Diabetic Nephropathy

Any discussion of morbid events in diabetes is going to emphasize cardiovascular and peripheral vascular problems. Renal disease accounts for a relatively small percentage of the mortality in diabetes; yet the overall incidence of diabetes mellitus in the population so greatly exceeds that of the various types of glomerulonephritis that it has become one of the most common causes of end-stage renal failure in this country. It is difficult to assign exact numbers because the figures in the medical literature vary considerably; however, it is estimated that in the United States today there are some 10 million people who are known to be diabetic, who would be found to be diabetic if tested, or who during the course of their lives will develop overt diabetes. In autopsy series of diabetics the prevalence of glomerulosclerosis has varied from 15% to 82%, with a mean of approximately 30%. This figure will vary depending on how carefully the kidneys are studied, particularly with respect to the use of special stains for identifying glomerulosclerosis; the incidence will also increase with the proportion of juvenile to adult onset diabetics included in the sample. Renal failure is listed as the cause of death of 6% to 12% of diabetics, and its incidence is increased seventeenfold in the diabetic population as compared to the nondiabetic. These figures are probably applicable to those diabetics who have many complications and who require referral to major medical centers for treatment. In terms of the general diabetic population renal failure is probably in the range of 1% to 2%. This means that the prevalence of glomerulosclerosis is severalfold higher than the prevalence of renal failure, and that simply finding the lesion on biopsy does not indicate that kidney function itself has been impaired or that there will be any abnormalities present on urinalysis. As a cause of end-stage renal failure, diabetes now accounts for some 15% to 25% of all new cases

On the structure of framed vertex operator algebras and their pointwise frame stabilizers

In this paper, we study the structure of a general framed vertex operator algebra. We show that the structure codes (C,D) of a framed VOA V satisfy certain duality conditions. As a consequence, we prove that every framed VOA is a simple current extension of the associated binary code VOA V_C. This result would give a prospect on the classification of framed vertex operator algebras. In addition, the pointwise frame stabilizer of V is studied. We completely determine all automorphisms in this pointwise stabilizer, which are of order 1, 2 or 4. The 4A-twisted sector and the 4A-twisted orbifold theory of the famous Moonshine VOA are also constructed explicitly. We verify that the top module of this twisted sector is of dimension 1 and of weight 3/4 and the VOA obtained by 4A-twisted orbifold construction of the moonshine VOA is isomorphic to the moonshine VOA itself.Comment: Version 3: 59 pages. Corrected version. 54 pages on my LaTeX system version 2: We add Theorem 5.16 in which we give a necessary and sufficient condtion for a code to be a structure code of a holomorphic framed VOA. "hyperref" style is also introduce

Who Gets the Frozen Embryos During a Divorce? A Case for the Contemporaneous Consent Approach

The increase in the use and success of Assisted Reproductive Technology has come with an increase in legal and ethical dilemmas facing courts and prospective parents. In particular, courts in the past 25 years have grappled with the issue of frozen embryo disposition during a divorce proceeding. Most couples sign some form of contract before freezing their embryos. Many state courts, however, interpret and enforce these contracts differently than they do other contracts. While approaches to in vitro fertilization contract interpretation and enforcement already exist in some states, many states have yet to decide what will happen if a frozen embryo dispute arises. This Recent Development proposes a solution that respects the principles of contract law while still protecting the competing interests of the parties involved

A Landslide Climate Indicator from Machine Learning

In order to create a Landslide Hazard Index, we accessed rain, snow, and a dozen other variables from the National Climate Assessment Land Data Assimilation System. These predictors were converted to probabilities of landslide occurrence with XGBoost, a major machine-learning tool. The model was fitted with thousands of historical landslides from the Pacific Northwest Landslide Inventory (PNLI)

Effects of Inventory Bias on Landslide Susceptibility Calculations

Many landslide inventories are known to be biased, especially inventories for large regions such as Oregon's SLIDO or NASA's Global Landslide Catalog. These biases must affect the results of empirically derived susceptibility models to some degree. We evaluated the strength of the susceptibility model distortion from postulated biases by truncating an unbiased inventory. We generated a synthetic inventory from an existing landslide susceptibility map of Oregon, then removed landslides from this inventory to simulate the effects of reporting biases likely to affect inventories in this region, namely population and infrastructure effects. Logistic regression models were fitted to the modified inventories. Then the process of biasing a susceptibility model was repeated with SLIDO data. We evaluated each susceptibility model with qualitative and quantitative methods. Results suggest that the effects of landslide inventory bias on empirical models should not be ignored, even if those models are, in some cases, useful. We suggest fitting models in well-documented areas and extrapolating across the study region as a possible approach to modeling landslide susceptibility with heavily biased inventories

Controlling the uncontrolled: Are there incidental experimenter effects on physiologic responding?

The degree to which experimenters shape participant behavior has long been of interest in experimental social science research. Here, we extend this question to the domain of peripheral psychophysiology, where experimenters often have direct, physical contact with participants, yet researchers do not consistently test for their influence. We describe analytic tools for examining experimenter effects in peripheral physiology. Using these tools, we investigate nine data sets totaling 1,341 participants and 160 experimenters across different roles (e.g., lead research assistants, evaluators, confederates) to demonstrate how researchers can test for experimenter effects in participant autonomic nervous system activity during baseline recordings and reactivity to study tasks. Our results showed (a) little to no significant variance in participants' physiological reactivity due to their experimenters, and (b) little to no evidence that three characteristics of experimenters that are well known to shape interpersonal interactions-status (using five studies with 682 total participants), gender (using two studies with 359 total participants), and race (in two studies with 554 total participants)-influenced participants' physiology. We highlight several reasons that experimenter effects in physiological data are still cause for concern, including the fact that experimenters in these studies were already restricted on a number of characteristics (e.g., age, education). We present recommendations for examining and reducing experimenter effects in physiological data and discuss implications for replication

Associations between hair cortisol concentration, income, income dynamics and status incongruity in healthy middle-aged women.

A body of research demonstrates that financial disadvantage is associated with general health inequalities and higher mortality rates. Most studies make use of cross-sectional analyses, although income can also be viewed as a dynamic concept. The use of endocrine-markers as proxies for health can provide information about the pathways involved in these associations. Hair cortisol analysis has been developed as a method for assessing sustained cortisol output as it provides an estimate of cumulative cortisol secretion over a prolonged time. The present study assessed income and income trajectory over a 4-year period in 164 working women (aged 26-65) in relation to hair cortisol in a longitudinal design. A negative association between hair cortisol and concurrent income was found (p=0.025) and hair cortisol and changes in income over 4 years (p<0.001), after adjustment for age, BMI, smoking status, hair treatment and country. Status incongruity, a mismatch between educational status and income group, was related to higher cortisol levels compared with status congruity (p=0.009). These findings suggest that psychoneuroendocrinological pathways might partially explain the relationship between lower socio-economic status and adverse health outcomes. Future longitudinal research using hair cortisol analysis is warranted to clarify the time course of social mobility in relation to long-term cortisol, to investigate other underlying psychosocial factors implicated in these associations, and to determine the exact health implications of the neuroendocrine perturbations in individuals with limited economic resources

Changes in Extreme Precipitation and Landslides Over High Mountain Asia

High Mountain Asia is impacted by extreme monsoonal rainfall that triggers landslides in large proportions relative to global distributions, resulting in substantial human impacts and damage to infrastructure each year. Previous landslide research has qualitatively estimated how patterns in landslide activity may change based on climate change scenarios. We present the first quantitative view of potential modulation in future landslide activity over the High Mountain Asia region leveraging a new landslide hazard model and precipitation data from satellite and Global Climate Model sources. In doing so, we find that the rate of increase in landslide activity at the end of the century is expected to be greatest over areas covered by current glaciers and glacial lakes, potentially exacerbating the impacts of cascading hazards on populations downstream. This work demonstrates the potential of Global Climate Models and satellite-based precipitation estimates to characterize landslide hazards at time scales affected by climate change

Paying for transit operations : challenges and solutions for the Chicago Transit Authority

Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning; and, (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2004.Includes bibliographical references (p. 141-144).This research identifies the challenges Chicagoland must confront to maintain a quality transit system. It analyzes the organizational and funding structure of the Regional Transportation Authority and its three service providers, including the Chicago Transit Authority. This investigation revealed that the greatest regional challenges are declining ridership (especially on bus) and increasing congestion from limited subsidies and a cost recovery statute. To address these challenges a series of alternatives were evaluated using a framework that considers revenue potential, incidence, side effects, and political feasibility. Based on this analysis, a four part strategy is recommended: 1. Change the current distribution formula. Unless a new allocation formula is established, CTA may not benefit from increased resources. The new formula should reduce reliance on discretionary funds by stabilizing current funding levels to the three service providers. 2. Increase RTA revenues. Currently the two wealthiest counties in the region (DuPage and Lake) pay significantly less than Cook County while enjoying comparable service. The RTA should increase their sales tax contributions to improve regional equity and increase resources. These resources should be used to address growing paratransit needs.(cont.) 3. Develop a set of performance measures that respond to distinct transit markets. Rather than focusing exclusively on the cost recovery ratio, which risks the long-term vitality of the system, the RTA should develop a set of performance measures that maximize efficiencies within markets. This will allow the region to control costs, while still protecting weaker markets like bus and paratransit. 4. Include a transit pass as part of the personal vehicle registration tax. Having people prepay for transit services will provide an incentive for replacing some automobile trips, while generating regional subsidies. In the short run, this funding mechanism will serve as an incentive for RTA to promote fare integration. If expanded over time, it offers RTA the opportunity to increase transit service. The above recommendations will help reverse the current negative trends and stabilize ridership; however to increase ridership and mode share, more subsidy will be needed. Other promising revenue generators should be considered in the future to meet these goals.by Julie B. Kirschbaum.S.M.M.C.P

Science Diplomacy Through Cities: Applying NASA Earth Observations at the Urban Scale

NASA's scientific expertise and data products are enhancing cities' environmental monitoring activities by pioneering applications of remote sensing and model-based Earth Observations at the urban scale. The above activities have greatly benefitted from engaging stakeholders and city practitioners from the start. Further, NASA's collaborations with cities have: Advanced NASA science, in testing new products and validating of satellite datasets, while meeting the needs of city governments. Broadened Rio de Janeiro's regional viewpoint and strengthened its relationships with neighboring cities. Scientific collaborations with cities benefit from: Selecting city partners with a high level of technical capacity and willing to make strong investments in joint projects. Sustained communication and face-to-face interactions. Well-defined deliverables, with dedicated resources and personnel. Pairing global datasets and projections with in situ measurements and local knowledgeSensitivity to local working culture and politics