cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improving RFID Read Rate in Metallic Tractor-Trailer Applications

This paper reviews the basics of radio frequency identification technology and the existing uses in commercial vehicle systems. The specific engineering design challenges associated with the metallic environments encountered in commercial applications are discussed. An empirical design method using a variable dielectric thickness is given. Experimental results for the use of RFID in the metallic environment encountered in a commercial vehicle demonstrate the validity of the design method.
Multivariate t Distribution: Introduction

Multivariate versions of the Student's t distribution derive through Studentization from multivariate normal models. Multivariate t distributions are useful to model errors of a random experiment offering greater flexibility and heavier tails than multivariate normal models. There are two types of multivariate t distributions. Type I distributions are derived by scaling each component of a normal vector by a single random scalar. Type II distributions involve separate scalings by elements of a further random vector, itself having a joint multivariate distribution. Keywords: student t; multivariate normal; tails; multiple comparisons; simultaneous confidence intervals; diagnostics; error distributions
Multiple brain systems generating the rat auditory evoked potential. I. Characterization of the auditory cortex response.

Abstract The objectives of this study were to characterize the auditory cortex response in the rat and to examine its contributions to the auditory evoked potentials (AEPs) recorded from the dorsal and lateral skull. This was accomplished by simultaneously recording AEPs from the cortical surface and from skull screw electrodes in anesthetized animals. The initial positive-negative response (P17-N32) was largely restricted to the cortical region corresponding to area 41. More detailed examination of the AEP mapping revealed multiple subcomponents (P9, P14, P17, P19) underlying the initial positivity, with differing topographies. Stimulus-response properties further dissociated the multiple positive subcomponents Reversible local neurochemical suppression confirmed the auditory cortical origin of these AEPs. The auditory cortex-generated AEPs were refractory to barbiturate anesthesia which eliminated all dorsal skull AEPs, indicating that primary auditory cortical AEPs do not make a significant contribution to the dorsal skull-recorded (‘vertex’) AEPs. The findings raise issues regarding multiple parallel auditory processing systems and their associated AEPs.
A survey of enabling technologies in synthetic biology

Realizing constructive applications of synthetic biology requires continued development of enabling technologies as well as policies and practices to ensure these technologies remain accessible for research. Broadly defined, enabling technologies for synthetic biology include any reagent or method that, alone or in combination with associated technologies, provides the means to generate any new research tool or application. Because applications of synthetic biology likely will embody multiple patented inventions, it will be important to create structures for managing intellectual property rights that best promote continued innovation. Monitoring the enabling technologies of synthetic biology will facilitate the systematic investigation of property rights coupled to these technologies and help shape policies and practices that impact the use, regulation, patenting, and licensing of these technologies. We conducted a survey among a self-identifying community of practitioners engaged in synthetic biology research to obtain their opinions and experiences with technologies that support the engineering of biological systems. Technologies widely used and considered enabling by survey participants included public and private registries of biological parts, standard methods for physical assembly of DNA constructs, genomic databases, software tools for search, alignment, analysis, and editing of DNA sequences, and commercial services for DNA synthesis and sequencing. Standards and methods supporting measurement, functional composition, and data exchange were less widely used though still considered enabling by a subset of survey participants. The set of enabling technologies compiled from this survey provide insight into the many and varied technologies that support innovation in synthetic biology. Many of these technologies are widely accessible for use, either by virtue of being in the public domain or through legal tools such as non-exclusive licensing. Access to some patent protected technologies is less clear and use of these technologies may be subject to restrictions imposed by material transfer agreements or other contract terms. We expect the technologies considered enabling for synthetic biology to change as the field advances. By monitoring the enabling technologies of synthetic biology and addressing the policies and practices that impact their development and use, our hope is that the field will be better able to realize its full potential.
Microtubule associated protein (MAP1B) is present in cultured oligodendrocytes and co‐localizes with tubulin

Differentiation of Oligodendrocytes is accompanied by the extension of processes and the assembly of the myelin membrane. It is likely that the cytoskeleton plays an important role in this process in terms of changes in cell shape, transport of myelin components, and organization of the myelin membrane. Oligodendrocytes contain microtubules (MT) which associate with other components of the cytoskeleton, and microtubule associated proteins (MAPs) may mediate some of these interactions. In this study we haves shown the presence of MAP1B in Oligodendrocytes grown in primary glial cultures by double-label im-munofluorescence using antibodies to galactocerebro-side (GC) and MAP1B. The staining of the cultures showed that GC-positive Oligodendrocytes were also stained with MAP1B antibodies. However, MAP 1B stain was limited to ceil bodies and processes, whereas GC stain was also seen in flattened membrane sheets and punctate staining in processes. MAP1B staining was also compared with that of myelin proteolipid (PLP), myelin basic protein (MBP) and beta-tubulin in secondary glial cultures that were enriched for Oligodendrocytes. The results showed a typical staining of cell bodies and membranous profiles using PLP antibodies, and the staining of cell bodies and flattened regions of membranous sheets by MBP antibodies. In contrast, both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to MAP1B showed a uniform diffuse staining of cell bodies, major processes, and fine interconnected processes. Double-labeling of the cells showed that MAP1B was co-localized with tubulin, but was not present in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive astrocytes. Western and Northern blot analyses of primary glial cultures showed that MAP1B had a molecular mass of 320 kDa and a mRNA of 10 kb. These values are identical to those previously reported for brain MA1MB (Safaei and Fischer, 1989) and demonstrate the presence of MAP1B in oligodendrocytes.
Simultaneous smoothing and adjusting mortality rates in U.S. counties: melanoma in white females and white males.

Detecting patterns in health-related data for geographic areas is facilitated with the use of exploratory methods, especially smoothing. In addition, these data often must be adjusted for known prognostic factors such as age and gender. The analysis in this paper focuses on mortality rates due to malignant melanoma in White males and White females; these data are adjusted for both age and latitude, separately for males and females, and then smoothed using (a) a non-linear smoother known as weighted head-banging, and (b) a new method that incorporates the adjustment and the smoothing simultaneously. Maps of the continental United States show regions of high rates, even after having adjusted for age and latitude, and suggest the possibility of other variables that may influence the rates.
Valence and satisfaction with democracy: A cross-national analysis of nine Western European democracies

In recent studies, scholars have highlighted factors that influence citizen satisfaction with democracy, with particular emphasis on the role played by the institutional features of political systems, and ideology. This article presents the first empirical study of whether changes in important party characteristics can affect individuals’ satisfaction with democracy. Using a measure of parties’ character-valence derived from content analysis of news reports, evidence is presented that when governing parties’ images decline with respect to important valence-related attributes such as competence, unity and integrity, then citizen satisfaction with democracy similarly declines. However, this relationship is conditional on the performance of opposition parties. These findings are relevant to studies of regime support, political representation, democratic accountability and voter behaviour.
The Hungry-for-Attention Metaphor: Integrating Narrative and Behavioural Therapy for Families With Attention Seeking Children

Many families come to treatment with concerns about attention-seeking children. This paper examines the dominant socio-cultural and biological influences on individual parent and child narratives about attention-seeking behaviour and explores the misalignment between the two. A case study illustrates the reconstruction of the dominant problem-saturated story through the hungry-for-attention metaphor. Finally, the author proposes an integrative approach to combining narrative practices with behavioural interventions for families and professional caregivers.
Commentary on: the alar rim flap: a novel technique to manage malpositioned lateral crura.

The authors have described a technique for correcting the aesthetic and functional deformities inherent in cephalic rotation (“malposition”) of the alar cartilage lateral crura, using a method in which each lateral crus is split transversely, creating a 2 to 3 mm wide transposition flap based medially at the lateral genu.1 These lateral crural flaps are rotated inferiorly and anchored along the alar rims, extended with cartilage grafts if necessary. In their experience with 12 patients, the procedure described corrected the external deformity and stabilized the alar walls, which no longer collapsed upon inspiration. Their patients noted not only subjective but objective improvements in airflow as measured by pre- and postoperative Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (iNOSE) questionnaires and by paranasal computed tomography measurements of the columellar/alar sidewall angles. The mean preoperative iNOSE score was 70.42 and the mean postoperative score was 13.75 ( p < .05). The mean preoperative and postoperative columellar/alar sidewall angle increased from 7.21° (preoperative) to 9.06° (postoperative) for the right side and from 7.23° to 9.19° for the left side ( p < .05). There are several important explicit and subliminal messages in this paper. First, the authors emphasize that alar cartilage malposition is common. That is very true; but in fact, when Sheen first described the anatomical variation in his classical 1978 textbook,2 he thought it …
Bioenergetic analysis of cerebellar granule neurons undergoing apoptosis by potassium/serum deprivation.

Apoptosis induced by K+/serum deprivation (low K+) in cerebellar granule neurons has been extensively investigated. The mitochondria play a key role in apoptosis by releasing proapoptotic factors into the cytoplasm, and mitochondrial dysfunction has been proposed as an early or initiating event in this model. To directly test this hypothesis, cellular and mitochondrial bioenergetics were quantified by determining the respiratory parameters of coverslip-attached neurons. While oxidative phosphorylation rate decreased 39–49% in low K+, this was due to decreased cellular ATP demand rather than impaired ATP/ADP exchange or respiratory chain inhibition. From 3 to 5 h in low K+, apoptosis progressed from 13 to 40% despite no appreciable change in respiratory parameters. Changes in steady-state O2−, assessed with dihydroethidium, were seen in granule but not hippocampal neurons. The O2− change correlated with changes in [Ca2+]c, but not mitochondrial respiration. Thus, early mitochondrial dysfunction can be excluded in this common model of neuronal apoptosis.
Assessment of medical devices: how to conduct comparative technology evaluations of product performance.

Objectives U.S. expenditures on medical devices (US dollars 70 billion in 2003) are one of the fastest growing components of hospital costs. Physicians' selection of medical devices lacks an evidence base on the comparative clinical effectiveness of these products. Comparative studies (e.g., vendor 1 versus vendor 2, technology A versus technology B) are increasingly promoted in the public sector as a means of cost containment, value-based purchasing, and quality improvement. This study illustrates how hospitals and physicians can conduct comparative technology assessments of product performance. Methods Surgeons evaluated comparable medical devices manufactured by eight different vendors in standardized surgical procedures. Devices included sutures and endomechanical products, which account for US dollars 2.5 billion of total device spending. Evaluations covered multiple performance dimensions, including ergonomics, functionality, clinical acceptability, and vendor preference. Results One vendor's products garnered consistently high ratings from surgeons, while two other vendors garnered consistently low ratings. Differences in ratings were statistically significant and persist when controlling for physician background characteristics and prior experience. Study results were used by a large hospital group purchasing organization to select which vendors to contract with for these products. Conclusions Comparative technology evaluations assist physicians and hospitals in making cost-effective purchases of devices. These evaluations provide robust information on the performance of products routinely used by clinicians. Such evaluations can be carefully designed to have scientific rigor and clinical credibility.
RT-level Route-and-Place Design Methodology for Interconnect Optimization in DSM Regime

As the interconnect dominates in DSM regime, we propose a novel routeand-place design methodology at RT-level which strongly ties to physical design tasks. Unlike conventional place-and-route, our methodology prioritizes interconnect over devices. At the RT-level, we identify all global nets and carefully design their interconnect topology to achieve desired delay characteristics, followed by the macro-cell placement. Net clustering is carried out to account for net interdependencies as well as to derive the bounding box constraint on a net. Within a macro-cell, as the nets are local in nature, we apply place-and-route to achieve its layout. Experimental results on various datapath circuits resulted in total wirelength reduction varying from 3.7% to 24.6% with an average value of 12.4%.
Modeling and decoding motor cortical activity using a switching Kalman filter

We present a switching Kalman filter model for the real-time inference of hand kinematics from a population of motor cortical neurons. Firing rates are modeled as a Gaussian mixture where the mean of each Gaussian component is a linear function of hand kinematics. A "hidden state" models the probability of each mixture component and evolves over time in a Markov chain. The model generalizes previous encoding and decoding methods, addresses the non-Gaussian nature of firing rates, and can cope with crudely sorted neural data common in on-line prosthetic applications.
Bacterial Hypoxic Responses Revealed as Critical Determinants of the Host-Pathogen Outcome by TnSeq Analysis of Staphylococcus aureus Invasive Infection

Staphylococcus aureus is capable of infecting nearly every organ in the human body. In order to infiltrate and thrive in such diverse host tissues, staphylococci must possess remarkable flexibility in both metabolic and virulence programs. To investigate the genetic requirements for bacterial survival during invasive infection, we performed a transposon sequencing (TnSeq) analysis of S. aureus during experimental osteomyelitis. TnSeq identified 65 genes essential for staphylococcal survival in infected bone and an additional 148 mutants with compromised fitness in vivo. Among the loci essential for in vivo survival was SrrAB, a staphylococcal two-component system previously reported to coordinate hypoxic and nitrosative stress responses in vitro. Healthy bone is intrinsically hypoxic, and intravital oxygen monitoring revealed further decreases in skeletal oxygen concentrations upon S. aureus infection. The fitness of an srrAB mutant during osteomyelitis was significantly increased by depletion of neutrophils, suggesting that neutrophils impose hypoxic and/or nitrosative stresses on invading bacteria. To more globally evaluate staphylococcal responses to changing oxygenation, we examined quorum sensing and virulence factor production in staphylococci grown under aerobic or hypoxic conditions. Hypoxic growth resulted in a profound increase in quorum sensing-dependent toxin production, and a concomitant increase in cytotoxicity toward mammalian cells. Moreover, aerobic growth limited quorum sensing and cytotoxicity in an SrrAB-dependent manner, suggesting a mechanism by which S. aureus modulates quorum sensing and toxin production in response to environmental oxygenation. Collectively, our results demonstrate that bacterial hypoxic responses are key determinants of the staphylococcal-host interaction.
Maximum entropy quantization for link-state adaptation in two-way relaying

In this paper, we investigate how to adapt a composite decode-forward (DF) two-way relaying scheme to fading links. We develop a maximum entropy (ME) quantization algorithm to feed back the link magnitudes such that the transmitters are able to perform link adaptation. The ME algorithm outperforms that of Lloyd-Max in mid and high range SNR, and performs comparably at low SNR. With just one bit of ME quantization feedback, rate performance of the composite DF scheme is better than that of long-term channel state information (CSI). With three quantization bits, performance is close to that of perfect CSI. We further evaluate the sensitivity of the ME quantizer to errors in the estimated channel distribution. The developed ME quantization algorithm can also be applied in any compression scenario with known data distribution, including real-time applications because of the simplicity of the quantizer.
Surf’s Up

Surfing is a way of slowing down and processing stuff without consciously addressing it. A lot of the time we’re forced to live in the future or the past. Surfing is something that keeps you in the present tense. Some of that is just the immediacy of the problems it sets you, physical adjustments you make every half second to stay on your feet or avoid physical injury (or discomfort, at least). Some of it is just the energy required that dulls much of your other problems. For me surfing is about beauty and connectedness. Riding a wave to shore is a lovely, meditative thing to be able to do. You’re walking on water, tapping the sea’s energy without extracting anything from it. You’re meeting the sea, not ripping anything out of it.
A Cascade Model of Turbulence

This note describes a model of turbulent energy-cascades called the GOY model. This model contains a view of the basic processes of turbulence, within the context of simplification in which the k-space (k is the wave vector) is split into shells of different magnitudes of k. The dynamics moves energy from shell to shell, and conserves energy and “helicity” through the inertial range.
Amicus Curiae Brief on Behalf of the Vermont Commission on Women and Other Local and National Organizations and Leaders Committed to Gender Equity, in Support of the Plaintiff in the Matter of Dreves V Hudson, Filed in the United States District Court for the District of Vermont, November 2012

This brief was submitted in Federal District Court in the first case brought under Vermont's Equal Pay statute, which mirrored federal law. At issue was whether a a salary difference between a male and female in the same job could be justified when the male negotiated a higher salary and received additional compensation as the primary breadwinner. This brief lays out the history of equal pay laws, argues that the court should adopt the Second Circuit standard requiring a legitimate business reason, and that paying a male employee more as the primary breadwinner is per se a violation of the law. The court agreed with these arguments, and the final decision is available online. Of particular importance is that the Court held that salary negotiations are inherently gendered and therefore the business could not justify paying the male more simply because he was a better salary negotiator.
Effect of Increased Diphosphopyridine Nucleotide Levels on Rate of Ethanol Metabolism in the Mouse

SummaryMice, in which a high level of DPN was induced by injection of nicotinamide, metabolized ethanol no more rapidly than untreated controls. This is interpreted to mean that in an animal receiving adequate niacin in its diet, availability of DPN does not limit the disappearance of ethyl alcohol from the body.
Metadiscourse in group supervision: How school counselors-in-training construct their transitional professional identities:

We use discourse analysis to examine a group supervision meeting in which graduate students who are training to become school counselors discuss counseling experiences that they had at local high s...
Antibiotics for nursing home residents. When are they appropriate

Antibiotics are used often in nursing homes in response to high rates of infection. Physicians and nursing home administrators and staff need to work in concert to avoid inappropriate prescription of antibiotics in this setting. Physicians need to know how infection presents in frail, institutionalized elderly patients; strive to prevent infection; and prescribe antibiotics only in situations in which clear benefit has been demonstrated. Nursing home administrators and staff must institute comprehensive infection control programs, adopt specific guidelines for antibiotic use, and keep physicians informed about the number and types of infections and antibiotic susceptibility patterns.
Enhancing women’s health: A call for social work research

ABSTRACTThis article presents a critical synthesis of the social work empirical literature on women’s health. In light of recent policy changes that directly affect women’s health and social work, the authors conducted a literature review of recent publications (2010–2015) regarding social work and women’s health nationally. Despite frequent accounts cited in the literature, there has been no comprehensive review of issues involving women’s health and social work in the United States. The purpose of this review is to examine the current social work literature addressing women’s health at the national (U.S.) level. This research presents a summary description of the status of the social work literature dealing with women’s health, specifically 51 articles published between 2010 and 2015. Our search highlights the need for social work research to fill gaps and more fully address the needs of women across the lifespan.
Measurement of rare isotopologues of nitrous oxide by high-resolution multi-collector mass spectrometry.

Rationale: Bulk and position-specific stable isotope characterization of nitrous oxide represents one of the most powerful tools for identifying its environmental sources and sinks. Constraining ^(14)N^(15)N^(18)O and ^(15)N^(14)N^(18)O will add two new dimensions to our ability to uniquely fingerprint N_2O sources. Methods: We describe a technique to measure six singly and doubly substituted isotopic variants of N2O, constraining the values of δ^(15)N, δ^(18)O, ∆^(17)O, ^(15)N site preference, and the clumped isotopomers ^(14)N^(15)N^(18)O and ^(15)N^(14)N^(18)O. The technique uses a Thermo MAT 253 Ultra, a high-resolution multi-collector gas source isotope ratio mass spectrometer. It requires 8–10 hours per sample and ~10 micromoles or more of pure N_2O. Results: We demonstrate the precision and accuracy of these measurements by analyzing N_2O brought to equilibrium in its position-specific and clumped isotopic composition by heating in the presence of a catalyst. Finally, an illustrative analysis of biogenic N_2O from a denitrifying bacterium suggests that its clumped isotopic composition is controlled by kinetic isotope effects in N_2O production. Conclusions: We developed a method for measuring six isotopic variants of N_2O and tested it with analyses of biogenic N_2O. The added isotopic constraints provided by these measurements will enhance our ability to apportion N_2O sources.
Delirium prevention: another piece of the puzzle.

In an electronic publication released before print from The Lancet on August 16, 2016, Su et al . (1) presented the results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in which a dexmedetomidine infusion markedly decreased the incidence of delirium in elderly patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) after non-cardiac surgery. The data are compelling and novel, in that the dexmedetomidine infusion consisted of a low, sub-sedative dose. This two-center study, which included 700 patients, was well-powered to demonstrate the clinical effectiveness of a prophylactic dexmedetomidine infusion to reduce delirium.
Teaching Reading Comprehension to Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Predictors of Teacher Self-Efficacy and Outcome Expectancy.

Learners with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often exhibit difficulty in the area of reading comprehension. Research connecting the learning needs of individuals with ASD, existing effective practices, teacher training, and teacher perceptions of their own ability to teach reading comprehension is scarce. Quantitative survey methodology and hierarchical regression analysis were utilized to investigate teacher preparedness to use effective practices, along with the job-related factors of experience, administrator support, learner verbal ability, and instructional setting, as predictors of (1) teacher perceived self-efficacy and (2) teacher perceived outcome expectancy teaching reading comprehension to learners with ASD. Study findings, based on 112 teacher participants, indicate that teachers with a higher confidence in using effective practices have both a higher perception of their own ability to teach comprehension (self-efficacy), and a higher expectation of their own ability to increase instructional outcomes in learners with ASD (outcome expectancy). Implications for practice include professional development recommendations and provision of ongoing support from principals and administrators.
The Effects of Fat Structures and Ice Cream Mix Viscosity on Physical and Sensory Properties of Ice Cream

The purpose of this work was to investigate iciness perception and other sensory textural attributes of ice cream due to ice and fat structures and mix viscosity. Two studies were carried out varying processing conditions and mix formulation. In the 1st study, ice creams were collected at -3, -5, and -7.5 °C draw temperatures. These ice creams contained 0%, 0.1%, or 0.2% emulsifier, an 80:20 blend of mono- and diglycerides: polysorbate 80. In the 2nd study, ice creams were collected at -3 °C draw temperature and contained 0%, 0.2%, or 0.4% stabilizer, a blend of guar gum, locust bean gum, and carrageenan. Multiple linear regressions were used to determine relationships between ice crystal size, destabilized fat, and sensory iciness. In the ice and fat structure study, an inverse correlation was found between fat destabilization and sensory iciness. Ice creams with no difference in ice crystal size were perceived to be less icy with increasing amounts of destabilized fat. Destabilized fat correlated inversely with drip-through rate and sensory greasiness. In the ice cream mix viscosity study, an inverse correlation was found between mix viscosity and sensory iciness. Ice creams with no difference in ice crystal size were perceived to be less icy when formulated with higher mix viscosity. A positive correlation was found between mix viscosity and sensory greasiness. These results indicate that fat structures and mix viscosity have significant effects on ice cream microstructure and sensory texture including the reduction of iciness perception. From this work, a better understanding of the relationships between formulation, microstructure, and sensory textural properties upon consumption can be utilized to create high-quality ice cream products with enhanced shelf life.
A Strong Hybrid Fatty Acid Inducible Transcriptional Sensor Built From Yarrowia lipolytica Upstream Activating and Regulatory Sequences

The engineering of Yarrowia lipolytica to accumulate lipids with high titers and productivities has been enabled with a handful of constitutive promoters for pathway engineering. However, the development of promoters that are both strong and lipid responsive could greatly benefit the bioproduction efficiency of lipid-derived oleochemicals in oleaginous yeast. In this study, a fatty acid regulated hybrid promoter for use in Y. lipolytica is engineered. A 200 bp upstream regulatory sequence in the peroxisomal acyl CoA oxidase 2 (POX2) promoter is identified. Further analysis of the promoter sequence reveal a regulatory sequence, that when used in tandem repeats, lead to a 48-fold induction of gene expression relative to glucose and fourfold higher than the native POX2 promoter. To date, this is the strongest inducible promoter reported in Y. lipolytica. Taken together, the results show that it is possible to engineer strong promoters that retain strong inducibility. These types of promoters will be useful in controlling metabolism and as fatty acid sensors.
Continuidad con la épica criolla mexicana e innovación en la «Historia de la Nueva México», 1610

This is an introductory study to Gaspar de Villagra’s History of New Mexico (1610) in the context of the Cortes epic cycle tradition. The concept of «epic continuity» is utilized in order to better understand how the poem adheres to epic tradition at the same time that it goes through formal changes needed for its renovation. Part of the renovation is the inclusion of prose as a legal defense strategy, and its use as a vehicle for the struggles of Mexican Creoles. It is proposed that this poem belongs in a Frontier Creole epic sub-cycle.
Meeting report: a hard look at the state of enamel research

The Encouraging Novel Amelogenesis Models and Ex vivo cell Lines (ENAMEL) Development workshop was held on 23 June 2017 at the Bethesda headquarters of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). Discussion topics included model organisms, stem cells/cell lines, and tissues/3D cell culture/organoids. Scientists from a number of disciplines, representing institutions from across the United States, gathered to discuss advances in our understanding of enamel, as well as future directions for the field.
Association of Hospitalist Years of Experience With Mortality in the Hospitalized Medicare Population.

Importance Substantial numbers of hospitalists are fresh graduates of residency training programs. Current data about the effect of hospitalist years of experience on patient outcomes are lacking. Objective To describe the association of hospitalist years of experience with 30-day mortality and hospital mortality of their patients. Design, Setting, and Participants We used a 5% sample of national Medicare data of patient and hospital characteristics to build a multilevel logistic regression model to predict mortality as a function of years of experience of the hospitalists. We created 2 cohorts. The first was a cross-sectional cohort of 21 612 hospitalists working between July 1, 2013, and June 30, 2014, with a 5-year look-back period to assess their years of prior experience as a hospitalist, and the second was a longitudinal cohort of 3860 hospitalists in their first year of practice between July 1, 2008, and June 30, 2011, who continued practicing hospital medicine for at least 4 years. Main Outcomes and Measures Thirty-day postadmission mortality adjusted for patient and hospital characteristics in a 3-level logistic regression model. Hospital mortality was a secondary outcome. Results Among 21 612 hospitalists caring for Medicare inpatients from July 1, 2013, to June 30, 2014, 5445 (25%) had 1 year of experience or less, while 11 596 (54%) had 4 years of experience or more. We then identified 3860 physicians in their first year as hospitalists who continued to practice as hospitalists for 4 years. There was a significant association between hospitalist experience and mortality. Observed 30-day mortality was 10.50% for patients of first-year hospitalists vs 9.97% for patients of hospitalists in their second year. The mortality odds for patients of second-year hospitalists were 0.90 (95% CI, 0.84-0.96) compared with patients of first-year hospitalists. Observed hospital mortality was 3.33% for patients cared for by first-year hospitalists vs 2.96% for second-year hospitalists. (odds ratio, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.75-0.95). For both 30-day and hospital mortality, there was little change in odds of mortality between the second year and subsequent years of experience. Conclusions and Relevance Patients cared for by hospitalists in their first year of practice experience higher mortality. Early-career hospitalists may require additional support to ensure optimal outcomes for their patients.
Mutation of Ebola Virus Matrix Protein Cysteine Residues Increases Binding to Phosphatidylserine through Increased Flexibility of a Lipid Binding Loop

The Ebola virus (EBOV) is a genetically simple negative sense RNA virus with only 7 genes yet it causes severe hemorrhagic fever in humans. The matrix protein VP40 of EBOV is the main driver of viral budding through binding to host plasma membrane lipids and formation of the filamentous, pleomorphic virus particles. To better understand this dynamic and complex process we have asked what the role of two highly conserved cysteine residues are in the C-terminal domain of VP40. Here we report that the mutation of Cys 311 to alanine increases VP40 membrane binding affinity for phosphatidylserine containing membranes. C311A has a significant increase in binding to PS compared to WT, has longer virus like particles, and displays evidence of increased budding. C314A also has an increase in PS binding compared to WT, however to a lesser extent. The double Cys mutant shares the phenotypes of the single mutants with increased binding to PS. Computational studies demonstrate these Cys residues, Cys 311 in particular, restrain a loop segment containing Lys residues that interact with the plasma membrane. Mutation of Cys 311 promotes membrane binding loop flexibility, alters internal VP40 H-bonding, and increases PS binding. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first evidence of mutations that increase VP40 affinity for biological membranes and the length of EBOV virus like particles. Together, our findings indicate these residues are important for membrane dynamics at the plasma membrane via the interaction with phosphatidylserine.
Abstract 182: Rxrα in Microglia Acts as Central Player in the Cleanup and Repair After Ischemic Stroke

Microglia/macrophage (MΦ) are immune response cells with function in clearing cell debris and tissue repair after ischemic brain damage. Retinoid X receptor alpha (RXRα) is a pleiotropic transcript...
Upper limits for the rate constant for the reaction Br + H2O2 yields HB2 + HO2

Upper limits for the rate constant for the reaction Br + H2O2 yields HBr + HO2 have been measured over the temperature range 298 to 417 K in a discharge flow system using a mass spectrometer as a detector. Results are k sub 1 less than 1.5 x 10 to the -15th power cu cm/s at 298 K and k sub 1 less than 3.0 x 10 to the -15th power cu cm/s at 417 K, respectively. The implication to stratospheric chemistry is discussed.
Quasielastic Light Scattering from Polymer Gels

Various schemes employing inelastic light scattering to measure rigidity parameters of polymer gels are reviewed. These include techniques which are understood to probe the longitudinal elastic modulus of polymer lattices excited by thermal fluctuations and, also, procedures which measure the bulk shear modulus of lattice and solvent together responding to weak mechanical perturbations. Theories which relate elasticity parameters to experimental measurements are outlined, and several applications are discussed.
Hormonal considerations in early normal pregnancy and blighted ovum syndrome.

The hormonal profiles of six pregnancies which terminated in miscarriage with the blighted ovum syndrome have been studied and compared with those of a group of patients similarly studied who had clinically normal pregnancies terminating in live birth at term. The serum chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) values were below normal or at the lowest limit of normal in five 'of six patients. Three patients had progesterone values within 1 SD of the normal, with normal serum estradiol values. It was concluded that the hormonal profile of early pregnancy is characterized by rising serum HCG and estradiol levels and a declining serum progesterone level from the 5th to the 8th week. The theoretical explanation for the dichotomy seems to be that the fetal adrenal anlagen, even at this early embryonic stage, can produce steroid precursors which are aromatized to estradiol. The production of progesterone, however, does not seem to be possible. Abnormal serum estradiol levels strongly suggest the absence of fetal development and a blighted ovum. However, no single hormonal level will distinguish between blighted ovum and potentially salvagable threatened abortion.
Statistical analysis of Al distributions and metal ion pairing probabilities in zeolites

The distributions of Al tetrahedral sites are studied as a function of Si : Al ratio (from 11 to 95) in three zeolites: ZSM-5, ferrierite, and mordenite. Al configurations obeying Loewenstein’s rule are generated by a Monte Carlo procedure and analyzed in terms of accessibility to specific channels. The distribution of pairs of Al sites accessible to the same channel segregates into distinct nearest-neighbor and ring-bridging types. Such pairs provide favorable binding environments for extraframework MOxM2+ cations in the metal-ion-exchanged forms of the zeolites. In all three zeolites, the probability of a given Al site having at least one suitable partner for pairing within 8.5 A is close to unity for typical Si : Al ratios. The probability at shorter distances is more sensitive to the zeolite structure, reflecting the larger number of highly puckered five- and six-membered rings in ZSM-5. This sensitivity, and its implications for CuOxCu2+ formation in the three Cu-exchanged forms, may explain why Cu-ZSM-5 is the most active of the three for catalytically decomposing NO.
Why cancer and inflammation

Central to the development of cancer are genetic changes that endow these “cancer cells” with many of the hallmarks of cancer, such as self-sufficient growth and resistance to anti-growth and pro-death signals. However, while the genetic changes that occur within cancer cells themselves, such as activated oncogenes or dysfunctional tumor suppressors, are responsible for many aspects of cancer development, they are not sufficient. Tumor promotion and progression are dependent on ancillary processes provided by cells of the tumor environment but that are not necessarily cancerous themselves. Inflammation has long been associated with the development of cancer. This review will discuss the reflexive relationship between cancer and inflammation with particular focus on how considering the role of inflammation in physiologic processes such as the maintenance of tissue homeostasis and repair may provide a logical framework for understanding the connection between the inflammatory response and cancer.
National Strategic Computing Initiative

The National Strategic Computing Initiative (NSCI) was initiated in 2015 by then-US President Barack Obama, with the goal of accelerating scientic discovery and economic competitiveness by maximizing the benets of high-performance computing (HPC) research, development, and deployment. This special issue presents four papers that illustrate the state of the eld of HPC and computational science, three years after the initiatives launch.
Effects of a Novel Formulation on Oral Biofilm, pH Buffering, and Gingival Health in Patients with Dry Mouth

Goal. To identify in patients with dry mouth the effects of a novel test agent (Oral Essentials Hydrating Formula Mouthwash, Beverly Hills, CA) versus a control agent (Biotene Dry Mouth Oral Rinse, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare L.P., Moon Township, PA, USA) versus no treatment on dry mouth, plaque, salivary pH and buffering capacity, gingival health, and tooth sensitivity. Materials and Methods. In this cross-over study, ten subjects with dry mouth used test and control dry mouth interventions, as well as no dry mouth intervention in randomized sequence. Plaque Index, Gingival Index, Sulcus Bleeding Index, Plaque staining, and photographs were recorded at baseline and end of each study arm. Salivary volume, pH, and buffering capacity were also recorded at these time points. Additionally, subjects completed a questionnaire for dry mouth and dentinal sensitivity at each visit. Results. Reductions in plaque presence and clinical indices were similar after use of test or control products ( ). Saliva volume and pH buffering improved significantly after use of test and control products ( ). Conclusions. The effects of a novel dry mouth intervention are similar to those of an existing OTC remedy and are significantly better than no intervention.
Addressing Discrepancies Between ADHD Prevalence and Case Identification Estimates Among U.S. Children Utilizing NSCH 2007-2012:

Objective: Among U.S. children, ADHD epidemiological estimates (3%-5%) vary significantly from case identification rates (over 11%), leading to confusion about true incidence and prevalence. We inv...
Surface Modification and Functionalization of Boron Nitride Nanotubes via Condensation with Saturated and Unsaturated Alcohols for High Performance Polymer Composites

Over the past decade, boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) have been researched extensively due to their desirable physical, thermal, and mechanical properties. However, a major challenge for BNNT utili...
A Field Study Around a Racial Justice Protest on a College Campus: The Proximal Impact of Collective Action on the Social Change Attitudes of Uninvolved Bystanders

Social movements often use protests and other collective actions to draw public attention to their cause, yet the psychological reactions to such actions from their targeted audience is not well understood. This research investigates uninvolved bystanders’ immediate responses to collective action using a quasi-experimental field study designed around a racial justice protest that took place at a large public university in the United States. We surveyed two student samples exactly one week apart at the same time and location, first in the absence of protest and then again at the time of a racial justice protest (Total N = 240). We found that participants who believed that racism was not a problem on campus had more negative attitudes toward racial justice protests and protesters, as well as lower support for anti-racist efforts on campus on the day of the protest, compared to the day without a protest. These findings provide initial evidence that a protest encounter may trigger a backlash effect amongst those who have the most resistant attitudes toward social change.
Interfacial Electromechanics Predicts Phase Behavior of 2D Hybrid Halide Perovskites.

Quasi-two-dimensional (2D) mixed-cation hybrid halide perovskites (A'2AN-1MNX3N+1; A' = large organic molecule with cationic group, A = [Cs+, CH3NH3+, HC(NH2)2+], M = [Pb, Sn, Ge], X = [I-, Br-, Cl-]) have rapidly emerged as candidates to improve the structural stability and device lifetime of 3D perovskite semiconductor devices under operating conditions. The addition of the large A' cation to the traditional AMX3 structure introduces several synthetic degrees of freedom and breaks M-X bonds, giving rise to peculiar critical phase behavior in the phase space of these complex materials. In this work, we propose a thermodynamic model parametrized by first-principles calculations to generate the phase diagram of 2D and quasi-2D perovskites (q-2DPKs) based on the mechanics and electrostatics of the interface between the A' cations and the metal halide octahedral network. Focusing on the most commonly studied methylammonium lead iodide system where A' is n-butylammonium (BA; CH3(CH2)3NH3+), we find that the apparent difficulty in synthesizing phase-pure samples with a stoichiometric index N > 5 can be attributed to the energetic competition between repulsion of opposing interfacial dipole layers and mechanical relaxation induced by interfacial stress. Our model shows quantitative agreement with experimental observations of the maximum phase-pure stoichiometric index (Ncrit) and explains the nonmonotonic evolution of the lattice parameters with increasing stoichiometric index (N). This model is generalizable to the entire family of q-2DPKs and can guide the design of photovoltaic and optical materials that combine the structural stability of the q-2DPKs while retaining the charge carrier properties of their 3D counterparts.
Treatment Integrity of Intervention Studies in Professional School Counseling From 1997 to 2018: A Systematic Review:

Treatment integrity (TI) refers to the degree to which an intervention is implemented as intended. We analyzed 67 youth intervention studies published in Professional School Counseling from 1997 to...
Doping the chiral spin liquid: Topological superconductor or chiral metal

We point out that there are two different chiral spin liquid states on the triangular lattice and discuss the conducting states that are expected on doping them. These states labeled CSL1 and CSL2 are associated with two distinct topological orders with different edge states, although they both spontaneously break time reversal symmetry and exhibit the same quantized spin Hall conductance. While CSL1 is related to the Kalmeyer-Laughlin state, CSL2 is the $\ensuremath{\nu}=4$ member of Kitaev's 16-fold way classification. Both states are described within the Abrikosov fermion representation of spins, and the effect of doping can be accessed by introducing charged holons. On doping CSL2, condensation of charged holons leads to a topological $d + id$ superconductor. However on doping CSL1, in sharp contrast, two different scenarios can arise: first, if holons condense, a chiral metal with enlarged unit cell and finite Hall conductivity is obtained. However, in a second novel scenario, the internal magnetic flux adjusts with doping and holons form a bosonic integer quantum Hall state. Remarkably, the latter phase is identical to a $d+id$ superconductor. In this case the Mott insulator to superconductor transition is associated with a bosonic variant of the integer quantum Hall plateau transition. We connect the above two scenarios to two recent numerical studies of doped chiral spin liquids on a triangular lattice. Our work clarifies the complex relation between topological superconductors, chiral spin liquids, and quantum criticality.