managerial styles, and the casualization of academic labor have transformed higher education. Recent calls for anthropology to increase its relevance through public engagement with current issues, however, have largely ignored the political economy of academia and our participation as workers in labor movements.
MECHANISM OF PARTICLE PRODUCTION IN NUCLEON--NUCLEON INTERACTIONS AT VERY HIGH ENERGIES.

A mechanism of particle production in nucleon-nucleon interactions for 18 very-high-energy (∼1012 eV) cosmic-ray jets is discussed. The analysis is given in terms of production of two centers (fireballs). The separation of the two centers is clearly shown through the analytical discussion of the theoretical curves fitted to the angular distribution of the secondary particles produced in these jets. This method gives a clear distinction of the two centers which is quite different from the standard techniques used in the past for separating the two centers from the population density of the particles in their angular distribution. The experimental parameters (angle, momentum, mass) of these two fireballs are estimated in all the interactions. The cross-section of production of a pair of fireballs as a function of available energy in the center of mass and fireball mass is estimated. The four-momentum transfer between the fireballs and its variation with multiplicity have been studied. The Center-of-mass longitudinal and transverse momenta of the secondary particles is discussed. The results seem to indicate the exchange of a Pomeranchuk pole between the two fireballs.
STEM, Revisited

Are we really facing a STEM crisis? Or is this crisis as bogus as the missile gap that started the space race over 50 years ago? It's time to cut through the hyperbole and take a hard look.
Convergence of detrital stoichiometry predicts thresholds of nutrient-stimulated breakdown in streams

Nutrient enrichment of detritus-based streams increases detrital resource quality for consumers and stimulates breakdown rates of particulate organic carbon (C). The relative importance of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (N) vs. phosphorus (P) for detrital quality and their effects on microbial- vs. detritivore-mediated detrital breakdown are poorly understood. We tested effects of experimental N and P additions on detrital stoichiometry (C:N, C:P) and total and microbial breakdown (i.e., with and without detritivorous shredders, respectively) of five detritus types (four leaf litter species and wood) with different initial C : nutrient content. We enriched five headwater streams continuously for two years at different relative availabilities of N and P and compared breakdown rates and detrital stoichiometry to pretreatment conditions. Total breakdown rates increased with nutrient enrichment and were predicted by altered detrital stoichiometry. Streamwater N and P, fungal biomass, and their interactions affected stoichiometry of detritus. Streamwater N and P decreased detrital C:N, whereas streamwater P had stronger negative effects on detrital C:P. Nutrient addition and fungal biomass reduced C:N by 70% and C:P by 83% on average after conditioning, compared to only 26% for C:N and 10% for C:P under pretreatment conditions. Detritus with lowest initial nutrient content changed the most and had greatest increases in total breakdown rates. Detrital stoichiometry was reduced and differences among detritus types were homogenized by nutrient enrichment. With enrichment, detrital nutrient content approached detritivore nutritional requirements and stimulated greater detritivore vs. microbial litter breakdown. We used breakpoint regression to estimate values of detrital stoichiometry that can potentially be used to indicate elevated breakdown rates. Breakpoint ratios for total breakdown were 41 (C:N) and 1518 (C:P), coinciding with total breakdown rates that were ~1.9 times higher when C:N or C:P fell below these breakpoints. Microbial and shredder-mediated breakdown rates both increased when C:N and C:P were reduced, suggesting that detrital stoichiometry is useful for predicting litter breakdown dominated by either microbial or shredder activity. Our results show strong effects of nutrient enrichment on detrital stoichiometry and offer a robust link between a potential holistic nutrient loading metric (decreased and homogenized detrital stoichiometry) and increased C loss from stream ecosystems.
Health services utilization with reference drug pricing of histamine2 receptor antagonists in British Columbia elderly

Background. In October 1995, British Columbia introduced a reference pricing policy for five therapeutic classes of drugs, including histamine2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs), for beneficiaries of its prescription drug program, Pharmacare. Objectives. To evaluate utilization trends in consumption of health services in a cohort of Pharmacare beneficiaries to determine if a worsening of health outcomes could be detected after implementation of the reference pricing policy. Research Design. Two cohorts, “control” (21 months before the reference pricing policy) and “exposed” (at risk for policy effects), were followed for 21 months. Using a longitudinal generalized linear model (Poisson), and controlling for age, sex, and prescriptions in unique drug classes, trend lines in each of these time series were compared for 3 periods: 9 months before policy implementation (or corresponding index date in the control cohort), 6 months after policy implementation, and a subsequent 6-month period. Subjects. Two cohorts, each of size 10,000, were constructed by randomly sampling the population of Pharmacare beneficiaries exposed to H2RAs and other antisecretory drugs for 1993 through 1996. Measures. Prescriptions, physician office visits and associated transactions (ie, laboratory tests), emergency room visits, hospitalizations, hospital length of stay, and vital statistics. Results. Differences between periods and between cohorts for health services utilization were not significant or decreased after imposition of the reference pricing policy. Conclusion. For these measures, there has been no worsening of health outcomes associated with implementing the reference pricing policy.
A Mutation in the Vasopressin V2-Receptor Gene in a Kindred with X-Linked Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus

Hereditary nephrogenic diabetes insipidus is a rare, X-linked disorder manifested by an inability to concentrate the urine despite high plasma concentrations of arginine vasopressin or the administration of large doses of vasopressin or its analogues1,2. Affected males have profound hyposmotic polyuria soon after birth, often leading to recurrent episodes of severe dehydration. Unless recognized and treated early, these episodes may lead to failure to thrive, growth retardation, repeated bouts of cerebral edema with resultant mental retardation, or death. Females who are carriers of the gene for the disease have symptoms that range from a defective urinary-concentrating ability demonstrable . . .
The History of the Film Development in Xinjiang

The author introduces the history of the film development in the form of chronological order,unfolding us a perpetuated picture of how Tianshan Film Studio is developing after the founding of China.
Effects of delta planform tip sails on the performance of a blunt edged rectangular wing

A windtunnel study was undertaken to determine the effects of delta planform tip sails (DPTS) on the aerodynamic characteristics of a planar blunt edged wing. In the investigation, the sail incidence and chordwise attachment position were varied. The results indicate that significant performance improvements can be obtained with DPTS. For all DPTS variations, increases of lift curve slope, maximum lift coefficient and Oswald efficiency factor were recorded and compared to the basic wing.
Factors associated with utilization of dental services in a long-term care facility: a descriptive cross-sectional study.

Purpose To describe factors associated with the utilization of dental services in a long-term care facility (LTCF) in Western New York. Methods and materials A descriptive cross-sectional study reviewed the dental and medical records of residents of an LTCF discharged between January 1, 2008 and December 30, 2012. Information on demographic and health variables at admission was extracted from electronic health records. Information on oral health variables was extracted from patient charts. Results A total of 2,516 residents were discharged between 2008 and 2012. From those, 259 (10.3%) utilized dental services at least once during their stay. Those who utilized dental services were significantly older at admission (78.5 vs. 82.0 years, p < 0.001), stayed longer (1.6 vs. 3.9 years, p < 0.001), more likely to be female (63.6 vs. 75.6%, p = 0.008), and less likely to be married (37.7 vs. 14.0%, p = < 0.001) compared to those who did not. Patients with endocrine, nutritional, metabolic, and immunity disorders, mental disorders, and circulatory system diseases were more likely to receive dental services. Conclusions Dental services appear to be underutilized by residents of LTCF. Significant differences exist in demographic and health variables between residents who utilize these services compared to those who do not.
Mitigation of snowstorm risks on power transmission systems based on optimal generation re-dispatch

A multi-step methodology is proposed in this paper to help prevent ice accretion on the power transmission lines exposed to severe ice and snowstorms. The goal is to use the heat gain due to resistive losses in the line to prevent ice from being formed. The proposed algorithm first attempts to re-dispatch the power generation units in such a way that it increases the flow of power through the at-risk lines. If this is not sufficient in preventing ice accretion, in the next step, an area-based forced outage scenario is determined through which one or more lines are intentionally de-energized in order to further increase the power flows through the at-risk lines. If none of the previous steps manage to bring these lines back into safety, a stochastic contingency constrained generation dispatch model is formulated as a last resort so as to maintain the continuity of supply to the loads subject to possible failure of one or more at-risk lines due to severe ice accretion. The IEEE 118-bus power system has been used as a case study to provide numerical results and evaluate the efficiency of the proposed methodology.
Parent–Child Estrangement: Conditions for Disclosure and Perceived Social Network Member Reactions

Disclosing a family disruption like estrangement might be an important first step in garnering supportive communication, yet disclosure also might come with costs. Grounded in the disclosure literatures, this study illuminates the conditions under which adult children disclose estrangement from parents to their social networks and the perceived reactions of social network members to such disclosures. Findings from a thematic analysis of 52 narrative interviews reveal that adult children go to great lengths to keep their estrangement private, but disclose (a) when others witnessed conflict, (b) when asked, (c) when disclosure was indirect, and (d) when (they perceived) it would benefit others. Reactions to disclosure were rarely ambivalent, and adult children primarily felt unsupported by their network. Practical applications are discussed.
Biologic Therapy of Crohn’s Disease: Certolizumab

Certolizumab is a PEGylated anti-TNF-alpha agent, subcutaneously administered, developed for the treatment of patients affected by Crohn’s disease (CD). It is a Fab fragment, manufactured through recombinant DNA technology and protein engineering, which binds and neutralizes soluble and membrane-bound TNF-alpha. Certolizumab has been licensed in the USA and Switzerland for the treatment of moderate-to-severe CD, refractory to conventional treatment. Pivotal trials demonstrated the clinical efficacy of certolizumab for induction ad maintenance therapy in this category of patients, including also who had failed anti-TNF-alpha. To date, there have been only few published experiences from clinical practice on unselected patients treated with certolizumab. Certolizumab is generally well-tolerated, with a safety profile comparable to other anti-TNF-alpha. This chapter summarizes all effectiveness and safety data on certolizumab in CD.
Masked observers and mask collectors: entangled visions from the eighteenth-century Amazon

This essay explores the culture of mask use and mask collection in eighteenth-century Amazonia as a way of bringing together the reciprocal observations undertaken by indigenous, European, and peoples of mixed race and identity in South America during the colonial period. By focusing on masks as physical objects containing attributes that can be studied with reference to historical and contemporary indigenous Amazonian groups, it attempts to disrupt the binary opposition between observers and observed and argues for a more connected set of epistemologies in the study of the colonial world. One central proposition is that European naturalists and those who accompanied them in the tropics may have been implicated in the fluid ontologies that were proposed by the objects worn and wielded by indigenous groups. It thus becomes necessary to reinterpret European ethnographical description to account for the agency of indigenous objects and individuals, leading to a more imbricated vision of engagement and encoun...
Intermediate, but not extended, afternoon naps may preserve cognition in Chinese older adults

Background The association between daytime napping and cognition is not well-studied in older adults. This study aimed to examine the associations between self-reported afternoon nap duration and change in cognition after 2-year follow-up in Chinese older adults. Methods A total of 3,037 individuals aged 60 years and older from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study baseline and 2-year follow-up were included. Overall cognition was assessed by three interview-based sub-measures of orientation to time and attention, episodic memory, and visuospatial abilities. Change scores in cognition were calculated within subjects as follow-up minus baseline levels. Based on self-reported nap duration, older adults were grouped into: (i) Non-nappers (0 minutes); (ii) Short nappers ( 90 minutes) at baseline and follow-up. Results Change in cognition was significantly associated with both baseline napping and changes in napping habits from baseline to follow-up, controlling for age, gender, education, body mass index, depression, mobility, instrumental activities of daily living, nocturnal sleep duration, and cognition at baseline. Extended nappers at baseline performed significantly worse with respect to change of overall cognition from baseline to follow-up than non-nappers, short nappers, and moderate nappers. People who napped less than 90 minutes at both assessments performed significantly better from baseline to follow-up compared to non- or extended nappers at both assessments. Conclusion Results suggest that afternoon naps less than 90 minutes may be beneficial for cognition in older adults, while long afternoon naps may be detrimental.
Performance analysis of coarray-based MUSIC and the Cramér-Rao bound

Sparse linear arrays, such as co-prime and nested arrays, can identify up to O(M2) sources with only O(M) sensors by using co-array based MUSIC. We conduct analytical performance analysis of two coarray based MUSIC algorithms, namely the direct augmentation based MUSIC, and the spatial smoothing based MUSIC. In addition, we analyze the Cramer-Rao bound for sparse linear arrays, and show that for co-prime and nested arrays, it can decrease at a rate of O(M−5) as the number of sensors M goes to infinity, in contrast to O(M−3) in the ULA case. We use numerical examples to demonstrate our analytical results.
Zonation of emergent freshwater macrophytes: Responses to small-scale variation in water depth1

Abstract Plant responses to hydrology are central to understanding the structure of wetland plant communities and to informing restoration efforts. The objectives of this study were to examine ecological responses of emergent plant species to water depth in a freshwater wetland in south-central New York (USA) and to test growth responses and associated nutrient relations for emergent species exposed to controlled water depths without interspecific competition in a greenhouse experiment. Field observations quantified the distribution of wetland plants in relation to water depth at Harpur Pond in the Binghamton University Nature Preserve. Presence or absence of plant species was noted in 0.25-m2 quadrats, along 11 transects extending from the upland limit of emergents to their greatest depth in the pond. Ten of the 12 most frequent taxa showed significantly nonrandom distributions (P 0.2 m above the median water level, ...
Stability Analysis of Optimal Adaptive Control Under Value Iteration Using a Stabilizing Initial Policy

Adaptive optimal control using value iteration initiated from a stabilizing control policy is theoretically analyzed. The analysis is in terms of stability of the system during the learning stage and includes the system controlled by any fixed control policy and also by an evolving policy. A feature of the presented results is finding subsets of the region of attraction. This is done so that if the initial condition belongs to this region, the entire state trajectory remains within the training region. Therefore, the function approximation results remain reliable, as no extrapolation will be conducted.
Crimes Past, Crimes Present

Some deeds we now consider crimes were not always regarded as unlawful. Others, formerly deemed criminal, we no longer regard as such. This chapter explore three of them. Shaw treats dueling in act 3 of Man and Superman. Stage censorship prevented him from dramatizing homosexuality, which in his lifetime was a crime, but he treats it in non-dramatic writings, and he was well ahead of his time; prominent in this section are the trials of Oscar Wilde, whom he knew. In plays and elsewhere, marital responsibility and divorce are prominent subjects. His non-dramatic writings include spousal rape and the legality of transmitting a venereal disease to a man’s wife, even though it was illegal to transmit it to a woman who is not his wife.
Abstract 12732: Risk of Heart Failure After Contemporary Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer in the Community

Background: Contemporary breast cancer radiotherapy (RT) results in variable cardiac radiation exposure. While cardiomyocytes are radio-resistant, radiation induces coronary microvascular endothelial damage and inflammation which may ultimately lead to myocardial inflammation, ischemia and fibrosis and put patients at risk for heart failure (HF) and particularly, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Methods: Community based (Olmsted County, MN), HF case-control study of contemporary (1999-2014) breast cancer RT patients with CT-based RT planning for precise mean cardiac radiation dose (MCRD) calculation. HF cases (n=66) and controls (n=129) were matched (1:2) for age at RT, HF risk factors, tumor side and chemotherapy use. Matched controls and cases had identical follow-up (index interval). Proportion of HF and clinical characteristics in categories of MCRD were reported (table) and conditional logistic regression was used to estimate the HF odds ratio (OR) associated with MCRD as a continuous variable. Results: Of the 66 HF cases, 46 (70%) had HFpEF and 20 (30%) had HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The proportion of patients with HF (any) or HFpEF increased and proportion with HFrEF tended to increase with increasing MCRD. The prevalence of HF risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, coronary disease) at time of RT did not vary by MCRD while left sided tumor, cancer stage and adriamycin use increased with increasing MCRD. The OR per 1 unit increase in log MCRD was 3.71 (1.98, 6.94) for total HF (p Conclusion: Cardiac radiation incident to contemporary breast RT increases the risk of HF, and particularly HFpEF over a short post-RT interval. These data may guide use of proton beam therapy in breast cancer. These data also provide support for the role of coronary microvascular compromise in the pathophysiology of HFpEF.
Towards Intelligent Edge Storage Management: Determining and Predicting Mobile File Popularity

The exponential growth in smart device usage and mobile applications markets, coupled with the increased complexity of these applications has outpaced the storage typically available on these devices. As a result, developers and end-users have both started pursuing cloud solutions for the storage and caching of application data, as well as personal user data. Such solutions, however, require a great deal of manual intervention from the user to first determine which files need to be offloaded, and then perform the actual task of offloading them. Given the time, attention, and effort required for such manual tasks, there is a need for automated storage management systems that make these decisions in an intelligent manner. In this paper, we analyze the access traces of 28 different mobile device users, and show that there are discernible access patterns to both popular and unpopular files on a user's device. We leverage this knowledge of access patterns to develop our Pattern Based Popularity Assessor (PBPA) algorithm. Our evaluation shows that PBPA can predict file popularity with high accuracy, making it a promising candidate for future automated mobile storage offloading systems.
From Liberal to Polarized Liberal? Contemporary U.S. News in Hallin and Mancini’s Typology of News Systems:

The 2016 presidential election demonstrated the extent to which U.S. news has changed since its “high modernist” moment. Evidence of these shifts—fragmented and poorly monetized news markets, polit...