cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modified Mediterranean Diet Score and Cardiovascular Risk in a North American Working Population

Introduction Greater adherence to a Mediterranean diet is linked to lower risk for cardiovascular morbidity/mortality in studies of Mediterranean cohorts, older subjects, and/or those with existing health conditions. No studies have examined the effects of this dietary pattern in younger working populations in the United States. We investigated the effects of Mediterranean diet adherence on cardiovascular disease (CVD) biomarkers, metabolic syndrome and body composition in an occupationally active, non-Mediterranean cohort. Methods A cross-sectional study in a cohort of 780 career male firefighters, ages 18 years or older, from the United States Midwest. No dietary intervention was performed. A modified Mediterranean diet score (mMDS) was developed for assessment of adherence to a Mediterranean dietary pattern from a previously administered life-style questionnaire that examined pre-existing dietary habits. Clinical data from fire department medical examinations were extracted and analyzed. Results Obese subjects had significantly lower mMDS, and they reported greater fast/take-out food consumption (p<0.001) and intake of sweetened drinks during meals (p = 0.002). After multivariate adjustment, higher mMDS was inversely related to risk of weight gain over the past 5 years (odds ratio [OR]: 0.57, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.39–0.84, p for trend across score quartiles: 0.01); as well as the presence of metabolic syndrome components (OR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.44–0.94, p for trend across score quartiles: 0.04). Higher HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.008) and lower LDL-cholesterol (p = 0.04) were observed in those with higher mMDS in linear regression after multivariate adjustment for age, BMI and physical activity. Conclusions In a cohort of young and active US adults, greater adherence to a Mediterranean-style dietary pattern had significant inverse associations with metabolic syndrome, LDL-cholesterol and reported weight gain, and was significantly and independently associated with higher HDL-cholesterol. Our results support the potential effectiveness of this diet in young, non-Mediterranean working cohorts, and justify future intervention studies.
An Historical Perspective of Reward Systems: Lessons Learned from the Scientific Management Era

This paper reveals how similar the reward systems prevalent during the scientific management era are to the rewards systems in use today. Systems popular today, such as profit sharing, gain sharing, skill/knowledge-based pay, merit-based pay/pay for performance, and variable-based pay, were also advocated during the reign of scientific management. The ideas expressed by several key scientific management contributors, including Frederick W. Taylor, Henry L. Gantt, Harrington Emerson, and Frank B and Lillian M. Gilbreth, are detailed. These ideas are compared and contrasted with existing reward systems and their underlying premises. In addition, the lessons learned from the scientific management era as they relate to reward system philosophies of today are presented.
Endothelium-Derived Hyperpolarizing Factors and Vascular Cytochrome P450 Metabolites of Arachidonic Acid in the Regulation of Tone

The discovery of prostacyclin and its endothelial origin established the idea of endothelium-derived vasoactive eicosanoids and led to the realization that endothelial cells were a source of autacoids that regulate vascular tone.1 2 In 1980, Furchgott and Zawadzki3 described endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) and presented evidence that EDRF was a lipoxygenase metabolite of arachidonic acid. Subsequent research indicated that EDRF was nitric oxide.4 Several laboratories have described an endothelium-derived vasodilating factor that is distinct from nitric oxide or prostacyclin.5 6 7 8 9 10 These laboratories reported that acetylcholine caused endothelium-dependent relaxation and hyperpolarization of vascular smooth muscle. The relaxations and hyperpolarizations were not altered by arginine analogs that inhibit nitric oxide synthase or inhibitors of cyclooxygenase or lipoxygenases. They were blocked by inhibitors of calcium-activated potassium channels such as tetraethylammonium or charybdotoxin but not by inhibitors of ATP-sensitive potassium channels such as glibenclamide. Subsequent studies indicated that this factor was released by other agonists including bradykinin and substance P. It was concluded that this vasodilating factor acts by opening calcium-activated potassium channels and hyperpolarizing the smooth muscle membrane. This factor has been termed endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor or EDHF. The article by Thollon and coworkers11 in this issue of Circulation Research further emphasizes the importance of EDHF in normal coronary arteries and arteries with regenerated endothelium. Several important insights are provided into the action and nature of EDHF by this work. First, this study demonstrates the importance of measuring membrane potential in defining the contribution of EDHF to the action of agonists. Hyperpolarization of vascular smooth muscle unequivocally defines EDHF activity. Second, the study indicates the importance of the resting membrane potential of the smooth muscle on the magnitude of the response to EDHF. Removal of the endothelial lining of porcine coronary arteries results in …
Recognition Memory: A Research Strategy and a Summary of Initial Findings1

Publisher Summary This chapter describes a research strategy and a summary of initial findings, focusing on the recognition memory. In planning a programmatic study of the development of memory in the retarded, a basic consideration is the particular research strategy that might prove most useful. The problem of discovering differences between the behavior of normals and retardates has resulted in a model experiment, where normals and retardates are matched on mental age (MA) or intelligence quotient (IQ). Such experiments, while related to other research in the area by literature discussions, are commonly disconnected. In that, they do not belong to any programmatic attack on a process or area. The experiments and data discussed in the chapter have been concerned with the exploration of the variables controlling recognition, using a memory probe task. The essential method of the approach discussed in the chapter is the combined use of experimental and correlational procedures. The program aims to use the techniques both from experimental psychology and psychometrics. Thus, inferential statistics are planned to test theoretical predictions and uncover the variables controlling performance. Correlational measures would be used to explore the relationships among individual differences in performance with different dependent measures at various levels and combinations of the independent measures.
Investment and Layout Planning

Within the framework of GT, investment and layout planning is used to determine the optimum rationalization stage and to lay out the GT-manufacturing systems for a selected parts spectrum. Using the general principles of investment and layout planning as a basis, a procedure is recommended for this problem statement which is marked by its methodical and flexible application.
Tetraneophylzirconium and its Use in the Polymerization of Olefins

Olefin polymerization catalysts based on tetraneophylzirconium and its reaction products with submicroscopic fumed alumina are discussed. (Neophyl is the 2-methyl-2-phenylp. ropyl group). Neophylzirconium aluminate or hydridozirconium aluminate supported on alumina are extremely active catalysts for high temperature (300°C) polymerization of ethylene. The high catalyst efficiency and the innocuous nate of the catalyst residues eliminate the need for deactivation or removal of the catalyst from the resultant polymer. The effect of catalyst structure on activity and oplymer properties is discussed.
Barriers, Benefits, and Behaviors Related to Breakfast Consumption Among Rural Adolescents

BACKGROUND We sought to determine if perceived barriers, benefits, and modifiable behaviors support or interfere with breakfast consumption in a racially and economically diverse rural high school population. METHODS The participants were 832 Minnesota adolescents from 16 rural high schools. We used baseline data from a group randomized trial aimed at increasing school breakfast participation through policy and environmental-level school changes. Students completed an online survey asking about demographics, breakfast eating behaviors, and the barriers and benefits of eating as it relates to school performance. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression, accounting for clustering by school, was performed using SAS. Each scale was modeled independently. RESULTS Participants were 9th and 10th grade students, 36% free/reduced-price lunch (FRL), 30% non-White, and 55% female. Breakfast skippers compared to nonbreakfast skippers reported fewer school related benefits and beliefs and more barriers to eating breakfast (p < .01). Adjusted models revealed students reported more positive beliefs (OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.73-0.83), more benefits (OR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.93-0.97) and fewer barriers (OR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.82-0.87) and were less likely to skip breakfast. CONCLUSIONS Future intervention research should focus on alleviating barriers and enhancing education around the school related benefits of eating breakfast.
Abstract 4132: Rapid microfluidic-based isolation of tumor cells from pleural effusions for cytodiagnostics.

Pleural effusions accumulate in patients with cancer or other illnesses and are often drained to provide symptomatic relief. Cells within this fluid are concentrated and analyzed to determine the cause of effusion. In patients with cancer, tumor cells may be present in the effusions and provide a source of cells for further diagnostics and mutational analysis. However, blood cell components and other non-cellular materials can create a significant background and can obscure the search for tumor cells. Furthermore, blood cell impurities can adversely impact the search for genomic or proteomic changes in the tumor cells by creating a large wild type background. A purity of at least 20% of target cells is necessary to ensure that background signal is suppressed. We have developed a microfluidic based “Centrifuge Chip” for the rapid isolation and purification of cancer cells. The Centrifuge Chip utilizes microvortices to trap cells based on size without the need for affinity-based capture. Isolated cells can subsequently be released on-demand and are viable to grow or can be analyzed for molecular changes. We utilized this chip for the isolation of tumor cells and mesothelial cells at high purity from pleural effusions and similar complex fluids such as blood. We then stained the cells with CK/DAPI for tumor cells and CD45 for white blood cells. Samples with high numbers of CK positive cells were deemed suspicious for malignancy; all our results were cross-checked to the standard Cytospin results. We routinely achieved improved purities in all samples, with greater than 70-fold increase in purity for samples positive for malignancy, and are developing a quantitative PCR (QPCR) based system to confirm the presence of activating EGFR or KRAS mutations in lung cancer cells isolated from patients with malignant pleural effusions secondary to lung cancer. The Centrifuge Chip can achieve rapid isolation of tumor cells from complex biofluids and allows for easier access to such cells for molecular analysis that will provide clinicians with critical information required for targeted cancer therapies. Citation Format: James Che, Albert Mach, Derek Go, Ish Talati, Yong Ying, Jianyu Rao, Dino Di Carlo, Rajan Kulkarni. Rapid microfluidic-based isolation of tumor cells from pleural effusions for cytodiagnostics. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4132. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-4132
Sex Pheromone of the Face Fly and Compounds Influencing Pheromone Activity

An evaluation of the major components of the cuticular washes from both male and female face flies, Musca autumnalis De Geer, revealed that the most active component was ( Z )-14-nonacosene. The activity of this component was not augmented by coadministration of the other components. Examination of several synthetic materials revealed that certain ethers inhibit this stimulant activity; for example, ( Z )-14-nonacosene was not active when it was tested with methyl tetradecyl ether.
Overview of Analytical Methods for Lubricated Engine Components

Engine designs require better fuel economy, lower NVH, and longer durability. Consequently, the understanding, analysis and design for lubricated engine components that have relative moving surfaces play an important role in this objective. As the GM corporate standard analytical tool for these components, FLARE has been under continuous improvements and validations since its first rollout from GMR in the late 80s. It has also been benchmarked with the best features available in the commercial software package and research literature. There are currently more than 20 standard work procedures directly involving FLARE as solver and its applications span over: • Rod, crank, cam and balance shaft journal bearings; • Connecting rod structure; • Piston structure and scuffing; • Engine mechanical friction; • Load calculation for engine block structural analysis; • Lube system analysis; • Noise analysis. There are three levels of analysis based on requirements. Namely, level one is used in initial design stage that finds solution by interpolating the curve-fitted equations. It requires the least information about the design and runs in seconds. In level 2, a more detailed solution can be obtained by solving mixed mass-conserving lubrication governing equations using FEM with the assumption of rigid bounding surfaces. Heat transfer can be taken into account in this level and above. Level 3 has the full capability, in addition to the features in level 2, the solution is coupled with the elasticity of surface/structure which can be obtained through offline structure FEM analysis. Higher level of analysis captures more physics but requires better understanding of the input parameters and careful interpretation of the results. The unique strength of FLARE is its detailed component level analysis capability. This presentation is an overview of the latest development on FLARE technology. It includes the physics captured in FLARE, integrated solution technique and some selected results for crankshaft bearings, floating piston pins, and piston/liner impact under partial film lubrication.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Running status of measles laboratory network of Fujian Province(2009-2011)

Objective To evaluate the running status of Fujian provincial Measles Laboratory Network(MLN).Methods To analyze the surveillance results of measles laboratory network during 2009-2011 by descriptive epidemiology method.Results 1789 suspected measles cases were reported during 2009-2011,and 1177 measles sera samples were collected.The collection rate was 65.79%,and the rate of sample sending in 3 days was 91.76%,and the rate of laboratory result reported in 7 days was 92.41%,the main surveillance indicators increased year by year.In the past three years no measles viruses were isolated,27 rubella viruses strains were isolated,all the rubella viruses were identified to be H1 genotype.Fujian provincial measles laboratory passed the on-site review by WHO,the proficiency test and the sera sample re-check hold by National laboratory.The provincial measles laboratory passed the sera samples re-check by National laboratory for measles during 2009 to 2011.The measles laboratory of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) passed the sera proficiency test by the provincial measles laboratory,the consistent rate was 98.76% and 100% respectively.Conclusion The running status of Measles Laboratory Network of Fujian province was good,all the surveillance indexes achieved the requirement of the monitoring program in 2011,it played an important role in measles control and surveillance.
New vistas in neuropeptide research in neuropsychiatry: focus on corticotropin-releasing factor.

Advances in neuropeptide neurobiology in the last decade are illustrated by studies of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), the 41 amino acid-containing peptide that controls the anterior pituitary secretion of adrenocorticotropin and other pro-opiomelanocortin products. Corticotropin-releasing factor is synthesized in both hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic perikarya in a large prohormone form, (186 amino acids), then it is processed and transported to nerve terminals where it is released in its active form by a calcium-dependent mechanism. Corticotropin-releasing factor biosynthesis can now be measured by in situ hybridization because of the elucidation of the CRF gene sequence. Once released, CRF acts on high-affinity CRF receptors, and signal transduction is mediated by activation of adenylate cyclase in certain brain areas, and perhaps by phosphoinositide hydrolysis. In other brain areas CRF is inactivated by peptidases that degrade the hormone, though these are not well characterized. A CRF binding protein has been identified in plasma, and perhaps in brain. Considerable evidence exists from cerebrospinal fluid studies, postmortem tissue receptor measurements, and CRF stimulation test studies to support the hypothesis that CRF is hypersecreted in depression, resulting in both pituitary-adrenal axis hyperactivity and certain signs and symptoms of depression, e.g., decreased libido, insomnia, and decreased appetite. There is also evidence for an involvement of CRF in the pathophysiology of anxiety disorders and in the mechanism of action of benzodiazepines. The development of selective CRF-receptor antagonists will permit direct testing of the hypothesis that CRF hypersecretion is responsible for certain of the cardinal features of affective and anxiety disorders.
Measuring the Contribution of Education to Economic Growth

This paper is an outgrowth of the writer’s exploration of economic growth in the United States.1 I shall first indicate the general approach and results of the study as a whole, and then proceed to detailed discussion and some further development of the relationship of education to growth in the United States and Europe.2
Medical Decision Making for Suicidal Patients in Military Integrated Primary Care Settings

ABSTRACTInternal behavioral health consultants in primary care settings are on the frontline of suicide risk assessment, management, and treatment within military healthcare. In this capacity, internal behavioral health consultants must quickly determine (a) the patient's suicide risk level, (b) the treatment setting most suitable for the patient, and (c) brief intervention strategies appropriate to the primary care setting. The decisions required of internal behavioral health consultants by Department of Defense healthcare policies are considered. Two prominent historical methods of medical decision making are reviewed, and these models are applied to the treatment of suicidal patients in military primary care settings.
Multiple Giant Cell Tumors of Tendon Sheath Found within a Single Digit of a 9-Year-Old.

Giant cell tumor of tendon sheath is one of the most common soft tissue tumors of the hand. These tumors typically occur in the third or fourth decade of life and present as solitary nodules on a single digit. Currently, the greatest reported number of lesions found within a single digit is five. Although uncommon, giant cell tumor of tendon sheath does occur in the pediatric population. Herein we present a report of a rare case of GCTTS in a child in which seven lesions were identified within a single digit—the greatest number of lesions within a single digit reported to date.
Challenges in the Utilization of Formal Methods

Despite the established benefits of formal methods, they remain poorly accepted by industrial software developers. This paper examines the issues surrounding the use of formal methods in industrial software development. It is argued that the reason for their limited use is that the introduction of formalism into software development is a more complex undertaking than it appears to be. This idea is explored in three areas: the software lifecycle; software dependability analysis; and development tools and environments. It is shown that many capabilities must be present in order for formal methods to fit into the complete software lifecycle, that the results of formal methods are difficult to use in software dependability analysis, and that the development of tools to support formal methods comprehensively is a difficult undertaking.
Cell-mediated remodeling of biomimetic encapsulating hydrogels triggered by adipogenic differentiation of adipose stem cells

One of the most common regenerative therapies is autologous fat grafting, which frequently suffers from unexpected volume loss. One approach is to deliver adipose stem cells encapsulated in the engineered hydrogels supportive of cell survival, differentiation, and integration after transplant. We describe an encapsulating, biomimetic poly(ethylene)-glycol hydrogel, with embedded peptides for attachment and biodegradation. Poly(ethylene)-glycol hydrogels containing an Arg-Gly-Asp attachment sequence and a matrix metalloprotease 3/10 cleavage site supported adipose stem cell survival and showed remodeling initiated by adipogenic differentiation. Arg-Gly-Asp-matrix metalloprotease 3/10 cleavage site hydrogels showed an increased number and area of lacunae or holes after adipose stem cell differentiation. Image analysis of adipose stem cells in Arg-Gly-Asp-matrix metalloprotease 3/10 cleavage site hydrogels showed larger Voronoi domains, while cell density remained unchanged. The differentiated adipocytes residing within these newly remodeled spaces express proteins and messenger RNAs indicative of adipocytic differentiation. These engineered scaffolds may provide niches for stem cell differentiation and could prove useful in soft tissue regeneration.
TSLP-TSLPR interactions regulate CD4+ T cell-dependent immunity and inflammation in the intestine (B112)

Thymic stromal lymphopoeitin (TSLP) is an IL-7-like cytokine expressed by epithelial cells that has been implicated in promoting Th2 cytokine-dependent inflammation in the skin and lung. However, the role of IEC-derived TSLP in regulating immunity and/or inflammation in the intestine has not been tested. Following exposure to the intestinal-dwelling nematode pathogen Trichuris , IECs isolated from genetically resistant C57BL/6 mice exhibit an upregulation in expression of TSLP mRNA. To address the functional role of TSLP-TSLPR interactions in the intestine, WT and TSLPR−/− mice were infected with Trichuris . While WT mice exhibited expression of Trichuris -specific Th2 cytokines in the mesenteric LN (mLN) and cleared infection, mLN cells isolated from TSLPR−/− mice secreted increased IFNγ over WT controls and these mice harbored persistent infection. Further, infected TSLPR−/− mice developed infection-induced intestinal inflammation. In vitro studies suggest IEC-derived TSLP can influence DC function. Consistent with this, DC isolated from the gut-associated lymphoid tissue of TSLPR−/− mice exhibited more IL-12/23p40 than WT DC. In addition, conditioning of WT BMDC with rTSLP inhibited LPS induced IL-12/23p40 in vitro. Taken together, these studies implicate a role for TSLP-TSLPR interactions in IEC-DC cross-talk in the intestine that limits the expression of proinflammatory cytokines.
Diabetics on Narcotics Are Less Likely to Achieve Excellent Bowel Preparation Than Are Patients with Either Condition

Diabetes and chronic narcotic use negatively affect the quality of bowel preparation before colonoscopy. To investigate whether narcotic use and diabetes have an additive negative impact on bowel preparation. We performed a retrospective study of 2841 patients (mean age 61 ± 10.2; 94% male) who received outpatient colonoscopies at our Veterans Affairs Medical Center between June 2012 and December 2014. We collected information related to demographics, body mass index, indications, and medical/surgical history (diabetes mellitus, stroke, cirrhosis, dementia, constipation, hypothyroidism, and use of narcotics or antidepressants/anxiolytics for more than three months). Patients were classified into four groups: (1) diabetics on narcotics, (2) diabetics only, (3) on narcotics only, and (4) neither diabetic nor using narcotics. Quality of the bowel preparation was scored using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS) and categorized as either excellent (BBPS ≥7, with no individual segment scoring <2) or not excellent (BBPS <7). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the combined impact of narcotic use and diabetes on bowel preparation. Bowel preparation quality was excellent in 49%. Thirty-eight percent of patients with diabetes who were using narcotics (adjusted OR 0.6, CI [0.4, 0.8]) achieved excellent bowel preparation compared with 44% (adjusted OR 0.7, CI [0.6, 0.9]) of patients on narcotics only, 48% (adjusted OR 0.8, CI [0.7, 0.9]) of diabetics only, and 54% of patients with neither condition. Concomitant narcotic use and diabetes have a compounding effect on the quality of bowel preparation prior to colonoscopy.
Treatment of Male Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder

Male hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is a crucial issue that has been understudied clinically and empirically. Secondary HSDD is much more common and is typically caused by erectile dysfunction. The man has lost confidence in erections, intercourse, and orgasms; as a result, he avoids all types of sensual and sexual touch. When couples stop being sexual after age 50, it is almost always the man’s choice, which he conveys nonverbally. Primary HSDD typically involves a sexual secret, such as a variant arousal pattern, preference for masturbatory sex, or a sexual trauma history.
Effects of ketamine on the unconditioned and conditioned locomotor activity of preadolescent and adolescent rats: impact of age, sex, and drug dose

Rationale Ketamine is used by preadolescent and adolescent humans for licit and illicit purposes.
Integrating Pedometers in Early Childhood Settings to Promote the Development of Positive Health Trajectories

The early childhood years mark a critical period for growth and development. Emerging evidence supports that integrating physical activity into children’s lives is essential for creating a solid foundation for future movement and physical activity behaviors. Specifically, these behaviors contribute toward a positive developmental trajectory of health and well-being (e.g., promoting physical, social, emotional, and mental development). Physically active children are likely to remain physically active through their teenage and young adult years as well as carry over into adulthood. With children spending a majority of their day in preschools and schools, these settings are an ideal location to encourage physical activity. Educators can integrate tools like pedometers into their classrooms to enhance physical activity while supporting academic learning. In this chapter, we will provide teachers and practitioners with information regarding the implementation of pedometers into their classrooms to get their children ‘moving and learning’. We will discuss the importance of physical activity and provide current physical activity recommendations along with recent policies and practices to support physical activity in early childhood settings. Then we will address evidence that supports the implementation of pedometers in classroom settings. The chapter concludes with practical examples and strategies that guide educators of young children in ways to integrate pedometers into the early childhood curriculum.
Changes in Sodium Transport during the Human Menstrual Cycle and Pregnancy

1. We have studied the transport of Na+ and K+ by erythrocytes during the follicular and luteal phases of the human menstrual cycle, and in pregnant compared with non-pregnant women. Venous blood was drawn from 10 healthy young women (not taking any medication or hormones) 1-2 days after menstruation and from the same women 7-9 days after ovulation. For the pregnancy part of the study, blood was drawn from eight other normotensive non-pregnant women and from eight age-matched normotensive pregnant women (36-43 weeks gestation). 2. Intracellular erythrocyte and plasma Na+ and K+ concentrations were measured by flame photometry. The increase in the intracellular Na+ concentration during a 1 h 37 degrees C incubation of fresh whole blood with 0.2 mmol/l ouabain (compared with no ouabain) was measured to determine the rate of active Na+ efflux. The Na(+)-K+ pump rate constant was calculated by dividing the active Na+ efflux rate by the intracellular Na+ concentration. 3. In fresh blood, the intracellular erythrocyte Na+ concentration (P < 0.002) and the plasma K+ concentration (P < 0.01) were both lower in pregnant than in non-pregnant women. The Na(+)-K+ pump rate constant was higher (P < 0.02) during the luteal phase than during the follicular phase, and in pregnant compared with non-pregnant women. 4. We conclude that short-acting hormones in the plasma most probably account for the changes in the Na(+)-K+ pump rate constant during the menstrual cycle.
Learning-by-Doing and the Puzzles of Economic Growth: Survey and Interpretation

I have attempted to provide an “explanation” for some of the “puzzles of economic growth” by simulating growth with human as well as physical capital and with localized learning and human capital externalities. However, other models of economic growth might limit the applicability of this reasoning, and might offer alternative explanations. If a simulation with an alternative growth model and localized learning and externalities should fail to show dichotomization, we could no longer regard localization, per se, as a sufficient condition. Thus, in this and the following chapters I will examine the robustness of the explanation over a range of alternative models of economic growth. In this chapter we address “learning by doing.” This is particularly important, both because it provides a different and very natural rationale for externalities in accumulation of knowledge and because there is empirical evidence that learning by doing plays a key role in real-world economic growth.
Aspects of Modern Mathematical Life

As this book has endeavored to describe, prior to two hundred years ago the mathematician was of necessity a dedicated, independent, largely self-sufficient lone wolf. There were few academic positions and no granting agencies (of the government or otherwise). If a mathematician was extraordinarily lucky, a patron could be found who would provide financial and other support. Euler and Descartes had patrons. Galois and Riemann did not.
Two Shades of Brown: The Failure of Desegregation in America; Why It Is Irremediable (and a Modest Proposal)

This article argues that since Brown I in 1954, the Supreme Court’s decisions made the current segregated state of our public schools almost inevitable. First, neither the gradualism approach ordered by Brown II nor the later immediacy requirement of Green had much chance for success, though both were likely the product of the political realities of the time. Second, defining the constitutional violation as strictly de jure segregation was a defensible interpretation of the state action requirement of the Fourteenth Amendment, but the distinction between de jure and de facto segregation hamstrung legitimate judicial efforts. Third, appropriate remedies for de jure segregation were so circumscribed that no effective remedy was possible. Fourth, once the illegal de jure segregation was remedied to the degree practicable, as the Court’s amorphous standard called for, the inevitable resulting segregation, in the Court’s own alchemy, became de facto segregation. Fifth, the failure to require equal funding for education made de facto racial segregation de facto substandard schools. Sixth, the Court imposed a strict scrutiny test for the use of race to remedy de facto segregation, making any remedy unlikely, even in those few jurisdictions willing to undertake the task of dismantling de facto segregated schools. Seventh, there is no likely judicial remedy for desegregating American schools, and only the political decision to make education equal and adequate across all economic and racial substructures can make a difference. The author proposes a federal spending program to encourage integration innovation and to encourage all states and interested private parties to gradually increase integration and equality in education and outcome.
Novel Frequency Offset Estimation Scheme for Reliable Wireless Communication using Modified K-Means Clustering

This paper presents a novel machine learning-based algorithm to estimate the frequency offset in wireless communication systems from the received signal’s IQ constellations. The algorithm focuses on dividing the received signal symbols into clusters and finding the centroid of each cluster using a modified k-means algorithm. The constellation rotation angle, corresponding to the frequency offset, is then found from the angel between the obtained centroids’ coordinates and the coordinates of the corresponding modulation format. The simulation results have shown 100% estimation accuracy for constellation rotation angles within the (-45, 45) degrees range. The proposed algorithm provides a low-complexity scheme that eliminates the overhead required for training preamble (TP) based techniques, thus improving the communication system’s efficiency. The algorithm can be applied to wide range of communication systems especially those used in high speed train and vehicular communications.
Heart Rate Tracking Using a Wearable Photoplethysmographic Sensor During Treadmill Exercise

We present a beat-to-beat heart rate tracking algorithm that is designed especially to handle the nonstationary motion artifacts often encountered using photoplethysmographic (PPG) signals acquired from smartwatches or a forehead-worn device, during intense exercise. To date, many algorithms have been based on tracking heart rates during intense exercise using an 8-second average of heart rates, which does not accurately capture the large variation in instantaneous heart rates during exercise. In this paper, we propose a novel technique that can accurately estimate heart rates from wearable PPG signals with subjects running on a treadmill and making other sudden movements. The proposed algorithm includes three parts: 1) time-frequency spectrum estimation of PPG and accelerometer signals, 2) motion artifact removal by subtraction of the time-frequency spectra of the accelerometer signals from the PPG signals, and 3) postprocessing to further reject motion artifact-affected heart rates followed by interpolation of removed heart beats using a cubic spline approach. The proposed approach was compared to one of the recent and most accurate algorithms. The results of the proposed and compared algorithms were evaluated with two datasets (IEEE Signal Processing Cup (N=12) and our own dataset (N=10)) obtained from a smartwatch and a forehead PPG sensor with subjects running on a treadmill. The reference heart rates were obtained from a chest-worn ECG. Our method, using a 12 second windowed segment, resulted in an average absolute error of only 2.94 beats per minute and an average relative error of 2.42 beats per minute, which are a 71% and 94% improvement, respectively, over the compared algorithm.
An Electronic Aerosol Delivery System for Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Background:Public health concerns over the addictive potential of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) have heightened in recent years. Brain function during e-cig use could provide an objective measure ...
A four-dimensional model of Asian American stereotypes:

The content of the Asian American model minority stereotype is important for understanding how Asian American individuals are perceived. Existing theories about stereotype content may not capture t...
Association of Recruitment and Activation of Lumbar Multifidus and Transversus Abdominis with Low Back Pain in Physiotherapy Students; A Cross Sectional Survey

Background: Low back pain is one of the leading cause and commonly treated conditions among musculoskeletal disorders. Among medical professions physiotherapist demonstrate high prevalence of low back pain which is linked with the onset of LBP during undergrad study, therefore this study was conducted to evaluate LBP among undergrad physiotherapist Objective: To determine the association of recruitment and activation of lumbar multifidus and transversus abdominis with low back pain in physiotherapy students of Lahore, Pakistan. Methodology: In this cross sectional survey data of 102 undergraduate physical therapy students was collected through convenient sampling via questionnaire and physical assessment to identify the activation and recruitment of lumbar multifidus and transversus abdominis. Data was analyzed using SPSS version20. Results: No significant difference was noted between the left and right side of lumbar multifidus response in students with and without LBP. No significant difference was noted between the left and right side of transversus abdominus response in students with and without LBP. Conclusion: In this study low back pain was experienced by a large number of physiotherapy undergraduates. But no association was found between activation and recruitment of LM and TrA with low back pain.
Why the Concept of Potential Energy Must Be Frame Invariant

In recent years, there have been a number of articles published concerning whether or not potential energy (PE) as defined in mechanics is invariant under Galilean transformation. This essay addresses that issue in a different, more fundamental and elegant way than has been done thus far. It recognizes that a considerable change in the concept of PE has occurred over the last century, mostly as a result of both the special and general theories of relativity. We will show, by simple argument, that PE is Lorentz invariant, even if it is not a rigorously proper relativistic quantity. Although PE is an extremely important classical (i.e., pre-relativistic) theoretical device, it depends on the positions of the interacting bodies at any and every moment. Simply put, if the relative position of any constituent changes, the corresponding interactions must change instantly, and that violates special relativity. In general relativity, PE is not even a well-defined concept.
Progression of hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to covid 19

Introduction:Patients with chronic lung disease are at risk of developing severe COVID 19 infection, and are likely to have poor outcomes. There is, however, little data available on the progression of interstitial lung disease (ILD) after severe COVID 19 infection. Here, we present the case of a patient with known ILD (chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis, in this case), which progressively worsened after COVID 19 infection.Case Report:A 65 year old male presented to our clinic for management of chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis in December 2018. In 2017, he had a video assisted thoracoscopic surgery performed, when it was diagnosed that the changes in his lungs were due to chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis. On evaluation in our clinic, the patient reported dyspnea on exertion. He had mild crackles bilaterally and was saturating 94% on room air. A prior CT scan showed mild fibrosis. The patient was asked to come for a follow-up, but he was unable to do so due to the COVID 19 pandemic.In May 2020, the patient was diagnosed with severe COVID 19 pneumonia, and was admitted into the hospital, where he required supplementary oxygen. He was treated with Remdesivir and steroids, and was later discharged home on oxygen. When the patient was examined one month after discharge, he continued reporting worsening dyspnea and cough. At this time, a repeat CT scan of the chest showed worsening pulmonary fibrosis.Today, even though the patient has recovered from COVID-19, he remains dependent on supplementary oxygen.The patient has never been a smoker;he is an immigrant from Central America, having moved to the US in 2016. Back in Central America, he reported having a pet parrot in his home.Discussion:We suspect that continued exposure to the parrot may have been a cause of chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis in our patient. Further, our case report indicates that COVID 19 may cause progression of ILD even after COVID 19 itself has been cured.Since the prevalence of ILD in general (and hypersensitivity pneumonitis in specific) is low, limited research has been carried out on the correlation of this disease with COVID 19. While a recent study did indicate that adults with preexisting ILD were at an increased risk of severe COVID 19, limited data is available on the long term consequences of COVID 19 infection for ILD patients.
Serotonin as a Mitogen in the Gastrointestinal Tract: Revisiting a Familiar Molecule in a New Role.

Serotonin signaling is ubiquitous in the gastrointestinal (GI) system, where it acts as a neurotransmitter in the enteric nervous system (ENS) and influences intestinal motility and inflammation. Since its discovery, serotonin has been linked to cellular proliferation in several types of tissues, including vascular smooth muscle, neurons, and hepatocytes. Activation of serotonin receptors on distinct cell types has been shown to induce well-known intracellular proliferation pathways. In the GI tract, potentiation of serotonin signaling results in enhanced intestinal epithelial proliferation, and decreased injury from intestinal inflammation. Furthermore, activation of the type 4 serotonin receptor on enteric neurons leads to neurogenesis and neuroprotection in the setting of intestinal injury. It is not surprising that the mitogenic properties of serotonin are pronounced within the GI tract, where enterochromaffin cells in the intestinal epithelium produce 90% of the body’s serotonin; however, these proliferative effects are attributed to increased serotonin signaling within the ENS compartment as opposed to the intestinal mucosa, which are functionally and chemically separate by virtue of the distinct tryptophan hydroxylase enzyme isoforms involved in serotonin synthesis. The exact mechanism by which serotonergic neurons in the ENS lead to intestinal proliferation are not known, but the activation of muscarinic receptors on intestinal crypt cells indicate that cholinergic signaling is essential to this signaling pathway. Further understanding of serotonin’s role in mucosal and enteric nervous system mitogenesis may aid in harnessing serotonin signaling for therapeutic benefit in many GI diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, malabsorptive conditions, and cancer.
Impact of a Multilevel Quality Improvement Intervention Using National Partnerships on Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Rates

Abstract Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of a multilevel intervention using national partnerships on human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates. Methods The American Cancer Society's Vaccinate Adolescents against Cancer program is a multilevel intervention focusing on systems and providers. The 2017 cohort introduced national partnerships to deliver intervention elements and Maintenance of Certification and continuing medical education credits for physicians. Eleven federally qualified health center (FQHC) systems completed interventions in 2017. Interventions included provider training and ≥1 other evidence-based systems improvement. We compared adolescent vaccination rates in the preintervention period (2016) and intervention period (2017) among adolescents who turned 13 during the calendar year. Intervention effectiveness was assessed using repeated measures paired t tests and Cohen's d effect size for vaccination rate change. Results All FQHC systems implemented provider training plus an average of 2.3 additional systems improvements. Series initiation increased by an average of 23.6 percentage points (47.2%–70.8%). HPV completion rates increased by an average of 22.7 percentage points (24.6%–46.3%). Meningococcal and Tdap vaccination rates increased by 23.3 and 25.9 percentage points respectively (47.9%–71.2% and 48.8%–74.7%). All changes were statistically significant (all P Conclusions Multilevel interventions focusing on provider training and systems changes can substantially improve on-time adolescent vaccination coverage and can be successfully performed using national partnerships and a train-the-trainer model.
Improving Financial Performance through Green Innovation with High-level Knowledge Integration: An Empirical Analysis

More and more companies have been adopting sustainable strategies to improve their environmental performance and financial performance. It is essential for companies engaged in green operations. Drawing on the theories of organizational learning and dynamic capabilities. This study conducts an empirical analysis to identify the indirect effect of knowledge integration on financial performance. This indirect effect is mediated by its green product and process innovations capability. This study provides helpful guidelines for managers to properly organize the structures of their companies in order to improve green innovation and financial performance.
Stability Analysis of Grid-Connected Flyback Converter for PV Power Applications

Flyback converters are widely used for photovoltaic (PV) application. However, the majority of research has been focusing on the control aspect of the converter where as stability, especially sensitivity of design parameters, has not been well studied. This paper presents the small-signal modeling of flyback converters in continuous conduction mode (CCM) using a moving average technique. MATLAB/Simulink is used to find the eigenvalues of the closed-loop system. The system stability is analyzed through the movement of eigenvalues due to changes in parameters of different components. The developed model demonstrates stability issues when certain parameters such as controller gains and passive components' values.