cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Blueprint for Transitioning Pharmacy Residents Into Successful Clinical Faculty Members in Colleges and Schools of Pharmacy

With the increase of new pharmacy colleges and schools throughout the country, the number of open clinical academic pharmacy positions continues to grow. Considering the abundance of clinical faculty positions available nationwide and the increased likelihood of current pharmacy residents transitioning from residency directly into academia, pharmacy residents must be prepared to succeed in the role of new clinical faculty member. However, no blueprint or recommendations have yet been provided to facilitate this transition. The purpose of this review article is to evaluate the literature regarding transitioning pharmacy students and/or residents into faculty roles. The literature reviewed represents nursing, medical, graduate school, and engineering disciplines because no literature on this topic was available from the pharmacy profession. Based on the recommendations provided in the literature and on the authors’ experience at their college, they created a blueprint consisting of 7 components to help residents transition directly into their roles as faculty members.
Equivalent circuit modeling of losses and dispersion in single and coupled lines for microwave and millimeter-wave integrated circuits

Losses and dispersion in open inhomogeneous guided-wave structures such as microstrips and other planar structures at microwave and millimeter-wave frequencies and in MMICs (monolithic microwave integrated circuits) have been modeled with circuits consisting of ideal lumped elements and lossless TEM (transverse electromagnetic) lines. It is shown that, given a propagation structure for which numerical techniques to compute the propagation characteristics are available, an equivalent circuit whose terminal frequency and time-domain properties are the same as the structure can be synthesized. This is accomplished by equating the network functions of the given single or coupled line multiport with that of the model and extracting all the parameters of the equivalent circuit model by using standard parameters identification procedures. This model is valid over a desired frequency range and can be used to help design both analog and digital circuits consisting of these structures and other active and passive elements utilizing standard CAD (computer-aided design) programs. To validate the accuracy and usefulness of the models, results for a mismatched 50- Omega line in alumina and a high-impedance MMIC line stub are included. >
Synthesis, structural, and retrostructural analysis of helical dendronized poly(1-naphthylacetylene)s

Structural and retrostructural analysis of chiral, nonracemic (poly [(3,4,5)dm8G1-1EN]), and achiral (poly[(3,4,5)12G1-1EN]) poly(1-naphthylacetylene)s demonstrates new design principles for helical dendronized polyarylacetylenes. The oblate cylindrical dendronized polymers self-organize in a c2mm centered rectangular columnar (Φ r-c ) lattice. An all cis-polyene backbone microstructure with very high cisoid character is introduced to rationalize features from small- and wide-angle X-ray diffraction experiments. More compact helical conformations are ideal for efficient communication or amplification of chirality over long distances. Peripheral chiral tails select a preferred helical screw sense of the polyene backbone. In solution, the preferred helical conformation persists over a wide temperature range. In bulk, the naphthyl moiety facilitates a longer correlation length for helical order compared to an analogous minidendritic poly(phenylacetylene). These attributes suggest that the naphthyl moiety may be better suited for expressing helical chirality in monolayer domains.
Fatal group G streptococcal sepsis in a neonate.

AbstractA full-term infant became ill at 16–24 h of age following an uncomplicated pregnancy, labor, and delivery. The clinical course (absence of prenatal warning, rapidly progressive respiratory distress, apnea, shock, and coagulopathy) terminated fatally and resembled that seen in neonatal “early onset” group B streptococcal sepsis. Previous cases of neonatal group G streptococcal disease are briefly reviewed.
Inelastic scattering of 14 MeV neutrons to low-lying states of Ta, W, Tl and Pb

Abstract Measurements of the scattered neutron energy spectra at 90° over the range 6–14 MeV for 14 MeV neutrons incident on Ta, W, TI and Pb were made using a proton recoil neutron spectrometer. Integrated inelastic cross sections over this energy range vary from 11 ± 3 mb/sterad for W to 17 ± 3 for Ph. In all cases the spectra appear to go through a minimum in the vicinity of an excitation of rgy of 8 MeV before rising strongly toward the evaporation peak.
Plasmacytoma-like Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder Following Orthotopic Liver Transplantation: A Case Report

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) are among the most serious and potentially fatal complications of both stem-cell and solid-organ transplantation. Most monomorphic PTLDs are of B-cell origin and frequently associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in the setting of pharmacological immunosuppression posttransplantation. The majority of monomorphic PTLDs commonly resemble diffuse large B-cell or Burkitt's lymphoma; plasmacytoma-like PTLDs are very rare. We report a case of plasmacytoma-like PTLD arising in the allograft in a 66-year-old male diagnosed 2 months following an orthotopic liver transplant for alcohol-related end-stage liver disease. The liver biopsy revealed marked infiltration of atypical plasma cells with lambda light chain restriction and positivity for EBV by in situ hybridization confirming the diagnosis. Also noted was a remarkable increase of tissue eosinophils. Reduction of immunosuppression led to improvement in his clinical condition, and also resolution of the hepatic lesions and abdominal lymphadenopathy noted on imaging studies. While a few cases of plasmacytoma-like PTLDs have been described in literature, to our knowledge, this is the first reported case of early onset plasmacytoma-like PTLD in a liver transplant recipient occurring in the allograft with associated lymphadenopathy having distinct histopathologic features including tissue eosinophilia. Timely recognition of such an entity is critical in order to initiate early and appropriate intervention.
Formyl Group Activation of a Bromopyrrole Ester in Suzuki Cross-Coupling Reactions: Application to a Formal Synthesis of Polycitone A and B and Polycitrin A

Abstract A new pyrrole building block is described, which allows for the regiospecific synthesis of 2,3,5-trisubstituted pyrroles and 2,3,4,5-tetrasubstituted pyrroles. Optimization studies are presented for the preparation of the pyrrole building block along with the evaluation of various cross-coupling conditions and cross-coupling agents. A short, formal synthesis of the natural products Polycitone A, Polycitone B, and Polycitrin A from the pyrrole building block is also described.
Acute hyperglycaemic effect of anaesthetic induction with thiopentone

The acute effects of thiopentone on plasma glucose concentration and regulation in humans have not been well described. We therefore examined the effect of a single dose (6 mg/kg) of thiopentone on plasma glucose, insulin, glucagon, adrenaline and noradrenaline in 16 healthy women undergoing elective abdominal surgery. To assess involvement of the neuroendocrine system in the response to thiopentone, half of the patients received labetalol prior to induction of anaesthesia. Thiopentone injection resulted in a 50% increase in plasma glucose levels (P < 0.001) in both labetalol-treated and non-treated patients 90 s following its administration. This was associated neither with significant increases in plasma glucagon, adrenaline and noradrenaline nor with a decline in plasma insulin. We conclude that acute hyperglycaemia following thiopentone is most likely the consequence of a non-adrenergically-mediated increase in hepatic glucose release.
NIAM Conceptual Data‐Base Design in Construction Management

With the continued use of data bases in engineering applications and the continued proliferation of engineering data, the importance of proper data-base design needs increasing attention. This paper presents a new data, modeling methodology called NIAM. NIAM is a graphical modeling language used to design conceptual schemas that can be mapped onto any data-base model, e.g., the relational and hierarchical data models. The paper describes a procedure, called the optimal normal form algorithm, for mapping a NIAM conceptual schema onto a fifth normal form relational data model. It then provides a brief background on the relational data model and the normalization process. Examples from the construction management domain are used to describe the principles and concepts of the NIAM modeling methodology.
Constrained Optimization of One-Dimensional Two-Phase Flow in Fractal-Like Branching Microchannel Heat Sinks

The performance of two-phase flow through fractal-like heat sinks, subject to both geometrical and flow constraints was assessed. Constraints are crucial in order to satisfy physical requirements of a design. A one-dimensional model of two-phase flow through fractal-like branching microchannels was used to estimate pressure drop, wall temperature and critical heat flux. Water is employed as the working fluid. The exit pressure is varied between 6 kPa and 101.3 kPa (absolute) in order to achieve two-phase flow at temperatures lower than the maximum wall temperature constraint of 70°C. Preliminary results show that the benefit to cost ratio of two-phase flow is on the same order of magnitude as single-phase flow, both with a 70°C wall temperature constraint. Alternatively, a critical heat flux model is used to constrain the flow rate in order for the imposed heat flux to be 50% of the critical heat flux.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Teratogenic Effect of Tedral (Theophylline, Ephedrine, and Phenobarbital) on Cardiac Development in Chick Embryos

We employed the chick embryo in a comparative study of the effect of Tedral and theophylline on anatomical development. Tedral, which contains theophylline in combination with ephedrine and phenobarbital in the relative dose ratio of theophylline 33: ephedrine 6: phenobarbital 2, or saline for control was dropped onto the surface of the chorioallantoic membrane of 2, 3, 4 and 5-day-old chick embryos. In groups A (theophylline 0.015 M, ephedrine 0.0027 M, phenobarbital 0.0009 M) and B (theophylline 0.011 M, ephedrine 0.0020 M, phenobarbital 0.0007 M), 100% of embryos treated on the 5th day of incubation developed aortic aneurysms with associated cardiovascular malformations. In group C (theophylline 0.005 M, ephedrine 0.0009 M, phenobarbital 0.0003 M), 36.8% of embryos treated on the 5th day of incubation developed aortic aneurysms, and 73.7% of embryos had cardiovascular malformations. These data were compared with those obtained by using theophylline, ephedrine or phenobarbital alone. The commonest cardiovascular anomalies induced by Tedral were double-outlet right ventricle with ventricular septal defect. Aneurysms were larger in size and cardiovascular malformations were more complex in embryos exposed to Tedral than in those treated with theophylline alone. Complex cardiac defects produced by Tedral included transposition of the great arteries, double-outlet right ventricle with double-inlet left ventricle, and truncus arteriosus communis. A slit-like small ventricular septal defect was found in 9.5% of the ephedrine-treated (0.51 mg) chick embryo group and 9.1% in the control embryos. These data show: (1) theophylline, a major component of Tedral, produces cardiovascular anomalies in embryonic chick hearts; (2) there is synergy of all three drugs in Tedral; (3) the specific type of conotruncal defect depends on the timing of administration, e.g., truncus arteriosus communis was produced on day 4 of Tedral administration in chick embryos.
Ballistocardiogram artifact reduction in the simultaneous acquisition of auditory ERPS and fMRI.

Abstract Electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) are now being combined to analyze brain function. Confounding the EEG signal acquired in the MR environment is a ballistocardiogram artifact (BA), which is predominantly caused by cardiac-related body movement. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a method for reducing these MR-induced artifacts to retrieve small auditory event-related potentials (ERPs) from EEG recorded during fMRI. An algorithm for BA reduction was developed that relies on timing information obtained from simultaneous electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings and subsequent creation of an adaptive BA template. The BA template is formed by median-filtering 10 consecutive BA events in the EEG signal. The continuously updated template is then subtracted from each BA in the EEG. The auditory ERPs are obtained through signal averaging of the remaining EEG signal. Experimental and simulated ERP data were estimated to assess effectiveness of the BA reduction. Simulation showed that the algorithm reduced BA without significantly altering the morphology of a signal periodically inserted in the EEG. Auditory ERP data, obtained in a 1.5-T scanner during a passive auditory oddball paradigm and processed with the BA reduction algorithm, were comparable to data recorded in a mock scanner outside the magnetic field with the same experimental paradigm. It is concluded that through adequate reduction of the BA, relatively small auditory ERPs can be acquired in the MR environment.
Functions of the Madeira Cockroach ( Leucophaea maderae ) Alimentary Tract in the Absorption, Metabolism, and Excretion of Ronnel

The role of the alimentary tract of the Madeira cockroach, Leucophaea maderae (F.), in the in vivo processes of absorption, transport, metabolism, and excretion of P32labeled ronnel ( O,O -dimethyl O -(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl) phosphorothioate) was investigated together with the qualitative and quantitative nature of the phosphorus-containing metabolites eliminated. The wall of the foregut was found to be permeable to orally injected ronnel but not to certain of its water soluble hydrolysis products while the hindgut was permeable to both. The midgut primarily accumulated the water soluble metabolites when direct movement of ronnel from the foregut was blocked, and evidence suggests it as a site for hydrolytic degradation of the insecticide. More than 97% of the radioactivity accumulating in the hindgut was in the form of water-soluble degradation products with about two-thirds entering with the discharge of the malpighian tubules. Only small quantities of radioactivity passed directly from the mid-to the hindgut. Sublethal doses of ronnel progressively inhibited elimination of excreta while the hydrolysis products had little effect. The major metabolite of ronnel eliminated ill the feces was identified as dimethyl thiophosphate. This compound gradually diminished with time while the minor metabolites dimethyl phosphate and monomethyl ronnel increased
Characteristics of barrier anodized coatings on 6061 aluminum alloy

We have evaluated the characteristics of anodic coatings on 6061 aluminum alloy. We grew these coatings using a high voltage (950 V) low current density (1–2 mA cm-2) high resistivity (45–75 kΩ cm) process in an electrolyte consisting of a solution of ammonium tartrate in ethanol. Coating properties which we subsequently characterized include thickness, density, morphology, entrained and adsorbed impurities, dielectric constant, breakdown strength and leakage curent. A comparison of the coatings on 6061 aluminum alloy with coatings grown using similar conditions on commercially pure 1100 aluminum alloy indicates that the alloying components in 6061 aluminum affect subsequent coating morphology and dielectric properties. The coatings displayed useful dielectric properties. The fact that these coatings were grown on 6061 aluminum alloy, which is a common industrial alloy used because of its relatively high strength and machinability, may recommend these coatings for a variety of practical applications.
The effect of nitroprusside on IUD insertion experience in nulliparous women: a pilot study.

Abstract Background Concern about pain during placement of an intrauterine device (IUD) represents a barrier to use, especially among nulliparous women. We hypothesized that nitroprusside gel applied intracervically prior to IUD placement would reduce insertion-related pain. Study design We performed a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled pilot study to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of 10-mg nitroprusside gel (1 mL) or identical placebo gel applied intracervically in nulliparous women immediately prior to IUD placement. Subjects completed a series of 100-mm visual analogue scales at several time points. The primary outcome was subject-reported pain with IUD insertion. Secondary outcomes included provider-reported ease of insertion, subject-reported pain at other time points, side effects, adverse events and need for additional dilation. Results A total of 24 women were randomized. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. The mean pain score with IUD deployment was 73 mm (SD 17 mm) in the placebo group and 59 mm (SD 26 mm) in the nitroprusside group (p=.15). There was no difference in ease of insertion reported by providers. Two subjects required dilation, one in each group. There were two vasovagal reactions in the nitroprusside group and none in the placebo group. Conclusions Intracervical administration of 10-mg nitroprusside gel immediately prior to IUD insertion does not appear to provide a clinically relevant improvement in patient-reported pain with IUD insertion among nulliparous women.
On an Integer Program for a Delivery Problem

An actual truck delivery problem of general applicability is stated as an integer program. The successful computational performance of Gomory's "cutting plane" algorithm for a set of nine particular problems is discussed. Finally, the structure of the general problem is shown to be a natural generalization of covering problems of graph theory.
The USA Perspective: Current Issues and Trends in the Management of Work Stress

The article provides a United States (US) perspective on emergent issues in work stress and current efforts to reduce stress at work. Workers continue to report relatively high levels of stress and national estimates indicate that in excess of one third of US workers report that their jobs are “often” or “always” stressful. Job stress associated with emergent human resource practices (e.g., flexible employment contracts) and new work systems (e.g., lean production) has not been fully examined, but concerns have been raised about increased risks associated with these practices. Interventions to reduce workers' stress in US organisations have focused primarily on individual-oriented techniques, such as muscle relaxation and meditation. While these efforts have demonstrated utility for lowering psychological and physiological signs of stress, interventions that involve job/organisation change are generally preferred because they directly address the sources of stress at work. However, research has not consis...
Extending Multicore Architectures to Exploit Hybrid Parallelism in Single-thread Applications

Chip multiprocessors with multiple simpler cores are gaining popularity because they have the potential to drive future performance gains without exacerbating the problems of power dissipation and complexity. Current chip multiprocessors increase throughput by utilizing multiple cores to perform computation in parallel. These designs provide real benefits for server-class applications that are explicitly multi-threaded. However, for desktop and other systems where single-thread applications dominate, multicore systems have yet to offer much benefit. Chip multiprocessors are most efficient at executing coarse-grain threads that have little communication. However, general-purpose applications do not provide many opportunities for identifying such threads, due to frequent use of pointers, recursive data structures, if-then-else branches, small function bodies, and loops with small trip counts. To attack this mismatch, this paper proposes a multicore architecture, referred to as Voltron that extends traditional multicore systems in two ways. First, it provides a dual-mode scalar operand network to enable efficient inter-core communication and lightweight synchronization. Second, Voltron can organize the cores for execution in either coupled or decoupled mode. In coupled mode, the cores execute multiple instruction streams in lock-step to collectively function as a wide-issue VLIW. In decoupled mode, the cores execute a set of fine-grain communicating threads extracted by the compiler. This paper describes the Voltron architecture and associated compiler support for orchestrating bi-modal execution
Pacifier use and SIDS: evidence for a consistently reduced risk.

Pacifier use at sleep time decreases sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) risk. It is yet unclear whether pacifier use can modify the impact of other sleep-related factors upon SIDS risk. The objective of this study was to examine the association between pacifier use during sleep and SIDS in relation to other risk factors and to determine if pacifier use modifies the impact of these risk factors. Data source was a population based case–control study of 260 SIDS deaths and 260 matched living controls. Pacifier use during last sleep decreased SIDS risk (aOR 0.30, 95% CI 0.17–0.52). Furthermore, pacifier use decreased SIDS risk more when mothers were ≥20 years of age, married, nonsmokers, had adequate prenatal care, and if the infant was ever breastfed. Pacifier use also decreased the risk of SIDS more when the infant was sleeping in the prone/side position, bedsharing, and when soft bedding was present. The association between adverse environmental factors and SIDS risk was modified favorably by pacifier use, but the interactions between pacifier use and these factors were not significant. Pacifier use may provide an additional strategy to reduce the risk of SIDS for infants at high risk or in adverse sleep environments.
Developing a school functioning index for middle schools

Despite widespread recognition of schools' role in the healthy development of youth, surprisingly little research has examined the relationships between schools' overall functioning and the health-related behavior of students. School functioning could become an important predictor of students' health-related behavior and may be amenable to intervention. This paper describes the development and testing of the School Functioning Index (SFI) as a first step in investigating this question. The index was developed for use with middle schools and conceived as a predictor of students' violent behavior, with the potential for extending research applications to additional health and social behaviors. Using social cognitive theory, social ecological theory, and social disorganization theory as guides, three domains were identified to operationalize school functioning and identify candidate SFI items: 1) resources available to the school and students; 2) stability of the school population; and 3) the schools' performance as a socializing agent for students. Data for candidate SFI items were collected from public archives and directly from 16 middle schools participating in a school-based dietary intervention study. Data collection from schools, particularly concerning student aggressive behavior and disciplinary actions, presented challenges. The final SFI comprised nine items and demonstrated good internal consistency and variability. The SFI was modestly correlated in expected directions with violence and other health behaviors. This work supports the feasibility of combining multiple school-level indicators to create a measure of overall school functioning. Further investigation of validity and more acceptable data collection methods are warranted.
Cardiopulmonary bypass—organ blood flow and metabolism in the pediatric patient

Congenital heart disease occurs in roughly 0.7% of live-births. Approximately one-half of these defects are severe, requiring surgical correction or palliation. In a large percentage of such procedures in children, moderate or profound hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass is employed. Because, nowadays, early correction of the defect rather than a palliative procedure is more frequently pursued, the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and perfusionist are called upon to manage younger and smaller children undergoing longer and more complex operations which necessitate longer times on bypass. Due to the particular underlying heart defect, the pathway of flow and viscosity of the blood are frequently different from those encountered in the adult with atherosclerotic coronary arterial or valvar heart disease. Thus, it is important for those caring for children undergoing cardiac surgery utilizing bypass to be well informed about its possible detrimental effects on the various organs. The purpose of this review will be to focus on the effects of bypass on flow to, and metabolism of, the organs and to highlight what is known with regard to these features in children rather than adults.
Quadratic ζ-sum rules in symmetric top molecules

Abstract In symmetric top molecules, the summation in quadratic ζ-sum rules Σ r ′ ζ rr ′ ( α )2 often extends over vibrations of more than one symmetry species. It is shown that in such a case the sum can be further divided into sums in each of which the summation goes over vibrations of only one symmetry species. First, the “irreducible” quadratic sum rules of the components of l-matrix are derived by using an argument similar to that adopted by Boyd and Longuet-Higgins in their derivation of linear ζ-sum rules. Then the linear sum rules of A rr ( αα ) and quadratic sum rules of a r ( αβ ) and ζ rr ′ ( α ) are derived. Several examples are given for various types of molecules.
Foveal border-contrast.

Abstract Foveal thresholds to a small flash of light at the center of a white, high luminance, circular disc on a black background were low when the disc radius was small (less than 0.72 min). Thresholds increased as the disc radius rose to a critical value (2.90 min) and then decreased again and leveled off. This is called the sensitization effect. It is shown here that a border of sufficient thickness (10.15 min) around a disc of critical radius is needed for the effect and that border inhibition effects add linearly to suppress the test flash brightness.
Effects of using same- versus alternate-form memory tests during short-interval repeated assessments in multiple sclerosis.

Repeated neuropsychological testing gives rise to practice effects in that patients become familiar with test material as well as test-taking procedures. Using alternate forms prevents the learning of specific test stimuli, potentially mitigating practice effects. However, changing forms could diminish test-retest reliability coefficients. Our objective was to examine test-retest effects in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients randomly assigned to same- (SF) or alternate-form (AF) conditions. Thirty-four MS patients underwent neuropsychological evaluation. The battery included the California Verbal Learning Test II (CVLT-II) and the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test–Revised (BVMT-R), memory tests recommended by a recently convened consensus panel. Patients were randomly assigned to SF or AF groups and then tested at baseline and follow-up examination 1 week later. Analysis of variance tests (ANOVAs) revealed significant group × time interactions, with SF patients showing greater gain than AF patients. SF practice effects were often large, compromising test validity. Reliability coefficients were either equivalent or higher in the AF group, a finding attributed to ceiling effects and reduced variance in the SF group at retest. The generalizability of the findings may be limited to short test-retest intervals and the MS population. Nevertheless, I conclude that the use of CVLT-II and BVMT-R alternate forms likely helps preserve test validity without compromising test-retest reliability. (JINS, 2005, 11, 727–736.)
A novel parametric WDM interconnect architecture with reduced complexity

We present a new optical interconnect architecture that can be used in wavelength division multiplexing synchronous optical packet/burst switching networks. The proposed design uses parametric wavelength converters and wavelength exchange optical crossbars to reduce both switching and wavelength conversion complexity. Our design reduces both the number of wavelength converters as well as the number of space switches compared to most existing designs. We briefly present the architecture and enabling technologies. The main properties of the architecture are also discussed
A Behavior Change Model for Internet Interventions

Background The Internet has become a major component to health care and has important implications for the future of the health care system. One of the most notable aspects of the Web is its ability to provide efficient, interactive, and tailored content to the user. Given the wide reach and extensive capabilities of the Internet, researchers in behavioral medicine have been using it to develop and deliver interactive and comprehensive treatment programs with the ultimate goal of impacting patient behavior and reducing unwanted symptoms. To date, however, many of these interventions have not been grounded in theory or developed from behavior change models, and no overarching model to explain behavior change in Internet interventions has yet been published.
Why Causation Need not Follow From Statistical Association: Boundary Conditions for the Evaluation of Generative and Preventive Causal Powers

In experimental design, a tacit principle is that to test whether a candidate cause c (i.e., a manipulation) prevents an effect e, e must occur at least some of the time without the introduction of c. This principle is the preventive analogue of the explicit principle of avoiding a ceiling effect in tests of whether c produces e. Psychologi- cal models of causal inference that adopt either the covariation approach or the power approach, among their other problems, fail to explain these principles. The present article reports an experiment that demonstrates the operation of these principles in untutored reasoning. The results support an explanation of these principles according to the power PC theory, a theory that integrates the previous approaches to overcome the problems that cripple each.
Consumer involvement—a vital piece of the quality quilt: the California HealthCare Foundation's strategy for engaging California consumers

How can the delivery of health services be made accountable to the needs and desires of those who receive and, ultimately, pay for them? The approach of the California HealthCare Foundation (CHCF) has been to build a supply of consumer friendly information, to encourage societal vigilance through public reporting, and to disseminate it using both traditional and non-traditional strategies in order to reach underserved and disenfranchised populations.
Molecular Imaging of Prostate Cancer: A Concise Synopsis

Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in men and continues to be a major public health problem. Imaging of prostate cancer remains particularly challenging owing to disease heterogeneity. Molecular imaging can provide unprecedented opportunities for deciphering the molecular mechanisms that are involved in the development and natural progression of prostate cancer from a localized process to the hormone-refractory metastatic disease. Such understanding will be the key for targeted imaging and therapy and for predicting and evaluating treatment response and prognosis. In this article, we review briefly the contribution of multimodality molecular imaging methods for the in vivo characterization of the pathophysiology of prostate cancer.
Origins of Value Conflict: Babies Do Not Agree to Disagree

It is human nature to like those who are like us. Even babies prefer individuals who share their tastes, and dislike those with contrasting views. However, our pluralistic society requires accepting differences and tolerating those who disagree. Can findings in infant research inform strategies to encourage acceptance of diversity?
An Asymmetry Concerning Virtue and Vice

Etude de l'asymetrie entre la vertu et le vice qui gouverne la plupart de nos jugements ethiques elementaires et qui permet de sonder la plausibilite des differentes approches de la responsabilite morale fondees l'une sur la notion de caractere moral et l'autre sur la notion de volonte. L'A. montre que cette derniere, reposant sur la definition kantienne de la volonte, s'avere satisfaisante la ou la conception aristotelicienne, privilegiant l'evaluation de l'agent, s'avere insatisfaisante en ce qui concerne les facteurs de l'action emergeant du passe de l'agent
Recent Trends in Cluster Munitions Regulation: 2003-2007

In February 2007, 46 nations called for a treaty banning inhumane cluster munitions by the end of 2008. After decades of painstakingly slow progress in regulating the use of cluster munitions, a significant portion of the international community appears ready to take more dramatic steps to ameliorate the negative consequences of producing, stockpiling, using, and transferring these weapons. This article provides a brief survey of some developments over the past four years.
AN ETHNOGRAPHY OF TESTIMONY Purity and Exile: Violence, Memory and National Cosmology among Hutu Refugees in Tanzania . By L IISA H. M ALKKI . Chicago and London: University of Chicago Press, 1995. Pp. xiv + 352. £17.25 ( ISBN 0-226-50272-4).

An estimated seven million people live as refugees in Africa today. While reports on refugee services abound, there are few studies of internal cultural dynamics among the displaced. This book is pre-eminent among these, with its insights the more urgent given the horrific recent increase in refugees in East Central Africa.
Influence of quasi-specific sites on kinetics of target DNA search by a sequence-specific DNA-binding protein

Functions of transcription factors require formation of specific complexes at particular sites in cis-regulatory elements of genes. However, chromosomal DNA contains numerous sites that are similar to the target sequences recognized by transcription factors. The influence of such “quasi-specific” sites on functions of the transcription factors is not well understood at present by experimental means. In this work, using fluorescence methods, we have investigated the influence of quasi-specific DNA sites on the efficiency of target location by the zinc finger DNA-binding domain of the inducible transcription factor Egr-1, which recognizes a 9 bp sequence. By stopped-flow assays, we measured the kinetics of Egr-1’s association with a target site on 143 bp DNA in the presence of various competitor DNAs, including nonspecific and quasi-specific sites. The presence of quasi-specific sites on competitor DNA significantly decelerated the target association by the Egr-1 protein. The impact of the quasi-specific si...
Colonia Housing Conditions in Model Subdivisions: A Déjà Vu for Policy Makers

AbstractThe informal self-help settlements in Texas known as colonias have received considerable attention as a public policy problem at both the state and federal levels. These settlements proliferated throughout the border region since the late 1970s and research has highlighted the extreme poverty, austere levels of infrastructure, exploitative land sale practices, and poor housing conditions that characterized these settlements. However, both scholars and policymakers have overlooked the continued spread of self-help settlements known as “model subdivisions,” which barring the presence of basic water, wastewater, and electricity services, are nearly identical to colonias. We present the results of household surveys conducted with residents in 24 model subdivisions in Hidalgo County, Texas, in June 2014. The results suggest that, unbeknown to legislators, many of the problems that characterized colonias are now being reproduced in hundreds of model subdivisions that have formed since the 1990s, and whi...
Gastric bypass reversal: a 7-year experience.

Abstract Background After gastric bypass, some patients develop conditions that ultimately require reversal of the bypass. There are currently few publications on the topic to guide clinicians. Objectives To describe the indications, techniques, and outcomes for gastric bypass reversal. Setting Two academic medical centers. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent gastric bypass reversal at our institutions between 2008 and 2015. Information regarding the original operation, the indications for reversal, procedures performed, and the postoperative outcomes were collected and analyzed. Results Nineteen patients underwent gastric bypass reversal. All but 4 reversal operations were performed laparoscopically. The indications for reversal were malnutrition or excessive weight loss (6 patients); chronic nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain (5); neuroglycopenia (4); massive small bowel loss due to internal hernia (3); and need for surveillance gastric endoscopy (1). In the perioperative period, 4 patients had a complication that required intervention. Five patients required additional delayed procedures. One patient was lost to follow-up. The remaining patients’ mean follow-up was 22±18 months. Symptoms that prompted reversal of the gastric bypass resolved in the majority of patients. However, 1 patient’s hypoglycemia did not resolve and 2 continued to have diarrhea. Six patients were weaned off of total parenteral nutrition. Conclusions Laparoscopic gastric bypass reversal is feasible and well tolerated. The procedure can be employed to treat a variety of conditions that may occur after gastric bypass and the majority of patients benefit, with resolution of symptoms. In a carefully selected patient population, gastric bypass reversal should be considered if conservative approaches to adverse conditions fail.
Measurements and Modeling of the Flow Field in an Ultra-Low Emissions Combustor

The flowfield of a novel combustor design that can operate stably even at high flowrates and very lean conditions is studied. This Stagnation Point Reverse Flow (SPRF) combustor consists of a central injector at the single open end of a cylindrical chamber, with the injector inlet area much less than the open area of the combustor through which the exhaust products leave. Thus the flowfield can be characterized as a confined jet in an opposed flow. Experiments with Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) as well as computations employing Large Eddy Simulations (LES) have been used to characterize the nonreacting and reacting flowfields within the combustor for premixed and nonpremixed modes of operation. Both nonreacting and reacting cases exhibit a “stagnation” region with local average and high fluctuating velocities. The reacting flows exhibit higher mean and fluctuating velocities than the nonreacting flow. The nonreacting flow stagnates earlier than the reacting flow due to the effects of gas expansion in the reacting flow case. Consequently, the jet decay rates are higher for the reacting flows. The high shear between the forward and reverse flows causes significant recirculation, resulting in enhanced entrainment and mixing of the returning hot product gases into the incoming reactant jet. Comparison of the instantaneous flowfields reveals that the reacting jets exhibit significant lateral motion and distortion compared to the nonreacting case. This parallels the large increase in fluctuating velocities and turbulence intensities that coincide witht the region of high heat release. Nonpremixed and premixed reacting flowfields at the same fuel and air mass flow rates are found to be very similar except in the near field region of the jet, due partly to the lack of heat release there in the nonpremixed case.
Altered small-world anatomical networks in Apolipoprotein-E4 (ApoE4) carriers using MRI.

Abstract Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene and primarily its allele e4 have been identified as a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). The prevalence of the gene in 25-30% in the population makes it essential to estimate its role in neuroregulation and its impact on distributed brain networks. In this study, we provide computational neuroanatomy based interpretation of large-scale and small-world cortical networks in cognitive normal (CN) subjects with differing Apolipoprotein-E4 (ApoE4) gene expression. We estimated large-scale anatomical networks from cortical thickness measurements derived from magnetic resonance imaging in 147 CN subjects explored in relation to ApoE4 genotype (e4+ carriers (n=41) versus e4- non-carriers (n=106)). Brain networks were constructed by thresholding cortical thickness correlation matrices of 68 bilateral regions of the brain analyzed using well-established graph theoretical approaches. Compared to ApoE4 non-carriers, carriers showed increased interregional correlation coefficients in regions like precentral, superior frontal and inferior temporal regions. Interestingly most of the altered connections were intra-hemispheric limited primarily to the right hemisphere. Furthermore, ApoE4 carriers demonstrated abnormal small-world architecture in the cortical networks with increased clustering coefficient and path lengths as compared to non-carrier, suggesting a less optimal topological organization. Additionally non-carriers demonstrated higher betweenness in regions such as middle temporal, para-hippocampal gyrus, posterior cingulate and insula of the default mode network (DMN), also seen in subjects with AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The results suggest that the complex morphological cortical connectivity patterns are altered in ApoE4 carriers as compared to non-carriers, providing evidence for disruption of integrity in large-scale anatomical brain networks.
Two-Plasmon Decay Mitigation in Direct-Drive Inertial-Confinement-Fusion Experiments Using Multilayer Targets.

Multilayer direct-drive inertial-confinement-fusion targets are shown to significantly reduce two-plasmon decay (TPD) driven hot-electron production while maintaining high hydrodynamic efficiency. Implosion experiments on the OMEGA laser used targets with silicon layered between an inner beryllium and outer silicon-doped plastic ablator. A factor-of-5 reduction in hot-electron generation ($g50\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{keV}$) was observed in the multilayer targets relative to pure CH targets. Three-dimensional simulations of the TPD-driven hot-electron production using a laser-plasma interaction code (lpse) that includes nonlinear and kinetic effects show good agreement with the measurements. The simulations suggest that the reduction in hot-electron production observed in the multilayer targets is primarily caused by increased electron-ion collisional damping.
Optimization and Coordination Model of Supply Chains with a Tendency to Risks

This paper puts forward the conception of value-at-risk-taking and conditional value-at-risk-taking,and introduces it to study optimization and coordination mechanisms problem of supply chains with a tendency to risks.First,for a two-echelon supply chain with a risk-taking supplier and risk-taking retailer,we construct the conditional value-at-risk-taking model,the optimal ordering quantity model and the returns contract model based on CVaRT under random demand.Then,we analyze the model and reveal the impact of risk-taking onthe coordination of supply chains,the optimal ordering quantity and the returns price decisions,and cooperation stabilization.Finally,we have also given numerical results to verify the conclusions presented in this paper.
Dental research. What priority in the academic environment

The priority given to dental research in academics is controversial. There exists the pressure for all academicians to pursue funding and publication of research as a major criterion for promotion. This is difficult for those clinical faculty not trained or unable to perform valid investigations. Training of new researchers is important if only to ensure that quality research will be performed in the future. Industry can assist as a good source of funding and increased opportunity in dental research.
The response electron–electron repulsion energy and energy component analysis in CC/MBPT methods

Molecular properties are computed as responses to perturbations (energy derivatives) in coupled-cluster (CC)/many-body perturbation theory (MBPT) models. Here, the CC/MBPT energy derivative with respect to a general two-electron (2-e) perturbation is assembled from gradient theory for 2-e property evaluation, including the electron repulsion energy. The correlation energy (∆E) is shown to be the sum of response kinetic (∆T), electron–nuclear attraction (∆V), and electron repulsion (∆V ee ) energies. Thus, evaluation of total V ee for energy component analysis is simple: For total energy (E), total 1-e responses T and V, and nuclear–nuclear repulsion energy (V NN ), V ee = E − V NN − T − V is the true 2-e response value. Component energy analysis is illustrated in an assessment of steric repulsion in ethane’s rotational barrier. Earlier SCF-based results (Bader et al. in J Am Chem Soc 112:6530, 1990) are corroborated: The higher-energy eclipsed geometry is favored versus staggered in the two repulsion energies (V NN and V ee ), while decisively disfavored in electron–nuclear attraction energy (V). Our best quality calculations (CCSD/cc-pVQZ) attain practical Virial Theorem compliance (i.e., agreement among the kinetic energy, potential energy, and total energy representations) in assigning 2.70 ± 0.06 to the barrier height; −195.80 kcal/mol is assigned to the drop in “steric” repulsion upon going to the eclipsed geometry. Steric repulsion is not responsible for any fraction of the ~3 kcal/mol barrier.
A Neck Support for Alleviating Occupational Neck Pain

While neck pain is common among occupations such as dentistry and machine operations which require static neck flexion, few products are available to alleviate workers’ neck pain while still permit...
EVE: Cloud-Based Annotation of Human Genetic Variants

Annotation of human genetic variants enables genotype-phenotype association studies at the gene, pathway, and tissue level. Annotation results are difficult to reproduce across study sites due to shifting software versions and a lack of a unified hardware interface between study sites. Cloud computing offers a promising solution by integrating hardware and software into reproducible virtual appliances which may be utilized on-demand and shared across institutions. We developed ENSEMBL VEP on EC2 (EVE), a cloud-based virtual appliance for annotation of human genetic variants built around the ENSEMBL Variant Effect Predictor. We integrated virtual hardware infrastructure, open-source software, and publicly available genomic datasets to provide annotation capability for genetic variants in the context of genes/transcripts, Gene Ontology pathways, tissue-specific expression from the Gene Expression Atlas, miRNA annotations, minor allele frequencies from the 1000 Genomes Project and the Exome Aggregation Consortium, and deleteriousness scores from Combined Annotation Dependent Depletion. We demonstrate the utility of EVE by annotating the genetic variants in a case-control study of glaucoma. Cloud computing can reduce the difficulty of replicating complex software pipelines such as annotation pipelines across study sites. We provide a publicly available CloudFormation template of the EVE virtual appliance which can automatically provision and deploy a parameterized, preconfigured hardware/software stack ready for annotation of human genetic variants (github.com/epistasislab/EVE). This approach offers increased reproducibility in human genetic studies by providing a unified appliance to researchers across the world.