In the Age of Web: Typed Functional-First Programming Revisited

Most programming languages were designed before the age of web. This matters because the web changes many assumptions that typed functional language designers take for granted. For example, programs do not run in a closed world, but must instead interact with (changing and likely unreliable) services and data sources, communication is often asynchronous or event-driven, and programs need to interoperate with untyped environments. In this paper, we present how the F# language and libraries face the challenges posed by the web. Technically, this comprises using type providers for integration with external information sources and for integration with untyped programming environments, using lightweight meta-programming for targeting JavaScript and computation expressions for writing asynchronous code. In this inquiry, the holistic perspective is more important than each of the features in isolation. We use a practical case study as a starting point and look at how F# language and libraries approach the challenges posed by the web. The specific lessons learned are perhaps less interesting than our attempt to uncover hidden assumptions that no longer hold in the age of web.Comment: In Proceedings ML/OCaml 2014, arXiv:1512.0143

Non-emphysematous chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is associated with diabetes mellitus

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been classically divided into blue bloaters and pink puffers. The utility of these clinical subtypes is unclear. However, the broader distinction between airway-predominant and emphysema-predominant COPD may be clinically relevant. The objective was to define clinical features of emphysema-predominant and non-emphysematous COPD patients. Methods: Current and former smokers from the Genetic Epidemiology of COPD Study (COPDGene) had chest computed tomography (CT) scans with quantitative image analysis. Emphysema-predominant COPD was defined by low attenuation area at -950 Hounsfield Units (LAA-950) ≥10%. Non-emphysematous COPD was defined by airflow obstruction with minimal to no emphysema (LAA-950 < 5%). Results: Out of 4197 COPD subjects, 1687 were classified as emphysema-predominant and 1817 as non-emphysematous; 693 had LAA-950 between 5-10% and were not categorized. Subjects with emphysema-predominant COPD were older (65.6 vs 60.6 years, p < 0.0001) with more severe COPD based on airflow obstruction (FEV1 44.5 vs 68.4%, p < 0.0001), greater exercise limitation (6-minute walk distance 1138 vs 1331 ft, p < 0.0001) and reduced quality of life (St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire score 43 vs 31, p < 0.0001). Self-reported diabetes was more frequent in non-emphysematous COPD (OR 2.13, p < 0.001), which was also confirmed using a strict definition of diabetes based on medication use. The association between diabetes and non-emphysematous COPD was replicated in the ECLIPSE study. Conclusions: Non-emphysematous COPD, defined by airflow obstruction with a paucity of emphysema on chest CT scan, is associated with an increased risk of diabetes. COPD patients without emphysema may warrant closer monitoring for diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia and vice versa

Investigation in sociodemographic factors associated with caregiver strain

Background: Caregiver distress is the strain experienced by individuals providing care for people with chronic physical or mental health conditions which limit their self-sufficiency for tasks of daily living. More than 1 in 5 Americans are caretakers of a family member or friend with a long term disability–a number expected to increase with an aging population.Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis using the 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to determine rates of depressive disorders among caregivers and associations between demographic and relational-aspects of the care recipient.Results: The included sample size for analysis was 32,676, representing 17,274,935 caregivers in the US. Our analysis found caregivers who responded female (6008, 29.71%), earning less than $15,000 a year (837, 41.47%), did not complete high school (555, 31.56%) or had some college with no degree (2904, 29.45%), and American Indians (216, 35.18%) had the highest rates of a depression diagnosis within these categories. Furthermore, the odds for having a diagnosis of a depressive disorder is higher among caregivers if the care recipient has a mental disorder, substance use disorder, asthma, or a chronic respiratory condition compared to caregivers of individuals with infirmity or frailty due to old age. Lastly, we found that compared to individuals providing care for their mother, individuals providing care to their mother-in-law or spouse were less likely to have a diagnosis of depression and those caring for their live-in partner were more likely to have a diagnosis.Conclusion: Our findings add to previous research showing specific groups of caregivers are at higher risk for caregiver stress which may lead to depression. More specifically, we found that depression is more likely to occur among individuals caring for live-in partners and among care recipients who have mental health or substance use disorders or chronic respiratory conditions such as COPD. This may be due to the need for more closely supervised care, as well as the risk for hostility or impulsivity of the care recipients. In addition to these prevalences and associations, qualitative research may elucidate underlying trauma among caregivers. Analysis into the demographic risk factors for the development of depression amongst caregivers is vital in providing effective therapeutic options for the care recipient and educational opportunities for the caregiver, both at the individual and community level

Pattern, Process, and Natural Disturbance in Vegetation

Natural disturbances have been traditionally defined in terms of major catastrophic events originating in the physical environment and, hence, have been regarded as exogenous agents of vegetation change. Problems with this view are: (1) there is a gradient from minor to major events rather than a uniquely definable set of major catastrophes for each kind of disturbance, and (2) some disturbances are initiated or promoted by the biotic component of the system. Floras are rich in disturbance-adapted species. Disturbances have probably exerted selective pressure in the evolution of species strategies. Heathland cyclic successions and gap-phase dynamics in forests have been viewed as endogenous patterns in vegetation. When death in older individuals imposes a rhythm on community reproduction, dynamics may indeed be the result of endogenous factors. However, documented cases of senescence in perennial plants are few and many cyclic successions and cases of gap-phase dynamics are initiated by physical factors. Forest dynamics range from those that are the result of individual tree senescence and fall, through those that are the result of blowdown of small groups of healthy trees, to those that are the result of large wind- storms which level hectares of forest. The effect of wind ranges from simple pruning of dead plant parts to widespread damage of living trees. Wind speed is probably inversely proportional to occurrence frequency. Disturbances vary continuously. There is a gradient from those community dynamics that are initiated by endogenous factors to those initiated by exogenous factors. Evolution has mediated between species and environment; disturbances are often caused by physical factors but the occurrence and outplay of disturbances may be a function of the state of the community as well