cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vegetation responses to landscape structure at multiple scales across a Northern Wisconsin, USA, pine barrens landscape

Increasing awareness of the importance of scale and landscape structure to landscape processes and concern about loss of biodiversity has resulted in efforts to understand patterns of biodiversity across multiple scales. We examined plant species distributions and their relationships to landscape structure at varying spatial scales across a pine barrens landscape in northern Wisconsin, U.S.A. We recorded plant species cover in 1 X 1 m plots every 5 m along a 2575 m transect, along with variables describing macro- and micro-landscape structure. A total of 139 understory plant species were recorded. The distributions of many species appeared to be strongly associated with landscape structural features, such as distinct management patches and roads. TWINSPAN and detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) identified three groups of species that overlapped extensively in the ordination, possibly reflecting the relatively homogeneous nature of disturbance in the pine barrens landscape. Distribution of understory plants did not reflect all of the patch types we identified along the transect; plot ordination and classification resulted in three five plot groups that differed in niche breadth. Wavelet transforms showed varying relationships between landscape features and plant diversity indices (Shannon-Weiner, Simpson''s Dominance) at different resolutions. Wavelet variances indicated that patterns of Shannon diversity were dominated by coarse resolutions ranging from ~900-1500 m, which may have been related to topography. Patterns of Simpson''s Dominance were dominated by ~700 m resolution, possibly associated with canopy cover. However, a strong correspondence between overstory patch type and diversity was found for several patch types at ranges of scales that varied by patch type. Effects of linear features such as roads were apparent in the wavelet transforms at resolutions of about 5-1000 m, suggesting roads may have an important impact on plant diversity at landscape scales. At broad scales, landscape context appeared more important to diversity than individual patches, suggesting that changes in structure at fine resolutions could alter overall diversity characteristics of the landscape. Therefore, a hierarchical perspective is necessary to recognize potential large-scale change resulting from small-scale activities.
Primary chondrosarcoma of the breast: Report of a case and review of the literature

Sarcomas of the breast are rare, comprising 1% of all breast tumors. Primary chondrosarcomas of the breast account for an extremely rare subset of such tumors, with few reports in the literature. We report the case of a 52 year-old woman with a primary chondrosarcoma of the breast and review the current literature.
Changes in Central Corneal Thickness over Time: The Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study

Objective To describe how much change, if any, occurs between central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements performed an average of 3.8 years apart in participants in the Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study (OHTS) and to identify clinical and demographic factors that are associated with changes in CCT, including baseline intraocular presure, duration and class of ocular hypotensive medication, medical history, and systemic medication. Design Secondary analysis of data from a randomized clinical trial. Participants Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study participants. Participants who had undergone incisional intraocular or keratorefractive surgery between CCT measurements were excluded. Testing The first CCT measurements were performed starting in 1999, and the second measurements were performed starting in 2002. Measurements were performed by OHTS certified technicians using an ultrasonic pachymeter under a standardized protocol. Main Outcome Measure Central corneal thickness measurement (micrometers). Results First and second CCT measurements were available from 73% (1191) of the 1636 OHTS participants randomized. Central corneal thickness decreased a mean rate of −0.74±3.5 μm/year between the first and second CCT measurements. The mean medication exposure between first and second CCT measurements in participants originally randomized to observation (n = 595) was 1.1±1.6 years, versus 5.0±2.7 years in participants originally randomized to medication (n = 596). Central corneal thickness decreased by a mean of 1.0±3.4 μm/year among participants originally randomized to observation, compared with 0.5±3.5 μm/year among participants originally randomized to medication ( P Conclusions The rate of CCT decrease over 3.8 years is comparable to the cross-sectional age differences reported in the OHTS at the first measurement (0.6 μm/year) and comparable to other cross-sectional studies. Use of topical PGAs may be associated with a slightly higher rate of thinning. The modest age- and drug-related rates of thinning observed are unlikely to influence tonometry or clinical decision-making substantially in most clinical situations. Financial Disclosure(s) Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.
Performance of the provider satisfaction inventory to measure provider satisfaction with diabetes care.

Objective: To develop and validate an inventory to measure provider satisfaction with diabetes management. Methods: Using the Mayo Clinic Model of Care, a review of the literature, and expert input, we developed a 4-category (chronic disease management, collaborative team practice, outcomes, and supportive environment), 29-item, 7-point-per-item Provider Satisfaction Inventory (PSI). For evaluation of the PSI, we mailed the survey to 192 primary-care and specialized providers from 8 practice sites (of whom 60 primary-care providers were participating in either usual or planned diabetes care). The Cronbach a score was used to assess the instrument's internal reliability. Participating providers indicated satisfaction or dissatisfaction with management of chronic disease by responding to 29 statements. Results: The response rate was 58%. In each category, the Cronbach a score ranged from 0.71 to 0.90. Providers expressed satisfaction with patient-physician relationships, with the contributions of the nurse ...
Nonrevascularization-based treatments in patients with severe or critical limb ischemia

Objective The aim of this systematic review was to synthesize the existing evidence about various nonrevascularization-based therapies used to treat patients with severe or critical limb ischemia (CLI) who are not candidates for surgical revascularization. Methods We systematically searched multiple databases through November 2014 for controlled randomized and nonrandomized studies comparing the effect of medical therapies (prostaglandin E1 and angiogenic growth factors) and devices (pumps and spinal cord stimulators). We report odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the outcomes of interest pooling data across studies using the random effects model. Results We included 19 studies that enrolled 2779 patients. None of the nonrevascularization-based treatments were associated with a significant effect on mortality. Intermittent pneumatic compression (OR, 0.14; 95% CI, 0.04-0.55) and spinal cord stimulators (OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36-0.79) were associated with reduced risk of amputation. A priori established subgroup analyses (combined vs single therapy; randomized vs nonrandomized) were not statistically significant. Conclusions Very low-quality evidence, mainly due to imprecision and increased risk of bias, suggests that intermittent pneumatic compression and spinal cord stimulators may reduce the risk of amputations. Evidence supporting other medical therapies is insufficient.
Contention resolution in random-access wireless networks based on orthogonal complementary codes

This paper proposes a new method for contention resolution in random-access wireless networks. Using orthogonal complementary codes to design access-request packets, users can reserve channel access successfully, even in severe contentions. Collisions among access-request packets can be resolved and exploited, whereas collisions among data packets are avoided. System throughput and delay performance can be enhanced, because random-access contention becomes transparent. Specifically, system throughput approaches the offered load up to the maximum value one with improved average packet delay performance. A joint layer design approach is proposed with both the physical layer signal-detection algorithm and the medium access-control layer random-access protocol. The performance is analyzed with the consideration of signal detection errors. Simulations are performed to demonstrate its superior performance.
Primitives for active internet topology mapping: toward high-frequency characterization

Current large-scale topology mapping systems require multiple days to characterize the Internet due to the large amount of probing traffic they incur. The accuracy of maps from existing systems is unknown, yet empirical evidence suggests that additional fine-grained probing exposes hidden links and temporal dynamics. Through longitudinal analysis of data from the Archipelago and iPlane systems, in conjunction with our own active probing, we examine how to shorten Internet topology mapping cycle time. In particular, this work develops discriminatory primitives that maximize topological fidelity while being efficient.We propose and evaluate adaptive probing techniques that leverage external knowledge (e.g., common subnetting structures) and data from prior cycle(s) to guide the selection of probed destinations and the assignment of destinations to vantage points. Our Interface Set Cover (ISC) algorithm generalizes previous dynamic probing work. Crucially, ISC runs across probing cycles to minimize probing while detecting load balancing and reacting to topological changes. To maximize the information gain of each trace, our Subnet Centric Probing technique selects destinations more likely to expose their network's internal structure. Finally, the Vantage Point Spreading algorithm uses network knowledge to increase path diversity to destination ingress points.
Serum protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) as a prognostic marker in soft tissue sarcomas.

Background: Serum protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) is a matricellular secreted glycoprotein that performs several cellular functions and has been implicated in tumorigenesis in a variety of tumor types. The chemotherapeutic agent nanoparticle albumin-encapsulated (NAB)-paclitaxel has been postulated to exploit SPARC expression to target neoplastic cells. SPARC’s role, and potentially the role of NAB-paclitaxel, in the highly heterogeneous class of soft-tissue sarcomas (STS) has not been investigated. Our objective was to explore the pattern of SPARC expression and its prognostic significance in STS. Methods: 27 tissue specimens representing various STS histologies were stained for SPARC expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Staining intensity was scored blindly. Survival was determined from patients’ medical records and analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and log-rank with respect to SPARC expression level. Results: Elevated SPARC expression was observed in 15/27 (56%) specimens. Overall patient survival segregated strongly based on levels of SPARC expression. Patients who expressed low-to-moderate levels of SPARC exhibited median survival of 22.1 months, while the median survival of patients with moderate-to-high expression levels was 4.4 months (log rank; p= 0.0016). Conclusions: SPARC expression is elevated in a significant proportion of STS specimens analyzed in this study, but it does not appear to correlate with specific STS histologies. Given our limited sample size, we cannot draw definitive conclusions regarding association of SPARC with STS subtype. Overall survival segregates strongly by degree of SPARC expression, with elevated expression being adverse. If validated in a larger study, our results suggest that trials in STS with agents potentially targeting SPARC, such as NAB-paclitaxel, should be stratified by SPARC expression level.
Simulated sequestration of industrial carbon dioxide at a deep-sea site: Effects on species of harpacticoid copepods

One proposal for alleviating global warming is to sequester large amounts of industrial carbon dioxide on the deep-sea floor, but the environmental consequences of sequestration for the animals living in the sediment are poorly known. In an earlier publication, we reported that, during an experimental sequestration off central California (36.378°N, 122.676°W, 3262 m depth), most individuals of our target taxon (the harpacticoid copepods) were killed, but ∼20% survived. Because knowledge of which species survived and how they did so could clarify the effects of sequestration on the fauna, we have now identified the individuals from that experiment to species. Although most were adversely affected, species differed significantly in the degree of their susceptibility. Unexpectedly, six species showed no effect and may be resistant. The hypothesis that harpacticoids could escape the effects of carbon dioxide-rich seawater by moving deeper into the seabed was not supported. Exposure to carbon dioxide-rich seawater created partially defaunated areas, but we found no evidence that disturbance-exploiting harpacticoid species invaded during the recovery of the affected area. Because the environmental effects of the carbon dioxide (e.g. unusually acidic pore water) were still present, however, the opportunity for invasion might not yet have occurred. Differences among species in susceptibility increase the complexity of the effects of carbon dioxide sequestration on the deep-sea fauna.
THE NORTHWARD DISTRIBUTION OF ANTS IN NORTH AMERICA

A study of the ant populations was made through a transect of mid-continent North America from Churchill on Hudson Bay and various localities around the Great Lakes to Iowa and northern Illinois. Data were obtained from extensive personal collecting and from literature sources. The results were assembled and discussed within an ecological framework provided by Merriam’s life zones, and showed a regular diminution in the variety and wealth of the ant faunas progressing from south to north. Though the number of species at Churchill is extremely reduced, ants nevertheless do occur there as established reproducing colonies, even in the presumed tundra habitats. These forms which exist so far north represent a highly impoverished remnant of richer faunas further south. Although none of the species is peculiar to the area, each must be tolerant of high boreal environments. A total of 135 species and subspecies are listed for the Carolinian and Alleghenian zones combined, 43 taxa for the Canadian Zone, 4 taxa for the Hudsonian Zone, and 4 also for the Arctic Zone. Comparisons with the recorded ant faunas of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado were made with respect to the corresponding zones, namely, the Plains (Upper Sonoran), Foothills or Submontane (Transition), Montane (Canadian), Subalpine (Hudsonian), and Alpine (Arctic) zones, and appropriate similarities and differences noted.
Immunotherapy of colorectal cancer.

Specific and nonspecific stimulation of the host immune system to reject cancer is an attractive concept that is just beginning to mature. Results with crude extracts and nonspecific immune stimulation have been variable. However, the recent observations of improved survival after administration of levamisole plus 5-fluorouracil in the adjuvant setting have made an impact on the treatment of colorectal cancer. Animal studies consistently show that immune therapies are most effective for disease that is not advanced. Thus, the small benefit seen with levamisole, a low toxicity immunomodulator, suggests that much more impressive results can be anticipated with more potent and specific agents. Postsurgical autologous tumor cell vaccine has been effective in some prospective randomized trials; in others, no benefit was found. The identification and purification of allogeneic tumor-associated antigens has lead to enhanced antigen-specific host cell-mediated immunity; this may result in more consistent antitumor effects. The current development of chemically defined immune adjuvants of low toxicity allows tumor-specific immune stimulation to be tested in high-risk apparently healthy patients after resection of colorectal cancer (Stages II and III). The influx of information regarding immune cell populations, cell-surface markers, and cytokines has fostered extensive exploration of lymphocyte stimulation, in vitro cell growth and expansion, and in vivo evaluation in patients with advanced cancer. Modest tumor response rates have been documented with adoptive transfer of lymphokine-activated killer cells and interleukin-2. Improved results are anticipated with the more potent tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and specific in vitro sensitization of draining lymph node cells to autologous and allogeneic tumor antigens. Murine monoclonal antibodies specific for cell-surface markers, such as carcinoembryonic antigen, have been tested for their value in the diagnosis and therapy of colorectal cancer. A small response rate has been seen with single and multiple injections of C017-1A, a monoclonal antibody specific for colonic and pancreatic cancer. The development of antiidiotypic antibodies in these patients may have been important in those that responded to this type of therapy. However, laboratory evidence suggests that monoclonal antibody conjugated to a cytotoxic agent (i.e., radionuclide, drug, or toxin) should be much more effective. Radioimmunotherapy trials in the nude mouse model bearing human colon cancer xenografts showed good tumor incorporation of the radionuclide (yttrium 90 or iodine 131), inhibition of tumor growth, and long-term survival.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Effic iency, Entitlements, and the Value of Consent

What methods should we use to protect a legal entitlement or right? Guido Calabresi and A. Douglas Melamed in their 1972 article, "Property Rules, Liability Rules, and Inalienability: One View of the Cathedral," introduced the distinction between property rules and liability rules that has now formed the template of the debate over this vitally important question. Many look at this debate from the angle of an efficiencyseeking state. To truly evaluate the efficiency of these two rules, we must look beyond the typical determinants of individual valuations. Indirectly, this will take us to ideas related to consent and, more importantly, the subjective valuations individuals place on consent. The point is not that consent justifies efficiency, but rather that individuals may place a value on autonomy or a cost on loss of autonomy. This value or cost must be taken into account when using an analysis based on efficiency. This article is available in Res Publica Journal of Undergraduate Research: http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/respublica/vol3/iss1/10
Personality disorders in opiate addicts show prognostic specificity

Early studies examining the relationship of personality disorders to opiate addiction attempted to define an "addictive personality." Later research found that personality disorders in opiate addicts were common but heterogeneous. We examined whether different comorbid personality disorders have prognostic specificity. Rates of depression and alcoholism as well as assessments of specific problems were measured in a 2.5-year follow-up of 150 treated opioid addicts. Using DSM-III criteria, we found that borderline personality disorder predicted more depressive disorders and alcoholism at follow-up; yet greater recovery from these disorders was seen. Borderline patients had more severe psychiatric problems as measured by the Addiction Severity Index. Other ASI outcomes differed by personality disorder; antisocial addicts had more legal problems, and narcissistic addicts had more medical problems. These results suggest that treatment for opiate addicts be tailored to the specific needs of the patients, which can be predicted, in part, by their comorbid personality disorder diagnosis.
Attitudes, Knowledge, and Risk Perceptions of Women With Breast and/or Ovarian Cancer Considering Testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2

PURPOSE: This study examined baseline knowledge, beliefs, and risk perceptions among a group of 200 women with breast and/or ovarian cancer who participated in a trial designed to improve decision making about genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Women were identified by self-referral, physician referral, and tumor registry extraction and invited to participate in a randomized trial in which testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 was offered free of charge. Subjects completed baseline questionnaires and interviews that assessed knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of risk of having an alteration in BRCA1 or BRCA2. RESULTS: Sixty percent of women overestimated their chances of having a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation compared with estimates from a BRCA1/BRCA2 risk model. Women who have at least three relatives with breast or ovarian cancer were one third (95% confidence interval, 0.2 to 0.6) as likely to overestimate their risk of having a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation compared with women who have two or few...
Common gynecological challenges in adolescents with sickle cell disease

Sickle cell anemia is one of the most common genetic blood disorders worldwide. Individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) experience clinical manifestations such as chronic anemia, developmental delay, vaso-occlusive pain, acute chest syndrome, and neurological complications. Adolescent girls with SCD face unique gynecological challenges including delayed puberty marked by a later onset in menarche, vaso-occlusive pain associated with their menstrual cycle, and underdiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding. This review focuses on these challenges with particular emphasis on delayed menarche and vaso-occlusive pain episodes associated with menstruation, in addition to the evaluation and initial management of heavy menstrual bleeding for adolescents with SCD. We highlight research opportunities in this neglected area to help enhance the comprehensive care model for this population.
Medical alert: sexual harassment in the health care industry

Sexual harassment is an illegal form of sexual discrimination prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Although the U. S. Supreme Court has recognized that sexual harassment is illegal conduct for which an employer is liable, this transgression continues to be a major workplace problem. Although some researchers have analyzed the incident level of sexual harassment in general, little work has been conducted on particular industries. The research described in this article is the summary of the results of a study of sexual harassment in the health care industry. A written survey was sent to 950 randomly selected members of the Kentucky Board of Nursing. Thirty-five percent of the 441 respondents to the survey indicated they had been sexually harassed in their capacity as nurses. More than 77 percent of those occurrences involved physicians as the harassers. When harassed, 51 percent of the respondents were aged 25 to 35; 25 percent, 25 or younger; 20 percent, 36 to 45; and 4 percent were 46 ...
Demonstration of Hybrid Multilayer Insulation for Fixed Thickness Applications

Cryogenic multilayer insulation (MLI) systems provide both conductive and radiative thermal insulation performance. The use of radiation shields with low conductivity spacers in between are required. By varying the distance and types of the spacers between the radiation shields, the relative radiation and conduction heat transfers can be manipulated. However, in most systems, there is a fixed thickness or volume allocated to the insulation. To understand how various combinations of different multilayer insulation (MLI) systems work together and to further validate thermal models of hybrid MLI systems, test data are needed. The MLI systems include combinations of Load-Bearing MLI (LB-MLI) and traditional MLI (tMLI). To further simulate the space launch vehicle case wherein both ambient pressure and vacuum environments are addressed, different cold-side thermal insulation substrates were included for select tests.The basic hybrid construction consists of some number of layers of LB-MLI on the cold side of the insulation system followed by layers of tMLI on the warm side of the system. The advantages of LB-MLI on the cold side of the insulation blanket are that its low layer density (0.5 - 0.6 layer/mm) is better suited for lower temperature applications and is a structural component to support heat interception shields that may be placed within the blanket. The advantage of tMLI systems on the warm side is that radiation is more dominant than conduction at warmer temperatures, so that a higher layer density is desired (2 - 3 layer/mm) and less effort need be put into minimizing conduction heat transfer. Liquid nitrogen boiloff test data using a cylindrical calorimeter are presented along with analysis for spacecraft tank applications.
Mapsearch: a protocol and prototype application to find maps

Even geographers need ways to find what they need among the thousands of maps buried in map libraries and in journal articles. It is not enough to provide search by region and keyword. Studies of queries show that people often want to look for maps showing a certain location at a certain time period or with a subject theme. The difficulties in finding such maps are several. Maps in physical and digital collections often are organized by region. Multi-dimensional manual indexing is time-consuming and so many maps are not indexed. Further, maps in non-geographical publications are indexed rarely, making them essentially invisible. In an attempt to solve actual problems, this dissertation research automatically indexes maps in published documents so that they become visible to searchers. The MapSearch prototype aggregates journal components to allow finer-grained searching of article content. MapSearch allows search by region, time, or theme as well as by keyword (http://scilsresx.rutgers.edu/∼gelern/maps/). Automatic classification of maps is a multi-step process. A sample of 150 maps and the text (that becomes metadata) describing the maps have been copied from a random assortment of journal articles. Experience taking metadata manually enabled the writing of instructions to mine data automatically; experience with manual classification allowed for writing algorithms that classify maps by region, time and theme automatically. That classification is supported by ontologies for region, time and theme that have been generated or adapted for the purpose and that allow what has been called intelligent search, or smart search. The 150 map training set was loaded into the MapSearch engine repeatedly, each time comparing automatically-assigned classification to manually-assigned classification. Analysis of computer misclassifications suggested whether the ontology or classification algorithm should be modified in order to improve classification accuracy. After repeated trials and analyses to improve the algorithms and ontologies, MapSearch was evaluated with a set of 55 previously unseen maps in a test set. Automated classification of the test set of maps was compared to the manual classification, with the assumption that the manual process provides the most accurate classification obtainable. Results showed an accuracy, or a correspondence between manual and automated classification, of 75% for region, 69% for time, and 84% for theme. The dissertation contributes: (1) a protocol to harvest metadata from maps in published articles that could be adapted to aggregate other sorts of journal article components such as charts, diagrams, cartoons or photographs, (2) a method for ontology-supported metadata processing to allow for improved result relevance that could be applied to other sorts of data, (3) algorithms to classify maps into region, time and theme facets that could be adapted to classify other document types, and (4) a proof-of-concept MapSearch system that could be expanded with heterogeneous map types.
Pseudo-Rigid-Body Models for End-Loaded Heavy Cantilever Beams

The large deflection of cantilever beams has been widely studied. A number of models and mathematical techniques have been utilized in predicting the path coordinates and load-deflection relationships of such beams. The Pseudo-Rigid-Body Model (PRBM) is one such method which replaces the elastic beam with rigid links of a parameterized pivot location and torsional spring stiffness. In this paper, the PRBM method is extended to include cases of a constant distributed load combined with a parallel endpoint force. The phase space of the governing differential equations is used to store information relevant to the characterization of the PRBM parameters. Correction factors are also given to decrease the error in the load-deflection relationship and extend the angular range of the model, thereby further aiding compliant mechanism design. Our calculations suggest a simple way of representing the effective torque caused by a distributed load in a PRBM as a function of easily calculated model parameters.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Improved method for quantifying endomycorrhizal fungi spores from soil

(1987). Improved Method for Quantifying Endomycorrhizal Fungi Spores from Soil. Mycologia: Vol. 79, No. 5, pp. 779-782.
Field evaluation of ultra-low-volume spraying and residual spraying in control of mosquitoes

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of ultra.low.volume(ULV) spraying and residual spraying, and the combined application of the two, in control of mosquitoes. Methods We used ULV spraying and residual spraying, alone or combined, to control mosquitoes. Mosquito density was monitored using animal.baited net traps, light traps, and labor hour method before and after application of the controlling methods. Results Residual spraying reduced indoor mosquito density, but had no significant effect on outdoor mosquito density. ULV spraying reduced indoor mosquito density too. However, mosquito density monitoring using light traps showed increased density after ULV spraying, while monitoring using animal.baited net traps showed decreased density. Conclusion Combined use of residual spraying and ULV spraying can improve mosquito control efficacy. Mosquito density monitoring using goat.baited net trap is a reliable method in evaluating the mosquito control effect of ULV spraying.
Suicidal Ideation During the Postpartum Period.

Abstract Objective: To examine the association between suicidal ideation (SI), 3 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postpartum with demographic, psychosocial, clinical factors, and depressive/anxiety symptoms (measured 24–48 hours after delivery), among a cohort of postpartum women. Methods: This study included 1,073 mothers who gave birth in a large tertiary New York City hospital (2009–2010). Later, self-report SI was assessed using the suicide measure from the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and from the Patient Health Questionnaire. Results: Two percent of participants presented with SI during the first 6 months postpartum. In bivariate analyses, race/ethnicity, nativity, insurance, and language were significantly correlated with SI 3 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postpartum. Screening positive for depression (p = 0.0245) and anxiety (0.0454), assessed 1–2 days postpartum, was significantly correlated with later SI in bivariate analyses, as were antepartum complications (p = 0.001), depressive history...
Insulin in the early management of diabetic complications

Improved glycemic control reduces microvascular complications in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Macrovascular complications predominate in type 2 diabetes, and the effect of tight control here is less clear. Treatment of other aspects of insulin resistance (BP, lipids) significantly reduces cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in type 2 diabetes. Insulin therapy has favorable effects on endothelial function and lipids, especially compared with sulfonylureas. More information is needed on the effects of diabetes pharmacotherapy on cardiovascular outcomes.
Objective sleep quality of healthy older men and women is differentially disrupted by nighttime periodic blood sampling via indwelling catheter.

Elucidation of sleep-endocrine relationships requires frequent blood sampling during sleep recording. Unfortunately, such sampling can itself affect sleep and indirectly, hormonal patterns. We examined the effect of catheterization and frequent nighttime blood sampling on the sleep of a large sample of healthy older men and women. A total of 113 healthy older [69.1 +/- 0.6 years, mean +/- standard error of the mean (SEM) adults (68 women and 45 men) were studied. Following an adaptation night sleep was recorded during an undisturbed night and a night of periodic blood sampling via i.v. catheter. Lights out and lights on were significantly delayed and advanced, respectively, on the catheterization night, resulting in a significantly shorter time in bed (TIB). Total sleep time and sleep efficiency were significantly reduced, and sleep latency, total wake time and the number of awakenings from sleep of > or = 1 minute were significantly increased. Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep percentage of TIB was significantly reduced. Stages 3/4 sleep [slow wave sleep (SWS)] percentage of TIB was significantly reduced, as was total delta energy during SWS. With the exception of total sleep time and sleep latency, all sleep-wake and delta variables were significantly correlated between nights. This was particularly the case for SWS and the delta energy variables. When examined separately by gender, both men and women showed significant catheter-based sleep disturbance. However, SWS and delta energy measures in men were unaffected by catheterization. The data clearly demonstrate that both the sleep maintenance and sleep architecture of healthy older men and women are significantly impacted by nighttime blood sampling procedures. Of the various measures examined here, SWS measures appear to be the least disrupted, particularly in men. These findings need to be taken into account in any study examining sleep-endocrine relationships utilizing older subjects.
Law and Disorder on the Early Frontier: Marion County, Indiana, 1823–1850

It is fashionable to blame much of American violence on the frontier and to cite the history of frontier lawlessness and vigilantism in support of that argument. Recent studies have concluded that the frontier environment distinguished by excessive individualism, a scramble for material advantage which pitted man against nature and man against man, and an absence of legal institutions constituted an invitation to violence, which the repeated and prolonged frontier experience embedded deep in the national character.l But there are several reasons to doubt such a close identification
Eradication of Reflux in Adults by Excision of Chronic Infection Reservoirs without Antireflux Operation

Vesicoureteral reflux ceased after eradication of a reservoir of infection in 6 patients. In each case the reflux was mild, the ureter with reflux was not markedly dilated and no ureter had a golfhole orifice. A reservoir of infection should be sought for in adults with chronic or recurrent urinary tract infection and reflux. If it is found and eliminated ureteral reimplantation can be withheld while the patient is followed closely. However, if infection, reflux and associated pyelonephritis persist reimplantation may be necessary.
An Alternative Approach

One of the main arguments developed in the first chapters of this book is that there is a high degree of inequality in Mexico, which would also lead us to expect significant disparities regarding savings behaviour. As noted in Chapter 8, one problem we found when using the theories of household savings to understand why individuals accumulate human and physical capital, is that the constraints inherent in each theory seem to apply only to some subgroups, but it is not possible to determine which are the sectors for which the arguments are more relevant when the hypotheses are tested for the population as a whole. In this section we will explore some ways of accounting for the heterogeneity among the population, for explaining household savings behaviour in Mexico.
Effect of package shape on spurious coupling among microstrip discontinuities

Effects of a metallic package on the performance of a microstrip circuit are attributed mainly to the modifications of spurious couplings among various discontinuities. This paper describes a method for computing the effect of the package shape on the interactions among discontinuities. It is shown that chamfering of the corners of a rectangular package can reduce the spurious coupling between two microstrip open-end stubs.
Cross-informant agreement in the assessment of social phobia in youth.

In the present study involving children and adolescents with a principal diagnosis of social phobia, we measured parent-child agreement regarding social anxiety symptoms. Additionally, we examined variables related to the severity of the children's social phobia symptoms as reported by children and as rated by clinicians. Examination of cross-informant agreement indicated little difference between mean parent and children ratings of the children's social fears. In contrast, there was a significant difference in parent and children ratings of the children's avoidance, with parents endorsing greater degrees of social avoidance. Children's report of social avoidance was negatively related to scores on a measure of self-presentational concerns (i.e., social desirability). Clinicians' determination of the severity of the children's social phobia was also influenced by the children's self-presentation as well as parent report of social avoidance and children's depression scores. Thus, this differential weighting by the clinician of parent versus child report may be related to the finding that children's self-reported social avoidance was negatively related to their concerns regarding positive self-presentation. Results suggest the need to consider the impact of social desirability when examining clinical characteristics of children and adolescents with social phobia.
Changing Taiwanese Identity and Cross-Strait Relations: a Post 2016 Taiwan Presidential Election Analysis

Although cross-strait relations have been the most stable in the last eight years under the pro-mainland KMT government, the pro-independence DPP scored a major victory in the 2016 presidential and parliamentary elections. This paper examines ways identity changes in Taiwan have influenced how Taiwanese view and deal with cross-strait relations and reactions from the mainland after the January elections. Using constructivism as the theoretical framework and survey data, we argue that Taiwan’s continued democratization has created a different social and political experience. This experience has solidified over time and created a unique Taiwanese identity. As time passes, the KMT, which has a stronger historical and social lineage with the mainland, is being weakened by Taiwan’s changing experience and identity. Nevertheless, peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are not only essential for people on both sides of the strait, they are essential for the region and the world. Both the new DPP government and the mainland government must rethink their strategies and policies in order to construct a new framework to ensure continued peace and stability in the region.
Group support systems for very large groups: A peer review process to filter brainstorming input

Group support systems (GSS) can increase group productivity by effectively harnessing the knowledge, abilities, and skills of group members. Primarily, GSS usage and research has focused on small to medium-sized groups. Large groups of over fifty participants present difficulties for both the GSS system as well as the users of the system. With very large groups the volume of information that users must process grows dramatically and is challenging to manage effectively. This paper presents an approach to GSS brainstorming that manages the overall volume of brainstorming input while improving the quality of entries. Each new brainstorming input is routed to peers for review and modification. The goal of the peer review process is to limit the sheer volume of brainstorming input while increasing the overall quality of the input.
Afterword: We Can Enact Change

“Yes we can!” Who can forget the euphoria of Barack Obama’s sweep into power in the 2008 presidential election in the United States? The promise of change at last was euphoric and a new age beckoned. However, 3 years later and 1 year before the next election, the political rhetoric and our lived reality is “No he didn’t!” Whatever happened to the “we” in the enactment of the vision that carried Obama to the Presidency? Making the vision a reality was translated into an individual accomplishment. The futility of heroic individuals transforming society was never more apparent in the past few years, nor was it clearer that in the United States and possibly globally as well, individuals would be held responsible for the conditions of social life. The commonsense models for change and accountability are oversimplified and unworkable. In Obama’s case, at least the “we” in “Yes we can” was truncated in enactment and lost in accountability.
Lattice-dynamical calculations of the thermodynamic properties of CsBr and CsI

Abstract Results of a quasi-harmonic calculation of the normal mode frequencies, mode-Gruneisen parameters, the coefficient of thermal expansion α, the heat capacity Cp, and the macroscopic Gruneisen function γ(itT) for CsBr and CsI are presented. Very good agreement with the experimental results for α and Cp is obtained. A self-consistent procedure is used to parametrize the models so that some often neglected vibrational and configuration-dependent effects can be accounted for. Predictions are made for the values that the potential energy derivatives and the elastic constants would have in the absence of vibrational motion.
Steering a Swarm of Particles Using Global Inputs and Swarm Statistics

Microrobotics has the potential to revolutionize many applications including targeted material delivery, assembly, and surgery. The same properties that promise breakthrough solutions—small size and large populations—present unique challenges for controlling motion. Robotic manipulation usually assumes intelligent agents, not particle systems manipulated by a global signal. To identify the key parameters for particle manipulation, we used a collection of online games in which players steer swarms of up to 500 particles to complete manipulation challenges. We recorded statistics from more than 10 000 players. Inspired by techniques in which human operators performed well, we investigate controllers that use only the mean and variance of the swarm. We prove that mean position is controllable and provide conditions under which variance is controllable. We next derive automatic controllers for these and a hysteresis-based switching control to regulate the first two moments of the particle distribution. Finally, we employ these controllers as primitives for an object manipulation task and implement all controllers on 100 kilobots controlled by the direction of a global light source.
Changing the Cholesterol-Centric Paradigm for the Assessment of the Proatherogenic Potential of Low-Density Lipoproteins.

In this issue of the journal , Dr. Yasuki Ito from Denka-Seiken, along with colleagues, describes the development of a novel direct assay for the measurement of the triglyceride content of LDL (LDL-TG2; 1). It has been known for over 100 years, since the pioneering work of Dr. N. Anitschkow in 1913 (2), that plasma cholesterol plays a central role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Much later in the mid-1950s, Dr. John Gofman first showed that, by separating lipoproteins via analytical ultracentrifugation, cholesterol on LDL (LDL-C) is positively related to cardiovascular disease risk, whereas cholesterol on HDL (HDL-C) is inversely related (3). Most recently, however, there has been a growing awareness of the importance of the compositional complexity of lipoproteins, and the possibility that other lipid and protein components of lipoproteins besides cholesterol can also serve as biomarkers (4). In fact, in a 2004 study by Dr. Winfried Marz and colleagues, it was first reported that LDL-TG was superior to LDL-C as a cardiovascular disease risk predictor (5). This study, however, employed a tedious ultracentrifugation-based method that is not suitable for routine clinical laboratory testing, and as a …
Rectal trauma injuries: outcomes from the U.S. National Trauma Data Bank

There is a lack of general consensus and a little published data regarding the management of trauma-related rectal injuries and outcomes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the surgical management and corresponding outcomes for this patient cohort, using a nationwide trauma database. Rectal injuries and procedures performed over a 2-year period (2013 and 2014) were identified through ICD-9 clinical modification codes, from the United States National Trauma Data Bank. Patient factors, management variables, and outcomes were evaluated. Of 1.7 million patients, 1472 (0.1%) sustained a rectal injury; 81% male, median age 30 years (range 16–89 years) and 60% due to penetrating trauma. Seven hundred and seventy-eight (52.8%) had an isolated extraperitoneal injury and 694 (47.2%) had isolated Intraperitoneal or combined intra- and extraperitoneal injuries. Overall, 726 patients (49.3%) underwent fecal diversion. Injuries following blunt trauma were associated with higher injury severity scores (ISS), lower stoma rates, longer hospital and intensive-care unit (ICU) stay, and higher mortality rates than penetrating trauma (all p ≤ 0.001). Patients with stoma formation had lower mortality than undiverted patients (8.6 vs. 4.0%, p < 0.001) despite a higher ISS and more intraperitoneal injuries, but longer hospital and ICU stay (all p ≤ 0.001). On multivariate regression analysis, older age, higher ISS, intraperitoneal injury, and return to the ICU were independently associated with higher rates of mortality, while stoma formation was associated with a lower mortality rate. For isolated extraperitoneal rectal injuries, 494 patients (63.5%) were managed by resection/repair without stoma and had significantly lower overall postoperative morbidity rates (12.7 vs. 30.2%, p = 0.009) and shorter hospital stay (14 vs. 23 days, p < 0.001), than those who underwent resection/repair + stoma (n = 284; 36.5%), despite no significant difference in ISS (29 vs. 27, p = 0.780). There was no significant difference in mortality. Our results showed that trauma-related rectal injuries are rare and there is wide variation in their management. These data support a low threshold for stoma formation in patients with intraperitoneal or combined injuries, while suggesting that isolated extraperitoneal defects may be safely managed without fecal diversion.