cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Determinants of preventable readmissions in the United States: a systematic review

Hospital readmissions are a leading topic of healthcare policy and practice reform because they are common, costly, and potentially avoidable events. Hospitals face the prospect of reduced or eliminated reimbursement for an increasing number of preventable readmissions under nationwide cost savings and quality improvement efforts. To meet the current changes and future expectations, organizations are looking for potential strategies to reduce readmissions. We undertook a systematic review of the literature to determine what factors are associated with preventable readmissions. We conducted a review of the English language medicine, health, and health services research literature (2000 to 2009) for research studies dealing with unplanned, avoidable, preventable, or early readmissions. Each of these modifying terms was included in keyword searches of readmissions or rehospitalizations in Medline, ISI, CINAHL, The Cochrane Library, ProQuest Health Management, and PAIS International. Results were limited to US adult populations. The review included 37 studies with significant variation in index conditions, readmitting conditions, timeframe, and terminology. Studies of cardiovascular-related readmissions were most common, followed by all cause readmissions, other surgical procedures, and other specific-conditions. Patient-level indicators of general ill health or complexity were the commonly identified risk factors. While more than one study demonstrated preventable readmissions vary by hospital, identification of many specific organizational level characteristics was lacking. The current literature on preventable readmissions in the US contains evidence from a variety of patient populations, geographical locations, healthcare settings, study designs, clinical and theoretical perspectives, and conditions. However, definitional variations, clear gaps, and methodological challenges limit translation of this literature into guidance for the operation and management of healthcare organizations. We recommend that those organizations that propose to reward reductions in preventable readmissions invest in additional research across multiple hospitals in order to fill this serious gap in knowledge of great potential value to payers, providers, and patients.
A Review of “Practical Digital Preservation: A How-to Guide for Organizations of Any Size”

Adrian Brown has worked in digital preservation for 16 years and is currently the director of the Parliamentary Archives in the United Kingdom (UK). He shares his experiences and knowledge of the f...
Recent advances in natural family planning.

Although the combined pill continues to be the most popular method of contraception there appears to have been a steady increase in non-hormonal methods over the past few years. This may be for many reasons - recent health warnings the side-effects or simply the fashion not to take conventional medicines. Non-hormonal contraception can be divided into several categories: withdrawal the intrauterine devices (IUDs) barrier methods sterilisation and natural family planning. A review of the literature shows that there has been relatively little written about natural family planning so this article will focus on this somewhat undervalued method of contraception. (excerpt)
Research Note: Effect of Niacin Supplementation of a Corn-Soybean Meal Diet on Performance of Turkey Breeder Hens

Two trials were conducted to determine the need for niacin supplementation of Nicholas Large White Turkey hens fed a corn-soybean meal diet from 224 to 336 days of age. Analysis of the corn and soybean meal indicated the niacin contribution to be 23.6 mg/kg diet. No supplemental niacin was required for maximum egg production, fertility, or hatchability. However, body and egg weights were significantly increased when 8.4 and 16.7 mg niacin were added per kilogram of diet, respectively. These data indicate that the turkey hen does not require more than 23.6 mg niacin/kg of a corn-soybean meal diet for egg production, but 40.3 mg/kg was required for maximum egg weight in the presence of .17% tryptophan (analyzed in corn and soybean meal).
Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Post-encephalitic Epilepsy

Researchers at Chang Gung Children’s and Memorial Hospitals, Taoyuan, Taiwan, investigated the clinical manifestations, laboratory, EEG, and neuroimaging features of M pneumoniae-related encephalitis and its prognosis.
Abstract 3873: Single cell cisplatin measurements by ICP-MS

Cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin are the most widely used class of cancer chemotherapy drugs in the Western world. Many cancers are initially sensitive to platinum treatment but drug resistance frequently occurs. Cellular uptake of cisplatin is related to tumor burden, thus lower intracellular cisplatin levels are associated with a decreased tumor response. Traditional methods to assess cisplatin uptake in cells involves digesting a cell population and measuring the total platinum content. This approach does not reflect the distribution and individual cellular variation of cisplatin uptake. Here, we present a new method, single cell inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (SC-ICP-MS) to quantitate the platinum concentration within individual cells. Experiments were performed using the A2780 cisplatin-sensitive and the corresponding cisplatin-resistant A2780-CP70 ovarian cancer cell lines. Time course experiments were performed to measure the change of cisplatin uptake over time. Serum starvation experiments were also performed to examine if differences in cisplatin uptake were dependent on the cell cycle. SC-ICP-MS was performed by injecting cell suspensions and analyzing the platinum 195 isotope. Individual cellular cisplatin levels were collected and a histogram representing the cell population was generated using the instrument software (Syngistix Nano Application). Other metals, such as zinc, iron, and copper, were analyzed to measure the variation between cell lines after treatment. We observed a heterogeneous distribution of cisplatin concentrations within the sample reflecting that cisplatin uptake differs from cell to cell. Serum starvation affected the uptake of cisplatin within cells, changing the cisplatin distribution curve. SC-ICP-MS was also effective in measuring other metals within individual cells and differences were observed between the A2780 and A2780-CP70 cell lines. In conclusion, single cell ICP-MS analysis allows for the quantitation of cisplatin within individual cells. The heterogeneous distribution of cisplatin uptake more closely reflects what occurs within tumor cells. SC-ICP-MS allows for the development of strategies to increase cisplatin uptake, translating to better clinical responses. Citation Format: Lauren Amable, Stan Smith, Chady Stephan. Single cell cisplatin measurements by ICP-MS. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 3873.
The combustion of iso-octane droplets with initial diameters from 0.5 to 5 mm: Effects on burning rate and flame extinction

Abstract The burning characteristics of iso-octane droplets in the standard atmosphere are reported over a large range of initial droplet diameters (0.5 mm 2 mm; an energy balance at the droplet surface showed that Tf quickly dropped from ∼1600 K to ∼700 K after flame extinction, followed by a gradual reduction of Tf to near ambient temperature. The trends in the data are also discussed for potentially revealing a possible low temperature combustion regime.
The Effect of Local Flux Distortions on the Doppler Effect of Small Fissile Samples

Samples used in Doppler-effect measurements in fast critical assemblies distort the flux in their vicinity. For fissile samples whose Doppler effect depends strongly on spectrum, this distortion ma...
8/spl times/8 array of smart pixels fabricated through the Vitesse foundry integrating MESFET, MSM, and VCSEL elements

This paper presents a new smart pixel design for a database filter which combines the four chips of a previous system into a single component chip. This eliminates many of the optical components, dramatically reduces the size of the system, and simplifies the optical alignment. The redesigned chip is being fabricated by Vitesse through the MOSIS foundry and uses MSM photodetectors and MESFETs instead of heterojunction phototransistors. VCSELs are flip-chip bump bonded to each pixel using a coplanar bonding technique similar to that developed by Goossen, et. al. (1995) for SEED devices. The paper will describe the pixel design and measured characteristics.
Abstract 367: Macrophage 12/15-lipoxygenase Mediates Insulin-like Growth Factor I (IGF-1)-induced Suppression of Foam Cells: Potential Mechanism Responsible for IGF-1-induced Atheroprotection

We have shown that IGF-1 infusion into Apoe-null mice suppressed atherosclerosis. To define mechanisms we performed RT-PCR array and found that IGF-1 (0.8 mg/kg, i.p, 7d) reduced aortic 12/15-lipoxygenase (LOX) expression (64±6% decrease vs. saline control, P To further define mechanisms THP-1-derived MΦ were exposed to IGF-1. IGF-1 (50 ng/ml, 16h) reduced LOX mRNA (49±6% decrease, RT-PCR, P 0.05). These data indicate that specific LOX downregulation mediates IGF-1-induced suppression of nLDL oxidation and formation of foam cells. In summary, IGF-1 reduced LOX expression in atherosclerotic plaque and this effect correlated with reduction in plaque lipids and in total atherosclerotic burden. IGF-1 downregulated LOX in cultured MΦ via inhibition of STAT6-dependent transcription and IGF-1 decreased lipid oxidation and uptake by MΦ. Taken together these data strongly suggest that MΦ LOX downregulation mediates IGF-1-induced reduction in foam cells and in atherosclerosis.
Lessons from #McKinney: Social Media and the Interactive Construction of Police Brutality

Video evidence of police aggression and assault on civilians has previously been considered irrefutable evidence of misconduct; its circulation contributes to the creation of “celebrated cases” of police brutality that draw attention because of their high-profile nature. In June 2015, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter comments on a citizen-captured video of a police officer attempting to apprehend an African-American girl at a pool party in McKinney, Texas, trended as one incident in the #BlackLivesMatter movement’s canon of police mistreatment of African-American citizens. Through the lens of critical race theory, this qualitative content analysis triangulates data from three social media platforms to explore how users interpreted the incident. This study develops insights on how a “celebrated case” of police brutality is constructed by social media audiences. It makes a significant contribution to the literature by focusing on the often-overlooked experiences of African-American women and girls as victims of police brutality.
Abstract 5717: PKR promotes EphA2 and other proteins degradation and is predictor of survival in lung cancer

Relative expression of PKR and EphA2 was a significant predictor of survival in non-small cell lung cancer. To study the PKR-regulated protein, we evaluated expression of 149 proteins in lung cancer cells by reverse-phase protein assay (RPPA) after induction of PKR. Expression of several proteins (EphA2, IRS1, Chk1 and c-Raf and paxillin) was inhibited by PKR. In validating the downregulated proteins by western blot analysis, we observed that PKR reduced EphA2, IRS1, Chk1 and paxillin protein expression. We next investigated the involvement of the proteasomes and lysosomes in PKR-induced protein degradation. Human lung cancer H1299 and A549 cells were transfected with Ad-PKR for 48 h in the presence or absence of the proteasome inhibitor MG132 or lysosome inhibitor (3MA: 3-methyladenine). We observed that MG132 prevented PKR-induced IRS1 and Chk1 degradation, but not PKR-induced EphA2 and paxillin degradation in these cells. However, we found that 3MA prevented PKR-induced EphA2 and paxillin degradation in these cells. These data suggest that PKR is involved in proteasome as well as lysosome function. To study the involvement of autophagy pathway in PKR mediated protein degradation, we evaluated proteins which known involved in autophagy by Western blotting after induction of PKR on these cancer cells. We observed slightly decrease of LC-3, ATG5 and Beclin1 in these cancer cells after induction of PKR. Our data suggest that PKR may directly involve in in lysosome function. Citation Format: Apar Pataer, Ruping Shao, Bulent Ozpolat, Bingliang Fang, Stephen G. Swisher. PKR promotes EphA2 and other proteins degradation and is predictor of survival in lung cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5717. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-5717
Orchid Tissue Culture

The first attempt at plant tissue culture began in 1902 when Haberlandt (3, 4) placed the epidermal, pith parenchyma and palisade cells of various monocots in culture. The culture medium contained various sugars, inorganic salts and amino acids. None of the cells, however, grew. The first successful attempt came in 1904 when Hanning (3, 4), using similar media, was able to grow whole plants from isolated embryos. During the next two decades work centered around improving embryo culture techniques. It was found that several complex additives such as yeast extract, coconut milk and peptone greatly stimulated growth (3).
Some Probability and Entropy Estimates for Gaussian Measures

We compare two estimates for the measure of Banach neighborhoods of Hilbert balls in the reproducing kernel space. Borell’s estimate [1] is quite general and is known to be sharp for certain cases which involve small probabilities. However, Talagrand [7] and Goodman [4] use the openness of certain sets to obtain alternative estimates for cases in which the probability is near one.
Chemical Composition and Fuel Properties of Alternative Jet Fuels

The chemical composition and fuel properties of nine alternative jet fuels (named as AJF 1-9) and three commercial jet fuels (named as CJF 1, 2 and 3) are reported in this work. The fuels were characterized by GC/MS, SEP-GC/MS (for quantification of oxygenated molecules), viscosity, density, water content, water solubility at 0 °C, carbonyl content, total acid number, elemental composition, calorific value, flash point, differential scanning calorimetry, and surface tension. The content of n-paraffins, iso-paraffins, olefins, naphthenes, and aromatics are reported. The fuel rich in aromatics (AJF 1) has the highest density (0.90 g/mL), C content (over 90 wt. %), and water solubility, lowest calorific value, and high surface tension. The fuels with high contents of light molecules have the lowest flash points (AJFs 1, 6, and 8). AJF 2 is the most viscous fuel due to the presence of a single relatively heavy molecule. The content of oxygenated compounds measured was in all the cases very low and comparable with the amount found in commercial jet fuels. Overall, these fuels comply with most of ASTM requirements and offer opportunities to develop specialized products.
A Dynamic Framework for Electricity Markets

The current transformation towards a cyber-enabled power grid consists of two dominant features, one of which is a high penetration of distributed energy resources (DER) and the other is an increasing participation of demand response (DR), the concept of adjustable power consumption. As much of the DERs are renewable energy resources, their increased penetration introduces intermittencies and uncertainties, which encompass a large range of timescales. DR-compatible devices bring in new degrees of freedom that lead to decision-making over multiple timescales as well. Both of these features necessitate the need for revisiting the electricity market structure, its mechanisms and its overall coupling with the physical power grid. In this paper, we propose a dynamic framework for market mechanisms in the wholesale electricity market at fast timescales. In particular, we propose a dynamic market mechanism and a dynamic regulation market mechanism for the operation of a real-time market and a regulation market, respectively. Taking into account various physical constraints for generation, transmission and consumption, we design these mechanisms so that efficient market equilibrium can be realized. Performance metrics that reflect the social cost as well as physical costs of frequency regulation and area control errors are taken into account. Both market mechanisms are shown to be implementable and exhibit good performance through case studies on a modified IEEE 118-bus system and a three-area system where each of the areas is a modified IEEE 300-bus system.
Cause and Effect Relationship Between Environmental Conditions and Photosystem Stoichiometry in Synechococcus 6301

The Z-scheme of the photosynthetic electron transport reactions assumes a one to one ratio of the two photosystems in the thylakoid membrane of oxygenic photosynthesis. However, it has been demonstrated that the photosystem (PS) stoichiometry is rarely unity. in higher plants PSII/PSI ratios range from 1.2–1.9 [1], while in cyanobacteria and red algae it may be as low as 0.2 [2], Furthermore, in a single organism the PS stoichiometry changes as light or nutrient conditions during growth are varied. in this work we investigated the cause and effect relationship between environmental conditions and photosystem stoichiometry in the thylakoid membrane of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus 6301. Emphasis was placed on the response of the thylakoid membrane to light quality and to the concentration of CO2 during cell growth.
Tourist Trap: The new lease accounting standard and debt covenants

Abstract This instructional case centers on an ambitious retail store in the midst of expansion and employs the setting of debt covenants to lead students through an analysis of the effects on financial statements of the new lease accounting standard (ASC 842). The case is designed to have the new lease standard force the company into violation of some of these covenants. The intent is to enable you (a) to bolster and reinforce your understanding of the new lease guidance, (b) to compare the old and new lease standards, (c) to appreciate the role of debt covenants in financing agreements, (d) to calculate covenant ratios, and (e) to evaluate whether the retail operation can remain in compliance with its debt covenants during and after the transition to the new lease standard. The case dynamics span the length of the lease, so you must think critically about the short- and long-run effects of the new standard on the firm and its financial reporting. The case is designed for undergraduate intermediate accounting or finance students or students in M.B.A. or M.S. in accounting programs. The key learning objectives for you in the case are to develop an understanding of the new lease standard in relevant context and to improve and enhance the ability to calculate multi-year flow-through effects of transactions. The professional competencies the case enhances are the ability to think critically regarding effects of divergent accounting treatments on business decisions and augmented writing and communication skills.
Cooperative Cover of Uniform Demand

We investigate the total covered area by multiple facilities applying the cooperative cover model. We found that the cooperative cover area is much larger than the one found by standard cover models. We also show that for a large number of facilities located in a symmetric grid, an hexagonal grid is best. We also investigate covering a given region, such as a square, by a given number of facilities with the weakest possible signal emitted by the facilities.
A Data Mining Approach for Biomarker Discovery Using Transcriptomics in Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a complex and common gynecological disorder affecting 5-10% of reproductive age women. Due to the lack of definitive diagnostic symptoms and expensive invasive procedures for diagnosing endometriosis, the average time for the diagnosis can be up to 10 years. This diagnostic latency has a very significant impact on endometriosis patients, and early diagnosis is desired in order to increase quality of life. In this study, we analyzed 38 RNA-seq transcriptomics samples (16 endometriosis and 22 controls) and identified genomic signatures as potential biomarkers. We applied innovative data mining approaches including a combination of a normalization techniques, generalized linear model (GLM) for identifying the differentially expressed genes and a decision tree algorithm for constructing models with higher predictive performance. A total of 5 candidate genes were identified as potential biomarkers of endometriosis, which outperformed the results from the Biosigner tool using a leave-one-out cross-validation technique. Our data mining approach can successfully distinguish the endometriosis patients from the non-endometriosis and can be potentially used as a prediction-based diagnostic tool for other diseases in future.
Synthesis of tetragonal BaTiO3 by microwave heating and conventional heating

Hydrothermal synthesis of barium titanate was done by both microwave heating and conventional heating. The synthesis process was evaluated by examining samples at different processing times by X-ray diffraction. For samples produced by both heating methods, the metastable cubic phase crystallized first and gradually transformed to a tetragonal phase. Microwave synthesis showed advantages of shortened crystallization time, increased c/a ratio, and upon sintering led to a larger degree of increased c/a ratio. Elemental analysis showed a smaller Ti/Ba ratio and larger relative amount of Cl- ion in the microwave-treated sample than those in a conventionally treated sample. Sintering at 850 °C for both samples resulted in the samples exhibiting a clear transition temperature of around 125 °C as measured by DSC.
Structural basis of the atypical activation mechanism of KRASV14I

RAS regulation and signaling are largely accomplished by direct protein-protein interactions, making RAS protein dynamics a critical determinant of RAS function. Here, we report a crystal structure of GDP-bound KRASV14I, a mutated KRAS variant associated with the developmental RASopathy disorder Noonan syndrome (NS), at 1.5-1.6 A resolution. The structure is notable for revealing a marked extension of switch 1 away from the G-domain and nucleotide-binding site of the KRAS protein. We found that this extension is associated with a loss of the magnesium ion and a tilt in the position of the guanine base because of the additional carbon introduced by the isoleucine substitution. Hydrogen-deuterium exchange MS analysis confirmed that this conformation occurs in solution, but also disclosed a difference in kinetics when compared with KRASA146T, another RAS mutant that displays a nearly identical conformation in previously reported crystal structures. This conformational change contributed to a high rate of guanine nucleotide-exchange factor (GEF)-dependent and -independent nucleotide exchange and to an increase in affinity for SOS Ras/Rac GEF 1 (SOS1), which appears to be the major mode of activation for this RAS variant. These results highlight a mechanistic connection between KRASA146T and KRASV14I that may have implications for the regulation of these variants and for the development of therapeutic strategies to manage KRAS variant-associated disorders.
Probing the electronic and mechanistic roles of the μ4-sulfur atom in a synthetic CuZ model system

Nitrous oxide (N2O) contributes significantly to ozone layer depletion and is a potent greenhouse agent, motivating interest in the chemical details of biological N2O fixation by nitrous oxide reductase (N2OR) during bacterial denitrification. In this study, we report a combined experimental/computational study of a synthetic [4Cu:1S] cluster supported by N-donor ligands that can be considered the closest structural and functional mimic of the CuZ catalytic site in N2OR reported to date. Quantitative N2 measurements during synthetic N2O reduction were used to determine reaction stoichiometry, which in turn was used as the basis for density functional theory (DFT) modeling of hypothetical reaction intermediates. The mechanism for N2O reduction emerging from this computational modeling involves cooperative activation of N2O across a Cu/S cluster edge. Direct interaction of the μ4-S ligand with the N2O substrate during coordination and N–O bond cleavage represents an unconventional mechanistic paradigm to be considered for the chemistry of CuZ and related metal–sulfur clusters. Consistent with hypothetical participation of the μ4-S unit in two-electron reduction of N2O, Cu K-edge and S K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) reveal a high degree of participation by the μ4-S in redox changes, with approximately 21% S 3p contribution to the redox-active molecular orbital in the highly covalent [4Cu:1S] core, compared to approximately 14% Cu 3d contribution per copper. The XAS data included in this study represent the first spectroscopic interrogation of multiple redox levels of a [4Cu:1S] cluster and show high fidelity to the biological CuZ site.
The future of Communication and Critical/Cultural Studies

With its beginnings marked by a challenge to a noncritical cultural history, Communication and Critical/Cultural Studies is currently a mainstay within the communication discipline. Thinking about ...
Designing Finite Alphabet Iterative Decoders of LDPC Codes Via Recurrent Quantized Neural Networks

In this paper, we propose a new approach to design finite alphabet iterative decoders (FAIDs) for Low-Density Parity Check (LDPC) codes over binary symmetric channel (BSC) via recurrent quantized neural networks (RQNN). We focus on the linear FAID class and use RQNNs to optimize the message update look-up tables by jointly training their message levels and RQNN parameters. Existing neural networks for channel coding work well over Additive White Gaussian Noise Channel (AWGNC) but are inefficient over BSC due to the finite channel values of BSC fed into neural networks. We propose the bit error rate (BER) as the loss function to train the RQNNs over BSC. The low precision activations in the RQNN and quantization in the BER cause a critical issue that their gradients vanish almost everywhere, making it difficult to use classical backward propagation. We leverage straight-through estimators as surrogate gradients to tackle this issue and provide a joint training scheme. We show that the framework is flexible for various code lengths and column weights. Specifically, in high column weight case, it automatically designs low precision linear FAIDs with superior performance, lower complexity, and faster convergence than the floating-point belief propagation algorithms in waterfall region.
The exterior source surface for force-free fields

Consideration is given to the exterior source surface for force-free fields. The spherical harmonic expansion is presented for boundary values on two concentric spheres. An upper limit on a constant which measures the strength of coronal currents is found to be a function of the lowest multipole moment of the prescribed boundary values. The solar atmosphere is in the class of magnetic fields for which the study is applicable.
Stability of preference and reinforcing efficacy of edible, leisure, and social attention stimuli.

Behavior analysts have developed an extensive technology of assessing preferences, but little research has evaluated the extent to which preferences change over time. In this study, monthly paired-stimulus edible, leisure, and social preference assessments and bimonthly reinforcer assessments were conducted over a 1-year period with 4 individuals with developmental disabilities. Across participants, short-term (i.e., month to month) preference was most stable for edible items (average Spearman rank-order correlation coefficient = 0.79) and less stable for leisure items (average = 0.66) and social stimuli (average = 0.50). Long-term stability of preference was evaluated by comparing the first preference assessment to the final assessment, 12 months later. Across participants, average Spearman rank-order correlation coefficients were 0.63 for edible items, 0.33 for social stimuli, and 0.19 for leisure items. For all participants, edible items were associated with the highest response rates during reinforcer assessments. Suggestions for determining the frequency of conducting preference and reinforcer assessments are discussed.
T-MoCA: A valid phone screen for cognitive impairment in diverse community samples.

Introduction There is an urgent need to validate telephone versions of widely used general cognitive measures, such as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (T-MoCA), for remote assessments. Methods In the Einstein Aging Study, a diverse community cohort (n = 428; mean age = 78.1; 66% female; 54% non-White), equivalence testing was used to examine concordance between the T-MoCA and the corresponding in-person MoCA assessment. Receiver operating characteristic analyses examined the diagnostic ability to discriminate between mild cognitive impairment and normal cognition. Conversion methods from T-MoCA to the MoCA are presented. Results Education, race/ethnicity, gender, age, self-reported cognitive concerns, and telephone administration difficulties were associated with both modes of administration; however, when examining the difference between modalities, these factors were not significant. Sensitivity and specificity for the T-MoCA (using Youden's index optimal cut) were 72% and 59%, respectively. Discussion The T-MoCA demonstrated sufficient psychometric properties to be useful for screening of MCI, especially when clinic visits are not feasible.
Behavior of the Mo, Tl, and U isotope systems during differentiation in the Kilauea Iki lava lake

Abstract Stable molybdenum (Mo), thallium (Tl), and uranium (U) isotope ratios were determined in a suite of samples from the 1959 Kilauea eruption and from Kilauea Iki lava lake with the aim of understanding the effects of igneous differentiation on these isotope systems. The samples range from olivine cumulate with MgO up to 27% to internal differentiates with MgO less than 3%, representing a tholeiitic differentiation series. Molybdenum, Tl, and U behave incompatibly during differentiation, and Mo and U isotope ratios do not systematically vary amongst the different samples. δ98Mo values range from −0.17 to −0.31‰ and δ238U values range from −0.20 to −0.38‰. Most individual analyses for both isotope systems overlap within measurement uncertainty (± ~0.7 and ~ 0.6, respectively). Mean δ98Mo and δ238U values are −0.22 ± 0.08‰ (2σ) and − 0.29 ± 0.09‰ (2σ), respectively, which overlap with Pacific mid ocean ridge basalt (MORB). In contrast, Tl isotopes show small but resolvable variations, with e205Tl ranging from +1.20 to −1.38. The most negative e205Tl values are confined to some of the lowest [Tl] samples, but the e205Tl values do not otherwise vary smoothly with MgO or [Tl]. Possible mechanisms for thallium isotope fractionation are considered (e.g., degassing, water leaching, sulfide fractionation) but none are found to be satisfactory. Overall, the lack of resolvable variation in the Mo and U isotope systems and the small magnitude of heterogeneity in the Tl isotope system indicate that differentiation in tholeiitic systems is unlikely to be a major contributor to global variation in these isotope systems.
Response to PD-1 and PD-L1 based immunotherapy in MSS advanced colorectal cancer is impacted by metastatic disease sites.

72Background: Microsatellite stable (MSS) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) has been associated with immunotherapy resistance. However, the impact of metastatic diseases sites on clinical outcome...
The PrEDICT-DGE score as a simple preoperative screening tool identifies patients at increased risk for delayed gastric emptying after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Abstract Background Morbidity after Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) has remained unchanged over the past decade. Delayed Gastric Emptying (DGE) is a major contributor with significant impact on healthcare-costs, quality of life and, for malignancies, even survival. We sought to develop a scoring system to aid in easy preoperative identification of patients at risk for DGE. Methods The ACS-NSQIP dataset from 2014 to 2018 was queried for patients undergoing PD with Whipple or pylorus preserving reconstruction. 15,154 patients were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression to identify risk factors for DGE, which were incorporated into a prediction model. Subgroup analysis of patients without SSI or fistula (primary DGE) was performed. Results We identified 9 factors independently associated with DGE to compile the PrEDICT-DGE score: Procedures (Concurrent adhesiolysis, feeding jejunostomy, vascular reconstruction with vein graft), Elderly (Age>70), Ductal stent (Lack of biliary stent), Invagination (Pancreatic reconstruction technique), COPD, Tobacco use, Disease, systemic (ASA>2), Gender (Male) and Erythrocytes (preoperative RBC-transfusion). PrEDICT-DGE scoring strongly correlated with actual DGE rates (R2 = 0.95) and predicted patients at low, intermediate, and high risk. Subgroup analysis of patients with primary DGE, retained all predictive factors, except for age>70 (p = 0.07) and ASA(p = 0.30). Conclusion PrEDICT-DGE scoring accurately identifies patients at high risk for DGE and can help guide perioperative management.
Fleet Experience with Daytime Running Lights in the United States

Previous research in Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United States has indicated that daytime running lights (DRLs) -- vehicle lights that are on during daylight hours -- can reduce the frequency of daytime multiple-vehicle crashes. In this study, over 2,000 passenger cars, vans, and pickup trucks in three fleets were modified to operate with DRLs. An inexpensive relay was installed on these vehicles to automatically turn on their front parking lights and rear tail lights with vehicle ignition. In addition, bulbs with substantially higher intensity minor filaments were installed in the front parking lights. The crash experience of these vehicles was compared to similar but unmodified vehicles in the fleets. Overall, the proportion of multiple-vehicle crashes relevant to DRLs that occurred during daytime hours was seven percent lower for the vehicles equipped with DRLs.
Global Implications of State Sponsored Terrorism

State sponsored terrorism is a growing threat to nations of all sizes and in almost every region of the world. Whether highly industrialized or developing, wealthy or poor, all nations, in some way are adversely impacted by terrorism and the lasting repercussions of terrorist activities. In recent years, terrorist attacks have become more brazen and sophisticated. Even more alarming is the fact that terrorist attacks are far more difficult to predict and deter. These attacks follow no particular pattern and are not limited to any specific type of target (Kunreuther, Michel-Kerjan and Porter, 2003). Historically, terrorists organizations were poorly funded and had to focus a significant amount of time generating revenue to fund their attacks. From a contemporary perspective this is no longer the reality. Modern terrorist organizations are better funded, well organized, and well informed on the nature and dynamics of their targets. This is the case primarily because more terrorist organizations are sponsored by governments in stead of individuals who are loyal to a particular agenda. Because of this evolution among terrorist organizations it is important than ever that nations of all sizes and in every region of the world understand these facts. This chapter examines the impact of state sponsored terrorism on the social and economic condition of nations. This review is not intended to be a prescriptive blueprint to fight terrorism for any nation or region, but rather, an examination of relevant facts which will hopefully benefit policy makers and practitioners who work diligently to reduce or eliminate terrorist activities.
Direct, Experimental Evidence of the Fermi Surface in YBa2Cu3O7-x

We report new measurements of the electron-positron momentum spectra of YBa2Cu3O7-x performed with ultra-high statistical precision. These data differ from previous results in two significant respects: They show the D2 symmetry appropriate for untwinned crystals and, more importantly, they show unmistakable, statistically significant, discontinuities that are evidence of a major Fermi surface section.
Crimes in, of and by virtual worlds and computer gaming

Criminal and delictual conduct are found within virtual worlds and computer gaming just as in the physical world. These may manifest themselves in myriad ways, from the role playing conduct of players within the game space to conduct by players, game developers and operators and others that may violate criminal laws and normative prohibitions generally. We examine this spectrum of conduct and the implications for players, developers and policy makers.
Prevention of Ebola

I have read Keshtkar Jahromi’s paper, “Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever” (1), which was an informative review on Ebola. However, despite many efforts in this area, there is no specific treatment or effective FDA-approved vaccine against Ebola virus. So far, The primary preventive measures that are known including understanding of clinical presentation, prompt diagnosis, patients isolation, and implementing adequate sterilization procedures (1-5). Furthermore, we should Identify high risk individuals to prevent further spread of infection among high risk population. According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the people at high risk are as follows (2): 1Those who have contacted with objects contaminated with infected body fluids such as needle, syringes, etc., 2Those who have exposed with infected fluids via eye, nose, and mouth, or directly on through their skin, 3The people who are in close contact with a patient in a healthcare facility, his/ her household items, or involved in direct patient care in any healthcare settings, 4The people who have travelled on an airplane with a sick person, 5Those who have a travel history to a country with a large Ebola outbreak within the past 21 days. Moreover, the primary preventive measures are identified as Following (1, 2): 1Hand hygiene or using an alcohol-based sanitizer, 2Avoiding contact with the blood and body fluids of patients Infected with Ebola, 3Avoiding contact with the body of people died from Ebola hemorrhagic fever, 4To avoid touching bats and nonhuman primates, 5Promptly reporting any potential unprotected Ebola exposure or illness, 6Getting medical care immediately, if someone has developed fever, headache, muscle pain, stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, or unexplained bleeding, 7Limiting contact with other people when a person is sick. Recovery from Ebola disease depends on suitable supportive care and also patient’s immune level. Experimental vaccines and drugs for Ebola are under development, and are not FDAapproved yet (1-5). People recovering from Ebola infection develop antibodies for at least 10 years. However, it is not known whether these people are immune for life, or if they are vulnerable to different species of Ebola. Therefore, control of infection is a key strategy in preventing spread of Ebola virus (2-4).
Conduction and Contraction in the Column of Hydra

1. A suction electrode is described which allows long-term recording of spontaneous activity from essentially unrestrained Hydra . These electrodes were used to hold the animal while measuring column contractions and to measure the conduction velocity of the electrical potentials (contraction pulses = CPs) associated with contraction. 2. CPs are conducted in the column at 3.4-8.1cm./sec. The conduction velocity generally differs in the basal and hypostomal directions but the direction of faster conduction varies from animal to animal. 3. The latency between CPs and measurable column contraction is 0 1-0.15 sec. During isometric contractions following single CPs there is a rapid tension rise reaching a peak in about 1 sec. which is usually followed by partial relaxation and then a second, slower tension rise. Available evidence indicates that both tension components are due to contraction of longitudinal musculature and both are activated by the same conducting system.
EXISTENCE OF NEUTRAL STOCHASTIC FUNCTIONAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS WITH ABSTRACT VOLTERRA OPERATORS

This paper deals with the existence of the solution process of a class of neutral stochastic functional differential equations with abstract Volterra operators defined on certain function spaces. Using fixed point techniques, existence and uniqueness of the solution process are proven. It is also noted that the method of successive approximations can be used to obtain some existence results.
Reducing verbal aggression in adults with brain injury

This study presents data on the reduction of verbal aggression of two clients with brain injury. In one client, the inappropriate verbal behavior was reduced by using behavioral contracts with the duration of up to 6 days. In the other client, restitution (apology), reinforcement, and response cost were used to reduce verbal aggression.
Synchronization of chaotic systems based on SDRE method

Abstract This paper is concerned with the synchoronization of nonlinear systems using feedback control laws based on state-dependent Riccati equation (SDRE). The method requires only partial observation of the states. It requires pointwise observability and controllability along the trajectory which can be checked. The method is general and can be applied to various nonlinear systems provided that the observability and controllability conditions are satisfied.
Long-term outcome of children following maternal human parvovirus B19 infection.

Objective To determine the long-term outcomes of children exposed in utero to maternal parvovirus B19 infection. Methods All pregnant women with serologic evidence of recent parvovirus B19 infection and a comparison group with serologic evidence of past infection from January 1988 to December 1994 were sent questionnaires or contacted by phone about the health and development of their children. Information requested included: pregnancy complications, date of delivery, birth weight, sex, birth defects, need for special care, significant health problems, and developmental delays. All women had serology done at either the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the virology laboratory of the Connecticut Department of Health. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, X2 analysis with Fisher exact test, or Student t test in appropriate cases. P Result Outcome information was obtained from 113 of 117 immunoglobulin-M positive women. The 113 respondents had 103 term singletons, two sets of twins (of which one neonate died of complications of prematurity), one hydropic stillborn, four spontaneous abortions, and one ectopic pregnancy. The mean gestational age at time of exposure was 15.6 weeks. The median age of the liveborn infants in study and comparison groups was 4 years. Eight of the 108 (7.3%) surviving children, one set of twins (exposed at 27 weeks), and six singletons (exposed at 7, 8, 9, 20, 27, and 35 weeks) had developmental delays in speech, language, information processing, and attention. Outcomes were obtained for 99 of 110 patients with past infection; they had 83 liveborn singletons, five sets of twins, two stillborns, and five spontaneous abortions. Seven of the 93 (7.5%) children had developmental delays, similar to the study group. Posthoc power analysis revealed that 712 infected patients would be needed to find a twofold difference in the risk of abnormal neurologic development; our study had 30% power to find such a difference. Conclusion There is no apparent increase in the frequency of developmental delays in children with exposure in utero to parvovirus, but larger studies are needed.
Discrimination of ophiolitic from nonophiolitic ultramafic-mafic allochthons in orogenic belts by the Al/Ti ratio in clinopyroxene

In mafic igneous suites typical of anorogenic igneous provinces (mid-ocean ridges, back-arc basins, continental rifts, and "hotspots"), clinopyroxenes of tholeiitic and silica-undersaturated rocks incorporate Al in clinopyroxene chiefly via the charge-coupled substitution viMgivSi2 ⇔ viTiivAl2 as the CaTiAl2O6 molecule. This substitution is promoted by high titania activity relative to silica in the melt, and hence is particularly characteristic of silica-undersaturated mafic rocks. Mafic igneous suites of convergent plate margins (i.e., arc tholeiites and calc-alkalic gabbros and basalts) characteristically incorporate Al in clinopyroxene largely as the CaFe3+AlSiO6 molecule. The viMgivSi ⇔ viFe3+ivAl substitution is promoted by relatively high fugacities of H2O and O2, a characteristic feature of arc-axis magmas. Recognition of cumulates that are complementary to compositions of eruptive rocks in arcs is crucial to development of valid petrogenetic models for arc magmas. Plots of tetrahedrally coordinated Al vs. octahedral Ti in augite of gabbroic and ultramafic cumulates show that augite data arrays for arc-related cumulates have a trend of substantially higher Al/Ti in clinopyroxene than do those from rift-related tholeiites. The Al/Ti ratio in clinopyroxene may be utilized to discriminate ophiolitic from nonophiolitic ultramafic-mafic allochthons in orogenic belts.
The effects of several croton oil constituents on two types of DNA repair and cyclic nucleotide levels in mammalian cells in vitro.

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of two potent tumor-promoting agents on two DNA repair mechanisms and cyclic nucleotide levels in mammalian cells. Human amnion (AV3) cells were treated with low dose levels of either UV or N-acetoxy-acetylaminofluorene. Subsequently, DNA excision repair as measured by unscheduled DNA synthesis was followed in the absence or presence of non-toxic levels of either 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), phorbol-12,13-dibenzoate (PDB), both potent tumor promoters, or phorbol, a non-promoter. Neither of these compounds inhibited DNA repair synthesis occurring in response to low doses of the carcinogenic agents. In addition, TPA did not inhibit “post-replication repair” in response to UV irradiation of growing Chinese hamster (V79-4) cells. However, both TPA and PDB did cause rapid dramatic increases in cyclic guanosine
Controlled trial of pulse methylprednisolone versus two regimens of pulse cyclophosphamide in severe lupus nephritis

Pulse cyclophosphamide is more effective than prednisone alone in preventing renal failure in lupus nephritis. We undertook a randomised, controlled trial to find out whether pulse methylprednisolone could equal pulse cyclophosphamide in preserving renal function in patients with lupus nephritis, and whether there was a difference between long and short courses of pulse cyclophosphamide in preventing exacerbations. 65 patients (60 female, 5 male; median [range] age 29 [10-48] years) with severe lupus nephritis were assigned randomly to monthly pulse methylprednisolone for 6 months (25 patients), monthly pulse cyclophosphamide for 6 months (20), or monthly cyclophosphamide for 6 months followed by quarterly pulse cyclophosphamide for 2 additional years (20). Patients treated with pulse methylprednisolone had a higher probability of doubling serum creatinine than those treated with long-course cyclophosphamide (p less than 0.04). Risk of doubling creatinine was not significantly different between short and long course cyclophosphamide. However, patients treated with short-course cyclophosphamide had a higher probability of exacerbations than those treated with long-course cyclophosphamide (p less than 0.01). An extended course of pulse cyclophosphamide is more effective than 6 months of pulse methylprednisolone in preserving renal function in patients with severe lupus nephritis. Addition of a quarterly maintenance regimen to monthly pulse cyclophosphamide reduces the rate of exacerbations.